this is not my beautiful house

Hotline After Dark — Cruisin’ For A Bruisin’

Tak and the guardians of gross

Last night’s TV coverage was dominated by poll analysis. Barack Obama also made the rounds:

MSNBC’s Maddow sat down with Obama in FL.

Maddow: “When John McCain calls you a socialist. … He calls you soft on national security. That’s not just an anti-Barack Obama script. He’s reading from an anti-Democrat, and specifically an anti-liberal stance.”

Obama: “Absolutely.”

Maddow: “And so, you have the opportunity to say John McCain, George Bush, you’re wrong. You also have the opportunity to say, conservatism has been bad for America. But, you haven’t gone there either.”

Obama: “I think we’re winning right now so maybe I’m doing something right. I know you’ve been cruising for a bruising for a while here, looking for a fight out there. But, I just think people are tired of that kind of back and forth, tit for tat, ideological approach to the problems” (”Rachel Maddow Show,” 10/30).

More after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

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McCain camp response to Obamamercial

by Frank James

The McCain campaign poohed poohed the Obama infomercial thusly:

Please see our campaign’s response to Barack Obama’s thirty minute infomercial:

—Tucker Bounds, spokesman McCain-Palin

Going to Miami this weekend for a TV appearance? work, work, work.

“sky story is currently broadcasting live from miami with a series of daily animate shows covering all the issues surrounding the election, for our viewers all over the world to get a ambience for the american response to both candidates. transmitting live throughout the day, our us political presswoman andrew wilson is talking to senartors, party …
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Frankenstein, Just In Time For Halloween

CNN.com offers this look at the history of Burg Frankenstein (Castle Frankenstein) from which Mary Shelley is supposed to have derived part of her inspiration for the story of her novel Frankenstein, named for her character Victor von Frankenstein, who creates a monster out of body parts, gives it life and then discovers that oops, that was maybe not such a great idea.

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Frankenstein, as a novel, combines a number of themes, including that of graverobbing and that of the scientist who wants to discover not just the secret of life, but the secret of creating life. If human beings can create life from nothingness, do they then become superbeings, that is, gods? Do they learn the secrets of magic? Should such experimentation be banned? We are wrestling with these questions today, with our considerations of whether we should allow stem cell research and cloning. The novel’s subtitle is, after all, The Modern Prometheus. The law banned graverobbing in many countries, and allowed the use of only the bodies of executed criminals for anatomical study by medical students and physicians, so that some doctors like Dr. Frankenstein who wanted to study the human body might would turn to people who didn’t have quite so much trouble with legal niceties and would willingly provide medical students and physicians with newly dead folks, or with newly buried bodies. Prime examples were people like William Burke and William Hare, who made quite a career out of the practice, until they got caught.

The author, Mary Shelley, is generally credited with having created the first modern science fiction novel; she probably also created the first “mad scientist” novel, although whether Dr. Frankenstein goes mad as a result of seeing his creature commit one murder after another, and why the creature does so, or whether the doctor is mad all along is a question for debate.

Here’s a Frankensteinian web exhibit prepared by the National Library of Medicine.

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Flaming Lips Frontman Debuts Mutant Guitar Hero Guitar [Guitar Hero]

Zany frontman Wayne Coyne of commercial alt-rock outfit The Flaming Lips has constructed what may be the world first double-neck, double-function Guitar Hero guitar. It’s one half genuine guitar, one quarter Guitar Hero guitar controller and one quarter Korg Kaoscillator, making for a cute little noisemaker that you might just see at an upcoming show.

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While filming jingle promos for NBC, Coyne told Entertainment Weekly what it is and why he made it.

“I’ve constructed this great looking Guitar Hero double-neck guitar thing here,” Coyne says, smarmily, “because there’s a lot of kids out there that actually think this is how you play guitar now, that you just press a series of four or five buttons and… it makes every sound the guitar can make.”

EW thinks the monstrosity is “Huh-larious!” We think it’s mildly interesting and possibly an indicator that we won’t see too many Flaming Lips tracks on future Guitar Hero releases.

To see Mr. Coyne whack away at his guitar to the tune of NBC’s three-note brand, hit up EW.com for extensive jingle coverage.

Flaming Lips ‘Chime In’ for NBC [Entertainment Weekly - thanks, Jason!]

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Gadget Lab Podcast #51: Apple Takes a Bite Out of the Industry With New Macbooks and Deep Pockets

in this week’s wired gadget lab audio podcast, dylan tweney, brian chen, and i talk about the lightning fast and sexy-looking new macbooks, as well as apple’s surprising financial quarterly report. in totalling, we put the believably tepid set of…

Cabin fever

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Saugus photographer is a winner at Topsfield Fair

kerry goodwin of saugus was a winner at this year’s topsfield attractive photography contest. this was the anything else year goodwin decided to become a member of the contest.

“When I found out the theme was “Agriculture”, I started looking through my collection of photos from the past year. I love to photograph flowers, and while some may find it to be over done, I enjoy it anyway,” noted Goodwin.

her afflatus   “i had been out in gill, massachusetts for a family reunion on my mother’s cousin’s farm in june. she had a splendid flower ordering on the red checked tablecloth covered table. i ended up spending certainly a segment of sooner photographing the arrangement from novel angles and distances. i captured so many basic images and knew that i would opt one of these to document into the contest,” she explained.

Goodwin chose an image of an orange Gerbera daisy to enter into the Topsfield Fair contest. She photographed the flower at just the right angle, leaving some of it in background blur.

