Lots of Stuff
I graduated law school. Finally. I can finally say I did, because I finally got my grades. It was my best semester since I started. Go me. Law school was not my favorite thing I ever did. I am thoroughly glad it is over. I can honestly say my heart wasn't in it. I skipped a lot. I never read. And I still pulled out in the top half of my class. Well, admittedly, I always cracked down for finals, studied for two weeks 12 hours each day. But still.... law school was the shittiest performance I've ever allowed myself to give in an academic setting. But god, I was barely able to keep my sanity. So it was a rather awesome accomplishment.
Now I have to study for 8 hours a day for two months to pass the Bar Exam. I don't mind. I kinda like self-study. Far, far more than going to classes. The down side is that I won't be able to work. And paying rent is nice. But as Ernie, the all knowing mentor says, it is a worthwhile investment. He says, go ahead an get into debt this summer, have some fun too. Well thank you sensei, *rolls eyes* Oh, he also said I was "pretty brilliant" and a "very good writer" and that I did "very, very good work for BPA, work that would help BPA a lot and that I should be very proud of." Daphne says he is bipolar. I have to agree.
It is my last week at work. :( I really like it there, minus the sensei. But, it being my last week, and finally done with all the big presentations...I keep taking these little research assignments, because I don't want to take on anything I won't be able to finish. But the problem is that I am a really fast worker. So I finished 6 research projects in 3 hours this morning.
I sound so arrogant in this blog post. Not intentional. I am just leading up to how I am NOT a good employee, lol. My point is that, before half my work day was over, I was left with nothing to do. So what do I do? Well, I work for the federal government, so I can't do jack. They block all entertaining websites. Like tatu.ru, :( lol you can't access personal email. You can't chat. Blah blah, they force you to stare at the wall if you ever have down time. Well, sneaky girl that I am, I started copying these fanfics (Spashley fics, Rossana got me addicted, lol - there are some really good authors for spashley fics!). I would take them off websites and save them to word documents and then read them at work, lol. Otherwise, I am a good, hard worker, I swear, :P
Well the most mortifying thing happened to me today. The fic I sent myself just happened to have a hot lesbian sex scene. My phone rings. I pick it up. "Hello, this is *** from internet security (or whatever he said). Our system flagged your email and is shows here that you sent an email to a Daphne ***** a document that contained...well how should I say... trashy smut. This material is not appropriate to be sending from our computers." I squeak, feigning innocence - "Whaa? I couldn't open that doc. I had no idea." (which was partly true, they had blocked it, unbeknownst to me, I was frustratedly trying to open it in wordpad before he called, lol, because word kept rejecting it. He then elaborated, "Well it appears to be a trashy romance novel. If you want to open the doc at home, try using wordpad." And I swear he had an amused tone in his voice.
*sigh* now everyone in IT knows I read lesbian romance smut trash. Nice. One good point to leaving this week. Daph couldn't stop laughing at me. But, oh my God, humiliating as hell. I don't do well with "getting caught" or being "scolded." It makes me feel soooo shitty. The only thing making the situation not 100% horrible is that I have to admit, it is funny as hell. Daph kept joking that the dude probably got off on it, thinking that there was some female employee getting off to lesbian smut. Maybe he will read some and realize that it isn't THAT trashy...:P
Anyway, to pass the time, Daph and I also play this email game where we send each other a random word or phrase and then have to write an acrostic poem. Here are a few of my favorites. Oh and the Borgnine one stands for Ernest Borgnine, and Ernest just happens to be my sensei's name... We can be so passive aggressive.
Mine:
Love is not
Your way
Unfeelingly, you sway,
Driving without caution
Impenitent
Infiltration of your hate
Never stopping to
Validate or vindicate
All that you are
Lacking, the heart, the soul
Is asking
Do you see the sign?
If not, you won't be lasting.
Your inability to see
Under cover -- the
Love, clearly cloaked
In calculated
Ambiguity -- exposes your
Lack of receptivity to the
Energy of small movements, thus,
Never will you see
A love that's meant to be
Entropy
Lies awake and
Lurking
Inside lost
Souls, empowering
New life, new love
Awaiting a southern
Destination beaconed by
Inca rose to
Everything desired
You will always
Own and protect the vulnerable
Underside of my
Awareness and
Reservations--the
Excruciating dreams
Struggling to find hold.
With your support
Everything is possible
Even believing
That I'm worthy of you
Daphne's:
A little story
Someone once told me
Pertaining to
Asparagus
Radishes
And tomatoes
Gathering together in
Unity for the third annual
Strobe light festival
While you
Hope to
Agitate
The only
Emotion you
Validate is
...
Bothersome
Ogre please
Return to the
Garden of
Nincompoops
Immediately,
No time for
Excuses
I will
No longer
Sully my
Inner-peace by
Paying heed to
Inconsequential little
Dicks
Serious drama
Plays out
As misunderstandings
Suffocate and
Harm the true
Love we
Eternally
Yearn for
You're
Often
Underestimating your
Abilities
Rarely
Ever realizing
What an
Emotive and
Intelligent individual
Rests inside your
Devastating mind
Spinal Tap - Stonehenge
Moments with Daph
Daphne makes me laugh, a lot. Which, obviously, is a good thing. Every once in awhile she comes up with some random lines that just make me giggle.
Here are a few examples, for memories sake:
1. Me: Asking a really stupid and obvious question that I can longer remember, but it was asking if she was going to do something. Her: "Well I was planning on it, but now you've ruined the element of surprise."
2. "Roses are red, violets are blue, My pig is big, and so is you."
3. There is one that requires some back story. You see, as a kid, I LOVED Shirley Temples. But I didn't get them very often. It was usually a special event or occasion. And for whatever reason, it appears that many of my childhood memories start off with or involve the statement: "Ah, I remember that, I had a Shirley Temple." "Or I remember we were sitting there, overooking the lake and I was drinking a Shirley Temple." Yadda yadda yadda. Well the other day, I asked Daphne what questions I should ask at the end of a job interview when they ask me if I have any. Her suggestion was: "So, how are your Shirley Temples here?" I slapped her arm. Then she proceeded to mock me with, "Ah yes, the 1989 Shirley Temple. I...I remember it like it was yesterday...the cool wind on my cheeks, the beautiful view, and that sweet cherry nectar."
4. "Clearly the rock he crawled out from under wasn't heavy enough."
5. "Crazy, crazy Christians! Watch them judge, then watch them sin." (To the Hungry, hungry Hippos jingle) (And Daph would like to clarify she doesn't only mean in general Christians, but Extremist Fundamentalists didn't flow with the song...)
6. She made this picture in paint and sent it to me at work a long time ago, during the time before Tom Cruise's daughter Suri was shown publicly and there was a lot of speculation as to why:
7. This one was not intentional, but still amazing. A while back, I accidentally left an empty food box on the floor (we were sitting at the coffe table eating take out). I guess it became too tempting for Mabel and she started licking it. Suddenly, Daphne looks up and yells, "Mabel!" Mabel jumps and I look at her and Daphne starts to laugh. Then *drum roll* she says: "She was licking all up in your box." As she says this her face drops and eyes get wide. Then we burst out laughing. Dirty minds, dirty.
8. Daphne accidentally kicked me in the ass (I was being an irritant and she was playfully kicking at me, and didn't miss) and now I have this bruise. I sat on the bed and said:
Me: Ow! My ass hurts. It hurts like a gay boy--
Her: On his wedding night.
Me: Exactly.
Her: Or a girl on her wedding night.
B: That's horrible. I mean, I say if you have an easier route, take it.
D: But sometimes it's the journey that is so memorable...sometimes it's better to take the path less beaten.
And talking about quotes...
