A Couple of Notes

1) Strangers With Candy: The Movie

2) Rumor has it that Dead Can Dance will be announcing their North American tour dates sometime in February. (And that they've been selling out the majority of their shows in Europe.)

Hey, Walgreen's - Byte Me!

Nothing of any major interest other than a quick rant about how some pharmacy techs. don't bother to friggin' check with the person first about an order before they fill it. I've got asthma. One of the drugs I use is Uniphyl which is a brand name for theophylline. It's the only one of that drug I tolerate well so I use it exclusively (and a couple of other types of drugs as well). The generic makes me speedy as all hell but, for some reason, the Uniphyl doesn't affect me as badly.

Now, indeed being able to breathe definitely outweighs putting up with the feeling that you've just downed 3 pots worth of strong coffee but since I've gotta choice in a drug that doesn't give me the Speedies, I'd rather go with that.

Anyway, I told the pharmacy "Uniphyl", the doctor called in Uniphyl, two of the pharmacy techs said and confirmed Uniphyl and they never bothered to double-check if I wanted generic, so what did I get? Generic. The Fuckwads! (Gawd! I love that term!) I told them off and they're switching it for me.

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Another bit of news of no interest to anyone but me but I'll post it anyway - Got back my fax machine and it works again. I've had it for about 10 years now and I've grown attached to the Lil' Nipper. Couldn't see parting with it yet. But it looks like it'll be the last time I'll fix it. The next time it goes kerfluey, I'll just get a new one since there's no parts made for it anymore and I could pro'lly get a new one for less than repairing this one. My mom's surprized that I can hang on to things (esp. mechanical ones) for so many years of good service before they finally go to that Great Junkyard in the Sky.


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Oh, yeah! Congrats to Homer for getting mentioned in the local paper about a 100-or-so year old grave that was unearthed a couple of weeks back and he helped in finding out more about the remains.

Yet Another Quiz

You scored as Aquarius. You get along best with the sign of Aquarius. Although Aquarians can be seem very odd, or over opinionated, they are good generous people. They are the humanitarians of the zodiac; they always put others in the place of themselves. Aquarians have a strong sense of individuality, and likewise, can be very eccentric. They usually have many friends because they are very easy to get along with, although at times, Aquarians can be withdrawn and introverted when they choose to be. Aquarius 95% Pisces 85% Libra 85% Leo 80% Aries 70% Gemini 70% Sagittarius 70% Cancer 60% Taurus 50% Capricorn 45% Virgo 45% Scorpio 40% What sign of the Zodiac are you meant for? created with QuizFarm.com

It Was Bound To Happen Sometime!

"Brad and Jen Sing 'My Boo!'".

Link courtesy of Modern Fabulousity.

Rambling Nonsense

I'm sitting here and I can't believe I'm hearing Kinky Friedman singing "Sold American" over my 'puter's speakers! It's been a long time since I heard The Texas Jew Boy and it's bringing back fond memories. I remember seeing him in concert at the old Lone Star Cafe on 5th Ave. and 8th St. in NYC back in the early 80's. The station I'm listening to is Pirate Cat Radio, a pirate radio (and pirate tv station) in San Francisco (Mission Street, to be exact.) Just found out about it tonight when the head honcho posted about it on tribe.net. So far, I'm enjoying it. I'll be listening some more for further investigation.

Got back the lab results yesterday from a blood draw done last week as part of my annual check-up (although it's been over two years since I had one) and I'm glad to say, everything was normal. Nice to know that nothing's about to fall outta me 'cept an occasional kidney stone. I had forgotten just how cute my primary physician was! ::sigh:: Too bad he's straight and married.

The Young Upstart (the new 'puter) has been fun to have around. It's been wonderful having a faster processor, more RAM that won't cause problems with software or online meanderings, and far more hard drive space (nearly 80 gigs compared to just over 2!)Plus updated Windoze software. (Yes, I know you Mac/Apple fans are gagging but the 'puter was a gift so who am I to complain? And I'll still be ever grateful if any one of you wanna buy me a top-of-the-line Mac! ::g::)

School has been coming along nicely although gotta figure out the software of one of the classes.

If anyone wants to help out the WYSIWYG Talent Show people, they're (well, The ultrasparkalicious Dan to be more exact) looking for models for the first anniversary show next month titled Spawn of Worst. Sex. Ever. that'll be on February 15 at P.S. 122.

