Dynamic maps showing cool historical trends.
(Via BLDGBLOG, via New Tammany College, via Books, Inq.)
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Summer Has Sauntered In
Well, summer has come to the Northeast US. My reaction? "Ugh." The heat! The humidity! It's just yucky and "clitty" (to borrow the graphic, but surprisingly apt, neologism of a female friend of mine) and gross! Thank God for air-conditioning.
Friday, June 02, 2006
A Travesty
2005 was the centenary of Einstein's annus mirabilus and, to celebrate, it was declared the International/World Year of Physics. You couldn't swing a cat (Schroedinger's, of course) without hitting some exhibit or documentary or tribute to Einstein and his theories.
2009 will mark both the 200th birthday of Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origin of Species, and event just as significant to the development of the modern world as Einstein's "year of wonders." These achievements, however, will not be getting the same sort of attention (in the U.S., at least) as Einstein's did. Why? Because "everyone" "knows" that "God did it," and, thus, we as a nation can't fund such wicked, blasphemous, dangerous ideas.
Disgusting. Is the faith of these nitwits really so poor that they have to suppress science to make them feel better? They're not praising God or defending believers, they're debasing their God-given minds and hurting their fellow man.
2009 will mark both the 200th birthday of Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origin of Species, and event just as significant to the development of the modern world as Einstein's "year of wonders." These achievements, however, will not be getting the same sort of attention (in the U.S., at least) as Einstein's did. Why? Because "everyone" "knows" that "God did it," and, thus, we as a nation can't fund such wicked, blasphemous, dangerous ideas.
Disgusting. Is the faith of these nitwits really so poor that they have to suppress science to make them feel better? They're not praising God or defending believers, they're debasing their God-given minds and hurting their fellow man.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Relics Of The Distant Past
Archaeologists have uncovered an email from 1995! How exciting! It's like an new Oxyrhynchus, giving us a glimpse of daily life in an antique world long gone.
(Via Bookninja)
(Via Bookninja)
Ooooooh, Umbertoooo!
Get me to the Venetian, stat! I have a date with a "Living Sex Legend"! (*sigh* If only...)
BTW, with a name like Umberto Billo, how could he not be a sex legend? I mean, really!
BTW, with a name like Umberto Billo, how could he not be a sex legend? I mean, really!
Baaaaaaaaaah!
You Are A: Lamb!
Peaceful and gentle, lambs have been used in religious imagery for millennia. Lambs are baby sheep, an animal tended by shephards since the dawn of history. As a lamb, you tend to stay together in a flock and graze on grassy land. Lambs don't mind being led and tend not to go off on their own.You were almost a: Kitten or a Groundhog
You are least like a: Squirrel or a ParakeetWhat Cute Animal Are You?
(Via Susan Higginbottom)
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Our Lady, Full Of Skank...
What hath Paris Hilton wrought? Some say people get the religion (and the government) they deserve, so BOW BEFORE YOUR GOD!!!
Pride
A gay rights protest in Russia turned very, very ugly. It's very sobering to see, not just read but see, how dangerous it is just to be who you are in many parts of the world. It's also inexplicably pride-inducing to see my brethren and sistren be so brave. I wish I knew for certain if I would or would not have their courage. The fact that there is a very big doubt makes me more than a little sad.
Yee-Haw!
There was a gay hootinanny in NYC this weekend, y'all! (Some pics might be NSFW, depending on your W's NSF tolerance.) Poor lesbians. They came to actually dance; the gays just came to show off their new chaps and dorky-sexy glasses.
(Via Gawker)
(Via Gawker)
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Snaaarf!
Ancient Spirits of Evil! If only I'd known sooner! Oh well, at least we'll have one day to celebrate.
(Via Smart Bitches)
"Calamari" Is A Somewhat Logical, But Deeply Disturbing, Euphemism For It
Those randy classical writers: full of sex they were! Though, really, what else is a shepherd supposed to do with his "boneless one" when he's out in the wild all alone?
(Via Books, Inq.)
(Via Books, Inq.)
Monday, May 29, 2006
Memorial Day
Not having any family who died while fighting in war, I don't feel Memorial Day "in my gut" if you know what I mean. But I think I understand it a little bit better, now, after reading this post by my friend Scott.
Warning: Half-Naked Man Ahead
This picture just strikes me for some reason. Yes, it's sexy, but it's also just generally aesthetically-pleasing somehow. And that guy wears bikini-briefs better than any man I've ever seen!
One question, though: what the hell is going on near his head? Is he blow-drying his hair? Is he holding a gun to his head? I can't tell.
(Via Proceed At Your Own Risk)
One question, though: what the hell is going on near his head? Is he blow-drying his hair? Is he holding a gun to his head? I can't tell.
(Via Proceed At Your Own Risk)
Sunday, May 28, 2006
*HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE*
This stupid joke really made me laugh. It's, as I said, stupid, as well as crude and probably sexist somehow, but I just can't help it: it's funny.
(Via The Salt-Box)
(Via The Salt-Box)
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Pulp Fiction
Classic literature with pulp covers. Frankly, they make them all "sound" more interesting, so some publisher should actually use them. It'd certainly get kids in school to pay more attention to what they're reading.
(Via Bookslut)
(Via Bookslut)
Friday, May 26, 2006
Gah!
For belonephilic nerds: eyeglass piercings. It's sort of logical, but very disturbing.
(Via Pharyngula)
(Via Pharyngula)
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Question For My Academic Readers
I've come across a site before where you can search library catalogs and see what libraries have what books. I cannot, however, remember where the hell it is and what the hell it is called. Can you help, my dearest scholars?
