The CBC is saying that the Tories are going to get another minority government.
Admittedly, I haven't been following the coverage as closely as last time, but as kind and cute as Dion is, the fact that he didn't have Celine in front of his name is part of the reason.
The second is that he's no Chretien.
Look for another Liberal leadership race soon.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Up is Down, Left is Right
I always thought Bush was going to do something left field while he was a lame duck, but when I was thinking "left field" as unexpected, not actually left-wing.
By the way, Newscorp, we do not need a special report on WWOR just because the Dow didn't crash.
By the way, Newscorp, we do not need a special report on WWOR just because the Dow didn't crash.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Yes, Darling
The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer tells other G7 countries to start buying up banks.
Whether such a thoroughly logical and sane solution will fall on deaf ears is another thing entirely.
Whether such a thoroughly logical and sane solution will fall on deaf ears is another thing entirely.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Sunday Jukebox Contemplates The Zeitgeist
Somehow I think a Korean technopop song performed by a brassy woman, accompanied by a group of crash test dummies, and lots of paint perfectly sums up the general feeling in the US at the moment.
Ladies & Gentlemen, W & Whale's R.P.G. Shine:
Who knew the lyrics to Pointer Sisters singles were so prescient?
And Yes We Can doesn't count.
Ladies & Gentlemen, W & Whale's R.P.G. Shine:
Who knew the lyrics to Pointer Sisters singles were so prescient?
And Yes We Can doesn't count.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
An Accidental Editioral?
Alas, I have no link to share, but during W's speech this morning, WNBC "accidentally" interrupted it with a snippet from the ad for the musical A Tale of Two Cities:
The excerpt?
Voice Over: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
(Sound and image of a guillotine in action.)
Irony?
The excerpt?
Voice Over: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
(Sound and image of a guillotine in action.)
Irony?
Friday, October 10, 2008
The New Cod War?
Iceland froze. (Canned Laughter.) I mean, its assets are frozen. (Rimshot.)
Ok, let's just put it this way: Iceland is broke--in the way that a nation can be broke--the UK is gunning for them, and Iceland isn't backing down.
Who would've thought the Cod Wars would come back?
Ok, let's just put it this way: Iceland is broke--in the way that a nation can be broke--the UK is gunning for them, and Iceland isn't backing down.
Who would've thought the Cod Wars would come back?
Do You Buy This Excuse?
Sam I am, I do not like to link to the New York Post, but at least it's the entertainment section.
In today's Pulse, there is an article pointing out the plethora of non-American male actors.
In it, Life on Mars (debuting tonight by the way, although the recent full court press by ABC has made that hard to escape) producer Scott Rosenberg (and other producers as well) bemoans the fact that American male actors are not macho enough:
...these guys don't come to us with any baggage. That's what's really nice. They're not all Us-magazined and Page-Sixed. Those actors wilt the minute they get any success. Jason [O'Mara, the lead on Life on Mars]'s the one who's crash-landing into 1973 and into people's living rooms for the first time. He's not someone who's been washed-out from doing myriad TV shows.
Now, I don't quite buy Rosenberg's claim. I offer this theory: it's not like American actors are devoid of machismo, it's just that the American actors he looked at might've asked for more money. An actor from overseas might not be as costly. Just a theory.
I don't know where Rosenberg has been, but macho American actors are out there. He's just trying to justify his decision to cast a non-American.
For what it is worth, Life on Mars is at least shooting in New York, which--in my humble opinion--yields many more "macho" actors than Los Angeles.
In today's Pulse, there is an article pointing out the plethora of non-American male actors.
In it, Life on Mars (debuting tonight by the way, although the recent full court press by ABC has made that hard to escape) producer Scott Rosenberg (and other producers as well) bemoans the fact that American male actors are not macho enough:
...these guys don't come to us with any baggage. That's what's really nice. They're not all Us-magazined and Page-Sixed. Those actors wilt the minute they get any success. Jason [O'Mara, the lead on Life on Mars]'s the one who's crash-landing into 1973 and into people's living rooms for the first time. He's not someone who's been washed-out from doing myriad TV shows.
