I just sent the following to my uncle, aunt, and grandmother:
Subject: On the off-chance that anyone remembers -
Body: that I was born on October 28th, I join you in wishing myself a happy birthday.
Cheers, fam.
Love,
-A
This betrays the completely sour mood I'm in. I don't usually care about these things. Proof positive? You didn't know it was my birthday until I posted, didja? No. Because I don't post these things on Facebook.
What a freaking horrendous day.
So here's to my continuing mission to get older and avoid the alternative for as long as possible. Holding steady at 24 now.
Skoal and much love to all,
-A
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
"Joe" for President
I think he had the most stage presence during the third presidential debate. And during that part where the politicians discussed how they had hurt each other's feelings... well let's just say that I practiced my scrawl for that write-in slot.
All hail "Joe", for he of the 15 namechecks during the presidential debate shall rule the Earth.
This thing is giving me a migraine, but it's like a train wreck. I... can't... tear... my... eyes... away...
All hail "Joe", for he of the 15 namechecks during the presidential debate shall rule the Earth.
This thing is giving me a migraine, but it's like a train wreck. I... can't... tear... my... eyes... away...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Shanah Tovah U'metukah
... and a happy new year.
Best wishes to all for tremendously joyous, fulfilling, and a positive year to come. Gmar chatimah tovah.
All my love,
-A
Best wishes to all for tremendously joyous, fulfilling, and a positive year to come. Gmar chatimah tovah.
All my love,
-A
Friday, September 26, 2008
Baruch Dayan Emet
This man was one of the best, truest, and dearest influences on my life. He was, as I once said in a tribute to him, a great mentor, teacher and friend to me and many other of his students.
A word of advice before I retreat into my cave for a few hours: don't ever wait an extra week to do the bi-annual phonecall. Sometimes you very unexpectedly lose the chance.
A word of advice before I retreat into my cave for a few hours: don't ever wait an extra week to do the bi-annual phonecall. Sometimes you very unexpectedly lose the chance.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Front... and Right
Just another smattering of proof positive that newspapers love Obama (looking atcha, Ben). If you look all the way, way, way, way down, that would be what the NY Times considers the other presidential candidate.
Yeah, McCain's name is first in the caption (click the pic), but this is preposterous. Bush is hardly prominent in the picture and he's still running the country. Obama's the most noticeable guy in the depiction of the newest economic Justice League.
Use the wide lens and deflect the criticism, Times boys. This arrangement is just too obvious and cheap.
[Ed. Note: It has come to my attention that someone on the Corner on National Review remarked on a similar picture today. Truly I'm starting to get the hang of this punditry thing.]
[Ed. Note 2: The photo credit may go to a wire service a la AP or Reuters. I need to re-check. If it is the doing of some nefarious news giant, then the criticism goes to them for snapping the picture and the NY Times for running it in the manner that they did.]
No. No. No. Go back and do it again.
If Palin had been groomed for the veep position just a bit longer, picking her would have been an even better idea. She has yet to find her sea legs with only a short way to go until the election, and it's not like anyone in the press is going to shirk their responsibility when it comes to illustrating that where they can.
Nobody came out asking Obama substantive questions when he first hit the national stage. Some might say that the mainstream press is still shying away from doing so. Certainly where the substance of the issue has been hair-raisingly negative, they have shied away from doing so even more.
Yeah, I gripe. But the fact is that the blame here doesn't go entirely to the press, especially because they shouldn't be faulted for asking susbtantive questions (they should be faulted for extreme bias). The issue here is the stupidity of the Republican camp for throwing Palin out there as 'just as or more experienced' than Obama where it counts, while failing to take into account some very obvious and significant facts that impact her presentation.
Obama's had a couple of years to build up the stage persona, and certainly has a better team of puppeteers and speech writers behind him than Palin does. In addition, the press is almost entirely and solidly in his camp. This means that he can sit down with a Couric or a Gibson (and let's not even discuss Chris "Tingling" Matthews and Keith Olbermann) and get away with dodging questions and blatant lies. In order to come out of an interview looking 'bad', he'd pretty much have to grunt, spit, and start eating the set. And even then, MSNBC might portray his actions as a brilliant new take on the environment and a recommendation that we return to our roots.
Palin... well, other than hardcore conservative base, I'd say she's still "gaining acceptance." And that means that you don't put her in a position where she comes off looking like this because she's still in her political diapers.
Damn it, people. You make it so hard to vote with a clear conscience these days.
More later. School time.
-A
Nobody came out asking Obama substantive questions when he first hit the national stage. Some might say that the mainstream press is still shying away from doing so. Certainly where the substance of the issue has been hair-raisingly negative, they have shied away from doing so even more.
Yeah, I gripe. But the fact is that the blame here doesn't go entirely to the press, especially because they shouldn't be faulted for asking susbtantive questions (they should be faulted for extreme bias). The issue here is the stupidity of the Republican camp for throwing Palin out there as 'just as or more experienced' than Obama where it counts, while failing to take into account some very obvious and significant facts that impact her presentation.
Obama's had a couple of years to build up the stage persona, and certainly has a better team of puppeteers and speech writers behind him than Palin does. In addition, the press is almost entirely and solidly in his camp. This means that he can sit down with a Couric or a Gibson (and let's not even discuss Chris "Tingling" Matthews and Keith Olbermann) and get away with dodging questions and blatant lies. In order to come out of an interview looking 'bad', he'd pretty much have to grunt, spit, and start eating the set. And even then, MSNBC might portray his actions as a brilliant new take on the environment and a recommendation that we return to our roots.
Palin... well, other than hardcore conservative base, I'd say she's still "gaining acceptance." And that means that you don't put her in a position where she comes off looking like this because she's still in her political diapers.
Damn it, people. You make it so hard to vote with a clear conscience these days.
More later. School time.
-A
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Thoughts and the Devolving Monologue on Chemical Castration
Given that Jindal apparently did sign the bill referred to in the post below, I decided to do a little research on the matter. And by a little, I mean "Wikipedia."
So Wiki says a couple of things that leave me wondering as to the point here.
The first is that this penalty already exists in five other states, including California and Florida. The second is that people that are treated with high doses of the relevant chemical still experience sexual arousal and fantasies. This means that they need to be dosed with hella lot of the stuff, and there are potentially severe side effects.
Ok. Bad. Very bad and uncomfortably so.
On the theoretical level, it seems a pretty just punishment for the commission of sex offenses against minors (which, I think, is all that the Jindal measure targets). For me, the question is how badly and irreversibly you screw someone up when you've made a mistake. It's the same issue that presents itself with capital punishment. Life for a life seems to make sense, but only if the system works perfectly. Which our current justice system most certainly does not. If you want to learn just how flawed it is, go to law school and be amazed.
All that said, the same argument could be used when speaking about incarceration and it's not as if there are tons of advocates for scrapping the penitentiary system. It's just that someone at some point decided that inflicting jail - the deprivation of liberty, freedom, and time - was less objectionable than any physical punitive measure. I can't say that I disagree with this, personally. But the entire concept does seem to reflect a general societal queasiness rather than any inherent consensus about what is just. No one regains the time lost in jail, or necessarily rids themselves of the lasting physical and mental effects resulting from the experience. What's done is done and the consequences are relatively acceptable. I think it might have to with the directness of the damage. One is straight up - you kill, you are killed. The other is - you killed, we will put you in a place where we're safe and things may happen to you but it's not our responsibility.
This is the first time I've thought seriously about the issue, so please forgive the sophomoric rambling. It will coalesce into a point within several days.
Anyway: many of us were raised to admire Patrick Henry's declaration of "Give me liberty or give me death!"
Of course, it was said in an entirely different context and - viewed in the light of American history- certainly a much more positive one. But the current interpretation implicates freedom of decision and freedom from both physical and mental restraint (usually). The right to life, liberty and happiness calculus changes when someone violates societal norms, sure. But leave that aside for a second.
Ancestors of this nation equated liberty with life and the loss of that liberty to a fate equal to or worse than death.
Interesting how things have changed and what caused them to do so....
Late now. G'night.
-A
So Wiki says a couple of things that leave me wondering as to the point here.
The first is that this penalty already exists in five other states, including California and Florida. The second is that people that are treated with high doses of the relevant chemical still experience sexual arousal and fantasies. This means that they need to be dosed with hella lot of the stuff, and there are potentially severe side effects.
Ok. Bad. Very bad and uncomfortably so.
On the theoretical level, it seems a pretty just punishment for the commission of sex offenses against minors (which, I think, is all that the Jindal measure targets). For me, the question is how badly and irreversibly you screw someone up when you've made a mistake. It's the same issue that presents itself with capital punishment. Life for a life seems to make sense, but only if the system works perfectly. Which our current justice system most certainly does not. If you want to learn just how flawed it is, go to law school and be amazed.
All that said, the same argument could be used when speaking about incarceration and it's not as if there are tons of advocates for scrapping the penitentiary system. It's just that someone at some point decided that inflicting jail - the deprivation of liberty, freedom, and time - was less objectionable than any physical punitive measure. I can't say that I disagree with this, personally. But the entire concept does seem to reflect a general societal queasiness rather than any inherent consensus about what is just. No one regains the time lost in jail, or necessarily rids themselves of the lasting physical and mental effects resulting from the experience. What's done is done and the consequences are relatively acceptable. I think it might have to with the directness of the damage. One is straight up - you kill, you are killed. The other is - you killed, we will put you in a place where we're safe and things may happen to you but it's not our responsibility.
This is the first time I've thought seriously about the issue, so please forgive the sophomoric rambling. It will coalesce into a point within several days.
Anyway: many of us were raised to admire Patrick Henry's declaration of "Give me liberty or give me death!"
Of course, it was said in an entirely different context and - viewed in the light of American history- certainly a much more positive one. But the current interpretation implicates freedom of decision and freedom from both physical and mental restraint (usually). The right to life, liberty and happiness calculus changes when someone violates societal norms, sure. But leave that aside for a second.
Ancestors of this nation equated liberty with life and the loss of that liberty to a fate equal to or worse than death.
Interesting how things have changed and what caused them to do so....
Late now. G'night.
-A
Doth Wonkette Post Truthiness?
If I wasn't in class, I'd fact-check this. In the meantime, is there anyone else who wants to take a few minutes to clear Bobby Jindal's oddly endearing name?
Alternately, does anyone want to start funneling mohels down to Louisiana?
Alternately, does anyone want to start funneling mohels down to Louisiana?
Monday, September 22, 2008
This is Nice
I made Dean's List last semester.
Somewhere along the way, I should have realized this. But three or four months later the knowledge is just as sweet, even though learning it was a sheer accident.
Finally, I'm an 'achiever' again. Said with a touch of irony, and a massive helping of relief.
Somewhere along the way, I should have realized this. But three or four months later the knowledge is just as sweet, even though learning it was a sheer accident.
Finally, I'm an 'achiever' again. Said with a touch of irony, and a massive helping of relief.
Back in action
So it's been awhile. But for all three of you that still care about reading a generally defunct blog, I've decided to get back to the virtual scribbling.
That said, things are kinda busy, so I reserve the right to be completely irregular about posting. And anybody who hasn't yet heard about my utterly ridiculous summer and wants to hear all the gory details will have to get them from me directly.
To start off with something that is both timely and extremely neutral: I just moved to a new place and am missing the mezuzot from my last apartment. Where do I go in town to rectify this situation, other than the interweb?
Other things that I am open to comments on:
1) Looking for a legal job to enter into upon graduation. Have a few very fine people who are already guiding the search and giving great advice. Feel free to join them in doing so if you can. You will earn my undying apreciation as well as an invitation to a Shabbat meal at some point in the future.
2) Currently taking a full courseload, interviewing and applying for jobs, starting to help out with the Cookie Minyan, and teaching Kaplan LSAT prep classes in order to make some extra cash... in addition to living the rest of life. So who wants to the be the first to punch me when I start to whine about having too much work? The line starts *here.*
3) The potential to dupe GPS. Something Cheesy This Way Comes, I'm looking at you. for an idea of the implications of this... Not that you read this site or that I have the technical knowledge to further inquire on this matter. But one can always dream.
4) וְאִם-אָסוֹן, יִהְיֶה--וְנָתַתָּה נֶפֶשׁ, תַּחַת נָפֶשׁ עַיִן תַּחַת עַיִן...
5) The economic crisis. If anybody wants to explain how it works (or doesn't work) in 5 easy steps, I'm all ears.
That's all for now. Best regards and such.
-A
That said, things are kinda busy, so I reserve the right to be completely irregular about posting. And anybody who hasn't yet heard about my utterly ridiculous summer and wants to hear all the gory details will have to get them from me directly.
To start off with something that is both timely and extremely neutral: I just moved to a new place and am missing the mezuzot from my last apartment. Where do I go in town to rectify this situation, other than the interweb?
Other things that I am open to comments on:
1) Looking for a legal job to enter into upon graduation. Have a few very fine people who are already guiding the search and giving great advice. Feel free to join them in doing so if you can. You will earn my undying apreciation as well as an invitation to a Shabbat meal at some point in the future.
2) Currently taking a full courseload, interviewing and applying for jobs, starting to help out with the Cookie Minyan, and teaching Kaplan LSAT prep classes in order to make some extra cash... in addition to living the rest of life. So who wants to the be the first to punch me when I start to whine about having too much work? The line starts *here.*
3) The potential to dupe GPS. Something Cheesy This Way Comes, I'm looking at you. for an idea of the implications of this... Not that you read this site or that I have the technical knowledge to further inquire on this matter. But one can always dream.
4) וְאִם-אָסוֹן, יִהְיֶה--וְנָתַתָּה נֶפֶשׁ, תַּחַת נָפֶשׁ עַיִן תַּחַת עַיִן...
5) The economic crisis. If anybody wants to explain how it works (or doesn't work) in 5 easy steps, I'm all ears.
That's all for now. Best regards and such.
-A
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Just so it's a matter of record...
I'd like to name one of my future kids Raphael. Best if it's a son, but I'm flexible on these things.
Don't get freaked out, boys. Girls think of these things way in advance. My sisters have certainly thought of this (one of them having a perverse attachment to the name 'Mathias', which is really preposterous) , and at least a few friends.
In any event, Raphael is a good name. It's got a great meaning, it includes the name of God (my own preference),it's easily shortened (Rafi/Raful) and in cases of emergency it can also be Anglicized -Raphe or some such nonsense. Sure, the Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles desecrated the name like there was no tomorrow. And yes, the kid is going to be made fun of. But that's a risk I'm willing to take.
I'm also a fan of Michael (said in the Hebrew way), Yael, Talia, David, Gideon, Ehud, Ilana (my grandmother's codename from way back when), Uzi (my grandfather's codename from way back when), Yaakov, Ilan, Yochanan, Mor, Elad, Amichai, Amitai, Yerushalem, Golan, and Yair.
The vast majority of these names are already dispersed among my family members, unfortunately. They'll just have to deal.
The vast majority of these names are also geared towards men, so I suppose that reflects some sort of weird kink in my thinking. There are also a hell of a lot of names, but please do NOT take that as any indication of where my mind has gone. I like to think in abstracts and have lots of options to choose from.
Besides I like the current size of my hips.
And with that... back to listening to class?
Don't get freaked out, boys. Girls think of these things way in advance. My sisters have certainly thought of this (one of them having a perverse attachment to the name 'Mathias', which is really preposterous) , and at least a few friends.
In any event, Raphael is a good name. It's got a great meaning, it includes the name of God (my own preference),it's easily shortened (Rafi/Raful) and in cases of emergency it can also be Anglicized -Raphe or some such nonsense. Sure, the Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles desecrated the name like there was no tomorrow. And yes, the kid is going to be made fun of. But that's a risk I'm willing to take.
I'm also a fan of Michael (said in the Hebrew way), Yael, Talia, David, Gideon, Ehud, Ilana (my grandmother's codename from way back when), Uzi (my grandfather's codename from way back when), Yaakov, Ilan, Yochanan, Mor, Elad, Amichai, Amitai, Yerushalem, Golan, and Yair.
The vast majority of these names are already dispersed among my family members, unfortunately. They'll just have to deal.
The vast majority of these names are also geared towards men, so I suppose that reflects some sort of weird kink in my thinking. There are also a hell of a lot of names, but please do NOT take that as any indication of where my mind has gone. I like to think in abstracts and have lots of options to choose from.
Besides I like the current size of my hips.
And with that... back to listening to class?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
It's Official
Every presidential candidate has convinced me that none of them are worthy of the presidential office, yet again. Kudos, guys. You've practically moved me to tears. And not in that good "I'm so emotional" kind of way. Not even in the "I hate chopping onions but t least this food is going to be really awesome when I'm done" kind of way. More in the "this has got to be a joke, under any definition of the term" way.
Ha.
Ha.
Ha.
Ha.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Blogworthy?
I had possibly the spookiest experience of my adult life last night. It was laden with all sorts of stuff. I'm wondering if I should blog about it to get it out, but I don't think that people will understand what I'm talking about unless they're parents, and it's not something that I'm taking lightly. Shabbat was difficult because I was with people constantly but covering for how incredibly freaked out I was by this thing. Let's call it a vivid, persistent, waking vision.
While this site's supposed to be for more than the occasional link and wisecrack, I just don't know here...
Will decide soon.
In the meantime, if you haven't gotten my walrus email, you should let me know. Because it was damned good. And that is certainly something that people should see. Thanks to Ben for originally posting it on Facebook.
We're cat-sitting, by the way. Now that the mice are finally gone. Kitty Claudia is super cute, and that's coming from an avowed 'dog person.' I'm contemplating getting a cat when I finally settle down post-law school. A puppy would be better, but not compatible with firm life. Unless anyone has any ideas on how that might be handled?
Be well.
While this site's supposed to be for more than the occasional link and wisecrack, I just don't know here...
Will decide soon.
In the meantime, if you haven't gotten my walrus email, you should let me know. Because it was damned good. And that is certainly something that people should see. Thanks to Ben for originally posting it on Facebook.
We're cat-sitting, by the way. Now that the mice are finally gone. Kitty Claudia is super cute, and that's coming from an avowed 'dog person.' I'm contemplating getting a cat when I finally settle down post-law school. A puppy would be better, but not compatible with firm life. Unless anyone has any ideas on how that might be handled?
Be well.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
at land's end
i feel like i'm in a book in this place. there could not be a better spot to sit and think, and if i believe that the universe conspires to bring you what you need, i am only reaffirmed here. there is a sun porch here, and a deck, and looking out you can see the little marshland with the inlet that leads to the sea, and straight across the bay and marshes to the lighthouse at harbor town, three miles away, where i bike every morning when i wake up. this morning i went twelve miles, all the way to harbor town and the back halfway to home, and then out to the end of sea pines, past all these golf courses and beautiful homes and turtles and spanish moss hanging from the skinniest pine trees you can imagine.
it is cloudy and windy now and about to storm, and the rushes are blowing all toward the beach, and there are egrets in the water, and it is quiet, and peaceful. here we stay at the part of sea pines called "land's end" and i feel it. we are at land's end. when it starts to rain i will go sit out on the deck and think as it is bound to be a warm rain and warm rain is good for thinking. i wish i never had to leave. i wish i had enough talent to be a writer, so that i never had to leave. as it is i have to admire h, who has so much poetry in her that it practically leaps from her fingertips, and go back to writing about law, which is, i think, for people who can write well, but not about anything beautiful enough to make them poets. at least, that is how i think of myself.
it is cloudy and windy now and about to storm, and the rushes are blowing all toward the beach, and there are egrets in the water, and it is quiet, and peaceful. here we stay at the part of sea pines called "land's end" and i feel it. we are at land's end. when it starts to rain i will go sit out on the deck and think as it is bound to be a warm rain and warm rain is good for thinking. i wish i never had to leave. i wish i had enough talent to be a writer, so that i never had to leave. as it is i have to admire h, who has so much poetry in her that it practically leaps from her fingertips, and go back to writing about law, which is, i think, for people who can write well, but not about anything beautiful enough to make them poets. at least, that is how i think of myself.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
I Bought Schug and Shoko
First off, Koshermart is basically how I imagine heaven. It's all kosher. It has gummie bears. There's all this Israeli-brand junk and spicing and cheesy Jew music. Maimonides had this whole theory about incorporeality and learning Torah once you ascend, but in view of the sheer high I got just from buying chocoloate spread today I'd say the facts are backing me up just a bit more.
On the stupid side of things, if you ever do go to Koshermart, don't do what we did (Metro, walk there, cab back, get stuck on the Metro, cab back from Dupont after dropping the glass dressing bottles, spend the remainder of the day vaguely stinking of ginger).
Make friends with someone who's mobilely upward. Use a damned car.
On the stupid side of things, if you ever do go to Koshermart, don't do what we did (Metro, walk there, cab back, get stuck on the Metro, cab back from Dupont after dropping the glass dressing bottles, spend the remainder of the day vaguely stinking of ginger).
Make friends with someone who's mobilely upward. Use a damned car.
Help the Culinarily Challenged
We're trying to make a falafel and shawarma Shabbat meal for next week. Where do we go for the spices and necessary other components?
Sometimes all-kosher all-the-time NY has its advantages.
There wouldn't happen to be a Middle Eastern place with a good selection of hechshers around here?
Sometimes all-kosher all-the-time NY has its advantages.
There wouldn't happen to be a Middle Eastern place with a good selection of hechshers around here?
Friday, February 22, 2008
and on the dress there would be a picture of a beautiful woman
ah, last night was lovely -- margaritas at cactus with good company, which is one of my most favourite things in the world to do. after a few days' relaxation in california, it was good to be back and catch up with everyone, and especially nice to see h and tay, since tay has just moved up here (finally!). of course this led to lots of catching up and h told us this wonderful story about how she had a conversation with her little four-year-old cousin this weekend, which went something like this:
h: if you could have any dress to wear, what would it look like?
cousin: well, it would tie at my neck, and it would be pink, and on the front there would be a picture of a beautiful woman. and i would have a sweater to go with it, and on the front of it there would be a picture of a beautiful man and a beautiful woman, together.
clearly, the child has a future in fashion design. but that got me to thinking, because it is really a very nice idea for a dress (even though i can't make the dress, because that would be stealing her idea, although maybe i could make the dress and then give it to her and she would be happy?). well, i don't know how one even gets prints onto a dress like that. i imagine i could figure it out; we'll see. i have been meaning to learn something useful like how to make nice clothes.
anyway, i was thinking about it more today, and i think i would want this one to be the beautiful woman on my dress. but if i can't have her on a dress, maybe i'll get a framed poster for my room? i am starting to think i am going to need a whole wall devoted to lichtenstein and warhol. at least it'll mesh well...
h: if you could have any dress to wear, what would it look like?
cousin: well, it would tie at my neck, and it would be pink, and on the front there would be a picture of a beautiful woman. and i would have a sweater to go with it, and on the front of it there would be a picture of a beautiful man and a beautiful woman, together.
clearly, the child has a future in fashion design. but that got me to thinking, because it is really a very nice idea for a dress (even though i can't make the dress, because that would be stealing her idea, although maybe i could make the dress and then give it to her and she would be happy?). well, i don't know how one even gets prints onto a dress like that. i imagine i could figure it out; we'll see. i have been meaning to learn something useful like how to make nice clothes.
anyway, i was thinking about it more today, and i think i would want this one to be the beautiful woman on my dress. but if i can't have her on a dress, maybe i'll get a framed poster for my room? i am starting to think i am going to need a whole wall devoted to lichtenstein and warhol. at least it'll mesh well...
New and Improved
I only just figured out that A and j could post separately if the blog was arranged correctly. So that's what's happening.
The rule is now this: all future posts should have the initial of the author at the end. All the old posts have my initial at the end because they were written under my profile, but can be distinguished because only I use capitalization in my writing. And of course, because we have completely different personalities and writing styles, but I wanted to keep the differences simple.
Clarity is good in life. :)
When I have something more useful to write about, you'll all be the first to know.
Cheers -
-A
The rule is now this: all future posts should have the initial of the author at the end. All the old posts have my initial at the end because they were written under my profile, but can be distinguished because only I use capitalization in my writing. And of course, because we have completely different personalities and writing styles, but I wanted to keep the differences simple.
Clarity is good in life. :)
When I have something more useful to write about, you'll all be the first to know.
Cheers -
-A
Saturday, February 16, 2008
From My Grandmother in Jerusalem...
The President of Iran was wondering who to invade when his telephone rang.
"This is Mendel in Tel Aviv. We're officially declaring war on you!"
"How big is your army?" the president asked.
"There's me, my cousin Moishe, and our pinochle team!"
"I have a million in my army," said the president.
"I'll call back!" said Mendel.
The next day he called. "The war's still on! We have now a bulldozer, Goldblatt's tractor. Plus the canasta team!"
"I have 16,000 tanks, and my army is now two million."
"Oy gevalt!", said Mendel. "I'll call back."
He phoned the next day. "We're calling off the war."
"Why?", asked the president.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Awwwwwwwwww!
She exclaims as she melts into a pile of maternal goop...
Click!
By the way, just like flyfishing, golf, curling, and speed-eating contests, what you're going to see is not a sport.
Click!
By the way, just like flyfishing, golf, curling, and speed-eating contests, what you're going to see is not a sport.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
On a Darker Note
The next generation of 'networking' technology has arrived.
