Monday, February 27, 2006

My red swingline...I brought it from home.

Holy crap. I just peeled back one of the bandages on my stomach and I have these big ass staples in my belly. I had no idea! They are like Frankenstien staples.

I wonder if they use a regular staple remover to get these out? I't just freaked me out. I thought i had stitches or some sort of adhesive. I didn't expect staples.

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Its over!

So.. Picture this. I just get out of the recovery room and I get a phone call. It's my sister-in-law. How sweet she called to see if everything went o.k.
I was still a little loopy when I took the call.I was weak and unable to even prop myself up in the chair they put me in. My sister-in-law says "So I see they convinced you that surgery was the best way to go. Yeah, um, its unfortunate that they couldn't do a holistic approach."

Look bitch I just got out of surgery and the first thing out of your mouth is "You idiot you've been duped. "THEY CONVINCED YOU THAT..." What the hell is that crap!
First off there is no holistic approach to reduce the internal scaring that had occurred from previous stones passing thru my bile duct from my gallbladder. Second what is the purpose of this call? To show me how smart you are by talking out of your ass?
She put me in a foul mood.
Aside from her call everything couldn't have gone any better.

With all the bullcrap I have put up with during this ordeal this procedure was by far the most pleasant aspect. Everyone, and I mean everyone at the medical center was kind and professional and really went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable. I couldnt be more pleased. The surgery went very well. As I said there was some scaring from old stones. They explained to me that if there is scaring it could be cause to turn the laproscopic procedure into an open procedure. The surgeon took his time and did it lapriscopic. Thank god. I was out of there and on my way home by 230pm. What a great deal!

I'ts nice to finally have this behind me.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Dick Cheney

And thats the final post on the subject!

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

And now a word from our sponsor.

What do the following have in common?

adidas, Apple, Axe, Chanel, Citron, Dell, Gretsch, Holiday Inn, Kodak, Lion King, McDonald’s, MSN, Newsweek, Nextel, Nikon, Perrier, Philips, Piaggio, Pilot, Post-It Notes, PPS Publications, Smart, Star Magazine, T.G.I. Friday’s, Toyota, USA Today, Viagra, Virgin, Volkswagen, Waldorf-Astoria

All are products or oginazations you will see during THE PINK PANTHER with Steve Martin, out in theaters now.
If you think you are safe from commercials by going to the theater to enjoy a film , think again.
Not only are you bombarded with ads before the film, the products have worked their way into the main feature itself. Product placement is an old practice.
We are all aware that it has been in place for sometime.
Sometime the products are so grossly featured it becomes synonymous with the film. Reeses pieces for E.T. or Blue label Smirnoff vodka for James Bond.
The trick is to weasel in the product so the audience sees it without feeling like they just paid to watch an infomercial. Its hard for me to watch films. The instant I see a known product it takes me out of the moment. I become preoccupied on how long I need to see the COKE Dynamic Ribbon Device. It makes me Ill to see a camera lingering on a shot just to catch a glimpse of the soda machine in the background. These companies pay actual money to have there product visible. If its not money its in the form of donated goods and services. Its pathetic really. I've see camera moves based around getting the entire product name in frame. The products dictate the shot.

Lets look at another current release.

BIG MAMA’S HOUSE 2
The featured products or organizations in this film are:

Ace Academics, Apple, Aprica, Avaya, Ben Sherman, Blue Marlin, BMW, Brillo, Burberry, Chanel, Coca-Cola, Dairy Queen, Dell, Dodge, Ford, Gordon's Jewelers, Graco, Home Automation, Inc. (HAI), HP, Kenmore, LG, Logitech, Lucky Charms, Mace, Mercedes, Motorola, My Little Pony, Nextel, Oklahoma State University, Panasonic, Philips, Polo Ralph Lauren, Popeye'’s, Porsche, Princeton University, Puma, Ray-Ban, RCA, Ritz-Carlton, Rolex, Samsung, Sean John, Segway, Sharpie, Sony, Spin Magazine, Sunglass Hut, Tanqueray, Taser, Uniden, Victoria'’s Secret, Wisk, YMCA

My rule is:
If a film has too much product placement AVOID at all costs.

For a list of products in mainstream films please click on the title of this post.





Public Service Announcement


Hi folks,
I'm here to tell you that what you eat when your young will catch up to you when you are older. You’ve heard people tell you this before. It is all true. Don’t go thru school eating only Otter Pops and Hot Tamalies. You cannot survive on food you find at parties. Chips with dip is not a meal. When the time arrives and your body says "here is the price you pay for having me operate using junk food as fuel” You'll wish ta God you listened to the countless people who told you.

