My weekend has been awesome, though I feel like I am going to have a hangover on Monday despite complete sobriety today.
Friday I drove to Albany to go to a party my college friends were having. Oddly, I didn't go to college with any of them but met them through a high school friend who was dating one of them for a while. Additionally odd since non of them have every lived in Albany until after I had moved out of that town.
They were having a big weekend long bash, so everyone kept their drinking down to a lovely buzz. I, however, was only in town for the evening and drank myself into oblivion. Fantastic.
Around 3 in the morning I got up to get a cup of water. I brought it back to bed with me and fell asleep with it in my arms. I didn't spill a drop it looked like for a few hours. Well done me. How responsible are you? Not spilling alcohol at a party but instead spilling water.
And then Saturday. Oh man! If you were there, you knew how much fun it was. If you weren't... don't believe the hype. It wasn't that great. (ha, ha, suckers).
(e:Drew) had the most pleasing costume. It wasn't as flashy as those unicorn hunters, but the chuckles I got from it were more satisfying.
Felly makes the best Jell-o shots in the universe. When I die I would like my remains entombed in a batch of those jell-o shots and then have a large party fueled by them. But maybe they should be told about the secret ingredient afterwards?
It was a pleasure seeing everyone again and great to meet some new folks. (e:PMT), thank you so much for hosting.
James's Journal
My Podcast Link
10/28/2007 19:23 #41848
The Weekend of Endless Liver Enbigening10/25/2007 14:38 #41797
NY 9th Greenest StateAhoi!
Good news kidos, NY is one green state. Well, not #1, #9 actually, but that is a mighty fine showing. (e:Cjamgeisgood)'s latest post about commuters sucking certainly can be heard in this report which credits the independence from the automobile in NYC as the largest contributor to our greenness. Sweet.
But what about those green loving hippie Californians? YA! #14! Eat it California! For those of you who live in or have visited California, you know that driving is insane. Cities like LA and San Diego aren't built up but out. Sprawling homes and lowrises as far as the eye can see. That makes for a lot of driving.
You can read the full report here
Good news kidos, NY is one green state. Well, not #1, #9 actually, but that is a mighty fine showing. (e:Cjamgeisgood)'s latest post about commuters sucking certainly can be heard in this report which credits the independence from the automobile in NYC as the largest contributor to our greenness. Sweet.
But what about those green loving hippie Californians? YA! #14! Eat it California! For those of you who live in or have visited California, you know that driving is insane. Cities like LA and San Diego aren't built up but out. Sprawling homes and lowrises as far as the eye can see. That makes for a lot of driving.
You can read the full report here
twisted - 10/26/07 22:10
Plus now I've got the honorary title of "advisor." I feel so wise all of a sudden! Does this go on my permanent record?
Plus now I've got the honorary title of "advisor." I feel so wise all of a sudden! Does this go on my permanent record?
james - 10/26/07 12:08
ho: represent!
Tad: they also suck oxygen, what with the fires and all
Twisted: CA is fine in my book. But your charitable $75 contribution makes me smile. Thank you
ho: represent!
Tad: they also suck oxygen, what with the fires and all
Twisted: CA is fine in my book. But your charitable $75 contribution makes me smile. Thank you
twisted - 10/26/07 10:44
In atonement for my state's alleged negative effect on the environment (although I blame LA for dragging the rest of us down), I hereby donate $75 to NY's premiere blogging community. There, I hope you're happy!
In atonement for my state's alleged negative effect on the environment (although I blame LA for dragging the rest of us down), I hereby donate $75 to NY's premiere blogging community. There, I hope you're happy!
libertad - 10/25/07 20:44
California sucks carbon.
California sucks carbon.
hodown - 10/25/07 15:10
Fuck yeah! Go NYC!!
Fuck yeah! Go NYC!!
10/24/2007 15:50 #41783
Cuba, the Castros, and Bushy-pieCategory: politics
So,
President Bush tonight is supposed to give a big ol' speech tonight in which he says that America will not accept a power transition in Cuba between Fidel and Raul Castro.
Oh shit! The gloves are off now!
Let's see, what are we going to do to teach Cuba a lesson. Um..YA! Let's cut off all trade and diplomatic relations! Oh... crap.
