Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Jun 29, 2009 in Entertainment
Hey guess what LA Times: they didn’t.
They had the information, knew it was correct and reported the news of Michael Jackson’s death first.
I suppose there are people who don’t “expect” TMZ to have accurate information. Those people either forget or don’t know that Harvey Levin–the man behind TMZ–is both a lawyer and entertainment journalist.
That story would not have run if it were not accurate.
Granted, the LA Times and CNN perhaps have a bit more credibility than a celebrity gossip site like TMZ; unless of course you know Levin’s credentials. It has been my experience though that Harvey Levin is a good journalist and expects the same from his team.
It would seem that TMZ was the dark horse in a race for quick and accurate information. He came out on top and the only defense the other mainstream media (as if anyone who’s into US pop culture and celebrity gossip doesn’t consider TMZ kinda mainstream and the whole idea of people in the media being surprised that TMZ broke the story accurately is such bullshit) has is, “but what if they had gotten it wrong?”
TMZ got it first, got it right, and you–dear “mainstream media”–had your ass handed to you. `
When I met Claudia Hall Christian a few months back on a social network, she quickly became one of my favorite people. She put out a call for bloggers to host her on a blog tour for her new book The Fey, and I told her I’d be honored if she’d share her story on my awesomely tiny corner of the web.
I haven’t read the book yet – I’m anxiously awaiting the hard copy. I read online all day every day, a hard copy will be a welcome escape for the internets – but every review I have read thus far has been supremely positive and Mrs. Christian is developing a cult following. She’s done this by using building an online community of both readers and writers and by leveraging the power of social networking.
I asked her about her journey to becoming a successful book author but before we get to that, a few goodies for you my dear readers:
Win a free copy of The Fey. The lucky winner selected from comments on this post. I don’t get many comments, so anyone who comments has a pretty good chance of getting a free copy of the book.
Purchase the book from Create Space and get a 10% discount. Just enter this discount code: XQGB8SVR.
And now, without further ado, inspirational words from author, Claudia Hall Christian.
Your blog mentioned giving up everything familiar to pursue your dream of being a writer. What has that journey been like and what have you learned in your pursuit?
It’s been a long and winding journey to become an author. When I started working on the first edition of The Fey, I was simply filling my time on sabbatical with a good story. I figured writing a book was a worthy pursuit for a year long sabbatical. It never occurred to me that writing fiction would become my life. I completed a draft and left for a month long backpacking trip down the Colorado Trail. Read more…
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on May 21, 2009 in The Boy, The Fam
The boy can swim!
I believed so hard it made me angry yesterday when he wailed like a little girl and said he didn’t think he could do it.
“Yes you can!” I snapped, irritated with his lack of confidence. After all, his mother had been a competative swimmer from the age of…whatever age they let you start competing…and there was no way I was going to raise a kid who couldn’t swim. Pa-leeze *rolls eyes*
I ignored his tears and cries that it was cold, held him out in the middle of the pool, pointed toward the wall, told him to kick his feet and move his arms. As I felt him start to push himself, I would move my hand from under him.
Every. Single. Time. Without fail, he’d panic waiting for me to save him from drowning, instead of focusing on getting to the wall.
“Go toward the wall, not me, ” I would say moving out of his path.”
He’d gasp for air when he reached the wall, giving me that can I please get out now mommy look.
Today though, he went with my sister. I didn’t feel like swimming and my halfway-around-the-fucking-world boyfriend wanted to talk as soon as I got home…so I didn’t go tonight. I was sitting in my room watching John Stewart on Hulu, when two wet people walked in breathing hard and excited.
“Mom I can swim!” The boy said before I could tell him to go back out and close the door. “I swam in 8 feet!”
My sister told me some long ass story about how great a teacher she is and then asked if I wanted to see him do it. She must’ve been reading my mind because, I was sitting there in utter disbelief. Who was this confident man-child I saw before me the same crying little brat I who had scratched me a couple days ago when he tried to jump on my head and I moved away?
I grinned from ear to ear as we walked to the pool…My sister was asking me if I was really proud and all I could do is smile like an idiot.
When we go to the pool, the boy climbed down the ladder. He pulled his goggles down over his eyes and turned to my sister while still holding onto the wall.
