Just when you think it can't get worse...

 ...it does indeed get worser. You probably have not heard about it as it is not getting too much coverage in the media but there is a protest going on in Washington DC right now. It is well over a thousand people and they are practicing the art of civil disobedience. So far, 381 people have been arrested. What are they demonstrating about? Healthcare? No. The wars? No. Proposed cuts to Medicare and Social Security? No. These brave men and women are trying to stop Obama from ratifying something called the Keystone Tar Sands pipeline. Shut the front door, you say? What the hell is that? It is one of the dirtiest forms of energy that America exports from our neighbors to the North, aye. This pipeline would travel all the way across the US right through to Texas. It is an environmental disaster on so many fronts just waiting to happen. Not only will many of Canada's beautiful forests have to be destroyed to extract this monstrosity, the pipeline will chew up and spit out many of our beautiful natural areas, as well as being a huge bulls-eye for terrorists . There is so much wrong with this, surely our "liberal" hopey changey president could never approve something like this, as the ultimate yay or nay comes from his pen. So we can breath a sigh of relief, he never would, right? RIGHT?

What do you think?

The order giving permission was signed today. I won't go into all of the details. But I will give you the tools to research this issue yourself. Please sign the petition and get others to do it too. Let's spread the word. There are smaller groups in the affected states trying to stop this as well. They need to know that we support them. If you are interested please check out these links:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/opinion/tar-sands-and-the-carbon-numbers.html?_r=2&ref=opinion
http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/fboreal.asp
http://dirtyoilsands.org/thedirt
http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/08/09/obama-and-the-tar-sands-pipeline/

Here are a few of the faces fighting for us:

THANK YOU!!!

To my Gay Brother's and Sister's

I have been around gay people my whole life. My mother was a member of a gay choir in the early 80's and honestly, these wonderful people taught me how to be fabulous and it's due to their influence that I first really understood that not everyone was like me. Race didn't do it because I grew up in a world that was multicultural so seeing those who looked like me but were different was an eye opener. I learned not to fear differences but to embrace what they had to teach as did they. Not being gay myself, but loving many who are, I can never truly understand the hatred, discrimination and fear just being themselves engenders. It takes bravery being gay and it makes me so angry when it is called a life style choice. It is not a choice any more than being straight is a life style choice. The only choice is how you choose to live. Do you embrace who you are and live freely or do you hide? And it is sad that this choice can mean the difference between life or death. I still find it hard to believe that in 2011, being gay is controversial at all. That they still have to fight just to have the rights that being born an American should give you. I'm sorry, not being born an American, but being born a human being. Even though being gay has come so far since those who were arrested for it, or those ignorant sodomy laws or even Don't Ask Don't Tell, it still lives in a twilight world of almost being acceptable but not quite. We (at least the WE that the powers that be who dictate our tastes) don't want our action hero's or romantic leading men or women to be gay in real life. We, as the viewing public, are too stupid and can't separate fact from fiction (at least this meme must be believed so that granny in Missouri won't be offended or the good ol' boy in Georgia doesn't have to think of two men kissing, God forbid! ), so this means that many in Hollywood must hide. That public officials can still not be ridiculed into complete oblivion for their ridiculous statements (hello, Rick Santorum and man on dog sex but enough about his fantasies) tells me that we still have so far to go. Unlike race, those who are gay can hide if they so choose. There are whole institutions dedicated to getting the gay out. They promise that you too can be straight for God. If you just pray hard enough, it will all go away (See Marcus Bachmann for an example of this or Larry Craig, but I guess he's not a very good example). It is a choice after all. I don't know where I am going with this rant but I wanted to put my voice out there. There will come a time when we will look back on this as one more sad chapter of American history, like segregation, suffrage or slavery. I say that, because it is a civil rights issue. We all fight together for what we believe, which is equal rights for all, or we fail alone. 