Something I accidently said the other day that made me realize I spend way too much time on the computer: "I need to go through the closet and delete the things we no longer wear."
And just because I saw it again recently and it made me laugh:
Brutally Honest Personality Test
No matter how many times we take a personality test, we always get the same results. I mean, if the test is good, obviously, this should probably happen. Though, when I was younger, I usually got INTJ. And then, in my late teens, I always got INT/FJ. I would always get 50-50 on the Thinker-Feeler part. Now, I tend to more often get INFJ. I think I am sponging off of Daphne, the forever Pollyanna. Except, strangely, she has managed to keep that innocence and positive attitude AND be incredibly intelligent and aware and observant. Somehow she hasn't let all of that make her cynical.
Brutally Honest Personality Test
My Test Results:
Your Type: Freak - INFJ
20% Extraversion, 93% Intuition, 26% Thinking, 53% Judging
Well, well, well. How did someone like you end up with the least common personality type of them all? In a group of 100 Americans, only 0.5 others would be just like you. You really are one of a kind... In fact, I do believe that that's one of the definitions for the word "FREAK."
Freak's not such a bad word to describe you actually.
You are deep, complex, secretive and extremely difficult to understand. If that doesn't scream "Freak!" I don't know what does. No-one actually knows the REAL you, do they?
You probably have deep interests in creative expression as well as issues of spirituality and human development. You've probably even been called a "psychic" before, because of your uncanny knack to understand and "read" people without quite knowing how you do it. Don't fret. You're not actually psychic. That would make you special and you'll never accomplish that.
You're also quite possible the most emotional of them all, so don't take this all too hard. Nevertheless you most definitely have the strangest personality type and that's not necessarily a good thing.
Daphne's Test Results:
Your Type: Pollyanna- INFP
6% Extraversion, 60% Intuition, 20% Thinking, 20% Judging
So, you want to make the world a better place? Too bad it's never gonna happen.
Of all the types, you have to be one of the hardest to find fault in. You have a selfless and caring nature. You're a good listener and someone who wants to avoid conflict. You genuinely desire to do good.
Of course, these all add up to an incredibly overpowered conscience which makes you feel guilty and responsible when anything goes wrong. Of course, it MUST be your fault EVERYTIME.
Though you're constantly on a mission to find the truth, you have no use for hard facts and logic, which is a source of great confusion for those of us with brains. Despite this, in a losing argument, you're not above spouting off inaccurate fact after fact in an effort to protect your precious values.
You're most probably a perfectionist, which in this case, is a bad thing. Any group work is destined to fail because of your incredibly high standards. Disregard what I said before. You're just easy to find fault in as everyone else!
Luckily, you're generally very hard on yourself, meaning I don't need to waste my precious time insulting you. Instead, just find all your own faults and insult yourself.
Lena's Diary Entry
I wanted to respond to Lena's diary entry. However, I had no desire to wade through the cesspool of comments on the forum. I can't stomach the negativity and bitchiness. And that is sad, because I am sure that buried in there are some real gems of people and comments.
This is written to Lena, which is awkward, because that assumes she would read it. And I'm self-conscious of seeming like a pathetic idiot. So I would like to make it clear that I don't assume she would read this, or want to, or care. But on the off chance. And my awkwardness has made this more awkward, right? I'm good at that.
Warning: For those of you who happen to be reading my blog and are unable to understand sarcasm, this post is full of it.
>>>Hello, guys! Well, the premiere happened! Thank you for your contradictory emotions, it's actually cool that they all exist. I do want you to really get into our new song. «220» may seem simple only at first glance, at least to me.
