Celebrity Look Alikes II

Andrew McCarthy

Andre Breton

Ramblings

I know guns exist, but I've never thought they were close to me. This past week I've read more about guns than I care to. From the news it's seems obvious to me that Jared Loughner was mentally disturbed. I don't consider that unusual. What is maddening is that he had access to a semi-automatic Glock with a 30 bullet clip and was legally permitted to carry it. After the events of last weekend, I would think that people would acknowledge that we can work to tone down our political rhetoric, but what we can realistically limit is the easy access to firearms/the kinds of arms sold. I would expect our Congress to at least be able to put together a bill - not a bill to limit firearms within 1000 feet of just THEM (good one Rep Peter King!)- but a bill that protects everyone. Why is this so hard?? Especially important since new reports out show gun sales increasing nationwide with particular increases for the gun and magazine that Loughner used. The NY Times has an article out today to basically kill all expectations of that - New Gun Control Limits are Improbable Lawmakers Say. The NRA is too powerful, having more guns make people safer, people are scared of losing their 2nd amendment rights, etc ETC. Am I taking crazy pills? Hunting rifles are one thing, easy access to semi-automatic weapons whose sole purpose is to kill and injure people quickly are another. In an Op-Ed on Sunday, Gail Collins posed this question regarding gun control, "The difference is not about the Second Amendment. It’s about a technology the founding fathers could never have imagined." Very true! Did James Madison predict semi-automatic weapons? I doubt it. I didn't even imagine Khloe Kardashian marrying Lamar Odom! I feel legit scared thinking about weapon-laden citizens that have been overloading on partisan political rhetoric walking around the grocery store with me. This quote from the director of Gun Owners in America also stood out, "Having lots of ammunition is critical, especially if the police are not around and you need to be able to defend yourself against mobs." Mobs? What mobs do we come across on a daily basis? The mob at Target for the latest Twilight dvd??

I don't believe the argument that if the criminals are going to have guns, then we should be armed to protect ourselves too. If criminals are going to do something bad they are going to find a way around any law. I feel like that's my inherent definition of criminal. Does that mean I should be armed just because someone might do something bad in my vicinity? Doesn't it make more sense to take away the danger of excessive weapons so that a citizen doesn't do something reactionary that could have life and death consequences?

A co-worker came in on Monday and said that his laptop had been stolen. He called the police, but he felt like they didn't do a thorough job of investigating his neighbors. He had a hunch that the thief was a neighbor and that he might come back for something else. As a precaution - he slept with his gun under his pillow and told his friends not to come over because he was going to shoot at the slightest sound in the event the thief came back. Again - am I taking crazy pills? This was literally a story related to me on Monday as if the events of last Saturday never happened. I am uneasy around this co-worker now. Maybe I've been naive, but the thought that everyone has a gun in my immediate circle of acquaintances never occurred to me. It truly scares me. Not enough to arm myself though. I think that even though we're all a bit crazy at times, for the most part our rational sides prevail. Maybe I'm the one that's crazy???

Who am I?

2011 is not looking good so far. After spending my life as an Aries, I was dealt a HUGE BLOW yesterday when I realized that I'm actually a Pisces. The moon looks to be the cause of this development. Going from a ram to a fish? Are you kidding me? What am I going to do about the daily horoscope emails?? Bigger question - what does this mean about my Zodiac compatibility? Also, I'm not ready to give up being a fire sign and the first sign of the Zodiac. No offense to Pisces, but I'm not keen on "constantly trying to adapt itself to its ever-changing feelings and to the moods and whims of other". I've spent my life ruled by Mars being "energetic, vibrant, and lively". They don't even have cool tattoo designs!

The New Signs:

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16

Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11

Pisces: March 11-April 18

Aries: April 18-May 13

Taurus: May 13-June 21

Gemini: June 21-July 20

Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10

Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30

Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23

Scorpio: Nov. 23-29

Ophiuchus:* Nov. 29-Dec. 17

Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.
* Discarded by the Babylonians because they wanted 12 signs per year.

