Odds and Ends

Well, the "end" part first. I can't believe it's New Years Eve once again and time to put another year to bed. Sheesh! 2004 went by quickly! I haven't even bothered to sit down and try to remember everything that happened this year. Nor have I come up with any resolutions. I haven't in ages, tho. Other than trying to make it through another year in basically one piece.

The tragic events over in Asia I'm sure is on everybody's minds right now. It'll definitely make this NYE more somber for me. ::sigh:: I'll think about that later.

I can't believe I've been doing this journal/blog/whatever for 7 months now. Didn't think I could somehow do much more than a month's worth of posting when I first started. Will wonders never cease?

Anyway, I need to go make nice with my bed so I'll leave this picture in hope of at least putting a slight smile on people's faces.




It's titled "Jackie Copies Divine's Look" by John Waters. There was an exhibition of his artwork at The Rena Bransten Gallery in San Francisco that ended back in January. I loved this one.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Year's Eve and that I hope 2005 turns out to be a better and safer year.

Asian Disaster

I remembered after I posted last night that a friend of my sister (whom she and I have known since they were in Junior High) lives and works in Columbo, Sri Lanka. I spoke to my sister earlier this afternoon and unfortunately, there's been no news about her...yet. I hope that it's just with all the havoc and possible power outages, she hasn't had the chance to e-mail back.

######

If anyone is interested, here's at least a partial list of organizations that I pulled from the NYTimes which are providing relief to the affected areas:

Following are some of the agencies accepting contributions for aid to people affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Asia.

ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
247 West 37th Street, Suite 1201
New York, N.Y. 10018
212-967-7800 x108
www.actionagainsthunger.org

AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE
45 West 36th Street, 10th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10018
800-889-7146
www.ajws.org

AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE
South Asia Tsunami Relief
Box 321
847A Second Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10017
212-687-6200 ext. 851
www.jdc.org

AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
AFSC Crisis Fund
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19102
215-241-7000
www.afsc.org

AMERICAN RED CROSS
International Response Fund
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
800-HELP NOW
www.redcross.org

CARE
151 Ellis Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
800-521-CARE
www.care.org

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
Tsunami Emergency
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Md. 21203-7090
800-736-3467
www.catholicrelief.org

DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL
27 South La Patera Lane
Santa Barbara, Calif. 93117
805-964-4767
www.directrelief.org

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
P.O. Box 1856
Merrifield, Va. 22116-8056
888-392-0392
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT
Emergency Fund
P. O. Box 12043
Newark, NJ 07101
800-334-7626
www.er-d.org

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT
www.ifrc.org

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS
Earthquake/Tsunami Relief
1919 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 300
Santa Monica, Calif. 90404
800-481-4462
www.imcworldwide.org

INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
Asia Disaster Response
P.O. Box 630225
Baltimore, MD 21263-0225
877-803-4622
www.iocc.org

ISLAMIC RELIEF USA
Southeast Asia Earthquake Emergency
P.O. Box 6098
Burbank, Calif. 91510
888-479-4968
www.irw.org/asiaquake

MERCY CORPS
Southeast Asia Earthquake Response
Dept. W
P.O. Box 2669
Portland, Ore. 97208
800-852-2100
www.mercycorps.org

OPERATION USA
8320 Melrose Avenue, Suite 200
Los Angles, Calif. 90069
800-678-7255
www.opusa.org

OXFAM AMERICA
Donor Services Department
26 West Street
Boston, MA 12111-1206
800-77-OXFAM
www.oxfamamerica.org

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Asia Earthquake/Tidal Wave Relief Fund
54 Wilton Road
Westport, Conn. 06880
800-728-3843
www.savethechildren.org

UNICEF
General Emergency Fund
333 E. 38th Street
New York, NY 10016
800-4-UNICEF
www.unicef.org

Why Do Today What You Can Put Off Till Tomorrow?

Finally, a short animated flick about us procrastinators!

Gotta Get My Stuff Done.

Requires Quicktime.

Link courtesy of Screenhead.

######

And to get rid of those unwanted holiday-related pounds -

The Iceburg Lettuce and Coffee Diet!

Here's one that's funny - Jedi Car Wars /'Feel the Ford, Luke' but it may take time to download on slower connections.

I SO understand this one!: Cindy is Not a Morning Person.

And this one made me tear all up but had a happy ending. For those who understand the Island of Misfit Toys - The Pug Before Christmas.

