Baz Luhrmann’s Australia

Baz Luhrmann’s hugely anticipated Australia has all the elements of a classic epic movie but mixed reviews have cooled ambitions for success on the international stage. It is that country’s most expensive film to date with a budget of US$130m, an A-list cast including Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman and fellow AussieHugh Jackman. So much hype has surrounded Luhrmann’s new movie that the tourist industry is counting on the film’s success to uplift the industry’s decline. Talk about pressure. Kidman plays an English aristocrat who inherits a cattle ranch in Australia at the start of WWII. She teams up with cattle drover Jackman after rival owners plot to take her land. The pair drove thousands of animals across the country, fall in love, dodge Japanese bombs, and take in the panoramic vistas.

Bobby Field at The Cat Club

Musician, actor, and producer, Bobby Field headlined The Cat Club on Saturday night to showcase his “Songs from The Bridge” CD release party of his self-penned soundtrack of the upcoming feature, The Bridge, and was joined by an eclectic mix of musician friends. 

Field played MC throughout the night and was surrounded by musician and non-musician friends; his gratitude and love for the crowd so apparent on his face with his eyes positively sparkling at each introduction. Australian actress and singer songwriter, Bonnie Piesse, opened the night with a powerful and emotional set that mesmerized the crowd. Front man, Eric Garcia of Miami indie-blues band, Juke, whooped it up with frenetic harp playing and songs of love, loss, and redemption. Next up was The Bridge EP record producer, Nicholas Flynt, with his band The Muts. Hollywood’s own rock professionals performed acoustic with three guitars and sounds of effortless melodies on songs like, “Holly Would.” The charismatic Flynt reminded us, between flawless guitar songs, that The Muts are the “Most Unlikely To Succeed.” Although it was obvious that Australian singer songwriter, Natalie Maphis was new to the stage, her lack of confidence was instantly obliterated by a razor sharp sense of humor and a power house voice that could quite possibly by heard as far away as her own country. Maphis’s piano song for her husband was breathtaking, confident, and assured. She is undoubtedly an artist to watch in 2009.

But the night belonged to Bobby Field. He opened his set with the haunting theme from The Bridge, and was joined on stage by Piesse, who co-wrote the song. It’s a beautiful melody that pours all of Field’s heart and soul into the performance. For the remainder of the set, Field was joined on stage by Garcia, Maphis, and San Diego rock and blues band, Superunloader. The band rounded off the night with songs exposing front man Jimmy Lewis’s flawless voice and some of the best guitar playing around.

     

Pictures by the Author Ginger Liu

Prop 8: “Black Lesbian” Writer receives Blowback

Appeared today in the LA Times in response to Jasmyne A. Cannick’s Times Op-Ed article.

 

BLOWBACK

An unfair attack on white gays

A recent Times Op-Ed article exploits a double standard that says it’s OK for certain groups to openly express bigotry.

By Kevin Naff

November 12, 2008

In all the post-election commentary about California’s passage of Proposition 8, perhaps none was more offensive and wrong than Jasmyne A. Cannick’s Times Op-Ed article, “No-on-8’s white bias.”

Cannick’s piece raises important questions about the politically correct double standards that govern debate of gay rights issues. When white evangelical Christians (or Mormons, for that matter) attack gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people, the response is loud and harsh: Bigots! Homophobes! Haters! But when black religious leaders attack gays, which is a regular occurrence in many churches, the response is muted because, well, it’s a cultural thing and we white people just wouldn’t understand. Bigotry is bigotry, whether emanating from the pulpits of white churches or black ones.

Cannick writes, “But even I wasn’t inspired to encourage black people to vote against the proposition. … I don’t see why the right to marry should be a priority for me or other black people. Gay marriage? Please. At a time when blacks are still more likely than whites to be pulled over for no reason, more likely to be unemployed than whites, more likely to live at or below the poverty line, I was too busy trying to get black people registered to vote, period; I wasn’t about to focus my attention on what couldn’t help but feel like a secondary issue.”

The argument that many black voters are too preoccupied with more practical matters to think too much about gay marriage is not entirely illegitimate. But it’s an argument for apathy, not a rational or legitimate justification for actively supporting discriminatory laws.

