Posts may be sparse for a while, as my computer is going off to the nice Apple people to have its logic board fixed. I wonder if they can do anything for mine...

So, I'm foisting some of the work off on to you. I'd better have some darn funny/smart/intersting comments next time I check.

Much withthe lovin',
CJ

Sometimes life makes me happy.

I went to lunch with the dad yesterday, and we got around to talking about gay marriage. He brought up a fairly standard argument for civil unions and "saving" marriage for het couples. I responded with the now standard "separate but equal is not equal" argument. And that's where the conversation surpassed standard.

My father stopped, thought about it, and said, "you're right. I never thought about it, but that's segregation." See, dad visited Florida in 1955, and saw first hand the segregationist policies of the last days of Jim Crow. I'd wager that that trip caused him to rethink some old beliefs as well.

This is what I tend to forget about my dad. He starts off at a default position of "that's just not right," especially where homosexuality is concerned. But then life challenges him, and he thinks. My step brother came out to the family (via my grandmother) a few years ago. Since then, I don't think I've heard a queer joke out of my dad's mouth. He still had trouble with the transsexual woman at the gun show last fall, but I suspect that was because his younger brother, poster child for cloaking ignorance in a wad of pseudo-academic blather, was with us. But as long as my father time to process, on his own, events and arguments that challenge his world view, he is willing to change it.

This is where I've been feeling ashamed of my own recent world view. I know not everyone will be like my dad (and really, thank god, because he's kind of high maintenance), that most folks are far more attached to the way they think about things than he is. But my default position these past few weeks has been one of hopelessness and lack of faith in people and their ability to adapt to new situations and ideas. This is a level of cynicism that I can't maintain.

So, Al: the only reason I'll leave the US is wanderlust, and a desire to know a little of life beyond my own context. I'm here for the long haul, and I'll try like hell to remember Margaret Mead's words:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Hello, I'm back.

Am completely emotionally exhausted. Please, for the love of all that doesn't care about what any one religion thinks is holy, do not vote for Bush in November. Or for that matter any of the politicians who have hated all things queer this week. Including the asshat from NJ who stated that gays are "fond of" a member of the same sex in the same way one is "fond of" a dog, thus we shouldn't allow them to marry because we wouldn't let them marry dogs.

This is not about religious rights (incidentally, telling you to keep your religion out of my secular government is NOT an infringement on your religious freedom, oh Christian Right); it's about the rights of US citizens. The LGBTQ people in question are not dogs, they are not defective and inferior, they are US citizens. If you've decided that all citizens are deserving of equal protection under the law (and given that I just cribbed that from one of our many revered documents, you have), marriage is no exception.

The Shrubbery in the Oval Office has now joined his political kin in threatening to constitutionally deprive citizens of this equal protection. Don't let your vote support this overwhelming act of bigotry.

My sanity thanks you, from where ever it is.

My Multiple Intelligences:

The Seven Intelligence Areas

Linguistic: 8
Logical-Mathematical: 5
Spatial: 5
Bodily-Kinesthetic: 9
Musical: 8
Interpersonal: 6
Intrapersonal: 9


A Short Definition of your Highest Score

Bodily-Kinesthetic - the ability to use the body and tools to take effective action or to construct or repair, to build rapport to console and persuade, and to support others, to plan strategically or to critique the actions of the body, to appreciate the aesthetics of the body and to use those values to create new forms of expression. Possible vocations that use the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence include mechanic, trainer, contractor, craftsperson, tool and dye maker, coach, counselor, salesperson, sports analyst, professional athlete, dance critic, sculptor, choreographer, actor, dancer or puppeteer.

Intrapersonal - the ability to assess one's own strengths, weaknesses, talents, and interests and use them to set goals, to understand oneself to be of service to others, to form and develop concepts and theories based on an examination of oneself, and to reflect on one's inner moods, intuitions, and temperament and to use them to create or express a personal view. Possible vocations that use the intrapersonal intelligence include planner, small business owner, psychologist, artist, religious leader, and writer.

How are you intelligent?

I'm back in San Francisco again. (Sadly enough, this is not a literal state.) See, I keep hearing/reading it said that the marriages never should have been performed because they were against the law, and that the law should have been challenged in court first (it is presently being challenged).

