| 1001 BE OTCH |
[Feb. 16th, 2007|10:18 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Bal Sagoth - The Dark Liege of Chaos Blahty Blahty Blah | ] |
So yeah, I kind of felt like posting. I've been reading all of you guys' journals for almost a year now, occasionally commenting or posting to communities. It's pretty fun, living in the shadows (ooooooh). Yeah, I don't know, I'm bored and wish it were the next day and wanted to write that somewhere besides my blog. |
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| 1 Kilopost |
[Apr. 24th, 2006|03:26 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  excited | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Crowbar - 1000 [Post] Internal War | ] |
Woo hoo, bitch, here it is. The 1000th Post of Thepieandi. Of course, in recent attempts to go through and tag a lot of my entries, I've realized a few of them were entries I made by mistake and then made private because I, in my infinite brilliance and competence, had not yet figured out how to delete them, so if that were done, this might actually be post number 985 or so. But I figure, I had the better part of a year's worth of posts on my previous journal before I started this one, and I'm sure there were enough almost-worthwhile posts in there to add up to a surrogate 15. So, more or less, this is the big one. Awesome.
Now, as to whether or not I'll be continuing on here, I might make the occasional post, but mostly, this will function for community participation and friend page reading. For most of my posts, I will be using the newly created Wizard Belt Project, which may itself be supplanted by a personal domain in the eventual future (or more likely, be complemented by it). This will probably be worth reading, as I've actually been doing some pretty good writing lately. This comes from the fact that I've got a schedule that facilitates it well, by giving me an hour-and-a-half window where I've got nothing to do. Thus, I've got the time and the time limit that I need to get things done. I've tried imposing time limits on myself to get writing done before, but it never works, as I don't really respect my own authority.
On that, I leave you with ( A Portrait of the Author's Buns ). |
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| Don't skimp on the nasty |
[Apr. 20th, 2006|11:26 am] |
I've heard vague references to some concept called "non-racist math" before, though I don't know anything about it and to all my knowledge it is simply an illusion invented by people who use terms like "PC Police" and "Feminazi" to mock the left. The idea behind it seems to be that math in our schools is somehow taught in a way that is biased against people of color, or something to that effect anyway. So, yes, it does seem a little ridiculous, and if it's a concept that some people do believe in, they may well be misguided stooges.
But, recently, at King County's own Bellevue Community College, some math that really can be considered racist came up, in a question including the following wording:
Condoleezza holds a watermelon just over the edge of the roof of the 300-foot Federal Building, and tosses it up with a velocity of 20 feet per second. [taken from Last Days, see Wednesday]
Of course, Condoleezza is not a common name, even among federal employees, so it does seem evident that this is in reference to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, famed for her funny name, funny teeth, and dark-tinted skin (she's also supposedly very smart and talented on the piano; she hasn't displayed that much of either of these in her tenure with the Bush administration). It is the latter fact that catches our attention now: Ms Rice is a black woman. Black Americans and watermelons have a bit of a history together in racially charged vocabulary. I'm not really sure why it is, but along with malt liquor and fried chicken, watermelon is supposed to be a major part of the older black stereotype's diet. Thus, this math question illicited both controversy and, later, an apology from the BCC administration.
I, for one, do not find institutionalized racism funny. I in fact have a lot to say against it. And a strong argument could certainly be made that that's exactly what this is. But for a second, let's look at it from a different perspective: Condoleezza Rice is the epitome of non-stereotypical Black America (except for having been given by her parents a funny, made-up name). She is successful, working a major government position, an acclaimed scholar and speaker, an upper-class Republican raised by college professors. This is not Little Black Sambo, and this is not a South Bronx hood rat; this is most powerful woman in the American government. This in mind, there are two ways one could look at this watermelon business: (1) as a slight on our government's inclusion of any person of color in its greater workings, or (2) as tasteless, brutal irony, twisting one's perceptions of a major public figure, reminding one of an easily forgettable aspect of her personage. Reducing the Secretary of State to an ancient (and, notably, seldom used anymore) stereotype? Cheap laughs all around!
