Pabulum Ad Nauseam

Eli's Coming

2012-02-03T00:29:00.001-06:00

And they are not kidding. Glee actually is real:This is Grand Champion Performance of Eli's Coming at Monona Grove Invitational.

2012-01-14T00:41:00.003-06:00

I found this amazing mix of Piaf and Brel: Translation here for those interested:http://www.zafiris.gr/articles/Ne_me_quitte_pas.htm

Sugarplum Fairies

2011-12-14T23:29:00.003-06:00

Nutrocker - RockON!!!

2011-12-14T23:00:00.001-06:00

Straight No Chaser - Hallelujah

2011-12-11T06:43:00.001-06:00

People of Walmart

2011-12-10T13:04:00.001-06:00

People Of Walmart Song - Watch MoreFunny Videos

Hot Lips - The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain

2011-12-10T09:48:00.002-06:00

A Murmuration of Starlings

2011-11-03T11:53:00.000-06:00

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Robyn - Tribute

2011-10-27T21:57:00.000-06:00

Kids today! Brilliant!

My Uncle Ralph

2011-10-27T21:00:00.001-06:00

Is my hero! He is now around 82 and fiercely alive!! He drove my Dad (his baby brother) crazy throughout his life... Kudos for that!! Slowish perfectionism, plodding on to the perfect solution; what the hell is wrong with that? Talk to him, and he pauses, placing the perfect thought that he is about to speak, accurately and kindly; and he is always smart and brilliant, and warm and empathetic. I hope he knows what an influence he has been on my life!

I do not in any way live up to that expectation, I do worship his absolute perfection of his life!

Heartbreaker

2011-09-04T22:47:00.001-06:00

Take a read here at Balloon-Juice, but be ready to shed a tear.

I have no idea if it was a no-kill shelter. I’m not sure no-kill shelters even existed in any significant number back then. So I just told myself that I was about to see a bunch of really cute kitties, most of which wouldn’t make it out of there. But mine would.

All the cats were sufficiently nice, and they generally displayed that survival reflex that makes them particularly adorable in such sad circumstances. I wanted to take them all, but I was only getting one, and there really wasn’t anything that made me want to take one over the others. I looked closely at one or two, but I still wasn’t certain.

Finally, I noticed the one cat who wasn’t making himself adorable. He just kept to himself in the back of his cage, uncertain, maybe even a bit fearful of getting noticed. He may well have been a feral someone picked up. Still he was tabby-ish, and mostly dark. I’d heard people gravitate towards lighter-colored cats. With his appearance and timid demeanor, I suddenly saw myself as this cat’s one chance to ever leave that shelter. So that’s how “this cat” became Nash, my kitty for 17 1/2 years.

Read the whole thing. Thank you Catie for turning me into a cat lover.

Dear President Obama

2011-08-16T21:14:00.000-06:00

Be an asshole for a change...

They have and they will!

The Mittster Sez

2011-08-12T08:11:00.003-06:00

"Corporations are people, my friend."
----------------------------Mitt Romney

So is Soylent Green

UPDATE: Shoot! Americablog beat me to it.

Pray Away the Gay Fail

2011-08-08T17:48:00.006-06:00

At first I really thought this was satire.

I wonder if Michele of God's flambé'd husband Marcus Bachmann is this poor delusional soul's spiritual "camp" counselor. Or maybe MB just picked out his outfit as he does Michele's.

Crimes of fashion are just some of the sins displayed here. A pox on all of their houses!

It would be funny if this prayed degayed crap wasn't so harmful to gay youth trying to navigate their way to an integrated acceptance of their sexuality.

Ms Crazy Eyes

2011-08-08T16:56:00.001-06:00

Out palsies on the right are all vapors of indignation over this photo of Michele Bachmann and her crazy eyes. Christ, she probably picked out the damn photo herself. Frankly, I beg you, find me a photo or video where she doesn't look batshit insane. Go on, find one.

She looks crazy because she IS a goddamn lunatic. She just can't hide it. And that repressed closet case whackjob she married to probably doesn't help matters (though her own self-delusion about him requires a touch of insanity.) All that Jesus-Juice has diluted her blood or something, so the crazy just oozes out though her eyes.

Scary as shit! She just might get the Republican nomination, and maybe even the presidency.

FSM, have mercy on us all!

That includes you, too, poor world at large. MerKa is going through some kind of Screamin' Mimi's right now, and you know we just gotta share.

