This is the smartest thing Hillary has said. October 27, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Campaign '08, Science and Technology.3 comments
Senator Clinton celebrated her 60th birthday last week at a huge event in Manhattan. In attendance were Elvis Costello, who sang, “Happy Birthday, Mrs. President.” Billy Crystal took the stage, stating that he had only been active in elections twice in his life; the first of which was JFK’s campaign, and the second was Bill Clinton’s.
But it was Hillary herself that gave out a knockout speech. The smartest statement she made was, “And we are going to end President Bush’s war on science.”
I could not have put it more beautifully. That one line explains EVERYTHING that is wrong with the current administration.
KUDOS TO HILLARY!
Did you see this show last night? October 25, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Theories and Thoughts.add a comment
[Image courtesy of nbc.com]
NBC debuted its new show, Phenomenon, last night. The show is a competition between 10 people (only one woman) who are vying to become the next great “mentalist.” The two judges are MindFreak boy, Criss Angel and the legendary, Uri Gellar. Three celebrity guests are used randomly throughout each contestant’s act. Last night’s celebs were Ross the Intern, Supermodel Rachel Hunter, and the one and only Carmen Electra.
This is pure entertainment for me, because I always want to figure out how this shiznit is done. The only thing that really upsets me about it is that it’s LIVE and only East Coasters and Central Timers can truly see it as it happens. Four out of the 10 acts performed last night. Only one of them was good in my opinion.
Take the time to watch this Nail Gun Roulette. How does he do it? I think I know.
http://www.nbc.com/Phenomenon/video/#mea=171653
DISCLAIMER: NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNG VIEWERS AND DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
Half of the United States suffers from a sleep disorder! October 25, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Health and Well-Being, Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
[Image courtesy of Avalon5.com]
A new study by the American Pyschological Association reveals that 48% of Americans complain about not being able to sleep at night. The ADA says the most prevelant causes are stress about 1.Money and 2. Work. (New York Post)
What’s more, another study performed by Travelodge (at 310 of their locations) found an increase of sleepwalkers roaming their hotels. There had been more than 400 cases in the past year, almost all involving men. A number had walked into the reception area asking for a newspaper or saying they wanted to check out. Again, sleep experts blame stress, alcohol abuse and lack of sleep for the disorder. (news.sky.com)
Do you not sleep? Could you be a sleepwalker and not even know it?
Are we all just crazy zombies? I think so.
The best movie I’ve seen this year is … October 24, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Reviews, Sociology.add a comment
INTO THE WILD – In theaters now!
In January of 2004, when I was making my way across this great country, my traveling partner Christina was plowing her way through the book that this film is now based on. She would read while I drove, and then she’d update me after her sessions. The premise of the book sort of matched our own adventure at the time, and it produced lots of exciting energy between the two of us.
Now, nearly four years later, Sean Penn has written the screenplay and directed the movie based on Christopher McCandless’ real-life journey across North America and his attempt to survive in the wilderness of Alaska.
What is so gripping about this story is that it really happened, and it was well documented by McCandless himself. He is played by Emile Hirsch (Alpha Dog), who reminds me of Leonardo DiCaprio circa Romeo and Juliet. The rest of the cast is outstanding in their supporting roles, but Hirsch is who really stands out here. As was true about the book, the film tugs at an inner dilemma most people have when discussing McCandless – is he a thoughtful rebel, or a selfish moron?
The film is 140 minutes, so eat, piss, and stretch before you go see it. While you’re watching it though, you don’t really feel like you’re waiting for it to be over. It’s hard to peel your eyes away, and you might catch yourself reflecting on your own path to self-discovery.
This is an essential movie for EVERYONE to watch. Look for it at your local indpendent theater – I don’t think it’s real big in the commercial movie stadiums.
INTO THE WILD gets 5 out of 5 popcorn tubs from me!
Barack I love you, but quit the religion crap! October 22, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Campaign '08, Religion, Sociology, Theories and Thoughts.2 comments
[Image courtesy of telegraph.co.uk]
Hmmmm. Though I still feel very strongly about my choice for the Democratic presidential nomination, I sometimes feel a little bothered by Mr. Obama.
He’s been hanging out in South Carolina lately, and doing lots to garner the black evangelical vote. It’s been said that Obama has made an effort to tout his religion more than any other Democratic candidate before and during this campaign year.
It concerns me because I believe in the total separation of church and state. That line gets blurry every time an election cycle rolls around, and it’s to our country’s detriment. We are supposedly fighting governments around the world who don’t make the distinction between the two, yet we are the same kind of offenders. The Evangelical Christian movement seems a lot like the radical Islamic movements who infuse their beliefs into public policy. (and for those of you who think Christians are non-violent, let me remind you that sometimes the pen is mighter than the sword). The hypocrisy runneth over.
Barack better realize that by trying to get certain votes, he could lose many others in the process. You’re a smart dude Barack, so quit hangin’ around the Christian Fiction Club!
Movie Review of “The Dead Girl” (Toni Collette, Brittany Murphy) October 19, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Reviews.add a comment
“The Dead Girl” is very much alive.
[Image courtesy of hdaddicts.com]
In the style of movies like Go, Traffic, and Babel, The Dead Girl is made up of multiple story lines that interwine into one unfolding drama. From the moment the movie started, I was hooked.
I’ve followed Toni Collette since she did Muriel’s Wedding, and I just can’t get enough of her. She’s so versatile, and her image has come a long way. In this film, her character is an introverted rural woman who starts the plot rolling by happening upon the body of a dead girl. The story unfolds from there-each scenario bringing in stellar cast members, including: Giovanni Ribisi, James Franco, Mary Steenburgeon, Marcia Gay Harden and Kerry Washington-just to name a few. It all leads up to the discovery of who the dead girl actually is and how her fate came to pass.
What stands out about this film is how the depth of each character is revealed without explaining too much or taking up too much of our time on back story. Though there are many of them, each character’s multi-dimensional parts are intricately revealed in an hour and a half. This is writing at its most brilliant.
And the casting is brilliant as well. Kerry Washington plays a knockout role, all while being a knockout herself. And Marcia Gay Harden makes us really believe she is the grieving mother of the dead girl, who is played by Brittany Murphy.
This movie is grim-definetely not for someone looking for a light-hearted feature. But if you’re into well-crafted indie types, then you have to rent this.
I give it 4 out of 5 popcorn tubs!
Record stores are on the endangered species list October 17, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Music, Science and Technology.1 comment so far
I’m sad. Real sad. One of my favorite things in the world, the record store, is becoming endangered.
I especially have an affinity to the “hole-in-the-wall” kinds that house used goods. I’ve spent hours of my life nonchalantly roaming these gems, wandering from genre to genre, and sampling all sorts of audio candy. I’ve been known to spend most of my day in a record store and coming out empty-handed. For me, record stores are less about obtaining the latest tunes, but more about being in a place where language is universal. The store’s stereo may be blasting a loud song, but it never seems to disrupt the inner stillness and calm I feel when I’m in the store. It’s a form of meditation for me.
And now, record stores are in danger of becoming extinct. With our generation’s technological push, downloading music is the new “in,” and it’s changing how the whole music industry does business.
Does this mean there won’t be anymore album art? I love unwrapping new buys and checking out the art in the liner notes. I’m sad.
[Image courtesy of flyphonic.com]
Double standards in how to show school spirit. October 16, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Sociology.3 comments
[Image courtesy of local6.com]
Two girls at a Florida high school were kicked out of a football game in the first quarter because they painted their bodies to show school spirit. People complained about them, but not about the boys who were shirtless and painted. The boys were allowed to stay.
Is there a double-standard here?
This millennial is going home! October 10, 2007
Posted by NettyD in From the blogger.1 comment so far
It may be after Labor Day weekend, but I’m going to THE beach!
I won’t be posting much this weekend, as I’ll be back in Virginia for my mother’s wedding. It should be lots of fun. A plane of Cubans will be arriving Friday afternoon, so surely this will provide lots of entertainment for the weekend.
If you’ll be in the area, give me a call!
When models become rappers … October 8, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Gossip, Music.add a comment
[Thanks to PerezHilton.com for this scoop]
If it wasn’t proven before, it has now been made official that anyone can be famous for doing anything.
Lisa D’Amato, of America’s Next Top Model, has decided that maybe it would be a good idea to begin her rapping career. WTF?!
If you took one part Britney Spears, one part Foxy Brown, mixed it with Fergie and then sprinkled a bit of Tyra’s vanity on top, you’d get the following:
My favorite line is, “People gonna talk about you anyway, might as well give ‘em something fun to say.” Is this form of entertainment terrible, or is it terribly entertaining?
