Milk

The story of Harvey Milk is one I've known only briefly. An out gay man who was elected to San Francisco's board of supervisors and who was gunned down by a fellow supervisor in 1978. The subject seems perfect for a movie, right?

In Milk, Gus Van Sant's affecting dedication, Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk, a man frustrated with his life, so, he moves from New York area to San Francisco to follow his dreams of living a simplistic life with his partner. Soon he and the audience realize, like many instances in this life, sometimes having the easy life isn't meant for everyone. Milk is dissatisfied with his neighborhood and the treatment of homosexuals and wants change.



Milk begins by running for office. He fails. Repeatedly. He does eventually win, however, after much strife and alienation experienced by his long-time boyfriend played by James Franco in a strong, subtle performance.

What fascinates and awes in this movie is the degree to which Milk plays the system. Yes, he's gay, but he's smart and calculating as a politician. He's elected. And there's resistance of course. Threats on his life are made. He forges ahead.



What is great about this movie is its universal and timeless message that we our in control of our fates, if we're willing to take the responsibility to do so. Still more amazing is Penn's ability to strip away the narrative of the film and talk directly to the audience without actually doing so. At times, when Milk is talking to those huddled masses, that he shakes you to the core and makes you look at yourself. And personally, as a gay man, he tells you exactly what every homosexual must realize: a life of simplicity and privacy is something you should have if you desire it, but no matter how we try, what happens in the bedroom affects us as much as any other force in our lives, and hiding can't lead to change.

Inspirational, chilling and affecting. Van Sant crafts an amazing and subtle movie with much grace. Could it have been as good if the director himself wasn't gay?



Josh Brolin, as Dan White, Milk's fellow supervisor who eventually guns him down, is strong and reserved. There's something boiling under White's skin. Frustration? Disenfranchisement? Whatever it was, we know how it ends. And what an unexpectedly expected ending.

This movie, its quality of performance and craftsmanship, will be remembered for years to come, and perhaps everything Milk fought for won't die in vain. ***A***

Cool Photo Time

Random Acts of Boredom

You Are a Maine Coon Cat

You tend to be loving and playful around your family and friends. But when you're around strangers you tend to be a bit reserved. You are intuitive. You understand human emotions well. You do best when you are around people. You don't like being left alone.

What Breed of Cat Are You?

You Are the Tree Pose

You are a well grounded, down to earth person. Not much shakes you. You can remain steady through a crisis - and other people lean on you. You have high standards and morals. You easily rise above pettiness. While people sometimes accuse you of being stubborn, you are able to shift focus when you need to.

What Yoga Pose Are You?

You Are 46% Likely to Survive Another Great Depression

Your habits are pretty on par with the average person. Unfortunately, this means your chances aren't good in another Great Depression. Start saving your money now. Living in debt isn't doing you any favors. Also figure out how to live a little more cheaply. Every little bit you can trim will help.

Could You Survive Another Great Depression?

You Are a Pilgrim

Like the pilgrims, you've felt persecuted for your beliefs from time to time. You have a strong sense of right and wrong. Your morality sometimes makes you feel out of step with the modern world. You may not go as far as moving across the world, but you still identify with the pilgrims. Well, except for the whole stealing land and killing Indians thing.

Are You a Pilgrim or an Indian?

Your Sexuality is Australian

The average Australian first has sex at age 17. And the average number of partners is 13. 17% of Australians have had a same sex experience. 22% of Aussies have done some role playing in the bedroom.

What Country Matches Your Sexuality?

You Should Spend the Holidays In

Denmark - where you leave a mischievous elf a bowl of rice pudding

What Country Should You Spend the Holidays In?

You Are Pecan Pie Soda

Sweet, but totally nuts

What Jones Holiday Soda Are You?

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Each year, you really get into the spirit of Christmas. Which is much more important to you than nifty presents.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Quantum of Solace

Ah, James. How does a former super-spy designed to fight Cold War villainy keep modern audiences entertained and captivated? First you revamp the entire genre starting with a comparison to what audiences respond most: intelligent action propelled by character-driven story lines. Simple enough, right? Not so much.



Quantum of Solace picks-up where the last James Bond left us in Casino Royal. The series was revamped with a new, more intense James, Daniel Craig, and inspired by a need to tell the origins of how one becomes a secret agent with a license to kill. The action sequences become more elaborate and sophisticatedly real. The series became more dark, more real, and somehow promised to compete with every action series out there.



Easy enough. Not so. While Casino Royal promised a new direction, the ability to keep up with its commitment has once again stranded the super spy in action hero limbo.



For all intents and purposes, Quantum delivers on the action. A little too much. From the very start the action sequences are long and intense. And I mean needing a defibrillator and a cigarette intense. Much appreciation goes out to the cast and crew for delivering so much to a genre that once needed invisible cars to get us from point A to point B.



But for all the action, the story dwindles. Our Bond is tough, smart and savvy, but the transition from action sequence to action sequence, disguised as a story, or hell, even a plot, is lost. It's almost as if our dear James is so worried to keep up with the Jason Bournes, the Transporters, the superheros, that he's lost touch with what people really love about him: he's a spy. He has to investigate and gather clues to get to those bad guys. Believe me, people like to feel a part of the story by understanding how you arrived to the bad guys. In this Bond, he seems to know where they are at all times and just goes in for the kill. And boy does he rack up the body count.



For what it's worth, an action movie, Quantum delivers above and beyond. As for a spy drama, let's hope the next one is a little more in-tune. Kudos to Daniel Craig for bringing Bond to a whole new level of badass and for Marc Forster for bringing beautifully shot landscapes and technically marvelous action sequences to the sliver screen. But as far as delivering on what began a couple of years ago, that shot heard around the world has long since been muffled. ***C***

Role Models

There is something in the water in Hollywood. Ever since the take-over of Judd Apatow and his league of funny men, Hollywood's yearly barrage of comedy popcorn flicks has featured great ensembles, crude and highbrow humor, and surprising heartfelt human touches on what could be less-than-stellar plot lines.



Role Models is such a movie. This time Paul Rudd carries this feature with much-do credit. Rudd plays Danny, a man in his thirties unfulfilled in his professional life which has put strain on his personal one. Rudd proves, once again, that he can charm and deliver us the laughs. Great actor.



Danny's partner where he works, did I mention it was an energy-drink company, Wheeler, is just the Stifler-like character you'd expect would be the wingman. Shockingly the movies producers got Seann William Scott. Fitting.



In a fit of rage Danny distroyes a company truck, forcing Danny and Wheeler to serve community service. They are directed to Study Wings, a Big Brothers, Big Sisters-like organization run by ex-con Gayle Sweeny, played perfectly by Jane Lynch.

The humor is perfectly crude at times. Look for excellent cameos by the young men that Danny and Wheeler mentor, Bobb'e J. Thompson as Ronnie and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Augie. Enjoy laughing your ass off! ***A***

That Quote

As soon as I wrote it down...BAM! I remembered where that quote came from. Only one of the best movies ever made, The Shawshank Redemption!



Red: Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.

I'm On Board!

Okay, it wasn't perfect. But we got something. Hope. Which according to some movies is a dangerous thing. I'll agree. But we have to have it. I could not be more proud.



I need to pull it together. I just watched this for the third time and I've been balling like a bitch with a skinned knee. Seriously.

Hello Again, Is It Me You're Looking For?

I posted one month ago exactly. I feel like I don't utilize this as much as I should.

Anyway, I have to write about some new theories I have discovered under the influence of a very special batch of scones.

I have deducted that humans are both a unique channel of energies, life revolves around water, and something else. Hmm...(insert obvious stoner joke).

First point. Humans, everyone, every thing is made up of atoms, correct? What are atoms but forms of energy? I think people would agree. In space there's nothing but atoms and molecules, etc. This energy is formed into the three-dimensional world. This is where we become physical things. It's a very concentrated version of energy. Tightly packed. And when we die. When our physical bodies switch off, that energy is released. Just poof. Back into the universe.

I think humans are unique in that they have their own energy, their own being. But then we're released out of this dimension. And what's out there is dimensionless. It's the conscience that's released. It's not here, but it's not not here. It's all knowledge and all being.

