Magic Jewball » America

There was a riot on the streets, tell me where were you?

Becca — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 06:00:45 +0000

There is this moment in your youth when something you have only read about in history books, like war or assassination or revolution or riots, happens and it TOTALLY FREAKS YOU OUT. Because you assume that you live in some kind of post-modern era where those kinds of things are OVER. For me it was the Gulf War and then it wasn’t. Oh my God, we’re at war! Just like Vietnam! This woman I worked with at Sam Goody’s, Monique, met and married some guy while I was away for intersession. That’s about five weeks. When I got back I thought she was kidding. But no, they had to get married – he was going away to war! I watched the images on TV, agog. Wow, war! Then, it was over in like a week. Monique’s husband came back and in a span of time about equivalent to the length of the war, they separated. Some Vietnam.

When the LA riots happened. I was working at the Gallery Mall in downtown Baltimore. They closed the thing early because it was all glass. People were scared. By people, I mean the insurance people. I went home, grumbling about lost wages. But College Boyfriend, having graduated, was back in LA and when I got home and called him, all the circuits to LA were busy! It was weird, wild stuff. He couldn’t reach me either but more because he was out patrolling his neighborhood in the Valley in a pick-up truck. I believe guns were involved. If you knew College Boyfriend, who was from Alabama originally, you will realize this was the most exciting thing that could ever happen to a person. I was flabbergasted. And worried. And FREAKED OUT.

When I hear this song, which I do now and then when it pops up on shuffle, I remember all this. It was a freaky time. I think it was the true moment when I realized that history is an ongoing process and not just something that’s written about in books or shown in black and white documentaries. And that we don’t live in a post-modern society at all.

Title comes from:

Untitled, January 20, 2009

Becca — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:00:06 +0000

Nina Simone – Here Comes The Sun

Let’s talk about what’s really important in America

Becca — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:40:13 +0000

How can people not like this dress? I adored it. I want one for myself, maybe two. KP agrees with me and I thought I would share her plan with you.

Becca and I have having ones made for ourselves.

Then we are going to the American Girl store and buying dolls with the same dress.

Then we are going to buy huge cupcakes.

Then we are going to walk around NYC in our Obama dresses rocking our dolls and flaunting our cupcakes.

I can’t really see any flaw in this.

A post you can believe in

Becca — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:05:15 +0000

Well, tomorrow’s the day, everyone. Tuesday, that special day between Monday and Wednesday. Don’t forget to drink your coffee! The free coffee you get from Starbucks after you vote. Because who the hell still needs to be reminded to vote? Do you live under a rock? And I’m pretty sure it’s clear even to those people. Relatedly, if one more person sends me that “I donated my status to getting out the vote” cause on Facebook, I’m going to shove a campaign poster up their… anyway! Don’t forget the coffee.

Of course from my title and song, you already know which way I’m voting, but don’t let that stop you from choosing whichever kind of coffee you prefer. Pike Place Roast is pretty insipid but the other kinds always taste burnt, so it’s a tough call. All I know, personally, is that I’ll be getting one of those Berry Stellas to accompany it. It’s just like the one on the flag and not only because I could eat 49 more.

Tears for Fears – Change

Also, the Orioles are just like the Sox if you squint

Becca — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:45:57 +0000

You may remember how I’ve spoken about the various slogans that Baltimore has had in the past: Charm City (still in use!), The City That Reads, Greatest City in America, etc. Back in 2006 I had a good chuckle at the expense of this last one, because despite the fact that I love the city dearly, I thought it aimed a bit high, no?

But I have a new idea and I need to submit to the Chamber of Commerce because I think it just rules. I was inspired by Clark Crockefeller, the fake Rockefeller guy who kidnapped his daughter and was finally found, arrested, discovered to be a German nobody, and locked up. If you were reading carefully (and who isn’t? we all have so much reading time), you may have noticed he was captured in Baltimore.

Now NBC is running an interview with him where we learn why! I read about it in the London Telegraph. Yes, I get all my best domestic news from the UK, shut it.

Rockefeller told NBC he took his daughter to Baltimore because he could not afford the life he wanted in Boston.

Awesome! So there you have it, Mayor Shiela Dixon: “Baltimore – When You Can’t Afford Boston.”

(image from Baltimike @ Flickr)

Yeah, there’s no reason for this except it was on XM Radio as I was writing this, which is ironic because I used to listen to it as I walked by rowhouses just like the ones above. Well, mine were in Charles Village and these are in Hampden, but the photo I liked of Charles Village rowhouses on Flickr had all rights reserved. Hey, Hampden is right next to CV! Plus, College Boyfriend lived there.

The Cult – Sun King

See ya, King George!

Becca — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:00:02 +0000

And by that I mean George Steinbrenner. Who did you think I meant?

Happy Independence Day, or “Happy Thank God We’re No Longer Associated With the US” Day, depending on where you live. I’m off sipping ice coffee somewhere but while I’m there, please enjoy this photo of one of Major League Baseball’s “Statues of Liberty on Parade” which dot the streets here at the moment to celebrate the previously mentioned All-Star Game.

This photo manages to incorporate all that is good about America: baseball, the Statue of Liberty, New York, and, of course, shopping. What you can’t see is that while I’m taking the photo, I’ve got a hot dog in one hand and a slice of apple pie in the other.

