Richie Havens at The Sun in Floyd, Va.

The famed folk singer Richie Havens who performed at Woodstock in 1969 and at the Bill Clinton inauguration in 1993 as well as The Tibetan Freedom Concert in 1999, will be at the Sun Music Hall in Floyd, Va., on Thursday night. Tickets are $32 in advance, and $35 at the door. Phone: 540-745-7883.

I am both a bit young for Havens (since I am 38) and I have to teach on Thursday nights, but if anyone goes to the show, they can tell us about it here.

The Sun Music Hall with also have a CD release party for the band The Alliens on Sat., Dec. 6.

Useful Links:

http://www.richiehavens.com

Last Ten Movies I've Seen (in theatres and drive-ins)

These are only the last ten films that I've seen in movie theatres or at the Eden Drive-in in Eden, NC, which is just now (as of this weekend!) closed for the season.

They are:

1. "Australia"

2."007: The Quantum of Solace"

3 "Zack and Mini Make a Porno"

4. "Rachel Getting Married"

5. "Tell No One" (French film)

6. "Christmas on Mars"*

7. "Saw V" **

8. "The Duchess"

9. "Frozen River"

10. "W"


*-Saw during a midnight screening

**- Saw "Saw V" at the drive-in.Not for the squeamish!

For a companion top ten list detailing the last ten films seen by screenwriter/director Charlie Kaufman go to our sister site "The Daily Vampire."

Know Your Congressman and Senators (Entry 4 of 21)

Which Republican Florida Congresswoman publicly state that she would like to see Fidel Castro assassinated? Hint: She also recently appeared on "Real Time with Bill Maher"

No multiple choices this time around.

The answer to our last question in the series was Cong. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.)

Nostalgia Monday (late edition) - Presidential Trivia

Today we are asking the age of "The Man from Plains" Jimmy Carter.


How old is the 39th president.

Is he?:


A. 81

B. 82

C. 84

D. 85


We ask the age of Bush 41 (who looks good by comparison to his offspring!) at our other blog "The Daily Vampire."

Letter of the Week........about film critic Amy Taubin

For those who aren't familiar with her work, Amy Taubin is a brilliant film critic who writes for both "Film Comment" and "The Village Voice." I don't always agree with her feminist take on the world (since I am a centrist liberal now as opposed to the passionate one I was five years ago_ but I am HARDLY Michael Medved), but one has to love her analysis of films ranging from "Taxi Driver" to "Funny Ha Ha." And, apparently, Matt Howard of Roseville, Calif., agrees with me as indicated by this letter to "Film Comment" (current issue):


"I've loved all of Amy Taubin's articles for the past few issues and thought she was the only one over there with balls and spunkiness and ferocity. I honestly thought she was in her thirties until I wiki'd her today. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not. Don't fire her! LOVE you, Amy,"


http://www.filmlinc.com

Quote of the Week- John Milton

Since I dropped a course on Engligh poet John Milton (of "Paradise Lost" fame) in mid-semester during my college years at Radford University in Radford, Va., because it was basically hard as hell, I have decided to make him the subject of my quote of the week.

This quote comes to us from today's edition of "The Roanoke Times" in Roanoke, Va:


"A grateful mind.
By owing owes not, but still pays at once.
Indebted and discharged."

What???! No Turkey for Thanksgiving???!

That's right. My mom is fixing chicken for Thanksgiving tomorrow! At first, I was a bit shocked, but one can't argue with her reasoning. The two of us simply can't eat a whole effing turkey!

I'm sure my sister Lale and her husband Matt will love this post, but they are too busy to fool with reading my blog.........(I hope!).

And, Christmas should be celebrated on Dec. 5 in North Carolina. There have already been Christmas (not Thanksgiving!) parades in Raleigh, High Point and Reidsville.

I was hoping to go to the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia this year, but I will have to settle for watching it on CBS_ presuming I can get up in time tomorrow morning!

Images of Virginia- the Rockingham County Turkey (8 of 10)

Near Harrisonburg, Va.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.

Quote of the Week- William Styron

He was the author of "Sophie's Choice" and "Nat Turner's Rebellion." He died a few years ago. I had the opportunity to meet Styron in Charlottesville, Va.

Here is the quote:

"I think it's unfortunate to have critics as friends."

There is a quote from William S. Burroughs on my sister blog "The Daily Vampire."

Celebrity Birthday- Scarlett Johansson

One of our favorite young actresses Scarlett Johansson (spolier alert!) who got her head cut off in "The Other Boleyn Girl" (oh sorry that was Natalie Portman!, wasn't it) turns 24 tomorrow.

