Thank you for making me laugh about LOVE and for inspiring the HOPE of LOVE

Good morning!

I don’t know about you, but “When Harry Met Sally” was a fave movie of mine. of course we all remember the famous “restaurant scene”. It was a good movie to cuddle up to and one that inspired lots of emotions. And yes, I did enjoy “Sleepless…” – You’ve Got mail” was more of the same same. Certainly movies that moved the heart. I don’t believe I am a HOPEless romantic, (well…maybe just a little :) but yes, I do love the art of romance and feelings of deep passionate love. Does anyone not?

“Julie and Julia” was another one that inspired laughs in a fun and unique way. Although Ephron’s works of art will certainly be watched over and over again in the coming years,  we will certainly miss her and all of her writes that had yet to be birthed.

Thank you Nora Ephron for your movies that made me smile and laugh about love, and gave me HOPE that there is a man out there…one whom if I fall deeply in love with…will perhaps yes, potentially fall deeply in love with me as well.

May you rest in peace.

Writer and director Nora Ephron dies at 71: Film icon behind When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle loses her battle with leukemia

Nora Ephron, the writer of iconic movies When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, has died at the age of 71.

The author and screenwriter had fought a six-year battle with leukemia and finally succumbed to the disease. Ephron’s son Jacob Bernstein confirmed her death in Manhattan yesterday.

She earned three Oscar nominations for her screenwriting and her work was among the most quotable and influential of her generation.

Scroll down for highlights from Nora’s films:

Great wit: Writer and director Nora Ephron, pictured in 2010, passed away yeserday at the age of 71

Timeless: One of Ephron’s greatest creations’ When Harry Met Sally, starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, set the precedent for a new style of romantic comedies

Her book publisher Alfred A Knopf also confirmed her death in a statement as fellow writers and the acting community reacted with shock.

‘I am very sad to learn of Nora’s passing,’ When Harry Met Sally star Billy Crystal said in a statement. ‘She was a brilliant writer and humorist. Being her Harry to Meg’s Sally will always have a special place in my heart. I was very lucky to get to say her words.’

Tom Hanks, who starred in Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, also paid tribute, saying: ‘Nora Ephron was a journalist/artist who knew what was important to know; how things really worked, what was worthwhile, who was fascinating and why.

With Tom Hanks: Ephron wrote Sleepless in Seattle and also directed the 1998 film

Best director: Ephron won a 2011 Director’s Guild of America award for directing actress Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia. She also wrote the screenplay

‘At a dinner table and on a film set she lifted us all with wisdom and wit mixed with love for us and love for life. Rita and I are so very sad to lose our friend who brought so much joy to all who were lucky enough to know her.’

Bewitched star Nicole Kidman said: ‘She was so smart, warm and funny. I am so grateful that she was my friend and we had the opportunity to work together.

Meryl Streep, who starred in two Ephron classics, Heartburn and 2009′s Julie & Julia, wrote to the New York Times: ‘Nora just looked at every situation and cocked her head and thought, ‘Hmmmm, how can I make this more fun?’ . . . You could call on her for anything: doctors, restaurants, recipes, speeches, or just a few jokes, and we all did it, constantly. She was an expert in all the departments of living well.’

Tear-jerker: Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in the wildly popular Sleepless in Seattle, directed and written by Ephron

Another hit: Ephron also wrote and directed You’ve Got Mail – again starring Hanks and Ryan

Earlier today newspaper columnist Liz Smith broke the story in a wowOwow article that eulogized the scriptwriter, saying her family including her husband of 20 years, the writer Nicholas Pileggi, had already planned her funeral.

‘I won’t say, “Rest in peace, Nora” – I will ask, “What the hell will we do without you?”‘ Smith wrote. The column, which was written as if Ephron had already died, was later removed from the site.

Ephron was born on May 19, 1941 in New York City. At the age of four, she moved to Beverly Hills with her screenwriting parents Henry and Phoebe and three younger sisters. 

Determined by high school to be a journalist, Ephron graduated from the single sex Wellesley College in 1962, moved to New York and started out as a fact checker at Newsweek.

She moved to the New York Post andremained there five years. Ephron soon began writing for Esquire and The New York Times and developed a national following with her articles.

She covered political conventions, the feminist movement and Wellesley, which she labeled a factory for ‘docile’ women.

She married in 1976 to Carl Bernstein, who teamed with reporter Bob Woodward on prize-winning coverage of the Watergate scandal that brought down President Nixon.

The couple had two children. Ephron was pregnant with her second child when she learned Bernstein was having an affair with a mutual friend Margaret Jay, who was married to the British ambassador to the U.S.

