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Monday, August 9, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Natasha brings Burlesque to Tokyo models... That's my girl!!
My friend, Natasha, taking burlesque to Tokyo.
BRAVO!!!
Nothing comes without a price...you better decide how much you're willing to lose
Nothing comes without a price. So before you go into battle you better decide how much you're willing to lose. #TLS
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Judge overturns California's ban on same-sex marriage
IT IS ABOUT TIME... Au Revoir PROP 8!!!
While this is a news story that certainly merits national attention, I must say that, living in West Hollywood these last years, I see this as much more than a Judicial step in the right direction... When this right was taken away by conservative voters on election day, the celebration and optimism generated from the progressive change-the realization of the breaking of one proverbial glass ceiling-in the election of Barack Obama was tainted for those in living West Hollywood, as we watched another such ceiling, seemingly broken, replaced by an iron cellar door and bolted shut. It was a day that Dickens should have lived to see for it was truly "the best of times, it was the worst of times"...
I recall, vividly, last summer, having one of many arguments with my father about the rights and wrongs of the world. On this day, I remember growing angry with my father because he was, as usual, full of criticism yet there were no actions other than ranting at me being taken on his part to correct the cited injustices. I argued that, while I agreed with his sentiments, he had no right to criticize the actions of others when he refused to take any, himself. "What would you have me do about it? Write letters? One person will not make a difference. I'm not dumb enough to waste my time..." my father argued. I rolled my eyes and told him that his cynicism/old age were guaranteed not to help anything. He informed me of how naive I was to think there was anything that I could do or he could do. His evidence was what makes that day stand out in my mind: "People do not care. There will be no change because people will not fight. Nobody cares!" For a moment, I sat, stunned. Then, I grew angry. Why? Because my mind went immediately to the marches and protests and rallies that were taking place consistently in Hollywood and West Hollywood. I had participated in some and, when you live in that area and Hollywood Boulevard is closed for a protest, whether you want to participate or not, YOU DO. You sit in traffic, or, if you can, avoid driving. While the people of Los Angeles are no strangers to traffic, they (we) are also not fans... This was the ONE cause of horrific traffic that I can think of that NO ONE complained about. There was an injustice being done and people were trying to correct it so, if it caused some extra traffic and inconvenience, so be it. Doing what is right is rarely convenient. Yet the people in the community did just that: fought tirelessly, with no end in sight, against what we knew to be wrong and yet it seemed it would never change. Another thing I must mention is that these protests/rallies/whatever you want to call them were massive. West Hollywood IS a city with a large gay community. However, these demonstrations were much bigger. People from all walks of life, races, social circles AND sexual orientations joined together and, by doing so, repeatedly said 'WE WANT THE JUSTICE FOR ALL THAT IS PROMISED TO US BY THIS GREAT COUNTRY AND, UNTIL JUSTICE IS DONE, WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN. WE STAND TOGETHER TO SAY THAT WRONG IS WRONG, NO MATTER WHO IS IMPACTED.' You see, we had a choice to make: either stand by and, in doing so, silently support the injustice being done OR take a stand for what we believe is right.
The monumental decision handed down today is one that I am certain was rendered based on numerous variables, weighing significantly more than those protests held in Hollywood. Nevertheless, as I read this story, I could not help but think of my father and, with a smile on my face, I found myself say out loud, "You are wrong, Dad. People DO care." And I can't help but think, or hope, that, in SOME way, it DOES make a difference.
To everyone, everywhere, who has fought what seemed to be a losing battle, this victory is shared with you.
JUDGE OVERTURNS CALIFORNIA'S BAN ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE (via cnn.com)
(CNN) -- A federal judge in California on Wednesday struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage, ruling that voter-approved Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution -- handing supporters of gay rights a major victory in a case that both sides say is sure to wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The 136-page opinion, issued by Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco, is an initial step in what will likely be a lengthy fight over California's Proposition 8, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
At stake in the trial was whether California's ban on same-sex marriage violates gay couples' rights to equal protection and due process, as protected by the U.S. Constitution.
The high-profile case is being watched closely by both supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, as many say it is destined to make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. If it does, the case could result in a landmark decision on whether people in the United States are allowed to marry people of the same sex.
Video: 'Today we eliminate discrimination'
Video: 'This is just the first document'
Video: Same-sex marriage ban overturnedSame-sex marriage is currently legal in five U.S. states and in the District of Columbia, while civil unions are permitted in New Jersey. The five states are Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Iowa and New Hampshire.
"Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples," Walker, who was appointed to the federal bench by former President Ronald Reagan, wrote in his opinion.
"Race restrictions on marital partners were once common in most states but are now seen as archaic, shameful or even bizarre," he added. "Gender no longer forms an essential part of marriage; marriage under law is a union of equals."
In a separate order, Walker also granted supporters of Proposition 8 a temporary stay, which stops his decision from taking immediate effect. They had argued, prior to his ruling, that same-sex marriages would be performed soon after his decision and could be complicated by rulings and appeals farther down the legal road.
RELATED TOPICS
Walker gave both sides in the case until Friday to submit their responses to the order.
Elated supporters of same-sex marriage gathered to celebrate the judge's opinion in the Castro district of San Francisco. After speeches and songs, they began a march to city hall. People waved rainbow flags and U.S. flags, and carried signs that read, "We all deserve the freedom to marry," and "Separate is Unequal." Similar rallies unfolded in cities across California -- including Los Angeles and San Diego.
"For our entire lives, our government and the law have treated us as unequal. This decision to ensure that our constitutional rights are as protected as everyone else's makes us incredibly proud of our country," said Kristin Perry, a plaintiff.
Perry and Sandy Stier, along with Jeffrey Zarrillo and Paul Katami, are the two couples at the heart of the case, which if appealed would go next to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before possibly heading to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Opponents of same-sex marriage have said their best bet lies with higher courts and vowed to appeal the federal judge's ruling.
In a national survey, conducted by Gallup in May, 53 percent of respondents said same-sex marriages should not be recognized by law, while 44 percent said they should.
Proposition 8 is part of a long line of seesaw rulings, court cases, debates and protests over the controversial issue of same-sex marriage. It passed in California with some 52 percent of the vote in November 2008.
"Big surprise! We expected nothing different from Judge Vaughn Walker, after the biased way he conducted this trial," said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage. "With a stroke of his pen, Judge Walker has overruled the votes and values of 7 million Californians who voted for marriage as one man and one woman."
Thursday, July 29, 2010
And now we interrupt this program... FOR A SERIOUS MOMENT
 The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge 2010 |
Seriously???
YES.
I'll be the first to say that the times when I am serious about something (other than business...) on this blog AND in my "REAL LIFE" are definitely few and far between. However, this is one of those times to please take a moment to read this and help if you can...
One of my friends from home, Chris, is going to be riding 163 miles in the Pan Mass Challenge to benefit cancer research.
Image by doughaslam via FlickrLet me say that again: ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THREE MILES.
In my opinion, THAT definitely qualifies as SERIOUS. Through my job and general interest in charity and "giving back", I am frequently approached for help and, if I can, I give my time or money (usually people ask for one of the two) but ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THREE MILES??? I'm still trying to wrap my head around that. Christopher, on the other hand, is DOING it. It is hard to comprehend the dedication and preparation on the part of someone participating in this event.
Truth be told, when I first read his email, I thought there was a typo... "163 miles??? No way...". So I clicked on the link he sent and, sure enough, he is doing all of this for a cause he is "seriously" dedicated to. He is doing all of the work. He is just asking for people to give him a little support. While I am moved by all of the charities I am involved with, Chris's request stands out in my mind, probably because he is not asking for money for a charity, he is asking for support so that HE can ride 163 miles to earn money for cancer research. Now, I am asking you all to support him as well. I'm including links to his Facebook group, his rider profile on the PMC site and some info below about the PMC, along with a message from Chris.
People, SERIOUSLY, this is an easy one... Support him in any way you can and help him be a shining example of what one person can do to help fight cancer.
Christopher's Facebook group: click here
Christopher's profile page: click here
Also, check out the site for the PMC 2010 HERE
Just in case, here is the basic info promised below. Now there is no excuse. Do something.
Please...
Thank you =)
Christopher's message:
"I am riding 163 Miles in the Pan Mass Challenge for cancer research. 100% of donations go to support the Jimmy Fund and to date, the PMC has raised $270 million that has been used to improve the lives of those suffering with cancer. It is the largest single contributor to the Jimmy Fund, bringing in nearly 50 percent of its annual revenue. Please support me in this challenge and donate to a great cause!
http://www.pmc.org/profile/CS0240
Thank you in advance for your support. It means a lot to me.
