Day 1 of the shoot. I'm still alive... and you know.... I don't have time to make sure that everything is spelled right, so i'm just going to go and ramble on. PRODUCTION IS CRAZY!!! and I'm really really tired... but hey.. what ev's. You work up really late, get a few hours of sleep and then get up and go back to it...
I've been taking bands out into Singapore and we've been having them do things... and we film them, and I tell our Dp camera operator what to sleep and he moans, because he's british and then I make friends with the band and I try to make everyone feel okay about being a monkey in a cage.... and there are a lot of attractive hardworking girls on this production....
Some random thoughts
Can one be Nononsense and Playful at the same time
Fucking Dallas Cowboys.
Time change is really odd. I think everyone on the east coast is working and I'm going to bed.
It's easy to be mad, but we should aim for calm in the storm.
Family shouldn't work together... I do not care what people think...
27.9.08
The Asian Adventure Part 3: Meetings
Meeting after meeting I go... thinking and thinking... scheduling and scheduling... and here we go...
26.9.08
The Asian Adventure Part 2: Welcome to Singapore
Wow... so many thoughts on this one, but for real... like if In Pirates of the Caribbean 3, had a Disneyfied version of Singapore in the olden days, then THE REAL SINGAPORE is actually completely the Disneyfied version of Asia. It's trippy and surreal. You know when you first visited Epcot Center and was like wow, look at all these foreign countries, gosh I want to go there. Well the city officials at Singapore went to Epic Center and saw all the Asian countries and was like, Wow I want to go there. And then another guy chimed in, hey, why don't we turn our country into that. And all the officials screamed "YEAH!"
But in all seriousness, this place is off the hook (did i really just say that.) and it's really clean, and it doesn't feel foreign at all, except for the fact that every time you get an American dish, it tastes weird, but when you get an Asian dish, it tastes better, and that they drive on the left.
Oh and it is really humid and muggy, but that's okay, nothing wrong with a little sticky. Yesterday, we went Location scouting, and that was really different from Sightseeing, because honestly it's quite weird that you start to look at the city as one giant movie set. You don't see it like "oh wow, this is pretty, I should take a picture of that." no. you see it like "oh wow, that' is awesome, that will make such a great camera angle, and oh look at the composition and look at those girls sitting on those couches, are they chained there, no, no way... oh wait I'm in the red light district. Okay. Wait. Really?"
Laters peeps!
w
But in all seriousness, this place is off the hook (did i really just say that.) and it's really clean, and it doesn't feel foreign at all, except for the fact that every time you get an American dish, it tastes weird, but when you get an Asian dish, it tastes better, and that they drive on the left.
Oh and it is really humid and muggy, but that's okay, nothing wrong with a little sticky. Yesterday, we went Location scouting, and that was really different from Sightseeing, because honestly it's quite weird that you start to look at the city as one giant movie set. You don't see it like "oh wow, this is pretty, I should take a picture of that." no. you see it like "oh wow, that' is awesome, that will make such a great camera angle, and oh look at the composition and look at those girls sitting on those couches, are they chained there, no, no way... oh wait I'm in the red light district. Okay. Wait. Really?"
Laters peeps!
w
24.9.08
East Coast Trip: Part 3. The Andy Wright Experience?
East Coast Trip: The Andy Wright Experience
Friday August 8th.
Michelle and I walked back into her apartment around 9 PM. She was sleepy and I was like what are we going to do? She didn’t know, maybe we’ll just chill out and do nothing. Lounge around the couch. Maybe watch some of the Olympics.
So I get my sleepy mode on. I sit down to check my email. Michelle looks at some stuff. About 15 minutes later:
Michelle – Hey, you know we’re in D.C. and it’s Friday night, shouldn’t we go out and have like one drink.
Will - … (really?)
Michelle – Come on. Don’t be old. You’re not thirty yet!
Will – Did Andy Wright tell you to come out?
Michelle – Yeah, he just texted me.
Will – And he wants us to meet him somewhere?
Michelle – Well, no, not exactly, but he’s at this bar on U Street.
Will – Fine, give me fives minute.
I went into her room, closed the door, and lay down on the floor mat. I needed a moment to restart my computer, in my brain.
But first let me back it up a few hours.
Friday Morning:
Mike and I went to Dunkin Donuts and did a little talking. Talking about the future, talking about doing another ski trip. (I always forget to ask Mike for money from the last one.)
Then Mike took me to the metro station and I was on my way into Washington D.C., one of my favorite places! You know there is a lot going on there, but I swear I never see a lot of people, like I usually do in New York, when I feel swarmed around.
I was reading “Understanding Comics” which is kind of a breakdown of what Comics are and where they come from, and also an argument for it’s consideration as an art form (which it is, I mean really think about it, all the bad, cheeseball comics there are, there are just as many bad paintings or television shows.) But this book was really cool, because it was drawn and told like a comic book, which makes it really easy to understand, and from a visual and storytelling standpoint, it’s really the only way to do it. And it made me feel a lot better about all the comic books I read as a youngling, although really I did for the entertainment/escape value and not art, but hey, no one needs to know that, really.
You get a lot of reading done on the metro.
I arrived at my stop and lugged all my luggage up onto the street. Every time I go back to North Carolina, I always think about how great it would be if I took some of my books back with me, and since I had a little bag space, I was like hey, why not. And then I realized I added about 40 pounds to all my bags. Good thing my book bag can hold a lot of books.
A few minutes later, Michelle drove up and picked me up off the street corner like a, well you know what. (See earlier blog entry for accidental prostitute story.)
Of all my friends, I think Michelle and my relationship is the most familial, brother and sisterly. It’s always important to meet her boyfriends, not to just give them my stamp of approval, but to see if they are treating Michelle well, and see how she’s treating herself. (I’m sure she would do the same for me.) Now I won’t go into the history of Michelle’s boyfriends here on the blog, but I will just say that when Michelle is dating someone they are a very important part of her life. So, I was excited to meet Mr. Andy Wright, her latest boyfriend and I was going to be the last, because everyone else had met the chap. And to be honest, I wasn’t really sure what to make of this guy, because everyone who had met him talked about how he was such a stand up guy. Really stand up guy. Could Andy Wright be as awesome as he was advertised. I wouldn’t find out for hours, because we had the whole day to hang out first.
