Van Damage Blog

What Is The Point of Journalists???

2009-10-16T15:13:00.001-07:00

I am in the midst of finishing the grand PhD, which will begin to address the above subject line. In the meantime, I will tell you one thing cable news television is not: USEFUL. The mostly inane banter that beams over the airwaves for hours on end serves almost no purpose but to incite people's emotions and let attractive women and powerful men hear their own voices. And in the great tradition of useful television the Daily Show points this fact out in one AMAZING segment. Enjoy!!!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

CNN Leaves It There

http://www.thedailyshow.com/

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Ron Paul Interview

BVD

Summer Is Going to Vietnam

2009-09-25T13:26:00.001-07:00

So my dear, sweet, wildly-intelligent younger sister has decided to take a trek all the way around the world to Vietnam. It is part of her nursing program at Seattle Pacific. During her time there, she will be aiding many people who have almost zero access to any kind of primary health care. What an amazing opportunity and gift to people who need it the most!!!
Summer would never say this to you, but she needs a lot of financial support for this trip. Please go to the blog she has set up to see how you can help and learn more about the organization she is working with.
vandaminnam.blogspot.com

YEAH FOR SUMMER!!!!!

BVD

Here Comes Fall

2009-09-07T10:26:00.000-07:00

School has begun for most of the nation’s children and President Obama has decided to make a quick “back to school” address to them this coming Tuesday. He’s encouraging kids to stay in school, study hard, and look towards the future. But not all people agree. Parents are freaking out about this. In Idaho (obviously) parents are outraged that the President will be “campaigning” to the nation’s youth. One local woman in Idaho told her kids the following:

"I told them there's going to be a speech in school that they can opt-out. I told them they should opt-out.”

Oh Puh-leeze. Get a grip, folks. This is the President of our country. I think it’s great he wants to do this. Can people please stop thinking Obama is this ridiculous brain-washing socialist? Maybe he actually cares. Wow. What a concept.

On a side note: fall is coming. Too quickly if you ask me. I found the following quote on a favorite blog of mine that cracked me up:

“You know who I hate? People who are excited for fall. I can only assume they are meganerds who love going back to school because they love homework and math and new notebooks. Summer is so far superior to fall, only a lactose intolerant albino mathlete who wears a t-shirt in the swimming pool would be excited for the end of summer fun times. "I'm excited for sweater weather!" people say. Oh, guess what? I got 10 frickin' months a year to wear the same gross sweaters, I ain't excited about it. Fall means that uncomfortable day when you underestimate how cold it is and don't wear a jacket and then you're freezing, it means that first really cold day before your building's heat has turned on and you have to wear a sweatshirt to bed, it means back to the annoyance of having to carry your jacket on your arm all night at a bar. Summer rules, fall drools.”

I concur.

SVD

Celebrity Encounter

2009-08-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

So yesterday Elizabeth Banks came into the salon/spa I work at. No big deal.

If you think I was freaking out, running around the salon cleaning before she arrived, fixing my makeup & outfit....you are correct. I even dusted & cleaned the front counter. Yes....I'm 12.

She arrived. I checked her in. Walked her to the spa area. Brought her a glass of water. We became instant friends.

Let me tell you why I love this lady. 4 words: Wet Hot American Summer. Oh...and The Baxter. Sigh. 2 best movies ever!

Okay...I'll calm down now. Sorry. I just needed a moment.

Also: if you are ever in the Seattle area and need a salon/spa to visit, you should come to the Cristy Carner Salon. We have lots of celebrity clients these days. Lots.

SVD

Points of Interest

2009-08-07T06:33:00.001-07:00

I have been ruminating on several things the past few weeks. Here are some of the highlights which have been spurred on by some interesting reads...

* One of the frustrating aspects of both of the websites I am looking at in my PhD is their lack of full technological embrace of what the Web has to offer. Lucky me, I found one of the most brilliant journalistic sites I have ever encountered. It is Flyp and produces a new issue every other week. Please take a look and spread the word.

* If you are adventurous enough to engage me in conversation about celebrities, you will soon learn of my disdain for one Gwyneth Paltrow. Well apparently I am not alone. Satirist Craig Brown writes a 'Gwyneth Paltrow Diary' in this months Vanity Fair that is hysterical. Here is a highlight...

