Oh Well, Just this once.....
Apr. 8th, 2009
08:07 pm - NOM Iowand
The NOM people have a link where you can write to the Iowa senators. I'm not sure I'll send from their website, since you have to give your address, but I did draft a letter, since it's so fun that you can edit theirs--here's my twisting of it below--you can edit it yourself here:
http://www.nationformarriage.org/c.omL2
I am writing to urge you to not support HJR 6, the constitutional amendment on marriage. Specifically, I am urging you to vote no on the amendment to bring HJR 6 to a floor vote before the end of this year's legislative session.
The recent decision from the Iowa Supreme Court makes one thing crystal clear: We need to leave marriage in the hands of 7 judges. It's time that the people of Iowa had a chance to have a say in the matter of defining our most basic social structure, which is why these internet people have sent this all over the country so non-Iowans like me can have our say..
There is no doubt about the views of Iowans on the matter. In a recent Hawkeye Poll, fewer than 30% of Iowa voters supported same-sex marriage, which was probably worded to be completely biased against it.
In 30 out of 30 states where voters have had a chance to vote on marriage, they have spoken loudly and clearly: Marriage is the union of a husband and wife, which we all agree on, but not only that. And most states the voters were confused, or completely lied to, like in California. On answering machines even--what won't these people stoop to?
Marriage should be left in the in the hands of a few judges, since obviously the nutsos in charge of this site don't bother to actually figure out the what the judicial branch of this country does, and certainly supports it when it's in their favor, but call judges "Activists" when it's not. Please support a constitutional amendment to protect marriage for all people--regardless of their orientation--your conscience, as well as the law, should dictate it.
Mar. 9th, 2009
10:56 am - Watchmen
Okay,
this might be a **SPOILER ALERT**,
Isn't Ozymandias' entire character based on a misreading of the poem? So, he's the smartest man in the world, but somehow literary criticism is beyond his ken?
OZYMANDIAS
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter'd visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp'd on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock'd them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Feb. 22nd, 2009
11:17 am - Oscars!
Catch the Smackdown before the big show tonight. M¥ thoughts are included. Yay for marketing tools!
Feb. 17th, 2009
05:27 pm - Poetry 2
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popebuck1 pointed out Whitman in my last post about poetry, and really, how could I leave out Whitman, the great and mostly likely gay king of American ecstasy? Fred Hersch has a great piece/song cycle based on Leaves of Grass, and this particular section I now can't hear except to music (at least the bolded parts that he set to music)--
I am he that walks with the tender and growing night,
I call to the earth and sea half-held by the night.
Press close bare-bosom'd night--press close magnetic nourishing night!
Night of south winds--night of the large few stars!
Still nodding night--mad naked summer night.
Smile O voluptuous cool-breath'd earth!
Earth of the slumbering and liquid trees!
Earth of departed sunset--earth of the mountains misty-topt!
Earth of the vitreous pour of the full moon just tinged with blue!
Earth of shine and dark mottling the tide of the river!
Earth of the limpid gray of clouds brighter and clearer for my sake!
Far-swooping elbow'd earth--rich apple-blossom'd earth!
Smile, for your lover comes.
Prodigal, you have given me love--therefore I to you give love!
O unspeakable passionate love.
Honestly. Far-swooping elbow's earth--rich apple-blossom'd earth? How frigging astounding is that turn of phrase? So, so rich. Wow.
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ebullient10:49 am - Observatory
Sunday I went here.
Now, I've walked up there, and been around it when it had been in chains, but not been on the grounds or the building.
Holy Crap. How was this so close and I'm not there all the time? It's so beautiful. Sunday was clear and you could see all the way to the ocean. The weather this weekend was spectacular anyway. The clouds last night were like dreams of painting, in large, unreal masses that defied reality. In back of them this incandescent blue. I really, really groove on the sky. I'm an air head.
So this week, a friend of mine and I are going to try and go with her family to look in the telescope, which is open after 7.
We really are on a rock floating out in the middle of space. Helpful? Who knows, but truly awe-some.
Feb. 9th, 2009
11:59 am - Blossom
Oh, sad. Blossom Dearie has left the building.
I saw her at Danny's Skylight Room in Danny's Grand Sea Palace on 46th in 2001. So wonderful.
