Where's Wallace at?

Mental Floss did a Shocking TV Deaths list a while back and shockingly, I didn't care about most of them (just Henry Blake and Maude Flanders). Then I started thinking about the ones that immediately came to mind for me.

********Major spoilers below for The Wire, Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, Torchwood, Lost, Sesame Street and Scrubs********

















********Major spoilers below for The Wire, Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, Torchwood, Lost, Sesame Street and Scrubs********

What tv deaths shocked/affected you most?

Off the top of my head:

• Stringer Bell & D'Angelo Barksdale (The Wire) (Poor Wallace too, but its sad whenever a kid dies on that show).
• Wash (Firefly) I know he kicked it in the movie, but still...
  
• Dualla & Cally (Battlestar Galatica)
  
• Tosh, Owen, & Ianto (Torchwood)
  
• Charlie (Lost)
  
• Laverne & Ben (Scrubs)
  
• That goldfish (Mr Rogers Neighborhood)
  
• Donna (Doctor Who) she may as well be dead! Russel T Davies DIAF!
  
• Dr Hooper (Sesame Street) Also, he wasn't a character so much as the heart of a show, but Jim Hensen was so sad. Especially when Big Bird sang at his funeral.
  

Dang.
P.S. I don't count characters who die and come back like a million times (here's looking at you cast of Supernatural, Buffy, and XFiles).

I Want a Little Sweetness

--- down in my soul....

All I Have in my Heart is Music

I'm going to be writing a paper about jazz funerals soon. If you are interested I can post it here in parts when I'm finished.

Compassion

All victims deserve compassion.
















If you want to do any justice to the memory of missing people or victims of violence, please please please look up "missing white girl syndrome" and get angry. Demand media coverage that doesn't select stories based on the gender, race, and class of the victim.

Please read 'The missing white girl syndrome': disappeared women and media activism by Sarah Stillman (Gender & Development, Volume 15, Issue 3 November 2007 , pages 491 - 502).

Check out: http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca

The Cult of Celebrity Death

The death of a celebrity has always been a popular talking point in popular culture. Despite most people having little or no actual interaction with the deceased, their death has a huge impact. Celebrities who are otherwise irrelevant in popular contemporary culture are brought back into the collective conscience after death and often have a huge cultural and economic impact. Not only do sales of merchandise, records, and DVDs (depending on the celebrity) skyrocket, but their deaths are accompanied by constant news coverage and popular discussion. Sometimes a celebrity does not even have to die, there can be a hoax of their death to the same effect, if only briefly. Facilitating the intensity of the collective mourning of a celebrity’s death is the word-of-mouth engine that is the internet, social networking sites, and gossip blogs.

Of course, that is not to say that collective the mourning of a celebrity is anything new; think of the deaths of John Lennon, Elvis Presley, or JFK. A popular folk legend has even arisen about celebrity deaths dictating that celebrities always die in threes. Common examples are Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper or John Denver, Princess Diana, and Mother Teresa.

A great contemporary example of the phenomena on celebrity death is the recent passing of Michael Jackson. His death in the summer of 2009 had a tremendous impact on culture. Not only was the news overloaded with Michael Jackson stories, including speculation about the manner of his death, the fate of his three children and estate, and the response of other celebrities, but a huge overload of conversation and discussion online. Gossip blogs and social networking sites were overloaded. CNN jokingly stated that Michael Jackson “broke” the internet (Rawlinson & Hunt, 2009). Massive amounts of traffic overloaded several hugely popular sites, including CNN, Wikipedia, Twitter, and the messaging service AOL.

There are two things that are very interesting in terms of more long term impacts of celebrity deaths on popular culture. One is the immense amount of profit in the death of a celebrity. Michael Jackson’s flew to the top of the charts posthumously making millions in only a few days, (Moore, 2009). Every poster and novelty store you go into has the iconic Farrah Fawcett “Red Swimsuit” poster on display again. After John Hughes death, the “Too Cool for School” DVD collection box set became readily available everywhere. To say that the death of a celebrity has an economic impact is probably an understatement, especially in reference to Michael Jackson whose posthumous record sales beat out those of Elvis within days, (Boyle, 2009). He also was 2009’s top selling artist, selling over 8 million units and more than doubling the next top selling artist, (Kreps, 2010). All these numbers mean one thing: a celebrity’s death makes mega-cash.

