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Showing posts from November, 2012

memories of green

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all those moments will be lost in time like tears in the rain time to die it's too bad she won't live but, then again, who does? Featuring the perfection of: Vangelis Ridley Scott and Sean Young who was transcendent once she got out of the way

Vogue boy's got it goin' on and not just where you bump and grind it

This kid's got it goin' on. "VOGUE BOY": ME AT NINE, PERFORMING TO MADONNA IN SUMMER '91! from Robert Jeffrey / Angelo de Vries on Vimeo .

Depression's a mean bastard, even more so at Christmas. So, this year get your inner "Billy Wilder" on and do something about it.

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It's the holidays. A time when so many of us hang lights, wrap gifts, send cards, play happy, jolly music…Only thing is, it's also a really hard time for another demographic. It's the season where many people get severely depressed. I want to talk about how depression can really take down some of the most creative, lovely, warm people you could ever imagine. You would be shocked if you knew just how many of your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors all quietly try to keep their inner "black dog" of depression from taking over their life. Almost anyone is capable of succumbing to a variety of mood disorders under duress, but the top of the line is depression. Speaking of the "black dog," take, for instance, wonderful Vermont folk artist, illustrator, author, Stephen Huneck, who sadly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  He was only 60 years old. He loved dogs so much he created the famous Vermont Dog Chapel. But, s

Steve Lambert: He's Everything You Want Right Now

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Meet Steve. He's a visual artist I have been a fan of for some time now. Lots of people have posted his images, but I'm not sure they've always identified who actually created them, which rather irks me. We all deserve recognition for the cool stuff we do -- especially if our work's good enough to be poached for Facebook and Tumblr accounts. So, here's a few pieces by visual artist, Steve Lambert, whose work I randomly adore. (Lambert   has his own website, here.   It's good.  Go there.) After first discovering his images via Tumblr a few years back I quickly became one of his most ardent fans. The blue version, I guess.   Earlier video of one of his 2009 shows in LA. Steve Lambert solo show walkthrough from Steve Lambert on Vimeo . Here's a link to a good article about Lambert from Laweekly a few years ago  If you don't have time to read all that -- this part is pr

still a big fan of...

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Happy…holidays? -- Just go see Silver Linings Playbook, okay?

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These are my peeps.

for this i am grateful

health  peacekeeping creative freedom humor children family the kindness of strangers food beauty for this i am grateful i am grateful for eternal love stronger than withering sun or rivers of ice for honesty so brutal the only road out is through mercy for the grace to keep eyes on the horizon while holding hands smaller than my own and still wanting to   after having come this far for this i am grateful

Yay! Obama Won! And now back to the weather

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I heard it 's snowing back East. An early cold, wet, messy snow storm right where Superstorm Sandy just finished ravaging things. Well, that's not fair. If life were fair I'd be able to bring each of you a warm cup of (allergy-free!) hot chocolate, but I can't. All I have to offer this minute is a video-hug to say we want all of you warm and safe and sound just as soon as possible. You're our peeps, America. West, East, Red or Blue. We love you. Now please stay warm. "Love Is Making It's Way Back Home" from Erez Horovitz on Vimeo .

Fast and Easy Progressive Democratic 2012 Voting Guide for Orange County, California

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VOTER GUIDE FOR ELECTION DAY,  TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2012 Tonight I was watching CNN and I realized I should post a fast and easy voter guide to take the polls on Tuesday. IF THIS VOTER GUIDE SEEMS VERY BASIC, THAT WAS MY GOAL. Elections are complicated. I chose to make this as clear and easy to understand as possible.  I wish I could make it even easier. These are my suggestions for voting if you care about keeping schools and public education strong, our nation safe sound, our people healthy and protect civil liberties.  This is the best way to vote if, like me, you are a Progressive Democrat in Orange County, CA who cares about public safety and a strong eduction. VOTER GUIDE FOR ELECTION DAY,  TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2012 Yes: President Obama Yes: Diane Feinstein Congressmen/woman choices: District 38:  Yes: Linda Sanchez District 39: Yes : Jay Chin District 45:  Yes: Sukhee Kang District 46:  Yes :  Loretta Sanchez District 47:  Yes :  Alan Lowenthal Dis

