Let's Call a Blog a Blog

Can I find a candle of thought....

2010-09-08T14:26:00.002-05:00

Heard this in a bar in Cusco the other afternoon. It was then I realized this is one of my all-time favorite songs. It is a song one might desperately wish could be a track in the soundtrack of one's life...

Point Taken

2010-08-23T22:52:00.002-05:00

Groovin' Together

2010-07-27T20:37:00.004-05:00

I've been using Grooveshark for awhile now, but I've only recently started to use it to share playlists with friends. It all started with my friend, Lauryn, who I met through my TEFL program. She has great taste in music and I wanted to keep the music dialogue going even after she went back home to Alabama, so we started sharing playlists with each other and it's loads of fun. I'm discovering new music all the time, which is perfect

Sooo, if you're interested, add me! My user name is the same name you see up in the URL, before the blogspot part :)

Here are two songs I'm lovin' at the moment:

"Excuses" by The Morning Benders

"Please" by Ray LaMontagne

I Feel You, Girl.

2010-07-26T23:43:00.006-05:00

The other day, while reading about reading, and the authors that make reading possible, I stumbled upon the name Anne Lamott. She's been on my radar for awhile and I've been told on quite a few occasions that I should read her, so when I saw her name and her book on a list of "must reads" for people interested in writing, I decided to read up on Ms. Lamott. Three minutes into reading excerpts from her books, I decided to purchase Bird by Bird. I am impatiently awaiting its arrival.

By the end of my "Lamott excerpt session", I had compiled a long list of quotations by her and emailed them to myself. I also emailed one to my friend, Rachael. It was one I figured she could nod to herself emphatically while reading. (I know I did.)

Rach liked the quote so much that she posted it on Facebook. What followed was an interesting conversation on gender, culminating in 18 comments in a very short time. And rather than fill the Facebook feed with my input, I decided to take to my very own blog.

Here's the quote:

"Part of me loves and respects men so desperately, and part of me thinks they are so embarrassingly incompetent at life and in love. You have to teach them the very basics of emotional literacy. You have to teach them how to be there for you, and part of me feels tender toward them and gentle, and part of me is so afraid of them, afraid of any more violation."

-Anne Lamott

I imagine if you're a [straight] man reading that, the first reaction is one of defensiveness. She's using a word that no person wants to hear- incompetent. Who wants to be described as in incompetent? I don't. But sometimes I am. And sometimes men are. And sometimes men are incompetent in very similar ways to one another.

I agree with this quote. I agree with every part of it. I do love and respect men desperately, yet I do not think there is one topic more turned on its head more frequently in my life more than the "What the hell is WITH men?!" topic. I am 25 years old and I have not lived much, and I certainly have not loved much. I'm not even sure if I have fully. Probably not. But I'm able to read a thought by a fully grown woman and completely relate. I'm trying to figure out if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm having a "THIS is what I have to look forward to?! MORE of this?!" moment right now.

I think that a thought like this, a thought that so many of us women (young, old and in between) can probably relate to, mustn't be discounted. This is a feeling that is true to many women because it has been experienced.

Cave woman probably drew on the walls about this...

-"So, then he grunted and so now I'm like, 'WHAT does that even MEAN!?'"

-"Girrrrl, sure beats the hell out of me."

One of the scariest parts of falling in love IS the fear of violation, of vulnerability and confusion mixed with the desperation, admiration and love. It's terrifying to fall in love with another being who's hormonal and chemical make up is different than yours, who literally sees no problem where you see ten and whose emotional communication is not enough when you feel like yours is at a surplus.

It sucks and it's wonderful. Sometimes simultaneously.

I don't think this quote is a dig at men, but rather an acknowledgement of something that straight women all feel at some point. Is this all men? No. I was raised by an extraordinary man, who happens to be, in my unprofessional opinion, the best dad in the world. (My mom, however, might admit to cracking the whip from time to time, along with his phenomenal mother back in the day.) I've also dated some real winners and maybe one day I'll like one for long enough to say "Hey, you're cool. Let's have a baby!" to him. Maybe.

That being said, I think that there are plenty of commiserations shared amongst men (in brief exchanges, of course) about the complexities of our fair female species. W.C. Fields once said, "All women are crazy; it's only a question of degree." And y'know, I can see why he'd say that. And I could also counter that with the fact that oftentimes men drive us crazy, but then I'd be here for as long as this back and forth has been going on...an eternity.

Total Eclipse of the Heart

2010-07-23T22:05:00.005-05:00

So, I saw Eclipse the other night.

BEFORE you judge harshly, consider the following:

1.) I went with my class and it was the only movie in English playing at the theater.

2.) See above.

I haven't seen the other Twilight movies, mostly because I have heard that they totally suck AND because they have yet to be played on a loop on TBS or TNT on a random Sunday afternoon, which is when I usually prefer to watch movies that totally suck. That being said, I didn't go into this expecting much, so I was able to enjoy my time watching the film and giggling at the cheese.

Yeah, it sucked. It wasn't the worst movie I've ever seen in my life, but it was pretty awful. I guess I can see why twelve year-olds are taking this stuff to heart, but I'm kind of perplexed about basically anyone over twelve who does. Robert Pattinwhatever has a strange, pale glow for the entire film, making him appear considerably less attractive and Kristen Stewwhocares' character has eerie fake brown eyes. I can't help but think that fake brown eyes make someone look kind of lifeless and empty. Also, why does she have to have them? Is it a MUST? I'm confused.

I did not see any real indication that the main couple had an amazingly romantic and cool relationship. Maybe that's because I missed all the romantic and cool stuff in the first two movies, but something tells me (a.k.a. everyone I know that has seen it) that I didn't miss much. In that same vein, does anyone else notice that this relationship is completely unhealthy, co-dependent and possessive?! This girl needs to get out and FAST. She's dating a guy that can read thoughts and has no soul...RUN!

Okay, but my biggest beef with this story is the fact that this girl is planning on giving up her life, losing her soul, and becoming a blood-sucking monster for this guy, BUT, BUT, BUT! They absolutely must NOT have sex until marriage. This is the part of the story where I remembered the fact that a Mormon house-wife writes this crap. Sure ladies, SELL YOUR SOUL FOR A MAN, BUT DO NOT HAVE SEX WITH HIM UNTIL DOING SO!

I'm actually not enraged about this at all, though the caps lock may indicate otherwise. I just think it's a shame that this is what the little people are all wrapped-up in these days. Today is the 15th anniversary of the release of Clueless and sure, it was about shopping and boys and parties, but it was also sharp, witty and fun. As IF this Twilight crap can even hold a candle to that gem. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

And plus, I'd take Paul Rudd over Robert Pattindork any day.

We. Are. Golden.

2010-07-05T23:09:00.007-05:00

I'm pretty sure everyone wishes that they had a soundtrack to their lives. I do. I really, really do. That would be so cool. It would also completely validate the already melodramatic thoughts I have in my brain everyday.

Along that same vein, I've always dreamed of making a hilarious, but heart-felt music video with friends. I mean, who hasn't? Sooo, as my departure approached last spring, I decided that I had to do a music video with my two best guys/gays, Nate and Dustin. What better time than just before I dramatically depart for the wilds of Latin America (or something like that)?

So, we got together on an unseasonably cold (you can't tell from my outfit but I was FREEZING) spring afternoon and made a video to Mika's "Happy Ending". Nate learned how to edit and put it all together in ONE day. He and Dustin Skyped me for the premier two nights ago...I've been gone for almost two months now and I think this is the part where I start feeling a little home-sick from time to time and reflecting on the things and people I miss. I am so happy to be here, but sometimes, when a Friday night (or a Tuesday or a Wednesday...) rolls around, I'd like nothing more than to be giggling between my two favorite boys. Needless to say, this brought tears to my eyes.

The following video was improv'd on the spot, is completely cheesy, over-the-top, and in my opinion, a dorktastic masterpiece. Enjoy! (Oh, and there's 9 minutes of this cheese, so don't stop watching after the first song!)

PS- My friends don't do coke...those double image shots are from a photo project that Nate did.

The 4th

2010-07-04T22:37:00.007-05:00

A few (fellow American) people have recently asked me if Costa Rica celebrates July 4th. I understand it could be a simple assumption, considering the United State's empirical pull across the world...but no, as far as I can tell, there were no BBQ's, parades or fireworks in honor of the USA, in this, another country, today. Go figure.

Although, maybe I wouldn't be completely surprised, as I struggle to find an obvious, defined culture here in Costa Rica, between the Hooters, Wendy's, and True Value. Sure, I feel at home, but that wasn't the point, was it? Two of the five classes I'm teaching take place in offices, and my students are employees whose companies have been bought out by American corporations and are now required to learn English. One of these students simply does not want to learn, but will lose his job if he doesn't. Yeah. Not quite as enriching as the other classes I teach in a school with willing learners.

I wish I could say that my heart-strings feel a tug when I hear the US national anthem. I wish I could say that simply seeing the American flag fills me with a proud warmth...but it doesn't. It would be nice, though, wouldn't it? If all the things that our songs, anthems, banners and signs claim to represent were true? Wouldn't it be great if the United States of America were brave, revolutionary and bold?

I know, how dare I expect more of and question my home country?! Why not just sing the songs and wave the flag and pretend that because my white, upper-middle class existence has been cushy, cozy and all too comfortable, that must mean that America is really not so bad.

I was glad to see I'm not alone in my sentiment (or lack thereof) as I read Howard Zinn's "Put Away the Flags" and Matthew Rothschild's "Why I Don't Celebrate the Fourth" in The Progressive today:

We need to refute the idea that our nation is different from, morally superior to, the other imperial powers of world history.

We need to assert our allegiance to the human race, and not to any one nation.