I've also noticed over the past several days that I'm getting many hits from many parts of Europe and Asia for that horrendous Ax deordorant Pitman Ad that I posted about back on June 29th as well as about John Waters' A Dirty Shame. I gather both have made it overseas. Anyway, welcome to those who landed here from those searches.

P.S. Lisa - If yer reading this, please call me! Thanx!

For All You Farscapers Out There

"Fox Stations Snatch 'Farscape' for Fall Launch
Jon Lafayette

The Fox Television Stations Group on Tuesday agreed to run "Farscape," the top-rated show on the Sci Fi Channel from 2000 to 2004. The show is distributed by Debmar Studios and Mercury Entertainment.

Fox Stations will begin to air "Farscape" in fall 2005 under the two-year barter deal. Debmar/Mercury will split the advertising time evenly with Fox, and a deal has been reached for Fox's Twentieth Television to sell Debmar/Mercury's commercial inventory.

"We are thrilled to be in business with Fox, both on the station side and on the ad sales side," said Ira Bernstein, president of Mercury Entertainment.

He said "Farscape" has also been sold to some Viacom-owned stations and that the series has been cleared in about 50 percent of the country. A source said the Fox stations are also interested in acquiring "Stargate" and "Stargate: Atlantis" and running them as a block with 'Farscape.'

Revenge is a Dish Best Served with Helium

If you recall the 1956 French classic The Red Balloon, then you might enjoy this 2000 short film The Revenge of the Red Balloon.

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Here's an article/commentary (dated today) by S.F. Gate columnist Mark Morford about Dobson, SpongeBob, etc. Loved what he said here:

"Note the connection. Note the blood-red thread of fear and dread and homophobia, the brutal irony throughout all these stories. Shrill extremist sects and small-minded leaders with too much control, saddled with self-righteous and outdated doctrines that refuse to allow the culture to progress, to laugh, to moan in joy and sticky happiness."

What a Drag!

In response to the Fundies getting their knickers in a twist about SpongeBob, RobotJohnny put together some wonderful pictures exposing the All-American Bugs Bunny (who I do love dearly) as the GASP! RuPaul of the cartoon world!

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I gather several of you may have heard about the New York Times article concerning a coalition of major conservative Christian groups called the Arlington Group wrote Shrub threatening to pull support of his Social Security privitization if he didn't back a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. A reason? They were pissed that Shrub & Co. put social Security and other economic issues ahead of TEHIR number 1 issue: preserving "tradional" marriage.

Sheesh! Like the whole friggin' world and/or this country's very existance hinges on this particular topic! Yeah, right! Umm...Arlington Group? Reality just called. It would like for you to come back. The more I deal with these conservative, fundamentalist, ultra right-wing Christian groups and individuals, the more I hate them and the more I do NOT want to be associated with them.

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LOL! Someone gets turned on by snow.

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BTW - Before I space it again, anyone hear from Zen Leo? His site's been down for a few days and I was wondering how he was doing. Thanx!

2005 Razzies Nomiinations

Cheeses H Christ on a raft AND on a cracker! BugSplat...er...Blogspot was being impossible there for a while! The system was offline somehow for several minutes.

Anyway, before it decides to flake out again, here's the Razzies nominations:

25th Annual Golden Raspberry (RAZZIE®) Award Nominations

WORST PICTURE

ALEXANDER (Warner Bros.)

CATWOMAN (Warner Bros.)

SUPERBABIES: BABY GENIUSES 2 (Triumph Films)

SURVIVING CHRISTMAS (DreamWorks)

WHITE CHICKS (Columbia/Revolution)


WORST ACTOR

Ben Affleck / JERSEY GIRL and SURVIVING CHRISTMAS

George W. Bush / FAHRENHEIT 9/11

Vin Diesel / CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK

Colin Farrell / ALEXANDER

Ben Stiller / ALONG CAME POLLY, ANCHORMAN, DODGEBALL,

ENVY and STARSKY & HUTCH


WORST ACTRESS

Halle Berry / CATWOMAN

Hilary Duff / CINDERELLA STORY and RAISE YOUR VOICE

Angelina Jolie / ALEXANDER and TAKING LIVES

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen / NEW YORK MINUTE

Shawn & Marlon (The Wayans Sisters) / WHITE CHICKS


WORST SCREEN COUPLE

Ben Affleck & EITHER Jennifer Lopez OR Liv Tyler / JERSEY GIRL

Halle Berry & EITHER Benjamin Bratt OR Sharon Stone / CATWOMAN

George W. Bush & EITHER Condoleeza Rice OR His Pet Goat / FAHRENHEIT 9/11

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen / NEW YORK MINUTE

The Wayans Brothers (In or Out of Drag) WHITE CHICKS


WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Carmen Electra / STARKSY & HUTCH

