Tuesday, May 31, 2011

I was amazed by Arcadia

So, I saw Arcadia tonight on Broadway.  It was stupendous.  It was fun, and witty, and charming, and exciting and a thrill ride.
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I haven't seen a lot of Tom Stoppard - I saw Shakespeare in Love at the movies, and Rock an Roll on Broadway, but not much else.  In Arcadia I see what the fuss is about.
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It is a symphony of ideas, expressions and well thought out prose, delivered expertly.  Billy Crudup and Raul Exparza were magnificent.  And Jack Cutmore-Scott was an understudy as Septimus Hodge and was great.  GREAT.
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It takes place at one English Estate at two moments almost 200 years apart, alternating and complimenting each other as if it were the most natural thing in the world.  It was a pleasure to listen to.
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I am inspired.

Some funny Moments - but I didn't think it was nearly as good as hangover 1

So, Eddie and I saw The Hangover Part 2 yesterday.  I gotta say, I enjoyed parts of it, but a lot of it was sitting and blah blah.  There was almost no story, persay.
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And I missed anyone nice.  In the first story Zach Galfinaskas was weird, but nice.  And Heather Graham was, you know, the hooker with a heart of gold.  No hearts of gold in this money.  So there wasn't anyone to really too for.
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Oh well, that's my 2 bits.

Relax Scott... deep Breath.... ahhhhh better

That's Better

The Mind (once again) Reels!

Molly (looking decidedly non-Orthodox!) and Eric Jong
Talk about your screwed up priorities.  Molly Jong-Fast (daughter of Eric Jong - Fear of flying Erica Jong) has written an article about being a prude.  Her parents and grandparents, born of a time of wide-spread puritanism rebelled by become sexual open - her mother writing extensively about it.
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And she has "rebelled" by becoming monogamous.  Aces - so far so good.  I mean, having been in a monogamous relationship with Eddie for 16 years - I am all for it.  But...
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But this paragraph bugs the shit out of me.  Before she goes into detail about what annoys her (that being sexual openness ) she talks about the time she grew up...

I grew up in a world that was just the opposite. I grew up in a culture obsessed with sex. My childhood was punctuated by salacious New York Post headlines. As a girl I remember watching the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas hearings on CNN. I was sitting in my mom’s bedroom, playing with stickers and asking her what a "pube" was.
The 1980s in New York City were a time of contradictions -- a time of limousines riding by homeless people, a time of the richest and the poorest as neighbors, living side by side, stealing from the other. (emphasis mine) The city was boiling with rage, with fear, with crime, and with sex. Sex was everywhere -- from sex crimes like the Central Park Jogger case to Donald Trump’s divorce from Ivana, to sex clubs like the Vault. Back then pornography was on basic cable (it was on channel J). Sex was everywhere.
Argh...  Out of all that, the open sex bugs you!  Look, if you want to be shallow and rebel against sexual freedom - aces.  But in acknowledging the homeless vs the rich, victums of crimes, you might want to try tackling one of those.  "Sure, there is still squaller, but at lest I dress like an Orthodox ".  Really! I'm not kidding, she goes into length about dressing like an Orthodox.
I have no problem with the article in theory, but  you make an implicant comparison between the problem of sexual expression and homelessness - I think you look shallow and self-serving. You have fixed only yourself, while simultaneousnessly making earlier generations responsible not just for sexual freedom (which you despise) but somehow equating that to income inequality.  Like your open-relationship mom and her too-butch for you lesbian girlfriend create an entire underclass with their wanton evil sex.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Saw "Sleep No More" last night

Sleep No More is a theater experience that you have to go to if you can.  It is really cool.
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Basically this company has converted a warehouse into a "hotel" / forest / graveyard / suite / Private Eye's Office / Ballroom kind of maze.  You enter in groups staggered and wander around following people as they get ready to attend a ball - once the Ball starts, you follow different characters.
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It is a little like the old Murder Theater thing that was in LA, but this is basically the story of Macbeth, set in the LA of Film Noire.   It was great.   It would have been better if I remembered Macbeth better.
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Honestly, the last time I saw Macbeth was when I was in school at the Ahmanson Theater with Charlton Heston - like 35 years ago.
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It was really fun - but it was less a cohesive show and rather an amazing series of great scenes from Noire Macbeth.  All scenes were done wordlessly.  I think if I remembered more of Macbeth (or read the whole entry in Wikipedia), I would have gotten a little more out of it.
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I think I want to go again.

