purdy lights...

(forget the post below...look at the pretty lights!!) yay**

God Bless "Freedom of Speech"...

It's creeps like this that give religion (and freedom of speech!) a bad name!
here's a "Passage" (and not from the Good Book):

"In respect to the issue of homosexuality and choice, given the existence of ex-homosexuals and given the existence of human cultures where homosexuality has apparently not existed, the position that homosexuality is ultimately a choice in individuals or at the very least can be a choice in individuals has strong evidential support. In addition, given that the homosexual population has significantly higher rates of many diseases and...lower rates of mental health it can be strongly argued that engaging in homosexual acts is a bad choice for individuals. Another factor that makes engaging in homosexual acts a bad choice is the significantly higher rates of domestic violence in homosexual couples. In addition, according to experts homosexual murders are relatively or quite common and often homosexual murders are very brutal. Also, the homosexual population has a greater propensity to engage in illegal drug use."

Well, for starters, "homosexuality" was legally deemed a mental illess (in Canada) until 1973. Might help explain some of these supposed 'metal health' stats these idiots are claiming. But, people can build any argument and 'locate' statistics for any damn thing if they look for it (and frame facts in a specific way & obscure others, etc). These hating types tend to have "friends in high places", enough money and access to the powerful institutions, which scares me. "Hi, Church + Bedroom, meet 'State'."

(I've provided the link, but I honestly don't want to give these peeps any more 'air' time) goodbye!

Heath Ledger is dead...

terrible, shocking sad news...among other issues, he had been having sleep problems and I feel badly for him as I have been in that sort of hell, where one feels he is the only one with those types of problems and is completely alone. It hurts. I don't know how he got to where he got to...I only wish him well. May he find peace.

Sad ending. Too soon. He will be missed by many, including me.

Here are some thoughts from people who worked with him (I highlighted the pts. I would like to remember).

"The remarkable characters he has left us in his extraordinarily wide-ranging body of work will remain as a testament to his talent. Heath was an artist, a kind and sensitive man, who simply wanted to do good work of which he could be proud."

"He was uncomfortable with celebrity, which made him a target for fools, preferring to focus on being the best actor he could be. For that, he will always have the respect and admiration of those who knew, understood and admired him.

"His early death is a terrible loss for all of us, but most particularly for his family, and his adored daughter, Matilda.”

Shocked and saddened - John Polson

Filmmaker and Tropfest founder John Polson has joined the outpouring of grief at the news.

"I am incredibly shocked and saddened by the news. Nothing can soften the blow from this kind of tragedy, especially with someone so young.

"I have met Heath many times over the past decade and was always struck by how warm, gentle and decent hearted he was. I know people will remember him with great respect and my thoughts are with his family."

Gallery of the Absurd

I'm sorry...this site just makes me laugh! His works are always ingenious and inspired by pop culture! This one dares ask: "WHAT IF THE DALAI LAMA AND THE DONALD SWITCHED PLACES?"



Here is Trump being a total cheeseball

Preggers, Schmeggers

hmm..it seems as though Ms. Universe has been sending me a message, albeit a 'mixed' one. It seems 'she' has come by, not found me at home and so placed a big ole neon colored paper ticket on my door to let me know that, "There is a message here for you. Come pick it up, dork!" Er, or so it feels...

Interestingly, have been drawn to and rented movies to do with single women getting pregnant ("Waitress", "Knocked Up"), then invited out to see a movie similarly-themed ("Juno" re: a pregnant teen), then reading books featuring out-of-wedlock and hush-hush births ("Fall on Your Knees", great book). Lately, I even received a lovely feminist mag from a friend and the first article I cracked it open to was (surprise!) to do with single women and pregnancy. The zine's theme itself is "Singularity and Plurality," interesting and quite apropos to a time of baby obsession (or perhaps distraction, post "9/11" and during an ongoing 'war' on terror among other ugly things...). There is an almost imperceptible 'vibe' out there somehow rooting us on to repopulate and rebuild the nation, and it has baby-bib pink all over it! Or is it just me? Again. sigh.

I suppose too that is could all merely be a grand Coincidence. I also feel (my intuitive part argues) that is could also be a case of significators being laid out for me like a nice little map of ideas. I guess I can see it both ways (I'm lucky that way :) Maybe I'm paying attention but not for the obvious reasons implied...

