crafts/politics/hip-hop

out of retirement

2009-05-12T20:30:00.002-05:00

I was watching the video "Unpretty" this evening in order to study for a final. (Yes, that is studying.)

This afternoon I was watching Miss California's press conference. (No, that is not studying.)

What do they have in common? Everything. Why in the world does anyone care what Carrie Prejean thinks about gay marriage? Because she was competing for Miss USA? Really? That's who the National Organization for Marriage thinks we should listen to.

WTF, America. I have enough trouble with the idea of beauty pageants in general that I don't want to get into that right now. I'll save that for later. All I care about is the fact that because she is "beautiful" (thank you breast implants!) she gets her opinion heard. Yes, it helps to be attractive to get your opinion heard---look at Barack "Dreamy" Obama. But when that's all you are there's something tragically wrong with the message we are both sending and receiving.

been awhile

2009-05-08T21:37:00.002-05:00

I'm kind of sick of blogging. I still like keeping up twelve.second.timer, but this is just a hassle. I might change my mind in a day or two, we'll see. I'm not about to get rid of the blog, just don't expect too frequent of posts.

freakonomics

2009-04-26T20:50:00.002-05:00

"People exist to satisfy the needs of the economy, not vice versa," warned my econ textbook.

This was in a description of the system most closely visible in our economy. You know when an econ textbook is warning the reader of where monopolistic competition in a free market capitalist system leads it's not a good sign. Then I started thinking, this is true. Now, I don't think we should start having a top down system for choices, etc. Being a Russian major I've heard of the horrors of the food that was available back in the USSR and I don't want to start eating what the federal government decides I should (although that organic garden makes me think it might not be too bad). But when our economy has gotten to the point where people are what prop up our economy and without "consumer confidence" everything falls apart, something is wrong. The economy should be satisfying the needs of the consumer, not thinking of more and more ways to get our money. I think Western Europe is a good model of what this should look like. Yes, I said it. We need to be more like Europe. Stop playing the supply role, people, and start being the demand.

i used to hate him

2009-04-21T12:21:00.003-05:00

I used to hate Mac Lethal. Like, I'll pick a fight with you at a concert hate. But this video and song totally changed my opinion. It's just so jumpy you can't say no. Also, he released another track from his album that references Nabokov. So, I might start having to change my opinion.

Also, today I made biscutis for lunch. Halfway through mixing the dry ingredients I realized all I had was soy milk. And I needed buttermilk. So I risked it and used soy milk. Oh man. DELISH. With some honey on top. Mmmm.

Also, I've been exploring the realms of female rappers. Here's an amazing video by Invincible out of Detroit.

college life

2009-04-21T11:48:00.002-05:00

I'm a student at UW-Madison. A proud student at UW-Madison. Unfortunately, due to MTV's brilliant idea to give 4 18 year olds video cameras, my degree will mean a little less. Or at least be tinged with the stink of that show.

Let's make a youtube of the real College Life. You know, studying, work, school, maybe a bar, studying, and work. Not everyone gets 33% of their first midterm.

Ugh. I'm too angry to talk about it.

normally i'm very cynical

2009-04-16T18:03:00.002-05:00

I also don't like doing things other people do, so when I saw so many statuses and whatnot about Susan Boyle today I refused to watch the youtube video. Then I watched it. And, like other people's statuses said, I cried. Actually. I don't cry at anything. I think the thing that sticks with me is that had she not had that voice we would still be laughing at her. That's not right. That's mean, but that's what we do and we shouldn't. We should be nicer people.

next project?

2009-04-15T10:53:00.003-05:00

The Onion is constantly a source of inspiration and/or accidently accurate news.

Here's my latest inspiration. "Nation's Grandmothers Swept Up in Textile-Messaging Craze."

getting his nails did

2009-04-13T08:46:00.002-05:00

Zebulon has this issue where he scratches himself more than Driz and Zvez. And when his nails are too long he bleeds. Well, his back has a couple cuts on it, and on his cream fur it's sad looking. Well, it'd be kind of sad regardless. So, I bit the bullet, and last time I went to the pet store for food I bought a little nail trimmer for small animals (cats and smaller). Well, Mr. Zebulon is a bit squirmy. I have a feeling this might take a long time. So far, two nails trimmed. Two.

a bowl of springtime

2009-04-11T19:20:00.004-05:00

I made a bowl of asparagus soup tonight. Nom nom nom. Asparagus is my favorite food and I've been trying to expand my uses of it. So I sauteed some green onions in butter, then added asparagus and broth and simmered for awhile. Added some pepper and red peppers. Then finally I added a couple tablespoons of both flour and cream cheese and whisked it up to smooth. It turned out pretty decent, very spring-y.

loyal opposition

2009-04-07T11:27:00.002-05:00

After reading last weeks Newsweek, I decided I should write my own little loyal opposition piece. I'll make it short as not to bore you.

Basically, I worked a lot to get Barack Obama elected. You all probably know that. Really, what was the alternative? But now what's happened? While I didn't expect to wake up January 21st and be living in a utopia, I expected a lot more would have happened by now. Or, perhaps more appropriately, I expected fewer things to have happened that have happened. Like all the bailouts. I expected Barack Obama to be better than that. It's the same things over and over. I think there needs to be regulation because regulation is what makes sure public goods exist and whatnot, which is very important, however, markets should be allowed to run their course. If something is failing that badly that it needs trillions of dollars pumped into it (multiple times!) then something is wrong and you should fix the problem not just prop it up. You might say, wow, that sounds pretty conservative! But f*** it if it is. I'd say I'm angry that that's where our taxes are going, but it's more likely where China's tax dollars are going and then our tax dollars are going to pay the interest on our debt to them to pay for that. This rant could go on for awhile, so I'll stop it here for now and go get my hair cut.

eternal sunshine

2009-04-06T18:55:00.002-05:00

Now, I love the movie Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind. I also love pictures of cute rats. However, I don't like this New York Times article, even though it includes aforementioned pictures and is basically ESofSM. Seriously, erasing parts of your memory? That just screams not a good idea.

wrd

2009-04-04T12:29:00.001-05:00

Hi guys. It's been forever since I wrote anything. I need to work on that. I need to try to write something almost every day. That would be good.

So here's all I got for today.

Happy World Rat Day!

aprons

2009-03-29T10:49:00.000-05:00

Parker is moving back home on Monday. He visited his grandparents (with whom he'll be living) recently and received another pile of vintage aprons from his grandmother that he gave me. I need to take some photos of them for the blog, as well as make another apron rack since the one I have is overloaded already. Some of the colors are absolutely dope combinations. Mint and orange, etc. My favorite is a pale blue smock with red piping. Photos coming soon...

oh no!!

2009-03-28T14:03:00.002-05:00

I had a busy day yesterday and I realized this morning that I forgot to take a twelve.second.timer picture. I can't believe it. I had hoped I'd never forget a day. But there it is. Now the project is just a little compromised.

Then I had this crazy creepy dream. I dreamt the Zebulon got Drizilla knocked up through the bars (and separation) of their cages (not very realistic). Then I didn't notice she was pregnant until the little dudes were born. They were about the size of a stick of Orbit gum when born. Which meant they could walk in and out of the cage and there was nothing I could do. I then tried to make them makeshift cages out of rubbermaid containers. Then I had to leave to go deal with an escalating police standoff in my apartment building (right, logical). Then I realized I had probably killed the babies by putting them in rubbermaid containers. Does that dream mean something?

fml

2009-03-23T19:55:00.002-05:00

My FML for today.

Today, I was walking down the street to teach my evening yoga class. A car was stopped leaving a parking ramp waiting to merge into the busy street I was walking down. In my head I imagined what it would be like if they were dumb and didn't look both ways and instead just left the parking ramp while I was on the sidewalk. Then the car pulled out without looking both ways. FML.

p.s. I'm fine. Just a bruise maybe at most since they were just pulling out of the parking ramp. Funny fact, it was the exact same spot where I broke my elbows/tailbone.

the "liberal" elite

2009-03-22T20:35:00.003-05:00

I'm going to be going off to teach in urban Louisiana next year. I'm very excited. The thing that has surprised me most is people's reactions---especially liberal, progressive people's reactions. I definitely understand the concern about lack of training. Now, I've never been to Louisiana (yet). But where I'm going is not some sort of backwater, inbred place where "you can teach if you just graduated high school." It is a city of about a half million people in a parish (aka county) of almost a million people. The mayor-president is a Democrat, even. You aren't required to have a gun when you cross state lines. Now, I know a lot of this ribbing is in good humor, but there does seem to be an element of Northern, liberal, educated elitism that is automatically assuming a lot about where I'll be living. I am in no way calling any of my family or friends racist, however, I think a lot of the comments people have made feed into/are influenced by racialized or class stratified thought. That's the kind of thought that labels pictures as "looting" v. "stealing for survival."

