Punk Smurf pens a bilingual blog

A way with words

Dutch is not my mother tongue (neither is English) but I speak both. My mother used to point out the importance of speaking proper Dutch when I was little. I'm glad I listened and paid attention in school. In addition to that I was addicted to reading. (Still am, by the way, just not as bad as in the olden days.) I even used to pore over the dictionary at home when I was in elementary school. By the time I was 10 I was very into writing short stories (and quite good at it, too, judging by the grades).

That said, I'm not good with words like some people are. I am terrible at sweet talking (suave is not in my dictionary), and I'm rather blunt than fancy. So I tend to stick to simple and sturdy, but I appreciate it when others make an effort using big words. Like actress Emma Thompson. The versatile actress had to go out and break out a $1.10-word in her Proust Questionnaire answers for Vanity Fair this month.

Things were going along jovially, with a bit of Emma's trademark wit and good-natured self deprecation. (She called her “dimply thighs” the thing she liked least about her appearance and “cleanliness” the most overrated virtue.). And then, holy Shakespeare, out came the big one.

What is the quality you most like in a man?
Uxoriousness.

Time to break out the Merriam-Webster again:

Uxoriousness: adj.
“excessively fond of or submissive to a wife”

Wow.

Stuff. This. Week

Currently listening to Kink FM radio (www.kinkfm.com)

My friend Keith pointed out that Mariska Hargitay is the mantra in the new Mike Myers movie. Personally, I'm not planning to see it - even though Mariska has a cameo appearance in it. First a clip of Myers explaining how he got to the Mariska Hargitay mantra, second a clip of the cameo:

With the news that William Petersen (Gil Grissom) is leaving CSI: Crime Scene Investigation during the upcoming ninth season, the show is searching for a replacement. CBS has considered high profile actors such as Laurence Fishburne and John Malkovich to portray a new character. "He's not going to fill Billy's position," a spokeswoman told the New York Post, "but it's going to be a two-part episode."

As previously reported, the character will start as a professor who specializes in pathology. Eventually, after helping the team solve the case in the two-part episode, the character will become a CSI. "It's all under discussion," said a production source. However, that doesn't mean Petersen will be gone forever. "Billy does plan to come back," the spokeswoman explained, and he will stay on as an executive producer for the show.

The show's new addition will be a scientist with a dark secret -- his genetic makeup is similar to that of known killers.

"He comes in not immediately as the boss, but he has an interesting genetic profile that in certain sort of medical contexts, they've noticed that many times serial killers have that same genetic profile," Tassler told a gathering of TV critics in Beverly Hills. "This gentleman knows this about himself and is sort of in this journey and -- and to discover who his true character will ultimately become," she said.

The role has yet to be cast.

At the Television Critics Association press tour in Los Angeles, Showtime entertainment president Robert Greenblatt announced that L Word creator Ilene Chaiken is currently developing a spinoff to the series, which will air its sixth and final season in early 2009.

Greenblatt said that shooting of the spinoff will start directly after production wraps on Season 6, and it will star one of the actors from The L Word in a crossover. He also said the chosen actress does not know yet it will feature her. Pressed for more details, he said: "We're still forming it. I"m sure I have a million e-mails already from loyal viewers about it, but we're still in the process of figuring it out."

Greenblatt also announced that Chaiken has decided that the end of Season 6 will include an open-ended component that will be carried onto the internet. If Showtime moves forward with the spinoff, that online story will segue into the new television series. The spinoff has not yet been titled.

Thank you, AfterEllen.com... Oh, speaking of which: I think I'm having my fifteen minutes of fame at their afterellen.com/chat (in 3D!) Lookit:

See that little black haired puppy with the big eyes and the yellow golden space suit that says "Oink?" THAT'S ME! Tee-hee-hee... And the sassy looking blonde with the purple jacket next to me is AfterEllen.com creator Sarah Warn. I'm standing next to a celeb - lil' ole me. How cool is that?

I met up with my friend Tweety in Maastricht yesterday, and as we we were running errands, I snapped this:

On July 7th Hercules and Love Affair released another single off their self titled album: "You belong". The accompanying video features several members of Hercules and Love Affair - including cutie Kim Ann Foxman:

Dude, how cool is her hair?

Now Texas front woman Sharleen Spiteri's solo album's released all kinds of magazines publish interviews with the Scottish singer. Digital Spy (UK's version of TV Guide) talks to her about musical influences and dressing style. Free UK publication G3 also focusses on her loyal GLB(T) fanbase.