Lucy at 100

2011-08-06T03:45:00.000-06:00

My favorite "I Love Lucy", The William Holden Episode. Here's the best excerpts:
Part 1:

Part 2

Kerry's Favorite - I'll Be Seeing You

2011-08-04T23:16:00.001-06:00

I can only hope...

O Fortuna

2011-08-04T22:50:00.004-06:00

O Fortuna (O Fortune)
velut luna (like the moon)
statu variabilis (you are changeable)
semper crescis (ever waxing)
aut decrescis; (and waning;)
vita detestabilis (hateful life)
nunc obdurat (first oppresses)
et tunc curat (and then soothes)
ludo mentis aciem, (as fancy takes it)
egestatem, (poverty)
potestatem (and power)
dissolvit ut glaciem. (it melts them like ice.)

Sors immanis (Fate - monstrous)
et inanis, (and empty)
rota tu volubilis, (you whirling wheel)
status malus, (you are malevolent)
vana salus (well-being is vain)
semper dissolubilis, (and always fades to nothing)
obumbrata (shadowed)
et velata (and veiled)
michi quoque niteris; (you plague me too;)
nunc per ludum (now through the game)
dorsum nudum (I bring my bare back)
fero tui sceleris. (to your villainy.)

Sors salutis (Fate is against me)
et virtutis (in health)
michi nunc contraria, (and virtue)
est affectus (driven on)
et defectus (and weighted down)
semper in angaria. (always enslaved.)
Hac in hora (So at this hour)
sine mora (without delay)
corde pulsum tangite; (pluck the vibrating strings;)
quod per sortem (since Fate)
sternit fortem, (strikes down the string)
mecum omnes plangite! (everyone weep with me!)

Read more: http://artists.letssingit.com/carl-orff-lyrics-o-fortuna-qv7jvh2#ixzz1U85wfGmm
LetsSingIt - Your favorite Music Community

Vent, or Risk Explosion

2011-08-02T19:17:00.004-06:00

My country has gone bat shit insane.

Republicans are now out of the friggin minds. They hold the world economy hostage, until they can slash and burn away at the very things the middle class needs to survive, so that their corporate overlords can keep their bonuses.

And the Democrats, as the grown-ups in the room, ~~caved surrendered~~ are forced to acquiesce to this blackmail.

And the electorate keeps on voting for the Republicans, even as their way of life evaporates into the pockets of the obscenely rich. They are so afraid that "some lazy, good-for-nothing" brown person is getting more than their share, that the Gays will marry and this all will make the baby Jeebus weep. So on and evermore, they keep supporting these assholes, in direct conflict with their own best interests.

So we have jobs off-shored and outsourced, benefits whittled down to nothing, mass transit gutted, healthcare and education costs spiraling out of control; a nation where only the ~~robber barons bourgeoisie~~ gilded class can afford anything.

Welcome to America, 2011

UPDATE: I hear that a few Dem's called the Repug's out on their terrorist tactics. That's what terrorists do; take hostages. Well I guess this hurt the Republicans' feefees! Asshats to the end.

Her First Period

2011-07-31T07:14:00.003-06:00

I laughed 'til I cried...

The Frantics-Her First Period - watch more funny videos

Oscar Sez

2011-07-31T07:03:00.000-06:00

Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm schizophrenic, and so am I.

Oscar Levant

Ruperty Doo Dah

2011-07-31T06:42:00.000-06:00

“Rupert Murdoch says he has been touched by the many messages left on Amy Winehouse’s phone.”

-------------Roddy Doyle

IN MY HOOD!

2011-06-26T09:07:00.001-06:00

My son was mugged yesterday in my neighborhood. I live in East Rogers Park near the Morse L stop. He was jumped by a group of black guys in the alley who took his cash and phone. At first I was angry that they hurt my son and took all of his ID and brand new (cheap) phone, but the anger subsided when I realized my son was not seriously hurt and they returned his wallet with his ID.

I am still angry they punched my son in the face and corrupted his love of this city. He had moved here from Texas to escape the verbal and mental abuse from his dad's new wife. We both looked forward to his fresh start and the chance to explore all of his new options now that he graduated from HS and was in a city with countless choices and opportunities.

