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Yes we really are that cute. And yes we were crazy enough to go driving on the scary Saskatchewan roads today.
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Poor cold car.
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Georgie, you'se got some 'splaining to do!
Yeah, so, there weren't any WMD in Iraq. Our bad. But, Saddam was an evil man, so our invasion and projected $521 billion dollar deficit is justified after all. Right?
Not for me.
Everyone has heard about David Kay, the former CIA weapons inspector in Iraq, has testified to the failure of US intelligence in its claims of Iraq's weapons programs. Yes, Kay has shifted most of the blame away from the President and onto the intelligence agencies that supplied him with the misinformation. But I'm not one to let the President off so easily.
Perhaps if he and his cronies weren't so hell-bent on invading Iraq (planning it months before 9/11), maybe the Intelligence agencies wouldn't have been pushing so hard to validate this personal vindication/invasion of Bush's. You think?
The Daily Show did a great piece on the Kay Report -- Kay Pasa? (Real Player) "Imagine learning that there was no Santa Claus . . . Now imagine learning this after you'd already bombed the North Pole. That must have been the feeling the Senate Security Committee felt after hearing from David Kay." (I *heart* Jon Stewart, truly.)
Now the White House line is that they presented Saddam's regime as a "growing" threat, not as an "imminent" danger.
Not so, according to the Center for American Process.
The Bush Administration is now saying it never told the public that Iraq was an "imminent" threat, and therefore it should be absolved for overstating the case for war and misleading the American people about Iraq's WMD. Just this week, White House spokesman Scott McClellan lashed out at critics saying "Some in the media have chosen to use the word 'imminent'. Those were not words we used." But a closer look at the record shows that McClellan himself and others did use the phrase "imminent threat" – while also using the synonymous phrases "mortal threat," "urgent threat," "immediate threat", "serious and mounting threat", "unique threat," and claiming that Iraq was actively seeking to "strike the United States with weapons of mass destruction" – all just months after Secretary of State Colin Powell admitted that Iraq was "contained" and "threatens not the United States." While Iraq was certainly a dangerous country, the Administration's efforts to claim it never hyped the threat in the lead-up to war is belied by its statements.
There follows a list of collected quotes by Dubya and his posse ranging from August 2003 back to August 2002. Don't you hate it when your words come back to haunt ya?
This is a man that should not be allowed back into office.
But don't worry, dear reader. Not all the news today is so bleak. A 99lb. woman, nicknamed the Black Widow, won Philly's annual Wing Bowl chicken wing eating contest. She consumed 167 wings in 2 minutes. Yuck.
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bliz·zard \Bliz"zard\ (bl[i^]z"z[~e]rd),
n. A violent snowstorm with winds blowing at a minimum speed of 35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour and visibility of less than one-quarter mile (400 meters) for three hours. A very heavy snowstorm with high winds.
Or according to the OED:
1. A sharp blow or knock; a shot. Also fig. U.S.
1834 CROCKETT Tour down East 16 (Bartlett) A gentleman at dinner asked me for a toast; and supposing he meant to have some fun at my expense, I concluded to go ahead, and give him and his likes a blizzard.
2. A furious blast of frost-wind and blinding snow, in which man and beast frequently perish; a ‘snow-squall’. Also attrib. and Comb. orig. U.S.
1880 Let. 29 Dec., fr. Chicago in Manch. Even. News, 24 Jan. 1881 The thermometer was 17 degrees below zero last night, and it was blowing a blizzard all the time. 1881 Standard 22 Jan. 5/1 The region [Manitoba] is swept by those fearful blasts known as ‘blizzards’ which send the ‘poudre’, or dry snow, whirling in icy clouds.
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Links to distract you from the raging blizzard outside:
Georgia considers banning the word "evolution": ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- The state's school superintendent has proposed striking the word evolution from Georgia's science curriculum and replacing it with the phrase "biological changes over time."
Yep, my home state. This is so ridiculous it's funny.
Worst. Toy. Ever. Kaba-kick. "It's Russian Roulette for kids! The player points the gun at his or her head and pulls the trigger. Instead of bullets, a pair of feet kick out from the barrel (which is shaped like a hippo. If the gun doesn't fire, the player wins points."
The Table of Condiments that Periodically Go Bad (via boing boing)
Heh. Tanya Jessen lost 95 pounds -- playing dance dance revolution. There's one option I never considered. Too bad I have two left feet (literally) when it comes to playing that game. It is fascinating to watch, though. (via kottke.org)
Bill Maher has a blog now -- and it's not bad. I noticed that no one said anything after I linked to Michael Moore's the other day.
It's almost that time of the year again -- Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil has his very own website and a live feed you can watch on Monday. If he knows what's right for him, he won't be seeing his shadow.
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I just feel exhausted, on so many levels.
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Coldest place on Earth: Saskatchewan endures record-breaking temperatures
Even the Antarctic seemed balmy compared to Saskatchewan's Key Lake on Wednesday. Environment Canada said Key Lake was the coldest place in the world, with temperatures that dipped to -52.3 C.
Jay Anderson couldn't find any place colder. "I looked all through Siberia and Greenland and northern Europe and down in Antarctica, and there's just nobody that cold," the Environment Canada meteorologist said in an interview.
Vostok, the Russian base located in the middle of Antarctica, was significantly warmer than Key Lake, at -28 C.
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Bush 2004 Campaign Pledges to Restore Honor and Dignity to White House
Addressing guests at a $2,000-a-plate fundraiser, George W. Bush pledged Monday that, if re-elected in November, he and running mate Dick Cheney will "restore honor and dignity to the White House."
"After years of false statements and empty promises, it's time for big changes in Washington," Bush said. "We need a president who will finally stand up and fight against the lies and corruption. It's time to renew the faith the people once had in the White House. If elected, I pledge to usher in a new era of integrity inside the Oval Office."
Bush told the crowd that, if given the opportunity, he would work to reestablish the goodwill of the American people "from the very first hour of the very first day" of his second term.
"The people have spoken," Bush said. "They said they want change. They said it's time to clean up Washington. They're tired of politics as usual. They're tired of the pursuit of self-interest that has gripped Washington. They want to see an end to partisan bickering and closed-door decision-making. If I'm elected, I'll make sure that the American people can once again place their trust in the White House."
Bush said the soaring national debt and the lengthy war in Iraq have shaken Americans' faith in the highest levels of government.
"A credibility gap has opened between the Oval Office and America," Bush said. "The public hears talk, but they don't see any result. But if you choose me as your next president, the promises I make in my inaugural address will actually mean something. The president of this country will be held accountable for his promises, starting Jan. 20 of next year."
Right now on CBC they're showing a special called Conspiracy Theories: Uncovering the Facts Behind the Myths of September 11, 2001. In it, they're showing evidence -- well, connections anyway -- that show close links between the Bushes, the Bin Ladens, and the tragedies of 9/11 (and the possibility of he knowing about the attacks before they happened?).
I don't know. Part of me doesn't want to even entertain the possibility.
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Fun in the cold. (or, things I woulda never learned had I not moved so far North)
- Having any liquid present in your nose instantly freeze, making it feel crunchy
- Automatic extra freezer space -- on your back porch!
- Taking off 2 layers of clothes and still being fully dressed
- Being unable to open your car, due to the locks being frozen tight
- Knowing the meaning of "dry cold"
- Having your cheeks still be stinging from the cold, 10 minutes AFTER coming inside
- Wet socks. 'Nuff said.
- Legitmate excuses to skip the gym or even leave your apartment
- Waiting at a crosswalk and seeing a car skid, 20 feet away, in order to stop right in front of you
- Having your jaw freeze and being unable to talk for a few minutes until you thaw
- Automatic conversation starter with strangers, bitching about the weather
- Unable to reach a taxi or a tow truck, due to busy signals
- Looking forward to the day it'll only be -20 (downright tropical!)
- Being able to wear all the clothes you own, AT ONCE
- Watching people walk backwards, against the wind
- Sheer bragging rights for surviving it
- Having to start your car 20 minutes before you go anywhere
- 3 inches of ice on your bedroom window -- on the INSIDE of your window
- When your tape player plays in slooooow motion, or your CD display doesn't
- Preparing to teach an amazing lesson, and only having less than half the students actually show (but I still had an awesome class this afternoon!)
- Being one of the coldest places in the Northern Hemisphere (colder than the North/South Pole, I checked)
- Thanking God you're not a postal worker
- Wearing your "bunny hug"/hooded sweatshirt with the hood up -- inside your apartment
- Your choice of stalled cars throughout the city -- with only a 16 hour wait for a tow truck!
- When you get an "ice cream headache" -- just from going outside!
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Serenity now!
It's colder here than in the North or South Pole. This is getting ridiculous.
When I called the English department to see if there were classes today, they laughed at me. My car locks are still frozen tight. My roommate's brand new car wouldn't start this morning. I had to take a cab to get to school.
If I didn't haveta teach this afternoon, I'd still be under my warm covers. At least I have some Tim Horton's coffee to warm my frozen spirits.
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What's the difference between snow, snow flurries, and snow showers?
Not only did I already know the answer to that question, but I also know now about hoar-frost, gropples, snow grains, and a host of other cold-related phenomenon/occurrences/maladies.
Now I will consider The Importance of Getting a Few Hours of Sleep Before Teaching Oscar Wilde Tomorrow -- that is, for the couple of students who actually brave the cold long enough to show up for class.
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Look what I got in an email tonight, with the subject line: "Becky, I've sent you something fiery to go with my confession -- today, I'd rather be in Texas or hell hell than in Saskatchewan."
The Cremation of Sam McGee
by Robert W. Service
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.
He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell."
On a Christmas Day we were mushing our way over the Dawson trail.
Talk of your cold! through the parka's fold it stabbed like a driven nail.
If our eyes we'd close, then the lashes froze till sometimes we couldn't see;
It wasn't much fun, but the only one to whimper was Sam McGee.
And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow,
And the dogs were fed, and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel and toe,
He turned to me, and "Cap," says he, "I'll cash in this trip, I guess;
And if I do, I'm asking that you won't refuse my last request."
Well, he seemed so low that I couldn't say no; then he says with a sort of moan:
"It's the cursed cold, and it's got right hold till I'm chilled clean through to the bone.
Yet 'taint being dead--it's my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;
So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you'll cremate my last remains."
A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail;
And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale.
He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee;
And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee.