The marriage crumbled but it inspired Ephron’s book Heartburn which was so close to her life that Bernstein threatened to sue.

It was later adapted for screen and starred Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. The Oscar-winning actress teamed up with Ephron again in 2009 to star in Julia & Julia.

Ephron’s talent for bringing to life flawed but deeply likeable and funny women made her beloved by movie audiences – and industry gold.

One of her greatest successes was When Harry Met Sally, the 1989 romantic comedy starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, about two friends who fall in love despite their own misgivings that the ‘sex part always gets in the way’.

Lasting love: Nicholas Pileggi and Nora Ephron, at the Oscars in 2010, had been married for 20 years

Broken heart: Nora wrote Heartburn after husband No. 2, Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein – seen together in 1978 – had an affair with a mutual friend

The film struck a chord with audiences for its quirky dialogue, sharp wit and more rounded portrayal of female leads.  

As a rare woman to write, direct and produce Hollywood movies, Meg Ryan was among the many actresses who said they loved working with Ephron because she understood them so much better than male peers.

Following When Harry Met Sally, she wrote and directed the equally successful Sleepless in Seattle, pairing Meg Ryan with Tom Hanks followed by You’ve Got Mail, also starring Ryan and Hanks.

When Harry Met Sally earned an Academy Award nomination for its screenplay in 1990 and then four years later, Ephron was nominated again for Sleepless in Seattle.

Ephron was married three times: to Dan Greenberg, Bernstein and, quite happily, to Nicholas Pileggi whose books inspired Martin Scorcese’s films Goodfellas and Casino.

She is survived by her husband, two sons Max and Jacob, along with sisters Delia, Amy and Hallie Ephron, all of whom are writers.

In her essay, The O Word, Nora Ephron anticipated growing too old to make jokes about her age.

She would be ‘really old’, beyond sex in a hotel room, or even a frozen custard at Shake Shack.

It would be nice if she believed in a higher being, but the phrase ‘everything happens for a reason’ is a sermon that only annoyed her.

Ephron wrote of summers in the Hamptons when her children were little, of fireworks on the Fourth of July and picnics on the beach.

She loved the sound of geese in mid-July – ‘one of the things that made the summers out there so magical’. As she aged, the geese reminded her that summer will end, and so will everything else.

‘I especially began to hate their sound, which was not beating wings – how could I have ever thought it was? – but a lot of uneuphonious honks,’ she wrote.

‘Now we don’t go to Long Island in the summer and I don’t hear the geese. Sometimes, instead, we go to Los Angeles, where there are hummingbirds, and I love to watch them because they’re so busy getting the most out of life.’

Wise words: Nora Ephron during a Women in Literature conference in New York City, 1972

Readers: What was your fave? Blog me.

Peace & Love…

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

Okay, so I’m going to be blogging about Eve Ensler again. I know…I know…I have already honored her as a Wonderful Woman of the World. But this girl deserves to be recognized again and again for her efforts and support of all women around the globe.

Ensler’s newest venture? “Emotional Creature” based on her book, “I am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life Of Girls Around The World”. The focus is on what Ensler calls your “girl cell” – embracing your inner girl. She declares that there is a “girl cell” in all of us – yes men too – a cell that we have all been taught to suppress.

Here’s a TED talk Ensler did a few years ago talking passionately about the “girl cell”:

After successful workshops in Johannesburg and Paris (Ruth did you and the girls see?), Ensler’s world premier is right here in my backyard, at the Berkeley Rep. Aren’t we lucky!

Berkeley Rep is proud to present the world premiere of a powerful new play from Tony Award–winner Eve Ensler. Staged by Obie Award–winning director Jo Bonney and performed by a talented ensemble of young women, Emotional Creature is made up of a original monologues and irresistable songs about and for girls. Placing their stories squarely center stage, it gives full expression to their secret voices and innermost thoughts, highlighting the diversity and commonality of the issues they face.

The show started a few days ago and runs through July 15th. This is a show you do not want to miss. I certainly won’t.

And just in case you want to read more, here’s a write up from our local newspaper:

Eve Ensler fires up the ‘girl cell’ in ‘Creature’

Your “girl cell” may need some charging, andEve Ensler is here to help you.

The celebrated author, activist and performer is probably most famous for making the world a safer place for the word “vagina” through her phenomenally successful show “The Vagina Monologues.” Now she’s back with a new show, and it’s all about the girl cell in everyone – men and women.

