Song for a Lazy Saturday Afternoon

Strip-tease by Juliette Grecco.

via Filles Sourires

Gawker Criticizes Reporters Yet Still Blind to White Hous Hypocrisy

So it seems like the White House invited a bunch of press to its 4th of July party, "The party was designated "closed press" because it was originally going to actually be closed to the press." So the reporters took the bait and attended the party. See, I have a problem with both the reporters and the administration. Can you imagine the mocking the Bush administration would have received from Gawker if they attempted to wine and dine the press corps and insist that no reporting would be done at the party. Instead the Gawker goons spin for the Obama administration:

But instead of just opening up the event to coverage, which would have meant spoiling a nice backyard bash with network cameras, radio correspondents, international press, and the vast machinery of live electronic media, the White House decided that it would be more fair to the news organizations who weren't invited if they just kept it off the record. That way, the thinking went, no one's getting special access. As absurd as that sounds when you're talking about inviting a select group of reporters to a party with the president, it kind of makes sense if you have to deal with a host of news outlets jockeying for access. If it's all off the record, a small regional paper can't complain that not being invited seriously hurts their coverage.

So it's okay to control the media, because otherwise it would spoil the "nice backyard bash." It's all about not providing special access, by providing special access to select few, who the White House wants to keep chummy with. Nice. Remember the most ethical and transparent administration in history.
Good thing Gawker is honing those sarcastic skills in admonishing the press:

What doesn't make sense, at all, is why a group of reporters who have recently begun clinging to the notion that they are independent of Washington's clubby morass of back-scratching self-congratulation would agree to attend an off-the-record party at the White House while one of their own is walled off in a pen like some forlorn scapegoat, doing the job they're supposed to be doing.

Kate Winslet's New Attitude Towards Nudity

Kate Winslet from the cover shoot of Bazaar. I love this photo, I'm wondering how they held her up. I love the juxtoposition of the skyscrapers and

She claims in the interview she is doing away with nudity and people have seen enough of her behind & breasts.

"I'll be 34 in October. I can't keep getting away with it. There was so much of it in The Reader because the story required it, but people have seen enough of my bum and my boobs. I have to put them back."

I'll believe when I see it, er, or when I don't see it. She's the female version of Ewan McGregor in movies, she can't get through a film without flashing her lady parts. It's in her contract. True story.

via Karol's twitter

I Think I Might Just Have A Slight Aneurysm

I've been wanting to watch How to Steal a Million this whole week. I think it was triggered by seeing a poster of Audrey Hepburn with Peter O'toole. Seriously in swooning territory here - since I can see it on Netflix anytime I want!

Also, how stupid is Audrey's hat here? Pretty stupid. And yet she pulls it off. Amazing.
In other movie news, I fianally saw "Dinner with Andre" and I think I loved it. I think I loved because of the non-Andre guy, Wallace Shawn. However, the actor who played Andre is amazing.

I Don't Think They Travelled With Any Israelis

French voted the worst tourists. I mean most Israelis can speak English, but that's only a minor point in their favor. However, I like disliking the French! Ha!

A Meeting With the Pope

It's all about communications. Stick with it, even though it's long. It made me laugh, since I was thinking along the lines of the Pope, not the rabbi.

I Love Old Ads!

Update: This is the image I was reffering too.

Especially when they employ outdated/offensive language.

Mini Movie Reviews

Twilight - I was curious about this teen phenomenon and finally saw this past weekend. In all honesty I didn't enjoy it much. In fact I was being a snarky asshole the whole time I was watching it. I can understand how teenagers and 40-something lonely women love this movie. It definitely portrays love as an all encompassing force - a blinding, instantaneous boom, that takes over your life without rhyme or reason. And while real love has an element of this drama, it's not nearly as brain dead and tiring as the love of heroine for her vampire boyfriend. I also very much hated the girl who played Bella, she can not act for the life of her. Plain horrible. I wanted to kill her myself - just to shut her up. If you're looking for mindless fantasy with pretty people this is a movie for you.

The Darjeeling Limited- I liked it a whole lot. It was funnier that I expected and poignant too. I forget that Wes Anderson movies do deal with the pain of death and loss of innocence. I remember being shocked at the death in Steve Zissou, and here in this movie I was again shocked by one of the characters dying. I kept imagining him waking up, everyone mistaken about his death. But no, he was really dead.
Some people don't like the very specific style Anderson employs in his films, I actually like it very much. I liked the Bill Murray red hearing at the beginning - I loved the acting by all, especially Adrien Brody. I strongly recommend it.