- Howard Zinn

American patriotism has also gotten in the way of solving global warming. Many in the United States, which consumes 25 percent of the world’s resources but has just 4 percent of the world’s population, believe we have the God-given right to use up all the resources we can. And there is an all-too-common attitude that we don’t need to listen to any other countries, or the U.N., or obey any international agreements because we’re Americans, and we’re better than everybody else.

We’ve got to get over patriotism, and we’ve got to cure the American superiority complex.

- Matthew Rothschild

Nationalism is the egg that hatches fascism.

And patriotism is but the father of nationalism.

Patriotism is not something to play with. It’s highly toxic. When ingested, it corrodes the rational faculties.

It gulls people into believing their leaders.

It masks those who benefit most from state policy.

- Matthew Rothschild

Home

2010-06-24T20:03:00.005-05:00

Greetings from the Jungle! (Specifically Cabuya, outside of Montezuma.) There are monkeys in the trees and creepy crawlers in the grass. I am far from home but I am happy. One my new friends here, Lauryn, has fantastic taste in music and has been our resident DJ on this trip. She shared this song with me this morning and I swear I've heard it before, but can't remember when, where, or who with, but from now on I will associate it with a morning in the jungle abroad, so I suppose that's probably cooler anyway...

Here's "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes:

Michael McIntyre

2010-06-13T16:42:00.003-05:00

Hey, it's been awhile. Sorry. I moved to Costa Rica, where I've made some international friends. Costa Ricans, you assume? You assumed wrong; some of the friends I've made are English...actually, one friend I've made is English and she lives with other English people. I spent some time with my English friend and her friends the other evening and they were kind enough to share some English comedy with me, particularly the comedy of Michael McIntyre.

Here are some clips from his show at the Hammersmith London Apollo Theatre:

Just Joshin'

2010-04-24T22:46:00.004-05:00

I'm supposed to be packing tonight, but instead I ordered Thai food from Ben's Noodles and Rice (for probably the last time while living here) and have been listening to tunes on Groove Shark. I've heard some Josh Ritter, but I've finally started to delve into his repertoire this evening and...I think I've fallen for him.

Here he is doing "Kathleen" live...

(Really, how could I not choose this song?)

Word.

2010-04-16T16:51:00.002-05:00

“The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something.”

Kurt Vonnegut

Sassy Gay Friend

2010-04-11T12:58:00.005-05:00

Hi I'm Kate Sammon, writer of this blog, and I'm here to share something very funny from the world wide web with you . It's the Second City network's "Sassy Gay Friend" sketches! I have compiled three sketches for your viewing pleasure:

Sassy Gay Friend: Romeo and Juliet

Sassy Gay Friend: Hamlet

Sassy Gay Friend: Othello

'Njooyyyyy :)

Bling of Blings

2010-03-27T21:54:00.023-05:00

I recently found myself staring at one of those baby Jesus statues that are frequently displayed in Catholic churches (see above)...

You know when you're looking at something that's commonplace in your life and suddenly you realize what you're actually staring at? If you stare at it long enough you start to see it from a different point of view. It's like when you realize how odd certain words sound when you say them over and over again. Like "shirt". Say "shirt" enough and it'll eventually start to sound weird.

I grew up in the Catholic church, so this little guy was everywhere and he's familiar to me. My first memory of him was in the "crying room" (the room for loud and/or crying children) at the church I went to when I was little. We go way back.

Alright, so I'm staring at this little guy and suddenly I realize that this baby in ornate clothing looks kind of ridiculous (a toddler in a heavy crown, cape, and jewels, holding a septre??) and THEN it occurs to me that the real Jesus would probably be all, "WTF?!" if he saw this. I mean, the man grew up to allegedly say, "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21) AND "Sell your possessions and give to the poor." (Luke 12:33)

I don't think he meant "And when I'm gone, please adorn child statues of me with unnecessary symbols of material wealth, mmkay?"

I think there are a good many Christians that would readily admit that this representation of Christ misses the mark and is admittedly kind of silly. It's accepted as a remaining relic from the old days. The issue is that even with this acceptance, it remains and becomes commonplace, so common in fact that even critical li'l me is just now taking note of it.

At what point does "tradition" act as a hindrance? It seems to me that it's too often right from the start. This is a clear example of how human perception can effect the greater belief, in any religion, culture or political arena. If a man who's greatest emphasis was on feeding the poor and living a humble life is honored through the generations in a way that completely negates his point, then that most certainly gives cause to question organized religion.

I think this speaks to the abundance of other issues and perceptions that are, in my opinion, stagnating real progress. I think we all need to call into question what we're absorbing- the ultimate truth, or someone else's perception of the truth, even if that perception is tradition. So much of what we think to be true, fail to question and blindly accept, are the exact kinds of things that beg our minds to open and question.

Tuesday Throwback

2010-03-23T20:36:00.008-05:00

This song (along with Patrick Simmon's mullet) makes me want to head down south, set up camp, sip on some moonshine and sing around the campfire.

Movin' Out (Of the Country)

2010-03-23T15:24:00.005-05:00

Although there have been many issues and happenings going on the the world that have my noggin all a flutter, I have been a bit too busy to blog these days. My apologies.

I have decided to move to Costa Rica to teach English as a foreign language. I actually decided this a few months back, but it's only recently that I've got the ball rolling. I am leaving my job (!!!) at the end of April and leaving for Latin America in Mid-May.

I have twenty-eight work days left. I decided today that I'd start a countdown to my last day. I'm not sure if that'll make the last month here more or less bearable, but I can't tell you how glorious it is to have an end in site. It's even more glorious/exciting to have a new beginning on the horizon. (Did I really just say "new beginning on the horizon"? Yeah. I'm just that excited.)

This big move has yet to really sink in, so right now I'm focusing on the present reality- tying up loose ends and spending as much quality time with all the people I'm lucky enough to love in the Chicago area.

More posts to follow...like about HEALTHCARE! Y'all know I have somethin' to say about that!

Priceless

2010-02-13T10:43:00.010-06:00

Check this out, courtesy of The Seminal...

The MasterCard Commercial

I'd Like to See

Amount spent each year in Europe and the United States on pet food: $17 billion

Cost per year to achieve basic health and nutrition for the entire world: $13 billion

Amount spent on perfumes each year: $12 billion

Clean water for all the world: $9 billion

Amount spent on cosmetics in the US: $8 billion

Basic education for the world’s children: $6 billion

Total amount the US spends on Christmas each year: $450 billion (or 16 years worth of food, water, and education for the world)

Initial cost of the US Government bailout of failing financial institutions: $700 billion (or 25 years worth of food, water, and education for the world)

Coming to grips with the alarming disconnects of our consumerist society: Priceless

FRIDAY THE 12TH!

2010-02-12T09:32:00.004-06:00

Aww, shucks! No killin' today...

My friend Wayne posted this on Facebook today. Thanks, Wayne!

Happy Friday the 12th, y'all!

(AND happy birthday to my cousin Courtney!)

Verse to the Wise

2010-02-11T21:38:00.004-06:00

Courtesy of Wisdom Bits.

Are you READY?!

2010-02-10T23:10:00.012-06:00

Every time I see ads for "ready.gov", I feel weird; not in that "Government, stop! You're EMBARRASSING me!" kind of way, but in the "I think this is an example of fear mongering" kind of way.

I'm glad someone has decided to make fun of it...

Check out Homeland.gov.safenow.org, an amusing commentary on some of the "WARNING" notices on ready.gov.

War Made Easy

2010-02-09T22:35:00.014-06:00

Hi, it's me again. I'm just here to tell you that I just watched the documentary,

War Made Easy:

How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning us to Death.

I liked it and think that you should watch it too!

(It's only 72 minutes!)

A snippet from its website synopsis:

"War Made Easy reaches into the Orwellian memory hole to expose a 50-year pattern of government deception and media spin that has dragged the United States into one war after another from Vietnam to Iraq."

I knew about the general idea behind the film beforehand, but it's compiled in such a way that it helps to bring it all together. By "it" I mean the United States' LTR with war. If the USA were on Facebook, its relationship status would probably say "In a relationship with War". As Americans, we're supposed to accept this relationship as a MUST. They must NEVER break up because if they do, no one will do what America tells them to anymore. Of course, the main-stream media is along for the ride on the big ole war bandwagon. When the US and War host keggers, the press supply the red cups.

You get the point.

The film consistently references Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s fervent opposition to militarism and it closes with an audio excerpt from his 1967 speech, Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence, so I decided to read it myself. It is (not surprisingly) stirring and eloquent.

Here's an excerpt:

I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a "thing-oriented" society to a "person-oriented" society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.

It seems as though our nation has continued down this destructive path that he so purposefully warned us against. What would Dr. King make of all this now?

Sick Day

2010-02-08T20:52:00.008-06:00

I am currently enduring a pesky case of the common cold. I think I'll live, but considering that my head feels like it may implode at any moment, I'm a bit lethargic today.

Anyway, here are some fascinating finds from my stuffy-headed time on the world wide web today:

** This reminds me of something I would have thought was the most wonderful thing in the entire world when I was six years old- Falling Down the Guggenheim Museum Wall.

** Not surprised by the list, but I like the captions- The 11 Most Ironically Banned Books of All Time.

** Hey, want to waste time making noise/music on the internet?- inudge.net

** The Super Bowl is kinda gross- Half-naked Hot Chicks and Beer: The Sexist Guyland of the Super Bowl Beer Commercial.

** Anyone think that's kind of odd?- More Blackwater Contractors Than Cops in Pakistan's Capitol.

Happy (almost) Friday!

2010-01-28T21:26:00.003-06:00

Here's some Friday feel-good for y'all...

This just makes me smile.

