Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Swoon
I've been getting wayyyy too political around these parts lately. Let's talk about something we can all agree on. Isn't Christian Bale dreamy?
Wait....here's a little scruffier picture for you.
I think I came to the realization that I had a problem when I saw Dark Knight on Saturday night and then on Sunday watched parts of (1) Batman Begins, (2) Reign of Fire, and (3) Laurel Canyon. Lord have mercy. Whew. And don't be judgmental people! I did a ton of crap on Saturday, okay? I deserved some damned TV time on Sunday. It's the day of rest for God's sake. Anyway, you know you can't argue with me. Go wipe the drool off of your keyboard.
Wait....here's a little scruffier picture for you.
I think I came to the realization that I had a problem when I saw Dark Knight on Saturday night and then on Sunday watched parts of (1) Batman Begins, (2) Reign of Fire, and (3) Laurel Canyon. Lord have mercy. Whew. And don't be judgmental people! I did a ton of crap on Saturday, okay? I deserved some damned TV time on Sunday. It's the day of rest for God's sake. Anyway, you know you can't argue with me. Go wipe the drool off of your keyboard.
Gulf of Tonkin for the 21st Century
I went searching on Google Images for "anthrax" with hopes that I'd get an image of something cool like Paris Hilton or something, but instead I just got really gross pictures of open wounds (which I guess is what we're talking about here), and photos of the band Anthrax. So I was going to post a picture of the band, not the wounds, cuz it's funnier (and what's not funny? chemical weapons!) and less scary. Was not meant to be today, Blogger's pissed at me that I haven't posted in months and so this one's image free, folks.
So the dude that was suspected of perpetrating those "anthrax attacks" right after 9/11 just killed himself. Apparently if he did do it, which of course is speculation, it would basically mean that people from our own government, with access to anthrax, sent letters laced with anthrax to Congress and media in order to start a war! Check THIS out to get the story. God forbid we learn from our own mistakes. How un-American! And have you noticed when we start these nifty wars that they don't seem to work out the way we planned? (cough, Vietnam, cough).
So the dude that was suspected of perpetrating those "anthrax attacks" right after 9/11 just killed himself. Apparently if he did do it, which of course is speculation, it would basically mean that people from our own government, with access to anthrax, sent letters laced with anthrax to Congress and media in order to start a war! Check THIS out to get the story. God forbid we learn from our own mistakes. How un-American! And have you noticed when we start these nifty wars that they don't seem to work out the way we planned? (cough, Vietnam, cough).
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Another Bush
I have little hope for McCain. Not that I had alot to begin with, but he just keeps getting worse and worse.
Although he stated several times that he does not believe in unwarranted wire tapping, he has now done (another) 180 and stated that the Executive should have the ability to spy on Americans "in a time of war."
Same crap as Bush. Constitution? What Constitution? (As a side note, I must point out that this is not a Democrat/Republican issue. Our Senator, the lovely Dianne Feinstein, voted for the warrantless surveillance bill, FISA, too. When I wrote her to say how disappointed I was that she gave away our civil liberties, I received a reply that because I was a simple citizen and didn't know what the Senator knew from our military, that I was just wrong. Bitch.)
Listen, asshats, if you have a reason to spy on Americans, a judge will issue a warrant. If you don't have a reason to be spying on Americans...well....that's we have the Fourth Amendment! And they wonder why membership with the ACLU has doubled since Bush became President.
Although he stated several times that he does not believe in unwarranted wire tapping, he has now done (another) 180 and stated that the Executive should have the ability to spy on Americans "in a time of war."
Same crap as Bush. Constitution? What Constitution? (As a side note, I must point out that this is not a Democrat/Republican issue. Our Senator, the lovely Dianne Feinstein, voted for the warrantless surveillance bill, FISA, too. When I wrote her to say how disappointed I was that she gave away our civil liberties, I received a reply that because I was a simple citizen and didn't know what the Senator knew from our military, that I was just wrong. Bitch.)
Listen, asshats, if you have a reason to spy on Americans, a judge will issue a warrant. If you don't have a reason to be spying on Americans...well....that's we have the Fourth Amendment! And they wonder why membership with the ACLU has doubled since Bush became President.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Screw the Will of the People
Just when I thought we had a win, it turns out the stupid people of California are going to get the chance to vote on it.
The Secretary of State of California just announced that the issue of gay marriage will be on the ballot in November. This comes on the heels of the California Supreme Court finding that banning gay marriage violates the right to marry and the Constitution's guaranty of equal protection under the law.
Apparently polls show that California voters will narrowly approve the initiative to amend the California constitution to define marriage as an institution between a man and a woman in order to get around the Supreme Court's ruling. Who in God's name cares so much about screwing a small part of the population out of a fundamental right? In most cases I'm all for the voice of the people, but frankly it's none of their damn business whether their neighbor marries a man or a woman. Equal rights has got to win on this one, it's our only hope.
Hurry up already, U.S. Supreme Court! You are now the only ones that can save us from ourselves! I mean, I know it took you until the 21st century to find that gayness itself is not illegal, but damn, California's making it easy for you! They did this back in the day with interracial marriage, and in 10 years you followed suit. Please don't take so long this time. It's an easy one. Equal rights. Equal protection. Who are you to say who can and can't get married? Are the straights really doing such a great job with it? I mean, Jesus, we let Britney and K-Fed get married and procreate. Twice. Sheesh.
The Secretary of State of California just announced that the issue of gay marriage will be on the ballot in November. This comes on the heels of the California Supreme Court finding that banning gay marriage violates the right to marry and the Constitution's guaranty of equal protection under the law.
Apparently polls show that California voters will narrowly approve the initiative to amend the California constitution to define marriage as an institution between a man and a woman in order to get around the Supreme Court's ruling. Who in God's name cares so much about screwing a small part of the population out of a fundamental right? In most cases I'm all for the voice of the people, but frankly it's none of their damn business whether their neighbor marries a man or a woman. Equal rights has got to win on this one, it's our only hope.
Hurry up already, U.S. Supreme Court! You are now the only ones that can save us from ourselves! I mean, I know it took you until the 21st century to find that gayness itself is not illegal, but damn, California's making it easy for you! They did this back in the day with interracial marriage, and in 10 years you followed suit. Please don't take so long this time. It's an easy one. Equal rights. Equal protection. Who are you to say who can and can't get married? Are the straights really doing such a great job with it? I mean, Jesus, we let Britney and K-Fed get married and procreate. Twice. Sheesh.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Finally!
I have been waiting YEARS for a thunderstorm in this place devoid of all weather, Los Angeles.When I heard the first clap of thunder I thought my ears were deceiving me, or that perhaps my brain had finally just given up and moved back to Florida, where the ONLY good thing was the kick-ass thunderstorms we had every day in the summer (minus the spike in humidity that followed to accompany the 105+ degree heat). But it's an actual thunderstorm. Ten years ago I would have laughed my ass off at someone writing about some freaking rain and thunder, but lemme tell you, the West has made me actually miss things like clouds and thunder and snow and all that good stuff.
Oh, and it's starting to rain. Big drops, too, none of the drizzle the losers around here normally consider rain. And it's rush hour. The chaos. I have already heard wayyyy more sirens than normal for a Thursday afternoon on Santa Monica Boulevard.
Good God am I easily pleased. Everyone in my office thinks I'm crazy because I'm excited about some damn thunder.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Ise Temple
Ise Temple is the main temple historically utilized by the Emperor of Japan and the imperial family. It is still used today for events like royal weddings. Apparently the shrine itself as well as the bridge are rebuilt ever 20 years as has been done for the past 2000 years.
This is the entrance to the Temple. The long bridge goes over a river and leads to the Temple grounds, which were extensive and included many ponds, structures, and beautiful forest.
The view from the bridge entering the Temple grounds. The entire riverbank is lined with rocks. Throughout Japan it is interesting to note how the Japanese seek to control and tame nature to do their bidding and how they do it in an effective and ascetically pleasing way.
On the other side of the bridge is a place for the ritual purification of oneself before entering the temple. Lord have mercy that water was straight from the river and freezing cold.
The entrance to a temple building. Note that only the royal family and priests can enter the temple--not even Japanese citizens are allowed to go inside. They actually had an imperial guard standing at the actual temple ensuring that no one took photos.
Another temple building, but not the actual temple.
Some kind of Shinto prayer wheels. Truman and I thought immediately of the Golden Child. Eddie Murphy scratching the wheel like its a turntable and he's a DJ. Good times.
Royal Shinto chickens. There were some with beautiful plumage, but all other chicken pictures were way fuzzy.
This is the entrance to the Temple. The long bridge goes over a river and leads to the Temple grounds, which were extensive and included many ponds, structures, and beautiful forest.
The view from the bridge entering the Temple grounds. The entire riverbank is lined with rocks. Throughout Japan it is interesting to note how the Japanese seek to control and tame nature to do their bidding and how they do it in an effective and ascetically pleasing way.
On the other side of the bridge is a place for the ritual purification of oneself before entering the temple. Lord have mercy that water was straight from the river and freezing cold.
The entrance to a temple building. Note that only the royal family and priests can enter the temple--not even Japanese citizens are allowed to go inside. They actually had an imperial guard standing at the actual temple ensuring that no one took photos.
Another temple building, but not the actual temple.
Some kind of Shinto prayer wheels. Truman and I thought immediately of the Golden Child. Eddie Murphy scratching the wheel like its a turntable and he's a DJ. Good times.
Royal Shinto chickens. There were some with beautiful plumage, but all other chicken pictures were way fuzzy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
