The epitome of tact and aplomb

A hearty RIGHT AWN! goes to Michael Morgan, the charismatic conductor of the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra.

Just after intermission last night, right before the orchestra began playing Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Maestro Morgan addressed the audience and said something to the effect of, “We are fortunate to have such an appreciative audience tonight. Because our next piece consists of ten or twelve different parts, we ask that you wait until the end to show your appreciation.”

Yes, my friends, he was politely telling folks “DON’T APPLAUD BETWEEN THE MOVEMENTS,” as that is precisely what was happening in the earlier part of the evening. There are mixed thoughts on whether the practice of not applauding is one of those social mores* that some say are antiquated.

Regardless of how you might feel about it, the Maestro got his point across and made the audience actually feel good for what may or may not be a faux pas.

*”Social mores” reminds me of one of my favorite Far Side cartoons, the one with eels at a cocktail party — with the caption that says, “social morays.”

KSAC has Found Jesus

According to the Democratic Underground and the SNR Blog, local progressive talk radio station KSAC 1240 is changing formats on Monday. Gone will be the left leaning talk radio hosts to whom apparently no one listens, and taking its place will be a whole station dedicated to gospel music. That’s right, we’re going to get some good old time religion on the AM dial.

Since the changeover is going to happen on March 31st, we assume that this isn’t an April Fool’s gaffe. Also, in in the irony column, March 31st will be observed as Cesar Chavez day. No better way to pay tribute to a noted labor leader than to dump the progressive station in favor of heavenly tunes.

The reason for the switch? Apparently KSAC was losing money and having difficulty finding advertisers. I’m not sure if this says something about the viability of liberal talk radio, or if it says something about the intelligence of liberal listeners in regard to their lack of interest in the crap that is normally hawked on talk radio (e.g. male enhancement, gold coins, balding remedies, and vegas timeshares pimped by that crazy broad from “That ’70s Show”). I’ll let you, the people, decide.

Local kitty’s fur has message for mommy

i heart dotIf you read the venerable Boing Boing every day, which you should, you may have seen this post yesterday about a kitty born right here in Sacramento with a marking that looks a lot like “I ” on its fur. The kitten’s mommy’s name is Dottie so it’s ever so adowable.

Too bad, though, that Boing Boing didn’t go straight to News10’s story on the wittle kitty, including the mixed and produced video, instead linking to KAUX out of Texoma, which has a much shorter story and the raw video only, complete with traffic noise and videographers’ voices. And is, you know, in Texoma rather than Sacramento where the wittle kitty wesides.

MSA Reviews: August Rush

August RushI realized a fun local tie in to your movie watching is to pay attention to films that prominently feature blurbs by CBS/CW’s own Mark S. Allen. One such piece of crap is “August Rush,” which I’m embarrassed to say I rented with the wife. We thought it would be a charmingly flawed popcorn rental, and we’re suckers for the Felicity and the Rhys-Meyers. And yes, we knew that Robin Williams made an appearance. Allen’s quote, on the cover of the DVD, is “Your heart will be singing and your spirit will soar!” Replace heart with bowels, and spirit with desire to physically damage your television, and you got yourself a quote.

Continue reading “MSA Reviews: August Rush”

People Helping People

Who else gets mistaken for employees in retail establishments or is frequently asked by fellow patrons for assistance?

I know not to wear red garments when going to Target, and anyone who wore a blue chambray shirt and khakis in the ’90s* could have been mistaken for a Blockbuster employee.

Tonight at Longs, I helped a young girl pick out just the right microwave popcorn and a woman select a glittery hair clip for a friend’s 11-year-old daughter’s birthday. I was approached by each of these people — maybe they admired my taste in diet soda (all Coca Cola products are five 12-packs for $12, plus CRV; no coupon required) and laundry detergent, so they trusted my judgment to make consumer decisions for them. I truly felt like a Maven in Malcolm Gladwell’s eyes.

Does this happen to anyone else on a regular basis?

*Note the proper position of the apostrophe. The apostrophe indicates where I left off something that was already there, namely “19.” The incorrect way would have been to write it as “90’s.” For more information please refer to Grammar Girl’s guide to dates. As you were.

Cover-Up

Sorry to harp on this, but the entertainment editors over at the Bee really need to chat with Carla Meyer before they choose their cover art for the Ticket section. In today’s edition, the entire front page is taken up with the likable presence of Owen Wilson fronting for his new movie, “Drillbit Taylor.” Open up the Ticket, however, and you may or may not be surprised to find that Meyer gives the film a tepid, two-star review filled with ringing non-endorsements like:

Though it contains funny moments, “Drillbit” is derivative, disjointed and sometimes tasteless (and not in a good way).

Other options for the front page? Th’ Losing Streaks, a favorite local band featured positively in the Ticket, “Hammer” the new Adam Carolla movie given a three star review, or heck, maybe something about Easter.

Yes, yes, we all like Owen Wilson and his bent-nose charm, but really, if the Bee is going to give up valuable real estate to pimp a new movie, they might want to make sure that it’s good first.

Buy California Bistro

Calling this place a bistro is like calling Britney Spears a mom. It might be true, but it’s not really accurate.

Strip away the name and you have, on the surface at least, a somewhat standard state building cafeteria. Upon closer inspection though, you’ll notice that the produce all seems a little fresher than the usual fare, that the hair-netted counter man brags that the rather delicious vegetable soup is freshly made this morning.

Hmmm, you say to yourself, what’s going on here? This isn’t quite like other state cafeterias I’ve been to. And then you realize where you are–the statewide headquarters of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. And then it makes sense. Continue reading “Buy California Bistro”