There wasn't a breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,
With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given;
It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say: "You may tax your brawn and brains,
But you promised true, and it's up to you to cremate those last remains."
Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.
In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart how I cursed that load.
In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies, round in a ring,
Howled out their woes to the homeless snows-O God! how I loathed the thing.
And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow;
And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low;
The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in;
And I'd often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.
Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay;
It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a trice it was called the "Alice May."
And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum;
Then "Here," said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum."
Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;
Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;
The flames just soared, and the furnace roared-such a blaze you seldom see;
And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.
Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so;
And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.
It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why;
And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.
I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;
But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near;
I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside.
I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked;" . . . then the door I opened wide.
And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door.
It's fine in here, but I greatly fear you'll let in the cold and storm-
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.
I think Sam's got the right idea for a night like tonight. (brr)
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Ah, delicious irony.
Today, when unwrapping one of my post-Advent calendar packages, I received this message from my mom:
"Beeks, What are you complaining about today you may be reminiscing fondly about tomorrow!"
The message was wrapped around a little package of Hot Tamales.
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Nice.
I nearly broke my key in the door lock, as I stood outside for 10 minutes trying to get my frozen locks to budge.
Then, as I'm locking my doors, the plastic nob on my car door breaks off -- OFF! So much for Becky's power locks, from now on.
This Tuesday feels like a Monday.
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Good morning yourself.
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BRRR.
That's all I considered posting, because it's FREEZING outside right now. It's almost -30 out, with a lovely wind chill of -42.
BRRR.
It's hard to get your mind off the weather when it's so daunting out.
Anyway, day was good. I finally was able to teach my tutorial section today -- and I had them read aloud the last act of Twelfth Night. Okay, maybe I don't hate it as much as I alleged in yesterday's post. It was neat to see the students get into their roles, and hopefully now they have a better understanding of Shakespeare's world of words.
This Wednesday I'll be leading the bigger section of English 110 -- around 80ish students. My supervising prof is giving me this opportunity, and geek that I am, I can't wait. I'll be introducing Oscar Wilde's play, The Importance of Being Earnest. Part of my preparation included renting the recent adaptation with Colin Firth and Rupert Everett (yum!).
Oscar Wilde is one of my very favorites. While going across some ancient notes from one of my undergrad classes, I found a page of Wilde quotes. Here's some of my favorites:
By doing just a little every day, I can gradually let the task completely overwhelm me. (I can attest to that one personally)
The Americans are certainly great hero-worshippers, and always take their heroes from the criminal classes.
Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogomy is the same.
Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.
Mr. Henry James writes fiction as if it were a painful duty. (I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that!)
In examinations the foolish ask questions that the wise cannot answer.
Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.
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Theoretically I *should be* preparing my lesson for tomorrow's class on Twelfth Night (which I've since decided is on my list of least-favorite Shakespeare plays).
Instead, I'm being distracted by watching a flash video of a bunch of dancing badgers, a mushroom, and an imposing snake. It's so very stupid, yet hypnotic. And that song gets stuck in your head for ages. (via geek girl)
Of course, there are always other distractions to keep you from doing what needs to be done. I should get up and go to the gym, but that just isn't an appealing option when it's -20 something outside, with fresh snow everywhere.
So instead, I'm mindlessly perusing the internet. Hooray for distractions. Enjoy the fruits of my laborless labors: (yes, I almost typed "labour" there)
Caption Yahoo's Most-Emailed Pictures. It's an interesting and usually funny concept. "The challenge was to take the top 3 most emailed photos on yahoo and create a hopefully amusing story about the sequence. I reserve the right to refuse a disturbing picture, this includes any pictures of celine dion." The pictures today are of a white dog, nudists running into the surf, and a new mustang. That should give you a clue to the types of captions to expect.
Tom's [Ridge's] Guide to Code Yellow, from the Monday Report. Includes explanations of the subtle nuances between Yellow Belly Lemon, Suspicious Saffron, and my personal favorite --
Imperial Paranoid Gold: This powerful shade sustains a moderate level of paranoia and fear among all Americans, both at home and abroad. A winner in any hallway, I.P. Gold also adds the perfect accent when trying to justify pouring billions of dollars into the U.S. Department of Homeland Defense.
Just when you thought re-runs weren't enough: The Law and Order: An Adventure to Color coloring book. What grrrl wouldn't enjoy coloring in her very own picture of Benjamin Bratt? I have to admit, the connect the dots page of Jerry Olbach was a little creepy. (via memepool)
Super-Size Me: A man makes a documentary on the effects of eating nothing but McDonalds for a month.
Within a few days of beginning his drive-through diet, Spurlock, 33, was vomiting out the window of his car, and doctors who examined him were shocked at how rapidly Spurlock's entire body deteriorated.
"It was really crazy - my body basically fell apart over the course of 30 days," Spurlock told The Post. His liver became toxic, his cholesterol shot up from a low 165 to 230, his libido flagged and he suffered headaches and depression.
I can't bring myself to eat one meal there, much less a month's worth. Should make for an interesting film.
100 Things to do with Your Boyfriend or Girlfriend... Instead of it. Because, after all, wouldn't doing your homework together (#22), looking up all the synonyms for love (#26), having a burping contest (#45), and getting dressed up really nice to go to McDonald's (#65) be more fun?
A non-flattering photo of John Kerry. "As our tipster pointed out: On the plus side, at least for once he doesn't look like a particularly lethargic pallbearer." "Lethargic pallbearer" describes him to a T.
Whoops. Today was Internet Free Day. "Be your own home page!" Is it me, or isn't it ironic that this advocacy group has a webpage to promote their goals?
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The Everlasting Gaze
Smashing Pumpkins
You know I’m not dead
Now you know where I’ve been
As you sleep
Torn I am
Weighted down
Patiently
Born of love
You know I’m not dead
I’m just living in my head
Forever waiting
On the ways of your desire
You always find a way
And thru it all
Into us all you move
Forgotten touch
Forbidden thought
We can never have enough
You know I’m not dead
Found below
The creatures scream
Stranglehold
A God machine
Begging to
Tear us out
Worn as hope
You know I’m not dead
I’m just the tears inside your head
Forever waiting
On the ways of your desire
You always find a way
And thru it all into us all you move
Forgotten touch
Forbidden thought
We can never have enough
You know I’m not dead
We all want to hold in the everlasting gaze
Enchanted in the rapture of his sentimental sway
But underneath the wheels lie the skulls of every c.o.g.
The fickle fascination of an everlasting god
You know I’m not dead
I’m just living in my head
Forever waiting
Forever waiting on cruel death
You know I’m not dead
I’m just living for myself
Forever waiting
You know I’m not dead
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It may be freezing outside, but I still love it when the snowflakes are so big it feels like walking around in a snowglobe.
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If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite.
For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern.
-- William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
I think I'm beginning to understand one of the reasons that Bush is (literally) getting away with murder back home (in terms of his continued support).
I think the issue centers around the American public's trained incapacity. Trained incapacity names the condition in which knowledge or experience may prevent someone from recognizing alternative perspectives or ways of seeing.
In other words, it's the inability to perceive things in unaccustomed ways -- the incapacity to name the world other than the ways we've been trained to do so.
I've already mentioned that words are incipient propositions -- that by naming things we also share our perspective of them. The same goes with our worldviews. There are aspects of our lives that shape the way we see the world. Academic disciplines are one example -- Engineers will approach a situtation differently than someone with an English Literature background.
Other things that shape our trained incapacities -- our personal life experiences, religion, culture/society, and a variety of other aspects.
I think the worst trained incapacity that we as Americans have is the inability to view ourselves outside our own culture. I know that I never took the time to consider how people outside our borders considered us -- that is, until I moved away to Canada. We Americans only see the world from our perspective -- since we're right in the middle of it. Every other culture in the world can entertain two views -- their own plus ours -- because of the American cultural inundation of everything from our media, entertainment, fast food, etc.
I think it's because of this handicap, leaders like Bush can make statement such as "America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people" and get away with it. No one questions the words of the bully, at least to his face. If we cared about what our neighbors thought -- we would not let our leader get away with such an arrogant statement. We'd also want to have the support of our allies before plunging into an invalidated war, but that's another entry altogether.
I think that Kenneth Burke's writings are dead-on concerning this human condition. Much of his theories on human behavior were inspired by the events leading up to and during WWII. The quote I cited in the entry below is just as relevant 60 years later as it was the day he wrote it.
Trained incapacities are unavoidable in the human experience -- but that doesn't mean we have to be prey to them. The antidote to a trained incapacity is adopting a perspective by incongruity. Burke writes that a perspective by incongruity extends the "use of a term by taking it from the context in which it was habitually used and applying it to another." In other words (as cliched as it sounds), it's seeing outside the box. It's questioning the given assumptions and taking the perspective of someone else in order to get a deeper understanding of what's really going on (and WHY).
That's what I hope will happen back home. I want people to get off automatic pilot -- the setting that condones Bush extending the Patriot Act to take away our civil liberties and that also allows him to change the topic whenever he's asked why we invaded Iraq.
I'm not cynical enough to think it won't happen -- I'd just prefer it sooner, rather than later.
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The need to think of global war and of its counterpart, global peace, invites us to seek also a truly global attitude toward all mankind, with its expressions ranging from the austere down to the foibles of the human barnyard. The study of war aims should thus be grounded in the most searching consideration of human motives. So far, however, it seems that war aims are being treated as something of a cross between anticipatory or retrospective ideals and cameralistic proposals designed to enlist or appease various economic interests. And more basic inquiries into human motives seem to have been postponed, as a luxury that the moment could not afford, precisely at a time when the need for such a search is all the more urgent.
-- Kenneth Burke, "War and Cultural Life"
November 1942
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My riveting Friday night plans?
I'm at home, watching Queer as Folk and knitting a new scarf.
And this is because 1. It's too freaking cold to do anything else. 2. No one to take me out. 3. It's -35 something with windchill outside. BRRR.
Did I mention that I love the night life? (I'm a spinster at 25)
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Breaking News:
At New York's Kennedy airport today, an individual later discovered to be a public school teacher was arrested trying to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a setsquare, a slide rule, and a calculator.
At a morning press conference, Attorney general John Ashcroft said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He is being charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.
"Al-gebra is a fearsome cult," Ashcroft said. "They desire average solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in a search of absolute value. They use secret code names like "x" and "y" and refer to themselves as unknowns, but we have determined they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country."
"As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, there are 3 sides to every triangle," Ashcroft declared.
