It's well past time that I blogged.

I have been playing around with this tumblr thing recently. I was quoted on Taylor M.'s site, or I suppose I was tumbled there, and then I started looking around on it and made my own. I am a sucker for the novelty of such things. In some ways it's cool, but it also feels discouraging of super-long posts. Like today I started posting D.H. Lawrence poems on there and realized "hey, what the heck am I doing? This certainly is a waste of time."

I guess I had an excuse, though, because I was sick today -- have been for several days. I'm feeling somewhat better now, but I'm faced with so much stuff to do... and here I am wasting time via a different Internet medium!

This is kind of an interesting time, because I have no idea if I'm going to be able to get a job after I get my degree in May. I've been sending out resumes like a banshee-type creature, but it hasn't yielded much fruit so far. I feel like I'm plenty qualified at this point for several different types of work, but the news about the economy is scary, and I never had the most marketable degree to begin with.

But in a way, the whole process is fun, because having nothing determined for me means the possibilities are endless. I've been working on making it my policy to feel little to no discouragement when it comes to economic news.

What else...

I liked Obama's speech tonight -- thought he got the job done properly, rousing his base and also explaining the situation to the nation. I have high hopes for what he's going to do. And is it just me or does the first lady get more beautiful all the time? I mean, damn. Props to ya, Barack.

Jake and Richard and I watched it together, and it felt cool to have the three of us, who have watched many a Bush State of the Union address together in impotent frustration, congregated to see Obama's first big one.

I won't lie, it's been a rough couple of weeks, and the next couple of months aren't likely to get much better, but I have been really successful at finding bright spots such as that lately, and ways to let go of stress by focusing more on them. 'Cause life is a beautiful thing, y'all. HZA out.

Dog Letter by George Saunders

I love George Saunders. Here's a very short example of why.




Dear Master,

I suspect you may be surprised upon surmising this missive. Perhaps you do not expect I can even understand the English language, much less express myself in said language, via the written format. You have perchance never heretofore imagined me, in the dark of night, pen clasped between "toes", standing upon hind legs with all the earnest desperation of the bestial attempting to become lucid, practising my "letters". That floor is damned slippery! I believe it is the cheap tiles you and the Mistress hath procured! I'll be working, on, por ejemplo, the letter "S", and suddenly, whammo, I am all asses-and-elbows - ie, have punctured the silence of night with the sound of furred eager body impacting the floor, my back "paws" having slipped out from under me!

And then must hurry and hide the pen, in case you come down investigatorily! But yes, 'tis so: I think, I feel: I write. And have a request: there are times, deep in the night, when you have been "tippling" and/or "getting pershnockered", when, perchance overwhelmed by joy (I hope it is joy, and not something darker), you shed your puzzling overskin and stand in the kitchen, moving hips and all, to that melange of painful-high-pitch and human squawling you call Purple Rain. Master, this display sets off in me unpleasantness of the first rank! Your various hangie-down things, the strange hairless hairiness of you (neither here nor there), makes me want to bite you. There. I've said it.

Did you know, though normally "so so sweet", I can bite hard as hell? I can, sir. I practise on the back leg of the "sofa". Go take a look. You will see. Imagine that back leg is your central and (methinks) much-prized hanger-downer. Keep up with the midnight kitchen-gyration sans clothing, and you will get it, right on that unit, no lie, Master.

Otherwise, all is well. The behind-the-ears scratching: well. The running-to-get-tennis-ball: well. The perking-up-of-ears when you speak lilting babytalk: I understand that as the cost of doing business.

But the dancing: I will bite your member, swear to God. It doth ignite a dark dread in me of times ancient, when, perhaps, we were not allies, but enemies?

Anyway, what the heck. Very happy. No complaints. Imagine me doing that "grin". Love you, man.

Although one thing more: do not call me "Scout". My name is "Biscuit". You gave me that name. "Scout" debases me. "Scout" is for babies. Also: do not - ever - take me by the front paws and pretend to waltz. I am of an ancient race. We hunt, we run, we protect: we do not waltz. When you waltz me - think about it - I'm at member-height.

And now: a walk? A walk? A walk.

Love, "Biscuit"

Obama

I am so proud of America this week. First things first: no matter what your politics is, the fact that a major political party has nominated a man of mixed race -- who LOOKS like a black guy -- is a truly great thing for this country. Forget the rhetoric that says his background helped him get the nomination -- that's revisionist at best, we all know there have been plenty of capable black people in politics that haven't been able to run for higher offices because of assumed notions among the populace about race. It truly is because he is an outstanding politician -- and, if you're one of the millions of people that got to know him by reading his books, an engaging writer -- that he was able to succeed. He's proven himself as one of the best politicians currently operating, and has a consistent life record of excellence. Don't let anyone fool you with "affirmative action" nonsense -- he overcame a major hurdle to get where he is. A majorly unfair hurdle, a flawed perception, but one that exists.

But I think he will be seen as the guy that broke the barrier. It's unfortunate that it took hundreds of years and an exceptionally talented human being to do so, but I think this candidacy has so much potential to CHANGE those perceptions that are keeping talented politicians from non-white backgrounds from being considered for these high offices. I think our country will be so much the better when all cultures have truly equal representation in the government (let the government reflect the "melting pot" people love to say America is) -- I envision it as Voltron coming together to form the most awesome, innovative government the world has ever seen. It's a possibility, at least.

Regardless of what happens in the general election, it's a true sign of progress that he's been nominated, but by no means suggests there's no more progress to be made. It's heartening, though, in a time filled with bad news.

I recommend people tuning in to Obama just now go to barackobama.com and read his "Blueprint for Change"

OBAMA '08!! OBAMA '12!!

I hope I can make this happen again.

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Best IMDB Review Ever

film is beautiful, 20 November 2000

Author: martin_bilodeau

This city is a wonderful world, with wonderfuls laughs and wonderful gifts...

but the Grinch (JIM CARREY) is not happy. Bad guy, green and alone with his dog to the top of a mount, he hates Christmas with his colors, costumes...and gifts. A little girl who doesn't understand why he hates this birthday, but she'll discover soon. Also, she'll discover that Christmas is a FAMILY and FRIENDSHIP birthday...

Director Ron Howard (Apollo 13 - Ransom - Ed-tv) directs very well. Yes, Jim Carrey is Jim Carrey, but in his costume and his make-up (Rick Baker) make his character an other dimension. The camera of Howard multiplies travelling and panoramic. Jim Carrey is often in the camera to show us his « real » face... extraordinary.

The film is coming very early, but the magic, the power of the art direction and set decoration are so fantastics and greats; the world of this city is like a dream, a dream of 120 minutes.

Jim carrey is sensationnal; Ron Howard's directing is brilliant subject is cool and amazing... childrens and adults will adore

..and that's it. Go search out that guy's other reviews for more amusement

Hillary Clinton's most recent typical campaign ad begins with her saying, "If you're looking for a typical political commercial, change the channel. Because this is an apolitical election."

I was thinking about why that line is particularly cringe-worthy. Aside from the obvious fact that she goes on to sound like a wonky politician for the next 45 seconds, just like every other commercial she's put out, it's the fact that she actually thinks someone might be sitting down in front of his or her television set, saying, "Gee, I sure hope I see a typical political commercial when I turn the TV on." Nobody wants to see that shit!

When I turn the TV on, I want to see dinosaur fights. Not political commercials. Get outta here with all that noise.

Hahaha.

Richard didn't know Charlton Heston had just died. Here is our conversation:

Me: Heston's dead, man.
Richard: Well, I guess we can finally take that gun...