There is an upstairs

Brunch with Eddie, Walker, Todd & Alex on the pier

Friday, May 27, 2011

It's the End Of The World (as we know it)...

This is the LEAD story in AP?!?!  An old, criminally accused French man in New York went to the doctor's office?  Are you shitting me?
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AND - not in the AP
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MSNBC has a story (A WHOLE STORY!) on the possible boxing match between known pugilists Janelle (famous from "Teen Mom" for being an underage mother with anger issues) vs. Danielle Staub (famous for being a blackmailing, accused prostitute from "Real Housewives of New Jersey").  I would chalk this up to a publicist's wet dream except on is MTV and the other is NBC/Bravo, which means it is either; maybe a real thought or multiple publicists' wet dream.
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In any case, along with Grimsvotn Volcano, the Japanese Tsunami & Meltdown, and Tornado in Joplin, maybe the world really is ending.  Danielle and Janelle on TV in a cage match is the 3rd sign of the Apocalypse, isn't it (rival nations shall come blows in the holy land - or something like that).
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argh...

So I Guess New Jersey Fats IS Running

Global Climate change is a fact.  There is consensus (that is a overwhelming majority of scientists) that say man is the leading contributor to this.  But as Republican stalwarts attack science and experts, politicians running for higher office cannot admit the truth.
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If you admit that you believe science you are "supporting the elites".  Corporate interests in both parties are fighting the truth with lies. This didn't work for smoking when most people stopped smoking.  It works for Global Climate change because everyone uses hydrocarbons and the "save the earth" campaign is full of nags.  It is easier to ignore what is happening, than try to change the inevitable.  So we bury our heads in the sand.  Democrats "care", but we don't really do anything. Honestly, in New York Far Left Liberal designers whine about the new light bulbs and stock up on the energy wasting ones because the light bleeds the sofa colors.  (Really- I swear that was a quote from a designer in the New York Times!)
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Most sane people know we can't do anything about, but dyed in the wool Republican Primary voters have just decided they don't believe science anymore.
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It is cute with evolution (who cares really), but a disaster with Climate Change.  And by disaster, I mean "freak tornadoes kill hundreds in Joplin Missouri, flooding in Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, & Louisiana, droughts in Russian and Chinese wheat growing regions, starvation in very poor areas due to increasing cost of basic food" disaster.  Not "wow-it's-a-hot-one" disaster.
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Now, New Jersey Fats, Gov. Chris Christie, has decided to withdraw New Jersey from the New England regional group to lower greenhouse gas emissions.  Oh the contortions Republican Presidential candidates have to go through.  If it wasn't so cluster-fuck funny, it would be sad and pathetic.

I Don't Like Lining up with the Conservatives on the Supreme Court, but I Do On This One

We all know I don't think that Thomas Big-Boss-Tweed Scalia,Clarence I'll-Have-What-He's-Having Thomas and Sam I-Am-the-Hammer Alito have the country's best interests at heart, but I agree with them here.
You see,  the law here was written to pertain to companies that repeatedly hire illegal workers.  It requires at least 2 consecutive events with a written warning in between.  And it revokes a company's business license.  If we, as a nation, are actually serious about stemming illegal immigration, this is the only way to do it.
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Current "fines" are trivial.  Any arrests are against local managers, not the firms.  It is a system designed to exploit illegals and enrich absent owners.  This law actually goes after the companies that hire these workers.
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Prepare to pay more for fruit and restaurants - and then we can have a true discussion of cost vs. benefits of illegal workers and how to treat them humanly, or discourage immigration.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Iceland Pictures - some

