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Couldn't have said it better myself...
Seriously, here's hoping that the women of America educate themselves about the candidates and vote for the ones that support issues they believe in. On the issues, Sarah Palin is nothing like Hillary Clinton, and I'm certainly not going to vote for a ticket just because they added a woman to it.
Also, Gail Collins and Frank Rich both had good columns this weekend. Collins addresses Palin's nomination, and Rich goes broader to discuss how the media consistently gets the campaign narratives wrong. (Just when you thought I was done trying to make you all read the newspaper!)
Next week, the Republican National Convention... *shudder*
Seriously, here's hoping that the women of America educate themselves about the candidates and vote for the ones that support issues they believe in. On the issues, Sarah Palin is nothing like Hillary Clinton, and I'm certainly not going to vote for a ticket just because they added a woman to it.
Also, Gail Collins and Frank Rich both had good columns this weekend. Collins addresses Palin's nomination, and Rich goes broader to discuss how the media consistently gets the campaign narratives wrong. (Just when you thought I was done trying to make you all read the newspaper!)
Next week, the Republican National Convention... *shudder*
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It's easy to do. Just eat everything. Then have some more.
Seriously. 12,000 calories a day. I can't even imagine. Of course, I don't spend my whole day swimming and working out. Michael Phelps is not normal.
LOL :D
ETA: Also, I moved today. It is more stressful with my mother along trying to organize things. But I am here now and am trying to relax.
Seriously. 12,000 calories a day. I can't even imagine. Of course, I don't spend my whole day swimming and working out. Michael Phelps is not normal.
"This man is in a very, very different place to the rest of us. He's 6ft 4in and 192lb of pure joy. From a female perspective, obviously. Though I probably shouldn't say that."
LOL :D
ETA: Also, I moved today. It is more stressful with my mother along trying to organize things. But I am here now and am trying to relax.
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LOL. My boss just accidentally called me from her desk ten feet away from mine. This is the most exciting thing to happen yet this morning. The semester ended yesterday, so we have no patrons. Even if we did, the circulation system is down for a software upgrade, so we can't do much for them anyway. (There are bins of books waiting to be checked in on Monday morning. Yay!) In the meantime, I'm again reading random things in the papers. I do have a book to start, but I'm suffering from short attention span always lately.
I've got a follow up from yesterday's Talula, etc. story. From the Times, more truly awful baby names! Anyone else think Tackle Feigenbutz would be at home inside a Dr. Seuss story?
People are actually writing viruses for Macs these days. Guess I'll have to actually get a virus checker again eventually.
I've also been trying to follow some of the goings-on at the Lambeth Conference. This is all kind of a big deal in the world of Christianity, and the US Episcopal Church is right at the center of a potentially schism causing controversy. Today it's reported that an Anglican "inquisition" could become reality if a new proposal is approved.
And finally, the new X-Files movie opens in the US today! Maybe I'm just travelling in the wrong circles, but I don't feel like there's been a ton of hype for it, which may be a good thing. I don't have any concrete expectations, other than wanting to see some more Mulder and Scully chasing weird paranormal stuff, so hopefully it won't dissapoint.
I've got a follow up from yesterday's Talula, etc. story. From the Times, more truly awful baby names! Anyone else think Tackle Feigenbutz would be at home inside a Dr. Seuss story?
People are actually writing viruses for Macs these days. Guess I'll have to actually get a virus checker again eventually.
I've also been trying to follow some of the goings-on at the Lambeth Conference. This is all kind of a big deal in the world of Christianity, and the US Episcopal Church is right at the center of a potentially schism causing controversy. Today it's reported that an Anglican "inquisition" could become reality if a new proposal is approved.
And finally, the new X-Files movie opens in the US today! Maybe I'm just travelling in the wrong circles, but I don't feel like there's been a ton of hype for it, which may be a good thing. I don't have any concrete expectations, other than wanting to see some more Mulder and Scully chasing weird paranormal stuff, so hopefully it won't dissapoint.
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Bears eat two workers in remote Russian region. Yes, that's a real headline.
What not to name your children: Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii. Some people don't seem to see the line between a unique and creative name and plain old cruelty.
TV at the pump is here. Apparently, if you are bombarded with ads while pumping your gas, you're more likely to spend money on a car wash or a chocolate bar. What will they think of next?