Thank you in advance for your support. It means a lot to me.
Chris"
Basic information on the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge:
The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, presented by the Boston Red Sox Foundation and Overstock.com, is the nation’s original fundraising bike-a-thon and today raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. The PMC is a model of fundraising efficiency. Since 2007, the PMC has donated 100% of every rider-raised dollar directly to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. The PMC is so well-known in cycling and fundraising circles that each year people travel from around the world to participate. The camaraderie shared by riders, volunteers, and supporters is among the PMC's greatest attributes. Doctors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute join their patients as teammates, riding for a unified goal. Over 200 PMC riders are cancer survivors. Thousands of riders and volunteers have lost loved ones to the disease. Still more ride in honor of those in treatment.
The PMC has contributed $270 million to lifesaving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since its 1980 inception. For more facts and figures, click the link to our PMC Fact Sheet.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
How to Smuggle... alcohol???
Yes, alcohol.
One thing people most people don't know about me is my addiction to finding random products online. Some of these have turned into lucrative business ideas. Most of them are purely entertaining. Either way, on top my addiction to reading tech blogs, I subscribe to TOO MANY sites that fill my need for consumer product knowledge: the good, the bad, and the totally insane.
Today, as I began my morning sorting through new info in my various RSS feeds, I came across this GEM of a product:
As I searched for the site of the manufacturer of this product, I came across THIS site, or, specifically, this post:
Now, I am nostalgic for the days when I was stuck smuggling tiny bottles of vodka into 'Canes games in my VERY HANDY Prada satchel... That thing might as well have had a false bottom because it's compartments were plentiful and confusing enough to stump event security every time. On that note, I encourage you to use the innovate products that have resulted from a clear demand in this market but just KNOW that these are the EASY WAY OUT... or in... I had to do things the hard way ;)
P.S. See the product below (and included link to purchase) to the right for disguising your public drinking... I know SEVERAL of my college friends who could have saved themselves from unfortunate encounters with the ATF and local police while drinking in the good old student section...
One thing people most people don't know about me is my addiction to finding random products online. Some of these have turned into lucrative business ideas. Most of them are purely entertaining. Either way, on top my addiction to reading tech blogs, I subscribe to TOO MANY sites that fill my need for consumer product knowledge: the good, the bad, and the totally insane.
Today, as I began my morning sorting through new info in my various RSS feeds, I came across this GEM of a product:
 |
| SIPPIN' SEAT FLASK |
As I searched for the site of the manufacturer of this product, I came across THIS site, or, specifically, this post:
Top Products For Smuggling Alcohol Into Venues You’re Not Supposed To
(Just click on the link above... I PROMISE you won't be disappointed...)
Now, I am nostalgic for the days when I was stuck smuggling tiny bottles of vodka into 'Canes games in my VERY HANDY Prada satchel... That thing might as well have had a false bottom because it's compartments were plentiful and confusing enough to stump event security every time. On that note, I encourage you to use the innovate products that have resulted from a clear demand in this market but just KNOW that these are the EASY WAY OUT... or in... I had to do things the hard way ;)
P.S. See the product below (and included link to purchase) to the right for disguising your public drinking... I know SEVERAL of my college friends who could have saved themselves from unfortunate encounters with the ATF and local police while drinking in the good old student section...
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
My Key To Procrastination: Pointless Entertainment ;)
... and, preferably this pointless entertainment will include someone who is wasting more time than I am...
---> Enter the guy in this video!!! Give it a minute and you'll see some VERY impressive beer pong skills that he must have wasted an enormous amount of time perfecting...
ENJOY!!
---> Enter the guy in this video!!! Give it a minute and you'll see some VERY impressive beer pong skills that he must have wasted an enormous amount of time perfecting...
ENJOY!!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
You think YOUR Ex is crazy?
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Frighteningly Funny!!!
I'm guessing that, at some point, you have dated someone and, by the time it was over, all you could think is "(Name) is PSYCHO!!!". I know that I have. In fact, I tend to attract more of them than most people. Recently, I have been much better at spotting them and have, much better luck in love but I still consider myself to be an expert the ex-boyfriends that fall into either the "psycho" or "Has SERIOUS issues" (basically, the tortured bad boys). This wealth of experience was the basis for which I USED to feel pretty confident when someone would say "My ex is psycho" and I would respond "I promise, I've had worse"... That is until I read this...
Monday, March 22, 2010
HAPPY MONDAY MORNING!!!
