Given that my postulated presidential platform was "Stupid hats! For Everyone!!!" it's a fairly damning statement when I notice that there's some "serious ugly" on Christian's model's head... ;) I wish Tim, or whoever attempted to abscond with Daniel V's bags in the season 2 finale would succeed in losing the millinary atrocity for Christian. I also wish I could hear Ethan's comment on the aforementioned fugliness. We should have Bing-bing reunions for every PR finale, from now on! Who's with me on this? :)

In more exciting (um, for certain values of exciting, I suppose :) ) news, Susan has already finished one muff for the Bot Katamari-ing. Sans appliques, as they are felted, but thrilling none the less. Pictures to follow!

Part One of the Project Runway finale begins tonight, hence, I am soliciting predictions as to who the winner will be. Thanny opined previously that he's routing for Chris... Anyone else care to proffer a presage?

"
moar funny pictures" />

http://thehistoryblogger.blogspot.com/2007/08/orientalism.html
In light of Orientalism, do popular theories of how language functions + learning occurs (specifically the theory in the book Metaphors We Live By ) imply that ANY discursive project involving culture, practices, modes of expression, et al, outside of one's own* is necessarily colonizing?
* This is, of course, presuming that you can formulate some basis for simultaneously aggregating oneself and others into a group around some non-incidental set of characteristics, while also circumscribing these characteristics in such a way as to exclude various other people to produce catagories of "culture", "society" et al - in itself a dubious proposition. Granted, this is coming from someone "who uses the term 'socioeconomic' more often than anyone else I know" ( - Josh Frederick, junior year). I'm not denying that terms like "society" or "class" are useful in discussing certain patterns of behavior - but I have come to the conclusion (the really obvious conclusion, I might add) that since these catagories are not naturally occurring, essentialist aspects of human nature, nor are said catagories entirely self-evident, the boundaries of inclusion and exclusion are extremely mutable. Geographical position,and access to natural resources seem to be more stable "objective" (in the sense that two "reasonable" subjects who had devised some mutual scale of measurement could apply this scale to any other subject and agree as to the positionality of the subject in question on this scale) catagories, but, given forces such as "globalization", to what degree are impact of these catagories on identity formation negated? How do you justify the creation of other catagories of analysis, as well as who is included or excluded by these catagories? Conversely, at what peril do you ignore differentials between two people when analysizing texts they have produced? I, personally, am loathe to disregard how highly artificial catagories such as race and gender impact how a person defines emself, as well as how such designations do alter how the texts are interpreted, distributed, et al.
Also, I am amused that what began as a simple disclaimer for the purpose of posing a question turned into a diatribe of sorts, and exploration of a further quandry that appears to illustrate an infinite regression that can occur in any sort of persuit of knowledge. Eventually, it appears one ought declare eir assumptions and builds from there. :)

I'd appreciate hearing anyone's musings about either the link I posted, or the subjects I rambled about.

Due to currently residing at Sue's, I am indunuated with the deluge of dreck that comprises the programming of MSNBC/Fox News channels. A prime example of why I tend to be torn between loathing and bemusement when exposed to these channels is the "green" segment on "Morning Joe" - the gist of the segment was "being eco-conscious is a fun new role as a consumer!" Admittedly, I am far more passive regarding ecological responsibilty than the Kantian ought would dictate I should be. But, as someone who possesses a modicum of self-awareness, at least I'm not harboring any delusions that consuming additional resources beyond what I actually need is positively contributing to the 'common good'. Perhaps I'm just envious of blithe air of self-congratulation that the hosts seem to possess? Oh, wait, parsing this entry, one could reasonably conclude I have totally mastered that :) ... So, no, the unsound logic merely grates on me. At least that's what I'm concluding at this (sleep deprived) juncture.

"I beat Mary at the internet" - Jeff, October 21, 2007

DAVID LYNCH'S
TIPS FOR A GREAT PROM.
BY NATHANIEL MISSILDINE

- - - -

Asking a Girl to Be Your Date

Don't be afraid to be a little timid and show how innocent you truly are. This will put her at ease. Remember, you are a wholesome, all-American guy and she's the apple-cheeked girl next door. Don't hesitate to use terms like "golly," "buster," and "swell" after she finally says yes.

