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Daily Dose of Snark
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| | Current Music: | Rasputina - Fire & Ice | | Subject: | A few things... | | Time: | 01:57 pm | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/juicy/cutealiens/working_a.gif) artistic |
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| Earlier this year, I was watching coverage of the South Carolina Democratic Primary on CNN (only time so far this year I've watched any news program, cable or otherwise). One of the many analysts talking about the incoming results was an anchor by the name of Amy Holmes.
Apparently, she's a conservative analyst who was once former Sen. Bill Frist's speech writer.....but who cares about that? I don't. We can't all be liberals, can we? Life wouldn't be nearly as interesting. And besides, the woman is GORGEOUS! This picture doesn't do her justice at all. Not to mention she had a far better grasp of what was going on that night than the usual talking head blowhards.
In completely unrelated news, I just stumbled upon a YouTube clip of the Sesame Street Muppets doing N.W.A's heartwarming classic "Fuck the Police".
Nearly two months to the day after I received it (along with three other books), I finally finished reading The Terror Dream by Susan Fauldi. I can't remember the last time I read anything that was so enlightening yet so depressing at the same time.
Too put it as simply as possible, this book is about the many was our country reacted instinctively in the wake of 9-11, and not in a good way. It lays out the ways in which the event itself was used to reinforce the illusion of male superiority and the efforts by the mainstream media, politicians, and the anti-feminist crowd seized upon the moment to reinforce gender roles, claim feminism was 'dead', and also blame the terror attacks themselves on the perceived feminization of men. So-called 'manly men' were pushed to the forefront (ex: that swaggering jackass that currently occupies the White House), and women who didn't fit the neat and tidy role of the helpless waif who needed to be rescued by a knight in shining armor from the inhuman savages (in this case, Muslim Arabs) were verbally assaulted by the media and others (Jessica Lynch, The Jersey Girls, etc). Also, it ties these recent events with the captivity narratives of Puritan America, the Old West (and the conflict with Native Americans), and the post-Slavery America as well, repeatedly whipping our nation up into frenzies with the fear that their wives and daughters were in perpetual danger of being raped by the red, black and brown savages. When the truth didn't fit what the people in charge wanted to project, they used writers to create their own reality (captivity narratives of the past, misleading media news reports of the present). When it rightly appeared that the prominent men in society had failed, they used elaborate smokescreens such as the Salem Witch Trials to give themselves the illusion of competence.
But my mini-review doesn't do this book justice at all. It's an absolute must-read, and I'm forever grateful that it was recommended to me. It's only $15.00 on Amazon for the hardcover (there currently is no paperback version available). And now, I'm currently reading The Second Sex by Simone De Beauvoir. Hopefully I'll have this one finished before June.
That is all for today.
EDIT: Purchased Sweeney Todd yesterday. Full review soon. | comments: Leave a comment   |
| | Subject: | I wonder... | | Time: | 09:04 pm |
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| | Is there a specific degree program for someone who wants to be a fiction novelist; newspaper columnist (sports, politics, film); screenwriter; highly knowledgeable on women's issues; Asian/African/European History; Warfare and Military Strategy and who would like to potentially live (at least for a while) in a different country (United Kingdom, Japan)? | | comments: 4 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Pink Floyd - The Dogs of War | | Subject: | Only a Sith deals in absloutes... | | Time: | 10:14 pm | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/juicy/cutealiens/refreshed_a.gif) calm |
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| To at least partially ease my lack of worldliness, I'm going to spend the summer (the time not working and in class, if I take any summer classes at all) in the midst of a full-on reading blitz. I still have several recently (and non-recently) purchased books that I have yet to open.
I'm sure that most everyone has a list of books that they feel are absolute must-reads, whether they be fiction or non-fiction. What are some books you guys feel are absolute must-reads (for everyone)? The kinds of books that must be read before a person dies? | | comments: 7 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Subject: | Our Supreme Court Sucks. | | Time: | 10:42 am |
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| Those poor, helpless, defenseless global corporations.
...Exxon Mobil, the giant oil corporation appearing before the Supreme Court yesterday, had earned a profit of nearly $40 billion in 2006, the largest ever reported by a U.S. company -- but that's not what bothered Roberts. What bothered the chief justice was that Exxon was being ordered to pay $2.5 billion -- roughly three weeks' worth of profits -- for destroying a long swath of the Alaska coastline in the largest oil spill in American history.
"So what can a corporation do to protect itself against punitive-damages awards such as this?" Roberts asked in court.
The lawyer arguing for the Alaska fishermen affected by the spill, Jeffrey Fisher, had an idea. "Well," he said, "it can hire fit and competent people."
The rare sound of laughter rippled through the august chamber. The chief justice did not look amused...
According to the Esteemed and Honorable John Roberts, Exxon (a company that makes even MORE money than fucking WAL-MART), who along with Chevron and Shell are financially bleeding Americans dry as we speak, should not have to pay for it's screw-ups. According to Roberts, Exxon should be able to protect itself against actually being found at fault for it's mistakes.
Fuck you, John Roberts. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Subject: | Sonofabitch! | | Time: | 06:30 pm | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/juicy/cutealiens/moody_a.gif) pissed off |
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| Paypal charges fees too! Every time someone sends you money. That was a wonderful surprise when I checked my account today. Now I understand why so many Ebay sellers inflate their shipping fees (which I did not do), so they can cover all this extra stuff.
Goddamn red tape. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Siouxsie - One Mile Below | | Subject: | Sold! | | Time: | 05:52 pm |
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| Completed my very first Ebay sale today. A few days ago, a bidder on the Cow Pants asked if I could end the auction early so they could get the pants faster. They suggested an offer of $20, but then I countered with $25 (although I was hoping to get at least $30. I didn't push it since the pants were 6 years old) considering I paid to have them dry cleaned before shipping, and that it would cost me to cancel the auction and re-list it as a Buy-It-Now. They accepted. the sale was made. The payment was sent two days ago, and the pants were shipped today.
And with that, the Cow Pants era has come to an end. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Evanescence - Farther Away | | Subject: | Seven Days. | | Time: | 05:40 pm |
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| Seven days from today, I will be in the largest city in the world.
Am I excited? Definitely.
Am I worried? Slightly.
On three separate occasions so far the last two days, I've observed planes in the air. After spending nearly every moment of my life on the ground (with a few moments on the water) It's hard to believe that I will soon be that high in the air.
I'm sure that once we've taken off then landed in Dallas, then catch the next flight to NYC, that the slight fear will dissipate. After all, flying IS among the safest modes of travel. It's certainly a lot safer than being a pedestrian trying to cross Cantrell or Markham rd during rush hour (which I do every day). It's too bad the Concordes don't fly anymore. Would have been nice to fly supersonic and get there in half the time (of course, you had to be ridiculously wealthy to afford to fly on a Concorde anyway). Oh well.
For those of you that are awake before noon, the four of us will be among the crowd at Good Morning America on that Friday the 22nd (already got tickets). So you might get a chance to see us on TV. I think they also broadcast in High Definition. Nelson, Stefani, Jason and Justin in HD FTW?! LOL. I'd like to go see Letterman that night, but you have to be at the box office at a certain time that day to get tickets, so I'm not sure how that will turn out. But we've got so much stuff planned to do already, will we even make time to sleep?
It's a good thing I went ahead and started selling my old stuff on Ebay. I can use that extra money (assuming I don't have to deal with any non-paying bidder nonsense) so when we go to NYC I'll actually be able to buy things, since everything up there is more expensive than here (cost of living, yay!). And I might have to invest in a coat, since my hoodies and thin jackets probably won't cut it up there (unlike here in Central AR, they actually have a legitimate winter up north). Maybe I can find someone who'll let me borrow their coat.
Anyways, I'm just rambling at this point. I may post again when things have updated. | | comments: 5 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon | | Subject: | Acceptance. | | Time: | 04:32 pm | | Current Mood: | calm |
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| So that "Day I Refuse to Acknowledge" is tomorrow, huh? Yes.
And yet...
The seething anger, confusion and bitterness that normally accompanies this time of year isn't here. Why not? Maybe it's because I no longer work retail, so I no longer experience the month-and-a-half holiday decoration onslaught. Maybe it's because so many different things occupy my time that I don't slow down to dwell on it (well, except for this post, obviously). Maybe it's because I understand and accept why things are the way they are.
I no longer tell myself that I "need" love or "need" a companion. Of course I don't "need" either of them. I've lived more than 24 years without love. If I needed them, I'd be in pretty bad shape right now, right? And as far as I can tell, I'm still a well-functioning person. But for the longest time, I thought otherwise. Even as a kid in the first grade, I wanted a girlfriend. I've always been that way, I've always wanted that companionship. The idea that there was at least one person who cared for you on a deeper level than typical friendship...of course that would appeal to me.
