Oklahoma Judge Rules Marriage ban Unconstitutional

Huge news out of Oklahoma today!



Today Federal Judge Terrance Kern struck down Oklahoma's 10 year old marriage equality ban!!!



Though a stay was immediately issued, this is huge news coming from one of the most conservative states in the Union! It also gives marriage equality supporters a boost: Oklahoma happens to fall under the same jurisdiction under the 10th Circuit Court JUST LIKE UTAH!!!

What does this mean? That two different judge's rulings will serve as precedent when the 10th Circuit meets in February and March.

While several Native American nations within Oklahoma already grant the right to marriage equality, this ruling could help make the state the 19th to legalize equality for lgbt Oklahomos.

The state’s ban on marriage by gay and lesbian couples is “an arbitrary, irrational exclusion of just one class of Oklahoma citizens from a governmental benefit,” wrote Judge Kern of United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, in Tulsa, deciding a case that had languished for nine years. The amendment, he said, is based on “moral disapproval” and does not advance the state’s asserted interests in promoting heterosexual marriage or the welfare of children.



#marriageequality #oklahoma #oklahomos

My book is registered!

And ready to send to publishers!!!

One year and one week after completing a final rough draft, I finished my edits to my book 16 last night!

Just sent that bad boy off to the Writer's Guild and Library of Congress to get copyrited. This week, I'll be mailing it out to publishers.

This is the year my writing career takes off!

*Stay tuned*

GAYEST Golden Globes G-Ever!

This year's Golden Globes proved to be the gayest award show ever!
  
Starting off the night right, BING featured the above ad that celebrated the women of 2013, including our beloved Edith Windsor and her triumphant win against DOMA via the Supreme Court last June.

Three of the top acting awards went to actors in a gay role or in a gay themed film.

The fourth gay-lated film awarded was the Soderbergh-made for HBO movie Behind the Candelabra took home the trophy for best mini-series/made for TV movie.

If you haven't seen the Liberachi biopic, I do recommend it. But keep in mind that it is tres gay and very, very odd. Much like Liberachi himself.

Later both Matt Damon and Michael Douglas were nominated in the best actor field, but it was Douglas that claimed the best dramatic actor award. 

Next up it was Jared Leto's turn for a win. His 6 year hiatus from filmmaking didn't matter to the Hollywood Foreign Press as they honored the actor with the best supporting actor trophy.

Leto's performance as the delicious drag queen Rayon steals every scene she's in in Dallas Buyers Club.

If I was a betting man, I'd say Jared Leto is a lock for best supporting actor Oscar. His performance is by far one of the best acting jobs in any category and Dallas Buyers Club was one of the best films of the year.

If you've been living under a rock and somehow missed Magic Mike last year, then maybe you don't know that Matthew Mcconaughey has been churning out fantastic acting roles in the last few years.

Again, if I was a betting man, I'd place bets on him to win Oscar gold for his role in Dallas Buyers Club. A story about a hustler and rodeo cowboy turned AIDS medicine activist, Dallas Buyers Club wouldn't have been the film it was without Mcconaughey's fierce performance. The Hollywood Foreign Press agreed: the night concluded with the Golden Globe award for best dramatic actor being given to Mathew Mcconaughey.

Thank you to the Golden Globes for giving us such a gloriously, googley, glamorously gay-friendly show. Really helps make 2013 the best year for the lgbt community yet. 

Maybe the oscars will prove to be in our favour as well?

The Best Golden Globes ad: WOMEN

Such an incredible ad by bing. Celebrating the brave women of 2013, the list includes Margaret Thatcher, Gabby Giffords, Angela Merkel, and Edie Windsor among other extraordinary women.

RIP Sharon

Israel's former prime minister Ariel Sharon has died. Whether he will be remembered as a fierce tyrant or an extreme advocate for an independent Israeli nation, Mr. Sharon shall be missed.

He died a few hours ago at age 85.

Travel smart, Travel cheap, Travel always

As my mother and I prepare to venture off to our third Costa Rican holiday in 3 years, I'm often asked by friends and co workers how I'm "able" to travel as much as I do.  For starters, I have my grandma's penny pinching genes.

But I also follow these 10 rules that have allowed me to leave the country at least once a year for the last 5 years.

1. Start saving money now. Even in a jar. I personally put all my spare change in one of those foot long Eiffel Towers they give you at Little Paris in Las Vegas as a change/travel fund. I call it my "Barcelona Fund" due to the first time I started saving money in it preparing for my Barcelona trip in 2010. Spare change mightn't seem like a lot, but I even try and throw a dollar or two in there every now and then that is spare or money that I find randomly. 

