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Happy Holidays, peeps. [Dec. 25th, 2009|05:08 pm]

jhg812
[Tags|, , , ]
[mood | cynical]

  • Climate talks end with eye on next year.
    Honestly, I'm really, really disappointed. More than 190 world leaders came together, and all they have to show for two weeks of deliberation is a document equal in likelihood of execution as one of those "class rules" posters present in elementary school classrooms. What the fuck is wrong with people? If things continue like this, fifty years from now, as the environment collapses around us and people die, we're going to say, "We told you so." This cannot be our fate.
  • Even though an asshole senator called on God to not let the bills pass, the Senate finally passed the health care bill!! There are several discrepancies with the House bill, but once those are resolved, including the possible covering of abortion under the auspices of the program, Obama will pass it into law. This could be big!
  • Brittany Murphy, 32, dies of cardiac arrest. …That was a real shocker. If it wasn't drugs or an eating disorder, it was a pre-existing condition. I MISS MY TAI FROM CLUELESS!
  • Alyssa Milano spoofs Jersey Shore à la the Dove "Evolution" commercials, claiming that the show stereotypes Italian Americans, which I completely agree with. Also, New Jersey isn't like that, by the way, but we all know that already.
  • The Gospel of Glee: Is It Anti-Christian? Aw, Christ. Here's my slant on this: the characters on the show all started out as mere stereotypes; one of which was the über-devout head of the Celibacy Club, cheerleader Quinn—the whitest WASP in all the land (even though the actress who plays her is Jewish). But once she got knocked up illegitimately in a drunken sexing, and then decided to secretly keep the child, she got some depth and gradually let go of the cattiness. Her parents, the highly conservative, Glenn-Beck-loving Fabrays, reacted just as one would expect. Yes, the writers were stereotyping, but I think the message is to all parents, actually, not to act like this.
  • First Jesus-era house discovered in Nazareth. And speaking of whom, should Pius XII become a saint? Lots of Jews don't think so because of his inactivity during the Holocaust. Also, Polish police recently retrieved the damaged Auschwitz gate sign.

    UP IN THE AIR:
    A good film. It'll win the Golden Globe and the Oscar for Best Film, though it doesn't at all deserve it. Precious does. So, once again, my favorite won't win. The winners since 2000 have been Slumdog Millionaire, No Country for Old Men, The Departed, Crash, Million Dollar Baby, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Chicago, A Beautiful Mind, Gladiator, and American Beauty.
    My picks are: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Atonement, Little Miss Sunshine, Crash, Million Dollar Baby, In America, The Hours, Moulin Rouge!, Chocolat, and American Beauty.
    I really want to see The Lovely Bones and Avatar. My mom won't go to either because she doesn't like sci-fi and can't stand murder suspense films. :(

    Just before we saw Up in the Air, my mom was telling me about her new therapist. Apparently, this therapist was a little confused about my I had such a bad relationship with my father, so my mother told her (?) everything that he did to me in the past year. My mom's therapist's response: "That's horrible."
    That really touched me. Someone who doesn't know me agrees. I really feel justified now.

    ( Glee ramblings )


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    Decline and Fall 2009 [Dec. 23rd, 2009|03:41 pm]

    etonne
    [music |Louisiana 1927 by randy newman]

    Here is my mix for the Fall! I think it's my best in at least two years.