First order of business, brunch! Hell yeah mofos! I love Brunch with a passion! In fact, I love brunch so much that I’m planning a Brunch Club and accepting applications right now. Well, we went to “The Diner” in a part of town called Adams Morgan, which I have many fond memories of, from my late teens, early twenties, particularly the Coffee Shop “Tryst” which just so happens to be right next to “The Diner.”
Now, I’m not sure if you’ve all met Michelle, but this girl is popular, which isn’t quite the word, maybe “magnet for good feelings and friendliness”. For example, we we’re just chilling, eating, you know and suddenly some guy walks up and is like Michelle, and she does the whole Cheek Kiss with this friend of hers, and I’m like, typical, and they do a little chit chatting before he goes back to his table. It’s like this with her everywhere. You could be in some café in the middle of nowhere and the guy that might have helped her pick out some fruit at the local vegetable store two days ago might walk up and be like “Ah, Michelle! You are so beautiful, let us Cheek Kiss and chit chat for a few moments before we go on with our lives!”
After brunch, we went off in search for a shirt that I might wear to my reunion. And then we ran around the National Gallery of Art, which is phenomenal, and I got to visit my favorite series of paintings; The Voyage of Life by Thomas Cole. I like to see where I fit in every few years. Am I still reaching for the White Castle in the sky or am I maneuvering the rough rapids of adulthood? Depends on the day and the hour.
Afterwards we got to watch Jazz on the Fountain or in the garden, and down a pitcher of Sangria, which was quite good, but I started to get dizzy from the lack of food, so we went on over to this Bookstore Restaurant, which was awesome! (PS. I’m currently on a flight to Singapore, and it’s been over a month since the events took place, so my memory of particular names of places is a little skew.)
And no experience with Michelle is complete until you’ve spent some time watching street performers, this time they were breakdancers and they were quite good.
So we get back to her place and we’re chilling and we’re watching the Olympics and then Andy Wright texts. And here we go…
So an hour later we’re standing in line at this bar/club on U street, and there is a bouncer with a Mister T Mohawk and cowboy boots, and there is the annoying group of people in front of us who can’t make up their damn minds about whether they want to wait, and they start getting snippy with Mohawk Bouncer guy.
15 minutes later we’re inside and I’m walking through the bar meet Andy Wright. All I know about this guy is that he’s tall, white, and has a red beard, I mean what does that even mean. And then I meet him, and he’s tall, and has a reddish beard, and he looks really young, and he looks really nice, and he is REALLY REALLY WHITE. LIKE REALLY WHITE. Which is really funny. I mean I thought DAVE was WHITE. But this guy is super white. And it dawned on me that Rachel was right, this was the kind of guy that she might date. Not that she would ever try to Shark Andy Wright. I mean he absolutely adores Michelles, and seems to be doing pretty cool work as this company that provides first run, ie not used, books to young underprivileged children in the states. He may so put together that I had very little to talk to him about.
We all have a drink and I take Andy and Michelle to their PATHETIC dance floor. I mean it looked like Dwight Schroot was the DJ, and that lasted about 10 minutes, although I always think it’s amazing that when people get really drunk they just stop caring about beats and so if there is music without beats their almost in the perfect place. And you know it’s also funny to see men deal with the fact that when their women are trashed, they like to get freaky and dance up on everyone. It’s interesting watching their boyfriends, they get this look, and its that here we go again look, and then mixed in with their particular reaction, whether that’s resigned, aggressive, or amused.
After the failed dance expirement, we went back to the bar area, and for the next hour, I almost exclusively talked to this girl Zanna.
Let’s chat about Zanna. She was tallish, red headed, freckly, and really beautiful, I think she was like 35. And we hit it off almost instantly. I think we have the same sense of sarcastic humor. The whole, lets push sarcasm and truth to ridiculous levels and see how people react and how fun it can get. Anyway, she was kind of avoiding this massive bouncer named “MOSES”. She had been drunk a few times and he had kissed her a few times and now Moses wanted to go out with her, which can only mean one thing, and I’m not talking about a relationship
Anyway, I gleamed some things off my conversation with Zanna also known as Suzanna Gilbert, it’s kind of like Teal said, and everybody else said, that money and security really do matter to women when looking for someone. This Zanna girl was like 32 maybe and she was now looking for a man from like 35 to 45, okay looking and he needs to make over 150,000 a year, and she’s having a really hard time finding that. Anyway, it was just interesting to see a Woman talk about not looking for love, or a good companion/partner, or sex; she really just wanted security. Crazy, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re 32 and still single. Since most of my female friends are not either, I can’t really ask them for advice, but you know their probably already in love, so their just going to have to deal with how much their beloveds make.
We went back to Michelle’s place. Took a decent length nap and it was time for BRUNCH again. Oh My God, have I mentioned that I love brunch!
Friday August 8th.
Michelle and I walked back into her apartment around 9 PM. She was sleepy and I was like what are we going to do? She didn’t know, maybe we’ll just chill out and do nothing. Lounge around the couch. Maybe watch some of the Olympics.
So I get my sleepy mode on. I sit down to check my email. Michelle looks at some stuff. About 15 minutes later:
Michelle – Hey, you know we’re in D.C. and it’s Friday night, shouldn’t we go out and have like one drink.
Will - … (really?)
Michelle – Come on. Don’t be old. You’re not thirty yet!
Will – Did Andy Wright tell you to come out?
Michelle – Yeah, he just texted me.
Will – And he wants us to meet him somewhere?
Michelle – Well, no, not exactly, but he’s at this bar on U Street.
Will – Fine, give me fives minute.
I went into her room, closed the door, and lay down on the floor mat. I needed a moment to restart my computer, in my brain.
But first let me back it up a few hours.
Friday Morning:
Mike and I went to Dunkin Donuts and did a little talking. Talking about the future, talking about doing another ski trip. (I always forget to ask Mike for money from the last one.)