The NYT Arts section loves Brideshead Revisited this week. A new
film version opens tomorrow, yielding inevitable comparisons with the 80s
miniseries. From what I've read, it seems like the new film has some significant changes to the narrative, so I'm definitely curious to see how it turns out.
What not to name your children: Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii. Some people don't seem to see the line between a unique and creative name and plain old cruelty.
TV at the pump is here. Apparently, if you are bombarded with ads while pumping your gas, you're more likely to spend money on a car wash or a chocolate bar. What will they think of next?
The NYT Arts section loves Brideshead Revisited this week. A new
film version opens tomorrow, yielding inevitable comparisons with the 80s
miniseries. From what I've read, it seems like the new film has some significant changes to the narrative, so I'm definitely curious to see how it turns out.
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Here's what's going on today in handy list format:
1) I have my car back! The coolant now stays in the radiator.
2) The Library of Congress has selected the new United States poet laureate. Her name is Kay Ryan, and she "has a distinctive and widely imitated style that involves steep enjambment, carefully positioned but irregular rhymes and a kind of off-kilter aphoristic wisdom." Definitely a writer I'll be looking into.
3) David Duchovny has a blog, and it's kind of amusing. There are at least a couple X-Files fans among my friends who may appreciate random comments like this: "patrick stewart was the first internet sex symbol with hair but pileggi always thought it was him."
4) We have cable! I think we're supposed to only have about 20 channels, but we've actually got 74. Way cool! This means I can watch the Food Network again. Right now they're making pie. I want a pie.
5) I've recently watched "The Ambassadors of Death," "Inferno," and "Terror of the Autons." I'm really digging the Pertwee era and the whole UNIT family. All three of these were good stories, and "Inferno" is especially enjoyable. (It has an alternate universe with Evil!Brig. He has an eyepatch. Awesome.) Jumping to the future, "The Creature from the Pit" has plenty of cheese, but is still pretty darned entertaining.
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d4ni thinks I should be packing--or should have done so two days ago--but my flight's not for another thirteen whole hours. I say, what's the rush?
1) I have my car back! The coolant now stays in the radiator.
2) The Library of Congress has selected the new United States poet laureate. Her name is Kay Ryan, and she "has a distinctive and widely imitated style that involves steep enjambment, carefully positioned but irregular rhymes and a kind of off-kilter aphoristic wisdom." Definitely a writer I'll be looking into.
3) David Duchovny has a blog, and it's kind of amusing. There are at least a couple X-Files fans among my friends who may appreciate random comments like this: "patrick stewart was the first internet sex symbol with hair but pileggi always thought it was him."
4) We have cable! I think we're supposed to only have about 20 channels, but we've actually got 74. Way cool! This means I can watch the Food Network again. Right now they're making pie. I want a pie.
5) I've recently watched "The Ambassadors of Death," "Inferno," and "Terror of the Autons." I'm really digging the Pertwee era and the whole UNIT family. All three of these were good stories, and "Inferno" is especially enjoyable. (It has an alternate universe with Evil!Brig. He has an eyepatch. Awesome.) Jumping to the future, "The Creature from the Pit" has plenty of cheese, but is still pretty darned entertaining.
6)
d4ni thinks I should be packing--or should have done so two days ago--but my flight's not for another thirteen whole hours. I say, what's the rush?The Dancing video is in the New York Times! I first saw it when tsukara posted it a couple weeks ago, and if you haven't yet, you really should watch. Just see if it doesn't make you smile. :D
When I e-mailed this to my mom, she responded, "Was I supposed to cry?" I told her that was okay, cause I had too. A lot of times it seems like the world is all going to hell in a hula hoop, so I love the simple things that show there are good things out there too.
tsukara posted it a couple weeks ago, and if you haven't yet, you really should watch. Just see if it doesn't make you smile. :DWhen I e-mailed this to my mom, she responded, "Was I supposed to cry?" I told her that was okay, cause I had too. A lot of times it seems like the world is all going to hell in a hula hoop, so I love the simple things that show there are good things out there too.
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I meant to post this yesterday, but I forgot. (I was busy falling asleep reading If on a winter's night a traveler.)
The New York Times published an article in yesterday's science section about Belgian librarian Paul Otlet, who envisioned a global network of electric telescopes to connect people all over the world with information. Today we call that the internet. But in 1934, Otlet was trying to classify everything ever published. With index cards. (Which reminds me of my cataloging class in 2007... but that was just a bit of a time warp.)
