Random Pimping and Musings

Very Interesting...

2008-01-08T15:14:56Z

88% Barack Obama
87% John Edwards
84% Hillary Clinton
83% Chris Dodd
81% Mike Gravel
81% Joe Biden
78% Dennis Kucinich
74% Bill Richardson
47% Rudy Giuliani
33% John McCain
32% Tom Tancredo
30% Mitt Romney
26% Mike Huckabee
25% Ron Paul
17% Fred Thompson

2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

Support the Writers!

2007-11-08T03:54:40Z

The WGA strike is in full swing and it's looking pretty bad for a quick fix. This is a major problem that's going to trickle down to everyone in the industry - even little 'ole me. 24 Season 7 got indefinitely postponed, which means there may be no book for me to write in 2008, which affects my bottom line too. Let's not even mention that no writer or showrunner will talk to reporters like myself until this strike is finished - and that could be a looooooong time.

Am I bitter? Nope. I'm sad that good old fashioned negotiating doesn't seem to be in the cards, while posturing and foot stamping is the accepted course of action. Let's face it = change is never easy but it's absolutely time for some change. I won't see any money directly in my pocket from the outcome of this strike, but I am a writer and who knows if someday I might be lucky enough to be writing for a show. Whether I am or not, I'd like to know a writer's creative output will generate residuals in the future in whatever medium they are shown, which is just fair. Writers dream the stories up - they deserve a piece of the profit pie. And I can guarantee if there were a freelance writer's union - I'd sure as hell be part of it. So I stand united for my friends, my colleagues and some talented writers I just really admire. Good luck and may all my friends in every aspect of the business, from craft services to showrunner, weather the financial difficulties and stresses as best they can. You are in my thoughts.

If you don't know the issues this video explains it nicely...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ55Ir2jCxk

Holy Crap! I Still Exist!

2007-08-04T17:27:44Z

Ok, it's been WAY too long...uhm, sorry 'bout that :)

I actually moved over to MySpace as a quasi-website for my new endeavors and have been there mostly. I do read my friends list and have been know to surprise post - so the love is very much there - I'm just lame :)

What's been up since my January 2006 post? Oh a lifetime of things: divorced, fell in love - ended badly, lived with a roommate, was happy to be unattached and get back to me, wrote FOUR books, am in the early stages of book number 5, did a lot of yoga, went to two Comic Cons, traveled, cherished my friends and family, worked A LOT, fell i love again - working out well...being normal and in tune with me. All good...ups and downs, but that's what makes life interesting :)

Not sure if I will post more here, I'm thinking of writing more fiction so this might be more of a place for me to practice some writing exercises...we shall see.

Friend me if you are on MySpace!
myspace.com/tdilullo

Bingo!

2006-01-02T18:50:31Z

I was anxious to take this meme because I'm definitely doing a lot more reading on Buddhism and it's calling to me as the faith that reflects me more accurately in life. Any flist Buddhists that can recommend any readings or groups?

You scored as Buddhism. Your beliefs most closely resemble those of Buddhism. Do more research on Buddhism and possibly consider becoming Buddhist, if you are not already.

In Buddhism, there are Four Noble Truths: (1) Life is suffering. (2) All suffering is caused by ignorance of the nature of reality and the craving, attachment, and grasping that result from such ignorance. (3) Suffering can be ended by overcoming ignorance and attachment. (4) The path to the suppression of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path, which consists of right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right-mindedness, and right contemplation. These eight are usually divided into three categories that base the Buddhist faith: morality, wisdom, and samadhi, or concentration. In Buddhism, there is no hierarchy, nor caste system; the Buddha taught that one's spiritual worth is not based on birth.

</td>

Buddhism

75%

Paganism

58%

Satanism

58%

Christianity

58%

Islam

54%

Hinduism

54%

atheism

50%

agnosticism

42%

Judaism

33%

Which religion is the right one for you? (new version)
created with QuizFarm.com

Where the hell did I go???

2005-12-04T21:23:38Z

5 months??!! Good GOD, I'm pathetic! Well, I can use the excuse that at least the last months were eventful and Dramatic (with a capital D) and my life is in a completely new place literally and figuratively. Let's just say I'm having a life-sized do-over 7 years before my mid-life crisis is actually due.

