An Important Look at 9/11
Reality
Unless you are pacified and content with the US government's explanations about what happened on 9/11... Then this is not for you. For the rest of us, this is a very solid and well-assembled film that dissects and presents the *facts* surrounding the events in a stimulating doc called "Loose Change". Set aside an hour or so and educate yourself.
Pretend you are in school on one of those days when the teacher showed a movie to the class. I loved those days, didn't everyone? Check this out and keep an open mind. Under this administration nothing is far fetched.
We all work, we all love our families, friends and this country but it doesn't excuse us from being responsible well informed citizens. This is our country and we have a right to ask why and how. Know the company you work for. Just because you like your job you are not excused from reality. Remember, the people that worked at Enron loved their jobs and lived by the "culture" of the company. We are in a capitalist country, making money is always ALWAYS the bottom line. Don't be naive. Know what your country and your employer are doing, not just what they are telling you.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8260059923762628848
Posted by Liz at 10:02 AM
I Can't Wait For This Movie
Courage! I have shown it for years; think you I shall lose it
at the moment when my sufferings are to end?
—Marie Antoinette
I read the book, I mentioned it here before and now it's in production. YAY!!
Posted by Liz at 09:24 PM
Monday Monday
We had a fabu time last night- lots of laughs and a great concert but that was Sunday and I had to work today. Thank goodness I'm back working with kids, they really make laugh. When I say kids I mean teenagers and they say the damnest things too. Sometimes I'm just cracking up and they have no real idea why. I guess they think they know but they don't.
I got an email today from a former co-worker. She was updating me on that office (read prison) gig I left two years ago. She was telling me that my former supervisor (Read biggest kiss ass) was on her fifth grand kid from her daughter who was also my co-worker (Read Mommy got me the job and I take full advantage). This girl actually HIDE three pregnancies from everyone including the father. I never in my life thought I would meet someone who could do that- I mean in this day and age? That shot gun marriage is over (Read big shock)Anyway, my boss ended up giving her a going away party when she finally called it quits around the fourth kid! (Read forced to leave because she was losing thousands of dollars for the company via hours of slacking off) BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! What a disastrous work environment. God I'm glad to be out of there. I just thought I would reiterate that in case anyone was wondering. Hehe!
The point is today is Monday, it was rough going this morning but it's been a lot rougher and today I felt grateful for where I am and I laughed a lot.
Don't hate, appreciate!
Posted by Liz at 07:54 PM
Gawker Stalker
Where have I been? I just saw this Gawker Stalker story on the news the other night because some people are trying to put an end to it. The Gawker has a page telling you where and when celebs are located complete with a map! Right away, I picture myself sitting at home with my computer. BAM! Ethan Hawke is posted at W. 19th Street! What do I do? What do I do? I hop in a cab and race over to the scene,
"Driver! I'm panting, "Get me to 14 W. 19th Street and step on it!"
Then I arrive and ......I......well.... stand on the sidewalk and stare? I can't imagine this, it seems absurd. I've seen many famous faces in NYC. Once I came face to face with Bruce Vilanch in a theatre. At the time he was doing Hollywood Squares and I told him he was hysterical on the show. He said thank you, he seemed very sweet- end of story.
I suppose the site is called Gawker for a reason and they expect thier readership wants to do some real time gawking. Personally, I believe it's horribly rude to stare. Unless there are certain circumstances involved, I would feel silly approaching a total stranger, even if they are famous. I don't think gawking is for me. I better stick with the anonymous fun of reading blogs. :D
My Mother Taught Me it's Rude Too Stare!
Posted by Liz at 08:37 AM
Fifteen Movies I Can Watch Anytime
I think I watch a lot of movies. Mostly because Netflix makes it's so easy for me, bless their hearts. Last night I watched two really great movies, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room and Grizzly Man. Both films left me deeply disturbed and talking back to my TV (that's not good). I thought they were going to show the bear killing Timothy Treadwell in Grizzly Man but thank God they didn't. Just seeing this delusional person near those bears was horrifying enough. Fanaticism of any kind is scary. Timothy's days were numbered, that was obvious to everyone, even Tim on some level.
