Men in Ads- Are they really all that stupid??

Do men ever get annoyed how they are portrayed as dumb idiots in most television ads? What an insult to women that the ad industry STILL thinks that women need them to give them a "pat on the back" for being a woman and make men the smaller of the two sexes in commercials and sitcoms. There are TONS of ads where the woman corrects the man/husband/boyfriend/father figure, or smirks while the man makes a mistake, and not many the other way around. If the ad industry is going to be at all modern, join us modern liberated women (this isn't 1974) and realize that giving us preferencial treatment in any sitcom, ads, etc is just insulting to us and does nothing to promote "equal rights" for women. In fact, it furthers the myth that we need help, and in the form of bad writing and lazy ideas, it's help we don't need.
Men and women are different. The term "equal rights" may apply to how we are to respected, paid, treated legally and morally: true- but we are different, not the same. Treat us as such, finally. There are stupid ignorant people on both Adam and Eve's playground. Every day, throwing shoes, pulling hair, bullying, preaching, laughing, making mistakes and acting like the tall hairless monkeys that we are.

Now write it into the script so we can get out from under your thumb, advertisers.

I am in a dark mood but it's cool so come on in...

My personal times are good (I keep some stuff for my private stash of bad things, not to be all let out at once or maybe never to the internet world), but I have had sad news from friends the past few days and am feeling for them today. Actually it's around midnight. Great time for some poetry to set us in the mood. And how about my last post huh? - some major spelling and grammar uh-ohs there but when I write, I move on usually and leave them be.

Whoever you are! motion and reflection are especially for you,

The divine ship sails the divine sea for you.

Whoever you are! you are he or she for whom the earth is solid and liquid,

You are he or she for whom the sun and moon hang in the sky,

For none more than you are the present and the past,

For none more than you is immortality.

Walt Whitman, A Song of the Rolling Earth

I posted this particularly to. That is all I am going to say about that. It's a wonderful piece of a poem. I don't know these things by heart- I physically get my books out from my shelves and put pens in them to keep them open in order to write on this blog. Some of these poetry books I have had since 1988. In my own slanted cursive writing, I took ownership of them, my constant friends. Genetics has a hand in writing, and mine takes after my father's all slanty to the right, lean, and somewhat uncomprehensible in my older age...this is due to computer use, not due to my father (;).

True Grit- a piece to chew on for days

Here goes another movie review: I am not going to rehash the story of "True Grit," a novel I first read when I was about 13 and which I must be honest, did not fall in love with. I liked the characters and remembered them throughout my later literary life, but thought the book dry, drawn out and bleak. Through the eyes of a 13 year old, this is no surprise. I was expecting some straight forward adventure and was spoiled by the Frank L. Baum books (Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, etc.) and other series I owned like the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I didn't know then, what I know now, thanks to writers like Charles Portis, Cormac McCarthy and Ernest Hemingway- a story doesn't have to end with fireworks or begin with a bang- it just happens, and the best writers leave the telling to the readers.
The latest rendition of this story I am very biased towards, only seeing parts of the one with beloved John Wayned playing Rooster Cogburn. So, that's all I can say about that. This one- made me believe again in the power of good writers, good directors, good actors and great stories.

Do not go to this movie expecting "The Big Lebowski on Red Bull During A Western Shootout". Although Jeff Bridges plays a highly incomprehensible Rooster Cogburn, he is funny without trying to be, is sad without knowing it, and it a true character in fiction without being a "character" (which is what alot of Coen Brothers movies include). It is a more subtle film, subtle being for the writing, the kind you have to lean into to hear. It is loud when it needs to be, suspenseful as any horror film, and is almost perfect in it's portrayal of the strange, barren, scraggly wasteland that is Arkansas, USA.

I've been through their alot traveling the last few years- its the state one must go through to get to anywhere else in the West unless you are already living around I-10 then you're just lucky. From Nashville, we had to use I-40 alot to drive west and it SUCKED. But, this film reminds you of the strange beauty of the time, some weird outposts, dugouts, stunted oaks and pines, snow falling in forests that aren't really forests...it is true to nature. It is the Missisippi basin area, without being at all "Southern".
I almost applauded at the end of the movie, as did some of the full theater we were in. The story of one girl's utter and complete goal of avenging her father's killer was consistant and very well played by an actress who didn't distract with some childlike poses or guiles. Matt Damon played "Le Beef" wink wink and I think he actually disappeared into the role (a good thing) compared to most roles he plays. Jeff Bridges completed the cast as Rooster, and does not disappoint. In fact, I think he won me over by not cleaning up at all. He shows a big belly, a mumbling whiskey voice, and greasy hairdo despite being called to be a hero at times during the film. It does not bode well that he gets so drunk he cannot relate to people but can still shoot a cornbread muffin out of the sky, but we root for him anyway.

