Thursday, June 28, 2007

SICKO and the US Healthcare System

Michael Moore's latest film SICKO will be released this upcoming weekend to nationwide audiences. I'm not a huge fan of Michael Moore and his antics, but I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this film. Today, I want to encourage everyone to see it because the issue of health care in this country is affecting millions of Americans on a daily basis. I take a lot of interest now in the subject because this topic has personally impacted my own family to a huge extent, costing us thousands upon thousands of dollars. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, this is a huge issue that will likely impact you at some point in your life. The costs of health care, and the unbelievable amounts of money that are needed to get prescription drugs in this country are absurd. Now, I don't want to rant too much about the drug aspect because I know that I will offend all of my friends back East that work for major pharmaceutical companies. But I will say that I think they are partly to blame as well (yes, I know that they are a great place to work, I know, I know. I'm not saying that). I just think that it's very wrong to push drugs on people the way that they do at times, because I know from personal experience that many times the drugs are not needed and cause more damage than good. Drugs can obviously be a good thing, but there is a fine line between what people really need and what sales reps are pushing and/or what doctors are prescribing on a daily basis.

I just hope that people will learn about the issues at hand for the upcoming 2008 election. For example, did you know that because I now have a pre-existing condition that most insurance companies will not even cover me? I have to pay almost $500/month for health insurance, only for myself. Think about that. That's $6,000/year. I've had to go through enough already, is this really what I should have to deal with now? This is only one example of how so many people are impacted by the corruption of our countries health care system. All I'm asking is that you take note, and learn about the issue. It may not affect you now, but it could in the future. I'm worried about our future. There are so many good people in this country that are unfortunate enough to deal with illness, they should not have to worry about astronomical medical payments on top of everything else.

And if the policy doesn't change in 2008? Well, maybe I'll just find a nice Swedish boy to marry.

Evening

I took a lot of interest in this film because it was written by one of the same writers that worked on The Hours. Since I worked on The Hours with Scott Rudin in 2000 during the filming, I knew that this would have a similar feel to it. And it did. A chick flick for sure -- well worth seeing.

http://www.campuscircle.net/review.cfm?r=3626

Thursday, June 21, 2007

The Naked News

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Monday, June 18, 2007

Music and More

This month, I'm focusing on music. For work and for play. I love the music scene in creative LA. It's the best in our great nation, with Nashville close behind. Los Angeles has the most ridiculous radio stations (no need for Satellite out here, there are too many to count) and the best part about it is that all the famous DJ's that you think only do weekend shows on the East Coast... well, they are all actually the morning talents out here. Ryan Seacrest, Rick Dees, Leeza Gibbons, etc. On-air interviews with celebs and rock stars happen at least 4-5 times a day, and celebrity news that you read in US Weekly breaks on-air (sometimes with celebs calling in) at least 2-3 days before it hits the national circuit. There's even an Indie station that lets celebs guest DJ. My favorite time to tune in is when John Cusack is spinning on Saturday afternoons on 103.1.

One of my favorite things to tune into are the album release shows that LA stations host on a frequent basis. The bands come in, and play their albums the week of their release. The bands typically explain what they were doing when writing each song, and you get to know them a little bit better. Today on the radio, for example, I got to hear Lifehouse's album release show, which I'll let you know was damn good. If you liked The Fray's last album (which I loved dearly before it went mainstream), I suggest you check out Who We Are later in the week.

I'll be posting a few music articles soon, but in the meantime, there are a few things about music that have crossed my mind in the past few weeks. First, has anyone heard the new Bone, Thugs and Harmony song? It's fantastic. My friends and I used to love them in high school, and they are back with vengence. Way to go guys. I guess I don't have to listen to First of the Month anymore to get my fill of you when in withdrawal. Second, I want Carrie Underwood to be my best friend. Seriously. That song where she keys the car because he cheats is unreal. She has come a long way from Idol, and I want to hang out with her on a daily basis. I must say that I appreciate girls who aren't afraid to be a bitch. Third, I freaking love country music now. I don't know if it's because I'm older and I long for a more simple lifestyle, but modern country is great. There, I said it.

And lastly, I just found out that we have a karaoke machine at school. It was like the day that I found out Santa wasn't real. Nothing will be the same ever again. I think that there is no better way to teach my students English than with a little Bone, Thugs and Harmony, no? Well, maybe not BT&H, but some Journey certainly can't hurt. You SO wish that you had me as a teacher. Trust me on this.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Happy Father's Day!

June is time for Dads and Grads... And I have officially found the best Father's Day gift! There are just a few small steps to follow in getting the perfect gift for Dad:

1. Become a writer of some sort.
2. Get a job with a ridiculously cool publication that will give you the liberty to write something for Father's Day.
3. Write a tribute to your Dad, and then have it published in real live ink for 90,000 people in Los Angeles to read.
4. Frame article.

Apparently, I made my editor cry with this piece (below). I had no intention to do so, but hope that you like it too. To all the Dad's of the world, Happy Father's Day.

http://www.campuscircle.net/review.cfm?r=3545

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

GREEK


So ABC Family is coming out with a new show this upcoming summer called GREEK. I will admit, I actually really like ABC Family. They aren't as family oriented as you might imagine, the name is kind of deceiving. I wish that I had Tivo because I would definitely tape this show. I think it looks great, but maybe because I still have Peter Pan syndrome. Anyway, if you long for your college days, check it out.

Saturday, June 09, 2007

MySpace en Español

I've decided to teach myself Spanish. Classes? No. Lessons on tape? No. I have decided instead to learn a new language by converting my MySpace page into Spanish. I figure that each day, when I log on, I'll learn at least one new vocabulary word... Like "Christina tienes 220 amigos." See, it's easy.

Yes, I realize that sooner or later I will run out of new vocabulary words, but that's when I will decide that it's time to learn German instead. So don't hate the plan stan.

God MySpace, you really are changing the world. What's next?

The Laundry Bandit


My apartment building is great. Similar to Melrose place, it's a LA community full of life and scandal. I've come to realize in the past few weeks, however, that there is one big deterrent from living in a communal space: sharing the laundry facility. Sure, it's problematic when everything is in use, but what I find to be most annoying is the guy that lives on the first floor who likes to move everyone else's clothes around. He's the guy that times everything, and if you aren't there to get your clothes when the buzzer goes off, he is. Before you know it, your wet underwear are thrown all over the laundry room so that he can be the next one to claim his stake on a washer. I find this to be one of the most unappealing habits of a neighbor. And I have decided to give him a name, The Laundry Bandit. The Laundry Bandit and I have had 2 run-ins this past week, and to sum it up, we don't like each other. Every time that I see him, I hear the old Western showdown music in my head and draw my fabric softener to get ready for the impending confrontation.

To all of the laundry bandits in the world, RELAX. And please stop touching my underwear.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Long Plane Rides = SICK.

I had strep throat a bunch of times when I was little...and I just got it again after coming back to LA. This time it has wiped me out BIG TIME though. I went back to the doctor today and he is making me take a second Z Pack. Is that even allowed? Yikes.
My apologies for not posting anything this week, but I will do so when I am back to my normal self. Promise.