Putting the "Disaster" In Disaster Capitalism

2010-01-19T14:35:00.006-06:00

Yesterday, as I looked over articles on the aid efforts in Haiti, I wondered why it was so necessary for US Troops to be fully equipped with semiautomatics. This is a relief effort, not a war, right? I mean, it's no secret that I think our current system errs on the side of "shady", so of course I'm going to question the real motives in this situation. I'm coming to find that what's worse than the questioning is the disappointment in knowing that the questioning is merited.

Today, I came across "Profiting from Haiti’s Crisis: Disaster Capitalism in Washington’s Backyard" by Benjamin Dangl on Commondreams.org. If you're interested in this situation in Haiti and our part in it, I STRONGLY recommend reading this article. The first line (as many first lines so often do) paints a pretty clear picture...

US corporations, private mercenaries, Washington and the International Monetary Fund are using the crisis in Haiti to make a profit, promote unpopular neoliberal policies, and extend military and economic control over the Haitian people.

Oh, Uncle "Money Bags" Sam, you never miss an opportunity, do you?

What we also have to keep in mind is that Haiti was in a dire state BEFORE this happened and when you do the math, it's pretty clear who held the cards in all that. The article continues...

Brian Concannon, the director of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti told Hallward of the root causes for the overpopulation of neighborhoods in the city of Port-au-Prince that were hit so hard by the earthquake. "Those people got there because they or their parents were intentionally pushed out of the countryside by aid and trade policies specifically designed to create a large captive and therefore exploitable labor force in the cities; by definition they are people who would not be able to afford to build earthquake resistant houses." Unnatural crises such as this made the earthquake much more devastating.

Dangl quotes the author Naomi Kline:

...throughout history, "while people were reeling from natural disasters, wars and economic upheavals, savvy politicians and industry leaders nefariously implemented policies that would never have passed during less muddled times." This push to apply unpopular neoliberal policies began almost immediately after the earthquake in Haiti.

Get THIS! Check out what Kline recently pointed out on Democracy Now! about the Heritage Foundation:

Following the disaster in Haiti, Klein pointed out that the Heritage Foundation, "one of the leading advocates of exploiting disasters to push through their unpopular pro-corporate policies," issued a statement on its website after the earthquake hit: "In addition to providing immediate humanitarian assistance, the U.S. response to the tragic earthquake in Haiti earthquake offers opportunities to re-shape Haiti's long-dysfunctional government and economy as well as to improve the public image of the United States in the region."

They eventually took that statement down, but it was there, as clear as day (as were their motives).

One of Dangl's final points hits the nail on the head:

While international leaders and institutions are speaking about how many soldiers and dollars they are committing to Haiti, it is important to note that what Haiti needs is doctors not soldiers, grants not loans, a stronger public sector rather than a wholesale privatization, and critical solidarity with grassroots organizations and people to support the self-determination of the country.

That doesn't sound outrageous does it? Sounds like a completely logical statement, right? Wouldn't it be nice if that was the approach that won in the end? I'm afraid it looks as though Uncle Money Bags is setting up camp and drawing up his own rules, yet again...

Text To Donate!

2010-01-15T16:12:00.003-06:00

The future is now...

This morning I took 30 seconds out of my day to donate $10 to Red Cross International Relief for Haiti. Just text HAITI to 90999. $10 is charged to your phone bill. (Don't worry- this is legit.)

Oh, and while we're on the topic of Haiti, check out the article, Haiti and America's Historic Debt on Consortiumnews.com!

I can't imagine what it's like over there right now. I can just hope that they are getting the help they so desperately need.

Forever Young

2010-01-13T18:19:00.009-06:00

Last night, I attended a wake for my Great Aunt Helen, who passed away at the ripe age of ninety-five. She was one of my grandfather's SEVEN sisters. (That's right...I said SEVEN. One boy, seven girls. The man had the patience of a saint.) Aunt Helen was a sharp little firecracker right up til the end and she was a wonderful, hilarious, strong and incredibly loving woman. In the 1990's, My aunt lost two of her four children within a few years of each other- one in a tragic car accident and the other to cancer. Not long after, her husband, my Uncle Jerry, suffered a stroke. She became his nurse and cared for him 'til he passed away. The amazing thing about my Aunt Helen was that despite the amount of loss she endured in such a short period of time, she was still one of the funniest and most positive people I knew. She made everyone feel special and loved, she stayed "with it" and kept up with the times, even mastering Wii Bowling recently. She often greeted us with, "Come give your beautiful aunt a kiss!" Her laughter was contagious and her heart stayed young. She was someone soooo worth knowing and completely unforgettable. I, along with our whole family and her many, many friends, will miss her very much.

Following the wake, as I channel-surfed in my parents' basement, I happened upon a documentary on PBS called Young@Heart, about a chorus of senior citizens in Massachusetts singing modern rock and R & B songs- like "Schizophrenia" by Sonic Youth and "I Feel Good" by James Brown. It was quite moving and incredibly endearing. I was moved most by their performance at a prison of Bob Dylan's "Forever Young". I sat there with tears streaming down my face and couldn't help but think of my Aunt Helen. Isn't it strange how things line up like that? She was a perfect embodiment of someone staying "forever young" right up until the end.

Check it out for yourself- "Forever Young" performed by Young@Heart

Oh, and if you have heart, I encourage you to watch this film.

Close All the Windows

2010-01-07T10:38:00.010-06:00

Thanks to my parents' holiday generosity, I am now the proud owner of a Toshiba Mini NB205, AKA a netbook. I love it and I love them (with or without said netbook).

Anyway, seeing as this is the first new computer of my very own, I want to make sure I go about learning everything I can about making the most of it. I'm learning so many interesting things that I didn't really think were that interesting before...

I came to learn about specific operating systems for netbooks...with systems that create less strain and operate according to the netbooks' specific structures. Blah, blah, blah....you get the point. ANYway, so I was wondering whether to take the leap into "linuxland" and download the Jolicloud OS, and I started doing some research into Windows for comparisons. My computer came with Windows 7 Starter. I thought this seemed coolish at first. I mean, I keep hearing that Windows 7 is everything that Vista hoped it could be and it's Windows...I've never used anything BUT Windows. BUT when I was doing some basic things on my computer (like trying to post a picture as my desktop background), I kept getting messages telling me to upgrade to the REAL Windows 7, meaning that what my computer had was just like a little commercial for or an intro to Windows 7 and if I wanted the real deal, I'd need to pay over $100.

Then I had a thought...

Why should I have to pay for this at all? Wasn't the computer's price tag enough? THERE, my friends, is the rub! Apparently, the jokes on us! (Isn't it always, though?) I was completely unaware of all the Microsoft shenanigans that have been going on for years. Just typing in "Windows 7" to google brought me to the Windows 7 Sins site. Here are a few blurbs:

Monopoly behavior: Nearly every computer purchased has Windows pre-installed -- but not by choice. Microsoft dictates requirements to hardware vendors, who will not offer PCs without Windows installed on them, despite many people asking for them. Even computers available with other operating systems like GNU/Linux pre-installed often had Windows on them first.

Lock-in: Microsoft regularly attempts to force updates on its users, by removing support for older versions of Windows and Office, and by inflating hardware requirements. For many people, this means having to throw away working computers just because they don't meet the unnecessary requirements for the new Windows versions.

Abusing standards: Microsoft has attempted to block free standardization of document formats, because standards like OpenDocument Format would threaten the control they have now over users via proprietary Word formats. They have engaged in underhanded behavior, including bribing officials, in an attempt to stop such efforts.

Some other finds...

From Slashdot (2007)- "After trying to bribe a local supplier with a $400,000 marketing contract, Microsoft has still apparently lost out in trying to woo Nigeria's government to use Windows over Linux. Microsoft threw the money at the supplier after it chose Mandriva Linux for 17,000 laptops for school children across Nigeria. The supplier took the bait and agreed to wipe Mandriva off the machines, but now Nigeria's government has stepped in to stop the dirty deal."

From ZDnet (2002 ), Microsoft's Lobbying Efforts Eclipse Enron- "The software giant's budget for its Political Action Committee (PAC) increased from about $16,000 in 1995 to $1.6 million in 2000, according to Edward Roeder, a self-styled expert on efforts to influence the U.S. government, and founder of Sunshine Press Services, a news agency devoted to investigating money in politics."

And GET THIS! According to IT PRO, Microsoft put Windows 7 on new computers and that gave the owners a chance to get used to and play with the new OS, BUT on June 1st, 2010, that is going to expire, which means it's time to upgrade to the "real deal". Oh, and THAT'S not all...on March 1st, 2010...

“'The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you’ll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You’ll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use.'”

And there's more where all that came from. So, here's my point...this is yet ANOTHER example of a corporate power repeatedly behaving unethically, creating a monopoly, while we all just sit here, none the wiser, and partake. First off, by now we all need to honestly acknowledge that the mainstream media is crap and it won't report this kind of information that we could benefit from knowing. So that's the first step- doing the investigating ourselves. I found all this out in a matter of minutes while browsing the web. And secondly, once finding this out, we need to actively oppose it. Choosing to use a linux OS breaks free of the restraint that is happily put upon us. I know that could seem kind of silly, but it's about the bigger picture. Some of the most basic things in our daily lives have a nasty trail behind them. Like how Coca-Cola is america's sweetheart soda, but it robs communities of natural resources and union leaders in Columbia have turned up dead at the hands of this corporate criminal. We've got to wonder, we've got to question.

SO, my little netbook is now equipped with the Jolicloud OS and I'm loving it. I think I've closed a window(s) and opened a new door here...I have now entered the land of Linux. So far, so good.

