Forever A Fangirl

Miley in Vanity Fair

Sometimes, I get dismayed at how female sexuality scares people, especially when it's reflected like today's celeb story on Hanna Montana's Miley Cyrus.

She's 15. She's a young woman.

Vanity Fair Magazine?! asked her to pose for Annie Lebovitz??

Vanity Fair, not Teen Vogue or the equivalent?

I call inappropriate. And if you read Jamie Lee's Curtis's full HuffPost blog post you'll see that Miley is not at all topless--she's backless. Lots of blame go around here with overreactions and twisting of truths all wrapped up in Victorian-mindedness and as Curtis says, "Business," "SHOW Business" or, as she likes to call it, "Show Off Business".

And yeah, Miley's too young if she wants to keep working for Disney to do these kind of shoots (cover after the jump) and if as she states, it embarrasses her, lesson learned, no more "back shots" until she's out from under her Disney obligations to be "perfect." Judging however from recent photos, Miley's going through a phase where she's really chomping at the bit, pushing boundaries, but she'd best not yank Disney's chain unless she wants to be a former employee. We'll see how it goes.

I think she needs handlers that don't include her father at something like this photo shoot 'cos obviously, he let it happen. Is there a Miley's mom or is she a step, or what? Who is calling the shots? Miley herself?

Not cool. She's perfect for a teen's/tweens magazine. But a sexy shoot with Annie Lebovitz for Vanity Fair at age 15 as a Disney employee?  No way, José.

The New York Times

Miley Cyrus is embarrassed, and apologizing to fans over a topless* picture of the 15-year-old Disney star, covered only by a sheet, that was published in Vanity Fair magazine. The photo was taken by Annie Liebovitz for the magazine, and Miley's parents were on hand for the shoot, but now Miley is trying to do "damage control" (or drum up extra publicity), claiming the pictures did not turn out as expected. *(That's factually incorrect. Semi-topless is what the photo is; backless, to be precise.)

In the Vanity Fair article, written by Bruce Handy, Miley is quoted saying this about the topless photo:

Annie took, like, a beautiful shot, and I thought it was really cool. That’s what she wanted me to do, and you can’t say no to Annie. I think it’s really artsy. It wasn’t in a skanky way.

However, in her statement about the published photo is Miley had this to say about the Vanity Fair shoot:

I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be "artistic" and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed. I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about.

Vanity Fair spokeswoman Beth Kseniak, had this to response:

Miley's parents and/or minders were on the set all day. Since the photo was taken digitally, they saw it on the shoot and everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley.

That's is nutz and exploitive.

I agree with Jamie Lee Curtis:

Jamie Lee Curtis wrote in The Huffington Post , "I know how Miley feels. I too was a little embarrassed by my recent topless "scandal" and the subsequent parodies, but I am an adult woman. I protected myself during the shoot and I can take the heat. I only wish that her guardians had protected her."

Battlestar Galactica S4 E7, "Escape Velocity" *SPOILERS*

There was a lot of pounding upon one another in "Escape Velocity." Literally-- Marines vs. Baltar, Caprica Six vs. Tigh,  Fundamentalist religious group vs. Baltar's harem, Baltar vs. a Service to the Gods (more trashing than pounding) and figuratively--the Prez's histrionic verbal assault on the Quorum of 12 in regard to her opinion vs. theirs to freely assemble, and finally and most powerfully, Chief Galen Tyrol's mental and emotional pounding upon himself in a stellar performance by actor Aaron Douglass. Whew! Did I miss anyone?

Gaius believes that he is perfect as are each of his followers~

Some points to note: 

Did Chief sabotage Raptor 289 or did he merely frak up? Regardless, the crash-landing of Racetrack's raptor, Cally's "suicide," and Chief's discovery that he is a Cylon propelled him into a tirade in Joe's Bar--directed at Commander Adama--in which, among other things he complained of having been saddled with Cally with "her boiled egg eyes and cabbage smell." Harsh. He also got himself fired as "Chief." <sad>

No news on Boomer or Natalie, but next week's preview indicates that we may be given a clue.*

*(Preview after the jump)

A favourite visual moment was Chief working in the middle of the night with the metal face mask down, completely submerging himself in machinery. This spooked me as there was a lingering camera shot in which Tyrol's welding helmet suggested a Centurion and I wondered if Chief had physically morphed into something horrible...

Chief Tyrol speaking during his wife, Cally's funeral service~

The Tigh/CapricaSix and Baltar/HeadSix juxtaposition of the bloody faces was another excellent staging of scenes loaded with meaning, in Escape Velocity. Both were looking for absolution, both were washed in their own blood.

The way that HeadSix physically picked Gaius up from the deck as he sputtered blood begging, "I wanna stay down. I really wanna stay down," and shoved him at the Marines was one of my favourite moments visually so far this season. I'm not sure if this means HeadSix is real but it did provide one of few lighter moments in this episode.

Gaius disrupts a service to The Gods~

During a meeting of three of the four Dylan Cylons* in Tyrol's quarter's, baby Nicky cried out with Chief dad ignoring him and commenting that he must need a diaper change. Col. Tigh barely hesitated to go to the baby's aid, changing Nicky almost immediately and calming the baby. (*pictured after jump)

A fan quote about the scene from the Television Without Pity Boards:

You know Tigh's secretly a baby whisperer. Or maybe babies just know to shut up when Old One Eye is around.

Good one!

Laura Roslin has taken on both Helena Cain's hair (in wig form) and the late Admiral Cain's
attitude of having nothing to lose. Seems like the harbinger of further scary moments from Madame Prez.

Admiral Adama and President Roslin after one of her cancer treatments~

Adama reads Searider Falcon to her, which has some deeper significance to both of them, just like Love and Bullets in the previous episode: "I wasn't afraid to die. I was afraid of the emptiness that I felt inside. I couldn't feel anything. And that's what scared me. You came into my thoughts. I felt them. It felt good." This is emphasized by the fact that he closes the book and recites the passage, almost as if the words are his. It is also possible that the passage has additional significance for Adama, since by his admission he normally stops reading after it. Battlestar Wiki

Colonel Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan) turned in yet another Emmy-worthy performance wherein he spent much of the episode confusing Caprica Six with his dead (by his poisoning of her for treason) wife, Ellen.

Ellen Tigh as Caprica Six as envisioned by Saul Tigh~

The pas de deux reaches it's pinnacle with a S & M tinged beatdown that Tigh willingly takes from Caprica with her straddling him, pausing, him asking for more and instead of punching him in the face  yet again, she realizes what she actually needs to do is make out with him...and they kiss. /end scene

The actual last frame of the episode following Gaius's "everyone is perfect" speech to his followers (see first screenshot):

Both Cylons: Head Six and Tory the Prez's assistant, look on as Baltar finishes his "I am perfect," speech to his followers~

 

Friday Flower

My peace plant is blooming. It would be a really good thing if it could bring a bit of peace to this household. Ugh. I thought losing phone and Internet in the middle of work yesterday was a big deal. Automessage when I reached Comcast: "You will be having outages lasting 'till 5 a.m. while we do upgrades." Message from me to Comcast: Do you think next time you do a planned outage you might have your autodialing system ring me up and give me the heads up? 'Ya know, just for the sake of my sanity?

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Because yes, it is just that bad.

"It" being the two-year long circus side show that leads to the election of the leader of the free world. I can remember back, a long, long, time ago when "used car salesman" was one of the least respected and trusted positions one could hold. Surely now "journalist," a word that truly has been sullied by the bearers of that moniker, has now taken over that dubious position. Also, I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I admit like so many other folks, that I get my television news mostly from The Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart or The Colbert Report.

"

WebShotsPro Does Not Care About Customers*

*This is an unsponsored blog post reflecting my personal opinion about WebShotPros.com paid screenshot service.

As you'll see from reading the correspondence (below) I've had over the past couple of days, WebShotsPro, the company that for a fee is supposed to provide screenshots for the company for which I do paid blogging is falling down on the job and has been for weeks. Within IZEA's "Social Spark" from which my work originates, are screen shots of my blogs. These screenshots help to give potential sponsors a look at what I can offer as well as offering other bloggers a chance to know me better.

WebShotsPro is supposed to provide updated screenshots of every blog we have in the Social Spark/IZEA system. But they never have for me and for many other people. Instead, I have a screenshot with an entirely different design for this blog (my winter design) and nothing, or the IZEA brand logo for two more, and yet another months-outdated one for another.

For example: if WebShotsPro.com were providing the services that they've been contracted to do and functioning correctly, my blogs would look like this (they remove Java and other script "for security reasons," according to their website):

and this

instead of this:

There's nothing wrong with the "Sparky" logo--except it's not mine. It's representing the entire face of hundreds or even thouasnds of Social Spark Blogs due to WebShotPros inability or unwillingness to do what they are being paid for. Because WebShotPros won't or can't do their job I'm just another generic face in a more-crowded-every day pack of blogs.

C. McCrackan <cyn.city@gmail.com>
to"webshotspro@gmail.com" <webshotspro@gmail.com>,

Date: Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Subject: Screen Shots way out of date/not updating at all/not showing at all


Hello!

Edit for personal details/ referred me to you as the screen shots you are providing them are terribly out of date and frankly, terrible-looking. Since my work depends on these screen shots to be accurate representations of my websites, I am asking you to please check what on your end is preventing my website screen shots from being updated or in 2 cases, from appearing at all.