We wish her a happy birthday, and hope her marriage to actor Ryan Reynolds turns out to be a bigger flop than "The Last Action Hero."

Ok, so I'm jealous:)

Top 10 List_ What's in My Netflix Que

Here are the next 10 films in my Netflix que. I am focusing on political documentaries, though not all these are political docs.


1.Devil Girl from Mars

2. Best of TromaDance Film Festival, Volume 1

3. The Hunting of the President

4. A Christmas Family Tragedy

5. With God on Our Side

6. Guerilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst

7. Ghosts of Abu Ghraib

8. Chicago 10

9. The Aristrocrats

10. Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater

Since No One is Reading This Blog.........

I guess it's safe to post images of a Mr. T bobblehead doll and turtles having a 'very good time.'

Nostalgia Monday-FDR's Dog

Though no one in Blogville seems to care about answering these questions, we submit yet another trivia bit as today we ask: "What is the name of FDR's pooch?" The bronzed statue of the dog is pictured here next to our beloved president at the FDR Memorial in Washington DC, which some Republicans might secretly wish to bulldoze.


Is the answer:

A) Heidi

B) Lucky

C) Fala

D) Checkers.


We are working on a prize, but we must get an answer first.


SIDEBAR: The North Carolina congressman who helped coin the term 'freedom fries' only to ironically become a critic of the War in Iraq was Cong. Walter Jones (R-NC). He was recently reelected.

And, through researching this question, I found out that there was an actual Presidential Pet Museum in Williamsburg, Va.

http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com

Know Your Congressman and Senators (Entry 3 of 21)

I may actually be able to offer a prize for this one, but I want to see if I get any answers first.




Which Florida Congressional representative was the subject of the Sundance Channel documentary series "The Hill?"

One of these choices is actually younger than my 34-year-old sister Lale in Colorado!

Was it:


A. Cliff Stearns (R)

B.Robert Wexler (D)

C.Adam Putnam (R)

D. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)

Images of Virginia (7 of 10) Iwa Jima Memorial

Since it is Veteran's Day week, and northern Virginia helped deliver my home state for a certain political candidate of my choosing, I am going with the Iwa Jima Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., as the seventh entry in this series.

My late stepfather Donald Sullivan served in the European theatre during World War II.

Congrats to Mr. Popular...........

My good friend and co-worker Haywood Graves of Danville, Va., has just added his 1,000th friend on Facebook. Apparently, he became friends with most of these people through other Facebook friends.

I am a tad bit behind Mr. Graves, who at one point actually made fun of me for having 'too many friends on Facebook.'

Speaking of which, Donna Drake of Phoenix became my 400th Facebook friend yesterday. We have never met in real life, but I am told that she is a very nice person.

Top 10 Uma Thurman Films

Yes, I am well aware of the fact that UMA is about to marry some rich asshole, but she remains my favorite actress in the world as of this morning.

Here are my top 10 favorite films that she's been in.


1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

2. Tape (2001)

3. Kill Bill, Vol. 2 (2004)

4. Beautiful Girls (1998)

5. Prime (2005)

6. Kill Bill, Vol. 1 (2003)

7. Sweet and Lowdown (1999)

8. The Adventures of Baron Münchhausen (1988)

9. Henry and June (1990)

10. The Avengers (1998).........hey, it wasn't that bad!

Sore Losers

The lead article from the conservative newspaper "The Rhinoceros Times" in Greensboro, NC, actually started:

"Congratualtions to our new president Barack Hussein Obama......."

Image: Bad News Bears (1976)

Congrats to Tom Perriello

It now appears like my Facebook friend Tom Perriello has succesfully pulled off a major political upset in the fifth congressional district of Virginia by unseating Cong. Virgil Goode (R-Va), a person who I disdain, by 745 votes.

A recount is expected in late November, but it looks the votes will hold up.

Perriello is a lawyer and activist from Charlottesville, VA., who has been involved with many faith organizations and charities.

With Perriello's win, the Democrats have picked up three seats in Congress from Virginia, which means Virginia will now have six Democrats and five Republicans on The Hill.


The fifth district race was reportedly the closest one in the country and it recieved national media attention.

Political Quiz----Freedom Fries

Which Republican member of Congress was credited with coining the term Freedom Fries (along with a Republican congressman from Ohio)?
Ironically, this person later became a critic of the War in Iraq.