An Endorsement Of Gay Adoption By The Experts
Even the storks agree that we can successfully raise children! (Also, more gay birds!)
Pounding On The Still-Living "Corpse" Of Bookstores
The supposedly dismal future of the bookstore, both the "dying" independent and the bookstore industry in general.
(Via Books, Inq.)
(Via Books, Inq.)
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Where Was This When I Was In School?
It's sad, really, but I think this graph paper generator is really nifty. And I'm not even a math person! I could have really used it when I was high school; graph paper was very dear, so we didn't get a lot of pieces of it from the teachers.
(Via Maud Newton)
(Via Maud Newton)
When Sci-Fi Nerds Go Too Far...
they start S&M sects based on 60s sci-fi books. What I find most amusing about the whole thing is the fact that the sect in question is a splinter group of another 60s sci-fi book-based religion. That just tickles me for some reason.
(Via Bookslut)
(Via Bookslut)
We Are QUITE Amused (And A Little Turned On)
Sir Ian! You're such a rake! Don't you have a long-time companion (that I believe I read you plan to marry now that civil partnerships are available in Britain)? Cheeky monkey!
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Mac Hajj
Apple cultists now have a Kaaba of their very own. It's even a cube and everything! First Madonna thinks she's Jesus, and now Steve Jobs thinks he's Muhammad, apparently. Who wants to be Buddha? Or, to complete the monotheistic trifecta, should it be Moses?
Monday, May 22, 2006
Wonder What The Klingon Is For "SOLD To The Man In The Vulcan Ears!" Is
Save your gold-pressed latinum for the upcoming Star Trek garage sale! I can't lie, I get a total nerd-gasm thinking about buying Picard's flute (and take that statement as you will). Ah, to actually have the time and money to go to the auction...
(Via Defamer)
(Via Defamer)
Sunday, May 21, 2006
A Post About Boobs On THIS Blog?!?
As you may have noticed, breasteses don't really do it for me, but these two posts on the evolution of the breast and breast milk are absolutely fascinating! So there, Probably-Non-Existent-Straight-Male-Readers-Of-This-Blog, don't say I never did anything for you!
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Jim Breuer
Do you all remember Jim Breuer? You know, the one who did Goat Boy on Saturday Night Live and starred in Half-Baked (a movie I have never seen, BTW, since I don't have any stoner friends). Well, I just saw him on Late Night with Carson Daly. Now, he was never exactly hot, but boy is looking rough nowadays! The bags under his eyes! The puffiness! The glassy eyes! The "I just woke up from a bender" hair! Horrifying. Lay off the booze and/or weed, Breuer-san! You have kids!
A Random Act of Conscience
Random House has decided to start getting more serious about using recycled paper. Kudos! I hope more publishers follow suit; it'll assuage my guilt over all the dead trees I gleefully read.
(Via Bookslut)
(Via Bookslut)
Friday, May 19, 2006
Sick Of Me Yet?
This is Bourgeois Nerd's 1000th post! Can you believe it? It doesn't feel like I've released that much inanity and superfluousness into cyberspace. But I still feel inordinately proud of the feat. I hope it's been as fun for you as it has been for me and that y'all stick around for the next thousand! *kisses*
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Enough With The Cartoon Nostalgia!
By now, I've realized that my entire youth was spent watching cartoons. That might explain some things. Or not. *shrug* Anyway, don't worry, this will be the last Cartoon Nostalgia post for a while (in other words, until some night I can't think of anything else to blog about).
The Centurions. It had a space station that would beam down these cybersuit things to three guys. Each guy was a specialist in one kind of terrain: water, air, or terrestrial. They would then use said cybersuits to fight evil and injustice and supervillainry.
Exosquad. It was about a future in which humanity genetically engineers Neo-Humans to settle Mars and be like slaves or something, but, of course, they rise up against their human creators. Even worse, they're led by a Hitler-like charismatic leader dedicated to basically wiping out the plain old humans. A small force of intrepid humans, and one good Neo-Human, use "exoskeletons" to combat the Neos and free humanity. A very sophisticated and dark cartoon, that is, apparently, now a cult classic. Frustratingly, it ended on a huge cliffhanger that will never be resolved. *grrr*
Batman: The Animated Series. The Batman/Bruce Wayne in this was hot! Way hotter than any of the guys who've played the character in live-action, IMHO. This was also a really dark, gritty cartoon animated in a dark, gritty style with dark, gritty storylines. Frankly, it's darker and grittier (and better) than any of the big-screen versions ever were.
Well, that's it for Cartoon Nostalgia for now. Or is it.........? *MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA*
The Centurions. It had a space station that would beam down these cybersuit things to three guys. Each guy was a specialist in one kind of terrain: water, air, or terrestrial. They would then use said cybersuits to fight evil and injustice and supervillainry.
Exosquad. It was about a future in which humanity genetically engineers Neo-Humans to settle Mars and be like slaves or something, but, of course, they rise up against their human creators. Even worse, they're led by a Hitler-like charismatic leader dedicated to basically wiping out the plain old humans. A small force of intrepid humans, and one good Neo-Human, use "exoskeletons" to combat the Neos and free humanity. A very sophisticated and dark cartoon, that is, apparently, now a cult classic. Frustratingly, it ended on a huge cliffhanger that will never be resolved. *grrr*
Batman: The Animated Series. The Batman/Bruce Wayne in this was hot! Way hotter than any of the guys who've played the character in live-action, IMHO. This was also a really dark, gritty cartoon animated in a dark, gritty style with dark, gritty storylines. Frankly, it's darker and grittier (and better) than any of the big-screen versions ever were.
Well, that's it for Cartoon Nostalgia for now. Or is it.........? *MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA*
Kissing Cousins
Early humans were rather kinky. Nothing like a little inter-primate incest to spice things up!
(Via Pharyngula)
(Via Pharyngula)
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Independent/Chain Bookstore Knifefight Continues Unabated
But Jenna Crispin injects some much-needed sanity into the debate.
I'm an unashamed habitue of my local Borders and Barnes & Noble. I get a lot of books online at various retailers. I don't have any independent bookstores that I visit, though. The one I did go to closed years ago and, frankly, it wasn't that great, but it was close. I'm not ashamed of my book-buying habits and I don't think anyone should try to make me feel so. If you have a great independent bookstore near you that you just love, support it with all your might. But someone who goes to a chain is not evil or stupid. Some of them are just the best option in the area. So just cool it with the hipster-ironic-commie-pinko condescension, bub!
In the end, as Crispin points out, "Insisting that book-buyers’ retailer decision must, or should, be one-or-the-other is hardly realistic. Of course, it does keep the debate alive—infinitely and uselessly."
(Via Bookslut)
I'm an unashamed habitue of my local Borders and Barnes & Noble. I get a lot of books online at various retailers. I don't have any independent bookstores that I visit, though. The one I did go to closed years ago and, frankly, it wasn't that great, but it was close. I'm not ashamed of my book-buying habits and I don't think anyone should try to make me feel so. If you have a great independent bookstore near you that you just love, support it with all your might. But someone who goes to a chain is not evil or stupid. Some of them are just the best option in the area. So just cool it with the hipster-ironic-commie-pinko condescension, bub!
In the end, as Crispin points out, "Insisting that book-buyers’ retailer decision must, or should, be one-or-the-other is hardly realistic. Of course, it does keep the debate alive—infinitely and uselessly."
(Via Bookslut)
Grrrrr!
Can't we all just get along?
Speaking as a mathematically-challenged, science-interested, artsy-fartsy humanities type, it really gets my goat when either the humanities or the sciences gets on a high horse and looks down on the other. Get with it, people! Knowledge isn't really a collection of wholly distinct disciplines hierarchically ordered according to arbitrary criteria: that's just the way we've decided to divide them up to make education a little easier. I'm not good at math, but I appreciate its value and fascination and hold in esteem those who are good at it. I expect the same consideration from my counterparts. Enough with the stupid "my discipline is better than yours!" crap. We have so many more important things to deal with. And to bicker at a time when education in toto is under threat by wingnuts and loons is sickening.
Speaking as a mathematically-challenged, science-interested, artsy-fartsy humanities type, it really gets my goat when either the humanities or the sciences gets on a high horse and looks down on the other. Get with it, people! Knowledge isn't really a collection of wholly distinct disciplines hierarchically ordered according to arbitrary criteria: that's just the way we've decided to divide them up to make education a little easier. I'm not good at math, but I appreciate its value and fascination and hold in esteem those who are good at it. I expect the same consideration from my counterparts. Enough with the stupid "my discipline is better than yours!" crap. We have so many more important things to deal with. And to bicker at a time when education in toto is under threat by wingnuts and loons is sickening.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
*Vigorously Nods Head In Agreement*
Yet again, Gayprof nails it. Homosexuals should be allowed to marry because it is their right. That does not mean, however, that homosexuals (or heterosexuals for that matter) who do not want marriage, who opt for "untraditional" relationships, or just want to slut it up with whoever comes along should be looked down upon or treated as lesser. Everyone has the right to be who they want to be and to be with who they want to be in whatever permutation that takes (with the full consent and safety of all involved, of course).
Homosexuals who really are bland and boring and bourgeois (and, hey, that describes me quite well!) should be allowed to be who they are just as much as a Radical Faerie in a five-way relationship. But those who conform in the vain hope that this will make heterosexuals like us and deign to allow us our rights are, frankly, pathetic. That's just selling out and makes my blood boil. It doesn't matter how "mainstream" we are or how closely we mimic them: at the end of the day, those that hate us and don't want to allow us to exercise our rights will always hate us and not allow us to exercise our rights simply because we exist and love who we love.
Homosexuals who really are bland and boring and bourgeois (and, hey, that describes me quite well!) should be allowed to be who they are just as much as a Radical Faerie in a five-way relationship. But those who conform in the vain hope that this will make heterosexuals like us and deign to allow us our rights are, frankly, pathetic. That's just selling out and makes my blood boil. It doesn't matter how "mainstream" we are or how closely we mimic them: at the end of the day, those that hate us and don't want to allow us to exercise our rights will always hate us and not allow us to exercise our rights simply because we exist and love who we love.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Happy Mother's Day
I don't know if any mothers even read this here blog, but if they do, I just want to wish you a wonderful Mother's Day!
I'm Not Convinced
"Survival of the fittest" explains royal inter-family killing. I don't know. I mean, I can buy a biological/Darwinian component to the patterns of royal executions, but it seems a bit reductive to say it was the underlying cause. The dynastic reasons for the executions were varied and complicated and not everything can be reduced to biological drives; humans are way too effed up for that.
(Via Archaeologica)
(Via Archaeologica)
Crisis!
Fewer books are being published in America! This is just unacceptable! What will us bookworms do as our food source diminishes? We'll be reduced to ravenous beasts, tearing each other to pieces in bookstores over the last copy of Harry Potter! It's gonna get ugly, y'all.
(Via Bookninja)
(Via Bookninja)
Saturday, May 13, 2006
...From Sea To Shining Sea!
