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Ahem. So, yeah. I'm still alive.
Thursday, June 17, 2004

Yeah, so I'm a big loser who quit updating her page. What can I say, the beginning of the summer has been busy, with my working and reading and what not. Today we're heading out to vacation for two weeks, so I still won't have updates during that time. When I get back, though, at the beginning of July, I'm picking this thing up again. It will be as magnificent and beautiful as it once was, I swear. Plus, I want to add a book review page. :-). I'll do the feminist posts, and then I'll update all you'se guys on the happenings of my mundane life. Until then, I'm sorry for dropping out of sight/site for so long, and I'll catch up with you once I get back. :-)

Links!
Wednesday, May 5, 2004

Okay okay, so I promised you feminism. I'll get to that next week, when I have the time and energy. Right now, I really need to share a few links with you guys. So, check out those listed below.

"Home is not where you live, but where they understand you." -- Christian Morgenstern

How NOT to Write Metaphors - Go. Read. Laugh. Now. I command you. Mwuahahaha! (via Ecl)
Colon Exhibit in Nashville - "A 40-foot-long crawl-through exhibit at Skyline Medical Center ... features depictions of the various stages of colon cancer, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and hemorrhoids." Gah!! It's the McDonald's playtubes, except in the form of a colon. Is it just me or is the world getting exponentially weirder? (via CaR)
"We Didn't Start the Fire" Annotated - You know that Billy Joel song with the list of semi-recent events and people? If you can even catch everything he lists, do you know what all he's referring to? Now you can! (via IS)
Plush Plagues Bag - "Now with all 10 plagues!" Hawked as a toy to keep your Jewish youngins occupied during Passover. Oye! (via IS)
Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists - That's right, now there's a place for "scientists who have, or believe they have, luxuriant flowing hair" to conviene and share their esoteric hair-care wisdom. (via Johnny)
Liberty University ... A Grand Misnomer - Check out the list of reprimands from this university. They get worse as you read along. Seriously, freedom is just about the most systematically repressed value in this institution. (via Gabe)
Conflict Map - You can interact with the map to learn about conflicts all over the globe since 1900. It's amazing to move the timeline and see which areas are most badly hit, and which never see violence at all. You can also read articles about 20th century wars and the various Nobel Peace Prize nominations and awards. A seriously great site. (via IS)
Bakiwop in '04 - '... because there isn't an election in '05.' Now here is a candidate I can support without any qualms. (By support I mean, of course, laugh at wildly.) Gotta love parody. The 'about' and 'on the issues' sections are the best. (via ... someone?)
The Rainbow Show teaches kids about plucking and playing together - Pluck me, baby! ;-) This was a segment from a kids show (resembling Sesame Street) in Britain. But those crazy Brits, they decided to saucy-up this show with a bit of blatant innuendo. Seriously, go watch the clip, it's hilarious. (via Gabe & Jill)

A Personal Introduction to the 'F' Word
Monday, April 26, 2004

Yep, it sure has been awhile since I posted here. I haven't deserted you guys completely. I promise to return when I can. And when I do, I have an idea of what I'll type about. This entire semester feminism has been a huge topic of discussion around me. I find this fascinating, since my coming to feminist views has been a very gradual, and I didn't realize how many other girls were going through a similar process. I've always thought more of myself as an individualist than anything else, but what that means also requires complex definition. Also, there are those out there who have vague and/or negative perceptions of what it means to be feminist. My ties to feminism are rather odd, and very particular. And I don't agree with every view that claims to be feminist in origin. Of course, considering that numerous feminist views are in direct contradiction with one another, this is hardly surprising.

So, what I'd like to do is a series of posts, three of them (at least), explaining 1. the complex history of feminism, as I have researched it, 2. current perceptions of feminism, and 3. my "feminist" views and where I want to take this issue in my life. Though the structure of these posts may be changed or extended if I see fit.

Don't know if these posts will come rapidly or slowly. It depends on how long it takes me to find the information I need, and how much time I have away from classes. But, for now, here's an encyclopedia article on feminism which I find to be a wonderful starting point.

"There's never been a true war that wasn't fought between two sets of people who were certain they were in the right. The really dangerous people believe that they are doing whatever they are doing solely and only because it is without question the right thing to do. And that is what makes them dangerous." -- Neil Gaiman's American Gods

Church of Elvis and Elvis-Jesus Similarities - Just plain funny stuff. (via Jill)
Glossarist.com - "A searchable directory of glassaries and topical dictionaries." (via CoC)
Fears raised over 'eye jewellery' - Gaaaaah! Yeah, maybe the Dutch should lay off the crack for awhile. (via Ecl)
TvTome - "Over 1,700 complete guides covering almost all the current shows and many of your favorite classics." (via Chris)
The Lyttle Lytton Contest - Annual contest to write the worst first-line in a theoretical novel or a theoritical political speech. Quite hilarious. (via CoC)
Pro-Choice March Largest in History - On April 25th, more than one million pro-choice activists marched on Washington. Read about it here. (via Fem)
Troy - I cannot stress enough how much I can't wait to see this movie. Brad Pitt as Achilles and Orlando Bloom as Paris = genius. Though I've never heard of this Diane Kruger chick. Let's hope casting her in this role was as inspired as the two already mentioned. (via Ecl)

And so, the week of (literal) drama has ended.
Monday, March 29, 2004

Sorry about being so slow in updating. It's been quite a busy semester. Last week I was in a student-written play entitled "Love By Whose Definition?" The show went fairly well. A few bloopers, some more obvious than others, but in general a good show. Our audience averaged around 20 or so people. I must say that the cast got along much better this semester. There was the usual internal drama, of course, but none of the seething bitterness that has been the result of past semesters. And we're all able to goof off with each other without self-consciousness.

Otherwise, I've just been going to class. I like my classes this semester, in general. At least, I don't hate any of them. Spanish Conversation I'm having a tougher time in. They should have failed me last semester, and had me retake the last Spanish course, so that I wouldn't be so behind now. But oh well. Still need to look into grad schools. Will spend time doing that this upcoming weekend, as I have a couple projects to work on this week.

On Saturday night, between the last performance of our show and the cast party, I went to a formal dance. I always have too much fun at those things. Dancing is just fun, regardless of musical style. The pictures are already up on the school site. My two favorite pics are doing the YMCA and dancing with Liz. I'm the one in the sparkly black dress. (The same dress I wore for Valentine's Day. I still eventually plan on posting pics from that day here, once I get off my butt and trek over to the building with a scanner.)

I have recently discovered the radio function on ITunes. This makes me happy. Though I love my musical collection, it's nice to have someone else choosing your tunes for you occasionally. Plus you get to hear more new music this way. Yay!

In other news, at least one friend has expressed interest in my quotations page. I've told him that I will add a "recently added" feature, so that he doesn't have to slog through everything to steal the newbies. If anyone else wants to encourage me, I'll make it a point to update that page more regularly. Oh, and feel free to send me your favorite quotes as well. I can't promise that I'll post them. But if I like them/agree with them/find them provocative, I will.

Someone in the lounge is playing the soundtrack from "The Pianist." Dear lord, an articulately played Baby Grand piano is just about the most calming, sexiest sounds on the planet. Totally makes me want to pick up piano lessons again. Or at least, marry myself a nice piano prodigy. A life of such sweet sounds would be exquisite.

"Any work that aspires, however humbly, to the condition of art should carry its justification in every line." -- Joseph Conrad

Jackson wanted to make kiddie flick - Said director Kevin Smith: "he wanted it to be this story about a guy, played by himself, who hangs out with a little boy, and this little boy gets into the car and drives him around." Kevin, dear dear Kevin, you deserve better. A movie like this could sit latent in the collective memory of the American public for ages, causing subtle societal psychosis never fully recognized until far too late. Trust me, you do not want to be even tangetically responsible for that. (via CaR)
Disarming - This guy is just too damn funny. Seriously, if I could concoct an alixer to steal half his wit, I'd do it in a second. Case in point, this post.
Controversial Artist Paints Iceberg Red - Freedom of expression considered, this guy seems a bit off his rocker and self-indulgent. But hey, who am I to judge art? There's also another article on this page about the Pittsburgh Symphony paying tribute to Mr. Fred Rogers. Awwwww. (via CoC)
Online-Dating Tips, from the Onion - Bwahahaha. The Onion is so great. (via CoC)
Super Hero Machine - Design your own super hero!
Low-Yield Earth-Penetrating Nuclear Weapons & Russia Boasts Weapon to Battle Star Wars - My friend Scott sent me these links. Haven't gotten to look through these sites yet, but the articles look intetersting, in that scary, apocalyptic way.

A Break from Classes.
Friday, March 19, 2004

Well, it is spring break this week. Am I bathing myself in sunlight? Washing myself in the salts of the ocean? Nope. I'm at home. Chillin' with da fam. Spring break is a break from work, from thinking, and from drama. And for that, I am greatful. I get to read, surf the net, catch up on personal projects I've gotten behind in (as well as a class project or two). Doesn't sound particularly exciting I'm sure, and it isn't. But I am happy.

Today we're visiting my middle sister (I'm the oldest) at her college. I'll get to wish her a belated Happy 21st! (Her birthday is on St. Patrick's Day. Talk about a fortunate day to reach legal drinking age.)

Mmmmm, so much to write, so much to say, no time today. No time to gather my thoughts. Well, hope everyone else's week is going well.

Oh, and just as a reminder, I can see pop-ups now. So anyone who likes to may respond to any of these posts at the link above.

"Person for person, the strength of nonviolence is in exact proportion to the ability, not the will, of the nonviolent person to inflict violence." -- Mahatma Gandhi

In Defense of Biblical Marriage - Nevermind the prohibitions against a man uniting with a man, or a woman with a woman. There are many more provisions in the Bible which ensure a healthy marriage. Check them out. ;-) (via Jill ... I think)
Fishy!! - Flash game that all my pals seem to be obsessed with lately. Only winners get to destroy the ecosystem! (via Jill)
How to Interest Girls in Science - The answer? Hire cute, male teachers. Reluctantly, I must admit, I could see this helping. The best attendances, and greatest classroom interest, always happened in the classes with the cutest teachers. (via Sya)

Musical Recommendations for my gal pals out there.
Saturday, March 13, 2004

Two years ago I went on a chick rock kick. I wanted to collect music which was sung by women concerning something to do with the experience of being female. The typically recognized girlie rah-rah songs are great (Weathergirls - It's Raining Men, Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Aretha Franklin - Respect, Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive, Whitney Houston - I'm Every Woman, etc.) but I wanted much much more. So, I got myself more. Now, I'd like to present to you a portion of the music I found. I tried my best to include as wide a variety as I could. There are techno songs, country, rap, soul, showtunes, folk, pop, and rock. I highly recommend getting copies of these songs (using whatever downloading program you prefer) and making yourself a CD to your own taste. Oh, and any recommendations for songs to add would be very much appreciated.

Songs You've Likely Heard Before:
Alana Davis - 32 Flavors
Alanis Morissette - All I Really Want
Dido - I'm No Angel
Dido - Hunter
Dido - My Life
Dixie Chicks - Goodby Earl
Eden's Crush - Get Over Yourself
Envogue - Free Your Mind
Garbage - Androgyny
Hoku - Another Dumb Blonde
Hole - Celebrity Skin
Imani Coppola - Legend of a Cowgirl
India Arie - Video
Jill Sobule - I Kissed a Girl
Lisa Loeb - I Do
Madonna - Human Nature
Madonna - What It Feels Like for a Girl
Martina McBride - My Baby Loves Me Just the Way that I Am
Mary J. Blige - Not Gonna Cry
Meredith Brooks - Bitch
No Doubt - Just a Girl
Shania Twain - Any Man of Mine
Shania Twain - Honey, I'm Home
Sheryl Crow - Strong Enough
Sinead O'Conner - No Man's Woman
Whitney Houston - Waiting to Exhale

Showtunes and Movies:
Annie Get Your Gun - Bernadette Peters & Tom Wopat - Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better
The Little Mermaid - Part of that World
Kiss Me, Kate - Marin Mazzie - I Hate Men
Ragtime - Marin Mazzie - Back to Before

Lesser-Known Music:
Aimee Mann - Wise Up
Amanda Marshall - I'll Be Okay
Angie Stone - Time of the Month
Ani DiFranco - Anticipate
Ani DiFranco - Not a Pretty Girl
Courtney Love & Kurt Cobain - Asking for It
Destiny's Child - Independant Woman (Part II)
DJ Rap - Bad Girl
Fiona Apple - Sleep to Dream
Imani Coppola - Independence Day
K's Choice - Virgin State of Mind
Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lesley Gore - You Don't Own Me
Mariah Carey - Looking In
Neneh Cherry - Woman
No Doubt - Magic's in the Makeup
Portishead - Glory Box
Salt 'N Peppa - It's a She Thing
Tori Amos - Cornflake Girl
Veruca Salt - Volcano Girls

For days when you need to laugh:
Camille West - Viagra in the Water
Christine Lavin - Bald Headed Men
Christine Lavin - Regretting What I Said
Christine Lavin - What Was I Thinking?

And for those especially bitter days:
Indigo Girls - Guys Suck

"He who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot, him I call a real driver; other people are but holding the reigns." -- The Dhammapada, translated by F. Max Muller

Exorcist Bunnies - The Exorcist in thirty seconds, performed by cartoon bunnies. (via IS)
Ear Candling - A friend of mine had this done recently. She thought it was great, and feels better having done it. I've never heard of this before and don't know what to make of it, but I figured I'd share the info.
Perhaps more links later. We shall see.

Still here, attempting to be productive.
Saturday, March 6, 2004

I saw Linkin Park in Nashville!! Woohoo! Go me! It's such a relief to find a band who not only rocks out live, but whose songs I unconditionally love. There is no filler, just awesomeness, which is a nice break from the usual concert pattern. Hoobastank and Story of a Year were pretty good, but I didn't care for POD. What can I say, they did nothing for me.

I finally saw Chocolat. Lovely, cool movie. It meets very much with my approval.

Oh, and big news (try to maintain a modicum of self-composure, if you can): My dictionary is back up! Many words have been added, the layout is fully updated, and I've greatly simplified the html coding. (That process was actually the biggest factor hindering me from getting this thing back up.) Any fellow logophiles out there? If so, you people need to tell me what you think of my collection, and suggest more words to add. :-)

"Fear of serious injury alone cannot justify oppression of free speech and assembly. Men feared witches and burnt women. It is the function of speech to free men from the bondage of irrational fears." -- Justice Louis D. Brandeis

Map Test - Can you beat a third grader? See if you can place the 48 continental states before time runs out. (via Sya)
Calvin & Hobbes StripSearch - Snazzy title for a very helpful site, if you're a C&H fan that is. (via CoC)
Super Size Me! - A film documenting the Big Mack'N lifestyle. Spurlock spent months eating only McDonald's, recording his degrading health along the way. Supposedly, an irreverant but sincere look at America's problems of obesity, partly caused by the fast food industry. (via Ecl)
More art by Asya Schween - The more of her self-portraits I look at, the more impressed I get.
I'm Sorry, But We Can't Grant You Visitation Rights - A short commercial demonstrating one of the ways in which a ban on homosexual marriages is discrimination, followed by the opportunity to send your local representative a message on this issue. I have already sent my message, as I strongly oppose allowing blatantly discriminatory legislation to contaminate our Constitution.

Ah, Daria. How I miss thee...
Monday, February 23, 2004

I've been watching Daria episodes lately. That show was just too damn witty for its own good. Why oh why couldn't her misadventures have continued into college? Or, at least, why couldn't MTV sell me all five seasons on DVD, plus both movies. Because that would rock. Daria is the only show I ever went out of my way to watch on a regular basis during high school, until the times went all funky and I couldn't find when it was on. I loved how it was so feminist without being male-hating.

Episodes are airing on the Noggins channel now, but they're censored. This is not satisfactory. I want the complete episodes on DVD for myself, for my friends, for my theoretical future children (especially if I have any daughters).

Oh, I finally replaced the flat tire on my bike today. This was the third time I'd taken the wheel off and tried to fix it. But I'm proud of myself for employing my tool kit instead of taking it to the shop. I rather liked working with tools. For something relatively simple like this, anyway.

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." -- Mother Teresa

Subliminal Advertising - Not only descriptions of how and why subtely suggestive ads work, but also includes many ads which you can use to test yourself.
Sock Puppet Paintings! - These are great. I think my favorite is "Drunkenly Amorous," in the first gallery.
Age-Maps - Intriguing photos. Adams mixes photographs, placing a person's childhood face next to their adult one, separated by a tear in the center. (via IS)
Well-Designed Weblogs, Volume 2 - Self-explanitory title. (via Sya)
Fight Club: The Return of Hobbes - According to this website: "Norton portrays the grown-up version of Calvin, while Brad Pitt plays his imaginary pal, Hobbes, reincarnated as Tyler Durden." Heheheh, this is amusing. (via CoC)
Internet Raytracing Competition - Lots of interesting 3D computer graphics. I especially liked the ones which got honorable mention for creativity. There are animations too.
Persistence of Vision Raytracer - A free tool for creating 3D graphics.
Asya Schween - Check out her galleries of self-portraits. They're intriguing. (via J)
Play Solo Scrabble Online - Beware: Powerfully distracting. (via Ecl)

A Surprisingly Fun Holiday for at Least One Single Gal
Monday, February 16, 2004

Normally, since I've never had a significant other to share the Holiday of Romantic Obligation with, I avoid thinking about February 14th until it's arrival. And even then, I attempt only token acknowledgement, out of deference for the enjoyment of my friends. This year, however, was different. Instead of bemoaning my chronic singledom, I went out to eat with friends. I even got really dressed up for the occasion. Wore makeup and everything! Pictures were taken, but I don't know when I'll finish the roll, so it might be quite awhile before I post pics here. That is, unless one of my friends with a digital camera sends theirs to me.

News that makes me happy: A Salon article and an SFGate article and picture on the first gay marriages in San Francisco. Hopefully these will continue to be officially recognized elsewhere as well.

"Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." -- Matt Groening

Your Amazing Brain - "Explore your brain, take part in real-life experiments and test yourself with our games, illusions and brain-benders." (via Ecl)
Hey! You're not Cupid! - Teeheehee, this is MY kinda Valentine. (via Jill & Marc)
Ad Slogans Hall of Fame - Hmmm, this could be a helpful link to have for my Argument and Persuasion class. I think I'll leave it here. (via CoC)
Probably more links coming later ...

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