Now, I don't quite buy Rosenberg's claim. I offer this theory: it's not like American actors are devoid of machismo, it's just that the American actors he looked at might've asked for more money. An actor from overseas might not be as costly. Just a theory.
I don't know where Rosenberg has been, but macho American actors are out there. He's just trying to justify his decision to cast a non-American.
For what it is worth, Life on Mars is at least shooting in New York, which--in my humble opinion--yields many more "macho" actors than Los Angeles.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
The New Tourism Australia Campaign
Tourism Australia debuted the new Baz Luhrmann ad campaign today.
My impression: It looks sharp and interesting--and if there is going to be a storyline attached it, all the better--but, it also looks like they are marketing Australia like it's a perfume.
As for the film Australia, it'll go down gangbusters in Asia, lukewarm in the US, and Europe is hard to call.
Nonetheless, a wise tie-in.
My impression: It looks sharp and interesting--and if there is going to be a storyline attached it, all the better--but, it also looks like they are marketing Australia like it's a perfume.
As for the film Australia, it'll go down gangbusters in Asia, lukewarm in the US, and Europe is hard to call.
Nonetheless, a wise tie-in.
Whither Qantas?
Nick Bryant's Australia blog on the BBC website has a very insightful post about the state of Qantas, which puts in words something I've been pondering for the last few weeks: When did Qantas go astray? (I reckon it was at this point, myself: when it entered into the domestic market and was privatised shortly thereafter. That's two big changes too close together.)
My own experience with Qantas this year left me feeling that something had changed in the company's culture. Prior to this year, my opinion was of an airline that treated passengers like they were nieces and nephews--friendly, in other words, but this was in the early 1990s.
After this past April, the impression I received is that the employees are overworked, underpaid, and the company's desire to maintain its market share without raising costs has created such a bizarre clash of systems (to the point that its own subsidiary operates on a different baggage handling system than the parent) that it barely functions.
Since renationalisation is highly unlikely, the question is when can Qantas get a management that appeases shareholders and customers, gets maintenance done locally and effectively, keeps waste low--but isn't afraid to spend when necessary, and doesn't pillage salaries of frontline workers? That might sound like a lot, but I don't think it's a pipe dream.
Otherwise, I say break it up.
My own experience with Qantas this year left me feeling that something had changed in the company's culture. Prior to this year, my opinion was of an airline that treated passengers like they were nieces and nephews--friendly, in other words, but this was in the early 1990s.
After this past April, the impression I received is that the employees are overworked, underpaid, and the company's desire to maintain its market share without raising costs has created such a bizarre clash of systems (to the point that its own subsidiary operates on a different baggage handling system than the parent) that it barely functions.
Since renationalisation is highly unlikely, the question is when can Qantas get a management that appeases shareholders and customers, gets maintenance done locally and effectively, keeps waste low--but isn't afraid to spend when necessary, and doesn't pillage salaries of frontline workers? That might sound like a lot, but I don't think it's a pipe dream.
Otherwise, I say break it up.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
The Importance of Same Sex Marriage Comes Home
While I have always been in favour of Same Sex Marriage, it never really hit home for me until this past Winter when my fiance (at the time, boyfriend) was hospitalised with double pneumonia and septic shock, further complicated by his HIV.*
* We are a sero-discordant couple. He is HIV+, I am HIV-.
Every day, I had to fight to get information on what was going on in respect to his health. While I figure that a heterosexual would be in the same position (at least in New York), it made me realise that in the future, were he to be hospitalised again and we were married, I would have little legal protection to ensure I was kept informed.
You see, at the time, I was also dealing with my mother's battle with breast cancer (which is in remission and likely to stay that way). In that situation, as a family member, I was privy to every bit of information and had strong legal protection.
