This is crazy.
Glorification of often-fatal eating disorder is flourishing, researchers find
(HealthDay News)
-A visit to a typical "pro-ana" Web site - an online forum for anorexics - tells a disturbing story. Photos of rake-thin women are everywhere; a shot of one emaciated model, her bones protruding, is emblazoned "Feel Sexy, Join (the) ProAna Movement."
In the site's chat forum, one correspondent says, "i hate myself im so big and i have to loss (sic) 20 lbs by june 3th."
Another correspondent repeats the pro-anorexia catchphrase:
"Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels."
"Pro-ana" forums like these are sprouting throughout the Web, and a new study finds that teens with an eating disorder who visit these sites fare far worse than other young anorexics or bulimics.
According to researchers at Stanford University and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital (LPCH) in Palo Alto, Calif., 40 percent of patients interviewed had visited such sites. Teens with an eating disorder who frequent these sites were hospitalized three times more than nonusers, the researchers said.
And the study, presented at this week's meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Washington, D.C., found that nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of visitors to pro-eating-disorder sites used new weight loss or purging techniques they learned about through the sites.
These online forums "seem to give teens an outlet to express their private eating-disorder thoughts in an anonymous forum," said study co-author Dr. Rebecka Peebles, adolescent medicine specialist at LPCH. With provocative words and images, the sites' warnings about entering give them a "forbidden fruit" ambience that can actually appeal to teens, Peebles said.
Pro-eating-disorder Web sites have proliferated on the Internet, luring vulnerable teens into viewing anorexia or bulimia as a "lifestyle choice" rather than an illness. In fact, these sites now outnumber pro-recovery sites five to one, experts point out. By 2003 - the last time experts attempted a precise count - over 500 "pro-ana" sites existed on the Internet, Peebles said.
Besides offering confused young girls "support" in staying away from food, the Web sites provide girls and women with new methods of hiding their eating disorder behaviors, cheating on weigh-ins at the doctor's office, and providing what the sites call
"thinspiration"
- glamour shots of thin women and celebrities, and specially designed goal-weight charts.
Some sites even include a special food pyramid, with food placed at the narrow tip to be used sparingly while the bulk of the structure promotes large rations of water, diet soda, black coffee and cigarettes.
Many also sell merchandise such as "Mia" (code for Bulimia) and "Ana" (code for anorexia) jewelry, t-shirts and other products. These products help fund the Web sites.
"Especially for teens in recovery, they have so many people pushing against their eating disorder, such as doctors and parents, that these sites support that part of their brain that says 'yes' to the eating disorder," said Dr. Martin Fisher, chief of the division of adolescent medicine at Schneider Children's Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y.
The fear is that for those with an undiagnosed and untreated eating disorder, this sense of community with other victims could spur the disease on, encouraging destructive weight loss behavior and thoughts. "It's also one way of slowing recovery for those receiving treatment," Fisher said.
Another concern among experts hoping to curb anorexia and bulimia is that these Web sites might trigger new cases in vulnerable - but as-yet unaffected - teens, said Peebles.
Signs that teens are visiting pro-eating-disorder sites may include rapidly losing weight, being familiar with terms like Mia and Ana, wearing solidarity jewelry - most commonly represented by thin strands of red or blue beads - and/or spending lots of time on the Web.
Parents can't monitor all teen Web activity, of course. And study co-author Jenny Wilson, a Stanford medical student, said the tricky thing is that many pro-eating-disorder Web site users also frequent pro-recovery sites. Even these sites sometimes exacerbate risky behavior, since they allow visitors to confide in one another on topics such as weight-loss strategies.
Dialogue between an affected teen and her parents is key, the researchers said.
Concerned parents can direct their child to sites with constructive support in beating anorexia or bulimia, Peebles said. She believes some of the best sites include
www.somethingfishy.org
or
www.renfrew.org.
Wilson said that, right now, "there's a need to fill that technological gap" when it comes to constructive Web sites that "meet the demands of surfing teens." "Cool" sites with good information are in short order, she said, but they could be helpful in enticing teens to learn about more healthy behaviors.
"It's difficult to treat eating disorders, with or without the Web sites," said Fisher. "They just add one more variable, and it's quite dismaying."
Copyright 2005 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
13.5.05
super socco is the drink of choice for all your hard days of playin the field mofo
I remember Super Socco Drinks.
They had RAD commercials in 1984.
Lots of poppy black and white soccer balls and punchy
red and green flags and scoring and all kinds of good fun like that.
Every other drinkbox is just plain weak in comparison.
Ok there is one that beats all in my books of 'drink-boxes'
they were chocolate SHAKES, you shook it and shook it until it got all frothy.
Mmmm frothy warm (by the time lunch hits) chocolate milk/SHAKE for lunch....
Super star kids.
Ok, so what, by todays standards, they werent all that good UM sure of it.
Sorry the whole SOCCO lept into my waterlogged brain whilst swimming
and really, it actually makes me think of the taste of soy milk.
I dont know whats the deal with people drinking cows milk anyway.
Are you a cow?
Why not give a calf breast milk?
Or maybe they do on planet MOO.
www.milksucks.com
Enjoy the cream of your day...its bedtime in T-dot land.
They had RAD commercials in 1984.
Lots of poppy black and white soccer balls and punchy
red and green flags and scoring and all kinds of good fun like that.
Every other drinkbox is just plain weak in comparison.
Ok there is one that beats all in my books of 'drink-boxes'
they were chocolate SHAKES, you shook it and shook it until it got all frothy.
Mmmm frothy warm (by the time lunch hits) chocolate milk/SHAKE for lunch....
Super star kids.
Ok, so what, by todays standards, they werent all that good UM sure of it.
Sorry the whole SOCCO lept into my waterlogged brain whilst swimming
and really, it actually makes me think of the taste of soy milk.
I dont know whats the deal with people drinking cows milk anyway.
Are you a cow?
Why not give a calf breast milk?
Or maybe they do on planet MOO.
www.milksucks.com
Enjoy the cream of your day...its bedtime in T-dot land.
12.5.05
my skinny lil ass in a skinny lil speedo
Ok for the most part, I have become a swimmer again.
Sadly, Karate is only once a week Saturday, here in Toronto.
So what is a ninja like me to do during the week?
I race home from work to eat toast with P&Jam,
seriously, its a real fuel magician of sorts.
It goes better with Peach yogurt, but we ran out.
and then I usually call my brother to see what he is up to.
His life is a circus lately. At least he isnt a Carnie...although he does have a knack for
dealing with all of those rollercoaster rides in his life. I love him and wish him well.
For his pain I will swim laps to clear my mind.
Generally, I have to wait around the house until 8:30 free lane swim time.
I walk about 3minutes up and over from my house and voila! a pool shows up behind the bushes. There it is! the pool!
Ok so what if it is a REC pool. It totally is great for me and is always available until 10pm in the night. For $2.50 I can swim for an hour.
Beat that.
I am now devouring the "medium" pace lane and should really be in the
"fast" lane but then I would really have to "work-it".
So I got a new TYR suit last week as it really SUITS me fine. And looks hot on my leaner-because-of-swimming-and-going-1/2-vegetarian-frame.
Yes 1/2 as I do have to get a little more meat inside me lately as I am feeling dizzy.
And I am angry at PETA for being slow with my parcel!
I got into the pool tonight, the clear blue embraced me.
It was another strange day in the sea of Toronto.
Matt Good said that in a sea of people one can still feel utterly alone.
I believe this.
I have been going to the pool 3x a week and doing push-ups on my thumbs at Karate Saturdays.
I do have Mexico to look forward to in June, so all I really need is a tan for my bikini. I look pretty much fine as can be. Dave also needs a tan as golfing on Sunday gave him a "glorious"
bronzage de farmer.
Now that I am in more contact with my friend Justine I hope she takes me to her boyfriend Jason's Ranch. He is North American Champ...at the good ole R-o-d-e-o!
I hope they can teach me a thing or two about horses. I hope David comes with me.
He is fearful of big dogs, so I hope that the big horses dont have the same impact.
So about the pool, there is a slow, medium and fast lane.
The fast lane is for triatheletes and superstars. the medium lane is for post-swimmers and or retired swimmers. I havent swam against anyone in over (shock) 14 years.
And the slow lane is for people that just need to get into the clear blue water and clear their blue collar heads.
Did I tell you that we live in the village of Swansea?
Apparently this area is pretty historic. But I will leave that for another night.
One last thing, I got a flat-iron on the weekend and tonight I attacked the mane-from-hell.
And seriously, my hair is SO thick i will have to sleep on it STILL to get it truly stick straight.
I may sneak a swim in tomorrow...
Sadly, Karate is only once a week Saturday, here in Toronto.
So what is a ninja like me to do during the week?
I race home from work to eat toast with P&Jam,
seriously, its a real fuel magician of sorts.
It goes better with Peach yogurt, but we ran out.
and then I usually call my brother to see what he is up to.
His life is a circus lately. At least he isnt a Carnie...although he does have a knack for
dealing with all of those rollercoaster rides in his life. I love him and wish him well.
For his pain I will swim laps to clear my mind.
Generally, I have to wait around the house until 8:30 free lane swim time.
I walk about 3minutes up and over from my house and voila! a pool shows up behind the bushes. There it is! the pool!
Ok so what if it is a REC pool. It totally is great for me and is always available until 10pm in the night. For $2.50 I can swim for an hour.
Beat that.
I am now devouring the "medium" pace lane and should really be in the
"fast" lane but then I would really have to "work-it".
So I got a new TYR suit last week as it really SUITS me fine. And looks hot on my leaner-because-of-swimming-and-going-1/2-vegetarian-frame.
Yes 1/2 as I do have to get a little more meat inside me lately as I am feeling dizzy.
And I am angry at PETA for being slow with my parcel!
I got into the pool tonight, the clear blue embraced me.
It was another strange day in the sea of Toronto.
Matt Good said that in a sea of people one can still feel utterly alone.
I believe this.
I have been going to the pool 3x a week and doing push-ups on my thumbs at Karate Saturdays.
I do have Mexico to look forward to in June, so all I really need is a tan for my bikini. I look pretty much fine as can be. Dave also needs a tan as golfing on Sunday gave him a "glorious"
bronzage de farmer.
Now that I am in more contact with my friend Justine I hope she takes me to her boyfriend Jason's Ranch. He is North American Champ...at the good ole R-o-d-e-o!
I hope they can teach me a thing or two about horses. I hope David comes with me.
He is fearful of big dogs, so I hope that the big horses dont have the same impact.
So about the pool, there is a slow, medium and fast lane.
The fast lane is for triatheletes and superstars. the medium lane is for post-swimmers and or retired swimmers. I havent swam against anyone in over (shock) 14 years.
And the slow lane is for people that just need to get into the clear blue water and clear their blue collar heads.
Did I tell you that we live in the village of Swansea?
Apparently this area is pretty historic. But I will leave that for another night.
One last thing, I got a flat-iron on the weekend and tonight I attacked the mane-from-hell.
And seriously, my hair is SO thick i will have to sleep on it STILL to get it truly stick straight.
I may sneak a swim in tomorrow...
SLOW DANCE
Thank you Jessica for the eye-opening poem/e-mail written by a little girl in NYC.
SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask
How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Because you never had time
To call and say,"Hi"
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask
How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Because you never had time
To call and say,"Hi"
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
3.5.05
23.4.05
baby's don't cry
http://www.hottopic.com/store/product.asp?LS=0&ITEM=274007
The Cure Boys Don't Cry Toddler T-Shirt
This toddler T-shirt is black with a front screen of the "Boys Don't Cry" single cover by The Cure! 100% cotton. Wash cold. Dry low. Imported.
$16.99
nice!
20.4.05
ring ring I hear wedding bells
My friend Steph who is from Toronto, who now lives in England (sadly for me now that I live in her crazy city!!!) that I met years ago in Montreal, during that crazy summer when I did that french language bursary program...aka: party school.
is getting married on April 30th to Ben!
They met way down under in Australia of all the places!
She had to travel far to find her true love!
and fate truly does exist in this world.
He is from the UK!
I can't wait to see her looking so gorgeous!
She is such a fantastic person!
Living all over Canada, I have seen a lot of friends come and go, not always by choice, or sometimes by choice! but truly, she has a heart of gold and is a friend of gold!
Wow, she is a wonderful friend to have in this world.
Besides, have you called your friends lately? or your mother?
Guinness the boy-wonder
Guinness loves to fetch
Guinness loves his Human Mom and Dad
Guinness loves his sister Maui
Guinness loves to nuzzle everything
Guinness loves to give love-bites
Guinness loves to eat
Guinness loves to lick beer bottles
Guinness loves Tofu
Guinness loves strawberries
Guinness loves to share Dorito's with Maui
Guinness loves to be the alarm clock
Guinness loves to be the center of attention
Guinness loves that Maui lets him be his own ham-in-a-cat self
Maui the snuggle-puss
Maui loves her human Mom and Dad
Maui loves her brother Guinness
Maui loves to talk
Maui loves to purrrrrrrr
Maui loves to sleep
Maui loves to fetch
Maui loves to watch birds
Maui loves to play with her toys
Maui loves to be held like a baby
Maui loves IAMS (because they test on dogs)
Maui and Guinness in Toronto
Maui and Guinness love Montreal
Maui and Guinness love Toronto
Maui and Guinness love their new big house
Maui and Guinness love their new toys
Maui and Guinness love their giant front window
Maui and Guinness love getting into mischief
Maui and Guinness love their fireplace
Maui and Guinness love playing badminton
Maui and Guinness love their pet Sea Monkeys
Maui and Guinness love eating houseplants
Maui and Guinness love their private litterbox room
Maui and Guinness love getting a daily brush
Maui and Guinness love their Mom and Dad
Maui and Guinness love to scratch the carpet!
18.4.05
dog walks into a bar and orders a drink
So Dog walks into a bar and orders a drink,
"what will it be Dog?" the bartender asks.
And the dog politely barks: "a dry martini"
13.4.05
Clocky
Robotic alarm clock designed by graduate student at MIT rolls away and hides
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Before you hit the snooze button a second time on this alarm clock, you'll have to hunt it down.
The shag carpet-covered robotic alarm clock on wheels, called Clocky, rolls away and hides.
The clock is the invention of Gauri Nanda, a graduate student - and occasional oversleeper - who works in the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
"I've been known to hit the snooze bar for a couple hours, wake up two hours later and be completely shocked," said Nanda, 25, who created Clocky for an industrial design course last year.
She made a prototype out of foam, a pair of wheels and a circuit board connected to small motors. "It is programmed to tell the motors to move randomly, to generate random speeds and directions so that the clock ends up in a new place every day," she said.
Nanda's adviser, Michael Bove, said hundreds of people interested in buying or selling the clocks have called and e-mailed.
But the gadget is not yet available for sale.
Nanda is thinking of starting her own business to manufacture and market the clock.
MIT owns the intellectual property rights to Clocky and other student inventions, but Bove said Nanda would receive a share of any revenue generated.
Nanda said she wanted Clocky to remind its owners of a troublesome pet.
"The idea really was to use technology in a more playful way," she said.
"It's sort of like a hide-seek game."
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Before you hit the snooze button a second time on this alarm clock, you'll have to hunt it down.
The shag carpet-covered robotic alarm clock on wheels, called Clocky, rolls away and hides.
The clock is the invention of Gauri Nanda, a graduate student - and occasional oversleeper - who works in the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
"I've been known to hit the snooze bar for a couple hours, wake up two hours later and be completely shocked," said Nanda, 25, who created Clocky for an industrial design course last year.
She made a prototype out of foam, a pair of wheels and a circuit board connected to small motors. "It is programmed to tell the motors to move randomly, to generate random speeds and directions so that the clock ends up in a new place every day," she said.
Nanda's adviser, Michael Bove, said hundreds of people interested in buying or selling the clocks have called and e-mailed.
