Appaloosa

I used to think Westerns were silly. But I've really gotten into them over the past 10 years or so. So when I saw the commercial for Appaloosa on TV tonight, I got a little excited. Leathery Ed Harris starring in a Western? It makes so much sense, I'm surprised he's never been in one before! Jeremy Irons as the bad guy? Sounds great except that his American accent never quite sounds right. Viggo Mortensen as the guy carrying around the shotgun in every scene? Sign me up!

The only thing about Westerns is that I don't know that many people who would be as excited as I am to see it...

VP debates: ...huh?

Turned on the radio on my drive home to hear Sarah Palin on the radio. She sounded incomprehensible, but at first I thought that was because I hadn't heard the question. Once I got home and watched the debates in earnest....wow. It was quite confusing.

Palin did as expected, which is to say she avoided coming off looking like a total fool and merely did adequate. Considering expectations were so low, I would imagine that counted as a victory. Of course, she certainly didn't come off as smart, and she didn't seem nearly as polished as Biden. I found it annoying that she spoke in a lot of run-on sentences. So when she didn't speak in a run-on sentence, it sounded extremely rehearsed.

Biden was a little irritating and unlikeable. He also seemed incomprehensible at times. He came off a little strong and in-your-face, though later acknowledged that his "extreme passion" was one of his flaws. Though I don't think he endeared himself to anyone, I still prefer him over Palin because he seemed knowledgable and comfortable talking about the issues. I could have done without all the self-aggrandizing though.

Ultimately, I thought it was pretty clear that Biden was comfortable and Palin was struggling. However, I think Palin probably won the charisma battle. What will matter in the court of public opinion? Wish I knew.