Gratefully, work is working and I know how to do that (writing for those of you that forgot what I do - I've been so MIA, I don't blame ya!) First let me send HUGE LOVING *blush-faced* late Happy Birthdays, various holidays, and congrats on marriages and/or baby announcements. *hugs you all*

The actual POINT of this groundhog-esque emergence is to ask my very genre/media tuned-in friends list, if and when you have ever bought a Companion Guide to a television show - what kind of information do you find integral to that specific type of book to make it worth your picking up? What do you want to know: tiny episode facts, details about the creation of the show, how an episode is made, actor interviews, etc...
SPILL!! There are a lot of different books like these out there and some rock the house and some sucketh majorly...as I am writing one very soon (YAY!), I really want mine to not fall in the later category.

So post away and feel free to ask your friends too - it's an open forum to some two-cents sharing...

Yo Philly!!

2005-07-03T00:17:06Z

Proving that I am not an old fart (take THAT age!), hubby and I went into Philly to participate in .

It was amazing weather today, thank GOD it wasn't like the week long melt-fest we'd been "enjoying" in our fair city. Of course, hubby and I aren't morons, so we jumped the PATCO train into town (take THAT tolls and parking!) for a lovely 20 minute ride. Got off about 8 blocks from the Ben Franklin Parkway and the city was hopping from that far away. The Parkway wasn't as tightly packed as we expected near 17th, but as soon as we pushed towards the Art Museum - oh it got dense :) The crowd was very mellow - a few obligatory drunks and stoners, but really an incredibly diverse mix of ages, races, genders, sexual preferences and bunches of kids. It made me proud to see such a multi-cultural mix and everyone just digging the day and not being asses to one another. Can I tell you though, people are pigs! Clean up after yourself people! It was like walking around a landfill and considering the plight of the subjects of Live8, you'd think people would feel a little embarrassed by the copious evidence of wretched excess strewn around without consideration to the environment or those without anything! I'll get off my soapbox, but I guess the irony wasn't getting through to many. *frowns*

Anywho, we finally made it to the left of the stage - on a bit of a rise so we could see the stage straight on and the screens nicely. We walked up during Alicia Keys performance and she sounded very nice. They showed some Tobey Keith on the screens from Rome - didn't care. We got settled in our final spot during Linkin Park and Jay Z and let me tell you, they rocked the shit out of that city. Everyone was waving hands and bopping to the music, which sounded great! Most acts were given time for 3 songs and Linkin Park stayed for six, playing Jay-Z during his set. After, they played "Saturday Nights for Fighting" by Elton John on the screens. While I'm not a fan of new school Elton, old school still kicks some ass. Then Def Leppard came out and played "Rock of Ages," Badfingers "No Matter" (huh?) and closed with "Pour Some Suagr on Me" - a classic raunchy metal song if evaaaaaaaa. I dare you to not sing along and remember summer's past, mmmmmmm. Then they brought on a Sesame Street Muppet from South Africa and she kinda tanked in the cute department. The crowd was nice to her, but not digging it much. Even my puppet love was taxed...She then introduced Jars of Clay (let's just say she's no Kermit), who were very good but mostly ignored. Sad for them. Sarah McLaughlin came on next and sounded lovely, but was a bit at odds with the heavier sounds of the day. By the time she got to "Angel," hubby and I were like, "Oh man what a downer." So we started to wander towards the exit since we knew about 999,998 other people near us were all going to leave together at the end and we didn't want to be one of them - despite my Stevie Wonder love. As we wandered back to the train, we heard Dido from somewhere doing "Thank You" and Maroon 5 then came on live and did some great versions of "Harder to Breathe" and "This Love." Our walk back to the train was just as uneventful - no drama, but plenty of people watching. Can I say yikes on some of the summer fashion choices? People buy a mirror and LOOK at it once in awhile, I'm just saying...

Anyway, I'm really glad we went. It was well worth the minimal effort and I'm very proud of our city for hosting it so well! YAY Philly!!!

