On reading over my last post, I realised there was a fundamental moment I missed out: Project For Awsome!
For those who don't know, Hank and John Green (vlogbrothers) for the second year have organised P4A with the aim of users taking over YouTube by making videos about there favourite charities and getting them into the most discussed list etc. Me, Charlotte & Emma made this effort. Comment, rate and favourite people!:
I am very proud of it: not only because it is part of an amazing Project but because we got a lot of comments and ratings, especially for a user with no subscribers and no prior experience of making videos!
Please go to www.envision.org.uk
They do amazing work.
Also (and I will keep you up to date), our project centres around reducing homophobia in our school, and we have our own e-mail address: homophobia.aware@googlemail.com
Please, contact us if you have any ideas or comments. Thanks and DFTBA!
xXx
Saturday 27 December 2008
Tuesday 23 December 2008
I'm sorry.
Sorry to put a downer on what is normally a mainly happy blog but there is something that I have to get off my chest. I was YouTubing (as you do at 1.37 in the morning) and came across some 'Yes On Prop 8' trails that aired before the vote in November. For those of you just passing through who do not know what Prop 8 is, it was on the ballot in California and voting Yes meant taking away the right for same-sex couples to get married which had been granted by the Supreme Court not even a year before.
Of course, both sides of the campaign went at it: with endorsements and donations coming from all over the place. And despite this years election been historical and tolerant in so many ways, it is sad to know this passed at the same beautiful moment in history. I find it sad that for so many the victory was tarnished.
So, back to these trails. They honestly have to be seen to be believed. Let's take the first one:
Now normally I would not even want to link to this, but it really has to be seen to be believed.
Let's take this point by point:
'And because the Supreme Court has made same-sex marriage a fundamental right...' No mate, it was always a right. Simply one people were not granted.
'... legal defenses based on religious freedoms are less likely to succeed.' If your religion is your only defense, that is no defense. And not one the Supreme Court would have ever looked kindly upon.
'Those who oppose same-sex marriage on religious grounds will be increasingly labelled as intolerant...' As opposed to tolerant? I am not sure of your definition but in my mind, you are intolerant if you deny someone a basic human right based upon who they fall in love with.
'Children will be taught that same-sex marriages are the equal of same-sex marriages' And that is bad why? Oh, right. You don't want your kids to grow up thinking it's normal and acceptable. But your not intolerant. No, you are protecting your rights to pass on rubbish to your children...
'Could narrow personal liberties... like photographers who would prefer not to photograph gay weddings...' Well, we would not want to narrow personal liberties. God, people who have had their rights suppressed for centuries just do not understand not being given basic rights (!)
The last point about America being based upon religious freedoms. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't America built on a barrier between church and state? No-one is telling you not to practise your religion, but just that the laws within your religion should not be imposed upon an entire country.
Apparently, those who voted No On Prop 8 were intolerant of people's religious freedoms. If only these people could understand intolerance, if only they had had fundamental rights taken away.
The things I didn't mention? The church marriage services? The adoption agencies? The teaching in schools? I'm not mentioning those because they are right? There is no moral argument? No, I am not mentioning them because they are not covered by Proposition 8.
Prop 8 had no bearing on the rights of private businesses to refuse work or the Church to practice by it's own laws: it's only change would have been to allow anyone in a committed relationship to marry by the law of the country.
Now, the ballot has passed (based on far more lies than I could show you in one post, take a look through the related videos and see for yourself) but the battle is not over. No On Prop 8 is a campaign that lives on, and many of those whose marriages were denied by their state in November are taking the decision back to the Supreme Court. There is hope: and while I am not of the age of the geography to make the difference I would like, I hope my small rant has at least shown that there are people everywhere outraged by Prop 8, and who are supporting those who fight against in every way they can.
Now, something to cheer you up:
Ah, there is hope!
xXx
Of course, both sides of the campaign went at it: with endorsements and donations coming from all over the place. And despite this years election been historical and tolerant in so many ways, it is sad to know this passed at the same beautiful moment in history. I find it sad that for so many the victory was tarnished.