    1. "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters (Holy Ghost Remix)" by MGMT, from the "Of Moons, Birds & Monsters" single (2009).
    2. "C Is The Heavenly Option" by Heavenly (featuring Calvin Johnson), from the album Le Jardin de Heavenly (1992).
    3. "Hurry Locomotive" by Sophie Madeleine, from the album Love. Life. Ukulele. (2009).
    4. "The Great Hall" by Henry Threadgill, from the tribute album Lost in the Stars: The Music of Kurt Weill (1985).
    5. "Waiting For The Sun To Go Down" by Channel 3, from the EP Airborne (1984).
    6. "Nothing But Clues" by The Elephants, from the album Take It! (2009).
    7. "Grandpa's Spells" by Jelly Roll Morton, from the box set The Ultimate Jazz Archive, set 2, disc 1 (recorded 1926).
    8. "Ce Jeu" by Yelle, from the album Pop-Up (2007).
    9. "Beneath a Crozet Trestle Bridge" by Paul Curreri and Devon Sproule, from the album Songs for Devon Sproule (2003).
    10. "Zombies Everywhere" by Karate High School, from the album Invaders (2009).
    11. "Talk Over" by Cabaret Voltaire, from the compilation album The Living Legends (recorded 1978).
    12. "I've Got To Use My Imagination" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, from the soundtrack album Forrest Gump (recorded 1973).
    13. "Vivian Leigh's Veins" by Kaki King, from the EP Mexican Teenagers (2009).
    14. "Amscray" by Daedelus, from the album A Gent Agent (2004).
    15. "Jump N' Shout" by Basement Jaxx, from the album Remedy (1999).
    16. "Tchegniba" by Kandia Kouyate, from the album Biriko (2002).
    17. "Sonho Dourado" by Daniel Lanois, from the soundtrack album Friday Night Lights (2004).
    18. "Louisiana 1927" by Randy Newman, from the compilation album Lonely at the Top: The Best of Randy Newman (recorded 1974).
    19. "That's The Way It Is With Me" by Barbara Stephens, from the box set The Complete Stax/Volt Singles: 1959-1968 Disc 1 (recorded 1962).
    20. "When We Refuse to Suffer" by Jonathan Richman, from the album Because Her Beauty is Raw and Wild (2008).
    21. "Grace Kelly" by Mika, from the single "Grace Kelly" (2007).

    Interested?
    Then download it.

    ( Read more... )
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    I guess I'm feeling unsure as to how to end the year [Dec. 22nd, 2009|01:24 am]

    arc_en_ciel_lj
    [Current Location |Dining Room Table, Maplewood]
    [mood | sore]
    [music |playlist of anti-sad songs]

    ( End of Year Quiz Things That I Never Do Normally )
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    Seventh night of Hanukkah [Dec. 18th, 2009|11:25 pm]

    jhg812
    [Tags|, , , , , ]

    LINKSPAM
    CLIMATE
  • US-China showdown looms over climate talks. Yikes! Can't we all just get along? (By which I mean, "reduce greenhouse gases and be happy.") I agree that the U.S. has indeed been "backsliding" on its tentative anti-greenhouse gases resolution, but China hasn't exactly been a gold tooth in a mouth full of decay, as Ms. J would say.
  • Gore: Polar ice may vanish in 5-7 years. Aw, fuck me hard. I'm just going to focus on the "may" and not the "vanish" for as long as I can. Gore is a benevolent force of nature. I wish people would just listen to him already!
  • Top Five Issues at the Copenhagen Climate Conference Ha, it's an alliteration. So…funny…
  • Obama promotes home energy efficiency program. President Barack Obama said Tuesday that home insulation "is sexy." Uh…*laughs uncomfortably*…I guess this is what happens when we get a president from a non-ancient generation. But the underlying message is a positive, relatable one.
  • Climate talks deadlocked as clashes erupt outside. Aw, fuck. Why?!
  • GOP's global warming rumble: Sarah Palin v. Arnold Schwarzenegger. *headdesk* *headdesk* *headdesk*
  • Obama reaches climate deal with emerging powers. That's a step…
  • Obama: 'Meaningful breakthrough' reached at talks.
  • Storm warnings as snow bears down on mid-Atlantic. I'm excited!

    SOCIETY/CULTURE
  • Neo-Nazi Protest Stuns Connecticut Menorah Lighting. Uh…wow. How the hell are these people still around? I mean, yes, American History X had contemporary bases, but…whoa.
  • Health authorities open brothels to male prostitutes. I'm pro-prostitution, as weird as that sounds. I mean that I'm pro-legalization, so prostitutes will get cared for and tested for diseases and stuff. Yay for breaking the gender barrier!
  • Harassment across Arab world drives women inside. Lots about sexual harrassment. Very good read.
  • White Americans' majority to end by mid-century. Interesting. Soon we'll all be bilingual!
  • Monument lifted from Cleopatra's underwater city.
  • Kwanzaa celebrations continue, but boom is over. No! Now we can't have Chrismahanukkwanzaakah!
  • Twiggy's Photoshopped Olay ads banned in England.
  • Image of ultra-thin Ralph Lauren model sparks outrage.
  • Demi Moore defends her W cover photo, says photoshop was not used.
  • Unpacking the 'Alice in Wonderland' Trailer.
  • Thieves steal Auschwitz 'Work Sets You Free' sign.
  • Haredim dub women Western Wall worshippers 'Nazis'.