“You read?” She asked.
“Ready,” he said.
“And…go!”
As soon as she said it, he pushed off the wall and was off. Kicking furiously, moving his arms and moving across the pool!
OMG! OMG! OMFG!
He stopped, winded on the other side of the pool. “I want to go back.”
“Go.”
I cheered as he swam across the pool, pushing himself hard, completely focused on making it all the way to the wall. He looked like he was working so hard, but I could tell he knew he could make it and that all he had to do was keep going.
And he did.
Two more laps later, he climbed out of the water, exhausted and breathing heavily.
I beamed at him as my heart swelled.
“That was a lot of work man,” I said holding back tears. “I’m so –” my voice cracked. “I’m so proud of you.” I hugged him tight as the tears spilled down my cheeks.”
As we walked him, I was filled with such pride. For so long now he thought he couldn’t do it and I reminded him that he would learn. And today…the boy swam from one side of the pool to the other.
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on May 20, 2009 in My Life
I have always leaned toward sustainability in the sense that I don’t believe that less variety is the result of good market competition and that the competition should win at all costs.
On a macro level, sustainability is about systems being able to thrive and live symbiotically. On a micro level its about systems within systems being able to survive and thrive even, so that the bigger system stays alive and well…I think you get where I’m going.
We have finally accepted there are certain non-renewable resources and the scarcity of those resources is increasing. What I’ve been learning, and on some levels sort of knew already, is that corporate greed is at the heart of almost everything that has led us to our unsustainable standard of living. These large companies whose only goal is to make more money, by selling more goods, produced in mass quantities, without care or consideration for how this eternal thirst for gold will affect the rest of the system.
A few weeks ago I watched the Story of Stuff and today The Future of Food. While one was a simple lesson on how broken production —–> market system is and the other is a detailed account of the corporate take-over of agriculture, they both have the same message. The corporatization of production on a mass scale are not beneficial to the system of life. It is not good for the environment, it is not good for living things, it is not good for anyone other than the corporations; and even then, only the few people who own those corporations.
Now I don’t mean corporations in the legal sense. There are many small businesses that are incorporated. What I am talking about is huge companies that come in and take over a market by any means necessary. The goal of these large companies gobble up everything around them, killing off and throwing off balance, natural systems with underhanded means.
In the end, there is less competition, less choice, less quality and people become slaves to corporations for subsistence, working their own land just to pay huge companies with deep connections and deeper pockets. Slaves to consumer goods because we have been socialized to think we need a television, cable, wi-fi (well dammit I need my wi-fi), the latest shoes, the latest video games, the latest whatever to replace something that is perfectly good still.
The lack of choice and the dependence on companies that only care about making money scares the shit out of me. There is no human connection, no consideration for cause and effect when it comes to living things.
This consideration for the system at large is at the heart of the sustainability movement. What tickles me is that it also brings us back to our local neighborhoods, where we live in smaller systems that can practically sustain themselves. While on the one hand I can build relationships and communities in a virtual world, there are benefits beyond mine and the health of my family, of living off of and supporting local systems; the sustaining of life.
So my goal is to start living more sustainably…even in the city. Already, I’m looking for a local farm to buy shares in (pay a weekly fee for locally grown produce). I probably won’t go so far as making my own clothes, but I have been picky over quality, favoring smaller retailers over large ones.
I want to live healthy and largely independent of large corporations for my subsistence. I may have to pay for electricity and wi-fi (I told you its a necessity) but I can get my food locally.
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on May 14, 2009 in My Life
I don’t have a problem with consumerism in general. Who doesn’t like shopping? Who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of purchasing a new pair of shoes? We all need groceries and clean clothes and stuff. What gave me pause was listening to the news yesterday about how consumer spending is still declining. Apparently we are supposed to spend our way out of this recession.
One problem with that: People don’t have the money to consume at the rate we had before.
In fact, our national unemployement rate is at an all time high and not only are people in survival mode – more concerned with keeping a roof over their heads than getting that plasma screen TV – but they’re also being more frugal. The American people are learning that we need to save money.
It’s not fair to expect the people who have the least to spend and be solely responsible for pulling the world economy out of the state of depression. What we really need and what made the US so great and prosperous so long ago was innovation, creativity and productivity. Mind you, we have the productivity down don’t we? We work harder than we have ever worked before, harder and longer than most other Western nations and yet we are not happier or healthier.
3 John 1:2 says, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
This doesn’t mean that we shall prosper as we persue prosperity and wealth, but instead that as we prosper spiritually – as our lives and collective consciousness is enriched – it will begin to show outwardly. I consider myself a living example of such spiritual prosperity being reflected in my life. As my consciousness has shifted from poverty and lack, to knowing I am destined for great things, as I have pursued my passions with purpose, I have also begun to prosper. Like a plant with healthy roots, I have blossomed and have begun to bare the fruit of that bloom.
Sure it all sounds esoteric and spiritual but I truly believe physical prosperity and well-being is connected to spiritual prosperity and well-being. We are as we believe. Why do you think so many morally bankrupt people are also suffering (not enough for my taste but whatever).
There will always be external forces affecting each individual but my experience is that good usually triumphs and shopping is just a drug. Shame on the media for trying to convince people that they are being irresponsible for saving money, for being frugal during these tumultuous economic times. There are people flourishing despite all of the bad news, proof that this too shall pass.
Its time to shift our consciousness from consumption to spiritual prosperity. Let’s not let the media and big business continue to sell us this idea that things will make us healthy and happy. This hasn’t proven true yet and I doubt it ever will.
Truth be told, it’s been a long time since any music caught my ear enough to compelled to write about it. You can be sure I would have never thought it would end up being Ciara.
I always dug her sexy style but kinda wrote her off as another flash in the pan. She’s on her third album and while she may not be in the tabloids constantly, the girl is hot hot hot. And the way she moves reminds me of a slim young Janet with the sensuality kicked way up.
This weekend she was on SNL and her performance was melt you into your chair sexy. That is all. You check it out yourself.
I hadn’t seen any previews or anything, just went to Hulu one day and saw a “Dollhouse” front page feature. I recognized the star, Eliza Dushku, and though I had never been impressed with her talent, I decided to watch.
The story orbited around this Dollhouse active “Echo” who was apparently the best. She’s super adaptable and no matter what type of engagement they send her on, she does even better than expected.
Meanwhile there’s an FBI agent getting tips about this very active, tips which make him fixate on this girl and treat her being a “doll” – as the actives were called – like a missing persons case.
Though predictable at times, the show did eventually begin to build momentum. However, after the first few episodes I bored of this neat little package and began longing for the show to evolve faster and become more complicated. I’m sure other people felt the same way, which is why they forgot about the show and ultimately, why it was canceled.
There was something about it that I liked. I watched 10 episodes of the show because I was waiting for the sub-plots to kick in, knowing that it was more complicated than its start. Knowing that I waited, thinking all the while that this show could turn out to be really good.
As the last three episodes built to the finale, I was given confirmation. The show got all tangled and while it remained pretty predictable, as the story line became more entangled, that predictability would have given way to a very complicated and thrilling drama.
Why couldn’t they just let it be that from the beginning?!
Note to the people who created, produced and ultimately decided on letting the show evolve so slowly: People like complicated television. Look at the “Lost” phenomenon. They like suspense and stuff that engages their brain in trying to figure out what the hell is going on.
This is what Dollhouse should have been billed as. A puzzle to be solved. Unfortunately the progression didn’t happen before the show was canceled and it even began to show its bones. Oh well…another one bites the dust, only to be replaced with more vapid reality programming.
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on May 3, 2009 in My Life
I live in my old place for almost 9 years. It was the first place that was actually mine. For some reason though, I always considered it temporary. Over the years, I collected things to hang on the walls and said, oh this will go up in my new place.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m pretty sure this place is temporary too; I do want a house or condo one day. But this time I have the desire to decorate and make it feel like home. I want flowers, photographs, warmth and comfort. A friend offered me some chairs, which I turned down flat because I did not want to furnish my new place with things I don’t like. Besides, I like the idea of acquiring things gradually, being selective, finding things with character and history.
This weekend I made a few purchases toward insuring that when I do get things that require hanging or assembling, I will be able to do just that. A drill, a set of drill bits and screwdriver heads, and a “workshop assortment” set of screws and bolts and all sorts of crap. It’s all very basic mind you, but essential to my plan.
I haz tools!
I hung two dragonfly hooks in the bathroom, a white board in the hallway and a beautiful antique plaque with “I am my beloved and my beloved is mine” inscribed in Aramaic. With each touch, this new place feels a little more like home.
It’s will probably take a little while time for that home feeling to settle in, but for now, I’m enjoying the little bits here and there.
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Apr 26, 2009 in My Life, The Fam
I’ve been in my new place a little over a week now and slowly, I’m emptying boxes and finding homes for things. Today I unpacked a box of glassware that had been in my mother’s garage for over 10 years. Glassware my grandmother collected and held on to for many years before that and brought back to California with her in 1994.
I’ve been holding on to this box for about a year and would have more if grandma had not promised everyone they could have it. I told mom and sis that I just wanted the martini glasses grandma said she had; a cute mini set she had said was in one of the 3 or 4 boxes of crystal. I dug through several boxes at my mom’s house and found the one marked “Good crystal glasses.”
That box sat in my coat closet in my previous apartment because that’s how long I have been planning to move. But now I am in a place I’m thinking I might settle in for a little while – granted I was in the other place nearly 9 years – and today I decided to unpack the glass.
As I unwrapped and tore the paper off of each piece, I grew more and more excited. The box contained seven etched tulip shaped Princess House glasses, five etched wine goblets, five etched brandy glasses, two sets of two souvenir drink glasses, a couple serving platters, a few stray wine glasses, a vase and…
A set of colored martini glasses with a pitcher. (sorry about the crappy picture, taken with my trusty Blackberry because I cannot get pics off of my actual camera)
The glasses had been revealed slowly as I removed various glasses from the box. I felt the handle on the pitcher before unwrapping it…I was just hoping for a cute carafe or something. When I pealed back the paper and saw that the pitcher matched the martini glasses, I squealed with glee. I has hoping for a sixth glass, but the pitcher is a great consolation prize.
I guess sometimes it really is worth keeping some things you haven’t used or seen for years. At least 15 years, that box hadn’t been opened and today it was a treasure I unpacked in my new home.
Posted by Kimberlee Morrison on Apr 14, 2009 in My Life
I’m tired. I’ve spent the last five days sorting through nearly a decade of my life and now I’m just tired. Emotionally, drained and simulteneously liberated. Excited and anxious…
I guess I should slow down a little…
For a while now, I’ve been on the hunt for a new place to live. There were several instances of premature excitement followed by subsequent disappointment, but this time its real. I found a flat closer to work, in a quiet little neighborhood in the OC (rolls eyes), with good schools, a fireplace, walk through closet, brand new carpet, paint, counters…everything. Its perfect.
But moving means having to pack; having to go through all the stuff I’ve accumulated for the eight years I’ve been in my current apartment. It’s a sort of deciding what baggage to take with me and what to leave behind. To be honest, I wanted to leave behind as much as possible because with all this transition, there must be something truly wonderful on the horizon. If I take too much baggage with me, I won’t have room.
So the clutter has been cleared and everything pretty much ready to be hauled away. Tomorrow begins a new adventure, a new chapter of my life, if you will. A step further closer to the manifestation of my developing prosperity consciousness. It is indeed a beautiful thing to understand what the bible means when it says, “I wish you would be in good health and prosper as your soul prospers.”
And that is exactly how I feel. As though I am prospering as my soul prospers. There was a time when my phone number changed every few months. Today I have the same cell phone number I have had for just over four years. I have been saving and paying down dept…becoming financially responsible and I am starting to see the rewards of such stewardship.
Tomorrow I move. It is as literal as it is symbolic; a fresh start, a new beginning. I’m a mash of emotions, but one this is certain: I’m going to be sleeping in my new room tomorrow. And what a beautiful sleep it will be.
When I met Claudia Hall Christian a few months back on a social network, she quickly became one of my favorite people. She put out a call for bloggers to host her on a blog tour for her new book The Fey, and I told her I’d be honored if she’d share her story on my awesomely tiny corner of the web.