Jennifer Lopez / JERSEY GIRL

Condoleeza Rice / FAHRENHEIT 9/11

Britney Spears / FAHRENHEIT 9/11

Sharon Stone / CATWOMAN


WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Val Kilmer / ALEXANDER

Ah-Nuld Schwarzenegger / AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAZE

Donald Rumsfeld / FAHRENHEIT 9/11

Jon Voight / SUPERBABIES: BABY GENIUSES 2

Lambert Wilson / CATWOMAN


WORST DIRECTOR

Bob Clark / SUPERBABIES: BABY GENIUSES 2

Renny Harlin and/or Paul Schrader / EXORCIST 4: THE BEGINNING

“Pitof” / CATWOMAN

Oliver Stone / ALEXANDER

Keenan Ivory Wayans / WHITE CHICKS


WORST REMAKE OR SEQUEL

ALIEN v PREDATOR (20th Century-Fox)

ANACONDAS: HUNT FOR THE BLOOD ORCHID (Screen Gems)

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAZE (Disney)

EXORCIST 4: THE BEGINNING (Warner Bros.)

SCOOBY DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED (Warner Bros.)


WORST SCREENPLAY

ALEXANDER, Written by Oliver Stone, Christopher Kyle and Laeta Kalogridis

CATWOMAN, Written by Theresa Rebeck and John Brancato & Michael Ferris and John Rogers

SUPERBABIES: BABY GENIUSES 2, Written by Steven Paul and Gregory Poppen

SURVIVING CHRISTMAS, Written by Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont and Jeffrey Ventimilia & Joshua Sternin

WHITE CHICKS, Written by Keenan & Shawn & Marlon Wayans and Andy McElfresh, Michael Anthony Snowden and Xavier Cook

Special “Worst of Our First 25 Years” Awards

WORST RAZZIE LOSER of Our First 25 YEARS

Kim Basinger (With 6 Nominations Total)

Angelina Jolie (With 7 Nominations, including 2 for 2004)

Ryan O’Neal (With 6 Nominations Total)

Keanu Reeves (With 7 Nominations Total)

Ah-Nuld Schwarzenegger (With 8 Nominations, including 1 for 2004)


WORST ‘DRAMA’ of Our First 25 YEARS

BATTLEFIELD EARTH (2000)

THE LONELY LADY (1983)

MOMMIE DEAREST (1981)

SHOWGIRLS (1995)

SWEPT AWAY (2002)


WORST ‘COMEDY’ of Our First 25 YEARS

ADVENTURES of PLUTO NASH (2002)
THE CAT IN THE HAT (2003)
FREDDY GOT FINGERED (2001)
GIGLI (2003)
LEONARD PART 6 (1987)


WORST ‘MUSICAL’ of Our First 25 YEARS

CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC (1980)

FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY (2003)

GLITTER (2001)

RHINESTONE (1984)

SPICE WORLD (1998)

XANADU (1980)


NOMINATIONS PER PICTURE

CATWOMAN = 7 (Picture, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Couple, Director, Screenplay)

ALEXANDER = 6 (Picture, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Director, Screenplay)

WHITE CHICKS = 5 (Picture, Actress, Director, Couple, Screenplay)

FAHRENHEIT 9/11 = 5 (Actor, Couple, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress 2x)

SUPERBABIES = 4 (Picture, Supporting Actor, Director, Screenplay)

SURVIVING CHRISTMAS = 3 (Picture, Actor, Screenplay)

JERSEY GIRL = 3 (Actor, Supporting Actress, Couple)

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAZE = 2 (Supporting Actor, Remake or Sequel)

EXORCIST 4: THE BEGNINNING = 2 (Director, Remake or Sequel)

NEW YORK MINUTE = 2 (Actress, Couple)

STARSKY & HUTCH = 2 (Actor, Supporting Actress)

Smeggin' A!

