Coming from Peter Gabriel's 1986 album "SO", this is one of my favorite songs of all time. It is a beautiful duet with the amazing Kate Bush.
I'd like to dedicate this song to My friend Amanda who just learned her mother has breast cancer. Don't give up! My thoughts are with you and your family.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Michael Moore's New Film: CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY
"Capitalism: A Love Story," Michael Moore's look at the high cost of free enterprise on average Americans. Critics and pundits can fact-check and argue the fine print of this film until they're blue in the face, but the state of this nation -- where 1 percent of Americans control more wealth than the bottom 95 percent combined -- speaks for itself. Moore's inimitable style assures that this film will only preach to the choir, but I wish it were mandatory for all Americans so they learn about the way Citigroup -- which took $45 billion in handouts from the taxpayers -- giddily boasts about the United States' being a "plutonomy" (their only regret? that those of us in the bottom 95 percent have equal power to the rich on Election Day), the "dead peasant" life insurance policies many corporations take out on their employees (you die, they profit) or the Second Bill of Rights FDR proposed for Americans but died before achieving -- a job with a living wage, freedom from unfair competition and monopolies, a home, medical care, education and recreation -- rights that we made standard in our rebuilding of Europe after World War II, but never bothered to ensure for ourselves. My only complaint is that the film left me with an unbearable sense of helplessness rather than even a hint of inspiration, and not even the clever Mr. Moore seems to have any ideas on how to turn that around.
[Via Kenneth in the 212]
[Via Kenneth in the 212]
It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine: News of the Weird
Under "Compelling Explanations"
Improbably Successful Pick-up Line: In September, school officials in Australia's Queensland state said they were investigating an incident earlier in the year in which two teenagers had consensual sex that they recorded on a cell phone camera. The girl reportedly said she was convinced to lose her virginity out of fear that the world would soon end as a result of the scheduled re-start of the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva, Switzerland, later this year. [Courier-Mail (Brisbane), 9-2-09]
Under "People With Issues"
Three physicians, reporting in The Canadian Journal of Urology in July, described how they handled an emergency-room patient who arrived with a ballpoint pen in his urethra. The man, 57, had assumed that the insertion would be pleasurable, and when it wasn't, thought initially that maybe the pen was not in far enough. After pushing further, to even greater discomfort, he thought that if he pushed it all the way through, it would exit in his rectum, where he could remove it more easily. (Actually, they're not connected.) Doctors removed the pen with the same procedure used to remove kidney stones. [Canadian Journal of Urology (July 2009) via Neurotopia blog, 8-28-09]
[Via Chuck Shepherd's News of the Weird]
Improbably Successful Pick-up Line: In September, school officials in Australia's Queensland state said they were investigating an incident earlier in the year in which two teenagers had consensual sex that they recorded on a cell phone camera. The girl reportedly said she was convinced to lose her virginity out of fear that the world would soon end as a result of the scheduled re-start of the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva, Switzerland, later this year. [Courier-Mail (Brisbane), 9-2-09]
Under "People With Issues"
Three physicians, reporting in The Canadian Journal of Urology in July, described how they handled an emergency-room patient who arrived with a ballpoint pen in his urethra. The man, 57, had assumed that the insertion would be pleasurable, and when it wasn't, thought initially that maybe the pen was not in far enough. After pushing further, to even greater discomfort, he thought that if he pushed it all the way through, it would exit in his rectum, where he could remove it more easily. (Actually, they're not connected.) Doctors removed the pen with the same procedure used to remove kidney stones. [Canadian Journal of Urology (July 2009) via Neurotopia blog, 8-28-09]
[Via Chuck Shepherd's News of the Weird]
LOOK MA, NO HANDS!
Those wacky, inventive Japanese have done it again! This is for all you multitaskers & chronic masturbators with carpal tunnel! Behold the SOM....available in both a men's and women's version for the adventurous wanker in your life (remember, Christmas is right around the corner!).
Here's the company's description for the men's version:
(The Lady's SOM is described as "A high performance piston machine" hahahaha!)