New The New Yorker Cover Nov. 12, 2012

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Wreck and Ruin: A Musical Journey Into Heartache from Talented Married Duo

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Last week I heard this duo on NPR sing excerpts from their new album "Wreck and Ruin" and I actually had to pull the car over to finish listening to every note, lyric, every word they uttered. What's really astonishing is that this couple is both  married with kids  yet write the kind of songs you'd expect from a much more diverse writing team.  They manage to convey so many different facets of love and strained relationships that it's difficult to imagine this wellspring of insight into heartache could stem from one simple, solid marriage.   Check out NPR's interview with Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, here .  Even if you don't love country-folk 100%, all you have to do is watch how these two really look in each other's faces when they speak to know they are alive on every level: Musically, spiritually and best of all, romantically. They're an inspiration.

Meet the sweetest child this side of Halloween

Apparently Jimmy Kimmel has a seasonal Halloween prank encouraging parents to film telling their kids they ate all their candy. (Uh, does he even have kids?) But this year Kimmel's prank unexpectedly turned the table "on mean." Meet, Madeline, who could teach us a thing or two about compassion, kindness and just plain moving on when something goes wrong. I'm so in love with this child's reaction. While I don't endorse pranking kids (ever) it's clear this mom's done something very right to raise such a sweet child. Watch:

Chris Rock's Message for Undecided White Voters

Check it out:

Cher and Kathy Griffin Firing Up Women To Take the Vote On Election Day

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Hm. So, yesterday's Randy Newman video didn't inspire you find out who else you can take with you to the polls this Tuesday? Well, how about Cher?! Is she able to get you up and moving? Or Kathy? Cause, hey GFs, they want you to wake up and get the vote out. “This is Cher, bitches. Do what she says … and God bless America,” says Kathy Griffin: Our "other" fabulous female icon in their web ad firing up the bases to GET out the vote for women's rights and -- hey, how about all American's rights, this Tuesday. Don't Let Mitt Turn Back Time On Women Check it out and "just say no" to the war on women. No, wait, that was Nancy Reagan. Well, I bet she's disgusted with this, too.

Dreaming of a White President: Randy Newman Laments 2012 Voter Racism

I had a feeling Randy Newman would call us out for our human foibles during this 2012 presidential race, however did not expect to hear quite such a note of despair to his voice. At first Newman's ballad appears to be nothing more than a sweet, humorous lament. However as the melody unfurls we hear the deceptively simple harmonies limp awkwardly toward it's real message: We are forever bound in ugliness to a sinking ship of racism: And he makes this point not just musically, but by stringing together lyrics as funny as salt in a wound; Within a tune all but refusing to hummed. This is no amusing ditty; this is our historic demise. We do seem to be a nation of folks unable to heed either common sense or God's warning wrath. And I, too, am heartbroken by what I fear is our endless, tragic ignorance. When will we ever learn?

"Apocalypse Now" - Whedon for Romney

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Thanks to Lucia Tran for this:

More Marceline Musing

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My hero(ine) du Jour:  Marceline, The Vampire Queen, from Adventure Time. If you're not a fan of Adventure Time you can begin to catch up on what the fuss is about here. Cartoon Network's ADVENTURE TIME. Yesterday, as I was going over the list of items for this character's costume I asked "Anna Lily! Just who the heck is this "Marceline?" What does she even look like?" She thought about it and said, "We-ell, she's kind-of hard to describe.  Hm.  Well, she's cool and she sings.  She's kind-of like an Aimee Mann Vampire.  Mom, if you'd actually watch it I bet you'd really like her!" (She knows me so well.) I do, so here's more Marceline-love. Below's a short video clip of The Vampire Queen reading the riot act to another character with a voice I could stand to hear a LOT more of. (Hey, Adventure Time! Time to release an album, or two featuring the Mighty Marceline.  She sounds amazing!)