This channel of energy is streamed into the third-dimension. Just always going. I guess the closest thing we have a name for it is time. But it's a cold name for something so grand, so infinite. But this stream is always in motion. It's the flow of our energies.

It's this flow that gives us form in the physical. This physical energy is water. Which is my second point.

Water gives us what we are. What life needs. Humans are 80 percent water. The earth is 75 percent water. It's the life source of our physical universes. And what a great correlation between the earth and humans. Of course we're destroying our planet. We destroy ourselves. But I digress.

The other night I just felt that my body was traveling through space and time in waves. I felt the flow of life. It was scary, exhilarating, comforting and beautiful all in one.



Which gets me to my third discovery (told you I'd remember). The three dimensional energies we interact with fire, wind, water, earth are the physical manifestations of what the universe is like. Like our interaction with these elements is supposed to help us understand what the universe is like. Its made of all these brilliant energies, and our relationship with these elements is interaction of the energies within the universe.

I think I just need to retire from writing for now.

I Found My New Dream Man

The photo makes me seem super shallow but look it. He's rockin' the shaved head. That bad-boy kind of white-thug look. I mean the bling on the ears. THEN Chuck Taylors!!! Ala alternative kids. Huge crush!



Okay, I'll admit that his body is sick. But regular human beings can rock the shaved head, ear bling and Chucks look. I'm pretty sure I've seen it happen.

Cool Photo Time

It was the best of times...

Then the other times just blow ass!

I'm writing at a point in my life where I'm at a crossroads of sorts. I officially have no place I am living. I can't make ends meet with my current job. But things are in motion. I know this. I believe this. I know what must be done and I've set forth to do those things. It's just time.



But I choose not to focus on that. I can't have it now. I have to be drug through the dirt a bit. Live life.

I'm just so grateful for the friends I have. They've been more than a blessing. I can't repay them for the kindness they've shown.

Thank you for the life I have, the person I am, and the challenges I face.

Take a Moment

Stay focused, stay focused;

You have all the answers, the solutions;

Remember to breathe. Remember patience.

Be kind while running the path;

Keep focus, keep focus.

Why do I enjoy these?

I irritate myself sometimes.

You Are 56% Interesting

You are a fairly interesting person. Many people find you to be intriguing. You have a dynamic, adventurous life... a life that others envy. You are genuinely interested in and open to the world. You love making new friends, and you're always up for an unusual experience. Like everyone else, you can get a bit boring from time to time. That's normal. But unlike everyone else, you can pull yourself out of a rut. You don't stay boring for long.

Are You Boring or Interesting?

You Should Follow Unitarian Universalism

For you, religion is about asking questions. Questions that might never be answered. In fact, you're more likely to consider yourself spiritual than religious. You don't have any set beliefs, besides the belief that you should work to improve the world. You are a true humanist who works for social justice and world peace.

What Religion Should You Be?

You Are Stalking

You tend to be very obsessive. Once you focus your attention on something or someone, it's all you think about. You are also very secretive. People don't know much about the life that you lead. You are attracted to weak people. You may want to prey on them, but you also may just want to help them. You need attention, and you can get desperate if you aren't getting attention from the right person. You'll do about anything to get noticed.

What Felony Are You?

You Are Rum

You're the life of the party, and a total flirt You are also pretty picky about what you drink Only the finest labels and best mixed cocktails will do Except if you're dieting - then it's Diet Coke and Bicardi all the way

What Alcoholic Drink Are You?

You Are Chardonnay

Fresh, spirited, and classic - you have many facets to your personality. You can be sweet and light. Or deep and complex. You have a little bit of something to offer everyone... no wonder you're so popular. Approachable and never smug, you are easy to get to know (and love!). Deep down you are: Dependable and modest Your partying style: Understated and polite Your company is enjoyed best with: Cold or wild meat

What Kind of Wine Are You?

American Teen

American Teen is a documentary that follows a handful of teens in an averagge American town. Through the ten months of filming, filmmaker Nanette Burstein intimately captures portraits of the trials and tribulations of modern-day teens.

While touching, hilarious and heart-breaking at times, the film is also, at least for me and my relatively recent high school experience, nothing new. The movie follows the clichéd stereotypes: the jock, the nerd, the popular princess, the hunk, the "alternative girl" and breaks them.

