Thursday, November 19, 2009

Sigourney Weaver and "Avatar"


I swiped this quote wholesale from over at PopWrap, it's just too good and too up my alley not to, ya know? So thanks for posting it and alerting me to such a thing being said. You rule. Anyway, here's Sigourney "Siggy" Weaver speaking of James Cameron'sAvatar:

"People are going to piss themselves again and again and again. Because it's just one amazing scene after the other."

I mean, am I right or am I right? Sigourney Weaver and involuntary torrents of piss! Two of my favorite things! Wait, what? Uhh. Kidding! I am kidding. God.

But seriously, she could be talking about the fact that the film's apparently around three hours long, as well. Skip the soda, remember the catheter. That's my motto! Oh god make me stop.
.

Vertigo

Head cold...sinus infection...and....vertigo. So of course, it made me think of -->

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Paranormal Activity Original Ending

The original ending that the director filmed for "Paranormal Activity" before Steven Speilberg put up $4000 for a different ending (of course, SS was right---his is much better than the original)


Thursday, August 20, 2009

The 14th Annual NCGLFF Was a Success!!

This past weekend the 14th Annual NCGLFF was held at the Carolina Theatre in Durham. In years past, it has been a "hit or miss" when it came to the films being any good. However, this year, out of the 5 feature films & 1 film short, I would highly recommend 4 of the films and the short. The other film, had a very bad ending, and although I was enjoying it up until the last minute, it was one of those that just STOPS!.

The ones I liked were: 1) Make the Yuletide Gay; 2)Patrik 1.5; 3)Hollywood, J'taime; 4)Little Ashes The one I didn't care for was The Art of Being Straight. Had me going until BAM!...it just ended. I hate that.


Sorry for the lack of posts lately but I am doing alot of blogging/tweeting/facebook work at the office daily and the last thing I want to do on my own time is more of the same. I'll try to do better.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

14th Annual North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival



The 14th Annual North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (NCGLFF) is the second largest gay and lesbian film festival in the Southeast, attracting thousands of patrons yearly. Since its beginning in 1995, the Festival has featured a diverse array of shorts, documentaries and feature films. The Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau named the NCGLFF a Signature Event for Durham, the highest honor bestowed on a cultural event or attraction by the organization.
The NCGLFF celebrates a worldwide glimpse of today's gay and lesbian life, helps bring the community together and features entertaining and sophisticated films and filmmaking. Visit The Carolina Theatre of Durham today for your tickets

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

WARNING!!!! Don't Ever Stay at The Castle at Silver Lake Bed and Breakfast

WARNING!! DON'T EVER STAY AT THIS BED & BREAKFAST


This is a warning. Don't EVER STAY AT THE CASTLE AT SILVER LAKE BED & BREAKFAST. Lies, Lies and more lies. Talk about FALSE ADVERTISING. We stayed at one of the Villas. It is advertised as having: Dishwasher (not), Washer (not), Dryer (not), Ice machine??? (whatever..there is ice in the frig) and spectacular sunset views over the lake. Well that is true...it is pretty. Also, they have Dish Network satellite TV...but only shopping channels and exercise shows are available. Not even news or weather channel. Seriously. There's not much to do on the island period, but after dark....there is NOTHING. What else is there to do but put on the tube and maybe read a book...Thank GOD I brought a couple of my own books. I'm surprised they didn't advertise a library too! Stay away...find a no tell motel...you'll be better off. Remember the name, Castle at Silver Lake, Ocracoke, NC (Outer Banks)

Friday, June 19, 2009

The Real Housewives of New Jersey


While I stand by my assertion that the season has been by and large rather boring, tuesday night's explosive ending and last nights un-aired scenes are both a modern-day classic. If you haven't seen it yet, STOP READING NOW, because I can't say enough about Jacqueline Laurita -- and her hubby, the brother of the pointless bitches Dina "the liar" and Caroline "the control freak" Manzo -- for doing the right thing and calling her lying, conniving and controlling sisters-in-law out on their bullshit. (Hey, Dina: Jacqueline kept your secret for months -- but YOU tried to make her LIE in front of everyone.) Danielle Staub may have the shady past (of course her 27-year-old boyfriend is now trying to exploit her too), but she's a class act compared with the Manzo sisters, who were exposed for the phonies they really are. (And poor Teresa. Clueless and oh so funny.) Best. Finale. Ever. (NYP)

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Triangle Gay Men's Chorus Performance

Since the war started six years ago, more than 4,300 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq and another 632 have been killed in Afghanistan. Considering the sustained violence abroad and, most recently, the hate-crime murders in Kansas and Washington, D.C. it's time to reflect on how we can make our world a more peaceful one

The cantata BraveSouls and Dreamers is based on the teachings of peacemakers Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Confucius, Buddha and Jesus. The Triangle Gay Men's Chorus performs the work of composers Robert Seeley and Robert Espindola, which explores the impacts of war against the calls for peace by major historical religious figures. The chorus performs Sunday, June 21 at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Durham, 305 E. Main Street. Tickets are available at the door and online at the Triangle Gay Men's Chorus website.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

The report card is in with "GLEE"

Although very stereotypical with most of the characters, you still have to love "Glee".

I can't wait for the fall and the season to begin.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

What is the purpose?

I'm not even going to verbalize where my mind went when I saw this video of Zachary Quinto.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

American Idol Recap: FINAL 4

Our final duet of the night

Allison and Adam are the perfect pairing on Foghat’s “Slow Ride.”
With their little black outfits and similar haircuts, they are so cute!
Plus, they sounded way more comfortable than Danny and Kris, and you can tell they had a blast performing. Lots of hopping around and plenty of energy, the way rock music is supposed to be. Allison’s fans are out in full force and for the first time all season, I can sort of see a Adam/Allison showdown in the finals.
Nicely done.