Picking and Presenting the Right Corsage

This is crucial for many reasons, none of which I can go into. Select a corsage that comes in an oddly anachronistic box. Arrive at your date's house and present the corsage first. Then greet her mother and father warmly and promise you'll have their daughter home before midnight. Laugh together about this, even though you have no idea what exactly you're laughing about, nor why the father's entire head has turned a very unnatural purple color and is ballooning in size. Don't spend any time trying to figure out what's happening, however. After the father excuses himself, your date will descend the staircase very slowly. Pin the corsage on in the same slow motion. Be careful here not to stare too long at the flower once it's pinned on your date, as you may get a brief glimpse of your own yawning face aged 20 years and wearing brazenly applied clown makeup for a reason that is not yet clear to you. Bid the mother good night. "Gosh," you might want to say to yourself, "maybe the yellow corsage would have been better."

Driving to the Dance

Instead of listening to your CD player, tune your radio to a station with reception that fades in and out on an old Dinah Shore number but without any instrumentals, just the haunting voice. Hope it rains while you're in the car so that the streetlights of your small hometown are blurred and diffused in the windshield. Fix your wipers to move in sync with the hypnotic music that seems to go on and on while the storm rages just outside the warm cocoon of your automobile. Several blocks later, ignore the severed arm lying across the intersection. Yes, it was definitely a severed arm. Ask your date if she's excited. Reply that you're excited, too. Hold hands for only the last two minutes of your drive. Once you've arrived, open the door for her. Take her hand and enter your high-school gymnasium dazzled. Continue to let the chorus of the Dinah Shore song echo in your head for the rest of the evening, even as others around you dance to Linkin Park.

First Slow Dance

While you and your date sway gently to the music, tell her that you really like her ponytail. Don't answer when she asks you why you're speaking backward. This dance just might last forever. Or at least three and half hours.

Discovering
Your Social-Studies Teacher
in the Bathroom With Bloodied Hands
and Wearing a Platinum-Blond Wig

If this happens, your teacher, Mr. Rohrbauch, will appear oddly at peace. Joke about how this reminds you a little of the Teapot Dome scandal you all discussed yesterday in period 5. He won't respond, but keep smiling. Then maybe wrestle briefly with Mr. Rohrbauch, getting blood on yourself. This whole thing sounds really freaky and messed up, you say? Sure, I can see that. Hey, these are all just impressions.

Being Named Prom King and Queen

If you are named prom king and queen, which you almost certainly will be, because it's your destiny, walk confidently to the podium. Lose yourself in the klieg lights. Don't allow your date to clean up her face after her tears of joy cause her mascara to run. In fact, use a dropper to make sure it streaks all the way down her cheeks. This is now the time to embrace her. Hold back not at all. Tear at her dress. Pet heavily. From the corner of your eye, note Mr. Rohrbauch attacking several students, many of whom are now wearing featureless plaster masks. Continue necking furiously with your date despite the principal's attempts to stop you. Also, don't be alarmed when your date, for a second there, turns into another woman you've never seen before. This is normal.

Saying Good Night

Once again, don't feel bad at all about being shy. Back in the safety of your car, hold your date's hands tenderly one last time. Do not kiss here; this is not the place. Nor should you discuss anything you saw earlier that night. There's no point in trying to make sense of it. Say you hope you'll see her again soon. "Does this mean things will never be the same again and that the purity and beauty we once took for granted will be gone forever?" she might ask. This is, again, all open to interpretation.

Ways I've Let Down
Popular Musicians.

BY JOHN MOE

- - - -

Disappointed Chrissie Hynde by continuing to sob.

Permitted sun to go down on Elton John, thus failing him.

Failed to heed warning to stop in the name of love, broke Diana Ross's heart.

Was cruel to a heart that was true, much to the chagrin of Elvis Presley.

Stopped prior to getting enough, despite urging to the contrary by Michael Jackson.

Spoke even when told not to by Gwen Stefani.

Stopped believin', let go of the feelin', thereby enraging Steve Perry.