Happy Birthday Dawn!

It seems like it's the beginning of Dawn Summers' birthday season. In honor of her I'm posting a song, which I know she will like. Happy Birthday Dawn! May this year bring you lots of happiness and good music!

The Most Adorable "Song Titled "F*ck You"

I really like the chorus.

So Proud To Be From Massachusetts

Trying

I've been trying to be more positive. Something that is quite foreign to me. Being a positive panda instead of a sad panda (new word: sanda) has been a bit challenging. I've convinced myself the cancer has comeback (this is all in my head), I will know more about it when I go to the doctor's next week, until then I'm trying to think of something else (anything).


I have also tried to not get annoyed where in the past I would have flown into a rage. I try to discern things that can be changed and adjust my attitude when they can't be - the coworker who constantly dumps work on me and when he does his work he is woefully crappy at it - well I just try to stay away from him, the pile of papers I need to organize on my desk - I will get it done one by one instead of despairing about them never disappearing.

I've been trying to avoid stress, waking up earlier, going to bed earlier, not rushing on the road to get to my work. If I'm a little bit late, it won't be the end of the world. I'm also trying not to take things to close to the heart - you don't like me? well no one can please everyone a 100% of the time. So yeah, it's been a struggle, it doesn't seem like that much from the outside. In fact people who are closest to me will probably do a double take after reading this post. But I feel like I'm trying and that's the first step. Think positive!

I Have One Cool Niece

Those sunglasses and that smirk. Love it.

She's also pretty smart, sweet, and utterly irresistible. I might be a bit biased but I don't care. She's turning one in one week, I'm sad I won't be there to wish her a happy birthday in person, but at least she knows I love her anyway.

Quote of the Day

"Was I the only woman in the world who, at my age - and after a lifetime of quite rampant independence - still did not quite feel grown up?”
— Dodie Smith, The Town in Bloom

Pretty much sums me up to a tee. When am I going to feel grown up?

Without The Warm Welcome

Obama fevah seems to be breaking, Russian can give a flying f*ck if President Obama is coming. I would applaud them on their discerning tastes, but it's probably because they are racist.

via ace

Peace of Mind

North Korea test-fired a fourth short-range missile off its east coast Thursday, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.

I'm really glad that the guy, who is all about "tough diplomacy," is leading the US when North Korea decides to test a few missiles and openly threatens United States with a missile towards Hawaii. I mean it's so awesome to have Obama at the helm, a man without any military experience but lots of scary, serious, long sounding words. Yes we can ignore a real tangible threat! I feel bad for Japan and Hawaii.

What Matters To Us

I've been thinking about this for a while now. It seems it's so much easier to mourn Michael Jackson, than Neda, who became a martyr for freedom and democracy, in Iran. I don't believe that the majority of people are now willing to die for their beliefs, actually I feel many people don't stop long enough to think about what really matters - just as long as they are comfortable is good enough for them. They have forgotten or never lived through real adversity. I find it a sad reflection of our society, when people get too comfortable they forget what really matters and those beliefs like liberty and freedom are worth sacrificing one's life.

When I think of the funerals of Diana, Jade Goody or Wacko, I get depressed. Yes, the displays of grief, the keening and moaning over artificial shrines with scented candles, the fake religiosity were, to some extent, whipped up by the media.

But what if these sugary, sentimental, morally empty displays of collective hysteria really do represent the modern soul? Two or three generations have passed in the West who, compared to their historical predecessors, have suffered no real hardship - no wars, no food shortages, no tyrannies.

As we sat in front of the telly or plugged into our iPods, guzzling cheap food and listening to cheap music, did we become bloated on the cheapness and the ease?

Is Goody-mania or Jackomania the moral equivalent of obesity, the result of bingeing on fake satisfactions and tawdry dreams? Is freakish, sentimental Wacko a representative of our collective psyche?

And will all the blubbing, sugary, silly responses to his pathetically predictable death be an expression of what we in the West have come to?