So our trip to Iceland is done (including the extra time due to Grimsvotn Volcano).  Here are some pictures.  If you want to see more, here is the link to Ofoto / Kodak Gallery.
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Scooter
Bradley, Eddie and Lynn (the birthday girl) in the Blue Lagoon


This very cool spot where the water comes from springs under the Lava
to turn into little falls.


Barnafoss - or the Childern's Waterfall
Named for 2 kids that played hookie from church, fell in and died (it's a rough place to play hookie)

Eddie and I at Glymer - after a big hike up to it!
   

 
Stroker at Geiser (that's where the name comes from) at its hieght.  40 feet or so.


Well, Well, Well...

Michael LastNameRedacted
So for my job I am trying to find some users and what their current job roles are.  One name is not "common", but there aren't too many.  Michael LastNameRedacted.  Well, on the side of Michael LastNameRedacted I see that I am connected to him by 3 steps via 3 different people.
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One is Scott S., who's bf lives in DC where Michael LNR owns a club.  This makes sense. Scott = 1, Scottt's BF = 2, Michael LNR = 3.
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One is David M., who is kind of... friendly.  Like I used to be "friendly", if you know what I mean and I think you do. I can only imagine how that flows.
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But the third is Eddie.  My Eddie!  Hummmm....

As Zela used to say.. Like

A Ross - not Greylag - Goose
Well, the Iceland trip was great and there were no problems - bar the obvious eruption of  Grimsvotn.
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But now food is now traveling through me with great rapidity.  Like the proverbial excrement through the Icelandic Greylag (shit through a goose).
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Joplin Mo.... Wow

It is hard to describe watching what happened to Joplin Missouri. When Zela and I went across country we stopped in Joplin to visit her niece Winonna and her family.
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I remember loving the architecture of the old train station.  It wasn't where I wanted to live, but my family loved it. To see the devastation is amazing.
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I saw on the NBC News that a lot of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are down pitching in.  Some from the National Guard and others that they met in the Mideast.  It reminds you of how big hearted people can be.
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It's a wonderful thing to remember.
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The American Red Cross, WorldVision and others have funds for the victims set up.  Donate if you are moved.

Monday, May 23, 2011

The Ash Cloud in Iceland

I finally was able to connect to the internet via the web - once I left the hotel room and came down to the business center.

It seems the airport is opening tonight, we hope it stays open 36 more hours so we can get out tomorrow.  Iceland is fine, but not where you want to be stuck.  It's expensive!  There is a reason we were only going to be here 3 days.
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Anyway, we have a nice hike today up to Glymer falls, but it was a freaky walk along a damn steep cliff side.  But a great view.  It got cold today (snow flakes, but not real snow).  I'm ready to go home.
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I can't upload my pictures but here is a picture of Glymer.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

stuck in volcano land

Yes. The volcano cancelled our flight. We are stuck here in Iceland until at least Tuesday. Crap-ola

Thursday, May 19, 2011

And sometimes your age just SMACKS you in the fache

So....
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As we all remember, a friend got tickets for me to see King Lear.  They were free - so no complaints - I enjoyed the hell out of the show.
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But...
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Well, the friend who got me the tickets is much younger than I.  In fact, I am older than his mother (whom I have meet - wonderful woman).  This friend, let's call him "Sam" (because that is his name) got a set of tickets that I picked up.  So I had to meet some other people there - whom I did not know.
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I get to BAM, and 2 lovely woman are there and say "Scott!?"  I smile and we exchange pleasantries when they sayith thus, "they think we are crazy.  WE have walked up to every white-haired man with glasses here and asked if they were Scott.  You're hair isn't that white."
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Cut. Me. To. The.  (gulp) Quick.
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White-haired man with glasses.  Is that how I am to be described now?  I thought "asshole" and "acidic wit" was more to the point.  But "white hair".  WHITE HAIR and glasses.  You know who fits that description.  Santa Claus without the beard.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