An articulate, insightful, and impassioned screed on the true meaning of patriotism. Couldn't have, and probably wouldn't have, put it better myself.
I wish all Americans would read that blog post, because I heard on NPR that something like 63% Americans polled by USA Today had no problem with the recently revealed NSA data gathering on ordinary Americans' phone calls. Now, delusional as I am, I like to think that this high poll number is at least partially a result of ignorance: the story just broke, the poll was a "snap," and Americans are apt to not be aware of the full ramifications of something at first. But even so, it is horrifying. I mean, on one level, I understand the thought that "if you don't have anything to hide, who cares?" I could even accept that opinion. The problem with that is you have to trust that the watchdogs are only looking for terrorists and aren't going to use the information they collect for other puproses. And I don't trust the current Administration (any Administration really, but this Administration in particular) to confine itself to looking for terrorists. First it's "monitoring" to keep us "safe," then it's breaking down the door of any teen who writes "Bush SUX" on their blog and locking them up for sedition. (They're already attacking the freedom to write snarky movie reviews.)
Please don't be sheep, Americans! For once, spend divert just half the energy you expend being "offended" by Janet Jackson's breasts, following the Brangelina pregnancy, paying attention to Tom Cruise's crazy ass, or quaking in your boots that the gays are gonna getchya to caring about something that actually matters. Please!
I wish all Americans would read that blog post, because I heard on NPR that something like 63% Americans polled by USA Today had no problem with the recently revealed NSA data gathering on ordinary Americans' phone calls. Now, delusional as I am, I like to think that this high poll number is at least partially a result of ignorance: the story just broke, the poll was a "snap," and Americans are apt to not be aware of the full ramifications of something at first. But even so, it is horrifying. I mean, on one level, I understand the thought that "if you don't have anything to hide, who cares?" I could even accept that opinion. The problem with that is you have to trust that the watchdogs are only looking for terrorists and aren't going to use the information they collect for other puproses. And I don't trust the current Administration (any Administration really, but this Administration in particular) to confine itself to looking for terrorists. First it's "monitoring" to keep us "safe," then it's breaking down the door of any teen who writes "Bush SUX" on their blog and locking them up for sedition. (They're already attacking the freedom to write snarky movie reviews.)
Please don't be sheep, Americans! For once, spend divert just half the energy you expend being "offended" by Janet Jackson's breasts, following the Brangelina pregnancy, paying attention to Tom Cruise's crazy ass, or quaking in your boots that the gays are gonna getchya to caring about something that actually matters. Please!
Lovechild! Never Meant To Beeeeeeee...
DNA tests show that it was, indeed, a polar bear/grizzly hybrid that was shot in Canada, as I posted two days ago. I only hope that the bear managed to have some cubs before its shooting. I'm afraid that, without some hybridization leading to changes in mating and hunting behavior, the polar bear might go completely extinct in the years to come. There are already indications that the melting polar ice is really hitting them hard. *sigh*
Still no consensus as to what to call the hybrid, but the proposed Linnaean classification, Ursus maritimus horribilis, sounds cool. Very butch.
Still no consensus as to what to call the hybrid, but the proposed Linnaean classification, Ursus maritimus horribilis, sounds cool. Very butch.
A Vulcan Mind-Meld Across Cyberspace
Ninja George's katra and mine are as one on eBooks: I'll only use them when they're affordable and electronic paper good enough to give me a good approximation of "real" books.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Pug Chic
The pug is the flavor of the month in Hollywood. As a former pug owner, I must say that they'll fit right in in Hollywood: they are born thinking they're already stars. They can teach those starlets a thing or two about being a true diva! Plus, they're just so darn cute! (And I don't want anyone saying, "They're so ugly!" They're not; they're beautiful.)
Another reason pugs fit in in Hollywood? Pugs also often have nose jobs, though in their case it's not cosmetic, but to breath more easily. Still, it's plastic surgery!
Another reason pugs fit in in Hollywood? Pugs also often have nose jobs, though in their case it's not cosmetic, but to breath more easily. Still, it's plastic surgery!
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
They're Jamaican, Mon!
The words "baby-mama" and "baby-daddy" are Jamaican in origin. Fascinating!
I must say, though I'm the whitest of white boys, I often use these terms. They're just so useful in this day and age of more "non-traditional" family structures.
(Via Bookslut)
I must say, though I'm the whitest of white boys, I often use these terms. They're just so useful in this day and age of more "non-traditional" family structures.
(Via Bookslut)
I Sing The Body Necrotic
It's always nice to see a hometown non-gender make good (if by "make good" one means "mocked by a blog").
Monday, May 08, 2006
God, I'm Such A Dumbass!
You know that jingle at the end of those Kaye Jewelers' commercials? "Every kiss begins with Kaye!" Well, I always thought they just meant that "every" (obviously hyperbole) kiss began with a piece of jewelry from Kaye. I literally only realized last night that it's a play on words: the word "kiss" does indeed begin with the letter "k," which is exactly how you pronounce "Kaye." Makes a lot more sense, actually, but also makes me feel very, very, very, very, very dumb.
Totally Random Thought
I've always wondered just who the eponymous "Lucky Pierre" was and how he get a sexual position named after him.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Still More Cartoon Nostalgia
Three more of my favorite cartoons.
The Herculoids. Basically, it was a bunch of alien creatures with cool powers and a family of three space barbarians (or whatever the hell they were) versus whatever space creature came along. There was a dragon with some sort of laser coming out of his tail and eyes, a rock gorilla, a sort of rhino/tricerotops hybrid who shot missiles out of his horn, and, my favorites, a pair of jelly things who could change shape.