Enjoy a session Sharleen recently did for BBC Radio 2 *HERE* The set is a mix of new (solo) material and Texas songs. And crowned Queen of the Balado, she played at T in the Park (a British music festival) last week.

Born Scotsman John Barrowman will be the subject of "The making of me". The BBC (Europe) is going to air this episode Thursday, July 24 at 22:00 CET. Here'e an interview he did on a BBC morning show a while ago - with some hilarious pictures:

Finally, a shout out to my friend WP, who (together with two friends) is going to do a 6-day beach hike (July 21-26) and in the end she's covered 140K. Good luck, ladies, happy trails and happy feet (no injuries) to the three of you!

Kiss (and tell?)

Currently listening to Cyndi Lauper (album: Bring ya to the brink)

Back in the 90s Jill Sobule sang about the fact that she kissed a girl:

Back then it still had a certain kind of innocence. Now, Katy Perry's single "I kissed a girl" isn't anything like Jill Sobule's cute, folksy song of the same name. At all. Whereas Jill's song was a lighthearted, sweet tune that could have been a coming-out song, Katy Perry's song is a bit more... Stereotypically bicurious.

AfterEllen's Malinda Lo wrote the following (and I concur):

The first time I heard this song (you can listen to it at Katy Perry's MySpace page), I was hooked. It's fun, it's kind of naughty, and Perry's self-confidence shines through in her bold voice. The chorus, "I kissed a girl and I liked it," repeats often enough that it gives the song a kind of (fake) Gay Pride feel. And then I read the lyrics:

This was never the way I planned
Not my intention
I got so brave, drink in hand
Lost my discretion
It's not what I'm used to
Just wanna try you on
I'm curious for you
Caught my attention

I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry Chapstick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it

No, I don't even know your name
It doesn't matter
You're my experimental game
Just human nature
It's not what good girls do
Not how they should behave
My head gets so confused
Hard to obey

In case you can't tell what's wrong with this song, let me elaborate.

• The girl has to be drunk first to kiss another girl, implying that kissing another girl is only something you'd do after you lose control of your decision-making faculties.
• "I hope my boyfriend don't mind it" not only means she's cheating on her boyfriend, but that she thinks he's going to find out and hopes he won't mind. After all, what straight guy would mind watching his girlfriend kiss another girl?
• "It's not what good girls do" clearly implies that lesbians are not good, and their behavior is wrong.

The one good thing about it is that the lyrics also say that kissing girls is "just human nature." Oh, who am I kidding? This song is for drunken straight girls fulfilling Real World-type stereotypes!

Katy's single has gotten a lot of airplay in The Netherlands the past week. Dutch morning DJ Giel (who used to be a shock DJ, but with more style and grace than Howard Stern in his younger days) wrote some Dutch lyrics to the music, recording his experience of kissing guys (he's straight) and called it "I kissed a boy". I think he actually got the point; he's lyrics are just as silly as Katy's. Watch and listen to it *HERE*. (It's in Dutch...)

Of course, there's a gay boy version on YouTube, too:

Noticed the "I kissed a boy and I liked it.. I hope my girlfriend don't mind it!" ? Heh.

Bones. My bones

I am glad the ultra sound was clear: everything is healing up nicely. I'm told some swellings can stay on a while - so one thing less to worry about. Not that I did. I noticed the weird bump on my upper arm and swelling on my left clavicle only after almost six weeks.

The pain in my shoulder is not caused by a ripped muscle after all; the person who did the ultra sound yesterday thinks my rotator cuff needs to start making its own (natural) "lube" again and I'll be fine.

I picked up the X-rays at the hospital yesterday evening and my physiotherapist, Rob, had a look at it earlier today. He thinks the left clavicle stands on an (slightly) off angle, but since he's not sure he's going to consult about it.
I have no clue. I just hope the pain (and discomfort) will disappear soon, and to get the mobility back in my shoulder.

Today's physiotherapy session Rob took his time stretching the muscles in my left shoulder, while he let me talk about my travels and my travel plans. The stretching was very uncomfortable, and the fact that I was talking about one of my passions couldn't distract me from the worst pangs. He warned me he'd give me something to remember him by (till the next time). And he was right: the part from shoulder to elbow now feels as if a pick up truck drove over it. Mind you, I don't mind aching muscles after a proper work out. This is different.