King Lear

Derek Jacobi
So I liked King Lear last night, it was great.
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Plus BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) is an amazing space.  I had never had been there until last night and now I want to go again.  It is a great space (although some badly placed columns above row M).
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As for Lear, it was great.  Derek Jacobi was, as expected, amazing.  It is the same awesome voice i remember from Henry V.  I was also very impressed by Alex Newman as Edmund.
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I remember Alex as Paul from the Dune miniseries, and would not have expected this from him.  I think Edmund is probably the most fun role anyway.  I mean Lear goes crazy, the fool is funny, but Edmund is a scenery chewing role that is wonderful.  Mr. Newman did wonderfully in it.
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King Lear is a little .. you know.. basic.  Classic!  Don't get me wrong, but basic, isn't it.  I mean the 2 bad daughters are awful and Cordelia is warm sweet and pretty.  (I thought it would be better to have the bad daughters be really pretty and then Cordelia as unattractive.)  Lear is fool, blinded by his own vanity.
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And everyone dies..  E.........v........e.......n.........t......u........a....l..................ly.  Sometimes I think Shakespeare would benefit from a good editor.
Alex Neuman

I think you said "FLIGHT TIMES. Is that correct?"



HIGH-lair-eye-ous

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

BAM Theater to see King Lear

Coolest Name Ever

I just exchanged work email with a guy who's name is even cooler than "Colt".
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Tord-Magnus!

niiiice

From Laura Because I like it

Free Ticket to King Lear Tonight!

So a friend got me a ticket to King Lear tonight at BAM.  I experience many emotions.
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Derek Jacoki on Stage!  YAY!
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King Lear on stage.. yay...
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My first time to BAM!  YAY!
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BAM is in Brooklyn... really.
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Amazing reviews! YAY!
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195 minutes with 1 intermission... really?
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But overall the YAY!s outweigh the really?s and so I am very excited.  I mean it is Derek Jacobi!  Live and at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music).  I will report mañana

There is a reason they are called opposable thumbS

ThumbS -as in 2 of them.
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This simple arithmetic was recently made keenly aware to myself after I accidentally cut of a few layers of skin on my left thumb (while cutting chicken - I hear my mother and vegetarians laughing now).
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Anywho... I figure, who uses a left thumb.
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Turns out, I do.  Shirt Buttons, zippers while peeing, getting cash or a credit card out of your wallet - yes, very important.

Monday, May 16, 2011

"planking" really? Crazy aussies!

I heard this Concession Stand Story - It cannot be true can it?

So I often here some version of the following (lifted at random from Roger Ebert's column in Newsweek)....
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If the suggested $30 price tag for a 60-day VOD is accepted, families may wait to see a new animated film at home in bright, cheerful 2-D rather than being charged a premium to see it in dim and annoying 3-D. They can make their own popcorn, which the theaters dread, because the studios take up to 90 percent of the opening-week box-office gross, and movie theaters literally make their money at the snack counter. 
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I have a hard time believing this for the simple fact that the snack counter is the most poorly run section of most theaters.  They are worked by slow, annoyed, pimply youth who's idea of customer service is to not spit in your popcorn.  They spend more time texting than taking or ringing up an order.  Can this really be where the money is made.  If so, I could improve the ROI for 90% of the movie theaters in America easily and quickly.

Slideshow of Amazing Bookstore Spaces

Book lovers are a breed.  In the age of the Internet, probably a vanishing breed.
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But today there is a Salon Slide show of beautiful and interesting bookstore spaces - with interesting books.  I think it is wonderful.  I would love to turn something fabulous (or interesting like an old steel mill ) into a book store - but it would have to be an almost non-profit since no one buys physical books anymore.  It's a little sad.

