Thursday, October 30, 2008
Get Smart
I was watching my mens last night (Stewart, Colbert, Letterman, Ferguson) and I saw an add for the movie Get Smart on dvd with Anne Hathaway and Steve Carrell and the advertisement was like "Get Smart is action packed ... whatever whatever... with whoever whatever. Vote on November 4th and buy Get Smart on dvd October whatever." I thought it was a riot! I just love the world right now!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Essay on My Day... Because I'm Egotistical
Twas a big day today, ya'll.
It all started on Saturday night (/Sunday morning), when I decided to start Being John Malcovitch at 3am. I mistakenly belived I would be able to stop around 4am... but nay I had to watch the entire thing. VERY GOOD!!! Arguably brilliant. So at 5am I went to bed, only to wake up at 8:45am to be at Chinatown at 10am for food anthro (which was pretty great). Then I had to book it back to register at 12:30pm (BTW I chose to take CHINESE anthro and GREEK DRAMA (at the advise of my drunk roommate who called me an hour later to ask where I was (in my room next to her) and to tell me she was wasted... which I had obviously learned an hour earlier) ... as well as screenwriting and television and childhood).
THEN I had a meeting with my video production team at 1pm which took until like.. 4:30pm!!! Crazy! And then I was REALLY sleepy so I went home and turned on the tv (I don't know why) and saw that Good Will Hunting was on. For some reason, the first time I watched it, I wasn't in love with it. But even though I only watched the last 45 minutes, I LOVED IT! I think it's because of my new love for Matt Damon ... who, by the way, gets better and better EVERY DAY! THEN I took an 45 minute snooze and THEN I went to chords. We learned "Zoot Suit Riot," which sounds great.
After chords I got a text from my tv writing partner telling me that she worked on our outline (which we have been working on for a while and just had to make some adjustments on). She told me to look it over and make any changes I wanted. I was going to but I ended up falling asleep at like 11:30pm INTENDING on waking up early so I could a) look over the outline and b) do my work for my producing 1 meeting at 8pm.
WELL I decided to just check the outline at work because I don't do anything anyway. SO I woke up at 8:30am and went to work. Then I go on my email and look up the outline and it turns out it is NOT DONE! And my partner texted me asking me if I looked at it! So I'm trying to look over it but we have to add a scene and change the format slightly. And THEN my boss comes over because she wants to assign me to a project! So we have a meeting with this lady and they tell me that they want me to change my schedule... and that they want me to work on some School of Education journal (I THINK) but I didn't really get it. And then they start asking me questions about my major and I'm starting to panick about not being able to finish.
Then they finally let me go and I still have an hour before I have to BE at class across the street. So I go back to the computer, but my boss wants me to take something downstairs... which is fine. So I take the thing down and come back. And then this guy comes in and asks me to make a copy of something. So I go upstairs, and it turns out he wants copies from a BOOK (which means I have to do one page at a time instead of just putting it in the machine). And he wants me to do page 30-103. So it took FOREVER! So I had to text my partner and ask if she could write the last scene (I don't feel bad about that at ALL though because ONE of us had to do it and I did ALL of our other stuff...). But I'm still panicking because I'm not sure if she'll get the text or do it or anything. So then I get back downstairs and get on the computer and my new boss tells me she wants to me to make some copies. So I go BACK upstairs (and I'm jogging now) to get the copies, which only took a few minutes. Then I come back downstairs and my regular boss needs another thing brought downstairs. And then my new boss wants me to check her mail upstairs. and I have less than 20 minutes to finish my thing, email it to myself so it's saved, print it, and GET TO CLASS! So I do all the stuff, print it, and end up getting to the class 3 minutes early.
So I get to class, and I go to my partner to apologize and see what we both have (again... I don't feel like I stuck her with anything...) and she tells me that we need a cover sheet and a scene outline! THANK GOD she did them! Without parenthesis, I'm going to reinerate that I do NOT feel guilty that she did it. We had already written the scene outline, we just didn't put it on that actual paper. And a cover page is nothing. And I had done all of the other parts of our project. BUT I do feel bad that I didn't think about checking up to make sure everything was fine. But whatever, she did it.
But THEN my professor asks us for a revised beat sheet, which I know means nothing but basically we did like a thousand beat sheets, and then we turned the last one in and got graded. So when she asked for a revised one, we were like WTF?! And then she asked for the notes from us and our partners. SO, I happened to have a copy of the notes I gave (but not my partners) and one set from ONE of the people we worked with but not the other one. Whatever. So, because we're always asked to make a jillion copies of things, my partner had one of our old beat sheets so we just turned that in.
I FELT LIKE SHIT! But I think a lot of groups did the same stuff miraculously because practically everyone was searching around and a lot of us were missing a piece or needing a stapler. So... whatever. In the past.
This is going to be a little off my overall story, but I kind of like when you get to the state where you can no longer do anything about your situation and you get this wave of acceptance. Like, while I was at work and the time was running out I was like "I can still make it if I go fast enough! FUCK! Go faster!!!" But after I got to class and I learned we were missing things... there was a wave of relief... I was just like "Fuck it. It's all in the past now. Just turn in what we have and accept our fate."
ANYWAY, in class we got to watch the pilot of The West Wing, which was AMAZING! So... netflixing that. I'm just amazed because it was a pilot... which usually SUCK! AND Rob Lowe is in it... and he's not exactly golden (although he is hot as hell!). Although Allison Janney is my hero...
SO THEN I went to the computer lab and researched my producing project until I was about to starve to death. Then I ate at the dining hall. Then I went to anthro from 3-4.
THEN I went to my Avid training at 4 which was assigned for 2 hours but I thought it wouldn't be that long. It WAS! I can't decide if I'm really excited to edit or REALLY SCARED! But I kind of want to do it tomorrow before I forget basics. We do have a manual thing which has pictures... and I took good notes. We'll see. If I REALLY learn Avid, I'm going to be really happy about it in the future.
At 6pm I decided to cancel ALL of my dates for baking. Because ACTUALLY I decided to bake tonight for our Chords bake sale (we need money BADLY). So interestingly enough, last week I spur-of-the-moment asked Andrea to bake with me because I wanted to hang out with her. THEN, a few days later, I invited Brittany and Elena to come over to bake with me because they had been wanting to. Of course they never do, so I kind of figured they wouldn't. Then later I noticed that Erin and Spiegs from my group signed up to bake with me. And then LATER I made an arrangement to meet my producing group at 8pm on this baking day (which, if I'm being confusing, is today).
WELL I basically told them ALL not to come. Got to be too much. I actually was holding out on Andrea, but I had to cancel with her too because my place is SOOO messy that I couldn't bear to come back from my meeting, go to the store, and THEN clean my room... and THEN entertain/bake... possibly missing my Daily Show and Colbert Report.
ANYWAY... came back from Avid and went to the computer lab and got as much as possible done for my meeting. Then we met. Then I went to the store. Then I got home and saw that I got my Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know. So I started to read that (which is AWESOME). Then I watched my men (Stewart, Colbert, Letterman, and Ferguson) from 11pm-1:30am. Notably, Kathy Griffin was on Ferguson (with her emmys!!), which was basically a dream come true.
AND NOW it's 2:30am. I'm watching Bridget Jones' Diary (which I don't really like... even though I LOVE the book). I still haven't baked. And I have to wake at 8am to be at the link on time. LAME. But still a good day. Seemed like a Wednesday though...
SORRY FOR THE WORD VOMIT! But to be fair... this is MY blog and you can skim! haha.
Also, I finished "Heart of the Matter." WHOO!
It all started on Saturday night (/Sunday morning), when I decided to start Being John Malcovitch at 3am. I mistakenly belived I would be able to stop around 4am... but nay I had to watch the entire thing. VERY GOOD!!! Arguably brilliant. So at 5am I went to bed, only to wake up at 8:45am to be at Chinatown at 10am for food anthro (which was pretty great). Then I had to book it back to register at 12:30pm (BTW I chose to take CHINESE anthro and GREEK DRAMA (at the advise of my drunk roommate who called me an hour later to ask where I was (in my room next to her) and to tell me she was wasted... which I had obviously learned an hour earlier) ... as well as screenwriting and television and childhood).
THEN I had a meeting with my video production team at 1pm which took until like.. 4:30pm!!! Crazy! And then I was REALLY sleepy so I went home and turned on the tv (I don't know why) and saw that Good Will Hunting was on. For some reason, the first time I watched it, I wasn't in love with it. But even though I only watched the last 45 minutes, I LOVED IT! I think it's because of my new love for Matt Damon ... who, by the way, gets better and better EVERY DAY! THEN I took an 45 minute snooze and THEN I went to chords. We learned "Zoot Suit Riot," which sounds great.
After chords I got a text from my tv writing partner telling me that she worked on our outline (which we have been working on for a while and just had to make some adjustments on). She told me to look it over and make any changes I wanted. I was going to but I ended up falling asleep at like 11:30pm INTENDING on waking up early so I could a) look over the outline and b) do my work for my producing 1 meeting at 8pm.
WELL I decided to just check the outline at work because I don't do anything anyway. SO I woke up at 8:30am and went to work. Then I go on my email and look up the outline and it turns out it is NOT DONE! And my partner texted me asking me if I looked at it! So I'm trying to look over it but we have to add a scene and change the format slightly. And THEN my boss comes over because she wants to assign me to a project! So we have a meeting with this lady and they tell me that they want me to change my schedule... and that they want me to work on some School of Education journal (I THINK) but I didn't really get it. And then they start asking me questions about my major and I'm starting to panick about not being able to finish.