All That Glitters Is Not Good

2009-12-30T15:22:00.014-06:00

So, Pacific Rim (a large Canadian mining company), is aggressively proposing a gold mine in El Salvador, where opposition to this mine has been mounting over the last few years. In the last few weeks, a number of outspoken community leaders opposed to the mine have been murdered. Just last Saturday, Dora "Alicia" Recinos Sorto, eight months pregnant, was shot dead while walking with her two year old son. Uhhhh, I'm appalled. How about you? So, we have a big, powerful mining company that really, really wants to mine and mounting opposition standing in their way, so...why not hire some hit men to take some of this opposition out? Pretty sick. What's also pretty sick is that this crap happens all the time.

A friend of mine sent me the transcript of a Democracy Now interview with Alexis Stoumbelis, Executive Director of CISPES, the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador. It's short, but informative. Why should you care? (Besides the fact that, y'know, being an formed citizen of the world isn't a bad thing and all...) First off, this is silver mining and chances are, you are wearing or have worn gold and silver and knowing where and under what circumstances the items we adorn ourselves with is a good thing to know. Also, the United States has El Salvador (along with pretty much all of Latin America) in its pocket and El Salvador is pretty dependent on the US thanks to the fact that for the last twenty years the country has been run by the right-wing ARENA party, one of the United States' closest allies. So, El Salvador needs our support more than anything.

Unlike so many stories of injustice out there now, there is the potential of some real support behind this movement. Stoumbelis says,

This is a really incredibly important moment in El Salvador. After twenty years of a very hard-right government, they have—the Salvadoran people have elected their first progressive government. The FMLN is now in charge of the presidency and in the majority—well, not the majority, but having the most seats in the legislative assembly. And so, there is really a role like we’ve never had before to hear the voices of people be reflected at the top levels of the government. And Mauricio Funes spoke out last week, specifically around the assassination of Ramiro Rivera, and vowed to investigate fully and not to allow this case to continue in impunity, which was very exciting...

...The FMLN, as a political party, made a very strong denouncement yesterday against the violence and a commitment to investigating, and they have also made a public commitment against mining and have actually introduced a bill in the legislative assembly, which is going to take a huge push, to actually ban all forms of metallic mining, which would be the first in the world.

All of this is important to know because there is REAL injustice happening here and it's the result (as it almost always is...) of big, corporate bullying. People are taking a stand and lives are being lost, BUT there is a real courageous movement going and the push is being felt. The FMLN commitment and bill introduction are proof of voices being heard...but how many lives need to be lost in the process?

Merry Christmas, Insurance Companies!

2009-12-23T16:09:00.018-06:00

It seems as though the insurance companies will be having the merriest Christmas this year (in lieu of the coal that many of us hoped they'd find in their stockings). Santa Obama and his senatelves really delivered the goods...to corporate America. They can boast that we got what was on our list (REFORM!!!!!!), but that's like asking for a new pair of shoes and getting an empty shoe box. What will keep our feet warm? Americans awake to find empty shoe boxes, while the insurance companies sneak out the back door, adorned with new kicks.

I, like many, am heartbroken with this turn of events and can't help but feel that the joke is on us. Our representative democracy has failed us yet again. Do you feel you had a say in this? I don't. We went from public option to medicare buy-in to complete CRAP. Suddenly the insurance companies power has expanded; individuals will be forced to buy insurance with NO cost control. Jigga wha?!?!

Last Thursday, Howard Dean took to the Washington Post:

Any measure that expands private insurers' monopoly over health care and transfers millions of taxpayer dollars to private corporations is not real health-care reform. Real reform would insert competition into insurance markets, force insurers to cut unnecessary administrative expenses and spend health-care dollars caring for people. Real reform would significantly lower costs, improve the delivery of health care and give all Americans a meaningful choice of coverage. The current Senate bill accomplishes none of these...

...From the very beginning of this debate, progressives have argued that a public option or a Medicare buy-in would restore competition and hold the private health insurance industry accountable. Progressives understood that a public plan would give Americans real choices about what kind of system they wanted to be in and how they wanted to spend their money. Yet Washington has decided, once again, that the American people cannot be trusted to choose for themselves. Your money goes to insurers, whether or not you want it to.

And on Monday, the National Nurses Union cited "10 fundamental flaws" in the bill:

1. The individual mandate forcing all those without coverage to buy private insurance, with insufficient cost controls on skyrocketing premiums and other insurance costs.

2. No challenge to insurance company monopolies, especially in the top 94 metropolitan areas where one or two companies dominate, severely limiting choice and competition.

3. An affordability mirage. Congressional Budget Office estimates say a family of four with a household income of $54,000 would be expected to pay 17 percent of their income, $9,000, on healthcare exposing too many families to grave financial risk.

4. The excise tax on comprehensive insurance plans which will encourage employers to reduce benefits, shift more costs to employees, promote proliferation of high-deductible plans, and lead to more self-rationing of care and medical bankruptcies, especially as more plans are subject to the tax every year due to the lack of adequate price controls. A Towers-Perrin survey in September found 30 percent of employers said they would reduce employment if their health costs go up, 86 percent said they'd pass the higher costs to their employees.

5. Major loopholes in the insurance reforms that promise bans on exclusion for pre-existing conditions, and no cancellations for sickness. The loopholes include:

· Provisions permitting insurers and companies to more than double charges to employees who fail "wellness" programs because they have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol readings, or other medical conditions.

· Insurers are permitted to sell policies "across state lines", exempting patient protections passed in other states. Insurers will thus set up in the least regulated states in a race to the bottom threatening public protections won by consumers in various states.

· Insurers can charge four times more based on age plus more for certain conditions, and continue to use marketing techniques to cherry-pick healthier, less costly enrollees.

· Insurers may continue to rescind policies for "fraud or intentional misrepresentation" – the main pretext insurance companies now use to cancel coverage.

6. Minimal oversight on insurance denials of care; a report by the California Nurses Association/NNOC in September found that six of California's largest insurers have rejected more than one-fifth of all claims since 2002.

7. Inadequate limits on drug prices, especially after Senate rejection of an amendment, to protect a White House deal with pharmaceutical giants, allowing pharmacies and wholesalers to import lower-cost drugs.

8. New burdens for our public safety net. With a shortage of primary care physicians and a continuing fiscal crisis at the state and local level, public hospitals and clinics will be a dumping ground for those the private system doesn't want.

9. Reduced reproductive rights for women.

10. No single standard of care. Our multi-tiered system remains with access to care still determined by ability to pay. Nothing changes in basic structure of the system; healthcare remains a privilege, not a right.

I have a "right" to post this blog but I don't have a right to get good, sufficient health care if my arm gets ripped off tomorrow. That's...W-R-O-N-G.

The bill gets pushed through and the hoity toities in Washington make it home in plenty of time to sip egg nog near the roaring fire. Honestly, what's it to them? About 2/3 of the US Senate are millionaires anyway.

Oh! We musn't forget Ben Nelson, the "democrat" with a pivotal vote in all this. The Nebraskan senator who "made is name and money in INSURANCE". Did you catch that? INSURANCE. Also, according to the Examiner...

Under the agreement struck between Harry Reid and Ben Nelson, Nebraska’s expanded Medicaid program will now be fully funded by the federal government. Nebraska is the only state to receive this sweetheart deal.

This should be a WAKE-UP CALL to not only Americans, but the whole wold. This is our HEALTHCARE. What is healthy about this? Who REALLY cares? This is not "reform". This is continued imperialistic greed in reform's clothing.

Curiosity Killed the Tiger

2009-12-17T13:45:00.010-06:00

I don't really care about this Tiger Woods drama. I'm not surprised; isn't this kind of the quietly accepted norm among professional athletes? However, when I came across Michael Bader's, "Everything You Think You Know About Tiger Woods is Wrong, So Shut the F**** Up!", I couldn't help but agree.

Okay, I admit it-I indulge in celebrity gossip. It's a guilty pleasure and when I say guilty, I mean it- I feel a little petty as I read about how Jennifer Aniston is "DONE with immature boys!" I know there are better things to be filling my head with and the more I learn, the more I see what a negative effect its focus has on society as a whole. SO, that being said, I've been limiting my indulgences.

Bader says,

"I like to read celebrity gossip; it's titillating, funny, and often outrageous. I suppose that it's a comfort to know that celebrities and others we put

on pedestals are screwed up just like us. Then, for just a moment, we don't have to feel badly about our own problems. But I try not to confuse this game with reality."

But the main (and I think most accurate) point he makes is:

The fact is that we're the victims, the perpetrators, and the observers. We act selfishly, lust after people other than our partners, feel rejected and abandoned, have fetishes and weird fantasies, feel guilty, make amends, love and hate. We are afflicted and we sometimes afflict others. But we're desperate for relief from these internal states and are therefore relieved to find them in others. I suppose it can entertaining, but we should know that we're doing it.

Pretty spot on, huh?

Bubble-vicious

2009-12-14T11:43:00.009-06:00

This isn't relevant news, but it did haunt my dreams last night:

Ukrainian student killed by exploding chewing gum

21:57 08/12/2009 A chemistry student from the northern Ukrainian city of Konotop was killed when a stick of chewing gum exploded in his mouth, Ukrainian media reported on Tuesday.>>

Other news of the day

I just...can't...imagine that. That is SO messed up!

New Music Monday

2009-12-07T12:26:00.008-06:00

Happy Monday! I come bearing the gift of new music! I haven't been discovering or really even looking for new tunes as much as I used to; I'm just not that cool anymore, but these recent discoveries have me re-inspired. Drum roll please...

1) Explosions in the Sky (friend recommendation)- Yes, they're instrumental, but don't let that put you off; they're amazing, emotional and captivating. They're so freaking good that they don't need all those silly words. I find they're best for times when I'm writing, reading or y'know, just in the mood for some Explosions in the Sky.

