...not only 'til this movie comes out, but also until December 21, 2012. Call me a freak, a follower, a conspiracy theory moron...I don't care. I firmly believe something Earth changing will occur on that date. I believed it long before this movie had even begun production. (Sorry, phonies - the movie's site is Flash. )
Anyway, check this trailer out. Pretty flippin' trippy!
Well, they just announced that Patrick Swayze passed away today. This is a pretty sad occurance - even if we all saw it coming. I can't say that I was ever a huge Swayze fan, myself, but I know that lots & lots of people are/were. There is no denying that I loved his role in "Dirty Dancing". Who couldn't? Well...maybe if you have a penis, you couldn't...but we females generally liked that role.
Whether you liked him as an actor or not, you've gotta admit that he seemed like a genuinely nice person. NOBODY deserves to go through the pain & agony he went through...especially not a nice person. I feel very badly for his entire family. I've lost my partner, so I can relate to what his wife must be going through.
Here's some info about Mr. Swayze:
Patrick Wayne Swayze (August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009) was an American actor, dancer and singer-songwriter. He was best-known for his roles as romantic leading men in the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost and as Orry Main in the North and South television miniseries. He was listed by People magazine as its "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991.
Diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in January 2008, Swayze told Barbara Walters a year later that he was "kicking it". However, he died from the disease on September 14, 2009. His last role was the lead in an A&E TV series, The Beast, which premiered on January 15, 2009. However, due to a prolonged decline in health, Swayze was unable to promote the series, and on June 15, 2009, Entertainment Tonight reported that the show had been canceled.
When I first heard that he'd started a new series, I was dumbfounded. Not to sound rude, but he looked like crap. Of course he did, though - he was ill. I always wondered why he would rather work than just relax and spend time with his family. I'm assuming that the answer is that his work is what truly made him happy & he had a passion for it. On that note, I'm happy that he had one last chance at something before he passed on.
G'nighty night, Patrick. We'll see ya' on the flip side. ♥
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much.. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her. Love, Meredith
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies..' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith, Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by..
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.
When I heard the news of Michael Jackson's death yesterday on Twitter (thanks, Sarah!), my reaction was a pretty cold one, I guess. After giving it more thought, I feel TOTALLY differently. Yes, there were allegations of child molestation and whatnot. Who knows if it happened for real or not. The parents of all the kids were looking for multi-million dollar law suits. But even if it did happen, the way I now see it is that God's got a reason for everything, so it's not up to me to play judge and/or jury. That's God's job, so I'll leave it to him.
That being said, I must admit that when I was a kid, I was a HUGE MJ fan. I thought the guy walked on water when I was in 5th grade...which is when "Thriller" came out. I still have the album along with some other badass albums. Anyway, I'm not about to say for a moment that he didn't have good music. His later stuff wasn't my thing, but "Off The Wall" & "Thriller" were pretty good albums...even "Bad" was decent. Lonnie and I always listen to "Thriller", as a matter of fact. It's a good compromise between his shitty Techno and my badass Death Metal.
Not only was his music pretty flippin' decent, but nobody can deny that the dude could freakin' dance. I could sit here and watch videos of him dancing for hours. It was like he was hovering over the ground instead of actually making contact with it. Some might say that's because he was so light in the loafers, but I'm going to attribute it to pure talent.
So, here's my thing: Instead of remembering him as the freak he turned out to be - for whatever reason, (I know his Dad was quite an asshole to his kids.) I'm going to remember him as I saw him when I was in 5th grade. A dude with awesome tunes and moves like NO other. All that molestation talk, the skin bleaching, the nose catastrophe...etc. - Meh. Not my business.
All of that being said, I say rest in peace, MJ. If you did, in fact, do something wrong, God will deal with it. If not, then I'm sorry you clearly lived such a screwy existence for whatever reason.
Here's a video that claims it's MJ's first live Moonwalk. I dunno if that's true or not, but it's still a badass song & he can really freakin' move...err...could.
Lonnie just told me something that I was unaware of. Apparently actor, David Carradine, committed suicide by hanging. 72 year old Carradine was found Thursday in a luxury hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand. Evidently, he hanged himself in the closet of said hotel room. So, so sad.
Carradine was staying in Bangkok while filming a movie, according to Fox News. The film's crew noticed his absence when they went out to a restaurant. A producer went to Carradine's room and discovered the actor had died.