Well, Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast! Volumes 5 and 6 are due out on March 15! I'm all damp!

2004's 50 Most Loathsome

Buffalo Beast has posted its list of 2004's 50 most loasthsome people in America here.

This is Pro'lly What Shrub's Alter-Ego Really Looks Like

Darth Tater: The dark side of Mr. Potato Head

P.S. As for yesterday's picture, giving the story I just read on Mark's site and a similar story on Patrick's, I can't see Cheney doing anything else but "having the vapors" in that shot.

The Captions That Can Be Made For This Photo...

From The Black Tie and Boots Ball

Trump Dump Broadway

Oh, Lawdy! This sounds like hitting rock bottom but then, "Jerry Springer: The Musical" seems to be a hit.

Trump musical has him fired up

By RICHARD HUFF
DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR

Scary as it might sound, people could one day be whistling "You're
Fired" down Broadway.

That's because Donald Trump, the billionaire who boasts about the art
of the deal, and Mark Burnett, the producer of "The Apprentice," are
talking about a musical version of the reality show for the stage.

Somewhere David Merrick is spinning in his grave.

"There's a tremendous buzz about it in Broadway circles," Trump said
yesterday. "I just want a reincarnation of Cary Grant to play me. I
don't care if he can act, just as long as he looks good."

Burnett, who also produces "Survivor," is writing the book for "The
Apprentice: The Musical."

Trump yesterday gave few details about any story line or concept for
the show, though he did share a prediction.

"'The Apprentice' on Broadway," Trump said, "would be a smash."

"It's a love story," Burnett told The Hollywood Reporter. "It's very
inspirational."

The production would draw on "The Apprentice," an NBC reality
competition to find a future Trump employee. Naturally, there will be
a character playing Trump.

If the show actually does get produced, it will be yet another revenue
stream for Trump, Burnett and their partners on "The Apprentice."
Since the show launched, Trump has once again become a media darling.
He's also become a licensing magnet, launching a Trump fragrance,
Trump water and a Trump doll, and his 1989 board game was re-released.

"We are really looking at it," Trump said. "We've had a lot of
interest on Broadway. Because of the great success [of 'The
Apprentice'] every producer on Broadway wants to get involved with us."

To be successful on the Great White Way, Trump said the musical would
have to include some of the love and anxiety already contained within
the TV show.

"It still needs to stand on its own legs," he said of the production.
"You can't just put 'The Apprentice' on the marquee and expect it to
stand."

Word of the potential musical comes just days before the third season
of "The Apprentice" launches on NBC - and Trump's now much-hyped wedding.

Meanwhile, Trump has yet to sign up for a fourth version of "The
Apprentice," but said yesterday NBC really wants him back and he's
probably going to do it.

RIP - Ruth Warrick

NEW YORK - Ruth Warrick, the darling of the daytime soap opera "All My Children" who launched her career in Orson Welles' classic "Citizen Kane," has died, ABC-TV said Monday. She was 88.

Warrick died at her New York home Saturday of complications from pneumonia, said ABC.

"In "All My Children," which debuted in 1970, Warrick played Phoebe Tyler Wallingford, the grande dame of the fictitious affluent town of Pine Valley. She portrayed the meddlesome and over-the-top personality so believably that her fans often had trouble distinguishing between the stylish actress and her fictitious, equally sophisticated character.

Twice nominated for an Emmy for the role, Warrick often talked about how Phoebe Tyler had become an integral part of her life.

The producer Jorn Winther once said of the actress: "Obviously Ruth and Phoebe are separate and unique, yet they have much in common. All I can say with confidence is that they are both great ladies and that I love them."

Born and raised in St. Joseph, Mo., Warrick left for New York after graduating from the University of Kansas City. Her interest in acting led her to the Mercury Theater troupe, headed by Welles.

She made her Hollywood debut in 1941 in "Citizen Kane" as Emily Norton Kane. Welles, who co-wrote, directed and starred in the film, hand-picked her for the role of his wife because he said there were no "ladies in Hollywood" who fit the bill.

In 1991, Warrick was honored with a caricature on the wall of the famous New York restaurant Sardi's in honor of the 50th anniversary of her performance in the film.

Warrick later appeared in other movies, including "The Corsican Brothers," with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and "The Great Bank Robbery."

