The Film Industry

Here is my next rant.

Movies suck. Especially this summer. It just seems to get worse every year.

"The Transformers", really? Come on this is just some guys childhood fantasy to make this movie-how stupid. The cartoon rocked.

My major beef- "Hairspray". Does anyone realize that this is basically a remake of a remake? The original was campy and fantastic. The Broadway musical kicked it up a notch by adding an original score. This remake is ridiculous. John Travolta as Edna? Are you kidding? He just looks hideous. Edna is not supposed to be a pretty woman, but he's just hideous. If you want to see this movie, spend the extra money and see the live production if it comes to your town- it's gonna be worth it to see it live.

I just saw a trailer for "Underdog" - really, do the production companies have nothing better to spend their money on? Again, go rent the old cartoons, they're much "better" than this crap.

My second major beef- I just read Paramount is going to remake "Footloose". WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!!!!!!! Come on, Kevin Bacon IS Ren McCormick. End of story.

Jeez, the entertainment industry need to be shaken up.

Music Industry

This is the first of many rants to come about the entertainment industry. Let's start with music.

Lets' face it- the music industry sucks. It's all about the all mighty dollar and not about the actual music. If it were about music, we'd have a lot better stuff to listen to on mainstream radio. Most acts today are "cookie cutter" acts that have absolutely no talent to speak of. Those that do have talent, get no help or promotion from their record label and often fall by the wayside which is a total shame. There are so many great singers out there, but unless you're listening to independent radio, or the internet stations, you'll never hear them.

Let's take the "big controversy" this year. Kelly Clarkson telling Clive Davis that she was gonna put out her album the way she wanted, not the way he wanted it to be. Well, I'm a Kelly fan, and I bought the CD- it's fantastic. I'm not saying this because I like her, it's a really good , dark disc. Now instead of being proud of the fact that she actually wrote all the songs herself, they wanted more of that "cookie cutter" pop for her disc. Well, now they've pulled out any money for promotion for her disc. Screw them- they're missing out on a golden opportunity to actually step out of the mold and show what music really is about.

Why do think all these 80's bands are reuniting and making money? Because people my age are so sick of the crap out there right now. I'd rather spend my money on a Genesis reunion than see some teeny bopper strut around the stage in nothing more than rags.

I would only hope that some day the music industry would wake up and change thinks around. Alas, I don't think that's ever going to happen. Sucks, doesn't it?

Death and Dying

The say the only 2 sure things in life are Death and Taxes. We all know we have to pay taxes and dread it, but how much do we think about death?

I've lost a really good neighbor this week. He we the kindest man anyone could know. Unfortunately he was stricken with cancer and just couldn't put up the fight anymore.

Which got me to thinking- is it better to linger or just go all of a sudden? Morbid I know, but it made me ponder the choices.

I've experienced the loss of friends and family both ways. Death is never easy for those left behind, but for me, it's harder to come to grips with it when it just happens suddenly.

This happened with my grandfather and to this day, I still haven't gotten over the loss. It was so unexpected, and I feel that I never got to let him know what he truly meant to me. People say "time heals.." but in some cases it really doesn't.


My neighbor on the other hand, passed away slowly, in comparison. He was surrounded by his family. I know it's hard to watch, and you don't want the person to suffer, but that is the way it should be in your final hours, surrounded by the ones who love you. I know we don't get to make that choice, but in a "perfect" world that's the way it should be.

You were a good man Fred, you will be missed by many.

Did you know we had a shuttle launch tonight? It was beautifully successful.


I'm sure the media had no clue since it was all Paris, Paris, Paris today.

I want to be rich and Famous

Because you can apparently get away with anything, and not be held accountable for anything either.
Must be nice.

Big Problem

There is a mom here in MA that was serving in the Military when she found out her daughter was in danger from her father. So this mom put in for a leave/discharge so she could make sure her daughter was safe and take the measures to ensure the father had no access to hurt the daughter.
Well the leave never came down from administration and she left to take care of her daughter, now she's in danger of going to jail.
This in my eyes is just wrong- she filed the paperwork, they never got back to her, she needed to make sure her daughter was safe. The safety of your children comes first- what would of happened if she waited? Would her daughter be alive? I can tell you I wouldn't take that chance.

Ben nails it!

Contains strong language
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzwWrkNeGK8

I am a democrat an fully agree with him.

A message for Justin

I am so proud of you today. You fought your way back after that accident to make it to that graduation stage today.
I am honored to be your cousin, I will be right there cheering you on as you receive your well deserved diploma today.
We all love you dearly and can't wait to see you walk across that stage- Congrats cousin on all your hard work.

