LeaV

First off, let me get this out of the way. Halloween is my favorite horror movie of all time (including all of the horrible and not so horrible Halloween movies that followed). Michael Myers is definitely the horror figure that I find most intriguing in that to me the brilliance of this slasher, hacker horror movie character was his symbolism of pure evil. Sometimes, you don't need or you shouldn't have an explanation for a character like this. Sometimes, that's what makes a horror movie character so iconic and so unbelievably terrifying. You can't explain why or how; you don't know where or when; but bodies are dropping every time you turn around without rhyme or reason; and how horrifying is that? Is that what pure evil is? This is my impression of what John Carpenter did with the movie Halloween and all that followed; and the Michael Myers character he created was something so simplistic and so brutally evil without explanation that it worked in scaring the daylights out of you and thus made this a classic horror movie. So, when I learned that Rob Zombie was going to remake Halloween, I was skeptical but a little excited. After all, I was a big fan of Rob's earlier work with the gritty and gruesome House of 1000 Corpses and even more of a fan of his next film The Devil's Rejects which actually ranks up there as one of my all-time favorite horror movies with it's deep-fried, sticky, slimy spin. So, one of my newly favorite horror directors was going to remake my favorite horror movie of all time. Long story short, I was deeply disappointed with Rob's Halloween remake. So, then, why would I go to see Rob's next remake of Halloween 2? Wishful thinking? It's a good question that I'm still trying to figure out myself.

Saying that this remake was a valiant effort is probably the nicest thing I can say at this point. My biggest problem with remaking this movie has to do with the fact that the whole point of the film has been lost and abandoned. The only thing intact with regard to the original Halloween 2 film are the characters and even they've been bastardized. The whole idea of Michael being this mindless killing machine was tossed out in Rob's "reimaging" to try and tell us why Michael is the way he is and why he's doing what he's doing. To that I say, "knock it off," because when you go and try and spoon feed us the motives and motivations for Michael Myers, you lose the scariness and the horror of the original films and this character in particular. He's a mindless killing machine and that's scary. A dude who misses his mommy and dreams of her all in white with a pretty white horse is not so scary. These dream sequences in Rob's remake and the back story he wants to cram down our throats is like the filling in a Twinkie. I don't know what it is or why it's in there, but I know it's bad, and I shouldn't eat it, but I do, and now I'll probably get cancer. You see Rob, when you add all this "reimaged" filler, you give people cancer.

Let me just reiterate...the original character of Michael Myers is an emotionless, mindless, killing machine. He exists to destroy. He is hell bent on destroying his sister Laurie for whatever reason, plot be damned. There is no grey area with Michael and what his character represented. Evil is evil, end of story. That's why it's so scary. That's why Michael was scary. We don't need to have everything in the world explained to us. However, in Zombie's new vision for Michael in this remake, he chose to fill Michael with lots of emotion and to give him a face (the mask does come off in this film) which defeats the purpose and the original intent of the character of Michael in the original films. The outcome is that instead of the horrifying, faceless, and mindless killing machine in which humans are just perceived as things that all Michael needs to do is stab, slash, choke, or toss until they stop squirming around; now, Michael is a sad, little boy who is angry and misses his mom (and needs a good shave). Instead of being shocked and terrified of this character of Michael Myers, all I wanted to do after seeing this new vision of Michael is just give him a tub full of Prozac and a hug. How scary is that?

However, it's not just Michael Myers' character that is changed to completely take this remake in a whole different direction away from the original films, it's also the characters of Dr. Loomis and Laurie. When you have a character as evil as Michael, you need to have a character in the story that counterbalances this evil with good, right? Dr. Loomis tried to protect society from evil. He tried to shield the world from the fact that evil existed in a very tangible form in Michael Myers. He would risk his life to protect innocent people from ever crossing the path of Michael. But, he realized his shortcomings as a human being. He realized there was no way to be completely safe from evil, but he forged on trying to warn us of the impending doom Michael was about to unleash; and we, silly unfazed human beings that we are, looked at Dr. Loomis like he was a homeless guy on a street corner holding up a sign that boldly stated, "The End is Nigh," and thus the carnage ensued. The Dr. Loomis of this remake was a manipulative prick who was only focused on making money off the plights of those who perished at the hands of Michael Myers. Again, a serious shortcoming of the movie. You can't have a horror movie, especially a horror movie like Halloween with Michael Myers, without having some character who is the exact opposite of evil or else...how completely depressing. You in some ways by doing this actually make Michael turn out to be the victim and the most sympathetic character in the movie. I don't' want to have to feel sorry for the guy who just hacked up my best friend. I won't even go into how the character of Laurie was just turned into a whiny, partying punk rocker girl. I could spend hours and hours on that travesty alone.

So, here's my dilemma. As far as this remake is concerned, I hated it. Call me a fan girl if you want, but I know that (although redundant) remakes of classic horror movies can be done well with directors injecting their own spin on the story without losing the essence of the original. I was impressed (although not overly excited) about the remakes of horror movies like Last House On the Left and Dawn of the Dead and even the remaking of Ju-on (the Grudge) or Ringu (The Ring) which were not-too-shabby efforts. However, in remaking a horror classic, especially remaking a horror classic with such an iconic horror figure as Michael Myers, when you decide to completely and totally deviate from the original story and put your own crazy spin on the film, it almost seems like you want to make your own horror film but yet want to bank on bringing people into the theater by way of saying it's Halloween 2 with Michael Myers. I appreciate Rob's effort, but I think he tried too hard to concentrate on both a plot and the characterization and development of Michael Myers; and it just created this confusing, mish-mash of Rob's cartoon horror images and completely lost the whole idea of Michael Myers and the story in the process. You see because to me, Michael as the character is the plot of this story, and that story being that evil exists and it can't be stopped...even if you try to kill it with fire which Dr. Loomis tried to do in the original Halloween 2 movie. If Rob would have taken out the Halloween references, created his own maniacal killer and back-story, I think this would have been a cool horror movie which focused on how a homicidal maniac comes to be and the bizarre rationalizations that homicidal killer makes and his feelings. I know Rob's got a great horror movie in him again, and I'm waiting patiently for that movie to come; but until then, I may have to be disappointed once again with the fact that there will be a third remake next summer (different director) that happens to be in 3-D. Oh the humanity.

Verdict: If you've got nothing better to do on the weekend and don't mind wasting $11 (popcorn and drink not included) and 1-½ hours of your life, I guess you could go see this remake. However, we're in a recession I guess; so, you'd be better off just saving your money.

Yea, so I haven't been on much.  Oh well.  I haven't been the greatest Buzznet user, only commenting sporadically.  I'm sincerely sorry for that : (  I mean to but then by the time I sit down at my computer with any kind of free time, I have to go off somewhere.  I'm currently trying to live right now in two different places (long story).

HOWEVER, I am so excited I just wanted to share this.  Okay, I get a link from the wonderfully amazing and lovely Chloe (chloetraisnel) through Twitter asking me if I'll be going to this upcoming concert.  I click on the link, and lo and behold, the Manic Street Preachers are going to be here, in Minneapolis, in September.  I figured they'd play a big venue like the Target Center or Roy Wilkins Auditorium...BUT NO...they're playing the Varsity Theater, which happens to be really dinky, teeny-tiny small, and adorably cute.  Last summer at the beginning of August, I went there to see Solid Gold (local band...they're awesome...look them up on Myspace) and the Ting-Tings.  I arrived at the venue late (of course because I had to stuff my face first...I can't be somewhere standing for more than 3 hours if I don't have a belly full of food...sorry), but I still managed to get thisclose to the stage. 

This time, my game plan is different.  I am arriving very early to the club, perhaps a few cocktails in the over sized stuffed lounge chairs they have at the side of the stage; and, I'm going to be front and center for this concert...that's a promise!

Just thought I'd share.  I'm very, very excited to see MSP in concert and in such a small and intimate setting.  The show is September 30, and I'm already plotting stuff : )

YAY!

With all the Daily Music Dose bands that I've chosen to do write-ups on, are you beginning to notice a recurring theme?  Does that theme happen to do with moody men singing in off-kilter baritones wearing dark sunglasses in the evening singing about every depressing thing you can think of?  Well, I happen to be a creature of habit, pretty much a one-trick pony, and I do not disappoint.  So, without further adieu, let me tell you about a little band from the 80s called The Sisters of Mercy.

