NonnaBlog

Best of the Web: "You're So Vain" Edition

2010-02-28T15:21:00.010-05:00

This week’s revelation that Carly Simon’s 1972 “You’re So Vain” was not about Warren Beatty or Mick Jagger but about someone named “David,” the name whispered on the new recording of the song, has got Simon’s past flames and the rest of us thinking.

Is it really “David”? And, if so, which David is it? London’s Daily Mail declared that the song was about record producer David Gaffen, who is gay and allegedly earned Simon’s scorn because he paid more attention to Joni Mitchell’s career at the time. Many of us, along with Warren Beatty, simply refused to believe this.

Thankfully, Simon dispelled the notion in The Hollywood Reporter via an e-mail: “What a riot! Nothing to do with David Geffen! What a funny mistake! Someone got a clue mistaken for another mistake!”

But the plot grows thicker…As The Independent reports: “A source who worked on the new version of the song told the US website ShowBiz411 that it contained two other ‘whispered’ names, one that’s unintelligible and another that is ‘Warren.’ So, for now, Warren, Kris, Mick, Yusuf, you can go back to probably thinking this song is about you after all.”

Whoever he is, Mr. Vain rebuts Carly’s charges in McSweeny’s. Best bits: “First of all, that party took place on a yacht. So the way I walked in was perfectly appropriate.” And “… I am known to spend time with wives of close friends. And what do I do with said women, Carly? Talk. Have tea. Catch a movie or attend a polo match. These women’s husbands are entertainers and travel quite a bit, so I spend time with them, because that’s what friends do. And sometimes I have sex with them. But not as often as you might think.” (Thanks to Rachel for sharing this one.)

Finally, Simon has announced a music video contest for “You’re So Vain.” I would like the winning video to include a lot of footage of Warren Beatty—with or without the apricot scarf.

Let the Indians Eat Triscuits!

2009-11-24T21:39:00.009-05:00

India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is in town, and the man needs to be fed. I found this AP roundup of 60 years of meals for Indian leaders served up by American presidents intriguing. I loved that Harry S. Truman’s meal included Triscuits.

I happen to love Triscuits, and this story made me think back on my teenage love affair with a true American snack icon—the Twinkie. This, in turn, reminded me of how Jon Stewart served tea and Twinkies to Pervez Musharraf. No Twinkies were on offer for Singh. Instead, the Obamas’ menu included “potato and egg plant salad, red lentil soup, and roasted potato dumplings or green curry prawns.” I just might reach for my trusty jar of Patak’s and make some Thanksgiving korma. With Twinkies for dessert?

Photo courtesy of Scott Mioduszewski/Flickr’s Creative Commons

"CNN—Nobody Leaves More Things There"

2009-10-18T22:00:00.004-04:00

Jon Stewart mercilessly skewers CNN for having the time to “fact-check” a Saturday Night Live skit but not the bogus numbers thrown out by its interviewees in the health care debate. When it comes to fact-checking whether there are five or 35 million uninsured in the country, CNN anchors are “out of time” and just “leave it there.” As Stewart puts it, “Don’t leave it there!...‘There’ is a terrible place to leave it—unless somebody will pick it up later.”

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

CNN Leaves It There

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Ron Paul Interview

Extra Large Grande Barista, Bangalore vs. Venti Starbucks, Washington, DC

2009-10-07T21:18:00.009-04:00

I have a minor coffee addiction. Like many things in my life, I blame it on my mother. I grew up with the smells of ridiculous amounts of Turkish coffee brewing at all hours of the day in our Soviet studio in Kiev. By the time I discovered lattes with the little drawings at Berkeley’s Café Milano, I did not stand a chance.

Unlike Berkeley, the proud of home of liberal lattes, Washington, DC does not have a café culture. Or, if it has one, it is carefully hidden from the naked eye in case Washingtonians decide to have a leisurely Americano before getting to the all-consuming task of running the world. There are a few exceptions like Tryst and Politics and Prose that are consistently good and perpetually overcrowded, so I mostly resort to Starbucks and Cosi to quench my latte thirst. If I get “my” Starbucks guy, I can be assured that my latte will be decent. Otherwise, it might appear disguised as a black coffee gone bad or a glass of warmed up milk with traces of caffeine. A botched latte is a tragedy indeed and is better than no latte at all.

The most annoying aspect of going to Starbucks is being exposed to Starbucks-speak. If you order “a small latte,” the barista will remind you that it is a “tall latte.” Through the years, I have been relentless in my affirmation of the cup’s smallness. If I say, “I like tall men,” I mean that I like men over 5’8”. I don’t mean I like midgets. So why should I say “tall” when all I am getting is a midget latte? Starbucks may be taking over the world, but there is competition. Take Barista, the deservedly popular Indian chain with a knack for bombastic labels, which is now part of the Lavazza empire. Starbucks, behold Barista’s “cappuccino grande...served in an extra large grande cup.” Venti cappuccino, you got served!