As far as being a member of the audience, I came expecting what I got: a heartfelt story that shatters the one-dimensional facade of teenage life. Everyone knows that these people are more than the sum of their parts. Blah, blah, blah.

Yes, the movie's good. Yes, I'd recommend it to everyone. No, it breaks no new ground. Except the weird animated sequences that they have when the kids do voices overs, those are more creepy than anything else. ***A***

SNL is Back!

And with a guest spot from our dear Tina Fey. Re-un-ited and it feels so gooood!

Creation of Energies

When I'm around people now I feel that I can almost read their energies.

People have different amounts of space that they occupy; thereby, creating their energy.

And I feel that I can feel that energy. The different layers, levels and complexities to it. How beautiful and precious it is.

I just adore the people I encounter.



Or maybe I'm just stoned off my gourde? Hahaha.

By the by, this is the second image that appears on Google image search when you type in "life force". AHAhahahahahaha!!!!!!

Oh, Conventions!

Yeah, I totally didn't watch this. I tried to start on Monday, but my attention span on controlled substances runs on empty. Here are some highlights.

Seriously, he gives me chills. He makes me tear-up. He makes me have faith in my country again. And that's like moving a mountain for me.




Here's Joe Biden's speech. I must admit I'm impressed. It's so fucking refreshing to hear two good orators after eight years of utter incompetence.



Love my girl Michelle. We tight. I think she's a heartfelt speaker. Not robotic and scripted, but puts conviction behind her words.

Pot Psychology

I discovered this awesome web-column (?) on this website www.jezebel.com (which is linked from another website. Jesus. Fucking internet).

Anyway, soooo funny. And it doesn't hurt that Rich, the squinty gay, is cute to boot! Seriously. Fucking funny.

Why can't I do this for a living? Getting stoned and just recording myself saying funny things. I'm on board.


The Highest of Pot Psychology from Pot Psychology on Vimeo.

Filler Space

You Are the Innovator

You're the type of person who is always a step ahead of everyone else. You thrive when you're experimenting with new designs, ideas, and attitudes. You are a creative person with many talents. You have to have artistic outlets in your life. You need to create - whether it's writing furiously or redecorating your home. If not, your life becomes chaotic. You tire of doing the same thing every day. You change your job, friends, and personal style often. You are at your best when you have a focus. If not, you develop a flaky artist's temperament.

What Role Do You Play?

What Your Bed Says About You

Outward appearances are a concern of yours, but not your primary concern. You try to take care of yourself and your home, but it's not an obsession. You are an organized and disciplined person. You do the right thing because you want to, not because people expect you to. You are very high maintenance. You like everything a certain way, and you're grumpy if things aren't the way you like them. In relationships, you tend to be quite dominant. You enjoy taking charge. You tend to be a down to earth, practical person. You think in terms of what is actual. You are a total homebody. You are happiest when you're at home.

What Does Your Bed Say About You?

You Are Iced Tea

You are very active and energetic. You enjoy keeping busy! You can handle difficult tasks well. You do what needs to be done without a lot of fuss. You are casual, welcoming, and unpretentious. You are approachable and friendly. And while you are laid back, you aren't sloppy. You are poised and understated.

What Kind of Tea Are You?

What Your Driving Says About You

You are generally an easy going, laid back person. However, you can't help but feel a little jealous and competitive sometimes! You are a fairly aware person, but you can't help but make judgment errors from time to time. You'd like to think you're a fair person, but you occasionally think you deserve a special kind of justice. You can be a rather tense, grouchy person - but you try to maintain your dignity. You dislike authority and authority figures. You hate being told what to do. You hate being punished even more. You are somewhat focused, but you are also a bit scatterbrained. Distractions can get you in trouble. You are a very responsible and conscientious person. You often consider the feelings and needs of others. Your ego is normally in check, but sometimes you get a bit egotistical. You tend to be a little self-important at times.

What Does Your Driving Say About You?

Get Excited!

These new posters for Australia came out this past week. Awesome! "IIII can't wait, can't wait." I love Baz Luhrmann.