Crazy Blogging!
Wow, I've posted a lot today. Oddly enough, it's been a busy day at work too!
Last night I took Pancho out, he did his thizang, I proceeded to clean it up (we have special bags just for that!), and I then took the little bag up to the porch where we have a garbage can especially for Pancho and his lawgs. As the little bag began its wind up swing for its flight to the can, I noticed something gray and black and furry with a long, skinny, rat-like tail chilling out in the bottom (amongst many other little bags). *shudder* Furry things with rat-like tails being in my house (the porch counts) creep my out. I love furry things outside, AWAY from my house, or as pets, but this was NO GOOD. So later I made Jon go downstairs with me to check it out. He thought it was dead. I called our landlords to see if maybe they had put a dead thing that their dog Ninja had killed in that can. Apparently not. They called animal control and the drama ended today. The furry rat-tail thing was not dead, but PLAYING dead. Yes, it was an oppossum. Creepy little things. Oddly enough, I've never seen one in Pittsburgh before. I hit one once in Michigan. A REALLY BIG ugly white one. I still felt bad for about a week though. Stupid thing. The one last night in the garbage was smaller...maybe kitten sized (6 or 7 pounds or so?).
The really gross thing about this whole story is that the only thing in that garbage can is dog shit in little bags, which means the oppossum went in after it and couldn't get out again. This morning I threw another little bag right on top of it, assuming it was dead (it hadn't moved!!). Now I feel bad that I threw dog shit on the poor thing.
Who else can say they've suffered through TWO guilt trips in their lives that were brought on by oppossums?? Stupid, stupid little things. Stupid rat-tails. Stupid dog shit garbage can.
McSweeney's
I have added a new link on the left
<------------------------------------- (over there)
It is entitled 'McSweeneys'. For anyone not familiar with this site, check it out. One of the my favorite things about it, and one a souce of some of the most frightening, scare-the-shit-out-of-you-piss-you-off-so-much-can't-fucking-believe-it-enough-to-make-you-want-to-move-out-of-the-country-right-now facts (well documented too) that I have read online is the "Daily Reasons to Dispatch Bush" daily factoids.
An example of today's daily reason to dispatch Bush:
DAY 104:
President Bush's new rules on travel to Cuba went into effect on June 30. They allow Cuban Americans only one visit home every three years, eliminate humanitarian permission to attend funerals or to see dying relatives, and remove all extended family—such as aunts, uncles, and cousins—from the list of government-approved relatives. Violators are fined $65,000.
via McSweeney's
Check it out. Seriously. Now.
Bloodthirsty?
'Wack the Iraq' Game
And I thought I couldn't be any
less proud to call myself an American...
Olympic Commentary
I did not get to watch as much of the Olympics this year as I would have liked, but from what I saw of the coverage from NBC, that might be a good thing. The NBC reporters covering the Olympics crossed the line from terrible into extremely inappropriate and insensitive. Some notable examples (and this is just from the little I watched) included:
- Reporter asking a US male runner (sorry, can't remember which one and I don't want to guess and be wrong)after he came in 5th in a qualifying round (4th and up passed to the next level), something to the effect of; "So, you were running in honor of your murdered father. How does it feel to know that you aren't going on in this race?"
- Reporter asking 16-year-old Carly Patterson of the US women's gymnastics team something to the effect of, "How does it feel to know that you made such a big mistake?" (Alluding to a mistake Patterson made in the all-arounds that led to her team winning the silver instead of the gold).
- NBC camermen following GB's Radcliffe (competitor in the women's marathon) behind a bush where she was trying to GET AWAY from the media after dropping out of the marathon around mile 20.
These are specific instances that I know of, and there were more that I can't remember now. Overall, I think NBC reporters during this Olympics coverage embodied all of the negative stereotypes about the media. They were rude, invasive, inappropriate, insensitive, and totally lacked respect for the athletes.
Oh, and on another Olympics side note, just to make my feelings known, if Paul Hamm doesn't give up (if he hasn't already) the gold medal after the scoring fiasco, then he's an asshole too.
Warning, warning, controversial issue about to be discussed...
U.S. Court in New York Rejects Partial-Birth Abortion Ban
A federal judge in New York ruled yesterday that a federal law banning a rarely used method of abortion was unconstitutional because it did not exempt cases where the procedure might be necessary to protect a woman's health.