Enron is about a bunch of greedy smart ass' who committed an act of terrorism on their own country and as far as I'm concerned treason should be one of the charges against them now. Surprisingly Ken Lay (former CEO and scumbag) was best pals with the Bush's, father and son. Shocker huh?
And now for the list of fifteen films I can watch anytime. They all transport me to another time and place.
Create your own Movie List @ HotFreeLayouts!
Posted by Liz at 09:55 AM
Thought For The Day
Disappointment and Frustration
How can disappointments be opportunities to grow? When we feel thwarted, frustrated or empty it is difficult -- but not impossible -- to see the positive side of our pain.
Most disappointments come from a sense of failure when our expectations of ourselves or others are not met. If we can work through our initial response or source of frustration that lies within ourselves, we are taking the right steps toward turning our hurts and fears into growth-filled experiences.
Do we have unrealistic expectations of ourselves or approval of us? Have we sold ourselves short by placing our entire self-worth on our jobs, paychecks, or possessions? Have we accepted negative feelings about ourselves, or do we see ourselves as capable human beings?
TODAY I will probe the sources of my self-esteem. I will seek my happiness within myself, not in other people, places, or things.
I love this reading. Finding sources for my self-esteem from within is easier said than done because society measures everything on an ego based scale.
Maybe that name dropper person we all know doesn't have as much to say when there are no "big names" to mention? Am I guilty of feeding into that behavior? Am I secretly impressed with well known people, places and things? What would I do if I were laid off from my job today? Would my entire world collapse because my life even socially, is based entirely at work? Do I yearn for that pat on the back from a boss and revel in it when it finally comes? Am I enjoying the process of living, or am I waiting for the "right" person to come along and define me or maybe loads of money to come my way? Am I avoiding living life to the fullest by sabotaging myself?
Yes, this is a great reading, it really made me stop and evaluate myself and my motives.
Train tracks near my home. Photo by: Miles Skorpen
Posted by Liz at 09:10 AM
Roth Radio and the Rock Star
I have been listening to David Lee Roth in place of Howard Stern for the past eight weeks or so. I like David's show- it's topical. Aside from loving him in Van Halen, he is an intelligent conversationalist doing something totally different than Stern and I really appreciate that about him.
Dave has touched on a few topics but one morning in particular he was irate. The rumor mill had suggested that Van Halen was going to be on that reality game show Rock Star. Dave was like how dare they sit on a couch like a bunch of old farts when there lead singer is alive and well and still able to hit high notes! This sparked a huge discussion on the show itself and David was able to articulate what I was feeling all along about Rock Star.
INXS did the first season of rock Star with hosts Brooke Burke and Dave Navarro. Michael Hutchence was gone and the band was looking for a hot young gyrating male lead singer to help them all earn a pay check again. David Lee's whole stance has been the best bands are made up of members who grew up together, listened to the same musical influences and rocked out since high school. He should know having grown up in Pasadena with the Van Halen Brothers.
The band sat on a couch, the most unrock star like position possible for a bunch of 40- somethings, and judged hopeful contestants. I found the show, the concept and INXS to be very white washed and generic. Right after 9/11 I saw Dave and his band Jane's Addiction in concert. It made me sad to see Navarro playing Chuck Woolery instead of a guitar.
"Did anyone really think they would pick a girl for a lead singer," David Lee asked his radio audience.?
"HELL NO Dave, they all have wives now!" I answered back too my radio.
Eventually INXS picked a guy who appeared to be about 25 years their junior and a former Elvis impersonator. They hit the road, released a video, new single and played some old material. Dave took calls from people who saw and enjoyed the show however, INXS record sales have been dismal. According to David Lee, the numbers aren't enough to cover expenses of a touring band.
David announced this morning that a new band SuperNova is the new Rock Star wannabe. This band consists of drummer Tommy Lee. I guess the college campus' were closed to him this semester? Yea, I think its sad and kinda pathetic and do does Diamond Dave but he is thankful it's not Van Halen parked on the couch. Chemistry can't be forced and to put a rock group in the context of what is esssentially a game show just rubs me the wrong way.
