Braggy

I'm updating at work. Pretty bored.

I got really tired of seeing that fucking snow post at the top.

Ugh, I'm such a whore for snow.

I got into graduate school -- if you read this blog you probably already know that. It's coming off as braggy now, isn't it? Well I'm happy, dammit. I'll try to post some meaningful links describing the program at some later point in time. In two and a half years I'll be the CEO of BioWare, though. Just watch me.

Just. Watch. Me.




"Fallen"
Lauren Wood

Lightning and Snow

The evening of December 9th saw it snow in Austin. I'm not talking little flurries, I'm talking big, honking snowflakes.

People outside, taking pictures, running around with their dogs, talking about Christmas miracles, making excited phone calls, etc.

Of course it didn't last long, but while it did, it was fun.

I was listening to the radio in my car (not a frequent thing for me) and "Janie's Got a Gun" came on. Not my favorite, but I stayed with it. When Tyler says "lightning" a few minutes into the song, a bolt of lightning darted down from the sky on the horizon. SO AWESOME! NEW FAVORITE SONG!

OK I should get back to work on my grad school essay. I'm almost done, I swear!



"Dancing in the Dark"
Bruce Springsteen

Hurr Derr More Politics

I won't say anything about the outcome of Prop 8 that hasn't been better said by Priya (hope you don't mind the shout-out), but I will repeat one of the ideas she raises. A lot of people who oppose gay marriage site the idea that if we let humans of the same gender marry each other, then that will undoubtedly lead to people wanting to marry goats, trees, postage stamps, Playstations, Astroglide, hairless cats, large jugs of moonshine, dildos, etc. If you claim this idea as your own, then you also claim the idea that gay men and woman are less human than straight men and women. Does that sit well with you?

OK, that's all.

I just watched SiCKO (yeah, I spelled it like that) again for the first time since seeing it in theaters a while back. Lauren hadn't seen it before. I think it's really Moore's finest work. I didn't like Fahrenheit 9/11 for various reasons. Bowling for Columbine had some great moments (I'm a huge fan of strict gun regulation -- the 2nd Amendment is vastly misunderstood in this country). I think SiCKO is pretty great from start to finish. However, I ultimately think it works better as an indictment of the US health care system than a glorification of socialized medicine systems in Canada, the UK, France, and Cuba. I'm not foolish enough to believe that socialized medicine doesn't come at a price in terms of high taxes and some way-of-life changes, but I do maintain the belief that we should try socialized medicine in this country. Our system, as it stands, is corrupt, broken, and misanthropic. The medical profession was never meant to be the cash cow it's become in the US. I'm hopeful that Obama will lean us in that direction before his first four years are done.

I'd love to know what everyone thinks about this. Reasons against socialized medicine resonate with me a great deal -- it's not like I'm completely sold on my stance. But yeah, I've heard good reasons for and against and it seems like something this country should be open to.




"Red Star"
Third Eye Blind

Long Live Jenkins

Third Eye Blind has released a new single. Apparently, they have an EP coming out on November 18 called "Red Star." I suggest you check it out. Thanks to Mike for the link.

About the song: it's pretty political, which I usually give a big "herrrr durrrrr derpy derp" to. But, the lyrics are actually so dumb that I can't even fault the song for being too political. I really like the song, though. I also like the nod to M.I.A., naturally.




"Non-Dairy Creamer"
Third Eye Blind

Oh, Can We?

Obviously I'm pretty happy about the country's choice of President, but what the fuck was Michelle Obama wearing?

I would also love to discuss this issue with you in person, but I'll offer the topic here. Sorry to be a downer, but can we talk about the race issue? People on TV are acting like racism is "so last season" now that Obama is the President, but does anyone actually believe that because the majority of America made an informed decision to elect a "black" (more on the quotes in a second) President that it means the end of racism in America? I hope as much, but I'm skeptical.

Also, the cynic in me wants to stand up and ask, "would America have voted the same way if President Obama had two black parents instead of one?" During this whole thing, people have labeled President Obama as "black" seemingly to bolster an argument either for or against him. It's so irrelevant, yet not historically irrelevant. I see the history here, I do. It's a pretty big deal -- obviously I don't have the personal context to see it as a huge deal, you know? I get it. I see the crying, happy faces and feel something for them, but not for the country, necessarily. I'm very happy for the people that feel warm and comfortable in the historical context of the election. It's a very cool thing.

But I am a cynic. He's not black. I want President Obama to be a historical President for reasons other than half of his genes.

I'm hopeful that America will get the race thing out its system because of President Obama and see him as a great man and a great leader for this country. I'm tired of the race thing from both sides.

I'm still struck by something Colin Powell said a week ago or so. He said what amounted to an indictment of people claiming that it would be some grand horror if Barack Obama was a Muslim. He basically gave a "so what" to the idea of having a Muslim President in America. Everyone on the news tonight, tomorrow, and five years from now needs to get a little perspective here. A "black," Christian candidate wins the Presidency and everyone thinks "anyone can do fucking anything they want to in America!!!!!!" We wouldn't give a Muslim candidate the time of day in this country. Nor a Buddhist, nor a Hindu, nor an atheist. We barely give Jewish candidates as much.

Let's pump the breaks. We finally elect someone who is half black. Way to fucking go. Now let's work on electing people who choose to be something other than the status quo in America.

This was a bit scatterbrained, I know. I don't for one second want to suggest I'm not elated about the result of this election. I believe John McCain is a good man and would've been a good leader, something that I know many of my peers don't believe, but I think President Obama is the kind heart and the big brain this country needs -- whether you see it now or not.

Though, if I'm right, I think most of my readers do see that. I don't want to assume as much, though. As far as I can tell, the rest of the world seems pretty happy about our decision.

And, I'm sorry if you don't like that I sometimes talk about politics. It can really be obnoxious, I know. I really want to not be obnoxious about it, though. I like talking about issues without getting all huffy and irritated.

Also, I can't believe I'm saying this, but hurrah for Carrie Underwood. If I see Oprah half taking credit for Obama's success one more time, I'm going to blow my brains out.

But yes, good job.




"Perfect Crime #2"
The Decemberists

Just A Question, Not A Judgment. I Swear.

If you like the show 30 Rock, could you tell me why? I just can't get into it. Have I seen two bad episodes?

It might help to see the episodes in order. Maybe we're just not destined to be TV BFFs. That's OK. I want to like it, though, you know?




"The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room"
Flight of the Conchords

Middle of the Day, Lights On

Dear Dead Space,

Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you. You are really scary, but I can't put you down. Stop scaring me, though. Seriously.

Yours forever,
John xoxoxoxoxo




"Got Friends"
The Jealous Sound