(;): *facepalm*

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ASCII facepalm by these guys.
Colourainbowized by me.

*facepalm* :
(via urban dictionary)

to hit one's own forehead with your hand/palm, and drag it down one's face. Most often done in frustration or agitation.
Sometimes forcefully done to others for humour purposes.
Usually written between asteriks in online conversation, to demonstrate an action.

Similar to *headdesk*

{A more thorough wiki version can be found at Encyclopedia Dramatica.}

Also: used to denote embarassment, or, as E.D. put it quite well: Not This Shit Again.

Two worthy news items, both, unsurprisingly, in the copyright department and found side-by-side in BoingBoing today.

Ok, Film Critic getting sued for a bad review he wrote, plaintiff using DMCA

In case you haven’t heard, director and producer BJ Davis and his wife Julia Davis want to sue me over a negative review I wrote of the mob comedy Forget About It. Seriously. Despite BJ officially serving me “legal notice” through an e-mail, I still don’t know what I’m being sued over. The original e-mail sent to me by Julia Davis said, and I quote, “illegally using artwork to the feature film “Forget About It” and disseminating fraudulent, misleading and materially false information about the film in question.” For one, using artwork in a review would undoubtedly fall under fair use laws. Secondly, Allumination Filmworks likely owns the artwork used to promote Forget About It to U.S. DVD buyers. And third, court papers posted at Big Screen Entertainment’s website cast doubt on whether or not BJ Davis even owns the movie’s copyright at this point.

Annnnd, if that wasn't stupid enough, howabout a Ford Mustang car club that can't use images of their beloved cars due to copyright restrictions:

The folks at BMC (Black Mustang Club) automotive forum wanted to put together a calendar featuring members' cars, and print it through CafePress. Photos were submitted, the layout was set, and... CafePress notifies the site admin that pictures of Ford cars cannot be printed. Not just Ford logos, not just Mustang logos, the car -as a whole- is a Ford trademark and its image can't be reproduced without permission. So even though Ford has a lineup of enthusiasts who want to show off their Ford cars, the company is bent on alienating them. 'Them' being some of the most loyal owners and future buyers that they have. Or rather, that they had

Hoo boy.

Something tells me neither cases have much to stand on. And as one person in the BB forum pointed out about the Ford thing, it must be a hoax. I mean, it's just so...petty.

At any rate, I'm posting a picture of a Mustang "on genral principles", as Hunter S. Thompson would say.

Oh yeah! Way to stick it to the man, man.

I searched out the one from "Bullitt", for obvious reasons of coolness. Its a scale model too, so I wonder if Ford's going to get up their noses too.

Ok. Finished Tokyo Drifter at work tonight- it was on TCM, one of the only reasons I want cable, especially for things like Busby Berekley and Danny Kaye marathons. I watched the first half of Seijun Suzuki's stylish absurdist 1966 yakuza thriller over the holidaze in Winnipeg, so it was nice to have some closure. I have no problem with abandoning novels half-way through. Movies, on the other hand...no. Just no.

That said, I'm going to finish Ugetsu (like Ozu and Kurosawa, don't watch when tired)and get some sleep. Then do the nerd thing and watch with the commentary track and special features tomorrow after work. Yep. Thorough.

Which reminds me: Pacific Cinematheque's doing the Samurai Fest again. I have the Throne of Blood/Hidden Fortress double feature bookmarked. Plus, if you want too see The Seven Samurai, Yojimbo or Sanjuro on the big screen, now's your chance.

Plus, it's better than watching them on slightly-pixelled $6 Chinatown DVD's, since the Criterion versions, while simultaneously luxurious and essential, are a little on the expensive side. And really, big screen better. Fine, there's no commentary track, but since it is the Cinematheque, just keep your ears peeled in the lobby. Someone will be pontificating. It'll be just like a Woody Allen movie.