Attorney General John Ashcroft said in Washington yesterday that the Justice Department would continue to defend the law vigorously and would appeal the ruling. A department statement quoted President Bush, who had said the law would "end an abhorrent practice and continue to build a culture of life in America."
He found that Congress, in writing the law, had ignored furious dissension among doctors over the safety and necessity of the disputed abortion. The lawmakers had overlooked testimony in their own hearings, he said, and based the bill on the conclusion that partial-birth abortion is "never necessary."
The above are just excerpts from this article. Click the title to read the whole thing.
The thing about this article that struct a particular chord with me was Bush's quote that this partial-birth abortion law would "continue to build a culture of life in America". Does anyone else see the conflict with that statement? By assuming that it is "never necessary" and making this procedure illegal in ALL cases, woman are going to die. And it's likely that in many of those same cases, the fetus will die as well. So the question becomes, how is this promoting a "culture of life" (whatever the hell that's supposed to mean anyway)?
I recognize that this is a controversial issue. I know that, amoung those of you reading, there are people on both sides of this issue. I've made it clear where I stand as well. However, regardless of whether or not a person believes abortion is 'right' or 'wrong' in general, I have a very hard time understanding a belief that does not allow a woman to choose her own life (and in this case, i mean life as in life and death, not quality of life, etc etc) over her unborn fetus, or the potential for her unborn fetus to survive. Why is it that automatically a doctor's first responsibility should be to the child and not the mother?
But law has to be all or none, right? Black or white? You're either totally pro-life, 100 percent no abortions ever or you're gunho abortion, yes, it's awesome! That's bullshit. So bravo to that New York judge, who despite his own personal misgivings about the procedure chose to look at the issue of what Congress has the right to control and at the facts that there are situations in which to save the life of the mother, this procedure is necessary.
This day in history
"On Aug. 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing American women the right to vote, was declared in effect." (via
NY Times)
Everyday, I get the New York Times headlines delivered, for free, right to my email. Since I started doing this, I feel far more informed as to what is going on in the world. Most days, there are maybe two articles that I actually read, but it's better than my previous no-news-because-I-hate-TV-news lifestyle. Everyday, there is an "on this day in history" factoid (e.g. the factoid above).
Now, do I have anything to say about woman getting the right to vote? Eh, not really, other than I'm certainly going to exercise that right this year.
On a totally different topic....
I have never seen my mailman. I've lived in my current apartment for over a year now, and have yet to run into him/her as I am arriving or leaving home, taking the dog out, or even walking down the street. While this may seem inconsequential (and really, it is), I find it very odd. Every other place that I have ever lived, I have seen the mailman. Even in Phoenix, where the mailboxes were nowhere near my apartment, I saw the mailman from time to time, stuffing mail into little boxes. Mailman, mailman, where are you???? Perhaps I shall make it my mission to meet my mailman (I don't even know if said mail carrier is male or female!!). To be continued if and when I ever meet the mailman....
euphemisms...an interactive sport
Euphemisms are a fun thing. I once came across a book at B&N that was 250 pages of euphemisms for male and female genitalia (its intended purpose was as a reference source). I got to hear my Grandma say "poontang" once. Thank you, Oprah's Book Club.
So, thanks to the movie "Garden State", I have been inspired to conduct a survey of the best euphemisms for sex.
From "Garden State": 'dropping knowledge upon another' (I forget the direct quote, but it was something to the effect of "I'm going to drop some knowledge on that bitch!")
Here are a few more good ones I came across in my two minutes of internet research.
Euphemisms
In honor of my friend the accountant who said that accountant are not as dorky as chemists (from the site above):
Top Ten Accountant Euphemisms For Sex
10. Using the long form
9. Getting bottom-lined
8. Increasing your cash flow
7. Filing an extension
6. Rounding off
5. Depleting your reserves
4. Filing jointly
3. Get up, get on up, stay on the scene, like an adding machine
2. Making your holdings grow
1. Getting Enronned
I'm particularly fond of #3...ubercool!
For those interested in CompSci sex Euphemisms:
CS Euphemisms
For the basics:
Sex
¤ Doing it
¤ Getting it on
¤ Making love
¤ Hooking up
¤ Making bacon
¤ Hiding the salami/sausage/banana
¤ Making babies
¤ Rocking the boat
¤ Rocking the Casaba
¤ Knocking boots
¤ Making whoopee
¤ Making the beast with two backs
¤ Horizontal mambo
¤ Horizontal polka
¤ Doing the deed
¤ Porking
How about 'riding the bologna pony'?
