My Love for Chelsea

         While there might not be much in common between myself and Chelsea Handler, I do love her. She has a persona that has people either liking or not with very few in between. I choose to do a post on her because of her new Netflix series/show Chelsea Does.
          To set the stage for those who don't know anything about the series considering it is new to Netlfix, there is a specific topic/theme to each episode that Chelsea focuses on in her own personal life and in general. I don't know when or why it occurred but I adore her and her humor. Ironically, I don't always agree with what she says or her language or even some of the content. It is more about how confident she is and honest about every aspect of her thoughts and actions. I bring this up because of a review that I saw of her new series/show on Variety's website. It brings up the superficial-ness of how she addresses each episodes topic. One in particular being her episode on racism. While it does seem like it would be odd coming from a wealthy white female, she doesn't project that in any way as being the purpose of her episode. A caveat or note to be aware of when watching or listening to her stand-up, remember who she is and how she does her humor. She isn't ashamed of how well off she is but why should she be. She isn't necessarily in the viewers face about it but it is apparent. Anyways, back to the review. I don't agree with the review and I didn't have any notions of what should and shouldn't be in the episodes. The reviewer Maureen Ryan might have had "oh I can't believe this is her approach" or "why isn't she saying this or what makes her think she knows about racism". I guess that can be a reviewers prerogative.
       All I want to say, in a long-winded sort of way, is that if you are to watch this Netflix original to take it as it comes. Honestly there was some parts of the marriage episode that made me uncomfortable and go to far for my viewing tastes. So for those who care, there you go. Also, there are no bleeps or filters. So swearing abounds.
        I love Chelsea Handler and the honest way she sees things. It amazed me the people she was able to set up meetings with. Not to spoil anything but she met with a representative from the Latin American, Muslim, NAACP, American Indian, Asian, and Jewish communities to address her humor about race. She is not shy at all.
        Take it for what you will. This is me and mine and what I think.

Bandwagon

        People! Stop with the 50 shades petitions!! If you are really against the supposed "porn" that is in rated R movies than protest THAT instead of choosing an obvious/popular/easy target. The Loft is more of a misogynist movie than 50 shades. Think before jumping on a bandwagon. It doesn't mean I disagree with the nonsense of "sex sells" but if this particular movie is "porn" how are other rated R movies with "sexual situations" not porn.
      This post by no means justifies making a movie out of an awfully written, unoriginal rip-off erotic novel. I am aware of the story and have read some of the 'novel'. One, there is romance (whether it is a widespread type romance...up to you) in the novel. Two, she is just as much of a consenting adult as the man. Three, he tells her to not be around him or be with him. He warns her off. Take from that what you will. Four, does anyone know much about DBSM? I don't and personally do not want to. And admit to not have read those parts of the book. So I do not pretend to have an opinion. I do however believe in loving equal relationships that express their love through intimacy. Intimacy that isn't just for instant gratification and selfish reasons.

    Anyways, the point being that if you are going to stand up against porn and movies that only sell sex than do it. Don't just say you are against porn when the target is just one of many examples of useless rated R movies that make money by blatant use of sexual situations.

Bandwagons aren't long lived rides and aren't always lead by honest guides. Just figure out your own opinion and act how you will.

Everything to Everything

I am starting to really enjoy the title to my blog. My twitter account holds the same title but for character limitations it is EverythingtoEve. Interesting huh? I am falling for this name! It is kind of fortuitous or coincidental considering how my feminist nature and side of me is growing. Everything to Eve. My title is to cover my back since I have an opinion on just about everything...hence everything to everything... but I am tempted to adjust for the accidental brilliance of my twitter handle.
Hmm choices and possibilities....

So What is Going On?

      I saw this on Huffington Post and wasn't all that surprised since every news channel says the same thing over and over again without really giving any real information.

Learn More From Colbert Than Actual "News"

Also, Arne Duncan the Secretary of Education for our United States tweeted:
  "Great teaching rather than test prep will always help our students be most successful. Challenge the status quo if necessary." @ARNEDUNCAN

       Interesting coming from a supporter of Common Core implementation in schools. Feel free to look of up the standards of Common Core and what it means but it has increased standardized testing. Also, if students don't do as well as they are supposed to on the tests then the schools won't get funding or will get a bad "grade" and the school suffers. Not just because of Common Core but also the No Child Left Behind Act.
This is my logic:

• Teachers need to focus more on standardized test to make sure students pass.
• Teachers don't have as much time to help students gain skills to become learners instead of mesmerizers.
• What do students really get out of school? Do the tests really represent a prepared student for college?
• Teachers spend the time the students need on the subjects and material that will aid students to become learners and understand material.
• Students might not get the scores "desired" on standardized tests that are required.
• School doesn't look like it is successful.
• School could get a bad "grade".
• Teachers get fired and school is reorganized.
• New teachers and faculty put in till the school's grade does better.
• Will the constant change be good for students?
• Are the priorities really in the right place for students?
• Who really gets shafted in this situation?
• Teachers and students!