Besides the characters, the story was a full affirmation in film making. It starts slow, builds, has a ton of great suspense and the editing was so nice for the shooting scenes. At times, I felt like I was watching "Pulp Fiction" and at times, "Unforgiven". It is that dark. It is a subtle dark, though, not out to "get" the viewer, but to let you enjoy several long moments before having a fast action one. It is a story that makes you think about certain scenes and wonder, and it leaves a few questions open.

I think that's a good thing, in this film. It concludes, but makes you want more. Why was that man hanging so high? Why was that man wearing a bear on his body? Who was he, really? What's with the dead man's body they kept trading? Why did Rooster keep kicking those children of their porch? Was that cool - no..Why did "LaBeef" feel the need to whip up on Maddy Ross? As I believed through the book, he lived by a simple but old fashioned rule- young people didn't need to be petulant to their elders..which is consistant throughout his future actions, which is why the film is so awesome. The characters never waver. EVER.
These things need ruminating. Go see the movie.

Dealing with High School Friends You See at the Bar When You're Home for the Holidays

Click link below...hilarious.
Dealing with High School Friends You See at the Bar When You're Home for the Holidays

Can someone

Please tell Faith Hill (who I just saw singing on a Public Channel Christmas Special) that although she has a really great deep throaty voice, it would better be served by just singing, and not all dolled up with fake eyelashes, fake extensions, and a sprayed on tan. I have seen her in concert in Nashville with her husband Tim McGraw. I have seen over 40 live acts, and they were in the top ten- for real. I know alot of my peers diss on the country performers, but these guys are the real deal for a live show.

I like his songs more than hers- purely because hers are very "pop" oriented, whereas his are straightforward country ( and anything straightforward is totally my thing. In any capacity). I just would say, if I was her manager- lay off the "glamour" and let people hear you, not LOOK at you. She's got a kick ass voice, but it's always distracting to see her in boots, big hair, and even when she kindof gets natural, it's a sprayed on "natural".
Oh jeez, the CoolTv channel we love here in Clearwater/Tampa is playing some crazy stuff now. We love this channel- it's like MTV back in the early days. It's cable/ antennae access and it's all videos all the time. It will jump from Journey to Goldfrapp in four minutes. Love it!
Music reborn.

Faith, take note. As all the other women singers out there. Be yourself. If you go to bed every night with false eyelashes, then so be it. But if you just need to sing and want to be heard, leave half the makeup at home. We will hear you.

Clara McCarthy

Every few weeks, I go to see my grandmother, Clara McCarthy. When Phillip and I first visited her as a married couple, her and Grandpa were still living in their wonderful bay front/ back yard with lake house on Bayshore Drive in Safety Harbor ( the road that leads up to Courtney Campbell Causeway to Tampa). This was around 2004, when we were still renting a house in PC and would come to visit Clearwater where I have TONS of relatives. It was a home of my father's from his youth ( he lived his younger years in Illinois) and had lots of memories of visits there. My sister and I would feed their fish that lived in HUGE saltwater tanks - exotic fish, many tanks, stacked up on a wall, and would play their organ. We would feed their fish, go out back to see if their friendly birds would come to say hello, we would gaze at their huge oil paintings they were so talented at doing their entire lives, we would watch "Jeopardy" with them, eat dinner, play some cards, play ping-pong in their garage, and I always remember how Grandpa looked- lanky, sauve, satisfied, a constant smile/smirk that let you always think he found life amusing.