Then they finally let me go and I still have an hour before I have to BE at class across the street. So I go back to the computer, but my boss wants me to take something downstairs... which is fine. So I take the thing down and come back. And then this guy comes in and asks me to make a copy of something. So I go upstairs, and it turns out he wants copies from a BOOK (which means I have to do one page at a time instead of just putting it in the machine). And he wants me to do page 30-103. So it took FOREVER! So I had to text my partner and ask if she could write the last scene (I don't feel bad about that at ALL though because ONE of us had to do it and I did ALL of our other stuff...). But I'm still panicking because I'm not sure if she'll get the text or do it or anything. So then I get back downstairs and get on the computer and my new boss tells me she wants to me to make some copies. So I go BACK upstairs (and I'm jogging now) to get the copies, which only took a few minutes. Then I come back downstairs and my regular boss needs another thing brought downstairs. And then my new boss wants me to check her mail upstairs. and I have less than 20 minutes to finish my thing, email it to myself so it's saved, print it, and GET TO CLASS! So I do all the stuff, print it, and end up getting to the class 3 minutes early.
So I get to class, and I go to my partner to apologize and see what we both have (again... I don't feel like I stuck her with anything...) and she tells me that we need a cover sheet and a scene outline! THANK GOD she did them! Without parenthesis, I'm going to reinerate that I do NOT feel guilty that she did it. We had already written the scene outline, we just didn't put it on that actual paper. And a cover page is nothing. And I had done all of the other parts of our project. BUT I do feel bad that I didn't think about checking up to make sure everything was fine. But whatever, she did it.
But THEN my professor asks us for a revised beat sheet, which I know means nothing but basically we did like a thousand beat sheets, and then we turned the last one in and got graded. So when she asked for a revised one, we were like WTF?! And then she asked for the notes from us and our partners. SO, I happened to have a copy of the notes I gave (but not my partners) and one set from ONE of the people we worked with but not the other one. Whatever. So, because we're always asked to make a jillion copies of things, my partner had one of our old beat sheets so we just turned that in.
I FELT LIKE SHIT! But I think a lot of groups did the same stuff miraculously because practically everyone was searching around and a lot of us were missing a piece or needing a stapler. So... whatever. In the past.
This is going to be a little off my overall story, but I kind of like when you get to the state where you can no longer do anything about your situation and you get this wave of acceptance. Like, while I was at work and the time was running out I was like "I can still make it if I go fast enough! FUCK! Go faster!!!" But after I got to class and I learned we were missing things... there was a wave of relief... I was just like "Fuck it. It's all in the past now. Just turn in what we have and accept our fate."
ANYWAY, in class we got to watch the pilot of The West Wing, which was AMAZING! So... netflixing that. I'm just amazed because it was a pilot... which usually SUCK! AND Rob Lowe is in it... and he's not exactly golden (although he is hot as hell!). Although Allison Janney is my hero...
SO THEN I went to the computer lab and researched my producing project until I was about to starve to death. Then I ate at the dining hall. Then I went to anthro from 3-4.
THEN I went to my Avid training at 4 which was assigned for 2 hours but I thought it wouldn't be that long. It WAS! I can't decide if I'm really excited to edit or REALLY SCARED! But I kind of want to do it tomorrow before I forget basics. We do have a manual thing which has pictures... and I took good notes. We'll see. If I REALLY learn Avid, I'm going to be really happy about it in the future.
At 6pm I decided to cancel ALL of my dates for baking. Because ACTUALLY I decided to bake tonight for our Chords bake sale (we need money BADLY). So interestingly enough, last week I spur-of-the-moment asked Andrea to bake with me because I wanted to hang out with her. THEN, a few days later, I invited Brittany and Elena to come over to bake with me because they had been wanting to. Of course they never do, so I kind of figured they wouldn't. Then later I noticed that Erin and Spiegs from my group signed up to bake with me. And then LATER I made an arrangement to meet my producing group at 8pm on this baking day (which, if I'm being confusing, is today).
WELL I basically told them ALL not to come. Got to be too much. I actually was holding out on Andrea, but I had to cancel with her too because my place is SOOO messy that I couldn't bear to come back from my meeting, go to the store, and THEN clean my room... and THEN entertain/bake... possibly missing my Daily Show and Colbert Report.
ANYWAY... came back from Avid and went to the computer lab and got as much as possible done for my meeting. Then we met. Then I went to the store. Then I got home and saw that I got my Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know. So I started to read that (which is AWESOME). Then I watched my men (Stewart, Colbert, Letterman, and Ferguson) from 11pm-1:30am. Notably, Kathy Griffin was on Ferguson (with her emmys!!), which was basically a dream come true.
AND NOW it's 2:30am. I'm watching Bridget Jones' Diary (which I don't really like... even though I LOVE the book). I still haven't baked. And I have to wake at 8am to be at the link on time. LAME. But still a good day. Seemed like a Wednesday though...
SORRY FOR THE WORD VOMIT! But to be fair... this is MY blog and you can skim! haha.
Also, I finished "Heart of the Matter." WHOO!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Course Decisions... BLAH! VOM!
So my registration is tomorrow and I THOUGHT I had all of my classes picked out. I was going to be taking screenwriting 1, television and childhood, film production 1, and psychological anthropology. Sounds fun, right??!
BUT I was talking to my friend and she said that if I double major in anthro, I'm going to need to have two classes on a specific part of the world (as well as an archaeology course and another bio-anthro course) so I changed it to an Asian anthro course with Hefner, who I've already had and LOVE. So that's not a problem. BUT then I was talking to my friends about film production and I THOUGHT you didn't use actual film, but it turns out you DO!! And that shit is EXPENSIVE!!! And REALLY time consuming! And I double checked online and it DID say that the students were responsible for all the film and development and shite. PLUS, if I was going to do something that intense, I would like to take video post-production and REALLY learn how to edit!!! But I CAN'T because it's a lottery course!! BLAH!! And so is lighting and video production 2. LAME.
SO, my options are:
1. to take another anthropology and ASSUME that I'm going to want to use my electives to do more anthro (major or otherwise). BUT the one I'm taking now will completely my minor AND my concentration.
2. take an writing/literature course-- my last requirement. The problem is they sounds boring as HELL!! I'm a little sad because I know and love so many english majors... but I REALLY don't want to spend all of my time reading classics. I'm not TRYING to be a douche... but I HATE IT! I can semi-enjoy Shakespeare if I'm already REALLY familiar with the story. I liked The Jungle, Brave New World, and SlaughterHouse Five-- but not more than ANY David Sedaris book I've ever read. I'm sorry, but I thought The Great Gatsby and Catcher and the Rye were boring. I'M SORRY! I'm ashamed, but I just can't pretend about this. I actually thought Candid by Socrates was kind of funny though. BUT if someone makes me read The Odyssey or The Iliad... I think I might die. Well actually, I WILL spark note it. I MIGHT read The Bible with a LOT of motivation. The point is that a class called Shakespeare or ancient epics makes me the most turned-off EVER. Plato and Paul, major authos, Homeric epic, Dante's hell (these are names of classes I can take)? Hell to the NO! But I do have to take one EVENTUALLY. Which is also LAME.
Those might be my only options... LAME. I was sooo excited before. BUT I've learned a valuable lesson called "I DO want to take lottery courses!"
BUT I was talking to my friend and she said that if I double major in anthro, I'm going to need to have two classes on a specific part of the world (as well as an archaeology course and another bio-anthro course) so I changed it to an Asian anthro course with Hefner, who I've already had and LOVE. So that's not a problem. BUT then I was talking to my friends about film production and I THOUGHT you didn't use actual film, but it turns out you DO!! And that shit is EXPENSIVE!!! And REALLY time consuming! And I double checked online and it DID say that the students were responsible for all the film and development and shite. PLUS, if I was going to do something that intense, I would like to take video post-production and REALLY learn how to edit!!! But I CAN'T because it's a lottery course!! BLAH!! And so is lighting and video production 2. LAME.
SO, my options are:
1. to take another anthropology and ASSUME that I'm going to want to use my electives to do more anthro (major or otherwise). BUT the one I'm taking now will completely my minor AND my concentration.
2. take an writing/literature course-- my last requirement. The problem is they sounds boring as HELL!! I'm a little sad because I know and love so many english majors... but I REALLY don't want to spend all of my time reading classics. I'm not TRYING to be a douche... but I HATE IT! I can semi-enjoy Shakespeare if I'm already REALLY familiar with the story. I liked The Jungle, Brave New World, and SlaughterHouse Five-- but not more than ANY David Sedaris book I've ever read. I'm sorry, but I thought The Great Gatsby and Catcher and the Rye were boring. I'M SORRY! I'm ashamed, but I just can't pretend about this. I actually thought Candid by Socrates was kind of funny though. BUT if someone makes me read The Odyssey or The Iliad... I think I might die. Well actually, I WILL spark note it. I MIGHT read The Bible with a LOT of motivation. The point is that a class called Shakespeare or ancient epics makes me the most turned-off EVER. Plato and Paul, major authos, Homeric epic, Dante's hell (these are names of classes I can take)? Hell to the NO! But I do have to take one EVENTUALLY. Which is also LAME.
