Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Travel in Style

This illuminated billboard is in the Dallas/Forth Worth airport.  It is advertising the American Paint Horse, which is one of your transportation options in Texas.  If I end up there, maybe I can be like Chuck Yeager and ride my horse to the airfield to go flying.  Before you know it, I'll break the sound barrier.

The fine print refers to "your one-of-a-kind" Paint horse.  It seems odd to describe an animal as one-of-a-kind.  As opposed to what?  A cloned cyborg horse?  What are they not telling us?

Lubbock Landscape

I just returned from a very successful interview in Lubbock, Texas.  My tour of the city included a trip to Prairie Dog Town, where I was able to photograph a local resident.  If you squint just right, you can spot him in the middle distance.  

Texas Toast

I think it is fair to say that of all the American states, Texas is best suited to representation in waffle form.  

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Sensual Delights

To keep you posted on my hotel-room observations, the hotel in Texas has a flat-screen television, complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate, and a whirlpool bath.  

Thank you, black gold!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Rejection

A while back I wrote a post about a job ad that stipulated that, as a Film Professor, you had to be able to treat other people like human beings, think rationally, occasionally use your eyes and fingers, and be capable of reading a newspaper.

I just found out that I won't be getting that job.

Should I be worried or relieved?

Monday, February 16, 2009

Culture

Since I've been staying in hotels all over the continent, I've noticed that the room amenities can tell you a lot about a given cultural milieu. 

In the bedside table in Minnesota, there was a copy of The Book of Mormon.

In the bedside table in Montreal, there were condoms.

There you go.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Propaganda Through the Ages

My students wrote an analysis of a WWII propaganda film, and one of them decided to put it in historical perspective:  "In the distant past, propaganda was spread through oration, as well as intimidation.  Rulers would put the heads of their enemies on pikes as a display of power."  

That's telling 'em!