Links courtesy of i-am-bored.com (great site, apparently!)

Not Exactly the Best of Holidays for Some

Department of Education to tighten Pell Grant eligibility. This will cut 90,000 students from getting it and affect 1 million more via amount reductions. Yeah, right! Why have poor people in college? Sheesh!

######

Those poor people that have been affected by the quake. The death toll is now up to at least 15,000. i can't even begin to fathom what the survivors have been going through.

To Those That Celebrate It...

P.S. Being sick bites. ::sniff:: ::HONK::

Their Real Selves Revealed!

Courtesy of Distortions

Speaking of Revealing.

Here's a pic of me (with a gang of friends and co-fans of the show) to prove that I actually do exist. I'm kneeling in the front row, extreme right. For those who never saw the show, this was taken in front of the Roslyn Cafe mural in Roslyn, Washington where the exteriors of Northern Exposure were shot. (The "'s" in "Roslyn's" is actually just a piece of paper stuck on the mural for the show.) The town of Roslyn is about 80 miles east of Seattle.

Elves Has Left the Building

For your twisted amusement:




######

I've finally have to admit that I have an Inner Eric Cartman. I'm addicted to Cheezy Poofs. Barbara's Bakery Original Cheese Puff Bakes to be exact. I land up finishing off an entire bag in a sitting. ::sigh:: Is there an Inner Cartman Anonymous group out there?

Tumblin' Tumbleweeds and Food

These are interesting little cottages! Heck, some of them are actually trailers you can hitch to your car. If you got enough backyard space, they can be used as guest cottages/home-office space. If I had the land, I wouldn't mind getting the B52 Bungalow.

######

This article from the BBC is titled 50 Things to Eat Before You Die. Now, I've eaten several of these but 11 (Moreton Bay Bugs), 20 (Alligator), 28 (Squid), 32 (Guinea pig), 36 (Barramundi), 37 (Reindeer), 42 (Durian fruit), 43 (Octopus), and 48 ( Haggis).

The Moreton Bay bugs are acrtually crustacean from Australia which sounds interesting; alligator - well, I have this fear that that Aussie 'gator wrestler will haunt me if I did; squid and octopus? ck - slimey thingsl Guinea pig - I won't eat a elementary school class pet; barramundi apparently is also a fish so that may be interesting; reindeer? That'll be like eating Rudolph...I just can't do that; Durain fruit, as the article claims, smells like sewage...er...no thanks; and haggis - ick!

sites courtesy of Chefxh.

Forgot to Mention... & Burning Down the House & Oh, My Darlin'

"The Kiki and Herb Will Die for You at Carnegie Hall" cd is now on sale at CDNow.

Link courtesy of UltraSparky (Who, btw, has an MP3 of their version of Total Eclipse of the Heart on his site. Check it out.)

######

Well, not The Talking Heads-related but B-52's. Apparently, the inspiration for "Love Shack" went up in flames: Fire destroys B52's 'Love Shack'

######

Also this sounds like an interesting drink to try!

Both links courtesy of Towleroad

Tragically Funny Obit (Well, Fauxbit)

It is with the saddest heart that I pass on the
following news. Please join me in remembering a great
icon of the entertainment community.

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast
infection, and complications from repeated pokes in
the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough, two
children, John Dough, and Jane Dough, who has one in
the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father,
Pop Tart.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin.
Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their
respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, The
California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess
Twinkies and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled
high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy, and lovingly
described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he
was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business,
but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was
not considered a very smart "cookie", wasting much of
his dough on half-baked schemes.

Despite being a little flaky at times, he still, as a
crusty old man, was considered a roll model for
millions.
The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Odds and Ends

Found out very early Wednesday morning from my mom and sister that my ex brother-in-law committed suicide early this week. Not sure of the details other than he was living in Boston and it looks like he o.d.'ed. He was only 48.

I haven't had any contact with him in any way, shape, or form for 12 or so years and we were never close to begin with so it's not a grave personal loss but it's still sad. Still relatively young and had been battling manic-drepression for many years but could never get it under control. That may have contributed to his death...dunno. I'll try to find out more later when my sister gets back to her home.