So, back to these trails. They honestly have to be seen to be believed. Let's take the first one:
Now normally I would not even want to link to this, but it really has to be seen to be believed.
Let's take this point by point:
'And because the Supreme Court has made same-sex marriage a fundamental right...' No mate, it was always a right. Simply one people were not granted.
'... legal defenses based on religious freedoms are less likely to succeed.' If your religion is your only defense, that is no defense. And not one the Supreme Court would have ever looked kindly upon.
'Those who oppose same-sex marriage on religious grounds will be increasingly labelled as intolerant...' As opposed to tolerant? I am not sure of your definition but in my mind, you are intolerant if you deny someone a basic human right based upon who they fall in love with.
'Children will be taught that same-sex marriages are the equal of same-sex marriages' And that is bad why? Oh, right. You don't want your kids to grow up thinking it's normal and acceptable. But your not intolerant. No, you are protecting your rights to pass on rubbish to your children...
'Could narrow personal liberties... like photographers who would prefer not to photograph gay weddings...' Well, we would not want to narrow personal liberties. God, people who have had their rights suppressed for centuries just do not understand not being given basic rights (!)
The last point about America being based upon religious freedoms. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't America built on a barrier between church and state? No-one is telling you not to practise your religion, but just that the laws within your religion should not be imposed upon an entire country.
Apparently, those who voted No On Prop 8 were intolerant of people's religious freedoms. If only these people could understand intolerance, if only they had had fundamental rights taken away.
The things I didn't mention? The church marriage services? The adoption agencies? The teaching in schools? I'm not mentioning those because they are right? There is no moral argument? No, I am not mentioning them because they are not covered by Proposition 8.
Prop 8 had no bearing on the rights of private businesses to refuse work or the Church to practice by it's own laws: it's only change would have been to allow anyone in a committed relationship to marry by the law of the country.
Now, the ballot has passed (based on far more lies than I could show you in one post, take a look through the related videos and see for yourself) but the battle is not over. No On Prop 8 is a campaign that lives on, and many of those whose marriages were denied by their state in November are taking the decision back to the Supreme Court. There is hope: and while I am not of the age of the geography to make the difference I would like, I hope my small rant has at least shown that there are people everywhere outraged by Prop 8, and who are supporting those who fight against in every way they can.
Now, something to cheer you up:
Ah, there is hope!
xXx
Monday 22 December 2008
Well...
I'm doing this now with the foresight to see a Christmas/New Year post might be more appealing. Besides, I've been watching more QaFUSA and I want to officially add it to the Gay Update (drum roll not inculded).
(Checking iCal to see what I have been doing...) Ah, yes. Been quite busy actually. So, I chaired a couple of debates between Hampstead and QPCS on the first Friday of December which was quite fun. Enjoyed being in authority (and we won two out of three as well, which is not bad). Then spent that night at Emma's having our belated-and-we're-not-even-American Thanksgiving dinner, which is essentially an excuse to eat a Roast dinner. And it was almost perfect (if a bit cold) and expect them to be up on my Flickr tonight. Very funny night, I even used the candle my teacher gave me...
Went to see Licotine the next day, and they were very good. The more I see them the more they start to look like a band: and I like how many times we've seen them. We can really see how they've matured. And we saw Charlie, which was lovely.
Then the next Thursday we went to Cambridge on a school trip which was AMAZING. Beautiful place to live and giving out the free Prospectus' really helped. It wa scary though, to think this time next year I will have applied to universities. Well, that's a lovely Christmas thought.
Stayed at Alex's for our kind of Christmas meal with Karimah, me, Charlotte, Ed and Charlie. Watched Peep Show and ate food for the first half, and the addition of Charlie did change our conversation slightly. Charlotte's Tweet perfectly described it: 'Gone from dicussing porn to Tesco to Post Offices to economics to Boris Johnson to America to Obama to religion, very interesting'. Lovely evening, even if I didn't get to sleep to 5!
Cerificate Evening on Tuesday was actually a really nice night. Got my GCSEs, which feels a lot less scary than I always imagined, and I did not trip even in my immense (!) heels. Nice to see everyone (Jim, Charlie again, Jack...) and the Year Book is hilarious! Wish more people from Y had been there though...
