Category: VirgoTex

Sports, Television, VirgoTex, Web/Tech6 Comments

I didn’t think it was possible for me to like Heineken any more than I already do

We’re going to open an old wound here, so get ready. It will be worth it. Remember thosesexist Super Bowl ads that pissed us off? That’s a rhetorical question becauseI know you do. Of the six car ads run during the Super Bowl, that chauvinistic Dodge Charger “Man’s Last Stand” ad was scored as the least effective across the board. It also, surprising no one, came in dead last in with female viewers, per the2010 Hoffman/York PURSEuasion Report on Super Bowl advertising effectiveness to women. According to a report from Kelley Blue Book, while the ad got very high ratings … Continue reading I didn’t think it was possible for me to like Heineken any more than I already do

Immoral Values, Stupid Republican Tricks, VirgoTex5 Comments

“You have a little crush on her”

First, never forget that Liz Cheney (or Bill Kristol) hired this guy. “I was excited about Palin; I’m more excited about Liz,” he says. “The same sort of excitement you get when you hear her father, except she’s this petite blonde with five kids … There’s just something about her. You see that response across the activist portion of the party. It’s the response you saw to Palin … She gets people worked up. She connects to people. She is in harmony with where the base seems to be. She’s right on the issues.” But, of course, what politicalconsultant hack … Continue reading “You have a little crush on her”

Do Something, Of Interest, VirgoTex, Web/Tech2 Comments

Real change in the real world

This is the most interesting thing I’ve encountered all week. I’m fascinated by how people have an effect, how they move events and issues toward a discernible goal, how they produce, how they are viable, what lessons they can teach. It’s true: we need all kinds of minds. Temple Grandin‘s TED talk: p> http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf Continue reading Real change in the real world

Music, Television, VirgoTex7 Comments

“He’ll have that scar on his chin forever”

First off, this is not merely an attempt to suck up to theboss lady. Rather, it’s a confession that, once again, I fail miserably at “getting” hockey. Even during theUS/Canada match the other night, I was more interested and amused by the online response of the faithful who were live tweeting it than I was in the actual game. (I wonder, do “real” hockey fans even use Twitter?) I don’t know, maybe I should try more than just every four years, or actually attend a live game. Meantime, in my defense, I can offer that two songs I absolutely love … Continue reading “He’ll have that scar on his chin forever”

Sports, Television, VirgoTex3 Comments

He rocked the tassel

Not gonna embrace all of Johnny’s silliness, and I can’t ignore his irresponsibility with respect to wearing fur, nor do I agree “he wuz robbed” by the judges. But for the first time during this whole overdone, and certainly over-commercialized, week of Olympic spectacle, with all the flag waving and all the heartwarming interstitial backstories, with all the drama real and imagined, I stood up and cheered for one ofmy people last night. Finally, Johnny Weir is here! He is wearing a costume that conjures a late night vampire raid on Frederick’s of Hollywood. His neckline ends somewhere around his … Continue reading He rocked the tassel

Afghanistan, Happy Democrat Photo, VirgoTex, War in Afghanistan3 Comments

Happy Democrat photo: Once more, with context

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Well, I– I– I would hope I– look, it’s one thing to be outspoken. It’s another thing to be outspoken in a way that misrepresents the facts. And I– I guess– again, I– it’s almost like Dick is trying to rewrite history. I can understand where the– why that would be– you know, an impulse. And maybe he isn’t– literally, I’m not being facetious.Maybe he’s not fully informed of what’s going on. Imean, the progress we have made. There has never been as much emphasis and resources brought against Al Qaeda.The success rate exceeds anything that … Continue reading Happy Democrat photo: Once more, with context

VirgoTex11 Comments

More is needed here than the best of intentions

I was a fat kid, a fat baby even. As were all the cousins and aunts on one side of my family. Since third grade, I’ve lost more weight than most people I know put together, going down by 100 pounds twice as an adult, then back up in a few years. Even when I was at a “normal” weight, I was overweight by the public standard (which, in America, is fucked up, not to mention confusing). This whole topic is difficult for me to discuss intelligently, and not because of the reasons others think. Newsflash: I’m not ashamed, I’m … Continue reading More is needed here than the best of intentions

Music, VirgoTex3 Comments

“You’re not made out of stone, you’re made out of honey”

I’ve heard a lot of people say this about sex, and in my experience it’s true: as you get older, you may not have it as much but it tends to be a hell of a lot more intense when you do. Music’s a lot like that for me too. It’s always been in my life, if I’m lucky, it always will be, but when I was younger I was a real collector of it. I had a lot, I listened to a lot, I read about it a lot, I saw so many live shows I literally can’t tell … Continue reading “You’re not made out of stone, you’re made out of honey”

LOL, VirgoTex10 Comments

Que es mas macho?