Having dealt with suicide so much in my own life (My ex, my ex's brother, my uncle, my best friend's Dad...a few others), any time I hear of a suicide it hits me harder than most other deaths. It's just SO unfortunate that someone sees their life in such a way that they have no other option but to end it all. There are always other options. I totally understand depression and having suicidal thoughts. I've been there so much, myself...but I just wish these people would think of the trail of people they leave behind who suffer so much due to their choice to take their own life. It's so incredibly unfortunate.
Needless to say, I'm pretty bummed. Not just because he took his own life, but I really did like this guy. No, I'd never met him...but from what I saw of him in the press and in movies, he seemed like such an awesome guy. The world is now absent one more incredible person. If only he'd have seen himself the way we all saw him.
(Sorry about the preview at the beginning of this video.)
UPDATE: Thanks to Carol's linkage and also some other reading I've done on this incident, it appears as though this may not be a suicide after all. There are some really weird things about the case that just don't add up to suicide. Like the fact that his entire head was wrapped with rope? Meh? There are other things as well. I'm seriously starting to think it was some sort of kinky sex thing gone wrong. I actually kinda hope that's the case. I mean, I don't want anyone EVER to commit suicide.
I guess we'll just have to give it more time and see how much info the press is willing to divulge. The press loves a good sex story, though, so if that's what it turns out to be, I'm sure we'll hear about it.
Either way, the poor man is dead...and that is a true tragedy.
I just finished taking my son for a ride somewhere. While we were in the car, "Come On Feel The Noize" came on the radio. Of course, we blasted that mother as loud as we could without blowing the speakers out. Then my son told me something that I had absolutely NO idea about.
Apparently the song by Quiet Riot called "Come On Feel The Noize" is a cover tune! How the Hell could I, a Metal Head from way back, not know this? I asked him who it was that originally sang it. He told me it was a band from England called Slade. I sat there in complete awe. Jameson said that the song was HUGE in the UK, but never really did anything over here 'til Quiet Riot did it. That's because Quiet Riot flippin' pwns.
Anyway, I looked the Slade version up on YouTube, and there it was. So now you guys get to check it out, too! Here's the Slade version:
For those of you who don't know, Quiet Riot's singer, Kevin DuBrow, died at the age of 52 on November 26, 2007. So, so sad. May he rest in peace in a Metal filled Heaven.
It was seven years ago today that I learned of the death of Layne Staley. Layne was the singer for the band Alice In Chains. His voice was like no other voice I'd heard prior or since. We're all one of a kind, but he was truly unique.
Here is the television announcement of Layne's death. I uploaded it to YouTube:
Phonies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM6dJicSIK0 For those of you who never really got into Alice in Chains or knew much of anything about Layne Staley, here's some info… Layne Thomas Staley was born on August 22, 1967 in Kirkland, Washington. His parents divorced when he was seven years old. Shortly before his death in 2002, he described the divorce of his parents in this way:
"My world became a nightmare, there were just shadows around me. I got a call saying that my dad had died, but my family always knew he was around doing all kind of drugs. Since that call I always was wondering, 'Where is my dad?' I felt so sad for him and I missed him. He dropped out of my life for 15 years."
In that same interview he also said that he was convinced that if he became a celebrity his dad would return. So, so sad.
Well, Layne started playing drums around the age of 12…and believe it or not, he actually played in a couple of Glam bands. I can't even imagine that, but okay. Everyone has flaws! Anyway, what Layne really wanted was to become a singer. His band mates would poke fun of him and whatnot about it, but that didn’t stop him from chasing his dream. He got pissed off, traded in his drum set for a microphone, and started the band Alice In Chains with co-founder Jerry Cantrell.
That's how Alice In Chains started. I'm sure his ex-band mates were kicking themselves in the ass when they saw how successful Layne was getting. Good! Those bastards made fun of him, so they had it coming.
Alice in Chains made many albums…all of which completely rule. I loved their style…and mostly I adored Layne's voice. He had one Hell of a voice…nobody could ever even come close to his talent in my opinion.
Okay, well….now to the depressing and downright heart wrenching part. Layne's death. I will quote Wikipedia for this part.