But the gadget is not yet available for sale.
Nanda is thinking of starting her own business to manufacture and market the clock.
MIT owns the intellectual property rights to Clocky and other student inventions, but Bove said Nanda would receive a share of any revenue generated.
Nanda said she wanted Clocky to remind its owners of a troublesome pet.
"The idea really was to use technology in a more playful way," she said.
"It's sort of like a hide-seek game."
11.4.05
and then, God created Dog
I once knew Dog, he would walk for miles on end.
He liked to walk under ladies that wore red polka-dot skirts.
He loved to chat with jazz cats.
He loved to dine with Love cats too.
He loved his fellow Bostonians.
One day he went for a giant walk.
He walked 7km to work.
Dog worked downtown.
Dog was a detective.
He was the smartest dog around.
He was loved by all.
Dog was a well respected dog.
Dog was god.
3.4.05
Elaine in Taipei
One bonus of working in The NeedleTrade is that you sometimes end up meeting face-to-face with your overseas makers/contacts.
And NO there aren't ANY sweatshops...that I know of, trust me, from the pictures that I have seen over the years they are sometimes more advanced than us "lazy North American's".
It is quite amazing to finally meet the person that you e-mail daily for months on end.
It is sort of like a long lost pen-pal across the miles..or world.
Or e-pal maybe?
I dream of going overseas to Asia one day and seeing it all.
My friend that I met through work, Elaine lives in Taipei.
She is around the same age as me, and writes to me now on a personal daily basis.
I have long since moved on from the company where we had met, which makes it more of a bonus if anything to have found each others friendship! We both share our love for all things cute, and all things Japanese too, and also anything totally cool.
Today she sent me this link:
http://www.ungro-p.com/t/t00013.swf
As usual, its quite unusual, as she always has unique
across-the-globe things to share with me!
Last week she sent me via SNAIL-MAIL some stickers....yes from Taipei. Do YOU have a friend like her?
didn't think so!
It is amazing how small the world really is at times.
I wish people would stop and really think about that.
Even I wouldn't have imagined that a woman from Taipei shares the same likes and dislikes as a woman from Canada.
would you?
At least Fashion has blessed me with one thing: friendships that never go out of style (sorry that was so cliche!)
30.3.05
Wild snowbear attacks humble Park Ranger!
My brother and I with Jasper "The Bear" back in the late 70's.
Yes, actually I think I was around 3 yrs old, so that WAS the late 1970's. Was that a long time ago for you?
It was for all of us that can remember it.
I think it was a better time, or in my head it was.
Besides, I love the simplicity of it all, and also I was only 3.
My world didn't have a lot of 2005-type-problems.
My brother's world didn't either.
And neither did Jasper's.
My brother Mike said that I had to stand carefully next to Jasper the bear, or else he would become angry if I moved around a lot. And if I moved around, I might step on his big-bear-feet, because, well, he had big-bear-feet.
He also told me that if I did make him angry, he would tear us AND the whole town apart..."to Shreads".
Mike also said that Jasper would rip me in half and prance around town with my 3 year old intestines wrapped around his shoulders Hawaiian-style if I were to giggle or even make a sound.
I also almost believed everything he said avoiding the fact that Jasper was bolted firmly to concrete.
I did however believe my brother the time he told me that eating yellow snow was also a terrible thing to do. Hey my brother does have good advice!
I never did tell him about Mort "The mighty Moose" who I saw outside our ski-lodge that night.
I think the scruffy mammal was hungry for blood...
27.3.05
JUMBO sized
After touring around LONDON all weekend, David and I drove down to the Quaker town of St. Thomas, Ontario!
This was the most south that I have ever been in all of eastern Canada. Apparently if I were on the west coast I would have hit the tip of northern California.
(or something like that)
Anyway, it was an interesting journey and I quite enjoyed all that we saw.
I loved the old Courthouse and I loved the giant maple trees surrounding it. I also loved the exposed torn brick wall that was previously the vicious jail (!) and ye olde towne hanging square.
I also stumbled across a poor victim that was "kept" in St. Thomas for the-rest-of-history...and that was dearest JUMBO.
We thought that he was a suicidal elephant as he was trapped in the life of being transported on a train state to state, province to province, with a wild circus back in 1885.
I imagined that he was an unhappy elephant and was missing his friends back in Africa from where he was born and hated the inhumane treatment. And besides, really? back in 1885, I am sure that there were wide open plains to stand upon and plenty of places to roam besides a metal train track.
Jumbo got hit by a locomotive by standing on the track (obviously)
Ironcially, St. Thomas is Canada's Locomotive town.
Maybe there were wild engineer's taking engines out for late night dragway fun...(is it possible to RACE trains?)
Maybe Jumbo was tied to the tracks by an evil "wanted" villain in 1885.
All I know is that we had a good time standing with him.
And then there were groups like PETA invented to prevent such animal acts. Thank you PETA.
26.3.05
27
this is a summer pic from my 27th birthday in Toronto, I had an amazing time with everyone that attended way back....all was good...I just love how happy I became after that day...
miss M
my darlin lil Malay, the best lil laotian friend one could ever ask for in this world...ok besides Somsay her brother...
i love her!
for all that she is...
and for all that good stuff that she is...
SO rare in this world...
the weekend in st. thomas
it was an exciting weekend, as David took me on a wonderful tour of St. Thomas Ontario where he has spent 6 weeks being a lawyer from THE BIG CITY tackling a case about a dragway.
It was an amazing place to see....strange day I suppose, but an eye-opener at least...I saw the cut crops, the horses with coats, the beach, the orange drinks and chili dogs...it was all amazing...
I love St. Thomas now just as much as Dave-the-lawyer.
ondrej and the boot
ondrej and the boot, good times at his fine pizza establishment
MAMA'S BISTRO we all miss it, I miss it, I also miss the ice fights in the dark and also the latenight call-in's at CJSR 88.5 for KYUSS.
ps, love ya OJ!
22.3.05
Handicapped pets dot com
The Pblog FAQ's:
1) How do I put it on? What does it look like?
2) He is reluctant to let me put on the harness. What should I do?
3) Can she urinate and defecate with the harness on?
4) No matter which size I use for my female, or which way I turn the rear harness - she still managers to pee on it. Any suggestions? - I'm thinking of cutting a bigger whole in the back and re-stitching it - but I thought I would ask you first.
5) How long are the handle straps? Am I going to have to bend down while I'm walking the dog?
6) It seems that the harness is not long enough as there is a lot of velcro showing when I wrap it around Zeek's body. How snug should it fit? I can't figure out which way to put the harness. There is a rounded area on one side. If I put that towards his chest, it interferes - it kind of bunches up against his armpits. If I place it near his belly, it covers up the tip if his private area.
I am trying to find the best possible answers to the best possible piles of fanmail
that I get here at the PBLOG, so please see the link below, it may just help!
http://www.handicappedpets.com/Mobility%20-%20Harness.htm
- - - - - -
Pblog editors note:
Sometimes, there ARE alternatives to putting down an injured or elderly dog, cat, or other pet. This site is about our best friends and some of those alternatives.
Join the thousands of people caring for an elderly, disabled, hurt, or handicapped dog, cat, or other animal!
1) How do I put it on? What does it look like?
2) He is reluctant to let me put on the harness. What should I do?
3) Can she urinate and defecate with the harness on?
4) No matter which size I use for my female, or which way I turn the rear harness - she still managers to pee on it. Any suggestions? - I'm thinking of cutting a bigger whole in the back and re-stitching it - but I thought I would ask you first.
5) How long are the handle straps? Am I going to have to bend down while I'm walking the dog?
6) It seems that the harness is not long enough as there is a lot of velcro showing when I wrap it around Zeek's body. How snug should it fit? I can't figure out which way to put the harness. There is a rounded area on one side. If I put that towards his chest, it interferes - it kind of bunches up against his armpits. If I place it near his belly, it covers up the tip if his private area.
I am trying to find the best possible answers to the best possible piles of fanmail
that I get here at the PBLOG, so please see the link below, it may just help!
http://www.handicappedpets.com/Mobility%20-%20Harness.htm
- - - - - -
Pblog editors note:
Sometimes, there ARE alternatives to putting down an injured or elderly dog, cat, or other pet. This site is about our best friends and some of those alternatives.
Join the thousands of people caring for an elderly, disabled, hurt, or handicapped dog, cat, or other animal!
rec centre pool is just about as cool
i went to the pool (yesterday)
imagine!
i can still swim
and my lungs didnt fill with water
the water was tranquil and all i heard was the sound of the air
(escaping from) my lungs
i dont miss training for competitions or races or the sequins,
or the precise syncronization, or the endless underwater nightmares
it was all about timing and smiling pretty wasnt it?
its just about as cool this pool,
just about as cool as
Ozzy releasing a 4 disc retrospective
(collection) containing
a duet with Miss Piggy -born to be wild!
imagine!
i can still swim
and my lungs didnt fill with water
the water was tranquil and all i heard was the sound of the air
(escaping from) my lungs
i dont miss training for competitions or races or the sequins,
or the precise syncronization, or the endless underwater nightmares
it was all about timing and smiling pretty wasnt it?
its just about as cool this pool,
just about as cool as
Ozzy releasing a 4 disc retrospective
(collection) containing
a duet with Miss Piggy -born to be wild!
20.3.05
This is my furry little pc PETA entry
http://www.furisdead.com/
Go to this and watch the video's.
See if they make you vomit, cry, or buy fur ever again.
I stumbled across this tonight and I watched in horror of an animal being skinned alive!
Yes the animal was alive during the skinning/removal of it's fur and it's face was fully aware of what had just happened! I am still in shock of this video, I suppose it is truly only the internet that can bring you things that you never could possibly imagine in a lifetime...or imagine what really does go on in our world where we as Humans rule.
I admit I do work in The Fashion industry. But I do not support fur.
However, I once had to work at a company that decided to start making rabbit fur and leather jackets as they barked:
"They will make us MORE cash!!!"
So our quality control man had to visit China once a year to see that the production of goods were running smoothly etc, and he always told me that the worst part of his job was to see the leather tanneries. He just told me that there was so much blood and gore it was unbelieveable. And he also stated that it was truly amazing the entire process right before his eyes. The tanning of hides and the cleaning was so dirty. He went on to tell me how it was also amazing that no one was dropping dead themselves from disease or complete disgust!
Not that some of these workers had a lot of choice in the world's economy of fashion, but they too had a job to do, as did our QC guy from Montreal.
Above all things...including Fashion,
I love animals, and again today I truly wish I would have gone to school to be a Vet instead of an Import Coordinator/Designer. If only I had seen the REAL business while back in highschool when I was blinded by classic 90's Vogue's and Harper's Bazaar. Anyway, I digress of my boring and unglamourous j.Lo fur ridden industry. I hate the use of fur as a pathetic decoration.
A few weeks ago David and I went to The Bata Shoe Museum with his parents that were visiting and there was a First Nations/Aboriginal? (sorry if that isnt the pc name de jour) exhibit showing clothes made of Seal skin, and all sorts of blubber, dried intestines etc.
I was fascinated by how they were able to piece together such creations out of what they had available in -45 weather! and to carve sewing needles out of ivory! amazing artifacts!
I can also say that 100 or more years ago, If I were living in the Arctic regions of Canada; I too would have clubbed a seal to keep warm...and also to feed my children, and or hungry village.
But in 2005, anyone that must club anything to wear with all of the available man-made fabrics on Earth...is truly out of fashion.
Excerpt from the link below:
http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=58
Where to ShopLeather alternatives can be found just about anywhere you might shop.
But some places, such as discount shoe and variety stores, offer larger selections.
Designers like Liz Claiborne, Capezio, Sam & Libby, Steve Madden, and
Nike (call 1-800-344-NIKE for a current list of vegan styles) offer an array of nonleather handbags, wallets, and shoes.
For a list of nearly 100 companies that offer nonleather products, order a free copy
of “PETA’s Shopping Guide to Nonleather Products” by mail or by visiting www.CowsAreCool.com.
Shop PETA’s online cruelty-free mall for nonleather clothes, shoes, and accessories at www.PETAMall.com
Go to this and watch the video's.
See if they make you vomit, cry, or buy fur ever again.
I stumbled across this tonight and I watched in horror of an animal being skinned alive!
Yes the animal was alive during the skinning/removal of it's fur and it's face was fully aware of what had just happened! I am still in shock of this video, I suppose it is truly only the internet that can bring you things that you never could possibly imagine in a lifetime...or imagine what really does go on in our world where we as Humans rule.
I admit I do work in The Fashion industry. But I do not support fur.
However, I once had to work at a company that decided to start making rabbit fur and leather jackets as they barked:
"They will make us MORE cash!!!"
So our quality control man had to visit China once a year to see that the production of goods were running smoothly etc, and he always told me that the worst part of his job was to see the leather tanneries. He just told me that there was so much blood and gore it was unbelieveable. And he also stated that it was truly amazing the entire process right before his eyes. The tanning of hides and the cleaning was so dirty. He went on to tell me how it was also amazing that no one was dropping dead themselves from disease or complete disgust!
Not that some of these workers had a lot of choice in the world's economy of fashion, but they too had a job to do, as did our QC guy from Montreal.
Above all things...including Fashion,
I love animals, and again today I truly wish I would have gone to school to be a Vet instead of an Import Coordinator/Designer. If only I had seen the REAL business while back in highschool when I was blinded by classic 90's Vogue's and Harper's Bazaar. Anyway, I digress of my boring and unglamourous j.Lo fur ridden industry. I hate the use of fur as a pathetic decoration.
A few weeks ago David and I went to The Bata Shoe Museum with his parents that were visiting and there was a First Nations/Aboriginal? (sorry if that isnt the pc name de jour) exhibit showing clothes made of Seal skin, and all sorts of blubber, dried intestines etc.
I was fascinated by how they were able to piece together such creations out of what they had available in -45 weather! and to carve sewing needles out of ivory! amazing artifacts!
I can also say that 100 or more years ago, If I were living in the Arctic regions of Canada; I too would have clubbed a seal to keep warm...and also to feed my children, and or hungry village.
But in 2005, anyone that must club anything to wear with all of the available man-made fabrics on Earth...is truly out of fashion.
Excerpt from the link below:
http://www.peta.org/mc/factsheet_display.asp?ID=58
Where to ShopLeather alternatives can be found just about anywhere you might shop.
But some places, such as discount shoe and variety stores, offer larger selections.
Designers like Liz Claiborne, Capezio, Sam & Libby, Steve Madden, and
Nike (call 1-800-344-NIKE for a current list of vegan styles) offer an array of nonleather handbags, wallets, and shoes.
For a list of nearly 100 companies that offer nonleather products, order a free copy
of “PETA’s Shopping Guide to Nonleather Products” by mail or by visiting www.CowsAreCool.com.
Shop PETA’s online cruelty-free mall for nonleather clothes, shoes, and accessories at www.PETAMall.com
5.3.05
PERSEPOLIS
Ok. So this is what book I picked up this weekend.
And also what YOU should pick up
(besides cheap women/men)
PERSEPOLIS By Marjane Satrapi
Chances are that if you are an American you know very little about the 1979 Iranian Revolution. "This revolution was normal, and it had to happen," says Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis, a totally unique memoir about growing up in Iran after the Shah left power. "Unfortunately, it happened in a country where people were very traditional, and other countries only saw the religious fanatics who made their response public." In her graphic novel, Satrapi, shows readers that these images do not make up the whole story about Iran. Here, she talks freely about what it was like to tell this story with both words and pictures, and why she is so proud of the result.
Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran: of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life and of the enormous toll repressive regimes exact on the individual spirit. Marjane's child's-eye-view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a stunning reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, through laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love.
