http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com THE PERSONAL IS THE POLITICAL IS THE PERSONAL BLOG OF ONE SUSIE CAGLE Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:26:43 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en When you're writing a profile of Naomi Klein for the New Yorker, you need to put things in terms your base readership can understand, or at least drop some cultural cues as to why Klein is polished enough for that full-page photo despite her dirty, dirty, plebey politics. "She was wearing ... http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/12/15/yes-but-what-are-your-shoes-really-saying-about-you/ Anyone want to help me shoot a depressing documentary on foreclosure, the housing crisis and the collapse of the nouveau riche debt-ridden American dream this coming spring/summer? Some camera/sound help would be nice. C'mon, kids, road trip!! http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/12/12/a-modest-proposal-which-hinges-on-these-bargain-basement-gas-prices/ I don't know why everyone is so into the Mighty Boosh when they could be watching Time Trumpet. http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/12/04/thats-not-what-the-vikings-want/ No, not actually for kids. Well, maybe. I don't know. It's Tuesday, give me a fucking break. Researchers learned that ants that perform specific tasks are no more efficient than regular ants. "It turns out," said scientist Anna Dornhaus, "that the ones that are specialized on a particular job are not ... http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/12/02/harpers-highlights-for-kids/ There was a This American Life marathon on television today, I guess to get everyone in the sappy patriotic mood. Now I don't believe everything Ira touches is gold, but this is... well, just watch it. http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/11/27/next-bitch-in-line/ Whoa. I'm really hoping this person compiled this info from many unnamed sources and didn't just make it up... Circuit City closing 155 stores Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, and Catherine’s to close 150 store nationwide Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores, more after January Cache will close all ... http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/11/21/the-retail-hose-just-in-time-for-the-holiday-season/ Consider this another reminder to subscribe to Harper's Weekly Review as soon as Webly possible (or you can just read them all at the archives). They have real sweet kickers. e.g. "Israel's Supreme Court ruled in favor of the destruction of parts of an ancient Muslim cemetery, where some of Saladin's ... http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/11/21/harpers-its-not-just-for-people-willing-to-pay-for-it/ This looks like fun, but it costs $42,997. The plans alone are $995. Wonder how much it costs to build... (Permits not required, composting toilet not included.) http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/11/18/gosh-arent-we-all-just-so-goddamn-green-these-days/ I don't read Jezebel, but I do subscribe to their Joan Didion tag. This is what Sadie Stein had to report back from Didion's "cold, detached" presence at last week's New York Review of Books panel. She started by describing the "unexpressable uneasiness" she and some others had felt early on ... http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/11/18/joan-didion-kind-of-a-downer/ Honestly, I had no idea the economy was so bad as to drive the Mountain Goats and the Weakerthans into the cruise industry. Et tu, Kids in the Hall? Et tu? http://www.thisiswhatconcernsme.com/2008/11/16/a-supposedly-lucrative-thing-john-samson-should-never-do-again/