Sometimes, I feel inundated with romanticized images of babies and baby-making (regardless of, and separate from the notion of 'family' I note) where everyone is smiling giddily at babies and baby, baby, baby things, and pink and tiny cool clothes and Hollywood stars with 'bellies' and trainwreck pop-stars and their many mishaps and oops! baby on the way - all is forgiven, instant public redemption (!), and the media's almost obnoxious obsession and vigilant focus on its 'baby watch'! WHAT UP?? Also, does anybody consider the post-romance buzz-kill that is when the lidl babybaby grows UP? Yes, from that to toddler, then kid, then sullen teenager! Hello?? Babies don't stay cute forever (whatever yer mom tells ya)! Babies don't stay *babies* forever. Don't see too many cute headlines about pesky ten-year-olds driving their mom 'round the bend, do we? Just saying...

Should I see so much of babies and feel that I am really, really missing the boat here? Are feelings of 'maybe I should think about this' a result of over-exposure to the baby farm (read: media hype) or is that my own tic tic (tic tac anyone?) biological clock starting to crack? sheesh. Can't a girl just kind of get there by herself without being constantly bonked on the head being blatantly reminded: "HEY,TOOTS, YA AINT GETTIN ANY YOUNGER! HOW'S ABOUT GIVING SOME THOUGHT AND EFFORT TO SQUEEZING OUT PUPPIES SOON, EH? HELLOOO??"

I like babies, don't get me wrong. I would like to think (er...hope) that I still have a shot at my own trial in this field should it come to fruition (pun intended), not counting pesky details like a suitable 'donor' appearing, my own life situation and $ stability being non-existent at this juncture. hee. But all this fuss over babies is starting to make me paranoid and kinda grumpy...like I'm channeling some weird "pregnancy-sympathy" symptoms?? I jest. Yes, I am at that 'ripe' age, been off the vine for bit now and just before souring, which, it could be argued makes me biologically a candidate to feel these 'funny feelings' (but not that everyone does). Yet, rather than joy and anticipation, I feel enormous pressure to catch up to (what appears to be, and what is being 'sold' as) the 'majority' of my peers fertile, straight women in their 20's, 30's and even early 40's. It makes me wonder, 'Are my eggs going to go bad by the time I get there? Should I be tryin' harder?? Will I feel totally shitty if I miss my 'window' (with pink lace curtain finishings)?

All I see is skinny, yet big-bellied women and their trials and tribulations and excitations at the bundle of joy to soon grace their lives. But my eyes are starting to roll back in my head...ok, ok enough already! What's with the 'sudden' baby boom and the onslaught attack of the baby-themed films (esp. comedies) tv shows (ie. "Notes from the Underbelly" - are you serious??) and headlines that are prioritizing the building of a nation, the continuation of our species? Did we get paranoid about there not being enough of us already?? I'm no numerologist but I know there is enough peeps in the world (and most of them struggling).

Is there some covert "Western" underlying cultural message to all 'breeder' women who have not spawned yet to "get (their eggs) crackin'?" I sympathize and support the voice of breeder, but non-spawning women when they assert, "Heck, maybe I don't want to breed, maybe I feel fulfilled and happy as my life befits me, maybe I don't want to be a mother." Maybe not. The world is over-populated as it is. I say, You go, Sister! And to non-breeders (read: not straight) who DO want kids I say too, You go, Sister!

Yet for me, it has come to be that lately (as in, the last few years) I have had moments of tiny aches, I might even say 'yearnings' and the thought of being sidled (for life, literally) with an infant, then a teen does not completely repel me. Hmm...I even picture favourable things sometimes! Imagine that. So it falls for me to state resignedly (sp?) that I might be a breeder yet.

But I wish media (the mainstream type that unfortunately comes fast and cheap and that I feel inundated and invaded by) would ease up on the belly watch thing and find other hobbies! Find other ways to celebrate and revere women. Surely, there is more that we contribute than spawning good looking little tykes sporting cool mowhawk mini-me hair cuts! Let's find other reasons to celebrate what women do, what makes them compelling and interesting and stop making us fair maidens (like this single and somewhat harried author) paranoid that we will somehow falter or fall short of fulfilling our 'whole' potential as women if we don't personally donate to the baby farm.

