Wow. Let’s Give Ourselves A Hand. Or A Keyboard.

Posted by Rachael Black on

Here’s a bow to each and every one of my fellow writers, bloggers and site admins that participated in yesterday’s Black-Out to protest SOPA and the  associated PIPA proposed bills.

The numbers really did make a difference and the legislation has been tabled. For now. Came across two articles earlier today stating that these items are not dead. Plans to embalm their corpses and try again in February are rumored to be in the works. Apparently in the hopes that bloggers and site owners have the attention span of an inbred feline.

In the interim here’s a bit of amusement. And many thanks to our community. Am glad to have been a part, and hope to have imparted information to those net citizens who were not aware of the true ramifications.

So let’s take a peek at the author of SOPA and his webpage… -wicked smile-

~Miss R

YoYo-Dyne Will Be Dark Today to Protest the Protect IP Act

Posted by Rachael Black on

YoYo-Dyne Propulsion Systems

Protests The Protect IP Act

Many websites are blacked out today to protest proposed U.S. legislation that threatens internet freedom: the Stop Internet Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA). From personal blogs to giants like WordPress and Wikipedia, sites all over the web — including this one — are asking you to help stop this dangerous legislation from being passed. Please watch the video below to learn how this legislation will affect internet freedom, then scroll down to take action.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Not In The US? Petition The State Department.

“I am writing to you as a
voter in your district. I urge you to vote “no” on cloture for S. 968,
the PROTECT IP Act, on Jan. 24th. The PROTECT IP Act is dangerous,
ineffective, and short-sighted. It does not deserve floor consideration.
I urge my representative to vote “no” on SOPA, the corresponding House
bill. Over coming days you’ll be hearing from the many businesses, advocacy
organizations, and ordinary Americans who oppose this legislation
because of the myriad ways in which it will stifle free speech and
innovation. We hope you’ll take our concerns to heart and oppose this
legislation by voting “no” on cloture.”

Join The Strike! and add this to your site

Fight For The Future may contact you about future campaigns. We will never share your email with anyone. Privacy Policy

Learn More:

Watch the video · American Censorship page · View the Infographic
Read SOPA on OpenCongress · Read PIPA on OpenCongress

The three most definitive articles on SOPA and PIPA: Free Speech, Problems, Security

A Ron Paul Dance

Posted by Rachael Black on

Had to add the video, for old times sake.

If you’re foolish enough to think that Ron Paul didn’t  ‘know about’ the first person newsletters bashing Jews for almost 10 years and his other fabulous. sorry loon, crap then ignore the video.

Wanted to put the song up for Ron’s platform speeches though. You’re welcome Ron. Expect a Cabinet position for Miss R.

Nothing Much

Posted by Rachael Black on

Graphic courtesy of Marcus at brainlesstales.com

Am clearly on unscheduled hiatus.

Current unopened mail in the YoYo-Dyne Email Inbox: 306. This does not count the 30 or so that have been opened and not answered or viewed.

Love you all. I do not subscribe to random or ‘please add me!’ blogs. Only read those that draw me in. Writers who are savvy, funny, and left of center. You know who you are.

The Demon Seed (aka my brilliant daughter) is visiting for two weeks. The Best.
Life itself, as in day to day, financial, physical, emotional has gone sideways on too many tangents too personal to mention.

Promise to catch up, absorb all of your fabulous words, and find a way out in another week or so.

Miss all of your emotions, tales, vivisections, views and blues. See you soon. In the words of Miss Vega…

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Off of the strip

In the outskirts
In the fringes
In the corner
Out of the grip

When they ask me
“What are you looking at?”
I always answer
“Nothing much” (not much)
I think they know that
I’m looking at them
I think they think
I must be out of touch

But I’m only
In the outskirts
And in the fringes
On the edge
And off the avenue
And if you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Wondering about you

I think that somehow
Somewhere inside of us
We must be similar
If not the same
So I continue
To be wanting you
Left of center
Against the grain

If you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Off of the strip
In the outskirts
In the fringes
In the corner
Out of the grip

When they ask me
“What are you looking at?”
I always answer
“Nothing much” (not much)
I think they know that
I’m looking at them
I think they think
I must be out of touch

But I’m only
In the outskirts
And in the fringes
On the edge
And off the avenue
And if you want me
You can find me
Left of center
Wondering about you
Wondering about you

~Miss R

Total Shit! Paid for by Warner Brothers

Posted by Rachael Black on

Those long dead/bankrupt bastages…..

