Fast Food Banned in L.A.

The low-income areas of South Los Angeles are getting a food make-over, hopefully. Poor families only have access to McDonald's (there is nothing good about McDonald's. Positively nothing. If anything, it's an American icon. OK. So is Howard Stern) and other fast-food joints, so they're planning on simply banning anything with a drive-through window in poor areas of L.A. The reason I'm posting this is because a) I'm always happy to see fast-food banned anywhere, but b), I'm not sure this is going to help the over-all health of low-income families in poverty-stricken areas around the U.S. That starts with health-care, not french fries.

For one thing, if you take the relatively cheap, affordable fast-food out of there, what do they plan to put in, if anything? Will they sincerely vow to put in the fresh-food markets and restaurants with better, nutritious choices? I doubt it. The plight of such folks who live in these areas are far from important (let's admit it) to people of certain constituencies. In the end, I think banning french fries and high-fructose corn syrup is a dream come true, not only because of the health factors but I'm also tired of Americans blindly thinking that what they're being fed is actually good for them. Trust me, it's not rocket science: if you can read, you can look at the side of a box and see it's contents (which can also be deceptive advertising).

Gee, kids, what's more healthy? A carrot or a pitiful Chips Ahoy Cookie? Water or sugar-laden Cola? Yogurt (wait now! Read the contents!) or an evil Hershey Bar?

Yes, I'm amusing myself, but I'm also telling the truth. And the truth, kids, is a very good defense.

Georgian England - It's Everywhere You Want To Be

Everyone who knows me knows that I love England in general, but the Georgian period of British history has always fascinated me, if only because of the way it's presented in pop media. It's always bathed in glorious colors of liberty, parties, decadence, manners, love affairs...and corsets.

So I thought I would dedicate this post to anyone who revels in such visual finery and the history of a tumultuous, yet prosperous time in British history (and American, as well!). So let's get started:

• The big news of the moment is the new Keira Knightley film, The Duchess, portraying one of Princess Diana's famously scandalous ancestors, Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire. From the short trailer I saw, it looks moderately well-done. It has Ralph Fiennes, for heaven's sake. Of course, most of the period pieces he does (with the exception, perhaps, of Schindler's List or The English Patient- but I don't consider that "period") end up being gorgeous, eye-candy films but critically lousy (The White Countess, Onegin, for example). I won't mention the early 90's version of Wuthering Heights here because...well...I really like that one!) Go here for more "Duchess" info with video and pics and the whole shebang.

• If you truly want a vast (vaaaaasssttt - I warn you) cornucopia/Encyclopedia of Georgian history, you must look no further than The Georgian Index. This is a very detailed (and image laden) website that covers everything from the royal gossip of the day, food, daily life, politics, money, underwear, where to shop and eat and be scene in London in 1795...I mean, it's all there. Certainly for Jane Austen fans, aside from their official watering hole, The Republic of Pemberley, this is where it's at if you want to immerse yourself in a forgotten world (especially if you want to get away from the present one, which Austenites like me often do).

So there's a start! Next week: Imperial Russia...oh yeah, get ready...

Idiocy

I read this by chance from Yahoo. Salma Hayek, who I don't usually care for, but did like in "Frida" and her billioniare French fiance are calling it quits. Now, I could care less, but what did cause me concern was the pure selfishness of Hayek's comments that she "wanted a boy" but that now her daughter is here, she's happy she's a girl, kind of, because hopefully there won't be "conflict" between them. ? I am in mortal fear of what will happen to the children of these unfortunate souls 20 years from now.

Aside from that, I'm going to see "The Dark Knight" this evening and I'm getting very excited. A review will be posted presently. ;)

My Wedding Photos :)

http://picasaweb.google.com/viola.illyria/MyWedding

Go here for the photos. Not sure who else other than Facebook peeps see this album, but if not, knock yourself out. 8)

More stuff soon!

Hello Peeps! I'm back! 8)

Why, hello there!

Yes, I know I've been missing for several months straight. I got married. I was planning a wedding for most of the spring and then married my soul mate and life parter (well, he is now anyway! ;-) ), my sweetheart: David Williams. I also went to Boston for my Honeymoon, which was a blast and I will be posting pictures from both events very, very soon. However! I've missed blogging and whilst missing it, I believe I learned an important lesson. I'm going to follow the general example of my good friend Adam Morgan, who has decided to leave his Southern breathen and get his MFA in Creative Writing in Chicago. His blog, Adam Morgan Online, incorporates all his interests into one place. I think I'll try this concept to see what happens, as well as follow the concepts of other blogs I've noticed, so expect more stuff than just symphony, opera schmooze. 8)

Now, in the spirit of that variety, read this. I should mention before you read this that for the past few years, I've had a growing interest in organic food and general health. Not in a Los Angeles, Liberal Latte, Pilates, my-body-is-a-temple-therefore-I-worship kind of way. I guess the knowlege that putting high fructose corn syrup ("The Devil's Condiment", as David calls it) in my earthly self might cause bad things to happen made me rethink what I was eating. I also lost 15 pounds, but who cares. I had a right to. I was preparing for Bridalhood! ;-P

But the article addresses two of my recent issues: high gas and food prices and organic produce. Take a look and decide for yourself.

More shall come soon. I'm seeing Avenue Q in a week or so and I have many other things to discuss, so check back.

And let me know what you think of the wedding pic. ;-) Gracias!