When asked to comment on the arrest, President Bush said, "If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, He would have given us more fingers and toes.
"I am gratified that our government has given us a sine that it is intent on protracting us from these math-dogs who are willing to disintegrate us with calculus disregard. Murky statisticians love to inflict plane on every sphere of influence," the President said, adding: "Under the circumferences, we must differentiate their root, make our point, and draw the line," President Bush warned.
"These weapons of math instruction have the potential to decimal everything in their math on a scalene never before seen unless we become exponents of a Higher Power and begin to factor-in random facts of vertex."
Attorney General Ashcroft said, "As our Great Leader would say, read my ellipse. Here is one principle he is uncertainty of -- though they continue to multiply, their days are numbered as the hypotenuse tightens around their necks."
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Muhahaha. I have figured out RSS. Well, enough that it now actually works. (at least I *think* it does, lemme know if you have problems loading it)
Syndicate me, baby! 
Maybe now I should get some sleep.
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Happy belated (one day late) Chinese New Year!
In honor of this holiday, go visit Hi Monkey.net and follow the adventures of everyone's favorite terry cloth monkey.
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Okay, okay. Maybe one more link regarding the State of the Union? I know I promised I'd stop.
State of Disunion Crossword Puzzle.
I stink at crosswords. Luckily, there's a "cheat" option. :)
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 I will never eat Jelly Bellys again. (and yes, I purposely spelled "bellys" not "bellies.")
Tonight, after watching a mind-numbing show, L and I purposed to try the most disgusting combinations possible. Here's what we tried:
Root Beer + Bubble Gum
Tutti Fruitti + Cappuccino
Buttered Popcorn + Green Apple
Caramel Corn + Pear
Tutti Fruitti + Buttered Popcorn
Chocolate + Red Apple
**basically, anything with Tutti Fruitti, Bubble Gum, or Root Beer is disgusting.
Hmmm, turns out that My #1 result for the Jelly Belly Flavor Selector is Cinnamon
This flavor is followed closely by Tutti Fruitti, Green Apple, Pina Colada, Island Punch and Tangerine. Don't ask me what significance these flavors have, I have no clue!
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While playing with my digital camera tonight with Laura, we discovered a scary resemblance:
 
Heeeeeeeere's Becky!
Scary, no? |
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The last time I'll mention the State of the Union, I promise:
Watch the Daily Show's take on it here.
Jon Stewart is the only fake newscaster I trust.
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Here's a rather disturbing ad I came across tonight: (it was presented in a slideshow format, here's the stills of it)
  
"Be as nosey as you can be!"
Am I the only one disturbed by that? Remnants of the Patriot Act and the President who supports it? Ugh.
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Here's some comforting news: Crime on the upswing in city
Crime is on the rise in Saskatoon amid pleas from the police service for more officers. Saskatoon, Canada's violent crime capital in 2002 according to the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, became an even more violent place last year.
That, and according to Rick Mercer on The Monday Report last week:
Saskatoon has been discovered to have a chlamydia infection rate that is twice the national average, making it the chlamydia capital of Canada.
Take that, Tourism Saskatoon!
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More of Calvin pontificating and playing with the cold white stuff here.
I guess winter can be funny, after all. It could just be Calvin and Hobbes -- I do miss that comic strip. :(
(via Idle Type)
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"America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people."
ARGH.
So much to be angry over, I'll go over some highlights of this year's State of the Union.
But before I do that, the whole time I listened to the speech I could hear the writings of Richard Weaver come to life. You see, Weaver writes that words are incipient propositions -- meaning that labeling a word both describes your perspective and interprets it for your audience. Throughout his talk, Bush uses charismatic term after charismatic term. These terms are ones that are universally accepted and uncontested -- ones that are taken for granted and are not questioned.
One favorite uncontested term Bush uses over and over again is freedom. Others include war on terror and security. Not to forgot his religious diction throughout: mission, calling, adversity, cause, right, evil, etc.
(High)lights of speech: (the following are segments taken directly from the transcript)
Nine months of intense negotiations involving the United States and Great Britain succeeded with Libya, while 12 years of diplomacy with Iraq did not. And one reason is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.
Ah, beyond ye power of irony. So I understand -- we expect OTHER countries to make their claims credible, but when it comes to the real reasons why we invade another country.... then, not so much.
After the chaos and carnage of September 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States - and war is what they got.
Which is why we attacked a country that had no clear (or for that matter proven) connection to September 11th.
But let us be candid about the consequences of leaving Saddam Hussein in power. We are seeking all the facts - already the Kay Report identified dozens of weapons of mass destruction-related program activities and significant amounts of equipment that Iraq concealed from the United Nations. Had we failed to act, the dictator's weapons of mass destruction programs would continue to this day. Had we failed to act, Security Council resolutions on Iraq would have been revealed as empty threats, weakening the United Nations and encouraging defiance by dictators around the world. Iraq's torture chambers would still be filled with victims - terrified and innocent. The killing fields of Iraq - where hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children vanished into the sands - would still be known only to the killers. For all who love freedom and peace, the world without Saddam Hussein's regime is a better and safer place.
Fair enough, Hussein was an evil man who needed to leave and I agree that Iraq is better place without him there. But I take issue with Bush (vaguely) citing the Kay report, especially considering David Kay (the chief US weapons inspector in Iraq) this week told the CIA that he won't be returning to Iraq. Isn't the reason why we're there because of Saddam's WMD? If we're going to be the ones going after despotic tyrants, there's some rulers in Africa that need to be desposed next.
From the beginning, America has sought international support for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained much support. There is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people.
Only a few? A few of our key allies on other international issues you mean. A few key members of the UN Security Council. A few key trade partners. Oh, and again remind me the specific ways American security was threatened by Saddam Hussein?
So America is pursuing a forward strategy of freedom in the greater Middle East. We will challenge the enemies of reform, confront the allies of terror, and expect a higher standard from our friends. To cut through the barriers of hateful propaganda, the Voice of America and other broadcast services are expanding their programming in Arabic and Persian - and soon, a new television service will begin providing reliable news and information across the region.
But we're not imperialistic, really. Yikes.
Some want to undermine the No Child Left Behind Act by weakening standards and accountability. Yet the results we require are really a matter of common sense: We expect third graders to read and do math at third grade level - and that is not asking too much. Testing is the only way to identify and help students who are falling behind.
We all know that standardized tests are the answer to fixing the problems in our schools today. Not after-school programs, teacher training, or other parts of school programming.
Our government is helping parents confront this problem, with aggressive education, treatment, and law enforcement. Drug use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the past two years. Four hundred thousand fewer young people are using illegal drugs than in the year 2001.
Like the "didja know" statistics in my copy of Revolve, I question where he's getting this stat.
A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under Federal law as the union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states. Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our Nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.
Judges forcing their arbitrary will upon the people? What about the people who actually want equal access to marriage opportunities?
And let us not forget the Bush benediction,
The cause we serve is right, because it is the cause of all mankind. The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable - and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power Who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true.
Is he a President or a Baptist minister? You decide.
I'll be making my decision the first Tuesday in November.
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Guess what I'm watching right now?
Angela is laughing at me as I talk back (and occasionally yell) to the screen.
I'm waiting for the transcript so I can point out specifically the parts that upset me the most.
back later.
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Due in large part to the petitioning of Academy Girl, Peter MacKinnon has made the Most Unwanted Academic Administrators deck of cards.
The Ace of Diamonds is Peter Mackinnon of the University of Saskatchewan, nominated by Academic Game. The aces have the highest point value, and the ace of diamonds is a trump card, although it loses to any jack or any queen. The consultants' recommendation noted that Mackinnon made a strong case for one of the other jacks, in light of CBS's The District recently highlighting the gundecking of crime reports by college administrators as a recruiting dodge, and in light of the Canada-envy (for speech codes, multilingualism, and socialized medicine) exhibited by many in the academy, but recommended him for a higher point value but less powerful card because he is, well, president of a university in Saskatchewan, which is a sparsely-populated version of Wisconsin, but without the Packers.
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Happiness is a fixed car for 50 bucks.
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Yep, day got better.
First off all, I kicked ass at the gym tonight. The 90 minute (intense cardio + weightlifting) class last week almost killed me -- tonight, it was bearable. It's almost a bonding experience, working out that intense with a group of people. Plus it's a hell of a way to end a Monday, that's for sure.
To end my evening, I had pitas and watched Rick Mercer with Laura. Life just doesn't get any better (well, almost, anyway). We both have similar attachments to that particular Newfoundlander.
I also got a call from my Persian dance instructor -- turns out there's going to be a benefit to raise money for the Iran earthquake victims on March 29th. She wants us to dance in the troupe for it! Practice starts tomorrow night -- yeah, Laura and I will probably be the only white girls performing, but it'll still be a blast. We already have costumes for it.
The only thing that is bringing me down tonight is the fact I haven't heard about my car yet. This could mean one of two things: either they haven't looked at it yet or the problem is complex enough that they need another day. Please be the former! (so says her wallet)
Anyway, here's a list of distractions that are currently taking me away from the sociology I'm supposed to be reading:
Disgust is good for you -- quatitatively proven, even.
Caught Mapping: Maps of Canada: includes the Doughnut Map of Canada, the National Beer Map, and even the menstrual Map of Canada, amongst others. (via memepool)
My Date with Destiny!: Or, Kevin Smith describes how he met his wife via a comic-book approach.
Aristotle on Relationships: Hmm, think that I won't be passing this on to my rhetoric class.
I've had a debate going on for some time regarding the word "interesting." I think the word communicates far more than curiosity or intrigue -- it all depends on the context its used. Anyway, I hoped the OED would back me up on this... but instead, it gave me a huge list of words with the root interest. Some of them are quite.... interesting.
interest, n.
interest, v.
interestability
interested, ppl. a.
interestedly, adv.
interestedness
interester
interesterification
interesting, ppl. a.
interestingly, adv.
interestingness
interestless, a.
I particularly like interesterification, though I doubt I could spell it correctly twice in a row.
Here's some interestingness: The Credits Keep on Going and Going and ...: Compare the Return of the King credits to other great films of our time. It's interesting, especially considering five films barely encompass half of PJ's masterpiece. Which reminds me, another dose of Viggo may help scare away these winter blues. (via Jordon)
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Argh, today is rapidly developing into a case of the Mondays.