But anyway, here are some amazing stores and the LINK to the rest...
A Store in Porto Portugal

Buenos Aires 18th Century Theater

An old Cahtedral in Maastricht netherlands

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Occasionally People Wonder

You know, occasionally people ask me - thinking defending a right to worship is tantamount to supporting the religion - if I understand what Islam means towards gay folks.  Because they have heard the gays lumped together with the Islamofacists 1 too many times by FOX news.
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Yes, I know.  They hate us.  In Afghanistan they held rallies at the old football stadium to bury homosexuals under walls of stones  - then threw stones at their heads until they were dead (you now.. "stoning").  It's illegal for Ed and I to go to any number of states in the Mid-East (including UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt).  We can go to Qatar for the World Cup, if we don't look at each other or touch one another.  So yeah, I know they hate us.  This signs which are popping up in the Muslim parts of London are just another sign they hate us.  (They think dogs are dirty and disgusting too, so I won't be converting anytime soon).
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Now, since Islam isn't as organized as the Mormons or the Catholics, they can't hate us quite as much as Catholics.  Today the Catholics  had a huge march against us in New York city.  (Although, even with an Ex-State Assemblyman and the Blessings of Archbishop Dolan of New York - they only got 1,000 people).
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And, on the subject of gay marriage - one group that normal hates us is coming around.  New York Republicans.
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One VERY interesting thing I learned though this week - the big money FOR gay marriage in New York is coming from Republicans.  Apparently through an odd combination of a few very liberal Republican donors, a couple of other major Republican donors with gay children (which moved to Massachusetts where it's legal to get married) and Ken Mehlman (gay ex-head of George Bush's re-election committee - trying desperately to undo all the hate he whipped up in the past) the Republicans are the driving force marriage equality passed in New York.  Good for them.  The New York Republicans seem to actually trying to focus on small government - not small government except in homo's bedrooms.
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So yes, I know that most religions go out of their way to hate gays, but people can be cool - and change happens.  No worries, life changes slowly.  My mom goes to a church in Montana (MONTANA!) which is very accepting of gays as people.  Eddie and I know Muslims that like us.  If there were any Republicans in Manhattan, I might be friends with them.  I would like to be judged on what I do in relation to others - not who I love.  And I will return the same respect to you, regardless of what the head of your religion or your party says.  (I say, I say, that was a joke son.)

Yesterday New York Times: Was Like It Was Written for Scott & Ed

So, yesterday the New York Times had a front page of the Arts Section Story on Eurovision (FYI - Ell & Nikki from Armenia won!).  Now, you know I have the soft spot (on my head) for Eurovision.  Hell, I put Alexander Rybak on Nincompoopery.
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But then, the Front Page of the NY Times had an article about the parrots in West London.  We had just been taking to Jane about them!  Very funny (but they said Ashford near Heathrow was east of London, they goggle'd the wrong Ashford).
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Anyway, it was quite the fun.
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Particularly as the map is of Stanwell (where Joan lives!).
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Joan is Jane and Gareth's mum and grandmother of Laura and Lisa.

Today's Reminder to Myself - Remind People You Care

>So...
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I was watching RENT as I was fixing the bedroom (curtain was messed up, cleaning out closet, etc.) and after a while this song can on - and I cried.
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Not just because of Mark.  Not just because of friends and loved ones dead to AIDS.  But, with the perspective of time, I think this is how all people probably feel at one time or another.  From cancer or Alzheimer or just old age.  I need to remind people how much I love them and they are not alone.  Not just family, but loved ones that are far away and sometimes even strangers who are just afraid they are alone.
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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Trevor's New Perch (perfect for looking for boats)

So we have a new couch.  It is a little longer, with a new chase end piece that goes right to the window.  Now Trevor has even a better view to growl at the boats on the river.
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And he has now completed his transformation into the crotchety old British Man with binoculars.  In this picture he is growling at a blimp.
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Good grief our dog is weird.