I even go as far as to keep all of my recycling and take it in to be exchanged for cash once I have ratholed enough. This is a small, small amount for your old plastics and glass, but it is free to recycle and I look at it that not only am I saving the environment, I'm earning a bit of money to put towards a future trip. Thus, I add my recycling money to the Barcelona Fund and it slowly starts to add up. 

When I get a work bonus, I put it in the Barcelona fund or away in preparation of traveling in the future. Save save save!

2. Sign up for as many airline's mileage programs as you can! It is free to do and often companies will give you 500 free miles as a bonus for signing up to their program. Also sign up for their weekly email specials through the mileage program as you can then specify which airport you prefer and other more specific settings so you won't get bombarded with junk mail and or offers for destinations you don't care about.

3. Sign up for points.com. All airlines use points.com as the company that manages the airlines mileage programs. Not only can you buy and sell miles, you can also trade and sell miles from different airlines, even ones that are not in the same miles program alliance nor affiliated with each other. Which is amazing. I was able to sell some US Airways miles in exchange for more American Airlines miles in order to make my trip to Berlin and Amsterdam happen.

4. Sign up for couchsurfing.org. From there set up as thorough as a profile as possible, and then you can look at and find friends from around the world as well as free accommodation anywhere in the world! It is amazing and I highly recommend it.

5. If you drink, buy a bottle of your liquor of choice and bring a flask with you to sneak into the bars. That way your mixed drinks are way cheaper when all you have to buy is the mixer! What? It's a recession, sweetie!

6. Sign up for travel deal websites like travelzoo.com and orbits.

7. Off season is always the cheapest time to book tickets AND visit places.

8. Go with someone! Rooming with someone or sharing some kind of accomo really makes the trip much cheaper!

9. Meet the locals. This may require you to pick up a new language, but isn't gaining inside information worth it? Locals always know the best place to go and how to save themselves money, so often all it takes is asking the right one!

10. Quit spending your money on frivolous things! No, I don't go to the bars every night. I save my money and travel. I don't buy expensive clothes. I save my money and travel. I make my dinner at home. I save my money and travel. I wait until movies come out on netflix or on DVD. I SAVE MY MONEY AND TRAVEL!

Anyone with a sense of adventure and a desire to see new places can travel. It just takes some determination!

pop pop pop POP MUZIK!

Looking back at the roller coaster that was 2013, I find solace in the music that shaped my experiences last year.

A lot of people have top lists of the music from twenty-thirteen. I tried to say what was my top album was, but I think I can only name my top 4 albums from last year.

I've come a long way from my high school years of listening the the Chili Peppers and Incubus. Some might say I have regressed into a pop obsession, but I say I have developed my tastes into something further: an appreciation for all music that makes me want to DANCE!

The world was right again when I had an import shipped in of my second favourite touring band:

ALPHABEAT



ALPHABEAT's newest and third studio release, EXPRESS NON-STOP, saw these "Wilde Politzei" reach new levels of poptasticness. Their epic first singles of "Love Sea" and "Vacation" had me dancing and shaking my tooshie all over Los Angeles. 



If you don't know ALPHABEAT, you should give them a try. Based out of Denmark, this euro band of 6 members: including a male AND female lead singer, is sure to get you dancing with their electronic, 80's obsessed sound.



I cannot recommend them enough. In a day and age when music can be so divisive, ALPHABEAT's music just makes you want to smile. And DANCE!


Speaking of divisive, one cannot mention 2013 without mentioning Mother Monster. Yes, I'm referring to the one and only LADY GAGA. Her newest album ARTPOP



has done nothing but blow me away! I find that I enjoy more than 8 tracks on this album, which speaks volumes, to me, in terms of overall album enjoyment.

Typically we get weird Gaga. Or trying to prove something Gaga. With ARTPOP, Lady Gaga has solidified her position, in my opinion, as a pop song writing diva that is here to stay for a long time. 

This album just makes me feel good. "Looking good, and feelin' fine. Lookin' good and feelin' fine!" Songs like "Fashion", "Donatella", "G.U.Y.", and "Gypsy" make me want to rip off my close and dance around my living room in my underwear. 

I wouldn't say I'm biased either. I didn't even care for Gaga until she released Born this Way, and even then I wasn't hooked. 

I'm a sucker for lyrics, and this album features bonified artistry:

"Like Dorothy on the yellow brick,
Hope my ruby shoes get us there quick.
'Cause I left everyone I love at home."

Don't leave this album at home, kids. F&@$ the critics and pick up ARTPOP before all the other kids realize what I did while shaking my ass to this soundtrack in Spain and Italy- that ARTPOP is exactly that: a piece of pop art!

The least mainstream of any of these artists on my list is actually my favourite touring band in the world: 

CUT/COPY

Everyone knows about my adoration for anything from Down Undah, especially my love affair with the biggest pop star in the world: Miss Kylie Minogue.