*smooch to chennie for her help*

Pictures! [img src="http://photobucket.com/albums/b40/tdilullo/"]

Finales

2005-05-26T03:05:43Z

J.J. Abrams - you are one evil cliffhanger-making man and sadly, I am your TV loving bitch *sigh*

Lost had some great twists and seriously, the last 2 minutes of Alias were just evil, ok. I even kinda guessed one part of what was going to happen AND IT STILL WORKED!!!

*hangs head in frustration until Sept.*

Tagged, Goddamnit!

2005-05-14T01:04:59Z

I'm only doing this cause I love you *shakes fist lovingly at txvoodoo*

1. Total number of films I own on DVD/video:

Ugh - that's ugly because I also have laserdiscs (haha - yes, the silver reflective, steering wheel-sized relics, thank you very much!) I'm going to have to go with about 100 DVDs and too many tapes to count and about 40 laserdiscs. Yipes!

Still don't beat my dad who has like 500 and he's anal enough to catalogue and make an updated list monthly. haha - gotta love the dad!

2. The last film I bought:

Well the faboo thing about being a media writer is all the free shit I get - WHOOHOO - but I did pony up for The Incredibles and The Spongebob Squarepants Movie...both kickass! "I love being purple!!!"

3. The last film I watched:

I was just watching X-Men on Fox (mmmmmmmHugh Jackman), but I will admit I shall be watching Blade:Trinity in about 10 minutes. Will I make it through...ahhh, that's the bet for sure.

4. Five films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me:

1. The Princess Bride (adore it, love it, LOVE IT...as you wish)

2. A Room with a View (totally pulls out the blissful romantic in me)

3. The Cutting Edge. (ME TOO!!!)

4. Aliens. (I know, a big huh? but Ellen Ripley is my favorite screen heroine eva.)

5. The Wedding Singer (one of my dork selections. I love Drew and Adam in this and their chemistry kills me plus 80s music - come on!!!)

Funny, but mean...

2005-04-28T18:37:18Z

Now I'm the first person to encourage others to create and follow their passion even if it means they aren't the best at something. It's expression and I'm a huge advocate of that. But as I cover and write about a lot of "talented" people in the performing arts, I'm also sadly aware that there happen to be many instances where those "talented" people crossover to dabble in other performing arts which might not exactly really be their forte.

I know many love whatever their favorite actor/actress does in any medium, regardless if they are good or bad, but I'm not one of them. Matter of fact, I kinda prefer my actors to just act, really, and unless they are the rare exception and also have an amazing voice or maybe started with singing and then went to acting, I have a hard time giving the music a listen. I mean, I try, but I often end up cringing and just feel bad for hearing it at all. Like really bad...I was just wondering why that is?

Anyway, my lovely friend is sending me the new James Marsters CD for a listen so we can exchange thoughts on it and I'm starting to get that feeling like I'm scared to put it in the CD player - lol. And I told a friend of mine in the music business that it's coming and he said, "...do not play that marsters cd, blood will seep from the speakers. don't hurt them, don't hurt yourself." I yelped in laughter when I read that. I don't want to be mean, but come on....am I being mean?

Where Have I Been?

2005-04-19T23:24:20Z

Happy Spring to all! Luckily, it finally feels like spring, so I feel like being perky about it. Hard to be spring-like in thermals and socks, like it was last week. Yeah, I'm talking to you East-coast weather!

Anyway, I'm just back from L.A. where I did some work and covered the Destination L.A. Party held for Lost on Saturday. First, I have to lay out the HUGE props for the organizers, Allyson and Maya of E.M.A. . Those ladies put one hell of a party on despite circumstances close to a train wreck and they made sure everything was beautiful, fun and entertaining for both the fans and the V.I.P.s. I hope the Lost people appreciate what they put together for them, I know the fans did, as did I!!! If they stage another one next year, I HIGHLY recommend to those of you that were on the fence to attend. It was worth it!

Also, hugs to the friends I saw out at the party: bubonicplague, jillybinks and the bestest txvoodoo.

Shout out to the faboo chaodai and the GREAT and MIGHTY David Fury for being so great to fans and yakking with me for awhile. Actually, all the V.I.P.s were so gracious with their time too, so thanks to Damon and Carlton and J.J. too.