Remember How Donald Rumsfeld described Bil Laden's Hide-out


Where Bush and Rumsfled told us Bin Laden was....
The story [about an underground lair] probably reached its high point on NBC's Meet The Press on December 2nd (scott- 2001) when Tim Russert, the host of the program, provided Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld with the artist's rendering of bin Laden's fortress. The interview proceeded:

Russert: The Times of London did a graphic, which I want to put on the screen for you and our viewers. This is it. This is a fortress. This is very much a complex, multi-tiered, bedrooms and offices on the top, as you can see, secret exits on the side and on the bottom, cut deep to avoid thermal detection so when our planes fly to try to determine if any human beings are in there, it's built so deeply down and embedded in the mountain and the rock it's hard to detect. And over here, valleys guarded, as you can see, by some Taliban soldiers. A ventilation system to allow people to breathe and to carry on. An arms and ammunition depot. And you can see here the exits leading into it and the entrances large enough to drive trucks and cars and even tanks. And it's own hydroelectric power to help keep lights on, even computer systems and telephone systems. It's a very sophisticated operation.

Rumsfeld: Oh, you bet. This is serious business. And there's not one of those. There are many of those. And they have been used very effectively. And I might add, Afghanistan is not the only country that has gone underground. Any number of countries have gone underground. The tunneling equipment that exists today is very powerful. It's dual use. It's available across the globe. And people have recognized the advantages of using underground protection for themselves.

Where he was actually...

Friday, May 13, 2011

Our friend Simon was insulted by "The Donald" on TV

So, from CNBC.

Simon Hobbs

Donald Trump was just on CNBC responding to allegations over his property dealings made by the New York Times. He blasted the paper for its report, and its reporter for refusing to appear on TV to defend his claims.
The article reports that more than 300 people are suing Trump after he removed his name from properties they purchased. Those involved in the lawsuit allege there was no disclaimer that Trump was not the developer of the properties, but rather just "rented his name" to the actual developers.
Trump ended up going on a multi-minute rant in which he insulted CNBC anchor Simon Hobbs and slammed the New York Times.
Watch the video here. It may be remembered as Trump's "Dean Scream," the on-air event that ended Howard Dean's presidential campaign in 2004.
  • 0:10 Trump says Mr. Barber (the New York Times reporter) "didn't have the guts to go on" CNBC.
  • 0:55 Mark Haines, CNBC, points out where the article says "my latest development" is mentioned in promotional materials. Trump rebuffs, saying the document people signed points out that he licensed his name, not that he developed the properties.
  • 10:10 Trump says, "Hello Simon, whoever you are Simon. Simon, the market collapsed, you may not have heard about that. So thousands of buildings all over the United States had difficulties, so you probably heard about that somewhere along the line. That's what happened Simon."




Argh - I want to ignore - I will try to ignore - but I will fail to ignore :-(

Let me just say this.  New York is getting ready to vote on Marriage Equality.  While it is great and I applaud it, I wince.
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I wince because NOM (National Organization for Marriage - except for you fags) is coming to my state.  They bring with them their big bag of lies, tricks and Mormon money.  I could go into detail, but why.  Teaching a pig to sing folks - frustrates you and annoys the pig.  They have promised to spend 1.5 Million in New York.
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They are fighting a losing battle - hell even the head of last year's rally across america against faggots had a change of heart and says homos are fine people and married ones should have full marriage rights. So I think their only tacit now is to make ones' head burst - one homo at a time.
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I say this because I shall attempt, deeply and truly, to ignore them.  I'll do my best (I have done well since February with regards to she-of-Alaska-that-must-not-be-named and the fired black-board villain of Fox.  So perhaps I shall succeed.  Don't hold your breath, but maybe.
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sigh....