Grandma used to have golden hair, wore coral lipstick, served sherbet for desert. I was never uncomfortable with them, and loved looking at the things they would bring home from cruises to Mexico or hear about the latest concert pianist they saw at Ruth Eckert Hall ( a big music hall here).
From their living room, you could see Tampa Bay. It was beautiful.
When I see Grandma now, she retains a regal poise, hands folded. She recieves hugs gently, and we repeat our names so that she knows us. She seems to remember Nick, as he is older now and not as squawky as he used to be, and Jude she just likes to pat on the head. Nick gives her lots of hugs now, and seems to understand that she is "Pappy's mom". We went into her room at St Mark's and I showed Nick her oil paintings hung on the wall. He climbed on her bed, and traced them with his small hands. He knows I also do oil paintings, with alot more texture ( I love glopping on the oils to the point of 3-D) and so I said he could also do this if he liked. We left her some tokens of love- some chocolates, some crafts from his school, some photos. We left her room to rejoin her in the dining room where all the Alzheimer's patients sit and eat. I told her her newly curled hair looked great, held her hand, wondered at how great the menu looked, spoke to the staff, and enjoyed how many patients always come speak to our children.
I usually have Phillip there with me on these trips, but went ahead without him today as he was working and I felt an urgency there.
My grandmother remembers alot. She speaks about her farm in Illinois with my grandfather. She mentions my dad was a great son. She speaks of his three other sisters, and I relate to her any information I have on my three aunts and all my cousins on that side ( there's alot of cousins!). She asks again who are my sons, and I tell her. She speaks about the food and that it's nice. I think about the oil paints and brushes that were given to me when her home was sold and how I paint with them now and how it moves me every time I push that oil onto canvas.

She is not really here. But she is still here. I am grateful for that so that my sons can know her now. I sometimes feel that there is a reason why Phillip got a good job transfer offer from Nashville to Tampa, it is so that I can spend time with all three of my grandparents who I have so many memories with, and so that my sons can know them also. What a gift! My other grandparents, the McMullens, are very much a part of our lives here and enjoy family gatherings often. I am so grateful, as I have always felt a special bond with my Mamaw.

My Grandma McCarthy, she is unique. She is of the midwestern sensibility. She is quiet, she is highly intellectual and had tons of crosswords, sci-fi, science journals, and world books (i.e National Geographics, and Readers' Digest books on ancient cultures and archealogy- one of the reasons why I originally majored in archealogy! ). She and Grandpa had their routines, their favorite places we would dine at (Paradise Cafe for example). They would act slow but then beat you in a second in a game of cards and chuckle with amusement as they gave you a bowl of dessert while Grandpa reshuffled.

Grandma kept alot in her head, and didn't feel the need to prove alot by debating or wearing her heart on a sleeve. I have tried to remember this aspect of her as a learning point for myself. I remember her specifically questioning a religious subject at one time, and I knew "She is one of the smartest women I will ever know." Not because it was religion, but because she was of an inquiring mind, and very much so...I would always read the books they had on ancient cultures and I knew I had more than genes in common with them...

So, if you can't remember everything all the time, Clara, let us do some remembering for you. I will never forget.

WALMART HURTS MY BRAIN.

WALMART- the neon superhighway of Santa's little helpers. I just left a Walmart. I try to avoid the bigger stores if at all possible. Not because I think I'm too hip for them, or because I dislike massive examples of capitalism (on the contrary), but because of their generic output.

The past few months, I have used a nearby one for some basic grocery/paper good type items, then we hit a produce stand once a week for TONS of fresh fruit, veggies, cheese, dry beans, oriental noodles, Indian sauces and other pieces and parts for great meals.

However, I had to admit that Walmart was a nice place to get the Christmas type stocking stuffers, candy, makeup items, shampoos, etc. UGG. The real thing that leaves a slimy mark on these visits is the utter generic quality to EVERYTHING in their store (same goes for Target, who tries to be "cooler" but really is just more expensive and cuter). I could buy a gift for someone at a Clearwater Walmart, and someone in Nosepick, Kansas might get the SAME exact present under their tree.

Soo...lucky friends and family of mine- besides some Generic but nice chocolates, peppermints, or cards, all of your gifts will NOT be from Walmart.
Generic Christmas avoided!!

Now, if only I could reinvent the capitalism wheel and figure out how to keep corporations from becomming so....generic. I assume if people frequented more unique stores and locally owned places, there would be more interesting items for the public to choose from (as proven through internet shopping). Then...as most people know, as the companies become more popular, their items become more generic (and cheaply made)..the vicious cycle continues. If only creativity AND profit could find a happy partnership - all of us would reach across the aisle, hold hands, and turn our country "purple". Even the middle. Where Walmarts DEFINE a town. I mean, if you don't have a Walmart, are you really a city?

Is it too early for a beer?