I feel fortunate in that in both situations, I had no one else with an ulterior motive trying to keep me out of the loop, but many do have to deal with that.
Now that we are engaged, we are moving to a country where the situation is similar, but the chances are higher that it will change to an equal footing...although it is not going to be smooth sailing at all.
Nonetheless, it is sad and unacceptable that some couples in California may have to consider leaving their homes and lives in order to be treated with dignity and respect.
I reckon that I am preaching to the choir here, but in the chance this post may reach someone who will be voting in California, I strongly encourage you to vote No on Proposition 8. It is a matter of equal rights, and equal respect.
* We are a sero-discordant couple. He is HIV+, I am HIV-.
Every day, I had to fight to get information on what was going on in respect to his health. While I figure that a heterosexual would be in the same position (at least in New York), it made me realise that in the future, were he to be hospitalised again and we were married, I would have little legal protection to ensure I was kept informed.
You see, at the time, I was also dealing with my mother's battle with breast cancer (which is in remission and likely to stay that way). In that situation, as a family member, I was privy to every bit of information and had strong legal protection.
I feel fortunate in that in both situations, I had no one else with an ulterior motive trying to keep me out of the loop, but many do have to deal with that.
Now that we are engaged, we are moving to a country where the situation is similar, but the chances are higher that it will change to an equal footing...although it is not going to be smooth sailing at all.
Nonetheless, it is sad and unacceptable that some couples in California may have to consider leaving their homes and lives in order to be treated with dignity and respect.
I reckon that I am preaching to the choir here, but in the chance this post may reach someone who will be voting in California, I strongly encourage you to vote No on Proposition 8. It is a matter of equal rights, and equal respect.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
As La Perry Prepares To Meet His Waterloo
How sad is this: Anne-Marie Johnson shows more guts and character than Sidney Poitier and Oprah by issuing a public statement denoucing Perry's actions.
She has also put her own job on the show (as a recurring character) at risk by doing so.
Oprah and Sidney lose nothing by denouncing Perry.
Spineless.
For what it is worth, the syndicated House of Payne aired an episode tonight which was written by one of the fired writers. Meaning La Perry will be racking in the money and Teri Brown-Jackson will not.
La Perry will be collecting his DGA rate for the show, but is too greedy to consider extending WGA rights and rates to the same show for others. In other words: the man directs every episode, gets a DGA rate (which means he follows DGA rules in addition to SAG rules for the actors), but because he cannot write every episode (try getting to 100 episodes on your own), he denies union membership and benefits to others in order to horde more money.
For what it's worth, here is a sampling of companies/products advertised during tonight's episode:
She has also put her own job on the show (as a recurring character) at risk by doing so.
Oprah and Sidney lose nothing by denouncing Perry.
Spineless.
For what it is worth, the syndicated House of Payne aired an episode tonight which was written by one of the fired writers. Meaning La Perry will be racking in the money and Teri Brown-Jackson will not.
La Perry will be collecting his DGA rate for the show, but is too greedy to consider extending WGA rights and rates to the same show for others. In other words: the man directs every episode, gets a DGA rate (which means he follows DGA rules in addition to SAG rules for the actors), but because he cannot write every episode (try getting to 100 episodes on your own), he denies union membership and benefits to others in order to horde more money.
For what it's worth, here is a sampling of companies/products advertised during tonight's episode:
- Chilli's
- Verizon
- Red Bull
- ING
- Perdue
- Honda
- Vivendi Universal
Teri Brown-Jackson did a good job with the episode, which dealt with HIV/AIDS in the black community. She is definitely owed her fair share. Perry has taken more than his own.
When You Need The Absolutely Wrong Person For The Job
The bailout will be run by a 35 year old.
A 35 year old who is a former Goldman Sachs executive.
