DVD Review: My Dinner With Andre by Brandon Valentine
Blogcritics.org Executive Producer Eric Berlin chose:
Courting Craig Ferguson: The Late Late Show Diaries 1-30-06 by Joan Hunt
Culture
Culture Assistant Editor Diana Hartman chose:
Roseanne And Pop Culture by gypsyman
Is popular culture the big villain when it comes to distracting the public from the reality the world faces on a daily basis? Rosanne Barr says "yes". Rosanne fan gypsyman says "no."
Blogcritic gypsyman chose:
My Emo is Bigger Than Your Emo by Chelsea Snyder
It is perfect in its denouncing of using stupid little phrases to express pseudo-emotions.
Editor Natalie Bennett chose:
Am I a Bad Mother? by A.L. Harper
A heartfelt but controlled reflection on the need for "me time" and the guilt that feeling engenders. It is a statement of the problem that comes from the modern idea that parents (i.e. mothers) have to always, instantly be available.
Politics
Politics Editor Dave Nalle chose:
Postal "Security" Helps Terrorists by Thomas M. Sipos
A neat look at how the War on Terror impacts day-to-day life from a personal perspective. It hasn't generated a lot of comments, but it's well worth reading.
Eybrow Gate by Lyz Baranowski
With all the bitter and angry posts about the State of the Union Address, this amusing little observational essay is a nice bit of relief.
SciTech Editor Lisa McKay chose:
Will Bloggers Save or Destroy the Democratic Party? by Eric Berlin
Eric nicely synthesizes a lot of disparate opinions about whether the Democratic party will be saved or splintered (or perhaps both) by bloggers as we consider the 2008 elections.
Sports
Sports Editor Matthew Sussman chose:
New York Mets GM Omar Minaya Is Called "Racist" by Victor Lana
This is a story which didn't seem to carry past the Hudson River, but it must be the talk of Gotham because the radio waves are clogged with people sounding off on Omar Minaya trying to build a champion out of the Mets with a racial bias. Victor points out that Minaya's team includes a Latino ace pitcher, a white closer and a black manager. The team also had a Japanese second baseman. The Mets do not, however, have any Canadians. Racist bastard. The argument that Minaya is racially biased is torn through like a ground ball through Bill Buckner's legs. Metsblog also linked to the story, which generated some crisp discussion. Plus it's always sweet to see that trackback appear below the Amazon belt.
Article comments
1 - Elvira Black
I had wanted to list Here's Gawking at You, Kid by Jumper Bailey also since I got picked last week. I thought you posted this Friday (tomorrow) so hope it's not too late to note. Thanks!
2 - gypsyman
Really I swear I don't pay them to pick me, see it's different people this week...Thank you Joan and Diana, ego boosts are never unwelcome, and coming from the editors who have to read my writing in the raw, these are truely compliments.
gypsyman
3 - Connie Phillips
Wow. . . Thanks for the nod, Eric.
4 - Dave Nalle
Hmmm. Where did my politics picks go?
Dave
5 - Eric Berlin
They were sent in two days late dude after I reminded you!
They're published now.
6 - Eric Berlin
Thanks for the pick, Lisa !
And congrats to all pickees !!
7 - Dave Nalle
Sorry for being so slow, Eric. I'll try to be more on the ball next time.
Dave
8 - Victor Lana
Thank you, Suss, for choosing my post. I appreciate being recognized and getting the metaphorical trophy too.
9 - Matt Largo
Lisa,
Thanks again for the pick.
-Matt L.
10 - Lyz
Thank you Dave Nalle and Joan Hunt. Ya'll are the coolest.
11 - Dave Nalle
My pleasure, Lyz.
Dave
12 - Sterfish
I almost couldn't believe I got picked for an Editor's Pick again. Thanks Joan! :)
And there are some excellent choices for the rest of the picks.
13 - Nik
Cool, man, thanks for the nod! For a nomination for myself, I was really impressed with Robert Lashley's review of John Updike's "Rabbit at Rest" that I read earlier this week -
Great stuff!
14 - A.L. Harper
Eric -
For my nomination I would like to choose Brokeback Mountain Blues
A review of Brokeback Mountain that shows one man's struggle with the conflict between his Chrisianity and his Homosexuality.
More of a raw and tragic snapshot of his own self image than a movie review.
15 - Chelsea Snyder
Well, after giving some time and consideration to the grave yet giddy task at hand, I'm going to have to praise and adore Sniff...Our Little Internet Is Growing Up by Murphy Horner. Nice little piece about the profound growth of BC and that irritating quality editors have. Until you begin dating your editor. Then they get more annoying by tenfold...
At any rate, a great heartfelt post, fun for the whole family says Ebert and Roper...
16 - Elvira Black
Connie Phillips:
Could you e-mail me? I had some questions about doing some music reviews.
Many thanks!
17 - gypsyman
I would like to put forward John Spivey's wonderful first installment of "On Writers and Self-Publishing" for my pick Feb.1-Feb.7. Unlike my comment which wandered all over the place, he captures the problems faced by new (and establishe authors) in trying to get their work out to the public.
Self publishing usually involves the choice of stopping writing and becoming a full time marketer, or don't market and nobody reads your book. Well written and nicely presented without the whining I usally include with such statements.
gypsyman
18 - Brandon Valentine
What an honor! As Foreigner sings, "It feels like the first time." Oh wait...it is the first time. Many thanks for giving me the opportunity to say that I am no longer an "Editors' picks" virgin.
19 - Don Baiocchi
Thanks, Joan! That's so cool. I'm honored.
20 - Stephen V Funk
Damn, I forgot to submit a nomination for picks of the week for Feb 1-7... sorry!
well, I was going to go with Timothy Jarrett's review of the new Hilliard Ensemble CD [Gombert: Missa Media vita in morte sumus]