She continues, “The white gay community never successfully communicated to blacks why it should matter to us above everything else.” No one ever suggested that marriage should matter to blacks or anyone else above all other things. All that we suggested was that a tyrannical majority shouldn’t strip away hard-fought rights from a minority group. That is never tolerated for any group in this country — except for gays and lesbians. Cannick also puts the blame back on the dastardly rich white gays for not doing a better job of educating black voters. Yes, gay rights advocates (black and white) need to do a better job of educating voters about our issues, but that doesn’t absolve individuals from their responsibility to educate themselves about the ballot initiatives on which they cast their votes.

Cannick also writes, “Does someone who is homeless or suffering from HIV but has no healthcare, or newly out of prison and unemployed, really benefit from the right to marry someone of the same sex?” The answer is yes. Partners in a legal marriage enjoy a support network with many built-in benefits, such as access to a spouse’s healthcare plan.

Then Cannick’s screed takes another unfortunate turn: “To many blacks, civil rights are grounded in Christianity — not something separate and apart from religion but synonymous with it.”

Of course, when white Christians make such statements, they are derided as bigots. Is Cannick immune from that charge because she happens to be black? I think not. This fight, as Cannick ought to know, has nothing to do with religion. It’s about the civil right of marriage that conveys a host of benefits denied to an entire class of people. Cannick is merely parroting the worst propaganda of the Proposition 8 fight that led voters to erroneously believe their churches would be penalized for refusing to marry same-sex couples.

Perhaps the most egregious passage in Cannick’s opinion is this: “There’s nothing a white gay person can tell me when it comes to how I as a black lesbian should talk to my community about this issue. If and when I choose to, I know how to say what needs to be said.” It would have been helpful for Cannick to share her all-knowing and powerfully influential ideas before Nov. 4. Cannick suggests that the marriage movement is about white gays who are “racist and clueless.” Tell that to the multiple black gay and lesbian couples that have been plaintiffs in marriage lawsuits across the country. The lack of equality under the law for gay families leads to too many destructive consequences to enumerate here.

She concludes by stating, “Black gays are depending on their white counterparts to finally ‘get it.’ … Until then, don’t expect to make any inroads any time soon in the black community on this issue — including with this black lesbian.”

I don’t expect to make inroads with someone so closed-minded as Cannick. But maybe next time, she could define for all the racist and clueless white gays just what the “it” is. We understand perfectly well the sting of discrimination, and I certainly don’t need a lecture from Cannick on that topic.

Cannick’s diatribe aside, it’s not fair or accurate to blame blacks for the outcome in California. There’s plenty of blame to go around. Black voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 8, but so did white Republicans in Southern California. Voter turnout in the gay Mecca of San Francisco was among the lowest in the state. The “No on 8″ campaign didn’t respond quickly or effectively enough to the other side’s misleading attacks. Thanks to encouragement by their church leaders, Mormons pumped more than $20 million into the fight, putting the “No on 8″ organizers at a huge disadvantage.

Despite all the bad news, there is a silver lining. Too many gay rights advocates, particularly younger supporters, expect Americans to embrace our cause just because it’s fair. They are finally learning an important lesson: Civil rights struggles aren’t won in 30 years. This fight for full equality is going to take a long time, and many of us won’t be around to enjoy the fruits of the labor.

But make no mistake: Minds are changing, and fast. Just eight years ago, California passed Proposition 22 in a landslide vote — 61.4% to 38.6%. Last week, 48% of voters said no to Proposition 8, a 10% swing in just eight years.

And best of all, voters overwhelmingly elected Barack Obama, who will be an ally in the fight for equality even if he’s not there yet on marriage rights. Obama’s views on the subject are far more progressive than Cannick’s. Indeed, change is coming; it’s too bad Cannick can’t see it.

Kevin Naff is editor of the Washington Blade, the nation’s oldest newspaper that focuses on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.

Soot Bull Jeep’s Natural Charcoal BBQ House is Cooking

I’ve been a vegetarian for more years than I can remember and coming from the “If I have to cook it myself why am I paying for the privilege?” school of thought, you might say that my virginal entrance into the doors of the Zagat-rated Soot Bull Jeep’s Natural Charcoal BBQ House would spell disaster.

But minutes after I took my seat, I was told to order Bulgogi (tender thin slices of marinated beef) by one of two attentive waitresses wearing matching navy blue aprons. I sat at one of twelve long tables and watched smoke rise from sweet smelling marinated ribs and steaks which then disappeared into the stainless steel ceiling fans that hung over each table. Sunlight bounced off steel and the warm glow of rust-red faux brick walls with matching red chairs and linoleum floor, made for a cozy setting.

