tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8399655594773250212024-02-06T20:15:22.230-08:00NerdophiliaWelcome to Nerdophilia! Don't worry, there's no sex, just R-rated language! And nudity only if it's integral to the plot!
This blog is about anything I consider to be interesting or important, but mostly both. I am a believer in the paranormal and a fan of Nerdist, MythBusters, Ghost Adventures, science, and nerdy stuff.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-68471014564755353762016-08-09T00:30:00.000-07:002016-08-09T00:30:03.590-07:00A Little Bit of Loneliness, A Little Bit of Disregard<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Hi, y’all! Sorry I was silent for so long…. I just never really had anything to talk about prior to now (or the time to write about it thanks to my very crazy schedule). Brief update: I’ve had issues, I’ve had progress, I’ve had fun. But now’s not the time for the “here’s how my life is” stuff….. There’s something far more important, and far more personal, to talk about, a topic I’m struggling to write articles about for a project I want to put together to change how people perceive it……</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> FYI, this post is basically addressing the "Autism martyr" parents of the Interwebs that I frequently run into in the comments sections of certain articles. So if you're not one of these "my child is suffering! We must cure them of their autism!"-shouting parents, please don't take it personally; it's just a message and it was way easier than typing in the third-person perspective. So the "you" doesn't apply to everyone.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cbb11340-57c8-e546-b306-a0c863eb4153" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This post’s theme songs are all by Linkin Park: <a href="https://youtu.be/BGTlN1c3Yv0" target="_blank">Faint</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/wq5o9KLHwFg" target="_blank">By_myslf</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/YwC0f30mVuM" target="_blank">Castle of Glass</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/yvBgP4L3Tw0" target="_blank">Somewhere I Belong</a>, and <a href="https://youtu.be/znYq3iHXShI" target="_blank">Nth th End</a>. (Basically, these are all songs I felt express my frustrations towards the neurotypical people who </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">act like</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> they are supporting us, but are actually supporting causes that make them feel better about us.)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't Shut Me Up!</span></h2>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“[I am] A little bit of loneliness</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A little bit of disregard</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Handful of complaints but I can’t help the fact</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That everyone can see these scars</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[I am] What I want you to want</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What I want you to feel</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But it’s like no matter what I do</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t convince you</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To just believe this is real</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[So I] Let go</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Watching you</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turn your back like you always do</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Face away and pretend that I’m not</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I’ll be here ‘cause you’re all that I’ve got.”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: right;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--Verse 1 (Mike Shinoda) of “Faint” by Linkin Park</span></blockquote>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s frustrating to be in my position sometimes, when I try to navigate the Interwebs and come across an article about how “Autism is debilitating,” and that “<a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2014/11/06/can-google-find-the-cure-for-autism.html" target="_blank">such-and-such groups and corporations are funding research into the causes in the hopes of curing Autism</a>,” and that “<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/inspectrum/201509/please-stop-whitewashing-autism" target="_blank">parents struggle with their child’s violent outbursts</a>.” Of course, once I peek into the comments sections of these articles, I see so many commenters repeat themselves in a variety of ways with the same ideas, over and over….. “Vaccines cause autism! Here’s a link to this site I trust more than the CDC’s web site!” and “Hey, the gluten-free diet helped so much that my child doesn’t have autism anymore!” and even negative comments from idiot trolls calling people on the Autism Spectrum (people like me) the r-word and making claims that because of <a href="http://andrewsolomon.com/articles/myth-of-the-autistic-shooter/" target="_blank">(the oft-repeated not-at-all true claims of) our “lack of empathy,” we would become killers that shoot up schools</a>.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orig12.deviantart.net/d0f5/f/2015/185/9/1/autism_acceptance__as_i_am_by_azurite_dream-d8zxxmk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://orig12.deviantart.net/d0f5/f/2015/185/9/1/autism_acceptance__as_i_am_by_azurite_dream-d8zxxmk.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://azurite-dream.deviantart.com/art/Autism-Acceptance-As-We-Are-544099196" target="_blank">deviantArt</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s even worse when I try to say something, because there is always going to be people who not only agree with me, but more often than not, people who say that I’m wrong, that I’m “not an expert” and that I have “no clue what these parents are going through,” and should therefore, “get off the internet and let the parents of ‘severely affected children’ do the talking.” Yes, I have received those comments before, <a href="https://disqus.com/home/discussion/cnbc/can_google_find_the_cure_for_autism/#comment-2284908565" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://disqus.com/home/discussion/cnbc/can_google_find_the_cure_for_autism/#comment-2653701341" target="_blank">here</a> and even <a href="https://disqus.com/home/discussion/cnbc/can_google_find_the_cure_for_autism/#comment-1755674501" target="_blank">here</a>! And they piss me off every time!</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know what they’re doing: they don’t want me to speak up and prove these <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurotypical">neurotypicals</a> (NTs) wrong, that people on the Spectrum are okay, that we do have difficulties but with the right supports, can have an actual future and function independently, that despite all the talking about how parents “know more than the doctors about what it means to live with autism,” that I’m a member of a the population that has true first-hand experience of living with an Autistic Spectrum </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: line-through; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disorder</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> DIFForder (ASD).</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have a few questions, and the most important one is “WHAT THE FUCK?! Why are you ignoring us? Why won’t you shut up for a few minutes and give the microphone to the people you need to listen to--US?!?!” Sure, it’s three questions in one, but at least the point is made….</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[I am] A little bit insecure</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A little unconfident</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But you don’t understand</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do what I can</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And sometimes I don’t make sense</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[I am] What you never want to say</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I’ve never had to doubt</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s like no matter what I do</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t convince you</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For once just to hear me out</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[So I] Let go</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Watching you</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turn your back like you always do</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Face away and pretend that I’m not</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I’ll be here ‘cause you’re all that I’ve got.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”</span></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">--Verse 2 (Mike Shinoda) of “Faint” by Linkin Park</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, there are all of these groups that want to raise awareness of Autism--but they’re doing it all wrong. Basically, <a href="http://andrewsolomon.com/articles/the-autism-rights-movement/" target="_blank">the same message is there</a>--“Autism is an evil disease that ruins lives and makes our sons and daughters less than human, and therefore, rob us of the life we wanted originally: a normal life just like everybody else, without Autism and its difficulties.”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See how insulting that is? (Many people out there may be going, “Hey, you’re exaggerating! We’ve never said that!” But you still did--we don’t always read “between the lines,” but when you talk about us, it’s like, we’re the “angry” gorilla in the room who doesn't care what you say!) Yeah, we may not look like we’re listening, but we still are, despite not looking at the people talking. (It’s basic knowledge: we don’t listen with our eyes!!!! Unless there’s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lip_reading" target="_blank">lipreading</a> or sign language involved……)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to make a few things clear here: we are human beings, we are neurologically different from you, and this world you NTs have built for yourself is baffling and difficult for us to navigate.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s time to shut up and listen to us…… Here’s my side of the situation…..</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<h2 style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“How’s the Advocacy Going?” “Well….”</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m angry as hell. I’m furious, I’m frustrated, I’m enraged….. So often, NTs want to be heard, and are willing to figuratively “talk” over everyone else, including their own sons and daughters, to have their concerns and fears be received by the community. They fail to realize that they’re trivializing us in doing so.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img10.deviantart.net/81e4/i/2014/164/9/3/__rainbow_butterfly___by_katrinlouiseo24-d5jpnz6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://img10.deviantart.net/81e4/i/2014/164/9/3/__rainbow_butterfly___by_katrinlouiseo24-d5jpnz6.jpg" height="320" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://katrinlouiseo24.deviantart.com/art/Rainbow-Butterfly-335441058" target="_blank">deviantArt</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Which is why I ask you “martyr” parents of Autistic people, who <a href="http://theautismwars.blogspot.com/2015/03/on-digital-exhibitionism-by-autism.html" target="_blank">violate our privacy</a> by posting videos of our meltdowns and complain about how we’re throwing tantrums “all the time”, despite our being in a vulnerable emotional state; who ignore our cries for help or misinterpret them as whining-due-to-our-not-having-things-our-way despite the fact that shrieking, crying, screaming, etc., is the most basic and primal forms of communication that we’ve inherited from the apes (providing that you believe in evolution; if you’re a hardcore Creationist, listen up: GOD MADE US THIS WAY! Okay?); who force us to act like everyone else despite our need for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stimming" target="_blank">self-stimulation (stimming)</a> that includes hand-flapping and rocking back and forth, our need for an environment that doesn’t make us experience sensory overload (which is terrifying, in case you’re wondering), our inability to blend in no matter how much you want or even train us to; who don’t want to be ashamed over having an autistic child, thanks to all the stigma that society attaches to being disabled--Who has more experience with Autism: you or us?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This hurts us more than it helps. However, p</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">arents, please don’t be dismissive. I want you to know that you are our partners who help us navigate the world we both share, our protectors, and our guides to that world that confuses us. We do need you to be there for us, to be supportive of our talents, our interests (despite how narrow they can be), our dreams and desires (despite how invisible they are to you, who can’t seem to see past the external behaviors that allow us to process the world that we experience).</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/full/8967508992/hDC17C44E/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://i.chzbgr.com/full/8967508992/hDC17C44E/" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cheezburger.com/8967508992">Yes, this is mine....</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You might be saying, "You can't speak for everyone! Your to mild and high-functioning!" One--UGGGHHHHH!!!!!! In this case, it's "you're" not "your", and too, not "to". Two--the <a href="http://whoneedsnormalcy.blogspot.com/2014/08/face-truth-what-you-really-mean-when.html" target="_blank">functioning polarity</a> (which is what I call it) is complete bull and does not represent the true nature of the Autism Spectrum. And three--You might assume that I don't have struggles, but the reality is that I do struggle with certain things, including social cues. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can’t tell you how often that I’ve embarrassed myself for not knowing the subtle messages of “No, thanks,” or “Please leave me alone,” or even “You’re too annoying, go away.” And these messages do hurt, but it hurts more when these messages are there and I can’t even pick up on them; after all, if it isn’t said, it isn’t being said, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>riiiiight</i></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? According to the ways I’ve had to learn them, HELL NO! It’s as if hinting way too subtly was way more acceptable than explaining in a straightforward manner that you don’t want me to contact you so often, or hang around as a friend, or even be nice to you in a way that I thought you’d appreciate. Nooooo, it’s way more “acceptable” to just <a href="https://www.facebook.com/growingupaspie/posts/1666592740221883" target="_blank">cut all ties without letting me know</a> what I was doing wrong, without giving me a chance to learn and change my ways so I can be better at being a friend or coworker or classmate or neighbor!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/full/8967509248/h9A434F31/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://i.chzbgr.com/full/8967509248/h9A434F31/" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cheezburger.com/8967509248">Also mine....</a></td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do have troubles. I do have problems, but they’re not all that visible to you--I have depression, anxiety, and even ADD. And these co-occurring disabilities (Doctors say “co-morbid”, but that’s too negative; I prefer the more neutral term “co-occurring”.) are what I’m struggling with more, rather than my Asperger’s itself--and it all <a href="http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/">wears me the hell out</a>! The anxiety is actually causing so much tension that I’m just craving Massage Therapy to undo all the knots I have lurking in my back. (I’m not kidding! I get knots too! First time I got a massage from a friend who took classes, he found three knots. Second time, it was four! So, really, it was frustrating to feel tight in my back after having such great sleep! I bet I have seven knots lurking about at this point!)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each of us experience anxiety, and probably depression; some of us have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to the amount of bullying we’re subjected to during childhood (and sometimes not even bullying--there’s a lot of other stressful points that we experience as traumatic). We have co-occuring conditions that have symptoms that either mask the ASD or even are mistaken for ASD. And people fail to realize that we’re a population as well, and that in every group, there are good people and bad people. And yet, what we experience gets trivialized by the neurotypicals (NTs; people without autism, in other words) because we “can’t possibly feel _________” or “know what it means to _________”. Because we’re autistic. And they’re not.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/4c/4c4badb3eb698b2ba3545d457e5785f8c154bd6410d442f135d4ba913d3e08b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/4c/4c4badb3eb698b2ba3545d457e5785f8c154bd6410d442f135d4ba913d3e08b5.jpg" height="400" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3oq7ag">quickmeme</a>, because FUCK YES!!!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But how would they know? How would NTs who trivialize what we see, hear, feel, experience, think, etc., know what it’s like to be us? We’re not lying! And yes, we’re not looking you in the eyes either, because it’s too intense or painful or just plain hard for us to maintain that focus where we’re talking and aiming our eyes at yours! We’d have to sacrifice an amount of RAM to be able to appear normal while conversing with NTs who like to pretend to be intelligent or courteous by wasting time talking about things that we don’t value all that often or get confused by. (Like, “Are you keeping up with the Kardashians? Kim and Kanye did this the other day!” My response would be, “I don’t fucking care what the Cardassians are doing! They need to broker a peace treaty with the Bajorans already!”) Ask us about the weather, and we’ll give you the forecast for the day, totally serious. We don’t handle small talk well, we don’t have the programming for “social niceties” already installed (that costs extra for our model of “human being”), and we have a hard time distinguishing sarcasm from genuine expression, understanding the meaning behind idioms that are so ridiculous that we’d rather be straightforward by saying what we mean, and, finally, just navigating the script for social interaction is so hard for us that through painful trial and error over the years, there are those of us who have <a href="https://www.facebook.com/growingupaspie/photos/a.1516506215230537.1073741827.1516505618563930/1690522241162266/?type=3">crafted a neurotypical “persona”</a> (an act, really) to allow us to “pass” in a society that not only doesn’t understand us, but would fear us and ostracize, alienate and bully us for not “fitting in” and being “normal”.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> And what really pisses me off is how many "martyr" parents just prophesy bleak futures for us!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Dangers and Evils of Stereotypes and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In case you've forgotten, yes: we're a minority, and with every minority, there are stereotypes. The rich white (and sometimes orange) assholes (who are fulfilling the stereotype of rich white assholes) are applying stereotypes to everybody who is not part of their population, as part of their compartmentalized sorting system, categorizing each person with a box-shaped image of what springs to mind when this population is mentioned. They'd stereotype black people as "thugs who engage in crime, are dangerous, form gangs, and love watermelon, fried chicken, and hip hop!" and (lately) Muslims are "terrorists who are a danger to our country; they're always plotting something!" They also stereotype us: autistic people, who "can't do anything worthwhile, will never speak, will never use the toilet properly, won't be able to work or take care of themselves...." BLEH!!!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Does that sound familiar, anybody?)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://wordandimage.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/lolcat-attack.png?w=450" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://wordandimage.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/lolcat-attack.png?w=450" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a google search....</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Here's the issue here: stereotypes feed into self-fulfilling prophecies. Yes, it's the brain's way of simplifying things; in fact, your brain loves you......BUT.......it can be a real asshole at times. Some peoples brains are assholes more often than others, even; this is what happens with depression and anxiety (overly-simplified, of course, since we're keeping things super simple). But if you engage in self-fulfilling prophecies that are echoes of the "autistic individual" stereotype, then you're already doing damage before you do anything that you think would help them. It leads to giving up on opportunities that we could have taken to wow the world, to surprise the assholes, to......*Bill Nye voice* dare I say it...... CHANGE THE WORLD!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So, as soon as we hear, "She'll never be able to ___________," our hopes and dreams are tainted with your despair. It affects us greatly: "She'll never be able to get/hold down a job" leads to us believing that we'll never succeed in the job hunt, so why bother? "She'll never live on her own," leads us to being that 40-year old who still lives in their parents basements, trapped in low expectations land. It's a real effect that has major <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem_effect#Implications" target="_blank">implications</a>...... But we can learn; we are great at pattern recognition, so why not <a href="http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2011/08/potential-dangers-associated-with.html" target="_blank">use that to our advantage</a>? We see a pattern, we figure out what it means, and we apply it to life. "Getting a job means I get money which means I get to move out and have more freedoms!"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Basically, we’re a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/growingupaspie/posts/1691502371064253">population of scholars</a>, who learn as we go through life. Our brains are so often on overdrive that it even <a href="https://www.facebook.com/growingupaspie/posts/1673356226212201" style="font-weight: 400;" target="_blank">keeps us awake late at night</a>, running fast with the premium-level problem-solving programs to the point where we have a hard time getting a good night’s sleep. And though we’re more visible, we’re not as audible to you. Wasn’t there a line in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Life-Times-Witch-Years/dp/0061350966" target="_blank">Gregory Maguire's <b>Wicked</b></a> when there’s a poetry scene--one line goes “Animals should be seen and not heard.” We’re not Animals (or animals, for that matter). We’re not victims--so why are you treating us like that? We don’t need your pity, just your support, patience and understanding (especially in the grocery stores; don’t block the aisles while looking at </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the shelves! Because I’m behind you, getting impatient!). We crave routine and scheduled events happening when they happen, because the <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2015/09/the_neurodiversity_movement_autism_is_a_minority_group_neurotribes_excerpt.html">NT world is too chaotic</a> and loud and bright and smelly and full of people who don’t get the concept of “personal space,” even while walking in the same direction as us. (This last one perturbs me a lot; there would be people walking in the same direction as me having a conversation but they get too close behind me to the point where I could poke them with a metre-/yardstick, which is unnerving--mostly for survival self-defense reasons, like, “Why are you so close to me? Do you want to hurt me?!” This is why I let people pass in front of me, so I don’t get anxious. Because anxious autistics/Aspies are unhappy autistics/Aspies.)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs80ZhirrDTHg_5O3R10FxQc0XsXos0Ldx4B1ezAOstx1fYsvxoGALvHsEZSj06XVRT8lnXbIyMf2_o4lDus_kxmLeoIxxkQULcVfvSNTINSV2e8jUTNVTggDtrwSnDQ5hE0Xs-Es_lh23/s320/itsbeautiful.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs80ZhirrDTHg_5O3R10FxQc0XsXos0Ldx4B1ezAOstx1fYsvxoGALvHsEZSj06XVRT8lnXbIyMf2_o4lDus_kxmLeoIxxkQULcVfvSNTINSV2e8jUTNVTggDtrwSnDQ5hE0Xs-Es_lh23/s320/itsbeautiful.bmp" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://dailylolcat.blogspot.com/2007/12/its-beautiful.html">Daily LOLcat blog</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> There are things that we do that don’t make sense to you, but it makes sense to us. We’re not always right, but neither are you. And we’re excellent at pattern recognition, and can be expressive in ways that aren’t always verbal. You know, “picture’s worth a thousand words” and all that. Perhaps there are members of our population who have thoughts and ideas too beautiful to be expressed verbally???</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This is why it does not suit our needs and interests to be ignored. Perhaps if you listened to us in whatever launguage we use (sign language, Morse code, written word, augmented communication, binary, etc), maybe you’ll be more enlightened to what does and doesn’t work, what hurts and what helps; we’re at the center of the meltdowns you so often complain about, so why not try to understand what has us red-lining explosively with all this pent-up stressful energy??? Why not connect with us through our narrow interests? Why not just get to know us?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We’re more than what meets the visual, aural and tactile senses.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Summary, With Additional Reading…..</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I understand that you’re frustrated, exhausted, scared, confused, lost, and struggling to figure it all out, and I’m sorry you feel this way. I want to help you and especially help your son(s) and/or daughter(s). That’s why I’m offering insight, with the perspective of somone “on the inside”. Yes, I am aware that when you meet one person with autism, you only meet one person with autism; I don’t have all the same problems as your son(s) and/or daughter(s), but I have experienced similar problems and situations, just like everyone else on the Spectrum. So what worked for me might help your son(s) and/or daughter(s).</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.38; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So, what do you say? You ready to shine some light on the situation? Or would you rather continue to keep us trapped in the darkness created by well-intentioned ignorance?</span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Additional recommended reading for more information:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.autreat.com/dont_mourn.html" target="_blank">Jim Sinclair's "Don't Mourn For Us"</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/growingupaspie/" target="_blank">[Growing Up Aspie] on Facebook</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@LadyEden1337/the-spectrum-when-its-something-more-a0a4ec1ee8ce#.k13tktymd" target="_blank">A reply to an exhausted Autism Mom</a></li>
<li><a href="https://medium.com/@LadyEden1337/i-ve-quickly-glimpsed-at-your-article-and-19410d960982#.hjba3u29c" target="_blank">A curt reply to an anti-vaxxer</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ink-and-daggers.tumblr.com/post/138451238474/small-talk" target="_blank">An important article on tumblr......</a> (trigger warning: ableism and child abuse; also, NSFW language)</li>
<li>The book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/NeuroTribes-Legacy-Autism-Future-Neurodiversity-ebook/dp/B00L9AY254" target="_blank">NeuroTribes</a>, by Steve Silberman--highly recommended!!!</li>
</ul>
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So, there you go..... Some food for thought. If you still disagree, then I'm sorry if I have not made myself more clear, or conveyed my message well enough.</div>
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Anyways, don't forget to VACCINATE! Aaaand enjoy your tacquito! (If you need me, I'm hiding in my bunker from all the drunk, insane tourists who are in the area for Musikfest.....)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://imgur.com/gallery/uZC5fF9" target="_blank">imgur</a></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-33589342938548950752015-09-23T16:53:00.001-07:002015-09-23T16:53:15.607-07:00A Furiously Happy Book Review--One That I Hope to Bloggess that Jenny Is ReadingSome tunes to listen to if you wanted…..<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRl7EBZ09Vx3YGYqPmtDxr_8Ra4GwVHh8" target="_blank">a playlist</a>! Yays! <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLRl7EBZ09Vx3YGYqPmtDxr_8Ra4GwVHh8" width="640"></iframe><br /></div>
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After the <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2015/08/an-honest-letter-to-myself-kleenex-alert.html" target="_blank">previous blog post</a>, I feel this urge to apologize for freaking people out with my possibly-withdrawal-induced feelings of depression and hopelessness where I felt the need to painfully rip off the blindfold I was wearing while running from the black hole-like sinkhole. (I actually shouldn’t; it’s okay for me to share these feelings, even healthy.) It was a letter to myself, an important conversation that needed to be had in order for problems to be solved. It was also a great big flashing sign I could use to direct people in a direction that many people would call “making progress,” even though (to me, at least) it is comparable to me being the reporter out in the field running for her life from a sinkhole, while the hosts of the news channels watched with genuine concern. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidse_F136a9b21SSmXN2sz6tJmJ4BR9jZlBfBLoFVqPRUFykEJMyVrSa9MU2mi1D4NDgiD6aIIY2wZEGhQc2hvwMGmJY_A583lt0Jj4KLelwHLvMwLQ4JUWGoawMWoMSDx4Z4g3tA_U3o/s1600/medium_sad_jailbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidse_F136a9b21SSmXN2sz6tJmJ4BR9jZlBfBLoFVqPRUFykEJMyVrSa9MU2mi1D4NDgiD6aIIY2wZEGhQc2hvwMGmJY_A583lt0Jj4KLelwHLvMwLQ4JUWGoawMWoMSDx4Z4g3tA_U3o/s320/medium_sad_jailbird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I think this warrants an update: I’m doing better emotionally, which probably can be attributed to the withdrawal from lack of ADD meds. I suspect that this withdrawal (which took place for three or four weeks, during which my doctor pulled a dick move by not filling any of my ADD meds--which meant I ran out, something one should never do ever with any psychiatric meds--until I get my fasting blood tests done) was responsible for most of the issues I had, probably proof it messed up my brain. At least, now I can attribute the need to be fed properly in the morning and the weird I-skipped-on-my-meds dreams to the stimulants and lack thereof, respectively. <br />
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But that’s not what you’re here for--you want to know my thoughts on <a href="http://thebloggess.com/2015/09/its-happening-its-really-happening/" target="_blank">Furiously Happy</a>, the new book by Jenny Lawson (the Bloggess) that JUST came out! Right?! (As in at midnight the night of September 21st--because midnight is when September 22nd starts. Thanks, temporal druids known as Jesuits for inventing this weird concept!) I was so excited and eager that I was able to get my own copy from Target with Dad’s help--thank you, Papa Spock! (I did pay him back for my copy.) And I was so happy I even texted my older sister….to which she responded with a question: “Did the Amazon Pre-Order get there already???” <b><i>HUH?????</i></b> After a puzzled response (probably along the lines of “What are you talking about?”), I found out that my sister had pre-ordered the book for me from Amazon the moment she heard me talk about it weeks before it even came out. Which is sweet, but left me with a dilemma: which copy of the book should I return?!?!?! My answer/decision was NEITHER!!!! I opted to keep them both because I don’t want to feel weird about it; Papa Spock went out of his way to get me a copy of my own, and my sis was thinking of me and being incredibly awesome by gift-ordering a copy of the book that she knew I really wanted and was determined to get. (At least now we know that next time, probably when Jenny’s third book is coming out--hopefully, even though I shouldn’t count my chicks before their eggs are even laid--my sis will tell me whether she pre-ordered it or not so that this weird situation doesn’t happen again.) On the bright side, I get TWICE the furious happiness!!!! <br />
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Anyways, if you’d rather a look at the content I may or may not have spoiled with Twitter breadcrumbs, here’s <a href="https://storify.com/LadyEden1337/furiously-happy-tweets-by-me-and-others" target="_blank">my Storify compilation</a>: <br />
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<div class="storify">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="no" height="750" src="//storify.com/LadyEden1337/furiously-happy-tweets-by-me-and-others/embed" width="100%"></iframe><script src="//storify.com/LadyEden1337/furiously-happy-tweets-by-me-and-others.js"></script><noscript>[<a href="//storify.com/LadyEden1337/furiously-happy-tweets-by-me-and-others" target="_blank">View the story "Furiously Happy Tweets by Me and Others" on Storify</a>]</noscript></div>
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Yes, those are the breadcrumbs I left on Twitter with the hope that the strangers who are following me on Twitter will read and be like, “HUH? Oh my goddess’ titties! Lol! I should take a look at this “Furiously Happy” thing….. *click* Oh, wow, people love it! I should get it!” (I’m not sure if #FuriouslyHappy was trending on the Twitters, but if it did, AWESOME!) <br />
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<a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/full/8568175104/h2C5E386F/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://i.chzbgr.com/full/8568175104/h2C5E386F/" width="320" /></a></div>
In reality, while reading and tweeting along by text message, I was wearing my pajamas (a nightshirt and yoga pants) and a <a href="http://www.darngoodyarn.com/" target="_blank">Darn Good Yarn magic skirt</a> (made of SILK) while laying on my couch and reading furiously (happily) in an effort to finish the book before the day was over so I can post this review. And while reading, I was giggling, quiet with awe, nodding with understanding, crying with laughter, and then crying at the end because I knew what Jenny was talking about. I truly understood the battle that so many people, myself among them, are fighting every single day. I was empathizing on a deeper level, because I knew that my own battle was quite a bit different from everyone else’s. It’s at this point (at the end) where I wanted to just run (or quickly walk up) to Jenny, and embrace her tightly while crying into her shoulder (which is a little overboard for an interaction between two people who only know each other through the Interwebs) and going, “Thank you! THANK YOU!!!! You understand it--thank youuuu!!!! I love you for this!!!!” (I’m crying even while typing this.) I probably wouldn’t do that last proclamation, but when a fan of yours runs up and hugs you, molesting your boobs with tears and shouting “thank you,” over and over again, it could go that way. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pre15.deviantart.net/bf91/th/pre/i/2013/360/5/1/contagious_laughter___cryaotic_by_sweet_crow-d6zgv3z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://pre15.deviantart.net/bf91/th/pre/i/2013/360/5/1/contagious_laughter___cryaotic_by_sweet_crow-d6zgv3z.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/art/Contagious-Laughter-Cryaotic-422370431" target="_blank">Sweet-Crow</a></td></tr>
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I’m giving this book over 9,000 <a href="http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/White-Point_Star" target="_blank">white-point stars</a>/plungers out of 5 (the plungers are for the Daleks), not just because it was funny, but because it was a truth that needed to be shared with the world. People, not just those with depression, but also government officials, doctors in all fields, insurance company employees, family members, friends, etc., should know what life with depression could be like. They should know that even celebrities such as Wil Wheaton and Phil Plait and other well-known faces in the celebri-sphere have some sort of mental illness, and that having a mental illness or emotional/mental diffability should not be stigmatized! As much as you think it’s super rare, when you read the comments on Jenny’s blog posts about depression, you’ll realize that it is a lot more common than you think, and that we are not alone in our struggles. There are at least 50 other people in the world fighting to escape similar sinkholes to the one I’m running from, struggling and fighting to stay ahead, but wearing themselves out in the process. There are times when even I get tired and would stop to catch my breath only to feel the earth beneath my feet start to give way, which tells me that I have only an opportunity window of a few seconds (relatively speaking) to fire the grappling hook at something far off in the distance for help. That the battles we’re fighting could be described differently from my sinkhole metaphor, as trenches filling with water that we have to escape, lest we drown. <br />
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So, yeah, depression is a bitch and an asshole because it’s lying to you and bullying you into thinking “Life would be so much better without me.” That is bullshit, and I can attest to that--when my sis and I were growing up in the hellhole in the middle of nowhere (in Pennsylvania; sorry, Iowa, but you can’t change history), we were relentlessly picked on; I was bullied, she was bullied….It was hard, but it got worse still when her classmates in a Catholic high school where picking on her, to the point when they were saying that she should “just kill herself.” How could they?! That is WRONG! Nobody should EVER encourage taking their own life! Not even CEOs of Evil Corp! (spoiler alert for Mr. Robot fans who did not see the season 1 finale) This is why we should educate people on mental illness so that they are well-informed and less of a dick about living with depression and/or anxiety. <br />
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<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/46/b1/59/46b1593b01ab0555d3544eeed0bb7a11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/46/b1/59/46b1593b01ab0555d3544eeed0bb7a11.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Look, you’re not alone in your struggles. I have them. Mama Squirrel and my sis have them. LOTS of people have them, and we will feel alone during these times; but we should know that our tribe is out there. Yes, I’m a member of Jenny Lawson’s tribe of weirdos who fight with depression, and I’m proud of it! I’m a member of the Church of Bloggessianism! I frequently tweet with Daleks on Twitter! I even joke around with my parents about needing towels and possibly also getting a giant metal chicken during that shopping trip! This is the tribe I belong to, the nerdy weirdos wielding plungers at trees that we thought were zombies! <br />
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You may be weird and even a little fucked-up, but so am I. What’s important is deciding whether you should march alone or with the rest of us; because people marching by themselves are looked upon as “stupid” and “childish” and “wrong,” but people marching together? That’s a full fuckin’ marching band with its own class and character!!!! <br />
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Keep this in mind while reading this book--which you should buy your own copy of! Unless your sister already ordered it for you; you should check with her first before buying it….. <br />
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Until then, ENJOY YOUR ANTIDEPRESSANT-LAIDEN NON-LEATHERY GALLSTONE-FREE <br />
FURIOUSLY HAPPY TACQUITO!!!!! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-13126786890892653362015-08-21T15:23:00.000-07:002018-06-18T12:21:10.735-07:00An Honest Letter to Myself (KLEENEX ALERT!)<div id="E45" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E45" style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tinos, 'Baskerville Old Face', 'Bell MT', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10pt;">
<span id="E48" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E48" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Apologies for the long absence. Life happened. It usually does. Not to mention that the evil Writer's Block just</span><span id="E49" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E49" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"> stopped me for a few months</span><span id="E50" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E50" style="display: inline; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">…..I couldn't figure out ANYTHING to write about. So, I guess I owe you a brief update: attended the Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference again, selling two paintings (only it was Mom who sold them—thanks, Mama Squirrel!); walked an entire 5K color run/walk event; still working on getting my shit together; ran out of ADD meds, but did a fasting blood test so I can get more; having weird dreams due to the absence of the ADD meds, etc.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://quotes.lifehack.org/media/quotes/quote-Yoda-do-or-do-not-there-is-no-1-111.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://quotes.lifehack.org/media/quotes/quote-Yoda-do-or-do-not-there-is-no-1-111.png" height="163" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://quotes.lifehack.org/quote/yoda/do-or-do-not-there-is-no-1/" target="_blank">LifeHack Quotes</a></td></tr>
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<span id="E52" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E52" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This time around, I have decided to</span><span id="E53" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E53" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> publish a blog post where I could</span><span id="E54" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E54" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> be more honest</span><span id="E55" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E55" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to everyone (including myself)</span><span id="E56" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E56" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to a degree (since the </span><span id="E58" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E58" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interwebs</span><span id="E60" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E60" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is full of creeps and criminals, in addition to the awesome, nice people online). And I've decided</span><span id="E61" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E61" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">, after some consideration,</span><span id="E62" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E62" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to write a letter addressed to myself, which I know is already bringing me to tears; it's hard to be raw and real in an environment populated with trolls and </span><span id="E64" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E64" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">cyberbullies</span><span id="E66" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E66" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and I've become far too cautious for that, but I've decided to</span><span id="E67" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E67" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> just </span><span id="E68" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E68" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">answer Yoda's "Do or Do Not" lesson by choosing "Do</span><span id="E69" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E69" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><span id="E70" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E70" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span id="E71" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E71" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and even go so far as publishing it, regardless of the reactions readers may have. This isn't just for you—it's for me.</span></div>
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<span id="E73" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E73" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Oh, what</span><span id="E74" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E74" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> theme song? Just pick something sad-</span><span id="E76" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E76" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">ish</span><span id="E78" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E78" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">, like, sad and honest with yourself and realizing truths about your life</span><span id="E79" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E79" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or something to </span><span id="E81" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E81" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">chillax</span><span id="E83" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E83" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to</span><span id="E84" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E84" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It c</span><span id="E85" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E85" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">ould be "<a href="https://youtu.be/rREumOtIP2w" target="_blank">Leave Out All the Rest</a>," "<a href="https://youtu.be/nil-nG9WP2w" target="_blank">From the Inside</a>," or "<a href="https://youtu.be/5qF_qbaWt3Q" target="_blank">Waiting for the End</a>,"</span><span id="E86" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E86" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by </span><span id="E88" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E88" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linkin</span><span id="E90" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E90" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Park,</span><span id="E91" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E91" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadmau5" target="_blank">Deadmau5</a> remix of <a href="https://youtu.be/O2jj3YbgX_w" target="_blank">Calvin Harris' "I'm Not Alone,"</a> or Joel's originals such as "</span><span id="E93" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E93" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/pieroberaglia/avaritia-original-mix" target="_blank">Avaritia</a></span><span id="E95" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E95" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">" or "<a href="https://youtu.be/zK1mLIeXwsQ" target="_blank">I Remember</a>," </span><span id="E97" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E97" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everlast's</span><span id="E99" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E99" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> "<a href="https://youtu.be/FMYz5SteBBY" target="_blank">What It's Like</a>," or </span><span id="E101" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E101" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">CoMa's</span><span id="E103" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E103" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> "<a href="https://youtu.be/3AQ83_pFOUA" target="_blank">Something In the Way</a>." (I apologize for the images on that last one!)</span><span id="E104" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E104" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span id="E113" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E113" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, having typed all this, I realize that not only did I give too many suggestions, but I also don't feel like going back to edit it right now. You know what? Fuck it—just play something from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhq7iR65k0gWcraXgLiY1A" target="_blank">Nigel John Stanford</a>, like, "<a href="https://youtu.be/Z3xkHmC-KQE" target="_blank">Crystal Skies</a>."</span></div>
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<span id="E115" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E115" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Anyways, make sure to have tissues ready, becau</span><span id="E116" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E116" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">se things are about to get</span><span id="E117" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E117" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> more real</span><span id="E118" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E118" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and more honest</span><span id="E119" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E119" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> than they have been so far on the </span><span id="E121" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E121" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interwebs</span><span id="E123" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E123" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">! (Hence, the "KLEENEX ALERT!")</span></div>
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<span id="E125" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E125" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> No, it's not a gimmick: I really did have a hard time typing this up. But it's worth it.</span><br />
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<span is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E125" style="display: inline; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disclaimer: I'm NOT suicidal, and I have NO intentions or plans to hurt myself, okay? Please. I don't want people to freak out over this. I'll be okay, as long as I get the help I need.</span></div>
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<span is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E128" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span id="E128" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E128" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dearest Eden,</span></div>
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<span id="E130" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E130" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Hey. It's you. Well, actually it's yourself, the part of you who wants to live a happy and fulfilling life.</span></div>
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<span id="E132" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E132" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Why are we writing a letter to ourselves? Because it's time to do away with the jokes for a while and address what's been going on within ourselves for a long time now. We need to talk.</span></div>
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<span id="E134" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E134" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I know what we</span><span id="E135" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E135" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'ve been feeling, lately. Yes, we're lonely, we're incurably sad, and we don't want to grow up or for things to change. But why is that? Why are we torturing ourselves emotionally by thinking, "Why can't I just be a four-year old again?" Is it because we deserve this masochism of the mind? Or is it that we secretly want to fall down that metaphorical sinkhole we've been running from for a few weeks now?</span></div>
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<span id="E137" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E137" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I can tell you right now that, yes, life is hard. It's difficult, and for us, unless we're distracted (and especially off the medications), </span><span id="E138" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E138" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it feels incredibly</span><span id="E139" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E139" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> lonely. It's hard to remember that we have friends and family who want to help us, despite the voice inside of our head</span><span id="E140" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E140" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> saying that nothing will work and nobody can help.</span></div>
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<span id="E142" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E142" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Perhaps it's a bit too much pride and egotism that prevents us from asking for help easily.</span></div>
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<span id="E144" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E144" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Or perhaps we're really just scared of change in life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FZ80iW8nMMYYBVa7TUbn_d24Q9ZmRZxSGQ1DtiUl5zpT2GmNoAIyfXa1Nhqzne0IcAzhqB8Dya-PtU3GhEPeb4E_GenPRbCtceMgN633FWhQ2UUQU4tM3Pp_GsB7KvrALwRV5cV-olk/s1600/lolcat_something_changed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FZ80iW8nMMYYBVa7TUbn_d24Q9ZmRZxSGQ1DtiUl5zpT2GmNoAIyfXa1Nhqzne0IcAzhqB8Dya-PtU3GhEPeb4E_GenPRbCtceMgN633FWhQ2UUQU4tM3Pp_GsB7KvrALwRV5cV-olk/s320/lolcat_something_changed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="E146" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E146" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Yes, change can suck. But it's the metabolism of life on Earth. Some changes are bad (deforestation, changes in policy that allow politicians to be bought by corporations, global warming, political shifts in the Middle East giving rise to a group of militants who know how to really hurt us from the inside, etc.). But why get sad at the good changes</span><span id="E148" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E148" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, too</span><span id="E149" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E149" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Is it because we've become too comfortable with the way things were</span><span id="E150" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E150" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> before the change</span><span id="E151" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E151" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Why is that?</span></div>
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<span id="E153" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E153" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I actually don't have an answer for that question.</span></div>
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<span id="E155" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E155" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Try as</span><span id="E156" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E156" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> we might, it's incredibly hard for us to live happily</span><span id="E157" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E157" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. We live with depression</span><span id="E158" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E158" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (and its bedfellow, anxiety)</span><span id="E159" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E159" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which we fear is getting worse, whether it's because we were medicating irregularly, or that it's truly, independently getting worse, making us feel unstable in life.</span></div>
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<span id="E161" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E161" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Remember that post on <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hyperbole-And-A-Half</a>, about the time Allie Brosh</span><span id="E163" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E163" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html" target="_blank">struggling with her depression</a> to the point where just feeling any emotions is horribly terrifying and painful? And that she wound up ditching her emotions for "robot mode"? And this <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html" target="_blank">led to the feelings</a> of not wanting to live anymore? We can't allow this to happen to ourselves. We have reasons to live, whether it's a temporary noble reason (raising awareness and paving the way towards acceptance of </span><span id="E165" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E165" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurodiversity" target="_blank">neurodiversity</a></span><span id="E167" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E167" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) or a temporary petty one (<a href="http://thebloggess.com/" target="_blank">Jenny Lawson, aka The </a></span><span id="E169" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E169" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://thebloggess.com/" target="_blank">Bloggess</a></span><span id="E171" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E171" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, releasing her <a href="http://thebloggess.com/furiously-happy/" target="_blank">second book</a>, which should be <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-glowing-book-review-for-bloggess-so.html" target="_blank">just as hilarious as her first one</a>)</span><span id="E172" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E172" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. We can't give up on ourselves and just check in to the mental hospital and go, "Help me feel as though I can be happy again without feeling my heart break for myself!"</span></div>
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<span id="E174" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E174" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It's too terrifying to even go that far, even if it means that we wind up getting outpatient psychiatric care due to our ex-psychiatrist not being helpful with insurance bullshit. (Seriously, this area that we live in is the worst in the State</span><span id="E175" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E175" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for mental health service availability</span><span id="E176" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E176" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; local health networks don't do outpatient psychiatric services unless we get admitted</span><span id="E177" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E177" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to the hospital for mental health reasons</span><span id="E178" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E178" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which we </span><span id="E179" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E179" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">really </span><span id="E180" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E180" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">don't want to happen!)</span></div>
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<span id="E182" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E182" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Life is amazing and beautiful and something to be witnessed. We shouldn't scare ourselves with the negatives that lurk within the Deep Web, like </span><span id="E184" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E184" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cthulhu</span><span id="E186" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E186" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> being held in the deepest and darkest depths of the sea, waiting to be released to cause chaos and world destruction. Instead, we should figure out a way to either get the fuck away from the metaphorical sinkhole of despair, or just stop it entirely.</span></div>
<div id="E187" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E187" style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tinos, 'Baskerville Old Face', 'Bell MT', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10pt;">
<span id="E188" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E188" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> As much as it hurts, just talk to Mom and Dad about it. Or your sister; they'll understand that you're feeling </span><span id="E189" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E189" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hurt inside, and that you want it to stop but are scared to do so.</span></div>
<div id="E190" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E190" style="display: block; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10pt;">
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tinos, 'Baskerville Old Face', 'Bell MT', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2;">
<span id="E191" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E191" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> They're walking similar paths to yours, and they can't help you unless you tell them, unless we muster up the courage to just say the following four words:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tinos, 'Baskerville Old Face', 'Bell MT', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please--I need help.</div>
</div>
<div id="E194" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E194" style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tinos, 'Baskerville Old Face', 'Bell MT', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10pt;">
<span id="E195" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E195" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It will all be worth it, because we are worth it.</span></div>
<div id="E196" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E196" style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tinos, 'Baskerville Old Face', 'Bell MT', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10pt;">
<span id="E197" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E197" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I love you, Eden, and I want us to feel better.</span></div>
<div id="E196" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E196" style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tinos, 'Baskerville Old Face', 'Bell MT', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10pt;">
<br />
<span is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E197" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div id="E198" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E198" style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tinos, 'Baskerville Old Face', 'Bell MT', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnCd8lStMHfgaMLc80bf5_cc5ySdTu91jd-4tuUygV3cW3uJ9yFMgkeZik5ucfkY-MlN6Q3_JYVyalqlFbVd7Ap1LAQp4te4ji-HC2tm5pjV-OyPMf3UwGsbjbzDPo-6Ntod1xg2fc6Q/s1600/14291728763_45da227264_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnCd8lStMHfgaMLc80bf5_cc5ySdTu91jd-4tuUygV3cW3uJ9yFMgkeZik5ucfkY-MlN6Q3_JYVyalqlFbVd7Ap1LAQp4te4ji-HC2tm5pjV-OyPMf3UwGsbjbzDPo-6Ntod1xg2fc6Q/s400/14291728763_45da227264_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span id="E199" is="qowt-run" qowt-eid="E199" style="display: inline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forever yourself,</span></div>
<div id="E198" is="qowt-word-para" qowt-eid="E198" style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tinos, 'Baskerville Old Face', 'Bell MT', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eden</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-80899459474861205552015-04-29T17:12:00.000-07:002015-04-29T17:12:53.632-07:00A Weird Conversation Between Myself and My Depression/Anxiety (An Update) Hi, y'all! Sorry for failing to post for so long.... I've been nuts as of lately. How? Like this:<br />
<br />
Me: *Looks around* "Dammit! I've fucked up and now it's time to fix everything. No more extremely slow downward spiral for me!" *cracks knuckles*<br />
<br />
My Depression/Anxiety: *Perks eyebrow* "Really? Are you <i style="font-weight: bold;">sure</i> you want to do that?"<br />
<br />
Me: "Yes, motherfuckers! My brain isn't some place where you can camp out and run self-destructive programming for free! I'm tired of sleeping all day, not taking my pills--which can make me sick--and not being productive! I have stuff I need to do!"<br />
<br />
D/A: "Uh, no, you don't! You have other stuff that's more fun! Besides, chores and responsibility are boring and lame; you'll be boring and lame if you do them, and they're not fun in an ironic sense!"<br />
<br />
Me: "LIESSSS!!! I have dishes to do, a living room to clean up, a bathroom to scrub clean.... I have to start now!"<br />
<br />
D/A: "No, your inner Lazy Dalek says that you can do it later, following it up with repeated chanting of 'PROCRASTINATE! PROCRASTINATE!' Plus, isn't it lonely? You don't have many fr--"<br />
<br />
Me: "SILENCE! I shall be productive today! Not later--TODAY!!!"<br />
<br />
D/A: "Crap! Uh, uh....! Hey, Attention Deficit Disorder! A little help here?"<br />
<br />
ADD: "Hey, look! SHINY! *points*"<br />
<br />
Me: "OOOOHHH! SHINY! *scamper-chases*"<br />
<br />
D/A: "<a href="https://youtu.be/sCNrK-n68CM">TROLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!</a>"<br />
<br />
That's a sort-of typical conversation that led to me to a lot of unmedicated days of sleeping, nights staying up until 6 am EDT, and not even following through on plans that can help me be Pro-Eden.<br />
<br />
Pro-<a href="https://youtu.be/x0S5zS8jSE4">WAAAAAAAT</a>?<br />
<br />
Yeps. Pro-Eden, meaning helping me make positive changes towards my life. How come? Go listen to the <a href="http://nerdist.com/podcasts/proyou/">Pro You Podcast</a> on the Nerdist Podcast Network! <a href="http://nerdist.com/pro-you-1-welcome-to-pro-you-podcast/">Episode I, Inertia--the Real Phantom Menace</a>, should explain everything, and help you start on your way towards better awareness, and, ultimately, a better lifestyle.<br />
<br />
It's because of this podcast that I've decided to get going with my climb up Mt. Molehill; I've even gone so far as to not refer to workouts as "workouts," but as "Pro You Moments". I've been tweeting with their Twitter account, and been giving updates with my progress. Here's a couple of the latest ones that I sent them recently (before this blog post):<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
I just took initiative to have another <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProYouMoment?src=hash">#ProYouMoment</a>: checked out Planet Fitness for a possible gym membership! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EVALUATE?src=hash">#EVALUATE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/proyoupodcast">@proyoupodcast</a><br />
— Lady Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/593170951069507584">April 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Just to report in: had another <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProYouMoment?src=hash">#ProYouMoment</a>! Just signed up for membership at Planet Fitness. Meeting with someone tomorrow! <a href="https://twitter.com/proyoupodcast">@proyoupodcast</a><br />
— Lady Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/593460243306188800">April 29, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
<br />
Seriously, this podcast is awesome, especially after all the talking is done, when Tom (one of the hosts) gives you a chillaxing Pro You Moment, where you can meditate with food for thought.<br />
<br />
Beyond that, some other stuff happened, which I will update in another blog post, one that I'll publish once I've stopped yanking my hair out over Artist's Block, aaand, for the most part, being like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/xk/HJB7Y9xE-t-vEV2aS_jH234XvR/www.dailydawdle.com/images.dailydawdle.com/drinking-cat-is-really-thirsty.gif.pagespeed.ce.r2lZfAIChc1aaB7WfbYn.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/xk/HJB7Y9xE-t-vEV2aS_jH234XvR/www.dailydawdle.com/images.dailydawdle.com/drinking-cat-is-really-thirsty.gif.pagespeed.ce.r2lZfAIChc1aaB7WfbYn.gif" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In any case, be <b><i>consistent</i></b> (especially with medications), be <b><i>aware</i></b>, and ENJOY YOUR TACQUITO!!!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-75977212325298164492015-03-21T15:11:00.001-07:002015-03-21T15:23:05.614-07:00The Star Wars Universe Wars<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sorry
for not posting anything as of lately.
