PeterDavid.net

Just got this e-mail from Dave Seidman. Being out in the sticks, I doubt I’ll have the opportunity to see this film in theaters, but…

“Back in 2003, when one of the Dixie Chicks criticized President Bush,
conservatives denounced the Chicks, and radio networks and radio
networks refused to play their records, I think you announced on your
website that you bought a Dixie Chicks CD, just to support their right
to free speech and defy the denouncers.

I just got back from a screening of SHUT UP AND SING, a documentary
about the controversy. The directors (who were at the screening) said
that — in a replay of 2003’s radio blackout — the film is facing some
of the same resistance that the Dixie Chicks did. For instance, NBC is
refusing to accept or air paid ads for the film.

So I’m passing on a recommendation to you and others to see the film.
I don’t think it’ll disappoint you. It’s an interesting story well
told. Besides, the music’s terrific (and I’m not a Dixie Chicks fan).”

A week from today, we’ll have a chance to see just how much the rest of the population has caught up with the sentiments the Chicks expressed.

PAD

This is from the imdb.com news feed:

“Desperate Housewives actress Marcia Cross is battling to keep naked pictures of her from being published. Two hundred sexy snaps were reportedly discovered by a catering company hired to removed rubbish from redhead Cross’ home in Los Angeles. The firm’s owner is being represented by agent David Hans Schmidt, who plans to sell the pictures. Schmidt tells the New York Daily News, “There are some pictures of her showering outside. She looks absolutely gorgeous. And yes, the carpet does match the curtains.” But 44-year-old Cross’ legal team claim the photos were thrown away by mistake and insist they still belong to her and husband Tom Mahoney. She is demanding their return. But Schmidt is confident he has the law behind him and hints he plans to sell them abroad: “The pictures were not stolen. When you throw something away, you forfeit that property. We recognize the copyright issue, but US copyright law stops at the border.” But he has given Cross the opportunity to buy the photos back, claiming he knows how wealthy she is after discovering her tax return in the trash as well. Schmidt adds, “I’m not looking to mortify Ms. Cross. I just want the most money for my client. I know how much she made, but out of respect for Ms. Cross, I won’t discuss it.”"

Putting aside that I think they mean “carting company” since I don’t see caterers hauling trash all that often…and putting aside that the lawyer comes across as a complete pig with the carpet/curtains line…isn’t this astoundingly close to legalized extortion? I mean, it’s one thing if, say, you accidentally throw out a pair of Gucci loafers and a homeless guy who’s picked them up wants a hundred bucks for what is now his property. But this seems a whole ‘nother level.

PAD

At this point I’m starting to wish that the series had been called anything BUT “Battlestar Galactica,” because ANYTHING that prevents people watching this–possibly one of the finest SF series ever–is truly unfortunate. And Doctor Who ain’t no slouch either. Spoilers below:

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No, this is NOT a joke:

Long Beach High School has an annual “Superhero Day” for its seniors. According to Newsday, while other students came dressed as Superman and Wonder Woman, three girls–Ashley Imhof, Eliana Levin, and Chelsea Horowitz–came attired as kid’s book superhero Captain Underpants. There was nothing remotely indecent about the ensembles: They were covered head to toe in flesh-colored tights (not see-through), sporting white jockey shorts on the outside. But the head of the school, who will henceforth be referred to as Principal Poopypants, insisted they change because they had “the appearance” of being naked.

What the hell was he TALKING about? They were wearing capes, so seen from the back, they wouldn’t appear topless. Seen from the front, they would only appear naked if the biology teachers at Long Beach failed to teach the kids that girls have breasts. Nevertheless, the mere suggestion was enough to make Principal Poopypants issue an ultimatum that the clever teens cover up. Having no clothes to change into, the girls had to go home.

The Principal (real name Nicholas Restivo) stated he didn’t know the character, “not that it mattered.” Talk about having your underpants in a bunch. Someone should send Principal Poopypants a collection of the series.

PAD

Here is the photo that was taken by Dick Yarwood for Newsday for the article.

“Heroes” continues to please, and “Studio 60″ improves…although I muse on a missed opportunity. Minimal spoilers below:

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Boots the Monkey, Dora the Explorer’s sidekick, modeled here by Caroline. I have handmade two of these costumes for sale. Both are 2T size. Ideal for Halloween.

Cost $60.00 which includes shipping.

First come first serve.

e-mail me at puppetmaker@gmail.com

Mr. President: Peter David from www.peterdavid.net. In the past you have repeatedly criticized “activist judges” who have been, in your opinion, playing fast and loose with the Constitution in order to further their own agendas. Yet you, who twice took an oath to protect the Constitution, signed into law a historic curtailing of habeas corpus that many are decrying as blatantly unconstitutional. Would it therefore be reasonable to accuse you of being an “activist president?”

PAD

UPDATE FROM GLENN, 9/26: Apparently, Betty The Crow News is collecting questions for their reporter to ask Tony Snow. Feel free to click here and cross-polinate.