I can't believe we still have this silly trade embargo with Cuba. I mean, sure, Cuba isn't so hot on civil rights. But they have a lower infant mortality rate and a higher literacy rate that the US of A has. And it isn't even like they are as horribly repressive as, say, the military Junta rulling Myanmar or the dictatorship in Bangladesh or the oppressive regime in Nepal... and that is just South Asia. With whom, by the by, we have pretty good relations.
So, I don't know what Bushy plans to accomplish with this. Maybe he figures that at the very least he could win the cold war... again. All wet and no boner.
President Bush tonight is supposed to give a big ol' speech tonight in which he says that America will not accept a power transition in Cuba between Fidel and Raul Castro.
Oh shit! The gloves are off now!
Let's see, what are we going to do to teach Cuba a lesson. Um..YA! Let's cut off all trade and diplomatic relations! Oh... crap.
I can't believe we still have this silly trade embargo with Cuba. I mean, sure, Cuba isn't so hot on civil rights. But they have a lower infant mortality rate and a higher literacy rate that the US of A has. And it isn't even like they are as horribly repressive as, say, the military Junta rulling Myanmar or the dictatorship in Bangladesh or the oppressive regime in Nepal... and that is just South Asia. With whom, by the by, we have pretty good relations.
So, I don't know what Bushy plans to accomplish with this. Maybe he figures that at the very least he could win the cold war... again. All wet and no boner.
joshua - 10/25/07 13:11
Communism in theory has and likely will always be far different than communism in practice. Apologists always claim that Marxist philosophy has yet to be implemented properly - if that is the case, when will it ever be? Communists have had 100 years and have yet to produce government that hasn't resulted in either vast suffering and death from its own population, or hasn't resulted in the failure of the state itself. Its not a stretch by any measure to link communism with human rights issues. The evidence stretches out over history.
I'm not a big fan. Most of the few communist countries that are left are dominated by pathetic military juntas, with the exception of China, who aren't really true communists anymore. I think Cubans would be better off if the Castros were dead and communism left that island... but thats just me. I think we'll see democratic reform in Cuba during our lifetimes.
Communism in theory has and likely will always be far different than communism in practice. Apologists always claim that Marxist philosophy has yet to be implemented properly - if that is the case, when will it ever be? Communists have had 100 years and have yet to produce government that hasn't resulted in either vast suffering and death from its own population, or hasn't resulted in the failure of the state itself. Its not a stretch by any measure to link communism with human rights issues. The evidence stretches out over history.
I'm not a big fan. Most of the few communist countries that are left are dominated by pathetic military juntas, with the exception of China, who aren't really true communists anymore. I think Cubans would be better off if the Castros were dead and communism left that island... but thats just me. I think we'll see democratic reform in Cuba during our lifetimes.
jbeatty - 10/25/07 12:08
I am surprised that our government hasn't made an exception for Cuban Cigars to be imported. I figured that sort of thing would be high on the priority list of fat cat politicians just like Iranian Caviar, Pistachios, and Rugs were a few years ago.
I am surprised that our government hasn't made an exception for Cuban Cigars to be imported. I figured that sort of thing would be high on the priority list of fat cat politicians just like Iranian Caviar, Pistachios, and Rugs were a few years ago.
james - 10/24/07 22:42
No, I have no problems with Communism what so ever. Though, let us look at the record of the USSR, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and Cuba. All these nations have horrid human rights records. Sadly, Communism has not been practiced in reality and the nations that have formed a sort of Communism usually fail on some basic level where human rights are concerned.
I hope that someday a Communist state succeeds and then the Marxian domino effect happens.
No, I have no problems with Communism what so ever. Though, let us look at the record of the USSR, China, Vietnam, North Korea, and Cuba. All these nations have horrid human rights records. Sadly, Communism has not been practiced in reality and the nations that have formed a sort of Communism usually fail on some basic level where human rights are concerned.
I hope that someday a Communist state succeeds and then the Marxian domino effect happens.
tinypliny - 10/24/07 20:26
And why is it that you hate communists? Is communism equated to human rights violations without any reservation here?
And why is it that you hate communists? Is communism equated to human rights violations without any reservation here?
james - 10/24/07 20:07
Additionally, the Castro's are not long for this world. Fidel is 81 and Raul is 76 and both look like old cigar butts. Unfortunately, news and statistics from Cuba are as reliable as Raul's aging hard on, so it is difficult to see where the country will go after their death.
The embargo might not be a problem weak willed politicians will ever have to deal with. Well, maybe Jed Bartlet.
Additionally, the Castro's are not long for this world. Fidel is 81 and Raul is 76 and both look like old cigar butts. Unfortunately, news and statistics from Cuba are as reliable as Raul's aging hard on, so it is difficult to see where the country will go after their death.
The embargo might not be a problem weak willed politicians will ever have to deal with. Well, maybe Jed Bartlet.
joshua - 10/24/07 19:58
Well, the good news is that the Cuban embargo really doesn't have any relevancy to our generation. I can understand boomers still wanting to stick it to the Cubans,having grown up going through that time, but I think when our generation is running shit the embargo will end.
Well, the good news is that the Cuban embargo really doesn't have any relevancy to our generation. I can understand boomers still wanting to stick it to the Cubans,having grown up going through that time, but I think when our generation is running shit the embargo will end.
james - 10/24/07 19:54
don't get you started on what Dave? Cuba or horn rimmed glasses?
don't get you started on what Dave? Cuba or horn rimmed glasses?
libertad - 10/24/07 17:43
Don't even get me started!--Molly Shannon
Don't even get me started!--Molly Shannon
carolinian - 10/24/07 17:25
I dunno about that. Some girls look really hot in horn-rimmed glasses.
I dunno about that. Some girls look really hot in horn-rimmed glasses.
jason - 10/24/07 16:42
You're right James, it's not really a partisan thing. I really don't understand the embargo anymore.
What is next? Are we going to bring back horn rimmed glasses? gulp
It is a relic of days gone by. I don't know how it makes sense.
You're right James, it's not really a partisan thing. I really don't understand the embargo anymore.
What is next? Are we going to bring back horn rimmed glasses? gulp
It is a relic of days gone by. I don't know how it makes sense.
james - 10/24/07 16:33
oh no! Nothing forgives a bad human rights record. But we do fantastic business with countries with much worse records.
oh, and this wasn't a Dem/GOP thing. Both parties have done jack squat about Cuba and it is damn time someone got a bit of sense in their head and did something about it... I guess the Cuban vote in swing-state Florida is too much to risk... sigh.
oh no! Nothing forgives a bad human rights record. But we do fantastic business with countries with much worse records.
oh, and this wasn't a Dem/GOP thing. Both parties have done jack squat about Cuba and it is damn time someone got a bit of sense in their head and did something about it... I guess the Cuban vote in swing-state Florida is too much to risk... sigh.
joshua - 10/24/07 16:10
I think the Cuban embargo is stupid, mainly because I'm greedy and am tired of being denied the world's finest cigars.
JFK's plan at the time (and I'm paraphrasing but only slightly, based on an article on JFK in Time a little while back) was to get them to buy our toasters and eventually everything would soften up.
I think the most ridiculous thing is that if we are continuing the embargo with Cuba for political reasons, why is it that we do business in countries such as China and Vietnam?
Mortality and literacy rates (if they are actually accurate, who knows really) *never* excuse their record on human rights. They jail political dissidents and kill their own citizens (coughallegedlycough), but boy can they read and keep their babies alive!
As a bedrock of American foreign policy we won't cooperate with a communist nation only 90 miles from our border. I'm not surprised at what Bush is doing, and for that matter I'd expect a Democrat to do the same thing, since they created the embargo and have always perpetuated it. Der Schlickster Bill Clinton and Mr. Nobel Peace Prize himself, Jimmy Carter, did squat in this regard. Overall I think its a shame, but as long as there is a communist government in Cuba I doubt the American government will cooperate with them in any fashion.
I think the Cuban embargo is stupid, mainly because I'm greedy and am tired of being denied the world's finest cigars.
JFK's plan at the time (and I'm paraphrasing but only slightly, based on an article on JFK in Time a little while back) was to get them to buy our toasters and eventually everything would soften up.
I think the most ridiculous thing is that if we are continuing the embargo with Cuba for political reasons, why is it that we do business in countries such as China and Vietnam?
Mortality and literacy rates (if they are actually accurate, who knows really) *never* excuse their record on human rights. They jail political dissidents and kill their own citizens (coughallegedlycough), but boy can they read and keep their babies alive!
