Milk

OMG!! Milk was freaken awesome!

As always, Gus Van Sants kept us at an emotional distance, making it harder to connect to the majority of his characters, except the one that gives the audience access to the entire story. Back in Elephant, the first film I saw of his, Alex is our emotional access point, the person who the audience can really connect to. This puts more pressure on the lead, to act thought the fourth wall, so Sean Penn really had to work for it, and he did, and it showed in the film and the recognition he received. Also, Sean Penn smiled, a lot, truly emulating the late Harvey Milk, with gestures and crooked smiles and general beings.

I missed the first five mintues (Caroline ran late), so I don't know if they said in the begining that Dan White killed him, which might have made the film slightly less potent than just knowing that Milk would die, then the little shock if you didn't previously google before walking into their theater. Whats funny is in Middle School I wiki'ed Dan White in connection with the Twinkie Defense that got him off for the assassination of two government officials, I just didn't remember that it was Harvey Milk.

The death scene was beautifully shot, where Milk is in his office, Dan walks in, makes him go to his knees, and you see Dan standing behind him, gun drawn, then the shot and blood stain Milk, the camera panning as he falls forward, then out the window to the opera house, a poster of a large women sobbing in the way everyone must have felt like doing after news reached.

The use of news real in combination with film worked very well in this film, Anita the Hun Briant shown in brilliant Technicolor as the beautiful devil she is. The whole idea of protecting the children, shown for the idiocy it truly was. This also tied to the idea that in California, now, if your gay you can't adopt children already here, but if your heterosexual, unemployed and living with your parents and on well-fare, you can have a whole litter.

The Speeches given at the Oscars were brilliant. Dustin Lance Black quote was brilliant
"I think he'd want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by their government or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally, across this great nation of ours. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you, God, for giving us Harvey Milk."

I loved Sean Penn's speech, why "“you commie, homo-loving sons of guns.” ask, because quite simply it kicked but!

"For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, and, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone. And there are these last two things. I’m very, very proud to live in a country that’s willing to elect an elegant man President."

Coraline

Neil Gaiman is one very creepy and brilliantly talented man. He originally wrote Coraline in 2002, it won numerous awards. Not only was Coraline beautifully captured, a truly amazing stop-motion animation, but it also hits home in the crafting community.

The first scene, gorgeous close ups, the process of sewing the Coraline doll, beautifully archaic tools known to most crafters, construct a Coraline replica. In order to generate more buzz for the film, they actually sent out boxes to 50 blogs including some of the set of the movie!!

Coraline was a creepily beautiful story, captured magnificently, kind of like a preserved swallow-tail butterfly.

Why Foodgawker Looks So Good

They actually critique the photos. If they don't like them, it gets rejected.
The two photos I submitted were sent back with words like 'Blur' and 'Harsh Light'. Also they will publish photos that link to blogs that don't include the recipe!!!!

Wow, the mystery of the magical photographs is uncovered!!!!

Paths of Glory

The saying goes that 10,000 men lost is a statistic while a single death is a tragedy. So in Paths of Glory, a single failed mission, where many died due to enemy and friendly fire, the tragedy is the three executions following. Three men were scarified to the ambition the greed and the pride of their superiors. While the soldiers went that it wasn't death that was to be feared, but the pain of dying, the agony of the slow wound rather then the quick death of gunfire. Ironic, considering the execution by firing squad, a quicker death, a preferred . The irony of the firing squad continues with the idea none of the firing squad got far enough to shoot at the German troops, but they could fire at their own 'solider brothers'!

Irony is a continuing theme, with the dignitary ball held before the executions, where all have a grand time before and during the death of the three men. The press putting on the pressure that the three men needed to die, the idea that the masses truly control the world, that public opinion is what drives the leaders. The flow of blame down the chain of command, where each General's choice was filtered down into the massive casualties on the failed Ant Hill Mission.

But why did the mission fail? In the beginning, Kirk Douglas' character stated he and his troops couldn't take 'The Ant Hill', that it was as impossible as would be found out. Then his commander bribes him with the promotion if they can take "the Hill". Then the statistics are laid out so callously, ironically, because it was stated that 1/3 of the men would be lost due to French friendly fire (ironic because of the number 3 and the death by firing squad). Then the General wanted artillery to fire at their own location, to scare his troops out of the trenches, which would later come back to bite him.

The irony is in the caricatures of intimacy, the brotherly bonds that supposedly are born due to the military, but so easily broken to even the slightest betrayal. The Sargent delivering his solider to the firing squad, the betrayals for power and survival. The impossible choice of the group leaders in the sacrifice of their single solider, each leader picking their sacrifice for unpure reasons.

The tight shots show the claustrophobias of war, the intimacy and betrayal echoed in the shots.

At the end of the film, it is shown the commander will be tried in a similar trial for his ordering of attack on his own men. The singing German women at the end echoing this idea, that all the solider are as far away from home as she is.

Black Bean Burgers

The government of Germany (this is Germany, people, where there is over 100 types of sausage) has asked its citizens to reserve the eating of meat to only on special occasions, due to the fact that 15% of their air pollution is because of agriculture. In Germany!!!!!

