"best/worst self-description" written by James on estrip.org

06/11/08 03:01 - 74ºF - ID#44618

best/worst self-description

The Iraq war will no doubt go down as one of the great blunders of the American empire as it stumbles into history. Of all the scandals, the millions in misappropriated funds, the stockpiles of missing arms, the failure to establish an Iraqi police and military force, the propping up of an ineffective and lazy parliament, Blackwater, a lack of transparency with contractors, the invasion itself... this one is my favorite.

Owen Cragol, formally President of Northern Arizona University, was hired as chancellor of the American University in Iraq. The position is a significant one. AUI would help transform the intellectual life in the Middle East. It would expand American intellectual influence into a country not particularly friendly to the US.

But a simple google search shows just how poor choice Cragol is to head the AUI. In 2001 Cragol resigned from NAU after a scandal. In a locker room, Cragol grabbed the genitals of a fellow faculty member. After charges of sexual harassment Cragol sent out an email to all staff in which he described himself as "a rub-your-belly, grab-your-balls, give-you-a-hug, slap-your-back, pull-your-dick, squeeze-your-hand, cheek-your-face, and pat-your-thigh kind of guy."

Now, that is worth a belly laugh. But to get a little perspective on the issue, you can read this article.

Permalink: best_worst_self_description.html
Words: 211
Location: Buffalo, NY

06/09/08 07:37 - 81ºF - ID#44596

Wha?

Howdy,

So sorry I missed the party. I was down state visiting my folks. They were throwing a big shindig for my kid brother who just graduated high school. I didn't know anyone at the party hardly, but I did meet someone new. One of many such people that my mother has introduced me to over the years...

a gay Catholic priest.

Father W. is a very nice man with an acerbic wit and encyclopedic knowledge of a variety of topics. I promised him that next time I am in town we will go to the Metropolitan museum together and look at some Ingres paintings.

But the thing I have to wonder is, is my uber Catholic mom trying to set me up? Subconsciously perhaps? This is the fourth time she introduces me to a priest and says "oh you too have so much in common. You both like X". Once, X was musical theater when she introduced me to a priest gayer than Quentin Crisp. This time it was art. I felt a little awkward talking about sexualizing images of the Christ child to a man of the cloth, but he had read the same books on the topic and had no shame.

So mom, what is it? Are you being a Yenta?

Permalink: Wha_.html
Words: 214
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: work

06/04/08 11:40 - 60ºF - ID#44549

New Job

My new job is awesome. I work 12 hour days but love it. This is the first time I have worked with a group of smart people. Everyone is smart, tells good jokes, and works hard. Perfect.

So, if I don't post or comment as often here, know that I adore you all.

kisses,

-James

Permalink: New_Job.html
Words: 54
Location: Buffalo, NY

05/31/08 09:07 - 66ºF - ID#44503

Fugs

Howdy,

I am going to Fugazi tonight around 10:30-11:00 if any of you folks want to meet up.

FINALLY! My weekend bachelorism involves more than cooking lamb!

Permalink: Fugs.html
Words: 27
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: election

05/29/08 10:31 - 55ºF - ID#44488

Hey, You Should Run for Office!

howdy,

I love estrip. It is fantastic. And I really hate pimping it out for my job. But I am. You know why? Because I love you all and want you to clutch the beating heart of power in your hands.

Are you a registered Democrat? Are you a likable person? Then why not run for a Democratic Committeeship. You can represent a local, three or so block area and help get progressive Democrats who want to change Buffalo nominated.

If you are interested, just let me know through here. There will be an informational meeting this Sunday, 6Pm at Sam Hoyt's campaign office at 892 Elmwood ave. But we need to know if you would like to run before then.

-James

Permalink: Hey_You_Should_Run_for_Office_.html
Words: 121
Location: Buffalo, NY

05/29/08 07:00 - 61ºF - ID#44485

Oh YA!

Hey ladies!

That's right. (e:jim) is out of town at a conference, so I am a bachelor of the weekend. Oh, a playa such as mwaself knows exactly how to play while the kitty is away. Meow. That's right ladies, I will be... watching Woody Allen movies and cooking fish.

ahem. I really need to learn how to cut loose. I could be a swining bachelor taring up the town, but instead I will laugh at joke about Voltaire with squid breath.

Meanwhile, (e:Jim) is in Portland. His only assignment is to eat a bacon doughnut

Permalink: Oh_YA_.html
Words: 98
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: humor

05/26/08 10:29 - 62ºF - ID#44458

The Real Hillary Clinton

I havn't laughed this hard at a youtube clip since 2girls1cup the sitcom.

This one in particular is spot on.

Permalink: The_Real_Hillary_Clinton.html
Words: 36
Location: Buffalo, NY

05/26/08 12:09 - 73ºF - ID#44453

Communists Are No Fun

Howdy,

I generally believe that most Communists are not all that much fun. You wouldn't want to bring a bunch to a party to liven it up. Take the leader of Russia's Communist Party, Sergei Milinkovich, for example. He is calling for a ban of the new Indiana Jone's movie because

"Why should we agree to that sort of lie and let the West trick our youth?"

He said many Russian cinemagoers were teenagers who would be "completely unaware of what happened in 1957", when the film is set.
"They will go to the cinema and will be sure that in 1957 we made trouble for the United States and almost started a nuclear war.

"It's rubbish... In 1957 the communists did not run with crystal skulls throughout the US."

The Associated Press news agency quoted Moscow Communist official Andrei Andreyev as saying: "It is very disturbing if talented directors want to provoke a new Cold War."

lame Communists, lame.

tiburon1724 writes at 08:20:50 05/26/08 - Comment #35472: a bit hypersensitive I'd say.

leetee writes at 06:58:27 05/26/08 - Comment #35467: sorta.

hey, (e:Paul)... how do i post a picture in someone's comments?

leetee writes at 06:39:38 05/26/08 - Comment #35464: hmm... apparently, the link did not work.

I wonder if this will work?

:::link:::

leetee writes at 06:37:55 05/26/08 - Comment #35463: <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/05/09/funny-pictures-communist-cat-misunderstands-party/"><img class="mine_981100" src="http://icanhascheezburger.wordpress.com/files/2008/05/funny-pictures-communist-cat-party.jpg" alt="cats" /></a><br />more <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com">cat</a> pictures

metalpeter writes at 02:59:46 05/26/08 - Comment #35461: Well I guess the communists you hang out with are different then the ones I do we drink vodka from the bottle and dance naked around the fire and what ever one of the hot girls is the least hot I get, Kidding of course.

I do understand that there are many versions of history and that they differ from what side of a war you are on or your perspective. But see that is history that kids are taught. Yes you can say that there are some facts that could be one version of history that show up in that movie. Yes you could say that it paints a bad light on Communism. But it is supposed to be an action movie not a true story and as long as it is taken that way I don't get why they are so upset. Well there is one reason why they could be upset and that is if some of the stuff in the movie is true and they want to cover that up. But are they really any different than us. If they made and action movie that made Capitalism look like Americans where greedy and only cared about them selves and where the bad guys wouldn't we try to ban it, or at least be very upset for no good reason also.

Permalink: Communists_Are_No_Fun.html
Words: 159
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: gym

05/25/08 01:49 - 65ºF - ID#44446

Allentown Athletix: Hold on a sec

Hi,

Due to something, I am not sure what even though it was explained to me, we have to wait until Wednesday to sign up...

Bill, the owner is on vacation and can't be reached. Ya, the people there know two of us have already signed up and they have the list of people. But, we have to wait.

Sorry everyone.

-James

Permalink: Allentown_Athletix_Hold_on_a_sec.html
Words: 62
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: gym

05/23/08 02:02 - 55ºF - ID#44431

Allentown Athletix: Extra Awesome

Hi,

I signed up on Wednesday and have worked out there twice so far at different times. Seriously, I have never had to wait for a machine. Even if I am doing three part supersets I still don't have to wait. They must run the cleanest gym. Not only do they keep the place sparkling clean, they also compel their clients to be clean. I never see anyone leave a machine dripping sweat like a fountain and not clean up with sanitizer.

The test of any gym is the locker room. Bacteria and mold should be right at home thanks to the warmth and humidity of four private shower stalls, a sauna, and jacuzzi. But I could see no mold anywhere and there was not a funky smell to be found. It is seriously clean.

For you cyclists you don't have to lock your bike up on Allen like I did when I went there to talk to them. You can park your bike right in the building and it is under video surveillance, so no one will mess with it.

Bill Mahr is the owner and the one who arranged our group rate. Not only is he super easy to work with but he is also one of the nicest guys I have ever met. We got to meet the day I signed up and we chatted for ten minutes. He is the kind of guy you would love to get a beer with.

So, everyone should sign up. Go, do it now.

-James

edit*

Oh, we don't have a group name. Just go in and say that you are part of that group signing up.

tiburon1724 writes at 02:45:39 05/25/08 - Comment #35439: When I first went over there just to check the place out, I mentioned james group to the girl and she knew what I was talking about. When I went back to sign up, the guy had no clue, but then Bill came out and took me into his office and took care of it. Sounds like Bill has to do it and I got lucky he was there because it was like 8pm one night.

libertad writes at 01:47:51 05/25/08 - Comment #35437: They wouldn't let me again even though I told him that two people already signed up. The guy was really nice, but he couldn't do it and asked that I wait until Bill comes back on Wed. evening.

libertad writes at 09:18:18 05/24/08 - Comment #35431: i'll sign up tomorrow.

james writes at 07:41:13 05/24/08 - Comment #35430: Tad: Peter is mistaken. I have signed up. And someone else has already signed up. If they give you a hard time next time you can tell them to look up my name on the list to see that I have already signed up.

libertad writes at 01:15:13 05/24/08 - Comment #35424: So I finally work myself up to start working out today and they wouldn't let me sign up. He said we all have to go in together because there was no guarantee we would all sign up. I think his name was Peter.

fellyconnelly writes at 10:49:43 05/24/08 - Comment #35416: well if there isn't sweat dripping off the machines i just aint interested...

seriouisly though. jealous.

james writes at 01:09:20 05/24/08 - Comment #35411: Taddy: You can pack up all your worldly possesions then work out your aggression on a punching bag. Do it!

Paul: Oh yes you can. Do it!

Dakechick: Sign up. Do it!

I would love to go to Mia's class tomorrow, but I just beat the shit out of my shoulders and legs today. I think if I showed up tomorrow I would just be a moist noodle.

dragonlady7 writes at 12:13:03 05/24/08 - Comment #35410: Man I gotta sign up.

Tomorrow morning is THE LAST Mia Mauler class-- she WON'T be doing it over the summer after all.
Show up at 11:30. I swear you won't be sorry.

I had sore muscles on Wednesday from last Saturday's class, and I've been doing it since January.

Anyway-- she may start it up again in the fall, but tomorrow is not to be missed!!!

paul writes at 11:22:25 05/23/08 - Comment #35409: Can you sign up on the weekend?

libertad writes at 02:07:53 05/23/08 - Comment #35398: I'm thinking about signing up tomorrow. We shall see cause it is definitely a packing day for me.

Permalink: Allentown_Athletix_Extra_Awesome.html
Words: 277
Location: Buffalo, NY