Leonard Cohen 's A Thousand Kisses Deep: Recitation

One of the most beautiful points during the Leonard Cohen's concert I went to see was his reading of "A Thousand Kisses Deep." The poem is about so many things, aging, love, music, art, it has everything in it. I found an audio of Leonard Cohen reciting it and it made really happy.

I'm Good at Love
I'm Good at Hate
It's in between I freeze
Been working out but it's too late
It's been too late for years
But you look good,
You really do,
They love you on the street.
If you were here I'd kneel for you
A Thousand Kisses Deep.

The whole poem is gorgeous.

I've been a little bit obsessed with Leonard Cohen since I saw him at Coachella in April. (I've tried to channel this obsession in my tumblr posts and telling Peter about it, I believe he is a bit sick of the topic. Good thing he loves me.) In fact, he left a bigger impression on me than even seeing Paul McCartney live. I meant to write about the experience but for whatever reason, maybe for the lack of words, I have been unable to. I have read some people describe the concert, especially the performance of "Hallelujah," to be an almost religious experience. Seeing the video of the performance it reminded of the swaying palm trees, the falling dusk, Mr. Cohen with his fedora, the yellow lights of the stage, my beloved standing next to me, the whole crowd singing along with the chorus - a practice I usually abhor but gave into this time - well it's was magical and I've been hooked ever since. I'm sure this obsession will fade, but I find him (and I'm not into celebrity worship) and his music/poems comforting. It's like a father giving his child advice about life, love, and everything in between.

Two Offensive Things I Heard On Bad Music Radio

1. "Shush girl, move your hips do the the Helen Keller." - ewwwwww.
2. "I want to play with your disco stick." I do believe she was going for metaphor in this song, but basically gives it all away.

Wow that music was bad, so bad.

Coffee Guide

I never worked as a "barista," so I find this illustration quite helpful.

On Being Good

I never realized how hard it is to be good. When I was younger it seemed so simple, I would actually get angry at characters in books who weren’t good enough. Somehow as time went on, it became clear just how hard it is to live your life and be virtuous, kind, and compassionate. It’s so very hard, but it shouldn’t be.

Also, I find the line between being truly kind and being taken for chump to be very thin and that makes me sad. How does one be kind but still remain strong? How does one find joy in life?

I’ve been reading a lot of stuff on Leonard Cohen lately, there something about him that makes me happy. He seems like the kind of person who is kind, yet strong. A guy who is perfect in his imperfectness and a person who truly communes with life. I like that and wish I can aspire to that kind of life.

One of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite children's movies: Totoro. I used to show it to the kids I babysat and they loved it.


I found this photo a few weeks ago. I guess McDonalds did an ad campaign in Japan.

How To Talk To A Liberal In NYC

The article is pretty funny and dead on. I try to remain silent when I don't agree with people around me, especially about political topics, but because of my nature and need to show that I'm right, this rarely happens and I out myself as an evil conservative.

Living contentedly among liberals, then, requires a fair degree of finesse. My own little town, Hastings-on-Hudson, is in most ways as attractive as the name suggests, a leafy suburban enclave for the most part populated with kind-hearted and generous souls. But a word of warning: Don't get into politics. To say Hastings is liberal is like saying Saudi Arabia is Muslim. We are a more bucolic version of the Upper West Side -- the very area from which many of my neighbors decamped in settling here. Almost all of them vote Democratic for the same reason they watch their diet and floss their teeth -- it's what smart, responsible, healthy, forward-thinking people do.

This is to say that when at a neighborhood gathering, if one of these people suddenly learns that your views deviate from everyone else's on the war, affirmative action, big government, feminism, the reliability of the Times, (or hell, fill in the blank), his or her face will register stunned surprise and deep confusion. You can almost see the wheels turning within and hear the electronic drone: Does not compute. After all, in most ways, you seem reasonable; your knuckles don't drag the ground. Yet, the things coming out of your mouth sound so wrong -- almost conservative!
......
Indeed, if one keeps things polite in such situations, those on the other side are all but helpless, robbed of their chief weapon: Insults. For many liberals in these parts, dismissive contempt toward the other side is a reflex. So, for the enterprising conservative, pointing out, "that's not an argument, that's name-calling" is enough to stop them dead in their tracks. After lifetimes spent casually referring to those on the right as "haters" or "fascists," they are truly unaware there is anything wrong with it. While afterward they'll continue to believe you are a fascist, and say so behind your back, at least you'll have a momentary triumph.

via Hot Air Headlines

The White Room by Charles Simic

I find this poem to be almost perfect. It captures the mystery that is so hard to describe/explain about life. Or at least come close to it.