The war in Iraq

So congress caved last week in sending a message to the President. Now he has his money, and we go on losing our sons and daughters.
All politicians are the same- there is no one willing to stand up and fight the good fight anymore. They all pander to one another, nothing ever changes. And we give up hoping and just cope with it day by day.
Deep down we are a defeated nation- we have given up all hope. All those soldiers are dying in vain and no one here has the willingness to stand up for what's right and end this thing once and for all.

Crazy

I heard a news story yesterday that made me crazy.
It happened in Illinois - 5 high school seniors did not receive their diplomas. You ask why? Did they pull a prank that went wrong? Did they fail to get good grades? NO. Simple fact- their families cheered for them as they crossed the graduation stage.
The school has a "no loud applause" policy, even made the kids sign a contract about it. WHAT???? Now these kids have to do community service to get their diploma.
Sorry Charlie, I'm paying my taxes which pays for the schools staff salaries- you better be damn sure that when my daughter walk across that stage, I'm gonna be the loudest one there.
Graduation is a time of celebration- lets admit it, none of us wants to sit through those long speeches, we just want to see the kids graduate.
For God's sake give these kids their diplomas and lets focus on more important things.

A Fantastic Opportunity

I'm going to see Robin Williams tomorrow night. I am on cloud 9. I am bursting with excitement, just knowing I'm going to be in the same room as him. I hope he does a meet and greet after his set, it will be a fantastic opportunity to shake hands with a comedic giant.

It's Time for This to End

Honestly, I was one of the few people who in the beginning believed that the Iraq war was the wrong thing. I was called unpatriotic and a traitor. How could I go against the President? We had to go after those "evil doers" no matter what. You're not supporting the troops. On the contrary, I was supporting them by not wanting them to loose their lives in a senseless war.
Now 4 years later people have changed their tune, amazing.
I am weary of seeing day after day the names of our soldiers, some barely adults, being flashed across the screen because they have lost their lives. How many more family's have to grieve the loss of a loved one before the President wakes up and brings these poor kids home? Everyone has told him different strategies for Iraq, yet he seems to live in this soundproof bubble, unaware of what anyone is saying to him. We're "losing", we've been losing for a very long time. We've lost lives, we've lost allies, we've lost respect.
Mr. President, open you're eyes, you said, "You're either with us or against us", sir, no one is with you anymore. Listen to us, listen to the Study group, listen to the generals, listen to your own party, everyone is against you.
Please don't let another innocent American or Iraqi die in vain for your war.

We wonder why other nations hate up/think we're crazy. Just look at last week. We're robbing/shooting/rioting over a VIDEO GAME! This is insane! Have we really lost our way that much? I mean, why have we become so materialistic? There are people in our own country that have nothing, yet people have to fight over a video game, just to go and re-sell it for 3 times it's value.
Then I read in my morning paper that a thief took off with a Salvation Army pot. The real kicker- the Salvation Army volunteer had Downs Syndrome and was too afraid to stop ringing the bell and go into the store they were in front of and report it. Luckily a store employee saw the whole thing and called the cops.
I'm sorry, I'm mad, people need to go back to basic values. We need to teach our children right now what's important and what's not. I'm so sick of this "I have to be better than everyone" attitude. We're going downhill fast, with no breaks on.
Am I the only one this mad at the state of the people in this country? Please give me something positive to restore my faith in humanity.

The Best Year of my Life

My little baby, you are turning one this week, what a wonderful year this has been.

Mommy and Daddy never thought they would be blessed with you, but when we were, we knew you were a special miracle.

Mommy fought so hard to make sure you had a chance to come into this world. You see from the start it was not an easy road. From fear of losing you, to fear that you wouldn't be OK, Mommy and Daddy kept faith that you would be with us. Including the second you were born, it wasn't an easy road. Mommy was so heartbroken that she couldn't see you for the first 24 hours of your tiny life, but once the nurses gave the OK, Daddy made sure that wheelchair had wings to be by your side. When I saw you fighting to make sure you would be OK, I knew I would do everything in my power to make sure you came home with us. Even though you were only a few hours old, you fought like a heavyweight champ.
Even though when we came home Mommy couldn't take care of you like she wanted too, Daddy was right there taking care of both of us. He is our hero, never forget that.
Despite all the hardships we endured before you came home, this has been the most fantastic year of our lives. The first couple of months were trying, you needed to figure us out and we needed to figure you out. Yet every single second was amazing. I was so in awe of you, and still am. The things you learned to do all on your own-- rolling over, sitting up, crawling and now walking, everyday brings something new. You are the light in our lives, everything else is second to you. I can't wait to see everything through your eyes.
I now know what my purpose in life is, thank you for giving me the best year of my life. I can't wait for the rest of them!