You see, I have a love-hate relationship with this band.  Of course, I'll hook you up with an interesting selection of songs from this band's limited discographic history; but I tend to base how much I enjoy a band by how much the band actually believe in their own hype.  I can appreciate a band that is passionate about a cause and actually puts their words into action.  This is why, believe it or not, I actually have a bit of respect for Pete Wentz even though I happen not to like Fall Out Boy.  You see, Pete I honestly believe is a humanitarian (in his own unique way)...from traveling to Uganda to raise awareness of the that country's problems to encouraging youth to Rock the Vote, Pete puts his words into action.  However, Pete can also laugh at himself and take advantage of his "looks" so to speak to market himself and his band, and as an extra bonus of Pete's marketing skills, he inadvertently encourages young people to become interested in issues that he is interested in.  Granted, you still want to encourage the youth to be able to think for themselves instead of copying what their favorite rock star does, but it's better than the youth supporting bands that oh, I don't know, have messages in their lyrics that insinuate that date rape is super awesome and cool like some bands I know.  I mean, look at the enthusiasm Pete's eyeliner-wearing self encourages...

"...pete is gonna save the world becuz he is so hot. nobody will be able to resist his hotness. I want to save the world i can b with pete. I love eyeliner on guys. it make them look so macho..."

Yes, this is an actual comment to an article on Fall Out Boy that I found on the web.  But, it's a start, right?  But I digress; so, about my love-hate relationship with The Sisters of Mercy.  It basically has to do with front man Andrew Eldritch.  I enjoy Andrew, don't get me wrong, but he needs to really get over himself.  Since the band's formation in 1980, they have had nine members leaving the band basically over the fact that Eldritch can be a huge douche-bag.  I mean, I can't verify this statement with any actual proof, and maybe he's just a really talented and deep misunderstood poet...but, I kind of doubt it.  My first clue would be that if you have so many of the conventions of your sound and image associated with "Gothic" elements, so to speak, and then so vehemently deny any associations with the Gothic subculture, I tend to think your full of shit.  Even though your lyrics allude to carnal imagery, associations with the drug culture, and biting criticism of Republicans in the United States (yes, most notably both Bush former presidents), Christianity, etc., and you wear you sunglasses at night and dress all in black, I suppose it's okay for you to state, "I'm constantly confronted by representatives of popular culture who are far more goth than we, yet I have only to wear black socks to be stigmatized as the demon overlord."  Well, okay, but it wouldn't have anything to do with you early in your career being accused of ripping off everything that is Joy Division, now does it?

But, my criticism aside, I still do love the sound of this band; and you cannot deny the influence The Sisters of Mercy have had on the second wave of goth rock that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s including the use of drum machines and the unique vocal stylings (and fashion, sorry Andrew).  For example, with this first song alone entitled "Walk Away," I can think of at least three different bands of today that I would not be surprised were influenced by this melody, these vocals, and even the look.

 

 

Okay, so here's another nifty song..."Lucretia, My Reflection," because it's got a good beat and you can dance to it. Seriously, I got nothing. I just like this song. However, the video makes absolutely no sense to me; but nothing from the 1980s really makes much sense to me. Plus, the chick in the video (which they've used in pretty much all their videos, posters, flyers and what not) looks like Tim Curry in drag. OMG! If it was Tim Curry, I'd probably change my whole opinion of Andrew Eldritch.  

Finally, I give you the song "Black Planet," because you can never have too many songs on your ipod telling you about how much this world sucks and your life sucks and people suck and how everything sucks and that you should probably just crawl in a hole and pray for a sweet, merciful ending...right?  But, other than that, it's got a great beat and you can dance to it!  Yea, after watching this video, now I know why Ian Astbury started wearing those gaucho-cowboy type hats...oh, I think Rob Zombie does too!  Influence, I tell  you...they haz it.

 

 

As I barely alluded to earlier, The Sisters of Mercy have very limited amount of albums released.  Namely:

First and Last and Always released in 1985.
Floodland released in 1987. AND...
Vision Thing released in 1990.

The other two albums released were just compilation albums and therefore, in my opinion, don't count. Take a guess why The Sisters of Mercy haven't released any other albums since 1993 even though they still continue to tour and continue to treat audiences with new material on stage despite this "no new albums released since 1993?" Give up? A strike against their record company! Shocking! Even the band hasn't officially released any videos of their songs...so, maybe in his own way, Andrew is a man of his word sticking to his convictions and passions...And, I still do love them...I love the influence they've had on newer bands who have embraced the "dark culture," so to speak...I love that they're kind of creepy...I love that the drum machine is noted as a member of the band and is called Doktor Avalance...I love the Monkeemobile in the "Black Planet" video...AND I actually love that Andrew Eldritch is so weird. 

So, yea, go ahead and give them a listen...it's not like you'll turn gothic or anything. 

Just in case the videos don't show up, here's some links...

Lucretia, My Reflection
Black Planet
Walk Away

First of all, let's get the details out of the way:

Formed: 1978 in Northamptom (England people)
Members: Peter Murphy (vocals), Daniel Ash (guitar), Kevin Haskins (drums), David J (bass)
Sound: Dark and gloomy. Considered the first true gothic rock band.

Discography:

In the Flat Field (1980)
Mask (1981)
The Sky's Gone Out (1982)
Burning from the Inside (1983)
Go Away White (2008)

Thanks Wikipedia!

Anyway, instead of belaboring the origins of this band which anyone could probably just type into Google and find out on their own…how about I try to convince you to give them a listen beyond the 9-minute long "Bela Lugosi’s Dead" (which by the way was written only like a month after the band was formed).

First of all, yes, that song is amazing…perfect for Halloween, perfect for freaking your parents out when portraying your edginess, perfect for trying to convince someone your way cooler than you actually are (don’t take offense…I’m like that too). Throw that song on, and right away folks think you’re deep and complex; when in actuality, it’s the only song you know and you heard it while flipping through the channels on a Saturday night, because you once again had no plans for the evening. I actually heard that song for the first time while flipping through the channels on a Saturday night, because I once again had no plans for the evening.  I happened to be watching the movie The Hunger with David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve and a very young Susan Sarandon. Then there was this song and this band and this caged Peter Murphy looking like a frothing, gothic emo-cat.  See for yourself...

But, I wanted to like more than just this one song by them. After all, I had tons of people telling me what a cool band Bauhaus was. So, I listened; and although the band could be considered a more acquired taste, it was perfect music for those cold, damp, rainy nights when your heart is heavy and the moon is full. Translation=the music is very atmospheric. It’s heavily bass laden and synthed over sound with a lot of jangly guitars that alone would be cacophonous...but that jangly guitar with the synth, bass, and drums mash up just the perfect mixture of eerie, angsty mood music. It’s like a burrito. You don’t eat just a tortilla with onions and call it a burrito. No, alone, the onions and tortilla are less than appetizing; however, add beans and meat (or not if you’re vegan) and sauce and cheese to the onion and tortilla; and it, too, like the band Bauhaus, mashes up just the perfect mixture; and if it’s spicy enough, like Bauhaus as well, the burrito could make your heart hurt.

Among the more accessible tunes for a new listener of the band, you might want to try “Telegram Sam,” a remake of a T. Rex song believe it or not. Here, check out the video; and holy Dr. Frankenfurter, check out Mr. Peter Murphy!

Or, oh my god, Bauhaus’ remake of the David Bowie classic “Ziggy Stardust.” I hate to say this, but I totally love their version better than Bowie’s. I mean come on, even David Bowie said himself that Bauhaus played it the way it should be played. A rock star, god-like person destroyed by the fanaticism of his fans? Yes, Bauhaus--and Peter in particular--carry out a musical interpretation of those lyrics that just musically embody that tension and smug bravado with a hint of despair. Yes, people, look at the video...you must! Oh, and Peter plays caged em0-cat again. So awesome

So, my next song I'd like you to take a listen to is "She's In Parties". Let's play it and sit under the full moon drinking cocktails from coffee cups and contemplating life's cruelties....Just kidding. It's kind of one of those cool atmosphere songs that I like listening to, and again, check out the cool 80s video...Peter is so vampire man..

And what’s a great band without their songs against “the man,” although in this case it’s a rally cry and condemnation against the excesses of power, wealth, greed, etc., etc. Off their last (and probably final) album from just last year Go Away White, the song “Too Much 21st Century,” has such a groove rhythm to it, that I just like it, okay? You might too…give it a listen, yeah?

And as a side note…check out Peter Murphy’s solo stuff. The man is a genius and songs such as "Cuts You Up," or "Emergency Unit," are beautiful in my opinion…or it could be his voice. He’d probably sing the alphabet song to me, and it would shatter my little emo heart into a billion blood-red pieces, and I’d just burst into tears of pain and confusion and the weight of the world… Only not really …but those are beautiful songs.