Perhaps the best site I came across was
Richard and Kitty's World of Sex Euphemisms, which gives an alphabetical index of euphemisms, beginning with 'a bit of the old in & out' (which some may recognize from "A Clockwork Orange").
So, I challenge you...what are some good sex euphemisms that you've heard (the more original, the better)?
Follow-up on "The Scream"
Remember how I asked that question about what an art thief is going to do with such a high profile work as "The Scream"? Well, check out
this article if you've ever asked yourself the same question.
"In a line-up of the world's great art museums, the Museum of the Missing would rank near the top. This imaginary museum, whose collection would consist entirely of stolen paintings and drawings, would sprawl as endlessly as the Louvre. Its treasures would include 551 Picassos, 43 Van Goghs, 174 Rembrandts and 209 Renoirs. Vermeer would be there, and Caravaggio and Van Eyck and Cézanne. On Sunday, the museum made two new acquisitions, Edvard Munch's "Madonna" and "The Scream," which were taken from the Munch Museum in Oslo."
Kettle, Pot...Pot, Kettle
Pakistan Vows to Stop Taliban; Westerners Scoff
I don't know where to begin. The title alone provokes many comments.
"They are training, financing and organizing these operations on Pakistani soil," said a Western diplomat in Kabul, the Afghan capital. "There is evidence from people who have been picked up in Afghanistan that they are receiving training in Pakistan."
Haven't Taliban members been trained, financed, and organized on U.S. soil too? Did the U.S. intentionally harbor these people? Who knows, but let's assume the best and say no. Is it turning a blind eye if you don't even know they're there?
Overall, the thing about this article that bothered me most was the "westerners scoff" part. What position is the U.S. or any other "westerner" in to scoff? To be concerned, sure, I can live with that, but to condemn, to turn a nose up, to imply that they aren't doing all the "westerners" are doing is hypocritical, narcissistic, and just plain irritating.
"They acknowledge that low-level members of the Taliban may be present in Pakistan but say the large number of Afghan refugees still in Pakistan makes it impossible to identify and arrest all Taliban fighters who cross the border.
'Who is a Taliban?" General Sultan asked in the interview. "We also have 1.5 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan.'"
Well, why not just follow the example of the west and bomb the shit out of everybody? What are the lives of 1.5 million refugees if we can take out 50 Taliban members?
Again, just to clarify, I am not saying that there is nothing going on with the situation in Pakistan. I'm not saying that there is. Quite frankly, I don't know what to think when it comes to trusting world leaders. I certainly don't trust ours. The issue I'm taking with this article has nothing to do with whether or not anything is going on. It's all about the scoffing.
Good news for Microwave chefs!
Apparently you can nuke your way to a trimmer waistline (sound like a bad, tv-ad line?). Check out
this story about a Japanese company that claims to have created a microwave nukes the fat and oils out of meats so that they are healthier to consume.
Oh, oh, word on the street is that the low-carb craze is dying away...ebb ebb you atkinarians!
Monday, monday, monday
So the post I wrote last week that blogger fangoriously devoured before I could post it was all about my craving for a good movie in the theaters. And alas, that craving was satisfied this weekend as I went and saw
"Garden State".
A dead hamster has never been so funny....
In other news, Edvard Munch's "Scream" was
stolen from a museum in Oslo" this past weekend.
I've never understood stealing high profile art. True, it's worth an assload of money, but how are they possibly going to sell it?? Perhaps some ultra-wealthy person hired people to steal it just so that he/she could add it to his/her collection. But again, WHO CAN YOU SHOW IT TO? I just don't get it...
Has anyone heard about all the ways in which the Jaggerbush is pissing people off recently? So many things, not enough time to tell them all. Here is a sampling:
He pissed off...
- Native Americans by talking about the importance of a housing program, but failing to mention that he plans to cut almost 80 percent of its funding (
via Sloth).
- The Iraqi Olympic Soccer Team by using them in a political ad, despite their near collective hate for the Jaggerbush.
- The Olympic committee for using the Olympics in a political ad (via
Pesky)
- Me.
so many more.....but alas, I must get back to work.
stupid blogger
i just wrote a long post and it got deleted by stupid blogger. no time to write now, but will try to recapture the moment later.
Which Greek God are you?
Yay, more fun "personality" tests that don't mean anything but we all take them anyway! ;) Click on the link below my results and let me know which god you are!