For those people who told me not to eat junk. Here is your chance to say I told you so.

It has come down to this. There is a 70% chance whatever I eat, no matter what it is will just come right back up.

The pain is one hellava pain. So I lay here fetal on the couch watching the same Futurama DVD I put in last night. Simply because it hurts to get up and walkaround.I just have to hold out til Friday morning and I'll be ok.

The following list of food names I curse in pain:
Hot Tamalies
Marshmallow Peeps
Otter Pops
Twix
Tiramisu
Creme' brule
Alfredo sauce
Lucky charms (sans charms just the lucky bits)
ALL HOSTESS PRODUCTS
Ice Cream
Anything that goes on Ice Cream
The magical pig from which Ham, Bacon and Pork chops come from.
Mashed potatoes
Mole'
Taffy (salt water and "just plain")
CHEESE every last stinking bit of it.
Cheesefood products
Spray-on foods.

Damn you food items. Damn you all to hell!

Monday, February 20, 2006

Who with WHO and WHHHHOOOO?

THE PAUL LYNDE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL WITH KISS AND MARGARET HAMILTON

This is probably the best clip I've seen in a while. I once had the entire show but that VHS is long gone.
It's a clip from THE PAUL LYNDE HALLOWEEN SPECIAL in 1976. Yes it really is Margaret Hamilton in that damn make up. Poor woman. She was 74 years old and forced back into that make-up.
Until the day she died, she had children recognizing her and coming up to her to ask why she was so mean to Dorothy. She became very concerned about the role's effect on children, and finally guested on "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" to explain that the Witch was just a character in the film, and was not herself.

T.V. was crap in the 70's .

It still is.

Trivia Question of the day.



In 1986 a film was released.
At a cost of about one million dollars per minute of film, this was, minute for minute, the most expensive motion picture of all time.
It featured make-up by Rick Baker.
The director of this film was born in Detroit 1939.
It featured Tony Cox. (he played the Elf in BAD SANTA)
This film had a VERY limited release.

Please name this film.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Let me just put this in perspective. My perspective.

I’ve known this guy for years. He claims to "Love me". While that is a sweet thing to say I’m not too sure he can or will love anyone. He’s a sweet guy when he is in the company of other people. Cute charming and more touchy then if we are alone. When we are alone there is no physical contact. None. Nada. Zip Bupkis. Zilch NONE.Thats frustrating.
Being that we are both positive I’m sure we both have ample protection lying around. That’s not the problem.
He just … doesn’t like me that way anymore. He would rather pick up a stranger get high and hang out in a bathhouse. Not that that’s bad. Hell its not like I’m a stranger to the BH. It’s just that the fact he has sex with anyone just not me is a blow to my ego and self esteem. In a way that’s a good thing considering his penchant for unprotected sex. I’m sort of happy I haven’t caught the awful staff infections he has picked up from the bathhouse. The first one, he and I thought it was a spider bite but … we all know better now don’t we. Yes those rumors of hideous flesh eating staff infections are true. Not something I’d like to risk getting. So… you won’t see me at a bathhouse anytime soon.
You’ll find him though I’m sure.
On a brighter note. I don’t need to rely on him emotionally any more. I know now that he cannot commit to anything himself included.
I have friends that help. Friends that don’t flake out.
People who will go with me to the doctor if I need that type of support. Friends that will bring me food if I am starving. Friends that promise they will be there and come thru. Not run off and get high and flake. Not promise to be there and be in the bathhouse instead. I hope he finds someone who can straighten his ass out or , at the very least clock him for what he has done. I’m tired of the bullshit. I’m sure that’s one thing he’d say too. It’s all been bullshit.
As for today. A very nice day. A friend called and is going thru a rough time. He took me out to breakfast at a little diner in Montrose. That was very kind. Poor guy. He’s a good guy and a kind soul and very funny but his girlfriend is putting him through the paces. He doesn’t deserve that kind of treatment. I hope she comes to her senses or he stumbles across a woman who will not be so… that way.
This evening a coworker stopped by and cooked me dinner. We had mashed potatoes YUMMY and lemon garlic chicken! It was great! The only problem is that the food is causing a gallbladder attack. I’m in unbelievable pain. But it was worth it to eat something other than rice for a change. I think? Maybe not so worth it because… IT HURTS! It tasted good though. I’m going to have my gallbladder removed this Friday so this damn pain can be gone once and for all!

Saturday, February 18, 2006

LOOK ME OVER CLOSELY. now go.