(Photos: Cafe Milano drinks courtesy of anniemalchang via Flickr; Bangalore menu, NonnaBlog)

A Washington, DC Intern Moment

2009-10-03T11:37:00.005-04:00

Overheard at Tryst:

Dude #1: So what do you do?

Dude #2: I work at NPR. You know All Songs Considered?

Dude #1: Of course, of course.

Dude #2: I’m involved in that.

Dude #1: That’s tight man. So what sort of things do you do for them? Do you write or do you, like, work on sound?

Dude #2: Actually, I don’t know. I just started two days ago. They have a website, and I want to write stuff for that.

Dude #1: So what’s your title?

Dude #2: Well, it’s sort of like an apprenticeship.

Snow Patrol

2009-10-02T19:09:00.018-04:00

In spite of my numerous musical accomplishments, such as singing “May There Always be Sunshine!” to a distinguished African delegation in Soviet Ukraine and performing in San Francisco’s premier ex-Soviet Jewish music and dance group Tikvah, I don’t play any instrument and am utterly hopeless when discussing music. Last week, I tagged along with a friend to see Snow Patrol, the alt band from Northern Ireland and Scotland.

They gave a fantastic performance, and it was a lot of fun. The music is melodic and has the right mix of complaint and optimism and fast and slow for my liking. There was a bit of joking around—always a good sign when bands don’t take themselves too seriously—and a request to sing on one’s toes. I am good at following important directions. That’s as sophisticated as my analysis will get. Here’s what The New York Times had to say:

Nowadays scruffy rock bands are learning what pop stars long ago discovered: It pays to have “one song you know….” Snow Patrol…has “Chasing Cars,” a ballad that became its first American pop hit. (It reached No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100.) Even if the title doesn’t ring a bell, the refrain — delivered in a pleasing accent by a singer from Northern Ireland — just might. It begins, “If I lay here/If I just laaay here.”

Those nine words helped Snow Patrol crack America….Snow Patrol has officially gone from the Scottish indie scene (the band was formed in Glasgow) to the American mainstream. Fans knew all the songs, but they might not have been there were it not for that one song.

“Chasing Cars” comes from “Eyes Open” (A&M/Universal), the fourth Snow Patrol album, which was the top-selling CD last year in Britain, where the band is well established. No doubt some fans hear Snow Patrol as a humbler, hipper version of Coldplay. (One lyric from the new album drops an indie-rock name: “Put Sufjan Stevens on/And we’ll play your favorite song.”) That’s not fair, especially since the earliest incarnation of Snow Patrol predates Coldplay by nearly half a decade, but it is understandable.

Snow Patrol’s grandest songs build slowly and gently, until eventually the huge chorus unfurls. (By contrast the worst ones simply trudge, like “Make This Go On Forever,” which did.) Gary Lightbody, the highly likable lead singer, knows how to lead a sing-along without letting the power go to his head. “Shut Your Eyes” was no doubt designed to make crowds go nuts, but Mr. Lightbody made the refrain sound like a simple request: “Shut your eyes and sing to me….”

Certainly Snow Patrol doesn’t have a marketable image or a polarizing sub-genre or a famous face or an audacious sound. What Snow Patrol has is songs: a few great ones, along with a bunch of less-than-great ones. And its fans don’t want deep-catalog obscurities or free-form improvisations; they want to sing along. As Mr. Lightbody and his band mates know, there is only one way to avoid becoming a one-hit wonder: Write more.

Well, I hope that they will write a lot more. I disagree with the reviewer about “Make This Go On Forever” being one of their “worst” songs. It’s angsty, and I happen to like it. Although I think this was a well-written and fair review, it also reminded me why I don’t usually read music reviews: They make me doubt my personal tastes. I got three Snow Patrol albums—Final Straw, Eyes Open and A Hundred Million Suns—and found something I loved on each one. The band is on tour until the end of the year in the United States and United Kingdom, so check these guys out. The concert truly made my month. I am even feeling inspired enough to possibly make good on my ancient but not forgotten plan to pick up the guitar.

Women and Foreign Policy @ Foreign Policy Association

2008-11-02T23:27:00.014-05:00

(Flickr/H@ne)

I am happy to announce that Women on Foreign Policy has moved to Foreign Policy Association's website. Women and Foreign Policy (yes, a slight name change) will continue to explore the same issues, with a special focus on the role of women in political life and, for the lack of a better phrase, women's issues. We've also just launched a Facebook fan page. So, show your love and devotion!