Those might be my only options... LAME. I was sooo excited before. BUT I've learned a valuable lesson called "I DO want to take lottery courses!"
Friday, October 24, 2008
KITTEN
I had a dream while napping that Katherine (my roommate) and I each got kittens. Her's was more of a cat and was gray and mine was very small and dark striped! But then I got REALLY upset because I didn't know what I would do when I visited home! (since they are illegal in my place, obviously). ANYWAY, as soon as I move into my own place, I'm getting a kitten! NO JOKE!!!
Cultural Literacy and TV majors
A few things:
Everyone tried out for solos for Chords the other day. I couldn't try out because I already have the maximum... so it was very torturious not being able to sing. BUT I did get to count the votes and I was very satisfied by the results.
Also, I bought this book called Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know. In fact, I may have bought two copies accidently because I got it on Amazon and then I had to cancel because I didn't fix the shipping address. Anyway, I'm pretty sure Mr. Cobb endorsed the book when I was in 10th grade, and I'm also pretty sure Gail bought it. Either way, I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and so I bought it.
I got my nails and toenails done yesterday. That was satisfying.
Also, The Office was on yesterday. Continually I feel like a half hour is VERY SHORT. It's soooo interesting watching a show as it's being broadcast because it's SOOOO different than if you have it on DVD. For instance, when I was into Dawson's Creek on DVD, I would get really frustrated because some (a lot) of the episodes are really shitty! I'd have to push through until I got a good episode. BUT, if I had to wait an ENTIRE WEEK for the next episode, and it ended up being shitty, I would be pissed! And if several were shitty in a row, I would stop watching! For SURE! I guess that's obvious... but when I have the DVDs I don't stop watching because we can do it on my time.
The Office isn't boring. BUT I could use more Pam and Jim. It's unsatisfying when I've been waiting an entire week and then hardly anything happens. Nevertheless, I'm greatly anticipating next week. I don't know WHAT I would have done if I had to watch season 2 this way. I would have gone NUTS with anticipation!
I got V for Vendetta and Being John Malcovitch from netflix. I'm excited. Also, I started watching 2001: Space Odyssey. I'm going to try to finish it because it's on the top 100, but it's really boring right now.
I tentatively planned my schedule for next semester. I have to remember that I have to sign up for lottery classes next semester because I want to take video post-production or video production 2. Anyway, I'm going to take film production 1, screenwriting 1, television and childhood, and psychological anthropology. HOPEFULLY. I think that sounds FUUUUN!!!
I was talking to a girl that I work with, and she was telling me how excited she was about a french revolution history class. Not that the french revolution is the worst out of the histories... because on the contrary, it's one of my favorites... of history. But is that really more fun sounding than SCREENWRITING?? I told Rachael and Amanda last year that I'm always surprised when peoples interests are not the same as my interests. They made fun of me for being like a child, and I GUESS I am, but come on?! I just feel like everyone would choose screenwriting over the french revolution! I wouldn't even have to be ASKED that choice, it would be SOOO obvious! Which is why I CONTINUE to be amazed that not EVERYONE is a television major.
Dave and Bill
I know I keep going on about this, but it is EXCELLENT. So here is the transcribed version of the Clinton thing (took forever, so energy-saving economy booster plan is not included).
Dave: I know nothing about the economy. I know nothing about the global economy. but I do know a little bit about history and now people are saying, economists and experts are saying that the American economy is in the worst condition it’s been since the thirties. Well that to me conjures images of redlines, the dust bowl, people out of work, people living in tents, people camping out, people not having a nickel to rub together. Is that true when they say that? As bad as it’s been since the thirties?
Bill: I think that’s a bit overstatement today but what their saying is that the financial system is a fragile as it’s been since the thirties. And we know it collapsed. And therefore they’re worried about it collapsing again. here’s essentially what happened. When the bubble and high-tech stocks burst, 2001 or so, there was a lot of money in the economy at low interest rates because the federal reserve was trying to keep economic activity going. The only problem as that the only activity was in housing and real estate. That was 40, 50% of our growth the first five years so all the money went in there. Then in order to get more and more money into it and more and more people into it, they developed, the finance people did, these derivatives, these interesting instruments where you could cover more and more loans at smaller and smaller reserves so the leverage, that is you had thirty times as many loans as you had money to back it up.
Dave: This is subprime we’re talking about?
Bill: No, that’s different. This is the so-called derivatives where you could have in instrument which would in effect represent, lets say, 30 houses, but you only had enough money to cover one. That’s leverage. Ok? Now the subprime’s different. The subprime system was a way of getting more people to borrow money to buy homes who wouldn’t be able to get a mortgage under traditional circumstances. So we’d say to people “look, we’ll loan you money for just the interest on the mortgage for three years. But you’ll have to pay a higher interest rate and after three years we’ll renegotiate it and you’ll have to pay your mortgage off like everybody else. So for three years John Doe pays his mortgage at, I’m making this up, $800 a month. And all of the sudden in year four, he’s told “well you signed this mortgage and it’s now $1400 a month.” And he said “but I haven’t gotten a raise. And gasoline is more, utilities are more, food’s more, healthcare’s more, I can’t make this mortgage payment.” So you go around and for-close on people. All these things are happening together. That’s what secretary Paulson and chairman Bernankie (sp?) are trying to do by stopping the hemorrhaging but it’s not enough to bail out wallstreet. We’ve got to help mainstreet and we’ve got to have a source of new good investment for new jobs again.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
My Economic Solution
I'm PRETTY SURE that Bill Clinton explained the economic crisis really well on The Late Show. I'm going to re-watch it when it goes on youtube.
I just want to know why we can't create jobs by investing in alternative energy. I'm just saying that if we're going to start making hybrids in America and we're going to start REALLY using solar and wind energy and we're going to fix ALL of our buildings to make them carbon neutral... isn't that a LOT of jobs? EVERY BUILDING! Can't we just make our recycling systems ACTUALLY useful? Have more companies creating new types of containers and methods of distributing that replace ALL of the ones we have now? I just don't understand why we're not doing that.
Update: I'm pretty sure Clinton JUST said that (about energy). When it goes up, I'm going to put that Letterman interview on here because he's just SO GOOD! I would LOVE to have been politically aware when Clinton was president!
Update 2.0: As it turns out, I missed the first 6ish minutes of Clinton's interview (trying to balance with The Colbert Report. I've learned that Letterman usually doesn't start his interviews until the second half... I don't really wanting to be trying to stay up for The Report at 1:30am).
BUT I think Clinton was suggesting using the need to help with global warming as a way to get the economy rolling again (I don't know if it sounds like I'm giving myself too much credit... but to set the record straight, I'm CERTAIN I've heard that idea before and it sounded like some interests that I'd like to combine).
ANYWAY, I really think Clinton is AWESOME and I HIGHLY recommend you watch the interview here, and here, and here! (3 parts)
I KNOW no one is going to watch it. But I REALLY think it's helpful to understand what's happening.
I just want to know why we can't create jobs by investing in alternative energy. I'm just saying that if we're going to start making hybrids in America and we're going to start REALLY using solar and wind energy and we're going to fix ALL of our buildings to make them carbon neutral... isn't that a LOT of jobs? EVERY BUILDING! Can't we just make our recycling systems ACTUALLY useful? Have more companies creating new types of containers and methods of distributing that replace ALL of the ones we have now? I just don't understand why we're not doing that.
Update: I'm pretty sure Clinton JUST said that (about energy). When it goes up, I'm going to put that Letterman interview on here because he's just SO GOOD! I would LOVE to have been politically aware when Clinton was president!
Update 2.0: As it turns out, I missed the first 6ish minutes of Clinton's interview (trying to balance with The Colbert Report. I've learned that Letterman usually doesn't start his interviews until the second half... I don't really wanting to be trying to stay up for The Report at 1:30am).
BUT I think Clinton was suggesting using the need to help with global warming as a way to get the economy rolling again (I don't know if it sounds like I'm giving myself too much credit... but to set the record straight, I'm CERTAIN I've heard that idea before and it sounded like some interests that I'd like to combine).
ANYWAY, I really think Clinton is AWESOME and I HIGHLY recommend you watch the interview here, and here, and here! (3 parts)
I KNOW no one is going to watch it. But I REALLY think it's helpful to understand what's happening.
100 Things That Make Me Happy
I was reading Natalya's blog and she decided to write down 100 things that make her happy. I think it's a nice excercize and also it made ME really happy when I read it. Because I accidently took a 6 hour nap yesterday, I ended up being really awake for most of the night. I didn't do anything wise. Nay. I decided to make my own list, which actually took a lot less time than I thought it would. It's really easy to find 100 things that make you happy. ANYWAY, I was going to put them in a PDF so they wouldn't take up a tone of room. Unfortunately, I don't know how. So... they ARE going to take up the room... whatever.