Uninhibited peeps with exibitionist tendencies, meet Gypsii. Gypsii, meet uninhibited peeps with exhibitionist tendencies. Because if you're silly enough to post your particulars on the Internet, you're silly enough do the near tech equivalent of radio-tagging yourself.
Uninhibited peeps with exibitionist tendencies, meet Gypsii. Gypsii, meet uninhibited peeps with exhibitionist tendencies. Because if you're silly enough to post your particulars on the Internet, you're silly enough do the near tech equivalent of radio-tagging yourself.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Just to Decompress
I've spent all day researching radical Islam and terrorism for a project at work. Doing this type of stuff used to get me hyped up on growing up to do something big in the way of protecting the world and my friends and family. Now it's just tiring and depressing.
Don't know what exactly changed, but there are days when I wouldn't mind being much more 'immature'. I'd like to think that the root cause is just a lack of energy, but after having dosed myself on caffeine and sugar all day, that is looking less than likely...
By the way, Tom Lantos z"tl, who I cited to in an earlier post, died yesterday. He held a lot of the wrong positions, in my view, but he vociferously defended what he believed in and has left his mark on the United States Congress. From penniless Holocaust camp survivor to Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He managed to ruffle a lot of feathers, but his passion and his wit will be missed. With any luck, there will be room for me and other Morlockish garage office staff at the memorial service on Thursday. I'll let ya know how that goes.
J has admitted she is as weird as I am in the post below. I just want that noted and re-noted for the record. ;-)
Don't know what exactly changed, but there are days when I wouldn't mind being much more 'immature'. I'd like to think that the root cause is just a lack of energy, but after having dosed myself on caffeine and sugar all day, that is looking less than likely...
By the way, Tom Lantos z"tl, who I cited to in an earlier post, died yesterday. He held a lot of the wrong positions, in my view, but he vociferously defended what he believed in and has left his mark on the United States Congress. From penniless Holocaust camp survivor to Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He managed to ruffle a lot of feathers, but his passion and his wit will be missed. With any luck, there will be room for me and other Morlockish garage office staff at the memorial service on Thursday. I'll let ya know how that goes.
J has admitted she is as weird as I am in the post below. I just want that noted and re-noted for the record. ;-)
Monday, February 11, 2008
fine and dandy
okay, so today was awesome. we pulled out an incredible last-second win over 'nova (actually, if you want to get technical, last 0.1 second win) which was just AMAZING to be present for. oh, j-wal, will you marry me?
and on another note, today b asked me in corporations if i was doing a book report on andy warhol. this is mostly because i have recently decided to get back in touch with my love of andy warhol, which chose to manifest itself in my surfing through artwork during the break in corps. pure proof that i am just as weird as a, though possibly in a different way.
this may have been prompted by my current obsession with the dandy warhols. mcn says my life can't be like a dandy warhols song because i'm not hopped up on the h. i have to think about that some. for the record, i am not hopped up on the h. however, we did determine last weekend that sugar seems to have a similar effect on me.
i want my andy warhol posters back. i bought some from the national gallery a couple of years ago and now my brother has them and i do not think he is using them. they say things that i like on them:
the idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting.
the world fascinates me.
i think everybody should like everybody.
art is what you can get away with.
on saturday, mcn said to me: "nobody ever accused you of being normal, did they?"
no, they didn't, and i'm glad of it.
and on another note, today b asked me in corporations if i was doing a book report on andy warhol. this is mostly because i have recently decided to get back in touch with my love of andy warhol, which chose to manifest itself in my surfing through artwork during the break in corps. pure proof that i am just as weird as a, though possibly in a different way.
this may have been prompted by my current obsession with the dandy warhols. mcn says my life can't be like a dandy warhols song because i'm not hopped up on the h. i have to think about that some. for the record, i am not hopped up on the h. however, we did determine last weekend that sugar seems to have a similar effect on me.
i want my andy warhol posters back. i bought some from the national gallery a couple of years ago and now my brother has them and i do not think he is using them. they say things that i like on them:
the idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting.
the world fascinates me.
i think everybody should like everybody.
art is what you can get away with.
on saturday, mcn said to me: "nobody ever accused you of being normal, did they?"
no, they didn't, and i'm glad of it.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
"There Is No Day Sex Monkey Nut!"
Someone was talking to me today about relationships. There was a point where he got very emphatic, and I heard him proclaim: "There is no day sex monkey nut!"
In some small amount of shock, I sort of blinked for a bit before deciding that I would respond with, "Indeed, that is a valid complaint." Which makes no sense, but therefore is precisely the type of thing I would say.
Then I though a bit harder, because there was no way in hell he had actually said that. So it took a few extra seconds of stunned silence, but finally I got it: "There is no deus ex machina!"
At which point, I proudly replied with, "Indeed, that is a valid complaint," which still made no sense, but on the scale of things the world was so much more coherent to me than it had been just a few seconds ago that it didn't really matter. Accomplishment is a relative thing.
You see what J has to put up with?
Doubt you can really top this story, but if anyone else has a slightly ridiculous broken telephone anecdote they'd like to share, please do. You can write it, or chance things and tell me by spoken word. :)
In some small amount of shock, I sort of blinked for a bit before deciding that I would respond with, "Indeed, that is a valid complaint." Which makes no sense, but therefore is precisely the type of thing I would say.
Then I though a bit harder, because there was no way in hell he had actually said that. So it took a few extra seconds of stunned silence, but finally I got it: "There is no deus ex machina!"
At which point, I proudly replied with, "Indeed, that is a valid complaint," which still made no sense, but on the scale of things the world was so much more coherent to me than it had been just a few seconds ago that it didn't really matter. Accomplishment is a relative thing.
You see what J has to put up with?
Doubt you can really top this story, but if anyone else has a slightly ridiculous broken telephone anecdote they'd like to share, please do. You can write it, or chance things and tell me by spoken word. :)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
step up 3: if you're into it
sometimes, i have inspired moments, and i had one today. i'm not sure if you all are fans of flight of the conchords (if you aren't, you should be), but there's this great little song called "if you're into it" which is just amazing. and since my friend r has a crush on this guy, whom she attempts to woo by busting a fly move, i modified the lyrics a little so that she'll have something to sing during the dance routine....
r:
if you want me to,
i could dance 'round for you
if i only knew
that's what you're into
j:
you and her, her and you
if that's what you're into
her dancin' 'round around you
you're watchin' her, yeah you're there too
r:
and if you want me to, i will step up on a car for you
i will step up on a car for you
if that's what you're into
j:
how 'bout her doin' moves
steppin' up like step up 2
steppin' up in front of you
is that what you'd wanna view?
r:
if it's cool with you
i'll let you do some dancin' too
we could hip hop for two
if that's what you're into
j:
is that what you're into?
her and you, dancin' too?
that's what she's prepared to do
is that the kind of thing that you think you might be into?
r:
and then maybe later
we can show our fly moves to a hater
take it to the hood if you're feeling antsy
do you think that might be what you fancy?
j:
dancin' round with fly moves
showin' haters that you're coo'
bein' fly, bein' coo'
we heard that's what you're into
r:
then on our next date
you could be my dance mate
i don't know if jules is keen to
but maybe she could bust a move too
j:
how 'bout you and two girls
bustin' moves, you, r and jules
dancin' with two chicks, bein' coo'
well, that's if jules's into it too
r:
all the things i'd do
things i'd do for you
if i only knew
that's what you're into
no, i don't really know where that came from. but i can tell you that r and i have an entire movie plot now based on this song, and since i will be in LA this summer, we plan on pitching it to the hollywood bigwigs. we're going to be rich and famous. the next damon and affleck, if you will. but we promise not to let the fame go to our heads. we remember what it was like to be the little guy too.
r:
if you want me to,
i could dance 'round for you
if i only knew
that's what you're into
j:
you and her, her and you
if that's what you're into
her dancin' 'round around you
you're watchin' her, yeah you're there too
r:
and if you want me to, i will step up on a car for you
i will step up on a car for you
if that's what you're into
j:
how 'bout her doin' moves
steppin' up like step up 2
steppin' up in front of you
is that what you'd wanna view?
r:
if it's cool with you
i'll let you do some dancin' too
we could hip hop for two
if that's what you're into
j:
is that what you're into?
her and you, dancin' too?
that's what she's prepared to do
is that the kind of thing that you think you might be into?
r:
and then maybe later
we can show our fly moves to a hater
take it to the hood if you're feeling antsy
do you think that might be what you fancy?
j:
dancin' round with fly moves
showin' haters that you're coo'
bein' fly, bein' coo'
we heard that's what you're into
r:
then on our next date
you could be my dance mate
i don't know if jules is keen to
but maybe she could bust a move too
j:
how 'bout you and two girls
bustin' moves, you, r and jules
dancin' with two chicks, bein' coo'
well, that's if jules's into it too
r:
all the things i'd do
things i'd do for you
if i only knew
that's what you're into
no, i don't really know where that came from. but i can tell you that r and i have an entire movie plot now based on this song, and since i will be in LA this summer, we plan on pitching it to the hollywood bigwigs. we're going to be rich and famous. the next damon and affleck, if you will. but we promise not to let the fame go to our heads. we remember what it was like to be the little guy too.