SCREW EDWARD CULLEN...BELA LUGOSI'S DEAD...yea...

I think it would be naive of me to believe that not many people on Buzznet know who the band HIM are.  The HIM fan community alone boasts over 1000 members and many off-shoot fan groups with 300 or more members.  Sure, not the level of activity in the fan forums as My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, or Panic at the Disco; but nonetheless, some of the most active and enthusiastic forum posters on the site.  So, therein lies my dilemma.  The purpose of the Daily Music Dose is to introduce members to a band they may not be familiar with.  I can bet that most of you are familiar with the band HIM and already have formed your own opinion about the band.  For example, a friend of mine refers to them as the Backstreet Boys of mall goths.  Now, I don't know if he heard that somewhere or read it somewhere; but yeah, most of the people I know describe this band in not so favorable terms.  I also noted the infamous Heartagram get a feature on the website "yourscenesucks.com."  So, apparently, the "hot topic core" scenester in one way can be identified by their HIM necklace and are responsible for among other things the commercialization of your favorite band.  Check it out right here.  So, what do I do to convince you to give them a listen?

First of all, HIM are a band from Finland comprised of members:

Ville Valo
Mikko Lindstrom aka "Linde"
Mikko Paananen aka "Mige"
Janne Puurtinen aka "Burton"
Mika Karppinen aka "Gas"

Well, for one thing, I must admit that the band does have in my opinion a very distinct sound.  Invariably, the band is quick to be put off as either gothic rock, gothic metal, alternative rock, hard rock, pop metal, etc.  Ville Valo had at one point with his frustration in explaining the band's sound to journalists referred to their sound as "love metal."  Admittedly, in interviews I've watched, I've seen Mr. Valo cringe a bit when the topic of describing love metal is brought up; but, I think it serves the purpose well in that their music is a bit hard to define and label.

Lyrically, as much as he would hate to admit it, Ville does follow a more gothic tendency.  Romantic musings, dark themes, religious symbolism and mysticism; yes, lyrically, I would consider the band gothic.  For example, a few of Ville's more romantically impassioned lyrics:

"Kill me.  I begged and love said no."
"You had demons to kill...within you screaming, with a gun loaded with guilt...you opened their eyes..."
"If death is the answer..to love's mysteries...then bleed on my darling...to the sound of a dream."
"Let me never see the sun.  Never see you smile.  Let us be so dead and so gone.  So far away from life."
Finding souls to feed...the night side of Eden...we see her struggling...for her love's last breath and walk off."

But, I think aside from the lyrical association with a more gothic tendency, that's where the similarities end.  You could argue Ville's style of dress (and style of the low guttural vocals) is reminiscent of, say, Andrew Eldritch of the Sisters of Mercy (one of the first bands from the 1980s to be considered gothic rock); but, I do believe that Ville has his own unique style that fits his Finnish style of cold, dark, and (in Ville's own words) behind God's back.

But beyond that, the music itself I believe borrows from many different genres of music and gets its own Finnish stamp of uniqueness in the quality of the heaviness of the sound, the pop sensibilities, the guitar virtuosity, the ease of passage between hard and fast and slow and sensual, and the ability of Ville and company to have such melodic choruses which lend themselves well to audience participation.  So, in essence, I believe that's where my interest lies with this band and their music.  They are indeed a study in contrasts.  From Ville's deep vocal register to his almost falsetto pitch; Linde's searing guitar solos complemented by Burton's music-box, church organ, concerto style of keyboarding; Mige's machine-gun style of bass playing; and Gas's frenzied percussion; it seems like it wouldn't fit, but it just does so good.

Now, let's address the white elephant in the room, shall we?  First of all, I'd be lying if I didn't say personally that another reason for HIM being my absolute favorite band has to do with this...

The charismatic, charming, and wonderfully tongue-in-cheek Ville Valo.  I have a huge, massive, fangirl, squeal-y crush on the guy.  However, after watching millions of interviews with him as well as reading every single article on the band I can get my hands on, I also enjoy that he's a guy that loves music and loves doing what he does; a voracious reader who is a great friend and brother and son who appreciates with a sincere honesty the fans who love his music.  Really, all of the members of the band HIM seem to have such an appreciation for the fans (last concert I was at, hours beforre the band were to go onstage, Mige came out from their tour bus and passed out Halloween candy to the fans standing in line).  I tend to really like bands that despite their fame aren't dicks to their fans.

Also, try not to let the fact that Bam Margera is one of the band's biggest fangirls lessen your consideration for the band and their music.  Look at it this way, Bam annoys the hell out of me.  Just watch one episode of Viva La Bam or Bam's Unholy Union and tell me you just don't want to punch this guy in the neck.  Ville tolerates him, and they happen to be very good friends; so, another wonderful characteristic of Ville...he has the patience of a saint.

I tend to favor their earlier material; however, for you newer listeners of the band, here are a few delicious musical selections if all you've been exposed to are their later albums either Dark Light or Venus Doom.  These really are worth checking out.

• "For You" off of the album Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666.  Imagine if the 1992 movie Bram Stoker's Dracula had Gary Oldman singing a song to Winona Ryder.  I think it might sound like this song.
• Anything really off of the album Razorblade Romance, particularly "Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart," "Heaven Tonight," Resurrection," or my personal favorite HIM song "Sigillium Diaboli."
• Feeling gothic-y romantic?  Try out these songs which are some of the more tender outings of the band:  "In Joy and Sorrow" or "Close to the Flame."
• The whole album Love Metal.
• And for you vampire lovers out there, a special track for you off of Dark Light, "Vampire Heart;" but, my personal favorite track off of Dark Light (which happens to be my least favorite HIM album) would have to be "Wings of a Butterfly."  That intro hook is so addicting.  And, I beg of you, please do not make fan videos featuring a billion pictures of RPattz (or anything Twilight-related) set to HIM's "Vampire Heart."  I will personally hunt you down if I find out and throw dirt at you.
  
• Venus Doom is a heavy, dark album close to HIM's earlier sound with a 10-minute magnum opus "Sleepwalking Past Hope," but my personal favorite and the creepiest I think Ville's ever been is "Bleed Well." Bitter much, Ville?

Disography (studio albums only):

• Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666
• Razorblade Romance
• Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights
• Love Metal
• Dark Light
• Venus Doom

Also 1 live album, 6 compilation albums, 4 video albums, and 23 music videos.

HIM Random Tidbits:

• They are the only Finnish band to have had an album certified as gold in the United States.
• Ville in the Finnish version of the movie Madagascar:  Escape 2 Africa voices Moto Moto the hippopotamus.
• Last I heard, Ville is still sober but still smokes.
• Take everything Ville says with a grain of salt.  He's horribly tongue-in-cheek most of the time, and most of his humor goes over the heads of most of his fans.  My point...he probably doesn't have a MySpace page.
• DILLIGAF
• If I could say anything to Ville or the band, I'd apologize to Ville on behalf of the city of Minneapolis that of all the places in the United States, he happened to be robbed of his wallet and his cell phone here.  Sorry about that : /

In Joy and Sorrow

Resurrection

Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart

For You

Wings of a Butterfly

www.himfinland.net

Copyright 2006 @ Kezza; Translated by Bonk

It would have been marvelous to be around in a decade when great bands were just beginning.  For example, children of the 1960s had the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.  In the 1970s, arena rock ruled the day, and concerts were an epic spectacle predominated by radio rock rulers such as Queen, Boston, Journey, and Aerosmith to name a few.  However, as each decade is symbolic of a predominant musical style, each decade in music also spawns its angst-y, rebellious, unruly teen.  In the 1970s, it was punk rock, a direct middle finger to corporate radio-friendly rock.  And as the spirit of punk slowly faded and the rise of the video star gave way to 1980s British Nu Wave, that unruly teen reared its head one last time in the form of the post-punk apocalypse (for you youngsters, consider this the beginnings of Goth rock). 

