Riotpoof

Monday, August 06, 2007

I'm so excited!

Showgirls has to be one of the worst movies ever made, but goddamn it is funny. The greatest part of this disaster is its makers actually thought they were making a serious, erotic movie. Rosie O’Donnell managed to squeeze out more eroticism from her S&M role in Exit to Eden than Elizabeth Berkley came remotely close to in her Tourette inspired performance as Nomi. But to be fair, the critics of her performance are undoubtedly biased as the bar was set so high from Berkeley’s stint in the hit TV show Saved by the Bell. Please take a moment and enjoy the following clip. Oh...so powerful. I may be mistaken but I think she may have won an Emmy for this.

*Jessie eventually, through hard work and rehab, overcame her addiction to caffeine pills.

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 08/06 at 09:42 AM
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Monday, July 30, 2007

Real Life Dolores Umbridge

Last night I finally watched Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This movie was by far my favorite of the series and Dolores Umbridge has to be my favorite character yet. The translation of her character from the book to the movie could not have been done any better. When reading the books, Umbridge was almost troll like in my mind’s eye. I almost thought of her as a outright beast or monster. But David Yate’s translation of Umbridge was far different from the way I had imagined her. Rather than being scary in the traditional monster under the bed sort of way, the film version of Umbridge was very real, nefarious and eerily familiar. I couldn’t put my finger on it at first. Her short and squat, but somewhat pleasant physical appearance reminded me of someone. But far more than the physical similarities, the rotten conservatism bordering on outright fascism that characterized her approach to education unmistakably parallels the work of a current political figure. Think about it. Rewriting the truth in favor of propaganda and fostering ignorance and selective truths that disempower children fostering unquestionable obedience to governmental authority. Have we seen this same thing in our own country? I of course and speaking of Lynne Cheney and her campaign against the National History Standards (More Information). These similarities made Dolores Umbridge SOOO much scarier in the movie. My only question now is where can I find some centaurs to run Cheney and her comrades out of town?

hmmm....

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 07/30 at 10:05 AM
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Wednesday, July 25, 2007

A Tier 1,000,000th Cadidate Breaks Through

Forget Hilary and Obama. Vote for presidential nominee Ruth Bryant White! Ruth broke into the running after submitting a YouTube video for the CNN democratic debate where she announced her candidacy for president of the United States. Ruth may not have any direct experience that would qualify her to be our president, but she’s got the experience of hard-knocks. Through her groundbreaking self-published book,"Life Through the Eyes of an Interracial Couple,” she tells the story of her triumph over adversity as an interracial couple in a racist society. But don’t feel sorry for Mrs. White. She is not looking for your pity or any special privileges. Especially not those “special rights” that are sought by those gay and lesbian activists. This was the key point of her YouTube question posed to the democratic candidates, inquiring whether “you said homosexuality is moral”? Sadly, this video was not chosen. But no matter, Mrs. White is stumping for her 29 point platforms which include items like #25 “Opening The Political Doors To those that Are Not In The “Good Old Boys or Women’s Club, ” #20 “Bring A Color Blind America To Our Society Interracial/Multiracial Racial Categories Census/Religion/Media/Workplace/Entertainment Industry” and #17 “Restoring Traditional Family Values Phase I , We’re going to get America Back On Track but we must work together and be taken out of our comfort zone to do what I propose to you.” To help her bring these goals to fruition, Mrs. White has proposed bringing in Condoleezza Rice as her “Co-President” as well as an impressive list of cabinet members including “CNN Headline News’s Nancy Grace,” “Fox News Michelle Malkin and Laura Ingraham,” “American Idol’s Ace Young, and Jordin Sparks,” and even the lovely Ms. Jessica Alba. If that isn’t going to put this broken nation on the road to recovery, perhaps the good Lord will take note and lend a hand with Mrs. White and her proposed “Presidential Prayer team” that will be manned by the likes of “J.C. Watts and Deon Sanders.” But don’t take my word for it. Visit Mrs. White’s campaign site at http://www.rbwforpres2008.com/ and find out for yourself.

Available from Amazon.com.

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 07/25 at 02:38 PM
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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Cnn YouTube Debate

I watched the CNN YouTube Democratic presidential debate last night with great enthusiasm for a different political discourse. Mostly, I was disappointed. The whole “user generated” content was sort of gimmicky. Wolf Blitzer repeatedly spoke of the interactive nature of this debate, which I didn’t really get since most of the questioners were not present or able to actually “interact” with the candidates. And while Anderson attempted to keep the responses on target, there still was a great deal pandering and vacuous answers. My main issue with this and all other primary debates is the pointless focus on what they call the “tier 1” candidates. In this case, Hilary, Obama and Edwards received much of the attention, not only in the directness of the questioning but also on the subsequent “news” coverage. I don’t understand why we limit the party to so few choices. Why not listen equally to each of the candidates and let the issues come to forefront?