Here is only one example of what I wasted station time, money, equipment, employee wages and amusement on. Oh wait. WB doesn’t own this one bwahahahahahaha.

Sure it sucks but what the hell. It’s the point.

The curly headed plump one is moi, the rest of the cast /artists/editors are all Executive names as well. Obviously once this hit the advertising circuit for the station (not to mention the website -oops my department) it was cut. Within 24 hours. Nevermind that we were were raising money for a charity, as stated on the eBay auction.

And part of the point is that once we put it on eBay as a joke I got an almost immediate call from WB Burbank headquarters telling me to cease and desist… or my job would be rendered the same.

Puhlease. This is such a piece of short crap that HOW did they ever see it?

Oh wait. Made some nasty enemies (aka non-loving kiss kiss friends) on my travels down there.

If I can ever get MY produced pieces back will post them. Sorry. You may have to live though them. On the positive side… they are FAR superior to this ‘let’s take a few days off with station equipment because ‘Rachael said we can do it for the website.’

I WANT MY FATHER BACK YOU SONOFABITCH!

Posted by Rachael Black on

Today is the anniversary of my father’s death. Maurice W. Black MD.

It may be the 4th or 5th year. Try not to think about it. The obituary says the 7th, but it was actually the 6th. I couldn’t even make it to your funeral; psycho half-sister (not your daughter), step-mother (who did love you) and being asked to sleep under the dining room table did that. And I KNOW you would have done the same. Fled at the atrocity and craziness.

My father was the only person in my life that encouraged me to go where life took me. Music and not Medicine, Life and not fleeting Love, Happiness and not Hopelessness.

Some of the above may sound wrong to you, but made the difference to me. Even when I wanted to slice my current career as a successful businesswoman and musician; to go to Med School. He gave me the down and dirty about life in the medical field today. He convinced me that 20 years ago (when I graduated from college) it would have been the right choice… but no longer.

I miss you dad. You gave me my love for learning. For history, most of all music from Classical to Show Tunes, to find my own path, and an unwavering love.

The last night of your life you called me. I did not call back, opting to call back tomorrow. Hate the phone, and email. You were then already dead of a massive stroke; on your way to help others. At the age of 75 you still went to work every day to head the county mental health division. To help others.

Doing my best not to dwell on that. Only that you loved me the most. As I loved you.

~Miss R

p.s. all of my family picture are on another hard drive. Dammit again.

Luck: When Opportunity Meets Preparation

Posted by Rachael Black on

Watched an interesting, intriguing and fun flick today ‘The Kid Stays In The Picture.’  The film, and autobiographical book it is taken from, is about Robert Evans.

Now I consider myself a film aficionado. With the caveat that it stops with The Jazz Singer. Love them silent films.

Bob Evans turned Hollywood around, but especially kept Paramount from closing forever. As a kid growing up in Southern California, movies were everything to me. Every last penny was spent at the theater, even solid silver dimes from my coin collection. Hell, I was very active in local theater companies back from the age of 11.

Eye on the 1920’s, a kid’s version of being discovered, and the allure of a Hollywood long gone.

Turns out I was, looking back, a below-par actress. On the best day. Luckily the piano and tenor sax saved me from utter obscurity later on. Especially the voice-overs and commercials a few years ago! Or not. Don’t see my name on IMDb.

Just realized something ironic: my last job, prior to being an Executive Ne’er Do Well Trying to Survive on SSD In Reno, was as an Executive Producer for Warner Brothers (The WB, then The CW). Heh. Never thought about that until now.

Anyway, the beginning of the film and Evans’  life in ‘the industry’ begins with his meeting Norma Shearer at the Beverly Hills Hotel pool. She saw him and asked if he would play Irving Thalberg (her late husband) in a film. It was Man Of A 1000 Faces, a cinematic biography of Lon Chaney.

If you don’t know who Thalberg, Shearer or worse Chaney was, then stop reading right here.
Oh alright I’ll wait while you Google.
And get off my lawn you hooligans.

The point of this piece (hello tertiary threads) is that I wasn’t AWARE of Robert Evans’  influence on film. Being an idiot it was a focus on directors, cast and studio. This film melted away a skewed view of thinking, as well as causing me to laugh uncontrollably.