As a bedrock of American foreign policy we won't cooperate with a communist nation only 90 miles from our border. I'm not surprised at what Bush is doing, and for that matter I'd expect a Democrat to do the same thing, since they created the embargo and have always perpetuated it. Der Schlickster Bill Clinton and Mr. Nobel Peace Prize himself, Jimmy Carter, did squat in this regard. Overall I think its a shame, but as long as there is a communist government in Cuba I doubt the American government will cooperate with them in any fashion.
10/22/2007 18:15 #41755
A Pickle Fucks Teddy BearCategory: sex
I know this is my second post for the day but....
Breasts shooting sparkles
Jiggly Booty
And a Pickle Fucks a Teddy Bear
Welcome to Hell!
Breasts shooting sparkles
Jiggly Booty
And a Pickle Fucks a Teddy Bear
Welcome to Hell!
fellyconnelly - 10/23/07 09:14
i don't get it either, but it won't stop me from sending it on to others!
i don't get it either, but it won't stop me from sending it on to others!
metalpeter - 10/22/07 18:52
That is one crazy video that I admit I don't really get but was still fun to watch.
That is one crazy video that I admit I don't really get but was still fun to watch.
10/22/2007 14:17 #41749
The Two Things I know About AsiaCategory: school
Howdy,
You may remember a recent post where I complained about what American's know about Asia. Well, the saga continues in a very embarrassing and oddly amusing way!
This terrible professor whom I have complained about before started class a little differently today, and I really appreciated it. We got into little groups and we had to talk discuss what we knew about Thailand. We would right down our little factoids and share them with the class.
Well, the groups didn't know much about Thailand at all. A few knew that Bangkok is the capital and a few more knew that it was in South Eat Asia. But man, did I have a fact to send shivers down their spine!
"Thailand performs the most sex-change operations in the world!" I said aloud with an enthusiasm for trivia that was interpreted as creepy beyond words. The pleasant 'pleased to meet ch'ya" smiles altered with eyes widening. But the creepiness had just begun!
"And do you know which country performs the second most?" I added with crescendoing enthusiasm. I turned and looked into the eyes of some poor group-mate and in terror she shook her head to my rhetorical question.
"Iran! Can you believe it!" Their smiles resembled an evicerated gut, all smiles, all terror. But I was too excited that I got to share this piece of information which I believe proves how contradictory and surreal existence upon this dog earth is.
I was only too excited to share this with the rest of the class. A little part of me is glad I also didn't get to talk about the under-age sex trade in Thailand which the class was woefully ignorant.
Trivia isn't just for Jeopardy, it is also a loaded gun with which to shoot yourself.
You may remember a recent post where I complained about what American's know about Asia. Well, the saga continues in a very embarrassing and oddly amusing way!
This terrible professor whom I have complained about before started class a little differently today, and I really appreciated it. We got into little groups and we had to talk discuss what we knew about Thailand. We would right down our little factoids and share them with the class.
Well, the groups didn't know much about Thailand at all. A few knew that Bangkok is the capital and a few more knew that it was in South Eat Asia. But man, did I have a fact to send shivers down their spine!
"Thailand performs the most sex-change operations in the world!" I said aloud with an enthusiasm for trivia that was interpreted as creepy beyond words. The pleasant 'pleased to meet ch'ya" smiles altered with eyes widening. But the creepiness had just begun!
"And do you know which country performs the second most?" I added with crescendoing enthusiasm. I turned and looked into the eyes of some poor group-mate and in terror she shook her head to my rhetorical question.
"Iran! Can you believe it!" Their smiles resembled an evicerated gut, all smiles, all terror. But I was too excited that I got to share this piece of information which I believe proves how contradictory and surreal existence upon this dog earth is.
I was only too excited to share this with the rest of the class. A little part of me is glad I also didn't get to talk about the under-age sex trade in Thailand which the class was woefully ignorant.
Trivia isn't just for Jeopardy, it is also a loaded gun with which to shoot yourself.
tinypliny - 10/22/07 21:08
Didn't know all this either...
Didn't know all this either...
metalpeter - 10/22/07 18:40
From what I say on a documentary type program one of the reasons Thailand is the number one place for sex changes is that the have good Doctors and for the price of the operation in the US you can fly to Thailand have a vacation and get the surgery done and come home. From what I remember they don't require you to live as women before the operation. The other thing I know about Thailand is that some of the women you try to pick up some places are Transexuals and are in a certain district, they are also known as "Thai Lady Boys". Hey if that is your thing there is nothing wrong with that at all, as long as you know that is what you are getting.