My car is in the shop (again), and I'm waiting to find out how much my wallet will hurt because of it. My list of things to attend to in the next 2 months is rapidly growing, with an increasing number of bureaucratic governmental agencies involved (including our friends in Immigration and Customs).
I'm positively buried in sociology reading and find myself reading the same sentence over and over again.
Comparatively, I know that I'm better off than 90% of the world right now, but that still doesn't mean I'm not in a mood.
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Yep, I think winter is officially getting to me.
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West Virginia on Sale on Ebay
At least, it was until they caught wind of it.
It was a steal, only $99,999,999.
The seller, fishstuffnthings, wrote: "I, as emperor of West Virginia, have been appointed as steward of this sale," he wrote. "You are bidding on the ENTIRE STATE of West Virginia. Please note that this auction does not come with governing rites, nor the inhabitants of said property. You also may not change the state flag, bird, or so on. This is merely for bragging rights, or to hang a sign in your garage that says, 'I own West Virginia.' Also please note, you will have every right to succeed from the union, but that has been tried in the past without much success. I am also willing to relinquish the seat of 'Emperor' FOR FREE!"
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Yay, Bush's Approval Rate Sinking
After rising in public support following the capture of Saddam Hussein, the President gives his State of the Union message next week with a decidedly less positive audience. His approval rating of 50% matches his lowest approval ratings ever, and the largest number ever – 45% - disapprove.
Keep on spiraling in that lovely downward direction.
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Apparently I've been doing a little too much introspection concerning external issues. Too much thinking and reading schoolwork makes Becky (and her weblog) boring.
So now I give you yet another quiz, albeit along the current lines of my thought: Is it Art or is it plain old Crap?
Do you know your Dada from your Moma? Try the quiz and see. I only got 10 out of 16 correct, which "isn't bad, but not good."
('cuse me for not thinking Michael Jackson and Bubbles was "art." There, now you know at least one answer)
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Ethical criticism: what it is and why it matters by Marshall Gregory
Excerpts: Despite current theories in philosophy and criticism about the inescapability of relativism, most of us cannot evade the deep intuition that identifying with characters in stories can exert a powerful influence on the quality and content of our own lives. It is this perspective - stories as an influence on ethos, or who we become - that makes ethical criticism necessary. (1)
A colleague of mine who spends a lot of class time pointing out to her students how many representations of women in literature show the evils of the patriarchy is the same person who watches Pretty Woman over and over "just for entertainment." An ethical critic, however, will want to interrogate closely the potential effects of entertainment, when it is clear that when highly-educated and highly-intelligent people think they don't need to employ their critical powers because they are "merely being entertained," then it follows that those are the very moments when their sympathies, feelings, and moral judgments are most vulnerable to influence. Ethical criticism will attempt to help readers understand that there is no such thing as being "merely" entertained, that even at the lowest possible level of engagement, the intellectual and affective exertions that are required just to understand the content, shape, and direction of a story in fact involve a complicitous agreement to let the story have its own way with their beliefs and feelings - at least for the time being. (9)
But the ethical critic who warns his or her "friends" (even if they are unknown readers) of a danger that the friends have perhaps not thought about, or warns them of a relationship that may not be as innocent as they suppose, or who makes arguments about the possible negative effects of yielding to certain invitations of feeling, thinking, and judging is not performing a censor's function. To warn is not the same thing as forcibly stopping. Nor is warning the same thing as forcibly ridding the world of the dangers you are warning about. To an ethical critic, censorship simply is not the important issue in ethical criticism. In ethical criticism, the important issue is what we make of ourselves by the choices we make and the actions we perform. None of us chooses our actions or makes our choices in a social and moral vacuum. We seek help from friends, from models, from ideas, from value systems, and from different fields of discourse. Ethical critics attempt to create a kind of discourse about literature's potential effects on feeling, thinking, and judging that will be helpful, sometimes by warning, sometimes by praising, but always by foregrounding for readers the importance of being self-critical about the kinds of literary and other fictional invitations they accept. (19)
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Questions.
"Snow White and the Madness of Truth"
Sharon Backs Diplomat Who Damaged Exhibit
JERUSALEM - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon praised Israel's ambassador to Sweden on Sunday for vandalizing a Stockholm art display about a Palestinian suicide bomber, saying the "entire government stands behind him." The Israeli ambassador, Zvi Mazel, threw a mounted spotlight at the outdoor exhibit in Stockholm's Museum of National Antiquities on Friday. He said the display legitimized genocide, and Israel has demanded that it be removed.
The artwork depicts a small ship in a rectangular pool filled with red-colored water. The ship carries a picture of Islamic Jihad bomber Hanadi Jaradat, who killed herself and 21 bystanders in an Oct. 4 suicide bombing in Haifa, Israel.
Dror Feiler, the Israeli-born artist who created the piece, said it was supposed to call attention to how weak, lonely people can be capable of horrible things. The museum says it has no intention of removing the piece, and officials will invite Mazel there next week for a discussion about different interpretations of art.
When does art cease to be art and become anti-semitism (or for that matter anti-whatever)? Are there limits to art? If you or I find something offensive in art, does that give us the license to disregard/boycott/destroy it?
If this exhibit were in an art museum in Afghanistan or Saudi Arabia, with a picture of Osama, Saddam, or the terrorists from September 11th, floating in a red pool, would the US government allow it to stand?
What differentiates a person from being considered a revolutionary versus being a terrorist? What position would the revolutionaries of the American Revolution be filed under?
Who makes these decisions?
I don't know the answers.
EDIT: Geek that I am, I've been thinking about this exhibit and its implications all day. |
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"God is not an Israelite."
At the video store, L and I wanted to find a movie we could just veg to -- no heavy lifting or thinking involved. We debated between Raising Arizona and an old John Cusack movie -- but ended up settling on The Last Temptation of Christ.
 Far from our original intention, no?
I can remember the huge uproar over this film when it was first released in 1988. Granted, I was in elementary school, but I still remember the boycotts and uproars from the pulpits over it. Due to my history of growing up in the church as a minister's daughter (believe it or not), this film was always a no-no -- while having the allure of something mysterious.
It's a good film. The crux of the movie centers around the Christian mystery that Christ was 100% God while also being 100% man. Jesus (played by the young and very-handsome Willem Dafoe) is a character that fluxuates between rejecting and embracing his destiny. He struggles with doubt while at the same time possessing a sense of triumphant peace in what lays ahead of him. Why Dafoe was passed over for an Oscar only illustrates how incompetent the Academy is when handing out their gold stars.
I guess the fundamentalists who were so against the film should have actually taken the time to watch the message it communicates. Were I in their position, it would have only strengthened my faith. The caricature of Jesus isn't one from a Christmas card or some sappy Hallmark made-for-TV movie -- there's more to his character than these traditional two-dimensional portrayals.
Sure, the film isn't a direct adaptation from one of the Gospels -- it toys with the notions that Jesus would have had some weaknesses as a man, and shows him several times being tempted and struggling with free will to make his own choices.
At once it raises questions and then questions the answers you're fed in countless Sunday School sessions. You don't have to believe what these questions or answers imply, but if your faith isn't strong enough to even entertain them -- what does that say about your faith?
I'm glad I saw it. Granted, it wasn't nearly as controversial as my overblown imagination would have had it -- but then again, hardly anything is.
(Extra bonuses in the film: Harvey Keitel as a red-headed Judas and David Bowie as a mop-top Pilate [who I didn't even recognize until I heard his voice!])
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I love it when a picture makes words unnecessary.
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Mindless distraction in the -20 degree weather (brrr):
Zip Code Visualizer. Type in a 6-digit zip code and watch the map shrink. Fair warning, it's addicting.
31406 I used to call home!
(via the now-back-online Idle Type)
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Another starving student makes her name in print: Yay, Natalie! 
From this month's Jane magazine: (you knew I'd already have my copy, right?)
Found on page 115, as part of the annual Entertainment Poll:
Question: Celeb You'd Most Like to Handcuff and Force-feed:
Nat writes: "Victoria Beckham, whose skeletal arms make her the real Scary Spice! One wonders how she avoids accidentally putting out her children's eyes."
Way to go, girl! Now that they know your name, the next stop is for you to have an entire article printed!
EDIT: Rest assured, dear audience -- Posh at least has her vintage U of S sweatshirt to keep her bony arms warm these winter nights. Can you believe that last month the University bookstore sold almost $23,000 worth of those nappy sweatshirts? Sheesh.
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The guilt of a Westerner.
This afternoon I had the luxury of watching an episode of Oprah. Usually I'm busy at school or with other things and I miss her show. Today I had enough time to sit down and watch an episode before dashing off to the gym.
It wasn't an easy show to watch.
No, she didn't have on any cheesy celebrities gushing about their extravagant life, or some expose of a social scandal.
Today's show was a special report on women's issues around the globe -- particularly in India and Ethiopia.
The first part of the show focused on Bride Burning in Bangalore, India. Every year around 1200 women are burned in these "kitchen accidents" -- which really are purposeful actions by the husband to burn his wife, usually over dowry issues. The clips showed faces of countless women, burned over 60-70% of their bodies -- all over issues of greed. One interview featured a woman and her 5 year old daughter, both burned alive when the husband/father poured kerosene over them while they were cooking.
It's beyond words what these women experience -- they'll never be accepted again in society, and will forever be labeled a "burden" to their families -- over something that wasn't even their fault.
Women don't usually talk freely about being burned by their husbands when their families can't pay dowries, because they fear being killed. Many women say they are burned because of a stove burst, but that is usually far from the truth. On any given day, at least three or four women are admitted to this hospital with more than half of their bodies burned. Lisa said the stench of their flesh was overwhelming and the sound of their pain was heartbreaking. "From the second I walked into this room, I felt like I was in a place where a war had struck," Lisa says. "The fact is that many of them will not live to leave the hospital, and this happens everyday."
The second half of the show detailed the life of one extrodinary woman, Dr. Catherine Hamlin. She is amazing, in every meaning of the term. She is such a selfless person, and she's given her life to helping the women of Ethiopia -- performing surgeries to fix fistulas and then enabling them to enter society once more.
From Oprah's website:
Fistulas are holes that develop in the tissue that separates the vagina from the bladder and/or rectum. They can occur in expectant mothers who have difficulty during labor due to small pelvises, or a poorly positioned fetus. In the United States, obstructive childbirth is often treated by a caesarian section. But in many developing countries, poverty prevents women from getting proper treatment.
