The apocalyptic siren song that is Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"

While stuck in bed earlier this month recovering from the flu, my husband surprised me by coming in and handing me a copy of The Road, by Cormac McCarthy.

"This is a perfect time to read this" he said.

Now, don't ask me why anyone would hand someone they love a story about the end of the world. Especially someone coughing up a lung from H1N1, but, what can I say? That's just one of the bizarre little quirks which passes for true love around here.

Quite reluctantly I began reading this, quite sure that given the bleak nature of the story combined with our entire family getting Swine Flu, was simply going to ensure this book ended up in the literary graveyard that is my side of my bed until a sunnier day. However, much to my surprise, I immediately fell under the spell of The Road. It was quite simply, impossible to put down, whether or not I was feverish and coughing. My husband knows me so well.

So, now that I'm almost done with the novel, I find I'm procrastinating having to turn those final few pages. As sad and desolate as the story was, it is just as equally as life-affirming and mysterious.

So, I've decided to encourage others to crack open this book before the movie (Same title) opens in too many more theaters across the country and people forget that Hollywood only came after a true artist composed this beautiful work of fiction.

(Note: I just noticed I misspelled a word in the earlier graph. It reads much differently now, once I changed the word "composted" to "composed.")

In fact, right now I've become so accustom to stepping inside McCarthy's vision of a future which is bleaker than I thought possible, and yet, here I am dragging out the finish of reading it all because now everything about this story has become powerfully imprinted on my mind and, oddly, also on my heart, as well.

This is not a story I care to part with.



The Road is one of those rare books that sneaks up on you and pulls you in so deeply to the world it describes that you cannot tell where the writer is anymore. The tale is telling it's own story and you are one with it. It appears to be about death and destruction, but is also about hope and humanity. It is actually a love story: A love story about parental love, to be exact. And the kind of goodness children are all innately born with, and so hard to crush.

I went online to see what others have said about this novel, and the man who wrote it and found only one interview with McCarthy which was, naturally, with Oprah.

So, today, I started to poke around the internet to find some "Road" related treasures to post with this piece to help illuminate just some of what is so unique and haunting about this wonderful story. And, hidden beneath countless postings of YouTube video clips from "the original movie trailers" of The Road.

However, this one music video was the one I really felt captured the essence of the book so well. He calls the video "ambient" music based on the novel using stills from the film. It works for me.

(see video below for "Eternal Ash")




And so, if you are looking for a book that you'll never forget, then I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. I can't promise the tale will be as warm cozy as "A Dog Named Christmas," but would you even want it to be?


UPDATE TO THIS POST:

FINALLY FINISHED "THE ROAD"

I was sitting in a waiting room the other day when told "the doctor will be running late" so I pulled out my copy of "The Road" and decided to finish it.

At the time I assumed that being stuck in a crowded waiting room would be an appropriate time to concentrate on the writing and finally relish on finishing it.

As I turned the last beautiful, heartbreaking pages of McCormac's novel, something unexpected happened.

I began bawling my eyes out.

I tried not to, but the book is so piercingly moving that there was nothing to be done. Tears streamed down my face. I sobbed. People nudged each other. I couldn't stop.

A woman reading a paperback in a crowded waiting room sitting between a fake Christmas tree and a empty magazine rack was quietly sobbing and wiping tears from her eyes. And it was me.

When my doctor's nurse finally came to get me she apologized for the long wait and dubiously asked me if I was "okay." No, clearly, I was not, but what I told her was this;

"No, it's not about the wait. It's about finally finishing the saddest book in the world in a crowded waiting room at USC Norris Cancer Center, that's why I'm a mess. But, it really was a beautiful book."

Lady Gaga "unplugged"

Vintage Lady Gaga.

I am grateful for people with talent!

The only thing annoying about this clip are the show hosts...

Louise's big gay bus ride!

This weekend I kissed my husband and kids goodbye to go on a long awaited date with the one and only Prince Gomolvilas (of the always fabulous blog, Bamboo Nation) for a one-of-a-kind bus tour: "Out And About Tours," a unique trek through Los Angeles’ LGBT history, all viewed from the upper tier of a double-decker bus.

