ENOUGH!

Short and sweet, I MUST address this.

Michael Jackson was a PEDOPHILE. He touched kids.

His death was symbolic after the first accusation and continued as a long drawn-out and pathetic battle these past years.

We lost the innocence of a pop icon who charmed us in our youth and made pretty fantastic pop songs we remember with nostalgia and glee.

But! He stopped creating such great tunes MANY YEARS AGO. You have not lost ANYTHING except a pathetic PEDOPHILE who hated himself so much he PRACTICALLY DEFORMED HIMSELF and HELD HIS CHILD OVER A BALCONY. This was a SICK man. SICK. S.I.C.K!!!!

So, by all means, grieve for the image you had through the Pepsi ads and the moon-walk and the one-sparkly-white-glove. Grieve for the really gnarly music and incredible Thriller video that scared you and yet you couldn't stop watching. Grieve for a musical genius who stepped over the line from genius to SICK and INSANE. But, seriously, you should have been grieving for YEARS. Because this PEDOPHILE doesn't deserve your sympathy.

Get your motherfucking hands off our kids you sick and pathetic waste of skin.

That's my eulogy, Michael. See ya, you SICK FUCK.

Peace and Love,

Ali

Update of 1001 things in 101 days as of 06/11/2009

Real post coming soon. This here's just an update.

Peace and love to you all,

Ali

1. Hit my goal weight (and maintain it)
2. Send the trains
3. Sell the beanies
4. Sell the Magic the Gathering cards
5. Sell the wackies
6. Get proposed to
7. Finish Stop...Look...Listen scrap book
8. Go to 10 shows I'm not directly involved in

• My Left Breast/Back Story
• A Christmas Carol
• Little Foxes
• Parlour Song
• The Fugget Show

9. Go to 5 shows where I don't have a friend in it.

• Avenue Q
• Bronx Tale

10. Move/buy a bigger place
11. Finally scan all my photos
12. Organize all my photos
13. Read 3 classic books
14. Semi-supine every day for 1 month
15. Finish Mom's awesome Hanukkah gift
16. Write 10 actual letters
17. Finish any/all 1/2 done cross-stitch projects

• Finished the lighthouse for Dad

18. Learn how to use a sewing machine

19. Go Vote

20. Refile/organize monologue box

• Finally started to tackle that...

21. Get my MRI mammogram

22. Take a tap class
23. Take a jazz class
24. Take a modern class
25. Take a circus class
26. Finish the Ender series

• Ender's Game
• Speaker For the Dead
• Xenocide
• Children of the Mind
• Ender's Shadow
• Shadow of the Hegemon

27. Take a "day job" that gives 2 days off in a row
28. Visit K. in New York
29. Visit Raina in Tennessee
30. Do film, as much as possible

• Been submitting for student films and indie features
• booked on The Defiled directed by Julian Grant (filming summer 2009)
• booked on a promo for Project Runway (shot 6/9/2009)

31. Get an agent - one who cares about me

• Been submitting to them - now re-promoting all my new stuff!

32. Watch the entire West Wing series

• Season 1 = complete!
• Season 2 = still in the middle
  

33. Watch 10 classic (oscar winning movies) I've never seen (preferably before 1980)

• M.A.S.H.

34. Do the 3 day walk for breast cancer
35. Submit my play to 3 theatres

• XIII Pocket

36. Finish writing the Jezebel play
37. Get Sparky's teeth cleaned (with Vet approval)
38. Go to (at least) one Cubs game a year
39. Finish playing Kingdom Hearts
40. Knit 5 scarves for others

• Jon's was done in January 2009 :)

41. Be more diligent about recycling

• we bought a cart and are filling it and bringing it down to recycling once/twice a week on average
• we are keeping containers (jars and such) and reusing them as much as possible
• we are continuing to check labels and reuse any paper products we can
  

42. Try to use organic/green non-chemical products
43. Go to 4 movies - IN THE MOVIE THEATRE -

• Milk
• Wolverine
• The Hangover
• Star Trek

44. Treat myself to 3 massages at Urban Oasis
45. Watch more Olbermann and Maddow

• MSNBC is now the default channel on our TV

46. Trade in Dad's guitar to get one that fits me
47. Keep up on my blog www.ali-land.blogspot.com at least once a week- even if it's just an update
48. Scan and organize MOM's pictures
49. Read more of and try to incorporate Alexander Technique into my life

• Working through reading a book called Anxious to Please which has opened my eyes to many things - specifically - it uses the process of The Alexander Technique in many of the practices. Cool.
  

50. Finish putting together the crossword jigsaw puzzle
51. Don't let the file basket get to the top without filing it.

• This is a constant struggle but I finally attacked it today!
  

52. Take a combat class
53. Take a ballet class - even though it scares me-
54. Run a 10K (6.2 miles)
55. Do 3 Stuart's sun salutes a day for a week
56. Play my keyboard, once a month, for fun

• December - :) Played for 3 hours!!!
• January - played for an hour
• February - mmm, didn't play really busy at school
• March - played for about 2 hours

57. Perform 10 random acts of kindness

• Bought mom an orange rose and surprised her when she was sick
• Got Lisa some Ginger Ale and lip balm when she was sick

58. Get an ivy (English?) plant

• Danni is giving me a plant!

59. Read 3 previously unread books on acting
60. Ride my bike as often as possible (seasonal)
61. Drink 64 oz of water every day for 2 weeks
62. Finish all seasons of the Venture Brothers (for Jon)

• Season 1 = Complete!
• Special Christmas episode = Complete!
  

63. Watch 5 movies Jon wants (only 1 will be MST3K)

• Excalibur
• Let The Right One In
• Iron Man
• Sin City

64. Try my watercolor pencils and make something pretty
65. Hang out with Dante 2x a week for at least an hour
66. Go to the Shedd Aquarium
67. Go to the Brookfield Zoo
68. Go to Lincoln Park Zoo
69. Go to the Art Institute
70. Read 8 plays I've never read before

• Who Made Robert DeNiro King of America? - Jason Katim
• A Dead Man's Apartment - Edward Allen Baker

71. Visit Charleston (finally)
72. Help Jon get on the path to Bio-medical visualization
73. Have a "date night" once a month

• Went to Sushi for November's date! Mmmm!
• Went to Sushi for December's date!
• Went to Uncle Julio's for January
• February - we were broke :)
• March - we were broke :)
• April - Delilah's and Sushi and a proposal!!!

74. Say something kind to someone once a day for a month -even if it's "I LOVE YOU"
75. Do my taxes by March (instead of waiting until the last minute) for 2009 and 2010
76. Get my credit score
77. Find out how much I'd be approved for, for a mortgage
78. Make a realistic budget
79. Get a new computer (mmm...MAC)
80. Do my 2 affirmations out loud for 2 months
81. Graduate from ACT ONE!
82. Get out of my contract for ******
83. Transfer my VHS tapes to DVD
84. Get my compass tattoo
85. Vinegar the carpet!
86. Go on 5 auditions I have no chance of getting or don't even want - blog about the experiences -
87. Keep an audition journal
88. Get back to my "limber self" and do full splits on both legs!
89. Play my Dance! Dance! Revolution once a week for 3 months
90. Floss every day for 3 months
91. Spend at least one night (with Jon) at a B&B
92. Make the "butterfly" tray
93. Listen to 3 recommended rap albums
94. Learn basic sign language
95. Write a letter (not to be sent) to those whom I feel still "hold me back" emotionally
96. Experiment with "freezing a goal" and wait 3 months to see the progress
97. Be adamant about making 3 hours of "down-time" for myself a week and STICKING TO IT
98. Re-establish my donations to Sierra Club for the Polar Bears.
99. Keep practicing "drawing on the right-side of the brain"
100. Get new glasses
101. Accomplish at least 50 on this list by August 10, 2011 :)

I miss you Aunt G. July 1945 - May 2009

Aunt Gladys.

A wonderful woman with a beautiful heart.  Never a bad word to say about anyone, but never a judgment if you needed to vent about anyone or anything.  She kept all your secrets and would try to understand if you just needed a hug and just someone to "get it".  

