To borrow a phrase from a friend, my hormones are acting up :(
(is there a tactful way to say that w/o sounding like a 16 year old?)
Good thing I have my article of about 5 posts below (plug :)) to keep me grounded. Well, that and a complete lack of opportunity.
Kinda-date suggestions still being taken. thanks.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Thanks to poeple who've responded to my posts the last few days. I posted a reply to the 'Sex' one under the comments section for that post, in case you missed it. And if you guys have any more date suggestions, feel free to drop a line.
Our garbage disposal just got fixed (yay!) and hopefully the doctor will be able to fix my weird hand ailment thing today. So far so good eh.
Our garbage disposal just got fixed (yay!) and hopefully the doctor will be able to fix my weird hand ailment thing today. So far so good eh.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
So, if, hypothetically, one wanted to ask a girl out for a very low key, low-pressure, first date-like thing, what would be a good thing to do? Current suggestions include dinner and/or a musueum of some sorts (thanks for the idea btw, ms. you know who you are). Anything else come to mind to anyone?
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Thursday, January 26, 2006
The "who actually reads this" poll is officially over (for now anyway.) Thanks to all who participated. I appreciate you taking time out to read my ramblin...er, musings.
Speaking of which, this is an article I wrote a while back for the annual Sex issue of the Harvard Independent. I haven't actually read it in a while (including now-i just cut and paste :) but let me know what you think, if you have an opinion. Or if you just want to read (or skim) it, that's fine too (it's kinda long i guess).
I was generally a good kid growing up. I followed the rules, mainly for fear of getting in trouble, occasional lapses into peer-pressured shenanigans notwithstanding. Eventually, as my religious convictions grew, my behavior stayed fairly similar, bolstered by more compelling reasons than worry over being caught. Given my general reputation for goody two-shoeness and the fact that pretty much everyone in my town in rural South Carolina was at least nominally Christian, there wasn't really a stigma attached to not drinking, smoking, or cursing because of reasons based in faith. But there was one issue that I tended to skirt. That was the fact that I was saving myself for marriage.
Now, I'm no Super Christian (hmm, possible Saturday morning cartoon idea) or anything like that. I'm as sexually inclined as the average young adult. And, especially in high school, I felt the embarrassment that went along with being a male virgin. But, as much as I might have wanted there to be one, I have not found a convincing argument against what I see as clear rejections of premarital sex in the scriptures I believe convey the universally valid word of God. Of course, there are other areas in which such clearly held ideals have not prevented an occasional slip-up. Nevertheless, because sex is such a big deal, it is particularly important to me that I don't give in to temptation but uphold my faith in this particular area.
I know a lot of people don't share my beliefs about saving sex for marriage. Setting aside other issues (like current ethical and legal debates over who should or should not be allowed to marry), many people would argue that there is no rational reason why sex should be reserved for marriage. I won't try to make such an argument about why one should logically conclude that sex makes sense only in that context. My convictions are ultimately centered in my personal religious beliefs. If I weren't Christian, I sincerely doubt that I would have come to these conclusions. (Nor would I have even thought very deeply about what sex means, I imagine.) Many people who practice more liberal interpretations of Christianity don't hold these views. Nevertheless, I don't think that such an opinion about sex and marriage is invalidated because of its ultimate basis in religious teaching. Christianity is about faith. Though I may not fully understand the reasons behind all its tenets, I nevertheless trust their source. God is not arbitrary, nor does He require more than can or should be done by us, and He has our best interests in mind.
This in not to say that such beliefs are merely blind faith. While not necessarily conclusive from a secular standpoint, there are nonetheless valid non-religious arguments for why marriage makes sense as the place for sex. Marriage is a special institution (as is evident by the amount of passion being displayed by those on each side of the current debate over gay marriage), marked by an unparalleled commitment to be another person's mate and partner. Such a relationship entails great emotional intimacy and trust between these two people.
Likewise, sex is a very intimate act of unique physical union and closeness. To engage in sex with another individual means expressing an incredible amount of trust in one's partner, as you open yourself up to the potential of various types of harm. It therefore makes sense to save this act for the person you have deemed to be your confidant and partner for life, because you have concluded that he or she is indeed deserving of your trust; sex can be a symbol of the trust you share with him or her.