Posted by Liz at 11:04 AM
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Say Goodbye
My friend Ms. Jimmi was in HOUSTON BERNARD's video filmed here in Philadelphia. Doesn't it look amazing? Congrats Gurl!!!
Click to see here the vid
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In other beauty news.... I have made some exciting new discoveries at my local drugstore I would like to share.
First is Clean and Clear's facial moisturiser. It's cheap and it works! My skin looks glowing.
Normally nothing but MAC lipglass touches these lips. It lasts and its super shiny. Sally Hansen has come up with a wonderful lip plumping gloss in a handy tube. The staying power and shine are comparable to MAC and these are HALF the cost. The color selection isn't great, but these are all very sheer. I bought two!
Finally... I never expose my skin to the sun...never. Loreal has come up with a lotion that has self tanner built in. It didn't streak and a little goes a long way. The color shows up, so I can't apply it every day.
Posted by Liz at 01:17 PM
Humbled
A funny thing happened this past week. I guess you could say a light went on for me. I was speaking with a very accomplished person. On the surface, I would kill to have this person's life. Inside I felt the presence of my ego and it was awful- really uncomfortable I am happy to say. The more the person talked the more impressed I was becoming with myself for having engaged them and it was an icky feeling that seemed to take on a life of it's own.
After a litany of who's who from this person, I couldn't hold back anymore. I made a comment and immediately knew I touched a nerve. Suddenly this accomplished lovely individual starts defending and qualifying there actions to me. I really had to chuckle to myself. I called a friend and asked,
"Was I out of line to say what I said? Am I just a hater?"
No way, she said. You were right on the money and you told it like it is.
I was humbled by the experience. Here I was lifting this person up in my mind to a place no one should be thrown into. I was reminded never to put anyone up or down- a pedestal is not a happy place to be. I have no idea what price someone else has paid but chances are I would not be willing to pay it. It's like that thing if everyone could throw their problems into a circle people always pick there own to take back. I can't compare my insides to someone else's outsides. We are all human and flawed. Sometimes a slice humble pie can taste so sweet.
Posted by Liz at 12:19 AM
Choices
For the longest time I didn't know I had choices. I wasn't raised with any choices- just do what you're told mentality. It took me a lot of bad choices or should I say a lacking ability to make choices before I learned to say yes and no at the appropriate times.
When you don't have choices growing up decisions are hard as an adult. Often your faith in yourself and your ability is shattered each time you make a choice. You give people what you think they want from you and hope they act in your best interest eventually you learn that everyone acts in their own best interest and again it's reconfirmed that you are not good at making choices.
Sometimes I still want to avoid my choice power. I don't want to believe that something is happening or that someone isn't showing up for me emotionally. I hang on, hoping against hope that I wont have to make a tough choice. All the while never seeing that not making a choice is whats hurting so much. Are there easy choices? Maybe after time marches on and the choice becomes clear it gets easier. What happens for me is as time passes more information is revealed. Why is it that I sometimes think the answers lay in other people? The answers for my life are tailored made for me and they are within me. No one is harboring my answers. How do I ask and does it even matter? Maybe I just need to go out on a limb, take a risk and make a choice. Everything will be OK.
Posted by Liz at 05:34 PM
My Yearbook Picture
I remember posing for this picture very well. They herded us up on stage and snap, snap, snap. Hopefully the picture turned out alright, there wasn't any room for retakes. I remember I wanted my lips to look full like Laura on General Hospital. Remember the whole Luke rapped Laura but then they fell in love? When I was in HS that storyline made perfect sense to me and we all watched with our hearts pounding- after school.