But television turned out to be her medium. Before landing the role of Phoebe Tyler, Warrick had the starring role in the series "Father of the Bride" and received an Emmy nomination for her role as Hannah Cord in the long-running "Peyton Place." She also appeared in two other soap operas: "As the World Turns," from 1956-60, and "The Guiding Light," from 1953-54.

Warrick seemed to find her niche in the role of Phoebe Tyler. She often said that it was Welles who was indirectly responsible for the character's development.

In her autobiography "The Confessions of Phoebe Tyler," Warrick wrote that Kane's wife almost seemed to mature into the soap opera character.

"Since Emily's character owes much to the compelling hand of Orson Welles, so, indirectly, must Phoebe's," she wrote.

Warrick also had a strong commitment to the arts in education. She taught at Julia Richman High School in New York as part of former President Carter's City in Schools program and was a dropout prevention consultant for the Labor Department under former President Kennedy and for former President Johnson's Job Training Corps.

She is survived by three children, a grandson and six great-grandchildren."

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

I first started watching "All My Children" back in the fall of 1978 when an old friend turned me on to it and I've watched it ever since. Don't worry, it's the only soap I watch. Phoebe was always a great character and loved her for all her drunken "Grand Dame" snobbery. As well as watching her as the first Mrs. Charles Foster Kane in "Citizen Kane". She'll be missed.


Addendum: Forgot to mention that 4 days ago was the third anniversary of Little Edie Beale's (another Grand Dame) death at 84.

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In other news, the spring semester started last Wednesday but I haven't done much other than pick up the syllabi, did some paperwork, and some reading. I'll head into the lab tomorrow to start pounding out the work. Gawd! I wonder how many hours a week I gotta spend in there this semester?

I also turned down a free ticket to the Cher concert tomorrow night. I'm not a big enough fan of hers to warrant facing an arena-sized crowd. Besides, I should try to be responsible and actually do school work! ::GASP!::

Vrrooom!

::wheeze::cough::gasp::

Just spent the past 3.75 hours dismantling The Old Trooper and putting together The Young Upstart (my temporary name for the new 'puter til I settle on a permanent one.) I inhaled more dust than I care to figure out which is doing numbers on my lungs but not as bad as I was anticipating, thankfully. Who knew that that much dust can collect behind, on, and around something in nearly 7 years? Yeah, that's how old The Old Trooper was. Pentium II, 2 gig hard drive, 128 mgs RAM, MicroFlacid 98. Yeah, time for an update, dontcha think? I completely forgot that I needed the cd-rom for the cable modem. Thankfully and amazingly, I found that buried under a dust-ladened pile of papers. Now, to get the software set up to what I want. First, tho to suck down on my aerobid...

And if anyone wants to buy me a top-of-the-line Mac, I won't argue! ;-)

How to Sh*t Like Ziggy Stardust

Gelcaps filled with pure silver leaf for approx. 24 hours of sparkling good times on the potty!

Amaze your proctologist! Impress your friends in the backroom!

Mont Python Meets South Park

Far too coincidental! I just came from Karen's blog, where her mention of finding a bird that was "pining for the fjords" reminded me of Monty Python's dead parrot sketch, and then headed straight over to check out Screenhead.

I get there to find this short video tribute titled "South Park: The Friend Store" that apparently was done in 1999. Quite funny especially if yer a fan of both shows. As a warning, it's in Real format.

Morally Festive

Calling all "dancers, musicians, filmmakers, storytellers, poets, artists and synchronized swimmers" (at least in the NYC area!): Apparently, The Brick Theater in Brooklyn, NY is doing The Moral Values Festival June 3 thru July 3 and is accepting submissions until February 14th. As they describe it, it's "a performance festival for the morally questionable, morally perverse and morally bankrupt." Sounds like my kinda party! It continues: "THE MORAL VALUES FESTIVAL is a performance festival with an emphasis on theater, but with opportunities for dancers, musicians, filmmakers, storytellers, poets, artists and synchronized swimmers to apply. Any and all artists with works relating to the theme of Moral Values are encouraged to submit their works. Performance dates and times will vary with each show, but all works will be shown on weekdays from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm and weekends from Noon to Midnight."

Thought I'd post about it since it sounds like an interesting concept. Application (which is free!) and other information can be found at the theatre's website.

Link courtesy of Gabriel at Modern Fabulousity.