Here's a poem for these thoughts:

I, Too

BY LANGSTON HUGHES

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

part 4

2009-03-19T10:22:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I got a massage at the Health Services as the most bougie part of break. Worth the discounted student prices, for sure. Not the most exciting thing to ever happen in my life though.

Today my staycation is turning into a realcation.. And by that I mean vacation. I'm heading home for the weekend to see the family.

Here's an article I just read. It's sad.

apparently rats don't like water, staycation, pt. 3

2009-03-17T14:32:00.003-05:00

Zebulon has issues with his nails where he cuts himself sometimes, so to clean him up in case he bleeds, I was given shampoo when I took him in. Now, I generally think rats can clean themselves (which they can) but he cut himself, so I figured, in the spirit of spring cleaning (which I've been doing a lot of) why stop at dusting and sorting clothes and vacuuming! So I washed the rats.

This reminded me of a time when I was little and we came home to Emily's roommate washing her hamsters saying "dip the hamster, dip the hamster." Maybe that's what's made me averse to washing rodents.

But anyway, I decided to bathe them. I figured I'd start with Zebulon since a) he's the calmest b) he needed the blood off c) he lives alone so he's easier to get out. So I set up a big rubbermaid container with warm water and a washcloth on the bottom for his feet, the shampoo bottle is open, and a little towel is next to it to dry him off. He was pretty good, a little squirmy, but he was in and out in about 25 seconds.

Next up was Rok Zvezda, the littlest dude. She was super calm when she got into the water. Almost looked happy, and as I was putting the shampoo on, she looked at me, and jumped straight up and landed about a foot higher---almost on my shoulder. That was when I sped her bath up. It lasted a little longer than Zebulon's but not much.

Finally, Miss Drizilla. She was pretty easy to coax out of the cage. And even not too bad to get into the water (which by this time, was a little dirty). Then the madness began. She was looking for any escape. The best route she found was through a potted plant. The only potted plant in the apartment, and her wet paws found it. Then they found my dress. I "dipped" her to get the mud off, then quickly wiped her off as much as I could before putting her back in her home. She stared at me with anger.

I then changed into something dry and not muddy and took some cute pictures of them trying to deal with being wet.

staycation, pt. 2

2009-03-15T14:30:00.003-05:00

Today I scrubbed the hard surfaces of my apartment with bleach. It's clean as a whistle now and smells fresh.

Also, I baked some bread. It's been a boring day.

Until I found this website: sexy people. It's hilarious.

staycation pt. 1

2009-03-14T22:15:00.002-05:00

My staycation is not too exciting. I went out for sushi with the old roommate last night. That was very fun. Today though I went to the library and greatly expanded my music collection (the best find I think is Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot: A Tribute to Sun Records). I also got (and read already) a book called "Design Your Self," which I realized about half-way through is basically a self-help book crossed with a design book. It was only a couple hour read or so. Odd. The one thing that stuck with me though was the dematerialization part. Especially now that I'm planning on moving halfway across the country. A big goal of this break then: getting rid of "things." (And cleaning and studying, unfortunately.)

it felt like a kiss

2009-03-10T08:23:00.002-05:00

I've been studying for my black music midterm a bit recently. Part of the midterm studying is pretty fun, as I have a 4.6 hour long playlist of music that I just rock out to. Well, by rock out to, I mean, listen to obsessively and write down notes and lyrics about the songs that were on the study guide.

There's one song though (not on the study guide, but I'll be using it if "Respect" shows up on the exam), that is not very fun to rock out to. Is anyone familiar with The Crystals? If you are, you probably remember them for "Uptown" or "Then He Kissed Me." But you might remember the song "He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss)." The song is pretty messed up. According to Wikipedia, the song was written to be sarcastic (it was written by Carole King). However, then Phil Spector produced it. If there is one thing I learned from this class so far, that man is f*ing nuts. Like, makes Octomom look sane. His arrangement makes the song even more disturbing than the lyrics do. While married to Ronnie Spector he picked out her coffin. It was solid gold with a glass top. Then he showed it to her. Messed up.

But, there was a point to this (or at least a semblance of one). I had my music on shuffle, and forebodingly my iPod shuffled "SOS (Rescue Me)" by Rihanna after "He Hit Me." I don't want to make any unfair comparisons or be too preachy since I'm not in the same situation, but, to use "Savage Love" terminology, she needs to DTMFA.

staycation

2009-03-09T19:09:00.002-05:00

I was planning on rocking out in Mexico City this break with my friends from the summer for spring break (starting this Friday). But with the whole becoming less and less safe thing, this for example, I decided to nix the trip, unfortunately. So, instead, I'll be trying out a "staycation." I'm leaning towards a massage right now as number one on my doing nothing list. I'll keep you posted. But not on the boring "reading econ" stuff.

pudding cups

2009-02-28T19:27:00.002-06:00

The shorts were bad at the Romanian Film Festival. I don't want to talk about it.

But I got some adorable pudding cups today. From Anthropologie of all places. I like them. They are cute and colorful and will make me smile when I eat my berries/yogurt/granola mix out of them. I also got some good ideas for embroidery projects from the $$$ tea towels they were selling.

tache

2009-02-27T22:03:00.002-06:00

Continuing the Romanian Film Festival reviews...I saw Tache today. It was a riot of a black comedy. I wish I understood Romanian because it seemed that script was ripe with things that would have been funnier in the original. But even with that said, I laughed so hard I almost cried. And not my squeak laugh. I laughed my other laugh, because that laugh can be sustained a lot longer. It was great. I highly recommend seeing it if you get the chance.

romanian film, pt. 1

2009-02-26T21:33:00.004-06:00

I figured I'd give my opinion of the Romanian Film Festival as it happens, rather than wait until the end to review what I saw.

Tonight I saw a film called "Crossing Dates." I think it was pretty brilliant. The structure reminded me of Pulp Fiction to some degree, in that it chronicled the ways people's stories intersected. However it was in pairs as well. It was broken into three portions, each about a different pair that had to do with a prison in Bucharest and the stories intertwined. At points the film felt a little overly structured or like the writer/director tried a little bit too hard. But, with that in mind it was still a fantastic film and worth seeing. The prison element of it was perhaps the most innovative part of the film, as it was so cleanly mixed with life outside the prison that at no point did it seem like a prison movie at all, but rather it explored the ways the the justice system (in this case in Romania) interacts, or fails to interact, with the rest of society.

Oh, and completely unrelatedly, I got a new rat today. A co-worker of my friend had a rat with some interpersonal relationship problems with another one of her rats and he needed to be rehomed. Siddhartha (as she called him), or Zebulon (as I call him), is settling in pretty well. Perhaps his best quality (besides that he's way calmer than Rok Zvezda or Drizilla---which is a common difference in rat gender) is that he's an "odd eye" rat. That means that his eyes are different colors. His red eye is in this picture but the other side is black.

thrifty thursday

2009-02-26T14:15:00.003-06:00

Today I got a pretty awesome warm up at Goodwill. (You can see it here.) Nothing like Puma Italia gear for $4. In my size and everything. Not my first choice favorite soccer team, but they play with attitude and I respect that.

My other thrifty moment seems like something my cousin might approve of. You may remember how I like walkjogrun. When I got their newsletter I noticed that they wanted people to test their new application for iPhones/iPods. Well, I'm going to get the beta version! I've sent in the preliminary info they needed about the software I have and whatnot, and so now I'm just waiting for the link to download it. It should be pretty awesome.

