I was saddened to learn about how the economy has hit the All-American town of Springsteenville via the Onion this weekend. I think it's a little funny that the working class people who enjoy and are celebrated in Bruce's songs nicknamed him 'The Boss,' since I picture these same people spending a lot of time badmouthing the management. That really says something about-something. Damned if I know what.
It's been a really pretty weekend in Oberlin. It was chilly Thursday and Friday after some rain, but yesterday was around 70 and today was like 65 and sunny. Some small trees are turning already, and I think fall is going to be beautiful here. Nothing like Stewart road in the middle of October, but luckily I'll be able to enjoy that this year, too! Apparently one of the trees in Tappan Square was injured during the week (below), though how this happened is still a matter of speculation.





I'm feeling sick, which means... I'm human. Which sucks. Makes me feel like I'm a part of something though, which doesn't suck. I guess college is teeming with germs and stuff, I just never suspected putting my mouth directly on the water fountain and sneezing on the sleeve of whoever is closest would be anything but hygienic. hehe Genny put her mouth on a water fountain and got sick once.

Now, I'm no critic. I don't particularly enjoy critics. I like silly movies with little substance and catchy music with little meaning. It's just the way I am. Having said that, I saw Burn After Reading last night and came away really unsatisfied. I feel like the people who liked it just saw that there were stars in it and figured it had to be good. Of the many stars the film boasted, John Malkovich was good, and played a very convincing angry old man. On the other hand, George Clooney was kind of clowny, and had this weird, wide-eyed look that felt like mugging every time something was supposed to be funny. Disappointing, Dr. Ross. In describing the film to other people, a friend of mine reported that Brad Pitt was "phenomenal... Oh my gaaa...." faded out and made a searching gesture. I reported that Brad Pitt was "eh..." and made a noncommittal gesture. I never once during that movie forgot that he was Brad Pitt pretending to be an employee for Hardbodies Fitness Club. He just didn't do it for me. The ending left me wanting more, but more like the way the lame ending for The Golden Compass made me want more than the cool ending of the first two Lord of the Rings made me want more. Like, "You really should have made more movie, I want more so I won't feel so cheated," not "I want another one of these movies! Garsh that was swell!" I made that disclaimer about critics because I usually don't have a lot of negative things to say about movies, music, etc., and lately I have (see earlier post about Steve Martin) . I don't want to be a critic. I really want to be original and I don't think they are at all. Unless you're talking about the late-night animated show The Critic featuring Jon Lovitz which I stayed up way past my bedtime to watch sometime in the 90's.