My dad and I wanted to donate some money to WNCU, a local jazz station that we both enjoy, so I called the number they gave out tonight to make a donation. Does an operator willing to take my money answer the phone? No. The host of the live talk radio show that was currently on the air picks up. I explained that I was calling about the fund drive, and he explained that this was a live radio talk show. I apologized, gave him my number (hopefully off the air), and hung up. He still hasn't called back, and he no doubt had a good laugh at my expense.

Oh the humanity!

I'm not much of a movie person, but tonight, thanks to a storm-related cable outage, I watched The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe for the first time. What a great movie! I've always been a giant fan of the Chronicles of Narnia, and this movie was particularly well done. A few key details were left out, however. Aslan didn't mention the deeper magic when the Stone Table was broken in two, He simply explained that the witch didn't fully understand what would happen. Also, the professor never hints that he too has been to Narnia. Take, for instance, this passage from the book:

And the professor, who was a very remarkable man, didn't tell them not to be silly or not to tell lies, but believed the whole story. "No," he said, "I don't think it will be any good trying to go back through the wardrobe door to get the coats. You won't get into Narnia again by that route. Nor would the coats be much use by now if you did! Eh? What's that? Yes, of course you'll get back to Narnia again some day. Once a King in Narnia, always a King in Narnia."

Nowhere in the movie does the professor make such a statement (the last sentence in particular). That omission really took some of the surprise out of it (although anyone who's read the books already knows the story). There were some interesting additions to the movie as well. Aslan says to the witch that he was present when the deep magic was written, a statement that isn't in the book (I checked). It will be interesting to see what other movies they decide to make. I really enjoyed this one; hopefully they will stick to the books, and not alter the stories too much.

All hail the Highest of High Kings!

The Simpsons is the greatest television show of all time, regardless of what the clowns at TV Guide say. I mean, how can you go wrong with quotes like this?

Skinner: And, in a gutless act of political correctness, pizza day will now be known as Italian-American sauce bread day. Italian Chef: Ah, now that's a-sensitivity. Right Giuseppe? [the monkey claps...] Giuseppe is such a happy monkey!

Homer: I'm not looking for fame or glory. I'm just trying to buy that stairway to heaven Jesus sang of. Flanders: That was Led Zeppelin. Homer: Psh. Get back to your bong hippie.

Homer: So, a graduate student, huh? How come you guys can go to the moon but you can't make my shoes smell good?

That kind of writing is simply classic. The greatest episode of all time? Quite possibly, Homer: Bad Man. It just doesn't get much funnier than that.

Not too long ago, I purchased Rick Wakeman's phenomenal album Journey to the Centre of the Earth. And it has spurred within me an interest to re-read the masterpiece by Jules Verne. It has been quite some time since I read a novel (I believe the seven Chronicles of Narnia books were the last ones I read), and I feel it's about time to pick up another one. I've always been a fan of Jules Verne works, and A Journey to the Center of the Earth is particularly excellent.

I'm slowly making my way through The Mythical Man Month, and so far it has been most excellent. The points that Dr. Brooks makes throughout the book are incredibly insightful. How sad that practically no one makes use of the suggestions he puts forth!

Does anyone have suggestions for books worth reading? Feel free to let me know what you like.

I'm a great fan of the late Jeremy Brett, who is the only Sherlock Holmes I will ever recognize. His portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective is as good as acting gets. In my humble opinion, no other actor has ever portrayed a character as accurately as Mr. Brett portrayed Holmes. He captures every nuance from the books, and matches exactly what I feel Conan Doyle was striving to create. I have only one collection of DVDs to go in completing my set: The Sherlock Holmes Feature Film collection. And I can't wait to get it!

Many months ago, I picked up the collector's edition DVD of Once Upon a Time in the West at Target (I got it on the cheap - only $7). But I only now have gotten around to watching it.

I'm a fan of classic Western films, and I'm particularly fond of Sergio Leone's work (I own all of the "Man With No Name" movies starring Clint Eastwood). So this particular movie was a real treat. It has all the classic Sergio Leone moments: tight close-up shots, brutal violence, and a mysterious hero. Charles Bronson and Henry Fonda played superbly in the film, and the score is nearly as good as that of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. I heartily recommend this movie if you haven't seen it. Take note that it's fairly long (2 hours and 45 minutes), but it won't disappoint.

Went to see Star Wars Episode III this afternoon, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. Although I wouldn't rank it better than episodes 4-6, it is clearly the best of the "prequels". If you haven't yet checked it out, I highly recommend you do so. It makes for a decent few hours spent out of the house. Natalie Portman is as attractive as ever, Master Yoda has some great butt-kicking scenes, and a number of questions are answered. A few awkward or cheesy scenes stick out like a sore thumb (Darth Vader's "NOOOOO!" comes to mind), but they don't detract too much from the overall plot.