Also, two things about movies. First off the Romanian film festival starts today. It's the best time of year. Romanian film is the best thing ever. And since I let me TV "become just a box" as PBS said I renewed my Netflix subscription. I've only gotten a couple so far, but I liked "The Visitor" a lot and I'm currently watching "Darjeeling Limited" which seems very good so far.

tracy jordan, dream nixon & bobby jindal

2009-02-25T10:37:00.002-06:00

Michael Steele, the new head of the G.O.P., has promised a make-over of the Grand Old Party that will be "off the hook." (His words, not mine.) I'm sure we all remember the episode of 30 Rock ("Subway Hero," Season 2) where Tracy becomes the new face of the Republican party after Dream Nixon and Sammy Davis, Jr. convince him. Who will be the real life Tracy? Who will bring this hip-hop makeover to the Republican party?

In related(ish) news, I've got this weird obsession with Bobby Jindal. Basically, I disagree with the man on everything. Literally, everything (well, I guess we're both Catholic, so maybe we both agree on a few non-political things). But the man is a genius. At least, I think so. Some of his appeal he can't help, like being the child of immigrants, but there's just something very well calculated about everything that he does. And I don't mean that as an insult. I mean that in a hmmm maybe I should be paying attention to this way. I didn't catch his address last night, but I heard from my liberal friends/family/Fox News that it was like kindergarten story time. But, from his facebook page, I heard from a couple hundred people that "Just remember Carter brought us Reagan.... Thank you Governor!!!! 2012!!" for example.

I need to get to class now, so I'll leave you with this:

Ain't no party like the Grand Old Party, cuz the Grand Old Party don't stop.

a short rant

2009-02-24T19:16:00.002-06:00

I don't care that people are constantly touring my apartment since it's lease season here. You know what I do care about---tramping your shoes all around my apartment. Notice the pile of shoes by the door? And the nice clean floor? Wonder if those are connected at all? Yes, they are. So take your shoes off if you come in my apartment. The cream carpet doesn't need your salty muddy slushy shoes.

the new setup

2009-02-22T19:11:00.002-06:00

After I got my new iPod I wanted to do something with my old one, not just let it waste. So I decided to make a little speaker setup basically for the bathroom music needs. I got these weird cardboard speakers on amazon. They aren't the best, but they were cheap and they do what I need. So now I can rock out in the shower!

i just realized it's amazing

2009-02-20T20:55:00.004-06:00

I've had my George Foreman grill for about a year and a half. I had used it about a total of two times until last week when I had my fish breakthrough. It hasn't left my counter since.

First off, I learned I can cook bacon on it. Which is great because I both love bacon, and it reduces the fat in it. Also, it's hard for one person to go through a lot of bacon, so having a good way to cook it helps. Similarly, I made a bacon wrapped pork chop on it. It was mindblowing. Although, it did set off the fire alarm. But everything does.

Finally, above you see my attempt at a "grilled stuffed burrito." I made it with beans, cheese, jalapeños, spinach, and chile sauce. Not too darn bad.

So yeah, the GF grill is probably never leaving my counter again.

Also, tonight's dinner is part of my countdown to Mexico excitement. Three weeks!

that one holiday that is in february

2009-02-14T16:15:00.003-06:00

So I had an early Valentine's Day last night. (If you're wondering with whom, that's not really the point of the story. Just a friend.)

The point of the story is the wicked delicious food I made. I know, not very modest, but, I'm honest.

Here's the recipe for the pear and shallot pork chops that I made. I submitted it to allrecipes.com so the recipe is in the format they like.

Pear Shallot Pork Chops

INGREDIENTS:
2 large pork chops (boneless)
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cloves
6 shallots
2 red pears
2 TB. butter
1/4 c. white wine

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a mixing bowl mix the vinegar, sugar and cloves.
2. If needed add more vinegar or sugar to create a paste.
3. Add uncooked pork chops and allow to marinade for a couple hours, turning a few times, making sure chops are coated.
4. After the chops have been marinating, preheat oven to 375.
5. Finely slice shallots and pears.
6. In butter caramelize shallots for about 5-10 minutes over low heat.
7. Add pears and cook for another 2 or 3 minutes.
8. Transfer shallots and pears to 9x9 glass baking pan.
9. Add 1/4 c. white wine to the shallots and pears.
10. Add pork chops to the pan you used for the shallots and pears. Make sure there's a little bit of the marinade sugar in the pan.
11. Cook for 3 minutes on each side over low heat, just enough to get a little brown.
12. Add pork chops to the pears and shallots, making sure the chops are under a little bit of the mixture.
13. Bake at 375 for 30-45 minutes, or until the chops are cooked through.
14. Serve each chop with some shallots and pears.

It's really easy and it turned out pretty well. Also, the cake I made turned out well too, so I'll post that recipe next.

news & cake

2009-02-12T21:36:00.003-06:00

Here are three interesting NYT articles:

one about vodka/Russian-Americans

one about free Viagra in Mexico City

one about Janesville

Oh, and I made a cake. It's an orange cake with raspberry frosting. I might have broken it though taking it out of the pan. Sad face. I also realized that it looks very holiday themed, but that was unintentional.

I'll post the recipe after I taste it.

one more thing about running

2009-02-12T19:31:00.002-06:00

I was told about this super dope website called walkjogrun by a friend. It uses the magic of google maps to create your very own running plans. You can enter how fast you walk/jog/run and some biometrics and it'll tell you how far you went/how much time it'll take, etc. It's pretty wonderful!

i believe it's 'jogging' or 'yogging' it might be a soft j

2009-02-10T16:52:00.002-06:00

I've started to get into running. Like into it into it. Before I used to go for "runs." By that I mean speed walking on the treadmill. But for some reason I decided to start running. Little by little I've been stepping my game up. I started on Christmas on my parents' treadmill and then moved to the gyms at school on occasion, but generally I'm too tired after teaching that I don't want to run/I don't want to get to the gym. But on Sunday I had to teach at the far away gym and, being to impatient to take the bus, I decided I would run to work and back. It was a challenge, but now I'm hooked. (The unseasonably nice weather doesn't hurt.) I might need to get a second pair of new running shoes since wearing my old shoes as my outside shoes isn't the best idea perhaps. Someday.

first time for everything

2009-02-09T20:11:00.002-06:00

There has always been one kind of food that I could never make. No matter how I tried it tasted like crap. I baked it. I fried it. Nothing. Crap. But today I had my fish breakthrough. Thanks to my George "Never Used" Foreman Grill. So, here's the "recipe" (I use recipe loosely since it's kind of a loose recipe).

Sweet & Spicy Cod

Cod fillets, however many you want

One little can pinneaple juice

About 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1 TB red pepper (more/less to flavor)

Let it marinate for awhile in there. Then throw it on the GF grill, with some more red pepper on top. Cook for four or five minutes. Num num num.

momma's little babies loves cornbread

2009-02-04T10:29:00.003-06:00

I made some cheap Jiffy cornbread the other day, and since as one person I can't finish it all by myself, my little helpers got little rat sized pieces of cornbread. They were eating so adorably that I couldn't help but snap a couple of pictures. Also, you have to admit, the first picture is possibly the cutest picture of Drizilla ever taken.

never better

2009-02-03T14:27:00.003-06:00

I picked up P.O.S.'s new album today. I'm still only about half way through, so I'll give you my full opinion when I finish it. So far I like it a lot. It's got a lot of the energy I liked from the Doomtree album.

I really liked the album cover. It has a bunch of different transparent and solid pictures that you can mix and match to create your own album cover. Pretty brilliant. Also, pretty brilliant marketing too. It might have convinced a few more people (myself included) to have actually purchased a physical album. I wonder if it worked when When Life Gives You Lemons got released with a children's book.

my secret desire

2009-02-02T10:42:00.002-06:00

Unfortunately for some people, this is a very G rated post. However, it might be the most embarrassing thing I've ever written.

I want a Snuggie.

Yes, a Snuggie. I'm aware it's an oversized robe turned around. Or a blanket with sleeves. However you put it, it's possibly the weakest invention of all time. But, I'm trying to save money on my heating bill and, well, to quote the Snuggie ad, "blankets slip and slide." I mean, just look at how hard I have to hold up a blanket to stay warm and read. (Don't take that the wrong way, I heart my mom who made that for me for Christmas.) But seriously, I'm not sure if I want to get a Snuggie or not. They started selling them at Walgreens, which just makes it so convenient to purchase. I don't have to pay S&H...I don't have to wait... And I mean, I guess they might be able to be pulled off in an ironic hipster sense if you will...