What is there to say.. there is alot of mortality type stories going on in our lives right now isn't there? Are we ok, are our parents ok? Did we ever think (graduating from Bay High 1990's) that we would ever be where we are? What does that mean... I don't think we are "old" like alot of some female cohorts seem to think. No, I don't think 36 or around that age is "old" so get over yourselves. However, it is an age of some first reflection. Some of us still have the wonderful gift of great grandparents around. Some of us are just happy to have parents. It's an in-between stage. Full of hope for the future for ourselves but also slowly filled with the realization that our family life is changing.

People have health problems, people need our help in general.
It's ok, take charge, be that person. And don't wait for someone else in the family to visit the lonely or to do something that needs to be done. Don't be that person! Anyone can make excuses for why they don't visit enough, etc and there are some good real reasons, but there is always something we, as a younger generation, can do.
Find it. Find that something you can do for an elderly family member, even if from mail or a phone call. Life is short. It's good, but it's short :)

hello Party Animals

What's going on cats and dolls? Here about the school board shooting in Bay County Fl? There are so many shootings where we currently live on the news that you become used to it, but up in the nether regions, not so much crime. I know, give it time....but by then most of the country will be living like we might some day soon- on wheels, traveling wherever, seeing the country, and staying away from the suburban anger, self loathing and smug elitism that has taken over our good country.

Message to now defunct man who waved a gun around at my friend's mother and mumbled some diatribe that is yet to be determined- everyone has bad days, some of us just know how to deal with life better. Perhaps something we don't know about hurt you so deeply you felt justified to act out, but hurting innocent people doesn't make your case.

too sad about that whole story. I am sure there is more to it than the press is letting on- specifically, that he probably had some personal contacts or issues with some of those board members before, and had his own nasty reasons for doing what he did. What a sad case.

On to better things- I know we all get wrapped up in buying our kids presents, making good food, attending church services, and traveling to see family each year. Remember there are easy ways to help the homeless and those who are in shelters. Most local county shelters would LOVE any extra blankets, sheets and pillows you can wash and donate. You can also call to see if you can buy/sponsor a Christmas dinner (usually only $25 or so per meal) so that someone has a full plate of hot food. You can drop off warm winter clothes at any charity organizations on your way out of town, or you can do the very easy Pick an Angel charity where you sponsor a child's Christmas with toys for them to be surprised with.

It's a great gift for you own children, and for yourself too- the lesson of giving and reaching out beyond our own small worlds. Find the time! You have the heart...

Click on link below from The Daily Beast

hello, I already wrote to a Panama City conservative talk show host about this a month ago. My header was "Why not? Noone knew who Clinton or Obama was (on the national radar) before they ran for something huge. It's not at all implausible". Interesting games, politics. and I love playing!!


The GOP's Veep Favorite

"%$#@! My Dad Says" excerpts from Justin Halpern

29 year old Justin Halpern ended up with a best selling memoir and a CBS sitcom based in his family due to his book "Sh*t My Dad Says." Although I don't watch much network tv, thus haven't seen this show yet, I loved the excerpts from his memoir. A few are listed here:

On friendship: "You've got good friends. I like them. I don't think they would fuck your girlfriend, if you had one"

On getting a job at Hooters: "You, my man, are not as dumb as I first fucking suspected."

On finding his porn stash: "You shouldn't have left that porno in the VCR. Your penis betrayed you son. Made you think stupid. Won't be the last time that happens."

On his trip to Europe: "I know you think you're going ot get all kinds of laid. It's not a magic place, it's the same as here. Don't be stupid."

On furnishing one's home: "pick your furniture like you pick a wife, It should make you feel comfortable and should look nice, but no so nice that someone would want to come along and steal it."

On Chilvary: "Give your mother the front seat..I don't give a shit if she said you could have it. that's what she's supposed to do, and you're supposed to say, 'No, I insist.' You think I'm going to drive around with my wife in the backseat and a 9 year old son in the front? You crazy son of a bitch."


Just spreading the holiday cheer!! Maybe this will make you say "my parents were pretty normal after all"

Authors choose their favorite books of 2010

Authors choose their favorite books of 2010

New Gadgets

if you look to the right side of this page, you will notice that I have a few new gadgets. You can play the guitar (it's awesome), look at new campfire photos for relaxing on a winter night, view Rothko art on bottom of page, and also use your cursor to feed the fish (it really works).

Mindless entertainment for days...

a little moment

"There is more to life than increasing its speed."- Mahatma Gandhi

Reuse & recycle information

Another great company found: Gazelle.com will pay you for your used electronics and send a stamped box so you can mail items like old cell phones, laptops, cameras and other electronic items for free.