But CUT/COPY is proving to be a close second. Originally from Melbin, Australia, this trio of electronic-lisciousness released their fourth studio album Free Your Mind towards the end of last year. 

I'm still wrapping my brain around the delicious electronic sounds that make up Free Your Mind. While most people on earth haven't heard of Cut/Copy since they are not "pop" music, they do stand tall in the world of electronica after winning the ARIA and Grammy in 2012 for Best Dance/Electronia release.

I couldn't describe them better if I tried. When I want consistent beats that blow my mind or enchanting lyrics that stretch the bounds of modern poetry, I throw on a Cut/Copy album. 

"Meet me in a house of Love" is 6 minutes of bliss. You see, the greatness of Cut/Copy is also their full use of a song and it's ebb and flow. They start their audience out on a journey with each song that goes through numerous progressions and changes before delivering you the climax like a birthday cake at a surprise party. By the time the tracks "Free your Mind" or "We are Explorers" have finished, the audience is left exhausted: having been taken on a trip of audio delight and pulsating beauty.  

I highly recommend this album and feel like I have got to give it more chances.

2013 wouldn't be complete without mentioning probably my favourite album of the year (ok, I guess I do have a favourite):

Electric by none other than The Pet Shop Boys!

Sure I liked 8 or so tracks on ARTPOP, but to say I enjoyed EVERY single on an album in 2013 is a rare occurrence. Yet, I enjoyed everything about Electric!

Considering both members of The Pet Shop Boys are nearly 60 years old (!!!), it's hard to believe that these two put out a fantastic pop-electronic album, but they did. There is a reason why Billboard names these two the most successful duo to ever come out of the UK. With more than 50 million albums sold and a career as a band that spands more than 30 years now, the Pet Shop Boys didn't just make music gold with Electric, they could possibly be changing the face of pop music forever.

"Bolshy" was my single most favourite song of all of 2013, with its progressive beats, incredible lyrics, and infectious rhythms.

While tracks like "Axis", "Thursday", and "Vocal" help but the cherry on top of this delicious, delectable cake of musical genius. 

One simply cannot stop dancing to this entire album. Electric makes me hope this duo keeps making music together for another 30 years!

A+

These were the 4 albums that shaped my 2013. In a year that was pretty calm music wise, these 4 albums stood out to me as classic examples of why the music industry is actually in excellent shape today.

I cannot wait for 2014. Not just for the newest Kylie record, but also to see how the music industry continues to evolve.

#alphabeat #expressnonstop #ladygaga #mothermonster #artpop #fashion #cutcopy #freeyourmind #lightsandmusic #petshopboys #electric #bolshy #kylie #kylieminogue #koelen

#Missouri #lgbtequality #GovNixon #Mizanskey

Don't know how I missed this one:



Though Missouri governor Jay Nixon has yet to honor several online petitions asking for Jeff Mizanskey's parole and or freedom, the conservative Democrat governor of Missouri did take strides today towards a path of progressivism.

According to an article by the Washington Post from November 15th, 2013, seen here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/11/15/missouri-governor-allows-same-sex-couples-to-file-joint-tax-returns/

Nixon has said that Missouri will honor 2013 tax returns filed by same sex couples.



“Many Missourians, including myself, are thinking about these issues of equality in new ways and reflecting on what constitutes discrimination. To me, that process has led to the belief that we shouldn’t treat folks differently just because of who they are,” Nixon said Thursday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “I think if folks want to get married, they should be able to get married.”

Snaps for my home state!



Now, if only Nixon would man up and free Jeff Mizanskey. If you don't know what I'm talking about, refer (get it?!?) to my blog here:

http://koelen.blogspot.com/2013/12/reefer-madness-vs-mizanskey-vs-us-vs.html

or call Nixon's office at (573) 751-3222 and demand the release of Jeff Mizanskey

FAB! Absolutely! Sweetie, here comes ABFAB! #2015

One of the funniest women on Earth has issued a verbal confirmation that the Absolutely Fabulous movie is in the early stages of conception!!!

the LION of wall street UPDATED!!

I went and saw the new Leo flick Wolf of Wall Street last week and am left wondering: why can I never remember the real title to this damn movie?

Lion in Winter? Wolf of Mall Street? The Secret Life of Lion of Wall Street? The Secret Life of Saving Mr. Banks from HER Wall Street?!?

Anyhow, Scorsese knocked another one out of the park with this one. I had forgotten about HUGO and didn't realize ol' Marty had produced a few things since his epic The Departed. Though the Wolf of Wall Street isn't Scorsese's typical gangster shoot-em-up, I was still nonetheless enchanted by his vision and story telling.

