 The Expressions Forum Index Page <<<Ahead<<< Back To The EQF. >>>Back>>> Sunday, December 30th, 2007 Today is the one year anniversary of the execution of Saddam Hussein. Anyone who knows me personally, or at least has been following my writings for years, knows just why this is a personal issue for me. Saddam's invasion of Kuwait on August 2nd, 1990, put into motion a series of events which would ultimately change the course of my life, forever. Millions of people have been effected by the actions of this person. I am one of those people. Even though he had no direct authority over "me", I ended up being one of the countless, nameless pawns on the chessboard of his ambitions. I have a very strong mixture of emotions about Saddam, what he did, how he lived...his execution... ...what I have had to live with, ever since the 1991 gulf war... I should hate him, and be happy he and his cohorts are dead...and being scheduled to die... ...but, I never encouraged, or actually wanted, death for him...or anyone. When it happened, and it was making the world news...I was merely content that Saddam was no longer able to commit monstrosities against others... ...In fact, I was actually disgusted at the way the actual execution was carried out, and consider it not only incompetent, but a prime example of gross, human indecency. What were those people thinking?...The filming?...The taunting?...People lacking the sophistication of foresight, to understand that this kind of behavior was just throwing gasoline onto the fire? Why were they even allowed to be involved, if they were going to behave like that?...That could have been the catalyst which caused a bloody backlash...and, no doubt, it has garnered more support for Saddam...The reconstructionists, and those who benefited under him, will remember him all the more fondly, and praise him as a heroic icon, because of this. That execution could have easily been a disaster. I am against the death penalty, though...and I think that having Saddam and his men in prison for life, would have probably been sufficient. For me, Saddam's death remains a sad reminder of human failures...and all the terrible things which can come of them, when they occur on a grand scale...so, so many people get hurt...so many get killed. It is a cold, bottomless pit...the place where I filed Saddam's execution...This immense void sustained will never be filled by one million executions of Saddam, over and over and over... ...A dead Saddam wont do anything to help carry the heavy burdens, caused by his own doings. I don't know what else to say about it...but, I thought this was the most proper time to re-post something I wrote, within hours of Saddam's execution... ...That piece follows...
Back To The Index Monday, December 03, 2007 I thought I'd just take a brief moment in time, to give a little history surrounding "Rocky"...My side kick personality around here...who happens to be my computer... Many parts of what you are going to see going up here, at the EQ. Foundation, are bits and pieces of multiple projects. Rocky is one of the more interesting projects, which never saw the light of day...until now. Some of my old sites and pages have gone through substantial changes, and been refocused towards serving a different purpose...as more will...That is why the "RockBot 5000" is now here, as part of the EQF. "Rocky" is informally short for "RockBot 5000"... A few years ago, it was my intention to open an account with live365.com, and start producing a regular, pre-recorded radio show entitled, "The RockBot 5000 Show". It would have centered around classic rock, metal and some pop. Rocky was going to be the host. I even half recorded a few shows...and did a show or two, with both myself and Rocky...even going so far as to "hold a conversation", between "the two of us"...Actually pulling something like that off, is a work of art (and no...I'm not implying I pulled it off, all that well). Well, with all the politics and squabbling going on, surrounding high rate increases, for the right to use commercial music...it eventually soured me on the idea of going forward with this. To me, it just seems like the high power record companies, and larger media companies should quit trying to muscle us smaller people out of the scene. Heck, most of us are not even in it to make money, we will never have more than a small audience...and good grief...for so many of us, it is just a hobby amongst music lovers...not so evil, really... ...but, I digress... I am not made of money, and have to watch my income and outflow closely...plus, doing a regular show is a commitment...something I am still not sure I am up to, at present. Anyway, the whole "radio show" idea went through several changes...I even redesigned my old web page, and recorded a show or two using it's title, "Steve-D's Midnight Zone"...which came off pretty cool, to be entirely honest... Naturally, after I opted not to go with Live365, I started to privately flirt with the idea of recording shows and offering them to one, or both, of the existing online boylove radio stations...Then there was an abrupt exodus from Sure Quality Radio...which I had no insiders information about, but made me pause and think to myself..."Something is going on there, and it is probably not good"...So, I just sort of sat on the fence...and then, two of the main BLs left at SQR, went to jail... ...Wonderful...and then the paranoia slipped back in, as to who could be trusted to just do the work of running this type of resource, and not compromise the security of everybody who got involved with it... ...and BoyTalk Radio...well...they are there for music performed by boys...So, I never quite knew if I even should offer, or not... As things stand, I'm not really interested in pursuing that project...but, maybe later on...Right now, my life is turbulent, and I need to make some serious changes...Get myself out of where I am currently at. So, this isn't even much on my mind, anymore. But, anyway...I just thought I'd "introduce" you to Rocky, by giving