Speaking of Javi, my SCI FI WIRE stories on him are up, in case you want to check out what he's up to: http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?category=1&id=30810 Lost Stuff. and http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?category=5&id=30846 Middleman Stuff.

Otherwise, I am writing muchly - YAY! We can eat - WHOO HOO! Plus, my first contribution to a BOOK (yes, one with pages and a cover and everything!) will be coming out in June. *thud* So very excited...

Hope all my friends and everyone else is well!

I'm such a DORK!

2005-03-19T19:10:46Z

The One True Slayer
81 Bites of Slayage

Damn. Not only have you died twice doing what you do, but no one
understands your burden and you find yourself disturbingly attracted to
vampires. You are the ultimate repository of what it takes to be the
Slayer, and no one can tell you otherwise. If you don't own all seven
seasons on DVD, it's cause they haven't been released in your country
yet. I am in total awe of you, and maybe just the tiniest bit creeped
out.

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 66% on bites

Link: The Ultimate Buffy Test written by Iguanita41 on Ok Cupid

Tizzle DiLullo in Da Houze!

2005-02-23T14:18:39Z

Hey peeps!

Long time, no update again. I've been lurking muchly on LJ, just not posting (obviously). I warned ya!

'05 is flying by and I've been writing away - lovely! I saw this website today:
Gizoogle and I've seen the light! I was so boring before and now, I see what my writing could be! Look...

VFX Artists Play Dr. Doolittle droppin hits. Slap your mutha fuckin self. Tara DiLullo takes a ride wit tha visual effects wizards who raised tha bar fo` CG-enhanced rapping animals in Rac'n Stripes and my money on my mind...

or, even better:

Holy Cylons n' shit! Tara DiLullo reports bizzle on how modern vfx is straight trippin' new life into an old sci-fi warhorse gangsta style.

and my favorite:

Out wit X-Games Spec Spiznot Tara DiLullo goes behind tha scenes ta gangsta how vfx artist Joe Laffey made tha weed-smokin' spec spizzot, X-Games Skateboard . Keep the party crackin while I'm steady rappin'

hahaha - CLASSIC! Take that bitches!

Plus, I also give you...

5. Almost got killed by a wild, angry donkey in St. John (not one of my finer moments)
4. Director John Woo bowed to me (me...?!!!)
3. Was an American Greetings Birthday Bear and I kicked card selling ass!
2. Was a figure skating judge for a competition in Philly. I got cards and everything.
1. Was struck by lightning and lived to tell the tale!

Ok, talk to ya later...Tizzy Out!

Where I've Been...

2005-02-06T15:43:50Z

The results of being a civilian government brat...

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

I procrastinate, therefore I am...

2005-01-04T20:43:52Z

Howdy All!

Happy Belated New Year! I hope my flist and family had a fun and safe holiday. I spent mine congested on the couch watching Azkaban on DVD. Hoo, hoo - I am just too crazy for words. Stop me before I hurt myself *snicker*

So, it's rainy and gloomy and I have 2000 words due on The Ring 2 staring at me and I'm doing what I do best...acting like it's not due and wasting lots of time. Haha - so much for New Year, New Me!!!

Otherwise, I'm just going to welcome new LJ friends: meghatron,valonia, and chaodai - a fellow writer, who is most bitchin and I'm sure whenever he gets all writer-blocky, Fury just lobs a Red Bull at his head. Hmmm...I need my own Fury to do that for me too.

Ok, I'm gonna be good now and go back to staring at my cursor...which mocks me by pulsing to the tune of "Woo Hoo," most notably featured in the Kill Bill soundtrack and lately of some damm car commercial with a bouncing red ball that MUST.STOP.NOW! *sighs*

Howdy Pals!

2004-12-18T03:11:51Z

Ok, I am promising to be a better LJ neighbor and not be so freakin neglectful.

So, welcome new buddies:

chenanceou, fenchurche and tigress35

Happy holidays and be wary...I'm LJ inconsistent and REALLY boring. I apologize ahead of time :)

Indirect Infamy!