Then Mike took me to the metro station and I was on my way into Washington D.C., one of my favorite places! You know there is a lot going on there, but I swear I never see a lot of people, like I usually do in New York, when I feel swarmed around.
I was reading “Understanding Comics” which is kind of a breakdown of what Comics are and where they come from, and also an argument for it’s consideration as an art form (which it is, I mean really think about it, all the bad, cheeseball comics there are, there are just as many bad paintings or television shows.) But this book was really cool, because it was drawn and told like a comic book, which makes it really easy to understand, and from a visual and storytelling standpoint, it’s really the only way to do it. And it made me feel a lot better about all the comic books I read as a youngling, although really I did for the entertainment/escape value and not art, but hey, no one needs to know that, really.
You get a lot of reading done on the metro.
I arrived at my stop and lugged all my luggage up onto the street. Every time I go back to North Carolina, I always think about how great it would be if I took some of my books back with me, and since I had a little bag space, I was like hey, why not. And then I realized I added about 40 pounds to all my bags. Good thing my book bag can hold a lot of books.
A few minutes later, Michelle drove up and picked me up off the street corner like a, well you know what. (See earlier blog entry for accidental prostitute story.)
Of all my friends, I think Michelle and my relationship is the most familial, brother and sisterly. It’s always important to meet her boyfriends, not to just give them my stamp of approval, but to see if they are treating Michelle well, and see how she’s treating herself. (I’m sure she would do the same for me.) Now I won’t go into the history of Michelle’s boyfriends here on the blog, but I will just say that when Michelle is dating someone they are a very important part of her life. So, I was excited to meet Mr. Andy Wright, her latest boyfriend and I was going to be the last, because everyone else had met the chap. And to be honest, I wasn’t really sure what to make of this guy, because everyone who had met him talked about how he was such a stand up guy. Really stand up guy. Could Andy Wright be as awesome as he was advertised. I wouldn’t find out for hours, because we had the whole day to hang out first.
First order of business, brunch! Hell yeah mofos! I love Brunch with a passion! In fact, I love brunch so much that I’m planning a Brunch Club and accepting applications right now. Well, we went to “The Diner” in a part of town called Adams Morgan, which I have many fond memories of, from my late teens, early twenties, particularly the Coffee Shop “Tryst” which just so happens to be right next to “The Diner.”
Now, I’m not sure if you’ve all met Michelle, but this girl is popular, which isn’t quite the word, maybe “magnet for good feelings and friendliness”. For example, we we’re just chilling, eating, you know and suddenly some guy walks up and is like Michelle, and she does the whole Cheek Kiss with this friend of hers, and I’m like, typical, and they do a little chit chatting before he goes back to his table. It’s like this with her everywhere. You could be in some café in the middle of nowhere and the guy that might have helped her pick out some fruit at the local vegetable store two days ago might walk up and be like “Ah, Michelle! You are so beautiful, let us Cheek Kiss and chit chat for a few moments before we go on with our lives!”
After brunch, we went off in search for a shirt that I might wear to my reunion. And then we ran around the National Gallery of Art, which is phenomenal, and I got to visit my favorite series of paintings; The Voyage of Life by Thomas Cole. I like to see where I fit in every few years. Am I still reaching for the White Castle in the sky or am I maneuvering the rough rapids of adulthood? Depends on the day and the hour.
Afterwards we got to watch Jazz on the Fountain or in the garden, and down a pitcher of Sangria, which was quite good, but I started to get dizzy from the lack of food, so we went on over to this Bookstore Restaurant, which was awesome! (PS. I’m currently on a flight to Singapore, and it’s been over a month since the events took place, so my memory of particular names of places is a little skew.)
And no experience with Michelle is complete until you’ve spent some time watching street performers, this time they were breakdancers and they were quite good.
So we get back to her place and we’re chilling and we’re watching the Olympics and then Andy Wright texts. And here we go…
So an hour later we’re standing in line at this bar/club on U street, and there is a bouncer with a Mister T Mohawk and cowboy boots, and there is the annoying group of people in front of us who can’t make up their damn minds about whether they want to wait, and they start getting snippy with Mohawk Bouncer guy.
15 minutes later we’re inside and I’m walking through the bar meet Andy Wright. All I know about this guy is that he’s tall, white, and has a red beard, I mean what does that even mean. And then I meet him, and he’s tall, and has a reddish beard, and he looks really young, and he looks really nice, and he is REALLY REALLY WHITE. LIKE REALLY WHITE. Which is really funny. I mean I thought DAVE was WHITE. But this guy is super white. And it dawned on me that Rachel was right, this was the kind of guy that she might date. Not that she would ever try to Shark Andy Wright. I mean he absolutely adores Michelles, and seems to be doing pretty cool work as this company that provides first run, ie not used, books to young underprivileged children in the states. He may so put together that I had very little to talk to him about.
We all have a drink and I take Andy and Michelle to their PATHETIC dance floor. I mean it looked like Dwight Schroot was the DJ, and that lasted about 10 minutes, although I always think it’s amazing that when people get really drunk they just stop caring about beats and so if there is music without beats their almost in the perfect place. And you know it’s also funny to see men deal with the fact that when their women are trashed, they like to get freaky and dance up on everyone. It’s interesting watching their boyfriends, they get this look, and its that here we go again look, and then mixed in with their particular reaction, whether that’s resigned, aggressive, or amused.
After the failed dance expirement, we went back to the bar area, and for the next hour, I almost exclusively talked to this girl Zanna.
Let’s chat about Zanna. She was tallish, red headed, freckly, and really beautiful, I think she was like 35. And we hit it off almost instantly. I think we have the same sense of sarcastic humor. The whole, lets push sarcasm and truth to ridiculous levels and see how people react and how fun it can get. Anyway, she was kind of avoiding this massive bouncer named “MOSES”. She had been drunk a few times and he had kissed her a few times and now Moses wanted to go out with her, which can only mean one thing, and I’m not talking about a relationship
Anyway, I gleamed some things off my conversation with Zanna also known as Suzanna Gilbert, it’s kind of like Teal said, and everybody else said, that money and security really do matter to women when looking for someone. This Zanna girl was like 32 maybe and she was now looking for a man from like 35 to 45, okay looking and he needs to make over 150,000 a year, and she’s having a really hard time finding that. Anyway, it was just interesting to see a Woman talk about not looking for love, or a good companion/partner, or sex; she really just wanted security. Crazy, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re 32 and still single. Since most of my female friends are not either, I can’t really ask them for advice, but you know their probably already in love, so their just going to have to deal with how much their beloveds make.
