Kingdom of Leo II

Dispose of your ugly children here

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:15:00 +0000

I feel about as weird as that picture.

I screwed up. I should have been adding a label for # Crowns on my reviews, but of course, I did not realize this until I was 121 posts in. Aiyaa! I almost re-launched tonight because I am so eager, but I really want to do this right, so I continue to forge ahead with file conversions. Maybe, I'll re-launch if I can get my sectional redesigns done, and then catch up on archived posts for the rest of my life.

Just watched a great episode of House. I used to watch that show regularly, but his attitude got old. I can't wait for the Heroes premiere.

Music Only A Mother Could Love

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:41:00 +0000

Nicolle Wallace, spokesperson for the McCain Campaign this morning criticized the blogosphere for commenting on Palin's bastard grandchild. Meredith Vieira brought up a good point. It would have come out eventually, so why didn't the R-party make it known from the beginning? Personally, if I was going to vote republican this would not matter, but it would be used as a demarcation line to judge future political decisions that Palin would make. No one is going to reign me in. I subscribe to the U.S.A. where freedom of speech still exists.

Did you notice the anti-war demonstrators outside the RNC? I didn't see any outside the DNC.

How to Furrow Your Brow

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:12:00 +0000

Might could banish Justin Long to the Kingdom of Leo, PC. I just saw a Mac commercial where PC was dressed as a king and he was banishing Mac.

According to someone at Washington State University, when you concentrate really hard so that furrows appear in your brow, you are furrowing your brow – an expression that means “worry, puzzle over.”

I just found at that Terriyaki Says... is coming to Los Angeles the first week in October. L.A. you have been forewarned!

On a global note, I think the RNC should be canceled all together; they are not going to win anyway. As for Louisiana, cut down on all that sinning, you sinners! Ha ha ha ha!

Treating myself to All The King's Men.

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:59:00 +0000

Way cool living area rearrangement. <pic>. Realization: I am working for myself right now and have been since I returned to California. Good thing. Projection: Develop marketing plan for return to workforce. Self/Blog: ReDesign, ReOrganization & ReCreation within <timeframe> while attending school full time and freelancing. To be continued...

Brian Williams

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:04:00 +0000

I was up till 01:00 this morning, moving Front Row Center 2005 Archives to the new blog. I am about halfway through. Yikes! When I think that I still have to move 2006, 2007 and 2008, my head starts to spin. I think any new reviews, like Asphalt Jungle, will be added immediately.

Since I was up so late last night, I had the opportunity to see Saturday Night Live for the first time in years. In all honesty, I had started watching MadTV – which I rarely can stay awake for also – but last night's show was pretty stupid, so I switched...just in time to catch Brian Williams's monologue. Hey! If Bridget Jones can do it, so can I. Anyway, while Brian is no Matt Lauer, I did find that I am attracted to him. Who knew?

Poison Ivy

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:23:00 +0000

Yesterday, I started loading my Front Row Center archived items. I am really liking the new design and functionality. During that process, I was reacquainted with Living Read Girl because I had grabbed a movie poster from her site back in 2004. Her post of yesterday had to do with Batman & Robin, which has one of my all-time favorite movie scenes. As it stands, I will probably need till January 1, 2009 to condense all my archived posts into the new blogs.

Barber Shops, Murphy's Law & Little Boy Blue

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:09:00 +0000

Pan de Huevo sent me a little joke today that really got me laughing: The Barber and the Mexican. This got me wondering about the history of the barber shop pole. My next mind link was to my uncle Paul, who was a barber and motorcycle enthusiast before he died. I think I am going to resume shaving my head again, beginning either today or this weekend.

On a things-gone-awry note, I discovered, after testing the posting of my new blog designs that I did not perform my customization properly, therefore wiping out all my changes. Due to an excess of frustration this week from illness and computer problems, I am going to leave them as is, which is a pared down representation. The main reason for the redesign was to increase commentability and interaction with my visitors and that has been achieved. I was able to salvage some of my design and have implemented it with test already conducted. I am so excited that I might relaunch earlier, but I find the invaluable benefit of pretesting and might just wait until January 1, 2009.

Finally, I am only six rows away from finishing Little Boy Blue, but because it is a present, I will not post images until the baby shower on September 20. Besides, I still have to make the booties and the beanie.