Here's the deal, though. Acts of civil disobedience are more likely to get people's attention, and pictures of plain old, heartfelt joy carry a bigger punch than courtroom sketches. This is no pointless blockade of federal buildings in protest of the war in Iraq. This is people saying "you have passed laws that make me less equal than my neighbors, and I'm not going to obey them."

The newlyweds don't yet know if their marriage licenses will be honored. No one does. However, as the law outlawing gay marriages probably neglected to say what would happen if it was broken, it is now necessary for officials to actually think about denying some pretty heady benefits to some very committed couples. The issue has a human face -- thousands of them, actually. It is no longer about a prohibition of priviledges, but about their removal.

And maybe there's an off chance that it'll be the wake-up call lawmakers need. Well, some of them. I'm not holding out hope for Arnie.

I will leave. I will move elsewhere, and suffer whatever hardship emigration may bring. I will not stay if Roe V. Wade is overturned. Thought you all should know.

Check out this series of photos by Derek Powazek. The first couple, especially, absolutely own me. He's selling a poster, and the proceeds will benefit DontAmend.com. I like this site because they seem to be trying to point out that many conservatives are against the amendment.

In a previous life, I conflated being conservative with adherence to Republican Party platform, and had no idea how gay people and allies could possibly espouse anti-gay policy. Then I found the Log Cabin Republicans (that's three separate links there, try 'em all out). I still disagree with a good portion of what they say, but I'd rather be arguing politics based on how to philosophically define individual rights, and what best insures them, than keep banging my head against the brick wall of someone else's religion.

And now, a few self-indulgent words on marriage itself, because this is my blog, where I indulge myself.

I don't like it.

I, personally, never want to get married. To a man or a woman. This will not change, even if the law does. I do not want the government in my bedroom or my family. Who I love and how I love them, whether we are committed or casual, platonic or romantic, or any of the thousands of grey areas in between is my business and that of my (annoyingly hypothetical) partner. This is not a political position, though it affects and is affected by my political views.

So, why am I so gung-ho about this gay marriage stuff?

Hey, if I can choose not to be married, others should be able to choose it too -- not have it forced on them. After all, inherent in my choice is the prerogative to change my mind, though it is restricted to situations in which my partner is of the "opposite" sex. This prerogative spells freedom to me. As a person of complicated sexual preference that has very little to do with gender or biological sex, I'd like that freedom to apply to any and all of my potential relationships, not just the ones that involve a penis.

I just watched a show that ended with the protagonist jumping double dutch with God. And I found it cute and uplifting instead of vapid and annoying.

Doctor, she's flatlining. 50cc cynacism, STAT!

This site poses grave danger to my GPA. Too much fun. Hit the "toons" button and watch a couple, a few, or more.

Aha! I've discovered exactly what's wrong with my cat!

Recycling is not always a good idea.

And really, potato chip bags? There's really no amount of lube that's gonna make the nice, plastic feel good.

Dick Chainey

Why yes, that is spelled correctly.

The one class that I don't hate made me cry today. Is it OK to quit yet?

My dance teacher was doing individual evaluations. These are terribly nerve-wracking, but add in the fact that my left hand was numb and uncooperative and you've got an amazing recipe for self-consciousness. Teacher gets to me, and says you're doing OK, but it looks like you've got a gimpy arm. Yeah.

As a frequent diner at the Filet of Sole club ("open mouth, insert foot"), I didn't mention that I actually did have a bad arm. Instead, I just tried like hell to get it working. Then he went for a nearly unprecedented second round of individuals, and I was apparently unsuccessful at looking well. So, this time before he could say anything I just said "it's not going to do anything today," and explained about the carpal tunnel issues. And suddenly I was so frustrated I had tears in my eyes. I went to the drinking fountain, where I spent about five minutes convincing myself that I could go back to class without crying again.

He caught me after class, and I really had to avoid talking to him. He's a nice guy, and I don't fault him for doing his job, but at that moment I was so frustrated and humiliated that anything I said would have carried the simple purpose of misplaced revenge. Ugly, ugly feelings. Yuck.

US teen discovers own kidnap

Seriously, this is strange.

You're Egypt!

Curator of ancient mystical secrets, your life on the surface is fairly
typical these days.  Though you are in denial about more things than most people.
 Nevertheless, you're trying to convince people that you're safe despite your more
volatile and unstable times that seem to be behind you.  You like cats a whole lot.
 You'd probably really appreciate The Blue
Pyramid.
Take
the Country Quiz at the href="http://bluepyramid.org">Blue Pyramid

You're Love in the Time of Cholera!

