The Travails of the Astounding!

As if you needed it, more proof that Bush is both intellectually inferior AND a liar.



Salon.com News | NASA photo analyst: Bush wore a device during debate:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/10/29/bulge/index_np.html

I really dig this sort of shot. It's hard for me to snap strangers in the street though. I feel squeamish about such invasions. I suppose it's easier with friends, because I can anticipate reactions. To me, it's always difficult making that decision, to attempt to capture that sublime moment of contemplation, or to avoid disrupting it all together. Reminds me of that quote from The Man Who Wasnt There, "But sometimes you look at it, your looking changes it. Ya can't know the reality of what happened, or what would've happened if you hadn't-a stuck in your own goddamn schnozz."I need to take that chance more often
. Okay, so here's the thing. Made to choose between a rivalry within Athletes Incorporated and the love of a great underdog story, the choice would be easy. Go Boston, Go. See: I care about sports up to a certain extent because of the nature of a teams story. And usually thats the story of the Mets cause hey, I'm a New York kind of guy. I like that they havent won a World Series since I first understood what the strange hat system meant. And the Subway Series with the Yanks? Oh man! What a glorious beating! But that's all part of the saga. The endless story that is sports. And let's face it, all sports stories are part of the greater story of lot's of people get worked up for whothehellknowswhat. So, when a team down 3 games in a best of 4 series, against their ARCH FUCKING RIVALS (I love good a villian, and the Yankees are great Villians), umm.. yeah, against their ARCH FUCKING RIVALS, to win the next 7 games brining them to their first Championship win in 86 years well, fuck. That's a great story!

Anyway enough about sports.

So I know this sort of thing happens in politics all the time. BUT DAMN. Every now and then, I feel it's vital to point out how FUCKED UP the status quo is. If this is politics as usual then usual politics must evolve, and awareness of such things is vital. Now, of course BOTH parties lie. However when you consider events in the order they occurred certain patterns emerge.

Afghanistan looks good when you think about the elections. But the Bush administration has done a very shitty job in controlling drugs and thusly territory has fallen back into Taliban control. Shit, Bin Laden did more to control drugs than Bush is, drug production has gone UP since the war! You remember Bin Laden, the REAL Villain in this sordid affair called Recent American History. Don't worry about Saddam and Iraq I'll get to that in a sec.

Like Now. First, President Bush tells us that Saddam is fixin to grease us. And well, after 911, some of us were really paranoid about that. So many believed him. Then it turned out that that was bogus. I suspected it was bowash the entire time, lucky guess.

We have not yet been able to corroborate the existence of a mobile biological weapons production effort. Technical limitations would prevent any of these processes from being ideally suited to these trailers. - Bush Administration Weapons Inspector David Kay, 10/2/03

SO, it became a human rights issue. Lets not forget that the human rights issue was NOT the reason given to going into war, it was a justification that came later. As far as the TENUOUS and often fabricated link between Iraq and Al-Qaeda, it is well known that neither Bin Laden or Hussein wanted to work together. They kinda hated each other.

Then there was that ridiculous Mission Accomplished fiasco. God, it's so easy for him to look stupid isnt it? Know why? Cause he gets it wrong so OFTEN! Remember when he said the war would pretty much pay for itself?! HAH! Bush says things are getting better in Iraq, but didnt Colin Powell just say things were getting worse?

Now, the FBI is looking into more Haliburton misconduct. Which informed citizen is truly surprised?

Even Republicans are highly disappointed with Bushs inaction, and failure. I leave you tonight with testimonials from Republicans who are voting Democrat for the first time in their lives. I think they offer some of the most compelling arguments.
A Marine who served in Iraq.
A former Marine.
A former Ambassador.
A Baptist with a great point.
A small business owner. (she's tiny!)
An idiot who voted for Bush.
A cool Republican old dude in a cool shirt.
A steel worker.
A crazy Punk activist...okay, just an angry old Republican.
A guy who still loves the Republican Party but won't vote for George Bush.
WHEW, that was exhausting.

Michael Moore was at CMU on Tuesday, and although he went through the litany of the usual talking points (Iraq, Bush, Kerry, Michigan), he spoke candidly and wittily. And he gave out Ramen Noodles and Briefs. Then Anti-Flag dropped by. To find an unenthusiastic audience.