What do you do if someone you love engages in unprotected sex? What do you tell them? What do you do if that same person, who is addicted to drugs, can't stay out of the bathhouse? (where you know damn well sex is unprotected and said friend being HIV+ compounds the issue.) Which bathhouse? Melrose, Hollywood spa, Mid-town you name it, he's there.

What to you tell them?


well look me over closely
tell me what you see
the lady likes to look her best
before she pours the tea
you see a diamond-studded gown
that makes the evening sun go down
oh look me over closely
tell me what you find
but don't be over anxious
because I'm not the marryin' kind


Saying "stop" is not enough. Reminding them that having unprotected sex with someone and not disclosing you are positive is a crime.
Why should you even bother to tell that to someone who is that morally bankrupt to begin with?

I'm a port in a storm
you will harbor where it's warm
in my arms you will hide
from the great big world outside
oh but oh when you come and see me
don't try to change my ways
now you have a part within my heart
and there you'll always stay
there's room for all
not for all
but don't blame me
if you fall

Here what ya tell him.


Have a nice life.

You should have stopped. I'm sorry that you need to do this.

I thought you would have more self respect and respect for others.

I was wrong.
I know your reading this now. I have a stat counter that tells me when you have read my blog. Continue to do what you've been doing. You'll get busted or worse. Don't look to me for help emotional support or for a sympathetic ear. I'm no longer here to help you. Oh and thanks for being such a flake and making this transition easy for me. Its amazing how easy it is to say fuck you. Now lets hope your drug addict roomate doesn't kick your ass out. Or your work fire your ass because you cant go in because your high, or havent planned your turn around well and stayed too long at the bathouse infecting people. Again.

so look me over closely
and then make up your mind
but darling please remember this
I'm holding you before we kiss
so look me over closely
because I may be the marryin' kind
I don't think so, but I just may be the marryin' kind
oh well I may be the marryin' kind
ohhh


Sorry folks I'm pretty bitter and it looks like that feeling is going to be around fo awhile. After the operation I may calm down. I'm off all my pain meds until the operation on friday and no too happy. So any little thing thats bugging me needs an outlet. Guess what. The blog gets my wrath. Have a nice weekend.

Alright I get it just stop saying THAT word!

Here is another reason why California is the best place to live. This Idiot is the Governor.

The greatest band that ever wasn't


Baby S'il Vous Plait
(Shangri-la single and Japanese Archaeology bonus track)
(French Version of Baby Let Me Be)

Baby s'il vous plait
Parlez-vous Anglais?
J'ai boire de trop
Le vin du pays
Voulez-vous cacher
Ma saucisse - s'il vous plait
Baby s'il vous plait
Je ne parle vous Francais
J'ai un lonely heart
Like a Bonaparte
Voulez-vous cacher
Ma saucisse - s'il vous plait
Ce soir!

Vous l'avez faire n'est-ce pas?
Je suis un grand Rock Star
Mon serpent de pantalon
Fait encore le c'est si bon

Baby s'il vous plait
Je ne parle vous Francais
J'ai un lonely heart
Like a Bonaparte
Voulez-vous cacher
Ma saucisse - s'il vous plait
Rock on!

Vous l'avez faire n'est-ce pas?
Je suis un grand Rock Star
Mon serpent de pantalon
Fait encore le c'est si bon
Fait encore le c'est si bon

Baby s'il vous plait
Parlez-vous Anglais?
J'ai boire de trop
Le vin du pays
Voulez-vous cacher
Ma saucisse - s'il vous plait
Voulez-vous cacher
Ma saucisse - s'il vous plait
Voulez-vous cacher
Ma saucisse - s'il vous plait
Ce soir, baby!

Sunflower lost scene from fantasia

Just do a search for her in any search engine, and you'll get more info than I could give you. For the record, Disney has pulled every clip of this from any site that hosts it. This is part of Disney's old harmless racism that they now deny. What's funny is that they refuse to release things like Song of the South, yet have no problem making money off of its ride at Disneyland.

Go here for more information:

http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Disney/Sunflower.html
http://calvincrowe.tripod.com/fantasia/

If you have the DVD of Fantasia, go ahead and watch the scene. There are blatant, ugly zooms on the white centaur when Sunflower is supposed to be present.

There is no mention of this scene in the DVD version. The UNCUT and FULLY RESTORED DVD version. The scene in which this occurs does not have any audio commentary saying "We cut this out because... Well... You know" In fact there is no mention of this scene at all. There are two more appearances of Sunflower and all of them have been removed and history has been erased and rewritten. I am outraged that Disney can call this an UNCUT version. When it has been sanitized for OUR protection. Isn't that illegal? Can they really claim its uncut? If it were a pizza and I said it was vegetarian you better believe it does not have meat. Now if I said vegetarian-Style that would be another matter. Uncut means UNCUT. They lie to get you and your children's money.