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Also, here's a link to Erasure's Breathe from their latest album "Nightbird"

Boohbahs and Bozos (and Addendums)

This one goes to Karen who mentioned those bizarre embryonic Teletubbies today:




Bush Urges UN Action to Stop Boohbah Proliferation

And to fashmagslag for describing them as "...they look like hideously deformed muppet uncircumcized penises."

Too bloody perfect.

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As for the Bozos - Phreddy Phelps and his merry band of deformed muppet uncircumcized penises. They didn't show up today at Rincon High School to protest as they announced a few days ago. This wasn't unexpected since they've announced protests before and not show up (although i heard on one local news report this afternoon that they rescheduled for March). The school was prepared just in case and the counter-protest at Wingspan had a strong turn out, which I'm very happy to hear. Both the school district Rincon High is in and another local school district were in full support of the the anti-Phelps protest. Great to hear giving this is known as a conservative, republican state.

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::chuckle:: Just came across a blog that was linked to mine where the poster was thinking about creating a nightmare cast for "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy but so far only had Courtney Love as Gollum. He's off to a nice start!

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Happy birthday to my parents (my dad's was last Wednesday and my mom's today)

On a Completely Trivial Matter

Last night I watched Chinatown for the umpteenth time (so sue me! It's one of my all time top personal fave flicks) and I finally decided (well, make that "actually remembered to...") check out the mention of the Van der Lip Dam disaster which the character, Hollis Mulwray, bases his refusal to build another dam in the San Frenando Valley.

Well, I just did a google search on it and discovered that the Van Der Lip Dam is fictional but is based on an actual dam (the Saint Francis) and disaster which happened in 1928. Here's a link to the information. (And yes, the character, Mulwray, is loosely based on William Mulholland who built the St. Francis Dam.)

Yet Another Quiz Result; "Family Guy" News

be sorted @ nimbo.net

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Thankfully, Scott's post yesterday reminded me that Fox "uncancelled" Family Guy and will be showing episodes later this month and next.


Peter


Which Family Guy Character Are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

::sigh:: I so wanted to be Brian!

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BBC News' 100 things we didn't know this time last year.

Link courtesy of Anne @ Fishbucket.net

Not In Gere

Dunno if you've heard of an ad sponsored by One Voice that ran over in Israel about the upcoming Palestinian elections that has Richard Gere, claiming to speak for the entire world, urging the Palestinians to go out and vote. Well, here's an "open letter" by Ron M. that's purdy durn nifty and funny to boot.

This Might Make Me Listen to More Country Music!

Thanx to Jeffrey and indirectly Johnny A GoGo, I've discovered the woofiness of Billy Currington (above). I'm not a big country music fan (outside of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Gram Parsons, and a few others) but this guy has got me drooling thinking. Now, to find some way of getting him before Jeffrey does...

Nerdness; "Comcast - Byte Me!" #896; Assorted Mess

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Once again, I (along with every other customer they have here in TooStoned) got zapped by the "Why don't you get a life?" Monster courtesy of Comcast last night. At the stroke of midnight ZAP! out goes my cable modem connection as well as cable tv service. A broken fiber optic cable, apparently. Took over 3 hours for them to finally fix. Ah, well! At least it's working...for now.

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AWW! Apprently, poor Ashlee Simpson got booed at the Orange Bowl Halftime show Tuesday night! ::LeSniff::

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Here's some more info on what the local counter protest against Rev. Phred and His Merry Band of Psicko Psychos will be:

WINGSPAN AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ATTEND PEACEFUL
EVENT AT WINGSPAN

Wingspan has learned that Fred Phelps may be protesting at Rincon/University
High School (RHS/UHS) on Monday, January 10 in the morning. Phelps is
targeting RHS/UHS because of the drama department's production of the play,
"The Laramie Project" last month.. The play is about the community of
Laramie, Wyoming's reaction to and struggle with 21-year-old Matthew
Shepard's brutal murder by two of its own residents.

For ten years, Phelps and his Westboro Baptists -- a congregation of 22
people almost entirely composed of his extended family -- have waged a
battle against LGBT and other marginalized people. Phelps uses pickets and
an array of intimidating tactics to instigate violence and create scores of
lawsuits that fund his work. Phelps is best known for his protest at Matthew
Shepard's funeral.

Wingspan staff met with Tucson Unified School District officials on
Wednesday to discuss effective responses to Phelps' planned protest.

Wingspan and RHS/UHS urge community members to *NOT* go to the school,
butinstead drop by Wingspan (300 E 6th St in Tucson) starting at 7:00 am to
sign a card in support of students and administration for their production
of "The Laramie Project."

The Southern Poverty Law Center (http://www.tolerance.org) strongly urges
people to NOT attend hate events, but instead find an effective outlet for
anger and frustration. As much as you may like to physically show your
opposition to Fred Phelps, direct confrontations and counter-protests only
serve his purpose.

The intent of holding an event away from the school is to isolate Phelps,
rather than honor his wishes of a media spectacle. A strong, unified showing
of community members at Wingspan on Monday morning is the best response to
Fred Phelps' hate.

Also, keep in mind that Fred Phelps' purposely tries to provoke violence
from counter-protesters, in an effort to have them arrested and create
lawsuits that fund his work. Phelps, a disbarred attorney, has filed
hundreds of lawsuits--14 members of his congregation are lawyers.

LGBT community members and are our strong, straight allies are encouraged to
stop by Wingspan starting Monday morning, January 10th at 7:00am to sign a
card in support of RHS/UHS students and administration. Please bring your
coffee and plan to stay for a bit and chat with other progressive Southern
Arizonans. The card will be available to sign until 6:00pm on Monday.

Wingspan will deliver the card to the school on Tuesday.

RHS/UHS will be sending home a letter to students and parents/guardians
regarding Phelps' planned protest, encouraging students, parents, and
guardians to not counter-protest Phelps at the school, as well.

Fred Phelps may also be protesting at several Tucson churches on Sunday,
January 9th. Wingspan is in the process of contacting the churches to offer
our support, and find out what their wishes are. Please check
http://www.wingspan.org/index.php later this week for more information
regarding the churches and any possible actions.

Good News/Update

Just got an e-mail about a half hour ago from my sister's friend who lives in Columbo, Sri Lanka. She's okay and safe but says there's so much shock and devastation. She also mentioned these two organizations for making contributions:

The International Red Cross

and

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

In Memoriam: Shirley Chisholm

Shirley Chisholm dies at age 80

From Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress:

"CHISHOLM, Shirley Anita, a Representative from New York; born Shirley Anita St. Hill, November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, Kings County, N.Y.; first black woman elected to Congress; attended public schools of Brooklyn, N.Y.; B.A., Brooklyn College, 1946; M.A., Columbia University, 1952; nursery school teacher, 1946-1953; director, Hamilton-Madison Child Care Center, New York City, 1953-1959; educational consultant, Division of Day Care, New York City, 1959-1964; assemblywoman, New York State Legislature, 1964-1968; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-first and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1969-January 3, 1983); was not a candidate for reelection to the Ninety-eighth Congress in 1982; died on January 1, 2005, in Ormond Beach, Fla."

Dave Barry List

A friend e-mailed me this article and though it would make a nice entry here:

16 THINGS IT TOOK ME MORE THAN 50 YEARS TO LEARN:
by Dave Barry, Nationally Syndicated Columnist


1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."

3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

5. You should not confuse your career with your life.

6. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

7. Never lick a steak knife.

8. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.

9. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.

10. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.

11. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.

12. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.

13. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to a waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)

14. Your friends love you anyway.

15. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

16. Thought for the day: Men are like fine wine.. They start out as grapes, and it's up to the women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.

FINAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

There is more money being spent on breast implants and Viagra than on Alzheimer's research. This means that by 2030, there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge erections and absolutely no Recollection of what to do with them.

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Also got word that The Dishonorable Phred Phelps and his Merry Band of Sicko Psychos will supposedly be protesting/picketing Rincon High School here in TooStoned next Monday at 7am. The school is doing a production of The Laramie Project and that's what has them all in a snit. I wonder if they'll actually show up?

Spectacles, Testicles, Wallet, Watch.

Yep! Everything's still accounted for! Good...just wanted to do a quick-o post before I space it out.

1) This has got to be one of the poorest oddest choices of names for software!

2) Landed up catching this evening on C-SPAN2, the last half of a talk given by Lynne Truss who wrote Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation that she gave at Powell's Books in Portland last April. She's an absolute hoot! Never heard her talk before so I'm glad I got the chance. I haven't gotten the book yet but do have it down on my Wish List.