Just FYI, there are hundreds of people having the same issue.

Thank you, CM

http://www.cyncity.typepad.com
http://theloveumake.com
http://maplelakeontario.com
http://www.cynthialeigh.net

Reply:

FromWebShotsPro <webshotspro@gmail.com>
to" C.M." cyn.city@gmail.com

Date Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Subject Re: Screen Shots way out of date/not updating at all/not showing at all


We will review the database to get these updated.

Thanks
Steve

WebShotsPro Admins
http://www.webshotspro.com

------

There was no change--and no update WebShotsPro on progress--if there was any.

I've gone to their site and manually plugged in my blog's addresses and updated them myself but to no avail--and other bloggers are reporting having the same issues, too.

Though it may seem I'm impatient, I waited weeks for the problem to be addressed before starting to advocate for a fix.

Hello,

I take from the lack of change that there is some kind of problem either on your end, IZEA's end, or both?

I have to be honest and say I am highly frustrated...

I depend on my blogs to be updated as advertisers screen me based on what they see.
I also told a board full of people that you were taking care of this.
And it hasn't happened...

I've told everyone that is having an issue with their blog screenshot not updating or never being made in the first place to contact you personally.

I have manually updated all my blogs at your site countless times and nothing is reflected with the the IZEA/Social Spark system...

CM

WebShotsPro? In my opinion, their company name would be better called WebShotsCon.

Decisions, decisions

Decisions, decisions. Do we go to the academic team's awards ceremony tomorrow night and miss the first viewing of the returning LOST or do we stay home feeling guilty but (hopefully) enjoying the show and miss our son get  some kind of acknowledgement that he was on the winning Freshman-Sophomore Scholastic Bowl Team?
What would you do? What would you guess I'm going to do? This would be no-brainer if we were talking about Battlestar Galactica but we are talking LOST. Those are all the hints I'm giving.

A favourite Post Secret ~

SaeCheez.com Personalized Photo Gifts

When you give a gift to someone special--even if that someone special is you, don't you want that gift to be memorable, to be personal?

What better way to make a gift personal than to give personal photo gifts made with a favorite photograph?

At Sae Cheez Images you can choose from many different ways of personalizing a variety gifts, some of which may surprise you.

All you need is a clear photograph. Any size will do, then head over to www.saecheez.com and follow the prompts to upload your photo to their template and continue by following the easy instructions, making your gift look exactly as you wish. Whether you are going traditional with a t-shirt or maybe a bit further out with a snow globe, you'll find a way that reflects your feelings for the gift recipient knowing that your personalized photo gift will hold up to "washing, wearing, and mousing" and that if you've chosen a mug that it is "top shelf" dishwasher safe.

My personal favorite is the throw pillows. I would love to have two of my photos of Maple Lake, Ontario transferred and then give them to my parents for Christmas.

I've now officially got a hate on for Q-ing

EDIT/ Apparently the "must be done in 6 hours" is a typo that needs to be fixed.

I feel a bit better though still annoyed that something like this is causing so much confusion./end edit

OK. I have now officially got a hate on for Q-ing in Social Spark and no amount of "spin" is going to bring me around.

I'm in a Q. Fine. I know how to do that.

At the magic hour of midnight Eastern, Social Spark higher powers release an opportunity to me at the very lowest pay on the scale.* I have six hours to complete it.

It's happened three times in three nights and it is baloney.
It is not a "privilege" to get an opportunity that you never know when/if it's going to come. It's not a plus that it drops and expires when sane people are sleeping.

This isn't a glitch. This is a systemic issue that needs to be revisited by the Social Spark higher powers.
If someone like me, who generally tries to be an optimistic, enthusiastic member of PPP/SS is getting discouraged and annoyed, I can only guess how people that have less "invested" in Social Spark feel.

*as explained by Customer Love

Life QotW: The Dirt on Gardening

What's your favorite gardening tip for spring?

Never get my hands dirty.

Peace plant: first bloom

I love my IKEA Peace plant.

Spouse is the gardener in the family. He takes care of the outdoor plants. I take care of the indoor.

First daff bloom 2008

Also, we have too small a plot of land to "share" and as much as I love the beauty of flowers, I've actually only grown indoor plants and vegetables outdoors. Trying to grow vegetables here would be fruitless (not to be punny) 'cos of all the prairie wildland creatures that have been driven into our area by development. They are hungry and will go to great lengths to eat whatever they can sink their little choppers into.

A funny aside: Spouse got so frustrated with the bunnies, squirrels, prairie dogs (?) eating his plants before they could even fully grow, that he had a dream about buying poison peanuts at the garden store. He didn't realize that it was just a dream until he went to the garden store to try to procure such a product and the garden shop people reacted to his query as if he were nuts. ;)

LOST S4x09 "The Shape of Things to Come" Alex's Death / Sneak Peeks *SPOILERS*

LOST- 4x09 The Shape of Things To Come/ Sneak Peak #1

LOST- 4x09 The Shape of Things To Come/ Sneak Peak

While Hurly and Ben stay inside with the baby, Sawyer rushes to save Claire and dodges bullets and bodies in the process. 

Entire scene with Ben and Keamy leading up to Alex's death

Lost S04E09 The Shape Of Things To Come Sneak Peek 3 "They're here."

"Episode 9: "The Shape of Things to Come" (Ben-Centric) *Featuring flash-forwards *Flash-forwards take place in Tikrit, Iraq. *Sayid is featured heavily in Ben's flash-forwards *Nadia's funeral is a main event in Ben's flash-forwards *Sayid is a pallbearer at Nadia's funeral. *Plot of flash-forwards is that of Ben "recruiting" Sayid to hitman as seen in "The Economist". *The reason why Sayid accepts has something to do with revenge (hinting Nadia's death may have had something to do with it). *Ben will be riding a horse in his flash-forwards for unknown reasons. *On-island, Ben and Locke work together to fight off the freighter people who have raided the barracks. *Keamy has taken Alex as a hostage and threatens to kill her so Ben will cooperate (rumours are that Keamy does actually kill Alex, but I doubt it). *Locke gets his hands on a satellite phone and attempts to communicate with those on the freighter. *Sawyer will be heavily involved in the massive gunfight. *Hurley takes care of a screaming Aaron in his and Sawyer's house while the battle is going on. *Claire's house will blow up as Sawyer tries to rescue her but is blown back from the blast (it looks to be Sawyer). *It will be revealed that Claire wasn't in the house at the time of the explosion or had narrowly dodged death. Either way, she's fine. *Jack confronts Charlotte and Daniel about if they are ever going to get them rescued. *The body of Doctor Ray from "The Constant" and "Ji Yeon" washes ashore but the people at the camp do not know who he is. *Ray's death isn't major but what it brings with it is (still unknown). *It looks like Kate and Jack attempt to make their way to the barracks. They are seen tromping through the jungle. *While in the jungle, Kate and Jack are confronted by the smoke monster" Rosallix

This sounds like a flashback sequence to me or a flash forward. Team Darlton (Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, the showrunners) has gotten so clever about the placement of the flashbacks/forwards. But any plot device used too much begins to feel less like a story unfolding and more of a... plot device so I hope you guys reign it in a bit and come to some conclusions already!

"The Shape of Things to Come"

Written by Brian K. Vaughan & Drew Goddard 

Directed by Jack Bender

LOCKE'S CAMP COMES UNDER ATTACK, AND JACK ATTEMPTS TO IDENTIFY A BODY THAT WASHES ASHORE, ON ABC'S "LOST" (someone probably dies*). NEW Start Time: Thursday, April 24

10:00 PM EASTERN/9 p.m. Central  *IMO.

Featuring Naveen Andrews (Sayid) Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond), Emilie de Ravin (soon to be dead, Claire), Michael Emerson (Ben), Matthew Fox (Jack), Jorge Garcia (Hurley) Josh Holloway (Sawyer), Daniel Dae Kim (Jin) Yunjin Kim (Sun), Evangeline Lilly (Kate), Elizabeth Mitchell (Juliet), Terry O'Quinn (Locke), and Harold Perrineau (Michael).

Guest starring: Ken Leung  (Miles), Jeremy Davies  (Daniel Faraday) Rebecca Mader (Charlotte S. Lewis) Sam Anderson (Bernard) Tania Raymonde (Alex) Alan Dale (Charles Widmore). Also: Marc Vann as doctor, Kevin Durand as Keamy, Yetide Badaki as desk clerk, Kaveh Kardan as merchant, Faran Tahir as Ishmael Bakir and Sean Douglas Hoban as Doug.

Battlestar Galactica S4 E6, "The Ties That Bind" *SPOILERS*

  Tori: One of the "Dylan Cylons" ~

                  Episode Name: The Ties That Bind  Battlestar Wiki
                  Episode Number: 403
                  Written by: Michael Taylor
                  Directed by: Michael Nankin
                  Original Air Date: 4/18/08, Survivors: 39,676 

Battlestar Galactica S4 E3 was a pretty shocking episode.

"The Ties That Bind," had frakking, madness, murder, and mayhem and for balance, a sweet scene in which  Admiral Adama sat next to President Laura Roslin's infirmary bed (after a short scene with Doc Cottle in which he informed the Prez that she should be nauseous for about an hour after she's taken the equivalent of chemotherapy) and read Love and Bullets, by Nick Talo, apparently a detective mystery novel.

