Here's a funny book for you . . .

I think this is a funny book because it takes really insignificant pop culture nuggets and pulls some real significance out of them. I think Klosterman is a great writer, and I like his slightly twisted take on things. If you read nothing else, check out his 23 questions that asks everyone he meets in order to decide his he can really love them.

When I retire, I might choose to live in Vancouver, BC.

I've never been there, but it seems like my kind of place. As much as I would want to live somewhere warm and sunny, I think I am more naturally a cold and rainy kind of guy. I like the idea of living near the ocean, and Vancouver has a reputation for being a liberal, open-minded kind of place. I could see myself retiring somewhere like that.

The weekend that was

Jess and I had another very good weekend crammed full of movies and general laziness. On Saturday night we watched Changling, which was surprisingly better than I anticipated. I thought it would be OK, and it was actually very good. I am not a huge Angelina Jolie fan (I don't get the appeal in the slightest), but she was excellent in this movie (although arguably even Bea Arthur could have shouted "That's not my son!" 60 times and elicited an emotional response). I liked Clint Eastwood's directing very much. It looked like a very old-school film, and I didn't know much about the story other than the switched identity angle, so it kept me on the edge of my seat.

On Sunday, we went to see The Last House on the Left. My disinterest in horror films is well documented, but Rashaad wanted to see this one so we agreed to go. I must say, I actually really enjoyed it (aside from the pretty awful rape scene). I liked how ridiculous it got, and how you could basically throw out common sense and root for the good guys, even if the good guys were throwing someone down a garbage disposal. One major issue: I couldn't get past the lead bad guy (2nd from the left) looking a lot like Bill Hader.

The NCAA Tournament is soon to be underway, and I was very disappointed that Penn State got snubbed. On one hand, I kind of get it (they certainly should have beat Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament to lock up a space), but on the other hand they had a good Big Ten record and beat almost everyone ahead of them in the conference. They were definitely more worth than Arizona, and probably Minnesota too. They are a #2 seed in the NIT, but that is hard to care about.

I want a Funcooker

Remember how when I started this blog I was committed to updating everyday? What happened to that?

This week is spring break at PSU. Most people spend spring break going to exotic, tropical locations and making bad, drunken decisions. Not the Kovals. We visited Jess's parents in Ohio, my folks in Erie, and made it back to State College in time for Tuesday Night Trivia at Otto's, where we were victorious (in part due to low attendance due to the break). Jess and I both worked yesterday and today to preserve vacation days for our trip to Florida in May.

While in the Pittsburgh area over break, Jessica and I went to see Watchmen at the IMAX theatre on the Waterfront. It was pretty good. I really liked the comics and wanted to like the movie, so I am sure I am biased. I thought the acting was underwhelming, but the story was good and it was so true to the comics that I couldn't have been particulary disappointed. Had the acting been better, I think it would have gotten better reviews in the popular press. It was a good looking film, and although lots of people have issues with Zach Snyder's directorial style, I liked Watchmen just fine. Make a note: I must be the only person who was not terribly offended by Dr. Manhattan's radioactive manhood on full display . . . he was naked throughout most of the comic, too!

Lately I have been getting acceptance letters from the doctoral programs to which I have applied. In addition to my previous acceptance at Pitt, I was also accepted at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and the University at Buffalo. UT needed to know whether I was coming in 2 business days, so I had to ask to be moved to the waiting list. Buffalo has offered me a solid assistantship with a stipend and full in-state tuition, so that looks very appealing right now. I'm still waiting on GWU and the University of Denver, so we will see what happens.

I am looking forward to the weekend and the basketball fever pitch that is due to strike soon. PSU plays Purdue tonight in the Big Ten Tournament, and hopefully a win tonight will clinch them a spot in the Big Dance (although they may already be in). I am looking forward to seeing how things bracket out on Sunday evening.