Monday, January 31, 2005

The Music Thingy

My best friend, Motomama, tagged me to do a little poll thingy on my blog about music, so here I go:

1. Total amount of music files on your computer:

275 MP3's. Most of them were ripped from my own discs to use in my business.

2. The last CD you bought was:

Time Life Music's 70's Dance Party, 3 disc set
Volume 1: Boogie Nights
Volume 2: Disco Fever
Volume 3: Classic Disco Hits
(ok, I'm embarrassed now)

3. What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?

Neil Young - Southern Man
(Neil rules.)

4. Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.

I have to really cheat on this one. I feel like my life is divided into 2 different lives: drug-addict Lizzy and adult (clean) Lizzy. These songs are a mixture of the times of my life, and there is no way I can only list 5...so I'll list about 50 (this is where the OCD comes in) :

Elvis Costello - Watching the Detectives
I have been a huge EC fan since Junior High.

Other favorites:
Sublime - Wrong Way
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird
The Cars - Candy O and Dangerous Type
CSN&Y - Ohio
T. Rex - Jeepster
Hoodoo Gurus - I Want You Back
Journey - Feeling That Way/Anytime
Ramones - Bonzo Goes to Bitburg, Teenage Lobotomy
Beach Boys - G-d Only Knows
The Police - Can't Stand Losing You, Invisible Sun
Talking Heads - Psycho Killer
dbs - Love is for Lovers
Stranglers - Peaches
David Bowie - Heroes, China Girl, Wild is the Wind
Paul McCartney - Junior's Farm
Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way
Roxy Music - More Than This
Duran Duran - Careless Memories
The Clash - White Man In Hammersmith Palais
Ringo Starr - Photograph
U2 - One
New Order - True Faith
Alex Chilton - No Sex
Rage Against the Machine - Testify
Led Zeppelin - Kashmir
Harvey Danger - Flagpole Sitta
Aerosmith - What it Takes
Cat Stevens - Father & Son
The Suburbs - Girlfriend
Todd Rundgren - I Saw the Light

Squeeze - Black Coffee In Bed
My sister "dated" Squeeze bass player, John Bentley, when his band came to town back in the 80's. This song was a minor hit back then. It brings back good memories because I got to hang out with him when he came over to my parents house. (We later named our pug, Bentley, after him.)

Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack
I've loved this music since I was a kid when we had it on 8-track tape. My favorite song is Pilate's Dream.

To bring me back to the bad old days, I'll listen to:
Neil Young - The Needle and the Damage Done
The Only Ones - The Beast
Pink Floyd - Time
Soul Asylum - Endless Farewell
Beatles - Happiness in a Warm Gun
Jane's Addiction - Jane Says
Oasis - Champagne Supernova
James Taylor - Fire & Rain
U2 - Running to Stand Still
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge
Lou Reed - Heroin

When I hear these songs, I think about my Mom & Dad (both deceased):
Elton John - Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Third Eye Blind - How's It Going To Be

Songs to Groove By:
Barry White - Can't Get Enough of Your Love
Heatwave - Boogie Nights
Donna Summer - On the Radio
Rick James - Give it to me, baby
Tavares - More Than a Woman
Prince - Dirty Mind
KC & the Sunshine Band - Get Down Tonight

Sappy favorites:
Neil Diamond - Love On the Rocks
ABBA - Dancing Queen
Hall & Oates - Sara Smile

Song that has a line referring to me and an old (now deceased) boyfriend:
The Replacements - Asking Me Lies
Line: "At a mexican bar mitzvah"

And the songs that mean the very most to me:
Black Crowes - She Talks to Angels
The Beatles - She said, She said
Badfinger - Baby Blue (Me & Tom's song)

Lastly, the song that most represents my life now:
John Lennon - Watching the Wheels

5. Who are you going to stick this with? (3 persons) and why?

I would love to stick it to my fiance' but he doesn't have a blog yet (hint hint.)
I will stick it to my blog buddies, Snave, J. Marquis, and Damien. Why? Because I'd like to hear their answers, and I'm confident that they will pass this along to more of our liberal buddies.


Tag - you're it!

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Weekend Update

Well, you've probably noticed that I haven't gotten very far with my 2 sidebar plans. I have found some resources in BlogStyles and Rob's Tutorials, but the overhaul isn't going to be easy. Over the next week or so, I'll try to get it together... or not.

I've also been taking a short break from political talk. There is so much greed, corruption and lies out there that I'm a bit burned out on the whole thing. I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about.


Friday, January 28, 2005

1 Year Ago Today

One year ago today, I quit smoking.