Hell, no one cares when Bush is portrayed as the classic Texas redneck (albeit, he acts the part a bit more), why should this be such a bigger deal? Without going into the obvious "racism towards minorities is always received worse than that towards white people" point, there is the simple fact that it was a math class, and that's simply not the place for that kind of ironic race-play. Still, I thought it was pretty funny.
That said, I'll leave you with a slightly belated Easter-related (rhyme!) comc I drew last week:
( Judas ) |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 18th, 2006|09:03 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  confused | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Blind Guardian - Bright Eyes | ] |
The internet is an amazing place. Why, just look at this conversation that just happened to me:
( biggish weird conversation )
What an age we live in.
Now, in the past, when weird folks like these guys talked to me and spouted their nonsense, I would try and talk back a lot. But recently I've realized, it's always better to keep one's responses minimal, play the part of an audience rather than a performer. Just respond often enough to let the crazies know you're listening, sit back, and witness the carnival of the free time. Also, in this case, it's hard to come up with witty retorts at 9 AM. |
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| Blargh: Part A Million |
[Apr. 17th, 2006|12:14 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Nevermore - We Disintegrate | ] |
As much as I have been trying to make better, more interesting posts in the run up to the Thepieandi series finale, I'm going to take a break from that for the sake of an old standby of this journal: Mopey quasi-self-reflection. So here goes.
I sure hang out with a lot of couples. Dammit.
Fun fact/side note: Once, a person referred to this journal, pronuncing it "The pee-on-dee." I was amused.
PS. Legend, a legend, a third wheel legend, always in the way... |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 13th, 2006|10:26 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  blank | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Iron Maiden - Sanctuary | ] |
Bumbershoot 2006: Kanye, AFI, Yellowcard, Blood Brothers, 3 Inches of Blood
Prog Power USA 2006: Nevermore ditches on behalf of Disturbed tour, replaced with Jorn.
New England Metal and Hardcore 2006: A bunch of shitty, shitty bands, two of which have x's surrounding their names. Yup, x's. Like a screen name. Wow (on the other hand, Gamma Ray will be there, but it's all moot because it's in Massachusettes in like two weeks anyway).
Ozzfest 2006: No comment.
What the hell is with festivals this year? |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 11th, 2006|06:15 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  annoyed | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Queensrÿche - The Needle Lies | ] |
This thursday, I'll be jamming with a random band who were looking for a bassist on Craigslist. I'm looking forward to this, even though I have no knowledge about what this band is like, and for all I know they're completely terrible. But the fact remains, I just want to be in a band, playing bass again. As such, I went down to Seattle yesterday and got my bass amp. As much as I love playing guitar and always do it and probably write most of my music on it, I am fucking in love with the bass. I can't imagine not being a bassist. It's who I am at this point.
While I was down in Seattle, I went to do "punk rock" yoga with Heather. I liked it a lot, it felt really good and relaxed me very well. Aside from being at the Re-Bar, though, there wasn't much that was "punk rock" about it. Maybe it feels more punk on a more crowded night. Either way, good times, great yoga.
Speaking of recent trips to Seattle, the previous one yielded a new cell phone for me. This was definitely for the best since it got rid of the broken-screened thing I'd been using for the past year-or-so. While it was a fun little conversation piece to have around, I'm glad to now have a phone that fully functions. Of course, even that did not come without some tribulation. You see, this new phone was under the impression that it was always "roaming," even when I was in well supported areas of the Verizon network. It took me a while to notice, and I didn't think much of it, since all my previous phones have occasionally thought they were roaming when they shouldn't be, and I know it's covered in the plan. Still, my mother -- who happens to have gotten the same model of phone at the same time, and was having the same issue -- suggested I take it in to the Verizon store and have it taken care of; she had done this, and it had been quick and easy. So I attempted to do just that.
Twice.
The first was at the Northgate Mall Verizon store, on my way back up here this morning. The guy who I talked to there didn't seem entirely competent, looked around at the phone, a computer, and some paperwork, and then told me it'd take about fourty-five minutes to do. I needed to get on the road, so I decided I'd just take it to the Bellis Fair store up hereabouts. And then I did just that. First, one guy there looked at the phone, then said he didn't know what to do and he would hand it to the store technicians, who took a few minutes finishing up other work before they would start on my phone. They try some stuff for about ten minutes, then tell me that they're going to have to do something that takes about half an hour. So fine. I go get my second mall food court meal of the day at the ubiquitous Sbarro (decidedly doomed pointless agenda of the day: start stand-alone Sbarro restaurant), I look around at some games at Electronics Boutique and some movies/tv box sets at Suncoast. Then I go back for my phone. There little plot to waste my time hasn't yielded any results for me, as my phone didn't want whatever program they were trying to give it. So I got a new phone -- free, same model, and properly programmed this time. Hurray, la de da, I'm not going to another mall for ten years.
On a lighter note, Pet Shop Boys + Village People = Gay Communists. |
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| more like BLUNDER Woman... |
[Apr. 9th, 2006|05:43 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  righteous | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Ásmegin - Til Rondefolkets Herskab | ] |
http://www.superdickery.com/bondage/36.html
Wonder Woman is decidedly the worst iconic feminist character ever. The link above shows a couple panels from a WW issue, in which the heroine thinks the following:
My strength is gone - It is Aphrodite's law! When an Amazon girl permits a man to chain her bracelets of submission together she becomes weak as other women in a man-ruled world! Poor Steve - I've failed him!
The authors are obviously very specifically conscious of the patriarchal aspects of our culture. They say so right there. The whole point of Wonder Woman is supposed to be that she's an ass-kicking female super hero. Awesome. But I can see two problems right off with this little blurb:
1 - Wonder Woman's power is apparently completely vulnerable to being robbed by men. And while I haven't read much Wonder Woman, I've seen enough to know that there's a good few instances of something like this happening. Now, while this could be seen as an interesting comment on the world, where any power women do have is subject to the designs and desires of the greater patriarchy, it kind of runs contrary to what I have always interpreted the purpose of Wonder Woman to be (see above).
2 - Now this, to me, is the kicker. Look at that last sentence in the quote. "Poor Steve...." Wonder Woman's fight is for a man. Putting aside the notion of role reversal (the female hero is rescuing/protecting/whatevering the man), I really think that just plain stinks.
All that said, I'd like to suggest that this woman would make a far superior symbol of feminist power. Seriously. |
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| Thing of the day |
[Apr. 8th, 2006|05:33 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | groggy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | The Clash - (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais | ] |
Versions seen on many journals...
Type in your birthday (minus the year) in the search bar at http://wikipedia.org/
(February 4)
List three interesting events, two births, and one death that happened on your birthday.
Events:
1794 - The French legislature abolishes slavery throughout all territories of the French Republic.
1861 - American Civil War: In Montgomery, Alabama the Confederate States of America is formed by delegates from six break-away United States.
1974 - The Symbionese Liberation Army kidnaps Patty Hearst in Berkeley, California.
Births:
1921 - Betty Friedan, American feminist
1971 - Rob Corddry, American actor and comedian
Deaths:
2006 - Betty Friedan, American feminist |
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| The future... |
[Apr. 6th, 2006|07:08 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  drained | ] |
| [ | music |
| | The Flower Kings - Church of Your Heart | ] |
Eight posts after this will be the 1000-post mark for Thepieandi. Exciting, yes? One thousand posts in about a month over four years (we will estimate for now). About two thirds (.6623) of a post every day since March 2002. That said, I might be putting the old dog effectively to bed after the big 1-triple 0, opting for getting my own site and real blog, wherein I will try and post better writing. Maybe. I suppose I've got a couple weeks or so to figure that out before I've thought up eight more posts.
In the meantime, an amusing quote. Apparently, at some point, Ann Coulter said the following of a debate with Al Franken:
"It’s not an interesting debate, because liberals can’t argue." [link]
Yes, by the modern conservative pundits' definition of arguing, we can't, or at least don't. Because that involves nothing more than yelling and evoking God's wrath (or perhaps Uncle Sam's shame). Personally, I prefer arguing using facts, and perhaps a bit of social or political theory (or any other appropriate kind of theory for that matter), to prove points. It helps if they're genuine facts, as opposed to distortions of truth or semi-facts (neologisms are, however, totally acceptable).
Ok, time for pizza and beer. |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 5th, 2006|04:32 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  nervous | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Tyr - The Wild Rover | ] |
I have to write a major paper this quarter for Historical Sociology. Like, 20-page range. Yipe.
Possible subjects: David Lloyd George, the creation of the Finnish independent state, the Allthing in Iceland, the Church of Satan in America, Varg Vikernes, Quakers. |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 2nd, 2006|08:23 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  satisfied | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Yngwie J. Malmsteen - Far Beyond the Sun | ] |
Today was good. Productive. I did homework, thought of a couple theoretical topics for the huge-ass paper I have to do this quarter,went on a walk around the neighborhood, and made some bread.
I really like baking. |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 29th, 2006|07:40 pm] |
The first day of classes went off nicely. It'll be a challenging but likely very fun quarter. One of my classes started with this statement:
"Welcome to Historical Sociology, the greatest field of all time."
Clearly, Professor Robertson is very enthusiastic about the subject, as well as the other one he's teaching this quarter that I'm also taking (Classical Theory). He seems like he's totally off his shit, in an excellent way. The other class I'm taking is Statistics, and that'll be not terrible, but nowhere near as great. Need to remember to get a decent calculator for that one (although apparently the only math that I'll actually need it for is square roots, so it doesn't need to be too decent).
I'm working on two stories. One is a post-modern parody of post-modernism, or the ultimate weapon in the who-can-be-more-ironic pissing contest that is post-modern lit. The other is about a man named Gu∂mundr Gabriel Sigurdsdóttir, son of a feminist Icelandic expatriate. I'm just getting into the meat of that one, and am still hammering out what the actual events in it are going to be.
Also, uh...
Ask me a question about each of the following:
1. Friends
2. Sex
3. Music
4. Drugs
5. Love
6. Livejournal
No matter how rude, sexual, or confidential. Then post this in your journal and see what questions you get asked!
(Tooken from Jackie and Rob) |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 28th, 2006|10:19 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  hungry | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Reel Big Fish - Sell Out | ] |
Spring Break was very good.
First of all, I will point out that Terrenon recorded a new song. It's up on myspace, listen to it, yadda yadda. I think it's really an awesome song, though the recording is only okay.
In any case, last week was a good time. I saw some good movies (V for Vendetta, Capote), had some good food, did some writing, got an acoustic guitar (which I was sorely in need of), recorded not only that one song of my own but a demo of my sister's band. Of course, 16 year old musicians aren't easy to work with, but it got done.
Now I am home, and though classes start today, I don't have any classes on tuesdays (or thursdays) so it's just another Spring Breaky day for me, except that I'm back in Bellingham. I think I'll do some baking and buy some books today. And maybe work on that story I started. I might post it here if I think it's actually good. |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 21st, 2006|02:32 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  content | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Värttinä - Meri | ] |
Spring and Livejournal birthday. |
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| (no subject) |
[Mar. 20th, 2006|03:57 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | oblong | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Värttinä - Laiska | ] |
Reading really old livejournal entries makes me forget what year it is. |
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| Agenda: Finals Week |
[Mar. 11th, 2006|01:59 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  energetic | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Rotting Christ - Athanati Este | ] |
Tonight or tomorrow I'm going to cook a nice meal.
Monday morning is my first final. It's in Soc 354 (Domestic Violence/Criminal Justice). After that I'll probably collapse for some time, and tehn emerge again Tuesday evening to study for my next final.
Wednesday is my second final, in Sociolinguistics. Likely to be the easiest of the finals I take. This will immediately be followed by more studying.
Thursday is my last final, Soc 210 (Research Methods). This will be immediately followed by driving down to Seattle, and the beginning of Spring Break.
That established, I have a favor to ask of everyone:
Tell me how you're doing. Leave a comment, tell me what's up in your lives. You guys are awesome, so I'd like to make sure you're all doing rockin'. I'll start: I'm ok, but I need a job desperately. And some lovin'. |
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