Let's talk about something other than growing belly bumps, let's find a new fascination! Or better yet, let's get honest about what the real issues are (the not-so-cute-ones) and who we are or want to be. Why the hell not?? Let's try being original. And, while I'm at it: a shout out to the cool aunties (author included) who volunteer to show your kids a good time and take 'em off your hands for a while. (I see no articles on cute, single, incredibly hot, babyless aunties as of yet but I'm hopeful...)

I'll end with echoing the words of Sojourner Truth who, for her own reasons valiantly once asked, "Aint I A Woman?"

The "Cleanse"

Ok, so I don't 'believe' in making Resolutions first of all, so this is not related to any such motivation. Ick. Now (a pause here for effect), to the goods: I did the "Master cleanse" for 1/2 a day (which is better than 0%) and in such a wee span of time, I saw ripe new worlds palpitating afresh as though released from their pomegranite sky to become sweetly earth-bound...er, but I digress.

I felt no headache (I swear, not even a little sneaky one), my eyes were clear (I guess they ARE green), my hair was curlier (well, ok I DID wash it today...special day 'n all), and dare I say, my skin looked (permit crudeness here, but) fuckin great! All in all, I would say I stopped clenching onto life (and uh, in other ways...), managed to rest my overworked, oft-neglected, heavily taxed internal organs (sorry, body) and felt...yes, I think it is safe to say: great, unequivocally and without exception.

No fan fare. Nobody was looking, out to impress no one, I merely 'tried'! Who'd have thunk a rather jaded, cynical gurrl like me would smile without any sarcastic smirk about a such thing??

Oh, and after sipping my tart yet healthful concoction, I waxed poetic and looked out the window (sighing here) where I think the tree trunks did indeed appear a dark lavender hue, and the shiny, slick concrete of the sidewalks adorned with strewn about fallen leaves themselves looked rose-colored. ah.

Oh, just shuddup and try it. You jaded bastards! ;)

Charlie's life

The title links to a lovely site for animal lovers...the life of Charlie the Coyote! (I am choosing to ignore any coincidences with respect to my dear deceased kitty below and coyotes...) Nevertheless, enjoy these bee--yuu-ti-ful pictures!

Note to Si

Baby, I hope hope you are doing well. I miss you around here. Your little sis has been more vigilant than normal and she seems lonely too. She is even letting me pet her. I think of how you appropriated my bed during the days and kept vigil over me as I worked endlessly. We watched teli together, me rubbing your soft white fur, your tummy exposed, in a twisted pirouette you shamelessly welcomed my caresses.

You too, touched me in ways you may never know. You were my little nursemaid, my friend, nurturer, torturer, adventurer, rogue, a playful loving spirit. Your rough pink kisses secured me through the tough times or told me that you appreciated my comfort and my tenderness. It was a mutual admiration we held. You were a puss-ionate one!

Today it is raining. I think of how you would be sleeping on my 'cat blanket' and I look to smile upon you...but see you no longer there. I think of how I would like to hold you once more in my arms. My sweetness, my soft little baby. I would like to think I will see you somewhere else and maybe always...in some form. Perhaps you will come to adorn our Christmas as a little angel. You always looked like one, even if you were a tad naughty. But you were always love incarnate.

I miss you my little man. It was the longest moment when I looked into your eyes as death came seeping in. I sent you white light and love so you would not be afraid. Most of all, I wanted you to not be afraid. So I held myself in 'love' so as to be there for you until the very end. You are one of my dearest most cherished friends. For you, I will retain the memory of an endless, impossibly soft coat, white like eternity, a warm belly, an inquisitive bright mind, and a most sensitive, gentle being. I hope the ride was good for you. You loved so well, and so you were well loved.

Goodnight, little prince. May twighlight and moonbeams guide you along your path... May I see you in a beautiful sunlight garden, for I know that is where you would be.

Steven Wright jokes ('deadpan' delivery essential here)

"Winny would spend all of his time practicing limbo... He got pretty good... He could go under a rug..."