- fresh-picked apples
- crying out of happiness
- REALLY understanding a song
- really ripe tomatoes
- the excitment before a movie plays in the theater
- the silhouette of buildings on the sky at twilight
- chatting with strangers on the street
- when my voice feels perfect
- when a song comes on the radio that I haven't heard in a decade
- road trips with my mom
- talking to my grandpa on the phone
- finishing a painting
- uncontrollable laughter
- finishing the best paper
- starting a book you've anticipated
- watching an AMAZING movie for the first time
- pickles and movies with Claire
- waking at 5am and then going back to sleep
- watching kids play outside with eachother
- genuinely wanting the very BEST for someone
- noses being red from the cold
- really windy days
- perfectly blended voices singing
- taking a picture that perfectly captures the moment
- being COMPLETELY inspired by someone
- the "No Rain" video by Blind Melon
- the "Wear Sunscreen" song by Baz Luhrmann
- reading the personal quotes of celebrities on imdb
- vibrant colors
- candle light
- dusk
- the onset of seasons
- passionate people
- seeing a mixed race, gay, or old couple on the street
- the smell of cinnamon
- when people tell me how happy or excited they are
- walking my dog
- catching someone smiling to themself
- really enjoying your food
- when you realize a goal came to fruition
- having a really good idea
- the smell of incense
- when you take a minute to reflect on your complete happiness
- when someone uses your phrase
- that anything you want to know is on the internet
- giving money to street performers
- reading in the park
- when people want to play cards or board games
- changing into dry clothes when you're wet from playing in the snow
- when everyone in the room knows all the words to a song
- when someone plays the accoustic guitar
- going back to colorado
- feeling like I made a good decision
- the feeling of my hair after a haircut
- being in the rain
- being on a balcony
- walking outside at 6am
- when strangers offer you help
- when dads call you "darlin'"
- having a catch
- when a word looks perfect in cursive
- when i know someone read my blog
- reading outloud to a listener
- when all your laundry is clean
- being with Claire and Natalya together
- when someone visits
- the feeling of your teeth after the dentist
- being REALLY obsessed with something, even if it's trivial
- performing
- seeing a great live performance
- camping
- when people dress for winter
- enthusiastic carolers
- learning something COMPLETELY new
- inside jokes
- telling the perfect story
- using a specific public transportation for the first time
- aimlessly wandering the city
- when you smell something that triggers a distinct memory
- Auntie Anne's pretzels
- being able to teach something
- when your hair looks great
- re-reading a great book
- reading a very personal blog
- watching any of my top 5 movies
- receiving a long letter
- looking at old pictures
- crying during a movie
- optimistically imagining the future
- getting my cuticles clipped
- singing as loud as I can
- wearing a flow-y skirt
- puppies and kittens (for REAL-- cannot be overlooked)
- when you run your cold hands under warm water
- the imax
- going to the childrens museum or zoo
- when I'm aware of my actions in reference to the environment and the people in the rest of the world
- staying up really late
- sleeping when you're exhausted
- being happy for no reason at all
Monday, October 20, 2008
Ode to Kevin
2 things:
1. I have to use a FAN right now because my room has some uncontrollable heat. Today I tried to have perspective and I realize that some people live in deserts. That being said, last night I absolutely LITERALLY slept with my face right next to the window (which is thankfully at face height on my bed) so that I could breathe in the heat. The rest of my body, which was dressed in a tank top and underwear only, was completely unblanketed. With the window open!! IN BOSTON!! And I assure you, it is FREEZING outside. Today I put the fan in the window. It's insane! And a HUUUGE waste of energy!
2. I realized about a week ago that I haven't laughed in a really long time. I've thought things were funny, and I've chuckled recently, but I used to laugh ALL THE TIME! Huge GUTTERAL laughs!! Every day! I'm sooooo sad Kevin is gone!! The thing is, I'm sure it's a manifestation of this realization and missing Kevin, but I feel like I can feel the difference in my body. Like my chest cavity is filling with something really uncomfortable, and I WOULD be able to laugh it out except that I never laugh. The other day I tried simulating laughter but it didn't work and it made me feel REALLY dumb. Yesterday I tried to laugh excessively at things that were only a little funny, but it was unsatisfying and it still wasn't enough.
The thing is, what now? I was SOOOOO spoiled before! I just want Kevin to come back!! Not that I want to just use him for his hilarity, but ... even when I was PISSED at him, he would make me laugh like 100 times a day! The kind of laughter where NOTHING is as funny! Like HISTERICAL, on the verge of BREAKDOWN laughing! The funniest thing that I've heard in a long time was when my friend Jenn wanted to call crepes "freedom pancakes" because she hated this French kid. That happened 2 or 3 weeks ago. And I still remember. And it isn't even THAT amazing upon recollection (not to diminish her joke).
I think this is partially the reason for the obsessive late night talk shows. I'm replacing Kevin with professional funny men who can tell me something new every day. They aren't as funny.
It's just SO LAME because I can't think of another person who has ever had a great Kevin like I did. I was so spoiled. I don't feel like anyone could even sympathize with me because I don't know anyone who really got to laugh as much as I did. And don't even get me started with Kevin and Pat together!
I know I used to have an insane amount of gay men in my life, and that it was confusing and frustrating for me. But now I have so many girls in my life -- and I LOOOOOVE them and can't live without them. But we almost exclusively talk about feelings and serious issues. I need more Kevin!!
I survived in high school. I guess it'll be okay.
1. I have to use a FAN right now because my room has some uncontrollable heat. Today I tried to have perspective and I realize that some people live in deserts. That being said, last night I absolutely LITERALLY slept with my face right next to the window (which is thankfully at face height on my bed) so that I could breathe in the heat. The rest of my body, which was dressed in a tank top and underwear only, was completely unblanketed. With the window open!! IN BOSTON!! And I assure you, it is FREEZING outside. Today I put the fan in the window. It's insane! And a HUUUGE waste of energy!
2. I realized about a week ago that I haven't laughed in a really long time. I've thought things were funny, and I've chuckled recently, but I used to laugh ALL THE TIME! Huge GUTTERAL laughs!! Every day! I'm sooooo sad Kevin is gone!! The thing is, I'm sure it's a manifestation of this realization and missing Kevin, but I feel like I can feel the difference in my body. Like my chest cavity is filling with something really uncomfortable, and I WOULD be able to laugh it out except that I never laugh. The other day I tried simulating laughter but it didn't work and it made me feel REALLY dumb. Yesterday I tried to laugh excessively at things that were only a little funny, but it was unsatisfying and it still wasn't enough.
The thing is, what now? I was SOOOOO spoiled before! I just want Kevin to come back!! Not that I want to just use him for his hilarity, but ... even when I was PISSED at him, he would make me laugh like 100 times a day! The kind of laughter where NOTHING is as funny! Like HISTERICAL, on the verge of BREAKDOWN laughing! The funniest thing that I've heard in a long time was when my friend Jenn wanted to call crepes "freedom pancakes" because she hated this French kid. That happened 2 or 3 weeks ago. And I still remember. And it isn't even THAT amazing upon recollection (not to diminish her joke).
I think this is partially the reason for the obsessive late night talk shows. I'm replacing Kevin with professional funny men who can tell me something new every day. They aren't as funny.
It's just SO LAME because I can't think of another person who has ever had a great Kevin like I did. I was so spoiled. I don't feel like anyone could even sympathize with me because I don't know anyone who really got to laugh as much as I did. And don't even get me started with Kevin and Pat together!
I know I used to have an insane amount of gay men in my life, and that it was confusing and frustrating for me. But now I have so many girls in my life -- and I LOOOOOVE them and can't live without them. But we almost exclusively talk about feelings and serious issues. I need more Kevin!!
I survived in high school. I guess it'll be okay.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Also, My Painting
Here's the painting I did on Monday (Columbus Day). I'm pleased, although sometimes she reminds me of Cillian Murphy in drag...
TV-- Talk Shows in Particular
I am now experiencing a TV obsession I think. I'm going to place blame on both the election and my producing 1 class. So here's the sitch:
Yesterday I made plans to hang out with Caroline, but upon remembering the Presidential debate, I considered not hanging out to watch it. Fortunately she also wanted to watch it. So we did. That's fine, if not awesome. But then I had to get home to watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. And then I watched the end of The Late Show with David Letterman and all of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. And at some point, although I can't recall when, I watched South Park. That was all PRETTY regular.
But today I read on Perez that Letterman was having McCain on his show. And since he got ditched before, I HAD to watch! So I had plans to eat dinner at 7pm. Then I had to get back to watch The Office from 9-9:30. Then SNL Weekend Update. Then I ended up watching some Tim Gunn show that is basically EXACTLY like What Not to Wear. At 11pm I had The Daily Show. But at 11:30 I had to watch The Late Show instead of Colbert. So at 12:30, when it was over, I watched Craig. Then at 1:30 I flipped back to get The Colbert Report.
I decided this was a sickness when I wanted to get my soda but couldn't find a time slot!!!!!
That being said, I think that debates supplimented with funny, lighthearted talk show interviews is a good (well better...) way to get information. I think it's because Letterman legitimately doesn't know a ton about politics and wants answers to real questions that he has. But also, McCain is less defensive.
If I had to rank the late night talk show talents, I would go with:
1) Tie between Colbert and Stewart (I could pick my fave daily but it definitely switches)
2) Ferguson
3) Letterman
I do really like Letterman though.
Also, if I were to add Ellen and The View (which I regularly watch clips of but can't catch because it's daytime), I would have to put... Ellen tied on top and The View tied with Ferguson.
By the way, why do I suddenly watch ALL talk shows (except The Office)? I'm worried about adding more shows, but I am kind of after It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and 30 Rock.