To be or not to be. That was the question posed by one great man. It’s a
tough one. My choice? To be.
I love being. There’s so much wisdom in it. You wake up in the morning and you think, Hey, isn’t it great just being?
But not to be would be just as great too, I guess.
Next week, we learn to make yummy blueberry-and-goat’s-rennet ice cream served with arugula and coconut water.

* Interesting Time cover story this week about how exercise does not make us thinner. I read it and although scientifically find it interesting, disagree somewhat with the focus. When should thin ever be the goal? Shouldn't health be the goal? And in that, there is no way that the emphasis on exercise is ever a bad thing.

* Although it was clearly a media obsession this week, to be honest, I was not that interested in these two American journalists who were saved from hard labor in North Korea. Call me callous but I feel like there is too much suffering in the world for us to be so overly concerned with two women who like to step across borders at their own risk.
But it is nice to hear a story of reconciliation and I am happy for them and their families. What I did love was Jon Stewart's coverage of the media coverage of it. Once again Mr. Stewart brings it home. YES PLEASE.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

William Jefferson Airplane

http://www.thedailyshow.com/

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Spinal Tap Performance

bvd

To Twitter or Not To Twitter...

2009-08-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

I have recently come to the realization that a LOT of my friends are now using Twitter. I’m happy for them, but I’m truly conflicted about my own use of the site. What purpose does it serve? Why are we drawn to it? Some of my friends use the site only to follow news updates and random celebrities. I can accept this type of usage. However, a lot of other people use the site to tweet about themselves. This is what I have trouble with. I fear that sites like Twitter and Facebook are only creating a bigger problem. Everyone is becoming more and more self-absorbed through these sites. It allows us to think that everyone is focused on us and cares what we are doing/thinking/saying. But guess what? No one else really cares. They are too busy updating their twitter with their activities/thoughts/sayings. It’s a “ME! ME! ME!” society now. Am I the only one who is fearful of this? May I be so bold as to call it a form of modern day narcissism?

I think sites like Twitter allow us to indulge ourselves for a moment in…well…ourselves. We can just enjoy who we are and our self-importance. I think it probably is quite fulfilling and reassuring. I came across some amusing, thoughtful, and intense articles against twitter (I didn’t agree with all of them). Here are a couple of my favorites.

1. 7 observed Twitter archetypes

2. The Case Against Twitter (From CNET news)
Favorite excerpt: "I remember the days when people kept diaries to record their trivial thoughts intermixed with their profound emotions. They were private and hidden under beds or in sock drawers and some had locks on them. If you wanted to impress your friends with your clever thoughts or funny anecdotes you passed notes in class or gathered together to share the juicy details. That's not easy to do in 140 characters or less."

3. A Load of Twitter (from the Times UK)
Favorite excerpt: “We are the most narcissistic age ever,” agrees Dr David Lewis, a cognitive neuropsychologist and director of research based at the University of Sussex. “Using Twitter suggests a level of insecurity whereby, unless people recognise you, you cease to exist. It may stave off insecurity in the short term, but it won’t cure it.”

Harsh words? Perhaps. Might I regret this post later? Perhaps. But I’m just being honest about things. Feel free to share your thoughts…as I did mine. Maybe I’m just a big hypocrite anyway since I have a facebook AND a blog. Sheesh. I gotta go now.

SVD

The Family Behind the LA Times

2009-07-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

One of the most interesting things I have found in doing this PhD is the sordid history of the Los Angeles Times. The Otis-Chandler family dynasty not only shaped the newspaper but without them the city of Los Angeles would not be what it is. From Hollywood to the aqueduct that brings water to the southland...it all goes back to the Chandlers.
Now PBS has done a documentary about this fascinating topic. Here is a preview...

BVD

I'm Not a Quitter, So I'm Quitting

2009-07-14T04:18:00.000-07:00

Once again, one Sarah Palin has made her way back into the National spotlight (one can convincingly argue she never went away). Ms. Palin, after less than one term in office as Governor of Alaska, surprisingly quit. I was going to write a post directly after this happened because as we all know I have quite strong opinions on the former Vice-Presidential candidate (to brush up visit the Election 08 tag). But I honestly did not know what to think about it...