I smoked very sporadically in my teens, but I didn't like it. I didn't become addicted to cigarettes until 1987, when I was 22, which was a late start in most circles.

It's weird, now when I come across a smoker, I think to myself, how can they do that? It's going to kill them. I've come a long way. Plus, the smell is disgusting.

If you are a smoker, it's time to quit. My tools were the fear of cancer, the patch, and the Nicotrol Inhaler. It worked.

I think I'll celebrate with a smoke - just kidding!

Thursday, January 27, 2005

A new low for homophobes


This was posted on Motomama's blog. It needs to be passed around.


Today the new Secretary of Education in her first act on the job, attacked a PBS children's program because it featured children of lesbian moms. Angelica Brisk directed this piece. Angelica is a terrific filmmaker and has one of the biggest hearts around. Please read her letter and take action. We can't just stand by.


Dear Friends, Family, Colleagues,

This is my urgent personal appeal for your support regarding a show I directed for WGBH's new children's series "Postcards From Buster," a spin-off of the popular children's show "Arthur."

Below you will see the actions you can take, but first I would like you to read.

Right at this moment, PBS stations around the country are deciding whether or not to air an episode filmed in Vermont called "Sugartime!" The controversy, which has made local and national news (articles from the Boston Globe and NY Times are pasted at the end of this email), has been pinned on the fact that two children featured have lesbian parents who appear in the background of the show.

Last night PBS decided to pull the national satellite feed after negative pressure from the new Secretary of Education. This is the first time in the history of WGBH, Boston's public television station and one of the largest producer of PBS programming (including Frontline, Nova, and American Experience), that a show has ever been rejected by PBS for distribution.

Calling your local PBS station and asking them to air it will help them make their decision. There are over 300 stations in the PBS system and all of them decide individually.

I realize this may not be a comfortable issue for some of you, but consider my point of view.
A quick primer on the series: The premise of the show is that Buster Baxter (who is an 8-year old bunny) is flying around the United States (and a few locations abroad, including Mexico and Canada) with his dad Bo, a pilot, who is taking around the Latin rock band Los Viajeros (translated as "The Travelers" from Spanish) on their 40-city tour. Buster films his adventures with his video camera and sends back "video postcards" to his friends in Elwood City. These "postcards" are documentary scenes of real kids in the context of their everyday lives, be it showing a pig at a local county fair in Indiana, doing Tai Chi in Seattle, or clogging in Kentucky. The 40 shows cover a plethora of ethnic backgrounds, religious traditions and a range of urban, suburban, rural neighborhoods as well as kids in different kinds of families: large extended families under one roof, single parents, tribal families.... and in my episode lesbian families. The kids in this episode are great.


The two families are great. Like all of the shows in the series the children guiding Buster around are children who are not often seen on television (and if they have been it's usually in the context of poverty, stereotypes or controversy.) Educators and reviewer of this particular episode who have seen "Sugartime" think it's a great show. As a producer interested in stories of diversity, as a mom raising children in a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual family, this series has been a gift. The rare opportunity to present diverse cultures and experiences in a non-threatening, non-didactic manner.

If WGBH and the producers of "Postcards of Buster" had said they could film all kinds of children in North America except 'those' kinds of children, then the purpose of the series would be lost.

I am very proud of WGBH, the series, and the team of producers. I am especially proud of this show. It represents the best use of my skills as a filmmaker.

The good news is that WGBH is airing the episode as planned on March 23. They are making it available for other PBS affiliate stations to broadcast the show as well, and as of today stations are getting onboard. Since local public television stations answer to YOU the VIEWER (and taxpayer), your contacting them will help them make their decision. Just in the way that the kids and families who participate in our show put themselves out there, I think it's important for voices supporting this, be it through the angle of non-censorship, non-discrimination, or simply that you love the show to be heard as well. Even though it's easy to say that this is "just" a children's show, it really does represent something greater.

Here are immediate actions you can take to help:

1. Call your local PBS station and ask them to air the program, or give them a thumbs for deciding to do it already. You can look up your local PBS station at: http://www.pbs.org/stationfinder/index.html

2. E-mail or call PBS and voice your dissent for their self-censorship. Go right to the top and email Pat Mitchell at pmitchell@pbs.org. And email the general PBS email at http://www.pbs.org/aboutsite/aboutsite_emailform.html.

3. Vote on an online poll at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6869976/.

4. Contact Margaret Spellings, the Secretary of Education. Call 1-800-872-5327, and press 5 for an operator to make a general comment.