We went back to Michelle’s place. Took a decent length nap and it was time for BRUNCH again. Oh My God, have I mentioned that I love brunch!
The Asian Adventure Part 1
So, here I was thinking I’d get the chance to take it slightly easy. Take some weeks off, because work at Herzog was really calming down. HAHAHAHAHA That’s funny.
Then I get a call from a friend and she's like why don't you come work for SUTASI.com and field produce, and I'm like I've never field produced before, but hey whatever, and she's like it's in SINGAPORE and I'm like. I'm in. Whatever you need.
So now, I’m on a plane about 5 hours out of Bangkok, BANGKOK! So surreal. There were about 13 of us on the same flight and I just kept flashing back to all those B-Roll tapes we used to go through showing all the film crews getting onto the airplanes and I really thought, my god this is the same thing. So, now instead of being behind the scenes in POST. I’m on the scene in production. SHOOTING. Totally crazy. This is totally crazy. And I’m in over my head, and I don’t really know what I’m doing, but I respond back to myself, sooner then you can to me, that “Well when does he really ever know what he’s doing.” And I don’t know, but I do know me, so I think I’ll be okay. With tons of hard work, a little sleep, and the power of positivity (Wait is that “The Secret”. Shit.)
I’ve been on this project a little over 2 weeks and I can say without a doubt that for the first week I was excited and then as we approached takeoff, I got more and more petrified, which is great because everyone comes up to you and is like, “Man, this is so cool. You’re going to SINGAPORE. You must be so excited!” and I’m all fake smile, drowning in fear. “Yeah, it’s awesome. Really. Really. Awesome.” And with each word it’s like a hammer slamming down on the nail of fate.
Well, fate here I come… what’ve you got for me!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve only gotten four hours of sleep and need to watch an episode of “America’s next top model” for some reality research.
Then I get a call from a friend and she's like why don't you come work for SUTASI.com and field produce, and I'm like I've never field produced before, but hey whatever, and she's like it's in SINGAPORE and I'm like. I'm in. Whatever you need.
So now, I’m on a plane about 5 hours out of Bangkok, BANGKOK! So surreal. There were about 13 of us on the same flight and I just kept flashing back to all those B-Roll tapes we used to go through showing all the film crews getting onto the airplanes and I really thought, my god this is the same thing. So, now instead of being behind the scenes in POST. I’m on the scene in production. SHOOTING. Totally crazy. This is totally crazy. And I’m in over my head, and I don’t really know what I’m doing, but I respond back to myself, sooner then you can to me, that “Well when does he really ever know what he’s doing.” And I don’t know, but I do know me, so I think I’ll be okay. With tons of hard work, a little sleep, and the power of positivity (Wait is that “The Secret”. Shit.)
I’ve been on this project a little over 2 weeks and I can say without a doubt that for the first week I was excited and then as we approached takeoff, I got more and more petrified, which is great because everyone comes up to you and is like, “Man, this is so cool. You’re going to SINGAPORE. You must be so excited!” and I’m all fake smile, drowning in fear. “Yeah, it’s awesome. Really. Really. Awesome.” And with each word it’s like a hammer slamming down on the nail of fate.
Well, fate here I come… what’ve you got for me!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve only gotten four hours of sleep and need to watch an episode of “America’s next top model” for some reality research.
15.9.08
Election '08: 016 - Rachel Edition
And now a special message from Rachel:
" I am not one to care about politics. The gist of this email is Gov. Sarah Palin scares the hell out of me. I don't care how much you like John McCain. He was born August 29, 1936 – he's 72 years old. Next time he's on TV, take a good look, he doesn't look like any spring chicken. If he dies, then we are stuck as Sarah Palin as our commander and chief.
I'm not going to spend the time picking apart ALL the aspects of why she's a horribly evil person. I'm not going to discuss her ridiculous views on the union of church and state or how she doesn't know what the Bush Doctrine is. I'm going to leave those issues for other people to discuss, my main concern is her horrendous environmental policies, or lack there of. Many of you may be questioning how much can one person hurt. I have to things to say: 1. Look at what 8 years with Bush has done to this country and 2. Look at her scary time as governor.
You may think that the environment is the least of our countries' many problems. However, we do not need to make the problem worse by adding her into the equation:
1. First off, Sarah Palin has a problem with listing species as Endangered. As governor, she fought against classifying the polar bear as endangered and does not want other marine mammals (i.e. beluga whales). Her counter-scientific evidence for not listing the polar bears as threatened was acquired by oil company scientists. Let us all ponder how much damage she can do if she cannot only alter one states views, but the whole legislation behind the Endangered Species Act.
2. She is okay with shooting wolves from the air to boost caribou/moose. Once again, her main excuse for this is people not understanding the North Country (Alaska). Well, I hate to break it to her, but she will NOT be making environmental policies for a state with less people (about 700,000) than the city of San Jose, CA (about 900,000). Most places in the world, especially the US have very different environmental problems and lack of resources.
3. She is not completely convinced that global warming is due to anthropogenic causes (human caused). I have a copy of the IPCC summary for policymakers, if you or anyone you know would like a copy. Everyone is in agreement that it's human caused. Think about it as an equation: we add extra carbon (greenhouse gases) into the atmosphere. Last time I checked magic doesn't work and doesn't magically disappear. Therefore, to have an effect on it - we as humans have to change our way of living. It's a cause and effect situation. If you don't believe in the cause, how are you going to work on effecting the situation?
4. She opposed protection of salmon streams from mining operations. The wild caught salmon fishing industry is one of very few sustainable fisheries in the world. Why would you want to aid in the destruction of that?
5. She wants to drill in Alaska and offshore. This is obviously a short term, temporary solution to a long-term problem. I'm not going to even get into all the problems with this. Just note that the return into your pocket by drilling will be minimal. However, the effect on the environment may be detrimental.