Download- "Your Hand in Mine"

2) Patrick Watson (I heard him on NPR on Saturday night)- After hearing Patrick and his band interviewed and then perform, I immediately downloaded their Wooden Arms album. Now, this is more for the indie/folk crowd and is SO good. I was impressed to learn that the band often uses unconventional items like buckets, bottles and bicycles in their songs.

Download- "Big Bird in a Small Cage"

3) Kate Nash (friend recommendation)- Ladies, gay boys, straight men in touch with their feminine side- this one's for you. Kate Nash is a British singer/songwriter who just gets it, y'know? She's been there. Her accent is prevalent and her songs are conversational, yet moving. As I listened to her I thought, "I like this girl".

Download- "Nicest Thing" & "Foundations"

Grand Old Pest

2009-11-20T12:37:00.005-06:00

Ugh, what is this annoying itch? Ahh, it won't go away! I can't stand it! It must be a bad rash. Oh, wait...it's... SARAH PALIN.

Her book is being dismissed as nonsense and scoffed at, even by Republicans. I caught part of her Oprah interview, but had to turn it off because I was so uncomfortable. I almost felt bad for her...almost. She's dense, deluded, and deceptive.

Alright, I'm sick of talking about this goon. This post was written for the sole purpose of posting this hilarious clip:

It's The Little Things...

2009-11-13T15:08:00.004-06:00

Hey, I just found something even more entertaining than Mormons to come out of Utah- University of Utah's zoomable window that allows you to zoom and compare the size of a coffee bean to things like sperm, mitochondria, and a carbon atom.

I think it's pretty neat-o.

Puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

Viva La Revolución

2009-11-11T14:28:00.002-06:00

I just read The Nation's Reflections on a Decade of Civic Revolutions in Latin America and found it to be an informative summation of the recent political happenings in Latin America. It has become apparent to me in the last few months how imperative it is for us North Americans to know what is REALLY going on just to the south of us. We have had and still do have a HUGE presence there, and unfortunately, we have not used our powers for much good at all.

Here are some blurbs:

Contrary to the US media's frequent depictions, Latin America is home to vibrant democratic societies in which organized citizens press for social changes against political elites, an openly hostile corporate media and traditional oligarchs who still control most economic activity.

----

Despite the paranoia of the media and much of the Washington foreign policy establishment, changes occurring in the region are not driven by anti-US plots hatched in Caracas or La Habana. In fact, many in Latin America are quietly "giving up" on the United States, developing regional trade and strengthening ties with countries such as China, India, Russia and South Africa.

----

Get THIS-

Unfortunately, with Barack Obama in the White House, US policy toward Latin America has changed little. Though the Summit of the Americas early this year raised expectations, Obama's administration has in fact escalated Bush-era policies. The United States refuses to label the June ouster of democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya in Honduras a coup; it is moving ahead with plans to establish seven new military bases in Colombia, setting off an arms race in the region; it has extended the embargo on Cuba; and with the Merida Initiative it supports continued "drug war" militarization of Mexico.

I remember hearing about how Obama and Chavez briefly met a few months back, and how the media reported that Obama was "cordial" and exchanged a few words with Chavez. It's not that the West sees Chavez as a mean, scary man, but rather as a threat to their self-serving capitalistic approach to Latin America...and it IS unfortunate that Obama seems to be coloring within the same old lines.

40 Years of Sunny Days

2009-11-10T11:15:00.005-06:00

Happy 40th birthday, Sesame Street!

This morning, as I got ready for work, I listened to a segment on the radio all about the history of Sesame Street and they, of course, played the theme song. I hadn't realized that it's been ages since I heard that song and when I did, a wave of happy nostalgic feelings hit me.

Most of the very familiar things I grew up with (Disney, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Oprah, etc.) have soured over the years; the reality of their big, corporate, hypocritical actions have tainted my pre-conceived notions of what I thought I knew so well...but not Sesame Street. Sesame Street is still its quirky, lovable self in my mind.

I'm sure my mother was unendingly thankful for the PBS line-up back in the late 80's; I remember her ironing in the basement before she had to leave for work, while I played and was happily entertained by my favorite monsters and their human friends. What I didn't know then is that I was learning- not just about numbers, letters, colors and grouchy creatures living in garbage cans, but about diversity and acceptance. (Yes, I realize that sounds cheesy, but it's true.) I was a little white girl in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, so seeing a variety of different looking people from different backgrounds everyday on TV was a good thing.

I was talking about this with a friend of mine this morning, and we both noted what a unique show it was- the almost gritty, urban set seemed real (it has since cleaned up a bit, apparently to coincide with the "clean up" of New York) and the monsters were unlike anything else we'd seen before. It was innovative and it was ours. They spoke to kids in a language we understood, never condescending, but almost with respect; they knew how smart and capable we really were.

While searching for Sesame Street related articles, I came across How Sesame Street Changed The World, a Newsweek article from earlier this year, about (obviously) the show's influence, where it's been, where it is and its future. Here's a blurb:

It is, arguably, the most important children's program in the history of television. No show has affected the way we think about education, parenting, childhood development and cultural diversity, both in the United States and abroad, more than Big Bird and friends. You might even say that Sesame Street changed the world, one letter at a time.

When I was four, I could have cared less about the show's cultural influence (I didn't even know the what the words cultural and influence meant) and I certainly was unaware about how much I was actually learning. I just knew I loved it and that it was a very special show about a bunch of silly monsters and their friendly neighbors, inviting us to "come and play where everything's A-okay..."

I was more than happy to oblige...and chances are, you were too ;)

Here's one of my all-time favorite clips of Smokey Robinson and the letter U, putting a new spin on "You've Really Got a Hold On Me":

Noah's Christmas

2009-11-09T12:59:00.003-06:00

A friend sent me this info. this morning. If this doesn't give your heartstrings a tug, you are a heartless demon.

Take a few minutes to check out the video...

Diana Harrison Biorkman has a 5-year-old son in his last stages of a 2 1/2 year battle with Neuroblastoma Cancer. They are celebrating Christmas next weekend because doctors are predicting that he won't make it to December. Noah loves Christmas cards- http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/21525126/index.html

Please take a minute to send a card to:

Noah Biorkman

1141 Fountain View Circle

South Lyon, MI 48178

You May All Go To Hell, But I Went To Texas*

2009-11-03T12:58:00.009-06:00

This is at The Oasis in Austin, TX- by far the coolest place I've ever had a cocktail.

Just last weekend, my sister and I went out to visit my Uncle and his fam just outside of Austin. How lovely it was to wear shorts and SEE the sun! I was surprised at how beautiful it was! Hills, greenery, etc. And although we only spent a few hours actually IN Austin itself, I loved the city and really want to get back there. Maybe there's an Austin City Limits in my future...

Oh, and I came to the realization that Texas is the most American place in America- I'm being general here, of course, but I mean the whole patriotism thing. In many parts of the world, it's rare to have a flag hanging on every other house like here in the states. We are notoriously SUPER patriotic and Texans are SUPER into Texas. Most cars I saw in the greater Austin area either had a long horn or state shape decal on their car. Go big or go home, I guess! Anyway, I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of having the shape of good ole Illinois on the back of my car or slapping my chest and saying, "You wanna mess with me?! I'm from ILLINOIS! Don't mess with ILLINOIS!" Okay, you get the joke.

Oh, one more thing- did you know there is a Laura Bush Elementary School? Well, there is. I have no real beef with Laura as person, so I'm not trying to be a hater when I wonder why she has a school at all, let alone ALREADY. There's no Hillary Clinton Elementary School in her home state of ILLINOIS. Then again, we're not Texas.

*My subject line is a take off of the quote, "You may all go to hell, but I will go to Texas", allegedly said by Davy Crockett (y'know, King of the Wild Frontier?) when declaring if he lost his run for congress in Tennessee, he'd move to Texas. He did lose and he did move to Texas- only to die at the Alamo a year later. You BETTER believe that quote is ALL over mugs and

t-shirts down in TX!

Soviet WWII-era Paintings

2009-10-27T14:13:00.004-05:00

Boingboing.net posted a link to these Soviet WWII era paintings. I found them to be soulful and absorbing.

The Boingboing description-

These are amazing paintings. I can't think of anything in the west in the same time period that is as moving, as emotionally evocative, except Norman Rockwell. It surprises me that more people don't like them.

There's a book called The Cultural Cold War: The CIA and the World of Arts and Letters by Frances Stonor Saunders. Part of it deals with the CIA's efforts to destroy social realism, to make acceptable only art devoid of political or emotional content. I thought they had just succeeded in keeping it out of corporate media, out of the museums, but that they couldn't change how people reacted to it. But it may be that they won and that most of us can't react to such art anymore.

These pictures, to me, represent where art should have gone after the impressionists and the post-impressionists, that they are the heirs to Gauguin and Cezanne and of Van Gogh's "Potato Eaters", to Goya's "The Third of May, 1808, or The Executions on Principe Pio Hill." Instead, what do we have today? Sometimes art is pretty. Sometimes it is clever, but it is usually without any deeper significance, without any emotional or political content.

I find that very sad.

What an interesting tidbit, no? I just looked up The Cultural Cold War and I'm definitely intrigued. Looks like I'll be adding that to my Shelfari...

Gleeful

2009-10-23T09:35:00.007-05:00

Well, color me "normal", but I (along with probably you, your mom and everyone else) am just tickled pink about Glee. Yes, it's campy. Yes, it's over the top. YES, they break out into perfect song at a moment's notice...precisely why I'm so smitten. I mean, I think this is just what we need these days (y'know with the recession, mass genocides, the implosion of capitalism and the impending ice age...)- something that POPS off the screen, grabs us by the hand and dances us around our living rooms for an hour a week.

It's been awhile since I've been this committed to a show on network television; I rarely find something I actually want to commit to. I just can't be tied down, y'know? My TV viewing usually involves re-runs on cable, like Real Housewives on Bravo because, well, they're ALWAYS on and I just...can't...turn...away. So, yeah, it's been awhile since a television show sent my heart a flutter, wondering what's around the next brightly colored, harmonious corner.

