Frank's pop culture minute.

[FrankChurch]

Kunstler's picture gallery of the horror that is downtown Atlanta:

http://www.kunstler.com/Grunt_Atlanta%20Tour.html

On his front page he has a hate letter that mentions that Harlan called Kunstler a third rate hack. Hope that's a rumour.

[Moderator]

THat pretty much mirrors my own assessment (and photo expedition) of downtown Atlanta. Three of my five portfolio shots are of the MARTA (subway). What's that tell you about the above-ground experience?

There are truly interesting and beautiful parts of the Atlanta metro area, but downtown ain't one of them.

[FrankChurch]

This is why I am so jealous of Steve Evil. England is wonderful--lot's of greenery, nice buildings, stores and cafes next to the street, not as many ugly strip malls, parking lots, concrete slabs.

They also have subways, trains, ah, trains. To have trains here.

[diane bartels]

Hi Frank How was your summer? Did you do anything exciting? Take care Diane

[FrankChurch]

I have done very little. May go to San Diego to visit my peeps.

Don't worry, Chicago is much better than Atlanta.

[diane bartels]

Me either Frank. Did get to hang with extended family some but no travel. Hope you get to San Diego. Sounds like a good time. DB.

[Moderator]

Sometimes a quiet summer is better than a brutally loud one. We almost never travel in summertime in order to avoid the crowds.

San Diego is a wonderful place, despite their politics. I've nearly forgiven them for nuking the lower-cost Long Beach Naval Shipyard in order to send that taxpayer business to San Diego's more expensive privately owned contractors. Almost.

[FrankChurch]

Sounds like Brian Bilbray needed some pork for his district. Fiscal responsibility and all...

[FrankChurch]

For you Stieg Larsson fans:

http://www.zcommunications.org/comrade- ... linn-hjort

That was quite a stand the socialist party in Sweden took. Ah, ethics.

The Larsson phenom is mind bending.

[Gwyneth M905]

Hi, Frank,
What do you think of Larsson's books?

[FrankChurch]

How's the prettiest Muslim this side of Mecca?

Sadly I read little fiction, but will look into this author.

[Gwyneth M905]

Golly, Frank, you're making me blush! I'm fine, broke as hell, and emerging from one disaster of a bipolar depression. (I owe at least two people here, Diane and Lori, e-mails letting them know I'm ok and extant.) Ya know, in the movies when someone has a mental illness, ala A Beautiful Mind, all the sturm und drang is exciting, novel, dramatic and involves lots of arm waving.

The reality is banal pill-pushing, mood charting, sleeping, hydrating, and slogging through. Which is what all of us do on a daily basis --the slogging through bit, I mean.

So, I haven't read any Steig Larsson either -- long story v. short --no money for books and/or library fines. Anyone? I once *thought* of getting a dragon tattoo! Does that count?

[David Loftus]

I've read the first book, am waiting on the other two from the library.

It's a solid, decent thriller -- a sort-of police procedural, except that the "detective" team are an investigative journalist and a young computer hacker -- but not spectacular. What's spectacular is the Swedish movie that was made from the first book: some changes in the plot that improved on the book, a dark, grey palette to go with the dark plot, and terrific acting. Especially Noomi Rapace as the girl, even though the character is a bit of a dea ex machina.

I saw the second movie, which was solid but not as gut punching and stylish as the first. Some of the novelty has worn off, of course, but the plot is also largely a backstory about the girl.

But I'll watch and read the rest of the series, in any case.

[Steve Evil]

even though the character is a bit of a dea ex machina.

.

I was begining to wonder if anything at all was beyond this hacker's powers. Did you hear there's going to be a Hollywood version?

[David Loftus]

Yeah, I heard. Even before I got to see the first movie last month, I think I'd heard. Fincher's a fink and a dope, but he might possibly make some money on the project, since there seem to be so many Americans who pour their hard-earned shekels into viewing movies I wouldn't be caught dead in the same room with.

I expect to stay away from that one in droves.