Today I met with a subliminal advertising executive for just a second.

Last night I fell asleep in a satellite dish. My dreams were broadcast all over the world.

I was born by Caesarean section, but you really can't tell...except that when I leave my house, I always go out the window...

Right now I'm having vu ja de--deja vu and amnesia at the same time.

Sometimes I...No, I don't.

There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking like an idiot.

Randomness

The Man with Two Heads-1973, Ray Milland (post Oscar-nominee era!)

Worth looking at, if nothing else for the train-wreck quality it has in spades. DO I even need to explain the plot here?? The title says it all! and who cares, anyway? it is flawless in its lack of coherent plot, very, very mediocre "special effects" and wonderful over-the-top acting...sigh. It's a beautiful thing. The chase scenes will make you laugh out friggin' loud. (Probably better-viewed while stoned but I wouldn't know).
For you anal types, here is a quip of the uh...
Plot Synopsis: A rich but racist man is dying and hatches an elaborate scheme for transplanting his head onto another man's body. His health deteriorates rapidly, and doctors are forced to transplant his head onto the only available candidate: a black man from death row.

On a 'whole n'other level' is a movie that is rather under-rated and deserves some decent Cult status (which I have read it has):

Velvet Goldmine-1998, Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Christian Bale, Toni Colette

Reasons to watch: great soundtrack, GLAM frigggin' ROCK style and madness, heavy David Bowie-esque biographic nudging, Oscar Wilde references artfully disbursed throughout, Ewan McG. acts like a softer Iggy Pop, gets buck nekkid, and kisses another beautiful boy J. Rhys Meyers (here very purdy, androgynous and sexy),cool directing, editing, nice visuals, Eddie Izzard great as a sleazy manager!

Only "drawback": you'll watch it twice to 'get' the mystery, within a love story, within a rock-opera-esque drama...and you kinda don't mind. Hee!

"Oh, SNAP!"

Marilyn, we miss thee
XXX

Cinematic 'surprises'

Apocalypto
I had no idea I would grow to almost love this movie (in retrospect) and watch it twice in a row! Perhaps it was the intense and thrilling visual action sequences that riveted me without guns or car explosions, or the lush cinematography...perhaps it was the authenticity that captivated me...all these elements became fascinating. Equally fascinating was learning (somewhat) of the culture and ritual of the ancient Mayan civilization.

At one point during a particularly violent sequence, I was moved to tears as the scene unfolding seemed to be one 'out of my past'. Somehow I connected on a deeper level, one of blood kinship. It felt so real and though it was 'only a movie', it felt so close to home, and touched upon some primordeal memory from my spirit past perhaps in South America. This movie went to my gut, it felt so visceral and bloody and real, yet I didn't mind because it felt screamingly authentic. Conquest of a tribe IS violent and ugly!.

Personal politics: I get a little miffed at the holier than tho types who scorn Mel Gibson (the man) for having fucked up and spoken out of turn (foolishly, and I'm sure regretably) who now judge and negate his work as Mel the artist. I separate the man from the art. He made a fine piece of work with a lot of passion!

Oh please, let's not judge another as though he made a wrong that we could 'never' do. The man likely has a serious drinking problem. Quite honestly, THAT concerns me more than spewing foolish rhetoric. If we were all contested on what we have said, then none of us would be respected and we would all have received at least twenty lashings and a few sharp stones pelted at our bodies. I have certainly said some regretable things, but as a human being and also an artist, I would hope that civilians (note the root: civil) would judge my art based on the merit of the work, aside from my personal politics. THAT is fair and less hypocritical.

300
Another bloodbath(house) gem of a film! I'm not sure if I'm on some roll here with respect to catching very good, yet violent film or simply being more open-minded to the various forms of art. In any case, 300 was friggin gorgeous to look at, not to mention having incredible editing and camera techniques. Really groundbreaking stuff. I really liked that it was told like a myth or a fable with the surreal, larger than-life off-colored and sepia toned visuals. Wow. Very creative use of imagery and quite apropos. I was enthralled watching it.

At first, I saw much blood and thought, 'Oh, no, here we go, another he-man movie to inspire all the young boys to go out and fight, build muscle, be patriotic glory-men...blah, blah.' But I sat there anyway. Well, ultra machismo messages aside (and there are many), I really enjoyed the movie as a whole body of art. The imagery, the almost balletic fighting choreography, the music!, story and the supernatural elements woven in which made the story vacillate between the real and the ultra-real. Cool stuff! Another charmer that I did not see coming. After watching, it felt as though I had surprised myself by managing to consume a very rich-looking decadent, luscious strawberry tart...AND still wanting a little more.

Jarhead
A little older (2 yrs?) but very worthy of mention. Who would have thunk that an irreverent, almost satirical look at war and its idiosyncracies, confusion, chaos and the air of lunacy the elements lend themselves to - would come out to be such an entertaining product? I was impressed that the film did not stoop to make 'political commentary' or show itself to be pro or anti-war, but rather set up the pieces of a manic puzzle within a fantastical and semi-farcical storytelling. The surrealness of the elements around the story lets the viewer alone judge for him/herself what to make of this machine called war, and it is clear to see (to anyone who still has a pulse...) that some thing is definitely skewed. What I really admire is that the film mocks war and wartime ritualization WITHOUT looking or sounding like it is doing so (does that make sense?? I thought not).

Anyway, I loved the script (far removed from memory at this time...) but it had some choice lines and dark, ironic humor throughout it. Jarhead kind of reminded me of a Felliniesque farce: things are so intense, so hyper-real that the viewer empathizes with the main character's confusion and also feels that 'this cannot be real, for it is simply too absurd.' The blurring of lines between the absurdity of reality and the drama of the absurdity are what kept me glued to the seat. I managed to laugh the kind of laugh the mind likes. It is not a loud or obvious chortle, but more like the inner smile of havin' slipped one over the boss at the office, and you best office buddy is the only one in on the joke while all others remain oblivious. It's that delicious.

Great performances from Jake Gyll., Peter Sarsgaard (who was even better in "Shattered Glass") and others. Cool, brusque and absurdist in its perspective. Like one of the characters asks, "What the hell were we figting FOR again..?? I forgot!" 'Oooh, because they TOLD us to. That's IT??',he asks. Authority-schmority! Definitely one of my pics for one of the most original telling of war-time madness. Anyone thinking of enlisting should see this first, mull the muck over...then decide to talk to Uncle Sam (or even Harper these days...) later. Much, much fucking later.

Lakehouse

"And Now for Something Completely Different..."
A soft, sweet love-story. Small, quiet and beautiful it contains one of my newly favourite romantic scenes in a very looong time. I won't give it away, but watching it completely melted me back to the gentle stirrings of budding romance, that tingly soft feeling in your belly you get as you begin to drift into someone's eyes, connecting on such a level that words seem trivial. Truly romantic and emotionally satisfying. Keanu looks very nice and acts understatedly without too much sentimantality as the romantic lead. Sigh. A treat for weary eyes and for wearier hearts. Nice soundtrack too.

Why...Why...Why??

"A 22-year-old man from California has broken the world hot dog eating record by getting through 59 hot dogs in the allotted 12 minutes. Short video news story."

uh. I feel slightly repulsed when I think of how much food has been prepared, set out and mass-produced just so that us (North Americans- lovers of buffet style restaurants and other Roman indulgences...)can gorge on it, overfeed ourselves with unnatural amounts under the guise of social "recreation". Much of the food left on plates or in the long buffet metal trays is discarded. It becomes waste. It pains me to think that (here where I will attempt to NOT hit an old cliche over the head--but who knows!) while others in the world are barely affording and having access to sustenance, day-to-day stuff, we have enough wealth and greed to lick our greasy fingers,overstuff our gullet and throw out too many crumpled bleached white paper napkins (sorry, tree) into the waste-basket and not give it a second thought.

I don't want to be a hypocrite. I have eaten at buffets. Yet, since my first visit it became an increasingly repellent thing, when I realized how centered our lives (and our unhealthy guts) are upon large mass consumption. The ritual that we partook in for my granny on the odd Sunday became a burden to bear until I stopped meeting my family there altogether. In fact, the last time I went (sans granny), I felt a new sense of shame.

