"I'm really annoyed by That Prominent Blogger," she complained.

"Hey. We like him. What did he ever do to you?"

"Well, he's a sexist, and kind of ageist, too. I had an exchange with him that went on for 400 comments or something, in which he argued that by definition, I couldn't be attractive because I'm in my forties. It wouldn't bother me if he'd ever seen me, because I may not be his type—and I suspect I'm not. But the sight-unseen thing bugged me."

"He wants you," says the blogger wearing the hoodie.

"Oh, yeah," chimes in the one in a T-shirt. "Have you ever seen a picture of him? No great shakes there."

"Listen," Mr. Hoodie says. "His arguments can go up to 200 comments easily. But 400? He wants you bad."

"He's never seen me, though."

"Oh—like he really cares about that."

Posted by: Attila Girl at 05:20 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 149 words, total size 1 kb.

By my main stalker, Darrell:

http://simpsonizeme.com/ecard.php?lang=en_us&code=dvuumzmygltdqkpnvhkbmpqjsveeuiyj

It takes a moment to load.

Some of it is familiar, but removing people's chins and jaws can lead to confusion—especially for those of us with weird, angular jawlines (it looks good on my father—on me, not so much).

Posted by: Attila Girl at 05:11 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 47 words, total size 1 kb.

Of course, they're all getting to 'em faster than I am, because I'm female and oppressed and shit.

We all took slightly different quotes away from the meeting with Sarnow. My recollection, contra Rusty's, was that Sarnow said he owned the Mad Magazine satire of 24 personally—not that he had sent the artwork to Parker/Stone as a gift. But I could be wrong, and I know Klein has the entire meeting on tape, so we can check on that if we like. (Or we could simply decide what we want the facts to be, and report it that way, as the MSM does.)

I do remember him saying that "you know you've made it when Mad Magazine does a parody of you."

Don't trust my memories, though: I had left my writing pad and computer back in the banquet room, and was busy taking pictures and attempting not to freeze to death.

But I did like Sarnow.

I know people have been asking whether the blogosphere is simply a circle jerk, and I feel that the final answer is "yes." We are blogging about a meeting we had with a producer on the basis of our having blogs. Then we are blogging on each other's coverage.

So: the same thing the MSM does, but with more wit and verve.

Ace covered much of the Sarnow speech, along with our private meeting and the public Q&A, here. Stacy McCain's account is here.

Goldstein shares some tidbits about that meeting here.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 11:41 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 259 words, total size 2 kb.

. . . John Ashcroft was everywhere Saturday night. I kept bumping into him. I think he and his wife were stalking me.

(Actually, he was speaking at the YAF Conference, getting an award at the Reagan Center in Old Town Santa Barbara, promoting his book in a relatively low-key way. But that doesn't sound quite as good, does it?)

Posted by: Attila Girl at 11:29 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 66 words, total size 1 kb.

The real reporters among us went ahead to file stories about how Joel Surnow endorses Rudy Guiliani. Others of us wondered how Surnow could not know that there really are talented writers out there who cannot get their work looked at by studio executives, due to the fact that most executives are not as smart as he. Then we endured his (probably correct) speculation that the Writers' Strike will drag on for months, and could end up breaking the Guild.

"Who is the real winner in this situation?" he asked us. I sat there like an extra, and he chided us for not realizing the answer. Bloggers, he asserted, should know this stuff.

"Who, then?" I asked.

"Nikke Finke."

"Oh, yes. Of course."

I spent most of the interview admiring the partnership between Surnow and his charming, intelligent wife, and attempting to frame tricky shots in the luscious winter light.

Joel Surnow talking to the usual suspects: Philip Klein of The AmSpec Blog, Ace of Ace of Spades HQ, Rusty Shackleford of The Jawa Report, Jeff Goldstein of Protein Wisdom, Stacy McCain, and Jim of Gateway Pundit.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 10:59 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 191 words, total size 2 kb.

I struggled with a bad case of exhaustion last night, because I had forgotten to take some of my nighttime meds the evening before. (Yes: my pill case rivals that of your average recently released psychiatric inpatient, NTTAWWT.)

But despite it all, I went down to the hotel bar and joined Rusty, Ace, the Goldsteins, Philip Klein (to whom I was rude last winter—and I still haven't apologized, because I'm hoping he'll just forget) Stacy McCain, and our benefactor at YAF (the Media Wrangler Who Can Handle Bloggers) for one last drink.

And it was all good. Even Rusty decided to come down to the bar for one more, although he was getting up very, very early to get on his plane the next day, and fly to . . . wherever it is that Rusty lives. I've always assumed, myself, that it's in Area 54.