The second thing that is very interesting about the death of a celebrity and their impact on pop culture is that all their sins seem to be forgiven by mainstream commentaries. The old adage “don’t speak ill of the dead” is very prevalent, even on the usually rough free-for-all of gossip blogs. Prior to his death, Michael Jackson was involved in his second very public and heavily covered battle against child sex abuse allegations. Even though he was found not guilty of the charges, his erratic behaviour had turned him into a joke.

One of the most popular gossip sites, OhNoTheyDidnt, which is a social networking community on Livejournal.com, has approx 50 000 members (Livejournal, 2010) and over 300 000 views per day, (Tenenbaum, 2008). It is famous not only for its huge membership, its fast posting (often posting stories before popular news sites), and especially for its community involvement. People discuss the story in the comment forum. The post of Michael Jackson’s death started off as a report on his illness and emergency medical personnel rushing him to the hospital. The page was slowly updated to reflect newer information. Early on, before his actual death was reported, there was a lot of joking about his lifestyle and the sexual abuse allegations prior to his death with the odd anxious worried fan chiming in. After his death was confirmed, all the comments turned to lament and intense grief. He went from a wacky pedaphile to a treasured icon in a matter of hours.

MAIN ARGUMENT: The popular response to celebrity deaths has a huge cultural and economic impact.

Resources/Further Reading

Boyle, C. (2009, June 30). Jackson posthumous music sales outstrip Elvis. Retrieved from Times Online - Business: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article6607989.ece

Kreps, D. (2010, January 7). Swift Beats Boyle, Plus Michael Jackson, Beatles Rule 2009 Charts. Retrieved from The Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/01/07/swift-beats-boyle-plus-michael-jackson-beatles-rule-2009-charts/

Livejournal. (2010, January 24). OhNoTheyDidnt Community Page. Retrieved from Livejournal: http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/profile

Moore, M. (2009, June 28). Michael Jackson's album reaches No 1. Retrieved from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5675169/Michael-Jacksons-album-reaches-No-1.html

Rawlinson, L., & Hunt, N. (2009, June 26). Jackson dies, almost takes internet with him. Retrieved from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/index.html

Tenenbaum, S. (2008, June 9). Through the Grapevine. Retrieved from PopMatters: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/through-the-grapevine

God Help Me

Can't get enough of this song right now.

God Help The Girl / God Help The Girl from God Help The Girl on Vimeo.

SPORK!

NSFW but hilarious.

Spork! An Erotic Love Story (Edited Together From The Star Trek Audio Book) from cirrocumulus on Vimeo.

Cold War Kids

CAT FIIIIIIGHT

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays (parties, booze, Doctor Who specials) I'm feeling a bit bored. Thus, I bring you a rare glimpse at my cats....

Calm and Rational

Just saw the latest episode of Doctor Who. I don't know... I can't even.... Here's is my calm and rational response to the episode.

Groceries

This is my stock grocery list. I don't know why this would be interesting, but a lot of people are just perverted that way.

• oranges
• grapefruit (if they look good)
  
• raspberries
• apples
• broccoli (my favourite vegetable)
• carrots
• onion
• mushrooms
• bean sprouts
• romaine
  
• garlic
• almonds
• light rye bread with carroway seeds
• cheese (sometimes, if i want it with apples)
• meat (depends on my recipes, normally chicken or turkey and a fish which I select using this list as a guide)
• chocolate chips (I use this is my "treat" mix, usually with the almonds and raspberries)
• milk
• eggs
• yogurt
  
• orange/apple juice (depending on preference)
• hummus
  

That's the normal list. I buy small amounts, only what I plan to eat for the next week (some things last longer). I also didn't include things like jam, potatoes, margarine or spices which I normally just have a lot of and don't buy often.