Wonderful Donnie Darko Essay:
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041021/ESSAYS/41022001

On my way out of the bar yesterday I espied this gentleman. For obvious reasons, I stopped and asked him some quesions.
Like: What the fuck?! This being his first day of owning the JORDY and his first oppurtunity to try them out, he was more than willing to give me a demonstration.
The JORDY works by using two mini Sony DV cameras that are controlled by a computer interface that magnifies images on two small screens in front of the eyes. It has a stunning 30x Zoom lens which can auto focus, and utilizes a cursor lock focus system, which was really fun to play with. It's got up to four viewing modes; full color, black and white, High contrast positive, and negative. Since its essentially a Sony digital camera, it can plug seamlessly into most standard video and computer ports. It will soon be possible for JORDY users to plugin directly into the video feeds in movie theaters.
What's just around the corner oh future-ball of wisdom!? JORDY compatible rifle zoom scopes! JORDY compatible dildos! There's a whole industry waiting to spring up here! Hell, theyve already got celebrity endorsement!!

And so it occurs to me that if presented with the facts and documentation supporting said assertions, it would be impossible for any objectively minded human being to remain a Bush supporter. After all, the shit has piled so high, some people have become convinced that it doesnt exist. Such as my buddy Jon "What voter fraud?" Kyle. So this I ask of you: lists of Bush misdeeds, lies, and other deviations from their constructed 'compassionate' exterior. Please keep in mind here that the proof and research is just as important as the lie or misdeed itself. I want sealed, error proof arguments. I plan on collecting all of these and creating packages for some of my Pro-Bush friends, so the sooner the better. The concentration is not so much on why Kerry's a good candidate, but the myriad of well documented reasons that Bush is such a poor one. Ive already got some resources of my own, but I'm sure you know a few good ones yourself, so leave it in a comment or email me. I'll likely post the package as an entry once it's completed.

Poursuite from the album "Triplets Of Belleville OST" by Ben Charest

LUCIUS: Art thou not sorry for these heinous deeds?

AARON: Ay, that I had not done a thousand more.
Even now I curse the day,—and yet, I think,
Few come within the compass of my curse,—
Wherein I did not some notorious ill:
As, kill a man, or else devise his death;
Ravish a maid, or plot the way to do it;
Accuse some innocent, and forswear myself;
Set deadly enmity between two friends;
Make poor men's cattle stray and break their necks;
Set fire on barns and hay-stacks in the night,
And bid the owners quench them with their tears.
Oft have I digg'd up dead men from their graves,
And set them upright at their dear friends' doors,
Even when their sorrows almost were forgot;
And on their skins, as on the bark of trees,
Have with my knife carved in Roman letters,
'Let not your sorrow die, though I am dead.'

Tut, I have done a thousand dreadful things
As willingly as one would kill a fly;
And nothing grieves me heartily indeed
But that I cannot do ten thousand more.
-Titus Act 5 Scene 1

Scandal!

I Want To Marry A Lighthouse Keeper from the album "A Clockwork Orange" by Erika Eigen

The When Tyrants Kiss screening went well. Very well in fact. There was at the very least a hundred people in attendance, who all oohed, ahhed and laughed at the right places and times. In the end the moving got a standing O and three rounds of applause. Funny thing is, I havent felt a real moment of trepidation this entire process, intense fatigue bordering on lunacy, sure. But never had I felt as nervous as when the credits rolled and the lights dimmed. WHEW! I'll say this much for that, it's very satisfying to see any personal creative accomplishment so displayed.

Honestly though, this screening means a lot less to me than the upcoming just announced November 6th Premiere, at the Three Rivers Film Festival. With a full audience of fresh minds the film will truly be put to the test. I feel confident that it will hold up, succeed, thoroughly entertain.

The after-party was a different monster all together. Yuengling, martinis, and cosmopolitans a plenty. Did I forget tequila shots? Ben didnt. As a matter of fact 10 minutes into the party before half the guests had arrived Ben had done got himself soaked to the gills in the lovely amber Mexican stuff, and as result fluttered about the party in a performance that was truly.....BEN. Then wisely collapsed on the drawing room sofa for the remainder. Good show, Ben!

Louden Up Now by !!! is really good. This is my first real run through, and it's great fun.

Marvel 1602 is a graphic novel written by Neil Gaiman that concerns a displaced universe of Silver Age era Marvel Comic Books Superheros who save the world in adventures that span Queen Elizabeths England to the wild untamed New World. None of the characters are in costume, but their Elizabethan wardrobe hearkens back to their more familiar spandexy counterparts. The best thing about the series is that since this storyline is so far removed from the Marvel Universe, Gaiman is given free reign in interpreting characters. If you know anything of Gaiman's work, I've totally caught your attention and you know who good this must be and/or is. If you arent familiar with his work, run to your nearest vendor of quality print and pick up the Preludes and Nocturnes collection. !MWA! My gift to you.

Sound And Vision from the album "Low" by David Bowie

Some mad evil has devised to adapt Fight Club to a video-game. It would appear that his madness further compels him not to adapt, but to twist and bend it into action-schlock. Ahh well.

