Kelly Sedinger (Page 1,126)

One of the most memorable books I’ve read is A Gentle Madness by Nicholas Basbanes, a wonderful volume about book collectors and book collecting. This book is full of amazing stories about book collectors and the lengths to which they will go to acquire the objects of their passion (the most memorable of whom, especially to anyone from Iowa, is surely the infamous Stephen Blumberg). Well, apparently A Gentle Madness was the first in a projected trilogy about books, and the second volume — Patience and Fortitude — is out. I’ve already bought it and it has shot to theDown the rabbit hole….

After September 11, I kept wondering why Osama Bin Laden selected the targets that he did, and why he seems to have been particularly fascinated with the World Trade Center. As horrific as that day was, it seems to me that he had far more in mind than mere body count; had that been his goal and nothing else, he could have scheduled his attacks for September 9 — a Sunday — and targetted NFL stadiums that were full to capacity. While searching the archives at Slate Magazine, I happened upon this article that suggests just such a reason forDown the rabbit hole….

You Only Live Twice was on last night on ABC. I still find it a far more enjoyable film than its successor, Thunderball, but this one is still not without its faults. It is one of the most blatantly sexist Bond films, with one male character informing Bond that “In Japan, men always come first and women come second” and Bond enthusiastically approving. It also has a plot that is highly improbable even by James Bond standards: would the world’s superpowers stand down from nuclear alert after Bond has thwarted SPECTRE’s plan with only seconds to spare? would a spaceDown the rabbit hole….

Final thoughts on Figure Skating at the 2002 Olympics: I am really looking forward to seeing Timothy Goebel and Sasha Cohen grow and mature over the next four years. I wonder if Yagudin will stick around for amateur eligibility or go pro; I rather hope the latter because — quite selfishly — if he goes pro I might be able to go see him perform when one of those touring shows hits Buffalo. I’m still thrilled to have at last seen a Russian skater who wasn’t, well, boring. And seeing the two Gold Medalist pairs on the ice at theDown the rabbit hole….

Listening this week: a grab-bag of film music. First up is Deutsche Grammophon’s new recording of Erich Wolfgang Korngold (Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra). This includes suites from The Sea Hawk, The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, Captain Blood, and The Prince and the Pauper. I heard about this on the rec.music.movies newsgroup, and being something of a Korngold nut I had to get it, even though I’ve always found Previn’s results to be of mixed quality. At times he tends to choose tempi that restrict the emotive power of whatever music he happens to be conducting (his SymphonyDown the rabbit hole….

What a night of skating that was!! Congratulations to the new Gold Medalist, Sarah Hughes, whose free skate last night was absolutely perfect — and what is more, it was completely electrifying in a way that I haven’t seen anyone skate since Brian Boitano’s unforgettable performance in Calgary in 1988. She owned the ice in a way that no other skater last night did — and I have to think that she and Sasha Cohen will be strong favorites for 2006. As for Michelle Kwan, she was lucky to even get the bronze in a performance shocking in its tightness.Down the rabbit hole….

Spring training has begun, and with every year that goes by without a plan put in place for revenue sharing and a salary cap I care less and less. Major League Baseball is a complete and utter mess. (My team, the Pirates, opened a new stadium last year and then proceeded to lose 100 games.) This is the worst time of year for sports: football is over, baseball isn’t going yet, the NBA and hockey are not interesting until the playoffs (if even then), and I’ve never liked March Madness. Thank God for the Winter Olympics. Share This PostDown the rabbit hole….

Things that make me feel old, #453: Watching the Olympic athletes, in interviews, say things like “I decided I wanted to be a skater/skier/bobsledder/whatever when I was a little kid watching the Games in Albertville.” I was 21 and in college during the Games in Albertville….. Share This PostDown the rabbit hole….

Parents: If you’re looking for a movie to watch with the kids, and you’re tired of Disney and the assorted non-Disney Disney clones that clog the video store shelves, here’s a movie to find: My Neighbor Totoro. I watched this last night with my own daughter (she’s two-and-a-half) and it met with her sign of approval: she demanded to watch it again today. This anime production is just wonderful. The story of a father and his two young daughters who move to a country house near some woods (the mother is in the hospital with an illness that is neverDown the rabbit hole….

I’m a bit concerned about Michelle Kwan’s chances of winning the Gold in the long program. Yes, she is the best female skater in the world right now, but what’s got me concerned is the degree to which skating has become jump-focused, which will play into Irina Slutskaya’s strengths. She’s the athletic jumper, whereas Kwan is the graceful skater with impeccable lines, flawless spins, and wonderful artistry. Here’s hoping, though. Go Michelle!!! (BTW, I would almost be willing to bet money that by the 2010 Winter Games some male skater will attempt a Quintuple jump in competition. That seems toDown the rabbit hole….