I've been quite busy with life. I
had to be out in public and get a new laptop of my own and new headphones and
stuff. (What?! I want to blend in with the background, to
make it impossible for y'all to see me!
I'M INVISIBLE TO YOUR OCULAR SENSORS!
MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyways…..I
figured I should post SOMETHING to keep people from going, "OH, NO! SHE'S DEAD!" (Well, at least the people who don't watch my
twitter feed. Those who do, or those who
are friends with me on Facebook, or interact with me regularly on Deviant Art
know that I'm alive and well.) That and
to rant a wee bit on Star Wars.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Okay,
more than a wee bit. But I do have some
nerd frustrations that need to be unleashed.
(No, not THOSE nerd frustrations!
Gawd, get your minds out of the gutter!)
That and some funny shit to share.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So, sit
back, relax, tune out to <a href="https://youtu.be/BDVUn4-bAaY">"Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger," (the"Deadmau5 remix" according to my library) by Daft Punk</a> (which Papa
Spock needs to listen to more). And remember
that at the time of my drafting this, I am actually very tired. My butt was kicked by Thursday, and I still haven't
recovered much; instead, I've been reading Bill Nye's <i><u>Undeniable</u></i> and Phil Plait's <i><u>Bad Astronomy</u></i> in bed, like I "should" be doing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BDVUn4-bAaY?rel=0" width="480"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<h3>
So Far, So Good…. I Think…..</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://therainydaywanderer.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/battery-level-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://therainydaywanderer.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/battery-level-0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So, a
status update: I don't exactly know what I'm doing right. I have tons of cleaning to do (still), a few
appointments to either check up on or set up, a whole dozen others to attend,
and a bunch of distractions in between.
I've accomplished stuff, made the opposite of progress on other stuff,
and <b><i>there's
not enough time in the day to do it all!!!</i></b> Really, the word, "Bleh," pretty
much sums up my current mental state.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Let's do
a quick run-through here….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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~~<b><u>Public
speaking</u></b>—I've had to do a couple of presentations in "public"
to a group of young adults with disabilities about social media. Yes, apparently, I'm an expert. (What I did, however, was share my firsthand
experiences online with these people.)
And I enjoyed the satisfaction of surprising myself with how well I did
(according to audience feedback), which is a really good booster for my
low-to-medium self-esteem. And yes, I
got paid for it in gift cards provided by the sponsor, which is a very popular
large (national? world?) retail company found
all over the US. And when I was done, I
was also given a gift (that isn't exactly necessary but very, very, very
helpful, since I can't take my not-so-portable desktop computer everywhere)
that was provided by this sponsor: a new laptop! BUT, I still don't have Internet at home. Oh well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://theskinnyonmyjeans.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/30-minutes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://theskinnyonmyjeans.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/30-minutes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
~~<b><u>Exercising:
My FitNerd Journey</u></b>—I've also started doing a sort-of-kind-of exercise
routine. Basically, twice a week, on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, I go out in exercise clothes to do some…. PHYSICAL
THERAPY!!!! Yays!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What? Did you expect me to just say, "I go out
to some lunkhead dungeon to have a stranger yell at me to work through the pain
of my muscles tearing as I try to do the impossible, only to return home in
tears and swearing to punch them in the face next time I go before passing out
on the bed"? Seriously, I know for
a fact that the scenario I just described is detrimental to any sort of routine
construction, and destructive to the nerd psyche many of us tend to have. That and because I'm worried about certain
other medical conditions, which means I'd rather take a step between
"regular workouts at the gym" and "not exercising very
much." That step, for me, is
physical therapy. No, I'm not injured; I
just want to start in a supervised setting that will allow me to get the
fitness-and-health-goal cheese wheel rolling down the hill. And so far, I've been doing really well,
exercising my legs and my arms and increasing my endurance a bit so I don't
feel like I'm dying when rushing to catch the bus. I've figured out the ideal posture (which is
just like the posture I had when I was doing horseback riding: spine straight
and tall, shoulders down and back a bit, sitting on your tailbone with your
legs relatively underneath your profile, but relaxed, with your stomach tucked
in), and I've also been able to do better leg curls and bicep workouts. It's awesome, and a really good self-esteem
booster.<o:p></o:p></div>
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~~<b><u>Home and
Internet</u></b>—Right now, both of them are separate: home is meh, since I'm
still trying to clean it up more and more.
Internet is also meh, because I'm getting behind on so much! I've been doing the Crash Course videos
("doing" as in <b><i>watching</i></b>), specifically the
Astronomy series. I've already put
together a playlist of the videos I've added so far. Surprisingly, I've found a lot of the lessons
to be the same in <i><u>Bad Astronomy</u></i>! Like, Phil's repeating himself for the crowd
who is more likely to watch YouTube videos than to read actual books that were
published in 2002 or 2003. But you can't
beat the graphics from Thought Café!
They're really well done and funny and awesome; I wish that I have a
well-funded web series that has them doing similar graphics to the ones you can
see in the episodes! 5/5 plungers and a
ton of POINTS(!) to them for their creativity, style, and their humor!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xd5r8L2_EpBj-le6a0cOtAUI6mMWyD0G7iwmzuRiN9tAU6oMR3JFpRarVIohTVRkndH2afGTwxNVDwLZPVwsfYKdKJtSZOlkWoVyAkRKWPxmrf8MNfBZl_TX770WmlZ_7nrAhvYuC8E/s1600/nerd-rage_design.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xd5r8L2_EpBj-le6a0cOtAUI6mMWyD0G7iwmzuRiN9tAU6oMR3JFpRarVIohTVRkndH2afGTwxNVDwLZPVwsfYKdKJtSZOlkWoVyAkRKWPxmrf8MNfBZl_TX770WmlZ_7nrAhvYuC8E/s1600/nerd-rage_design.png" /></a></div>
That's
all for now, with the updates. You can find
more on Twitter. As for the Team
Savage-vs.-Team Bagans internet battle, I've put together a journal entry on
Deviant Art, complete with links to tweets, blog posts, videos, etc., so if you
want to find out everything quickly, go check that out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That's
it for now, mostly because there is a disturbance in the Force that I've been
ignoring up until now—<b><i>and I can't take it anymore!!!!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Star Wars-Episode Everything: The Approaching Doom</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Alright,
even though the <a href="https://youtu.be/erLk59H86ww">official teaser</a> is cool (with the <a href="http://on.cc.com/1zeJ2Ou">Garth Brooks version</a> made by
@midnight being super funny—POINTS(!) to them for it)……</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/erLk59H86ww?rel=0" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
……and there are pictures of what's happening behind the
scenes, I am worried about the fate of the current Star Wars universe. No, not the one Disney has constructed! The one that existed before Disney decided to
fuck us nerds over!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://iamkio.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/lolcat-need-more-internets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://iamkio.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/lolcat-need-more-internets.jpg" /></a></div>
You see,
I've been prowling through the Nerdist site lately, and I've found some awesome
articles that I've shared with people on dAmn (the Deviant Art messaging
network, which is basically just a bunch of chat rooms created by DevArt staff
and users). But lately, I've come across
some news that <b><i>should</i></b> excite people, but actually just made a lot of us nerds
angry with grief over how a sandcastle empire (that each of us nerds and fans
and nerdy fans have contributed to with careful precision and painstaking
effort to make it <b><i>juuuust</i></b> right) was destroyed by Disney just stomping their way
through.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As many
of us are all aware, Disney bought the rights to Star Wars and have hired J.J.
Abrams to direct the new Star Wars movie, Episode VII: The Force
Awakens….. Shouldn't that be "<b><i>Re</i></b>awakens"? Because last I checked, at the end of Episode
VI-Return of the Jedi, it was already awake, but feeling quite lonely!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So, when
<a href="http://nerdist.com/new-novel-star-wars-aftermath-to-chronicle-the-events-after-return-of-the-jedi/">THIS article</a> was posted, I was shocked.
I could only skim through part of it, before immediately jumping down to
the Comments section to post my complaints:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpveXS_3xce8_gcmMEZjP0abXut2WPEZsbtg0o7r2Ol7phBgnGJElhbci_LjLZpqx7-Yl6cttGhMIdg_7ZP6gzMwG7_btgQhjP-FSiwWDiBINlPNv-56xUg4XAK6asabJWY1sCWvRDko/s1600/nerdist_comments_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpveXS_3xce8_gcmMEZjP0abXut2WPEZsbtg0o7r2Ol7phBgnGJElhbci_LjLZpqx7-Yl6cttGhMIdg_7ZP6gzMwG7_btgQhjP-FSiwWDiBINlPNv-56xUg4XAK6asabJWY1sCWvRDko/s1600/nerdist_comments_1.png" height="154" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before long, I got some responses:<o:p></o:p></div>
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And I felt the frustrations rise, which resulted in me
posting a response to one:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI8iiMooaLwPxqv5yCyLzKTpkOnjDT5g_N4wKBiASuje2EujY3KWUuaV0klFlDRFSHodFgfFPh_VlkzLa_tjv8DjEnBUG4oKleSPVHzfsERiR0wtrkOFR8IxBqYAMIqY38UherP0O7zQ/s1600/nerdist_comments_3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI8iiMooaLwPxqv5yCyLzKTpkOnjDT5g_N4wKBiASuje2EujY3KWUuaV0klFlDRFSHodFgfFPh_VlkzLa_tjv8DjEnBUG4oKleSPVHzfsERiR0wtrkOFR8IxBqYAMIqY38UherP0O7zQ/s1600/nerdist_comments_3.png" height="316" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, I was fortunate enough to have a brief encounter
with some extremely funny nerds on there, offering replies that made me laugh
hard!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLfssypOx7IkTtV2Hs0qo5c5j4eiGbayC4h4taQh_tJizA_KH86ZTMvONg2OuWuHXiCIT3Gky3LqAWOjpd-EkR0Au-heyT4z4wFnqIoi1MI5OcJk6Bv5emZIkxP4C2hY3Y06-M1PCeI8/s1600/nerdist_comments_4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLfssypOx7IkTtV2Hs0qo5c5j4eiGbayC4h4taQh_tJizA_KH86ZTMvONg2OuWuHXiCIT3Gky3LqAWOjpd-EkR0Au-heyT4z4wFnqIoi1MI5OcJk6Bv5emZIkxP4C2hY3Y06-M1PCeI8/s1600/nerdist_comments_4.png" height="284" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thank
you, kind strangers of the nerd population, for giving me a bit of comic relief when
I was still feeling the sting of having Disney smash what we had to pieces.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seriously,
what happened was that the Expanded Universe (much of it documented on
<a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page">Wookieepedia</a>) was just erased from existence.
None of it (the books, especially) is canon anymore. The only stuff that is canon is everything
that is in all the movies, plus the Star Wars: Clone Wars series and whatever
specials that they have. That's it; the
Thrawn Trilogy books that I have yet to read, anything that involves an
agreement as to <b><i>how</i></b> Boba Fett escaped the Pit of Sarlacc, what happened with
Darth Maul, all of that is no longer "accepted" as Star Wars lore.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://aspieepilogue.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/disappointed-cat-is-disappointed-lolcats-yeyf7p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://aspieepilogue.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/disappointed-cat-is-disappointed-lolcats-yeyf7p.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I
expressed these frustrations to Papa Spock recently, and he responded with his
usual Spockish answer: It's because what was already there was too restrictive
for them to do anything creative with the storyline in order to draw in more
people. I suspect that J.J. was a large
part of that decision, seeing that he was the one who did the Star Trek:
Alternate Universe movie series! And
because of that, the Star Trek Online game was completely changed! Like, WHAT THE FUCK?!?! It's frustrating, especially since people are
going to respond with "It's Disney, not ours. They can do whatever they want with it,
seeing as it's their Jeep and no longer the Jeep that George Lucas has allowed
all of us nerds to go joyriding in. They
can change the radio station presets on it to whatever they want, and you
shouldn't worry about it."<o:p></o:p></div>
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I <b><i>am</i></b>
worried about it. So much has been
ruined lately; nerds are being sexist with their anger, saying, "<a href="http://nerdist.com/report-melissa-mccarthy-kristen-wiig-kate-mckinnon-and-leslie-jones-in-talks-for-ghostbusters-reboot/">HOW DAREYOU MAKE MY GHOSTBUSTERS WOMEN!!!</a>"
And many of us are still Klingoning (Heh, get it?! Klingon…ing?
Never mind, I meant, "clinging on"….) to the Original Star Trek
series, to Next Generation, Voyager, and Deep Space 9, to keep alive the
memories of what we enjoyed the first time around. It sucks!<o:p></o:p></div>
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You see,
we nerds (especially those of us on the Autism Spectrum) are resistant to
change (much like conservatives and Republicans—*shudders* That felt creepier
than I thought it would be….), and if you introduce sweeping changes all across
the major nerdism nodes (like superhero genders, storylines we grew up with and
memorized every detail of, Star Wars universe elements and happenings that take
place outside of the movies and television series, etc.), we're going to be
resistant. Like, we're fine with the way
things are, and they made sense; why did you change everything that was
working? You can't fix what isn't broken,
and the worlds we dive into oftentimes (Marvel comics printed on paper, DC
comics printed on paper, Star Trek series before effects got super
high-definition cool, Star Wars the way George Lucas did it originally, etc.)
just seemed to work for us. So, it's
frustrating to force us to accept sudden changes to the worlds we love. And like I said, we're resistant to changes;
you might be able drag our bodies into the theatres through persuasion by
awesome trailers, but you will never be able to take hold of all of our minds
and hearts that were dedicated to the original stories.<o:p></o:p></div>
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(I'm
going to nitpick here: the longsword with its lightsaber Crusader hilt,
amazingly cool as it is, doesn't <b><i>have</i></b> to be done like that. According to Wookiepedia, there <b><i>is</i></b>
such a thing as a <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Darksaber_(lightsaber)">darksaber</a>, where it's a lightsaber that seems to
"glow" black, and isn't in the general rapier style we have
grown accustomed to, but rather like a katana. If you have read Wookiepedia, you wouldn't
have to piss off so fucking many nerds!
Now back to my regular spiel….)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Evolution: It's a Painfully Long Process That is a Part
of Life</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, a
proposal for the solution to everyone's problems….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Has it
ever occurred to you that mayyybe Papa Spock (who is quite biased, considering
that he's a Disney Geek for reals; don't go, "Team Disney," at me,
Dad!) could be right in some aspects?
That they're being too limited by our expansion of the Star Wars
universe, ruled over by the god known as George Lucas, who caused that
universe's Big Bang with an awesome idea?</div>
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And,
Disney and other involved parties: you're losing us over your changes. Would it really hurt to include us nerds in
the process of creating this new movie?
Or are you too busy focusing on the movie and not on what the reception
of the movie might be like? (Same for
you, Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Star Trek, and video game companies/franchises,
with your products!) Our demographic is
highly populated with early-adopters; a new gadget or video game or Marvel
movie comes out, and within hours, you have thousands of nerds stampeding forth
to line up for the midnight releases, shoving money into your faces while
scrabbling at whatever we could grab on to while pitching tents in our pants
over how excited we are for this new addition to our universes. We live, not just in our physical universe,
but also mentally in thousands of abstract universes that might actually be
real universes that exist somewhere within the multiverse! Why else do you think we play Dungeons &
Dragons or Magic the Gathering? We tend
to argue over certain minute details, but we're happy to <b><i>add</i></b> to what we have,
rather than just knocking it down and starting over.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://thetechpanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/EARLY-ADOPTER-MEME.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thetechpanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/EARLY-ADOPTER-MEME.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
We
should get involved with each other…..
(Oi, gutter brains! Not
sexually! Okay? Get back to reading!) Nerd-sourcing, similar to crowd-sourcing, is
incredibly cheap; we highly value the mental and emotional parts of producing
nerdy content, which means that even if we don't get paid, we are likely to still
do the work just to be a part of something special. How else do you think <a href="http://nerdist.com/nerdist-podcast-12-ok-go/">Ok Go</a> (<a href="http://nerdist.com/nerdist-podcast-ok-go-returns/">Shit Fuck</a>) was
able to do the <a href="https://youtu.be/qybUFnY7Y8w">Rube Goldberg music video</a> without spending way too much
money? Nerds pitched in because they
knew it would be a good idea that needed to be created and put out onto the
Internwebz.</div>
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I
propose that the resistant members of the nerd community rejects the rejection,
and keep the Expanded Universe alive. while cherry-picking what Disney
introduces to us; this is what they plan on doing to our EU, anyways, adding
what they like and erasing what they don't like <b><i>officially</i></b>. Nothing says that we can't have fan-created
content just because someone bought the rights to something. (Yes, Disney, there is such a thing as
fan-fiction and fan art. Also,
Wookipedia is OURS!!! So if you get lawyer-happy,
we'll rally around our own kind, outright rejecting you altogether. At least, that's what I think will happen….)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways,
we should have two parallel Star Wars universes, with galaxies inside that
reflect what we nerds accept inside one of them, while Disney gets to have
their own universe; this way, we can both be happy! *uses Jedi mind trick on Disney's Star Wars
dept* <i>You <b>will</b> accept this idea
and implement it without issue…..</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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That's
all I can say about this for now. Of
course, it's still up for discussion; discussion and healthy debates (and not
just flame wars that involve name calling and cursing and whatnot) are good for
society and its many demographics. It's
what Athens was built upon way back when; why can't we do the same?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Chew(bacca)
on that. In the meantime, enjoy your
Greedo Tacquito!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<a href="http://www.blastr.com/sites/blastr/files/styles/media_gallery_image/public/images/LOLcat-resists-lightsaber.jpg?itok=U8vMroM6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.blastr.com/sites/blastr/files/styles/media_gallery_image/public/images/LOLcat-resists-lightsaber.jpg?itok=U8vMroM6" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-45456042755379193042015-02-21T08:40:00.001-08:002015-02-21T08:40:40.274-08:00A Second Existential Crisis: The Scary Question About the Human Race<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Yeah! A new blog post! Wanna think about it? Try my <a href="http://youtu.be/aN-352CKfxs?list=PLRl7EBZ09Vx1MPNshy5hMVa_7RzQGfWPo" target="_blank">Psybient Chillscape playlist</a> that is a couple of days and a few minutes long in total playtime! Chillax a ton! <b><i>Expand your consciousness!</i></b> Huh?
Oh, no, wait, it's a blog post, not an acid trip. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Just
recently, I've had another bit of existential angst on the scale of the human
species. It's not that it's a bad thing,
it's something that probably everyone should think deeply about, while they do
repetitive boring tasks or are spending time by themselves doing nothing that
will risk their lives (like operating machinery or driving or patrolling for
trouble if you're one of the cops out there).
Say, perhaps 5 minutes at a time on your smoke breaks. That should work….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Cue the Imperial March—<a href="http://youtu.be/WDrCwqsOrp0" target="_blank">HEAVY METAL STYLE!</a>……</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.galacticbinder.com/images/DarkestMoments/sith-eyes-anakin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.galacticbinder.com/images/DarkestMoments/sith-eyes-anakin.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p> Anyways,
this has only popped up in my head during a shower a few weeks ago on Monday evening (on
February 9th, 2015). It was like my
brain just decided to open up a corner of my mind I prefer not to frolic
through, mostly because it's a bit too dark.
And from that corner in all of her Sith glory emerged Darth Eden, the
dark side of my humanity that I insist on suppressing. And it was not a good thing at all; in fact,
this is proof that I should medicate more often, to prevent Darth Eden from
ever even seeing the light of day, or night, or evening, or whatever time I
arise from my comatose sleep; she can still exist, but she shouldn't ever take
an active role in my life because <b><i>I want to be a good person</i></b>. Anyways, with Darth selves come dark
questions, and this moment was no exception: Darth Eden just emerged while I
was shampooing my hair and, simultaneously, pondering the validity of the moral
and ethical conflicts that arise from deciding who should die—the chimpanzee or
the little person being attacked by said chimpanzee. ("Schwaaaaaaaa? Where did THIS come from?!" Listen to <a href="http://www.nerdist.com/pepisode/nerdist-podcast-130-penn-teller/" target="_blank">Nerdist Podcast episode #130,"Penn and Teller</a>." The link for the impatient ones is <a href="http://youtu.be/RE18QpVUJ8c" target="_blank">also available</a>.) And
without skipping a beat, while I decided to try and drop the mental dilemma,
Darth Eden asked with evil eyes aglow, "<b><i>Why should the human race as a
whole exist the way it is now? With all its faults and issues and the conflicts
that we currently have?</i></b>"</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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That
frightened me so much that I just HAD to reach out to my friends and my tweeps.
And it also helped to remind me that
they are simply awesome weirdos just like me who totally get me! So, major POINTS(!) to them!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
The Questions of a Young Padawan to Jedi Master Leonidas</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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First,
let's start with a response from my friend Jesse, who I absolutely SWEAR is the
Jedi Master version of Leonidas! He was
wise, he totally understood where I was coming from, and he's a <b><i>Spartan</i></b>! Really!
(Ever heard of the <a href="http://www.spartan.com/#" target="_blank">Spartan Race</a>?
I think that once I become a ninja Jedi, I should run in it! *adds to list of currently unlikely dreams*) His responses were really insightful and
what's also interesting is that he thought that my question was so good that he
shared the conversation on Facebook:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/183/7/0/Leonidas_unleashed_2_by_Crispywire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/183/7/0/Leonidas_unleashed_2_by_Crispywire.jpg" height="320" width="297" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">A friend of mine, Eden Pyrithea,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"> asked me a question that had come to her mind, and its a good one, and we had a conversation about it and i thought i should post it here because i do believe every word i said to her</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"Should we humans, as a whole, exist the way we are?"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">i thought about my answer for a while before responding, "No, we should exist and work daily to improve ourselves and the universe around us. Simple acts can lead to mighty changes. Go speak at a town meeting on views that you believe in, volunteer at a soup kitchen to help those less fortunate then you and make the world, and the universe a better place"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"Huh. What about the general current human state There are evil people who live inside of the lies they spread." was her next question</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"They only exist in power because we allow them to. So by beginning a small movement that can then become a large movement you can resist them, a perfect example would be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream."</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"But they carry influence like we carry mass."</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"Only because we allow them to. I think a time will come, and sooner than some think, that we as a people will rise above things like hate and greed to become the utopia Gene Roddenberry believed we could"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">and yes i do believe we could be as great as The Great Bird of the Galaxy thought we could be, but its up to us to start finding small ways to help each other. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Like my thoughts or not, but i will stand by them to the end.</span></blockquote>
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He's
right, though it does seem a little frustrating. There are so many good people in the world,
but there are all these larger-than-myself issues such as war and ISIS and the
anti-vaccine bullcrap (as well as the anti-autism fears people have related to
it) and us having a really corrupt Congress (and possibly POTUS if the <s>antichrist
twins</s> Koch brothers succeed in buying the election) that, despite each drop
into the bucket of liquid influence causing a small ripple, I just want to kick
the whole bucket over, spilling its contents, shaking up everything to the
point where people can finally figure out what really works and helps everyone
vs. what doesn't. But maybe once I start
attending town hall meetings and speaking out on issues that I'm passionate
about, my drops of influence could become rocks that get bigger and bigger. I should become more patient. And I probably shouldn't be so impatient; as Mahatma Ghandi once said:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/24499-be-the-change-that-you-wish-to-see-in-the" target="_blank">"Be the change you want to see in the world."</a></blockquote>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Perhaps
maybe the world could change quicker and for the better if we work together….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Into the Twitterverse: When You've Found "YOUR
TWEEPLE"!</h3>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> </o:p> Another
good friend could be one you have met online through Twitter. Fellow Nerd <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaR_M" target="_blank">@LisaR_M</a> (who is actually a
hardcore Chris Hardwick fan, but not to the groupie level that <a href="https://twitter.com/DiHard11" target="_blank">@DiHard11</a> is at)
was able to provide some insight of her own.
Here is her series of tweets that helped me onto the path of personal
enlightenment:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> What are you thinking about that’s scary? Murdering somebody? Committing the unpardonable sin? Doing something perverted?<br />
— Lisa Moore (@LisaR_M) <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaR_M/status/564973026542751744">February 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> Ah, big picture existential angst. That’s a “Let go and let God” situation. Or insert whatever your higher power is.<br />
— Lisa Moore (@LisaR_M) <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaR_M/status/564974114859790337">February 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> All of life is a paradox. It’s always a take the good with the bad situation. There can never be perfect people.<br />
— Lisa Moore (@LisaR_M) <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaR_M/status/564980163469778944">February 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> And you have to watch your ego. It’s tempting to think you know what’s best for everyone but you’re not omniscient<br />
— Lisa Moore (@LisaR_M) <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaR_M/status/564980456081215488">February 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> The issue you're having with the bullshitters is a clashing of egos. Instead of judging them try to learn from them.<br />
— Lisa Moore (@LisaR_M) <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaR_M/status/564980856536584194">February 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> :) I’ve thought a lot about this stuff. It’s exhausting sometimes that's why I avoid politics & try to let it go.<br />
— Lisa Moore (@LisaR_M) <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaR_M/status/564981559715840000">February 10, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I was
able to take to heart the "ego check" one, because sometimes, when
you're on the Autism Spectrum, you don't always think of the world through a perspective
outside of your own. This (in my case,
especially) often leads to moments where you feel as though you have <b><i>all
the answers</i></b>! ALL OF THEM! Including the Answer to Life , the Universe
and Everything! (That one is easy to
obtain; just read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and ask, "What is 6
times 7?")<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_leilruzuMx1qzngqr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_leilruzuMx1qzngqr.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a> It does
get frustrating at times, and she's right: we shouldn't think that way. Even if you're not on the Spectrum, if you're
just a nerd, it's still the same principle.
Chris Hardwick has already pointed this out on page 105 in a subsection
titled "The Third Reaction" in his book <i><u><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5879975/the-nerdist-way-a-self-help-guide-for-me-and-probably-you" target="_blank">The Nerdist Way</a></u></i>, saying, "Nerds know they're
smarty-pantses—in fact, it's part of how they define themselves, so sometimes
we come from a place of 'everyone is stupid but me.' This is shitty and wrong. It also leads to spontaneous emotional
reactions to situations rather than calm, well-thought-out ones." So, as a member of this community of
differently-wired persons, we should work on understanding what makes sense to
other people, instead of dismissing it as "utter crap". In fact, that's what I'm adding to my XP goal
chart: "Understanding and Communication," because I know that once I
understand where my debate opponents (like the anti-vaccine….. *struggling* <b><i>people</i></b>)
are coming from, I can communicate my way around their defenses to see if I can
help them open up to (at the very LEAST) healthy discussions that are highly
educational for both sides of an issue.