I was quite impressed with the candid responses from Dennis Kucinich as well as the pithy replies from Mike Gravel. But the follow up reporting spoke little of their contributions, instead focusing almost exclusively on the performance of Hilary and Obama. Both of who delivered familiar rhetoric about “uniting” democrats and republicans and yadda yadda. That is too bad. Instead of using technology to empower and involve a younger, disengaged, electorate, this political theater staged by CNN may only assimilate those young voters into a stagnate political system that continually fails and frustrates Americans like me.

Watch for yourself (http://www.youtube.com/debates)

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 07/24 at 02:37 PM
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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Christians Fighting for Religious Freedom

...so long as it is THEIR religion.

Read the story HERE

Thanks to Shelly for the link.

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 07/18 at 10:49 AM
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Quick Update

Lots of things going on right now. The hubby and I are moving! Well, not as far as I would like (across the Canadian border!) but moving none-the-less. We are packing our bags and little pups and heading for big city living. Well, actually just downtown Tampa. But it’s a start! Things aren’t finalized yet but I’m very excited to leave the comfort of suburban Carollwood. Also, I’m heading to DC this weekend for a visit (my sister lives there now). I need a short vacation, although I don’t know if spending time with a 10 year old niece and 2 year old nephew qualify as a “vacation.” I can’t wait until they are old enough to go to bars.

This summer semester has not been as relaxing as I had hoped. The thesis....well, the thesis is still around haunting my every waking moments and sometimes my dreams. I met with my adviser yesterday and I’m thinking I should have this sucker done by October. Just a bit past my original deadline of LAST DECEMBER! Oh well. Life goes on....

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 07/18 at 09:41 AM
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Monday, July 02, 2007

Bush Justice

President Bush conducts his presidency like he’s playing the dog in an extended 8 year Monopoly game. When justice is delivered to one of his cronies, he simply dishes out one of his get out of jail cards and Libby is free to go. According to Bush, Libby’s sentence was “excessive” and Libby and his family have suffered enough for his crimes. I find this statement a bit ironic considering the state of Texas topped the nation in executions during Bush’s reign as governor. I doubt he lost a wink of sleep after giving the thumbs up to the execution of 131 men and women, but apparently the thought of poor Libby spending 30 months at “Club Fed” gave old dubya the squirts. Just another reminder to us common folk that the rich and powerful live by a different set of rules. If only I was lucky enough to have done lines of nose candy off a bathroom floor at Yale with an up-and-coming president. Hell, I’d even settle for a future presidential dog walker. You never know when you need to call in a get out of jail free card.

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 07/02 at 06:40 PM
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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

I've got holes on the brain

Is it possible to be drunk for three days? On Saturday I went on a 12 hour drinking binge (no doubt unconscious self-medicating behavior to assuage the stress from my laundry list of current failures) and, even today, if i move my head too fast the room trails way behind--without even the smalled drop of acid! This reminds me of an educational program I once watched that was created to scare teens away from underage drinking. They performed CAT scans on teens who enjoyed tipping the bottle and “showed” them the irreparable damage they have already done to their brains. Of course at the time I scoffed at such an idea. After all, I drank like a fish in high school, graduated with honors and went on to a successful 10 year stint in higher education. Oh SHIT! They must be right! Only losers and brain damaged lushes stay in college for 10 years. I must have holes in my brain. This explains my current problems finishing my thesis. I have growing holes in my brain that I’ve acquired after many many (many many) years of too much fun. Can I quit my job and collect disability for this?

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 06/26 at 10:35 PM
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Saturday, June 23, 2007

Graduation

I’m a planning type. I’ve always had a sort of five year plan sketched out in my head (sometimes I even outline it on paper!). I’ve come to realize over the years that this is a pointless effort. Pointless because it never actually comes to fruition. I’ve been in college for 10 years now. OMG...10 years. It took me six years to complete my bachelors. Mostly because every new class I took introduced a new major in which I suddenly fell in love. Basically, at various times throughout my six years as an undergraduate, I majored in Nutritional Sciences, Biology, Mass Communications, Environmental Science, Psychology and Women’s Studies. I ended up with the last two only because I really needed to hurry up and finish and move on with my life. Now, I’m in my third year as a graduate student still working on a masters. I was all set to graduate in August until I realized that it will be impossible for me to have my thesis completed and submitted before the summer deadline. Another unexpected delay. At this rate I should be done with school in about another 10 years. Just in time to start collecting social security and preparing myself for death. As you can see...I’m not in the greatest of moods. How’s your 5 year plan coming?

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 06/23 at 01:53 PM
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Wednesday, May 30, 2007

And so it begins...

Last night in Rome, Tori debuted her American Doll Posse (ADP) tour. The US dates have not been listed, but after seeing some videos from the show last night I know I’m going to love this tour. I usually try to see a show in Tampa and then in Orlando but this year I want to venture out farther. It would be wonderful to get to one in New York, since I have an ever growing friend base there and have yet to ever visit.