######

On a lighter note - These articles were e-mailed to me, this one about Tom Wolfe's latest book:

Wolfe's sex scenes are howlers
By Gideon Long in London
December 15, 2004

AMERICAN author and journalist Tom Wolfe won one of the world's most dreaded
literary accolades yesterday ­ the British prize for bad sex in fiction.
It is awarded each year "to draw attention to the crude, tasteless, often
perfunctory use of redundant passages of sexual description in the modern
novel".

Wolfe won it for a couple of purple passages from his latest novel I am
Charlotte Simmons, a tale of campus life at an exclusive US university.

"Slither slither slither slither went the tongue," one of his winning
sentences begins.

"But the hand that was what she tried to concentrate on, the hand, since it
has the entire terrain of her torso to explore and not just the
otorhinolaryngological caverns ­ oh God, it was not just at the border where
the flesh of the breast joins the pectoral sheath of the chest ­ no, the
hand was cupping her entire right ­ Now!"


Judges described Wolfe's prose as "ghastly and boring".

The former Washington Post correspondent, whose debut novel Bonfire of the
Vanities was a defining text of the 1980s, fought off stiff competition from
10 other authors including South African Andre Brink, whose novel Before I
Forget contains the following description of a woman's anatomy:

"(It was) like a large exotic mushroom in the fork of a tree, a little
pleasure dome if ever I've seen one, where Alph the sacred river ran down to
a tideless sea.

"No, not tideless. Her tides were convulsive, an ebb and flow that could
take you very far, far back, before hurling you out, wildly and
triumphantly, on a ribbed and windswept beach without end."

Another writer who only narrowly escaped the prize was Britain's Nadeem
Aslam for his novel Maps for Lost Lovers, a tale of life in a Muslim
community in an English town.

"His mouth looked for the oiled berry," one of his raunchiest passages
starts.

"The smell of his armpits was on her shoulders ­ a flower depositing pollen
on a hummingbird's forehead," another reads.

The winner of the award, organised by the London-based Literary Review, is
given an Oscar-style statuette and a bottle of champagne ­ but only if he or
she comes to the awards ceremony in person.

Organisers said Wolfe, who is based in New York, was the first writer in the
12-year history of the competition to decline his invitation.
Reuters

and this one about an all-cereal restaurant in Philly:

Cereal cafe opens in Philly
Cereality serves 30 brands, 36 toppings
Sunday, December 05, 2004

By Joann Loviglio, The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- How's this for thinking outside the box: a cafe with
jammies-clad servers pouring cereal day and night, topping it off with
everything from fruit to malted milk balls, and serving it in "bowls"
resembling Chinese takeout containers.

It's all cereal. Seriously.

Cereality Cereal Bar & Cafe, which opened its first sit-down cafe Wednesday
on the University of Pennsylvania campus, is a sugar-coated -- and
tongue-in-cheek -- homage to what your mother always told you was the most
important meal of the day. But she probably never dished out bowls of Froot
Loops and Cap'n Crunch topped with Pop Rocks.

Behind glass-door kitchen-style cabinets at Cereality are 30 varieties of
brand-name cold cereal. Customers order from "cereologists," whose most
popular mix is two 8-ounce scoops with one of 36 toppings, plus regular,
flavored or soy milk for $2.95. Also offered are cereal bars and
made-to-order cereal smoothies and yogurt blends.

Though some of the choices sound like a sugar overdose or a dental disaster
to the uninitiated (or to those long past their college years), they're all
not that indulgent.

"This is great because you can try all different kinds and not have to buy
the whole box," said Penn freshman Erica Denhoff, 18, as she munched on a
healthy concoction of Quaker Oat Squares, Corn Chex and yogurt flax bark
with skim milk. "I'm on the track team. ... I eat cereal for breakfast and
for a snack if I need energy."

Co-founders David Roth and Rick Bacher opened the first Cereality, a
200-square-foot kiosk in Arizona State University's student union, last
year. Besides the 1,500-square-foot Philadelphia cafe in the middle of
Penn's retail district, the Boulder, Colo.-based company wants to open more
than a dozen Cerealities next year on campuses and in hospital lobbies,
airports and office buildings.

"We don't see this as [solely] a college concept; we see this as being
relevant to the 95 percent of the American public that eats cereal," Roth
said. If college students, "the most cynical market we can go after," like
it, Roth's confident that office workers and travelers will like it too.

Cereality also offers its own combos. John Merz, 27, a Penn employee, was
bowled over by Devil Made Me Do It -- an ambrosial elixir of Cocoa Puffs,
Lucky Charms, chocolate crunchies and malt balls, topped with milk.