“We are living in a world that is so bifurcated,” Ensler says. “We don’t trust the heart, we don’t trust the head. Ninety percent of the world is in great hardship, there’s too much violence to women, and it’s time to come to a new place. This new place requires that part of ourselves that is passionate and compassionate, intuitive and emotional. And revolutionary. That part of us is what I call the girl cell. It’s the capacity to be more than we think we are and the ability to connect to others beyond ourselves.”

The new show, “Emotional Creature,” has its world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre and is inspired by Ensler’s best-selling 2010 book “I Am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World.” This time around, Ensler is not the one onstage. Jo Bonney directs six young women delivering original monologues and performing music by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and choreography by Luam.

The show arrives in the Bay Area after successful workshops in Johannesburg and Paris, and Ensler says the decision to include music and dance happened organically.

“We met Charl in South Africa, and he’s so brilliant and talented,” she says on the phone from Berkeley before heading into a rehearsal. “It just reflects the way girls communicate, to go from spoken word to conversation to song to dance. This is my first time writing songs, and it’s so much fun. To turn words into music is thrilling, and the melodies express emotion in a way that’s new for me. In my dreams I’ve always wanted to be a rock ‘n’ roll singer. This is the closest I will ever get.”

Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues” was a huge hit in San Francisco, running for months in 2001 and 2002 with various shorter reprises over the years. “I always knew the Bay Area was vagina friendly,” Ensler says with a laugh. She laughs a lot in conversation. On this day, perhaps her good mood is heightened because it’s her 59th birthday. Or it could be, as she puts it, her “gratitude for being alive.”

Her short haircut is the only visible evidence of her battle with cancer, which she says was gruesome, and physically and emotionally the most challenging thing she’s been through.

“It’s so true that when you face mortality, everything is more precious,” Ensler says. “It’s like the end of ‘Our Town.’ Let’s recognize life while we’re living it. We need to live our lives more consciously. Wow, look at that gorgeous fabric. Look at that beautiful sky. It’s all because you realize life is so perishable and how easily you could not be here. You move toward what matters because there’s not time for petty things. I hope everyone doesn’t have to go to the edge of death to open their hearts like this. I think art can take you there.”

A catalyst for change wherever she goes, Ensler says she keeps coming back to theater as a primary medium for her message because when it works, there’s nothing more powerful. Through “The Vagina Monologues” and V-Day events worldwide, Ensler estimates that she has helped raise more than $80 million to prevent violence against women since 1996.

“Theater is so present,” she says. “It’s a collaboration between audience and performers, happening right there, and that’s a provocative, dangerous thing. I saw this happen over and over with ‘Vagina Monologues.’ This alchemy happens in the theater, and the show enters people’s bodies, and it changes you. Something changes. You’re inspired and driven to be more than yourself, to be your real self. I don’t know anyplace that has the power of the theater.”

Ensler sees humanity heading in one of two directions at this moment: one where the human race evolves and flourishes, and one – this is the direction she sees us heading now – where we destroy the planet.

“I want girl energy to spread around the world,” Ensler says. “That girl cell must be powerful if we’re all told to ignore it, to suppress it, to change it. But if we tap into that part of ourselves, the more loving, the more resisting, the more compassionate, the more heart-opening part, we have the capacity to create compassionate revolution. We can be fierce and loving at the same time. We need to be.”

Emotional Creature: By Eve Ensler. Directed by Jo Bonney. In previews. Opens Friday. Through July 15. Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. $14.50-$73 (subject to change). (510) 647-2949.www.berkeleyrep.org.

*G*I*R*L*C*E*L*L*

Readers: Here’s to trusting our hearts and our heads, and to being more passionate and compassionate and embracing that “girl cell” in all of us.

Hey ZL: Well, I didn’t expect the monitor to be violent toward the kids, as yes, she probably would get fired. But I am glad that she began to stick up for herself against those horrible kids. Have a great weekend!

That goes for all my readers too! Gay Pride is this weekend – Have fun and be safe for all of you participating in the festivities!

xoxo

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

Racist: You’re either a racist, or not and defend against racism, or one who stands by witnessing racism and does nothing.

Bullying isn’t much different. You’re either a bully, the one getting bullied, witnessing bullying and doing something, or one witnessing and doing nothing.

This is a story of kids on a bus bullying an older woman, saying horrific things to her, and everybody witnessing this ugly behavior does nothing about it.

I am outraged by the behavior of kids these days. Where are their manners and what type of upbringing did they have that they feel so comfortable badgering and disrespecting a woman. And what about the other kids? Where were their manners when it came to defending a woman who is being treated so horribly by others?

The ugly words that are used is simply shocking, and deeply disturbing to watch.