On April 19, 2002, an unidentified person placed a call with 911 to say "She hadn't heard from…Staley in about two weeks." Staley was found dead in his home after, "his mother and stepfather went to his condo with the police." As reported by Rick Anderson of the Seattle Weekly, his body was surrounded by various drug possessions and paraphernalia: "When police kicked in the door to Layne Staley's University District apartment on April 20, there, on a couch, lit by a flickering TV, next to several spray-paint cans on the floor, not far from a small stash of cocaine, near two crack pipes on the coffee table, reposed the remains of the rock musician." The article also stated that the 6'1" Staley weighed just 86 pounds when his body was discovered. The autopsy report later concluded that Staley died after injecting a mixture of heroin and cocaine known as a "speedball". The King County Coroner's Office estimated Staley to have died on April 5, 2002, exactly 8 years after fellow grunge musician Kurt Cobain also died (Cobain was found three days later, on April 8). Staley's body was not discovered until two weeks later.
(Click to enlarge this collage)
As it states, the estimated day of death is April 5th…today, seven years ago. The fact that two whole weeks had gone by without anyone really noticing that he wasn't around absolutely breaks my heart. He was so deep into his disease of drug addiction, that he'd no doubt pushed everyone who cared about him away. I HATE drugs! They completely rip a person's soul right out of 'em.
Something good has come from Layne's death. In 2002, Staley's mother, Nancy McCallum, and Jamie Richards, a drug and alcohol counselor, formed the Layne Staley Fund, a non-profit organization that raises money for drug treatment and works with the Seattle music community. It holds a yearly tribute in August, on or around Staley's birthday.
Here is a video which is dedicated to Layne Staley. For those of you who don't know, yes…that is him singing….
Phonies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbWoiDhxJsk This is what the poem says at the end of the video: Our angry little angel has said good-bye, He wanted so badly to fly, Did what he needed just to get by... So much pain held inside, All his fears made him hide, No longer have his wings been denied... His sweet and haunted voice touched us all, Yet through this sad time we must stand tall, Finally his mind is at ease, We love you, Layne; rest in peace.
There are very few of you who understand why the anniversary of Layne Staley's death means as much to me as it does. Conor, I can't thank you enough for continuing to ask me if I'm okay as this day came closer and closer. Now that it's here, I can say that I'm doing alright. Not great, but could be worse. There will be much crying and sadness today…but I have tomorrow to look forward to.
For those of you who don't know why this day is so important to me, I'm sorry. I'm not purposely excluding you…it's just a very personal matter. Either way, Layne Staley is gone and the world is missing out on one of the most talented and heartfelt artists to step foot on the planet. May he rest in peace…finally.
I cannot freakin' take it anymore. I'm so pissed off. I cannot watch TV without seeing a gay-ass Overstock.com commercial. Those (excuse my language from here on out. If you don't like swearing, stop reading) cocksuckers have stolen the Opera logo and are using it as though they came up with it! As fucking if, you imagination-less bastards!
For those of you who don't know, Overstock.com is an online retailer headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, near Salt Lake City. Imagine that. Founded in 1997 by Robert Brazell, under the name D2: Discounts Direct...AKA BullShit For 'Cheap'.
Okay, now as to why I'm more pissed off than the Pope after he realizes his Pope Mobile has by hijacked by Mormons. These unoriginal bastards at Overstock.com have BLATANTLY stolen the Opera logo. Seriously. This is complete bullshit. Look at this:
Uh, yeah. That big, red 'O' look familiar?????? They couldn't even go for a different color. Like perhaps Pansy Pink...seems more fitting for such a group of wussie mama's boys.
Anyway....the facts are that Opera Software was founded as an independent company on August 30, 1995 by Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner and Geir Ivarsøy. The company was created to continue what was originally a research project at Telenor, the largest Norwegian telecommunications company. The company is now a freakin' badass company that we ALL here at my.opera adore as though it were our own child. ....and was CLEARLY created prior to Overstock.com.
SO yeah - what I'm saying makes perfect sense. There was Opera...minding its own badass business, and then here comes Overstock.com TWO years later and suddenly has the same fucking logo? Damn it...Opera needs to sue the cheap-ass corduroy pants off of Overstock.com! Take 'em for all they're worth. I'm not normally a litigious type of person, but this one strikes a nerve that not many things strike....especially when I can't get the hell away from this bullshit everytime I watch TV!!!!
My Opera browser has crashed on me three times today. The last time I lost it. I just couldn't take it anymore. Although I love Opera with all my heart, I lost it and bitch-slapped the Hell out of my browser.
This is pretty much the end result... (click to enlarge)
I'm hoping that Opera has learned its lesson because I'd hate to have to lay the Smackdown on that biotch again... ...and I will if need be.
