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Catch That Northwestern Buzz
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Washington state and Oregon? Is it coffee? Depressing weather? Hippies? Grunge rock and flannel? For me, it's wine. Washington is the second largest producer of fine wines in the U.S., after California, and Oregon produces Pinot Noirs that rival the finest red Burgundies. Let there be no mistake: This region is a force to be reckoned with.
[Video] Twisted Orchid
When I was working as a maid in Yosemite National Park, a departing guest left a stack of New Yorker magazines. An article in one of them struck me with its depth of understanding and command of the English language. It chronicled the life of an orchid collector in south Florida who had been arrested for stealing rare, endangered orchids from federal land, most notably the Ghost orchid. The author, Susan Orlean, was so fascinated by this collector's story that she lengthened the article into a book, "The Orchid Thief." Orlean, a staff writer for The New Yorker, is considered a master of the narrative-style human profiles and one of our modern-day writerly wonders.
Bio Hazards
The music of Ray Charles is a national treasure, as is the artist's legacy. The same can't be said for "Ray," the movie of his life, although the transcendent performance of Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles kicks this otherwise ordinary biopic into the realm of the extraordinary.
A Mostly Nice List of Offbeat Holiday Films
The holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving is past, and Christmas is coming up faster than a speeding sleigh. When you need a moment away from the maddening traffic and endless lines, try popping one of these movies in your DVD player for a breather. It's a mixed bag of Yuletide mayhem, some slightly more obvious than others, but all guaranteed to take your mind off shopping and wrapping and socializing.
Don't Judge a Punk by Her Cover
If you met Caroline or Ray Crawford on the street, knowing nothing more of them than the (black) clothes on their backs and (large) tattoos on their arms, you might come to one of the more stereotypical conclusions: just a couple of punks.
From Point A to You
What a deflated party balloon it was—filling up an online shopping cart only to get a denial: "Do not pass GO, do not collect your wine." At some point, you've probably made the same sad discovery I did several years ago: wineries cannot ship to individuals residing in Mississippi. Well, not legally anyway. Prohibition still exists in this state, at least when it comes to the issue of direct shipping for wine.
A Wild Ride
Alan Huffman's "Mississippi in Africa" (Gotham Books, 2004, $27) is a remarkable book that will capture your imagination and ground you in reality. For anyone who has ever been haunted by the ruins of Windsor, or wandered through an ancient graveyard and thought," if only I knew the stories," this is the book for you. It seems that Huffman reveals a new ghost on every page, hiding behind Corinthian columns, lost in legal minutiae, a child killed in a legendary slave revolt, slaves choosing an uncertain and deadly future rather than remain enslaved.
A Good Day to Die
The life force, our survival instinct, is incredibly strong. For most of us, dying is not something to look forward to. Mostly, we don't want to talk or even think about death. But for those living with incurable illnesses, life often becomes so painful that it's no longer worth living. What then?
Flat World, Deep Game
When reviewing a game like "Super Paper Mario," it's difficult to avoid comparing it to its predecessors. "SPM" is technically the sequel to the two "Paper Mario" games released on the N64 and Gamecube, which were loose continuations of "Super Mario RPG," a Square-made Super Nintendo gem. Despite this, "Super Paper Mario" is a whole new game, sharing only some of the elements of the original "trilogy." It's still a solid title, but the changes may be a bit much for a fan expecting the same kind of game.
As American as Burek Pie
If any grape bespeaks the sunny climes and fearless attitude inherent to California, Zinfandel does. Whether it's the bold, fruity flavors or its tendency toward a high alcohol content, Zinfandel successfully represents the state that stands as a mecca for loud celebrities.
The Quest for Cheap Pinot
Believe it or not, two years later, Pinot Noir is still riding high on the popularity horse after being thrust into the limelight by the movie "Sideways." Plus, studies have shown that thin-skinned grapes, e.g. Pinot Noir, are even better for your heart than other varietals. The result has been a lot of people out shopping for Pinot Noir … but they don't always like what they find.
Picture Imperfect: A Review of "Wicker Park," PG-13
The trailer for Paul McGuigan's "Wicker Park" wrongly portrays the film as a thriller, a sort of Generation X "Fatal Attraction." While it certainly has its darker elements (many of the plot points and characters are undeniably Hitchcockian), the film itself doesn't pack nearly the level of adrenaline that its preview suggests it does. This is definitely a strange, frequently suspenseful account of romantic fixation, but one that actually doesn't fit neatly into any genre, and certainly not that of a thriller.
A Fling Rekindled
My favorite beers are all strongly attached to memories of the places where I discovered them. Abita Amber, from my four years living in New Orleans, will always hold a special place in my heart. It has remained a constant in my life, and Jackson's nightlife offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy this excellent brew. However, during a three-week visit to Ireland in 2004, I had a fling with another beer: Smithwick's.
Just Killing Time
A Review of "Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - Game of the Year Editon" Platform: Xbox/PC
I usually review newer games, but after picking up a copy of "Morrowind: Game of the Year Edition," I had to review it. I love this game. It's in-depth, creative and innovative, and most of all, it's totally freeform. You can go anywhere at any time. You are given specific missions, but the world is open to you. There are three "continents." Each one contains a core quest, which the player is pushed towards constantly, and hundreds of varied quests, which have to be discovered and explored. The missions range from delivering a letter to killing a god. Likewise, the difficulty fluctuates greatly. Replay value is almost obsolete. You will be totally content without replaying anything.
Fairy Tale Fun
The 19th Annual Puppetry Jam Performing Arts Festival for Children combines all the necessary ingredients for some proper fun on April 14-15 at the Ag Museum—a fairy tale, puppets, rhythm, dance, storytellers, a clown, and the chance to make your own puppet.
Lanier's Misunderstanding?
On Saturday, July 20, fans and players in the annual fundraiser scrimmage between current Bulldogs and Lanier alums arrived at the building on 833 Maple St. to find the doors locked.
Freshman 15
The transition from high school and living at home to a college environment and living on campus can be difficult.
Presidential Inaugural Parade Apps Due Nov. 18
[Verbatim from U.S. Army] WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armed Forces Inaugural Committee has extended its deadline for the public to submit applications to participate in the Jan. 20, 2009, presidential inaugural parade to Nov. 18 by 5 p.m. Applicants have traditionally included local groups from across the country, including school and community marching bands, floats and a variety of performers who fit into a parade format, as well as other non-traditional parade groups such as vocal ensembles, hand bell choirs and orchestras.
State Launches Site for Visiting Debate Journalists
[Verbatin] An estimated 3,000 journalists are expected to descend upon Oxford this week for the first 2008 Presidential Debate. To assist media with resources for broadcasts and articles pertaining to Mississippi, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) has created a website containing helpful information regarding the state. Media and journalists can access the site at http://www.msdebate08.org . "The first 2008 Presidential Debate being held on the campus of the University of Mississippi is a historic event – not only for Ole Miss and Oxford, but also for the entire State of Mississippi," Governor Haley Barbour said. "We have a great story to tell, and this event is an excellent opportunity to share it with the world. The website is designed to help the media tell the story, and I am sure the information contained within the site will be useful to anyone wishing to learn more about the state."
Log Cabin GOP Votes Down Bush Endorsement
AP reports: "The Republican Party's largest gay and lesbian organization, which endorsed President Bush in 2000, is withholding its endorsement of the president for re-election because of his support for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The national board of Log Cabin Republicans voted 22-2 Tuesday night to hold back the endorsement and called Bush 'disloyal' to the 1 million gay men and lesbian women who it said supported his candidacy four years ago.