In conclusion, I am NOT one for politics. In fact, maybe I have some of my sources wrong, email me back if you want citations. However, please consider the horrible shape our countries environmental policy is already in and then consider how much worse it could get. I would really like us not to destroy the world via bad environmental policy."
VOTE NO to Palin (McCain/Palin).....
VOTE YES to anyone else!!!!!!!!!!!
Rachel
" I am not one to care about politics. The gist of this email is Gov. Sarah Palin scares the hell out of me. I don't care how much you like John McCain. He was born August 29, 1936 – he's 72 years old. Next time he's on TV, take a good look, he doesn't look like any spring chicken. If he dies, then we are stuck as Sarah Palin as our commander and chief.
I'm not going to spend the time picking apart ALL the aspects of why she's a horribly evil person. I'm not going to discuss her ridiculous views on the union of church and state or how she doesn't know what the Bush Doctrine is. I'm going to leave those issues for other people to discuss, my main concern is her horrendous environmental policies, or lack there of. Many of you may be questioning how much can one person hurt. I have to things to say: 1. Look at what 8 years with Bush has done to this country and 2. Look at her scary time as governor.
You may think that the environment is the least of our countries' many problems. However, we do not need to make the problem worse by adding her into the equation:
1. First off, Sarah Palin has a problem with listing species as Endangered. As governor, she fought against classifying the polar bear as endangered and does not want other marine mammals (i.e. beluga whales). Her counter-scientific evidence for not listing the polar bears as threatened was acquired by oil company scientists. Let us all ponder how much damage she can do if she cannot only alter one states views, but the whole legislation behind the Endangered Species Act.
2. She is okay with shooting wolves from the air to boost caribou/moose. Once again, her main excuse for this is people not understanding the North Country (Alaska). Well, I hate to break it to her, but she will NOT be making environmental policies for a state with less people (about 700,000) than the city of San Jose, CA (about 900,000). Most places in the world, especially the US have very different environmental problems and lack of resources.
3. She is not completely convinced that global warming is due to anthropogenic causes (human caused). I have a copy of the IPCC summary for policymakers, if you or anyone you know would like a copy. Everyone is in agreement that it's human caused. Think about it as an equation: we add extra carbon (greenhouse gases) into the atmosphere. Last time I checked magic doesn't work and doesn't magically disappear. Therefore, to have an effect on it - we as humans have to change our way of living. It's a cause and effect situation. If you don't believe in the cause, how are you going to work on effecting the situation?
4. She opposed protection of salmon streams from mining operations. The wild caught salmon fishing industry is one of very few sustainable fisheries in the world. Why would you want to aid in the destruction of that?
5. She wants to drill in Alaska and offshore. This is obviously a short term, temporary solution to a long-term problem. I'm not going to even get into all the problems with this. Just note that the return into your pocket by drilling will be minimal. However, the effect on the environment may be detrimental.
In conclusion, I am NOT one for politics. In fact, maybe I have some of my sources wrong, email me back if you want citations. However, please consider the horrible shape our countries environmental policy is already in and then consider how much worse it could get. I would really like us not to destroy the world via bad environmental policy."
VOTE NO to Palin (McCain/Palin).....
VOTE YES to anyone else!!!!!!!!!!!
Rachel
Random Thoughts # 9
So, even though the Dow lost 500 points, the price of crude oil went down... so at least gas is gonna get cheaper!
14.9.08
Election '08: 016
CLASSIFIED AD:
Did you go to Wasilla High School? Do you administrative experience or a law background?
Are you looking for fantastic new work opportunities?
Well, the President's cabinet might be right for you! We're looking to fill positions for:
Department of Defense
Department of State
Department of Energy
and most importantly Department of Education
and many many others.
Just stop by the McCain/Palin offices in Alaska.
Vote Sarah Palin with John McCain: Welcome to the Future.
Did you go to Wasilla High School? Do you administrative experience or a law background?
Are you looking for fantastic new work opportunities?
Well, the President's cabinet might be right for you! We're looking to fill positions for:
Department of Defense
Department of State
Department of Energy
and most importantly Department of Education
and many many others.
Just stop by the McCain/Palin offices in Alaska.
Vote Sarah Palin with John McCain: Welcome to the Future.
Election '08: 015
Do we want a government run on lies and secrecy?
Do we want a government run on loyalty? Sandbox loyalty?
Do we want a government run by high school politics?
No. We Don't.
Vote Barack Obama: Running the country like an adult.
Do we want a government run on loyalty? Sandbox loyalty?
Do we want a government run by high school politics?
No. We Don't.
Vote Barack Obama: Running the country like an adult.
11.9.08
Random Quotes #009
After watching the premiere of "Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles," Gabe remarked:
"What came first the chicken or the egg? Who cares when you have a time machine!"
"What came first the chicken or the egg? Who cares when you have a time machine!"
Random Thoughts # 8
The worst thing to happen to Pop Music in the last five years: "Hey There Delilah."
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
10.9.08
Election '08: 014
If Tiger Woods can sink a ball from 207 yards out, just think about what Barack Obama can do...
Vote Barack Obama: Taking half to a whole new level.
Vote Barack Obama: Taking half to a whole new level.
Election '08: 013
This morning in the news:
There are reports coming out of Hollywood that Miss Piggy is "OUTRAGED" over the ridiculous comparisons that the Republican Party have been making between herself and Sarah Palin.
"I am a pig woman. And I wear lipstick. There is nothing funny about that. I would ask that both candidates would leave me out of this election."
And although Miss Piggy will not be voting this year, because of the anti-animal voting law, it should also be noted that she wore a Barack Obama Button.
There are reports coming out of Hollywood that Miss Piggy is "OUTRAGED" over the ridiculous comparisons that the Republican Party have been making between herself and Sarah Palin.
"I am a pig woman. And I wear lipstick. There is nothing funny about that. I would ask that both candidates would leave me out of this election."
And although Miss Piggy will not be voting this year, because of the anti-animal voting law, it should also be noted that she wore a Barack Obama Button.