Wednesday's episode was so delightful, I had to watch it twice. With a line like, "I'm going to go to the animal shelter, get you a kitty cat, and then when you've fallen in love with that kitty cat, I'm going to steal into your house in the middle of the night, and punch you in the face." pointedly delivered by Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester, how could I not? Oh and this Puckerman character is getting hotter by the second.

The joy that Glee fills me with is not unlike the excitement in the beginning of a new romance- right now it is sweet, fresh, and exhilarating. I can't wait to see it again. I have yet to know what's around the corner for us- will Glee jump the shark soon? Will the storyline grow tired? Will the Rachel/Finn & Emma/Will anticipation drag on for far too long (i.e. Ross & Rachel)? Who's to know?

I will say this, Glee has my Wednesday night attention for the foreseeable future. I don't want to say the "L" word just yet, but I guess you could say we're kind of going steady.

2009-10-21T16:17:00.007-05:00

I came across this informative little summation of the events that have taken place and are taking place in Honduras (courtesy of alternet.org). It's in comic-strip form, so it's a quick and easy way to get the gist of what's going on- and it's also nice for those of you who like to read dem picture books. It helps see what a major rule the US plays in all this.

I also found a link to the blog, Honduras Coup 2009, which gives regular updates on what's going on...y'know because most major media coverage of the coup is biased b/c the coup leaders have suspended alternative media and blown up the towers for the alternative media sources in Honduras.

2009-10-12T10:27:00.004-05:00

This is the kind of weather that makes me want to put on my brown puffy vest, a cozy sweater, and head off into the foliage filled wilderness in a Wagoneer.

Is wood paneling going to make a comeback anytime soon? How about an electric powered reissued Wagoneer? Sounds good to me :)

((Shannon and I happened across one in Manhattan back in August. Only one of my very best friends would be a nostalgic DORK about wood paneling like me.))

Ohhh, That Ain't Riiiight...

2009-10-07T15:56:00.003-05:00

A few blurbs from "Watch What You Tweet" posted on Oregonlive.com by Democracy Now's Amy Goodman:

A social worker from New York City was arrested last week while in Pittsburgh for the G-20 protests, then subjected to an FBI raid this week at home -- all for using Twitter. Elliot Madison faces charges of hindering apprehension or prosecution, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of instruments of crime. He was posting to a Twitter feed (or tweeting, as it is called) publicly available information about police activities around the G-20 protests, including information about where police had issued orders to disperse...

...While alerting people to public information may not seem to be an arrestable offense, be forewarned: Many people have been arrested for the same "crime" -- in Iran, that is.

Madison, his wife and housemates were roused from sleep during the weekend when the Joint Terrorism Task Force swept into their house, handcuffing them for hours, searching the house and removing computers and other property from everyone in the house. Madison said the FBI "for 16 hours, proceeded to take everything, from plush toys to kitchen magnets and lots of books ... they took Curious George stuffed animals."

This is what our tax dollars are going to? Big Brother, anyone? Read the whole article. It's short.

Shelfari

2009-10-07T11:17:00.004-05:00

Hey, I just joined Shelfari ("Shelfari introduces readers to our global community of book lovers and encourages them to share their literary inclinations and passions with peers, friends, and total strangers (for now).") and if you're a bookworm like me, you should fo sho check it out AND add me as a friend.

I tend to easily forget what I want to read next, so it's a great place for me to get ideas and make lists.

Ch-ch-ch-check it ouuuut.

Taxi to the Dark Side

2009-10-07T10:54:00.003-05:00

I'm a fool for documentaries lately, so bear with me.

Check it out...

I love that "very vague" quote from our former prez. What a silly monkey!

ANYway, for you weary folks, let it be known that this won an OSCAR...that's right, an ACADEMY AWARD. It makes no difference to me, but to you it might.

This film zeros in on the torture debate and proves there really is no debate- torture is torture.

The Corporation

2009-10-02T15:59:00.003-05:00

You should watch The Corporation. Yeah, I'm talkin' to YOU.

Y'all know I'm into the documentaries and I have watched quite a few. I also try to stay informed, and although I knew a good majority of this information (not to brag or anything) I think it covers a lot of ground is informative and enlightening. I've posted the trailer. Take a looksie. Oh, and I also realized that it is in parts on YouTube so there's really no reason to say you can't find it. You can also order it on Netflix. No excuses! I promise it'll be worth it.

Honduras

2009-09-29T16:23:00.009-05:00

As Americans, we tend to miss out on global news and what is really going around the world if we're not looking for it. For instance, how about this military coup going on in Honduras?!

President Manuel Zelaya was literally forced out of office by gunpoint on June 28 after he announced that a non-binding consultation on whether citizens supported changes to the consitution would be held.

t r u t h o u t | Amnesty: Honduras Testimonies Show Extent of Police Violence

The above link is an article about Amnesty International's report documenting "'serious ill-treatment by police and military of peaceful protesters' in Honduras, warning that 'beatings and mass arrests are being used as a way of punishing people for voicing their opposition' to the coup."

The following is a timeline of events, courtesy of BBC online:

28 June: Zelaya forced out of country at gunpoint

5 July: A dramatic bid by Zelaya to return home by plane fails after the runway at Tegucigalpa airport is blocked

25-26 July: Zelaya briefly crosses into the country from Nicaragua on two consecutive days

21 Sept: Zelaya appears in the Brazilian embassy in Tegulcigalpa

27 Sept: Honduras issues 10-day ultimatum to Brazil and threatens to close embassy

As of Sunday, coup leader, decreed a 45 day suspension of the current constitution.

And TODAY (09/29), he's now saying civil liberties could be restored.

Let it be known that this is a big HONKIN' deal, okay?

And we all SHOULD know what's going down in other

countries...

especially because we cast our

big, American shadow far and wide and

it reaches each and every one of them.

Protect Insurance Companies

2009-09-22T16:19:00.005-05:00

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

"Insurance companies need our support because they keep our selfish priorities in check when we can't..."

Mary, The Magic Alto

2009-09-18T11:01:00.006-05:00

Mary Travers of the folk trio, Peter, Paul & Mary passed away this week. I have very fond memories of watching the Peter, Paul & Mary specials on PBS with my mom when I was little. Mom would always, without fail, get choked up at some point while watching AND the waterworks would always, without fail, cause my eyes to roll.

Today, while perusing youtube, I found a video of "500 Miles" and whaddya know?! I found myself feeling...emotional and maybe even a little...choked up.

Mary's voice creates a beautifully wistful song that has the power to evoke all kinds of emotion.

Enjoy :)

O'Reeeeeeealllly?

2009-09-18T10:29:00.004-05:00

This man (and his arsenal of arrogance and ignorance) is endlessly entertaining...

O’REILLY: The public option now is done. We discussed this, it’s not going to happen. But you say that this little marketplace that they’re going to set up, whereby the federal government would subsidize insurance for some Americans, that is, in your opinion, a public option?

OWCHARENKO: Well, it has massive new federal regulation. So you don’t necessarily need a public option if the federal government is going to control and regulate the type of health insurance that Americans can buy.

O’REILLY: But you know, I want that, Ms. Owcharenko. I want that. I want, not for personally for me, but for working Americans, to have a option, that if they don’t like their health insurance, if it’s too expensive, they can’t afford it, if the government can cobble together a cheaper insurance policy that gives the same benefits, I see that as a plus for the folks.

Take Heed...

2009-09-16T15:54:00.002-05:00

(Perhaps some advice I should take)

San Francisco Treat

2009-09-15T11:14:00.008-05:00

I heard a segment on the radio this morning about Healthy San Francisco, the city's current health care program for its uninsured. I was surprised I hadn't heard of this before (the program is in its third year), and found it to be a small, refreshing tidbit amongst all this health care hullabaloo. The program does not offer health insurance, but it does offer participants health care in clinics and hospitals in the city:

How are the results? Hospital admissions of plan members have dropped, and the average stay for those who wind up in the hospital has been cut almost in half...

The program, now in its third year, is proving popular. More than 43,000 people were enrolled as of June, up from 24,000 a year before...

Employers in the city fretted over a 2008 mandate requiring they offer health coverage to employees, contribute to workers' health savings accounts or pitch in on Healthy San Francisco. But predictions the requirements would drive businesses under haven't proved true.

"The San Francisco experiment is working, and it's working well,"Ken Jacobs, chair of the University of California, Berkeley labor center, said last month, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "There's no evidence of any impact of the ordinance on employment in San Francisco."

No program is perfect (and working within the limits of our current jumbled government can prove to be quite a challenge), but this seems to be making some real headway. Big props to the City by the Bay for at least starting to chip away at this big, honkin' problem!

It doesn't appear as though there are creatures from the pits of hell crawling out from beneath the earth there quite yet. Maybe, just MAYBE, actually helping people get taken care of when they're sick isn't so scary ;)

Word.

2009-09-15T10:23:00.001-05:00

Blogger's Block

2009-09-09T11:53:00.004-05:00

I realize I have been away from the blog scene for over a month. I have been distracted by the mundane and to the two of you that read this (Hi Mom! Hi Dad!), I apologize.

This picture is by a photographer named Emilio Morenatti who has won awards for his work covering Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine and Pakistan. Compelling and inspiring, no?

Ahhhlll be baaaach...

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter

2009-07-27T16:26:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago I read, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers. It was a beautifully written and universally empathetic tale set in the deep south in the 1940's. I was shocked to learn she was only 23 years old when she wrote it. It was a solicitous summer read, and its characters will undoubtedly linger with me a long time from now.

