So my latest post ("Why we should all aspire to be like dogs") has inspired the first of my new feature "If I ruled the world for a day." While I intend for later posts in the series to reflect more of a lighthearted commentary on grievances that affect most of us, I think it's important that my first one reflect something that I feel very passionate about (considering that it's the first thing I plan to change when I make my ascent to one day of world domination and all).
That being said, if I ruled the world for a day, dogs would be given the official state title of "Man's Best Friend," and would be afforded rights which have never before been given to animals. I think the below video clearly displays that animals of the canine breed are far superior in mind and heart than many other animal species (including some homosapiens). Throughout history, there have been countless instances of dogs assisting humans. From pulling sleds over great snowy distances and carrying medical supplies to those in need to searching and rescuing the lost, guiding the blind and assisting police in the search and seizure of dangerous criminals, for years and years, dogs have aided humans and it's time that we repay the favor.
While they wouldn't quite be at the same level as humans, any lowlife loser who mistreated a dog would be subject to harsh penalty (and I don't mean financial), in the form of having the same thing done to them as they did to the dog. See how you like it, buster. And I don't think I need to say that the nasty scumbag driver that hit the little pup in the below video would be in a lot of pain.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Why we should all aspire to be like dogs
I saw this video on Fox News this morning. Just a warning, if you are an animal lover this video is very sad but very heartwarming at the same time (may be tear-inducing...)
Dog Save Road Injured Dog - Watch more free videos
This is a sad commentary on humans - how many cars drove by and didn't stop (not to mention the driver that hit the dog who apparently could have cared less)? But heartwarming because it shows what great animals dogs really are. Putting your life in danger to save a friend is more than a lot of humans would do for each other. Light at the end of the tunnnel: Fox reports that both dogs are okay.
If you have a dog, make sure to give him a big hug today.
Dog Save Road Injured Dog - Watch more free videos
This is a sad commentary on humans - how many cars drove by and didn't stop (not to mention the driver that hit the dog who apparently could have cared less)? But heartwarming because it shows what great animals dogs really are. Putting your life in danger to save a friend is more than a lot of humans would do for each other. Light at the end of the tunnnel: Fox reports that both dogs are okay.
If you have a dog, make sure to give him a big hug today.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Britney: Back or Crazier than Ever?
So by now I'm sure that all of you loyal readers have seen the new "documentary" (and I use that term loosely), Britney: For the Record, which aired on MTV Sunday night, then twice directly after that, and at least fourteen more times this week (I know this because I have watched part, if not the entire thing, of these subsequent reruns.
Anyway...when watching this "documentary," Britney took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. First, I felt anticipation at what she would reveal. Would she discuss her divorce, her break-up with Justin and most importantly, shaving her head and going psycho on the paparazzi with the baseball bat? (Don't pretend the crazy eyes in the pictures from that night aren't burned into your memories forever, too).
Then, happiness, because Britney looks sooo good. She appears to have put the Cheetos, Doritos and other -'tos' ending snacks away (and hopefully quit feeding them to her children, as well. While delicious, they are not meant for daily consumption by youngsters under the age of two), hit the treadmill and the dance studio, and has finally taken care of those extensions - though I'm still not quite sure why it took someone with millions of dollars and countless hair stylists at their disposal this long to realize that the Jessica Simpson/Ken Paves synthetic hair sold on QVC and at your local Sally's Beauty Supply just weren't doing anything for her. I mean, if you can afford the real thing (as in real hair in your extensions), you should splurge. But nonetheless, her hair, bod and overall appearance seemed to be in much better condition than they had been in a looong time.
The next stop on my "docu"-rollercoaster ride was elation. This can be attributed to my conclusion that yes, Britney did in fact appear to be back. She won all those VMAs earlier this year (quite an accomplishment since she hadn't actually done anything to warrant a win, right?), performed onstage with Madonna, was prepping to release her new album and to go on tour with a really awesome circus theme (so creative!), and of course, as stated earlier - she looks really, really good. The girl is back and better than ever.
But then the rollercoaster hit a bump and got stuck in the middle of an upside down loop. The bump occurred when Britney sought the phone number of the heinous dancer from the play she went to see in New York. But I decided to look past that. She's pretty isolated, I guess, so maybe it's hard for her to meet people (it would explain K-fed, at least). But then she started crying to the documentarian and saying that her life was boring and lacked any passion. I'm confused. The girl in the middle of the biggest comeback of her career and possibly of all time shouldn't be crying, right? And I have to say while her life is many, many things, it certainly doesn't appear to be boring - at least not by my definition. But moral of the story, Britney looked really, really sad and didn't appear to be quite as healthy as I had first thought. As she wiped the snot away from her runny nose with the back of her hand, it dawned on me that perhaps I had made a premature assesment in declaring that Britney is back. In fact, a more accurate assessment might be that Britney is bipolar.