Now, you're probably wondering "what's inside that thing?" Well, they cover that too!
"The material of hole and dildo is " septon " it is so safe that used in medical service.
It is new material that soft, strong, elastic and enjoy yourself with special gel and lotion for SOM. Inside of hole : innumerable pleats and protuberance excite you! It's soft touch gives you more luxurious pleasure the "real" does."
Wow, that sounds AWESOME! Unfortunately, I don't think it's proportions were made for the Western market so I'll just have to wait til this thing comes in adult sizes.
Now, I'm of course wondering if my Kitchen Aid attachments will work on this and I can whip up a batch of special brownies when it's served it's other purpose!
Here's the company's description for the men's version:
| 1. | Completely hands free : high performance onanie machine. | |
| 2. | You can sit on the seat and enjoy as you like with hands free. | |
| 3. | Any speed is available for up-down slide movement (free level between 90 and 180 / min) | |
| 4. | Adjustment free to the height of body (290-340mm) | |
| 5. | Vibration of controller point (free level) adjustment free. | |
| 6. | Up-down slide of 65mm width. |
(The Lady's SOM is described as "A high performance piston machine" hahahaha!)
Now, you're probably wondering "what's inside that thing?" Well, they cover that too!
"The material of hole and dildo is " septon " it is so safe that used in medical service.
It is new material that soft, strong, elastic and enjoy yourself with special gel and lotion for SOM. Inside of hole : innumerable pleats and protuberance excite you! It's soft touch gives you more luxurious pleasure the "real" does."
Wow, that sounds AWESOME! Unfortunately, I don't think it's proportions were made for the Western market so I'll just have to wait til this thing comes in adult sizes.
LCC Update: Holy Crap, Learnin' Is $pendy!
Wow! I just crunched the numbers for the total cost of my course and the supplies I need for it vs. the financial aid money I'll be getting. Silly me had delusions of a new laptop or maybe a weekend trip to Chicago, perhaps dinner out or a great new pair of shoes....this was a serious reality check!
The great news is that I qualify for the highest amount for the Pell Grant, the bad news is I thought I got the whole thing at once. Apparently they split your "award" between 2 terms....bastards, don't they know INEED want the new Donald J. Pliner boots! Anyway....I floated, nay, crashed back to reality and figured the smart/responsible thing to do was to get all my supplies ($239), get my car insured, new tires and tabs through 2010 ($600), save for the CNA exam ($200) and, oh yeah, then there's the course fee ($336) and finally tuition ($1231)
Grand Total................$2270 *YIKES!*
My "award" total for this term..............$2675
So, not much left for "living expenses" after all is said and done. I am quite grateful and lucky to have gotten the Pell Grant money, it could certainly be a lot worse and I can definitely make it work, it's just going to be a little harder than anticipated.
The great news is that I qualify for the highest amount for the Pell Grant, the bad news is I thought I got the whole thing at once. Apparently they split your "award" between 2 terms....bastards, don't they know I
Grand Total................$2270 *YIKES!*
My "award" total for this term..............$2675
So, not much left for "living expenses" after all is said and done. I am quite grateful and lucky to have gotten the Pell Grant money, it could certainly be a lot worse and I can definitely make it work, it's just going to be a little harder than anticipated.
Monday, September 28, 2009
LCC Update: Finally some encouraging news!
The not so great news is that I underestimated the cost of the course by a little over $200 and the course fees and tuition do not cover any other supplies such as textbooks, scrubs, lab kit, etc... And to get my car legal, insured and tires replaced will be approx. $600 None of which will be available to me until I am officially registered which looks like that wont happen until the course is under way.
The other good news concerning Financial Aid is that instead of the 4-6week wait for disbursement as I was initially told, it will be less than 2 weeks to get the balance of my Pell Grant after course fees and tuition...this is fantastic news, I only wish I could get it sooner but thanks to some asshole waiting until the last minute to drop the bloody course I'm screwed.
Oh well, I'm trying to stay positive and focus on the GOOD news I received today as the last couple weeks I have been really stressing out over all of this and wondering if it was even going to be possible. I'll keep you posted!
This Week In Holy Crimes [Via Joe.My.God]
Over the last seven days...
South Carolina: Pastor John David Helmuth busted in internet sting for trying to meet what he thought was a 13 year-old girl for sex.
Connecticut: Rev. Iura Godenciuc charged with defrauding school district of $76K.
New York: Father William Blasingame pleads guilty to stealing $86K from his diocese for plastic surgery and botox. Linked photo proves he did not spend wisely.
Massachusetts: Rabbi Stanley Zusia Levitt charged with sexually assaulting two pre-teen boys.
Illinois: Father Fred Lenczycki, the first Catholic priest ever declared "sexually violent," has been released from prison after only five years after confessing to sexually assaulting over 30 boys.
Pennsylvania: Rev. Vincent Navorro Meekin charged with embezzling funds donated to build his church a new roof.
Arizona: Father Dale Fushek to have five separate trials for sexual crimes against minors. Bonus: Fuskek is the founder of Teen Life Ministries.
Illinois: Father Daniel McCormick may be indefinitely confined under the state's Sexually Violent Persons Act. McCormick is due for release after confessing to molesting five boys ages 8-12, but the state fears he will reoffend.
North Carolina: Pastor Robert Reaves has fired his attorneys and wants to defend himself in the 2008 stabbing murder of a woman who was seeing a man Reaves was reportedly interested in. Reaves has previous convictions for sexually abusing boys.
New Jersey: Rev. John Harris Jr. charged with sexually harassing a church employee who says she was fired for refusing his advances.
North Carolina: Pastor Brian Andrew Klein sued by parishioner who claims he coerced her into a sexual relationship when she was a minor.
Israel: Rabbi Avichai Zehavi under house arrest after four families come forward with allegations of sexual abuse of minors.
New York: Angelo Serrano, Director of Religious Education at St. Lucy - St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, charged with molesting 10 year-old boy. Cops say there may up to 17 other victims.
This Week's Winner -
Oklahoma: Pastor Ted Haggard tells local newspaper that he is now "completely free of homosexual compulsions." Haggard and his wife have been holding weekly "meetings" with fellow Christians in his Colorado Springs home. Haggard: "As a church, we're God's primary hand to help people with sin problems, whether it be gluttony, pride, hate, high-mindedness, selfishness, immorality (such as) fantasizing, porn, masturbation, homosexuality, bisexuality."
[Via Joe.My.God]
South Carolina: Pastor John David Helmuth busted in internet sting for trying to meet what he thought was a 13 year-old girl for sex.
Connecticut: Rev. Iura Godenciuc charged with defrauding school district of $76K.
New York: Father William Blasingame pleads guilty to stealing $86K from his diocese for plastic surgery and botox. Linked photo proves he did not spend wisely.
Massachusetts: Rabbi Stanley Zusia Levitt charged with sexually assaulting two pre-teen boys.
Illinois: Father Fred Lenczycki, the first Catholic priest ever declared "sexually violent," has been released from prison after only five years after confessing to sexually assaulting over 30 boys.
Pennsylvania: Rev. Vincent Navorro Meekin charged with embezzling funds donated to build his church a new roof.
Arizona: Father Dale Fushek to have five separate trials for sexual crimes against minors. Bonus: Fuskek is the founder of Teen Life Ministries.
Illinois: Father Daniel McCormick may be indefinitely confined under the state's Sexually Violent Persons Act. McCormick is due for release after confessing to molesting five boys ages 8-12, but the state fears he will reoffend.
North Carolina: Pastor Robert Reaves has fired his attorneys and wants to defend himself in the 2008 stabbing murder of a woman who was seeing a man Reaves was reportedly interested in. Reaves has previous convictions for sexually abusing boys.
New Jersey: Rev. John Harris Jr. charged with sexually harassing a church employee who says she was fired for refusing his advances.
North Carolina: Pastor Brian Andrew Klein sued by parishioner who claims he coerced her into a sexual relationship when she was a minor.
Israel: Rabbi Avichai Zehavi under house arrest after four families come forward with allegations of sexual abuse of minors.
New York: Angelo Serrano, Director of Religious Education at St. Lucy - St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, charged with molesting 10 year-old boy. Cops say there may up to 17 other victims.
This Week's Winner -
Oklahoma: Pastor Ted Haggard tells local newspaper that he is now "completely free of homosexual compulsions." Haggard and his wife have been holding weekly "meetings" with fellow Christians in his Colorado Springs home. Haggard: "As a church, we're God's primary hand to help people with sin problems, whether it be gluttony, pride, hate, high-mindedness, selfishness, immorality (such as) fantasizing, porn, masturbation, homosexuality, bisexuality."
[Via Joe.My.God]
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Un-Lucky Star: Cynthia Gibb
Oh HELL to the no she didn't! Check out this fuckery train wreck of a cover "performed" by Fame Tv cast member and song murderer Cynthia Gibb. My ears are still bleeding from this shit!
Written by Madonna and released in April, 1984 as the 5th. and final single off her 1983 debut Madonna, "Lucky Star" reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This horrific cover version comes courtesy of a season of the Tv series Fame, based on the hit movie from 1980.
Written by Madonna and released in April, 1984 as the 5th. and final single off her 1983 debut Madonna, "Lucky Star" reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
This horrific cover version comes courtesy of a season of the Tv series Fame, based on the hit movie from 1980.
Lip Dub: Université du Québec à Montréal "I Gotta Feeling"
Just learned about this new "phenomenon" called lip dub...here's a great example that was filmed in ONE take!
A lip dub is a type of video that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video. It is made by filming individuals or a group of people lip synching while listening to a song or any recorded audio then dubbing over it in post editing with the original audio of the song. There is often some form of mobile audio device used such as an iPod. Often, they look like simple music videos, although many involve a lot of preparation and are well produced. The most popular lip dubs are done in a single unedited shot that often travels through different rooms and situations in, say, an office building. They have become popular with the advent of mass participatory video content sites like YouTube.
A lip dub is a type of video that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video. It is made by filming individuals or a group of people lip synching while listening to a song or any recorded audio then dubbing over it in post editing with the original audio of the song. There is often some form of mobile audio device used such as an iPod. Often, they look like simple music videos, although many involve a lot of preparation and are well produced. The most popular lip dubs are done in a single unedited shot that often travels through different rooms and situations in, say, an office building. They have become popular with the advent of mass participatory video content sites like YouTube.
Retro Tune of the Day: De La Soul "The Magic Number"
A truly awesome song and hip hop classic from 1989! Remember when hip hop was fun and had a positive message? This song is one of my faves and I cannot believe it's over 20 years old!
"The Magic Number" is a 1990 single by De La Soul, originally recorded in 1988 and first released on their 1989 album, 3 Feet High and Rising, with the chorus based on a segment from the children's show "Schoolhouse Rock!", written by Bob Dorough. In the song, the trio state that the number three is the magic number. The song heavily samples songs and vocal samples originally sampled in "Lesson 3" by Double Dee and Steinski, as well as sampling "Lesson 3" itself. (you'll also notice some other samples from this kick ass funk that were used as samples by several other groups....fun!)
The song reached #18 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart,but charted a respectable #7 on the UK singles chart.
"The Magic Number" is a 1990 single by De La Soul, originally recorded in 1988 and first released on their 1989 album, 3 Feet High and Rising, with the chorus based on a segment from the children's show "Schoolhouse Rock!", written by Bob Dorough. In the song, the trio state that the number three is the magic number. The song heavily samples songs and vocal samples originally sampled in "Lesson 3" by Double Dee and Steinski, as well as sampling "Lesson 3" itself. (you'll also notice some other samples from this kick ass funk that were used as samples by several other groups....fun!)
The song reached #18 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart,but charted a respectable #7 on the UK singles chart.
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