I came to realize that I feel sorry for the kids who mugged my son because they obviously lack a positive male role model in their lives. Also, I realized that their mothers must not love them enough to teach them that they need to graduate HS and then get a real job to support themselves. No one taught them that ganging up on one individual to steal their stuff was not a real job, but was mere thuggery and NOTHING to be proud of. As a mother, I went out of my way to insure my boys were not hanging around with a "bad crowd" who would encourage this type of behaviour. I always knew pretty much who my kids were hanging out with and where they were at all times. I knew the parents of my kids friends and kept in touch with them to help the kids stay on track. I feel sorry for the thugs because they obviously did not have someone at home this invested in their futures.

The money they took from my son was his first paycheck after having worked an entire weekend at a neighborhood fest busting his butt to clean and help out. I can replace his hard earned cash, but it will take a while to restore his faith in our beloved city.

Let's Dance!!! With the Communards

2011-05-28T01:49:00.000-06:00

Jimmy Somerville: Never Could Say Good Bye

I Happen To Like This Song

2011-05-05T02:58:00.001-06:00

Mid-Night Music with Carmen McRae - Trouble is a Man

2011-04-26T01:50:00.002-06:00

enjoy the sublime

Also her Body and Soul
Sorry for no embed

Meow - In Gloria Exces Deo

2011-04-16T02:17:00.000-06:00

Our Fierce Advocate Pussies Out Yet Again!

2011-04-12T13:23:00.001-06:00

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/04/12/966222/-No-gays-allowed-at-military-families-event

Stalking Cat

2011-04-11T21:37:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I get this from Ms. Kitty:

Also known as Dr Who's "Blink"!

Please visit and throw my friend Phil some support if you can.

2011-04-11T01:28:00.004-06:00

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/106121509/for-the-convenience-of-the-government-a-memoir-of

Fat As I Am

2011-04-06T15:39:00.002-06:00

Went to the doctor today to get yelled at. To paraphrase Judy Garland quoting her London press: "Gunga Dean is not plump, he is not chubby, he's Fat! F-A-T, FAT!!

Here's Bette's version:

Punch Players' Mary Poppins

2011-04-02T00:36:00.000-06:00

see it here

The Gay Retro Streisand

2011-04-01T23:58:00.000-06:00

Look and Learn:

more HERE

Twin Talk Translated

2011-04-01T23:33:00.000-06:00

or HERE

Dogging - Facinating Aida

2011-04-01T23:06:00.002-06:00

Or HERE

Cheap Flights!

2011-03-31T22:31:00.005-06:00

For Val as it's from her side of the pond:

Also HERE!

Without subtitles seems to play clearer:

"Born This Way / I Am What I Am / Love Takes Over" Mashup

2011-03-29T05:36:00.001-06:00

People constantly amaze me with their talent

By MondayMashups

He's also done a funny BradyBunch mashup too.

Don't know if you can see it, Val.

You can also find it Here

Amazing FSM Dust Devil wrapped in plastic

2011-03-11T22:23:00.001-06:00

Behold the finger!

Enuf said

2011-03-04T11:50:00.000-06:00

KD Lang Sings to me... Lenard Cohen's Hallelujah

2011-03-02T00:17:00.006-06:00

I post this for my lost Kerry.

I am having one of those days, where I think of MyKe

Could be this Lyric:
I heard there was secret chord.
David played and it pleased the Lord;
But you don't really care for music, do ya.
Well it goes like this the 4th, the 5th
the minor fall the major lift...

Lena Horne Was The Really Classy Amercan

2011-02-27T21:57:00.003-06:00

And we thank you..

Time to Vent on AmeriKan's

2011-02-27T21:51:00.004-06:00

OK - I have some crazzzzy family (no link provided so I can have peace over the holidays)
that is bat shit eating insane and always ready to bitch and moan to me about the lazy, thieving, black, brown, immigrant, slut, soul-less, family crushing, pervert/fag ("but not you, you know what & who I mean"), snobby intelligentsia, elite, libruls...

You know, not us but, Them!!

'Cos we're the only true True Merkins!

They say, all of the above, are taking all our hard earned shit, 'cos, you know, the lazy, thieving, black, brown, immigrant, unwed slut, soul-less, family crushing, pervert/fag ("but not you, you know what & who I mean"), snobby intelligentsia, elite, libruls never worked a day in their lives and could never be true hard workin' Merkins.

Meanwhile, The corporate overlords have looted the house (and destroyed the Middle class).

Sooo, To You True Blue, Stoopid, So-Called Real Merkins! Who do we burn first?

Cat's do Sheen

2011-02-27T17:24:00.000-06:00

Cat's do the Charlie Sheen Thing

Total Eclipse Machts Nicht

2011-02-24T02:23:00.002-06:00

Go Bonnie!