On Friday, Jon Jim and I threw a party at our house, the second of the semester. With the playlists cued, Jon's tables amped, and the fridges (yes multiple) filled with cases of beer, and Teamster margaritas (a funky lime, beer, tequila concoction), it was decreed that fun would be had.
It's funny how quickly an intimate gathering swells to a near capacity crowd. At one point I turn to Jon's ultra chill friend Jay, who had been one of the first to arrive, and we flash each other the "where the hell did all these people come from look".
When I was introduced to Jon's friend, Izzy, from Pitt-News I immediately exclaimed that given my past history with certain persons who shorten Isaiah to Izzy (or have it shortened for them), I knew we'd get along just fine and dandy.And Izzy, the student filmmaker who has aspirations of starting up a Pittsburgh production company, and I, somehow managed to find SOMEthing to talk about. Certain personality types are instantly recognizable to me, and the Izzy phenomenon, apparently is one of them.
I met some other cool folks who seemed earthy, edgy and interesting. Thinkers, and rock-n-rollers to be sure. Anyway, we started talking about how it seems like everybody these days fancies themselves a poker shark. It's Americas new non-sport, puting golf into second place. One of these folks pulls me aside and tells me it'shis friends (Jess) 22nd birthday in 5 minutes, but he feels rotten because he nearly completely forgot, and hasn't a gift. I think they might have been an 'item'. In which case he was in REAL trouble. Well, 2 minutes and a guitar tune-up later he played and I sang her a birthday song for the ages. Mariachi style!! I really belted it out. FUN FUN FUN Coincidentally thats the most use ole Matilda has had since I bought her from Sam Ash with Hara on MY birthday 3 years ago.
SIGH, Hara, a friend I have neglected to call in far too long. That ought to be remedied.
So, it's around 5 and things were finally starting to die down, when suddenly we got a weakly persistent banging on the door. Friends I tell you that it reeked of angry neighbor energy from across the room before the door even opened, to reveal our next door neighbor, in slippers and robe. Apparently we'd been keeping him up for hours, and if you refer to the picture of my house, youll understand why, after all he lives under the same roof we do. Although he has an entirely seperate...unit, space. It's odd living in the same house with your next door neighbor. I doubt we share landlords... but how is that possible if we all live within the same building...? ANYway, our ear-plugged, 60 something neighbor, who was deaf to our apologies and mollification, made a slightly enigmatic racist comment to the tune of "I've heard better music come out of the jungle", muttered loudly to himself for a moment, and was gone. . . 30 seconds later, the entire room burst into a raucous laughter. Myself included.

With that, the clock struck 5:30 and we decided to head to a local restaurant. Where a gay waiter with too many tables to tend undercharged us and got a great tip for it.
On the walk back home we stopped by to pick up some complimentary pumpkins that were nicely (and convieniently) placed outside of the supermarket around the corner from the entrance and out of sight. (Unattended merchandice, and they call this a city?!) At Jim's suggestion we embarked on a community beautification campaign, which consisted of plucking Bush/Cheney lawn signs and sticking them into the stolen carts with the stolen pumpkins. Rascals that we are. In a sad show of futility, Jon, our poor fool-of-a-Took Libertarian roomate, responded by grabbing a couple Kerry/Edwards signs. Phase Two of the 'campaign' is systematically replacing the Bush signs with Kerry signs the closer we get to elections.
I also met some other new VERY interesting people, and found one person who I had previously met to be quite intriguing, but these observations are for other conversations.
Oh hey, Jon carved one of the pumpkins up good.

Hey my roomate, Jim Boyle wrote this awessome article on John Kerry. You know while watchin these debates, I often wished I had some sort of guide, or running meter on the truth/lie count for both sides. well hittin up Fact Check (dot) org, and watching along to the webcast on CSPAN is the next best thing.






Party tomorrow.


I can hardly wait.

This evening: Intense aggravation at having lost a job I really wanted/needed. I say lost, because though I had not yet been hired, it felt certain that I would get it. I had the best application (according to the interviewer) and had a really good interview. Ultimately it came down to me being 'overqualified".
What the fuck does that mean anyway?! Sorry sir, were aiming to lower or standards just a bit. No no sir, we only accept donations of 5 cents or less, quarters and dimes just won't do! HEY HEY! Five pennies at a time, IF YOU PLEASE!
SIIIIGH I just want a job that I'd enjoy and be good at. Something that would pay the bills, and pass the days. argh Folks, I'm trying to be the righteous man....I'm trying reeeeeal hard.

