STK and I spent a fairly quiet weekend. While Halloween is our favorite holiday, neither of us were really up for major parties and craziness. So, our weekend looked something like the following.
Friday. We spent three hours waiting in line for early voting, 1.5 hours of which was spent in chilly weather made even more frigid by the wind. Failing to realize the cool temps, I wore a spring jacket and froze my ass off. Okay, not all the way off but I did manage to chill myself to the bone. The wind and cold did wonders for my "kind of" cold--sometimes I feel like I kind of have a cold and sometimes I don't. Feeling sniffly, we begged off a Dia de le Muertos party we were supposed to attend and opted for a home viewing of Army of Darkness.
Saturday. Spent several hours updating my wardrobe, something that hadn't been done in a couple years. Purchased new black undershirts, two dress shirts, three pairs of dress pants (2 black, 1 green), and two vests (1 burgundy/1 silver--each has real pockets for my pocket watch). I'm heading off to a convention in November and need to dress slick. After the shopping spree, I went out for a late afternoon run. To continue our home holiday festivities, STK and I watched It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and the Halloween episode from the 2nd season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Sunday. We're planning on catching Ju-on, the original Japanese version of The Grudge (we'll probably see the American version in the next couple weeks). That will likely wrap up our Halloween festivities.
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Mememememememememememememe
From Mike by way of Cindy.
I AM: my own worst critic.
I WANT: a platinum blonde life, whatever that means. Actually, I really want a Honda Civic hybrid.
I HAVE: 35 assorted action figures on my desk.
I WISH: my dog could live as long as a human. He's pushing 10.5 years old and I dread the day he'll leave my side.
I HATE: automated phone campaigning. I already voted, damnit! Quit calling our number! And cell phones. I despise the damn things.
I MISS: cigarettes. Every. Freakin. Day.
I FEAR: I'll never land a tenure track job.
I HEAR: I'll make a good dad. Time will tell.
I SEARCH: the world for the perfect piece of black licorice.
I WONDER: if other planets harbor life.
I REGRET: many of the things I did during the drinking days. Not a day goes by when I don't think of someone I hurt and wish I'd behaved differently.
I ALWAYS: question my decisions. Repeatedly. Should I admit that publicly? Crap.
I AM NOT: a pseudo-intellectual liberal. I'm an authentic intellectual liberal, thanks.
I DANCE: whenever I go to a goth club.
I SING: in my car constantly.
I CRY: at movies, but rarely as a result of real life events. Go figure.
I AM NOT ALWAYS: the most pleasant of morning people.
I WRITE: the songs that make the whole world sing. Actually, I write obscure academic pieces that very few people will ever read.
I WON: a Midway Airlines coffee mug at an Old Chicago restaurant sometime during the early 1990s.
I LOST: a pair of Rayban sunglasses at a grocery store in the early 1990s.
I CONFUSE: what might happen with what is happening. As such, I spend a great deal of time freaking out about things that never come to pass.
I NEED: coffee. Several times a day.
I SHOULD: probably be working on my dissertation or a journal article.
MY FATHER THINKS I AM: weird.
MY MOTHER THINKS I AM: compassionate.
MAKES ME HAPPY: peace.
UPSETS ME: War. How anyone can see violent confrontation as a viable problem-solving strategy is completely beyond my comprehension.
THE PRETTIEST FEMALE I KNOW: Kathleen.
THE PRETTIEST MALE I KNOW: Johnny Depp.
THE WEIRDEST PERSON I KNOW: me.
THE LOUDEST PERSON I KNOW: Mark. Thank goodness I haven't seen him in months.
THE SEXIEST PERSON I KNOW: Kathleen. I could watch her dance for hours and hours.
YOUR CLOSE FRIENDS: Mike. Joe. Kathleen. Tess.
THE PERSON THAT KNOWS THE MOST ABOUT YOU: Kathleen.
MY MOST OVERUSED PHRASE:
THE LAST IMAGE/THOUGHT I GO TO SLEEP WITH: Usually some goofy thought about UFOs, Atlantis, ghosts, or other aspects of the paranormal. I listen to Coast to Coast AM as I fall asleep every night.
WANT TO GET MARRIED: Sure. In fact, I'd recommend several marriages. That's the only way to find the person with whom you're REALLY supposed to spend the rest of your life.
HAVE ANY TATTOOS WHERE? Four. Celtic triskele between my shoulder blades, a celtic crescent moon around my navel, Chinese script for "Tao" on my upper right arm, and the Chinese script for "Heaven and Earth" on my left upper arm.
SCREEN NAMES: Candidus (a pseudonymn used by Samuel Adams prior to the American Revolution).
SIGN: Pisces.
NATURAL HAIR COLOR: Brown.
CURRENT HAIR COLOR: Brown & grey.
I AM: my own worst critic.
I WANT: a platinum blonde life, whatever that means. Actually, I really want a Honda Civic hybrid.
I HAVE: 35 assorted action figures on my desk.
I WISH: my dog could live as long as a human. He's pushing 10.5 years old and I dread the day he'll leave my side.
I HATE: automated phone campaigning. I already voted, damnit! Quit calling our number! And cell phones. I despise the damn things.
I MISS: cigarettes. Every. Freakin. Day.
I FEAR: I'll never land a tenure track job.
I HEAR: I'll make a good dad. Time will tell.
I SEARCH: the world for the perfect piece of black licorice.
I WONDER: if other planets harbor life.
I REGRET: many of the things I did during the drinking days. Not a day goes by when I don't think of someone I hurt and wish I'd behaved differently.
I ALWAYS: question my decisions. Repeatedly. Should I admit that publicly? Crap.
I AM NOT: a pseudo-intellectual liberal. I'm an authentic intellectual liberal, thanks.
I DANCE: whenever I go to a goth club.
I SING: in my car constantly.
I CRY: at movies, but rarely as a result of real life events. Go figure.
I AM NOT ALWAYS: the most pleasant of morning people.
I WRITE: the songs that make the whole world sing. Actually, I write obscure academic pieces that very few people will ever read.
I WON: a Midway Airlines coffee mug at an Old Chicago restaurant sometime during the early 1990s.
I LOST: a pair of Rayban sunglasses at a grocery store in the early 1990s.
I CONFUSE: what might happen with what is happening. As such, I spend a great deal of time freaking out about things that never come to pass.
I NEED: coffee. Several times a day.
I SHOULD: probably be working on my dissertation or a journal article.
MY FATHER THINKS I AM: weird.
MY MOTHER THINKS I AM: compassionate.
MAKES ME HAPPY: peace.
UPSETS ME: War. How anyone can see violent confrontation as a viable problem-solving strategy is completely beyond my comprehension.
THE PRETTIEST FEMALE I KNOW: Kathleen.
THE PRETTIEST MALE I KNOW: Johnny Depp.
THE WEIRDEST PERSON I KNOW: me.
THE LOUDEST PERSON I KNOW: Mark. Thank goodness I haven't seen him in months.
THE SEXIEST PERSON I KNOW: Kathleen. I could watch her dance for hours and hours.
YOUR CLOSE FRIENDS: Mike. Joe. Kathleen. Tess.
THE PERSON THAT KNOWS THE MOST ABOUT YOU: Kathleen.
MY MOST OVERUSED PHRASE:
THE LAST IMAGE/THOUGHT I GO TO SLEEP WITH: Usually some goofy thought about UFOs, Atlantis, ghosts, or other aspects of the paranormal. I listen to Coast to Coast AM as I fall asleep every night.
WANT TO GET MARRIED: Sure. In fact, I'd recommend several marriages. That's the only way to find the person with whom you're REALLY supposed to spend the rest of your life.
HAVE ANY TATTOOS WHERE? Four. Celtic triskele between my shoulder blades, a celtic crescent moon around my navel, Chinese script for "Tao" on my upper right arm, and the Chinese script for "Heaven and Earth" on my left upper arm.
SCREEN NAMES: Candidus (a pseudonymn used by Samuel Adams prior to the American Revolution).
SIGN: Pisces.
NATURAL HAIR COLOR: Brown.
CURRENT HAIR COLOR: Brown & grey.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Thread
I'm sure my lack of posting has been noticed by a few. My world has been EXTREMELY hectic for the last couple weeks. So hectic, that I've been barely hanging on by a thread. Welcome to my world.
1. The midterm deluge had me swamped for a couple weeks. All told, I graded 40 journals, 35 papers, and 175 exams. I just finished the last exam earlier today. I moved a test back one day in an upcoming class so I can have two weekends to write. Writing has been on the back burner for far too long.
2. Thirteen tenure track job applications have been mailed--the 14th will likely go out on Friday. An academic job application consists of a vita, cover letter, research statement, teaching philosophy, writing samples, teaching evaluations, and sample syllabi. All told, my application packet is over 100 pages. Easy right? Wrong. Each school needs an individual letter describing what you can bring to their department. On the day I sent out one of the apps, I found out that school has an inside candidate. An inside candidate is usually an adjunct already teaching at the school. When an inside candidate is in the mix, it's almost impossible to land a job at that school.
3. I spent much of last week listening to Starhawk at a local peace workshop. Several years ago, her writings changed my life. Spending several hours learning from her was most excellent.
4. I'm still freaking out about the prospect of being a dad again. First doctor's appointment is next week. The less I think about all of that the better.
5. Reading: Hegemony or Survival. Faith of the Fallen.
6. Listening: Anna Waronker. Siouxsie and the Banshees.
1. The midterm deluge had me swamped for a couple weeks. All told, I graded 40 journals, 35 papers, and 175 exams. I just finished the last exam earlier today. I moved a test back one day in an upcoming class so I can have two weekends to write. Writing has been on the back burner for far too long.
2. Thirteen tenure track job applications have been mailed--the 14th will likely go out on Friday. An academic job application consists of a vita, cover letter, research statement, teaching philosophy, writing samples, teaching evaluations, and sample syllabi. All told, my application packet is over 100 pages. Easy right? Wrong. Each school needs an individual letter describing what you can bring to their department. On the day I sent out one of the apps, I found out that school has an inside candidate. An inside candidate is usually an adjunct already teaching at the school. When an inside candidate is in the mix, it's almost impossible to land a job at that school.
3. I spent much of last week listening to Starhawk at a local peace workshop. Several years ago, her writings changed my life. Spending several hours learning from her was most excellent.
4. I'm still freaking out about the prospect of being a dad again. First doctor's appointment is next week. The less I think about all of that the better.
5. Reading: Hegemony or Survival. Faith of the Fallen.
6. Listening: Anna Waronker. Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Feastivus
Appetizer: Name 3 things that you are wearing today.
Black converse. Baggy Levi's. Black Hanes t-shirt.
Soup: Who was the last person you hugged?
Kathleen. I also got hugged by a student yesterday. Before anyone gets any silly ideas, this is a student who is 30 years old, married, and has taken a number of my classes. With a select handful of students (maybe three or four over my 12 year teaching career), that line between teacher/student/friend gets a little hazy. I could definitely see Kathleen and I hanging out with this student and her husband (after she graduates, of course).
Salad: What do you like to order from your favorite fast food place?
#36 (a vegetarian sandwich). The independently owned sub shop we frequent lists all the sandwiches by number. I always get the #36. The sandwich consists of wheat bread, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapenos, pickles, black olives, green peppers, and four types of cheese (provolone, cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan). Hold the italian dressing (I HATE any kind of oil on a sandwich), salt, and pepper. As we always get Sub Stop to go, I splash a little balsamic vinegar on the stack when we get home. Mmmmm.
Main Course: What time of day do you usually feel most energized?
Sometime between 10 PM and 2 AM.
Dessert: Using the letters in your first name, write a sentence.
Dangerous echinoderms radiate extreme Kelvins.
Black converse. Baggy Levi's. Black Hanes t-shirt.
Soup: Who was the last person you hugged?
Kathleen. I also got hugged by a student yesterday. Before anyone gets any silly ideas, this is a student who is 30 years old, married, and has taken a number of my classes. With a select handful of students (maybe three or four over my 12 year teaching career), that line between teacher/student/friend gets a little hazy. I could definitely see Kathleen and I hanging out with this student and her husband (after she graduates, of course).
Salad: What do you like to order from your favorite fast food place?
#36 (a vegetarian sandwich). The independently owned sub shop we frequent lists all the sandwiches by number. I always get the #36. The sandwich consists of wheat bread, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapenos, pickles, black olives, green peppers, and four types of cheese (provolone, cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan). Hold the italian dressing (I HATE any kind of oil on a sandwich), salt, and pepper. As we always get Sub Stop to go, I splash a little balsamic vinegar on the stack when we get home. Mmmmm.
Main Course: What time of day do you usually feel most energized?
Sometime between 10 PM and 2 AM.
Dessert: Using the letters in your first name, write a sentence.
Dangerous echinoderms radiate extreme Kelvins.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Payback
From an article on ESPN.com.
7.0 -- Every time Larry Bird played against Kent Benson. (Note: Back in 1976, the Fledgling Basketball Jesus enrolled at Indiana University and left after a few unhappy weeks, eventually settling down at Indiana State two years later. During his brief I.U. stage, Bird felt that some of the veteran players on the team, including Benson, hadn't been very nice to him. So when he made the NBA, he went out of his way to embarrass Benson -- a mediocre big man for the Pistons -- at every opportunity. This culminated in Kevin McHale's 56-point game in 1985, when Bird kept feeding McHale on the low post because Benson couldn't handle him. The lesson, as always: Don't mess with Larry Bird.)
I love that story. I worshipped Larry Bird and the Celtics during the 1980s. What's not to like?
7.0 -- Every time Larry Bird played against Kent Benson. (Note: Back in 1976, the Fledgling Basketball Jesus enrolled at Indiana University and left after a few unhappy weeks, eventually settling down at Indiana State two years later. During his brief I.U. stage, Bird felt that some of the veteran players on the team, including Benson, hadn't been very nice to him. So when he made the NBA, he went out of his way to embarrass Benson -- a mediocre big man for the Pistons -- at every opportunity. This culminated in Kevin McHale's 56-point game in 1985, when Bird kept feeding McHale on the low post because Benson couldn't handle him. The lesson, as always: Don't mess with Larry Bird.)
I love that story. I worshipped Larry Bird and the Celtics during the 1980s. What's not to like?
Scotty, We Need More Power!
After running Gene's recommended test, I had little hope for salvaging my computer.* So, I packed it up and took it to a local mom and pop computer shop--which is literally run by a mom and pop--to talk about testing the remaining components (ethernet card, video card, RAM, hard drive, etc.) and a possible rebuild. After the computer whiz confirmed my PC wouldn't do anything, he tried a spare power source. Viola! Ten minutes later a new power source is strapped in and humming along. Time in the shop: 15 minutes. $50 for a new power source and $25 for labor is FAR better than $600-700 for a completely new PC.
All things considered, I'm lucky I dodged the fried motherboard/CPU bullet. Thank the maker.
*To Gene's credit, he did say there was outside shot I'd fried the power source. Good call, Gene.
All things considered, I'm lucky I dodged the fried motherboard/CPU bullet. Thank the maker.
*To Gene's credit, he did say there was outside shot I'd fried the power source. Good call, Gene.
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Fuck
I think I just fried my computer--I'm working on my old spare that I keep for emergencies. A fan on my regular computer was making a loud rattle so I closed everything down, cleaned up the fan, and started the computer. Everything was running fine until I put the cover back on without shutting the computer down. I know, I know. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. i thought I'd take a shortcut and paid the price. Anyway, a nice little arc of blue lightning shot from the cover to the computer casing and everything shut down. Now, no matter what I do, the computer won't start. Period. There's electricity getting to the machine--the internet light for the ethernet card is working. Any suggestions? How the hell do I tell if I've trashed the motherboard?
Harmony and Peace
Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature. This is not just a dream, but a necessity.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
From "The Pocket Dalai Lama," edited by Mary Craig, 2002. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
From "The Pocket Dalai Lama," edited by Mary Craig, 2002. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Boston, www.shambhala.com.
The Circle of Life
My mother called on Friday morning. I could tell by the quiver in her voice, the trembling quality just before tears begin, that everything wasn't okay. Thursday morning my folks received a call: Marge, a family friend from our old Iowa neighborhood, passed away. My parents visited Iowa several weeks ago and had the opportunity to see Marge one last time. When they visited, it was generally understood she was failing and probably wouldn't see the end of the year. Anyway, I consoled my mother the best I could. My mother seemed a little surprised that Marge's death didn't affect me significantly. As I explained to her, we moved away from Redfield, Iowa almost 25 years ago and, unlike my parents, I haven't kept in touch with anyone. While I have fond memories of growing up in that sleepy little midwestern town, I really don't feel much connection (although I still consider Iowa "home." Weird, eh?). It wasn't until I got off the phone that I realized what the call was all about. My parents are ageing and this is the first friend they've lost. The phone call wasn't really about Marge, but my mother's mortality. To some degree, I think she's afraid of dying.
Unlike many people, I have little fear of dying. Life, death, and rebirth are the unstoppable cycle of the universe. Everything begins; everything ends. I don't believe in an afterlife and I don't believe in reincarnation, per se. Is there some energy that travels on after death? Maybe, but I don't believe it retains any cognizance of a past life or any conciousness of an altered state. When I die, my life energy will return to the broader fabric of the cosmos maybe to return as part of a coyote, an oak tree, or even other person. In a sense, I will live forever as part of an infinite cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The essence of who I am, however, will cease to be. And that's why I think it's so important to learn the lessons of humanity, to the best of our ability, right now. If I choose to live a miserable life, all I get is a miserable life. No redemption, no do-overs. If I choose to live life free of attachments, a life filled with happiness and laughter, all I get is a happy life. That's not to say there aren't real pains in the world. Illness and injury happen, people say and do things that might cause us psychological pain, and unfortunate events occur. How we choose to contextualize all those things, however, determines the quality of our life. The degree to which we allow illness, other people, and misfortune affect our lives is entirely up to each one of us.
With all the talk of death lately (Christopher Reeve, Derrida, Marge), I think it's important to note that the circle of life does continue. As Mike and I discussed a couple weeks ago, when anything ends something begins. That's the way of the universe. For every relationship that ends, another begins. For every life that ends, another begins. Last night, Kathleen and I attended a wedding and the event reminded me of this fact. In the context of Kayleen and Ron's beautiful wedding, another event was also celebrated. Halfway through the evening, Kayleen approached our table and thanked her graduate school friends for attending (Kathleen, Kayleen, Jenn, and Malinda all attended the same Master's program in Art Curriculum). In the middle of celebrating her new marriage, Kayleen stopped next to Kathleen and I, kneeled down (not an easy task in a wedding dress), put her hand on Kathleen's stomach and said, "Congratulations. I can't wait to meet the little baby in there."
Maybe it's because I'm going to be the father of this new person, but that image will stick in my mind for a long time. In the middle of an event that typically overwhelms most of us, Kayleen took the focus off herself and the beginning of her marriage and recognized another beginning.
I'm going to be a dad. I'm thrilled. I'm terrified. I'm afraid we'll find out something is wrong when we go to the doctor in two weeks. I'm afraid I'll lose my cool during a 3 AM feeding. I'm afraid I'll screw the child up and she or he will need years of therapy. Despite my fears, I'm focusing on the happiness that's about to enter our lives. I'm excited about watching life unfold in front of me. I'm excited about rocking my child to sleep after a 3 AM feeding. I'm excited about creating an environment in which this person becomes who she or he wants to be.
Life, death, rebirth. The circle of life continues.
Unlike many people, I have little fear of dying. Life, death, and rebirth are the unstoppable cycle of the universe. Everything begins; everything ends. I don't believe in an afterlife and I don't believe in reincarnation, per se. Is there some energy that travels on after death? Maybe, but I don't believe it retains any cognizance of a past life or any conciousness of an altered state. When I die, my life energy will return to the broader fabric of the cosmos maybe to return as part of a coyote, an oak tree, or even other person. In a sense, I will live forever as part of an infinite cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The essence of who I am, however, will cease to be. And that's why I think it's so important to learn the lessons of humanity, to the best of our ability, right now. If I choose to live a miserable life, all I get is a miserable life. No redemption, no do-overs. If I choose to live life free of attachments, a life filled with happiness and laughter, all I get is a happy life. That's not to say there aren't real pains in the world. Illness and injury happen, people say and do things that might cause us psychological pain, and unfortunate events occur. How we choose to contextualize all those things, however, determines the quality of our life. The degree to which we allow illness, other people, and misfortune affect our lives is entirely up to each one of us.
With all the talk of death lately (Christopher Reeve, Derrida, Marge), I think it's important to note that the circle of life does continue. As Mike and I discussed a couple weeks ago, when anything ends something begins. That's the way of the universe. For every relationship that ends, another begins. For every life that ends, another begins. Last night, Kathleen and I attended a wedding and the event reminded me of this fact. In the context of Kayleen and Ron's beautiful wedding, another event was also celebrated. Halfway through the evening, Kayleen approached our table and thanked her graduate school friends for attending (Kathleen, Kayleen, Jenn, and Malinda all attended the same Master's program in Art Curriculum). In the middle of celebrating her new marriage, Kayleen stopped next to Kathleen and I, kneeled down (not an easy task in a wedding dress), put her hand on Kathleen's stomach and said, "Congratulations. I can't wait to meet the little baby in there."
Maybe it's because I'm going to be the father of this new person, but that image will stick in my mind for a long time. In the middle of an event that typically overwhelms most of us, Kayleen took the focus off herself and the beginning of her marriage and recognized another beginning.
I'm going to be a dad. I'm thrilled. I'm terrified. I'm afraid we'll find out something is wrong when we go to the doctor in two weeks. I'm afraid I'll lose my cool during a 3 AM feeding. I'm afraid I'll screw the child up and she or he will need years of therapy. Despite my fears, I'm focusing on the happiness that's about to enter our lives. I'm excited about watching life unfold in front of me. I'm excited about rocking my child to sleep after a 3 AM feeding. I'm excited about creating an environment in which this person becomes who she or he wants to be.
Life, death, rebirth. The circle of life continues.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Triple Shot Meme
From Playing School, Irreverantly
Three of each.
Pet Peeves: cell phones, sexist language, running late.
Favorite Sounds: dried leaves swirling, snowfall, a trumpet concerto.
Favorite Flavors of Candy: Black licorice, blue raspberry, white chocolate.
Biggest Fears: sharks, not finding a job, being a parent.
Biggest Challenges: Staying balanced, grading papers (I'm having a difficult time getting on task this weekend), patience.
Favorite Department Stores: Target, Barnes and Noble (although I should shop at independent book stores, there's a B&N within two minutes of the condo), Best Buy.
Most Used Words: Subjectivity, counter-hegemonic, fuck.
Favorite Pizza Toppings: Mushrooms, Black Olives, Green Peppers.
Favorite Cartoon Characters: Starfire (Teen Titans), PowerPuff Girls, Green Lantern.
Movies Recently Watched: Rebel Without a Cause, Boondock Saints, Napolean Dynamite.
Favorite Fruits: Bananas, Pears, Honeydew Melon (which I don't eat often enough)
Favorite Vegetables: Broccoli, Asparagus, Green Peas.
Three of each.
Pet Peeves: cell phones, sexist language, running late.
Favorite Sounds: dried leaves swirling, snowfall, a trumpet concerto.
Favorite Flavors of Candy: Black licorice, blue raspberry, white chocolate.
Biggest Fears: sharks, not finding a job, being a parent.
Biggest Challenges: Staying balanced, grading papers (I'm having a difficult time getting on task this weekend), patience.
Favorite Department Stores: Target, Barnes and Noble (although I should shop at independent book stores, there's a B&N within two minutes of the condo), Best Buy.
Most Used Words: Subjectivity, counter-hegemonic, fuck.
Favorite Pizza Toppings: Mushrooms, Black Olives, Green Peppers.
Favorite Cartoon Characters: Starfire (Teen Titans), PowerPuff Girls, Green Lantern.
Movies Recently Watched: Rebel Without a Cause, Boondock Saints, Napolean Dynamite.
Favorite Fruits: Bananas, Pears, Honeydew Melon (which I don't eat often enough)
Favorite Vegetables: Broccoli, Asparagus, Green Peas.
Friday, October 15, 2004
Fancy Feast
Appetizer. What is your favorite beverage?
Kaladi Bros coffee, of course.
Soup. Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.
Green Lantern maquette. Ring Wraith figures. Mace Windu.
Salad. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are?
8.5--I've been known to exaggerate when telling a story.
Main Course. If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why?
Greeley, CO >>>>> Whatisthatsmell, CO
Dessert. What stresses you out? What calms you down?
Thinking about the future. Running, swimming, meditating.
Kaladi Bros coffee, of course.
Soup. Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work.
Green Lantern maquette. Ring Wraith figures. Mace Windu.
Salad. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are?
8.5--I've been known to exaggerate when telling a story.
Main Course. If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why?
Greeley, CO >>>>> Whatisthatsmell, CO
Dessert. What stresses you out? What calms you down?
Thinking about the future. Running, swimming, meditating.
Canada or Bust
A big broadcast scandal is brewing. According to various news reports, The Sinclair Broadcast Group plans to broadcast an anti-Kerry program the night before the election. No problem, right? Wrong. Sinclair is REQUIRING all its affiliates (62 stations in 39 markets that include battleground states including Ohio and Florida. Sinclair reaches 24% of the entire country) to run the program. The important thing to note here is that we're talking BROADCAST television (cable, a medium in which viewers self-select into the system, is an entirely different beast). Technically, Sinclair Broadcasting owns the stations from which programs are broadcast, NOT the airwaves over which programs are transmitted. The actual airwaves are owned by the public. Every ten years a station has to apply for license renewel (a license to lease the designated frequency) and prove that it has served the public interest. If a station doesn't serve the public interest, the license can be denied. Admittedly, this is a very simplistic explanation for an extremely complicated process. Nonetheless, this is why media ownership laws are so freakin important. The owner of Sinclair Broadcasting now has access to crucial constintuencies and can potentially influence an election with his self-serving propaganda (the owner admits to being a Republican). Worst of all, the FCC (chaired by the son of Colin Powell), refuses to step in. How is broadcasting a partisan program with the obvious intention of undermining one candidate serving the public interest? It isn't. Period.
Imagine the freakout if Michael Moore somehow convinced a major media group to air Farenheit 9/11 over public airwaves the night before the election. Rush Limbaugh would explode, Dick Cheney would publicly tell Moore to "Go fuck yourself!" and Bill O'Reilly would lead the storming of the FCC castle.
And people wonder why I'm cynical about the US political process? Vote for who you wish. They're all a corrupt bunch of fools drastically out-of-touch with real people like me. I'm washing my hands of this entire process. With a few weeks to go, I have serious doubts as to whether or not I'll even vote. In all seriousness, what's the point? It's not about you, me, or the 270,000,000 individuals in this country--it's all about corporate influence and big $$$$$$.
I wonder if any universities in Canada are hiring?
Imagine the freakout if Michael Moore somehow convinced a major media group to air Farenheit 9/11 over public airwaves the night before the election. Rush Limbaugh would explode, Dick Cheney would publicly tell Moore to "Go fuck yourself!" and Bill O'Reilly would lead the storming of the FCC castle.
And people wonder why I'm cynical about the US political process? Vote for who you wish. They're all a corrupt bunch of fools drastically out-of-touch with real people like me. I'm washing my hands of this entire process. With a few weeks to go, I have serious doubts as to whether or not I'll even vote. In all seriousness, what's the point? It's not about you, me, or the 270,000,000 individuals in this country--it's all about corporate influence and big $$$$$$.
I wonder if any universities in Canada are hiring?
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Damn You, Tara Maclean!
Years ago, during an almost three year hiatus from dating (a result of a divorce and the start of my Ph.D.), I developed a serious celebrity crush on Tara MacLean. Okay, this probably went beyond a celebrity crush. I've always understood that celebrities are virtually unapproachable--no matter how "right" you think might be for someone you'll likely never meet them face to face. Tara, however, was different. When she toured she played small venues like coffee houses, dive bars, etc. On two occasions, I actually had the opportunity to sit down with her and actually talk after a show (I pride myself in not being that typical, star struck fan). On one such occasion, I showed her my triskele tattoo. I discovered the design (I'd been looking for an appropriate triskele for almost a year) for my tattoo imprinted on one of Tara MacLean's CDs.* She saw the tattoo, screamed, and kissed it (it's on my back). ::swoon:: Then she yelled for her husband to check it out. That's right--husband. Knowing she was married, I never made my move.
As the years have gone by, I've followed Tara's career but always realized that I had no chance with a married woman. Now, to my surprise, I discover Tara is no longer married. I find the person with whom I'm going to spend the rest of my life and Tara decides to divorce? Damn you, Tara MacLean! What rotten timing! If this was four years ago, you and I could have had a tawdry affair every time you visited Denver! Unfortunately, you blew it with a silly marriage detour and lost your chance!
*You can see the design for my tattoo on the bottom of the index page for her website.
As the years have gone by, I've followed Tara's career but always realized that I had no chance with a married woman. Now, to my surprise, I discover Tara is no longer married. I find the person with whom I'm going to spend the rest of my life and Tara decides to divorce? Damn you, Tara MacLean! What rotten timing! If this was four years ago, you and I could have had a tawdry affair every time you visited Denver! Unfortunately, you blew it with a silly marriage detour and lost your chance!
*You can see the design for my tattoo on the bottom of the index page for her website.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Farewell, Superman.
Christopher Reeve, the actor I will always remember as Superman, died today. The first two Superman movies are a couple of my all-time favorite films. Is there anything better than the Metropolis cage match pitting Superman vs General Zod, Ursula, and Non? Even more admirable than his performances as Superman, however, was Reeve's relentless advocacy of spinal cord research. Although I never met him, Reeve always seemed like a genuinely likeable and decent human being.
What's with the people I like and admire dying this weekend? Bizarre.
What's with the people I like and admire dying this weekend? Bizarre.
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Hey Dude, You Know Your Thing's On Fire?
In response to my link to the Avengers Disassembled parody, Curtis suggests giving Avengers Toys: Disassembled! a read.
Hysterical. Man, that Quicksilver is fast.
Hysterical. Man, that Quicksilver is fast.
Adieu, Jacque. Adieu.
Jacque Derrida died Friday.
Updated (10/10/04): More on Derrida.
Father of Deconstruction
Multiple Layers of Meaning
Updated (10/10/04): More on Derrida.
Father of Deconstruction
Multiple Layers of Meaning
Friday, October 08, 2004
Attention Comic Book Geeks
As comic book geeks are aware, The Avengers comic will end with issue #503. Mavel released a 4 page preview of the comic and some comic geek made a parody. Let the hilarity begin!
#503 Preview Parody
#503 Preview Parody
Feast-o-Rama
Appetizer What are your plans for the upcoming weekend?
Not a whole lot. Kathleen is out of town at an art conference and doesn't return until late Saturday night. As such, I'm going to use the time to pull together a couple application packets, continue to edit a journal article, and work on the dissertation. Swimming laps is on tap for later this afternoon, a long run is probably in the cards sometime during the course of the weekend. I'm hoping we'll go see The Story of the Ramones on Sunday afternoon.
Soup Who was the last person you talked to on the telephone?
Kathleen. She called from her conference to chat for a few minutes.
Salad Name a hobby that you've tried but eventually gave up for some reason.
Stamp collecting. Egads, what a boring hobby. Sorry the stamp collectors out there, but I just couldn't get into it.
Main Course What is the most important personality quality in a mate?
Compassion.
Dessert Why is the sky blue (be creative with your answer)?
Because it isn't red.
Not a whole lot. Kathleen is out of town at an art conference and doesn't return until late Saturday night. As such, I'm going to use the time to pull together a couple application packets, continue to edit a journal article, and work on the dissertation. Swimming laps is on tap for later this afternoon, a long run is probably in the cards sometime during the course of the weekend. I'm hoping we'll go see The Story of the Ramones on Sunday afternoon.
Soup Who was the last person you talked to on the telephone?
Kathleen. She called from her conference to chat for a few minutes.
Salad Name a hobby that you've tried but eventually gave up for some reason.
Stamp collecting. Egads, what a boring hobby. Sorry the stamp collectors out there, but I just couldn't get into it.
Main Course What is the most important personality quality in a mate?
Compassion.
Dessert Why is the sky blue (be creative with your answer)?
Because it isn't red.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Spiritual Revolution
My call for a spiritual revolution is thus not a call for a religious revolution. Nor is it a reference to a way of life that is somehow other-worldly, still less to something magical or mysterious. Rather, it is a call for a radical re-orientation away from our habitual preoccupation with self towards concern for the wider community of beings with whom we are connected, and for conduct which recognizes others’ interests alongside our own.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
From "The Pocket Dalai Lama," edited by Mary Craig, 2002.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
From "The Pocket Dalai Lama," edited by Mary Craig, 2002.
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Still Feasting
Appetizer What sound, other than the normal ringing, would you like your telephone to make?
The ominous breathing of Darth Vader, the Red Alert! klaxon from Star Trek, or the roar of Godzilla.
Soup Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).
Pleasant and mostly sunny--a bit windy at times--with an outside chance of severe thunderstorm activity.
Salad What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?
I've been told I'm probably one of country's foremost experts on the writings of Starhawk and Calvin O. Schrag.
Main Course Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. What books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?
I'd read as many tomes from my academic discipline as possible. That knowledge would continue to serve my academic interests for the rest of my life. Now that's a gift that keeps on giving.
Dessert If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next candy bar, what would it be like?
Hmmmm . . . I'm not that big on candy bars but I'll give it a shot. Let's start with a cookie that has the consistency of a moist shortbread (soft, not crunchy) and tastes like a lemon bar. Dunk the thing in white chocolate and call it a day. I'd call it a Lemony Snicket, or Snicket bar, and cross market with the upcoming film. When the next X-men movie comes out, I'd do more cross promotion and spell the bar, Snikt.
The ominous breathing of Darth Vader, the Red Alert! klaxon from Star Trek, or the roar of Godzilla.
Soup Describe your usual disposition in meteorological terms (partly cloudy, sunny, stormy, etc.).
Pleasant and mostly sunny--a bit windy at times--with an outside chance of severe thunderstorm activity.
Salad What specific subject do you feel you know better than any other subjects?
I've been told I'm probably one of country's foremost experts on the writings of Starhawk and Calvin O. Schrag.
Main Course Imagine you were given the ability to remember everything you read for one entire day. What books/magazines/newspapers would you choose to read?
I'd read as many tomes from my academic discipline as possible. That knowledge would continue to serve my academic interests for the rest of my life. Now that's a gift that keeps on giving.
Dessert If a popular candy maker contacted you to create their next candy bar, what would it be like?
Hmmmm . . . I'm not that big on candy bars but I'll give it a shot. Let's start with a cookie that has the consistency of a moist shortbread (soft, not crunchy) and tastes like a lemon bar. Dunk the thing in white chocolate and call it a day. I'd call it a Lemony Snicket, or Snicket bar, and cross market with the upcoming film. When the next X-men movie comes out, I'd do more cross promotion and spell the bar, Snikt.
A Lugubrious Irritant
A while back, Mike had a post about the term, "lugubrious." At the time, I pledged to use the term somewhere within my dissertation. Here's the result:
Summoned from the words and actions of the bottle throwing incident, interpellated subject positions emerge. The term "freak" evokes the subject position of the social deviant, the disaffected outcast, and the introverted loner who, unable or unwilling to adhere to traditional social conventions, finds herself or himself isolated from most others. The disaffected or alienated individual is positioned as a potential threat to others, a lugubrious irritant in need of psychological assistance (e.g. troubled youth), or an isolated annoyance to be ignored or harassed (e.g. social introvert, geek, nerd). Interpellated as a threat, irritant, or annoyance, the "freak" assumes the role of social problem or cultural oddity and finds himself or herself subjected to various fixes (e.g. dress codes, social ostracization). The interpellation of the "freak" also implicates a subject position for the hegemonic cultural other. In choosing to hurl the pejorative epithet, the hegemonic cultural other assumes a position of dominance, of an individual entitled to punish or discipline a subordinate. Encountering the subcultural self, the hegemonic cultural other issues a forceful reminder of traditional social conventions and hierarchies.
Summoned from the words and actions of the bottle throwing incident, interpellated subject positions emerge. The term "freak" evokes the subject position of the social deviant, the disaffected outcast, and the introverted loner who, unable or unwilling to adhere to traditional social conventions, finds herself or himself isolated from most others. The disaffected or alienated individual is positioned as a potential threat to others, a lugubrious irritant in need of psychological assistance (e.g. troubled youth), or an isolated annoyance to be ignored or harassed (e.g. social introvert, geek, nerd). Interpellated as a threat, irritant, or annoyance, the "freak" assumes the role of social problem or cultural oddity and finds himself or herself subjected to various fixes (e.g. dress codes, social ostracization). The interpellation of the "freak" also implicates a subject position for the hegemonic cultural other. In choosing to hurl the pejorative epithet, the hegemonic cultural other assumes a position of dominance, of an individual entitled to punish or discipline a subordinate. Encountering the subcultural self, the hegemonic cultural other issues a forceful reminder of traditional social conventions and hierarchies.
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