    GLEE
  • Lea Michele's 'Glee'-ful awakening
  • Love to hate or just hate? 'Glee' star Jessalyn Gilsig. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of the character, but I think the actress does a good job.

    THE GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS WERE ANNOUNCED!!
    Here are the highlights:
    Best Motion Picture - Drama
    Avatar (2009) I need to see this.
    The Hurt Locker (2008)
    Inglourious Basterds (2009) I need to see this.
    Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire (2009) YAY!!!
    Up in the Air (2009/I) I need to see this.

    Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
    (500) Days of Summer (2009) YAY!!!
    The Hangover (2009) YAY!!!
    It's Complicated (2009)
    Julie & Julia (2009)
    Nine (2009) I need to see this.
    ( Read more... )

    Tuesday started off with a bang and a crash, so to speak. Well, actually neither. Apparently, last night a group of students took a table and four chairs from the MPR in our dorm and stuck them right in the marshy, muddy center of the field right outside. As one of the house fellow interns, I thought it was my duty to bring the furniture back in. And after skidding and falling on my side in the winterly mud, I managed (with the help of two freshmen) to get the slightly mucky table and chairs back inside.
    I texted Hannah, our lovely house president, to let her know what was up with the furniture — she was the one who first alerted the house via e-mail about the situation. When she arrived at the dorm, she seemed a little pissed; it was Buildings and Grounds Services that was supposed to take care of it, not I. She was planning on ordering the students who did the deed in the first place (who they are, I don't know) to take the stuff back in. But I did it, not knowing any of this (and not having asked her beforehand), and she was irked that now she had to take care of it. Magically-appearing-Miguelito and I helped her bring the table and chairs back to their original resting place and clean them off. But now I think she's mad at me. Will it last? Probably not. But…MEH!
    I hate it when I piss people off, and even though Hannah's my friend, my often rash actions tend to clash with her slightly iron-fisted nature when it comes to to the dorm.

    For Hanukkah, I've gotten three bags of GODIVA! Hanukkah gelt from my mom and a George Eliot book from my "auntie" Fran. It doesn't feel like Hanukkah yet, even though I did light candles tonight, mostly because I'm not home. But at least I'll be back for the last two nights.
    And speaking of Jew-land, I haven't spoken to my father since my play. That's almost a month. And I still haven't returned his message from last Sunday. I don't want to talk to him, but he's unaware that anything's wrong. My mom says repeatedly that I should make a relationship with him on my own terms; however, such a relationship doesn't exist.
    I was thinking of e-mailing him and telling him what's up. By which I mean, "letting him have it." Hmm…

    I had my Native American Studies final yesterday. It went a bit better than I'd expected; we had to identify the authors, titles, and arguments of a number of the readings we've done this semester and then write an essay (for the latter of which we were allowed to bring index cards). I was up till 1:30 AM studying, but mostly because I was stressing out and I went to my friend Stephanie's room for two hours to calm down.
    But the test went well. I was able to identify six of eight readings (the required amount) and three of six terms (one fewer than the required amount; I bullshitted the fourth). And the essay was easy. So, YES.

    BROTHERS:
    This was a satisfying and realistic film. However, there were glaring problems with the script for which the superb acting (especially on Tobey Maguire's part) and the hawtness of Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal couldn't make up.
    ( My opinions (HERE BE SPOILERS) )


    ( Read more... )

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    (no subject) [Dec. 14th, 2009|06:32 pm]

    jhg812
    [Tags|, , , , ]