They ain't BLACK and I ain't WHITE

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:54:00 +0000

I am so over all this political bullshit. Don't get me wrong. I recognize the significance of a black president, but I get the feeling that people think it is due to America's growth that this has been allowed to happen. While I believe that is partially true, I think it is an indication that black people are growing up. For years, I have been hearing that young black men make up the majority of delinquents and incarcerations and all they want to do is blame the white guy. Again, don't get me wrong, the white guy began it, but I feel those incarcerated young black men incarcerated were using the white man as an excuse. What ever happened to taking responsibility for one's own actions? Maybe if Obama does become president, it will turn the tide among blacks and they will finally recognize of what they are capable. Hell, this country used to be inhabited by Indians and Mexicans; yet, we still have to see a Mexican/Indian president.

As for McCain choosing Palin as his running mate, that was pure strategy. Don't try to sell me that straight from the heart crap.

Several times I have been referred to as white by black people. That really pisses me off. I am not white, I am brown. And for the matter, they are not black either, they are shades of brown. No one is truly black...yet!

Finally, I just want to say to all the democrats that will vote for McCain because Obama is a Muslim or black, "Get over yourself!" How will voting republican improve your life?

Now let me go take my morning dose of Bayer and Ibuprofen for this headache, which I believe is another side effect of Atripla and which has begun this week and recurred everyday.

Dumped Again!

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:51:00 +0000

Before I went to bed last night I attempted to start redesign of Knightly Delights. I searched medieval knights and then Arabian knights. I found one image of a swarthy hottie and that is probably the image that created my dream.

In my dream, I was on a campus. I had made friends with a swarthy, muscular, slender guy, who just could not seem to catch a break in love, studies or life. I began my normal courting by becoming a good friend. Amongst friends there was an introduction to a slender, West Hollywood queen. Following that, a major event hurled my love interest into escape mode. I went after him, but ran into his father instead, who was very concerned for his son. I offered to drive his father home, but on spying my love interest at the campus cafe, I dropped the father off and proceeded to the cafe. Upon my arrival to the cafe, I spotted my love in the car of the West Hollywood queen and they were headed to Riverside. Methhead? You be the judge.

Anyway, having realizing the pattern of events that was about to unfold – I meet a guy that I like, I become friendly and my love grows, and then I am told by my love interest that while I am a very good friend, he is not attracted to me in a sexual way - I left in my BMW Roadster.

Virginity, ÁNIMO, Celebrity Money, The Story of a Sign and Digital Cabaret

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:57:00 +0000

Because of my computer issues, I have finally had a moment to catch up on my email. Cher sent me an email "Upgrading from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0." While I was replying I realized that I have been celibate for a whole frikkin' year. Can I reclaim virgin status?

O is organizing ÁNIMO 2008 Latino Young Men's Conference; Ella Enchanted sent me Celebrity Money; the Coffee Lady sent me a powerful video called The Story of a Sign, which actually brought tears to my eyes; and Quifer is producing Digital Cabaret (website to follow).

Since Dell has not called, as scheduled, I am beginning my reviews of three three-crown movies: Witness for the Prosecution, Happy Valley and Oklahoma!

Well, Dell did call back. I was disconnected from James, but to my utter shock and surprise he actually called me back. After I repeatedly pointed out that my dvd/cd write drive was not functioning properly, I told him that he could close the case; my computer is operational, all files have been backed up and I no longer have the patience to sit and go through a million and one diagnostics. It took me approximately forty-five minutes to locate the corporate address. Letter to follow.

I must say that my experience is remarkable for this distinguishing fact: no matter how many times I proved that something was amiss, not one representative would acknowledge that fact and would continue attempts to misdirect me.

Mojo has taken to wanting to sit on my lap while I am at computer. We have worked it out so that if I recline enough he can lay down on my stomach and I can still post and type. I don't dare try designing.

Dell smells!

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:53:00 +0000

I have been very happy with Dell products until yesterday. I just finished backing up all my files. During the day I had occasion to speak with Dell Tech Support representatives:

Call 1: Sudha
She told me the Memorex CDs I was using were incompatible with Dell computers, so I went out and bought Staples store brand. She also updated the firmware for my DVD/CD writable drive.

Call 2: Ritesh
Staples CDs did not work either. Ritesh took the brunt of my anger and frustration, mostly because he was not listening to my request to speak with a manager/supervisor or send someone out to fix my damn computer. He continually tried to get me to spend more money on TechTeam, $150/year for tech support with American representatives, basically. After I made it clear that I had no intention of putting any more money into Dell's pockets, he transferred me to American technical support.

Call 3: Reynaldo
We got disconnected, but he was not able to resolve the issues either. He didn't even call me back.

Call 4: Sudha
Called me back and we got the files backed up by copying 10, 10, 20, and 50 at a time. Sudha suggested the one of the files in the group of 169 I was trying to copy was corrupt. I told her that the computer would either copy with or without notification, insisting something is wrong with the drive. To prove my point, I ended up copying all 169 files 10-20 at a time. She is going to call me tomorrow morning to resolve the hard drive issue.

Just shoot me!

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:02:00 +0000

I am stressed out! If that is not enough, I have been sick since my break started. I have had a cold and a cough, which is still hanging on today.

Yesterday, I received an email from Coffee Lady. I went to view the video, which was fabulous. I just now went to Yahoo! Mail to get the URL for the video for you, but Yahoo! Mail is not loading. I called Time Warner and they are experiencing connection problems. Aiyaa!

Anyway, I watched the video, which made me cry and upon closing the browser window my computer froze. I tried to perform a hard reboot, twice, but it was not accepted. I turned of the computer, waited a few seconds and then turned it on again. I received an error message that the dvd/cd r drives would not be initialized. I turned the computer off again, unplugged the computer from the wall, pressed the power button to clear residual memory, plugged the computer back in and then tried again. I received a message that drive 0 could not be found.

I was livid. Only about two months ago, they had replaced my hard drive. While the technician was here, I asked the he tighten up some loose components in the cpu, but he said it was not necessary. The supervisor/manager that I spoke with yesterday suggested that maybe there were some loose connections in the cpu from movement/vibration. I told him of my previous suggestion to the tech that replaced my hard drive and made it clear that I was not interested in wasting more of my time and suggested that if the computer is still under warranty that Dell send someone out to fix my computer.

In the meantime, I tried to start my computer again and it came up. My first action was to back up my files, which I am still doing today - thank God the computer is still working. Dell is supposed to call this afternoon to run one diagnostic and tell me what is wrong with the computer.

Before all this transpired, I spent the morning uploading my new templates for the Kingdom of Leo, Pretty In Pink and Front Row Center. Today, provided I can finish up with Dell, I am going to start designing Knightly Delights, Off da Hook and Worth 1000 Words. I am so excited, I don't know if I can wait until January 2009 to relaunch.

What now? Clark Rockefeller or the DNC?

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:02:00 +0000

It was all about the Beijing Olympics closing ceremony last night. They were pretty good, but not as cool as the opening ceremony. The only thought that kept going through my head was that finally, these athletes can get back to living their lives. You know how you hear all the stories of struggle and difficulty each athlete had to face to get to Beijing. I must admit that this was the first year where the Olympics actually held my attention. Did you watch?

Today begins my break from school. Yay! I am still sick, but feeling much better. I think I have my design locked down for Pretty In Pink, I am just waiting on a second opinion. I even think I have my new design for KOL, which I will be working on today.

Well, not really...

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:56:00 +0000

...I have stayed true to myself and stayed home today. I worked on Little Boy Blue, reading about the halfway point; found a crochet pattern for some booties and a beanie to match Little Boy Blue; did my cold and warm laundry, hung it out, folded it and put it away; and watched Raging Bull and Picnic.

Oh! And by the way, I am feeling bettah! You know, it's kind of weird. I woke at 02:00 and begin my med regimen for the day, taking two cold tablets and a double-dose of Robitussin every four hours, and I have been able to sense the recuperative/curative/ process my body has experienced today. Freaky-deaky! I am one with the universe.

I am dying...

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:52:00 +0000

...to feel better. About three days ago, my inside left nostril started hurting where the nose pad from my glasses rests. I though I had a pimple, but was not averse to discovering I might be developing a sinus infection. The next day I maintained with ibuprofen and Bayer. Yesterday, despite a severe cough I went to school for the last day because I am on the verge of completing my new KOL design structure.

Anyway, today my chest feels so frikkin' tight. I have never had this feeling before. I am still hacking, but it is dry. I am not sure if it is all the medications, if it is really warm, or if I am feverish. Whatever the case, I will stay home today and take meds; maybe watch some movies?

So I learned yesterday that corporate sponsorship of political conventions is a loop hole in the some law banning corporate contributions to party campaigns. How stupid is that? I am writing my reps today and asking them how to stop that. I am also tempted to write Schwarzenegger and ask him why the hell the budget is not balanced yet. Doesn't anybody in government think or work?

Done deal! Letter to Maxine Waters, representative of the 35th district follows:

Dear Ms. Waters:
I am pleased to see you are involved in some form of HIV work, as I am HIV+. However, my letter today is to address the loop hole in some law that allows for corporate sponsorship of political national conventions. I want that to stop. How would I go about making that happen?
Secondly, I am interested in your views on gay marriage, Bill Nelson's proposal to end the electoral college, and universal health care.
I think it is a frikkin' shame that the United States of America does not have enough compassion or foresight to realize that healthcare is something everyone should be afforded. How the hell are we supposed to pursue liberty otherwise?
I maintain a blog and will be publishing this letter and your response on my blog. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Leo

In the meantime, I have started crocheting a blanket for Fatoe's coming son. I have till September for the baby shower and November for the baby. I am gonig to try and make some booties and a hat as well. I am not sure of a name for this project yet. How about boucle bouncing baby boy blanket booties & beanie? Better yet. How about Little Boy Blue? I like that.

Grapefruits are called grapefruits...

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:27:00 +0000

...because they grow in clusters that look sort of like bunches of grapes.

Griffith van Griffith is scheduled to appear today at Los Angeles City Hall to push for historic-cultural monument status for the park his great-grandfather gave the city 112 years ago. At 4,218 acres, Griffith Park would be the largest such monument in the country. Griffith said the designation is needed to prevent commercial developments similar to those briefly proposed by city officials in a 2005 master plan.

Pepe Le Peu sent me an email regarding the MSNBC Poll: Should the motto "In God We Trust" be removed from U.S. currency? I voted yes.

OUT OF 588,4461 RESPONSES
26% Yes. It's a violation of the principle of separation of church and state.
74% No. The motto has historical and patriotic significance and does nothing to establish a state religion.

Why are grapefruits called grapefruits when they don't look or taste like grapes?

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:05:00 +0000

Answer to be revealed tomorrow. In the meantime, after a day of frustration on my latest creative project, I am back on track and feeling very good about my first attempt. I discovered today that it was computer I was sitting at the other day, which was not my normal seat. I can't wait to share it with you. If you know Swiper and want to assist me, please email me or leave a comment with some descriptive words to use in my piece. Thanks.

Occasional Irregularity

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:31:00 +0000

This morning I received an email from Half A Man regarding Telemegaphone Dale. It is only in operation until September 6, so call +47 90 369389 as soon as possible and have your voice projected here.

I just finished my reviews for Confessions of a Superhero and Socket.

Yesterday I went to see my doctor. Now I have to wait about a week to find out how well the Atripla is working, if it is working at all. In the evening, I attended my first Ánimo meeting. You know how I hate to help, but I am registered as a general volunteer this year; maybe next year I will register as a mentor. I encourage anyone reading this post to follow the link and volunteer your services. My brown brothers, more mentors are needed. If you are emotionally available, please register. Even my nephew is registering as an attendee.

Loud Talker

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:58:00 +0000

Today I had to set someone straight. This guy in my graphic design class, that I used to find attractive, spoke up in class today and asked the teacher, whom I was speaking to, if I had to talk so loud. I turned around and told him, "Yes, I do. I am a loud-talker." The teacher smiled and then asked me to lower my voice.

Frances has been reviewed.

You know, I have gotten so caught up in the new redesign that I have fallen down on reconciliation of the Kingdom of Leo. I might just scrap that project, or focus on the redesign and then when that is launched, resume the file reconciliatory reorganization.

Dying Last Week of School during Hurricane Fay Strictly Prohibited

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:55:00 +0000

They should at least mark off the area that one is prohibited from dying in. I love this picture. By the way dying in the Kingdom of Leo is strictly prohibited as well, so don't even think about it.

The summer session of school ends this week. Yay! I think I will be off next week and then back to school after the Labor Day weekend until February. By February I should have completed both courses and receive my certificate, which means back to work.

I just saw on the morning news that there is a tropical storm, that could possibly turn into hurricane Fay, headed towards Florida. Nostalgia takes hold, but with a healthy respect. I remember walking home during Wilma from a meeting, which no one showed up at. Until I lost my electricity for two days, I used to look forward to hurricane news because I had not experienced one and because I am always looking for a reason not to go to work. I emailed my peeps and heard from two already: Pooh and La Loca.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:38:00 +0000

SUNDAY
All I have to do is create navigation buttons for Pretty In Pink and then I will be moving on to redesigning the Kingdom of Leo. Once I have finished with KOL, I can start plugging in all the elements into the Blogger template. I will create all other sections as need arises. Today I watched Frances, but I lent the dvd to my aunt, so I don't have the synopsis.

SATURDAY
I just got back from visiting Rula Lenska in Long Beach. The drive was uneventful. Surprisingly, her dog, Novio, looks like Mojo's long lost half-brother; they are the exact same color. We dined at Cocoreno's; the food was good and the bathroom facilities excellent. Afterwards, we just went window shopping. When I got home I continued working on Pretty In Pink and then watched Queen Sized.

FRIDAY
Halfway through the month and over halfway through the year. Aiyaa! It is amazing how time passes faster as you age. I just hope I can have all my web updates done by January 1, 2009. Yesterday while browsing the web, I found this cool page that displays the year and name of people born or died on the day you were born.

I have finished the new Front Row Center page design. Now I am working on the Pretty In Pink page, which will be my portfolio. At relaunch time, the landing page will be a splash page where you can choose which section of the Kingdom you would like to explore.

Grandma doesn't want to be late to the costume party.

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:26:00 +0000

I finally made a logo choice and created a Corporate Identity for Doggone Natural. I also finished my web design class project: UCP Westside Activity Center. Moving right along, I just finished writing my reviews of Pet Sematary and Harold and Maude.

If you haven't been by the Dyansty of Lao recently, he has been redesigning. He was also going to relocate the Dynasty, but I think that plan was scrapped. All this talk of change, a particular comment, and a desire to renovate and upgrade the Kingdom of Leo, has me buzzing about creating a new site map, that will improve KOL comments. I am hoping to relaunch January 1, 2009.

Quitting & Being Underage

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:05:00 +0000

Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian threw down his greco-roman bronze medal in protest today after his bid for Olympic gold was ended by a decision denounced by the Swedish coach as “politics.” Abrahamian took the bronze from around his neck during the medal ceremony, stepped from the podium, dropped it in the middle of the wrestling mat, and then walked off. A bitter Abrahamian, silver medalist at Athens 2004 who had high hopes of top honors in the 84kg competition in Beijing, announced he was quitting the sport.

And if that is not enough for you, have you heard the controversy over the actual age of some Chinese gymnasts? Back in November 2007, the Chinese government's news agency, Xinhua, reported on one of its websites, that gymnast He Kexin was one of "ten big new stars" who made a splash at China's Cities Games. It gave her age as 13 and reported that she beat Yang Yilin on the uneven bars at those games. The Associated Press found the Xinhua report on the site and saved a copy of the page. Later that afternoon, the website was still working but the page was no longer accessible. Sports editors at the state-run news agency would not comment for publication.

Gymnasts have to be 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible for the games. He's birthday is listed as Jan. 1, 1992. If the age reported by Xinhua was correct, that would have meant He was too young to be on the Chinese team that beat the United States on Wednesday and clinched China's first women's team Olympic gold in gymnastics. Questions have also been raised about Yang's age and that of a third team member, Jiang Yuyuan.

Mark Spitz

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:08:00 +0000

This morning I saw Mark Spitz on the Today. Gosh! I remember him from the seventies. I thought he was handsome then, developing a crush on his classic gay seventies appearance. Loved that mustache! Mmm, mmm, mmm! Turns out that he is still very fine in a Harrison Ford kind of way. While searching for images I did find one where he had undergone botox injections. Oh vanity, thy name is botox.

R U cute enough?

kingleo@kingdomofleo.com (King Leo) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:27:00 +0000

This is Yang Peiyi, the voice behind pigtailed Lin Miaoke, who lip-synced the words to "Ode to the Motherland" at the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony. Chen Qigang, chief music director, told state-owned Beijing Radio Yang Peiyi, with her chubby face and crooked baby teeth, wasn't good looking enough for the ceremony. He said the ceremony's director, film director Zhang Yimou, knew of the change. Peiyi later told China Central Television that just having her voice used was an honor. In a brief phone interview with AP Television News on Tuesday night, the music director, said he spoke about the switch with Beijing Radio "to come out with the truth."

The latest example of the lengths image-obsessed China is taking to create a perfect Summer Games, but on a more global note, it confirms the worlds obsession with outer beauty. I am appalled and find this to be shame! Yang Peiyi is way cuter, and a model of humility.