From what I say on a documentary type program one of the reasons Thailand is the number one place for sex changes is that the have good Doctors and for the price of the operation in the US you can fly to Thailand have a vacation and get the surgery done and come home. From what I remember they don't require you to live as women before the operation. The other thing I know about Thailand is that some of the women you try to pick up some places are Transexuals and are in a certain district, they are also known as "Thai Lady Boys". Hey if that is your thing there is nothing wrong with that at all, as long as you know that is what you are getting.
james - 10/22/07 14:59
Oh ya, the food was mentioned.
Strangely though, I haven't had any good Thai food in the area. If anyone knows a place I would love to hear about it.
I know next to nothing about Transgender folk. So I am not a great source of information outside of trivia.
But from what little I have read surgeries are performed in these other nations more is because they are more accepting societies of Transgender people. American doctors would refuse to do the surgery because they see it as unnecessary and violating "do no harm". Which is odd considering American doctors perform male circumcisions willy nilly.
A lot of surgeries are also performed in Brazil and Finland.... to add to the heap of trivia.
Oh ya, the food was mentioned.
Strangely though, I haven't had any good Thai food in the area. If anyone knows a place I would love to hear about it.
I know next to nothing about Transgender folk. So I am not a great source of information outside of trivia.
But from what little I have read surgeries are performed in these other nations more is because they are more accepting societies of Transgender people. American doctors would refuse to do the surgery because they see it as unnecessary and violating "do no harm". Which is odd considering American doctors perform male circumcisions willy nilly.
A lot of surgeries are also performed in Brazil and Finland.... to add to the heap of trivia.
jbeatty - 10/22/07 14:57
I don't know where the US ranks but if I had to guess it would be behind Canada. I only base this guess on the one person I know who had a vaginoplasty done went to Montreal because it was much cheaper.
I don't know where the US ranks but if I had to guess it would be behind Canada. I only base this guess on the one person I know who had a vaginoplasty done went to Montreal because it was much cheaper.
drew - 10/22/07 14:40
I've used trivia to shoot myself, too. I knew about the sex trade. And the good food. Did anyone else mention how good Thai food is? Didn't no about the sex-change stuff. Where does the US rank? I figured we would be up there, but apparently, we aren't in the top 2. I guess its because surgery is so much more expensive here (and sex change probably isn't covered by most insurance).
I've used trivia to shoot myself, too. I knew about the sex trade. And the good food. Did anyone else mention how good Thai food is? Didn't no about the sex-change stuff. Where does the US rank? I figured we would be up there, but apparently, we aren't in the top 2. I guess its because surgery is so much more expensive here (and sex change probably isn't covered by most insurance).
I *****L.O.V.E**** (and NOTICE the emphasis here), I absolutely L.<3.V.E that L.<3.V.Ely device. I rank the person who devised it far HIGHER than the flinstone who invented the wheel!
I can't find my oversized check book.
But I assure you, I presented the salad spinner in a way that will not soon be forgotten by morning television!
I can take a check.
Pliny: Well, I woke up several hours later and notice a bit of water dripping down the side of the futon. The cup still had a lot of water in it and the futon wasn't too wet, so I am just guessing that it was a recent spill.
And no, Ms. Pliny, you rock. ^_^
Drew: DING DING DING! You win the prize for noticing that! DING DING DING! If only I had cash and prizes to award you with. Instead I will go into the kitchen and pretend to show off my salad spinner as if it were a fantastic prize.
"embiggen is a perfectly cromulent word."
"a noble spirit embiggens the smallest man"
Oh and for the record, (and at the risk of making (e:Jim) thumb through the colour palette of green shades), I think you are the one person in the world who responds appropriately to my not-so-secret crazy yell-popout-eyes-splay-hands hello, instead of staring!! It's a rare vibe detection talent. I never thought I'd meet anyone who did that!!! <3 You rock! <3
Wait a minute. How long did you not spill the cup of water after you went to sleep? And if you have an answer to that, how the hell do you know, if your were sleeping?? This is even more puzzling than the chicken crossing the road!
So did I! The ear protection really worked! I tried it out. I might get one of those for work. I am so distracted by people complaining about things ranging from car insurance to statistics to pet care to relationships to vacations to food.
I thought his costume was awesome to. The ear protection was so funny.
wow. I am honored.