-ON WRITING PERSEPOLIS By Marjane Satrapi, as told to Pantheon staff
http://www.randomhouse.com/pantheon/graphicnovels/persepolis.html
And also what YOU should pick up
(besides cheap women/men)
PERSEPOLIS By Marjane Satrapi
Chances are that if you are an American you know very little about the 1979 Iranian Revolution. "This revolution was normal, and it had to happen," says Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis, a totally unique memoir about growing up in Iran after the Shah left power. "Unfortunately, it happened in a country where people were very traditional, and other countries only saw the religious fanatics who made their response public." In her graphic novel, Satrapi, shows readers that these images do not make up the whole story about Iran. Here, she talks freely about what it was like to tell this story with both words and pictures, and why she is so proud of the result.
Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran: of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life and of the enormous toll repressive regimes exact on the individual spirit. Marjane's child's-eye-view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a stunning reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. It shows how we carry on, through laughter and tears, in the face of absurdity. And, finally, it introduces us to an irresistible little girl with whom we cannot help but fall in love.
-ON WRITING PERSEPOLIS By Marjane Satrapi, as told to Pantheon staff
http://www.randomhouse.com/pantheon/graphicnovels/persepolis.html
City(e)scape
It is only an idiot who never changes their mind...
So I stumbled down tonight to one of those 'chain-book-stores' on Bloor west street.
I killed a couple of hours searching for the perfect specimen to devour daily on the giant Toronto Rocket (aka: The TTC Subway) off to work.
I just moved to this unusual city in January, and getting anywhere without trying not to make eye contact is a real challenge. I often watch David and admire his subway etiquette. He has been practicing law for three years now and has grown accustomed to well, it's customs.
As we ride to work together, he hardly speaks; yet secretly grabs my hand...but not to make a scene to the fellow TTC/Rocket on-lookers. In the morning for the first few hours, my blue eyes are tired, and my brain hasn't jumped out of bed. I tend to drift off in some sense, so I am guilty of staring people down by 'accident'. I also just can't believe how different this Toronto culture actually is as compared to my former lived-in-cities of Montreal, Vancouver & Edmonton.
In Toronto, they work.
And we work late here. I am used to the luxuries of coffeebreaks "to rest your computer eyes"
and to also save your vision and mind at that! Yet a possible break for eating in the city is rare. But a break is needed as the fatigue wears hard on everyone.
Everyone fills The Rocket when I enter aboard at morning and also at night. It is always totally packed with the entire population whatever time I am on it, I hate this.
Where did all of these people come from?
It's kind of overwhelming.
Suffocating.
The other day the conductor blew a whistle for us to squish on as the doors were about to close. I thought I was in Japan for an instant, not that I have ever been to Japan, but I have studied Kyokushinkai Karate for over 4 years and know enough about the culture there.
So then I wondered if a Japanese man in a navy pillbox type hat and little white pleated gloves would push me in?
Like the poor cattle I witnessed being carted via train yesterday morning, I too managed to arrive to the slaughterhouse on time. I think I want to be a vegetarian now. Sorry Alberta!
So at my job, we can start late as my department leaves around 9pm.
I on the otherhand, try to bolt at the earliest of 6:45!
"How shocking of me!"
Yes, so this may be a complete shock for you, so I must warn beforehand "to-the-lazy-worker"
that the other night David came home at 1:35am. Yes from work.
So now as a newly jewelled crowned Torontonian, I too now both live for WORK, and also for resting my head at night.
So I stumbled down tonight to one of those 'chain-book-stores' on Bloor west street.
I killed a couple of hours searching for the perfect specimen to devour daily on the giant Toronto Rocket (aka: The TTC Subway) off to work.
I just moved to this unusual city in January, and getting anywhere without trying not to make eye contact is a real challenge. I often watch David and admire his subway etiquette. He has been practicing law for three years now and has grown accustomed to well, it's customs.
As we ride to work together, he hardly speaks; yet secretly grabs my hand...but not to make a scene to the fellow TTC/Rocket on-lookers. In the morning for the first few hours, my blue eyes are tired, and my brain hasn't jumped out of bed. I tend to drift off in some sense, so I am guilty of staring people down by 'accident'. I also just can't believe how different this Toronto culture actually is as compared to my former lived-in-cities of Montreal, Vancouver & Edmonton.
In Toronto, they work.
And we work late here. I am used to the luxuries of coffeebreaks "to rest your computer eyes"
and to also save your vision and mind at that! Yet a possible break for eating in the city is rare. But a break is needed as the fatigue wears hard on everyone.
Everyone fills The Rocket when I enter aboard at morning and also at night. It is always totally packed with the entire population whatever time I am on it, I hate this.
Where did all of these people come from?
It's kind of overwhelming.
Suffocating.
The other day the conductor blew a whistle for us to squish on as the doors were about to close. I thought I was in Japan for an instant, not that I have ever been to Japan, but I have studied Kyokushinkai Karate for over 4 years and know enough about the culture there.
So then I wondered if a Japanese man in a navy pillbox type hat and little white pleated gloves would push me in?
Like the poor cattle I witnessed being carted via train yesterday morning, I too managed to arrive to the slaughterhouse on time. I think I want to be a vegetarian now. Sorry Alberta!
So at my job, we can start late as my department leaves around 9pm.
I on the otherhand, try to bolt at the earliest of 6:45!
"How shocking of me!"
Yes, so this may be a complete shock for you, so I must warn beforehand "to-the-lazy-worker"
that the other night David came home at 1:35am. Yes from work.
So now as a newly jewelled crowned Torontonian, I too now both live for WORK, and also for resting my head at night.
27.2.05
a stroll around montreal (really i do hate this)
(its nice and cold in here!)
air conditioning coolant
dripping on my cheek
(you need a tan!)
blistering blinding humid sun
burning my pale office building skin
(lets eat!)
poisoned fast food
leaking chemicals into my blood
(really i do hate this)
(where to?)
reflecting pools
with green god-like statues
they tower over us below
the pools full of cigarette butts
(its busy here today)
men on benches
newspapers covering their bodies
(i love you!)
abandoned cats purring
in love with a stranger
closing their eyes
being scratched under the chin
fleas running loose
and up your sleeve
(save me!)
tourists flocking to commercialized churches
donating your every travel dollar
to save the evil sinners
(really i do hate this)
(smile!)
a smirk falls across my face and an eyebrow rises
photographs taken
of tired landmarks
planted urban trees
and foolish gardens
i see a plastic grocery bag caught in the tree above
(really i do hate this)
(want a treat?)
plastic shoed prostitutes getting off
on the thought of nursing your dollar
my belly filled with ice cream
i too can barely walk straight
( i dont have a job today!)
calculating my moves
dodging street kids asking for change
penniless and urban
instead take my leftover sandwich
i wont miss it
you will survive another night because of me
(nice place you got there!)
rain soaked carpets
couches thrown upside down
soggy cardboard boxes
new housing developments for the money
castaway buildings for the poor
(what about your past?)
fire trucks roar past us
missing my red painted toes by an inch
screaming sirens fueled by my tears
(really i do hate this)
(what now?)
arriving home
with our jail-like view
flower boxes banned
urban interior parking lot with garage doors opening at 3am
naked woman changing as i wash my dishes
suds racing down the drain
polluting my world yet again
(really i do hate this)
(click!)
my television set is glowing
erasing time
friendships disappearing
choking life from your soul
solitude and empty roaring laughter
(really i do hate this)
(sweet dreams!)
removing my contact lenses now
i cannot see reality, but this is ok
scrubbing at my skin and washing off my glamour
clean straight white teeth
colored toffee hair pulled back in a knot
consuming vitamins and birth control pills
(really i do hate this)
(are you still awake?)
satin sleeping masks placed over tired eyes
cats curled up purring
sweatshop ready-to-wear pajamas
keeping me warm and toasty
good night world
(really i do love this)
air conditioning coolant
dripping on my cheek
(you need a tan!)
blistering blinding humid sun
burning my pale office building skin
(lets eat!)
poisoned fast food
leaking chemicals into my blood
(really i do hate this)
(where to?)
reflecting pools
with green god-like statues
they tower over us below
the pools full of cigarette butts
(its busy here today)
men on benches
newspapers covering their bodies
(i love you!)
abandoned cats purring
in love with a stranger
closing their eyes
being scratched under the chin
fleas running loose
and up your sleeve
(save me!)
tourists flocking to commercialized churches
donating your every travel dollar
to save the evil sinners
(really i do hate this)
(smile!)
a smirk falls across my face and an eyebrow rises
photographs taken
of tired landmarks
planted urban trees
and foolish gardens
i see a plastic grocery bag caught in the tree above
(really i do hate this)
(want a treat?)
plastic shoed prostitutes getting off
on the thought of nursing your dollar
my belly filled with ice cream
i too can barely walk straight
( i dont have a job today!)
calculating my moves
dodging street kids asking for change
penniless and urban
instead take my leftover sandwich
i wont miss it
you will survive another night because of me
(nice place you got there!)
rain soaked carpets
couches thrown upside down
soggy cardboard boxes
new housing developments for the money
castaway buildings for the poor
(what about your past?)
fire trucks roar past us
missing my red painted toes by an inch
screaming sirens fueled by my tears
(really i do hate this)
(what now?)
arriving home
with our jail-like view
flower boxes banned
urban interior parking lot with garage doors opening at 3am
naked woman changing as i wash my dishes
suds racing down the drain
polluting my world yet again
(really i do hate this)
(click!)
my television set is glowing
erasing time
friendships disappearing
choking life from your soul
solitude and empty roaring laughter
(really i do hate this)
(sweet dreams!)
removing my contact lenses now
i cannot see reality, but this is ok
scrubbing at my skin and washing off my glamour
clean straight white teeth
colored toffee hair pulled back in a knot
consuming vitamins and birth control pills
(really i do hate this)
(are you still awake?)
satin sleeping masks placed over tired eyes
cats curled up purring
sweatshop ready-to-wear pajamas
keeping me warm and toasty
good night world
(really i do love this)
21.2.05
He is, gonzo.
a) Every now and then when your life gets complicated and the weasels start closing in, the only cure is to load up on heinous chemicals and then drive like a bastard from Hollywood to Las Vegas ... with the music at top volume and at least a pint of ether.
The Pblog: HST delightful top 5...
1) Going to trial with a lawyer who considers your whole life-style a Crime in Progress is not a happy prospect.
2) No man is so foolish but he may sometimes give another good counsel, and no man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.
3) I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.
4) I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.
5) If there is, in fact, a Heaven and a Hell, all we know for sure is that Hell will be a viciously overcrowded version of Phoenix...
Hunter S. Thompson
US journalist (1939 - 2005)
The Pblog: HST delightful top 5...
1) Going to trial with a lawyer who considers your whole life-style a Crime in Progress is not a happy prospect.
2) No man is so foolish but he may sometimes give another good counsel, and no man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.
3) I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.
4) I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.
5) If there is, in fact, a Heaven and a Hell, all we know for sure is that Hell will be a viciously overcrowded version of Phoenix...
Hunter S. Thompson
US journalist (1939 - 2005)
14.2.05
The judge had "a habit"
Being Valentine's day and all, an entirely over obnoxious occasion.
I figured I would add to this strange day,
with, well...some smut.
This entry is for my beloved Lawyer,
and, luckily he doesn't live in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma judge kicked off bench for masturbating in court
08/02/2005 7:46:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Jurors and others in Judge Donald Thompson's courtroom kept hearing a strange whooshing noise, like a bicycle pump or maybe a blood pressure cuff.
During one trial, Thompson seemed so distracted some jurors thought he was playing a hand-held video game or tying fly-fishing lures behind the bench. The explanation, investigators said, is even stranger than some imagined: the judge had a habit of masturbating with a penis pump under his robe during trials.
The lurid allegations have led to criminal charges against Thompson, brought an embarrassing end to a solid career and shocked many of his colleagues. The case could also lead to a wave of appeals from defendants claiming the judge was not paying attention while presiding over their cases.
Thompson, a 58-year-old married father of three grown children, has denied the allegations and said the pump was just a gag gift received from a hunting buddy on his 50th birthday. He retired in August after being threatened with removal from the bench but still faces indecent-exposure charges brought against him last month.
"We're certainly saddened by the thought that the prosecutor filed charges," said Clark Brewster, Thompson's lawyer.
"We thought all this was dealt with when he resigned. We didn't feel like anything that was alleged rose to the level of criminal charges."
The trials during which he allegedly used the pump included murder cases, as well as a libel suit in which a jury ordered the company that publishes the Oklahoman newspaper, a website and a TV station to pay $3.7 million.
Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who filed the paperwork to remove Thompson from the bench, said he would be surprised if the scandal did not lead to appeals. But he said: "I don't know if they will be successful. They will still have to show actual prejudice to the point that something was done in error."
Jim Wall, police chief in the small town Sapulpa, said he had heard rumours of the judge's behind-the-bench activities for about a month but added: "You've got the most powerful man in Creek County and I think a lot people were intimidated by him."
Police built a case against the judge after one of Wall's officers testified during a 2003 murder trial. From the witness stand, the officer saw a piece of plastic tubing disappear under Thompson's robe. During a lunch break, officers took photographs of the pump under the desk.
Investigators later collected carpet samples, Thompson's robes and the chair from behind the bench and found semen, court records showed.
A former state legislator and a judge with more than 20 years on the bench in Creek County in eastern Oklahoma, Thompson was well-liked in the community and had helped many young prosecutors and judges learn their jobs. But those who know him said he had become withdrawn in the last few years.
Thompson's court reporter, Lisa Foster, told authorities she saw him use the pump at least 10 times during trials. She said the first time in court was in 2000 but she did not tell authorities.
"I didn't want to be found dead in a ditch somewhere," she said.
Foster told authorities she saw Thompson use the device almost daily during the August 2003 murder trial of Kevin Vomberg, a man accused of shaking a toddler to death. The case ended in a hung jury. The whooshing sound could be heard on Foster's audiotape of the trial.
When jurors at the trial asked the judge about the sound, Thompson said he hadn't heard it but would listen for it.
Foster and a bailiff were fired by Thompson after giving statements against him.
"I always thought he was an excellent trial judge," said Don Nelson, who tried more than 40 cases before Thompson as the prosecutor assigned to his court.
Nelson handled a murder trial during which authorities said Thompson used the pump. The jury ended up convicting the defendant on the lesser charge of manslaughter.
"I never heard anything that was going on," Nelson said.
"I was completely shocked and couldn't believe it."
I figured I would add to this strange day,
with, well...some smut.
This entry is for my beloved Lawyer,
and, luckily he doesn't live in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma judge kicked off bench for masturbating in court
08/02/2005 7:46:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Jurors and others in Judge Donald Thompson's courtroom kept hearing a strange whooshing noise, like a bicycle pump or maybe a blood pressure cuff.
During one trial, Thompson seemed so distracted some jurors thought he was playing a hand-held video game or tying fly-fishing lures behind the bench. The explanation, investigators said, is even stranger than some imagined: the judge had a habit of masturbating with a penis pump under his robe during trials.
The lurid allegations have led to criminal charges against Thompson, brought an embarrassing end to a solid career and shocked many of his colleagues. The case could also lead to a wave of appeals from defendants claiming the judge was not paying attention while presiding over their cases.
Thompson, a 58-year-old married father of three grown children, has denied the allegations and said the pump was just a gag gift received from a hunting buddy on his 50th birthday. He retired in August after being threatened with removal from the bench but still faces indecent-exposure charges brought against him last month.
"We're certainly saddened by the thought that the prosecutor filed charges," said Clark Brewster, Thompson's lawyer.
"We thought all this was dealt with when he resigned. We didn't feel like anything that was alleged rose to the level of criminal charges."
The trials during which he allegedly used the pump included murder cases, as well as a libel suit in which a jury ordered the company that publishes the Oklahoman newspaper, a website and a TV station to pay $3.7 million.
Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who filed the paperwork to remove Thompson from the bench, said he would be surprised if the scandal did not lead to appeals. But he said: "I don't know if they will be successful. They will still have to show actual prejudice to the point that something was done in error."
Jim Wall, police chief in the small town Sapulpa, said he had heard rumours of the judge's behind-the-bench activities for about a month but added: "You've got the most powerful man in Creek County and I think a lot people were intimidated by him."
Police built a case against the judge after one of Wall's officers testified during a 2003 murder trial. From the witness stand, the officer saw a piece of plastic tubing disappear under Thompson's robe. During a lunch break, officers took photographs of the pump under the desk.
Investigators later collected carpet samples, Thompson's robes and the chair from behind the bench and found semen, court records showed.
A former state legislator and a judge with more than 20 years on the bench in Creek County in eastern Oklahoma, Thompson was well-liked in the community and had helped many young prosecutors and judges learn their jobs. But those who know him said he had become withdrawn in the last few years.
Thompson's court reporter, Lisa Foster, told authorities she saw him use the pump at least 10 times during trials. She said the first time in court was in 2000 but she did not tell authorities.
"I didn't want to be found dead in a ditch somewhere," she said.
Foster told authorities she saw Thompson use the device almost daily during the August 2003 murder trial of Kevin Vomberg, a man accused of shaking a toddler to death. The case ended in a hung jury. The whooshing sound could be heard on Foster's audiotape of the trial.
When jurors at the trial asked the judge about the sound, Thompson said he hadn't heard it but would listen for it.
Foster and a bailiff were fired by Thompson after giving statements against him.
"I always thought he was an excellent trial judge," said Don Nelson, who tried more than 40 cases before Thompson as the prosecutor assigned to his court.
Nelson handled a murder trial during which authorities said Thompson used the pump. The jury ended up convicting the defendant on the lesser charge of manslaughter.
"I never heard anything that was going on," Nelson said.
"I was completely shocked and couldn't believe it."
The defeat of J.W. part 1
"Glamour, that trans-human aura or power to attract imitation, is a kind of vessel into which dreams are poured, and some vessels are simply worthier than others... A beautiful woman can turn heads but real glamour has a deeper pull... Glamour [is] the power to rearrange people's emotions, which, in effect, is the power to control one's environment."
Arthur Miller, US dramatist (1915 - 2005)
Okay...let me start by saying that JizzyWizzy, aka: whom I will now call:
"J.W."
joined www.blogger.com because he has been prompted to do so by reading The Pblog.
Yes.
So be it, these blogs are given out for free.
Okay, then so my Plist will now follow below:
a) User name: "JizzyWizzy".
b) www.jizzywizzy.blogspot.com
(please note format and content,
and I should ask my Lawyer for advice ASAP...)
or,
c) for just-as-lame-excitement,
see the following:
d) http://www.therightfoot.net/mystuff/whatever/swf/bubblewrap.swf
or,
c) for more just-as-lame-excitement,
see the following:
a full sneak-peak into J.W.'s workout regime:
d) http://www.made2smile.com/funpages/dancingbaby/dancingbaby.htm
J.W. good luck with your new career as a blogger...
Arthur Miller, US dramatist (1915 - 2005)
Okay...let me start by saying that JizzyWizzy, aka: whom I will now call:
"J.W."
joined www.blogger.com because he has been prompted to do so by reading The Pblog.
Yes.
So be it, these blogs are given out for free.
Okay, then so my Plist will now follow below:
a) User name: "JizzyWizzy".
b) www.jizzywizzy.blogspot.com
(please note format and content,
and I should ask my Lawyer for advice ASAP...)
or,
c) for just-as-lame-excitement,
see the following:
d) http://www.therightfoot.net/mystuff/whatever/swf/bubblewrap.swf
or,
c) for more just-as-lame-excitement,
see the following:
a full sneak-peak into J.W.'s workout regime:
d) http://www.made2smile.com/funpages/dancingbaby/dancingbaby.htm
J.W. good luck with your new career as a blogger...
11.2.05
The Gobbler
Valentine's day weekend.
For some, it is a time of sitting at home and reading (or writing) my Pblog.
For others, it is a time for throwing themselves into a wild game to win a mate.
This as I know is often difficult, due to the fact that during this time of year hearts appear and or cloud one's eyes and it is difficult to see straight. So bumping into strangers becomes that of an art I could say.
Taking what you can get is almost vital if you are lucky enough to find someone that prefers a Valentine player. And if you are nearing or passing the ripe age of 33, then I guess you must take what you can get and share that taxi with your V-player honey!
I have always been told that I am someone that likes to try to hook-people-up, this isn't a bad thing I would think to be told or is it?
A) Are you calling me Cupid?
B) Do I prance around town semi-naked?
C) Do I carry W.M.D's? (aka: vicious pointy arrows)
D) Is my butt really that round?
E) the only wings I have are on my panty-liners (oops, nature can be gross to men)
It's just that I have lived around Canada and have many friends that are still "single" friends, that are also looking for MY crowd of single's to hook-up-with.
Why do my friends ask me if I have anyone?
Is it because I am not available?
Am I, "a good catch" Hell it's my Blog, so I think so. (ok, ok! I will stop)
I will stop with my "arranging" or "suggesting" but please note that David and I are more than happy to give names and numbers. I wish I had such help.
youknowyouwantadate@iamhot-to-trot.ca
You and I all know that it is quite difficult to stay warm this time of year,
so a toasty bodily encounter may be required.
Why not go to a slick hotel or stay in and eat a pound of cheap dark chocolate covered cherries? (Russel Stover makes the best hand-dipped ones by the way.)
I don't care if you are single-in-the-city, go to that hotel and get a massage.
Treat yourself.
I always loved the quote: "You have to love yourself before you can love someone else"
This clearly goes out to my friend Roseleen. I hope she understands why I have stated this. At this point in her life she is not able to love my friends or I. She seems to have difficulty keeping friends or men. To be picky of whom to have a relationship with is one thing, but to be constantly alone? I think there is a comfort in this that no one will ever be allowed to know of.
There is also some difficulty in her learning that good friendships endure all obstacles over time. It is a plain and simple thing. I am aware that a marriage is not all roses every single day, and for anyone that does believe such a thing is out of their mind. So anyone that readily turns down friendship...in my mind is a freak of nature and I truly pity their loneliness to come.
Furthermore, I truly don't understand why someone would reject an open hand?
I suppose David and I are together as our friendship has seen many obstacles over many years and has remained true. We know a good friend when we see one too. He has always been there for me, and understands my guts. I love him beyond the fact that he is now my boyfriend, I love him for his neverending friendship, his compassion, his mind, and his heart (and this list goes on)
Again, good friendships endure all obstacles over time.
Ok, back on track.
I credit the following link from David, as he let me in on this secret getaway!
I beg him (daily) to take me far far away to this fine establishment...to enjoy life's finest luxury at it's swanky damn best! Actually for the record, I beg god to take me here in my prayers!
A feast for your eyes lies ahead...
http://www.lileks.com/institute/motel/gob1.html
If you are unable to make it to The Gobbler during this seasonal romantic weekend, I guess you just aren't living life to-the-fullest now are you.
Hugs and kisses xoxoxox (to most)
For some, it is a time of sitting at home and reading (or writing) my Pblog.
For others, it is a time for throwing themselves into a wild game to win a mate.
This as I know is often difficult, due to the fact that during this time of year hearts appear and or cloud one's eyes and it is difficult to see straight. So bumping into strangers becomes that of an art I could say.
Taking what you can get is almost vital if you are lucky enough to find someone that prefers a Valentine player. And if you are nearing or passing the ripe age of 33, then I guess you must take what you can get and share that taxi with your V-player honey!
I have always been told that I am someone that likes to try to hook-people-up, this isn't a bad thing I would think to be told or is it?
A) Are you calling me Cupid?
B) Do I prance around town semi-naked?
C) Do I carry W.M.D's? (aka: vicious pointy arrows)
D) Is my butt really that round?
E) the only wings I have are on my panty-liners (oops, nature can be gross to men)
It's just that I have lived around Canada and have many friends that are still "single" friends, that are also looking for MY crowd of single's to hook-up-with.
Why do my friends ask me if I have anyone?
Is it because I am not available?
Am I, "a good catch" Hell it's my Blog, so I think so. (ok, ok! I will stop)
I will stop with my "arranging" or "suggesting" but please note that David and I are more than happy to give names and numbers. I wish I had such help.
youknowyouwantadate@iamhot-to-trot.ca
You and I all know that it is quite difficult to stay warm this time of year,
so a toasty bodily encounter may be required.
Why not go to a slick hotel or stay in and eat a pound of cheap dark chocolate covered cherries? (Russel Stover makes the best hand-dipped ones by the way.)
I don't care if you are single-in-the-city, go to that hotel and get a massage.
Treat yourself.
I always loved the quote: "You have to love yourself before you can love someone else"
This clearly goes out to my friend Roseleen. I hope she understands why I have stated this. At this point in her life she is not able to love my friends or I. She seems to have difficulty keeping friends or men. To be picky of whom to have a relationship with is one thing, but to be constantly alone? I think there is a comfort in this that no one will ever be allowed to know of.
There is also some difficulty in her learning that good friendships endure all obstacles over time. It is a plain and simple thing. I am aware that a marriage is not all roses every single day, and for anyone that does believe such a thing is out of their mind. So anyone that readily turns down friendship...in my mind is a freak of nature and I truly pity their loneliness to come.
Furthermore, I truly don't understand why someone would reject an open hand?
I suppose David and I are together as our friendship has seen many obstacles over many years and has remained true. We know a good friend when we see one too. He has always been there for me, and understands my guts. I love him beyond the fact that he is now my boyfriend, I love him for his neverending friendship, his compassion, his mind, and his heart (and this list goes on)
Again, good friendships endure all obstacles over time.
Ok, back on track.
I credit the following link from David, as he let me in on this secret getaway!
I beg him (daily) to take me far far away to this fine establishment...to enjoy life's finest luxury at it's swanky damn best! Actually for the record, I beg god to take me here in my prayers!
A feast for your eyes lies ahead...
http://www.lileks.com/institute/motel/gob1.html
If you are unable to make it to The Gobbler during this seasonal romantic weekend, I guess you just aren't living life to-the-fullest now are you.
Hugs and kisses xoxoxox (to most)
9.2.05
Maui surfs
http://www.meezer.com/
I confess, when I leave my house Guinness and Maui take over the house AND now my computer.
Today My Siamese cat Maui came across a good website for her and I to view together!
She sat captivated for over half an hour (which is long for a Siamese to sit) as we clicked on the MANY Siamese cat pictures from around the world. She just had to show me.
Maybe this is sort of like a new online dating forum for her. Her birthday is approaching and it is time to celebrate with some "Cat-action?"
No.
She is a good cat.
However, I should ask the other 'pussies' in my life which sites they post themselves on looking for wives, husbands, flings, dogs, cats...to help her out!
Maybe we can get Guinness a piece of ass too, as I know he misses his fine Monteal feline cuisine now that we are newbies to Toronto. (did I just say newbie?)
Hmm.
The site even has sound files that have wild screeching Siamese meows.
SO this was indeed odd for me, the human to endure.
But she did love it until I pushed her off my lap and said "that's enough!"
I confess, when I leave my house Guinness and Maui take over the house AND now my computer.
Today My Siamese cat Maui came across a good website for her and I to view together!
She sat captivated for over half an hour (which is long for a Siamese to sit) as we clicked on the MANY Siamese cat pictures from around the world. She just had to show me.
Maybe this is sort of like a new online dating forum for her. Her birthday is approaching and it is time to celebrate with some "Cat-action?"
No.
She is a good cat.
However, I should ask the other 'pussies' in my life which sites they post themselves on looking for wives, husbands, flings, dogs, cats...to help her out!
Maybe we can get Guinness a piece of ass too, as I know he misses his fine Monteal feline cuisine now that we are newbies to Toronto. (did I just say newbie?)
Hmm.
The site even has sound files that have wild screeching Siamese meows.
SO this was indeed odd for me, the human to endure.
But she did love it until I pushed her off my lap and said "that's enough!"
Grab a belt
Virginia bans droopy drawers, offenders face $50 fine
08/02/2005 10:39:00 PM
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginians who wear their pants so low their underwear shows may want to think about investing in a stronger belt.
The state's House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner." Delegate Lionell Spruill, a Democrat who opposed the bill, pleaded with his colleagues to remember their own youthful fashion follies.
During an extended monologue Monday, he talked about how they dressed or wore their hair in their teens. On Tuesday, he said the measure is an unconstitutional attack on young blacks that would force parents to take off work to accompany their children to court just for making a fashion statement.
"This is a foolish bill, Mr. Speaker, because it will hurt so many," Spruill said before the measure was approved by a vote of 60-34. It now goes to the state Senate.
The bill's sponsor, Delegate Algie Howell, has said constituents were offended by the exposed underwear. He did not speak on the floor Tuesday.
08/02/2005 10:39:00 PM
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginians who wear their pants so low their underwear shows may want to think about investing in a stronger belt.
The state's House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday authorizing a $50 fine for anyone who displays his or her underpants in a "lewd or indecent manner." Delegate Lionell Spruill, a Democrat who opposed the bill, pleaded with his colleagues to remember their own youthful fashion follies.
During an extended monologue Monday, he talked about how they dressed or wore their hair in their teens. On Tuesday, he said the measure is an unconstitutional attack on young blacks that would force parents to take off work to accompany their children to court just for making a fashion statement.
"This is a foolish bill, Mr. Speaker, because it will hurt so many," Spruill said before the measure was approved by a vote of 60-34. It now goes to the state Senate.
The bill's sponsor, Delegate Algie Howell, has said constituents were offended by the exposed underwear. He did not speak on the floor Tuesday.
7.2.05
No Sweat
www.behindthelabel.org
Mary-Kate, Ashley: No Sweat
Thu Dec 09, 2004.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen really do care about the kiddies.
The high-powered teen titans have pledged to make sure their signature clothing line for Wal-Mart will not be produced in sweatshops.
The former child stars were targeted by the National Labor Committee and student activists from the twins' college, New York University, who sent an open letter Wednesday to the Olsens asking them to sign a petition to force Wal-Mart to guarantee female workers who make the clothing in factories in Bangladesh the "legal right to maternity leave with benefits."
The letter claimed the twins' company, DualStar Entertainment, refused hundreds of appeals over the last seven months to disclose the names of the Bangladesh factories where the Mary-Kate and Ashley brand is being manufactured so the NLC can ensure the women working there are aware of their legal rights.
Visit
"It is only through this simply and doable step that the women in these factories can be alerted that their legal maternity rights will now be respected, and that a system can be established to verify compliance," wrote Charles Kernaghan, the NLC's director.
Stating that the letter is in no way meant "as a personal attack" against the Olsens, Kernaghan urged the superstars to "do the right thing by standing up to defend the rights of other young teenage women across the developing world who are sewing their garments."
Kernaghan cited statistics showing that exploited workers in certain factories work 14 hour days, seven days a week, while making a sweatshop wage of just 13 to 18 cents per hour without being able to take three months paid leave to care for their own children, a benefit that they are entitled to by law. Many of those female laborers are often fired or harassed until they quit should they attempt to do so.
To get their point, Kernaghan and the NYU chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops decided to make the Olsens the focus of Thursday night's march and candlelight vigil at New York's Washington Square Park.
"The NYU students and I would like to invite Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to attend tomorrow's events to sign the pledge, at which point the banners will be rolled up, the demonstration will be canceled and we will hold a brief celebration to thank Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen for doing the right thing," the letter continued. "This could be a win-win situation for the Olsens, the NYU students and for young women garment workers across Bangladesh."
