Weekly WTF?: How to dress your effeminate son for Halloween

Happy Halloween, from The Onion.

How To Find A Masculine Halloween Costume For Your Effeminate Son

The Return of Helen

I was starting to get a bit worried about Helen over at Margaret and Helen. It had been over a month since her last post - not only was I missing her witty insight and acerbic tongue, I was starting to think something serious had happened.

But - not to worry - Helen has returned, and in full force.

Some highlights from her latest post:

"Those TV people just get diarrhea of the mouth and then the shit gets everywhere."

"John and Kate minus eight equals one jackass and the woman who deserves him."

"Sarah Palin having an opinion about Levi Johnson 'selling his body' is like Roman Polanski having an opinion about Woody Allen’s choice in girlfriends. Pot meet Kettle."

And since it is Halloween, here's my favorite news story of the day. It's like "Melrose Place" meets "Mike Myers" ... and wins! Robber in skeleton mask beaten by partygoers - ah, only in Phoenix.

OMG! Halloween Approaches

'Nuff said.

Song of the Mo: "I Wanna Be in the Cavalry"

Let me first start off by admitting that, yes, technically this is country music. And, yes, the video is super lame.

I first heard of the Corb Lund Band (from Canada - is it still considered "country" now?) a couple of years ago on a rainy day in Seattle (surprise!). I was sitting in my car having just parked in front of Jamba Juice, when this song, "I Wanna Be in the Cavalry" popped up on NPR. Now, if you don't already know this, if a song is on NPR, it obviously has instant credibility and is totally legit in terms of quality. Duh.

I loved the background banjo strums, the song's theme, the confident, yet subtle vocals. It was in direct contrast to the rain dropping on my windshield. It took me back to the civil war and AP US History. I dug it.

Well, today it popped up on my iPod in a shuffling playlist and it took me right back to the first time I heard it. I have a really bad memory to begin with, so when a song can do this, it tells me it really is a good one.

They have some other great songs too. If you like this, check out "Good Copenhagen" and "Time to Switch to Whiskey".

You'll Eat it Up or I'll Eat You Up

If you haven't seen "Where the Wild Things Are" yet, you're missing out.

Wednesday night, I went out with a friend to the IMAX at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. There on the huge screen, in front of about a hundred (on a Wednesday!) popcorn-eating, chair-reclining, innovation-craving Seattleites, the wild rumpus started. To say that Spike Jonze's interpretation of "Where the Wild Things Are" is unique, clever and envelope-pushing would be a massive understatement.

Now, I'm no movie critic - I don't claim to be, nor do I want to be - but I bet there are probably a lot of people out there who have a problem with this movie because it's so sad and doesn't really have the happiest of endings. This is a feel-good movie though. It's feel-good in the sense that throughout the movie, I laughed out loud, gave in to the characters emotions and really let go of reality. It felt good to feel like my money was well spent.

The voicing of the characters was incredible in my opinion. The characters talked over each other, genuinely thought out loud and reacted realistically as any human would to physical and emotional punches. I've never seen anything like it. The simplicity too - Max says, "What's that?" to which Carol, a wild thing responds, "Oh, it's that dog. Don't feed it. He'll follow you around." It's totally random, but it's life.




It all seemed so ... real. I know, I know, I must sound like an idiot when I say watching a bunch of fictional, wild beasts making a scene seemed real, but honestly I felt a connection and I think a lot is owed to the acting ensemble who voiced these characters, but also to Spike Jonze for directing them so casually in a way that really allowed for a ton of creative freedom. I give an A+ stand out to Lauren Ambrose who casually voices the seemingly indifferent "KW" - I was drawn in with every word. Catherine O'Hara gets an A for being amazing as well, as usual.

The movie has "big people" themes that are tackled through the eyes of a pre-teen already rife with anguish and despair given his home situation. They're issues that we all went through as children and they're things we all deal with in life still - depression, feelings of unworthiness, handling hyperactive energy and general feelings of inferiority/superiority.

I really do recommend this movie. I don't want to sit here and try to convince you with my words - this isn't a movie that can be written about in words. It's too difficult to describe. Just enter the theater with an open mind and a child's sense of wonder. Don't listen to people saying it's not for kids, either - they're just typical, overprotective American mothers who think when their child gets genuinely scared, it's going to scar them for life. Everybody relax. I think the best thing to do for children is to expose them to their own feelings through a venue such as this. Why hide it - bring it all out on the table. Validate those feelings. Adults don't give children enough credit for what they feel. This movie reminded me how heartfelt the emotions of a child can be and how important and relevant they are to life and the world.

Go.

Oh, and I almost forgot - the soundtrack is incredible. Karen O of the "Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs" must live in the head of a 10 year old. Genius.

Weekly WTF?: It Does a Body Good

I am introducing a new segment to my blog. It's called the "Weekly WTF?" I will scour the internet for stupid stuff that doesn't make sense, but is hi-lar-i-ous.

I encourage you to help me. If you come upon a "WTF?" moment, let me know and I'll put it up! Now for the first "Weekly WTF?" I came upon this today while keeping an eye out over at BoingBoing.







Umm... don't you mean, milk?











Ok, I couldn't resist. Here's another, also from BoingBoing. Nice work, China!

Is It Christmas Yet?

Last night, it smelled like Christmas.

I lay in bed, reading. I cracked open the window to let in some of the chill. I quickly slipped under the covers and tucked myself in (which consists of me repeatedly and violently chopping my arms under my calves and thighs, pushing my duvet under myself as much as I possibly can until I can't move). I propped up my pillows (fluff, fluff, stack).

I inhaled. The scent from an oakey burn emitting from a fireplace in the distance slowly crept through the window screen and straight into my awaiting nostrils. I could almost see the smell. It was cold, but it was comfortable. It was the best sleep I've had in a while.

Well, oh holy night, now I'm listening to Christmas music. You may claim it's too early. I disagree. October kicks off the holiday season as far as I'm concerned, and it's October. Target is carrying Christmas lights and K-Mart is advertising layaway. Bring on the bells!

I Most Certainly Approve: MyTeacherMyHero.com

So this post is sort of work related. The organization I work for right now has a partnership with MyTeacherMyHero.com. It's a great website where anyone from college students to rap stars to CEOs post personal videos describing a teacher that changed their lives.

Soon, the staff at my organization will be posting our own videos to help support our partnership with them.

Yes it's work related, but I think it's totally cool regardless. Some people have some awesome things to say and it's pretty nifty to get insight into how some big time business people were influenced by teachers.

I was a teacher and I support teachers... and I most certainly approve. Check it out.

Song of the Mo

Well, I finally saw the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" - I was out of the country when it came out, or at least I think I was. It was funny enough (I think "I Love You, Man" was funnier) and it just confirmed my intense adoration of Paul Rudd's quirky/lame/purposely desperate comedy.

Well, imagine my surprise when I found this gem at the ending credits. Daniel Ho, under the pseudonym Coconutz, basically sings a cover of Sinead O'Connor's cover of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U", which is an incredible song already. I don't understand a word of it as it's all in Hawaiian, but I'm assuming it's just a translation of the English version.

Anyhow, thought I'd share. Definitely digging it.

Nothing Compares 2 U - The Coconutz

A Lofty Speech, A Lofty Promise, and A Lofty Ultimatum

I've certainly given Barack Obama a hard time on my blog when it comes to his slow progress with gay rights, especially the discriminatory, completely obsolete "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy.

I will admit, it was refreshing to hear his speech to the Human Rights Campaign over the weekend. He basically confessed to doing an inadequate job (without saying those words exactly) and made a pretty clear promise that he would end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (by actually saying those words exactly). As far as I'm concerned, it truly is only a matter of time now - after a statement like that, if nothing moves on this policy he will lose support from gay groups and individuals across the nation with no chance of ever getting it back.

Schwarzenegger also signed a bill declaring each May 22 as Harvey Milk Day in California, the equality march drew thousands of people to DC, and I've been seeing a lot of positive movement on Referendum 71 up here in Seattle (the referendum that would basically make the "Everything, But Marriage" policy totally valid).

These things, they take time. But it's important to realize that they also take courage, solidarity and unwavering relentlessness. Indifference is inaction and inaction is insane. If you read my blog, are my friend or know me through some other arena, please understand that I mean this even at the risk of losing your readership or friendship - if you don't believe that I have the right to legitimate marriage, equal rights and equal recognition in the eyes of the law, then you don't believe in me.

There's no compromise on equality and no exceptions to discrimination. You can't love black people, except for that whole sharing water fountains thing. You can't love Jews, except for that whole don't believe in Jesus thing. And you can't love gays and lesbians, except for that whole marriage thing. If you don't let me show my love the same way you can, then you don't really love me. No exceptions.

It Isn't Equal if It's Sometimes

Shoot (For) the Moon!!!

I'm sorry, but who approved $79 million of taxpayer money to bomb the moon? Rachel Maddow has more information below:



Dear population of Earth,

WHO EFFING CARES IF THERE'S WATER ON THE MOON!!!!????!?!?

Love,
Michael

Picture Grab Bag: Sweden

Picture Grab Bag: Norway