A. Howard Coble (pictured)

B. Walter Jones (pictured)

C. Virginia Foxx

D. David Price

(Full disclosure: One of the choices is actually a Democrat)


This is entry #2 in our Know Your Congressional/Senate Reps Quiz.
Last week's answer was Sen. James Webb (D-VA), a former Republican who penned the screenplay for "Rules of Engagement" with Samuel Jackson. No winners as no one bothered to guess the answer. But, this week, we'll send the winner a sample of McD's 'freedom fries' in the mail........:)

Images of Virginia (6 of 10)_ Natural Bridge

Yes, this gorgeous piece of real estate which was once a state park now costs about $38 to get into (slight exaggeration). It is located near Lexington, which is known for its Stonewall Jackson House.

Holy Smokes, Batman.........

We've come down with a case of blogger burnout!!!! Perhaps, I can now simultaneously date Uma Thurman (so what if she's engaged), Natalie Portman and Madeline Albright. Ok, the last one is a bit of a joke........though, I loved her duet with Elvis Costello on "Conan O'Brien."

We will back whenever I feel like it.

Turkish soccer fans- I am predicting a GalataSaray victory over FenerBahce tomorrow. Let's say it will be 2-1.

And, kudos to my Facebook friend Tom Perriello who has seemingly defeated Cong. Virgil Goode (R-Va), who we really don't like here at Politics, Culture and Other Wastes of Time.

If you really miss this blog.........you can check out the links or a youtube video of that chainsaw juggler from Holland, until I am back, which will probably be.........hmm, I'd say Monday too.

Top Ten Reasons to Stay Up Late.......

I must profess that my sister entry on "The Daily Vampire" might be one of my very worst entires in a long time, but I am not going to delete it. At any rate, this entry may not be much better, but here the Top Ten reasons to stay up late:


10. Scarlett Johansson might be on "Charlie Rose."

9. Uma Thurman might be on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

8. Natalie Portman might be on Conan O'Brien

7. You might find the girl of your dreams in that infommercial for a Russian bride catalog.

6. You can ask yourselves meaningless questions like "What would have happened if I dated Nicole in college?" which you will ask yourself anyway during the day.

5. You can really read that book with "Dilbert" cartoons from the library which you had no time to read under normal circumstances.

4. You can shave, do the dishes and kill cockroaches......not neccesarily in that order.

3. You can waste time blogging as you would do during the day as well.

2. You can read "Naked Lunch" for a seventh time.

1. You can actually watch an entire season of "Space 1999" before the sun comes up!

Congrats to America's 44th President

My mom had the only Barack Obama '08 sign up in her Republican neighborhood in Virginia for weeks. It is not coming down tomorrow.

Some Countires Have Limited Options........

Pictured: President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, one of the world's most notorious dictators and human rights violators.


Remember today is your chance to vote.

Know Your Congressman and Senators (Entry 1 of 21)

Today being Election Day here in les etats unis, we are kicking off two weekly political series both here and at The Daily Vampire. In this edition, we will provide you with info that you may not know about your congressional representative. Today's entry will be in quiz form. Perhaps, next week's will be too!

Which sitting member of the U.S. Senate has a screenwriting credit for a major studio film?

Is it:

A) Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)*

B) Sen. James Webb (D-Va)*

C) Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine)

D) Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)

*-pictured

The winner will receive a $2,500 gift certificate to the Happy's Flea Market in Roanoke, Va.- that is a joke!

Nostalgia Monday- Comic Book Character Who Ran 4 Prez

Today, with my sister blog "The Daily Vampire," I am focusing on 1976. It was the first and last year I wanted a Republican to win the White House. I was six years old at the time, and for some reason I was very found of President Gerald Ford, who was admittedly a nicer guy than most modern day Republicans.

It was also the year a certain Marvel Comics character ran for president.

If you have been with this blog when we were with AOL, you probably already know the answer. But, for a free trip to War, W.Va, we are offering it again (it should be noted there are no hotels in War that we are aware of!).

Was the character?:

A) Captain America

B) Spiderman

C) Howard the Duck

D) Iron Man

Quotes of the Week- From Two Presidential Losers

"All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions," Adlai E. Stevenson, Democratic senator who lost twice to Eisenhower.










"I think every good Christian ought to kick Falwell in the ass," Barry Goldwater, Republican senator who lost to LBJ in 1964. His Arizona seat was filled by John McCain.

Images of Virginia (5 of 10) Monticello

Monticello in Charlottesville was the home of our third president Thomas Jefferson, who was (of course) also known for writing The Declaration of Independence. He is thus one of the few Democratic presidents that a right-wing, fringe lunatic like talk show host Sean Hannity admires.......well, that is a presumption.


I have fond memories for a trip not taken to Monticello back in high school. I was supposed to get up at the crack of dawn for the excursion. I didn't make it:) To date, even though I have been to Charlottesville many, many times, I have yet to see this landmark home.