Come On Up And Make Me Smile

Erasure's new single "Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)" is due out in the UK on April 7th and May 6th for North America. I think this is the best song from their latest album. I've noticed that they have been including a mix called "Manhattan Clique Extended Mix" on their singles for this album. Very interesting mixes. They take pieces from previous Erasure songs and include them in that song. I love it, even tho it's not the most gracious of remixes. (Of course, me being the Erasure junkie would love ANYTHING.)

So I was visiting erasureinfo.com today to see what was happening in the erasure world and I was hit with a WATCH THE VIDEO. Garden Gnomes. Leiderhosen. And some weird mask thing. Are they on crack? (Is this what happens when you get old?)

I Just Hate You . . . And I Hate Your Ass Face!

I watched Waiting for Guffman (again) tonite. I've seen that movie so many times, and it just makes me laugh so hard!!! My special award for the evening, however, goes to the multi-talented Catherine O'Hara.

She's been in a huge list of movies -- most of which I've never heard of before. Loved her in Beetlejuice. Hated her in Home Alone. And who knew that she was the voices of Sally and the little trick-or-treat girl (what was her name?) in Nightmare Before Christmas! I realized that after playing Kingdom Hearts on PS2 and watching the credits.

Anyway, I think Catherine O'Hara is a brilliant actress -- and if I could be a woman at this moment, I would want to be her. She apparently is starring in a movie that comes out this year called "A Mighty Wind." Might be good. Might be shit. Guess we'll just have to see. :)

Deep Fried Twinkies

Yes, tis true. I found a recipe for that perfect treat that will suit any college freshman: Deep Fried Twinkies. The recipe follows. (It's late, I'm REALLY bored, and still coughing.) (Oh, I found this too. Someone with more time on their hands than me.

For Twinkies:
6 Twinkies
Popsicle sticks
4 cups vegetable oil
Flour for dusting

For batter:
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Chill or freeze Twinkies for several hours or overnight.

Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in deep fryer to about 375 degrees.

To make batter: Mix together milk, vinegar and oil. In another bowl, blend flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk wet ingredients into dry and continue mixing until smooth. Refrigerate while oil heats.

Push stick into Twinkie lengthwise, leaving about 2 inches to use as a handle, dust with flour and dip into the batter. Rotate Twinkie until batter covers entire cake. Place carefully in hot oil. The Twinkie will float, so hold it under with a utensil to ensure even browing. It should turn golden in 3 to 4 minutes. Depending on the size of your deep fryer, you might be able to fry only one at a time, two at the most.

Remove Twinkie to paper towel and let drain. Remove stick and allow Twinkie to sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 6.

Variation: Slice Twinkie into 4 pieces. Flour and batter each before frying. With this treatment, one Twinkie will serve two people if accompanied by a sauce.

Everyday A Little Death . . .

Had an interesting trip to Forest Park East today. That would be the name of the funeral home I interviewed at. I get there (looking fabulous as ever) and am greeted by the VERY pregnant receptionist. She looked very out of place, and I kept thinking "god, the smell in the place would drive me crazy." It SO smelt like old people. And not that good kind of old people. Like . . .an old folks home -- cleaner, weird air freshener, oh, and of course, death.

So I'm interviewed by an older gentleman . . . and I kept stairing at his hair. It was extremely greasy and looked oddly wirey. The more he talked, the more I knew I DIDN'T want to work there. I had to make $30,000 (yes, that's not a typo) in sales per WEEK. If not, I'd be put on probation, and then released if it was not rectified. 50+ hours a week. $30,000 a year.

Two words.

Not impressed.

I mean, god -- the funeral industry is SUCH a dead market . . . *slaps knee*

ok, ok -- no boo-ing. Sorry, bad joke.

Needless to say -- I'm NOT going to take this position. Sorry. I'm not THAT desparate.

BUT I have another interview tomorrow -- and it's my 2nd interview, which is a good thing. It's at 2pm. It's odd hours, but shouldn't be as bad as death row.

AND -- I start school tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!

6 Feet Under . . . and STILL Unemployed

Yay! I had an interview today! And it was seriously the interview from HELL. It was with a placement agency for a position to design PowerPoint presentations. Kind'a a no-brainer job, I thought.

I do my *initial* interview and she likes me. Ushers me to the front desk and hands me 3 trees worth of paper to fill out. After filling out all that (and having such an enjoyable time) it came time to take my skills tests. This is what I was unprepared for.

I had FIVE tests to take. One for each of the following: PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Spelling, and a Typing Test. The first three took 45 minutes EACH. And they were HARD!! I was like MS Office is NOT this complicated, people. Who actually uses all these features? Some of the stuff I'd never even heard of. So I take my tests. Ended up with a 68% in both PowerPont and Excel and an 85% in Word. She was evaluating me afterwards and she said "wow, these are pretty impressive. Those tests are really hard so we can see just what sort of skills you really have. I'd rate you as Advanced Intermediate for PowerPoint and Excel and DEFINITELY Advanced for Word."

Spelling was 85%. And I typed 75 words per minute with 2 errors. Not bad. :)

So I'm driving home -- and I get a phone call -- I have ANOTHER interview TOMORROW morning at 10am. With a funeral home. They want me to do SALES!!! "Hi, my name is Michael. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. Can I interest you in this $4500 oak coffin? Or perhaps this $1200 lawn ornament in which to store your beloved's ashes." This should be an AMAZING interview.

Anyway, I got a call later this afternoon from the placement agency saying that the company I was applying for wants to interview me as well on Thursday. So that's a good thing! Everybody keep your various body parts crossed for me so that I may be taken off unemployment!!!

Have To Believe She Is Magic . . .

For those of you who have been kind of enough to still read my postings from blog-infancy, you will remember I purchased a cd by a group called "Conjure One." I said they were "eh, ok."

I was wrong.

They are utterly fabulous. Support them. Love them. Obsess over them. Help them feel where the love is. Then maybe they'll release a sequel album. The sound? Well, it's sort'a ambient pop. The main guy in the group (name slips my mind) is also involved in Delerium. Also fantastic. I'm including "Tears From The Moon" -- a great song with vocals by Sinead O'Conner.

What do you think? Anyone have any other great recommendations? Joelle already suggested Ivy.

Link Meets the Powerpuff Girls

As I'm sure everyone is aware *snicker* the new Legend of Zelda comes out tomorrow for the Nintendo Gamecube. (Ya know, one thing I never really understood . . . why is the game called Legend of Zelda when we typically rarely see Zelda because the damn girl keeps getting captured by some Ganon Re-incarnate. Why not call it The Legend of Link?) Anyway, as you can see by the artwork, Link has gone Powerpuff. I think it's rather amusing to see, truthfully, and the gameplay looks to be just like your playing a real cartoon. That's kind'a fun.

There's a video review of it on IGN that you should definitely check out if you like the series and are un-edumacated. It's a 28mb quicktime movie. The review rated the game a 9.6. Not bad. Said it's one of the best games for Gamecube thus far.

I'll be the judge of that, thank you.

For Joelle . . .

This is for you, girl. One of the songs I'm dusting off again because it's just too good not to share. You like Yann Tiersen?

Out of Frustration . . .

I'll state outright that most of you should skip this post because this will be my outlet for the next few minutes while I vent out my feelings of inadequacy, frustration, self-loathing, and illness.

It's 1:30 a.m. I can't sleep. I keep coughing for starters -- thank god for these Hall's menthol cough drops. But my mind is constanty rolling the same thoughts round and round. These reasons are a good part of my frustration . . .

1.) I was told tonite that T. is rather pissed at me because of something I said.
Mind you, he wouldn't tell me (of course) what it was that I said to cause offense, only that I "rubbed him the wrong way." I can't even remember the last time I talked to T. -- The thing is -- I'm an extremely easy-going person. I don't handle confrontation easy. I am a fountain of tact when it comes to handling people. In fact, people come to me asking advice. I NEVER do anything to cause contention. (Well, apparently I do.) Anyway -- why doesn't he talk to me? Why do I have to hear this from everyone else? I HATE drama like this.

And with my patience-level being what is it given the circumstances . . .I'm really tempted to throw my hands to Jesus, give a graceful bow, and walk my offensive ass on out of their lives.

2.) I'm really not dealing well with this unemployment thing. I've never been unemployed before. And it's now going on two months. Yes, I know the economy sucks. And despite everyone's optimism that I'll find something soon, I haven't. I can't even get a damn interview. . . . so of course I start to think "well, what the hell is wrong with me then?" Well, my skills are lacking, that's a starter. My creative abilities are not all that. I look at my friends and what I'm up against -- sometimes it's really encouraging. But not tonite. Like here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Oh, and here too. It's no wonder I can't find a job.

And I know that I'll hear it from Ryan tomorrow: "Baby, you are great. You're just down because of a bad situation. Things will get better. You'll see." And in the meantime, I'm left prostituting my massage services at discounted prices ($30 for an hour . . . *sigh*) just so I can get business.

It will get better . . . won't it?

Bitterness. Angst. Gnashing of Teeth.

The Hours only won ONE award.

Communist bastards.

Yes, Chicago was good -- but The Hours was better. First movie I've seen in a long, long time that actually moved me. (Perhaps that means I should watch more movies?)

I'm getting really really frustrated with being unemployed. Like in a major way. Someone give me a job, please?

Let the Sunshine In!

Today is just a gorgeous day out! I have all my windows airing out the apartment to release the fetid illness that probably still lays within. (Now if only that damn dog will stop barking. Ugh. I hate dogs. Cats are never noisy like that. Neither are hamsters or fish.)

That is not a current picture. It is one of the last ones taken before my webcam mysteriously disappeared about 6 months ago . . . Amazing what happens when you ask "friends" to help you move. *ahem* I'll get another cam or a digicam once I get a job.

I've decided to go back to school and finally get my bachelor's degree. I've constantly put it off beause I couldn't ever find a program that I really thought would benefit me. I was enrolled at the University of Houston as a Communications major -- but that just sucked. Like I care about the history of communication and that people carved little things into clay pebble things. Bleh. BUT -- I finally found a worthwhile program at the University of Phoenix Online. I'll get my Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Yes, it's a little more expensive. But considering the classes I take -- and the fact that each class is only 6 weeks . . . you just can't beat that. I start THURSDAY! Amazing.

And can I just say that I have really just dug down deep to Rufus lately? He is just amazing! So talented -- his lyrics, his music, and ever-so-adorable face (sorry Ryan). Why can't I look like that? (Of course, I could never get away with wearing what he wears -- but still.) He has a new album coming out sometime soon. I haven't heard a date -- but he's been in the studio. Also, I read that he was on a Harold Arlen album singing "It's Only a Paper Moon" and "I Wonder What Became of Me." (I'm in the process of setting of my Amazon.com WishList in case someone out there wants to be my sugar daddy and me lovely things.)

Lookie! Lookie!

Well, I finally finished it (mostly). I made my updates to the site. New sidebars. And the recipes section will be populated bit by bit. So register and contribute, dammit.

I'll still be adding a few things bit by bit.

Oh, I added a comments thing on the mixes section so you can comment about each song. That's hot.

Oh, and a few more pics of me in the about section.

Anyway, have you ever noticed that Eartha Kitt eerily resembles that female gremlin from Gremlins 2?

Freaky shit, man.

VeryOpinionated will be getting an updated look . . .

I will be working on an updated look for the website. I'm going to continue with the way it is now, just add some enhancements to its design. That will happen in the next few days. Just an FYI. :)

What The Future Holds . . .

During my times of illness today I felt the need to peruse the internet in search of . . . well, anything, really. And I came across some very fun things.

1.) X-Files -- my favorite little prime-time show (all until they ruined it with Agents Dogget and Reyes) -- is up for a MOVIE sequel. That's right. Gillian Andersen (the lovely Scully) was on some British show this past weekend and said that yes, plans were in motion to produce a 2nd movie that would take place shortly before the last season, but no concrete plans have been set. The script is still being written, but all the main characters -- including Moulder -- on board. She said filming could start as early as this year.

2.) Aeon Flux. Remember that little show on MTV back in like . . . what . . . 1995? 1996? Anyway -- it was on Liquid TV. Seems like Paramount has teamed with MTV to do a real-people version. Was always an interesting story. With that weird dominatrix lady running around in a leather . . . um . . .thing . . . killing people and getting viruses and stuff. Was rather odd now that I think about it. But I liked it back then nonetheless. Who should play the girl? Cher? (not much of a change for her, really, is it?)

3.) The Phantom of the Opera -- ya know, the musical. Rumors have been flying for as long as I can remember about this becoming a movie. And it looks like it's actually progressing quite a bit. Andrew Lloyd Webber currently holds the rights and has signed Joel Schumaker to direct. (I've personally never heard of him. It says he directed Batman and Robin. Doesn't tell me a lot.) It does not look like Sarah Brightman or Michael Crawford are even being considered for the roles. Kate Holmes is the leading contender for Christine and is currently working with a vocal coach to come up to speed. *cringe* Antonio Banderas is still a leading contender for the role of the Phantom (which is a HORRIBLE mistake.) John Travolta is also in talks. I think they're both WAY off. (But moreso Antonio Banderas.) (OOOhhhh, can we have Justin Timberlake as Raoul??) Looking at a release date sometime in 2004.