Ron Paul: An Honest Politician (sometimes a dope - but Honest)

I kind of like Ron Paul.  The problem I have is that for all the positions I like (less foreign entanglements, more personal freedoms, less bedroom watching) there are the crazy positions like getting rid of the Fed and going back on the gold standard.  But I can get behind him because he doesn't have a shot in hell.
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I did like his answer in the South Carolina primary to drug legalization.
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So, the moderator asked, in an incredulous tone, "Senator Paul, you have actually advocated for decriminalizing Marijuana, Cocaine and even Heroin!  Do you still stand by that?"
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Before answering, Ron Paul chuckled a little.  "You make it sound like the minute we decriminalize Heroin, everyone would run out and try it.  Like the fact it is illegal is what prevents people from using it."
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I love that. It is a lovely small government answer - if you really believe in small government.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Again with the Veil


Foreign Policy Magazine has another article about the veil.  This time by Leila Ahmed. I'll quote some, but the gist is the same I have heard before.  It amounts to this, paraphrasing... Many women wear the veil as a source of religious pride, not because they are forced to.

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I must answer again, I don't care - the veil is offensive to the rest of us.  NOT because of Islam, but because of what it says to the rest of us.
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First, here are some of her words, "My reading of that scene on the Cambridge street turned out to be accurate in that Islamism has now become a powerful influence in America, and yet it was also a misreading -- as I would discover in listening to women who chose to wear the veil. My very first interviews began to unsettle my assumptions. "I wear it for the same reason as my Jewish friend wears a yarmulke," said one woman; the hijab, she said, was required dress that made visible the presence of a religious minority entitled to justice and equality. Another said she hoped her hijab would raise other women's awareness of society's sexist messages about women's bodies and dress. For many others, wearing the hijab was a way of rejecting negative stereotypes and affirming pride in Muslim identity in the face of prejudice.
Clearly, these women have a very different view of the veil here in the West, where they are free to wear whatever they want, than the old notion of the veil with which I grew up, fraught with ancient patriarchal meanings as it was and still is in societies where it is required by law or through ferocious social pressure. Listening to such women, I found it startling and moving to see how the Islamist emphasis on social justice had been transplanted to a democratic, pluralist society committed to gender equality and justice for all. This was certainly not an interpretation of the veil I had heard before, and it reflected a different Islam from the one of my childhood as well"
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Okay - but wearing a veil is vastly different than wearing a yarmulke.  The veil gives a big message to everyone that says, "You are unworthy to look at me.  You are dirty, lustful and cannot control yourself.  I hide my very being from you disgustingness."  Maybe that isn't what you think it says, but that is what it says.   Let's take a simple analogy.  I am gay.  What if, to show my pride, my request for social justice I wore a T-Shirt of a giant penis and it said above it "I LIKE DICK."  It would be rude, offensive and annoying regardless of why I say I wear it.
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If you want to be analogous to a yarmulke, wear a hair-covering scarf or head wrap, just like I actuall occasionally wear a T-Shirt that says "Defend Equality - Love Unites" -with a picture of hand in the solidarity fist.  Just like Christians often wear crosses or t-shirts proclaiming god's love - not big shirts that say "All Non-Believers Are Going To Hell."
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And this isn't an Islamic thing.  We ostracize Christians that are rude and offensive (witness the reaction to Fred Phelps' signs and followers), we ostracize gays that are rude and offensive - often legislating against them in schools.  It is the right of many people to wear the veil in public, but many of us will continue to find it offensive and rude - regardless of why people purport to wear it.  Part of our responsibility to others we share society with is to be aware of our actions.  You continue to have the right to wear the veil, but it isn't sending the message you think.
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ps - maybe you don't care what others think.  That is perfectly valid.  Fred Phelp's cast of loonies doesn't care.  Those annoying gay guys that wear ass-less chaps and a jock-strap don't care.  But you should know that it isn't Islam that people find offensive, it is that the veil you don't CARE what it says to others.