‘Dream On’ Danny Gokey

I just knew we couldn’t escape rock night without an Aerosmith song, or a power ballad for that matter. Danny performs Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” and in rehearsal with Slash, that scream that tore from Danny made me throw up in my mouth a little bit. I get what he was going for since the song is a little bluesy; however, his performance was a whole lotta crazy!! Even some of his family and friends seemed to be trying to figure it out when the camera went to them. Danny appeared to be sipping some Lambert juice with this one, and not necessarily in a good way. Ryan reminds us that Danny’s never been in the bottom three, but I don’t think that’s going to hold up this week.
And is it just me, or do the judges seem like they are determined to say something positive about him regardless?

Kris Allen ‘Comes Together’

I thought Kris’ version of The Beatles “Come Together” was a little funky. I think he should get some quality points for even attempting to tackle such a legendary tune, especially at this point in the competition when the singers are so closely matched in talent. They flash to Slash, and he doesn’t look thrilled and the judges, for the most part, aren’t either.
Kris tries to smile it off, but he looks a little worried.

Our first duet of the night

Kris and Danny join on Styx’s “Renegade,” and I like the way they sound when they are harmonizing. The judges seem to agree with me, so good for them. Taken individually, Danny sounded like he was a little more on it than Kris.
As an aside, I would like to say I am glad Paula refrained from going rocker-chick crazy with her wardrobe tonight, though it seems some of it may have spilled over to Kara.


Allison
Iraheta is a ‘Cry Baby’

How funny is it that Allison went to Adam’s hairstylist to get her new ‘do? I agree with Slash that Allison seems “predisposed for the Joplin thing.” Allison singing Janis Joplin’s “Cry Baby” appeared to be a no-brainer, and while she is in good voice tonight, I really need someone to work with her on her pronunciation. She sings her little rocker chick heart out, but I couldn’t make out half the words! I wanted to really, really love it, and I didn’t.
She tries to justify her song choice, and good for her. Unfortunately, I think Allison may be in trouble after this.


Adam Lambert
delivers up a ‘Whole Lot of Love’

I was so hoping Adam went first! It makes it easier to show Joe his performance when it's first rather than having to fastforward to the middle or end. I am digging the new haircut, and the guy-liner seems to be extra thick this week. Adam wails his way through Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lot of Love,” and Randy says he’s a rock star but Kara’s gotta top that by calling him a “rock god.” He did tear it up. There was no denying that tonight was going to be Adam’s night, and he nailed it. Leather jacket opened at chest, chains swinging around the neck and tons of rock swagger.
Adam Lambert, I hate myself for loving you!!!

Oops...She Did It Again!


Aretha Franklin Did It Again!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

SlumWOW!

After more than 38,000 views on youtube, I'm sure most people have seen this, irreverant, politically incorrect, yet funny video, but just in case you haven't....Here it is!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

American Idol: My choice for the final 3


My Choice for the Final Three
Kris, Allison & of course ADAM

A Gaythering Storm

Hahahah...too funny!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

FINALLY, a sunny day @ Myrtle Beach

Finally, we've had a sunny day at the beach (of course the day before we are leaving). We've gone for a nice walk and next we are off shopping.
Don't you love Joe's hair here??

This is where we are staying (our's is 3rd floor next to the round cover over the indoor/outdoor pool.

Various photos from our walk on the beach. Only upper 50's at this point so even though quite beautiful, it was COLD!


Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Days 3 & 4 at Myrtle Beach

Days 3 & 4 at Myrtle Beach

Up the Beach

Down the beach

Joe being quiet and watching the waves on the balcony (and watching more clouds and rain come in)

Hopefully tomorrow, we will finally have some sun so that I can get some nice photos.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Day 2 at Myrtle Beach: Rainy & Overcast

Day 2 of my birthday beach trip is starting off overcast with thunderstorms in the forecast for later today, tonight and tomorrow morning.....oh well..good chance to catch up on the movies that we haven't seen....



SNL "High School Musical" skit a big hit!

Full of laughs and fun!

Rachel Maddow exposes the rediculousness of The National Organization for Marriage

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow recently pointed out the ridiculousness of the National Organization for Marriage's campaign of "2 Million for Marriage" and its acronym, 2M4M. Amaze-balls USA. This comes just after conservatives started throwing tea in the water calling themselves TeaBaggers

See the NOM's PSA against gay marriage after the jump, in which they call themselves a "rainbow coalition". Eeeee *pulls at collar*.

Scooped from Parker

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Myrtle Beach for my Birthday

Views from the Balcony of the Condo at Myrtle Beach



Saturday, April 11, 2009

Heading to the Beach


I'm going to the beach, I'm going to the beach...not working for a week, not working for a week...sleeping late everyday, sleeping late everyday...catching up on movies, catching up on movies...walking on the sand, walking on the sand....drinking wine every nite, drinking wine every nite....not answering the cell phone in case it's work, not answering the cell phone in case it's work....

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Durham Performing Arts Center 2009-2010 Season Announced


 It's Going To Be A WICKED Season!!!


"Wicked", the Broadway show that garnered perhaps the most buzz yet as an upcoming show at the Durham Perfoming Arts Center, is now confirmed for the 2009-2010 season.  The rest of the SunTrust Broadway Series lineup is:

Cirque Dreams Illumination  Sept. 15-19
Grease  Oct. 6-11
Phantom of the Opera  Nov. 26-Dec. 20
Mamma Mia!  Jan. 26-31
Spring Awakening  March 2-7
Wicked  April 22-May 16
Beauty and the Beast June 8-13

Season tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 8 at 10a.m. Season ticket holders may purchase seats for all seven shows or pick six.  Individual show tickets, and price information will be available this summer.  