Why I love Movies

We saw the Rise of the Planet of the Apes today and it really was excellent. It is why I love movies and the way they can transport me. I laughed, cried and cheered. The way Andy Serkis played our protagonist Caesar tells me that the powers that be need to step into the 21st century and add a new acting category of motion capture actors. He deserves to be recognized for his amazing ability to bring life to these characters. Every emotion was there in the face and eyes, no need for words. The way they set it up for a sequel has me counting down until it comes out. If you haven't seen it, I won't ruin it for you but it is definitely worth the ticket price and then some. The way the world is today it might not be a bad thing for the apes to take over, maybe they won't make such a mess of things. But it is movies like this that bring out the inner child in me. It is indeed magical. I even liked it better than the last Harry Potter. In fact, it is the best movie I can remember seeing in quite awhile. The previews made it look like an action movie but the story was in the smaller moments. The love shared between Will (James Franco), Charles (John Lithgow) and Caesar is the core of the film. It breaks your heart when you know that Caesars heart had been broken and there was no going back. This film made the apes the hero's and you wanted them to be free of the shameful treatment at the hands of men. The pacing was good and I didn't want it to end, even though I had an attack of the small bladder but was unwilling to leave my seat. Damn those bucket of 15 dollar soda's.

I have always been a huge fan of the original Ape films and have seen them all numerous times. So to see such a high quality reboot far superior to any of it's predecessors (with a wonderful shout out to the Heston film) is very cool. If they don't mess it up in an inferior sequel this could be a long running franchise. Let's hope so.

So You Think You Can Dance

This post is because this week is the finale and I'll have to wait til next summer to see it again.

I have had a love affair with this show for many years. This is one of the best talent shows on the air. Unlike the singing shows, this one really seems to seek out talent  instead of image and so many extremely talented individuals dance across their stage. I have loved dance my entire life. I can remember my first dance class as a six year old and being so proud of my powder blue leotard with my pink tights with the matching ballet slippers. All of the other girls were dressed the same and I was so excited I was bouncing around the room. Our first exercise was with the bar and I was the only girl who was so tiny that I couldn't get my leg up there and they had to bring me a chair. Unfortunately, lessons became too expensive for my mother to continue, so needless to say I am not a prima ballerina, but I still love to dance and to watch dancers. In fact, when I watch the show alone I will dance around my living room. The movie All That Jazz has that same effect on me. Plus, Cat Deely is such a fun host and every week I am astounded at how tall she is. I've never seen anyone even come close to her.

But, it is not just the extraordinary dancers, this show has introduced me to some incredible music. I first heard Lady Gaga on here (although she has become a pop art parody of herself), Sarah Bareilles, Caravan Palace, Janelle Monae, Estelle and just tonight Sia. I have heard of Sia before, she was one of the guest judges on The Voice but I never thought about her after that. But one of the routines this season was done to her song that was absolutely beautiful. I can't find the SYTYCD version to share here but here is a link to the song on You Tube. I know the song is a few years old but it is new to me and brought tears to my eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtM_cc4SPJI

The results for the 2011 winner will be announced tonight and I'd love it to be Tadd but they are all fantastic dancers and deserving of the title of "America's Favorite Dancer."

The Stand Casting Wishlist-Final Part (maybe)

I really hope that if they want to make a quality production of this book and really do it justice, they should keep it out of the theaters completely. There are four fine networks that have proven what they can do with the TV series. They can go with HBO, Showtime, Starz, or AMC. All of these make great shows. AMC already has the Walking Dead so they are good at dealing with a post apocalyptic world. HBO handled Game of Thrones brilliantly, Starz has Spartacus and Torchwood: Miracle Day under their belt and Showtime has done many wonderful shows. The production values are first rate and having it as an episodic series would allow them to flesh the book out and do justice to both the story and the characters. But that is just my opinion. Here is the rest of the actors and the roles I would love to see them play.

