Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Summer Movies Preview 2 (the sequel)
This is either my Summer Movies Preview or Fall Netflix Preview. Part 1 was yesterday.
THE LONE RANGER – Johnny Depp as Tonto. I guess it’s still politically okay to be in white face.
SMURFS 2 – They’re blue, they’re back, and they’re pissed!
DESPICABLE ME 2 – They’re pink, they’re back, and they’re pissed!
RED 2 – They’re red, they’re back, and they’re pissed!
2 GUNS – When
Monday, April 29, 2013
The Mouse That RAWWWWRED!!!
Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,
NFL’s version of Christmas came this past week as well… I can’t believe I didn’t even mention it. Obviously it’s far too busy & complex to chat about like the NBA’s Christmas (coming in a few months) but the Eagles did a lot better than I kind of expected. All the expert mock drafters had them doing something stupid like getting yet another quarterback (luckily the Jets took all that heat) with the 4th overall pick & they actually picked somebody that I hoped they would in offensive tackle Lane Johnson from Oklahoma. Big dude, great athlete, let’s hope he stays health. Then they picked up Stanford tight end Zach Ertz to help out with their quick, nimble offense, then an LSU lineman in the 3rd round, and then… they picked up USC quarterback Matt Barkley. Now… for a 4th round draft pick, you really can’t hate on that… but you already have so many at that position. Hopefully he pans out well. Oh… they also picked up a U of U lineman Joe Kruger (brother of former Ravens lineman Paul Kruger) so yeah, they actually did a good draft. Yay!!! Niners did pretty good too. In fact, I’d say that most teams addressed their needs… at least sorta.
The NBA playoffs are kicking up too… Spurs just swept the Lakers… Warriors are on the verge of meeting them in the next round… the Heat are continuing their ways… I’m sure that somebody somewhere is watching the Hawks & Pacers with any kind of genuine intrigue… ugh… SPORTS!!!
Oh… and let’s not forget movies…




As for this next week, business as usual... but I did find out that a few of my roommates are thinking about moving out in the next few months so that should be interesting. We have all been here for almost two full years now so it's probably about time that we've all moved on... but I'm good for the next little while so I'm planning on sticking around. We shall see how it all pans out. Have a great week everybody!!!
What does someone have to do to get some respect in this town?
The Lakers suck this year. Last night they were eliminated in four games. The Clippers are far better, more exciting, and yet, this photo I took over the weekend tells you all you need to know about LA. The Clippers are the Rodney Dangerfield of Los Angeles.
MOTHER FORCED HER DAUGHTER TO GET PREGNANT
GIRL, 14, FORCED TO BECOME PREGNANT
WITH DONOR SPERM BOUGHT BY MOTHER

Details of the shocking case have emerged in a previously secret court judgment, which can be reported today for the first time and which raises serious questions over loopholes in international adoptions and the regulation of the global traffic in gametes. The adoptive mother, who cannot be identified for fear of identifying her daughter and grandchild, is now serving a five-year prison sentence after admitting child cruelty.

"The AI [artificial insemination] programme was planned when A [the daughter] was 13, began when she was 14 and ended when she became pregnant with D [her child]" aged 16, the judge said. "The mother resorted to the AI programme because she was determined to have a fourth child, and because there was no other way of achieving this," explained the judge.
WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thākura Prabhupāda :
Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/
Summer Movies Preview
There's like 56 big budget Sci-Fi/Doomsday/every-city-now-looks-like-Detroit blockbusters out this summer. Otherwise -- sequels, comic book heroes, and Ryan Reynolds' fifteenth attempt to open a movie. Here, as always, is my Summer Movies Preview. Full disclosure: I haven't seen any of these films. But when has that ever prevented me from judging them? Turn off your cellphones. Here we go:
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Mystical Land of Gualalaaaaaaa
Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,
When last we spoke, I had just turned 32 years old... and there was a mysterious mystical journey that the great ladyfriend Dizzy was going to take me on. Well, she took me to a few places on this road trip... but the end destination was the city of Gualala. What? You've never heard of it? Me neither... but it's beautiful & I highly recommend it. Oh, you want more info? Maybe some pictures? Okay... can do...
The scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway basically had several beautiful views every few feet... so you kind of half to be selective if you only have 70-80 years to take it all in. Here are some places that we decided to stop along the way... and it started out as an overcast day & was pretty windy throughout... but still well worth it...
At Goat Rock, we got to walk through the wild irises and other wildflowers...
Then we pulled over at Gualala Point for a magnificent lunch of sourdough bread, fancy cheeses & salted meats, sugar snap peas, strawberries, and an incredible view of the city of Gualala. BEHOLD!!!
Then we took a little walk along the bluffs to a point where, during season, whales can be seen... and since we often have luck with seeing whales on my birthday, even out of season, we thought it was well worth it just for that. The sun came out & just made it a wonderful romantic jaunt...
After that, my phone basically died (battery is getting worse I think) but we drove up to Point Arena, then thought Mountain View Road back & of course... it was a beautiful windy mountain road. We got to Cloverdale... and found Hamburger Ranch BBQ... and let me tell you, that stuff is LEGIT. We had some ribs, tri tip, and a few sides... but the barbecue was magnificent... and we weren't even that hungry. If you're ever in the area, check it out, it's just off the 101.
Then we drove back around sunset, watched a few movies (later post) and just had a wonderful evening together. So yeah, go check out Gualala & enjoy the splendid nature that surrounds us here in Northern California. Now I just have to figure out how to top this wonderful weekend when Dizzy's birthday comes around in a few weeks. Hmm... I'll have to start brainstorming. Have a great day everybody!!!
When last we spoke, I had just turned 32 years old... and there was a mysterious mystical journey that the great ladyfriend Dizzy was going to take me on. Well, she took me to a few places on this road trip... but the end destination was the city of Gualala. What? You've never heard of it? Me neither... but it's beautiful & I highly recommend it. Oh, you want more info? Maybe some pictures? Okay... can do...
The scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway basically had several beautiful views every few feet... so you kind of half to be selective if you only have 70-80 years to take it all in. Here are some places that we decided to stop along the way... and it started out as an overcast day & was pretty windy throughout... but still well worth it...
At Goat Rock, we got to walk through the wild irises and other wildflowers...
Then we pulled over at Gualala Point for a magnificent lunch of sourdough bread, fancy cheeses & salted meats, sugar snap peas, strawberries, and an incredible view of the city of Gualala. BEHOLD!!!
Then we took a little walk along the bluffs to a point where, during season, whales can be seen... and since we often have luck with seeing whales on my birthday, even out of season, we thought it was well worth it just for that. The sun came out & just made it a wonderful romantic jaunt...
After that, my phone basically died (battery is getting worse I think) but we drove up to Point Arena, then thought Mountain View Road back & of course... it was a beautiful windy mountain road. We got to Cloverdale... and found Hamburger Ranch BBQ... and let me tell you, that stuff is LEGIT. We had some ribs, tri tip, and a few sides... but the barbecue was magnificent... and we weren't even that hungry. If you're ever in the area, check it out, it's just off the 101.
Then we drove back around sunset, watched a few movies (later post) and just had a wonderful evening together. So yeah, go check out Gualala & enjoy the splendid nature that surrounds us here in Northern California. Now I just have to figure out how to top this wonderful weekend when Dizzy's birthday comes around in a few weeks. Hmm... I'll have to start brainstorming. Have a great day everybody!!!
Daniel Day-Lewis proves why he's the greatest actor ever
From last night's correspondents dinner... Hilarious! I don't know is playing Steven Spielberg but he's pretty good too.
CHEERS -- the Russian Poetry Corner
Here’s
a scene of ours from a first season episode of CHEERS called "Any
Friend of Diane's". I posted this a few years ago and still get requests for it. Diane’s college chum Rebecca (played by Diane
runner-up Julia Duffy) comes to visit the bar. Imagine a sitcom today
being allowed to do this run.
INT. BAR – DAY
Diane
and Rebecca are chattering away in French. They laugh together.
a scene of ours from a first season episode of CHEERS called "Any
Friend of Diane's". I posted this a few years ago and still get requests for it. Diane’s college chum Rebecca (played by Diane
runner-up Julia Duffy) comes to visit the bar. Imagine a sitcom today
being allowed to do this run.