Election '08: 012
This is an Advertisement:
Are you ready to join the party bringing "Change," but you're not sure what and how to do it? Are you sick and tired of being the poorest of your friends? And are you tired of being looked down upon just because you're not willing to let go of your god given belief in the Bible.
Well don't worry friends, just go to "REPUBLICAN CAMP!"
Here we'll teach you the pros of small town values and the cons of big city elitism, and how you can spot Democrats in your neighborhood.
We'll teach you how to make more money and save more money, by taking money from poorer people.
And we have vocal coaches available to bring you that perfect small town accent, southern, midwestern, and Alaskan!
Hey, what are you waiting for! Get yourself checked in! It only costs you 10 dollars a month for the rest of your life!
.... Also available for kids!
Are you ready to join the party bringing "Change," but you're not sure what and how to do it? Are you sick and tired of being the poorest of your friends? And are you tired of being looked down upon just because you're not willing to let go of your god given belief in the Bible.
Well don't worry friends, just go to "REPUBLICAN CAMP!"
Here we'll teach you the pros of small town values and the cons of big city elitism, and how you can spot Democrats in your neighborhood.
We'll teach you how to make more money and save more money, by taking money from poorer people.
And we have vocal coaches available to bring you that perfect small town accent, southern, midwestern, and Alaskan!
Hey, what are you waiting for! Get yourself checked in! It only costs you 10 dollars a month for the rest of your life!
.... Also available for kids!
8.9.08
Election '08: 011
Inside the John McCain war room:
The Campaign Advisor walks into a room where a young, sweaty, Speech Copy Writer taps at his keyboard.
Campaign Advisor: Look, we like what you've been doing so far, but we still don't think we're getting our message across. We are "Small Town" and we are "Change."
Copy Writer: Well, I'm trying. You've seen my "Small town" ads and you've seen my "Change" ads.
Campaign Advisor: But we want you to tie them together.
Copy Writer: Look, I'm doing the best I can. Okay. But you can't blend two inconsistent political messages together. It's not easy. I have to be subtle.
Campaign Advisor: Since when did we have to be subtle. We're Republicans.
Copy Writer: What do you want me to say?
Campaign Advisor: No, you're the one we're paying all this money to.
Copy Writer: Fine, okay, how 'bout something like.
"Change" is like a cool breeze blowing across your cheek as you watch a small town football game.
Campaign Advisor: I don't want a fucking poem!
Copy Writer: Okay...
We're bringing you "Change" Maverick Style!
Campaign Advisor: Yeah! But wait, where's the small town...
Copy Writer: Well how 'bout this.
This Fall, the party of Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Reagan, brings you "Change". Small town politics hits the city of D.C. and kicks its ass.
Vote John McCain: Because Tom Cruise was a little bitch compared to this real Maverick!
Campaign Advisor: It needs a little work, but we're getting somewhere now.
The Campaign Advisor walks into a room where a young, sweaty, Speech Copy Writer taps at his keyboard.
Campaign Advisor: Look, we like what you've been doing so far, but we still don't think we're getting our message across. We are "Small Town" and we are "Change."
Copy Writer: Well, I'm trying. You've seen my "Small town" ads and you've seen my "Change" ads.
Campaign Advisor: But we want you to tie them together.
Copy Writer: Look, I'm doing the best I can. Okay. But you can't blend two inconsistent political messages together. It's not easy. I have to be subtle.
Campaign Advisor: Since when did we have to be subtle. We're Republicans.
Copy Writer: What do you want me to say?
Campaign Advisor: No, you're the one we're paying all this money to.
Copy Writer: Fine, okay, how 'bout something like.
"Change" is like a cool breeze blowing across your cheek as you watch a small town football game.
Campaign Advisor: I don't want a fucking poem!
Copy Writer: Okay...
We're bringing you "Change" Maverick Style!
Campaign Advisor: Yeah! But wait, where's the small town...
Copy Writer: Well how 'bout this.
This Fall, the party of Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Reagan, brings you "Change". Small town politics hits the city of D.C. and kicks its ass.
Vote John McCain: Because Tom Cruise was a little bitch compared to this real Maverick!
Campaign Advisor: It needs a little work, but we're getting somewhere now.
Election '08: 010
Barack Obama talks about "Change," but John McCain IS the "Maverick of Change."
Vote John McCain: Bringing you the change you deserve, Maverick Style!
Vote John McCain: Bringing you the change you deserve, Maverick Style!
7.9.08
Election '08: 009
Just because you're small town, doesn't mean you have to be stupid.
Vote Barrack Obama for President of the United States and the Confederate States.
Vote Barrack Obama for President of the United States and the Confederate States.
6.9.08
Election '08: 007
John McCain can give you the textbook definition of the "Change."
Sarah Palin can say the word "Change."
But only Barack Obama can show you "Change."
Vote Barack Obama: Putting "Change" back where it belongs. And no we aren't talking about in your pocket, we're talking about the world, but if you want to take it both ways, we don't mind.
Sarah Palin can say the word "Change."
But only Barack Obama can show you "Change."
Vote Barack Obama: Putting "Change" back where it belongs. And no we aren't talking about in your pocket, we're talking about the world, but if you want to take it both ways, we don't mind.
5.9.08
Election '08: 006
Question:
Is Sarah Palin the Jessica Simpson of politics? And is that why the Republicans do not want her to be interviewed by the media?
Is Sarah Palin the Jessica Simpson of politics? And is that why the Republicans do not want her to be interviewed by the media?
Election '08: 005
Analysis:
Now that the speeches are over, the auditoriums are empty, and the candidates have retreated; it's obvious to America that, after John McCain's mostly unmoving speech, the real battle for America will currently be fought between Barack Obama and Sarah Palin, and until John McCain can reclaim the spotlight, he as a leader must be called into question. And that question is, who is really running for President and Vice-President in the Rupublican Party?
Now that the speeches are over, the auditoriums are empty, and the candidates have retreated; it's obvious to America that, after John McCain's mostly unmoving speech, the real battle for America will currently be fought between Barack Obama and Sarah Palin, and until John McCain can reclaim the spotlight, he as a leader must be called into question. And that question is, who is really running for President and Vice-President in the Rupublican Party?