From the article by Alex Wright:
It all boils down to this: Librarians are smarter than you. We know the future.
The New York Times published an article in yesterday's science section about Belgian librarian Paul Otlet, who envisioned a global network of electric telescopes to connect people all over the world with information. Today we call that the internet. But in 1934, Otlet was trying to classify everything ever published. With index cards. (Which reminds me of my cataloging class in 2007... but that was just a bit of a time warp.)
From the article by Alex Wright:
Although Otlet’s proto-Web relied on a patchwork of analog technologies like index cards and telegraph machines, it nonetheless anticipated the hyperlinked structure of today’s Web. “This was a Steampunk version of hypertext,” said Kevin Kelly, former editor of Wired, who is writing a book about the future of technology.Wright also likens Otlet's project to the Semantic Web, in the sense that it's quite possibly overcomplicated and doomed.
It all boils down to this: Librarians are smarter than you. We know the future.
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There's an article this morning about Russell T Davies and Doctor Who in, of all places, The New York Times. The main focus is on Davies's introduction of gay characters into mainstream TV, and touches a little on the history and popularity of Doctor Who. They even included video clips from both Doctor Who and Torchwood!
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The primaries are officially over, and we finally have a Democratic nominee! Hillary Clinton hasn't conceded yet, but hopefully that will come soon. It's time for her to bow out with some grace so that the party can unite around Barack Obama. Maybe Clinton will be the VP nominee, maybe not, but for right now, she just needs to chill.
I love my news links, since reading the papers is how I keep myself occupied at work. Just for fun, we're going international today. The New York Times has an interesting round up of international reactions. What was most interesting to me were the numerous statements that Obama has the potential to change foreign perceptions of the United States for the better. That's definitely something we need right now.
In the Times Online, Gerard Baker wonders if Obama can fulfill the American dream. He writes:
And finally, John Ibbotson of the Globe and Mail offers and analysis of the Clinton campaign. The simplest explanation:
I love my news links, since reading the papers is how I keep myself occupied at work. Just for fun, we're going international today. The New York Times has an interesting round up of international reactions. What was most interesting to me were the numerous statements that Obama has the potential to change foreign perceptions of the United States for the better. That's definitely something we need right now.
In the Times Online, Gerard Baker wonders if Obama can fulfill the American dream. He writes:
In 220 years a country that has steadily multiplied in diversity, where ethnic minorities and women have risen to the very highest positions in so many fields of human life, has chosen a succession of 42 white men as its leader. For good measure, the vice-presidency, the only other nationally directly elected position in the US government, has been held by a succession of 46 white males
But last night, in a tumultuous break with this long history, the ultimate realisation of the American dream moved a little closer, and a black man became his party’s nominee for the presidency.
And finally, John Ibbotson of the Globe and Mail offers and analysis of the Clinton campaign. The simplest explanation:
Everything Hillary Clinton wanted to be, Barack Obama turned out to be also, only better.
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Hillary Clinton won the Puerto Rico primary, as expected. Puerto Rico is, well, weird. They get a sizable delegation for the Democratic primary, but they don't vote in the general election. Very strange.
Also this weekend, the DNC awarded half a vote to each delegate from Michigan and Florida so that Hillary would finally just LET IT GO ALREADY. But she might not, cause it's just soooo unfair and all. Next election cycle, trying playing by the rules, and you'll get all your delegates! That simple! 48 other states, plus Puerto Rico and Guam and all the other tiny island territories got it right!
Speaking of playing by the rules, the primary contest is about winning delegates, but Hillary is still insisting that it's actually about the popular vote. (So the delegates should support her. Obviously.)
So if Obama wins South Dakota and Montana, will she quit grasping at straws, or just come up with a new mathematically impossible scenario?
I just learned from this article that some high schools do not have a mandatory lunch period. Now when they try to schedule one, students complain. WHAT? Apparently, it is more important to take an extra AP course than to eat.
Any time I read about the overachieving high school culture, it depresses me. This is why I hated high school! By my senior year I got so sick of it I opted to take "regular" government and a fun foreign policy class, no math class, and "systems of the earth" instead of AP science, against the counselor's advice. Instead of spending half my day in classes I wasn't all that interested in, I got to concentrate on the things I did like: English, Spanish, Music, Art... going home one period early... So maybe 5 more AP classes would have got me into Yale (but probably not) and I had a pretty good time at my state school. :D (Go Bucks!)