Dr. Hamlin explains. "Imagine a little girl...one of the unfortunate five percent of all the women in the world that get into obstructive laborÂ…She doesn't know when she starts her labor, nor do the village women know... They encourage her (to push) day after day after day. After five days she delivers a stillborn baby. The only reason she can deliver is because the baby inside the mother gets smaller when it's dead, and she can push out a dead baby.
"But she wakes up to a worse horror: Finding her bed soaked in urine and sometimes bowel content as well. All of that pushing has created that holeÂ…so everything is coming out, without any control." The odor of the nearly constant drip of urine and waste remains. The young woman is often shunned by her husband, and sent to back home to her parents. Dr. Hamlin says the women are then shunned by their families.
Dr. Hamlin has spent almost 50 years of her career serving these women. In 1999 she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, but she didn't win. I think the prize that's in store for her is worth more than anything she could receive by a mere mortal organization.
But as I watched these stories about women a half a world away -- I couldn't help but feel guilty for all that I have. I want to do something, tangible, to help women who are persecuted in these ways. But what can I, a broke student, do to make a difference?
It's not enough for me to sit here outraged at what happens -- watching shows like this make me want to board a plane tomorrow to serve people less fortunate than myself.
One day, I will do something. I don't want to be the type of person that's moved the 60 minutes she watches a show and then goes on with her day like nothing's happened.
EDIT: Right after posting this, Dr. Phil's show came on. Somehow getting tips on how to haggle down prices on material goods isn't appealing to me. Watching a woman buy an $800 bracelet somehow made me feel sick at our level of materialism, compared to the rest of the world -- especially considering that amount of money would almost pay for 2 women to have their fistula problems fixed.
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CBS Cries Foul on PETA, MoveOn Super Bowl Ads
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. football fans will not see ads featuring scantily clad vegetarians or a political attack on President Bush during February's Super Bowl after CBS said on Thursday that advocacy advertisements were out of bounds on professional football's biggest day.
The network, over the years, has rejected dozens of advertising proposals by advocacy groups, who argue that the network only airs controversial messages that it agrees with.
Bastards. Not that I could have watched the Super Bowl commercials this year -- in Canada, the US commercials are replaced by local ones.
It would have been nice, though, for MoveOn's commercial to have actually made the airwaves. (they will be airing the winner of the contest, "Child's Pay," on CNN during the State of the Union next week)
I could take a moral stand and say I won't watch the Super Bowl this year because of it -- but I still will, anyway. I'll just be protesting silently. Yeah, that's it.
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Happy Birthday Dinner with Todd!
Tonight was sushi and dessert with one of my favorite people in Saskatoon. Not only did I have divine raw fish, but I was able to indulge in one of my favorite movie scenes from Amelie -- cracking the top of my creme brulee with a spoon. Yum.
Of course, there are pictures of our night for all to see.
Happy 29th, dahling! ;)
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Campus Security?
Late November last year, there was a sexual assault on campus which took place in a bathroom down the hall from where I teach every Monday.
It's already frightening enough to realize your university isn't that safe of a place -- but the university administration was slow to publicly acknowledge the event and has since sought to assuage the problem rather than address it.
This assault was the 6th case of assault in the same number of months.
Yesterday I received two emails regarding this incident: one from the university's President, Peter MacKinnon and the other from a group of concerned students/alumnis.
Campus Safety: A message from President Peter MacKinnon to the Campus Community.
Dear students, colleagues and friends:
On Monday December 1, 2003, a bulletin was issued to University students and employees regarding a sexual assault reported to campus Security Services late on the night of Friday, November 28. Since that time, a number of allegations and rumors have surfaced regarding campus safety and the response of senior administration to safety concerns. These rumors and allegations are not helpful in providing a safe and productive environment in which to study, work and socialize.
The November 28 incident was one of three assaults by strangers on campus in 2003. In March, the university issued an e-mail bulletin to the campus community in response to a widely circulated e-mail suggesting an assault took place in parking lot P. A subsequent City police investigation was not able to provide sufficient evidence to keep the file active. The file was eventually closed. [ok, we all know the Saskatoon Police department's record of "investigating" -- is McKinnon saying that because the file was eventually closed, the assault didn't happen? I don't know.]
A sexual assault took place in the Stone School House in July. Due to a request by the victim's family for confidentiality and the timely apprehension of a suspect, the University was dissuaded from issuing a public statement at that time. However, as is the case after any serious incident, we initiated a comprehensive internal review of our response. We also closed the Stone School House for the remainder of the season to prevent any further risks to persons working at this facility.[the Stone School House is not 50 yards from a major road in Saskatoon, I used to walk by it everyday. I think this report should have been made known to the public.]
Following the November 28 report, we took immediate steps to further increase personal safety. In addition to the campus-wide e-mail alert, which was posted to the PAWS portal, we increased campus patrols and removed access to the private washroom area where the incident occurred. We also approved funding to change the lighting systems in all women's and men's washrooms on campus to ensure the lights are on at all times, and we expanded our review of the School House assault to include this incident.
There are a minimum of four Security Services officers on duty at all times, and our student-to-officer ratio compares favorably with other Canadian universities. The U of S has 741 students per officer, compared to 744 at University of Victoria, 768 at the University of Manitoba, 980 at the University of Calgary, 1,031 at the University of Regina 1,282 at B.C. Institute of Technology, 1,328 at the University of Toronto and 1,385 at the University of Alberta.
The comprehensive review of our response to critical incidents, which is currently underway, is part of our ongoing efforts to improve personal safety on campus. We are in consultation with other universities, and we are evaluating the potential for additional security measures, such as limiting access to campus at night.
While this is a step in the right direction, I can still sense a tone of backpedaling in that email. 4 security officers on duty at all times? The University is pretty big (in terms of size), how can that be adequate -- especially at night?
Here's the second email I received:
As many of you know my sister is a student at
the U of S, and this young women that was raped was
one of her friends. I ask you please take a moment
to help my sister and her friends perpetuate
their cause. The U of S reluctantly publicly
acknowledged that there is a problem even though
this is the 6th case of sexual deviance to occur in
the same amount of months.
The student group that lobbied the University of
Saskatchewan simply asked what the school was going to
do to aid in the protection of women who are
attending classes. The U of S did not add extra
security, an outreach program, and refuses to take any
real responsibility by educating the students of the
situation. Many people suspect that the administration
of this university is very fearful that this
situation will hinder enrolment, and limit them
financially. I honestly feel that this is a problem,
and that by sweeping this problem under the rug it is
putting a lot of people in danger.
Although, the petition does not request any additional
information other than your names, I also wish to
request that you add your titles and place of
employment if you are comfortable doing so.
I do not think the U of S realizes that this
information is having an impact on people other then
a small group of students attending classes in
Saskatoon.
We the students, family, friends, and community
of those persons attending the U of S would like to
see an external review of security on campus. We also feel
that we have a right to be informed of crime on
campus, including sexual assault. Without accurate
information you, the University of Saskatchewan are
providing a false sense of security and therefore
rendering us targets of crime. You need you to take
these suggestions seriously and adopt better methods
of protection.
Granted, this petition was circulating before MacKinnon's email above -- but I think it says something about our administration that a group of students thought it necessary.
Maybe it's because I'm skeptical of administrations and bureaucracies in general, but something is definitely lacking here. I'm not one who forwards petitions and forwards -- but I'll be signing this and passing it on.
That, and you won't be seeing me on campus after dark.
EDIT: Academic Girl has posted a follow-up entry at her blog, Academic Game.
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Ooooh, the trailer for Kevin Smith's latest flick, Jersey Girl, is now watchable online.
It looks good, while delightly lacking of too-many Bennifer scenes.
(Thanks Nat for the heads up!)
Yeah, yeah. I'm going to bed now.
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Despite feeling pseudo-sick, tonight I dragged Ang out to the Broadway to see a film I've read about and have been meaning to see, Elephant.
She's never been to my favorite art-house theater (besides Rocky Horror last Halloween), and I've been anxious to get her out there to see something.
Elephant is not an easy movie to watch. Have you heard what it's about? It is written/directed by Gus Van Sant. The tagline of the film is this: "An ordinary high school day. Except that it's not."
The film follows the lives of the students and staff of a high school -- on the day of a school shooting (that's eerily simliar to the Columbine shooting). It's a simple plot, shot in ways that lend familiarity to the characters. The dialogue isn't complex, and Van Sant does a good job in showing the various social strata involved in a typical high school.
It's an imposing story -- the whole of it has this feeling of impending doom. By the time the actual shootings begin, it's shot bluntly. There's no escaping the brutality of what happens -- no glorification of violence and no explanations of why it happened.
I'm watching the last 15 minutes of the film, cringing -- and part of me is wishing I hadn't brought my friend to this, while the other part of me is trying to understand the reasons behind the film.
I guess there's a part of me that wants to have a solution, a reason why things like this happen. Elephant is a difficult film to watch, and it represents a difficult problem, with no pat-solutions.
Violence in our schools isn't going to be solved by installing metal detectors, requiring clear or mesh bookbags, and having all students tuck in their shirts. The problem isn't only found in violent movies or video games, or in lack of parental or teacher attention. I'm not sure where the problem exactly stems from -- and I'm not sure of its solution, either. This movie doesn't offer either -- but it puts both out there in unavoidable ways.
Ebert has a great review of the film. It's wild, Ang and I came to similar conclusions ourselves, driving home from the theater.
Excerpt from review: "I want the audience to make its own observations and draw its own conclusions," Van Sant told me at Cannes. "Who knows why those boys acted as they did?" He is honest enough to admit that he does not. Of course a movie about a tragedy that does not explain the tragedy -- that provides no personal of social "reasons" and offers no "solutions" -- is almost against the law in the American entertainment industry. When it comes to tragedy, Hollywood is in the catharsis business.
I'm not sure if I would recommend this movie -- I'm still in the process of understanding my own reaction to it. I think it's a brave film, to cover the subject matter in the ways that it does. I do know that we, as a society, need to take the time to see and think about difficult matters such as these.
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To a young generation of Americans, Jon Stewart may as well be Walter Cronkite
I'd hardly call this a news flash.
A new study has confirmed recent surveys that suggest an increasing number of young adults are using late-night comedy and talk shows as their primary vehicle for getting their news, particularly about politics and the 2004 election.
