once i hear this song, my christmas season officially begins.

it’s 1984, i’m 8 years old wearing my “CHOOSE LIFE”

t-shirt watching the making of Band-Aid over and over again. my dad was able to snag a bootleg copy, and i watched that fucking thing on repeat for 25 days straight. rewinding each time the bananarama girls appeared on screen. i wanted to be keren (she was the brunette.) would try to mimic her portion of “wishing you a happy christmas.” very cool, very shy, very skinny……all that i was not.

george michael would appear all feathered and hunky in his oversized, black & white geometric, unbuttoned, collared shirt (chest hair amply displayed.) i couldn’t hide my love. when watching the video with others (especially parents and adults) i’d try my damnest not to smile back at him. but he’d appear, and i’d lose my self. i’d later cry not understanding why George Michael couldn’t come into my life and make it less sad. my mom and aunts would tease me. i hated them. i hated myself more for wanting to escape with a man who talked funny, but who made my stomach swish. so what if an 8-year-old wants to marry a closeted gay man (might turn out better than some of the hetero marriages going on.)

george and i have gone our separate lifestyles ways, but it still doesn’t change the fact that he’s still part of the greatest christmas carol ever (in my opinion.)

every time i hear “Feed the World” i truly want to grab a stranger’s hand and twirl around the market square yelling Happy Christmas to All!!!!!

What songs get you in the christmas spirit?

Let’s put the song on repeat, turn it up loud, and dance together (sort of…..-you at your screen, me at my screen) around our computers!!!!!!! silly. happy.

Ready???….GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If God is so powerful and loving, then why doesn’t He just provide all humans with plenty of food? Do they first have to accept Him? Is this a test to see who can survive among the “children” of God? Seriously. Why are there so many humans who die of starvation? Are they all sinners, because the last time I checked, we are all sinners. Are they worse sinners? Did they do something so horrible that God refuses to feed them, or answer their prayers for food? I really want to understand exactly why there are so many people that are starving to death when they were supposedly created by the most powerful and loving God ever known. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

There are millions of starving people in the world. I don’t think that question is in doubt at all. What is a serious question is what are we doing about it? To be sure, there are amazing organizations that are doing as much as they possibly can to feed the hungry, including religious and secular organizations. That is great news, and here is just one that you can donate to if you want to do something tangible. Poverty seems to be a major contributor. Check out this website to learn how poverty contributes to world hunger. It seems that people are too busy trying to survive to be able to get out of poverty. Very sad indeed.

I think it is great that humans are stepping in to help each other in ways that show we really can and do care about each other. A mother who is feeding her baby in a safe, clean home, with plenty of food is heart-broken when the images of starving babies show up during commercials. She feels that deep down sadness that comes with watching a helpless infant literally starving to death. We can do more, and we should always do more. If some people have more than they need, then it is obvious that we can all share a little more of ourselves in order to help.

We are doing everything we can without the help of a supernatural god. We don’t need a god to know that it is morally good to help other humans in desperate times. As a species, we’ve been doing it since the beginning. Now, before any believers get angry, I do recognize that religious organizations do tons of charity work, including feeding the hungry. I say awesome – and keep up the good work! However, I really don’t see why a god with so much power cannot solve this worldwide problem in less than one second?

To be fair, it does appear that Biblical miracles have all but stopped completely ever since Jesus left us. But still, why can’t we have one more little miracle on behalf of the millions of prayers from Christians of all sects for the hungry? Are they not praying hard enough? Is there something else more important to God? Call me unimpressed, but I just don’t understand the whole human creation experiment from God at all. Why create humans that are made to suffer so badly in this world, when you obviously have the power to prevent it? I’m so tired of hearing that God works in mysterious ways, or that everything is a part of God’s plan. Those cliches are old and quite frankly, useless to the starving.

If you are a Christian, does it bother you at all that God does nothing to help the hungry?

I took the following quote out of my “Organic Bytes” newsletter put out by the Organic Consumers Association.   Look for the implied definition of organic, and then think about whether this statement is true if only applied to the US.

