Talkin' 'Bout a Constitution

For more information, also read the related article at the Nation. Additional information available at Congresswoman Donna Edwards' Web site.

Christmas in Achewood

Notes from Insomnia: December 19, 2009--2:33 AM (EST)

Notes from Insomnia: December 16, 2009--3:50 AM (EST)

I'm really digging this song, this video, and am having a serious love hangover on Dave 1 (the dude who's rocking the hot-hot moves).

If there's a cure for him, I don't want it! The music is pretty durned hot, too. Chromeo, oh Chromeo--wherefore art thou? And why isn't it anywhere near Savannah?

'Tis the Season to Be Salty

I'm a yuletide hater--I admit it. Something about the throngs of manic shoppers and related traffic that kills the "merry" in my Christmas. The music, however, is something else altogether. The folks at iTunes are offering up a holiday sampler--for free (my favorite part). No crowd- or long-line-tolerance required.

Speaking of tolerance, the good people of Houston, Texas elected City Comptroller Annise Parker as its mayor. Of course, when a gay/lesbian is elected to serve in one of the largest U.S. cities--a reputedly conservative one at that, it becomes news. Personally, I appreciated that her campaign was based more on the issues and her experience--despite the antigay venom spewed during her campaign--than her sexuality.

Frankly, it's just refreshing to see a Houston other than Whitney in the news.

Which leads me to the whole Reverend Al Sharpton satire debacle. It's a joke, people--a joke! Friends of mine--people with common sense---have been Facebooking and tweeting their credibility away all (last) week. Why people would really think Rev. Sharpton would decry Tiger Woods' lack of black mistresses is beyond me. But what do I know? I once owned a two-finger ring. Interestingly enough, it was a Christmas gift.

Featured Song: "Baby, It's Cold Outside (featuring Velma Middleton)," Louis Armstrong (from Historic Collection, Volume Three)

I Guess That's Why They Call It the News

Nielsen had something of a fire sale, selling off Adweek, Mediaweek, Brandweek, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Backstage and Film Journal International--and shutting Kirkus Reviews as well as Editor & Publisher.

As a fairly still-unknown writer, the shuttering of the last two publications hits me straight in the big A (Aspiration). It doesn't come as a shock, though; we live in a culture where Sarah Palin's memoir was the biggest deal in books and literature this year. Nothing says near-final rites like her 432-page chunk of nothing does.

Speaking of nothing, methinks the much-drawn out news of George Stephonopoulos' GMA (Good Morning America--which, for me, means Give Me Aspirin) anchorship seemed much ado about the obvious. The hubbub seemed more designed to garner viewers for the show than anything else.

With that news hangover cured, we can focus on the more important things--like the Jackson family's scripted reality show (a yawn fest if ever there was one) or the coming Sex and the City sequel (which I initially mistook for a sci-fi film about she-male cyborgs; glad to know I was right)--also known as Carrie: Yawn.

Featured Song: "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues," Elton John Chorus (from Too Low for Zero)

Choral: Songs in the Key of Kvetch

The New York Times piece about the Complaints Choir was intriguing; I wonder whether the concept's execution lives up to the grandeur of the concept. It reminded me of the chorus in Young @ Heart, which I saw only two nights ago. It also makes me wonder how far behind a fusion of the two are--something along the lines of the Moth with musical accompaniment. Sounds fun, no?


Featured Song: "I Wanna Be Sedated," Young@Heart Chorus (from Young@Heart: The Soundtrack)