Those same people are turning away from traditional media outlets, such as newspapers and broadcast network evening newscasts in favor of the Internet and cable news networks, according to the Pew Research Center report, which queried 1,506 adults between Dec. 19 and Jan. 4
I suppose you can count me in that number. I'm sick of watching media outlets cater to the Administration and ignore the larger more important issues. Which reminds me, isn't the media supposed to be "liberal?" I'd hardly call it that, nowadays.
He makes a good point, too:
Speaking of my cynicism: I've completely had it with CNN - a suck up news organization for over 2 years now. Sometimes I check in to see if they are covering the same stories as the rest of the world. For example - O'neil - the treasury secretary who was canned, has a book out that slams Bush. I was curious if this would be on CNN's main page....no.
But CNN did have a Bush headline on it's front page: It was somehing like 'Bush favoured because of personal qualities: Poll' When you clicked the link, it took you to a story about how sheep love Bush but in the actual story it says that over half of those polled feel that Bush would be topped by a Democrat in running the Economy. The misleading headline prompted me to write in. Nothing verbose, just a few lines slamming CNN for being a Republican suck up, a former news agency salivating at the thought of future 9/11 type disasters to provide 'coverage' on. Now that story is gone from the front page. I can't even link to it, because it seems to be completely gone from their web site. Interesting.
All these issues with the media today reminds me of Neil Postman's book -- Amusing Ourselves to Death. It's a great read, I'd recommend it to everyone. In the book, Postman addresses the issue of the epistemological shift from relying upon the written word to relying solely on the visual.
This passage regards the extent that Americans (and other western audiences) have become desensitized to news coverage today (from Chapter 7, "Now. . .This"):
The result of all this [excessive media coverage] is that Americans are the best entertained and quite likely the least well informed people in the Western world. I say this in the face of popular conceit that television, as a window to the world, has made Americans exceedingly well informed. Much depends here, of course, on what is meant to being informed. I will pass over the now tiresome polls that tell us that, at any given moment, 70 percent of our citizens do not know who is the Secretary of State or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Let us consider, instead, the case of Iran during the drama that was called the "Iranian Hostage Crisis." I don't suppose there has been a story in years that received more continuous attention from television. We may assume, then, that Americans know most of what there is to know about this unhappy event. And now, I put these questions to you: Would it be an exaggeration to say that not one American in a hundred knows what language the Iranians speak? Or what the word "Ayatollah" means or implies? Or knows any details of the tenets of Iranian religious beliefs? Or the main outlines of their political history? Or knows who the Shah was, and where he came from?
Nonetheless, everyone had an opinion about this event, for in America everyone is entitled to an opinion, and it is certainly useful to have a few when a pollster shows up. But these are opinions of quite different order from eighteenth- or nineteenth-century opinions. It is probably more accurate to call them emotions rather than opinions, which would account for the fact that they change from week to week, as the pollsters tell us. What is happening here is that television is altering the meaning of "being informed" by creating a species of information that might properly be called disinformation. I am using this word almost in the precise sense in which it is used by spies in the CIA or KGB Disinformation does not mean false information. It means misleading information misplaced, irrelevant, fragmented or superficial information- information that creates the illusion of knowing something but which in fact leads one away from knowing....
All that has happened is that the public has adjusted to incoherence and been amused into indifference.
Ouch. Postman wrote this in 1985, nearly 20 years ago -- yet somehow I think it rings more true today, than it did when he originally published it.
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I think I may have caught that cold I've been trying to shoo away by taking vitamins, echanecia, and loads of vitamin C. I can at least feel the beginnings of a cold.
Somehow going outside to start my car in -13 degree weather does not sound as comforting as getting back into my own bed.
I just don't have time right now to be sick. Maybe I'll will it away, or at least ignore any encroaching symptoms.
'cuse me whilst I go make another glass of Tang.
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Um, someone accessed my site looking for "Wilford Brimley shirtless."
There's something strangely disturbing about that.
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Former secretary of the treasury Paul O'Neill revealed in a
new book that President George W. Bush was already looking
for an excuse to invade Iraq during the first few weeks of his
presidency. "It was all about finding a way to do it. That
was the tone of it," O'Neill said. "The president saying
'Go find me a way to do this.'" O'Neill said that the very
first meeting of the National Security Council involved
discussions of a "post-Saddam Iraq," peacekeeping troops,
and war-crimes tribunals. O'Neill provided the book's
author, a former Wall Street Journal reporter, with 19,000
internal documents -- one of which, from March 5, 2001, was
entitled "Foreign Suitors for Iraqi Oilfield Contracts" and
included a map of Iraqi oil fields listing contractors and
countries with interests there. O'Neill also said that Bush
was disturbingly disengaged ("like a blind man in a room
full of deaf people") during cabinet meetings, and that many
high-ranking administration officials have no idea what the
president wants them to do and that they operate on "little
more than hunches about what the president might think."
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace issued a report
concluding that Iraq did not in fact possess any weapons of
mass destruction. The report, which drew on intelligence
material and documents discovered by weapons inspectors
after the war, criticized the United States government for
its deliberate exaggerations of Iraq's military
capabilities.
The Bush Administration withdrew a 400-member
weapons-inspection team from Iraq because they are no longer
needed, and Secretary of State Colin Powell admitted that he
never saw any hard proof of Iraqi links to Al Qaeda but
failed to explain why he lied to the U.N. Security Council
last February.
(via Harper's Weekly)
How could anyone knowingly support this man and his Adminstration for a presidential candidate? No more excuses about his actions reflecting many other politicians, no more excuses that anyone else in his situation would handle things in the same way ... Stop making excuses and be brave enough to vote someone else in!
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Ooooh, Bill Nye the Science Guy explains the mission to Mars.
I had such a crush on him when I was in school -- I think it was the bow-tie the threw me over the edge. He had a great show!
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The Lord of the Rings: an allegory of the PhD?
by Dave Pritchard
The story starts with Frodo: a young hobbit, quite bright, a bit dissatisfied with what he's learnt so far and with his mates back home who just seem to want to get jobs and settle down and drink beer. He's also very much in awe of his tutor and mentor, the very senior professor Gandalf, so when Gandalf suggests he take on a short project for him (carrying the Ring to Rivendell), he agrees.
Frodo very quickly encounters the shadowy forces of fear and despair which will haunt the rest of his journey and leave permanent scars on his psyche, but he also makes some useful friends. In particular, he spends an evening down the pub with Aragorn, who has been wandering the world for many years as Gandalf's postdoc and becomes his adviser when Gandalf isn't around.
After Frodo has completed his first project, Gandalf (along with head of department Elrond) proposes that the work should be extended. He assembles a large research group, including visiting students Gimli and Legolas, the foreign postdoc Boromir, and several of Frodo's own friends from his undergraduate days. Frodo agrees to tackle this larger project, though he has mixed feelings about it. ("'I will take the Ring', he said, 'although I do not know why.'")
Very rapidly, things go wrong. First, Gandalf disappears and has no more interaction with Frodo until everything is over. (Frodo assumes his supervisor is dead: in fact, he's simply found a more interesting topic and is working on that instead.) At his first international conference in Lorien, Frodo is cross-questioned terrifyingly by Galadriel, and betrayed by Boromir, who is anxious to get the credit for the work himself. Frodo cuts himself off from the rest of his team: from now on, he will only discuss his work with Sam, an old friend who doesn't really understand what it's all about, but in any case is prepared to give Frodo credit for being rather cleverer than he is. Then he sets out towards Mordor.
The last and darkest period of Frodo's journey clearly represents the writing-up stage, as he struggles towards Mount Doom (submission), finding his burden growing heavier and heavier yet more and more a part of himself; more and more terrified of failure; plagued by the figure of Gollum, the student who carried the Ring before him but never wrote up and still hangs around as a burnt-out, jealous shadow; talking less and less even to Sam. When he submits the Ring to the fire, it is in desperate confusion rather than with confidence, and for a while the world seems empty.
Eventually it is over: the Ring is gone, everyone congratulates him, and for a few days he can convince himself that his troubles are over. But there is one more obstacle to overcome: months later, back in the Shire, he must confront the external examiner Saruman, an old enemy of Gandalf, who seeks to humiliate and destroy his rival's protege. With the help of his friends and colleagues, Frodo passes through this ordeal, but discovers at the end that victory has no value left for him. While his friends return to settling down and finding jobs and starting families, Frodo remains in limbo; finally, along with Gandalf, Elrond and many others, he joins the brain drain across the Western ocean to the new land beyond.
( Thanks Jeff!)
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Pavlov's dog had acquired a meaning for bells when conditioned to salivate at the sound of one. Other experiments have shown that such meanings can be made still more accurate: chickens can be taught that only one specific pitch is a food-signal, and they will allow bells of other pitches to ring unheeded. But people never tremble enough at the though of how flimsy such intetrpreting of characters is. If one rings the bell next time, not to feed the chickens, but to assemble them for chopping their heads, they come faithfully running, on the strength of the character which a ringing bell possesses for them. Chickens not so well educated would have acted more wisely.
Thus it will be seen that the devices by which we arrive at a correct orientation may be quite the same as those involved in an incorrect one. We can only say that a given objective event derives its character for us from past experiences having to do with like or related events. A ringing bell is in itself as meaningless as an undifferentiated portion of the air we are breathing. It takes on character, meaning, significance (dinner bell or door bell) in accordance with the contexts in which we experience it. A great deal of such character can be imparted to events by purely verbal means, as when we label a bottle "Poison" or when Marxians explain a man's unemployment for him by attributing it to financial crises inherent in the nature of capitalism. The words themselves will likewise have derived their meanings out of past contexts.
-- Kenneth Burke, "All Living Things are Critics"
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New must-listen to radio station:
WNRN -- Charlottesville, VA. It plays modern rock hits (and none of the sugary-pop crap), with NO commercials. I heard this station after driving home from visiting my parents this Christmas.
Listening to it now. Love it.
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Thanks to my ever-existant bout of insomnia, I finally finished watching the last two episodes of Dead Like Me. I deliberately stretched out how long it took me to watch all of them, they're just too good to breeze by too quickly.
Anyway, I decided to stop by the Showtime cable channel website to see when the next episodes will be aired.
Upon reaching it, I received this lovely message:
Sorry.
We at Showtime Online express our apologies; however, these pages are intended for access only from within the United States.
It's the first time I've ever encountered a problem such as that. Bastards!
Luckily there's nifty little web programs/pages like The Cloak, which allow for anonymous surfing -- and allowed me to see the restricted-to-US-viewing-only pages.