ELLIOT!!! ET, The Sequel

2011-02-23T15:06:00.000-06:00

Very funny faux preview!

Patti Smith

2011-02-19T00:44:00.005-06:00

Also get's into my soul!
"Horses"!

And "Gloria"!
"Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine!"

Upcoming book blogspot

2011-02-13T11:02:00.005-06:00

This is the website of my friend, Phillip Zimmerman who is writing a book about his experiences as an Arab Linguist in the Navy. He was subsequently betrayed by a fellow sailor and discharged for being gay. Please visit the blogspot and feel free to comment or post thoughts and suggestions. Thanks...

http://fortheconvenienceofthegovernment.blogspot.com/2011/02/welcome-to-phillips-story.html?showComment=1297528951980#c3092145469129628066

Morse Beach In the Snowpocalypse

2011-02-03T10:15:00.000-06:00

This was the beach a block from my house during the storm a couple of nights ago:

H/T Mountain of Evidence

USA! USA! USA!

2011-01-28T23:35:00.000-06:00

Once again, America supports the bad guys...

Wonder who they're going to support when this is over

The Johnny Cash Project

2011-01-27T02:45:00.000-06:00

Trust Me!

Check this out!

Tell me you were not moved...

Mad World

2011-01-25T23:46:00.002-06:00

Ballad of the Sad Young Men - Shirley Bassey

2011-01-21T07:32:00.002-06:00

The therapist had me look this one up. I thought the idea was to walk away from the razor blades...

He also had me look up "Remittance Men". Not pleasant either..

Time to go cheer up at Damn You, Auto Correct!

One way or the other

2011-01-12T12:53:00.001-06:00

I do not blame Sarah Palin for the shootings in Arizona this week, but you cannot have it both ways. You CANNOT use iconography depicting the cross hairs of a gun and claim this is "just a symbol" and is not meant to denote a suggestion of gun violence. If it was merely a symbol to point out the districts that were in need of change, an "X" can mark the spot with no extra connotations. When you choose to point a gun at someone, real or imagined, you are suggesting that you plan to use that weapon. The only use for a gun is to kill someone or something, it is not like they are multipurpose household items.

The entire country has to take a chill pill. When you use hateful words, symbols or acts to express your opinion, you are expressing hate. I disagree with almost every single Republican in this country, but the only ones I truly "hate" are Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld because I believe them to be 100% pure evil. I hate the players AND their games on that one.

When you yell "off with their heads", you are saying you want them to die and not that you would like them to wear a different sweater.....really??!???

John Cole Sez

2011-01-09T10:06:00.000-06:00

From Balloon-Juice's John Cole:

Want to watch a Republican freak out? Utter the following statement:

“This shooting demonstrates that we really need to tone down the violent political rhetoric.”

Then watch the freakout begin, even though there is nothing partisan or pointed about that statement. “Why are you pointing fingers? Both sides do it! Why are you blaming Sarah Palin?”

The Jackbooted Thuggish Rhetoric of the Right

2011-01-09T09:10:00.003-06:00

Well, the guy who did this appears to be quite the nutcase.

However, the language of the Right's leaders has been laced with violent rhetoric for some time now. It is a false equivalence to state that the left has it's loonies. Of course it does. But you will find no blood soaked imagery coming from it's leaders; as compared to the reckless statements of the Right's Palin, Angle, Bachmann, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Beck, et al.

They need to knock it off. Now!

Also, as the party of "Personal Responsibility", Republicans need to man up, and acknowledge that their language has had consequences. The way they are weaseling out of accepting any blame, while accusing the Left of attempting to take "partisan advantage" of the situation, is pathetic and rings completely hollow.

Sharron Angle - "2nd Amendment Remedies"

2011-01-08T20:04:00.000-06:00

Sharron Angle, Teabagger Dreamboat and certifiable right-wing whack-job gets her wishes fulfilled with the latest shooting of Rep Gabrielle Giffords. Here's Sweet Sharron on the campaign trail:

You know, our Founding Fathers, they put that Second Amendment in there for a good reason and that was for the people to protect themselves against a tyrannical government. And in fact Thomas Jefferson said it's good for a country to have a revolution every 20 years.

I hope that's not where we're going, but, you know, if this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies and saying my goodness what can we do to turn this country around? I'll tell you the first thing we need to do is take Harry Reid (Ed Note: or whoever else they don't like) out.

Sooo many samples...