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Like Odysseus in a work of Homer, you demonstrate undying loyalty by
sleeping with as many people as you possibly can. But in your heart you never give
consent! This creates a strange quandary of what love really means to you. On the
one hand, you've loved the same person your whole life, but on the other, your actions
barely speak to this fact. Whatever you do, stick to bottled water. The other stuff
could get you killed.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

New toy! If you look at the sidebar you'll find a section marked "blogroll." Cruise on through to find out who I'm reading. One note of caution: when you surf to someone else's site from here, your behavior reflects on me (more directly when you surf to one of my friends). Please think before you comment, both here and abroad.

Also remember, I am constantly seeking new blogs. If you have recommendations, leave them in the comments section of the most recent post.

Hello minions of blog!

I have Bailey's and hot cocoa, which means that I will be sleeping soon, and that by the time I wake up I may even be willing to go back to grad school tomorrow. In the meantime, I quit.

I would like to point out, on the record, that I do not purposely date people who are old enough to be my father. There was one sketchy incident this fall, out of which came my famous quote: "he didn't look 39 in costume." I am not pathetic and desperate, and will not hook up with the next single, breathing, penis-possessing person I meet. If I had lowered my standards that far I'd have gone after Keith. The joke, my friends, is getting old.

Clearly, this post is brought to you by yet another fucking awful Tuesday, wherein I had classes that convinced me I was too stupid to be in sociology and too knowledgeable to be in women's studies. As these are pretty much my two foremost leanings, one might say I'm fucked.

Or, one might just go get more Bailey's.

Your tax dollars at work.

I wants it!

*pouts*

I am sitting in my 9:05 lab classroom, waiting to begin and decadently typing a blog entry for the amusement of YOU, blog minions, only YOU!

The Love that Dare Not Squeak Its Name

I don't tend to really give a damn about the nature/nurture debate in regards to homo/hetero/bi/omni-sexuality. I know where I fall on the philosophical spectrum, and I know that what I think philosophically shouldn't matter one way or another in a country that prides itself on freedom of choice and expression.

That being said, the article was about gay penguins. Too much cute! I couldn't just not link to it.

When I arrived in Russia on March 23, 1997, one dollar got 5711 Roubles. Today it would get 28.45 Roubles.

Did they adjust the rate at some point, or did the Russian economy pick up a fuckload of steam? Both are perfectly possible, as I've never been one to pay much attention to economic news.

EDIT: I now know that the Rouble was devalued on August 17th, 1998. I also know sod-all about what that meant. Help?

This was supposed to be posted yesterday, but as I object to V-day in general, I waited until today. It also originally said "marriage is love," but I disagreed slightly. As much as I believe everyone should be able to choose to marry if it suits them, marriage and love are certainly not synonymous.

Thus ends my rant.

Marriage is a way in which some people choose to express their love. It should be neither compulsory nor exclusionary.

Ye be The Dread Pirate Roberts, better known to yer
friends as Westley (or the man in black).
Ye've spent the last few years working yer arse
off in order to obtain the greatest treasure of
all, yer lady love.


Which scurvy dog be ye?
brought to you by Quizilla

Hehe... I'm a pirate. We knew that, right Robert?

Arrrrr.

Also, Elwes looks frighteningly like Forrest in this movie.

I now know WAY more than I wanted to about Barbie's Love life.

Stop laughing, Ryan.

I am not a "Random Gentle Love Dreamer." 'Cause I'm not seeing any "high-flying romantic life" here. Also, am not a genuinely sweet person, fuck-you-very-much!

Blah, blah, yeah, I know, protesting too much and all that.

Ryan. Stop laughing NOW.

You're CJ. You're hard as nails on the outside,
and not only for your job. But inside you hurt
just the same as anyone. Lucky you have such
great friends to help you out.


Which Senior Staffer From The West Wing Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Why yes, I am CJ. Only, not that one. Though the "j" stands for the same thing.

The 213 Things Skippy is No Longer Allowed to Do in the US Army

Please do not eat or drink while reading this.

Throw Rocks At Boys

I am queen geek!!!!!

I'm watching Judging Amy with the mom, and there's this guest star who looks familiar. Then it hits me: it's Nick Lea. A quick search confirms that Alex Krycek was, in fact, on JA. He played a former get-away driver for the mob. *snicker* How appropriate.