The Cloak is actually a pretty nifty little program, I'll haveta keep it in mind in case I encounter any more "patriotic" pages.
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What Not to do During Return of the King.
Hilarious list. Here are a few of my favorites:
Stand up halfway through the movie and yell loudly, "Wait... where the hell is Harry Potter?"
Block the entrance to the theater while screaming: "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" - After the movie, say "Lucas could have done it better."
Finish off every one of Elrond's lines with "Mr. Anderson."
In TTT when the Ents decide to march to war, stand up and shout "RUN FOREST, RUN!"
Every time someone kills an Orc, yell: "That's what I'm Tolkien about!" See how long it takes before you get kicked out of the theatre.
Come to the premiere dressed as Frankenfurter and wander around looking terribly confused.
Wonder out loud if Aragorn is going to run for governor of California.
When Shelob comes on, exclaim, "Man! Charlotte's really let herself go!"
(found through Omnipotent Sister)
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"Going in and occupying Iraq, thus unilaterally exceeding the United Nations' mandate, wuld have destroyed the precedent of international response to aggression that we hoped to establish. Had we gone the invasion route, the United States could conceivably still be an occupying power in a bitterly hostile land."
- George H.W. Bush and Brent Scowcroft in their 1998 book, A World Transformed
(via Jordon)
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Here's a political quiz for ya: Which Democratic Primary Candidate Are You ... in Bed?
(I know, I'm just reaching for anything to distract me from the readings I'm supposed to be tackling right now)
Turns out I'm most like WESLEY CLARK: Pillow talk is not your specialty, but you're a commanding presence in the bedroom. Your technique? Look your partner in the eye and tell them exactly what you're about to do to them.
Very interesting, that. While techincally I'm a Howard Dean supporter, I also support the anyone-but-Bush 2004 campaign.
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Dear Cute Bass Player of The Pinch:
I'm sorry I couldn't get the guts enough to go talk to you at the concert tonight. Even though you're not cute by any conventional standard, I think it's the Elvis Costello glasses and hair that makes me swoon over you. Maybe it's the whole geek-mentality, I dunno. Hopefully next concert I'll actually go up and introduce myself.
Yeah, despite my shyness, tonight was fun. Nothing like a dance floor, good music and friends to warm up a girl on a cold winter's night.
Well, maybe a few of these, too.
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Bad Day
REM
A Public service announcement followed me home the other day
I paid it nevermind. Go away.
Shit's so thick you could stir it with a stick-
free Teflon whitewashed presidency
We're sick of being jerked around
Wear that on your sleeve
Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord,
Count your blessings.
We're sick of being jerked around
We all fall down.
Have you ever seen the televised St. Vitus subcommittee prize
Investigation dance? Those-ants-in-pants glances.
Well, look behind the eyes
It's a hallowed, hollow anesthesized
"save my own ass, screw these guys"
smoke and mirror lock down
Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord,
Count your blessings.
the papers wouldn't lie!
I sigh. Not one more
Its been a bad day.
Please dont take a picture
Its been a bad day.
Please.
We're dug in the deep the price is steep.
The auctioneer is such a creep.
The lights went out, the oil ran dry
We blamed it on the other guy
Sure, all men are created equal.
Here's the church, heres the steeple
Please stay tuned--we cut to sequel
ashes, ashes, we all fall down.
Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord, Count your blessings.
Embrace the lowest fear/Ignore the lower fears
Ugh, this means war.
Its been a bad day.
Broadcast me a joyful noise unto the times, lord,
Count your blessings.
We're sick of being jerked around
We all fall down.
It's been a bad day.
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Here's Laura's take on Big Fish:
Went to see Big Fish tonight, the new Tim Burton movie. It was magical. I kept thinking of Burkean theory at the end (even through my teary eyes). Without going into too much detail, I will say that the movie speaks of the power of words and stories to carry a person on long after they are gone. Narrative is a powerful thing. The movie also reflected my understanding of Burkean termanistic screens and one man's choices to shape reality through his stories. It brings up in my mind the question of truth versus perception, and which is most important. I don't think it offers an answer, but it is a thoughtful story.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why she gets paid the big bucks. Way to tie in Burke, grrrl!
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"This town is everything a man could ask for...
And if I were to end up here, I'd consider myself lucky.
But the fact is, I don't want to end up anywhere."
Now THAT is a proposal.I just got back from watching Tim Burton's latest, Big Fish.
I loved it. Loved, loved.
I've always been a sucker for a great story by a storyteller. This movie has nothing but stories, each woven together in a way that is both amusing and endearing. (not to mention it stars the ever-handsome Ewan McGregor, who shines as the young Edward Bloom)
This is a kind of movie where you can go to and just escape for 2 or so hours -- wrapping yourself in the dream portrayed before you on the screen. There aren't many movies that I find myself completely involved in -- but this is one of them. It's magical and yet simple at the same time. The film itself is full of light, and I mean beyond the mere light vs. dark sense.
Watching it also made me homesick -- not only for the accents and Spanish Moss draped over the trees, but for my family. The whole of the film centers around the relationship between a father and his son -- specifically around the one moment when you start thinking of your parents as people, and not just your parent.
And, by the end of it, I found myself bawling like a baby. I don't think I'd call myself "sad," necessarily. I was just moved, and sometimes my empathy gets the best of me.
It's a good show -- definitely worth paying an evening movie ticket. It's also one of those movies you really should see on the big screen, otherwise you'll miss out on all the vibrant colors at work.
Make sure you stay for the credits -- there's an amazing Eddie Vedder song, "Man of the Hour," that sort of brings you down after this type of cinematic experience. It also confirms the fact for me that this soundtrack belongs in my CD library.
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Yet another reason to love Canada:
I just returned from my yearly physical. After all was said and done, I asked the doctor if I needed to go to the receptionist to pay anything. She said, "of course not."
She said that the rare times they do have to charge a patient for a service, they have a hard time bringing themselves to do it. She actually said (regarding charging people for health care), "we suck at it."
Imagine that, a country that allows everyone equal access to health care. Hmmm.
By the way, it may be cold outside, but it's so clear and beautiful! It's the hoarfrost and moments like these that make winter almost bearable, I think.
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Just to clarify:
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Look what Angela made me for my Christmas present:
She said, "every girl should be on the cover of a magazine, once in her life!"
(this is probably the first and last time I'll ever be airbrushed)
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Laura reminded me of a contest I meant to keep an eye on: Bush in 30 Seconds.
"For the last three years, President Bush's policies have ransacked the environment, put our national security at risk, damaged our economy, and redistributed wealth from the middle class to the very wealthiest Americans. Yet thanks to a complacent media, the President has managed to hide behind a carefully constructed "compassionate" image. As the 2004 election nears, it's crucial that voters understand what President Bush's policies really mean for our country. And to do that, we need creative new ads that clearly show what's at stake.
That’s why we decided to launch Bush in 30 Seconds, an ad contest that’s intended to bring new talent and new messages into the world of mainstream political advertising. We're looking for the ad that best explains what this President and his policies are really about -- in only 30 seconds."
The 15 finalists for the 30-second ad are up on the website. All of them are good and need to be seen by everyone, Bush-despiser or not.
But these ads I found particularly powerful:
-- Child's Play. This ad shows children performing some mundane jobs of adults -- from checking out groceries to housekeeping to garbage collecting. The only text shown in the ad is the line "Guess who's going to pay off President Bush's $1 Trillion dollar deficit?" The premise of the ad sounds simple, which it is -- but the point it makes is powerful.
-- Polygraph. This one includes a polygraph test in progress which ranks only a few of the President's lies he's told to the American public. The last line of it reads: "Americans are dying for the truth." This one works, if only to remind us that our President has lied -- and not about aspects of his private sexual life, but about the pretense of going to war and sacrificing lives. He's an evil man that needs to go.
-- Desktop. This ad shows our President "cleaning up America" -- but of social programs and rights you wouldn't expect.
-- But my favorite ad of the fifteen has to be this one: What are we teaching our children?. This ad takes place in an elementary school auditorium, with kids campaining to be "The Next President." Their campaign promises all echo the actions of this Administration. Some of these include: "I'll call myself the 'Environmental President' and then cut clean air standards!"; "Our Allies will go from respecting us, to hating us -- and I don't care!"; and "I promise to keep you in a state of fear and anxiety, so you'll never question what we're doing." Ouch, the truth hurts -- but seeing these little ones deliever the campaign promises we've really been fed after these past four years -- I don't see how anyone can support this man for their candidate in 2004.
Okay, I'll stop my proselytizing now.
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HOME!
Finally. What a day. It amazes me that in 10 or so hours, I go from the almost-balmy South to the very-not-so-balmy North.
Actually, it's only when I think about how far away I am -- over 2500 miles -- then it hits me concerning how far away I really am from my old world.
Today was *quite* the adventure -- in more ways than one. Here's a somewhat-chronological catalog of my trek Northward.
Highlights from my (mis)Adventures and Return Home, January 2004
- First of all, I had to pack everything I took down there, along with the other books and little gifts I had acquired over the holidays. My conclusion, after squeezing everything into my bags: I pack WAY TOO MUCH. Seriously. When you have to weigh your bags in apprehension of them being over the limit, and your carry-on soon weighs as much as your checked bags, something is wrong. (granted, much of my luggage had books in it -- but still!)
- Mike (my ever-faithful chauffeur) and I leave Savannah a good 4+ hours before my flight is to leave the Jacksonville airport. It takes a little over an hour and a half to get to JAX, so I figure we have plenty-o-time.
- WRONG. Only 25 minutes out of Savannah we run into deadlocked traffic on I-95. And when I say deadlocked, I mean an elderly person on a walker could travel faster on the highway than we were going. Optimistically I think this can only last so long....
- WRONG again. Soon an hour passes, and we've gone maybe a mile and a half. Lots of highway patrol cars and tow trucks whiz by on the emergency shoulders of the road. Not far behind them was the Bryan County Coroner -- not good.
- One teary cell phone call to my mom, frantic addition of my remaining credit balances on my cards, and an hour and a half later, we pass by the accident scene on the highway. All three lanes of traffic were closed, and the cars in the road looked worse than I was feeling -- and this was after they cleaned up most of the mess.
- By this time, it's 3:45PM and my flight pulls out of JAX at 5:55PM -- and we still had over an hour and a half to go, driving wise. Mike high-tails it outta there.