Women on Foreign Policy blog

2008-09-14T18:16:00.009-04:00

Along with some of the Oxford mafia members and other coerced friends, I've launched the Women on Foreign Policy blog last month. Our motto is "lively commentary on foreign affairs from women around the world." Any foreign policy topic goes, with special attention showered upon lady politicians.

Nonnka's scribblings elsewhere

2008-09-14T17:47:00.011-04:00

Presidential election moments from the Moment archives, September/October 2008, Moment Magazine.

"The bar mitzvah from hell—and heaven," co-written with Laurel Lachowiez, September/October 2008, Moment Magazine.

"The shrinking newspaper, July 28, 2008, NiemanWatchdog.org.

"Rather, Moyers see deterioration in news coverage," June 9, 2008, NiemanWatchdog.org

"Media consolidation seen as "almost un-American," June 8, 2008, NiemanWatchdog.org.

"Media Reform conference opens in Minneapolis," June 8, 2008, NiemanWatchdog.org.

A musical interlude

2008-08-31T21:34:00.005-04:00

Whether Barack Obama wins or loses, the Democrats sure know how to give a superb music concert. The Republicans just can't compete. If you missed the performances Thursday night at the DNC, here are Stevie Wonder (can you spot the dancing Bob Scheiffer in the crowd?), Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Hudson hitting all the notes all the way on the national anthem.

Inappropriate headline of the day

2008-08-29T22:57:00.005-04:00

Slate’s “It’s a Girl!” headline (since removed and replaced by “Huh?”) announcing John McCain’s pick of Sarah Palin as his running mate was disgraceful. Would “It’s a Boy!” been deemed appropriate for Barack Obama, John McCain or Joe Biden? I am light years away from Palin ideologically, but I am angry about the torrent of sexist rubbish that she is going to have to put up. It just never stops and there is no end to its ridiculousness. Take this absurd commentary on Hillary’s pantsuit in Denver that appeared in a Los Angeles Times blog:

Picking the orange outfit could have meant that it simply looked better against the blue background. She's worn orange several times this year, so perhaps it was more flattering to Hillary Clinton's hair and skin tones.

But there might be another reason. Does picking orange over blue or lilac, which would have coordinated with Michelle Obama's teal blue dress worn Tuesday night, have a deeper meaning?

Subliminally, to some observers it means that Hillary Clinton is maintaining her political individuality, not following the color code set by the Obama camp.

On the surface, it may sound silly. But small things, like the color of a pantsuit, can telegraph big political messages.

So though her speech was all about party unity, Hillary remains very formidable and individual. And she still wants to be president one day, which might be easier if the Republicans are defeated by Barack Obama this year.

If I understand this correctly, Hillary chose orange because she wants to look presidential if/when Obama loses. Perhaps female politicians should just wear black garbage bags and/or check with reporters on what’s OK to wear?

Mr. Dean, tear down this temple!

2008-08-27T23:15:00.005-04:00

Arhhhhh!!! What were the bright folks at the DNC thinking when they decided to erect this monstrosity? According to the Reuters article “Obama Speech Stage Resembles Ancient Greek Temple”:

The stage, similar to structures used for rock concerts, has been set up at the 50-yard-line, the midpoint of Invesco Field, the stadium where the Denver Broncos’ National Football League team plays.

Some 80,000 supporters will see Obama appear from between plywood columns painted off-white, reminiscent of Washington’s Capitol building or even the White House, to accept the party's nomination for president.

He will stride out to a raised platform to a podium that can be raised from beneath the
floor.

The show should provide a striking image for the millions of Americans watching on television as Obama delivers a speech accepting the Democratic presidential nomination.

I had several thoughts when I read this. Will they beam a halo over his head for added effect? Will the 80,000 have to ditch the infamously ridiculous campaign outfits (I love them!) for togas? As my friend Barbara commented, “It looks like a cheap version of the already cheap Las Vegas Strip version of the Partenon...and yes I think Obama will be cast as Zeus and the 80,000 as the worshiping Athenians!”

More seriously, I just don’t think wasting money on the “temple of Obama,” as the Republicans have dubbed it (talk about the Democrats making it way too easy) on a tacky stage prop, is the way to go after talking for days (and rightly so) about the many Americans who have lost their homes and can’t afford basic medical care. All this cult of personality stuff is freaking me out. Mr. Dean, tear down this temple!

Nonnka's scribblings elsewhere

2008-05-22T10:43:00.004-04:00

"Why I defend President Bush when I'm abroad," The Christian Science Monitor.

A life examined over instant noodles

2008-05-15T23:29:00.004-04:00

Last month, The New York Times ran an article entitled “In a New Generation of College Students, Many Opt for the Life Examined” on the growing number of students who are majoring in philosophy. It topped the list of the most e-mailed articles at one point. I imagine that a good number of Times’ readers majored in philosophy and wanted to share the giddy news with other philosophy majors. Perhaps others, like me, were simply shocked and wanted to share their shock. Who would have thought that in a sinking economy some programs managed to double their student numbers? As the article states:

The economic downturn has done little, if anything, to dampen this enthusiasm among students, who say that what they learn in class can translate into practical skills and careers. On many campuses, debate over modern issues like war and technology is emphasized over the study of classic ancient texts.

Rutgers, which has long had a top-ranked philosophy department, is one of a number of universities where the number of undergraduate philosophy majors is ballooning; there are 100 in this year’s graduating class, up from 50 in 2002, even as overall enrollment on the main campus has declined by 4 percent.

Although I found the article engrossing, I would have liked to have learned about what exactly these people DO after graduation. The student interviewed in the story’s opening switched from pre-med to philosophy and is applying to law school. Rutgers’ department chair notes that those students who double majored in philosophy and, say, economics, went on to achieve great things. But if you don’t double major or go on to grad school, what jobs are open to you? This questioned is left, um, unexamined.

I have the utmost respect for philosophy and most employers, one hopes, look upon critical thinking as a positive thing. Having majored in political science, I also understand the desire to study something that you’re passionate about even when your pocketbook tells you to opt for something more “practical.”

I suspect that philosophy majors have it even tougher on the job market than political science majors. It would have been nice if the reporter interviewed Rutgers alums about the career paths that they pursued and how long it took them to land their first full-time jobs. I am sure that many Rutgers students believe that finishing a great school will guarantee a great job and are in for a nasty shock. University officials mean their graduates well but can’t exactly say: “And 15 percent of our students went on to become successful professional interns and continue to take a philosophical approach to lending jobs with health care coverage.”

A life examined is a jolly good thing indeed, but one would rather examine it with brass in pocket. Just a thought for the class of 2008…

Nonnka's scribblings elsewhere

2008-04-03T19:43:00.005-04:00

"The candidates on the legal justice system," NiemanWatchdog.org.

"Someone like Putin..."

2008-03-16T19:04:00.004-04:00

I am belatedly reading Andrew Jack’s Inside Putin’s Russia, which is quite good so far. Inevitably, as with all Putin-related reading, the ridiculously sycophantic yet catchy tune “Someone Like Putin” enters my head at most inappropriate moments. I find myself humming “someone like Putin, full of strength, someone like Putin, who doesn’t drink” while reading about his non-adventures as a KGB officer in East Germany. You too can have the song not get out of your head! Here are the Russian and English music videos as well as the lyrics for the really hardcore fans.

The Taj Mahal

2008-03-09T00:03:00.002-05:00

"It was the Ivory Gate through which all good dreams come; it was the realization of the gleaming halls of dawn that Tennyson sighs of; it was veritably the 'aspiration fixed,' the 'sigh made stone' of a lesser poet; and over and above concrete comparisons, it seemed the embodiment of all things pure, all things holy, and all things unhappy.'' -- Rudyard Kipling

Nonnka's Scribblings Elsewhere

2008-02-26T23:22:00.002-05:00

"Key McCain, Clinton fundraisers lobby for foreign governments:
A Q&A with Will Evans of the Center for Investigative Reporting," NiemanWatchdog.org

Be my Valentine/anti-Valentine!

2008-02-14T15:36:00.006-05:00

In spirit of the 14th, NPR put together a Valentine's mix tape (images of Neal Conan singing Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" are fleshing in my head) and tells us why Hollywood doesn't make romantic comedies like it used to. If you like sarcasm, vd.meish.org is marching on with its oldy but goody e-cards. "You'll do" indeed.

Monkey Madness

2008-01-29T03:07:00.000-05:00

I know that you are expecting me to go on and on about the beauty of the Taj Mahal now that I am back from “Incredible India.” That broken Celine Dion record will makes its due appearance once I figure out way to outdo Rudyard Kipling’s “It was the Ivory Gate through which all good dreams come true it seemed the embodiment of all things pure, all things holy, and all things unhappy.” I can top that, right? In the meantime, I am giving the masses Agra’s other wonders of the world. Long live lovely langurs—not to be confused with the nasty wild rhesus monkeys!

A langur performing "All By Myself" a la Bridget Jones

2008-01-29T03:00:00.000-05:00

"One flea down, fifty more to go dear..."

2008-01-29T02:56:00.000-05:00

"OK, five more minutes and then it is my turn!"

2008-01-29T02:52:00.001-05:00

Baby got back...or perhaps not

2008-01-29T02:46:00.001-05:00

"Yes, white people, we know just how cute we are"

2008-01-29T02:40:00.000-05:00