Kinky Friedman Gets (Politically) Serious...

"Between the gutter and the stars, People are what people are..."

"May the God of your choice bless you..."

-- Kinky Friedman

What? You haven't heard of The Kinkstah? I don't blame you.

I came across Kinky Friedman while scouring through a barrage of bargain books. I found one of his jewels titled Elvis, Jesus, and Coca Cola. The title did not only intrigue me, I sensed a cruel humor in it as well.

And so I took it home, since then I've never passed up on a second hand Kinky Friedman book. I think I even bought one new just because the prize was slashed to 50%.

He was witty, smart, unconventional, and never afraid to say what he thinks wrapped in his chilli pepper coated philosophy. Truth is his religion, he declares.

So I was really amused to learn that he's running for governor in the state of Texas. Whoa! The foul mouthed Jew cowboy taking a stab at politics. I thought it was some joke...apparently not. Not surprise, though, that right-wing conservatives now attack his stance.

Well his future policies can definitely create a brawl at the Gov's office:

• legalizing casino gambling to help pay for education
• decriminalizing marijuana to free up prison space
• developing a taxpayer ID card for illegal immigrants to work.

Can this rebel win the gubernatorial seat in Texas? We'll have to see.

See this relaled story: Kinky Friedman Wants To Run Texas, And Why The Hell Not?

Sting Proclaims Rock Music As Boring

"Rock music has come to a standstill, it's not going forward anymore, it only bores me," Die Zeit German magazine quoted Sting as saying.

I could very well have said that on my own.

Because it is true. Rock music has become bland, boxed, and unexciting. Especially with American bands nowadays dishing out their own brand of 'rock' songs that are enough to send me into catatonic state.

It surprises me much that The Creed, The Calling, and all those Eddie Vedder-grunge-remnant sounding bands actually sell records and top the charts. Or that rap-rock (is that what they call it?) genre perpetrated by Limp Bizkit and many other tattoed motorcycle gang big guys. It plain sucks, man!

Very few rock bands can catch my attention these days. Of course, there's my favorite U2. REM, Greenday, Foo Fighters, Garbage... but these bands have surpassed the decade mark and were able to shape their own authentic sound.

What's new in rock when the new century ushered in? You can count 'em using fingers of your one hand: Franz Ferdinand, White Stripes, The Killers, Coldplay... I dare you to make a list of 10 bands carving out their own niche in rock history today.

So, yeah. Rock indeed has become utterly boring.

Leo DiCaprio Got Popped In The Head!

Just saw The Departed. And I agree with the critics, the movie was great. Martin Scorsese at his best.

I think this movie also finally earns Leonardo DiCaprio the genuine respect of serious moviegoers. Not only because he got popped in the head real nasty.

Because if you're not familiar with his pre-Titanic career you will find it hard to look at him beyond the pretty face. If you want to understand why some of us actually like him go to your nearest movie rental shop and get What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Basketball Diaries, This Boy's Life, and even Baz Luhrman's Romeo & Juliet.

He was the celebrated Indie Boy. I was a bit skeptikal that he could regain his Hollywood status after disappearing from the scene when Titatic raked in $1 billion and turned him into a poster boy superstar. Maybe he needed to go away.

After that he came back stronger. And working only for legendary directors like Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. Upon his comeback everybody still want a piece of him. Why? Because he's plain good.

Anyway, here's our review of The Departed =)