The White Room by Charles Simic

The obvious is difficult
To prove. Many prefer
The hidden. I did, too.
I listened to the trees.

They had a secret
Which they were about to
Make known to me--
And then didn't.

Summer came. Each tree
On my street had its own
Scheherazade. My nights
Were a part of their wild

Storytelling. We were
Entering dark houses,
Always more dark houses,
Hushed and abandoned.

There was someone with eyes closed
On the upper floors.
The fear of it, and the wonder,
Kept me sleepless.

The truth is bald and cold,
Said the woman
Who always wore white.
She didn't leave her room.

The sun pointed to one or two
Things that had survived
The long night intact.
The simplest things,

Difficult in their obviousness.
They made no noise.
It was the kind of day
People described as "perfect."

Gods disguising themselves
As black hairpins, a hand-mirror,
A comb with a tooth missing?
No! That wasn't it.

Just things as they are,
Unblinking, lying mute
In that bright light--
And the trees waiting for the night.

Michael Jackson Had A Sense Of Humor

I thought this photo was really funny (laughing with MJ, not at him). A tshirt with himself on it!
Photo is from TMZ.
hat tip: Peter

Summertime

Thursday felt like the first day of summer. The sunshine kissing my face as I drove home from work. It was lovely and deserves a special celebration with Summertime by the Sundays. I love the lead singers voice, it's so distinct and beautiful.

Meat Is Murder...Tasty, Tasty, Murder.

We are awesome!

From here, where it further explains that this was at some company where apparently a vegan “safe space” is required.

P.S. The left note says: "Vegan, vegetarian, or vegan-curious? Casual, nonjudgemetal support & opportunities to connect! Monthly meetups within the community." P*ssies.

Travel Itch

For some reason, I recently started to really want to go back to St. Petersburg, a desire I never had experienced since the last time I was there eight years ago. Something about white nights and walking along the Neva, makes me swoon. Don't get me wrong, I don't ever want to live there but I wouldn't mind visiting the Hermitage or walking in the Summer garden (which is actually going to be closed for FIVE years!).

IPhone Ad I want to see

Leonard Cohen (and I ) Want To Wish You Shabbat Shalom

or just a happy weekend. May you be with the ones you love and those who love you.

One of my favorites

MJ - "Dangerous"

I actually remember watching this performance. I was amazed how elaborate the performance. Michael Jackson was a true entertainer.

Madam Paulyn

Madam Paulyn, originally uploaded by P.S.Zollo.

I loved this photo. It shows some character....I love photos with stories.

White Men Are People Too

Arizona is looking to pass a bill that will eliminate "affirmative action" also known as hiring based on race and gender. Good riddance.

What. A. Joke.

This is the biggest problem I have with socializing healthcare, avg. middle class people will be the ones who are screwed over, rich people like Obama won't pay the consequences of their actions.

President Obama struggled to explain today whether his health care reform proposals would force normal Americans to make sacrifices that wealthier, more powerful people — like the president himself — wouldn’t face.

…Dr. Orrin Devinsky, a neurologist and researcher at the New York University Langone Medical Center, said that elites often propose health care solutions that limit options for the general public, secure in the knowledge that if they or their loves ones get sick they will be able to afford the best care available, even if it’s not provided by insurance.

Devinsky asked the president pointedly if he would be willing to promise that he wouldn’t seek such extraordinary help for his wife or daughters if they became sick and the public plan he’s proposing limited the tests or treatment they can get.

The president refused to make such a pledge, though he allowed that if “it’s my family member, if it’s my wife, if it’s my children, if it’s my grandmother I always want them to get the very best care.”

From Obama's infomercial last night. Didn't see it the blatant commercial for the special event made me want to gag, didn't want to ruin the carpet more.

video of the exchange here
If it's not good enough for the Obama family, it shouldn't be good enough for anyone else in America.

Her Haircut Is On The Train To Ugly Town

I'm being petty, but this is funny.

Guilt of the Second Child

My mother once confessed to me that while being pregnant with me and subsequently on her way to hospital to give birth to me, she had an overwhelming sense of guilt for leaving my older sister without her and bringing me into the world. It was a recollection she recently told me and I found it curious. Like, "Come on mom! I'm like the most awesome thing, how could you feel guilt about bringing me into the world?!" (She later explained that when she finally did give birth to me the guilty feeling ebbed away.)