By the time this picture was taken, I had been to NYC many times and seen lots of Broadway shows. I already enjoyed museums and fashion. I was in the advanced art class and I was a junior dating the valedictorian of the senior class. (OMG! If I could find THAT prom pic, it would be hysterical but when we broke up I tore up all but one of the photos.) At this age, I fixed up some kids that are still married today with children of there own. My favorite album was Michael Jackson's Off The Wall. I never considered college until my senior year and I definitely lied to my parents to go to the shore with the boyfriend and friends. I never smoked or drank and I thought the kids that did were losers. (Years later when I worked at a rehab, so many of my class came through the doors. I was never surprised at who.)
I think yearbook pics are fun. Some call it cheesy, but its good clean, cheesy fun. Little did we know what would lay ahead for us. When I look at this pic, complete with the eyebrows (ACK!)- I'm still basically the same kid and I know I was loved.
Circa 1981
To all the haters- who keep reading about my life and can't seem to get enough: You know you're crushin on me and to you I say... POOF!
Posted by Liz at 02:30 PM
Sabotage
I’ll tell you now I keep it on and on
’cause what you see you might not get
And we can bet so don’t you get souped yet
You’re scheming on a thing that’s a mirage
I’m trying to tell you now it’s sabotage
Whyyy; our backs are now against the wall
Listen all of y’all it’s a sabotage ~ Sabotage by: The Beastie Boys
There are some areas in my life where I want to gain momentum. Lately I have come to the realization that I some other things need to be put in place first. I have to address some issues I would rather side step because they seem like work and they are areas I have struggled with in the past.
When I see someone who has what I want, I usually ask them how they got where they are. I'm always looking for a role model and I have many. Thats right role models aren't just for kids anymore! Many times, they have things in place in areas of which I am lacking. I have to be honest with myself about why I feel lacking. I need to make some basic improvements and let the rest take care of itself after all I know I already have everything I need within me, I just have to uncover it.
Instead of sabotaging my progress, the following are areas I could start working on today...
1.) Improving my inner circle of friends. Having goal oriented people whose work I admire and respect close by.
2.) Not ignoring my diet and exercise. It's not alright to pack on weight and expect it to go away on its own.
3.) Get real about my fiances and use professionals to help me get where I need to be- debt free.
4.) Look my best at all times. I can slack off when I think no one is looking and that can be a bad habit to get into.
5.) Always put my spiritual well being first. My serenity is the most important thing in ensuring I attain my goals.
Finally~
R.I.P. Dana Reeve. Hopefully she and Chris are hand in hand walking through a green field of daisies.
Posted by Liz at 10:25 AM
My Heart is Open I Swear
My heart is open. To life, to love, and to my greater good. Nothing can come to me if my heart is closed. Opening my heart doesn't mean laying myself out as a doormat. All my faculties are still engaged. I am not suspending my judgment and discrimination I'm removing from my inner world that which blocks me from being able to receive and experience the simple pleasures of any given day.
Life is happening all around me; the world is full of magic if I can recognize it and take it in. If I lack the ability to be touched and moved by the beauty that surrounds me, I am poor. But I am rich if I have the facility to take in the wonder that surrounds me.
I experience this magical mystery tour called life. ~ Thought for the Day
I love the line that goes, I am not suspending my judgment and discrimination I'm removing from my inner world that which blocks me. It tells me that I get to decide what is working for me and remove myself from what feels like a limitation.
What doesn't work for me today is neediness. What I am referring too is meeting a man, chatting and right up front he lets me know he is looking for a serious relationship. The bells and whistles in my head shriek and immediately my guard goes up.
This morning through the course of work, I met this gentleman, a fellow employee, for the first time. In the first three minutes of talking he told me he was single and had no children. I assure you this information had nothing to do with the reason we were speaking in the first place. Right away I thought to myself,
"Whoa this person is really conscience of the fact that he is single what's that's all about?"
This past weekend I was chatting with an acquaintance who had just been dumped by his girlfriend. Almost immediately he suggested that I might want to fill the new opening in his life. Now my first thought is- why would I jump into something with this person on the rebound? Being the band aide for someones wounded pride isn't my idea of romance or attraction, neither of which I was feeling. I was only interested in lending an ear to someone who was hurting.