NYU's student paper, Washington Square News, also called on the actresses to get involved in affording garment workers maternity leave, citing Wal-Mart's dubious track record as the world's largest retailer in using sweatshops and routinely intimidating and firing workers who tried to organize labor unions.
"It would be scandalous for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who are held up as examples of successful, independent, young women, to deny this most basic right to the women producing their clothing line," stated the paper.
Looking to avoid becoming the next Kathie Lee Gifford, the Olsens decided to play ball.
The sisters' rep, Michael Pagnotta, told E! Online that the Olsens were never aware of the group's petition, but he was confident their company's retail vendors "were being asked to adhere to the most rigorous standards."
"Signing it was never an issue for us," said Pagnotta. "I think what [the labor activists] were suggesting is that Mary-Kate and Ashley refused to sign a petition. But they had never seen it."
Pagnotta said DualStar reps had been in talks with the NLC since Wednesday, and once Mary-Kate and Ashley took a look at the maternity-leave pledge and evaluated it, they readily signed.
The pledge reads: "On behalf of the DualStar Entertainment Group LLC, I Mary-Kate Olsen hereby sign this pledge that to the best of our abilities we will guarantee that any woman sewing our garments in Bangladesh will be afforded her legal maternity leave of at least three months with full pay." It was signed by Mary-Kate and dated Dec. 9.
Earlier Thursday, the twins' attorney, Stanton L. Stein, replied to Kernaghan with a letter stating that the Olsens were "immediately responsive upon learning of the issue," but due to "serious security concerns," they would not be able to attend tonight's gathering.
He also called on the NLC to honor its promise to cancel the demonstration and instead hold a brief celebration announcing his clients' support and thanking them.
In his letter, Stein also defended the Olsens, arguing that while Kernaghan stated that his group was not personally admonishing them, the resulting media coverage had framed it as a "personal attack" on the girls, whom he said are "completely blameless."
"Still, they have chosen to raise their voices to help improve the lives of workers and their families and should be appropriately recognized for doing so," he added.
By Thursday evening, the NLC released a statement reading in part, "The Olsen twins have done the right thing. Now it is up to Wal-Mart to either support Mary-Kate and Ashley’s commitment to women’s rights, or tragically to shut them down."
The Olsens aren't the first celebs to get schooled by labor activists. Last year, the NLC accused rap mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs's Sean John fashion line of using sweatshop labor in Honduras, claims which were later denied by government officials.
In the '90s, the group was also successful in holding Gifford responsible for labor abuses against Salvadoran workers who made the former talk show queen's signature Wal-Mart clothes under horrible conditions.
Mary-Kate, Ashley: No Sweat
Thu Dec 09, 2004.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen really do care about the kiddies.
The high-powered teen titans have pledged to make sure their signature clothing line for Wal-Mart will not be produced in sweatshops.
The former child stars were targeted by the National Labor Committee and student activists from the twins' college, New York University, who sent an open letter Wednesday to the Olsens asking them to sign a petition to force Wal-Mart to guarantee female workers who make the clothing in factories in Bangladesh the "legal right to maternity leave with benefits."
The letter claimed the twins' company, DualStar Entertainment, refused hundreds of appeals over the last seven months to disclose the names of the Bangladesh factories where the Mary-Kate and Ashley brand is being manufactured so the NLC can ensure the women working there are aware of their legal rights.
Visit
"It is only through this simply and doable step that the women in these factories can be alerted that their legal maternity rights will now be respected, and that a system can be established to verify compliance," wrote Charles Kernaghan, the NLC's director.
Stating that the letter is in no way meant "as a personal attack" against the Olsens, Kernaghan urged the superstars to "do the right thing by standing up to defend the rights of other young teenage women across the developing world who are sewing their garments."
Kernaghan cited statistics showing that exploited workers in certain factories work 14 hour days, seven days a week, while making a sweatshop wage of just 13 to 18 cents per hour without being able to take three months paid leave to care for their own children, a benefit that they are entitled to by law. Many of those female laborers are often fired or harassed until they quit should they attempt to do so.
To get their point, Kernaghan and the NYU chapter of United Students Against Sweatshops decided to make the Olsens the focus of Thursday night's march and candlelight vigil at New York's Washington Square Park.
"The NYU students and I would like to invite Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen to attend tomorrow's events to sign the pledge, at which point the banners will be rolled up, the demonstration will be canceled and we will hold a brief celebration to thank Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen for doing the right thing," the letter continued. "This could be a win-win situation for the Olsens, the NYU students and for young women garment workers across Bangladesh."
NYU's student paper, Washington Square News, also called on the actresses to get involved in affording garment workers maternity leave, citing Wal-Mart's dubious track record as the world's largest retailer in using sweatshops and routinely intimidating and firing workers who tried to organize labor unions.
"It would be scandalous for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who are held up as examples of successful, independent, young women, to deny this most basic right to the women producing their clothing line," stated the paper.
Looking to avoid becoming the next Kathie Lee Gifford, the Olsens decided to play ball.
The sisters' rep, Michael Pagnotta, told E! Online that the Olsens were never aware of the group's petition, but he was confident their company's retail vendors "were being asked to adhere to the most rigorous standards."
"Signing it was never an issue for us," said Pagnotta. "I think what [the labor activists] were suggesting is that Mary-Kate and Ashley refused to sign a petition. But they had never seen it."
Pagnotta said DualStar reps had been in talks with the NLC since Wednesday, and once Mary-Kate and Ashley took a look at the maternity-leave pledge and evaluated it, they readily signed.
The pledge reads: "On behalf of the DualStar Entertainment Group LLC, I Mary-Kate Olsen hereby sign this pledge that to the best of our abilities we will guarantee that any woman sewing our garments in Bangladesh will be afforded her legal maternity leave of at least three months with full pay." It was signed by Mary-Kate and dated Dec. 9.
Earlier Thursday, the twins' attorney, Stanton L. Stein, replied to Kernaghan with a letter stating that the Olsens were "immediately responsive upon learning of the issue," but due to "serious security concerns," they would not be able to attend tonight's gathering.
He also called on the NLC to honor its promise to cancel the demonstration and instead hold a brief celebration announcing his clients' support and thanking them.
In his letter, Stein also defended the Olsens, arguing that while Kernaghan stated that his group was not personally admonishing them, the resulting media coverage had framed it as a "personal attack" on the girls, whom he said are "completely blameless."
"Still, they have chosen to raise their voices to help improve the lives of workers and their families and should be appropriately recognized for doing so," he added.
By Thursday evening, the NLC released a statement reading in part, "The Olsen twins have done the right thing. Now it is up to Wal-Mart to either support Mary-Kate and Ashley’s commitment to women’s rights, or tragically to shut them down."
The Olsens aren't the first celebs to get schooled by labor activists. Last year, the NLC accused rap mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs's Sean John fashion line of using sweatshop labor in Honduras, claims which were later denied by government officials.
In the '90s, the group was also successful in holding Gifford responsible for labor abuses against Salvadoran workers who made the former talk show queen's signature Wal-Mart clothes under horrible conditions.
Kiss your human rights goodbye!
Indonesia mulls bans on kissing, exposing 'sensual body parts' in public
05/02/2005 8:53:00 AM
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Call it a kissing crackdown.
Indonesia's government is considering a law banning unwed couples from pecking in public -and harshly penalizing those who do, the Jakarta Post reported Saturday.
The campaign against kissing is part of a proposal of sweeping reforms to laws adopted by the country's Dutch colonial rulers in the late 19th century.
Drafted by a panel of experts, the revised laws would set environmental protection standards and punish human rights violations and terrorism, the newspaper said.
But they would also impose penalties on unwed couples who kiss in public, while permitting police raids on the homes of those suspected of living together out of wedlock.
Pornography and public displays of "certain sensual body parts" would be outlawed and media, movies and songs censored.
Penalties for law breakers would range from fines as high as 300 million rupiah, or about $40,000 Cdn, to up to 10 years imprisonment, according to the daily.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the legislature are expected to spend two years debating and revising the draft.
Critics say the laws would let authorities restrict personal freedoms and muzzle the media.
In recent years, Hollywood movies and TV programs have faced condemnation from religious leaders and government officials in the world's most populous Muslim nation who say such fare violates religious tenets on decency.
Islamic conservatives -some of whom want to replace Indonesia's secular system with one bound by Islamic law -have been emboldened since the fall of ex-dictator Suharto in 1998.
05/02/2005 8:53:00 AM
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Call it a kissing crackdown.
Indonesia's government is considering a law banning unwed couples from pecking in public -and harshly penalizing those who do, the Jakarta Post reported Saturday.
The campaign against kissing is part of a proposal of sweeping reforms to laws adopted by the country's Dutch colonial rulers in the late 19th century.
Drafted by a panel of experts, the revised laws would set environmental protection standards and punish human rights violations and terrorism, the newspaper said.
But they would also impose penalties on unwed couples who kiss in public, while permitting police raids on the homes of those suspected of living together out of wedlock.
Pornography and public displays of "certain sensual body parts" would be outlawed and media, movies and songs censored.
Penalties for law breakers would range from fines as high as 300 million rupiah, or about $40,000 Cdn, to up to 10 years imprisonment, according to the daily.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the legislature are expected to spend two years debating and revising the draft.
Critics say the laws would let authorities restrict personal freedoms and muzzle the media.
In recent years, Hollywood movies and TV programs have faced condemnation from religious leaders and government officials in the world's most populous Muslim nation who say such fare violates religious tenets on decency.
Islamic conservatives -some of whom want to replace Indonesia's secular system with one bound by Islamic law -have been emboldened since the fall of ex-dictator Suharto in 1998.
2.2.05
Me, at my finest...
Ok, due to the HIGH traffic/comments that this link gets on a daily basis,
I must explain that this was part of a University film school project, and CLEARLY not just posted on the Pblog for your entertainment.
It is here purely so we can get your gut reaction to my friend's sense of art.
http://www.hybrid.concordia.ca/~smali/Video-Project/Colour-Clips/Maid-medium.mov
Thank you again for visiting the Pblog!
-The staff
I must explain that this was part of a University film school project, and CLEARLY not just posted on the Pblog for your entertainment.
It is here purely so we can get your gut reaction to my friend's sense of art.
http://www.hybrid.concordia.ca/~smali/Video-Project/Colour-Clips/Maid-medium.mov
Thank you again for visiting the Pblog!
-The staff
1.2.05
Agnes Chapter 1
The couch was plenty worn and filled with winestains, torn at the edges and scuffed from her hooves. There it lay out in the frontyard, it was Agnes' couch.
"I knew it!" I barked loudly inside my country house.
"I knew she would love it!" I shouted, with a hop in my redpainted toed step.
There, out in the grassy yard she stood. One ecstatic onlooking pet Angus cow,
delighted (!) with her gift.
She was a ragged rootbeer brown splendid piece of prime T-bone, splashed with creamy white stiff paintbrush fur at her ears and she had a nose as rough as my uncles 1970's boat seats (but not full of 1970's glitter).
But wait, I am not sure what this all means to you the reader, but so what if I reconsidered that whole getting-a-dog-thing and choose wholeheartedly on getting-a-cow instead.
Maybe it was that mild depression I was going through last year, where I needed 'more-love' than a small dog would bear. I am not sure, but the cats didn't seem to mind the mild acquisition.
I then ran out passing her and sat quietly alone on the couch as she swankly trotted her hooves forward catwalk style.
I saw her coming for me, so I moved to the absolute right side of the couch. She did weigh a hefty bit, as she was ALL cow.
The couch was all busted up and was missing the left side arm so I knew she would fit handsomely there with me. Again, she kicked up her front hoof and tore the dirty dry earth, as if looking for my comforting Mommy voice to invite her.
The sun flickered through the branches covered in white apple blossoms and I could just start to see the sourness of its budding crabapples ruin the whole 'sweet feeling' it gave to it's daily Agnes the cow onlooker. Agnes was headed my way and looked quite tired. Tired from what? I am still unsure of.
I had placed this couch outside of my country home sometime last year.
There it stood, in the front yard aging in the sun. It had seen better company, and I felt poorly for tossing it out. Surely my house had seen enough of the worlds worst 1990's floral pattern from The Sears Catalogue. Not that I shop entirely with a Sears Catalogue, but I once had a friend who worked there so I got a reasonable discount at the time.
So out it went.
It was certainly a floral print that would be left 'to-the-cows' to rot in the sun.
A sort of 'play-thing' for her to sit on and rummage through.
"A mini trampoline to bounce on!" I laughed and imagined.
My closest neighbour was a good half acre away and of the stubborn Irish (what else is new) sort. He worked nights down at Patti's Pub and slept days. I knew he wouldn't see it, nor would he care for my odd couch taste that I had back in the early 90's. He was always tied to that bar and it's drowning John Deere locals. Though ironically enough to some, his father had tragically been hospitalized from kidney problems. So he did actually, yet ONLY upon calls from The General Hospital, make it out once and a while. Yes, in full daylight.
I often wondered if his flesh would ignite via the rays of the sun.
He told me he slept with a pillow over his face to keep the light out. Maybe this was so he wouldn't see the ugly couch, or his odd greying neighbour with a pet cow and it's 1990's floral couch-toy-plaything.
He was the nearest to our house so I would often see him scurry off to the hospital. I was always kind enough to start conversation and add in a joke or two, if I ran into him at the mailbox.
But he was never the sort to take me seriously, and he, never the sort to marry.
He was just of the sort to take care of you on a human-to-human level.
This human (me) had sat constantly at Patti's with a minor drinking problem last year. I sat alone with my smudged mascara and my tangled curls and my warm pints of Guinness.
I sat and imagined happiness and what it would feel like. He did care for my long stories of finding happiness, and thankfully kept the Deere men off me who were into that whole purdy-looks-kind-of-thing they shared. So I at least respected my neighbour.
He also knew that one day I would snap out of it, leave the tired pub and find it.
But snap so far as to buy a cow? no.
Curling up on the couch and waging her tail Agnes looked my way and paused...
Her mouth was giant and housed her tongue, the kind that you see at The Butcher Shoppe,
only alive and faded green with grass. She then licked my now dirty cotton sleeve and this apparently sealed-the-deal of her being quite happy on this pure 90's relic.
"I knew it!" I barked loudly inside my country house.
"I knew she would love it!" I shouted, with a hop in my redpainted toed step.
There, out in the grassy yard she stood. One ecstatic onlooking pet Angus cow,
delighted (!) with her gift.
She was a ragged rootbeer brown splendid piece of prime T-bone, splashed with creamy white stiff paintbrush fur at her ears and she had a nose as rough as my uncles 1970's boat seats (but not full of 1970's glitter).
But wait, I am not sure what this all means to you the reader, but so what if I reconsidered that whole getting-a-dog-thing and choose wholeheartedly on getting-a-cow instead.
Maybe it was that mild depression I was going through last year, where I needed 'more-love' than a small dog would bear. I am not sure, but the cats didn't seem to mind the mild acquisition.
I then ran out passing her and sat quietly alone on the couch as she swankly trotted her hooves forward catwalk style.
I saw her coming for me, so I moved to the absolute right side of the couch. She did weigh a hefty bit, as she was ALL cow.
The couch was all busted up and was missing the left side arm so I knew she would fit handsomely there with me. Again, she kicked up her front hoof and tore the dirty dry earth, as if looking for my comforting Mommy voice to invite her.
The sun flickered through the branches covered in white apple blossoms and I could just start to see the sourness of its budding crabapples ruin the whole 'sweet feeling' it gave to it's daily Agnes the cow onlooker. Agnes was headed my way and looked quite tired. Tired from what? I am still unsure of.
I had placed this couch outside of my country home sometime last year.
There it stood, in the front yard aging in the sun. It had seen better company, and I felt poorly for tossing it out. Surely my house had seen enough of the worlds worst 1990's floral pattern from The Sears Catalogue. Not that I shop entirely with a Sears Catalogue, but I once had a friend who worked there so I got a reasonable discount at the time.