Having come off fresh from my Peace and Conflict and Political Science and even Anthropological classes...I had grown a new layer of conscientiousness in that I realized that everything I did (ate, consumed, purchased, and so on...) had political and social consequence.

Maybe it seems small peanuts to worry about how 'wrong' a buffet in some Seattle mall is, but it becomes harder to enjoy putting food in your (ok--my) mouth when those tragic amounts are multiple times more than what I really need or even want to enjoy. Do I think the owner gives a healthy crap about his customers. Hell,no. He wants you to pack on a big plate, so he can sharge you for your larger portion and super-size his wallet (and of course, the higher-ups who run the system). I'm not feeding myself, I'm feeding The Man's pockets and making myself ill in the meantime. We (consumers) seem so devoid of substance, of connection to one another, hell-even to ourselves- that we susbtitute feeling with over-sustenance. Feeling full as to not feel. (I feel flatulent...fatigued at this notion. We are all F'd.

We have everything, but we want more. We have goods, but we need to upgrade. To live life like 'everybody else' does, we need to 'keep up with the J's'...or do we?
How did we all get so brainwashed to rationalize feeling good about gorging (and hell, some even purging to watch their girlish figures, I'm sure!)? It's not the fabulous fifties anymore, we don't have security and don't get a gold-plated watch for our efforts. These are uncertain, unstable times. We do not have the liberties that our early capitalists embodied, the idea that we do have an indefinitie 'sea of fish' is a misconception. It is a lie sold to us in plain sight right there next to the cheese-topped broccoli.

Not that you should not enjoy yourself as long as there are people hungry. I don't believe in martyrdom, that just stirs the Christian-satied pot- not to my taste really. But we should make ourselves aware: who is serving us this stuff? what is it this stuff? did anyone lose their wages, or have injustice imposed on them in order to deliver us this 'stuff'. While we are stuffing our face, we are blissfully, bloatedly unaware of other shite we are buying and injesting, and digesting. If not on our plate, then out above our heads, in our spirits. We are full and yet empty of reason, and of accountability. We do not seem to be adapting to seeing the overview of a hurting world, how we sitting here are actually playing a part in keeping that grand, manipulative machine (oh, Greed) going and churning.

Bottom line for me: it's not right to consume and to waste in such vast, unnecessary amounts. Be happy. Enjoy your food, rejoice in the pleasures of culinary discovery, throw dinner parties, but brother, if you can spare it, please don't fuel a machine that works by serving the needs of some (those who create and sustain the notion of 'need' and consumption) by hurting the chances of others (those who have very litle choice except to eat the GM foods while they sell their crops and their labour to mass-producers, economy controllers from the 'West'). Don't let greed drive a stake through the heart of the world.

Retrospective

I have learned so much in the last 4 terms (half-way through the 4th), and the best thing education has given me is it has stimulated my curiousity and my passion for the world again. Although at times I find "it" (the world!) scary, or daunting, or caught up in and endless cycle of abuse and exploitation (blame the media--blame politics!) I at least feel like I can add my (2? 3?) cents to contribute something positive.

Learning about the way things work makes looking at the world less daunting and overwhelming. I'm understanding the mechanics behind things, which helps immensely. Whereas before I was afraid and felt powerless (no to mention the fact that I was sick for a long while, which did not help my sense of self-efficacy...), I now hold a different perspective and that is one of advocacy, knowledge, intent and positivity. Learning has renewed my sense of power and efficacy. I can make educated (to the best of my present abilities, anyway) decisions, I can use my conscience, I can support things I believe in and who knows, hopefully when the journey of education comes to a "respite" (because it never really "ends"), I may even be of some tangible value to aid in healing the world around us. That is my hope.

I am humbled, and I am grateful. I feel thankful that I have been guided to this fore at this time in my life. I am ready.

"The teacher appears when the student is ready".

Well, I slept.

The state of Today is that: there is nothing to report. I have been so busy reporting in my school life, almost daily, thus I am "reported-out".

I will however, "report" this: sun was peeking out, then suddenly darkness,rainstorm and thunder(yippee!). The thunder has now become the most exciting pt. of wkdn! So, today: test studying yet to do, book yet to review; tomorrow: essay left to finish (I'm trying to decide if I should make it brilliant or not...)