“Don’t retreat. Instead — reload!”

2011-01-08T17:59:00.001-06:00

How did that shooty-bangy thing in Tucson today work out for you, bitch?

Blue Prelude by JG

2011-01-06T03:02:00.002-06:00

Twelfth Night

2011-01-06T02:58:00.000-06:00

Is twelfth night tonight or tomorrow

James Vander Beek Emotes

2011-01-04T14:48:00.002-06:00

Here!

James Vander Beek explains:

Vandermemes from James Van Der Beek

Spotted On T-Shirt

2011-01-02T21:48:00.001-06:00

"I Used To Be F***ing Stupid.
Then We Broke Up!"

HSBC Challenge

2011-01-02T20:16:00.005-06:00

I received a letter last week in a plain white window envelope telling me my credit line had been canceled due to inactivity. However the letter had no letterhead, no account number, just a PO Box 9068 in Brandon FL and a 800 phone number.

So I did a Google search on the PO and it came up HSBC. I had an old Household Finance line that I never used anymore due to their outrageous usery interest rate, so no big deal for me. On a lark I Googled HSBC complaints. Holy Shit! These people sound worse than borrowing from a loan shark. Thank God, I got away from them without issue.

No wonder HSBC was ashamed to sign their own frickin' letter.

UPDATE: The original letter was dated 12/18/2010. On 1/7/2011 I received a letter dated 12/20/2010 but postmarked 1/6/2011 on Household Finance Corp letterhead with loan paid-in-full documents. They are still major assholes.

I Dreamed A Dream "In Green"

2010-12-13T00:49:00.000-06:00

By Carly Sackolove

Some People---- Are All People

2010-12-13T00:37:00.000-06:00

I suppose:

by Carly Sakolove

A Kerry Christmas Tree

2010-12-09T12:19:00.001-06:00

The new wonderful roomate Catie surprised me yesterday.

Kerry and I never really decorated the apartment in Chicago. We alway saved our efforts for the homestead in Sanibel, which, when finished, would be visible from space. With Kerry's passing I have had even less desire to commit to holiday decorations up here.

Well, Catie noted the dried roses from the his wake that I kept in vases in the kitchen. From this she was inspired to do a special Christmas tree, dedicated to Kerry, with rose lights.

It gives off the most beautiful and cozy warm glow.

Dear Blank Please Blank

2010-12-08T13:06:00.000-06:00

funny spot:

http://www.dearblankpleaseblank.com/

Doggone Driving

2010-11-24T13:44:00.000-06:00

This had me on the floor laughing:

Wednesday Weill with Lotta Lenya

2010-11-18T01:59:00.000-06:00

Alabama

Defying Gravity

2010-11-17T00:32:00.003-06:00

I did not know why Kerry loved this song until "Glee":

and a few other things...

Warning to Ms. Kitty

2010-11-06T23:48:00.000-06:00

Be Afraid! Be very Afraid!
Photo gratuitously stolen from AmericaBlog

Observations of Northern Florida

2010-11-06T23:29:00.001-06:00

Is it me or is there a church and a strip club and/or porno store on every main street corner. And not a gay bar or book store for miles. Next stop the rest stop?

Is there something lacing the holy water down here?

How does Crist deal with that?

MSNBC's Phil Griffin; Idiot, Right-Wing Sop & Ass-Kisser

2010-11-05T22:27:00.001-06:00

As president of MSNBC, he has obviously lost his mind by suspending Keith Olbermann. Meanwhile, useful right-wing tool Joe Scarborough the Obnoxious, and the ever Racist and Homophobic Bigot Pat Buchanan keep their jobs.

What a fuck-up for MSNBC. Hope CNN scoops up KO, so I can continue to maintain my own sanity, elsewhere.

Finishing the Hat

2010-10-19T22:46:00.005-06:00

For Richard;
paraphrased slightly:

...
And how you're always turning back too late
From the grass or the stick
Or the dog or the light,
...
Studying a face,
Stepping back to look at a face
Leaves a little space in the way like a window,
But to see...
It's the only way to see
...
And when the one man that you wanted goes
You can say to yourself,
"Well I give what I give"
But the one man who won't wait for you knows
That, however you live

There's a part of you
Always standing by
Mapping out the sky,
Finishing a hat,
Starting on a hat,
Finishing a hat,
Look, I made a hat,
Where there never was a hat!