Johnny Quest. Seriously, The. Gayest. Cartoon. Ever! I mean, come on, Hanna-Barbera! Two single men (one named "Race"), an adopted Indian houseboy, and a sassy little dog? Do I have to show you the nude pictures of Race and Dr. Quest?
The Banana Splits. Live-action, but it had a bunch of cartoons on it, of which my favorite was The Arabian Knights. I thought Prince Turhan, the hero, was cute. The guy who turned into animals was hot, too. The show also had "Danger Island," a laughably absurd Gilligan's Island meets Indian Jones meets incompetent film-making mini-show. The racism of the way they depicted the "natives" would knock your socks off.
The Herculoids. Basically, it was a bunch of alien creatures with cool powers and a family of three space barbarians (or whatever the hell they were) versus whatever space creature came along. There was a dragon with some sort of laser coming out of his tail and eyes, a rock gorilla, a sort of rhino/tricerotops hybrid who shot missiles out of his horn, and, my favorites, a pair of jelly things who could change shape.
Johnny Quest. Seriously, The. Gayest. Cartoon. Ever! I mean, come on, Hanna-Barbera! Two single men (one named "Race"), an adopted Indian houseboy, and a sassy little dog? Do I have to show you the nude pictures of Race and Dr. Quest?
The Banana Splits. Live-action, but it had a bunch of cartoons on it, of which my favorite was The Arabian Knights. I thought Prince Turhan, the hero, was cute. The guy who turned into animals was hot, too. The show also had "Danger Island," a laughably absurd Gilligan's Island meets Indian Jones meets incompetent film-making mini-show. The racism of the way they depicted the "natives" would knock your socks off.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Vaginas Are Such A Bother
In terms of the books that are aimed at you if you have one, I mean.
I have no interest in vaginas; they're just not my thing. That doesn't mean that if you have one that you're "less," though. Far from it. Unfortunately, not all of my gay brethren are so enlightened. But despite some good-natured ribbing of my female friends about "yeasty vaginas," I am not (or at least I like to think I'm not) a queer misogynist.
(Via Bookslut)
I have no interest in vaginas; they're just not my thing. That doesn't mean that if you have one that you're "less," though. Far from it. Unfortunately, not all of my gay brethren are so enlightened. But despite some good-natured ribbing of my female friends about "yeasty vaginas," I am not (or at least I like to think I'm not) a queer misogynist.
(Via Bookslut)
Friday, May 05, 2006
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
I'm not that crazy about Cinco de Mayo. First, I'm not a drinker, so it really holds no appeal to me. Second, while I know that it's really the same sort of cultural appropriation as St. Patrick's Day (when "everybody's Irish"/a Lucky Charms leprechaun), a holiday that doesn't bother me in the slightest despite my own proud Irish heritage, with Cinco de Mayo it just feels... wrong, somehow. It's a holiday that's been "brought" to alcoholic gringos by "Mexican" chain restaurants and tequila manufacturers. Basically, it's taking Mexico's sorta-Independence Day-equivalent and making it an excuse to wear sombreros and get lit on Coronas.
In a year such as this when "the Mexicans are gonna take over!" hysteria is so strong, it seems especially inappropriate. When I went to get clipart, I found myself horrified. I mean, I'm a big old white, liberal, non-confrontational wuss, so showing images such as the one below makes me nervous. It was clearly labelled as a joke, but it is still offensive. Maybe hanging around Oso Raro and Gayprof has made me more aware of Hispanic issues. (BTW, guys, don't hate me!)
But who cares what I think? For those of you who enjoy a libation or two, have a tequila for me and enjoy the half-price margharitas!
Ye Olde Picke-Upe Linese
Let good old Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great- Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Uncle Geoffrey tell you how to pick up chicks/dudes.
(Via Maud Newton)
(Via Maud Newton)
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Relationship Advice
When a relationship ends, don't get mad, blow something up! Yeah, you'll end up in jail, but at least you'll feel better after having shown that lying bitch what for.
Blue Is My Favorite Color
And now I know why. Oh, Anderson, you're so dreamy. *sigh* I just wish he'd come out of the damn closet already, if only to stop people arguing over whether or not he should come out of the closet.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Speaking Truthiness To Power
Lots of chatter about Stephen Colbert's White House Correspondents' Dinner address. Some thought it was boring and unfunny, some thought it not terribly funny but gutsy, some though it "crossed the line," and some thought it was both funny and an incredible display of courage. Personally, I applaud him. I wish more people had the guts to stand up and say what's really going on. Totally unsurprising that he bombed: neither politicians nor their attendant journalists have a sense of humor beyond the facile. They're too full of self-importance to either get or appreciate mocking and irony.
Unfortunately, as great as Colbert's speech was, I don't think it'll change anything. The press will keep on kowtowing and navel-gazing and self-congratulating, the President and his groupies will keep on thinking he was sent by God, and the anti-Bush people will still hate Bush. Still, it needed to be said, and I salute Stephen Colbert for saying it.
BTW, does it creep anyone else out that the only Washington insider who seemed to be laughing, even at himself, was Justice Antonin Scalia? I guess when you're that evil, you can acknowledge your own evilness and find it funny. Cheney was probably yucking it up in an undisclosed location.
(Oh, and to tie it all in with the bird theme I've got going, Stephen has his own namesake bald eagle.)
Unfortunately, as great as Colbert's speech was, I don't think it'll change anything. The press will keep on kowtowing and navel-gazing and self-congratulating, the President and his groupies will keep on thinking he was sent by God, and the anti-Bush people will still hate Bush. Still, it needed to be said, and I salute Stephen Colbert for saying it.