Since that moment I have read four articles that have provided me no further opinion on the matter but have been enlightening nonetheless.

The first is by Peggy Noonan, who after playing the Conservative cheerleader, now showed her true colors for Ms. Palin. She said...

She was hungry, loved politics, had charm and energy, loved walking onto the stage, waving and doing the stump speech. All good. But she was not thoughtful. She was a gifted retail politician who displayed the disadvantages of being born into a point of view (in her case a form of conservatism; elsewhere and in other circumstances, it could have been a form of liberalism) and swallowing it whole: She never learned how the other sides think, or why.

Ms. Noonan goes on to list all the defenses Ms. Palin's supporters give when she is attacked and convincingly deconstructs all of them.

The second is an in-depth profile of the former Governor done by Vanity Fair. It is quite lengthy (and done before her resignation) but provides a picture and perspective not spoken before about who she really is. Todd Purdum spoke with many of those who have worked with her in the past and finds a trail of broken promises and an extreme amount of ego.

The third is a sort of defence of Palin by Stanley Fish of the New York Times. Fish compares the resignation of the Governor with the confession of an adulterous affair by another politician Mark Sanford. He argues that the media seems to be trying to find a motive and looking into things too much rather than just taking these people at their word. Fish argues...

The one explanation they didn’t seem capable of coming up with was that they meant it, that their words were coming from the heart, from an interior that may have been fissured and rocky, but was nonetheless (dare I use the word)
genuine.

Finally, there is the op-ed by Frank Rich which came out last Sunday. He defends Ms. Palin, not by saying she is correct, but rather in that she represents something of America. And in that, will not go away because she now is the GOP.

The essence of Palinism is emotional, not ideological. Yes, she is of the religious right, even if she winks literally and figuratively at her own daughter’s flagrant disregard of abstinence and marriage. But family-values politics, now more devalued than the dollar by the philandering of ostentatiously Christian Republican politicians, can only take her so far. The real wave she’s riding is a loud, resonant surge of resentment and victimization that’s larger than issues like abortion and gay civil rights.

I was just at a conference in Wales and began talking with a friend I had met about Sarah Palin. He was of Palestinian background and now lived in Canada. Usually, when the topic of Palin is brought up in my circles, it becomes a 'how on earth did that happen' conversation. But this was different. He brought up (as did Mr. Rich to a more in-depth degree) what she represents. Politics and lack of intelligence aside, Ms. Palin did and still does represent something of America. I am in the midst of thinking where I stand on all of this and what it means for our society, what it means as a woman and also for our political future.

One thing is for sure, this is not the end of Sarah Palin.

BVD

A Great New Innovation

2009-07-06T01:58:00.000-07:00

Wearable Food Bags...A-MAZE-ING

New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

BVD

Let's Play Pretend...

2009-06-27T01:32:00.000-07:00

If Elvis’ great act of iconoclasm was to walk on stage, swivel his hips and tell a generation of American it was OK to f***, then Michael Jackson’s was to moonwalk on stage, grab his crotch, and tell America it was OK to ignore reality if the production quality was good enough. He gave us all tickets to our own private Neverland and we forgave him everything: the idiosyncrasies, the seclusion, the self-mutilation, the decadence.

- Gideon Yago, in a Daily Beast blog post

Let's play a game. One in which all that matters in life is talent. If for one brief moment in time you can supply the world with a song, a moving cinematic performance, an astounding dance move or an amazing painting then you are valuable to society. In this game of pretend it does not matter who you are as a human being. You can be as messed up as you would like but as long as you've got talent you are seen as having value. And this value is tangible it is not an abstract thing. You will affect people's lives, not in any direct way mind you, but because they also believe this talent means something more than it does. They will celebrate you as a worthwhile human being and validate your existence on the earth.

Michael Jackson was the supreme example of this pretend world we have all chosen to live in for far too long. Here are some of the comments posted on the New York Times website after he died...

'Michael was my guiding light. Now I'm lost.'
'It feels like a member of my family has died.'
'It's one of the saddest and shocking moments of my life.'

I truly believe what these people are feeling is real however what is troubling is that it says something about us. We will immortalize a person and let them into our lives and invest in them simply because they have a talent. All one has to do is look at the circus that Mr. Jackson was to know as a human he was contributing nothing of substance to a society that embraced him. Yes human as circus. A circus that ultimately ended because of drug abuse.

Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth followed Mr. Jackson for twelve years and interviewed hundreds of those closest to him. Throughout that time she published five different articles for the magazine. They are all available to read here. Ms. Orth's conclusion...

His behavior truly troubled me. Understandably, in the wake of his death, there are those who do not want to hear these sad facts. Yet nothing that Vanity Fair printed was ever challenged legally by Jackson or his associates.

The infamous MJ is not the only example of this...just look at the death of Farrah Fawcett. The woman is being immortalized for being a pinup and doing less than 30 episodes of a '70s television program. One LA Times writer said this about her in an article entitled 'Farrah Fawcett leaves a legacy larger than her roles'...

...she was Princess Di before there was a Princess Di, a photogenic icon who just seemed nice.

What on earth does that mean? The woman is worth celebrating because she takes a good picture and is nice. Well then put me in the line of people who deserve endless spreads in magazines and newspapers. I think I'm nice and I've been told I'm photogenic. We'll just pretend that she didn't have problems in marriage, problems with drugs, problems with her children etc...Because look at what she gave us, a picture!!!

To be sure comparing Ms. Fawcett with Mr. Jackson is a bit unequal both in their talents and in their personal lives. But what both of their deaths do say is something about us as a society. What on earth have we become? We celebrate a man who cut up his entire body and even changed its color. We immortalize a man who had a drug problem and spending habits that brought him to bankruptcy. We deify a man who, although he was never convicted, spent a lot of time doing shady things with young boys.

Let's pretend we live in a world where we celebrate who a person is first and what talents they possess second. When the heart of a person and what they give back to their society is what is extolled. Let's pretend a person who has spent years working for the greater good of humanity on grand stages or in small orphanages is treated with great respect and honor in their death. This is what is pretend my friends and this is what we should be very sad about

In the meantime, I'm headed back to 'reality'...The Evening Standard just said London killed Michael Jackson. I hope it doesn't kill me.

BVD

The Courageous People of Iran

2009-06-21T11:07:00.001-07:00

The message in my church the morning was centered on the idea of courage. The vicar quoted the book of Joshua when the Lord told Joshua time and time again, 'Be strong and courageous'. I can think of no better example of that courage at this moment in time, than the people of Iran who are standing up for freedom and the right to be heard. They are mainly young people fighting a battle with a powerful force who seeks to suppress their voices of dissent by any means possible.

I am not a great writer and so encourage you to read two profound analysis pieces today that really address many issues at the heart of this matter.

The first is by Roger Cohen of the NYTimes who is in Tehran at the moment and says...

I also know that Iran’s women stand in the vanguard. For days now, I’ve seen them urging less courageous men on. I’ve seen them get beaten and return to the fray. “Why are you sitting there?” one shouted at a couple of men perched on thesidewalk on Saturday. “Get up! Get up!”

Another green-eyed woman, Mahin, aged 52, staggered into an alley clutching her face and in tears. Then, against the urging of those around her, she limped back into the crowd moving west toward Freedom Square. Cries of “Death to the dictator!” and “We want liberty!” accompanied her.

The second is by Peggy Noonan in Saturday's Wall Street Journal, her words...

Stifling and corrupt religious autocracy has seen its international standing diminished, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is among other things a Holocaust denier, has in effect been rebuked by half his country, and through free speech, that most painful way to lose your reputation, which has broken out on the streets. He can no longer claim to speak for his people. The rising tide of the young and educated seems uninterested in reflexively hating the West and deriving their meaning from that hatred.

I have watched two very chilling videos of what is happening in Iran which I have decided to post here even though they are disturbing and quite graphic. The first is of a night raid in Tehran last night, you cannot see anything but the screams can be felt in a small flat in London. The second is of a woman dying after being shot. She has become a sort of poster child for what is happening in Iran.

A couple of years ago I read the most amazing memoir of Iran by a woman called Azar Nafisi. Although it is merely a snapshot of a moment in the country I found it beautiful and heartbreaking. Maybe a foreshadow of what was to come.

BVD

Obama's Speech to the Muslim World

2009-06-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

Worth watching in its entirety...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

BVD

Sexing Up Children

2009-06-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

About a year ago, Vanity Fair did a profile of 15 year old Miley Cyrus (known to Disney fans as Hannah Montana). They took some VERY disturbing photos of the young GIRL which looked like this...

The first I find shocking in that the girl is half naked and posing with this sort of snarky 'come and get it' smile. The second is even more disturbing in that she is draped across her father with a fairly provocative outfit on (for a 15 year old). What kind of message is this??? And why on earth would any parent who cares even an ounce about their child let them send it???

And now on to this, which I found today...

The taller girl with the brown hair (left on top, right on bottom) is none other than NINE YEAR OLD Noah Cyrus, Miley's little sis. According to the blog Jezebel, the young girls were at a poolside bash wearing Juicy Couture. What on earth are these seriously mentally incompetent parents doing??? Whoring out their young children for fame and money is shameless and sickening.

The sexualization of young kids is ridiculous and should be called out on all occasions. I am doing it here, on this small little blog, because I've had enough. Yes kids will be kids and play dress-up and what not...but this is different. These children are being exposed to national media and are being sexualized by their manager/parents for money and fame and it is SICK. End of story.

BVD

Films I Have Just Watched

2009-05-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

So ten years later, an actual blog post. Who knew it could be done??? Anyway, I joined Love Film, which is the British Netflix and have been watching some FAB DVDs that I really, highly recommend.

* Priceless
- Cute little French love story set in the South of France with Audrey Tautou. She dates men for their money and that's pretty much how she makes her living until she accidentally falls for a waiter.

* Lars and the Real Girl
- This movie is all about an amazing performance by Ryan Gosling. He is a young man with some social problems who begins dating a doll who he thinks is real.

* Tell No One
- I had heard about this French thriller and it was just as good as I had imagined. A man's wife is killed and 8 years later he gets an email from her and this whole murder/mystery ensues. Really entertaining.

* Volver
- This was the film which got Penelope Cruz an Academy Award nom for Best Actress. She is fab in it!!! She is SO MUCH BETTER when she does Spanish language films. I'm not a huge Almodovar fan but found this film quite touching and while still quirky, accessible.

* I've Loved You So Long
- This is my favorite of the bunch so far. A French film starring the always fabulous Kristen Scott Thomas who has just come to live with her estranged sister and the sister's family after spending 15 years in prison. The script and acting are simply brilliant.

Enjoy!!!

BVD

Concerts and Charity

2009-05-06T03:39:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to a concert for the first time in ages...I forgot how much I enjoyed them. Anyway, it was a standing venue and so we were all on the concrete looking up at the stage. I am instantly at a disadvantage as my average height (especially when wearing flats) tends to get overshadowed by much taller gentleman and sometimes ladies. I managed to find a slot where I could see the stage and was excited as the band finally arrived to play.

Then it started...no not the conert. The cell phone and camera MADNESS!!!! People all around me were constantly taking photos and recording songs. The girl in front of me literally never put down her camera. If she was not recording one song she was taking non-stop pictures throughout another. It was insane. If the people want to watch recordings instead of a live show why don't they just watch YouTube and save the 20 pound ticket fee??? I don't get it. The point of a live show is to be in the moment, live with the band. If someone could please explain this to me I would be overjoyed to understand the method behind the madness.

On a completely different note...I read the FUNNIEST article from The Onion yesterday. I'm copy and pasting the whole thing here (I don't know if that's illegal but whatevs).

ROME—More than 40 artists, including U2, Death Cab for Cutie, Rihanna, and Rage Against the Machine, performed at six simultaneous concerts across the globe Saturday as part of a new benefit show to wish the world's desperately impoverished the best of luck. The $200-a-ticket event raised more than $80 million, which will be put toward thousands of good-luck cards and balloons for developing countries and a fund for future charity performances. "I hope you will all join me in extending a hand of friendship to the have-nots, shaking their hand once, and walking away," Al Gore said in a special message via satellite. "You've had it pretty bad, and it's not likely to get better. May God help you all. See ya!" Producer Quincy Jones also brought all the participating artists together to record an all-star track that will be made available to the poor through iTunes."