"You're eating candy with milk on it!" chided his co-worker Caroline
Couture, 42. After polishing off her Banana Brown Betty with hot oatmeal,
bananas, molasses, sugar and streusel topping, she said she'd be having a
salad for lunch -- but that she'd visit Cereality again.

"We're all still kids, really," she said. "A lot of the foods you loved in
childhood you still love as an adult."

In Philadelphia, customers can eat Apple Jacks and stretch out on a couch,
watch cartoons on a flat-screen TV or check their e-mail via free Wi-Fi access.

Like build-your-own salad bars with fattening and healthy foods side by
side, "I think this is something that's as good or as bad as you want it to
be," said Jeanne Goldberg, of Tufts University's Friedman School of
Nutrition Science and Policy.

American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Gail Frank agreed that cereals
can be a good fast food because they're high in fiber and loaded with
vitamins and minerals -- as long as customers pick healthier toppings such
as nuts and fruit.

Between bites of hot oatmeal with cranberries and almonds, Penn junior
Alpha Mengistu, 20, said Cereality offered more than a quick carb and sugar
load.

"I think this would be a good place for a date," she said. "You could learn
a lot about a person by what cereal they choose."

######

Thanx to Dennis for posting this link:

Michael Jackson's Favorite Things.

######


Congratulations! You are Lynette Scavo, the
ex-career woman who traded the boardroom for
boredom, mixed with moments of sheer panic as
the mother of four unmanageable kids.


Which Desperate Housewife are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

An Addendum

Here's that Edward Steichen photograph of Gloria Swanson I mentioned yesterday. It was taken in 1924.





And here's one of J.P. Morgan taken by Steichen in 1903. What looks like a dagger in his left hand is actually the arm of the chair he's sitting in.

The Dietrich photo I posted yesterday was taken in 1932.

Seasonal Silliness

These two were e-mailed to me by a friend. Though they were good for a chuckle.

Holiday Hints

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet
table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see
carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt
scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You
can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares
that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to
turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have
one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of
gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of
your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or
whole milk If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car
with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control
your eating The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat
other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New
Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do.
This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the
buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like
frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position
yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before
becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of
shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or,
if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always
have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the
mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have
some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party
or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread
tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.


Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the

grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well

preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand,

martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and

screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

and

Office Christmas Party

December 1st

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place
on December 23rd at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. There will be lots of
spiked eggnog and a small band playing traditional carols ... feel free
to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as
Santa Claus to light the Christmas tree! Exchange of gifts among
employees can be done at that time; however, no gift should be over $10.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Patty Lewis
Human Resources Director

--------------------------------------------------

December 2nd

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude
our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday
that often coincides with Christmas (though unfortunately not this
year). However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The
same policy applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanza at this
time. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols sung.

Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Patty Lewis
Human Resources Director

--------------------------------------------------

December 3rd

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

Regarding the anonymous note I received from a member of Alcoholics
Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table, I'm happy to accommodate this
request, but, don't forget, if I put a sign on the table that reads, "AA
Only," you won't be anonymous anymore. In addition,forget about the
gifts exchange-- no gifts will be allowed since the union members feel
that $10 is too much money.

Patty Lewis
Human Researchers Director

--------------------------------------------------

December 7th

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

I've arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest from
the dessert buffet and pregnant women closest to the restrooms. Gays are
allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with the gay
men; each will have their table. Yes, there will be a flower arrangement
for the gay men's table.

Happy now?

Patty Lewis
Human Racehorses Director

--------------------------------------------------

December 9th

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

People, people -- nothing sinister was intended by wanting our CEO to
play Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be
"Satan," there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a
red suit."

Patty Lewis

Human Ratraces

--------------------------------------------------

December 10th

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

Vegetarians -- I've had it with you people!! We're going to hold this
party at Luigi's Open Pit whether you like it or not, you can just sit
at the table farthest from the "grill of death," as you put it, and
you'll get salad bar only, including hydroponic tomatoes. But, you know,
tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard
them scream. I'm hearing them right now... Ha! I hope you all have a
rotten holiday! Drive drunk and die, you hear me?

The Bitch from Hell

--------------------------------------------------

December 14th

TO: ALL EMPLOYEES

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery
from her stress-related illness. I'll continue to forward your cards to
her at the sanitarium In the meantime, management has decided to cancel
our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with
full pay.