So I started new vegetarian recipes.


Black Bean Burgers

2 14 ounce cans of black beans, rinsed and drained, divided
3 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain dry bread crumbs
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 Tbsp vegetable oil

1. Pulse 1 can beans in food processor with mayo, bread crumbs, cumin, oregano and cayenne until a coarse puree forms. Transfer to a bowl and stir in cilantro and remaining can bean. Form mixture into 4 patties.

2. Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium high heat until it shimmers. Cook burgers until outside are crisp and lightly brown, about 5 minutes total.

Texas Needs to Be Annexed

Seriously. Look at what came out of the Waco District!!!!

Lookie!!

Wow, if they get angry about the new facts developing moon, like its a reflector, imagine the riots when someone mentions Darwin's Birthday coming up on February the 12th.

Screenwriting- "Can Films Make A Difference"

"Writing Consciousness-Raising Stories" - Catherine Ann Jones
Student Filmmakers July 2008

In 1994 Quentin Tarantino's film Natural Born Killers, a satirical crime film, the main couple murders about 50 people "for the great sex after". The week it opened, a couple in the Midwest recreated the film's premise. When they were arrested, they gave the names of the characters. This shows the dark side of film, but there is also the story that provides a carthatic release for the viewer. The trick is to finding the balance in it I believe.

Amazing Cookies!

Instead of doing work, I made chocolate crinkle cookies that absolutely rock my socks!!

I have been told they are the secret love child of the brownie vampire princess (Sofia) and slave werewolf cookie (Lucian). This love story ends tragically though, because her father burns her to prevent the abomination in her tummy. And this metaphor leads doesn't work because the base is a chocolate cake mix and it's good for the stomach...........

Anyway, this leads into a long rant about how much I want to go see UNDERWORLD: Rise of the Lycans!!!



Super Easy Chocolate Crackled Cookies

Ingredients:
1 devil's food cake mix (18 1/4 ounce)
1/2 cup shortening
1 tablespoon water
2 eggs

1 cup powdered sugar for non-rick rolling!

Directions:
1. I was making Squash and Mac so the oven was already at 350!!! But if not preheat oven and lay down parchment paper or SPLAT or professional baking mat.

2. In your local Kitchen Aid, beat together the shortening, water, and eggs. Add the cake mix, and mix until smooth. I usually have to get out a spatula to incorporated.

3. Roll balls into balls about a half golf ball sized ball. Then plop the the balls in a bowl of powder sugar, prop onto . Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

4. Bake for 10 minutes. Enjoy for about a week!!! (I don't actually know how long they last because they're gone in about 3 days!)

Lawrence of Arabia

The middle east has always been ducked. Various tribes all fighting for bare necessities in a barren trek of land between the rivers and seas. Under an oppressive sun and outside interests, pride and religion clashing like calvary swords, under the cloak of brotherhood . The ideas of brotherhood, of loyalty is what Lawrence of Arabia explores.

The graphic scenes of bloodshed, of true wartime battle, are explicitly and exquisite shot, literally moving pictures, where each scene is a photograph. Lighting, set design, and costuming drive the point of fine art home. The contrast of settings, from the barren deserts to the lush seaside of Damascus and Aqaba. Seeing the conditions that the Arab tribes live in, barren, bleak desert, makes them more understandable, the thirst for blood like that of water. The loathing of members of rival tribes, the disdain and fear of the different.

Costume design plays a key roll, visually separating British commanding officers in their tight pants from natives in their flowing robes. The costuming also designates change of loyalty, the inter-battle going on in Lawrence is captured in his wardrobe. His loyalty to Britain is first shown when in Officer regalia; his change of loyalty shown as a change of clothes, his rebirth from a bastard son of Britain to an Honorary Arab. His change from trousers, lapels and buttons to flowing traditional garb visually captures his change of sides, where his loyalty then lies. But he switches back into pants, back to his old life after war changes him, the gallons of blood he and his own little army spilled, piling on him. Then his loyalty is tested, his own judgment change; during one of the first vividly homoerotic, openly sadistic scenes where his is captured and beating because no matter what he wears, under the keffiyeh he still has blue British eyes, and he will never be an true Arab.

Lawrence of Arabia captures the inner battle between Lawrence and his loyalties, his loyalty to Britain, to his moral code, and to the Arab tribes.

Orange Pecan Gems

These soft orange cookies are a great juxtapose to the crunchy pecans in the dough and the gem! This recipe was in my cookbook for a few weeks, and I wanted something easy (because its a cake-mix) but crazy awesome. I wanted to make something new for my mother's garden meeting!

Orange Pecan Gems
Active time: about 30 unfocused minutes
From start to finish: 2 hours
Makes about five dozen amazing cookies!

1 box of Orange cake mix
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
(if you only have one, use one cup of that)
1 egg
2 tbsp butter or margarine
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Pecan halves for decorations

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray Pam to treat cookie sheets. (I used four sheets in total, rotating between Ikea sheets with Pam and old pans with SPLAT mats.)