Here are my results:
Morpheus
?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ?? brought to you by Quizilla
Da Drunken Bear
Bear Drinks 36 Cans of Favorite Beer
BAKER LAKE, Wash. Aug. 18, 2004 — Rain-eeeeer .... Bear? When state Fish and Wildlife agents recently found a black bear passed out on the lawn of Baker Lake Resort, there were some clues scattered nearby dozens of empty cans of Rainier Beer.
Yes, my kind of bear...knows how to get his drink on. :) Now if only they had found him BOWLING, it would have really been great!
Today I discovered a free local magazine called
Deek. Very interesting...
I will be posting some things from it in the near future, for your reading enjoyment. However, not today. Today I am tired and grouchy. I lay awake last night until after 3:00am. I had to wake up for work this morning WAY TOO EARLY. I spent most of my day in a closet (the tiny little NP testing office at PMS, which is probably a 6x10 foot room at MOST). Yes yes, da grouchiness. Now I'm going to go get some RED MEAT to self medicate.
Mmm...bloody red bits of self-medication.... *drool*
What I really do....
I have ambivalent feelings about being excited about my job. On the one hand, it's exhilirating to be involved in research that hasn't even NEEDED to exist before. On the other hand, in order for the research that we're doing here to be necessary (or beneficial or whatever), it means that people have to be sick. So I suppose, in light of the fact that people DO have AIDS and are continuing to GET AIDS, then I am thrilled to be involved in research that may be helpful to those people.
For those who don't know, the main study that I work on involves looking at AIDS and Aging, specifically regarding the neurocognitive effects (e.g. dementias) We predominantly work with subjects over 50.
HAD (HIV Related Dementia) and AD (Alzheimer's Disease) have much in common and are often difficult to diagnose. In fact, AD can only be diagnosed posthumously, through autopsy. However, a person can be diagnosed as having Probably AD, and be treated accordingly. The drugs that have been shown to help prevent the rapid progress of HAD and AD are not the same. So, enter a 60-year-old HIV-infected individual suffering from some neurocognitive problems.
Said individual cannot be diagnosed with HAD, as his/her age cannot be ruled out as a potential reason for the problems.
Said individual cannot be diagnosed with Probably AD, as his/her infection cannot be ruled out as a potential reason for the problems.
The result...a medical community with NO IDEA how to treat elderly AIDS patients suffereing from neurocognitive difficulties (and this doesn't even BEGIN to include the problem of the necessity of diagnosis in order to have prescription meds covered by insurance or managed care).
Hopefully, the research we're doing here will lead to enough of an understanding to be able to treat these individuals.
I was prompted into this whole spiel by two things. One, I just read a bunch of articles yesterday in preparation for writing my abstract/paper regarding the interaction of AIDS and Aging on brain atrophy, and two, I read the following article in the New York Times today which, though not in detail, recognizes the relatively new issue of AIDS in older populations.
Facing Middle Age and AIDS
short weekend
Today was a good day. I was busy all day at work, hence lack of posting. We're in the final stages of data analysis for a short paper that I will be writing up for a conference in February (hopefully it will be accepted). The abstract is due by the end of the month, so today I spent several hours reading up on background...you know, basically trying to figure out what the hell it is I've been actually trying to do at my job for the last year. :) Anyway, more posts to follow soon, I promise.
In other news...
As today is Scott's (
link) birthday, I thought I would find out some fun trivia as to what else happened on August 13th, 1979. Appropriately enough, the first two things I found were baseball related, so here you go:
Lou Brock, is 14th to get 3,000 hits (sadly in a cardinals win over the cubs)
link
Corey Patterson was born (you're in good company).
link
Other people born on August 13th include Fidel Castro (1926) and Alfred Hitchcock (1899).
link
So, Happy 25th Birthday Scott.
One of my favorite composers is Shostakovich, so I thought it appropriate to post
this article from today's NY Times regarding the life and music of Shostakovich (in light of the upcoming Bard Festival). An excerpt:
A significant factor in the Shostakovich boom, at least in the West, was the 1979 publication of the book "Testimony," billed as "The Memoirs of Dmitri Shostakovich as related to and edited by Solomon Volkov." It portrayed Shostakovich as a tortured dissident, forced to comply at least outwardly with the dictates of Stalin's regime and its successors but maintaining an inner distance and imparting secret truths in his music. In the lingering cold-war atmosphere, Shostakovich emerged from "Testimony" as a deeply sympathetic if not exactly warm and cuddly figure.
