Hunter S Thompson once said, "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." And that's exactly what he did. He took his brand of journalism, with his eccentric nature and took to the campaign trail of 1972, documenting every bit that he could. In "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72," he took no prisoners, and branded the new form of gonzo journalism, which, in addition to news stories, also referenced his cynical opinions, as well as references to drug and alcohol use. It was a new concept to journalism, and Thompson never cared whether people liked it or not.
It's a shame that he decided to put an end to his life in February 2005. He spoke what the world was always afraid to say. He feared no one… no association… and no press. I can't wait to see the movie. That is, of course, if it ever makes it down this way. Of course, if it doesn't, there's always the DVD.
When I was a kid, I used to watch the show "Transformers" religiously. The theme song had the line: "more than meets the eye." Today, fellow friend and blogger Shopeshared a link to Face of the Future, where you can upload a photo and point out specific points and then transform the photo into different ethnicities, age ranges, or even artistic methods. It's so much fun! Below are the interpretations of my portrait into a few famous artists of the past.
Botticelli:
Modigliani:
I really enjoyed playing around with this website… if you can't already tell. I think I prefer myself in Modigliani form over photo any day. It is a much better look for me. But, apparently for any photo you have lying around, there is always more than meets the average eye, and anything can be transformed into something lovely and completely different.
My heart was completely broken when I heard the news about Tim Russert's death. There isn't a Sunday that went by when I didn't either TiVo or watch "Meet the Press" or at least read up about it. I loved Tim Russert, and his style that he brought to journalism. He could ask a tough question and not be a jerk, and still have integrity and a smile on his face. But no one could get by on his show without the hard questions. America has lost an incredibly unbiased journalist when Tim Russert passed away. I couldn't stop crying as I watched the coverage as Tom Brokaw and the rest of the NBC and MSNBC crew covered stories about Russert's life and work.
One of my favorite endings of "Meet the Press" was this year during the first round of the playoffs: Russert Cheers on the Caps
Oh, for the love of history, I wish I was in D.C., so I could see the show Nixon's Nixon before it closes toward the end of June. I couldn't catch it while I was there for my vacation trip… Ugh. What a brilliant show! It portrays what might've happened on the eve of his resignation, as Nixon and Kissinger sat in the Oval Office. Nixon has comical conversations with world leaders, and considers the consqunces of his actions during Watergate. Shows like this don't creep up on the masses of a Southern city. Instead of watching history or learning history, the South chooses to simply sweep it under the rug and try to forget about it. Southern cultures usually choose to keep those revolving around food, family, and country music. Those are great! However, life can't be contained in just a small box, even with just the food. I love barbecue, but, there is more food for the palate to enjoy!
OK, I'm stepping off my soapbox. End of rant. I guess that is all for now.
One of the things I miss the most about Washington, D.C. is hockey. No, the Washington Capitals aren't the end-all-be-all of hockey, but they are getting better and better with time. And this year, especially closing in on the playoffs, they are making no exception. Plus, they are MY team… I root them on, no matter what.
It is a game that I would've loved to see in person. Thank God that Versus picks up the Caps usually… and probably only because of Alex Ovechkin. No matter… I'll take what I can get. Hockey in Alabama is limited to the television.
I always catch the Academy Awards each year. It's amazing. It's a petri dish, really. Sometimes, it's excruciating to watch the interaction of such high-tier society in pricey couture that is wasteful. However, when you have a host like Jon Stewart to make fun of it all, then all is well with the world.
I enjoyed the unexpected wins tonight. And, I mean, I really enjoyed them. Vocal expressions similar to my cheering in a football game came out when Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová won the Oscar for Original Song. I loved the movie "Once," because it's an indie, and an original take. I mean, it was videoed with minicams and was incredibly low-budget. And, it was such a surprise! I hated that the mic cut off when she went to speak, but I LOVED that Jon Stewart brought her back out. And what she said was incredibly inspiring… even to me, a lowly history nerd. And, how cute was her Czech accent with an Irish twist!
The other surprise that I enjoyed was when Diablo Cody won best original screenplay for "Juno." She's a symbol of all the writers out there. I love her. I love her life story. She deserved it, and I was so glad to see her win!
It was a night spent in front of the television, avoiding homework. It's a wonderful life, right?
I have an embarrassing admission to make. Here it is…
I'm completely addicted to E! Channel's "Snoop Dogg's Fatherhood." I love it, and I can watch it for hours when it is on. I think I like seeing a hard-core rapper be a big teddy bear as a dad. It's cute, actually.
Another admission is that I like to watch MTV's "Run's House" as well. Why? Well, mainly because Rev. Run cracks me up when he makes his crazy noises and singing songs. Hilarious stuff. Seriously.
Name's Emily, and I'm geeked out by history. Don't be fooled, the 'Vulcan' is a Roman mythological god and now historical figure adopted by my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Since my fair hometown has deep (and dark) historical roots, I pay homage to dear Vulcan through the namesake on the site (and strangely enough I share his torrid and tragic romantic life). The best way to describe me are six-fold: book junkie, political lefty, ungraceful (yet full of flair), ultra-organized (some call it OCD, I call them 'tendendies'), artsy, and scattered. Often a freelance designer by hobby or when the bank account starts looking grim (as well as other jobs to make the rent), I'm really an aspiring historian at heart looking for my next big deal. Dream jobs are currently either a presidential biographer or a rapper guy's girlfriend.
Oh, for the love of history, I wish I was in D.C., so I could see the show 