How cool is that?

*Note: To read more about our date, be sure to read about it on The Bilerico Report, here.

The tour was everything it promised to be plus an ice cold drink and a bag of chips!

This first ever GLBT history tour of Los Angeles is a non-stop giddy whirlwind of laughs, jeers and cheers all spirited along by an attractive team of actors and tour guides who brought to life the many tales and facts woven together by the talented creator of the tour, founder Jim Anzide.

The trip was a whirlwind flight through the City of Angels, a journey that happened to be chock full of laughs, and stories that will stay with me forever.

Cruising east down Santa Monica Boulevard one of the first places we came to was Barney’s Beanery which I recognized right away since it just happens to be where I had my first date with my now husband. Unfortunately, in the past it turns out that Barney's used refuse to serve members of the gay and lesbian community by displaying a charming sign that stating “Fagots-Stay Out.” (Jeers and boos were encouraged here)

Apparently this outed them not only for being bigots, but also being grammatically challenged. (Barney’s, by the way, is where my husband and I had our first date, unfortunately, in light of the intolerance once practiced there.)

We then passed several other lively establishments including the lesbian bar (called "Peanuts") that was responsible for bring the world the phrase "Lipstick Lesbian." See? I never knew that.

Soon after we passed several other sites of "jeers and cheers," we then approached a certain corner in Hollywood where Prince and I were chosen to act out a scene based on Eddie Murphy’s infamous late-night pick-up of transsexual Atisone Seuli. I'll let you ponder who played who in the scene, but I will say it was an Oscar worthy moment for both of us.

As it turns out, Out & About Tours is the first and only gay bus tour to provide an educational yet always entertaining look at LGBT history in and around Los Angeles. The tour is open to anyone 21 years of age and older. Whether you’re a straight local or a gay tourist, everyone will get something special and memorable from the tour.

On a personal note, I didn't feel silly for not knowing that much to start with about local gay history. Almost right away I could see that our lovely and animated tour guides would bring me up to speed by holding up clever signs that said "Cheers!" or "Jeers!" along the way as well as including a few handy gestures to employ throughout the trip a la “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

As I mentioned earlier, our guides were a lively and entertaining crew who peppered the trip with colorful scenes and monologues throughout the trip. We learned plenty of gossip, gossip, gossip as well as many moving tales of struggle and triumph as the gay and lesbian community fought for civil rights throughout the years.

I had no idea the Los Angeles Police Department were quite so doggedly brutal for quite so many years. A pretty shameful legacy, I must say. Or that even women could be arrested (and then harassed by the police) merely for not dressing in a more "lady-like" fashion. What?!

So, for instance, if you didn't wear a dress like Betty Draper you might get hauled down to the police station for it and harassed for not appearing feminine. This means we've come a long way, baby, but clearly just not quite far enough.

In any event, there was never a dull moment as we cruised high up in our very jaunty big red bus all the way to Silver Lake and then to downtown Los Angeles.

We passed through historic Olvera Street where we learned that the first settlers in this area were Native Americans who historically had always given those who were "different" an honorable place in their community. In fact, they even had a ceremony during tribe members teen years celebrating their individual choice of identification should they desire.

Which I thought this was a very handy thing to know what with Thanksgiving just around the corner.

As I said, we passed all through the city all and we even stopped for cocktails at a wonderfully dark and swishy piano bar called The Other Side. Here we could redeem pink tickets issued at the start of the trip for a lovely cocktail, or two and even belt out a tune or two at the piano.

If only I'd known we were going to sing so I could have brushed up a few show tunes for the trip! Prince was right; one should never be without a memorized song or two!

On the way back we travelled up and past the famously seedy Hollywood and Vine and took in a view of some entertaining riff-raff there before heading back home to the beginning of the tour.

Later, after the bus ride ended Prince and I chatted about our wonderful tour for a piece written for The Bilerico Project which you can read right here.