Lloyd Henreid - I know originally I chose Jackie Earl Haley for this role but I have since realized that he would be better as a different character because I still want him for this. In the book, when Lloyd is on trial for the murder spree he is called the baby faced killer. I like the actor Ethan Embry a lot. He was great in Freaky Links and Can't Hardly Wait. Even in his early 30's he has a baby face and this role would be unlike any he has played. This would be a good fit for him.

Trashcan Man - Of course Jackie Earle Hayley for this role. He is absolutely perfect for the crazy pyromaniac. The former Donald is a complex character, seen from bits from his past and how he is with the vicious Kid and it needs an actor that can play it not as a one-dimensional caricature but bring real depth and emotion. This actor has all of that. 

Susan Stern - Along with Dayna Jurgens, she was part of the rape caravan that was rescued by Stu's party. She eventually joins the council in Boulder and becomes a casualty of Nadine and Harold's plotting. I like Laurie Holden in the Walking Dead and think she would be good here as well. 

Leo "Joe" Rockway - I had a hard time with this one until last night when I watched a movie called Just Go With it (not bad by the way) and saw this actor. Griffin Gluck is the right age and a pretty solid little actor. He would make a fine Leo and his looks are close to how he is described in the book.

Well, that's all I have so far. I can't think of anyone else right now but that may change. As always your comments and cast suggestions are welcome.

A return to The Stand casting - Part 4

Since my last post about casting the new version of The Stand, I have done some thinking. I've come up with some new suspects to throw in the ring and also recasting an actor I had already cast earlier. I have been really enjoying this. I have been visiting other websites and looking at those ideas for casting, some I love, some I'm like "not really", others I'm like "have you even read the book?" But in the end it got me to thinking and I have filled in some important roles that I left out before. So journey with me once again into the fertile mind of SK and a post apocalyptic land.

Ralph Brentner - Good ol' boy. Sunburned, wearing a beat up cowboy hat and driving an old pickup truck. He is uneducated but farm smart and can fix anything. His introduction is picking up Nick and Tom on the rode after their near fatal run in with Julie Lawry. I always pictured him as older but long and lean with the squinty eyes of someone who spends a great deal of time outdoors. As a long time fan of Quantum Leap, I would love to see Scott Backula in this part. Plus he is so talented to boot.

Mother Abigail - The incredibly old black woman who brings all of the good people to her through dreams. First to her home in Nebraska and then eventually to Boulder Colorado. Every site I have visited always mentions Ruby Dee reprising her role as Mother Abigail but I wanted to think outside the box. Nichelle Nichols, of Lt. Uhura fame, is the right age (with a little help from makeup) and I think she is a good actress. It would be great to see her given the chance to break out of the type casting as a Star Trek veteran and really stretch her chops.

Harold Lauder - Starts out overweight  and covered in acne, he is the younger brother of Frannie's best friend. He is still in high school and has a huge crush on Frannie. He is insecure and hides it with pretension and obnoxiousness. When he is rebuffed by Frannie after she falls for Stu, he sides with the Walking Dude ending with tragic consequences. Another poster recommended Paul Dano for this role but he is too old but his looks made me think of another excellent actor who just had a feature role in the new X-Men movie and was so good in About A Boy, Nicholas Hoult.

Dayna Jurgens -Pretty, bisexual former PE teacher from Ohio. After Stu's party rescues her and Sue Stern from violent rapists she shows some interest in Stu much to Frannie's annoyance. She eventually heads out West with the Judge and Tom to spy on the Walking Dude. She never makes it home. She is an important character and her death is one of the first indications that evil will not triumph. I think that James King would be just fine in this role. Her looks are what I have pictured Dayna would look like and she is not a bad actress.

I have a few more to share tomorrow, plus the recasting decision. Once again comments are always welcome as well as your ideas for casting. I'm still looking for a Leo.

Book Review

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

"My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night. "Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," the alchemist replies. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." 