Also, who doesn't like lunch? My school day began at 7:25, and lunch didn't start until noon, by which time I was really, really hungry. EAT SOMETHING YOU STUDIOUS FREAK CHILDREN!!
Also this weekend, the DNC awarded half a vote to each delegate from Michigan and Florida so that Hillary would finally just LET IT GO ALREADY. But she might not, cause it's just soooo unfair and all. Next election cycle, trying playing by the rules, and you'll get all your delegates! That simple! 48 other states, plus Puerto Rico and Guam and all the other tiny island territories got it right!
Speaking of playing by the rules, the primary contest is about winning delegates, but Hillary is still insisting that it's actually about the popular vote. (So the delegates should support her. Obviously.)
Mrs. Clinton, in the interview, in a new television advertisement and in her victory speech in San Juan, laid out why superdelegates should rally around her. She argued that by the time the final vote is counted, she will have more popular votes than Mr. Obama, an assertion that has been disputed.
So if Obama wins South Dakota and Montana, will she quit grasping at straws, or just come up with a new mathematically impossible scenario?
I just learned from this article that some high schools do not have a mandatory lunch period. Now when they try to schedule one, students complain. WHAT? Apparently, it is more important to take an extra AP course than to eat.
While many parents support the enforced lunch policy, students complained that it could result in confusing schedules, longer lines in the cafeteria, less time for after-school clubs, and more homework because classes will meet fewer times.
Any time I read about the overachieving high school culture, it depresses me. This is why I hated high school! By my senior year I got so sick of it I opted to take "regular" government and a fun foreign policy class, no math class, and "systems of the earth" instead of AP science, against the counselor's advice. Instead of spending half my day in classes I wasn't all that interested in, I got to concentrate on the things I did like: English, Spanish, Music, Art... going home one period early... So maybe 5 more AP classes would have got me into Yale (but probably not) and I had a pretty good time at my state school. :D (Go Bucks!)
Also, who doesn't like lunch? My school day began at 7:25, and lunch didn't start until noon, by which time I was really, really hungry. EAT SOMETHING YOU STUDIOUS FREAK CHILDREN!!
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My late birthday presents came from Amazon yesterday! Dad gave me cash, so I ordered Doctor Who Series 1 on DVD and Duffy's new album Rockferry. :D
Five day weekend coming up! Mom is moving back from Phoenix, and since she's coming through KC on the way, I decided to go home with her. Monday is Memorial Day and I'm taking Tuesday and Wednesday off to spend in Columbus. I haven't seen any of my family since I moved here in February, so I'm pretty excited.
David Brooks writes today about the cultural cachet of geekdom. He says, "in a relatively short period of time, the social structure has flipped. For as it is written, the last shall be first and the geek shall inherit the earth."
This morning I discovered GraphJam, thanks to a post at The Park Bench. The graphs there are more fun than anything that I remember from math classes. (Calculus, if I recall, was all about a man walking away from a lamppost.) ( Tears for Fears as a Pie Chart )
Sadly, there is no Battlestar Galactica or Doctor Who tonight, and no more Moonlight ever! Whatever shall I do? There is that Bollywood movie from Netflix though... :)
Five day weekend coming up! Mom is moving back from Phoenix, and since she's coming through KC on the way, I decided to go home with her. Monday is Memorial Day and I'm taking Tuesday and Wednesday off to spend in Columbus. I haven't seen any of my family since I moved here in February, so I'm pretty excited.
David Brooks writes today about the cultural cachet of geekdom. He says, "in a relatively short period of time, the social structure has flipped. For as it is written, the last shall be first and the geek shall inherit the earth."
This morning I discovered GraphJam, thanks to a post at The Park Bench. The graphs there are more fun than anything that I remember from math classes. (Calculus, if I recall, was all about a man walking away from a lamppost.) ( Tears for Fears as a Pie Chart )
Sadly, there is no Battlestar Galactica or Doctor Who tonight, and no more Moonlight ever! Whatever shall I do? There is that Bollywood movie from Netflix though... :)
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- family,
- geekery,
- in the news,
- travel,
- tv
Yesterday, a federal appeals court upheld a 2006 ruling in federal district court and found that US paper currency is discriminatory towards the blind and visually impaired. Currently, various denominations are indistinguishable by touch because all paper curency is of the same size and texture.
From the Times: “Of the more than 180 countries that issue paper currency,” Judge Robertson wrote in his decision a year and a half ago, “only the United States prints bills that are identical in size and color in all their denominations.”
This seems to be a case where doing it a different way than everyone else pretty much means, well, UR DOIN IT WRONG. Read the whole story here.
So question to the non-Americans on my f-list: How is your money different, specifically, how does it feel different? I know Canadian bills use lots of pretty colors, but I can't say I spent much time feeling my money when I was there. Loonies and toonies are easy to tell apart, though! I still think we should scrap the one dollar bill and make it a coin, like they do in civilized countries.
I'll be interested to see where this story goes. Americans seem pretty resistant to change, as far as money is concerned, otherwise the penny would be history and we'd all carry those gold dollars. The decision can still be appealed further and potentially overturned, or we could be seeing major changes to US currency in years to come.
From the Times: “Of the more than 180 countries that issue paper currency,” Judge Robertson wrote in his decision a year and a half ago, “only the United States prints bills that are identical in size and color in all their denominations.”
This seems to be a case where doing it a different way than everyone else pretty much means, well, UR DOIN IT WRONG. Read the whole story here.
So question to the non-Americans on my f-list: How is your money different, specifically, how does it feel different? I know Canadian bills use lots of pretty colors, but I can't say I spent much time feeling my money when I was there. Loonies and toonies are easy to tell apart, though! I still think we should scrap the one dollar bill and make it a coin, like they do in civilized countries.
I'll be interested to see where this story goes. Americans seem pretty resistant to change, as far as money is concerned, otherwise the penny would be history and we'd all carry those gold dollars. The decision can still be appealed further and potentially overturned, or we could be seeing major changes to US currency in years to come.
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It feels like this has been an extrememly long week for some reason. Maybe because I haven't been sleeping enough, but you'll have that. The weekend is finally (almost) here, though (not quite, cause I'm at work for another hour), and I've got plenty of reasons to be excited (other than being easily excitable).
Tonight is the season finale of Moonlight, and there's a new episode of Battlestar Galactica for my Kara and Laura fix. Afterwards, I'm going to see Prince Caspian with friends. The Narnia books are some of my all time favorites, and the movie looks awesome.
Tomorrow is the Turkey Creek Festival.d4ni and I have no idea what it is, but it's at the park a couple blocks from our apartment. We know there is a parade involved. Basically, it promises to be amusing (either amusingly lame or legitimately fun, though probably the former). And Saturday night there's new Doctor Who!
Today is the end of finals week, so there have hardly been any people in the libary all morning. It's eerily quiet. I did some shelving (which was actually okay, cause it was the lit section, so the books aren't ten pounds each and actually look interesting), then spent a quality hour cleaning all the keyboards. YUCK! I now never want to use public computers ever again and have thouroughly rid my hands of all forms of bacteria. Sweet. At least I got paid today, so it (kind of) makes up for it.
In this morning's news, the International Association of Athletics Federations has ruled that double amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius is eligible to run in the Olympic Games. I'm impressed by anyone who can run that fast, let alone a man with two prosthetic legs, so I'm glad they're letting him compete. (Also, I think discrimination against the disabled justified by science is still discrimination.) I honestly don't think runners are going to start amputating limbs to get prosthetic ones, and I think critics who cite that as a potential problem are vastly underestimating the stigma attached to disability that would prevent people from doing so.
Elsewhere in the world of sports, Speedo is involved in a monopoly suit. Supposedly their new full body suit could monopolize the competitive swimwear market. Now, I don't care if full body swim suits can shave off a few seconds of time, I'm still against them. Why? Swimmers have some of the fittest bodies ever and it's significantly less fun to watch men's swimming if they're completely covered up.
Tonight is the season finale of Moonlight, and there's a new episode of Battlestar Galactica for my Kara and Laura fix. Afterwards, I'm going to see Prince Caspian with friends. The Narnia books are some of my all time favorites, and the movie looks awesome.
Tomorrow is the Turkey Creek Festival.
d4ni and I have no idea what it is, but it's at the park a couple blocks from our apartment. We know there is a parade involved. Basically, it promises to be amusing (either amusingly lame or legitimately fun, though probably the former). And Saturday night there's new Doctor Who!Today is the end of finals week, so there have hardly been any people in the libary all morning. It's eerily quiet. I did some shelving (which was actually okay, cause it was the lit section, so the books aren't ten pounds each and actually look interesting), then spent a quality hour cleaning all the keyboards. YUCK! I now never want to use public computers ever again and have thouroughly rid my hands of all forms of bacteria. Sweet. At least I got paid today, so it (kind of) makes up for it.
