Coney Island February 2008

Words can only hurt you if you read them.
Don't play their game.

- Derek Zoolander

Twenty-two movies, 90 women, tens of millions of fans.

Common complaints about the new 007 films:

What’s with the realism?
Where’s R and the gadgets?
Daniel’s too short.

I grew up with Pierce Brosnan as my James Bond, and I'm excited to add Daniel Craig to that list, as I've been to the theatre twice now for Quantum of Solace. A little research is required for me to become acquainted with Timothy, Roger and Sean (and that random guy who was Bond for a day).

I watched Bond Girls are Forever (2002) today, compliments of Comcast On Demand, and was reminded why I am a fan of the new direction for 007 in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Today I have identified my natural distaste for the way women are portrayed in most all of the original Bond movies as powerless sex objects. Being a fictional fantasy just for the sake of a man is a waste. Today’s Bond Women are sexy because they are sophisticated, intelligent, athletic, gorgeous and worthy adversaries of James.

Sean Connery and Roger Moore’s James Bond character behaved repulsively toward women. Sexually harassing his secretary, slapping women on the butt, dialoguing with women with cheesy sexual innuendos, and forcing or tricking them to be intimate with him. Condoning misogynistic or chauvinistic behavior by heroes in screenplays today is absolutely unheard of. Daniel Craig is the neo 007 agent, a reflection of the human rights progress made today in western society.


Some memorable Bond Girl names:

Honey Rider
Pussy Galore
Kissy Suzuki
Plenty O’Toole
Thumper
Mary Goodnight
Holly Goodhead
Octopussy
Xenia Onatopp


Click here for Bond Girls pics and bios

Fellow job-seekers: What do we do now?

Hiring freezes. Layoff increases.

A Chicago Associated Press writer is doing a piece on "recent grads, who moved back in with their parents and may be waiting tables." That's me! One of my coworkers at WVUS pitched me for it. Miss AP is interested in an in-person interview, but doesn't think she has the budget to fly to Seattle. I'm expecting a call next week.

In my life, the only thing suffering in the wake of our failing economy is my pride, as I am 22 with no dependents. My heart goes out to those who find themselves jobless while they are trying to provide for their families and loved ones. Can we, as a nation, tighten our belts and live with a little less? This Christmas season will be the first challenge.

I am thankful to God who has opened networking opportunities for me at WVUS, and a reliable part-time job at Sbux that provides for practical needs (health, savings). I pray that I can be a good steward of the things He has provided for me.

What's missing in our culture's literature lately: how to be productive when you're unemployed.

Jobless Rate at 14-Year High After October Losses

The American economy lost another 240,000 jobs in October, the government reported Friday, as cash-strapped consumers pulled back and businesses hunkered down, intensifying the distress gripping much of the country.

The unemployment rate spiked to 6.5 percent from 6.1 percent, the highest level since 1994. Many analysts now expect unemployment will reach 8 percent by the middle of next year.

Coupled with revisions to September’s data — which now show a loss of 284,000 jobs, down from an initial estimate of 159,000 — the economy has shed 1.2 million jobs since the beginning of the year. More than half the job losses have been in the last three months.

New York Times

"We're talking about innocent children!"

Jack Bauer said it himself.

Fox Television's 24: Redemption features a child soldier plot in it's season 7 premiere Nov. 23. The two hour event is available on DVD the following Tuesday, including a "Children of War" bonus featurette.

After sacrificing everything for his country, Jack Bauer (Sutherland) is wanted by the U.S. government and now stands to lose the only thing he has left: his freedom. Working as a missionary in Africa, Bauer is called upon to stop a ruthless warlord from drafting innocent children into his murderous militia. First, Bauer must confront his own torturous past and face an impossible decision that will change his life forever. A decision that will set the stage and raise the stakes for Season Seven, which debuts in January 2009.

Fox Television 23:Redemption

President Aide “It is his country.”
President Noah Daniels “But I’m paying for it”

President Noah Daniels “I don’t want those transactions traceable.”
President Aide “Burn the records and bury the ashes.”

President-elect Allison Taylor “Last time [General Benjamin] Juma made a power grab he ignited a tribal war that killed tens of thousands of civilians.”
Taylor Aide “But it isn’t our war.”

U.S. tax dollars continue to fund the use of child soldiers abroad
Bill to restrict military funding to governments using child soldiers still waiting for Senate vote

Click here to educate yourself

Blown Away

Maui. Lahaina's Front Street has art galleries nearly every other store.

At first glance, Thomas Barbèy's collection seems reminiscent to final projects of devoted TIU advanced Photoshop students, but a closer look will reveal that Barbèy's work is the product of darkroom black and white photo montages- a hands-on task that doesn't permit control Z, S, or P.

Above is my favorite piece Blown Away

thomasbarbey.com

"The purpose of art is mystery." Rene Magritte

"Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth." Pablo Picasso

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." Albert Einstein

Mom was looking through some old photographs and she came across this one. I believe we are at the Lobster Shop stretch of Dash Point State Park. I'm guessing 1988ish.

