News

There are two things I generally do not talk about with most people: religion and politics. Those two things are two of the most divisive topics anyone could think of, and have led to wars, death, famine, injustice and a whole host of other crimes, both minor and major. But sometimes, every once in a while, politics surprise me.

[Imagine movie announcer voice] In a world where people paid exorbitant taxes on homes valued at 10 to 50 times what they should be, the people cried out. In a world where anything can happen, it did. In a world where one actor became governor and later President, and another actor went from Terminating to Legislating, political battles became the stuff of legend. [end movie announcer voiceover]

I've watched California Politics with almost a sense of awe and non-belief. First, having a bit of a crush on Georgy Russell a cute, plucky girl who ran for Governor and lost to Schwarzenegger, and watching during that same election a Carly Fiorina is taking a run at Barbara Boxer's seat in Congress. And she's brought with her sarcasm, wit, and downright insanity.

To start, lets consider this, advertisement:

It's just weird, until you hit about the 2:15 mark... then it takes a dive off the deep end. As if the thinly veiled comparison of politicians to sheep wasn't enough, well... I won't spoil it for you. Just remember, it REALLY steps off into Bizarro World at about the 2:15 mark or so.

And now, this... The Attack of Barbara Boxer's Giant Inflatable Head of Doom!

Words do not do this justice. It's at once horrifying, and absolutely brilliant. It's just so odd that I have a hard time accepting it's even real... but real it is, and it's genius. Evil Genius, but genius none the less. Also, it's long, but after it settles down a bit, it picks up a little again at about the 5 minute mark or so. Be sure to watch for the giant hand.

So, California. Politics. California Politics. Always a surreal world that blends the worst of Hollywood with the worst of Politics and adds in a twist of just strange. California, and Carly, you've exceeded expectations! Congratulations! read more »

Update:

I've had a bit of time to think about this now, and I am still in a sort of shock over this. I'm usually, almost always, an excellent judge of character. In this case, I was horribly, horribly wrong. This was a guy that was part of my circle of friends back in my early 20s. I met him because one of my friends was a friend of his sister, and as things went, we all hung out together for a number of years. But still, in my mind, I'm still stuck in a state of WTF regarding this.

I think I would be less shocked about it had he been involved in dealing drugs or even murder. I mean, this guy was around to see my god daughters growing. Hell, he even stayed at my apartment in Durham a few times, alone with my wife, while I was at work. It just goes to show that sometimes you never really know someone. Also, I could even be, while disgusted, at least less shocked, if this was a first time thing, but apparently, this has happened 4 times now.

Doing some research, I see that he's pretty much skated incarceration or any "real" punishment until now. The third time got him registered as a sex offender, but why did it take until now to get him held without bail. Sadly, I think this is another example of the system failing to protect the people it's supposed to. It happens, but it's still not terribly palatable when it does.

We lost touch shortly after I moved to North Carolina, and to be honest, I stopped talking to him because I grew tired of the constant fighting with his ex-wife, and just certain other things that rubbed me the wrong way. But still, to think that I was THAT wrong in my impressions of someone is somewhat disturbing.

But that's all I'm going to say about it at this point. For now, he's behind bars where he should be, and without bail, and hopefully this time, the system will work, and he won't be able to do things like this again. As someone who has no kids, but has tried to have them for years, the fact that people out there DO do these things to children remains as one of the few things that really frightens me. Read the rest for the original post and the news article. read more »

I used to catch the older Dr. Who shows on occasion on PBS. My tastes in British TV always leaned more toward the comedies like Monty Python and Black Adder so the older Dr. Who series never really captured me. That remained the case until I rediscovered The Doctor, and his penultimate incarnation in David Tennant. The Tennant years were glorious. Full of action, adventure, heart break and the cheeky fun that came to symbolize Dr. Who for millions of fans.

On January 2, 2010, however, the David Tennant era came to a close with the series finale, "The End of Time Part 2". Of course, this ended months ago in the UK, as the US airings of Dr Who being months behind the original release, but still, finally, the David Tennant era is past. Replacing the man that made me love The Doctor is a 26 year old actor named Matt Smith. Matt takes the reins of the TARDIS this year as the 11th Doctor, with all new adventures, all new companions, and an all new catch phrase. The David Tennant Dr. was always fond of calling everything and everyone beautiful, and brilliant, and always yelling "Allons-y" as he charged headfirst into battle, or mischief.

However, with a new Doctor comes a new catch phrase, one that I think may take some getting used to... Check out the trailer, the FIRST trailer for the 11th Doctor, and decide for yourself:

 read more »

When I first head of this, I really thought it was going to be a horrible mashup of the Emilio Estevez cult classic Repo Man and the equally cultish and horrifying Repo! The Genetic Opera. But after seeing the new red band trailer for the coming Jude Law / Forrest Whitaker movie Repo Men, I can't help but get kinda warm and excited inside.... and fearful for my liver, which I swear is mine. The trailer is red banded, so you have to provide your age to view it... but it looks like it'll be a gut grabbing good time.