In the continuing (disheartening) news concerning the AIDS situation around the world, the following article was published in today's Times:
Africa's Health-Care Brain Drain
While this article, unlike post of the news that has come out lately, doesn't concern the US blocking imports of generic drugs so that people in poorer countries can afford treatment, it does once again paint the US (and other wealthy countries) in a negative light (and rightfully so). In general, the article discusses the emigration of doctors and nurses OUT of African countries and to countries like the US and England (not surprisingly, this is because these wealthier countries RECRUIT doctors and nurses who are willing to take lower wages in return for the work).
...the world's poorest countries are providing enormous quantities of medical aid to the richest. The United Nations estimates that every time Malawi educates a doctor who practices in Britain, it saves Britain $184,000.
It's understandable why overseas work is attractive. AIDS and tuberculosis have stretched African health services to the breaking point, placing impossible demands on nurses in particular. They do their jobs without adequate equipment or drugs. Their paychecks sometimes arrive months late. They risk infection - in some places, even gloves are scarce. While rich countries average 222 doctors per 100,000 people, Uganda has fewer than 6. Malawi has 17 nurses for every 100,000 citizens; many rich countries have more than 1,000.
The obvious long-term solution to the medical brain drain is for wealthier countries to reimburse Africa's health and educational systems for the cost of poaching their professionals, and to greatly increase the financing and technical help for Africa's health systems - in their entirety, not just the clinics that deal with AIDS.
The concern over AIDS, paradoxically, has created an opportunity by focusing world attention on Africa's miserable health care. Improving it would cost very little money, relatively speaking, and end the exodus of doctors and nurses that is exacerbating the epidemic's devastation
Too bad that would cost the wealthy countries too much money. Billions of dollars to fight a war supposedly based on "liberating people" or on stopping a country from having weapons that could kill millions of people (COULD being the key word here), and yet we won't spend what I'm sure would be far less than what it's cost for this war to help treat a disease that IS killing millions of people. No, no...everyone in Africa should just STOP HAVING SEX, and then they wouldn't GET sick in the first place. That's the solution, right the Jaggerbush? Fucking brilliant.
Gag, cough...plop.
Did anyone see that South Park episode where Cartman discovers that if he shoves food up his ass, he can shit out his mouth? Apparently, The Jaggerbush knows how to do this too. While I could come up with ENDLESS examples, this one from an article in today's NY Times must have been a pretty fucking huge meal:
"Mr. Bush also reaffirmed his stance on the war when he challenged Mr. Kerry. "We did the right thing,'' the president said on Friday, "and the world is better off for it."
Yeah, maybe the world as seen through Jaggerbush Goggles. That must be why all the other countries love us so much!!
You LIBERAL!!
Which is a more negative term, liberal or conservative? According to
this article from the New York Times (in which Rudy Giuliani wholeheartedly endorses Bush):
"The word 'liberal' is used as a term of abuse in America." (This was in response to Giuliani calling John Kerry "the most liberal senator in the Senate").
Thoughts on this?
There are times, when referring to the uber-conservatives, that I use less than loving terms like Fundies, or even more extreme fascists...however, it seems that what the Telegraph of Britain (who made the claim stated above)was saying is that liberal in and of itself, in American, carries the same sorts of negative connotations I'm invoking my calling someone a Fundie or fascist.
So, I went to Thesaurus.com and came up with the following synonyms for conservative and liberal:
Conservative:
Definition: moderate
Synonyms: bourgeois, cautious, constant, controlled, conventional, die-hard, fearful, firm, fogyish, fuddy-duddy, guarded, hard hat, hidebound, holding to, illiberal, inflexible, middle-of-the-road, not extreme, obstinate, old guard, old-line, orthodox, quiet, red-neck, right, right-wing, sober, stable, steady, timid, traditional, traditionalistic, unchangeable, unchanging, uncreative, undaring, unimaginative, unprogressive, white bread
Liberal:
Definition: progressive
Synonyms: advanced, avant-garde, big, broad, broad-minded, catholic, detached, disinterested, dispassionate, enlightened, flexible, free, general, high-minded, humanistic, humanitarian, impartial, indulgent, inexact, intelligent, interested, latitudinarian, left, lenient, libertarian, loose, magnanimous, not close, not literal, not strict, permissive, pink, radical, rational, reasonable, receiving, receptive, reformist, tolerant, unbiased, unbigoted, unconventional, understanding, unorthodox, unprejudiced
Oddly enough, it seems to ME that I would much rather be called just about ANY of the synonyms for liberal before being called the synonyms for conservative. Woo hoo, I'm advanced! I'm tolerant! I'm high-minded and intelligent!! And I'm NOT a red-neck, a fuddy-duddy, FEARFUL, or unprogressive. I can live with that.