It was kind of like being at Count Linguist's house after a party on a Saturday night. You've got a crowd of ridiculously smart people who are all exhausted and/or impaired by caffeine/alcohol/THC/overstimulation of their tender wittle brains, and the definition of "funny" changes accordingly. On Saturday night Mrs. Goldstein and I lounged on a loveseat while the guys threw out lines, seeing if we might laugh. I always did, because I could see that some of 'em were in "comedic brute force" mode, and the earlier we laughed, the better it would go for us.

I've been sworn to secrecy, but I can divulge that many of those present had somewhat. . . um . . . mixed emotions about Andrew Sullivan.

The subject of torture came up, and I opined that my having to wait more than 10 minutes for a second bloody Mary was a coercive questioning technique that should be banned internationally. So Goldstein came back with more tomatoey, vodka-infused goodness.

You heard it here first! This is hard-hitting news, boys and girls!—with a few notable exceptions, bloggers like the drinkey.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 11:03 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 339 words, total size 2 kb.

is that my nephews wouldn't get it at all. Kinda like L.A. Story, but completely different.

Via Bidinotto.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 10:09 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 34 words, total size 1 kb.

. . . in rare form last night. He doesn't get out to many of these events, so he had to compress a lot of showmanship into one evening. He brought the funny, but it was also rather wearing, trying to keep up with him.

At one point I whispered to his extraordinarily beautiful wife, who knew how many drinks he'd had—rather a large number, I suspect—"is there an 'off' switch?"

"Absolutely not," she told me serenely.

"Um, how about a 'low' setting, so we can all pace ourselves?"

"Not at this point." And she smiled.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 03:00 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 102 words, total size 1 kb.

Last night's keynote at the YAF conference was by Dinesh D'Souza, who gave a summary of his arguments against what we might call the "Hitchens critique." His speech also hit—very effectively—some of the points outlined in his book, which was available on the media table. (Of course, I couldn't find the media table, but I really liked the college students I sat with through dinner. And sure enough, my copy of D'Souza's book was waiting for me there at the blogging nexus after dinner, along with Rusty Shackleford, Ace o' Spades and Jeff Goldstein; the latter's lovely wife joined us for a couple of drinks in the hotel bar, until she and I both got too tired and cold to keep up with the guys, who had moved the conversation onto the cold beachside bar veranda to accommodate the smokers.)

I'm getting old, but I'm not wearing the bottoms of my trousers rolled, so I guess it's okay.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 02:50 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 166 words, total size 1 kb.

. . . and thanks to everyone who helped me to attain a respectable showing.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 04:47 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 23 words, total size 1 kb.

. . . just re-issued its first album, totally remastered.

The first guy I lived with—the architectural designer—used to go to sleep to that album. At that time, nothing would relax me enough to help me sleep,* but I still liked the music, and have fond memories of lying in a dark room listening to "The Court of the Crimson King."

Val bought the remastered CD recently for Beatty, and I got to hear it again. I'm trying to work on Beatty, to get him to loan it to me so I can rip it to iTunes. Though I might just break down and buy it. (That sort of thing has been happening with shocking regularity lately.)

* That was before I discovered meditative techniques and Ambien.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 02:13 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 131 words, total size 1 kb.

Direct from the Moving Picture Institute's press release:

The Moving Picture Institute is proud to announce that The Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque will screen Indoctrinate U
on Sunday, November 18th at 4:00 pm.

Screening Location:
Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque
11141 East Boulevard in University Circle
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
216-421-7450

Tickets will be $8 and available at the door or in advance by calling 216-421-7450. Free parking is available in the Institute lot.

Featured on Hannity's America and in the New York Times, Maloney's pathbreaking documentary has caused a sensation among journalists and higher education leaders. "This film hits you in the gut" wrote Stanley Kurtz in National Review Online, while Carol Iannone, editor of the journal Academic Questions, has called the film "shocking -- even to someone who knows a lot about political coercion on today's campuses."

Indoctrinate U's Washington premier at the Kennedy Center during the American Film Renaissance Film Festival was filled to capacity with 500 people, who gave the film a standing ovation. Almost 30,000 people across the country have signed up at www.IndoctrinateU.com to see the film -- and in response, MPI is arranging screenings in a number of major U.S. cities. Details will be announced as the events are scheduled.

I've seen several different versions of this movie, since it's been in-process for a few years, and there's always a new segment to be viewed at the Liberty Film Festival. Evan Coyne Maloney is one of a kind: he doesn't necessarily make the Academy look that good.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 12:16 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 262 words, total size 2 kb.

on the writer's strike. Keep scrolling; just because a person is a libertarian, doesn't mean he doesn't believe in collective bargaining.

At least one of the entertainment-industry locals—the makeup union—has informed its members that the Writers' Guild is not a real union; it's only a guild. So its members are required to ignore the strike, cross the picket lines, and go to work.

This has led a lot of industry folk into a "damned if I do, damned if I don't" mindset.