This is also made difficult because everyone understands something their
own way and are often convinced that they know the "truth" behind certain
topics; and everyone living their life as a story, and they are the hero of it,
regardless of whether other people regard them as heroes or villains.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
(Small
parenthetical paragraph note: Another great way to help people get a better
understanding of Autistic Spectrum Disorders is to <b><i>talk to us!!!!</i></b> So often are we excluded from the
conversation that I'm sure there is misinformation out there, provided by
people who are thought to be the voices of the "autistic people,"
when they're not really speaking for us, but rather for themselves. Yes, this includes Autism Speaks; they don't
really pay attention to what we're figuratively saying. Just talk to us or ask us about ASDs and
living independently! We can answer
questions! Either tweet to me or to <a href="https://twitter.com/chromesthesia" target="_blank">@chromesthesia</a>;
we can give you insight!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So, as I
was saying, I was given pearls of wisdom that I'll be fashioning into Earrings
of +20 Wisdom, thanks to my friends. And
it has led me to perhaps what the goal would be for the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<h3>
My Hopes for the World in Commercials</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This
discussion about humanity has led me to having hope for the future of the human
race; it's not a very big anti-vampire spotlight of hope, because it's a lot of
work to set forth a giant tidal wave of change.
But now that I typed that sentence, I am realizing that I shouldn't work
on creating a tidal wave, but rather just create my own small waves that will
erode at this rock of evil that I see before me. And I can do it similarly to <a href="http://youtu.be/3uDLhUGIVhk" target="_blank">this commercialfrom Liberty Mutual</a>:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3uDLhUGIVhk" width="480"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
One way to start, just hold the door open for the person
entering or exiting the building you're entering or exiting from, or keeping to
the sides of the grocery aisles, shopping cart and all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Maybe
once that gets going, we can live life like these adorable animals in <a href="http://youtu.be/vnVuqfXohxc" target="_blank">this Android commercial</a> that has been making the rounds of the advertsphere:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vnVuqfXohxc" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In any case, I should enjoy what I can, taking the good
stuff to heart and cherishing it emotionally while leading the bad stuff to my
mental laboratory to analyze it, determine if it's an endeavour to take on with
the experience I have or to pass on it, buying more time to learn about the
issue that is staring at everyone in the face.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
(And can
I point out that we have a time limit here?
I mean, come on! <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/23/opinion/bear-apophis-asteroid/">Asteroid Apophisis coming!</a> TICK-TOCK TICK-TOCK!!!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In any
case, I hope you agree with me on this and have decided to join me on this
journey towards world improvement. And
to make the journey more enjoyable, why don't we ride a burrito boat? JUST BECAUSE!
Heehee! In the meantime, enjoy
your mindful tacquito!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/8319021568/h912F5343/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/8319021568/h912F5343/" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-89364646559251767472015-01-23T14:51:00.001-08:002015-01-23T14:51:33.449-08:00An Open Letter to Adam Savage of MythBusters and Zak Bagans of Ghost Adventures<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a
letter directed mainly to both Adam and Zak in regards to the "online
controversy" that occurred on January 8th, which I sort of covered in my
<a href="https://twitter.com/WilWheatons_Cat" target="_blank">previous blog post</a> that was published that evening. It's also, in some way, directed to all the
fans of both Ghost Adventures and MythBusters, to try and clarify everything
that possibly was already clarified, but….not enough, apparently. The reason why I am doing this is because I realized, after listening to Adam on his <a href="http://youtu.be/568BEMKc_Uo" target="_blank">Still Untitled: The Adam Savage Project podcast</a> episode that referred to this controversy (<a href="http://youtu.be/568BEMKc_Uo?t=11m19s" target="_blank">Click here if you're too impatient</a>), that it's <i style="font-weight: bold;">my</i> fault. So, please, lend me your ears/eyes.....<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Adam
and Zak,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2013/01/karen_brown_adam_savage_indoorboys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2013/01/karen_brown_adam_savage_indoorboys.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ce/b8/26/ceb82660e85f4c66b4736d1c52b99467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/ce/b8/26/ceb82660e85f4c66b4736d1c52b99467.jpg" width="128" /></a> I know we
probably want to move on from this fight that started up on Twitter (we know
which one), but…. I couldn't. Not just yet.
Not when I'm having dreams where I'm discussing in person with Adam <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/553211810053382145" target="_blank">the tweet that started it all</a> (Sorry, Zak; I think my subconscious too afraid to
invite you into the dream!). There was
so much guilt and so much wincing that I am overdue to issue an apology.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes: <b><i>I'm
sorry for starting it all</i></b>. I'm the one
who started that shit storm, creating the opportunity for us all to ride the leaky
raft down Shit Creek all the way to the bottom of Asshat Falls (and to add to
it, we ran out of duct tape to repair said leaky raft). I am the person who is responsible by
accidentally creating a flame war with a simple mistake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://m3.i.pbase.com/o6/53/623853/1/138553493.Cbsg5RRM.shitcreekpaddlestore.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://m3.i.pbase.com/o6/53/623853/1/138553493.Cbsg5RRM.shitcreekpaddlestore.jpeg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="goog_557699416"></span><span id="goog_557699417"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> I should
not have tagged you both in the tweet. I
know Adam meant well as a confirmed <s>skeptic</s> <b><i>critical thinker</i></b> (I'm
sorry for calling you a skeptic.) that he thinks ghosts don't exist, that
ghosts are made up, and that Zak was offended by (somewhat
rightfully) misinterpreting the response.
But I was the one who created the opportunity that I should not have
made, by tagging both of you in the tweet instead of my Dalek tweeps, or human
tweeps, or even the two to five Darth Vader parody accounts who follow me. Or how about the Sontaran? I could have asked ANYONE else in the entire
Twitterverse (including <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTweetOfGod" target="_blank">God</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NormalR2D2" target="_blank">R2D2</a>, a <a href="https://twitter.com/Awakened_Intern" target="_blank">Stormtrooper Intern</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/WilWheatons_Cat" target="_blank">Wil Wheaton's cat</a>),
and instead, I asked you two because I stupidly thought, at the time, that it
was a "good idea".<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.tumblr.com/fmzboqx/QKOlymr52/good_idea_bad_idea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.tumblr.com/fmzboqx/QKOlymr52/good_idea_bad_idea.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was <b><i>incredibly</i></b>
stupid and shortsighted of me for doing that, especially now that this little
mistake of tagging you two instead of my Twitter peeps was an experiment that
was doomed to epic failure before Adam even responded: Before tweeting, I
should've realized, you're both already somewhat professionally biased in terms
of my options, because you both would want me to watch your respective shows
(which I can do, one at a time), instead of the other respective show—because
it's YOUR SHOW! You put so much hard
work into putting it together (or being the hot, handsome talent in front of
the camera) that it would not help either of you if I opt to watch another show
instead of yours; then again, you both have millions of fans, so I wasn't going
to cause too much of a difference—but I did, by asking you two for your
(obvious) opinion on Twitter instead of my Twitter Peeps, or texting one of
my friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Yj7RblvPxkkqu_O8AqUS_R1sqxX-5_nIjrNlRWblZCZDsdMqAsyyvLG2glXH24hTggAKcGOlsGAAgJicczehRW17-ti7ahiOjbQ_qBA-lHQ-5cb5b6R3-uWvTaM4aHcK0qq_drvYKEk/s1600/i+want+to+get+off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Yj7RblvPxkkqu_O8AqUS_R1sqxX-5_nIjrNlRWblZCZDsdMqAsyyvLG2glXH24hTggAKcGOlsGAAgJicczehRW17-ti7ahiOjbQ_qBA-lHQ-5cb5b6R3-uWvTaM4aHcK0qq_drvYKEk/s1600/i+want+to+get+off.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I feel so
guilty for this dumb mistake. And it was
made with 2 of the most awesome people I admire. I was just….an idiot, a fool with matchsticks
inside of a professional-grade fireworks factory with exposed fuses. I was playing with fire, and it wound up
being funny at first (as you can tell from my previous post that was mostly
directed towards the fans), but it was both aggravating and terrifying. I was dragged along for the ride, because I
kept getting tagged in all the tweets that were responding to Adam and it just
wouldn't stop. My phone (which is a dumb
phone, as opposed to your smart ones) can get Twitter updates via text, and
I've got my updates set so that my phone gets all my @Mentions, which is set to
"Receive all, including people you don't follow," which resulted in a
phone that kept going off because Twitter was texting me all the tweets that
tagged me. That's how I knew: people
kept tagging me and wouldn't let me even utter a word of the sentence, "<b><i>STOP
THE RIDE! I want to get off!</i></b>"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This
apology should've come earlier, but I was either too scared or distracted with
ducking my head with latent tweets and it was only after listening to an
episode of Adam's podcast (the specific episode that addressed this) when I was
walking home that I realized that it was <b><i>all my fault!!!</i></b> California Dalek (aka, Cali) was right; I
just hope he doesn't rub it in….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@ladyeden1337</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EducatorDalek">@educatordalek</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DiHard11">@dihard11</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NotGayDalek">@notgaydalek</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaR_M">@lisar_m</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BootBhoy">@bootbhoy</a> YOU HAVE STARTED A FLAME-WAR.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DALEKAPPROVED?src=hash">#DALEKAPPROVED</a>.<br />
— California Dalek (@CaliforniaDalek) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaliforniaDalek/status/553353320908083200">January 9, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways, I
should probably shut up; I really do not ever want to start up the flame war
again. I'm sorry you both got shit for
this, when I was the one who should've gotten it. Really.
Also, Adam is <b><i>not</i></b> a cyberbully (or a robot or
Vulcan) who is "anti-science" or "closed minded" or whatever; he's totally
pro-science, and amazingly hilarious with an awesome career (CEMENT TRUCK!) and
a really cool, grounded perspective of the world who, to be honest, could've
reworded the response he gave so it's not one that would open the door to the
cyber abuse the Interwebz is known to be a platform for. And Zak is <b><i>not</i></b> an idiot or a fool
who chases his imagination (though he looks like a hot jock) because he
believes in ghosts and can bet his electrons on the personal experiences he had
in his life. And we're all human, which
means we're bound to make mistakes, and we're nerds because we're passionate
about what we like, to the point where, if someone confuses <a href="http://thebloggess.com/2014/11/it-takes-a-surprising-amount-of-intelligence-to-be-this-stupid/" target="_blank">Star Trek and Star Wars</a>, or Friday the 13th and Nightmare On Elm Street, we (at least both Adam
and myself) would write a 2-page thesis—1 tweet at a time—about how they are
different. (Don't deny it, Zak! You are a nerd of a specific type, being a
horror movie buff and a believer in the paranormal—yes, paranormal nerds
exist! And don't worry because nerdy is
the new sexy!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.splitreason.com/Product_Images/324df46b6436-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.splitreason.com/Product_Images/324df46b6436-xl.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a> I'd suggest
ways to fix this, but I'm also afraid of getting my ideas shot down by you
two. It's because I'm a total
fan-squirrel (squirrelly fangirl) who belongs to the third camp: the one that
sits between the skeptical-of-ghosts-and-the-paranormal MythBusters Adam Savage
fan camp and the believer-in-ghosts skeptical-of-skeptics Ghost Adventures Zak
Bagans fan camp, and it's the one that has fans who, like me, enjoy both of
your shows. But I hope we can FINALLY
get past this without getting any more weird dreams that is really our
subconscious scolding us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, one
more thing: I'm sorry that this ever happened, because I'm very, very,
absolutely sure that there is now a fanfic genre of the two of you….er, you
know….. <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleThirtyFour" target="_blank">Rule 34</a>? *DUCKS!*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways,
one last apology (I'M REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY SORRY!), with an update:
I've solved my problem—each week on Saturday, I'll watch one of your shows at
9pm EST, and then catch the late night repeat, but it'll alternate so that one
week will have MythBusters at 9 and Ghost Adventures at midnight and the next
week will have Ghost Adventures at 9 with MythBusters at 11pm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just be
glad that Doctor Who Season 9 didn't start yet; if I added that third option,
the nerdy fan base shit storm will end up evolving into a shit hurricane, and
all we would ever be able to do is hide from the Interwebz until it passes
completely, hanging onto each other for dear life as though it would make
everything better, with me sobbing quietly into the darkness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nashvillescene.com/binary/e347/1324331303-ashamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nashvillescene.com/binary/e347/1324331303-ashamed.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I've
learned my lesson: DO NOT ASK THE ON-SCREEN TALENT WHICH OF THEIR SHOWS I
SHOULD WATCH! Because if I do,
open-season on the Interwebz starts up and everyone will have to run for
cover. *writes note to self to
"Wear a bullet-proof vest everyday from now on"*<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways,
thanks to the both of you for your awesome shows, and please know that I nerd
over the both of you equally! Though,
now, I'm sure I started the war up again…..
HIT THE DECK!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
With much
nerdy love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lady Eden
Pyrithea<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-67360619633408743942015-01-12T16:18:00.000-08:002015-01-24T23:45:06.844-08:00The Lives of Stephen Hawking, and of Subatomic Particles<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi,
y'all! Yes, I said y'all—I blame my time
is West Virginia for that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways,
I'm back, still ducking my head from that flame war I was quite privy to
whenever people are trying to criticize scientifically-and-humorously-minded
and CONFIRMED SKEPTIC Adam Savage of MythBusters, mostly due to how I was still
being tagged in all those tweets. It's
not that I regret doing it; I'd totally do it again, but with two separate
differences: First, I'd NOT tag Adam Savage and Zak Bagans directly in the
tweet again; Second, if I did tag them and Adam responded in the same way, I'd
text my family and friends that I can't text right now, if you need to talk,
CALL ME OR WAIT, while plugging my silenced cell phone into the charger due to
an oncoming FLAME WAR. *facepalms* At least I learned something from this
experience, and, as a bonus, figured out a contingency plan so I don't have to
suffer ever again. At least I was able to feature the HILARIOUS
tweets! Note to hardcore
paranormal-til-death Ghost Adventures fans: Adam Savage is a CONFIRMED SKEPTIC
and prone to making assumptions, so don't get your panties in a twist any time
a CONFIMED SKEPTIC says something negative about one of our favorite series,
and also, if you're going to flame someone, at least make it <b><i>funny</i></b>,
so I don't have to feel shitty inside, like the guilt just left its muddy
fingerprints all along the lining of my intestines, stomach and soul—I <b><i>HATE</i></b>
THAT FEELING!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside from
that issue, I figured that I should continue on with my blog, by featuring <a href="http://youtu.be/cqFEZrpiqLQ" target="_blank">"The Edge" by Nigel John Stanfor</a>d as this post's <b><i>optional</i></b> theme song:<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cqFEZrpiqLQ" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Hawking: The Discovery Dramatization Show Where I'm Sure of
the Existence of a Friendship Between Stephen Hawking and Benedict
Cumberbatch—Translation: SQUEE!</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You guessed
it: being a fan of science, I'm going to talk about Discovery's recent
broadcast/airing of the 110-minute dramatized documentary of Stephen Hawking's
earlier life (in this case, life in college), and his discovery of the Big
Bang, as well as his battle with another noted-at-the-time scientist over the
universe being in a perpetual static state vs. the ever-changing state that we
now know it is. I also tweeted about the "battle" between religion and science:<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
"Religion is the enemy of science....." -slams head on desk over and over again- NOT TRUE, DAMMIT! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawking?src=hash">#Hawking</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/neilwithit?src=hash">#neilwithit</a><br />
— Lady Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/554123751449575424">January 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But I loved
it! I loved how <b><i>Mr. Benedict Cumberbatch</i></b> (*said
with a bit of British class*) was able to portray him, how he was able to carry
across the struggles that Dr. Hawking had at the time, how he was able to be
profound and smart and classy and brilliant and fighting a battle that he was
not expected to win in a role that was only mirrored by Eddie Redmayne in the movie <i><u>The Theory of Everything</u></i>. It was beautiful! In fact, because of all this, I decided to
look up tweets that tagged this feature film and include them here:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="storify">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="no" height="750" src="//storify.com/LadyEden1337/a-sampling-of/embed?header=false&border=false" width="100%"></iframe><script src="//storify.com/LadyEden1337/a-sampling-of.js?header=false&border=false"></script><noscript>[<a href="//storify.com/LadyEden1337/a-sampling-of" target="_blank">View the story "A Sampling of #Hawking Tweets!" on Storify</a>]</noscript></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Extra-special
double-unicorn magical thanks to <a href="http://thebloggess.com/" target="_blank">Jenny The Bloggess Lawson</a> for introducing me
to Storify in her blogs.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/9/20/1379632790491/Stephen-Hawking-Cambridge-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/9/20/1379632790491/Stephen-Hawking-Cambridge-008.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a> So, yes: I
really was sure that there is a friendship between (*British class*) Benedict
Cumberbatch and Dr. Stephen Hawking (*clears throat, resuming to normal*),
because I had recently watched Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking on DVD
(meaning, I did it last year) and noticed that Benedict Cumberbatch did
voiceover for him on that DVD! It could
also be that Mr. Cumberbatch did an excellent job as Adam Turing in The
Imitation Game, leading to his casting, but it's too much of a coincidence for
that to be true! *CONSPIRATORIAL FACIAL
EXPRESSION*<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Overall
rating: 6,000 beautiful nebulae out of 10 stars! Or if you want it in Dalek terms, it'd be 60
plungers out of ten! (The 6,000 is a
reference to Creationism being stupid by denying the evidence of the trillions
of years that the universe actually IS, with its birth being the Big Bang.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
From
Astrophysics to quantum physics-and-mechanics, I just had a really interesting
and weird thought about protons and electrons and the Force of Star Wars!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h3>
What the F*ck Are They Thinking? The Inter-Subatomic Particle Dialogue of the Protons,
Neutrons, and Electrons</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://shutupimtalking.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/0209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://shutupimtalking.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/0209.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
So, yes, I
tend to be a bit a crazy, quite weird, in a lovable and fun way that I'm very
sure isn't annoying (*pointed glare at hometown*), but I did have a recent
thought that pretty much was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto" target="_blank">Shinto</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animism" target="_blank">Animist</a> in principle, but it was on the
scale of atoms: what the hell are protons and electrons thinking?!<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I'm sure
that it goes like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
~<b><u>Protons (+, the Jedi)</u></b>: We're the good guys! We balance out the bad guys, we want the
universe to be good, because we're positively charged! Yays, positivity! Come here, electrons, so we can f*ck with you
in multiple ways!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
~<u><b>Electrons (-, the Sith)</b></u>: We're the real good guys! We provide the real balance in the universe
because whenever , and even though we are smaller than our positive
counterparts that like to stick together in the nucleus, where it's "nice
and safe" with the Strong Force keeping them all together, we're free to
orbit around them, messing with their Up particles and Down particles, and
we're behind the formation of molecules with other elements!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
~<b><u>Protons (+)</u></b>: No, WE'RE behind those formations!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
~<b><u>Electrons (-)</u></b>: NUH-UH!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn4.thatsnerdalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pop2.gif?313ab3" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn4.thatsnerdalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/pop2.gif?313ab3" height="211" width="320" /></a></div>
~<b><u>Neutrons (o)</u></b>: *munches on popcorn* This is interesting, so
we're just gonna sit around and watch.
We ain't taking sides, so….you're on your own, here, boys and girls. We also have good cheese here, and
manufacture awesome watches.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
~<b><u>Electrons (-)</u></b>: But…but….they're so….stuck together and
stuff!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
~<b><u>Protons (+)</u></b>: Yeah, but you like to move only in straight
lines! It's no wonder the cool dudes at
CERN picked us to be in their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider" target="_blank">Large Hadron Collider</a>!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
~<b><u>Neutrons (o)</u></b>: *<a href="http://youtu.be/2GdQTf3CDCY" target="_blank">Chris Hardwick voice</a>* Points to the
Protons! Also to the Electrons because
we don't take sides, we're just here, partying in different isotopes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
You get the
idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
And then I
had that tiny bit of an "Ah-ha!" moment: the electromagnetic force is
the Force in Star Wars! I mean, come
on! Emperor Palpatine was able to shoot
lightning from his fingers to wrongfully kill the badass Mace Windu (who wants
his motherfucking Sith off of his motherfucking ship!!!), but that's what
electrons do! I mean, come on! If anything, Disney shouldn't ever kill off
all the Sith, because it will throw the Star Wars universe out of balance! I mean it!
Get to tweeting at or emailing to JJ Abrams, because he HAS to keep this
in mind! It's not too late to save Star
Wars!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/217/2/0/grey_jedi_by_gard_helset-d382d1r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/217/2/0/grey_jedi_by_gard_helset-d382d1r.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
Huh? Am I doing this JJ Abrams thing? No, I'm just watching you guys do it. *munches on the Neutrons' popcorn* Because this is interesting…. What do you mean, which side am I on? I've already picked between the Light Side
and the Dark Side! I'm a <a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Gray_Jedi" target="_blank">Grey Jedi</a> and
I'm proud of it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
So, if any
astrophysicists or particle physicists, or quantum physicists want to start
complaining, go ahead. I just want you
to say, "What if protons, neutrons and electrons could talk? What would they say?" I'd love to see Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson, Bill
Nye the Science Guy, Phil Plait aka Bad Astronomer, the ghost of Carl Sagan,
Dr. Stephen Hawking, Leighann Lord, Chuck Nice, Eugene Mirman, Chris Hardwick,
Matt Mira, and Seth MacFarlane provide their input on this. Yes, that's an invitation to discuss this,
y'all. I'll be expecting to hear from
you soon (if you would just please, please, please talk about this and then get
back to me! PLEASE!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
So,
yeah. Not sure what else to say,
except to check out Diane Martin's <a href="https://dihard11.wordpress.com/dihard-portal/" target="_blank">Di-Hard Podcast</a>. Because she's awesome and hilarious. And a band-o—YAY MARCHING BAND!!! And to
listen to StarTalkRadio, to watch StarTalk TV on National Geographic, check out
both MythBusters and Ghost Adventures, and to buy the Cosmos: A Spacetime
Odyssey DVD/Blu-Ray because SCIENCE!
(#neilwithit)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
With that,
I shall leave you with this picture.
Enjoy it, AND YOUR TACQUITOS!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thefinchandpea.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/lhc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thefinchandpea.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/lhc.jpg" height="640" width="483" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S. In case you REALLY wanted a showdown between
MythBusters and the paranormal, here's one of those <a href="http://youtu.be/w0pnTm-KK9k" target="_blank">Epic Rap Battles ofHistory</a>!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/w0pnTm-KK9k" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
NOW, we're done! So,
please, STOP TWEETING ADAM ABOUT IT!
*ninja-poofs!*<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-80820165063166799432015-01-08T14:57:00.000-08:002015-01-08T14:57:35.049-08:00New Year, New Post—and Old Battles Still Being Fought on Twitter<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy New
Year, y'all! It's 2015 and EVERYTHING
SUCKS already! *sniffles* Sorry, just went through a hard time, and
still doing so; I'll explain why when the time is right. However, I have a few things to express. First of all, I have a few goals for this
year: EDUCATE people about how vaccines do NOT cause Autistic Spectrum
Disorders AT ALL(!); explore how humanity is getting worse and worse
(especially American society and government); how ghosts MAY exist or how your
brain can trick you; celebrating science and positive changes being made in the
world, etc! I'll also continue to review
books, movies, television shows, and continue to nerd my pants over certain
shows and celebrities. I plan to lose
mass (at least better than I have been last year—it fell apart from lack of
momentum!) and become more confident, and I have an even better reason to do so
now (the hard time stuff).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways, I
should also add that what happened with the satirical magazine in France is
TRAGIC! ISIS is a group full of assholes
and they should be EXTERMINATED! They
retaliated in the wrong manner in response to a cartoon that was published by a
SATIRICAL newspaper! The following
tweets express my feelings:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Oi, France: je regrette pour votre defauts. Je pleure avec vous tous! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/notafraid?src=hash">#notafraid</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/pardonmybadFrench?src=hash">#pardonmybadFrench</a><br />
— Lady Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/553071511041372161">January 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
I have no words for the tragedy in France, in French or English. Except that i'm pretty sure the ISIS idiots don't know what "satire" means.<br />
— Lady Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/553207037073436672">January 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am
Charlie, and I'm not afraid! (More will
be expressed on my DeviantArt page….)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways,
onwards to this blog entry's topic: Celebrities, Trolling and the Schedule
Conflicts of Television! For the <b><i>optional</i></b>
theme song, check out the <a href="http://youtu.be/VrnSJTkApSo" target="_blank">Steve Angello x Jacques Lu Cont remix of Depeche Mode's "Soothe My Soul"</a>:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VrnSJTkApSo" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Two Shows I Nerd My Pants Over, One Time Slot (Porno, Anyone?)</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, yeah,
that subheading title is a reference towards that Two Girls, One Cup porno
(which should NEVER be watched or googled), but it's in regards to a dilemma I
decided to tweet about, tagging Adam Savage of MythBusters on Discovery
Channel, and Zak Bagans of Ghost Adventures on the Travel Channel:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Grrr! I'm having a hard time deciding on what to watch, between <a href="https://twitter.com/MythBusters">@MythBusters</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/GhostAdventures">@GhostAdventures</a> for Sat 9pm EST! <a href="https://twitter.com/donttrythis">@donttrythis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Zak_Bagans">@Zak_Bagans</a><br />
— Lady Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/553211810053382145">January 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did not
expect to get a response….but I totally DID!!!!
From Adam Savage—SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
His response was almost typical because I expected something along the
lines of "MythBusters because we're real." I did NOT expect the fans' reactions! My cell phone (Obamaphone, free unlimited
text messaging, I get mentions, direct messages, favorites and retweets
directly on my phone through text message…) started blowing up with
responses! A ton are funny, but a lot
were REALLY uncalled for! I can't just
embed them ALL into my blog post at once because that's a LOT of tweets to
embed and it makes the blog post here TOO DAMN LONG!!!! So, I've decided to Storify it…..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="storify">
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="no" height="750" src="//storify.com/LadyEden1337/hit-the-deck-adam-savage-vs-ghost-adventures/embed" width="100%"></iframe><script src="//storify.com/LadyEden1337/hit-the-deck-adam-savage-vs-ghost-adventures.js"></script><noscript>[<a href="//storify.com/LadyEden1337/hit-the-deck-adam-savage-vs-ghost-adventures" target="_blank">View the story "Hit the Deck!!! Adam Savage vs. Ghost Adventures" on Storify</a>]</noscript></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Those last
few tweets bashing on Adam is just really dickish! Since when is it okay to tweet to an
influential someone to say, "FUCK YOU!
I'm never watching your show again!
Your an asshole! Suck a dick and
go die from a demon attack at Bobby Mackey's!" (For your information, I would NEVER endorse
the last one! Bobby Mackey's, if you're
unfamiliar with their reputation beyond being a country club already, is really
infested with demons! These dickhead
demonic entities are really nasty to the point where if you ever mention Zak
Bagans' name inside that place, you get attacked! It's really insanely bad energy inside there,
and to suggest to a skeptic to go in there, mouth running off with insults and saying
Zak's name over and over is irresponsible, mean, dickheaded, immoral, and all
out WRONG! Especially if they did not
have any experience with a demonic entity scratching you, insulting you, trying
to possess you, oppression and attachment, etc.
It's a real danger—which is why I vehemently CONDEMN such a response!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://skeptoid.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/wheatonslaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://skeptoid.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/wheatonslaw.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
Has anyone
ever heard of Wheaton's Law? Anyone?
If you're that good of a nerd, you'll already know it by heart, but I'll
share it here as a refresher:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
DON'T BE A DICK!!!!!!</blockquote>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was first stated by Wil Wheaton (friendly co-performer at
W00tstock to Adam Savage) to his team at PAX one year, and before long, it was
being quoted in forums and on websites and it earned the name "Wheaton's
Law," and it's a REALLY GOOD LAW TO HAVE!
In fact, when I was in Nerf Club at college, when we first drafted up
the rules, Wheaton's Law was Rule #1; Rule #2 was "Always follow Rule
#1!"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
So, when
one is a fan of Ghost Adventures and MythBusters and reads Adam's tweet,
they're obviously going to take it a bit too personally, assuming that it's
negating their beliefs in an afterlife.
Granted, Adam is a definite skeptic, and he doesn't believe in ghosts
and demons and what-not, but to raise a stink over a single tweet?! That's immature and ridiculous! I'm sure that Adam did NOT mean it like that
at all (then again, he could have—I don't know for sure; I also am not
affiliated with him in any way beyond being a fan of his and MythBusters), but
don't call him a cunt and a dick and an asshole just because he shared his
opinion and input in response to my dilemma to ME.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h3>
Let's Break It Down!
*Beatboxes*</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.crimsontear.com/fakenews/images/GhostMythBusters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.crimsontear.com/fakenews/images/GhostMythBusters.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
MythBusters
is an excellent show, promoting critical thinking and applying common sense to
life so that you don't have to spend time and energy worrying about something
that isn't true or factual (i.e., water heater explosions, earthquake survival,
the JATO rocket Darwin Award myth), and learn what it takes for things to be
real, as well as being surprised by things that are real. So, even though Adam isn't, as Phil Plait
would put it, a "classically trained scientist," he still has
experience with the Hollywood special effects tricks of the trade, being able
to bust myths that stem from movies, television shows, etc. And who (besides terrorists) can go wrong
with explosions?! That cement truck just
disappeared like Alderaan! So, even
though the show's name is "<b><i>Myth</i></b>Busters," it's not proof
that they're "fake"! It's a
short, easy title that describes EXACTLY what they do: they bust myths! Also, they're based in San Francisco;
Hollywood is a "little" TOO FAR SOUTH to be where they're at! (However, if they want to take a field trip
there, they certainly can!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpuuvoAZJU1qh0jpxo1_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpuuvoAZJU1qh0jpxo1_1280.png" height="318" width="320" /></a></div>
As for
Ghost Adventures, it's not a show that "looks for ghosts," the way
Finding Bigfoot tries to find a Sasquatch; it's actually a show that is all
about <b><i>gathering evidence</i></b> in support of proving the existence of ghosts, as well as
researching what a ghost could be, and even possibly helping homeowners or
property owners and their families and friends realize that <b><i>they
aren't crazy</i></b>!!! Or that what
they're afraid of really isn't dangerous at all. So that weird feeling that trolls get in
their pants when tweeting their rage at Adam with misspellings and all isn't a
ghost; it's just them cranking one out from being a dick (thereby violating
Wheaton's Law). It's obvious that a lot
of fans love this show, especially since the members of the investigation crew
are the producers, the camera crew, the host, etc.; they created the show, they
film the show themselves, there's no glamour or Hollywood involved—it's raw,
it's real, it's almost indie and very, very organic. Stemming from a self-shot documentary from
the early-mid naughties (2000-2009), this is also a way to help boost tourism
to certain locations, which helps generate revenue for the locations and tax
dollars for the cities and states these are all located in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Also, I
should point out that the science labs aren't the places that are haunted, it's
these places such as the Washoe Club, the Winchester Mystery House, the Sun Inn
located in Bethlehem, PA, etc. And any
good scientist should know that if you can't create this situation in the lab
to study, you should conduct a field study.
So, discounting ghosts completely without fully investigating the culture
and approaches and the evidence is just…..I don't have a word to describe it,
but it's equivalent to mixing up, "close-minded, presumptive," and
either "fearful of the results" or "lazy". And don't assume that one show was running
longer than the other: Ghost Adventures started airing in 2008, and MythBusters
definitely started earlier than that, with 10 YEARS under their belt! So, they both have a ton of positive
points. So, tweeting, "FUCK
U!" to someone really isn't the way to go…..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<h3>
Ethical Criticism: Why the Internet Has a Larger Underbelly
Than It Should</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/haters-gonna-hate-so-daleks-gonna-exterminate.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://sd.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk/i/haters-gonna-hate-so-daleks-gonna-exterminate.png" height="320" width="274" /></a></div>
Most
hate-tweets are very unproductive and have a total lack of class and
character. Criticism is helpful because
it allows people to improve in the areas that are addressed. However, haters and trolls just do it to be a
dick. Trolls gonna troll, haters are
gonna hate, and even them Sontaran taters are gonna tate, no matter what. BUT, you can ditch these labels and provide
tweets that are better constructed. Adam
won't listen to "EAT A DICK!" (I received this tweet directly; my
response was, "As long as it's not yours!") but it's very likely that
instead of allowing your emotions to be in charge of your twitter feed, you
provide a calmer response that goes along the lines of "I disagree with your
statement, because…"<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Bad:
"Ghost Adventures is REAL! So, fuck
you, loser!"<br />
Good: "I disagree: it's
real because….."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Bad:
"You're an asshole! I'm never
watching your show again!"<br />
Good: "I now feel like my
beliefs have been devalued.
Thanks!"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I hope
everyone gets this, because I don't ever want to cover this topic ever
again! We have the ability to use a wide
range of words that will make us sound educated; why not use it? (Flame wars are pointless; don't engage in
them!)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Diffusing the Rage</h3>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As many of
the tweets have suggested, several Ghost Adventures fans believe that Mr. Adam
Savage should go on Ghost Adventures to prove his point. "Why?
It'll just be a waste of time!"
How would you know that if you've never conducted an experiment to prove
or disprove this hypothesis? The only
way to prove that it's a waste of time is to 1.) Be patient and 2.) just join
Zak and crew on a lockdown. Just make
sure that it's the Ghost Adventures Crew, and not some other paranormal
investigation crew, because if it's someone else, the camera crew might be
allowed in, and their job would be to film the talent, not the evidence or
activity. So, if it's just Zak, Nick,
Aaron, Billy, and Jay, with the camera crew hanging out at nerve center,
there's less contamination, and a better likelihood of capturing evidence that
isn't easily debunked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
So, I
agree: Adam Savage should go on a full 12-hour lockdown with the GAC on their
show, and try to debunk the evidence if he would wish to. At least he'll know (without assuming
anything) that ghosts <b><i>do</i></b> exist, and that Ghost Adventures
isn't fiction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But I'm
very sure that I've said all I needed to say, and that it seems like I should
start taking cover before the bullets start flying between the fans of
Mythbusters who are hardcore skeptics of ghosts, and the fans of Ghost
Adventures who are hardcore skeptics of skeptics! (HA!
See what I did there?!) In the
meantime, keep it cool, keep yourself warm, enjoy your tacquitos, and above
all, <b><i>DON'T BE A DICK!!!!!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
*dons dragonskin
vest and other armor, then takes cover in a warm bunker!*<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-30398974005876539412014-12-16T15:51:00.000-08:002016-04-11T17:31:21.794-07:00Dalekmas/Nerdmas/Sithmas Holiday Gift Guide!<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope
you've excused me for my previous blog post about <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2014/12/wtfthe-ultimate-question-of-life.html" target="_blank">my having the universal-scale existential crisis</a>. I'm mostly over it
now, thank goodness! I've just been
feeling dwarfed and nihilistic about our existence, how we got here and how we
currently impact the universe on a less-than-microscopic scale, and just making
me nuts over it all. I'm also sorry for
making you feel whatever you felt then; the feeling is still there, but only if
I focus on it. If I continue to focus on
it, my philosophy will <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihilism" target="_blank">develop into nihilism</a>, and that's not good. I should not allow that to happen—nobody should. That's basically defeatist programming, like
"Why should I do this and why do I care?
I shouldn't care, because it doesn't matter in the grandest scale of
things, which makes my actions and choices completely pointless." That's not what I'm really about, especially
when it comes to living with at least one disability. I should make my choices matter, and I should
put effort into making them matter to, at the very, very, most absolutely
least, me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've also
had other crazy realizations that relate to a certain so-called "intelligent race" or "people". Let me tell you something: the Borg are <i style="font-weight: bold;">evil!!!!!</i> I mean, come on! They're too dangerous to be interacting with anyone! All they want to do is force you to become like them! Where's the individuality? Where's the freedom?! WHERE'S THE EXTERMINATION?!?!?! The cybermen wannabes just assimilate, assimilate, assimilate, and they have no respect for our rights! And someone please extract Locutus from their systems! We don't need his influence on our population! All we need is for him to show up and before you know it, nerds are lining up and volunteering to be assimilated! They are not safe! Just stay away, y'all! If you come across any Borg (not including Seven of Nine--she's hawwwt!), RUN!!!! RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!! Do not stop, do not take pictures, do not pass Go, do not collect $200, do not do anything except RUN!!!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways,
I'm upset about the whole justice system, especially surrounding Sue the T-Rex
and the subject of the documentary Dinosaur 13 (which you should watch!) and
around the whole racial profiling thing, as well as the torture report (reporture?)
release. Many people are speaking out
about these issues—but I don't want to right now! It's the fucking HOLIDAYS! We should be putting these issues off until
AFTER New Year's Day (not the spending bill—Congress should just pay the Davros-damn
bill already), especially the protests!
My condolences DO go out to the families of the dead victims; I just
don't want to hear about more riots and more protests and to have every hour
being dedicated to the horrors of our country and the world!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think
that I've already done <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-music-mixtape-mix-it-up-this.html" target="_blank">a Christmas Music playlist post</a> (with apologies for broken embedded videos) so instead, I should
give you a Nerdy holiday gift guide!