Terri Bishop
Acting Human Resources

Just Some Photos

I was meandering about the photos that were posted on the Classic Movie Tribe over on tribe.net and these three were my faves.




This one is obviously Monroe but i don't remember ever seeing it before. I really like it. Dunno when it was taken.




This one is Marlene Dietrich taken by Edward Steichen, whom I love. I need to double-check on the year. He also took one of Gloria Swanson back in the '20s which is one of my all-time fave photos.




This one is Rita Hayworth from Gilda, I believe.

My apologies if this takes time to download and just in case you don't see it, there's an actual post right below this!

About Time I Got My Butt In Gear and Posted

First off, here's an article about those wacky Christian fundamentalists who "introduced a bill that would ban the use of state funds to purchase any books or other materials that 'promote homosexuality.'" Yep, they sure do know how to put the "fun" and "mental" into fundamentalism!

Anyway, school finished up for the semester earlier this past week and I'm pretty sure I Aced it, which ain't hard since the work wasn't exactly intense, omnious stuff requiring huge amounts of blood, sweat, and tears. But it was time consuming and there was indeed stuff that I learned or was able to brush up on since it had been a couple of decades since I had to deal with it last.

The screening committee for the GLBT film fest also finally finished up reviewing the films and documentaries this past Thursday. We've got a heaping pile o'stuff to sort through now and make a final decision of what to show. There's some decent stuff out there. We meet next week to start patching a schedule together. I'll post a list of choices once we figure it out and the film fest webpage can also be viewed here.

I was glad all that managed to get done since I was feeling like I was coming down with something flu- or cold-like which I dread happening (and the cause of my brain fogginess a few days ago). I harbor this fear of having anything settle in my chest since I've always been known for having major lung butter congestion and that has a tendancy of irritating my asthma. Take it from me, not being able to breathe ain't my idea of having a good time. In fact, it scares the hell outta me so the second I feel a slight bit oogie, I immediately start making sure I ward off any possible repiratory nastiness. Luckily, it passed. It also was not an opportune time since it was finals week and I had to make sure I got back preview tapes and some equipment to the film fest director.

My nephew also turned 19 last Sunday. Amazing how time flies. He's in his first year of college now and actually likes school! Shocked my sister, I'm sure. Dunno if he's choosen a major yet but it looks like his idea of joining the ROTC has been put aside. Personally, I'm glad, tho. The disipline may have been good for him but I'm not fond of war and hated to see him potentially being sent off somewhere.

It looks like I'm also getting a new 'puter within the next several days! Yay! Courtesy of the parental units. It'll be a PC which I know will put a frown of disapproval on the faces of Mac fans but what the heck! It'll be free so I'm not complaining BUT if anyone wants to buy me a Mac as well, I'll be more than happy to accept such a gracious gift! ;-) The Old Trooper (which is what I've named my current one) has been trudging along now since 1998 (the monitor since 94) and is very outta date size-, speed-, and software-wise. I'm still using Windose 98, on a Pentium II, 2 gig hard drive, and 128 mgs. of RAM. Yeah, not exactly the zippiest, most up-to-date 'puter but it has managed to survive somehow. I've gotta figure out how to give it a decent retirment ceremony.

I also spoke to my sister concerning my parents earlier this week. As mentioned before, she also lives in Florida now so she sees them far more frequently than I do. According to her, they're not in that great shape. Both will be hitting their birthdays next month (mom 79 and dad 82). According to Sis my dad's almost completely wheelchair bound now. I knew he goes via chair when going out and about for extended periods of time since he hasn't fully recovered the strength in his legs but when I questioned my mother she said that around the apartment and building, he gets around with his cane. But my mom has been a bit more forgetful as the months pass. It's not senility at all; she still remembers quite a bit and after seeing my paternal grandmother slide into actual senility, I would've noticed my mother going for it as well but it just seems like "old age forgetfulness" rather than anything else. Either way, it was just a reminder how frail they have become and that scares me as well. It's odd and uncomfortable seeing them that way. In good or bad, they weren't weak people and were a constant. Knowing that "the inevitable" is sooner rather than later is also a bit disconcerning leaving me to wonder if I should at some near point in time move to Florida as well. I dunno....both are otherwise doing okay. They do manage to get around, have a nice apartment, are financially okay, and other than being old and not as energetic as they once were (but in better health than in 2003), they could very well be in worse shape. ::sigh:: I dunno. To quote Miz Scarlett: "I'll think about that tomorrow."