10:24 am - Valentine's Day Poetry
I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day, but it put me in mind of this poem by ee cummings, which is probably my favorite poem ever, notwithstanding my strange HS Freshman obsession with The Hollow Men and later love of Auden (who knew he had his own society?), being the gay. This poem, though, just gets me (and I have to admit, yes, I was introduced to it by a Woody Allen movie)
I've not really thought about it ever, but because you don't really need to know, if I were to list my favorite poems, the one below being at the top, they would probably be:
Desert Places - Robert Frost
Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock - T.S. Eliot
anyone lived in a pretty how town - ee cummings
Osso Buco - Billy Collins READ THIS POEM IF YOU DON'T KNOW HIS STUFF! Gorgeous!--excerpt:
But tonight, the lion of contentment
has placed a warm heavy paw on my chest,
and I can only close my eyes and listen
to the drums of woe throbbing in the distance
and the sound of my wife's laughter
on the telephone in the next room,
the woman who cooked the savory osso buco,
who pointed to show the butcher the ones she wanted.
Pretty greatest hits list, actually, but they're still wonderful. No revelations, but revelations. And this one, so succinct and bare and rich.
Feeling poetic today--maybe it's the rain.
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near
your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose
or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;
nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing
(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
Feb. 5th, 2009
09:23 am - Clogs!
The Clogmaster is coming to town! Yippee!
This is like the guy in NY who used to come in from Hong Kong once a year, take measurements, and then make fitted shirts for $35 a pop. How nice to have things that fit, huh?
Feb. 3rd, 2009
02:08 pm - Interviewer
I think this is like that 5 questions meme that was going around (was it 5?), but this is in response to the Interviewer meme that I volunteered for. And check out the recent profiles about this year's Supporting Actress crop. They're really good.
Question 1
If your "day job" was a blog, what would it be called and what would we see on it?
www.movieposters.com. There probably is one. And you’d see a lot of movie ad materials. That’s as deep as I want to get with that one. I have a much more flip answer, but I’ll keep that to myself.
Question 2
Cribbing from mrpeenee: What do you consider Oscar's biggest all-time f*ck up in choosing a winner? Please be certain to justify your answer with scathing detail. Alternately/Additionally: What about this year's nominations? What do you consider Oscar's biggest mistake there?
That’s hard to pick. I am reminded of Judy Garland being passed over for A Star is Born; Marisa Tomei, who I think is great, but still surprises me in that particular win; Jennifer Connolly who I think acts with her hair. But probably for me the biggest oops, besides Guilietta Masina not even being nominated for Nights of Cabiria (!) is Gloria Swanson losing the Oscar for Sunset Boulevard. I mean, I like Judy Holiday, but really? Srsly? In Born Yesterday? Compared to the amazing work Swanson did, not only in front of but behind the camera. It’s one of the most thrilling, terrifying, fascinating performance ever committed to film. Indelible. Intelligent. Brilliant. Disturbing. Probably the best dramatization of the off-the-rails fantasizing and self-deception in the history of cinema, and her triumph is that even though she’s a complete loon you see how Joe was pulled in and it all makes complete sense. Not easy. I recently saw it on a big screen again, and it still works. It’s breathtaking, like watching a tightrope walker at times, and it’s all in her eyes. It’s a master class in film acting—how to be enormous but still not too big. And that she used her own films in it? Amazing. And she was all of 50 or something at the time. Can you imagine Meg Ryan trying to pull that off? It’s one of the most egregious errors in the history of the Oscars, and it was probably all politics.
This year’s nominees? I’m out of it this year—maybe it’s fatigue. I’m still annoyed about 4 months, three weeks, and two days being passed over last year. And Brokeback the year before that. Ugh. I’m not feeling Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt, really. I think Emile Hirsch should’ve been nominated, since I didn’t even recognize him. Or James Franco. PSH kinda yelled a lot, and I missed what his possible guilt was—threw off the piece for me. I like him a lot, unlike some people, but I just didn’t love him in Doubt. I didn’t see In Bruges, or Elegy, both of which I heard had amazing perfs. Sam Rockwell scared the bejesus out of me in Snow Angels, but that was released in March, and the Academy seems to be stretched to remember past October. Penelope was lucky they remembered her from the summer. I do think Mickey Rourke was good in the Wrestler, but I get the feeling that it’s a big ego who’s living in past glory playing a big ego living in past glory. Gory as well. I don’t know the guy, so I could be wrong, but I don’t feel like I’d give him the award. Not up to me, though.
Question 3
In case you haven't noticed, I'm somewhat fixated on supporting actresses. Who's your favorite supporting actress of all time? And if you could, which performance would you compel StinkyLulu to profile?
