Almost Worth Knowing: A Great New Show That Makes me a Lot Sad and a Little Bit Sick and Angry

I am currently sitting and watching a new 6-episode series on ABC, called Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.

You may know Jamie Oliver as "the Naked Chef," the title of his first series, on the Food Network. In 2005, he was named the "Most Inspiring Political Figure" in the UK when he "revolutionized" the British school food system, helping it switch from feeding school-aged children healthy food instead of processed food. In his new show, Oliver hopes to do the same for the US, by starting in Huntington, West Virginia, the city MSNBC named as "the most unhealthy city in the United States."

Watching the first episode, I nearly wanted to throw up just from seeing what children are served and what people think of as acceptable food: the children were given pizza for breakfast, pizza for lunch, and the only milk kids drank were chocolate or strawberry flavored. When Oliver attempted to make what looked like good, oven roasted chicken, the kids completely rejected it in favor of fake, French bread pizza.

In the second episode, Oliver quizzes some kids on what different fresh vegetables are. 6-year-old kids could not identify a tomato or an eggplant, or tell that French Fries come from potatoes. I'm disgusted.

Ultimately, the worse part is the opposition and rejection Oliver faces from all of the people he tries to help. I firmly believe that Oliver IS there to help and not just make a tv show; his work in the UK is evidence of that. I know that nobody wants an outsider to come in and say "you're unhealthy" or "you need to change your living habits." Moreover, I know that kids just don't like the same things adults do. However, I do believe that healthy eating habits start early, and kids emulate their parents. My nieces have "acquired" a taste for sushi, because that is what they see their parents eating. They may not love eating salad, and may like eating chicken nuggets more than fresh things, but the truth is, my sister doesn't even offer them the crap that most kids would normally choose to eat. This isn't oppression, it's proper parenting.

Nobody disputes the fact that processed food is easier. However, we are paying for our culture of convenience. How much do we value our children as Americans? Enough to feed them good food, or just enough to feed them the cheapest easiest products? I don't know if this show will make a difference to a lot of people, but I sincerely find Jamie Oliver's work to be noble. I hope he does make a difference.

In conclusion, watch the show if you have a chance. Do some reading on it here or here. Maybe even sign his petition: JaimeOliver.com. I'm going to keep watching, cause now I hope he does succeed. In his interview, Oliver says the ending is only bitter-sweet. I'll take it.

Worth Knowing: Seriously... this is not okay...

This story is pretty new, and I think it is definitely worth knowing. However, I mostly just want to gripe. I don't have much to say about this, because either you agree with me or you don't. However, if you don't agree, you're stupid. Here are the facts as I understand them.

Today, in Mississippi, Itawamba County school district's board decided to cancel this year's prom. The reason - a female student wanted to wear a tuxedo and attend the event with her same-sex date. The ACLU became involved and gave the school board until yesterday to change it's policy. The day passed with no comment, but the board eventually released the following statement: the school board would not host the event "due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events." Furthermore, they stated "It is our hope that private citizens will organize an event for the juniors and seniors. However, at this time, we feel that it is in the best interest of the Itawamba County School District, after taking into consideration the education, safety and well being of our students."

Curiously, no mention was made of the ACLU, or Constance McMillen, the student involved. it would appear that the School Board would rather punt on the question than deal with the repercussions of enforcing its rules. McMillen also suggests that the action is retaliatory, as many of her peers would fault her personally for the cancellation. Whatever the case, this blogger supports Constance McMillen in her desire to assert her rights.

Constance McMillen, 18

The entire Associated Press article can be found here: Miss. school prom off after lesbian's date request

Almost Worth Knowing: P&G's new ad campaign...

Well, it's that time again, everybody. The Olympics are back on, and I guess I owe my faithful readers some interesting coverage.

To begin, I was watching the Opening Ceremonies tonight, and I suddenly heard "... also brought to you by P&G - Proud Sponsors of Moms." I immediately Googled it to see if I heard correctly. I did.

... not my mom...

P&G, more commonly referred to as Proctor and Gamble, is responsible for such companies as Braun, Bounty, Crest, and Gillette, among others. Curiously, P&G also once produced such classic works of American Soap Opera as As the World Turns, Guiding Light, and The Young and the Restless, though The Young and the Restless is the only soap still produced by the company.