It Looks Like....

...John Waters may have forgotten to include these two in his recent movie! (It also just occurred to me that the caption may read "Papa Smurf and new wife Betty Boop-Smurf seen here practicing for their new roles in Charlie's Angels vs The Rock 'Em-Sock 'Em Robots")

Photo courtesy of Davezilla.

More of an actual post later once my brain defogs.

Separated at Birth?

I know that Geoffrey already knows of this from our trashing...er...talking about certain celebs over on tribe.net but I figured I'd post it here as well. I discovered I wasn't the only one who saw the "twin-ness" between Miz Versace and the Diva of Muppetdom herself, Janice.

Photo courtesy of My Ace Life.

Of course there's also the mention of the unknown triplet, Mary Travers -




But from what I know, she was the basis for Janice to begin with.

Exposing James Dobson

A friend sent me this article and thought it may be on interest:

"Independent Media TV
Under Reported

December 02, 2004
Dr. James Dobson and Gay Bashing ''101-201''
By: David Palmer
Independent Media TV

First and foremost, it should be noted that I am not an advocate for or against Gay people; however, I am an ardent and unapologetic believer that every person is entitled to be treated equally and fairly regardless of their ethnicity, race, religious beliefs, and/or sexual preference. To assert and/or publicly opine that one is a true Christian when one engages in name-calling and exhorting others to openly discriminate against another person or group gives Christian hypocrisy a bad name.

The recent election results have surely taught us that Gay Bashing has turned into a 'successful' Olympian sport by so-called Christian moralists like Dr. James Dobson and his cadre of enablers and opportunists.

Well-known Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson has spent a great deal of time, effort and money (none of which was his) in vilifying and viciously attacking the gay community. Dobson's vehicle for spewing forth his homophobic rant is aimed at amending the US Constitution to outlaw gay marriages.

In October, Dobson spoke on behalf of Senatorial Candidate Tom Coburn of Oklahoma at a rally at Oklahoma Christian University in support of a constitutional ban on gay marriages. To prove that gay marriages led to fewer men and women getting married, Dobson cited countries such as Norway that have allowed same-sex couples to marry.

Dobson said 80 percent of children are born out of wedlock in Norway. 'Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the Earth, Dobson said.' (The Oklahoman, 10-23-03)

Not to be outdone by his mentor and political supporter, Tom Coburn told Rogers County Republicans last year, 'The gay community has infiltrated the very centers of power in every area across this country, and they wield extreme power That agenda is the greatest threat to our freedom that we face today. Why do you think we see the rationalization for abortion and multiple sexual partners? That's a gay agenda.¨

Lord have mercy, if these statements are true, and who would question the veracity of Christian stalwarts like Dobson and Coburn, then we (that's us so-called straight God-fearing folks) should be truly concerned about the power (Is that extreme power Mr. Coburn? Is there another kind, said Jack Nicholson, I'm sorry, I mean Coburn) of the gay community that will (a) destroy marriages, (b) destroy the earth (whew, and I was worried about global warming), and (c) the greatest threat to our freedom (I guess so, now that Saddam's been captured).

Oklahomans are lucky to have voted for a visionary (soothsayer) like Senator Tom Coburn who was able to perceive that abortion is a 'gay agenda.' Whew, Dr. Tom must be blessed with ESPN, don't ya think? I don't know about you, but I find it laughable at best to claim that abortion is a gay issue. Ever heard of a gay couple seeking an abortion or lamenting over an unwanted pregnancy? Now, I don't mean to disparage Dr. Tom if ya know what I mean. After all, he's a gynecologist and I'm not; however Dr. Tom should stop buying recreational drugs from street vendors in Tulsa who accept double off coupons.

In 1998, Dr. Dobson gave a speech wherein he stated, 'You don't have to be taught that it's wrong to steal and to lie and to extort and to bribe and to oppress the poor and to express racial hatred and to be promiscuous, both homosexually and heterosexually. There¡¦s no difference between those two. Promiscuity it immoral, as is adultery. That law is eternal and it is written on the heart of man.'