you a brief history behind "him". All the best... Steve Diamond Back To The Index November, 2006  Du er ikke alene (1978) I recently had the chance to purchase a copy of the movie, "You Are Not Alone", newly released on DVD. This movie takes us through the story of Bo and Kim, two young boys who fall in love, while at an all male boarding school. This movie has received mixed reviews, even in the boylove community...and, truth be told, this movie shines in one or two regards, while it is sub-standard in other areas. True, it is not an American movie (I believe this one is Dutch), and hence, social differences will be obvious, in what you see on the screen, and how it is presented...but, much about the plot just seems thrown together, in a sloppy manner. For example, the culminating end of the movie, however unique and wonderful it may be, literally comes out of nowhere, story wise...They don't discuss and plot out what they are going to do, they just surprise everyone (including the viewers) with it...and there is nothing to show, what the aftermath of this revelation was. There are several, loose side stories, which are going on around the two main characters, but nothing that is unforgettable (with exception to the, "Sex is wonderful!", humping, little boy...who was a little hottie!). The acting is not great, but is passable...They come off genuine, at the very least. This movie was produced in the 80's, so it is dated...but, frankly, this might be one of it's biggest strengths...since this was well before the moral panic over kids and sexuality took off. They really got away with a lot more, than most people would dare to do today. The times were different...the culture was not American...and this becomes very clear, while watching this movie. The true gems which make this movie shine, are the several intimate scenes between Bo and Kim. These are so beautifully natural and genuine...a few of them may leave you speechless, even. If you watched this movie for nothing more than the scenes with these two boys in them, it would still be a worthwhile way to spend your time. It is beautiful to watch what is going on, even if you never understand a word of the dialog. This is a wonderful movie, about boys discovering love and sexuality...and there are several, really cute boys in this movie. Some highlights: The new DVD has improved subtitles, which are a major plus. The story makes better sense, because of this, even if some of the side plots feel sloppy. If you travel in boylove circles, then you might have herd of the fabled "shower scene" in this movie...Yes, it is a nice watch...It is honest...and I think any boylover will appreciate it. This is a different time, and a different culture...so, homophobia and "personal space violations", are blissfully absent (with exception to a scene or two), which leaves the actors free to do a lot of intimate touching, and interaction. This may be the only movie you ever see, where two young boys (one pre-pubescent, the other post pubescent) embrace in a very passionate kiss, which lasts for several seconds. Ultimately, this is a movie not to be missed. Don't expect a solid storyline...but, do expect plenty enough to please. Addendum: While I think I was mostly fair in this review, in hindsight I can see that I should probably admit that it effects a viewers perception, when they are forced to juggle watching the live action on a screen, with reading dialogue that quickly changes. It can get frustrating (and I used to hate subtitles in movies), especially when you consider how much you miss...You have to watch the movie several times over, before you really start getting to know it well. This, along with cultural differences...and they probably speak a bit faster than I am accustomed to reading...It all contributed, to how I wrote this review. Truth be told, however, "You Are Not Alone" is a true classic, and a very sweet movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you ever get the chance, you should see it. Back To The Index Friday, July 21, 2006 Sometimes, you just wonder what people are thinking, when they do this... ...but, a short while ago, I had the displeasure of watching programming, on one of the conservative, 24 hour news channels....which, will go un-named... "Financial News"...the talking heads appear...a panel of four, along with the host... The topic?..."oil prices, stocks, and how the mid east turmoil is playing a part in it". Quite intriguing...how on the left side of the screen, you have the talking heads, grinning ear to ear, as they are introduced, while on the right side of the screen, you are "treated" to a horrible, video parade, of foreigners who've been shot, or blown half to pieces, being rushed away for medical help, as people scream and cry.... "The middle east has little to do with oil prices...it is China's amazing growth, which is causing oil to skyrocket in price", says one expert....as the rubble of former buildings, are shown... "Trader speculation, means that a lot of people will pull out, every time a scare from the middle east happens....which makes this a great time to pick up on undervalued stocks...This is where the real money is made", says another...as an unconscious, human being is being carried off, in a rush...onlookers crying and screaming... "Sorry you died [or at least had your leg or arm blown off] Ali Habubu"...wouldn't that have been a little appropriate?...I guess not... ..."but, damn this makes good programming!" Faceless people, from the other side of the planet, suffering inhumanities...and it is all fodder for financial wealth gain speculation... I wonder how many of the several people shown, are dead.... I would not appreciate having my own, brutal death, broadcast around the world, and then reduced to...that!... American arrogance....Yeah, I think I can see it... Note: The quoted comments in this post were paraphrased, and are not word for word quotes. They do represent the mood, sentiment and message of the conversation accurately, however. Back To The Index  |