Instead, P&G now sponsors your mom...

... which means that P&G "will help Team USA moms get to Vancouver as part of the 'P&G Thanks, Mom' program. P&G has committed to help defray the cost of travel and accommodations so that the mom behind each and every Team USA athlete can share their child's Olympic Winter Games experience." You can read more about it here.

Ultimately, it's all kinda interesting... but I bet P&G is supporting a lot more moms by continuing to produce The Young and the Restless.

On another note, I'd like to pay my respects to the Georgian Luge Athlete, Nodar Muaritashvili, who died today. It's a sad story. For those of you who are in the know, I almost tried luge myself just the other day. Seriously, this kinda casts a dark shadow over my Olympic aspirations.

Almost Worth Knowing: A term best left in the last millennium

This April, many of us will, yet again, fill out a census form. In the United States, a census is conducted every ten years and, as a part of that, residents of the United States (citizen and non-citizen alike) are expected to include information such as race. While this same question (and term) has been included previously, it comes somewhat as a surprise that this year, Americans again have the option to be identified as "Negro."

The term Negro comes from the Latin base niger meaning black. It is also the word for black in Spanish, Portuguese, and ancient Italian. Prior to the civil rights movement, Negro was actually the polite term to use in reference to Black people, superseding the term "colored." However, the term fell out of favor, largely due to the fact that it was associated with the long history of slavery, segregation, and discrimination that treated African Americans as second class citizens, or worse. Today, it still exists in historical references as well as in the names of older organizations such as the United Negro College Fund.

Another place it can be found is Question 9 in the upcoming Census 2010 (one option for racial designation is "Black, African Am., or Negro"). The US Census Bureau has been criticized in several media publications for reviving the controversial term, with members of the public calling the word improper and unnecessary.

In the US Census Bureau's defense, however, the term "African American" was added to the form in 2000, catering to that political notion. Similarly, the term "Black" was added in 1970. Before that, the only racial signifier found on the form was "Negro." Logically, one might assume the antiquated term would be eliminated now that it has fallen to disuse and has been replaced by more politically correct terms. The US Census Bureau justifies their decision to retain the term, however, stating it is a term of inclusion and "Many older African-Americans identified themselves that way, and many still do. Those who identify themselves as Negroes need to be included." Personally, while I do not feel strongly that the term should be removed, I find the purported reasoning to be silly and think the term could easily be retired without affecting the accuracy of Census results. I doubt that there is a significant number of individuals remaining who consider themselves Negroes, but would not also be able to identify as Black or African American.

Then again, perhaps I'm wrong. All I know is that I've been waiting years for a box marked Oriental. This April, I guess I'll just have to check "Other."

Almost Worth Knowing: Conan O'Brien Leaves NBC

Though I'm sure this is not news to anybody, Conan O'Brien has left NBC, the company where he was employed, writing for SNL in 1988, to his brief stint as the Tonight Show host this past year. Time Magazine says that O'Brien went out with class, and I have to agree. The last episode ended with O'Brien shredding his axe, while Will Farrel sang and played cowbell, putting on a truly epic and ultimately fitting rendition of Freebird, the classic song by Lyrnyrd Skynyrd. Ben Harper, Beck, and Max Weinberg (of course) also joined him on stage. If you didn't get to see the last episode, you can see it here: The Tonight Show: Episode 146.

Also, as part of my duty in relating useless information, check out this interesting Taiwanese Animation summarizing the Late-Night War. It's sub-titled, but I wonder if it might not be more fun to watch without the sub-titles.

Finally, I'd just like to say that I hope Conan comes back soon. I have many fond memories of late nights in college, when I would stay up with my roommate long enough to watch Late Night with Conan O'Brien as it aired for the second time. I honestly mean it when I say that TV as we know it wouldn't be the same without him.

Answers: On a side note, I issued a challenge two entries (and an eternity) ago. Congratulations to Katie for getting 1 point. The answers are as follows:

"Whenever you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (spoken by Sherlock Holmes)

"The truth will set (make?) you free." - The Bible (John 8:32)

"The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple." - Oscar Wilde

"Truth is more stranger than fiction." Mark Twain (often misquoted as Truth is stranger than fiction)

"A lie told often enough becomes the truth." - Lenin

Almost Worth Knowing: Ellie Kemper on the Office

I know... I am terribly late on writing this blog. I bet a MILLION bloggers beat me to it. Oh well.