Top 10: Epic Facebook Fails
On 10.25.09, In Odd News, by Kurt Geiger
As Facebook has become the world’s dedicated social network mistakes and fails are unavoidable.
Update: Most Recent Facebook Fails
Another heart-felt daughter-father conversation about Americans cars. (click here to enlarge)
Buisy like a bee! (click here to enlarge)
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Irony Of Love
THE IRONY OF LOVE
The greatest irony of love;
loving the right person at the wrong time,
having the wrong person when the time is right
and finding out you love someone right after
that person walks out of your life...
and sometimes, you think you're already over a person,
but when you see them smile at you,
you'll suddenly realize that you're just pretending
to be over them just to ease the pain of knowing that
they will never be yours again...
for some, they think that letting go is one way
of expressing how much they love that person...
in my opinion, some are afraid to see the one they love
being held by someone else...
most relationships tend to fail not because
the absence of love. love is always present.
it's just that one was being loved too much and the
other was being loved too little...
as we all know that the heart is the center of the body
but it beats on the left. maybe that's the reason
why the heart is not always right...
most often we fall in love with the person we think we love
but to only discover that for them
we are just for passing time. while the one who truly
loves us remains either a friend or a stranger...
so here's a piece of advice;
let go when you're hurting too much.
give up when love isn't enough.
and move on when things are not like before...
For sure there is someone out there
who will love you even more...
loving the right person at the wrong time,
having the wrong person when the time is right
and finding out you love someone right after
that person walks out of your life...
and sometimes, you think you're already over a person,
but when you see them smile at you,
you'll suddenly realize that you're just pretending
to be over them just to ease the pain of knowing that
they will never be yours again...
for some, they think that letting go is one way
of expressing how much they love that person...
in my opinion, some are afraid to see the one they love
being held by someone else...
most relationships tend to fail not because
the absence of love. love is always present.
it's just that one was being loved too much and the
other was being loved too little...
as we all know that the heart is the center of the body
but it beats on the left. maybe that's the reason
why the heart is not always right...
most often we fall in love with the person we think we love
but to only discover that for them
we are just for passing time. while the one who truly
loves us remains either a friend or a stranger...
so here's a piece of advice;
let go when you're hurting too much.
give up when love isn't enough.
and move on when things are not like before...
For sure there is someone out there
who will love you even more...
Love this song: So Small By Carrie Underwood
Today is the first time I really listened to the lyrics in this song and I absolutely LOVE them. Enjoy :)
So Small
Songwriters: Underwood, Carrie; Laird, Luke; Lindsey, Hillary;
Songwriters: Underwood, Carrie; Laird, Luke; Lindsey, Hillary;
What you got if you ain't got love?
The kind that you just wanna give away
It's okay to open up
Go ahead and let the light shine through
I know it's hard on a rainy day
You wanna shut the world out
And just be left alone
But don't run out on your faith
'Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
And when you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small
It's so easy to get lost inside
A problem that seems so big at the time
It's like a river that's so wide
It swallows you whole
While you're sitting around thinking 'bout what you can't change
And worrying about all the wrong things
Time's flying by, moving so fast
You better make it count 'cause you can't get it back
Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
Oh, and when you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small!
Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
And then you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Oh, it sure makes everything else
Seem so small
© BMG SONGS, INC.; LAIRD ROAD MUSIC;
The kind that you just wanna give away
It's okay to open up
Go ahead and let the light shine through
I know it's hard on a rainy day
You wanna shut the world out
And just be left alone
But don't run out on your faith
'Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
And when you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small
It's so easy to get lost inside
A problem that seems so big at the time
It's like a river that's so wide
It swallows you whole
While you're sitting around thinking 'bout what you can't change
And worrying about all the wrong things
Time's flying by, moving so fast
You better make it count 'cause you can't get it back
Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
Oh, and when you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small!
Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing
Is just a grain of sand
And what you've been out there searching for forever
Is in your hands
And then you figure out
Love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Oh, it sure makes everything else
Seem so small
© BMG SONGS, INC.; LAIRD ROAD MUSIC;
Woman Sends Crazy Emails To Vacationing Boyfriend | The Frisky
So, maybe we have all lost control of our tempers at one time or another... And MOST people have had at least one breakup that caused them to act "out of character" for a moment. To everyone who HAS suffered from a brief lapse in judgement as a result of heartache, you will certainly find comfort in this!!!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
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