5 Call or e-mail your Congressperson.

6. E-mail other people and ask them to voice their opinion!

7. Read more about "Postcards From Buster" at http://pbskids.org/buster.

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

"...repeatedly, flagrantly, intentionally" he said

In 2000, after you know what happened, I started pondering the idea of moving to Canada. Last November, those same thoughts came back again.

After today, all I can say is that I'm staying. I am very proud to be from a blue state, and now I am even prouder to be a Minnesotan.

Senator Dayton, you are my new hero.


Sunday, January 23, 2005

Blog Envy

I'm very envious of the blogs that have sidebars on both sides. After doing some research and a little Googling, I think I've found directions on how to do it with Blogger. Over the next few days I will be playing around with the code, so if you see my blog going haywire, (hopefully) it will only be temporary.

In the end, if I don't like the way it looks, I may switch to Typepad. Their blogs look really good and you can do more with them, however I would lose all of your great comments. So, if I can make Blogger do more, I'll stay here.

...just givin' my homies the head's up : )


1999 - the good old days

Remember what it was like before Dubya? When something was wrong in the White House, it was big news. Something as small as a Presidential blow-job captured the press' attention for what seemed like forever. Now the pendulum has swung to the other extreme. Everyday we hear of a new horrible scheme by this administration, yet the media can't keep up. Whatever happened to investigative journalism? Are they afraid to ask the tough questions? Or, do they think that the general public can't understand anything past a short bullet-point type news item?

Back in the good old days (5 years ago) any other president would be impeached for what this president has done and is doing now. Pres Clinton lied about having sex, this President lied about the reason for going to war, and now 1,532 troops are dead. Which is the more impeachable offense?

Friday, January 21, 2005

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Black Thursday reminder

Don't forget, tomorrow, Black Thursday (1/20) is:
Not One Damn Dime , and BushBlackOut day.

This blog/blogger will be a participant.



...and don't forget to wear black.


People are dying while GOP will be smilin'



From YubaNet.com Posted by Hello

Another reason "unprecedented security measures" are necessary .

Sunday, January 16, 2005

I'll stick with the Blue Pill, thank you



I couldn't resist posting one more depicting the Overlord of Darkness.
I knew you'd like them, Snave! : ) Posted by Hello


And they wonder why we question the election results. Posted by Hello

Karl Rove - Enemy #1



From In These Times, by Ward Sutton Posted by Hello

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Best line of the film

I saw the film, "Saved!" today. It was very good. If you don't know, it is about a good Christian girl (Mary) that goes to a good Christian school. After several things happen, she starts to see the hypocrisy, and begins to question her surroundings. The most effective line of the film comes when her old born-again friends are told to be "soldiers for Jesus" and go "fix" Mary. When Mary doesn't go for it, the head born-again girl gets pissed off and throws a bible at her.

Mary's reply was "It's not a weapon, you idiot!"


EXACTLY.

Thursday, January 13, 2005

Brrrrrrrrrr

We are in the deep freeze here in Minnesota. It's during times like these that I consider moving to a warmer climate. Right now it is -9. Tomorrows high is going to be -5, with a windchill of -25 to -35. It's going to be like this until next week. It's safe to assume that I will be staying home a lot.

I've finally started exercising. I've worked out 2 times in the last 3 days. Gotta lose the flab before I cut my hair.

Monday, January 10, 2005

Black Thursday

I was doing a little surfing tonight, and found these great sites.
I will be participating:

Bush Blackout - black out your website on Jan. 20 2005

Not One Damn Dime! - Boycott Bush's inauguration by not spending any money on inauguration day

Additional Boycott Info - What else can I do?

Sunday, January 09, 2005

The Halliburton Candidate

I watched the remake of The Manchurian Candidate last night. It was excellent. I was a big fan of the original, and the inventive way they rewrote the story was clever, topical, and disturbing.

I know this film got good reviews and did well at the box office, but I'm surprised that parallels weren't drawn between the film and reality. If you haven't seen it yet, you are in for a treat.

Thursday, January 06, 2005

Losing faith in my Party

I can completely understand why the right-wing Republicans don't want to do anything about all the voting problems in the last 2 elections. It benefits them when votes aren't counted and thousands of voters become disenfranchised. But, what is the Democrats excuse?

Today, (1/6) only 31 Democrats in the House and 1 (brave) Democrat in the Senate had the balls to stand up and say, "I object, there is something very wrong here."

I don't get it. As long as things stay the same, things will stay the same. Translation: until the electoral process is overhauled, Republicans will continue to steal elections.

Democrats are supposed to be the party of the people. We champion civil rights and broad-mindedness. After today's display, it looks like we are the party of the intimidated and weak.