So, I guess, I still can't decide. But there you go. My darkest, most secret desire. A Snuggie.

cpr/aed

2009-01-30T17:24:00.002-06:00

I taught CPR yesterday, but I was a little mixed up in the times and I accidently arrived an hour early. I started setting the room up and was kind of confused. Where was everyone? I thought. Then I realized I was an hour early. So I packed up most of the stuff again and decided to go for a walk since it was almost warm enough. I snapped this picture with my phone.

drumroll

2009-01-28T15:46:00.002-06:00

P.O.S. released the first video from his new album today for the song "Drumroll." I like the song, I'm excited for the album, but I could have done without this video. What is this? The apocalypse? War in Minneapolis? I feel like they were trying for something. But I just don't see it. Maybe I'm just dense and this is the best video ever. What do you think?

funny f*ing story

2009-01-27T15:55:00.006-06:00

Just when things started to look up today (meaning a bad ass voice lesson with my new teacher) after a stressful week of readjusting to school, my mom sent me a message. The bank had called. My debit card had been compromised.

Long story short, the credit card processing company that some places use got hacked. And my card was one of the compromised ones. Yippy. Now I'm without a way to access that account for a couple weeks. Great.

Oh, and my headphones broke. The ones I got less than a month ago.

UPDATE:

Now with pictures!

Oh, and I blurred out the numbers. Not like it matters.

stovetop croutons

2009-01-22T20:22:00.003-06:00

I like salads. In fact, I make them in mixing bowls so that they are big enough and I enjoy enough leafy deliciousness. After reading about making croutons the other day, I realized my salad was going to be missing something tonight. But then, I also realized I didn't want to run my oven for just some croutons. Then luckily I had an idea. I cut up an old piece of bread and threw it in some heated olive oil with some salt, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Basically I made fried croutons. And they were good.

work it out

2009-01-21T21:38:00.003-06:00

I had my first class to become a personal trainer today. Three hours every Wednesday night through April. It's pretty exciting. I already took 6 jam packed pages of notes. It might be the most difficult class I have this semester, but it also seems like it'll be the most useful and interesting one. I've already learned a lot that I can make my yoga classes better with.

Also, speaking of yoga, I found a pretty awesome musician recently. His name is MC Yogi and he's not too bad. I got the CD and I rocked it today in my first yoga class of the semester. The class definitely seemed to dig it.

black is the new president, bitch

2009-01-20T13:31:00.002-06:00

I figure I don't need to say too much about the amazing event that happened today---I'm guessing/hoping you already saw it and have your own opinions. So I'll just say, I am proud and happy and excited.

mlkday

2009-01-19T12:21:00.002-06:00

Today's the last day in the Tracy Jordan holiday drinking season (Ludachristmas, Nude Year's Eve, Martin Luther King Day). I'm glad this year it's actually being celebrated like it's a real holiday. It does make sense since tomorrow will start a presidency that I doubt MLK could have foreseen happening already.

But, I'm going to be a buzzkill. Martin Luther King was a misogynist who took credit for a lot of stuff, especially at the beginning, that other people did. When Rosa Parks offered to speak at the first bus boycott meeting he told her to sit down, that he could take if from there. There is danger in a charismatic leader with compelling rhetoric. I think it is appropriate that Barack Obama is being sworn in the day after MLK day, because it does seem that he shares some of the same leadership qualities, unfortunately. However, I think that Obama does a better job giving credit to others and has more progressive views on gender than King did. I hope his views have progressed since he wrote "Dreams From My Father," though, because that wasn't exactly the most progessive thing I've ever read when it came to gender.

But enough of this bashing. Today is an important day, and tomorrow is going to be even better, but I just feel sometimes we need to come back to earth. We're not post-racial, we're not post-anything.

new blog i like

2009-01-18T20:49:00.002-06:00

Here's a new blog I like, called "Mess This Dress." It's all style street shots in Guadalajara. Looks like a cool place.

mr. president

2009-01-18T18:05:00.005-06:00

There is only one day left of the Bush presidency. So, here's the song "Mr. President (You're the Man)" by Brother Ali that captures the moment. I can't wait. All of my high school years, and all but a semester of college Bush was president. I wasn't very aware of politics when Clinton was around, and back then I was being raised by apathetic Republicans. Which, led to me being one of the only two little who voted for Dole in my elementary school's mock election. (Not quite as good a confession as my mom's, but what can I say, I'm young.)

I'm excited.

I'm also excited (although no where near as excited for this as for President B. H. Obama) for the new P.O.S. album to drop (Feb. 3). Here's the video about his album artwork. I think I might actually pay a little more and buy the album in a store than on iTunes.

Also, Atmosphere is re-releasing Godlovesugly and in conjunction with that created the website youresougly.com where you can make a copy of the album with your face on it.Pretty fun.

Oh, and speaking of Atmosphere, I met Ant at the Kitty Cat Klub last Thursday night. Unfortunately, I wanted to appear cool, so I have no photo or autograph or anything. However, I did get him to promise that he'd talk to me next time I go to an Atmosphere show.

excitement

2009-01-14T09:55:00.004-06:00

Hi there.

I got a final interview for a teaching program, you might have heard of it. But I don't feel like putting it on googleable shout. Woo!

The other excitement was a car-related incident (some might say "accident") that occured last Friday morning.

My friend Katie and I were returning from a lil' trip to our favorite (or only) insitution we used to attend together. Her car ran out of windshield wiper fluid, and being responsible adults driving in the winter we went to a Target to get more, since the salt had already built up. But Target was out. So Katie wiped off the windshield with snow and we went to the next exit, where there was a gas station---that had windshield wiper fluid in stock. We filled the car up, slammed the hood shut, and set off again.

About ten minutes later there was a deafening crack and I felt like I had gone blind. Neither of us made any noise as Katie slammed on the brakes and pulled over. Cars honked, but it was very external to what occured. The hood and undone itself and slammed into the windshield, cracking it across and making it almost impossible to see. I wrenched the hood down and realized we were close to an exit, so we drove on the shoulder to the next exit and sat in a Starbucks for a few hours until a tow truck came.

So there's my story. I'm going back to school Friday and classes start Tuesday. Back to reality.

gran torino

2009-01-11T18:12:00.002-06:00

I saw Gran Torino last night. Being from St. Paul, I was excited to see it since it has a lot to do with Hmong culture and most of the cast is Hmong. It was good. I definitely liked the concept of the movie, but at a lot of points it seemed a bit too contrived and lacking nuance. I would recommend it, but not super strongly. After it was done I had (/still have) a hankering for Hmong food and after doing some research on the internet I found some places I might be able to satisfy that craving...I'll let you know if I do.

semi-Qapla', part 2 of "my new craft project"

2009-01-07T16:37:00.003-06:00

I made a run of my mustaches have feelings too project. I made a bunch of folders as well as one tote bag. Unfortunately the F doesn't show up because somehow that got burned onto the screen or something. Next time it'll be better, but I (unlike my mom) kind of like the imperfect look.

my new craft project

2009-01-07T13:15:00.003-06:00

I'm attempting to learn to screenprint. Above is the design I decided on and the frame being exposed. I hope it works. In a couple of minutes I'm going to try to rinse out the frame and see if it worked. I sure hope so!

If it did, I've got fancy plans for this design...

TO BE CONTINUED

billy preston

2009-01-06T10:21:00.002-06:00

I know I'm a little behind the times, but I've recently discovered the greatness of Billy Preston. I would argue he's one of the coolest people of all time.

Here are two videos for your perusal:

This one makes Labyrinth look like child's play.

This one is just awesome. It is reminiscent of "Negro Day" in Hairspray. Only better.

Enjoy.

hopefully final

2009-01-05T15:35:00.002-06:00

Yay! It seems that Al Franken is finally going to be the Senator-elect from Minnesota for real. Congratulations, Al!!

nude year

2009-01-01T19:08:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year! It's 2009 and all that stuff. I figured I should do that corny little countdown style stuff that everyone does when a new year happens.

So...