Unless the man is an idiot savant or a real life Doogie Houser when it comes to financial knowledge, I think the Office of Financial Stability (how Orwellian) will be anything but.
A 35 year old who is a former Goldman Sachs executive.
Unless the man is an idiot savant or a real life Doogie Houser when it comes to financial knowledge, I think the Office of Financial Stability (how Orwellian) will be anything but.
Monday Jukebox Bonus Asks "What Was On Her Mind At The Time?"
Today's contestant: Marianne Mendt in the preview video for Musik.
Marianne looks like my kind of singer. She snarls, growls, and smokes with abandon throughout the video. My guess for what's on her mind: "Can we finish this damn thing already? I need a Grolsch." Another Marianne--as in Faithfull--needs to cover this song.
Marianne looks like my kind of singer. She snarls, growls, and smokes with abandon throughout the video. My guess for what's on her mind: "Can we finish this damn thing already? I need a Grolsch." Another Marianne--as in Faithfull--needs to cover this song.
Monday Jukebox FinKLs you
Here's a unique name for a girl group: "Fine Killing Liberty," which sounds more like a terrorist group rather than a gaggle of pop princesses. No wonder they went by Fin.K.L instead.
Even though I've heard of Fin.K.L since 1999, I was definitely surprised to find out that was they stood for. So let's jump in the wayback machine and see the best of Korea's pop princesses with the anarchist themed name.
Judging by songs like Forever Love, I reckon the Fin.K.L girls were planning on subverting the establishment by doing really weak (or just very avantgarde...maybe even "Outsider" inspired) choreography while singing ridiculously high. I don't know why, but when combined together, it works...at least for me.
Fortunately, that whole theme got tossed out in 2000 with Now, much like how Britney Spears ditched her cute image around the same time.
They pretty much went their separate ways in 2002, but regrouped in 2005 for a brief moment which yielded Fine Killing Liberty. The song is damn catchy, and it does look like the theme song to a group of young female anarchists.
Arguably, Lee Hyori has been the Robbie Williams of Fin.K.L in that she has risen the highest out of the ashes of the group, and how can you not like someone who releases an album called It's Hyorish?
First, here's a comparison between Hyori's Get Ya and Britney Spears's Do Somethin'. Yes, they are pretty similiar. (And I hope Hyori wasn't behind the idea to have blackface dancers in her video, which is a big offensive mistake that I hope wasn't intentional.)
Now, something Hyorish: Hey Mr. Big.
I'm still wondering what inspired that poll of "young people" to come up with Fine Killing Liberty as a name. Even though wiki.theppn says that the meaning was that they are against the oppression of freedom (yeah, I'm going to trust the protection of my rights to a bunch of young girls who can dance well), the name actually implies the opposite.
Even though I've heard of Fin.K.L since 1999, I was definitely surprised to find out that was they stood for. So let's jump in the wayback machine and see the best of Korea's pop princesses with the anarchist themed name.
Judging by songs like Forever Love, I reckon the Fin.K.L girls were planning on subverting the establishment by doing really weak (or just very avantgarde...maybe even "Outsider" inspired) choreography while singing ridiculously high. I don't know why, but when combined together, it works...at least for me.
Fortunately, that whole theme got tossed out in 2000 with Now, much like how Britney Spears ditched her cute image around the same time.
They pretty much went their separate ways in 2002, but regrouped in 2005 for a brief moment which yielded Fine Killing Liberty. The song is damn catchy, and it does look like the theme song to a group of young female anarchists.
Arguably, Lee Hyori has been the Robbie Williams of Fin.K.L in that she has risen the highest out of the ashes of the group, and how can you not like someone who releases an album called It's Hyorish?
First, here's a comparison between Hyori's Get Ya and Britney Spears's Do Somethin'. Yes, they are pretty similiar. (And I hope Hyori wasn't behind the idea to have blackface dancers in her video, which is a big offensive mistake that I hope wasn't intentional.)
Now, something Hyorish: Hey Mr. Big.
I'm still wondering what inspired that poll of "young people" to come up with Fine Killing Liberty as a name. Even though wiki.theppn says that the meaning was that they are against the oppression of freedom (yeah, I'm going to trust the protection of my rights to a bunch of young girls who can dance well), the name actually implies the opposite.
Monday, October 06, 2008
La Perry: The Hypocrisy Continues
La Perry opened up his new studios in Atlanta last night, and it's rather fascinating/disturbing to see the assortment of celebrities who had no qualms in crossing the picket line.
Here's coverage of the opening from the local NBC affiliate:
Disgusting, but sadly, not surprising.
Here's coverage of the opening from the local NBC affiliate:
Disgusting, but sadly, not surprising.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Saturday Jukebox Presents Kosuke Atari and the EEEEEEE!
After the La Perry bomb yesterday, I reckon it would be nice to have a serene post today.
Kosuke Atari is probably the only male singer who brings out the inner screaming teenage fan boy in me. Why?
Well, I'll be honest with you here, he's pretty damn good looking in my book.
Secondly, he's also talented. It does take a great deal of talent to make me like a singer who is pretty much 90% ballads, because a good ballad (one where the lyrics, tone, and singer's ability to emote, are all in sync) is difficult to do.
Atari sings in the "shima-uta" style of the Ryukyu islands of Southern Japan. It sounds very nasal, but it also is extremely hard to do without looking like a parody.
First is his (major label) debut single Sorezore ni, which personally, I think is also his best work:
Next, Hana, his big hit from last year.
And finally, his most recent single Kizuna.
Bonus: It feels a bit odd not to put something upbeat with this jukebox, but it would also disrupt the tone of the post. (Not to mention the Atari songbook is not that bouncy.) As a compromise, I'll just do a link. Here is the Korean female trio SeeYa performing Hot Girl. Want more "EEEEEEEE?" Listen to the Rising Gods perform (quite sharply, I must say) Mirotic while their rabid female fans shout parts of the chorus like a war chant.
Kosuke Atari is probably the only male singer who brings out the inner screaming teenage fan boy in me. Why?
Well, I'll be honest with you here, he's pretty damn good looking in my book.
Secondly, he's also talented. It does take a great deal of talent to make me like a singer who is pretty much 90% ballads, because a good ballad (one where the lyrics, tone, and singer's ability to emote, are all in sync) is difficult to do.
Atari sings in the "shima-uta" style of the Ryukyu islands of Southern Japan. It sounds very nasal, but it also is extremely hard to do without looking like a parody.
First is his (major label) debut single Sorezore ni, which personally, I think is also his best work:
Next, Hana, his big hit from last year.
And finally, his most recent single Kizuna.
Bonus: It feels a bit odd not to put something upbeat with this jukebox, but it would also disrupt the tone of the post. (Not to mention the Atari songbook is not that bouncy.) As a compromise, I'll just do a link. Here is the Korean female trio SeeYa performing Hot Girl. Want more "EEEEEEEE?" Listen to the Rising Gods perform (quite sharply, I must say) Mirotic while their rabid female fans shout parts of the chorus like a war chant.
La Perry Is Megalomaniacal Scum
What an interesting and disturbing email I received from the WGA today.
Apparently, La Perry is anti-Union...and against sharing the profits of syndication.
I cannot say I'm surprised one bit. (Bold emphasis is mine.)
Four writers involved with a WGA organizing effort at writer-producer Tyler Perry’s TBS show “House of Payne” have been fired. The WGAW filed an unfair labor charge today against the production company, House of Payne LLC, alleging that the writers were unlawfully fired in retaliation for their union activity. The charge also says that the company bargained in bad faith with the Guild, which since April has been seeking to negotiate a contract covering “House of Payne” and the company’s upcoming show, “Meet the Browns.”
The four writers, Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson, and Lamont Ferrell, along with supporters, will be picketing during Saturday’s opening of Perry’s new studio in Atlanta, and asking invited guests not to cross the picket line.
Writer Christopher Moore said, “It’s very disheartening, considering that this is a studio run by African Americans. What Tyler Perry is essentially saying to us is that ‘you’re black and there’s not a lot of opportunities for you, so you’ll take what I give you’ – whether it’s fair or not.”
The studio claims the writers were fired for cause, however writer Teri Brown-Jackson noted that “we were good enough to create over a hundred episodes, but now when it comes to reaping the benefits of the show being syndicated and having other spin-offs from it, he decides to let us go .”
Without a doubt it's suspicious.
The New York Times has an article on the (wrongful) terminations.
Apparently, La Perry is anti-Union...and against sharing the profits of syndication.
I cannot say I'm surprised one bit. (Bold emphasis is mine.)
Four writers involved with a WGA organizing effort at writer-producer Tyler Perry’s TBS show “House of Payne” have been fired. The WGAW filed an unfair labor charge today against the production company, House of Payne LLC, alleging that the writers were unlawfully fired in retaliation for their union activity. The charge also says that the company bargained in bad faith with the Guild, which since April has been seeking to negotiate a contract covering “House of Payne” and the company’s upcoming show, “Meet the Browns.”
The four writers, Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson, and Lamont Ferrell, along with supporters, will be picketing during Saturday’s opening of Perry’s new studio in Atlanta, and asking invited guests not to cross the picket line.
Writer Christopher Moore said, “It’s very disheartening, considering that this is a studio run by African Americans. What Tyler Perry is essentially saying to us is that ‘you’re black and there’s not a lot of opportunities for you, so you’ll take what I give you’ – whether it’s fair or not.”
The studio claims the writers were fired for cause, however writer Teri Brown-Jackson noted that “we were good enough to create over a hundred episodes, but now when it comes to reaping the benefits of the show being syndicated and having other spin-offs from it, he decides to let us go .”
Without a doubt it's suspicious.
The New York Times has an article on the (wrongful) terminations.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Was the money that good?
Apparently, DJ Grooverider was imprisoned for marijuana possesion in Dubai.
I had no idea.
I can't say I'm entirely sympathetic (although the amount is being very petty by the standards of many Western countries), because while the Dubai government may be keen to cultivate the image of being cosmopolitan, it is still an extremely conservative place.
Money has never equalled tolerance.
I had no idea.
I can't say I'm entirely sympathetic (although the amount is being very petty by the standards of many Western countries), because while the Dubai government may be keen to cultivate the image of being cosmopolitan, it is still an extremely conservative place.
Money has never equalled tolerance.
When Mr. Biden met Mrs. Nasty
Well, that was a debate!
90 minutes and she didn't answer any questions.
Like a robot with a beehive.
Still enjoyable.
While we were all supposedly (given the hype surrounding it) interested in seeing how Mrs. Nasty performed, I found myself more impressed by Biden. Granted, I was already in his column, but he informed me more about his abilities and qualities--as well as Obama's*--during this debate than in any coverage I had seen about him previously.
* I think better than Obama himself, actually.
The debate seemed to suggest that we were moving into a new America, but when Gwen Ifill asked both candidates about gay marriage, it was clear that this country remains tethered to much of the bigotry of the past.
The more things change....
90 minutes and she didn't answer any questions.
Like a robot with a beehive.
Still enjoyable.
While we were all supposedly (given the hype surrounding it) interested in seeing how Mrs. Nasty performed, I found myself more impressed by Biden. Granted, I was already in his column, but he informed me more about his abilities and qualities--as well as Obama's*--during this debate than in any coverage I had seen about him previously.
* I think better than Obama himself, actually.
The debate seemed to suggest that we were moving into a new America, but when Gwen Ifill asked both candidates about gay marriage, it was clear that this country remains tethered to much of the bigotry of the past.
The more things change....
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