STFU, Parents

The New York lady over at STFU, Parents has done a fine job cataloging the craziness that is 21st-century parenting. All posts come from user-submitted Facebook updates, photo albums, flame wars, rants, etc., and some commentary on each. She does a good job reacting the way (childless) people like me would react.

Want copious photos of poop, vomit, snot? She's got it.

Did I know some stores have "expectant mother" parking spaces? I do now.

Do you know what a placenta looks like? Parents on Facebook want you to find out!

STFU, Parents offers excellent linkage to old posts. You can journey along it like a winding country road, marveling at the landscape you don't get from your urban penthouse that you can afford because you're a childless asshole! Sorry, I'm reading too many instances of Mommyjacking.

The blogger points out moments when parents (mostly mothers, it seems) hijack a friend's status update to inform everyone about the well being of their kids. The world revolves around your baby!

Ours is a sharing culture these days, at least online. Would baby boomer parents behave this way if they had Facebook/Tumblr/Blogger in the 1970s and 1980s? Or is this a generational thing?

Celebrity Pregnancy

Natalie Portman has never really held my interest. Until now. I'm more tempted to click on a People Star Tracks when she's listed now. Her pregnancy wardrobe is interesting. Her outfits before were just standard, but I feel like she's really taking some risks now...or just trying to hide how pregnant she is. Either way - she looks great!

Celebrity Look-Alike

These fellas are famous for staying in the public eye, despite the public eye's efforts to turn away. They look similar, and you have to feel sorry for them for that, but which one deserves more pity?

Nic Cage, your role as Chad Kroeger is calling!

Nickelback, get a song on the Drive Angry soundtrack!

It's all in the hair baby!

All Celebrity Look-Alike posts are the product of yours truly.

My Christmas Mix

This year it's been hard to get into the Christmas spirit. Usually I'm listening to Christmas music 24/7 at this point. The holiday music stations this year are more annoying than festive. I think this is because they never vary their Christmas songs. If I have to hear David Bowie & Bing Crosby sing "The Little Drummer Boy" again I'll scream. Get a clue Mix 101.5! Below are the songs they should be playing to death:



Dolly Parton AND Kenny Rogers??? What's not to love about this winning combination? Who knew taking off boots could be so hilarious?



I guess Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home" could be disputed as a Christmas song but I've heard it in the past during this time of year. Really uplifting! Sorry it's just a powerpoint family clipshow (???), but it was either this version or the 9 minute Live jam. Even I find that to be too much Kenny.




Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas In the Aire album is our Christmas tree decorating soundtrack. This opening number really gets you ready for the holidays. Be prepared - this video contains a lot of awesomeness.




Phil Spector may be a total nut job - but I can't help but love his Christmas music esp this Darlene Love number.

My family always watches White Christmas. One year my sister and I recreated all the musical numbers. That was more difficult than it sounds! It's hard for me to pick my favorite musical number from the film - they're all brilliant. Sisters is a classic, but I also have a soft spot for this number. Danny Kaye really steals the film with his matching pants & shoe wardrobe. "What is this the best 2 out of 3?"

It's just been too long since a post, so let's get the ball rolling again! Here I am, studying for my last final, and there's nothing to distract me? Come on.

Uhhh, what's on your mind?

- what are your favorite baked goods for Christmas?
- was the 2nd season of Eastbound & Down a little emotionally heavy or what?
- what was the best album of 2010?
- what are you doing to stay warm during the cold snap?
- read any good books lately?

Celebrity Look-Alike

Two giants of the entertainment industry whom you never think about. One of them is John Walsh, host of America's Most Wanted, the longest-running show in FOX history and helpful in capturing more than 1,000 fugitives.

The other man is Ken Follett, author of four NYT number one best-selling novels. His novels have sold more than 100,000,000 copies worldwide. Can you tell me which is which?




OK. It was obvious.

RIP: Leslie Nielsen

Leslie Nielsen died Sunday, aged 84. He starred in many great films, none greater than Airplane!, a top-5 all-time comedy and the No. 1 movie using an exclamation point in the title.

Repossessed:

Naked Gun 33 & 1/3: The Final Insult:

Sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet:

Airplane!:

Surely you'll be missed, Shirley.