A fantastic mother to Alli and Gen.  An amazing Grandma to Andy, Alexa, Ava, and Samantha. An incredible wife to her soulmate, Allen.  Every niece and nephew believes they were the "favorite". 

 I know I did.

There are no words to describe the emotional void she is leaving behind.  But she reminds me that she understood how to LIVE.  She traveled, she was there for every birth of her grandchildren.  

She loved life.

We should all be so lucky.

Thank you, Aunt G.  

We lost you too young, but we will forever have you deep in our hearts.

Love and Peace.

Ali

Uncle Allen, Alexa, Andy, Ava, and Gladys

Engaged! (Ok, I've been busy)

Yes.  It is official!  We are engaged.  Wolter proposed on April 1st (yes, on April Fool's Day you cynics!).  He took me back to the place we first met, Delilah's bar.  He claimed he was taking me out as a late birthday present (my birthday had been during a very busy and broke time for us) and for our anniversary which was on April 1st.

 

If you don't know it already, Wolter's an amazing cartoonist/artist.  Since he was a kid, he's created these characters, (anthropomorphized animals) and has given me multiple presents using these rascals.  It wasn't strange that the "card" he had for me included these guys.  I've grown to adore them and get very excited when they appear in a card or in a drawing just for me.  

Low and behold, it wasn't just an anniversary card.  Nor was it a late birthday card.  He created a story where they set-up one of the guys to think he was supposed to dress up for my belated birthday and they yelled April Fool's.  Then at the end of the card one of them said, it's actually NOT just an April Fool's card but, well, "Wolter, you tell her"...

When I looked up he was on his knee with the box opened and asked me!!!

I KNOW!  So perfect!

Then we left and went for dinner at our sushi restaurant.  It was incredible and yummy and just all around a perfect night.  

Wolter excused himself to use the restroom and while he was gone, in walked my parents!!!  They'd planned to show up after dinner and it was perfect!  Just seeing them made it all finally hit me!  

I found out later that Wolter and my mom had been working on this since January!  He had kept it quiet for that long (and so did my MOM!)

I was so pleased and so proud!  It went off perfectly.  I'm full of joy!  And now that school is over I can FINALLY start planning!

Love to you all, even though I'm sure you already know all this, I figured there was no harm in putting it on ye olde blog!

Love and Peace,

Ali

 

Kramer vs. Kramer a phenomenal FILM

When I was 5  years old, my parents had a VHS tape with 3 movies on it.  Airplane!, The Champ (with Ricky Schroeder and John Voight), and Kramer vs. Kramer.  I watched those movies in order, almost every single day.  For years. Back then, we were limited with what was on TV, (we didn't have cable), and we didn't have any "kids" movies.

I fell in love with these movies.  Each one is very close to my heart.

Wolter and I joke, often, that we have so many movies the other one needs to see, well, Kramer vs. Kramer has been on that list since I met him!  Finally, we watched it together.

Even at a young age I could tell that this film was, exactly THAT.  A film.  Not a "movie".  Not a "money-maker" with lots of "back-door deals" and "merchandise" but a true FILM.  Seeing it again, after all these years didn't change my youthful ideals one bit.

What was lovely, was getting to watch the "Making of Kramer vs. Kramer" which was a special feature on this DVD.  I learned so much about the inception of the script (from the book) and how passionate the filmmakers were.  The idea that telling the story, keeping the truth of the characters and the art of collaboration were part of a film with SOME budget was jaw-dropping and beautiful.  There is really nothing about this film that I could criticize from the casting down to the amazing shots.  It's not a wonder that they won so many Oscars.

Bravo, Kramer vs. Kramer.  I'm inspired and appreciative of this artistic endeavor and wish there were more films like yours.

See this film if you haven't had the chance.  

Peace and love.

~Ali

It was Easter. Even for Atheistic Jews!

Easter.  A time of hope and re-birth and resurrection.  A time of 4 young boys who run around hopped up on sugar screaming loudly and laughing wildly.

Yup, I spent Easter Sunday with my family in the suburbs.  

It was actually a lot of fun.  Wolter and I went over to check on the progress of the possible house we might be moving into. It's getting there...although there is a LOT of work still left to be done.  We're hoping that, if we are going to make this move, it happens by the end of the summer.  Now that's seeming a bit optimistic, but we'll see.

My Mom walked over there with us and the 4 boys, while my brother and sister-in-law hid the eggs in the yard!  They used the plastic eggs and filled them with candy and gum and tic-tacs and pennies.

The boys had a blast running around and trying to find all the eggs!  My Dad and I sat on the bench and just enjoyed the view and took in the little bit of sun (in the chilly wind) that was peeking through.

Carrie, my sister-in-law, made a wonderful meal topped off with a fantastic bread pudding!  Yum!  It was my first time ever eating bread pudding and I was blown away by her recipe.

It was actually nice being in the suburbs.  People were walking their dogs and mowing their lawns...I don't know...I think I could get used to that.  Plus, there would be ROOM to MOVE there.  Love our little apartment but sometimes I just wish there was one room's worth more of space!

Anyhow, we truly enjoyed our Easter Sunday!  Hope you did too!  

Oh!  I know I posted an "updated" list of things that I've gotten to this month, but in case it was all hidden away...

Wolter proposed to me on April 1st, 2009!  We are now officially engaged!  YAY!

I guess I should do a post on the whole engagement...ok.  Coming up soon.

Peace and love,

Ali

The crazy boys!  From left to right: Sean, Justin, Brandon, and Zack

Aw, my Dad rocks!  He is unbelievable!  I love you, Dad!

Update of 1001 things in 101 days as of 04/04/2009

So, here is another update!  :)  Things are progressing, albeit, slowly.  It is, however, not a race so it feels ok. :)  

Life is happy right now.  Classes just ended at school and we are starting rehearsals for our showcase.  Yay!

Note #6 below!  It's was an incredibly exciting night!  I'm giddy with happiness!!! :)

Anyhow, here's how it's been going according to the list.  Hope everyone is well!  Love to you all, per usual!!!

:)

1. Hit my goal weight (and maintain it)
2. Send the trains
3. Sell the beanies
4. Sell the Magic the Gathering cards
5. Sell the wackies
6. Get proposed to
7. Finish Stop...Look...Listen scrap book
8. Go to 10 shows I'm not directly involved in

• My Left Breast/Back Story
• A Christmas Carol
• Little Foxes

9. Go to 5 shows where I don't have a friend in it.

• Avenue Q
• Bronx Tale

10. Move/buy a bigger place
11. Finally scan all my photos
12. Organize all my photos
13. Read 3 classic books
14. Semi-supine every day for 1 month
15. Finish Mom's awesome Hanukkah gift
16. Write 10 actual letters
17. Finish any/all 1/2 done cross-stitch projects

• Finished the lighthouse for Dad

18. Learn how to use a sewing machine

19. Go Vote

20. Refile/organize monologue box
21. Get my MRI mammogram

22. Take a tap class
23. Take a jazz class
24. Take a modern class
25. Take a circus class
26. Finish the Ender series

• Ender's Game
• Speaker For the Dead
• Xenocide
• Children of the Mind
• Ender's Shadow

27. Take a "day job" that gives 2 days off in a row
28. Visit K. in New York
29. Visit Raina in Tennessee
30. Do film, as much as possible

• Been submitting for student films and indie features

31. Get an agent - one who cares about me
32. Watch the entire West Wing series

• Season 1 = complete!
• Season 2 = still in the middle
  

33. Watch 10 classic (oscar winning movies) I've never seen (preferably before 1980)

• M.A.S.H.

34. Do the 3 day walk for breast cancer
35. Submit my play to 3 theatres

• XIII Pocket

36. Finish writing the Jezebel play
37. Get Sparky's teeth cleaned (with Vet approval)
38. Go to (at least) one Cubs game a year
39. Finish playing Kingdom Hearts
40. Knit 5 scarves for others

• Jon's was done in January 2009 :)

41. Be more diligent about recycling

• we bought a cart and are filling it and bringing it down to recycling once/twice a week on average
• we are keeping containers (jars and such) and reusing them as much as possible
• we are continuing to check labels and reuse any paper products we can
  

42. Try to use organic/green non-chemical products
43. Go to 4 movies - IN THE MOVIE THEATRE -

• Milk

44. Treat myself to 3 massages at Urban Oasis
45. Watch more Olbermann and Maddow

• MSNBC is now the default channel on our TV

46. Trade in Dad's guitar to get one that fits me
47. Keep up on my blog www.ali-land.blogspot.com at least once a week- even if it's just an update
48. Scan and organize MOM's pictures
49. Read more of and try to incorporate Alexander Technique into my life

• Working through reading a book called Anxious to Please which has opened my eyes to many things - specifically - it uses the process of The Alexander Technique in many of the practices. Cool.
  

50. Finish putting together the crossword jigsaw puzzle
51. Don't let the file basket get to the top without filing it.

• This is a constant struggle but I finally attacked it today!
  

52. Take a combat class
53. Take a ballet class - even though it scares me-
54. Run a 10K (6.2 miles)
55. Do 3 Stuart's sun salutes a day for a week
56. Play my keyboard, once a month, for fun

• December - :)  Played for 3 hours!!!
• January - played for an hour
• February - mmm, didn't play really busy at school
• March - played for about 2 hours

57. Perform 10 random acts of kindness

• Bought mom an orange rose and surprised her when she was sick
• Got Lisa some Ginger Ale and lip balm when she was sick

58. Get an ivy (English?) plant
59. Read 3 previously unread books on acting
60. Ride my bike as often as possible (seasonal)
61. Drink 64 oz of water every day for 2 weeks
62. Finish all seasons of the Venture Brothers (for Jon)

• Season 1 = Complete!
• Special Christmas episode = Complete!
  

63. Watch 5 movies Jon wants (only 1 will be MST3K)

• Excalibur
• Let The Right One In
• Iron Man

64. Try my watercolor pencils and make something pretty
65. Hang out with Dante 2x a week for at least an hour
66. Go to the Shedd Aquarium
67. Go to the Brookfield Zoo
68. Go to Lincoln Park Zoo
69. Go to the Art Institute
70. Read 8 plays I've never read before

• Who Made Robert DeNiro King of America? - Jason Katim
• A Dead Man's Apartment - Edward Allen Baker

71. Visit Charleston (finally)
72. Help Jon get on the path to Bio-medical visualization
73. Have a "date night" once a month

• Went to Sushi for November's date! Mmmm!
• Went to Sushi for December's date!
• Went to Uncle Julio's for January
• February - we were broke :)
• March - we were broke :)
• April - Delilah's and Sushi and a proposal!!!

74. Say something kind to someone once a day for a month -even if it's "I LOVE YOU"
75. Do my taxes by March (instead of waiting until the last minute) for 2009 and 2010
76. Get my credit score
77. Find out how much I'd be approved for, for a mortgage
78. Make a realistic budget
79. Get a new computer (mmm...MAC)
80. Do my 2 affirmations out loud for 2 months
81. Graduate from ACT ONE!
82. Get out of my contract for ******
83. Transfer my VHS tapes to DVD
84. Get my compass tattoo
85. Vinegar the carpet!
86. Go on 5 auditions I have no chance of getting or don't even want - blog about the experiences -
87. Keep an audition journal
88. Get back to my "limber self" and do full splits on both legs!
89. Play my Dance! Dance! Revolution once a week for 3 months
90. Floss every day for 3 months
91. Spend at least one night (with Jon) at a B&B
92. Make the "butterfly" tray
93. Listen to 3 recommended rap albums
94. Learn basic sign language
95. Write a letter (not to be sent) to those whom I feel still "hold me back" emotionally
96. Experiment with "freezing a goal" and wait 3 months to see the progress
97. Be adamant about making 3 hours of "down-time" for myself a week and STICKING TO IT
98. Re-establish my donations to Sierra Club for the Polar Bears.
99. Keep practicing "drawing on the right-side of the brain"
100. Get new glasses
101. Accomplish at least 50 on this list by August 10, 2011 :)