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

New Listings in Carrboro & Durham

Here's a lovely Carrboro Townhouse in pristine condition that we have just listed. 119 Fidelity St. #G2 $155,000



In Durham's Woodcroft neighborhood, this beautiful end unit townhouse is also listed at $155,000 635 Windsong Lane



To search for all listings currently available in Durham, Chapel Hill or Carrboro, visit TeamJodi.com

NEW UNC Logo

For all those Tarheel fans out there here is a new logo for you taking into account Ty Lawson and his 9 toes :)



Go DUKE!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Battlestar Galactica Takes Over the United Nations

This post comes from Io9.com.




"Last night, I sat among the Twelve Colonies with Admiral Adama and President Roslin at the United Nations' ECOSOC Chamber, to talk about human rights issues, and fill the space with "So Say We All." Backed by the bizarre red-and-white U.N. curtains, Ronald D. Moore, Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell and David Eick gathered to discuss the direct correlation between Battlestar Galactica and the present day work at the United Nations. Whoopi "Guinan" Goldberg moderated the entire panel and I have to say, even though I'm not the biggest View supporter, Goldberg's grasp of current issues and encyclopedic fan knowledge of BSG combined perfectly to give a bit of levity to the night's presentation.
The panel launched into a moving discourse, prompted by a collection of retrospective clips from BSG about human rights in both the science-fictional and modern day worlds. United Nations workers sat next to the Admiral, and spoke from the heart about extreme human rights abuses around the world, after viewing a scene from the first season, with Starbuck torturing Cylon Leoben with a water bucket and a smirk, and the brutal abuse of Pegasus Six. For every clip, the "real world" speaker shared how these shameful and violating acts continue across the globe, and sadly aren't limited to dark space operas. Human Rights Deputy Director Craig Mokhiber lamented that even the utopian ideal the United Nations was formed around was considered, by some, science fiction. "We look at it in a different way," Mokhiber explained. "It's true that we are an idealistic organization... but we are focused on international law and diplomacy to settle disputes. We don't see it as utopian, we see it as the only reasonable alternative to what inevitably would be a horrific dystopian society."
At one point the discussion lit a fire under the Admiral, and the talk of human rights turned personal for Edward James Olmos. The "Old Man" launched into a passionate speech about casting off the idea of race as a cultural determinant, and said we were one race, the human race. His voice echoed throughout the chamber growing louder until - I kid you not - he was yelling, "So Say We All," and the crowd answered right back. Hell, even I yelled it, I was in the fraking United Nations with Adama, the gods themselves could not have stopped this moment. It was surreal - the entire audience turned into one massive optimistic/role-playing/saddened goosebump, because who knows when we'll ever hear those words again? And then we were doubly geeked out when, as if on cue, Mary McDonnell turned to Olmos and put her hand on his cheek. But the real chills came from realizing that this treasured television show had actually opened up the lines of communication between the audience and the United Nations. BSG has made people think about the troubling deeds happening in darkened rooms in the present day, not just on a spaceship in the future. And this was just the beginning of the night. The UN continued to screen clips from BSG and the conversation moved on to outlawing the right to choose aboard the Galactica, and how difficult it was for Mary McDonnell to get through filming those scenes. And then, to suicide bombings in the resistance on New Caprica. The show's producer, Ronald D. Moore, discussed writing Saul Tigh's troubling pro-suicide bombing lecture where he tells the ex-president to leave her moral scruples about his terrorist actions at the door, because he's got a war to win. The rationale that they gave Saul to justify his actions was, "more frightening and more disturbing because he wasn't crazy," Moore said. "I felt like it was important to put that idea out there and make people think about it because people who do these things are human beings." And he was right.
The Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Planning, Robert Orr, admitted that he hasn't talked about terrorism or nuclear armageddon in a social situation since 1982 (although he talks about those issues daily at work). "We don't like to confront these issues in our lives, but they are real," said Orr. "If a show can get us thinking about it and talking about it, then Amen, because it isn't easy." Ahem, I think you meant, "Thank the gods." But he's got a point, and I don't think there is another show on television that could recreate last night at the United Nations, by addressing current issues in such a manner.
It was chill-inducing to see how far BSG had come. What was once a struggling miniseries now sits front and center in the Chambers of the United Nations, creating a dialogue amongst fans, 100 attending high school students (who all came prepped with astounding questions), politicians and activists. Let's hope that BSG'snight inspires future scifi series to at least attempt to address the reality of the world we live in today, you'll be missed old girl."

Read the original post here

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Legendary GMCLA "Proud Mary"



The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles captures the "essence" of Tina Turner.

I Need To Buy Some IKEA Furniture

IKEA and Homosexuality

“Homosexuality is one of the essential elements of living in contemporary society.”

Official IKEA spokesperson’s response to pressure from grumpy Polish Catholics (namely a letter writing campaign) who had a hoo haa because they wanted queer couples removed from the IKEA catalog. The item in question was, according to The Ikea Fans Blog the most recent “IKEA Family Live 2009 publication, 12 archetypes of different family makeup are presented under the slogan ‘Family life is changing … Welcome to the new era.’ One of the 12 example families presented is Ian and Steve, page 54 -57 (see item 1 and item 2), who have no interest in having children, but enjoy their IKEA Kitchen and herb garden and their awesome digs.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

#17

#17 I think that says it all. 17th ACC Tournament Championship DUKE
On to the NCAA Tourney

ACC Tourney and on to the NCAA's

Ok, I've spent the morning watching ESPN, reading the blogs and having my coffee. Sprinkled in among all the hoopla about bubble teams, who's going to get a #1 Seed in the NCAA Tourney and today's ACC Tournament Championship game have been some really humorous yet annoying Tarheel fan comments. It is amazing to me the audacity of unc fans and their inability to accept defeat graciously. Sure they report the 73-70 loss to FSU. But how do they handle it or how do they report it. They only refer to the fact that Ty Lawson did not play. They don't even consider that they just got beat. Back in January when they played FSU (and Lawson was playing) they barely squeaked by with a 3 point win. Give FSU their props. THEY BEAT you....fair and square.

