Blogcritics Editors' Picks: February 22 through February 28
Published March 01, 2006
SciTech Editor Lisa McKay chose:
CD Review: Unjustly Overlooked Albums Blood and Chocolate - Elvis Costello and the Attractions by Gordon Hauptfleisch
Okay, I admit it. I'm a sucker for anything that has to do with Elvis Costello. My prejudices notwithstanding, this is one fine assessment of a particularly fine album, written by someone who clearly understands the man and the music.
BOOKS
Books Editor Natalie Bennett chose:
Octavia Butler, Champion Science Fiction Writer and Certified Genius, Dies at 58 by Steven Hart
The writer beautifully blends a short account of the author's work, with an expression of his personal appreciation, and a taster of her work for those who have missed it up until now.
On Writing and Self-Publishing: Part 4 by John Spivey
There's an anecdote in this post with which I think many writers can sympathise. A head of a book distribution company is asked if he has read a letter. The answer is: "You know I don't read things." This post explores some of the problems of the publishing industry, and its obsession with easy categorisation. Yet it is also a deeply personal expression of frustration.
TV/FILM
TV Editor Joan Hunt chose:
TV Review: The Apprentice Kicks Off With Trump 101 Right Back In Session by Eric Berlin
He thought he was a little rusty, but EB's proven otherwise as he tackles bad wigs, big bucks, and the Big Guy in the boardroom.
TV: Review: Project Jay by Don Baiocchi
I would read anything by Don. If he wants to try to rewrite the phone book, I'm so there! Don't read unless you're alone, otherwise you'll get stares as you giggle to yourself.
Executive Producer Eric Berlin chose:
Movie Review: Sour Grapes by Aaron Fleming
Aaron Fleming is one of the truly unique and wonderful voices to grace the electronic pages of Blogcritics. His flair, wit, and at times acerbic savvy are on full display here, delving into the genius dark corners of Larry David's genius dark mind.
CULTURE
Culture Editor diana hartman chose:
Living & Learning Democracy: What About the Children? by Lori Mortimer
Lori casts a noteworthy light in the shadows between how Americans hope others conduct themselves and how Americans conduct themselves.
Executive Producer Eric Berlin chose:
New York Story: Real Estate Mania by Elvira Black
I thoroughly enjoyed this insider's foray into the New York worldview (is there any other?), gentrification, real estate, and the ever-shifting sands of time that change all things. Even and perhaps especially New York City.
POLITICS
Politics Editor Dave Nalle chose:
Iraq, It Didn't Work by RJ Elliott
A riveting first-hand account of one conservative's change of mind on the Iraq situation in the context of recent events.
As Maryland Radically Liberalizes Voting Laws, Media Remains Silent by David Flanagan
A great look at an important change in local politics in one of the most interesting states for local politics in the United States.
- Blogcritics Editors' Picks: February 22 through February 28
- Published: March 01, 2006
- Type: News
- Section: Culture
- Filed Under: Culture: Arts, Culture: Administrative, Culture: Media, Sci/Tech: Blogging
- Part of a feature: Editors' Picks
- Writer: Lisa McKay
- Lisa McKay's BC Writer page
- Lisa McKay's personal site
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Comments
In the spirit of Academy Awards week (is Oscar still King?): It's an honor just to be nominated, (but this is better). Thanks.--GH
Outstanding work putting this together Lisa, the state of editors' picks is strong indeed !
Thanks, diana! I'm so glad you liked my article -- I didn't think anyone read it.
Thank you Connie and thank you Mark. I don't like writing negative reviews about stuff, but that disc was just such a waste of great music.
In the letter, I tried to make it from a friend pointing out some problems another friend is having, and being hopeful that they would take it that way. I hope that's how it came across, and judgeing by your balance comment, Mark, it may just have done that.
Thanks again to both of you, and well done everyone else...
If anyone who has been selected,would like, or maybe Lisa you and I could work something out that it could be grabbed from here, I've resurected Temple's old banners that he had made which people could use as links on the post that was pick of the week. It's a one by two box black with red border box and two gold stars, that simple says, Blog Critic Editors Pick of the Week/ the week in question, and enough room for you to add in your title.
I'm hosting the images at Flickr for myself, but what I could do for others would be just to send them the jpeg and they could host it like a photo and put it on their homepages and build in a link back to their post on B.C. It's good publicity for everyone involved.
Lisa I could do a generic one up which you would only have to add the date to each week and than people could download it straight from this page.
Damn I do go on and on don't I.
gypsyman
Thanks so much, Eric--I had a ball commenting back and forth with you (and others who took time to comment as well)!
Thank you for the pick DJ Radiohead.
I've only been a BlogCritic for a week and I already feel the love.
Things weren't quite so warm and fuzzy when I published the story on Bruce Springsteen's decision to make his next record a folk music tribute to Pete Seeger titled The Seeger Sessions over at BTX... a message board for the Springsteen fan publication and website. In fact, it triggered an avalanche of comments and over 600 views at last count.
Most of the posters there disagreed with my opinion that Bruce's decision to record an album of covers by the folk icon...which would be his second folk influenced album in just over a year if the expected May release date holds...is ill-advised, with the clock ticking rapidly down on the possibilty of a final tour and album with The E Street band.
Many of the comments we're also pretty nasty, which actually surprised me as being a little out of character for Springsteen fans.
And just for the record, yes I know who Pete Seeger is, I did attend college (though I admit I never graduated), and I will be 50 years old in May okay?
But I'm definitely feeling the love here at BlogCritics...so again, many thanks from this humble, if aging, scribe.
Glen Boyd
#23 on the DayPop Top 40 for 03/01/06 !!!!!
Natalie-
Thanks for picking my work. I do appreciate it.
js
Thank you for the Editor's Pick, Sussman. I didn't know about it until I was mailed a comment spam for an article I didn't even write.
About that "dumb and clichéd" bit: I couldn't think of a format that'd be any better for the article - Headline-style one-sentence overviews would seem rushed and other formats came across as too dry. I'm well aware that self-knowing cliché isn't much better than regular cliché, but I try to make something work any way I can.
DJ, thank you for the nod, good sir! and what a great, diverse range of opinions and exceptional writin done wound up in this wee corner o' the web!
For what it's worth, editors, I just clicked on editor's picks from the leaderboard page and was taken on a time machine back to Nov. 4
Congrats to those picked this week.
This may be a dumb question but does anyone know else have a problem when printing out B.C. items with it cutting off on the sides? Is there a way around that?
Anyone?
My dear Connie,
Where is that, now famous, thanks to you, dear Connie, comment on, "Thank god for Radical Islam" gone? I wanted to see it myself to believe your surprise at it or its bland content, also as to why a simple comment by this simpleton, yours truly, reached the stratosphere?
Sid











Hey Congrats to all! Especially you newcomers - bravo!
and a special little shoutout to the MondoBoys - you know who you are - good job!