From Hillary to Harkin, & from Kennedy to Barack, I was disgusted by our party today. And, don't get me started on John Kerry.

I'd become a Green or Libertarian, but their chances are even worse. I feel lost.

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

Just One Senator... An Open Letter to the U.S. Senate from Michael Moore

Latest letter from Michael Moore:

Tuesday, January 4th, 2005

Dear Members of the U.S. Senate,

Welcome back! The 109th session of Congress has just begun. I'm watching you on C-SPAN right now and you all look so snap-happy and clean-faced. It's like the first day of school all over again, isn't it?

I have a favor to ask of you. Something isn't right with the vote from Ohio. Seems a lot of people didn't get to vote. And those who did, thousands of theirs weren't counted.

Does that seem right to you? I'm just asking. Forget about partisan politics for a moment and ask yourself if there is a more basic right, in a democracy, than the right of the people to vote AND have ALL their votes counted.

Now, I know a lot of you wish this little problem of Ohio would just go away. And many of you who wish this are Democrats. You just want to move on (no pun intended!). I can't say I blame you. It's rough to lose two elections in a row when the first one you actually won and the second one you should have won. And it seems this time around, about 3 million more Americans preferred to continue the war in Iraq and give the rich more tax breaks than those who didn't. No sense living in denial about that.

But something isn't right in Ohio and more than a dozen members of the House of Representatives believe it is worth investigating.

So on Thursday at 1:00pm, Rep. John Conyers of Detroit will rise and object to the vote count in Ohio. According to the laws of this land, he will not be allowed to speak unless at least one of you -- one member of the United States Senate -- agrees to let him have the floor.

A very embarrassing moment during the last session of Congress occurred in the first week when none of you would allow the members of Congress who were black to have the floor to object to the Florida vote count. Remember that? You thought no one would ever notice, didn't you? You certainly lucked out that night when the networks decided not to show how you shut down every single member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

No such luck this year. Everyone now knows about that moment of shame. Thank you? You’re welcome.

But this Thursday, at 1:00pm, you will have a chance to redeem yourself.

Congressman Conyers and a dozen other members of Congress have some serious questions about how the Republican secretary of state in Ohio (who was also the state’s co-chair of Bush’s reelection campaign) conducted the election on November 2. The list of possible offenses of how voters were denied access to the polls and how over a hundred thousand of their votes have yet to be counted is more than worthy of your consideration. It may not change the outcome, but you have a supreme responsibility to make sure that EVERY vote is counted. Who amongst you would disagree with that?

If you would like to read more about the specific charges, I ask that you read these two links: “Senators Should Object to Ohio Vote” —by Jesse Jackson andTen Preliminary Reasons Why the Bush Vote Does Not Compute, and Why Congress Must Investigate Rather Than Certify the Electoral College. I am asking everyone on my mailing list to send you a letter joining me in this call to you to do your job and investigate what happened before you certify the vote.

It only takes one member of the House and one member of the Senate to stop the acceptance of the Electoral College vote and force a legitimate debate and investigation. Do you know why this provision is set in stone in our nation’s laws? I mean, why would we allow just two officials in a body of 535 members to throw a wrench into the works? The law exists because nothing is more sacred than the integrity of the ballot box and if there is ANY possibility of fraud or incompetence, then it MUST be addressed. Because if we don't have the vote, what are we left with?

C'mon Senators! Especially you Democrats. Here is your one shining moment of courage. Will you allow the gavel to come down on our black members of Congress once again? Or will you stand up for their right to object?

We will all be watching.

Yours,
Michael Moore
www.michaelmoore.com
mmflint@aol.com

P.S. My whereabouts this week: I will be on the Today Show Thursday morning, Jay Leno on Friday night. And... the People's Choice Awards are this Sunday night, live on CBS at 9pm! Can we defeat the superheroes Spiderman, Incredibles and Shrek for best picture? A documentary??? Whoa... tune in...

Monday, January 03, 2005

If only it were true

Dubya brought in Daddy Bush & President Clinton to lead a campaign to help victims of the Asian tsunamis, which was a good thing to do.

But, here's where my imagination steps in. Before they went in front of the TV cameras, I wonder if they had a moment to chit-chat. Wouldn't it make your day to find out that Clinton leaned over to W and said, "you fucked it all up real good, didn't ya." Then, W, looking to his father for support, finds none. After the 2 former presidents turn their backs on him, Dubya finally gets it. On January 20, Bush shocks all by doing the right thing. He hands the presidency over to John Kerry.