Crawling out from the sludge of the 1970s East Coast punk scene was Stiv Bators.  A fan of Iggy Pop, Bators formed the beginnings of his first band The Dead Boys in 1975 in his home state of Ohio (although at the time, they were called Frankenstein).  The conservative climate of Ohio frustrated Bators; and after taking up an offer by Johnny Thunders (ex of the New York Dolls) to visit New York, Bators fell in love with the scene and brought back his defunct band Frankenstein to New York, this time calling themselves The Dead Boys.  After line-up changes, band break-ups, solo efforts, and the like, Bators grew tired of not being taken seriously in the music industry and wanted a little credibility.  From his earlier work with the Dead Boys and touring with The Damned, Bators’ friendship with Brian James (ex-guitarist with the Damned) led to the formation of The Lords of the New Church in 1981.  The band featured Dave Tregunna (ex-Sham 69) on bass, Brian James on guitar, and Nicky Turner (ex-The Barracudas) on drums.  It’s difficult to explain a band like The Lords of the New Church.  Unfortunately, I can’t say that I discovered them during their time on the musical scene but actually had someone more informed in the more eclectic music of the 1980s MTV generation explain to me how Green Day was not punk and exposed me to some of the more raw and honest do-it-yourself spirit of real punk rock.

Although intrigued, I was more drawn to this post-apocalyptic, gloom-and-doom style of The Lords of the New Church (translated...I really dug all the leather and the epic mullets and the fact that the music had a darker, creepier feel to it).  It was almost like exposing my ears to my own private little horror movie.

It was with The Lords of the New Church, that Bators finally earned some success in Europe and also in the US thanks to a little channel at the time called MTV and a little something called the video.  The band brought together the creatures of the night and mixed in elements of glam rock, dark shock, booze, melody, and a horn section!

"Dance With Me" from the album Is Nothing Sacred? OMG, check out the cloud-chasing mullets and the leather and Stiv Bators doing voo-doo on your ass

Together, The Lords of the New Church released four studio albums including:
The Lords of the New Church (1982)
Is Nothing Sacred? (1983)
The Method to Our Madness (1984)
Psycho Sex (1987)

Two live albums including:
Live at the Spit (1988)
Second Coming (1988)

And four compilation albums:
Killer Lords (1985)
The Anthology (2000, released in France only)
The Lords Prayer I (2002)
The Lords Prayer II (2003)

Despite Stiv's quest to encompass a more respectable place in the music industry, you cannot mention The Lords of the New Church and Stiv Bators without at least a mention of Stiv's madman-on-a-mic stage persona.  As mentioned, Stiv's admiration of Iggy Pop externalized itself in his stage performances, a manic mix of flailing arms, subconscious abandon, musical enrapture, and dangerous party stunts.  For example, reportedly in a stage trick gone awry, Stiv accidentally hung himself on stage.  He was pronounced clinically dead for several minutes but lived to carry on.  This was how intense a Lords show featuring Stiv became.

But all good things must come to an end.  In 1989, when Bators seriously injured his back, Brian James secretly began shopping around for a replacement lead singer for the band, even so much as wearing a T-shirt on stage with the newspaper ad for the replacement singer emblazoned across the front.  It was at that point that Bators fired all of the remaining band members on stage that night, and the Lords were no more.

Just a short time later, in 1990, Stiv passed away at the age of 40.  Apparently drunk, he was struck by a taxi while crossing a street in Paris.  Frustrated by the wait to see a physician in the emergency room, Bators left the hospital that night and died in his sleep as a result of his accident (possibly from the concussion he suffered).  Stiv died as he had lived...fast, flashy, impatient, and drunk...he did it his way; and the mark he and The Lords left on the future of music will never be forgotten (Markku, 2000).

A few of the best...select tracks from The Lords.  Check 'em out...join the Church of the Lords

Open Your Eyes
Russian Roulette

Method to My Madness

Markku (2000).  Retrieved February 22, 2009, from a website dedicated to the memory of Stiv Bators:  www.stivbators.com

The worst comment to a story I've ever read....ever.  I would tell this poster to go get hit by a car, but I'm kind of a nice person...at least one that doesn't justify a woman getting beat that "maybe she provoked him..."  Ugh, forget it, GDIAF.

"Chris Brown did hit Rihanna, I know that for a fact, but just because
he hit her doesn't mean he's a horrible person. He is only a man people
keep jumping to conclusions about what happen. She may have provoked
him to hit her. She may have even hit him. Regardless of if ur a woman
or man you should not ask for something you aren’t ready to receive.
That d esn’t make up for his actions. No one shou ld hit anyone EVER!!!
He apologized and we s hould all stay out of their business. All we
hould do is pray that God does what’s best. The media has blown this
story out of propor tion. They have the fans thinking it’s t errible
when it might just be bad. He’s bee n through thing and needs family as
well as p ofessional counseling. But he needs to be told that with
heart, not with people yelling at him. Besides what will he going to
jail solv ? It won't help him get better. It might only make it worse.
We as fans and humans nee d to support and love the both of them and m
ake them feel that our Lord will make every thing OK!!!!!"

from here

Peace out peeps!  I should be back here more frequently soon as soon as I quit my part-time job...so soon, so soon, so soon

So, here's a Valentine's Day playlist for you to peruse...it's dedicated to all the stalkers in da hizzay! 
Go here click to have a listen, buzz it if ya' want.  It's a contest and all, so, whatevs.  ORRRRR...you could make your own playlist and enter the contest as well, yea?  I think you win an ipod...sweet, huh?

So, off you go!

It’s baaaaaccckkkk.  Yes, American Idol is back.  When I start to feel guilty about watching it, I think to myself, “Well, I could be watching ‘Rock of Love Bus,’ or ‘Rock of Love Charm School;” but I don’t.  So, even though you may judge me based on the fact that American Idol watching is what I do from January until May, realize that it could be worse.  I could actually be watching a balding, has-been, 80’s hair-band, pseudo-rock star trying to pick his mate out of a bevy of “rode hard and put away wet” women.  So there.   Anyhow, it’s odd that although I’m addicted to this enigma that is American Idol, I could not or would not listen to any of their canned ham songs.   I can name most of the American Idols (Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia, Jordin, Taylor, David, and Carrie) but that’s about the extent of it.  Maybe, I could possibly identify a song by Kelly Clarkson but, like I said, that would be about it.  I think I could pick out a Chris Daughtry tune, but I honestly get him and Nickleback and Seether and Hinder and all those other “I’m such an intense, bad boy, misunderstood but sensitive” rocker-type dudes mixed up. 

But anyway, I guess the most important part of my viewing pleasure has to do with the contestants who don’t make it into the glorious final 12 (or as I like to refer to them…the dirty dozen…no, I don’t refer to them as that actually.  From this day forward, I’ll refer to the final 12 as “The Eggs,” because eggs come in a dozen.  And, as each of the final 12 is eliminated, I could say “Scrambled!”  OR, I could call them “The Bakers,” because, you know, “baker’s dozen;” but a baker’s dozen is 13.  So, that would be dumb.  So, “The Eggs” it is).

You think people would pick up tips, learn a little lesson and what not after this show being on for 8, count them 8, years; but I guess crazy is as crazy does; so, I still get to laugh at all the WTF moments even 8 years later.  That is priceless, yo’, let me tell you. 

For example, here’s the scenario.  You get a little promo piece of the next contestant.  Lots of shots of them being wistful and walking through little Norman Rockwell looking towns or maybe even walking in a cornfield or staring out over acres of green, green grass.  God, how fucking American is that?  They talk about what a suck ass life they’ve had, talk about how this has always been their dream, and maybe do a little spastic dance for you.  So, you’re sucked in, right?  You know a little bit about this person.  They’ve been working 6 jobs and saving money to pay for grandma’s hip surgery and winning would just mean the world to them and poor, busted down hip grandma.  Then, they must cry.  I don’t buy your story if you’re not blubbering like a cow at the end of it.  Okay, now, here’s what makes okay TV absolutely great… let’s crush their self-esteem (along with all their hopes and dreams) like a nasty-looking, foul, smelly bug that just crawled across your living room floor.  They introduce themselves, exchange nice-y nice with the judges, talk about how nervous they are and “Oh my god.  It’s always been my dream to be an American Idol, to share my love of song with everyone, and just share my gift with the world.” 

Awww.  how nice….and then they open their mouth and the most abominable, accursed, god-awful caterwauling cacophony spews forth…and not quietly low-pitched but LOUD!  (Do you ever notice that the people that can’t sing or are just annoying in general are usually the loudest?)  Sometimes, I say the exact same thing as Simon at the exact same moment he says it, “What the hell was that?”  Then, I have to get my “Grey’s Anatomy” catch phrase going, “Seriously?”  Then, the belly laughing begins.  To add to my amusement, if I happen to be watching with my sister, we may re-enact these auditions for each other.  It provides us with endless hours of entertainment that is cheap and affordable and that the whole family can enjoy and participate in. 

