Claire just brought me a book of pictures! It was really cute. I opened the book, and she told me what each one is. "Flower"... "Princess"... "Princess"... "Alcoholic"...
?!?!?!?!
"Alcoholic?"
"Yeah, remember when that guy got chopped up?"
?!!?!!?!!?!!
After a little investigation, it was a picture of someone whose cells were being destroyed by alcohol. Reeta told her that alcohol kills brain cells, and she thought it destroyed ALL your cells. Understanding has been clarified (I hope).
Monday
O'Reilley comes to Rather's defense
Bill O'Reilley says some things about Dan Rather's fall, ascribing it in a large degree to bloggers and blogging. While I agree that the smear machine is alive and well on the 'Net, and maybe the bloggers were harshly critical of Dan Rather, but what SHOULD be the outcome of this fiasco?
Dan Rather stepping down may be the most public part of the fallout, but the producers behind him, those who had more responsibility, and failed miserably at their posts, need to be removed also.
And saying that this is unfair freedom of speech is also wrong. I don't know if Rather knowingly approved what he knew to be false documents. He probably didn't. My understanding is, though, that he later personally vouched for their authenticity. When they were shown to be forgeries, his credibility became critically ill. Moreover, where is the fairness in allowing forgeries to be broadcast to the world as fact without a response? Unfair freedom of speech? Hardly. The more you read and write in this online world, I think the better you get at telling the rabid vitriolic rumor mongers from the thoughtful commentators.
Not that I think that Bill is a rabid, vitriolic rumor monger for his assertions.
I just think that in this case, he's wrong.
h/t Drudge.
Dan Rather stepping down may be the most public part of the fallout, but the producers behind him, those who had more responsibility, and failed miserably at their posts, need to be removed also.
And saying that this is unfair freedom of speech is also wrong. I don't know if Rather knowingly approved what he knew to be false documents. He probably didn't. My understanding is, though, that he later personally vouched for their authenticity. When they were shown to be forgeries, his credibility became critically ill. Moreover, where is the fairness in allowing forgeries to be broadcast to the world as fact without a response? Unfair freedom of speech? Hardly. The more you read and write in this online world, I think the better you get at telling the rabid vitriolic rumor mongers from the thoughtful commentators.
Not that I think that Bill is a rabid, vitriolic rumor monger for his assertions.
I just think that in this case, he's wrong.
h/t Drudge.
Evolution Retraction
Looks like N.Z. Bear got my e-mail, and my blog is no longer linking to itself. (Accursed mirror pages!) So, where I was once a Large Mammal (an extremely self-referencing one), now I am back to being an Adorable Little Rodent. Which is fine. It just wasn't sitting right with me that I was higher in the evolutionary chain than Mellow-Drama, who's been doing this for years, when I've only been around about nine months.
Okay, so maybe Adorable Rodent IS higher than Flappy Bird. But not much.
Okay, so maybe Adorable Rodent IS higher than Flappy Bird. But not much.
On the idea of a Republic...
The in-laws have been here for almost the whole weekend, they're all leaving tomorrow. They've been watching a lot of Star Wars. We got the DVD set a while ago, and they've been watching the different documentaries, and whatnot. We also opened Christmas presents, because we won't be able to get together to do it in December. Corbin got a Darth Vader Voice Changing Helmet. When he saw it, he tackled his Mom while professing his love profusely.
I got a copy of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Sort of dangerous to have this close to finals, but... what the hey. Suffice it to say I've been marinating in a galaxy far, far away. And I've got to say, I love all of the Star Wars movies. Always have, always will. People joke about Jar-Jar. I just ignore him, mostly. I loved The Pantom Menace, because it let you see how Sidious pulled the wool over everyone's eyes. People walked out of that movie thinking the good guys won. And they couldn't have been more wrong. I loved Attack of the Clones. I enjoyed seeing the foundation of the Empire start to appear. I've been listening to the music, I was up late the last couple nights playing KOTOR, it's been a fun weekend.
Interestng thing about KotOR; as you travel from area to area, a loading screen will pop up, and an interesting factoid about the characters, or about the Star Wars Universe in general. One in particular that I found interesting was its claim that the Republic is just a loose alliance of worlds who use an agreed upon currency, and trade laws. Sounds a little familiar, doesn't it? (Implied winking and nodding in the general direction of the EU inserted here). It struck me as a really bad way to run things, at least on a galactic scale, because the currency doesn't necessarily reflect the strength of the economy underneath it. There's no exchange rate - no market in currency. (Yes, I am quite possibly one of the world's biggest nerds).
Of course, we all know how well that Republic thing worked out, right? Internecine warfare, over thousands of years, occasional Sith Lords, blockades, etc., etc., etc.
UPDATE: Okay, maybe there were alternative currencies. Recall Phantom Menace, where Watto was asking for something more "real" than Republic credits - and also said that mind tricks didn't work on him, only money. There's also the cost of a lizard treat at the store - measured in "wupiupi", or something like that. So, perhaps there were alternative currencies used in areas where the Republic had less influence, like Hutt-dominated Tatooine. (Nerd sense tingling...)
I got a copy of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Sort of dangerous to have this close to finals, but... what the hey. Suffice it to say I've been marinating in a galaxy far, far away. And I've got to say, I love all of the Star Wars movies. Always have, always will. People joke about Jar-Jar. I just ignore him, mostly. I loved The Pantom Menace, because it let you see how Sidious pulled the wool over everyone's eyes. People walked out of that movie thinking the good guys won. And they couldn't have been more wrong. I loved Attack of the Clones. I enjoyed seeing the foundation of the Empire start to appear. I've been listening to the music, I was up late the last couple nights playing KOTOR, it's been a fun weekend.
Interestng thing about KotOR; as you travel from area to area, a loading screen will pop up, and an interesting factoid about the characters, or about the Star Wars Universe in general. One in particular that I found interesting was its claim that the Republic is just a loose alliance of worlds who use an agreed upon currency, and trade laws. Sounds a little familiar, doesn't it? (Implied winking and nodding in the general direction of the EU inserted here). It struck me as a really bad way to run things, at least on a galactic scale, because the currency doesn't necessarily reflect the strength of the economy underneath it. There's no exchange rate - no market in currency. (Yes, I am quite possibly one of the world's biggest nerds).
Of course, we all know how well that Republic thing worked out, right? Internecine warfare, over thousands of years, occasional Sith Lords, blockades, etc., etc., etc.
UPDATE: Okay, maybe there were alternative currencies. Recall Phantom Menace, where Watto was asking for something more "real" than Republic credits - and also said that mind tricks didn't work on him, only money. There's also the cost of a lizard treat at the store - measured in "wupiupi", or something like that. So, perhaps there were alternative currencies used in areas where the Republic had less influence, like Hutt-dominated Tatooine. (Nerd sense tingling...)
Where I come from, we call that "Divine Providence"
MSNBC - Dolphins protect swimmers from shark
Someone had to be looking after that little family.
h/t Mellow-Drama.
Someone had to be looking after that little family.
h/t Mellow-Drama.
Saturday
Teenage Daughters are Dangerous
USATODAY.com - Father arrested after attempt to discipline daughter backfires.
Apparently, when his 16-yr old daughter showed up at the house drunk and disorderly, Dad called the cops. When the cops showed up, the teen said she was scared for her life because Dad kept guns and drugs in the house. She led them to a hiding place where there were four semiautomatic weapons (pistols?) and over 600 vials of cocaine.
(That's not a good way to pay for your kids' college education, BTW).
Apparently, when his 16-yr old daughter showed up at the house drunk and disorderly, Dad called the cops. When the cops showed up, the teen said she was scared for her life because Dad kept guns and drugs in the house. She led them to a hiding place where there were four semiautomatic weapons (pistols?) and over 600 vials of cocaine.
(That's not a good way to pay for your kids' college education, BTW).
Friday
Odd fun
Through kind of a twisted chain, I've happened on a program that allows me to (apparently) broadcast through the internet. Jet Audio allows me to broadcast music or voice (!) via internet. I wonder if this kind of thing might become more popular among bloggers. Now I can impose not just my written word on the web, but I can also impose my spoken voice and musical tastes on the unsuspecting masses!
Of course, there's always the copyright issues to worry about. There are licensing fees that need to be paid to do this legally, etc., but the possibility alone is enough to get me excited! I've got a microphone I don't use... hmmmmm...
Of course, there's always the copyright issues to worry about. There are licensing fees that need to be paid to do this legally, etc., but the possibility alone is enough to get me excited! I've got a microphone I don't use... hmmmmm...
Pokédex update
Current Fire Red Pokédex statuts:
Seen: 122
Owned: 72
Badges: 6
Over the Thanksgiving Holiday. I managed to catch about 7 new types of Pokémon, including Seel, Dewgong, Golbat, and two legendary Pokémon, Zapdos, and Articuno. Making my way through the Seafoam Islands, towards Cinnabar Island, a gym fight with Blaine, (specializing in Fire Pokémon - two can play that game!) and perhaps the third Legendary Poémon, Moltres.
Seen: 122
Owned: 72
Badges: 6
Over the Thanksgiving Holiday. I managed to catch about 7 new types of Pokémon, including Seel, Dewgong, Golbat, and two legendary Pokémon, Zapdos, and Articuno. Making my way through the Seafoam Islands, towards Cinnabar Island, a gym fight with Blaine, (specializing in Fire Pokémon - two can play that game!) and perhaps the third Legendary Poémon, Moltres.
Apology accepted?
This is just a great picture. It's from the apologies accepted site.
h/t James Taranto's Best of the Web
h/t James Taranto's Best of the Web
Thursday
Thanks
Today, on this holiday, I want to say how thankful I am. I've got a great family, we've got a roof over our head, clothes to wear, and good food to eat. We live in a country where we're free to move about, free to do in large measure what we want to. We're free to exercise our rights to worship (or not) how we want to, speak (or not), and choose our leaders. I'm grateful for my faith, for the scriptures, and for the guidance I receive on a daily basis. I'm thankful for the opportunity I've been given to go to law school, and for the wonderful friends I've made here. And I'm grateful for this forum for me to express myself. A special thanks goes out to my blog parents at Mellow-Drama and The Menagerie, for their patience and help in keeping me writing regularly. Thanks for the friends I've made through blogging. It's made me aware of things around me in a new way. I'm thankful for the people whose blogs I read, for their insights, for their humor, and for their wonderful writing. I've been doing this pretty regularly since February, and if anything it's getting more and more fun.