My daughter, Shana, sent me a link to the following video. I highly recommend it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmsOIjzQ1V8

PAD

This space is hereby provided for mourning Mets fans to vent their frustration and reminisce about the season.

Non-Mets fans are kindly requested to keep their feelings to themselves.

PAD

I feel like last night’s game was bigger than this one, since it had the Mets up against the Card’s ace with no margin for error. But they came through it with flying crullers, and now the entire season comes down to one game.

PAD

Didn’t even realize it was out until I spotted it in the store.

Whad’ja think?

PAD

The conclusion to the first year’s storyline. Whad’ja think?

Also, New York area fans should mark November 16 on their calendar: The X-Factor creative team will be doing a store appearance at Jim Hanley’s Universe. Exact time to be provided as soon as I know.

PAD

One great, the other…not so much. Spoilers and such below

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Coming at you with spoilers and everything…

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I hadn’t really brought it up because, well, I didn’t think it was that interesting, but Bob Greenberger mentioned over on his blog that I’ve been losing weight, so I figured I might as well address it.

Funny: The notion that I should lose weight because I could get diabetes, or have a heart attack, or go blind or maybe, y’know, die…these were all too ephemeral to worry about. But when I blew out my knee bowling some months back, the doctor told me it was only going to get worse unless I relieved the stress by dropping weight. That spurred me into action.

Curiously, once I made up my mind to do it, the rest came easily. Here’s the problem with diets: They don’t work because they have, by definition, an end. You simply can’t think that you’re going to eat a certain way for a proscribed time and then go back to “normal.” The weight will return. That’s why radical changes (cut out all carbs, drop all fats, etc.) don’t get the job done. You have to decide that you’re going to live your life differently. Not radically differently; just differently.

What am I doing to lose weight? Hold on, it’s pretty wacky: I’m eating less and exercising more. That’s it. That’s all. Portion control, going to the gym three times a week, bowling on the days I’m not at the gym plus three evening leagues. The only truly radical change I’ve made to my food intake is that I cut soda out completely which, after a few weeks, I didn’t even miss. Oh, and twice a day I take Flaxseed oil–all natural and superb in aiding digestion. And I’m getting eight hours sleep a night rather than working until all hours and getting four hours sleep. Since April I’ve dropped 54 pounds and intend to be practically unrecognizable by next San Diego.

Oh, the other thing I do, that’s contrary to what most dieticians tell you: I weigh myself every day. Every morning. Not once a week. That’s because I know how an overeater’s mind works. Let’s say you weigh in on Mondays. So it’s Wednesday and you’re craving doughnuts or ice cream. You figure, “Well, I’ve got four days until I check my weight again, I can lose it,” and you indulge yourself, and that carries over into Thursday and sometimes even Friday before you then starve yourself over the weekend. When you check your weight every day, there’s no hiding. At first it forces you to say on course; after a while it just becomes second nature.

I think, by and large, to lose weight, one doesn’t need all these various fad diets. One just needs resolve…and a determination to maintain one’s bowling average (currently 208).

PAD

I’m doing these two together because I find some of the thematic resemblances interesting. Spoilers below:

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For those who were wondering what sort of idiot would try to fob blame for the Foley scandal over to the Democrats, wonder no more. From the AOL news feed:

“Hastert told the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday night that he has no thoughts of resigning. He blamed ABC News, which broke the Foley e-mail story, and Democratic operatives for the mushrooming scandal.”

PAD

Peter’s the guest of honor this year at Albacon, taking place this weekend in Albany, NY.

Pay particular attention to the Saturday Night Extravaganza: “Peter David Unplugged! Spend an hour with Guest of Honor Peter David performing death-defying feats (well, talking and answering questions).” Sat. 8:00 PM.

What’s more, I see that David Peters is listed as a guest of the convention, although I’m not sure that he’ll be doing any panels with Peter. That may be a good thing, I understand they’re not speaking to each other of late and don’t even want to be in the same room at the same time…

Why, you ask? Why would Cowboy Pete even be including such a clearly non-genre, non-loopy series as “Friday Night Lights” in the round-up at all?

Two words: Scott Porter.

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So today in synagogue, we have the day of atonement. And we pray to be better people, and for tolerance and, and a world of peace. We speak about “sins of injustice” such as waging war upon others or trying to use violence to change things.

And I come out of syngague, and into a world where sins of injustice are presidential policy, and a madman shoots children in Amish Country, and an art teacher loses her job–her contract terminated–apparently because a parent complained that their child had been exposed to nudity…during a class trip to an art museum (the school board claims “other reasons” were involved, but this is an award winning teacher of 28 years’ standing; the claim rings false.)

The problem with a day of pondering one’s own sins and shortcomings is that it prompts you to resolve to try and do better…and then you come out into a world aligned against such philosophies. It says something when the only place where utopias exist are in the pages of a prayer book…or fantasy novels.

PAD