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

Picture Grab Bag: Denmark

Travel Diary: Stockholm, Sweden

Sunday, September 27, 2:15 pm:

I suppose my lack of entries while in Stockholm is a sign that I've been quite busy. This is true. Between seeing the sights and going out at night, my daily schedule is much more jam-packed (well, relatively speaking, especially when compared to my time in Norway).

I'm currently sitting in Gamla Stan (Old Town) a charming and richly authentic medieval portion of the city. This is where Stockholm all started. During the 16th century, this was really the only part of Stockholm that existed.

I'm sitting on a bench in Stortorget, which was the central meeting place. The bench sits directly in front of a large and ornate water pump - likely the ancient, communal life source for the inhabitants of medieval Stockholm. Directly across from me is the Nobel Museum (as in Nobel Prize), but this grandiose establishment used to be the town hall. I'm face to face with the second floor central window from where penalites were once announced to criminals in front of an audience of revenge-hungry citizens. Somtimes a lawmaker would call for a public flogging, while other times, for the truly deplorable, a penalty of hanging or beheading would be imposed and then enacted immediately.

This square is also the site of the Stockholm Bloodbath of 1520, when Christian II, the reigning Danish king, fooled the Swedish nobility by gathering them for a feast, only to lock the palace doors, arrest each person and kill them each one by one in this very spot where I sit enjoying the view. It is from this event that King Christian II earned the nickname, Christian the Tyrant.

Nowadays, the only tyranny in these parts is the attempt of territorial domination by the hundreds of pigeons obnoxiously flapping their wings and begging for food.

Pigeons and grim history aside, this square truly is a sight to be seen. Stores and restaurants now line the streets where blacksmiths and printing presses likely once resided. Teenage girls and Chinese tourists wearing face masks are a common sight nowadays and there's no sign of anyone who might be anxiously awaiting a beheading.

The wind picks up speed and I've just heard a church bell, which usually indicates that I should wrap things up. My time in Stockholm has been wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised by its active nightlife, effortless style of its inhabitants and its historical relevance available for exploration. It seems to me that Stockholm is not a city on the cutting edge; in fact it's more like they've already cut out the pattern, seen what works, and have followed it for years putting the people first and implementing progressive ideas in order to ensure the city's thriving welfare, cultural appeal and staying power.

Stockholm is definitely a city to visit. It's urban and fresh, thoughtful and cool. I would even go so far to say it's the best city in Scandinavia.