Anyway -- hopefully that will help take your minds off some of that war crap.

OH -- and don't forget - Madonna's new album "American Life" comes out April 24th. (I heard part of the title track . . . and it really doesn't sound bad at all. AND -- the single will be released on MARCH 24th, as a digital single available here for like $1.50.

It's a 2am Nyquil Nite!

Here I am: sick as a dog with more drainage than the New York bay. Ryan's about to cough up his pleura. I'm contemplating making soup. And it's 2am. But for some reason . . . tomato and basil soup just sounds so good right now. Of course, I'd have to make it from scratch because I'd probably get botcholism or some horrible disease like ebola that would turn my tongue to jelly.

*sigh* And here we are -- on the eve of destruction. What is that song . . . and who sings it . . . . . . oh who knows. This is how it goes tho.

But you tell me over and over and over again my friend
You don't believe we're on the Eve of Destruction.
Don't you understand what I'm tryin' to say
Can't you feel the fear that I feel today
If the button is pushed there's no running away
There'll be no one to save with the world in a grave
Take a look around you boy, it's bound to scare you boy
But you tell me over and over and over again my friend
You don't believe we're on the Eve of Destruction
My blood's so mad -- Feels like coagulating
And I'm just sitting here contemplating
I can't change the truth It has no regulation
A handful of senators won't pass legislation
And marchers alone can't bring integration
When human respect is disintegrating
This whole damn world is too frustrating.

Funny how the same ideas come around again only to show us that no, we haven't actually learned alot in 40 years. That humanity is breaking bit by bit. The human heart is NOT what it once was . . . we've learned to replace its primary functions with lies and vices and self-gain.

Ya know, they say duct tape (you know . . . "duck tape") can fix anything. Can it fix our government? Can it fix a war? Can it fix our species?

I think it's dumb that people are boycotting France. Why do people assume that the whole country feels one way when the governmental leader decides something? And changing food of all things . . . what the hell. Are we really that desparate? Do we really have NOTHING better to do than come up with dumb ass alternatives for foods like "Freedom Fries" and "Freedom Toast?" I mean, surely, why not do something more constructive -- like giving blood, or donating to a charity, or heaven forbid, helping humanity by doing something nice for someone you don't know (maybe even a French person.) Sheesh.

Anyway, I think I'm going to put my sick ass to bed.

Pray for a safer, better tomorrow.

A Musica Portuguesa

Who knew that so many people liked Portuguese music!? I lived in Brazil for a year, picked up the Portuguese language fairly well and became a fan of Brazilian music. In fact, I have the soundtrack to the Disney move "Mulan" in Portuguese. Heheh.

I think the Portuguese language is on of the most beautiful languages in the world. A cross between Spanish and French, it rolls smoothly.

I have another little song to share then -- keeping in the Portuguese way -- "The Girl From Impenema."

Oh, and thanks to Joelle for pointing me to "Corvocado" by Everything But The Girl.

Amazingly Gorgeous Song

So I was doing some research today on Sarah Brightman's new album "Harem" which comes out in May. If you go to her site, the song being played is from her new album. It's called Cançao do Mar. The orchestrations are beautiful and I can only imagine what Sarah will do. (Yes, I'm a BIG Sarah Brightman fan . . . . can you tell?)

. . . And She Had A Hugeng . . .

So Friday nite a large group of us ran out to watch our friend Michael perform her "drag" show at Rich's. MIchael was fabulous. She really rakes in the cash too. (It's amazing!)

Well, they cut the show short because there was a special guest performing there tonite: straight from the Erasure concert, Cooler Kids jumped on stage and sang their little ditties. And we all got free cd singles of this megamix. Are they good? Eh -- they were ok on stage. Theyd for Erasure and the music is definitely danceable. The cd is being released in the next couple of days on the Dreamworks label. They're site is here.

So what do you think? They claim that this is going to be the "new" new wave. As much as I loved new wave in the 80s and 90s -- are we really up to bring it back?

CNN TOP NEWS HEADLINE

This just in from CNN:

File-sharing sites allow trading of porn

No shit. And that was a major headline in the technology section today!? At least it's not another article on "Freedom Fries."

Fun With Flatulence

Sometimes you laugh. And sometimes you laugh beyond measureable pain.

www.createafart.com

Amazing. Simply amazing.