It is cool that people have feelings all over the spectrum. I am just glad you realize that with every negative opinion, there is definitely a positive opinion. As for "220" being "simple"... Granted, I haven't heard it yet, nor read the lyrics. But I've rarely, if ever, found a Tatu song to be simple. Filled with metaphors that many are unwilling understand beyond the simple surface meaning, sure, plenty of those --song about tails and paws. You realize, the problem is that you both don't sit quietly at a piano with your eyes closed, wearing a raspberry beret. If you were, then everyone would know that your songs were full of meaning, because clearly you are an artiste and not just a puppet performer. But of course, if you did that, people would bitch that you weren't doing the "Show Me Love" dance routine or floating down from the rafters on a wire wearing angel wings.
>>>I've read the forum... I don't want to ignore your reaction on our fuck-ups. Artists are human beings.
Never! Impossible! *plugs ears* I shan't believe you. You are pop fairies.
>>>But you don't give a fuck. And you shouldn't.
Why shouldn't people care? Yes, I realize that is probably your whole point. And the whole point of D&M. Well, I can probably only speak for...four people. But we care. My dogs care. They care about everyone. Even after being alone on the street, abused, abandoned and neglected. They still care. That is why I enjoy the company of my dogs more than most people. They say hello and hang in there and they love your music.
>>>Do you really think we have no idea about what we sing?!... I'm shocked.
Well, you are mindless puppets without the ability to artistically contribute to your work, of course. I mean, we all know that Renski, in the essence of Ivan, bounds and gags you both throughout the creative process and then sets you free for stage performances and random publicity sightings and photoshoots. You are pretty, only 23 and don't write your own songs. So obviously you lack the requisite intelligence and creativity. You guys don't act out the song through dance - like Malchik Gei - so people can't see that you understand it...
>>>In June we're leaving for the US for two months to stage the show.
Super-exciting. It will be my first Tatu concert. :) I get to spend 6 weeks of my life in San Jose, CA studying for the Bar Exam...at my parents...so...so...exciting... Thank you for bringing one shining moment for me to look forward to. Thank you.
>>>As for extra fat and fat ass.
*cries and beats head on table* OMG, seriously? Seriously? Fat? People are calling you fat? *Looks down at myself and cries*
Please, please don't let a few people's inconsiderate and clearly deluded (and suspiciously pedophilic - as apparently they like little girls without figures...or elves) comments make you obsess about never eating past, well, now 4pm, instead of 6pm, which is already so very early. Seriously, you have a perfect figure. Nay, not perfect, you are probably a little smaller than would be ideal for a healthy woman. But by critical and unrealistic human standards, you have an amazing, enviable...really, really enviable, figure. And I have to guess that 99% of the people criticizing you have a far less appealing figure.
What is it good for?
My little cousin, Mikey, was sent to Iraq 6 months ago. He has about another year to go. *sigh* I've always felt very protective of him. He was always such a sensitive kid...a bit of a momma's boy. But he wanted to much to please everyone. And he is a sponge. If you put him in a good environment, he blossoms. If you put him in a bad environment, he spirls. I think, so far, the military has been a mixed environment. His strength and sense of purpose have blossomed...but I just worry so much about his psyche. The horrors he will know, the hate he will witness, the destruction, the disregard for life, the disrespect of women and other races.
Maybe I am underestimating him, but for as long as I have known him, he's been sensitive. He absorbs the emotions around him, he feels things deeply. I pray for him.
Here are some pictures he emailed my mother. He got a camera and was very excited. But seeing him holding a gun like that...
Parents
Hmm, I wrote this yesterday and forgot to hit publish. Oh well.
Daph and I are spending my last Spring Break (cries) in San Jose with my parents. I just love California. But good God a lot of people have dogs around here. And Mabel has pychological issues. I really don't know if socializing her will cure her of her crazed dog-obsession. But we have to keep trying. But we worry so much about scaring people...and admittedly, being embarrassed as hell when she cries like she is being beaten to death at seeing another dog.