See if it’s available on Netflix, or somehow pops up on TV, which is doubtful. Robert Evans is probably 81 now, but his autobiography is still in print. He is a quite self-effacing writer and funny as hell. According to people who worked with him though… total dickhead. That’s my kind of guy. The man not only made the true change in bringing back audiences to the movies (Rosemary’s Baby and The Godfather for two) but was married seven times.

Fuck I’ve only been married and divorced twice, and get no royalties. –makes sign of  L on forehead-

A final personal note regarding Norma Shearer.

Lived in Long Beach, California  (again) in the early 90’s. My best friend at the time (a fellow musician in our band) lived in a fabulous Deco building,  in a town decorated with them. The Villa Riviera, on Ocean Boulevard. He made friends with the guys who rented (all of the apartments are privately owned now) the penthouse.

Norma Shearer, back in the 20’s, had rented the penthouse. She had contractors build a hidden door and extra apartment which also led to the roof. Verboten to tenants. Even the renters. As if that ever stopped any of us reading this.

I spent many a wonderful night on that roof. The view of beautiful coastline, city lights, the feeling of being amongst friends and of course… my childhood dreams.

 ~Miss R

Happy, Prosperous, Deranged and Hot New Year!

Posted by Rachael Black on

May you all have the very finest of luck, prosperity, good health, and leather in the coming year!

Happy New Year

Do you know what the best part of my New Year’s Eve  is?

No, not the fresh prawns (major Sale. -gurgle- mmmm Sale), Montaudon Champagne (mmmmm good friends), cheese, water crackers, phone calls to friends near and far. It was finding this picture…
of Donna Reed.
SUPPLIES!

Cheers to all and don’t forget to call a cab tonight. Or as Natalie Wood said as she sailed to Catalina…. Don’t Drink and Dive *

~Miss R

*Management not responsible for bad jokes, profanity, urge to gag, erections lasting more than four hours, desire for more children, putting forks into toasters or dreams of sugar plum midgets dancing in your head

I’m STILL The Goddamned Batman!

Posted by Rachael Black on

I'm the goddmaned Batman

And with that meme I can only say…

Holy Shit Batman! There are over 269 272 UNOPENED emails still in the inbox. Not counting the ones already opened and unanswered.

What happened to sloth at the holidays? Over-eating to the point of being unable to fit that laptop on your lap?

Oh faithful readers and fabulous writers…. I need time. Just for a few days.

Your intrepid crime fighter had a  molar tooth pulled two days before Christmas, and all things being equal in Gotham City USA -has no dental insurance. It’s true: the Caped Crusader could not afford a root canal, crown and/or bridge and now looks like a crack whore.

ALFRED!!! Where is that ibuprofen you eeeeediot? What? I’ve used the entire 900 pill container? Well fuck it. Where’s that champagne I’ve been saving for New Year’s Eve?  Oh, there’s an ice bucket in the Batmobile.

So my friends, have patience. Replies, avid reading, and potential body detox treatments to follow.

~Toofleth in Weno

aka Mith Arrrr

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me

Posted by Rachael Black on

One of the requirements for accepting the  Most Versatile Blogger Award is to list 10 things no one knows about you. Whoa. What a diversion from the title of this post.

1. Graduated from high school at age 15. Started college at age 14. Graduated with a BFA in Music Performance at age 20.

2. Was known as an idiot in college by acting my age

3. Created, grew and designed a brick and mortar store plus e-commerce site that made me shit loads of money while your kids were in kindergarten. Lost it all by marrying… too many times.

4. Once won a game of Trivial Pursuit, against 6 other players, in a complete drunken black-out. Had no idea I’d actually played the game until informed the next day by the hubby. That would be the first one. Husband, not black out.

5.  My cat cheats at poker. Biatch has opposable dew claws

6. Could live on escargot, fresh french bread, fresh aspraragus and beef tar tare….for life. Will kill. sorry work,  for tasty food.

7. Own more than 10  furs. Fur is not murder. Fur is fucking warm. Mink coat, ermine throw, fox neck-throw, silver fox 3/4 jacket… FUCK YOU PETA. They’re all vintage  but hey I dig ‘em. Did I mention my feelings towards PETA?

8. Daughter has been a vegetarian since age 11

9. My nipple jewelry is WAY cooler than yours

10. Designed and had my only tattoo 18 years ago. Way before any other woman in my town or probably yours. I feel far superior to any ass (literally) with a tramp stamp.

11. (Extra Credit) My humility is only outdone by my size five foot fitting comfortably into my mouth