Take Me To Your Leader. Now.
For all you fine folks who have seen me rubbing at my chestbone over the past day or so and maybe grimacing a bit, I promise you that it was anything but obscene. There's a painful spot right off the chestbone and the cause is apparently tendonitis. OF THE FREAKING CHEST.
I thought that was only supposed to happen to my elbows after a frenzied game of tennis. Which I don't play because it's a sport involving physical coordination. So basically tendonitis and I should never have had any association. AAAAAAAGH.
Full disclosure: it's a fairly small, focused, inflammation concentrated around the sternum and not the entire ribcage. Really though, this little parade of horribles is starting to get just a tad ridiculous.
Whoever is responsible, I'd like to speak to their manager, please. Pronto.
I thought that was only supposed to happen to my elbows after a frenzied game of tennis. Which I don't play because it's a sport involving physical coordination. So basically tendonitis and I should never have had any association. AAAAAAAGH.
Full disclosure: it's a fairly small, focused, inflammation concentrated around the sternum and not the entire ribcage. Really though, this little parade of horribles is starting to get just a tad ridiculous.
Whoever is responsible, I'd like to speak to their manager, please. Pronto.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Blah...
Having just finished typing up book notes on a mega-IP assignment (note to self: next time don't leave the typing for the night before and do the reading two nights before), I'm finally peeling myself off the floor and into bed.
And having caught up on the Super Tuesday results, basically all I can say is in the title to this post. It's not like I wanted anyone in particular to win, but I can't say I'm happy with who did emerge victorious. Can someone explain where the charisma is for Hillary? I'm not getting down on her, this is an honest inquiry. It really feels like she calculates every nuance in her speech, though she's bad enough at it that it comes across. As for Obama, I don't like him politics and policy-wise, but it's pretty easy to see how he could draw votes - he's an accomplished guy with good looks, a nice voice, excellent speaking ability, and skills with the crowd. I don't really believe he's any different than anyone else, but when he's speaking, he does allow me to think that for a few brief minutes. 'Inspiration' is not necessarily the ingredient for a successful next presidential term, but if it was, he'd certainly have the credentials. This massive upswell in support for Hillary baffles me, and it can't all be due to the fact that Bill is on her side. Or that she's a she and not a he.
Admittedly the most recent irritation is small - she claims to have been really concerned about the Superbowl and elated when the Giants won. Please, lady. I'd be surprised if you could define the term touchdown. There's also the fact that I've never seen her smile once where her eyes didn't open way wide before she began to grin. It really seems like an orchestrated movement, each go around. This may be a feature distinctive to her face, in which case I apologize for what might be an insensitive observation. Somebody explain the charisma to me.
Don't get me started on the McCain win. All day I've been hearing about how wonderful he is because he's got an adopted daughter from a foreign country and he's a war hero. Excellent, I'll nominate him for Time Man of the Year; I have no objection to that. But being a naval aviator, being a former POW, being a caring and kind individual... those are all good things, but they are NOT necessarily portents of a good presidency. I respect McCain's vast contributions to the country, both in his youth, and later on as a participant in the Senate. However some of his more liberal policies and his increasingly brash and abrasive attitude on the campaign trail have been major turnoffs. Those things, combined with his age and lack of energizing speaking ability have sort of left me at less than lukewarm.
Surprisingly, Ron Paul turned out to be an appealing candidate, at least in his domestic policy. The foreign policy is entirely misdirected and misunderstood, and if implemented, would have disastrous consequences for the country. So I guess his fizzling, essential non-candidacy at this point isn't entirely bad, but there is a small part of me that is disappointed.
Huckabee surprised a lot of people tonight... McCain made sure to say good things about him... I wonder what kind of ticket is brewing over at the GOP...
Romney-wise, I think he's had his day and lost it. Given the results of today that seems like a fairly non-controversial statement, but does anyone else have any thoughts on that?
The observations got a whole lot shorter and more inane as I realized how tired I am. Sleep now. Good night, all.
And having caught up on the Super Tuesday results, basically all I can say is in the title to this post. It's not like I wanted anyone in particular to win, but I can't say I'm happy with who did emerge victorious. Can someone explain where the charisma is for Hillary? I'm not getting down on her, this is an honest inquiry. It really feels like she calculates every nuance in her speech, though she's bad enough at it that it comes across. As for Obama, I don't like him politics and policy-wise, but it's pretty easy to see how he could draw votes - he's an accomplished guy with good looks, a nice voice, excellent speaking ability, and skills with the crowd. I don't really believe he's any different than anyone else, but when he's speaking, he does allow me to think that for a few brief minutes. 'Inspiration' is not necessarily the ingredient for a successful next presidential term, but if it was, he'd certainly have the credentials. This massive upswell in support for Hillary baffles me, and it can't all be due to the fact that Bill is on her side. Or that she's a she and not a he.
Admittedly the most recent irritation is small - she claims to have been really concerned about the Superbowl and elated when the Giants won. Please, lady. I'd be surprised if you could define the term touchdown. There's also the fact that I've never seen her smile once where her eyes didn't open way wide before she began to grin. It really seems like an orchestrated movement, each go around. This may be a feature distinctive to her face, in which case I apologize for what might be an insensitive observation. Somebody explain the charisma to me.
Don't get me started on the McCain win. All day I've been hearing about how wonderful he is because he's got an adopted daughter from a foreign country and he's a war hero. Excellent, I'll nominate him for Time Man of the Year; I have no objection to that. But being a naval aviator, being a former POW, being a caring and kind individual... those are all good things, but they are NOT necessarily portents of a good presidency. I respect McCain's vast contributions to the country, both in his youth, and later on as a participant in the Senate. However some of his more liberal policies and his increasingly brash and abrasive attitude on the campaign trail have been major turnoffs. Those things, combined with his age and lack of energizing speaking ability have sort of left me at less than lukewarm.
Surprisingly, Ron Paul turned out to be an appealing candidate, at least in his domestic policy. The foreign policy is entirely misdirected and misunderstood, and if implemented, would have disastrous consequences for the country. So I guess his fizzling, essential non-candidacy at this point isn't entirely bad, but there is a small part of me that is disappointed.
Huckabee surprised a lot of people tonight... McCain made sure to say good things about him... I wonder what kind of ticket is brewing over at the GOP...
Romney-wise, I think he's had his day and lost it. Given the results of today that seems like a fairly non-controversial statement, but does anyone else have any thoughts on that?
The observations got a whole lot shorter and more inane as I realized how tired I am. Sleep now. Good night, all.
let the nailbiting commence
more on politics from me. come on, i go to georgetown, which means that my two spectator sports of choice are hoyas basketball (go hoyas!!!! here's knowing we'll bag our own super tuesday win against USF tonight) and the primaries.
the early exits have obama winning georgia, which brings a smile to my face as i wallow in agricultural subsidies (why am i wallowing in ag subsidies at 7.15pm, you ask? oh, the lovely WTO...)
all right, one down, 21 more to go.
but of course, this is shaping up to be the most obnoxiously protracted primary season since who knows when, so it doesn't all end tonight. yet, somehow, i'm praying for a miracle. especially in my home state...
okay, enough politispeak. here's something a little more lighthearted to chew on (did i mention that i dislike the pats almost as much as i dislike the red sox?).
the early exits have obama winning georgia, which brings a smile to my face as i wallow in agricultural subsidies (why am i wallowing in ag subsidies at 7.15pm, you ask? oh, the lovely WTO...)
all right, one down, 21 more to go.
but of course, this is shaping up to be the most obnoxiously protracted primary season since who knows when, so it doesn't all end tonight. yet, somehow, i'm praying for a miracle. especially in my home state...
okay, enough politispeak. here's something a little more lighthearted to chew on (did i mention that i dislike the pats almost as much as i dislike the red sox?).
Baruch Dayan Emet.
I guess. Somehow blessings seem highly inappropriate, but the Jew manual says this is what you do.
Yes, I'm a little bitter. Most people involved or even tangentially so probably are.