I am that good a photographer.

The Beatles – Revolution, not available for download. There will be a July 4th themed song for the iPod Song of the Week on Sunday. You may look away from your screen while you wait.

Yes we can eat cookie dough brownies!

Becca — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:00:04 +0000

This is not a political blog but it is quite a bit about baking. And what I do with my day (I know! So funny because it’s a blog!). So if you live in the NY metro area and would like to join me selling “Hope in a Cake,” this weekend, let me know! Or, feel free to join up with a bake sale near you.

If you delight in another candidate, I’ll put a sad-face on your brownie. No, no, I still love you! Just as I loved Willie Randolph even when he joined the Mets. And look how well that worked out.

Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come

Atlanta!

Becca — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:45:27 +0000

When I think the name of the city of Atlanta in my head, I always say it just the way Scarlett O’Hara does in this scene. Let’s watch, shall we?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Yes, she was excited and so was I. Not only do I love Atlanta but I have many fine friends there, including Maureen who writes the delightful B-Movie reviews with TJ who I met for the first time. Despite loving sci-fi, Maureen was too tired to make it through an entire episode of Dr. Who the whole time I was there. Of course, we were worn out from eating at the Waffle House (I will be forever known as the Yankee who puts sugar in her grits) and drinking copious amounts of alcohol.

Along the way, I saw lots of other fun people from the Internet, including such commenters as Sarpon and DogandMusicLover (I left out the tildes there). Everyone was as awesome as awesome can be, and I’m not even including the guy who showed me porn on the plane. And they made an amazing potluck with Southern specialties like spring rolls with peanut sauce as well as chocolate cheesecake. OK, maybe not. But I couldn’t eat the brisket. And I came bearing gifts from my homeland, New York. Things like Zabar’s babka and rugelach and Jacques Torres chocolates.

But really, it was more about Southern hospitality. Folks came from all over the South to get together and they all showed me a heap of a good time. I’ll stop now. Anyway, in case you don’t believe me, even though Maureen and I already know each other, she gave me the full limo-driver treatment.

I’d explain about the file folder on her head but people would be all over me like a duck on a junebug. OK, now I’ll stop.

All together now: Everybody had matching towels!
The B-52′s – Rock Lobster

I’ve got the power!

Becca — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:15:36 +0000

And now, my evening, in pictures.

Well maybe not so much power, because he lost in this state. But I love voting!
Snap! – The Power

Breaking: things have changed a little since 2001

Becca — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:00:15 +0000

As promised, here’s my special “written in advance” post. I know I said that I didn’t really know what to write on 9/11 but I did just want to comment a little about this fascinating PBS special. I am one of those freak documentary lovers who doesn’t shy away from using the words “fascinating” and “PBS” in the same sentence. And especially when I’m about to jet off to Europe in less than two weeks (with absolutely no idea where I’m going or what I’m doing, God help me) I thought this’d be a fun topic.

Hey, remember this? It felt good to be loved. America loved New York, Europe loved America, kumbaya, my lord, kumbaya.

Well, according to this program, it isn’t really like this anymore. Who knew? It was called “The Anti-Americans (a love/hate relationship)” and canvassed the people of three representative European nations to see how they think of us these days. I imagine you just have no idea how it went. Let’s see!

Here’s a lady in France. She’s OK with New York.

Not so much on the rest of the US. Wow, it’s exciting to hear that there’s no racism in New York… or France!

Here’s a drawing a French child did when asked what came to mind when he thought of the US. He was wearing a Gap sweatshirt.

Moving right along! How was your trip to the States, nice Polish woman?

(as an aside, aren’t most people in Chicago Polish?)

This didn’t get a subtitle, because we’re in England now, and we’re supposed to be able to understand. This is a sophisticated dinner party where the gentleman on the right bemoans Americans’ self-involvement and his quote as to our imagined headline is, “International news: American man run over in Frankfurt.” Great peals of laughter from all the other guests follow.

But I don’t want to leave you with the impression that no one likes us. In fact, the Poles all seemed to like us a lot, no matter how fat we are, and the thing the program would have us believe concerns the Poles the most about Americans is that we require them to have a visa to enter the US. I am going to transcribe the text to the following video, but I highly encourage you to watch it because this guy is a natural-born comedian and the way he phrases everything was worth the price of admission. Which is nothing, because I forgot to contribute to the PBS pledge drive this year.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Those French dicks, that hate you, they go to America whenever they please. They don’t have to show no visa, they don’t have to pay for the visa, they just show their French passport – that hates you, the passport hates you! – and they enter. And they can stay 90 days, 60 days. I have to apply for the visa. I have to queue. I have to pay like hundred dollars. To get it, or to lose my hundred dollars, because some red tape and they tell me no. So French don’t fight with you in Iraq, they don’t give you their hearts, but they get the visas, free access to America. We give you everything (sniffs) and we not getting anything in return. We like a woman who you beat.

Hey, I’d sponsor this guy. He needs a place on TV, if only for that shirt. But it did make me wish I was vacationing in Poland. I’m sure it’s just as pretty as Greece. Right? Right? But here’s the truth, Zybigniew. You’re going about this all wrong. See, the more you hate us, the more we like and admire you and want to be your friend. We like a puppy who you beat.

Razorlight – America