I am reviewing a book that I have read before in another life. Fairly recently, we purchased book shelves, so for the first time in years I finally have most of my books out. Since, I have accumulated more since getting them, there is overflow but I have unpacked books that I haven't seen in years and even forgot I owned. One is the book I am going to review.  It was given to me by someone that at one time was a very important part of my life. He wanted me to read it because he wanted me to understand what he was going through. He felt very strongly that he was on a path but he wasn't sure what it was,  but that he was in pursuit of his personal legend. So I read this book in the hopes that I could gain understanding. That was then. Now I reread it with only myself in mind. I wanted to see if more mature eyes could make something new of it. Something that would help me right now by putting me in touch with the person I was so long ago that first picked up this story and still had hope for achieving my own personal legend.

In essence the book is a fable with healthy doses of deus ex machina. It concerns the fate of a boy named Santiago living in Spain during an unspecified time. He is a lowly shepherd and contented to be so until he has a chance meeting with a king who sets him upon a hero's journey to find a treasure. It is also a coming of age. During the course of his journey he meets a gypsy woman, a crystal merchant, and an Englishman. But none are as important than Fatima, the woman that he almost gives up his quest for. With the help and advice of the alchemist, of the title, he is able to reach his goal.

The treasure was not so much the riches at the end of the rainbow but the journey itself. It is what he learned about himself and others. That by not following your dreams is so much worse than the fear that you might not get there. By giving up on your dreams, by letting fear hold you back, you have doomed yourself to a lifetime of longing and a kind of existential death. The story tells you to open your mind to the wonders around you that will allow you to see omens and listen to and learn from the voice in your heart. Although this is a simple book, written simply it is for the reader to divine the message woven into the words. Each person will take from it what they will, or what they need. It is not a literary masterpiece, the characters aren't fleshed out enough to really get to know them or love them. But, it is appropriate for what it is. As you get older it is so easy to get absorbed into the minutia of life, to forget that it is wondrous and full of beauty if only you could see it. I like books and movies that remind me to open my eyes and my heart to the gifts that this life has to offer. That you are never to old to surprise yourself.  I doubt that I will ever succeed at finding my own personal legend, not even sure if I know what it is,  but I will try to never give up. This, as I said is a fable, and an effective one. It is a small book and a quick read but the lessons can last a lifetime.

The Obamanator **Additions**

He'll he back. He can be reasoned with. He can be bargained with. And he absolutely will not stop until the middle class is dead. It's the Obamanator.

Just like health care, Obama swept in, took all of his cards off the table and gave the whole shebang away while calling it victory.  And it scares me. Not just for myself, although this pretty much guarantees that I'll be working until I die but for my parents. Both are dependent on Medicare and Social Security to survive. My mum barely can make ends meet as it is and the shared sacrifice of her having to pay more for the doctors, which she needs due to her degenerative arthritis or getting less from her social security just might push her over the edge into poverty. While the rich, big corporations and defense industries sacrifice....oh right, nothing.

My mum lives in a beautiful little town called Coupeville. Don't let the name fool you. It's much prettier than it sounds and her needs are few so I would hate to see her pushed from her home because of this. I keep getting more and more disillusioned with Obama and I didn't even think that was possible. I can see me supporting a strong primary challenger. The progressive movement is trying to start a party like the teabaggers did called the coffee party. There is no chapter where I live but I might try to start one. Even though I have no idea how to. But, change starts with me.

Although I may be overreacting to this. Everybody thinks that Obama is playing three dimensional chess and I should just wait to see how this shakes out. I have heard pro and con and these bills can be so convoluted that the average person just cannot understand. And now we have this thing called the Super Congress. What is that and why does it have so much power. It seems to be something that will be useful to subvert the power of the regular congress. But this article lays it out far better than I can.

http://www.salon.com/technology/how_the_world_works/2011/07/31/president_obama_surrender/index.html

I wanted to add two more excellent articles about my ambivalence with Obama and why I think that he is taking us in the wrong direction.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/opinion/sunday/what-happened-to-obamas-passion.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

http://www.salon.com/books/history/index.html?story=%2Fpolitics%2Fwar_room%2F2011%2F08%2F04%2Fobama_keynes_fdr