    Honestly, new teachers that have been coming into schools want to improve the classroom and be a good influence on the kids they teach. There are schools that are having trouble and students who get the brunt of being on the "wrong-side" of the tracks. But, it is up to the states to decide such things. Sadly, the Federal Government has been encroaching on the states powers. They could oversee and help support states in their initiative to help their schools be better but not put forth their own legislation. But I encourage whoever reads this to make up their own mind and take action.

Frustrated Parent on Common Core

I don't know if apathy drives conformity or just trust in the government but we as a people are allowed to speak up and direct government to do the right thing. I honestly want to trust the government but alas sometimes things get off balance.

What Can I Say?

I really don't know what to say or how to say it. How does one feel heard in this media connected world where there is so much noise? How does anyone make a difference? I could list off the things that I am not such as a celebrity or a person who has money to spare to get my voice heard but I won't. I can read and write and speak and walk. Even at this hour at night/in the morning I wrote to both political party sites to express my concern with the complete separation there seems to be between what the government officials do and what the people want. I also added that the parties have become way too big. As an entity, they have too much power. The power belongs with the people and we decide who we want in office and how we want to be governed without feeling the majority gets to make all the decisions. Hence political parties. Political parties aren't a part of the being fabric of our country and government. The founding fathers did talk about parties in the system as a way of preventing ruling factions. Ruling factions were a big problem even after the constitution was ratified by the states. Anyways, beyond the history there is the present and the future. 

I am more thoughts about how to at least feel like I am trying to make a difference for good. It is completely overwhelming and self defeating to keep reminding myself of how my efforts probably won't matter or get through to top people. Or how there are too many causes/problems to be able to fix them all! (yes I feel the need to have things in control) So it calms me down to know that I can make a difference on a smaller level. Town meetings can be very informative and it is a place you will be heard in. People are more liable to listen and stay listening when I have sought out and became informed about the issues. I am still working on that. But that is a post for another day at a random time like this one. Starting a petition and going door to door works surprisingly well. Odds are people don't know what bills have been passed or what is going on! For instance, Common Core is program of sorts that most states are passing...One I don't remember voting. Two, why are we trying to mainstream information we teach kids in schools. I want to be a teacher and I want to be able to teach and have a point to my future job. This defeats the purpose of seeking learning and innovation, creativity, enhancement and everything else for students and schools. Yes there is some good intentions behind this federal government implementation. Yes the federal government that has no constitution power for education. Basically, if it isn't specifically said to be a federal government responsibility it is automatically a state's. 

Well, what can I say? It is a tough world out there to stand out and be heard and respected for them. It is okay to be respectful to those who disagree and to be respectful when disagreeing. It is easy to tell whether or not a person really wants something to work but how they respond to opposition. Not as easy as it sounds!!!! Hint is to wait before really deciding on the responses given. I hope to have some sort of response to share from my first attempts at getting my concerns out there. 

Edwin Krumeich's Head Stone

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=KRU&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=36&GScntry=4&GSsr=1561&GRid=81059465&

Peter Dinklage

  What a hilarious personality?! Peter Dinklage is an actor that many are familiar with in the fantasy drama of Game of Thrones. He is brilliant and an Emmy award winner in that role and has more to him than his serious whits. He has comedic whits as well. I have seen him in Death at a Funeral and in other fantasy dramas like Chronicles of Narnia but nothing could prepare me for how quick this man truly is when up to bat with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show.

                                                                                  Peter Dinklage on The Daily Show
The point! The world should know better of what his skills truly entail. Alas, Peter Dinklage and whoever his agent is tease us with only giving us 5 min glimpses of his comedic talents. Such as his most recent appearance on a mainstream channel for a cameo on SNL.

                                                             Sorry for the poor quality. Peter Drunklage and Drunk Uncle on SNL
Even more to the point! Mr Peter Dinklage must and should be on a future episode of SNL as HOST! With his personality and the crazy popular shows he is now starring in, Dinklage would be the honest real talent SNL needs to maintain. No more Lindsey Lohan or other Sunday morning headlines talking about the next week's set of skit failures on SNL the previous night. It might just be that they haven't or couldn't come up with something good enough yet. Well, to that I say, let Peter Dinklage just improv(e) it. Is there a reason why every skit the actors/comedians can't handle looking away from the prompter? Yes some are still so clever and funny but news anchors have more presence reading off a prompter than how some of the skits work out on SNL. Or now that Jimmy Fallon is making his way to the top as a talk show host he can right a skit for them here and there.

Anyways, Peter Dinklage and SNL need and should merge. Even if they can't come up with a script good enough his popularity from Game of Thrones will bring in the viewers. Hopefully, the viewers will understand that it isn't Mr Dinklage's fault if the skits aren't that great.

Before I get too ranty, just remember that good hosts are very helpful at making a good show. So vote Peter Dinklage.