Friday, February 17, 2006

DISNEY EXPLAINS "A"UNT FLOW

"Presenting the Story of Menstruation. A Walt Disney Production Through the Courtesy of Kotex Products -- was originally delivered to the International Cellu-Cotton Company on October 18, 1946. It runs approximately ten minutes. It has been estimated that the film has been seen by approximately ninety-three million American women. Neither sexuality nor reproduction is mentioned in this influential film, and an emphasis on sanitation makes it, as Disney historian Jim Korkis has suggested: 'a hygienic crisis rather than a maturational event.'"

Banned TV funhouse. TV FUNHOUSE.

Hmm. I wonder why this was pulled and will never be aired again?

banana splits opening

Flippin' like a pancake. Poppin' Like a cork.

Barbara Bush PSA

VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED. Oh, her beautiful mind. Ninjas are real right? Why haven't they done something 'bout her.
Be sure to watch it all the way to the end to see a shot of the whitehouse being blasted into oblivion. Come on Barbara... Her message to the children of yesterday was if ya like what you see on tv then read about it. What a goofball.
Yet another reason to hate Americans. Just thought I'd share THE GREAT PSA with you. I'm sure she thinks she getting into heaven because of this 2 hour shoot she did for "The Children of America". I know where she's going and I'll be right there handing her giant marshmallows for her pitchfork! Fuckin cow.

The end was near. Its closer still

This was the beginning of the end for our world.

Actors with lateral lisps don't do well as spokepersons

Back in the 80's everyone dressed like Ellen Degeneres.

Commercial Break

I thought I'd post some old commercials just for fun.

jackson 5 alphabits

If this is NOT a Sid and Marty Kroft commercial I'll eat my hat.

quiznos rat things

Somewhere deep inside a glass building on Wilshire Blvd lies the bones of the A-hole who said THATS GREAT LETS DO IT!

Quiznos mm mmmm mmm mmmm mmmm ROADKILL!

Commercial

Remember when cereal was animated?

Trying to break free of the same old post.

Ok I get it.
I’m a broken record. I’m even getting tired of the same three topics. Lets see if I can cope with talking about something other than usual rotation of crap.
With all this talk about… about… nope.
Hey did you see…



nope



I cant do it. I’m stuck. Stuck with three things to talk about. Only three. If this were a party with hundreds of people and I could talk to them one at a time Id be… ok rotating the same three stories.

I cant even make up a joke to tell. I’m at a loss.
OH wait I remember a joke that circulated during the Michael Jackson trial.

Where does…
no no Wait lemme remember.
OK OK!

What do Michael Jackson and a Big mac have in common?






Both are discolored meat between four year old buns.

There that was not one of my rotating three topics.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Carpenters

I don't know what to say about this clip. Except WOW.

JACK BOOTS are not what you think!

First and foremost, people tell me I'm gay. At one point in my life I would have said, "“I am an American."” Those days are gone. In the eyes of the U.S. government I am un-American. My rights are less than that of a heterosexual. I am not recognized as a full and complete human being by this administration. I am not American. My country will not protect me from harm or the persecution of others who choose politics over life. The only places I can seek out understanding are gay ghettos like West Hollywood and the organizations that are located within. Instead of razor wire the city is protected by the understanding that you will not be recognized for who you are outside of the creative city’s boundary.
Perhaps there is help to the north. San Francisco perhaps I'd be more comfortable there? Jumping from containment camp to containment camp. There is no safety here in the U.S.A. for anyone who is gay or of color or female or... I could go on for hours.

If you rights are determined by what you do in the bedroom then something is wrong.
What goes on between 2 consenting adults is their own deal.

And do you ever get the feeling when you are filling out forms at the doctor'’s office and the question of marital status pops up, and you mark single, that single is their code word for gay?
Sorry I strayed from the point.

Under the Nazi version of what was referred to as "paragraph 175" gossip and innuendo were considered to be fact in regards to homosexuals. We in the United States seem to judge people in the same way. Our protective custody camps, our safe havens, our gay ghettos are not by chance but by design. Beware... the worst is yet to come.

For Jane

Taken from the unreleased documentary EAT THIS DOCUMENT.

house of the rising sun

Come on now SING ALONG EVERYONE!

ROCK YOUR BABY

Wanda Jackson. Whats not to love?

FEMME FATALE

Nico was not the best "singer" but she sure know how to have a good time... right up to the tragic end.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Tuesday

So here is the low down.
The one who shall remain nameless ignores me on valentines day. No call. Not returning my calls nothing. What an asshole. Silly things get me all worked up. Like the fact he snapped at me the other day because I asked him if he was working the next day. His response was very curt explaining that he has had Sunday Monday and Tuesday off since his last job.
He said it like I'm an idiot for not knowing that. When the very next week he has to go to work on Sunday. WTF?
He's got issues that he doesn't want help with. I thought I was a good friend I guess I was wrong.
I'm not hurt just.. Wait yes I am hurt but I'm not going to cry over this. MR "I love you" fuck you!
I 'm a nice guy and dont ask for much and still got fucked over emotionally. Why do I even bother to care about anyone but myself?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! FUCK YOOOOOOOOOOOU!

happy valentines day to the rest of you.

Never hang cat toys from a ceiling fan

This is just disrespectful

Monday, February 13, 2006

The circle is now complete.


I'm not a fan of the "American" version of things. I don't see the need to take an already fine film or T.V. show and remake it.
There are some that did not fair too well like, for instance, AMANDA'S BY THE SEA. A remake (almost shot for shot) of FAWLTY TOWERS. It starred Bea Arthur so it was doomed from the beginning.
LA FEMME NIKITA turned into, oh hell what was it called... POINT OF NO RETURN. Again a pointless remake.


Some fare vary well:
THE RING. Why do it? RINGU was great.
ROBIN'S NEST was THREE'S COMPANY here and it was so successful it spawned sequels. THE ROPERS and THREE'S A CROWED.
THE OFFICE is THE OFFICE here. (I have to admit I like both but favor the Americanized version)

What the hell do these other countries think of us.
What is so wrong with the originals? Why must we homogenize everything we see. What is this need to say "I can do that,but better." (meaning I can steal that.) Is it wrong to see a film or TV show that does not have an American flag waiving somewhere in the background?
I don't get it. I think it sucks we have this need to remake perfectly good "products." It degrades the integrity of the original.
Why don't people do this to American films?

Oh wait they are.

The fine folks in Bollywood have a habit of stealing our films and making new, better, possibly musical versions for themselves.
Take for instance the new Bollywood version of FIGHT CLUB. (Click in the title of this post to go to the films website)
Thank GOD now we have a chance to feel what England has felt since the dawn of British cinema and the B.B.C.

He Shoots He Scores!!!

Come on...
Not one Dick Cheney joke?

Anyone?

Jesus and crack don't mix

Crack makes clay people look greasy.

deathwatch

This clip has no audio.
Remember in "The Wizard of Oz" when the Wicked Witch held that hourglass and told Dorothy when the sand runs out shes going to die? Well here is the updated version.
I cant see how this "reduces stress".
I'm hoping next years version has electrodes that shock the crap out of you when your time is up.

Things didn't work out as planned.

Bush-ISM
Yes, it looks like i have stumbled across YOU TUBE. Expect more crappy lil videos like this on days like these.

ak47

Now I'm pretty sure everyone who reads this blog already knows how to field strip an AK47. In the event there is someone who does not know, here are your instructions. When the shit comes down don't come runnin ta me with that "can you help me with my gun thingy, I think its jammed" crap. I'll be too busy trying to save my own ass to worry 'bout yours!

Friday, February 10, 2006

JACK FROST (Part two)

If you are a native of Southern California, and over 35 years old, you may recognize this film. It was in the rotation of films playing on the TOM HATTON Family Film Festival in the ‘70'’s. Thank you Tom Hatton for showing me this film!

Upon viewing this Russian Version I have noted something odd. Not about the film but about the way I perceive film. I used to be appalled at the fact that Russian blatantly put political statements in their films! These are films for Christ sake and not a political platform. The offending part came where Ivan refuses to say thank you to Father Mushroom. He refuses to bow his head in thanks. Ivan says "“ The Bear will bow before Ivan."” Meaning: Russia will falter before I bow and thank you.

This to me was completely incongruous with a fairy tale of which, without that statement, could be happening anywhere.
Horrors!…

Yeah right. That line is no longer out of place for me thanks to the media of the united states. We have so much republican crap pumped into our daily dose of media the poison seems sweet. I'’m damn sure our films and TV. shows have the same offending effect on people of other countries as "“the bear line"” in Jack Frost.