Of course, there are many people who place the level of commitment and trust necessary for sex at lower thresholds (a long-term relationship, an agreement of monogamy, or just some fondness for and attraction to the other party). Some take a simpler, "if it feels good, do it" approach to sex. Increasingly, this is becoming a dominant way of thinking in our culture. Things like hookups, casual sex, and friends-with-benefits are increasingly glamorized. Sex is just something that gives pleasure with little afterthought or responsibility. While there are individuals who are quite happy to live their sex lives this way and don't seem to harm themselves or others, I think that these loosening sexual practices have several negative consequences. First, the act of sex becomes less meaningful, vitiating a powerful means to express feelings of true love once it is found with another person. Second, I think such casual sex can contribute to a lessening of the value of interpersonal relationships more generally, as other people become more objectified as tools for personal pleasure.
Ironically, I also think that such moves towards making sex less important can actually achieve the opposite effect, making it overly important. As people become less restrictive concerning the appropriate contexts for sex, the pursuit of new sexual opportunities multiplies. Chasing new sexual partners and encounters becomes life's grandest pursuit. This can be seen through countless markers of pop culture like songs, movies, and television shows, which focus on the pursuit of sex and the extent to which individuals, especially young people, are willing to put all else aside and make fools of themselves in order to achieve a sexual encounter. One of the reasons I believe that Christian doctrines regulate or limit sex and other forms of gratification is to keep such things from becoming all-encompassing. Sex is supposed to be a pleasurable and desirable part of life, but not to the point of replacing its more important aspects.
It's easy to sound judgmental and holier-than-thou when espousing such views, but that is far from the case. I definitely understand the appeal of enjoying sex without guilt or inhibition. Though it may not be something I always discuss at the lunch table, I don't think that sex is fundamentally evil or dirty, as some religious people do, nor do I label people as such because they have different sexual norms from those I hold. I know and highly respect many people, both here and elsewhere, with differing views from mine. And now that unwanted pregnancies and STDs can be effectively prevented, sex has lost many of the more tangible dangers that once (sometimes) deterred individuals from having sex as much as they desired, lessening the need to examine the consequences before just going for it. There have definitely been times I've thought that life would be so much more enjoyable if I had only decided not to hold my particular convictions. Yet, I do hold these views as part of a larger faith. While I feel the reasons for waiting I have talked about above are persuasive, I don't expect them to convince everyone. In the end, I choose to wait until I'm married because I feel that my faith in and relationship with my God, and the eventual relationship I will have with my wife, are well worth the wait.
Speaking of which, this is an article I wrote a while back for the annual Sex issue of the Harvard Independent. I haven't actually read it in a while (including now-i just cut and paste :) but let me know what you think, if you have an opinion. Or if you just want to read (or skim) it, that's fine too (it's kinda long i guess).
I was generally a good kid growing up. I followed the rules, mainly for fear of getting in trouble, occasional lapses into peer-pressured shenanigans notwithstanding. Eventually, as my religious convictions grew, my behavior stayed fairly similar, bolstered by more compelling reasons than worry over being caught. Given my general reputation for goody two-shoeness and the fact that pretty much everyone in my town in rural South Carolina was at least nominally Christian, there wasn't really a stigma attached to not drinking, smoking, or cursing because of reasons based in faith. But there was one issue that I tended to skirt. That was the fact that I was saving myself for marriage.
Now, I'm no Super Christian (hmm, possible Saturday morning cartoon idea) or anything like that. I'm as sexually inclined as the average young adult. And, especially in high school, I felt the embarrassment that went along with being a male virgin. But, as much as I might have wanted there to be one, I have not found a convincing argument against what I see as clear rejections of premarital sex in the scriptures I believe convey the universally valid word of God. Of course, there are other areas in which such clearly held ideals have not prevented an occasional slip-up. Nevertheless, because sex is such a big deal, it is particularly important to me that I don't give in to temptation but uphold my faith in this particular area.
