The Game Comes Full Circle

For most of these, I invite you to make your own interpretations, but this requires some explanation. This photo is from the film The American President, in which Michael Douglas played the title character and Martin Sheen his chief of staff.

But in my head, of course, it's Douglas' President Andrew Shepherd meeting with his successor, Sheen's President Josiah Bartlet.

Allow a man his dreams.



BTW, if you've gotten this far down the screen and are wondering what's going on here, I'm ending this year's "list" meme for the month of August with three "photo essays," one for each of my blogs, upon the subject of delight.

These are some of the things I think delight me.

Trees in winter

Trees in winter
Originally uploaded by KrWe

Great Tit

Great Tit
Originally uploaded by Ian A Kirk

Honestly. That's what it's called. I didn't name the bird, people!

20:06 20/06/2006

20:06 20/06/2006
Originally uploaded by hugovk

Be aware of everything.

Great Pumpkin

Great Pumpkin
Originally uploaded by bon_here

A Guide to Recognizing Whores

Say...you know what word I don't use very often, even when I want to be nasty about someone? Whore. Not absolutely never, I mean I'll call someone a media whore, for example. But for the most part, I don't.

Part of that is because I think that the Urban Dictionary generally got it right when they defined it thus:

whore: A woman that sleeps with everyone but YOU!!!!!

Also I just don't like the word. Just yesterday I was looking at one of those YouTube clips that I find and occasionally post here from time to time, this one was of a couple of kids dancing to Dire Straits.

Not very well done (just from a technical standpoint--you could hardly hear the music), so I didn't post it. I did glance at the comments, tho, and saw that some stylish person had written simply:

Whores.

Couple of 15-year-old kids, for Christ's sake...

Now. To paraphrase Bill Cosby, "I told you that story, to tell you this one." Or rather, I wanted to establish that "whore" is not a word I toss around like a...well, like a whore sleeps around.

But, there is one exception. There is one person I have called a whore in the past, and will again in the future--the very, very near future. And it's not because they sleep with everybody but me.

But when you're a lesbian giving money to a homophobe because your daddy's rich and powerful and you are above the law...

Not to beat around the bush, when you are Mary Cheney.

You are a whore.

Fully awesome! ...Oh please, oh please...

Ok...how to put this...how to put this...how many of the rest of you have seen Bolt? It's not just me, is it? Well...oh bother, I'll just have to explain this further.

The title character in that movie is a dog who stars in a hit adventure TV-show, but who doesn't know that it is only a TV show, be believes his "powers" to be real.

When he meets up with the only other character who also believes that, a manic hamster called Rhino, the hamster exclaims in hushed tones:

"You're fully awesome!"

What made me think of that?

Oh, just this little jot of news:

Terry Gilliam wants to work for Pixar.

(There's also an interesting video interview, with my favorite director, at that link. Recommended.)

Pussycat Dolls split in row over Scherzinger?

American pop girls group The Pussycat Dolls has called it a day, amid jealous rows over the rising profile of lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, girlfriend of British motor racing ace Lewis Hamilton.

Band member Kimberly Wyatt confirmed Saturday that the group were taking a long break to consider their future, fuelling speculation that it's all over for the band who formed in LA in 2003, reports mirror.co.uk.

"The girls and I have just finished our huge world tour and are taking a break from the band and doing our own thing... We're all concentrating on our own projects and deciding what the future will hold," said Wyatt.

Rumours are rife that tensions have been mounting in the Pussycat camp for several months. The five-member ensemble has been divided by jealousy over the star treatment being meted out to their lead singer.

Earlier this year Scherzinger, 31, was singled out for special mention on the group's "Slumdog Millionaire" single "Jai jo", which was billed as The Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger.

Moonshine Calypso, Buy Sexy Swimwear at e-bikini.net

Price: $89.00

Product Description

eBikini Moonshine Calypso - Our classic Calypso Bikini style in chocolate and sky blue will look so slimming on you. This fuller coverage bikini has an Underwire Top, and higher cut banded bottom. Its been a customer favorite style for years! With these two great colors it is sure to look fantastic on you. -

e-Bikini.net has largest collection of sexy bikini and women’s swimwear at low price. We offer Moonshine Calypso in eBikini Underwire and also have brazilian bikini, micro mini bikini, designer women’s swimsuits, buy sexy swimwear, sexy sheer bikinis, brazilian beach girl bikini and many more.