2004-12-18T00:25:15Z

Oh man, I'm in troublllllllllllllllleeeeeee!

As a professional writer, I toil away quietly on my features in my nifty little office, cranking out words for features I hope audiences will read and enjoy. It's pretty rare for me to think outside of things like, "Gee, I hope my editor is ok with this." Or "Ha, my mom is going to love this one when she reads it." Thinking any bigger than that isn't really part of my brain time. So color me surprised, boys and girls, to find that something I wrote is embroiled in a dandy of a kerfuffle! Seems my SCI FI MAGAZINE feature on the new Earthsea miniseries, caused Ursula K. Le Guin, the best-selling SF writer and author of the beloved Earthsea series, to be pissed! Who knew???

From SCI FI WIRE: "Le Guin earlier took issue with comments by Lieberman in SCI FI Magazine, in which he attempted to interpret Le Guin's intentions in the books. Le Guin wrote on her official Web site that Lieberman put words into her mouth that missed the point of her books."

Seems it also got picked up in EW and on all kinds of boards and news sources.

HOW COOL IS THAT????

Yes, I am a complete dork - HAHA! My work is the source of great anger and teeth gnashing! Weeeeee. I hope I never meet LeGuin in an alley - she's gonna kick my ass!

(I blame tx_voodoo for my rocking header - lol)

I've Got a Theory!

2004-11-23T16:29:39Z

Hey all!

Geez, do you even remember me? I shall apologize again for being a suck LJ neighbor/friend. I do read my flist, but I don't always get a chance to post cause I'm already writing so much for that job thingy I do (yes, I am lame).
So I send great love and turkey joy to all of you now!!! May your turkey be juicy, your stuffing be yummy and your obnoxious family members go home early, if you so wish.

Otherwise, some interesting stuff this week...

Serenity bumped to Sept. 05...Not such a great month, kiddies. Kind of the moldy holdover month from summer and the "not cool" enough to be in the Nov. cool kids pack. Universal is being shirty, uh oh.

Marsters on The Mountain. Wow, what a turd that show is! Haha. James had a lovely moment at the end, but otherwise, he looked nervous and out of sorts. Who wouldn't be considering the swill he had to utter? Still not loving the hair, think it makes him look like a soccer hooligan. Meh...

Found out Ben Edlund is an EP on Point Pleasant from Marti Noxon. YAY! Interviewed her last week and the show sounds crazy. My feature will be in the new US Dreamwatch next month.

Ok, loving Lost and my big dumb theory of the week - Locke's new pig hunting buddy, Ethan (Tom Cruise's bro), is Danielle's kid, Alex. And I bet he's not all ok in the head like mommy. Discuss...

Ok, back to writing!

The Music Hurts!!!

2004-11-11T02:11:30Z

Dear Damon, J.J. and Fury,

Oh, how I adore your show about pretty airplane crash survivors. If you keep writing them this good every week, I'll just about swallow anything you lay on me. In return for my undying devotion, I have one humble request...

STOP THE MUSIC MONTAGES!!!

My insulin intake can only be so much. Make them stop, pleeeeeeeease.

Your loyal servant,

TaraDi

Puppet Chi

2004-10-13T15:01:06Z

I interviewed the creator of Greg the Bunny today, Dan Milano and I've come to the sad realization I am a certified puppet groupie. I have worshipped at the altar of Henson my whole life - I met him and it was like having a God moment. I'm pretty sure angels sang...little muppet angels. I was a Muppet Show junkie, Grover is my favorite muppet, I had stuffed animal puppets as a kid, I adored Greg the Bunny (yes, me and two other people on the planet) and "Smile Time" was like the best Angel episode ever...cause...puppets! Hello!

Anywho, I was gushing all over Dan about loving his show and we talked puppet shop talk for about a half an hour and I was in paradise. It got even better when towards then end we were talking about Team America and other things puppet and I asked if he saw "Smile Time" to which he enthused, "Yes!" He then explained that the guy who played Tardy on Greg (the BEST character on the show) played evil Polo the puppet and the guy who played Count Blah on Greg played Puppet Angel! I think I have achieved puppet zen...or at least a created a kick ass new game of "6 Degrees of My Favorite Puppet."