Wedding cuisine
Police: Wedding guests eat victim
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Four members of a family have been arrested and charged with murder for allegedly killing and eating a relative during a wedding reception -- and serving his flesh to unwitting party guests, police have said.
Yum, yum.
This was one of the most curious parts to me:
"It was perhaps due to their drunkenness. They probably didn't know what they were eating," he said.
Drunk or not, if someone was serving meat at a reception, I don't think ANYONE would stop and think, 'oh my god, this tastes like person!'. I've heard many things about people-meat, ranging from it being quite delicious to it being tough and not very good (this was given as a reason as to why tigers don't eat people unless they're starving). Who knows what to believe?
Oddly enough, the consumption of the human body didn't use to be quite so strange. In fact, consuming people-parts (that had undergone various modes of preparation) was once thought to heal all kinds of things, from seizures to night terrors.
(article courtesy of Dennis; info about eating people-parts courtesy of my reading of the book
Stiff by Mary Roach)
OOPS!!!
I wanted to clarify something from a previous post, which was a big, bad typo that Ms. Coco called to my attention (THANKS!). In the 'at a loss for words' post, I mean to say I support being PRO-CHOICE, which would make far more sense based on what I was saying in the rest of that post. I wanted to make that clear because this is something I feel VERY strongly about, and just didn't want to be misunderstood. Thanks!
"Science! I said Science again!"
For any who work in the social services, you're probably already aware how managed care, insurance companies, drug companies (particularly television ads), and the growing attitude of people wanting a quick fix (drugs) has affected the work that can be done in regards to therapy. I wholeheartedly support psychopharmacology. I am also skeptical of many "alternative" therapies (such as
rebirthing therapy, for example). HOWEVER, that doesn't mean I'm skeptical of ALL alernative medicine...quite the opposite, in fact. No single therapy will work for all people.
There are people who need counselling...good, old-fashioned, one-on-one psychotherapy. Some people need to be able to tell their stories, in their words, to a relatively impartial listener who, unlike a friend, is not expecting the same in return. If this can't be clinically (scientifically)
proven to work, does that mean it has no merit? What is the definition of "effective therapy" anyway? By insurance company and managed care standards, it is the quickest possible fix...the fewest sessions, the drugs, moving people out of assisted living and out on their own (whether ready or not)...
And now, the question is before the APA, and they are torn.
For Psychotherapy's Claims, Skeptics Demand Proof
"Which side prevails may shape not only how young therapists are trained and what techniques practitioners use in the future, but also how tightly health insurers restrict the therapies they are willing to pay for, and thus how much the estimated 20 million Americans who enter psychotherapy each year have to pay out of their own pockets. Ultimately, some experts say, the survival of one-on-one counseling, or talk therapy, as an accepted mode of treatment for mental disorders may hang in the balance"
If all people were the same, had the same experiences, existing in the same time and place, then
perhaps a clinically proven therapy could be found that would be totally effective for everyone. Ironic how a field so concerned with promoting acceptance of all people despite race, culture, experience, history, blah blah blah blah blah....seems to forget all of these things when trying to find a way to best help any given individual.
Feeling jovial
I thought that a fun story from the news would be a nice change of pace. :)
England Gets First National Jester for 350 Years
STONELEIGH, England (Reuters) - Nigel Roder beat six rivals by public acclaim on Saturday to become England's first official jester for more than 350 years, succeeding Muckle John who lost his job when King Charles 1 was beheaded in 1649.
"This is a real job. He will have to amuse and provoke -- although failure to do so will no longer risk beheading," Tracy Borman, events director of English Heritage, told Reuters.
at a loss for words
I try to respect people's beliefs and opinions. If they are informed, thought out, and willing to honestly be challenged, then I DO respect them, even if they differ greatly from my own. However, when people start to believe that everyone should live by the standards or morals which they hold, then I have a problem. This is NOT a Christian nation, contrary to what most people think. People should not be forced to live by "Biblical" standards if they don't believe in the Bible. No matter what my personal belief about things like same sex marriage or being pro-choice (both of which I do happen to support), I don't believe that the law should forbid either based on it being against the Bible or the Judeo-Christian God. What the fuck ever happend to free will? Choice? Religious freedom? Or am I naive in thinking they ever existed in the first place? Anyway, forgive my rant. It comes in response to
this article from the New York times.