Karen Huff Klein Bullying Video: Upsetting Footage Causes Community Outrage (VIDEO) (UPDATE)

Readers: After this video went viral, there was an outpour of support for Karen Huff Klein. If you would like to give your support click here to read how you can. If you would like to donate, even $1, click here. Five thousand dollars was asked to send Klein on the vacation of her life. To date over $500,000 has been raised.

Thoughts? Give it up – start flapping your lips. Blog me

Peace & Love: “Live it, Give it”. 

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

Photo from La Figa

Don’t you just love the title? Thank you Eve Ensler, author of “The Vagina Monologues” for that wonderful quote! Yes, /SB I heard, and I saw,  and I thought it was the perfect thing to post this morning.

Lisa Brown Performs ‘Vagina Monologues’ On Michigan Statehouse Steps

LANSING, Mich. — A state lawmaker who says she was barred from speaking in the Michigan House because Republicans objected to her saying “vagina” during debate over anti-abortion legislation performed “The Vagina Monologues” on the Statehouse steps – with a hand from the author.

Eve Ensler, whose groundbreaking play about women’s sexuality still packs theaters 16 years after it debuted, oversaw Monday night’s performance by Democratic state Rep. Lisa Brown, 10 other lawmakers and several actresses.

Capitol facilities director Steve Benkovsky estimated about 2,500 spectators – women and men – watched the play in downtown Lansing from lawn chairs and blankets. Billed on Facebook as the “Vaginas Take Back the Capitol!” event, the combination play and protest included political signs and chants of “Vagina! Vagina!”

Ensler, who flew in from California, where she’s overseeing production of her new play, said she was thrilled to be involved and likened the punishment meted out by the Republican leadership of the state House to “the Dark Ages.”

“If we ever knew deep in our hearts that the issue about abortion … was not really about fetuses and babies, but really men’s terror of women’s sexuality and power, I think it’s fully evidenced here,” Ensler told The Associated Press by phone Monday before arriving in Lansing.

“We’re talking about the silencing of women, we’re talking about censoring people for saying a body part,” she said. “Half of these people who are trying to regulate vaginas, they can’t even say the word.”

Brown made her comments during debate last week on legislation that supporters say would make abortions safer but that opponents say would make it much harder for women to get abortions. While speaking against a bill that would require doctors to ensure abortion-seekers haven’t been coerced into ending their pregnancies, Brown told Republicans, “I’m flattered you’re all so concerned about my vagina. But no means no.”

Brown was barred from speaking in the House during the next day’s session. House Republicans say they didn’t object to her saying “vagina.” They said Brown compared the legislation to rape, violating House decorum. She denies the allegation.

“Her comments compared the support of legislation protecting women and life to rape, and I fully support Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas’ decision to maintain professionalism and order on the House floor,” GOP Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons, of Alto, said in a statement last week.

Democratic Rep. Barb Byrum, of Onondaga, said she also was barred from speaking last Thursday because she referred to vasectomies during the debate.

“I’m overwhelmed by how much attention we’re getting around the world,” she told Monday’s crowd.

Before the play began, Ensler joined Brown and Byrum on the Capitol steps and called for an apology from the Republicans who barred them from speaking.

“These women stood for our rights,” Ensler said to applause. “The vaginas are out. We are here to stay.”

The speaking ban lasted only through Thursday, when lawmakers left for a five-week break. But the incident has garnered attention internationally and on social media, where the hashtags (hash)vaginagate and (hash)sayvagina are attracting a flurry of posts.

Susie Duncan, 68, watched the play while holding a placard handed out by the American Civil Liberties Union reading, “Vagina. Can’t say it? Don’t legislate it.”

“I hope this will spur people to go vote,” the East Lansing resident said. “We’ve got to change this.”

Brown says it isn’t just women who are upset with the House GOP leaders’ actions.

“I’ve heard from a lot of men. It’s not just women who are speaking out,” she said. Her father and mother attended the play.

The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan – whose 650 members include men – criticized taking away Brown’s and Byrum’s right to speak. The group said it wasn’t taking a position on the bills in question, but on the lawmakers’ free speech rights.

“Representatives Brown and Byrum had a right to have their constituents’ 150,000 voices recognized on June 14, 2012. They were neither vulgar nor disrespectful,” the group wrote in a Monday release. “When the minority is silenced, justice cannot prevail and democracy suffers.”

VAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINAVAGINA 

Vagina. Can’t say it? Don’t legislate it.

Readers:  My lips feel good flapping that word over and over again. :) Your turn – Blog me. 

