Sunday, September 14, 2008 HenryCruz.com is moving... POST A COMMENT 'Right across the street...click refresh on your browswer to take out the extra letters at the end -- http://www.HenryCruz.com -- or click to the name on the top of the home page for the newer version...see ya in a bit. 'Hold on a sec, not that box -- (that special one goes with me). 'A little crazy for the next day or so, while I move stuff over to a new system -- (and work out the kinks). But, to keep my chops...I'm planning to write all through it...but, it could get a little messy. 'Not much gonna change, just house cleaning, a paint job, some new fancy bells-and-whistles that might not work; 'in mental-cyber-speak, it's almost like moving right next door, without actually doing the physical labor. Labels: HenryCruz.com posted by Henry Cruz at 5:40 PM Saturday, September 13, 2008 Telling the same story...twice POST A COMMENT 'Secretly fantasize 'bout going back in time and having a 'do-over...'I might finally get a few things right. 'For Better or for Worse scribe -- Lynn Johnston (60), decided instead of retiring she'd start-over -- “If I could do it all over again,” Johnston writes in one recent Sundays installment: “would I do some things differently?” She would, and she will. As she says here in this clip (above), the strip will now be about 50 percent new stuff mixed in with the old stuff -- or what she calls new-runs. Sweet, half the work for the same paycheck --(another secret fantasy of mine). 'Wonder if this keep-working has-to-do with her marriage recently ending... Could be...'she needs the extra cash to nurture the cougar buried inside us all -- “I never thought I’d be single at this time of my life,” she said in that interview. “And with that in mind, I still want to work, I still want to keep my hand in it.” 'Just make sure you wash that hand before coming to dinner... Source: Winston-Salem Journal Labels: Comic strips online, For Better or for Worse, Lynn Johnston posted by Henry Cruz at 7:30 PM Friday, September 12, 2008 Could smoking trees balance the budget? POST A COMMENT 'News today of the U.S. accusing the Venezuelan government of aiding drug traffickers -- ('giving Colombian gang-leaders guns & helping move the drugs)... 'kinda points to the pink-elephant in the room -- 'might be time to legalize some drugs? -- Wouldn't that disarm the criminal traffickers lock on such dirty-biznesses? 'Not sure if a blanket legalization of all street drugs is the answer -- ('but really now, isn't Weed a harmless herb??)... 'and there's no denying that our war-on-illegal-drugs is full of corrupt-sloppy-politically motivated agendas... 'from the futile efforts by the Drug Enforcement Agency, 'locking up stupid people for their victimless crimes...to reinforcing the gangs and mafia outfits that live-and-die off of street drugs; 'I'd much prefer a government gang running shit, over the violent gangs populating our streets. All while the real white collar criminals, those legal-drug companies, swim in billions off of medicating us with another useless pill we really don't need. I'm generalizing here, and over simplifying the answers, I know. There's no denying the fact that legalizing some street drugs would give the U.S. a $50 billion boost to the economy; 'not to mention relaxing the burden on our maxed-out-prison-system since -- 'about 2 million people in the U.S. are arrested for drug offenses each year...' Popular Science points out how folks -- 'have long appreciated smoking trees for its seemingly magical effects on mind and body. The fact that it is illegal (at least in the United States), has never stopped people from partaking in a little herbal refreshment.' Experts agree -- 'marijuana alleviates the pain of those afflicted with glaucoma...'But even since the 1950s, scientists have recognized, and pushed for, the antibacterial properties of Cannabis sativa.' 'A team of scientists...tested the five most common cannabinoids and found each one to be effective against several common multiresistant bacterial strains....the team also suggested that cannabinoids may be even more useful in fighting off bacterial diseases.' I'm no economic expert, but doesn't it does sounds like a win win for a slumping economy to tax defenseless crimes -- (the very same way we tax cigarettes and alcohol). I'm here to say: smoke 'em if you got 'em... Via MSN Labels: An Inconvenient Truth, brain-power, Business-101, drug bust, drugs, economy, medicated nation posted by Henry Cruz at 1:34 PM Thursday, September 11, 2008 Next two "IN" Books... POST A COMMENT 'Feeling a bit like the "IN" club? -- 'next two books on my desk have the IN-word in the title, coincidence? or destiny? -- ('hmmmum, technically In Odd We trust is a graphic novel); anyhoo, first up is In the Woods... And I'm looking forward to revisiting with the master of