The Newsroom: "Bully"

This episode really struck me. While super stoned, I felt myself incredibly empathetic to both parties in every situation that would turn into a fight. This "bullying" that happens in every day life, happens in many different situations. The bully is always the one at fault, in the end, no matter who they are.

But one wonders, what is the purpose of the bully, to commit such an act upon another human being? Why would someone push another to the edge of their beliefs, their pride and dignity, and to make them feel like they are inferior because of that person's justification for their pride and dignity?

Aaron Sorkin is great at jumping through his story to explain different things that have happened to lead us up to where we are now. He lets the audience piece everything together and I deeply appreciate that. Thanks for not making us feel stupid, Aaron.

Point is, it begins with Will screwing up the closing of a broadcast, and Mack asks him if there's something wrong. Will reveals he literally didn't sleep at all the previous night. He says he's going to see his therapist of 4 years ago, whom he's had a Business Manager pay for, even though he hasn't seen him at all in those 4 years. His old therapist, turns out, died two years prior. Will now has to talk to his old therapist's son, who is 29, and weird. I don't like that actor who played him. Not anymore, at least... But that... Is another tale.

Anyway! Will goes into detail about how he basically bullied, LIVE on air, a black, gay republican who had just resigned from the Santorum camp, and Will pressed him and pressed him about why he would work for a man who thinks he's less than human because of his sexual orientation, and played clips of Santorum saying horribly "politically-worded" bias about how one can't control their skin color, but they can control their homosexual behavior.

In the end, Will pressed the man too hard, and he shouted back, saying that Will was defining him by his skin color and sexual orientation, and that are not the only qualities about him. Will ends the argument, solemnly, by asking him, not a question about his sexuality, or color, but rather, of his career. Will asks, "Does Rick Santorum think you are fit to be a teacher?" and to which the man, sadly replied "No".

Okay, I understand Will's argument for trying to reveal to the American Public, the hypocrisy in politics, especially from a seemingly self-hating gay black men who willingly chooses to stand behind a man who has, in every possibly media platform, stated how "Gay marriage threatens my marriage." To Will, it was like a slave not only choosingto be a slave during the Civil War, but wanting to be one.

To this ex-staff member of Santorum's, his argument was pretty weak, honestly, but in the argument he did finally manage to pull out of his ass, he made a couple interesting points. He isn't really being defined by his skin color or sexuality, it's the fact that being Gay and Gay Marriage is a hot topic in culture right now, the same way that being Black during the civil rights movement was a hot topic then. It MUST be discussed, openly and honestly. This Log-Cabin Republican was dodging Will's demand for an answer as to how HE, beneath the politics of his career, how HE felt, being denounced publicly by the very man he is choosing to support. He couldn't give Will an answer because his dignity had been slapped in his face. He was broken. Will broke him.

Later, in another argument, Sloan, the half-Japanese anchor, had to fill in for a fellow anchor during his news segment, and report about the Nuclear reactor radiation levels after the Earthquake in Japan. The man Sloan was interviewing had a translator who wasn't translating the exact things Sloan was asking. The translator was insisting the reactors were stable at level 5 radiation. However, Sloan had just had a conversation with this man, OFF the record, that the reactor's radiation level had reached level 4, then level 5, and then 7, which is equivalent to Chernobyl.

When it came time to getting the answer from being "off" the record, to "on" the record, Sloan went to Will for advice. He told her to push him until she gets the answer she needs.

When she attempted to do so, she ended up speaking fluent Japanese on LIVE television, and didn't have a translator of her own to interpret to viewers. She didn't even get the answer she was looking for. Instead, she claimed on TV that she had a conversation off the air with this man, and he told her that the reactors were at Level 7 and "that's that" basically "you've got to believe me because I said so".

Basically, after the madhouse ended, Sloan was then verbally assaulted by her boss in the middle of the newsroom, in front of all the writers and producers. Sloan wanted the story, but she just wasn't prepared to be able to get it out from her source. Sloan knew that, in Japanese media, they are told to play down bad news, so as not to cause panic, and also because it's very hard for the Japanese to admit fault, because it means a loss of honor. The man SHE basically bullied on TV, resigned from his position and felt shamed. She felt so horrible about it, and the repercussions she was going to have to deal because of it, that she quit.

