October 5, 2010

The origin of R2D2 and other stuff I learned this week...

'Tis a wise man who always yearns for more knowledge....

1- While mixing the sound for American Graffiti, the sound engineer asked George Lucas for R 2, D 2, meaning Reel 2, Dialogue 2; Lucas liked the sound of the abbreviation and jotted it down in his notebook to be used a few years later in Star Wars.

2- Elvis Costello's real name is Declan McManus.

3- The dating website evow.com won't let you sign up unless you sign that you are over 18 (this is good news).

4- All that speculation about Alanis Morrissette's really pissed-off song You Oughta Know was about Full House star David Coulier was apparently true; the actor acknowledged it in an interview, and said he has since called her and they have made peace. Awww...

5-The name "Canada" is derived from an old Huron word meaning "our village".

6- The newest Saw horror flick is coming out in 3D. Uh, why?

7- A super soap fan has patched together all of Diahann Caroll's Dynasty scenes to create Dominique: The Series on YouTube. It's 28 chapters of about ten minutes each. I have watched the first four. So far.

8- Actress Rosanna Arquette, who we already knew was the object of affection in Toto's 80s hit Rosanna, was apparently also the object of affection for Peter Gabriel's 80s hit In Your Eyes.

9- A giraffe will live on average 20 to 25 years, often more in captivity.

10- On a more serious note, regarding the string of recent gay suicides, the stats say that the average gay or lesbian teen is up to four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight kids. Four times. If by some chance you are facing this, or know someone who is, refer them to The Trevor Project. They are an amazing organization. Find them @ www.thetrevorproject.org. It does get better...

18 comments:

Gigi said...

All very interesting stats. Except for that last one - that last one breaks my heart.

marymac said...

Interesting facts, powerful statement in #10. As a very proud fag hag (omg please tell me that term isn't offensive- or give me the politically correct one!), I actually host gay pride campfires at my house on Friday nights- a bunch of gay teens from the high school come over and hang out with my high school kid (who is straight but who like me agrees gay people are WAY more fun to hang out with...) and me- SMores, sugary sodas, gossip- it is a ton of fun-- even if some of them have parents who aren't accepting, they know we are and they are always welcome here. I should start a gay pride campfire movement!!

also- BROWNIES!??!? I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dazee Dreamer said...

that is really kind of cool about the R2D2. My niece is gay, and hasn't come out to "the family" yet. She has had thoughts of suicide, but I think now that she knows she has my family to support her she is doing better. She is 17. I would think it would be hard enough to realize that you are different than what others say you should be, but then to throw into the mix that people are just cruel, it makes me hurt.

Daffy said...

Oh man...you have TOTALLY ruined that Peter Gabriel song for me...for like EVAH!

Aaaaaaand....its very much going to be stuck in my head all day now. Which may kind of be a good thing since prior to this post all I had was the theme song to WonderPets......sigh....so I suppose its the lesser of two evils....

Ray's Cowboy said...

I love when yo umake my mind work. Very Interesting.
Ray

ClosedOnSunday said...

Who knew Rosanna Arquette got around so much?

Elly Lou said...

*sigh* No. 10. I swear I don't understand how there's this much hate in the world.

Meanwhile, do you think the life expectancy for giraffes applies to the tiny gilded one in that TV commercial? Cause I want one. Bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkB9OT2XVvA&feature=fvw

injaynesworld said...

That Rosanna was quite the little tart, uh, muse, wasn't she?

bmat10 said...

The first time our husky 'talked' (she doesn't bark) I knew that the voice of Chewbaca (sorry if my spelling sucks)was made by a husky. In the book store I picked up a biography of George Lucas and sure enough, there on the back cover was a picture of George with his beautiful Malamute. I was so close.

As far as number 10 is concerned, if you are feeling this way or know of anyone who is having trouble please let somebody know. It does get better and there are people who can help.

Lauren said...

Number ten makes me sad and angry. There's so much that can be done to help prevent this. I've written papers... the information is out there. So frustrating.

Penny Lane said...

I love this kind of trivia stuff. I hate number 10. We should be so far past this. Yesterday I posted about the loss of feminism or however you want to put it, in terms of women's equality. Gay rights are even a step behind, I'm afraid. I am of the mind one is born gay; much the same one is born male or female, brown eyed or blue.

Unfortunately it appears there are far too many born ignorant and in-tolerant. Let me re-phrase that. One must be taught ignorance and intolerance. And apparently, our society, is a hell of a good teacher.

The more we talk about it though the better...and I love marymac's idea...s'mores anyone?

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

Yep, Rosanna Arquette apparently got around with the musical crowd, so that makes her a sl... popular?

And yes Mary, be a fag hag, and be proud of it! And don't delish brownies make everything better?

As for the bullying and the suicides in the news so much lately, it is heartbreaking. I tried to write a post on the new "it gets better" movement or call to action, and couldn't pull it together in some non-wacky coherent way.

TICKLEBEAR said...

well i've learned about giraffes and diahann carroll. off to youtube now!!
:D~
HUGZ

Nicki said...

I am so impressed that you continue to learn daily and I feel so lazy now! I actually did know that about Alanis' song (being a fan) and I always thought it was funny that Danny from Full House can bring a woman to practically yell the F-bomb in a song! Ironic, don't ya think?

Ron said...

Hi Brahm!

Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for dropping by my blog earlier today. It was nice to meet you.

#10. Ironic, because Monday night I was having dinner at a friends house and he mentioned hearing that statistic in conversation. How sad.

Great blog you have here! I'll definitely be back.

Enjoy your day!

bjornandmick said...

Yeah...I have knowledge for the week! Thank you!

Kevin said...

And how do you know about #3?

Signed,
Your husband

Brahm (alfred lives here) said...

Hello husband!

Of all the great and worldly and significant things on here, that is what you choose? Hmm.

I know because an ad for a site popped up on here, and I thought, hey, this would be a hoot and a fun post to sign up Alfie and see what happened. First problem, he doesnt have his own email address. Second problem, he's three. So a no-go all around...

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