Hope for Racine?

Obama's speech to Racine - in word art. What could he say to a city that has had the worst economy and highest unemployment in the state for many years to make the people feel any better? The words that jump out to me are:

Government
Crisis
Know
Want
Energy
Economy

Pop Hip Hop Song For Everyone - I hate it but can't stop dancing

I do like the Black Eyed Peas and I do like their big popular song I Gotta Feeling but the song bugs me for several reasons. First off, it seems clear this the group made this song to be a huge hit among everyone, even those who don't normally like real hip hop music (white 15 year old boys in Sheyboygen and the 45 year old mom from Omaha). It is clean, catchy and positive. None of the "I mix your milk with my cocoa puff, Milky, milky cocoa" sexy talk from My Humps. It seems they wrote the song intentionally to be played at ball games, graduations, weddings and Bar Mitzvahs. I am falling into the trap but it is irritating. These guys are laughing all the way to the bank.

Specifically the part that bugs me as a Jew is the lyrics that refer to my tribe. At one point they say "Fill up my cup (Drink) Mazel tov (Le heim)". Yes some Jewish phrases have made it into the main stream and are fun in certain contexts (Beastie Boys are Jewish so those rymes are clever and funny) but this one seems very intentionally to kiss up to the suburban Jews who needs some fresh tunes for the DJ to spin at the Bar Mitzvah or wedding. "Isn't that nice that tey say Mazel Tov....." I wonder who's idea it was to stick that in the song? Also, the both times in the song when they Mazel tov it is followed by some questionable lyrics. "Fill up my cup, mazel tov, Look at her dancing, just take it off " Much of the Peas music is sexy and wild and this line seems along those lines. To me this seems to suggest women taking off some of their clothes. Generally Mazel Tov and getting naked don't go together. I don't want my 13 daughter and her girl friends to take their tops off as they do the limbo at the bar mitzvah. You could suggest that it is more symbolic but I don't buy it.

I do like the song and the rhythm is addicting but I am on to their tricks.

Pure Gold - You and the Little Mermaid Can Go Fuck Yourselves!

I have only listened to half of the This American Life program "Recordings for Someone" (it was an old one but was on again recently) but I loved the first story about the best phone message ever. Not only do I love the message, the story and how they track down Fred and Fred's mom, but the dialogue between Jonathan Goldstein and his buddy Josh is awesome. I love Josh. You just must listen to appreciate it.

Part of what I take from the story is how in this world of Email, Facebook, and Tweets, the thrill of actual talking and accents and real oral communication is lost. This was not about a funny email, if you read it it would not be nearly as funny, and the shit between Josh and Jonathan could not be done via email or texts. Pure gold. Diggy Do

Laughter and Tears

I have been working out at local gym for a few months now and I think the multiple TV thing works for my scattered, multi-tasking ADD brain. So last night I watched highlights of Obama's speech and Last Comic Standing while I sweated on the elliptical machine. Obama's speech was strong, clear and good. Nothing too unexpected. A lot of war terminology which seemed to be what people wanted to hear. I like that he mentioned the part about how we need to get off gas and oil.

Much more fun was the Last Comic Standing. I have never really watched that show before but it was really funny. Even the bad ones were funny like the ventriloquist who covered his mouth with his hand when the dummy talked. One that I really liked was Roy Wood Jr. from Alabama. His first joke was ok but his joke during the live showcase was hilarious and timely. He made a joke about how our grandparents' marriages lasting longer because they didn't have Twitter, Facebook, etc. Recent news story found that many couples getting divorced these days site Facebook as a factor in the relationship problems. His examples were really good and his delivery is fresh. You can see it around 27-28 min. into the episode.

I am not sure my skin in think enough to be a prof

I was just looking someone up on the Internet and unintentionally found their profile on RateMyProfessors.com. The four reviews I read of him were not very flattering. If I were a college professor, I would have a hard time not reading these and not being upset by bad reviews. I know several professors and am married to one (who is not on the website thank god) and looked a few up. As you would expect, some comments are very strong but others, yikes. Of course students complete evaluations of their professors but I would imagine that many students who fill out these in class (if they still do it that way) are hesitant to be really harsh with that format and those are not public. Because RateMyProfessors is so anonymous and easy, I would guess that is really brings out the highs and lows of student opinions. I know some profs don't care much about teaching anyway and don't have high regard of student opinions but for those who care, this website has got to be tough to read. It is interesting that here is one profession where one aspect of your performance is so out there for the world (your neighbor, cousin, friend) to read in such a brutally honest format. I am glad that no one other than my supervisor knows how well I do my job.

Robot Break Dance Break

I am not sure why I have been on music video kick lately but this one from the Black Eyed Peas is pretty cool. Check out the 10 minute extended version of Imma Be Rocking that Body. What is not to love, robots dancing, fast motor cycles and phat beats. Must have been very expensive to make. I also love the dialogue at the beginning where will.i.am talks about making records without anyone having to sing or rap in the future using computers. Also, Fergie is looking good in this one.

Enjoyment of Music Sang in a Language I Don't Understand

Perfect Japanese pop song for a not perfect day. Try not to boogie while you enjoy this PIZZICATO FIVE song, It's a Beautiful Day.

Free Market Foreclosure

The NY Times article "Owners Stop Paying Mortgages, and Stop Fretting" about the increase in people choosing to not pay their mortgages is interesting on many levels.

I really don't consider this a moral issue it is really an issue of dollars and cents. In some ways I like the free market at work here, both for the banks and the borrowers. While the process is complex, borrowers can consider the costs and benefits of trying to renegotiate, trying to sell, struggling to pay it off and making an informed decision on what to do. If you know that your lender will not likely kick you out for a year and a half, think of all the money you could save. I would not be surprised if there are websites where people can get information about which lenders are likely to act quickly and which are slower, which states have which requirements, etc. How can you "milk the process" and maximize your free stay. I would like to know more about whether or not the banks could go after your other assets besides the home as suggested here. I don't think anyone who borrows money to buy a home thinks the bank could ever go after their other money.

I would think that most people would consider the effects on their credit rating and how that would impact their future plans for housing, employment, etc. If you were retired for example and have an OK fixed income, you maybe would not worry too much if you would not need future loans and could just rent later after getting kicked out.

If they have not done so already, the banks should push to change state laws to make it easier, quicker and cheaper for them to foreclose if they choose to do so. If someone owes $150,000, it may not be a top priority for the bank to foreclose on a home that is only worth $70,000 at most if the legal and transaction costs are over $20,000. If they evict but the place doesn't sell, the condition of the property could deteriorate and people could break in. Maybe the bank should wait until the market improves. There should be an easy way for people to sell and get out from the property free and clear but I doubt that will happen.

Part of what seems crazy about all this is that some banks who sold the loans off to one party and then another and another party services the loan and they may not even know which properties they have the loan on and you may not know who really holds the loan on your property.

I really love this song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI77iV68Le4&NR=1

La Boob Oscillator by StereoLab- I heard it on the High Fidelity soundtrack & just love it. Makes me want to dance in my cube, I don't understand a word but it just seems perfect and I like how after around 3 minutes it totally changes sound and melody, like it is a different song.