The last spoken scene with Tori and Cally and baby Nicky was pretty awesome. As one BSG watcher commented, ' It was better than anything on Bionic Woman." And now that I type that I realize it was probably a reference to last year's remake of the original Bionic Woman and now I'm feeling really fossil-like. However... "Where's Hera?"

Poor Chief

Bear McCreary the composer of the musical soundtrack for BSG, explains how he interprets the stories in order to score them. It's pretty complicated but he breaks it down in explaining some of the more funky-cool sounding instrumental parts. He seems to take great joy in it and he does a helluva job but if you watch the series, you somewhat know that already. Essentially, he tells each episode--as we already watch/ed it--but through the music. Unique way to enjoy it. And he treats the story and the characters with great respect.

Check it out: Bear McCreary's Battlestar Blog. I truly enjoy it and it especially enhances the second watching of the episode(s)..

An excerpt:

Episodes where a major character is killed off generally require a complex and almost Operatic approach to scoring. Not only are these death scenes important in the larger story arcs, but I also feel compelled to provide an appropriate send-off for the actor or actress who is leaving the series. I want to make sure that their (presumably) last moments on the series are good ones. The Ties That Bind was the first such episode in Season Four, though I have since discovered that it is certainly not the last. Cally’s storyline filled 20 minutes of the episode, and literally every second of it was plastered with layered, evolving music. I knew immediately that I’d need a new theme for her. Though she and Tyrol have had a love theme since Season 1..., it didn’t have the emotional range to capture her frustration, anger, disorientation, confusion and ultimate madness

 And...

A solo duduk enters, playing a lush arrangement of the original Cally / Tyrol  love theme.

This familiar tune, tracing all the way back to Season 1, washes away the sour, dissonant and melancholy Cally Theme that has reverberated throughout the entire episode.

Cally falls to her knees, and Tory comforts her.  I scored this touching scene as if the episode were about to fade to black on a warm, resolved ending. And for a fleeting moment, it appears as if all is well. Of course, we soon discover Tory is up to no good…

Around the Internet it seems a few people are concerned about Sharon and "Helo" Agathon's little cybrid, Hera.

It never really crossed my mind to wonder.

I'm assuming that they found someone to care for her as a military family would have to do today if they were both called up to serve and they had children. Someone else has to watch the kid.

Since my spouse brought up the question as well, I came up with some not-so-serious suggestions for who should watch Hera while her mom and dad are away on the mission to find Earth.

The Six that's been held captive since assisting Sharon/Athena in rescuing Hera off the Cylon Basestar.

Six loves that baby--plus she's locked up--she's got nothing else to do all day (or night for that matter).

If not Six, how 'bout Baltar? He too knows of the importance of Hera. Plus his harem would be glad to lend a hand.

Or even more probably, some random care-taking person who will probably also be watching Little Motherless Cybrid Nicky (below with Pops):

 

...while daddy has a complete meltdown. It's not hard to think through and did you really want to watch a mushy goodbye scene with the Agathons and their baby? Didn't think so.

Cally seals her fate~

Nikky Cline and "Nicky, her cybrid baby~

Cally loses it completely only to sort of get it back and...

....be airlocked by Tory.

(From screen cap with green tone desaturated.)

"The force with which Tory hits Cally indicates that the Final Five possess the Cylons' superhuman strength and if they possess this trait it is likely that the have other, physical Cylon traits as well." `Battlestar Wiki

There was a flash of green light the colour of the ambrosia that Tory has earlier been getting a good buzz from at "Joe's Bar." This probably means nothing but as Tory was throwing back the ambrosia, she remarked that she'd not like it before--which I took to mean she didn't drink it. Maybe ambrosia and the green light obstructing only Tory and Cally have a connection. Also, note above how Nikki Cline's stunt person has her face covered by poor little Nicky's blanket.

 

Something you may not have noticed prior to the "airlocking":

Cally walks into the empty hangar deck, opens up the airlock for one of the Viper tubes and walks in with Nicky. She walks over to a window and looks out into space for a moment and this is what she sees:

The Orion Nebula! (not the Cylon Basestar in the still though it too was pictured with the Orion Nebula/Belt as a backdrop).

Battlestar Wiki

Important stuff we now know: 

• The constellation Orion appears twice in this episode. It is clearly visible in the background of the basestars shortly before Cavil's ships begin to attack, and again when Cally looks out the window in the launch tube shortly before she is confronted by Foster. This would indicate that both fleets are relatively close to Earth.

• The ringed gas giant Starbuck claims to have seen is shown in this episode, bearing a striking resemblance to Jupiter.

 

Michael Hogan as Colonel Saul      Tigh

Aaron Douglas as CPO Galen      Tyrol

Tahmoh Penikett as Captain Karl      "Helo" Agathon

Michael Trucco as Ensign Samuel Anders

Nicki Clyne as Cally Henderson Tyrol

Alessandro Juliani as Lieutenant Felix      Gaeta

Richard Hatch as Tom      Zarek

Donnelly Rhodes as Doctor Cottle

Matthew Bennett as Number      Five

Rekha Sharma as Tory      Foster

Dean Stockwell as Number      One

 

 

Just Another Post About The Weather

Now that the weather is has been acting nicely for a few days, we've been lulled into the notion that spring! is here! I've gotten on the bandwagon too, pounding the drums of joyousness in solidarity.
If only it would stay this way, continuously moving closer to better weather. But reality does intrude rudely. We don't like to think such thoughts but when the inevitable occurs we are bummed because "the weather sucks.' And it seems to suck more because we've enjoyed such delicious samples of the yumminess that is spring only to get rudely shoved back into reality.

Yes, reality. It seems much more than a concept when it rains for a week straight and you've just about forgotten what the sun looks like.
Not that anyone needs reminding, but for me, I will continue to relish the good days, acknowledge the "bad" and try not to let "weather" monopolize too many of my blogs posts for fear of being accused of "writing another post about the weather." (Just kidding on that last statement.)

Update/Danny Federici, Springsteen and E Street's Longtime Keyboardist, Dies At 58

Update from the Funeral Home (below) Also, from Danny's family: The Danny Federici Melanoma Fund

"Fourth Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" featuring Danny Federici, Bruce and E Street, Indianapolis 3/2008.

Danny rejoined the band one last time.

Hard to watch but lovely performance. At the very end of the song Bruces gives Danny a buss on the cheek and says "I love you."

When I saw Springsteen and The E Street Band last month in Milwaukee it was clear to me that I'd missed my last chance to see and hear Danny Federici with the full band.

When Bruce spoke about Danny, he did so briefly but meaningfully. I happened to be watching the monitor with the huge image of Bruce from the shoulders up as he took a short break to explain Danny's absence and to urge folks in the audience to give to the Food Bank in the lobby. When he mentioned that they "hoped" to have Danny "back on the next leg of the tour," a flash of sadness etched Bruce's face. I knew in that moment just about a month ago, that Springsteen knew how grave Danny's condition was. Even when you "know" someone will be dying soon, you often still hope against hope for a miracle. It truly appeared that Bruce was heartbroken but showman that he is, he stashed away that part of himself for the show's duration.

Sadly, Danny Federici's life and so his gift of music, was truncated after he succumbed on Thursday after years of battling melanoma.

RIP (Rock on In Peace), Danny

Federici, left, with the E Street Band.

Photo: Supplied

April 18, 2008 - 2:49PM

Danny Federici, the longtime keyboard player for Bruce Springsteen whose stylish work helped define the E Street Band's sound on hits from Hungry Heart through The Rising has died. He was 58.

Federici, who had battled melanoma for three years, died at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York on Thursday.

News of his death was posted on Springsteen's official website.

He last performed with Springsteen and the band last month, appearing during portions of a March 20 show in Indianapolis.

"Danny and I worked together for 40 years - he was the most wonderfully fluid keyboard player and a pure natural musician. I loved him very much ... we grew up together," Springsteen said in a statement posted on his website.

Springsteen concerts scheduled for Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Saturday in Orlando were postponed.

Federici was born in Flemington, New Jersey, a long car ride from the Jersey shore haunts where he first met kindred musical spirit Springsteen in the late 1960s.

The pair often jammed at the Upstage Club in Asbury Park, New Jersey, a now-defunct after-hours club that hosted the best musicians in the state.

It was Federici, along with original E Street Band drummer Vini Lopez, who first invited Springsteen to join their band.

By 1969, the self-effacing Federici - often introduced in concert by Springsteen as Phantom Dan - was playing with the Boss in a band called Child.

Over the years, Federici joined his friend in acclaimed shore bands Steel Mill, Dr Zoom and the Sonic Boom and the Bruce Springsteen Band.

Federici became a stalwart in the E Street Band as Springsteen rocketed from the boardwalk to international stardom. Springsteen split from the E Streeters in the late '80s, but they reunited for a hugely successful tour in 1999.

"Bruce has been supportive throughout my life," Federici said in a recent interview with Backstreets magazine.

"I've had my ups and downs, and I've certainly given him a run for his money, and he's always been there for me."

Federici played accordion on the wistful 4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) from Springsteen's second album, and his organ solo was a highlight of Springsteen's first top 10 hit, Hungry Heart.

His organ coda on the 9/11-inspired Springsteen song You're Missing provided one of the more heart-wrenching moments on The Rising in 2002.

In a band with larger-than-life characters such as saxophonist Clarence Clemons and bandanna-wrapped guitarist Little Steven Van Zandt, Federici was content to play in his familiar position to the side of the stage. But his playing was as vital to Springsteen's live show as any instrument in the band.