This film is a must see. See it with the English language track on. The dialog is bizarre. I can only guess that the script was translated from Russian by someone who'’s primary language is Russian. The final line of this film is as baffling as the meaning of "“rosebud" was in CITIZEN KANE. The only maddening thing is, in CITIZEN KANE you found out the meaning to '“Rosebud'” This film leaves you hanging. I have no Idea what the hell the last line means. I have my theories but...…
Also if you view the film with subtitles you'’ll see the notice the translation is very different from the spoken dialog. I suspect this is a new translation. Its interesting to read the text with the old English voice-over. You really get a sense of how crappy the English voice translation was. Best to figure that out on your own. SEE IT WITH THE SUBTITLES OFF. At least for the first time.

For the Star wars loving crowd in Burbank let me put it in terms you may understand:
What a piece of junk!
Shell make point five past light speed.
This is the millennium Falcon of fairy-tale films.
She may not look like much but she'’s got it where it counts.
You must see this film. Its 4x3 so no big screen is needed. YOU MUST SEE THIS FILM!!!
Now after you see the film you must play the video game. Yes Virginia there is a video game of this film with some of the environments taken from the film.
If you are familiar with this film already you may want to check out :
http://www.justadventure.com/reviews/Father_Frost/FatherFrost.shtm

I was very surprised to see the screen shot of Nastinka asking "“Rosey fingers"for more knitting time. Its composition is almost identical to this film.


JACK FROST (Part one)


This most detailed write up on the internet about the film JACK FROST is as follows:

This musical, beautifully costumed film is based on a popular Russian fairy tale. Once upon a time there lived a nice, sweet girl, Nastenka. Her wicked stepmother made her work very hard day and night. One day she decided to get rid of her stepdaughter by sending her to a winter forest for her to freeze to death there. In the same land, there lived a lad named Ivan. He fell in love with Nastenka, but, unfortunately, he bragged too much, and was turned for that into a bear by a forest magician. Both Nastenka and Ivan would have to go through many trials before they are finally reunited. And the one who helped them was the good wizard Father Frost… The mastery of the film’s director, Alexander Row, who pioneered the genre of a fairy-tale screen adaptation, is still highly acclaimed. Even Steven Spilberg paid tribute to Row’s enchanting fairy tales.

Awards: St. Mark’s Golden Lion at the Venice IFF for Children and Youth, 1965; Capitoline Jupiter at the Rome IFF, 1966; Silver Medal at the Teheran IFF for Children, 1966.

Studio: Gorky Film Studio Year of Release: 1964.



This film is the holy grail of Russian Fairy Tale films. It was known to me as JACK FROST. The New More accurate title is FATHER FROST. Before I received the DVD I was grumbling on how this is not a musical. All the descriptions I could find on this film claim it’s a musical. There is music but no one ever sings except for an odd atonal song by Jack Frost as he tried in vain to “spray frost on a little fur tree with his magic scepter.” I know this film backwards and forwards how can they claim this is a musical. To my surprise it is a musical. The version I had on VHS was the international version that had all the songs trimmed. It makes sense. The vocals were most likely married to the music and therefore to release it in a non Russian speaking country would require re-recording the music in the language of the region or at the very least subtitles. It would be cheaper to trim the troublesome songs and be done with it. That’s what they must have done. This complete version is like finding lost musical numbers for STAR WARS. (and that Bea Arthur number in the holiday special does not count as a lost musical number… it was deliberately buried)
And nobody WHAT? (The scene shortly before the infamous last spoken line of dialog)

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Morozko (Father Frost: A Russian folk tale)

Once there lived an old widower and his daughter. In due time, the man remarried to an older woman who had a daughter herself from a previous marriage. The woman doted on her own daughter, praising her at every opportunity, but she despised her stepdaughter. She found fault with everything the girl did and made her work long and hard all day long. One day the old woman made up her mind to get rid of the stepdaughter once and for all.

She ordered her husband, "Take her somewhere far away and don't take her to some relative's house. Take her into the biting cold of the forest and leave her there."

The old man grieved and wept but he knew that he could do nothing else; his wife always had her way. So he took the girl into the forest and left her there. He turned back quickly so that he wouldn't have to see his girl freeze.

The poor thing, sat there in the snow, with her body shivering and her teeth chattering! Then Morozko (Father Frost), leaping from tree to tree, came upon her.

"Are you warm, dear?" he asked.

"Welcome, my dear Morozko. Yes, I am quite warm," she said, even though she was cold to the bone.

At first, Morozko had wanted to freeze the life out of her with his icy grip. But he admired the young girl's stoicism and showed mercy. He gave her a warm fur coat and downy quilts before he left.