Expect light updates through Sunday as this weekend marks the return of make up story time, and a new pre-teen obsession takes hold (Corbin's in town, and he's big into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - something I liked as a kid too). Also, a report on the Turkey, and how well Reeta's use of Emeril's marination technique works (chicken broth, apple cider, that's all I know).
Expect light updates through Sunday as this weekend marks the return of make up story time, and a new pre-teen obsession takes hold (Corbin's in town, and he's big into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - something I liked as a kid too). Also, a report on the Turkey, and how well Reeta's use of Emeril's marination technique works (chicken broth, apple cider, that's all I know).
It begins...again...
The bulk of Reeta's family just arrived. Her sister, a brother-in-law, and a cute nephew arrived earlier by plane from Texas, and the rest of them drove all day from Utah. This should be fun. We'll exchange Christmas gifts, because we're pretty sure we won't be able to see them over the holiday. And the kitchen here is decent sized, so cooking the turkey, etc., should be all right.
Yay!
Yay!
Wednesday
Sleep, Gaming, and Song!
Got my blogging article in, and my movie review. I cheated a little on the review, submitting a review I'd already written on the site for... what else? "Returner." I also got my professionalism paper done. I met my obligations to work, and to school, now it's time to relax. And how better to relax? First, a pre-class nap. Then, Pokémon!
Let's sing it all together...
I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was.
To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause.
I will travel across the land, searching far and wide...
Teach Pokémon to understand the power that's inside.
Pokémon! Gotta catch 'em all...It's you and me. I know it's my destiny
Pokémon!
Oh, you're my best friend in a world we must defend
Pokémon! Gotta catch 'em all...
A heart so true, our courage will pull us through.
You teach me, and I'll teach you,
Pokémon! Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all.
Every challenge along the way, with courage I will face.
I will battle every day to claim my rightful place.
Come with me, the time is right, there's no better team.
Arm in arm, we'll win the fight, it's always been our dream.
(Repeat Chorus)
Pokémon!
Can you tell I've been under a LOT of stress lately? Phew! I sure can. It's a good thing Reeta's sister is a massage therapist (no kidding!) A nice massage will help me relax for the massive influx of people into the small space of our apartment. Pray for me!
Let's sing it all together...
I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was.
To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause.
I will travel across the land, searching far and wide...
Teach Pokémon to understand the power that's inside.
Pokémon! Gotta catch 'em all...It's you and me. I know it's my destiny
Pokémon!
Oh, you're my best friend in a world we must defend
Pokémon! Gotta catch 'em all...
A heart so true, our courage will pull us through.
You teach me, and I'll teach you,
Pokémon! Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all.
Every challenge along the way, with courage I will face.
I will battle every day to claim my rightful place.
Come with me, the time is right, there's no better team.
Arm in arm, we'll win the fight, it's always been our dream.
(Repeat Chorus)
Pokémon!
Can you tell I've been under a LOT of stress lately? Phew! I sure can. It's a good thing Reeta's sister is a massage therapist (no kidding!) A nice massage will help me relax for the massive influx of people into the small space of our apartment. Pray for me!
Tuesday
ABC News: Rather to Step Down From 'CBS Evening News'
ABC News: Rather to Step Down From 'CBS Evening News'
Well, no mention of this being connected to forged documents, and no mention of anyone else stepping down, retiring, getting fired, etc., so at this point, I'm not too encouraged. It's possible that getting rid of Dan was more of a move to preserve market share and re-establish some credibility, more than anything else. We'll see.
Well, no mention of this being connected to forged documents, and no mention of anyone else stepping down, retiring, getting fired, etc., so at this point, I'm not too encouraged. It's possible that getting rid of Dan was more of a move to preserve market share and re-establish some credibility, more than anything else. We'll see.
Long Division, and the lonely remainder
This week's Homespun Symposium Topic is something I've discussed before, here, and here, and here, and here, but once more into the breach, dear friends!
Is the division in America important to you? What will be necessary to heal it? What part do you see Bloggers playing in that discussion and how will you personally contribute to it?
Obviously the division in America is important to me, and should be important to everyone interested in America. In some regards, disagreement is healthy. Debate, honest discussion, and a marketplace of competing ideas help keep us honest, help keep us engaged, and help keep us at least a little skeptical of our own position - all healthy things. Judge Learned Hand said that the spirit of liberty is not too sure that it is right, seeks to understand the mind of other men and women, and weighs others' interest alongside its own without bias. We see too little of that kind of discussion in today's discourse, as everyone becomes more and more entrenched in their respective positions.
What's required to cure this division? Is it too late to call for a return to civility and fairness in public discourse? I hope not. I think not. More honest discussion, leading away from unquestioned acceptance of the media machine's viewpoint (including the idea that we are so fundamentally divided), and toward a working understanding - a basis, a common framework. We have more in common than we think. Let's build on that.
And blogs enable that discussion in a way that is absolutely unprecedented in human history. We now have the ability, for the price of a cheap computer, and a cheap internet connection, to publish our thoughts to the world. We can update on the fly, link to outside reports, and let people judge for themselves. Bloggers can respond to criticism quickly. We operate in a low trust environment, so it's necessary for us to back up what we say, or people will realize that we're just some yahoos typing away in our pajamas, like the MSM wants to say we are.
It's not the President's job to unite the country. Anyone saying that is, IMHO, an idiot. He can't unite the country any more than he can make pigs fly (actually, pigs might be a lot more feasible, given the right military defense contracts). It's my job to unite the country. It's your job to unite the country. It's our job as Americans to keep our republic together. We can't allow our petty differences to become our defining characteristics. A lot of what I post here is light hearted, fun, and hopefully uncontroversial. It's not all politics, it's not all battles in the culture war, and it's important to me that this space stay that way. This space is the place where I can interact with the world (maybe that's a little grandiose for someone only getting about 40 hits a day). Sometimes, I feel the need to tell everyone how incredible Full Metal Alchemist is, and sometimes I feel a need to strike a blow for truth and righteousness. Even though a lot of people I know don't agree with my political views, some of them like my taste in animé. Some of them like my views on games and gaming. And if we can build a conversation on the things we share, we unite ourselves naturally.
Outside this space, in law school, I try to keep my political and controversial diatribes to a bare minimum. In fact, today, someone told me I have a way of smiling and nodding politely even when I totally disagree with what they're saying. Two years as a proselyting missionary will do that. I'm much more interested in building friendships and working relationships in school than I am with beating someone over the head with my admittedly biased opinions. Some people feel that the point is more important than the relationship, and it's those people who will have the hardest time coming together. Because if the point is more important than the person, if you're so on to something that you absolutely have to be right, at any cost, then good luck with that. It's a long, lonely road that lies ahead of you. Learning to work with people, even respect people that we don't agree with is part of growing up. I'm not 100% there yet, but at least I'm working on it.
Let the healing continue!
Is the division in America important to you? What will be necessary to heal it? What part do you see Bloggers playing in that discussion and how will you personally contribute to it?
Obviously the division in America is important to me, and should be important to everyone interested in America. In some regards, disagreement is healthy. Debate, honest discussion, and a marketplace of competing ideas help keep us honest, help keep us engaged, and help keep us at least a little skeptical of our own position - all healthy things. Judge Learned Hand said that the spirit of liberty is not too sure that it is right, seeks to understand the mind of other men and women, and weighs others' interest alongside its own without bias. We see too little of that kind of discussion in today's discourse, as everyone becomes more and more entrenched in their respective positions.
What's required to cure this division? Is it too late to call for a return to civility and fairness in public discourse? I hope not. I think not. More honest discussion, leading away from unquestioned acceptance of the media machine's viewpoint (including the idea that we are so fundamentally divided), and toward a working understanding - a basis, a common framework. We have more in common than we think. Let's build on that.
And blogs enable that discussion in a way that is absolutely unprecedented in human history. We now have the ability, for the price of a cheap computer, and a cheap internet connection, to publish our thoughts to the world. We can update on the fly, link to outside reports, and let people judge for themselves. Bloggers can respond to criticism quickly. We operate in a low trust environment, so it's necessary for us to back up what we say, or people will realize that we're just some yahoos typing away in our pajamas, like the MSM wants to say we are.
It's not the President's job to unite the country. Anyone saying that is, IMHO, an idiot. He can't unite the country any more than he can make pigs fly (actually, pigs might be a lot more feasible, given the right military defense contracts). It's my job to unite the country. It's your job to unite the country. It's our job as Americans to keep our republic together. We can't allow our petty differences to become our defining characteristics. A lot of what I post here is light hearted, fun, and hopefully uncontroversial. It's not all politics, it's not all battles in the culture war, and it's important to me that this space stay that way. This space is the place where I can interact with the world (maybe that's a little grandiose for someone only getting about 40 hits a day). Sometimes, I feel the need to tell everyone how incredible Full Metal Alchemist is, and sometimes I feel a need to strike a blow for truth and righteousness. Even though a lot of people I know don't agree with my political views, some of them like my taste in animé. Some of them like my views on games and gaming. And if we can build a conversation on the things we share, we unite ourselves naturally.
Outside this space, in law school, I try to keep my political and controversial diatribes to a bare minimum. In fact, today, someone told me I have a way of smiling and nodding politely even when I totally disagree with what they're saying. Two years as a proselyting missionary will do that. I'm much more interested in building friendships and working relationships in school than I am with beating someone over the head with my admittedly biased opinions. Some people feel that the point is more important than the relationship, and it's those people who will have the hardest time coming together. Because if the point is more important than the person, if you're so on to something that you absolutely have to be right, at any cost, then good luck with that. It's a long, lonely road that lies ahead of you. Learning to work with people, even respect people that we don't agree with is part of growing up. I'm not 100% there yet, but at least I'm working on it.
Let the healing continue!
Monday
Rose Colored Contacts
"I want to be kind to everyone, for that is right, you see.
So I say to myself, remember this, kindness begins with me"
Or so the song goes. I have a habit of thinking the best of everyone. I want to be as complimentary to everyone as I can. Unfortunately, sometimes I'm just plain wrong. For example, there's a personal project I'm involved with that on Friday I thought was making some good progress. Unfortunately, that's not necessarily the case, I found out today. I have no desire to embarass the people involved, so suffice it to say that my interpretation on a situation was ultimately incorrect. Sigh. I'll know better next time.