- We pass by not one, but two Highway Patrol cars -- who luckily were looking the other way and didn't pull us over.
- We pull into the airport at 5:10, only to see "due to the heightened security," cars are being randomly selected for searches. Narrowly we escape being one of Tom Ridge's "chosen ones" and proceed to curbside check-in.
- No Skycab was at the stand, but I covertly stole one of their carts anyway to lug my crammed luggage to the desk. The attendant there tells me to calm down, and she then checks in my bags. (this is also where I breathe a HUGE sigh of relief at not having to pay the extra money for them being a little on the heavy side!)
- While I'm standing in line to go through airport security, a big man walks up to me and tells me that I'm a "courageous young woman". I'm just now getting over being freaked out about missing my plane, now I'm wondering what this guy wants from me. Turns out he was referring to my Howard Dean and anti-Bush pins on my bag. It's odd he'd call me "courageous" for wearing them, but the way some people are adamant about defending the actions of the evil Administration and silencing the opposition -- I guess I am, a little.
- Finally, I'm in the air -- heading home!
The view from 10-A
Yes, willingly trading the land of temperatures above zero for the one of temps far, far below.
- I love flying at night. Not only does it feel less hectic, but I love looking outside at the world below me. Tonight as I gazed out my window, I wondered if, at that moment, someone could be looking up into the night sky and mistake the plane I'm in for a twinkling star.
- Flying at night also gives you a great view of the stars. Being up there at 31,000 feet is probably the closest I'll ever get to being in outer space, and that idea always throws my imagination for a loop.
- After a run across the Minneapolis airport terminal, a 45 minute delay on the tarmac, a (willingly) changed seat back 7 rows (I'm still waiting for the good karma of that decision to come through), my new seat a row from the very back of the plane, a rousing talk with a Customs agent, and lugging my luggage upstairs into my apartment -- I'm finally back HOME.
What a day. I would have totally collapsed into a steaming pile of something if I didn't have the terrific support system that I have. Thanks to Mike, who put up with me invading his house for a couple weeks and driving me around incessantly -- and also thanks to my grrrl Ang, who was the one friendly face I needed to see when finally coming back home.
Now to sleep in my own bed once more!
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Miah and I read a book together (pic emailed to me tonight by her proud momma) |
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Grrrl bonding time
Today I had an opportunity to hang out with my best friend from junior high/high school, Heather. I hadn't seen her since last Christmas, but she's the type of friend that I can go months without talking to -- yet when we do finally get together, it's like we were never apart.
We've been friends for a long time. It's funny, the two of us (funny ironic, not ha-ha). We have always been polar opposites, in many ways. Growing up, I was always the "good" conservative one -- and she was the wilder, liberal, bit of a party girl.
But our friendship worked. Still does, in fact.
What's ironic now is the reversal of our roles, years later. Nowadays -- she's the "responsible" and conservative wife/mother, leaving me as the single, (almost flaming) liberal girl who moved 2500+ miles away to go to grad school in Canada.
Funny how life works out, huh? If you were to tell us 5 years ago we'd be filling these roles, we'd probably laugh at the thought.
So today was a girls' day out -- including one special participant, 16-month-old Myah.
What a doll. I don't know what was more fun, playing with the baby or watching my friend be such an amazing mom.
Needless to say, after today's activities, I got my kid-fix in for a while. I love being around kids, and I also love the fact I can play with the baby and then give her back at the end of the day.
There's more pictures of our day on the fotopage.
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Look what I found in my email box tonight:
Hi Becky,
In December, grrrl meets world was nominated to BlogsCanada's Top Blogs list. The January 2004 top ten list has now been published and your site is included. Congrats!
The Top Blogs page is here.
Best Regards,
Jim Elve
www.blogscanada.ca
WOW! I suppose I should insert a Sally Field-like impression here, weep, and say "You like me, You really like me!"
News like this makes the Sooners loss tonight seem okay after all.
Thanks whoever nominated me. You made my night. 
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I Take My Chances
Mary Chapin Carpenter
I took a walk in the rain one day on the wrong side of the tracks
I stood on the rails till I saw that train
Just to see how my heart would react
Now some people say that you shouldn't tempt fate
And for them I would not disagree
But I never learned nothing from playing it safe
I say fate should not tempt me
I take my chances, I don't mind working without a net
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get
I sat alone in the dark one night, tuning in by remote
I found a preacher who spoke of the light but there was brimstone in his throat
He'd show me the way according to him in return for my personal check
I flipped my channel back to CNN and I lit another cigarette
I take my chances, forgiveness doesn't come with a debt
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get
I've crossed lines of words and wire and both have cut me deep
I've been frozen out and I've been on fire and the tears are mine to weep
Now I can cry until I laugh and laugh until I cry
So cut the deck right in half, I'll play from either side
I take my chances, I pay my dollar and I place my bet
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get
I take my chances, I don't cling to remorse or regret
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get
I take my chances
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Quick quiz, boys and girls. Can YOU pick out which weather forecast is for Saskatoon, and which is for Savannah?
(yep, it's in Celsius, so if you need to convert to the dreaded Fahrenheit, click here)
I know that the temperatures are so close, it's hard to pick it out right away -- but give it your best shot!
Sigh. Just when I was getting used to being outside with only ONE layer of clothing -- back to the Arctic I go! (on Tuesday, that is)
What's even scarier about those Saskatoon temps -- those are the actual temp forecasts, and NOT the projected wind chill. This means it'll probably feel 10 degrees colder than what's posted above -- UGH!
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It's that time of year again:
2004's List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness:
There's 17 words on the list this year, here are my favorites:
METROSEXUAL - An urban male who pays too much attention to his appearance. Bob Forrest of Tempe, Arizona, says it "sounds like someone who only has sex downtown or on the subway." Fred Bernardin of Arlington, Massachusetts, asks, "Aren't there enough words to describe men who spend too much time in front of the mirror?"
PLACE STAMP HERE - Dennis K. McDermott of Oneida, New York, says, "It appears on 99% of the return envelopes provided by creditors with monthly billings. It's especially annoying when enclosed in a rectangle drawn in the upper right corner. (What if you miss?) And then…they inform you that 'The Post Office will not deliver without postage.' Can we legitimately claim to be a superpower if we need to be reminded to put a stamp on an envelope?" Eric Hooper of South Lyon, Michigan, agrees: "If I'm too stupid to figure out where to put the stamp, then paying the phone bill is probably the least of my worries."
LOL and other abbreviated 'e-mail speak,' including the symbol '@' when used in advertising and elsewhere - Alex G. of Warsaw, Poland, says, "It's everywhere on the net! OMG! u r chattin to sum1 then…lol this and lol that….Get it away!" "I wonder if anyone really laughs out loud when they use this short-hand Instant Messenger slang?" Rachel Rose, Pickford, Michigan.
CAPTURED ALIVE - "The news keeps stating that Saddam Hussein was 'captured alive.' Well, what other way are you going to be captured? Maybe 'found dead' or 'discovered dead' never 'captured dead.'" Bill Lodholz, Davis, California.
SWEAT LIKE A PIG - Tim Croce of Torrington, Connecticut says "Pigs do not have sweat glands; that is why they roll in mud to cool themselves." Nevertheless, Tim said he was sweating like a pig to get this nomination to us.
IN HARM'S WAY - "Who is Harm, and why would you want to get in his way?" Thomas Watts, Sumter, South Carolina.
HAND-CRAFTED LATTE: We're not sure where Orin Hargraves of Westminster, Maryland discovered this beauty, but we agreed with his assertion that "This compound is an insult to generations of skilled craftspeople who have mustered the effort and discipline to create something beautiful by hand. To apply 'hand-crafted' to the routine tasks of the modern-day equivalents of soda jerks cheapens the whole concept of handicraft."
SANITARY LANDFILL - "Ever been to one?" asks Stan Slade of Long Beach, Mississippi. "Not the cleanest place in the world. What happened to the county or city dump?"
I'd like to add "spider hole" to the list. I'm sure I could think of a couple more, too. Now the question is, who can put as many banished words as possible into a coherent sentence? That would impress me.
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Resolving.
It's that time of year again -- when people feel the need to make resolutions to follow in the brand new year. Last year I had a list of them:
Let's see how I did:
Go to the gym at least 3 times a week (does everyone make this resolution?)
Start (and MAINTAIN) a savings account
Drop the sorry loan servicing agency Sallie Mae (and send another tacky note to them and the US Dept. of Education...grrr)
Spend less time procrastinating (and rationalizing) putting off school projects
Get a part time job, to ease some of my money woes
Wash more dishes
Take more vitamins
Spend less time vegging out (whether Internet, TV, etc)
Be more cultural: reading new books, going to museums and watching arty films
Try to get over grudges held against the bastards that have hurt the ones I love (wow, really need to work on THAT one!)
Get on a better sleep schedule
Be wiser about spending (my lack of) money
Eh, I've tackled half of them, at least. 50% isn't that bad of a success rate, is it?
This year, instead of making a list of promises to try to fulfill, I've come up with one thing I'd like to do in the upcoming year.
I want to find some organization in Saskatoon and work as a volunteer a couple times a month.
That's the big resolution for 2004 -- It may not sound like much, but it's something I'd like to try. My schedule is going to be pretty tight this next term (with me taking 2 grad classes + teaching part-time), but despite that I want to give something back to the community.
I'm not exactly sure what it is that I'll do, that will take some investigating once I get back home next week. Any suggestions?
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Harry: What does this song mean? [Auld Lang Syne] My whole life, I don't know what this song means. I mean, 'Should old acquaintance be forgot'? Does that mean that we should forget old acquaintances, or does it mean if we happened to forget them, we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot?
Sally: Well, maybe it just means that we should remember that we forgot them or something. Anyway, it's about old friends.
-- When Harry Met Sally
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Oh to have this type of New Year's kiss...
One of the most. romantic. kisses. ever.
Forget the fact that some random sailor picked up some random nurse and kissed her on V-J day, it still gives me tingles.
Hopefully you had this type of kiss on this New Year's.
I'm still horribly jealous of my little sister who was at Times Square this New Year's. I watched my Dick Clark, but didn't catch her.
Am I sappy, or do you find it sweet that every New Year's Dick Clark kisses (and I mean kisses his wife) every New Year's Rocking Eve?
One year I'll get out to Times Square.
This year it was 4th season Sopranos and red wine -- but one year, I'll get to NYC.
Happy New Year's, everyone. Enjoy your Hopping John.
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