Yesterday I made plans to hang out with Caroline, but upon remembering the Presidential debate, I considered not hanging out to watch it. Fortunately she also wanted to watch it. So we did. That's fine, if not awesome. But then I had to get home to watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. And then I watched the end of The Late Show with David Letterman and all of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. And at some point, although I can't recall when, I watched South Park. That was all PRETTY regular.
But today I read on Perez that Letterman was having McCain on his show. And since he got ditched before, I HAD to watch! So I had plans to eat dinner at 7pm. Then I had to get back to watch The Office from 9-9:30. Then SNL Weekend Update. Then I ended up watching some Tim Gunn show that is basically EXACTLY like What Not to Wear. At 11pm I had The Daily Show. But at 11:30 I had to watch The Late Show instead of Colbert. So at 12:30, when it was over, I watched Craig. Then at 1:30 I flipped back to get The Colbert Report.
I decided this was a sickness when I wanted to get my soda but couldn't find a time slot!!!!!
That being said, I think that debates supplimented with funny, lighthearted talk show interviews is a good (well better...) way to get information. I think it's because Letterman legitimately doesn't know a ton about politics and wants answers to real questions that he has. But also, McCain is less defensive.
If I had to rank the late night talk show talents, I would go with:
1) Tie between Colbert and Stewart (I could pick my fave daily but it definitely switches)
2) Ferguson
3) Letterman
I do really like Letterman though.
Also, if I were to add Ellen and The View (which I regularly watch clips of but can't catch because it's daytime), I would have to put... Ellen tied on top and The View tied with Ferguson.
By the way, why do I suddenly watch ALL talk shows (except The Office)? I'm worried about adding more shows, but I am kind of after It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and 30 Rock.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A Score for Connecticut
ALSO!!!
CONNECTICUT IS NOW THE THIRD STATE TO ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE!!
This happened on Friday!! And I only found out YESTERDAY! But,
FUCK YEAH!!!
CONNECTICUT IS NOW THE THIRD STATE TO ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE!!
This happened on Friday!! And I only found out YESTERDAY! But,
FUCK YEAH!!!
Sad for McCain
I was watching The Daily Show today (as I now do every Monday through Thursday (woo!)) and he showed both of these clips (seriously watch them, it's like 2 minutes). Now, Jon kind of harped on how McCain implied that being Arab is different from being a good family man, which I'm certain was an error on McCain's part. BUT I was sooooo bummed out by the entire situation. I think it's because it's EXACTLY what my grandpa was saying about how introducing Palin was irresponsible because she is inspiring the crazies! After bringing up the Bill Ayers thing, which we all KNOW is a ridiculous association, I've seen at least 4 clips (if not more) of people shouting at their speeches about Obama being a terrorist or that he should be killed!!! And now I think McCain feels really shitty about it! Especially since he used to say that it's dispicable to do those negative ads. And really, no matter what, one of them is going to be the President. It sucks that we've had all of these years of Bush, who I feel we could put absolutely NO faith in. But in a time when we're all really worried about what is going to happen to us individually, and what's going to happen to all of these citizens of the United States and the world, we have to put some faith into our President. Dividing the people so harshly, particularly by bringing out the terrible social issues, is going to help nothing. And we don't want people being afraid of our leader. It SHOULD be a decision on who meets the most of your opinions. Not who you don't fear. Because both candidates have lived in our country and have legitimate ideas and confidence for running it.
Anyway, I feel sad because I think McCain knows he was being a douche bag. I hope he's been been bitching Palin out. I'm not sure if it's an awkward bias or sexism or something... I hope it's not, but I just REALLY feel like Palin is the mom of someone from high school who volunteered to be a big part of a trip or something and takes over like she knows EVERYTHING even though she's really fucking it up. And in your head/ to your friends you're like "Man, __________'s mom is a HUUUUGE douche! This trip isn't fun anymore and I just know ______________ (who's running the trip) is pretty pissed that he/she had no better volunteers!" She's the same woman who isn't happy very often but has that REALLY ominous smile all the time, as though you could be fooled. I feel like it's the same woman who, when you're being bad, tells her husband who pretends to give a shit so mom won't get angry at him... which is an awkward combination of enforcing the idea that the man runs the house, while still being a total douche-nozzle!
THIS IS NOT MY MOM, fyi. My mom is not a shithead. This MIGHT be my bitchy grandma. She IS a shithead!
Also, I'm pretty sure that it isn't awkward sexism because I did/do NOT feel this way about Hilary Clinton! I think she would have been an EXCELLENT leader and I nearly voted for her for the primary. I changed my mind because after I saw Obama's speech about race responding to the Reverend Wright thing, I decided that even though I thought Hilary would probably be the best if we really want universal health care (which I do) because that's her THANG, and it's hard to say who would be better in terms of the environment or the war (or now the economy, which I didn't consider during the primaries). But I decided that Obama stood for unity in our country, and change to make us a less dog eat dog nation. I thought Hilary made the people too divided.
And so it all goes 'round!
Anyway, I feel sad because I think McCain knows he was being a douche bag. I hope he's been been bitching Palin out. I'm not sure if it's an awkward bias or sexism or something... I hope it's not, but I just REALLY feel like Palin is the mom of someone from high school who volunteered to be a big part of a trip or something and takes over like she knows EVERYTHING even though she's really fucking it up. And in your head/ to your friends you're like "Man, __________'s mom is a HUUUUGE douche! This trip isn't fun anymore and I just know ______________ (who's running the trip) is pretty pissed that he/she had no better volunteers!" She's the same woman who isn't happy very often but has that REALLY ominous smile all the time, as though you could be fooled. I feel like it's the same woman who, when you're being bad, tells her husband who pretends to give a shit so mom won't get angry at him... which is an awkward combination of enforcing the idea that the man runs the house, while still being a total douche-nozzle!
THIS IS NOT MY MOM, fyi. My mom is not a shithead. This MIGHT be my bitchy grandma. She IS a shithead!
Also, I'm pretty sure that it isn't awkward sexism because I did/do NOT feel this way about Hilary Clinton! I think she would have been an EXCELLENT leader and I nearly voted for her for the primary. I changed my mind because after I saw Obama's speech about race responding to the Reverend Wright thing, I decided that even though I thought Hilary would probably be the best if we really want universal health care (which I do) because that's her THANG, and it's hard to say who would be better in terms of the environment or the war (or now the economy, which I didn't consider during the primaries). But I decided that Obama stood for unity in our country, and change to make us a less dog eat dog nation. I thought Hilary made the people too divided.
And so it all goes 'round!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Opportunity Today
Good weekend (thus far).
So it's 11:30 and I've been conscious for about an hour an a half, most of which I've spent watching Michael Cera related videos on youtube. I think I might clean my room and then paint for a while today. Or maybe I'll go and see Religulous, the new Bill Mahr, love of my life, documentary because it's actually part of my homework for one of my classes. LUCKY.
Or maybe I'll get a fish!
Or maybe I'll go about town and experience the fall. I am on a mission to find some local apples!
I cut my fingers kind of badly yesterday. I ASSUME everything is fine. I didn't really clean them out at all or put a bandage on them because even though I know it prevents infections, I also think it keeps the wound open for an awkwardly long amount of time. It just doesn't seem to heal correctly. But I don't want to be a douche and call someone about it because they seem pretty fine now. I just know that they look kind of awkward and they bled a LOT last night when it happened. They seem closed right now though so I bet it's fine. Just to explain, I made pizza last night and to cut it I used a knife. Well, it started to fall in the sink and I instinctively tried to catch it before it fell but I just got the blade, which slipped through my hands. It was a little rough.
So it's 11:30 and I've been conscious for about an hour an a half, most of which I've spent watching Michael Cera related videos on youtube. I think I might clean my room and then paint for a while today. Or maybe I'll go and see Religulous, the new Bill Mahr, love of my life, documentary because it's actually part of my homework for one of my classes. LUCKY.
Or maybe I'll get a fish!
Or maybe I'll go about town and experience the fall. I am on a mission to find some local apples!
I cut my fingers kind of badly yesterday. I ASSUME everything is fine. I didn't really clean them out at all or put a bandage on them because even though I know it prevents infections, I also think it keeps the wound open for an awkwardly long amount of time. It just doesn't seem to heal correctly. But I don't want to be a douche and call someone about it because they seem pretty fine now. I just know that they look kind of awkward and they bled a LOT last night when it happened. They seem closed right now though so I bet it's fine. Just to explain, I made pizza last night and to cut it I used a knife. Well, it started to fall in the sink and I instinctively tried to catch it before it fell but I just got the blade, which slipped through my hands. It was a little rough.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
HUGE Rant on Politics
So I talked to my grandpa today and it's been WAY too long! I trust him more than ANYONE in the world about politics... I would basically vote for anyone he told me to, which I think is a perfectly legitimate way to go. I watch what I can and I understand what I can, but ultimately I trust the way he thinks and his wisdom and his priorities. This is above my mother or father or other grandparents.
So this is the first time I've talked to my grandpa since Wallstreet burst into flames. I told him that all I understood from the crisis was that it was REALLY bad, and that it had to do with subprimal loans (and I do vaguely understand what that means). I told him that I am getting nervous, but my anxiety isn't aimed at anything because I'm not sure what to worry about. Ultimately, I feel glad that I don't have any money anyway. Even if they took my $1000 that I have saved... my life won't be altered at all...
