Male Prisoners Allowed Cosmetics

Posted in International, Uncategorized with tags , , , on December 2, 2008 by leia510

The Constitutional court in Germany has ruled that male prisoners will now have the right to spend their money on cosmetics and phone calls.

The case was brought about when an identified male prisoner felt he, along with other male inmates, were being discriminated against based on their gender and were not allowed to buy cosmetics such as aftershave and lotions or make phone calls like their female counterparts.

“Although the interest in cosmetics may be more widespread or frequently stronger among women than among men, it is not a biologically determined interest among women,” the court stated. Link! (via The BBC)

Surviving Hansen’s Disease Patients A Rarity On Kalaupapa

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , on December 2, 2008 by leia510

With Hansen’s Disease, formerly known as leprosy, under control in this day and age, 24 surviving patients on the island of Kalaupapa on Moloka’i still remember what it was like to endure the stigma and pain of the disease and how they wonder who will tell their story once they are gone.

“In one room, Makia Malo, a gifted storyteller of 74, sits in a wheelchair, sunglasses covering his compromised eyes. He so vividly recalls the morning he was sent as a boy to Kalaupapa that you share the child’s excitement about boarding an airplane for the first time, even though you know the dreaded reason for the trip. In another room, Henry Nalaielua, 84, who wrote a memoir of his rich life in Kalaupapa, talks about the black-and-white photograph in his book, of a boy of 10, posed with hands across his chest to help document the state of his just-diagnosed disease. The boy glowers back at you from the harrowing past.

‘I was scared and defiant,’ that boy as man says. ‘Or maybe I just didn’t care to smile.’”

Currently, patients run an organization Ka’Ohana O Kalaupapa which fights to preserve the settlement and advocates for patients.

I hope to one day visit Kalaupapa to honor my great-grandmother who suffered from this disease as well and that the island will be kept as-is to respect my ancestors and not be turned into another place for hotel chains to make into another touristy playground. Link! (via Der Spiegel)

The End Of The Caped Crusader?

Posted in Entertainment, Movies, R.I.P., Television, WTF?! with tags , , , , , , , , on November 26, 2008 by leia510

Batman's First Issue - 1940

Rumors are going around the internet about the possible death of Batman. It all started when lead writer for the DC Comic, Grant Morrison, made a statement to a trade magazine recently sparking panic among fans everywhere. “What I am doing is a fate worse than death, things that no one would expect to happen to these guys at all.” He didn’t give any clues to how Batman will die or if he means his death as something of a metaphor, but supposedly it is certain the Batman character will live on in the form of another person.  

Morrison will release his story “Batman R.I.P.” tomorrow which some are predicting could be bigger than when Superman was killed off back in the 90’s. Link! (via Daily Mail)

The Immersion Project

Posted in Arts & Crafts, Entertainment, Videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 24, 2008 by leia510

The debate on whether children re-enact violence when exposed to violent video games rages on and 39-year old Robbie Cooper has made this the basis of his art project entitled “Immersion”. He records the facial expressions of children ages 9-12 as they play games such as Call of Duty, Halo 3, Tekken, GTA 4, and Star Wars Battlefront in order, for us the viewer, to see how one can become so involved and immersed in a virtual world.

“You look them in the eye and they’re really transported. That’s what I like about having them looking directly into the camera. We’re not used to seeing that look directed at us - as if someone’s looking right through you,” Cooper commented. Link! (via Daily Telegraph)

Indigenous Transvestites Celebrated in Mexico

Posted in International, Travel with tags , , , , , , on November 24, 2008 by leia510

In the small town of Juchitan men who dress as women, called “muxes” pronounced “moo-shes”, don their finest dresses and hair accessories to celebrate the harvest in southern Mexico. The fiesta has been held annually for the last 33 years, but gender-bending has its roots in this culture for centuries.

“‘Native people in the Americas with ambiguous gender were often regarded as wise and talented, said Rosemary Joyce, a professor of anthropology at the University of California at Berkeley.

‘They were seen as have having a kind of spiritual power that comes from being more like the ancestors who are mothers and fathers at once, and more like the divinities who may be dual gendered,’ Joyce said.” Link! (via Reuters)

Jason Momoa Attacked!

Posted in Entertainment, Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , on November 24, 2008 by leia510

Stargate Atlantis actor and Lisa Bonet’s baby daddy got into an argument with some 21-year old douchebag at a West Hollywood bar two weeks ago. It ended with said douche, Dominic Brando, hitting the 6′5″ Momoa in the face with a pint glass. Nooooo!! Not the face! Momoa needed 140 stitches and will undergo some reconstructive surgery. Hopefully they can put the gorgeousness back!

Brando was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and is now free on bail. He’ll be arraigned December 10.

Fuck Twilight - I’m Ready For ‘Let The Right One In’

Posted in Entertainment, International, Movies, Videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , on November 20, 2008 by leia510

Now this looks good.

It’s the story of a lonely 12-year old Swedish boy named Oskar who’s constantly bullied at school by older kids. He soon finds friendship in 12-year old Eli who moves in next door of their apartment complex. But, oddly, gruesome murders are happening left and right. Oskar comes to the conclusion that Eli may be the culprit - and a vampire!

The movie’s setting in Sweden, with its cold snow laden landscapes, only adds to the feeling of isolation that Oskar experiences from his peers and the contrast of warmth he receives from Eli. Thus, her secret doesn’t scare him.

I’m so juiced! It’s already received rave reviews. I have yet to see it since it opened in the U.S about a week ago, but I definitely will soon before its gone from theaters.

Badass Of The Day

Posted in International, News with tags , , , , on November 19, 2008 by leia510

Meet 9-year old Arwa; a Yemeni girl who was recently granted a divorce from her middle aged husband. Arwa’s father, Abdul Ali, basically sold his child to a total stranger for the collateral amount of $150.

The sort of “defiance” displayed by  Arwa was practically unheard of in recent years but gaining courage from Nujood, another young girl who made history when a divorce from her much older husband was granted, Arwa left her small village of Jibla (where tribal customs still rule) and went to the courts asking for her freedom on the basis that she was married against her will.

Hopefully, now, little Arwa can enjoy her childhood before she becomes 15 which is the “legal-on-paper” age to marry. Link! (via The BBC)

7 Tips For Extra Income

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on November 19, 2008 by leia510

With people around the globe losing their jobs at an alarming rate, one starts to brainstorm other ways to earn some money until they’re back on their feet. Even if you’re currently employed, who doesn’t enjoy a little extra money in their bank accounts? Try one (or two or three, etc) and it’ll definitely add up! Link! (via CNN)

Monday Cuteness!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on November 17, 2008 by leia510

This baby sure knows how to get the crowd going! I hope he doesn’t get a big head and demand his parents cheer whenever he commands. LOL