BVD

Random Good Stuff

2009-05-04T03:12:00.000-07:00

Here are some random things I've been thinking about/reading about this past week or so...

* Great article about how evangelical Christianity is still on the rise despite the predictions of its decline due to modernity. The piece is based on a larger book from two top editors at The Economist. They use Ned Flanders (from The Simpsons) as a sort of central character to describe perceptions of Christians and how faith actually works itself out in society. The authors also use Peter Berger as a source, who is currently one of my fave sociologists.

* Laura Miller at Salon wrote this fab review of a book about why we can't concentrate. Don't know if I'll read the book...but this article brings up a lot of the issues that I think are going to become big problems in our society if we don't get a grip. Trust me, after trying to teach kids in their late teens and early 20s I have learned it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to keep people's attention for more than 20 minutes. Now I gotta go check my Facebook page :)

* I am SO OVER swine flu. PUH-LEEZE. The most overhyped disease since bird flu. According to this article 36,000 people die in the US every year from just the regular flu. And now 200 have died internationally (but mostly in Mexico) and we are freaking out. I'm over it.

* A blogger at Jezebel put together a list of some of the best '90s teen flicks. She notes they often get passed over for their more famous '80s counter parts but there's a lot we can learn from them. As a teen of the '90s I totes agree.

* I stumbled on this Kelly Clarkson version of Ray LaMontagne's Shelter. I kinda like it.

BVD

Great TV

2009-04-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my roommate Caitlin, I think I just found my new favorite television program. It's called Summer Heights High. It originally aired in Australia and was picked up by HBO. Here is a preview of the show (which contains some offensive language):

This mockumentary show is set in a public high school and focuses on three characters: Mr. G, Jonah, and Ja'mie. All three characters are played by the hilarious Chris Lilley.

It's comedy genius. Here's one of my favorite clips from Mr.G:

I think we have a new classic on our hands, people. LOVE IT!

~ SVD

Torture Memos

2009-04-22T04:26:00.000-07:00

Last week the Obama Administration released 'The Torture Memos' that were created throughout the tenure of the Bush Presidency. We all knew this was going on but this is an actual account of the legal provisions made for the 'torture' of suspected terrorists. There are two issues I see relating to the release of these documents.

First of all, even though the US 'didn't torture' according to the previous administration it is now crystal clear that they did. And in their minds it was justified because through it they were able to extract information relating to terrorist activities. Some feel that the 'torture' is acceptable because the ends justify the means. This was the defense given by Dick Cheney and many other of the top administration officials both during the time period and in defense of their actions to this day.

In my mind, none of this matters. Whether torture actually extracts information from a suspect or not, the point. WE DO NOT TORTURE. Torture sends out a contradictory message to the world about who and what America is. If this 'war on terror' that we have waged (and spent billions, possibly trillions on) is about changing hearts and minds then doesn't torture do the exact opposite? If the goal is in essence to preserve our way of life and defend it and to make people realize how great America is, through torture we prove the exact opposite. We don't value human life or a fair trial or due process is what torture says. Torture says certain people deserve a 'Bill of Rights' but others don't. America stands for everything that torture does not. My point is articulated by Shep Smith in this interview about the memos and in an amazing article by Gary Kamiya at salon.com.

The second issue is whether or not the Obama Administration should have released the memos. Peggy Noonan in the clip below says we should just move forward, move on and leave a little mystery. Let's see, we committed what most people see as torture even though we don't torture and instead of owning up to it and exposing it for what it is, let's just sweep it under the rug. The great shame in my mind of the last Presidential Administration was its secrecy and it damaged more than just our economy. If America is to be a truly great nation, we must be a nation that is of the people, by the people and for the people. Not a nation run by men who do illegal things behind closed doors in the name of power and protection. America can be great but if we forget its basic tenants we will never be. LIFE. LIBERTY. THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL WITH CERTAIN RIGHTS. FREEDOM. RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION.

BVD

More Things

2009-04-20T14:16:00.001-07:00

I should really start posting as I find all this stuff instead of making these long random posts but whatevs. Here are things I have been thinking about/reading about/laughing about or are just plain about.