I love not only the way she writes, but the way she observes and her social awareness. Here are some excerpts:

"My people were brought from the great plains, and the dark, green jungles. On the long chained journeys to the coast they died by the thousands. Only the strong survived. Chained in the foul ships that brought them here they died again. Only the hardy Negroes with will could live. Beaten and chained and sold on the block, the least of these strong ones perished again. And finally through the bitter years the strongest of my people are still here. Their sons and daughters, their grandsons and great grandsons."

"But say a man does know. He sees the world as it is and he looks back thousands of years to see how it all come about. He watches the slow agglutination of capital and power and he sees its pinnacle today. He sees America as a crazy house... He sees a whole damn army of unemployed and billions of dollars and thousands of miles of land wasted... He sees how when people suffer just so much they get mean and ugly and something dies in them. But the main thing he sees is that the whole system of the world is built on a lie. And although it's as plain as the shining sun—the don't-knows have lived with that lie so long they just can't see it."

Wasn't Me

2009-07-22T17:29:00.009-05:00

Today two police detectives came to my office inquiring about individuals who have been up to no good. They showed me pictures. I didn’t know who the people were. This actually happens pretty regularly; my office/apartment building was once the dwelling place of many low-down, shady, no good characters…this was before my company took it over. Believe it or not, low-down, shady, no good characters oftentimes fail to fill out “Change of Address” forms when they move, so the coppers come a knockin’ every so often.

When these cops walked in, I was in the middle of something and the maintenance guy goes, “Kate, these men would like to speak to you about someone” and immediately I’m startled and then, for some odd reason, forgetting that this happens all the time, I think this must have something to do with ME and someone I know. So, they’re showing me pictures and no, I don’t know them and no, I have never seen them. But I’m still feeling nervous- like afraid that despite that fact that I have absolutely no idea who this man (often referred to as “Goldy Teeth”) is, these cops will think I am lying.

Does this ever happen to you?

Like, I’ll be at work and we’ll be in a meeting and someone will say, “So ‘n so moved in at 3am last night- did anyone know about that?” And I mean, no- why the HELL would anyone authorize that? (This question in itself should indicate the great minds at work in my office…) But there I sit, worried and anxious that somehow they’re going to think it was ME…and then I get even more nervous, because I’m worried that it’s visible that I’m anxious and that my visible discomfort will give me away. Give me away for what?! I DIDN’T DO IT!

This strange behavior (like many unexplained adult behaviors) can be traced directly back to my childhood- usually when things turned up broken or missing it WAS my fault and I WOULD lie…all-the-time!

One time I broke the fancy cup in the bathroom during a family party and acted like I had no idea who did it and when my mom was trying to figure it out, she ended blaming it on my grandpa simply because he was old and feeble- “Ohhh, it must have been grandpa.”, She said, “He probably didn’t even realize it. Oh, jeez…he’s really slowing down.” I felt terrible. Here’s my kind, old, endearing grandfather getting blamed for my clumsiness and general disrespect for other people’s things. But even then, consumed with guilt…I could-not-reveal-the-truth!

I cut my own hair when I was four and when my mom asked me about, I flat out told her I had no idea who did it. I had no idea who took my Crayola scissors and left a pile of blond hair on the carpet, leaving me with a huge chunk of my bangs missing…“So, you’re telling me, someone must have just SNUCK in here and chopped your hair off?! I don’t THINK so, missy!”

One time, while practicing my golf swing, I accidentally caused our chandelier to crash down on our dining room table full of Waterford crystal. That one was in front of the family, though…couldn’t lie about that one.

Anyway, I’ve cleaned up my act. I’ve matured, become more intelligent, and y’know, I’ve generally started taking responsibility for most of my actions. I say “most” because every so often, taking responsibility gets a little…annoying. Don’t judge. I know you feel me on this.

So, I carry on and bear the weight of my past sins and maybe, in time, the farther away I get from the days of Crayola scissors and cruelty to senior citizens, I will be able to stand proud and unflinchingly proclaim, “I didn’t do it!” without the constant worry of unmerited suspicion, brought upon by myself.

GCar

2009-07-21T01:30:00.007-05:00

So, I know I'm many days and many dollars short on this realization, but in the world of ME, this just in: George Carlin is comic brilliance defined.

The other night I spent an hour and a half just watching clips of his stand-up on youtube and was amazed by the content of his material. In my opinion (it is my blog, after all), really good humor comes from incredibly perceptive minds, and never is that more evident than in Carlin's brand of comedy. He uses this perceptiveness and farce to shed light on our ridiculous and ultimately destructive human behavior.

Here are some highlights...

We Like War

You Have No Rights

Stuff

Our Similarities

War On Homlessness

R.I.P. K.O.P.

2009-06-26T16:26:00.005-05:00

"Michael Jackson was so gifted, so lonely, so confused, so sad. He lost happiness somewhere in his childhood, and spent his life trying to go back there and find it. When he played the Scarecrow in The Wiz (1978), I think that is how he felt, and Oz was where he wanted to live..."
-Roger Ebert

The first CD I ever purchased was Dangerous by Michael Jackson. I still have it. It's safe to say that Michael was undoubtedly the best performer of our generation. He was also, unfortunately, a very troubled soul.

When I was little I used to dream about casually telling my bratty neighbors that my friend "Mike" was coming over only to have a large helicopter land in my backyard from which the King of Pop emerged. (I also used to dream that Aerosmith would accidentally knock on my next door neighbors' door looking for me, but that's a different story.) Anyway, I loved him and like many children, I related to him. Pirates of the Caribbean in your backyard?! Sign me up!

But as time went on, he got too weird to love anymore and his story got too sad and too strange to justify.

A few years back, during his most recent child molestation trial, I watched a very interesting documentary on VH1 about Michael. The focus was on just how a person could end up in his state. They had experts and psychologists commenting on his life and the conclusion was that it was clear that this person was very sick and detached from reality and it was very clear that this kind of behavior was indicative of a history of some very serious child abuse and growing up in the spotlight.

Roger Ebert's quote was the most spot-on thing I've read amidst all the media fodder in the last day. The saddest thing about our once beloved Michael is not his recent death, but his tragic demise into adult life.

When thinking of him, it is very difficult to separate the strange from the extraordinary, but when watching or hearing him perform, it is all too easy.

Who the HELL Potty Trained This Kid?!

2009-06-16T14:18:00.004-05:00

A 4-year old boy in England flushed his puppy down the toilet because he thought it needed a bath.

Ode to Billy Bob

2009-06-12T15:45:00.004-05:00

I recently heard the song "Electric Feel" by MGMT and loved it. Am I behind the times? Probably. Anyway, I looked it up on youtube today and watched the video. This music video (as many other music videos) is on drugs and doesn't make much sense, BUT there is a cameo by "Billy Bob Brokali", that bear from Showbiz Pizza (my favorite place in the world when I was 3 years old, which now goes by the less sparkling and not nearly as appealing name of Chuck E. Cheese).

I don't know what Billy Bob Brokali has to do with this song, but I used to really like him and now I really like this song, so all in all, I think it's a good thing.

An unassuming family enjoys a meal with their down home pal, Billy Bob Brokali. Unbeknownst to them (and Billy!), Billy Bob would soon be obliterated by a rodent take-over, also known as Chuck E. Cheese.

Oh, bama

2009-06-11T12:13:00.002-05:00

Despite my previous obvious, passionate push for Obama to become president, in the months following the election, I continued to learn more about capitalism and the current political system and although I do feel as though he was the lesser of two evils, I know that his time in office will have little effect on the greater problem.

I like Obama- his charisma is undeniable. I love watching a young, vibrant family in the white house, but overall it's the same old song.

People often reply to my unimpressed response to him with, "Well we knew he wasn't the second coming, but..." I'm not saying I expected miracles. In fact, now I don't expect much at all, but Matthew Rothschild's article, Rahm Emanuel Is the Definition of Unprincipled, hits the nail on the disappointment head.

Here's an excerpt:

That’s the problem I have with Emanuel—and with Obama.

There’s no principle they’re willing to go to the mat for.

They didn’t fight for universal single-payer health care.

They didn’t fight for giving judges the authority to reduce the mortgages of people in bankruptcy.

They didn’t fight against the bank bailout.

They didn’t fight to keep GM from shutting down plants and laying off 21,000 people, even when they’re taking ownership of GM.

They didn’t fight for marriage equality or against don’t ask, don’t tell.

They didn’t fight against indefinite detention without trial; hell, they’ve embraced it.

They didn’t fight to dismantle Bush’s entire edifice of repression, including the NSA spying and the Military Commissions Act.

And they haven’t fought to bring the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to speedier close.

2009-06-05T16:11:00.002-05:00

Thank you, Gawker. 10 Things You May Have Missed On TV This Week is pure gold. That baby thing? Heidi? Love it.

Happy Friday!

iAlone

2009-06-01T14:39:00.002-05:00

My friend Nate's theatre company is currently putting on a solo-performance show and here's the review from the Chicago Reader:

iAlone

When: Through 6/27: Thu-Sat 8 PM, Sun 3 PM,
Phone: 866-811-4111
Price: $15
redinktheatre.com

Red Ink Theatre's angsty autobiographical monologues deal with the standard 20-something subjects: childhood traumas, bad college break-ups, sexual frustration. But this fiercely talented quartet of writer/performers have crafted lean, literate, tantalizingly unresolved pieces full of effortless poetry. Nathan Stoner, for instance, remembers the "upturn" in his long-lost boyfriend's mouth growing "softer and more spearmint with each kiss." And unlike many monologuists tackling similar material, these performers seek neither pity nor personal catharsis, but simply bear witness to their own worst impulses. Brian Bush compulsively hires prostitutes, Erin Lane (who also directs) obsesses over a self-esteem-crushing boyfriend, Ann Schlegel recounts moments of sobering sexual degradation with volcanic fury. The show is set in an el car, but compelling performances render that forced and unnecessary contrivance nearly irrelevant. --Justin Hayford

Wingwoman

2009-06-01T12:17:00.002-05:00

My friend, Shannon is looking for part-time work in New York and found the ad below on Craigs List. Hilarious.