Top 5 Albums:

5. 808s and Heartbreak, Kanye West

4. Murs For President, Murs

3. The Odd Couple, Gnarls Barkley

2. When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold, Atmosphere

1. Doomtree, Doomtree

Top 5 Movies:

5. Frost/Nixon

4. Milk

3. Man on Wire

2. Chicago 10

1. Wall-E

ipod touch

2008-12-30T11:58:00.003-06:00

I got an iPod touch for Christmas. It's pretty awesome. (Thank you parents & Santa.) I've definitely spent more than enough time playing with it. I decided it needed a case so it wouldn't get scratched though, of course. So I whipped this up:

(You may recognize that photo from todays twelve.second.timer picture.) I think it might need something under the gnome. Perhaps a word or something. Any ideas?

turning inward

2008-12-29T14:59:00.002-06:00

I have a ton of stuff to write about so I figured I'd just skip it all and write about something else.

I went to yoga today and I was sweating like crazy as it was hot. Like crazy sweating. Slipping on my mat and what not (well, I had a towel to stabilize me). Then my glasses started slipping. Over and over. They got covered in sweaty fingerprints. Finally I just thought to myself "screw it." (Not a very yoga-ey thing to think, I know.) So I took my glasses off and put them on the block next to me. Now, in case you don't know me too well, I can't see. Well, I can, but I have very, very poor vision. So taking my glasses off is something I don't do, especially with about 40 minutes of class left.

Turns out, it was a great choice. I had to focus inward and actually feel the postures, not relying on the mirrors or neighbors to look at how the postures look. I stopped getting distracted by the girl in front of me's obnoxiously hoochie shorts. Best yoga class in a long time, all because everything around me was just a blur of color and the only thing I noticed was myself from the inside out.

just something i notice

2008-12-18T13:18:00.003-06:00

Pandora had thrown the song "Cupid's Chokehold" up a few times. I watched the video on a study break the other day. At first, I thought, aww cute. Then I noticed something: Black girl---ambiguously ethnic girl---white girl. I have a feeling Gym Class Heroes weren't consciously thinking this when the video was cast (and the white girl at the end is Katy Perry, the singer's actual girlfriend [who sucks so much]), but the fact remains that he ends up with the girl with "porcelain skin" and not the girl doing his hair on the steps.

i knew it wouldn't last

2008-12-17T18:03:00.001-06:00

There goes the glow of early childhood education.

putting the hip-hop back

2008-12-17T16:58:00.002-06:00

I haven't been writing about hip-hop much recently. Which is unfortunate. Although, I'm sure it's not very interesting when I do write it anyway, so it's not really much of a loss.

Well, here goes quite a release of hip-hop writing.

The other weekend I saw "Boomboxed" by the freshman cohort of the spoken word group on campus. It was good. Not like the best thing ever, but I really liked some of the pieces. The women in the group were especially memorable and talented.

Also, I got both of Kanye's two most recent albums recently. I unfortunately was working opposite of Operation Humble Kanye. I definitely like 808s & Heartbreak but it's not that great. The same goes for Graduation. I think I might actually like Graduation better than 808s & Heartbreak. 808s just feels so fake since everything is distorted. Kanye really isn't all that talented.

You know who is talented/who I just discovered? Busdriver. He's got some skills (unlike Mr. West). I know I'm a little behind the times on getting into Busdriver, but better late than never.And is rather attractive, which doesn't really have to do with his talent, but it's a valid point nonetheless. Plus I'm a fan of public figures who wear glasses.

Speaking of glasses, I want new glasses. Bigger glasses. I know, you're (Mom) going to say that they'll look hugely think if they're big because of my poor eyesight. But they're just so cool looking. Well, not like old-lady-big glasses, but like Rachel Maddow big glasses.

Oh, completely unrelated. I am excited about Barack's committment to early childhood education. I mean, we should be committed to ALL education, but this is a pretty good start. Although, I'm trying not to get too excited about anything. Because you know we're going to get disappointed. :(

I think that's all for now. I'm off to go study Afro-American studies with some classmates.

it won't be by one vote

2008-12-16T17:45:00.002-06:00

This fall I had to make the choice between voting in my state of "residence" of Minnesota or my state of college attendance. Both are blue leaning states, not solid blue, but blue leaning. I decided that due to the close Senate race I would get my absentee ballot for MN. But I got my ballot and it had been challenged because I had unregistered myself there by voting in Wisconsin for the primary. I needed to find a notary public, in Minnesota, or two (I believe, I don't remember exactly) registered Minnesota voters to witness my vote casting/reregistering in order to vote absentee. Basically, something I wouldn't be able to do in time to cast my ballot. So I figured I should just reregister and cast my ballot in Wisconsin, because, as my mom put it "The Senate race won't be decided by one vote."

Well, six weeks after the election, unfortunately, she might have been wrong. This has turned into such a debacle. Just declare a friggin' winner already. Gore-Bush style. Just this time, get it right. The thing I don't get is, why were SO MANY ballots rejected? I worked this election for the first time as a poll worker and we didn't reject a single ballot. And there were about 1,800 cast in my ward. We had to scrutinize everything, double, triple, quadruple check things, but nothing was left uncounted. And we still got out of there about an hour after the polls closed. So, no offense, homestate, but what's wrong with you that it's taking 6 weeks to count the ballots?

Check out the site the the Star Tribune set up, where you can play election judge. I could go through these challenged ballots by myself faster than the state of Minnesota apparently.

homemade lunchables

2008-12-15T17:13:00.003-06:00

Due to the whole "finals" thing that is upon me, I've been eating a good chunk of junk. But I came up with a delicious way to use up leftovers and quickly eat. I made my own little lunchables, with leftover cornish game hen from a few nights ago, Ritz crackers, cheese, and mashed avocado with hot sauce. Not too shabby. Although the on-sale energy drink I'm washing it down with tastes like cough syrup.

Oh, and in case you thought there was some hidden message in my lack of head in the last two pictures on twelve.second.timer, there's not. I just have been failing at including my face.

working on becoming amy sedaris

2008-12-13T15:45:00.003-06:00

When I grow up I want to be Amy Sedaris.

I already pretty much live/cook/craft like I'm in "I Like You: Hospitality Under The Influence."

I am having some friends over for a holiday dinner tonight and I created my own cheese ball recipe. I would hope she'd be proud.

Liv's Cheese Ball Recipe

One block cream cheese

3 T. butter (melted)

1.5 c. shredded cheddar cheese

a bunch of green onions chopped

2 tsp. hot sauce

1 tsp. honey

Mash together and then cool for awhile then serve on crackers.

quick

2008-12-11T18:12:00.002-06:00

Hi. I haven't posted too recently. I've been busy with school and work and whatnot. But I saw an interesting car today that scrawled on it in large pink letters said "WHY R WE ALIVE??" I thought it was an interesting way to provoke thoughts.

Also, I love beards. I found this fun article today. It's all about straight razor shaves. Also, in Spanish today we talked about beards. And were actually supposed to. Wonderful!

here comes santa claus

2008-12-07T17:40:00.006-06:00

I've been getting into the Christmas spirit recently. Yesterday Katya and I made a bunch of cookies and rugalache. The cookies were from Penzey's, chocolate chip cranberry oatmeal (we added the cranberries). The rugalache was from Everyday Food, filled with brown sugar and walnuts. Here is a bad picture of the rugalache.

I brought some of the oatmeal ones to my final yoga instructor training and all the future teachers liked them.

I put some lights on my balcony. (You can see me playing with the lights on my everydayblog.)

I also even listened to Christmas Fest today. It was very pretty and made me a tiny bit nostalgic, but that didn't last long. One of the songs ("Keep Your Lamps") I sang at Carnegie Hall in high school and it is one of my favorite songs of all time. I really liked the African style song that Viking choir sang toward the end.

