Must-See TV

Remember when Obama said, during the State of the Union, that he was planning on meeting with Republicans and Democrats soon?

Well, today, he went to the House Republicans Retreat and engaged in what can only be described as the US equivalent of Prime Minister’s Question Time. CSPAN has the video. You need to watch this.

He engaged them, on their turf, in an open exchange of ideas. Not only did he come off as the adult in the room, but he showed the difference between debate and obstruction… and well, just fucking mopped the floor with them. Totally dismantled wingnut ‘gotcha’ questions with aplomb and a smile — made them look like idiots. He needs to do this, with *both* sides, on a regular basis. Knock some rhetorical heads and start demonstrating the “presiding” part of the word “President.”

Today’s back and forth was such a dramatic scene that GOP operatives are already talking about how huge a mistake it was to allow cameras at the event and Fox News decided to cut away from the event before it was over, despite planning a full broadcasting block around it.

Wow. More of this, please.

Friday Music

Here we go….

Another excellent track from the FIFA10 soundtrack from a New Zealand band — I was surprised to discover that this was a fairly recent (2008) song, because it sounds like something from the late-80s/early-90s Britpop scene. Good stuff: Cut Off Your Hands – “Happy As Can Be.”

We’ve been watching the second season of the BBC’s supernatural drama, “Being Human”, and dreading the forthcoming “American version” being produced by Syfy. Here’s an amazing indie/folk tune which featured in the second episode, and features some fairly well-known Shakespearean lyrics: Mumford & Sons – “Sigh No More.”

Sticking with the folk vibe for a moment — Suzanne Vega’s first album has always been my favorite of her work, because of that stripped-down, singer-songwriter folk sound. One of my favorite tracks from the album: Suzanne Vega – “The Queen and the Soldier.”

Some blistering social commentary hip-hop from Brooklyn MC PackFM, who uses samples from the 70s sitcom theme to blast us for complacency in the new “Obama era” — well worth a listen (language NSFW): PackFM – “Happy Days.”

We turn to earworms that I must exorcize: first, this brilliant send-up of bombastic “epic” fantasy/SF-based rock — exactly the sort of thing by 13-year-old D&D-playin’ self would’ve thought was AWESOME — which still remains the second-best thing Jack Black has ever done (behind Kung Fu Panda, since you’re asking). All that, plus mind bullets. Man. Tenacious D – “Wonderboy.”

I’m apologizing for this in advance. The rarely-heard vocal version of the theme to “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century”, which was played over the bizarre softcore dream-state opening credits of the pilot film: Kipp Lennon – “Suspension.”

Don’t hate.

Austinites: SXSW help needed

OK, I’ve talked with a few of you about this before, but it’s getting down to the time that I need to make actual arrangements, so I figured I’d get the ball rolling.

Here’s the deal: I’m looking at attending the Film and Interactive portions of SXSW (well, the conference and trade show parts — not planning on doing the extended period of screenings). I’d be looking at coming into Austin on Thursday the 11th of March, attending the show from the 12th through the 16th, and then getting out of Dodge Austin on the 17th.

What I’m looking for is couch/floor/guestroom space for those 6 nights. Ideally, you live either on or close to Austin’s public transit routes (I don’t want anyone to have to cart my ass to the conference and back).

So, that’s my need… Any help? Feel free to drop comments, or if you prefer, send me an email.

Also: Any other readers planning on attending?