Here's a youngster named Trevor McQueen Eaton (who I just discovered on YouTube) doing a most credible version:

Sunday

2010-10-19T21:47:00.001-06:00

Let's have a little "Sunday":
A blank page;
Empty Cavass
"Order; Design; Balance; Composition; Harmony

Company - Original Broadway Cast Album circa 1970

2010-10-12T22:51:00.003-06:00

Ah!, Elaine, Dean, Barbara, Donna, Beth, Charles, et al...

And a toast to that invincible bunch, the dinosaurs surviving the crunch, all of you who forwent the brunch, and went to see this show with me last Sunday,

And I'm Not Getting Married!

Laird Petersen - God Speed

2010-10-08T15:55:00.002-06:00

My friend Laird Petersen passed away Wednesday night.

I will always treasure the memories of the Christmas tree decorating parties, and seeing him at Pride parades with his mother, and family.
There is a very nice write-up about him at Windy City Times.

Unfortunately, he left town before I went digital so I am pressed to find a picture of my own to post, so we will have to settle for the one at the WCT site.

He was a tireless activist, friend and inspiration to all of us who knew him.

My deepest condolences to his life partner, Joe

Gunga Dean Loves the Shawny Haiti Leather Mask

2010-10-05T00:47:00.008-06:00

A gift from the infamously tireless Shawny, K's li'l sister:

And Some Should F%&k Themselves With ...

2010-10-04T23:17:00.009-06:00

a splintered baseball bat such that they bleed out and die: Case 1 Senator Demintia, SC Repug of Inanity

When he answers to his higher power, he'll go "what the 'eh?"

When we go to our beyond and point out who was the biggest piece of shit.

The semisentient Sen. Demint, Piece of Sh!t, Tea bagging gasbag extraordinaire, wins of late... but he is only one of many...

Can I hear an "Amen"?

2010-10-04T16:23:00.006-06:00

Dan Savage sounds off to a bible thumper "light":

I'm sorry your feelings were hurt by my comments.

No, wait. I'm not. Gay kids are dying. So let's try to keep things in perspective: fuck your feelings.
...
Being told that they're sinful and that their love offends God, and being told that their relationships are unworthy of the civil right that is marriage (not the religious rite that some people use to solemnize their civil marriages), can eat away at the souls of gay kids.
...
And many of your straight children—having listened to mom and dad talk about how gay marriage is a threat to the family and how gay sex makes their magic sky friend Jesus cry himself to sleep—feel justified in physically attacking the gay and lesbian children they encounter in their schools.

Amen to that!!!

Teenage suicides by gay youth really piss me off and I, too, blame the churchgoers who allow hate speech from their preachers, as they sit on their hands, and worse.

Fuck them and their feelings.

Finishing the Hat

2010-10-02T01:13:00.004-06:00

Since I am taking almost everybody I know to "Sunday" on Sunday let's have a little "Finishing the Hat".

This is probably the most sublime song from the show...
By Neil Patrick Harris, who continues to impress me.

Best Bordello Ever, Anywhere, Anytime

2010-10-01T13:42:00.004-06:00

I just finished reading "Sin In The Second City; Madams, Ministers, Playboys and the Battle for America's Soul". What a great book on Chicago's most famous Madam's, the Everleigh Sisters, Minna and Ada, by Karen Abbott.

What a really fun book of history of Chicago's best, most elegant decadence, circa 1905. This is the best read on what the classiest whorehouse ever was all about. I feel a field trip coming on to the old Levee district even if nothing much still stands there of that era.

What a couple of sweet, caring, lovable madams during a very vicious period in a very nasty line of work.

Anyway, Go read it!

The Madison Chautauqua 2010 Greenman

2010-09-29T10:51:00.008-06:00

Had a blast at the Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art 2010 with Kerry's friends and family down on the shimmering Ohio River in beautiful old Madison, Indiana. The weather was as good as it gets; the people as friendly as ever (as they always are down in those southern river towns).

I picked up this very unique Green Man. I had a nice chat with the pottery artist's husband, Rich Robertson. (The artist Liz was off on break.) He explained that his wife developed the multi-piece impression technique while pregnant and unable to deal with a pottery wheel. I've never seen anything quite like it, and am trying to determine where to hang it. Anyway, here's a shout-out to Cricket Hill Pottery.

The Anti-Masturbation Candidate Wins!

2010-09-15T00:53:00.005-06:00

In Delaware, no less, Tea Baggin' flake Christine O'Donnell - In honor of Real 'Merkins everywhere, Some Cyndi:

At what point can we honestly admit we are embarassed? More importantly, when do Repugs admit they are embarassed?