BTW, does it creep anyone else out that the only Washington insider who seemed to be laughing, even at himself, was Justice Antonin Scalia? I guess when you're that evil, you can acknowledge your own evilness and find it funny. Cheney was probably yucking it up in an undisclosed location.
(Oh, and to tie it all in with the bird theme I've got going, Stephen has his own namesake bald eagle.)
Jailbird
Continuing with today's bird theme, the tale of an imprisoned parrot. These pet custody disputes are always heartwrenching, aren't they? It's always the animal that suffers.
(Via Books, Inq., via Petrona)
(Via Books, Inq., via Petrona)
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Won't SOMEONE Think Of The Orthographers?!?
People misspell traditional phrases and cliches more than they spell them correctly. For instance, instead of the correct "strait-laced," people write "straight-laced." It's the end of civilization as we know it.
(Via Bookninja)
(Via Bookninja)
Monday, May 01, 2006
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Utterly Random Observation
Lithuanian surnames look and sound very Latin. Lithuanians I know have names like Sudeikis (okay, it's the guy on SNL, and I don't actually know him), Brolis, and Celius. Add a "Maximus" to any one of them and you're back at the Colosseum watching gladiators fight lions!
Even More Cartoon Nostalgia
Scooby-Doo. The good ones, though, not the later crap with Scrappy Doo or anything. Who couldn't love Shaggy and Scooby and Velma? I liked Velma in particular because she was smart and, I know now, most likely a fellow homosexual. Plus, who else could rock an orange turtleneck, knee-socks, and glasses quite like her? Daphne and Fred I could have cared less about; they were always off banging each other, anyway.
Space Ghost. I love Space Ghost Coast to Coast, too, but that's a whole different kettle of fish. I loved the bad physics (flying and breathing in space!) and the villains (Black Widow! Metallus!) and Space Ghost's bracers (again with the cartoon jewelry lust!) and the monkey Flip who, as far as I'm concerned, was the real hero of the show because he was always pulling Space Ghost and those bumbling twins' asses out of the fire.
Captain Planet. "He's our hero! Gonna take pollution down to zero!" Early 90s environmental propaganda. I had a crush on the guy who had the fire ring. Always laughed at the kid who had the "heart" ring. What a crappy power (and a haircut to match). Speaking of haircuts, Captain Planet had a mullet. Nothing says "environmental hero" like a mullet.
Space Ghost. I love Space Ghost Coast to Coast, too, but that's a whole different kettle of fish. I loved the bad physics (flying and breathing in space!) and the villains (Black Widow! Metallus!) and Space Ghost's bracers (again with the cartoon jewelry lust!) and the monkey Flip who, as far as I'm concerned, was the real hero of the show because he was always pulling Space Ghost and those bumbling twins' asses out of the fire.
Captain Planet. "He's our hero! Gonna take pollution down to zero!" Early 90s environmental propaganda. I had a crush on the guy who had the fire ring. Always laughed at the kid who had the "heart" ring. What a crappy power (and a haircut to match). Speaking of haircuts, Captain Planet had a mullet. Nothing says "environmental hero" like a mullet.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Eeeek!
Ran across this list of Portland's "sexiest staffs." Not to be superficial (who, me?), but, while most of the women are, indeed, hot, or at least cute, the guys are almost all... well, not. As I have friends who plan on moving to Portland next year and I hope to visit them at some point afterwards, this is very worrying. Vince, please tell me all Portland guys aren't that grody!
(Via Bookslut)
(Via Bookslut)
Friday, April 28, 2006
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Darn! I Was Sure I Was The Golgi Body...
| The ER |
| You're the Endoplasmic reticulum! The ER modifies proteins, makes macromolecules, and transfers substances throughout the cell. It has its own membrane, and translation of mRNA happens within it. You tend to have two sides to you - sort of a jekyll and Hyde kind of story. One side of you tends to be rough and tumble, but also very useful. Your other side is less well-defined and slightly more mysterious. |
 |
My test tracked 3 variables. How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Which Cell Organelle are you? |
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Room For Improvement
Ways to improve your blog. I, of course, don't need such advice, but some of you other, less absoutely fan-friggin'-tastic bloggers may.
(Via Books, Inq.)
(Via Books, Inq.)
Homosexual, Homosexual, Homosexual!
Now, as a logophile/word nerd of the highest order, I don't like to see any word, even offensive or derogatory ones, banned. (I wouldn't mind if they were used, but I want that to come out of people's awareness and tolerance, not a decree from on high.)
But if you're going to ban a word, why in Heaven's name would you start with homosexual? And just who the hell are these "many gays and lesbians today" who think "the term homosexuality is considered inappropriate by many gays and lesbians today"?!?!? I can kinda see the point that it's a clinical name from a time when same-sex attraction was considered a mental illness and that it, but, come on!
(Via Proceed At Your Own Risk)
But if you're going to ban a word, why in Heaven's name would you start with homosexual? And just who the hell are these "many gays and lesbians today" who think "the term homosexuality is considered inappropriate by many gays and lesbians today"?!?!? I can kinda see the point that it's a clinical name from a time when same-sex attraction was considered a mental illness and that it, but, come on!
(Via Proceed At Your Own Risk)
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Comments
So it turns out the posts that get the most commenting attention are the ones about old cartoons and Star Trek. As Mr. Spock would say, "Fascinating!" And, really, not terribly surprising. The name of the blog is Bourgeois NERD after all; it stands to reason that my brethren and sistren in nerdhood/geekdom would be attracted, especially to stuff about cartoons and sci-fi. Nevertheless, I have to say that I love you guys!
