satori001

This is still a good thread. I've been coming back to it now and then. Any new contributions? How about $25 and under, the next level up?

Happy birthday.

Bobby Bacala said that when you die, "everything goes black."

Bobby learned that first hand, and never will know the fate of Tony and his family, the outcome of Phil's war.

The apparent hitmen in the diner weren't gunning for Tony and his family. The last thing we knew, Meadow was on her way in - then it all went black and quiet, and everything we knew of Tony's world was suddenly gone.

How did we buy the farm? Shot maybe? Stabbed? Blown up? It hardly matters. They couldn't let us live. We knew too much.

re: Deadwood

AJ is a cipher. That scene where Tony tells him that his uncle is dead, and through his tears AJ whines that it was making him more depressed just when he was starting to make progress, remember that? Pure sociopath. AJ may have inherited Tony's worst characteristics and none of his human side. AJ could just as easily turn on his family.

One key to this show is the presence of the shrink. The writers want us to see these characters' behavior as a consequence of their psychological make-up. If you get a grip on what drives a character, you can anticipate a range of possible behaviors in a given set of circumstances. We call that set of behavioral drivers a "personality."

The thing I like about The Sopranos is that the writers are consistent with their characters, unlike a lot of TV out there.

I only started watching this season, and don't know the characters that well. BUT, Phil is no dummy. He can see the resemblance between that Ukranian AND his "goombah," and himself.

Tony tells his wlfe that "families don't get touched, don't worry," or something like that.

Maybe it's a herring, but I think the wife gets wacked, or maybe somebody in the family. I think his son will discover a ferocity he never knew he had in defending his family. He may pick up the torch if/when Tony meets his maker, symbolically at least.

What about the shrink? Will she play a part here? I think she'll have a personal crisis and/or epiphany after Tony's gone.

Phil may die, or he may prevail, and then show a little mercy sparing what's left of the Soprano family before they're all dead.

Tony's sister eventually gets it between the eyes after taking several bullets to the torso whilst breaking up furniture in the throes of death.

Introducing the latest and greatest CPAP 3000, modeled by a famous intergalactic personality!

I did the sleep study, as much out of curiosity as anything else. They said I had minimal signs of sleep apnea but didn't need the "scuba gear" they were very interested in selling. The "educational" video they had me watch prior to the study looked a lot like one of those late-night infomercials.

Anyway, they asked me if I'd like to buy the CPAP thing anyway, just in case, I guess. They said they could write me up a prescription and they'd check to make sure insurance would cover it. I said, no thank you, although it might have come in handy at Halloween.

The sleep study was an endurance test. They stuck those sensors all over my chest, shoulders, a couple on my feet, at least one on my head, and wires everywhere. The bed had a thin, cheap mattress, covered in heavy plastic. I figured I'd be up most of the night, but I managed to sleep despite their best efforts.

I don't doubt these CPAP things alleviate some breathing dysfunction, but I became suspicious of the barely disguised marketing effort, and almost wonder if there won't be a big scandal about the "medical industrial complex," over-selling therapy to people who don't necessarily need it.

As long as they aren't hurting people, in ways maybe yet undetected, I guess there are bigger issues to worry about.

YouTube:

Everything I know I learned from Wikipedia.

It's coming!

One thing is for sure. Gas prices will go up.

You have to imagine the cone, like with a mind-picture or something.

His name is Beau Sia.

http://myspace.com/iambeausia

You can read about his exploits on Wikipedia.

Who is the speaker in the first two videos?

Mike Gravel.

JFK vs R. Milhouse Nixon

the power of words...

and images...

I'm trying to remember now, is his proposal about universal health care, or universal hair care?

This "Edwards with comb" video is thought by some to have been responsible for a precipitous wind-letting by the Edwards campaign. While it could be the wicked work of a Republican "dirty trickster," it's more likely a good-natured "leak" by someone who supports one of his fellow presidential aspirants. Hair today, gone tomorrow? Edwards defenders say this is just political hairesy, and that all candidates get this treatment. I'm not so sure they all respond the same way.

But back Gravel again:

Gravel reminds me of Howard Beale. I don't agree with his logic, but what he says and how he says it seems to stop everything, momentarily, in its tracks. He also reminds me of Perot's "interum" running mate, retired Vice Adm. James Stockdale, who once asked during a debate, "Who am I? Why am I here?" This is Admiral Stockdale during one of his many awkward moments.

Dennis Miller read up on Stockdale, and attempted to set the record straight:

Note that Miller has no love for Gore OR Quayle. But he recognized Stockdale, and that's all that mattered.

Here is Admiral Stockdale in his own words.

I'm not quite sure what you were trying to say with that first one, people can be weird? I dunno...

But Fred's always a joy to watch. Damn, he was good...

I guess the point was that you don't have to be Fred Astaire, or afraid of stares, to dance.

No, I channeled it.

These guys aren't for everybody, but they're smart, and brilliant musicians. They borrow from any style they need and make their own music. And the point is a message, like it or not.

They remind me of Hendrix, in their culture, but not of it, or above it. Beyond it.

The title is not an endorsement.