Sunday, December 16, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Stranger than fiction
Sorry gentlemen. I have finally watched the film. I went to Radioshack and got the part to make my new DVD player work with our old TV. My impressions of this film were very good. I enjoyed the acting and the plot. I thought the acting was very good. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson delivered their usual steady performances. Maggie Gellynhaal was sexy. She is not bombshell sexy like Halle Berry or any of the chicks on VIP but she definitely has a flare about her. Maggie was also great as Lee Holloway in The Secretary (2002) with James Spader. (The spanking scenes are great in that one) I was surprised by the performances of Will Ferrell and Queen Latifah. They played the straight man in this comedy??? Overall I must say I found this movie very entertaining.
I also noticed a few other interesting points. In the film everyone around Harold Crick saw him as the “crazy” one but he actually was the calmest sanest person in the film. Karen Eiffel the genius writer that controls all of Harold’s actions was on the brink of insanity. Jules Hilbert a totally rational professor is perfectly willing to see someone he knows and seemingly cares about die because it would make a better story. Then he is clearly disappointed that his friend’s life is spared. English professors, who can figure them out? I also thought about how Karen only narrated Harold’s life she was silent when other’s interacted with him. Who was controlling those characters? Were they actual people, were they the heroines in other stories or are they just extras in the story of Harold Crick? Do they even exist outside of Harold? I hope they do because Ana Pascal could headline any story. You cannot forget the theme of living your life while you have it. Harold does not truly live until he realizes he is going to die. Even though Harold realizes he is not in control of his life he wants his life to have meaning.
As I thought about this movie I though back to my childhood when I asked myself this question. Am I real? Did I do that or am I a character in someone else’s imagination. What if we are just the toys of a child who controls our movements like we are in a Sims game? That would truly be strange. To control the life of someone (in a video game) while someone else is controlling you… Isn’t that like watching the screen of a video that you are shooting of yourself watching the screen? The image could go on into infinity, thousands of smaller and smaller TVs within one TV. I guess one could also ask himself another question? Are we in control of our lives or do outside forces determine our fates? What I mean is, does god come from within or is god someone, or something that is outside of us?
On the above questions I would agree with René Descartes. He popularized the statement, "Cogito, ergo sum" (Latin: "I think, therefore I am") or Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum (Latin: "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am"). We cannot be sure if this is the right answer but it is a good starting point. The definitive answer to the question of our existence will only come when we no longer exist
I also noticed a few other interesting points. In the film everyone around Harold Crick saw him as the “crazy” one but he actually was the calmest sanest person in the film. Karen Eiffel the genius writer that controls all of Harold’s actions was on the brink of insanity. Jules Hilbert a totally rational professor is perfectly willing to see someone he knows and seemingly cares about die because it would make a better story. Then he is clearly disappointed that his friend’s life is spared. English professors, who can figure them out? I also thought about how Karen only narrated Harold’s life she was silent when other’s interacted with him. Who was controlling those characters? Were they actual people, were they the heroines in other stories or are they just extras in the story of Harold Crick? Do they even exist outside of Harold? I hope they do because Ana Pascal could headline any story. You cannot forget the theme of living your life while you have it. Harold does not truly live until he realizes he is going to die. Even though Harold realizes he is not in control of his life he wants his life to have meaning.
As I thought about this movie I though back to my childhood when I asked myself this question. Am I real? Did I do that or am I a character in someone else’s imagination. What if we are just the toys of a child who controls our movements like we are in a Sims game? That would truly be strange. To control the life of someone (in a video game) while someone else is controlling you… Isn’t that like watching the screen of a video that you are shooting of yourself watching the screen? The image could go on into infinity, thousands of smaller and smaller TVs within one TV. I guess one could also ask himself another question? Are we in control of our lives or do outside forces determine our fates? What I mean is, does god come from within or is god someone, or something that is outside of us?
On the above questions I would agree with René Descartes. He popularized the statement, "Cogito, ergo sum" (Latin: "I think, therefore I am") or Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum (Latin: "I doubt, therefore I think, therefore I am"). We cannot be sure if this is the right answer but it is a good starting point. The definitive answer to the question of our existence will only come when we no longer exist
Thursday, July 26, 2007
World's Best Barber
Mark was a talented football player growing in Logan a neighborhood in Philadelphia. His team the Logan Cowboys won the 115 lbs football PAL league championship in 1983. Mark was the starting safety for the team leading the team in tackles in 1983. Mark’s football career was shortened by a terrible knee injury in 1984.
Although Mark Stroman’s football career was cut short he still has a healthy love for the game today. Mark is currently the 3 times reining champion of the LeCrown Fantasy Football League. Mark often credits his success to his days playing PAL League football with the Logan Cowboys and watching a lot of the NFL.
Mark Stroman attended Germantown High School where he majored in Academics. His was a straight A student and he made the honor roll several times. He graduated with honors in 1989. Mark aspired to attend Maryland Eastern Shore University but financial hardship prevented him from fulfilling his academic aspirations.
Not attending university did not deter Mark from making his dreams come true. He attended barber college. Mark graduated with distinction in 1991.
Mark worked at a Kato’s barbershop until 1997. The owner of the shop had financial trouble and the Kato’s went out of business later that year. Mark did not despair when he at his sudden state of unemployment. Mark Stroman saw the shop closing as an opportunity to fulfill his dream of owning his own shop. Mark purchased a building across the street and opened LeCrown Barbershop.
LeCrown is a community shop--we service the community. We've got special rates for mothers with lots of sons. We do $5 haircuts on Wednesdays for low-income mothers. And we have Senior Cut Saturday the first of every month. Mark has mentored 100 of youngsters through out his time at LeCrown and has given several young barbers their start in the business. The culmination of Mark Stroman’s career came in 2004 when he was awarded the Golden Clipper for barbering excellence
Mark Stroman has worked tirelessly as a community activist and volunteer. He has also denoted several thousand dollars to local charities that promote youth sports, art and scholarship.
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/view.php?id=8672
Although Mark Stroman’s football career was cut short he still has a healthy love for the game today. Mark is currently the 3 times reining champion of the LeCrown Fantasy Football League. Mark often credits his success to his days playing PAL League football with the Logan Cowboys and watching a lot of the NFL.
Mark Stroman attended Germantown High School where he majored in Academics. His was a straight A student and he made the honor roll several times. He graduated with honors in 1989. Mark aspired to attend Maryland Eastern Shore University but financial hardship prevented him from fulfilling his academic aspirations.
Not attending university did not deter Mark from making his dreams come true. He attended barber college. Mark graduated with distinction in 1991.
Mark worked at a Kato’s barbershop until 1997. The owner of the shop had financial trouble and the Kato’s went out of business later that year. Mark did not despair when he at his sudden state of unemployment. Mark Stroman saw the shop closing as an opportunity to fulfill his dream of owning his own shop. Mark purchased a building across the street and opened LeCrown Barbershop.
LeCrown is a community shop--we service the community. We've got special rates for mothers with lots of sons. We do $5 haircuts on Wednesdays for low-income mothers. And we have Senior Cut Saturday the first of every month. Mark has mentored 100 of youngsters through out his time at LeCrown and has given several young barbers their start in the business. The culmination of Mark Stroman’s career came in 2004 when he was awarded the Golden Clipper for barbering excellence
Mark Stroman has worked tirelessly as a community activist and volunteer. He has also denoted several thousand dollars to local charities that promote youth sports, art and scholarship.
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/view.php?id=8672
Friday, July 13, 2007
Myspace spammers
Why do the internet marketers persist on Myspace? No! I don't want to buy any of your ringtones. I am not interested in pimping my site by going to your site. I don't need to go to your other web page to see naked pictures of you. I don’t want insurance, real estate or your stock market advice. I understand promoting a club appearance or your band maybe even your new calendar or film but please stop with everything else. You are not going to become the next Tom sending me an email or bulletin trying to sell me the “latest cool ringtones”. I know you heard that some dude from Texas got a bunch of friends and now a soft drink company is paying him to promote them but that is not going to happen for you. Internet marketer, you are not that bright!
If you insist on making up these phony profiles posting pictures of chicks you probably have never even met please stop emailing me. I just don’t care that you are new to “Anytown, USA” and trying to make new friends by directing them to a site where they can see naked pictures of you. I have never had to resort to showing someone nude pics of me before they became my friend. Plus I don’t need you to show me where I can see pictures of naked women on the internet. If you want to become a marketing genius, get your money together and buy advertising space.
If you insist on making up these phony profiles posting pictures of chicks you probably have never even met please stop emailing me. I just don’t care that you are new to “Anytown, USA” and trying to make new friends by directing them to a site where they can see naked pictures of you. I have never had to resort to showing someone nude pics of me before they became my friend. Plus I don’t need you to show me where I can see pictures of naked women on the internet. If you want to become a marketing genius, get your money together and buy advertising space.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Nfl's dirtiest player
Why should I feel sorry for this guy? If anything I feel sorry for Conrad Dobler's wife. She has to put up with all of his malarkey. What bothers me most is these aging professional athletes that feel the younger generation of players owe them something. NFL players of the 1970s did not make the salaries of todays NFL players but they still were paid 5 times as much as the average working man. If Conrad would have spent less time boozing and running around with women and more time saving and planning he might not be in his current situation. He also repeatedly complains about people that want something for nothing but he thinks the NFLPA should give him something for nothing. Conrad they do not owe you anything.
This is a response I posted to a recent espn article about Conrad Dobler and the NFLPA.
This is a response I posted to a recent espn article about Conrad Dobler and the NFLPA.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
REEFER MADNESS REVIEW
Wow Reefer Madness. Where should I start? Should I go there and
discuss how the government uses Hollywood to promote its propaganda?
How about how their whole thesis that reefer causes "madness"? It
seems that this movie tried to show the consequences of drug use and
drug abuse. I don't know how you feel but Reefer Madness almost made
me almost made me want to smoke a doobie.
The director Louis Gasnier actually did a very effective job
glamorizing marijuana use. In the beginning of the film Gasnier shows
us why someone would use drugs in the first place. The madness seems
to begin when young Jimmy is lured into hanging down at the soda shop.
That's where they played that devil music and dirty danced all day.
Our young Jimmy was first lead to the soda shop by Ralph an older cool
kid that use to go to his high school. Then a beautiful young woman
Jimmy liked got him to go up to Mae's apartment. In the apartment kids
were making out on the couch, drinking beer, and laughing having a
great time. Jimmy tries a reefer and now he is part of the club. He
instantly understands why everyone is having is so much fun. Jimmy
then gets our hero good ole Billy to come to Mae's place. The cycle
continues but this time Jimmy actually gets some loving from the
lovely young Blanche. Now If I were a young buck in the audience that
message came loud and clear. You mean all I have to do is go to a
party smoke a couple joints and have fun all night then I can get laid
like Billy. What bus goes to Mae's Apartment?
I know the obvious point of the movie is to "Say no to drugs" but
Gasnier continues to tell me to say yes. Why are all of the chicks at
the party pretty, sexy women that seem to be loose? Is he telling me
that loose women smoke doobies or is he saying that when women smoke
doobies they become loose? I know this is 1936 but even then these
type chicks had to be the kind young men wanted.
In the scene when we are first introduced to Mae and Jack (the bad
guys), Mae is lying on the bed in a negligee. Jack is dressed nicely
in a Jacket and tie. Mae sleeps all day while others are slaving away
at work. Then Jack tells Mae to wake up to get dressed because she had
some customers out in the other room. Mae is in sales and her clients
came to her and then they waited until she was ready for them??? I
worked in sales for a while and believe me it was never that easy.
Then Mae is shown getting dressed. She is wearing sexy black underwear
and she is pulling up her stockings to her guarder belt and rubbing
her legs. Mean while pretty pure Mary is dressed properly with a long
skirt. She apparently wears this even while playing a few sets of
tennis. What message would this send to you? I wonder if Gasnier did
this on purpose. Maybe he was playing a joke on the government and
they never figured out what he was really doing.
Many of the same themes are later echoed in other drug related movies.
If you get involved in drugs then bad things will happen. In the end
Ralph goes insane (the madness). He kills Jack. Blanche kills herself
and Mae goes to jail. Mary dies (the first time she uses) and Good ole
Billy is nearly sent to the gallows because he thinks he killed her.
Young Jimmy also kills an innocent man while driving under the
influence.
Although Scarface (1983) is a much more violent film it is a modern
take on the same theme. Riches, power and a beautiful woman, Michelle
Pfeiffer, first seduce Tony Montana. Tony is a happy and successful
drug dealer but then he loses control while using drugs and meets a
violent end. New Jack City (1991), Menace II Society (1993) and
Traffic (2000) also share these themes. (All of these movies also
speak to the America's war on drugs.) In New Jack City it was millions
of $$$, and Michael Michelle. In Menace II Society it was a car with
nice trims, and Jada Pinkett. There seems to be a formula developing.
So is it the money, the drugs, or the women that is leading to their
downfalls? Maybe the thesis was about how purdy gurls ruin your life…
discuss how the government uses Hollywood to promote its propaganda?
How about how their whole thesis that reefer causes "madness"? It
seems that this movie tried to show the consequences of drug use and
drug abuse. I don't know how you feel but Reefer Madness almost made
me almost made me want to smoke a doobie.
The director Louis Gasnier actually did a very effective job
glamorizing marijuana use. In the beginning of the film Gasnier shows
us why someone would use drugs in the first place. The madness seems
to begin when young Jimmy is lured into hanging down at the soda shop.
That's where they played that devil music and dirty danced all day.
Our young Jimmy was first lead to the soda shop by Ralph an older cool
kid that use to go to his high school. Then a beautiful young woman
Jimmy liked got him to go up to Mae's apartment. In the apartment kids
were making out on the couch, drinking beer, and laughing having a
great time. Jimmy tries a reefer and now he is part of the club. He
instantly understands why everyone is having is so much fun. Jimmy
then gets our hero good ole Billy to come to Mae's place. The cycle
continues but this time Jimmy actually gets some loving from the
lovely young Blanche. Now If I were a young buck in the audience that
message came loud and clear. You mean all I have to do is go to a
party smoke a couple joints and have fun all night then I can get laid
like Billy. What bus goes to Mae's Apartment?
I know the obvious point of the movie is to "Say no to drugs" but
Gasnier continues to tell me to say yes. Why are all of the chicks at
the party pretty, sexy women that seem to be loose? Is he telling me
that loose women smoke doobies or is he saying that when women smoke
doobies they become loose? I know this is 1936 but even then these
type chicks had to be the kind young men wanted.
In the scene when we are first introduced to Mae and Jack (the bad
guys), Mae is lying on the bed in a negligee. Jack is dressed nicely
in a Jacket and tie. Mae sleeps all day while others are slaving away
at work. Then Jack tells Mae to wake up to get dressed because she had
some customers out in the other room. Mae is in sales and her clients
came to her and then they waited until she was ready for them??? I
worked in sales for a while and believe me it was never that easy.
Then Mae is shown getting dressed. She is wearing sexy black underwear
and she is pulling up her stockings to her guarder belt and rubbing
her legs. Mean while pretty pure Mary is dressed properly with a long
skirt. She apparently wears this even while playing a few sets of
tennis. What message would this send to you? I wonder if Gasnier did
this on purpose. Maybe he was playing a joke on the government and
they never figured out what he was really doing.
Many of the same themes are later echoed in other drug related movies.
If you get involved in drugs then bad things will happen. In the end
Ralph goes insane (the madness). He kills Jack. Blanche kills herself
and Mae goes to jail. Mary dies (the first time she uses) and Good ole
Billy is nearly sent to the gallows because he thinks he killed her.
Young Jimmy also kills an innocent man while driving under the
influence.
Although Scarface (1983) is a much more violent film it is a modern
take on the same theme. Riches, power and a beautiful woman, Michelle
Pfeiffer, first seduce Tony Montana. Tony is a happy and successful
drug dealer but then he loses control while using drugs and meets a
violent end. New Jack City (1991), Menace II Society (1993) and
Traffic (2000) also share these themes. (All of these movies also
speak to the America's war on drugs.) In New Jack City it was millions
of $$$, and Michael Michelle. In Menace II Society it was a car with
nice trims, and Jada Pinkett. There seems to be a formula developing.
So is it the money, the drugs, or the women that is leading to their
downfalls? Maybe the thesis was about how purdy gurls ruin your life…
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
The Duke Lacross Case
I am so tired of everyone saying those "Poor Duke" kids got railroaded. First of all they are not poor. If they were poor those young men would all be in jail and no one would even question them being there. The fact of the matter is they had excellent legal representation that presented their case aggressively and effectively. No one really knows what these young men did that night, except those men and the victim.
Secondly prosecutors use similar tactics to convict poor people and minorities everyday. They throw the book at defendants hoping they will get scared and confess to a crime. Defendants become scared and plea to a lesser sentence. Many convictions are achieved with less evidence than the prosecutors had in this case had. Nobody cares when the victims of these tactics are poor young black men. The supreme Court even endorses these practices. Please do not say the Duke Lacross players are poor victims of the system. They are not poor and from what they admittedly did at that party they are not innocent either.
Brian Slaughter
Secondly prosecutors use similar tactics to convict poor people and minorities everyday. They throw the book at defendants hoping they will get scared and confess to a crime. Defendants become scared and plea to a lesser sentence. Many convictions are achieved with less evidence than the prosecutors had in this case had. Nobody cares when the victims of these tactics are poor young black men. The supreme Court even endorses these practices. Please do not say the Duke Lacross players are poor victims of the system. They are not poor and from what they admittedly did at that party they are not innocent either.
Brian Slaughter
Friday, June 15, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Why Pluto was wronged
We have a guess staying with us this week that brought her 3 year old son. I have been forced to watch the Disney channel for the past few days. Although some of the programming is sometimes slightly entertaining, there is one question burning deep in my dome. How come Mickey and Minnie mice, Donald a duck and Goofy a dog can all talk, but Pulto a dog like Goofy, is just a regular dog. Why are they in the same cartoon? Aren't dogs higher on the social chain than mice. Last time I checked they were higher than ducks too. What union is pluto in? Why is he forced to work on all fours while Goofy is on two legs and most important he has LINES. One would think that pluto would get all the lines because his skin is lighter than goofy's is. Could it be that Goofy is just a imbecile and Pluto is too proud to be dragged down to his level with silly lines? I am sure pluto has something to say. Maybe he is just too political and the man is holding him back. Maybe hist trade mark point is not just a comedic jesture at all. Is it really a black power salute? Some needs to investigate this whole situation and get to the bottom of this. all dogs be the same. They should all talk or nobody can talk.
Brian
Brian
Saturday, February 10, 2007
My boy Jackson
This so far has been the greatest year of my life. I got married this year in August. I moved to TN to start a new life. And now I have a son. Jackson Warren Schultz Slaughter was born on Monday 2/5/2007 at 7:16 pm central time. now pictures
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Bring Alias Back
I am watching a rerun of Alias and I am sorry but that show ended too soon. Jennifer Ganer was great. An ass kicking beauty with brains. A rare combination on tv. Then there was Victor Garber he was phenomenal as Jack Bristow. Dude could kill without even a blink, especially when it came to protecting his daughter Sydney. Marcus Dixon (Carl Lumbly) tough and as loyal as they come. Who could forget Ron Rifkin as Arvin Sloane the best bad guy ever. (next to Jack Bristow of course.) When you add in Marshall Flinkman, Irina Derevkoe, Micheal Vaughn, Nadia Santos and Eric Weiss you got one of the best damned shows on tv.
Why did they cancel this show so soon? Why did they move it from Sunday Night? Then move it again and again and again. Who could find the show to to watch anymore? I know the pregnancy season wasn't the greatest but, seasons 2 and 3 were among the best action tv series in tv history. The fights between Lauren Reed (Melissa George) and Sydney were classic. Two hot babes one good, one evil, one blonde, one brunette, one American and one European, both had poutie lips. I am not even going to get into the battles with Francie Calfo (Merrin Dungey) and that whole black chick white chick thing.
What happened to SD6, Profit 5, the Covenant, Rambaldi??? I need spy stuff and I need it now. I need more sexy customs, and all the crazy accents. Bring back the sad eyes and poutie lips! Let's start a letter writing campaign to break back Sydney, and Alias. Where should I send the letter?
Monday, January 29, 2007
THIN LIKE BILL CLINTON
CANDY CANDY CANDY. CHIPS CHIPS CHIPS!!! I want candy and chips all the time. Dieting really stinks. I have been on a diet since Nov. 1. I want to be thin like Bill Clinton. How did you do it Bill. Does South Beach or Atkins allow you to eat chips all day.
My wife tries to tell me to think of it as a lifestyle change. "It's not a diet you are adding years to your life" It's just torture! Why doesn't all the stuff that is good for you taste as good as the bad stuff.
They have not developed any soy products that taste like cheese steaks. I'm sorry but you cannot simulate bacon! (Although, I do perfer turkey bacon.) How come brown rice takes so darn long to cook. You wait for 40 minutes and it still does not beat minute rice. How come general tso's chicken ain't good for you. It has broccoli in it??? Life is just not fair sometimes some of us are really big boned.
Sorry for complaining about me diet.
Brian
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Philly boy down south
How did I end up here. Don't get me wrong, Memphis is great. The people are nice and food is good. Collectively as a city, the women are the prettiest that I have seen. Now I see why Miss TN is always in the running for Miss America. BUT Memphis ain't PHILLY!!! No matter where you go these, supposed Philly foods places just can not get it right. The bread never measures up. I miss amoroso's, diambrosia... I miss PHILLY!!!
I miss:
The SEPTA bus driver waiting 3 seconds for you to get to the corner. And the people on the bus say, " Well you shoulda been at the corner already'"
When you are in line at the supermarket and the cashier is mad at you for getting in her line. The look in her eye tells you that she's thinking, "That other line is moving faster than this one, why don't you go over there.
Walking around the city and going downtown where all the pretty people lurk. I am sure there is a bouncer waiting at the city hall subway stop. If you don't make the cut you have to go back home.
Going down to Kelly Drive and watching all the sweaty women jogging. I love sweaty women.
The saturday afternoon cooking show block on channel 12.
Northern Liberties, Nicetown, Belle Vista, Norph Philly.
My old job. Being a bigg shot.
The Russian landlords on the Section 8 program. The accent on those Russian women is so hot!
DA E_A_G_L_E_S EAGLES!!!
My bigg brother and sisters and my dad sometimes.
to be continued....
Yeah Memphis is nice but it can never be Philly.
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