  • Taylor Lautner's Men's Health cover repeats a fuckload of article titles from Jason Statham's 2007 issue.
    It took this long for people to realize that Men's Health recycles its covers? DUH.
  • Thinkbeforeyouspeak.com
    This is…actually a really good thing.
  • Guy-Who-Knocked-Up-Palin's-Daughter says there are no gays in Wasilla, AK. Apparently, there are.
    Why do these people (by which I mean, Palin & company) get any attention?
  • Gizmodo.com enumerates the ten new pieces of technology that we should have gotten this past century, but didn't.
    *headdesk* *headdesk* *headdesk*
  • This.
    *chuckles a little, then headdesk again*
  • Major makeover of Wall Street regulations passed by House of Representatives.
    Uh…wow. I hope that's a good thing.
  • Tough bargaining still ahead at Copenhagen climate talks
    Yes, but at least the U.S. will sign this treaty; it won't be like Kyoto.
  • Glee producers will somehow please fans during four-month gap.
    THEY'D. FUCKING. BETTER.
  • The New York Times includes a page in its holiday buying section about "gifts created for and by people of color."
    Is that whiplash I hear?
  • Gigundo Antarctic iceberg threatens Australia's shipping industry, or some shit like that.
    The calm before the storm, perhaps.
  • Antarctic nations consider new controls on ships
    *twiddles thumbs*
  • Find out the real ages of actors playing high schoolers in shows on FOX, the CW, et cetera!
    I love Glee, but, yeah, the age thing is a bit of an issue for me.
  • The ten dumbest green gadgets.
    Yeah, these are kind of stupid.
  • More feds get six-figure salaries
    *headdesk*
  • Roadblocks in climate change prevention
    You see, there's a scale here. On one side, the economy. On the other, the entire fucking planet. Pick one and get back to me.
  • Obama will set a troop withdrawal deadline from Afghanistan.
    Now that's progress.
  • Glee is in talks with Idina Menzel for a guest starring role.
    I hope she gets it. Oh god, I hope she gets it!
  • Idina Menzel to appear on Glee
    …I guess she got it.
  • Idina Menzel wants to play Lea Michele's birth mother
    *staggers a little, then faints*
  • Houston, TX elects first openly gay mayor.
    Yay!!
  • Jennifer Morrison, of House fame, will appear on Broadway.
    I miss her on House so much…
  • Morgan Freeman is badass.
    Uh, duh.
  • Senate sends $1.1 trillion spending bill to Obama
    Hey, more money for health and education. I like.
  • Catalonia wants to secede from Spain.
    Uh…wow. No puedo creérlo.
  • Gov.-elect Chris Christie puts future of liquid natural gas terminal off Rockaways in doubt.
    As an environmentalist, I'm…well, pleasantly shocked. My opinion of him hasn't significantly changed, though.
  • Sex Sells: The Cosmo-fication Of Women's Health
    Apparently, the magazine is turning into Cosmopolitan.
  • Female Genital Mutilation Banned In Uganda
    AT LAST! AT LAST! SWEET JESUS, AT LAST!

    The following is a survey I had to fill out for Vassar about a month ago. I have a few issues about it, but I want to hear your opinions first.
    ( Read more... )
    Anyone think it's slightly absurd?

    Today, I had a French final exam, a final drama performance, and a final drama paper. French was fairly easy, but very long; I was not happy. I managed to finish within the allotted two-hour period, but apparently, lots of other students weren't as lucky.
    Voici an excerpt of the e-mail our teacher sent this afternoon after the exam:
    Dear students of 206:
    This regards the final exam, which most of you were still working when the clock struck 11am. I am aware that some of you didn't complete all parts of the exam. Others completed all parts but may not have proofread one or more parts of it.
    All of you are most welcome to come see me after winter break, to go over your exam and I'll be able to explain to you by then how I arrived at the grade.

    Best wishes,
    Mme Hart

    I'm sure I did fine, so I'm not going to go over the test. But Professor Hart really riled the majority of kids in my French class, so I'm sure that the collective opinion of her fell even lower than it was. *bites lip*
    For our final drama project, my group had to perform a medieval play. Which we did; it was about the nativity and three shepherds. The play was horrible, so we just played up its funny aspects. Rehearsals were a nightmare—we didn't get into the performance space until yesterday, people got the time wrong, and it was cold and rainy. But the performance went really well, I think.
    There's just one more final left: Native American Studies. And that's an exam, and…ew. So I'm organizing a study group that meets tonight. We'll create a study guide, and it'll be totally awesome.

    Oh, and um…
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