Cloud Atlas on the Big Screen?

I was kind of blown away after finishing David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas last year; not only was it one of the best pieces of fiction I've ever read, it was also the most inventive, bizarre, and genre-distorting book that I've ever picked up. Long story short (and it is a long story, or rather group of stories), I highly recommend it.

So I was more than reticent when I just now discovered that it's going to be a fall film release. Not only is it the very definition of "challenging source material", but the choice of the Wachowski brothers as directors seems like a less-than-inspired choice. Sure, they knocked one out of the park with the Matrix, but that doesn't excuse the subsequent Matrix films. We'll see. I predict either disaster or Oscar nomination; I just can't imagine the middle ground with any interpretation of this book. Either way though, I doubt many people will see it.

Good Luck Charm

Two days later, that last post seems...poorly timed. A 14-3 loss on Monday, as the home team ran straight into the Rangers' offensive buzzsaw - no huge surprise, at least with Matusz pitching [I don't get it, they send Tommy Hunter down to Norfolk but Matusz is still with the club?!? I sure hope Zach Britton is a fast healer]. And last night Arrieta pitched OK, but to one or two batters. Unfortunately, one of those guys is the 21st century version of Mickey Mantle. 18 total bases, that's kind of ridiculous. That's an awesome week for any player.

It's only May, but...

After tuning into the O's-Boston game in the seventh yesterday, watching for another 3 hours until Baltimore's victory in 17 tidy innings was assured, I'm starting to wonder - is it possible? - that this team [best record in baseball, for today at least!] is actually pretty damn good? The division is a mess - NYY have a lot of injuries, Boston simply isn't very good (Boston fans have to be worried that a Baltimore farm system castoff is getting so many outfield starts), and Baltimore has gone 5-1 against Toronto thus far. Who knows? The next week, with 4 against Texas and a weekend series against the Rays, should be illuminating.

Tenth in MLB in runs, second in HR behind New York, second in ERA behind the Nats (O's were 30th, out of 30 teams, in ERA in 2011), third in run differential behind the Cards and Rangers, fielding...um, never mind fielding. Anyway, I'm certainly enjoying it while it lasts.

Not So Super

After that awful end to an otherwise very entertaining Ravens game yesterday, I'm thinking that this may be the first year since 2007 that I don't tune in for the Super Bowl (2007: we were in Zanzibar, and the game was actually on TV there - it IS a global phenomenon! - but kickoff was around 2 a.m., so I still haven't seen Peyton win a SB).

The Giants? Growing up a Washington fan and rooting for another NFC East team, especially a NY team? I don't think so. New England? Not because they beat Baltimore, but root for Belichick and Brady? No thank you. Best case? Maybe a sudden meteor shower in the Indy area. Or a Lucas Oil Stadium roof collapse. Well before the game, of course! I strongly dislike both teams, but not enough to wish death-from-above on them or their fans. In most cases.

When does spring training start? Oh wait, I'm an Orioles fan. Shit.