INT. BAR – DAY
Diane
and Rebecca are chattering away in French. They laugh together.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
RITUALS ASSOCIATED WITH HOLI
COLOURFUL HOLI RITUALS
AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

Holika had a boon that fire will not burn her. She stepped into the ritual fire, got burned and Prahlad came out unharmed. To symbolise the victory of good over evil, some communities make an effigy of Holika and place her in a house made of inflammable substances.

Bhang and Thandai. Bhang or a particular combination of the intoxicating poppy seeds is a Holi ritual. The bhang is mixed with thandai (which is a milk and dry fruits sherbet). This drink adds up to the element of intoxicating fun on Holi. Kamdeva Puja. Down South, playing Holi with colours is not very popular. In Southern India, Holi is a day to worship Kamdeva, the God of Love.
In Hinduism, there are many popular Holi rituals and these customs and traditions have deep significance. Anwesha, author of the article, explains that most of the Holi rituals are based on two main points: the Holika Dahan and the Play of Colours. “But having fun is the underlying principle in each of the Holi rituals and the numerous colours used during the celebrations represent the different elements that God has given us in form of Mother nature,” she adds. Unlike other Hindu festivals, it does not include a sombre puja ceremony or no fasting is required. Holi is the festival of colors and the celebration signifies the joy and mirth of the Hindu community.
WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Dr Stephen Knapp (Śrīpad Nandanandana dasa) :
“Hindu Festivals”
http://www.stephen-knapp.com
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/hindu_festivals.htm
Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/
I Love Lucy in REAL color
This is an amazing video. Someone in the audience of a 1951 taping of I LOVE LUCY took color home movies. Because of the sprockets I'm guessing he only shot when there was a lot of other noise on the set, or between takes. But anyway, here are scenes of the Copa nightclub and the Ricardo apartment, intercut with clips from the actual episode. This was the first time in my entire life that I
Friday, April 26, 2013
Racial quotas in tertiary education
Many in Malaysia criticize the policy of reserving a certain percentage of university seats for each race, maintaining that admission should be purely on academic merit. While I feel the pain of students who are denied opportunities in favor of another with lesser results, I do think that there are also arguments in favor of the quota system as well.
In the United States, the quota system is alive and well too, especially in the top universities such as Harvard and Yale. It is already common knowledge that Asian students need better grades to get into a top university compared to African-American and Latino students, as Asians are already overrepresented in the Ivies while the other two races are underrepresented, admissions officers try to "re-balance" the student percentages. The proclaimed reason for doing so is to build a more diverse class.
Truth be told, the very reason that American universities base their admissions on a diverse, holistic set of criteria that includes much more than academic achievement was due to racial factors - in the 19th century Jews were attending the top universities in numbers far in excess to their proportion of the population, hence the administration had to do some "re-balancing".
This may strike many of us as unfair, and in a way it is, for shouldn't a student who works hard to score 90 marks be rewarded over another who scores 80, no matter the color of their skin?
If the sole purpose of the university system was to provide education and advance human knowledge, this would indeed be greatly unfair. Yet the top universities serve another purpose, which is to provide a pathway to participate in the top political and business circles. A huge number of America's elite come from the Ivies, thus to allow all ethnic groups to have a stake in the top, an effort to ensure diversity is necessary. The same predominance of alumni of prestigious universities can be seen in the ruling circles of many countries, many Chinese leaders come from Tsinghua university, while in Japan the University of Tokyo is the road to Parliament.
Does this apply in our country now? Due to the relative youth of our universities, many top leaders have been educated overseas, however in time I believe the influence of our top university alumni will be increasingly felt in political circles. Thus in principle, there is something to say for the quota system, despite its unfairness to individual students.
Of course, there are more deep-seated problems with politics as it is run in our nation, but those are separate from the theory I have expounded on above.
In the United States, the quota system is alive and well too, especially in the top universities such as Harvard and Yale. It is already common knowledge that Asian students need better grades to get into a top university compared to African-American and Latino students, as Asians are already overrepresented in the Ivies while the other two races are underrepresented, admissions officers try to "re-balance" the student percentages. The proclaimed reason for doing so is to build a more diverse class.
Truth be told, the very reason that American universities base their admissions on a diverse, holistic set of criteria that includes much more than academic achievement was due to racial factors - in the 19th century Jews were attending the top universities in numbers far in excess to their proportion of the population, hence the administration had to do some "re-balancing".