The Future!
Electronic paper. Though I love books as they are, once e-paper gets cheap enough and thin enough to make a good paperback-sized folio, I'll go with it. If they can get something approximating the tactile feel of paper, I'll have died and gone to heaven.
(Via Maud Newton)
(Via Maud Newton)
Monday, April 24, 2006
About As Welcome As A Tribble At A Klingon Wedding
They're thinking of doing another Trek movie. I'd be happy, except for the reported storyline. *ugh* I’m sorry, but I have no interest in seeing the “early days” of Kirk and Spock. And at the Academy, no less!
I know it’s anathema to some, but I’d really rather go back to the “present” of the Trek universe (2380s) than keep going back into the past. Enterprise didn't work partly because of this and I don't think a new movie would, either. Plus, you'd have to get young guys to play iconic characters and that just doesn't work. And I really don't think it would bring in any new or casual fans and would probably piss off a large portion of the established/hardcore ones. I mean, yeah, you're always going to piss off some of the crazy fanboys. (And fangirls! Yes, Virginia, there are many, many, many female Trekkers.) This sort of thing, though, has the potential to alienate more than just a few crazies and grumps.
And, to top it all off, they've given the project to a director of... less than stellar credentials. For once, I'm rooting for the Hollywood machine to chew a project up and spit it out.
I know it’s anathema to some, but I’d really rather go back to the “present” of the Trek universe (2380s) than keep going back into the past. Enterprise didn't work partly because of this and I don't think a new movie would, either. Plus, you'd have to get young guys to play iconic characters and that just doesn't work. And I really don't think it would bring in any new or casual fans and would probably piss off a large portion of the established/hardcore ones. I mean, yeah, you're always going to piss off some of the crazy fanboys. (And fangirls! Yes, Virginia, there are many, many, many female Trekkers.) This sort of thing, though, has the potential to alienate more than just a few crazies and grumps.
And, to top it all off, they've given the project to a director of... less than stellar credentials. For once, I'm rooting for the Hollywood machine to chew a project up and spit it out.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Saturday, April 22, 2006
More Cartoon Nostalgia
Due to the raging success of my last walk down the Cartoonville stretch of Memory Lane (and, yes, two commenters other than myself is a raging success for me), I realized that I actually have a lot more cartoon memories to share. This post, and two more forthcoming, are the result.
Shazzan. Yet again, I didn't really like the protagionists of the cartoon (which seems to be something of a pattern with me), the two whitebread teens. Those two were beyond useless: always getting into trouble and then running to Shazzan to save their pasty asses. Really, without Kablooie and Shazzan, that pair would have been dead a thousand times over. But Shazzan himself was just one cool cat. Always defeated the villain with a smile on his face and a booming laugh. And he was creative, too. Rather kinky, actually.
Josie & The Pussycats in Outer Space. I didn't like the regular show, but the space show was cool. Looking back, the spaceship was pretty much shaped like a sex toy and even at the age I was watching it I knew enough about astronomy and physics to know that their constant running into inhabited "planetoids" (they were always "planetoids" for some reason, not moons or planets) and mysterious lack of free-fall was silly, but I just loved their "running" effects and it made me giggle. What more can you ask of a cartoon?
Sailor Moon. Just the first season of the dubbed version, anyway. For a silly, sometimes incoherent (due to the dubbing and Americanization) cartoon, it really could pull at your heartstrings. Plus, the villains had names like "Queen Beryl" and "Malachite" and "Zoisite" and, like, how cool is that?
More to come...
Shazzan. Yet again, I didn't really like the protagionists of the cartoon (which seems to be something of a pattern with me), the two whitebread teens. Those two were beyond useless: always getting into trouble and then running to Shazzan to save their pasty asses. Really, without Kablooie and Shazzan, that pair would have been dead a thousand times over. But Shazzan himself was just one cool cat. Always defeated the villain with a smile on his face and a booming laugh. And he was creative, too. Rather kinky, actually.
Josie & The Pussycats in Outer Space. I didn't like the regular show, but the space show was cool. Looking back, the spaceship was pretty much shaped like a sex toy and even at the age I was watching it I knew enough about astronomy and physics to know that their constant running into inhabited "planetoids" (they were always "planetoids" for some reason, not moons or planets) and mysterious lack of free-fall was silly, but I just loved their "running" effects and it made me giggle. What more can you ask of a cartoon?
Sailor Moon. Just the first season of the dubbed version, anyway. For a silly, sometimes incoherent (due to the dubbing and Americanization) cartoon, it really could pull at your heartstrings. Plus, the villains had names like "Queen Beryl" and "Malachite" and "Zoisite" and, like, how cool is that?
More to come...
Friday, April 21, 2006
My Dearest Clementine...
What's with our obsession with the Civil War? Sure, this is an Australian who doesn't really "get" it, but he makes some good points. How could the North have won the war, but the South end up with all the pride and "glory"? Why do we romanticize it so? Why do so many people have such an utter obsession with it? I don't really know. I mean, it's undoubtedly a big part of American history, but what is it so particularly lodged in our collective imaginations? Can it really be simple nationalism (i.e. that both sides were American, so there are no "durn ferners" in the story)?
(Via Bookslut)
(Via Bookslut)
Thursday, April 20, 2006
I AM Twelve Years Old
I don't know whether it is awesome or tragic that this man's name is Jonathan Mandick. All I know is I really want to meet him!
Maps With Pretty Colors!
American religion and language laid out in easily digested graphics.