Oh and my parents are crazy. And somehow they managed to hide most of that during my formative years. It is a wonder I was such an uptight, self-controlled teen. (1) They are perverts - so am I, so this works well for my sense of humor...of course, there are times when I stop and think, holy shit this is my mother I am talking to. (2) They were druggies and have talked with me about the joys of hitting the bong. (3) They told Daph and me about having sex on the beach, sand getting in all the wrong places, and running along the beach nude. (4) The very next day, when not in (I'm feeling 20 again mode) they are strict Christians with high moral standards, lol.
Oh, really neat thing - my parents are still trying to find a church that is the "perfect match." And they really liked this one church, it fit in every other way, except there was one day where the pastor was petitioning everyone to sign against gay marriage, and how that was destroying family values and was a sin, blah, blah, blah, yes yes, the all-loving God hates us. And my mom got pissed! I can't really describe how much that means to me. She told me, well then that isn't the church for me. It's sad though, because I hate for that to be the only reason she doesn't go there. I mean, I have a feeling she isn't going to find many churches that are really accepting of gay people.
She asked me yesterday if my gaydar binged on my brother, pfft. Oh dear. He is rather metro-sexual and emotional, but that's probably because he is a Cancer, lol. Then she said that my dad had a rather effeminate side too. I just laughed and laughed. I keep telling her sexuality is fluid. And that love and sexuality are not always in line, and that people aren't just gay or straight but can fall anywhere on the spectrum. So now they keep pointing to people going - Little gay?
I love my parents. I really do.
Baseless Judgment, Mmm, Good Times
It is strange, but ever since I learned the title of the song, I was immediately reminded of Akhmed Boziyev - this yellow news author for Tvoy Den/Zhizn. I had found his blog and there was this anonymous poster that tore him a new one, telling him that his trashy, baseless publications about certain Russian stars were causing a lot of pain. She told him that his "research" was fiction and not based in truth at all and that his little games for profit were being played on the backs of actual human beings with feelings, lest he forget that the famous people he so envied and despised and adored, were humans as well. She called herself the girl in the white robe/coat. I always thought that was interesting.
That said, of course the song can be interpreted at many levels. Personal, big picture, specific, general. Specifically, it reminds me of the media, who write these powerful words, words that play on the lives of the famous. They're words for sale, for scandal. Truth is secondary, unimportant. And people read it, accept it, don't stop to doubt it. Instead, they put on their halos of righteous judgment, convicting people without further inquiry, locking them up, never to let them free until they are just another dead man walking.
Generally, to me it speaks to snap judgments, condemnations without all the facts. How people will hypocritically prop themselves up as the judge and jury, thinking they have the right and privilege to judge others. Unfortunately, that is something most humans do. The key is to try to be aware of it, and realize you are probably just as flawed as those you judge. Or...actually, the one you are judging for some flaw may not even have that flaw, you just think they do because some third party told you they did and you didn't pause to form your own opinion, but instead decided to judge them without all the facts...I think that is more on the spot, lol.
Oh God...this reminds me of all this drama I am going through right now with this harassing bully at work who is constantly making assumptions about me. Assumptions that constantly contradict...wtf. I have so many emails and records I've kept in case he tries anything like last year. Just a few examples from a meeting we had last Thurs. (background points - (1) he discriminates against me blatantly for being so young, which is perfectly legal, if not ethical, (2) he seems bound and determined to ruin my reputation and destroy all opportunity for me to be hired on after graduation, (3) I had this huge presentation to give last Fri. and was very excited about the amount of responsibility I was being given and the chance to show my boss my work product, of which I am very proud, (4) he canceled my presentation the day before I was to present and proceeded to give me four different reasons, none of which made sense, for doing so. ):
Him: I wanted you to talk to **** before you presented to help you with your lack of confidence problems.
Me: Just because I am quiet and introverted does not mean I am not confident in my abilities. I'm very confident in my abilities.
Him: But see, here's the problem. You have too much confidence. You refuse to seek advice from those with experience. This is something you will learn with maturity.
Me: *wanting to pull my hair out, but hiding it well* I have absolutely no problems seeking advice from people with more experience. When have I ever given you that impression?