I have a big soft spot for Dianne Weist in Hannah and Her Sisters. In fact, I would LOVE it if Stinkylulu would profile that performance, knowing what a special place that holds for both of us, I believe. And I do love her as a supporting actress, once again affirmed in Synechdoche, NY.
Question 4
As noted in Question 3, StinkyLulu has become somewhat obsessive about one category of the Academy Awards. If you were to do the same -- take one category and train the focus of your blog on it -- what category might you choose? (NOTE: Your category might be an actual category, or one of your invention.)
Unsung character actors/actresses. Along the lines of Margo Martindale, Celia Weston, Anne Wedgeworth and the like.
Question 5
What's your favorite thing about your blog? What's your favorite thing about mine?
About mine? I guess I’m just glad it’s an outlet when I choose to use it.
Yours? How articulate and precise the writing is. And the screencaps.
If you'd like me to interview you, let me know in comments. I find you fascinating.
Jan. 30th, 2009
03:47 pm - Nobody Loves a Fairy
Today I thought "I'm forty". Not dramatically, but more like, "huh" and a small "eep". And then this song popped into my head
For years a fairy queen I've been
For years I foiled the Demon King
But alas I'm getting on the years have flown somehow
And I feel that Fairy Snowdrop isn't wanted now
Chorus
Nobody loves a fairy when she's [forty] fifty
Nobody loves a fairy when she's old
She may still have a magic power but that is not enough
They like their bit of magic from a younger bit of stuff
When once your silver star has lost its glitter
And your tinsel looks like rust instead of gold
Fairy days are ending when your wand has started bending
No-one loves a fairy when shes old
For years I reigned in Fairy Dell
I waved my wand and waved it well
If I can't do all I did Im satisfied because
I'd sooner be a Has-Been that I would a Never Was
Nobody loves....
Nobody loves..
The face of this Immortal One to many has appealed
But gone is the illusion once you've had it soled and heeled
When you've lost your little fairy dimples
And the moth holes in your dress let in the cold
The Goblins and the Pixies turn their backs and say Hi Nixey
No one loves a fairy when she's old.
Nobody loves.....
Nobody loves.....
As far as I can see they try to push you off the map
When once your wand has withered and your wings refuse to flap
When you can't cast a spell without it spilling
And a fairy tale for years you haven't told
You stand there shouting What O.. but they all pass by your Grotto
Nobody loves a fairy when shes old.
Nobody loves.....
Nobody loves.....
They don't give you an earthly chance to make a livelihood
Theyre building council houses now in my enchanted wood
When you are past the age for Television
And the air you use is government controlled
It seems that they would sooner
Listen to a blinkin' crooner
Nobody loves a fairy when shes old.
PS--for some reason the link won't read in LJ (?)--so here it is to hear it:
http://www.imeem.com/radiojemeela/m
12:11 pm
I friggin love Maira Kalman, and this art blog post "Inauguration at Last" in the NYT is so great.
If you haven't read her book "The Principles of Uncertainty", you should--it's really wonderful, and has a great recipe for honey spice cake in it.
Jan. 27th, 2009
03:31 pm - Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book that just won the Newberry Medal The excerpt is great. More!!!
Jan. 20th, 2009
12:20 pm - Smackdown 45
Check out the 1945 Supporting Actress Smackdown
And to prime yourself, watch the hysterical Carol Burnett parody
Jan. 16th, 2009
Jan. 14th, 2009
01:44 pm - Gnerd
Sadly, It looks like Gnerd is already taken, meaning a geek and a nerd.
I was thinking it would be more apt as a gay nerd, as in
"You just got HD so you could watch the re-release of Sleeping Beauty? You're such a gnerd."
Or "You're reading the Tales of Beetle the Bard? Gnerd."
Oh well, another dream drowned in the cruel surf and tide of techno-slang.
It must be Wednesday.
Jan. 6th, 2009
11:44 am - ....And we're back
Just in NM to visit my friend Brian and his partner Michael. They have a great new mid-century sixties house/complex near the University. They both had work deadlines, so I had much time to read and hang out, which was nice.
Went to The Frontier across from the University and had Western Style hashbrowns (green chile and cheese), a cinnamon roll (all butter), and a burger the next visit. They make tortillas there as well. And I learned elysesewell worked there, too. We had study groups there in college. So awesome that they don't even have a website. And they're always packed. I bought a t-shirt, since I couldn't bring green chile on the plane.
In the food arena, also went to Los Cuates and had sopapillas and more green chile. Awesome, and they do have a website.
