Monday, December 29, 2008
Adios, 2008!
Enjoy!
Would You Rather?
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Happy Holidays from NYC!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
CUTE OVERLOAD ALERT!
**NOTE: I do not know this baby, nor do I know this dog. This was passed on by my friend Jarett (experience his blogger genius here) and couldn't resist sharing it here! Could you just D-I-E?!?!!?
Forever A Changed Man
Does sending out make me lazy?
Does it make me spoiled?
No, it makes me less stressed for Time. Well, at least that was my justification.
As a quick follow-up... I got my laundry back last night at 5:30 pm (right on schedule!) and I swear to you... I am NEVER doing laundry again!
All of my wash was meticulously folded. It was like they stopped by American Eagle and had one of their stock boys board-fold it all before bringing it back to me! (All of you who have worked retail know exactly what I mean when I say "board-folded", right?)
To top it off, all of my socks were paired up, and they did that nifty little sock roll thing so that the pairs wouldn't fall apart! I HATE ROLLING MY SOCKS! So I was real happy they did it for me :)
I think it's safe to say that my life has been changed. Never again will I stew over having enough quarters (also known as "Jew Gold" in my apartment... my roomies are Jewish so I'm allowed to say that!), having detergent and softener, the dryer actually getting everything dry in one cycle (a novel concept), and most importantly making the time to do something that I absolutely despise!
I highly recommend you look into laundry service -- it's the best thing since getting stoned and going to The Outback!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Not Cancelling Plans? Priceless.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
First Sight?
I was in Connecticut watching my nephew. We were outside playing with a ball, and some way or another it got away from us. It went across the street, so I told my nephew to stay put and ran to go get it. As I was crossing back, he started to come out into the street.
I yelled at him and ran to grab him. He wasn't in any dangers -- there were no vehicles in sight. But, as I do when someone I love is entering dangerous territory, I freaked out. I picked him up and held him as tight as I could... "Don't you EVER do that again! Why didn't you listen to me?"
Because I was holding him so tightly, it took me a minute to realize he was a lot smaller than I'm used to. It took me off guard, so I loosened my grip and looked at his face.
It was my nephew. No doubt about it.
Except, it wasn't Jack.
This boy was blonde, just like Jack. His eyes were blue, just like Jack. But he wasn't wearing glasses. And his face had a different shape to it than Jack.
I wonder.... maybe that was nephew #2, scheduled to arrive on Valentine's Day of next year?
Do you think it's possible to "dream" someone before they actually arrive here on earth? I guess we'll see. That little face is stuck in my memory now. So I guess only time will tell if he is that baby waiting to be born.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Feel Good Movie of the Year?
Let me begin by saying run, don't walk, to go see this film. Amazing.
So at the end I was having some tears because it's such a great story, and I look over at Paul and he looked confused... So I asked how he liked it and his response was "It was kinda slow in the middle...."
I don't get it. That movie kinda put me through it. Like, there wasn't a single moment that I wasn't full on into what was happening on screen. Every line, every nuance. I was so in it that I really couldn't stop thinking about it last night. I kept playing it over and over in my head -- which made me start to wonder why I felt so good about the movie.
Not like "was it really that amazing?" because it was... but more like "was it really that much of a feel good storyline?"
Here's the deal. You gotta love a love story. Unless you're dead inside.
But all of other aspects of the movie were so intense. I don't want to give too much away, but there's a lot of story that takes place in the slums of Bombay and terrible things happen to these characters that are beyond heart-breaking.
So is it a feel good love story? Or a heart-breaking tale?
I can't decide.
Maybe I'll just have to go see it again! Very, very likely ;)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Comedic Genius, Part II
The Answer: Brilliance.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A Few Thoughts on Mormons and Prop 8
The passing of Prop 8 is a move in the wrong direction
A lot of attention and anger has been turned towards The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Otherwise known as Mormons.
I was born and raised in the Mormon Church. I grew up attending services every Sunday. I am also gay. While I no longer affiliate myself with religion in any way, there will always be a part of me that is tied to the Mormon Church. My parents are actively Mormon. My oldest sister is actively Mormon (I think...) So for me, there is no escaping a connection with the organization.
The Mormon church was by far the largest financial donor to the campaign to pass Proposition 8. For those of you that live under a rock and don't know what Prop 8 is, it's the piece of legislation that overturned California's Supreme Court ruling to allow marital rights to same-sex couples. Californians had made a step forward and with one swift vote it was all undone. Because of their involvement in the campaign, there have been protests at the Mormon temples in California and at church headquarters in Salt Lake City. Tonight, New York City is stepping out and protesting at the Mormon temple at Lincoln Center.
An acquaintance of mine is at the forefront of organizing the rally, and asked me to prepare some remarks about my own feelings regarding the church’s involvement. And while it doesn’t look like I’m actually going to get to speak at tonight’s rally (I’m kinda bummed and kinda relieved!) I’d like to leave my thoughts here. I know it’s not a platform like tonight would have been, but it all just needs to be said.
One of the first things you learn growing up as a Mormon are the Articles of Faith. These are the 13 tenants of the church as written at its conception by Joseph Smith.
The 11th Article says: “We claim the privilege of worshipping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege; Let them worship how, where, or what they may.”
This is an echo of a right that had already been granted to the young church by the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
Mormons exact the right to worship and live according to the dictates of their own hearts, and they “claim” to allow the same to all people. Yet if that were true in practice, instead of just in thought, wouldn’t that mean that we should have the right to do whatever our own consciences dictate? Regardless of what they choose to believe the eternal consequences are, is it still not my choice to choose?
Freedom of Religion inherently entails a Freedom from Religion. And the church’s actions exact a non-excusable hypocrisy.