I believe my heart is open... really I do. I also think I get to be a little discriminate on my own behalf don't I? I don't have to settle. When a person comes along that I'm interested in I think I'll know. I wont need to blurt out my wants and needs in the first thirty seconds and either will he. That in itself would peak my interest.
Posted by Liz at 09:11 AM
The Mods Of Myspace
Princess Melissa has mentioned finding a subculture of black Vampires on myspace. I'm intrigued with all the mods I have come across and I read there pages daily. Has anyone else noticed all these fashionista's on myspace? These kids are coming out of California and rocking the most amazing vintage style clothing, hair and makeup in what seems to be everyday life.
When I was a little girl I recall my mother giving me history on Mary Quant cosmetics. I thought that single pop art flower was so cool. In the 80's I wore Betsy Johnson's throw back stuff from the 60's- bright prints and high zipped collars with huge earrings. One of my friends mothers collected old fashion magazines and Twiggy was all over the pages. She was stunning with her short hair and huge eyes. My mother said her name was Twiggy because she was so thin. The other day Twiggy herself commented that she was the first working class model and remained true to her background by never changing her accent. Of course today she is as beautiful as ever and an icon.
I've made a point of chatting with some of the mods online and they are super sweet, talented and bright. Several of the girls are into fashion design and the guys are all modern day Alfies in there double breasted jackets, swinging with the most gorgeous females ever to wear mini skirts, hair bands and eyeliner. Men! There is something to be said for a sharp dressed gentlemen- just ask Michael Caine who will always be the epitome of sixties cool for me.
The mods enjoy the music of the era and they all feature it on there myspace pages. They are into scooters and gather in Chinatown at a club called Transistor. The photo sessions they post are remarkable. Gorgeous pics with stunning guys and girls submerged in the beat generation. This movement isn't about not bathing, or dropping out of school to piss off your parents. It's creative, reflective and fun! It seems to attract larger than life, creative people and nothing can be bad about that.
The new Mods Photo by Maurice de la Falaise
Posted by Liz at 11:24 AM
American Idol Train Wreck
I can't stand American Idol. Unlike most cheese balls this one lays flat in my stomach undigested. With the exception of one Kelly Clarkson, I couldn't name any winners. Most bad television of the "reality" nature contains some addict falling off the wagon before our eyes. Funny how living with is addiction is no fun but watching it on TV is compelling. It's almost a requirement now that at least one cast member drink or drug themselves into a stupor and get confronted on air. Surreal Life had Janice Dickerson and China Doll, of course there was Bobby and Whitney and who could forget Danny Bonaduce or recently Jeff Conaway of Celebrity Fit Club? AI has Paula Abdul coming unhinged now that the William Hung ratings grabber part of the show is over. Right on Paula- take one for the team! Your reputation is in the toilet anyway since that big and very real sex scandel right? Fabulous Dan Renzi is reporting on this natural disaster I have yet to witness for myself. Bobby Brown and Danny Bonaduce's programs played the train wreck factor to the hilt, maybe AI is finally starting to get interesting?
Stay tuned for Paula Abdul's rehab watch.
Posted by Liz at 06:52 AM
No Comment
It's March and that's great. I'm actually looking forward to Spring and the warm weather. Work was cancelled today and that's just as well because my throat is sore and my voice is horse so I want to chill out today and drink tea.
Some people have mentioned about the comments being shut off here on UA. Yea, I was tired of the spam and the haters you get on the net. I can't imagine why people get so invested in a total strangers life but apparently they do. After a few years of blogging I really don't care about comments anymore. In the beginning I think every blogger lives for comments. I was telling The Divine One recently that just because you have... say five steady posters doesn't mean that's an accurate gage of your readership. I'm shocked when I'm out and meet people and they say they have read this blog. Sometimes I write and I forget anyone is looking which is probably best anyway.
A great blog coming out of Philly now is called Mental Hopscotch by the adorable and talented Freddy. Just blogging about his life has opened doors and Freddy has a column now in the Philly Gay News. He is so smart and very sweet so check him out! He is still enabling his comment section. :)
Posted by Liz at 09:03 AM
Circa 1981