4.9.08
Election '08: 002
After the CW's new "90210" premiered to the highest ratings ever for the network, rival Fox Broadcasting has announced the rush development of "Wasilla 99654."
The show will revolve around two Beverly Hills' brats who move to small town Alaska and learn to adapt to their new environment. It will co-star budding Myspace star Levi Johnston and an assorted cast of other colorful characters, and it is reported that the show will feature teenagers drinking, smoking, rolling around in igloos, and all the other virtues of small town Alaskan life.
Also noted, the show will not depict any animal cruelty whatsoever, so long as those animals are domesticated, not hunted, and do not stand in the way of oil drilling.
The show will revolve around two Beverly Hills' brats who move to small town Alaska and learn to adapt to their new environment. It will co-star budding Myspace star Levi Johnston and an assorted cast of other colorful characters, and it is reported that the show will feature teenagers drinking, smoking, rolling around in igloos, and all the other virtues of small town Alaskan life.
Also noted, the show will not depict any animal cruelty whatsoever, so long as those animals are domesticated, not hunted, and do not stand in the way of oil drilling.
Election '08: 001
You try explaining to your children why there are no more polar bears.
Vote Barack Obama
Vote Barack Obama
Random Thoughts # 6
Even the world and the stock market know things are bad for America with this whole Sarah Palin mess and the excitement it's brought the Republican Party.
From the NY TIMES headlines:
DOW INDUSTRIAL FALLS 340 POINTS:
A broad sell-off sent the Dow Jones industrial average tumbling in afternoon trading, but few investors seemed to know why.
From the NY TIMES headlines:
DOW INDUSTRIAL FALLS 340 POINTS:
A broad sell-off sent the Dow Jones industrial average tumbling in afternoon trading, but few investors seemed to know why.
Random Thoughts # 5
As he laid in bed, sleepless, searching for something to read in his not so endless world wide web, it suddenly dawned upon him that nothing, not his obsessions for basketball, football, comic books, films, not his job or his precious stories really mattered as much as the election in November 08 and he thought to himself; What am I doing?
3.9.08
And Your Vice Presidential Nominee is...
Hey Friends,
I'd like to talk a little about Sarah Palin, who I've recently begun to mention here on the blog, which I'm sure at some point somebody will probably try to shut down, (really? Will? Really? Aren't you a little paranoid? Isn't this like the age of the blog?)
Anyway, after tonight speech from Sarah Palin and all the newspapers declaring "Sarah Palin electrifies the Republican Party." I thought I'd talk about my reactions to the Palin nomination.
First off, I was at the gym the morning of the announcement, and I was on the treadmill when I looked up at the dozens of televisions set to CNN and other news outlets. Here's my reaction:
"What!?! Holy Shit?!? I can't believe it! That crafty son of a bitch. Oh. Well done Mr. McCain. Way to make this interesting!"
Now, I've mentioned some of the funnier aspects of Sarah Palin, and you know, we've all talked about how she was such a terrible choice and what not. But here's the thing. Sarah Palin terrifies me. There is something cold, dark, and calculated in her little eyes. Something of that Lady MacBeth type ambition and drive that people always spoke about with Hilary Clinton, but I never quite felt from her. I feel that with Sarah Palin.
She's the manipulative popular girl in school. The pretty one that would change subtly from class to class in order to get the favor the teacher, and if you were in enough of those classes you would start to see how she could play them all like a fricken violin. This isn't a Tracy Flick (From the film "Election.") like character, who would do anything, no matter how ridiculous to win, no this was a girl that was so cunning at getting what she wanted that you would never ever see the strain, the work. A girl more in the vain of "All About Eve."
Regardless of all this hypothesizing, the nomination of Sarah Palin, is just the type of thing that could convince a party that was beginning to implode, to fray at the cracks, to believe that they might be ready for change, that they still showed the way for the future, and get them to believe and get them to vote for her. Because believe me, the Republican party for sure knows that they're party base consititently votes a HELL OF A LOT more then the Democratic party, and they sure as hell are more reliable then the Obama's youth fan base, and potential minority grabs.
Hopefully, now, everyone takes Sarah Palin seriously, because if they don't the confident Democratic party will fail to get Obama elected, and that would be catastrophic for the party, for the base, and could cause severe changes with the way that that party functions and puts their future at risk, and some other really really bad stuff that I'd love to throw into this never ending run on sentence.
Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that the Democrats need to take this Woman seriously and start to fricken fight and work hard and not fuck around, because the Republicans aren't, they believe the future is theirs, and me, I'll keep trying to find funny things to talk about here on the blog about my life, and about this election, and about other people, because that's what I do, and if I can also make fun of Republicans I might as well, and as for Sarah Palin, well, I did mention earlier that kind of girl in high school, (and ya'll know somebody like this, I know you do) if I can sling a few eggs her way, YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT I AM GOING TO.
I'd like to talk a little about Sarah Palin, who I've recently begun to mention here on the blog, which I'm sure at some point somebody will probably try to shut down, (really? Will? Really? Aren't you a little paranoid? Isn't this like the age of the blog?)
Anyway, after tonight speech from Sarah Palin and all the newspapers declaring "Sarah Palin electrifies the Republican Party." I thought I'd talk about my reactions to the Palin nomination.
First off, I was at the gym the morning of the announcement, and I was on the treadmill when I looked up at the dozens of televisions set to CNN and other news outlets. Here's my reaction:
"What!?! Holy Shit?!? I can't believe it! That crafty son of a bitch. Oh. Well done Mr. McCain. Way to make this interesting!"
Now, I've mentioned some of the funnier aspects of Sarah Palin, and you know, we've all talked about how she was such a terrible choice and what not. But here's the thing. Sarah Palin terrifies me. There is something cold, dark, and calculated in her little eyes. Something of that Lady MacBeth type ambition and drive that people always spoke about with Hilary Clinton, but I never quite felt from her. I feel that with Sarah Palin.