Dan also said the puppeteers were so impressed with Marsters ability to work and interact with the puppets - thus another reason to like the man...he has puppet chi too.

My feature on Dan will be up on Monday so you too who love the puppets can find out about this fine man too.

OH! And poor Tardy was kidnapped at the end of the Greg run and has never been found since. Whoever has that poor retarded turtle better be treating him right, damnit! And if you want to sell him to me...e-mail me *evil grin*

Happy B-day to My Bestest Buddy!

2004-10-05T11:10:28Z

Just wanted to send the most amazing:

txvoodoo

a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I love ya sweetie, plain and simple! I am so proud to know you and to have you kickin my comma splicing ASS!!!!

HUGE HUGS to one of my FAVORITE people!!!!

This seems about right!

2004-09-30T17:00:31Z

Well, I'm all excited to see Team America in a few weeks because Trey Parker and Matt Stone are some of the best satirists out there now (yes, I did say that!) and anything that mocks the current culture is a-ok with me!

According to them - this is the kind of American I am:

YAY ME! *Waves a flag* I am so proud!

Off to watch this travesty debate and hope for the best...

I went poof for awhile

2004-08-11T14:02:16Z

Ahhh July, I hardly knew you...blinked and you were gone but man, I managed to mash a lot of crap into it!

Highlight: Visiting with my Oregon nieces,
Lowlight: Having to share space with my family-in-law in one house for a week to do it *shudder*

Highlight: Three days of San Diego Comic-Con madness, getting Gellar for an interview, locking eyes across a table with Jude Law and then Jason Behr (mmmmmmmmm, yes please).
Lowlight: Walking or talking my ass off non-stop for three days in a media blur and then the smell of the exhibition floor mid-Saturday = Nerd-funk (smells like BO and basement and with a hint of paste and fruit roll-up).

Shout out to voodoo for your peepers and monster-smart grey matter!

Anywhoo, I am travel-bound again, this time heading to Oakland, Cali for the big SlayerCon. I think this may be Tara's retirement from cons for quite some time, so lemme know if you are gonna be there and we can say howdy in person.

Othewise, summer recommendations:

Garden State - both the film and the soundtrack - so yummy, as the film features the talents of my sekret nerd boyfriend, Zach Braff and the soundtrack features all his cool musical selections.

Charlaine Harris' Dead book series. Yes, vampires but very funny, sexy good. Excellent summer diversions.

And then there was the copious amounts of writing, which I thank the writing gods for! In case you are interested, we'll play where is Tara's stuff this month, under the cut:

@ N-ZONE
Zach Braff Interview - www.atnzone.com/moviezone

SCI FI MAGAZINE - OCT
Oded Fehr - Actor, "Resident Evil 2"

ANGEL UK #13
Saving Angel Report
David Boreanaz's Dad
Season Four Episode Guide Pt. I

ANGEL UK #14
Eliza Dushku Interview Pt II
Season Four Episode Guide Pt. II

DREAMWATCH #119
Jeph Loeb - Buffy Animated
Jane Espenson - Tru Calling
Renee O'Connor - Xena

DREAMWATCH #120
Damon Lindelof - Lost
Anthony Michael Hall - The Dead Zone

BUFFY UK #63
Eliza Dushku Interview Pt I

ALIAS #5
Patricia Wettig
Greg Grunberg
Bradley Cooper

ANGEL YEARBOOK
A whole buttload of stuff!!!

Ok, I'm done now!

Should be working but...

2004-06-29T19:28:52Z

Hmmm...I've come to the realization that if the art of procrastination was an Olympic sport, I would sooooooo take the Gold.

I've got 7000 words due by Wednesday. How much have I done?
Nada, but I have organized and updated my invoices, taught a Yoga class, listened to the Xanadu soundtrack and watched 15 mins of Outback Jack. I've sunk to new low's with what I will do to not work. I am ashamed, very very ashamed.

Off to go watch Lost I suck!! YAY!