I've been trying to increase my raw food intake so the veggies I normally graze on throughout the day or dip in hummus. I like to make stew though! And turkey meatloaf! Yummy hearty meals! Because its exam season and I don't have much time to prepare meals, I have taken to buying some premade meals (the only ones I like are the Michelina's Harmony brand). I hate salt though and those things are packed with sodium, so I don't eat them often.

I also love bran muffins and I always have the ingredients in stock. I like to sprinkle a little nutmeg and brown sugar on their heads when they are close to being finished so its like a treat. I'M GOING TO HAVE ONE NOW!

Again with the Violence

Another punch related post popped up over at Deus Ex Malcontent.I have been checking back the past day or so to see reactions on the old post. They mainly depress me, apparently I'm sexist for thinking violence against men is wrong and I have a "stick up my ass". It doesn't help that Chez only seems to stop by to feed the trolls and not respond to people with actual comments about the post.

His new argument seems to be that, while violence amongst humans is wrong, in this instance it is hilarious because the participants are subhuman. You heard me. I had a huge ass comment typed up and was ready to hit "post" when I decided to heed my own advice and not "feed the trolls" as it were. It would be the same misogynist assholes responded who posted such gems as:

"...some women will push and push and push and push men until they finally snap, safe in the knowledge that no man would ever hit a woman, and then play victim when someone finally has enough of their shit. The lesson is: If you're a loud mouthed idiot, don't be surprised when somebody shuts you up."

For the record, yes, I do have a stick up my ass about violence against women. I've made it clear that I am disgusted by violence against men as well, but I do have a particular tendency to dislike violence against women, well spotted.

What is scary about this incident is that he stole her drink and she got pissed and then he hit her. If I was at a bar and a dude stole my drink, I'd be pretty mad. I think most people would. Even if this woman is "subhuman", if regular old humans like you or I did it, we'd be the one knocked to the ground.

I don't watch a lot of reality tv so maybe I'm not aware of their subhuman status or as desensitized to the violence, but I can say that no violence happens in a vacuum. Its not sexist to say that there are certain implications socially and historically when a man hits a woman as opposed to when he hits another man. (Both acts are wrong, let me be clear.)

On the big picture level, there is a significance for women. We have to struggle to get paid the same as men, we have to worry about some psychopath raping us on the walk home after dark, we read about our sisters in times of war being used as vehicles of psychological warfare....

When we see a bunch of people (white men usually) laughing and rationalizing their amusement at the sight of a woman getting punched in the face and then read about how she deserved it in a myriad of ways, there is no way we can feel safe or comfortable.

Violence against women is not something to be quiet about. It is not something to shirk around. It is not "hilarious" no matter who is hitting who, no matter where they are from, what colour their skin is, their level of education, their bank account, their size, or the fact that they signed up to do a reality show.

Travels

Yo baby cat faces!!
I'm going to be travelling to Montreal in the third week of February and then at the end of March/beginning of April I'll be flying to Yelapa hopefully for a brief visit. I don't want to make any promises but if anyone wants to get coffees or water taxi into Vallarta for a drink, let me know! (I know its a long way off.)

Sad World

Firstly, apparently I have 3 unanswered friend requests on hi5... I was not even aware I had a hi5 account.

Secondly, I've been writing about such depressing subject matter that I cannot help feeling a little depressed by proxy. The upcoming holiday and the pure enjoyment I get from finishing my work and having a little nap or getting in some personal reading is keeping my spirits up. I wrote about the tragic histories of three women (Agrippina the Younger- killed by her son's assassins, Catherine of Aragon- died alone in exile after her husband refused to acknowledge her any longer, Queen Esther- forced to marry King Xerxes who was responsible for the massacre of her people...). I'm also taking a Dystopian Fiction class which is actually a depressing book club that comes with a university credit. (Don't get me wrong, I've really enjoyed it.) In that vein, here is io9's best sci fi books of the decade... I'll need to add some of those to my goodreads to-read shelf.