Dragged Brian to see High School Musical 3, which he had somehow sadly missed. It's set in Albuquerque, and oh-so realistic. How did he miss it? I remember when we did million dollar musicals and Juilliard reps came to see us in our high school musicals, which some people had to miss for their three week long, three month early special orientation at Stanford. Sigh. We went to the dollar theatre!
And it snowed. Flurried. Cold.
I read Susan Cheever's memoir "Message found in a Bottle", which could have been a pamphlet, yet was not.
I also read James Thurber's "My life and hard times", which was a pamphlet almost, but a humorous one. Local color. I really want to read "The Thirteen Clocks" after hearing about it on NPR.
And I listened to all of Taylor Swift's album "Fearless" and I have to say I enjoyed it. A few songs I'll listen to more. Folky-ish, and some catchy songs--two things I like.
Sad to hear that Blake's Lotaburger gave $25,000 to Yes on 8, so I could not have a Lotaburger or a cherry shake. Take that, Blake! Cinemark, which gave a lot of money as well, controls two of the biggest movie houses, too.
Brian and Michael had an enormous open house on Sunday, and it was packed. I chatted for a long while with a woman I hadn't seen since 1989, when were both students at UNM. She's teaching there now, making theater, travelling, and has two kids. Tempus fugit.
I have been watching the videos for Kings of Leon "Sex on Fire" and "Someone like you" on my nano, since I'm developing a thing for the lead singer (who has a great rock voice) and the drummer. They're related, so that kind of makes me feel dirty...but I'll get over it.
And I learned I'm not a huge fan of Las Vegas. I've been to the airport twice now; it doesn't really make me want to visit the town. Of course, if we were judging by airports, I'd want to go to Charlotte, North Carolina for the enormous rocking chairs.
Last night I watched the German movie "Locked Up" that came in from Netflix. You can probably miss it. It's thinly disguised porn. Really bad acting, in the gayest prison you've ever seen--it looks like they just auditioned in gay gyms for anyone willing to take of his clothes. And the "American" guy has a full-on, unmistakable British accent. Kind of hysterical, if it weren't just boring. The deleted scenes showed that they weren't miming anything. Even in German.
Dec. 17th, 2008
10:43 am - Natalie Toaster
So,
I did an event a while back at this great old theater in Santa Barbara that was recently renovated. Their innaugural show was Natalie Cole. And I guess there was no paper or poster around, so Nat just signed the toaster in the green room:
I love this. There should be an entire celebrity-signed appliance market. And it should start with this toaster. I, unfortunately, did not get to sign the fridge. But I'm sure if Cher plays, she'll be all over it.
Dec. 15th, 2008
10:58 am - Go see this!
Yesterday, I went to see The Little Dog Laughed at the Kirk Douglas theatre.
Go if you can before it closes next week. I'm not kidding. Go.
The play is about an agent who is trying to get her main client, a gay actor, not to come out, while he is getting involved with a young hustler (played well by Johnny Galecki).
But Julie White, who is the agent, is amazing. She won a Drama Desk and an Obie, then they moved the play to Broadway and she won a Tony. And she's here doing it. She's hysterical without sacrificing depth, and you can't wait for her to come back on stage. Force of nature in Christian Louboutin shoes (and amazing clothes). Really, this is up there with the best performances I've seen, especially in a comedy--which is hard to do--she commands the stage. She's a blast.
Top actress perfs that blew my mind (and not in any order):
Vanessa Redgrave in Orpheus Descending
Zoe Caldwell in Master Class
Janet McTeer in A Doll's House
Cherry Jones in Baltimore Waltz, The Heiress, and Pride's Crossing
Audra McDonald in Master Class (frankly, between her and Zoe Caldwell, I thought the theater was going to explode)
Elaine Stritch in At Liberty and A Delicate Balance
Natasha Richardson in Cabaret
Faith Prince in Guys and Dolls
Viola Davis in King Hedley II
Dec. 10th, 2008
08:24 am - The Quilt
So I made my first quilt from upholstery sample books for my amazing grandmother, and here it is. I gave it to her on Saturday.
Before the tying:
Full finished version:
Close up:
And the monkey fabric, since it's fun
Dec. 9th, 2008
11:36 am - 1969
Check me out over at the Supporting Actress Smackdown for 1969.
Goldie Hawn
Susannah York
Catherine Burns
Sylvia Miles
Dyan Cannon
And once I find the cable that connects my camera, I can post the photos of the quilt I made for my grandmother's 90th. I finished!
And she's amazing by the way. You'd think she's 70. She read us her poetry and talked about the meaning of life. AWESOMENESS and good genes.
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