On another note, I'm loving J's long post.
Yes, I'm a little bitter. Most people involved or even tangentially so probably are.
On another note, I'm loving J's long post.
Monday, February 4, 2008
gobama!!!!!!!!!!!!!
on the eve of super tuesday, i think i should deliver on my promised increased volume of political posts. this was prompted by a conversation with s about why i voted obama in the primaries and why i really really hope he will be our general election candidate and next president. now, i am not going to turn this into a "hate on hillary" post. but hopefully i will be able to sway a few of you who are busily postmarking your absentees or getting ready to head off to the polls tomorrow to vote for my guy. in fact, since politics is all about "messaging," i'll play like the politicians and give you my top three reasons to gobama tomorrow, and in the general.
1. the change candidate. okay, i am going to have to qualify this one. after 5 years of living inside the beltway, i have to tell you that i don't think being a washington "insider" is such a bad thing. realistically, any serious candidate, in order to be "ready on day one," needs to have a good understanding of the district's bureaucracy and connections that will make it possible to move policy along at a pace faster than a snail's crawl. but there's a reason that so many people have a problem with the "insider."
i'd submit that the problem isn't the knowledge of the bureaucracy or connections to it -- these things are necessary to function in washington, and if a candidate doesn't have them upon setting up shop at 1600 pennsylvania, he or she definitely will by the end of four years in office. the problem is the paternalistic nature of these connections and their manifestation to the general public. i am inspired by obama because he has convinced me that as an individual, i matter to the political system, and that, beyond that, even though the political elite controls so much out of necessity, if i speak with other citizens, i really do have the power to effect change.
that's the nice, sweet, heartwarming reason to love obama. but it goes a little deeper than that for me. hillary's campaign is, to say the least, a little nixonian (there's a great economist article on the subject that i wish i could link to here, but alas, i cannot). and while i understand the strategic need to stay on message, which is most easily achieved by controlling everything that every staffer says, there's a certain amount of information that i as a voting citizen feel entitled to. when the campaign denies me that information (ex. won't tell me who the environmental policy advisor is -- the only one out of 9 presidential campaigns that i contacted to do this) i start to get a little concerned.
it's that icky feeling again, the same one i've had for the last eight years: a clinton II administration thinks there's certain information i just don't need to know, and they're more than willing to tell me so. and it's not critical information, like where our nukes are hidden. it's information about who is influencing important policy decisions. it's information that affects how i'll choose to vote. and when i don't even need to call the obama campaign because that same information is prominently displayed on his website, i feel a glaring difference in style that might just make all the difference to me as a voter. which segues nicely to my second point...
2. the change candidate. no, not the same as my last point. but it is connected. my biggest problem with the present administration (and believe me, i've got many) is the blind adherence to one policy and the refusal to change even with a striking amount of evidence and public outcry suggesting that this isn't the way to go. i want a departure from that mentality over the next four (and hopefully eight) years.
it's true that being president requires you to set policy and to stick to that policy while seeing it through. but it also requires some reassessment of strategies and policies at each step of the way. obama seems willing to undertake these kinds of assessments, and moreover, to (see above) be more transparent about the decisions that he is making and more willing to take into account a variety of opinions before making a final decision. i worry about hillary mostly because i think that she can be very rigid in her approach and unwilling to admit that she might have made a mistake (why it really bothers me that she still won't say that voting for the war was a bad call -- but you may disagree with me on this point). anyway the upshot of this is that my concern is that she will approach things the same way this administration did, just starting out with policies that i happen to like quite a bit better. but extreme operating style isn't ever the best thing, no matter how much i like the initial policies.
3. the dynasty effect (aka billary). it really spoke to me when ted kennedy endorsed obama last week. here's a guy who has worked pretty closely with the last clinton administration and knows the inner workings of that machine as well as anyone in washington. he also happens to be an incredibly well-respected senator. and he's saying that, having lived through a clinton I administration, he's not really interested in the sequel.
i have to say that i'm not that interested either. as much as i thought certain things about clinton I were great, bill seems to have gone a little nuts lately. and there's something to be said for the theory that just as bush I fans saw this administration as a chance to get in and correct the mistakes they made on the first run (and add a substantial number of their own), clinton I fans want a shot at eight more years sans lewinskygate. but times have changed and just as the bush II administration was a bit anachronistic, the dynastic swing might stick us back in 1992...the problem being that it's not 1992 anymore.
there's a lot to be said for the considerable experience that both bill and hillary have in their unique positions. but experience only takes you so far, and can sometimes hinder a fresh perspective on events. i'm not sure if we really want to spend the next four or even eight years looking at the world through billary-colored glasses.
so there you go, that's my two cents. but as i pointed out to mcn earlier, this is just my primaryspeak, and i'm sure i'll have a whole new set of issues once we roll around to general time. i can't really believe i wrote all of this out. i also feel like it's not as articulate as it could have been. but i usually feel that way about things i write. oh well. it is late and this is but a blog. try not to be too critical...
and with that, it's back to climate change reports and fisheries subsidies! and on an unrelated note, i should build on a's post re: illness by announcing that this apartment is apparently a den of sickness. after spending six hours in the hospital last week getting a CT scan and having various IVs pumped into me to determine whether or not i had appendicitis (i didn't) i am relatively convinced that things have to start getting better in the health department because it doesn't get too much worse. knock on wood, i don't actually want to end up with appendicitis here.
okay, now climate change reports and fisheries subsidies.
1. the change candidate. okay, i am going to have to qualify this one. after 5 years of living inside the beltway, i have to tell you that i don't think being a washington "insider" is such a bad thing. realistically, any serious candidate, in order to be "ready on day one," needs to have a good understanding of the district's bureaucracy and connections that will make it possible to move policy along at a pace faster than a snail's crawl. but there's a reason that so many people have a problem with the "insider."
i'd submit that the problem isn't the knowledge of the bureaucracy or connections to it -- these things are necessary to function in washington, and if a candidate doesn't have them upon setting up shop at 1600 pennsylvania, he or she definitely will by the end of four years in office. the problem is the paternalistic nature of these connections and their manifestation to the general public. i am inspired by obama because he has convinced me that as an individual, i matter to the political system, and that, beyond that, even though the political elite controls so much out of necessity, if i speak with other citizens, i really do have the power to effect change.
that's the nice, sweet, heartwarming reason to love obama. but it goes a little deeper than that for me. hillary's campaign is, to say the least, a little nixonian (there's a great economist article on the subject that i wish i could link to here, but alas, i cannot). and while i understand the strategic need to stay on message, which is most easily achieved by controlling everything that every staffer says, there's a certain amount of information that i as a voting citizen feel entitled to. when the campaign denies me that information (ex. won't tell me who the environmental policy advisor is -- the only one out of 9 presidential campaigns that i contacted to do this) i start to get a little concerned.
it's that icky feeling again, the same one i've had for the last eight years: a clinton II administration thinks there's certain information i just don't need to know, and they're more than willing to tell me so. and it's not critical information, like where our nukes are hidden. it's information about who is influencing important policy decisions. it's information that affects how i'll choose to vote. and when i don't even need to call the obama campaign because that same information is prominently displayed on his website, i feel a glaring difference in style that might just make all the difference to me as a voter. which segues nicely to my second point...
2. the change candidate. no, not the same as my last point. but it is connected. my biggest problem with the present administration (and believe me, i've got many) is the blind adherence to one policy and the refusal to change even with a striking amount of evidence and public outcry suggesting that this isn't the way to go. i want a departure from that mentality over the next four (and hopefully eight) years.
it's true that being president requires you to set policy and to stick to that policy while seeing it through. but it also requires some reassessment of strategies and policies at each step of the way. obama seems willing to undertake these kinds of assessments, and moreover, to (see above) be more transparent about the decisions that he is making and more willing to take into account a variety of opinions before making a final decision. i worry about hillary mostly because i think that she can be very rigid in her approach and unwilling to admit that she might have made a mistake (why it really bothers me that she still won't say that voting for the war was a bad call -- but you may disagree with me on this point). anyway the upshot of this is that my concern is that she will approach things the same way this administration did, just starting out with policies that i happen to like quite a bit better. but extreme operating style isn't ever the best thing, no matter how much i like the initial policies.
3. the dynasty effect (aka billary). it really spoke to me when ted kennedy endorsed obama last week. here's a guy who has worked pretty closely with the last clinton administration and knows the inner workings of that machine as well as anyone in washington. he also happens to be an incredibly well-respected senator. and he's saying that, having lived through a clinton I administration, he's not really interested in the sequel.
i have to say that i'm not that interested either. as much as i thought certain things about clinton I were great, bill seems to have gone a little nuts lately. and there's something to be said for the theory that just as bush I fans saw this administration as a chance to get in and correct the mistakes they made on the first run (and add a substantial number of their own), clinton I fans want a shot at eight more years sans lewinskygate. but times have changed and just as the bush II administration was a bit anachronistic, the dynastic swing might stick us back in 1992...the problem being that it's not 1992 anymore.
there's a lot to be said for the considerable experience that both bill and hillary have in their unique positions. but experience only takes you so far, and can sometimes hinder a fresh perspective on events. i'm not sure if we really want to spend the next four or even eight years looking at the world through billary-colored glasses.
so there you go, that's my two cents. but as i pointed out to mcn earlier, this is just my primaryspeak, and i'm sure i'll have a whole new set of issues once we roll around to general time. i can't really believe i wrote all of this out. i also feel like it's not as articulate as it could have been. but i usually feel that way about things i write. oh well. it is late and this is but a blog. try not to be too critical...
and with that, it's back to climate change reports and fisheries subsidies! and on an unrelated note, i should build on a's post re: illness by announcing that this apartment is apparently a den of sickness. after spending six hours in the hospital last week getting a CT scan and having various IVs pumped into me to determine whether or not i had appendicitis (i didn't) i am relatively convinced that things have to start getting better in the health department because it doesn't get too much worse. knock on wood, i don't actually want to end up with appendicitis here.
okay, now climate change reports and fisheries subsidies.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
How Do the Doctors Not Get Sick?
I spent much of the past 36 hours doing things with and for people heavily afficted with what is minimally the flu and maximally the plague. Now, I happen to be experiencing persistent muscle aches and a feeling of utter exhaustion.
So here's the question: are we now going to relapse into a flu on top of the fading pneumonia?
Stay tuned. This just keeps getting more exciting by the day.
P.S. A diagram of the past month looks something like this:
Flu --> Sinus infection --> Pnemonia (being treated by rest+2 massive IV treatments and 2 weeks of antibiotics)--> Flu(?)
I write it out because it amuses the somewhat twisted part of me. Oddly enough, it seems that my parents don't appreciate my sense of humor...
So here's the question: are we now going to relapse into a flu on top of the fading pneumonia?
Stay tuned. This just keeps getting more exciting by the day.
P.S. A diagram of the past month looks something like this:
Flu --> Sinus infection --> Pnemonia (being treated by rest+2 massive IV treatments and 2 weeks of antibiotics)--> Flu(?)
I write it out because it amuses the somewhat twisted part of me. Oddly enough, it seems that my parents don't appreciate my sense of humor...
Truer Words Were Never Spoken -
"...it is important to state publicly, that Palestinians are quite capable of recognizing their national leaders and honoring their memories. They are quite entitled to write their own history."
- PLO Mission
Well, carry on blokes. The Israelis appear to be letting you do a great job of that, as does the UN, UK, US and any number of entities with staunch revisionist tendencies.
The quote is from a release by the PLO Mission protesting comments by Rep. Tom Lantos that their warm commemoration of a PLFP founder and utter terrorist and murderer was, among other things, "asinine", "crude" and "insensitive." I don't agree with many of Lantos's positions, but this is an instance where his copious rough edges and I are in perfect sync.
His upcoming retirement is sad, all the more so because it is due to illness. There are few in the House outspoken, and as eloquent when outspoken as he.
- PLO Mission
Well, carry on blokes. The Israelis appear to be letting you do a great job of that, as does the UN, UK, US and any number of entities with staunch revisionist tendencies.
The quote is from a release by the PLO Mission protesting comments by Rep. Tom Lantos that their warm commemoration of a PLFP founder and utter terrorist and murderer was, among other things, "asinine", "crude" and "insensitive." I don't agree with many of Lantos's positions, but this is an instance where his copious rough edges and I are in perfect sync.
His upcoming retirement is sad, all the more so because it is due to illness. There are few in the House outspoken, and as eloquent when outspoken as he.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Blogging Politics'll Be Fun
On that last note, I should probably state for the record that I tend to come down on the conservative side of things and that I tend to prioritize certain concerns about American foreign policy and its role in the Middle East. Current state of mind on that: thoroughly, incredibly, despondently disappointed. Ask me about it in person.
At this time, having followed all the debates and the candidates fairly closely, I can't see myself voting for anybody. I'm really hoping that one of the Republicans sees his way to doing something really impressive over the next year that I can hang my hat on. The chances of that happening are slim though. For the time being, I'm just enjoying the experience of watching this tremendous political theater play out from a DC vantage point. It's like a magic show, but with more smoke and mirrors and sleight of hand.
And in Hillary's case, more plants in the audience.
So... Super Tuesday should indeed be fun but that's currently the extent of my comments on the matter. Should she choose to post a bunch of poltical stuff, J's theories on the world are sure to be more well-reasoned and coherent than my own gibberish, and I'm looking forward to reading that.
Currently I'm lying in bed... still... having recently taken my meds to cure what has become a nearly-permanent illness of one type or another, and a true pain in the ass in general. My theory is that I got a flu immediately following finals, suffered through that for a week and a half, had that evolve into the obligatory follow-up sinus infection, and then somehow had that develop into what the doctors call "pneumonia". So now I'm on bed rest for the next couple of days, which is an easy way to minimize the coughing and thus prevent my taxed ribs from just giving up the good fight and cracking. It's a story I'll tell my grandkids, if I ever stop coughing and hacking and being so incredibly gross that marriage and couplehood seem like real prospects again.
'Gather round, children. Let me tell you about the time I became the poster-child for immunological deficiencies."
And while tangentially referencing marriage and couplehood, lemme just send out best wishes for Refuah Shelaymah to AC and RSC, who seem to be similarly mucousically talented from what I've read over at Small Thoughts.
Breathe well, sleep easy.
Over'n'out.
At this time, having followed all the debates and the candidates fairly closely, I can't see myself voting for anybody. I'm really hoping that one of the Republicans sees his way to doing something really impressive over the next year that I can hang my hat on. The chances of that happening are slim though. For the time being, I'm just enjoying the experience of watching this tremendous political theater play out from a DC vantage point. It's like a magic show, but with more smoke and mirrors and sleight of hand.
And in Hillary's case, more plants in the audience.
So... Super Tuesday should indeed be fun but that's currently the extent of my comments on the matter. Should she choose to post a bunch of poltical stuff, J's theories on the world are sure to be more well-reasoned and coherent than my own gibberish, and I'm looking forward to reading that.
Currently I'm lying in bed... still... having recently taken my meds to cure what has become a nearly-permanent illness of one type or another, and a true pain in the ass in general. My theory is that I got a flu immediately following finals, suffered through that for a week and a half, had that evolve into the obligatory follow-up sinus infection, and then somehow had that develop into what the doctors call "pneumonia". So now I'm on bed rest for the next couple of days, which is an easy way to minimize the coughing and thus prevent my taxed ribs from just giving up the good fight and cracking. It's a story I'll tell my grandkids, if I ever stop coughing and hacking and being so incredibly gross that marriage and couplehood seem like real prospects again.
'Gather round, children. Let me tell you about the time I became the poster-child for immunological deficiencies."
And while tangentially referencing marriage and couplehood, lemme just send out best wishes for Refuah Shelaymah to AC and RSC, who seem to be similarly mucousically talented from what I've read over at Small Thoughts.
Breathe well, sleep easy.
Over'n'out.
obama mama
i think the time has come to acknowledge to our readers that i am a raging liberal. i can't believe this hasn't happened yet. i am going to need to get more serious about some political posts as the election season moves forward. right now i'm biting my nails in preparation for super tuesday. i should probably give it a rest so that i actually have some nails left to bite on super tuesday.
oh, and i am definitely working on becoming the next obama girl. tshirt suggestions much appreciated. 55-27....booyah baby.
oh, and i am definitely working on becoming the next obama girl. tshirt suggestions much appreciated. 55-27....booyah baby.
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Democratic Debate
I'm especially liking the smackdown between Obama and Clinton. They've basically done everything but stoop to 'Yo' Mama' lines.
It must be hard to Stand for Change when you're mud-wrestling.
It must be hard to Stand for Change when you're mud-wrestling.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The Countdown
There is such a long distance to do between now and then, but I can't resist contemplating spending next semester in Israel. And I know that that's past 1) finishing the paper from last semester, 2) getting through this semester, and 3) tackling the shiny summer job in NYC, but I can't seem to hold back the excitement any longer.
Georgetown will soon be announcing the opportunity to study abroad at Hebrew U through a newly-established partnership with the Mount Scopus facility. They're still hammering out the differing schedules, which is why nothing has been announced yet (Israel starts after the chagim, which would present potential problems in aligning the end of the fall semester overseas with the start of the spring semester here). And they only have space for 4-5 students. But I've known about this damned program for months and the anticipation is just starting to bubble. It's been far too long since I've been back. What's really awful is that once I am back, all the whitewashing of the "matzav" that's going on in my brain right now is going to disappear. Probably immediately. And I will miss the DC community very much. But it's primarily that first thing that scares me.
And with that babble finally out on paper, perhaps I should preemptively quash this new habit I'm forming of working to strains Galgalatz in the background. It just may be affecting the quality of my study habits.
Georgetown will soon be announcing the opportunity to study abroad at Hebrew U through a newly-established partnership with the Mount Scopus facility. They're still hammering out the differing schedules, which is why nothing has been announced yet (Israel starts after the chagim, which would present potential problems in aligning the end of the fall semester overseas with the start of the spring semester here). And they only have space for 4-5 students. But I've known about this damned program for months and the anticipation is just starting to bubble. It's been far too long since I've been back. What's really awful is that once I am back, all the whitewashing of the "matzav" that's going on in my brain right now is going to disappear. Probably immediately. And I will miss the DC community very much. But it's primarily that first thing that scares me.
And with that babble finally out on paper, perhaps I should preemptively quash this new habit I'm forming of working to strains Galgalatz in the background. It just may be affecting the quality of my study habits.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
hissing fauna...
ah so we are back again and honestly i am quite excited! oh, but i can't wait for it to snow again. this year i went back to california and actually craved snow on the streets which i suppose just shows that i have morphed into a creature of the east. today was pleasantly brisk and as it's not over yet i plan to take advantage of the chill and run to dupont for my little evening with w.
today mcn brought me this cd that i have been yearning for (totally the accurate vocabulary choice) for about a month. but i had been yearning for it based on a couple of particular songs and was not expecting to stumble into something even greater than what i had hoped for, which is really the best present ever. i always write about how i am a sucker for a good song but every once and a while you come across one that just flows through you as if it were part of your person always even before you ever heard it. it is beautiful.
the last two weeks since i have been back have just been so amazing. i feel that i am finally coming out of everything that has happened over the past few months and the world looks incredibly bright -- not that it wasn't bright before, but now it is really shining. i am so so so happy to be in this place with so many wonderful people. and thus far classes are beyond exceeding my expectations, which very much excites me. it's hard to believe this is the last few months that we'll all certainly be in the same place. everyone is really scattering after this semester...
all the more reason to make it the most amazing one yet.
today mcn brought me this cd that i have been yearning for (totally the accurate vocabulary choice) for about a month. but i had been yearning for it based on a couple of particular songs and was not expecting to stumble into something even greater than what i had hoped for, which is really the best present ever. i always write about how i am a sucker for a good song but every once and a while you come across one that just flows through you as if it were part of your person always even before you ever heard it. it is beautiful.
the last two weeks since i have been back have just been so amazing. i feel that i am finally coming out of everything that has happened over the past few months and the world looks incredibly bright -- not that it wasn't bright before, but now it is really shining. i am so so so happy to be in this place with so many wonderful people. and thus far classes are beyond exceeding my expectations, which very much excites me. it's hard to believe this is the last few months that we'll all certainly be in the same place. everyone is really scattering after this semester...
all the more reason to make it the most amazing one yet.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Jewish Law
I joined RBF's Jewish Law class shortly before it was no longer possible to do so. It was a tossup between the other course that I was taking because I thought I should, and then this one (the one that I wanted to take but didn't think would ultimately look useful). Weakness for what I hope will be tons of muttered random Aramaic phrases uttered in the Jesuit-iest institution around finally won out.
The course is actually split between RBF, the top Rabbi of Reform in the US, and another professor that I have yet to look into. We'll see how this plays out, as I'm not entirely sure how a multi-professor, multi-ideological course can really come together. But I've got faith (ba dum bum).
As an update to the post below: we had a good time even though I looked like I was totally suffering. Icing on the cake: going to hug Guy goodbye... and missing him by about two feet (to the left). Good catch, Guy.
By the way, I'm currently in NY. Quite sick, quite working on papers, quite going to miss the first day of school and wondering how the hell I'm going to make it through yet another schedule-intensive semester (though less so than the last one for reasons we'll just refer to as 'lessons learned').
The course is actually split between RBF, the top Rabbi of Reform in the US, and another professor that I have yet to look into. We'll see how this plays out, as I'm not entirely sure how a multi-professor, multi-ideological course can really come together. But I've got faith (ba dum bum).
As an update to the post below: we had a good time even though I looked like I was totally suffering. Icing on the cake: going to hug Guy goodbye... and missing him by about two feet (to the left). Good catch, Guy.
By the way, I'm currently in NY. Quite sick, quite working on papers, quite going to miss the first day of school and wondering how the hell I'm going to make it through yet another schedule-intensive semester (though less so than the last one for reasons we'll just refer to as 'lessons learned').
Thursday, January 10, 2008
This should be laughably interesting
I'm currently in so much physical pain that I can't walk for more than a few minutes. This has been occurring and gradually worsening for several days. The pain is concentrated in my neck, lower back, and legs and is resistant to all pain-relieving balms we have administered thusfar. Even the 'Extreme' stuff only works for a few minutes at best.
This evening, I'm going on a date-ish type get-together (type, because when you already know the person for a hella long time, it's something of an odd thing to label a 'date'). Perhaps because we've been chums for such a long time, even upon being informed that I am hobbling, hacking, and kvetching like the world's most romantically unappealing geriatric (Leona Helmsley-level), Guy's response was sympathetic, followed by 'can you at least chew?'
Why, yes. Yes I can. Problems solved.
In short, this evening promises to be personally pleasant, yet physically excruciating. Props to Guy - if I had to relish the prospect of taking me out me at the moment, I'd require payment in my weight in the strongest currency going and a guaranteed favorable exchange rate.
Swap exchange, I Law II peeps!
This evening, I'm going on a date-ish type get-together (type, because when you already know the person for a hella long time, it's something of an odd thing to label a 'date'). Perhaps because we've been chums for such a long time, even upon being informed that I am hobbling, hacking, and kvetching like the world's most romantically unappealing geriatric (Leona Helmsley-level), Guy's response was sympathetic, followed by 'can you at least chew?'
Why, yes. Yes I can. Problems solved.
In short, this evening promises to be personally pleasant, yet physically excruciating. Props to Guy - if I had to relish the prospect of taking me out me at the moment, I'd require payment in my weight in the strongest currency going and a guaranteed favorable exchange rate.
Swap exchange, I Law II peeps!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Wow. Wow.... Wow.
These guys are so... damned... good. Click around, buy tickets, whatever. But especially watch the opening video and then listen to their other stuff.
Do you have any idea how hard that is?! They're amazing! The only thing that would make this stuff better is if the cameraman had captured more of the fingerwork. Which he apparently decided wasn't all the important even though... well, that's really all that's important.
More vid here, by the way.
Do you have any idea how hard that is?! They're amazing! The only thing that would make this stuff better is if the cameraman had captured more of the fingerwork. Which he apparently decided wasn't all the important even though... well, that's really all that's important.
More vid here, by the way.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
The Happy New Year
Sure to be smoother than the last one, but filled with just as many quality people and experiences. Gotta say, the first day was not so bad. Hope yours was as good as mine, and if it wasn't - well there's always tomorrow, which tends to exceed expectations in one way or another.
To kick off a slight return to relative regularity in these posts: I caught Minnieckey (celverly using a box, a spoon, a rubber band, a spatula and a clear plastic container with a strong zipper) who turned out to be both a Mickey and a Minnie, and released them into the wild. Ojalo que tengan buen suerte, kidlets. The streets of Georgetown don't have nearly as many sweaters of mine to chew as you'd hope.
Anyway - now going back to writing papers and securing America for the common - and the greater - good.
Don't ask.
Just have a good night. Ciao. :-)
To kick off a slight return to relative regularity in these posts: I caught Minnieckey (celverly using a box, a spoon, a rubber band, a spatula and a clear plastic container with a strong zipper) who turned out to be both a Mickey and a Minnie, and released them into the wild. Ojalo que tengan buen suerte, kidlets. The streets of Georgetown don't have nearly as many sweaters of mine to chew as you'd hope.
Anyway - now going back to writing papers and securing America for the common - and the greater - good.
Don't ask.
Just have a good night. Ciao. :-)
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