Turns out my mother isn't the only to experience these conflicting feelings. I first saw it talked about on an episode of Momversation (yes, I read mommy blogs...I also read wedding blogs...please don't judge, I'm girl, this is what I do. Also, I have a strange fascination with parenting, which deserves its own post) and then Dooce goes and has her second child and writes a really beautiful post about it. I delinked her during the 2008 election because I couldn't take the self-rightous b.s. but she is wonderful writer - funny and warm, so I found myself checking her site more and more. You can also tell how much she works on her website, the woman is obviously a powerhouse.

Saturday night I sat on Leta's bed with Marlo in my lap while Leta spun imaginary tales of princesses in various corners of her room. It had been raining all day, and the giant, west-facing window in her room resembled an abstract painting, a mottled palette of raindrops and setting sun. And I guess it's the hormones, the RAGING, TERRORIZING HORMONES, or maybe it's the sleeplessness, but I started bawling uncontrollably. I felt so guilty, like I had betrayed my first born by bringing someone else into our lives. Here I was forcing Leta into one of the most painful transitions of her life, and even though I knew I was being completely irrational, I just wanted to clutch her to my chest and apologize.

The whole post is touching tribute to her first born.

Weirdest Thing I'm Going to See All Day

Leonard Cohen guest starring on Miami Vice. I love the man, but Miami Vice? Really?


ps. on my tumblr, besides music I'm posting lots of artsy stuff: photos of L. Cohen, art work I love, quotes I like, and poems I enjoy. There's no politics or very personal stuff about me on there.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Ponyo, new film from Hayao Miyazaki. Can't wait. I still haven't seen Up, which is my other must-see-movie-in-theater-this-summer.

The Key To Life Actually

"The key to French waiters: If you're nice to them, they treat you like shit. Treat them like shit, they love you." - Kate from French Kiss

A friend of mine resolved to be bitch but extremely polite. I kind think she has the right idea.

"Poke" by Frightened Rabbit

I adore this song.

Should look through some old photos I adored you in every one of those.
If someone took a picture of us now they'd need to be told that we had ever clung and tied a navy knot with arms at night
I'd say she was his sister but she doesn't have his nose.

(I've started a tumblr blog, mostly for my music needs.)

Minor Pet Peeve

I hate the peace sign. I think it's vulgar and screams condescendence and ignorance. When I was a little girl I thought I was so profound for advocating peace and proclaiming that war is not the answer. Having grown up a bit and realized that the world is not full of people with the best intentions, but with the best intentions for themselves. I realize how naive these people are, who drive around with the chicken foot on their bumpers.

Do they really think everyone else is pro-war? Because I want peace too! Yet, I understand that not everyone/everything is going to turn out/be like Britain vs. Ghandi's India doesn't mean I don't want peace as well. Would I like for war to be forever eradicated? Of course! Am I naive enough to think that this will ever happen as long as human beings roam the earth? No.

So enough with silly sign, everyone wants peace just some of us know that there are things worth fighting for (and actually peace is one of them).

Images From Tim Burton's Alice In Woderland

I love Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen:

Anne Hathaway as White Queen:

Johnny Depp as Mad Hatter:


I can't wait to see it.

My friend Alisa, throws a Lewis Carroll birthday party each year. It's really fantastic and we read (all together) one chapter of Alice in Wonderland. I love this tradition so much. It's full of magic that I don't experience often enough.

via

Stupid Stuff That's Irritating Me But Isn't Really Worth Mentioning

* My laptop is not working, for some reason it fails to connect to the wireless internet.
* Peter left and I don't like being in 2 separate cities.
* The weather is miserable and makes me want hide out under the covers with the internet, but
that's a FAIL plan.
* I feel like I can't help anyone, especially myself.
* People seriously forget logic and rules of the road when it's wet and raining. It doesn't help to drive faster in the rain, idiots.
* My car broke down again.
* I still haven't done laundry that has been overdue for 2 weeks.
* I feel pathetic for complaining about stuff like this when people are dying for their freedom.

I am kind of happy Perezhilton got sissy punched, someone needed to do that to him a long time ago.

Yes, I am petty.