Oh, also, yesterday I watched Elf! That alone would be Christmastastic enough, but I strung cranberries and popcorn to make garlands for my rats.That's what the cage looked like before I put them back in. Then they went crazy on the popcorn and it lasted about an hour. There's Drizilla rocking out. And there's Zvezda taking over the cranberry eating. What goofy little rats.

adventures in lighting

2008-12-04T13:02:00.004-06:00

I'm sure by now you're probably all familiar with/sick of my twelve.second.timer blog. Well, I didn't really realize just how many pictures 365 is until I started taking a picture every day. So I've started experimenting with lighting. It's rather interesting, at least to me. Here is the same section of my face in four different lights (four of the most recent five pictures).
In the first, and most recent, photo I decided that my closet was too dark to take a good picture (also, I've been running out of creative photo ideas, hence me sitting in my closet) so I pulled out my "true light" craft light I received last Christmas. "True" light made me look tan. Compare that to the middle picture---taken outside in natural snowy light. I am pale and pink, the only color in my skin seems to come from the shadow of the hat. The third picture is indoors under the light of my compact fluorescent bulbs and comes in somewhere in between. The final photo is indoors with no lighting. I think the final photo is probably closest to the actual color of my skin (regardless of what "true" light might make you believe).
Do you have any good ideas for picture ideas or different lighting ideas?

booze

2008-12-03T21:09:00.003-06:00

I like the NYT, and here they've written a fantastic article, all about mixed drinks. One of two articles about booze in the NYT on the 2nd. Both interesting. Nothing says good news like booze nooze.

Also, there have been Smirnoff ads on Comedy Central when I watch the Daily Show recently where it opens with a stock ticker going down and says "No matter of the times, there is the always good times." So just remember that, next time you feel poor, drink!

the funniest thing i've seen recently

2008-12-03T17:21:00.001-06:00

In case you haven't seen "Prop 8-The Musical" do so now.

aids awareness month

2008-12-02T10:26:00.006-06:00

This month isn't as fun as national poetry month. Well, the month is, with Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years and whatnot. But while it might not be fun, it's important. You may or may not have realized what I was wearing/drinking in the December 1st picture of my twelve.second.timer blog. Just reppin' some product(red) merchandise/drinks. While I say on the twelve.second.timer blog I won't explain pictures, I might do so here, just don't expect it on that site.
Now, while AIDS awareness might not actually be that fun, I'll hopefully be hitting up a benefit on Friday that should be fun.
Also, the AIDS Memorial Quilt is coming to Madison the 3-7th, so I want to see that while it's here. I'm looking forward to seeing it, especially after seeing "Milk," as the founder of the project, Cleve Jones, got his start in political activism working with Harvey Milk.
That's all for now.

what a weekend

2008-11-30T13:32:00.003-06:00

I'm heading back to school tonight. Only a couple weeks left before winter break, which'll be nice. Instead of doing the stereotypical Black Friday shopping my parents and I went thrifting and got a number of sweet finds (cowboy boots, Prince tapes, sweet cardigans).
That night my mom and I saw "Milk" the film about Harvey Milk's political life and assassination. It was good, but not BESTMOVIEEVERCREATED good like the NYT seemed to think. Which is not to say I didn't like it, or that you shouldn't see it. I did like it, and I would recommend it.
Last night I saw the Timberwolves lose, which was decently fun. Kind of empty arena. They kept giving tickets away. I don't know if anyone actually goes to those games and pays.
Keep checking out the year project, too, if you haven't been.

thanksgiving

2008-11-27T13:24:00.003-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving! So far everything is going well. My brother and I ran a 5k today. I slowed him down, I'm sure, but I did pretty well for deciding to do it yesterday.

I'm stuffed with turkey now and "relaxing" until Fakesgiving. (The second gluttonous and glorious meal, with extended family this time.)

a new blog to follow

2008-11-25T08:57:00.004-06:00

It's called Advanced Style. It's all shots of stylin' old people. It's amazing and I want to look like them. But I think it might take a few more years under my belt to be able to be this awesome.

And it's my dad's birthday---happy, happy birthday!*

*This comment has nothing to do with old people, don't worry Dad, I'm not calling you old. Also, I doubt your DefCon tshirts and socks/sandals combos could make it onto this blog.

twelve.second.timer

2008-11-22T16:07:00.002-06:00

I have a spin-off blog. It is the blog that shall chronicle the idea I had yesterday. So far I haven't gotten a great picture yet. But that's not the point. So check it out and tell your friends. I think this would make a great overpriced book that is sold places like Urban Outfitters.

luxuriating in america's racial deliciousness

2008-11-21T19:25:00.002-06:00

Oh, Cory A. Booker, you love how delicious America is, and I do, too. It reminds me of the metaphor for America that Sr. Donch once gave. "America is not like a melting pot, it is like a fruit salad. Most of the fruit doesn't mash together, but the flavors and juices mix up and influence the whole taste."

But that's all just a nonsequitor. I mainly just wanted to post a picture of my dinner, and that reminded me of deliciousness, which reminded me of racial deliciousness.

my art project

2008-11-21T18:02:00.002-06:00

I had a cool idea today. I am going to take a picture of myself every day for a year. They aren't going to be good pictures. Just a picture. Every day.

yes, we (excluding children enrolled in public schools) can!

2008-11-20T12:36:00.003-06:00

You know me and my NYT. Here's a good commentary on education. I was glad I wasn't the only person who read this article and was disgusted. It did however reaffirm my love of Jimmy Carter, who purposefully enrolled his daughter in public school. Seriously people, invest in education and stop putting money into the prison-industrial complex. Especially in for-profit prisons. As someone in my Afro-American studies class aptly pointed out "Wait, if they're for profit, and taxes are paying for them, doesn't that mean we're spending more than we need to?" Yes, we are. Want to know why? Because we don't invest in education and set kids up to fail and then profile them. Did you know that there is a higher arrest (or "suspicion") rate among white Americans, but a higher rate of incarceration/parole/probation (being "on paper") rate among Americans of color. Seriously! Here's a good article I read awhile ago but couldn't figure out how to incorporate until now. It's all about the prison-industrial way of basically turning a profit by exploiting slaves, oops, I mean prisoners. Anybody a fan of Prison Blues denim? "Made on the inside to be worn on the outside." Whatever the website says about it being a great way to make money to save for their release is a lie. They work for wages cheaper than in sweatshops abroad. If they didn't, they wouldn't be using their labor.
Ugh, but I'm off the topic of education, where I started. (Although, it's all linked, so I guess it's okay.) We need to dramatically change our attitude towards education. And that is why, I announce I have submitted my application to Teach For America. Not like two years somewhere is going to magically change the world. But (provided I get in and decide to do it) maybe it's a start.

interesting...

2008-11-17T08:22:00.003-06:00

Here's a little homeland food news, from my favorite nyt. Now that I have no third job I have beans soaking on the stove. Just kidding. Well, not kidding, I don't have a third job and there are in fact beans on the stove, but that's more my budgeting than complete destitution.

Also, and perhaps most importantly, my rat has been extremely cute of late.

She has taken to me more. She lets me take her out of her cage for longer amounts of time before she tries to scramble back to safety. Sometimes she sits on my shoulder as I walk around my apartment, as my old roommate dubbed it, turning me into a "sewer pirate."

Also, in green news, I've dropped from using 13.2 kWh/day in August to 6.8 kWh/day in November. And I'll be up at a press conference for 1Sky on Tuesday too being all green and stuff.

you don't have to live next to me, just give me my equality

2008-11-15T21:33:00.002-06:00

There's a really nice flikr site that someone set up where everyone can upload their pics from the nation-wide day of protests against Prop 8 (and more generally for marriage equality). It's pretty neat. A lot of very diverse people coming out (pun intended) across the country to promote equality. Also, interestingly, Wanda Sykes (one of my favorite comedians) came out of the closet at the Las Vegas rally. I hope some good comes of all this. Because we really need more love in this world and to stop all the h8.

"Will we be extremists for hate or will we be extremists for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice - or will we be extremists for the cause of justice?" -MLK

the will of the people?

2008-11-13T09:04:00.002-06:00

One of my biggest political regrets is voting absentee in 2006 for Minnesota. I wish I could say I had registered in Wisconsin (where I was and am living) and voted against the ban on gay marriage.

I'm sorry Wisconsin.

I'm also extremely upset right now by the passage of all the bans on gay marriage and also on adoption/foster care laws. I think that Keith Olbermann (see yesterday's post) made very good points. Most importantly, at least to me, is---why does this matter to you? Why are you fighting so hard against people trying to have legal recognition of their commitments to one another.

