Hey there, readers of The Critical Condition… I want to thank you for all the groovy tips and tidbits you’ve been passing my way. Part of my dream for this site was that it would not just allow me to talk to you, but also let your ideas, thoughts, and tastes affect me. And that’s been happening in a major way.
- For instance, in this morning’s discussion of Up, Katy linked to a fabulous essay written by my friend Linda over at NPR’s Monkey See. (She’s my editor when I write for them.) Linda makes a moving, beautifully written point about the lack of female leads in Pixar films, but I hadn’t seen the piece before Katy mentioned it. I followed her link and BOOM. Great reading. Thanks, Katy!
- A few weeks ago, when I explained my frustration with Arthur Phillips’ novel The Song Is You, Just Smooty and Michelle Kinsey Bruns both recommended that I read Rob Sheffield’s Love is a Mix Tape instead. Well… I read it in one sitting, then I bought a copy for a friend. It’s a book I wish I’d written and certainly a book that resounds with my view of the world. I’m grateful for the recommendation.
- Finally, after commenting on the horror of seeing I.Q. in theaters, Shissher busted me for overusing the phrase “after the jump.” That made me laugh out loud, because… yeah. Guilty as charged. I just worry that readers, especially first-time visitors, will think a post is over if I don’t tell them there’s more. What do y’all think? Should I make that announcement in a different way? Sould I say nothing and assume people will figure it out? I’m open to suggestions.
p.s — If you follow me on Twitter (CritCondition), you may have read about the wristbands I can’t stop wearing around the house, as though I’m preparing for a Flashdance remake in my living room. You can see one of the wristbands in that photo up there. Isn’t it awesome?
8 responses so far ↓
1 Rube Goldberg // Jun 4, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I can sorta see how “after the jump” would be a bit weird since I read most blogs through RSS and most of the time the full text of the post is in the reader. However, I don’t know if that is something that varies between RSS feed catchers. Many of the blogs I subscribe to also contain an “after the jump” in the text of posts as it is understandable why it should be included if you aren’t RSSing.
“AtJ” does have an added benefit in posts containing spoilers. I have yet to read your Up post because I am seeing it tonight and when I saw “after the jump” I figured spoilers would follow if I scrolled to the next paragraph. As for an “AtJ” replacement, nothing is really coming to mind that isn’t just a wordier version of saying the same thing.
Oh, and I am in full support of impromptu Flashdance remakes.
2 Seth Christenfeld // Jun 4, 2009 at 8:30 pm
For the record, I love I.Q> and have long harbored dreams of musicalizing it.
(Since I missed the boat on the last post, I’ll just note that I saw Joe’s Apartment in the theatre. And I even liked it. But I was 13. And I went with summer camp.)
3 ferretrick // Jun 5, 2009 at 8:27 am
Honestly, when I read it, I always kind of hear you saying “After…the JUMP!” in Ryan Seacrest voice, just like he says “After the BREAK!” Whether you consider that a good or bad thing is entirely up to you.
4 Michelle Kinsey Bruns // Jun 5, 2009 at 10:51 am
So glad you appreciated “Love Is a Mix Tape!” I think there’s been only one other book of the last few years that made me cry like that (namely, “The Time-Traveler’s Wife” (really just a romance novel with a gimmick, I half-suspect, but I loved it anyway (although the forthcoming movie version featuring Peter Gibbons and Regina George will show me the error of my ways, I’m sure))).
5 Mark Blankenship // Jun 5, 2009 at 11:46 am
Michelle, I bawled at “The Time-Traveler’s Wife.” That scene at the end, with old Claire? Don’t even.
I really want the move to be good, but I’m nervous that it’s being released in the dumping ground of August. But whatever. I love the book, and I love Rachel McAdams. I’m totally there.
6 Michelle Kinsey Bruns // Jun 5, 2009 at 1:14 pm
omgstfuIKNOW. Brutal.
I’ll be seeing the movie regardless for sure, I just hate knowing that my brain will be wrestling against typecasting two really key roles. It’s so distracting. And also I feel guilty about doing it. Sorry ’bout that, working actors everywhere.
7 Kerrita // Jun 5, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Agreed. No more “after the jump”.
Much more wristbands.
8 Kerrita // Jun 5, 2009 at 10:51 pm
beeteedubs, how cute do you look in that pic? showing off your exposed brick and all, too. shoot.
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