Like all of Tori’s albums I tend to go through several phases of listening. Typically there are a few tracks that stand out right away. These usually are the tracks that most resemble what some might call “classic” Tori. By that I mean songs that sound like they wouldn’t be out of place on Little Earthquakes or Under the Pink. I tend to gravitate toward those first, only because my love for Tori started with these two albums. For me, Dragon and Father’s Son fit this category. But after repeated listening and reading through the lyrics, interviews, reviews, other tracks start to creep into my consciousness. This week it has been Body and Soul and Smokey Joe. After listening more, I turn to the internet to tap into the wealth of knowledge and opinions of fellow Tori fans (or Ears with Feet, if you prefer). Through this process of listening, thinking, reading I develop, what I consider, a matured feel for the album as a whole, as well as nuanced feelings toward individual songs. This is my Tori listening routine. And while I loved the Beekeeper and Scarlets Walk, ADP as a whole has the power and energy I get from Boys for Pele and Choir Girl. Needless to say, I can’t wait for the US tour this fall.

Go here to read reviews and see videos from the show in Rome.

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 05/30 at 01:01 PM
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Wednesday, May 23, 2007

So long Mars

After watching a great season finale of Veronica Mars I learn that the show has been canceled. I don’t know if I’m just getting too old or too smart, but 99.9% of television shows suck. Sure, VM had its weaknesses, but overall the show was witty and smart. There really is nothing else I’d even get the slightest bit excited about watching, which on the one hand is good because I need to watch TV like I need a whole in the head. But then what the F$u@ did I spend all that money for a 46” plasma and what the hell will my DVR do to earn its keep?

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 05/23 at 11:35 PM
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Farewell Jerry

On May 15th, the day after my birthday, Jerry Falwell dropped dead from a heart condition. I admit that I have no love for this man. I will say, though, that he was a true believer in the Christian bible and stuck to his literalist guns. This is in stark contrast to the buffet style Christianity that leads most of the flock. As a result, Jerry Falwell established a public persona that was often seen as sensationalist, incendiary and quite frankly a first class asshole. For instance, when Falwell remarked that AIDS is “God’s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals,” many may have thought him uncompassionate. I don’t think this is a fair assessment. The bible is full of occasions when God has unleashed horrific actions onto human societies, so why would AIDS be any different. Falwell also believed that the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001 were another one of God’s punishments for the sins of this country.

"I really believe that the Pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians, ...the ACLU, People for the American Way - all of them who have tried to secularize America - I point the finger in their face and say ‘you helped this [terrorist attack] happen.”

He truly saw the hand of God acting everyday in the lives of people, whether for blessings or punishment. I just have to wonder what Jerry did that was so wrong that God took his life is such a horrible way. For years Jerry has suffered from severe obesity which no doubt contributed significantly to his slow and painful death. At what point did God intervened in his disease. Did God simply punish Jerry at the end with a big thump on his already sick and tired ticker? Or did God bestow his punishment much earlier. Perhaps God was responsible for fatting up Jerry full of adipose tissue thus cursing him with the life of those obese Americans we keep hearing so much about. Or maybe it was God that continually tempted Jerry with all those southern culinary delights that no doubt lead to his bulging waistline and disappearing neck. Or is Jerry’s disease somehow different from HIV/AIDS which has taken so many lives before their time? Does God only use terrorist attacks and communicable diseases to teach sinners a lesson? Or maybe God’s punishments are only for those “other” people who deserve it. We could always count on Jerry to let us know who those deserving people were. For that he will be sorely missed.

R.I.P. Jerry Falwell. I hope your devotion to that vengeful God you so publicly worshiped landed you in the afterlife you deserve.

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 05/16 at 11:10 AM
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Thursday, May 03, 2007

Survey

My online data collection is going much better than I expected. I should have a significant amount of data by the end and hopefully some of my hypothesis will pan out. For once in my life I can say I’m ahead of schedule. I will be able to defend in early June and be done!!! I’ll be absent from here for a bit though...not that I have been posting much anyway.

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 05/03 at 11:30 AM
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Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Hi there

So today I began data collection for my master’s thesis. If anyone who reads this blog knows a gaggle of gay, bi or other men who have sex with men please let me know and I will forward you the info. I’m in desperate need of participants to fill out a brief online survey. This is going to stress me out for the next month so I need to drink more wine and listen to Broadway hits. As you can see from the side bar to the right, I’ve been enjoying some Ethel Merman (It really irritates me that the that feed from last.fm is sticking out past my table. Have they ever heard of a word wrap. Now I can’t listen to that song again just so I don’t have to see it F-up my layout here.) Anyhoo, let me know about the gaggle.

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 04/24 at 03:26 PM
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Thursday, April 12, 2007

Back from Vacation

I’ve been spending the greater part of this week trying to readjust to normal living. Last week for roughly 7 days I was in Yosemite National Park for a wedding/vacation and then in glorious San Francisco for a couple more days. I had an excellent time. Probably to good of a time considering that it has been quite difficult readjusting to my life which for a weeks seemed like only a distant memory. Oh, well. I’m back and I have some exciting things to get done in the next few months--most notably, my thesis. I will post some pics of my trip soon but for now I’d like us all to be sad for a minute for dear old departed, Kurt Vonnegut. I have a very fond memory of reading Breakfast of Champions. I was just starting my college career (after nearly 10 years that is exactly what it has become, a career) and everything was near and exciting. I’ve never looked at an asterix the same.

Posted by RiOtPoOf on 04/12 at 04:16 PM
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