Anyway, my grandpa told me that I can't really worry about anything and that it might make a difference when I'm trying to get a job, but time is on my side. (I'm not scared of being poor (although I know that I should be))
I also wanted to talk to my grandpa about this conversation I had with a friend who is fiscally conservative. My grandpa told me a while ago that ideologically he is fiscally conservative and socially liberal also. So my friend was talking about the trickle down policy and I just thought that it KIND OF makes sense but it also doens't at all. I think that the idea is to avoid being socialist-y. Like, you give all of these tax breaks to the rich so they invest in their companies and then that creates jobs and then the middle class and poor can get those jobs and earn their money instead of being given money. But here are the things that I think are silly:
1) Why do we assume that the rich will invest in their own companies? I mean, obviously some will but especially in the age of huge corporqations, it comes down to individuals it seems. Also, the people are always still really rich, so I have to argue that they aren't putting a TON back into their companies.
2) Taxes to not make the rich poor or even middle class. Or even upper middle class. They are still very rich ALWAYS.
3) If poor people get the money (and I'm not talking about welfare, I'm talking about tax cuts), they have no where to put that money except back into the economy. And a ton of people buying a computer is better for the economy that one person buying a computer. And a better economy still means money for the rich.
4) If all the poor people DIE or lose all of their money, there is no economy. There are NO businesses.
Another thing my friend and I discussed is welfare. She said that when people are taken care of, they don't do anything. Now, I've definately SEEN some actual circumstances where that happens. At Superfresh, I've seen several people who have completely manicured nails and velour outfits and pay with foodstamps. My mother told me a horrifying story about a woman who was a great grandmother whilst having her whateverteenth baby in order to keep receiving welfare until she gets social security. And even worse, she inadvertanty (or maybe purposely) taught her children that this is the way to live. So yes, welfare could be improved BUT it's still important because
1) If people go broke... you can't just let them die. End of story. If you disagree, you are coldhearted unforgiving asshole!
The thing is, I think one of our hugest issues is that people have such a sense of entitlement. I feel so strongly about this that it hurts. And it's the reason why I absolutely WORSHIP Natalya for being an anti-consumer and REALLY trying to do her part with the environment and education about our earth and the people who live here. So what I'm saying is that we don't DESERVE to have everything that we can possibly get. I know this is kind of a stupid example, but why do people try to take the T without paying? The subway is a BEAUTIFUL service for us. It takes a lot of people and taxes and work to keep that system running. I don't DESERVE to get a free ride because someone wasn't looking. I should WANT to pay. How else will this service continue? Do I want to walk or need a car?
I know that is a silly thing to get upset about but it reflects an attitude that is SO HUGE that I feel is causing MOST of our problems. When people think about the shit that they buy, they think about it as "I earned this money and therefore I deserve to have this shirt." The only conflict is that you might want to save your own money. And I'm not saying buying a shirt is bad, but you should recognise the ENORMOUS amount of work that it took to get the materials (what that does to the environment) and make the shirt (long tedious work) and ship the shirt (shit ton of fuel going into the air). And I understand that it gives jobs, but if we didn't demand to have so many fucking shirts (which we ABSOLUTELY don't need), we could pay a bit more to buy locally made shirts that are made on an individual level which takes skill (which people ENJOY doing as a job because they can be creative and proud) and so could the people in their own places the way they did pre-globalization.
And the same goes TEN-FOLD for food. Individual farms can still sustain people and farmers can take care of their land and be more proud of their work. And if only local food is available, then people will be able to charge the right amount for their food. And in a farming village, the people would then MAKE enough money to buy goods from other people.
It obviously isn't as clean-cut as that, but these huge corporations encourage so much consuming that we're DESTROYING everything!
And possibly even MORE importantly and MORE easy to change (and I think we're on the way) is that we need to understand other people who act differently than we do. Every individual should realise that they would be the EXACT same as any other person if they were raised in that position. If I was raised in Mississippi by conservatives, I would be a republican. And I believe my ideas of how the country and world should be understood and worked is the best for everyone, but they believe in their ways and there IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG! Because there is no impartial platform. And this is the same with EVERYONE! Even those suicide bombers. They believe they are doing what is best for everyone and they AREN'T WRONG, we just disagree. I'm not saying we shouldn't try to convince them and I definitely believe that it is the most misguided attempt at helping the world that could EVER EXIST, but they are people. They were raised to believe things. And we should respect everyone. EVERYONE. And I don't want them to die. And I don't want people to die trying to kill them! And I understand that that is way too idealistic, and I'm glad that I'm not in charge of those particular decisions because it would break my heart. BUT, I do need us to at least TRY and preserve these lives! and I NEED us to get the FUCK out of places that aren't even threatening us! The number one goal should be saving as many people as possible. I really don't believe we have a clear sight on that goal!
I also need to say, that when I hear about people making their decisions based on raised taxes, it makes me CRAZY! Especially the rich people. Because people NEED to have their healthcare! People NEED to be educated. They need homes! And we NEED alternative fuel!!!! And what about roads and the FDA (whom I hate but would love if they weren't corrupt) and the police force? and even our military?? I want all of these things for EVERYONE. I do not feel so uncompassionate as to accept my own healthcare and let everyone else fend for themselves. I WANT to give my taxes to go towards these things. And I think that would make me feel more connected to my community (which I know isn't a solid fact that you can campaign on... but I think it's true. I think people would have more loyalty to their government if they were protected by it). And no matter what, I do not think that Donald Trump DESERVES his 15th vehicle while tons of people don't have health care because he EARNED IT! People have talents, but also people are lucky. And I don't think anyone ANYONE has so much extra talent or whatever that they DESERVE sooooo much useless shit that benefits NO ONE in any concrete way, that some people should have to die or nearly die physically or psychologically.
I WANT TO BE TAXED!
I think the worst thing is the people are SO CONVINCED that we can't change. That what I want, and what a lot of people want, is such a huge change that it's impossible. Our nation is a consumer, capitalist nation. But it HONESTLY used to be more self-sufficient. And even more importantly, we've made HUGE changes before. Women in the work force? That's HUGE! We're still working on racism, but see how these changes CAN happen!? And it just takes understanding what is the best for us and making it happen! And teaching our kids our new knowledge! I mean, changes were made for the depression too. The catalyst was terrible... but it definitely proves that huge and necessary changes aren't out of our reach. But don't people see all of this consuming and ASSUME that things have to change or we're LITERALLY going to die? It definitely seems likely, if not INEVITABLE, to me!
Um... not to go completely back, but my grandpa told me that being fiscally conservative just means that they don't want to have a huge deficit... which is the opposite of what the republicans HAVE been doing. The republicans in D.C. right now are NOT being fiscally conservative.
Also, my grandpa said that as far as the election goes, McCain used to be his favorite repub. When he got elected to be the republican nominee, my grandpa was very pleased. He said that since then, McCain has sold his soul to the devil and allowed the terrible republicans to take over his campaign. Grandpa said that the worst decision was to get Sarah Palin who only appeals to the far right. He said that OBVIOUSLY the far right were already going to vote for McCain-- never Obama-- and that McCain needed the swing voters who are totally turned off by Palin. But even worse is that Palin is appealing to the crazies! The other day during a rally, Palin brought up the William Ayers/terrorist thing and one of the people cried "kill him!" My grandpa thinks that it's really easy to appeal to these crazies and riling them up is EXTREMELY irresponsible as a leader. Which I believe is totally true. We all know Obama is not a terrorist. And we should all know that McCain is a national hero and does care about our country.
Anyway, Stephen Colbert had a guest who referenced that EXACT incident and commented on the same thing about the crazies and McCain becoming a douche-slave to the far right repubs. And let me tell you,
grandpa + Colbert = truth in my book
On a completely side subject...
Saw Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
I really enjoyed watching it and, as always with Cera films, I considered it a great, positive reflection of youth today. That said, it wasn't quite as amazing as Superbad and really wasn't as good a Juno... but it was still very good!! I just really love those movies, and those plots are SO flawless to me... especially Juno.
So this is the first time I've talked to my grandpa since Wallstreet burst into flames. I told him that all I understood from the crisis was that it was REALLY bad, and that it had to do with subprimal loans (and I do vaguely understand what that means). I told him that I am getting nervous, but my anxiety isn't aimed at anything because I'm not sure what to worry about. Ultimately, I feel glad that I don't have any money anyway. Even if they took my $1000 that I have saved... my life won't be altered at all...
Anyway, my grandpa told me that I can't really worry about anything and that it might make a difference when I'm trying to get a job, but time is on my side. (I'm not scared of being poor (although I know that I should be))
I also wanted to talk to my grandpa about this conversation I had with a friend who is fiscally conservative. My grandpa told me a while ago that ideologically he is fiscally conservative and socially liberal also. So my friend was talking about the trickle down policy and I just thought that it KIND OF makes sense but it also doens't at all. I think that the idea is to avoid being socialist-y. Like, you give all of these tax breaks to the rich so they invest in their companies and then that creates jobs and then the middle class and poor can get those jobs and earn their money instead of being given money. But here are the things that I think are silly:
1) Why do we assume that the rich will invest in their own companies? I mean, obviously some will but especially in the age of huge corporqations, it comes down to individuals it seems. Also, the people are always still really rich, so I have to argue that they aren't putting a TON back into their companies.