suspense, Dean Koontz, who lends his name to a comic book adaption of his popular Odd Thomas series... If ya feelin a bit Oprah-book-club-ish, 'pick 'em up and read along with me --(or leave me a comment on what you're reading, 'cause I'm always up for another good book after I'm done). As usual I'll post a short review of each when I'm done reading 'em. Labels: Books, Comic Books, Dean Koontz, In Odd We Trust, In the Woods, Tana French, what I'm reading posted by Henry Cruz at 6:17 PM Wednesday, September 10, 2008 Broadway flexes those A-list private parts POST A COMMENT Those chasing an A-list make-over usually means a stop over to Broadways dark-stage -- for some, showing off their punnani for the jollies of the theater elite. 'Broadway, it seems, has eclipsed Playboy as the place to make Hollywood pay attention,' says the NY Times. 'There was a time when female movie stars who felt they were being ignored by the industry took off their clothes for Hugh Hefner’s magazine. Now they brush up their Shakespeare — or Schnitzler or Miller — and hit Gotham.' Case in point, Nicole Kidman (way before anybody was checking for her), she was -- 'a movie actress who was most famous for being the wife of Tom Cruise took her first step onto a Broadway stage and was instantly transformed into her own dazzling woman....there’s no question that Nicole Kidman’s professional life was kicked into a new, loftier orbit after she starred in 'The Blue Room,' No difference than any current Hollywood A-Lister working for peanuts on smaller films; looking to for some INDIE-cred by taking a walk on the wild side. And no mistake in the timing for Radcliffe (Equus) -- since that Potter series is nearing its end...word on the streets seems to be -- 'If you feel you’re losing ’em, pal, just shuck the clothes.' Source: NY Times Labels: A-list, Broadway, Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter, hollywood, indie film, NYC, Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 8:07 PM Tuesday, September 09, 2008 The Four-letter word for Teens: Save! POST A COMMENT 'got a teen girl in my immediate family with a paying job -- at 19 she got cocky and tried living on her own, and totally screwed it up. She didn't pay her bills on time, and cried to momma how she was hungry and couldn't keep food in the fridge -- ('wha...she's making a couple of grand a month, I says): 'no planning. Spent all her cash on the day of her payday -- (what we call payday-rich). Let me back up, this is a bright kid. One subject they didn't teach in school -- (or in the home) however, is basic money management. I don't claim to be in league with the likes of Suze Orman...'but, I don't ever remember going hungry. So, I clicked my fake heels 'bout this book on money (aimed at teen girls). 'When it comes to money,' says the first paragraph. -- 'The most powerful four-letter word you can learn isn't an obscene one. It's save." START-'EM-EARLY: 'Kids need to get involved with money and they need to handle it,' says one expert. 'Parents need to involve their kids in financial decisions as soon as they are old enough to grasp it." Learning about money management now gives them a foundation so later on they avoid a lot of bad mistakes early -- and don't come running back home crying how hungry they are... Source: Washington Post Labels: Business-101, capitalism, economy, Finance, teens posted by Henry Cruz at 10:28 PM Obama: In the lions den POST A COMMENT Usually think that Fox News is far away from -- 'Fair and balanced,' however, here's a smart clip (a rarity for them)... 'Making the rounds on the blogisphere, coming from a conservative on foreign policy -- (entitled: I’m Tired of Agreeing With Obama)... the author of that blog adds -- 'I expect sharp words and fireworks with Bill O’Reilly and Barack Obama on the same set. What I don’t expect is to find myself agreeing with Obama over O’Reilly...' I wrote previously about my own political views (click here) but, as a citizen I enjoy hearing debates on real issues that effect us; and this was a good one. Source: United Liberty.org Labels: Barack Obama, Bill O'Reilly, Elections, Foreign Policy posted by Henry Cruz at 2:57 AM Monday, September 08, 2008 Two things happy people do POST A COMMENT In this article from Oprah Magazine - 'Five things happy people do,' they spoke with experts to find common traits in happy people...I picked two of the five listed (and added my own take on it). (1) Happy People -- avoid "if only" fantasies. If only I get a better job…find a man…lose the weight…life will be perfect. Happy people don't buy into this kind of thinking...'instead, keep their lives full of novelty, even if it's just trying a new activity (diving, yoga) or putting a new spin on an old favorite (kundalini instead of vinyasa).' To me, this has much to do with the added stress caused by trying