Evening Open Thread

Talk about whatever you like.

The Best Porsche Ever Made?

Today in 1931, a little car company known as Porsche was founded. In the 83 years since, the company has continuously honed its original VW based design, a car known as the 911. But what was the best car they ever made?

I know lots of people would say the 959. It's a phenomenal car. When it was introduced, it was the world's fastest street legal car. That's fast.

0-60 in 3.7 seconds. Screaming fast.

Porsche 959

But there's more to a great car than pure speed. It's got to have some style. Personally, I would say the best Porsche ever built was the ol' 356 model speedster. There's a car with some style. It can still move quickly, given how light it is, but you can also cruise slowly in a 356, and look even better.

Enjoy your weekend.

Ken Levine's Criticism of Mad Men

Quick, which character from Mad Men are you cheering for? Is that a tough question?

I really like Mad Men, but I agree with Levine's thoughts here. The show is really becoming a collection of horrible characters. Mrs. Permanent Press and I were discussing it after the last episode. It's just a story full of people that we hate. Where are the people we're supposed to be cheering for? I dislike all of these characters.

The first few years were phenomenal television. I loved it so much I almost took up smoking...But then things started to shift. Betty, who season one was my favorite character, became such a hideous bitch I now expect her to wear a coat made of Dalmatians. Still, almost everybody else had some redeeming qualities (although I’m still looking for Pete’s). Peggy was adorable, Roger provided comic relief, Joan advanced in a man’s world using both her brains and bra, and then there was Don Draper...Why should I care anymore about this miserable soul?  Because he gets to his front door, slumps down to the ground, and feels sad?  At one time there were glimmers of humanity, moments when he would exhibit surprising kindness. But not anymore. Not this season.

Levine hits the nail on the head, if you ask me. Think about it: Every story has a character that you somehow are cheering for, or you're on their side, or you understand why they do bad things. In Mad Men, they don't have a character like that anymore. (For me, anyways.)

If you like Mad Men, you'll really want to read the whole thing.

Should we care about these people?

Everyone Can Calm Down Now

Thanks to the legislature that loves to spend your money, the SC Arts Commission is back in business...doing whatever it is they do. You know...um....making sure children get enough art in their diet or something.

By the way, if any of you have even heard of the SC Arts Commission before it got vetoed, let me know. In the spirit of the arts, I've dropped some art on you below the jump (for free).