Whoooaaa, hold on a sec there, Sparky

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Here's something interesting.

Deadline issued to produce documents for LOTR trial

The whole thing's proceeding as trials do, but here is the part that caught my eye:


Trust attorneys maintain "The Two Towers" incorporates portions and scenes taken from other Tolkien books. The film company lawyers maintain they need to know how that claim is supported so they can prepare their defense.


Wait...WHAT?? Scenes from other Tolkien books? What scenes from other Tolkien books? Sure, PJ & Co. moved things around and added here and there in order to shape the story to the ends of their film, but...WHAT??

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty damn familiar with the legendarium, and I didn't recognize anything from other books in there. In fact, as I understand it, they bent over backwards not to include stuff from any of the other books, since they already knew going in what pricks the Tokien Trust are about this stuff.

Also, I heard just about EVERY DAMN ARGUMENT from the most purist, obsessed fans about every single frame of film in 2T, and this is one criticism I never heard. And if there's a group of people who would definitely know if something had been imported from another book, it's that bunch of sphincterheads.


So, let's hear it. Looking back on The Two Towers, do any of you recognize anything from any other Tolkien book in it? Something that's not from either the main text or the appendices to LOTR?

Message from Our Prez

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You all know about the Presidential succession letter, right? It's a little White House tradition - the exiting President writes a letter to his successor, with any advice he might want to share about running the place. (If any of you were fans of The West Wing, you'll remember this from the last episode.)

Well...

Obama reads Bush's letter


Just in case you were curious as to what Bush might have to say to the New Guy.


( Also, a great story I saw the other day... )

Well, well, well

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Here's an eye-opener:


Did the founder of the antivax movement fake the autism/vaccine link?


Seems there's some evidence that the whole panic about vaccinations causing autism may have been made up out of whole cloth.


( Transcript here for those who don't want to click the link )

My, my. Medical researchers jiggering the numbers to bolster their own blinkered arguments? Imagine that!

Word advice?

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Hey, guys!

I'm working on subtitles for a Spanish film, and am trying to translate the phrase "mosquita muerta." This phrase literally means little dead fly, and refers to someone who seems very mousy, shy or retiring, but in actuality is quite strong and capable of defending herself.

Can any of you think of an idiom in English that would convey that same meaning, that of a "mouse" who is really a "lion"? I'm not coming up with anything, probably because it's late and my brain is tired.

ETA: Forgot to add that the Spanish expression isn't a compliment. There's the implication that the person describes only acts shy or retiring. So, rather than admiration for hidden strength, the term implies disdain for a two-faced person.

Midnight Media Cafe - The Elements Song

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Continuing the science theme:

The Elements Song - Tom Lehrer

"Simply the names of the chemical elements
set to a possibly recognizable tune."


Not sure if I've posted this in the past, but since I'm on a science kick here, I had to include it.

Yay for Tom Lehrer! For my money, the best of the Song Comedians who recorded albums back in the 50's-70's. Not only funny, but musically erudite as well - he could compose in almost any style and have you rolling on the floor laughing. This is a fun and very useful ditty.

Wanna hear something frustrating? I introduced this animation to my nephew Tommy, and damn if the little shit didn't memorize it in three days. I've known this song since high school, over THIRTY YEARS AGO, and have never managed to learn it by heart.

I think I hate him now.


( Lyrics here )