Don't get me wrong, she is clearly in better shape than she has been in a long time, and I would certainly be a little nuts if I had hundreds of paparazzi following my every move. But I think the jury is still out on whether this is really her big comeback. It appears to all be highly orchestrated by her father and Larry Rudolph, so we have yet to see what Britney will do if left to her own devices. Anyway, these are my thoughts, share yours and answer my poll about whether or not you think BSpears is really back.
Anyway...when watching this "documentary," Britney took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. First, I felt anticipation at what she would reveal. Would she discuss her divorce, her break-up with Justin and most importantly, shaving her head and going psycho on the paparazzi with the baseball bat? (Don't pretend the crazy eyes in the pictures from that night aren't burned into your memories forever, too).
Then, happiness, because Britney looks sooo good. She appears to have put the Cheetos, Doritos and other -'tos' ending snacks away (and hopefully quit feeding them to her children, as well. While delicious, they are not meant for daily consumption by youngsters under the age of two), hit the treadmill and the dance studio, and has finally taken care of those extensions - though I'm still not quite sure why it took someone with millions of dollars and countless hair stylists at their disposal this long to realize that the Jessica Simpson/Ken Paves synthetic hair sold on QVC and at your local Sally's Beauty Supply just weren't doing anything for her. I mean, if you can afford the real thing (as in real hair in your extensions), you should splurge. But nonetheless, her hair, bod and overall appearance seemed to be in much better condition than they had been in a looong time.
The next stop on my "docu"-rollercoaster ride was elation. This can be attributed to my conclusion that yes, Britney did in fact appear to be back. She won all those VMAs earlier this year (quite an accomplishment since she hadn't actually done anything to warrant a win, right?), performed onstage with Madonna, was prepping to release her new album and to go on tour with a really awesome circus theme (so creative!), and of course, as stated earlier - she looks really, really good. The girl is back and better than ever.
But then the rollercoaster hit a bump and got stuck in the middle of an upside down loop. The bump occurred when Britney sought the phone number of the heinous dancer from the play she went to see in New York. But I decided to look past that. She's pretty isolated, I guess, so maybe it's hard for her to meet people (it would explain K-fed, at least). But then she started crying to the documentarian and saying that her life was boring and lacked any passion. I'm confused. The girl in the middle of the biggest comeback of her career and possibly of all time shouldn't be crying, right? And I have to say while her life is many, many things, it certainly doesn't appear to be boring - at least not by my definition. But moral of the story, Britney looked really, really sad and didn't appear to be quite as healthy as I had first thought. As she wiped the snot away from her runny nose with the back of her hand, it dawned on me that perhaps I had made a premature assesment in declaring that Britney is back. In fact, a more accurate assessment might be that Britney is bipolar.
Don't get me wrong, she is clearly in better shape than she has been in a long time, and I would certainly be a little nuts if I had hundreds of paparazzi following my every move. But I think the jury is still out on whether this is really her big comeback. It appears to all be highly orchestrated by her father and Larry Rudolph, so we have yet to see what Britney will do if left to her own devices. Anyway, these are my thoughts, share yours and answer my poll about whether or not you think BSpears is really back.
New Blog Design and New Feature!
I know that it has been a long time since my last post, and that all of you loyal readers have been wondering where the heck I have been. Well I apologize for my absence, but I am now back and better than ever with a new blog design and a new feature, called "If I ruled the world for a day."
Stay tuned for the first post of my fab new feature...
Stay tuned for the first post of my fab new feature...
Thursday, November 6, 2008
'Jurassic Park' author Michael Crichton dies at 66
By Associated Press writer HILLEL ITALIE
Michael Crichton, the million-selling author who made scientific research terrifying and irresistible in such thrillers as "Jurassic Park,""Timeline" and "The Andromeda Strain," has died of cancer, his family said. Crichton died Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 66 after privately battling cancer.
"Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand," his family said in a statement.
"While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us - and entertained us all while doing so - his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes."
He was an experimenter and popularizer known for his stories of disaster and systematic breakdown, such as the rampant microbe of "The Andromeda Strain" or the dinosaurs running madly in "Jurassic Park." Many of his books became major Hollywood movies, including "Jurassic Park,""Rising Sun" and "Disclosure." Crichton himself directed and wrote "The Great Train Robbery" and he co-wrote the script for the blockbuster "Twister."
1994, he created the award-winning TV hospital series "ER." He's even had a dinosaur named for him, Crichton's ankylosaur.
"Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of 'Jurassic Park,'" said "Jurassic Park" director Steven Spielberg, a friend of Crichton's for 40 years. "He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the Earth. ... Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels. There is no one in the wings that will ever take his place."