Other people have put it more articulately than I will, so I won't belabor the point here. For people who whip out religion and thump their Bibles in response to this, don't pick and choose the passages you choose to uphold. Especially when it comes to Leviticus. I challenge you to read Leviticus. Really read it. Write down every law and rule and directions there. Now, if you're going to pull out Leviticus 18:22 in defense of banning a celebration of commitment and love between two people who don't necessarily share the same values and religion as you, then please, make sure you follow Leviticus 3:1-4. And if you want to stop gay marriage so badly, why stop there? Check out Leviticus 20:10 for more info (please please please don't actually do this). And whatever you do stay away from 4 legged foul (11:20). Most importantly though, don't eat clams, oysters, crabs, lobsters, and shrimp (11:10-12). Wouldn't want your soul to be in peril what with the whole eating of abominations and all.

So I'm sorry if this sounds bitter or anti-Christian/Hebrew Scriptures. But don't start quoting things if you're not willing to follow it all. And if you are going to quote selectively, I'd suggest starting with something like this:

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

special comment

2008-11-12T11:13:00.003-06:00

I don't normally post things by other people, but Keith Olbermann's special comment on Prop 8 is worth it.

Please watch.

so much news

2008-11-10T15:36:00.006-06:00

I can't spend too much time posting since I have some homework to get done, but I'll try to catch the world up on my news.

Election Day was amazing. It was very fun to work at the polls. Most Wisconsinites seemed to be afraid of long lines, so they voted early. Which meant they waited in line to vote early and then there were no lines at the polls. I worked at an interesting polling place too, both the nice high rise apartments (including one person on our rolls who was actually on the ballot) and also a few homeless shelters. Oh, democracy!

I already wrote about the night, which was amazing. There was a crowd of about 3000 people. We were dancing in the streets, hugging, singing, chanting ("Tell me what democracy looks like!" "This is what democracy looks like!"). American flags were waving proudly. I actually cheered "U-S-A!" It was beautiful. The only comparison I could come up with was the end of WWII. This couple seemed to agree (they agreed to be photographed and were by quite a few people):

A few hours after that ended I went to Atlanta to hang out with my aunt and uncle and translate for a group of Russian musicians and artists visiting Atlanta. It was a blast and a nice break from school.

Other than that, I'm just catching up on school work. I did somewhat join an environmental activism group the other day due to a series of coincidences. That'll be a nice way to fill my hole in my schedule after phone calls ended. I'll let you know more about that later.

I bought a cute sweater and hat from Goodwill today. Yay for second hand coziness.

history

2008-11-05T01:18:00.003-06:00

I just had an amazing moment in my life.

I followed a mob.

We took Bascom Hill.

We took the Capitol of Wisconsin.

This is what democracy looks like.

do it already!

2008-11-04T09:35:00.000-06:00

VOTE VOTE VOTE

VOTA VOTA VOTA

ГОЛОСУЙ ГОЛОСУЙ ГОЛУСУЙ

BARACK THE VOTE

2008-11-03T21:48:00.001-06:00

That's all.

I leave for Hotlanta on Wednesday after another long day of slogging for democracy!

in honor of what happened 79 years ago: depression soup

2008-10-29T20:49:00.003-05:00

You may remember my lentils for stagflation. Well, since 79 years ago the Great Depression started I figured I'd make an appropriate dinner (and it's great practice for the GD 2.0).

It's a little bit Russianish too. Basically boiled potatoes and cabbage with broth of stock, garlic, and onion. It's super simple, but it's actually pretty good for how sad it looks.

6 days away

2008-10-29T10:16:00.005-05:00

I am wicked sick of the election. So I figured I would write about something completely different, finally.

First off, I've been rocking some crafts, which has somehow completely become missed from this blog. I guess I did write about one of the hankies I made, but I've been up to more embroidery mischief. A while ago I bought a bunch of weird embroidery patterns (all "Aunt Martha's" brand) and I've been rocking a lot of the "Whimsical Animal" set. (Yes, whimsical animals is the title.) The monkey on the right is now finished, and in the mail to someone...The one currently in progress is a sweet bear, which is whimsical in that it is wearing a dress and headband. Whimsy! I want to get some tea towels to hit up the "Christmas (creepy as creepy can be) Elves" set (paranthetical comments my own).

Also, my rat continues to be adorable.

And, I've discovered Pandora radio. It's pretty sweet. I know I'm a little late on the uptake, but I do enjoy it.

Finally, here's a little recipe for you.

Delicious Chickenness

(This is for each one, make as many as you need.)

Split a boneless chickenbreast (but don't cut completely in half, keep it with a little bit holding it together)

In the flap put in a mashed up (all these measures are uber guesses, so just make it taste good) TB of butter, TB of mustard, TB of brown sugar, 1/2 tsp of curry, 2 TB of walnuts.

Close the flap and tie it closed. Rub the outside with a little bit of salt (not a lot, just a little).

Pan fry (mmm fried) in just a little butter. Cover. Flip once.

Enjoy.

i voted!

2008-10-28T10:06:00.003-05:00

Wisconsin has early voting, so yesterday I stood in line for an hour and voted!!! It was awesome. My first presidential vote hopefully will help make history. I can't wait to find out and get this whole election over. I'm sick of this election and the willful ignorance people are cloaking themselves in.

my very own bill ayers

2008-10-26T15:50:00.003-05:00

The other day I started pondering what the robo-calls about me would say about me if I choose to run for president. At first I thought about one of my favorite professors, Al McCoy, who has written scathing indictments of the CIA and federal government. But that's nothing. My mom reminded me of one of the first classes I took upon transferring to UW---Islam: Religion and Culture. Now, a class with a title like that alone seems like it would probably rile up some conservative fear. However, the class was taught by Kevin Barrett, noted 9/11 conspiracy theorist and all told decent professor. Then I thought, oh crap, I had a letter to the editor published in support of him. Now, I stand by everything I said in that letter, because it's completely true, however as I reread it I imagined the Fox news headlines "Terrorist Sympathizer?" "Connections to al-Qaeda?" "Part of White-American-Muslim Conspiracy?"

six years ago

2008-10-25T18:43:00.003-05:00

Six years ago our country lost a very important leader, as well as less well-known leaders. Paul Wellstone's campaign six years ago was the first time I campaigned for anyone. I don't think a more omenous way to begin my political life. But at the same time while the loss of a candidate and hero, and of an election, may have been a turn-off to politics, I feel that I have a legacy to uphold.

I have a lot more to write, but the Wellstone legacy deserves its own post.

yes we can?

2008-10-22T16:48:00.002-05:00

Yesterday as I was walking to work I passed a homeless man by the state capitol. This isn't an unusual occurrence. Normally my eyes do their "liberal guilt shy away" thing. But yesterday I noticed that the homeless man had a nice new baseball cap on that said "YES WE CAN." Now, as a disclaimer, I believe that Barack Obama is the right choice for our country. But seeing this homeless man surrounded by his belongings made me think about what "yes we can" means. First off, I am impressed to see that Barack Obama's message has gotten out to homeless people. However, can the homeless vote? Now, while I strongly believe that Obama's plan is going to be the best way to try to bring up lower income people to more livable wages, is someone like this guy going to actually benefit? When LBJ started his Great Society push he was warned that he shouldn't worry about it because a) "those people" don't vote, and b) because there are some people who you'll never be able to help.

Now, this might just be me being pessimistic but there's something painful about a homeless man wearing a "yes we can" hat. I hope that he will have a better situation in the next 4 years than the past 8, but I don't know.

the excitement of last night

2008-10-21T16:32:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I got a little vertigoey in class. Then the rest of the day I was woozy. Around 5:30 I started feeling short of breath, my arm (left) hurt, and my chest hurt. Needless to say I went to the hospital in an hour or so after consulting with a nurse hotline. After hanging out in the waiting room for almost two hours I got seen. The only thing they could find wrong was that I was "dangerously dehydrated." Which is weird, since I drank a gallon at least of water yesterday. The docs at the health services are now checking all my blood, etc. to figure out where the dehydration came from, but for now I'm just chugging Gatorade. The best flavor by far, fyi, is called "AM."

better a rat

2008-10-20T09:38:00.005-05:00

Meet Rok Zvezda, my little furry friend. These are the best pictures I have of her so far, but I'll be sure to try to get some better ones soon.

UPDATE:

More pictures. I uploaded the ones from my camera.