I know a lot of people don't share my beliefs about saving sex for marriage. Setting aside other issues (like current ethical and legal debates over who should or should not be allowed to marry), many people would argue that there is no rational reason why sex should be reserved for marriage. I won't try to make such an argument about why one should logically conclude that sex makes sense only in that context. My convictions are ultimately centered in my personal religious beliefs. If I weren't Christian, I sincerely doubt that I would have come to these conclusions. (Nor would I have even thought very deeply about what sex means, I imagine.) Many people who practice more liberal interpretations of Christianity don't hold these views. Nevertheless, I don't think that such an opinion about sex and marriage is invalidated because of its ultimate basis in religious teaching. Christianity is about faith. Though I may not fully understand the reasons behind all its tenets, I nevertheless trust their source. God is not arbitrary, nor does He require more than can or should be done by us, and He has our best interests in mind.
This in not to say that such beliefs are merely blind faith. While not necessarily conclusive from a secular standpoint, there are nonetheless valid non-religious arguments for why marriage makes sense as the place for sex. Marriage is a special institution (as is evident by the amount of passion being displayed by those on each side of the current debate over gay marriage), marked by an unparalleled commitment to be another person's mate and partner. Such a relationship entails great emotional intimacy and trust between these two people.
Likewise, sex is a very intimate act of unique physical union and closeness. To engage in sex with another individual means expressing an incredible amount of trust in one's partner, as you open yourself up to the potential of various types of harm. It therefore makes sense to save this act for the person you have deemed to be your confidant and partner for life, because you have concluded that he or she is indeed deserving of your trust; sex can be a symbol of the trust you share with him or her.
Of course, there are many people who place the level of commitment and trust necessary for sex at lower thresholds (a long-term relationship, an agreement of monogamy, or just some fondness for and attraction to the other party). Some take a simpler, "if it feels good, do it" approach to sex. Increasingly, this is becoming a dominant way of thinking in our culture. Things like hookups, casual sex, and friends-with-benefits are increasingly glamorized. Sex is just something that gives pleasure with little afterthought or responsibility. While there are individuals who are quite happy to live their sex lives this way and don't seem to harm themselves or others, I think that these loosening sexual practices have several negative consequences. First, the act of sex becomes less meaningful, vitiating a powerful means to express feelings of true love once it is found with another person. Second, I think such casual sex can contribute to a lessening of the value of interpersonal relationships more generally, as other people become more objectified as tools for personal pleasure.
Ironically, I also think that such moves towards making sex less important can actually achieve the opposite effect, making it overly important. As people become less restrictive concerning the appropriate contexts for sex, the pursuit of new sexual opportunities multiplies. Chasing new sexual partners and encounters becomes life's grandest pursuit. This can be seen through countless markers of pop culture like songs, movies, and television shows, which focus on the pursuit of sex and the extent to which individuals, especially young people, are willing to put all else aside and make fools of themselves in order to achieve a sexual encounter. One of the reasons I believe that Christian doctrines regulate or limit sex and other forms of gratification is to keep such things from becoming all-encompassing. Sex is supposed to be a pleasurable and desirable part of life, but not to the point of replacing its more important aspects.
It's easy to sound judgmental and holier-than-thou when espousing such views, but that is far from the case. I definitely understand the appeal of enjoying sex without guilt or inhibition. Though it may not be something I always discuss at the lunch table, I don't think that sex is fundamentally evil or dirty, as some religious people do, nor do I label people as such because they have different sexual norms from those I hold. I know and highly respect many people, both here and elsewhere, with differing views from mine. And now that unwanted pregnancies and STDs can be effectively prevented, sex has lost many of the more tangible dangers that once (sometimes) deterred individuals from having sex as much as they desired, lessening the need to examine the consequences before just going for it. There have definitely been times I've thought that life would be so much more enjoyable if I had only decided not to hold my particular convictions. Yet, I do hold these views as part of a larger faith. While I feel the reasons for waiting I have talked about above are persuasive, I don't expect them to convince everyone. In the end, I choose to wait until I'm married because I feel that my faith in and relationship with my God, and the eventual relationship I will have with my wife, are well worth the wait.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Day 14-LAST DAY YALL- of my "who reads this" poll(9** responses so far)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog, although there were two others who commented on the content without directly responding to my poll)
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog, although there were two others who commented on the content without directly responding to my poll)
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
How do you put someone head firset into a sleeping bag, sit on their chest, and not get any jail time after that person dies. A US army interregator did this to an Iraqi general, and after being courtmarshalled and convicted of some lesser charges including negligent homicide (not being convicted of murder), it appears taht he at most will be reprimanded, fined a few thousand dollars and have his travel restricted for 60 days. So I know there are lots of mitigating circumstances when it comes to war (and also a possible CIA connection that was shrouded in mystery through the trial), but is a person's life really worth so little now? It frustrates me. Please feel free to share thoughts, and let me know if i'm missing something.