“Organic agriculture puts the needs of rural people and the sustainable use of natural resources at the centre of the farming system. Locally adapted technologies create employment opportunities and income. Low external inputs minimize risk of indebtedness and intoxication of the environment. It increases harvests through practices that favor the optimization of biological processes and local resources over expensive, toxic and climate damaging agro-chemicals…in response to a frequently asked question: Yes, the world can be fed by the worldwide adoption of Organic agriculture. The slightly lower yields of Organic agriculture in favorable, temperate zones are compensated with approximately 10-20% higher yields in difficult environments such as arid areas.”

-International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements World Food Day, October 12, 2009

Sell the Vatican, Feed the World.

This is genius… also, you know, a definite food for thought.

Also, just really, really funny.

Sarah Silverman is radness.

Makes sense to me !!!

Il video dell’ambizioso piano di Sarah Silverman per sfamare il mondo, il quale tra le altre cose prevede la vendita dei beni del Vaticano, ha catturato in un giorno l’attenzione di 112.910 spettatori.

Proprio vero che il mondo è grande.

As times change, so do solutions.

How to end World Hunger, 1970s

How to end World Hunger, 1980s

How to end World Hunger, 2009

***

ADULT STARS ARE JOINING THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS IN AFRICA BY JOINING FORCES WITH

GOO4GOOD.ORG  THE NONPROFIT FUNDS ITS FIGHT BY SELLING T SHIRTS AND BRACELETS THAT COME WITH

A FREE VIBATOR….THE COMPANY HAS ALIGNED ITSELF WITH HOLLYWOOD AND THE ADULT INDUSTRY

TO RAISE AWARNESS…..AND OTHER THANGZ…SHOW THEM LOVE

WWW.GOO4GOOD.ORG

Kristen Stewart’s simplicity and beauty dazzles on the cover of Dazed & Confused magazine.  Totally trippy! While Madonna celebrated her 51st birthday,with three of her children. Even trippyer! She’s looking good.

When the city of Los Angeles votes their news topics of interest each day in Hollywood, here’s how it looks:

1. THE HORIWOOD TOP 10 – SUN 8.16.09

2. KARDASHIAN FAMILY FASHION IS THE #1 TRENDING TOPIC ON THE AMERICAN BRAIN

3. ANNA PAQUIN LEADS TRUE BLOOD TO HBO’S RATINGS GOLD

4. KELLAN LUTZ HAS BULKED UP FOR ECLIPSE

5. LIKE MJ, BEYONCE GIVES A HELPING HAND

6. HORIWOOD’S TOP RANKING CELEBRITIES LIST FOR 2009

7. WHAT DOES A NEW YORK TIMES #1 BEST SELLING AUTHOR LOOL LIKE?

8. TOP BOLLYWOOD STARS IN THE WORLD

9. HEIDI MONTAG’S HUSTLE IS “DIRTY RICH” ON PLAYBOY

10. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE PARODIES LADY GAGA’S “MEDIOCRE FACE” SONG

Bonus Post: WHITE PEOPLE BEHAVING BADLY 3: “DIFFERENT STROKES” TEA PARTY PROTEST SIGN

horiwood’slatest tweet on twitter is: “it pays to shop around. tonight i went to pavilions, traders joes + gelsens to do grocery shopping. by comparing prices i saved $23. yes!less than 5 seconds ago from web

Although today’s news glory should belong to Sonia Sotomayor, the first confirmed Hispanic, Supreme Court Justice of America; it is the topless leaked pictures of a tween actress with a new film to promote; a betrayed bachelorette and the unstoppable rising young stars of Twilight Saga’s Eclipse who round out the top 10 most sought after entertainment news topics on Horiwood.Com today.

If there is one thing that maintaining a blog from Hollywood has taught me, blog numbers don’t lie. They show another side to democracy as the people and the masses vote each day with their mouse clicks and news choices.

From Hollywood tonight, enjoy your news choices you all made worldwide. Thank you all for being a part  of Horiwood.Com for 7 months now. Let’s keep this show going always with a spirit of fun and a sense of play!

Congratulations Sonia Sotomayor!!! How cool and inspiring is she?! Well done. Wow!!!

