You all should know who he is: the CEO of Virgin Group -- a conglomeration of 350 companies. In the 3-14-05 MacLean's magazine there is an interview with him. All interesting, but I have to share one question and answer.
Q: Do you envy any other brands?
A: Apple has reinvented itself a number of times and is one of the companies I most respect. From products to innovation to overall panache, they've been brilliant.
In related and unrelated news, I'm not sure if I mentioned it, I am on the waiting list to fly Virgin Galactic when they begin scheduled space flights later this decade. Yeehaw! I'm betting Branson makes Virgin Galactic fly (pun intended).
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Monday, March 14, 2005
A Book So Bad I didn't Finish
Yes, for only the second or third time in my life, I've got a book of fiction so bad, I gave up. I tried really hard, and I made it halfway. But now, I feel, I have an obligation to warn you not to read this book. It's called Fool's Tavern by Ned Resnikoff. ISBN 0-7434-9295-1 if you care. I bought this book because the cover art appealed to me enough to pick it up. I read the back cover, and it still seemed interesting, so I bought it. I tried reading it on the flight to/from Las Vegas.
It's not a problem with the book itself. The concept of the book is okay. Yeah, it gets downright silly in places, but that's a matter of taste. What I might think is silly (medieval IMs) others might think clever. To each his/her own. It's not even the style: many authors write short, simple sentences and never make it past that. Even Anne McCaffrey has that flaw. Even bad editing can be tolerated to some extent (Robert Aspirin's last book was a travesty to the English language).
This book was an unmitigated disaster. There were several errors that I find unacceptable. The number of times apostrophes were used incorrectly (The lady's went....) were appalling. Not to mention a number of IT'S and ITS errors. But that's not all, there were simple cases of wrong words. It's clear someone used a spell checker but didn't actually READ what was there to see if it made sense.
"Mike took Mike's...." -- even a bad editor can figure out they've got the wrong character name in one of those slots. It really doesn't matter because the sentence was also missing a word rendering the balance of it incomprehensible to any speaker of the English language. In the first half of the book, I gave up counting errors after I reached fifty (50) -- and I'm referring to actual errors not anything in quotes, or marginal stuff.
This book sucked the big, fat, furry one.
I will save this book for two weeks. If you want it, you may have it. If not, I will give it to goodwill.
It's not a problem with the book itself. The concept of the book is okay. Yeah, it gets downright silly in places, but that's a matter of taste. What I might think is silly (medieval IMs) others might think clever. To each his/her own. It's not even the style: many authors write short, simple sentences and never make it past that. Even Anne McCaffrey has that flaw. Even bad editing can be tolerated to some extent (Robert Aspirin's last book was a travesty to the English language).
This book was an unmitigated disaster. There were several errors that I find unacceptable. The number of times apostrophes were used incorrectly (The lady's went....) were appalling. Not to mention a number of IT'S and ITS errors. But that's not all, there were simple cases of wrong words. It's clear someone used a spell checker but didn't actually READ what was there to see if it made sense.
"Mike took Mike's...." -- even a bad editor can figure out they've got the wrong character name in one of those slots. It really doesn't matter because the sentence was also missing a word rendering the balance of it incomprehensible to any speaker of the English language. In the first half of the book, I gave up counting errors after I reached fifty (50) -- and I'm referring to actual errors not anything in quotes, or marginal stuff.
This book sucked the big, fat, furry one.
I will save this book for two weeks. If you want it, you may have it. If not, I will give it to goodwill.
Cirque Du Soliel: KA
This is a retro-post. I put this online 24 December 2005 using the date it was originally sent out.
(Details of Las Vegas trip excised)
"KA" recently opened at the MGM is the latest incarnation of Cirque: it joins permanent Vegas shows: O, Mystere, and Zumanity. In addition, I've also seen Alegria, Nouba, Quidam, and Drallion. Do you call a Deadhead into Ciruqe a "Cirquie"????
This Cirque has had pretty good reviews in the short few months its been open, so I am unable to fathom why the 1030 show wasn't sold out. But it wasn't -- about 80% full. Maybe there's too much Cirque in one place? Who knows.
Anyway, when we walked in we were greeted by the ushers, who all play parts. It's not a standard usher, but an usher/actor. You get to interact with them if you want (we did).
The auditorium is mind-blowing. The set is one of the most-cool sets I've ever seen for ANY play. Why they didn't use the overhead catwalks more, I don't know. Visually this Cirque's set was a flawless 10. Flawless, I say.
This Cirque also has a story. Well, they all do, but nobody watching it has ever figured them out without the help of the program. This Cirque is easy to figure out. Your eight your old kid could grasp this one. I'm not sure if it's good or bad, but it is what it is. No trying to interpret what something means in this show.
Musically, there are a few bits that stand out -- and one tune dancing around in my head. However, I will say Nouba and Alegria both have better music. I like that haunting operating Cirque song style. KA doesn't really have it. The music's good, but it's not awe inspiring. This may be KA's only (slightly) weak spot.