Day 13 (probably tbe next to last day) of my "who reads this" poll(9** responses so far-unless you count the two people who talked about it with me on IM last night but didn't leave a "comment" on hte blog itself)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Day 13 (probably tbe next to last day) of my "who reads this" poll(9** responses so far-unless you count the two people who talked about it with me on IM last night but didn't leave a "comment" on hte blog itself)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Monday, January 23, 2006
Could I be afraid of being in a relationship? (I'm not entirely sure why I'm posing that as a question as I already know that, to some extent at least, the answer is yes). I mean, a lot of me definitely wants to be in one. But as you may know, whenever the opportunity seems to arise, I do a lot of hesitating and second guessing and whatnot. Part of it is that its fun, for a while, to be in the early infatuation from a distance stage, where you can imagine your relationship in ideal form, without the complications that would arise from real life. But am I so afraid of going past that and facing reality that I sabotage or dismiss any relationship before its even begun? maybe...?
Day 12 of my "who reads this" poll(9** responses so far-I',, probably stop in a couple of days, so lets go out big)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Day 12 of my "who reads this" poll(9** responses so far-I',, probably stop in a couple of days, so lets go out big)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Sunday, January 22, 2006
God loves me. That really is pretty amazing when you think about it. I mean, He's GOD. And yet He not only notices me, not only cares about me, but actually loves me. Wow. That is quite incredible.
Day 11 of my "who reads this" poll(9** responses so far-let's get back up to the one-a-day average ya'll)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Day 11 of my "who reads this" poll(9** responses so far-let's get back up to the one-a-day average ya'll)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Missing the folk who are out of town now (including, but not limited to, a certain someone).
Day 10 (or night 10 I guess, since I forgot to post earlier) of my "who reads this" poll(8** responses so far-but none in the last 2 or so days. Oh well.)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Day 10 (or night 10 I guess, since I forgot to post earlier) of my "who reads this" poll(8** responses so far-but none in the last 2 or so days. Oh well.)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Friday, January 20, 2006
DONE WITH MY STATISTICS FINAL!!! I should go collapse now shouldn't I? At 24, am I already gettin too old for this? Perhaps I can develop some good study habits or something. And wings.
we shall see.
Day 9 of my "who reads this" poll(8** responses so far-but none yesterday :( )-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
we shall see.
Day 9 of my "who reads this" poll(8** responses so far-but none yesterday :( )-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Thursday, January 19, 2006
So Hillary Clinton made a remark to a black audience that the House of Representatives was run like a plantation, following it with "and you know what I'm talking about." Besides the fact that after hearing the quote, albeit without the full context, I didn't know what she was talking about (apparently it was a reference to the quashing of dissent by the Republican House leadership), it did sound like a bit of a cheap shot. While it isn't a full use of the so called race card, it seemed obvious that her choice of analogy was motivated by the audience, as she knew that the indirect slavery reference would get a strong reaction from the crowd. Even if she is married to America's first black president*, it still seemed like a little much
*(a title that has been bestowed upon Bill Clinton for his seeming familiarity/admiration of the black community and general cool demeanor)
Day 8 of my "who reads this" poll(8** responses so far-that rocks)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
*(a title that has been bestowed upon Bill Clinton for his seeming familiarity/admiration of the black community and general cool demeanor)
Day 8 of my "who reads this" poll(8** responses so far-that rocks)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
(**my response count includes people who replied by email or IM as well as on the blog)
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
So New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is getting in trouble for his comments about Katrina and other hurricanes being God's wrath, New Orleans being forever a "chocolate" city, etc. Now I'm not sure where he was going with the hurricane comment (so was he trying to imply that his constituents brought the hurricane on themselves? or maybe that America's national/international policies, like the war in Iraq, were to blame and New Orleans unfortunately was just in the way of the retribution?). I do kinda understand where he was going with the chocolate comment, as there have been fears (I don't know if they're coming true or not) that many of the poor (black) residents of New Orleans were going to lose their homes in the reconstruction.
In case you haven't seen the follow up, where he explains his analogy to a reporter-find the video. It is quite amusing.