To clarify, lest I offend anyone, I am not saying that people should not vote for the candidate who they believe upholds their own moral views. I am not saying that I don't have respect for those who are Christians (quite the contrary, provided it is an informed belief and not blind, thoughtless following). I am not saying that people don't have the right to be pro-life or against same sex marriage. I DO have a problem with people not allowing me or anyone else to make the choice of what I want to think, believe, or do with my own life. I think that this article is another example of NOT wanting people to actually think or come to their own conclusions, but to act as a mass, as sheep, to ensure that their own religious convictions will be law and not simply a matter of personal choice.
Weekend Festivities
After travelling to Columbia, MD to see the Curiosa Festival once again, I have spent much of the weekend just chillin'. The show Friday was amazing. While the rain Wednesday put Robert in a 'sad mood', leading to some really heavy, gut-wrenchingly beautiful moments in the show, the nice weather Friday prompted more of a fun show (particularly in the encores). Two totally different shows, which is why the Cure is worth seeing multiple times on the same tour.
However, the crowd sucked. During the second or third song, we moved because they were talking so loud about inane shit that we couldn't hear the music. Why pay so much for a ticket if you're not even going to listen or pay attention to the music? I just don't get it.....
Yesterday, after sleeping in, we had the pleasant surprise of finding out that a good friend from high school was in town. We therefor spent the evening catching up, hanging out, drinking to all those people from high school that we DON'T miss (what a great drinking game that is!), and just having a good time. Seeing him was pleasantly
not nostalgic. What I mean is, we didn't spend all our time reflecting on the things from back in high school, but instead just spent the time being friends NOW. Despite all of us changing significantly in the past seven years, we still have enough common ground (or more) to be friends now, even without the history to rely on.
This past week has held a lot of encounters for me with people from my past. I've found that some, like my friend from this weekend, are people who I am friends with, independent of our pasts. And with some, it was great to see them, we chatted about 'old times', had a good time, and parted ways. Those are people who I may never see again, and I'm okay with that. There is nothing left between us other than 'then'.
Anyway, I'm off to go watch more "Alias" now, which has been my activity for all of today (taking a lazy day after all of the insane travelling this month). Cheers. :)
Fortuitous night out
Wow, after reading the news reports from Pittsburgh (particularly my neighborhood and those immediately surrounding it), I'm even happier that I was out of town last night (at least for most of the shit going down). For the most recent story of the mass of nonrelated violent crimes around the city last night, go
here.
Cure-tastic!!
I don't have quite the way with words as many people I know. I can't give you a thorough review of the show with a detailed setlist for any of the four bands we saw last night. I can't even tell you my favorite moments (though the overall experience of being only 20 feet away from Robert Smith was pretty amazing...close enough to see the tears on his final encore "Faith"). All I can say is...wow.
One of the best parts is, I get to see it all again tomorrow (and with The Cure, at least, this could be a TOTALLY different concert than last night). For any intersted in a more thorough review of the music, I defer to Jon, who can post a link (or just his own review) in the comments. However, I will give a brief synopsis of my overall experience:
The four mainstage bands were Mogwai, The Rapture, Interpol, and The Cure. We had pit tickets (which means we were literally standing in what normally would serve as the orchestra pit), so it was all standing, all the time. We got there just into Mogwai's set. Perhaps it is due to my not knowing there music all that well, or the fact that three other bands performed after them so the experience is faded, but I have a hard time thinking back to my reactions. I know I really liked it, at least. *break for second stage band*
The Rapture followed. Opening song, the lead singer Luke Jenner hopes into the pit, walks through the pit, hops OUT of the pit, walks around a bit, hops back into the pit, walks around somemore, and by the end of the song ends up back on stage (singing the whole time, of course). *note* this was not a cordless microphone. go from there... *end note* This set was a lot of fun, very high energy, good times.
*break for second stage band*
Interpol kicked ass. At times, being so close, it was difficult to hear the vocals, but they rocked out. Awesome. *break for second stage band*
The Cure. *sigh* I feel my words would only lesson their performance. Spec-fucking-tacular. If you want to know, you just have to see them.
