UnNews:National Gay Marriage Threat Level Raised to "Flamboyant"

This news item is a bit old, but I felt I should post about it anyway since we should always remain vigilant against threats to our freedoms. These are just brief excerpts--for the full article, go here.

8 June 2006

WASHINGTON, DC -- The US Homeland Security Department raised the National Gay Marriage threat level from "fruity" to "flamboyant" today, in response to increased "gay chatter" intercepted by Intelligence agencies. Secretary Chertoff urged citizens to "be vigilant, and on the lookout for queers", but to keep their daily routines as normal as possible in order to keep the economy strong.

Troops have been complaining of inadequate equipment, but a new device developed by Halliburton could prove to be a breakthrough in the war. The device, called "Gay Detection and Ranging", or simply by its acronym, GAYDAR, is capable of detecting homosexuals within a 100 yard radius. Up till now, accurate detection was possible only at close distances, which too often proved to be too late, with the observer quickly succumbing to sexual gyrations from the gay individual being tracked.

This is an entry from Uncyclopedia, a parody of Wikipedia. Specifically the UnNews section which is, "Your source for up to the minute misinformation."
Go there if you need a laugh!

Superman Returns ! ............. And So Have I

Yes, Superman has returned (to the movie theaters, that is) and I have returned to this blog. OK, I really didn't go anywhere, but lately haven't been posting a lot. I will list the reasons why later. But first I have to talk about "Superman Returns!" Arrived at the mall just before 1:30 PM and lucky for me, there was a show starting at 1:30, and it was still at the matinee price! So I even saved a couple of dollars. Got in the theater just as the previews were starting...it was for some football movie...then the screen went blank and all the lights went out! Some of the lights then flickered back on, only to go right out again! But then the lights came back on and the previews continued. I'm not sure if just that theater had a problem or if it was the entire mall. The strange thing is that something similiar occurs in the movie! (Won't say anymore 'cause I don't to spoil it for anyone).

Now I thought it was a great movie. The special effects are amazing and the story was good. It briefly covers the origin of Superman, (which I've read or seen many times) but does it in an interesting way. As I'm writing this there was one thing I noticed and that is that it seems like Brandon Routh (who plays Superman, of course), didn't seem to have a lot of dialogue in the film. Or at least that is the impression I get now when I think back about it.
That's OK--I don't mind the strong, silent type! Especially if it's Superman!

This may not be the best movie review, but I've been a fan of Superman since I was old enough to hold a comic book, so I probably would have loved the movie just because it was about him. Yeah, I'll admit it--when I was a kid, I guess I secretly wished I could be Superman. Instead of the 90-pound weakling (uhh...make that 70-pound) that I was!

This is getting a bit long, so I'm just going to briefly list my reasons for not posting much lately:

1- About 2 weeks ago, I spent so much time staring at this computer screen, or watching TV, or playing video games that I injured my left eye. I got a bad case of eyestrain (which I have had before) and had to ease up on the computer.
2- We've had a lot of rain on and off here but whenever it cleared up, I tried to get outside for awhile because I know the summer will be over before you know it and it will be cold again!
3- My computer has been acting up more than usual and it got so frustrating at times I just shut it off. I'm still looking for an inexpensive laptop computer but haven't gotten one yet. Earlier this week I saw a Best Buy ad that had 2 decent ones at the price I could afford, but the local Best Buy didn't have either one in stock. And I don't have a credit card so I couldn't order off their website.
4- Finally I've just been a bit frustrated in general about things in my life. Currently I am off work (on a summer layoff) but I really don't want to return to that job in the Fall and at the same time aren't sure where I do want to work. Actually I'm sick of work in general, but aren't old enough (or rich enough) to retire. At times I'm tempted to get rid of everything, pack a bag or two, and just hit the road! Although where I'd go or what I'd do is a mystery. If I owned a car, I probably would have taken off by now and just drive until I find someplace I liked better than where I am!

Well, enough of my whining....I better go rest my eye 'cause it's still not completely healed.

Now if I was Superman, I could just fly off to somewhere exciting!

Videos Of The Week

Wow! It's been a week since I last posted anything here! I'm slipping a little!
Actually I'll try to get a post up tomorrow explaining why I'm been kind of lax lately with this blog. Not trying to be mysterious or anything, I'm just too tired right now to write much.

But I did remember my videos!! And here they are:

I went to YouTube earlier and this is the first one I saw, and it reminded me of two other guys I know. So I'm dedicating this video to my friends Ryan & Mike over at Boys Are Ugly But So Cute.


I'm not really a sports fan, but the World Cup of Soccer is going on now, so here's a version of soccer I would definitely watch!


Also I never was a big fan of the group Pink Floyd, but this song/video is one that I really love!
(Must be the anti-authority anarchist in me)

Videos Of The Week

My videos this week are more serious and political than the ones I usually select. But after seeing this news clip from CNN (I came across it on Crooks And Liars) I knew it had to go up here. The girl being interviewed here, Ava Lowrey, a 15-year-old from Alabama, has created a website called Peace Takes Courage, with animations she's made, critical of the war in Iraq and the Bush administration. And she is truly a very courageous and talented girl. If you want to see the complete animation talked about in the news clip, go here.

There are graphic and disturbing images in the video but it is an accurate portrayal of the situation in Iraq.

Ava Lowrey has made over 70 animations, which you can find here. I watched many of them and they're all extremely well done and carry powerful messages! I tried to put the animation from the CNN clip up here, but was unable to get it to run. I guess Ava is smarter than me!

I encourage you to check out her site and spread the word about it....I've put a link in my left sidebar to Peace Takes Courage.

The other two videos here are on the same theme and also contain some graphic images as well.







Sorry if my videos this week are a bit disturbing, but there's a message in them that cannot be ignored !

Hot & Bored !

I need to get a more interesting life so I have something to write about here. For the past three days, I've just pretty much sat around, watching TV or surfing the 'net. In fact I've given myself a slight case of eyestrain from reading this screen for hours on end.

I did get out long enough this past Friday to see Al Gore's movie, "An Inconvenient Truth" . If you have any doubts about global warming or it's effects, you should see this film. I'll admit I wasn't sure if all the talk about global warming was accurate, or just a bunch of hype, but I was convinced by the evidence presented in the movie. And I did some more research on the internet after seeing the film. We may be in for some scary times ahead if the earth continues to heat up at the rate it's going. Here's a link to a list of the dates "An Inconvenient Truth" opens in various cities around the country. Check it out--at least you'll be able to get out of the scorching summer heat and into a cool air-conditioned theater for awhile!

And speaking of heat, summer has blasted it's way here into NY after some cooler & wet weather the past couple of weeks. The temperature has been in the 90's, along with high humidity (of course) yesterday and today. Lucky for me, I'm much better at tolerating the heat than the cold, windy weather we have much of the year. Now I've just have to tear myself away from this silly machine and get outside to enjoy it!

And I think I'll start by turning it off now and going to bed.

Oh almost forgot to mention....I made $ 30 million recently! Actually it was on Blogshares, the fantasy blog stock market site. Someone made a gift to me of a stock and it turned out that the stock was sold in a hostile takeover! All without me even knowing about it until I recieved an email from the site. Now if I could only make money that easily in real life!

Vampire Slayer Act of 2006 Approved by California Assembly

Put on a garlic necklace and get out your wooden stakes!



read more | digg story

Videos Of The Week

Even though it doesn't open for a couple more weeks, I'm already looking forward to the new Superman movie. So for my videos this week, I have chosen 3 different incarnations of Superman.
The first is the 50's TV series starring George Reeves, the second the movie starring Christopher Reeve, and the last the upcoming "Superman Returns", starring Brandon Routh.
And yes, I am old enough to remember the TV series. But like Superman, I come from another planet and don't age as quickly as Earth people.

The Religious "Wrong"

Here is an excerpt from a piece on AlterNet concerning the Religious Right's latest attack on scientific (medical) advancement and common sense. These fundamentalist 'wingnuts' would rather see thousands of women die from cancer when a vaccine could prevent it because they believe it would lead to "promiscuity". The full article is available here.

This is a case of "fact" versus "belief":
The fact is ---this vaccine could prevent women from getting cervical cancer.
The belief is--that young women would be more likely to have "premarital sex" because they would feel safer knowing they were protected from the human papilloma virus.

In my opinion, fact always wins out over belief.

~~~~~~~~~~

Why the Religious Right Fights Cancer Prevention

By Gene Gerald

Conservative religious groups have caused an uproar by opposing the development of a vaccine for the second-deadliest cancer for women.

The Food and Drug Administration advisory panel approved a vaccine for the human papilloma virus (HPV) last week. The vaccine appears to be 100 percent effective at protecting against the most prevalent viruses that cause cervical cancer.
While public health professionals view the vaccine as miraculous, many conservative organizations oppose it on the grounds that it might encourage promiscuity among adolescent girls. Now that the FDA has approved the vaccine, conservatives are already working feverishly to limit or even prevent its use.

Despite the benefits of the vaccine, conservative organizations began to rally against it last year. One of the most vocal opponents was the Family Research Council.
~~~~~~~~~~

Who wants to bet that when (yes, I said when-because I am confident it will be) a vaccine for HIV is available that these same "believers" will try to prevent it from being used as well?

Summer In The City

I do love summer--although so far it hasn't been too summery here, but kind of cloudy and cool--so I took the quiz below. I'm also a fan of cities because there's more to do and see, and I get bored easily. Unfortunately there's not a whole lot of things to do in the city I live in and I've seen pretty much all there is to see, having lived here my entire life.

You Should Spend Your Summer in the City

You're a trooper, and the summer heat doesn't really get to you. So you rather stay in the city, where you can sip iced lattes and go to midnight movies. Forget the beach! You rather be where the good restaurants and stores are.

Where Should You Spend Your Summer?

So I took this next quiz just to see what city might be good for me and here are the results. They all would be great to visit, but I wouldn't want to live in Chicago--too cold & windy in the winter for my taste. We get plenty of cold & wind right here and I would prefer a much warmer climate.

American Cities That Best Fit You::

65% Atlanta

65% Chicago

60% San Diego

55% Honolulu

55% Miami

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

Of course I'm not far from New York City and I may pay a visit there. Only problem is that the hotel rates there are too high for me to afford, so it will have to be a day trip. Believe it or not, it costs less to take the bus there & back than what a room would cost for one night.
Or I could go to an all-night movie theater and sleep there....

Videos Of The Week

I've been feeling a bit down lately, and I thought a little comedy would put me in a better mood.
So this week's videos are all ones I found funny. Maybe someone else can use a laugh too!

This kid's a little strange, but funny!


Speaking of strange, this guy (Stephen Lynch) is off-the-scale when it comes to strangeness, but I have a bizarre sense of humor so I really enjoyed it!

If you like that, there is an episode of "Comedy Central Presents" on YouTube with Stephen Lynch with more of his funny (and strange) songs. Just click here to see it. It's 21 minutes long, that's why I didn't pit it here.

This last video you may have already seen since it's the most popular one on YouTube, with over 21 million views! Wow--many TV programs don't get that many viewers!

Harold's Planet

Lately my mind's been a blank canvas as well which is why I haven't been posting much except the videos and quizzes and such.
So like this little guy below, I'm been sitting back & relaxing.
I'm planning to buy a laptop computer soon so I have to start checking out models/prices, but I have a limited amount to spend so I'm looking for bargains.