Alright, it's really going to be two thoughts, mostly because I don't want to seem completely shallow.
1. I'm just starting The Audacity of Hope, and I've listened with interest to the preparation that President-Elect Obama has been making (yay, science!), and man, I am glad I voted for that guy.
2. I am totally, utterly annoyed that Heath Ledger is stealing all of Robert Downey, Jr.'s thunder this year just because he died. There. I said it. The Dark Knight was a trainwreck of a movie, nothing compared to Iron Man, and Downey, Jr.'s performance in Tropic Thunder blows The Joker out of the water. I am not looking forward to award season and seeing who the hell ever gets to go up and accept awards snivel over and over again about Heath Ledger while RDJ just sits there and looks like a hot, hot guy who fixed his shit instead of shuffling off the mortal coil. So there.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Awesome book of the day
Joyce, James, 1882-1941
Finnegans wake / by James Joyce
London : Faber and Faber ; New York : Viking, 1939
Limited first edition. 425 copies, numbered and signed. I think what gets me is holding such a book, maybe taking it in hand to write the call number in the back, and thinking "James Joyce held this book in a very similar manner, almost 70 years ago." It's not the 70 years that's so impressive in this case, but rather the James freaking Joyce part.
This is when I really love my job.
Finnegans wake / by James Joyce
London : Faber and Faber ; New York : Viking, 1939
Limited first edition. 425 copies, numbered and signed. I think what gets me is holding such a book, maybe taking it in hand to write the call number in the back, and thinking "James Joyce held this book in a very similar manner, almost 70 years ago." It's not the 70 years that's so impressive in this case, but rather the James freaking Joyce part.
This is when I really love my job.
War economy?
I've just finished reading Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, which might be my biggest accomplishment in 2008. I've actually been "reading" it for a couple of years now, half a chapter at a time, usually after I'd read another entire book or two. About a month ago I decided that enough was enough, and I was going to just finish the bloody thing already. There was quite a feeling of excitement upon finishing, let me tell you. I might have "raar"ed and thrown the book down (gently, of course). I'm not telling. But anyway, I had a point to make here.
One of the things that Zinn focuses quite a lot on is the way in which the US government, quite often, chooses to control society and the economy by engaging in wars. He makes his point quite clearly, and I started to think about how, in my memory, that's been true, what with the Bushes and the Middle East. I've also been thinking about how (if at all) the Obama presidency will differ from the way the government has been operating for a really long time. Obama does not fall into the standard mold, and so even if he represents the upper classes in his personal situation in life, he's still outside of that white, Anglo-Saxon (to coin Zinn's description of the presidency in general) box. Back to the war economy idea ... at one point in reading I chortled to the husband that at least with the way things are now, Obama was unlikely to fall back on that sort of operation. However, I'm rethinking that. Is it possible that we will just pull out of Iraq and jump right into Afghanistan? I guess what I am not sure about (being, you know, in no way qualified to talk about this sort of thing) is whether or not the "war economy strategy" will even work at this point, seeing as we're already knee-deep in such nonsense and it's certainly not doing anything for the economy right now.
I guess what I'm getting at is just that I hope the mold is good and broken. I hope that Obama is different enough to shake things up, and I hope that the system has reached the point where it no longer functions, and we need a new system. Fingers crossed, eh?
This is what I get for listening to NPR on the way to work...sometimes it's worth it, though, if only to hear Steve Inskeep say "SuperPoke!"
One of the things that Zinn focuses quite a lot on is the way in which the US government, quite often, chooses to control society and the economy by engaging in wars. He makes his point quite clearly, and I started to think about how, in my memory, that's been true, what with the Bushes and the Middle East. I've also been thinking about how (if at all) the Obama presidency will differ from the way the government has been operating for a really long time. Obama does not fall into the standard mold, and so even if he represents the upper classes in his personal situation in life, he's still outside of that white, Anglo-Saxon (to coin Zinn's description of the presidency in general) box. Back to the war economy idea ... at one point in reading I chortled to the husband that at least with the way things are now, Obama was unlikely to fall back on that sort of operation. However, I'm rethinking that. Is it possible that we will just pull out of Iraq and jump right into Afghanistan? I guess what I am not sure about (being, you know, in no way qualified to talk about this sort of thing) is whether or not the "war economy strategy" will even work at this point, seeing as we're already knee-deep in such nonsense and it's certainly not doing anything for the economy right now.
I guess what I'm getting at is just that I hope the mold is good and broken. I hope that Obama is different enough to shake things up, and I hope that the system has reached the point where it no longer functions, and we need a new system. Fingers crossed, eh?
This is what I get for listening to NPR on the way to work...sometimes it's worth it, though, if only to hear Steve Inskeep say "SuperPoke!"
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
To be read:
"Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically. The cataclysm has happened, we are among the ruins, we start to build up new little habitats, to have new little hopes. It is rather hard work: there is now no smooth road into the future: but we go round, or scramble over the obstacles. We've got to live, no matter how many skies have fallen."
~First paragraph of Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence.
The first American edition* is sitting just to the left of me, waiting to be cataloged. That first paragraph is fabulous. Why haven't I read this yet?
*Fine, so it's not the first Am. edition, but rather a reprint claiming to be such. Not that it matters, but I feel the need to truthfully represent the collection.
~First paragraph of Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H. Lawrence.
The first American edition* is sitting just to the left of me, waiting to be cataloged. That first paragraph is fabulous. Why haven't I read this yet?
*Fine, so it's not the first Am. edition, but rather a reprint claiming to be such. Not that it matters, but I feel the need to truthfully represent the collection.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Meme? Here?
1. What's your name?
Samantha. What's yours?
2. What is your favorite thing to wear?
Black.
3. Last thing you ate?
Lunch.
4. One place you will NEVER eat?
I tend to avoid McDonald's, but try to never say never.
5. I say 'shotgun,' you say:
Wedding?
6. Last person you hugged?
Andrew.
7. Does anyone you know wanna date you?
I don't know. I hope so. It's good for my ego.
8. Would you date anyone you met online?
I think I have...
9. Name something you like about your physical self:
I like my muscles.
10. The last place you went out to dinner?
Desert Moon Cafe.
11. Who is your best friend?
My husband.
12. What time of the day is it?
2:45 pm.
13. Who/What made you angry today?
Hearing Saxby Chambliss' victory speech on NPR. RAGE.
14. Baseball or football?
Baseball on TV, football live. Fencing FTW.
15. Ever gone skinny dipping?
I don't think so, actually.
16. Favorite type of food?
Sushi.
17. Favorite holiday:
Christmas.
18. Do you download music?
I did when I had a gift certificate to iTunes...
19. Do you care if your socks are dirty?
No.
20. Opinion of Chinese symbol tattoos?
I don't really care, but I will mock you if you are not fully aware of what your tattoo means.
21. Would you date the person who posted this?
No. She's definitely not my type. Lovely, but no.
22. Has anyone ever sung or played for you personally?
Yep.
23. Do you love anyone?
Lots of people.
24. Are colored contact lenses sexy?
That would depend on the color.
25. Have you ever bungee jumped?
No, but I think about it sometimes.
26. Have you ever gone white-water rafting?
Sort of. The rapids weren't very ... rapid-y, though.
27. Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you?
A few. Some successfully.
28. How many pets do you have?
2 kitties.
29. Have you met a real redneck?
I am from Georgia. You figure it out.
30. How is the weather right now?
Not cold enough.
31. What are you listening to right now?
Deep Blue Something.
32. What is your current favorite song?
"Busby Berkeley Dreams" by The Magnetic Fields.
33. What was the last movie you watched?
An Ideal Husband. It was fun!
34. Do you wear contacts?
Yes, quite.
35. Where was the last place you went besides your house?
Work, fencing.
36. What are you afraid of?
Spiders and death.
37. How many piercings have you had?
Three.
38. What further piercings do you want?
I keep saying I'll get an upper ear one...
39. What's one thing you've learned this year?
So many things that I can't think of just one.
40. What do you usually order from Starbucks?
Either a chai latte or hot tea.
41. What Magazines are you reading?
I subscribe to Self and Vegetarian Times.
42. Have you ever fired a gun:
Ick.
43. Are you missing someone?
Sure.
44. Favorite TV show?
Don't really have a favorite.
45. Do you have an obsession with WoW?
No, but I like The Guild.
46. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb?
Yes.
47. Which celeb do you look like?
I usually get Christina Ricci. I've also heard Winona Ryder, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, and Audrey Hepburn. No, seriously.
48. Who would you like to see right now?
Oh, you know, in a perfect world Robert Downey, Jr. would show up to do some research for a role...
49. Favorite movie of all time?
Singing in the Rain. I normally don't do favorites but I made an executive decision on this one.
50. Do you find yourself loved?
Yes.
51. Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to?
Of course.
52. Favorite smell?
Rain? I dunno.
53. Butter, plain, or salted popcorn?
Butter butter butter.
54. What's something that really bugs you?
Nearly everything at some point in time.
55. Do you like Michael Jackson?
I am ambivalent towards the Gloved One.
56. Taco Bell or Burger King?
Taco Bell, hands down.
57. What's your favorite perfume?
Anything "amber".
58. Favorite baseball team?
Go Twins!!
59. Ever call a 1-900 phone number?
I don't think so.
60. What's the longest time you've gone without sleep?
I've probably done about 24 hours.
61. Last time you went bowling?
Oh geez. In Bloomington? With Mari and Davin? Maybe?
62. Where is the weirdest place you have slept?
Please, I have enough trouble sleeping at home.
63. Who was your last phone call?
Probably Andrew. Or Ben.
