chuck kottke

;)

Rome feels threatened.. To be sensitive is to let your guard down, and to have compassion for others. Hollywood's film formula is most often not built around compassion, that's for sure! It's just a stupid phobic mentality, juvenile in it's origins. Half the world's problems (if not more) could be attributed to the lack of sympathy and empathy; all the machismo in the world isn't going to solve the poverty issues, or empower those in need - but Hollywood's still in a juvenile state of mind very often, and as the old saying goes, "the full belly doesn't feel for the empty". So the assertive, aggressive, self-assured and selfish types are often intolerant of compassionate humans, as this knocks loose their fantasy world that they try and build up around the cult of ego (..or am I getting too deep here?). Imagine how different the world would be, or even could be, if the machismo war cult were held in check, and civilized discussions and diplomacy held reign over the globe? Just my wild opinions, but it seems we could use a larger dose of compassion, and the Brutus types in Rome/Hollywood who are against Coldplay have ruled the world in a most unfortunate way for the past few years..

They were interviewing a barber in Beijing (he was giving haircuts to young boys right in the square - ultra-short buzz cuts, with Olympic designs in them..) - a few days ago, and the Chinese version of Clocks (by the 12-String Band) was playing in the background..:)

It's never too late to go out! Well, maybe, if you've got to be up early.. I feel like calculating.:P And now, for some reason, I feel like opening a beer.. Do I need a beer? Umm.. maybe half a beer. How do I keep the other half from going flat? We used to have one of those rubber can wedgies you shoved in the open top of a pull tab can, but that might not work on the newer cans.. maybe beer batter chicken tomorrow then? ;.D}

:rolleyes::laugh3:Only if they're on a SCUBA diving expedition..:P TNP lives near a big lake.

Hmm.. looks like any amount of concentrated, unchecked power, given sufficient funds, always seems to lead to militaristic attempts to control neighboring states; or even non-neighboring states. What does Edward Chevridnadzy (sp?) have to say about this? Madeline Albright? Zbignew Brzezinski?

The Athletes will win the Olympics!:P But I thought it was interesting to note that on the NBC news tonight, they were interviewing a barber in Beijing giving close haircuts to young kids right in the square, and playing in the background was the 12 - string band's version of Clocks! So, tell Liam Gallagher to go stick that in his pipe and smoke it!:laugh3:

Who is this Liam fellow, and why does he use such blatant stereotypes for saying such things about Coldplay fans?? Seems kinda super-wrong for anyone to be that biased. So, this Oasis bunch - what's their problem?:laugh3:

Well, the circumstances of our times are similar.. ;)

Hmm.. Well, Hollywood is stuck on the cult of image; men are supposed to be macho brawny types; women portrayed as the smart but petite, sensitive types. It's their formula, and they can't deal with real people. So, if you're sensitive, you're seen as gay by Hollywood's standards. To hell with Hollywood's warped view of the world! (oops - that's wasn't very sensitive!:laugh3:). I often wonder, if the Beatles were a new sensation today, how would Hollywood perceive them? Hmm.. Well, Coldplay's style is sensitive at times, but hard-driven at others.. Perhaps it's that movie - once a stereotype is set, it's a label that gets used like a broken record. But, true, more to the point - who cares what Hollywood thinks? And besides, looking at artists like Elton John, the music is universal, and Hollywood seems to not mind a bit using his music in all sorts of movies..

Moving can be alright, after the first week or so.. By now, I would imagine you have a packing method that is the best in the world. eh? ;) May the Shipping Gods be with you..

??Fresh Prince of Bel-air?

OMG!:stunned: Now THAT would be one helluva cow bell!!:laugh3:

:hat:Greetings to you, Alonso! :jester:Enjoy the zaniness here!!;)

Alright!:) To me, I think of the Liberty Bell..

Nice! Looks like a clean blue flame.. What makes them glow, BTW?

What do you think about the bell? What does it symbolize to you?

Greetings to you, whomever you may be!:) (And keep those fires at bay out in the hinterlands there!).

Hmmm... I always remember the old National Geographic picture of a family living in a opal mine underground there in the outback.. For some reason, it just reminds me of the American West in that sense - sort of a wide-open dry land in the center, not unlike our west, with lots of colorful people. Actually, the continent resembles North America, with wet coasts on E and W, and dry interior, but really wild flora and fauna!! Laid back attitude, yet the cities are intense (aren't they all!). Lots and lots of mining, sheep ranches, parakeets that eat and pry at everything in parts, and for the most part, people live where they do here - in the wetter parts in the East & far West coasts. Lots of suburbs too - but I always think Australians are a bit more defiant, resilient, and independent that we in the states are.. Like most things, what we see on TV, and how it really is, are usually two different things. From here, it looks like an exotic paradise on the coasts, farms, and then dry interior with natives, and bus-loads of tourists going to see the rock in the center! But they rarely show the miles of suburbia, the factories and shipping docks, the stuff that really comes out of the mines.. Come to think of it, that's anywhere!:laugh3: (Welcome to America's industrial heartland.. over here, a giant refining tower; over there, the plastics plant..) So, we see the happy face of Australia. Aussie's like to keep dogs on the right side of the fence, rope wild stallions, and play cricket.:P

:rolleyes:Is that, like, Valley Girl Talk??:P I just got back from Fish Hatchery Road Blueberry Picking with my cousin Leeona. They were pretty good where the tree branches and dried ferns offered protection from the winter winds; a little sparse this year, but delicious nonetheless!:p (oops! giving away secret blueberry pickin' patches here!! But most of you would have to travel the planet's circumference just to scoop a 5-quart pail's worth, so I think I'm safe..:))

:rolleyes:Well, it's what we've always noticed, probably since time immemorial.. But it's just so unnatural. I think natural is fine, and much healthier! It would be better if women and men just focused on improving what they're naturally given, by exercising and being healthy.. Perhaps we really are like birds of paradise, and in that way will do anything to gain more attention.. Oh well, it's a personal choice.. And personally, I think it's just so much healthier and more natural to just be natural.

aloha! :sunny:Hello Philadelphia Freedom!! :sunny: welcome to the land of mesmerizing music and entertaining residents!:laugh3:

Angel of Harlem.:rolleyes: Nice letter! ..Perhaps you could lure him there with some cool music? What does OG stand for, BTW? You think he's deceiving by his looks? ..Well, they're all like that! (but to differing degrees..) - I think the money trail tells the tale, and yes, major corp's. have bought their share of influence, but if we hold some heat to his feet, he might do us some good. (Certainly couldn't do worse than the last banana-brains we've had for Pres!) I just wish we'd get the heck out of Iraq ASAP.. Seeing the papers, and knowing it's someone from your area who's been killed over there, makes it all too plain that the costs can't be calculated. All for what? Personally, when you burn off the fog of their rhetoric, it all boils down to an unpopular occupation, and the need to let Iraqis sort it out for themselves. I just hope Barack takes a look at his advisers, and realizes that he's got to have a few who see more than just military options; or else, that might be all we get.. if you missed any of it, Frontline has been on the trail: http://www.frontlineworld/blog/2008/07/obama_in_berlin.htm/

I cannot recall! TNP lives in England, but was born in Ireland.

Scathing Rebuttal.. Alright David, I will respond to Mr. Cleese's letter to These United States of America, in perfect pitch and Iambic Pentameter.:P