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A Noise Within

  • May. 15th, 2009 at 1:08 AM
OMG
I saw The Rehearsal at A Noise Within in Glendale. It was completely and utterly fantastic. Not one thing was wrong in the entire production. The acting, especially by the two male leads was jaw droppingly good. Watching them made me believe I was actually watching real people and not characters on a stage, which is a very very good thing.

The play is written and the stage design displays the idea that people, when frivolous miss out on the deeper meanings of life and ultimately love. And when one innocent, simple notion of genuine love comes and penetrates the facade it can tear a life apart. It's like focusing on a picture and believing the idea that it really is multi-dimensional only to remember that its a flat canvas. When the realization comes, to magic you once felt is gone and though you enjoyed the facade, you can move on knowing better. You can always go back to believing in that which was never real, but you're no longer blind to it. It was clever, funny, emotional, raw, frivolous and of course satirical.

Its set in France 1950s. A couple and their lovers are to have a huge 18th c. ball in their manor with entertainment. They all wear 18th c. clothes throughout the show, which is confusing quite often, which makes it even more multi-dimensional. They rehearse for the show they will eventually perform at the ball. One person that has quite a huge part is the goddaughter of the "Count's" lawyer. She's pure, innocent and genuine, something the rest of the people lack. The Count falls in love with her, at first as a game, he hates to be resisted by women, but then it is real. He sees love, her, life beyond his made of world of friviolity and after realizing it too, so does the young girl. Unfortuntely, the Count had ruined his best friends life by talking him out of marrying his true love. Something of which his friend has failed to fully forget. Since he broke up with his only true love he became a sex crazed drunk, seeking to break anyone's happiness. Because of this, he's focused on finding a way to repay his so-called best friend and somehow break any genuine happiness, and until the young girl came into the picture, it was futile, but of course the young girl came in and all hell broke lose.

It was also the first time I've gone to a stage production without wishing I could be on the stage, or involved. I love the theater dearly, but the stage bug that I thought would never leave me, has and I'm quite fine with that. I can now watch theater without having that twinge of jealousy I used to have for every actress with a good role. Well, maybe.

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In my old hometown

  • May. 12th, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Zachery Quinto yellow jacket
I've heard a few one liners from the White House Correspondence Dinner on Sat. and thought it was funny. I should just youtube it, but meh. I liked how Jon Stewart looked at the jokes Wanda Sykes said about Rush Limbaugh. If conservatives are all about torture, including the ludicrous water-bording, then why are they such in a twitch about her jokes. I mean, dude, Rush Limbaugh is a horrible man, mean man, and a pooh face, yup I said it, a pooh face. Her jokes were funny. Though I'm not sure anyone can touch Steven Colbert, I've only ever heard him on these dinners, but he was ha-larious.

Listening to radio sometimes gives one all sorts of stuff to ponder about, marinade upon, what have you. My favorite radio program is on Pacifica Radio, KPFK, on Sunday afternoons called Background Briefing/Live from the Left Coast with an Aussie called Ian Masters. He usually deals with foreign policy and how our leaders and military are dealing with various global situations. It puts things in perspective, gives me a real idea about what is actually going on in the world. Its left, yes, but then again so am I. Its a two hour show, but I only end up listening to the last 30mins or so, I really should just podcast it. Also, I like The Insiters, Beneath the Surface and Gustavo Arellano's show, on KPFK. They also play really good music, like every time music plays on the station.

I also, and this is weird, like listening to Michael Medvet, not because I agree with him, in the least, but because he displays quite well the conservative viewpoint. I listen to conservative radio quite often. I don't think there is a way not to be bias and neither conservative nor liberal radio should put out anything other then their perspectives. I mean Medvet is a very religiously and politically conservative Jew, meaning not only is he ideologically conservative, but Israel is very present in his views of the Middle East as well as torture and all foreign policy. You know, Israel right or wrong. I hate these points of view, he's also USA right or wrong. I don't know why I have a fascination of the conservative viewpoint, but I do. I think its because it affirms how I feel, the opposite. Maybe I needed affirmation of my liberalness after listening to KPFK, they are so much more liberal than I am. But, unlike Limabaugh or even Hannity who sensationalize Democrats and liberals, Medvet mainly gives accurate portrayals of Democrats, not ultra-liberals, but Democrats and then relates it to his conservative view. Its a very different philosophy from liberal viewpoint. Other conservatives on this radio station, KRLA, are annoying and overly blantant, but Medvet is interesting. I do end up yelling at my radio sometimes. But, I think if I didn't get frustrated in the conservative ideology I need a slap in the face because I have no intention of giving into their fear of government, public, gay, free choice and their pro-war world view.

My point in discussing talk radio was that today I was listening Bibliocracy, a show where authors and books are reviewed and discussed. (never actually had heard this particular show before) I've been reading non-fiction so much and have so much non-fiction to read once school lets out for the summer that fiction was irrelavant to me, much less new fiction. I have tons of fiction in my room, of most I have not read. And yes one day I'll get to The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, but right now I'm not interested. I want to read a book called The Poet of Baghdad. But, most of my books have been surrounding me for so long, I have no urge to read them, ironic eh?