In a short while, Morozko returned to check on the girl. "Are you warm, dear?" he asked.

"Welcome again, my dear Morozko. Yes, I am very warm," she said. And indeed she was warmer. So this time Morozko brought a large box for her to sit on.

A little later, Morozko returned once more to ask how she was doing. She was doing quite well now, and this time Morozko gave her silver and gold jewelry to wear, with enough extra jewels to fill the box on which she was sitting!

Meanwhile, back at her father's hut, the old woman told her husband to go back into the forest and fetch the body of his daughter. "Bring back what's left of her," she ordered. The old man did as he was told and went back into the woods. Joy overwhelmed him when he saw his daughter was still alive, wrapped in a sable coat and adorned with silver and gold!

When he arrived home with his daughter and the box of jewels, his wife looked on in amazement.

"Harness the horse, you old goat, and take my own daughter to that same spot in the forest and leave her there," she said with greed in her eye. The old man did as he was told.

Like the other girl at first, the old woman's daughter began to shake and shiver. In a short while, Morozko came by and asked her how she was doing.

"Are you blind?" she replied. "Can't you see that my hands and feet are quite numb? Curse you, you miserable old man!"

Dawn had hardly broken the next day when, back at the old man's hut, the old woman woke her husband and told him to bring back her daughter, adding, "Be careful with the box of jewels." The old man obeyed and went to get the girl.

A short while later, the gate to the yard creaked. The old woman went outside and saw her husband standing next to the sleigh. She rushed forward and pulled aside the sleigh's cover. To her horror, she saw the body of her daughter, frozen by an angry Morozko. She began to scream and berate her husband, but it was all in vain.

Later, the old man's daughter married a neighbor, had children, and lived happily. Her father would visit his grandchildren every now and then, and remind them always to respect Old Man Winter.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Hand in the pocket


Ladies and gentlemen I'm tired of talking about pain because ... It bores me. I'm tired of talking about the crappy insurance plan I have. I will stop.


After this one last rant.

So here's what has been happening over the past 2 days.
Yesterday I was asked to come down to my doctors office to pick up State disability forms. I was informed that the Doctor charges a $25.00 fee to process the paperwork. Sure fine whatever just get it going so I can have some sort of income.

I get there cash in hand and they give me three pages of forms. The also told me to pay when I return them filled out.
Great fine. Now driving is a pain for me. Either I am in pain or I'm doped up and either way I shouldn't be driving but ... I have to do it.
So I go home and fill these things out in 2 minutes. I decided to wait until the morning to bring them back. I knew the Doctor would be in and if I had any questions I could probibly ask her. (mind you she is in 3 days a week so you better not be sick on her off days and you better book your illness a month in advance!)

This morning I return with same cash in hand and the forms all filled out with my best 3rd grade printing. LARGE BLOCK LETTERS.
First They take my money and tell me to sit down.
10minutes later they call me back.

" what's you last name???
"Its XXX" "and this is you right?" "yes?? Why??"
" Well she says you don't look like the guy who came in a few weeks ago she thought you might be Mr. XXX friend doin this paperwork for him"

WHAT TH' FUCK????
slow burn starting. "I lost weight. I'm sick.That why I'm here to get disability?" "oh ok ok just checking. Have a seat I'll have your change shortly"

15minute later
"Mr. XXX?"
I get to the window and am handed (now mind you I was expecting $5.00 back)
4 dollars in quarters and a 1 dollar bill. (whatever... It just pissed me off more) "Sir have a seat and I'll get this done while you wait so you don't have to come back again"
"OK."
20minute later.

"MR xxx"
I grumble to the window as I am having a stabbing pain attack.

"here you go"
She hands me the forms back with a few additions and a doctors signature.
"that's it?"
"oh no you have to mail those in. I have a copy in the file now"

"where do I mail it? Got an address?"

"Hey (some name) you got an envelope for Mr. XXX" voice from the back room "Nooooo. We out he'll have to call information to get the address"

"You'll have to call information"

"thank you."
"tHANK yoooU"

25.00 fucking dollars for that???? What the fuck? I could have done all that a week ago and just came down there and had the doctor sign it. WHAT PROCESSING. I"M DOING ALL THE WORK!!!!!!

I hate them. I hate them all at that office. My next visit with them is on the 16th when they charge me $15.00 to put lab request slips in my hand and send me down the hall to the lab. That's not worth a copay! They are not doing anything!
Its extortion because they know you need the work and they are robbing you. One silly payment after another.