Easy, and great for extremely lazy or busy people !!

We love the Fitz.

Forgotten is forgiven. - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Think about that for a moment. It's common sense, but isn't it nice when someone puts it in such a simple way?

Tampa Int'l Auto Show

was like a bedazzled indoor parking lot with lots of cool people, freebies, and entertainment for the kids. I suggested it to my husband, and now that we have been, recommend it for anyone who just wants something different to take their family to. Ending on a preposition has never been my thing, however, the show was classy, easy to get around, and I had fun. I have always been into design- i still have drawings I did in middle school age of "fashion"- dresses, etc. for the runway. I love architectual design (went Gaga over Miami over any other big cities I have been to, and I've been to alot). Cars don't always call out to me, but there are some designs that sing. I don't care about cost, or even who makes them, I am all about the instant impression with cars. There are people who live in tents who own a Porsche because they just think that it will bring them some type of cache. (kindof like some, ahem football fans, or fair weather political voters). Then there are the car fans like me - all about the beauty and design. Now, what I just said was totally contradictory- if someone loves a Porsche, and that's what they just need to have, then good for them.

Function is key, but HOW is the function built. How are the mechanics hidden, or if they are full view, how do they fit into the build of the car? These are things I look at. Just like a house.
For the first year in a while, the Jaguar company did not show up to this show. economy, blah blah blah we were told. Better they stay in their pedestal in the sky among the autos on high than be dragged down I-75 etc to sully their wings. I understand. Everytime we have to use 75 for some reason (rarely, and never to go home) I feel the need to dust off the cow dung mist and semi- dust.
Oh well, it was still very cool. And next up, we are going to the newly renovated Tampa Museum of Art. My parents always took us camping, to museums and to cities with alot to offer while visiting and we have done the same with our children. So...design and great minds ahead!

Herbie Hancock & Lang Lang - Rhapsody in Blue - Classical Brits 2009

Thanks Mo'Boma

for freezing Fed worker's pay for a few years. I can't rag on you too much because Republicans have done this in the past also. It's just, jeez, man...my husband goes into work at 6 am sharp daily and takes care of those planes up there in the sky. we could have used a that small annual pay increase the next few years. But hey, take some from here, put in there. Hope whoever gets that small amount of money uses it wisely (and not on wic stuff like cheetos-now, bananas and apples, that's fine with me.)

Kenny Powers and the Power of Cussing, Brawling, Drugs and General Mayhem

"Eastbound and Down" is a must see for anyone who enjoys the pasttime of cultural observation like I do. I really enjoy shows that portray a slice of life to a well written "t". And this show does that as much as any high- brow show with more high culture.."high" being a big word here.
When Kenny Powers returns to his hometown, an overblown, washed out baseball "star" who pulls up to his brothers house with all his possessions in a small u-haul and his beloved jet-ski on the back, we know we're in for a comedic treat. Immediately, he's spewing racial slurs, snorting coke like disco is still around, patronizing local bar sluts, and even saying the most un-attractive things to his ex-love April (his sweet but more mature high school love). With every line, Powers takes himself down a rung, and somehow we root for his redemption. He is the "bad guy" who doesn't know how ugly he really is, and this wonderful fact is what makes him different from the other major players via Showtime and HBO- he is not "self aware" like Tony Soprano seems to be, he does not have time to go to a counselor after doing ecstasy during the local high school prom (where he has been hired as a coach)...he's too busy reuniting with old friends, smoking lots of dope, snorting coke and trying his hardest to fight against own present self- which is older, overweight, unhealthy, and full of regret over his blown baseball stardom.
Kenny Powers is the person we can relate too, perhaps not due to being overweight, a druggy or a local prostitute soliciting jet ski rider, but we can relate to his subconscious effort to hang on to his youth. He doesn't do it right at all- he does things that contribute to a fast death, he insults people he doesn't understand, and he disregards the ones who are allowing him to mooch off of them. However, through it all, he is a strange hero to root for, and somehow the writers allow us to do so without feeling like scum.

We love you Kenny Powers...have yet to catch up on Season 2, but hear you are in Mexico doing God knows what and hopefully not calling every there muchachos and stinking burritos. I hope you've blown off the blow and gone back to that girl :) NOT THE ONE FROM THE BAR THAT WENT TOPLESS JET SKIING WITH YOU.