John Wells, executive producer of "ER" called the author "an extraordinary man. Brilliant, funny, erudite, gracious, exceptionally inquisitive and always thoughtful.
"No lunch with Michael lasted less than three hours and no subject was too prosaic or obscure to attract his interest. Sexual politics, medical and scientific ethics, anthropology, archaeology, economics, astronomy, astrology, quantum physics, and molecular biology were all regular topics of conversation."
Neal Baer, a physician who became an executive producer on "ER," was a fourth-year medical student at Harvard University when Wells, a longtime friend, sent him Crichton's script.
"I said, 'Wow, this is like my life.' Michael had been a medical student at Harvard in the early '70s and I was going through the same thing about 20 years later," said Baer. "ER" offered a fresh take on the TV medical drama, making doctors the central focus rather than patients. In the early life of "ER," Crichton, who hadn't been involved in medicine for years, and Spielberg would take part in writers' room discussions.
In recent years, Crichton was the rare novelist granted a White House meeting with President Bush, perhaps because of his skepticism about global warming, which Crichton addressed in the 2004 novel, "State of Fear." Crichton's views were strongly condemned by environmentalists, who alleged that the author was hurting efforts to pass legislation to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.
If not a literary giant, he was a physical one, standing 6 feet and 9 inches, and ready for battle with the press. In a 2004 interview with The Associated Press, Crichton came with a tape recorder, text books and a pile of graphs and charts as he defended "State of Fear" and his take on global warming.
"I have a lot of trouble with things that don't seem true to me," Crichton said at the time, his large, manicured hands gesturing to his graphs. "I'm very uncomfortable just accepting. There's something in me that wants to pound the table and say, 'That's not true.'"
He spoke to few scientists about his questions, convinced that he could interpret the data himself. "If we put everything in the hands of experts and if we say that as intelligent outsiders, we are not qualified to look over the shoulder of anybody, then we're in some kind of really weird world," he said.
A new novel by Crichton had been tentatively scheduled to come next month, but publisher HarperCollins said the book was postponed indefinitely because of his illness.
One of four siblings, Crichton was born in Chicago and grew up in Roslyn, Long Island. His father was a journalist and young Michael spent much of his childhood writing extra papers for teachers. In third grade, he wrote a nine-page play that his father typed for him using carbon paper so the other kids would know their parts. He was tall, gangly and awkward, and used writing as a way to escape; Mark Twain and Alfred Hitchcock were his role models.
Figuring he would not be able to make a living as writer, and not good enough at basketball, he decided to become a doctor. He studied anthropology at Harvard College, and later graduated from Harvard Medical School. During medical school, he turned out books under pseudonyms. (One that the tall author used was Jeffrey Hudson, a 17th-century dwarf in the court of King Charles II of England.) He had modest success with his writing and decided to pursue it.
His first hit, "The Andromeda Strain," was written while he was still in medical school and quickly caught on upon its 1969 release. It was a featured selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and was sold to Universal in Hollywood for $250,000.
"A few of the teachers feel I'm wasting my time, and that in some ways I have wasted theirs," he told The New York Times in 1969. "When I asked for a couple of days off to go to California about a movie sale, that raised an eyebrow."
His books seemed designed to provoke debate, whether the theories of quantum physics in "Timeline," the reverse sexual discrimination of "Disclosure" or the spectre of Japanese eminence in "Rising Sun."
"The initial response from the (Japanese) establishment was, 'You're a racist,'" he told the AP. "So then, because I'm always trying to deal with data, I went on a tour talking about it and gave a very careful argument, and their response came back, 'Well you say that but we know you're a racist.'"
Crichton had a rigid work schedule: rising before dawn and writing from about 6 a.m. to around 3 p.m., breaking only for lunch. He enjoyed being one of the few novelists recognized in public, but he also felt limited by fame.
"Of course, the celebrity is nice. But when I go do research, it's much more difficult now. The kind of freedom I had 10 years ago is gone," he told the AP. "You have to have good table manners; you can't have spaghetti hanging out of your mouth at a restaurant."
Crichton was married five times and had one child. A private funeral is planned.
Rest in peace, Mr. Crichton. You will be sorely missed.
Michael Crichton, the million-selling author who made scientific research terrifying and irresistible in such thrillers as "Jurassic Park,""Timeline" and "The Andromeda Strain," has died of cancer, his family said. Crichton died Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 66 after privately battling cancer.
"Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand," his family said in a statement.
"While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us - and entertained us all while doing so - his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes."
He was an experimenter and popularizer known for his stories of disaster and systematic breakdown, such as the rampant microbe of "The Andromeda Strain" or the dinosaurs running madly in "Jurassic Park." Many of his books became major Hollywood movies, including "Jurassic Park,""Rising Sun" and "Disclosure." Crichton himself directed and wrote "The Great Train Robbery" and he co-wrote the script for the blockbuster "Twister."
1994, he created the award-winning TV hospital series "ER." He's even had a dinosaur named for him, Crichton's ankylosaur.
"Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of 'Jurassic Park,'" said "Jurassic Park" director Steven Spielberg, a friend of Crichton's for 40 years. "He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the Earth. ... Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels. There is no one in the wings that will ever take his place."
John Wells, executive producer of "ER" called the author "an extraordinary man. Brilliant, funny, erudite, gracious, exceptionally inquisitive and always thoughtful.
"No lunch with Michael lasted less than three hours and no subject was too prosaic or obscure to attract his interest. Sexual politics, medical and scientific ethics, anthropology, archaeology, economics, astronomy, astrology, quantum physics, and molecular biology were all regular topics of conversation."
Neal Baer, a physician who became an executive producer on "ER," was a fourth-year medical student at Harvard University when Wells, a longtime friend, sent him Crichton's script.
"I said, 'Wow, this is like my life.' Michael had been a medical student at Harvard in the early '70s and I was going through the same thing about 20 years later," said Baer. "ER" offered a fresh take on the TV medical drama, making doctors the central focus rather than patients. In the early life of "ER," Crichton, who hadn't been involved in medicine for years, and Spielberg would take part in writers' room discussions.
In recent years, Crichton was the rare novelist granted a White House meeting with President Bush, perhaps because of his skepticism about global warming, which Crichton addressed in the 2004 novel, "State of Fear." Crichton's views were strongly condemned by environmentalists, who alleged that the author was hurting efforts to pass legislation to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide.
If not a literary giant, he was a physical one, standing 6 feet and 9 inches, and ready for battle with the press. In a 2004 interview with The Associated Press, Crichton came with a tape recorder, text books and a pile of graphs and charts as he defended "State of Fear" and his take on global warming.
"I have a lot of trouble with things that don't seem true to me," Crichton said at the time, his large, manicured hands gesturing to his graphs. "I'm very uncomfortable just accepting. There's something in me that wants to pound the table and say, 'That's not true.'"
He spoke to few scientists about his questions, convinced that he could interpret the data himself. "If we put everything in the hands of experts and if we say that as intelligent outsiders, we are not qualified to look over the shoulder of anybody, then we're in some kind of really weird world," he said.
A new novel by Crichton had been tentatively scheduled to come next month, but publisher HarperCollins said the book was postponed indefinitely because of his illness.
One of four siblings, Crichton was born in Chicago and grew up in Roslyn, Long Island. His father was a journalist and young Michael spent much of his childhood writing extra papers for teachers. In third grade, he wrote a nine-page play that his father typed for him using carbon paper so the other kids would know their parts. He was tall, gangly and awkward, and used writing as a way to escape; Mark Twain and Alfred Hitchcock were his role models.
Figuring he would not be able to make a living as writer, and not good enough at basketball, he decided to become a doctor. He studied anthropology at Harvard College, and later graduated from Harvard Medical School. During medical school, he turned out books under pseudonyms. (One that the tall author used was Jeffrey Hudson, a 17th-century dwarf in the court of King Charles II of England.) He had modest success with his writing and decided to pursue it.
His first hit, "The Andromeda Strain," was written while he was still in medical school and quickly caught on upon its 1969 release. It was a featured selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and was sold to Universal in Hollywood for $250,000.
"A few of the teachers feel I'm wasting my time, and that in some ways I have wasted theirs," he told The New York Times in 1969. "When I asked for a couple of days off to go to California about a movie sale, that raised an eyebrow."
His books seemed designed to provoke debate, whether the theories of quantum physics in "Timeline," the reverse sexual discrimination of "Disclosure" or the spectre of Japanese eminence in "Rising Sun."
"The initial response from the (Japanese) establishment was, 'You're a racist,'" he told the AP. "So then, because I'm always trying to deal with data, I went on a tour talking about it and gave a very careful argument, and their response came back, 'Well you say that but we know you're a racist.'"
Crichton had a rigid work schedule: rising before dawn and writing from about 6 a.m. to around 3 p.m., breaking only for lunch. He enjoyed being one of the few novelists recognized in public, but he also felt limited by fame.
"Of course, the celebrity is nice. But when I go do research, it's much more difficult now. The kind of freedom I had 10 years ago is gone," he told the AP. "You have to have good table manners; you can't have spaghetti hanging out of your mouth at a restaurant."
Crichton was married five times and had one child. A private funeral is planned.
Rest in peace, Mr. Crichton. You will be sorely missed.
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