So what is our POTUS thinking about right this minute? Jobs. No, not jobs like work.Jobs, like Steve. Obama is totally wishing he had Steve’s job, I bet. “Fucking Jobs! He’s got it easy. People WANT to hear what he has to say. He’s had his most profitable year ever. Damn, I hate that guy.” In fact, according tothis poll, 69% of respondents thought today’s unveiling of the Apple Tablet was more important than theState of the Union address tonight, which only 27% believed was bigger. The moral of this highly un-serious story? We need shinier, more awesome Democrats. —– Continue reading Que es mas macho?

Political Crack, Stupid Republican Tricks, VirgoTex18 Comments

What a dick

Scott Brown’s response to President Obama calling to congratulate him last night: “The first thing I said … would you like me to drive the truck down to Washington so you can see it?” It was clearly the verbal equivalent of grabbing his dick, and why shouldn’t he? He is, after all, the only American candidate in history to win a Senate seatAFTER his nude pictures were made public. Of course it was the same guy that giggled when a supporter screamed “Shove a curling iron up her butt” about Coakley, referencing an infamous rape case that Coakley screwed up … Continue reading What a dick

Music, VirgoTex2 Comments

Till I Rise No More: RIP Kate McGarrigle

Legendary Canadian folk music icon Kate McGarrigle, sister to Anna, mother to Rufus and Martha Wainwright, ex-wife of Loudon Wainwright, died of cancer Monday evening at the age of 63. From theMcGarrigle Sisters website: “Sadly our sweet Kate had to leave us last night. She departed in a haze of song and love surrounded by family and good friends. She is irreplaceable and we are broken-hearted. Til we meet again dear sister.” What awonderful musician she was, and what a life well-lived she had, full of beautiful music. http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x2mjyj Kate & Anna McGarrigle -Talk To Me of Mendocino Continue reading Till I Rise No More: RIP Kate McGarrigle

Propaganda, Stupid Republican Tricks, VirgoTex8 Comments

Boy Thinking, or Rich Inner Lives

The photo’s not the best, I just thought “hostage event parking” was sort of funny. The institution where I work is home to a well-known center that trains hostage negotiators, SWAT personnel, law enforcement first responders, and their ilk. Said center is hosting a big conference right now. So big it took me a lot longer than usual to find parking amidst all the police vehicles and rent-a-cars. I thought to myself, damn I hope there aren’t any real life hostage situations or shootings anywhere because all the people who know what to do in a situation like that seem … Continue reading Boy Thinking, or Rich Inner Lives

Religion, Stupid Republican Tricks, VirgoTex5 Comments

The Weight

This sketch, the beginning of it anyway, is the first thing I thought of when I heard Brit Hume’s comments on the superiority of Christianity over other spiritual paths. As for the rest of the sketch, I think we can agree that the preacher character is as useful to politics as it is to stand up comedy, no? p align=”center” class=”asset asset-video” style=”margin: 0pt auto; display: block;”> Continue reading The Weight

VirgoTex11 Comments

Over

p align=”center” class=”asset asset-video” style=”margin: 0pt auto; display: block;”> p> Soon, each one of us will be taken By dark powers under this ground That drove us here, that warped us. Not one of us got it his own way. Nothing like any one of us Will be seen again, forever. Each of us held some noble shape in mind. It seemed better that we kept alive. —W. D. Snodgrass, 1926-2009 p>2009, I won’t miss you much. What a long, hard, greedy year you were. At least, that’s how it seemed to me these past few months, though I guess … Continue reading Over

Music, Political Crack, VirgoTex3 Comments

Voter engagement no longer required

To the extent my opinions matter, and it’s not much of an extent, I agree with those in the let’s-take-what-we-can-salvage-and-quit camp on HCR, because there’sa few decent pieces left. Do I think that’s realistic? Yeah, you know why? Because it’s the only fucking option we’re going to get. An important symbolic corner’s been turned here. The idea that what we voters —the ones who sent these guys up to the show — really want, really think, hasobviously already been devalued. It’s sorta weird, really, because on most subjects it’s the first thing they think of, both about the policy itself … Continue reading Voter engagement no longer required