$30/hour: Personal Introduction Assistant / "wingwoman" (Midtown)

Date: 2009-05-20, 6:42AM EDT

We have an opening for a part-time personal introduction assistant, aka a "wingwoman."

You must be classy and dress well.

Beyond that you must be able to do 4 things: 1) start conversations with beautiful women; 2) after that, remain totally silent, unless spoken directly to, but smile and look friendly while the man you are "winging" orchestrates the social situation; 3) socialize and block any man or woman attempting to interfere with the man you are winging and any woman he is chatting with; and 4) end any conversation you are having instantly at the direction of the man you are winging. These requirements are essential, not for everyone, and difficult to do well.

Now, this is a job (that's why you get paid), but it's very fun, and you may even make new friends, or even meet someone special, if it doesn't interfere with your primary employment purpose.

This job is not for you if you are uptight, frumpy, grumpy, shy, a man-hater, a debbie downer, a critic, a control freak, a pouter, a therapist, researching, writing an article, with the press, a prostitute, an escort, a relationship counselor, or a feminist with a bone to pick. Gack.

You must be 18, usually 21 for the events we attend. All work is in public at cocktail parties, charity benefits, museum openings, and the like. You will be added to any list in advance, and any fees for the event will be paid. You are responsible for transportion. Subways are $2. Although many events have free food and drink, this isn't dating, so don't ask to be bought anything. If you do ask, by mistake, don't be grumpy and bring the mood down when the answer is a polite no, or you will be paid for the time you have spent and politely sent packing.

This job is definitely for you if you are easygoing, classy, dress extremely well, and enjoy many, varied, and sometimes challenging social situations.

Our roster of full-time wingwomen is full, but we do have a part-time opening. Yes we are serious. Yes we are real. You might even have the time of your life.

Fan mail, hate mail, and non-responsive replies will not receive answers, so save us both the time and don't bother.

Please respond with a photo and contact information to the craigslist email in this ad. Thank you for your time.

Spring For You

2009-05-19T16:14:00.006-05:00

My two favorite seasons are spring and fall. They are in between, oftentimes unsure and unpredictable, fleeting and always beautiful. When spring rolls around, I am sure that I love it more than fall...and then fall rolls around...

Today spring is my favorite season. I am sure of this today.

Spring and fall are both very nostalgic seasons for me. Events that occurred during these times seem to stick more than other times. My springs have often been times of beginnings, new people and new possibilities. There is a freeing feeling in spring and there is an itch of excitement to get out and explore after being in hibernation for months.

Some of my most memorable springs were in grade school- grades 6th-8th. My memories of this time are filled with long bike rides after school, trips to the creek down the street, inseparable friends, my first real kiss, and the first feelings of really, really, really liking a boy.

More recently, my first year at Columbia, sophomore year of college, was another memorable and exciting spring- lunches in grant park, parties, more inseparable friends and more serious feelings of really, really liking a boy.

I'm such a dork for nostalgia that even when I was 13 years old, I remember thinking, "Don't forget this; this is important"...and it was. This spring is an adult spring, but I am fortunate that I still find comfort in the memories it stirs up.

This nostalgic rant was actually brought about by a song I just heard and something about it just reminded me of older, sweeter springs- Sing For You by Tracy Chapman. Click on the link and enjoy. It's beautiful...just like spring :)

Grey Gardens

2009-05-07T16:38:00.003-05:00

It is a real treat when a story as fascinating as Grey Gardens is told with such authenticity as it is told in the HBO film starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore. It is based on the true story of Jackie O.'s aunt and cousin and their demise and refusal to leave their beloved Grey Gardens estate in East Hampton.

I watched it with my friend, Nate who showed me some clips from the documentary about Grey Gardens beforehand and I highly recommend you-tubing this before watching the film so you can fully appreciate the unbelievable performances by Barrymore and Lange. Sure, we knew Jessica Lange had the chops, but it really is Drew that blew me away. She nails the role and exceeded any expectations I had.

See, see, SEE this film! It is a haunting yet endearing story. It's all in the film :)

PS- I've now decided to exclaim, "It looks like Grey Gardens in here!" whenever I see a messy room...including my own.

2009-04-29T14:08:00.001-05:00

Just saw the trailer for Julie and Julia.

Looks adorable.

Can't wait to see it.

(I wish my grandma were still around to accompany me. She loved her some J.Child.)

Kate

2009-04-28T15:56:00.004-05:00

My friend Dan directed me to urbandictionary.com and told me to search for my name. Click here for the results.

Sure, these results actually have nothing to do with me, but a girl can dream...and a girl can be inspired to live up to her mighty name and try her hardest to be the "coolest person you will ever meet".

One-A-Day

2009-04-23T16:42:00.005-05:00

I found a new, awesome website today and you all need to check it out- onearticleperday.com

It led me to "Why the West is Boyle'd", an article about Scottish overnight sensation, Susan Boyle from the Asia Times Online. This is an Eastern perspective on this current Western obsession.

Here's a blurb:

Churlish resentment of high culture comes from the slacker's desire for reward with neither merit nor effort: the sort of artistic skill that requires years of discipline and sacrifice is a reproach to the indolence of the popular audience of the West. Better voices than Boyle's can be found in a thousand choirs and amateur theatricals, but the crowd has embraced this late-hatching Scottish songbird as a symbol of its own aspirations.

There's no doubt about it- Americans (and pretty much Western civilization in general) live in a bubble...a big, powerful bubble, but a bubble still. So it's interesting to get another take on all this mumbo jumbo we so easily get caught up in and distracted by.

Marijuana Pepsi

2009-04-21T15:43:00.003-05:00

The Freakonomics Blog is the gift that keeps on giving: they posted a blog featuring this article about a woman named Marijuana Pepsi. Sometimes it isn't all in a name.

Quote of the Day

2009-04-20T15:39:00.004-05:00

"To begin with, it's worth noting that all the insanity around us notwithstanding, there will be a moment when this age will start to make sense. That brave new world will look very different than it does now. And- though this may be the hardest thing to imagine, what with the economy in shambles and creeping anxiety about ideas we hold dear- in some ways it will look better. But it is also true that there is no book of answers we can take off the shelf, peruse and then snap shut with a nod and the acknowledgment, Now I understand this age. No, in an era in which the inevitable- when the world's most solid looking financial system tumbles into chaos in less than a year, when countries we thought pleasant turn dangerous, when our lives seem constantly assailed by fresh risks- innovative spirit matters a great deal now. Yet there will be many dark days ahead when it will be hard to get too far from that old unnerving aphorism of Mao Zedong's: A revolution isn't a dinner party."

- Joshua Cooper Ramo

(Idealistic? A bit. An interesting perspective? Sure.)

WARNING: Adorable

2009-04-14T11:24:00.004-05:00

The weather here is unseasonably cold, rainy and generally miserable so I'm here to warm your hearts with this link to cutethingsfallingasleep.org. Coo over adorable creatures as golden slumbers fill their eyes...

A Must Watch!!!

2009-04-07T12:27:00.007-05:00

About this time last year I was in New Orleans' Upper 9th Ward with a work group from my church. It was (as I've previously mentioned) a profound experience. Since then, NOLA and its resilient residents have claimed a spot in my heart.

Although I was there in New Orleans and heard stories first hand, I was still incredibly moved by Spike Lee's documentary, When the Levees Broke, as there are so many stories from so many angles to be heard. After my visit last spring, I couldn't help but wonder how in the world such a sloppy response to such a devastating natural disaster could have occurred in these United States of America. This film begs that exact question through first hand accounts from the residents and rescuers themselves.

If you can't get to New Orleans, watch this. Heck, if you have any free time whatsoever (and I know you do!), WATCH THIS!

PS-I rented this from Blockbuster, so it's not hard to find!

Life Aquatic

2009-03-27T16:14:00.005-05:00

The other day while sitting in a waiting room, I read this article in Smithsonian about photographer Bruce Mozert. He took some quirky underwater pictures in Silver Springs, Florida back in the late 30's and early 40's. There's something eerily interesting about them, thus making them blog worthy.

(My personal favorite is the girl on the phone)

Read It and Weep

2009-03-19T13:28:00.003-05:00

The concern, he said, is that the current rise in carbon dioxide levels—driven by human activity over the last 200 years, mostly the burning of fossil fuels—is causing unprecedented global warming and putting West Antarctica on the fast track to melting.

..."Even if it might take a thousand years or more for the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to disappear, the melting before then could be significant enough that humans should really be taking note ... as we worry about our future generations," Powell said.

- "Great polar melt-off feared", William Mullen, Chicago Tribune

Nice To Tweet You

2009-03-17T16:43:00.004-05:00

I've caved.

I joined Twitter.

A friend was referring someone's "fascinating" updates and I had to see for myself.

Now I can't stop looking at stupid celebritys' "tweets". (Yes, "tweets" has now entered my vernacular.)

I'm really surprised at how much Ashton and Demi put up on the web...pictures, videos, etc. So far I've learned that "Mrs. Kutcher" has the same taste in books my mom and she is really enjoying her new Kindl.

My brain = mush.

Save me.

2009-03-09T16:36:00.003-05:00

Who doesn't love a good slide show? Check out the New York Press Photographers Award winners.

Photo journalism rox.

Tickled Pink

2009-03-02T22:24:00.002-06:00

Too wacky to be true (but it is!): the world's only pink Bottlenose dolphin!

This *fabulous* creature was discovered in an inland lake in Louisiana.