But...on this show they discussed an author of course I'd never heard of called J Robert Lennon. http://www.jrobertlennon.com/ They discussed his fairly new book called Castle. He read a bit from it, and it sounded really interesting, I totally want to read his books now. I went to his website and of course he's got a blog, why wouldn't a writer have a blog. I'm always so jealous of writers, how they can twist a word or sentence in such a way that just wow. Russell Brand does it quite well in his memoir, James Ellroy can't not write a great sentence, and so too does Lennon, of what I heard. Anyway, even his blog was interesting so...: http://wardsix.blogspot.com/ I'd go out and buy it tomorrow, but I still have 20 more pages to write for class, and really am lost about it, overall.

You know I love LA, I do, but I have this feeling that if I don't move somewhere else I'll be stuck in a city I love with no future. I don't want to move to DC anymore. NYC seems interesting, but could present the same problem as LA, I'll love it, but will it give me anything more. I mean DC probably should be my destination. I'm half thinking of moving to Arizona to be close to my mom, but its Arizona, blech. Maybe I should just pick up and move to Souix City, Iowa, lol that'll be random. I really want to be in London.

This Thursday my dad and I are seeing a play called The Rehearsal by Jean Anouilh done by a theatre company called A Noise Within. I saw two plays by the company years ago while in community college and they were excellent so I talked my dad into seeing a show with me, paying for it really. I had to wait until I could find the tix at half price, but I think it'll be good. Backstage.com found it engaging, and satirical, which is what I wanted so good. Lets hope it really is interesting. I haven't seen a live state show in years, how sad for someone with a degree in Drama. I let my Political Science degree do all the talking. Theatre is just too expensive most the time. *humph*

----
Ok I saw the Obama's jokes on White House Correspondence dinner...he's funny. He's got a good writer, thats for sure.

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I dreamed a dream

  • Apr. 17th, 2009 at 12:59 AM
Penny Lane
Oh wow 7 weeks I haven't updated. Whoa.

So I joined Twitter and honestly, maybe because I just joined it, but I don't get it. Maybe I'll feel differently another time, but I'm not only computer all day nor do I have a mobile device to use. And I don't need another online thing to do, I procrastinate far too much as it is.

Like most of the known world, I too love Susan Boyle singer extrodinaire. I don't know, she's inspirational. I mean she embodies the 'losers' of the world. The people we dismiss because they don't fit our view of great. Yet, she was, is and that feeling like everyone is against you maybe that doesn't have to be. We do put too much stock in looks or whatever we think is right. With her so many people saw pieces of themselves, pumps up our self-esteem. From ordinary comes extrodinary. From frumpy comes beautiful. And its not crazy to dream. I think.

I've been feeling nervous, like butterflies in the tummy like something important is coming up. Only, there's no justification for it. I think it must be my class this quarter, because there's no other explanation. Maybe that I need money and am in desperate need to a better job? The job market sucks I don't get why a one-quarter-to-go almost Masters person can't find a job.

I need 175 sources for my paper this quarter. So trumped up. I'm writing about Iran and its nuclear wants. I of course won't be able to read all the sources, but it doesn't stop me from trying to get a clear reading on the different sources, which does take time. I got like what, two weeks to do it? It sucks the big one. I have been reading 'Trouble in the Water' by Patrick Tyler which discusses US foreign policy in the Middle East and its a fascinating read. It goes from Eisenhower to Bush Jr., right now I'm on Reagan. We totally dropped the ball in that region from president to president. So far I'd say Eisenhower and Carter have been the best, but while Carter was trying to help Israel and Egypt come to peace, Iran did fall from our graces...so...anyway, good read. Reagan totally screwed up Lebanon didn't he.

I haven't read fiction in months.

I got a new camera. I'm hoping to take some pictures of LA, go around shooting, it'll be nice.

Russell Brand is coming to sign his book May 1st at the Grove. I'm so excited. It'll be so awesome to see him, *sigh*

I've been listening to conservative radio and it keeps coming up, religion. I resent, more than anything else discussed about religion, the notion that Christians are conservative. I don't like it, I find it offensive and arrogant. To believe in God and believe Jesus is the savior does not take ideology. To quote the Bible as literal word of God is not universally Christian, so stop doing it. Stop presuming all Christians are conservative, some are, some aren't. And thats my piece on that.

Also, those tea party's were, well, different. Fox News promoting the tea party as grassroots was, well ridiculous. But, once again its ideology.

I find it rather odd the way conservatives think. And I know its ideology, but it makes no sense to me. And that, I think, is why I'm so obsessed with conservative radio and tv because I'm hearing people that I don't just disagree with, but whom carry a belief that is foreign to me. Living as a community of individuals is socialism to conservatives. Living for oneself alone, is unrealistic to me. But that I guess is far too simplistic. Maybe that's what I should do for my research paper, conservative ideology vs. liberal ideology.

Besides the not prosecuting Bush and co. for war crimes and crimes against humanity and out right lying to the American public, I think Obama's doing a splendid job as President. Hillary is doing a fantastic job as Secretary of State, though I knew she would.

Rock me Amadeus

  • Feb. 16th, 2009 at 12:36 AM
TDK Joker
I have all these plans. But, it doesn't seem like any will actually make it to reality. I got some design ideas, went to the fashion district downtown and went to IKEA, but still dunno. I applied for two jobs I know I would rock in and it hasn't panned out. I know I should know spanish, but damnit, I didn't, so why should this put me in a situation where I make a salary below the poverty line. I'm looking foward to the 435 dollars I'll get back from taxes. My life sucks.

I need to clean my room, redecorate my room, re whatever my room and ultimately make more money. President Obama make my world makes sense.

The Dark Knight's the Joker isn't an imaginary character. And that in itself is scary.

Each culture is different, that we must never forget nor underestimate.

I cannot be anything but white. Malcolm X was wrong,but he wasn't blind. Post-race America doesn't exist yet and Newt Gingrich is a moron.

I have not been hired yet for the job I want, though I have applied.

I wonder if I'm living in the wrong city, only other city should be DC.

I don't understand the love of the Kennedy's, I don't know if I'll ever get it.

I hope the economic stimulus package will work, and I want some money out of it...though I'm a year too late on some.

I get it,China was always there before anyone else... they never did anything about it, but they were always there. I give to Columbus b/c he told the world, but he wasn't first, I get it.

I need money.

SAG AWARDS 2009

  • Jan. 25th, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Sunset Blvd. Movie
SAG Awards.

Best Actor was Sean Penn...quite honestly actors should know better than this. Someone works their whole life as a working actor and gets a lead part for once and does a spectacular job, and who is older...such as Richard Jenkins in the Visitor, and loses to someone, Sean Penn, who only gets lead roles. Actors should have given it to Richard Jenkins or Frank Langella, not the same 'ole, same 'ole Sean Penn and Meryl Streep, whatever.

Though I was happy 30-Rock won, that show is seriously kick ass.

And I was happy to see the cast of Slumdog win. I can't wait to own it.

You ever wonder why old Hollywood doesn't really exist? That newer better stuff is erected and the old is torn down? Like LA Confidential old, or Sunset Blvd. old. Its interesting to see the past in the current. Europe is good with keeping the past alive, why does Hollywood not care as much?

"I am big. It's the pictures that got small." Ah I love Sunset Blvd.

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President Obama

  • Jan. 24th, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Obama Pres. seal
Ok, so we now are rid of Bush and have President Barack Obama, its got a nice ring to it.

Hillary passed the Senate confirmation by 94-2, two ding-bat Republicans voted against her, pooh on them. She should have passed through acclimation, but whenevers. I hope she plays an active role in foreign affairs, a reasoned opinion must be presented by a department other than the office of the president, unlike poopie Bushie.

I listed to Sean Hannity's interview with Rush Limabaugh, two idiots of the Republican Party, the idealogical, turgid, solipsistic boneheads of the conservative media.

"Bush had a reverence for the office, thats why he didn't get partisan. He thought it was irreverent to turn the office of the presidency into a partisan strategic battle place, he was just content to let history be the judge."

Ha, laughable to even think Bush was not partisan. I know I should just be content to let all this dribble stay away from me, lord knows I listen to flaming liberal media and mainstream dribble, but its still shocking he even has a show. FOX News will be on the offensive now for as long as the Dems are in charge, and they'll be scared, and bitter, and angry and will talk up Bush (though I don't know how), and will scare their viewers into thinking Obama will ruin America. It should be funny, but Limabaugh and Hannity are beyond my tolerance.

Anyway...Obama will shut down Gitmo within a year, lets hope it happens.
He has lifted Bush's ban on federal funding for stem cell use, California got some money. Finally. In fact California will get a good amount of money I think to help its failing economy.
Just waiting for the healthcare agenda to kick in, :)

Nominations for Academy Awards came out. Benjamin Button, Slumdog, MILK, Frost/Nixon and The Reader were the best pic noms, I was hoping The Dark Knight would beat out Benjamin Button for the spot, it really was a better film. Benjamin Button got the most nods...a good movie, but it wasn't that good. The guy from The Visitor was nominated for Best Actor which made me happy because his performance was miraculous. He's my pick for best actor, knowing the Academy it'll go to Sean Penn, whose performance while good, can't even touch the dude from The Visitor, or even the dude who played Nixon in Frost/Nixon. Actually it'll go to Micky Rourke, whose movie I haven't seen yet. I'm hoping Heath Ledger gets his posthumous award for The Dark Knight, he was genious.

Goldey Globes

  • Jan. 12th, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Paramount Studios
Saw The Golden Globes last night, twas boring but I figured it would be. Its an industry party where famous people sit around discussing how wonderful they are.

Slumdog Millionaire won. I have seen quite a few films this year, not compared to a film critic, but I've seen most nominated films. And Slumdog Millionaire was the top best film I've seen all year. I absolutely loved it and was so happy it won all four of its nominations.

I'm kinda of shocked "Tell No One" didn't get a nod for foreign flick, it was an amazing film.

I saw 'Rachel Getting Married,' on Saturday. I didn't like it, too random. Anne Hathaway did a good job, but overall I felt it was too disjointed, and altogether too random, way to random. It tried to be homey, diverse, family loves family no matter how messed up they are, but it just seemed so forced. And a happy ending? Forced.

I really kinda want to see Defiance, I like Jaimie Bell, though he'll forever be Billy Elliot on my mind. :)

I saw 'The Reader' today. I thought Kate did a fantastic job, well, everyone did, but she's the one who won for it. The movie was good. A sort of universal questions of empathy, comapassion, morality, law and rules are involved in the film. Kate was an SS Guard during the Death March, she's simple and follows rules, never thinking past the present nor of the consequences of her actions. She's a symbol of many SS officers, she did her job, she followed protocol, does that make her guilty to Nazi German law, or is her morality on trial? It's not a Holocaust Film persay, its much more. She affected the main character in ways not even he understand, nor ever will. He affected her and her last action probably was because of him, in fact, it was because of him. I thought it was genuinely a good film.

Heath won for The Dark Knight. duh. However, it pulls me back to what I hate to realize, I'll never see Heath do another great film, nor even act period. That fact sucks. His poor daughter.

30-Rock and Tina won, dur, brilliant show. Mad Men won, dur brilliant show. John Adams won, dur, kick ass mini-series, I love John Adams...the man, though the show was good too. I want HBO soon, I can't keep missing these shows, I mean come on.

Couple Movies

  • Dec. 17th, 2008 at 12:51 AM
David Walliams 'smile'
The other day I saw "Were the World Mine"...its a take off from A Midsummer Night's Dream set in a modern day American all boys school, staring a gay kid. The movie is by far not brilliant, its campy in parts, a bit presumptuous and awkward, but its rewarding because the main character is so earnest and adorable. The main character, Timothy gets cast as Puck in the school play, an out gay kid who gets picked on by most classmates and has a crush on the nice yet hottest unattainable boy in school. People are calling it the anti-High School Musical. I liked it, though never saw HSM. It was cute and just put a smile on your face. Its a musical, and the music was fantastic I felt. I mean, it was cute, not a great movie but cute and I liked it a lot. I'd see it again.


Some of us at work had a secret santa Christmas Party on Friday. We mainly talked, played some Apples to Apples and Rock Band. Guh I can't get enough of Rock Band, I usually play the drums. Its so fun, yet way too addicting. Anyway, it was fun. Then on Saturday my friends had a party, and it was rather lame, but it was my friends so fun.

Today I saw "Revolutionary Road" starring Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio. Afterward there was a Q&A with the screenwriter, who is gorgeous. The movie was good, not stellar, but good. Kate Winslet can act anything brilliantly, and she did with this one. I felt DiCaprio was good as well, but I don't know, he wasn't like "wow" or anything. It was good. Way depressing, though as the screenwriter said, the book was more depressing, that got a wow from the audience. I'm thinking on reading the book...though I don't really know if I want to read anything depressing for the holiday season.

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A nice winter from school break

  • Dec. 11th, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Little Britain 'Lou & Andy'
Last week, or whenever it was, I went to a screening of "Doubt" starring Phillip Seymore Hoffman, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, written and directed by the same man, of whom is no real consequence to me. I liked the movie, I did, I give it a B+. However, I left the movie thinking, "did he do it or not?"

Listening to the director, in the Q&A afterward, this was his point. He wants us to leave with a feeling of doubt. I left more with a feeling of annoyance, doubt was unexplored because I was more than annoyed. This movie could have been brilliant, I mean the script and acting had the movie in spades, but the ending made me actually quite pissed. If the director had given me an answer, did he do it or not, I'd be left with a plethora of questions that I could ponder over, but instead all I could ask was ,"did he do it?" I felt that there was no point in the movie if he gave no answers. And this situation of "life is a series of doubt" bullshit is just plain silly in my book. If there is no point to the movie, don't write it. The director was so pompous, and the audience gave him his space to feel it, ugh he so ugh.

I find Hollywood borish, arrogant, self-congratulatory and quite condescending. Listening to the director of "Pineapple Express" was refreshing because he never took himself seriously, it was fun, moving making, doing what you want, but he's an outlier. Normal Hollywood just spends time talking about how intellectual and interesting they are, without being too smart in the process nor fun. Am I too jaded now to see how smart they really are, or how interesting they really are? Or am I just finally seeing what everyone else is seeing, a parade of self-congratulatory? Don't get me wrong, I love movies, but when confronted with directors and screen writers who find themselves nothing if not genious, I deflate.

I also saw Twilight last thanksgiving, and didn't quite like it. It was juvenile without the humor like the book was. I read all 4 books and aside from the second one, I liked them. The movie, was mushy and uber teenage romantic movie. No real humor made me go blech. I didn't hate it, just maybe had too high of expectations.

I saw Milk, luckily this movie was grand. The story was so relevant to today, I wonder what would have happened if the movie had been released in the summer rather than the winter. Could it had moved more voters in Cali to vote "No on 8"? We'll never know. I love James Franco. I love Emile Hirsch too. They both really knew their characters and I never sat there thinking about anything other than what they were telling me, as the characters not the actors, which is always a great sign. It was far away a brilliant film, whew, good.