* I have been seeing all this press for Grey Gardens with Drew Barrymore. I knew nothing about it until I read this NY Magazine article which was originally published in the 1970s. Grey Gardens was the falling apart mansion that Jackie O's aunt and cousin lived in together. Soon after the article, the duo decided to allow documentary filmmakers to come in and observe their super beyond strange lives. YouTube had a copy but has since taken it down. It is astounding!!! Really worth your time, these women are insane and yet you can't take your eyes away. Here is a teaser clip...

* Jezebel did a fab post on 'Top 10 Lessons Learned from 80 Sitcom Heroines'. It's so classic.
#1--- Ice Pops are not a sufficient meal as learned by DJ Tanner in Full House.

* I've been reading a fair amount about these nation-wide tea parties in America. Here it sounds as if the whole thing has been orchestrated by Fox News, but that could just be my perception. Anyway, John Oliver at The Daily Show did the most fantastic peace about the tyranny that Americans were actually under when the original tea parties occured back in the day. He claims it is afront to Britain that what it did would be compared to what is happening to Americans today. Touche, Mr. Oliver.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Tea Party Tyranny

thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Economic Crisis

Political Humor

* Finally Kelly Clarkson has a new single called 'I Do Not Hook Up'. You can watch the video here. I applaud Ms. Clarkson for taking a very opposing view to what is modeled in much of society today. However, I don't buy it. She makes men out to be the problem (as most of these songs do...see Womanizer by Britney Spears and Single Ladies by Beyonce). I am not going to pretend that men are in any way, shape or form the best at relationships but neither are women a lot of the time. Why does the single woman anthem always have to be about how men are trashy womanizers and if they weren't we would be with them? Why can't it be about how great it is to be single? Why can't it be about a person instead of 'all men'? And most of why do all of these women basically do strip shows in their videos and then say 'Don't look at me as a piece of meat'? It doesn't really work. Sorry :(

BVD

Easter Weekend Reads

2009-04-10T15:14:00.000-07:00

Since I am stuck in London this LONG Easter weekend (in England both Good Friday and Easter Monday are holidays in which many, many things are closed and everyone is gone) I thought I would post some of the interesting reads I have had lately. Hopefully it will give you something to do if you're alone this holiday weekend as well.

* Fab interview by Kevin Berger at salon.com with travel guru Rick Steves. He really gets to the heart of what Steve does and gets him to open up about his opinions on a lot of things. It's very enlightening from a man who I often thought was just a tour guide. Best quote...

It's interesting: A lot of Americans comfort themselves thinking, "Well,
everybody wants to be in America because we're the best." But you find that's
not true in countries like Norway, Belgium or Bulgaria. I remember a long time
ago, I was impressed that my friends in Bulgaria, who lived a bleak existence,
wanted to stay there. They wanted their life to be better but they didn't want
to abandon their country. That's a very powerful Eureka! moment when you're
traveling: to realize that people don't have the American dream. They've got
their own dream. And that's not a bad thing. That's a good thing.

* Great commentary from Emma Duncan, an editor at the Economist, about what the G20 wives were up to last week in Britain while they're husbands were trying to be heroes. She rightly brings to the forefront the fact that these very bright and accomplished women are given a sort of 1950s housewife role as soon as their an official spouse. According to Ms. Duncan...

Downing Street seems to have decided that G20 ladies’ virtue would be endangered
if they met any of Britain’s notoriously rapacious menfolk, because their visit
was conducted in purdah. Michelle Obama was taken to a women’s cancer hospital
and then to a girls’ school, presumably on the grounds that nursing and teaching
are the only occupations suitable for ladies. Did she and Sarah Brown meet
consultant oncologists to discuss developments in radiology? No, they went to
the make-up unit, where Obama shared some top tips.

* Newsweek did a fairly controversial article on 'The End of Christian America'. It points to a recent survey about Americans beliefs. I read the original study when it came out and am not surprised. I actually think it's a great thing and that America was never meant to be (nor has it ever technically been) a Christian nation. But apart from just that he brings up a lot of interesting historical and cultural implications surround this shift.

* Christopher Hitchens gives an account of his beating in Lebanon last February in this month's Vanity Fair.

