wait, so - who the hell is THEY?
so here is something i wonder...why do people always want to give you advice by saying....'you know what THEY say?'........who the f*$@ is 'THEY'?
who gets to be in this group who hands out information like that you shouldn't swim for 30 minutes after you eat. i feel like saying...'listen 'THEY', don't tell me how to live my life.'
wait, how does one get to be a part of this 'THEY'? do you have to try out? is it a special club? do I have to apply? can I get a student loan for this...or maybe i too can just start my own fascist regime of sorts where I can just start handing out random information under the guise of 'THEY'.
yeah - that's it!!! like, 'you know what 'THEY' say, you should give me a dollar everytime i give you advice' or 'you know what 'THEY' say, honking too much can mess up your car' 'you know what 'THEY' say, picking your nose can give you nose herpes'...really, anything - no matter how random could be used...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
...the winner is....OBAMA!!
Who among us is not at a loss for words? Tears pour out. Tears of joy. Tears of relief. A stunning, whopping landslide of hope in a time of deep despair.
In a nation that was founded on genocide and then built on the backs of slaves, it was an unexpected moment, shocking in its simplicity: Barack Obama, a good man, a black man, said he would bring change to Washington, and the majority of the country liked that idea. The racists were present throughout the campaign and in the voting booth. But they are no longer the majority, and we will see their flame of hate fizzle out in our lifetime.
There was another important "first" last night. Never before in our history has an avowed anti-war candidate been elected president during a time of war. I hope President-elect Obama remembers that as he considers expanding the war in Afghanistan. The faith we now have will be lost if he forgets the main issue on which he beat his fellow Dems in the primaries and then a great war hero in the general election: The people of America are tired of war. Sick and tired. And their voice was loud and clear yesterday.
It's been an inexcusable 44 years since a Democrat running for president has received even just 51% of the vote. That's because most Americans haven't really liked the Democrats. They see them as rarely having the guts to get the job done or stand up for the working people they say they support. Well, here's their chance. It has been handed to them, via the voting public, in the form of a man who is not a party hack, not a set-for-life Beltway bureaucrat. Will he now become one of them, or will he force them to be more like him? We pray for the latter.
But today we celebrate this triumph of decency over personal attack, of peace over war, of intelligence over a belief that Adam and Eve rode around on dinosaurs just 6,000 years ago. What will it be like to have a smart president? Science, banished for eight years, will return. Imagine supporting our country's greatest minds as they seek to cure illness, discover new forms of energy, and work to save the planet. I know, pinch me.
We may, just possibly, also see a time of refreshing openness, enlightenment and creativity. The arts and the artists will not be seen as the enemy. Perhaps art will be explored in order to discover the greater truths. When FDR was ushered in with his landslide in 1932, what followed was Frank Capra and Preston Sturgis, Woody Guthrie and John Steinbeck, Dorothea Lange and Orson Welles. All week long I have been inundated with media asking me, "gee, Mike, what will you do now that Bush is gone?" Are they kidding? What will it be like to work and create in an environment that nurtures and supports film and the arts, science and invention, and the freedom to be whatever you want to be? Watch a thousand flowers bloom! We've entered a new era, and if I could sum up our collective first thought of this new era, it is this: Anything Is Possible.
An African American has been elected President of the United States! Anything is possible! We can wrestle our economy out of the hands of the reckless rich and return it to the people. Anything is possible! Every citizen can be guaranteed health care. Anything is possible! We can stop melting the polar ice caps. Anything is possible! Those who have committed war crimes will be brought to justice. Anything is possible.
We really don't have much time. There is big work to do. But this is the week for all of us to revel in this great moment. Be humble about it. Do not treat the Republicans in your life the way they have treated you the past eight years. Show them the grace and goodness that Barack Obama exuded throughout the campaign. Though called every name in the book, he refused to lower himself to the gutter and sling the mud back. Can we follow his example? I know, it will be hard.
It's been a long road, and huge damage has been done to this great country, not to mention to many of you who have lost your jobs, gone bankrupt from medical bills, or suffered through a loved one being shipped off to Iraq. We will now work to repair this damage, and it won't be easy.
But what a way to start! Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States. Wow. Seriously, wow.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Michal Chronicles....Europe - Episode II
Hello again! Well, I know that I've talked to quite a bit of you through facebook and such... Things are still fantastic across the pond! I'm having a blast! I left Italy 3 days ago and am now in Spain. I've posted pictures on facebook and for those of you that aren't cool - and not on the ol' FB...I'll send you some when I get a moment. As you may know I tried to 'run with the bulls'. I chickened out. After 45 people died and I thought maybe a block was too far to run as those bulls are f'n fast!! Plus, I had my camera, I'm on my period and you know what they say about animals and chicks on their periods - oh - and I also had the baby...maybe that wasn't a winning combination. HAHA!
Anyhoo, I was at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain and got some great photo's. I can see myself living in a Palace. Hee Hee.... They were very protective of what I shot, so I can only publish a few...which I have...but I'll have some great stories to share. The mojito's are good here but I think Cuba is #1 in that department. Last night I was enjoying the 'VIRGEN DEL CARMEN' Festival here in Malaga. A little history about that below:
'...It's a hot, muggy eight o'clock in mid-July in the overgrown fishing village of Rincon de la Victoria. Crowds are gathered in the tree-lined plaza in front of the church, with its typical whitewashed façade. Others line the pavement on both sides of the street, or squeeze onto their balconies. If you peer through the open door, you can just make out the white and gold-robed priest presiding over a special mass for the town's patron, the Virgen del Carmen.
At last the bells ring out, long and loud, and the traffic police blow their whistles to redirect the traffic away from the main thoroughfare. The steady stream of residents and holidaymakers turns into a river, as they pour in from their houses, from the beach and from the cafes. A brass band strikes up the national anthem, and seconds later, the velvet-robed virgin appears on a throne decked in white carnations, borne by a dozen or so barefoot men in blue and white sailor suits. Everybody cheers and claps
Then, the equivalent of a boat's coxman, gives the first of the ceremony's many rallying cries: "Viva la Virgen!" And the eager congregation, respond, "Viva!" This is repeated three times. Now, the leader moves on to everyone's favourite chorus: "Y cómo es?" And what's she like? The crowd shouts back, "Guapa, guapa y guapa" - pretty, pretty and pretty, and the cheering and clapping start again.
Led by the priest, the sailors solemnly lift the throne onto their shoulders and make their way across the main road, with the crowds either rushing on ahead or following slowly behind. To get to the beach, they must pass through the narrow streets of the fishermen's quarter, where every cottage - whether traditional whitewashed or modern red-brick - hangs large Virgen del Carmen posters from its balconies, and where most have decorative "virgin" tiles set in the walls.
When the entourage finally step out into the fading sunlight, the cheering and clapping resume, this time rippling along the packed promenade, where elderly men and women in their Sunday best rub shoulders with bikini-clad holidaymakers and excited children. They are all word perfect when a Carmen enthusiast dressed in mourning black starts off the "Viva la Virgen" chorus. And most of them know what's coming next, when the sailors go into their display of physical prowess and devotion.
First, they lift up the throne on one hand, sweat pouring down their faces, then, incredibly, they get down on their knees and shuffle along a few painful metres. More "vivas" and "guapas" and applause.
At last they turn onto the beach and take the "Reina de los Mares" (Queen of the Seas) down to the shore. In some kind of ritual baptism they push her in and let the waves wash over the throne. Then they pull her out and set about mounting the throne onto a specially-prepared boat, decked with red and white carnations.
The waves are strong and they struggle with the launch, cheered on by scores of youngsters who are already in the choppy water up to their waists. Then she's in, rockets start firing off, and the little fishing boats lead their queen on her voyage round the bay, accompanied by some of the stronger swimmers.
As the regal party fades into the horizon, and the remaining light fades, the crowds disperse. Some wander down to the virgin's shrine at the western end of the beach, but most set about the serious business of finding a table on this, one of the busiest nights of the summer. An hour or so later, when coffees are being lingered over, the traffic stops again and the bedraggled tired out sailors make their way back to the church. Feeble cries of "viva" and "guapa" still ring out, but the excitement is just about over for another year...'
I'm here in Malaga for 1 more day then we're off to Huelva, Spain. It's very hot here and THANK GAWD our hotel is on the beach! Number of reasons - the ocean for swimming and the beach for banana hammock city!! AWESOME. Well chicas es chicos...gotta jet but I'll be back for Episode III very soon....maybe with some tales of debauchery and nudeness...we'll see. :p xoxo
Anyhoo, I was at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain and got some great photo's. I can see myself living in a Palace. Hee Hee.... They were very protective of what I shot, so I can only publish a few...which I have...but I'll have some great stories to share. The mojito's are good here but I think Cuba is #1 in that department. Last night I was enjoying the 'VIRGEN DEL CARMEN' Festival here in Malaga. A little history about that below:
'...It's a hot, muggy eight o'clock in mid-July in the overgrown fishing village of Rincon de la Victoria. Crowds are gathered in the tree-lined plaza in front of the church, with its typical whitewashed façade. Others line the pavement on both sides of the street, or squeeze onto their balconies. If you peer through the open door, you can just make out the white and gold-robed priest presiding over a special mass for the town's patron, the Virgen del Carmen.
At last the bells ring out, long and loud, and the traffic police blow their whistles to redirect the traffic away from the main thoroughfare. The steady stream of residents and holidaymakers turns into a river, as they pour in from their houses, from the beach and from the cafes. A brass band strikes up the national anthem, and seconds later, the velvet-robed virgin appears on a throne decked in white carnations, borne by a dozen or so barefoot men in blue and white sailor suits. Everybody cheers and claps
Then, the equivalent of a boat's coxman, gives the first of the ceremony's many rallying cries: "Viva la Virgen!" And the eager congregation, respond, "Viva!" This is repeated three times. Now, the leader moves on to everyone's favourite chorus: "Y cómo es?" And what's she like? The crowd shouts back, "Guapa, guapa y guapa" - pretty, pretty and pretty, and the cheering and clapping start again.
Led by the priest, the sailors solemnly lift the throne onto their shoulders and make their way across the main road, with the crowds either rushing on ahead or following slowly behind. To get to the beach, they must pass through the narrow streets of the fishermen's quarter, where every cottage - whether traditional whitewashed or modern red-brick - hangs large Virgen del Carmen posters from its balconies, and where most have decorative "virgin" tiles set in the walls.
When the entourage finally step out into the fading sunlight, the cheering and clapping resume, this time rippling along the packed promenade, where elderly men and women in their Sunday best rub shoulders with bikini-clad holidaymakers and excited children. They are all word perfect when a Carmen enthusiast dressed in mourning black starts off the "Viva la Virgen" chorus. And most of them know what's coming next, when the sailors go into their display of physical prowess and devotion.
First, they lift up the throne on one hand, sweat pouring down their faces, then, incredibly, they get down on their knees and shuffle along a few painful metres. More "vivas" and "guapas" and applause.
At last they turn onto the beach and take the "Reina de los Mares" (Queen of the Seas) down to the shore. In some kind of ritual baptism they push her in and let the waves wash over the throne. Then they pull her out and set about mounting the throne onto a specially-prepared boat, decked with red and white carnations.
The waves are strong and they struggle with the launch, cheered on by scores of youngsters who are already in the choppy water up to their waists. Then she's in, rockets start firing off, and the little fishing boats lead their queen on her voyage round the bay, accompanied by some of the stronger swimmers.
As the regal party fades into the horizon, and the remaining light fades, the crowds disperse. Some wander down to the virgin's shrine at the western end of the beach, but most set about the serious business of finding a table on this, one of the busiest nights of the summer. An hour or so later, when coffees are being lingered over, the traffic stops again and the bedraggled tired out sailors make their way back to the church. Feeble cries of "viva" and "guapa" still ring out, but the excitement is just about over for another year...'
I'm here in Malaga for 1 more day then we're off to Huelva, Spain. It's very hot here and THANK GAWD our hotel is on the beach! Number of reasons - the ocean for swimming and the beach for banana hammock city!! AWESOME. Well chicas es chicos...gotta jet but I'll be back for Episode III very soon....maybe with some tales of debauchery and nudeness...we'll see. :p xoxo
Friday, July 11, 2008
Michal Chronicles....Europe - Episode I
Let's start off by saying, 'I'd like to say I wish I were back in Canada...but I can't...i LOVE it here!! The weather is fantastic, the men are *drool* - the food is delicious, and the booze seems to be flowing from every direction - there goes my 'going clean' streak! Pic's to come once I download them to my puter... Everyone is awesome from the crew to the band. The tour bus is soooo cool as you'll see in the pic's...and I've marked my territory by throwing up in it 4 times my first day in it! My flight from London from Toronto was awesome. My 'pod' in executive class was next to Dustin Hoffman. He spent the entire flight starring at me. Finally his assistant came over to me when he was in the bathroom and said I hope he's not creeping you out as he thinks he knows you from somewhere.... I was like, 'he's not creepy - he just has good taste...'! Bah hahahaha!!! Anyway, then Dustin as he likes to be called...apologized for gazing at me and then we talked about film for a bit and what I did - blah blah blah - then I introduced him to the 'mile high club'....He won't forget me anymore...
LOL! It was cool. The hotels we've been staying in have been pretty sweet. The only think that sucks balls is that when I'm in my room late at night the only thing on TV are shows in the language of the country we're in...there are only some many german shiza videos I can watch...sheesh! I can't even streamline or download here as I'm international - fer f's sake! I've enjoyed parts of England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and now I'm in Italy...Buongiorno mi amore!! The drive from Stuttgard Germany to Udine Italy was AMAZING! The mountains on each side of the bus were breathtaking... and right behind those were the Swiss Alps - the biggest snow capped mountains you'll ever see! There are no words to describe the things I saw... The smells here in Italy are absolutely incredible...Wine, Flowers and Food...mmmmm and the freaking men - WOAH!! Man, I've never been hit on so much in my life - I'm not complaining but I'm starting to run out of excuses on why I wont kiss them... LOL! I'm going to go out for dinner and drinks with some of the guys from the crew and the band....Other than that all is well with me. I'm not throwing up anymore on the bus thanks to these amazing patch things I stick behind my ear - Tomorrow we have concert here in Udine, Italy...then off to Brescia for 2 days and then Milan...wooooo After Milan we fly to Madrid, Spain - where yes, I've psyched myself out to run with the bulls - a couple of blocks at least! Note to self: don't wear my red bandana or red shorts... Well dudes, I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer thus far and Episode II of the Michal Chronicles will soon follow with pic's!
LOL! It was cool. The hotels we've been staying in have been pretty sweet. The only think that sucks balls is that when I'm in my room late at night the only thing on TV are shows in the language of the country we're in...there are only some many german shiza videos I can watch...sheesh! I can't even streamline or download here as I'm international - fer f's sake! I've enjoyed parts of England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and now I'm in Italy...Buongiorno mi amore!! The drive from Stuttgard Germany to Udine Italy was AMAZING! The mountains on each side of the bus were breathtaking... and right behind those were the Swiss Alps - the biggest snow capped mountains you'll ever see! There are no words to describe the things I saw... The smells here in Italy are absolutely incredible...Wine, Flowers and Food...mmmmm and the freaking men - WOAH!! Man, I've never been hit on so much in my life - I'm not complaining but I'm starting to run out of excuses on why I wont kiss them... LOL! I'm going to go out for dinner and drinks with some of the guys from the crew and the band....Other than that all is well with me. I'm not throwing up anymore on the bus thanks to these amazing patch things I stick behind my ear - Tomorrow we have concert here in Udine, Italy...then off to Brescia for 2 days and then Milan...wooooo After Milan we fly to Madrid, Spain - where yes, I've psyched myself out to run with the bulls - a couple of blocks at least! Note to self: don't wear my red bandana or red shorts... Well dudes, I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer thus far and Episode II of the Michal Chronicles will soon follow with pic's!
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