“I packaged up the print as instructed and brought it to the Topsfield Fair administration building. I honestly had no expectations as I figured there were tons of talented photographers submitting their photos,” Goodwin said.

With great anticipation, Goodwin drove to the fair on Thursday, Oct. 9. with her 18-month-old twins and her mother.

“This would be the day I would find out what the judges thought of my photo. I eagerly walked down the aisle of the Grange building where the photos were hanging on the wall,” she remembered.

“I was trying to pick out my photo from far away as I approached. I could see blue and red ribbons on a many photos, but I still didn’t see mine. Finally I saw it right in the middle. My eye went quickly to the bottom left corner where I had seen the ribbons on the other photos. I was so excited to see a red second place ribbon!

Power 106

“The fact that the judges thought that my art was good enough for a ribbon at all — let alone second place — was incredibly flattering to me and really meant a lot,” said the proud photographer.

While Goodwin and her family were checking out all of the nearby photographs, she heard a woman say to a friend, “Look at that beautiful orange flower!” I was so proud to turn to her and say, “That’s mine!”

Goodwin, who is attempting to get her photography business (www.klgproductions.com) off the ground, pointed out that winning the second place award is a great pat on the back and will give her some added confidence as she pursues her photography career.

     
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Chavez’ Ambition Dampened by Economic Downturn

The New York Times reports that

200,000 Letters In 32 Hours?

In what looks like an effort to rush through proposed rules to overhaul the Endangered Species Act, the Interior Dept. has said it plans on reviewing 200,000 public comments in just 32 hours, according to The Associated Press.

The agency actually received…

University course not suitable for “oriental people”

by guest contributor angry asian man, originally published at angry asian man some racist news from abroad, spotted over at the obstruct racism blog… in wales, an asian woman has accused a university of racism after she was evidently told that an accountancy course might not be suitable for “oriental people”: university in ‘oriental&#8217 viagra kaufen ohne rezept; compete with row. odgerel …
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Idol Headlines for 10/15/08

Lil Wayne, Coldplay, Alicia Keys Lead 2008 American Music Award Nominees

The nominees for the 2008 American Music Awards were announced Tuesday (October 14), with Alicia Keys leading the pack with five nods, including one for Artist of the Year. The AMAs have been scheduled for November 23 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and will air live on ABC with Jimmy Kimmel as host.

MTV

More Idol Headlines after the JUMP…

More ‘Bees’ buzz on casting choices

What others involved with The Secret Life of Bees have to say about what Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo and Alicia Keys brought to their roles:

Jennifer Hudson (Rosaleen). “Every time Sophie was doing anything, all I could see was an Oscar glowing above her head. Alicia ? we have crossed paths several times. This is different. I knew she was going up for the part, and I am pleased they let her get it. I’ve always looked up to Alicia and Queen. And Queen has such a beautiful spirit. She’s just so outgoing. You get happy when you see Queen walking around.”

USA Today

?Bees’ actresses buzz about sweet roles

Hudson, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her 2006 film debut in “Dreamgirls [trailer],” stars as nanny Rosaleen in “The Secret Life of Bees.”

But Prince-Bythewood had a surprise in store before filming in North Carolina, to help the 27-year-old actress get a better understanding of how bad segregation was 44 years ago.

Hudson was sent to a local store with co-star Dakota Fanning.

Boston Herald

Reality star drops in to the Jewish Mother

“American Idol” veteran Blake Lewis has taken it on the chin recently, but he’s still swinging ? and still singing.

Earlier this year, Lewis was dropped by his record label, Arista.

But Lewis, who is set to perform tonight at The Jewish Mother in Virginia Beach, said he’s not bothered by critics who reacted gleefully to news of his career difficulties.

“I never read anything about myself, I don’t get on the Internet,” the 27-year-old singer said last week. “I only talk to my fans on MySpace because that’s all I care about. If you’re not a fan of ‘American Idol’ and not a fan of me, I’m not going to try to change your mind. I don’t really care about all that stuff. I make music because I’m passionate about it and I love to create.”

Daily Press

RTA celebrates HealthLine opening in big way

CLEVELAND — A free concert by “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks and a scavenger hunt along Euclid Avenue highlight the grand opening of RTA’s HealthLine on Saturday, Oct. 25.

The celebration signals the completion of the $200 million, 7.1-mile Euclid Corridor project. The bus rapid transit system will travel from Public Square to the Stokes-Windermere Station in East Cleveland. Work began in March 2006.

Cleveland.com

Rock of Ages: So Totally Awesome!

I have to admit, I walked in there groaning a little at the thought of watching star Constantine Maroulis with his brooding, kicked-off-American-Idol pout, but I swear that boy can belt out Foreigner like you wouldn’t believe. And that look worked for him so well as Drew, a looking-for-love-and-fame rocker. By the end of the show you may just want to hug him.

Put aside your expectations and walk into the theater open-minded and you won’t be disappointed. Straight out of the late ’80s, the set list was fantastic, the singing was great and the costumes were everything you’re picturing as you read this. Cleverly written, well-acted and all-around rockin’, I recommend this show to anyone of any age.

Brooklyn Eagle

LeAnn Rimes Gets Vocal For Reba McEntire

LeAnn Rimes paid tribute to Reba McEntire at Monday’s 2008 ASCAP Country Music Awards in Nashville, belting out one of McEntire’s signature songs, “I’m A Survivor.”

Kelly Clarkson and Brooks & Dunn also joined in, with Clarkson ? who was rewarded with a standing ovation ? singing “Why Haven’t I Heard From You” and Kix and Ronnie performing an emotional rendition of “For My Broken Heart,” another McEntire standard.