I finished the UK version of The Office and loved it. Guess I better head off to watching season two of the US version.

I'm in the middle of "Sammy's Hill" by Kristin Gore, the daughter of Al Gore. The book is absolutely hilarious. The author can really string along a good story while making the main character really believable, and on top of that I'm laughing at every page. My mom really scored on this one, I've had it waiting to read since my burfday three months ago.

I passed my comparative politics, "democratization" class. Thank goodness. Get this, out of 12 people 8, received Bs. My mom says all her grad prof's gave everyone As. I think Cal State LA is trying to somehow redeem itself by grading harshley or something. My prof was a hardass. But, I passed. My paper tried to prove that drug cartels indirectly and directly affect the ability for newly established democracies, in drug producing countries, to grow as democracies. Whew that was a mouthful. I used Peru, Colombia and Mexico as my cases to prove my theory. I think I just wanted to look at drug cartels. I had a drug class as an undergrad and it was so interesting that it left me with more to think of than I originally thought. I don't know what I got in my undergrad class, Public Policy, this quarter, but I'm hoping and A, the class was a waste of time.

On Friday I'm off to watch Were the World Mine, a gay musical based on A Midsummer Night's Dream. Sounds interesting. On Tuesday I"m to watch "Revolutionary Road" with a Q&A with the screenwriter. A free movie is game in my book.

On Monday I went to The Keyclub to see a co-worker perform with her band. The club looked so much like Guns 'N Roses would have performed there in the 90s, ah they're music used to rock. Her bad, Jessie Delux, was really good. I wasn't expecting her to be so good. And I don't usually like female bands, but she was good.

Off too Arizona on the 23rd, woot.

Election Night 2008

  • Nov. 9th, 2008 at 9:05 PM
Obama Pres. seal
ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 4TH, 2008.

Early Tuesday morning, 7:00am, my power was out. Luckily, my phone's charged, I get dressed, butterflies filling my stomach, and head on down to my precinct. As I find a parking place I pass by a line about a block long, not mine, I pat my shoulder. However, I pass by my precinct, the line was even longer. 7:45am, I'm in line, good timing, I think...2 hours 15 mins later, now late for 1/2 hour late for work and 1 minute in the booth, I'm done.

I happily put on my "I voted" sticker, one of my favorite parts of voting. Still grumbling over how long I had to wait...dude with two precincts at the polling place only one line was moving and I was in the other one. Whatever, I voted, I did my civic duty and now the butterflies in my stomach have calmed...for a bit, they'll be back.

Work sucked, I couldn't concentrate and my orientations were filled with political blubs..."If you want to go to use the restrooms they're up in the presidential election, erm, in the lobby." Oh well, I only worked for 4 hours.

By 2pm I'm out. I get lunch, and head home. 3pm and two polls have closed, no info yet though so I head out to The Grove...pick up my friend and start to head to the happinin place. I had found a place to party through Barackobama.com, a hotel that is sponsered by the CA Dem Party and two other groups, thought it would rock. I signed up on the Friday, by that time 6000 people had signed up...by Tuesday 16,000 people had signed up.

4:30pm, more polls have closed, we're at the hotel, its kinda crowded, the doors are to open at 7pm starting at 8pm. We meaner down to the ballroom and wait for the doors to open. 5:30pm, we sneak in. Obama has VT, CT, DE, ME, MD, DC, IL, MI, MN, WI, NH, NJ...McCain has SC, KY, and whatever else sad states have voted McCain. The ballroom is beautiful. There are cameramen and lights in the back, presumably to report what going on. We snuck in, and were now drinking wine, 'cause well, by 6pm we had Pennslyvania!!!!

A half hour later and we get Ohio, I'm jumping up and down yelling we've won, we've won. My friends shushing me, 'cause well, we don't have 270 yet, but its Ohio we actually got Ohio. Its all uphill from there, we had 200 Electoral Votes before the west coast closed.

By 6:45pm the room is filled with like 1000 people and the DJ is going to down. We're all dancing 'cause more and more states are being called and it all looks good. There were two huge screens with CNN on that periodically would go up in volume and share all the good news. To the right was MSNBC and to the left was ABC for local news. Will*i*am comes on CNN in the lamest segment I think I've ever seen, but we don't care 'cause the musics like full blast and we're all dancing to the returns.

7:45pm Virginia is called, the crowd goes ballistic. 8pm is around the corner all eyes are on the screen, the volume is full blast, the crowd is practically quiet, the polls close on the west, I have my cameraphone ready to snap a picture at the TV 'cause CA is going to put Obama over the top...5-4-3-2 and it shuts off and we're all tranfered to whats going on stage, damn. Oh well, Obama just won and the crowd which has swelled to 4000 in the room are hugging and singing and jumping up and down.

The stage fills from one speaker to the next, Superintendent Jack O'Connel, State Treasurer, State Senator...finally Senator Barbara Boxer comes on stage. She's like my favorite senator, outside of Hillary. Here she is, in the background you can see the crowd cheering, he'd just won. She had to stop talking briefly as we heard McCain conceed. I have to say, it was a nice speech, maybe the best he's ever given?


David Allen Grier came out to this killer Barack O'Lincoln picture and he spoke of how excited he was to finally see an African-American win the Pressy Election. He was really choked up, it was endearing.



This picture was before the party started, I liked it so much its now the background on my phone.


By 12am I was totally done partying however. I do like the fact that I only had to wait until 8pm to know the outcome. We got Florida...we didn't need Florida, for once, but we got it. We got Indiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, all red states now blue!

Plus, 57 Democratic Senators. 364 Electoral Votes...I totally called it a week before the election. Al Franken is losing Minnesota by I think like 300 votes so recount in Dec. Alaska reelected a convicted felon. I think that Ted Stevens will have to leave the senate, of course, and Sarah Palin's going to appoint herself for the 6 year term. Ugh. But, yay she's not the VP now!!

I can't believe Obama won and Biden, my third favorite senator...yeah I have a top 5. He was my choice for President in 2005, but got knocked to second place after Hillary when she announced. I have to say it kinda annoyed my when Obama picked him 'cause I loved him, but really wanted Hillary. Whatever, they won, they actually won.

Now just when I thought nothing could put a damper on my day...I looked over at the local station and guess what was passing...yup, Prop 8. Turns out 70% of the African-Americans came out to vote for Obama and then for Prop 8. This gets me, I know this might not seem like a civil rights issue, gay marriage, but isn't it? Do gay people really choose to be who they are? Are they not born gay? Yes, so they can hide, but why should they if they are comfortable with it? By 52% gays are barred from marriage. What about the 17,000 or so couples that got married between Sept. and Nov., we don't know whats up with their marriage. California voted overwhelmingly for Obama, to give humane treatment for chickens and no to gay marriage...this is too awkward. The Mormon church, all across the nation donated $50 million to stop people from getting married. Someone said this is not personal...the gaul.

Every single day after the 4th there has been protests, LA, Long Beach, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, all across California people are protesting. There was a lawsuit filed against the prop the day after the election. The gays are now filing a lawsuit against the Mormon church to take away their tax exemption. Unbelievable.

One thing thats funny though is to hear Sean Hannity on Fox News stutter is confusion to an Obama Administration.

I bought a President Obama sweatshirt, I do love sweatshirts. And I bought an ornament for my mom for her birthday that says, "Smile Bush is Gone" tee hee she'll love it.

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Random

  • Sep. 22nd, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Obama Pres. seal
Heroes is back. yay. Dang I forgot how good this show can get. Seeing as how season 2 wasn't really all that special. But, wow, this show is kick ass. Or at least this season premere is.

I've started watching Brothers and Sisters. I never saw it in any other film or show, but, Rob Lowe is gorgeous, a classy gorgeous. Wow. S'good show.

The new 90210 sucks. I loved the old one, currently on Season 5 via Blockbuster. Gossip Girl is such a better show.

I hope California votes down Prop 8, let the gays marry damn it.

Hamlet is playing in Glendale. I saw 2 shows at this theatre and they were both brilliant so I'm hoping this one will be too. $20 student rush, I'm thinking mid October.

My friend took me to see The Godfather restored at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood Saturday night for my birthday. I sat right behind Rose McGowan and Robert Rodriguez. S'kinda cool. I loved Grindhouse. Anyway, the Cinerama Dome has like a ridiculously huge screen and with the Godfather on it, it rocked. Guh I love that film.

I'm reading "Havana Nocturne"; How the Mob owned Cuba and lost it to the Revolution. It's a really good read. Both how the American mafia grew, how they took over Cuba using Batista to do such and how and why Castro was able to take over in 1959. I won't finish it anytime soon, got school books, but so far its interesting.

School started. Only sat through one class, but it seemed doable. Hopefully I can pull off another A, its an undergrad class, because the grad class seems like it can be hard.

I signed up to travel to Nevada on the weekend of Oct. 10th through the 12th with the Obama campaign. It'll be a weekend of canvasing and spreading the word for Obama. We'll see if I do it, and how interesting it'll be. I want McCain to lose so bad it's not even funny. I had a nightmare that McCain won the election, I hope it was just a nightmare.

Debates on Friday. Here's to you Obama.

I think I'm going to see Burn After Reading on Sunday. Always like to see a good movie on my burfday. I haven't seen a new movie in almost a month, crazy.

Election schtuff.

  • Sep. 10th, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Obama/Biden
Fact:
Obama needs:

1. Every Northeastern region of the US, including New Hampshire. ME, MD, VT, NH, DE, MA, NJ, NY, RI, CT

2. All the Rustbelt states, aside from Indiana and Missouri. Needs, WI, MN, MI, PA, IL, IA. We can handle not winning Ohio, but we really really want it.

3. All Western States: CA, WA, OR, even including HI.

4. New Mexico

5. One or both, but needs at least one: NV or CO or both.

6. Does not need the south, but to get one would be a nice bonus.

If we get all those states in the list, including NV, CO and OH...Obama wins with 298 Electoral Votes. If he has none of these three swing states, McCain wins with 274 Electoral Votes. If he maintains all states in the list and gets either NV or CO without OH, he wins with 273. ONLY NEEDS 270 TO WIN.

IF Obama loses NH but gets CO or NV the Electoral College is tied 269 Obama 269 McCain: Tie goes to the House, which is Democratically dominant and Obama wins.

Obama needs to go back to giving nicely said stump speeches. He's boring when he's off the cuff, not too many people can handle his professor talk too long. And Sarah Palin is too feisty, she's getting independents back to oldy moldy McCain and Obama cannot allow that to happen. He needs to win. America is a better country than this and Republicans will keep it detriorating if they win.


You can tell I'm obsessed. :)

Pinapple Express

  • Aug. 4th, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Hollywood Sign
OMFG Pinapple Express was hiliarious. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. There was a Q&A with the director who sounded really cool and chill. Most of the movie was apparently improv and I guess everyone got hurt. Poor James Franco got hurt ramming himself into a tree, but the scene was totally worth it, I swear. And it wasn't corny funny, nor cheezy, but unbelievably hilarious, like the whole time. LOLOLOL. And James Franco was grungy hot, mmmyum.

I'm reading Breaking Dawn, the 4th and final book of the Twilight Saga. I like it, its weird, but I like it. The main character is still kinda whinny, but whatevs.

I GOT A NEW CAR!!!!

  • Jul. 26th, 2008 at 10:51 PM
Heath beautiful smile
I got a new car today!!!

A 2007 Silver Honda Accord. She's a beaut. She's big, so parking will be difficult when coming home late, but...oh well. Car payments will suck. But, whatever, she's got airbags, new tires, the whole shebang. And she's clean.

Now I have to find a way to sell my other car. It'll be hard, my other car is old, and the exterior is damaged. I'm still in the process of cleaning out the inside, she's ridiculously messy. 8 years of continuous mess. I did love her though. RIP car.

I also have a cold. How I got a cold in hot weather is beyond me, yet never got a cold in cold weather. Oye Vey.

Meep

  • Jul. 18th, 2008 at 12:47 AM
JS AtU Girl
More books.
Just finished New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. The sequal to Twilight, the new lemming movement of America. The main character is a whinny, manipulative and annyoingly melodramtic teenager in love with a vampire. Yet, I can't seem to stop reading the books.

Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer wasn't nearly as good as the previous book by him I read. It was like the author wanted so much to put in the Masons in that he wrapped a story around the notion, and it felt like he was trying too hard and it was ultimately pointless. Too many plotlines.

Miracle at St. Anna by James McBride. This book was a treasure of a story. 4 black soldiers get lost behind enemy lines in Italy during WWII. In the the town they huddle in as the Germans get closer is a story totally beautiful in what should sound cheezy and mushy, but is nothing but strange reality. I absolutely loved it.

I saw the movie Tell No One. It was really good.

I'm reading Nixonland, which besides the biography it sneaks in describing Nixon, its more about the politics of America from 1964 to 1968. Those voters who voted Johnson in '64 because thats the only thing that made any sense, while voting Nixon in '68 because its the only thing that made sense. And because the 60s are my ish, reading this dense book will take forever, but none the less its interesting.

Going to see Dark Knight tomorrow, because I'm like everyone else. I'm excited though.

3 Books 6 Movies 1 week

  • Jul. 6th, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Janis
Came back from Arizona last week. It was hawt, but it was nice to see my mom and hang out with her, in airconditioning that is.

Movies:

The Incredible Hulk:
Decent. Love Ed Norton. Loved Robert Downey Jr. at the end, s'funny when a movie blatently sets up for a sequel.

Wall*E:
Cute. I mean a garbage compacter falls in love with an IPOD looking thing. When he follows herinto space we see the last remaining humans who all couldn't come back when Global Warming screwed over the world. Brilliant storyline.

Wanted:
Lame action flick. But I loved it.

Indiana Jones
My first Indy flick. Have to say, I didn't like it. Blech. Even if Shia Labouf was hot.

The Visitor
Such an amazingly good film. A character study with great acting. Its a good story commenting on not only America's immigration system, how we profile people in the US, but it wasn't preachy in the slightest bit.

Get Smart:
Hillarious. I love Steve Carell. He once said if he wasn't an actor he'd be a history professor, and whoa would I love to have him as a professor. He can make anything funny, but the script is funny anyway. Silly, but funny.

Gonzo:
About one of the most arrogant, yet great journalists Hunter S. Thompson. Its his story from his early days as a journalist to his suicide. Its a good documentary highlighting his life, what he did and it shows his many sides. Good flick.

BOOKS:

What Happened:
Scott McClellen is nothing if not the consumant boy scout. The book is well written and highlights from the inside how the Bush WH acted. He loved Bush, trusted Bush and was duped. He still weilds respect for Bush, but well, Cheney, no one trusts.
Good read.

Twilight:
Decent. Easy read, nifty story. But, then again I'm a sucker for vampire stories, even if their teenage ones. Plus, it going to be a movie so might as well read it. That and all my friends read it, must not be left out.

