I recently re-watched as much of it as I could stand, and re-thought my position.

It's actually dozens of missed opportunities.

For example, the casting of Josh Hartnet represents the missed opportunity of not casting Josh Hartnet. Whatever one may think of his looks, the poor kid just cannot act.

The beautiful cinematography represents the missed opportunity of using such spectacular footage on a different, much better, film.

I could go on, but my neck is getting sore from shaking my head sadly...

March 25, 2020

It's a shame it took a pandemic to give the American people a little rest.

We're the most overworked developed nation on the planet.

I'm not making light of the situation, BTW; neither the disease, nor the fact that not everyone is able to stay at home right now. (As a medical provider, I have a duty to keep going to work, but I've got a cough right now, so I'm home trying not to infect my patients).

Anyway, even a people as hard-working as the Germans understand the importance of work-life balance. They get 20-24 government-mandated paid holidays per year, paid sick leave, maternity/paternity leave, a mandatory weekend "quiet time", etc.

The fat-cat billionaires in the US see us only as disposable cogs in their money-making machines. Now that so many of us are on mandatory lock-down, they're begging the Federal government to make us go back to work, hang the deadly epidemic, just so their shares don't lose value.

March 25, 2020

My local Rite-Aid has a "Limit: 1" sign on the toilet paper aisle.

The shelves are still empty, though...

March 25, 2020

Imagine a zombie apocalypse, only the zombies are invisible and inaudible. (!)

I was reading a book by the living room window a little while ago, looking out at a beautiful, sunny Spring day in the Evergreen State. It looks so inviting, and of course, we have been encouraged to go for walks so we don't have a completely sedentary quarantine. But every time we step out the door, especially if we think we'll meet people, we face the spectre of death.

Sounds a little melodramatic, I guess. But I took a phone call from a patient yesterday (telemedicine was most of my job this week until I got sick myself) and she is frantic with worry, and she sounded on the verge of tears the entire call. I'm gratified that our Behavioral Health department is also doing telemedicine for our patients. I hope that sooths some fears.

I'm going to try to think about the good things, like arias arising from the balconies of Italy, musicians posting impromptu concerts from home, Patrick Stewart offering a daily Shakespeare sonnet, etc.

March 25, 2020

I swear, I'm stranded on a planet with a bunch of brain-dead jackponies.

State governors order shelter-in-place to reduce the spread of the most fearsome disease since smallpox was eradicated. And the scumbag libertarian blockheads of the nation, who are their own virulent, corrosive disease, are wandering around out there aimlessly; driven by nothing more than "Th' dang gubmint cain't tell ME whut ta do!..."

Profile Information

Gender: Male
Hometown: Puyallup, Washington
Member since: 2001
Number of posts: 66,328

About Aristus

I truly believe that we will all live in peace and brotherhood someday. And so that I don't lose my faith in humanity, I will live my life as if that day had already happened.

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