Just Don't Do It This Hallowe'en

In just a month, All Hallows Eve will be upon us. The time when children and adults dress up in costume and act like fools. Well, the adults do. The kids just dress up to get free candy from the neighbors. The adults dress up for fun and party hardy, hence, the fools part.

I won't wax nostalgic on the good old days when a kid could 'trick or treat' at night without worry of bein' harassed by nefarious preyin' adults or havin' their candy/treats tampered with. I can remember those days/nights of fun - soapin' windows, throwin' teepee on trees, tippin' outhouses (look that up on wikipedia, folks, if y'all need to ask!) - simple, harmless pranks. Unfortuantely, there ain't such an animal these days.

No, the reason for this blog is to warn otherwise intelligent adults to refrain from doin' something this Hallowe'en that might land 'em in a world of hurt. It'll probably fall on deaf ears/eyes, but I'm gonna try, anyway.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT MAKE A 'SONS OF ANARCHY' CUT OF ANY KIND AND WEAR IT FOR HALLOWE'EN!!!!!

Sorry for shoutin', but sometimes that's the only way to get one's point across.

I don't care if you're makin' a denim one, or a leather one. I know damn good and well those whankers on Ebay will be sellin' the three piece patches for every frackin' state in the nation (and maybe a few countries as well), despite efforts to shut 'em down. I know everyone wants to show their love for their favorite show and/or character and dress up like 'em for Hallowe'en.

Just don't.

This conversation has been occurring on several SOA related message boards and Facebook pages. Kurt Sutter himself has come out against people who are not in the outlaw lifestyle from wearin' three piece rockers, even for fun. Even if it's just on a sweater or a shirt.

The reason for this is that outlaw bikers take their colors seriously. And their patches. They don't take kindly to fools who try to imitate them. They accept SOA for what it is, entertainment and fantasy. As Kurt has quoted some of the outlaw community, "Yeah, it's a soap opera. It's OUR soap opera!"

But there is only so much they will tolerate, and biker wanna - be's tryin' to pass as one of them is NOT tolerated. Some of their education is just a quiet word to the wise. Sometimes it's been a little more 'persuasive'. Doesn't matter if the offender is male or female. They don't like it and won't hesitate to act.

Mr. Sutter doesn't want any fan to feel the MC's ire for lovin' his show by doin' somethin' stupid. This is why he won't sell cuts (sometimes referred to as kuttes) on FX.Net. This is why he has come out publicly and repeatedly against the idea of makin' your own.

Yet, people persist in doin' so.

Maybe y'all think that you're safe because there's no outlaw MCs in your area. Think again. Maybe they aren't as active, but they have ways of knowin'.

And while we're on the subject, don't make your own cut just to have. It's just not worth it.

Mr. Sutter would want the fans to enjoy Hallowe'en; and every other day. If you want to show your support, buy the official products from FX.Net. Stay away from the Ebay whankers. Most of 'em are sellin' stuff that's not sanctioned by Sutterink, Linson Productions, Fox21, FX Network, etc. Watch the show, tell your friends. Follow Sutter's fan page on Facebook or his tweets on Twitter or his blog.

The Network News Has Gone Way too Far!

I had intended to blog this week about my experience with the Indiana State Fair Stage Collaspe Victims Ride, and still will.

Something else has raised my ire today, and has kinda pushed that blog to the back burner.

Any of you who know me personally, or know of my background, know that I spent seven years of my early young adulthood in broadcasting, specifically journalism. I liked the news, and had dreams of Jessica Savitch that turned into realities of Les Nessman (I still like that for a book title!). Those realities are part of the reason that I got out of the business.

I also didn't like the direction the media was taking as a whole, always tryin' to outdo the other, always tryin' to be first, always sensationalizin' stuff. Even in so - called small markets, the push was on to gain ratings/viewers(listeners)/ad dollars.

It wasn't, as Tally Atwater said at the end of 'Up Close and Personal' about tellin' the story.

Today, while checkin' out Twitter, up popped a retweet from one of the people I follow. It was from ABC News. It is ghastly.

For those of you who do not know, the trial of Michael Jackson's 'personal physician' started today. The physician is accused of havin' a hand in Mr. Jackson's untimely demise. I knew the media would be coverin' this like ants at a picnic. For some reason, I didn't anticipate that the media would go to the extremes they have gone.

I'm NOT gonna post any links to their story on the trail. It's gonna be on the www anyway, and get enough exposure without my help. What ABC News posted today is, in my opinion, way outta line. It's somethin' one would expect from one of those cunt (yes, I used that word) sites like TMZ or the Enquirer. You wouldn't expect it from a global news outlet like ABC News.

Until today.

The prosecution in the case opted for a very dramatic openin'. I have no problem with that. Showin' the jury the contrast between a full of life performer practicin' his craft and his lifeless body makes sense. Juries wind up havin' to see some gruesome shit sometimes in the course of a trial. God knows I covered a few murder trials to know that.

ABC put on their web site the fuckin' photos! Both of 'em. So now, after two years, the general public can now see for themselves Mr. Jackson's lifeless body on a hospital gurney! Oh happy day! Oh joy!

Or, as I said to my cats, "Those fuckers!"

At one time, I was a fan of the Jackson Five. There is no doubt that Michael had a tremendous talent. He was also a troubled soul. Eventually, the excesses of his life just turned me off. Yes, I was sad when he died, because it was a senseless death. His demons eventually overtook him. It's a familiar story in entertainment.

(As a side note, there are a larger number of entertainers who do not succumb to excess. They manage to live a life with love, laughter, and good health. May they continue to do so.)

So now, the picture is out there for all the world to see. And I've lost any respect I held for network news. Frankly, I've lost respect for the news media, network and local, in general. Even newspapers tend to be slanted one way or another these days. Objectivity seems to be out the frackin' door.

So I'm pissed about this. The husband says it would've only been a matter of time before it became public, anyway. True, but the way it came out enrages me.

Maybe it's just me turnin' into a grumpy old bitch. If so, it's a badge I'll wear with pride.

Thank God there are other ways one can be informed, and I will continue to be as well read and research as much as possible.

End of line.