Clutched it too tightly, lost control, resulting in tersely worded letter from .38 Special.

Said "never"; Romeo Void merely shook their heads sadly.

Got together with only a few people, made no effort to love one another, received awkward phone call from the Youngbloods.

Monkees left at the station with only their worries after I missed the last train to Clarksville.

Failed to feel the noize, which doesn't seem like my fault, but Quiet Riot was still peeved.

Stayed perfectly sane, leaving Prince to go crazy by himself, which actually worked out best for everyone.

Went changing to try to please Billy Joel. Total fiasco.


- What really clenches this for me are the phrases "which actually worked out best for everyone" and "Total fiasco." Speaking of fiascos, anyone who appreciates hilarity should track down NPR's "This American Life" narrative entitled "Peter Pan", by Jack Hitt. I initially heard this in Terry Elliott's drama class sophomore year, and it still amuses me a decade later. It has one of the best progressions of the dawning realization of the absurdity that I've heard in recent memory. Ergo, I highly recommend it.
(In a semi-related note, did you know that this is Slashdot's ten year anniversary? :) )

Possible Titles
for Kanye West's
Next Album.

BY KRIS GIULIANI

- - - -

Grad School

Distance Learning

Taking a Year Off to Work in Your Field

Tedious Application Process

Cramming for the LSATs

Backpacking Through Europe for a While on Your Father's Credit Card

MBA

Soul-Crushing Entry-Level Position That Wears on Your Spirit, Your Integrity, Your Ambition, Involves Taking an Inordinate Amount of Shit From People Who Don't Even Have a Degree, and Doesn't Pay Enough to Even Make a Dent in Your Student Loans

Peace Corps

Leo July 23 - August 22

Set your inner child free this week! A bottle of disinfectant, a pair of grasping tongs, and an ordinary wire hanger are all you need!

This recalls the words of that great prophet, Ben Sheene, only less nuanced and subtle, no?

Richard Simmons freaks the fuck out on Letterman:
http://www.avclub.com/content/hater/letterman_vs_richard_simmons??utm_source=hater&utm_medium=RSS

Swanson's Hungry-Man Meals

Submitted by Mike Petrucelli

I don't think there's much that's new about these, judging by a quick look at the box. A bright yellow flag trumpets: "Over 1 lb. of food!" Not "More potatoes than ever before!" or "Now double meat!" or "A bigger brownie-looking thing." Just "food." More than a pound of it. Is that the best they could do? Would Jerry Bruckheimer crow about "Over 37 minutes of fire"? Would Hugh Hefner be content with "Over 20 sets of boobs"? I worry that uninspired marketing will erode the excitement and joy of eating conveniently packaged microwavable processed foods to the level of joyless face-stuffing.

Cough Syrup.

The cough syrup says on the bottle, "Makes Your Coughs More Productive," which is so cool, because that was my New Year's resolution.

- Thanny, this reminds me of you ! :)

After having this song haunt my memory for well over a year, I've discovered the name of it - Jens Lekman - The Cold Swedish Winter.

I've discovered, recently, that, while INTJs are only 3% of the population, two of my best friends and my current boyfriend are all INTJs on the Briggs-Myers personality type sorter. I queried Jeff, my ex boyfriend, and he is very close to being an INTJ, but is actually an ISTJ. That I seek out fellow introverts is unsurprising, but that I seem to be strongly drawn to the Thinking vs Feeling type is rather unexpected. Especially since we "feeling" types are supposed to be strongly adverse to interactions with the "thinking" types....
Anyway, now I'm curious as to what type my other friends would be slotted into - as well as anyone else's thoughts on the validity of such tests.
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

Update: Just queried Peter Burns, and he is an INTP....

Wed I return to Urbana for two whole weeks! This looks to be the best birthday I've had thus far! In the words of a brilliant philosopher (although not the brilliant philosopher who self-references with that title on his exams :) ) "And that's not even half what I can't fucking stand waiting to see!"

"what was golden went gray
and I'm suddenly shy ...
I have read the right books
to interpret your looks
you were knocking me down
with the palm of your eye..."
- yay for recontextualization! and appropriating the words of others!