Despite the recent struggles of 40s@5, such as the recruitment failure in Seattle, and Casey and Kelley departing Austin, the new 40s@5 blog emits a glimmer of hope.

Work today involved yet another seemingly futile confrontation with the apathy and limited vision of members of another team. Then I was reminded that, like alcohol, apathy is itself a solution to the problems it causes, as summed up by this excellent quote from the movie Seven (aka Se7en):

William Somerset: I just don’t think I can continue to live in a place that embraces and nurtures apathy as if it was virtue.

David Mills: You’re no different. You’re no better.

William Somerset: I didn’t say I was different or better. I’m not. Hell, I sympathize; I sympathize completely. Apathy is the solution. I mean, it’s easier to lose yourself in drugs than it is to cope with life. It’s easier to steal what you want than it is to earn it. It’s easier to beat a child than it is to raise it. Hell, love costs: it takes effort and work.

Bartender, another Apathy & Tonic, right here…

My latest search for my inner child has led me to wonder, “Which John Cusack Am I?”

Which John Cusack Are You?

I told you I was scurrilous…

Which Trainspotting Character Are You?

After we quoted half the movie at lunch again today, a friend pointed me to the complete screenplay of The Big Lebowski on the web. Truly a wonderful thing to have bookmarked in case of an emergency or dispute.

I also read on IMDB how badly the networks butchered the TV version. Apparently one of my favorite lines was replaced with “You see what happens when you have fun with a stranger in the Alps?” Simply atrocious.

When extolling the virtues of Netflix, I often hear the complaint that Netflix doesn’t carry porn. Well, they still don’t, but IntimateDVD does. Though this might seem like a crushing blow to my entrepreneurial friends that have been scheming about creating such a business, it’s apparently based in Austin (which explains the ads on local radio), so maybe you could work there. Or, since the site isn’t nearly as slick or well-stocked as Netflix, maybe you could do it better.

I saw a really good movie last night called Melvin Goes to Dinner (IMDB). It was adapted from a play called Phyro-Giants, both of which were written by the actor who plays Melvin, and actually stars the actors from the play. It has a great argument about the logic of religion, which supports my suspicion that I could be the Antichrist:

Casting highlights: Jack Black has an amazing cameo as the Creatress of the Universe, David Cross has an okay cameo as a cult leader, Maura Tierney is great as Melvin’s sister, and Annabelle Gurwitch is still really hot!

I recently watched the Errol Morris documentary The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (IMDB). I highly recommend it; it’s probably the best documentary I’ve ever seen. I went from knowing nothing about McNamara to having considerable respect for him.

Yet another Star Wars parody on this opening day, this time with a political motive: Senate Wars: Revenge of the Frist. The ad is kinda goofy, but the cause is just.

Grocery Store Wars, featuring Cuke Skywalker and Obi-wan Cannoli. Good stuff. And nutritious!