That leaves the acts themselves. KA is not your father's Cirque. It's just totally different in a mind-boggling awe-inspiring way. KA is in this area, my favourite or second favourite Cirque show. (I still have a soft spot for the wall-walking in La Nouba).
KA has an amazing stage that moves. The acts are performed at all angles from flat to 90 degrees. It's beyond understanding how they can do this. KA is worth every penny of the $150 ticket price. Nay, it's worth double.
SEE KA!!!! 9 out of 10. Maybe 9-1/2!
(Details of Las Vegas trip excised)
"KA" recently opened at the MGM is the latest incarnation of Cirque: it joins permanent Vegas shows: O, Mystere, and Zumanity. In addition, I've also seen Alegria, Nouba, Quidam, and Drallion. Do you call a Deadhead into Ciruqe a "Cirquie"????
This Cirque has had pretty good reviews in the short few months its been open, so I am unable to fathom why the 1030 show wasn't sold out. But it wasn't -- about 80% full. Maybe there's too much Cirque in one place? Who knows.
Anyway, when we walked in we were greeted by the ushers, who all play parts. It's not a standard usher, but an usher/actor. You get to interact with them if you want (we did).
The auditorium is mind-blowing. The set is one of the most-cool sets I've ever seen for ANY play. Why they didn't use the overhead catwalks more, I don't know. Visually this Cirque's set was a flawless 10. Flawless, I say.
This Cirque also has a story. Well, they all do, but nobody watching it has ever figured them out without the help of the program. This Cirque is easy to figure out. Your eight your old kid could grasp this one. I'm not sure if it's good or bad, but it is what it is. No trying to interpret what something means in this show.
Musically, there are a few bits that stand out -- and one tune dancing around in my head. However, I will say Nouba and Alegria both have better music. I like that haunting operating Cirque song style. KA doesn't really have it. The music's good, but it's not awe inspiring. This may be KA's only (slightly) weak spot.
That leaves the acts themselves. KA is not your father's Cirque. It's just totally different in a mind-boggling awe-inspiring way. KA is in this area, my favourite or second favourite Cirque show. (I still have a soft spot for the wall-walking in La Nouba).
KA has an amazing stage that moves. The acts are performed at all angles from flat to 90 degrees. It's beyond understanding how they can do this. KA is worth every penny of the $150 ticket price. Nay, it's worth double.
SEE KA!!!! 9 out of 10. Maybe 9-1/2!
Saturday, March 5, 2005
Why Led Zeppelin Sucks
OK, that's not true but it certainly got your attention. You're here reading, aren't you?
Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" definitely is a classic work that sits atop the pantheon of rock songs that will last forever. Nobody would deny it is a singular work of art. I love that song.
However, I was realizing today, that after listening to nearly an entire album, that they are perhaps the most overrated band of all time. That is to say, they are very talented, but people rate them way past what they deserve. They have 2, maybe 3, standout songs on a good album. People talk as if they're unequalled and I disagree. "Kashmir" is great, so is "Stairway" but a lot of their stuff is, quite frankly, throwaway.
The Rolling Stones have (on their older albums) more good songs per album. The oeuvre of the Stones, Beatles, and even Elvis is much better. I think Zeppelin's oeuvre pales in comparison.
For example, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" has more good songs on it than all of Zeppelin's albums put together, yet many people claim Led is better. I disagree. You can all hate me for this, but I had to say it.
-- E
NOTE: I have made a follow up blog post in October 2007.
NOTE 7-24-08: The comments are so numerous they don't all display -- only the first 200. If you want to see ALL the comments select "post a comment" at the bottom of the list, and then at the top and bottom of that screen you will see a "newer" button to see the rest.
NOTE 7-24-08: Here's AUDIO backup for those claiming plagiarism in the comments. The claim being Led is the best COVER BAND of all time. Let your ears decide. All bands certainly "borrow" work to some extent but this is quite extensive.
Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" definitely is a classic work that sits atop the pantheon of rock songs that will last forever. Nobody would deny it is a singular work of art. I love that song.
However, I was realizing today, that after listening to nearly an entire album, that they are perhaps the most overrated band of all time. That is to say, they are very talented, but people rate them way past what they deserve. They have 2, maybe 3, standout songs on a good album. People talk as if they're unequalled and I disagree. "Kashmir" is great, so is "Stairway" but a lot of their stuff is, quite frankly, throwaway.
The Rolling Stones have (on their older albums) more good songs per album. The oeuvre of the Stones, Beatles, and even Elvis is much better. I think Zeppelin's oeuvre pales in comparison.
For example, Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" has more good songs on it than all of Zeppelin's albums put together, yet many people claim Led is better. I disagree. You can all hate me for this, but I had to say it.
-- E
NOTE: I have made a follow up blog post in October 2007.
NOTE 7-24-08: The comments are so numerous they don't all display -- only the first 200. If you want to see ALL the comments select "post a comment" at the bottom of the list, and then at the top and bottom of that screen you will see a "newer" button to see the rest.
NOTE 7-24-08: Here's AUDIO backup for those claiming plagiarism in the comments. The claim being Led is the best COVER BAND of all time. Let your ears decide. All bands certainly "borrow" work to some extent but this is quite extensive.
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