*And finally this isn't a read but a watch. The ever enjoyable Brian Williams made another appearance on the Daily Show.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Brian Williams

thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Economic Crisis

Political Humor

BVD

I'm Ready NOW

2009-04-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

I want to get married now. I am ready, it's time. I am going to go find a mate. As soon as I find one who wants to get married and have a family, I'm doing it. I am sick of all the BS, all the dating and games. It's time. I'm getting older and the only thing I need is someone who wants the same thing as me (ie a commited marriage) because that's the key thing anyway. I am serious about this don't laugh. I'm going to do it the clock is ticking.

I bet you are now thinking wow Brooke, ease up there turbo. You sound desperate and needy. You are also assuming that you can just find a guy, good luck with that search. Don't you think you should maybe just be happy where you are.

However, it was not me who said the above statement but one of my male friends. Now read it as if a guy was saying it. Wow, that's a guy who knows what he wants. Good for him for not playing games. What a refreshing contrast to most of the indecisive men that like to live in boy/man land until they are 40.

I was stunned when my friend and I began talking about the above and I really admired him when he told me. His honesty and candor were refreshing. And I agreed with some of his points. Then the next day as I began to ponder it more I realized that if I said the exact same thing, I would be crazy marriage girl and men would run away from me. But why is that??? Why can't the statement stand for the same thing coming from a man or woman???

I don't have some great answer here. I am sincerely asking why this is so. And to be sure it's better than it has been for most of human history when women were purely valued for their male attachments. But I still find it sad that I cannot be fully honest about what I want out of men and life and relationships when men can be. Men can be in love with marriage and family before or after they're married and we find that endearing. But with women we only find their love of family and marriage endearing AFTER they've tied the knot or commited to a man long-term. Before it's desperate (see Jennifer Aniston as the poster girl for this). I hope at some point women will be able to be honest without desperation and be as admired for it as men are.

BVD

Dancing Man

2009-04-08T01:48:00.001-07:00

I am totally stealing this from Summer but I HAD to post it. This kid is hysterical. I haven't seen dance moves like this in years. Love it!!!

BVD

2 things

2009-04-05T15:32:00.001-07:00

I just realized Brooke and I had not updated the blog in quite some time. As of now, I don't have anything significant to post except the following 2 things:

First, you MUST go to this website and download Adrian Champion's Stars & Stripes album. Ah-maze-ing! Mr. Champion has remixed The White Stripes with various hip-hop artists. I've been listening to it all weekend long. So good! Here is a preview:

Adrian Champion Presents: Stars & Stripes - The White Stripes Reimagined from Adrian Champion on Vimeo.

Second, I just saw the youtube video below and was blown away! Apparently, Schick has come out with a new "trimming" razor for women. This is definitely NOT your mommas razor. Times are a-changing for sure. I apologize if this offends anyone, but I was aghast that this item was actually made and advertised on TV. Crazy!

I promise to update soon with more "important" things....ha!

SVD

Saturday Funnies

2009-03-14T03:19:00.001-07:00

Here are the things making me laugh at the moment, ENJOY!!!

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

The First First Lady Fashion Show

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

And this Target Women: Chocolate which for some reason I cannot embed. But do watch, it's SO funny.

BVD

Update: It's Bothering Me

2009-03-10T06:09:00.000-07:00

Okay I probably should have spoken out about this ages and ages ago...but now I'm really mad for some reason, so here it is. These horrible, horrible people who have led our world into this global crisis through their greed and selfishness need to be called out!!! It is the politicians and their lax regulations, the men who run these companies, the media who roll over like puppy dogs to talk to all of these people and us for not standing up and saying 'NO'!!!!

John Stewart did it a few days ago to the people at CNBC (clip below) but I feel like that should just be the tip of the iceberg of our fury. Peggy Noonan brought it up in one of her succinct Saturday pieces. Anderson Cooper tries to do it in his segment 'Keeping Them Honest'. But seriously people, it's time for public outrage.

Rant over...enjoy the clip.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

CNBC Gives Financial Advice

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Update: Time Magazine has a list of the 25 People To Blame For The Financial Crisis. Naming and Shaming. Love It!!!

BVD