Hope and Humour

while the republicans are being nasty and airing loads of baseless attack ads, the dems are responding with hope and humor. they know how to use their claws if they have to, but it's done with aplomb and some jabbing humour.

from MoveOn.org:




from CarryaBigSticker:







and now some quotable quotes from the dem nat convention today (paraphrased as i'm not looking at transcripts)

bill clinton: the world has always been more impressed with the power of america's example than the example of america's power.

the third time is not the charm.

joe biden: that's not change, that's more of the same (regarding john mccain).

it's time for america to get back up, together.


bob casey: john mccain likes to call himself a maverick, but 90% of the time he's voted with george w bush. that's not a maverick, that's a sidekick

Finding Bulgaria in Pittsburgh (post 4)

On the Verizon building, there is a portal with a globe of the world rotating within. The point is that you can call anywhere in the world from Pittsburgh, I guess. Anyways, the boys took some time to find Bulgaria.

Bulgarians in Pittsburgh 3: PPG Building

first two pictures by Rado, he has a good eye for that sort of thing. then me playing with the reflections from the building...

Bulgarians in Pittsburgh, Pt. 2 The Point

Bulgarians in Pittsburgh

Pavel, Other Pavel, Joro, and Rado with Roberto Clemente

on Roberto Clemente Bridge

walking by the Allegheny River

Me and Rado pose for a picture

to the Point

I know I said I'd post about my trip to Bulgaria, and I still plan to, but here is Bulgaria's trip to me! haha. The brother of Rado's sister-in-law was in Redding, PA for training and came with two other Bulgarian coworkers to visit us for a few hours... We had a blast and tried to compact the surrouding area into a few hours with success. We left on a walk from N. Side and travelled by Pirates (PNC) Stadium, went across Roberto Clemente bridge, walked along the river to the point, went to PPG Square and Market Square, ate at Primantis (A Pittsburgh Original). Then we continued our walk across Smithfield St. Bridge to Station Square, rode the incline to Mt. Washington and enjoyed the view, and walked them back to their rental car before heading off to a concert in Highland Park. What a Pittsburgh day! If they get to come longer next time we'll show them more of our lovely city, but they were very impressed by the city and said they enjoyed it more than Philadelphia or New York. That's right folks! Pittsburgh rules.

I Am Not A Movie Snob

To be clear, I do appreciate indie movies, foreign films. I like movies that make a statement, are an act of protest, or try experimental camera angles. But it must be said, I still find merit in movies that are released to more than a limited audience and/or don't have subtitles. Some people criticize the pop culture movie as being fluff or the same old stuff. But to me, most of these movies serve to affirm our common humanity. Regardless of if we physically resemble the characters, or if our situations differ, we can almost always identify with a situation or emotion in these movies. Because they are "formulaic," they tap into the archetypes that occur in every culture. The quest narrative, the questions of identity, the struggle/agon/angst... We can see a part of ourselves on the screen. We can also feel a part of ourselves in the audience. When everyone in a darkened theatre gasps at the same time, sheds a tear for the same tragedy, laughs together... it shows that despite our many differences, we are all human, and can perhaps one day get along when the lights are up.

~S

COMING SOON...

I have not been posting. Obviously. I will post some entries on my recent trip to Bulgaria, as well as things that have been happening around Pittsburgh soon. Promise.