Ponderosa Survivor 16: Eliza/Ozzy Get Ready For Tribal Council "Jury Duties"

Watch Survivor Episode 10 at the Official CBS site

Eliza's loving Jury Duty, Ozzy not so much.

This is actually quite fun, though it sounded cheesy in the ads we saw whilst fast forwarding though most of them. This is a nice snapshot of what the jury, comprise of voted-off members of the merged tribe on Survivor, is up to as they await their next summons for jury duty at Tribal Council on Survivor 16: Fans vs. Favourites (Micronesia).

Also as as aside, Eliza looks much more healthy and it's only been days since she left the Island. OTOH, Ozzy seems very sad and mopey but he's sorting things out. I think revenge is very likely to continue to be on his mind.

I have more of these extra-episode scenes as well as many screen shots and Official CBS video shorts that one embeds (like above) at The Love You Make, my WordPress.ORG site where I follow Survivor.

Handbags and Gladrags

I sound like such an ingrate when I complain about "this time of year."   
The worst is finally over--for the time being. The next worst is the dregs of summer, ninety-five or more degrees F and humid. Yes, we get that though more commonly, low 90'sF and humid.

So right now is the bridge between seasons and one must be prepared for weather in the 30's whilst walking the dog in the evenings and 60's on a nice day. If it's sunny, like today, it can feel much warmer. Today however, had another ingredient--high winds. Out of the north they were too chilly for open windows in my working area.

Even though I can tick off all that is annoying about mid-April in the Chicago area in regard to the weather, what is truly annoying on a physical level is dealing with the clothes.
Except for the bulkiest things we still need cold-weather gear at the ready.
But last night on our walk I wore flip-flops and pedal pushers.
It's dress-for-anything weather and my closet  is groaning with the collective strain of too many seasons crammed within it.

So what do I do?

Fearing that massive weight gain will prevent me from even getting a leg into my warm-weather clothes, I dug around for an Old Navy gift card that I've had since Christmas and started searching online for clothes that are spring/summer casual/comfortable.

I did pretty well though I'm not at all thrilled that plaid shorts are back (I do not wear plaid). And speaking of shorts, WTF? Are "shorts" now just sort of just a ribbon of fabric above your buttocks and across your lady bits?!? Holy moly! I'm really glad I do not have a middle school or teenage daughter.

Old Navy only sells their "fat ladies" clothes online now. Not sure what the reasoning for this was but since I'm not all that excited about navigating the brick and mortar Old Navy (or any brick and mortar) store that's cool with me. I've been an online shopper for so long now, it's more normal to buy online than anywhere else.

Anyway, I didn't in fact gain a ton of weight--last year's stuff still fits, and luckily I was spared Old Navy's mostly ridiculous fashion selection for the plus-size woman as I fall into the woman's sizes, too. The kerchief halter dresses were very Stevie Nicks but I don't think even she at this point in her life would go for them.

The safest place for me in Old Navy is in the casual/active section and this is where I've been loading up on colourful $2.50 flip flops for the past few years (haven't blown out one yet!). I only got two pair this year 'cos I still have a couple pair in good shape from last year (though I may get more!)
Also in my virtual shopping cart, a racer back sports tank (for under something/around the house/at the lake) two pairs of French terry Bermudas, a lace trim tank top, a summer-weight, smocked off-shoulder tunic in a neutral colour, a tank top with geometric shapes and a quited hobo bag.

Besides the fear of not fitting into my pants, I was driven by the need for a seasonal change in handbags. I suppose Easter would have been the time to do the switch but it was still winter here then so that made no sense.

I hate buying purses because I know the exact style and size that works best for me and it's just a matter of trying to find it (isn't that the way it always goes?)

I can't wait for the weather to stabilize but woot! I took a walk in flip-flops last night! Hoping for a top-down day tomorrow!

If you're getting one, how are you planning on spending your tax refund?

Spouse finally finished our income taxes last night and we get a refund!

Also, he informed me that the silly Economic Stimulus Act 2008 “rebate” which is 5 times the size of the tax refund is going to really help towards vacation. (We try to break even. Using the US government as a no-interest-earning savings account does not compute for us.)  It will pan out that we are going to spend most of our "big American dollars" in my native Canada.

What is that saying, "As Canada goes, so goes the United States."?

I kid, I kid. It used to be the other way around but I think in some key ways the Canada of today is more European-leaning than USA-following. IMO, the "foot down" moment was when Canada would not follow the USA into the Iraq war though they did, like a number of other countries send military support-- and bore the casualties.

I love the States. But not the "rebate."

Note to Bush: These rebates need to go to pay the quadrillion dollar National
Debt you've racked up on the war and other bad choices, dumb-a$$.

Transition/ While we were walking Raven last night spouse reminded that his itty-bitty work bonus is being distributed in a month as well. In order of size we have Geo. Bushes rebate, and both the tax refund and the work "bonus" are about the same–not very big, but together nothing to sneeze at.

I think that like many people, we’ve been spooked by the thought of gasoline prices getting even higher over the summer and how much that may curtail our usual plans. It’s with enormous relief that I can anticipate a slight financial uptick for us and have the ability to start really planning for fun times!

It’s been a long, cold, wet winter and it’s so nice to be able to realistically plan for summer vacation!/edit

We hashed out all the days off tonight. We are less restained so far this year with son only going to summer school for half the summer (driver's ed--another post) and then needing a dermatologist appt/ blood test once a month. And spouse was granted another week's vacation having been with the Company 10 years so yay! for vacation.

So we'll be merrily burning up gasoline going back and forth all summer if all goes as planned.

I''ll also need to get the Interent installed at Maple Lake if I'm staying half the summer in total~ Two long weekends  for putting together/putting away the cottage plus possibly six weeks! This is very exciting stuff.

I'm just going to fret about the Internet*** until then as it's satellite and expensive. Bleh. I'll dive into that later today.

***Long story about begging for Internet in the woods of Ontario at: My other other blog ~ Maple Lake Ontario .

Johnny Depp, Stat Counter, and Search

I'm a dedicated blogger. For the 3 or 4 posts you see here in a day, there may be another 6 on my other blogs.

Part of being a dedicated blogger is examining your search results.There are many ways to do this; I use both the one built into TypePad for this blog and an off-site one, StatCounter, to get more detailed results.

The results that I can view include what search terms people used to find my blog, what are the most popular search terms by count, most popular posts, where people came from geographically, what browser they used and much more. And that's just what I get for free! Yeah, they rock.

They also help me be better at what I do (which is write--pay attention!) because by using their services, by crunching the visitor data about Cyn City between both TypePad and  StatCounter I know what is bringing people to my blog. Do I want more people to visit? Absolutely!

"Edward Scissorhands" Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder

The first time I really paid attention to Depp.

So what do I do? Mostly more of the things I'm doing right though I am always adjusting a couple of things that I haven't gotten "right" yet. I reference prior posts, especially if these posts are either popular of I'd like to try and make them that way (for a time anyway--long time is best) whenever I can.

TypePad, would you please hurry up and offer a widget that I can activate which I can use to add the links to my similar previous posts at the end of this post, for example? Thank you!

I also followed up on a subject that is not unfamiliar here, Johnny Depp.

I'd happened to write a little post of JD today because I just found out he's finally marrying the mother of his children in June. Hearty congrats to them and their young children.

That's lovely, but it's also good for my blog and hence, good for me because (you may need to sit down for this) I'm not the only Johnny Depp fan-girl. Ooooh, no. There are plenty of people out there who dig Johnny's mad acting skillz and they do a search, see my blog pop up and click over here. I always try to  reward viewers with new/different photographs, in this case of Johnny Depp, just in case they don't see what their looking for in a post--though I encourage anyone/everyone that enjoys Johnny him to click this: Over 100 blog entries on Cyn City featuring Johnny Depp which is a link to lots of stories/photos of JD, his co-stars, and more of JD and bride-to-be, Vanessa Paradis.

*****This is not a paid piece.

News & Politics QotW: The Taxman

As the April 15th tax filing deadline looms, many gay couples are facing higher tax bills because they do not get the federal tax benefits that accompany marriage. The same is true for heterosexual couples who chose not to get married. Do you think this is fair?

First of all, it's not true. There are loads of reasons to argue for gay couples being able to unite in holy matrimony but paying less tax is not one of them.

Ever hear of the Marriage Tax Penalty ?          

It's true: the tax tables have a built-in bias against married couples.

In a nutshell, people who have taken their marriage vows pay higher taxes than two single people with the same income.

Though this was corrected for the 15% tax bracket back in 2003, even now if your income puts you into the next tax bracket, there is still a marriage tax penalty that is built in.

And in the more bad news department, you also start to lose part of other deductions and tax credits once your income reaches a certain point. See the previously-mentioned marriage tax penalty link (above).

Hearts Break 'Round The World: Johnny Depp To Marry

Over 200 blog entries on Cyn City featuring Johnny Depp

I hadn't time all weekend to get to catch on my online celebrity stalking, lol, but when I did I caught an eyeful:

Sit down ladies. Johnny Depp is finally tying the knot with Vanessa Paradis, his companion of 10 years and mother of his two children. Depp is quoted as saying that he knows she'd be happy getting married and he wants to do whatever will make her happy. Aww! Sounds like Vanessa got tired of being referred to as his girlfriend, though I thought the French were less concerned with that? Perhaps some American has rubbed off on her.