1. NAKED PICS OF VANESSA HUDGENS ARE EVERYWHERE

2. POOR JILLIAN HARRIS: BETRAYAL ALWAYS SUCKS

3. NIKKI REED & TAYLOR LAUTNER PIC

4. TWILIGHT ECLIPSE’S SHOCKING CASTING NEWS: Q’ORIANKER KILCHER & JULIA JONES BATTLE IT OUT FOR TWILIGHT SAGA’S LEAH CLEARWATER CASTING IN ECLIPSE

5. DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART: ROBERT PATTINSON & KRISTEN STEWART REUNITE TO FILM ECLIPSE

6. SUSAN BOYLE HAS RECORDED HER FIRST TRACK

7. JESSICA SIMPSON IS NOT STILL IN LOVE WITH NICK  LACHEY

8. FARRAH FAWCETT COVERS PEOPLE MAGAZINE

9. EAT. PRAY. LOVE SAY JAMES FRANCO & JULIA ROBERTS

10. WHAT A GUY! RICHARD CHANDLER IS A BILLIONAIRE PHILANTHROPIST

BONUS POSTS: 11. SONIA SOTOMAYOR MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST HISPANIC SUPREME COURT JUSTICE OF AMERICA

12. HE’S AN OVERCOMER: RICH RETURNS TO WALKING AND SURFING – ONE MAN’S REHABILITATION FROM CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

13. SHEPARD FAIREY’S “HALO” OBAMA ART FOR ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE FURTHER’S OBAMA’S HOPE THEME OF POLITICS

 horiwood’slatest tweet on twitter is: “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things yet unseen.” less than 5 seconds ago from web

Like Sonia Sotomayor’s inspiring achievements show us in #11 and Rich’s story shows us in #12 tonight; let hope and persistence arise in us all. What doesn’t kill  us makes us stronger and it will get better!

Hope and faith are powerful. They are the fuel to sustain us through tough times.

Thanks Sonia and Rich for fueling all of our dreams today.

This is an amazing story. My childhood friend Richard (Rich), has been battling with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as Tapanui Flu and M.E) a rare form of perpetual flu-like symptoms, that threatens to keep someone continually exhausted. This has been Rich’s battle for more then a fair few years now.

Before he fell ill, I always remember rich as weightlifting and surfing the awesome waves of New Zealand and helping out peeps in need. Rich had recently been bedridden for 14 years with just enough strength each down to be spoon fed a meal by his folks and go to the bathroom. 95% of the time his body needed to rest before he could eat again.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a disease that medical scientists are still finding a cure for. They have a partial cure now. Due to Medicine’s partial cure, Rich has been learning how to walk again and he even got out on his surf board again for a paddle.

These photos kind of made me cry! It’s amazing to see courage in a friend, rise up with hope. There are no odds too great. If you believe, you will overcome any obstacle, even when what is thrown your way, does not seem right or fair.

What a miracle and we are all so proud of Rich’s progress and courage. To donate to the M.E foundation go here. Click on the donate button on the right tab. Thank you all for giving from your hearts today!

And Rich – you’re one of our heroes. Stay strong Mr.

Rich is pictured here in Whangaparoa, New Zealand, which is home to some of the best ecologically sound scenic beaches in the world. Whangaparoa Harbour is one of the stunning beaches along Auckland City’s Hibiscus Coast. Whangaparoa has a golf course with some of the prettiest scenic views from the green known to golfers worldwide. It’s where golfer, Tiger Woods sometimes plays when he’s  down under in New Zealand with his Kiwi caddie. But let’s get back to Rich’s amazing story.

True to form, Rich hopes to make a full recovery. He sees his future as being based in Africa feeding the poor in the third world. What a guy! You go fellah!

Bansky

Taylor Lautner of New Moon and Q’orianka Kilcher of  Eclipse and The New World are on everyone’s minds in Hollywood entertainment today as the USA celebrates the 40th anniversary of humans landing on the moon.