One blogger even went so far as to say.."now the practice is over and we can turn our attention to what's important and the National Championship". It breaks me up. Had they not lost, the ACC Championship would be like the "Holy Grail". It's only because they are not in it that it is now unimportant. If the ACC tourney was so unimportant, why suit up your starters for even the first game. Why not just throw the quarterfinal game and rest up everyone for the NCAA tourney??? Why, because an ACC Championship is a really big thing, unless you're a Tarheel fan and your team isn't it in. Come on people. Have a little grace...oh sorry, I forgot who I was speaking about. It's not in their cellular makeup. UNC fans never consider anything or anyone except that putrid shade of blue. Sore LOSERS. That's all. Today's DUKE/FSU ACC Championship game should be a good one. And I, as a DUKE fan, will be thrilled if Duke wins...but if they don't, good for Florida State. They've never had one and more power to them. But I won't have that dismissive UNC attitude like it doesn't mean anything. Tarheel fans, get off your high horse before someone knocks you off. Falling is much more painful.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

What does one do when one is bored at work??

What do you do when you are at work, with plenty to do, but bored and just simply don't want to do it? Me, I go to my blog, or to facebook or Twitter, and type. Today we had nearly 3 hours worth of homes to tour during caravan. And that was only after 3 homes were dropped from tour this morning and I don't even know how many were removed yesterday. JEEZ! My mind was a blur.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Incredible! Judge finds defendant not criminally responsible in bus beheading


Remember the bus beheading in Canada? Where the man just went off on a fellow passenger, for no reason, and beheaded him.
Well, the judge has ruled the man is not criminally responsible. His DNA will be kept on file, but he won't have a criminal record.
Needless to say, the victims family is upset.

Read the full story here .   A big thank you to OMG for first posting this.   What is up with our society folks?

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Anoop Desai & American Idol

The much cheered for, Anoop "Dog" Desai, from Chapel Hill is on to the next round of American Idol.

Durham Home For Sale: Magnificent House, Incredible Price


Powered by: ClassifiedFlyerAds.com

Carrboro Contemporary Home For Sale


Powered by: ClassifiedFlyerAds.com

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

How Lame am I??

How Lame Am I? Sitting here watching "American Idol".  Well I'm not JUST watching American Idol, I'm also sneezing, wheezing, coughing and blowing my nose.  Yep, folks..I'm getting a cold.  I know, it couldn't happen to a nicer person, right?  Eat me!   I feel so bad, that rather than sit up and reach over to the end table and pick up the remote, I'd rather torture myself by watching this inane show.  I know it has brought us some really good talent in the past...and it probably will again. But let's face it. It's not just talent anymore..it's looks (even though music video's are dying a QUICK death).  Now the judges are picking 8 to come back for them to pick 3 more out (wildcards).
And the Wild Cards are.....drum roll...or yawn:
  • Vaughn Smith (the cutey patootie with the tenor voice and bazooka joe haircut)
  • Jasmine Murray (gorgeous young lady with some great commercial appeal)
  • Ricky Braty (sp?)  Don't know anything about him..and don't care.
  • Meagan  (didn't even give her last name....no chance)
  • Tatiana (oh my gods....have the judges lost their minds???????)
  • Matt (again, no last name, dont' know anything about him)
  • Jessie (didn't catch the last name)
  • Anoop Desai (YEAH>>>...he's from Chapel Hill)....you go boy!!!!!


Ok, thus far, from what I have seen...and heard, the judges have continually commented on the contestants Look, Wardrobe, Hair...etc.  So look at the group the judges choose to give a 2nd chance.  The most unattractive contestants (as a whole) there were.  Well, American Idol is nothing if not inconsistant.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Doesn't March usually mean spring???

Doesn't March usually mean spring??? Well not this year apparently. After 3 days of solid rain, it turned to snow last night and we woke up to this. YEAH! no work today :)

Tree outside my window

Front yard

Front Yard

Back Yard

Back Yard

Sunday, March 1, 2009

BSG Recap: 2/27/09 episode


Ok, so here is the latest episode recap and I promise this one will not be as long as the previous.

OPENING SEQUENCE: Recap of previous episode
We learn that the Cylon organic resin that they have put in the ship isn't working as well as hoped. Ellen & Boomer arrive on the Galactica and Boomer is promptly arrested. Starbuck finds her dead self in her Raptor on Earth.

New Episode-
Scenes bounce back and forth between Kara getting ready for the day's pilot briefing, the briefing itself and her in the bar drinking listening & bickering with a man composing music at the piano. This is going to be a heavy Kara/Starbuck episode.
Kara sees her dead self in the mirror.

Tyrol, Tigh, Lee, the Admiral and Laura meet to discuss the status of the Galactica. Lee congratulates a 6 for being elected to the Quorum. She promptly informs them that as soo as she takes office, she is going to officially ask that Boomer be turned over to the cylons to face charges of treason, with the death penalty on the line. Of course the Chief doesn't take too kindly to this news.

OPENING CREDITS: Nothing new here although more flashes from what looks like this weeks episode.

The ship is rattling and apparently things are going from bad to worse pretty quickly on the Galactica. Showers not working correctly, ship is shaking, electrical issues.

Sam is still unconscious in the hospital with Kara & the doctor at his bedside. Tory, Ellen & an 8 are hovering discussing what might be going on with him and suggesting hooking him up to the data stream. Doc throws them out.

More Kara in the bar and more bad piano playing. She derides the piano player to play something or quite. He is composing so keeps playing the same few notes over and over. Something tells me that what we are seeing is not really what is going on. Meanwhile, the chief is having dreams of him and Boomer. It won't be long now before he goes to the brig to see her. Recap of some of the death scene of Boomer when the Chiefs first wife kills her.

Flash to Helo's quarters. Hera is drawing and in comes Kara. Helo has bought back some of Kara's personal belongings from when she disappeared. A locker is full of it. Helo gives Kara a copy of a tape of her father, Dreilide Thrace "Live at the Helice Opera House". Apparently that is all she wants, 'cause she tells Helo to keep the rest. Hera gives Kara a drawing of stars....or so we are led to believe at this point.