Music, VirgoTex9 Comments

How it catches you from falling and how it slips away

December: not my favorite month. During the best of Decembers, I’ve usually kept my head down, trying to just plow through it. And there hasn’t been a really great December in a couple of years, though I have to say, with respect to the country, the last one felt better than today. A year ago, we were pissed about Rick Warren at the inauguration, we struggled to accept that Cheney, Bush & Co. would never pay for their 8 year spree, we laughed at Blagojevich’s hair. I was cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. Yeah, we knew the right would … Continue reading How it catches you from falling and how it slips away

Political Crack, VirgoTex7 Comments

Yet more gay: Eyes on the Prize in Houston

p>Heads up, folks. If you haven’t yet, start following the news about Saturday’smayoral runoff in Houston between third-term City ControllerAnnise Parker and former City Attorney Gene Locke. Parker, an out lesbian, holds a slight edge over Locke at the moment but the upshot is that it’s still too close to call. But think about it, the fourth-largest city in the country, largest city in the state lots of people love to hate, Texas, might just have itself a lesbian mayor next week. If not, Locke will be the second African American mayor in the city’s history. Either way, Houston will … Continue reading Yet more gay: Eyes on the Prize in Houston

Law/Justice, Marriage Equality, VirgoTex1 Comment

More of the gay: Thank you for being a friend

It’s a long way to full LGBT equality, and we will continue to fight. Sometimes, last week in NY, we’re gonna lose. Other times, like yesterday in New Jersey, we’ll at least hold our ground till the next fight. We know this: Allies. We need ’em. They are essential. Bruce Springsteen, today Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I’ve been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton. I’ve long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes … Continue reading More of the gay: Thank you for being a friend

Immoral Values, Law/Justice, Religion, Science, VirgoTex8 Comments

“I’m reading it from your book, dude.”

This interview with prominent ex-gayRichard Cohen is bound to get a lot of play in the coming weeks, and if you haven’t seen it, I gotta say it’s fairly epic. Maddow takes him apart. Watch his body language get twitchier by the minute. He definitelyneeds a hug by the end. Side note: Last night @maddow live-twitter denizens (think Crack Van on estrogen) were primed for this like a pay-for-view boxing match. Watching it as it aired, though, I felt myself getting weirdly uncomfortable as Maddow pressed on toward the takedown. Now, this might get taken out of context but bear … Continue reading “I’m reading it from your book, dude.”

Books, Economy, Television, VirgoTex24 Comments

Yeah, they said all that about Gutenberg too

Okay, first off, Sherman Alexie has produced some wonderful novels and poetry, a lot of which I’ve enjoyed. So this is not about his talent or his place in the literary canon. In addition, just like the rest of us, he is entitled to his opinions about stuff. So, I got no problem with him having a dog in the fight over technology and digital rights. But goddamn it, he’s been pissing me with his ongoing rants about how e-books and Kindles are going to…going to… well, just wait! They’re going to do a LOT of things, a lot of … Continue reading Yeah, they said all that about Gutenberg too

Television, VirgoTex2 Comments

Thanksgiving video 2: A place where we ache to go again

One of the six or seven folks who hadn’t watched the show before, I finally gave in toMad Men this season, mostly because an old friend kept pushing me to watch it. (Happy now, Marie?) Now I understand that in addition to his many other sins, we can blame Don Draper every time some goddamned commercial makes us cry. The last episode of the first season, The Wheel takes place during Thanksgiving week, 1960. http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=4966929&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1 Continue reading Thanksgiving video 2: A place where we ache to go again

Congress, Do Something, Law/Justice, VirgoTex

Time to pick up the phone again

p>Today isNational Call-In Day for Equality, as designated by a coalition of LGBT groups, a day to burn up the Capitol Hill phone lines in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) of 2009. This iteration of ENDA (H.R. 3017) was introduced by Reps. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). The act would “prohibit employment discrimination, preferential treatment, and retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by employers with 15 or more employees. Currently, it is legal to discriminate in the workplace based on sexual orientation in 29 states and to discriminate based on gender identity … Continue reading Time to pick up the phone again