In no time at all I was served Korean OB beer, ten small side dishes (Banchan), and a plate of Bulgogi. I was terrified. I looked around the room at the other diners. They were a mixed crowd of hip young and not so young couples and families, mostly Korean but a few westerners who, like me, had a look of puzzled wonderment on their faces. I took a breath and decided to get stuck in; placing my strips of steak on to the burner, all the while paranoid that everyone in the restaurant was staring at me. I faked a smile and acted cool but inside, memories of my last two attempts at cooking in a restaurant: 1) the evacuation of a pizza restaurant I was working in when I forgot about the pizza I’d left in the oven; 2) the time I set fire to my glass of sambucca, spilled the glass, causing flames to engulf two tables and the corner of the bar.

With that kind of record it made sense for me to hold off on the Chum Churum Sake they served here. It was apparent that the other diners were in fact watching me when a girl from an opposite table coughed profusely then came running over to me to demand I chuck the glass of ice, which I thought was for my beer, onto the grill.

As I did this my steak seemed to take on a whole new vitality. I nodded my thank you to the girl when a waitress rushed over with a pair of scissors to cut up my steak for me. I gulped my beer then swallowed my pride to ask the waitress what the large pieces of red lettuce were for. She explained that they were for me to make wraps. NOW I UNDERSTOOD. Once my steak was cooked and I sucked in the air and smelled its sweet and addictive marinade, I happily went about the business of wrap construction.

For the uninitiated: fill a large lettuce leaf or Sang Chu (red leaf lettuce) with a combination of your Banchan. I enjoyed the more traditional Kimchi (fermented chili pepper cabbage) and Shi Geum Chi (seasoned steamed spinach). Then wash it down with spicy Kimchi soup or the clear light Yeolmumul Kimchi (summer green water). The Bulgogi was tender and sweet and combined perfectly with the vegetable dishes.

Try this at home:

Kimchi: 1 head Chinese cabbage cut into ½ inch strips
3 tablespoons salt
6 green onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon crushed dried hot red chilli
1 teaspoon chopped gingerroot

Soak cabbage over night in a pan of salted water with 1 tablespoon of the salt. Drain water and combine the remainder of the salt, green onions, garlic, chili, and ginger root. Transfer to a concealed container and refrigerate for 1-2 days before using. You can freeze it and it makes about a quart.

THE DETAILS: Soot Bull Jeep – Natural Charcoal BBQ House


3136 W 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90005


213. 387.3865


Monday-Sunday. 11AM-11PM

Obama: Definition of Civil Rights: for all minorities

“Rights to personal liberty established by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and certain Congressional acts, esp. as applied to an individual or a minority group.

The rights belonging to an individual by virtue of citizenship, especially the fundamental freedoms and privileges guaranteed by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution and by subsequent acts of Congress, including civil liberties, due process, equal protection of the laws, and freedom from discrimination.

A broad range of privileges and rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and subsequent amendments and laws that guarantee fundamental freedoms to all individuals. These freedoms include the rights of free expression and action (civil liberties); the right to enter into contracts, own property, and initiate lawsuits; the rights of due process and equal protection of the laws; opportunities in education and work; the freedom to live, travel, and use public facilities wherever one chooses; and the right to participate in the democratic political system.”

Remembrance Day

 

Remembrance Day: WWI. Let’s not forget how lucky we are in the APARTMENT THE SIZE OF MY ASS

Sunday is World War 1 Remembrance Day. Most survivors of that war are now gone but let’s not forget them.   We are so damn lucky not have to worry about being in a World War. We haven’t got a clue how hard life was during the World War. So let’s not worry so much about our cell phones not working or if a restaurant sucks. We are sooooooooo damn lucky and soooooooooooo damn spoilt right now. A whole generation of young men are alive.

Cats posing for pictures

My cats have been posing for photographs today and I have been sending pictures out to the family. These chats are my family. They are also just like kids. They get my up at the crack every morning and whine for food or sleep on my head and lick my hair, jump on my back or stretch their legs into my face. Yes, they are so cute that I can’t get mad with them. I have noticed thought that they have been a bit pissy of late. The pair of them will hiss or give me a whack. Thankfully I clip their nails so don’t hurt me. But mostly, they sleep. They sleep all day and night.  Jeezzzzzz

Luxury

http://pocketchangenyc.com/blogpost.asp?nid=975

 

Real Estate

Cash in hand for Avril Lavigne’s Beverly Hills mansion

<!– –>What: Avril Lavigne receives cash offer for Beverly Hills mansion
Where: Beverly Hills
Price: $5.2 million
Justification: Because cash in hand is worth three in the bush…