Every sperm is sacred...

Weill & Brecht- Alabama Song

2010-09-09T01:43:00.004-06:00

With Nina Hagen & Meret Becker

BTW I saw Nina Hagen @ 30 years ago at Park West with Aidas, who I miss immensely

there is always something

2010-09-09T00:10:00.002-06:00

there to remind me...

Sometimes

2010-09-08T15:44:00.004-06:00

Ms. Kitty...

Looks at me with a most peculiar gaze...

Clouds - Joni Mitchell

2010-09-05T00:10:00.003-06:00

As a child, I would grab the radio in bed and wait for this song to play, whether it be Joni M or Judy C, but when it played it always spoke to me. I am old(er) than most: It speaks to me 40 years later, still:

Ten Thoughts to Ponder

2010-08-23T19:43:00.002-06:00

Recieved via Arove

Number 10 Life is sexually transmitted.

Number 9 Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

Number 8 Men have two emotions : Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an erection, make him a sandwich .

Number 7 Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.

Number 6 Some people are like a Slinky... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.

Number 5 Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals, dying of nothing.

Number 4 All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Number 3 Why does a slight tax increase cost you $800.00, and a substantial tax cut saves you
$30.00?

Number 2 In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

And The Number 1 Thought Life is like a jar of Jalapeno peppers--what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.

- - - and as someone recently said to me : "Don't worry about old age, it doesn't last long."

Michael Ball

2010-08-15T11:54:00.003-06:00

I'm not a big fan of musicals, or of the singers who sing in them. Give me a good opera any day.

But there is something about Michael Ball that I have always liked. He has a cheeky grin, and seems to have a very cheerful nature. I first saw him on a TV quiz show about the world of entertainment, and his giggles were really endearing. He was also quite easy on the eye.

What's more, he can sing (though he overdoes the vibrato sometimes).

He is one of those guys (a bit like the lovely Vincent) who seems to have problems maintaining his weight, and I'm sure we'll hear more about that soon, as he is about to star in his own TV chat show.

But if these pictures, put together by a critic of course, are anything to go by, again like Vincent he is more appealing when there is a bit more of him.

Stupid People

2010-08-09T13:35:00.001-06:00

I was reading the news and came across two stories that back my claim that stupidity should be the test for procreating.

A woman was pulled from the lake in the early morning hours by fishermen when the group she was partying with on a boat decided to ALL jump off the boat at 1:30 am to go for a swim. Apparently the boat floated away and it looks like 2 of the four drowned. First of all, drinking and boating REALLY don't mix any more then drinking and driving. Second of all, I thought it was basic common boating sense to either a) anchor the boat before ALL jumping off or b) leaving one idiot behind to rescue the others or at least call for help.

A man, fleeing the scene of an accident, blew a stop sign and crashed into.........wait for it..........a police car. The cop has his police lights activated at the time. The man was charged with aggravated DUI, reckless driving, etc. It doesn't say what time the accident happened, but it is my guess, it was after 10:00 pm. Which reminds me of another story.

A young high school student was killed by a drunk driver as he pedaled home from a convenience store. The student was a good kid, well liked and apparently doing well in school. He was struck and killed around 1:30 am.

Every single time I read the papers about someone getting robbed, shot, mugged, etc., the first thing I do is note the time of the crime. Almost EVERY SINGLE TIME the incident occurs after 10:00 pm (more like after midnight) and before 6:00 am. What is it with stupid people and being out after dark? Does the darkness beget stupidity or merely attract it?

All of these incidents are tragic, but tragically, they were all avoidable. Who the hell goes out boating on a lake at 11:30 pm? REALLY?

INS Gets Results

2010-07-31T10:16:00.024-06:00

This email fabrication & teapartier wet dream (checked snopes.com) tickled me mainly because the ~~unfortunate brown people's~~ litterin'-disrespectin'-dope smokin'-drug traffickin'-felonious-job stealin'-lazy good for nothin'-non English speakin'-illegal alien-scoundrels' ~~white overlords~~ Christ-like small business owners, exercising their God given right to ~~chisel~~ distribute their beneficent largesse upon the most ~~desperate and vulnerable~~ economically viable labor, whilst ~~blissfully~~ confoundedly unaware of their workers questionable residency status, got miffed, pissed, and flummoxed at the absentee worker results of this little neighborhood prank.

h/t Arove:

I have a friend who is president of his homeowners association in the Dallas , Texas suburbs. They were having a terrible problem with litter near some of his association's homes. The reason according to my friend is that six very large, luxurious new houses are being built right next to their community.

The trash was coming from the Mexican laborers working at the construction sites and included bags from McDonald's, Burger King and 7-11, plus coffee cups, napkins, cigarette butts, coke cans, empty bottles, etc. He went to see the site supervisor and even the general contractor, politely urging them to get their workers not to litter the neighborhood, to no avail. He called the city, county, and police and got no help there either.

So here's what his community did. They organized about twenty folks, named themselves The "Inner Neighborhood Services" group, and arranged to go out at lunch time and "police" the trash themselves. It is what they did while picking up the trash that is so hilarious.

They bought navy blue baseball caps and had the initials "INS" embroidered in gold on the caps.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand what they hoped people might mistakenly think the letters really stand for..

After the Inner Neighborhood Services group's first lunch time pickup detail, with all of them wearing their caps and some carrying cameras, 46 out of the total of 68 construction workers did not show up for work the next morning -- and haven't come back yet.

It has been ten days now.

The General Contractor, I'm told, is madder than hell, but can't say anything publicly because he could be busted for hiring illegal aliens. My friend and his bunch can't be accused of impersonating federal personnel, because they have the official name of the group recorded in their homeowner association minutes along with a notation about the vote to approve formation of the new subcommittee -- and besides, they informed the INS in advance of their plans, and according to my friend, the INS said basically, "Have at it!"

SO, FOLKS... (Gunga's editing notes: The original writer goes on blathering for days with the usual "Proud to be a ~~Privileged White Teabagging~~ God Fearing-Taxpaying-poor-put upon-American" claptrap)

Jesu!, but Gunga prefer's:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

-------Emma Lazuras, "The New Colossus", 1883

Little Edie Biehl on Judy's Cream of Wheat

2010-07-30T03:18:00.001-06:00

from Punchy Players:

Miss Me Yet II

2010-07-29T17:43:00.003-06:00

Some time ago we mentioned about some Republican wasting his Daddy's dollars on a billboard:

And how enamored we were with a liberal radio station's response:

But nothing beats honest-to-god graffiti (and lovin' the pornstache)!

Can This Orchid Be Saved?

2010-07-10T15:16:00.005-06:00

This is my 1st orchid. I am determined to save it.

Provided that Miss Kitty does not eat it!

Are Todays GOP Lying Morons? Case A: Michael Steele

2010-07-03T07:47:00.009-06:00

I'm not saying all Republicans are Lying Morons. But we can pick up some evidence from their leaders.

GOP ~~Gasbag~~ Chairman Michael Steele on Afghanistan (You know, the country that harbored those who actually attacked us, and the war that was started and grossly mishandled under W Bush for seven years):

"Keep in mind again, federal candidates, this was a war of Obama's choosing. This is not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in."...

"It was the president who was trying to be cute by half by flipping a script demonizing Iraq, while saying the battle really should be in Afghanistan.

Liar? Yes
Moron? Yes

H/T, nod and a wink to Boston Betty who called my attention to the latest gas emission from this idiot

Just for the sake of a little blasphemy!

2010-06-22T15:34:00.000-06:00

Good News and Bad News

2010-06-18T14:27:00.003-06:00

The good news is...

The shelling and beachcombing will be fantastic on the Florida beaches this year.

The bad news is...

The shelling and beachcombing will be fantastic on the Florida beaches this year.

Just Because It's June - More From Ms. Garland

2010-06-15T02:04:00.010-06:00

'Cos it's June with my 39th (12th anniversary thereof) birthday on the 6th, on which day we saw Judy's fabu daughter, the Magnificent Liza Minnelli; the 10th was Ms. Garland's 88th birthday, the 22th is the dark 41st anniversary of our Ms. G's death, the 24th is my Kerry's 2nd anniversary of his passing, which hovers deeply embedded in my soul. And ferchrissakes its Gay Pride Month!

So! Let's let the Judy sing a loud and fast and furious one: "Come Rain or Come Shine"! This is as close to her Carnegie Hall concert that we will ever get on film! And it is truly one of her best (watch as she she grabs and pinches herself to maintain control as she recognizes how well she is presenting this):

Judy Garland, Triptych

2010-06-01T22:35:00.002-06:00

Judy Triptychs

Who Dresses This Woman?

2010-05-27T17:16:00.003-06:00

Liza is now safe. Aretha wins!