Bill O'Reilly gets a clue?

56% Of The Internet Loves Me!

I am loved by 56% of the population, including: 1047 people who love feminists 1627 people who love geeks 1353 people who love bloggers In return, I love 99% of the population, including: 184 communists 1283 people who wear sweaters 95 old people

show the love at spacefem.com

I'm such a luva!

More superbowl stupidity

Yes, now the folks who made Janet's top are mad at her for altering it to rip. "It would have looked like Justin was assaulting her if he'd tried to rip it off before it was modified." Just for the record, it looked an awful lot more like an assault than a passionate removal of clothing to me. Just sayin'.

Also, Justin? Your shit-eating grin during your "apology" garnered you the grammy for "least sincere dickhead in the industry." Thought you ought to know.

Dear media,
Leave Janet the fuck alone. She apologized sincerely, and what did CBS do? They kicked her off the show because she wouldn't do it again. Meanwhile, that fucking brat is grinning his "I got away with it" grin.

You motherfuckers are gonna make me get all feminista on your collective aging, rich, white, wrinkly, fat ass, aren't you?
Fucking annoyed,
CJ

To the person who sent me the anti-v-day card:

The site has no record of it. You have sent a phantom card. Thank you for playing, please try again. Damned technology.

OK, now fess up. In the comments. NOW.

Grammy notes:

1. Started off cool with Prince. In purple again. He rocks me.

2. PEAS!!!!!!

Me: if Justin sings with them, I'm gonna cry.
Mom: Will you cry a river?

Since when does my mother pay attention to Justin Timberwank??? Oh, well. Between the sound system sucking intermittently and the camera sticking to the Peas' singer, he was pretty well in the background.

3. Was a bit afraid that the show would suck downhill from there, until the lovely puddle of funk in the middle.

4. Who the hell are Coldplay? Was completely confused, but they took a potshot at the current US political situation, so at least I was amused while being confused.

They're not over yet, but I can't see anything surprising me from here. My tragically unhip reputation shall remain intact, as I couldn't identify half the artists nominated. And had no clue that Sharon and Ozzy were America's favorite couple.

Grammys are edu-ma-cational.

The only way to celebrate that hideous holiday.

WHY MUST I BE SO TEMPTED??????

Fear of a Black Prefect

Hang on. I don't remember H2G2 very well, but I thought Ford Prefect WAS black? Well, in so much as he looked human, and thus would have had a skin tone, anyway. And in so much as that's how he turned out in my head. Possibly, I had just been watching X-Files when I read his description, and supplanted him with Jesse L. Martin. Who would really also make a good Ford, if you ask me. (Those of you confused by my geekery, go google "x-files" and "The Unatural" for an explaination of the episode. I haven't the time to coddle those who are un-hip to the way of the geek.)

At any rate, I haven't got a copy of the book since it got ruined in the flood. RYAN HELP ME! AM SO CONFUSED!!! And these racist asshats are making my brain hurt.

Item the first: attempts at retaining sanity are getting on rather marginally at present.

Item the second: I can now paraphrase from multiple abstinence-based sex education curricula. My head only hit the desk twice during the eight-hour class. Did you know that abstinence is a the only lifestyle choice that is acceptable for unmarried people? Or that having sex before marriage is bring about the downfall of American society? I want a t-shirt that says "I contributed to the downfall of American society."

Item the third: there are demon children in my house. They are sleeping over tonight. Woe.

Addendum: mom and I were playing the "help, I'm a prisoner of the chair" game with the cat, wherein he sits in the kitchen chair and plays with our hands through the slats in the back of it. The cat left while mom's back was turned, causing her to start playing with an empty chair. After cracking up over this, she then turned the chair around and pretended to be the cat. Just as I took a huge swallow of water.

Morpheus


?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla

So. I'm going to make an effort not to make myself any crazier for the next week. Seriously. If you see me online or in real life, ask me if I've done my part to keep my sanity today. If I say no, post a comment to my most recent entry mocking me.

I'm really not kidding. It'll save you future angst-filled blog posts. Only you can prevent bad blogging.

Dean stakes campaign on Wisconsin

Well, he just lost the Vikings fans' votes.

The AOLer Translator

Confused by this strange new language you've seen all over the web? Here's your solution!

Translation:
CONFUSED BY THIS STRANGA NU LANGUAEG U SEN AL OV3R TEH W3B?!!!!! OMG WTF LOL HAR3S UR SOLUTION1!!!1! WTF LOL

For the more literarily inclined, I offer Shakespeare's Sonnet XVIII:

SHAL I R THE 2 A SUMERS DAY
THOU??!??!! OMG WTF ART MORE LOVELY AND MOR3 T3MPERAET
ROUGH WINDS DO SHAEK TEH DARLNG BUDS OF MAY
AND SUM3RS L3AES HATH AL 2 SHORT A DAET
SOM3TIEM 2 HOT DA 3YE OF HEAEVN SHIENS
AND OFTAN IS HIS GOLD COMPLEXION DIMD
AND 3V3RY FARE FROM FARE SOMATIEM DACLIENS
BY CHANCE OR NATUR3S CHANGNG COURSA UNTRIMD
BUT THY ETARNAL SUMER SHAL NOT FAED
NOR LOSE POS3SION OF TAHT FARE THOU OW3ST
NOR SHAL D3ATH BRAG THOU WANDERST IN HIS SHAED
WHAN IN ETARNAL LIENS 2 TIEM THOU GROW3ST
SO LONG AS M3N CAN TEH OR EYES CAN SE
SO LONG LIEVS THIS AND THIS GIEVS LIEF 2 THE!1!!!!!!


It it quite possible that I am evil.

Not a very work-safe post,, folks.

ashkan sahihi -- the latest in portrait photography.

Also, my blog will never be interesting again.

Gym workout 'guarantees more orgasms'

I don't really have or need a smart ass remark for this...

Mass. High Court Rules for Gay Marriage

Sometimes the courts make me very happy.

"'The history of our nation has demonstrated that separate is seldom, if ever, equal,' the four justices who ruled in favor of gay marriage wrote in the advisory opinion requested by the state Senate."

Word.

My crazy-ass Belief-O-Matic results:

1.�Neo-Pagan (100%)
2.�Liberal Quakers (95%)
3.�New Age (95%)
4.�Unitarian Universalism (95%)
5.�Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (94%)
6.�Mahayana Buddhism (79%)
7.�Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (75%)
8.�Secular Humanism (73%)
9.�Bah�'� Faith (71%)
10.�Theravada Buddhism (69%)
11.�Taoism (64%)
12.�Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (63%)
13.�New Thought (61%)
14.�Reform Judaism (60%)
15.�Orthodox Quaker (57%)
16.�Scientology (56%)
17.�Sikhism (50%)
18.�Jainism (48%)
19.�Jehovah's Witness (48%)
20.�Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (45%)
21.�Hinduism (42%)
22.�Nontheist (34%)
23.�Orthodox Judaism (26%)
24.�Seventh Day Adventist (26%)
25.�Eastern Orthodox (24%)
26.�Islam (24%)
27.�Roman Catholic (24%)

Was attempting to translatte Russian news from Pravda because the English site was down. Alas, my skillz are rusty. So, I found an online translator, and was running words and phrases I couldn't make out through it. (This method, unlike that of translating whole articles, can be effective.) I ran into a roadblock, though, when the translator told me that Putin has not rescued Muskrats. I can't imagine what idiomatic phrase that would correlate to in English.

Go here and sign up. It's a mindless, pointless game, but quite fun when you need to procrastinate.

Was in car accident. Minor. No damage to other car. My door's dented, slightly cracked. Don't really want to talk about it.

Europe is looking like a pipe dream.

Janet's Boob

OK, so CBS is cool with flashing its halftime audience, but won't play the "controversial" MoveOn.org commercial? WTF, folks?

Also, what with the streaker on top of it all, I'd say we have the first annual clothing-optional superbowl.

EDIT: OK, no one wants to take the blame for the boobage, and Justin has called it a "wardrobe malfunction." I think I need to have my suspension checked -- the disbelief is running a little low. C'mon folks, she had a tassel on her nipple. N-I-P-P-L-E. That's how I spell intentional.

And it is now clear that I am far too amused.

Blair and Bush Nominated for Peace Prize

For starting a war. Based on evidence that is largely thought to have been falsified. While blowing foreign policy and international relations all to hell. Because nothing spells peace like capturing one unseated, pathetic dictator after waging a vengeful, thuggish war.