In other news, being a missionary in the Philippines for two years, I learned the art of pleasantly disagreeing with someone you think is wrong. You don't get red-faced. You don't get mad. I usually don't argue because I feel that argument is unproductive. Let me clarify: a healthy discussion is good. Exploring other people's viewpoints is good. Argument, in particular contentious argument, is bad. It leads people to emotionally invest even more in their own side, and ultimately convinces no one. No matter how good your argument is, if you're arguing, you've already lost. And you gain no one's support. You may strengthen your base a little, but that's about it.
Having said that, and thinking the best of everyone in general, there are a couple of exceptions. Ted Rall, for instance, who was chastised on air by... Alan Colmes! The liberal half of Hannity and Colmes chastised Ted Rall for alienating people from the Democratic party! Hannity (who for some reason reminds me of Napoleon - can't really say why) called him a despicable human being, which wasn't surprising, but to see Alan Colmes jumping on Ted Rall, well, that just reinforced my belief that Ted deserves this rare exception to my usual policy of thinking the best of everyone. ^.^
So I say to myself, remember this, kindness begins with me"
Or so the song goes. I have a habit of thinking the best of everyone. I want to be as complimentary to everyone as I can. Unfortunately, sometimes I'm just plain wrong. For example, there's a personal project I'm involved with that on Friday I thought was making some good progress. Unfortunately, that's not necessarily the case, I found out today. I have no desire to embarass the people involved, so suffice it to say that my interpretation on a situation was ultimately incorrect. Sigh. I'll know better next time.
In other news, being a missionary in the Philippines for two years, I learned the art of pleasantly disagreeing with someone you think is wrong. You don't get red-faced. You don't get mad. I usually don't argue because I feel that argument is unproductive. Let me clarify: a healthy discussion is good. Exploring other people's viewpoints is good. Argument, in particular contentious argument, is bad. It leads people to emotionally invest even more in their own side, and ultimately convinces no one. No matter how good your argument is, if you're arguing, you've already lost. And you gain no one's support. You may strengthen your base a little, but that's about it.
Having said that, and thinking the best of everyone in general, there are a couple of exceptions. Ted Rall, for instance, who was chastised on air by... Alan Colmes! The liberal half of Hannity and Colmes chastised Ted Rall for alienating people from the Democratic party! Hannity (who for some reason reminds me of Napoleon - can't really say why) called him a despicable human being, which wasn't surprising, but to see Alan Colmes jumping on Ted Rall, well, that just reinforced my belief that Ted deserves this rare exception to my usual policy of thinking the best of everyone. ^.^
Faith that moves mountains
Is the kind of faith that Judge Learned Hand spoke of in an address he gave on May 21, 1944. My words just don't even come close to the eloquence of Judge Hand. I don't think we'd see anything like it in public discourse today.
Read the whole thing.
Read the whole thing.
Floridian: Iraq 'n' roll
Floridian: Iraq 'n' roll
This is so awesome, though I have to admit, Taranto (who gets the h/t for this article) makes a good point - it'd be poetic justice if they played "Born in the USA" by Springsteen, switching it up with a little Dixie Chicks (I'm thinkin' "Earl Had to Die").
But AC/DC is a very appropriate soundtrack to kicking a little "insurgent" hiney. What can I say, other than...
Rock On, man. Rock On.
This is so awesome, though I have to admit, Taranto (who gets the h/t for this article) makes a good point - it'd be poetic justice if they played "Born in the USA" by Springsteen, switching it up with a little Dixie Chicks (I'm thinkin' "Earl Had to Die").
But AC/DC is a very appropriate soundtrack to kicking a little "insurgent" hiney. What can I say, other than...
Rock On, man. Rock On.
Saturday
Hot Rod
Went to the library tonight to switch the monitors from Kensington Easy-Bic © locks to padlocks and dongles. On the way home, Reeta said we needed to stop by the store to get something for dinner tomorrow night. Claire wanted me to carry her in the store, and I was just a little too tired for that, so I told her we'd go for a cart. On the way to the carts, I pointed to the electric rider cart, and jokingly suggested "Hey, maybe we could ride that?"
The Albertson's employee standing there said "go ahead".
So, Claire and I motored around Albertson's on one of their motorized carts. I've always joked about doing that, and it was a lot of fun, mostly because I kept on yelling "Yee-ha!"
Then Reeta saw that if you spent $25.00, and you had an Albertson's card, your turkey was $0.19 per lb. So, we grabbed some Lunchables, and some cereal (Honeycomb's big. Yeah, yeah, yeah!), and wound up getting a 22 lb. turkey for $4.13. Yee-ha indeed!
The Albertson's employee standing there said "go ahead".
So, Claire and I motored around Albertson's on one of their motorized carts. I've always joked about doing that, and it was a lot of fun, mostly because I kept on yelling "Yee-ha!"
Then Reeta saw that if you spent $25.00, and you had an Albertson's card, your turkey was $0.19 per lb. So, we grabbed some Lunchables, and some cereal (Honeycomb's big. Yeah, yeah, yeah!), and wound up getting a 22 lb. turkey for $4.13. Yee-ha indeed!
The Most Dangerous Place on Earth
A resident asked us if we'd drive her to CostCo tonight. She doesn't have a car, and we don't have a membership, so it worked out nicely. The sheer amount of things to see and buy was overwhelming, to put it mildly. But we wound up with two big shopping carts of stuff between our stuff and the resident's stuff. Reeta put her amazing packing skills to work. She still wound up with a giant box on her lap that stretched up to her head.
Morning was nice - walked out to get some milk, and found that the farmer's market was running. And THAT was dangerous too - in a good way. I tried a banger for the first time, with some really amazing pasta sauce on it. And fresh, made-right-in-front-of-you hot donuts dredged in cinnamon and sugar, and powdered sugar. Mmmmm. So, I picked up a half dozen for our collective breakfast, and a small pie (sour cream marionberry). Yum! (Mad Poets Anonymous hereby officially endorses hot donuts, dredged in cinnamon and sugar. Also steamed milk with vanilla syrup, and a squirt of whipped cream on top.)
Morning was nice - walked out to get some milk, and found that the farmer's market was running. And THAT was dangerous too - in a good way. I tried a banger for the first time, with some really amazing pasta sauce on it. And fresh, made-right-in-front-of-you hot donuts dredged in cinnamon and sugar, and powdered sugar. Mmmmm. So, I picked up a half dozen for our collective breakfast, and a small pie (sour cream marionberry). Yum! (Mad Poets Anonymous hereby officially endorses hot donuts, dredged in cinnamon and sugar. Also steamed milk with vanilla syrup, and a squirt of whipped cream on top.)
Friday
You cannot resist...
the power of the BURGER.
h/t Instapundit, who alleges it's a Karl Rovian plot to get rid of Michael Moore.
Cue evil laughter...
h/t Instapundit, who alleges it's a Karl Rovian plot to get rid of Michael Moore.
Cue evil laughter...
Blogging v. Writing
So, I'm writing an article about blogging. It's due on Wednesday of next week. I'm not sure how long this should be. I think I'm going to shoot for about three or four double spaced pages, and then we can trim that down. But I'm still going to ask. And this is going to be a busy weekend. I've got a lot of work to do here at the school, and I've got to get to the optometrist, and work a negotiation exercise, and interview a practicing attorney on ethics, etc., etc., etc. Phew! And STUDY.
It should be a fun weekend. I'm going to enjoy it.
It should be a fun weekend. I'm going to enjoy it.
Friday Animé sampler: Hayao Miyazaki
If you ever meet someone that doesn't like animé, or thinks that cartoons are stupid, after squelching the impulse to backhand that person, sit them down in front of a Miyazaki film.
Miyazaki-san is occasionally called the Japanese Walt Disney. Both had a talent for bringing great animation to the screen, but while Mr. Disney had a talent for increasing technical expertise, and adding occasional story, Miyazaki-san has a talent for bringing exceptional characters and images to the screen. It was a film of his that I saw as a kid which was poorly edited (so I hear - I have yet to see the original version of Nausicaä) which made me a fan of Japanese animation. Some of his films are available now on DVD here in the States, with more to be released (they've already been delayed at least once, so I'm not holding my breath) in Spring of 2005.
His work includes
My Neighbor Totoro
Totoro was a big hit with Claire - about two young girls who move to the countryside, and have adventures with a forest spirit. Cute, fun, and wonderfully animated.
Princess Mononoke
Called the "Star Wars" of anime, this picture is for a more mature audience, and tells the story of Ashitaka, a young prince who is cursed by an evil god for defending his village. He's forced to leave in an attempt to break the curse, and meets a wolf princess, San. (That's her with the painted cheeks). Voices in the Disney/Miramax English Dub include Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver, and Billy Bob Thornton. The music (by long-time Miyazaki Collaborator Joe Hisaishi) is absolutely gorgeous, perfectly complementing the incredible animation of Miyazaki-san.
Spirited Away
Winner of the Best Animated Film Oscar in 2002. Highest grossing Japanese film of all time. And an awesome story. Chihiro and her family are moving to a new town, when they make a wrong turn and wind up at an abandoned amusement park. When her parents eat food there meant for the gods, they're turned into pigs by a greedy witch. With the help of a dragon, a spider-like boiler tender, and a reluctant bath-house worked, Chihiro tries to save her family. Reeta says that at points during this, she forgot she was watching a cartoon - it's that engaging. It also has a beautiful musical score (except for the song at the end credits, which I didn't care for - other than that, another Joe Hisaishi success).
Miyazaki's next film, Howl's Moving Castle, is opening in Japan tomorrow. Here's hoping his success is continued. He's got quite a legacy to live up to.
Miyazaki-san is occasionally called the Japanese Walt Disney. Both had a talent for bringing great animation to the screen, but while Mr. Disney had a talent for increasing technical expertise, and adding occasional story, Miyazaki-san has a talent for bringing exceptional characters and images to the screen. It was a film of his that I saw as a kid which was poorly edited (so I hear - I have yet to see the original version of Nausicaä) which made me a fan of Japanese animation. Some of his films are available now on DVD here in the States, with more to be released (they've already been delayed at least once, so I'm not holding my breath) in Spring of 2005.
His work includes
My Neighbor Totoro
Totoro was a big hit with Claire - about two young girls who move to the countryside, and have adventures with a forest spirit. Cute, fun, and wonderfully animated.
Princess Mononoke
Called the "Star Wars" of anime, this picture is for a more mature audience, and tells the story of Ashitaka, a young prince who is cursed by an evil god for defending his village. He's forced to leave in an attempt to break the curse, and meets a wolf princess, San. (That's her with the painted cheeks). Voices in the Disney/Miramax English Dub include Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver, and Billy Bob Thornton. The music (by long-time Miyazaki Collaborator Joe Hisaishi) is absolutely gorgeous, perfectly complementing the incredible animation of Miyazaki-san.
Spirited Away
Winner of the Best Animated Film Oscar in 2002. Highest grossing Japanese film of all time. And an awesome story. Chihiro and her family are moving to a new town, when they make a wrong turn and wind up at an abandoned amusement park. When her parents eat food there meant for the gods, they're turned into pigs by a greedy witch. With the help of a dragon, a spider-like boiler tender, and a reluctant bath-house worked, Chihiro tries to save her family. Reeta says that at points during this, she forgot she was watching a cartoon - it's that engaging. It also has a beautiful musical score (except for the song at the end credits, which I didn't care for - other than that, another Joe Hisaishi success).
Miyazaki's next film, Howl's Moving Castle, is opening in Japan tomorrow. Here's hoping his success is continued. He's got quite a legacy to live up to.
Thursday
Letter of the Law
I'm going to be writing an article on law school and blogging for the school's publication this semester. It's due by Wednesday (the day before Thanksgiving). If you're a L&C blogger or you know someone who is, and you'd like to get a L&C blog mentioned in LOTL, drop me a note at the e-mail link there to the side (right under my picture). And if anyone has funny blogging stories they'd like to send (I have no idea what that would look like), send 'em.
Wednesday
I thought I was going to law school?
In Ethics class today, someone started talking about whether or not there was such a thing as absolute truth. I opined that the question was probably beyond the scope of this course. A reference to Rashomon was thrown out.
Is there absolute truth? And if there is, what does that say about the system?
Is there absolute truth? And if there is, what does that say about the system?
Crossing the line
So, the MPAA has started suing people. Now they're going one better - they're offering free software that people can use to rid themselves of copyrighted material on their computer. The software is supposed to identify movies, music, and p2p software, so they can be removed. Further, they claim that the information will not be shared with anyone or reported back to it.
Shenanigans! SHENANIGANS!
A couple of things come to mind. 1) p2p software is legal, and having software that points it out implies otherwise. 2) How easy would it be to modify the program so that things were reported back? 3) There are all kinds of legal reasons (Fair Use, etc) to have copyrighted movies and music on your computer. I have a friend who copies all of his DVD's (all legally obtained) to hard disk, because he uses his computer to play movies, and the DVD drive in a computer slows way, WAY down when it hits a fingerprint or a scratch, but they play silky smooth off the hard drive. 4) (And the really scary one in my mind) If spyware and viruses can be installed on your computer just from browsing the web with Microsoft's IE, then it's possible that this kind of software could be installed too? Software that did not announce itself, and did report back to the MPAA, who could then bring suit. And the evidence they got from your computer would not be blocked by the lack of a warrant, because the MPAA isn't a government actor.
Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I'm suddenly very glad that I've got my home connection firewalled. Understand - whether you have copyrighted music on your computer isn't the point. The fact that the MPAA has a program that snoops around your harddrive looking for stuff strikes me as being very dangerous, and a potentially HUGE invasion of privacy.
h/t wired.
UPDATE: At lunch today, a friend reminded me that running this program removes the defense that you didn't know it was there. Not a hugh difference in a strict liability setting, but unsetlling, nonetheless.
Shenanigans! SHENANIGANS!
A couple of things come to mind. 1) p2p software is legal, and having software that points it out implies otherwise. 2) How easy would it be to modify the program so that things were reported back? 3) There are all kinds of legal reasons (Fair Use, etc) to have copyrighted movies and music on your computer. I have a friend who copies all of his DVD's (all legally obtained) to hard disk, because he uses his computer to play movies, and the DVD drive in a computer slows way, WAY down when it hits a fingerprint or a scratch, but they play silky smooth off the hard drive. 4) (And the really scary one in my mind) If spyware and viruses can be installed on your computer just from browsing the web with Microsoft's IE, then it's possible that this kind of software could be installed too? Software that did not announce itself, and did report back to the MPAA, who could then bring suit. And the evidence they got from your computer would not be blocked by the lack of a warrant, because the MPAA isn't a government actor.
Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I'm suddenly very glad that I've got my home connection firewalled. Understand - whether you have copyrighted music on your computer isn't the point. The fact that the MPAA has a program that snoops around your harddrive looking for stuff strikes me as being very dangerous, and a potentially HUGE invasion of privacy.
h/t wired.
UPDATE: At lunch today, a friend reminded me that running this program removes the defense that you didn't know it was there. Not a hugh difference in a strict liability setting, but unsetlling, nonetheless.
Gordon Freeman's Second Coming
Or, why Johnny isn't coming in to work today.
First, let's talk about movies. The Incredibles, in its opening weekend, pulled in $70,467,623, according to imdb.com, showing on almost 4,000 screens nationwide. The budget for the film was about $92,000,000. I've no doubt they'll make a profit. Probably a pretty good one. That was a weekend.
Now let's talk about video games. Halo 2, in its first 24 hours of sale, sold 340,000 copies, and made about $125 million. That was one day. The gaming business is big time. Trailers for Halo 2 and Everquest 2 are showing in movie theaters.
Half-Life 2 went live today. So if some of the people you know and love drop off the face of the earth for a day or two, it's possible that they're off to City 17, crowbar in hand, to fight the forces of evil. Me, I'm keeping a low profile because I've got a cold.
Honest.
First, let's talk about movies. The Incredibles, in its opening weekend, pulled in $70,467,623, according to imdb.com, showing on almost 4,000 screens nationwide. The budget for the film was about $92,000,000. I've no doubt they'll make a profit. Probably a pretty good one. That was a weekend.
Now let's talk about video games. Halo 2, in its first 24 hours of sale, sold 340,000 copies, and made about $125 million. That was one day. The gaming business is big time. Trailers for Halo 2 and Everquest 2 are showing in movie theaters.
Half-Life 2 went live today. So if some of the people you know and love drop off the face of the earth for a day or two, it's possible that they're off to City 17, crowbar in hand, to fight the forces of evil. Me, I'm keeping a low profile because I've got a cold.
Honest.
Tuesday
On My Honor...
I will do my best to do my duy to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
to help other people at all times;
to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
"DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY: Your FAMILY and religious leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings, you do your duty to God." - from www.usscouts.org. Click here.
I am an Eagle Scout, a fact that I attribute to the interest and hard work of a lot of people, including Scout leaders, my parents, and church leaders, and a little effort on my part. I remember when at my Eagle Board of Review, one of the board members (who happened to live down the road from me - a cousin of my Dad's) told me that the local troop provided either a jacket or an engraved knife for each and every one of the boys that made Eagle. He then proceeded to ask me my jacket size, telling me that they just assumed I'd take the jacket.
"Are you kidding?" I asked incredulously. "I want the knife!" The look on his face was, in a word, priceless. (But what can you expect? I was a 17 year old boy, and I had a lot more use for a knife than I did for a red felt jacket any day of the week.)
It actually took a year from the time of the Board of Review to the day I got my Eagle badge, because about a week after I made Eagle I left home to go to college. I'm proud of the fact that I'm an Eagle scout. It was a near thing. I actually had my Board of Review the day before I turned 18, and the last possible day that I could make the rank.
It is my experience that the Boy Scouts of America are an uplifting, character building organization. To hear them being challenged on their practices and decisions strikes me as particularly odd, considering the good they do in the world. They teach tolerance. They teach self-reliance. And they teach morals. And maybe that's the problem. People, for whatever reason, have a hard time in this day and age with people professing to teach morals. And it's even worse if God is mentioned anywhere near morals. Religious morals are so... medieval. So... intolerant. The ACLU believes that we can't allow such intolerance to continue.
Let's call a spade a spade, shall we? The challenges to the Boy Scouts of America's tax exempt status are an attempt to undermine the Scouts' continuing financial stability, and perhaps undermine their ability to effectively continue as an organization. It places them at an economic disadvantage to other groups (WHAT other groups are there for kids that age? Nothing so well-known or well-respected). It gives them a public black eye, sullying their reputation, when you drag them through the courts. It's tantamount to blackmail. I find it especially ironic that the Boy Scouts are being attacked in the name of religious freedom, when it's their ability to be religious that's being questioned. (See paragraph 3).
I'm sure there are those who will continue to contribute time and money to the Scouts because they believe in their purpose and mission. But I'm also sure the Scouts benefit more as a tax-exempt entity than they would otherwise, and that's just the way it is. Now, I'm not sure what kind of confrontation sparked the controversy here in Portland (I've read the news stories, but not much in the way of details really emerge from that - and I'm sure there's a healthy dose of boneheaded idiocy on both sides involved). I don't believe the Scouts will back away from this fight, nor will they change their values. But with the very vocal ACLU piling on, Scouting needs all the friends it can get.
Count me in.
to help other people at all times;
to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.
"DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY: Your FAMILY and religious leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings, you do your duty to God." - from www.usscouts.org. Click here.
I am an Eagle Scout, a fact that I attribute to the interest and hard work of a lot of people, including Scout leaders, my parents, and church leaders, and a little effort on my part. I remember when at my Eagle Board of Review, one of the board members (who happened to live down the road from me - a cousin of my Dad's) told me that the local troop provided either a jacket or an engraved knife for each and every one of the boys that made Eagle. He then proceeded to ask me my jacket size, telling me that they just assumed I'd take the jacket.
"Are you kidding?" I asked incredulously. "I want the knife!" The look on his face was, in a word, priceless. (But what can you expect? I was a 17 year old boy, and I had a lot more use for a knife than I did for a red felt jacket any day of the week.)
It actually took a year from the time of the Board of Review to the day I got my Eagle badge, because about a week after I made Eagle I left home to go to college. I'm proud of the fact that I'm an Eagle scout. It was a near thing. I actually had my Board of Review the day before I turned 18, and the last possible day that I could make the rank.
It is my experience that the Boy Scouts of America are an uplifting, character building organization. To hear them being challenged on their practices and decisions strikes me as particularly odd, considering the good they do in the world. They teach tolerance. They teach self-reliance. And they teach morals. And maybe that's the problem. People, for whatever reason, have a hard time in this day and age with people professing to teach morals. And it's even worse if God is mentioned anywhere near morals. Religious morals are so... medieval. So... intolerant. The ACLU believes that we can't allow such intolerance to continue.
Let's call a spade a spade, shall we? The challenges to the Boy Scouts of America's tax exempt status are an attempt to undermine the Scouts' continuing financial stability, and perhaps undermine their ability to effectively continue as an organization. It places them at an economic disadvantage to other groups (WHAT other groups are there for kids that age? Nothing so well-known or well-respected). It gives them a public black eye, sullying their reputation, when you drag them through the courts. It's tantamount to blackmail. I find it especially ironic that the Boy Scouts are being attacked in the name of religious freedom, when it's their ability to be religious that's being questioned. (See paragraph 3).
I'm sure there are those who will continue to contribute time and money to the Scouts because they believe in their purpose and mission. But I'm also sure the Scouts benefit more as a tax-exempt entity than they would otherwise, and that's just the way it is. Now, I'm not sure what kind of confrontation sparked the controversy here in Portland (I've read the news stories, but not much in the way of details really emerge from that - and I'm sure there's a healthy dose of boneheaded idiocy on both sides involved). I don't believe the Scouts will back away from this fight, nor will they change their values. But with the very vocal ACLU piling on, Scouting needs all the friends it can get.
Count me in.
[Listening to: Zelda 3 TheDarknessAndTheLight OC ReMix - McVaffe]
Sunday
Adult Swim tonight
FMA Ep II - Body of the Sanctioned. SPOILER ALERT. Ed and Alphonse confront Cornello, the high priest using the Philosopher's Stone to create "miracles". Ed and Alphonse need the Philosopher's Stone to fix their bodies. But how can they fight a man who can bring the dead to life? Good writing. Again, I'm impressed by the voice acting for the series. I'm used to everyone's voice being kind of the same in dubbed animé no matter what series it is, and this has been a pleasant surprise to see the voices changed up. Today's moral: walk on your own two legs. Notable lack of Major Hughes, which will eventually become a permanent lack of Major Hughes. My favorite character, but don't get too attached. Also, they seem to have gone with the second opening theme, "Ready Steady Go", by L'Arc en Ciel, not the original opening, but they're going with the first ending theme. (sigh - I would've preferred the first opening and the second closing, but whatever - Ready Steady Go is a pretty good song).
GitS:SAC Ep II - SPOILER ALERT. Batou gives his Tachikoma natural oil. This will eventually freak everyone in Public Peace Section Nine out. Also, it will wind up saving Batou's life. In the meantime, the team has to stop a tank running amok with no pilot. Or at least, no living pilot...! Skating tanks with high pitched schoolgirl voices. One honkin' huge sniper rifle. Good tunes. Glue-shooting bazookas. Aramaki rules. And once again, the lesson for today is... thou shalt not screw with "The Major".
Ah, the joys of late night Cartoon Network. I'm tired, but I've got a bunch of cookies to make for Primary in the morning. Courtney's Chocolate Chip Cookies. Mmmmmmmm. Reeta reminded me what an eventful week this has been newswise. Fallujah. Arafat. Scott Peterson. Ashcroft. Local problem situations are wrapping up nicely. Christmas shopping continues apace. Claire and I went to the Incredibles again, just as good the second time. Pokédex sitting at 94 Pokémon seen, 50 captured or owned. 4 badges. Review of law school topics is commencing. In other news, I just found out that everyone coming for Thanksgiving is planning on staying here, giving rise to some minor logistical problems. And my quest for a milk steamer continues. I don't drink coffee, but hot, steamed, vanilla milk? Bring. It. On. WIth a little whipped cream. That can't be healthy for the body, but it's sure good for the soul.
Tomorrow night, Seafood chowder, and Reeta is going all out. She got shrimp, scallops, imitation shrimp and lobster, and heavy cream. Envy Me!
GitS:SAC Ep II - SPOILER ALERT. Batou gives his Tachikoma natural oil. This will eventually freak everyone in Public Peace Section Nine out. Also, it will wind up saving Batou's life. In the meantime, the team has to stop a tank running amok with no pilot. Or at least, no living pilot...! Skating tanks with high pitched schoolgirl voices. One honkin' huge sniper rifle. Good tunes. Glue-shooting bazookas. Aramaki rules. And once again, the lesson for today is... thou shalt not screw with "The Major".
Ah, the joys of late night Cartoon Network. I'm tired, but I've got a bunch of cookies to make for Primary in the morning. Courtney's Chocolate Chip Cookies. Mmmmmmmm. Reeta reminded me what an eventful week this has been newswise. Fallujah. Arafat. Scott Peterson. Ashcroft. Local problem situations are wrapping up nicely. Christmas shopping continues apace. Claire and I went to the Incredibles again, just as good the second time. Pokédex sitting at 94 Pokémon seen, 50 captured or owned. 4 badges. Review of law school topics is commencing. In other news, I just found out that everyone coming for Thanksgiving is planning on staying here, giving rise to some minor logistical problems. And my quest for a milk steamer continues. I don't drink coffee, but hot, steamed, vanilla milk? Bring. It. On. WIth a little whipped cream. That can't be healthy for the body, but it's sure good for the soul.
Tomorrow night, Seafood chowder, and Reeta is going all out. She got shrimp, scallops, imitation shrimp and lobster, and heavy cream. Envy Me!
Friday
Friday Anime Sampler: Pokémon!
Yes, Bane of My Existence, Sucker of All My Dollars, the Reason I Bought a GameBoy Advance SP...
Pokémon.
Let me tell you a story of crippling addiction, broken hearts, sleepless nights, and Balls. So many balls!
A few years ago, before I decided to go to law school, I was working two jobs - as a customer service supervisor for DirecTV, and as an extended care Kindergarten teacher at a private school downtown. I enjoyed the teaching job immensely. And it was just at the time that two big fads were coming into their own.
One of those fads was Harry Potter. I still remember seeing kids lugging around three-inch thick books, and telling me how great they were. (And I remember how long I waited for Order of the Phoenix. CURSE THE DELAYS THAT KEPT ME FROM THAT BOOK!)
The other was Pokémon. And if there was one sure-fire way to get into the hearts and minds of those kids, it was to know your Pokémon. So I bought a book. The book listed all the Pokémon, and how they would evolve into other types, and their attacks, and strengths and weaknesses. I was soon the most popular part-time teacher on the Campus. Then Reeta bought me Pokémon Yellow:Pikachu edition for the Game Boy.
Ever since, I've played every single English Pokemon game for the GameBoy with the exception of the Original Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon blue, and Pokémon Leaf Green. That means I've played Red, Yellow, Silver, Gold, Ruby, Sapphire, Pinball R/S, and Fire Red. I've played Pokémon Stadium (1), and am considering getting Pokémon Colloseum when the price comes down. I have completed Pokédexs for Yellow, (Original Series), Silver, and Sapphire, and am now working on a complete Pokédex for Fire Red/Leaf Green. Why? Why do I play Pokémon?
Because the game is a ton of fun. Ignore the anime if you must (and it's easy enough to do that - it ranks about a +/- 0.0 Cokes out of a possible +/- 2), the GAME of Pokémon is compelling, deceptively simple, and just a lot of fun. It's FUN seeing your little monsters grow and progress. It's FUN sending them out to do glorious battle. In fact, there are some I'm convinced have developed personality quirks. For example: My Favorite Ruby/Sapphire Pokémon is Banette. Here's a picture.
It's a possessed rag doll. I believe my personal Banette is just a little psychotic. I mean, look at that smile.
It's also fun battling Pokémon with Claire. The game is set up so that you cannot win (complete the collection,) unless you have a friend who has the other color of game. Or you buy an extra original GameBoy for $5.00, a cable, and then buy your own freakin' copy of the other color, because everyone else thinks you're a huge nerd. At least, that works until they switch to the GBA, then you have to get both colors of game, and borrow your wife's brother's GBA, and buy a cable so you can trade and THAT works until the little brother moves to freakin' Utah, so THEN you get a bunch of Lexis points so you can get a GameBoy player for the 'Cube and you didn't pay anything for it so your wife doesn't give you the LOOK - I mean, we all know the look, right - so THEN...
Okay. I'm a Pokémaniac. What can I say?
I just gotta catch 'em all.
Pokémon.
Let me tell you a story of crippling addiction, broken hearts, sleepless nights, and Balls. So many balls!
A few years ago, before I decided to go to law school, I was working two jobs - as a customer service supervisor for DirecTV, and as an extended care Kindergarten teacher at a private school downtown. I enjoyed the teaching job immensely. And it was just at the time that two big fads were coming into their own.
One of those fads was Harry Potter. I still remember seeing kids lugging around three-inch thick books, and telling me how great they were. (And I remember how long I waited for Order of the Phoenix. CURSE THE DELAYS THAT KEPT ME FROM THAT BOOK!)
The other was Pokémon. And if there was one sure-fire way to get into the hearts and minds of those kids, it was to know your Pokémon. So I bought a book. The book listed all the Pokémon, and how they would evolve into other types, and their attacks, and strengths and weaknesses. I was soon the most popular part-time teacher on the Campus. Then Reeta bought me Pokémon Yellow:Pikachu edition for the Game Boy.
Ever since, I've played every single English Pokemon game for the GameBoy with the exception of the Original Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon blue, and Pokémon Leaf Green. That means I've played Red, Yellow, Silver, Gold, Ruby, Sapphire, Pinball R/S, and Fire Red. I've played Pokémon Stadium (1), and am considering getting Pokémon Colloseum when the price comes down. I have completed Pokédexs for Yellow, (Original Series), Silver, and Sapphire, and am now working on a complete Pokédex for Fire Red/Leaf Green. Why? Why do I play Pokémon?
Because the game is a ton of fun. Ignore the anime if you must (and it's easy enough to do that - it ranks about a +/- 0.0 Cokes out of a possible +/- 2), the GAME of Pokémon is compelling, deceptively simple, and just a lot of fun. It's FUN seeing your little monsters grow and progress. It's FUN sending them out to do glorious battle. In fact, there are some I'm convinced have developed personality quirks. For example: My Favorite Ruby/Sapphire Pokémon is Banette. Here's a picture.
It's a possessed rag doll. I believe my personal Banette is just a little psychotic. I mean, look at that smile.
It's also fun battling Pokémon with Claire. The game is set up so that you cannot win (complete the collection,) unless you have a friend who has the other color of game. Or you buy an extra original GameBoy for $5.00, a cable, and then buy your own freakin' copy of the other color, because everyone else thinks you're a huge nerd. At least, that works until they switch to the GBA, then you have to get both colors of game, and borrow your wife's brother's GBA, and buy a cable so you can trade and THAT works until the little brother moves to freakin' Utah, so THEN you get a bunch of Lexis points so you can get a GameBoy player for the 'Cube and you didn't pay anything for it so your wife doesn't give you the LOOK - I mean, we all know the look, right - so THEN...
Okay. I'm a Pokémaniac. What can I say?
I just gotta catch 'em all.
Time for prayer?
I've got friends taking the MPRE today. Most all of my friends are very ethical, so I'm not particularly worried about them, but here's hoping they all do well.
Wednesday
Cleanup
Removed some pictures from the site - I've been posting to this site since February, and I'm starting to see the limits of my webspace. So, I'm thinking that sometime soon here I may be moving to new digs. Anyone know where I can get reasonably inexpensive hosting?
It's too bad I can't somehow blog to my gmail or hotmail space - seeing as how my Hotmail just jumped to 250 megs. (Woot!)
It's too bad I can't somehow blog to my gmail or hotmail space - seeing as how my Hotmail just jumped to 250 megs. (Woot!)
AG nomination
Fox News is reporting that President Bush has announced his pick for Ashcroft's replacement - White House counsel, Alberto Gonzalez.
Tuesday
Pick your battles, not your war.
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 58:27 - 28)
It's difficult to tell if anyone is really serious about this recent discussion of secession. I think not. Still, it sounds a lot like the whine of "I don't want to play this game any more" when someone's had a losing streak. Maybe the Bushies have been a little hard on the Kerry supporters, but I really can't blame them. For four years it's been "selected, not elected". For four years it's been "He's an idiot!" For four years it's been "Bushitler!" And when somebody finally stomps the spoiled little name-calling brat in a game, it's "I don't want to play any more". Seriously, I'm fed up.
I'm fed up with people saying that America isn't sensitive to the needs of other countries, and automatically ascribing the worst possible motives to everything we do. We pay more in foreign aid than any other country on the face of the Earth. Were we truly the greedy bastards we're made out to be in the media and abroad, such largesse would be seriously curtailed, if not cut off altogether.
I'm fed up with people saying that Bush isn't a statesman. There are times for the nuanced phrase, for a boot to have a "dapper strap." And there are times to talk straight and plunge into the fire. In the words of Dr. Seuss, "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant, and an elephant's faithful, One Hundred Percent". We're currently engaged in two military actions, one in Afghanistan, and one in Iraq, with a coalition of dozens of nations. Discounting building that coalition as being somehow not the work of a statesman is disheartening. In fact, I think it's intellectually dishonest.
To those of you who are disappointed, disheartened, or disturbed over the election, I say - quit your whining. Pouting, complaining, and cynical snarky comments will not make you feel any better. Nor will they allow the unity you seem to think Bush should be magically bringing to the land. (Oh, wave your magical pixie wand, Mr. Bush, and make us like each other!). Get up, get out, get busy. Participate in the process.
To those of you who are taking the opportunity to rub some faces in it, here's an idea. Quit it. This is America. Show the tolerance the left says you're so devoid of. Show that you are willing to accept people of any political stripe - even Deaniacs. Take this opportunity as a sign - your efforts aren't wasted, people will respond. Get up, get out, get busy. Resting on your laurels here will lead to a rash, and you getting your butts kicked next time around.
On both sides, listen. Listen for understanding. There's always the chance that someone will make a good point that will change your thinking about one issue or other. There is always the possibility that you are wrong. Understand that. Embrace it. And don't let it stop you from participating. Listen, so you can respond intelligently to earnest questions raised by those who don't agree with you, and by those who aren't sure who they agree with.
Ready...
Set...
Go!!!
For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 58:27 - 28)
It's difficult to tell if anyone is really serious about this recent discussion of secession. I think not. Still, it sounds a lot like the whine of "I don't want to play this game any more" when someone's had a losing streak. Maybe the Bushies have been a little hard on the Kerry supporters, but I really can't blame them. For four years it's been "selected, not elected". For four years it's been "He's an idiot!" For four years it's been "Bushitler!" And when somebody finally stomps the spoiled little name-calling brat in a game, it's "I don't want to play any more". Seriously, I'm fed up.
I'm fed up with people saying that America isn't sensitive to the needs of other countries, and automatically ascribing the worst possible motives to everything we do. We pay more in foreign aid than any other country on the face of the Earth. Were we truly the greedy bastards we're made out to be in the media and abroad, such largesse would be seriously curtailed, if not cut off altogether.
I'm fed up with people saying that Bush isn't a statesman. There are times for the nuanced phrase, for a boot to have a "dapper strap." And there are times to talk straight and plunge into the fire. In the words of Dr. Seuss, "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant, and an elephant's faithful, One Hundred Percent". We're currently engaged in two military actions, one in Afghanistan, and one in Iraq, with a coalition of dozens of nations. Discounting building that coalition as being somehow not the work of a statesman is disheartening. In fact, I think it's intellectually dishonest.
To those of you who are disappointed, disheartened, or disturbed over the election, I say - quit your whining. Pouting, complaining, and cynical snarky comments will not make you feel any better. Nor will they allow the unity you seem to think Bush should be magically bringing to the land. (Oh, wave your magical pixie wand, Mr. Bush, and make us like each other!). Get up, get out, get busy. Participate in the process.
To those of you who are taking the opportunity to rub some faces in it, here's an idea. Quit it. This is America. Show the tolerance the left says you're so devoid of. Show that you are willing to accept people of any political stripe - even Deaniacs. Take this opportunity as a sign - your efforts aren't wasted, people will respond. Get up, get out, get busy. Resting on your laurels here will lead to a rash, and you getting your butts kicked next time around.
On both sides, listen. Listen for understanding. There's always the chance that someone will make a good point that will change your thinking about one issue or other. There is always the possibility that you are wrong. Understand that. Embrace it. And don't let it stop you from participating. Listen, so you can respond intelligently to earnest questions raised by those who don't agree with you, and by those who aren't sure who they agree with.
Ready...
Set...
Go!!!
Squelching Dissent
The Volokh Conspiracy has a very interesting post up today by Eugene Volokh, talking about the right for student groups to criticize each other. Long story short, if it happens at the University of Tulsa law school, the group engaging in criticism faces the possible loss of funding, and possible loss of their "recognition as a legitimate law school organization".
As a law student myself, it seems that criticism, conflict, and debate would go to the heart of what the law school is supposed to teach. Discouraging frank discussion and criticism goes against the heart of what a University, and in particular a law school, is supposed to provide - a good education, and the necessary preparation to practice the profession of law.
As a law student myself, it seems that criticism, conflict, and debate would go to the heart of what the law school is supposed to teach. Discouraging frank discussion and criticism goes against the heart of what a University, and in particular a law school, is supposed to provide - a good education, and the necessary preparation to practice the profession of law.
Monday
I'm not a pusher, I swear.
You know, I told her she could post here all she wanted. But n-o-o-o-o-o-o.
Reeta had to get her own blog.
I'm proud of her (on a lot of levels), and hope she really enjoys blogging.
Reeta had to get her own blog.
I'm proud of her (on a lot of levels), and hope she really enjoys blogging.
Upgrades
Life is good.
I got contact lenses over the weekend. The optometrist was very nice, and said that after I get out of law school, I should consider getting laser eye surgery. That's an exciting prospect. But seeing my face without glasses again is odd. It's been a few years since I've worn contacts. So, disposable lenses will be fun. I'm still working up to wearing them for a full day at a time.
And thanks to a good friend here at the law school, who just happened to have an extra PC CPU lying around, my desktop computer at home has undergone an almost miraculous transformation. Going from a 700 Mhz Duron chip to a 2000 Barton is a bit of a jump. I upgraded the heatsink/fan combo, which was relatively cheap. Now I have to see if it'll run that Doom 3 demo I have on CD. And I can't wait to run a session of Neverwinter Nights on it.
But not until the weekend. This is the point in the semester when I have to really buckle down and get serious about finals - they're coming up fast!
I got contact lenses over the weekend. The optometrist was very nice, and said that after I get out of law school, I should consider getting laser eye surgery. That's an exciting prospect. But seeing my face without glasses again is odd. It's been a few years since I've worn contacts. So, disposable lenses will be fun. I'm still working up to wearing them for a full day at a time.
And thanks to a good friend here at the law school, who just happened to have an extra PC CPU lying around, my desktop computer at home has undergone an almost miraculous transformation. Going from a 700 Mhz Duron chip to a 2000 Barton is a bit of a jump. I upgraded the heatsink/fan combo, which was relatively cheap. Now I have to see if it'll run that Doom 3 demo I have on CD. And I can't wait to run a session of Neverwinter Nights on it.
But not until the weekend. This is the point in the semester when I have to really buckle down and get serious about finals - they're coming up fast!
[Listening to: Into The Fire - Douglas Sills, & Percey's Men ]
Saturday
Absolutely Incredible
Reeta, Claire and I had a busy day today. An eye exam, lunch, a trip to the movies, a baptism at the church, a trip to Fryes, an upgrade to the processor in my home computer... It's been busy!
Yup, we saw the Incredibles, and without hesitation, I'm saying that this is the best movie I've seen all year. Reeta and I agree, this movie requires a heretofore unprecedented score: a +2 Cokes, +1 more. Absolutely brilliant. It's gorgeous, stylish, fun. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't review the plot, but let me tell you, it gives fanboys a bad name. (I'm still geeking out over it!)
Easily Brad Bird's best work ever. In fact, IMHO, this is Pixar's best work yet. A much better film than "A Bug's Life" or "Finding Nemo", the only Pixar film I think is on a par with this is the second Toy Story. Reeta and I were close to heading back to the theater tonight and watching it again, something that hasn't happened to me in years. Beg, borrow, do what you have to in order to see this (except downloading it, because that would be WRONG). Despite my usual disclaimers, (IRLR), this one is one I feel confident that everyone who's ever played superhero as a kid will totally love. And that should be everybody.
I think it's a shame that this is going for the Oscar in Best Animated. It'll easily win. I think they should be shooting for the Best Film honors, personally.
Yup, we saw the Incredibles, and without hesitation, I'm saying that this is the best movie I've seen all year. Reeta and I agree, this movie requires a heretofore unprecedented score: a +2 Cokes, +1 more. Absolutely brilliant. It's gorgeous, stylish, fun. I don't want to give anything away, so I won't review the plot, but let me tell you, it gives fanboys a bad name. (I'm still geeking out over it!)
Easily Brad Bird's best work ever. In fact, IMHO, this is Pixar's best work yet. A much better film than "A Bug's Life" or "Finding Nemo", the only Pixar film I think is on a par with this is the second Toy Story. Reeta and I were close to heading back to the theater tonight and watching it again, something that hasn't happened to me in years. Beg, borrow, do what you have to in order to see this (except downloading it, because that would be WRONG). Despite my usual disclaimers, (IRLR), this one is one I feel confident that everyone who's ever played superhero as a kid will totally love. And that should be everybody.
I think it's a shame that this is going for the Oscar in Best Animated. It'll easily win. I think they should be shooting for the Best Film honors, personally.
My apology
Well, I suppose it's inevitable that we'd have a site that allows people to apologize for re-electing Bush. h/t Bojack.
And really, doesn't that seem kind of backwards? It's more like a site for people who voted for Kerry to apologize when you think about it. People who voted for Bush are still too close to the event to have buyers' remorse. It's more like a place where Kerry supporters to apologize for having failed to oust the incumbent. And it's only a matter of time until the Photoshoppers come out.
I guess I'm just a simple Idaho farm boy at heart. If I were to forced to make some sort of apology, it would be something like this.
Dear world,
I'm sorry that so many of you don't agree with my choice for President. I'm going to try not to take it personally, though, even though there's a lot of hurt feelings and name calling going around. I'd suggest you try not to take it so personally either.
Love,
Zach
All kidding aside. It's time to start working to unite the country. As John Edwards said, The Battle Rages On. Perhaps the battle I see is a different one than the one he does, but it's a battle all the same. It will require faith, hope, love, and courage to bind up the wounds, to soothe the hurts, and to unite this country. It's a beautiful day to fight for the hearts and minds of my countrymen. I shall be anxiously engaged in the good cause of uniting the country. Or at least trying to.
Let the healing begin!
And really, doesn't that seem kind of backwards? It's more like a site for people who voted for Kerry to apologize when you think about it. People who voted for Bush are still too close to the event to have buyers' remorse. It's more like a place where Kerry supporters to apologize for having failed to oust the incumbent. And it's only a matter of time until the Photoshoppers come out.
I guess I'm just a simple Idaho farm boy at heart. If I were to forced to make some sort of apology, it would be something like this.
Dear world,
I'm sorry that so many of you don't agree with my choice for President. I'm going to try not to take it personally, though, even though there's a lot of hurt feelings and name calling going around. I'd suggest you try not to take it so personally either.
Love,
Zach
All kidding aside. It's time to start working to unite the country. As John Edwards said, The Battle Rages On. Perhaps the battle I see is a different one than the one he does, but it's a battle all the same. It will require faith, hope, love, and courage to bind up the wounds, to soothe the hurts, and to unite this country. It's a beautiful day to fight for the hearts and minds of my countrymen. I shall be anxiously engaged in the good cause of uniting the country. Or at least trying to.
Let the healing begin!
Anime/Kung Fu movie report
Not a lot of people showed up, which may or may not have been a good thing. MPRE is today for some of my friends, and so they were studying. (I'm taking it in the Spring). We saw the first episode of Naruto, Netflix provided Episode 4 of Trigun (Hard Puncher) and the Jet Li movie "Fist of Legend". By the end of it, people were feeling comfortable enough to make comments. Then we saw an ep of Full Metal Alchemist (broadcast premiere at midnight tonight on Cartoon Network), and an episode of GitS:SAC 2nd Gig. A good discussion of the copyright implications of fansubbing was had, with one really smart guy calling it a de facto non-compete agreement btwn the fansubbers and US Distributors of anime.
JB brought sushi and Reese's sticks. Mmmmmm. Claire crawled under the chairs in the room while we were watching. Reeta and Claire and I really enjoyed it. A fun time was had by all, (I hope). We'll probably do this again a couple of times next semester. And maybe we'll do a little more in the way of promotion.
JB brought sushi and Reese's sticks. Mmmmmm. Claire crawled under the chairs in the room while we were watching. Reeta and Claire and I really enjoyed it. A fun time was had by all, (I hope). We'll probably do this again a couple of times next semester. And maybe we'll do a little more in the way of promotion.
[Listening to: Vivez! - Christine Andreas & Company]
Friday
Guy Fawkes Day!
Remember, Remember, the 5th of November.
Gunpowder, Treason, and Plot!
I can see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Don't have a Guy Fawkes doll to (hang? burn?) in effigy. Instead, it's the Kung-Fu/Anime Film Festival tonight. That'll be fun. I'll post a report on that tomorrow (as it should run pretty late tonight). Wish me luck!
Gunpowder, Treason, and Plot!
I can see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Don't have a Guy Fawkes doll to (hang? burn?) in effigy. Instead, it's the Kung-Fu/Anime Film Festival tonight. That'll be fun. I'll post a report on that tomorrow (as it should run pretty late tonight). Wish me luck!
Friday Anime Primer: FullMetal Alchemist
One of the most popular search terms that pulls you to this site is "Full Metal Alchemist". I've talked about this one before. But, you should all be aware that this great series is finally here - it's premiering on Cartoon Network tomorrow, Saturday November 6th, at 12:00 midnight.
Great characters, beautiful animation, and a compelling story about two brothers trying to correct a mistake. Using forbidden magic, they attempt to bring their mother back to life. In the process, one brother's body is destroyed, and the other loses a leg. Then, the surviving brother sacrifices an arm to bind his brother's soul to a gigantic suit of armor. They then go on a quest for the "Philosopher's Stone" - which will allow them to regain their bodies.
Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes frustrating, and usually a lot of fun, FMA is an enjoyable series that I think fans and non-fans of anime will enjoy.
Great characters, beautiful animation, and a compelling story about two brothers trying to correct a mistake. Using forbidden magic, they attempt to bring their mother back to life. In the process, one brother's body is destroyed, and the other loses a leg. Then, the surviving brother sacrifices an arm to bind his brother's soul to a gigantic suit of armor. They then go on a quest for the "Philosopher's Stone" - which will allow them to regain their bodies.
Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes frustrating, and usually a lot of fun, FMA is an enjoyable series that I think fans and non-fans of anime will enjoy.
Still more good readin'
I've found another good read (they're popping up all over). Maxed Out Mama talks about democracy, hope, and patriotism in a moving, personal post.
h/t Let's Try Freedom.
h/t Let's Try Freedom.
Fun on a Bun
I've changed the comments structure (yet again) using a great hack from bloggerhacks. Now the comment form is at the bottom of the post. Click on the "Comments" link under the post to get to the comment form. And now you don't have to navigate away from the post to comment, nor do you have to sign in to Blogger to do it.
h/t Jordan for a nice tip.
h/t Jordan for a nice tip.
Thursday
More Good Advice
Seven ways to fight those post-election blues
A good article for some of those out there who may be feeling a little down.
h/t The Corner.
A good article for some of those out there who may be feeling a little down.
h/t The Corner.
Wednesday
Good advice
I'm taking the Jeff Jarvis pledge. (not the Michele Catalano Counter-Pledge - I don't drink, and no one wants to see me naked, trust me. Also, I blush when I curse.)
[Listening to: Everybody Wants Some - Van Halen]
Movie Review: Shark Tale
I didn't really want to go. Will Smith as a smooth talking fish? Hasn't he done that before? Despite my trepidations, I allowed myself to be dragged (with a remarkable lack of kicking and screaming on my part) to the movie theater. Besides, Reeta had free tickets that were burning a hole in her pocket.
And I was pleasantly surprised. Will Smith's character we've seen literally hundreds of times before. The smooth-talking, wise-cracking young man from the hood who lies in order to move up in the world. And I thought that character was the weakest part of the movie. But so many other things worked so well, that I can't help but give it a favorable review. For example, Martin Scorsese's character is an absolute riot. His henchmen (Ziggy Marley and Doug E. Doug) are funny. Jack Black's vegetarian shark was great. The whole situation - with the sharks being the local mob - was very well played, and the voice actors they chose played into that riff so well, I was really amazed. Robert De Niro as the shark Godfather? C'mon, fuhgeddaboutit.
Bottom line: Well done. Weak main character with a plot we've seen many times before. Good animation. Enough additional elements to make it entertaining for at least one viewing. +1 Cokes (out of a possible +/- 2 Cokes - see the "I loved Returner" post for applicable disclaimers as to actual movie quality).
BTW: Friday, the Incredibles comes out. And I've got to be at school all day - school. Work. Kung-fu/anime film festival. I'll have to catch a Saturday matinee for that one.
And I was pleasantly surprised. Will Smith's character we've seen literally hundreds of times before. The smooth-talking, wise-cracking young man from the hood who lies in order to move up in the world. And I thought that character was the weakest part of the movie. But so many other things worked so well, that I can't help but give it a favorable review. For example, Martin Scorsese's character is an absolute riot. His henchmen (Ziggy Marley and Doug E. Doug) are funny. Jack Black's vegetarian shark was great. The whole situation - with the sharks being the local mob - was very well played, and the voice actors they chose played into that riff so well, I was really amazed. Robert De Niro as the shark Godfather? C'mon, fuhgeddaboutit.
Bottom line: Well done. Weak main character with a plot we've seen many times before. Good animation. Enough additional elements to make it entertaining for at least one viewing. +1 Cokes (out of a possible +/- 2 Cokes - see the "I loved Returner" post for applicable disclaimers as to actual movie quality).
BTW: Friday, the Incredibles comes out. And I've got to be at school all day - school. Work. Kung-fu/anime film festival. I'll have to catch a Saturday matinee for that one.
U-N-I-T-Y
It's occasionally a fun thing to be a conservative (or at least moderate) guy at one of the most liberal law schools in the country.
Brother, that day sure ain't today. I'm walking on eggshells, when I feel like I should be walkin on sunshine. It's hard, because I'm happy. But there are a lot of people around who are upset - to put it mildly. I've seen evidence of crying, denial, shock. Scary. One girl took a look at the tv, read the banner that said Kerry was going to make a concession speech and the look on her face as she turned away and walked off spoke volumes. Disgust, anger, surprise. Someone said something about how "anyone who voted for Bush should be ashamed". Maybe the country is not bitterly divided. Maybe it's just parts of the country that are.
And I realized something. It's not the President's job to unite the country. It's mine. It's yours. Maybe it's too soon to reach out. Maybe it's too late. I hope not. It shouldn't be. But I'm legitimately scared to reach out to anyone, for fear that my outstretched arm would simply be scratched to hell. If that's the inevitable response from my peers here at the law school when it becomes obvious whom I voted for, then there's no reason for me not to reach out.
After all, today, I'm the Cheshire Cat. Big happy grin. Liable to pop up at odd moments and spout what seems like nonsense. Now you see me... *poof*
Brother, that day sure ain't today. I'm walking on eggshells, when I feel like I should be walkin on sunshine. It's hard, because I'm happy. But there are a lot of people around who are upset - to put it mildly. I've seen evidence of crying, denial, shock. Scary. One girl took a look at the tv, read the banner that said Kerry was going to make a concession speech and the look on her face as she turned away and walked off spoke volumes. Disgust, anger, surprise. Someone said something about how "anyone who voted for Bush should be ashamed". Maybe the country is not bitterly divided. Maybe it's just parts of the country that are.
And I realized something. It's not the President's job to unite the country. It's mine. It's yours. Maybe it's too soon to reach out. Maybe it's too late. I hope not. It shouldn't be. But I'm legitimately scared to reach out to anyone, for fear that my outstretched arm would simply be scratched to hell. If that's the inevitable response from my peers here at the law school when it becomes obvious whom I voted for, then there's no reason for me not to reach out.
After all, today, I'm the Cheshire Cat. Big happy grin. Liable to pop up at odd moments and spout what seems like nonsense. Now you see me... *poof*
[Listening to: U.N.I.T.Y./Greatest Hits Clean Version - Queen Latifah ]
Finality? Maybe?
MSN just flashed an alert up on my screen. Apparently Kerry has called Bush to concede. Can't get to the article (darn internet traffic), but the headline as of 11:17 AM Eastern time is at www.ap.org.
And the MSNBC story is here.
And the MSNBC story is here.
[Listening to: Louis Armstrong / We Have All the Time in the World]
Oddities
Just got a phone call, but I couldn't quite make it to the phone in time to answer. Checked the caller id. Guess who it was?
Massachusetts.
What the heck do they want? Do they need an apartment? They didn't even leave a message.
Massachusetts.
What the heck do they want? Do they need an apartment? They didn't even leave a message.
[Listening to: Superstition - Stevie Wonder ]
Next Steps
26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law-to do your business by the voice of the people.
- Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:26
With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.
- Abraham Lincoln
The people have spoken. And for the first time in more than a decade, we have a candidate who has won the popular vote. When the vote tallies are certified, and Ohio gets assigned to a column, my prediction is that George W. Bush will not need a change of address form. For the next four years, anyway.
So, what's next? Hopefully, compassion, understanding, and acceptance. It'll be easy for me to refrain from the classic Nelson Muntz laugh - finger pointing, a sneer of disdain, and the inevitable "ha, ha". (I always preferred the more traditional forms of evil laughter, anyway) I'm vastly outnumbered on campus, and there's always the possibility that someone could vent a big freakin' spleen on ya. Besides which, that kind of behavior only serves to divide, not unite. We need to stop tearing our country asunder.
It's now really a war for the hearts and minds of our own people.
Thank goodness it's not quite the uphill battle I feared.
In the meantime, I've got a fever. And the only perscription... is more cowbell!
- Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:26
With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.
- Abraham Lincoln
The people have spoken. And for the first time in more than a decade, we have a candidate who has won the popular vote. When the vote tallies are certified, and Ohio gets assigned to a column, my prediction is that George W. Bush will not need a change of address form. For the next four years, anyway.
So, what's next? Hopefully, compassion, understanding, and acceptance. It'll be easy for me to refrain from the classic Nelson Muntz laugh - finger pointing, a sneer of disdain, and the inevitable "ha, ha". (I always preferred the more traditional forms of evil laughter, anyway) I'm vastly outnumbered on campus, and there's always the possibility that someone could vent a big freakin' spleen on ya. Besides which, that kind of behavior only serves to divide, not unite. We need to stop tearing our country asunder.
It's now really a war for the hearts and minds of our own people.
Thank goodness it's not quite the uphill battle I feared.
In the meantime, I've got a fever. And the only perscription... is more cowbell!
[Listening to: Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult ]
Tuesday
A quick, odd thought
Brit Hume cracks me up. Weird, eh?
[Listening to: Sucker Train Blues - Velvet Revolver]
Man, I wish I had a camera...
Because I just saw one of my law professors doing a little dance in an effort to convince a dog to follow her to the dog's owner's office.
[Listening to: Set Me Free - Velvet Revolver - (0:-1)]
Monday
You should hear me sing "Rainbow Connection"...
You are Kermit the Frog.
You are reliable, responsible and caring. And you
have a habit of waving your arms about
maniacally.
FAVORITE EXPRESSIONS:
"Hi ho!" "Yaaay!" and
"Sheesh!"
FAVORITE MOVIE:
"How Green Was My Mother"
LAST BOOK READ:
"Surfin' the Webfoot: A Frog's Guide to the
Internet"
HOBBIES:
Sitting in the swamp playing banjo.
QUOTE:
"Hmm, my banjo is wet."
What Muppet are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
h/t Mellow-Drama.
Seriously, as a kid I was in a singing group called, what else? "The Rainbow Connection". I wonder if I can find pictures?
Anticipation
Pippin : It's so quiet.
Gandalf : It's the deep breath before the plunge.
Pippin : I don't want to be in a battle. But waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse.
24 hours from now, polls in every state in the Union (with the possible exception of Hawaii) will be closed. Which ever candidate you're voting for, be considerate. Be polite. God speed. And we'll see you on the other side.
Gandalf : It's the deep breath before the plunge.
Pippin : I don't want to be in a battle. But waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse.
24 hours from now, polls in every state in the Union (with the possible exception of Hawaii) will be closed. Which ever candidate you're voting for, be considerate. Be polite. God speed. And we'll see you on the other side.
Rehnquist undergoing chemo
Rehnquist Absent as High Court Returns to Work (washingtonpost.com)
Here's wishing Chief Justice Rehnquist a speedy recovery.
Here's wishing Chief Justice Rehnquist a speedy recovery.
Please pass the punishment
'Cause I obviously can't get enough of it.
With so much being said already on the elections, and polls, and what impact and/or portent the OBL tape may or may not have, I'm not sure I've got anything that I can add to the discussion. So, go read Powerline, where guys who are probably smarter than me can inform you better than I can.
I was cruising the web today when I hit a blog from an 18-yr old kid in Australia. He's studying writing, and I wish him luck. His profle states that he's left wing, and that he promotes treating everyone with respect and compassion. All of which is commendable. And then in a post about 1/4 down his page, he states that pro-Bush bloggers are racists, liars, and puppets to the Fox News Channel. Which gets me thinking, that maybe he's for treating people with respect and compassion as long as they aren't conservative, or Bush supporters. Or Israelis.
The press complains that bloggers are attacking them for their outright bias - claiming that it's more than just a few people here and there - that it seems co-ordinated. They are talking about hateful phone calls where they can't get a word in edgewise. To which I suppose my first response is to think about Larry O'Donnel shouting down John O'Neil on Scarborough Country, or Chris Matthews' memorable interview with Michelle Malkin.
But buying into hatred, fear, and anger will destroy us. We can already see the lawsuits being lined up to challenge elections. Have we entered a phase in our country where we're so partisan, so violently opposed to the other guy, that we'll launch lawsuit after lawsuit to get the other guy to win? I hope not. But at this point, what's the answer? Can we back down the escalation? What will it take to prevent this from happening in the future? Would a landslide victory for one side or the other legitimize the process? While we fight over eggs, let's not kill the goose. Respect for each other, respect for the process. And no matter who wins, support for the President.
With so much being said already on the elections, and polls, and what impact and/or portent the OBL tape may or may not have, I'm not sure I've got anything that I can add to the discussion. So, go read Powerline, where guys who are probably smarter than me can inform you better than I can.
I was cruising the web today when I hit a blog from an 18-yr old kid in Australia. He's studying writing, and I wish him luck. His profle states that he's left wing, and that he promotes treating everyone with respect and compassion. All of which is commendable. And then in a post about 1/4 down his page, he states that pro-Bush bloggers are racists, liars, and puppets to the Fox News Channel. Which gets me thinking, that maybe he's for treating people with respect and compassion as long as they aren't conservative, or Bush supporters. Or Israelis.
The press complains that bloggers are attacking them for their outright bias - claiming that it's more than just a few people here and there - that it seems co-ordinated. They are talking about hateful phone calls where they can't get a word in edgewise. To which I suppose my first response is to think about Larry O'Donnel shouting down John O'Neil on Scarborough Country, or Chris Matthews' memorable interview with Michelle Malkin.
But buying into hatred, fear, and anger will destroy us. We can already see the lawsuits being lined up to challenge elections. Have we entered a phase in our country where we're so partisan, so violently opposed to the other guy, that we'll launch lawsuit after lawsuit to get the other guy to win? I hope not. But at this point, what's the answer? Can we back down the escalation? What will it take to prevent this from happening in the future? Would a landslide victory for one side or the other legitimize the process? While we fight over eggs, let's not kill the goose. Respect for each other, respect for the process. And no matter who wins, support for the President.
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