Add cake mix, yogurt, eggs, margarine, and chopped pecans to bowl of electric mixer, and mix together for about two minutes, then scrap sides of the bowl. Drop about one and a half teaspoonfuls two inches apart on the prep cookie sheets. Press the pecan halves down into the cookie dough.

Bake at 350 for 11 to 13 minutes or until bottom sides brown or golden. I cooled on sheets, but a cookie tray would be better. Store in an airtight container.
These cookies are amazing with a cup of Black Mango Tea with honey and milk.

Lighting Your Subject's Face for Most Flattering or Most Dramatic Effect

The reason behind good lighting is professionalism. The most effective lighting accentuates the performer and the performance. To do this, move lighting around the subject in order to find the ideal height and position, key lighting should falls on the side of the face furthest from the camera.

20th Annual Asian Culture Festival

Code 51 will be going to the Asian Cultural Festival, and we will eat amazinly and I shall buy my belly dancing bell belt!!

For those who can't remember Asian Fest!, it is amazing because the sheer amount of vendors, participants, crazy amazing acts and fricken awesome yummies!

The picture is the start of the shirt design I'm working on to commemorate this crazy awesome day.

March 7th and 8th, 10am to 6pm
Admission: 7 dollars

I believe in little elves!

Originally said by Steven Colbert when asked if he believes in money.

This is based on the idea that money is an agreement of value, a unit of trust. This is why the bills in your pocket are signed by the Secretary of Treasury, this is the promise of money.

But what is money really, besides a unit of value and a unit of account, its a belief, an exercise in trust, of those that deal it, those that accept it for payment for goods and services rendered. Its a belief, its a promise that anyone who uses money.

By the logic of belief, that if enough people believe in something, then it makes it true. But it also makes it a religion!!!

So technically, all atheist do follow one religion if they buy or sell!!

A Gay Term Paper

Homosexuality has existed, openly, since Egypt. It was highly recognized in Ancient Greece, and the Romans had an actual marital relationship two male partners could enter into, this was made illegal after the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and Jesus Christ became the leading deity. Halfway across the world, India had similar customs at the start of the current era; China and Japan joined at the next turn of the millennium. During the Dark Ages, homosexuality all but died, having its rebirth, along with most of our modern ideals, during the Renaissance. There it flourished through the Age of Enlightenment, along the epicenter of scientific knowledge. Homosexuality was present during start of the American Revolution, gay unions first raising their heads in ’Boston Marriages” where two females in a committed relationship, where they were sharing household, granted rights similar to a married couple.

Yet this progress was halted, thanks to the Victorian Age, “Christian Morals” were once again at the focus of British, and, by proxy American minds. The new social order successfully crushed the developed debauchery of the Aristocratic order and reinstalled hope in the growing Middle Class, along rightfully slaying open sexuality, both female and gay. Here in the US, it stayed buried, through the Civil and First World War, because no soldier wanted to be the first to admit these ‘debase’ feelings to others, because of how contemporary culture stood. In those time, people who were homosexual denied it with ever fiber of their beings. Often times these ‘Closet Cases’ were isolated in remote country, never knowing there were others who where like them. In the major cities, a Gay underground developed. This secretive hiding changed during the Second World War, due in part to the 1920s, which successfully lifted away most of the Victorian Veil. When closet country boys where able to meet out city slickers, who knew the Network. While all the men where out, fighting to defeat the Nazis, (who, incidentally, actually shot at a successfully killed homosexual men, instead of merely just denying their existence) women where left here to fend for themselves, with each other.

The gay scene begin developing in the 1950s, coming to term during the Civil rights movement of the 1960s, coming mainstream in the 1970s. From then on out this microscopic community has played Israel, fighting much large, much more heavily armed mainstream society. Their, gays have been fighting for rights against closed-minded bigots, whose ‘moral superiority ’ and blind hatred have been grinded in since birth by their parents, by their churches, by their communities and by society.

The fight for equal rights started in the 1970s. The first gay couple who applied for a marriage license, Jack Baker and James Michael McConnell in Hennepin County, Minnesota, May 18 1970. The license is denied, and this denial was appealed all the way to the Minnesota Supreme Court, which refused to hear the case. Yet the current trend of Banning Gay Marriage in Certain States is because of a similar case that made it though the Supreme Court, demanding the couple in question was being denied right granted to them through Hawaii’s Constitution, this was in 1993, Hawaiian Legislators in 1998 drafted and ratified the Definition Amendment, legally defining marriage as a union between a man and a women., therefore, making it so that the Supreme Court couldn’t over rule it, because it was part of their Constitution.

Currently 32 states have officially “Banned” gay marriage, by an amendment to their constitution that legally defines marriage as a union between a man and a women, which is what conservative Floridians hope to do in the 2008 Amendment vote. Consequently, this ban fuels a negative attitude towards gays, that their love isn’t worthy of commitment or recognition. California and Massachusetts, along with six other countries have legalized “Same-sex Marriage”, including South Africa, which until about 18 years ago, denied rights based on skin color, so they’re clearly stepping in the right direction. 17 countries and five states recognize Civil unions; along with five states and seven countries that grant rights under other clauses. The first Civil Unions were offered in 1989 in Denmark.