Who can say more?

Do You Have Demons In Your Colon?

Friends, have you ever sat yourself down on the toilet to do nature’s necessity and been overwhelmed by the smell of rotten eggs? It is sulfur. A clear sign that demons are living in your bottom. You need to get yourself down to a Bible-believing church, pronto, and get yourself a Jesus enema!

240,000 people go to Hell every day. That's 158 people a minute. You can line up all the people who went to Hell in the last 10 years and have them all hold hands – if they hadn’t been chewed off by demons.

Read, and be saved. Learn from the sinful errors of your ways. And PUH-LEASE, for the love of all that is good . . .put down that blasted bean dip!

*sniffs the air around him*

OK . . . One More . . .

Holy cow. I found this here. It's a CNN report about the myseterious Michael Jackson. About his fake nose, fake hair, major multi-million dollar debt, voodoo rituals . . .

That is truly whacked out. Just makes me roll my eyes and think

Getting Tired of Pissy Politicians and Cocky Countries

OK, I'm really growing weary of all this talk of countries bickering about "oh, i hate you, i'm going to veto you -- you eat your steak too rare, we're going to nuke you -- you supported my great-great-great-great-great-great-great uncle in 200 a.d. in the hostile take over of cambodia, i'm going to remove you from power and restructure your government."

People need to learn to share and learn to play NICELY. Bitches. You should all be slapped!

And if another person decides to develop a nuclear weapons program -- god help me -- i'll . . . .i'll . . . .well . . . I'll be forced to eat another Krispy Kreme donut. (and that could be quite dangerous for a lot of people . . .)

*Sigh*

Nasa Picketers . . . Part II

Well I spoke to my father this evening about those damnable picketers outside of NASA on Friday. He said that for starters there were only five. (haha, so i was a little wrong -- but hey, I was driving.) The group, it seems, is actually an anti-gay/lesbian group that was protesting because NASA (being an equal-opportunity employer and all) hired gays and lesbians to work there (god forbid), and it was this reason alone that God (in His loving mercy) blew up the shuttle.

Makes sense to me. How bout you?

Finally -- New Music . . .

Ok, so I finally posted it. 15 new songs. All for your betterment. Hope you enjoy!

Picketers at NASA

So I was taking some of my friends to lunch today -- and we drove down Nasa Rd. 1, past the Columbia memorial. To much jaw-dropping surprise, a handful of people (I would say less than 15) were marching with signs in front of the memorial. Why!? I have no idea . . . BUT . . . here is what their signs said and you tell me.

I saw four signs from the car:

1.) God Hates America.
2.) God Blew Up The Shuttle.
3.) God Hates Fags.
4.) God's Curse is AIDS.

So that's marching for four causes by less than 15 people. Sounds poorly organized to me. Sounds extremely hateful to me too.

I condemn any religion, political party, or social group that promotes hatred of ANYONE or ANYTHING. I understand that everyone has a right to free speech, but encouraging hateful stances and opposition is not a way to progress. We will not become better people when we view people as inferior to ourselves. People need to get over their pride.

Yay! V 4.0 is out!

Well, I finally did it! I redesigned the site to be uber-gay! I can just hear my mom . . . "PINK!? Oh, Michael . . ."

LOL -- I just did it for kicks. Nothing more. New music coming soon!

I'm slow. I know

Welll --- I know I haven't been posting much as of late, but I thought that perhaps I could make a little post to say what I've been up to. I've been quite busy working on my "professional" image -- www.michael-hobley.com. It's my portfolio and resume. Cuz I need a job something fierce. Cuz, bitch, i'm poor.

Anyway -- I know I haven't posted new songs . . . and I know I haven't done a new design -- but I will! I promise.

World's Ugliest Man Caught In Pakistan

As seen on CNN, the world's ugliest man was caught in Pakistan after avoiding US authorities for years. Rumored to be the mastermind behind the WTC tragedy, the US embassy bombings all over the world, and the noticable shortage in Nair products, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed poses for a picture just minutes before invasion by the L'Oreal Authorities. Read more here.

Up and Coming . . .

Just a little heads up -- I'm working on redesigning the site (again) . . . I remember from those days when I was just a lil' lad that when I felt I needed a change I could just dye my hair. Well, I can't do that now that I have to have interviews . . . so instead, I'm dying my site.

Look for that soon, and I should have a new mix posted at the end of today.

:)
Michael