The 12th Article of Faith says: “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law”
Again, something they hold as a tenant of their religion that they are seemingly unable to abide by. The article does NOT say “We believe in subjecting kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates to obey, honor, and sustain our own moral law”. But by their actions, is this not what they are doing?
The obvious and frequent retort from the church is they are just being part of the democratic process. It is their right to vote however they see fit. And they are not wrong here. It is the inherent right of every American to have their say.
But if they’re going to vote according to the dictates of their religion, shouldn’t they be consistent? The man who founded the religion, Joseph Smith, claimed to receive revelation directly from God himself. These revelations are contained in a book called the Doctrine and Covenants. Section 134 deals with the relationship between the church and government, and it is there that Joseph Smith, acting as the voice of God himself, dictated:
“…we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish bguilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.” (D&C 134:4)
“…we do not believe it right to interfere… nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life…” (D&C 134:12)
So stop meddling! Cast your vote – that is your right. But the millions upon millions of dollars that the church has invested in actively working towards this hurtful and unconstitutional legislation? Well, I’m sorry, but that doesn’t feel like the actions of an organization that claims to believe that the law shouldn’t interfere in "private devotion". It certainly is not the action of an organization that believes human law should “never suppress the freedom of the soul”!
I wish I could shake the church by its shoulders and yell “Stop! You’re hurting us!”
You don’t like the way that my love looks? Fine. Don’t come to my wedding. Don’t bring me cookies when my husband and I move in down the street. But don’t tell me that I don’t have the same choice as you do – to attempt to commit my life to someone. Don’t tell me that my relationship is worth less.
If I get married tomorrow, it won’t affect the Mormon population in any way shape or form. We all could go on living our own lives, according to our own hearts, and continue in our individual pursuits of the ever-elusive Happiness guaranteed to us by our country’s Constitution.
But when any organization works against equality we do not get the same result. We get a large population rejected and treated unfairly.
So why is this decision hard?
Equal Rights does not entail embracing our private lives. You don't have to go out and find a new gay best friend.
What it does entail is allowing us the rights and privileges granted to everyone else. Regardless of what your skin looks like. Regardless of your heritage.
Regardless of the one you choose to spend your life with.
Rights are Rights.
And you cannot tell me that who I am is Wrong.
Friday, November 7, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Where Were You When...
I'm Not Moving to Italy!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Not Just Another Day
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I have no Doubt
Meryl? Amy? Phillip Seymour Hoffman?
Are you kidding?! It's going to be Ah.Mayzing!
Monday, October 27, 2008
With a Z!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
B&B
Then both of these two lovely ladies put out new music -- that I kind of love.
First, because I love her more of the two, is Miss Beyonce.
Honestly, upon first listen, I didn't love "Single Ladies". And then I saw the music video. It was love at first booty shake. It's a simplistic video -- B and two dancers, who are both phenom yet still can't manage to steal her spotlight (like the could... guffaw!)
The dancing in the video is a sort of contemporary-afro-pop inspired boogie that kinda looks odd -- but seriously ya'll, I don't know ANYONE who can move like that. And I know a lot of dancers!
She leaps off of invisible walls!
She gives us Broken Doll!
Her dancers give us LEGS FOR DAYS! I mean, how often do you see actual dance technique in music videos? Not often...
So the whole video is like one continuous shot. And at the end -- close up on B, panting, like she really just sang and dances for four minutes straight. Maybe it's just me, but I think it gives such a stunning edge to this woman's talent. Most of these pop starlet music videos are plastic silicon filled monstrosities. Beyonce is all real. All woman. All Talent.
Britney Spears also made headlines when her song "Womanizer" jumped the Billboards from No. 96 to No. 1
I'm sure there are many out there, like myself, who didn't think she could make a comeback after all the Crazy that has been the last few years... but I love this song. F'reals woke up this morning with it in my head...
The video for Brit's "Womanizer" debuted last Friday night. I was at a friends with a big group, we were all being rowdy and drinking heavily -- but let me tell you -- the whole world STOPPED when it was time for the video! As someone who's not a huge fan of the crazy popper, I was hugely amused. And what's more shocking? Kinda impressed...
The video is hot. No doubt about it. Yes, her dancing kinda lacks... but I kinda don't care... because I am kinda distracted by the male star of the video (see him there in the background? ya, HOT!)
You know what else is impressive? Driving a car with your black patent S&M-esque clad foot... A party trick she picked up from a cellie during one of many rehab stints perhaps?
Welcome back, Brit!
Hotties abound at "Twilight"...
So yes, for me, the obvious choice is Robert Pattison, aka Edward Cullen.
But who are the other men in contest for Hottest Blood-Sucker?
Taylor Lautner, who actually isn't a vampire in the film. He's playing Jacob Black -- a superstitious friend of the leading lady.
Jackson Rathbone, the youngest/most recent addition to the Cullen clan. The "youngest brother" of the vampires, as it were...
Kellan Lutz, in the role of Emmett -- Edward's "bear" of a brother. (He might get my second vote for hottest guy in the film....)
And Cam Gigandet, playing the villain, James.
You decide who you think is hottest, and let me know!
On a side note...
Wanna know who else I am really excited to see in this film?
An actress who I recently fell in love with via CBS's "The Ex List" -- Elizabeth Reaser.
Her part is small. She will be playing Esme, Edward's "Mother". Not totally how I pictured the character upon first reading, but now that I know she's been cast -- I can't even imagine anyone different playing the part!
So ya, I'm dying a little in anticipation of this movie. And you all know how I feel about vampires -- I hate them! One of my top 3 fears!
But this book? This series?
Genius. Pick it up. Read it. Love it.
And then, go see this in November!!!!