It sees as though Dr. Dobson finds it convenient to tell lies while bashing the gay community. Dobson's statement that 80 percent of children in Norway are born out of wedlock is false and a total fabrication. According to Statistics Norway (government entity), which can be found at http://www.ssb.no/www-open/english/ the rate in 2003 was 50.5%, which isn't anywhere near 80%. I suppose this Christian lie is acceptable when bashing gays, right Dr. Jim?

Dr. Dobson's fabrication in disabusing Norwegians to promote his gay bashing by claiming that gay marriages will destroy the earth, our moral fiber (values) and lead to destruction of marriage is not only absurd it is patently false. Put simply, Dr. Jim found Norwegians to be an acceptable target by claiming their liberal views on same sex marriage led to runaway abortions, out of wedlock marriages and destruction of marriages (divorces) and that America would face the same damnable fate if it failed to abide by his Christian values in bashing gays.

Well, I'm here to tell ya that Dr. Jim is a damn liar! The real truth according to US and Norwegian government statistics as to abortions, divorces and children born out of wedlock are as follows.


-- 2000 Norway had 14,655 abortions - population 4.5 million;
Alabama had 13,830 abortions - population 4.4 million;
Tennessee had 19,010 abortions - population 5.7 million;
North Carolina had 37,610 abortions - population 8.0 million;

-- 2001-03 Norway had 31,515 divorces - population 4.5 million;
Arkansas had 50,109 divorces - population 2.7 million;
Arizona had 71,206 divorces - population 2.7 million;
Alabama had 68,333 divorces - population 4.4 million;
Kentucky had 62,998 divorces - population 4.0 million;
Tennessee had 90,685 divorces¡ - opulation 5.7 million

-- 2001 Norway had 28,515 out-of-wedlock birth - population 4.5 million
Arizona had 33,475 out-of-wedlock births - population 2.7 million:
Louisiana had 30,980 out-of-wedlock births - population 4.5 million

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/pdf/nvsr52_22_t3.pdf

The factual statistics above prove beyond all doubt that Dr. Jim and his cadre of enablers and False Profits like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Robert Land and Senator Coburn and their ilk find it both acceptable to spew forth total fabrications in their lust and zeal to paint themselves as moral Christian-Value crusaders that are servants and spokesmen for Christ.

When openly discriminating against African Americans (albeit it in a Christian way) no longer guaranteed political power and financial success, these vile men set out to find a new minority to target, which was and is the gay community. They then manipulated their flocks by spewing forth hateful and discriminatory claims under the guise that they were the guardians of Christianity.

Senator Coburn's statement that the gay community has infiltrated the very centers of power in every area across this country, and that they wield extreme power' is pure hyperbole (bs). I don't consider the local hair salon to be a 'center of power', do you? Of course the real centers of power are located in places like the Whitehouse or statehouse in Sacramento. Other than a few girly-men running amuck in Sacramento, I'm not aware of any gay power brokers operating there or in DC, are you?

The sad truth is that these kinds of zealots and ideologues are willing to do/say anything to obtain power and/or enrich themselves at the expense of those they falsely claim to represent. Setting into motion an agenda (scheme) to dupe their flocks in believing that minority gays deserve to be ostracized, humiliated and discriminated against for the betterment of the country and in the name of Christ is appalling.

Who will these purveyors of hate target for the 2008 election? What group among us will they claim threatens our freedom? Will it be your group? Or will it be my mine? How many more lies and fabrications will they be willing to foist upon us in the name of Jesus?

Finally, we all have an inalienable right to disagree with anyone's lifestyle; however, none of us has a right to impose our so- called values on our fellow brothers and sisters no matter how righteous we believe our cause to be.
http://www.independent-media.tv/item.cfm?fmedia_id=9988&fcategory_desc=Under%20Reported"

Honor! Friendship! Fisting!

OhMyBloodyLawd! I think this might be one of the signs of the impending apocalypse! YES! It's Karate, Kid! The Musical Playing through December 18th at:

Teatro La Tea
Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center
107 Suffolk Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10002

Egads! I Forgot They Still Existed!

I stumbled upon the website for the Weblog Awards (aka The Webbies). I've only checked out the nominee lists for best culture blog and best lgbt blog so far.

The only ones I recognize from the lists are Defamer and Modern Fabulousity (run by a gent I somewhat knew some years ago) on the culture blog list and Boi From Troy, Obliquity's Albert, Jill and Philo's QueerDay, and Little. Yellow. Different. aka Ernie on the glbt blog list.