As I've been mentally preparing to write the story of what happened with my ex - the abusive one who committed suicide in front of me - I came across a song that really hits home for me. It's not 100% accurate, but I'd say it's pretty freakishly accurate. Maybe like 98%.
The song is by Alanis Morisette. I don't normally listen to her music, but I cannot help but listen to this one song as it hits home in a freakishly accurate way. The song is called "Sympathetic Character". I've taken the liberty of uploading it to my server so that you can listen to it if you feel so inclined. Here is the song....
And here are the lyrics:
I was afraid you'd hit me if I'd spoken up. I was afraid of your physical strength. I was afraid you'd hit below the belt. I was afraid of your sucker punch. I was afraid of your reducing me, I was afraid of your alcohol breath. I was afraid of your complete disregard for me. I was afraid of your temper, I was afraid of handles being flown off. I was afraid of holes being punched into walls. I was afraid of your Testosterone.
I have as much rage as you have. I have as much pain as you do. I've lived as much Hell as you have. And I've kept mine bubbling, under for you.
You were my best friend. You were my lover. You were my mentor. You were my brother. You were my partner. You were my teacher. You were my very own sympathetic character.
I was afraid of verbal daggers. I was afraid of the calm before the storm. I was afraid of for my own bones. I was afraid of your seduction. I was afraid of your coercion. I was afraid of your rejection. I was afraid of your intimidation. I was afraid of your punishment. I was afraid of your icy silences. I was afraid of your volume. I was afraid of your manipulation. I was afraid of your explosions.
I have as much rage as you have. I have as much pain as you do. I've lived as much Hell as you have. And I've kept mine bubbling under for you.
You were my best friend. You were my lover. You were my mentor. You were my brother. You were my partner. You were my teacher. You were my very own sympathetic character.
You were my keeper. You were my anchor. You were my family. You were my Savior. And therein lay the issue. And therein lay the problem. And therein lay the issue. And therein lay the problem.
So yeah...that'll give you a glimpse into the sheer Hell I lived every single day of my life for almost three years. As I've stated before, I'm going to be writing the entire story from beginning 'til tragic end and then I will post it on my site. (Thank you, Conor, for pushing me to do this...I know it'll be healthy and helpful.) The story is a long and drawn out one to me, so it'll take me some time go collect my thoughts and feelings and get to the point where I feel like I can properly convey them well enough to finally get my story out there in written form.
Anyway, I'll keep ya' posted as to how well things are coming along.
)
: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz86TsGx3fc
Well, they just announced that Patrick Swayze passed away today. 
This is a pretty sad occurance - even if we all saw it coming. I can't say that I was ever a huge Swayze fan, myself, but I know that lots & lots of people are/were. There is no denying that I loved his role in "Dirty Dancing". Who couldn't? Well...maybe if you have a penis, you couldn't...but we females generally liked that role. 
When I heard the news of Michael Jackson's death yesterday on Twitter (thanks, Sarah!), my reaction was a pretty cold one, I guess. After giving it more thought, I feel TOTALLY differently. Yes, there were allegations of child molestation and whatnot. Who knows if it happened for real or not. The parents of all the kids were looking for multi-million dollar law suits. But even if it did happen, the way I now see it is that God's got a reason for everything, so it's not up to me to play judge and/or jury. That's God's job, so I'll leave it to him.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-blEgMyJwU
Lonnie just told me something that I was unaware of. Apparently actor, David Carradine, committed suicide by hanging. 72 year old Carradine was found Thursday in a luxury hotel room in Bangkok, Thailand. Evidently, he hanged himself in the closet of said hotel room. 
That's because Quiet Riot flippin' pwns. 
I can't even imagine that, but okay. Everyone has flaws! Anyway, what Layne really wanted was to become a singer. His band mates would poke fun of him and whatnot about it, but that didn’t stop him from chasing his dream. He got pissed off, traded in his drum set for a microphone, and started the band Alice In Chains with co-founder Jerry Cantrell.
He was so deep into his disease of drug addiction, that he'd no doubt pushed everyone who cared about him away. I HATE drugs! They completely rip a person's soul right out of 'em. 
Those (excuse my language from here on out. If you don't like swearing, stop reading) cocksuckers have stolen the Opera logo and are using it as though they came up with it! As fucking if, you imagination-less bastards! 
(29%)
WIDGETIZE