Kiki Taylor’s Take

Eight times Grammy nominated, Avril Lavigne was offered $5.2 million in cash for her Mulholland Estate in Beverly Hills.  When most of us can only dream of such wealth at 24 years old, Ms. Lavigne is leading the life of luxury. For Ms. Lavigne, it’s not undeserving. Eight Grammy nominated and a six time platinum first album aside, she has cash now, time for shopping. So, what do you get for $5.2 million? There are 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 6,864 square feet –plenty of room to run around –cash in hand, tropical gardens with a swimming pool, spa, and tennis court. Let’s not forget the gourmet kitchen, butler’s pantry and library.

images provided by bergproperties.com

http://pocketchangenyc.com/blogpost.asp?nid=976

 

Real Estate

Ted Danson’s Malibu Mansion Reduced in Price

<!– –>What: Reduced price ocean front house
Where: Malibu
Price: $18.5 million reduced to $16.75 million
Justification: Ocean views, not beer and beer nuts.

April V. Muccini’s Take

Cheers star Ted Danson and his Oscar-winning wife Mary Steenburgen felt the crunch of recent property market doom as their previously listed $18.5 million home was marked down to $16.75 million after a year of no takers. Ted and Mary moved on from their renovated Cape Cod-style house in the Malibu Colony, and I want to move in. Look at the 3,500 square feet of hickory floors, not to mention the  8-foot sliding French doors opening out on an oceanfront patio and deck, complete  with panoramic ocean views and a dining room that overlooks the Pacific. The house also boasts an oceanfront tearoom that features a ceiling-mounted projection screen- just one component of a mega entertainment system. The master bedroom has a fireplace (decadent, even for LA) and a large sun deck. Seems worthy of  $18.5 million if you ask me.

images provided by realestalker.com

http://pocketchangenyc.com/blogpost.asp?nid=967

 

Maternal Instincts

<!– –>What: Maternal Instincts
Where: Los Angeles
Price: $7,995,000 million
Justification: Because millionaire mothers need childproof locks too.

Kay Avalon’s Take

New mother, singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera, has listed her Hollywood Hills home on the market for $7,995,000. Maybe her new maternal instinct and desire for a more child-friendly abode is behind the decision to switch nests along with her son, Max, and husband, music marketer, Jordan Bratman. Her elevated, architectural mid-century house doesn’t appear to be at all child-friendly. The 6,500 square feet home has a gym, a pool (a virtual death-trap for toddlers) and a 12-person spa with a fireplace (look, but don’t touch the pretty flame, darling). There are also 5 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, making it hard to find junior when he crawls away. The master bedroom is 1,200 square feet, and there’s an 18 seat professional screening room. Christina’s newfound motherhood inspired her to change appearances, so living quarters seems only natural.

 

 

http://pocketchangenyc.com/blogpost.asp?nid=958

 

Gyllenhaal’s Family Home on Market for $3.795 million

<!– –>What: Gyllenhaal’s Family Home on Market for $3.795 million
Where: Los Angeles
Price: $4.2 million – $3, 795, 000
Justification: It’s Jake in his pajamas!

Kay Avalon’s Take

If you have around $4 million dollars to spend, why not make an appointment to view the Gyllenhaal’s home for sale in the Hollywood Hills? Or, if you’re like me, and you only have $4 dollars, why not make an appointment to view Jake Gyllenhaal in his parents’ home in the Hollywood Hills? The Oscar nominated star has been flouncing around in his pajamas, showing potential buyers his parent’s 3,000 square foot home, the asking price of which has dropped from $4.2 million to $3,795,000. Jake’s parents, poet and director, Stephen Gyllenhaal, and Academy Award nominated screenwriter, Naomi Foner, are trying to unload their five bedroom, three bathroom, modern light-filled home with a chef’s kitchen. The pad is situated on an acre with stunning landscaping by Hollywood designer, Jay Griffith, and magnificent views of the city. But who cares? We want Jake to show us the living room light fixtures, the intricate garden design, the vast kitchen counter space, and the sumptuous master bedroom in nothing but silk pajama bottoms. Jake, you could sell us the Yellow Pages. We love you! Oh, and your parent’s house, too.