My Political Rant

2004-06-26T07:11:56Z

I went with a group of friends to see Fahrenheit 9/11 last night.
Now, I consider myself an independent, but I have democratic leanings. I'm not a blind liberal or a card-carrying Dem. To illustrate, I live in NJ and while I voted for Gov. McGreevey (D) - there is no chance in hell I will vote for that weasel again. Will I vote for the Repub. candidate? Could be, depends on the person but more likely, I'll go Independent. So, I think that gives you a clue to how I lean.

Thusly, I went to the film with a definite opposition to Bush and his administration but I'm also not a lemming. I am fully aware of the type of filmmaker Michael Moore is and I've been studying his films since college. He isn't a strict documentary maker - his films have a liberal agenda and you have to know going into his films that his works are always completely shaped to prove or disprove Moore's thesis du jour. Does that make what he has to say any less important or true? No, bu I'm sure it could be confusing for some who are willing to take anything they read, watch or hear as utter truth. For those that can take in information with a point of view and can still assimilate the information and come to your own conclusions - well, you are the people I'm talking to and will get what Moore is trying to do. What you should expect walking out of a Moore movie, is to think. To open the door on your own views and have them challenged and maybe look at the world a little differently. Do you have to agree with everything he poses? No. But what Moore does so brilliantly - is make people think - something in short order in this country. We take things at face value anymore and particularly with this war and administration, it's been their frightening hallmark to make us feel that we are somehow unpatriotic or treasonous to speak out against what they are doing - which is just plain scary. It's bred an atmosphere of quiet acceptance and an almost Stepford-like willingness to take all the Bush-fed propaganda with nary a flinch.

What Moore has done, finally, along with a few other media outlets, is to take a stand and wake America up to what has been going on right under our eyes. You may not agree with the depth or breadth of what Moore accuses Bush and his cronies of, but you can not deny the aching truth of the repercussions of what this war has done. There is nothing more damning than the visuals from Iraq, things we have not been allowed to see before, both the good and the horrifying. I wept at scenes of our soldiers being bombed as well as when our own soldiers speak about bombing Iraqi's to metal music like they are playing an X-Box rather than taking lives. When an older Iraqi woman wails and sobs at the bombing of her family, home and children - begging God to tell her why and then asking for him to smite those that did this to her - my spine ran cold. Would any of us have a different reaction to being invaded and watching our loved ones die in front of us? And is there an answer to the "why" that would ever be good enough? But then to see a woman from Flint, MI who lost her son in Iraq sit in her family room and then in front of the White House, wail and sob almost the same words - it was striking to my soul knowing that these women a globe apart were living the same horror and were almost no different in their pain and loss. And again, why?

Whether you like or dislike Moore, who cares. There are truths in his movie you can't deny and we as Americans need to see them. And I walked out of that film thanking my fortune at living in a country where a person like Moore can make a film like this and I, as a citizen, have the right to see it and make up my own mind about how I see, accept or live in this world from now on.

May/June in Print

2004-06-02T10:22:44Z

Ahhh...it's so nice out and yet I am inside typing away as usual with my IV drip to my computer - at least I'm consistent!

Still mourning the loss of my Angel, but luckily I can still write about it A LOT! Speaking of which, in case you care...*drum roll* where I am lately in print:

SCI FI MAGAZINE - AUG
Stan Lee - Creator, "Spider-Man" *Cover! Squee!!!

SCREENTALK - June/July
The Wayans Bros - Writer/Actors, WHITE CHICKS

DREAMWATCH #118
Jeffrey Bell & David Fury - Producers, "Angel" *one of my fav interviews I ever did

ANGEL UK #11
Amy Acker - Actor, "Fred/Illyria"
Navi Rawat - Actor, "Dana"

BUFFY UK #61
Michelle Trachtenberg - Actor, "Dawn"
Where Are They Now? - Mark Metcalf
Kali Rocha - Actor, "Halfrek/Cecily"

BUFFY US #13
Emma Caulfield - Actor, "Anya"
Michelle Trachtenberg - Actor, "Dawn"
Willow Books News
Inkworks Cards - Big Bads series

FYI - I'm covering Moonlight Rising on Sunday so let me know if you are going to be there too and we can touch base!