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November 12th, 2008

07:28 pm - passing along a warning Posted by a friend: Okay, just in case my fandomy friends haven't heard, DO NOT CLICK THE LINK IN SHOEBOX PROJECT. dorkorific got hacked and SBP got hacked through her; the link leads to spyware. AVOID THIS.

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November 11th, 2008

02:42 pm - remembrance I always found it a little sad that Armistice Day/Veterans' Day has become one of those many car-sale-holidays. This is a little reminder that 11-11 commemorates the end to the First World War, which came to a formal close on this day, 1918, at 11:11 am. And, though it was unfortunately not, as it was called, the "war to end all wars", Europe and America sighed with relief. This was 90 years ago. An acquaintance of mine said she was told that it wasn't right to call WWI the worst war, because WWII eclipsed it. I care to disagree. World War Two, for many people and nations, was at least fought about something-- for the most part, fighting the tide of fascism. It started with aggressors trying to create empires. That's something to fight about. World War One? Was fought for no reason. If you're rusty on the history, it goes like this: ( The War to End All Wars, in Fourteen Quick and Easy Steps ) I think WWI teaches a lot of lessons about not being stupid, not launching unnecessary attacks, and that sometimes really horrible things aren't caused by any one super-evil mastermind. Sometimes they are just domino effects, and we're all a little to blame. Except the Americans. (I kid, I kid.) So here's a special moment to those who have been called to fight. Sometimes it's a noble cause, but even when it isn't, like in World War One, veterans give a lot to their country and deserve a lot back. Current Mood: pensive Tags: history

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November 10th, 2008

04:08 pm - too good So on Friday my professor insists on lending me a little book called Puritan Political Ideas, and though I have our library copy in my carrel (I mean, obviously if I were to check out any book, one with such a title would make the cut), I politely took it. And today I finally look at it and chuckle about how old it is, as the price on the cover says $2.75, but even better? The title page reading J----- J. E---- III, April, 1967. Read: graduate school. I imagine Edmund Morgan, the editor/author and, as the back says, professor of history at Yale (i.e. his professor/advisor), assigned his students this very book. Even better, it has his underlining and notes, which are very earnest for the first 60 pages and then kind of dribble out. I'd say they could be later notes, but most of them aren't critical so much as "God's calling", "1) by God directly", "2) by angels", and the like. Still. Lulz. Current Mood: amused

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November 9th, 2008

09:42 pm - wtf fate and five colleges? So after three and a half years in the Valley, of checking course catalogues of five effing colleges, I had resigned myself to never doing the off-campus class thing. But I checked anyway, just in case. And at Smith? Rel 227: Reading and Rereading the Puritans I-- What. NOW? REALLY? Not like, last year or this semester, when I was preparing my thesis? Eff you, world. I had an impulse to take it but Ximena points out that I'll probably be annoyed the whole time. Which is fair. Jen says to email about the syllabus, but it's one of those 3-day-a-week short classes, which is an effing pain when you factor in the 40-minute bus ride there and then 40 back. Keep in mind that this is just adding to the ripe pain of Ellis offering a John and Abigail Adams seminar in the spring. One that I don't really have time for, granted, but I'd still audit it, only Ximena is taking it and it would be kind of mean to be there and already know everything there is to know about Adams. I could promise not to speak but she probably wouldn't trust me, for good reason. But like... why couldn't he have taught that instead of crap-ass Revolutionary Generation last spring? Eurgh. I'll have to just curl up in my thesis and hope my Apocalypse seminar isn't too awkward. And then do something in Latin or Classics. And P/F something. Spanish? Politics seminar on rhetoric? American art history? Current Mood: aggravated Tags: mhc

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November 7th, 2008

07:31 pm - random, pointless ( Who comments the most on this journal? ) Tags: meme

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November 5th, 2008

04:39 pm - results, beyond obama Well! Some of the local elections went less than smashingly... especially the questions. - Maine did OK but showed that they are more afraid of taxes (ON SODA, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD), than losing their pioneering health care program. The funding will still have to come from somewhere, genius-os. Oh New England and your fear of taxes. It's kind of irritatingly charming. + On the other hand, Massachusetts wins again and is keeping their income tax, decriminalizing marijuana, and abolishing dog racing. What a fine state. - The number of states passing anti-same-sex measures into their constitutions was sickening. Not only marriage, but banning couples from adopting? Um. Are the kids better on the streets? With neglectful parents? Bull effing shit. I'm sorry. That is not only an asshole measure to "gays" but to CHILDREN. Not to mention that I imagine most of the supporters were pro-life--- I don't feel I need to explain the hypocrisy there. - There were at least two states that passed measures "ending affirmative action". I... what? Just because we can elect a half-black President doesn't mean that racism and sexism and various forms of institutional discrimination are gone. So while Europeans and Asians and Africans were, according to the Post, lauding Americans for showing their "open-mindedness"? I couldn't help but laugh. I am really, really, really proud of my us, and we've come a long way, but it's not over. + All in all, I'm still OK with most things. We'll have a Democratic President< who is patriotic, brilliant, collected, possessing a thorough knowledge and understanding of the law and Constitution, open-minded, good at surrounding himself with capable advisors, already loved by 80% of the international community, and aware of the challenges before him. + We have a Democratic Senate, but without the supermajority and with the number of moderates, it's not as though everything will just slide through without a fight or negotiation. People will have to work together. Same goes for the House. Even as a rabid Democrat I think this is good. -/+ Maine didn't elect a Governor this time, so we still have Baldacci, and God willing, we'll have Steve Rowe in 2 years. Maine re-elected Susan Collins, which isn't great, but could be worse, and kept their Representatives Democrat (CONGRATS, CHELLIE). My state senator is a Republican, but he's a nice sort of fellow with a Democratic family, and word is that the state House is still Democratic, and the state Senate is not only staying Democratic but widening its narrow (one-member) margin. Best of luck to them! Tags: politics

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November 4th, 2008

11:19 pm - yes, we can. HIYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBAMA! Local races still in the air. *bites lip* But. You know. HIYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. He's not going to be perfect. I know that. We all know that. But I have hope, and I believe that he can help restore some rule of law and reputation to my favorite country. ((And McCain's speech is pretty decent.)) ETA: If McCain had acted like that this whole campaign, he might've won. Whoops for him. I hope he goes back to noble-Senator-McCain. 12:06 am: HOLY SHIT DAD IS PRESIDENT AND NEW PUPPY? These girls are lucky ducks. 12:10 am: "We are not enemies. We are friends." FRENEMIES? Y/Y? Current Mood: grateful

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04:48 pm - Election Day, Part Two: Rights So there's this thing that you may have heard of. It's called liberalism. And no, I'm not talking about the belief that Walmart, Ann Coulter, and Dick Cheney are the Anti-Trinity, or the way of life dominated by the New York Times and lattes, or that sort of thing. I'm talking about good ol', Anglo-American liberalism. ( a neither red nor blue look at rights ) We're all born with rights, whether they're being protected or not. There are many of them, but the highest, as our good friend Mr. J edited, were these: have the right to life, the right to liberty-- the liberty to express our selves, the liberty of self-government, the liberty to live our lives as best we see fit, and the right to pursue our happiness, as individuals, as groups. The one right written into the unamended body of the Constitution was the right to habeas corpus-- to not be detained without explanation of cause or recourse to justice. There is a curiosity of democracy that many of us forget: and that is that democracy alone does not protect these rights. Only a democracy of citizens who remember to keep these close to their heart, who remember that when they vote for a leader or a policy they are holding the rights of others in their hands, can begin to keep them secure. We cannot assume that someone else will protect them for us. May these always respected as they are: God-given, sacred, and unalienable. Current Mood: hopeful Tags: politics

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02:16 pm - Election Day, Part One: Against Complacency So there's this meme about posting adorable photos and not dicussing politics but like... Seriously? GUYS IT IS ELECTION DAY AND I GOT A PRETTY DECENT SUBSTITUTE FOR AN ELECTION CAKE AND AS GOD AS MY WITNESS IF YOU ARE ABLE TO VOTE AND DON'T, I HOPE YOUR HOUSE IS FORECLOSED AND THE TREES IN YOUR YARD ROT AND FALL ON SAID FORECLOSED HOUSE AND ALL YOUR STOCKS DROP AND YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE YOU CAN'T MARRY AND YOU LOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE AND GET FIRED BECAUSE OF A FUNNY NAME. I'd say it's harsh, but it's not. And don't forget! There is, contrary to popular belief, more than one election today. President, Congress, state legislatures, governors, selectmen, sheriffs, judges (for some fucked up reason), and they ALL need your vote. Plus, ballot questions! More than all of that, though, I want to take a minute to ask all of you to remember that when the day is over, when you've left the polls, you aren't finished. Especially Americans, but basically all of us here on my eljayz are lucky to live in a country with vibrant civil society, with the ability to express our opinions, to learn, to change, to make a difference. We will never achieve perfection. The playing field will never be ideally equal. The market will never be entirely fair. Cruelty, injustice, sin, and evil in general, will never be eradicated in this world. That doesn't mean that it's impossible to improve, though. It is real, it is possible. We have before, and we will continue to do so. Current Mood: hopeful Tags: politics

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October 23rd, 2008

01:23 am - "hard to like, but easy to love" So my mom made the wonderful mistake of buying me The Wordy Shipmates, by Sarah Vowell. I picked it up right before 5 and finished it just now. It is about Puritans, kind of, but it isn't a History. From the cover flap: * Was Massachusetts Bay Colony governor John Winthrop a communitarian, a Christlike Christian, or conformity’s tyrannical enforcer? Answer: Yes! * Was Rhode Island’s architect, Roger Williams, America’s founding freak or the father of the First Amendment? Same difference. * What does it take to get that jezebel Anne Hutchinson to shut up? A hatchet. * What was the Puritans’ pet name for the Pope? The Great Whore of Babylon. It's like... if your clever friend read a whole lot about the Puritans and then told you the amusing and poignant and Most Important parts and related it to modern America. You should all read it. I know, I know, why would you read it when you already have me? Because she's more quotable. For instance... ( There wasn't any speaking in tongues going on in Massachusetts Bay, unless you count classical Greek. ) And then I teared up at the end, because it was Kennedy talking about the burden and responsibility of the history we inherit from the Puritans (not only the "shining" optimism that Reagan liked to use) and the Bay Colony and Bay State qualities of courage, judgment, integrity, and dedication. All's to say, I recommend it. It's elementary on background knowledge and quick to read (obvi). If you don't understand history or New England or America better, you might understand my fascination with the Puritans. P.S. I flipped out because apparently the moderate (and quick to cry, apparently) Henry Vane was beheaded during the Restoration. This is a guy that refused to approve of Charles I's beheading. Ugh, the nerve. Current Location: massachusetts <3 Current Mood: touched Tags: books, new england, puritans

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October 21st, 2008

06:00 pm - wtf lj Guys, sorry to update again, but... livejournal is being seriously crazy. I know this poll asks an odd question, but I must know. Poll #1282851 wtf Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All What does my icon look like? View Answers Commodore Norrington 25 (69.4%) An Asian lady 11 (30.6%) Current Mood: confused

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03:45 pm - icon meme! Because we all love icons: 1. Reply to this post, and I will pick five of your icons. 2. Make a post (including the meme info) and talk about the icons I chose. 3. Other people can then comment to you and make their own posts. 4. This will create a never-ending cycle of icon glee. cesaretech chose five, so here they are: 1. ---"Lamb", icon by myself From the book Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. I've read it aloud to a few friends, lent it to a few more, and generally preach its awesomeness. The icon is from the cover that I do not have-- but wish I did, because the illustration captures Biff and Joshua perfectly. Here's a short bit from it: "Not enough. We need one more. How about the dumbfucks?" "No, Josh, not the dumbfucks. You've done enough for the dumbfucks. Nathaniel, Thomas--" "Blessed are the dumbfucks for they, uh-- I don't know-- they shall never be disappointed." "No, I'm drawing the line at dumbfucks...." [...] "...I've got it: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake." "Okay, better. What are you going to give them?" "A fruit basket." "You can't give the meek the whole earth and these guys a fruit basket." "Give them the kingdom of heaven." "The poor in spirit got that." "Everybody gets some." "Okay then, 'share the Kingdom of Heaven.'" I wrote it down. "We could give the fruit basket to the dumbfucks." "NO DUMBFUCKS!" Used for many occasions when the mood or subject is appropriate. 2. ---"hp: riddle", art by buttfacemakani, icon from eye_knead_icons I loooove Makani's art. And I can't explain why, exactly, but I also have a serious fascination with young Tom Riddle. This one is from an artz with him and the precioussss locket. I was going to link you to the fanart I really like of young Tom Jr but my old link doesn't work. Woe. Anyway, that's that. Used for... evil? I don't really know. But I do use it. 3. ---"new england agitator", by mushroomthief, found in a community too ridiculous to name (but with some pretty snazzy icons) Well. 1776 is twenty kinds of win. John Adams is thirty kinds of win. I will let him speak for himself: "For ten years, King George and his Parliament have gulled, cullied, and diddled these Colonies with their illegal taxes! Stamp Acts, Townshend Acts, Sugar Acts, Tea Acts! And when we dared stand up like men, they have stopped our trade, seized our ships, blockaded our ports, burned our towns, and spilled our blood! And still this Congress refuses to grant any of my proposals on independence, even so much as the courtesy of open debate! Good God, what in Hell are you waiting for?" Used for rants, righteous anger, and patriotic fury. 4. ---"argument", by grrliz_icons From the movie Thank You For Smoking. It's generally a great movie that you should all see, but the quote was too fitting to myself to not use. Because, you see, I'm always right. Used... rarely, because I'm afraid to offend people when I'm actually arguing with them. But it's close to my heart anyway. 5. ---"puritans", by myself From the work Puritans Going to Church or Pilgrims Going to Church by G. H. Boughton. Because... Puritans. I love them. And even if it's Pilgrims (the internet is being unclear here), I love them too. In case anyone hasn't caught on to this, I am studying the Puritans. Who were, in fact, real people, who had to walk two miles in the snow up hill both ways to get to church three times a week. Except for the two-mile part, because you weren't supposed to live that far from the meeting house. Used when I talk about the Puritans, and sometimes about New England in general. Now I choose for you?? Anyone? Current Mood: headachey Tags: meme

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October 19th, 2008

02:14 pm - princesses, patriots, and mountains: a photo post! So much to do. But first, an update! 1. My birthday party was faboo-- Princesses & Patriots! A special surprise is that the game I made up from scratch went over really well. If you need a good ice-breaky-game, here's how you play: -two teams (we did Patriots/pro-republic v. Princesses/pro-monarchy), equal size -cards with various questions on them (favorite princess, favorite planet, etc etc) -Team A chooses a player from Team B. Team A draws a card and reads the question. B-player chooses an answer (silently) and Team A guesses -If Team A guesses right, the chosen player joins Team A! If wrong, the player stays on B. -Repeat with Team B and a player from Team A -If possible you have to select someone who hasn't been asked/fought over already So anyway, it was pretty rockin. Peeplz on facebook can see photos of the party (and our AMAZING ROOM) here. Peeplz not on facebook can ( click for a few photos ) 2. I also posted Mountain Day pictures! (though that was like, a month ago) ( a taste ) How exciting is all of this? THIS EXCITING: 3. Now I have to do a crapload of work. Ciiiaaoooo... Current Mood: cheerful Tags: mhc, pics

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October 15th, 2008

04:27 pm - rant-sauce Ugh. I just met with Katya and I feel like crap. So the first (revised but first to the world) draft of my personal statement (for law school) went over swimmingly with Kim, who acted like it was written in gold. I didn't totally trust that and she offered to show Katya and I accepted. Because like... Kim is new at pre-law, while Katya's been at this for some time. ( A short background (but long enough to cut) )I don't want to misrepresent myself. I don't want to write about campaigning, because I hate campaigns and I don't even think democracy is that awesome-- just better than the alternatives. I hate people and their dumb shit opinions; I campaign because I know that said people can be won over by voter contact blah blah blah. I don't want to write about working with first graders, because it's a job. I love them, it's a great job, but if I didn't get paid, I probably wouldn't do it. I love teaching but I like teaching Real Sized People. I don't want to write about Newman/being Catholic because... seriously? So many reasons. I don't want to write about being raised poor by a single mom because that's part of my history but the disadvantaged-ness of it is such a tiny part of who I am. I don't want to pander. I hate that the parts I think are crap are the ones Powers That Be love. They should let me in because I'm smart, I'm excited, I'm intellectual, I won't have a nervous breakdown when the professor asks me a question, and I'm not an asshat or suck-up like most of the people applying. What should they know about me? That I'm a little crazy but totally awesome and can act like a normal person, and if accepted to my first choice school, will become a bad-ass legal academic. Current Mood: frustrated

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October 14th, 2008

11:11 pm - halp OK guys I have asked a few people already but I'm the Queen of Indecision. I want boots. Brown boots. So I've found three pair: (a) Aldo's PROS: simple, unoffensive, always in fashion CONS: high heel, don't know how tall the boot is (b) Zappo's PROS: best heel height, a little unique while basic, can be casual or dressy CONS: 15.5" shaft--which means they go all the way to my knee (c) Biviel PROS: good heel height, best shaft height, a little unique while mostly classic, well-made, girlier CONS: too unique?, cover of higher cost would be combined b-day/Christmas present from X, girlier OPINIONS? Current Location: librarz Current Mood: busy

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October 12th, 2008

04:09 pm - waxing patriotic I really have very little need to post here, except to say that I currently feeling a lot of love for my thesis topic. Sure, the philosophy is still vaguely mind-boggling and makes me fear that I will be left bull-shitting during my defense, but guys? I like American history. I love American political thought. I really love the history of American political thought. Surprise, surprise! "She does? No way!" you are all thinking, I'm sure. But it's true. I do love the Puritans but I also love the grand visions of Americans throughout the years, the sense of mission and Providence, the absurd but still inspiring sense that an attachment to Liberty is in the streams of water and the breezes. Of course, it is more likely in our culture and our law, but it is just as natural as the squirrels collecting nuts, or the fiery foliage of fall. Certainly we have never properly achieved the society we strive for, but does that make us a nation of hypocrites? I would be the first to agree that such people exist, but I do not think that that is our spirit. Rather, we do have a mission. It's far from accomplished, and likely never will be, but that is no cause for forfeiting. Rather, we must recommit; we must regenerate; we must continually rebuild our moral ground so that we never stop climbing that hill on which we can stand and hold out our ideals, our accomplishments, and our yet-unfinished tasks, as an example to all. Giving up is not an option. America is not perfect, and we cannot be complacent, nor can we abandon the challenge of improvement. Liberty is never a lost cause. Current Mood: determined Tags: america

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October 9th, 2008

03:54 pm - yay autumn! also, questions. The conclusion is.... I am autumn! Or spring. Those were the two I would pick too though I'm not sure which I think I have a stronger affinity with. I think I am more of a pastel-y person than a deep-red and orange person but God knows I love autumn! So crisp and bookish and vibrant... and unpredictable! Last night we left the library in the cold 2 am rain, and today? The MOST BEAUTIFUL WEATHER EVER. It's supposed to be nice tomorrow too, which is good, because we're taking the first graders on a walk into the woods. Things are going all right. I feel like I'm a little behind on my thesis, because I've been fretting over law applications, but it's mainly OK. The woman from the CDC told me to cut half of my statement, so I replaced that part, but it reads like schmultzy crap to me. Eh. Oh! I HAVE TO GIVE THE DEPARTMENT TWELVE COPIES OF MY PROSPECTUS BY TOMORROW HEAIFHEWfefh this is what I'm talking about! Halp! Questions! 1. Any suggestions for party games that are good for two groups of 4 or so? 2. Does anyone know what the British might mean by "expected grade" as part of an application? Or what the difference between one's "subject" and "faculty/department" would be? <3 P.S. Die, cramps, die. Current Location: outside the small blanchard door, like a weirdo Current Mood: lazy Current Music: birrrrrds

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October 7th, 2008

04:01 pm - SEASON MEME From arasan: what season fits me best? I know my favorite seasons, and which one I was born best, but which fits best? If I were going to be playing an allegory of the year, which would I be? Poll #1274308 seasonal me! Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All What season am I? View Answers Spring! 6 (28.6%) Summer! 2 (9.5%) Autumn! 10 (47.6%) Winter! 3 (14.3%) COMMENT AND EXPLAINNNN and then do this in your journal so I can season-sort you!! Fun all around. Current Music: bonnie prince billy Tags: meme

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October 6th, 2008

10:10 am - two articles for Everyone ((music recommendations coming later if I can figure that out)) 1. This article from the Post yesterday about how the Supreme Court likely hinges on this election. What does the Court decide for us? Guns, abortion, equal pay, detention, torture, free speech, capital punishment, prisoners' rights, discrimination, and a whole host of other things. I've mentioned this in a few comments here and there, but here is a full article. It's not an op-ed, so there's no bias to fear: just being informed. ( Full text here ) 2. This nice little op-ed by former exec-editor of the Post (and now VP or something of the Post Co) defending his city, Washington D.C. ( Full text here ) Current Mood: thoughtful Current Music: verdi's "laudi alla vergine madre" Tags: news, politics

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October 4th, 2008

08:16 pm - THE RETURN OF RADIO-ACTIVITY WMHC WMHC WMHC RADIO ACTIVE!!!1! RADIO ACTIVE!!!1! RADIO ACTIVE!!!1! Sat 8-10 EST LISTENNNNNN, FOO We take ims at wmhc915 Current Location: WMHC STATION Current Music: AWESOME MUSIC

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