Tomorrow (unless I change my mind or don't get to it): Hillary Clinton's "plantation" remark.
Day 8 of my "who reads this" poll(8 responses so far-lets keep that average up people)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
In case you haven't seen the follow up, where he explains his analogy to a reporter-find the video. It is quite amusing.
Tomorrow (unless I change my mind or don't get to it): Hillary Clinton's "plantation" remark.
Day 8 of my "who reads this" poll(8 responses so far-lets keep that average up people)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
So cold. So very cold. Oh well.
Finally working on a take home exam due Friday. Good times.
BTW, my cell phone battery is practically dead, but I've been holding out on getting a new one bc i think we may be getting new phones soon. So Feel free to call me, but don't be offended if it cuts off in the middle of conversation. And I'm usually pretty good (obsessive) about checking email.
Day 7 of my "who reads this" poll(7 responses so far-not too shabby)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Finally working on a take home exam due Friday. Good times.
BTW, my cell phone battery is practically dead, but I've been holding out on getting a new one bc i think we may be getting new phones soon. So Feel free to call me, but don't be offended if it cuts off in the middle of conversation. And I'm usually pretty good (obsessive) about checking email.
Day 7 of my "who reads this" poll(7 responses so far-not too shabby)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Monday, January 16, 2006
So I was watching the Boondocks tv show last night (which i generally think has a few moments but often crosses the line and isn't as funny as the comic strip (which is hilarious and generally on-point) Had their Martin Luther King Jr episode. It was very interesting-they did a counterfactual reality where King wasn't killed on the balcony but went into a 30 yr coman, awaking around 2000 to our present world. After being initially celebrated, he's villified and ostracized after suggesting we "love our enemies" and "turn the other cheek" after 9/11. Eventually (with the help of Huey Freeman) he tries to start a new left party. But upon discovering that the new "party" is really nothing but a "party" in the clubbing sense of the word (complete with scantily clad women, fighting, etc) he delivers a rousing speech about the state of black America.
At first I thought the show went way over the line when King calls the people in his audience (I'm paraphrasing bc I can't remember all the adjectives) "Trifling, good for nothing n*****s." The show has been criticized for its frequent use of the n-word (though I don't think it uses it more than people do in real conversations, but of course the Cartoon Network is a different venue than being on the block), King does go on to say that he hates that word and that its the ugliest word in the English language, but that he was forced to use it bc it was the only way to describe what he saw. After calling out everything from BET to the movie Soul Plane (the speech is time-elapsed so you don't actually hear all he has to say), he moves to Canada, but his words have a tremendous effect on the black community in America, eventually bringing about "the revolution." The show ends with a newspaper headline from the year 2020 saying that King has died in British Columbia, then pans out to show that the main headline on that paper was Oprah Wiinfrey being elected president. I'm still not quite sure what to think of the episode (or what the King family and those who knew him might think) but I do feel that Aaron McGruder, though perhaps still crossing the line several times, actually did it in a way that was somewhat serious and respectful of King's legacy and beliefs (not that I think King would have actually delivered this speech, at least not the way it was presented, but the points were valid). I think they rerun episodes of the Boondocks sometime(s) this week in case you missed it. Watch it and see what you think.
Day 6 of my "who reads this" poll(6 responses so far-that's like one per day!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
At first I thought the show went way over the line when King calls the people in his audience (I'm paraphrasing bc I can't remember all the adjectives) "Trifling, good for nothing n*****s." The show has been criticized for its frequent use of the n-word (though I don't think it uses it more than people do in real conversations, but of course the Cartoon Network is a different venue than being on the block), King does go on to say that he hates that word and that its the ugliest word in the English language, but that he was forced to use it bc it was the only way to describe what he saw. After calling out everything from BET to the movie Soul Plane (the speech is time-elapsed so you don't actually hear all he has to say), he moves to Canada, but his words have a tremendous effect on the black community in America, eventually bringing about "the revolution." The show ends with a newspaper headline from the year 2020 saying that King has died in British Columbia, then pans out to show that the main headline on that paper was Oprah Wiinfrey being elected president. I'm still not quite sure what to think of the episode (or what the King family and those who knew him might think) but I do feel that Aaron McGruder, though perhaps still crossing the line several times, actually did it in a way that was somewhat serious and respectful of King's legacy and beliefs (not that I think King would have actually delivered this speech, at least not the way it was presented, but the points were valid). I think they rerun episodes of the Boondocks sometime(s) this week in case you missed it. Watch it and see what you think.