So out it went.
It was certainly a floral print that would be left 'to-the-cows' to rot in the sun.
A sort of 'play-thing' for her to sit on and rummage through.
"A mini trampoline to bounce on!" I laughed and imagined.
My closest neighbour was a good half acre away and of the stubborn Irish (what else is new) sort. He worked nights down at Patti's Pub and slept days. I knew he wouldn't see it, nor would he care for my odd couch taste that I had back in the early 90's. He was always tied to that bar and it's drowning John Deere locals. Though ironically enough to some, his father had tragically been hospitalized from kidney problems. So he did actually, yet ONLY upon calls from The General Hospital, make it out once and a while. Yes, in full daylight.
I often wondered if his flesh would ignite via the rays of the sun.
He told me he slept with a pillow over his face to keep the light out. Maybe this was so he wouldn't see the ugly couch, or his odd greying neighbour with a pet cow and it's 1990's floral couch-toy-plaything.
He was the nearest to our house so I would often see him scurry off to the hospital. I was always kind enough to start conversation and add in a joke or two, if I ran into him at the mailbox.
But he was never the sort to take me seriously, and he, never the sort to marry.
He was just of the sort to take care of you on a human-to-human level.
This human (me) had sat constantly at Patti's with a minor drinking problem last year. I sat alone with my smudged mascara and my tangled curls and my warm pints of Guinness.
I sat and imagined happiness and what it would feel like. He did care for my long stories of finding happiness, and thankfully kept the Deere men off me who were into that whole purdy-looks-kind-of-thing they shared. So I at least respected my neighbour.
He also knew that one day I would snap out of it, leave the tired pub and find it.
But snap so far as to buy a cow? no.
Curling up on the couch and waging her tail Agnes looked my way and paused...
Her mouth was giant and housed her tongue, the kind that you see at The Butcher Shoppe,
only alive and faded green with grass. She then licked my now dirty cotton sleeve and this apparently sealed-the-deal of her being quite happy on this pure 90's relic.
Raglan Road
by: Patrick Kavanagh (1904-1967)
On Raglan Road of an Autumn day
I saw her first and knew,
That her dark hair would weave a snare
That I might someday rue.
I saw the danger and I passed
Along the enchanted way.
And I said,
"Let grief be a fallen leaf At the dawning of the day."
On Grafton Street in November, we
Tripped lightly along the ledge
Of a deep ravine where can be seen
The worth of passion play.
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts
And I not making hay;
Oh, I loved too much and by such and such
Is happiness thrown away.
I gave her gifts of the mind,
I gave her the secret signs,
That's known to the artists who have known
The true gods of sound and stone.
And her words and tint without stint
I gave her poems to say
With her own name there and her own dark hair
Like clouds over fields of May.
On a quiet street where old ghosts meet
I see her walking now,
And away from me so hurriedly
My reason must allow.
That I had loved, not as I should
A creature made of clay,
When the angel woos the clay, he'll lose
His wings at the dawn of day.
On Raglan Road of an Autumn day
I saw her first and knew,
That her dark hair would weave a snare
That I might someday rue.
I saw the danger and I passed
Along the enchanted way.
And I said,
"Let grief be a fallen leaf At the dawning of the day."
On Grafton Street in November, we
Tripped lightly along the ledge
Of a deep ravine where can be seen
The worth of passion play.
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts
And I not making hay;
Oh, I loved too much and by such and such
Is happiness thrown away.
I gave her gifts of the mind,
I gave her the secret signs,
That's known to the artists who have known
The true gods of sound and stone.
And her words and tint without stint
I gave her poems to say
With her own name there and her own dark hair
Like clouds over fields of May.
On a quiet street where old ghosts meet
I see her walking now,
And away from me so hurriedly
My reason must allow.
That I had loved, not as I should
A creature made of clay,
When the angel woos the clay, he'll lose
His wings at the dawn of day.
28.1.05
w-(wolf)-c-s part 2
the screeching flow...
halting it here
across all of this
with lightning speed
addictions seen
faceless again
melted limbs
salted body
drenched eyes of blue
the devil knows you are here
addicted to it again
thoughts arise (again)
new fears
thick honey sucked out of trees
her dripping wet mouth
linking this again to the sea
missing it over and over (again)
jellyfish eye
her painted red toes
chasing her
away from the water
out of thought
out of mind...
but there are gluey remains of the day
left between us
on your unsettled mind
halting it here
across all of this
with lightning speed
addictions seen
faceless again
melted limbs
salted body
drenched eyes of blue
the devil knows you are here
addicted to it again
thoughts arise (again)
new fears
thick honey sucked out of trees
her dripping wet mouth
linking this again to the sea
missing it over and over (again)
jellyfish eye
her painted red toes
chasing her
away from the water
out of thought
out of mind...
but there are gluey remains of the day
left between us
on your unsettled mind
were-(wolf)-chick-shark part 1
covered in the salty remains of the sea
a smile smeared and lipsticked
her wet mouth speaks in subdued tones
non-cancerous with her brilliant tanning cream
beautiful eyes that cry my name
lashes flutter across my face as i hold her tight
dont let go of her
or else she will escape and go back to the sea
from me she floats away
the water embraces her body...her smile
she transforms
then disappears
her routine shifts over and over
and now again for one last night
forever covered with my fingerprints
she drifts on further
truly transformed by me
a smile smeared and lipsticked
her wet mouth speaks in subdued tones
non-cancerous with her brilliant tanning cream
beautiful eyes that cry my name
lashes flutter across my face as i hold her tight
dont let go of her
or else she will escape and go back to the sea
from me she floats away
the water embraces her body...her smile
she transforms
then disappears
her routine shifts over and over
and now again for one last night
forever covered with my fingerprints
she drifts on further
truly transformed by me
27.1.05
opinion leaders
taupe is a war color
this is a test
bring these orange pills
munch them up
now!
this is a war of the mind
eat it up quickly
it is ugly to my new faceless army face
---hurry march
1...2...3...4...
---please march
1...2...3...4...
---you and i need to swallow them up right now
our minds waking up now
like soldiers
seeing clearly
observing
targeting
each other as one
human species
hurry hurry
taupe is the new color now
slather on your protective creams
and darling, spray on your dead floral scents
because you really are blooming with the dead,
and only now do i feel your true meaning of love...
our eyes
lit up and wildly glowing
hurry hurry
lets get this over with...
dont you love this feeling?
taupe is our new favorite color
let us run with the falling stars
over the darkened skys
exploding with movements of experimentation
hats off to you
hurry hurry
march march
before the war is over
for the wars effortless
taupe is everywhere,
hot desert skys full of sand
our pills have worn off
our eyes see differently
replenishing your mind
new literature
new ideas
new pills
new efforts, new color...
you breeze by it all in a fixed daze
hurry hurry
march mach
hopeful for this world
taupe is dead.
this is a test
bring these orange pills
munch them up
now!
this is a war of the mind
eat it up quickly
it is ugly to my new faceless army face
---hurry march
1...2...3...4...
---please march
1...2...3...4...
---you and i need to swallow them up right now
our minds waking up now
like soldiers
seeing clearly
observing
targeting
each other as one
human species
hurry hurry
taupe is the new color now
slather on your protective creams
and darling, spray on your dead floral scents
because you really are blooming with the dead,
and only now do i feel your true meaning of love...
our eyes
lit up and wildly glowing
hurry hurry
lets get this over with...
dont you love this feeling?
taupe is our new favorite color
let us run with the falling stars
over the darkened skys
exploding with movements of experimentation
hats off to you
hurry hurry
march march
before the war is over
for the wars effortless
taupe is everywhere,
hot desert skys full of sand
our pills have worn off
our eyes see differently
replenishing your mind
new literature
new ideas
new pills
new efforts, new color...
you breeze by it all in a fixed daze
hurry hurry
march mach
hopeful for this world
taupe is dead.
my dearest victory
dearest victory
where are you in this war?
the lights have gone out in this city
yet a thousand bombs light the way
complete destruction
but the flowers grow wild here
and an enemy eyes our victory day
you and i are losing hope
this situation is overwhelming our souls
this war,
i see the falling bombs flash before my eyes
just like the stars in the sky
and the flowers continue to flourish
dearest victory where are you?
where are you in this war?
the lights have gone out in this city
yet a thousand bombs light the way
complete destruction
but the flowers grow wild here
and an enemy eyes our victory day
you and i are losing hope
this situation is overwhelming our souls
this war,
i see the falling bombs flash before my eyes
just like the stars in the sky
and the flowers continue to flourish
dearest victory where are you?
fundraising war ads
its the war
a great big war
of ourselves
one species
screeching planes
bombs
tireless mines
each of us everywhere
wallowing in turmoil
littering our absent minds with all of this
and gaining something...
mistakes
explosions
victorious headaches
my feelings of today...
not becoming your friend
just an enemy
another soldier in this battle
another brother
trudging uphill
for glory
keep your spirits high
you must carry on if you are to win
power
wealth
success
the constant endures
on this and further days to come...
save your energy for the killing tonight
i am doing it...for your benefit
my friend
my enemy
see you there
a great big war
of ourselves
one species
screeching planes
bombs
tireless mines
each of us everywhere
wallowing in turmoil
littering our absent minds with all of this
and gaining something...
mistakes
explosions
victorious headaches
my feelings of today...
not becoming your friend
just an enemy
another soldier in this battle
another brother
trudging uphill
for glory
keep your spirits high
you must carry on if you are to win
power
wealth
success
the constant endures
on this and further days to come...
save your energy for the killing tonight
i am doing it...for your benefit
my friend
my enemy
see you there
traditional beings
look for it again
i rely on your instincts
waiting for the final thought
traditional hope
get out of here now
economic sanctuary
saturated beginnings
nothing and nobody
gigantic gifts
separate from all and everything
come back home
while you can
its crashing the weak and poor
follow the dream...go ahead now!
i rely on your instincts
waiting for the final thought
traditional hope
get out of here now
economic sanctuary
saturated beginnings
nothing and nobody
gigantic gifts
separate from all and everything
come back home
while you can
its crashing the weak and poor
follow the dream...go ahead now!
the drowning girl i once knew...
under a blanket
of seawater
face down
eyes open but blinded
in a pool of sorry tears
darkened wet velvet
floating wild hair
spread out
shimmering quietly alone
the angel
i once knew...
the world buzzes overhead
the hungry sea devouring her mind
a million moonlit nights
relentlessly spent
dreaming this up
the tossed moon rock
thrown into a pool of raging clouds
just like her
drowning
sinking deeper and deeper
the girl i once knew...
has gone to the sea
shimmering and still dreaming
of seawater
face down
eyes open but blinded
in a pool of sorry tears
darkened wet velvet
floating wild hair
spread out
shimmering quietly alone
the angel
i once knew...
the world buzzes overhead
the hungry sea devouring her mind
a million moonlit nights
relentlessly spent
dreaming this up
the tossed moon rock
thrown into a pool of raging clouds
just like her
drowning
sinking deeper and deeper
the girl i once knew...
has gone to the sea
shimmering and still dreaming
dreaming (again) part 2
it seeps out
protruding into our eyes
blinding us (again)
hushed by a blanket of lust
quietly we sing
together (again)
gouging the delicate mind
the delicate fabric
unraveling blue threads
all is just
simply put back (again)
as always
tailored to your mind
sneaking out at you
and seeping out (again)
hushed by the blanket
singing quietly
together (again)
protruding into our eyes
blinding us (again)
hushed by a blanket of lust
quietly we sing
together (again)
gouging the delicate mind
the delicate fabric
unraveling blue threads
all is just
simply put back (again)
as always
tailored to your mind
sneaking out at you
and seeping out (again)
hushed by the blanket
singing quietly
together (again)
non-detailed form dreaming (again) part 1
gravity dripping
cold flesh
resting against my smile
warm inside fresh
minds escape
(up in the sky)
can you feel it happening...
wild moods (again)
running
spelling out a familiar name
asking for this
but stopping this (now)
tree frogs jump
past my eyes...
or do they...
gravity
holding you (down)
dreaming (again)
planes fly overhead
(up in the sky)
metal forcing itself against gravity
pushing higher and higher
can you feel it happening...
the gravity
holding you (down)
faces screech
pulling down
good old glory
and fate written out for you
(up in the sky)
can you feel it happening...
we are both still dreaming (again)
cold flesh
resting against my smile
warm inside fresh
minds escape
(up in the sky)
can you feel it happening...
wild moods (again)
running
spelling out a familiar name
asking for this
but stopping this (now)
tree frogs jump
past my eyes...
or do they...
gravity
holding you (down)
dreaming (again)
planes fly overhead
(up in the sky)
metal forcing itself against gravity
pushing higher and higher
can you feel it happening...
the gravity
holding you (down)
faces screech
pulling down
good old glory
and fate written out for you
(up in the sky)
can you feel it happening...
we are both still dreaming (again)
NOT PROUD (a smorgasbord of shame)
I had to let all of you know about a new book that's coming out on Feb 1st,
My friends cousin Scott and his best friend Gary have published a book called:
NOT PROUD (a smorgasbord of shame)
It's a collection of anonymous confessions from people around the world.
The response on the website www.notproud.com has been phenomenal.
Great coffee table book that you cannot, I repeat cannot (believe me I know) put down.
So if any of you are interested it will be in all Chapters, Indigo and Urban Outfitters as of February 1st. It would be cool to get lots of support to them it's their first shot at this.
My friends cousin Scott and his best friend Gary have published a book called:
NOT PROUD (a smorgasbord of shame)
It's a collection of anonymous confessions from people around the world.
The response on the website www.notproud.com has been phenomenal.
Great coffee table book that you cannot, I repeat cannot (believe me I know) put down.
So if any of you are interested it will be in all Chapters, Indigo and Urban Outfitters as of February 1st. It would be cool to get lots of support to them it's their first shot at this.
21.1.05
a good thing
So what if I started baking again.
It has been about a year since I made my last batch of cookies. But I am a baker at heart and have never made a sour batch, seriously.
Never.
I made them, the peanut butter cookies, I got the "how-to" off of Martha's site, I made them in her jail-bird honor. I love Martha, she is simply amazing. And yes I even went as far as buying a blonde wig and posed as her holding a (store-bought) apple pie for Halloween.
I wanted to impress David with this kind of sweet suprise as he deserves a treat!
and he also has never had a single one before yesterday as I have been in super-training-mode-for-my-brown-belt for the past year, so that means= no baked goods in the house!
I remember taking my cookies out on the Montreal scene and delivering them to friends' apartments and resting small yogurt containers at their doors, and also hand delivering wrapped tinfoiled cookies with hearts drawn out on them for Valentine's day. This was a fun thing for me, as I am well, the sweetest friend around.
I also then thought that I don't mind being at home, as it is a full-time job looking for work, and also looking after the house, and the cats of course. I then figured that women have spent years trying to get out-of-the-house and it's really not so bad. Maybe because I am happy now; and I wasn't this well off mentally before. I also concluded to my inner Martha, that everyone isn't in love with baking and making all things from scratch like me. Some of my friends hate cooking and couldnt be bothered to eat anything complicated at all.
It is very hard to make dinner for yourself when you live alone. There is the ugly thought of eating alone at the table, or in front of the rancid television. I have had to do this for years on end, I enjoyed it as much as I could. It is a nice peaceful feeling that you have accomplished so much in life and can also prepare a meal all-by-yourself. But, it really is a pleasure to cook for someone and for that person to enjoy my company and not so much as the food on their plate, even though it is always tasty!
It has been about a year since I made my last batch of cookies. But I am a baker at heart and have never made a sour batch, seriously.
Never.
I made them, the peanut butter cookies, I got the "how-to" off of Martha's site, I made them in her jail-bird honor. I love Martha, she is simply amazing. And yes I even went as far as buying a blonde wig and posed as her holding a (store-bought) apple pie for Halloween.