The polls close December 12th. Congrats and good luck to them!

Absurd, Grasshopper!

Which Absurd Cat are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Ninja Cat. Be at ease, grasshopper. Put away the horribly dubbed movies and katanas for a while. While physical fitness is a good thing, nobody likes to be told over and over and over and over what martial arts you have mastered. Get a life.

A Follow-Up

Here's an article from The Nation about the major networks' decision not to run the UCC ad the other day:

"John Nichols: 'Love one another? Not on NBC, CBS, ABC'
Posted on Thursday, December 02 @ 10:05:04 EST By John Nichols, The Nation

The Rev. John Thomas, who serves as general minister and president of the United Church of Christ, is having a hard time figuring out why the same broadcasters that profited so handsomely from airing the vicious and divisive attack advertisements during the recent presidential election are now refusing to air an advertisement from his denomination that celebrates respect for one another and inclusiveness.

"It's ironic that after a political season awash in commercials based on fear and deception by both parties seen on all the major networks , an ad with a message of welcome and inclusion would be deemed too controversial," said Thomas. "What's going on here?"

The ad in question is part of an ambitious new national campaign by the UCC to appeal to Americans who feel alienated from religion and churches, and to equip the denomination's 6,000 congregations across the U.S. to welcome newcomers. In an effort to break through the commercial clutter that clogs the arteries of broadcast and cable television, the UCC ad features an arresting image: a pair of muscle-bound bouncers standing in front of a church and telling some people they can attend while turning others away.

After people of color, a disabled man and a pair of men who might be gay are turned away, the image dissolves to a text statement that: "Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we."

Then, as images of diverse couples and families appear on screen, an announcer explains that, "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."

It is a graceful commercial, which delivers an important message gently yet effectively -- something that cannot be said of most television advertising these days. But viewers of the ABC, CBS and NBC television networks won't see it because, in this age of heightened focus on so-called "moral valu! es," quo ting Jesus on the issue of inclusion is deemed to be "too controversial."

What was controversial? Apparently, the networks don't like the ad's implication that the Nazarene's welcome to all people might actually include ALL people.

Noting that the image of one woman putting her arm around another was included in the ad, CBS announced, "Because the commercial touches on the exclusion of gay couples and other minority groups by other individuals and organizations, and the fact the Executive Branch has recently proposed a Constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, this spot is unacceptable for broadcast on the (CBS and UPN) networks."

NBC was similarly concerned that the spot was "controversial." UCC leaders, pastors and congregation members are upset, and rightly so.

"It' seems incredible to me that CBS admits it is refusing to air the commercial because of something the Executive Branch, the Bush administration, is doing," says Dave Moyer, conference minister for the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC. "Since when is it unacceptable to offer a different perspective?"

Moyer says that people of all religious faiths and all ideological perspectives should be concerned that the major networks -- which dominate so much of the discourse in America -- are seeking to narrow the dialogue.

The Rev. Curt Anderson, the pastor of the First United Church of Christ in Madison, Wisconsin, says that people of good will should also be concerned about the message being sent to gays and lesbians in the aftermath of an election season that saw them targeted by the political right.

"I'm thinking of the LGBT folks in my church who felt so under attack after the election. They are getting hit again," explained the pastor. "This is another way where the culture, the media, makes them invisible. It is incredible that it is controversial for one woman to put her arm around another."

It is also bizarrely hypocritical. After all, the s! ame NBC network that found the UCC ad "too controversial" airs programs such as "Will & Grace" that feature gay and lesbian characters. "We find it disturbing that the networks in question seem to have no problem exploiting gay persons through mindless comedies and titillating dramas, but when it comes to a church's loving welcome to committed gay couples, that's where they draw the line," explained the Rev. Bob Chase, director of the national UCC's communication ministry.

Chase has a point. ABC, CBS and NBC, networks that reap enormous profits from the public airwaves, are not serving the public interest. Rather, they are assaulting it by narrowing the dialogue and rejecting a message of inclusion that is sorely needed at this point in the American experiment.

Copyright © 2004 The Nation"

Grover: Behind the Music

Too funny!

Grover is Bitter.

"Liberal Media" My Ass!

Here's a story on NBC and CBS refusing to run a pro-gay ad by the United Church of Christ because it's supposedly "too controversial." Here's the UCC's site that has the ad. With everything else they have on tv these days, they're worried about this? SHEESH!

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day