Links for the Day (January 14th, 2009)

1. "Academic Hack" Michael Sicinski thinks a change would do him good. Delve deeper into his world here (if you haven't already, and you should have). And check his piece on When It Was Blue, his favorite film of 2008, pic above, here.

["2008 was a demanding year. We had a grueling presidential election (with the correct outcome, at least), an economy in freefall, and as the year closed, Israel and Hamas were (and still are, as of this writing) hammering the hell out of each other. Personally, my move to Houston has been difficult, since despite my best efforts I remain unemployed, and yet somehow (parenting, managing a household, writing, trying to be a decent spouse) I am busier than ever. From the grand global scale to the relatively insignificant details of my private life, this time-consuming website begins to seem just a tad indulgent, when it doesn't feel like an effort doomed to fail. The temptation to call it quits on the Academic Hack project has been fairly consistent for the entire year. Not a day goes by that I don't consider closing shop. I'd get more sleep, be a better husband and father, and, I think, be a much better writer in the long run. But somehow, just yet, I can't shitcan the whole thing entirely. I think this is because, although I am but a mere blip on Internet 2.0 or whatever we are now, but a tiny dumpling in the great stew in which swim the Spouts and the Filmbrains and the Houses Next Doors and whatnot, I know that a small cadre of you out there really appreciate what I do here. I know because you told me so, and I thank you for that. So, the Hack abides. BUT, there will be some significant changes around these parts. And they are:"]

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2. "A plate of soup, a girl, and a coffin, or, Lev Kuleshov @110": From Jahsonic. Be sure to check out the Hitchcock clip within (and embedded above).

["He's no longer the benign gentleman who loves babies."]

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3. Mea culpa to my man John Lichman, who asked me to link to his Jeffrey Wells article at Spout a while back. John's been quite prolific at Spout; see here for his contributions page.

["It is a crime in this day and age not to occasionally check in on Jeffrey Wells’ Hollywood Elsewhere, with topics ranging from billboard photos, blind item brunches and oddly angry political rants against apathetic teenagers. Wells is a classic mix of online reactionary and keen insight, peppered with various “what the fuck” moments and the occasional non sequitur involving Paris Hilton and Al-Qaeda. To ring in the New Year, let’s take a quick look back at our favorite blogged remarks from the man who confused Mike D’Angelo with Ed Gonzalez, and whose random photos of restaurants and lawns oddly resemble–for lack of a better term–art. Also, any use of bold is for emphasis and my own editorial comments are in italics."]

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4. "Man sold teen daughter into marriage for cash, beer, meat": Salacious headline, interesting story.

[" Martinez had arranged through a third party to have his daughter marry the older teenager, identified by authorities as Margarito de Jesus Galindo, of Gonzales, California. In exchange, Galindo was to pay Martinez $16,000 and provide him with 160 cases of beer, 100 cases of soda, 50 cases of Gatorade, two cases of wine, and six cases of meat, Greenfield Police Chief Joe Grebmeier told CNN. All those involved in the case are from the western Mexican state of Oaxaca, the police chief said. In the Oaxacan community, such an agreement is "normal and honorable," he said. "In California, it's against the law." In Oaxacan culture, the food and beverages are provided by a prospective bridegroom for the wedding, Grebmeier said."]

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5. "Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island": Get your applications in. (Hattip: Annie Young Frisbie)

["An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls "the best job in the world" -- earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months. The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced on Tuesday. In return, the "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates."]

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Quote of the Day: Charles Caleb Colton

"There are two modes of establishing our reputation: to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the former, because it will invariably be accompanied by the latter."

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Image of the Day (click to enlarge): Do not go gentle into that good night, dear Wentworth. Discussion brewing at Alan Sepinwall's place.



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Clip of the Day: Rainer Werner Catsbinder


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"Links for the Day": A selection of Links that will hopefully spark discussion. Comments encouraged. Suggestions for links are also welcome. Please send to keithuhlich@gmail.com.