Regardless, the source of the story stated that Depp's and Paradis' two children are very happy about the planned June wedding.

Isn't love lovely?

Source

The Pirates of The Caribbean actor (previously married in the 80s) has said about his relationship with Vanessa, "For all intents and purposes, we are married," adding that, "if [Vanessa] ever said, 'Hey, let's get hitched,' I would do it in a second." A source close to the couple said: "Vanessa recently told Johnny that she would love to have a wedding. "Johnny loves Vanessa very much, and he said if that's what would make her happy, then he'd marry her." The summer wedding will be a low-key family affair.

The couple's children "are really excited about it," the insider tells Life and Style magazine. "Actually the whole family is excited. "They wanted to make it convenient for Johnny's family in Florida," so the wedding will likely take place in Georgia's Tybee Island, according to the source. "They're going to send out invitations in a few weeks."

The big event, which is set to take place June 14, will be a family affair. Johnny and Vanessa’s children, Lily-Rose, 8, and Jack, 6, “are really excited about it,” the insider revealed. “Actually the whole family is excited."

 

The Movement To Stop Columbia's Expansion Project

Columbia University in New York has proposed the construction of a below-street-level space as part of a new campus extension in West Harlem, extending from 125th to 133rd Street, and from Broadway to Riverside Drive.

Stop Columbia's Expansion Project has been formed by alarmed New York residents who are aware of the risk of flooding and spillage of toxic materials and who realize that this area is in a marked as designated flood zone, that the structure itself would be on an earthquake fault line, and that almost one-third of the area's space will be for storage and use of biohazard materials. This project has also brought up discussion of the potential of the area becoming a terrorist target.

In an effort to have all environmental issues related to the potential risks of this action examined thoroughly, the group "Tuck-It-Away" has petitioned the State Supreme Court to halt both Columbia University and New York City from moving forward until all environmental risks have been considered and addressed.

"Six of One" Battlestar Galactica, S4E04 *SPOILERS*

Official SciFi Battlestar Galactica Site

Gods, what an episode "Six Of One" was!

I hadn't really appreciated how much I've missed James Callis.

And now we have not only more Sixes but another Gaius Baltar!!!

I'll call the new "old Gaius" Head Gaius to distinguish which one I'm speaking of.

Head Gaius is the confident, cocky Gaius of old. Before the New Caprica fiasco, before his imprisonment by the Cylons, before the trial in which Apollo (Jamie Bamber) and Romo Lampkin (Mark Sheppard) got him set free.

The newest Six has entered the story and she, like the other Sixes seems genuinely different than the Six models we have gotten to know. I don't think she's yet been called by her name but she is "Natalie." (Tricia Helfer~ below)

What happened In E02, "Six of One": Kara Thrace/Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) blew a gasket and put a gun to President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell) who was suffering the side effects of a recent cancer treatment.

Kara turns the gun around and demands that if Roslin thinks she's a cylon, she should shoot her. Roslin does--at point blank range--and misses. "Diloxin fraks with your ("aim")," Roslin later explains to Adama. 

The Group of Four Galactica Cylons meets. It's decided that they need to gather intel on who is the unknown 5th Cylon and they figure Baltar is their best bet due to what he might have seen while inthe temple. Tori infiltrates Baltar's harem er, haven. Baltar meets himself (Head Baltar) who guides himself in his convo with Tori who ultimately has sex with Baltar. The President and Admiral Adama have a serious discussion in re: Kara Thrace, the President's cancer which is no longer in remission, and Bill's inability to face his losses past, present, and future. Roslin must have never heard the old adage that you should never argue with a drunk and Bill is and has been drinking in part to send off his son Apollo to Quorum of 12 duties. Adama ends up being a real bastard, storming away leaving Roslin teary and literally pulling her hair out.

Adama reconsiders his position with Kara after previously storming her cell in the brig and nearly throttling her (to no avail as she responded in her typical cheeky/snarky fashion). This time he sends guards and Helo to retrieve her, hands her the key to a waste recycling ship and tells her to follow her bliss (go in search of Earth).

More Cylon revelations are made: The Cavils models are Number Ones, the Leoben Conoys are Number Twos and the Simons are Number Fours. Baseship Six's (Tricia Helfer), the Eights (Grace Park)and Twos (Callum Keith Rennie) believe the ship's hybrid is trying to tell them something about the Final Five -- that they are within the Colonial fleet -- and believe they need to take it seriously. Something has changed, the Six says. She and her allies believe that the Raiders recognized the Final Five were with the humans, and as such, called off the attack. The Cylons are bitterly divided over how to deal with the Cylon Raiders, who refuse to attack the Colonial Fleet because of the recent detection of the Final Five within the Fleet. Meanwhile, Admiral Adama and crew send Lee Adama off into his new life as a member of the Quarum of Twelve, and Adama must deal with the possibility that Kare Thrace may be right about her knowing how to get to Earth.

Photos from this episode, more, after the jump.

Where's Bear?

R'oh, r'oh.

Looks like "we" have exceeded Bear McCready's (composer of the music score for BattleStar Galactica, Terminator: SCC) bandwidth at his Battlestar Galactica blog. I'm not going to note the web address here right now--rather I'll check periodically to see if it's available again (if you just cannot <ahem> bear to not have his URL, it's clearly labelled in my sidebar).

I wonder if he had any idea how enjoyable, how fun it is to read his take on each episode from the standpoint of the person who composes the music for the series. It's as if Bear McCready has pulled back the curtain and allowed us humble fans to see inside a crucial part of the series.

I found last week's entry in which Mr. McCready went almost line by line through the episode explaining his thought processes in setting the tone musically to be utterly fascinating.

Unfortunately, I just popped over to the blog and I got a wonky message which I'm pretty sure means too many people want to read what Mr. McCready has to say.

No worries, tho'. Unless a massive act of mother nature disrupts things, tonight I'll be viewing the second episode, "Six of One," of Season 4 of Battlestar Galactica on SciFi at 9 p.m. Central!

*Sounds like a tip of the hat to Star Trek: Voyager's Seven of Nine.

What would you most like to change about your life?

I wonder how many folks would

have their change be to have

more money?

To get what I want I would need lots more money. The "change" being the ability to travel the world.

That more than anything, is what I would change. And this is funny to me because a few years ago I would have said I want a healthy heart again and that still would be great. But I don't yearn for it the way I do to see the Pacific Ocean from the perspective of a beach in Kauai or to go on what looks to be the fantastic adventure of getting acquainted with Australia.

Happy 81st Birthday, MOM!!!

                                   

Wish we could be there with you & Dad to celebrate!

With love always,

Cindy

Yep, it was my mother's birthday today. We (I) sent her a spring bouquet of multi-coloured tulips which she sounded pleased with.

Mom and Dad have had a rough go of it for the past couple of years and I wish they lived closer 'cos I would have baked a cake. Seriously, I'll use any excuse for cake!

I'd have to come up with something non-sugared because Mom diabetic but I could have someone else make it and I'd just bring to eat. All good.

My dad says my cousin Patti called. My mom and Patti share the same April 9th birthday though 31 years apart. I'm really happy that Patti called and I know my parents are, too.

For Patti:

I'm quite sure I'd enjoy celebrating Patti's birthday but since I can't, I'd like to wish her too, a very happy birthday!

What is your "role" in your family?

I could answer this in a humourous fashion or, in a ticking-off-what-I-do-way.

Ticking sounds boring.

But then not everyone "gets" my humour. Being slightly "off" helps.

My role in the family I've co-created is "Mom."

I'm quite happy with that moniker as it applies to my role(s).

There have been far more articulate and thoughtful ways of describing what a Mom is but I'll stick to what this mom is.

Ha ha--this is cute for comparison:

The job titles that best matched a mom's definition of her work are (in order of hours spent per week): housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, CEO and psychologist.

Now moms and their families can use the Mom Salary Wizard to create their own "mom paycheck". The tool allows moms and their families to price the "mom job", based on location and mom's personal hours worked in each of the 10 roles. Users can create a hypothetical mom paycheck and mom pay stub, which can be printed and emailed to family and friends for Mother's Day.

On the housekeeping/janitor front--yeah, I rule. Not that I'm anything special in housekeeping but I direct the traffic, so to speak. I do many tasks that none of the other three residents (all men/boys) would think to do. For example, each of them claims to "not (be) able to see dust"!

CEO: I cop to that one because all things being equal--they aren't. I run the show. We are the "Family Circus" (such an apt title for that amusing little comic).

The psychologist part of being me is one that comes naturally and that I trained for so I think perhaps the role I enjoy most--though figuring out someone who doesn't want to be figured out is a challenge pain in the keister.

I don't cook anymore. I have no desire to do so. I do like to eat though--especially really good food--and my morning cup of coffee is nirvana in a mug.

Ugh! "Laundry Machine Operator"!? I hate doing laundry but if I don't do it every single day it gets out of control. I'd say I do about 12 loads a week. Pay me. :)

Computer Operator. Um yeah, when not doing household "stuff" I'm on the computer and 95% of my time on the computer is work or work-related. Unless it's a tech-type issue and I can can manage even some of those, I rule the Computer Kingdom in this home. (The Gamer, right now on his really big and impressive gaming computer would counter that his is bigger than mine. I'm fine with that.)

