One of the things I love in Mexican culture is the Day of the Dead. I remember my initial reaction when I was in Mexico City was that it seems incredibly morbid. We're not used to such an upfront discussion of death in American culture. What I later learned was that the Day of the Dead is not morbid at all. In fact, it is an acceptance of death as a part of life and a celebration of those that have gone before us -- those we have loved who have passed still live on. On this day, we remember them and we feel them with us, even if we can't see them.
I went to a Halloween party at the Icehouse last night. It was great to be out and social again, especially since I haven't been too terribly social lately. And in the middle of all the people and costumes, for me it was a celebration of a different sort. It was a celebration of those who have passed from my life, relationships that have run their course, chapters in life that have come to a close. And as the music played around me, I danced -- danced to remember, to celebrate and to give thanks.
posted by Marc at
8:13 PM -
| 
Well the Red Sox have won the World Series for the first time since 1918... The Curse, though, we'll have to wait until November 2nd to see if that is broken... I think that Boston winning is a good omen for the election, though. Of course, John Kerry is from Mass. Bush is from Texas and used to own a major league team there (the Rangers). Houston lost in the NLCS to St. Louis. The Red Sox beat the Yankees, despite the Yankees winning the first 3 games in the ALCS and despite being outspent by the Yankees by a good $70 million. Bush had his convention in New York and outspent Kerry by a similar margin. They said it couldn't be done... Boston couldn't come from behind and beat the Yankees AND St. Louis, but he did. Can Kerry come from behind to beat Bush? Let's hope the Red Sox momentum carries him to the Presidency.
I just read that W has come out and said that while he still supports amending the Constitution to ban gay marriage, he thinks it might be ok for states to pass some types of Civil Union and might consider extending some of the federal marriage benefits to those Civil Unions. You know, I think Bush may have finally seen the light... It makes me want to run down to the County Recorder's Office, find my ballot and recast my vote... yeah, right after I finish disembowling myself with a shrimp fork. Can this man get any more transparent? After 4 years of queer bashing us with the Religious Right, suddenly on the eve of the election where he's struggling badly he decides that maybe we should throw the homos a bone (or boner?) to appear moderate... I don't think anyone is going to be fooled by this kind of ploy. If anything I think it may turn off some of the Christian Right who are dead set against gays...
I was just watching an older episode of Charmed (that is *SO* my show...) and they had Dan (played by Greg Vaughan), Piper's former love interest (before she married Leo). It really reminded me of how incredibly attractive this guy is... I wondered why I haven't seen more of him in the media. He was on Y&R for about a year and is now on General Hospital (I was an ABC Daytime fan for about a year, so Greg has moved up in my book...). Still, I haven't gotten to see nearly as much of him (however you want to interpret that... heh!) as I'd like.
I was flipping through the channels and ended up watching a bit of CNN, when the subject of the election and terrorism came up. They had a clip of Jerry Falwell saying that we should track down the terrorists and "blow them all up in the name of the Lord." I don't understand why so many people follow him -- what he's saying is no different from the terrorists he demonizes. You could dress him up in a turban and put the video on Al-Jazeera TV and people would never know the difference. It just goes to show that not everyone who talks about God really understands what God is all about.
...skip this movie. Man, one of the drawbacks of having the Blockbuster movie pass is that you start running out of decent material very quickly. I just finished watching Timeline and I'm glad I didn't have to actually pay to watch it. As much as it pains me to say it, but as pretty as Paul Walker is, the man couldn't act his way out of a wet paper sack. Just awful. If you're going to make us watch him, at LEAST give us plenty of scenes with him going around shirtless. As it was, he had his clothes on the entire time and that meant I had to actually listen to him talk. BAD BAD BAD. On a more positive note, they DID have a scene with a shirtless Gerard Butler, which was pretty much the only redeeming part of the whole movie. The irony is that I actually enjoy hearing Butler speak... that Scottish brogue is incredibly sexy. I watched him in Tomb Raider 2 a few weeks ago, but he's bearded in this movie, which suits him, IMO. The only problem with watching Gerard Butler is that at any given moment I expect him to suddenly turn into Fat Bastard, start rubbing his nipples and exclaim, "I'm Dead Sexy!"
It's been a few days since I've posted anything. I had drinks with 
Ok, one of my private little pleasures is watching The Beastmaster. It's not something I do consistently, but I can't help myself. Can you blame me? Just think -- Daniel Goddard runs around in nothing but a loincloth for an hour. I confess that I did enjoy the original movie when I was a kid -- Marc Singer was decently hot back in the day. The big problem, it was an epidemic back in the 80s, was VERY bad hair. Goddard is a big improvement in just about all areas. Much easier on the eyes and an award-winning smile. The show only lasted three seasons, but the magic of syndication should keep it around for a while.
Jon Stewart went on Crossfire last Friday, facing Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala. They were expecting Stewart to come out and be focused on laughs, but they were in for a shock. Stewart basically called both of them out for being political hacks and said that Crossfire and shows like it, while professing to be an honest debate, are really dishonest and "bad for America." It was brilliant. It was so refreshing and exciting to have someone go on the show and instead of playing along, really call things as they are. I know Stewart is going to catch a lot of flack, but this is something that needed to happen. We need more of us to stand up and speak the truth. You can watch the clip yourself 
Ok, I was watching Charmed this evening when I saw the most disturbing commercial. Basically, a teacher is at her desk and opens up a package of the all new Spam Singles. As she does, one of her students asks if she can have some spam as well. The teacher politely tells the child that there is only enough for one. At that point, more children pop up in a Children-of-the-Corn-like zombie mode. Quite disturbing... I mean, I thought that this country had enough to deal with and now we have to contend with Spam Singles? Has anyone every considered that Hormel may be in cahoots with Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaida?
You know, I went to bed last night with two big thoughts on my mind. First, I said, "Boy, William Shatner's last album was SO amazing... I don't think I'll ever forget his stirring rendition of Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. I sure would love it if he came up with a new album." After laying awake thinking a little more, I came to the conclusion that the other thing that would make my life complete would be a Growing Pains reunion. I mean, I *LOVE* Kirk Cameron's televangelism show on the Christian channel. He always tells people that miracles *DO* happen. Well, now I know it's true.
I just got back from seeing 
I just finished watching a documentary called 
Last night I read an article about some conservative group that is all bent out of shape because Wynonna Judd is performing on an Olivia Cruise. (For those of you outside the GLBT loop, Olivia Cruises are lesbian oriented cruises.) They're saying that because Wynonna is a Christian, she should not be performing for a bunch of lesbians. Wow. How out of control is that? These people have a pretty whacked out view of what Christianity really means.
Ok, I was watching Nightly News on NBC a couple of days ago and they had a commercial for adult diapers where they took a bunch of these pads and arranged them like petals in a daisy, along with a field of real daisies. What a riot. I have to say, you really have to be pretty freakin creative to market diapers for adults. At the same time, its kinda scary that the view is that only older people watch the news and are involved with current events. I think I'll stick with the WB.