Earlier at work I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers to welcome me back after a period of absence due to my shoulder. That was a nice surprise.

Silver screen, tv screen. Some screen.

Currently listening to The Contact

A spitting image:

Sean Penn as Harvey Milk takes the front page of Vanity Fair's August 2008 "Fanfair" section. The film opens November 26.

Gil Grissom is saying goodbye. The tenth episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation's ninth season will be the last appearance of William Petersen (Gil Grissom) as a full-time series regular on the series. However, that doesn't mean the audience has seen the last of Grissom. "Billy is leaving," said executive producer Carol Mendelsohn. "But he will remain throughout the run of the series an executive producer. And he will, whenever CBS asks, come back. I don't think you've seen the last of Gil Grissom."

"I'm in a great place in terms of knowing that I'll be more free to make choices. And I'm responsible enough to not do it in a way that would hurt [the show]," Petersen explained. "I want it to work for the writers, I want it to work for the cast, and, most importantly, I want it to work for the audience. I don't want them to abandon the show." The actor also pointed out that his decision to leave isn't a sign of deeper problems. "For me, it's a really good situation," he clarified. "I don't want the audience to think it's not... [It isn't] like there's something going on, like 'Petersen's unhappy,' 'cause it's not true. It's quite the contrary."

CSI lost Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle) last year, and Gary Dourdan's (Warrick Brown) departure was announced later on. With Petersen leaving, that means three original cast members will be gone from the show. "This will be a year of transition for the show," Mendehlson said. "We always knew it was coming, and I'm glad it didn't come until now." She went on to say, "There's never going to be another William Petersen, and there will never be another Jorja Fox. But we are not out to just replace those actors. We're out to add new characters to the show, and the show will change as a result. But that's a good thing."

Petersen's exit isn't the only thing coming up in season nine. Fox will be back as Sara for "multiple" episodes, according to Mendelsohn, and the Miniature Killer will be back to "cross paths" with Grissom. Director William Friedkin, a good friend of Petersen's, will also return to helm another episode of the series (after previously directing "Cockroaches")--this time the show's 200th episode. "Billy will definitely be on the set for Mr. Friedkin's episode -- whether it's behind the camera or in front of the camera is TBD," Mendelsohn said. "I don't think you'll be able to keep him away once he's back in L.A."

As previously announced, Lauren Lee Smith (L-Word's soup chef) will join the show as Riley Adams, a new CSI. "She has a very distinct personality... a very wry sense of humor. She doesn't take herself too seriously," Mendelsohn explained, and executive producer Naren Shankar added, "This is a person who, unlike the rest of our gang, has not had Grissom as a mentor. So there's a very different relationship between Riley and Grissom."

Another new character to be added to the series won't be a criminalist to begin with. "He's a professor with background in pathology. He will appear when Grissom is investigating what will be a two-part case," Mendelsohn said. "He will help Grissom and the team bring the perpetrator to justice, and then this character will stay around and ultimately become a CSI." The character will have a rare genetic abnormality, and the show is seeking to cast a high-profile actor to fill the role.

One question that remains is how Grissom will leave the show. "I wouldn't want to say exactly what we're going do -- I want people to watch, certainly," Petersen said. "But Sara is involved... It's often darkest just before the dawn." The actor went on to say, "My biggest problem with leaving the show at any point isn't leaving Grissom -- I'm an actor, it's time to do other things. [The hard part will be saying goodbye] to the cast and crew. [So] I'm going to stay as involved as I'm allowed to be throughout the remainder of this show. Until they turn off all the lights."

Promos for The Dark Knight has haunted me for days. Not because of Heath Ledger (bless him), but because the look and feel of some of the posters reminded me of something else. I now know why.

Look how much these Batman ads resemble the promo posters for The Crow, the film during which actor Brandon Lee was shot and killed:

... And I can - finally - rejoice:

Witchblade: The Complete Series
Release Date: July 29

A Plot Refresher:

Sara’s a no-nonsense NYC homicide detective who’s focused on the here-and-now — well, until she discovers the Witchblade, a mystical weapon that’s been wielded by women (everyone from Joan of Arc to Sara’s grandmother) through the ages. I wish I could say I got into the show because it was inspired by a cool comic book or it had a good mix of mythology and episodic action. Not true — I’m just a sucker for anything that has Yancy Butler walking through a wall of flames with a sword attached to her arm.