to keep-up-with-the-Jones, or worrying about what other people have. Envy can be a real bummer. I also agree that keeping yourself busy with variations on regular everyday things keeps the brain from getting too much comfort. (2) Happy People 'put best friends first. It's no surprise that social engagement is one of the most important contributors to happiness. What's news is that the nature of the relationship counts...One of the most essential pleasures of close friendship is simple companionship, "just hanging out..." -- going to the movies together and eating popcorn in the dark.' I get this: simple companionship with people I like goes a long way. I know a cut-throat dude that is so driven by making money, that he chooses his friends only by how they can forward his career (The no-losers allowed club). While I'm lucky enough to fit into that club, I ended up distancing myself from him because I don't subscribe to that theory that you discard friends as you move up the social ladder. Having more money doesn't make you a better friend. Overall, I happen to one of those that believe happiness is over-rated. I embrace my sadness and sorrow as part of life's lessons. If we sat around ignoring the the bad things that surround us don't we then lose that hunger to work towards change? Source: Oprah Magazine Labels: Oprah, The Happiness Project posted by Henry Cruz at 11:57 AM Sunday, September 07, 2008 Cruz Review: Twilight, true Love at 17? POST A COMMENT 'Doubtful Teen-lit author Meyer needs any help pushing her Twilight book series, but as promised here's my perspective: Book Genre: Teen Vamps -- 'Propelled by suspense and romance in equal parts,' offers Publishers Weekly. Story Blurb: A perfect male-model-type Vampire falls for your ordinary girl next door -- (or what coulda been subtitled, finding your soul mate at age 17...'subtracting of course anything to do with sex), so it's a big time fantasy. Page-turner meter, (or the can't-put-it-down factor): I gotta be honest, I was not hooked from page one, but I ending up reading the entire book in under four days...'in large part my I'm-not-buying-this meter got in the way of fully enjoying the suspense. Could also have something to do with the fact that I'm not the intended female teen audience; but, the good news is that regardless of your age (or gender), the story kicks into high gear after about page 90. So, on a scale of 1-10, it gets a shaky 8. What I really liked: I do get it; 'and especially understand why girls really love it. The protagonist, Bella, is your average teen girl and after spending so much time in her head we see a modern day Prince Charming story (or in this case, add a touch of the Prince of Darkness danger factor to the mix). What I least liked: I got it down to two things that really bite at me... (1) In Meyers world nobody has, or talks sex...'I'm sure, if memory serves correctly, that your average 16 or 17 year old might have at least thought about it once. One of the most seductive things in Vamp-lore is the erotic nature, so to cut that out completely feels very Sarah Palin-ish. (2) A few critics have accused Meyer of 'peddling saccharine melodrama,' I think that's in part to do with the dialogue. The characters in this book don't sound like your average teens...unless they all live on a Amish farm. 'That being said, there's a part of me (like any screeching teen girl) that also yearns for eternal love and finding my soul mate...'so, I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing the movie, and reading more from Meyer. Labels: Books, Cruz book reviews, Film, Stephenie Meyer, Twilight Saga, what I'm reading posted by Henry Cruz at 7:09 PM Saturday, September 06, 2008 Toronto just wants to have fun... POST A COMMENT "We could say we are living in quite difficult times with wars and economic problems, but I think filmmakers understand that audiences just need a break sometimes from that," said Toronto festival chief Cameron Bailey (via AP)... 'Bucking a trend that started way-back when American Beauty busted out of Toronto to win a (best picture) Oscar; followed closely by other high-brow flix like Crash, Capote, Sideways, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, to name a few... Toronto, quickly became known for its love affair with small artsy pix. Just last year they hosted -- 'the North American launches of several eventual Oscar winners -- Juno, No Country for Old Men, Michael Clayton and Atonement..' This year got a bad-case of amnesia, asking 'Oscar-who?' 'Going instead with (I-kid-you-not) -- Rocknrolla type comedies -- '30 comedies in total, including Zack and Miri Make a Porno starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, Anne Fontaine's La fille de Monaco, and the Coen brothers' dark comedy Burn After Reading. 'Sometimes it is just about having a good time,' says the NY Times. 