I wanted to impress David with this kind of sweet suprise as he deserves a treat!
and he also has never had a single one before yesterday as I have been in super-training-mode-for-my-brown-belt for the past year, so that means= no baked goods in the house!
I remember taking my cookies out on the Montreal scene and delivering them to friends' apartments and resting small yogurt containers at their doors, and also hand delivering wrapped tinfoiled cookies with hearts drawn out on them for Valentine's day. This was a fun thing for me, as I am well, the sweetest friend around.
I also then thought that I don't mind being at home, as it is a full-time job looking for work, and also looking after the house, and the cats of course. I then figured that women have spent years trying to get out-of-the-house and it's really not so bad. Maybe because I am happy now; and I wasn't this well off mentally before. I also concluded to my inner Martha, that everyone isn't in love with baking and making all things from scratch like me. Some of my friends hate cooking and couldnt be bothered to eat anything complicated at all.
It is very hard to make dinner for yourself when you live alone. There is the ugly thought of eating alone at the table, or in front of the rancid television. I have had to do this for years on end, I enjoyed it as much as I could. It is a nice peaceful feeling that you have accomplished so much in life and can also prepare a meal all-by-yourself. But, it really is a pleasure to cook for someone and for that person to enjoy my company and not so much as the food on their plate, even though it is always tasty!
12.1.05
11.1.05
Starting again from where I once left off
I Spend time every day keeping up to date with things that I consider important.
Not that you will always care to read, but because I care to explain things in an interesting way.
I must admit, that Pblog is again up-and-running for you.
I now have been wired up for cable tv and around three hundred channels mock me.
-I have gone without cable for 3+ years.
-And without TV for one entire year.
My lack of tv interest is partially due to well, never enjoying it.
I grew up watching cartoons. And then ctv news. And then to the CBC.
I don't care for all-the-hooplah. Yet I work in The Fashion Industry so you think that it would be something of pleasure. And to my delight I have found out about the FT channel on #165.
165.
Who really needs 166 so much? or 287?
David taught me how to use the preview "guide" today as it was actually taking me around 5 minutes to manually FLIP to channel 108.
Call me oldfashioned, no get lost.
If you remember, I did return my 20GB (yes 20)
iPOD as I found it to be: i-NSUFFICIENT.
But media, buy it up. Or choose not to. Choose to live your life.
And never because you or I can't afford it, but because I don't want to promote someone else's life other than my own.
I find that people in general are lazy, it is easier to watch someone on TV than to live one's own life. So I hate Television with its dirty and gloriously rich people.
David and I are looking into some sort of ANTI-COUCH actvivity, but it is hard to escape the draw of "14 years of trash tv" Springer and the new American swank called 24.
So it was quiet without the tv on today, but I peaked during the making of my dinner and saw an interview with the beautiful Nicole Kidman. I noticed how the center of her forehead no longer moves and how she can't give a true laugh because of the frozen botox effect. It was quite weird to see her become so superhuman with money. She also just finished a CHANEL NO.5 ad, and was paid millions just for a couple of minutes.
I wondered about Marilyn Monroe and how she too was the beauty of her time wearing only NO.5 to bed and nothing else, no botox, ok and her breast implants sorry.
Yesterday I watched Dead Celebrity where they tried to find her ghost, they remarkably found a beautiful scent that came into the room and obviously in a ghost hunter sort of way knew it was her. But that tale will be saved for another time.
However, one thing can be said here is that it is amazing to sit at our diningroom table every single night quietly, no matter what is being served.
But the point I believe is to eat at the table and to talk to your loved ones and not to glare into the dim screen that flashes racy images all night at every house.
It is amazing to actually eat with someone you love.
It has been 9 years since I have left home and I have missed this kind of love ever since.
So eat and live well...yes very well.
"Education ends after people get out of school.
Then it’s all cocktail parties and sunny days in the sand and jello shooters.
We live in dangerous times. They’re not for arguing, they’re for doing." -Matt Good
Not that you will always care to read, but because I care to explain things in an interesting way.
I must admit, that Pblog is again up-and-running for you.
I now have been wired up for cable tv and around three hundred channels mock me.
-I have gone without cable for 3+ years.
-And without TV for one entire year.
My lack of tv interest is partially due to well, never enjoying it.
I grew up watching cartoons. And then ctv news. And then to the CBC.
I don't care for all-the-hooplah. Yet I work in The Fashion Industry so you think that it would be something of pleasure. And to my delight I have found out about the FT channel on #165.
165.
Who really needs 166 so much? or 287?
David taught me how to use the preview "guide" today as it was actually taking me around 5 minutes to manually FLIP to channel 108.
Call me oldfashioned, no get lost.
If you remember, I did return my 20GB (yes 20)
iPOD as I found it to be: i-NSUFFICIENT.
But media, buy it up. Or choose not to. Choose to live your life.
And never because you or I can't afford it, but because I don't want to promote someone else's life other than my own.
I find that people in general are lazy, it is easier to watch someone on TV than to live one's own life. So I hate Television with its dirty and gloriously rich people.
David and I are looking into some sort of ANTI-COUCH actvivity, but it is hard to escape the draw of "14 years of trash tv" Springer and the new American swank called 24.
So it was quiet without the tv on today, but I peaked during the making of my dinner and saw an interview with the beautiful Nicole Kidman. I noticed how the center of her forehead no longer moves and how she can't give a true laugh because of the frozen botox effect. It was quite weird to see her become so superhuman with money. She also just finished a CHANEL NO.5 ad, and was paid millions just for a couple of minutes.
I wondered about Marilyn Monroe and how she too was the beauty of her time wearing only NO.5 to bed and nothing else, no botox, ok and her breast implants sorry.
Yesterday I watched Dead Celebrity where they tried to find her ghost, they remarkably found a beautiful scent that came into the room and obviously in a ghost hunter sort of way knew it was her. But that tale will be saved for another time.
However, one thing can be said here is that it is amazing to sit at our diningroom table every single night quietly, no matter what is being served.
But the point I believe is to eat at the table and to talk to your loved ones and not to glare into the dim screen that flashes racy images all night at every house.
It is amazing to actually eat with someone you love.
It has been 9 years since I have left home and I have missed this kind of love ever since.
So eat and live well...yes very well.
"Education ends after people get out of school.
Then it’s all cocktail parties and sunny days in the sand and jello shooters.
We live in dangerous times. They’re not for arguing, they’re for doing." -Matt Good
6.1.05
Here at The Cottage
It was a busy holiday spent in Ottawa with David's family.
And then back to Montreal for a tough move!
Dave drove the U-haul truck with me and my crying cats!
They were so mad!
We had them on drugs to keep them calm, but I dont think you can calm SIAMESE cats!
This made them worse I think. They were so sad and messed in the head!
aww poor cats...looked liked they were dying! It killed me to see them this way, but we made it here safely.
It sure is warmer here in Toronto as it is beside the lake, so it was *raining* the whole time we were unloading our moving truck last week!
We are now finally ok in the house!
lots of places to hide and discover for the cats, my black cat Guinness is always white with dirt and his whiskers are covered in spiderwebs and misc dust! he always walks by me so that I can dust him off.
It just snowed here today, so I had to shovel my driveway and sidewalk! it took me about half an hour....I need to stay in shape, the karate school is pretty far and isnt offered as often as my old school, so I think I will have to find other ways to keep in shape too!
I was mad at our driveway for being so BIG today! what a workout!
And then back to Montreal for a tough move!
Dave drove the U-haul truck with me and my crying cats!
They were so mad!
We had them on drugs to keep them calm, but I dont think you can calm SIAMESE cats!
This made them worse I think. They were so sad and messed in the head!
aww poor cats...looked liked they were dying! It killed me to see them this way, but we made it here safely.
It sure is warmer here in Toronto as it is beside the lake, so it was *raining* the whole time we were unloading our moving truck last week!
We are now finally ok in the house!
lots of places to hide and discover for the cats, my black cat Guinness is always white with dirt and his whiskers are covered in spiderwebs and misc dust! he always walks by me so that I can dust him off.
It just snowed here today, so I had to shovel my driveway and sidewalk! it took me about half an hour....I need to stay in shape, the karate school is pretty far and isnt offered as often as my old school, so I think I will have to find other ways to keep in shape too!
I was mad at our driveway for being so BIG today! what a workout!
Pronounced Toronto, not ToraNNa.
Ok, Pbloggers.
I am now reconnected to the internet here in Toronto.
Yes Toronto.
I have made it to the city of...
Ok, of whatever you can imagine, as it ALL (?) happens here.
Yes here.
Ok, or so I am told.
So here is the Pblog's most incomplete list that I just thought of.....
My new home of Toronto, My Home of:
CBC (and PETER MANSBRIDGE!)
All Industry
Business
The Brave?
The AGO
The ROM
The Raptors (eww)
The Leafs (boo)
The CN Tower (nifty)
MuchMusic
Canada's Walk of Fame
Mel Lastman
The Royal York Hotel
CityTV (bleh)
The Canadian Army (who happen make special guest apperances during snowy Winter months)
Canada's best Fashion Designers
Bay Street (and its best Lawyers and also mine named: David.
Prince (he lives on the Bridlepath)
Casa Loma
Medieval Tymes
The Brass Rail
Mike Bullard
Kim Mitchell
Glass Tiger
I Mother Earth
The DVP
Argos
Blue Jays (blow)
Mama Mia (blows bigger)
Rick-the-temp!
Jonathan Torrens
Snake
Degrassi Street
The Cottage (our big fancy cool lil house)
and the worlds best Fashionistas. (period)
This was the Pblog's most incomplete list that I have ever thought of.....
And for those of you that do not happen to know the aforementioned in the above list,
please feel free to pay the two of us a visit here at "The Cottage".
I am now reconnected to the internet here in Toronto.
Yes Toronto.
I have made it to the city of...
Ok, of whatever you can imagine, as it ALL (?) happens here.
Yes here.
Ok, or so I am told.
So here is the Pblog's most incomplete list that I just thought of.....
My new home of Toronto, My Home of:
CBC (and PETER MANSBRIDGE!)
All Industry
Business
The Brave?
The AGO
The ROM
The Raptors (eww)
The Leafs (boo)
The CN Tower (nifty)
MuchMusic
Canada's Walk of Fame
Mel Lastman
The Royal York Hotel
CityTV (bleh)
The Canadian Army (who happen make special guest apperances during snowy Winter months)
Canada's best Fashion Designers
Bay Street (and its best Lawyers and also mine named: David.
Prince (he lives on the Bridlepath)
Casa Loma
Medieval Tymes
The Brass Rail
Mike Bullard
Kim Mitchell
Glass Tiger
I Mother Earth
The DVP
Argos
Blue Jays (blow)
Mama Mia (blows bigger)
Rick-the-temp!
Jonathan Torrens
Snake
Degrassi Street
The Cottage (our big fancy cool lil house)
and the worlds best Fashionistas. (period)
This was the Pblog's most incomplete list that I have ever thought of.....
And for those of you that do not happen to know the aforementioned in the above list,
please feel free to pay the two of us a visit here at "The Cottage".
22.12.04
xmas cracker wish
Lately:
-I have been busy packing my things here in Montreal as I am moving to Toronto this coming January to live with David.
-Also I am spending Christmas with his family in Ottawa,
-so I will be away from the Pblog until the new year!
For the time being, I want you to think on this e-mail I got from my cousin Kim in Edmonton:
Enjoy!
Here is something interesting to read if you have the
time....
The paradox of our time in history is that we have
taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower
viewpoints. We spend
more, but
have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger
houses and
smaller
families, more conveniences, but less time. We have
more degrees but
less
sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more
experts, yet
more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too
recklessly, laugh too
little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get
up too tired, read
too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We
have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much,
love too seldom,
and
hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years
to life
not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon
and back, but
have
trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We
conquered outer
space
but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not
better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've
conquered the
atom, but
not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We
plan more, but
accomplish
less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build
more computers
to hold
more information, to produce more copies than ever,
but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,
big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days
of two
incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken
homes. These are
days of
quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality,
one night stands,
overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from
cheer, to quiet,
to kill.
It is time when there is much in the showroom window
and nothing in the
stockroom. A time when technology can bring this
letterto you, and a
time when
you can choose either to share this insight, or to
just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones,
because they are not
going to
be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to
you in awe,
because that
little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,
because that is
the only
treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't
cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and
your loved ones, but
most
of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt
when it comes from
deep
inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for
someday that person
will not
be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time
to share the
precious
thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we
take, but by the moments that take our breath away!
--------->Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!<--------------
-I have been busy packing my things here in Montreal as I am moving to Toronto this coming January to live with David.
-Also I am spending Christmas with his family in Ottawa,
-so I will be away from the Pblog until the new year!
For the time being, I want you to think on this e-mail I got from my cousin Kim in Edmonton:
Enjoy!
Here is something interesting to read if you have the
time....
The paradox of our time in history is that we have
taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower
viewpoints. We spend
more, but
have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger
houses and
smaller
families, more conveniences, but less time. We have
more degrees but
less
sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more
experts, yet
more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too
recklessly, laugh too
little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get
up too tired, read
too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We
have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much,
love too seldom,
and
hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years
to life
not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon
and back, but
have
trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We
conquered outer
space
but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not
better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've
conquered the
atom, but
not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We
plan more, but
accomplish
less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build
more computers
to hold
more information, to produce more copies than ever,
but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,
big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days
of two
incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken
homes. These are
days of
quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality,
one night stands,
overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from
cheer, to quiet,
to kill.
It is time when there is much in the showroom window
and nothing in the
stockroom. A time when technology can bring this
letterto you, and a
time when
you can choose either to share this insight, or to
just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones,
because they are not
going to
be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to
you in awe,
because that
little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,
because that is
the only
treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't
cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and
your loved ones, but
most
of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt
when it comes from
deep
inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for
someday that person
will not
be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time
to share the
precious
thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we
take, but by the moments that take our breath away!
--------->Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!<--------------
25.11.04
SEMPAI PATTI
KYOKUSHIN BROWN BELT : MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Well, It was quite hard, but I made it through!
I am proud that I have made it this far in Martial Arts and have become as strong
as I am.
I truly love Kyokushinkaikan and seeking the true spirit of the ultimate truth.
It has been a long tough road.
Sometimes quite a lonely one at that. But I passed last nights test for myself, and I suppose that I can say that yes, I deserved it with every drop of my sweat hitting that wooden floor, and down to every one of my loud kiai yelling breaths.
Its been four years.
I have seen zero support to 100% support, beyond this, I have stayed true to myself, and kept on training despite dojo politics, good/bad relationships, broken hearts, my career and all of its overtime, and my family being across the distance in Alberta.
When I started Kyokushin, I remember that I couldn’t even do a single REAL pushup!
So last night before all of my Kata's, Tamashawari/wood breaking and before all of my TEN fights,
for me the real victory was at the beginning when I had to do a small set of 20 pushups!
This brought me one of my biggest inner smiles.
And yes that evil wood seemed to rule over me last night, but I tried my best to defeat it.
You have to see Kill Bill 2 now to see Uma punch through the wooden coffin after she us buried underground! that’s what I was thinking.
The wood is afraid of you.
I was happy to have my Mom there for me, she flew SO far to see me from Edmonton!
I just wanted to make her proud. I think she was.
David drove fighting the courts, bosses, traffic, and the wild heavy rain all the way from Toronto to watch my passage. He said that he has never seen me look so serious in anything I do before last night.
I am so glad that he got to see me perform and fight to the very last 10th!
Karate is one of my biggest passions and Brown Belt is very very serious.
AND besides, It meant the world to have him watching me!
I was kind of worried as they both had never seen me fight before.
So I had to try my best to also impress them!!!
Despite impressing Shihan Andre Gilbert.