64. Last time you were at work?
Currently.
65. What's the closest orange object to you?
My sweater's kind of orange...
Samantha. What's yours?
2. What is your favorite thing to wear?
Black.
3. Last thing you ate?
Lunch.
4. One place you will NEVER eat?
I tend to avoid McDonald's, but try to never say never.
5. I say 'shotgun,' you say:
Wedding?
6. Last person you hugged?
Andrew.
7. Does anyone you know wanna date you?
I don't know. I hope so. It's good for my ego.
8. Would you date anyone you met online?
I think I have...
9. Name something you like about your physical self:
I like my muscles.
10. The last place you went out to dinner?
Desert Moon Cafe.
11. Who is your best friend?
My husband.
12. What time of the day is it?
2:45 pm.
13. Who/What made you angry today?
Hearing Saxby Chambliss' victory speech on NPR. RAGE.
14. Baseball or football?
Baseball on TV, football live. Fencing FTW.
15. Ever gone skinny dipping?
I don't think so, actually.
16. Favorite type of food?
Sushi.
17. Favorite holiday:
Christmas.
18. Do you download music?
I did when I had a gift certificate to iTunes...
19. Do you care if your socks are dirty?
No.
20. Opinion of Chinese symbol tattoos?
I don't really care, but I will mock you if you are not fully aware of what your tattoo means.
21. Would you date the person who posted this?
No. She's definitely not my type. Lovely, but no.
22. Has anyone ever sung or played for you personally?
Yep.
23. Do you love anyone?
Lots of people.
24. Are colored contact lenses sexy?
That would depend on the color.
25. Have you ever bungee jumped?
No, but I think about it sometimes.
26. Have you ever gone white-water rafting?
Sort of. The rapids weren't very ... rapid-y, though.
27. Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you?
A few. Some successfully.
28. How many pets do you have?
2 kitties.
29. Have you met a real redneck?
I am from Georgia. You figure it out.
30. How is the weather right now?
Not cold enough.
31. What are you listening to right now?
Deep Blue Something.
32. What is your current favorite song?
"Busby Berkeley Dreams" by The Magnetic Fields.
33. What was the last movie you watched?
An Ideal Husband. It was fun!
34. Do you wear contacts?
Yes, quite.
35. Where was the last place you went besides your house?
Work, fencing.
36. What are you afraid of?
Spiders and death.
37. How many piercings have you had?
Three.
38. What further piercings do you want?
I keep saying I'll get an upper ear one...
39. What's one thing you've learned this year?
So many things that I can't think of just one.
40. What do you usually order from Starbucks?
Either a chai latte or hot tea.
41. What Magazines are you reading?
I subscribe to Self and Vegetarian Times.
42. Have you ever fired a gun:
Ick.
43. Are you missing someone?
Sure.
44. Favorite TV show?
Don't really have a favorite.
45. Do you have an obsession with WoW?
No, but I like The Guild.
46. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb?
Yes.
47. Which celeb do you look like?
I usually get Christina Ricci. I've also heard Winona Ryder, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, and Audrey Hepburn. No, seriously.
48. Who would you like to see right now?
Oh, you know, in a perfect world Robert Downey, Jr. would show up to do some research for a role...
49. Favorite movie of all time?
Singing in the Rain. I normally don't do favorites but I made an executive decision on this one.
50. Do you find yourself loved?
Yes.
51. Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to?
Of course.
52. Favorite smell?
Rain? I dunno.
53. Butter, plain, or salted popcorn?
Butter butter butter.
54. What's something that really bugs you?
Nearly everything at some point in time.
55. Do you like Michael Jackson?
I am ambivalent towards the Gloved One.
56. Taco Bell or Burger King?
Taco Bell, hands down.
57. What's your favorite perfume?
Anything "amber".
58. Favorite baseball team?
Go Twins!!
59. Ever call a 1-900 phone number?
I don't think so.
60. What's the longest time you've gone without sleep?
I've probably done about 24 hours.
61. Last time you went bowling?
Oh geez. In Bloomington? With Mari and Davin? Maybe?
62. Where is the weirdest place you have slept?
Please, I have enough trouble sleeping at home.
63. Who was your last phone call?
Probably Andrew. Or Ben.
64. Last time you were at work?
Currently.
65. What's the closest orange object to you?
My sweater's kind of orange...
Cut that out!
injunction:
1. The act or an instance of enjoining: order,admonition
2. A writ granted by a court of equity whereby one is required to do or to refrain from doing a specified act.
Enjoining? To direct or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition.
Brought to you by Howard Zinn and the ever-present M-W.com.
1. The act or an instance of enjoining: order,admonition
2. A writ granted by a court of equity whereby one is required to do or to refrain from doing a specified act.
Enjoining? To direct or impose by authoritative order or with urgent admonition.
Brought to you by Howard Zinn and the ever-present M-W.com.
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