'That was the message here on Thursday night, as the Toronto International Film Festival got going with a face-smashing, belly-laughing gangster caper from a director best known as Madonna’s husband...' No, really, Madonna's husband is now a festival darling? -- Is that the best we can come up with? 'Politics is in surprisingly short supply here, given the imminence of a United States election and the festival’s past record.' In fact during a panel discussion, the moderator fished for a political thought in connection with one of the more commercial films. The filmmaker scoffed at the message-driven fare of the past, saying the film is just meant to be enjoyable. “Change happens,” he added, “in very personal, subtle, minor ways more than it does in a big landscape.” Source: NY Times Labels: Art versus Commerce, directing, Film, Film Festivals posted by Henry Cruz at 2:15 PM Friday, September 05, 2008 Prison Break: tube encourages good behavior! POST A COMMENT 'Don't think prisons when I think about that argument against a digital-divide-inequality in America -- (making sure we have an equal playing field for folks locked-in-poverty, as well as those born with a silver spoon in their mouth)... So, when I read about TVs big switch over to a digital format (dumping analog) locks out prisons: 'the nation's broadcasters make the switch from analog to digital signals next Feb. 17, televisions that aren't hooked up to cable, satellite or a converter box will be reduced to static...' I pull out the worlds smallest violin to I listen to prisoners cry "waaaah, I can't watch America Idol..." 'While TV might seem like an undeserved luxury for inmates, prison officials and inmates say the tube does more than fill year after year of idle hours - it provides a sense of normalcy and is a bargaining chip that encourages good behavior.' I don't know about you, but I don't think missing out on getting HBO qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment. Like this video shows, prisoners have bigger issues -- like not dropping the soap: Source: CBS News Labels: economy, net neutrality, News Trends, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 1:16 PM Thursday, September 04, 2008 Twilight-mania: Playing catch up! POST A COMMENT 'late-to-lunch on that Vamp-Twilight-saga (by Stephenie Meyer)...'but, my hunger for pop culture, cool Vamps, and a writing-success story got me reading. Both on the Meyers back-story and the 1st Twilight book: 'bout the sappy-relations between a abercrombie-looking-vamp and an semi-average teenage girl -- (I'm on the final few pages of the book, and I'll post a review later in the week)... 'Lets get into how-Meyers-did-it-story. Those big sales -- 'isn't due simply to her vivid imagination for vampire romance,' as Business Week points out. They called it -- 'the first social networking best seller.' 'Meyer, a 34-year-old mother of three from Phoenix, went well beyond standard marketing. She engaged with online readers to answer their most detailed questions about the star-crossed lovers, Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. She put up her own Web site, in addition to the one by her publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, posting her personal e-mail address and family photos...' In turn, 'Meyer's readers have responded by creating an entire world of Twilight on the Web.' While the web -- (and the rabid-fans-need-to-know) is the best way to connect with other fans...it's not without pitfalls. 'Just yesterday: Meyers punished fans after a partial (rough) draft of the next book was leaked on the web. As Meyer wrote on her website, "I'd rather my fans not read this version of Midnight Sun...'My first feeling was that there was no way to continue. Writing isn't like math; in math, two plus two always equals four no matter what your mood is like. With writing, the way you feel changes everything. If I tried to write Midnight Sun now, in my current frame of mind, James would probably win and all the Cullens would die..." Source: Business Week Labels: Books, Can Writing be Taught, Stephenie Meyer, Twilight Saga, Vampires, web trends, what I'm reading posted by Henry Cruz at 4:33 PM Oh no, not Peggy Hill... POST A COMMENT Poor poor John McCain...'got us all stuck in a bad rerun of 'King of the Hill --(problem is this isn't a cartoon we could just laugh off)... And In the end I might up choosing the lesser of the evils...'As with any wacky-extremist, the more I read, the more the Palin choice got me pretty scared right about now. I wrote on here that neither presidential candidate rocks my world. In that interest of full disclosure, I'm in that allusive-undecided-club -- (a former Pro-Hillary...'moderate on most issues, conservative on others. But yet socially liberal on important stuff like health care and the growing poverty divide). I'm closest in philosophy to our great New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Photo credit: TMZ.com Labels: News Trends, Politics, Poverty Divide, race relations posted by Henry Cruz at 2:13 AM Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Could Jesus Christ have morning wood? POST A COMMENT What sounds like Much Ado About...'morning wood is having a very real day in court: The case is against an art gallery in the U.K. that dared to exhibit a statue of Jesus Christ with an erection -- (they're being sued by a devout Christian who said she was offended). To me, the least interesting thing about all this is the art, by Terence Koh, which actually isn't very good (my three year niece could do so much better)... 'More interesting was the debate: 'Art is made to move people, to make them question, to expand their perceptions, to have an effect on the way they think,' says a civil minded person. 'Sometimes, some art is going to offend some people. But if we let a vocal minority get away with censoring art, the majority loses.' A spokesman arguing against Koh said they believed in freedom of expression, but "this statue served no other purpose than to offend Christians and to denigrate Christ." I can't disagree more with the "offend" part -- from what I see here, Christ was packing (and, ahem, truly-blessed) -- I gotta agree with this commenter: "Jesus just has a lot of love to give!" Plus, think about it logically, assuming Jesus was indeed a real person, the biology and science would strongly suggest he might also have had morning wood. I would even go so far as to say Jesus also sat on the bowl and moved his bowels...'at least once. Source: Guardian, U.K. Labels: Art versus Commerce, Jesus Christ, News Trends, religion, Terence Koh posted by Henry Cruz at 11:58 AM Tuesday, September 02, 2008 Got nothing to wear... POST A COMMENT "It's like the back-to-school season never happened," says the NY Post. Talking how retailers -- (especially clothing companies) -- have called this year the worst in recent years. 'Just not the best time to be in the clothing business: 'On one end, you have working families forced to skip discretionary items like clothing... 'And those that can spend on big ticket items just aren't -- fearing they might appear like they're flaunting their excess wealth. Leaving everybody feeling like they have nothing to wear. You have a whole Lotta folks feeling stuck in middle -- trapped in a vicious cycle. In part, because of the rising inequality of the super-wealthy... They keep working and working only to feel like they are not getting anywhere. 'Which causes people to work more and more...'just to keep up in an economy increasingly dominated by status goods. Getting back little in return, scratching their heads -- still wondering why they have nothing to wear. Source: NY Post Labels: Business-101, Clothes, economy, rich and poor divide posted by Henry Cruz at 10:48 PM Monday, September 01, 2008 The Porky-Pink Elephant in the room! POST A COMMENT Have a seat. No, wait a sec, don't sit, I just got that new chair. 'And researchers are saying two-thirds of us are already overweight... Pointing out -- 'every American adult could be overweight 40 years from now. Intended as 'a wake-up call' the new study adds -- 'Simply telling people to eat less and exercise more is not enough. So, it really does take a village (maybe with reinforced seats) -- 'such as making communities more pedestrian-friendly so that people can walk regularly, or getting the food industry to offer healthier, calorie-conscious choices. "It really needs to be more than an individual effort. It needs to be a societal effort." -- I agree here, like climate change, it's the porky-pink elephant in the room that folks don't talk about. So, speak up. Walk it out; and learn more about what you're putting in your mouth. I wrote about my own hugging of a more 'Mediterranean lifestyle; 'read today another article suggest -- 'new studies present evidence that this plant-based diet - which features plenty of vegetables and limited meat, with olive oil the primary source of fat - also reduces cancer risk. I think some basic common sense works here, like simply writing down what you shove down your throat helps (the good, bad, ugly)...I'd suggest signing up online on one of the many social-dieting websites (they're free and it allows you to keep a daily diary that charts your progress). Isn't it really about baby-steps in the right direction. Here's a cool "eat this, not that." video...they also have a fun online quiz (Men's Health) Source: Rueters Health Labels: Health, Healthy Foods, HungryForChange.com, Mediterranan lifestyle, Obesity, Trends posted by Henry Cruz at 3:43 PM     ARCHIVES October 2005 . November 2005 . December 2005 . 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