Tyrol visits Boomer in the brig. They talk a little, try to touch hands and WHOA...Boomer tried a cylon projection of a scene of them on Picon in a house living a perfect little fairy tale life. Tyrol pulls back, freaked out and runs away.

More piano playing in the bar. Kara moves up to the piano and sits next to the piano player. Is this piano player her father? Meanwhile, Tyrol, Tory, Ellen & Tighe are sitting and discussing the Boomer issue. Tyrol wants them to stop the cylons from taking her and trying her for treason. None of them are in favor. Ellen says she will testify that Boomer helped her escape, but that is it. This is not something they should interfere with. Back to the brig and Tyrol/Boomer. They do the Cylon projection again, this time Tyrol is willing and she shows him the life she has dreamed up in her head based on their plans before everyone found out she was Cylon.
He likes it this time...a very sweet life which includes a daughter. Tears and determination to not let Boomer die.

Piano playing. Now Kara talks about her father teaching her to play the piano. Talks about a song her father taught her.

Tyrol asks the president not to sign over Boomer to the Cylons. Amazing how the regular Cylons no longer have such respect and awe for the Final 5. Should Tyrol be able to demand they not do this? Then it starts to get a little sticky. Tyrol knocks out an 8 working on the ship and substitutes her for Boomer. Uh Oh.....I see trouble coming.

Piano Playing. Now Kara joins in when the piano player in a duet after complaining that her father left and never came back. Wasn't Daniel and artist? Didn't Cavel do away with all the Daniels? I'm beginning to believe more and more that Kara is the daughter of Daniel. Kara begins to try to play the song that her father taught her. Tears, hesitation....then she asks the piano player to play.

Aethena is washing up and in comes Boomer. Boomer beats her and ties her up. Then Helo comes home and is in the mood for a little "fun". Boomer plays along and they have sex on the floor with Aethena looking through an slight opening in the door. Nothing like watching your husband screw a you that isn't you.

More piano with Kara. She can't quite remember. He draws out soem music notes. It looks just like the stars that Hera drew. She pulls out the drawing and they lay the "stars" under a blank sheet of music so that they can see the notes through the page (thin paper obviously) then begin to play. The final 5 Cylons here it and it's the song that drew them all together when they realized they were Cylons. Boomer, disquised as Aethena, goes to the nursery and get's Hera, stuffs her in a trunk and she and Tyrol put the trunk in a jumper. Boomer is about to make a getaway with Hera. They say a tearful, smooch goodbye.

Piano playing. Kara looks closely at the man and imagines her father with her. Just then Tighe comes up and grabs her and asks her " Where did you learn to play that song?" "I played it as a kid, my father..." she turns to the man on the bench next to her and he isn't there. Never was. It was all in her head. Tory sees the drawing on the piano and asks "who did this?".

Briefing room...in staggers Aethena and she tells Helo that Boomer has Hera and it was Boomer than he screwed. Meanwhile, Boomer is sitting in the jumper waiting to launch. Everyone knows who is really is and they are trying to delay her. The Admiral tells her to shut down, but she fires up her engines and starts to power up her FTL drive. She tells them that Hera is on board. They retract the flight pods but Boomer starts moving the jumper towards the opening while firing up her FTL. Just as she exits the flight bay, she jumps and tears a hole in the side of Galactica. Explosions throughout the ship. Just then in the flight bay, Tyrol sees Helo & Aethena screaming at the officer in charge of the flight bay about how did a 3 year old child get by him. Another crew member tells Tyrol that Boomer took Hera out of the nursery and that Hera was on the ship with Boomer. Tyrol is stunned when he realizes what has happened. How he was played. The president faints in her quarters upon realizing that Hera is gone. The entire thing was orchestrated. Helping Ellen escape, getting to Hera and taking her back to Cavil.

Kara is laying on the bed with Sam listening to her father play the piano and the music is playing in the backgroud. Tyrol goes to the Cylon projected house he shared with Boomer and it's empty...daughter gone too.

I am believing more and more that Kara is the daughter of a Daniel. That when Cavil boxed them, that was when her father disappeard. How she was "recreated" after visiting earth...not sure. The resurrection ship still existed, but they would have had to have a Kara model. However, it is apparent that alot is still going to happen in the last 3 episodes. That we are not done with the other Cylons and there are still plenty of surprises to come.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

2 New Listings Coming on Monday

We have 2 new listings coming on Monday: 4307 Sugar Pine Lane, Durham (Hope Creek). A gorgeous transitional with 4 bedrooms, bonus & 3.5 baths $369,900
and 116 Creekview Circle, Carrboro (Spring Valley). A beautiful contemporary with 3 bedrooms, wonderful vaulted ceilings, sunroon & 2 baths $359,900

I'll do a full posting on Monday

Friday, February 27, 2009

Only relevant to geeks like me....BSG tonight!

Ok, so this post is only relevant to geeks like me who watch BSG religiously. I don't use the term "religiously" lightly either. Some episodes have been so good this last season, it has almost been like a religious experience. Ok, so last week was not up to par with the previous week (which in my opinion was the best episode ever!!!), but I have high hopes for tonight. Boomer is back, although in the brig, Tyrol is aching/longing to be with her and the other cylons, specifically the 8's and 6's, are out for her blood. This time she could be really dead (she's already died twice for those of you who don't watch) since there is no longer a Resurection Ship. The previews look really good but we only have a couple of episodes left before it goes away for good. Does anyone know the status of the series "Caprica"? It's suppose to be a pre-qual to BSG? Last I heard it was on for the fall, but info has not been easy to come by.

Did everyone see the new PETA ad with Jamie Bamber (Lee/Apollo Adama)?

Monday, February 23, 2009

Oh My God! This Lady can SING!

OMG!  This lady can sing (not really) ...and what's more...I think she is channeling one of my best friends, Lara 



And the Oscar Goes To.....

Best Actor: Sean Penn
Best Actress: Kate Winslet
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger
Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz
Best Animated Feature: Wall-E
Best Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Costume Design: The Duchess
Best Director: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Documentary Feature: Man on Wire
Best Documentary Short: Smile Pinki
Best Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Foreign Language Film: Departures
Best Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Original Score: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Original Song: Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Short Film Animated: La Maison en Petits Cubes
Best Short Film, Live Action: Spietzejugland
Best Sound Editing: The Dark Knight
Best Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Best Screenplay, Adapted: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Screenplay, Original: Milk

Friday, February 20, 2009

Hooray for Hollywood.....Oscars are Sunday Night!



I feel as if I should do something about the Oscars since they are on Sunday.  Here’s my opinion, for whatever very very very little it’s worth.  Here are all the noms  if you are a sane person and don’t have them memorized.

Best Picture                                                                                                                               

Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire

Should Win: The Reader

Should Win, Runner-Up: Milk

Best Director

Will Win:  Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire

Should Win: Stephen Daldry, The Reader

Should Win, Runner-Up: David Fincher

Best Actor

Will Win: Mickey Rourke

Should Win: Sean Penn

Should Win, Runner-Up: David Jenkins

Best Actress

Will Win: Kate Winslet

Should Win: Kate Winslet

Should Win, Runner-Up: Meryl Streep

Best Supporting Actor

Will Win: Heath Ledger

Should Win: Heath Ledger

Should Win, Runner-Up: Michael Shannon 

Best Supporting Actress

Will Win: Penelope Cruz

Should Win: Taraji Henson

Should Win, Runner-Up: Amy Adams

Best Original Screenplay

Will Win: Milk

Should Win: In Bruges

Should Win, Runner-Up: Wall-E

Best Adapted Screenplay

Will Win: Slumdog Millionaire

Should Win: The Reader

Should Win, Runner-Up: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

And that’s all I’m guessing.  I’m not even going to pretend I can make an intelligent pick on the rest of the categories having a) not seen any of them (hello short films, hello foreign films) or b) don’t really pay well enough attention when I’m watching a movie to even start to pretend (hello, soundmixin?).

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Battlestar Galactica Recap and Analysis

This past weeks BSG was chocked full of eye & mind opening information. But read below to get caught up on what happened and will/might happen if you missed this past week.


All of this has been confusing before, and all of this will be confusing again. Instead of the previous lies, we begin with yet another new prologue, and as is appropriate for this show, it’s all cycling back to the beginning. The question is, as you’ll see, “what, exactly is the beginning?” Weirdly enough, I actually think that we find out in this episode. Cue the beginning of the episode:

It's the familiar white lettering on the black background: 
THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED BEFORE AND IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN

A shot of Earth. Sucking. 
THE CYLONS WERE CREATED BY MAN

Scary-ass Centurions
THEY REBELLED

War! 
THEN THEY VANISHED
FORTY YEARS LATER, THEY CAME BACK
THEY EVOLVED

Caprica Six walking on the planet Caprica, which is then nuked.
50,298 HUMAN SURVIVORS

The Fleet 
HUNTED BY THE CYLONS

Being hunted by the Cylons 
ELEVEN MODELS ARE KNOWN

Shown in order that we discovered them 
ONE WAS SACRIFICED

That, of course, would be Ellen Tigh, who was poisoned by Saul after he discovered that she almost gave them away on New Caprica. He never even knew that she’d been banging Brother Cavil . . .Ellen is resurrected, with only a single Centurion for company. She initially freaks out, and then comes to a realization – about everything. Showing us Ellen Tigh realizing her true nature is just the beginning of the wonderful work from Kate Vernon throughout this episode. She asks for the Centurion to help her out of her resurrection tub. Present day. We’re hanging out in surgery with Kara Thrace and Sam Anders, and he is chanting gibberish like a Hybrid. Last episode, he took a bullet to his brain, so they need to drain it and then bring in the Fleet’s Foremost Authority on Brains to remove the bullet. Meanwhile, Sam is giving us foreshadowing of the rest of the episode, even mentioning Ellen. Nobody pays any attention. This is an incredibly dialog-heavy episode -- in every sense of the word -- where we learn a shitload of backstory and mythology. So I’m going to summarize a lot of scenes with the information presented, as opposed to the dialog itself. Otherwise, this becomes 10,000 or 20,000 words (instead of the 3,016 that it is)
For example, 18 months ago, the then recently resurrected Ellen Tigh is sitting naked on a Cylon Basestar, when in strolls Brother Cavil, and they instantly start sniping at each other. What we learn is this:

• Ellen created Cavil.
• Cavil has always known who the Final Five were.
• Cavil’s first name is John, but it should be Oedipus.

Back in the present day, aboard Galactica, Tyrol shows Adama the big scar that runs through the length of Galactica. Adama almost instantly reinstates Tyrol as Chief and tasks him with fixing it. In Sickbay, post-drainage, Sam is beatific, and asks Kara to bring the others. Kara’s thinks that Sam is so confused that he’s talking about the wrong show entirely. Sam, still with a huge smile on his face, says: “Not those Others, silly. The other Cylons.” You know, Tigh, Tory, Tyrol, Ellen. After Kara gently corrects Sam with the fact that Ellen is dead, Sam says: “I remember everything. Earth. Why we’re here. Everything.”
Oh. That. And we’re into the opening credits. 39,556 survivors searching for a home. Home. We’ve lost over 10,000 souls since the original attack.

12 Months ago. On the basestar, Ellen is a prisoner of Brother John Cavil and his new girlfriend Sharon “Boomer” Valeri. Boomer, you might remember, is the only Eight out of her entire line to not rebel against Cavil, and it was the single vote by this single model that led to the Cylon Civil war. Here’s what we learn:

• The belief in God comes from the Centurions, not the Skin Jobs.
• Cavil claims that he is driven to destroy humanity by his outsized sense of justice for the enslavement of the Centurions.

What Cavil doesn’t say is that he wants to destroy humanity because he resents being made in the image of humans. He’s a self-hating android. Data would be so disappointed. Lore, on the other hand, would totally approve. Cavil leaves Boomer alone with Ellen, who offers her an apple. After Boomer refuses, Ellen tells her to think for herself, and crunches into the apple. Symbolism! Also: juicy! In Sickbay, Tigh, Tory, Tyrol & Kara gather around Sam, who tells them this:

• The Final Five all worked together (in a “Research Facility”) on Earth.
• Tyrol & Tory were doing it. Sex, I mean. As were Ellen & Saul.
• There was resurrection -- “organic memory transfer” -- on Kobol, it became a lost art after procreation started.
• Resurrection had only recently been reinvented; Ellen was a driver of that process.
• They knew that the nuking was happening – because of warnings from beings only they could see (!) -- and had themselves downloaded to a ship orbiting Earth when it got blowed up real good.

Sam’s round of series-altering exposition is interrupted when Cottle walks back in from his cigarette break, and notices that Sam looks like crap. So he breaks up the memory party. One of the secretly funny things about this episode is that Cottle & his people are around the whole time Sam is spilling the beans about their crazy Cylon adventures. It’s not like this is secret, closed-door testimony. He’s in a semi-public place the whole time. Over on Colonial One, Lee Adama & President Laura Roslin are in the Quorum room, mourning the recently-massacred members of the Quorum. Lee points out that this might be a good time to change their entire system of representation: instead of being planet-based, it could be ship-based, as reflecting their currently reality. Given the fact that there are 35 ships, they’re going to need a bigger room. Roslin agrees, and taps Lee to put it all together. She’s going to step aside and let him run things for the rest of the series, but warns him: “You’re so hell-bent on doing the right thing that you sometimes don’t do the smart thing.” And that’s pretty much it for Roslin and Lee this episode. See you next week! Elsewhere aboard Galactica, Tyrol is telling Adama that the damage is worse than they thought. Apparently, the contractors who built Galactica cut some corners. Shocking! If they can sit still, and not jump for awhile, Chief thinks that he can “squeeze some more life out of her.” But you really don’t care about this sub-plot, do you? Nope, you’re really waiting for some more of those Sam Anders mind-fraks. So, let’s head back to Sickbay – though not as fast as Tyrol, evidently – and find out some more cool, but confusing, stuff. To wit:

• The Final Five all downloaded to their ship orbiting Earth, and headed back to the 12 Colonies.
• But they didn’t have any jump drives, so the trip took thousands of years – luckily, time slowed down for them.
• When then got there, the Colonials and Centurions were already at war. The war from 40 some-odd years ago.
• The Centurions were already experimenting with creating humanoid Cylons: the hybrids. But they weren’t fully successful.
• So the Five struck a deal with the Centurions: you stop fighting with the Colonials, and we will help you build your Skin-jobs.
• The Five created Eight humanoid models, and gave them Resurrection.

And then, Sam has a seizure, so it’s time to call the Fleet’s Foremost Authority on Brains to take a look at him. OK. Too much to chew on right here, but let’s take a hunk. First off, I have no problem with the trip taking thousands of years from the standpoint of, er, time, but only taking a few years from the standpoint of the Five. That’s just classic Sci-Fi. What I have a bit of a problem with is the fact that they didn’t have FTL technology. I mean, how did they get to Earth in the first place? Or did the colonization also take thousands of years? So my working theory is that the FTL was lost in the same way that Resurrection was lost: they didn’t need it, so they stopped using it. Much in the same way that pocket calculators have robbed future generations from being able to do math in their heads. But here’s the bigger question: why was Earth a myth to the Twelve Colonies when it clearly wasn’t the other way around? At first, the Fleet had no idea how to find Earth; but the Five knew exactly where to find the Colonies. Oh, and for anybody doing the math, we’ve got an extra Cylon model unaccounted for. Kara got that almost instantly. Maybe it’s her! (Or maybe . . . we’ll get to that.) Supernova! It’s 12 months ago, and Cavil and Ellen and Boomer are talking again. Cavil tells the story about D’anna and her visions of the Final Five in the Temple, and how they had to box her because she was going crazy. Ellen then points out that boxing isn’t permanent; not like what happened to poor Cylon #7. This is a cue for Cavil to monolog again about how limiting it is to be human – he’d rather experience things like supernovae as a machine -- and he places the blame for that at the feet of the Final Five and storms out. After his hissy fit, Boomer asks Ellen if she is remorseful for how badly Boomer’s boyfriend feels about his sucky human body. Ellen says not at all, because in making them human, she gave them free will, and sings “if you choose not to decide; you still have made a choice.” Outside of Sickbay, Tigh, Tyrol & Tory are trying to deconstruct what Sam just told them. Get a whiteboard! They argue over whether they lead humanity to its destruction by creating the Skin-jobs, or just bought humanity some extra decades by making the deal with the Centurions. Tory points out that it’s really all the fault of the humans on Kobol for making them in the first place, and Tigh finally says that there’s plenty of blame to go around: everybody is complicit. Society’s to blame. All right, we’ll arrest them, too. In Sickbay proper, the Fleet’s Foremost Authority on Brains says that the seizure was a hemorrhage and another one could happen any time. So despite the fact that we’re getting all of this great exposition, we really oughta get that bullet out of Sam’s brain, already! Four months ago, on the basestar; Cavil tells Ellen that the Resurrection Hub is all gone. He wants her to rebuild it. Make it better, faster, stronger. Ellen says that it would take all of the Five to do it, not just her. She’s pretty insistent on this point. Cavil, sensing the need for a parallel plot structure, says fine, if you don’t want to tell us, then we will cut your brain open, poke around, and just find the memories. But it might take a few months to get it all put together. Back in the Galactica Sickbay; Sam has one more round of plot points to exposit before Kara finally gets him operated on by the Fleet’s Foremost Authority on Brains. Ready? No? Tough:

• John Cavil was the first skin-job; he helped build the others.
• Ellen’s gamble was that since the Centurions believed in God; maybe they would embrace the God of Love and Mercy and not the God of Judgment and Revenge. Sure, because that’s always how things are done in the name of God.
• Cavil, who doesn’t believe in any kind of God whatsoever, did the following:
              Suffocated The Five.
              Boxed the Five.
              Implanted the Five with false memories.
              Loosed the Five one by one into the Colonies in order for them to have ringside seats to the                           holocaust. Tigh first, and then the others.
• Kara is not Number Seven. We know. (Or is she?) The Number Seven was named Daniel. Definitely named Daniel. He died. That was the Number Seven. Daniel. Who is now a star in the face of sky.

As he is being wheeled into surgery, Sam has one more piece of advice for Saul, “Stay with the Fleet. It’s all starting to happen. Right here, the miracle. It’s a gift from the angels. Stay with the Fleet!” Tigh goes to his quarters, where a very pregnant – and a catalyst for the situation they all find themselves in, don’t forget – Caprica Six asks him what Anders said. Saul Tigh lies with the truth: “Cottle kicked us out; he never got to finish.” Also: Tigh hasn’t had booze in his quarters for weeks, now. Because he mind-melded his alcoholic tendencies to Adama. Apparently, my prediction last week of Caprica, Baltar & Hera all being in the same place at that same time – and the fireworks that would ensue -- was just wrong. Hera’s obviously back with (the absent from this week’s episode) Athena & Helo, with no further developments. I’m beginning to wonder if the Hera plotline is just a red herring. It’s two days ago, and Cavil has finally rounded up enough Simons – Dr. Skin-job to you -- to cut open Ellen’s brain, and dig out the resurrection information. Why did it take so long? Apparently, there were insurance issues delaying what is, after all, an elective surgery. Cavil & Boomer walk in, and Ellen is unconcernedly drawing a picture of Saul – man, that’s going to be good times when she and Caprica Six come face to face! – and seems utterly unconcerned that they’re about to split her head open like a pumpkin. But first, some more plot points:

• Cavil sent the Final Five to live amongst the humans so that they could see how sucky humans are as compared to the perfect machines the Cylons could be.
• Which is part of the reason that he never killed the Five all of the times he could have: he wanted them to apologize to him for making him humanoid.
• Number Seven, the Daniels – who had better be important, somehow – were artists. And they were all killed in a jealous rage by Cavil, who thought that they were loved more by Ellen than he was.

BTW, I should point out that Cavil seems wayyyyyyyy more one-note on paper than he does when he is embodied by Dean Stockwell, who knocks every single scene right out of the park. Even when he throws one more temper tantrum; claims that he is somehow a mistake, and it’s all her fault, because she made him. Ellen reacts like mommies have throughout time when a selfish and petulant child makes that claim. He’s not a mistake; he can be a good boy if he only chooses, and she loves him. He rejects her, and storms out to get ready to watch the rooting around in her brain. Back aboard Galactica: Chief tells Adama that remember how the damage to the ship was worse than they thought? Well, its even worse than they thought when they thought it was worse that what they originally thought it was! Luckily, the Cylons happen to have some organic technology that will fix everything. Of course they do. Adama, who just risked a civil war trying to put Cylon technology on every ship in the fleet, doesn’t want this on Galactica. Oh yeah, you don’t care about this, so lets just wrap it up. A little bit later, Adama sees a big-ass scar on the war of his quarters, and eventually drunk dials Chief and tells him to do whatever he needs to fix Galactica, his girl. That said, the fact that they are essentially doing surgery on Galactica, and making it a organic-machine compound, dovetails nicely with the rest of the episode, and the confusion of human and machine that permeates nearly every single bullet point I’ve listed above. Right. So which brain surgery do you want to know about, Sam’s or Ellen’s? Sam’s. Not good. Hours and hours under the knife, has left him with very little brain activity. The final diagnosis from the Fleet’s Foremost Authority on Brains: Sam has the Blue Screen of Death. Ellen’s. Good. Remember all of that stuff about free will? Boomer exercises some of her own, and instead of leading Ellen to surgery, spirits Ellen from the basestar, jumping away at the last second. So that’s where we are. Are you confused? I was too so this is how I interpret the sequence of events.

• Humans and Skin-jobs both existed on Kobol, for reasons unknown. The Humans went to the Twelve Colonies; the Skin-jobs went to Earth, also for reasons unknown.
• On Earth, the Skin-jobs created Centurions; who rebelled and nuked them. However, the Final Five escaped via downloading and headed towards the Colonies. Slowly.
• Meanwhile, Colonialists also created Centurions, who rebelled against their creators. Oh, and got religion.
• The Final Five met up with the Colonial Centurions, convinced them to stop the war and helped them create the Eight Skin-jobs.
• Cavil killed Daniel; killed and boxed the Final Five, and rebooted the war effort, seeding the Colonials with Skin-jobs. Some knew who they were; some needed to be activated.
• At some point, he reintroduced the Five into the Colonials, but without memories of their true nature. They needed Bob Dylan to activate them. (I am assuming you saw the episodes leading up to their realization that they were Cylons, if not this reference makes no sense)
• Finally, who is Daniel?  There seem to be two big Daniel theories out there:
                  Daniel is Starbuck’s father. This would somehow help to explain her mysterious disappearance                     and reappearance.
                  Daniel is Baltar. This would somehow help to explain his ongoing visions of Six.

Both theories are good; both theories have flaws. Hell, maybe Daniel is Baltar AND Starbuck’s father. My head hurts