Facilities Manager: What?--the person  who does maintenance? Uh, no that's a boy's job, thank you very much. I gave that up when I stopped being a single mom. lol

Van driver: hahahahahahahahahahaha. No. I do ferry both boys to and fro but it's in my Mustang GT convertible, which eldest son refers to as "your third child." It's an apt description.

Kids are too big to need a "daycare center teacher," though I've been there and done that for a number of years, both paid and unpaid.

I do try to help my youngest stay on track with schoolwork, especially. We have a daily debriefing after school with the goal of him sharing what's happening at school. Most importantly and the reason we started to help him--is to stay organized with all his school-related responsibilities. The biggest bonus in doing this is that between reciting all his classes and what they did, I get to hear about the in-between-learning-stuff. In high school there's plenty of that. I'm sure I don't hear about everything but what I hear is often both amusing and informative.

EDIT/ Where's "Activities Director"? Hey, 'ya gotta have fun. The boys are not terribly imaginative when looking at the big picture--with the big picture being anything outside of this town, so I run that part of things as well. This is truly fun. Currently, I have Ontario, Canada and Southern California to coordinate for the family and now, Orlando, Florida for me. Busy, busy.

That's all I feel like writing about my role in my little family. I imagine if I queried others I might get other insights. Perhaps in another post.

Cheers!

What happens when you dump 700 subway cars into the Atlantic Ocean?

The notion of a endeavor like this usually gives me a bit of trepidation as the success rate of some past well-intentioned environmental efforts has been questionable. I often think of Newton's laws, one of which is usually trimmed down to, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."
One would surmise that there would be a reaction to the repeated dumping into the Atlantic Ocean of 19-ton New York City retired subway cars, off the coast of Delaware.
So what does happen after almost 700 subway cars are dumped into the Atlantic Ocean? Read on.

Photos: Tim Shaffer for The New York Times

New York City subway cars being towed to a location off the coast of Delaware, where they will be dumped into the Atlantic Ocean. NYTimes.com

Once submerged, the subway cars turn a barren stretch of ocean floor into a bountiful oasis, carpeted in sea grasses, walled thick with blue mussels and sponges, and teeming with black sea bass and tautog.

Seeing Delaware's successes, other states have started competing for the subway cars, which New York City provides for free.

“They’re basically luxury condominiums for fish,” Jeff Tinsman, artificial reef program manager for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, said as one of 48 of the 19-ton retirees from New York City sank toward the 666 already on the ocean floor.

In the last several years, the artificial reefs have drawn swift, open-ocean fish, such as tuna and mackerel, that use the reef as a hunting ground for smaller prey.

The American Littoral Society and other environmental groups opposed the use of the Redbird cars because they have small levels of asbestos in the glue used to secure the floor panels and in the insulation material in the walls.

State and federal environmental officials approved the use of the Redbirds and other cars for artificial reefs in Delaware and elsewhere because they said the asbestos was not a risk for marine life and has to be airborne to pose a threat to humans.

Mr. Tinsman particularly favors the newer subway cars with stainless steel on the outside to create reefs. “We call these the DeLoreans of the deep,” he said.

Subway cars in general, he said, are roomy enough to invite certain fish, too heavy to shift easily in storms and durable enough to avoid throwing off debris for decades.

“The one problem I see with them,” Mr. Tinsman said, “is that just like the DeLoreans, there are only a limited number.”

Battlestar Galactica~ Season 4, Episode 3, "He That Believeth In Me" *SPOILERS*

(Also below: Battlestar Galactica Widget/Bear's Battlestar Blog~Season 4)

Tonight I finally had an evening that gave me time beyond watching Battlestar Galactica, Season 4, Episode 1(or 3, if you count Razor, the between-seasons TV movie) two times.

I found a number of goodies. You may have noticed that a lot of effort by the network went into getting people pumped for this final, Fourth Season and the  Official Battlestar SciFi Channel site has several cool things, one of which is embedded in the post above. (Helloooo, Joss Whedon!)

While I was refreshing my memory about the episode and taking notes of the Writers and Director and stuff,

Episode Number: 401
Written by: David Weddle & Bradley Thompson
Directed by: Michael Rymer
Original Air Date: 4/4/08 on SciFi Channel

I came across other info, some of which takes place in the private lives of the Galactica bunch off-screen. There is a very interesting pair-up between two of the women outside of the series. There are tons of cool pictures on triciahelfer.com (Tricia Official Site, coming together nicely)--but you will have to hunt a little. Also a bit of a revelation from a pivotal character but not Trica('s). It has to do with off-screen cast dynamics.

Anders, Lee (Apollo), Starbuck

I have so much info that I think I'll spread it out over the next week sometime this season or so as I continue following the series.

I will tick off a few intriguing things that I thought were worth sharing.

New character with an important role: She's next to president Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell)

LINK to full size photo

Showrunner Ron L. Moore discusses the photograph if you enlarge the photo. He does reveal things.

I just realized that the magazine scans are too hard to read. After the jump I have them enlarged.

Natalie (Tricia Helfer): A new Six model with an agenda that differs from the humanoid cylons we've been dealing with. I believe she is to be in 402 Episode 2 this season and beyond. Cool!

Because I love Tricia I'm going to show the campiest picture I could find. It's  magazine scan and it features Grace Park and Katie Sackhoff as well.

You can find lots more pictures and Tricia-related swag to benefit charity (100% net goes to save cats...) at Tricia's official website: triciahelfer.com

They are very cute though Katie looks a wee uncomfortable.

Katie has been quoted as saying she's "sick of guns" and it would appear so here.

Grace Park (Athena/Sharon Valerii) Tricia Helfer (all the Number 6's including Caprica, "Head," Shelly Godfrey, Gina, and now "Natalie," and Katie Sackhoff (Kara Thrace/Starbuck)

LINK to full size photo

As I was perusing pictures I was startled for minute to come across one of Tricia that I had screen-capped and then got as close as I could to her face, then wanted to use it as an avatar so it has a very distinctive edging. This makes the second time I've come across it. I think it's good to share so I do not mind. I do try to get around things by using screen grabs or magazine scans but always try to give credit where due.

Anyway that's a lot of writing and I gave you some good scoop.

Here's just a bullet point of the epi. I can tell you where to go --the best sites with Battlestar Galactica info. My fave is in my sidebar but I found nice screen at another so--next time.

"He That Believeth In Me"

Good:

• Lots of James Callis (Gaius Baltar). Love him, didn't see him enough last season. Callis is stellar. I so enjoy him. Love how a desperate moment turns unintentionally funny.
• Michael Hogan (Saul Tigh) has never been my favourite character but the actor--one of Canada's best in this medium. It is time for this guy to get an Emmy.
• the opening scene. Right where they left off with Apollo (Jamie Bamber) and Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) flying in their vipers side-by-side --slight hitch, She was blown up two months prior. Colour Apollo puzzled.
• All the fight scenes were awesome, except the ones that took place inside the ship.
• Great soundtrack by Bear McCready. This is some of what he says about it:

Season 3 concluded before a hypnotic, rock-inspired “All Along the Watchtower” backdrop, but Season 4 begins with a cold snap back to reality.  So the score enters simply, with the strains of a solo erhu, playing Kara’s Destiny Theme as we return to Kara and Lee, flying side by side.  The oddly serene moment is not too last, however, and we’re almost immediately thrown into one of the biggest battle scenes I’ve ever had to score for Battlestar Galactica. 

He goes on to say:

         This sequence is immense, spanning the entire first act, and the music had to match.

Then he goes on to name songs like  “Storming New Caprica,” “Fight Night” and “Mandala in the Clouds” come to the foreground here.  The entire ensemble of ethnic soloists, including er hu, zhong hu, bansuri, duduk, yialli tanbur, electric fiddle and duduk are tucked away behind the full arsenal of nagado daikos, shime daikos, tablas, frame drums, whale drums, and hand percussion.

However, what makes this battle cue unique is that it includes strands of a very important theme, that I now call the Final Four theme: 

 

  ...This riff was first developed while I was arranging Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” for the third season cliffhanger, although it is in no way derived from Dylan’s music.   It will play an increasingly important role in the score for the fourth season.

    The Final Four melody is first heard when Tigh pulls a gun on Adama in the first few minutes, hidden beneath a wall of electric sitar, violin and guitars, echoing “Heeding the Call” and “Watchtower” from Season 3. 

Bear McCreary has some hugely insightful things to say. He does after all set the music that is part of BSG's greatness. Visit him and know more bout this episodes music and atmosphere:

SPOILER!!!!!

Several other themes that play important roles throughout the season get their foot in the door in this episode.  Kara’s Destiny theme, represented by the solo erhu, is heard as she is haunted by her past demons and her missing two months.  This theme was first composed for the Season 3 opener “Occupation,” developed in “Maelstrom,” and has come to represent the divine, yet confused spirit within her. /end quote Bear McCreary

If you don't want to know what or who Kara is BECAUSE YOU SAW HER DIE just as Apollo witnessed, don't look any further.

Gaius and Caprica or Head Six

• Kara is a kind of angel.
• Cool. I like this idea.
• But she' s leading the Cylons to Earth? I'm not so sure of that.
• It's going to be a fun ride finding out.

QotD: Which popular slang expression drives you nuts?

 

 

  xkcd (source)

What bothers me is crappy grammar and/or mutilating the English language.