(Via Laputan Logic; Languagehat)
(Via Laputan Logic; Languagehat)
I'm Going Guido
When I go a while without a haircut, my hair gets all poofy and this point comes out at the top of my head. Well, my barber's on vacation, so my haircut is even more overdue than usual. And I realized that I'm starting to look like those Gotti guys. Yuck! I mean, I looooves me some Italian gumbas, but those three are just straight-up nasty! Not who you want to look like. (BTW, I've heard that there's actually a fourth brother who doesn't appear on the show. I don't know if he's just too young and it was decided it wasn't appropriate or older and out on his own, but I hope he got some hotness genes, 'cause his brothers sure didn't.) Luckily, my vampiric pallor and unplucked eyebrows should keep me from being featured by Richard or the wrath of Toby's self-Jersey-boy-hatred.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
The Secret Of Male Fertility: Other Men!
Geez, even straight sperm feel threatened by more than one guy in a porn! It's like, "Man, I'm totally straight! The two guys on one girl thing doesn't threaten me at all! I'll prove it by swimming even faster and totally headbutting into that ovum up there!" Methinks the gamete doth protest too much!
Now, Tom, Will You Please SHUT UP?!?!?
After being maybe-pretend pregnant for about fifty million years, Katie has given birth (or "birth"). In a twist of irony worthy of O. Henry, Brooke Shields just gave birth, as well. The Cruise spawn is "Suri." *sigh* Makes Moses sound almost normal... Of course, Brooke saddled her kid with "Grier," but at least it has some antecedents (Greer Garson, Pam Grier). But if this "Suri" really is the Anti-Christ some think and Grier is our only hope of salvation, I'm willing to forgive the weirdo name. Help us, Grier Hammond! You're our only hope!
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Cartoon Nostalgia
Back when Saturday morning cartoons were good and before Cartoon Network became Anime Central, I was totally into cartoons. Some of my favorites included:
Pirates of Dark Water. I wanted to be an ecomancer like Tula sooooo bad. And don't even get me started on how much I wanted that pink outfit of hers! Ioz and Ran were also very hot and often shirtless. Looking back, though, the racial politics of the cartoon were a bit suspect. I mean, the hero (Ran) had blond hair and blue eyes, while everyone else was swarthy. Kinda makes you go, "Hmmmmmmmmmmm." Funny aside: to this day, I still occasionally exclaim "Noy jatot!" and "Noy jatotta!" the "curse words" of the show.
Thundarr the Barbarian. Thundarr kinda sucked and was boring, but Ariel kicked ass! And Oogla the Mok was so cute! I was always pretending I was one of the wizards (though a good one, not an evil one).
This one whose name I can't remember. It was about this (again, blond-haired, blue-eyed) guy with this lance kind of thing that was split into two parts and only became kick-ass when he put the two pieces together. His one sidekick was this princess looking to get back this magic shield from the villain, who had conquered her homeland. She had this really cool magical bracer with a red stone that shot fire, a white stone that shot ice, and a black stone that did something I don't remember. I soooooo wanted that bracer! And then there was her kid brother who was really annoying, but he had a cool boomerang thing that split up into three pieces. Anyone know what the hell I'm talking about?
And, then, of course, there's Thundercats. Hooooooooooooooooo! My favorite on that was Panthero, the mechanic/engineer. Even then I had a thing for nerdy muscle daddies in wrestling singlets! *hehehehe* I also liked Mum-Ra. The Thundercats were kinda boring, really; Mum-Ra was cool.
Update: Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, I found the cartoon I couldn't remember the name of. It was called Galtar and the Golden Lance and apparently it only ran for a season in 1985. That would have made me about three years old watching it. I didn't think I was that young. Huh. Anyway, I'm just glad I figured it out. It was driving me crazy!
Pirates of Dark Water. I wanted to be an ecomancer like Tula sooooo bad. And don't even get me started on how much I wanted that pink outfit of hers! Ioz and Ran were also very hot and often shirtless. Looking back, though, the racial politics of the cartoon were a bit suspect. I mean, the hero (Ran) had blond hair and blue eyes, while everyone else was swarthy. Kinda makes you go, "Hmmmmmmmmmmm." Funny aside: to this day, I still occasionally exclaim "Noy jatot!" and "Noy jatotta!" the "curse words" of the show.
Thundarr the Barbarian. Thundarr kinda sucked and was boring, but Ariel kicked ass! And Oogla the Mok was so cute! I was always pretending I was one of the wizards (though a good one, not an evil one).
This one whose name I can't remember. It was about this (again, blond-haired, blue-eyed) guy with this lance kind of thing that was split into two parts and only became kick-ass when he put the two pieces together. His one sidekick was this princess looking to get back this magic shield from the villain, who had conquered her homeland. She had this really cool magical bracer with a red stone that shot fire, a white stone that shot ice, and a black stone that did something I don't remember. I soooooo wanted that bracer! And then there was her kid brother who was really annoying, but he had a cool boomerang thing that split up into three pieces. Anyone know what the hell I'm talking about?
And, then, of course, there's Thundercats. Hooooooooooooooooo! My favorite on that was Panthero, the mechanic/engineer. Even then I had a thing for nerdy muscle daddies in wrestling singlets! *hehehehe* I also liked Mum-Ra. The Thundercats were kinda boring, really; Mum-Ra was cool.
Update: Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, I found the cartoon I couldn't remember the name of. It was called Galtar and the Golden Lance and apparently it only ran for a season in 1985. That would have made me about three years old watching it. I didn't think I was that young. Huh. Anyway, I'm just glad I figured it out. It was driving me crazy!
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