Now I'm working on women in Tibetan Buddhism. I watched Kundun last night and of course, cried like a baby. Then I watched the Vancouver 2009 Peace summit. Even though the talks were of peace, it was talked about as a hypothetical concept. H.H. did say some great things about women and their contribution to the achievement of peace. He sounds like a man ready to retire. He seemed much more vibrant when he was in Ottawa. Maybe he's like Nimoy, he just seems much shinier in person.

Punch Pt 2

Dear Internet,
This is what I have learned from gif-gate:
There's nothing funnier a woman getting punched in the face.

The following people deserve to be hit-

• sluts
• cunts
• bitches
• hos
• idiots
• chubby girls
• girls who don't keep their fat mouths shut....

I thought I was the only one disgusted by the celebration but over at Jezebel, most people are pretty shocked at the reaction. There is also an interesting discussion about the difference between man-on-man violence and man-on-woman violence here. A person of any gender hitting another person of any gender is equally wrong in my book. But the reason I am so upset and vocal about this particular incident is the reaction. All the comments and posts are about how gratifying it is to see this chick get punched (generally because she's stupid or "slutty"). I still can't bring myself to read youtube comments.

Bloggers that I loved are laughing it up over the assault. Its so disappointing to realize that people you respect and who's work you enjoy turn out to be sleazy and deplorable. I love to donate $5 or so every holiday season to my favourite blogs just as a little thank you. That is sooo not happening this year. I'm also taking a lot of them off my google reader. I know I'm just one reader, but if that's the case, then they shouldn't really care about losing my support.

I just want to quote a comment by DangerMouse in the Jezebel male perspective thread.

"'But why is it unimaginably worse for an asshole to haul off and hit Snooki than for an asshole to haul off and hit a man Snooki's size, for no reason whatsoever?'

Because of the MASSIVE historical implications and power dynamics?

Let's see, men were allowed to hit women until pretty recently--and in some places, they still are able to hit or even kill them with little to no repercussions. As a woman, I need to worry about violence and rape basically every day--at the bus stop, in the parking lot at the store, getting my house keys out while there are people nearby. Add to that the endless power struggle that occurs in our lives simply because we are female, ranging from being paid less, getting talked over in meetings, being passed over for promotions or tenure, a higher risk of being a victim of sexual and/or domestic violence. Oh, and if I don't respond to some guy calling to me on the street or talking to me in a bar, I get yelled at and/or threatened. I've heard of other women getting followed and persistently harassed after such incidents. If I complain to someone else about getting yelled at, the odds are good that they will tell me that I should have humored him. What this does that male-on-male or female-on-female violence is reinforce misogyny."

Punch

I thought Jersey Shore was hilarious and all the losers on it were pathetic enough to watch for entertainment. On Pajiba Love they link to a gif of one of the chicks getting punched hard in the face at a club.

Call me sensitive, but seeing a person getting clocked in the face just isn't that funny- even if they are annoying. Reading the comments at Pajiba and Warming Glow disappoint me just as much as the act itself. I get that she was annoying and probably had custody of the 8 brain cells the cast share amongst them for the night, but I can't understand any of the comments... Obviously, I made my feelings about violence known in this post.

I was shocked watching the gif, but reading some of the comments actually made me mist up.

• "Violence against women is never funny, unless that woman is a gigantic douchebag. In which case, BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
• "The Jersey Shore gif is a gorgeous Chanukah present to the world."
• "CHRISTMAS COME EARLY!"
• "Only minor fault with this … I wish he stepped into the punch a little more."
• "Did you see her hat? She was asking for it."
• "This the greatest thing I’ve ever seen. Look! He’s punching her again! Hee hee!"
• "The hair flying might be my favorite part."
• "how many times have I wished I had the balls to pull this exact move on some loudmouth beeotch. I love the ghetto hand gestures she’s giving just one second before the bomb goes off…"

Here's a comment for you: FUCK ALL OF YOU!

**If you want to comment and defend them, do me a favour and just never fucking talk to me. Any argument along the lines of: "its okay that she was punched in the face because..." is just not worthy of my fucking time.

Phew

I've never felt like I needed a good hug more. No woman is an island.

Lack
of balance
staggers
us.