This has been my weekend: very little. Little boxes, taking little breaks, back into little boxes.

See? nothing (much) to report.

Grrreat Comedies (wk. in progress...)

The Big Lebowski (Farrelly Bros. of Fargo fame among others..)Loser guy loses rug (floor, not head), goes looking for rug, drinks few White Russians along the way, gets hooked up with crooked, kinky people, talks to cowboy Sam, learns the value of bowling with yer buddies John Goodman and S. Buscemi.

Rushmore - Typical underdog-is-really-a genius story. Geeky overachieving, but lousy studend Max Fischer befriends other underdog, doggy-faced Bill Murray, doth drool at a pretty British lady. One-upmanship between tycoon and nerd. Rooting for bright-eyed Max. Sweet, romantic, quirkyly funny, great music. Closeted Cult Classic to (B)come...

Bullets Over Broadway- one of my fave. Woody films. Frustrated playwright resorts to $ funding from gangsters, thus has to keep an untalented moll in his show, feels he is selling out, a ganster revamps his script, he falls for the diva leading lady (hilarious Diane Wiest), loses girlfriend, gains notoriety on Broadway. Lesson: you can love the artist, but hate the art, and vice versa.

Some Like It Hot- Marilyn, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, dressed-up as bandgirls, sex innuedoes, steamy glasses, faux millionaires, jazz, Jack doing the cha-cha-cha with rose in his "pretty red" mouth. Precious.

"No Hablo Ingles"

Check out this Spanglish mess from an online language "Translator". I literally translated from Spanish to English. Never a BUENA idea!!

(first, in Spanish [or "Piggish Latin" as indicative of my limited vocab])

"...Perdon. Rod numero 2 (mi pololo) tambien le ha hido bien (pero un poquitito meeeenos bien que yo...ji ji). El es un poquitiiiiito mas flojito que yo. He estado con el por un ano y medio! Lo puedes creer! Como pasa el tiempo! Estamos contentos y igual con hartos carino."

(now in English, the literal translation...eek!! Where it could not find the word in English, it kept the Spanish word - so the result looks like a tossed salad of verbage.)

"...Sorry. Rod I number 2 (my pololo) also has hido to him or (but a poquitito meeeenos or that I... ji ji). It is a light poquitiiiiito but that I. I have been with by an anus and means! You can believe! As it spends the time! We are fed up contentments and equal with carino."

(what drugs were they smokin'??)

"P*SSY POWER!"

A terrified bear gets chased up a tree - by the family cat! "The unwelcome intruder was forced up a tree - twice - by the family pet, a tabby cat called Jack." (click on link)

I love it! That Jack's got some real cat-titude!! (thanks to Darce S. for her "copyrighted" word ;)

King Tut's "funny bone" (hee hee- did I say "Bone"?)

"AN ANCIENT riddle about the mummified remains of King Tutankhamun has been solved...

"When a team from Liverpool University X-rayed King Tutankhamun's body in 1968, about 3,300 years after the king’s death, they could find no sign of his penis. There was speculation that it had been stolen and sold to a private collector.(um, the collector who also had Rasputin's thingy in a jar? me wonders)

Actually, the Pharaoh's phallus was in phine phorm (couldn't resist alliteration...) when it was phound in the sand next to the mummified body. “It has always been there,” Professor Hawass told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation this week. “I found it during the scan when the mummy was lifted.”

“The pharaoh’s sex organ is clearly visible in Burton’s pictures; all was normal in King Tut. The penis is a highly vascularised organ and shrinks when it is mummified.”

sure, and George Costanza's wang-dang was shrivelled up just from being in the cold water...sure, sure...

"An Inconvenient Truth"

The vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is real, it’s already happening and that it is the result of our activities and not a natural occurrence. The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable.

We’re already seeing changes. Glaciers are melting, plants and animals are being forced from their habitat, and the number of severe storms and droughts is increasing.

Just saw the film. I urge everyone to go and check it out if you can. Very well paced, interesting and easy to follow with respect to all the information that it discloses. While it may be disturbing (content-wise), it is also very informative and essential to see it as part of educating ourselves (and our friends and families), so collectively our actions can create real, tangible changes. I urge you to spread the word around about this film. It's a start!