In this morning's news, the International Association of Athletics Federations has ruled that double amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius is eligible to run in the Olympic Games. I'm impressed by anyone who can run that fast, let alone a man with two prosthetic legs, so I'm glad they're letting him compete. (Also, I think discrimination against the disabled justified by science is still discrimination.) I honestly don't think runners are going to start amputating limbs to get prosthetic ones, and I think critics who cite that as a potential problem are vastly underestimating the stigma attached to disability that would prevent people from doing so.
Elsewhere in the world of sports, Speedo is involved in a monopoly suit. Supposedly their new full body suit could monopolize the competitive swimwear market. Now, I don't care if full body swim suits can shave off a few seconds of time, I'm still against them. Why? Swimmers have some of the fittest bodies ever and it's significantly less fun to watch men's swimming if they're completely covered up.
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In today's NY Times, Bob Herbert discusses the potential impact of the "Millenial" Generation on the upcoming election. Defining a generation is a tricky business, and I tend to dislike the implied group think of some generational models, but I digress. No matter what they're calling it these days (once upon a time it was Generation Y, I believe) they're talking about people my age.
And here's what we've got to look forward to, apparently: "This is a generation that is in danger of being left out of the American dream — the first American generation to do less well economically than their parents."
Not that my goal in life is to make lots of money (if so, maybe I'd have chosen pharmacy school instead of library school) but less well off than my parents? My family isn't and never was all that well off, so that's actually a pretty troubling prospect.
And here's what we've got to look forward to, apparently: "This is a generation that is in danger of being left out of the American dream — the first American generation to do less well economically than their parents."
Not that my goal in life is to make lots of money (if so, maybe I'd have chosen pharmacy school instead of library school) but less well off than my parents? My family isn't and never was all that well off, so that's actually a pretty troubling prospect.
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It was "amanuensis". From my dictionary:
amanuensis |əˌmanyoōˈensis|
noun ( pl. -ses |-ˌsēz|)
a literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.
Unfortunately, I don't think that's one I'll be able to insert into conversation that easily. When I was listening to the radio this morning I also learned a new meaning for the word "pants". Apparently "pants" can also be used as an adjective conveying that something is bad. (I was pretty confused the first time that DJ said a particular song was pants, since in the US pants are just trousers.)
Earlier this week, I watched Destiny of the Daleks with the Four and Romana II. I've yet to see an Romana I serials, but I really like Romana II. She's very smart and has a good sense of humour. She challenges the Doctor. And she has some great clothes. Expect a Classic Who picspam to be forthcoming!
Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, has an Op-Ed piece in today's Times arguing that the press is failing the American public. She writes:
Gail Collins, my favorite opinion columnist, also has a good piece from yesterday's paper about John McCain and pay equity. (It is, in fact, about an issue!) Reading something like this is pretty discouraging to me. Although McCain has worked very hard for this country, there are many, many issues that I disagree with him on... yet another reason I wish we could reach a conclusion to the Democratic primary. Let's see how the Democrats differ from McCain on the issues already!
amanuensis |əˌmanyoōˈensis|
noun ( pl. -ses |-ˌsēz|)
a literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.
Unfortunately, I don't think that's one I'll be able to insert into conversation that easily. When I was listening to the radio this morning I also learned a new meaning for the word "pants". Apparently "pants" can also be used as an adjective conveying that something is bad. (I was pretty confused the first time that DJ said a particular song was pants, since in the US pants are just trousers.)
Earlier this week, I watched Destiny of the Daleks with the Four and Romana II. I've yet to see an Romana I serials, but I really like Romana II. She's very smart and has a good sense of humour. She challenges the Doctor. And she has some great clothes. Expect a Classic Who picspam to be forthcoming!
Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Senator and presidential candidate John Edwards, has an Op-Ed piece in today's Times arguing that the press is failing the American public. She writes:
[News] is essential to an informed electorate. And an informed electorate is essential to freedom itself. But as long as corporations to which news gathering is not the primary source of income or expertise get to decide what information about the candidates “sells,” we are not functioning as well as we could if we had the engaged, skeptical press we deserve.It's a shame that candidates with good ideas--like Biden, Kucinich, or Dodd--get pushed out of the way because they don't have an exciting campaign narrative to excite the media.
Gail Collins, my favorite opinion columnist, also has a good piece from yesterday's paper about John McCain and pay equity. (It is, in fact, about an issue!) Reading something like this is pretty discouraging to me. Although McCain has worked very hard for this country, there are many, many issues that I disagree with him on... yet another reason I wish we could reach a conclusion to the Democratic primary. Let's see how the Democrats differ from McCain on the issues already!
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The election is getting kind of boring. We've had the Barack's minister scandal then the Hillary's imaginary Bosnian snipers scandal and we're still nearly away from the Pennsylvania primary. (Of course, if the Franklin County Board of Elections had just sent me my absentee ballet, this'd all be over by now. I was the missing Ohio swing vote.) Luckily, the folks over at the New York Times have found a way to make the election interesting and relevant lulz-worthy again with their feature on microtrends. Pollsters want to predict your vote based on what cereal you eat! Check it out:
You Might Be a Clinton Supporter if... you like Boca burgers.
You Might Be a McCain Supporter if... you like Power Bars.
You Might Be an Obama Supporter if... you like olive oil.
But what if I like Sun Chips, Panera Bread, and WholePaycheck Foods? What if I have no idea what my beef ate (before I ate it)? Who's going to market to me? How the hell do I decide who to vote for now?
Also: Since when is fishing a form of exercise, hypothetical John McCain supporters? I thought it was most sitting and waiting for something to bite.
You Might Be a Clinton Supporter if... you like Boca burgers.
You Might Be a McCain Supporter if... you like Power Bars.
You Might Be an Obama Supporter if... you like olive oil.
But what if I like Sun Chips, Panera Bread, and Whole
Also: Since when is fishing a form of exercise, hypothetical John McCain supporters? I thought it was most sitting and waiting for something to bite.
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Pope Benedict XVI, the leader of the Catholic Church, will visit the United States this week. The pontiff is scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C. tomorrow and to travel to New York City later in the week.
The New York Times and The Washington Post both have special coverage of papal visit, both of which include audio interviews with American Catholics. (Unfortunately, my computer at work has no speakers, so I can't listen to those just yet. From what I can tell, they seem to represent a variety of viewpoints, which should be interesting.) There are also plenty of articles addressing the divide between the Vatican and many American Catholics.
According to this article by Michelle Boorstein, one in ten American Catholics has left the faith, and many that remain disagree with the Vatican on a number of issues. She writes, "U.S. Catholics can't agree whether they're in crisis or renewal. All sides describe a community in dramatic demographic flux. Further, it is divided in key ways, including the importance of male clergy, immigration and the authority of not only Catholicism but also Christianity."
As a cradle Catholic and former Catholic school student, the issues and challenges of contemporary Catholicisim in the U.S. are a personal interest of mine. It's interesting to see some of the issues I grapple with in my own life highlighted in major newspapers. What seems clear, though, is that despite all the hoopla surrounding Pope Benedict's visit, it is highly unlikely that any of the conflicts in the American Catholic church will be resolved by it.
(BTW: Both websites require registration to read some articles, but it's free. Whether you read everyday or only occasionally, or if you just like doing the sudoku puzzles, it's worth the no money you'll spend on it!)
The New York Times and The Washington Post both have special coverage of papal visit, both of which include audio interviews with American Catholics. (Unfortunately, my computer at work has no speakers, so I can't listen to those just yet. From what I can tell, they seem to represent a variety of viewpoints, which should be interesting.) There are also plenty of articles addressing the divide between the Vatican and many American Catholics.
According to this article by Michelle Boorstein, one in ten American Catholics has left the faith, and many that remain disagree with the Vatican on a number of issues. She writes, "U.S. Catholics can't agree whether they're in crisis or renewal. All sides describe a community in dramatic demographic flux. Further, it is divided in key ways, including the importance of male clergy, immigration and the authority of not only Catholicism but also Christianity."
As a cradle Catholic and former Catholic school student, the issues and challenges of contemporary Catholicisim in the U.S. are a personal interest of mine. It's interesting to see some of the issues I grapple with in my own life highlighted in major newspapers. What seems clear, though, is that despite all the hoopla surrounding Pope Benedict's visit, it is highly unlikely that any of the conflicts in the American Catholic church will be resolved by it.
(BTW: Both websites require registration to read some articles, but it's free. Whether you read everyday or only occasionally, or if you just like doing the sudoku puzzles, it's worth the no money you'll spend on it!)
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