John also made a guest appearance, from my old training down at the Lasalle Coyle Dojo.
Honbu was amazed at the power I have to bring people in from other dojo's. So it was kind of wild for them to see him show up for me. It was good for him to be there too as he has seen the progression over the years and couldn't let me pass without his careful supervision. He was always my coach for tournaments, and I miss that creative Lasalle 'winning' technique they all gave me.
And unfortunately? he know's all of my weaknesses from years ago so it was helpful to have the extra support for the 10 rounds.
My friend Malay also came to watch, she too is also in another form of Karate. She ran over to my dojo after she finished her own karate class! I was SO happy to have her there for me.
I also had Endre Burian there, he is my Sifu in Kung Fu. This past Fall I recieved my first Yellow Sash with him.
It is a very difficult martial art, and he helped me see that there are a lot of other martial arts and not only Kyokushin.
A lot of Karateka's become obsessed with their own style and disrespect other styles, I think that this shows some weakness. It is amazing to learn new techniques and also to learn the historical side of these forms.
There are just so many.
It takes many many years to become a master. But after last night, I am one step closer to Shodan.
David and I took my mom to the airport early this morning, it was sad to let her go,
but I hope she had a great time with me!
I will miss her SO much. I was just so happy for her to come and see how I live, and what my life really is like over here across the country.
I think she knows what I am all about now; and this makes me happiest of all.
Well, It was quite hard, but I made it through!
I am proud that I have made it this far in Martial Arts and have become as strong
as I am.
I truly love Kyokushinkaikan and seeking the true spirit of the ultimate truth.
It has been a long tough road.
Sometimes quite a lonely one at that. But I passed last nights test for myself, and I suppose that I can say that yes, I deserved it with every drop of my sweat hitting that wooden floor, and down to every one of my loud kiai yelling breaths.
Its been four years.
I have seen zero support to 100% support, beyond this, I have stayed true to myself, and kept on training despite dojo politics, good/bad relationships, broken hearts, my career and all of its overtime, and my family being across the distance in Alberta.
When I started Kyokushin, I remember that I couldn’t even do a single REAL pushup!
So last night before all of my Kata's, Tamashawari/wood breaking and before all of my TEN fights,
for me the real victory was at the beginning when I had to do a small set of 20 pushups!
This brought me one of my biggest inner smiles.
And yes that evil wood seemed to rule over me last night, but I tried my best to defeat it.
You have to see Kill Bill 2 now to see Uma punch through the wooden coffin after she us buried underground! that’s what I was thinking.
The wood is afraid of you.
I was happy to have my Mom there for me, she flew SO far to see me from Edmonton!
I just wanted to make her proud. I think she was.
David drove fighting the courts, bosses, traffic, and the wild heavy rain all the way from Toronto to watch my passage. He said that he has never seen me look so serious in anything I do before last night.
I am so glad that he got to see me perform and fight to the very last 10th!
Karate is one of my biggest passions and Brown Belt is very very serious.
AND besides, It meant the world to have him watching me!
I was kind of worried as they both had never seen me fight before.
So I had to try my best to also impress them!!!
Despite impressing Shihan Andre Gilbert.
John also made a guest appearance, from my old training down at the Lasalle Coyle Dojo.
Honbu was amazed at the power I have to bring people in from other dojo's. So it was kind of wild for them to see him show up for me. It was good for him to be there too as he has seen the progression over the years and couldn't let me pass without his careful supervision. He was always my coach for tournaments, and I miss that creative Lasalle 'winning' technique they all gave me.
And unfortunately? he know's all of my weaknesses from years ago so it was helpful to have the extra support for the 10 rounds.
My friend Malay also came to watch, she too is also in another form of Karate. She ran over to my dojo after she finished her own karate class! I was SO happy to have her there for me.
I also had Endre Burian there, he is my Sifu in Kung Fu. This past Fall I recieved my first Yellow Sash with him.
It is a very difficult martial art, and he helped me see that there are a lot of other martial arts and not only Kyokushin.
A lot of Karateka's become obsessed with their own style and disrespect other styles, I think that this shows some weakness. It is amazing to learn new techniques and also to learn the historical side of these forms.
There are just so many.
It takes many many years to become a master. But after last night, I am one step closer to Shodan.
David and I took my mom to the airport early this morning, it was sad to let her go,
but I hope she had a great time with me!
I will miss her SO much. I was just so happy for her to come and see how I live, and what my life really is like over here across the country.
I think she knows what I am all about now; and this makes me happiest of all.
22.11.04
BROWN BELT
WHAT: BROWN BELT PASSAGE
WHEN: NOVEMBER 24TH, 2004
WHERE: HONBU, MONTREAL (YES HONBU)
TIME: 8PM
AFTERMATH: WEINSTEIN & GAVINO'S (TO BE CONFIRMED...)
DRINK OF CHOICE: SAKI...AND LOTS OF IT!
OSU!
WHEN: NOVEMBER 24TH, 2004
WHERE: HONBU, MONTREAL (YES HONBU)
TIME: 8PM
AFTERMATH: WEINSTEIN & GAVINO'S (TO BE CONFIRMED...)
DRINK OF CHOICE: SAKI...AND LOTS OF IT!
OSU!
FAST FASHION -H&M
OK.
I KNOW I HAVE BEEN NEGLECTING YOU.
(FROM MY BLOG)
I THINK THAT I SHOULD ADD MORE OF MY FASHION VIEWPOINTS, STYLE EXPERTISE...ETC.
BEING THAT I AM A "FASHION DIVA" -OR SO I HAVE BEEN TOLD.
AND ABOUT NOT LETTING YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO READ,
DUDE, I HAVE BEEN BUSY TRAINING FOR MY BROWN BELT WHICH IS THIS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 24TH!
YES:
BROWN BELT.
SO TO MAKE YOU HAPPY HERE IS A FASHION STORY OF INTEREST TO ME VIA THE WEB:
H&M clothes are the M&M's of the fashion world-fun, colourful, cheap and oh so delish. Just how do they do it?
By Lianne George
Shopping and Hennes & Mauritz is quite literally a transformative experience. You could be the most composed person in the world, but spend five minutes inside the H&M retail environment and, I promise you, you'll become a covetous, neurotic mess.
The H&M experience is universal, whether you're in Manhattan, Berlin, Helsinki or one of the newly minted Toronto locations. From the moment you set foot in a store - designed a bit like Gap meets A&P - your heart will start beating a little bit faster. There's so much to look at - fine knits, gauzy blouses, tweed jackets, flirty college skirts - in an abundance of contrasting colours and patterns. It's all so cute-and obscenely cheap! As you grab for things, you pick up the momentum. You do the math in your head Good Lord! Ten items and you still haven't cracked triple digits!
Reason begins to fail you. You grab things in colours and styles you don't even like. Why? Because you can afford to. Plus, if you don't grab it, someone else will. (At least it'll be safe in your hands until you make up your mind.) Posters of Heidi Klum and Carmen Kass looking adorable in H&M basics egg you on. But the real panic sets in when you notice the serpentine line forming around the change rooms, inside, everyone is jockeying for mirror space.
The name of this pathology? Fast fashion. (Think fast. Buy fast. Replace fast.) And while lots of retailers are doing it, H&M is the apotheosis of fast fashion. They offer the latest styles that no Fairweather, Suzy Shier or Smart Set can complete with, prices that blow Gap and Zara out of the water and quality that will put Le Château and Stiches to shame.
H&M is the master trend spotter. The company's buyers and designers travel around the world-often in pairs-scouting for new ideas in bars, clubs, cafés, even on the streets. They'll head to Tokyo and London for the sharper teen collection. They'll visit Milan and Paris for the more classic styles. They get a feel for what's in the air, then give it a twist. This fall, it's all about contrast-retro combined with futuristic, tailoring with sheers, masculine with feminine, romantic with rock-but with an eccentric British twist. Expect dusky shades teamed with brights, floral and paisley print with tweed and pinstripes and sheer chiffon with chunky knits. And once H&M has spotted a trend, they can have it in their stores in as little as four weeks. They're that efficient.
Presided over by H&M 's head of design, Margareta van den Bosch-the company's creative hub - The White Room - is an open, airy space in H&M 's headquarters in Stockholm. Brightly patterned shirts, ties and second-hand items line the walls for inspiration. All of these company's products, including their textiles, are designed here by the 100 or so international designers. The company doesn't own factories, but works with more than 100 buyers and 750 suppliers throughout Europe and Asia to manufacture their collections for women, men, children and teens.
The evolution of the company, founded in Stockholm in 1947, has dovetailed nicely with the emergence of the global village. People all over the world are watching the same movies, the same TV shows and the same celebrities in the same magazines.
"Luckily for us, fashion trends now fly around the world faster and faster," says Carl-Henric Enhörning, H&M 's head of investor relations. "In a way, you could say we regard the H&M market as one market. It's divided into a lot of different countries, languages and currencies, but it's still one market with the same products."
"Yet we don't place the same products in all the stores," says Christian Bagnoud, H&M 's director of marketing for Canada. "It makes sense to match our merchandise with the customer - one person may want sharp, trendy clothes, another will want classic basics. In Geneva, there are three H&M stores on one street, each targeting a different set of customers. We've noticed that we sell more or less the same items in big cities like Manhattan and Toronto, but it's another story in the suburbs. The suburbs are more casual. If we're trying out something new and cutting edge-like tight tube jeans-we'll chose a hip, urban store for the launch and see how things take off there before ordering more and rolling out to other stores."
There are rumours that Montréal may be next in line for H&M treatment. But why open six stores in Toronto and none elsewhere in Canada? It's the H&M way to cluster a number of stores in one city, then move on to the next. It keeps marketing, training and logistics costs low for the company, and these savings are then passed on to the customer.
"It's our business to offer fashion and quality at the best possible price," says van den Bosch. "And our fashion basics are very popular. But we also create limited editions, things that are a little bit more special. We like to have a few surprises." H&M is looking to bring some famous names on-board to create one-off pieces, like Karl Lagerfeld who will have a limited fall line in H&M stores mid-November.
Could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
ANOTHER REASON WHY TORONTO IS BETTER THAN MONTREAL. IT IS THE FIRST FOR EVERYTHING CUTTING EDGE.
I KNOW I HAVE BEEN NEGLECTING YOU.
(FROM MY BLOG)
I THINK THAT I SHOULD ADD MORE OF MY FASHION VIEWPOINTS, STYLE EXPERTISE...ETC.
BEING THAT I AM A "FASHION DIVA" -OR SO I HAVE BEEN TOLD.
AND ABOUT NOT LETTING YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO READ,
DUDE, I HAVE BEEN BUSY TRAINING FOR MY BROWN BELT WHICH IS THIS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 24TH!
YES:
BROWN BELT.
SO TO MAKE YOU HAPPY HERE IS A FASHION STORY OF INTEREST TO ME VIA THE WEB:
H&M clothes are the M&M's of the fashion world-fun, colourful, cheap and oh so delish. Just how do they do it?
By Lianne George
Shopping and Hennes & Mauritz is quite literally a transformative experience. You could be the most composed person in the world, but spend five minutes inside the H&M retail environment and, I promise you, you'll become a covetous, neurotic mess.
The H&M experience is universal, whether you're in Manhattan, Berlin, Helsinki or one of the newly minted Toronto locations. From the moment you set foot in a store - designed a bit like Gap meets A&P - your heart will start beating a little bit faster. There's so much to look at - fine knits, gauzy blouses, tweed jackets, flirty college skirts - in an abundance of contrasting colours and patterns. It's all so cute-and obscenely cheap! As you grab for things, you pick up the momentum. You do the math in your head Good Lord! Ten items and you still haven't cracked triple digits!
Reason begins to fail you. You grab things in colours and styles you don't even like. Why? Because you can afford to. Plus, if you don't grab it, someone else will. (At least it'll be safe in your hands until you make up your mind.) Posters of Heidi Klum and Carmen Kass looking adorable in H&M basics egg you on. But the real panic sets in when you notice the serpentine line forming around the change rooms, inside, everyone is jockeying for mirror space.
The name of this pathology? Fast fashion. (Think fast. Buy fast. Replace fast.) And while lots of retailers are doing it, H&M is the apotheosis of fast fashion. They offer the latest styles that no Fairweather, Suzy Shier or Smart Set can complete with, prices that blow Gap and Zara out of the water and quality that will put Le Château and Stiches to shame.
H&M is the master trend spotter. The company's buyers and designers travel around the world-often in pairs-scouting for new ideas in bars, clubs, cafés, even on the streets. They'll head to Tokyo and London for the sharper teen collection. They'll visit Milan and Paris for the more classic styles. They get a feel for what's in the air, then give it a twist. This fall, it's all about contrast-retro combined with futuristic, tailoring with sheers, masculine with feminine, romantic with rock-but with an eccentric British twist. Expect dusky shades teamed with brights, floral and paisley print with tweed and pinstripes and sheer chiffon with chunky knits. And once H&M has spotted a trend, they can have it in their stores in as little as four weeks. They're that efficient.
Presided over by H&M 's head of design, Margareta van den Bosch-the company's creative hub - The White Room - is an open, airy space in H&M 's headquarters in Stockholm. Brightly patterned shirts, ties and second-hand items line the walls for inspiration. All of these company's products, including their textiles, are designed here by the 100 or so international designers. The company doesn't own factories, but works with more than 100 buyers and 750 suppliers throughout Europe and Asia to manufacture their collections for women, men, children and teens.
The evolution of the company, founded in Stockholm in 1947, has dovetailed nicely with the emergence of the global village. People all over the world are watching the same movies, the same TV shows and the same celebrities in the same magazines.
"Luckily for us, fashion trends now fly around the world faster and faster," says Carl-Henric Enhörning, H&M 's head of investor relations. "In a way, you could say we regard the H&M market as one market. It's divided into a lot of different countries, languages and currencies, but it's still one market with the same products."
"Yet we don't place the same products in all the stores," says Christian Bagnoud, H&M 's director of marketing for Canada. "It makes sense to match our merchandise with the customer - one person may want sharp, trendy clothes, another will want classic basics. In Geneva, there are three H&M stores on one street, each targeting a different set of customers. We've noticed that we sell more or less the same items in big cities like Manhattan and Toronto, but it's another story in the suburbs. The suburbs are more casual. If we're trying out something new and cutting edge-like tight tube jeans-we'll chose a hip, urban store for the launch and see how things take off there before ordering more and rolling out to other stores."
There are rumours that Montréal may be next in line for H&M treatment. But why open six stores in Toronto and none elsewhere in Canada? It's the H&M way to cluster a number of stores in one city, then move on to the next. It keeps marketing, training and logistics costs low for the company, and these savings are then passed on to the customer.
"It's our business to offer fashion and quality at the best possible price," says van den Bosch. "And our fashion basics are very popular. But we also create limited editions, things that are a little bit more special. We like to have a few surprises." H&M is looking to bring some famous names on-board to create one-off pieces, like Karl Lagerfeld who will have a limited fall line in H&M stores mid-November.
Could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
ANOTHER REASON WHY TORONTO IS BETTER THAN MONTREAL. IT IS THE FIRST FOR EVERYTHING CUTTING EDGE.
4.11.04
a dream...
Last night I dreamed that the people of the United States had been hypnotized.
I woke up this morning to discover that only 51% of them had been.
At this moment I feel that I must extend my sympathies to those in the US who are going to be forced to endure the next four years and the impact that they will have on the decades that follow.
That said, tomorrow is another day with which to fight back. And fight we must.
-MATTHEW GOOD
I woke up this morning to discover that only 51% of them had been.
At this moment I feel that I must extend my sympathies to those in the US who are going to be forced to endure the next four years and the impact that they will have on the decades that follow.
That said, tomorrow is another day with which to fight back. And fight we must.
-MATTHEW GOOD
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