Peace & Love to your Vagina.

xoxo

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

If you love my blog and my writes, please make a donation via PayPal, credit card, or e-check, please click the “Donate” button below. (Please only donations from those readers within the United States. – International readers please see my “Donate” page)

Or if you would like to send a check via snail mail, please make checks payable to “Michelle Moquin”, and send to:

Michelle Moquin PO Box 29235 San Francisco, Ca. 94129

Thank you for your loyal support!

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2008-2012

“Though she be but little, she be fierce.” – William Shakespeare Midsummer Night’s Dream 

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Good morning!

First of all I want to wish all of you fathers out there a fabulous father’s day!

I’ll be spending the day on Tuesday with my father. My father, is an artist, and I grew up visiting museums here and in many parts of the world. I enjoyed learning about fine art and grew to appreciate the many mediums that I was exposed to. We still visit museums every now and then together, but it’s not just about fine art. We enjoy looking at fashion together as well. My mother and I are taking my father to see the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the De Young Museum. Gaultier, was my main inspiration, in my younger years of designing. I thought his designs were whimsical and brilliant. Still do.

However, my first inspiration was my father. When I was young, around 17, I remember crying to my father that I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. I felt frustrated that I didn’t have direction…didn’t know what I was going to study in college.  Instead of my father laughing at me, he patiently sat with me and said that it was OK – there was plenty of time to figure it out.

And figure it out, I did. I discovered that, like many young girls I loved fashion, but it wasn’t until I interviewed with a design school in San Francisco, that I decided I was going to design. During my interview I was asked what field I wanted to venture into, Merchandising or Design. I hesitated in answering, as I was not clear. But my father was. He looked at me and said, “You want to design don’t you?” And I said, “Well, yes. I want to be a designer”.

And that’s how it all began. I am grateful that my father said those words to me, or I might not have chose to become a designer, and I might not have ever experienced the abundance creativity that I have been able to express all of these years through my work. Thanks Dad – I love you.

Here’s a write from Marlo Thomas sharing her experiences with her father:

Father’s Day: What We Learned at Dad’s Knee

Sometimes in the wee hours of the morning I’d hear that funny sound of an audiotape being rewound. Running backwards it sounded like a Swedish movie. I’d get out of bed and go into Dad’s study. And there he’d be — listening, taking notes, going over his act from his last nightclub engagement and getting it ready for the next.

“You hear that, Mugs?” he’d say. “That’s a big laugh, but the one after it is weak. You have to pace the laughs. I’m gonna put a song in there.” He had an ear for the rhythm, the music of the comedy.

My father’s respect for the audience was his compass. When he hunched over the tape recorder like that, he was shaping the act for them — not for himself, not for the critics. And when I went to Las Vegas and saw the act working the way I had watched him put it together, it was exciting. I felt like a co-conspirator, a rooting section.

But first and foremost, I was a daughter. And though he may not have known it, I was learning at his knee — about the love of work, and the integrity of professionalism.

Not all kids go into their dad’s professions, but for those of us who did, there was a wide array of reasons.

For the Kennedys, the children were instilled with leadership by their patriarch, Joe, and each assumed that role when it was his or turn, almost as an obligation. For the Ripken men of the Baltimore Orioles — now celebrating a third-generation wearing black and orange — it was a more natural kind of inheritance, one that began with something as simple as playing catch in the backyard and then grew into a beloved legacy. For Nat and Natalie Cole, it was all about continuity — keeping that beautiful music playing.

I wasn’t expected to go into show business. In fact, my father was very much against the idea. He knew firsthand how bruising the business can be, and he wanted to spare me the pain. He was also very practical. Already a star himself, he told me point-blank that it was a long shot that lightning would strike twice in the same family, and that I should rethink what I wanted to do with my life.

But by then, I was already a goner. Maybe it’s fate, maybe it’s DNA — but I’d like to believe that, when we were young, our fathers gave us more than just guidance, or advice, or an allowance, or help with our homework. They taught us life by example. And when we watched them in their careers, we got to see their triumphs and their failures up close. And if we watched them close enough — and we were lucky — we sometimes got to witness the deep satisfaction and unchecked joy that comes from doing what you love.

And so on this Father’s Day, I once again look heavenward and thank my sweet ol’ dad for giving his oldest kid the space to defy his wishes about becoming a teacher or a housewife or the junior Senator from California — because she decided she liked what she saw in her Pop, and she went with that. And by the way, Daddy, she’s very, very happy.

We’ve compiled a slideshow of some other celebrated dads, along with the children who followed in their footsteps. I can’t think of a better way to honor Father’s Day. I hope you enjoy it. Click here to view the slide show.

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Readers: How did your father influence or inspire you? Care to share? Blog me.

Peace & Love: Live it…and give it big today.

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

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