Blogcritics Author: Joanne Huspek

Mis-Adventures in Michigan Film Making

Joanne Huspek — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 23:58:14 EDT

Come back to Earth, Michigan! Hollywood isn't going to save us!
Back in April, the Michigan legislature passed Bill 5841, which would offer tax incentives to film makers who chose to use the state as a sound stage. Vigorous proponents included author Mitch Albom and actor Jeff Daniels. Their idea was to lure film makers into helping with the metamorphosis of Michigan as the new Hollywood. Governor Jennifer...

Cocooned

Joanne Huspek — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:36:46 EDT

In today's world, taking yourself away from the Internet may be a good idea.
With age and knowledge comes the irresistible urge to spin a cocoon to insulate yourself from the rest of the world.This is how I felt the past few days.After the announcement that the child star, Jamie Lynn Spears had given birth, I learned that a good portion of the female population of a Massachusetts high school was experiencing a group...

Tiger Woods: Playing Through the Pain

Joanne Huspek — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:24:18 EDT

We could all take a page from Tiger and play through the pain.
I was saddened to learn yesterday that Tiger Woods suffered a season-ending injury to his knee and will have to undergo surgery to repair that and some stress fractures in his leg. This news came after his valiant U. S. Open victory held at Torrey Pines this weekend.My husband, who is a rabid golf fan, sat glued to the TV for the entire tournament,...

Dads and Daughters: Learning by Osmosis

Joanne Huspek — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 11:35:13 EDT

I learned that a good dad never abandons his children.
I was born in the mid-50s and grew up in the turbulent '60s and the bland '70s. It was a great time to be a child, but it was equally tough to be a dad back then. The role of fathers in the domestic landscape was that of benevolent benefactor, something of a benign king overseeing his kingdom. Dads brought in the bacon, and moms ruled the home...

Front Line Reporting: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

Joanne Huspek — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:19:31 EDT

You, too, can survive an attack of killer tomatoes!
I love food. For me, eating is more than filling an empty space in my torso; it’s a transcendental event. A well-prepared and interesting dish can be a sensuous gastronomical experience. If accompanied by a mellow and buttery wine and topped with a decadent dessert, the effect can be orgasmic. The only thing that can eclipse a great meal is,...

Some Musings on Sex and the City: The Movie

Joanne Huspek — Thu, 5 Jun 2008 20:52:11 EDT

It's not a great movie, and I'm not exactly sure why.
This is me: not a trendsetter. Out of the loop. I am totally uncool. I never follow the crowd. In fact, way back in the day, I was what some might consider borderline counter-culture. Is anti-establishmentarian a word? If it is, I was that long-haired, tree-hugging, Earth Shoe-wearing, Grateful Dead-listening, hippie chick.Of course, people change....

Why Michigan Should Lose Their Delegates

Joanne Huspek — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:00:19 EDT

The only fair thing would be for Michigan to lose their delegates.
The word on the street from the Detroit News is that this weekend some sort of decision will be made by the Democratic Party’s Rules and Bylaws Commission regarding the fate of Michigan’s delegates to the national convention. Our delegates, along with those in Florida, have been in political purgatory since the primaries were held...

The Myth of Buying American

Joanne Huspek — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:32:49 EDT

Buying American is more complicated than you think.
It may not be pretty, but it’s always interesting to live where I do. Southeastern Michigan in general, and the Detroit area specifically, is an area where the constant hue and cry is “Buy American.” This is because every other person and his uncle has a tie to the auto industry. The “other” major employer in this...

When Golf Becomes a Day at the Beach

Joanne Huspek — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:15:09 EDT

I am a psychologically challenged golfer. As soon as I see water, I hit my ball right into it.
This weekend, my husband and I decided to treat ourselves to a couple of games of golf. After all, we had the holiday (Monday) off, and completed all of our outside chores to some satisfaction. The nice thing about having a yard is that eventually you get to enjoy it. I think our target date is the first week of July. The bad thing about having a...

Guerrilla Tactics for Surviving the Saturday Siege at Sam's Club

Joanne Huspek — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:02:49 EDT

The commissary skills I picked up when I was an Army child help me now with my weekend Samming.
At the risk of sounding like a politically incorrect boob, I have a secret to admit: I like Sam’s Club. Let me amend that: I love Sam’s Club.I know, I know; Sam Walton was the devil incarnate. His empire caused the entire downfall of American life and civilization as we know it. Wal-Mart (which I have never taken a shine to) and...