I'm guilty as well (someone, please share with me some "awesome" equivalents --I bug myself when I use it to death!) but there are some expressions that make me depending on my mood, annoyed or ready to throttle the next living creature that crosses my path.

"That's so random," my kid says, and I think, you just gave me zero information.

• “at this moment in time” instead of "now"
• When I say "Thank you" and get a "No problem," for a reply. I hear it so often that I catch myself saying "No problem" then without pausing, "you're welcome" so it ends up, No problem-you're welcome. The result is that I annoy myself.
• When anyone not a LOLcat uses LOLcat-speak.

  "at the end of the day”

  “thinking outside the box”    

  “value-added   ”

Empty speech-markers, equivalent to er, such as, basically, you know and I mean.

Too Old To Rock n' Roll, Too Young To Die

What a lovely day it was today. Mild and 60F. The windows were open. Everyone was happy, walking the dog, taking a bike ride, sweeping the deck.

I have been working hard at some projects that are of great import to me but unfortunately have been remiss in other important areas of my life. This only 24- hours in a day-thing just does not work for me!

Plus, I've had technical issues, really slowing down and stopping up processes. Frustrating. If tomorrow is nice like today was--and  wait, here's the forecast for tomorrow!

60F

I am so going for a top down ride tomorrow! Wish it was to mini-golf!

Today when I was queried about the music I listen to the Jethro Tull  album title, "Too Old To Rock n' Roll, Too Young To Die," came to mind.

However, this is Tears For Fears doing a typical-looking 80's video. Love the song, Head Over Heels, though.

This album came out at the time I was just starting my life over-- from California to Illinois, from married with a small child to separated and divorced single mother. Music helped a lot :)

Footnote.com Interactive Vietnam Wall

Above is a screen shot from footnote.com's "Interactive Vietnam Wall." The virtual version of the famous memorial which is a pair of 246-foot black granite walls inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 American military casualties is searchable. Every name etched onto the real-world wall is viewable online and linked to the veteran's service record. Online visitors can add photos and describe their memories of the servicemen and women who died in the war. (AP Photo/Footnote.com)

I stumbled across this story at Wired.com last night. After a speedy and painless join up to the Footnote.com site, I was able to view the wall as if I were there. I've seen the wall on 3 or 4 separate occasions and it never fails to overwhelm me.

I was at a key juncture of my life in the late stages of the Vietnam War (another "war" that was never declared so by Congress).

Colour photographs of the Mei Lai Massacre adorned the covers of the news magazines of our coffee table; we ate our dinner each night with the casualty count from the previous day's battles in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. The son of the family kitty-corner to our home went to war and never came back. The war left a deep and ever-lasting mark on my psyche-a small price compared to so many others.

The ability to  view the Vietnam Memorial Wall is very welcome, if not about 5 years overdue. The wall itself was a little late too, but well worth it and I think the site will prove the same.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Online

Above is a screen shot from footnote.com's "Interactive Vietnam Wall." The virtual version of the famous memorial which is a pair of 246-foot black granite walls inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 American military casualties is searchable. Every name etched onto the real-world wall is viewable online and linked to the veteran's service record. Online visitors can add photos and describe their memories of the servicemen and women who died in the war. (AP Photo/Footnote.com)

I stumbled across this story at Wired.com last night. After a speedy and painless join up to the Footnote.com site, I was able to view the wall as if I were there. I've seen the wall on 3 or 4 separate occasions and it never fails to overwhelm me.

I was at a key juncture of my life in the late stages of the Vietnam War (another "war" that was never declared so by Congress).

Colour photographs of the Mei Lai Massacre adorned the covers of the news magazines of our coffee table; we ate our dinner each night with the casualty count from the previous day's battles in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. The son of the family kitty-corner to our home went to war and never came back. The war left a deep and ever-lasting mark on my psyche-a small price compared to so many others.

The ability to  view the Vietnam Memorial Wall is very welcome, if not about 5 years overdue. The wall itself was a little late too, but well worth it and I think the site will prove the same.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Online

"Diana" by Tina Brown

I finished the book "Diana," by Tina Brown a few days ago and what a great read it was!

Ms. Brown did such a thorough job of describing the Windsor family of which Diana, Princess of Wales was a (some would say crucial) part.

One of the things I most enjoyed in reading "Diana": Brown did her homework.

There are almost one hundred pages of notes and and fifty pages of Bibliography (in the hardcover large print edition--the first one available). She must have interviewed hundreds of people, especially those that were/are behind the scenes and in the know at Buckingham Place and Balmoral Castle.

Brown was objective and quite "unsensational" despite the fact that she toiled as editor-in-chief in the UK at England's oldest glossy, Tatler. She then went on to become Editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair, then ascended to editor at The New Yorker.

I didn't expect that the attitudes and behaviours of the royal family would be similar to my own family of origin as we are about the furtherest thing from royalty that I can imagine but then, the royal family is very, very different in their private lives than the public personas that they have assumed.

Regardless, I suppose I can chalk up the fact that the royal family is Scottish on the Queen's side and German on Prince Philip's and they "rule" England. My roots are Scottish, German, and English and I believe most importantly, my parents are 100% Canadian. The British and the type of Canadian that my folks are are very similar.

I have a lot more to say about Diana, which was 718 pages without all the reference materials, but I'm not sure I'm blogging it. At least not at the moment.

In sum, if you are curious about the modern monarchy in the United Kingdom and huge upheaval that the Princess of Wales's life and death precipitated, effectively permanently changing it--and you enjoy character studies of some depth mixed with some revelations that never made the American news, read this book.

Battlestar Galactica Premieres Tonight! Forces Of Nature

It's April 4th! I must pinch myself as this is the night!
Battlestar Galactica resumes tonight, beginning it's final season on the SciFi Channel today at 10/9C!
I checked the official website and they've shown it already, though! At 11 a.m. our time. All the more reason for more buzz.
But Dudes! Not fair!

As I've said, I haven't been keeping up with entertainment television, Internet, none of it. Then weeks later a snippet of info passes in my sight line and I'm all "Whoa! WTF! (What the frak!).
So crap, they already showed it today.
Fine. I'll watch both showings tonight./end rant.

I know I'm a bit of a mush-ball when it comes to superb television drama--partly I'm sure because I've seen so little of it in my lifetime,  but when I saw the video which I'll link to in a minute, I literally had tears streaming down my cheeks. It's heartbreaking and scary and exciting and suspenseful! The music by Bear McCreary with the urgent, yet solemn strings, the mood created by the setting--the acting--and the snippets of where the storyline is going--all soooo wonderful!
There has never been nor will there ever be a science fiction television series quite like Battlestar Galactica.
I love this show!

Battlestar Galactica: Forces of Nature 04.04.08 (link takes you to landing page of SciFi.com)

Extras Instructions For Public Enemies (The Film)

Extras Instructions For Public Enemies (Quotes in bold. My comments make up the rest of the content.)

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be an extra on a set of a major movie? Last night, while I was surfing around looking for the latest on the Michael Mann-directed film, Public Enemies, I found a page which I'll reproduce in part to give you a glimpse into the straight jacket-world of being an extra.

Public Enemies is a “period” feature film, circa early 1930s. You know what this means period hair styles and wardrobe fittings – guys please keep your hair long – do not cut it!! Women will need to have period hair styles – Everyone that will be cast will need to attend a wardrobe fitting. The fitting usually takes a few hours – you’ll be fit in an outfit and also be looked at by the hair department. Haircuts will most likely happen at the wardrobe fitting. The fitting usually happens a week or so before your day on set...

So essentially, for a lousy-paying job if you are a man your cannot cut your hair. I suppose then you also cannot keep a day job that requires you to be clean-cut.

I am also looking for people (non-speaking roles) that will be able to work many days. So let me know if this might be you!; I’m also searching for people that might be available for one or two days. These are paid extras positions. Rate TBD. Being that this is a period film we need to find people that are able to fit into the period wardrobe. There are size requirements

MEN need to 6’1” and under and WOMEN 5’8” and under (no larger than a size 12), all ages (including children) in order to be considered.

 

Wow, this lady must have done her homework. I never knew that in 1934 the average woman was no larger than a modern size 12! Good thing for the lady extras that, despite Public Enemies being "a period piece," the ladies clothing she describes are modern size 12's and not 1934 size 12's. The rough equivalent of a 1934 size 12 Ladies to today's size 12 Ladies is: 1934 Size 12 equals today's size 8-10.

KIDS: I only consider casting kids that have current work permits on file with (xxxxx Casting). Casting children goes down fast. I mean super fast. They might call me the night before a shoot and ask for a child of a certain age. I run to my kids’ files and pull any child that has a work permit. Don’t miss out because your child doesn’t have a work permit!

 

Calling all stage parents!

And gee, who knew that the casting lady "just run(s) to her kids’ files and pull(s) any child that has a work permit?" See, it's really not that hard to land a job in a Hollywood picture. It's just matter of casting closing their eyes and grabbing.

Next!

We start shooting in mid-March and shoot through June 2008. I will be holding open casting calls soon! Stay tuned. We will be shooting in Chicago and on location in Wisconsin.

(various towns). We will have open casting calls in Chicago for our Chicago extras and   in Wisconsin for our Wisconsin extras. All casting calls TBD.

 

In others words, you’d best be on the edge of your seat—and stay there or in more modern parlance keep your cellphone on your person at all times and make sure the battery is charged.