1 day in Maui

From two volcanic eruptions emerged an island home to the warrior god Maui. He climbed Mt Haleakala and cast a fish net around the sun to pull it closer to his land. Yet, Maui island is the second wettest place on earth.

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Juli and I jumped plane on a whim to Maui Tuesday. We lodged at the North Shore Hostel in Wailuku for $25 per night.

Juli poses in our dorm room at the Northshore Hostel

After interpreting public transportation schedules, we found a stretch of beaches in Kihei by two $1 bus rides. Juli plopped on Kamaole Beach III and I dropped my towel to run into the surfless ocean. It was overcast and early evening.

We walked the coast to scout out dinner and found a couple friendly beach volleyball games to jump in. We enjoyed happy hour Tequila Sunsets while waiting for our half price Hawaiin pizzas and Hawaiin Island on tap.

A snap of the ocean from Kamaole III in Kihei our first night

Previous to the trip, I reserved an Advantage rental car at $11.80 for two days. After taxes it came to about $35. I was prepared for a "young driver's fee" that was mentioned in the confirmation, but not a $25 extra per day fee! The new rental bill came to $126 (that included a prepaid $33 bucks of gas). To top it off the Advantage Agent swiped my credit card before letting me know about the huge increase.

To the dismay of all parties, I declined the service. We came back the next day to rent the car for 1 day. I waived all insurance and prepaid gas "deals," got the car for $24 a day and paid $25 for young driver fee. When it was all said and done I paid $60. Not by any means a bargain, but it was personal wheels for 24 hours in the form of a Chevy Aveo.

A serene pit stop on the road to Hana.

Our North Shore Hostel roommate Junko tagged with us on the road to Hana. It's about a 50 mile coastal stretch of historic, scenic highway. We hiked to Twin Falls, stopped off at Blacksand Beach, snacked on coconut macadamia brownies and pineapple banana smoothies at the roadside fruit stands, and jumped in the calm ocean at Hana Bay.

The view from the highway on the way back.

Upon returning to Wailuku we enjoyed Thai cuisine with Junko at a restaurant across the street from the hostel. After green curry and thai ice tea, we set out for Lahaina, known for its "nightlife." Front Street was a cutesy tourist strip of art galleries, restaurants and shops paralleling the beach. It reminded me of Downtown Disney with a Hungington Beach Pier flavor. Live music in open bars could be enjoyed walking the streets below as we perused the shops.

Front Street Lahaina.

The car return was due at 11:30am and our flight home was at 1pm, so we packed early and hit the beach near Paia. Lifeguard flags were up warning of shallow breaking waves, but a few of us jumped in anyway. The tropical wave pool entertained me for a few hours, until it was time to say goodbye to Maui.

My hair was still a little wet upon landing in Seattle :)



Below is our Maui road map. Our footprints are in blue.
A: Kahalui, Maui Airport
F(B)(D): Wailuku, North Shore Hostel
C. Kihei, Kamaole Beaches
E: Hana
G: Lahaina, Front Street

Is this what hell is like?

I tried out a stand up tanning bed today. It was intense. No really, it was called an Intensive Stand Up Tanning Bed. I disrobed, lotioned, stepped in, shut the door, pressed the button and BAM! ultraviolet rays assaulted my skin (hot and SCARY!)... except for the area that was covered with a small three-leaf clover sticker. I bathed in the synthetic sun for 5 minutes.

Aruba Tanning, next to LA Fitness, is brand new (just like the rest of The Crossings) and really nice. The receptionist was helpful and friendly, and he wasn't a too-tan monkey (that nickname goes waaaay back ;)

I love LA Fitness. On my way out today I asked one of the trainers for a free guest pass on-the-spot for my friend Jeff who is in town for the month. He scribbled his employee number and signature on a business card and crafted a make-shift one-week admittance ticket.

Gustav delays Nicole's poetry exam

My enrollment at LSU for ENG 2027 expires September 20th! ... and then I have 40 days to complete the Final Exam. Plenty of tiempo :)

On Labor Day I finally submitted my last poetry assignment! Upon submission, Louisiana State University sends the final exam to my proctor (currently Highline Community College Test Center with Robin Loveless, formerly Trinity International University's Samir Massouh). It's been a week and there is no confirmation that LSU has received my last assignment or that my test has been sent out. Uh oh. So I sent an email to check up on things...

I'M SUCH AN IGNORAMUS!

This was the auto response from LSU...

Louisiana State University will be closed September 1 for the Labor day holiday and September 2 in preparation for Tropical Storm (or Hurricane) Gustav. We will respond to any emails in the order that they have been received as soon as we can.

You may refer to your course guide, your program bulletin, or use our web site as many of the answers to your questions may be found in those resources.

How crazy... Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA.

Once I complete Poetry, my LSU transcript will be submitted to TIU and should hopefully not take more than a couple months to process and I will have my diploma!


Laid back/no gift pleae Grad Party TBA!