Good taste is either that which agrees with my taste or that which subjects itself to the rule of reason. From this we can see how useful it is to employ reason in seeking out the laws of taste.
-- G. C. Lichtenberg
Sick and TwistedFriday, October 3, 1997 We had our regular Vanguard lunch today (a gathering of some of the folks who attend the Vanguard fannish party, and who also happen to work at Microsoft). We switch around the place where we meet. This time was at the Building 16 cafeteria, which is the largest on campus. We meet in a little side room, which is quieter, but hard to find if you haven't been there. Everyone found us, I think! Michael Hoffman joined us for the first time. When I got back to the office, Andrew (of Coredumps From My Brain) arrived! The original plan had been for him to join us for lunch, but he arrived too late. At least this time he made it to campus, which didn't happen last month. So I showed him around the building and gave a demo about Internet Explorer 4. I didn't reveal any secrets, no matter what he says, since it's now a released product. I went this evening to see the "Spike and Mike Sick and Twisted" Animation Festival, which was showing on the University of Washington campus. I really had to go, because I suggested to Michael Hoffman that he post this as an event in the ms singles public folder (like an internal newsgroup). I took the bus from my house through the drizzling, damp evening. I asked the young bus driver which stop would be the best to get to the HUB (the Student Union Building on campus, which I had never been to) and she got a quizzical expression on her face. "I've been debating with myself on that for a long time!" she said. But she eventually made up her mind that de-busing on 15th Avenue would be the way to go, since I would just walk across campus from there, but wouldn't have to climb vertically. I was glad I brought my umbrella (a vintage item with a neat bakelite handle) because it started raining in earnest when I got off the bus. I walked across Red Square and past the Library building (We did a library scavenger hunt on campus once, so I am familiar with some parts of the campus.) and into the HUB. I found Michael and Clayton in the middle of the long line. We wondered if we would get in, since it wasn't clear how big the auditorium was, but we got in eventually. The most interesting thing about the show was how they warmed up the audience before and during the show. "Spike" (who was wearing a viking helmet with horns on it, natch) divided the audience into two sections and had us chanting "Sick!" "Twisted!" "Sick!" "Twisted!" "SICK!" "TWISTED!" He also did a disclaimer speech, about how there was lots of offensive material in the show, and if we thought we couldn't take it, to "get the fuck out right now!" pointing to the door. Shades of William Castle! He used to have a "nurse" standing by at his horror movies, or he would insure the audience in case of death from fright. Only a few of the cartoons were especially good. I didn't find them very disturbing or horrifying either. To me, the mere mention or depiction of scatological or sexual topics isn't enough, in and of itself, to make something funny. You need actual humor! There was a live comedian in the middle of the show (Chris Gas, who is evidently on the Howard Stern show sometimes), and an intermission so they could sell more t-shirts. To me, the phrase "sick and twisted" connotes something more like the Brothers Quay, not John Krisfalusi on a bad day. They did include "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," a stop-motion animation that was stupendous! By far the best thing in the show. Afterwards we went to Hopscotch restaurant, which I suggested because they have a lot of single malt Scotches and microbrews, and they allow cigars at the bar. I also suggested it because it's near my house, so I knew where it was. But through a series of miscommunications, Clayton didn't get his cigar after all! Oh, well, next time.
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