The Zero Game
Melzter weaves a good summer read. A thriller taking place in DC, yum. Its a page turner and reads like butter. 2 cynical staffers, 1 idealistic Senate Page an innocent game turned upside down into danger. A man runs for his life and uncovers gobs of
intrigue. Like, who coulda asked for a better summer read. Went out and bought another of his books.

Watching Californication with David Ducuvney. Great show. And I'm watching the miniseries John Adams, great miniserieseseses.

Oh, and it was my 2 year anniversery living in LA, erm, July 1st. yay? yay.

$4.65 a gallon

  • Jun. 23rd, 2008 at 12:58 AM
Obama Pres. seal
Now that schools out I have time and right now I'm lovin' it.

As soon as the quarter finished I up and finished "Founding Brother," guh is that a good and well written book. Then read "Love the One You're With", which being chick lit was a thousand times different, but good as well.

I went to a french film "Roman de Gare," last Monday, how beaugeous can I get with a french film then a book store. Whatever, the movie itself was ok. Nothing grand, by the end I didn't know if I liked it or was just annoyed by the trying the be clever schtick.

Yesterday I went to Disneyland. And despite it being over 100 degrees with everyone sweating like mofos, it was fun. Got it free, course if I didn't I wouldn't have gone. I took 2 of my friends who have never been to Disneyland so I got to be the Disney expert, which being someone that hates all things Disney (except Disneyland), is funny. We went on all the major rides even rode the Mark Twain Steamboat, which I've never done, always seemed silly. I got to see the new version of Pirates of the Caribbean. It was cool, the animatronic version of Jack Sparrow was really well done, it totally looked like Johnny Depp. Even though the ride is slow, its still pretty cool. Next time I go to Disneyland when its hotter than hell I should probably drink more water, ha.

Off to AZ tomorrow visit mom and bro. It'll be even hotter than hell over there. Luckily AC is a plenty. *knocks on wood* Supershuttle picks me up at 8:20am, and I still gotta pack.

I'm reading What Happened by Scott McClellan. Its pretty good.

Ever since I stopped watching or even wanting to know about the election I find I can stand Obama. Course thats only because he's got the nomination and I would loathe a President McCain. One day I'll get to vote for someone I'm excited about, but Gore, Kerry and Obama haven't done it yet. Even if I like Gore now, my ignorant 18 year self had no idea who he really was other than VP and the nom back in 2000. But for now its a vote against John McCain is why I'll vote for Obama. *sigh*

I'm back on a West Wing kick. I really don't know how many times I've seen Season 1 & 7, but I don't think I'll ever bore of them.

Tocqueville

  • May. 24th, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Penny Lane
Writing a paper on freedom and equality, the tensions those two seemingly mutually exclusive propositions bring. Any suggestions? All this according to Tocqueville, but your own minds work better ya know?

I can't stop watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I know its because I have more important things to do too. You know I've watched seasons 5,6 and now on 7 and I don't have the time? Oh well, even watched Entourage season 4. Its only because I shouldn't that I'm doing it.

33rd District Results

  • Mar. 6th, 2008 at 1:07 AM
WW Josh Winning
So I finally figured out how my district went. While LA County went 51% for Clinton, my district (33rd) who's Congresswoman went for Clinton, went overwhelmingly for Obama (61%). My district is 19.1% white, 29.9% black, 12.1% Asian, 34.6% Hispanic and .2% native American, interesting tidbits. No wonder I feel like a minority, am I right am I right?

When I went to vote, not only was I the only white girl voting, but I was the only one without a ballot made out by Obama supporters to help me vote, I had the Clinton one made by Clinton supporters. According to Wikipedia, my district is one of the most Democratic districts in America, very cool. (voted 83% for Kerry in 2004 and 100% for Rep. Watson in 2006). And I just moved away from one of the most conservative in 2006, it is I admit, a completely different vibe. When asked how I was voting, it more like, which Democrat was I voting for. Mine is the only car in my vicinity with a Hillary sticker on it though, everyone else around my vicinity has Obama stickers and signs. And I did say a while back, 'wouldn't it be nice if I lived around Democrats for once?" and I do.

My point is, in my district 3 delegates went to Obama, 2 went to Clinton...which means its gunna be a hella hard to get the position of delegate for my girl to go to the convention. I got my Hillary shirt, hat and pin ready though.

The Heat is On

  • Feb. 9th, 2008 at 6:00 PM
V for Vendetta
I don't want to give up on my girl. But, everyone has this Obamaisthebest disease. I've said this before and I'll say it again, there will be a black man as president before a woman. I donated money to Clinton's campaign, go me.

Obama:
Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, North Dakota, Utah, Washington, South Carolina and probably Louisiana

Hillary:
California (wut wut), New York, Tennessee, Massachusettes (suck that Teddy and Kerry), Arkanasas, Oklahoma, and New Hampshire.

She's ahead in Delgates 1,075 to Obama's 991, but only because of superdelegates. And things are a-changin' fast.

Last night my friends and I went to the Santa Monica pier. It was nice, I haven't been to the beach in awhile, so yeah, its pretty.