McCain/Obama

The field has narrowed itself, leaving me somewhat disappointed. None of my candidates ever had a chance. My prediction is a McCain/Obama fight, though I am less sure about McCain than Obama.

The reason that fight could be interested lies in how they have both curried favor. Their "positives," or at least how they have been protrayed are very similar: energetic, willing to work across the aisle, and street cred: Obama's a black man who was honest about drug use, McCain is a war hero.

So, there it is, that's my call. Let you know in about a week how I did.

On an un-related and lighter note: on the way home tonight I heard Milli Vanilli on the radio. How sweet is that?

just for fun

Which Extremity of the World Are You?
From the towering colossi at Rum and Monkey.

Stop w/ the sci-fi!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/01/26/dead.satellite.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Most of the time it is really cool living in the future, but then there are days when it makes me a little nervous.

SKYNET

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/24/israel-developing-autonomous-digital-general-run-john-run/

Seriously, have they ever SEEN a sci-fi movie? ANY sci-fi movie?

This is how the world ends. And it is coming from Israel...Honestly, how many countries have sworn to destroy Israel? How long will it take for the computer to say "for efficiency's sake we should..." fill in the blank.

In the words of Mike Birbiglia, "And that's why we're all gonna die."

Unbefreakinlievable

I just saw the greatest quarter EVER. The Spurs not only turned the game around, but played some of the prettiest, most exciting ball in a long time.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280123024

Let me explain my love (I mean LOVE) for the Spurs.

They are everything a sports team should be. They give so much to their own community, and really seem intent on helping San Antonio be a first-rate city. Seriously, look what they are willing to do for local ads.



You never hear about a Spur in legal trouble. No drugs, so assault, no drunk driving - their biggest controversy is that they are associated with Eva Longoria who sometimes finds herself in a bad light, but not often. They are pretty much all decent dudes. Some people think they are boring, but really it comes down the the fact that they don't showboat and are more interested in playing good ball than getting in the news. And they aren't jerks. They focus on the fundamentals and are a completely unselfish team. Parker's gotten a little ball-hoggy, but the fact that other players consistently score in the 20's says that they are still willing to spread the love. Duncan actually turned down a raise of a few million dollars so the team could have more money to improve itself. How nice to know there are people in the world who realize at some point, "You know...I'm rich enough."

They are the best. As in they are the greatest team playing - so sayeth their multiple championships and their record. I tell people who call the Spurs boring the same thing every time: What is boring about being the best in the world? If you are more interested in glam and drama than watching a display of skills, there is always a beauty pageant going on somewhere.

Good guys, good players, the best coach in the league. And Pop studied Russian politics during the Cold War. How awesome is that? Maybe his team is so good because he threatens to waterboard their ass.

Just kidding. Last thing I need is a libel suit from Greg Popovich. Seriously, he's one of the best coaches ever, and he coaches a bunch of quality guys. Sadly, that is so refreshing that I have a crush on the whole team.

I promise soon I will return to politics and whatnot. What can I say? I was inspired.

The Evil Continues

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/washington/23cnd-health.html?ex=1358830800&en=b234089032f8751b&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

What sort of hipster are you?

You're the Tortured Intellectual!
Take What sort of Hipster are you? today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Personality Test Generator.

You're sensitive, you're emotional, and you wonder why everyone else in the world exists on a different plane. You cannot eat, breathe, or sleep without analyzing each action to death. You're usually sombre, depressed, lethargic, but you can be nearly glad from time to time. You wear whatever you can find on your cluttered bedroom floor. You carry books, notepads, reading glasses with you wherever you go. You have friends, but only a few who truly get where you're coming from. You frequent coffee shops, libraries, and the less crowded bars. You're obsessed with past people, past ideas, past lives. You wish you could die and be reborn as Jack Kerouac.

RIP

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/22/AR2008012202352.html?nav=rss_email/components

I don't usually delve into celebrity gossip, but this makes me a bit sad. I had confidence that this guy, who started out as just another pretty face, was going to ultimately make waves and we would have to begrudgingly admit he was quite talented. That is always refreshing - when somebody like Pitt or Damon turns out to be worth my attention outside of what they look like shirtless. He could have been that guy.

Apparently, Michael Cain told the press that his performance in the upcoming Batman movie is the most terrifying he has ever seen.

Beaudrillard strikes again! Bwa-ha-ha!

http://www.qwantz.com/

January 21 2008 - check and make sure you read the right date

Remember when voting was cool?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/20/AR2008012002366.html?nav=rss_email/components

If Republicans had any contact with Joss Wedon...

http://www.cogitamusblog.com/2008/01/the-gop-primary.html

I admittedly stole this from Jim Aune, who I will thank profusely. For those who perhaps don't understand politics so much, but know the ins and outs of Shanshu prophecy, this is helpful.

THIS makes me very happy

Chris Matthews - the MSNBC's Bill O'Reilley

Chris Matthews, who is definitely a jackass and not near as smart as he thinks he is, is sort of the moderate to left version of Bill O'Reilley, has made a statement that the reason Clinton got elected is because her husband messed around. Now, I hate to agree w/ anyone on "The View," but that is wildly inappropriate.

Yes, there is a sympathy contingency for her, but there are also the women who think she is a bad example for putting up with that crap. Matthews stated that it was more a comment on her poise and grace under fire, but that was not the implication. The implication was that Bill's indescretion was the ONLY reason she got elected.

As I have stated, I am not a Hilary fan, but the reason she got elected is because people thought she was qualified. She is probably the most intelligent candidate, and definitely one of the most qualified.

Then, Matthews showed his true colors on Morning Joe, which came as no surprise to any news junkie, as instead of engaging in a discussion, he simply went on a tirade and did not allow anyone to speak for the first 3-5 minutes of his intervew. Eventually Mika got a word in a edgewise, and bless her it was a reasonable and intelligent word, but it definitely had shades of Fox.

I have never liked Matthews. He is a blowhard and he is a bit full of himself. I feel like that should be abundantly obvious to everyone at this point.

What an excellent question!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/10/AR2008011003941.html?nav=rss_email/components

What does it mean to be a feminist? Does a woman today strive for solidarity, as we did during the second wave, or are you a postfeminist, and try to simply think outside the boundaries of gender?

that's right - two turkeys

One side effect of the obesity epidemic in America is rarely noted: Women's chests are expanding nearly as fast as their bellies. Poor eating habits, as well as breast implants and the estrogens in birth-control pills, have led to an increase in the past 15 years of more than one bra size for the average American woman—from a 34B to a 36C. For many women, this has been a burdensome trend. A pair of D-cup breasts weighs between 15 and 23 pounds—the equivalent of carrying around two small turkeys. The larger the breasts, the more they move and the greater the discomfort. In one study, 56 percent of women suffered from breast pain when jogging.


http://discovermagazine.com/2005/nov/physics-of-bras/

Intel can eat it

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7178241.stm

On another note, Clinton and McCain. Still anybody's ballgame.

Really?

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/08/nh.main/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

McCain?

I'd forgotten he was campaigning

More on the writer's strike

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/tv/bal-latenight0108,0,7205703.story?coll=bal-sports-horse

While I still feel as if I should support the writer's guild, not that I do a whole lot, but I have close friends in the entertainment biz, who are currently not working.

Ah, well. I choose to stay in my academic ivory tower where ideals and ideas rule - so yeah, writers. See, in the ivory tower things are easy - we can support poor starving artists without worrying about poor starving grips and best boys.

Hardly news, but comment worthy

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/08/britney.drphil.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

As many of us know, I have a special interest in issues of mental and emotional health. And I have to wonder outloud - WHO THE HELL ARE THE PEOPLE WHO LISTEN TO THIS HACK IN THE FIRST PLACE?

He is such a fraud.

There are plenty of people who have problems, and many, many more who need to be asked, "seriously, what the crap are you thinking?" But just asking that one question doesn't fix the problem. If you are having a troubled marriage, 3o min in front of an audience will not fix it. Fixing a life takes time, effort, discipline, and somebody who knows what the hell they are talking about.

For those of us who have been to counseling or therapy we all know the same frustration - somebody asking us the questions that we came to have answered, refusing to say much, and jotting down notes which we will never get to see. So we sit and seethe, and fantasize about snatching that damned notepad, tying the therapist to the chair, reading through everything she/he has ever written, then making them sit in silence while we "take notes." BUT - the reason we all know this experience is because professionals know this works. You have to come to realizations on your own or they simply don't matter. People can tell us all day "Don't be stupid" but until it dawns on us "Holy cow, I behave stupidly, I should stop that" nothing changes.

Enter Dr. Phil, and the whole talk show lifestyle. One hour will not fix my life - or your life - or whatever gender confused bigamist may be on television. Perhaps that is a slight exaggeration, but whatever. The point stands. And I realize this isn't some insight into politics or literature or any of those things I so love - but I feel this is an issue.

When I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder I had to go to group therapy. I knew within two weeks that I was better off than everybody else in that room. They complained incessantly about mood swings and depression and that their pills weren't working. Well, yes, they had mood swings - they are still people. No, the pills had not fixed everything because that is not what they are supposed to do. Pills, therapy, whatever are all just tools which I have to use to improve myself. These things do not get fixed completely and do not get fixed immediately.

Mood disorders and mental illness are completely over-diagnosed. But there is this absolutely ridiculous notion that we are all supposed to be okay all the time. What nonsense. And people like Dr. Phil only cause more harm than they do good, because they perpetuate this idea of quick and easy fixes. Life isn't easy - and with any luck, it isn't quick either.

And so, I leave you with this:

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/fandom.png

THIS IS ME.

except for the "Ron Paul" part

Edwards will get to Scotland before me

Edwards went for the low road. What a disappointment.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/07/clinton.emotional/index.html?eref=rss_topstories#cnnSTCText

When women politicians or other leaders take the scene the first thing the press does is describe their attire. We know when Clinton and Pelosi wear pink or when they opt for the more traditional black. You don't hear that kind of "news" when Bush or Kennedy speaks. Nobody ever comments that Bush wears Armani and he chose a lighter shade of gray than usual.

There is no denying that women in power are treated differently by the media. So why the big deal that Clinton got emotional? I am not saying it wouldn't be commented on by main stream press if Bush got choked up. I'm sure it would. But I do think it would probably be portrayed as a strength - showing his humanity. Sort of like the way people love to comment on how he hugs everybody. But Clinton is not being given the same charity - and there are those who believe that for some reason she should not be president.

Clinton is not my candidate of choice. But I respect her a great deal, and she is by far one of the smartest people running. Shouldn't that be a focus - not that after no sleep, crappy food, and a major loss she showed she was a little upset?

OH, Lucy! Lucy, where are you?

http://www.hmns.org/exhibits/special_exhibits/lucy.asp

If you are in the state of Texas, the Museum of Natural History in Houston is providing us with a wonderful and rare opportunity. For the next few months the actual, real, Lucy is on display. Lucy is probably one of the most important finds of the 20th century - I encourage to take advantage of this!!

Obama and Huckabee

http://www.gambling911.com/Barack-Obama-Wins-Iowa-Democratic-Caucuses-010408.html


http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jXLb3E6v9wZdVcw7NedF5dFkglKwD8TUP8G81

Well, I am off to a church thingy. Pray for the others.