*****
Him: You didn't meet with ***** before you presented, so I canceled.
Me: I would have met with *****, but she had to take a leave of absence.
Him: Yes, you both have "scheduling problems" *said in his patented patronizing tone*
Me: How can you say I have scheduling problems? That is completely unfair. **** was on a leave of absence.
Him: You weren't here on Tues. I went to your office, and I couldn't find you.
Me: I don't work on Tues. anymore. I have been working on Thurs. and Fri. because you told me I needed to change my schedule to accommodate *****'s schedule...... and she isn't in the office on Tues.
Him: How was I supposed to know this? I never know when you'll be in.
Me: You were the one that requested it. I've emailed you a number of times.
Him: I should be expected to track you down through email.
Me: *Staring flabbergasted*
*******
Him: There was a problem with the binders and you were nowhere to be found.
Me: On Wed.? I don't work on Wed. and never have... And there was no problem with the binders, they've been printed, they are under my desk, ready for the presentation.
Him: ******* came to me with a question I could not answer about the binders and I couldn't find you to answer. So I had to cancel the presentation.
Me: You emailed me on Wed. at my school address. I called you back Wed. afternoon. You didn't cancel until Thurs. morning... you never mentioned to me on the phone that there was a problem with the binders.
Him: I didn't know you would be here today.
Me: I am always here on Thurs....per your request. And I emailed you Wed. that I would be in the office Thurs.
**********
That is just the confusing bits - not the mean as hell bits. It is a really long story and one that I might go into detail later. It is still painful and frustrating and all I've been talking about for days.
I just really don't know how to deal with people like that without wanting to fall on the ground crying in frustration.
That had nothing to do with the start of this post, lol. *sigh* Why are people so mean? ...which is obviously rhetorical.
Hateful Bigotry, Mmm, Good Times
Oklahoma State Representative, Sally Kern's recent speach on the "Homosexual Agenda": HERE
You see, the problem is that, when I read her speech...it makes no sense. I...think...maybe? Sally Kern didn't understand the meaning of "gay" and "homosexual." And she completely ignores the "Bisexual Agenda." So I have to think that when she used those terms...she actually meant "hateful bigotry"...because when I insert those words...suddenly her speech makes complete sense. And I would hate to think a crazy, moronic lunatic could be a state representative...so this must have been what she really meant:
Full transcript of a speech by Sally Kern on the "[Hateful bigoted] agenda."
The [hateful bigoted] agenda [Loud snap] is destroying this nation. OK? It's just a fact. [Volume increases] [] everybody's lifestyle [should be treated as] equal, just like [] all religions [should be given] equal [freedom of expression].
You know, the very fact that I'm talking to you like this here today, puts me in jeopardy. OK? Uh and I'm not anti, I'm not [freedom of expression]-bashing, but according to God's word [hateful bigotry, intolerance, and treating others not as you want to be treated] is not the right kind of lifestyle, it has deadly consequences for those people involved in it, they have more [murders], uh and they [discourage others more], there's more [anger and hatred], their uh lifespans are shorter, you know?
It's, it's, it's not a lifestyle that is good for this nation.
'Matter of fact, studies show, that no society that has totally embraced [hateful bigotry and prejudice] has lasted more than, you know, a few decades [before war broke out and everyone killed each other over their hated differences].
So it's the death knell of this country.
I honestly think it's the biggest threat even, that our nation has, even more so than [external] terrorism [], which I think is a big threat. OK?
Because what's happening now, they're going after er uh in schools - two year-olds!
You know why they're trying to get early childhood education? They want to get our young children into the government schools so they can indoctrinate them! I taught school for close to twenty years and we're not teaching facts and knowledge anymore folks, we're teaching indoctrination. OK?
And they're going after our young children, as young as two years of age, to try to teach them that [hating those that are different from you] is the acceptable lifestyle.