Honestly, the hardest thing to overcome has been the feelings of inferiority and inadequacy. The thought that there was just something wrong with me --whether it be that I was unattractive or that my personality sucked or both-- became reinforced with the endless stream of rejections and missed opportunities. I had an extremely hard time understanding how I could fail so spectacularly at something that nearly everyone else I know doesn't have that kind of trouble with. Things became worse when I started blaming my troubles on factors that probably weren't at all relevant (it's because I'm Agnostic, or it's because I'm Black and I supposedly act 'White', etc, etc).
But I understand that it's simply because I just haven't found the right person yet. I have no explanation as to why, but it is what it is. It's no longer some grotesque abominable demon eating away at my soul. It's more like a mosquito that I can't kill and never really goes away, but only notice once in a while. Not an eternal burden, just an occasional irritant. And that's OK. The world's not going to end if I'm single at the age of 25. Or 30. Or even 35. And so on. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Siouxsie Sioux - Into A Swan | | Subject: | Siouxsie Sioux can do no wrong. | | Time: | 03:47 pm |
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| Seriously. Whether it's with Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Creatures, or her current solo project, everything she does is pure gold. Whenever I start buying CDs again, I'm getting MantaRay. She's been making music for 32 years, and it's still awesome! :D
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| | Current Music: | Chris de Burgh - The Lady in Red | | Subject: | Embrace the future? Or hold on to the past? | | Time: | 06:05 pm | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/juicy/cutealiens/confused_a.gif) confused |
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| A short while ago, I went through some of my old clothes that I no longer wear. I'd like to get rid of most of it to save space + put away money for new clothes. Unfortunately, I know that almost none of it will sell. My attempts to put items on Ebay were futile. I'll probably end up taking most of that to Saver's (if they will accept it).
But then I came across some stuff that might sell. My old rave pants. The light blue Sonic the Hedgehog pair (purchased on Ebay), a pair of black Caffeine pants, a pair of white Caffeine pants, a pair of tan Caffeine pants, my yellow MacGear cargo pants, my shiny black MacGear pants, my pair of black TrippNYC all the way back from 2001, a pair of black glow-in-the-dark MacGear pants that I only wore once.
Oh, and the Legendary Cow Pants.
Maybe I should try selling these on Ebay or somewhere else? I want to buy some Kikwear pants. The particular pairs (brown, black, and khaki) I'm interested in have 28" wide legs, wide enough to make me happy (I hate normal pants because they make my large feet stick out), but they're not so wide that they're unsuitable for work.
But........
Even though it's been an entire year since I've been to an actual 'party' (and who knows when I'll go to another one?), and don't really consider myself a part of the scene or anything like that, I'm not so sure I can just let that stuff go. Those were some fun times (mostly). But there will soon come a time when I simply can't wear that stuff anymore. Time has gone by so fast, I'm already 24. Could I really get away with wearing light blue Sonic the Hedgehog or Cow Print raver pants at the age of 30?
Keep them tucked away in a closet, or get rid of them? | | comments: 4 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Subject: | Fighting words of a loser. | | Time: | 08:52 pm |
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| An excerpt from Mitt Romney's speech announcing his withdrawal from the 2008 GOP Presidential Primary:
Click Here:
...Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child’s play. About this, I have no doubt...
Good riddance. Maybe he should go and find a bar somewhere in Boston to drown his sorrows. The New England Patriots are bound to still be in one of them. They can tell him their sob story of humiliating defeat at the hands of The Boy Wonder Eli Manning and a receiver with a bad ankle, and he can tell them his sob story of defeat at the hands of a geriatric from Arizona and a hick from Arkansas.
Nothing warms my heart like watching a bunch of arrogant fucks lose. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Subject: | Super Tuesday...today! | | Time: | 11:53 am |
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| Even though most of you don't even use your Livejournals anymore, I'm posting this anyway.
It's today. Twenty-two states are holding caucuses or primary elections for the upcoming Presidential election. And for the first time, Arkansas will be a part of it. In previous elections, our primary was held long after the nomination had been won.
If you've got a particular favorite, this is your chance to help them get the nomination. If you're a registered voter, go and vote!
Note: The winner of the primary elections is the person that wins the most delegates. While some states have 'Winner Take All' primaries/caucuses where the candidate with the most votes gets all of that state's delegates, most states split the delegates depending on how many votes a particular candidate got, as well as what area of the state they came from. So even if your particular candidate has no chance of winning your state, vote for him/her anyway and help them get delegates.
Click Here: Super Tuesday on Wiki | | comments: 5 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Subject: | Final football post until September. | | Time: | 10:52 am | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/juicy/cutealiens/angry_a.gif) annoyed |
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| So today is Super Bowl Sunday.....
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.....whatever. Screw the Super Bowl.
I hate the Giants, but I hate the Patriots even more so...go Giants.
Today sucks.
I think I'll go see my optometrist now. After having the same pair of eyeglasses for five years, it's probably time to get new ones, right? | | comments: 4 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Current Music: | Panzer Ag - Bereit | | Subject: | Things to do in New York - Our list so far. | | Time: | 02:29 pm |
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| Below is the list of what we've got planned so far. I've never been so I have no clue whatsoever what's good to do in that city. I was advised if I opposed or wanted to add anything to the list, that I could do so. I don't oppose anything on the list, but is there anything you guys that have been to NYC before (or currently live there) could suggest?
Any good clubs in particular? Any sucky clubs that should be avoided at all costs?
1. Go to the top of the Empire State Building (It's 1 mile from our hotel)
2. Museum of Modern Art (less than a mile)
3. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge (Hopefully not Cloverfield-style)
4. Museum of Natural History
5. Museum of Sex (oh yeah)
6. Times Square (I'll probably stare in sheer awe of this for nearly a half hour, and then realize I've been left behind LOL)
7. Go to a club/and or show of some sort (I stumbled upon this: http://www.myspace.com/salvationnyc yes? no? maybe?)
8. Justin wants to hit up some awesome record stores, and I know we'll be going to other various stores as well.
9. The Met, possibly, I'm pretty sure it's close to MoMA anyway.
10. Chinatown. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| | Subject: | Possession. | | Time: | 09:14 pm |
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| There are some songs that just never get old to you, even if you hear them a million times. Sarah McLachlan's 'Possession' is one of those songs for me. It's funny because I kind of forgot about it completely for about five years and then it came back to me yesterday out of the blue. Actually it wasn't out of the blue. I was looking at my DVDs and saw the McLachlan video collection and then I remembered.
It's an intensely beautiful piece of work. I imagine that must be what real love feels like for most people. Or an obsession, as the song also suggests.
I'm not sure which version I prefer, so I'll post both. The first is the album version from Fumbling Towards Ecstasy:
The second is from the Afterglow 2004 Tour:
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| | Subject: | Economic Stimulus. | | Time: | 04:15 pm |
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| From: MSNBC
...Individuals who pay income taxes would get up to $600, working couples $1,200 and those with children an additional $300 per child under the agreement. Workers who make at least $3,000 but don’t pay taxes would get $300 rebates.
The first rebate payments could begin going out in May, and most people could have them by July, Paulson said, noting that the IRS will already be overwhelmed processing 2007 tax returns. The rebates were expected to cost about $100 billion, and the package also includes close to $50 billion in business tax cuts...
Hmmmm....
In light of my current financial situation, I've decided to have some kind of savings account established so if something like this were to happen again, I won't be SOL. In addition to that, I'll definitely start contributing immediately to the 401K plan of my next employer.
It would probably help if I was actually knowledgeable about investing. Haha, another book to buy! | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Subject: | Not this again. | | Time: | 08:37 am | | Current Mood: | STUPID! |
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| I had a test in my Health class on Chapter 1 today. I also had an assignment due at the beginning of class that I finished last night.
So of course I ended up missing the bus this morning. Haven't missed a single bus since classes started, but I missed it this morning. Catching the bus next would make me at least thirty minutes late. Not only would I not be able to turn in the assignment (beginning of class only), but I would have only had half the period to take the test. I could have walked to school (takes about 65 minutes), but it was 28 degrees outside (felt like 19 degrees). I had already walked to school and back yesterday in the obscene cold, I didn't think I could make it this time. Missed tests can be made up at the end of the semester, but I'm screwed as far as that assignment was concerned.
Income tax refund, please hurry. Before I inadvertently torpedo my semester like I did my job. | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
| | Subject: | Morini Matriarchy? | | Time: | 03:34 pm | | Current Mood: | ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/juicy/cutealiens/apathetic_a.gif) okay |
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| Whenever I talk about Midnight, I repeat myself far too often. But one thing I may not have talked about is my desire to envision the Morini society as a matriarchal-leaning one. Of course, I don't want it to simply be a reverse of our flawed patriarchal society. I'm thinking of a universe in which the society is primarily led by women, but men aren't treated like women were/are in our current society.
Maybe I think that it's more complicated than it really is, but I want to do it right. I don't want to screw up and put women on a pedestal and completely make it worse.
Any advice? Ideas? Books that might help?
I've stumbled upon this book on Amazon.com that might be what I'm looking for, but I'm not sure. Click Here: Daughters of Earth: Feminist Science Fiction in the Twentieth Century | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a comment |
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Daily Dose of Snark
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