I've written a lot on here about my favorite person to pick on, also known as Confederate Flag Guy. Confederate Flag Guy was one of the (many) reasons that I became frustrated by living in the Reddest Red Region. Back home in the Bluest Blue State, if anyone has beliefs like his, then s/he would certainly hide such beliefs because s/he knows there would be an ass kicking from there to Utah and back again.
Anyway, some weird things have happened over the past month or so. First of all, CFG took down the large confederate flag from his living room window. This flag was so enormous that it covered almost the entire sliding glass door that it was draped over (OK, door not window, whatever).
Second, all of the stickers/flags disappeared from CFG's car. Gone is the NObama sticker, gone are the confederate flags draped over the seats, gone are the two confederate flag plates screwed on to the front of his car, and gone is the KKK sticker from the back window.
Now, I'm completely perplexed. Can someone like that change overnight? Or, was he "saved?" Another possibility is that someone finally kicked his ass and he took his beliefs into hiding. I'm truly curious.
I have a hard time believing that the apartment complex forced him to take this stuff down, primarily because CFG seems like the type who'd go all First Amendment on you if you tried to tell him to shut the eff up. So, there are two plausible explanations:
1) CFG got his ass kicked. This seems likely. In a town with people of all shades and from all corners of the globe, it's only a matter of time before someone bragging about their bigotry would get in trouble with someone who disagrees. The only reason why I would believe that this didn't happen is because I've found people in the Reddest Red Region to be extremely non-confrontational. If someone did give CFG an ass-whoopin', then it must have been an outsider.
2) CFG was "saved." I put "saved" in quotes because by now you know I'm skeptical of religion. However, this area is quite religious-- enough that by virtue of living here, it's impossible to not hear about religion somehow, even if you have no interest. Just the other day, I flipped through five radio stations spouting religious condemnative (is that even a word?) drivel before I stopped counting and went back to listening to CDs. While bigotry and religion often (unfortunately) are related, bigotry of a racist nature is less tolerated than is bigotry against queer folks.
So, there you have it. If I hear more, I'll certainly post it.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
....
I've totally fallen by the wayside with this blog. Part of that is because I've fallen by the wayside with saying no, although I'll get to that later.
Part of the reason why I started this blog was because this past summer, I was in a totally desperate place as a human being. I felt stuck with my academic work, was depressed, and was looking for ways to pull myself out of that as I've done many times before. What kept me going with this was my love of reading the news, commenting on it, and also trying to help myself (bad skin) through a natural skincare regimen.
While I gave up on the natural skincare thing a while ago because it wasn't working, some things have stuck. I'm much more aware of chemicals in cleansers, and now I only use natural castille soaps that don't have harsh lathering agents. A friend generously gave me a copy of book of homemade skincare/bodycare recipes, and I look forward to trying that. I'm not sure I'll be posting about it on here, though.
About the whole falling by the wayside with saying no thing? Well, it's kind of a good thing. I've said "yes" to change, yes to this community that I so hated with a passion for a long time after we moved here, and I said yes to myself to think I could maybe make a difference in some places. I've been really involved at AnyState University in several capacities that, ultimately, I hope will help leave this place better than I found it.
I won't get into any more specifics on what I'm doing, but suffice it to say that what I'm doing is because I care about this place, as much as I love to resent it for not being where I'm from. This place, as isolated as it may sometimes seem to someone from a booming metropolis, is connected to the world- to my world. To our world. For that reason, I can't sit back and just let things pass me by. Changes made here are changes made in other places, I've learned. Everything is indeed connected.
I'm very proud to be from the Bluest Blue State, and I've learned to not feel apologetic for that, even when people called me a snob or insensitive. While it is common for people from the Bluest Blue State to be much prouder than the average American Joe or Jane, today I realized, after a lot of thinking, why I cling to my Bluest Blue State identity so much.
I've referred to my parents' Mediterranean heritage a few times and have made comments about how strongly it influences who I am. Well, that identity is tenuous. As with anyone who is second-generation, I was raised with a strong set of beliefs that are a big part of my parents' country of origin, yet I grew up in the United States.
While some values/ways I was raised make me identify more with my parents' homeland, I'm always an outsider in that country: I realize that when I'm in the company of people who really are from there and I see they have things in common with each other that I don't; I realize that on the occasions when my use of that country's language are corrected. I get it: I'm an outsider. Although there are things we share across the ocean, second-gen'ers and natives, we're still from different places.
However, when interacting with other Americans, I realize how really different and special my upbringing was. I'm American by nationality, but bicultural in reality. The non-American side is more personal to me, more close to home - it is home. This is perhaps why, I've realized, any good, lasting, meaningful friendships I've ever had have been with other children of immigrants or immigrants themselves.
I'm not sure why that is. It could be just a coincidence. But, I keep waiting for evidence to prove me wrong. I admit that I look down on a common American understanding of friendship that is all shrieks, immediate closeness, and then can be cut off like a dead limb unexpectedly. How can you call someone your friend and then just cut them out of your life with no explanation, no warning? I have no idea.
When I have problems with friends, I bring them up. Doing so is not always easy, and it certainly opens the potential for pain on both sides. However, I don't half-ass my way through life. If things aren't good, I work to fix them. I don't settle for mediocre, because I deserve better. If people aren't willing to put in the effort themselves, then I give up. I have too much pride to chase after people, especially when they don't love themselves enough to demand for nothing less than the best they deserve.
Anyway, back to the pride thing. I've often felt regret that I wasn't raised in my parents' homeland, because if I were, I wouldn't be confused about my identity. It would be easier. Also, if I were raised there, I would have had the entire culture around me as an affirmation of my identity. I wouldn't have to feel bad about the land that bore my blood because when my mom grew up, our people were treated like shit and lynched in the good ol' U.S. of A.
However, my identity as a person from the Bluest Blue State is all mine- it cannot be contested. I was born, raised, graduated from college and grad school, and married there. I am the Bluest Blue State. No one can challenge that. So, the only identity I feel I have full claim to, is that one. Well, I do feel like I have a claim to an American identity, but I often dissociate myself from that when it doesn't match my beliefs.
Anyway. Having a problem with saying no has made me extremely busy (in a good way), especially since I'm already teaching an additional course on top of my assistantship. Having less time has made me more stingy about how I spend it and with whom. I'm willing to give the world to my friends and family, to the community, to myself, and that's it.
Part of the reason why I started this blog was because this past summer, I was in a totally desperate place as a human being. I felt stuck with my academic work, was depressed, and was looking for ways to pull myself out of that as I've done many times before. What kept me going with this was my love of reading the news, commenting on it, and also trying to help myself (bad skin) through a natural skincare regimen.
While I gave up on the natural skincare thing a while ago because it wasn't working, some things have stuck. I'm much more aware of chemicals in cleansers, and now I only use natural castille soaps that don't have harsh lathering agents. A friend generously gave me a copy of book of homemade skincare/bodycare recipes, and I look forward to trying that. I'm not sure I'll be posting about it on here, though.
About the whole falling by the wayside with saying no thing? Well, it's kind of a good thing. I've said "yes" to change, yes to this community that I so hated with a passion for a long time after we moved here, and I said yes to myself to think I could maybe make a difference in some places. I've been really involved at AnyState University in several capacities that, ultimately, I hope will help leave this place better than I found it.
I won't get into any more specifics on what I'm doing, but suffice it to say that what I'm doing is because I care about this place, as much as I love to resent it for not being where I'm from. This place, as isolated as it may sometimes seem to someone from a booming metropolis, is connected to the world- to my world. To our world. For that reason, I can't sit back and just let things pass me by. Changes made here are changes made in other places, I've learned. Everything is indeed connected.
I'm very proud to be from the Bluest Blue State, and I've learned to not feel apologetic for that, even when people called me a snob or insensitive. While it is common for people from the Bluest Blue State to be much prouder than the average American Joe or Jane, today I realized, after a lot of thinking, why I cling to my Bluest Blue State identity so much.
I've referred to my parents' Mediterranean heritage a few times and have made comments about how strongly it influences who I am. Well, that identity is tenuous. As with anyone who is second-generation, I was raised with a strong set of beliefs that are a big part of my parents' country of origin, yet I grew up in the United States.
While some values/ways I was raised make me identify more with my parents' homeland, I'm always an outsider in that country: I realize that when I'm in the company of people who really are from there and I see they have things in common with each other that I don't; I realize that on the occasions when my use of that country's language are corrected. I get it: I'm an outsider. Although there are things we share across the ocean, second-gen'ers and natives, we're still from different places.
However, when interacting with other Americans, I realize how really different and special my upbringing was. I'm American by nationality, but bicultural in reality. The non-American side is more personal to me, more close to home - it is home. This is perhaps why, I've realized, any good, lasting, meaningful friendships I've ever had have been with other children of immigrants or immigrants themselves.
I'm not sure why that is. It could be just a coincidence. But, I keep waiting for evidence to prove me wrong. I admit that I look down on a common American understanding of friendship that is all shrieks, immediate closeness, and then can be cut off like a dead limb unexpectedly. How can you call someone your friend and then just cut them out of your life with no explanation, no warning? I have no idea.