They ended up finding a way to save her job, and her image. Even though it was officially later reported that yes, the reactor's radiation level had in fact reached level 7, meaning she told the TRUTH on television, and she was right, she was told she had to go on television, and claim that she isn't as fluent in Japanese as she proposed, and that she confused the word for "4" in Japanese with "7". She was going to lie on television to save her ass, and she hated the very idea of it. The whole purpose of their news network is to report the truth. Now, they were going to willingly choose to become just as bad as the politicians they try to unearth in their deceit.

Heavy fucking shit, man. I loved the episode, it really had me fighting internally. Looks like next week is the revelation of Osama Bin Laden's death.

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The Chatty Squirrel

So today, I had quite the experience. I think I witnessed my cat Lorcan having a conversation with a squirrel. Let's go to the tape:

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Gravity Falls

This show is spectacular. And oh so silly hehehe

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The Dark Knight Rises: Thoughts

First of all, I loved the movie. I thought it had SO many moments, so much story telling, and some really great character development. I am almost disappointed that a certain character's storyline won't be delved into any more, now that Christopher Nolan has said he won't be doing any more Batman films. Perhaps that's tricky wordplay on his part, perhaps I'm reading into too much.

Perhaps... I'm getting ahead of myself.

Back to the beginning:

The Man of Steel trailer is AMAZING, and I cannot wait to see Christopher Nolan and company's next visual endeavor. Zack Snyder, just takes notes from the pro on how to tell a story. You might just go places if you do. 300 and Watchmen did the story telling for you. You've already shown us you're not a very good storyteller with "Suckerpunch".

All three movies in Christopher Nolan's trilogy had pivotal themes in each movie. For Batman Begins, it was "To Fall", and in The Dark Knight Rises it was "Good and Evil" or more specifically "the definition of what it means to be good, and what it means to become evil, or to do bad things, and yet still become seen as 'a hero". The movie talks about oxymorons. It's why The Joker was metaphysically the perfect villain. To him, all of this "right and wrong, left and right, heads or tails" made him laugh. The idea of it, especially with Batman thrown into the picture, no wonder he'd think it was all a joke.

Technically, a series of Batman movies should end at "2", with Batman Returns being a perfect example, and The Dark Knight should technically have followed suit. But Chris made a great fucking movie that caused a generation to rethink their very existence thanks to Christopher Nolan's take on the age old struggle of Good and Evil through the story of The Joker and Batman, and throwing Two-Face in there for good measure.

It was a great movie; TOO great. The people demanded another. We ALL did. Those who said "it's perfect just the way it is" weren't living life to its fullest! We needed ONE MORE thrilling adventure!

And so here we are at The Dark Knight Rises.

The theme here of course happens to be "To Rise".

What does it mean in this world, to be born into absolute hell, and yet STILL find hope for freedom?

Or on the other side of things, to be born into wealth, and think that you understand the lives of those who struggle without privilege.

To rise from being broken, and live on to fight another day, until you've won.

Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle oh my god I was so excited. Holy shit you had to hold me down from not bouncing off the walls every time she did ANYTHING. She COMPLETELY understood what Nolan had in mind for Selina and she just... Fucking... OH MY GOD! She FUCKING NAILED IT!

My nerdy queen friend (now... imagine the nerdiest person you know, and don't change a thing about them physically.... Now imagine they happen to also be gay. Yeah, my nerdy queen friend) said he loved her, but had a problem "with her outfit".

My mind almost exploded when he said that. I LoLed fo' days.

Bane was really interesting. I think the mask made it very difficult for him to come off as human, but I don't think we were ever supposed to think of him as being human. He was a Monster, truly, but had this terrifying eloquence to him that made him that much more intimidating.

Oh Michael Caine... You are an ugly crier lol. But you understood Alfred god dammit. You understood him.

The ending has a nod to a certain boy wonder that I think was far too on the nose. The woman that mentioned the name should have said "Mr. Richard Grayson" it just, would have felt more "human". The way Christopher Nolan has it, it was very fan-boy-esque.

All in all, PLEASE go see this movie. Be prepared for 3 wonderful acts, each one has a SPLENDID hour of so many many entertaining, character-driven moments. You won't be disappointed.

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My Cats Might Be Racist: Part 1

I'll begin by stating this fact, known in my household: Two of my cats are racist, and one of them just wants everyone to be friends.

There will most certainly be a collection of these videos. I'd like to hopefully witness, first-hand, some progress in cat-intolerance, finally be made.

This first scene you are about to witness (or maybe you're a jerk and already watched it and now you're laughing hysterically at my racist cats?! This is serious business lol) includes a declawed... Uh... "African American" female cat, Zelda, swiping at my... "Sugar-Colored" Caucasian female cat, Keela. Keela wants Zelda and Lorcan (Lorcan being the other, the male, "Sugar-Colored" Caucasion, in our household) to get along. He has been literally terrorizing Zelda with acts of random physical and emotional bullying toward her ever since Keela entered the home almost 3 years ago. Before then, they were friends.

I believe that a series of social commentary is happening between my cats. I think once Lorcan finally befriended another "Sugar-colored" Caucasion, he deemed Zelda different in his mind. He nurtures and cares for Keela, but will find multiple opportunities to hide around corners and jump at Zelda, which, in turn, scares the very excitable, skiddish kitty (with mixed roots, might I add. However the racism still holds firm in Lorcan)

He will bully her because it amuses him. He curls his tail when he "plays" with her, but is always quick to get his claws out once she retaliates with hissing and declawed paws. He takes pleasure in her harassment.

If Zelda visits at night, to my bedroom, Lorcan (who may or may not happily be cuddling with Keela) will get a look of distracted disgust on his face, and he eventually leaves, even if he was still technically "physically comfortable" before AND after Zelda's arrival. His decision to leave the bed is visually for a reason of emotional uncomfortability.

In turn, Zelda herself has become racist toward "Sugar-Colored" Caucasian cats, as witnessed here in this video. Keela wants peace because she feels guilty for causing a rift in a once close relationship? Zelda hasn't bought it, yet. Who knows? They live in a universe all their own; It's their duty to solve their own differences.


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Another amazing clip from Gravity Falls

I LOVE Kristen Schaal

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The Newsroom: A brave and exciting television endeavor

So, anybody who has watched at LEAST "Newsroom 2.0" is up to speed with me, here.

I really enjoyed the show, and I'm interested to see where it progresses from here.

Let me start off by saying I love how legitimate performances of the (nowadays) typically elusive title of "a great television show" are a regular occurrence on HBO. I love Girls, Game of Thrones, Veep, and The Newsroom. The script (by Aaron Sorkin) applies so many well thought-out ideas that are given room to blossom by great actors who understand and care about their parts.

The actors in The Newsroom, follow this same lead. I really enjoy a lot of the quick back-and-forth's the characters have. It's like... Aaron Sorkin is the Stephen Sondheim of TV

Yes, I realize that was a very very gay thing to say lol but don't be surprised by me telling you Aaron Sorkin and Stephen Scwartz (Wicked) are working together to create Houdini: The Musical. Aaron Sorkin is making his debut as a Librettist.

I'm very excited, to say the least.
What I WILL SAY, about some of the back-and-forth's, however, is that sometimes they can go on for so long, or will have to be timed SO FAST that the actors forget that's what they're doing, and will sometimes, only for a brief moment, lose the genuineness of the subject of the back-and-forth.

All in all, what a great show, and also a bit of a farce. Don't know what a Farce is? Here's the definition from Wikipedia:

"In theatre, a farce is a comedy which aims at entertaining the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humor of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include word play, and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases, culminating in an ending which often involves an elaborate chase scene."

So there are definitely quite a few elements being used, there, I just can't wait to see what else he does.

Thanks Aaron :)

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Balloon DOWN!

While Perez Hilton is blogging the BET awards like a complete white dude, I have a REAL story!

I'm a Floridian. And a performer. So, Disney news will pop up from time to time. Gotta keep a diverse collection of articles in ma database!

The "Characters in Flight" balloon that is usually seen flying high over Downtown Disney has been removed and dismantled and is closed, and not expected to reopen.... Shocking and sudden news seeing as nothing actually happened with the balloon in Downtown Disney

Our story takes us to June 28th, in Hong Kong, where a similar balloon in a theme park called "Ocean Park" sprang a helium leak, and plummeted 20 feet down, injuring 5.

Disney happens to purchase its helium for its balloon from the same company, Aerophile.


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