To fall
is
easy.

Even so,
falling
will not
help.

-Alice Walker, A Poem Travelled Down my Arm

Burundanga Business Crock

Nana,
This is an old hoax. It's been circling the internet for years and years. I can assure you that there is absolutely NO truth behind it. Dad sent it to me a year ago. I did lots of research and I sent him this email to pass on:

Dad
This story is an email hoax that I've received a few times this year based on an urban legend. Thanks for passing it on to me anyways. I don't want you to be scared unnecessarily, so I've done some research for you. You could send it to your colleagues as well and advise them to investigate the background of these stories because forwarding these kinds of "warnings" only spread fear and anxiety. I'm sure they've already caused you a great deal of anxiety. If I've learned anything from school its to think critically! (Which, of course, I've done tonight.)

A simple google search of "burundanga business card" comes up with tons of info. (Snopes is the most reliable source for overturning urban legends, but other hoax identifying websites like Hoax Slayer and Urban Legends have looked into it as well.) I think if you look at these websites you will see that the email sent to you was directly copied and pasted from the original hoax email. The websites also point out inconsistencies within the story, the description of the drug, and that there are NO credible sources on such an attack ever taking place- no police reports or news stories.

I.E. The story above is a fabrication. Two details betray it as such:

1. The victim allegedly received a dose of the drug by simply touching a business card. (All sources agree that burundanga must be inhaled or ingested, or the subject must have prolonged topical contact with it, in order for it to have an effect.)
2. The victim allegedly detected a "strong odor" coming from the drug-laced card. (All sources agree that burundanga is odorless and tasteless.) (from Urban Legends link above).
   

In women's studies this was brought up and we discovered that burundanga is also known as the Columbian "zombie drug" or "Columbian Devil's Breath" which is very terrifying and scary. We watched a documentary on it in the class which I can link you to here. It's real name is scopolamine. Its used in a lot of South American countries to take advantage of tourists. In Haiti, they use a similar drug to "zombify" a person ostracized by the community. Despite the real drug's terrifying effects, I have no reason to be afraid here. After lots of research, I've found no substantiated reports of it being used in the United States or Canada except as a treatment for motion sickness.

To ease your mind I refuse to touch anything strangers give me because normally they are normally religious propaganda or dirty hobos.

Pass THIS email on!
Lots of love,
Amanda

Attention English Teachers!

SO! I have two great Hamlet soliloquy resources today. ENJOY!

Stu-pid

Wow, this video from fox news just blows my mind.

Ed Begley Jr. (an actor I LURVE) was on Stu's show talking about global warming. Ed was talking about the importance of basing your opinions on peer reviewed studies, not the news or a fancy actor like him. He also said its important to be sceptical but not be in denial. Stu kept asking EdBeg if "the debate was over" and he responded that people should go check out the science, read the studies and be informed by climate scientists, not actors or newscasters.

Stu hit a chord when he asked why Ed has to "impose" his green living on everyone else. Ed lost his shit. Stu complained that he didn't want a warning label on his house and he didn't want energy audits. Ed asked why he wouldn't want to cut his energy costs in half and run his house more efficiently? Stu also flipped out a bit and cried, "The government is telling me I may not have incandescent lights!!!" The horror.

"What kind of American believes that the government should come right into a house and say 'you can't have that kind of light bulb'?" Ohhh Stu, get with the times, The only places incandescent light bulbs show up anymore is over thoughtful noggins.

Ed made references to other technologies that were thought to be too costly, but proved to save lives. (Is green living a metaphorical seatbelt?)

Stu kind of summed up his argument with "I want to be left alone. I don't want to be pushed around by the government, or you, or anybody else."

Ed let his emotions get the better of him, bu I can see why he was so frustrated. He truly believes that we have a responsibility to preserve the environment and not pollute it, whether not global warming "exists" and Stu is just calling it all bunk.

Oh, we're not all doomed? FALSE ALARM! Go back to being wasteful, dirty pigs!!!



P.S. Bill Nye and EdBedJr are bff and neighbours and in a competition to see who can have the lowest carbon footprint. lol