July 2006 – Page 2 – Kevin Smokler

Mac Problems: Help?

Smokler on July 24, 2006

Anybody had these problems?

1. Mac Powerbook G4 (OS 10.4.7) that will not play sound out of its speakers and crashes any time it tries to download a windows media file

2. iMac G5. Also will not play sound when external speakers are plugged in.

Help a brutha out?

I Speak…

Smokler on July 24, 2006

An interview with me on Thoughtcast (podcast about ideas and academics) that I gave last summer during my book tour has been posted. I haven’t listened yet. How do I sound?

How’s this for a compliment?

Smokler on July 24, 2006

Dorothy Parker once remarked that Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald “looked as though they had just stepped out of the sun.” (via The Writer’s Almanac).

“The End and Dawn of a New Era”

Smokler on July 24, 2006

KQED Public Radio

Gleanings: Tour De France, The Big Lebowski, Smoosh and Barney the Dinosaur

Smokler on July 23, 2006

Pennsylvanian Floyd Landis wins the Tour de France, becoming only the 5th American in the history of the tour (and none before 1983) to do so. Personally I liked Spanaird Oscar Pereiro, who came in 2nd.
Publishers want a bigger cut of the bread when a book of theirs get adapted for the screen. This would be one of those “about time” stories that we see in publishing about once a month (via Arts Journal).
I hadn’t seen this profile of Zingermans for a while but reading it again reminded me of what a proud Ann Arbor native I am (via Kottke.org).
Ever heard of the phrase “A Barney Press Release” which is basically two companies working together and saying “I love you, you love me?” I think that’s a hilarious phrase (via micropersuasion).
Alt darlings Smoosh get a writeup in Teen People (via LHB).
The two minute version of The Big Lebowski. Brilliant. I wonder if this video editor takes requests.

One Sentence Movie Reviews: “Reel Paradise”

Smokler on July 23, 2006

Reel Paradise (2005): “Is there anything more intoxicating for a movie lover than a movie about a movie lover visiting the ends of the earth to show free movies?”

Quote of the Day: Dorothy Allison

Smokler on July 21, 2006

“Fiction is the lie we use to tell the truth in order to learn from the world” —Dorothy Allison

Gleanings: Ozick, Vox, Youtube

Smokler on July 19, 2006

It’s a few months old but I’d feel remiss in not bringing up this review of Cynthia Ozick’s new collection of essays “The Din in the Head” which is about our favorite topic here, why the novel is dying a slow death and its all electronic media’s fault. As smart as Ozick is, this argument is as dated as the pony cart.
USA Today reports that talent scouts are trolling Youtube for the next big thing. I’m clearly in the wrong business (via Micropersuasion).
I have no time for Vox. I scarcely have time to breathe.

Gleanings: Lit Mags, Soft Drinks, Clerks and The Safety Dance

Smokler on July 18, 2006

I don’t know or read Jeff Jarvis so this isn’t geek loyalty talking but I wonder if the PR industry has any idea how stupid they look when this happens. Memo: There is no “controlling the message” anymore. The Internet is bigger than you will ever be. The goal now is to host the conversation not dictate it.

Update: “Amanda” is a sham (via Susan Mernit).

I’m not sure I would read a soft drink blog but I’m sure someone would (via Matt Haughey).
Mental Floss magazine has relaunched their website. Looks fantastic.
I love me some Safety Dance but I almost love this interpretation of it more.
Where precisely is the joy in running a literary magazine? Good question (via Arts Journal).
Playland Not By the Beach is an old fashioned amusement center opening in the Bay Area this fall. It’s like my dream come true. I can’t wait.
Clerks 2 opens this weekend. My generation rises.

One Sentence Movie Reviews: “Colors”

Smokler on July 17, 2006

Colors (1988): “Perhaps our favorite movies from 11th grade should stay there.”