2) Taxes to not make the rich poor or even middle class. Or even upper middle class. They are still very rich ALWAYS.
3) If poor people get the money (and I'm not talking about welfare, I'm talking about tax cuts), they have no where to put that money except back into the economy. And a ton of people buying a computer is better for the economy that one person buying a computer. And a better economy still means money for the rich.
4) If all the poor people DIE or lose all of their money, there is no economy. There are NO businesses.
Another thing my friend and I discussed is welfare. She said that when people are taken care of, they don't do anything. Now, I've definately SEEN some actual circumstances where that happens. At Superfresh, I've seen several people who have completely manicured nails and velour outfits and pay with foodstamps. My mother told me a horrifying story about a woman who was a great grandmother whilst having her whateverteenth baby in order to keep receiving welfare until she gets social security. And even worse, she inadvertanty (or maybe purposely) taught her children that this is the way to live. So yes, welfare could be improved BUT it's still important because
1) If people go broke... you can't just let them die. End of story. If you disagree, you are coldhearted unforgiving asshole!
The thing is, I think one of our hugest issues is that people have such a sense of entitlement. I feel so strongly about this that it hurts. And it's the reason why I absolutely WORSHIP Natalya for being an anti-consumer and REALLY trying to do her part with the environment and education about our earth and the people who live here. So what I'm saying is that we don't DESERVE to have everything that we can possibly get. I know this is kind of a stupid example, but why do people try to take the T without paying? The subway is a BEAUTIFUL service for us. It takes a lot of people and taxes and work to keep that system running. I don't DESERVE to get a free ride because someone wasn't looking. I should WANT to pay. How else will this service continue? Do I want to walk or need a car?
I know that is a silly thing to get upset about but it reflects an attitude that is SO HUGE that I feel is causing MOST of our problems. When people think about the shit that they buy, they think about it as "I earned this money and therefore I deserve to have this shirt." The only conflict is that you might want to save your own money. And I'm not saying buying a shirt is bad, but you should recognise the ENORMOUS amount of work that it took to get the materials (what that does to the environment) and make the shirt (long tedious work) and ship the shirt (shit ton of fuel going into the air). And I understand that it gives jobs, but if we didn't demand to have so many fucking shirts (which we ABSOLUTELY don't need), we could pay a bit more to buy locally made shirts that are made on an individual level which takes skill (which people ENJOY doing as a job because they can be creative and proud) and so could the people in their own places the way they did pre-globalization.
And the same goes TEN-FOLD for food. Individual farms can still sustain people and farmers can take care of their land and be more proud of their work. And if only local food is available, then people will be able to charge the right amount for their food. And in a farming village, the people would then MAKE enough money to buy goods from other people.
It obviously isn't as clean-cut as that, but these huge corporations encourage so much consuming that we're DESTROYING everything!
And possibly even MORE importantly and MORE easy to change (and I think we're on the way) is that we need to understand other people who act differently than we do. Every individual should realise that they would be the EXACT same as any other person if they were raised in that position. If I was raised in Mississippi by conservatives, I would be a republican. And I believe my ideas of how the country and world should be understood and worked is the best for everyone, but they believe in their ways and there IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG! Because there is no impartial platform. And this is the same with EVERYONE! Even those suicide bombers. They believe they are doing what is best for everyone and they AREN'T WRONG, we just disagree. I'm not saying we shouldn't try to convince them and I definitely believe that it is the most misguided attempt at helping the world that could EVER EXIST, but they are people. They were raised to believe things. And we should respect everyone. EVERYONE. And I don't want them to die. And I don't want people to die trying to kill them! And I understand that that is way too idealistic, and I'm glad that I'm not in charge of those particular decisions because it would break my heart. BUT, I do need us to at least TRY and preserve these lives! and I NEED us to get the FUCK out of places that aren't even threatening us! The number one goal should be saving as many people as possible. I really don't believe we have a clear sight on that goal!
I also need to say, that when I hear about people making their decisions based on raised taxes, it makes me CRAZY! Especially the rich people. Because people NEED to have their healthcare! People NEED to be educated. They need homes! And we NEED alternative fuel!!!! And what about roads and the FDA (whom I hate but would love if they weren't corrupt) and the police force? and even our military?? I want all of these things for EVERYONE. I do not feel so uncompassionate as to accept my own healthcare and let everyone else fend for themselves. I WANT to give my taxes to go towards these things. And I think that would make me feel more connected to my community (which I know isn't a solid fact that you can campaign on... but I think it's true. I think people would have more loyalty to their government if they were protected by it). And no matter what, I do not think that Donald Trump DESERVES his 15th vehicle while tons of people don't have health care because he EARNED IT! People have talents, but also people are lucky. And I don't think anyone ANYONE has so much extra talent or whatever that they DESERVE sooooo much useless shit that benefits NO ONE in any concrete way, that some people should have to die or nearly die physically or psychologically.
I WANT TO BE TAXED!
I think the worst thing is the people are SO CONVINCED that we can't change. That what I want, and what a lot of people want, is such a huge change that it's impossible. Our nation is a consumer, capitalist nation. But it HONESTLY used to be more self-sufficient. And even more importantly, we've made HUGE changes before. Women in the work force? That's HUGE! We're still working on racism, but see how these changes CAN happen!? And it just takes understanding what is the best for us and making it happen! And teaching our kids our new knowledge! I mean, changes were made for the depression too. The catalyst was terrible... but it definitely proves that huge and necessary changes aren't out of our reach. But don't people see all of this consuming and ASSUME that things have to change or we're LITERALLY going to die? It definitely seems likely, if not INEVITABLE, to me!
Um... not to go completely back, but my grandpa told me that being fiscally conservative just means that they don't want to have a huge deficit... which is the opposite of what the republicans HAVE been doing. The republicans in D.C. right now are NOT being fiscally conservative.
Also, my grandpa said that as far as the election goes, McCain used to be his favorite repub. When he got elected to be the republican nominee, my grandpa was very pleased. He said that since then, McCain has sold his soul to the devil and allowed the terrible republicans to take over his campaign. Grandpa said that the worst decision was to get Sarah Palin who only appeals to the far right. He said that OBVIOUSLY the far right were already going to vote for McCain-- never Obama-- and that McCain needed the swing voters who are totally turned off by Palin. But even worse is that Palin is appealing to the crazies! The other day during a rally, Palin brought up the William Ayers/terrorist thing and one of the people cried "kill him!" My grandpa thinks that it's really easy to appeal to these crazies and riling them up is EXTREMELY irresponsible as a leader. Which I believe is totally true. We all know Obama is not a terrorist. And we should all know that McCain is a national hero and does care about our country.
Anyway, Stephen Colbert had a guest who referenced that EXACT incident and commented on the same thing about the crazies and McCain becoming a douche-slave to the far right repubs. And let me tell you,
grandpa + Colbert = truth in my book
On a completely side subject...
Saw Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
I really enjoyed watching it and, as always with Cera films, I considered it a great, positive reflection of youth today. That said, it wasn't quite as amazing as Superbad and really wasn't as good a Juno... but it was still very good!! I just really love those movies, and those plots are SO flawless to me... especially Juno.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Jon and Stephen, Stephenie and David
I have a crush on Jon Stewart which is contributed by but not limited to this fact:
he does the New York Times crossword every night with his wife.
I have a crush on Stephen Colbert which is contributed by but not limited to these facts:
1) "I used to write things for friends. There was this girl I had a crush on, and she had a teacher she didn't like at school. I had a real crush on her, so almost every day I would write her a little short story where she would kill him in a different way."
2) One of his acting credits is: Sesame Street: All-Star Alphabet (2005) (V) .... The Letter Z
Now that I'm in love with these two men, I'm inspired to become more politically aware. Is it awkward I continually change myself to impress fictional men? I think it's ok. I've been loyally watching their shows for 2 weeks now!
I finished Wet Hot American Summer. It was meh. I liked it but I wasn't floored.
Also, I don't know if I mentioned that I finished The Host (which was pretty great even though Stephenie Meyer is too fond of the unbelievably nice endings. I'm not THAT sad about it though), but I just started another David Sedaris book!! I LOOOOVE HIM!! Even though all of his books are EXACTLY the same, I can't get enough. They aren't annoyingly the same because they are just a series of funny essays... I assume LOOSELY based on himself. I've already read Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked and now I'm reading Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. I'm obsessed.
he does the New York Times crossword every night with his wife.
I have a crush on Stephen Colbert which is contributed by but not limited to these facts:
1) "I used to write things for friends. There was this girl I had a crush on, and she had a teacher she didn't like at school. I had a real crush on her, so almost every day I would write her a little short story where she would kill him in a different way."
2) One of his acting credits is: Sesame Street: All-Star Alphabet (2005) (V) .... The Letter Z
Now that I'm in love with these two men, I'm inspired to become more politically aware. Is it awkward I continually change myself to impress fictional men? I think it's ok. I've been loyally watching their shows for 2 weeks now!
I finished Wet Hot American Summer. It was meh. I liked it but I wasn't floored.