Today is a very good day-

Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down. About freaking time! Buh Bye Rummy!

Check Writers

Attention Retailers- Please Phase out Checks as a form of Payment!

I cannot tell you how frustrating it is that people still use checks in stores to pay for things. I shouldn't have to be in the express aisle at the grocery store while some ding-a-ling pays for his Ramen Noodles with a check. It's 2006, they have this great invention called a "debit card", please bring yourself into the 21st century and get one!

I was in the local Toys R US the other day buying some gifts for my daughters birthday. I got stuck behind Matilda that had decided to do her Christmas Shopping early and buy half the store. After the clerk rang up her $300.00 worth of toys (Yes you heard right- the exact amount wat something like $323 and some change), she whipped out her check book! REALLY ??!!!!!! So since the amount was high they had to get, ID, cross reference the check and get a blood sample (kidding about the last part, but yes it took that long to verify the check).

Please people do the rest of us a favor, get a debit card, or a credit card or pay cash. Stop making life a living hell for the rest of us.

Little Monsters/ AKA Bad Parenting

I was going to post this last week, but didn't have the time.
A note to 90% of the parents out there - YOU'RE NOT FIT TO BE PARENTS!
Now you may ask why the anger. It's called Halloween. I LOVE Halloween. It's a time for kids to dress up as anything and have fun. The benefit, free candy.
Here's my issue. I have a child that will be turing one soon. So the local mall had Trick or Treat inside the mall with various stores handing stuff out to the kids. I thought "WOW what a great idea, it's safer and she won't have to freeze going from house to house."
BIG MISTAKE! You know how the mall is the week before Christmas? Multiply that by 10. It was an utter chaotic mob scene. Here are the things that ticked me off:

First, this was for the KIDS- that means adults/teenagers it does not give you the right to dress up, and push little kids out of the way so you can get free candy. It's shameless. Get a life.

Second, parents teach your kids MANNERS- I can't tell you how many merchants we went to and the little monsters didn't even say "Thank You" to the employees that were handing out the candy. You aren't OWED the candy, you're lucky you're getting it- be gracious for crying out loud!

Third, be respectful of the other kids around you. There were many little kids there that night, and I can't tell you how many times I saw older kids walk right in front of the little ones that were waiting for candy. I can tell you it happened to me in every store. I got so fed up by the end I actually snapped at an older kid and told them to get in line like everyone else.

What does this prove? Parents are not doing their jobs to teach kids right from wrong. Sure, yeah it's Halloween and the kids are excited to get candy, but that's no excuse for being rude to everyone else who is trying to enjoy the experience. In my opinion, parents should be ashamed of themselves for their kids behavior. My child has just as much right to enjoy herself on a holiday as your little monsters.
I think parents should be warned, if I come across your little moster, I'm gonna confront you on it. So start teaching your kids the right way to interact and be around people, because you never know where I'll be.

Home Schooling is looking better and better

In a matter of a week there have been 3 school shootings. What is going on here? Today a man goes into a one room school house in Amish country. AMISH COUNTRY! He shoots the girls execution style. What the hell is going on? This is crazy, Colorado, Wisconsin and now Pennsylvania. We have to do something to make this stop. It scares me to think that I will have to send my daughter to school in a few years. What will happen between now and then?
We never had to worry about being shot when we went to school. It would have never even crossed our minds that someone would walk into our classs with a gun. Are schools going to have to go into complete lockdown once classes start for the day? Security passes for teachers, students, and thier parents?
We need to stop the violence against our children. We can't let another child die at the hands of a crazy person. A school is supposed to be a safe place for them to be. This madness has got to stop.

I hope you get yours

Ok listen up people. For those of you that went to the store, bought every Tickle Me Elmo you could find, then turning around and selling them on EBay or Amazon, or some other auction site, I hope you get stuck with them.
Honestly, can you really feel good about yourself trying to sell it for 4 times what it sells in stores?
Do you realize that there are kids out there who will not get a toy this Christmas because their parents are too poor? Yet you want to bilk money out of "desperate" parents who's little child wants that toy "more than anything in the world".
You should be ashamed of yourself. I hope you get stuck with your extra purchases. I have a great idea if you do, give them to charity, maybe then you can redeem yourself.

Oh by the way, they big toy for Christmas- TJ Bearytales. Just remember you heard it here.

My birthday is a week from today- just thought you'd like to know.