I think I'm going to cry.

Ok, not really. But still: This is damn disconcerting (in a good way).



Do me a favor: If you agree, spread this around. Let's see if we can't boost its viewership.

Practicing

Stephen Fry wrote:

Monty Python was the practice of [comedy], the embodiment of the sketch, of silliness, of verbal and visual brilliance.

Note to self: In about seven years, introduce nephew to Python.

Rani Mukherji on the Cover of Hi! Blitz - September 2009

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski are set to wed.

Emily Blunt and John Krasinski are set to wed.

The British actress, 26, and The Office star, 29, have been dating since November 2008 - following her split from Canadian crooner Michael Buble.

Krasinski has been linked in the past with co-stars Renee Zellweger and Rashida Jones.

Blunt's spokesperson tells People.com, "We can confirm that John and Emily are engaged."

The British actress previously dated Michael Buble, who she met in backstage at an awards show in Australia back in 2005. The couple shared a home until their split in 2008.

It's beena year of huge success for Emily Blunt as her acting career has soared. She starred in The Young Victoria earlier this year, a role that could see her land an Oscar nomintion come awards season.

She will return to the big screen with The Wolf Man alongside Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins. She is currently working on Gulliver's travels with Jack Black.

Actors Urged To Avoid Michael Jackson Movie

Union bosses at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) have warned members not to take part in the documentary about Michael Jackson's doomed This Is It tour.

Sony Pictures have purchased rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage from concert promoters AEG Live, filmed at Los Angeles' Staples Center, as Jackson prepared for his residency at London's o2 Arena.

Sony has planned a two-week run for the film beginning 28 October (09); however, SAG bosses have announced that the film's producers have not agreed to the minimum basic terms and conditions for performers and background actors employed on the project.

A statement from the union reads: "Guild members are reminded of their obligation not to accept employment on any non-signatory project, as well as their obligation to confirm with the guild that a project is signatory.

"Employment on any non-signatory project within the guild's jurisdiction may subject a member to a Rule One violation."

The union did not have jurisdiction over rehearsals and behind-the-scenes footage during filming, which it expects to be a feature release.

Jackson was set to take the stage in July (09), just weeks after he died from cardiac arrest on 25 June (09).

Olsen Inspiration

Most of the photos are 3 or 4 years old, I've had them stored away in my inspiration folder for years..its amazing how their style from 2 or 3 years ago still manages to inspire me to this day.

Chills.

The latest from Saw VI director Kevin Greutert's blog:

The opening of Saw VI hereby challenges the opening of Saw II to a duel.

That's the opening of Saw II.

Greutert continues:

The audio team up here in Canada works on movies that are normally more along the lines of Atom Egoyan’s dramas, so it’s always very special when we get to immerse them in the swirling cyclone of screams that is SAW.

I can't wait...

I've said it before, and sadly, sadly, sadly, I feel the need to say it again

The reason why the Republican Party is still in control--and they are, electoral victories be damned--is because they have accepted, and learnt to use to their advantage, something that Democrats still fight to deny:

Most people in this country are rock-bone-stick-stupid. Now, that's obviously one of my more cynical pronouncements. But, read this (via Think Progress) and tell me you can come up with another explaination.

The Columbian reports today that Raymond Denny, a 64-year old man from La Center, Washington, recieved a thirteen-question survey in the mail from the RNC, and that one of the questions implied that the health care reform bills before Congress would purposely discriminate against people who affiliated with the Republican Party

A spokesman for the RNC has now described the mailing as “inartfully worded.”

Oh, don't sell yourself short, RNC. I'd say it's very arfully worded...if you accepted what I assert you've accepted. And the proof of it is that even though this is being called (and is) "shameful" "fear-mongering"...you're still going to knock any chance we had of meaningful health reform down flat.

Way to go.

Three Transient Tongues in Cheek

...and this morning I got up to a gentle rapping at my door, announcing the arrival of another package of goodies from my Amazon list, this one courtesy of my friend Jen AKA "Jeopardygirl."

She sent me a couple of things, first, Simon Reynolds' lovely book, Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984.

I read a library copy of this a few years ago when it first came out, and reviewed it for Amazon thus:

What more can you ask from a music/pop culture book other than that it tell you things you didn't know about bands you generally consider yourself knowledgeable of?

This one deserves space on the shelf of fans...for that if no other reason.

And now it gets space on mine.

As with Corey and RTD's book yesterday, there's a certain aptness to this, as Jen and I share a fondness for this era musically. I can't speak for Jen, but if you wanted to take a peek at what it's like to live in my head pretty much 24/7 (like some New Romantic looking for a TV sound)...







The second thing she sent is the DVD of one of the great concerts by one of the great comedians, Carlin at Carnegie.



Making me feel all moderately neato...

Michael Jackson's 51st Birthday: Rare Photos

Top 10 tips to vintage style your wardrobe

Vintage Fashion

If personal style and a touch of class are important to you and, at the same time, you want your buying decisions to be good for the planet, then you probably already have some beautiful vintage items in your wardrobe. If not, it may be time to start.

Buying vintage ticks a lot of boxes. As well as allowing you to express yourself individually (think beautiful and one-off items) you are ensuring the continued use of perfectly usable items and, as a bonus, you will probably spend less.

How to vintage style your wardrobe
Although it’s a very personal activity with no rights or wrongs, here’s our top ten vintage tips from the experts:

One – get out there and have a look
Locate vintage stores in your area (or wherever you’re shopping): try googling ‘vintage’, ‘opportunity’ or ‘charity’ shops, ‘secondhand stalls’ or ‘markets’.
Browse – you need to have a bit of time on your hands and enjoy hunting through the eclectic selection you’ll find in most shops.
If it’s your local area, you’ll soon find your favourite destinations that seem to have those quirky little items that match your own quirky style.

Two – be open to opportunity, with a twist of practicality
Don’t be too fussy. If you find something you really like, but it’s not quite perfect, ask yourself whether – with a little effort – you can fix it or have it professionally cleaned. If you want to clean an item yourself using a natural cleaner, white vinegar is excellent on many stains (test it first on a part of the fabric you can’t see). Do be realistic and discerning though. You don’t want to buy something that just sits in one of your drawers, unworn for the rest of time because the thought of fixing it is just too much. Look out for stains that can’t be removed (eg make-up or deodorant), grubby or frayed cuffs and collars that will not clean or repair.

Three – pick a style, theme or era
This is one approach. It may be that you’re just nuts about the 1950s or Katherine Hepburn’s eponymous style. You may only want to wear black and red. Sometimes a theme helps focus the mind – although beware of going over the top and looking like you are on your way to a fancy dress party.

Four – be creative and eclectic
This is the opposite approach to number three. Go for a new interpretation and combine items in novel ways. Have fun! Try things and buy things you have never considered before. You may find a cut that absolutely suits your shape and personal style, not to mention the fabrics you can find. Having an eclectic wardrobe allows you to put an unlimited combination of items together, to suit any mood or occasion.

Five – Accessorise
There are some absolutely fantastic accessories from bygone days out there – bakelite brooches, hats, gloves and scarves from just about every era, as well as belts, shoes and a wonderful selection of costume jewellery. Sometimes less is more and a small statement piece can make an outfit.

Six – Modern Twist
Supplement with current items – give it a modern interpretation and give it your own interpretation. (Another way to ensure you avoid that carnival costume look.) For example, you could mix a 1950s twinset with a sexy contemporary tailored skirt and add stylish and one-off accessories for that final touch. Authentic 1950s ‘cardigan clips’ complete with chain might just finish the outfit perfectly.

Seven – A nostalgic item from a particular period, designer or fashion icon
Josephine’s empire line, Coco Chanel’s knitted suit, Yves St Laurent’s black tie trouser suit, bell-bottom trousers and fair isle skinny knits, wonderful Victorian cotton nighties updated as dresses. Hipster mini skirts worn with suede boots, vintage scarves and belts, a wealth of vintage denim. If you come across a 1930s pink satin knee length petticoat with lace bodice and you have the figure – knockout.

Eight – Be inspired
If you are lucky enough to live in a decent sized city or town, look out for any retrospective fashion exhibitions. If the curator has done their job well, apart from the delight of seeing beautiful fabrics and prints, you can research a look or an era.

Nine – Read up on fashion history
Apart from the inspiration you can get from fashion photography and illustration (which themselves are representative of different eras), like me, you might enjoy learning about the diverse and interesting circumstances that have influenced and shaped the way we have dressed over the years. The internet, libraries and the fashion section of good bookshops are all full of fantastic reference material.

Ten – Back to basics: hair and make-up
A great haircut or bright red lipstick will make you look intentional. As long as you look like you mean it, you will avoid vintage clothing looking like you’ve just raided your grandmother’s closet – or the local clothing bank. Your look can be from a particular period (if you want to go the whole hog) or contemporary. Set off that outfit you’ve created!

Lindsay Lohan`s neighbours want her to move out

Lindsay Lohan’s neighbours apparently want the actress to move out after being fed up with the paparazzi who take up the parking space.

The singer’s peeved neighbours said “it has been a nightmare” ever since the star, whose house has been twice burglarised, shifted in Hollywood Hills, according to RadarOnline.com.

"The truth is that this is a very quiet neighborhood and there have been no break-ins apart from at Lindsay Lohan''s house," the New York Daily News quoted a neighbour as saying.

"Since she moved in last November it has been a nightmare with all the paparazzi parking in our driveways waiting for her," the neighbour added.

The neighbour also said: "I've got nothing personal against her but she needs to find a home in a gated community with security at the main gate because all the residents are fed-up with the situation.

Quest for the Golden Gate - (a stop-animation w/ dungeons & dragonsfigures, buddhas, owls, and a giraffe)

Quest for the Golden Gate - (a stop-animation w/ dungeons & dragons figures, buddhas, owls, and a giraffe)
Originally uploaded by jon cooney

Four Fascinations (and praise to a pal)

Thanks to Corey Klemow for sending me the Russell T. Davies book off my wish list. For those of you who don't know, Davies is the writer/producer who rebuilt Doctor Who and took it to new heights; he's written (with a journalist) a book about it.

Corey and I are both fairly unrepentant Doctor Who geeks We first "met" a little over ten years ago (god help us both...) on the old rec.arts.drwho message boards and later in person at a con.

I'd say more but as I'm writing I've just come in from a day with the nephew, and want very much to crawl into a Zero Room.

Corey knows what I mean by that, but for those of you who don't, think




It seems very fitting Corey should be the one to send this to me. Thank you, Corey. :)

Somebody Twittered me this morning

Specifically, at least one person from London, England visited the post from yesterday regarding my suspicions about celebrity gossip blog writers, by following a link from an unidentified Twitter page.

I feel so used.

Imran Khan with his Girlfriend Avantika

Imran Khan with his Girlfriend Avantika during their visit to a multiplex in Mumbai.

Oh, my head

Damnit, Fox...we just got Winona Ryder to shut up about there being a sequel...

Heathers, the TV series.

Make it stop...make it stop!

Some things should remain untainted...

Or, "The only way in which Michael Richards would ever get to work again."

Senfeld reunion. Woo-hoo.

Ah, crap.

Rob Zombie's Halloween 2 is not being screened for critics...and you know what that means, like 99 times out of 100. Too bad. I had some hopes for it, but I guess, as with his first version, I'll be waiting on the DVD...

Leslie Mann in Marni Fall 09'

Sandra Bullock in Lanvin Spring 09'

Sometimes I begin to suspect that some of those who write celebrity gossip blogs aren't terribly nice people

Case in point:

The latest Batman rumours report that Megan Fox might be tapped to play Catwoman, although Fox's reps deny it. True or not, we're sure that somewhere, Michelle Pfeiffer, Julie Newmar and the ghost of Eartha Kitt are preparing to kick some ass

Now: So far, this is just another "Megan Fox is dumb" story (and I gotta tell ya, I'm starting to suspect jealousy) that in and of itself wouldn't be worthy of comment. But the next line is.

while Sean Young sobs into her seventh glass of wine.

Ha, ha ha, ha! See, it's funny because Young was in rehab...

#5 Fancy Followed

Q & A on SiliconIndia:

Do you think that habit of reading books give a pleasure to you?

Answers (1)
The concentration of mind is towards only the reading book concept, so we feel pleasure for doing that.

I love it.

Sample-sweet Six

What the hell?

Somebody's written a new Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy Book. Somebody who isn't Adams has written a new Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book.

I don't think I feel good about this.

Love Wallpapers