And, last but by no stretch of the imagination least, TWILIGHT! Well a packed cinema (literally) and a fight for seats later... it was not bad. I mean, some of it was. The skin shining, the scene on the bed and the ending felt a bit like it did in the book; anticlimatic. But some of it was very good: they had the humour, both family dynamics and the style sort of worked. So... better than I would have betted on.
GAY UPDATE: You know you've been waiting for it. And again, very little to say. Ollian has been even quieter and I get the impression it'll take more than Jo Weil's return to give them a storyline. And Hollyoaks is virtually out of the picture now (until the Ravi reveal *yawn*) unless Spike returns. BROTHERS AND SISTERSwas amazing... very sweet Kevin and Scotty scenes with dialouge and family connections that let it win! But I am not giving up on Nuke... and I have a feeling it'll win over this Christmas period (considering it is the only thing airing, it shouldn't be so hard). Very sweet scenes coming up, and Brian and Luke are being given the right scenes for the first time. And QaFUSA is amazing! I love it, despite the poor quality of the video. The scenes which are identical to QAF are hard to watch, because they are not as good, but the ones that are different are truly moving. Thinking about it, current spoilers of ATWT suggest it may win!
So, merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
xXx
(Checking iCal to see what I have been doing...) Ah, yes. Been quite busy actually. So, I chaired a couple of debates between Hampstead and QPCS on the first Friday of December which was quite fun. Enjoyed being in authority (and we won two out of three as well, which is not bad). Then spent that night at Emma's having our belated-and-we're-not-even-American Thanksgiving dinner, which is essentially an excuse to eat a Roast dinner. And it was almost perfect (if a bit cold) and expect them to be up on my Flickr tonight. Very funny night, I even used the candle my teacher gave me...
Went to see Licotine the next day, and they were very good. The more I see them the more they start to look like a band: and I like how many times we've seen them. We can really see how they've matured. And we saw Charlie, which was lovely.
Then the next Thursday we went to Cambridge on a school trip which was AMAZING. Beautiful place to live and giving out the free Prospectus' really helped. It wa scary though, to think this time next year I will have applied to universities. Well, that's a lovely Christmas thought.
Stayed at Alex's for our kind of Christmas meal with Karimah, me, Charlotte, Ed and Charlie. Watched Peep Show and ate food for the first half, and the addition of Charlie did change our conversation slightly. Charlotte's Tweet perfectly described it: 'Gone from dicussing porn to Tesco to Post Offices to economics to Boris Johnson to America to Obama to religion, very interesting'. Lovely evening, even if I didn't get to sleep to 5!
Cerificate Evening on Tuesday was actually a really nice night. Got my GCSEs, which feels a lot less scary than I always imagined, and I did not trip even in my immense (!) heels. Nice to see everyone (Jim, Charlie again, Jack...) and the Year Book is hilarious! Wish more people from Y had been there though...
And, last but by no stretch of the imagination least, TWILIGHT! Well a packed cinema (literally) and a fight for seats later... it was not bad. I mean, some of it was. The skin shining, the scene on the bed and the ending felt a bit like it did in the book; anticlimatic. But some of it was very good: they had the humour, both family dynamics and the style sort of worked. So... better than I would have betted on.
GAY UPDATE: You know you've been waiting for it. And again, very little to say. Ollian has been even quieter and I get the impression it'll take more than Jo Weil's return to give them a storyline. And Hollyoaks is virtually out of the picture now (until the Ravi reveal *yawn*) unless Spike returns. BROTHERS AND SISTERSwas amazing... very sweet Kevin and Scotty scenes with dialouge and family connections that let it win! But I am not giving up on Nuke... and I have a feeling it'll win over this Christmas period (considering it is the only thing airing, it shouldn't be so hard). Very sweet scenes coming up, and Brian and Luke are being given the right scenes for the first time. And QaFUSA is amazing! I love it, despite the poor quality of the video. The scenes which are identical to QAF are hard to watch, because they are not as good, but the ones that are different are truly moving. Thinking about it, current spoilers of ATWT suggest it may win!
So, merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
xXx
Wednesday 10 December 2008
Queer As Folk
Really should be writing my Hardy essay now considering it's 23:17 but I'm not. Instead, I am pondering something I vowed never to ponder. Queer As Folk USA box-set or terrible quality downloads?
The question is, of course, not the format but the principle. I mean, I have slated QAFUSA in many a rant about it's complete disregard for it's source material, excess sex scenes and stylised nature. QAF is an amazing document of love between a man and a sex addict who does not fancy the man. And for so long that was the only story that made sense to me in this world. But now, from watched a few small clips I have realised something. This is not my world.
QAFUSA does have disregard for it's source material, because it is telling a different story. This story is one of finding love (with a schoolboy) rather than seeing a love that's always been there (in spite of a teenage boy).
And it does have sex scenes. But now, I am not so sure about excess. I mean, sure, they are pretty much every other scene. The difference is, you need that because this is a different journey. These characters are moving away from it, and you need to constantly see it to understand why they need to. In QAF, you love it, they love it: they fighting to stay not to find a way to leave.
Stylised is definitely a word that would not describe QAF and does describe QAFUK. But it needs to be: it's about love and sex and hot boys wearing no clothes and shiny surfaces and is taking a new story further than QAF could have. The beauty of QAF is it has a beginning and an end: QAFUSA has a beginning and a new end, one I am far more comfortable with than I was.
And the characters? I have reservations about Michael (the VInce scrape) because I do not think you can equate a comic book store to Doctor Who but... we'll see. But Justin is far more likeable than Nathan, and that shifts the dynamic of the show. You want Justin to win, not Michael. Especially when he's shacked up with his hubby. QAFUSA is about growing up, settling down; QAF is about never letting go, fighting til the end, getting your kicks out of shooting Texans. I am starting to see a possibility for a love for both.
What makes QAFUSA so great is what made QAF weak (although there is not much), it has longevity. These characters and their world could go on forever in a way that QAF's could not: their life was coming to an end and they were trying to hold onto it, whereas in QAFUSA they find new but equaly entertaining lifes. And the similarities are what makes QAFUSA so strong: good dynamics, family allusions, lingering eye contact, tastful camera work and great soundtrack.
So, my verdict? I will never be comfortable referring to QAFUSA as Queer As Folk: to me, they are entirely different shows. QAF is all about the unsaid, the unseen, the subtle and the nonchalant. QAFUSA is about the loud, the proud and the love. Stuart is a silent hero while Brian is an exhibitionist. Vince is a sweet but pathetic tag-along while Michael clearly finds a life outside of his. Nathan is a selfish naive know-it-all while Justin is a naive tender romantic. In the end, you take a framework of a good show and you can make an entirely new one. And that is what they've done. And while they could have made their own, without trying to be a part of my parade, the more I see of it the more I am happy it was made at all.
DVD box-set it is: although I can only get 1-3 on Region 2. No idea if they are ever coming out here. Going to start a petition, who's with me? Come on, it'll improve the Gay Update.
xXx
The question is, of course, not the format but the principle. I mean, I have slated QAFUSA in many a rant about it's complete disregard for it's source material, excess sex scenes and stylised nature. QAF is an amazing document of love between a man and a sex addict who does not fancy the man. And for so long that was the only story that made sense to me in this world. But now, from watched a few small clips I have realised something. This is not my world.
QAFUSA does have disregard for it's source material, because it is telling a different story. This story is one of finding love (with a schoolboy) rather than seeing a love that's always been there (in spite of a teenage boy).
And it does have sex scenes. But now, I am not so sure about excess. I mean, sure, they are pretty much every other scene. The difference is, you need that because this is a different journey. These characters are moving away from it, and you need to constantly see it to understand why they need to. In QAF, you love it, they love it: they fighting to stay not to find a way to leave.
Stylised is definitely a word that would not describe QAF and does describe QAFUK. But it needs to be: it's about love and sex and hot boys wearing no clothes and shiny surfaces and is taking a new story further than QAF could have. The beauty of QAF is it has a beginning and an end: QAFUSA has a beginning and a new end, one I am far more comfortable with than I was.
And the characters? I have reservations about Michael (the VInce scrape) because I do not think you can equate a comic book store to Doctor Who but... we'll see. But Justin is far more likeable than Nathan, and that shifts the dynamic of the show. You want Justin to win, not Michael. Especially when he's shacked up with his hubby. QAFUSA is about growing up, settling down; QAF is about never letting go, fighting til the end, getting your kicks out of shooting Texans. I am starting to see a possibility for a love for both.
What makes QAFUSA so great is what made QAF weak (although there is not much), it has longevity. These characters and their world could go on forever in a way that QAF's could not: their life was coming to an end and they were trying to hold onto it, whereas in QAFUSA they find new but equaly entertaining lifes. And the similarities are what makes QAFUSA so strong: good dynamics, family allusions, lingering eye contact, tastful camera work and great soundtrack.
So, my verdict? I will never be comfortable referring to QAFUSA as Queer As Folk: to me, they are entirely different shows. QAF is all about the unsaid, the unseen, the subtle and the nonchalant. QAFUSA is about the loud, the proud and the love. Stuart is a silent hero while Brian is an exhibitionist. Vince is a sweet but pathetic tag-along while Michael clearly finds a life outside of his. Nathan is a selfish naive know-it-all while Justin is a naive tender romantic. In the end, you take a framework of a good show and you can make an entirely new one. And that is what they've done. And while they could have made their own, without trying to be a part of my parade, the more I see of it the more I am happy it was made at all.
DVD box-set it is: although I can only get 1-3 on Region 2. No idea if they are ever coming out here. Going to start a petition, who's with me? Come on, it'll improve the Gay Update.
xXx
Monday 1 December 2008
It's all over...
So, it's been a month since I posted. But not just any month: National Novel Writing Month. And I won!! A few days ago actually, but my completed novel (entitled Canopies & Grapes) is finished. Final word count was 64,094, and it feels very weird to have finished but also it's made me realise that, if you really want to do something, no amount of other things will get in the way.
And there are a lot of things: so many in face I have to use my iCal to remember. So I saw Emmy The Great on the 11th, and she was amazing. Loving the ICA and she was so sweet. In fact, the name of my novel (sorry I keep going on about it, but I am so proud) is named after one of her best songs, and when she played it as her encore I was so pleased!
Had a debate on the 13th: it was stressful preparing and the rules were so strange but I did enjoy it. Me and Alice won are debate, but we unfortuantly did not get through to the regionals. But we are having fun... and it was an interesting night.
Went to this great event with Envision called Chain Reaction. It was an event geared to making social change, and there were politicians, civil servants, businessmen and charities repressented. It was really inspirational, and it seems everyone at Envision is excited about our homophobia project, which finally looks like it is getting off the ground. If you have any ideas/ suggestions about how we should go about tackling homophobia in a secondary school, please e-mail homophobia.aware@gmail.com.
Been to Westfield's twice. I do like it: it's big and shiny, and had pretty much every shop in the world. There are still bits I have yet to explore but I think anything vaguely local is really useful and it has an Apple Store. Enough to have me convinced, tbh.
Had an Inset days, and then two extra days of school because of broken heating. Yay! It felt like a mini holiday and I did a lot of writing and a lot of sleeping. It was fun, and on the Friday we went to see Horne & Corden. It was really funny, and they were clearly having a good time. Even the warm-up guy was good: and Simon Amstell was in the audience. And, if you need more incentive to watch it, me and Ed were involved in one sketch so we might be on TV!
Parent's evening was alright: bit crowded, you know, but everyone seemed to say positive things so it's all good. Yesterday was awsome: went to see Monkey: Journey to the West at the 02. It was an incredible spectacle: funny, enchanting and impressive in equal meaure. Then, went to meet a friend of my parent's who is over from New York called Sharon. Had a lovely night, and am four Obama badges and an Obama wolly-hat richer!
GAY UPDATE: This has been an incredible quiet period for our favourite soaps. In Verbotene Liebe, Olli is gone of until Feburary, and the hope is that when he returns we will have a storyline to be proud of again. I still love them though, and even Christian brooding over Olli is good quality. Hollyoaks Later... was amazing! I love it, Hollyoaks with bells on: cliff-tops stunts, a marriage, many a reveal, I was truly shocked and enticed. But this is the Gay Update and... while I loved every mention of John Paul (and there were many) it was never going to be enough for me. And I did not get my phone call so. So, NUKE wins! I have been truly moved by As The World Turns recently and I am so pleased Luke and Noah are finally getting the storyline they deserve. Both are proving they can act, and as creepy a turn this story is taking, it is very soap and I am very pleased they are finding a more substantial place in the soap. And FYI, missed Spike in Hollyoaks, will have to catch up YouTube. New soap, Casualty! New guy, gay and seems very interesting. And James Sutton in it in a few weeks... I give it ratings!
No idea what'll be in the next post, but I'm sure it'll be amazing! And I will not wait a month to update this time, that is a guarantee!
xXx
And there are a lot of things: so many in face I have to use my iCal to remember. So I saw Emmy The Great on the 11th, and she was amazing. Loving the ICA and she was so sweet. In fact, the name of my novel (sorry I keep going on about it, but I am so proud) is named after one of her best songs, and when she played it as her encore I was so pleased!
Had a debate on the 13th: it was stressful preparing and the rules were so strange but I did enjoy it. Me and Alice won are debate, but we unfortuantly did not get through to the regionals. But we are having fun... and it was an interesting night.
Went to this great event with Envision called Chain Reaction. It was an event geared to making social change, and there were politicians, civil servants, businessmen and charities repressented. It was really inspirational, and it seems everyone at Envision is excited about our homophobia project, which finally looks like it is getting off the ground. If you have any ideas/ suggestions about how we should go about tackling homophobia in a secondary school, please e-mail homophobia.aware@gmail.com.
Been to Westfield's twice. I do like it: it's big and shiny, and had pretty much every shop in the world. There are still bits I have yet to explore but I think anything vaguely local is really useful and it has an Apple Store. Enough to have me convinced, tbh.
Had an Inset days, and then two extra days of school because of broken heating. Yay! It felt like a mini holiday and I did a lot of writing and a lot of sleeping. It was fun, and on the Friday we went to see Horne & Corden. It was really funny, and they were clearly having a good time. Even the warm-up guy was good: and Simon Amstell was in the audience. And, if you need more incentive to watch it, me and Ed were involved in one sketch so we might be on TV!
Parent's evening was alright: bit crowded, you know, but everyone seemed to say positive things so it's all good. Yesterday was awsome: went to see Monkey: Journey to the West at the 02. It was an incredible spectacle: funny, enchanting and impressive in equal meaure. Then, went to meet a friend of my parent's who is over from New York called Sharon. Had a lovely night, and am four Obama badges and an Obama wolly-hat richer!
GAY UPDATE: This has been an incredible quiet period for our favourite soaps. In Verbotene Liebe, Olli is gone of until Feburary, and the hope is that when he returns we will have a storyline to be proud of again. I still love them though, and even Christian brooding over Olli is good quality. Hollyoaks Later... was amazing! I love it, Hollyoaks with bells on: cliff-tops stunts, a marriage, many a reveal, I was truly shocked and enticed. But this is the Gay Update and... while I loved every mention of John Paul (and there were many) it was never going to be enough for me. And I did not get my phone call so. So, NUKE wins! I have been truly moved by As The World Turns recently and I am so pleased Luke and Noah are finally getting the storyline they deserve. Both are proving they can act, and as creepy a turn this story is taking, it is very soap and I am very pleased they are finding a more substantial place in the soap. And FYI, missed Spike in Hollyoaks, will have to catch up YouTube. New soap, Casualty! New guy, gay and seems very interesting. And James Sutton in it in a few weeks... I give it ratings!
No idea what'll be in the next post, but I'm sure it'll be amazing! And I will not wait a month to update this time, that is a guarantee!
xXx
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