Ground Zero Memorial, Brazil’s steamy soap operas, and Jo Calderone

31 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Alan Gompers, Birth control, Celebrity, Crime, Injustice, International, Links, Patriotism, Politics, Pregnancy, Quacks, Travels, USA, West Memphis 3, Women

The 9/11 Memorial

One of my most surreal experiences in NYC involved Alan Gompers taking me to Ground Zero.  He dropped me off and waited in the car a few blocks away, offering me my solitude as I gazed at the area where the Twin Towers once stood.  At this time my view of the memorial was severely limited as it was under construction.  The 9/11 Memorial is now completed– with the exceptions of a museum and shopping center to come later– and opens to the public on the tenth anniversary of September 11th.  CNN’s account details the specifics of the design, acknowledges the conflicts associated with its construction, and shares a brief history of significant memorials in our country.

Imagine taking your first ride in an airplane….only to spot from the sky your home in the middle of a burglary.  This happened to Steven Lynn of Jonesboro, AR.  His uncle was at the residence and the two robbers ran from him– only to have Lynn’s pilot follow them as they attempted their escape– and describe their whereabouts to dispatchers.  Police promptly busted the unlucky capers thanks to the aerial assist.

Shocker:  Michele Bachmann says something stupid.  Apparently she missed the memo that the Everglades is not the place to drill for oil and natural gases.  Oopsie.

Consider Real Clear Politics to be your Cliff Notes on contemporary political issues.  I wholeheartedly believe that society would be less apathetic to the political process if they understood it more and made an increased effort to be informed.  As a political science major I cannot stand it when people adopt a snobbish attitude towards politics….that’s truly unfortunate.  Knowledge is power.  Arm yourselves.  Real Clear Politics offers email updates to ensure you are up to date with all things political and includes some of the following categories:  Real Clear Markets, Real Clear World, President Obama, Election 2012 Analysis, and National Security.

If you don't know who this person is, allow Real Clear Politics to assist you.

I’ve mentioned the West Memphis Three numerous times in this blog.  Although most of you are familiar with the case I wanted to include a link of archives from WREG [the leading source for local news in Memphis].  In addition to the information you can find online, I highly recommend reading The Devil’s Knot by Mara Leveritt and watching the films Paradise Lost 1 & 2.  I have yet to write my massive pieces regarding the acquital of these three men but I guarantee you it is coming.

“How a mix of female empowerment and steamy soap operas helped bring down Brazil’s fertility rate and stroke its vibrant economy” – National Geographic‘s article on Facebook grabbed my attention yesterday.  [[Sidenote:  National Geographic's brilliant photos and informative articles are posted daily on their Facebook page-- friend them if you haven't already.]]  Reading about women defying societal and religious norms to take control over their reproductive lives is empowering.  Their six-point plan for decreasing the nation’s fertility rate proved particularly interesting.

Lady Gaga a.k.a. Jo Calderone

Whatever your opinion on Lady Gaga’s music [it's not my cup of tea] you cannot dispute the fact that she most definitely makes a statement.  For the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Gaga attended as her male alter ego, Jo Calderone….yet were her intentions and message lost in this [arguably] over the top display?  Kelsey Wallace, blogging for Bitch magazine, says: “I do appreciate her postmodern-to-the-extreme commentary on celebrity culture, and I like that she attempts to do something with the platforms she’s been given– both politically and artistically….however, the cheesy accent and wild mugging for the camera pushed the persona into self-indulgent territory.”  For me it was too much.  As the article mentions, Annie Lennox did this first, and I’m disappoint that Gaga [with the premiums she places on innovation] didn’t give credit where it was due.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane

Spoons, poverty, and the narrow miss of Judgment Day

05 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Being broke, Culture, Food, Gender, GLBT issues, Health, Humor, Links, Memphis, Politics, Quacks, Religion, Sickness, Vegetarian

Taking a break from washing the car

The Spoon Theory

One of the most insightful articles I’ve seen in a very long time, Christine Miserandino– who struggles with Lupus– poignantly explains her sickness to a friend who is not ill.  This is a must-read, even if you don’t know any people suffering from serious ailments [whether they make you look 'sick' or not], it is sure to make you appreciate your good health if you are one of the lucky ones in terms of health…..and it will strike a chord if you’re not.

Victoria, have we got a secret for you…

The paragraph beneath the beautiful woman on the runway says it all:  “Andrej Pejic is a willowy blond Eastern European model who has appeared on John Paul Gaultier’s catwalks, starred in Marc Jacobs campaigns, and graced international editions of Vogue.  And this month, Pejic truly arrived– first with a topless magazine scandal and then by sharing FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World list along with the likes of Mila Kunis, Brooklyn Decker, and Megan Fox.  Pejic, by the way, is also a man.”

Poverty stricken and bitter  [and funny]

Being broke sucks any way you spin it.  Climbing out of the hole can be a vicious catch-22.  Banks adore expensive loopholes.  Your job doesn’t pay enough but it costs an arm and a leg to further your education to get better work.  And then your engine blows which drains even more of the cash you don’t have.  I hope good fortunes rain on the snarky John Cheese in the form of an entire orchard of money trees.  At least he can laugh at his misfortunes!

Veggie Tales

During the months where I was a vegetarian [and especially for the few weeks I managed to be vegan], I never felt better– light, fresh, and healthy– and I have made the decision to abandon my carnivorous ways once and for all.  I’ll blog more about my personal food choices at a later date but I encourage you all to read this article from Zenhabits.  While it does require some extra diligence, being a vegetarian can be so easy.  Reasons why it’s good to eliminate meat, tips for becoming a vegetarian, and further resources are provided.

Memphis and the Fords

Those of you from Tennessee are familiar with the Fords, a prominent political family.  John Ford’s ['Operation Tennessee Waltz'] daughter, Victoria, earned the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Award upon her graduation from high school.  “Unlike others

Breezing by us at The Little Gym

here who recorded rough childhoods and tragic experiences without distance, perspective, or insight, this writer emerges from abuse and tragedy with a lucid vision, a clear and original voice,” says judge and writer Melissa Fay Greene on Victoria Ford’s writing.  She’ll be one to watch….for all the right reasons.

Outrage:  Jose Guerena

Yet another revolting story from the state of Arizona– this time involving a former Marine who was shot during a SWAT team raid of four houses allegedly involved in a marijuana trafficking ring, one of those being the home Guerena shared with his wife and four-year-old son.  The Pima County Sheriff’s Office, not surprisingly, has tried to cover this up as much as possible and distort the story to their benefit.

Fish oil’s numerous benefits

Most people are cognizant of the fact that fish oil is good for your heart but it can also help with your mood and reduce alcohol cravings.

Get thee to a museum

Enjoying the finer things in life makes for happier men.

The world’s not ending after all, oopsie

If you are alive and reading this post, chances are May 23 was a normal day for you.  Harold Camping is an elderly Christian radio host who predicted this date would in fact be Judgment Day.  After missing this elusive event in 1994 due to a ‘mathematical error’ he is now covering his tracks by saying that 200 million folks will ascend to Heaven in October because this was an ‘invisible’ judgment day.  Don’t feel too bad for Mr. Camping, though…..his organization’s only worth $104 million dollars.

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane