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Apr. 9th, 2018 04:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gwydion* "Suspected Syria chemical attack kills 70:" http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-43686157
* "How will U.S. respond to suspected chemical attack in Syria?:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/suspected-chemical-attack-in-syria-kills-dozens-of-civilians-1205875779622
* "Palestinian journalist among 9 killed in latest Gaza clashes:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/07/middleeast/gaza-israel-border-protest-deaths-intl/index.html
* He lobbied against mandatory sprinklers on the grounds that letting people die in fires was cheaper for him than safety equipment. "Fatal Trump Tower fire: No sprinkler system in apartments:" https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/04/08/fatal-trump-tower-fire-no-sprinkler-system-apartments/497058002/
* "Outrage over conservative Sinclair ‘must-run’ segments:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/sinclair-spreads-conservative-propaganda-via-193-stations-1205888579914
* "Youth Over Guns March planned for June 2, 2018:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/parkland-new-york-city-activists-unite-for-gun-control-1205881923979
* "I stood in front of your kids and waited to die for them:" http://seananmcguire.tumblr.com/post/172668090490/disease-danger-darkness-silence-i-havent-seen#notes
* "City correction officer in Bronx slay said ‘I accidentally shot my friend’ in 911 call:" http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/nyc-jail-guard-accidentally-shot-friend-911-call-article-1.3893150
* I am so angry about this. "Police shooting of Saheed Vassell part of ‘tragic circle’:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/police-shooting-of-saheed-vassell-sparks-outrage-1205893699969
* "Black Jeopardy with Chadwick Boseman - SNL:"
* Thanks to the vagaries of the local library I just watched Justice League and Attack the Block, back to back. It has occurred to be that if one sets aside the difference in scale and budget, they are both movies in which a rag tag band tries to fight off a deadly alien invasion. What is fascinating is, that one is well written, has excellent pacing, and satisfying character arcs, and the other is the justice League. Sigh. I am very glad I did not pay to see the boring slow, clumsily written Justice League. Look, there were some good moments buried in there, like the Aquaman and Bruce Wayne in Finland scene, or the little girl getting the bug spray, and it was nice to see DC having a Hero who states his Judaism outright instead of following the Antisemitic practice at Marvel where they deliberately rewrite Jewish characters to make them christian. There was the occasional nice line, and the cast really did try to do the best they could with what they were given, but whoever wrote the dialog seemed to have only passing familiarity with how humans talk and behave. Contrast that with the naturalistic dialog over on attack the block and how believable those characters were. The movie with actors dressed in gorilla dog suits ended up dramatically more interesting and believable than the one with long boring battles against CGI perils. The low budget film was tightly scripted, beautifully edited, funny, and there was a sense of real jeopardy and real consequences. In the high budget film, it felt like nothing mattered, everything was bloated, and I kept wishing they'd just get on with it. I wanted the protagonists in Attack the Block to survive and be all right at the end, and the deaths all mattered to me (except the villain). I stopped caring about Superman and Batman ages ago, and I couldn't really connect to Cyborg, I think because the writing was so clumsy and the characterization so cursory. I only cared about Wonder Woman, because I saw her excellent solo movie. Aquaman was at least entertaining twice. With the Flash, they actually made an effort to do characterization, although I was left wondering if this was a laugh with or a laugh at the likely divergent person situation. So I actually cared about him, but had concerns. Meanwhile, over at attack the block, Probs and Mayhem might have been little assholes, but I desperately wanted them to be okay. I was worried the entire time about the gang's survival and what would happen to them from a law enforcement perspective if they survived. I was seriously routing for the nurse to make it out. I cheered for those girls killing an alien with a lap and an ice skate. I wondered how the parents were going to react to what happened. I wanted the useless stoner guys to be okay. I kept thinking about what the deaths and damage were going to mean to those families. I gave a fuck about broken doors and broken tables and grieving parents and that dog. I didn't check my watch and endlessly wonder when it would be over. Was it perfect? Fuck no, but it it was good, solid film making, with shockingly good acting from a mostly very young cast, and the ending Mattered to me. All I have to show for the massive expense and hoopla of the other one was a hand full of one liners from the Flash and how good Jason Momoa looks in and out of his costume.
* Me reading Mad Princes of Renaissance Germany (Studies in Early Modern German History): I'm pretty sure putting a fresh warm sheep's liver on that poor man's head is not going to cure what looks an awful lot like schizophrenia.
Spoiler: it did not.
* So like every boy cat I've lived with as an adult, Tavy likes to follow me into the bathroom in hopes of pettins. He lifts up his arms the same way a human toddler would to be picked up, and I scoop him up and give him his love. Livia, despite the promises of her host human, does not want to be picked up, but she is in the habit of following Tavy around in case something interesting is about to happen. Lately a furry caravan follows me to the bathroom when they are both awake and in the common areas. Usually she just mills around while Tavy gets his cuddle. This weekend, he started following me in there on her own account, winding around my legs and if stroked flops over for a nice belly rub, of which she is an aficionado. Now she objects to me leaving, but this time, to her delight, I had replenished her desk toys and a grand time was had despite my cruelty in not wanting to hang out in the bathroom eternally.
* A really cool little story about a hit woman hired to kill herself: http://caffeinewitchcraft.tumblr.com/post/156815480089/writing-prompt-s-you-are-an-anonymous
* If Bucky Barnes were Eliot Spencer's grandad: http://copperbadge.tumblr.com/post/172688272646/jackironsides-svenyves-lasrina
* "Sunday Sweets Finds A Rainbow:" http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2018/4/8/sunday-sweets-finds-a-rainbow.html
* I am doing National Poetry Month again this year, but I'm confining it to Tumblr on the grounds of tired. What the poems I selected? Five or so should turn up daily over here if you want to look them over: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/tagged/Poem
* I used all my money on housing and insurance last month, and this month it's all going to housing and car things. I need the car to get around as I am disabled. I need to raise about $600 to stay afloat. If you'd like to chip in: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com
*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.
* "Help us stop the humanitarian crisis on Manus:" https://www.asrc.org.au/donate-now/
* "RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees):" https://www.givenow.com.au/riserefugee/donate
* How to help Rohingya refugees: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/world/asia/rohingya-aid-myanmar-bangladesh.html?emc=edit_nn_20171012&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=50784086&te=1&_r=0
* Help fight for Net Neutrality restoration: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/170010496350/democrats-are-just-one-vote-shy-of-restoring-net
* A list of organizations to help you run for office: http://lovingmyselfishard.tumblr.com/post/167330144634/psst-hey
* Trans Lifeline is one of those organizations you can call at (877) 565-8860 in the US and in Canada (877) 330- 6366.
* The Trevor Project has a 24 hour hotline geared toward helping our youth, and you can call it at 1-866-488-7386
* Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the representative of your choice.
* This App phones your rep for you: http://takeastance.us/
* Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resistbot.io/
* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com
* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/1925021.html
* Want Game of Thrones without the creepy? We need new players. We are very inclusive. "Game of Bones MUSH:" gobmush.wikidot.com
* "How will U.S. respond to suspected chemical attack in Syria?:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/suspected-chemical-attack-in-syria-kills-dozens-of-civilians-1205875779622
* "Palestinian journalist among 9 killed in latest Gaza clashes:" https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/07/middleeast/gaza-israel-border-protest-deaths-intl/index.html
* He lobbied against mandatory sprinklers on the grounds that letting people die in fires was cheaper for him than safety equipment. "Fatal Trump Tower fire: No sprinkler system in apartments:" https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/04/08/fatal-trump-tower-fire-no-sprinkler-system-apartments/497058002/
* "Outrage over conservative Sinclair ‘must-run’ segments:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/sinclair-spreads-conservative-propaganda-via-193-stations-1205888579914
* "Youth Over Guns March planned for June 2, 2018:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/parkland-new-york-city-activists-unite-for-gun-control-1205881923979
* "I stood in front of your kids and waited to die for them:" http://seananmcguire.tumblr.com/post/172668090490/disease-danger-darkness-silence-i-havent-seen#notes
* "City correction officer in Bronx slay said ‘I accidentally shot my friend’ in 911 call:" http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/nyc-jail-guard-accidentally-shot-friend-911-call-article-1.3893150
* I am so angry about this. "Police shooting of Saheed Vassell part of ‘tragic circle’:" http://www.msnbc.com/am-joy/watch/police-shooting-of-saheed-vassell-sparks-outrage-1205893699969
* "Black Jeopardy with Chadwick Boseman - SNL:"
* Thanks to the vagaries of the local library I just watched Justice League and Attack the Block, back to back. It has occurred to be that if one sets aside the difference in scale and budget, they are both movies in which a rag tag band tries to fight off a deadly alien invasion. What is fascinating is, that one is well written, has excellent pacing, and satisfying character arcs, and the other is the justice League. Sigh. I am very glad I did not pay to see the boring slow, clumsily written Justice League. Look, there were some good moments buried in there, like the Aquaman and Bruce Wayne in Finland scene, or the little girl getting the bug spray, and it was nice to see DC having a Hero who states his Judaism outright instead of following the Antisemitic practice at Marvel where they deliberately rewrite Jewish characters to make them christian. There was the occasional nice line, and the cast really did try to do the best they could with what they were given, but whoever wrote the dialog seemed to have only passing familiarity with how humans talk and behave. Contrast that with the naturalistic dialog over on attack the block and how believable those characters were. The movie with actors dressed in gorilla dog suits ended up dramatically more interesting and believable than the one with long boring battles against CGI perils. The low budget film was tightly scripted, beautifully edited, funny, and there was a sense of real jeopardy and real consequences. In the high budget film, it felt like nothing mattered, everything was bloated, and I kept wishing they'd just get on with it. I wanted the protagonists in Attack the Block to survive and be all right at the end, and the deaths all mattered to me (except the villain). I stopped caring about Superman and Batman ages ago, and I couldn't really connect to Cyborg, I think because the writing was so clumsy and the characterization so cursory. I only cared about Wonder Woman, because I saw her excellent solo movie. Aquaman was at least entertaining twice. With the Flash, they actually made an effort to do characterization, although I was left wondering if this was a laugh with or a laugh at the likely divergent person situation. So I actually cared about him, but had concerns. Meanwhile, over at attack the block, Probs and Mayhem might have been little assholes, but I desperately wanted them to be okay. I was worried the entire time about the gang's survival and what would happen to them from a law enforcement perspective if they survived. I was seriously routing for the nurse to make it out. I cheered for those girls killing an alien with a lap and an ice skate. I wondered how the parents were going to react to what happened. I wanted the useless stoner guys to be okay. I kept thinking about what the deaths and damage were going to mean to those families. I gave a fuck about broken doors and broken tables and grieving parents and that dog. I didn't check my watch and endlessly wonder when it would be over. Was it perfect? Fuck no, but it it was good, solid film making, with shockingly good acting from a mostly very young cast, and the ending Mattered to me. All I have to show for the massive expense and hoopla of the other one was a hand full of one liners from the Flash and how good Jason Momoa looks in and out of his costume.
* Me reading Mad Princes of Renaissance Germany (Studies in Early Modern German History): I'm pretty sure putting a fresh warm sheep's liver on that poor man's head is not going to cure what looks an awful lot like schizophrenia.
Spoiler: it did not.
* So like every boy cat I've lived with as an adult, Tavy likes to follow me into the bathroom in hopes of pettins. He lifts up his arms the same way a human toddler would to be picked up, and I scoop him up and give him his love. Livia, despite the promises of her host human, does not want to be picked up, but she is in the habit of following Tavy around in case something interesting is about to happen. Lately a furry caravan follows me to the bathroom when they are both awake and in the common areas. Usually she just mills around while Tavy gets his cuddle. This weekend, he started following me in there on her own account, winding around my legs and if stroked flops over for a nice belly rub, of which she is an aficionado. Now she objects to me leaving, but this time, to her delight, I had replenished her desk toys and a grand time was had despite my cruelty in not wanting to hang out in the bathroom eternally.
* A really cool little story about a hit woman hired to kill herself: http://caffeinewitchcraft.tumblr.com/post/156815480089/writing-prompt-s-you-are-an-anonymous
* If Bucky Barnes were Eliot Spencer's grandad: http://copperbadge.tumblr.com/post/172688272646/jackironsides-svenyves-lasrina
* "Sunday Sweets Finds A Rainbow:" http://www.cakewrecks.com/home/2018/4/8/sunday-sweets-finds-a-rainbow.html
* I am doing National Poetry Month again this year, but I'm confining it to Tumblr on the grounds of tired. What the poems I selected? Five or so should turn up daily over here if you want to look them over: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/tagged/Poem
* I used all my money on housing and insurance last month, and this month it's all going to housing and car things. I need the car to get around as I am disabled. I need to raise about $600 to stay afloat. If you'd like to chip in: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com
*****
* Full list of Resistance and charity links has been migrated to my profile as it was getting out of hand.
* "Help us stop the humanitarian crisis on Manus:" https://www.asrc.org.au/donate-now/
* "RISE (Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees):" https://www.givenow.com.au/riserefugee/donate
* How to help Rohingya refugees: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/29/world/asia/rohingya-aid-myanmar-bangladesh.html?emc=edit_nn_20171012&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=50784086&te=1&_r=0
* Help fight for Net Neutrality restoration: http://gwydionmisha.tumblr.com/post/170010496350/democrats-are-just-one-vote-shy-of-restoring-net
* A list of organizations to help you run for office: http://lovingmyselfishard.tumblr.com/post/167330144634/psst-hey
* Trans Lifeline is one of those organizations you can call at (877) 565-8860 in the US and in Canada (877) 330- 6366.
* The Trevor Project has a 24 hour hotline geared toward helping our youth, and you can call it at 1-866-488-7386
* Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to the representative of your choice.
* This App phones your rep for you: http://takeastance.us/
* Here is one that will send your reps a fax: https://resistbot.io/
* Help pay for cat food, litter, meds, medical copays: Paypal Lethran@gmail.com
* Birthday/Solstice master list: https://gwydion.dreamwidth.org/1925021.html
* Want Game of Thrones without the creepy? We need new players. We are very inclusive. "Game of Bones MUSH:" gobmush.wikidot.com