A few months ago, I wrote an entry entitled A Great Blowjob in Honor of Valentine's Day, in which I posted a video called Blowjob Girl. Some of you were hesitant to watch it because of its title, but I know that most eventually did anyway. Perverts.

Well, the other day, as I finally got around to finishing Season 5 of The Office, you can imagine my surprise when I saw none other than Blowjob Girl join the cast! That's right, Blowjob Girl, known to her friends as Ellie Kemper, plays the Scranton branch's new receptionist Erin Hannon. She's pretty fun and quirky on the show, and the fans have taken well to her. I can't stop thinking about her dry blowjobs, but to each his own, I guess. I look forward to seeing more of her as the show continues.

"Being on set with them is like being in a dream, except the dream is real and I can reach out and touch them. Except I am trying not to touch them too much, because I was raised right."
—Ellie Kemper, on The Office

Challenge: Without the help of the internets and not counting Steve Carell's illustrious credits, can you name any other works that other office Stars have taken part in?

Almost Worth Knowing: Sorry Katie, but I think I've Found My Future Girlfriend

Some of you may have already seen this on ESPN, but this clip comes from last weekends New Mexico v. Brigham Young University Women's Soccer Game.

The best is the way she doesn't even react or look down after putting that girl on the floor at 0:11. New Mexico Defender Elizabeth Lambert has since been suspended indefinitely. Contrary to popular belief, she was not suspended for the illegality of her actions, but because it turns out she's a Professional Wrestler, in violation of team policies.

Almost Worth Knowing: It's finally here...

Here's some big news for everyone.

For those of you who may not know (and that's not many of you), this summer I acted in an awesome horror/ slasher by the name of Won Ton Baby.

The NEW news is this. While I was... originally under the impression that the movie would be premiering at a film festival elsewhere, it has come to my attention that there will be a local premiere at the State Theater in Pa. Moreover, that premiere will be this Thursday!

That's right, my movie is finally coming out!

I invite anyone who wants to attend to please come out. You can get tickets and information here.

The movie will be pretty spectacular, and I would appreciate any and all support! I'm thinking instant classic - so, one day, you can tell everyone you were there first. Who know? Get your tickets early, so you're guaranteed a seat... They're ONLY 5 DOLLARS!!!

Last thing to say: my pics should be up on my IMDB in a few days to coincide with the film, so be sure to check that out, too... and tell your friends. I can't wait!

Thanks all,
Abe Tran

Almost Worth Knowing: and Back to Kanye...

So the other night, Kanye West committed an one of the more memorable pop culture atrocities in recent memory... I blogged about it already, but I have to come back to it. Now, I'm sure that, for some time now, this was cause for people over at E! to go into seizures about; but apparently, it has also become somewhat of an internet phenomenon.

Here it is... ImmaLetYouFinish.com. Below are some of my favorites... you get the gist of what the website is about...

This one is my favorite of favorites...

Also, Obama called him a jackass.

Almost Worth Knowing: Patrick Swayze Dies at Age 57 of Pancreatic Cancer

It has been well-known for some time now that Patrick Swayze was battling Pancreatic Cancer. The cancer, which he contracted in early 2008, finally completed its course last evening. It is sad to look at pictures of him from his last days- gaunt, old, and generations apart from the graceful, vibrant star he was in his youth. This summer has been a summer of death for many large figures in Hollywood, and, for me, this is another striking reminder of how old my parents are getting. My father is a year older than Swayze.

Nonetheless, I will try my best to remember my father in his youth, as I'm sure Swayze's image will be preserved forever in classics like Dirty Dancing and, one of my favorites, Ghost.

Jennifer Grey, in remembrance of her days working with him on Dirty Dancing, had this to say: "When I think of him, I think of being in his arms when we were kids, dancing, practicing the lift in the freezing lake, having a blast doing this tiny little movie we thought no one would ever see. ... Patrick was a rare and beautiful combination of raw masculinity and amazing grace."


Even if we never see him again, maybe Whoopi or Demi will?

Challenge: Without using the internet, link Swayze to Kevin Bacon in the fewest number of degrees possible.