Author Archives: Alison

Garden State

Garden State

I am writing this mere minutes after having finished watching this movie.  IMHO, everyone should see it.  It is a well-acted, well-crafted movie that has a message without being preachy, reaches emotional levels that are rare in most commercial films, and is thoroughly enjoyable.  After our only experience with Natalie Portman being her portrayal of Queen Amidala, we were surprised to see that she had so much talent.  And Zach Braff was amazing.  It’s always good to see people who look like real people in movies nowadays, but throw in the benefit that he developed and grew a character, filled it out and made it real – it was wonderful.  I’m not going to give a plot synopsis.  For that, we have IMDB.com.  Just get it and watch it.  I’m thinking that, despite the presence of a couple of age-inappropriate scenes, I’m going to show it to the daughters.  It’s that good.

Woohoo!

Woohoo!

The money thing is all set – papers signed, approvals verbally guaranteed, just a few days until paperwork goes through.  New contract signed with different buyers who’ll appreciate the house more.  Roofer on his way as soon as the rain stops.  Attorney review should be done on both transactions by Tuesday or Wednesday.  Time to pack like mad!  (I wish I’d saved all those packing peanuts from Amazon.com!  Oh, well.)

Things always come together for us in the end, I just tend to forget that during the rough spots. 

Child Modeling

Child Modeling

Today, I had the misfortune of discovering a “child modeling” site.  Holy cow, this was pedophile heaven.  These people who make these sites, though, know their legal ins and outs.  The site and its links are presented as a modeling portfolio for these little girls, 6 and up, as if people who were looking for children for genuine modeling shoots would be cruising around there.  However, not only are there fee structures amazingly similar to those of your standard adult porn sites, but these children are clearly posed in provocative, sexual poses.

Legally, these sites aren’t crossing any lines – the girls are clothed, no actual images of nipples or genitalia are shown, but geez louise. . .if you see a picture of a 10 year old in a tank top and thong panties, focus of the shot on the buttocks, with the little face looking back over her shoulder, a finger or two being nibbled on and eyes half closed. . .well, is that going to get sent in a resume to Sears or JC Penney? 

It’s hard to decide whom to hate more, the “agents” taking the pictures and setting up the sites, or the parents who actually allow their children to take part in this.  It makes my stomach turn.

Now, there are a number of legal and law enforcement people who have a good point (especially considering how roughshod our rights are being run over lately) that anything that specifically addresses this opens a world of possibilities to persecute innocent people.  It’s sad that we’ve become so committed to the letter of the law that we can’t interpret the intent and get this slimy stuff eliminated.