After our lovely day, we also strolled around the corner to a wonderful local restaurant called Tender Greens, located at 8759 Santa Monica Blvd. to decompress and relax over lovingly prepared local produce. It was a perfect accompaniment and close to an entertaining and educational afternoon aboard the big red bus.

The mortal danger of being Paula Dean

Yesterday, right before drifting off the sleep came a report on CNN
.... Paula Dean was hit in the face with a ham.
-- I sat up in bed. --
Did I really hear that right?
Is this a David Letterman sketch?
Didn't I hear this sort-of thing before?

Yes, apparently she was handing out free hams and someone decided to throw one back to her.

Oops! But, why did this still sound so familiar to me?

Ah, yes...Then I remembered when Kathy Griffin, of My Life on the D-List, when she also whipped Paula in the face with "a switch."

No, really. In the face. She did that.

I'm not kidding.

Y'all just have to stop hitting Paula in the face all the time.

Kathy Griffin is bringing her holiday show to town!

What?!  

OMG!  How did I not know my favorite female comic was coming to town?  I have got to get a ticket to see her!

So, how come this vanilla, married mother of two adores the outspoken, wicked Kathy Griffin so much?    

Because Kathy's brave and funny and not afraid of taking on the school yard bully, that's why.  In this case, the school yard bully happens to be the shameful legislation known as "Prop 8."  

In case you missed it before, I had the honor of guest blogging for The Bilerico Report regarding a particular episode of Kathy Griffin's show "My Life On The D-List" which aired, July 27th, on Bravo, (Episode 8, Season 5) when she took on a more serious tone than usual.  

That particular show started off with a declaration of war on the California Supreme Court's decision on the constitutionality of Prop 8 and followed her as she marched to Sacramento on the eve of California Supreme Court's decision on this.

What can I say?  There are so many reasons to love Kathy Griffin.  She's quick, she's honest and she's a survivor.  

And also because she is a fellow straight chick who isn't afraid to say "You mess with the gays, you mess with me!"

That's my kind of girl!

Happy Birthday! (sing it twice to get the germs off)

In honor of those born today (and tomorrow)

I celebrate you in song and germ warfare.

Happy Birthday!

-- to George, Jennie & Susan!

We finally all the got the (Swine) flu, here.

I had a vaccine, but I guess when everyone around you has it, you're going to get it, anyway.  I mean, it was an act of the purest optimism to think that I would avoid the flu given that the day I got vaccinated both my husband and daughter came down with it.

It took 6 days for the bug to work it's magic on me, and now I've got it.

Today, I went in and tested positive for H1N1, even though I didn't have a fever at the time.

For some reason this seemed to surprise the doctor.  I don't know why, I explained the three other people I live with also have it.

So, within one week and it got every one of us.

I still think the vaccine is useful, but apparently it takes a long time for it to kick in.  In the end, it didn't help me much after all.

By the time I was home today from the clinic I'd hit 102 and was sneezing more than I ever have in my life.

Oh, well.  Thank God for TCM and motrin and kleenex and great nurses in this ward.

By they way -- Courtesy of the wonderful website, Crooks and Liars, I found an interesting video from the Today Show pretty much turning former CDC estimates about Swine Flu mortality in the US upside down.  In this video we learn that the CDC is now stating that the Swine flu has killed nearly 4,000 people in the US, including 540 children, whereas previous estimated death tolls from the H1N1 virus in the US were at 672.


Oops.

I didn't come up with the title of this even if they were posted in the time of Swine Flu.

Click here to view an amazing collection  of vintage Halloween photographs from over the years.  

They're a remarkable assortment of images some of which have a very Diane Arbus quality to them.

Thanks to stevechasmar and his amazing work on Flickr

Halloween in the Time of Cholera

Who is worried about the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine the most? Chicken Little, or The Little Red Hen?

 -- Or, The H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine.  Is it really safe, or not?  -- 

Swine Flu advice from an occasional "Chicken Little:"

Okay, so the truth is, I really do try to keep an open mind to all things alternative and natural.

I try to not be a pharmaceutical lemming jumping over the cliff with whatever "new drug" treatment is being offered simply because I'm being told to.  I've learned the hard way to research things first.

I really do understand that there are safe and helpful drugs and bad ones which have been rushed to the market and have caused harm.  It's a major problem.  

But, not all drugs are dangerous, medications are harmful and all western medicine is corrupt. 

All ask is that people keep and open mind about the Swine Flu and make a wise decision.


That's why, when I heard there was a city flu clinic last weekend,
I stood in line for hours with hundred's of others
and was actually was one of the lucky ones who got the flu vaccine.  


Yes.  The H1N1 shot.  


Why?  Well, I have a pre-existing condition , so
I was one of the lucky ones.  I got the flu shot.


Now, everyone in the house has the flu, except me.   
And, I feel a bit conflicted about that.
But, the truth is, if we want a vaccine
then we should be able to have one.

Someone has to make all that chicken soup for others.


What astounds me is that not everyone wants to by vaccinated.  
I find that, well, interesting.

But, when I got the email today from a "Dr. Mercola" who actually posted a "funny video" about the flu vaccines, I saw red.

Here's a link to this guy's website, suggesting that the vaccine is dangerous and is the equivalent of just spewing mucus into a blender and adding frog preservatives.  People have died from this flu.  

Yeah, right now with so many people sick, I don't think this is so funny.

My husband just pointed out this was posted by Jim Carrey.
Both Carrey and Bill Maher think vaccines are a bad idea.


I think we all should make up our own minds.

So, I just wanted to take a moment to suggest people not waste

too much time arguing over the safety of vaccines right now.


This isn't a time to sit around too long to debate this.


I'm hardly suggesting anyone panic, but the germs are here,
so it's best to make a choice about that and own it. 

--- Yours Truly,  

The Little Red Hen, 

By the way -- You remember who the Little Red Hen was, right?  

The Little Red Hen was that hardworking pain in the ass
poultry who worked hard so that she would have provisions
in place during the long, cold winter.  

Meanwhile, all the lazy animals made fun of her

while they were loafing off, but then later on
when it was cold they realized they should been more like
like the Red Hen, and then, boy, were they ever sorry.

It's kind of a boring kids story, really, isn't it?

Who cares about a humorless, do-gooder chicken? I don't.

Sorry for all the children's story metaphors, 

but I just trying to make a point that I think it's
a mistake to confuse the actions of Chicken Little
with that of, well, The Little Red Hen, right now.

And as tedious and frustrating as it is to have to wait
for the flu shots to arrive. I think it's wise to be persistent.
I think it's good to have someone vaccinated to make soup.

In my opinion, better to risk looking like Chicken Little and acting
like The Little Red Hen, as long as it keeps us healthy.

Fallen Princesses

MEDITATION ON THE MODERN DAY PRINCESS

Snow White

Given that I am the mother of two girls living not far from the real Disneyland, Dina Goldstein's project just struck a nerve with  me.

I encourage you to take a look at how this artist looks at fairy tales with a modern twist. 

I doubt you'll think of Disney princesses, the same way, again.

FALLEN PRINCESSES

The Project

Fallen Princesses

By Dina Goldstein

8 Jun 2009

These works place Fairy Tale characters in modern day scenarios. In all of the images the Princess is placed in an environment that articulates her conflict. The '...happily ever after' is replaced with a realistic outcome and addresses current issues.

The project was inspired by my observation of three-year-old girls, who were developing an interest in Disney's Fairy tales. As a new mother I have been able to get a close up look at the phenomenon of young girls fascinated with Princesses and their desire to dress up like them. The Disney versions almost always have sad beginning, with an overbearing female villain, and the end is predictably a happy one. The Prince usually saves the day and makes the victimized young beauty into a Princess.

As a young girl, growing up abroad, I was not exposed to Fairy tales. These new discoveries lead to my fascination with the origins of Fairy tales. I explored the original brothers Grimm's stories and found that they have very dark and sometimes gruesome aspects, many of which were changed by Disney. I began to imagine Disney's perfect Princesses juxtaposed with real issues that were affecting women around me, such as illness, addiction and self-image issues.

READ MORE HERE...

Reality TV star is not here to make friends...