Day 6 of my "who reads this" poll(6 responses so far-that's like one per day!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Sunday, January 15, 2006
2 great conversations in one day. Score!
To person #2, thanks for the advice. You are, of course, right.
Day 5 of my "who reads this" poll(5 responses so far!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
To person #2, thanks for the advice. You are, of course, right.
Day 5 of my "who reads this" poll(5 responses so far!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Worst. Exam. Ever.
I think I may have gotten one part of one question correct.
And that one I'm not even sure about.
Wow, I didn't realize one could fail so badly. and yet...
Don't get me wrong-I'm not down about it at all-kinda amused actually. Ooh well, it's over. And that makes me happy.
Day 4 of my "who reads this" poll(4 responses so far!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
I think I may have gotten one part of one question correct.
And that one I'm not even sure about.
Wow, I didn't realize one could fail so badly. and yet...
Don't get me wrong-I'm not down about it at all-kinda amused actually. Ooh well, it's over. And that makes me happy.
Day 4 of my "who reads this" poll(4 responses so far!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Friday, January 13, 2006
Delta found my bag! They called me at 10 last night to let me know that it had arrived (using the phrase "believe it or not"). It was supposed to get here around midnight, but I don't think it did and I fell asleep. But around 5am I woke up and checked and there it was in the doorway. It appears to still have my stuff in it, which is cool. God is good people. Yes He is.
Day 3 of my "who reads this" poll(3 responses so far!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Day 3 of my "who reads this" poll(3 responses so far!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Thursday, January 12, 2006
So the airline is "still tracking" my bag after almost 2 weeks. They assure me that doesn't mean its actually lost. I'm a bit unconvinced, thouogh I still have some hope.
Day 2 of my "who reads this" poll(2 responses yesterday!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Day 2 of my "who reads this" poll(2 responses yesterday!)-please follow instructions below-i'd appreciate it ever so much:
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
I'm curious who actually reads this.
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
If you are reading this, please leave me a note to let me know you were here. You can include your name or not-whichever you prefer (though it would be cool to know who you are). This applies to both people i do and do not know. thanks.
(ps-if you don't want to leave note here, just send me an email if you know my email address)
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
So I'm not quite as in trouble schoolwork-wise as I was a couple of days ago. But still gonna be a hectic couple of weeks. Oh well, I've dug my own hole, so now I have to crawl out of it.
Pulled an allnighter sunday night/monday morning! I thought I was getting to old for them, but it actually wasn't toooo bad this time. I should try to avoid them in the future though, just to be on the safe side.
Pulled an allnighter sunday night/monday morning! I thought I was getting to old for them, but it actually wasn't toooo bad this time. I should try to avoid them in the future though, just to be on the safe side.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Monday, January 02, 2006
my adventures in traveling:
So I booked a flight from Columbia SC to Boston for New Year's Eve. I was supposed to fly from Columbia at 4pm to Cincinnati, where I was to connect to Boston, arriving at 9:30 or so that night. My cousin drove me to the Columbia airport. We got there at 2 to be on the safe side, in case there were long lines. Of course, there was literally no one in the security line when we got there. We hung out until about 3, and in that hour maybe 20 people total went through security. After I went in, it turned out my flight to Cincinatti was delayed due to "maintenance" (which, a roommate pointed out, is much better than not maintenancing the plane) but that meant I'd probably miss my connection and there wasn't another Boston flight from Cincinatti that day/night. They had one seat left for an Atlanta plane, where I could connect to Boston. The Atlanta plane was running late as well, but there was a later Atlanta-Boston flight in case I missed my earlier connection.
Eventually we got on the Atlanta plane. It was then delayed because some part of the plane that helps start the engine and runs the air conditioning when the plane isn't in motion was not working. They had to bring some kind of external device to start the planes engine, though they assured us this was not affecting safety at all. The flight attendant was really nice though, and the trip itself went fine.
