If you're in NY this Friday, come see my burlesque debut!

I just read this at Feministe and it really perfectly sums up how I feel:

"So here’s how I’ve been feeling about the inauguration. I usually treat idealistic, buoyant optimism like I’m handling a dirty rag that I’ve just used to mop up cat pee, but at this point I’m getting a little infected. Much has been said about Obamamania, whether people are getting too emotional or too starry-eyed; even the president himself keeps warning everyone how hard it’s going to be, starting today. I spent yesterday afternoon in a sort of nervous panic about how it’s all going to be so disappointing before long, and everyone’s going to start yelling at each other again, and, and, and.

But I’m reminded that there’s one thing that leaders should clearly do, no matter the situation: inspire the people they lead and make them want to be better. We haven’t had that for a long time. It chokes me up."

I mean, why does everyone want to return to cynicism so much? It's not like we have to choose between either optimism or cynicism. Can't we all just keep a positive attitude, roll up our sleeves, and get to work, since that is what we are being inspired and called upon to do?

Additionally, check out this video, found through Feministe, of the Obama's dancing at the inaugural ball (the first of many they attended last night):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DhhR_R45f8&eurl=http://www.google.com/reader/view/&feature=player_embedded

I find it so refreshing to have, for the first time in my memory, a first couple that actually appears to like each other, and who express their caring in a healthy and warm way. Maybe this example is really what the "American Family" has needed all along. Not pleas and protestations of who we should love or how, but a living, breathing example.

And sure, we only see so much and sure there's time yet for things to go wrong, but isn't that true with every moment of each of our lives? And do you approach your own life, every morning, waiting for the other shoe to drop and for things to go wrong? Or do you try and make what you can of what you have, taking each trial and tribulation as it comes, but not anticipating your downfall daily?

I will not apologize for once again believing in the country my father raised me to participate in and love. There is nothing wrong with hope, nor does belief in something make you foolish, even if what you believe in fails you. Will I hold Obama accountable? Yes. Will I wait for things to nit pick at? Probably. But will I believe that, finally, when our president hears our nitpicking (Isn't it cool to have a president that wants to listen to us? US!) that he will do what he believes is best for the country? Indeed, I will.

BART police shoot and kill innocent man, then confiscate riders cameras and video phones as "evidence"

Story here:

http://www.feministe.us/blog/archives/2009/01/07/execution-style/

What you can do about it here:
http://www.racewire.org/archives/2009/01/5_things_you_can_do_right_now_1.html

Please share this story.

***UPDATE: Please take a minute to sign the online petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/daisies/petition.html ***


Hi Friends,

I come to you with a frivolous plea. Please go here: http://abc.go.com/primetime/pushingdaisies/index?pn=index select the "Watch Online Now" link to the left, and watch this season of Pushing Daisies.

If you aren't familiar with it, this show is one of the best programs to hit TV in ages. Everything about it is right: the characters, the story line, the plot, the sets, the costumes, and the story telling. It's a beautiful show. Pushing Daisies is modern fairy tale for grown ups, a murder mystery, a comedy, a love story and an all around great program. The premise is a bit complex, so you may need to watch the first episode of season two a couple of times, but trust me, it is SO worth it. Basically, Ned, who is a pie maker, can bring people back from the dead. However, if that reanimated person/animal is alive for more than 60 seconds, something else, generally nearby, will die. This keeps the universe in balance. Ned uses this skill to help a Private Investigator solve murder mysteries, and he gets part of the cut. All is dandy until Ned's childhood love, Chuck, dies, and he brings her back for keeps. The last two seasons have primarily been about the relationship between Ned and Chuck (whilst solving a new murder each episode), as well as about the character histories of the slew of other leading characters (one of which is played by the woman who played Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors).

This show is like theater on TV. Every element (the setting, lights, costumes, etc) all work together to tell the same story. The story telling method is also brilliant. Please, watch it. This show is in jeopardy of not even completing this season and it is way, WAY to good to let that happen.

Thanks, Em 

So Pat's a dick, and Phillippe is my favorite, but...

mmm...yoga.
That is all.

YOU AREGuy Smiley


You scored 60% Organization, 63% abstract, and 25% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables.

First, this test measured how organized
you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean.

Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete
or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type.


Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert
or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself.

You are mostly organized, both concrete and abstract, and more introverted.


Here is why are you Guy Smiley:

You are both mostly organized. You have a good idea where you put things and you probably keep your place reasonably clean. You aren't totally obsessed with neatness though. Guy Smiley is your average Joe. He'll dress up and look nice for his game show, but he's not a neat freak.



You are both a concrete and abstract thinker. Guy Smiley uses his imagination to come up with ridiculous game shows. However he's concrete enough to stick by his rules and perform his role as host. You know when to be logical at times, but you also aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires... within limits of course.




You are both introverted. At first glance Guy Smiley may appear to be an extrovert given he hosts a popular show. But in reality he struggles to relate with other people. His prizes tend to just be Guy Smiley merchandise. For whatever reason you are a bit uncomfortable in social settings. You may have one or two people that you are close with. You'd rather do things by yourself and you dislike working in groups where things are always so inefficient.
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My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender : You scored higher than 51% on Organization You scored higher than 75% on concrete-abstra You scored higher than 1% on intro-extrovert

Link: The Your SESAME STREET Persona Test written by greencowsgomoo on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

You're Brigitte Bardot!


What Classic Pin-Up Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

http://www.nevashut.com/game/flash.asp
Ask him to dance. "Want to dance?"
It's great.

Does anyone know where I can go to see a doctor in the city if I dont have insurance?

I'm not even cool enough to be a nerd...

1. Go here.
2. Pass it on.
( my answers )

"Satan Calls Another Pope to Hell!

LANDOVER BAPTIST CHURCH | PUBLIC STATEMENT & PRESS RELEASE

Freehold, Iowa - Satan's minion here on Earth, the Pope, head of the largest cult in the world (Catholicism) is finally dead and back home with his father, Lucifer, in Hell. It is cause for great celebration among Baptists each time a Pope passes and descends into the Lake of Fire. At Landover Baptist, celebrations are already underway and will last all the way up until another skirt wearing old demon is elected as King of Pedophilia by an unsavory lot of the world's most elite homosexual Cardinals wearing demon red dresses. "

read more @ http://www.landoverbaptist.org/news0405/popedeath.html

Ooh, Aah, Fashion


"I Hate My Life"
go see more at http://www.stuffonmycat.com/

ENFJ- The Teacher
You scored 54% I to E, 21% N to S, 38% F to T, and 47% J to P!

Your type is known as the teacher, or the educating mentor. You also belong to the larger group, called idealists. You tend to bring out the best in other people. You lead without seeming to do so. People are naturally drawn to you. You expect the very best from people which takes the form of enthusiastic encouragement which is so charming that people try their best not to disappoint you. You share your personality type with 3% of the population.
You need to feel a deep and meaningful connection to your romantic partners, and go to great lengths to understand and please your mate. Harmony is vitally important to you, and you often put others' needs before your own. You have a pretty thin skin and are easily hurt. Although you strive for harmony, when your values or ethics are violated, you can be very emotional, confrontational, and even punishing. However, you are very insightful about the underlying cause of conflicts, and an excellent communicator, so you have the tools to bring about a quick and peaceful resolution as long as you can keep control of your facilities. You want to be appreciated for your thoughtfulness and compassion. You need your partner to make a real effort to get to know you. Above all, you need to be able to express your feelings and have them taken seriously.

Link: The LONG Scientific Personality Test

Neit
Indeed, you are 75% erudite, 75% sensual, 66% martial, and 70% saturnine.
Neit, who was said to have emerged from the primeval water to create the world, is one of the oldest Egyptian Goddesses. Although the Egyptians believed that Neit was of both a masculine and feminine nature, as she was self-produced, she was usually depicted as a woman.
The Egyptians believed her to be an ancient and wise Goddess, to whom the other Gods came if they could not resolve their own disputes. Besides being the ruler of the lower Heavens, she was also the patron to hunt and warfare, domestic arts, mysticism, as well as women and marriage. All this makes her some kind of a “jane-of-all-trades.”

As a deity, Neit is often shown carrying a bow and arrows, linking her to hunting and warfare, other times she is shown with a sceptre, symbol of rule and power, and the ankh, symbol of life.

I keep getting this sinking feeling. Not so much impending doom, just that I'm wasting my life. It may not make any sense, but every now and then the harsh realization that we most likely get only one shot at this whole life thing knocks me on my ass and I'm stoned. It seems like there is too much: to do, see, think, feel, learn, read... and we have set ourselves up for failure, as a race, as a society, as a culture, as a gender. You cant do/learn/read anything if you dont waste a minimum of 40 hours working at a job where, most likely, you spend half your time, if not more, feeling your life wasting away just so you can earn a dime and eat one more day and maybe-if you save every penny for the next 3 months, get to go do something that makes life feel worthwhile, like seeing the Cure or touring Europe. Its all such a waste. It is a sad sad world that has made me believe that a 9-5 job that pays $30,000 a year would be ideal, a dream even. It is even more sad that I am a) in a position to think it is sad and b)that I do think it is sad when, all things considered, I am quite lucky. I hate Dr. Seuss's book "Did I ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?" because the entire premise is that you are lucky becase someone else is not, and for them, there is someone else who is even less lucky, and so on. This is a theme that has haunted me all my life. I always feel like no matter what life is tossing me and how much I might have to do, it could be worse, and for many others, it is, so I should suck it up and drive on.
I hate whining. I just want to create and watch and listen and read, and enjoy the spring summer fall and perhaps 2 weeks of snowy winter. This is my utopia. Where no one has to work to eat and live, alone, in a moderate apartment. Where travel is accesible to everyone. But there always has to be workers because being waited on is part of what makes "the good life" so good. There is no fair way around it, so I just sip myself a glass of cheap red wine and sink into dreaming of elysian fields and hope.