This may strike many of us as unfair, and in a way it is, for shouldn't a student who works hard to score 90 marks be rewarded over another who scores 80, no matter the color of their skin?
If the sole purpose of the university system was to provide education and advance human knowledge, this would indeed be greatly unfair. Yet the top universities serve another purpose, which is to provide a pathway to participate in the top political and business circles. A huge number of America's elite come from the Ivies, thus to allow all ethnic groups to have a stake in the top, an effort to ensure diversity is necessary. The same predominance of alumni of prestigious universities can be seen in the ruling circles of many countries, many Chinese leaders come from Tsinghua university, while in Japan the University of Tokyo is the road to Parliament.
Does this apply in our country now? Due to the relative youth of our universities, many top leaders have been educated overseas, however in time I believe the influence of our top university alumni will be increasingly felt in political circles. Thus in principle, there is something to say for the quota system, despite its unfairness to individual students.
Of course, there are more deep-seated problems with politics as it is run in our nation, but those are separate from the theory I have expounded on above.
Two to the Fifth Power
Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen,
Sorry it has been so long since my last real update (non-movie review related) but it has been a little busy & a lot of fun. Today marks my 32nd birthday (or as I prefer… two to fifth power) but first, I’m going to take you back to last Friday…
Dizzy & I spent the Friday going up to Wine Country because yes… I actually had a weekday off from work. I know… mind… BLOWN!!! Anyway, we drove out there with really no plan (or map) so I yelped a few wineries in the area around the wine train. First up was Del Dotto Winery & Caves. Unfortunately, because we didn’t set up a tour ahead of time we didn’t get a tour of the caves where they keep their wine… but we did have a nice sampling… and the décor is obviously spot on. By the way, I kind of want to find a dive winery. Do you know what I mean? Like… a winery that’s kind of just… wood planks around… various wines are paired with hot dogs & churros or something cheap like that… employees are nice & bathrooms clean of course… but it’s not like the usual there were everything is marble & artsy or whatever. I wonder if Charles Shaw Wineries are like that... for those who know “Two Buck Chuck” it’s now “Two-Fitty Chuck” thanks to the “recession” or whatever.
Next stop was a very small, yet very nice vineyard called Razi Winery. We pulled in & thought that the place was closed… but then a nice gentleman invited us in… so we had a nice tasting (very reasonably priced) paired with some great cheese… and then we found out… it was actually the owner who had invited us in & treated us while he was waiting for another party with an appointment about an hour later. Nice guy… great wine… go buy some… we did. After that, we grabbed a bit to eat at the Fatted Pig (there’s also a location in San Francisco I found out) and then it was time for…
The Napa Wine Train – So we met up with Dizzy’s aunts & cousin… and boarded the Wine Train. Basically, it’s this well-maintained & very posh train of about a dozen cars that goes from Napa to St. Helena & back over the course of 3-4 hours. The ride to St. Helena was during the “Golden Hour” so everything was beautiful as the pictures will show…
Then on the way back, we enjoyed a great 5-star dinner (with actually decent proportions) and eachother’s company. I highly recommend it. Yes… it’s absolutely pricey… but because it’s worth it. Especially for a special dinner date or something… guys… hint.
Saturday, we went to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japantown. It was almost the same as last year… but had a good time there… oh and there was this shirt that I thought you’d all enjoy…
Sunday was a pretty lazy day but then we helped sell raffle tickets with the Meals on Wheels benefit that I volunteer for twice a year. Luckily this time I got to treat my lady to some of the fine wines & hors d’ouevres from celebrated chefs around the world that are a part of the benefit. Had I money to donate & be a full-on rapist… sorry, I’m being told it’s pronounced philanthropist, I’d totally be down in attending more of these things. In the meantime, I can donate my time… and maybe a little money (I didn’t win anything on the raffle). Great night!