Also, I don't know if I mentioned that I finished The Host (which was pretty great even though Stephenie Meyer is too fond of the unbelievably nice endings. I'm not THAT sad about it though), but I just started another David Sedaris book!! I LOOOOVE HIM!! Even though all of his books are EXACTLY the same, I can't get enough. They aren't annoyingly the same because they are just a series of funny essays... I assume LOOSELY based on himself. I've already read Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked and now I'm reading Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. I'm obsessed.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Movies, Smut, and Smells
I've got some things to address but I won't remember if I don't make a list right now:
1) netflix
2) AFI
3) new classes
4) olfactory
5) Thursday
6) Twilight
7) Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, The Duchess
1) I just want to mention that the netflix is going GREAT! It's essentially one of my new favorite sites. Recently I've watched both D3: The Mighty Ducks 3 and Eyes Wide Shut on the actual site. D3 was the most anti-climactic of the 3 Duck movies. The end seemed like it should have been the middle. Awkward. Eyes Wide Shut was shit. Even though I respect Stanley Kubrick and I have no problem with Tom Cruise (as an actor) or Nicole Kidman, the story was total bullshit. It reminded me of Edmond with William H. Macy-- just no story at all! All shock value and fake depth. They clearly didn't want to tell a tale.
2) So at some point I wanted to see all of the American Film Institute's top 100 movies. I only ended up seeing about a quarter of them, and it was hard because I couldn't buy those movies: I probs wouldn't see them again. BUUUUT I learned a while ago that they were doing a 10th anniversary edition of the top 100 movies in 2008 and low... they have. So I just want to put down some info about it. (If you want to see the entire list...)
The following were put on the list (I was going to put the ones that were taken off, but it seemed irrelevant):
18. The General (1927)
49. Intolerance (1916)
50. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) (I will now watch it. Sealed.)
59. Nashville (1975)
61. Sullivan's Travels (1941)
63. Cabaret (1972)
67. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
71. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
72. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) (YES!)
75. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
77. All the President's Men (1976)
81. Spartacus (1960)
82. Sunrise (1927)
83. Titanic (1997) (YEEEES!!)
85. A Night at the Opera (1935)
87. 12 Angry Men (1957)
89. The Sixth Sense (1999) (truth.)
90. Swing Time (1936)
91. Sophie's Choice (1982)
95. The Last Picture Show (1971)
96. Do the Right Thing (1989)
97. Blade Runner (1982)
99. Toy Story (1995)
(I've seen only 25 movies on the entire list)
3) Turns out we're registering for classes in TWO WEEKS!!! But when I went to the meeting today, which was a miracle they did NOT advirtise well (ironic given that it's communications), I got SOOOOO EXCITED ABOUT MY CLASSES!! I cannot even WAIT! I LOOVE being a TV major!
4) I think my sense of smell has been heightened. I feel like I'm being bombarded by smells constantly! Particularly in my apartment. And I don't think we're not being clean... so it's rough.
5) I feel sad because I haven't seen a LOT of my friends in more than a week, if not two. The thing is that I always have a shit-ton of work on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Then the weekend is such another animal. BUUUT given my new obsession with The Office (and I have to be honest, I'd MUCH rather experience it on my own... and I really don't want to watch it online because... I'm a TV major and it seems SO rude to the ratings that I will obey in the future-- that is legitimate). So I've decided that I'm staying in on Thursday to watch The Office and absolutely finish or nearly finish "Heart of the Matter." Done.
6) Last night I reread some of the smuttier parts of Breaking Dawn (I'm not ashamed...) and so today I was thinking about it all day. So then I got to think about what would happen if people could read my mind (nature of the beast with that book) and I thought that it would be PRETTY fun if someone could read mine then. Just sayin... that would be the best part about reading minds.
7) Yeah... I just need to see those movies. Especially the Michael Cera one which got good reviews even though it kind of looks like shit... but I would watch anything with Michael Cera. Also, I don't know if it's everywhere... but that fucking chihuahua movie did the best at the box office this weekend. WTF!?
1) netflix
2) AFI
3) new classes
4) olfactory
5) Thursday
6) Twilight
7) Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist, The Duchess
1) I just want to mention that the netflix is going GREAT! It's essentially one of my new favorite sites. Recently I've watched both D3: The Mighty Ducks 3 and Eyes Wide Shut on the actual site. D3 was the most anti-climactic of the 3 Duck movies. The end seemed like it should have been the middle. Awkward. Eyes Wide Shut was shit. Even though I respect Stanley Kubrick and I have no problem with Tom Cruise (as an actor) or Nicole Kidman, the story was total bullshit. It reminded me of Edmond with William H. Macy-- just no story at all! All shock value and fake depth. They clearly didn't want to tell a tale.
2) So at some point I wanted to see all of the American Film Institute's top 100 movies. I only ended up seeing about a quarter of them, and it was hard because I couldn't buy those movies: I probs wouldn't see them again. BUUUUT I learned a while ago that they were doing a 10th anniversary edition of the top 100 movies in 2008 and low... they have. So I just want to put down some info about it. (If you want to see the entire list...)
The following were put on the list (I was going to put the ones that were taken off, but it seemed irrelevant):
18. The General (1927)
49. Intolerance (1916)
50. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) (I will now watch it. Sealed.)
59. Nashville (1975)
61. Sullivan's Travels (1941)
63. Cabaret (1972)
67. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
71. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
72. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) (YES!)
75. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
77. All the President's Men (1976)
81. Spartacus (1960)
82. Sunrise (1927)
83. Titanic (1997) (YEEEES!!)
85. A Night at the Opera (1935)
87. 12 Angry Men (1957)
89. The Sixth Sense (1999) (truth.)
90. Swing Time (1936)
91. Sophie's Choice (1982)
95. The Last Picture Show (1971)
96. Do the Right Thing (1989)
97. Blade Runner (1982)
99. Toy Story (1995)
(I've seen only 25 movies on the entire list)
3) Turns out we're registering for classes in TWO WEEKS!!! But when I went to the meeting today, which was a miracle they did NOT advirtise well (ironic given that it's communications), I got SOOOOO EXCITED ABOUT MY CLASSES!! I cannot even WAIT! I LOOVE being a TV major!
4) I think my sense of smell has been heightened. I feel like I'm being bombarded by smells constantly! Particularly in my apartment. And I don't think we're not being clean... so it's rough.
5) I feel sad because I haven't seen a LOT of my friends in more than a week, if not two. The thing is that I always have a shit-ton of work on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Then the weekend is such another animal. BUUUT given my new obsession with The Office (and I have to be honest, I'd MUCH rather experience it on my own... and I really don't want to watch it online because... I'm a TV major and it seems SO rude to the ratings that I will obey in the future-- that is legitimate). So I've decided that I'm staying in on Thursday to watch The Office and absolutely finish or nearly finish "Heart of the Matter." Done.
6) Last night I reread some of the smuttier parts of Breaking Dawn (I'm not ashamed...) and so today I was thinking about it all day. So then I got to think about what would happen if people could read my mind (nature of the beast with that book) and I thought that it would be PRETTY fun if someone could read mine then. Just sayin... that would be the best part about reading minds.
7) Yeah... I just need to see those movies. Especially the Michael Cera one which got good reviews even though it kind of looks like shit... but I would watch anything with Michael Cera. Also, I don't know if it's everywhere... but that fucking chihuahua movie did the best at the box office this weekend. WTF!?
Monday, October 6, 2008
I Can Vote
1) We finished our project (and when I say "we" I mostly mean one of my 4 partners who was such a trooper that she spent 15 hours editing a 2.5 minute video!! (I'm not TOTALLY looking forward to my turn.. except I KIND OF am... so awesome))!!
2) Got my voting stuff. WHOOO! I would send it in soon... but I kind of think I should wait-- I don't want to jump the gun before I know everything! I mean.. what if I suddenly become a Palin-lady. Could happen... ... ...
2) Got my voting stuff. WHOOO! I would send it in soon... but I kind of think I should wait-- I don't want to jump the gun before I know everything! I mean.. what if I suddenly become a Palin-lady. Could happen... ... ...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Useless Update
First of all, I finished all of The Office. It was SOOOOO nice that the show is still running now because I didn't have to cry that it was finished. Now I can just be excited! But at least I no longer think about the show all day!
Second (except actually the REAL first), Caroline is the angel of my life. I couldn't decide if I wanted to talk about it on here or not, and I think I won't... but I made an interesting decision and had an EXTREMELY rough time the other night. Thank GOD Caroline helped me out or ... REALLY sucky shit could have gone down.
Also, the next morning Claire texted me. I feel like she knew!
Now, I have a serious laundry situation. AND I need to work a LITTLE more on school!! BUT out first edited... video? is almost done!
Second (except actually the REAL first), Caroline is the angel of my life. I couldn't decide if I wanted to talk about it on here or not, and I think I won't... but I made an interesting decision and had an EXTREMELY rough time the other night. Thank GOD Caroline helped me out or ... REALLY sucky shit could have gone down.
Also, the next morning Claire texted me. I feel like she knew!
Now, I have a serious laundry situation. AND I need to work a LITTLE more on school!! BUT out first edited... video? is almost done!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Vote.
This is how I would be persuaded to vote.
In other news, I didn't watch any of The Office yesterday. AND I finished my work that was due. ALSO The Office isn't on tonight because of the VP debate, thank GOD, because otherwise I would have to choose between my civic duty and... my current unequivocal obsession.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