LESSON LEARNED: No matter how many times you state that “It is my dream,” it doesn’t mean it will come true if your singing hurts mine and the rest of the world’s ear holes.  Move on, stop wailing, and accept the very, very simple fact that you just can’t sing.  It’s not Simon’s fault.  It’s not the fault of the song you sang.  YOU JUST CAN’T SING! 

Get over it and move on (although not really because if there is a season 9 of American Idol, I need you people to laugh at).  It’s not the end of the world.  I tried my hand once at home repairs.  It was my dream to be able to one day spruce up my house on my own all pretty like as they do on all the DIY channels I watch; but, after nearly causing an explosion in my basement, I realized that I just can’t be handy.  I’m okay with that.  I’ve moved on.  I bake now instead…all is well.

FURTHER LESSON LEARNED:  Watching other people in misery over having their dreams pummeled brought my family closer together.  It’s fun to gather as one to mock the inadequacies of others.  Good times

NEXT INSTALLMENT:  If you can’t sing, do you really think the accompanying little dance and/or skit for the judges is going to help much? 

Related Groups: Buzznet Originals

Here's what I like:

• Pictures that are random
• Pictures of eyes
• Pictures that are beautiful
• Pictures that are beautifully ugly
• Pictures of pets and animals
• Pictures of kids having fun
• Pictures of my favorite band or a cool band shot
• Pictures that are art (meaning...yo, I'd totes hang that on my wall)
• Pictures that make me LOL
• Pictures that make me go orly?
• Pictures that make me melancholy
• Pictures of your stuffs
• Pictures of you (hi!)
• Pictures of places (OMG...Camden!!!!!)
• Pictures of snow
• Pictures of rain
• Pictures of food (onomnomnom)
• Pictures of lights and candles
• Pictures of trees, flowers, and cloud pron

Basically, I'm a visual person.  I can't tell you what's worthy and what is not.  I can tell you what I like, however, and I'm pretty sure what I like and what you like is probably pretty different or the same or maybe half-way in between.  So, why bother judging what someone else judged?  Confuzzled?  Yeah, me too.  That's why I don't dwell on it...I just try to enjoy what I enjoy.  And that's my Zen moment of the day....

Here's my mom's dog Sprout in a Christmas hat..

Now, I have to work...maybe, I can enjoy some of these pictures soon enough.  Plus, blogs.  I love reading blogs if they are halfway well-written and not just a public diary (meaning, I went to blah, blah, blah and we ate blah, blah, blah)...unless, of course, something epic happened.  I've read a lot of blogs this week...haven't commented on them all yet but I will.  And with that, today, I went to the pet store, and my sister is adopting a cat, and I whined about wanting this cute little black rat, and then I went to a craft sale and just bought cookies, and then I bought stir-fry Thai noodles with shrimp for lunch, and then I bought card stock to make my mom's Christmas cards...oh, and I took three whining dogs to the vet's office to have their nails clipped (see, not very interesting).  So....have a nice weekend everyone!

After explaining to someone (in real life) the other day that I am not devastated that Sen. McCain didn't win the election, I was called a Republicrat (hahaha...wut?), but I do like being a Republic rat, 'cos I like rats.  I said, "you mean like a moderate conservative?"  And he said, "about." Then, we shrugged and shuffled off to Noodles and Company and made fun of the lunch crowd, because they seemed a tad rushed and extra harpy for some particular reason.  I watched a lady roll her eyes so much at the counter worker that I thought she was possessed.  Anyway, I've made it my goal now to debunk and mock anyone still insisting on hanging on to extremist views and conspiracy theories from either the left side or the right side, democrat or republican, liberal or conservative; because, remember, it's not the president or the vice president or America or politics or religion or crazy people that will bring about the end of the world...it's the Hadron Collider.  Yeah, remember that little piece of scientific shenanigans that borked not too long ago?  Be afraid...be very afraid.  One time on the History Channel, I watched a show on how people were interpreting the writings of Nostradamus and the end of the world; and I actually started to believe some of that shit and started getting all antsy and itchy...and then I remembered....I'm sane.

So, here's the score:

1.  President-elect Obama has a tough road ahead of him.  Let's support him in every single way we can as Americans so that we can lift this country from the ashes.

2.  Sen. McCain lost and President Bush is leaving.  Let's just leave it at that, okay? 

3.  Gov. Palin is still an idiot.  I'm not leaving that one alone...ever.  Not if she actually really plans on running in 2012.  I will be her biggest nemesis (hahaha...superiority complex on my part).  I'm going to (if I actually can) hit her with every tough question I can think of like, "Quick, Governor Palin, name the country to our immediate north."  For real people. 

4.  It was 74 degrees here on Monday, and it's going to snow by this weekend.  Yesterday, there were severe thunderstorms in the Midwest with tornado warnings next to states with blizzard warnings (??????????).  Blizzards in Rapid City...oh god, I hate snow so much.

5.  California makes me sad...I've begun drafting some letters to legislators...for real.  I'm not sure who to write or what to do or where to send it, but I'm looking into some things.  My idea is that if enough people pressure the courts in these states to look at the constitutionality of these amendments, maybe these amendments can be taken off these state constitutions.  I don't know, but I'm not going to give up on trying.  You should too if you live here in America.  Please, don't let people be denied basic civil rights.  Arizona and Florida have also denied civil rights.  I don't think it's a very far reach to believe that once civil rights are denied to this group, pretty soon it's this group, and then this group, etc., etc.  This is not a good thing at all.

6.  I realized the other day after watching President-elect Obama speaking, that my grandpa kinda beared a bit of a resemblance to President-elect Obama.  This made me weirdly happy for some reason.  Whatcha' think?  Ah, maybe I'm just being loopy.  My grandpa actually looked like Leonard Nimoy.

7.  Work really sucks right now.  Well, not the work itself but how busy it has been lately which is odd considering summer is usually the busiest time.  Last week, I worked 67 hours.  This week, as it is Thursday, I've already worked about 60 hours and still have the rest of my shift today into the evening and Friday.  Point?  I'm tired. 

8.  We still don't know who won the senate race here in Minnesota.  The race because of how close it was warrants under procedure here a recount.  About 477 or so votes separate incumbent Senator Norm Coleman (R) from Al Franken (D).  They and their camps are still taking pot shots at each other.  It's kinda funny and yet sad at the same time.  Minnesota overwhelmingly voted for President-elect Obama; however, most of the congressional races went to incumbent Republicans including to Minnesota Republican Representative of the 6th congressional district Michelle Bachman who referred or inferred (whatever) that President-elect Obama was anti-American.  People are so weird. 

9.  My little nephew wants Hulk Hands for Christmas.  He told me this and then did a Hulk smash on my thighs and how having the hands would make that so much more effective.  Sometimes, I wish I were 4.

Buh-bye! : )

It's gotten a little weird up in here.  People, oversensitivity, odd crap.  Sometimes, I get this feeling like people are pissed at me, and I don't know what I've done to make them feel that way.  That makes me uncomfortable, because, normally, I am very careful about what I say and am very willing to apologize or whatever, because I have no beef with anyone on here (for the most part).  I think since I've been on Buzznet, it's the first time I've ever had to block someone from my page and the first time I've considered making my page private.  That sucks.  I don't like sucky things.  So, I'm not going to be on here for awhile. I may pop in here and there, but for the most part, I'd like to stay away for a bit.

Later~

Lea~

So, yes, I was a busy one this past weekend.  First of all, there was this...

I'm not a huge fan, but my nephew is; so, we decided to go.  It was pretty fun.  Someone tried to bite me @o@!

Then, I visited my mom under the guise of being fed (just kidding, I love going to see my mom) and attempted to re-enact a scene from Hitchcock's "The Birds," when I tried to get a picture of her pet bird Rocky who is a starling...

Rocky wanted to peck my eyeballs out, but he settled on just pulling my hair out of my ponytail.

Then, I finally got out and bought my "Iron Man" DVD and watched it.  I wanted to do an extremely witty and clever review in the vein of Jerry (vaginaldischarge); however, all I got were 25 immature observations I made during the movie...Here they are...don't worry about me giving anything away about the movie...the observations are immature as I said..

1.  AC/DC in any movie is always cool.  Gets the blood pumping and the head banging (lame).
2.  I both love and hate how fast Robert Downey, Jr., talks.  I love it because I talk fast, and we tend to like/love things we can relate to.  I hate it, because I found myself going "huh?" during several parts of the movie.
3.  I would love to  have a team of people following me around. 
4.  Oh, oh, oh...Suicidal Tendencies!!!! 
5.  Why do all geniuses in the movies drive fast sports cars and listen to metal music?  If I were a genius, I'd drive a sensible car and listen to Brit-pop!  Actually, I wouldn't even drive.  I'd just fly everywhere.  Scratch that...I'd have people carry me everywhere.
6.  When they exploded the Jericho, it reminded me of fireworks.  The Jericho is a deadly firework ; )
7.  Hahahah...I liked the line of driving in the humdrum-vee.  Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle.
8.  Why are evil people calm as hell?
9.  Bad things always happen with refusals...like heads in a toilet (or a bucket of water).
10.  This movie made me want to learn science, so I could McGyver my way out of shit.
11.  Bad guys always wear cool scarves.
12.  Heavy metal music always makes a point...a loud, violent point.
13.  God, now Downey, Jr., is speaking too quietly.
14.  Quiet mumbling is usually not a good thing.
15.  How does he pee in the Iron Man suit?
16.  I wonder how long it took him to fly across the world in that iron man suit?
17.  Why did his face go all zombie?
18.  "I'm not nostalgic"  Shoot, what couldn't I catch that foreshadow's relevance?
19.  Why are bad guys always bald?
20.  Why do bad things always happen in the dark?
21.  How come the bad guy got the cool monster voice?
22.  Iron Man and Evil Iron Clone battling in the street.  Wouldn't you stick around for the show?
23.  Not all government types are bad guys.  Hurray!
24.  Of course, "I am Iron Man."
25.  So much for the stereotype of the superhero keeping their identity a secret.

So, that was my weekend.  How was yours? 

Yes, I was in hospital for the better part of almost two weeks (it seems that way anyway).  No need to delve into the sticky details.  Suffice it to say, I'm a fighter and...

"I'm a grinner
I'm a lover
And I'm a sinner
I play my music in the sun.
I'm a joker
I'm a smoker
I'm a midnight toker
I get my loving on the run"

So, I'm out now.  You know what's fun to do when everyone is asleep and it's really quiet...pretend you're going to be an unwitting victim of Dr. Philip Channard or shall I say the Channard Cenobite.  If you know what I'm talking about (or the song I just referenced), I guess you're as much of a spazz as I am : )

I missed my dogs...A LOT

It was pretty amazing to see them again.  The pack leader returned...all is right in their world.

So, this was so super exciting. I received a package from the uber awesome Becky (Kassady) who I swear has secret spies over here, because how else can she know exactly what I love and what can cheer me up? I received this magazine in her package, and I was definitely curious. I opened it up and thought for sure Becky found out that I secretly aspire to raise bees, as there was a giant article in the magazine on beekeeping.

ZOMG!  How did she know!!!!!

But, seriously...a nice little article with Noel…my beautiful cockney bitch. I’m really thrilled in my little head that I answered some of those same questions in the exact same way as Noel.  We're on a wavelength and, therefore, destined to be together one day.

So, here's the other real cool thing.  This summer on BBC America, I began watching That Mitchell and Webb Look which I love.  Natch, it's not on BBC America right now (however, they are showing Ab Fab episodes and Little Britain).  So, Becky sends me this DVD to watch. 

Hurray!  It seriously is some of the funniest stuff I've seen in awhile.  On a side note, I hear they're (I don't know who "they" are...I just heard this) bringing Little Britain to American television.  I hope they don't redo it like they did with The Office.  Granted, I don't think The Office is bad, as a matter of fact, I rather enjoy watching it and think it's a bit funny.  However, no one on that show is as funny as Ricky Gervais...I'm sorry...I love Ricky!  So...yeah!  Thanks Becky!!!!!

So, yup, I'm home and doing better...thanks for the notes and all.  By the way, I've been playing Rock Band 2 a lot, and I killed the AFI song "Girl's Not Grey," on expert vocals...

So, that is all...just thought I'd share...how've ya'll been?

 

So, if you are reading this; obviously, the first test of the Large Hadron Collider was for the most part successful.  No black holes eating up civilization, no zombie apocalypse, no alternate universe scenario…yet.

I first learned about this monstrosity from Yahoo, believe it or not, but I do note that Fox News is now carrying a story on the successful test today which essentially whizzed two protons clockwise along the length of the collider.  This test completed around 3:26 a.m. CST.  Next, I’m guessing, is to whiz them in the opposite direction, and then to whiz them straight at each other so that the scientists can attempt to recreate the conditions that existed a split second after the big bang.  Why?  Because they want to.  If you’d like to learn more, just hit up this Fox news article http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,420062,00.html for the full details.

Okay, so aside from everyone in the world (except for crazy scientists in their lab) being worried about the end of the world, I can’t help but think when they describe the CERN experiments revealing more about “dark matter, antimatter, and possibly hidden dimensions of time and space,” that somehow the world of The Mighty Boosh could become a reality…and that would be peachy for me.  But, what other post-apocalyptic scenarios could play out if the entire world wasn’t totally engulfed by a pissed-off ginormous black hole?

Well, welcome to Post-Apocalyptic World…come on in…we’re always open except when we’re closed…Here are some things we’d like to show you.  Things that happened after the last test of the Hadron Collider didn’t end so successfully.  Nope, no black hole that sucked up the world, but an alternate dimension of a journey through time and space that left us with some….stuff after this fail test to smash two protons together didn’t kill us all.

The intertubes.  It’s alive!  Almost like the soul-sucking alien invaders from “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” the intertubes suddenly needed humanity to keep it functioning.  Because most of us have mini panic attacks, breakdowns, anxiety, and distress if we are without our beloved interwebz, no one really logged off, not even after the apocalypse…and the intertubes changed and no longer required electricity but instead eated human emotion.  Once the interwebz sucked out the last of your humanity leaving nothing but a husk and shell of a human being, you still didn’t need to log off.  Now, it just produced in you, you subhuman, this overwhelming need to troll innocuous web forums and create the e-dramaz!

LOLcats…exist.  A minimum of one per household to mock the shit out of you and plot your demise on a continual basis.  You can’t destroy them…they’re too cyoot.  Extreme douche-bags are required to have a dozen of them.

Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance and Panic at the Disco and Tokio Hotel and Paramore and HIM…thrived and continued making music.  Their rabid fans multiplied ten-fold (not so gud akshully). 

Paris Hilton…said, “that’s hot,” one too many times and literally burst into flames…in Post-Apocalyptic World, when you wear out an asinine phrase, you die by your words. 

President Bush appointed himself ruler of the world…and no one said anything.  And so, it was agreed upon by all the surviving leaders in Post-Apocalyptic World.  He lives in a tree house in the backyard of Pee-Wee Herman (or actor Paul Reubens who also survived).  They ride wooden stick horses and make pew! pew! sounds at each other, and when the world faces a crisis....he asks Jambi the Genie!

 

(That's all folks...I'll be offline for a few days for some medical silliness...if you're scared enough to crap your pants over all this...just laugh and think stupid thoughts!)

 

Okay, so, this will be my breakdown of my own impressions of the vice-presidential nominees of our current presidential candidates.  Now, mind you, these are only my conjectures and are not statistically or scientifically proven.  They’re pretty close to fact, I think; or how I interpret the facts; but, it’s only my thoughts and ramblings and stuff I’ve heard off of Fox News and the major networks during the Democratic National Convention, and how I’ve interpreted what I’ve heard (and in that case my spin on things).

Joe Biden, Senior Senator from Delaware (Senator Barack Obama’s vice presidential pick on the Democratic ticket).  First of all, I’m not a big fan of this guy, because I don’t trust him for some reason.  I don’t like the off-the-cuff comments he makes, as I’m interpreting this as an uncensored look into his character.  I hate to judge people on some of the verbal vomit and faux pas and gaffes they may make, but when you are an elected official (like it or not), I do believe you should have a sense of decorum and decency.  That’s just my opinion.  There are some things he began, however, that I deeply, deeply admire including his activism in combating domestic violence among other things.  Overall, I feel he was a safe, “middle-of-the-road” choice for Senator Obama.  Keep in mind that the people that are shown supporting Senator Obama may seem like most of the country; however, he still is pretty much running neck and neck with Senator McCain.  Sen. Obama needed a choice that would court “conservative, middle America” where he seems a bit out of touch; and I believe he made the right and sensible choice.  On the negative side (besides my own distrust of Senator Biden), what kind of “new” change will Senator Biden bring to the table?  He seems to be status quo politics to me.  Additionally, I don’t think Senator Obama’s lack of experience necessitates choosing a running mate who espouses the status quo.  I, for one, believe in “new blood” and a “new perspective;” but I see what Senator Obama is doing, and I respect him and his choice on that matter. 