Also here's a picture of the stew I made the other day.

the best endorsement

2008-10-19T10:29:00.003-05:00

My mom sent me Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama. I was extremely impressed. I hope this swings a few more votes the Obama way...

found myself

2008-10-18T20:15:00.004-05:00

I found myself on the internet the other day. I was watching a video that Atmosphere posted to Facebook that they had made in conjunction with SEIU. Imagine my surprise when 50 seconds in to the video I appear in a street shot of Madison. How weird.

Today I made a delicious stew. I was actually able to go to the Farmer's Market since I didn't have to work phone job and instead had to do tryouts for yoga instructors. I made a stew of beef, butternut squash, beans, brussel sprouts, pear tomatoes, and cabbage. It is quite delicious and filling, autumnal, and colorful. I also made enough to eat it for the rest of fall I think.

our leaders is just we ourself

2008-10-16T18:55:00.004-05:00

I enjoyed the final debate a lot more than the others. (The last one you might remember I described as "...snooze...") This one was way more interesting. Although, I'm curious is Joe the Plumber=Joe Six Pack? Or are they separate entities?
The thing that struck me about the debate was John McCain's lack of flexibility in his responses. While Barack was able to actually respond to McCain, McCain responded with what he felt like he wanted to say, and it was consistently the same soundbites he's been using this entire campaign.
Another thing that struck me was how neither was willing to slander each other to their face. If you can't say it to someone's face, you shouldn't say it in an ad.
Another thing, on a similar tact, is that I felt Barack Obama did not hammer home that McCain and Palin need to rein in the racism at events. I think he said it well enough that educated people can make the link between the the yelling at their events and chants in the Civil Rights era and before. "Kill him!" and "Lynch him!" hold little semantic difference to me. Barack Obama could have used last night as a way to point out the change that still needs to take place in our country, but he didn't, at least to me.
Relatedly, I am afraid for Barack Obama's safety. First, because people are yelling to kill him, which is scary enough. Second, because the momentum he has built up relies on him. Ella Baker (I believe) once said (after MLK was killed) "People shouldn't ask, 'when will we get another MLK?' People should ask, 'what can I do?'" I think that is exceptionally true. We shouldn't rely on a savior/liberator/president. We should rely on ourselves and our communities. To quote Claudette Colvin (the first woman to not give up her seat on a Montgomery bus) "Our leaders is just we ourself."

cavalier activity

2008-10-15T22:07:00.002-05:00

Third debate: hands down, Obama won. John McCain was unadaptive and repetitive. I would even go so far as to say he was Palinesque in his answers---answering with completely unrelated and inaccurate soundbites. I agree with Barack Obama on pretty much everything. And anyone with a conscience and a shake of intelligence should too.

arbor., etc.

2008-10-11T11:29:00.006-05:00

I hit up the arboreteum for the first time yesterday. What an amazing place. I can't believe I haven't gone yet in my college career. I only had my camera phone, so the photo quality isn't that good, but here they are anyway.

In other, even more exciting news, I'm going to be a poll worker! Specifically as a Spanish speaking helper. Yay!

Now to listen to Al Franken debate Norm Coleman on public radio. I decided that I think I'm going to send in for an absentee ballot Monday morning and help Al out. I think he needs more help than Obama needs here.

Also, speaking of politics, I donated $10 to Keith Ellison because, well, he's baller. And I got a note back from him in the mail thanking me for my donation and if I ever need anything I should feel free to call him apparently. And he signed it, with a pen and everything. Not a printed signature. How sweet!

this is a showtune, but the show ain't been written for it yet

2008-10-09T13:08:00.009-05:00

I know with the whole "politics" thing in the title of this blog you were probably expecting some sort of debate comment earlier. But, honestly, it was kind of boring. And I missed the first part since I was at work (yes, I know how youtube works). But in general, I didn't really think it was that inspirational on either side. I thought McCain was rather odd, i.e. "That one" or refusing to shake Obama's hand. But other than that...snooze...
But on to (more) fun (or at least interesting) things. We listened to some Nina Simone in my favorite class. (I'm sure you can guess by now.) Suddenly Brother Ali wearing a Nina Simone shirt in the "Uncle Sam Goddamn" video makes more sense. And the opening line of the song as well.
Also, an interesting article about purging people from voter rolls. Where were these people when
Here's an article from the NYT about the US as a pro-life nation, kind of unrelated, but interesting.
Well, that's all kids. I've been making some delish tofu fried rice recently.

i promised pictures

2008-10-07T13:42:00.005-05:00

Here is the handkerchief I made for D. My work was a bit shaky, but meh, I was talking on the phone at the same time.
I have a new hero, fyi. Ella Baker.
That's all for now.

would the real john mccain please stand up (and put one of those fingers on each hand up)

2008-10-06T20:25:00.009-05:00

I hope you all get the allusion in the title of this post. Nothing classier than an old school Eminem reference.

But seriously, here's a disturbing article about our family values candidate that my mom forwarded me. My favorite quotes about John McCain:

"'What the hell are you going to Rio for?'

McCain, a married father of three, shrugs.

'I got a better chance of getting laid.'"

"By his own account, McCain was a lazy, incurious student; he squeaked by only by prevailing upon his buddies to help him cram for exams. He continued to get sauced and treat girls badly. Before meeting a girlfriend's parents for the first time, McCain got so shitfaced that he literally crashed through the screen door when he showed up in his white midshipman's uniform."

"McCain chased a lot of tail. He hit the dog track. Developed a taste for poker and dice. He picked up models when he could, screwed a stripper when he couldn't."

"Although McCain stresses in his memoir that he married Cindy three months after divorcing Carol, he was still legally married to his first wife when he and Cindy were issued a marriage license from the state of Arizona. "

It's a long article, and there are a lot more incriminating quotes, but those were just some of my personal favs. Pardon my language, but to quote one of his close friends, what a "fucker."

Beyond that McCain news, (I don't like paraphrasing/quoting articles, they did a better job, read it there, I'll try to keep to my own reactions) Mac also held a rally where he questioned Barack. During the rally (according to the NYT) a McCainiac hollered "send him home!" in reference to Senator Obama. This brings up the question---to where? To Chicago? To Hawai'i? To Indonesia? To Kenya? To the caves of Afghanistan? One time I talked to someone, who seemed completely sane and coherent and rather liberal---except one side note. She said that we shouldn't be at war in Iraq or Afghanistan (something I cheerily seconded) but then she added, "because after September 11th, we should have just rounded up every Moslem [her pronunciation], citizen or not, and send them back to Afghanistan." She was serious. I didn't know what to say. How to explain that citizenship doesn't depend on religion so Muslims have just as much a right to be citizens and live in this country as Catholics, Baptists, or Jews. Or to explain that Islam is a very, very global religion, so culturally Afghanistan is probably not the place to send most Muslims "back" to, if that plan were to make any lick of sense at all. Barack is not Muslim. And even if he were, that wouldn't make him unqualified to be President (or to be a bad ass Congressman). And this whole religion scare, Islam or Wright, is just a pretty sick cover for racism. Call me crazy, but I prefer my racism on the surface and blatant. That's a lot easier to fight and know what you're up against. Here's a good op-ed about "Racism without Racists."

In fun news, I'm going to go to Atlanta in the beginning of November (after the election, no worries, I'll be voting!) to meet some Russians my Aunt & Uncle are hosting through Friendship Force and hopefully make myself useful.

That's all. Yoga is keeping me busy now that we're gearing up to start training. That and I'm going to take my bike in to the shop tomorrow because the gear is slipping a bit and I don't feel like breaking my elbows again.

Oh, I lied, the post isn't over yet. I've started embroidering handkerchiefs while I'm on the phone and I finished a really cute one for D's birthday that perhaps I will post a pic of. They are fast and fun and old school and ecofriendly.

there was a debate last night

2008-10-03T09:46:00.007-05:00

The debate. I watched it. Well, I missed the beginning obviously since I was at work. I thought it was ridiculous. It was the difference between platitudes and facts. Everytime Palin answered a question it was the same "God bless America...we're a blessed nation...Your wife's reward is in heaven..." stuff. Biden on the other hand gave fact after fact after statement with substance. No comparison. Biden wins. Hands down. Plus he's hot.

Also, my new shopping plan is for every time I buy a ton of stuff I'll give something away. Both literally trying to clean out my closet and by giving away to some of my favorite groups, for example, Heifer International or Planned Parenthood. So word. That's all.

Oh, and I finished my application to the critical languages dealy. Yay!