I was quite proud of myself in the pit though. Defending my right side against two extraordinarily drunk girls who were bouncing around and practically passing out for the first third of The Cure's set. I also had a very large couple (mostly tall, but solid too) right next to me, but I held my ground, dammit!!! One person between me and the front rail...I could ACTUALLY SEE FOR ONCE!!!! We made the mistake on the way home of stopping at the first rest stop on the turnpike. McD's was open and the line to order wasn't that long. Ten minutes and we were just waiting to pick up our food. An hour later, we were on the road. 3 am, pull into home. 8:30 am, show up for work. woo hoo!!!!
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since i've already told you more than you wanted to know i'm sure, I will leave you with this not-really-related-but-sort-of-related-as-it-deals-with-the-music-biz-and-touring article from the Times (thanks Jon!):
Chords for Change
By BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Published: August 5, 2004
A nation's artists and musicians have a particular place in its social and political life. Over the years I've tried to think long and hard about what it means to be American: about the distinctive identity and position we have in the world, and how that position is best carried. I've tried to write songs that speak to our pride and criticize our failures.
These questions are at the heart of this election: who we are, what we stand for, why we fight. Personally, for the last 25 years I have always stayed one step away from partisan politics. Instead, I have been partisan about a set of ideals: economic justice, civil rights, a humane foreign policy, freedom and a decent life for all of our citizens. This year, however, for many of us the stakes have risen too high to sit this election out.
more in the full link....
Congratulations, you're a winner!
Wow, I have reached my 100th post. Can you believe it?
Hmm...this is going to be extraordinarily anti-climactic if I don't say something profound...
"Science. I said science again!"
There. :)
ZZZ...
Another sleepy day. About three hours ago I was bounding around with seemingly unlimited energy. Then...the crash.
So much in the news today, I'm not sure where to start. I would suggest checking out the New York times in general today. There are some good articles on black holes (thanks Jon) and a few articles on The Shrub. Word on the street is that The Shrub wants to get out of doing 2 of his 3 presidential debates because he is too busy fighting the war on terror. *stifled laugh* This is, however, really word on the street so I can't vouch for how much truth there is behind it. Hmm, if he grew thorns, we people of Pittsburgh would have to start referring to him as The Jaggerbush. ooh...I like that. Somehow, even more appropriate. And so I declare it, and so let it be...he shall henceforth be referred to as The JaggerBush.
I'm still reeling a bit from the latest development in baseball...Nomar is now a Cub. Shocking.
For the apolitical, please skip this next paragraph.
Here is a mildly upsetting article about the poll results post-Democratic Convention. (ooh, Bjork's 'Human Behavior' just came on the radio...good song).
Of the 1,000+ voters polled, Bush went up 5 points and Kerry dropped 2. Hmm? Strange, considering that by most accounts, the DNC went very well. However, there are many good interpretations of these results at the end of the article.
However, (*breathing a sigh of relief...for now*) Kerry appears to still be leading in the polls:
"A Newsweek poll taken Thursday and Friday gave Kerry-Edwards a narrow lead over Bush-Cheney, 49 percent to 42 percent, with 3 percent for Nader-Camejo. Kerry-Edwards and Bush-Cheney were essentially tied in a Newsweek poll in early July — 47 percent for Kerry-Edwards and 44 percent for Bush-Cheney with 3 percent for Nader-Camejo." Go
here for full story about the recent polls.
This story cracks me up! Apparently, Roger Clemens was ejected from his 10 year old son's baseball game for spitting a sunflower seed at an umpire (though the story indicates he was innocent of said charges). Maybe the ump just wanted to say he had ejected Roger Clemens from a baseball game. Sort of his own little (pathetic) claim to fame, I guess.
Cure-tified!
So I have returned yet again from my travels. Two more destinations this week and then it's home for a LONG time.
Wednesday I shall be journeying to Cleveland and Friday to Maryland to see the Curiosa Festival. Jon has yet to return from seeing it yesterday in Jersey, so I have not gotten the lowdown from him. However, I did find
this review in the New York Times, for any who are curious.
Here is an excerpt, for those who are curious
'If a band sticks around long enough, it can headline a festival of its disciples. That's what the Cure is doing with its Curiosa Festival, which brought eight bands and six hours of music to Randalls Island on Saturday. Playing half-hour sets on two stages, alternating so that every concertgoer could hear every note, the opening acts lavished admiration on the Cure;'
Other main stage bands include Mogwai, Interpol, and The Rapture. I'm very excited!! :)