The connection flight left Atlanta at 6:45, which was about the same time my plane landed in Atlanta. Fortunately, they had gone ahead and put me on the later flight (leaving 9:45) instead. So I ate dinner at the airport, called some folk, listened to music, watched some football, etc. After we boarded the Boston flight, I ended up sitting in the midst of the Brown women's basketball team, who were returning from some games. It just so happened that a panel in the ceiling over the seat in front of us was missing, and the maintenance guy said we couldn't leave until it was replaced. The flight attendants looked for it for a few minutes (wondering why no one noticed or reported it on the previous flight) then the maintenance guy came to cover the space once we couldn't find the panel (the pilot also came back at one point in a "I had to see it for myself" moment). Of course, the people in my row (me, the Brown coach and a player) had to get up and stand in the aisle while he fixed it. By "fixed", I mean he took some material that looked like straps from a seatbelt and taped it over the opening. Fun stuff. So we actually took off, landing in Boston 12:30ish (the pilot wished us happy new year in the air). Went to baggage claim, waiting for half and hour or so for my bag to come out (it didn't, of course). So I filed a lost baggage thing (I would've actually been a bit surprised if it had made it given all my flight changes). It hasn't shown up yet.
It was like 1 am by this point, but a friend had told me that the T was running until 2 bc it was New Years. I went to catch the Silver line bus to take me to the subway, which didn't come. Maybe I was waiting in the wrong place, but no one was around to give information. Eventually took a cab home, which cost like $40 w/ tip. Along the way we got stopped by some drunk guys who tried to get in the cab (one of them stood in the middle of the street and stopped us from going by) but eventually gave up. Got home around 2am, tired and bagless, but with some stories to tell. Good times.
So I booked a flight from Columbia SC to Boston for New Year's Eve. I was supposed to fly from Columbia at 4pm to Cincinnati, where I was to connect to Boston, arriving at 9:30 or so that night. My cousin drove me to the Columbia airport. We got there at 2 to be on the safe side, in case there were long lines. Of course, there was literally no one in the security line when we got there. We hung out until about 3, and in that hour maybe 20 people total went through security. After I went in, it turned out my flight to Cincinatti was delayed due to "maintenance" (which, a roommate pointed out, is much better than not maintenancing the plane) but that meant I'd probably miss my connection and there wasn't another Boston flight from Cincinatti that day/night. They had one seat left for an Atlanta plane, where I could connect to Boston. The Atlanta plane was running late as well, but there was a later Atlanta-Boston flight in case I missed my earlier connection.
Eventually we got on the Atlanta plane. It was then delayed because some part of the plane that helps start the engine and runs the air conditioning when the plane isn't in motion was not working. They had to bring some kind of external device to start the planes engine, though they assured us this was not affecting safety at all. The flight attendant was really nice though, and the trip itself went fine.
The connection flight left Atlanta at 6:45, which was about the same time my plane landed in Atlanta. Fortunately, they had gone ahead and put me on the later flight (leaving 9:45) instead. So I ate dinner at the airport, called some folk, listened to music, watched some football, etc. After we boarded the Boston flight, I ended up sitting in the midst of the Brown women's basketball team, who were returning from some games. It just so happened that a panel in the ceiling over the seat in front of us was missing, and the maintenance guy said we couldn't leave until it was replaced. The flight attendants looked for it for a few minutes (wondering why no one noticed or reported it on the previous flight) then the maintenance guy came to cover the space once we couldn't find the panel (the pilot also came back at one point in a "I had to see it for myself" moment). Of course, the people in my row (me, the Brown coach and a player) had to get up and stand in the aisle while he fixed it. By "fixed", I mean he took some material that looked like straps from a seatbelt and taped it over the opening. Fun stuff. So we actually took off, landing in Boston 12:30ish (the pilot wished us happy new year in the air). Went to baggage claim, waiting for half and hour or so for my bag to come out (it didn't, of course). So I filed a lost baggage thing (I would've actually been a bit surprised if it had made it given all my flight changes). It hasn't shown up yet.
It was like 1 am by this point, but a friend had told me that the T was running until 2 bc it was New Years. I went to catch the Silver line bus to take me to the subway, which didn't come. Maybe I was waiting in the wrong place, but no one was around to give information. Eventually took a cab home, which cost like $40 w/ tip. Along the way we got stopped by some drunk guys who tried to get in the cab (one of them stood in the middle of the street and stopped us from going by) but eventually gave up. Got home around 2am, tired and bagless, but with some stories to tell. Good times.
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