Unforeseen Obsession: Pogo

In previous posts, I have mentioned both Pogo's "Alice" track which I loved as well as my enjoyment of the main theme from the classic film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Well, this little genius Pogo has brought the twain together! And I couldn't be happier about it.

Below you can watch the video made by a fan to accompany his track (titled "Drunk in the Mat Mobile") using excerpts from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I have been listening to this track on my iPod obsessively the last several days. Along with his piece entitled "Scrumdiddlyumptious" which was made with sound clips from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Pogo's work brings me endless delight. You can hear more of his music and download it by Clicking Here!

Enjoy!

Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy Dies at 77

WOW.

I honestly never thought it would happen.

Ted Kennedy, the last surviving brother of the famously tragic political family, has actually passed away at the age of 77 after a year-long battle with a brain tumor.

Kennedy served in the United States Senate longer than all but two Senators in history, starting in 1962. He was a major champion of civil rights, including women's issues and gay rights.

His family, as well as former First Lady Nancy Reagan, have released statements regarding the death.

Kennedy's family stated: "We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever."

Nancy Reagan said: "I was terribly saddened to hear of the death of Ted Kennedy tonight. Given our political differences, people are sometimes surprised by how close Ronnie and I have been to the Kennedy family. But Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another... My heart goes out to Vicki and the entire Kennedy family."

Rest in peace, Ted Kennedy. Regardless of anyone's opinions or political beliefs, I don't think I'm alone in saying that it feels odd being in a world without you in it.

Cher & Chaz: Episode 2

Well, obviously I was a bit behind with my first post about the hilarity of this series brought to you by Roseanne Barr and Jackie Beat.

Episode Two is already here!

3'10" Selene Luna joins in this time... Three guesses as to whom she portrays.

Happy Birthday Tim Burton

On this day, August 25th, fifty-one years ago, a mad genius was born in the quiet, Eisenhower-reflected suburbs of Burbank, California.

Timothy William Burton had entered the world.

Little did his parents, Bill (a former minor-league ballplayer turned Parks and Rec employee) and Jean (who ran a cat-oriented gift store), know that their detached, horror film-obsessed child would go on to be one of the most original, quirky, and successful film directors of his time.

Since my childhood I have been continually entranced by Burton's films all the way back to his first full-length motion picture Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (which also marked the first union of Burton and Academy Award-nominated composer Danny Elfman, of whom I am also an avid admirer).

Tim Burton's dark, fairy tale-esque films never fail to bring me joy and inspiration. All of them. Batman, Beetle Juice, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mars Attacks!, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc. And his short films such as Frankenweenie and Vincent. Over the years I have grown unconditionally biased when it comes to this man and his work. He can do no wrong in my eyes.

So Happy Birthday, Tim Burton! Thank you for your amazing work which continually brings me great joy.

Can't wait to see Alice in Wonderland! March 5, 2010. Day of reckoning.

Below is Tim Burton's first short film, a stop motion animated piece entitled Vincent. The short is narrated by the late and great Vincent Price, of whom Burton is a lifelong fan.

Cher and Chaz

When two forces of nature come together, the results are either catastrophic or unparalleled magic.

Fortunately, the combination of the forces known as Roseanne Barr and Jackie Beat have brought something hilariously magical to the worldwide interwebz.

Below is the first episode of an online series entitled "Cher and Chaz" executive produced by Roseanne Barr, written by and starring Jackie Beat and Nadya Ginsburg, and also starring Selene Luna.

The series already has some in the Trans/Queer community up in arms, stating that the parody, as well as Beat's song "He/She Chastity", is wrought with trans-hating sentiments. Most of the people griping, however, have no idea who Jackie Beat is nor that the comedic careers of Barr and Beat are hardly known for their reputations of being polite.

Enjoy and stay tuned! Roseanne is supposed to make an appearance in upcoming episodes!