A while back, I posted about Alan Cumming's new fragrance.

Today, I saw the new commercial for Cumming, The Fragrance. I must admit it's a little camp but I thought you might like to see it. (Warning... there is a little nudity involved... but what else would you expect from Mr. C)

Wow. I just read the most bizarre news of a tornado in Birmingham! Who would have thought it possible?

It's too bloody hot today. No energy to post...

However, I wanted to say that, if you are using an air conditioner, that you might want to think about turning it off. The other night I watched a news report that talked about how increased air conditioner use was actually exacerbating the problem...

PS. Does anyone out there know what happened to Rasmus of Acute.cut? I think either he is really in love or has been kidnapped by a cult...

I'm going to try really hard to fulfill my dream to go on a "date" with Patrick Stewart.

He is - or soon will be - in town filming the next X-Men film... I think he is so sexy!

I just realized that next Wednesday will be my 42nd birthday. Time certainly does fly...

Does anybody out there remember the song "How Soon is Now" by the Smiths?

I heard this in a bookstore today... It brought me back to that time in my life where I had been looking for some meaning... all the while having great hair and awesome shoes...

In light of my post a few days ago, I thought that I would include this news item in which results of a poll were published regarding the sentiment surrounding Muslims living in the UK. It appears that at least two-thirds of Muslims living there have considered leaving the UK after the bombings in London. It's sad really.

What I read from this is not just the feelings of the Muslim population there but of those non-Muslim citizens living in the UK. It appears that some Britons are in denial that there is anti-Muslim sentiment there. It is silly to admit that this doesn't exist because it exists in every country of the world. It doesn't just apply one culture or religion.

I was talking with a woman on the bus yesterday about the movie Crash of which I wrote about in an earlier post. It discusses how racism isn't just a "white" issue and it really brought things to light.

Anyway, I was also thinking that this poll in the Guardian reminded me of all of the Americans who wanted to come to Canada after that idiot south of the border got re-elected. It's sad. When people don't feel supported, the first thing they consider is leaving. It just seems easier...

I am not sure what the answers to this issue are. Part of me just thinks that I should stop looking at the news. Maybe in my ignorance of world issues presented by the media that will give it whatever spin they like would do me a world of good.

But then, I realize that these issues of fear, injustice and racism aren't going to go away unless they are addressed.

Anyone out there got any answers?

It's really funny not having a television or computer access at the house. I have yet to be driven insane by the lack of that media driven distraction and don't see insanity in my near future. I've worked on some of the many "projects" that I have had accumulate over the last couple of years as well as spending more time cooking.

It's also nice because it is summer...

One of my projects is putting together a new showing of some of my photographs. It's been a tremendous amount of work and at great cost (developing and framing are pretty expensive) but it's so freeing to have an outlet for creativity.

I am also so thankful that the restaurant is allowing me to hang my stuff up there. They are such kind people and I appreciate them so much! Thank you to all of the people there. If anyone is thinking of visiting this city (Victoria, BC) anytime soon, please let me know and I will tell you where you can get the best Chinese food in the city!

Well, had better get back to it.

Have a great day everyone!

Did someone out there call my mobile from Las Vegas over the weekend? At 2:30 am?

Stupid me... I left the damned thing on and it woke me up when it rang...

I was wondering how much time would pass before something like this would happen. It seems like a Pakistani man was beaten to death by youth in Nottingham and the attack was based on "Islamophobia". What really ires me is that the police call it racially motivated and not fear of Islam. What a pile of crap!

These youth even yelled "Taliban" before they beat this man to death!

I was talking to a bus driver on my way to work today that said that one day he was driving his route when a man of perhaps middle eastern or south asian descent got on a bus with a big package. He said one of his first thoughts was that this "visible minority" person had a package and that for a while all he could think of was what was in the box. Was it an explosive device? I was devastated to hear this as I thought that my city was more aware than that. Is every person of colour now doomed to suspicion?

In another bus-related incident here, there were a group of Spanish-speaking students on my bus home the other day. They were chatting up this group of cute Canadian girls that happened to speak Spanish. Suddenly, they turned to look at a Sikh man on the bus and said "Taliban, Taliban, Taliban". They were laughing. I was disgusted that this had happened. I don't know if the man heard them. As they didn't appear to speak English well, I suppose they didn't understand my comment of disgust. That made me even more angry.

This reminds me of a story I heard from a young Iranian student that I know. He said that he is constantly having to explain to people that he is just an average person and not a terrorist. This young man is the nicest person that you could know and he wouldn't hurt a fly. It angers me that this happens.

Now, I don't live in a big, cosmopolitan city so there is little chance of a huge terrorist act happening here. So, why are people so insensitive and untrusting? Because of a few assholes blowing things up, people who aren't white are targeted as terrorists. It just pisses me off!

I suggest that we all just get over ourselves. I don't support terrorist activities and I don't condone what has happened lately. However, I also believe that much of this terrorist stuff comes from those who feel that they have been bullied by someone more powerful or at least more obnoxious. If it's our time, then nothing can stop it. Death is the natural result of life.

I have said this before, if we want to get rid of terrorism, we have to stop bullying on ALL levels. Let's face it, children learn this behaviour from someone and I can guess that parents do not openly tell their offspring to bully people. I am guessing that they learn it from example. I wish that we would all learn that the "do as I say but not as I do" way of teaching does not work. Not for children and certainly not for countries that attempt to set an example for the rest of the world. Children who are bullies grow up to be adults who bully.

I'd better stop now before my head explodes.

Have a great weekend everyone.

And, could you remember something for me? Just because someone is a different colour from us or has some other belief, it does not make them evil. If they live in your country and don't speak the same language as you, don't assume that they are talking about you or planning some sort of terrorist act. If you have lived in another country where the language is different from your own, you would know that it's not easy to give up your native language.

Call it a favour for me...

Let's face it, sure, there are assholes in every culture but it doesn't mean that everyone from that culture are the same...

Does anyone out there know, without looking it up, what the capital of Uzbekistan is?

I discovered this today and yes, I had to look it up...

It appears that NASA's comet experiment has gone one step further in upsetting the balance of nature. It has totally upset a Russian astrologer's life and spiritual values. She is so devastated that she will be suing NASA for $300 million US for disturbing the natural balance.

I first heard this on the radio over the weekend and then heard commentary from the announcer about how humans have been screwing with nature since the beginning of their time and why should we worry about it now. It was our nature as beings to screw things up. He also said that if she could sue NASA, he should just get out and sue all of those people who drive cars and use their computers for ruining the environment. I was fuming at this.

Sure, this woman sounds a bit strange but in the big picture of things, it isn't the right of humans to destroy the earth. And maybe someone SHOULD sue all of those people for reducing my quality of life. After all, their activities screw up the planet as well. The possibilities are endless! The world might be a better place for everyone.

My point is this. People like this announcer should take SOME responsibility for what they say. Why perpetuate the idea that humans can take and use whatever they want? It's not a right to destroy something so integral to our own existance.

I'm afraid that I don't have much time now but really wanted to quickly post that I am still around, although it looks like I am not.

I have been looking after a friend's place and have surprised myself at how well I have adjusted to having no tv or computer access. It actually has give me some time to get some of the many projects done (or at least started) that have been sitting around for eons. By the end of the summer, I hope to have completed them all!

I will post more later but really just wanted to appear to be present in blogland...

Have a great week!