 

 

http://pocketchangenyc.com/blogpost.asp?nid=943

 

Does Dan Aykroyd Have Too Much Time on His Hands? 4 Real Estate Transactions In The Past Year: Total Of $27.4 million

<!– –>What: Buying and Selling
Where: Los Angeles
Price: $3.8 – $14.5 million
Justification: There’s no stopping a blues brother

Views: 19250

Lillian Sweet’s Take

Comic actor Aykroyd and his wife, Donna Dixon, have bought and sold property four times in recent months, as if it was the easiest and most stress-free pastime on the planet. In February, they paid $14.5 million for a 5,244 square-foot house in Pacific Palisades. In December of 2007, they sold their 4,828 square-foot house on Woodrow Wilson Drive for $3.8 million to Beverly DeAngelo. Built in 1951, the two-story home which was once occupied by Ringo Starr and Mama Cass (not at the same time – as far as we know), has 5 1/2 bathrooms, five or six bedrooms (depending on who’s counting), a pool and six fireplaces. Aykroyd recently sold another property for $2.13 million in the Sunset Strip area that he owned with his brother, Peter. The 4,100 square-foot Colonial-style1922 house has three bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. If that wasn’t enough to keep Mr. Aykroyd and his wife busy, they recently listed their 3,400 square-foot condo on Manhattan’s Upper East Side for $7 million. Maybe 55 year-old Dan needs to make another movie to keep him occupied. It’s about time for a remake of Ghost Busters, after all.

 

http://pocketchangenyc.com/blogpost.asp?nid=903

 

Cecil B DeMille’s Los Feliz Estate

<!– –>What: Cecil B DeMille’s Estate
Where: 2000 Demille Drive, Los Feliz, CA
Price: $26.25 million
Justification: Norma Desmond wouldn’t ask why

Kiki Taylor’s Take

Los Feliz has historically been home to movie stars and the Hollywood elite. Arguably, the biggest mover and shaker of them all, Cecil B. DeMille, resided here for more than forty years. His estate has just hit the market – not for the first time – at a whopping $26.25 million. The Mediterranean architecture has been completely restored, resting on 2.1 elevated acres in gated Laughlin Park. The estate comprises an artist’s studio house, classic pool, pool house/gym, hot tub, spa and Jacuzzi, audiophile system, and expansive lawns.

 

DeMille bought the 1914 Beaux Arts style 9,700 square foot home in 1916 for the sum of $27,893. The elevation affords sweeping views sweeping views of the city and the famous Hollywood sign. The forty foot heated swimming pool sports a fountain, and additional fountains flow on the terrace and by the studio. The screening room, named “The Chaplin House” after it was leased to Charlie and his wife du jour, is self-contained with its own guest quarters. The master bedroom in the main house contains one of the estate’s four marble fireplaces, a sitting room with an entertainment center, a bathroom with period fixtures, and whirlpool tub. The dining room is paneled in wood and the basement has a laundry room, staff quarters, and a wine cellar. There are three additional en suite bedrooms and seven bathrooms With a down payment of $5.25 million, that’s a dream home in the making.

 

No Car

I live in Hollywood and I am not getting a CAR in the APARTMENT THE SIZE OF MY ASS Jeez, When I tell Angelino’s I don’t have a car, their response is always the same “What? You don’t have a car!?” You’d think I’d told them I that I didn’t eat or something. Yes. I do not have a car in Hollywood. And I will not be getting a car. Sitting in a traffic jam for an hour and half does not seem like fun to me. An ex of mine insisted that I must get a car, that I have to get a car. You know what? I get by just fine. I don’t have the expense of a car or the stress of being in a car in LA. Cars are for driving and I love to drive…but not in LA. Maybe if I’m in this place long enough to have some spare cash and I want a toy, well all and good then. Oh, and the car I’d buy? An orange VW 1966 Beetle, of course. It’s orange, it’s petite, it’s loud, and it’s European. What more can I say. Sounds like we are perfect for one another. I’m off for a walk, fatsos!

Novel things

I put it down for a while but I had a good go of it all of yesterday. I just want to make a good manuscript and then get help.

It’s scriptathon today. I have one I want to rewrite. I may start small. I have four shorts which I could do for practice.

I’ve drummed up freelance work but it’s for no money. I need a job. But I’m also going home in May. But I need a job for when I get back so that I can pay June rent. Or should I just not go home. Aaaaaagh. I need to go visit but is that really sensible when I’m not working. Anyho, I’ll see what my tax is like. How great to be creative but how shit it is to be poor…really poor. Do I get a straight job or do I get a cafe job. Mmmmmm. I’d rather be working for a production company.

I got to go to the library.