However, I do believe with the choice of Senator Biden, he has (Sen. Obama) possibly alienated some of Senator Clinton’s rabid supporters.  We’ll see.

Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska (Senator John McCain’s vice presidential pick on the Republican ticket).  I must admit that this choice came out of left field for me.  You cannot deny the gusto with which Governor Palin has done her job.  Especially admirable is the fact that she publicly outed members of her own party for violations of ethics.  She has a couple of firsts going on here with regard to this year’s presidential election.  First, she is the first female Vice Presidential candidate on the Republican party ticket.  Second, she is the first politician from Alaska to run on a national ticket.  On first hearing her background, I thought to myself…”she sounds like so many of the people I know and am friends with here in Minnesota”--an honest, educated, and working class lifestyle, married her high-school sweetheart, believes in children (well, who doesn’t).  I also was impressed at her idea of her state being self-sufficient and not relying so heavily on federal dollars.  Without going into a diatribe, I wholly support self-sufficiency and not reliance on government to take care of EVERYTHING.  I thought…wow!  Stellar choice! 

But, a few things have troubled me…first of all, she is strongly opposed to abortion (matter of course, Governor Palin just gave birth in April to her own son who does have Down’s syndrome).  Okay, I’m not going to dwell on this issue yet.  She opposes same-sex marriage but gives the usual “but some of my best friends are gay” spiel.  She does flip-flop on this issue, although she did veto blocked legislation that would have barred Alaska from granting benefits to partners of gay state employees as well granting Alaska benefits to same-sex couples.  I think she should just go forth and stand up for what she really believes in.  I really do.  I (and maybe it’s just me) have a tiny problem with flip-flopping…but oh well. 

Then again, I’m flip-flopping here myself with regard to my opinion of this relatively unknown political contender at the moment.  She sounds so much like the people I work with, am neighbors with, am friends with here in Minnesota.  Her son joined the Army when he was 18 and will be shipping off to Iraq in a few weeks.  She returned to her duties as governor three days after birth (I worked with an administrator in my department who was on the phone with some of her supervisors, myself included, just one day after giving birth).  She decided to have her baby “Trig” despite prenatal testing revealing the baby had Down’s syndrome.  She hunts (oh my goodness, November in Minnesota for two weeks prior to Thanksgiving is a literal ghost town with practically everyone out huntin’).  She ice fishes (so does my dad).  She rides snowmobile.  It’s a weekend pastime here in the winter.  I can’t count the number of snowmobile jackets I see hanging in the coat room at work on two hands.  I think most everyone I work with (except a few) has a snowmobile jacket, and they actually do ride snowmobile.  I think some of them ride their snowmobiles to work even if there’s a huge snowstorm.(http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=864bb9006da3f010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD)

So, I’m not sure yet.  She does seem to expound the same-old, same-old, if you know what I mean.  What I am sure of is that I’m a little miffed with Senator McCain.  I know (as well as everyone else) that Senator McCain is going for the Senator Clinton supporters.  He wants their votes and will capitalize on the notion that some of these staunch supporters are a little cheesed off that Senator Obama went for Senator Biden instead of Senator Clinton.  What bothers me, however, is why would you assume that those that supported Senator Clinton only supported her because she was a woman?  I bet if you put their ideologies next to each other, Senator Clinton’s would be very different from Governor Palin’s; but you assume that just because she is a woman, all of the Clinton supporters will naturally be drawn to her.  I don’t know.  Maybe, they will and maybe I’m way off in my interpretation of the way things are turning out.  I usually support a candidate for how closely their platforms, what they’ve done, and what they intend to do (with explanations and not promises or platitudes please) syncs up with what I believe.  I don’t choose (nor have I ever) based on skin color or gender, race, creed, or whatever.  I can find similarities with politicians who are perceived as white and middle class or with those that are not. 

What all this means is that I’m at square one once again.  I admire things about Governor Palin and her work thus far in cleaning up unscrupulous members of government and her self-sufficient attitude.  I admire things about Senator Biden.  I need to look into this more, and I’ve only got a few months left.  I don’t want to waste my vote, but I don’t want to not be almost sold on the decision I make. 

Curious…for you Americanos (or not…okay by me) what do you think of the vice presidential choices?  Keep in mind…I do prefer explanations rather than broad generalizations or attacks.

Side note:   My sister is a volunteer at the Republican National Convention being held in St. Paul this upcoming week (she gets some neat-o stuff out of the deal as well, and I’m totally jealous).  I’ve given her my prized possession (my Canon camera) to take photos around the convention center and in the park (where protests-a-plenty will be happening) and hope to steal her pictures to post.  We do love our politics!

So, uh, yeah.  I get to have cadaver parts put in to my knee, because the synthetic part ate my cartilage : /

I'm a bit in heaps more pain as of late...meaning, the synthetic bone plug I had put in my knee about a year ago has failed, and I need a hooman part put in to replace it...last ditch effort...next stop..."Artificial Knee Town."

What does this all mean?  Why am I even doing a journal about this?  Who cares, right?  Well, I have to have surgery, and I'll be offline for a few days starting...NOW...no, after I log off here.  I should answer some notes, say "oh hai" to a few people, look at your stuffs...but, to be honest, I've been lying around, icing my knee, and not much else.  PLEASE...I ask for no pity, really.  It's no big deal.  I just feel bad I'm not on here much as of late; and, I'm cool...and, the surgery means I get to go under general anesthesia; and I know it's weird, but I love that feeling just before checking out.  I get excited about that part.  Plus, I get to be in a wheelchair for about 6 to 8 weeks, and I love going to Wal-Mart and riding around in those motorized scooter/wheelchair things they have, because then I can get up right behind people and beep the little horn.  Who's gonna get mad at a person in a motorized scooter? 

Anyone else ever had surgery?  Do you like the anesthesia part?  : )

Yeah, I hurt a lot; but I just wanted to let anyone who gives a cluck know that I'm not ignoring...I'll be back hopefully by this weekend to catch up with everything so...

Don't You Forget About Me
Don't Don't Don't Don't
Don't You Forget About Me


As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
As you walk on by
Will you call my name?
When you walk away


Or will you walk away?
Will you walk on by?
Come on - call my name
Will you all my name?

Okay, that was dumb, but I'm in an 80s pop song mood right now.  Later!

~lea

Maybe you didn't know or it didn't matter.  Whatever.  That's cool.  Anyway, on July 4 in the very early morning hours, my cousin Reyes was murdered as he was walking home from a night out with a friend.  Apparently, the story has finally come to light as one guy wants a lighter sentence and leniency and squealed on his two accomplices.  I didn't even know all the full details.  So many things were being said and speculated.  Anyway, point being...I wanted to write a journal regarding my extreme pacifism after this happened, but I chickened out, as I was afraid how I would be judged for not supporting a certain pop singer.  I'll just let this article in the newspaper speak for itself.  See, I've grown up around violence, lots of unnecessary random and unexplainable violence.  My family can get violent; I've lived in violent places; I've seen the ramifications of violence first hand.  I guess I believe that I don't care what anyone says to me or does to me or insinuates...I just will not retaliate in kind.  Now mind you, protecting myself is one thing; but, even if I'm called the most heinous thing ever...I'll just turn my cheek.  It's not worth it, really.  And, I've suffered some serious beat downs.  Doesn't matter and it hasn't changed my position.  It's just made me stronger, I believe.

I've posted a link to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article detailing the full story regarding what happened to my cousin, and how his mom and sisters are coping.  Maybe, I figured, if you sort of know someone (like me) that has been affected by senseless crime and brutality, you might think twice about how you respond in your own life and thoughts.  Or, maybe not, but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway. 

Also in the story, my cousin was a poet and a guitar player...all this runs in the family.  We play instruments, write, sing but are cursed by the legacy of poor choices and even worse circumstances...

The article link is here http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=779041.  Please read it if you can.  Then, you'll understand my nature a little better and my push to end impulsive, random, violent behavior one little thought at a time. 

Thanks everyone! 

Even though they are barely if at all read...my political blogs will only come more fast and furious as the United States Presidential election draws near.  So, here's the latest...