She's the manipulative popular girl in school. The pretty one that would change subtly from class to class in order to get the favor the teacher, and if you were in enough of those classes you would start to see how she could play them all like a fricken violin. This isn't a Tracy Flick (From the film "Election.") like character, who would do anything, no matter how ridiculous to win, no this was a girl that was so cunning at getting what she wanted that you would never ever see the strain, the work. A girl more in the vain of "All About Eve."
Regardless of all this hypothesizing, the nomination of Sarah Palin, is just the type of thing that could convince a party that was beginning to implode, to fray at the cracks, to believe that they might be ready for change, that they still showed the way for the future, and get them to believe and get them to vote for her. Because believe me, the Republican party for sure knows that they're party base consititently votes a HELL OF A LOT more then the Democratic party, and they sure as hell are more reliable then the Obama's youth fan base, and potential minority grabs.
Hopefully, now, everyone takes Sarah Palin seriously, because if they don't the confident Democratic party will fail to get Obama elected, and that would be catastrophic for the party, for the base, and could cause severe changes with the way that that party functions and puts their future at risk, and some other really really bad stuff that I'd love to throw into this never ending run on sentence.
Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that the Democrats need to take this Woman seriously and start to fricken fight and work hard and not fuck around, because the Republicans aren't, they believe the future is theirs, and me, I'll keep trying to find funny things to talk about here on the blog about my life, and about this election, and about other people, because that's what I do, and if I can also make fun of Republicans I might as well, and as for Sarah Palin, well, I did mention earlier that kind of girl in high school, (and ya'll know somebody like this, I know you do) if I can sling a few eggs her way, YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT I AM GOING TO.
Random Conversations #004
Earlier in the Herzog kitchen, during an escalating battle of words over the quality and usefulness of drinking milk, the follow exchange occurred:
David Holland - Milk is like animal juice.
Will - But blood IS animal juice.
David Holland - I'd rather drink blood then milk.
Josh Rosenfield - But milk makes your bones stronger.
David Holland - Well, milk may make your bones stronger, but blood makes your dick harder.
David Holland - Milk is like animal juice.
Will - But blood IS animal juice.
David Holland - I'd rather drink blood then milk.
Josh Rosenfield - But milk makes your bones stronger.
David Holland - Well, milk may make your bones stronger, but blood makes your dick harder.
Random Thoughts # 4 - The Palin Edition 2
World get ready to meet LEVI JOHNSTON!!! Gov. Palin's daughters baby daddy! LEVI JOHNSTON meet the world. Oh and supposedly he says he doesn't want kids on his myspace page and that he's a "BLEEPING" redneck.
Anyway, Gabe was nice enough to provide us with some not so fresh, but equally tasty quotes from Mrs. Palin.
---- Quotes by Governor Palin during a series of interviews by the Anchorage Daily News in 2006 when she was running for Governor...
On Creationism:
The simple yet elegantly awkward moose proves God's creation and not evolution is the source of all life. How could something as oddly shaped and silly looking as a moose evolve through so-called "natural selection?" Is evolution a committee? There is nothing natural about a dorky moose! Only God could have made a moose and given it huge antlers to fight off his predatory enemies. God has a well known sense of humor, I mean He made the platypus too.
On oil exploration and drilling in the ANWR:
God made dinosaurs 4,000 years ago as ultimately flawed creatures, lizards of Satan really, so when they died and became petroleum products we, made in his perfect image, could use them in our pickup trucks, snow machines and fishing boats.
Now, as to the ANWR, Todd and I often enjoying caribou hunting and one year we shot up a herd big time, I mean I personally slaughtered around 40 of them with my new, at the time, custom Austrian hunting rifle. And guess what? That caribou herd is still around and even bigger than ever. Caribou herds actually need culling, be it by rifles or wolves, or Exxon-Mobil oil rigs, they do just great!
On Alaskans serving overseas in Iraq:
Well, God bless them, and I mean God and Jesus because without Jesus we'd be Muslims too or Jewish, which would be a little better because of the superior Israeli Air Force.
--
Famous Last Words: Pancho Villa "Don't let it end like this. Tell 'em I said something."
Anyway, Gabe was nice enough to provide us with some not so fresh, but equally tasty quotes from Mrs. Palin.
---- Quotes by Governor Palin during a series of interviews by the Anchorage Daily News in 2006 when she was running for Governor...
On Creationism:
The simple yet elegantly awkward moose proves God's creation and not evolution is the source of all life. How could something as oddly shaped and silly looking as a moose evolve through so-called "natural selection?" Is evolution a committee? There is nothing natural about a dorky moose! Only God could have made a moose and given it huge antlers to fight off his predatory enemies. God has a well known sense of humor, I mean He made the platypus too.
On oil exploration and drilling in the ANWR:
God made dinosaurs 4,000 years ago as ultimately flawed creatures, lizards of Satan really, so when they died and became petroleum products we, made in his perfect image, could use them in our pickup trucks, snow machines and fishing boats.
Now, as to the ANWR, Todd and I often enjoying caribou hunting and one year we shot up a herd big time, I mean I personally slaughtered around 40 of them with my new, at the time, custom Austrian hunting rifle. And guess what? That caribou herd is still around and even bigger than ever. Caribou herds actually need culling, be it by rifles or wolves, or Exxon-Mobil oil rigs, they do just great!
On Alaskans serving overseas in Iraq:
Well, God bless them, and I mean God and Jesus because without Jesus we'd be Muslims too or Jewish, which would be a little better because of the superior Israeli Air Force.
--
Famous Last Words: Pancho Villa "Don't let it end like this. Tell 'em I said something."
2.9.08
Sarah Palin Hates Polar Bears
From Time Magazine:
In August, Sarah Palin, who has long advocated opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, rallied her fellow Alaskan officials to SUE Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, arguing that extending protection to the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act is unwarranted and will hinder Alaska's gas industry and offshore drilling development.
Random Thoughts # 3
I hate to say it, but Joe Lieberman is a traitor for supporting John McCain.
From Joe, "“I just feel so strongly that John McCain is the best candidate for president."
You can watch the punk bastard's speech tonight.
From Joe, "“I just feel so strongly that John McCain is the best candidate for president."
You can watch the punk bastard's speech tonight.
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