Who are the types of people I cast to be extras? Nice people. People that act professionally on set. People that I meet who are courteous and pay attention at casting calls. It takes a patient, attentive, nice, punctual, respectful person to do well on a film set. I know because I’ve met many. MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE who work as extras.

This boils down to BE NICE! If you are not NICE do not darken casting’s door.

All I ever hear from every film I’ve ever cast is how nice the extras are. This is huge! Seriously, you guys should be proud. I know I am. A prepared and wonderful person working as an extra makes for a great experience for all—from the wardrobe department to the locations department—from the Assistant Directors, to the actors. The crew notices!

In addition to being NICE you also should be both PREPARED and WONDERFUL.

You can be a person that has never been on a film set in their life and be an extra. One day, regular person, next day… oh, my gosh, on a movie set!!

But only if you are willing to be NICE, PREPARED and WONDERFUL. Because…

It can be a wonderful, life-changing experience.

See! It’s worth being be NICE, PREPARED and WONDERFUL.

It can also be incredibly boring.

R’oh, r’oh.

Mind-numbingly boring as you sit in the holding area (an area where the extras hang out while waiting to go to set).

This is starting to sound really unappealing. Maybe it’d be better to go to the local opening night?

There are some sets where you might be in holding for hours and hours before you get out on set. Heck, back in the day when I was doing extra work, I sat in the holding area for two entire days and I never even got out on set.

Hanging.

 

Sweet how she talks about back in her starving uh, casting director days.

She hung. A lot.

I said hello to the person on my right, and I said hello to the person on my left.

Then she turned herself around…

And then I laughed my head off for two straight days

And went completely insane. How fun!

—see, life is what you make it. Make a friend, or be miserable. Your choice.

That’s it? Only two choices in life?! Two?????

That’s the beauty and magic of film making!

I picture neither beauty nor magic when I read her description of life as an extra. But that’s just me.

The secret to being a successful working extra: Have a great attitude and be prepared! Bring a book for those times you are hanging in the holding area. Bring some snacks. Aside from the delicious lunch served about halfway through the day, don’t count on being fed at other times. I never did. You need to take care of yourself. Be smart. Bring a few drinks (um, not that kind). If you are working outside and it’s hot and sunny, wear sunscreen! If it’s freezing, layer what you can under your outfits. Bring hand and feet warmers. Are you starting to get it?

I think I got it back when you recounted the two "straight" days of hysterical laughter.

A normal film day lasts 12 hours and sometimes even hours longer. You need to be available the entire day/night. There’s no cutting out early, ever! (kids under 16 work fewer hours). If you are cast on a shoot you need to prepare yourself that you will never know when your day will be over. No one knows.

It sounds so not worth it. There has got to be a better route to breaking into showbiz!

 

Never ask on set, or at a wardrobe fitting, when you can go home – this is quite the uncomfortable question and will make you look ill-prepared (you want to be in the know – a rock star!) Please don’t ask. You’ll get some not-so-nice looks. Believe it or not, everything gets back to me. Instantly. Something happens on set with an extra and…

(goes on at length about how intrusive it is when an extra annoys someone important on set.)

***Things change constantly on films. This is so important to know. If you are cast for a particular shoot date, this date might change many times before you actually find yourself on set. Flexibility is key!

 

So here’s the scoop, people!

If you want a job with no security, horrendously long hours—both day and night—or conversely, no work whatsoever for long stretches, a job that can be deathly boring for extended periods, a job in which you will be made to stay in a holding area (wonder if that used to be called “pen”?), in other words if you want a craptastic job in the film industry in which you have no hope of being anything more than what you are—an “extra”—then this may be the job for you!

I’d like to give a “shout out” to all the fantastic extras I know—avert your eyes to the above as you already know all this and do fabulously well on set!

I dunno. I’d suggest “avert(ing) your eyes” for the entire page.

Working as a film extra is a challenge when shoot dates change – I realize that you guys go to great lengths to take off work, get babysitters, switch your lives around to be out on our sets. It’s appreciated.

Wow. Just wow. Someone explain to me why anyone would want to be an extra for more than say, once?

Thank you!

Can’t wait to see everyone! You guys rock!

We will be making calls to cast extras anytime from now until the end of June.

OK. Well you for sure won’t have me bothering you. Anyone else who does-- like the lady said, you guys rock!

Shoot the Sunset: Show us a self-taken picture of the sunset.

"The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire." -- Pamela Hansford Johnson

I love sunsets--almost as much as I love the sun shining brightly on a lovely spring day. I have found however, that some photography-types have gotten a bit jaded about sunsets. They seem to have thrown "sunsets" into a generic category of "what every amateur takes too many photographs of." I find this attitude in places like "the big F," especially. To that attitude I say pffft! I will never, ever tire of seeing a real-life sunset--my heart actually does a little leap upon glimpsing one.

Frederick Sunset~ Early April, 2007

And a pretty picture of one is the next best thing. So to all the sunset snobs I bid you farewell (you probably haven't even gotten this far, anyway) and to the rest of us, let's continue to enjoy the beautiful things in life that we are free to enjoy (almost) everywhere.

More here, on this blog: Sunrise/Sunset

Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, To Film "Public Enemy" April 6/7 at Paramount Theatre, Aurora

CORRECTION

Paramount Theatre's executive director said Thursday that four-time Oscar-nominated film director Michael Mann has signed a two-day contract to film scenes for "Public Enemies" at the downtown theatre on April 6 and 7.

Johnny Depp Filming Dillinger Death Scenes April 6 & 7, Paramount Theatre, Aurora, IL

So it is true! I picked up the Chicago Tribune yesterday (wrote a whole post then it went *poof!* That's OK, I have better intel today) and therein was a feature story on one of the country's and more specifically, the Midwest's most notorious Public Enemies, John Dillinger--but the reason for the story is that Johnny Depp is starring as John Dillinger. I'm so ashamed. I don't even know if I can call myself a true fan girl anymore. I have been so lax on my keeping up with media stuff...

Public Enemies, is a film by Michael Mann about the F.B.I's war against American gangsters John Dillinger, 'Baby Face' Nelson and 'Pretty Boy' Floyd. It stars Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Giovanni Ribisi, Stephen Dorff, Billy Crudup, Channing Tatum, and recent Oscar winner, Marion Cotillard.

Depp will play bank robber, John Dillinger, circa 1933-34, during a depression-era crime-wave when other gangsters like 'Baby Face' Nelson' and 'Pretty Boy' Floyd transformed J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI into the first US federal police force.               

Recent Academy Award winner, Marion Cotillard~

http://publicenemiescolumbus.blogspot.com/  (April 3) Rumour is it that Public Enemies - The Movie, will be making Christmas 2008 debut. In other news - Billy Crudup - who is playing Dr. Manhattan in the movie The Watchman has officially signed on to play Hoover in Public Enemies.

Anyway! Excitement! JD will be in the area filming--Johnny Depp Filming Dillinger Death Scenes April 6 & 7, Paramount Theatre, Aurora, IL.

I am familiar with the area in which Public Enemies is filming. Very fitting that it is a Chicago suburb with an appalling crime rate--and I know this first hand having worked with _NOT FOR_ the Aurora Police Dept for 3 years. It's a blighted town, bravely trying to remake itself with it's Riverboat Casino (ugh) dollars. My advice, if you are going to Aurora to watch Michael Mann, Depp, Christian Bale et al film Public Enemies on April 6 and 7 is to Edit/ use the city lot or banking lots or the street/End edit and then get a spot on the steps of what I believe is a courthouse, kitty-corner to the Paramount Theatre. The theatre is downtown, on the Fox River so you may be able to catch a spot on the sidewalk on either side of the river and get a bit closer. Don't go driving off away from the partly-rehabbed downtown though, unless you know exactly where you are going.

Paramount Theatre

 

I have some cool pix from the filming in Wisconsin in late March. I love the look of the director and film crew in these shots. It's astounding how they squeeze so well together, hanging off the side door of Johnny's car whilst he "drives" and they are totally in his face.

I could never pull that off! Ha! But it's big fun to watch. Movie's gonna rock!

Picture Depp uttering this (real-life) Dillinger sound bite, "I don't smoke much and I drink very little. I guess my only bad habit is robbing banks." After Sweeney Todd, I can absolutely see Johnny Depp doing Dillinger. Coolness!

The Tribune says shooting is in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois. You'll have to keep up with actual locations by searching Public Enemies shooting schedule, then read local papers for specifics of where/when.

Dillinger, from what I read, hid out/hung out in the more northern parts of the Chicago with his demise coming near what is now "the Loop," at the Biograph Theatre (which is now The Victory Gardens theatre).

Ugh, there's a point in 1934, the year he died that Dillinger gets plastic surgery in the Chicago home of James Probasco, who committed suicide after being arrested. I don't need to see that in the film but I'll bet it's in there anyway.

Oh heck, I just read that Christian Bale is in this too. The (at least) tied-for-best celluloid Batman yet? <fans self>

What do you think is too serious to joke around about?

Nothing. That's why we have "dark humour."

The Little Miss Priss side of me wants to say, war, death, disease, crime... but in truth we use humour all the time to cope with these things. If we don't see even a glimmer of humour in a situation then we are destined be forever glum about something as there is always something unpleasant happening. Therefore I feel humour is never not called for.

You do not have to agree with me.

However, we are probably horribly mismatched as neighbours if you can't see at least a bit of logic here.

Seriously. heh.

Joke in Bad Taste: