Perhaps I need to be thinking about a long term mental health vacation in a nice rubber room...
31 January 2005
Disturbing mental image...
I was sitting here talking with and pondering why I continue breathing when I had a mental image of going out to one of the islands in the middle of the Mississippi River up in St. Cloud...and slowly slicing my arms from wrist to elbow...and watching myself bleed to death...and pondering the context of it...and how it would be to see my energy running out and back to the earth. I could see it flowing out to other people who need it...and who deserve it more than I do.
Perhaps I need to be thinking about a long term mental health vacation in a nice rubber room...
Perhaps I need to be thinking about a long term mental health vacation in a nice rubber room...
Hello Goodbye
I’m having an extended period of depression and repressed anger...
I don’t see the point in discussing it....it won’t help. It’s the same old shit...rewarmed...and it’ll be glossed over and then it’ll catch fire again in a few weeks. It’s a dysfunctional pattern that just keeps happening...
Why do I fight for what I know to be good and right? Why do I try to help other people to help themselves? Why do I keep trying to better myself when in all reality I just want to go to sleep and never wake up.
I thought things were going well in my life, but in reality, almost everything is going wrong.
I need to reset my mental balance and get away....and quit worrying about all the failures in my life right now...no matter how many of them there are...
I would list all the shit that’s dragging me into that dark horrid pit of self-destructive thoughts...but it’s not fair to those involved...and I’ll face the reality of the fact that no one truly gives two shits less.
I’m not going to be posting for quite a while, that is, if I ever post again.
I don’t see the point in discussing it....it won’t help. It’s the same old shit...rewarmed...and it’ll be glossed over and then it’ll catch fire again in a few weeks. It’s a dysfunctional pattern that just keeps happening...
Why do I fight for what I know to be good and right? Why do I try to help other people to help themselves? Why do I keep trying to better myself when in all reality I just want to go to sleep and never wake up.
I thought things were going well in my life, but in reality, almost everything is going wrong.
I need to reset my mental balance and get away....and quit worrying about all the failures in my life right now...no matter how many of them there are...
I would list all the shit that’s dragging me into that dark horrid pit of self-destructive thoughts...but it’s not fair to those involved...and I’ll face the reality of the fact that no one truly gives two shits less.
I’m not going to be posting for quite a while, that is, if I ever post again.
22 January 2005
New snow pix from a big snow burst...
More snow pix are here...
The last three pictures were taken about 3:25pm CST...as visibility dropped to 1/8mi at Chicago/Palwaukee in Snow and Blowing Snow. It’s less than 1000’ to the road in those pictures and only about 600’ to the building you can barely make out...
Yeah, lake effect snow bands are fun. They are forecasting up to 5“ for us by the end of the day. Oh joy.
10” overnight...5“ today... and the new forecast reads like this...
. Winter storm warning through tonight.
Rest of afternoon. Periods of lake effect snow. Windy with blowing and drifting snow. Additional snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Highs in the lower 20s. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph.
Tonight. Lake effect snow this evening with local accumulations of an additional 3 to 6 inches. Total snow accumulation of 12 inches in favored spots. Areas of blowing snow in the evening. Lows around 10. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph in the evening becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph and gusty late at night.
Oh yeah...I’m feeling warm fuzzies from this.
The last three pictures were taken about 3:25pm CST...as visibility dropped to 1/8mi at Chicago/Palwaukee in Snow and Blowing Snow. It’s less than 1000’ to the road in those pictures and only about 600’ to the building you can barely make out...
Yeah, lake effect snow bands are fun. They are forecasting up to 5“ for us by the end of the day. Oh joy.
10” overnight...5“ today... and the new forecast reads like this...
. Winter storm warning through tonight.
Rest of afternoon. Periods of lake effect snow. Windy with blowing and drifting snow. Additional snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches. Highs in the lower 20s. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph.
Tonight. Lake effect snow this evening with local accumulations of an additional 3 to 6 inches. Total snow accumulation of 12 inches in favored spots. Areas of blowing snow in the evening. Lows around 10. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph in the evening becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph and gusty late at night.
Oh yeah...I’m feeling warm fuzzies from this.
Pix from our snowstorm
Snowstorm Pics
4 Large Pics ... each one about 700k.
Weather conditions at time of pix:
Temp: 22F (-6C)
Winds: N 19mph Gusting to 26mph
Light Snow, Mist
Barometer: 29.91"
Visibility 1/4mi
4 Large Pics ... each one about 700k.
Weather conditions at time of pix:
Temp: 22F (-6C)
Winds: N 19mph Gusting to 26mph
Light Snow, Mist
Barometer: 29.91"
Visibility 1/4mi
21 January 2005
Weather Discussion for 21 Jan 2005 1700GMT/1100CST
... Winter storm warning tonight through Saturday evening ...
Today. Cloudy with a chance of flurries. Steadier snow likely toward evening. Highs in the middle 20s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph becoming southeast. Chance of snow increasing to 70 percent.
Tonight. Snow. Heavy at times. Accumulating in excess of 6 inches by morning. Lows in the lower 20s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph becoming northeast.
Saturday. Occasional snow. Becoming windy with considerable blowing snow. Additional accumulations of 1 to 2 inches. Highs in the lower 20s. Northeast winds becoming north and increasing to 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts.
Saturday night. Mostly cloudy. Snow showers continuing. Especially near lake michigan. Considerable blowing snow. Total snow accumulation 6 to 10 inches. With locally heavier amounts near lake michigan. Lows 10 to 15. North winds 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts.
-----
Now the odd part of the forecast is for tonight. “Accumulating in excess of 6 inches by morning” ... which is open-ended.
Saturday sees 1-2“ more...and by Saturday night the forecast says ”Total snow accumulation 6 to 10 inches.“ ... now if we’re getting 6+ inches tonight...
The non-public discussions from the Chicago NWS office include the following:
(translated from NWS acronyms/abbreviations into English)
HAVE DECIDED TO GO WITH WINTER STORM WARNING AS OPPOSED TO HEAVY SNOW WARNING DUE
TO LIKELIHOOD THAT BLOWING SNOW MAY BECOME DOMINANT HAZARD ON SAT
WITH HEAVIER SNOWFALL OFF TO E OF REGION...EXCEPT ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN WHERE LAKE
ENHANCEMENT IS EXPECTED TO PROLONG OCCASIONAL HEAVY SNOW SHOWERS.
Oh great...so it *should* be a Heavy Snow Warning...but due to the extended hazard they went with the Winter Storm Warning. Interesting. I’m semi-surprised that it wasn’t a Heavy Snow Warning for tonight and then a Winter Storm Warning for tomorrow/tomorrow evening.
From the NWS Weather Glossary:
Heavy Snow
This generally means...
* snowfall accumulating to 4” or more in depth in 12 hours or less; or
* snowfall accumulating to 6“ or more in depth in 24 hours or less.
In forecasts, snowfall amounts are expressed as a range of values, e.g., ”8 to 12 inches.“ However, in heavy snow situations where there is considerable uncertainty concerning the range of values, more appropriate phrases are used, such as ”...up to 12 inches...“ or alternatively ”...8 inches or more...“.
From the Chicago NWS site:
Winter Weather Definitions:
Winter Storm Watch - Conditions are favorable for hazardous winter weather conditions including heavy snow, blizzard conditions, or significant accumulations of freezing rain or sleet. These watches are usually issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of the event.
Winter Storm Warning - Hazardous winter weather conditions that pose a threat to life and/or property are occurring, imminent or likely. The generic term, winter storm warning, is used for a combination of two or more of the following winter weather events; heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet and strong winds. The following event-specific warnings are issued for a single weather hazard:
* Blizzard Warning - Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater, considerable falling and/or blowing snow
reducing visibility frequently to 1/4 mile or less for a period of three hours or more. There are no temperature criteria
in the definition of a blizzard but freezing temperatures and 35 mph winds will create single digit wind chills.
* Heavy Snow Warning - Snowfall of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or less, or 8 inches or more in 24 hours or less.
* Lake Effect Snow Warning - Lake effect snowfall of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or less, or 8 inches or more in 24 hours
or less.
* Ice Storm Warning - Accumulations of 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain.
* Heavy Sleet Warning - Accumulations of 1/2 inch or more of sleet.
Winter Weather Advisory - Hazardous winter weather conditions are occurring, imminent or likely. Conditions will cause a significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, will result in a potential threat to life and/or property. The generic term, winter weather advisory, is used for a combination of two or more of thefollowing events; snow, freezing rain or drizzle, sleet, blowing snow.
Wind Chill Warning - Extreme wind chills of -30F or colder.
Wind Chill Advisory - Dangerous wind chills of -20F to -30F.
-----
I guess a Winter Storm Warning is the way to go...but I don’t like it. Winter Storm Warning to me is too vague. Most people hear it and think ”lotsa snow“ but this time it’ll be the wind that really comes into play. Though, in their defense, the new NWS public forecast is highlighting the blowing snow threat tomorrow.
I am still perplexed/confused about one part. Tonight’s forecast calls for 6+ inches of snow. 1-2” tomorrow and more snow Saturday night (no amounts given), but Saturday has a Total Snow Accumulation of 6-10“. Well duh. We’re supposed to get more than 6 tonight and 1-2” tomorrow. That would be at least 8“ to me...possibly more. Seems like it’s a silly total accumulation number. Shouldn’t it get 8-12” or (this is just me looking at the conditions at the surface and aloft) 10-14“.
Well, there’s a long intro post for the weather group!
Today. Cloudy with a chance of flurries. Steadier snow likely toward evening. Highs in the middle 20s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph becoming southeast. Chance of snow increasing to 70 percent.
Tonight. Snow. Heavy at times. Accumulating in excess of 6 inches by morning. Lows in the lower 20s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph becoming northeast.
Saturday. Occasional snow. Becoming windy with considerable blowing snow. Additional accumulations of 1 to 2 inches. Highs in the lower 20s. Northeast winds becoming north and increasing to 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts.
Saturday night. Mostly cloudy. Snow showers continuing. Especially near lake michigan. Considerable blowing snow. Total snow accumulation 6 to 10 inches. With locally heavier amounts near lake michigan. Lows 10 to 15. North winds 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts.
-----
Now the odd part of the forecast is for tonight. “Accumulating in excess of 6 inches by morning” ... which is open-ended.
Saturday sees 1-2“ more...and by Saturday night the forecast says ”Total snow accumulation 6 to 10 inches.“ ... now if we’re getting 6+ inches tonight...
The non-public discussions from the Chicago NWS office include the following:
(translated from NWS acronyms/abbreviations into English)
HAVE DECIDED TO GO WITH WINTER STORM WARNING AS OPPOSED TO HEAVY SNOW WARNING DUE
TO LIKELIHOOD THAT BLOWING SNOW MAY BECOME DOMINANT HAZARD ON SAT
WITH HEAVIER SNOWFALL OFF TO E OF REGION...EXCEPT ALONG LAKE MICHIGAN WHERE LAKE
ENHANCEMENT IS EXPECTED TO PROLONG OCCASIONAL HEAVY SNOW SHOWERS.
Oh great...so it *should* be a Heavy Snow Warning...but due to the extended hazard they went with the Winter Storm Warning. Interesting. I’m semi-surprised that it wasn’t a Heavy Snow Warning for tonight and then a Winter Storm Warning for tomorrow/tomorrow evening.
From the NWS Weather Glossary:
Heavy Snow
This generally means...
* snowfall accumulating to 4” or more in depth in 12 hours or less; or
* snowfall accumulating to 6“ or more in depth in 24 hours or less.
In forecasts, snowfall amounts are expressed as a range of values, e.g., ”8 to 12 inches.“ However, in heavy snow situations where there is considerable uncertainty concerning the range of values, more appropriate phrases are used, such as ”...up to 12 inches...“ or alternatively ”...8 inches or more...“.
From the Chicago NWS site:
Winter Weather Definitions:
Winter Storm Watch - Conditions are favorable for hazardous winter weather conditions including heavy snow, blizzard conditions, or significant accumulations of freezing rain or sleet. These watches are usually issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of the event.
Winter Storm Warning - Hazardous winter weather conditions that pose a threat to life and/or property are occurring, imminent or likely. The generic term, winter storm warning, is used for a combination of two or more of the following winter weather events; heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet and strong winds. The following event-specific warnings are issued for a single weather hazard:
* Blizzard Warning - Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater, considerable falling and/or blowing snow
reducing visibility frequently to 1/4 mile or less for a period of three hours or more. There are no temperature criteria
in the definition of a blizzard but freezing temperatures and 35 mph winds will create single digit wind chills.
* Heavy Snow Warning - Snowfall of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or less, or 8 inches or more in 24 hours or less.
* Lake Effect Snow Warning - Lake effect snowfall of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or less, or 8 inches or more in 24 hours
or less.
* Ice Storm Warning - Accumulations of 1/4 inch or more of freezing rain.
* Heavy Sleet Warning - Accumulations of 1/2 inch or more of sleet.
Winter Weather Advisory - Hazardous winter weather conditions are occurring, imminent or likely. Conditions will cause a significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, will result in a potential threat to life and/or property. The generic term, winter weather advisory, is used for a combination of two or more of thefollowing events; snow, freezing rain or drizzle, sleet, blowing snow.
Wind Chill Warning - Extreme wind chills of -30F or colder.
Wind Chill Advisory - Dangerous wind chills of -20F to -30F.
-----
I guess a Winter Storm Warning is the way to go...but I don’t like it. Winter Storm Warning to me is too vague. Most people hear it and think ”lotsa snow“ but this time it’ll be the wind that really comes into play. Though, in their defense, the new NWS public forecast is highlighting the blowing snow threat tomorrow.
I am still perplexed/confused about one part. Tonight’s forecast calls for 6+ inches of snow. 1-2” tomorrow and more snow Saturday night (no amounts given), but Saturday has a Total Snow Accumulation of 6-10“. Well duh. We’re supposed to get more than 6 tonight and 1-2” tomorrow. That would be at least 8“ to me...possibly more. Seems like it’s a silly total accumulation number. Shouldn’t it get 8-12” or (this is just me looking at the conditions at the surface and aloft) 10-14“.
Well, there’s a long intro post for the weather group!
New group...
Okay, those of you who know me...know I'm a hard-core weather geek.
I'm going to start posting weather discussions about significant/interesting weather occuring in the region (probably within 200mi of Chicago).
If you'd like to be added to my weather geekiness...comment here.
I'm going to start posting weather discussions about significant/interesting weather occuring in the region (probably within 200mi of Chicago).
If you'd like to be added to my weather geekiness...comment here.
First of two posts...
I had my interview yesterday with LaSalle Networks. It's not for a position that I'd ber jumping for on my own, but it's a paying full time position which is the most important part. It's crap pay, but it's a full time job.
I go this morning to do my drug test and I start Tuesday at 9am for training. WOOHOO!
The big web project for has passed the demo stage and was rather well liked. It needs some cosmetic changes but nothing too bad. I'll have them pounded out in about 15 minutes.
I'm off to do laundry today, get an oil change in Sean's car, and putting gas in the car.
I go this morning to do my drug test and I start Tuesday at 9am for training. WOOHOO!
The big web project for
I'm off to do laundry today, get an oil change in Sean's car, and putting gas in the car.
20 January 2005
Fantastic post...the "elite" Christians will hate it.
Filched from shadow_prophesy who filched it from aldous
The next time someone says that they believe the Christian values of Marriage need defending, ask if they are talking about ALL of those values. See below:
DRAFT OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO DEFEND BIBLICAL MARRIAGE:
* Marriage in the United States of America shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Genesis 29:17-28; II Samuel 3:2-5.)
* Marriage shall not impede a man's right to take concubines in addition to his wife or wives. (II Samuel 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chronicles 11:21)
* A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed. (Deuteronomy 22:13-21)
* Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden. (Genesis 24:3; Numbers 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Nehemiah 10:30, 2 Corinthians 6:14)
* Since marriage is for life, neither the U.S. Constitution nor any state law shall permit divorce. (Deuteronomy 22:19; Mark 10:9-12)
* If a married man dies without children, his brother must marry the widow. If the brother refuses to marry the widow, or deliberately does
not give her children, he shall pay a fine of one shoe and be otherwise punished in a manner to be determined by law. (Genesis 38:6-10; Deuteronomy 25:5-10)
* In lieu of marriage (if there are no acceptable men to be found), a woman shall get her father drunk and have sex with him. (Genesis 19:31-36)
The next time someone says that they believe the Christian values of Marriage need defending, ask if they are talking about ALL of those values. See below:
DRAFT OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO DEFEND BIBLICAL MARRIAGE:
* Marriage in the United States of America shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Genesis 29:17-28; II Samuel 3:2-5.)
* Marriage shall not impede a man's right to take concubines in addition to his wife or wives. (II Samuel 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chronicles 11:21)
* A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed. (Deuteronomy 22:13-21)
* Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden. (Genesis 24:3; Numbers 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Nehemiah 10:30, 2 Corinthians 6:14)
* Since marriage is for life, neither the U.S. Constitution nor any state law shall permit divorce. (Deuteronomy 22:19; Mark 10:9-12)
* If a married man dies without children, his brother must marry the widow. If the brother refuses to marry the widow, or deliberately does
not give her children, he shall pay a fine of one shoe and be otherwise punished in a manner to be determined by law. (Genesis 38:6-10; Deuteronomy 25:5-10)
* In lieu of marriage (if there are no acceptable men to be found), a woman shall get her father drunk and have sex with him. (Genesis 19:31-36)
19 January 2005
Guarded optimism...
I'm sitting here finishing up a web project commissioned by . I just got off the phone with LaSalle Networks, an outsourcing company over in Schaumburg. They saw my resume on CareerBuilder.com and called me about a call center customer service opportunity.
I have an interview at 8am tomorrow morning. The position starts next Tuesday (for training) and would be M-F 11a-7p. Full time work. *sigh*
I'm not getting my hopes up until I hear who the client is and the compensation package involved.
*does the happy dance and hopes for the best*
I have an interview at 8am tomorrow morning. The position starts next Tuesday (for training) and would be M-F 11a-7p. Full time work. *sigh*
I'm not getting my hopes up until I hear who the client is and the compensation package involved.
*does the happy dance and hopes for the best*
18 January 2005
I apologize in advance...
for those who don't want to be violently ill.
This was on Slashdot today and I found a mirror listed in the comments.
Bill Gates posing forTIGER BEAT in 1983.
You were warned...and the mirror is here.
It's like a road accident...you have to look...but yer revolted...and turn away...only to look back again.
This was on Slashdot today and I found a mirror listed in the comments.
Bill Gates posing for
You were warned...and the mirror is here.
It's like a road accident...you have to look...but yer revolted...and turn away...only to look back again.
16 January 2005
Interesting idea...
The Future...From The Heartland?
The only thing I saw wrong in the story was a minor typo...it's the Kinnickinnic River.
Sorry I had to point it out. :)
The only thing I saw wrong in the story was a minor typo...it's the Kinnickinnic River.
Sorry
14 January 2005
Time for a geeky question
All you linux heads out there...
I'm looking at Thunderbird and Evolution as a replacement mail client for KMail...mainly cuz I'm sick of KMail blocking when it does the spamassassin checks.
Is there a way to export KMail's *filters* and/or import them into either Thunderbird or Evolution? I filter most of my mail into folders for prioritization/spam...and I don't care to have to recreate the 70+ rules I have in KMail.
Any ideas? Thunderbird is definately in the lead right now due it's having spamassassin built in and excellent filtering capabilities.
I'm looking at Thunderbird and Evolution as a replacement mail client for KMail...mainly cuz I'm sick of KMail blocking when it does the spamassassin checks.
Is there a way to export KMail's *filters* and/or import them into either Thunderbird or Evolution? I filter most of my mail into folders for prioritization/spam...and I don't care to have to recreate the 70+ rules I have in KMail.
Any ideas? Thunderbird is definately in the lead right now due it's having spamassassin built in and excellent filtering capabilities.
13 January 2005
Who knew?
 | You scored as Loner.
What's Your High School Stereotype? created with QuizFarm.com |
Updates on reality...
Well, rah. Thurs 21 April is my new appointment to see Dr. Rubin. The one I was supposed to see back on 4 Jan (after waiting four months) however she was in a car accident...so everything got moved around. I'm waiting another four months. Color me pissed off...
IL Dept of Human Services has supposedly sent me my notification about state aid...but I've not gotten it. I have to go in tomorrow and find out what the hell is going on. I'm hoping they've not sent any cards/paperwork either...cuz I've not seen hide nor hair of them either...
All in all...it's not even 9am and I'm pissed off. What a crappy start to the day.
IL Dept of Human Services has supposedly sent me my notification about state aid...but I've not gotten it. I have to go in tomorrow and find out what the hell is going on. I'm hoping they've not sent any cards/paperwork either...cuz I've not seen hide nor hair of them either...
All in all...it's not even 9am and I'm pissed off. What a crappy start to the day.
12 January 2005
Things that make you go HUH?!
WW 4 SEVERE TSTM IL LM 122255Z - 130400Z
AXIS..55 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
35SE UIN/QUINCY IL/ - 25NW CGX/MEIGS FIELD IL/
.AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM E/W /30ESE UIN - 9NNW ORD/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 23045.
--
Translation...Severe Thunderstorm Watch #4 is now in effect for most of central and northeastern IL until 10pm for the threat of hail up to 1.5" and wind gusts to 65mph... Storms moving from the SW at 50mph.
*giggles and does the naked happy bear dance*
I should have expected this...it's +58 right now at Palwaukee....the low Thursday night is supposed to be +2. Something has to give when you get a spread like that.
AXIS..55 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
35SE UIN/QUINCY IL/ - 25NW CGX/MEIGS FIELD IL/
.AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM E/W /30ESE UIN - 9NNW ORD/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 23045.
--
Translation...Severe Thunderstorm Watch #4 is now in effect for most of central and northeastern IL until 10pm for the threat of hail up to 1.5" and wind gusts to 65mph... Storms moving from the SW at 50mph.
*giggles and does the naked happy bear dance*
I should have expected this...it's +58 right now at Palwaukee....the low Thursday night is supposed to be +2. Something has to give when you get a spread like that.
Catching up and updating things
Insomnia sucks. I don't know if it's the cold medicine that's doing it to me or what. I can't sleep. I was able to get some restless sleep off and on today...but nothing since a nap about 9pm.
I've not really done anything either. I'm sick of being sick. ;)
I sent out a semi-pissy letter to the Kenosha Garou LARP Yahoo Group about their website since I am the one hosting and maintaining it. Everyone seems to think that the site will update itself and they don't have to do anything. We have a decent site but no damned content on it at all.
The domain is up for renewal in three months and right now, my thought is to let it go unless one of two things happens: One, people start getting information to me for the site and keep getting it to me or Two, someone else wants to take over site administration.
I *can* do most of the work for #1...but too many people there just want it to magically happen but won't sit down for 5-10 minutes and actually talk to me about the game, their character, or anything else.
*grumble*
I also sent off the e-mail as requested by the Portage LARP ST staff regarding their website. They have a webmaster now, but they are in a state of disaster...with an old site on Geocities and their current site. The current site is well laid out and very informative, but could use some serious formatting/style changes.
I also have inherited the Chicago Arcadia Renewed : Urban Dreams(?) website for the Chicago Changeling game... the current site is rather bright and colorful, but really has no information on it at all. Once we have our storyteller meeting for Changeling ... I'll start rebuilding that site.
And first in the list...is the web work that I'm doing for Anthony. I have most of it done, except that there are a couple of things that are still not working quite right. I should have the rough site done by the end of the day today. I just wish I could hand deliver it to him. (evil grin).
All I want right now is sleep and stop coughing. It's not even a productive cough...it's the post-nasal drip induced cough that just drives you insane.
So yeah, during the day today...
I have to take Sean to work in 2.5 hours and I can't get to sleep. I'm physically exhausted but my mind won't shut down. I'm really starting to think I'm having a bad reaction to cold medicine. I have to get to ProStaff today to do my testing for them, find out when the hell I'm supposed to see Dr. Rubin (since she was in a car wreck last Tuesday and cancelled her appts for the day and they've not rescheduled)...and finish off the web project draft site for Anthony.
I have the motivation...but not the drive. I don't want to be sick..and I don't have the time for it...nor can I afford it. I have to find a job and start getting steady money.
I've not really done anything either. I'm sick of being sick. ;)
I sent out a semi-pissy letter to the Kenosha Garou LARP Yahoo Group about their website since I am the one hosting and maintaining it. Everyone seems to think that the site will update itself and they don't have to do anything. We have a decent site but no damned content on it at all.
The domain is up for renewal in three months and right now, my thought is to let it go unless one of two things happens: One, people start getting information to me for the site and keep getting it to me or Two, someone else wants to take over site administration.
I *can* do most of the work for #1...but too many people there just want it to magically happen but won't sit down for 5-10 minutes and actually talk to me about the game, their character, or anything else.
*grumble*
I also sent off the e-mail as requested by the Portage LARP ST staff regarding their website. They have a webmaster now, but they are in a state of disaster...with an old site on Geocities and their current site. The current site is well laid out and very informative, but could use some serious formatting/style changes.
I also have inherited the Chicago Arcadia Renewed : Urban Dreams(?) website for the Chicago Changeling game... the current site is rather bright and colorful, but really has no information on it at all. Once we have our storyteller meeting for Changeling ... I'll start rebuilding that site.
And first in the list...is the web work that I'm doing for Anthony
All I want right now is sleep and stop coughing. It's not even a productive cough...it's the post-nasal drip induced cough that just drives you insane.
So yeah, during the day today...
I have to take Sean
I have the motivation...but not the drive. I don't want to be sick..and I don't have the time for it...nor can I afford it. I have to find a job and start getting steady money.
11 January 2005
"If you didn't start a Live Journal for the sole ...
"If you didn't start a Live Journal for the sole purpose of being an attention whore and having everyone pity you because of your sob stories, put this in your LJ."
Blech...
Well there is good and bad news. They tie together.
Good: I have to go to the Arlington Heights ProStaff office tomorrow to update my info and take my typing/data entry skills tests. They have a few positions that they want to consider me for... VERY GOOD. Normally I do about 60-70wpm net speed for typing and about 10-12K keystrokes per hour for data entry. I shouldn't have too many problems with it.
Bad: I'm sicker than hell. My cold returned as a sinus infection and I'm currently stuffed like a Bavarian cream doughnut. I'm hoping I can medicate the beast in my head into submission long enough for me to get the tests done and shine on any interviewing stuff I may have to do. I'm sure they'll hear my stuffiness and understand, but I'd rather not have that factor into it. I'd prefer to stand on my own.
I'm actually feeling somewhat better today, so I'm hoping this is just a quick bout of this and it'll pass. Actually, I'd rather it just be a nasty head cold as opposed to a full blown sinus infection. Either way, I'm feeling better mentally with ProStaff having called me back today and my head not trying to explode now, but rather just throbbing.
Good: I have to go to the Arlington Heights ProStaff office tomorrow to update my info and take my typing/data entry skills tests. They have a few positions that they want to consider me for... VERY GOOD. Normally I do about 60-70wpm net speed for typing and about 10-12K keystrokes per hour for data entry. I shouldn't have too many problems with it.
Bad: I'm sicker than hell. My cold returned as a sinus infection and I'm currently stuffed like a Bavarian cream doughnut. I'm hoping I can medicate the beast in my head into submission long enough for me to get the tests done and shine on any interviewing stuff I may have to do. I'm sure they'll hear my stuffiness and understand, but I'd rather not have that factor into it. I'd prefer to stand on my own.
I'm actually feeling somewhat better today, so I'm hoping this is just a quick bout of this and it'll pass. Actually, I'd rather it just be a nasty head cold as opposed to a full blown sinus infection. Either way, I'm feeling better mentally with ProStaff having called me back today and my head not trying to explode now, but rather just throbbing.
10 January 2005
07 January 2005
A blast from the past...KVSC Playlist 2a-6a 20 Mar 2004
| 2am Hour | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timos Maas | To Get Down (FatBoy Slim Mix) | ||
| Jill Sobule | I Kissed A Girl | ||
| Break | |||
| Evolution Control Cmte | I Want A Cookie | ||
| Spoon | The Way We Get By | ||
| Self | Patty Cake | ||
| Pizzicato Five | Twiggy Twiggy | ||
| Bolshoi | Happy Boy | ||
| Bolshoi | Please | ||
| Break | |||
| The Suburbs | Love Is The Law | ||
| Happy Mondays | Step On | ||
| Me First & The Gimme Gimmes | Don't Cry For Me Argentina | ||
| Ssion | Ride My Inner Child | ||
| Sigur Ros | Track #7 on () CD | ||
| 3am Hour | |||
| XTC | Making Plans For Nigel | ||
| Starlight Mints | Brass Digger | ||
| Hindu Love Gods | Raspberry Beret | ||
| Suzanne Vega | 99.9F | ||
| Dylan Hicks | College Boys | ||
| Break | |||
| Shamen | Ebenezer Goode (Beatmasters Mix) | ||
| Underworld | 2 Months Off | ||
| Break | |||
| Black 47 | Maria's Wedding | ||
| Floggin Molly | Rebels Of The Sacred Heart | ||
| Tim Malloys | Join The British Army (very edited!) -- Request | ||
| Boiled In Lead | Rasputin -- Request | ||
| Faith No More | Helpless | ||
| 4am Hour | |||
| Love and Rockets | So Alive | ||
| Violent Femmes | Kiss Off | ||
| The Smiths | How Soon Is Now | ||
| Dead Or Alive | You Spin Me Around | ||
| Furniture | Brilliant Mind | ||
| Break | |||
| Elizabeth Daly | Waiting | ||
| Wang Chung | Fire In The Twilight -- Request | ||
| Break | |||
| Duran Duran | Make Me Smile | ||
| Tears For Fears | New Star | ||
| Depeche Mode | Sweetest Perfection | ||
| The Flops | Raking Service | ||
| 5am hour | |||
| Tori Amos | Winter | ||
| Marianne Faithfull | Like Being Born | ||
| The Replacements | Skyway | ||
| The Folksmen | Old Joe's Place | ||
| David Schwartz | Theme from Northern Exposure | ||
| Sting | Moon Over Bourbon Street | ||
| Paul Kelly & The Messengers | From Little Things, Big Things Grow | ||
| The Cure | Six Different Ways | ||
| Mary Lou Lord | Fearless | ||
| Muddy Waters | Walkin' Blues | ||
06 January 2005
I know it's a passing phase...
but I really have an overpowering urge to just post the 40 pages of my novel to either my personal website...or even here. I'd give it up and see if other people could actually do something with it.
Friends list cleaning...
just before this post is a friends-only post. If you can't see "big furry man boobs" in the last entry I made, you were taken off my friends list.
If you would like to be re-added lemme know and I'll be honest and let ya know why I dropped you as well.
I dropped some people as they never post and some were because of what and/or how much they post
If you would like to be re-added lemme know and I'll be honest and let ya know why I dropped you as well.
I dropped some people as they never post and some were because of what and/or how much they post
If you can read this....
you survived the scythe that went through my friends list today.
Quite a number of people got thwacked off the list for a number of reasons.
I'll be referening this post in a public post (since if they were dropped...they'd not know it...
by including the phrase "big furry man boobs!"
*laugh*
Quite a number of people got thwacked off the list for a number of reasons.
I'll be referening this post in a public post (since if they were dropped...they'd not know it...
by including the phrase "big furry man boobs!"
*laugh*
05 January 2005
Normally...
I don't get worried about the weather unless it's obvious there will likely be a tornado outbreak or widespread severe weather.
Then again....The following hit the wire about 30 minutes ago...boring and normal until you hit the last sentence.
SHORT TERM FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
515 PM CST WED JAN 5 2005
ILZ003>006-008-010>014-019>022-INZ001-002-060100-
BOONE-COOK-DE KALB-DU PAGE-GRUNDY-KANE-KENDALL-LA SALLE-LAKE-
LAKE IN-LEE-MCHENRY-OGLE-PORTER-WILL-WINNEBAGO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...AURORA...BELVIDERE...CHICAGO...
DE KALB...DIXON...GARY...JOLIET...LA SALLE...MORRIS...
NAPERVILLE...OREGON...ROCKFORD...VALPARAISO...WAUKEGAN...
WOODSTOCK...YORKVILLE
515 PM CST WED JAN 5 2005
.NOW...
A BAND OF MODERATE SNOW WILL MOVE ACROSS AREAS EAST OF INTERSTATE
39 BETWEEN 5 AND 7 PM...REACHING DOWNTOWN CHICAGO AND THE WESTERN
LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE AFTER 6 PM. FOR AREAS NORTH OF
INTERSTATE 80...EXPECT ONE-HALF TO TWO INCHES OF SNOW WITH THIS
SNOW BAND. SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80...A MIXTURE OF SLEET AND
FREEZING RAIN WILL OCCUR. ADDITIONAL SNOW BANDS WILL CONTINUE TO
MOVE ACROSS THE REGION THROUGH THE EVENING...WITH ANOTHER
ROUND OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED AFTER 8 PM...AND
ESPECIALLY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM. AVOID ALL TRAVEL UNLESS
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
$$
Then again....The following hit the wire about 30 minutes ago...boring and normal until you hit the last sentence.
SHORT TERM FORECAST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
515 PM CST WED JAN 5 2005
ILZ003>006-008-010>014-019>022-INZ001-002-060100-
BOONE-COOK-DE KALB-DU PAGE-GRUNDY-KANE-KENDALL-LA SALLE-LAKE-
LAKE IN-LEE-MCHENRY-OGLE-PORTER-WILL-WINNEBAGO-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...AURORA...BELVIDERE...CHICAGO...
DE KALB...DIXON...GARY...JOLIET...LA SALLE...MORRIS...
NAPERVILLE...OREGON...ROCKFORD...VALPARAISO...WAUKEGAN...
WOODSTOCK...YORKVILLE
515 PM CST WED JAN 5 2005
.NOW...
A BAND OF MODERATE SNOW WILL MOVE ACROSS AREAS EAST OF INTERSTATE
39 BETWEEN 5 AND 7 PM...REACHING DOWNTOWN CHICAGO AND THE WESTERN
LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE AFTER 6 PM. FOR AREAS NORTH OF
INTERSTATE 80...EXPECT ONE-HALF TO TWO INCHES OF SNOW WITH THIS
SNOW BAND. SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 80...A MIXTURE OF SLEET AND
FREEZING RAIN WILL OCCUR. ADDITIONAL SNOW BANDS WILL CONTINUE TO
MOVE ACROSS THE REGION THROUGH THE EVENING...WITH ANOTHER
ROUND OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED AFTER 8 PM...AND
ESPECIALLY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM. AVOID ALL TRAVEL UNLESS
ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
$$
04 January 2005
Trivia Time is approaching...
for those of you in the Chicago area...or who would be in Chitown Feb 4-6 and like trivia...
The KVSC Triva contest is coming soon. This years it's TSI: Trivia Scene Investigation.
and I are hosting a team at our place and anyone who wants to join the team needs to get in touch with me in the next two weeks. We'll be organizing our place to be conducive to trivia and also stocking up on munchies, pop, and the like.
Registration is $35/team. We're asking for $10/person to pay for registration and to help with the munchies.
The KVSC Triva contest is coming soon. This years it's TSI: Trivia Scene Investigation.
Registration is $35/team. We're asking for $10/person to pay for registration and to help with the munchies.
03 January 2005
Deep thoughts...
If you are reading this, you are on my friends list.
That's the issue...
I was looking at my instant messenger lists and my LJ friends list and I realize that there are quite a few people I used to talk to frequently that I never talk to any more...and that some of them were just conversations about sex...and then when it became clear that I wasn't going to be sleeping with them...it got really quiet.
I'm probably going to be thinning out my friends list here...as well as my instant messenger lists.
If you disappear from my LJ friends list, you've also disappeared from my IM lists.
The cutoff is probably going to be people who haven't IM'd me/chatted with me/LJ commented in the last three months.
That's the issue...
I was looking at my instant messenger lists and my LJ friends list and I realize that there are quite a few people I used to talk to frequently that I never talk to any more...and that some of them were just conversations about sex...and then when it became clear that I wasn't going to be sleeping with them...it got really quiet.
I'm probably going to be thinning out my friends list here...as well as my instant messenger lists.
If you disappear from my LJ friends list, you've also disappeared from my IM lists.
The cutoff is probably going to be people who haven't IM'd me/chatted with me/LJ commented in the last three months.
I'll open the can of worms...for the sake of discussion (Long political rant)
I originally posted the meat of this comment in reponse to a post that made in his journal...but I decided to reword it slightly to not depend on his post and see how others feel about it.
was commenting on the nature of people in small towns and how they gossip and snicker about homosexuals and commenting that he spoke "sand nigger" (Yes, I hate that word, but it's the phrase they used, so I'm quoting it here)and so I responded with
And I hate to tell ya this...but the "big city" ain't much better. Where and I live...we're known as the patos gringos. We joked that we're the token white people and that it's a "spicy" neighbourhood. Sean and I have a lot of snide comments whispered and muttered around us. I'm not a linguist and it's certainly wierd to be in a business and I have to switch to Spanish to actually ask a question or even get service. It's almost discrimination.
I grew up in downstate rural IL. Elmwood, IL for the record; which is about 20 miles west of Peoria on IL 8.
Pardon me for this but I want to use it as it would be said in the "deep" South. "There is good people everywhere and there is bad people everywhere."
From what I've experienced, St. Cloud MN was more "tolerant" of openly gay people than Chicago in general but the large Somalian population was accepted as well, except by a fringe element (closely aligned with the NeoNazis and KKK) but you have that rogue element anywhere.
As for the comments about Arabic/Farsi/Hebrew or other Middle Eastern languages (let's face it, how many hicks from the sticks could tell he difference? I could probably be able to discern the difference between Arabic and Hebrew and tell which was which..but put Farsi and Arabic next to each other...and I'd have no clue.)
It seems that much of the intolerance in this country is fed/managed/manipulated by the Administration that's in power at the time.
Reagan had the dirty "secret" of letting all the homosexuals die..."it's just a few thousand gay men" and he fed the Religious Right. Russia was the big "boogeyman" which Reagan did tame. Did he bring it down? Maybe he helped, but he didn't do it on his own (nor did the Administration in power at the time). Suddenly the Russians were the good guys and all wonderful and wanting to be democratic and Westernized. We need a new "them"
Bush the First started the feeding frenzy against the Middle Eastern people with the war in Iraq and Operation Desert Storm. Yes, Kuwait was invaded. Yes, it's our ally. But a war to save democracy? Please. Kuwait has a Ministry of Sex. It's a kingdom. Women have almost no rights, but it's the most "Western" nation in the Gulf region. Frightening that the American people just cowed to "Save Democracy" and went along with a war for low oil prices. Aha! We have a new "them" it's those crazy Middle Easterns who hate America...
On a side note, Rwanda was a genocide...the US ignored it. East Timor. ignored. We only do things when it is politically advantageous, not because it's the right thing to do. And even then it can come back to haunt us. Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban..originally called the Northern Alliance ... financed and armed by ... the UNITED STATES to fight the Russians in Afghanistan. "Help us fight and we'll help you rebuild your country."....which became "Thanks for the help...we're outta here." leaving the Afghanistanis with a shattered country and no help from the US. And people wonder where the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden got their hatred of the US? How did Saddam Hussein stay in power for so long? Oh yeah, the US supported him during the Iran-Iraq war during the 80s. Money, weapons, and military training for their troops. Funny. Aren't we fighting them now...and we're suprised by how "fierce" the resistance is. We trained them didn't we? You don't think those people didn't train others and spread the knowledge?
Back to our story....
During the Clinton presidency, there was much more diplomacy...N Korea was talking about reunification of families, trading food for resources with S Korea, Iran was moderating politically. What were the big news stories of those eight years. Huh, it was *domestic issues*. The *ahem* Oral Office, OJ, and for eight years, it was almost entirely the bustling domestic economy and domestic issues. We were quietly working the with Koreas, Iran, and dealing with other issues in the world through diplomacy not warfare. For a short while, it even looked as if there might be major progress between the Palestians and the Israelis. Oh yeah, remember that budget *SURPLUS* the Federal Government had...well that's gone. Clinton was/is/will be overshadowed by his personal life. Yes, he was a rather "dull" presidency but much of what was happening was under the radar of most people in the public. (Take note of Korea, Iran, etc) Clinton could have saved Medicare but bungled it as he was too busy worried about his impending impeachment. Funny how we'll sanction violence, guns on the streets, but how dare you have sex...but that's a whole other diatribe.
Then...Bush the Second, eagar to live up to his father's images/wishes/something trashed all that...and used September 11th as a political tool to launch a war. The fact that he used Sept. 11th images and survivors and the families of victims sickened me...but yet you saw this upswell of "America the Great" amongst the less educated and it was a classic to build self...you need to have an "other". Bush had the tools and the other...and he whipped up nationalistic frenzy into a fever pitch. Did anyone look at the causes of why the US is so hated in the world? No. Do most Americans even know that we are strongly disliked/hated in most of the world? No. (and most Americans would say, "Why would someone in (insert random country here) matter to me?"...now you see the problem). There are so many reasons why we are hated. Cultural arrogance, broken promises to other countries, our disdain for the United Nations...
The "other" used to be Russia...now it's the Middle East...and I'll guess that within the next 10 years, it may very well be China. They are quickly developing a first world economy and industrial complex, they have 1/6 of the world population, and they are a regional superpower.
It's very common to have an us vs. them complex. How do you rally people? You have to give them something to be rallied for/against. Instead of trying to rally people to fight poverty/illiteracy/homelessness/suicide/etc at home and trying to raise the US out of the middle of the pack in education, life expectancy, number of deaths per 1000 births (can't remember the term for it), and things what would positively effect change here at home. Would I rather see a "war on illiteracy" or a "war to save education", absolutely. How much money are we spending daily in the "rebuilding" of Iraq? How many schools could we build at home with that money...how many teachers could be paid (and how many teachers could get paid a living salary)....
I've gone and ranted out a lot of my hostility towards my government and some of the people who live here. Am I an American? Yes. Do I love the principles that were the basis of the founding of this nation? Yes. Am I proud of many of the things this country has done? Yes. Are there many things that are dark black stains on our history? Yes. Am I proud to be an American right now? Honestly, no. We claim to be setting the bar for the rest of the world and we are the "best nation" ... blah blah blah. Most of Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and several other countries all have better educational systems than we do, have a longer life expectancy, and far less crime...I think we need to quite running around the world and meddling about and focus on ourselves.
I'm not calling for isolationist policies, rather that instead of worrying about every little problem in the world and and running off to deal with it...let's get our own house in order first...and help the world where it needs it...in genocides in Rwanda and East Timor...recovery from horrible natural disasters like earthquakes in Armenia, Iran, and Japan and the unimaginable destruction of the Indian Ocean tsunami. If we take care of our own people and yet we are helping other nations when they need a hand and ask for it. We are truly setting a much better example of being that "shining light" of hope and freedom.
This is where democracy comes into play...comment and discuss. Intelligent logical discussion is how we learn about the world and others rather than knee-jerk reactions.
And I hate to tell ya this...but the "big city" ain't much better. Where
I grew up in downstate rural IL. Elmwood, IL for the record; which is about 20 miles west of Peoria on IL 8.
Pardon me for this but I want to use it as it would be said in the "deep" South. "There is good people everywhere and there is bad people everywhere."
From what I've experienced, St. Cloud MN was more "tolerant" of openly gay people than Chicago in general but the large Somalian population was accepted as well, except by a fringe element (closely aligned with the NeoNazis and KKK) but you have that rogue element anywhere.
As for the comments about Arabic/Farsi/Hebrew or other Middle Eastern languages (let's face it, how many hicks from the sticks could tell he difference? I could probably be able to discern the difference between Arabic and Hebrew and tell which was which..but put Farsi and Arabic next to each other...and I'd have no clue.)
It seems that much of the intolerance in this country is fed/managed/manipulated by the Administration that's in power at the time.
Reagan had the dirty "secret" of letting all the homosexuals die..."it's just a few thousand gay men" and he fed the Religious Right. Russia was the big "boogeyman" which Reagan did tame. Did he bring it down? Maybe he helped, but he didn't do it on his own (nor did the Administration in power at the time). Suddenly the Russians were the good guys and all wonderful and wanting to be democratic and Westernized. We need a new "them"
Bush the First started the feeding frenzy against the Middle Eastern people with the war in Iraq and Operation Desert Storm. Yes, Kuwait was invaded. Yes, it's our ally. But a war to save democracy? Please. Kuwait has a Ministry of Sex. It's a kingdom. Women have almost no rights, but it's the most "Western" nation in the Gulf region. Frightening that the American people just cowed to "Save Democracy" and went along with a war for low oil prices. Aha! We have a new "them" it's those crazy Middle Easterns who hate America...
On a side note, Rwanda was a genocide...the US ignored it. East Timor. ignored. We only do things when it is politically advantageous, not because it's the right thing to do. And even then it can come back to haunt us. Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban..originally called the Northern Alliance ... financed and armed by ... the UNITED STATES to fight the Russians in Afghanistan. "Help us fight and we'll help you rebuild your country."....which became "Thanks for the help...we're outta here." leaving the Afghanistanis with a shattered country and no help from the US. And people wonder where the Taliban and Osama Bin Laden got their hatred of the US? How did Saddam Hussein stay in power for so long? Oh yeah, the US supported him during the Iran-Iraq war during the 80s. Money, weapons, and military training for their troops. Funny. Aren't we fighting them now...and we're suprised by how "fierce" the resistance is. We trained them didn't we? You don't think those people didn't train others and spread the knowledge?
Back to our story....
During the Clinton presidency, there was much more diplomacy...N Korea was talking about reunification of families, trading food for resources with S Korea, Iran was moderating politically. What were the big news stories of those eight years. Huh, it was *domestic issues*. The *ahem* Oral Office, OJ, and for eight years, it was almost entirely the bustling domestic economy and domestic issues. We were quietly working the with Koreas, Iran, and dealing with other issues in the world through diplomacy not warfare. For a short while, it even looked as if there might be major progress between the Palestians and the Israelis. Oh yeah, remember that budget *SURPLUS* the Federal Government had...well that's gone. Clinton was/is/will be overshadowed by his personal life. Yes, he was a rather "dull" presidency but much of what was happening was under the radar of most people in the public. (Take note of Korea, Iran, etc) Clinton could have saved Medicare but bungled it as he was too busy worried about his impending impeachment. Funny how we'll sanction violence, guns on the streets, but how dare you have sex...but that's a whole other diatribe.
Then...Bush the Second, eagar to live up to his father's images/wishes/something trashed all that...and used September 11th as a political tool to launch a war. The fact that he used Sept. 11th images and survivors and the families of victims sickened me...but yet you saw this upswell of "America the Great" amongst the less educated and it was a classic to build self...you need to have an "other". Bush had the tools and the other...and he whipped up nationalistic frenzy into a fever pitch. Did anyone look at the causes of why the US is so hated in the world? No. Do most Americans even know that we are strongly disliked/hated in most of the world? No. (and most Americans would say, "Why would someone in (insert random country here) matter to me?"...now you see the problem). There are so many reasons why we are hated. Cultural arrogance, broken promises to other countries, our disdain for the United Nations...
The "other" used to be Russia...now it's the Middle East...and I'll guess that within the next 10 years, it may very well be China. They are quickly developing a first world economy and industrial complex, they have 1/6 of the world population, and they are a regional superpower.
It's very common to have an us vs. them complex. How do you rally people? You have to give them something to be rallied for/against. Instead of trying to rally people to fight poverty/illiteracy/homelessness/suicide/etc at home and trying to raise the US out of the middle of the pack in education, life expectancy, number of deaths per 1000 births (can't remember the term for it), and things what would positively effect change here at home. Would I rather see a "war on illiteracy" or a "war to save education", absolutely. How much money are we spending daily in the "rebuilding" of Iraq? How many schools could we build at home with that money...how many teachers could be paid (and how many teachers could get paid a living salary)....
I've gone and ranted out a lot of my hostility towards my government and some of the people who live here. Am I an American? Yes. Do I love the principles that were the basis of the founding of this nation? Yes. Am I proud of many of the things this country has done? Yes. Are there many things that are dark black stains on our history? Yes. Am I proud to be an American right now? Honestly, no. We claim to be setting the bar for the rest of the world and we are the "best nation" ... blah blah blah. Most of Western Europe, Japan, Australia, and several other countries all have better educational systems than we do, have a longer life expectancy, and far less crime...I think we need to quite running around the world and meddling about and focus on ourselves.
I'm not calling for isolationist policies, rather that instead of worrying about every little problem in the world and and running off to deal with it...let's get our own house in order first...and help the world where it needs it...in genocides in Rwanda and East Timor...recovery from horrible natural disasters like earthquakes in Armenia, Iran, and Japan and the unimaginable destruction of the Indian Ocean tsunami. If we take care of our own people and yet we are helping other nations when they need a hand and ask for it. We are truly setting a much better example of being that "shining light" of hope and freedom.
This is where democracy comes into play...comment and discuss. Intelligent logical discussion is how we learn about the world and others rather than knee-jerk reactions.
01 January 2005
WOOHOO!!!
It's a cold rainy night here in Chicago so I'm curled up in my big blue, black,and grey afghan that
I just loaded up the novel that I'm trying to write, which is tentatively titled Life's A Beach and I realized something when I loaded it. It's in Helmet 10pt and I've hit 40 pages. When I shift it down to the size of the printed page, it's almost 70 pages.
I didn't realize I was really that far along. I re-read it and when I got to the end, I found myself wanting more. I was kinda scared by this as it's my novel and they are "my" characters...and I should know what's going on...
It's just a nice feeling when you realize that you're being pulled into your own writing like that...
First post of 2005
My first post of 2005 and it's a public post. I took my LJ private in early September 2004 for several reasons. I've decided to open it up some and do a mix of public and private posts.
If you are seeing this and you aren't on my friends list, but would like to be, drop me an e-mail and/or add me to your friends list. I check my "friends of" once a week or so to see if people have added me to their list.
Happy New Year and may 2005 bring you all the happiness and prosperity you seek!
If you are seeing this and you aren't on my friends list, but would like to be, drop me an e-mail and/or add me to your friends list. I check my "friends of" once a week or so to see if people have added me to their list.
Happy New Year and may 2005 bring you all the happiness and prosperity you seek!
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