So, okay "New Yorker" magazine; perhaps your 'parody' of right-wing attacks against Sen. Obama's character is just pushing the envelope a little too far.  I appreciate humor.  I appreciate satire.  However, I'm not sure how many average Americans will actually pick up this magazine and read what the point of your cartoon illustration was, however noble and sympathetic to the unfair criticism Sen. Obama received.  I think most will just see this as a justification of the insinuations made regarding the Obamas.  Secondly, will there be a parody cover of Sen. McCain and his wife?  So, what do you think?  Read the New Yorker's reply here http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/07/14/obama-camp-slams-satirical-new-yorker-magazine-cover/.  Do you agree?  Or should the cover be pulled?

Well, here we go again Minnesota.  It is time to once again prove to the rest of the country that we are nothing but a bunch of hot-dish loving loons obsessively proud of how many lakes we’ve counted in our state and how many times we’ve visited and can talk about that big monstrosity referred to only as MOA.  What time is it you say?  Election time.  First of all, let me just say that I am fiercely loyal to this great state.  I’m not even a native Minnesotan and instead grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; but, I love Minnesota.  I’ve gotten so used to being quiet and picking up after myself and not having a sense of humor.  I’ve gotten used to living in the state where absolutely nothing is allowed.  I have found myself saying, “Yeah.  Sure” one too many times.  I refer to trips into Minneapolis or St. Paul as “going into town.”  Huh?  Yup, the culture and ambiance that is Minnesota, so lovingly mocked in “Drop Dead Gorgeous,” and “Grumpy Old Men,” has permeated my essence to the core.  

So, around election time is when I really, really begin to worry about how my beloved state will portray itself to the rest of the country with regard to who we are putting into elected office.  I pray, please, Minnesota, please do not come off as the goofy state that elected a pro wrestler as governor.  What?  Yes…a pro wrestler; but don’t tell him that.  That beefy, air-headed, self-serving idiot has such thin skin, he’ll probably cry great big, old crocodile tears while he’s beating on you telling you he was much more than just a pro wrestler…(yeah, he was also in “Predator” with Gov. Ahnuld)  But, to be fair, Ex-Governor Ventura was also a mayor in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. 

So, I wait with bated breath as the candidates for the 2008 senate race are announced and what happens?????  I sit back in awestruck wonder as I plan how I’m going to explain myself to friends outside of Minnesota when I realize that once again, Minnesota will be the laughing stock of the country.  Feast your eyes on the 2008 Minnesota senate candidates:

Our democratic entry into this mockery we call a senate race is Al Franken.  Al Franken was a comedian, and I use that term loosely.  He was on Saturday Night Live for quite a long time.  He’s done goofy movies (I do remember his bit part in “Trading Places”).  He also had the Al Franken Show on Air America Radio but left to run for senate.  I just think he’s bat shit crazy.  But despite that (and bat shit crazy might be a selling point for me to vote someone into office), and despite the fact that he spent mostly three decades as a professional comedian and may have said things not very becoming of a politician including rude and unfunny jokes about rape at an SNL staff meeting, or an article in Playboy magazine talking about a three-way with robots, and a less than appropriate comment about women in Afghanistan, we shouldn’t let that influence our decision of whether or not we will vote for him.  That shouldn’t phase you.  I really doubt that while Al Franken was on SNL or being a professional comedian or spouting off on his radio show, that he thought he’d better censor himself because he’d be running for a senate seat in Minnesota in 2008.  No, that doesn’t bother me.  It shouldn’t bother potential voters as well.  He was doing his “job” of being a comedian and not grooming himself to be a politician.  What does bother me, however, is that he is a liar and a cheat.  If you are running for office, and you were a comedian and said stuff resembling kind of, sort of comedy, fine; but if you are running for office and have made a habit of not paying your taxes or not filing required paperwork on your personal corporations in California, don’t blame your accountant and feign ignorance.  You know, if he would have just outright said, “I didn’t feel like paying them, because I wanted to keep all my money, and I was a greedy monkey,” I so would have voted for him.  Really, I would have.  But, being a snarky snake liar makes me think you’re just like all the other slick Willy shysters and none of your liberal, “for the people” rhetoric is believable AT ALL…It just comes off as ick.

This is our current Senator Norm Coleman.  Well, this was him in his radical hippie days.  Pretty cool, huh?  He looks like he was in a band and smoked lots of pot.  But, seriously, this is Sen. Coleman right now.

And, he is the incumbent.  He is the Republican entry in the senate race.  I think.  I hope he doesn’t change his mind and change parties again, because, he does that ya’ know.  Anyway, I still am reeling from the fact that Sen. Coleman capitalized on the untimely death of Sen. Paul Wellstone to take the senate seat in 2002.  Additionally, now I’m strictly following politics here, he has thrown down every right proposed for same-sex marriages and the rights and dignity of gays and lesbians; AND, he’s also against the legalization of marijuana.  What?  Jerk.  I have my priorities (legalize pot...then everything else, ya' hypocrite).  But, seriously, I’m not so sure about Sen. Coleman.  But, he did bring back pro hockey to Minnesota.  So, I guess that’s a plus, huh?

And, oh God just kill me now, perhaps our third nominee…

                                                                              Buy mah book!

Ex-Governor Goofball.  Ex-Governor Jesse Ventura.  He’d run as an independent.  He’d probably try to run on the “I’m Awesome,” ticket if he could.  Here’s ex-Governor Goofball’s logic, “"But if I do, rest assured, I will go out there with revolution on my mind, like my book says. I will be the biggest pain in the ass they have ever had on the Senate floor.” (Buy mah book!)  That is true, Jesse, you are a huge pain in the ass.  I shouldn’t really refer to him as Jesse, however, because  he was "offended" when Sen. Coleman referred to him as "Jesse" rather than "governor."

"I think people within the business should refer to me with the proper respect. The point is I was the governor, and I would expect them to give me the proper title."  (which would be ex-Governor Goofball, because that’s what EVERYONE in Minnesota calls you Jesse).

Now, ex-Governor Goofball apparently has been popping up in the media quite frequently as of late spouting off his brand of crazy to anyone who’ll listen including some wine magazine where he first started hinting at running for office.  He’s been on a tour promoting his new book (buy mah book!), and I guess since no one noticed or cared, he started rambling on about throwing his feather boa into the political ring.  Jesse apparently wants to start a revolution (and we shouldn’t start one without him.  Buy mah book!), and he’ll begin by starting it in his own backyard here in Minnesota. 

Jesse thinks that voters should be offered the choice of “none of the above” on election ballots.  Okay, idiot boy, let’s just say per adventure that everyone in the state chooses that option…or a percentage of Minnesotans choose that option so that “none of the above” wins an election.  Who runs that particular office then you big turd burger?  Do we take turns?  Do we have celebrity stand-ins?  What the hell is your point with “none of the above” on an election ballot.  God, body glitter has rotted his brain.

Jesse hates the press a lot, a lot, a lot which is why if he runs which he’s not telling us, but (buy mah book!) he has suggested term limits on…REPORTERS!  What?  Okay, listen you wing-nut, if you are an elected official, we, the general public, have a right to ask you to explain yourself and let us know what’s going on.  We have this little thing we call…”the news.”  There are these people who will go around and talk to people and then go back and either film it and put it on the magic box for us to see or for us fancy learnin’ types, will write it all down and put it in a newspaper for us to read.  Those people that do that are called …”reporters.”  You can’t limit their terms idiot.  It just doesn’t make sense to me at all.

Oh wait.  It gets better.

“If the people are lemmings and don't give a damn, why should I? You know, I got another life to lead. I don't have to do this. You know, that is the dilemma I face. Do I want to leave the life I am leading now to change it and go do this?"

First of all, don’t insult the people who may vote for you.  Second, I don’t give a damn either.  Lead your other life and please leave us alone.  Go chase kids off your lawn with your massive muscle-y arm guns and yell how you were a Navy Seal, only not really. 

 

I do believe here in the great state of Minnesota that we mean well.  We are intelligent in this state and cultured somewhat.  We’re more than just Prince (although you couldn’t pry that little purple talent ball out of this state with a crowbar.  He really, really loves it here.  He works here.  He lives here year round, and I swear to God not too long ago, he even had a garage sale at his purple mansion.  Trufax).  I just think that sometimes we get distracted by shiny things…

           Buy mah book Mr. T!

By pretty things…

Oh hai James Woods.  No?  Eric Roberts?  No?  Oh, hai Senator Coleman.

And by silly things…

     Seriously? 

So, start hurling your insults at us now. 

Sources Cited:

http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/24195449.html?location_refer=Most%20Viewed:U.S.%20Senate

http://www.slate.com/id/2194926/

http://www.wilshireandwashington.com/2008/07/a-new-hurdle-fo.html