Ideally, however, I'd like to see creative people—those who actually come up with ideas that enrich our lives, whether they are writers or musicians, sculptors or painters—get better and more consistent rewards for what they do.

As things stand, being in any creative field remains a hell of a way to make a living (or, in many cases, not). Despite what People magazine would have you believe about the lifestyles of the rich and frivolous . . .

Posted by: Attila Girl at 11:57 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
Post contains 170 words, total size 1 kb.

Let the army of Davids help you pick an outfit for that special occasion.

In my particular case, I prepared for the Public Utility job by borrowing my husband's valet stand, and taking pictures of every business outfit I had (short of a suit, which would have been a bit much). I still have 'em all in a file, and I take 'em out for scrutiny whenever I get that "I don't have enough clothing!" feeling.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 03:27 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 84 words, total size 1 kb.

And as wonderful as ever.

(This has led to some catfights in The Cotillion over "whose gay boyfriend" Jeff really is. I've suggested that we determine this like ladies: paper targets, 25 feet, sidearms-of-choice. I'll shoot off-hand, to make it more sporting for the others.)

Posted by: Attila Girl at 07:00 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 53 words, total size 1 kb.

why they are gaining a reputation for internet-based hijinx?

Via The Accidental Mind/Blog, which has some great stuff on its front page. Keep scrolling!

Posted by: Attila Girl at 06:46 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 42 words, total size 1 kb.

Crab Orchard Review is accepting work through the end of the month that focuses on the experience of adolescence. There's a piece I should submit, if I can remember for sure that they haven't already rejected it. I know they turned one of my stories/essays down, but I can't recall which it was, and I have a sneaking suspicion that I went all ADD and mis-filed the rejection letter.

Of course, if I re-submit the one they rejected, they'll know I'm persistent. That I care. That I'm a space cadette.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 12:12 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 92 words, total size 1 kb.

speechless.

Go. Now.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 12:11 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
Post contains 11 words, total size 1 kb.

I know it's childish of me, but I kind of dig all the interrelationships within the 'sphere—like, the fact that Glenn got both his wife and his mom into blogging (who wants to bet that the Instadaughter already has a blog, but hasn't "come out" to her dad, yet?).

And then there are the prominent bloggers I'm not supposed to talk about who were dating for a while, and now dislike each other intensely. And the cousins who blog. And the drinking buddies. And the real estate partners. And the venture capitalists and their favorite startups. Etc.

But my favorite blogging family is actually this one:

Beth at Blue Star Chronicles, who is up for a Weblog Award in the "Top 250" Category, is the sister of

Carol, The Median Sib, who is up for a Weblog Award in the "Diarist" Category, and is the daughter of

Ruth of Ruthlace, who is also up for a Weblog Award in the "Diarist" Category, and is furthermore (stay with me, here)

oddly enough, the mother of Beth at Blue Star Chronicles.

And a partridge in a pear tree.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 11:52 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 196 words, total size 2 kb.

So far, so good.

Via Insty, Volokh discusses how "refreshing" it is to see someone running for President who takes the Constitution seriously:

"I think people ought to be free at state and local levels to make decisions that even Fred Thompson disagrees with. That’s what freedom is all about. And I think the diversity we have among the states, the system of federalism we have where power is divided between the state and the federal government is, is, is—serves us very, very well."

Many politicians say such things. President Bush, for one, spoke quite a bit about the need for state flexibility when he was a Governor and a candidate, but seems to have forgotten about such things over the past six years. It appears Thompson actually means it, however, as he stuck to his federalist guns even when confronted with issues where many "conservatives" abandon federalism and embrace federal power. He even endorsed state autonomy where such a position meant rejecting policy positions favored by significant portions of the GOP base.

On abortion, for example, Thompson said that he believes that life begins at conception, and that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and should be overturned. Yet he further stated that he opposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting abortion and the language endorsing a federal prohibition in the 2004 GOP Platform.

Similarly, on gay marriage, Thompson said that he believes "marriage is between a man and a woman," but stops short of endorsing a constitutional amendment to prohibit gay marriage. Rather, Thompson said he supports an amendment to prevent the imposition of gay marriage by the judiciary, but that state legislatures should be free to recognize gay marriage if such a policy is supported by the people of a given state. As I understand it, Thompson's position is essentially that outlined by Michael Greve, and which would provide a constitutional backstop to the Defense of Marriage Act, but would not prevent states from making their own choices about gay marriage.

I keep looking for something about Thompson I can really dislike, but I'm not finding too much just yet. He seems to have the highest level of charisma among the GOP contenders, and the strongest principles. I also think he may have fewer skeletons in his closet than just about any of the candidates—from both parties.

UPDATE: More on Federalism (and Fred Thompson) at The Jawa Report.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 11:23 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 411 words, total size 3 kb.