You know, [these hateful bigots] are infiltrating city councils.
Do you know? [Some bigoted city, someplace], anybody been there, for the [Let's Hate Other People Phelp's Family Reunion] OK, have you heard that the city council of [Some bigoted city, someplace] is now controlled by [hateful bigots]? OK?
There are some others. Uh, [list of other bigoted cities, elsewhere].
What's happening? And they are winning elections. One of the things I deal with in our legislature, I tried to introduce a bill last year, that would notify parents, uh schools had to let parents know what clubs their students were involved in.
And the reason I did that bill, primarily, was this, we had the [Neo-Nazi Clubs] coming into our schools.
Kids are getting involved in these groups, their lives are being ruined, their parents don't know about it. So I introduced a bill that said you have to notify all clubs, and things. And one of my colleagues said, "Well, you know we don't have a [hateful bigotry] problem in my community, so that's why I voted against that bill."
Well you know what? To me that is so dumb. If you've got cancer or something in your little toe, do you say, Well you know I'm just gonna forget about it, 'cause the rest of you's fine?
It spreads! OK?
And this [prejudice and hate] stuff is deadly, and it's spreading and it will destroy uh our young people, it will destroy this nation.
It's Poetry, Bitch
"Bottle"
Reality spins clockwise
Until you're upside down
Then it sings out of tune
And waits for you to drown
But that's okay
We've all got smiles
Floating on the waves
Secured in little bottles
Hoping to be opened ... (someday)
Balancing on a tight rope
Wishing there were ground
Gripping onto air
There's no way up but down
But that's okay
We've all got smiles
Floating on the waves
Secured in little bottles
Hoping to be opened ... (someday)
Riding in the fast lane
To forget about the past
Turning down the blinders
But the buzz will never last
It's stopped raining
And we all have our smiles
Washing to the shore
Secured in little bottles
Just waiting in the sand ... (damn whore)
Daphne prefers the poem without the "damn whore" fading in the background at the end...but I wanted it to rhyme, so... :P
Beauty
Why is it that humans feel more sympathy towards and more sadness at the pain of a beautiful being? Obviously that is a rhetorical question. And I'm sure it all has its roots in basic survival of the fittest, purity of the genes, evolution of a species...crap. Supposedly, beauty equals health. Baby cute brings out protective emotions in us. So, yes, on a biological level, I already know the answer. It just makes me frustrated that, for as advanced the human mind supposedly is, so many people can't seem to get beyond the naturalistic fallacy.
My point, I'm currently taking and oceans and coastal law seminar, and we were spending the day talking about our Marine Mammals Protection Act - which prohibits the "taking" (killing, capturing, hurting, trapping, holding, etc.) of any marine mammals without a permit.
Well, I learned the history behind the act. Apparently, lobbyists for the protection of animal wildlife were smart enough to know that the best way to outrage the public about the killing of marine mammals was to show them posters of beautiful baby harbor seals, then those same seals getting their heads bashed in. A big ugly walrus just wouldn't have had the same effect. But the moment people are presented with the cutest thing imaginable being beaten to death, bam, suddenly people have hearts and give a shit.
My question is...why can't people just feel and care for LIFE? Why does it have to be cute and fluffy to suddenly be worthy of attention and sympathy? Again...a rhetorical question.
Another example, on that show Daph and I watched, Kid Nation, where all those kids were left to their own devices in nowhere New Mexico, they were given a coup full of chickens. They were hesitant to kill them, because of course, they all wanted to EAT the chicken, but none of them wanted to KILL the chicken. Gotta love modern day distancing from brutality and death. It is convenient. Trust me, I'm not judging...as much as I want to and have tried, I can't seem to kick meat completely out of my diet. Anyway, my point, so there is this one farm boy who had done butchering before and had no problem. Suddenly the kids are ecstatic to have their killing spree and pluck a bunch of chickens to have for dinner. Well, the little girls go crazy trying to protect the "pretty ones." They are yelling, take the ugly white one, don't kill that one! I was just cringing the whole time...that poor ugly white one. You would think, evolutionarily, we would rather eat the robust, healthy chicken.
