"That old hag hates my ass."

Did anybody else see that "blackout" show on National Geographic?

Wow.

Finally saw "Matewan."

It is just as amazing as I'd heard. Too bad it isn't better known, just as the story it's based on isn't as well known as it should be. It's also too bad this film didn't get better treatment for DVD. The picture and sound are terrible; now I know why so many complained about that in the reviews on Amazon. And there are no extras whatsoever, not even subtitles. A film like this deserves better.

I think the new Quicksilver ad with Samuel L. Jackson is funny.

I think he's just making fun of himself.

My new favorite commercial:

"Your tyranny ends now, you filthy humans!".

Pondering a move to Chicago.

I don't know anyone there, but Chicago has always intrigued me and I am sick to death of hopelessly red IN. There is a way I could do it. How's the job situation there?

On George Orwell and "Animal Farm":

This little book has been part of my awareness for so long, I only just recently realized that I had never actually sat down and read it myself. So I just started it. Orwell surely doesn't waste any time: The animals are briefly introduced, and by page 6 in my edition (a very small one, BTW), Major the pig has begun his speech. And what a speech!

Don't ever do business with PNC Bank.

All I wanted to do was change two rolls of dimes into a $10 bill, and they wouldn't do it because I don't have an account there. Now I wouldn't do business with them for anything -- not that they care, I'm sure. I feel more and more like Walt Kowalski in "Gran Torino" these days.

Maybe I'm just getting old and cranky, but . . .

Why is it you have to jump through about half a dozen hoops just to get checked out at a freaking store these days? I went to a certain well-known chain drugstore the other day just to pick up cat litter. I get to the checkout, and swipe my debit card to pay. First, the cashier demanded my phone number. I asked why she needed that and refused. Then she wanted my store card. I said I didn't have one and didn't want one. Then the debit card machine wanted my PIN (fine, no problem there). Then the machine wanted to know if I wanted cash back (no, I didn't). Then it wanted to know if I wanted to donate to some charity I'd heard some not-so-good things about (no). Finally I was able to get the transaction completed and get out of the store.

All this to purchase a couple of jugs of cat litter??

I am reading Chaim Potok.

I finished "The Chosen" and am approaching the end of "The Promise." I am not Jewish -- I'm an erstwhile Catholic recently returned to my Protestant roots -- but they're fascinating. Potok is a wonderful writer. He really makes the subtle themes he explores come alive. And his portrait of an Hasidic community severely traumatized by the Holocaust and an American Jewish community that seems somewhat baffled by them is very touching.