Someone needs to just throw Leonardo DiCaprio an Oscar for the quaalude sequence with the stairs. And Martin Scorsese just kept the cameras rolling!

"GET ME THE FUCKING LUDES!!"



If I had to make one call, I would say the film was too long. Yes, I saw it at the midnight showing with my friend Edison, so we were in the theatre until after 3:30 in the morning, but still. I would have cut all of Mathew Mcconaughey's scene from the film, despite his excellent delivery of the character.

If I had to rank this film of despicable greed, corruption, profanity, and filth, I would probably give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It was highly entertaining.



***UPDATE***

How the hell did I forget that one of the BEST things about the Lion of Wall Street was the best supporting actress appearance by none other than the most famoustest Brit next to the Queen Herself: The comedically amazing PATSY STONE aka Joanna Lumley!!!



Not to be a spoiler, but she and Leo share quite a steamy moment on a park bench in the film!



*** ***

One thing this film really did for me was reinforce the money factor. Money can buy you absolutely everything in this world today: homes, women, men, cars, islands, countries.

Money will never make you happy. It just temporarily makes being lonely a bit easier. But it will never buy you love.

Never forget that.

random aMUSEingS

People often ask me "what do you write on your blog?" My friend Louie's friend Jake asked the same thing of me on Friday night: "How do you find stuff to write about on your blog?"

Luckily for me, I'm a creative mother fucker that could talk to a dead, decaying piece of old wood, if I had to. Remember the movie Castaway? Well I would have me a Wilson, a Donna, a Sam, a Frank, a Sergio, Shanteekwa, and Larry...even if they were all just made out of coconuts, I'd have an ARMY of made up minions for me to talk to and hang out with!!!

My mother would say, as the Irish do, that I kissed the Blarney Stone not once- but twice. Meaning I rarely, if ever, have a problem talking with people, being social, and making new friends.

An online journal or blog is a completely different story.

Sometimes I struggle with wanting to be relevant on this blog or wanting to keep up with contemporary issues. But then I remember one thing: this blog is mine. This is my diary: written for me to the public. My online musings, so to speak.

On a Monday after a long weekend, I have lots to write about:

*Starting with this hellacious winter storm that has blanketed all of America pretty much but Los Angeles. It makes me wonder about Fukushima and if the fallout from that Nuclear Plant's meltdown has anything to do with the worst storm North America has seen in decades...



Here is an article in the Salem news reinforcing the fact that the US is receiving the blunt of the fall out and our storms are related to the Fukushima disastor:

http://www.salem-news.com/articles/january052014/nuclear-blast.php

Seems like I'll be going to the pharmacy to pick up some Iodine!


*In other news, the Supreme Court of the US has halted lgbt marriages in the state of Utah today. Hopefully this means that they will take up the case, but we mightn't have any advancement in the proceedings of this until February-March. :(




*I never did hear back from Andrew Christian about the blogging position.



I'm not bitter though: I still love his undies and will continue trying to find a professional writing job. Though I would love to continue working for myself. Anyone have any leads?!?


*My long lost brother David returns to the states after a 5 year hiatus in China!



*Finally in 9 days I make the return to my favourite vacation spot: Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica!

For those that have never been to the land of La Pura Vida, I recommend you venture there! Costa Rica is a little piece of heaven and one of the most liberal countries on earth! Costa Rica ranks #1 as most environmentally friendly/green country on earth. Costa Rica has no army and has the oldest democracy in the Western Hemisphere next to the U.S. It's female president, Laura Chinchilla- a devout Catholic- has sworn to not only uphold lgbt marriage equality, but also has been a champion for women's rights and contraception.


So I leave on January 15th for a week and have a free place to stay if anyone feels like dropping the $350-$400 on a roundtrip plane ticket to Costa Rica!

Who's with me?!?

STUDY ABROAD 21: Au revoir Paris! Au revoir London! AU REVOIR EUROPE!!!

July 26th.5/July 27th, 2009


I'm here on the plane now, and a bunch of the students are trying to frantically fill out journal entries. I'm glad I did do this journal, because that way I can take these here sleeping pills and sleep from here to Los Angeles on Iggi's shoulder without having to worry about making up a journal out of my ass.


***



I realized through this trip that I can accomplish anything. I went on this trip, saw as much as I could, and slept less than ANYONE. I never rested, but had some of the most amazing experiences of my life whilst here in Europe. I realized I need to stand up for myself more and to never say "never". I never said "never" on this trip and never slept, yet accomplished everything I wanted. I learned on this Study Abroad holiday that I really can do anything as long as I stay positive.


OH! Gotta go. Time to buckle up my seat belt! The plane is taking off soon.


Goodbye Paris! Goodbye London! GOODBYE EUROPE!!!


Some of my most favouritest pics from the trip: