Californian Sojourn

VDH's Take On Alexander

Reprinted here because it's just so to the point.

This is why I won't be seeing the movie:

Well, I thought it was simply terrible. The film goes on for nearly three hours, but we hear nothing of what either supporters or detractors of Alexander, both ancient and modern, have agreed were the central issues of his life. Did he really believe in a unity of mankind, and were his mass mixed marriages, Persian dress, and kowtowing cynical, sincere, or delusions of megalomania? We see nothing of the siege of Tyre, Gaza, much less Thebes or even the burning of Persepolis. Other than the talking head Ptolemy, none of his generals have much of a character. There is nothing really in detail about the page purging other than a single reference; Stone, I would have thought, could have had a field day with Alexander’s introduction of both crucifixion and decimation.

The Gedrosian desert gets a few seconds. And what was the elephant scene in the jungle? Was that supposed to be dirty fighting in India, or the battle at the Hydaspes—which in fact was a brilliant Macedonian victory? The elephants were visually good, but without context or significance. So since Stone omitted the controversial and key issues of Alexander’s career, what do we get instead for at least over two thirds of the movie? Mostly sit-com drama, with gay and bi- subplots, in various bedrooms and banquet halls. Olympias was something out of a teen-aged vampire movie, not the sophisticated and conniving royal we read about in the sources.  It is the old Dallas or Falcon Crest glossy pulp in Macedonian drag. Stone’s Alexander is a pouty, wimpy bore; the real figure, whatever your thoughts on him, was a killer and a fearful man of action. Gladiator’s Maximus was a far more engaging and forceful character—and that was a far better film as well.

There is also irony here. If we remember the embarrassing Troy, we are beginning to see, that all for all the protestations of artistic excellence and craftsmanship, Hollywood has become mostly a place of mediocrity, talentless actors and writers who spout off about politics in lieu of having any real accomplishment in their own field. I’ve heard so many inane things mouthed by Stone that I would like someone at last to address this question—why would supposedly smart insiders turn over $160 million to someone of such meager talent to make such an embarrassing film? Alexander the Great is third-rate Cecil B. Demille in drag.

©2004 Victor Davis Hanson

So basically, don't waste your time with not just historical revisionism, but sheer historical apathy.

Handwriting Analysis...

Came across this Handwriting Analysis test via a new aquintance (friend hopefully) and I must say, it comes across pretty accurate in its analysis.  These are my results: 

Christopher has a healthy imagination and displays a fair amount of trust. He lets new people into his circle of friends. He uses his imagination to understand new ideas, things, and people. 

One way Christopher punishes himself is self directed sarcasm. He is a very sarcastic person. Often this sarcasm and "sharp tongued" behavior is directed at himself. 

Christopher is a practical person whose goals are planned, practical, and down to earth.� This is typical of people with normal healthy self-esteem. He needs to visualize the end of a project before he starts.� he finds joy in anticipation and planning.� Notice that I said he plans everything he is going to do, that doesn't necessarily mean things go as planned.� Christopher basically feels good about himself.� He has a positive self-esteem which contributes to his success.� He feels he has the ability to achieve anything he sets his mind to.� However, he sets his goals using practicality-- not too "out of reach".� He has enough self-confidence to leave a bad situation, yet, he will not take great risks, as they relate to his goals.� A good esteem is one key to a happy life.� Although there is room for improvement in the confidence catagery, his self-perception is better than average. 

In reference to Christopher's mental abilities, he has a very investigating and creating mind. He investigates projects rapidly because he is curious about many things. He gets involved in many projects that seem good at the beginning, but he soon must slow down and look at all the angles. He probably gets too many things going at once. When Christopher slows down, then he becomes more creative than before. Since it takes time to be creative, he must slow down to do it. He then decides what projects he has time to finish. Thus he finishes at a slower pace than when he started the project. He has the best of two kinds of minds. One is the quick investigating mind. The other is the creative mind. His mind thinks quick and rapidly in the investigative mode. He can learn quicker, investigate more, and think faster. Christopher can then switch into his low gear. When he is in the slower mode, he can be creative, remember longer and stack facts in a logical manner. He is more logical this way and can climb mental mountains with a much better grip. 

Christopher will be candid and direct when expressing his opinion. He will tell them what he thinks if they ask for it, whether they like it or not. So, if they don't really want his opinion, don't ask for it! 

Christopher will demand respect and will expect others to treat him with honor and dignity. Christopher believes in his ideas and will expect other people to also respect them. He has a lot of pride.

Christopher is a very emotional person with a broad range of emotions from the highest highs to the lowest lows. He feels emotional situations very strongly. He'll flash to the very peaks of elation, sweeping everything before him. Then, for some reason unknown to himself, he will burn out emotionally. These mood swings can be very disturbing to him. Sometimes, he feels that he can no longer produce anything. But, after given some time alone to "recharge his emotional batteries", he will spring back into action. Because Christopher feels situations intensely, he relates easily to others' problems. If he is not careful, when he comes into contact with someone who is in a depressed frame of mind, he will also suffer the same emotions and change moods. Christopher reacts impulsively, without much thought before hand. He may plan everything in detail before he even begins, then do it completely different when the time comes to carry it through. Christopher has a strong need for affection. He thrives on touching and being touched. Christopher desires being told that he is loved, every day. He enjoys being the center of attention. He loves attention, sometimes he even retells stories that got him attention earlier. Christopher has the possibility of being a actor or natural born salesperson, simply because he relates so well to other people. He likes expressing how he feels, what he is doing, and what he plans to do. He is a people person. He will work most efficiently in a people orientated job as opposed to a job working alone on an assembly line (that would drive him insane.) 

People that write their letters in an average height and average size are moderate in their ability to interact socially.� According to the data input, Christopher doesn't write too large or too small, indicating a balanced ability to be social and interact with others. 

Christopher has a desire for attention. People around Christopher will notice this need. He may fulfill this need by a variety of ways depending on his own character.

The Cinematic Artistry That Is, Wong Kar Wai.

ALFHALDHGKJFHGJKHFKHGKL!

I had a awesomely worded post going here and then this keyboard arangement decided to screw me over.  Rats...

Anyways, here is the new subtitled trailer for 2046, a movie I high anticipate and now it's coming soon (after a LONG wait).  So watch the trailer and be amazed!  Damnit!

The Spirit of Exploration

In the recent Wired James Cameron writes a great article speaking about "The Drive  to Discover" and how it relates to our future in the exploration of space as well as his own experiences exploring the deepest depths of the ocean.  It really is a great read (especially his "thumbing" of the studios in relation to Titantic to accomplish his own gains) and it really hits upon something I've thought about, the lack of true exploration and how our society so accustomed to avoiding as much risk as possible has now stifled the exploration of space itself.  Thinking back to the times of Columbus and other great explorers you can see that the risk was ever present, more so than we probably can actually contemplate today, and yet it was still done.  Those individuals, despite so many personal failings, have my respect.  Even some 50-60 years ago when we sent brave men into space the risk was great and yet we did it.  Now though, though risk still exists (see the recent Space Shuttle disaster), we try and deny it, try to save ourselves from it and thus instead of aiming for the stars (or even the planets, or heck, the moon) we aim for Earth's low orbit.  Cameron's words echo my own, we need to aim higher once again and seek the legacy of exploring space that once walked the halls of NASA.  Man himself does.

Does This Stuff ACTUALLY Happen In Japan?

I hear things like this from time to time and wonder, is Japan really like that?  I mean I know a lot of things about Japan (which will be experienced when I get there) but stories like this come up from time to time and I'm curious if you can actually see this occur. My inquiring gaijin mind wants to know...

Jonah Goldberg Likes An Email I Happen To Like...

Forgive me, but I believe the man did right in his position.

Here We Go...

The stage is beginning to be set for Hillary come 2008.  Michelle Malkin posts regarding Hillary's sudden concern with the border and immigrant issues, which just happens to be a MAJOR weakness of the Bush administration and the current "guest" worker program the White House is trying to get going.  Do I believe she's serious about the border?  No, not one wit, but in the end, who the heck cares? I mean this IS an issue that reaches out to conservatives like very few others and now that the White House has seemingly abandoned this aspect of conservatism it's up for grabs and Hillary is far from oblivious to it.  Needless to say, if a terrorist attack is accomplished on our soil again and it is found that our pourous borders were where these people came from, I want Bush out.  You heard me, out.  This nation voted Bush back in because we believe he will keep America safe and leaving our borders as they currently are is a swipe against that trust.  Nevermind all the other reasons why our borders should be more closely monitored than they currently are.

This isn't good and it is my hope that Congress rejects this by a landslide.  Our President needs to be sent a message that giving illegals "backdoor"amnesty is NOT why he was voted back into office.  Not even close.  And if God forbid something does happen, I don't think Republicans have any chance keeping office come 2008.

Burning, Burning

Though winter has come
Inside the passion burns bright
World arrayed against
I will not be detered now
Winter season of rebirth

Let Me State For The Record...

That this sounds like a fascinating way in which to learn:                               

Thomas Aquinas College                               Santa Paula, California Thomas Aquinas College is a small Catholic college located in southern California with 330 students.  No majors or minors are offered since all students participate in the prescribed great books curriculum.  The somewhat secluded location in the hills of rural southern California provides a metaphor for the unique nature of this fine institution. The “great books” of history comprise the entire curriculum of Thomas Aquinas College, and all students graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts.  Books on many subjects are included in the program, including music, mathematics, and science as well as philosophy, language, and theology.  Faculty members serve less as lecturers and more as facilitators using the Socratic method.  Catholic faculty members publicly take the Oath of Fidelity and make a Profession of Faith at the beginning of their terms in office. Campus life at Thomas Aquinas follows with traditional Catholic morality and teaching. The college itself tries to stay out of organized student activities, but there are many groups in which students participate.  For example, the St. Genesius Players is a drama group that puts on productions, the choir often performs, and the “bushwhackers” maintain local trails and organize hiking trips.  Student groups are also involved with activism on issues related to traditional religious values.

Forget for a moment that it's a Catholic College, if such bothers you, as this sounds like a great way to learn if one is disillusioned by the perdominant teaching method in colleges today.

Alexander The Great And The Insanity Brought To You By Oliver Stone

Classical Values has a great little (read lengthy) post regarding the upcoming Alexander movie and Stone's spin on things.  Can't say I agree with all of it because as much as I agree this country's founding rested a great deal upon "classical values" emobodied by the acient Greeks I also believe the Judeo-Christian values held by the Founders also had a great impact on the people and the direction of the government.  In fact I'd dare say that combination of classical values and Judeo-Christian values is what makes this country and it's culture (society) so great in its own way.  Now if only both Right and Left would come to realize such a thing we'd actually be making some progress here.

Basically that's all I got to say beyond go read it for yourself.  Interesting opinion and certainly nothing you'd call "right-wing" (which this blog emphizes it is not, it's right of center).