Uncouth Reflections

“I Ain’t Got Nobody”, Five Ways

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes:

Posted in Music | Tagged bing crosby, Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys, David Lee Roth, Emmett Miller, five ways, Merle Haggard | 6 Comments

Why Don’t You Have Fish?

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes:

[Oppenheimer] had fierce opinions when it came to food and wine. “Martinis had to be strong. Coffee had to be black. Steak had to be rare,” listed the British physicist Rudolf Peierls. Once, Oppenheimer took Peierls and a group of graduate students to a steak restaurant for dinner. He proceeded to order his entrée rare, and this was echoed by everyone in turn until the last student at the table requested his, “Well done.” Oppie looked at him for a moment and said, “Why don’t you have fish?”

— Jennet Conant, 109 East Palace: Robert Oppenheimer And The Secret City Of Los Alamos

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Food and health, Humor, Science | Tagged 109 east palace, fish, los alamos, quotes, robert oppenheimer, steak | 3 Comments

Eddie’s Spirit Chronicles: Armorik Double Maturation Whisky

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Eddie Pensier

Eddie Pensier writes:

I tried this Breton whisky for patriotism’s sake this past Bastille Day. Somewhat to my surprise, it was absolutely sensational. Rich smoky-leathery nose caused raised eyebrows: this is no fleur délicat here. The main palate note is an iodine-y marine flavor that’s not peaty per se, but would definitely appeal to fans of peaty whiskies like Lagavulin and Ardbeg. Peeking out from behind the boggy wateriness is a hint of raisins or dates, probably a result of the sherry-cask finishing. A salty, almost umami richness lingers on the tongue. Bien fait, Armorik.

I tasted my Armorik with a few drops of water: other drinkers may prefer it neat. My go-to speakeasy in Canberra, Molly, serves the entire Armorik range, and it’s also sold at Nick’s online bottle shop. US drinkers can try ordering from Binny’s.

Posted in Food and health, The Good Life | Tagged armorik, eddies spirit chronicles, France, whiskey, whisky | Leave a comment

Notes on “No Escape”

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Fenster

Fenster writes:

If Bone Tomahawk is a mashup by intent No Escape is a mashup, but an inadvertent one. The tale appears to have aspirations to a coherent whole–American family caught up in a revolution, with some political commentary present to enrich the action and add a worthy complexity. Instead, the film is a kind of mixed-up mess. There are layers to this creature all right, but they are not layers that have been carefully thought through.

Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged no escape, owen wilson | 4 Comments

Music Quiz

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Fenster

Fenster writes:

Those of you who follow current pop music might have some sense of the right answers here. I would not have a clue.

I will list five current acts. Then I will list how they are described by the British band Wolf Alice. Can you discern the band from the description?

Gengahr
Abattoir Blues
Fish
Bloody Knees
Vinyl Staircase

Descriptions:

Sound like Syd Barrett fronting Sonic Youth.
Sound like Green Day if Green Day were playing all Oasis songs.
Sound like like Alex G meets PJ Harvey.
Sound like the Cure if the Cure was really fast and had Henry Rollins singing for them.
Sound like Unknown Mortal Orchestra with Radiohead’s guitarist.

Answers at the link.

Posted in Music | Tagged Green Day if it were playing all Oasis songs, music quiz, wolf alice | Leave a comment

A Modest Proposal on Asset Forfeiture

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Fenster

Fenster writes:

I don’t know if you have followed the issue of asset forfeiture in these United States. It is a situation that smells something rotten.

You may know that the law often allows police or other authorities to keep the ill-gotten gains from a criminal transaction. That’s bad enough as far as creating a financial incentive. But the moral hazard is serious enough that police often take assets when no criminal action has been shown to have occurred, or if the owner of the asset was not aware of the crime. Spending sprees are known to result as well.

Here’s a fun John Oliver rant on it.

Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Economics | Tagged asset forfeiture, john oliver | 7 Comments

Couldn’t Do It Today

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes:

Johnny I said we were through
Just to see what you would do
You stood there, and hung your head
Made me wish that I were dead

Oh, Johnny get angry
Johnny get mad
Give me the biggest lecture that I ever had
I want a brave man, I want a cave man
Johnny show me that you care, really care for me

Every time you dance with me
You let Freddy cut in constantly
When he does, you never speak
Must you always be so meek?

Oh Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad
Give me the biggest lecture that I ever had
I want a brave man, I want a cave man
Johnny show me that you care, really care for me

Every girl wants someone who
She can always look up to
You know I love you, of course
Let me know that youre the boss

Oh Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad
Give me the biggest lecture that I ever had
I want a brave man, I want a cave man
Johnny show me that you care, really care for me

Johnny, care for me
Johnny Johnny Johnny Johnny…