The DVD Lowdown:

Not only does it include both seasons, but the set also comes with the TNT original movie that kicked the whole thing off and three behind-the-scenes features. If you’re a Witchblade purist, you’ll probably want to stick with the comics and the anime series. For everyone else who just likes a good sci-fi or cop show, the 23-plus episodes are worth the chunk of change.

Feist's feeding my inner child

Wheeeeeeee!

Candy Girl by Diablo Cody

On my flight to San Francisco, CA, I read Laurie R. King's "To play the fool" (which my friend Mirthe gave to me, after I gave her a bunch of books I don't read anymore). Since I'd be traveling 15 hours (via London, UK) I figured it would give me plenty of time to read. I thought "To play the fool" is a great way to start my trip as the story is set in San Francisco. It mentioned places I was going to see. I finish the book by the time I get to San Fran. A great read.

Towards the end of my stay I picked up Diablo Cody's memoir called "Candy Girl - a year in the life of an unlikely stripper". I bought it after reading a random passage in the book; I like the style in which it is written. I knew I was going to enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed Juno. I did. The hamburger phone is one of the things that reminded me of the movie. (I read it on my way back home, and finished it by the time I made it to Amsterdam, the Netherlands.)

For those who haven't read it (yet); don't expect any salacious stories, because you won't find any. Just a record of some of Diablo's adventures in stripping. Some very funny, some sad. But reading it made me realize why going to a stripclub never appealed to me; the power one has over an exotic dancer (remember, you're the one with the dineros) is one that doesn't get my motor running. True, it's still money that makes the world go round, but to have a girl sweettalk (or beg, if she's different and needs to meet a certain quota) you into a lapdance for a couple of lousy dollars? That would make me feel very awkward. It is an interesting read, because Diablo lets you in on her life - her stripper life, to be exact. The decission to start stripping, the insecurities, the joys, her boyfriend, her job. Great entertainment!

Stuff. This. Week

One of the albums I brought back from my recent trip to San Fran was Hercules and Love Affair; the album is full of retro disco-esque tunes that somehow appeal to my "inner ear". AfterEllen recently featured an interview with one of the group members, Kim Ann Foxman. I had no idea she's so cute! (In the picture she's the second person from the right.)

Holly Marie Combs, Brooke Burns and Rochelle Aytes have been cast in Lifetime's remake of the British series Mistresses, which featured a lesbian story line. It is not clear whether the lesbian/bisexual characters are still in the picture, since the fourth main character has not yet been cast.

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A stripper who danced on the poles of Santiago subway trains to challenge the prudishness of Chilean society was arrested on Thursday during one of her lightning performances.

Monserrat Morilles, 26, surprised subway riders all week stripping to skimpy underwear, but she refused tips. She said she was protesting a lack of tolerance in Chile, one of Latin America's most conservative societies where the first generation since the Pinochet dictatorship is reaching adulthood.

"This is just a beginning. We are starting an idea here that will grow and be developed further," she told Reuters as police and subway guards surrounded her.

The professional pole dancer worked quickly all week to avoid arrest, getting on at one station, finding a subway car with no children on it and stripping in time to exit at the next station. Chilean media dubbed her "La Diosa del Metro" or Subway Goddess. She called her performances "happy minutes."

"Chile is still a pretty timid country," said her manager Gustavo Pradenas. "People aren't very extroverted and we want to take aim at that and make Chile a happier country."

The Scotsman published a review on Sharleen Spiteri's first solo album "Melody". As a Texas fan I am biased, but it certainly sounds like it's worth a listen. I'm pretty sure it fits in right along with the albums by A Girl Called Eddy, Duffy, and Nicole Atkins in my collection.

I was halfway across the US when this aired on BBC2; Sharleen tells Graham Norton what happened when she "met" Paris Hilton. From the things I heard of this Scottish lady is that she's nice - but she doesn't take crap. Not from anyone. Paris Hilton included.

The world's oldest known blogger, 108-year-old Olive Riley, died on Saturday: "An Australian woman described as the world's oldest Internet blogger has died at the age of 108 after posting a final message about singing "a happy song" in her nursing home. Olive Riley 'passed away peacefully on July 12 and will be mourned by thousands of Internet friends and hundreds of descendants and other relatives,' a note on her website said. Riley had posted more than 70 entries on her blog from Woy Woy on the east coast since February last year, sharing her thoughts on modern life and her experiences living through the entire 20th century." Watch a video of Riley here.