Along that line, many studies have been done to show how if you are of above average looks - people will rush to your rescue. If you are only average looking, let alone ugly, people will ignore you or steer clear.
This message has been brought to you by - Random Cynical Moment.
Old pictures
I scanned some old pictures of my father, taken around 1952. Very neat. And, not that I ever did, but I certainly cannot question my paternity. It is undeniable we are related, lol.
There is more on the next page. I went scanner crazy. :)
Humorous...well I think so anyway
Daph read about this on one of the forums she visits and showed me. We thought it was hilarious. Then we found out that Jimmy Kimmel actually has this thing he always does to Matt Damon, and it made this even funnier. So, see the first video if you want to understand one of the punchlines. Also, in case you did not know, Sarah Silverman is Jimmy Kimmel's girlfriend.
Anyway, here is the video Daph found. It is an anniversary video Sarah Silverman made for Jimmy Kimmel, lol.
Perspective
Daph and I were watching this program last night about this group of Dolphins that circled four swimmers off the coast of New Zealand in order to protect them from a great white shark. The swimmers were trying to make it across this big bay, and one of the swimmers had cut her leg badly. The trailing blood attracted a great white. But before the swimmers saw the shark, they were suddenly surrounded by dolphins freaking out, frantically slapping the water with their tails. Of course, the people, not sure why the dolphins were doing this, were convinced the dolphins were the threat and tried to break out of the protective circle the dolphins were forming. But the dolphins would herd them back in. This continued for 45 min, when the father broke off from the circle, leaving his girls alone. I'm like, wtf was he thinking exactly?? But anyway, the dolphins tried to stay with the girls but their efforts were made more difficult because now they had two areas to protect. From this vantage point, the father finally sees what is causing the dolphins to act that way - the shark. Eventually, the dolphins calm down, and the group makes its way back to the shore.
First of all, we were crying, because we are emotional saps, and nothing tugs at our heart strings like animals, especially animals that display humanity that humans often do not display.
We couldn't help but think about how these incredibly intelligent and sensitive creatures must have viewed this situation. You think about how when we try to rescue a wild animal, they fight you, scared out of their mind that YOU are the threat. They end up pulling away, making your rescue attempts more difficult, hurting themselves more. And you just want to hold the animal and coo, we're only trying to help, calm down, little one. But they thrash and cry.
We think how these dolphins must have seen the injured girl, the blood, the shark, the danger, cried for back up, determined to save the helpless two legged land creatures floundering in their sea. Then the silly land creatures' eyes get big, so scared. They fight and try to get away, oblivious of the true danger. But the dolphins press on, risking their lives to save these seemingly silly, oblivious beings.
This change in perspective, how to view humans... It makes me think of I Am Legend. SPOILERS to follow.
Now I haven't seen the movie, nor read the book. Neither has Daph. But, being the person she is, Daph always reads spoilers. And she read what the movie was like and what the book was like. In the book, apparently, all humans turn into these creatures of the night, "savages." The protagonist is the only human left unaffected. But the book focuses on a certain perspective, that, having not seen it, I'm not sure whether the movie does. As all the rest of humanity has changed into these other beings, it is not the "human" that is the "normal being" anymore. Rather, he becomes their boogeyman. He is the one the children fear and adults dread. He is the hunter.
I think that is a fascinating perspective.
Spoiled
Daph bought me a Pentax k10D (she got a ridiculously good deal on it). It scares me. So far, I suck. I've never taken any classes nor read any books, and am resistent to reading instruction manuals, lol, but I'm making Daphne read it and show me, ;) Good plan. She got me all these filters and...I don't know. I feel overwhelmed, but excited.
I don't get shutter speeds, everything is blurry *cries*