Boy those Canadians don't know how good they have it!

cut here

I finally have a date to go into the hospital. Feb 24th. I'll feel better when this whole gallbladder thing is behind me. I understand I get a video tape of the process. Whoo ho! This thing is sounding more and more like a baby every day. 2 months of labor pains and then a c-section. I hope get to take it home. I'm knitting a cozy for it.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

NETFLIX doesn't suck as much as you think!

While I enjoy the occasional Michael Bay film once in a while. (yes THE ISLAND was one of my recent rentals) I have to say NETFLIX has some damn odd films. If you look hard enough you'll find em. COME ON! Mainstream title are easy to find. Anything done in the last 5 years is there but if you want to find something stuck in your craw that you just have to see your pretty much out of luck.
I almost gave up hope when I could not find "WAR OF THE GARGANTUANS" or the Universal Classic "THIS ISLAND EARTH" but ...
Never give up hope!
While I could not locate those fine films I have found a couple that are equally if not more entertaining.

And old favorite was released and I have been looking for this since 1980. It was finally put onto dvd in 2001 under the wrong title.
The Russian film JACK FROST Is a film I have been searching for since I found a bizarre Bootleg copy in a mom and pop video rental store back in 1980. Its it the most poorly dubbed film I have ever seen. The english voice talent is simply ridiculous. I cannot tell you any more than that. You'll have to get it for yourself and see. If your unlucky you can catch the film on Mystery Science Theater. While the show sometimes makes bad films better with goofy jokes it makes this film worse. Its a damn laugh riot on its own and must be seem from start to finish. Oh, and don't look for the title JACK FROST you may end up with a Michael Keton film and that would be pretty bad. Wouldn't it? Look for the title FATHER FROST.



The big surprise for this week is the film I am watching right now. I'm going to have nightmares.


"LITTLE OTIK" A Czech film that has me creeped out despite its cheesy effects. This is something I didn't expect nor did I prepare for. The odd blurb that is posted on NETFLIX is as follows:
In this bizarre fantasy from the Czech Republic, an ordinary couple, Karel and Bozena, are unable to conceive a child. When Karel digs up a tree root and whittles something vaguely resembling a human baby, Bozena's strong maternal longings transform the stump into a living creature … with a monstrous appetite that can't be met by baby's formula!

This by all means is a much better film than I expected. Please if you want to laugh and get creeped out at the same time see this film.
A very grim fairy tale!

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Um... Are you alright?

While at work I was asked by my supervisor if Disability is an option. Apparently I can't work too well on pain medication. I've been put on disability until I recover from the yet to be scheduled surgery. Not good timing for this. I need to work and need to have a reliable income and this only complicates matters. I'll figure out something.

Today is the last day of the old apartment. I haven't been able to move the last thing (or so I thought the last thing), Boxes of records. I cant lift them so Greggory is helping me move (doing all the work) I was in the old garage at the apartment and in that garage are two refrigerators. I pushed on one and realized it was pretty easy to move. I pulled it away from the wall and discovered cardboard boxes of my Mums. I checked into them and all of them were old issues of National Geographic and things of that nature. A box of her clothes and to my surprise a box of Christmas stuff. I took the box of Christmas stuff without looking into it. Its doing just that which bugs me. Moving crap for craps sake. I didn't even know that box was there and wouldn't have missed it. But what if... What if it has something inside that holds a dear memory to someone in the family. A memory forgotten but jogged by the sight of the thing inside these box. This unopened box. It could very well be filled with yarn and mislabeled. Who knows?
I'm going back to get the records and say good by to the folks there. They are a good bunch of neighbors. I'm losing neighbors but gaining friends.

Friday, February 03, 2006

a nice night at home



Still keeping an eye out for ghosts Pen the cat tries to relax by the fire.
He keeps a watchful eye on the Female ghost that yells turn"Turn out that light" in the middle of the night.

I woke up the other night to a shriek the was either a pain killer induced hallucination or a very angry ghost. Or both.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Out Damn Spot!

So it turns out my gallbladder needs to come out. I'm renaming this thing PAINSACK! I thought they could just go in there with an olive picker and pluck these thingys out. Nope they have to remove the whole thing. The surgeon I met today was pretty good at explaining why this has to be done and why this is a real decision and not something dictated by my HMO. That was a very good thing.
Yeah haw my first operation. Boy am I excited! In the mean time I have eaten away all of my sick and vacation days so its off to work i go. In pain for the drive there then i get hepped up on goofballls while there. Nothing like being fucked up at work!

on to something else

Hi,
I just wanted to move on and get the other post behind me. So... since i dont have anything to say here is a picture.