When I have problems with friends, I bring them up. Doing so is not always easy, and it certainly opens the potential for pain on both sides. However, I don't half-ass my way through life. If things aren't good, I work to fix them. I don't settle for mediocre, because I deserve better. If people aren't willing to put in the effort themselves, then I give up. I have too much pride to chase after people, especially when they don't love themselves enough to demand for nothing less than the best they deserve.
Anyway, back to the pride thing. I've often felt regret that I wasn't raised in my parents' homeland, because if I were, I wouldn't be confused about my identity. It would be easier. Also, if I were raised there, I would have had the entire culture around me as an affirmation of my identity. I wouldn't have to feel bad about the land that bore my blood because when my mom grew up, our people were treated like shit and lynched in the good ol' U.S. of A.
However, my identity as a person from the Bluest Blue State is all mine- it cannot be contested. I was born, raised, graduated from college and grad school, and married there. I am the Bluest Blue State. No one can challenge that. So, the only identity I feel I have full claim to, is that one. Well, I do feel like I have a claim to an American identity, but I often dissociate myself from that when it doesn't match my beliefs.
Anyway. Having a problem with saying no has made me extremely busy (in a good way), especially since I'm already teaching an additional course on top of my assistantship. Having less time has made me more stingy about how I spend it and with whom. I'm willing to give the world to my friends and family, to the community, to myself, and that's it.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Obama gear
So as much as I am cautiously optimistic about the Obama Administration, I still feel this inexplicable urge to buy an Obama T-shirt. Someone recently said to me that they couldn't believe that I wouldn't have an Obama T-shirt. I don't know what that person meant, but I don't know why I don't have one either.
Anyway, what a choice! There are SO many out there. I've been browsing the selection at Cafe Press, and I kind of like these:
1) Retro type (with red sleeves);
2) Agent of change (yellow/gold);
3) East Coast Elitist.
Yes, I know the last one is a sticker, but I'm sure I could get it made into a shirt. It's fucking genius.
Anyway, what a choice! There are SO many out there. I've been browsing the selection at Cafe Press, and I kind of like these:
1) Retro type (with red sleeves);
2) Agent of change (yellow/gold);
3) East Coast Elitist.
Yes, I know the last one is a sticker, but I'm sure I could get it made into a shirt. It's fucking genius.
Time out: face cleanser update
I've decided to go back to my olive/castor/tea tree oil face cleanser + AC vinegar toner routine to see if this would calm some of the irritation my skin's been experiencing lately. No matter what I do it seems, my skin is a mess of red freakouts. While I found an amazing new foundation that covers the redness, I'd like to reduce it altogether. We'll see how well this works.
In other news, I love Dr. Bronner's almond liquid soap so much. It's so calming, does not strip my skin of moisture like soaps that contain SLS, and is biodegradable. I've been thinking about trying out this soap as a shampoo, but so far haven't been brave enough. I'll give it a go and report back.
In other news, I love Dr. Bronner's almond liquid soap so much. It's so calming, does not strip my skin of moisture like soaps that contain SLS, and is biodegradable. I've been thinking about trying out this soap as a shampoo, but so far haven't been brave enough. I'll give it a go and report back.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Obama and "change"
OK, so I haven't even given the guy 24 hours in office yet, but I must say that I was disappointed with Obama's inauguration speech. I thought that there was an uncharacteristic fear mongering in his address to "Muslim nations." What probably bothered me most, though, was his pandering to the religious right through excessive god references and his acknowledgment of "non-believers."
"Non-believers?" Excuse me, President Obama, but I don't call you non-white. Don't define me and other non-religious individuals by what we are not. I hate, hate HATE the common assumption (found not only in the US but all over the world) that individuals who are not religious cannot be trusted or that individuals who are not religious can't possibly have any morals. That is as stupid as assuming that all people who claim to be religious are also morally guided, and that's simply not true.
I once saw a program on TV where individuals were saying that it was more likely for a gay person to be elected president than an atheist to be elected. Why? Why are people so fucking scared of people who refuse to "baa" like a sheep along with everyone else? Sorry if that comes across as really rude, but I'm personally sick of having god and religion shoved down my throat in a country where we allegedly have a separation of church and state.
I thought that the religious pandering would end with Bush, but it seems like it's only growing stronger. Ugh. Let's see some real change, Obama!
"Non-believers?" Excuse me, President Obama, but I don't call you non-white. Don't define me and other non-religious individuals by what we are not. I hate, hate HATE the common assumption (found not only in the US but all over the world) that individuals who are not religious cannot be trusted or that individuals who are not religious can't possibly have any morals. That is as stupid as assuming that all people who claim to be religious are also morally guided, and that's simply not true.
I once saw a program on TV where individuals were saying that it was more likely for a gay person to be elected president than an atheist to be elected. Why? Why are people so fucking scared of people who refuse to "baa" like a sheep along with everyone else? Sorry if that comes across as really rude, but I'm personally sick of having god and religion shoved down my throat in a country where we allegedly have a separation of church and state.
I thought that the religious pandering would end with Bush, but it seems like it's only growing stronger. Ugh. Let's see some real change, Obama!
Accomplishments of Bush
Can't say I'm not a fan of Keith Olbermann. The back to back news show combination of him and Rachel Maddow is amazing. Olbermann said this almost a week ago:
No further words needed about the Bush Administration, eh?
No further words needed about the Bush Administration, eh?
Friday, January 9, 2009
Paperz: or, mundane grad student life
So this week I've been scrambling to finish two of my comps papers. Why? Well, I know that classes start next week, and I also know how hard it is for me to prioritize my own work when I have the competing demand known as teaching. Additionally, there are several interruptions (not bad, but still interruptions) in my office so it's extremely hard to predict if I'll be able to go there and get work done without being interrupted. Thus, I've been writing at home much of the time.
A couple of days ago I sent in (what better be) the final draft of one paper, and I'm fixin' to turn in (yes, I did say fixin') the second one. I could have finished the second one a long time ago, but I've really been dragging my ass. Mainly it's because I find it hard to write when I'm not in the mood to do so - the quality (more like lack of) of what I write during periods like that is never as good as it is when I actually am in the mood to sit down and work.
I've broken a cardinal rule of mine, which is to not bring any work into my bedroom. Why? Well, we have a cute little desk in here that is right next to a window. The cats can join me either by sitting on the window sill or by sleeping on the bed. (If I shut them out, they claw/scratch the door and carpet.) Also, I associate the living room (where I usually try to work) with fun and friends, and I've noticed I'm more likely to waste time in there.
I think part of the newfound motivation is coming from sticking to a routine. I've been getting up early in the morning to go to the gym, and doing so makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something. That sense of accomplishment empowers me to kick ass on my comps.
Anyway, I'm just rambling now and need to get back to work so I'll shut up now.
A couple of days ago I sent in (what better be) the final draft of one paper, and I'm fixin' to turn in (yes, I did say fixin') the second one. I could have finished the second one a long time ago, but I've really been dragging my ass. Mainly it's because I find it hard to write when I'm not in the mood to do so - the quality (more like lack of) of what I write during periods like that is never as good as it is when I actually am in the mood to sit down and work.
I've broken a cardinal rule of mine, which is to not bring any work into my bedroom. Why? Well, we have a cute little desk in here that is right next to a window. The cats can join me either by sitting on the window sill or by sleeping on the bed. (If I shut them out, they claw/scratch the door and carpet.) Also, I associate the living room (where I usually try to work) with fun and friends, and I've noticed I'm more likely to waste time in there.
I think part of the newfound motivation is coming from sticking to a routine. I've been getting up early in the morning to go to the gym, and doing so makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something. That sense of accomplishment empowers me to kick ass on my comps.
Anyway, I'm just rambling now and need to get back to work so I'll shut up now.
Billy Mays post
So I'm sure that unless you either live under a rock and/or never watch TV, you've heard of Billy Mays- you know, the "as seen on tv" product salesman whose trademark is SHOUTING AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS. Well, I love Billy Mays' commercials, and I always look forward to seeing new ones.
The Consumerist reminded of a remix of some of Billy's commercials turned into a rap song. Additionally, they put up two more videos endorsing fake products created from multiple commericals. I'm posting them in the order of best to worst:
Gangsta mix:
The big city toilet:
Suicide Putty:
My favorite line in the suicide putty is "Billy Mays is scoring with your mom." I was crying from laughing so hard watching these videos. I don't know why I find this guy so fucking hilarious....
The Consumerist reminded of a remix of some of Billy's commercials turned into a rap song. Additionally, they put up two more videos endorsing fake products created from multiple commericals. I'm posting them in the order of best to worst:
Gangsta mix:
The big city toilet:
Suicide Putty:
My favorite line in the suicide putty is "Billy Mays is scoring with your mom." I was crying from laughing so hard watching these videos. I don't know why I find this guy so fucking hilarious....
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