Here’s 10 Hot Entertainment news posts right now here in Hollywood:

1. NEW TAYLOR LAUTNER, NEW MOON: JACOB BLACK SMOULDERS

2. LIKE MJ, BEYONCE GIVES A HELPING HAND

3. EBONY’S IT GIRLS

4. KATHERINE HEIGL: THE BOMB SHELL’S BOMB SCARE

5. HARRY POTTER IS THE WORLD’S BOX OFFICE KING

6. THE BECKHAM & CRUISE FAMILIES HANG OUT AT SOCCER

7. LIL KIM SINGS IT UP WITH CINDY LAUPER FOR NELSEN MANDELA

8. L’OFFICIEL HOMMES: JESUS LUZ IS OFFICIALLY A MADONNA FAN

9. FRANK McCOURT, AUTHOR OF ANGELA’S ASHES DIES AT 78 – RIP

10. CHRISTY TURLINGTON COVERS VOGUE 2009

Horiwood’s Latest tweet was: horiwoodHoriwood Bites: THE JACKSON 5 VS KID ROCK: MASH UP MUSIC MONDAY: Here’s a great mash up of..http://bit.ly/uMsin7 minutes ago from twitterfeed

from here and here.

Where oh where does Beyonce find the time? The triple threat entertainer was photographed in Chicago, Sunday feeding America’s homeless with the support she is loaning to the Show Your Helping Hand hunger initiative. She’s just too much.

It’s fascinating how Show Your Helping Hand features a gloved hand like Michael Jackson, and MJ’s songs We Are The World and Feed The World were his two big messages of humanitarian change towards good. Beyonce’s PR team were so on it, a long time ago and she is doing what MJ urged through his music.

In Chicago, the singer revealed that what kills her each night, is not hunger, it is her feet. Apparently when she’s dancing, all Beyonce can think of is the choreography but when she takes her high heeled diva shoes off at night, her feet just kill her and she wants to “chop them off.”

According to her baby sister Solange’s twitter, the Knowles girls used to run around the track in their high heel shoes when kids, which gave them an “advantage.”

Woah! The price of fame! But it’s great  to see Beyonce doing nice things with her celebrity and spotlight. Go Beyonce!

Fresh delicious food grown in your own back yard. Reduce your food bill. Eat food that tastes amazing. The Feed My Neighbor Project can help you grow your own food for your family, neighbors and even develop an income from your backyard. Times are tough and may get tougher. Turn your lawn which you have to mow and edge into a vegetable garden you can grow and eat. That’s what this project is about.

Here is an example of helping someone start a vegetable garden. We helped get them started and they did the rest.

There are many good and productive families out there struggling to make ends meet.  We want to help as many of these families as possible. The ability to grow your own food which you can eat, may be a better investment than owning gold which you cannot. We have been able to help families start their own gardens.  How can we help yours?

We are thankful to our neighbor Liz for making the first official donation to the project. She heard what I was doing and found this in her garage. It will be put it to good use.

We already have a family picked out to receive the first garden. They are such givers to the community and put others ahead of themselves.

Thanks Liz. It’s a good start.

This TED video is 18 minutes of time well spent. It’s a different outlook on the mass production of food than what we’ve been used to hearing lately. Loise Fresco is a “globe- trotting sustainability advisor” (according to ted.com). It’s really interesting whether or not you agree with her (i think she makes some incredibly valid points). My favorite quote “every bite connects you to the past and the future”. She makes and bakes a loaf of bread while speaking….public speaking AND cooking? i’m amazed.

Well, who would have thought that Beta Carotene could give you your cancer-busting fix at KFC of all places. But potentially KFC’s Corn On The Cobb, could just do that with a few genetically modified enhancements. Yep, corn is going Hollywood!

Scientists have just developed genetically modified African corn that has a 169-fold increase in Vitamin A. It also has 6 times more the vitamin C of normal corn, plus many other beneficial attributes for one’s bo-day! 

Now perhaps Michael K, you’ll switch it up to a penchant for the Colonel’s Corn on The Cobb and not just hanker for the yummylicious Califronian unbeatable goodness of In N Out burger! lol! Don’t worry though, the same scientific geek squad are doing the same research into potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes, so animal-styles fries and burgers at In N Out, could be on the same par as African Corn on the Cobb at KFC.

Don’t we live in exciting times. Now how do we get this new corn over to African and grow it in the world where nutrition is most needed?! Therein lies the challenge for the world. Calling a billionaire philanthropist to help us out there, in that endeavor. Shout out to Karen Kaplan for great reporting and bringing us this story of UC Davis and Newell-McGloughlin scientific brilliantness!