For those who don't know it yet: L-Word has been renewed for another season. Season 6 will be the finale (only 8 episodes), and they began filming July 2 in Vancouver, BC. It's said that the core cast, including Rose Rollins will be returning. Interviews from other actors themselves indicate that Cybil Shepherd (Phyllis), Clementine Ford (Molly) and Marlee Matlin will be returning for one or two episodes. Alexandra Hedison (Dylan Moreland from Season 3) and Janina Gavankar (Papi from Season 4) have both stated in interviews that they will be making appearances as well... It is expected that Showtime in the US will air Season 6 in January as usual, providing there is no actor's strike.

A little Alex Hedison and Rachel Shelley:

Dang. They even have chemistry off set

Een beetje vreemd, maar "lekker" is het ook niet helemaal

Currently listening to Hercules and Love Affair (album: Hercules and Love Affair)

... En zo kom je er ineens achter dat niet één, maar twee heren heimelijk verliefd op je zijn. Een beetje vreemd, omdat je dat niet verwacht, maar wel ego-strelend. Met één van hen heb ik het uitgepraat, omdat ik een eventuele pijnlijke situatie wilde voorkomen als ik weer eens een leuk gesprek met hem heb. Hij verzekerde mij dat ik me geen zorgen hoef te maken, maar dat hij het toch erg jammer vindt dat ik niet op mannen val. Tja... Die andere vriend van me heeft waarschijnlijk nog niet in de gaten dat ik het in de gaten heb. En dat wil ik zo houden. Ik buit het niet uit, en het ziet er ook niet er niet naar uit dat hij zich plots als "amoureuze nar" zal ontpoppen. (Ik zie hem niet vaak, dus dat helpt.)

Het gekke is dat meneer nummer één een ex is van mijn dinnetje (de wereld is klein, ik weet het). En hij hoopt dat het het wat wordt tussen haar en mij. Ik sprak haar afgelopen maandag; maar goed dat het internet bestaat, want van 3,5 uur aan de telefoon met je lief hangen is wel leuk - die rekening moet ook betaald worden. Ik merkte al een aantal weken dat ze niet lekker in haar vel zat, dus toen ze me vroeg of ik even tijd had om met haar te praten wist ik wat ik kon verwachten. Al snel werd duidelijk waarom ze de laatste maanden bij vlagen afstandelijk was; zij vindt dat ik een goed, perfect en volwassen persoon ben (in vergelijking met haar). Ik geloof dat mijn mond open viel van verbazing, en ik wist effe niet wat ik daarmee aanmoest. Hoe kwam ze daarbij?! Afijn, aan het eind van het gesprek voelde zij zich beter. En daar deed ik het voor.

K's Choice do Coldplay

... and covered "Yellow", recently. Personally, I've heard better covers by them (like Prince's "I could never take the place of your man" or their version of "Come together" by the Beatles) and find this one pretty bland.

In the meantime Sarah's European drummer Billy (kick @$$ drummer Karen Teperberg tours with Sarah in the US - unfortunately - and recently started drumming with another band called Saucy Monky) is selling his drum kit: click here to check it out (it's in Dutch, sorry). And here's a bit of Karen showing off her skills:

Fey's funny. As always.

Tina, you crack me up. I missed "Baby mama" when I was visiting NYC in April (I don't think it'll show in theatres in my country...) but this is good, too:

Some badonkadonk you got there, girl friend! And you workin whatcha mama gave you ;)

Joan Jett guest starring on Law & Order: CI

Rocker Joan Jett is set to make a cameo appearance in the hit TV show Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

The singer was in New York in May to shoot the episode, in which she will play a "boss from hell"; an ex-music industry type now hosting a public access TV show who's murdered in the episode's opening "tease", with her personal assistant the prime suspect.

The I Love Rock N' Roll hit-maker made her acting debut alongside Michael J. Fox in the 1987 film Light Of Day.

Jett-propelled TV Rocker Joan Jett will ap pear in an upcoming episode of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," which she's currently filming. In the episode, Jett will play the quintessential "boss-from-hell," an ex-music industry type now hosting a public access TV show who's murdered in the episode's opening "tease".

The episode airs this Sunday at 9pm on USA network.