Jeez...does ANYone remember when Craig Kilboune did the Daily Show? I'm not saying Kilborne sucks, but Stewart rocks the house! And he's only been there since '99! Tomorrows debate show ought to be interesting. Y'know, i get really pissed when I hear people talk about how well Bush did in that second debate. Not making a COMPLETE fool of yourself is NOT necessarily success. If all goes according to plan, the Yanks will take the series in a sweep, as will Kerry. That ought to even things out for Massachusetts.

Sometimes I meet the most interesting people in the most unlikely of situations. Like this woman that I met at the DVD duplicators house/place of business. Which due to intense flooding damage, looked like the house the Home Depot forgot. The top half of the first floor walls being neatly painted and decorated, with the lower half of the walls... completely gone, knocked out, and chipped away through and through. As Mike and I were on our way in, she was on her way out. As she passed me, I could feel the energy rolling off her skin. Some people buzz. And often i can sense them from a block away. However she whizzed by in a nervous blur, hands jetting back and forth, words spinning out of her mouth and into oblivion. I hesitated in asking for her picture, and the moment passed as she made her way out and down the street. Mike and I flashed each other a "what the hell" look of vast amusement and bewilderment. However a few seconds later, as if on cue with my regretful sigh, she burst through the door again, with a declaration to none in particular that she might have forgotten her CD, does this all the time in fact, picks it up here, leaves it there, oh no, there it was in the bag the whole time, silly her!
Thank You Opportunity.
When I asked if I could snap her picture, she quickly replied yes, however seemed quite uncomfortable with the actual posing process. Not that she minded having her picture taken, she seemed tickled by the very notion, but suddenly her natural state of constant motion, became a forced and difficult search for the right position, the right space, the right reaction. Suddenly jolted from her normal rhythms, being asked to reproduce the erratic pattern that was her 'self', proved too great a task. Finally we settled on a spot on the flood eroded wall where she could lean on and gesture naturally for a moment while I set up the shot. Naturally it only took one shot to capture something so perfect. Something about these deranged, lightning eyed people that draws me. . .

Jon just cleaned our grotesque kitchen, and has thusly earned the title of: The Man.

Jon, you are in fact....
The Man.

I'm not one to endorse celebrity worship of any sort. But there are exceptions to all rules, and Ms. Dita Von Teese is certainly one of them. Manson, you ole dog, you.
Kiddies, I suggest you run to your local publication distributor and pick up the latest issue of Pop, for a spread featuring Dita and His Anti Christness. As well as a fabulous photo shoot of the ravishing Christina Ricci, some fantastic photography there. 3rd one on the page is my personal fave, but I'm a big softie for the veils. Reminds me of the Widow Scene in The Man Who Wasnt There. Know what I mean? THWWT is Neo-Noir at it's best. Second only of course to When Tyrants Kiss.

So I just got back from this lame ass crew party. It was for this Hollywood production called 10th and Wolf. Which sounded really cool when i was invited to it earlier in the day, right before hitting up the Chinese Buffet. In essence though, it was a bunch of movie people standing around while the DJ spun such shitty acts as Sean Paul and Britney Spears. When Mike (Scotto that is) and I first arrived to a barren bar with no signs of life, we gave it 20 minutes or so till we decided it might be prudent if we returned to HQ and played some racquetball. Having no sporting equipment on us, we stepped out and drove back to my place. Allll the while listening to this really insane DJ on AM spin ancient phonographs and ramble on about absolutely who-knows-what. 30 minutes later we were back at the bar (nicely named: Bash.). Things had livened up and the crowd seemed more into it. As far as that Disc Jockey (of crap) was concerned, I made but two requests: (anything by) Depeche Mode (and when that failed), Prince Let's Get Crazy. Luckily that solemn plea was answered. But you know what faithful readers? I don't care for certain types of social events, and loud bars with unpleasant music is a BIG turnoff. Por moi, that is. If that floats your boat, well...bully for you. I'm more of a lounge lizard myself. I also like roof parties. There's this thing in Brooklyn called Rooftop Cinema, or something to that effect, where they project awesome indie film on city rooftops late at night. MY KIND OF PEOPLE.
Music: The White Stripes-Black Math

So my roomate Jon, and I were waiting for the 61C to whisk us into Oakland on a clammy Sunday afternoon. And there was this gentleman standing still as a stone next to us with a cigarette in his mouth. Thing is, this guy was standing so still that he had a good few inches of ash on the cigarette as he puffed away, for the 15 minutes that we stood there, he didnt move an inch.... Not sure why I find this so interesting, this still smoker. But I do!
Oh, and then Jess and Maya drove by and did the whisking in Jessicas awesome Blue Truck of Glee. Thanks gals!

Sometimes, the suburbs don't bug me as much.
Sometimes.