Tuesday night after work, I met up with one of Dizzy’s friend from Detroit & we hit up a few bars. She wanted dive bars but… there really aren’t any dive bars in the Financial District / SOMA. Dive bars don’t have $7 beers. We probably could’ve made it out to the Castro where the beer flows like wine… but we only had a few hours and most of that would’ve been travel by bus. Still, great chick & we had a few drinks, then met up with Dizzy, then apparently she left town on the train a few hours later. So that was that…
Thursday night was Big Sky by the Bay a.k.a. The Carla & Larry Show a.k.a. Save Sharkey as it has been called over the years… which is basically a benefit that my friend Carla (oddly enough, who I met at a Meals on Wheels thing) and her friend Larry try to raise money for their common friend Sharkey. Basically it’s telecast live on the interwebs, but it’s a variety show, live auction, raffle, party & a half all rolled into one… and this year it was held at the Hi Dive bar located at right next to the world famous Bay Bridge. Here are a few pictures…
Today was my birthday… and yes, I got to spend it at work… but my coworkers really know what I like, so they got me a German Chocolate cake… and then they decorated my closet office up in Mardi Gras theme. There were beads & some masquerade confetti EVERYWHERE along with green & gold banners and the like… and then there was this…
So yeah, it’s been a great birthday week… and this weekend, Dizzy is taking me to a secret location on a road trip… the only thing I know is that it’s north of here. I think I may have spoiled it though because she mentioned it last night & I asked “Is it Point Reyes Lighthouse?” “… N… No… Dammit… yeah, it is… I mean… not anymore…” Of course it was the one place north of here that I’ve visited… but I’m sure we’ll work something out. The weather’s supposed to be a little windy & cold anyway so worst-case, just snuggling next to the fire or whatever works too. We’ll be okay. Which brings me to something that I haven’t mentioned in a while… mainly because I haven’t been doing my job of keeping you up on the REAL news… but without further ado…
Apocalypse Update – Yes, the Apocalypse continues… but it’s not just India, Sri Lanka, Florida & other third world countries (ba-da-tish) but now it has spread into another state. Snakes have slithered into a Mississippi courthouse this spring, posing no threat… but definitely giving workers the creeps. Five of the brown DeKay's snakes — sometimes called earth snakes — have been found in the Hinds County circuit clerk's basement office since April 8. A deputy clerk, Kelly Phillips, says the largest was as big around as her finger and a few inches long… though she said that she didn't stop to measure it. Former zookeeper Percy King went to the courthouse to identify the allegedly non-venomous snakes. He says they have soft teeth that probably couldn't even break a human's skin. They can enter buildings through tiny holes. Phillips says the first time she saw one, she screamed, "Snake!" and several co-workers scattered. One coworker (probably a dude) picked it up with a paper clamp and took it outside. So… it’s not like the Everglades being overran by giant Burmese pythons or the entire justice system of Sri Lanka collapsing because of the Slithering Death… but still, keep your eyes peeled out there.
Anyway, that should do it for this evening. Thank you all for the birthday wishes… and have a great weekend everybody!!!
Friday Questions
Everything you ever wanted to know about show business (if what you ever wanted to know is in these four Friday Questions.)
Robert Pierce gets us started:
Ken, what is your opinion of pilot script competitions such as NYTVF's (New York Television Festival)Fox Comedy Script Contest? Do you think they are a valuable tool for those who are out of the industry to use to break into the business or
Thursday, April 25, 2013
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR LABORATORY ANIMALS
WORLD DAY FOR LABORATORY
ANIMALS CELEBRATED YESTERDAY
On World Animal Day, Jan says: “Following the huge success of the end to animal testing for cosmetics in Europe, the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) is asking people to make sure their household products are cruelty free – look on our website.” Jan also wants people to get involved in Government ideas about freedom of information on animal experiments.
April 24th marks World Day for Laboratory Animals - a United Nations recognized day of international commemoration of the suffering and killing of millions of innocent sentient beings in laboratories throughout the world. Campaigning organisations in the UK and across the globe, mark today a time to reflect upon the pain and suffering daily caused to millions of animals. In the name of a scientific practice, millions of animals are horribly abused and killed by vivisectors. Today and everyday we should remember the millions of our little brothers who have been killed, and to redouble efforts to hasten the end of all animal experiments.
WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Conscious Consumers” - “Vedic Wisdom Collection”
http://www.vedic-wisdom.org/
http://vedicwisdom.weebly.com/
http://www.sabiduriavedica.org/sv.php?id=110_81
“Conscious Consumers” - “Vedic Wisdom Collection”
http://www.vedic-wisdom.org/
http://vedicwisdom.weebly.com/
http://www.sabiduriavedica.org/sv.php?id=110_81
Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)