Mea Culpa Mea Culpa

The busy time is almost over. The world seems to be righting itself (or lefting itself if you prefer). I don't have much to say today. I could bitch about Microsoft and how much Active Directory sucks ass but I wouldn't be saying anything that you don't already know.

I could mention the new color iPods, but I think they are sort of ridiculous. With a bigger screen I might dig it - but I find it unlikely. iPods will sell because they are iPods, not because they made it so you can put pictures on the damn thing. Give me a real feature - like line-in recording that is not crippled. That would be nice (and useful). I love my iPod and usually, Apple releases stuff that makes me want to sell what I have and replace it. These new iPods - they ain't that cool. (even the black U2 edition)

Maybe it is my paranoia talking, but why does it feel like the media held the missing weapons story until now? It just feels too convenient. But what do I know?

In other news,

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I got nothing.

More in a bit, I need coffee.

Musings and Ramblings

Wow. I have been slack about updating. Sorry about that. I had mid-terms. They are all done now so back to the grind.

One political note today - according to the Washington Times, Kerry Lied about his meetings with the UN security Council.

Shocking. I know.

A politician lied? Whatever is the world coming to?

In other news,

NaNoWriMo starts in a few short days. I have decided to give it a shot. I'll keep you informed as to how it goes.

More in a bit, I need coffee.

Musings and Ramblings

So next month is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). What an excellent idea. I may actually have to get back to work (or even start a new one).

We shall see.

More in a bit.

Is it always like this - that pride comes before a fall?

I suppose that politics is just making me tired. The never ending coverage combined with the total media blackout of any dissenting voices just leads to more disenfranchised voters. Which, if you think about it, serves the Repubi-crats well. A smaller voting body means they have more people to blame when no one turns up to vote. They blame apathy - I blame them for not being in touch with reality.

I know. I keep mentioning Badnarik. The one major issue I have with the libertarians is the sheer amount of Randroids that seem to flock to the banner. Just a personal preference.

I'm sure there is more going on in the world than out current debacle - but the myopia of American media would not lead you to believe it.

In other news,

I have recently been discussing politics, political beliefs, and how we react to them with a few friends. Of particular note (to me) is how family members deal with each other when they disagree. This has some relevance to my personal life, and thus I do not feel like rehashing it here. Suffice it to say I dislike discussing politics with family because I always end up feeling like I did something wrong - no matter how much I believe in my convictions.

On a different note,

Has any one else seen the Reese's mini Pieces? [the link takes you to the page for normal Reese's Pieces] Whichever marketing wizard thought this up needs to be given a raise. Whereas I can normally contain myself to eating a small bit of a normal bag (some where close to a recommended serving size) I do not even bother with the minis. I just munch them down happily ignoring the fact that I am eating the ENTIRE TUBE in one sitting.

and O_O!!!

The limited edition Reese’s pieces with peanuts in them!!! I must try them (because I have nothing better to do that recall my days as a child watching ET eat these little candies and now I want them more)

Curses.

I'm not dead yet.

I wanted to write something happy, but there is a reason they call me depressoboy. (Hint: It is not just my unending love for The Cure)

I think I mentioned this last time - I am insanely busy for the next week or so. I am supposed to be studying or being a responsible parent or something like that but instead I find myself frothing at the mouth about stupid political statements (Do not worry it is usually just toothpaste. Usually).

I can not wait until this election is over and I can bitch about how my Canidate lost and how we are so marginalized and blah blah blah (I’ll co-opt some of the democrats' lines from the 2000 election - it will be fun!!!)

Wow, I never realized that what sounds funny in my head (mostly because I think I’m hysterical) just comes out sounding bitter and angry on screen. Oh well.

How about this? I'll go away and study and you can listen to some N3rdc0r3.

(I think I will finish my coffee)

more in a bit.

Badnarik, media and other crap on my mind.

I'm sort of all over the place this morning.

One moment I'm screaming about politics and wondering how it is that the mainstream media has so BLATENTLY ignored Michael Badnarik, and the next I am contemplating the finer points of lunch with friends.

Getting back to politics - I mean what does it take? A mountian gets more press than Badnarik. While I find the mountain interesting, I also find it interesting that we wasted a stack of public money for a long political commercial for the Republi-crats.

In other news,

Go visit Protect.org. Just read the page. I don't need to tell you why they need our support or why we need to fire judges that allow pedophiles to go with the admonition of "no further sexual acting out" or pass off opinions like this little tidbit:

A 40-year old man, William Pennington, raped a 10-year old relative. Judge Teiss departed downward sharply from sentencing guidelines, claiming the perpetrator was "not a pedophile" and that his crime was less serious because the victim was a family member.

So according to this judge, rape just isn't a serious crime when it is done to a family member? Anyone else see the failure in the logic here?.

yeah, I thought so.

More in a bit.

Remnants of a deeper purity

Blacktapeforabluegirl.com

Sam Rosenthal (the man behind projekt records, and founder of black tape for a blue girl) is a pretty cool guy. He is giving away mp3's of one of their shows (well parts of two of them anyway) from their west coast tour. The man is just pretty cool.

Kerry, the debate, and stupid dirty lies

Oh what the hell?

GUN SHOWS HAVE TO DO BACKGROUND CHECKS.

This is a fact, not a bloody opinion. Any and all federally licensed gun dealers ARE REQUIRED to do background checks.

Another thing Mr. Kerry -

The sun setting of the "assault weapons" ban will not make it any easier to own an "assault weapon" than it was before. You could always buy them - they just had to meet certain criteria. The stupid ban expired because IT WAS POINTLESS.

Christ on the cross.

Maybe one-day people will stop being stupid.

maybe.

my name is...

I know - I'm supposed to write everyday. It is the only way you can practice at being a writer. blah blah blah.

I got busy. Sorry about that.

I have midterms this week and they look to be kicking my ass. I seem to be doing nothing but studying and working (and dreaming about coffee). I will be ok next week (most likely).

I will probably write more later, but as for right now I have got a stack of work that is calling me and I am jonesing for a cup of coffee. (like a junkie for smack)

I heard about this new coffee joint around here named Caribou Coffee. They have this crazy drink called a campfire mocha - I feel a need to try it.

more in a bit.

Just another day

The other day I made the blanket statement that Neil Gaiman is a damn funny man. I still stand by this statement, and I will add that he is very personable and nice. (even at almost 10 in the morning)

And he has a Sinister Beard.



(A Neil in his natural habitat)

He was at the Library of Congress Book Festival on the Mall on Saturday. I went and got a book or three signed (in fact, in the picture above, that is my copy of Coraline he is signing)

I got up there at 8:50 and was one of the first 25 (insane fanpeople) or so in line. He started signing at 9:55 and when I got my books signed - the line stretched from the Hirshhorn to the Smithsonian castle (2 and 3 people wide). I neglected to get a picture but trust me - it was impressive. (EDIT-According to Neil's blog - it was about 500 people)

I then studied a bit and sat through part of Neal Stephenson's presentation (in which he proved to be funny). Then Catherine Asaro (wherein I thought I might give one of her books a try), then Frederik Pohl who was very cool and related stories about Robert Heinline and other "golden age" authors as well as insights on his writing process, and finally Neil Gaiman spoke. He read from his not yet published book (which was damn funny) then took audience questions -Some one asked him to sing the rat song from Coraline . His answer? A resounding NO. Apparently Stephin Merritt (of The Magnetic Fields) sings it in the audio version. Everyone laughed and a good time was had by all. Neil was funny and gracious and hopefully they will cybercast the whole damn thing so everyone of you can see it.

After that I headed home, went and got the boy and did domestic things.

All in all a pretty good day.

More in a bit

title of record

Neil Gaiman is a damn funny man.

More in a bit - Gotta get my brain organized.

Wasted Votes?

I know some of you have chosen candidates you believe in, I know some of you feel like one or the other is the lesser of two evils, and I know that some of you feel the same as I do and don't like either main party choice. For all of us, I offer this as an alternative viewpoint.

I'm spreading the word: go on, waste your vote.


Now, back to your normally scheduled programming.

a drug against war

A few days back, I mentioned that Kerry was advocating providing uclear fuel to Iran.

Is this a good idea? I don't know. The position that was advocated to me was that we sell fuel to them, and then their program would be administered by a third party (like the UN).

I can see where it is a cheap source of energy, but my paranoia dosen't buy it. I"ll continue to research the issue because it intrests me.

As usual, I will let you know.

I posted this on LJ last week and I think that it bears repeating here.

/LJ Interuption/

I wanted to comment on this part of my previous post:

She is a smart woman, but she makes some really dumb mistakes. She has this failing - she thinks that all conservatives (and specifically republican conservatives) are evil. There is no other way to put it. She might grudgingly agree that conservatives can be smart, but usually she assumes that conservatives hate people (and are evil).

This is not an uncommon position in the people I have come across on campus or here at work. I know that there are people on both sides that reinforce the negative stereotypes that are portrayed about the other side. But come on, let us be honest. People are almost never the stereotype we expect them to be. Painting the other side in a negative light just makes us feel better about our position. It allows us to be one of the crowd and be with like minded people.

In addition - I just went out with a friend to get coffee, and before we left, we were talking with a co-worker about the debate (WHICH HE DIDN'T EVEN WATCH - and he was insisting that Kerry won. I'd call it a draw - both sides made good points and made errors. I'm waiting on the next two to see how they play out.)

However- in relation to my comment above - as we left, he stated that Bush was a pathological liar and a murderer and said it with such venom that you might think that Bush had killed his mom. It was personal to him. He hates Bush, not the policies of a government he disagrees with, he hates Bush.

I point this out because it goes to back up my original statement.

As was pointed out by prester_scott in a comment thread - (and I quote) "Thanks to Fox News and the neoconservative movement, the R's are trying very hard to catch up with the D's in the Hate Thine Enemy department."

I don't know what else to say on this. I long for civility in discourse, much as I long for people to take personal responsibility for their actions. I hate this in so many ways. And yet I love it - I must, it seems to be all I can think about.

I want. I want. I want.

Listen to me, (see there I go again) I sound like everything I have been railing against. I don't know how to express my frustration. I don't know how to make you understand.

(Apparently I want a utopian ideal that can never be achieved)

::::::::::::.throws up hands and walks away.::::::::::::


/end lj interuption/

More in a bit

Ring of Fire

So Space Ship One has done it! They win the X-Prize! Private, manned, repeatable space flight. How cool is that?

In other news,

Mount St. Helens is preparing to do the eruption dance. Should be intresting.

For some reason all I can think of is "ring of fire" by the late Johnny Cash.

More in a bit.

slip of the tongue.

I'm sorry, did Kerry really say that?

Yup. According to the transcripts, he really did.

Kerry said he went to the bowels of the KGB under Treblinka square, and he said he would provide nuclear fuel to Iran.

Just so we are clear - Treblinka was a Nazi death camp. It was located outside Warsaw in Poland, not Russia. And provide nuclear fuel to Iran? WHAT?

More in a bit.