It's the guidelines for gift-giving for nerdy people (especially <b><i>to</i></b>
nerdy people), chiefly if you have a nerdy friend you don't really get—they can
create the connection; you don't need to understand it, but it does help to
write down the details and hand it to some salesperson saying, "I don't
get this thing, but my friend does. Do
you have anything that fits this criteria?" It doesn't hurt to ask for that kind of help!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, I'm providing some of the
cool <a href="http://youtu.be/GufRiBUZQPc?list=PLRl7EBZ09Vx2-V3BxSwrZVq1VE31S7eK7" target="_blank">Christmas Music playlist post in playlist form</a> for your optional blog post
theme song to listen to while reading!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GufRiBUZQPc?list=PLRl7EBZ09Vx2-V3BxSwrZVq1VE31S7eK7" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let's get geeky, shall we?<o:p></o:p></div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
ThinkGeek—The Store Site Powered by Monkey Awesomeness and
Unicorn Magic</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/blog/14-07-29-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/blog/14-07-29-logo.jpg" height="69" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
If you
haven't known about ThinkGeek before, you <b><i>have to</i></b>!!! Seriously, it's my favorite online
retailer! They have so many cool gadgets
and things that make reference to all of these really geeky, nerdy genres and
the different shows and other fun cool subjects such as BACON and Zombie
preparedness and roleplaying games!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've never
been exceptionally dissatisfied by their products. Sure, you gotta be careful about who you send
your e-gift certificate to (and make sure that the e-mail is spelled properly,
even though PROPER grammatical spelling doesn't matter when setting it up—which
makes e-mails weird), but their customer service is awesome, they have gift
certificates, they have all this very fun stuff!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's a
list of the stuff I (along with family members) amassed from their depository
so far (of which all are awesome):<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul>
<li>Butterfly Knife-styled bottle opener</li>
<li>a Book of Secrets</li>
<li>an LED light-up Critical Hit D20 die</li>
<li>a Brewzkey key ring bottle/can opener</li>
<li>Japanese abacus</li>
<li>Flip Flop solar plant</li>
<li>Star Wars Death Star Ice Mold (THAT'S NO PLUTO! A joke for Dr. Tyson and Bad Astronomer….)</li>
<li>Science beaker mug</li>
<li>Constellations heat-change mug</li>
<li>Gear ties</li>
<li>"You read my mug/That's enough social interaction for one day" mug</li>
<li>50-year monthly calendar (complete with leap years)</li>
<li>Bacon bandages (with shitty adhesive)</li>
<li>Ninja fighting nunchuck chopsticks</li>
<li>Astronaut ice cream (edible, seriously!)</li>
<li>Mini-duct tape in black</li>
<li>Unicorn drinking horn—a MUST-HAVE! And drinking A-Treat red cream soda out of it is like drinking unicorn blood….YOU GET SO MUCH MANA!!!!</li>
<li>TARDIS night light—perfect for those times you have to wake up in the night to use the restroom and aren't ready to be awake yet</li>
<li>TARDIS "It's what's on the inside that counts" t-shirt</li>
<li>Boxes the stuff comes in that I can use for storage!</li>
<li>A "Become a Laird or Lady" kit—which I will get into later (I'm wondering if a square-foot of land in Scotland counts as an asset, despite it being a cool Kickstarter-like fundraising project. Should I also tell apartment management about this? Very important questions I must ask!)</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only have I been doing awesome in getting my stuff in a
very timely manner (four business days for me), but I've not been disappointed
so far! The customer service people are
all very friendly and understanding, and they are available not only by phone
or e-mail or snail-mail, but also through live-chats! And setting up an account is free! It's <b><i>not</i></b> a subscription service, and
having an account will not only allow you to order quickly, but also set up
wish lists your family members can see so that you don't have to flood their
Facebook feeds or e-mail inboxes with links saying, "I NEEDS DIS TO FEEL WHOLE
AGAIN! Or I'll stab you with a unicorn
horn!" (Ha! I'll never stab anyone with a unicorn
horn! Unless it's a creature powered by
dark magic—THEN I'll get unicorn-stabby!)
Plus, you can get POINTS! Similar
to the shamefully canceled Subway points club thing, you can redeem these points
along with a purchase of a certain amount for a FREE ITEM! It accumulates with every purchase, so as
soon as I hit 1 million points, I'LL GET SHOVELING!!!! (I don't know what that would mean….)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOIAQE3DrYJYg1IYMOYcT-NGHhRZy60uds6etGKDIb095gtux9TgHbjiQg9r8JyGMdmGRUtH1-qWRhwRfPQKoScAFhCPnmp9TBnWQrI1__B8f6fKS9QpXz6cllLHpqe_AeHqv8ZZ0FrYn/s1600/surprize+lolcat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOIAQE3DrYJYg1IYMOYcT-NGHhRZy60uds6etGKDIb095gtux9TgHbjiQg9r8JyGMdmGRUtH1-qWRhwRfPQKoScAFhCPnmp9TBnWQrI1__B8f6fKS9QpXz6cllLHpqe_AeHqv8ZZ0FrYn/s1600/surprize+lolcat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Seriously,
ThinkGeek staff-members are lovely. And
they're fun! Sure, they set up their
site so they're "selling" fake products for a nonsensical amount of
money (usually <b><i>over $9,000</i></b>!!!) on April Fool's Day (like so many awesome sites
do—only they're willing to have it get made as soon as a shit ton of people
click the "PLEASE MAKE THIS FUCKING THING!" button…), but they're
nerds LIKE US! But with a cool fun
job! Seriously, if they have a job I
could do from home, I'd jump on!......as soon as the student loans disappear! Sheesh, sending them into a black hole takes
a lot longer than I thought! Damn you,
spaghettification and event horizon complications! *shakes fist at the loans and troublesome
astrophysical stuff* Oh, well; they'll
soon antimatter to me! LOL!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
(If you're
in a rush, there's two-day shipping!
Just make sure to order by 1pm _ST so that it gets to you on time; free
shipping is available on orders over $40 or some other price, since it changes a lot!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Link to web site: <a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/">http://www.thinkgeek.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But,
yeah—maybe it's not just a tangible object that you should get that nerdy
person….Maybe just registering some Scottish land for a title or getting
ownership of a star (in outer space; I don't mean Hollywood…or either of the
Captain Kirks….) will be super meaningful!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
"That's LADY Eden!" (When Buying Land Means Saving
a Castle—And Other Cool Stuff)</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
While
trawling through the ThinkGeek Clearance Savannah, wearing khaki shorts and
explorer hats while carrying around a pair of binoculars and a high-definition
camera, I found this one AWESOME-WITHOUT-GETTING-IT-YET kit called "Become
a Laird or Lady Gift Box". Yeah,
there's a <b><i>kit</i></b> that consists of a tin containing documents that have
information and a <b><i>registration form</i></b> where you can register the gift in order to
get what the kit offers: a square-foot of land in Scotland on <a href="http://scottishlaird.com/?page_id=26" target="_blank">the grounds of Dunans Castle</a> (SHUDDUP, SPELLCHECK!), which allows you to use the title
"Laird," which literally means "landowner"; of course, as a
female member of the Scottish landowner population (with no Scottish heritage,
only English—sorry!), I'd be allowed to use the designation, "Laird of
Dunans," (which is <b><i>not</i></b> the same thing as
"Lord," because "Lord" is a British aristocratic title) but
it's equally acceptable to use the title "Lady of Dunans"—which is
how I'm getting registered as, getting my non-developable square-foot somewhere
on the estate, along with a free tour for two adults and lifetime access to the
ravine on the Dunans side, along with fishing rights (by appointment), special
stationery, including business cards, letterheads and compliment slips, my own
email, access to a special "Lairds and Ladies Only" area of the
Dunans Lairds' website.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lolcats.com/images/u/07/22/lolcatsdotcomnmc3vgojz5gg5vxt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lolcats.com/images/u/07/22/lolcatsdotcomnmc3vgojz5gg5vxt.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a></div>
I'm sure
you're like, "Wait, <b><i>what?!
Scottish land is for sale?!</i></b>" but let me back up a bit:
There's a castle in Scotland (yes, the same Scotland that recently voted
"no" for independence from the UK) called Dunans Castle. In 2001, the castle was destroyed by a
fire—this <b><i>castle</i></b>, with recorded history going back to <b><i>1590</i></b>(!!!!!),
was damaged badly by a <b><i>fire</i></b>! Which SUCKS!
It's like Tom Wilson's paintings at this one Disney Gallery going up in
flames—horribly destructive! But it's on
the rebound: the current owners of the estate took on the property in 2003,
restoring and renovating it, finally opening it up to the public in 2006. There's still a lot of restoration going on,
which can get expensive. That's why
there's this crazy fundraiser going on through Gift Republic; basically, you
send money to get a registration and information kit, with a form which you
fill out and send back or complete online (which is quicker), and upon receipt,
you get your certificate and card for proof and "directions to
Dunans". I'm sure those are
instructions like, "Head East through New Jersey," and then,
"Kayak across the Atlantic Ocean."
But don't worry if you are nearing the end of your life: you can pass it
on to someone else; it's inheritable (provided that Dunans is informed of the
changes)! I only need to figure out if
it's considered an asset or something to report to the American government or
whatever, regarding income……<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other <a href="http://www.giftrepublic.com/ProductRange.aspx?rangeid=pers" target="_blank">gift tins from Gift Republic</a>:<o:p></o:p></div>
<ul>
<li>"Name a Star"—something Matt Mira would possibly dump a ton of money on</li>
<li>Become a Beer Connoisseur</li>
<li>Family History kit</li>
<li>Pet Paw Prints/Baby Footprints on Canvas</li>
<li>Name a Rose—Ahem……MOOOOMMMMMM!!!!! We should totally do this!</li>
<li>IQ Test and others</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is all
really cool stuff, even though Gift Republic is based in the UK and you have to
do the exchange rate stuff to convert it to your currency and back, which is a
total pain in the ass! But I totally
recommend that you get these if you can for family members and cool friends,
because they would mean a LOT more than a simple trinket or foodstuff
item. Especially since stars last a lot
more than square feet of land in Scotland, which lasts longer than our lives,
and it'd be very useful to have!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Surely, <b><i>this</i></b>
suggestion would work very well…… Purely
due to how awesome it is! Unless<br />
you
think it's too much trouble……<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
The Underground Lair—It's NOT a Sex Dungeon, Sadly For Some
People……</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
How many
times have I mentioned them?! HOW
MANY?! Seriously, they have awesome
shit! They are doing GREAT! They have artisan Harry Potter wands, artisan
Sonic screwdrivers, artisan other stuff.
I just recently stopped in to chat a bit and it turns out that, despite
the HORRENDOUS traffic caused by SHITTILY DRIVING tourists (who should PAY
ATTENTION to make sure that they <b><i>don't run a red light by just starting up
again while stopped at a stoplight and the crossing signals were going with NO
TURN ON RED signs all over the place….</i></b>
Here's <a href="http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/Local/man-killed-after-being-struck-by-vehicle-in-bethlehem/29933268" target="_blank">a real reason why you shouldn't be doing that</a>, you fucking….<b><i>tourists!!!</i></b> Also, <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2013/10/an-open-letter-to-all-bad-drivers.html" target="_blank">a refresher on shitty driving</a>…..), they
are doing well! They are still doing
gaming night on Wednesdays, and it was fun, too! I'm amazed at how they can run a business
while having a day job—That just proves how awesome Dan and Kris are!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And they
should totally keep it going! Like,
here's how amazing business is: they recently ordered more red and purple sets
of Roll-For-It (which come in two separate sets that can be combined for
8-player fun), along with <a href="http://blog.calliopegames.com/2014/08/roll-for-it-deluxe/" target="_blank">the Deluxe edition</a>, which is GORGEOUS! This Deluxe set comes in a <b><i>tin</i></b>,
an actual gift tin thing, and it has artistic pretty cards, with a velvet pouch
and both sets of dice! It's
amazing! <b><i>And they sold out of it within a
week and a half or so!!!</i></b> And now
the red set is gone, the purple set is down to two left! The game "Zombies!" has sold out, a
$55 very old Apollo lunchbox was sold—OH MY GOD! They weren't kidding when they said that
business really picks up during the Christmas shopping season!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a href="http://www.undergroundlairtoys.com/" target="_blank">They also have a website</a>, and are willing to ship, I think, even though it's a pain;
however, here's a tip: if you can't get it shipped in time, black out the price
on a copy of the receipt, place said copy in an envelope, then the envelope in
a box or a bag, and wrap as if it's a normal item! But seriously, they have a lot of collectable
stuff, they have a bunch of tribbles available for adoption—this store is very
awesome! Please, if you can get there
very, very soon, just stop in on Wednesday or Thursday or whatever, you can get
awesome vintage toys or Doctor Who things, or Harry Potter things. It's very awesome!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways,
I've done a ton of gushing about them—it's like…endless fansquirreling! But seriously, check them out! They have a JFK ceramic bank, and plastic
Beatles rings still for sale; I'm not kidding!
Very good for collectors, very good for nerds, and it's all-around
awesome!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes,
though, you can't just do one-time seasonal gifts (because they're easily used
up) or gifts that are just toys or art; if it's the low-income nerd, I have one
suggestion for you: household items.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
For Gifting to the Poor Nerd……</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
If
anything, living on a limited income, like low-income or government assistance,
can suck! Sometimes, you have to go to the
house wares department of a store and buy someone a baking sheet or a blender
or even a crock pot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.broadstuff.com/uploads/NotLOLCat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.broadstuff.com/uploads/NotLOLCat.JPG" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
You see,
it's about the usefulness. What's the
best gift to give to someone who is on the lower end of the income scale? Something they can use for a long, long, long
time. Something like an appliance. I can attest to this: I've received as a
gift, so far, a crock pot, a blender, microwave-safe plates, and a Corelle
divided plate that appeals to my OCD-fueled personal need of having different
food items just not touch. And I'm still
using them! It's the real gift that
keeps on giving, and giving, and giving, and giving….. In fact, Mama Squirrel once bought a BUNCH of
2-quart crock pots and just gave them out as Christmas gifts (I think), simply due to how there are many
people we know who are by themselves or with one other person, who don't need a
half-gallon, or even a gallon crock pot, especially because having that huge
amount of cooked food would be too much for them and it would go to waste.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But I'm
serious, the appliance stuff and the Christmas bras from Nordstrom are super
useful to me that they would be worth their value. Anything that I can use over and over again,
like a hair dryer, is one of the best gifts ever! That's why I gave myself a Death Star Ice
Mold; I'm using it over and over again!
LOL!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Also, any
other suggestions, just check out the following links:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.nerdist.com/?s=gift+guide" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Nerdist's site</a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/11/28/black_friday_nerdy_suggestions.html" target="_blank">Bad Astronomy blog</a> (especially <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/12/01/telescopes_how_do_i_buy_a_telescope.html" target="_blank">the telescope post</a>)</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are
three suggestions that would definitely work!
You could, however, also make something, like I am itching to anticraft
something for Christmas. I have yet to
buy all the yarn I would need to knit the Tom Baker Doctor Who scarf for Mama
Squirrel and Papa Spock to share, until I knit a second one that the other
parent (whichever one wound up without a scarf) could have, with knitting
needles that are long enough to be true to the design. That or order up the parents' own Beyoncé the Giant Metal Chicken
of Bloggessian legend. But then again, I
still have to finish the one ruffle scarf and re-knit the already finished
ruffle scarf I did! UGH! Choices!<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways,
that's going to be it on blog posts for now until after the Christmas holiday,
unless I get the chance to post a review of the Doctor Who Christmas special
THAT EVENING. Here's hoping that I get
to! In the meantime, ENJOY YOUR
CHRISTMAS CHOCO-TAQUITO!!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://community.ebay.com.au/ebay13/attachments/ebay13/2500000007/102404/1/600005716_history.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://community.ebay.com.au/ebay13/attachments/ebay13/2500000007/102404/1/600005716_history.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
(Also, on December 24th, <a href="http://searsportmaine.com/images/lolcat-birthday-i19.jpg" target="_blank">Happy Birthday to Mama Squirrel</a>! I love you so
much, Mom! Please have an Iceland size
amount of chocolate while waiting for me to pitch in a bunch of money to take
you to Melting Pot for dinner, if you choose Melting Pot!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S. I have a recommendation for New Year's Eve: watching
CNN's New Year's party coverage, starting at 9pm EST on December 31! And I recommend you do this too, because of
Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper. You
get those two together and <a href="http://youtu.be/juv0BOhUTcc" target="_blank">giggles ABOUND</a>!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/juv0BOhUTcc" width="640"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">MERRY SITHMAS/NERDMAS/DALEKMAS!!!!!</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-52783015841348787722014-12-01T16:43:00.000-08:002014-12-01T16:43:02.081-08:00WTF?!?!?!—The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Just
a warning: your mind might be blown; you could get minor headaches or migraines
from thinking about what I'm about to share with you too hard; I'm not
responsible for either of these things, or for breaking you to the point that
requires some therapy. Seriously, I'm
sorry for what happens to you after, despite your reaction to this post being
COMPLETELY up to you.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I will
be honest here: I think I'm having a little bit of an existential crisis. It's not exactly like, "What's my
purpose in life?! I NEED RELIGIONS TO
GUIDE ME!" and it's definitely not like that more familiar Midlife Crisis
of "Hey! I'm not that old! I can
still do young stuff! BATCYCLE, <b><i>TO
ME!</i></b>" I know I'm addressing
things that are WAY outside of most people's perspectives, but I'm serious—I'm
having an existential crisis at the universal we're-too-small-to-have-any-major-impact-on-the-whole-of-the-universe-and-are-helpless-at-this-point-in-time-being-at-the-mercy-of-our-solar-system
level.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Please,
allow me to explain….with the (optional) theme song being <a href="http://youtu.be/QNxIaQGldy8" target="_blank">"FarCentaurus" by Nigel John Stanford</a>, the guy whose <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2014/11/mega-stress-attack-update-on-what-im.html" target="_blank">Cymatics music video was so AWESWOME</a>!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QNxIaQGldy8" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Just
recently (as in, this past weekend and prior to), I indulged a bit at the library, checking
out Discovery's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Universe_Works" target="_blank">How the Universe Works</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Into_the_Universe_with_Stephen_Hawking" target="_blank">Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking</a>. Just a quick bit about these
two shows: the former, sometimes having
<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy.html" target="_blank">blogger-and-discovery-of-dark-energy-assist-master Phil Plait</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/BadAstronomer" target="_blank">Bad Astronomer</a>)
in it and voiced overall by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Rowe" target="_blank">Mike Rowe</a> (#NerdCombo #NerdDrool), and the latter
written by <a href="http://www.hawking.org.uk/" target="_blank">Stephen Hawking</a>, with voice-over segments done by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655078/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">Benedict Cumberbatch</a> (#SQUEE!). Both of these
shows are very well done, but they both also changed my perspective quite a
bit. And when I say quite a bit, I am
really saying <b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">BY A FUCKLOAD!</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53694656eab8ea23601b93e1/scientists-just-created-the-best-simulation-of-the-universe-ever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53694656eab8ea23601b93e1/scientists-just-created-the-best-simulation-of-the-universe-ever.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
What I
gathered from these two shows is that we, the denizens of the planet Earth
(Sol-3), are not exactly the creation of a deity. We're not living in the only solar system
that exists in this universe (If you need more proof, just look at science
headlines that go along the lines of "NEW EARTHLIKE PLANET
DISCOVERED!"), and our physical selves did not just come out of
nothing. We're made of STUFF, these
different elements such as iron, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, calcium,
iodine, sodium, etc, that did NOT exist at time of the Big Bang.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<br />
Instead,
we're the product of a series of VERY fortunate happy accidents.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Think
about it: we're probably in one of very few (out of an infinite number of)
universes that actually supports the existence of <b><i>life</i></b>, that mysterious
chemical reaction that results in organic multi-cellular beings, with each one
made of an uncountable number of molecules, making up a shit ton of cells that
are able work together to function as a whole system by itself. This universe was able to form out of matter
and not antimatter, just because <a href="http://io9.com/5543248/scientists-discover-how-matter-kicked-antimatters-ass-in-the-ancient-universe" target="_blank">particles of matter simply just happenedto outnumber antimatter particles</a>. The
universe that then formed after this cosmic battle of matter-vs.-antimatter
(which results in the destruction of both particles, by the way) just <b><i>happened</i></b>
to be uneven enough for gravity to attract these particles to each other,
enough to form the first stars. These
stars just <b><i>happened</i></b> to create the
elements (out of hydrogen nuclear fusion) necessary to build <b><i>us</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--xzzaI3LU--/18luwmegxstx4jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--xzzaI3LU--/18luwmegxstx4jpg.jpg" height="218" width="320" /></a> Yes,
we're not made of <b><i>regular</i></b> dust just like <a href="http://biblehub.com/niv/genesis/3.htm" target="_blank">the Bible states in the Book of Genesis</a>;
we're made of <b><i>stardust</i></b>! Which is
pretty neat, if you think about it long enough; it's kind of romantic, in a
sense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Anyways,
some of these stars just <b><i>happened</i></b> to explode, creating enough
material to form our current solar system, and the sun (Sol, of course) just <b><i>happened</i></b>
to form successfully, and in <b><i>just</i></b> the right size in the PERFECT
spot in the Milky Way Galaxy: not too far from the central supermassive black
hole, but also not too close to whip us around at impossible speeds, expose us
to deadly radiation or to suck us into the black hole.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d1jqu7g1y74ds1.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/milky_way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d1jqu7g1y74ds1.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/milky_way.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
And, in
addition to the whole "What the Fuckery?" I just laid out, the Earth
formed in <b><i>just</i></b> the right spot in the solar system, at <b><i>just</i></b>
the right size with the <b><i>perfect</i></b> amount of gravity and
elements, <b><i>AND</i></b> survived the Hundred-Planet Demolition Derby that took
place after the sun first formed. Not to
mention that <b><i>enough</i></b> comets hit the surface of this rocky and hot world to give
us <b><i>exactly</i></b>
the right amount of water (give or take a few litres) to cool it down to <b><i>exactly</i></b>
the right temperature. Plus, the atoms
of specific elements successfully created these molecules that formed the first
cells and, therefore, the first forms of life!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And to
top it all off, Jupiter, our big tough super-strong super popular planetary
brother, formed far enough away to not affect us, but also to act as our
bodyguard, deflecting and/or attracting in-bound comets and asteroids that
would've hit Earth and prevented our existence otherwise. Plus, the moon formed and took its spot at
the right distance for us to land on it, and gives us almost the right amount
of light at night so we can still see just enough to be able to not trip on
something in the meadows and grasslands.
(Well, in my opinion, at least…)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
AND, to
top it all off, that comet/asteroid that hit Earth millions of years ago wiped
out all the dinosaurs, to allow US, the mammals, to survive, and evolve into
creatures that can understand and map the universe! We are simply the product of a series of
accidents who can create abstract ideas that have no solid tangible presence in
the universe, and extremely large solid objects made up of the same stardust as
us that DO have such a presence!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Which. Is. <b><i>Weird!!!!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://coverphotoz.com/covers/d/f/a/33607b70c9a51e57ccec0c3b6660d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://coverphotoz.com/covers/d/f/a/33607b70c9a51e57ccec0c3b6660d.jpg" height="235" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What the
hell?! What is humanity's purpose in the
universe? Are we really experiments,
something that just SO happened to form as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulation_hypothesis" target="_blank">part of a simulation</a> (which I suspect due to the discovery of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higgs_boson" target="_blank">Higgs Boson particle</a>, or the Keyon, as I like to call it)? Or are we the creation of the universe itself
so that this (possibly sentient) universe could understand itself—making us its
neurons in three-dimensional space? I
have so many questions, many of them being "WHY….?" and eager for an
answer that doesn't just have any basis in statistics and probability.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<h3>
Perspective: Now You Have It</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.themightyginge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/funny-pictures-cat-is-stupid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.themightyginge.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/funny-pictures-cat-is-stupid.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></div>
It's
frustrating and scary to see how we have all of this <b><i>amazing</i></b> stuff going on
and NONE of it is the primary focus of the human race! We're all on the same spherical rocky
iron(ic) boat, orbiting the <b><i>same</i></b> star, paying witness to some of
the <b><i>same
awesome stuff in the skies</i></b> (including the moon), and yet we're too busy
bickering with each other about police brutality and who crossed which lines in
the sand, eager to collect all parts of an abstract creation of ours, an idea
that we place numerical value upon, despite it having not a lot of purpose
besides being a <b><i>tool</i></b> that we use in <b><i>a system that we set up</i></b>, and
fighting over how people see other people who are different from them (Sunni
vs. Shiite and Middle East vs. America—everyone wants to be right, nobody wants
to be wrong; it's pointless to force your ideas of how people should
live/think/function onto someone else, and that goes <b><i><u>QUADRUPLE</u></i></b> to the (tel)evangelists
and racist fucknuts out there!). Why do
this, when we have <b><i>a whole other realm to explore</i></b>?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And why
destroy the planet we're all living on? <b><i>IT'S
THE SAME PLANET EARTH!!!! </i></b> The
climate-change global warming deniers (read: idiots) are poisoning the same air
that everyone else is breathing and relying on for survival, only because they're
not educated enough or they don't believe that we're all going to destroy
ourselves as the result of our own actions.
We're making each other sick, we're killing each other, and we're
ruining ourselves because of disagreements and bullshitting. (Also, any deniers are NOT going to be
allowed in my boat. You cause it, you
suffer the consequences—have fun either treading water or drowning or dying
from dehydration!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ssg.sheffield.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/universe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ssg.sheffield.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/universe.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Why
fight? Why destroy things? We could be the only witnesses to everything
the universe is showing us, and yet, we're staring at the ground and our cell
phones and computer and/or television screens, and glaring at everyone
else. We're unhappy narcissistic
creatures that are intent on focusing on ourselves and our own problems. Our world-view is small, limited to what we
each see around us, when we could just look up together and learn what we have
yet to know about everything and everyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i> Why
don't we just do this right?!<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This is
all I can say right now. That is the
gist of my sort-of existential crisis.
That is the result of watching those two shows on DVD—and I think
everyone else should do this, too. It
would be good for you, at least, to realize what I have learned: we're a
miracle that isn't acting like one, and should start in order to save itself
from the extinction we've forced on many other creatures that live on the same
planet we do. If we do get our act
together, cooperate and accept everyone's differences (including the colors of
our skin, the religions we practice, and the fact that many of us have Autistic
Spectrum Disorders and other disabilities), we can do incredible things, which
can help us understand the universe (that <b><i>can</i></b> be scary due to the sheer size
and scale of it—but only if you look at it that way) and also ensure the
survival of the human race in case the universe decides to butt-fuck us again,
with Apophis or whatever else is out there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<h3>
Random Thoughts Are Random</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I know:
I was "thinking like a crazy person" (despite being completely
reasonable) prior to this part, so why not share some thoughts that I had
amidst this whole existential crisis I'm having and before?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Aw, <a href="https://twitter.com/Macys">@Macys</a>! Plz use "Question!" next yr, if not to promote critical thinking, then to have buildings across the st. do "Answer!" in reply!<br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/539569253880717312">December 1, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
to me, right now, a lot of things don't just not "matter" to me--actually, they <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/antimatter?src=hash">#antimatter</a> to me. HAHA! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/neilwithit?src=hash">#neilwithit</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/539573529457737728">December 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
I wonder what would happen if you stab someone with a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/unicorn?src=hash">#unicorn</a> horn. What magic would take place? <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBloggess">@TheBloggess</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/539477586670546944">December 1, 2014</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
That's
all for now, folks! Keep sharing this
blog, and ENJOY YOUR COSMIC TACQUITOS!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lolcats.com/images/u/07/45/lolcatsdotcoma9pixizcfy9m8pzc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lolcats.com/images/u/07/45/lolcatsdotcoma9pixizcfy9m8pzc.jpg" height="528" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-15916868373703089072014-11-19T16:17:00.001-08:002014-11-19T16:17:21.184-08:00MEGA-STRESS ATTACK: An Update on What I'm Doing PLUS Some Science AWESOMENESS!<div class="MsoNormal">
(Why is
there no theme song?!?!?! Oh, that—I'm
not doing a "theme song," per se; it IS there, but it's more of a
"theme video." Just put your
favorite nerdy song on in the background and remember to stop/pause it when it
comes time to play the video in this post.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imgcdn.geocaching.com/track/large/5d67a47d-e317-4932-82d8-e92bff746c59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://imgcdn.geocaching.com/track/large/5d67a47d-e317-4932-82d8-e92bff746c59.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi,
everyone! Just want to give an update
quickly, first of all…… Just recently,
as early as the beginning of this month (November 2014), I went on a trip to Pittsburgh
and to a particular area in Virginia to visit family (and, indirectly,
celebrate my HALLOWEEN BIRTHDAY!). Here's a quick bullet-pointed synopsis of what
happened on that trip:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li>Stayed
overnight at parents' place on my birthday; thought I lost my keys at their
house (but I didn't; they were in my apartment). I could not watch the two hour Halloween
Ghost Adventures special because: A.) Mom and Dad (Mom, especially) don't like
the paranormal investigation stuff very much, and B.) I had to "learn
about responsibility" again, because I took too long to finish my chores
before leaving my apartment without my keys. Le sigh.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 58.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li>First
night out, sister treated everyone (parents, me, herself and her SUPER NERDY
boyfriend—he will need a special codename for me to use on this blog sometime
soon. I don't know what, but I'm sure he
doesn't want to be a Dalek. Suggestions
appreciated!) to some of the <b><i>BEST sushi ever</i></b>! If you're in Pittsburgh, go check out Fuji
Sushi. Yes, it's out of the way a bit,
practically in a strip mall sort of plaza, but it's so well worth it! The chef dude runs the business, and I think
he trained world-class sushi chefs! Or
is it national sushi chefs with high-level reputations? I don't know; what I <b><i>do</i></b> know is that he is an
ARTIST and a master Jedi at his craft!!!!
Those rolls were <b><i>so damn goooooodddd</i></b>….. It's like eating extremely tender unicorn
meat without the sparkles! (Rating: <b><i>OVER 9,000
<a href="http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/White-Point_Star" target="_blank">WHITE-POINT STARS</a> OUT OF 5!!!</i></b>)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3PhnODf_EWQv3R1aO1xuDXbtiu9SsJtJAAl0fJCBf1VgH6cmjvUKyyckqXD_mzniiuQE5NxYDTjFZOQeluSJMqZbta-U885N1Af9GNrBAKHJTZlmH0c03yzx6kWFaMk7gby4dciTQFI/s1600/lolcat-salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3PhnODf_EWQv3R1aO1xuDXbtiu9SsJtJAAl0fJCBf1VgH6cmjvUKyyckqXD_mzniiuQE5NxYDTjFZOQeluSJMqZbta-U885N1Af9GNrBAKHJTZlmH0c03yzx6kWFaMk7gby4dciTQFI/s1600/lolcat-salad.jpg" height="320" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li>There
NEEDS to be a <a href="http://hellobistro.com/" target="_blank">Hello Bistro</a> out by me; seriously, there MUST be a location
that's within walking distance of my apartment, dammit! Not just in a major city, but someplace that
is accessible to myself and my family.
It's a salad bar sort of chain restaurant (run by the Eat'N'Park people,
but with MUCH better quality), similar to Saladwerks, but they have four
different types of lettuce mixtures, dude!
FOUR, including Kale!!!! If there
was one right next door to me, I would certainly eat there everyday for lunch,
especially if it means I get to lose mass!
(It's mostly for the awesome and delicious healthy salads that have a
ton of toppings available. For example,
if you want chicken, you'll be offered 3 differently prepared chicken options! I give it 4.3 plungers out of 5!)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 58.5pt; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br />
<ul>
<li>I
got to see my grandfather and grandmother; grandfather looked like a skinny
vampire in his 8,000's. He needs to get
more sun and more exercise into his daily routine! But I was happy to see him and talk to him,
give updates. My hair-on-fire story did
<b><i>not</i></b> give him a heart attack, fortunately.
I also got to have ice cream cake with them! YAYS!</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul>
<li>Got
presents: $50 USD ThinkGeek gift certificate (I used it already to get a
<a href="https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/1b9d/" target="_blank">unicorn drinking horn</a>, <a href="https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e376/" target="_blank">a flask with the ethanol molecule</a> on the outside of it,
a <a href="https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f0b6/" target="_blank">Death Star ice mold</a>, and a <a href="https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/1844/" target="_blank">50-year calendar keychain</a>. The package just arrived on Monday, November
17th!); new stereo headphones; a book for Fate Accelerated Edition (roleplaying
game that is simple to use to get started in the roleplaying gamescape); one
copy each of Doctor Who books—<i><u>The
Silent Stars Go By</u></i>, <i><u>The Coming
of the Terraphiles</u></i>, and (drum
roll please!) a book I'm only halfway through because it's huge that Papa Spock
also wants to read once I'm done…. <b><i><u>Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale</u></i></b>,
by Russell T. Davies & Benjamin Cook (basically e-mails and texts sent back
and forth between the two during the writing of Series 4 and the specials
between Series 4 finale and Matt Smith's Series 5, giving insight into the
creative process Russell implements when writing or rewriting.). Thank you, family! ♥</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<o:p><br /></o:p>
<a href="http://funnyasduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/funny-invisible-lottery-ticket-shocked-cat-pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://funnyasduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/funny-invisible-lottery-ticket-shocked-cat-pics.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p> Anyways, with that said and done, I
have a few short points to make:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li>Why
are the Christmas things coming out when it's frickin' November?! It's not Christmas yet! So quit yer Christmas sales advertising and
decorating already! Several people already
have their Christmas lights up BEFORE Thanksgiving! That's not how holidays work, people! It's Labor Day, then International Talk Like
a Pirate Day, then Columbus Day, Halloween, Election Day, Thanksgiving, Yule,
and THEN Christmas! In fact, the
<a href="https://pa.secondchancebonuszone.com/holidaycheer/index.php#game-header" target="_blank">Pennsylvania Lottery</a> is already selling (through their registered vendors)
Christmas scratch-off tickets. <b><i>Really?!</i></b> Really!
Do the fall-themed stuff first, dammit!
Then do the whole "IT'S CHRISTMASTIME!" advertising the
Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Just go
look it up on a calendar and stop confusing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterrestrial" target="_blank">ET's</a>!</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>I'll
be doing presentations at a seminar series (well, three presentations that make
up one huge one) about social media and what not to do on social media (with
the first one being this Saturday, Nov. 22.
On Gallifrey. Because Whovian.). The first one is also the same week as the
annual apartment inspections. Can anyone
say OVERWHELMED?!?!</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<ul>
<li>I
finally figured out my religious beliefs: I'm a Non-Narcotic Experimental
<a href="http://thebloggess.com/2014/11/the-church-of-bloggessianism-choose-your-title-strangelings/" target="_blank">Bloggessian</a>, who also worships Davros as a member of the Church of Skaro. If you need clarification on the second part,
ask <a href="https://twitter.com/HolyDalek" target="_blank">Holy Dalek</a> or <a href="https://twitter.com/Mother_Duderior" target="_blank">Mother Duderior</a> on the Twitters; I'm too busy attacking the
mess of inspections, appointments at home, the seminar presentations, and a
dentist appointment. (Some Commandments
for the Church of Skaro: Thou shalt use verbs that end in ATE! Thou shalt antagonize <a href="https://twitter.com/RepublicanDalek" target="_blank">Republican Dalek</a> for his abuse of Auton usage inside the US Government to sway public opinion, because YOU'RE
DOING IT WRONG, REPPY! Thou shalt use
caps lock on Twitter, for Daleks shout everything, and because CAPS LOCK IS
CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL, YO!)</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
That's all
I can rant about for now. Because that
stuff you see in the bullet points?
That's not the topic of this blog at all. I'm serious: ranting and raving and foaming
at the mouth aside, it is absolutely imperative (and mandatory) that I share something
with you……<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>SOMETHING WONDERFUL!!!!<o:p></o:p></i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.cuddlycomments.com/1/2369852155c2374797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.cuddlycomments.com/1/2369852155c2374797.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Someone Please Make This a Permanent Perpetual Reality!</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It all
started with a visit to the Bad Astronomy blog on Slate, where I quickly skimmed
through the posts of the European Space Agency's (ESA) probing of a comet
(Which begs the question: should <b><i>we</i></b> fear aliens anally probing <b><i>us</i></b>? I'm sure there are horror films that the
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraterrestrial" target="_blank">extra-terrestrials</a> have where it's the ET's getting anally probed <b><i>by us</i></b>
for visiting <b><i>our</i></b> planet….. Wow. I just re-read that and realized something: We're
the horniest bipedal sentient species on Earth.
We need help.) before seeing this one separate <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/11/14/cymatics_science_v_music.html" target="_blank">AMAZING blog post of PhilPlait being AMAZED at this one video of music and science being combined</a> in
awesome ways that could only <b><i>BLOW YOUR MIND!!!! </i></b> (Seriously, it's music-science porn; your
brain is going to get a blowjob from watching it.) Here's the TL;DR version:<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I came online. I saw.
My mind was blown so hard it became a singularity again.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I shared it; it got shared from
my share. <u>I must overshare!</u></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
I-have-time-to-go-through-this version: I saw this video and I couldn't help
myself—I HAVE to share this <b><i>AMAZING</i></b> magic with y'all, so you can
also witness the awesome creativity and beauty that is the magic of music and
science combined! (Actually, you have 2 options: Phil's blog breaks it down
scientifically with nerdy awe and appreciation, whereas I'm <b><i>only</i></b>
going to go "OHHH . . . . MYYYYY . . . . . . <b><i>GAMMA RAYS!</i></b>" and
sing praises of its magic, so if you want the how-the-FUCK-did-they-do-that?!
stuff, <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/11/14/cymatics_science_v_music.html" target="_blank">go read his post</a>!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>BEWARE! Your mind will orgasm
with science-y goodstuffs! (Trigger
warnings: lightning/electricity, fire involved, high pitches near the end of
the video.)<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's the awesome <a href="http://youtu.be/Q3oItpVa9fs" target="_blank">super-high-definition YouTube video</a> of it
(with alternative Vimeo link if something doesn't work like it's supposed to):<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Q3oItpVa9fs" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Yes, the settings for the video definition go higher than
1080p! I had no idea that video quality
in general was capable of this surprising feat!
Of course, it needs epic Spartan-level internet connection speeds paired
with a damn-skippy Jedi-Master level computer processor and graphics card to do
the MAX-DEF levels…. The library is
neither equipped nor helpful with those parts.
I know; I've tried!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The first
time I watched it (on Phil's blog post), I was like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6151/6180549836_5127291673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6151/6180549836_5127291673.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seriously, I was. I
loved it! I loved the music, I loved the
fun science stuff (<b><i>FIRE KEYBOARD AND TESLA COILS WITH CHAINMAIL BODY SUITS!!!!</i></b>)
and it just tickled my geek so much I couldn't stop watching it (despite only
having an hour on the library computers)!
I actually went and shared it with the God of Awesome (Spartan friend
Jesse) in Facebook IM and he was like, "That was so awesome that I went
and shared it!"<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
That's all
I needed to verify the <b><i>AMAZING</i></b>-ness of this video. (Please, @midnight, if you haven't already
shown the video on the show yet, DOO EET NAO!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/original/000/125/745/1306069835334.jpg?1306097778" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/original/000/125/745/1306069835334.jpg?1306097778" height="316" width="320" /></a></div>
There
should be more of these music videos out there!
Yes, it's the Internet; there <b><i>will</i></b> be other videos like that on
the Interwebz. But it's stuff like <b><i>this</i></b>
music video that <b><i>should be used in the classroom</i></b> to say to the students,
"HEY! Science is cool, and so is
EDM music! Check out <b><i>this</i></b>
combination!" There's just so much
magic (YES, IT'S <b><i>MAGIC!!!</i></b>) that went into this video that I want it to go viral
if it hasn't already (If it has, let's make it go viral <b><i>again</i></b>!). Just tweet this amazing magically awesome
video with the hashtag <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SciencePlusMusicEqualsMagic?f=realtime&src=hash" target="_blank">#SciencePlusMusicEqualsMagic</a> on Twitter to get people to
look at it! Share it on all of your
Facebook accounts! Do whatever it takes
to get your family to watch it, even if you only have a cat hawking up a
hairball onto your lap and a giant metal chicken next to you to count as
family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
It's stuff
like this that gets me thinking "<b><i><a href="http://img.sparknotes.com/content/sparklife/sparktalk/UnicornLiesScience_Slide.JPG" target="_blank">It's a science unicorn!!!!!</a></i></b>" I love it just as much as I love my new
unicorn drinking horn. If I have to
recommend anything INSANE, watch it over and over again, until it's permanently
burned into your temporal lobe (memory center of your brain) so you don't
always need internet to look it up to relive <b><i>that magic</i></b>!!!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I should inform you
that I am not sick from the magic overdose yet; if I did, I would do this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/354/013/d65.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/354/013/d65.gif" height="220" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Heehee! That's all I
have to share for now. Please, go back
to the video and enjoy that magically scientific-musical tacquito all over
again, because it SO EPIC that I've run out of positive adjectives to describe
it! BLAH BLAH BLAH POSITIVE STUFFS BLAH
BLAH NON-EXTERMINATION LIST BLAH BLAH BLAH SCIENCE NERDY LUFFS AND OBSESSIONS
BLAH BLAH!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<br />
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(By the way, <b><i>exactly how</i></b> do I put together that
fire keyboard thing? I love it so
much! Linkin Park should include it in
their next show or whatever! *continues
babbling praise*)<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-72031250621383239572014-11-05T17:58:00.000-08:002014-11-06T09:35:22.497-08:00GAMERGATE: Why Making a Fuss Over Gaming Feminism is Ridiculous!<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Hey,
readers! This is my "remotely
released" blog post that shares MY views on "Gamergate," and why
this is absolutely a waste of our time and energy. This blog post was drafted on October 30th
(and finished on October 31st), 2014, the night after I found out about this
so-called "scandal"—that's what "Gamergate" is, right? Because only real major scandals can have the
"gate" name. In fact, on that
note, does anyone think that Bill Gates is more than one scandal in human
form? HAHA! #ReallyBadJokes</div>
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Anyways,
I feel, that as a female Nerd who enjoys playing video games, I should speak
up, sharing my point of view. Yes, it's <b><i>MY
OPINION</i></b>, which is neither right nor wrong! So stop trolling and pay attention!</div>
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As
always, I have provided you with an theme song for this post: <a href="http://youtu.be/tyG6YMLEWus" target="_blank">the full Deus Ex Human Revolution soundtrack</a>.</div>
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<h3>
BREAK DOWN THE GATES!!!
Why Not Everything Needs a "Gate" Involved</h3>
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Let's
begin with the first item on my docket: Do we HAVE to inflate the
"scandal" factor in the most RIDICULOUS topics in the media? <b><i>Not everything is a scandal</i></b>; in
fact, most is just bad planning and design and what-not. Seriously, "<a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/iphone-6-bendgate" target="_blank">Bendgate</a>" and
"<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/10/08/the-strange-case-of-apples-hairgate/" target="_blank">Hairgate</a>" should not even exist.
So what if you get your hair caught in your iPhone6 and it bends in the
pocket of your skinny jeans? That's your
own Davros-damn fault here! Because who
would be placing the ear piece right on their hair? It should be brushed out of the way before
using said device as a phone (which I'm sure is rare nowadays; just fucking
call the device a tricorder already!
Because we can do everything else with it, INCLUDING MASTURBATE!). I do that with my Obamaphone (which is <b><i>not</i></b>
a sign of socialism, conservative fuckers!) already! I brush my hair out of the way before doing
anything with my pointed ears!</div>
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As for
"Bendgate," well…..just don't wear skinny jeans. They were out of style before they were even
IN style. The only reason why they were
invented was because the designer had to come up with some sort of pant-like
garment for fashion runway shows and the twig-like models (who have a body mass
index less than 1, I'm sure) had to wear them; they have no real function in
our lives except to make us super uncomfortable and unable to bend over and
pick up the loose change that falls out of our pockets. There's no need for skinny jeans (or this
"gate" nonsense associated with video games and tricorders) anyways,
in this universe. In a
parallel/alternate universe, maybe; but this is not that universe, because if
it were, the products that are of concern would be designed a LOT better.</div>
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In any
case, only give a <b><i>real</i></b> high-level scandal <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_scandal" target="_blank">the "gate" watermark</a>. PLEASE!
No more first-world bullshit powered by our selfish narcissistic desires
for top-notch quality-made products that (in order to obtain in the first
place) we would have to shell out millions of dollars to purchase in this
market.</div>
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<h3>
The Real Issue: "Gamergate" Is Just a Sexist
Response To Gaming Feminism</h3>
</div>
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<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2013/6/12/1371037294495/Mirrors-Edge-008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2013/6/12/1371037294495/Mirrors-Edge-008.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
So, the
night before drafting this post, I was watching <a href="http://youtu.be/9L_Wmeg7OTU" target="_blank">Colbert Repor<b><i>t</i></b></a>,
and he shared the super-hyped story how
many male gamers are issuing death threats against female gamers who want
ladies to stop being thrust into the objectified damsels-in-distress role in
many of the video games that are made for a male-dominant market. I have to say, I agree with those ladies; I
disagree with the response the guys are giving them.</div>
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Seriously,
anyone who reacts negatively to this statement is a sexist pig who should never
be in a relationship with another woman, because they are sure to be abusive to
her. They are already programmed that
way, so maybe it IS the game developer's fault in the first place—WAIT, WAIT,
this is confusing and I'm not medicated when drafting up this post, so let's
try again……</div>
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A large
number of the video games created for Nerds have historically been designed for
the straight male half of the Nerd race (which, until recent years, was
stereotypically painted as the socially awkward weakling), because that was
what the companies assumed would be the majority of their market make-up; I'm
sure those companies were run by old sexist geezers in the first place, saying
that "running a business is no place for a woman," and sticking them
into the secretary role. And therefore,
because of this mentality, those video games were designed for the male brain,
which crave not only food and being able to display male dominance gestures
(which include guttural roaring while firing off an automatic machine gun like
Al Pacino), but also sex from women whenever they want. It's empowering to them, especially after
having been bullied by the intimidating jocks in the real life
environment. Playing those games are
their way of getting that self-confidence and, in their mind, taking that power
back from those Cthulhu-damn jocks!</div>
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However,
with the more recently abundant acceptance that ladies should be treated as
equals to men, this mental processing is being challenged; the virtual social
hierarchy (and the many places in the world still believing that science and
religion are equal, as well as certain places in Asia and on the workplace's
payroll) is one of the last bastions of a patriarchal social structure where
men can have all the power and women they want, believing that they are akin to
objects, "things" that don't feel anything and are made to be used
without need for asking for permission and worry, because women "are more
submissive and not as tough, without having a single original thought in their
heads." This kind of thinking is
not acceptable anymore, especially as society continues to develop. Yet it's frustrating that many men think
it's still okay to make cat-calls and wolf-whistles to women who walk by them
on the street. Oi! We're not your sex dolls, okay? If you want to display that behavior, do it
at a strip club!</div>
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So, of
course there are video games like Grand Theft Auto and whatnot that have strong
male leads and "weak" female NPCs (non-player characters, for those
not familiar with gaming lingo) in today's world. Because the video game market is not changing
fast enough to support the idea of using a strong female lead that isn't just a
sex icon. That or gender-neutral video
games such as the one where you play a gust of wind…….or say, has anyone ever
heard of flOw? That one is
gender-neutral! There are whole species
of plants and animals that are without gender living on this very same planet;
why do we still have gender-specific games where the exciting sexist action
games are geared towards men and the frilly boring "bake a cake" or
"raise a puppy" games are geared towards women? Our world has CHANGED; it's time the nerdy
gaming market should do so as well!</div>
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<h3>
So, What the Fuck Again?
Getting to the Points……</h3>
</div>
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Why have
this assumption of a narrow market that is mostly made up of male Nerds in need
of a confidence boost that only exists in an artificially constructed
world? Why not expand the mentality to
other genre games? There are games out
there that are indie, and games that have strong female leads. When I was playing the Beta for LP Recharge
(that is now available as an app for tablet devices and for sale for actual
MONEY—neither of which I really HAVE!
Why leave the poor female nerd out of all the fun by not making it
available for free on Facebook anymore?!
Can't we just pay for the ad-free portability instead? It will allow for a wider audience/market, at
least!), I had the option of playing a strong female lead character—which I
did. And it was awesome! I could play my customized character the way
I wanted to. Why can't we have similar
games like that out there, for Xbox/Playstation/Nintendo/Sega consoles?</div>
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We must <b><i>change</i></b>
the gaming landscape and market, stimulating an evolution and growth that
allows gamer diversity in the marketplace.
Though I'd <b><i>love</i></b> to fuck with the current gamescape by releasing a game
that has ONLY strong female leads that rescue "wimpy" nerds from the
clutches of evil, we should start small; we should allow female characters to
not just be a standby in the scene, but rather be a part of our team, and be
playable. This line from the Halo Reach
release panel says it all: <a href="http://youtu.be/1aOb6Nn8egA?t=12m15s">http://youtu.be/1aOb6Nn8egA?t=12m15s</a></div>
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However,
the solution I presented isn't the problem here: it's the reaction that male
gamers have to the possibility of a female-equivalent gamescape (which is a
gaming market landscape, in case you haven't figured it out yet), by issuing
insults and death threats to those females who speak out. Why do that?!
Why be programmed that way?!
We're not your pixelated bitches!
(Technically speaking, sometimes I <b><i>am</i></b> a pixelated bitch, but I'm not <b><i>your</i></b>
submissive pixelated bitch!)</div>
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Isn't it
<b><i><a href="http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/crime-penalties/federal/Criminal-Threats.htm" target="_blank">against the LAW</a></i></b> (especially <a href="http://www.shouselaw.com/criminal_threats.html" target="_blank">in California</a>) to issue a threat? Isn't it wrong <b><i>anyways</i></b>, if there isn't a
law against issuing threats? Especially
"terroristic" threats of school shootings? In what way does it make sense that it's
"okay" to do that in response to us ladies (or lady Nerds) speaking
up for equal more accurate representation in the virtual universe? Because, gamer dudes and guy Nerds, in case
you forgot, we ladies are a formidable gender for one reason and one reason
only: <b><i>we. Have. VAGINAS!!!</i></b> And our vaginas are dangerous and wily. They are the gateways of NEW LIFE! Yes: WE BEAR YOUR CHILDREN, BOYS! And those hormones that rear their heads
every month exist for THAT very reason!
That and our mother bear instincts are the reason why your genes are
still in the gene pool (provided that your genes make up part of the DNA of
your spawn)! You think we're weak and
submissive? Threaten the safety of our
offspring and we go She-Hulk on everybody's asses! #EdenSmash</div>
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So,
"Gamergate" (aka, the Gamescape Waste-of-Time) is just plain
ridiculous. There's no good reason for
males to be like, "Whoa, wait, FUCK YOU TO DEATH, BITCH, BECAUSE WE
DOMINATE THIS WORLD!" and for them to be programmed that way in the first
place. Open up your minds, bros. (And I think legal weed should help in that
respect. Just not too much.) Or else the next time you're online, all the
ladies will <b><i>definitely</i></b> be fragging your ass in Call of Duty/Modern
Warfare/Halo/Destiny/whatever because of how much of a dick you just <b><i>had</i></b>
to be. And I'll gladly be one of them
once I can figure out how to play first-player-shooter games a lot better
(without being the victim of every other "death" in the game)….</div>
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Anyways,
that's it for my rant here. Let's all
breathe a sigh of release, drink some delicious dessert wine in celebration of
my 24th birthday (which was this past Halloween, if you haven't read my
previous post), and share the love. And
while we're doing that at the same time as my partial absence, I hope y'all</div>
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<b><i>ENJOY
YOUR DIGITAL HALLOWEEN TACQUITO BUFFET!<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
(without being
fucked over like in <a href="http://youtu.be/wRWLYKycxZc" target="_blank"><b><i>this</i></b> video</a>!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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CUE THE
CUTENESS!!!!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-53181106247778588182014-10-31T21:13:00.001-07:002014-10-31T21:18:41.356-07:00Happy Haunted Halloween, Whoniverse!<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Yeah, I
said "Haunted" and "Whoniverse" in the same sentence! Mostly because this is a quickie that will
hopefully cover both the Doctor Who cosplay event AND the Historic Haunts tour
I took, and it will be just funny enough to tide you over for Halloween AND the
first 9 days of November (including Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the
Dead). So, instead of going blabbity
blah, let's get right to it! I've got
the <a href="http://youtu.be/iFE2C_AQOaM?list=PL-esuwTnAJ5dl1ur9M_5_-YHaIgZe9kUR" target="_blank">Necrofusion full album</a> here (which is by Zak Bagans + Praga Khan), which is
OPTIONAL for you! (If it's too
distracting, do some DJ Lorn, with <a href="http://youtu.be/2oXtRKAu-Ds" target="_blank">Ancient Realms: Atlantis</a> or <a href="http://youtu.be/G-2q3PhFTIo" target="_blank">Ancient Realms: Anasazi</a>!) WARNING: Lots of pictures
here, so if you are having a hard time loading up pictures, I suggest you try
using a laptop or a desktop computer and not some iWhatever device you're
using.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<h3>
Who Was Whose Doctor?
Why I Should Have a TARDIS!!!</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140824003221/tardis/images/9/9d/Doctor_Who_Series_8_Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140824003221/tardis/images/9/9d/Doctor_Who_Series_8_Logo.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
The
inaugural Doctor Who cosplay event on Saturday, October 18th, 2014, was pretty
good: people showed up in costume that were creative, and I was surprised at
how creative they were in their choices.
Let me be honest, though: I should've started way earlier than I
did. I was super stressed, wanting some
actual awesome costume to wear. I was so
desperate that I was frantically scanning through ThinkGeek for Whovian
goodies. I wound up wearing a <a href="http://www.collegefashion.net/inspiration/geek-chic-fashion-inspired-by-doctor-who/" target="_blank">DoctorWho-INSPIRED outfit</a> rather than a full on costume, which actually made Dad a
little happy. It was original, but
totally painful for my feet as I was wearing Converse high-tops that did not
fit me very well. Maybe I should've
applied duct tape to the situation……</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways,
despite showing up LATE and missing most of the action (hence the need for an
actual TARDIS with Gallifreyan time-travel technology!), people were there
dressed as Doctor Rory, Amy, a Dalek, a Cyberman (there were 2 Cybermen,
actually), Captain Jack Harkness…… Even
Dan and Kris got in on the cosplay action: Kris was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Doctor_Who_villains#Madame_Kovarian" target="_blank">Madame Kovarian</a> and Dan
could alternate between a Silence (without the hands) and an infected gas
mask-wearing medical doctor from the two-parter "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Empty_Child" target="_blank">The Empty Child/TheDoctor Dances</a>".<o:p></o:p></div>
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But just
dressing up wasn't enough: Dan and Kris even decked out the store in Whovian
decorations, with a (cardboard) TARDIS out front, the gravestones for Mr. and
Mrs. Pond, Clara Oswald, and River Song, the Face of Bo, the Doctor's
non-fightin' hand…. Some chilled bottled
Waters of Mars, some Whovian cupcakes and even marshmallow Adipose pops were
available for sale in case you get famished or thirsty, with a scavenger hunt
available to cure boredom, with a color/draw-your-own-TARDIS activity for the
kids!<o:p></o:p></div>
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My
initial assesment: 4 plungers out of 5.
I could've been there earlier, but that's my own damn fault; I would've
gotten great pictures of great costumes between noon and 3pm EDT! Other businesses had stuff going on, like a
London Fog tea available at the café two doors down, and the salon doing Whovian
nail designs; I also missed them! DAVROS
DAMMIT! Next time, after creating a ton
of Adipose with <b><i>my</i></b> mass, I most certainly WILL have a costume ready!<o:p></o:p></div>
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MARK MY WORDS, SAXON!
*Schwarzneggar accent* I'LL BE BAHCK!!!!!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
(more pictures from the cosplay event is available here: <a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHsk5QbwvD">https://flic.kr/s/aHsk5QbwvD</a> )</div>
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<h3>
Historic Haunts: The Return of the Damned Blogger</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://aetherforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ghosts-fantasy-art-artwork-ghost_www.wallmay.net_75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://aetherforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ghosts-fantasy-art-artwork-ghost_www.wallmay.net_75.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
I hope
people remember <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2013/11/my-real-life-paranormal-adventures.html" target="_blank">my post about going on the Historic Haunts tour</a> last year. I decided to go again this year, but with
Papa Spock's camera! This very decision
has consequences, however. I had opted
for the camera for one reason: the possibility of capturing something paranormal
in an image. What I wound up with is
much different and weirder from when I started—THE ESSENCE OF EVERY GOOD
JOURNEY! Or is it documentary? Not sure; I should ask Morgan Spurlock…. *picks up that name she dropped, gently
prodding it to do more episodes of Inside Man on CNN*</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways,
it's the same stops as before, but the details are a little bit different,
mostly because I didn't have the awesome tour guide who wore a kilt last
year. This year, it was a lady in a bit
of a Victorian Gothic ensemble.
Currently second-best choice, in my opinion. Then again, I was not paying as much
attention this year because I was instead trying to take pictures for my blog
post about this tour. Cue EXASPERATED
SIGH!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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First
thing I noticed when I reached location number 1 (Brethren House): we're all
holding candles, we're all following this interestingly dressed character
around town, listening to tales of history and the weird happenings of what's
not necessarily considered scientific and holding candles while we go
through. Either this is a special
traditional journey that has a hint of a religious vibe (as in the candle-lit
vigils olden day friends of mine have attended for their churches)……or we look
like a fucking cult here. Seriously,
tell me if we look like a cult!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you get what I mean?!
Thanks, Jenny Lawson aka the Bloggess, for inspiring that bit of crazy
thinking! I can't wait for the
brainwashing to be completed so that I, too, may be collecting weird taxidermy
and get raised eyebrows during the annual inspection done by the apartment
building's management whenever we get too damn comfortable! Maybe your husband Victor (who's always
wrong—unless he's obviously right) can do the inspection this year—just to make
it fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways,
more pictures here include us walking, tour guide's "preaching" and
nothing out of the ordinary—so far…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We hit
God's Acre (a cemetery surrounded by school buildings, in case you forgot), and
for me, it was photography central! I
wound up staying farther behind to take pictures, hoping to CATCH
SOMETHING!!!!!! *flails* I think I did….because I took this
picture—AIN'T IT PURDY?!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9_g4cDsyBrIFaegSs7gg0a17mv_BICjSaGDbS5sO-mZRmyOgPkNqVYnRW6hSnhyphenhyphen33PwrcdL_o8QxqeQc1CnT9dWjg_oe4AP0VIUtRLi247CDGS7K9Plhimu8zvtQyWkhvQhzijhtlxs/s1600/DSCN1779--Gods_acre_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9_g4cDsyBrIFaegSs7gg0a17mv_BICjSaGDbS5sO-mZRmyOgPkNqVYnRW6hSnhyphenhyphen33PwrcdL_o8QxqeQc1CnT9dWjg_oe4AP0VIUtRLi247CDGS7K9Plhimu8zvtQyWkhvQhzijhtlxs/s1600/DSCN1779--Gods_acre_1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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And I took this second one just in case of false
positives:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjx5u692mDzbMakd1DxpAJ_tUCsA9JRmuzK1Tg5a1oJsmy3T4II7nLuuZrCKW9zygkaDsyTn4rWiWgxCFk8FI1l7NBe_ptQEMuVgiUAkwscDVbG6JHExynQq-8Bkb9Hk-RHITIqGOxDY/s1600/DSCN1780_Gods_acre_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjx5u692mDzbMakd1DxpAJ_tUCsA9JRmuzK1Tg5a1oJsmy3T4II7nLuuZrCKW9zygkaDsyTn4rWiWgxCFk8FI1l7NBe_ptQEMuVgiUAkwscDVbG6JHExynQq-8Bkb9Hk-RHITIqGOxDY/s1600/DSCN1780_Gods_acre_2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Huh….That's weird…..I'm sure that there weren't any bugs
around… And I doubt that there's any
dust in this cemetery. I am also sure
that the lens of the camera was clear…..
Let's take a closer look:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1m779Am5jy9OZbwEzEQKPoteGvYnhlhxZacuv8oFlHIKq1IKNIwRpXe3xWDsLa1xnZBwbgas_RwrvD0ubOO81otRbcbUX4h5KnYV-1uAeWz23FZxf13k9ZEm-9SppdyBoeOq8e9KmCE/s1600/DSCN1780_Gods_acre_2_edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1m779Am5jy9OZbwEzEQKPoteGvYnhlhxZacuv8oFlHIKq1IKNIwRpXe3xWDsLa1xnZBwbgas_RwrvD0ubOO81otRbcbUX4h5KnYV-1uAeWz23FZxf13k9ZEm-9SppdyBoeOq8e9KmCE/s1600/DSCN1780_Gods_acre_2_edited.png" height="456" width="640" /></a></div>
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And then I went back to the previous picture…..</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wrB_NLU7195rtUVJeVnkdRaEm-liKuVLqLVF7zbcPK64yTlCImbbhzHW_IOXsT4_dHrD9mGe8FIki3IaiTBq3AH-IwhsqdhnU4AMuDIN6iVcFIio50V_nTD5ONvkhcwdFJ0CjE53CVs/s1600/DSCN1779--Gods_acre_1_edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wrB_NLU7195rtUVJeVnkdRaEm-liKuVLqLVF7zbcPK64yTlCImbbhzHW_IOXsT4_dHrD9mGe8FIki3IaiTBq3AH-IwhsqdhnU4AMuDIN6iVcFIio50V_nTD5ONvkhcwdFJ0CjE53CVs/s1600/DSCN1779--Gods_acre_1_edited.png" height="526" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pardon the poor editing—My Photoshop skills are severely
lacking….but I lined it up best I could!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways,
ORBS! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orb_(optics)" target="_blank">Very controversial manifestationof spirit energy</a>. Most orbs caught in
photos and videos are actually just dust particles and bugs and what-not. In fact, Zak Bagans and Nick Groff each say
(in their books) that 95-97% of all orbs captured on film (static or video) are
bugs or dust particles or lens flares or whatever and easy to debunk. It's that remaining 3-5% that is totally
weird: they emit their own light, are not caused by any light reflecting off of
a random bug or some dust, they manifest IN FRAME, and move in intelligent
patterns at times.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm not
entirely sure that I caught an ACTUAL orb, and verification on whether I did or
not would be appreciated. (FUCK OFF,
TROLLS!) But in any case, the
POSSIBILITY is there!<o:p></o:p></div>
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After
the cemetery, we swung by Boyd Theater (which I hope gets back up and running;
please, potential investors! Help bring
this historic icon of Bethlehem, PA, back to life!) and the Hells' Fargo:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp1t7RfG2jptZYxzGsBbD6jT39pYNnq3ZrAIt8dFFlngmVpc1_44gKqwj9VdDxKxqKShQl_hUwL3pFKwmCK6go0U_jcQ2mAuqvvuIWSCvhCiQAxQmWz2U_51ZVRwl15S4VPX34lgSQkI/s1600/Hells_fargo_edited.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp1t7RfG2jptZYxzGsBbD6jT39pYNnq3ZrAIt8dFFlngmVpc1_44gKqwj9VdDxKxqKShQl_hUwL3pFKwmCK6go0U_jcQ2mAuqvvuIWSCvhCiQAxQmWz2U_51ZVRwl15S4VPX34lgSQkI/s1600/Hells_fargo_edited.png" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FIXED! Lol, I'm kidding, Wells Fargo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XQim2koE68QANKoe-wsQLYVJkN6QepSueKxjz9gfjxMXILtlU9JKPIxxf8Wuf8P_lAmVNvEMc_93rwngK1G7CQiAeHM78LxB0xlVdAwzegJwle5MqjKOSa5e1yXn1k78xRzge6UVhxg/s1600/DSCN1798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XQim2koE68QANKoe-wsQLYVJkN6QepSueKxjz9gfjxMXILtlU9JKPIxxf8Wuf8P_lAmVNvEMc_93rwngK1G7CQiAeHM78LxB0xlVdAwzegJwle5MqjKOSa5e1yXn1k78xRzge6UVhxg/s1600/DSCN1798.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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And then passed through that pedestrian alley by the
Underground Lair (Wow, how much advertising are they getting just from me
mentioning their store in my blog?!) to get to the Sun Inn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
Before I
tell you about the next photo, let me tell you right now……I AM FINE! I AM OKAY!
You can tell by my tweets!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
A little shaken. Singed around the edges. Accidentally set my hair on fire with haunted tour candle. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INCINERATE?src=hash">#INCINERATE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EXASPERATE?src=hash">#EXASPERATE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SANITATE?src=hash">#SANITATE</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/525819144407502848">October 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Don't worry: i'm okay. It's just some hair and my ego that were burnt. FYI: caNDLES and caMERAS don't mix. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INCINERATE?src=hash">#INCINERATE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EXASPERATE?src=hash">#EXASPERATE</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/525819708210417665">October 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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And it was all my Davros-damn fault for doing this: I was
trying to get a picture of the tour guide in front of the back end of the Sun
Inn from a point of view towards the ground angled up—like a worm's eye view
type of shot. I was also holding a LIT
candle, and it wasn't one of those fake ones that is powered by batteries and
working light bulbs; this is ACTUAL fire burning an ACTUAL wick that's part of
an ACTUAL candle made of ACTUAL wax wearing an ACTUAL clear plastic cup used to
catch wax drippings so that said drippings don't burn our hands. I was not paying attention to the way I was
holding the candle, and inadvertently held it too close to my hair, setting my
hair on fire. I heard it, felt the
flames lightly lick my cheek, and yelped, quickly putting it out with the <b><i>bare</i></b>
hand that was NOT holding the candle.
*shudders* I finally went through
that rite of passage of setting my own hair on fucking FIRE, which is an
experience that stays with you <b><i>for the rest of your life</i></b>! All just to get this shot:<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was
able to check <b><i>after</i></b> the tour was over to see if I was burnt (because I didn't
feel pain; yeah, adrenaline is fun like that) or not, and seeing what the
damage was, I was also able to breathe a small sigh of relief. Yeah, burning your hair is not fun, but it's
even worse if you ACTUALLY get burnt flesh in the process. I even reassured everyone that I'm okay, and
that it was just my hair and ego that were burnt (like I said in my
tweets). No need for an incident report
for something as stupid as what I had done!
Seriously, I'm not one of those crazy people who live to sue everyone for
every imperfection in their lives!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hi! I'm Lady Eden Pyrithea, your substitute
Smokey the Bear mascot, and I say that fire only belongs on the grill, in
campfires and <a href="http://youtu.be/wcUnE0tHcaI" target="_blank">in fire tornadoes</a>. DON'T
BURN OUR FORESTS OR HAIR!!! #INCINERATE<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, back
to the Sun Inn, after carefully eyeing the candle for the rest of the tour, and
taking a picture at the <b><i>HISTORIC </i></b>Hotel Bethlehem (which <b><i>still</i></b>
has a Room With a Boo I would LOVE to stay in; in fact, I dare
skeptics—especially <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy.html" target="_blank">Bad Astronomy blogger Phil Plait</a>—to spend a couple nights
in this room. Yeah, it's expensive and
got a HUGE waiting list, but I swear, the memories will be WELL worth it!), I
was able to head home, call Papa Spock to inform him of the events that took
place within that hour and take my second shower of the day. It was a long day, and I swear, despite the
short burst of fear and panic I had, it was……okay. I disliked the amount of issues I had prior
to the tour (Buses should NOT break while people are in transit to their
audiologist appointment; the bus drivers should also NOT take ten minutes to
stop the fucking bus and try and fix it themselves, due to said people being
ALREADY late to their audiologist appointment and do not need to be even
later!), but I have to quickly sum it up as a VERY LONG DAY. I was so tired that I wound up falling asleep
on my own couch after the shower and a mug full of milk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seriously,
I should get a reward for surviving all that.
Not something big, just…maybe, a new pair of headphones that are long
overdue? Or a large tub of delicious mint
gelato decorated with cannolis?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Out of
exhaustion, I say BLEHHHH. Anyhow, I
hope everyone enjoys their Halloween (which is my BIRTHDAY! Yeah, totally my birthday! Just like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_Ice" target="_blank">Vanilla Ice</a>! And the two other babies that were delivered
that same day in that same hospital I was born at, all scheduled at the same
time because the obstetrician was about to go on vacation, which turned it all
into a race! #FIRST) while I spend it with my parents before heading out on
another trip to locations within my sector.
Remember last year, when I spent a snowed-in Doctor Who Day at a hotel
in Pittsburgh that SHOULD HAVE an elevator in it and not just be a converted
apartment complex? Yeah, it's same that
trip again, only with a real hotel with a REAL elevator (not just an imaginary
one), and it's much earlier in the month.
Bonus: I get to bring my dice rolling game, and possibly get Mama
Squirrel and Papa Spock to bring the Princess Bride game I gave them for last
Christmas on this trip. Hopefully, we'll
get to have a <s>Starbucks</s> Popular-Seattle-based-coffee-shop-chain gaming
night again. It was fun trying to
conquer Tokyo, but perhaps we can play some other games, like said Princess
Bride game or my Roll For It game or……some other game. It was fun—CAN WE PLEASE DO IT AGAIN?!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways,
while I'm gone (and absently publishing a blog post scheduled to be released
next week), I hope you ENJOY YOUR HEALTHY HALLOWEEN TACQUITO!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-3322445739152925752014-10-07T16:14:00.000-07:002014-10-08T16:15:15.659-07:00Contagion—Part Deux: The RECKONING (Or The Vaccination Recommendation)<div class="MsoNormal">
I know it's
been a while since I posted that rant about wisdom teeth and their lack of
valid purpose, but I had take the time to recuperate and clean my
apartment. Which I did. A lot.
By sleeping in and taking the proper amount of pain pills and getting
hooked on the new CBS docudrama </scorpion>, after Mom refused to let me
watch FOX's Sleepy Hollow on their LCD HDTV.
But the break was worth it, even though the Pre-Op Gremlin Diet was a
pain in the ass, I had to chew on one side of my mouth for a while, there was
no liquid diet (so as to not let my jaw lock up, according to the doctor) and
I'm stuck being <b><i>round</i></b> with no way of getting a Nutritional Counselor through
the Adult Autism Waiver. Yippee.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the
bright side, I now have a real doctor (a Primary Care Provider and not a
pediatrician, if you will) and he's genuinely concerned about my health. And after the initial new patient
appointment, I'm ready for this year's flu season. And if I'm ready, and you're not ready,
well….you're fucked because I'm not going to be your nursemaid unless I'm the
only healthy person left in the world and left with no choice. Especially if you're against vaccinations for
various reasons; which brings me to offering this (optional) <a href="http://youtu.be/LDjlh89ycFw" target="_blank">full Contagion soundtrack</a> for this blog post on the importance of vaccines, Autistic Spectrum Disorders not being caused by them, and how everyone is panicking over frickin' Ebola.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/LDjlh89ycFw?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/LDjlh89ycFw?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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If you're
like me, you rely on modern medicine and science to keep you alive and healthy
for a lot longer than the Dark Ages of childhood. Seriously, science has been advancing
medicine and medical practices to the point where we can treat diseases with
proper procedures and improve the outlook of cancer patients without the
application of bloodletting and establishment of haunted quarantine facilities
located on islands made of human ash (*cough, cough, whisper* <b><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poveglia" target="_blank">Povegliaaaaaaa</a></i></b>…..). Anyways, unless you have a compromised immune
system that requires careful monitoring and drug cocktails that turn druggies
green with envy (and nausea), we're doing great! Mostly….
Unfortunately, there are always crackpots (on pot) spouting bullshit
from both ends.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let's
address the first issue: the Ebola Panic Pandemic!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
E-BOLA: Not Just a Bowling-Themed Computer Virus</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lately,
there has been a lot of uncertainty with a particular virus that manifested in
Western Africa. <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/" target="_blank">Ebola</a> has been the
subject of news channels for the past few days (maybe even weeks), and with the
help of idiots of the Fox News Channel, panic is being spread faster than the
flu virus in a room full of phlegmers.
Seriously, just tune in at any point of the day and you'll see them
talking about either ISIS (a valid concern, but only if it's without the Obama
Blame-a-thon) or the Ebola virus, saying that it'll make you bleed from every
orifice, that it will cause delirium, that <b><i>it will make your dick sprout wings and fly
off!!!!</i></b> (Thank you, <a href="http://www.cc.com/full-episodes/7lho6r/south-park-gluten-free-ebola-season-18-ep-1802" target="_blank">South Park gluten episode</a>, for that joke.)
Seriously, the experts are saying that it's not super, super, super
airborne contagious, Fox News Idiots!
Why continue with the fear-mongering even after their repeated
statements that basically translate to "CHILL DA FUCK OUT"?!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And before
the conspiracy theorists start flooding the comments box with statements of,
"They are just saying that to make it so you can get sick and the doctors
and medical practitioners and pharmaceutical companies can get a lot of
business and profit from this outbreak," please do yourself a favor and
read the fucking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_Oath" target="_blank">Hippocratic Oath</a> carefully; lying to hurt us or get us sick is
a violation of that oath. I kid you not, it is often believed that part of that oath says, "<b><i>I will do no harm</i></b>." Any deliberate actions to cause harm (even to
make money off of it, though most of the money comes from the insurance
companies) is considered malpractice. Or
fraud. Or something along those
lines—Dr. Drew, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, back me up here, please!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, even
though there was <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/03/us/ebola-whos-in-charge/" target="_blank"><b><i>one</i></b> case of Ebola in Dallas</a>, Texas (and many more in Africa), I
doubt that it's going to spread like zombie wildfire. There could be one other person, but only if
they have been exposed to an Ebola-infected individual's bodily fluids,
including but not limited to blood, feces, urine, or spit. Just calm down, breathe and stop reading
WebMD; you'll just freak out more. (That
goes <b><i>double</i></b>—no,
<b><i><u>triple</u></i></b>
for you, <a href="http://thebloggess.com/" target="_blank">Jenny Lawson</a>!) Unless you're a
doctor or nurse, stay away from yellow people you see bleeding weirdly—and call
emergency services, because even though they appear to be the victim of the
Horseman of Pestilence, they're still human and deserve a fair chance at
surviving this illness. (Unfortunately,
it's too late to save the Simpsons' universe; they're all jaundiced! OH MY DAVROS, <b><i>THEY ALL HAVE CANCER!!!!!</i></b>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Which
reminds me: who is the last person to touch my hand sanitizer?! *flails*<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Vaccinations: A Good Defense Makes a Mighty Fine and Painful
Offense</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>Vac</i></b><b><i>∙cine—</i></b><i>n.</i> (<i>vak'-s</i><i>ēn</i>)
a modified and hence harmless virus or other microorganism for inoculation to
produce immunity to a disease by stimulating antibody production.</blockquote>
</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yeah, that <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vaccine?s=t" target="_blank">definition</a> excerpt is from the Webster's
Universal English Dictionary that I got as a gift one Christmas. It's been handy for looking up words I don't
understand or want to share the definition of.
And this definition definitely has the demand for sharing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ever since
the dawn of the commercially available Interwebz, there has been a rise in a <b><i>virulent</i></b>
strain of crazy people who <b><i>insist</i></b> that vaccines are more
harmful to children (and other people) than the illness it
"supposedly" helps the population create an immunity in response
to. I'm serious, with <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/04/16/jenny-mccarthy-says-she-isnt-anti-vaccine-here-are-some-other-things-she-has-said-about-vaccinations/" target="_blank">Jenny McCarthy</a>
(Wow, <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2014/03/hooked-when-addiction-enters-your-life.html" target="_blank">that name sounds familiar</a>!) writing books (that get published) about how
she "discovered" the "link" between autism and vaccines—which
is complete bullshit—there has been a rise in stubborn ignorance and stupidity! And I'm on the Autism Spectrum; I can verify
how bullshitty this reasoning is!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let's start
from the beginning: I have an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_spectrum" target="_blank">Autistic Spectrum Disorder</a> diagnosis of
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome" target="_blank">Asperger's</a> (under <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Diagnostic-Statistical-Disorders-Revision-DSM-IV-TR/dp/0890420254" target="_blank">DSM-IV</a>, and I can keep it thanks to the fine print in <a href="http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx" target="_blank">DSM-V</a>);
up until now, only about….90?.....people know I have it, including family
members and friends. (Due to this, I'm
also a recipient of services through the <a href="http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/provider/waiverinformation/adultautismwaiver/index.htm" target="_blank">Adult Autism Waiver</a>—YAY GOVERNMENT! But that's not what we're here to
discuss.) And since the diagnosis, we
(meaning family members in addition to myself) have been able to identify that
I inherited the genetic trait from my father.
Yes, my father has an undiagnosed case of Asperger's; why else do you
think I call him the non-Leonard Nimoy, non-Zachary Quinto <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spock" target="_blank">Mr. Spock</a>? But if you take a closer look, it's <b><i>possible</i></b>
to trace that back to his father (my grandfather), who believes he, too, has
Asperger's. So, yes, Autistic Spectrum
Disorders have a genetic root in all this mystery—but that's not the entire
answer to this Paladin-level puzzle people have been trying to put together for
years. It could be caused by something
in the environment, the amount of oxygen we're getting at birth, etc. <b><i>So far, we don't know what the source is</i></b>—we're
still looking for it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But with
the Internet came false information: "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMR_vaccine_controversy" target="_blank">Vaccines have chemicals and harmfullevels of lead that WILL cause your kid to get autism!</a>" It is to the best of my (probably faulty)
knowledge from an English college course that this theory came from a fraudulent research
paper, with a message popularized by Jenny
McCarthy and Oprah and the series premiere of <b><i><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892535/" target="_blank">Eli Stone</a></i></b> (remember <b><i>that</i></b>
TV series?)—truth be told, <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/the-cake-is-a-lie" target="_blank">the whole damn cake was a lie</a>! And yet, the idea spread and connected
like-minded vaxxers to create this movement based on this lie. And after a while, there are now Autism
organizations that are working to promote this idea and saying, "Let's get
rid of vaccines for good!"<o:p></o:p></div>
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Everyone. Please.
Cue the facepalms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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How about
we set this allll straight? First of
all, lead in vaccines is completely bullshit to me. The FDA and whatever other organizations that
are in charge of regulating drugs that require injection is not going to let
any drug onto the market if it has any harmful levels of lead in it, including
levels that "cause
autism." Not to mention that I have
no idea if any other drugs or chemicals cause autism or Autistic Spectrum
Disorders. From what I've learned, it's
not about the blocking of chemicals to certain areas of the brain like lead can
(<a href="http://slant.investorplace.com/files/2013/01/PicardFacepalm.jpg" target="_blank">Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey episode 7, "The Clean Room"</a>), but rather a different way of
wiring the brain. We think differently,
process information differently, express ourselves differently from
neurotypical (NT) people due to this "faulty" wiring. And even though it's frustrating to a lot of
people (especially mothers like mine), it doesn't mean that there's anything
wrong with us—we're just a lot more different from everyone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But
anyways, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine" target="_blank">vaccines <b><i>do</i></b> serve a real purpose</a>.
It helps your body identify what viruses and bacteria are not good for
your cells and organs to metabolize.
Once identified and eradicated, the body then knows (how) to produce the
correct antibody for that particular virus or bacteria so you don't wind up <b><i>hospitalized</i></b>
and getting your food and air through a fucking tube shoved down your throat. This way, you can't get SUPER sick from flu
or chicken pox, measles, mumps, rubella, smallpox…. For a while, these diseases were only found
in the virus vaults of the Centers for Disease Control and developing nations. Now, with the anti-vaccine bullshit spreading
through the masses faster than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubonic_plague" target="_blank">Bubonic Plague</a> at the Olympics in Autumn, they are making
a comeback. Which is <b><i>not
good</i></b>, because not only will we get sick (from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poliomyelitis" target="_blank">POLIO—DO YOU WANTPOLIO?!</a>) at worse levels and intensities, but it will also mean that Mama
Squirrel's contribution is completely moot.
She was one of the vaccine pioneers, which makes her sound older than
she really is, but I'm pretty sure that she is part Gallifreyan, so she can't
really age like you and I do. The only
people who shouldn't get a vaccine are the ones with compromised immune systems
for whatever reason: immunosuppressants, HIV and AIDS, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the end,
the fear of having a child with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder should NEVER take
priority over keeping yourself and your family healthy (and alive). Besides, <b><i>what is there to fear?</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<h3>
<a href="http://www.neurodiversity.com/main.html" target="_blank">Neurodiversity</a>: When It's OKAY to Have Autism</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, to
quickly recap, Autistic Spectrum Disorders are a bunch of "disorders"
that vary in symptoms and intensity, is NOT caused by vaccines, and has more to
do with neurology than the immune system.
Oh, and I should mention that there is <b><i>no cure</i></b> for this. (It's also NOT caused by Ebola, for the
confused readers.) No diet (gluten-free
or otherwise) is going to heal/cure/"manage" the symptoms of an ASD,
no matter what the vaxxers and gluten-phobes claim. Seriously, I think y'all are crazy for
saying, "OMG, GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS, I NEED YOU!" I'm sure that soon, there will be markets for
"gluten-free" toilet paper, underwear, feminine supplies, condoms,
soap, cars, houses, tanks full of oxygen…..
Please don't start that; I'm forbidding anyone from using this
"idea" (read: crap) as an excuse to keep the phobia alive.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pi" target="_blank">Much like pi</a>, this fear is irrational, and it doesn't seem to end……<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span id="goog_2007329362"></span><span id="goog_2007329363"></span> Anyways,
people haven't exactly understood what it means to have an ASD; growing up (and
going through <s>hell</s> school) in a small town in the middle of FUCKING
NOWHERE (in a place that Verizon can't seem to find on the map), I was
<a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ostracized?s=t" target="_blank">ostracized</a> by about 85% of the student population for being different this way.
At first, I couldn't understand why, but now we know; it was a tough
battle to get the diagnosis, though, as I didn't get it until I was 15 and in
high school. (What's worse is that it was initially "Asperger's
tendencies"—what a way to half-ass your practice, Dr. [name hidden]!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways,
yes: we're socially awkward, we're highly intelligent, we can have laser focus
on topics of interest…..which is funny, because isn't that <b><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nerd" target="_blank">the definition of being a nerd</a></i></b>???? Oh my Davros, it actually is! Nerdism can have neurological and
developmental causes! Clinical
nerdism—what a breakthrough! I should
totally blog/talk about this—at another time!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well,
besides that, there are a lot of us on the Spectrum who find it very difficult
to think of living without an ASD. It is
a part of us, a part of our identity, a part of <b><i>who we are</i></b>. Yes, ASDs have their drawbacks (which
sometimes makes it frustrating to interact with the members of society on the spectrum), but it doesn't mean that
ASDs are a bad thing to have; it's simply a different way of functioning in the
world. However, it also doesn't mean
that ASDs are what define us as who we are: we <b><i>have</i></b> them; it doesn't
mean that we ARE the disability, that they have us in their tight grip and
there's no hope for us. There are lots
of resources out there that can help you understand your
daughter/son/sister/brother, and it isn't really that hard to accept ASDs as a
part of life: You have to <b><i>live with</i></b> it, rather than <b><i>suffer
from</i></b> it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Acceptance
is the first step. That's what's key to
being a happy parent of a child who's on the spectrum: just accept it. I'm not asking for you to surrender (actually,
I sort of am, but only by a factor of 5%), but rather to realize how you can't
create the perfect child; so they have an ASD—<b><i><u>so what?</u></i></b> Do you see any Horsemen of the Apocalypse
riding through the streets? Is the
diagnosis of an ASD so earth-shattering that it <b><i>literally</i></b> causes an
earthquake in your area that registers at 12.0 on the Richter scale? Is it so horrifying to have an ASD that it's
akin to terminal cancer or lupus? (Is it
Obama's fault? Is it the work of the
Freemasons or the Illuminati?) The
correct answer is: HELL NO! All it means
is that you should learn how to speak their language and understand them on a
deeper level.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Also, any
diagnosis of an ASD should be double-checked.
That's what second opinions are for!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Medical Dalek says "VACCINATE!"</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121214023001/dwexpanded/images/9/91/NDP_Dalek_Surgeon_by_Librarian_bot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121214023001/dwexpanded/images/9/91/NDP_Dalek_Surgeon_by_Librarian_bot.jpg" height="320" width="307" /></a></div>
So, let's
wrap this up: FOR FUCK'S SAKE, JUST GET THE VACCINES! There should be legitimate medical reasons
why you shouldn't, like real allergies to eggs or any other ingredient in the
vaccine, or compromised immune system, or some other <b><i>legitimate</i></b> issue. (I do not consider money to be a legitimate
issue; there are places out there—and I'm referring to "outside of my home
base but still in America"—that offer <b><i>free</i></b> vaccines. I'm serious!
Even my college, Marshall University with their free basic healthcare
for full-time students, would hold free flu shot clinics for the students every
year. Just locate one near you, and go
there!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for the
whole "fear of needles," that's a bit understandable: it can hurt,
it's frightening, etc. But I've had to
deal with needles my whole life (most recently with an IV needle for my oral
surgery) for medical reasons. I can tell
you from experience: all you're going to feel is a painful pinch, and then it's
over. If you need to, bring a good
friend. But you <b><i>can</i></b> do it! I believe in you, even though I don't really
know you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good places to check out for more information:<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 63.0pt; margin-right: 63.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
~<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy.html" target="_blank">Bad Astronomer</a>: He's a blogger, a skeptic, a pro-vaccine
critic, a scientist, an astronomer, a nerd, an all-around smart and funny dude,
and he's <b><i>worked on the Hubble Telescope</i></b>—SQUEE!!! He can weed out the bullshit and get you the
truth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 63.0pt; margin-right: 63.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
~<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control</a>:
They're the master experts in America on infectious diseases and other
sick-making stuff. 'Nuff said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 63.0pt; margin-right: 63.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
~<a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/basics/definition/con-20021148" target="_blank">Mayo Clinic</a>: More top-notch
medical people. (Warning: their pages cast a negative light over ASDs.)<o:p></o:p><br />
~<a href="http://www.autismspeaks.org/" target="_blank">Autism Speaks</a>: Even though I initially thought that this organization was anti-vaccine, I took a look and I was wrong. However, I'm still a <i style="font-weight: bold;">little</i> leery...but I recommend them!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That's all
I can come up with for now. Let's just
hope that the Ebola virus doesn't evolve into a zombie virus and DESTROY US
ALLLLL! (If you're a zombie, I'm sorry:
just stay the hell away from me and my human colony.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime,
ENJOY YOUR HEALTHY EBOLA-FREE NOT-SICK TAQUITO!!!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/wp-content/blogs.dir/445/files/2012/04/i-8bdf6089f2aa915f34a3cf7cc1c35975-funny-pictures-cat-says-your-disease-is-incurable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/wp-content/blogs.dir/445/files/2012/04/i-8bdf6089f2aa915f34a3cf7cc1c35975-funny-pictures-cat-says-your-disease-is-incurable.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-36311486086025156662014-09-18T14:38:00.000-07:002014-09-18T14:38:06.731-07:00Rant-Rant-Ranty-Rant: When Your Teeth Get Stupid<div class="MsoNormal">
Yeah. I know, it's a rant about something as small
as "wisdom teeth." But I have
a few thoughts I'd like to share about the topic. Seriously, I do! Some of it is me voicing concern over being
given general anesthesia, some of it is about how I have to fast before the
surgery, but I hope that I'll give it a humorous spin. Be warned: there is media in this post, so
it's best that it gets loaded up on a laptop or desktop computer with a
cable/wire/whatever connection. It's
also best not to be eating when reading this post….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for the <b><i>optional</i></b>
theme song, it's <a href="http://youtu.be/lnVdkVNrtGs" target="_blank">"Hard Trance Techno Rave Music" by trancElovE</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/lnVdkVNrtGs?hl=en_US&version=3"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/lnVdkVNrtGs?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've never
expected this to happen to me; I just hoped that I didn't have to deal with
this issue. Unfortunately, my biology
just laughed in my face with my own mouth.
In fact, it only started one or two days before I found out: my right
lower wisdom tooth (which is number 32, in case you're a dental professional)
was hurting so bad that I couldn't even sleep.
When I got up and talked to my parents that morning, I was terrified: <b><i>what
if they had to yank it out right there at the dentist's office?!?!?!</i></b> I was not mentally prepared for any of
it! Although I admit it's not my first
rodeo—it's my second and I'm still not any better at it: my two front teeth had
to be removed in two halves, the second being oral surgery with Novacain. I hated it, since it involved the use of a
scalpel inside my mouth! (Sorry for the
visualization, there.) That and with
Mama Squirrel's recommendation, I insisted on general anesthesia. And with every choice, there are
consequences: a whole new hellish hand basket of dread was delivered straight
to me because I've never been anesthetized that way before. But let me shed some light on the teeth
themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Unintelligent Design: Why Not Call Them Stupid Teeth???</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There's a
lot of debate over how we got to be this way: Creationism vs. Evolution,
Intelligent Design vs. Natural Selection, etc.
Of course, there is a shit ton of scientific evidence that tells us we
evolved from monkeys, who might not be so thrilled about the connection:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Evolution is a FLAWED THEORY. There is NO WAY humans are genetically linked to monkeys. That idea is OFFENSIVE. -monkeys<br />
— Joss Whedon (@josswhedon) <a href="https://twitter.com/josswhedon/status/512263844488826881">September 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And yet, we aren't perfectly evolved (Disproving Intelligent
Design: why design us with these medical flaws, for fuck's sake?!), which
brings me to this brilliant counterpoint from Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson:
<a href="http://youtu.be/oEl9kVl6KPc" target="_blank">Unintelligent Design</a>. There are so many
things wrong with us, and some of them were outlined by <a href="http://www.nerdist.com/pepisode/nerdist-podcast-neil-degrasse-tyson-returns/" target="_blank">Dr. Tyson in the 277thepisode of the Nerdist Podcast</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.quadb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/monkey-white-teeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.quadb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/monkey-white-teeth.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
First off,
what's going on between our legs?! We've
got an entertainment complex in between two sewage systems. It's unsanitary and we have to use our hands
to keep ourselves clean in that area, which is also inefficient. That and there's a ton of foliage in that
area! It's gross and stuff, seriously.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Secondly,
we eat, drink and breathe through the same hole in our human faces! This ensures that a percentage of us humans
choke to death on what we consume. Not
with dolphins: they eat and breathe through two different holes in their body,
which means that they'll win in a sardine-eating contest! But even then, if we don't find an early exit
from life, we live 80 years on average; in spite of this, we die from
starvation in 8 weeks, we die of dehydration in 3-8 days, and we die from
asphyxiation (suffocation) in 8 minutes.
We're fragile human beings who fall prey to many illnesses that are the
result of this chemical and biological balance being off inside our bodies. Too many cells in one spot causing a riot is
cancer; not enough endorphins being produced in our brains leads to depression;
too much stomach acid leads to acid reflux disease. If we're so "perfectly designed,"
then why do we have this happen to us?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/2183198976/h6F3777B3/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/2183198976/h6F3777B3/" width="320" /></a></div>
Then we
have our "useless" body parts: the appendix is not really needed in
these days, and yet, we all have them, thanks to our ancestors hunting for
whatever food they can get. There was no
cooking in those days, no discerning bones from muscles and feathers and fur
and scales and whatnot, so they would eat the entire animal, including the
parts that give us no nutritional benefit.
That's where the appendix would come in: it creates a sort of acid that
helps the remaining solids (bones, beak, feathers, fur, etc.) dissolve so it
doesn't hurt them when it comes out the other end. (All together now: EWWWWW!!!!) But now it's quite useless, as the appendix,
being completely BORED, will sometimes malfunction and burst—appendicitis,
which can only be resolved with surgical removal. The gallbladder stores whatever the liver
produces, even though the liver can perform the same functions as the
gallbladder. Tonsils would have to come
out when we get tonsillitis, but nothing is as much of a pain as wisdom teeth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why have
wisdom teeth? They're the farthest back
on our lower jaw, and we don't even get them to come through until we hit our
later years, well after we lose all our baby teeth. But they aren't perfect in their emergence:
90% of all people have at least on wisdom tooth come in impacted, or at an
angle, pushing against the molars next to them, causing pain and infection, perhaps
even damage to the adjacent teeth. There
could even be a cyst that forms, which is even worse. Yes, it's common as fuck, but here's another
issue: why not just remove them at an earlier age? These teeth are easier to remove when the
patient is younger, since their roots are not completely formed, and the
surrounding bone is softer than in your early 20s; not only that, there is less
of a chance of damaging nerves and other structures nearby. (Source: pamphlet I got from my consultation
appointment.) Thanks, <a href="http://myoms.org/" target="_blank">AAOMS</a>, for taking
the wait-and-see approach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One more
point to make: why call them "wisdom teeth" when they come in incorrectly? When I first went in to my
dentist's office, I made the joke of my wisdom teeth being "unwise". This body part, in my opinion, is completely
stupid. They have no current purpose
except to be a pain in the ass, causing problems for 90% of all people, which
can only be put an end to by way of oral fucking SURGERY! That's why I want them to be renamed as
"stupid teeth," because there is no point to them in today's
world. Not to mention how many drugs are
involved with treatment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Anesthesia: The "Fun Part"</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I've never
done illegal drugs, I'm prescribed medication for depression/anxiety and my ADD
(squirreliness), and I don't like not knowing what my brain is doing, and even
just being unconscious with people doing surgical procedures on me makes me
anxious. I'm just not prepared for that
idea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That and me
going <a href="http://youtu.be/txqiwrbYGrs" target="_blank">like this after waking up</a>:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="480" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/txqiwrbYGrs?hl=en_US&version=3"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/txqiwrbYGrs?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm terrified of having a panic attack and freaking out like
that. Seriously, the loopiness, albeit
fun for my parents, is frightening to me as I don't know how much control I
have; my pre-frontal cortex could be affected in ways I do not know if I like
it or not. What also sucks is that I
have to go into Gremlin Mode the very night before; I'll wind up hungry and
cranky and panicked and anxious and stuff—I'll be a total mess, trying to find
my copy of <i><u>Let's Pretend This Never
Happened</u></i><b><u> </u></b>and
re-reading the chapter titled "Draw Me A Fucking Dog." It'll be a total trip, for sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs40/f/2009/051/7/5/Trippy_World___Paint___by_Emystick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs40/f/2009/051/7/5/Trippy_World___Paint___by_Emystick.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
That and I
<b><i>better</i></b> have a milkshake waiting for me after I'm awake and mobile! (I'm going to look for milkshake and smoothie
recipes after this and the next time I'm online. Suggestions are appreciated! Just tweet them to me with the hashtag
#SmoothieSquirrel!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this
point, I think it's best to look at it as a nap I so desperately need, followed
by a liquid diet I hope to extend into a week-and-a-half. Again, not my first rodeo: I was on a liquid
diet before, and I lost a lot of mass that way.
Not that liquid diets are the ideal solution for "weight"
loss. I'll update you as best as I can, and
I appreciate you reading this blog, but it could be a while before I post
anything again. My next post might wind
up being the week after, but who knows?
#RECUPERATE<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In any
case, ENJOY YOUR BURRITO MILKSHAKE!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thatdarnkat.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/funnyt-lolcat-recharging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://thatdarnkat.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/funnyt-lolcat-recharging.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-7584975856367033902014-09-09T16:23:00.000-07:002014-11-06T09:07:31.008-08:00Some Sort of Paradise: A Review of Utopia, Fox's New Reality Show--UPDATED<b><i>***At the time of publishing this post, Utopia is already in its 12th Day, with one person (the former convict) having already left the place after ranting and cursing and being generally angry. Two people came in his place.***</i></b><br />
<hr />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry for
no post last week. I was sick with some
sort of cold or respiratory infection, so I was like, "Fuck it, I'M
<b><i>QUARANTINED!</i></b>" for the entire week.
(Thanks, Mom and Dad, for dropping off the store brand DayQuil and
NyQuil med stuff. It really helped a
lot!) I was staying inside, not doing
much except eating, sleeping, medicating and repeating. And watching shows on TV and listening to
podcast episodes and playing computer games.
So this week, I'm lifting my self-imposed quarantine and trying to not
strangle people because of my impacted unwise wisdom tooth (that needs to
geddafuckout!) in order to re-acclimate to the outside world. Meanwhile, I was able to watch one of the
premieres of a new reality show on television: Utopia and then following it up
with some disturbing news on Fox.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which brings
me to my optional theme song mix for this post: <a href="http://youtu.be/AeWXuaW2FLs" target="_blank">Spacemind's "Space Ark"</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/AeWXuaW2FLs?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/AeWXuaW2FLs?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Justice for Cruelty: People Are Not Punching Bags</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/549778_140210002818696_227941754_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/549778_140210002818696_227941754_n.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></div>
Thanks to
news teasers on Fox, I was convinced that I needed to watch a segment about <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/09/video-teens-attacking-mentally-disabled-man/15321811/" target="_blank">howsome idiot youths were filming themselves beating up an older man who hasdisabilities</a> (or, as the media likes to put it, "special needs man,"
or "mentally challenged man".
It's a step in the right direction, but now try using Person-First language. News media outlets are the source of
"disability-first language"' usage, and I want to change that all
over the mediascape.). First, <a href="http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/bethlehem/index.ssf/2014/08/disrespect_perception_leads_to.html" target="_blank">some idiotteen at Musikfest tries to use brass knuckles</a> (of which possession is <b><i>ILLEGAL
everywhere</i></b> in the States) to beat up an older man who was defending his
wife, all because the idiot teen and his girlfriend "weren't being
respected." And now some dumbasses
think it's a good idea to just beat up someone with disabilities who is older
than them and to put it up on YouTube.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me tell
you something: <b><i><u>IT'S NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO DO THAT!</u></i></b> In PA, it counts as <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/assault" target="_blank">assault</a>. And just hurting someone who has a disability
(or two….or five….) is wrong no matter what you think because it only means
you're so gutless and cowardly and full of shit that you have to pick on someone <b><i>you </i></b>see
as "lower than you" or (and I <b><i>hate</i></b> using this word)
"retarded," which, today, translates to "stupid," among the
youth (who need to <a href="https://translate.google.com/?hl=en&tab=iT#auto/en/retarder" target="_blank">learn etymology more</a>; "mental retardation" is a
term used for a disability that <b><i>delays</i></b> the mental and emotional development
of a person).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This
sucks. I'm <b><i>outraged</i></b> by their
actions. Not to mention that I'm now
more cautious: I have no interest in being treated that way, and I have a lot
more self-respect than those losers. But
if I'm ever faced with that situation, I'll either try and make a quick exit or
I'll stand my ground, using my intellect to scare them off, while calling 911
because I'd rather have cops there to handle the situation than to be left
alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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This is why
it is important for there to be self-defense classes provided for people on the
Autism Spectrum; it's so they can defend themselves if idiots like the ones in
the news decide copy their attitude, arrogance and actions to seem tough, and
to teach us self-discipline.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seriously,
this bullshit is not something I would EVER tolerate in <b><i>my</i></b> Utopia; the perps
would be thrown to the zombies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Building Paradise: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_of_Eden" target="_blank">My Garden</a> Does Not Look Like This….</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, I'm
going to review this new reality show called "Utopia".
So what? (I'm not referring to
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia_(Doctor_Who)" target="_blank">the idyllic location that Professor Yana was trying to launch a giant rocket towards</a>, by the way.)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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It's not
like it's Big Brother; far from it! You
see, what's different about this show is that there isn't a real prize like
cash or a house or a vacation or whatever is tangible in this realm. It's actually a social experiment (like every
Big-Brother-structured reality competition show is) that is to be done over the
course of a year, examining every participant's idea of a perfect world or perfect
society and how they can create it. The
Pioneers (the first fourteen or fifteen people in this society where cameramen
aren't around) are vastly different, with backgrounds ranging from pastors to
professional chefs to Apocalypse preppers to yogis to expecting mothers and
even convicts; my personal favorite among them is Hex the Huntress,
who has brought her own bow and quiver of arrows Utopia!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The idea of
the show itself is <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/audacious" target="_blank">audacious</a> enough: a perfect society where the Pioneers are
not allowed to be outside the gates, but outsiders are allowed in during certain hours. It's self-governed, remotely
monitored 24/7 for an entire year, and the electricity and food had to be
obtained by themselves, a complete bubble with a fish-filled pond, a pool,
chickens, cows (or "Mootopians"), fertile land, some money and a barn. The group itself is not going to stay the
same, as more people will come and others will go. It's all going to be streamed live, all day
and all night, and the audience will have a chance to join the group inside the
gates, applying to casting to say, "I want to help build a perfect
society! SIGN ME UP!"<o:p></o:p></div>
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And it's
already on its first two weeks: soon after the project started, there have been
conflicts ALREADY! Someone didn't want to
share his things because it's all he had, another man (whose ego is bigger than
the show, I bet) drank too much whiskey and was being a total pervert, the
redneck and the chef exchanged heated words and butted heads, literally <b><i>and</i></b>
figuratively, which led to the redneck almost just up and leaving. There were lots of people stripping down
until they're nothing but naked blurs with faces and arms diving into the pool,
and a few of the Pioneers are uncomfortable with that because they're that
frickin' conservative.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And yes, I
live tweeted during Part 1 of the premiere:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nowwatching?src=hash">#nowwatching</a> the premiere of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/utopia?src=hash">#utopia</a> and live tweeting it! I wouldn't have done a pastor because preachy.<br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/508767952863510528">September 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Owch. Conflict already. That's what happens when you don't break the ice right away. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/utopia?src=hash">#utopia</a> list passions and weaknesses right away?<br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/508770213920530432">September 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
"What could possibly go wrong?" The oft uttered curse/jinx of every good idea. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/utopia?src=hash">#utopia</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/508774875792539648">September 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Josh is a jerk of a drunk. I think the rest of the group needs to monitor his alcohol intake if he isn't thrown out already. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/utopia?src=hash">#utopia</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/508779563061891072">September 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/inmyutopia?src=hash">#inmyutopia</a> criminal justice would be tribunal as in: witnesses then defendant testify, and jury without their presence. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/utopia?src=hash">#utopia</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/508783683088560128">September 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
I've never heard of a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chickentractor?src=hash">#chickentractor</a> before. But now, because of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/utopia?src=hash">#utopia</a>, i want one for a friend of the family! <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBloggess">@thebloggess</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/status/508788001145888771">September 8, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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And I do
believe that this is interesting enough, but they're not done yet; I have some
ideas that they should implement with their rules and practices and stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Π<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Anyone
who breaks a rule or something to the point where it pisses the others off
should spend the next 24 hours shoveling manure and sleeping with the cows that
night, if it's a minor offense. Major
offenses or repeat offenders should be ejected from the society.<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Π<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Court
is a good idea: let the offender and 3 to 5 witnesses give their testimonies,
and then have them go out and wait for the verdict that will be decided amongst
the rest of the Pioneers. Punishments
must also be determined during deliberations.
(Manure shoveling should be a punishment!)<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Π<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Get
a full on bull or something, a cow that can help the female cows make little
calves, which results in better yield for milk!
Same with a rooster for the chickens; animals don't live forever!</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/8081990400/hDCCC718D/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="203" src="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/8081990400/hDCCC718D/" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Π<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Get
some sheep and a ram, as well as a couple of goats so that the wool can be sheared
off, carded, spun into yarn and used to make clothing that they can sell online
for more money or to replace torn or lost clothing. Also get a loom, so you can weave together
sheets and blankets for the cold winter months, and knitting needles for
scarves and hats and stuff; knitting and weaving aren't hard to learn, but it's
fun to do and it boosts self-esteem.<br />
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<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Π<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->If Amanda gives birth inside the grounds, let a certified midwife come and help
out with delivery in the barn with sheets hanging around them and almost
everyone else waiting outside, then get Amanda and the baby off to the damn
hospital to get them both examined <b><i>just in case</i></b>. Medicine is not optional; people in colonies
like Plymouth and Salem and Johnstown did get sick and die from illnesses and
childbirth and whatnot, and we don't need a Utopia that is quarantined with CDC
officials milling around in Hazmat suits just because someone believes that
they shouldn't get vaccinated. (Also,
get someone to come by and give vaccinations.
Pioneers who are vaxxers don't have to get them as they can suffer the
fucking consequences of their "decision", but not everyone is a
vaxxer. VACCINATE!)<br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Π<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Don't
shy away from Twitter; we (Utopians, aka fans of Utopia) love communicating
with you, and should be able to give feedback when asked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At least,
that's what <b><i>my</i></b> perfect society <b><i>should</i></b> be doing.
That and making thrones for me.
:P<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/24/3d/39/243d3951f70d624a56f5802477d34be5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/24/3d/39/243d3951f70d624a56f5802477d34be5.jpg" /></a> Anyways,
the idea is audacious (so is building a colony on Mars), but it should be
interesting to see what does and does not work for creating a perfect
society. At least then, I can get to
work on building my colony for when the zombie apocalypse comes; so far, all I
can come up with is either live in Antarctica or on one of the rocky Aleutian
islands off Alaska, or to move in with Bigfoot and Chewbacca.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unsure how
many Dalek plungers out of 5 to rate this show, because the jury is still out
on how many should be awarded. But it <b><i>is</i></b>
something to be checked out. I shall
continue to watch until I get bored!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Until then,
<b><i>ENJOY YOUR PERFECT TACQUITO!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://catplanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Togther-we-march-to-utopia-240x240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://catplanet.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Togther-we-march-to-utopia-240x240.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Perfection is
overrated. I still strive for it,
though, because it makes sense to me." — myself</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>***<a href="http://www.utopiatv.com/about" target="_blank">Utopia</a> airs on FOX on Tuesdays at 8pm EDT and Fridays at 9pm EDT. Live streaming is available on the website at <a href="http://www.utopiatv.com/home" target="_blank">http://www.utopiatv.com/home</a> and requires a "passport" for people to vote for new members and view videos and live streams.***</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
UPDATE: After about two months, Fox cancelled Utopia, due to low ratings. Which is sad.....<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
RIP Utopia (2014-2014)</div>
</div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-49406539398979846702014-08-26T16:41:00.000-07:002014-09-16T14:48:12.245-07:00The Twelfth Hour Tolls: A Review of "Deep Breath," Capaldi's First Full Episode as the Doctor<div class="MsoNormal">
If you're
reading this, you might've guessed that I was just scrambling into my seat at
the computer, cracking my knuckles, warming up my plunger and whisk, and
started engaging in furious writing, eager to share my thoughts, theories and
reactions to a new face taking up the role of our most famous and beloved alien
time traveler. And for that, I have
brought you <a href="http://youtu.be/UrjfQzm480U" target="_blank">the Rogue Dubstep remix of "Clocks" by Coldplay</a> as the <b><i>optional</i></b> theme song for
this review!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Once again,
our beloved Gallifreyan time-traveling (formerly raggedy) madman Doctor has
regenerated, leaving us floundering in painful tears as we try latching upon
ANY REASON to love the new "Clock Doc" (as I like to call him)! And after the few episodes of stale writing
left us with a thirst for fresher excitement of the Doctor's adventures, it
seemed that we were in need of a new face to refresh the flavor of the series. Obviously, they went with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0134922/" target="_blank">Peter Capaldi</a> (who
himself is a Whovian—THANK GOODNESS! No
need to trust someone who's a stranger to the tales of the Whoniverse!), not
because he would be good over the long run, but because they just needed to go
in a different direction: a worn-down alien whose been a little reset with a face
recalled from his Tennant days in ancient Pompeii and a Scottish accent with
angry eyebrows! Not to mention that I'm pretty sure new
memes were born that night!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Which
brings me to my first point:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
The Theatrical Entrance of the Two Temporal Travelers</h3>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Only on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoctorWho?src=hash">#DoctorWho</a> can a T-Rex be choking on a TARDIS! However it looks great! Someone must've roped in Spielberg! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/afterwho?src=hash">#afterwho</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/doctorwho?src=hash">#doctorwho</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/statuses/503336969544683521">August 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://cdn.fashionablygeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/t-rex-tardis.jpg?22a92a" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.fashionablygeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/t-rex-tardis.jpg?22a92a" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
A Tyrannosaurus
Rex in Victorian England choking on the TARDIS….. Finally, the writer(s) redeemed themselves at
Whovian storytelling! Because nowhere
else can there be such an entrance!
NOWHERE! <b><i> DO YOU HEAR/READ ME,
NETWORK TELEVISION?!</i></b> <b><i><u>NOWHERE!!!!!</u></i></b> *plungersmacks self* Sorry, a little ranty, a lot squirrelly during drafting (especially since Fox is doing "Gracepoint," the
bastardized/Americanized version of Broadchurch that is apparently what
mainstream America is allergic to, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!). But this introduction and quite a few funny
moments really make up for the floppiness in the last Christmas episode, The
Time of the Doctor (which I was able to tolerate watching again, noticing a few
references to previous Doctors that I haven't seen before).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Secondly…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Character Analysis: The WHO in "Doctor Who"</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Shuddup, critics!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/files/2014/01/doctor_who_peter_capaldi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/files/2014/01/doctor_who_peter_capaldi.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
The new
Doctor is definitely a little more callous, a bit more insensitive and definitely
less relatable in an alien kind of way, like, "I'm an ALIEN, with
non-ginger kidneys!" Lots of memories
seem to have faded from his mind, and he is less cuddly. He is a little more angry, and he's got the
eyebrows to match! To me, in that scene
in the "escape pod," which turns out to be—SPOILER ALERT!—a skin
balloon, he also seems to be a wee bit a of a drinker; I have very few memories,
in my time of being a new-gen Whovian ("new-gen" meaning having come
into the Whovian "fandom"—hate that word—during the series reboot), of
seeing the Doctor with a glass of anything alcoholic ON SCREEN! Anyways, he seems to dislike the human race
quite a bit, much like Eccleston's Doctor (number 9), according to Diane (found
on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/DiHard11" target="_blank">@DiHard11</a>). Capaldi also
seems to have difficulty expressing that whole manic, hyper, young, rapid
thinking Smith's Doc (#11) had. He <b><i>is</i></b>
HAWT in that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Butler" target="_blank">Kuroshitsuji</a>-esque-butler-looking-but-still-an-outfit-that-can-stand-on-its-own suit ensemble, but
another downside (despite the non-ginger kidneys) is that he's a spitter. YUCK!
I <b><i>hate</i></b> that, I just do; in fact, going to one of the worst case
scenarios, hawking a "loogie" makes me gag, having suffered through
seeing many in high school water fountains and hearing the sound over and over
again. *shudders* #HighSchoolNightmares<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131129061808/tardis/images/2/2c/Clara_Oswald_The_Day_of_The_Doctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131129061808/tardis/images/2/2c/Clara_Oswald_The_Day_of_The_Doctor.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
As for the
companion, Clara is still clever, able to think on her feet (or horizontally on
her back/front/either side), but the usually sassy confidence was definitely
shaken with the change of face and personality.
It was obvious in the beginning, and certainly towards the end, but we were
<b><i>all</i></b>
going through that, enduring the <a href="http://i.imgur.com/wrxZeW5.jpg" target="_blank">Whovian's Cycle of Regeneration Reaction</a>. And I can relate to that; in fact, in the
aftershow After Who Live, hosted by Chris Hardwick (Wow, is <b><i>this</i></b>
the reason for the @midnight hiatus? Answer: NO.), a few celebrity guests (specifically,
Wil Wheaton, Alton Brown, Mark Gatiss, et al.) discussed how the companion can
be expressing the same emotions we were feeling, which is true: the companion
is the audience's avatar in the Whoniverse, albeit one we can't control all the
time unless it's in fanfiction written to satisfy our inner desires. (*eyebrow waggle*) But Clara still delivered her usual
Impossible Girl charisma, talents and skills, looking hawt in Victorian era
clothing and delivering a kind of emotionally fueled banter, reflecting our
thoughts of "Who is he now?"
(She could be a Bond Girl!
Somebody, please! Contact Time
Lord 007 and inform him of this!) It <b><i>is</i></b>
a shame, though, that Jenna Louise-Coleman will be leaving the series by
Christmastime, which begs the question: how will she leave? Will she be killed off, like all her other
selves? Or will she be disembarking at
her final destination, with the possibility of a return during some sort of
huge epic special episode like Martha Jones and Rose Tyler? This discussion must be held!<o:p></o:p></div>
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With these
two paired up, and aided by Madame Vastra, her wife Jenny, and Strax (the
potato clone with a craving for war and battles and glory, LIKE A POTATO
KLINGON!), they were able to provide the core of the episode, the A(liens)-Team
that were able to fight what's wrong.
They also were able to provide a LOT of hilarious moments and new
memes! I believe some were tweeted
about….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Planet of the Pudding Brains! Great for a tshirt! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CREATE?src=hash">#CREATE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/doctorwho?src=hash">#doctorwho</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DiHard11">@dihard11</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EducatorDalek">@educatordalek</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NotGayDalek">@notgaydalek</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/statuses/503341481344909312">August 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
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So New <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoctorWho?src=hash">#DoctorWho</a> episode was actually pretty great! I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Anyone else catch it?<br />
— Renelly (@NellyMorel) <a href="https://twitter.com/NellyMorel/statuses/504042180692815872">August 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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12 misses Amy...interesting. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeepBreath?src=hash">#DeepBreath</a><br />
— -Di.☯ DiHardPodcast (@DiHard11) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiHard11/statuses/503349436412882946">August 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Harvesting parts! Yes it's from The Girl in the Fireplace! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeepBreath?src=hash">#DeepBreath</a> I was wondering about that!<br />
— -Di.☯ DiHardPodcast (@DiHard11) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiHard11/statuses/503349759227478016">August 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
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"I'm right here. Standing in front of you. Please. Just... Just see me."
I may have been crying at this point. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoctorWho?src=hash">#DoctorWho</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeepBreath?src=hash">#DeepBreath</a><br />
— Carine Brunet (@crazypandaninja) <a href="https://twitter.com/crazypandaninja/statuses/504041334312030208">August 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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The numbers are in...and the 12th Doctor is IN: <a href="http://t.co/9H24a4HAvY">http://t.co/9H24a4HAvY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoctorWho?src=hash">#DoctorWho</a><br />
— Sci-Fi Storm (@scifistorm) <a href="https://twitter.com/scifistorm/statuses/504039737925971969">August 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I loved the term "Planet of the Pudding Brains,"
especially since it could make a GREAT t-shirt!
And the moments with Vastra knocking out the Clock Doc in that way,
Strax doing the whole "here's some 'clean' water," and medical
examination thing, as well as knocking out Clara with the newspaper and going
through the whole "dip him in acid" bit—all that had me cracking up,
laughing so hard (much like Phil "Bad Astronomer" Plait did that one time....) that I was worried I was going to
wake up my neighbors! I can't watch it
again and again without laughing!<o:p></o:p></div>
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And,
finally….<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Plot—TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD, But Not Really…..</h3>
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The plot
actually works: grand, hilarious entrance and whole identity crisis, mixed
together with the issue of clockwork androids that remind you of Girl In the
Fireplace, and the base consisting of the audience waiting for the "I am
the Doctor," moment just seems to make it work well like a
thoroughly-blended smoothie. Or
perfect-thickness milkshake—I say milkshake, because I like milkshakes better;
it's just a matter of preference, I say!
Not to mention the well-done scenes of Clara struggling to hold her
breath and passing out, the flashbacks, the lead clock-droid, any other scenes
you may like—this one is for the "Excellent Episodes" pile,
especially with the new TARDIS interior!
I didn't notice the new windows and I'm pretty sure that the TARDIS is
sporting a fresher coat of blue paint, but there are <b><i>new</i></b> round things inside
(YAY, ROUND THINGS!), and a library area in the main control room, with more
seats throughout! MOAR YAYS, BUT FOR
SEATS! Though, I might add complaints
from others such as my parents (classic Whovians, from the Tom Baker era) and
Reppy the Republican Dalek, as well as the Deviants in Deviant Art's Devart
chat later on after initially posting this review.<o:p></o:p></div>
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However,
questions abound with SPOILERS! First of
all, where the hell is that "promised land," looking a hell of a lot
like MY Garden? Is it part of the
TARDIS? And who is this Missy
chick? I can totally get an Evil vibe
from her (even though she's a fictional character; yes, I know, Dad.), but the
ethics (Lawful/Neutral/Chaotic) axis is questionable. There may be an underlying motive for it, and
the brief disappearance of the Doctor after the initial conflict raises even
more questions, which doesn't help his alibi in regards to this new problem. I think my current (at the time of publishing
this blog post) theory for this story arc can be best expressed in my tweet:<o:p></o:p></div>
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It looks like the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/clockdoc?src=hash">#clockdoc</a> has more secrets than we thought. Missy = playful immoral TARDIS? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/afterwho?src=hash">#afterwho</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/skinballoon?src=hash">#skinballoon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/doctorwho?src=hash">#doctorwho</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wholockplz?src=hash">#wholockplz</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/statuses/503390306230755328">August 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
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And <b><i>I loved seeing that familiar face at the
end!!!!</i></b> It helped make that
transition easier on us Whovians! Well,
me definitely; others probably want to speak for themselves. And when that took place, I could, then, see
the previous Doctor in the Clock Doc!
That was quite helpful, and <b><i>I loved it</i></b>; I hope this happens
again in the future regenerations of Doctor Who! I also loved After Who Live! I hope it continues throughout the season;
especially since I can see how much of a workaholic Hardwick is—yet another
project to add to his pile: @midnight, Nerdist Industries and Podcast, All Star
Bowling, and Talking Dead, to name a few.
I think he needs to be strapped down, sedated a wee bit, and given a
massage! IT'S NOT A KIDNAPPING BUT AN INTERVENTION,
HARDWICK, BECAUSE ALL OUR POINTS ARE BELONG TO YOU!<o:p></o:p></div>
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All in all,
4.5 plungers/TARDISes/sonic screwdrivers/Doctors out of 5! And I hope that the accessory hand thing
takes off like Doc Five's accessory celery.
These clockwork droids, along with Missy (and Miss Tasha Lem, Mother
Superious of the Church of the Papal Mainframe/Church of Silence), would make
GREAT costumes for a Doctor Who cosplay event that is going to take place October 2014 in Bethlehem, PA (which is within my sector). There are going to be cosplay groups coming
from ALL OVER just for this event! One
of the main sponsors is one of my frequent haunts: <a href="http://www.undergroundlairtoys.com/pages/frontpage" target="_blank">The Underground Lair</a>, the
nerdshop that has "vintage" toys, items that the Santa Time Lord
never gifted to you for Christmas in your childhood, games galore, Whovian
merchandise and items that were crafted by local residents (whose species have
yet to be determined), Potter-things, gay-pride items (all for you,
NotGayDalek!), and other items that are for sale for a great price! They are willing to purchase toys you want to
get rid of or help you sell them for a certain percent of the price! (They are <b><i>not</i></b> a pawn shop,
therefore they will <b><i>not</i></b> haggle over the price they are willing to pay. Don't even try; Dan told me so himself.) I plan on being there, taking pictures and
doing coverage for the blog and stuffs, but YOU SHOULD TRANSMAT OVER AND BE
THERE, TOO! Your attendance is required
by the Sontaran-Dalek Alliance! Let's
make the streets of Bethlehem, PA, <b><i>bleed <span style="color: #3d85c6;">TARDIS BLUE</span></i></b>! <b><i>MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!</i></b> (For the record, it wasn't <b><i>my</i></b>
idea, but I do like it and am allowing it to happen!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways, I hope the improvements continue (despite
the oddly different intro sequence; that's the reason why I call Capaldi's doc
the Clock Doc; I mean, come on! I loved
the old smoky sort of timey-wimey wormhole temporal vortex! But why have the intro focus on clocks? It makes no sense to me at all! But now's not the time to rant about it…),
because I shall be a Whovian until I am nothing but a timeline in my giant
TARDIS-tomb on Trenzalore! And with
that, in the present, Non-Greenwich meantime, I hope you enjoy your regenerated
tacquitos! Because they're Scottish with
non-ginger kidneys in need of our love!<o:p></o:p><br />
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P.S. The following
tweet MUST BE EXPRESSED! And retweeted
and overshared! BEHOLD!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope that the sentences, "You redecorated! I don't like it," becomes a running joke amongst us Whovians! Let's keep it going! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoctorWho?src=hash">#DoctorWho</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/statuses/503469400733650944">August 24, 2014</a></blockquote>
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P.P.S. Where can I
get one of those Team Adipose t-shirts?
I must acquire one straight away!
MY DEAR OOD! I have a quest for
you, and you must embark on it immediately for it to be completed (with
autographs) in time for Christmas/my birthday!...... *zooms off on hoverbike*<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-13961120485376601682014-08-13T15:40:00.000-07:002014-08-13T15:40:43.987-07:00Confessions of the Tortured Artist: Why Depression Really Matters<div class="MsoNormal">
Greetings,
readers, with a somber and hollow voice full of sadness. I understand that you are eager to see what I
have to say about Musikfest 2014, but the sharing of Festy fun must wait out of
respect for a comedic icon. Fear not, I
will share my adventures, but not this week.
This week is all about losing people to the act of suicide after they
fall prey to the lies that depression tells us all. Which is why I put together this <b><i>optional</i></b>
<a href="http://youtu.be/Q2lkgh318Q4?list=PLRl7EBZ09Vx0_waunveIEtQx9V3dILPZG" target="_blank">"Depression Lies" playlist</a> (which has Blink-182 in it; my apologies
to all the haters and hipsters who are rolling up their sleeves and cracking
their knuckles to write scathing comments about my choice in music, even though
"Adam's Song" does seem to reflect the suicidal thinking. If you really don't like it at all, JUST HIT
THE NEXT BUTTON!!! Just don't say that I
didn't warn you.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm sure that
if you've been watching television yesterday afternoon/evening (August 11th,
2014, a day during which I was doing a bunch of appointment stuff), you may
seen/heard a really heart-wrenching headline regarding a beloved comedian,
artist and human being:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/11/showbiz/robin-williams-dead/index.html?iid=article_sidebar" target="_blank">After a long battle withdepression and addiction, Robin Williams was found dead from what a representative of the family reports as apparent suicide by asphyxiation.</a><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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I kid you
not, this is seriously some sad news, especially regarding someone many comedians
and entertainers look up to. I <b><i>enjoyed</i></b>
the entertainment he provided, and there has been a time when I'd be snorting
with laughter at the blooper reel of movies he was in; I think it should be
said that he just wasn't <b><i>in</i></b> blooper reels, as he <b><i>was</i></b>
a living gag reel. He'd joke a lot, just
to make people smile and be silly. And
it wasn't until his passing and the initial release of information regarding
his cause of death that many of us realized how truly human he actually was,
and how much depth he truly has. He
didn't just act all "crazy" to get laughs out of us, but rather to <b><i>make</i></b>
us laugh and forget about the pain we were feeling deep inside. Robin Williams wasn't so much a comedic fool
as he was an empathetic human who understood the pain of humanity and wanted to
help make living less painful.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I believe
that the first time I saw him on screen was when he was playing that
absentminded professor in the movie <i><u><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119137/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Flubber</a></u></i>. He was pretty good in that movie, but his
comedy really blossomed in movies such as <i><u><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0483726/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Man of the Year</a></u></i>, and in interviews with people on television, which are as
unpredictable as the weather! He was
much like Jenny Lawson without the anxiety and tendency to seem really awkward
and weird (which many of us have), as he has let people see the wounds he was
trying to heal, while still giving that air of "I'm okay, let's laugh
about it." He had an excellent
sense of humor, providing a different, more positive light on serious matters,
which allowed those issues to become more approachable. (His IMDB page: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000245/?ref_=tt_ov_st">http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000245/?ref_=tt_ov_st</a>) </div>
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Robin
Williams, you made us laugh so hard we must've snorted so loudly bacon came out
of our noses! And I thank you for not
only being unafraid of having an excellent sense of humor, but also for being
so human in seeing our need to laugh and providing that reason that allows us
to do so. We love you and will miss you
deeply. Keep God laughing up there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Depression and Its Endgame</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p> The death
of Robin Williams (which I never really expected to be tertiary witness to as
he seemed immortal and unshaken to many) really has <a href="http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2014/08/12/was-robin-williams-heart-surgery-a-factor-in-his-depression/?iref=storysearch" target="_blank">helped spark a discussion</a>
that requires a need to help people realize that A.) depression is a real
medical/neurological problem and must be treated as such, and B.) depression,
suicide and mood disorders must have that stigma removed, that stigma that says
something's <b><i>wrong</i></b> with people who have it and everyone should avoid talking
about it like I-can't-say-anything-because-people-will-shy-away-from-me. It's something that <b><i>cannot</i></b> get better when
left alone; it's <b><i>not</i></b> just an emotional phase people go through, so "Cheer
up," ain't helping even jack shit; it's something serious that can lead to
physical problems such as obesity, heart disease, etc., which is why it <b><i>shouldn't
</i></b>be ignored; and <b><i>nobody can go through it alone</i></b>.</div>
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I, too,
live with depression, which seems to enjoy having a fucked-up bullying hoedown
with anxiety as its dance partner deep inside my brain for some reason. It sucks that I have it; I'd rather not be
subjected to the world having an overlying shade of blue to it, but it allows
me to understand the darker side of life.
Having an anchor (or fifty-two) outside of myself really helps keep me
from being down in the dumps: I'm not alone, people care about me and they <b><i>are</i></b>
trying to help me. In fact, with
treatment, I'm able to get past that feeling of "THE WORLD IS ENDING
BECAUSE I MISSED A THERAPY APPOINTMENT!" with the help of both my
psychiatrist and my therapist, the latter being a brilliant witch doctor (read:
psychologist) who is also a Whovian and a nerd.
I'm also fortunate to say that I have been able to bounce back from that
point where even I have thought about taking my own life. (At this point, it's not serious; I have not
made plans, I have not written a suicide note.
It doesn't mean that it won't <b><i>ever</i></b> happen, but the likelihood of
it happening is <b><i><u>very low</u></i></b>.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span id="goog_1798243680"></span><span id="goog_1798243681"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> Now for an
even tougher subject to chew on: suicide.
Taking one's own life out of desperation to escape the pain that people
have been subjected to is not a selfish act.
Sure, it may seem selfish to many people (ahem…. <b><i>Nick Groff of Ghost Adventures</i></b>
and <b><i>Eric/Terial
from Second Life</i></b>), but a large percentage of suicide victims <b><i>completed</i></b>
this painful act ("committed" makes it sound like it's a crime)
because it seems to be the only answer left; people should keep in mind that
these aren't people going "I'm
going to end it all just to spite these motherfuckers," (which is a really
small percentage—I doubt that such a group exists but I'm sure it does.) or
"You'll never be able to punish me!" (which is a visibly larger
percentage than the "spite these motherfuckers" group) but are really
people drowning inside of their own emotions, being overwhelmed with sadness,
fear, anxiety and are just feeling hopeless and left with no other way out through
the fog that clouds our minds. People
attempting suicide should still be approached cautiously by professionals (like
<b><i>cops</i></b>
and <b><i>firefighters</i></b>
and <b><i>licensed
medical professionals</i></b>) because they might be so desperate that they
would wind up hurting/killing others just to achieve their goals. But they need support, they need people to be
there for them, rather than being abandoned because their actions pissed you
off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Suicide is
a real problem (as is self-injury).
Cyberbullying and bullying is one indirect cause of it as this activity
can trigger depression; this pattern exists and it <b><i>must be addressed</i></b>. Another point to make is that it's a <b><i>real
problem</i></b>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_in_Japan" target="_blank">especially in Japan</a> (sorry, Japanese readers), where it got to
the point where the word "suicide" is very taboo in the land of
samurai and ninjas, which is why they refer to it as "human
incident". It's practically an
epidemic over there and the Japanese government is doing whatever it takes to
solve the problem, with measures that include training officers, medics and
even Shinjuku station employees in such matters. And yet, people are still throwing themselves
into Mt. Fujiyama or completing such an act in the Hanging Forest (which Josh
Gates and his crew from Destination Truth actually investigated for possible
paranormal activity). The Japanese sees
it as a problem for sure; why can't the Americans? It shouldn't be an epidemic to be addressed!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
There's Still a Ray of Light In This Darkness</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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There <b><i>is</i></b>
help available for people suffering from depression (and/or anxiety), and there
<b><i>is</i></b>
a way out of the really dark corners of life.
For one, please: <b><i>reach out for help</i></b>. Say, "Everything hurts and I need
help," over and over in the best way you know how until someone
listens. Talk to someone you trust, like
your parents or siblings or a neighbor or a religious/faith leader; let them
know you need help. I can say I'm
extremely sure that they are more than willing to help you; if not, find
someone else; keep looking until someone takes you seriously.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Another
couple of points to keep in mind is that <b><i>you're not alone</i></b> in this war and
that <b><i>DEPRESSION
IS A MOTHERFUCKING LIAR!!!!</i></b> It
tells you that you are worthless, incapable of handling and solving problems, that
there is nothing to live for. <b><u>DON'T BELIEVE WHATEVER IT TELLS YOU!</u></b> It's the cyberbully that lives in your head
and thrives on hopelessness. In fact,
that idea—"Depression lies"—is one of the many mottos Jenny "The
Bloggess" Lawson has, as she <a href="http://thebloggess.com/" target="_blank">shares her own inner struggles on her blog</a>
(which you should read and bookmark and subscribe to and stuffs because it's <b><i>awesomes</i></b>!). It's become such a rallying call that many of
her fans who relate to her battles with depression use it in their tweets as a
hashtag, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23DepressionLies&src=tyah" target="_blank">#DepressionLies</a>. I've used it
myself, and in the process, got connected to such a sweetheart on Twitter;
thanks for connecting with me, <a href="https://twitter.com/kheliwud" target="_blank">@kheliwud</a>!
I look forward to many conversations with you in the future!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> And you are an angel! Thx for the concern, its nice to be part of the tribe!<br />
— kelly wood (@kheliwud) <a href="https://twitter.com/kheliwud/statuses/497026998016151552">August 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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If you <b><i>are</i></b>
going through a mental health emergency, however, call 911 (or if you're in
another country, contact the appropriate emergency responders) and reach out to
someone. It may be rough at first, but
it will get better.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just put
down the knife/gun/rope/pills/car keys, dear, <b><i>so that</i></b> no one will get
hurt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Suicide Prevention Internet Resources</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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~~ <a href="http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/" target="_blank">Suicide Prevention Hotline</a>: 1-800-273-8255 (US and Canada)<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
~~ Australia: <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank">https://www.lifeline.org.au/</a><br />
<br />
~~ UK: <a href="http://www.samaritans.org/">http://www.samaritans.org/</a><br />
<br />
~~ Bangladesh: <a href="http://www.shuni.org/en.php">http://www.shuni.org/en.php</a><br />
<br />
~~ CDC on Depression: <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/basics/mental-illness/depression.htm" target="_blank">http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/basics/mental-illness/depression.htm</a><br />
<br />
~~ Mayo Clinic on Depression: <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/definition/con-20032977" target="_blank">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/definition/con-20032977</a></div>
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<b><i>If
it's an immediate emergency, call 911 or the appropriate emergency responders!!!!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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P.S. One tip to get
through less intense days (as in days where you're <b><i>not</i></b> in need of a
permanent exit) is to construct a "Good Things list" and list the
things in life that are positive in your life; it can be as simple as "I'M
ALIVE" and "I'M OKAY" and "I did the dishes today,"
and "I finished my to-do list with time to spare!" and "I had
fun changing the baby's diaper and now we're both laughing in the living room!" I did it and it helps me have a buffer
against the lower levels of that Pit of Despair many of us are stuck inside of,
which is much like being in the Pit of Sarlacc only you don't get digested over
thousands of years but rather just feel like you're losing more and more hope
the deeper into the pit you go—and the Pit of Despair has a rope available for
climbing out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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P.P.S. I'd like to
start a campaign on Twitter and Facebook and Google+ to get the hashtag
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23DepressionLies&src=tyah" target="_blank">#DepressionLies</a> trending nationwide alongside Robin Williams. It's time to get people to start talking,
connecting and supporting each other. We
don't <b><i>have</i></b> to fight our battles alone; it's a lot easier for someone
to fight depression alongside you. LET'S
GET THIS TOPIC TRENDING NOW!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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P.P.P.S. When in
doubt, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=762663947091266" target="_blank">CATS!!!!!!</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.deviantart.com/?q=Robin+Williams" target="_blank">May RobinWilliams enjoy his hilarious tacquito in the afterlife in peace.</a> ♥<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-82570267121609793642014-07-26T13:49:00.000-07:002014-07-26T13:49:37.171-07:00The Unofficial Musikfest Survival Guide 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
Greetings,
readers and newcomers! If you're reading
this, it's probably because you're either a regular reader or you're someone
planning on attending Musikfest for any length of time (the whole Loki-damn festival
runs annually; in 2014, it's from August 1st to August 10th). Being a slightly experienced Musikfest
attendee (Shut up, Spellcheck!), I figured
I should give tips on how to survive it.
Just keep in mind that these tips will not help you in the event of
zombie outbreak/riot/Dalek invasion/Cybermen invasion/Sontaran invasion/any
other alien invasion/a beloved superhero going rogue/dragon attack/vampire
attack/werewolf attack/<a href="http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Empire" target="_blank">Empire</a> conquest/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99942_Apophis" target="_blank">asteroid Apophis</a> striking the immediate
area/the Apocalypse (or Ragnarok if you prefer it that way).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Also, I
suggest you take these suggestions to heart so that you may further enjoy Musikfest without having some locals hate you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways, shall we begin or shall I continue to chatter the
beginning away in silence? Your optional
blog post theme song for today is <a href="http://youtu.be/hXIxJa_lZOo" target="_blank">Deus Ex Human Revolution remix by defibrillator .music</a>!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/hXIxJa_lZOo?hl=en_US&version=3"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
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<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/hXIxJa_lZOo?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Beverages</h3>
<o:p></o:p><br />
Yes, <b><i>there
will be booze among the drinks offered at the festival</i></b>. Which brings me to the tips under this category:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://38.media.tumblr.com/95cbe7fc3878251ff274a0083f8f812c/tumblr_mzxs89w3iJ1t5dus5o4_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/95cbe7fc3878251ff274a0083f8f812c/tumblr_mzxs89w3iJ1t5dus5o4_1280.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
1.) Do not drink more than you can handle, so long as you're
of age. If you're underage, you should
A.) stop reading this (because this is an R-Rated blog; believe me, I can see
you, you chain-smoking hipster teen who's still in high school and totally
under 18 years old), and B.) consider either water or soft drinks. Because drinking illegally will only give you
not only glares from me but also the likelihood of police involvement.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I should mention that even I take this to heart. So you should, too; you don't want to wind up
like <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-strange-incident-with-drunk-regular.html" target="_blank">the former regular who was banned from the Underground Lair</a>, do you?<o:p></o:p></div>
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2.) The Musikfest Mugs are available each year, refillable,
for use of consuming alcohol (usually), and it will cost you more than a
regular-size drink. And unless you are
interested in collecting the different mugs, as the designs on the outside
change from year to year, you <b><i>do not</i></b> have to buy one each year that you
come! It has been my experience that
mugs from previous years are also allowed to be filled with your drink of
choice. Just heed rule #1, please!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I <b><i>have</i></b>
purchased one myself and used it for alcoholic beverages; that's how I found
out that <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2014/03/hooked-when-addiction-enters-your-life.html" target="_blank">my limit is 24-oz. of non-tequila mixed drink</a>. (I don't like many of
the beers. I've tried and tried, wound
up mismatching the beer to the food, and at this point, I'm on the verge of
giving up.) If I do opt to drink a 24-oz
<a href="http://www.drinksmixer.com/drinkb1c6388.html" target="_blank">sonic screwdriver</a> or a 24-oz. Drunk Arnold Palmer (take the iced tea-lemonade
mixture, spike it with vodka), I (as everyone should) will be careful with it,
by eating before-hand, watching my pace, etc.
I do not want to wind up calling someone up and saying, "I'm
drinking lots of water," three times in the same conversation again. (Sorry, sis!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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3.) Keep hydrated!
Specifically not with outside water!
There are bottles of water available, as well as soft drinks and
what-not at particular stalls at the festival, and
beer/vodka/insert-liquor-of-choice-here does NOT hydrate you. You'll just wind up passed out way before
bedtime on the festival grounds with people staring at you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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4.) I don't think the ghost-kind-of spirits (as well as the
living caretakers) of God's Acre and Nisky Hill Cemetery will appreciate the
drunken debauchery on their graves.
Please avoid drinking, pissing, crapping, vomiting, polluting, and
passing out in these locations, <b><i>LEST THOU AND THY FAMILY BE CURSED!!!</i></b> (I am neither liable nor responsible for any
actual applications of curses. If you <b><i>do</i></b>
get cursed, the onus falls on you for failing to apply common sense and
self-restraint. And no, I don't know
where your car is; stop asking me.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Transportation</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> I shit you
not, transportation (whether it's by vehicle or on foot) is always a problem at
Musikfest! And I hope to everything that
people attending will be more careful this year! Especially if you share this blog post....</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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5.) The rules of the road always apply, even if there is a
festival going on! Seriously, I know you
have places to go, alcohol (or other beverages) to drink, sights to see, etc,
but it doesn't mean that you can just ignore the <b><u>NO TURN ON RED</u></b> signs that are basically at EVERY
intersection that's there! Believe me, I
<a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2013/10/an-open-letter-to-all-bad-drivers.html" target="_blank">almost got run over because of people not paying attention to road signs andchoosing to be bad drivers</a>! Just fucking
pay attention! Also, pedestrians, there <b><i>are</i></b>
crosswalks with crossing signals that have <b><i>buttons</i></b> you can push! I strongly suggest that you use them! Because *rumor voice* <i>I hear that the city will start implementing jaywalking laws on August
1st; the people from California know what I'm talking about</i>…. >:3<o:p></o:p></div>
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6.) MIND THE TRAFFIC!
The usual complaints from the locals is how bad the traffic is, and I
can see how bad it can get! So follow
rule #5, please! So people (like me)
don't get hurt! Which will bring
ambulances around which will make traffic even <b><i>worse</i></b>!!! So just be aware of pedestrians, bikers, flying saucers, Godzilla, other drivers, buses, etc!<o:p></o:p></div>
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7.) There <b><i>will</i></b> be tons of parking issues during
Musikfest. Seriously, there are lots
that are either pay-to-park (expensive) or <b><i>off-limits!!!!</i></b> Seriously, "Residents Only"
actually does mean "<b><i>OFF LIMITS</i></b>"!!!! Unless you <b><i>like</i></b> getting your car
towed at your expense…. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-----There <b><i>will</i></b> be special bus routes available for certain
locations, and that will allow you to park your car for cheaper than $20 per
day. Which brings me to an actual
tip: Park at the Westgate Mall and then
ride the <a href="http://www.lantabus.com/" target="_blank">LANTA bus</a> ($2 USD one-way; $4 USD day pass; availability limited to
schedules; ask bus driver for details) to and from the festival.<o:p></o:p></div>
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8.) Please, please, please, please, <b><i>PLEASE</i></b> do not walk
through apartment building parking lots (or the apartment buildings themselves)
to get someplace! I don't care how late
it is or how drunk you are, it's still a huge security risk: people can get
hurt, residents don't know who is going to try stealing their cars, and you'll
wake people up by doing that! You can
achieve the same effect of getting to where you want to go by going <b><i>around</i></b>
the parking lot and <b><i>not through it</i></b>! Yes,
it's tiring, but it's good exercise: not only physically but also in respect
for property owners and residents alike!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Other Tips Fest-Goers Should Be Aware Of</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These are the tips I did not cover in the above
categories…..</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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9.) On top of #8,
yes! I get it: You're drunk, you're
happy, you're having a good time, but the residents <b><i>don't need to</i></b> hear you
cheering and shouting like the visiting students from fucking West Virginia
University! (Bethlehem, PA, is <b><i>Marshall</i></b>
territory, because <b><i>I said so!</i></b>) Just please
keep it down so they can sleep! Everyone needs their sleep; the fest will be there tomorrow....unless it's the last day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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10.) It should go without
saying that federal, state and local laws apply, as do <a href="http://www.musikfest.org/awesome-information/festival-rules/" target="_blank">the rules for Musikfest</a>
(which are available in the pamphlets, on their website and on signs on festival grounds).<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
11.) Above all else, HAVE A SHIT TON OF FUN!!!! (as long as you don't piss people off) Seriously, what's the point of attending the fest if you're not there to have fun? (Well, yeah, besides being a vendor/merchant/business owner/employee/performer....)</div>
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<h3>
For More Info….</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are
asking a question about Musikfest that has nothing to do with what I covered
above, I suggest you click on <a href="http://www.musikfest.org/" target="_blank">THIS link about Musikfest</a> or try asking at one of
the information booths.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I do plan
on attending (and tweeting about it), and I hope everyone follows these
tips! If you choose not to, well, then
it's your own damn fault for someone turning into the Hulk and smashing people
and things all because you decided to press that last hot button they have.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways, I
might see you there, or I might not. In
any case, I hope you play it safe and ENJOY YOUR DRUNKEN/MUSICAL FUN
TACQUITO!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/535818_526577904067387_1323039614_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/535818_526577904067387_1323039614_n.jpg" height="395" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Apologies to ArtsQuest and the City of Bethlehem, PA, for
being ^^^<b><i>that</i></b>^^^ kind of nerdy blogger.)<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-54147252299464596462014-07-24T14:48:00.000-07:002014-07-24T14:48:57.313-07:00What the Fuck Happened?! A Long Overdue Update<div class="MsoNormal">
OOOOOOF!!!! It's been such a looong time since I last did
a blog post! The last post was probably
done in April, before I traveled over to California Dalek's sector (I'm hoping
for your sake, Cali, that it doesn't get split up into six separate states.)
and forgot to continue doing blog posts and my XP log! D: Not
to mention that afterwards, I kind of let my library fines get CRAZY and that
prevented me from doing blog posts.
Also, I borrowed wifi for a bit--until it went away. So now it's back to using the library's
CRAPPY computers again. Oh yeah,
(optional) theme music! It's going to be <a href="http://youtu.be/JKT1voP7QE4" target="_blank">AC DC - Back In Black (Jim Heinz Remix) by theMHRproject2</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/JKT1voP7QE4?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/JKT1voP7QE4?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways,
here's what happened to me during that period of time; however, it's going to
be a bunch of bullet points that I hope aren't super lengthy, so strap in…..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/28/9d/e0/289de0895e7ca5e57fa701e230631a1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/28/9d/e0/289de0895e7ca5e57fa701e230631a1a.jpg" height="320" width="265" /></a><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Π<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i>Trip
to California</i></b>—I was able to travel to California for a week and a half, visit
family, check out Disney's California Adventure (after Disney refreshed it to
help bump up the various problems with the park that helped drive away crowds),
have EXCELLENT food at restaurants I will share the review of soon, complain
about hotel accommodations, wander around the San Francisco airport, go through
Newark Airport after midnight when all the businesses are CLOSED, get my hair
trimmed by my aunt, and just enjoy my vacation burrito. Oh, and I <b><i>did</i></b> go to Meltdown Comics
(+10 Life List XP!) and be all touristy there after having a bizarre Garmin-led
adventure through these towns outside of LA, take a look at the various
populations and even see a mission while we (Dad and myself) drove by. I consider it to be quite a success. (No, Chris didn't autograph my copy of the
Nerdist Way yet because he wasn't there.
Which actually helped because I was kind of super nervous—I wasn't sure
if I wanted to <b><i>really</i></b> meet Chris and other people from Nerdist Industries,
being all anxious with my small-town fansquirrel feels. But I did enjoy going there!) Next time, I shall be successful, with
autographs and @midnight tapings that I probably could've not missed had my
father not been as discouraging as he was before the trip! Yes, Dad, I <b><i>will</i></b> make sure to get the
tickets this time; just try talking to Mom first, okay?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> </span><br />
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</div>
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Π<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <b><i> </i></b></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i>Pennsylvania
Autism Training Conference</i></b>—June 11th and 12th, I was able to attend a
conference at the Eden Resort in Lancaster, PA!
And I did it (mostly) by myself as an exhibitor in the expo part of the
conference! I was doing quite a bit of
art prior to the show in an effort to be all prepared and to sell some
pieces. Which I was able to do,
fortunately: I sold <b><i>three</i></b> framed paintings!
That's $90 USD total! Not a great
profit margin but I'm happy about that success!
I was able to meet other people who are also on the Autism spectrum and
have a good time! And it was all PAID
FOR! I didn't have to spend a single
cent on anything unless I wanted to! Not
to mention that it's a fancy hotel with suites, one of which I stayed in <b><i>by
myself</i></b>! Yeah, I got a whole
suite to myself and it was super fancy!
There was even a phone in the bathroom!
(There's a difference between fancy and swanky: fancy is like, a super
expensive hotel where you could have a wedding.
Swanky is top hats, monocles, fainting couches that are actually chaise
lounges in the ladies' restroom. And
while we're on the topic, "formal gala" is basically what you would
see at a Presidential or Royal ball: ballgowns, suits, servants in butler
uniforms (read: "suits with tails"), orchestra, etc.) Mom and Dad were not only proud of me, but so
surprised that they said they could've stayed over with me. I'm like, "But your schedules say
no!" Anyways, I'm glad I was able
to pursue going to this event. Thank you
to my Supports Coordinator, everyone who organized the conference, the Eden
Resort staff, Mom and Dad (for being SO supportive and understanding) and my
Community Inclusion peeps! As well as
the people who purchased my art! That is
one fancy/gourmet tacquito I totally enjoyed!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Π<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Personal
Stuff—I have been doing a lot lately within my life, and much of it was for the
better: I got the Adult Autism Waiver (hence the conference, Supports
Coordinator, Community Inclusion, etc.), I got to clean up my apartment, keep
it clean, be very responsible, and it really cheered up my parents! My psychiatrist was happy about all the
progress we reported to him, as is my therapist! In fact, so many good things took place that
I started making a "Good Things List" that really helps keep the mood
positive and helps counter the lies that depression tells us are true. Here's a sample:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I'M ALIVE!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I'M OKAY!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I'm making a ton of progress!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I was able to stay at a hotel in a suite by
myself--and it was paid for!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I sold three paintings with a small profit!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Mom is happier!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Parents are more supportive of my artistic and
creative pursuits!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I'm being productive!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I'm getting the supports I need!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I'm not really alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I enjoyed some nerd humor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I started having a following under not only the
name I blog with but also my secret identity!
(Major yays!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I'm a little more organized.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->There is less yelling and arguing between me and
my parents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->There is generally a good mood in the air!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->My meds work for my depression AND the anxiety I
sometimes feel.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Parents are more understanding! :D<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Assessments (for Autism Waiver) showed how many
things improved!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I have not argued with parents in at least one
month!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Problem solving skill levels are up!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I'm more attentive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">ü<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I can relax over mistakes I make. (Like missing a therapy appointment is NOT
the end of the world for me at this point!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://media.tumblr.com/fce78594b58424f6c73a22268f9c441c/tumblr_inline_mtyx322ms91r6crg9.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.tumblr.com/fce78594b58424f6c73a22268f9c441c/tumblr_inline_mtyx322ms91r6crg9.gif" /></a></div>
If you're
dealing with depression, why not do what I did?
It really helps to have something to go back to, like a list of happy
truths that can tell depression to fuck off!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course,
this is only part of the story: just recently, I discovered that at least one
of my wisdom teeth has to be removed.
The dentist couldn't do it at the office I usually go to (1.5 to 2 hour
bus ride away; 1/2 hour by car) couldn't do it so I have to go see a
specialist. I was super upset and
anxious about it, fearful even, mostly due to the fact that I will not be
conscious during the procedure (Do I even want to be?!?!?!). And I'm fearful of how I will be loopy
immediately after the procedure; however, my allies in the Twitterverse
definitely cheered me up!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> a human I knew had all 4 removed in one sitting as well as a 5th tooth. 3 arms. 2 tires. And an eye. He said it was easy.<br />
— The Magician (@IAmTheMagician) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAmTheMagician/statuses/487319028956803073">July 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/EducatorDalek">@EducatorDalek</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> I USE MINE TO BALANCE MY CASING WHEN CHASING INFERIORS.<br />
— GayAgendaDalek (@NotGayDalek) <a href="https://twitter.com/NotGayDalek/statuses/487403673975545857">July 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
<br />
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/NotGayDalek">@NotGayDalek</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EducatorDalek">@EducatorDalek</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337">@LadyEden1337</a> Better than chafing interiors, I suppose<br />
— Anarchist Dalek (@AnarchistDalek) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnarchistDalek/statuses/487404344363319296">July 11, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
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<a href="http://www.quickmeme.com/img/b4/b4a904aa23c9dfec7e5020c1a94d71f3e45f4c227987d86c3650b3cb50bdef0e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.quickmeme.com/img/b4/b4a904aa23c9dfec7e5020c1a94d71f3e45f4c227987d86c3650b3cb50bdef0e.jpg" height="320" width="284" /></a></div>
I love you
guys/gals/Daleks/other sentient races!
You totally made me laugh when I needed it and you let me know that it's
super common for people to undergo wisdom teeth removal. (Lucky Mom!
<b><i>She</i></b> doesn't have wisdom teeth so <b><i>she</i></b> doesn't have to go
through it!) And according to my
parents, the car ride home will be super fun due to the loopy phase I will be
going through; so with all of that info being fed to me through my ear holes, I
think I should just drunkenly smile and ride that dragon all the way home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Question
is, will the dragon be real, colored purple, fluent in cat, and smell like root
beer?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways, I
must prepare for the possibility that my base will be overrun with drunks due
to the 10-day presence of <a href="http://www.musikfest.org/" target="_blank">Musikfest</a>.
Yes, overrun with drunks. It's a
shame that I can't have weapons here at my residence, because if the drunks
turn into real zombies, I'm fucked. But
I might be one of those drunks anyways because I plan on going. Just look for the drunk Padawan that's
actually more sober than the rest of the people attending the festivities while
strategically avoiding the polka tent except for possibly passing through to
take one of the paths traveled a little less because foot traffic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways, I
believe this update is sufficient enough to say, "I'm sorry for
disappearing because stuff and I will be back to blogging; here's an update to
share the stuff." Now, to plot out
my Birthday/Christmas Wishlist of Awesomes (that's already a few yards long
because of ThinkGeek's Wishlist feature)…..
And I promise to try and post some blogs I drafted out already. But that's for another time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enjoy your California/Amish drunk/high tacquito!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-89174932220814662752014-03-17T16:49:00.000-07:002014-03-19T16:10:20.739-07:00Hooked: When Addiction Enters Your Life<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a
bit of a sensitive topic in a highly verbose blog post. You don't have
to read it if you feel uncomfortable about addiction, but you might want to as
addiction has about as many flavors as fear does (just google "phobias"). I know that many people are going to say,
"Bullshit! You can only be addicted
to illicit substances!" or something like that, but you have to understand
that there is a thin line between dedication to what you enjoy and addiction
that chains you to your vice. For that I
have the optional playlist of mine that I titled <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8SJggnNRI4&feature=share&list=PLRl7EBZ09Vx2msX90UweWePmwWoijQ4Yt&index=1" target="_blank">Addiction Blog Post Mix</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/b8SJggnNRI4?list=PLRl7EBZ09Vx2msX90UweWePmwWoijQ4Yt" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
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For me,
it's a touchy subject: Dad tends to say that I am "addicted" to the
Internet. And that really rubs me the
wrong way, the same way that someone says, "I can't do that because I'm
disabled," or "I'm Autistic," or "She's retarded—<b><i>stay
away from her!</i></b>" To touch a
bit on this subject: GODDAMMIT! You are
a <b><i>person</i></b>,
not a problem! What do you like? What do you want to do in life? Do you want to travel? Meet people?
Do you have dreams of doing something you've always wanted to do? Well then, fuck the "being
disabled," because you've allowed it to define who you are; you've allowed
it to own you, instead of you owning it!
Much like Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider: the curse owned him for a while,
but once the Devil said, "You are no longer my pawn," or whatever,
Johnny went, "Fuck you, I'm not your pawn!
I own this shit, it doesn't own me!" Your disability <b><i>is</i></b> a part of you, but it
shouldn't <b><i>define</i></b> you. That's why I
say that I <b><i>have</i></b> Asperger's and a hearing impairment and depression and
ADD! I'll never ever say, "I'm an
Aspie girl who is deaf and depressed and ADD." Because that's not who and what I am; I am
the Jedi warrior I make myself to be. I
want to look in the mirror and see what I want to be, not the traits I know I
have that people don't like. Yes, I put
"Aspie" in my Twitter profile, but only because I'd run out of room
otherwise! It's easy shorthand!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways,
sorry for that sideways segway into my rant about disability-and-identity. But it does irritate me how Dad says that I
am "addicted" to the Internet, because I don't like the negative
connotations; in fact, for a while I used to say, "I'm connected deeply to
the Internet," because I was hankering for the "social
interaction" from Second Life.
(Mom's way of describing it is better: I would "get lost" in
the Internet.) But then I read about
addiction in Chris Hardwick's book, <i><u>The
Nerdist Way</u></i>, that, for some reason, I can't stop referring to all the
time! (<b><i><a href="http://nerdist.com/nerdistway/" target="_blank">JUST GET THE DAMN BOOK ALREADY!</a></i></b>) *Ahem!* In the chapter titled, "Addiction-ary,"
he describes how he experienced addiction to beer; for many of us, the
scientific term is "alcoholism."
And it opened my eyes up to what addiction really is: it's not the <b><i>item</i></b>
that's the problem, it's the problems that a person has that they are trying to
hide from by using the item. What that
means is that you can become addicted to <b><i>anything</i></b>, if you have the genetic
predisposition for it, according to some non-Gallifreyan doctors. Have you ever seen "My Strange
Addiction"? There are people who
are addicted to collecting things, people addicted to eating things that aren't
good for them at all, and there are people addicted to certain sensations that
would just make this blog sound super creepy and weird if I ever mention it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And yet,
once you get thinking about it, how can a crackhead's addiction be the same as
alcoholism and Internet addiction and also addiction to food or sex? It's not really the item; it's the feelings
that the object of eternal siren-like desire that it brings to these
people. They're hooked on the good
feelings that eating a lot of food or having sex or drinking or doing drugs
brings them. The equation is the same
for everyone:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i>Problem → Need to feel good → Use of desirable object
→ Feeling good</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But here's a tricky twist: addiction is <b><i>itself</i></b> a problem,
especially if it interferes with your everyday life; so, in a sense, it turns
into a thick, gummy, nearly concrete, manipulative frosting layer on the cake
of problems and lies (PORTAL!) that you're dealing with. So, there comes a time when you have to just
sledgehammer that shit open in a giant epiphany moment of "What the <i>fuck</i>
am I doing to myself?!" For those
of you having substance or gambling abuse and are thinking that, I shall
include a list of numbers at the bottom that you can call for help.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways, I
have discussed this with one of my witchdoctors (head-shrink! HA!
Get it?! #badpsychiatrypuns) and
he did share with me this penny for my thoughts: you can enjoy something a lot,
like sex or the Internet and that wouldn't be addiction; but when you enjoy it
so much that you start to ignore your daily responsibilities that are needed
(like hygiene, eating, work, family, real life friends), that's when it becomes
an addiction. You know the people who
many of us label as "homeless," and
seem to just always drink or do drugs or whatever? They are homeless because they were too busy
being drunk/high to shower, eat, interact with family, pay rent, or go to work,
and they got kicked out and have no place to go or no back-up plan for getting
evicted out of their dwelling. They're
just stuck on feeling better and crave it so much that they can't quite move on
from getting that fix.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.nerdist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2003-20111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nerdist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2003-20111.jpg" height="190" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a> For Big C,
it was alcohol. He got into the never-ending
party scene, he felt like he was in control of his forever yammering mind, he
felt good, he let it get in the way of his daily responsibilities, his credit
was ruined, he wasn't in the best of shape (besides round); essentially, he was
a living buffet for a horde of zombies.
(He calls this phase of life "Peter Hardwick," aka "Chad
Softwick," aka "Chris Fatwick," aka the fat drunk brother he
never really had but someone kept alluding to during the early days of the
biographical Wikipedia article about him.)
But on October 8, 2003, he was watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,
with Jenny <b><i>NOT-AN-EXPERT-ON-AUTISTIC-SPECTRUM-DISORDERS</i></b> McCarthy as the
guest. At one point, at the end of the
interview, Stewart says, "Oh, by the way, Chris Hardwick works here
now." To which <b><i>she</i></b> responded with,
"Really? Cool!" Stewart shot back with, "Yeah. He gets our coffee." [audience laughter] "Fu.
Cking. BALLS!" Big C shares
next in the text. He was called out on
one of his favorite shows for being a loser, "and the worst part was, <b><i>he
was right</i></b>." That sent him
on a journey to sobriety and fitness, and 10+ years later, he's on top of the
world as the sober attractive-yet-out-of-my-league-in-more-ways-than-one COO of
Nerdist Industries, hosting a shit ton of shows like Talking Dead and
@midnight, as well as the Nerdist Podcast!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As for me,
I <b><i>will</i></b>
admit (wincingly) that I have an addictive personality thanks my half-Vulcan
father's side. And it is a <b><i>little</i></b>
easy for me to get hooked on things that allows me to feel good (which I will
not dive too far into because it's a little uncomfortable for me to talk about)
but now I know better. I've done a paper
on drunk driving and I learned that alcohol can magnify the effects of
antidepressants. And with that in mind, along
with my being prescribed with antidepressants and that looming genetic
predisposition hanging over my head, I make sure to never really hit the point
of "durrunk," (I never want to be <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-strange-incident-with-drunk-regular.html" target="_blank">Dalek-hugging drunk</a>, but I'm such a
lightweight that I'm sure that I'll pass out before then.) because I don't want
to fuck myself over. Which I'm actually
making into a rule for myself right here and right now: <b><i>never ever create a tolerance for
alcohol that's above 24-oz of something</i></b>. I actually don't even drink <o:p></o:p><br />
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socially; I'm not
anywhere close to being social drinker, as I am pretty much a lightweight in
terms of alcohol tolerance and terms of how much out of shape I really am;
so Musikfest is really only the time I would have 24-oz. of alcoholic something
and just drunk dial my sister and go "I'm drinking lots of water," 3
times in the conversation (true story).</div>
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But on the
flip side, I was actually typing this post up at home instead of surfing the
webs at the library on a Saturday because Monday-Friday this past week (the
week of March 9th, 2014, when I posted my review of the premiere of Cosmos
ASTO), I was there, getting some semblance of Internet access. Every single day, during that time period. And it got to the point of "I need to
not go there! I need to take a
break!" The reasoning behind it is
that I felt that it started to really tug at whatever part of me that many
Christians call my soul, the siren call of the Internet was really sounding
itself until closing time passes. So, I
needed to #SEPARATE myself from the library on a day that it's actually open so
that I don't wind up going over that edge of self-destructive library-internet
addiction spiral of <b><i>DOOOOOOM!!!!!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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It's an
interesting idea to talk about and I really do think that everyone shouldn't have
a vice. I remember having on my old
blog, <a href="http://ladyeden1337.blogspot.com/2010/03/going-sxe-on-second-life.html" target="_blank">a very explanatory blog post about the whole Straight Edge movement</a> (It's
a <b><i>movement</i></b>,
Mom! It's not a club confined to my
college, but a <b><i>movement</i></b> that was all over the <b><i>country</i></b>!) being positive
about "not drinking, not doing
drugs, beware of the asshole hardliners!" and to be honest, I would never
have been able to be truly straight edge.
Jonah Ray was, but I really wasn't because I <b><i>got lost</i></b> in the Internet
that was Second Life, Twitter, Facebook, MMO games, etc. And I can't just let myself get to that point
again, because it created this black hole that swallowed the path I was on to
"apparel design and merchandising" in my Family and Consumer Science
major. But perhaps I didn't want it;
perhaps, super-subconsciously I wanted to do pure art, or something else that
would satisfy what kind of future I would want, and I, instead, went,
"I'll go into fashion!" to people to get them to stop saying,
"You'll starve as an artist," and, "You'll never have a real
future," to me, and then I set up some red-matter dynamite on that career
path I was on, pushed down on the plunger of the detonator box and created this
void that I could not cross that I'm sure four-dimensional me would be able to
cross somehow in a way that I would not understand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Wow</i></b>,
that was a convoluted creative over-exaggeration of Freudian thinking of
subconscious desires that I just described in half of a paragraph. I think I'm turning into another version of
the Bloggess. OH CRAP! JENNY!
HELP MEEEEEE!!!!! <b><i>I
CAN'T HAVE TAXIDERMY IN MY APARTMENT!!!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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But yeah,
if you need me to shout at you to give up your vice for fuck's sake, here: <b><i>DRUGS/ALCOHOL/INTERNET/(INSERT
VICE HERE!) IS NOT THE SOLUTION FOR YOUR PROBLEMS! PLEASE GO GET HELP! BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!! YOU CAN DO BETTER BECAUSE YOU ARE WORTH MORE
THAN (INSERT VICE HERE)!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Just Because the Phone's Right There: Some Helpful
Non-Finger Digits</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are some numbers you can call:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Alcohol Anonymous
(AA)</u></b>: Okay, AA is good for people who need structure for getting back
onto the "right" path, but it's not for everybody. Big C admitted this in <i><u>Nerdist Way</u></i> and on one of his podcast episodes (the number
of which I don't really don't remember) that it's just not the program he
needed, he just did his own thing because AA never really resonated well with
him. He still got sober, stayed sober,
and is doing well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Website: <a href="http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/">http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org</a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Narcotics
Anonymous (NA)</u></b>: Spin-off of AA that helps deal with drugs and substance
abuse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Website: <a href="http://www.na.org/">http://www.na.org</a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>IntheRooms.com</u></b>:
This is a social network for those in recovery.
It's a thing that Big C discovered that he hasn't used, but it does
allow you to connect with similar folks at varying stages of recovery with at
any level of privacy that you would prefer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Website
URL: <a href="http://www.intherooms.com/">http://www.intherooms.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.helpguide.org/mental/gambling_addiction.php" target="_blank">For Gamblers</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
A Confession</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have to
say that I'm <b><i>not</i></b> an expert, much like Dr. Drew Pinsky and Dr. Phil McGraw <b><i>are</i></b>
experts. I'm just sharing my experience,
adding in my thoughts and knowledge so that you may know of my views of the
whole addiction landscape. I still don't
consider myself to be addicted to the Internet; but there <b><i>is</i></b> a danger for me to
start drinking like it's going out of style.
For that, I must be careful. So
don't take my entire word for it as "expert advice," beyond "get
help if you're suffering." So don't
be afraid to confide in people such as sisters and friends and therapists and
faith leaders. They can help you get started
on the right path. It takes a lot of
support to get over addiction and to solve the core problem, so I ask of you
all to also accept the support and help that works for you, or, if it's someone
you know, just be there for them, without enabling by providing drug money, a
place to stay, providing the drugs, etc.
They will thank you in the end.
Just don't give up because the journey to sobriety is a long, hard,
rough hike through mostly charted territory that is easy to just give up on.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Another
confession: Most cigarettes are flavored with ambergris. That's whale vomit. Think about THAT the next time you light one
up, readers!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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ENJOY YOUR
SOBER TACQUITOS! Unless it's
tiramisu. Or cheese fondue. Or you're in Colorado.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-90517916906482809602014-03-10T16:43:00.001-07:002014-07-04T23:27:30.064-07:00A Review of the Great Cosmos: A New Journey Begins When Another Ended<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow! WOW! I
know this is a highly verbose review, but I am typing this up as fast as
possible so that all the knowledge and impression of the show doesn't fade away
from my brain or attention span! The
theme for this blog post is <a href="http://youtu.be/oOCeImS48rA" target="_blank">Snow Park by Connect Ohm</a>!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/oOCeImS48rA?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/oOCeImS48rA?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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On Sunday,
March 9, 2014, at 9:00pm EDT on all the Fox and National Geographic networks, <a href="http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/profile/about-neil-degrasse-tyson" target="_blank">Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson</a>, astrophysicist, director of the Hayden Planetarium, author and
hilarious scientist, led us on our first steps on a journey that Dr. Carl <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan
started a <b><i>generation</i></b> ago, on the show Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
(preceded by Cosmos: A Personal Voyage) with the (paraphrased) words,
"It's time to get going again."
I've been treated to a perspective that the late loved Dr. <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan
has only introduced us to, to a thirst of knowledge that many scientists are
trying to quench with new information about Life, the Universe and Everything
(to which the Answer is 42! HA! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy" target="_blank">Hitchhiker's Guide</a>, people! Come on, nerd out with me with that one
shitty joke!).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://comiccongeek.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/cosmos-a-spacetime-odyssey-fox-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://comiccongeek.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/cosmos-a-spacetime-odyssey-fox-poster.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a> I have to
say, the introduction was mind blowing!
I swear, all the visuals in the intro sequence gave my mind a
<b><i>blowjob</i></b>! I loved it so much, I think I
was sort of drooling at the end of it, but only "sort of" because I
was having dinner, my Soup of the Cosmos (which I will share the recipe to at
the end of this post; it's perfect for people on the lower end of the income
scale!). Anyways, to have Dr. Tyson start
the show at the edge of the very same sea cliff that Dr. <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan stood on when <b><i>he</i></b>
started his <b><i>Per</i></b>sonal <b><i>Voy</i></b>age is entirely poetic; it's like
Dr. <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan
was still with us, continuing our journey through the universe that we dwell
in. I've been fortunate enough to be able
to watch Cosmos: A Personal Voyage thanks to National Geographic airing it
before the premiere of A Spacetime Odyssey.
We were taken on a journey of the mind, to the edge of our universe,
being given our address in it, which I have to say is a little inaccurate:
according to the <a href="http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/The_Official_Doctionary" target="_blank"><b><i>Doctor</i></b> of the Whoniverse</a>, we live in the Sol system, on Sol-3! Not just "the Solar
System"! So please, astronomers and
astrophysicists, incorporate that into our universal address! But I swear my brain was fried when we went a
bit "<a href="http://youtu.be/h4a3y7xetJY" target="_blank">Inception</a>" with the
Universe-inside-of-a-multiverse-that's-inside-of-another-Universe. My nose didn't start bleeding, but at least
my brain got a warm-up before the show: Journey to the Edge of the Universe,
narrated by Alec Baldwin, describing our observation of the universe as we come
across celestial bodies in the sky, such as "angry moons", dangerous hypernovas,
etc, etc.; during <b><i>that</i></b> show, I managed to come across a realization of my own, Dr. Carl <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan style:<o:p></o:p></div>
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If we were to <b><i>tra</i></b>vel
across the <b><i>Uni</i></b>verse beyond our galaxy, we'd also be traveling <b><i>back</i></b> into time, as the <b><i>uni</i></b>verse is
not only a <b><i>bub</i></b>ble of a network, but also has a <b><i>reverse</i></b> sort of <b><i>tree</i></b>-ring effect
to the <b><i>point</i></b> where the <b><i>far</i></b>ther we travel from <b><i>Earth</i></b> to the <b><i>edge</i></b> of the <b><i>Uni</i></b>verse
we live in, the more we <b><i>travel</i></b> into the <b><i>old</i></b>er parts of the universe, and if we
exited <b><i>past</i></b> the universe's <b><i>thresh</i></b>old, we would've been able to <b><i>wit</i></b>ness the <b><i>Big
Bang</i></b>, to which I ascribed the <b><i>physic</i></b>al edge of our <b><i>Uni</i></b>verse, the <b><i>Big
Bang Threshold</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only
that, Dr. Tyson says that our Universe started out smaller than a subatomic particle;
in a sense, it relatively <b><i><u>still is</u></i></b> if you're far enough
<b><i>past</i></b> the Big Bang Threshold, outside of every Universe located within our
multiverse; we're still smaller than sub-atomic particles in a universe before
the Big Bang, like cells in the human body.
Yes, it's frustratingly confusing, but it really is Inception-like! <a href="http://youtu.be/h4a3y7xetJY" target="_blank">BWAHHHHH!!!</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm sorry,
through that shared epiphany, if I made everyone's noses bleed and their brains
hurt more than Chris Hardwick's and Matt Mira's did when Dr. Tyson described
the Ascent of the Cubes in Nerdist Podcast episode number 139. If you have to be redirected to it, I suggest
you check out the bottom part of <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2014/02/life-on-hoth-when-snow-just-keeps.html" target="_blank"><b><i>this</i></b> ranty blog post</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.realscreen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Neil-deGrasse-Tyson-in-Cosmos-A-Space-Time-Odyssey.jpg?9707a5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.realscreen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Neil-deGrasse-Tyson-in-Cosmos-A-Space-Time-Odyssey.jpg?9707a5" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
But I have
to say, "Spaceship of the Imagination" is pretty cool, despite the
name! I would've loved to have kept the
retro look Dr. <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan had in his spaceship, but Dr. Tyson's ship is a bit
cooler, having the ability to not just travel across space but also <b><i>peer</i></b>
through time, with its poetic floor-portal to the past in the floor
(archaeology anyone?) and ceiling-portal to the future (<b><i>STAR TREK IS OUR
FUTURE!</i></b> If we have not destroyed
ourselves with the thermonuclear World War III or disastrous climate change due to
our self-inflicted global warming!), and has a sort of gyroscopic sort of
bridge in that spaceship (in a realm beyond ours that has no
"up"? Really, Dr. Tyson?),
which, to me, is in the shape of a dandelion seed. You see, the dandelion seed is quite an
integral part of the Cosmos program, and Dr. <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan used it quite a bit
when he was hosting <b><i>Per</i></b>sonal <b><i>Voy</i></b>age, and it only seems poetic to
be traveling on that seed throughout the universe as we know it, as the
dandelion seed in the organic sense is actually an organism traveling in its
<b><i>own</i></b> spaceship to someplace new where it can colonize the ground it lands
on. But I also have to say,
"Spaceship of the Imagination," doesn't exactly have a good ring to
it: I understand that it's, to put it in Dr. Tyson's words in Nerdist podcast
episode #139, "a journey of the mind," but couldn't you just name it
the "Tyson TARDIS"? Or the
<b><i>A.S.S. Imagination</i></b>? Just saying.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the
visuals were stunning, the inclusion of history in the science exploration, the
addition of the multiverse inside of the lectures, the sharing of the perspective
of our slice of time in the universe, how the birth of the universe and our
existence would've looked liked spread over a Gregorian calendar year, how
religion treated new ideas, all of it, to me, was pure GENIUS! I was looking forward to this premiere, as my
friend Jesse (who <b><i>still</i></b> needs to do that superhero blog post) also was, despite
not having access to cable. And I can't
wait to continue on with our next steps in this journey of 13 episodes where we
are enlightened over how scientifically accurate the theory of evolution is,
and the whole Creationism issue may go back as far as the Big Bang, which I'm
sure was not instigated by Stewie Griffin restarting his time machine. Which is why during the show, I posted these
tweets:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
OW OW OW! My brain is hurting! Because <a href="https://twitter.com/neiltyson">@neiltyson</a> mentioned the multiverse! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23cosmos&src=hash">#cosmos</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/statuses/442832262271213568">March 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Shut up, Hamm! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23cosmos&src=hash">#cosmos</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/statuses/442839161276743680">March 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I hate
to spoil it for everyone, but I have to describe the end bit: I saw all the old
footage, and the <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan seaside cliff bit, and I can't help it but I cried a
little much like Matt Mira teared when he was watching the last shuttle launch
of NASA, but for reasons a little bit different from what Dr. Tyson ascribed to
him in that first episode of Nerdist podcast that he was on all that couple of
years ago. In fact, I tweeted this when
it happened….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Dammit. Tears. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23cosmos&src=hash">#cosmos</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/statuses/442842212926513153">March 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.colorado.edu/studentgroups/CUSEDS/Images/carl_sagan_cosmos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.colorado.edu/studentgroups/CUSEDS/Images/carl_sagan_cosmos.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></div>
all because not only did Dr. Tyson talk about how much of a
leader Dr. <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan was, but he also suddenly pulled out Dr. <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan's
planner, and turned to the page where an appointment with a young Dr. Tyson was
listed, and it was not only a tale of how a young man growing up in the Sky
View apartments in the Bronx was influenced by his genius and his tutelage, but
it was also, in Dr. Tyson's words, a sort of "passing of the torch,"
which made me think a little: <b><i>Dr. Sagan would've been so proud of him, and
he wouldn't have trusted anyone else to do the reboot of his show, because Dr.
Tyson would've been the only one to do it right. He influenced many scientists, much like
Aristotle influenced many mathematicians.
He is the Aristotle of our time, and if he saw the show today, he
would've approved, despite any flashiness.</i></b> RIP, Dr. Carl <b><i>Sa</i></b>gan, wherever you are,
whether you're in heaven, the great big observatory/laboratory in the sky or
even in the fourth or fifth dimensions.
We miss you, even though I haven't watched your show before Saturday or
Sunday, March 8/9th, 2014!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
Our Universe Is One Giant Pot of Soup: A Recipe for the Soup
of the Cosmos</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://catmacros.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/alphabet_soup_cat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://catmacros.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/alphabet_soup_cat2.jpg" height="307" width="320" /></a></div>
Because I
was running a little low on food, I improvised my dinner, anxious to have it be
done by the time Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (which shouldn't be
"STO", because "STO" is already taken by Star Trek
Online! It should be ASTO, so as to not
confuse people! #addressingthiswiththehopethatIAmNotTooLate
#longhastags #hashtaggingoutsideofTwitter) aired. And I tweeted:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
I think i just came up with a new recipe: Soup of the Cosmos. <a href="https://twitter.com/LisaR_M">@lisar_m</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DiHard11">@dihard11</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAGoddard">@nasagoddard</a><br />
— Eden Pyrithea (@LadyEden1337) <a href="https://twitter.com/LadyEden1337/statuses/442821258498306048">March 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
because I'm sure that it has not yet been done in
detail! Nerd-Chef Alton Brown might
disagree, but goddammit, IT'S MY RECIPE AND I SHALL SHARE IT WITH Y'ALL FOR
NEXT WEEK'S EPISODE!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Soup of the Cosmos
(aka, Cosmic Soup)<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Pasta In Potato Pot (aka, a saucepan that's the second to smallest you
have)<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 ½
cup salted water<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 cup small pasta shells<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Broth In Vegetable Pot (aka, smallest pot you have)<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 ½
cup salted water<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 chicken bouillon cube<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tablespoon
+ 1 teaspoon chopped basil<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1
tablespoon (or more) dried minced onion<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½
cup panko bread crumbs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Other</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fancy shredded Mexican blend cheese<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four packets of string cheese, unwrapped and chopped into 1/8-1/4 inch long pieces<br />
<span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Boil pasta according to directions.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">In small "Vegetable pot", boil water;
crush and add chicken bouillon cube, stir.
Add basil, minced onion and panko breadcrumbs; stir, let sit.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Drain pasta when finished, return to
"Potato pot" without heat. Add
broth to pasta, stir. Stir in shredded
cheese and chopped string cheese, making sure it melts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Serve warm.
Makes two servings.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isn't our Universe like this soup? Isn't the basil like the asteroids and
comets, the chopped string cheese like our planets, the pasta shells like our
stars in the sky, the shredded cheese like the nebular clouds and the broth
like the dark matter of space? It's so
poetic that I think it's appropriate for everyone to have. Also, it's great for Lent because it doesn't
have real meat! It has chicken broth,
but not REAL meat or poultry or pork!
Can't the bouillon be an exception to this, Church? PLEASE?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.cryhavok.org/d/13659-1/LOLcat+-+Do+Science.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.cryhavok.org/d/13659-1/LOLcat+-+Do+Science.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a></div>
Anyways, I
hope you enjoyed Cosmos ASTO just as I enjoyed my soup with it. And I hope everyone gets to experience the
enlightenment and pleasure of education in the hopes that we can all become
smarter, we can all become nerds and continue to have intelligent discussions
about science, the universe, the multiverse, and our place in
the—SQUIRREL! *scamper, chase, falls
asleep and snores*<br />
<br />
P.S. I have GOT to share this tweet! This tweet won the Internets last night in my opinion....so go Favorite and Retweet this, because it's HILARIOUSLY TRUE!<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
The show <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Cosmos&src=hash">#Cosmos</a> is the perfect qualifier for my online dating: "If you don't find Cosmos fascinating we are not going to be life partners."<br />
— Andy Johns (@ibringtraffic) <a href="https://twitter.com/ibringtraffic/statuses/442899515465412608">March 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-43058715673504783352014-03-05T16:44:00.001-08:002014-03-05T16:44:26.583-08:00War Horse: A Tale of Bravery and Magnificence<div class="MsoNormal">
Still no
word on a completed guest post about superheroes (JESSE! THESE PEOPLE ARE <b><i>WAITING!</i></b>) so how's about
a review of a movie sans the Broadway show?
For this post, it's the (optional) theme song of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edD8Uj863bs&feature=share&list=PLD8173C99AA5DD26D" target="_blank">full War Horse Soundtrack</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/edD8Uj863bs?list=PLD8173C99AA5DD26D" width="640"></iframe><o:p></o:p></div>
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If anyone's
ever heard of <i><u>War Horse</u></i>, they
might think of the Broadway show, with the amazing puppets, and the brilliant
actors making it all seem so real. But
the movie is just as spectacular! You
get all of these great shots where even the scenery gets to be the star of the
show, where these <b><i>6-star</i></b> actors (out of five, mind you) make your wildest dreams
come true, and you are just taken on the journey, like a spirit witnessing the
miracle of a horse surviving World War I, that many people thought was the War
to End All Wars. It was utterly <b><i>brilliant</i></b>!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/War-horse-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/War-horse-poster.jpg" height="400" width="270" /></a></div>
Not very
many people realize that Steven Spielberg directed this movie much like Vincent
Van Gogh created his paintings; he used the skies of Devonshire to his
advantage, the moors like a landform just waiting to be used as a backdrop for
an epic movie, he used the landscape to its advantage, the surrounding areas as
part of this great beautiful story, and it seems that he sees it all in his
mind and just HAS to make it real. It
all came together very beautifully as a work of art that tells this war story,
this journey of a horse from birth to war to home again, who is a character in
and of itself, that had to be trained to run <b><i>into</i></b> battle instead of
away from danger. In fact, <a href="http://youtu.be/sZ4R_H_QtqM" target="_blank">Tom"Loki" Hiddleston</a>, who played Captain Nicholls in this film, was
witness to how Spielberg directed and constructed shots for the film; it might
be a lot of hard work to other directors, but it was like "water out of a
tap for him," because it would just flow with ease. If I couldn't make it as a director for my
Polar Vortex film, then I probably would've co-directed with Spielberg, because
he's just. So. Brilliant!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The acting
was incredible, the horses were probably trained extremely^2 well to act
properly, in the way that was just not only natural, but also like they are
also the stars of the film, having to bear many a rider from many backgrounds
on their backs. And what's also great,
having ridden horses myself until my teen years, is that they never had one
shot in the film be of the horses taking a piss or a shit. I'm serious, it isn't fun to have to wait
around for the horse to finish their business for me to continue with dressage
riding. BUT(T)! Squirrel moment aside, they were beautiful
and they deserve their own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and knighthood
in the UK. Of course, the knighthood
will be up to Her Majesty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.btlnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LR-warhorse3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.btlnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LR-warhorse3.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
I have to
spoil it a tiny bit. Because there is
just this one beautiful scene, one where I will not reveal where it lies in
sequence of the film lest I spoil it for everyone who didn't watch it but
SHOULD…. It's a scene where you're on
the moors of Devon, and the skies are awash in the fiery sunset glow of the
sun. It's so beautiful, like the skies
are awash with flame, and everything is lit in the firelight of the sky. You can't help but just go,
"Oh….my….GODS! Someday, this HAS to
be the setting for a photo shoot!"
(Heh, you might not go "PHOTO SHOOT!" But, I confess that I actually did.) But it was just so beautiful, like
Spielberg's version of Van Gogh's Starry Night, with the color temperature thermostat
set to warm! All those oranges and
yellows just giving it the right sense of amazing jaw-dropping BEAUTY!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also have
to admit that I did not realize that it was a book FIRST… I would LOVE to see the Broadway show for
sure, but now I have to find the book and read it! Because <b><i>Mama always told me to read the book first!</i></b> However, I don't think Spielberg could do the
book <b><i>any
more justice</i></b> than he already did!
He did excellent with the firing squad scene, with the shot construction
and execution, Tom Hiddleston did excellent as Captain Nichols, Benedict
Cumberbatch was wonderful as Major Jamie Stewart, and it was just the right amount
of jaw dropping beauty mixed together with emotions and storytelling and
character <b><i>AND DELICIOUS CHEEKBONES!!!!!</i></b>
Even I would nominate this movie for every Oscar category, including
made-up categories I'm still trying to come up with for @midnight's Hashtag
Wars!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>20 PLUNGERS OUT OF TEN!!!! AND I
COMMANDETH YOU ALL:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>GO WATCH IT NOWWW!!!!!<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/6401008640/hD0C30377/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/6401008640/hD0C30377/" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04484604871699105817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-839965559477325021.post-27664730212472709532014-02-19T16:13:00.001-08:002014-02-19T16:13:29.863-08:00Life On Hoth: When Snow Just Keeps Inviting Its Relatives<div class="MsoNormal">
I know I
promised y'all my friend's guest blog post, but for technical reasons, he
wasn't exactly able to make a draft for me.
Not to mention he has a job now, so he'll have less time to do the post. So, I suggest that we all wait patiently for
him as I share <b><i>my</i></b> bullshit with you to tide you over until then. The optional theme song for this week is
a <a href="http://youtu.be/LeAJwQB8Usk" target="_blank">Red Hot Chili Peppers "Snow" Remix</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/LeAJwQB8Usk?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you
haven't read my post about the Polar Vortex from earlier this year that made
just being outside completely dangerous, I suggest you <b><u>PAUSE</u></b> on reading this current post in order to <a href="http://fansquirrel.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-ass-is-frozen-along-with-rest-of.html" target="_blank">catch up</a> on
weather issues.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All caught
up now? Good. *AHEM!*<o:p></o:p></div>
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Being a
resident of the Northeastern (specifically Mid-Atlantic) region of the United
States does have its perks a bit, mostly because we actually get all four
seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn/Fall, and Winter <b><i>actually</i></b> take place
here. I've experienced heat waves, the
odd stray hurricane, freezing cold and snow, as well as unusual weather
patterns such as tornadoes north of me in the mountains and the unusual
declaration from school of "flood days". But right now, everything seems off balance
thanks to the fuckers who are not helping us <b><i>at least slow down</i></b> the
global warming we have inflicted upon the planet. Not only do we have more and more dangerously
hot weather every Summer (which should just be called Tatooine season at this
rate), but now we are facing a ridiculous Winter. In fact, I'm pretty sure that this is why
Punxsutawney Phil, the famous meteorological groundhog of PA, <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2014/02/02/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil/5101379/" target="_blank">predicted 6 moreweeks of winter</a> (would should just be called Hoth season at this point); I
actually did wonder why he "saw his shadow", but now I know:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><u>WE'RE NOW GETTING
FUCKED IN THE FACE BY SNOWSTORMS EVERY WEEK!!!</u></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, first it was the Polar Vortex in early January; then it
was Winter Storm Pax last week (which is pretty funny because it not only is
Latin for "peace," but it's also the name of <a href="http://east.paxsite.com/" target="_blank">some gaming conventions</a>
that happen periodically every year, with PAX Prime in Seattle, PAX East Boston
and now PAX Australia!), and this past weekend it's another storm called Winter
Storm Quintus, which I'm sure was named after the Pennsylvania Lottery game
known as <a href="http://www.palottery.state.pa.us/Games/Quinto" target="_blank">Quinto</a>!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since when
is it okay to advertise by having snow storms be named after what you're trying
to sell? Since when is it okay to
control the <b><i>DAVROS-DAMN</i></b> weather?!?! I'm
frustrated and tired and coming up with ridiculous conspiracy theories, because,
now, the snow isn't going away! People
are barely shoveling sidewalks, putting down salt, and not giving a fuck about
bus stops I use! And that's not the only
danger!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
Life On Hoth Just Got a Little More Dangerous</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We've faced
below freezing temperatures, sleet, freezing rain, snow, thundersnow, rain,
frostbite dangers, and driving winds. At
a couple of points, it was colder <b><i>here</i></b> in the U.S. than in Sochi,
Russia, <b><i>where the Olympic Winter Games are being held</i></b> (or were held if
you're reading this in the future)<b><i>!</i></b>
But now there's another couple of issues that are not exactly being
covered in the news just yet.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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For one,
we've got structural damage to buildings, which is hurting business! Yes, I said structural damage, but only
because a building in Easton, PA (or its surrounding neighborhoods) has
actually started to (or already did) collapse under the weight of the snow that
refused to melt! We're also running out
of room to put it all! Seriously, Mother
Nature, can't you give us a fucking break?
Or did someone steal Sean Connery's weather machine and fuck around with
it, making us suffer the consequences?<o:p></o:p></div>
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You see,
deep down at its core, EVERYTHING is made of the same "stuff," which
scientists call matter or mass. And you
can't really just erase matter from existence; it can be transformed from one
state to another, converted into energy and back, but it can't be destroyed or
removed from existence all together; it just stacks itself upon itself. All we can do with this STUFF that is
currently called "snow" and "ice" is to move it, mostly
onto bigger and bigger piles of snow and ice.
We're running out of room to put the snow so it can stay out of the way! In fact, I just recently found out from
sources of mine that on Saturday, February 15, 2014, the city of Bethlehem, PA,
closed off part of Main St. that runs through downtown in order to remove a
giant nuisance pile of snow by way of two backhoes and a dump truck! They even closed off the bridge that goes
into that section! Which isn't helpful considering that the historic Hotel Bethlehem (complete with its own room with a "boo") is RIGHT THERE!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://weknowmemes.com/generator/uploads/generated/g1333219258140058941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://weknowmemes.com/generator/uploads/generated/g1333219258140058941.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a> One woman
I've chatted with about the weather while riding home on the bus actually asked
if the snow is being dumped into the river that separates South Side Bethlehem
from the rest of the city. I am not sure
about this info, but I'm kind of leery about it. You see, streets are indeed made from
asphalt, but it's also often soaked in petroleum products, like oil and
whatnot. This "street-oil" is
actually what lends cause to a driving phenomenon known as hydroplaning, where
the car just slides along the surface of the street in wet weather with loss of
traction and some control, mostly because oil tends to float on the water that
seeps into the asphalt whenever it rains and lubricate the surface even further. So, if you're plowing snow out of the way,
you're also scraping up not only pieces of asphalt but this oily residue stuff
with the snow. Which means that it might
not actually be <b><i>safe</i></b> to be dumping into the water, I fear.<o:p></o:p></div>
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(Also,
<a href="http://youtu.be/F4nkqK_bS2U" target="_blank">yellow snow</a> <b><i>is</i></b> an issue, but it's easily identifiable, and not as prevalent
as a problem.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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But another
issue with the added mass of snow that isn't melting or going anywhere at the
moment is the combined weight of it. You
see, you have layers of snow and ice and snow and ice not just landing in the
streets and on top of cars, but also on top of buildings. It's not necessary to remove snow from the
rooftops—that is, unless the structure of the building is unable to hold the
weight of the snow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just this past Tuesday (February 18, 2014), a carousel building at the old, abandoned, historic, hard-to-restore amusement park known as Bushkill Park actually <a href="http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/02/bushkill_park_carousel_buildin.html" target="_blank">collapsed under the weight of the snow</a>. I kid you not, I was like, "NOOOOO!" because I actually went there and skated at the roller rink! It's like, your favorite tree on your property getting cut down and it stings quite a bit because it was a part of your life. At least the carousel wasn't damaged and nobody was hurt; in fact, the carousel wasn't even there: it was sold a long time ago already, according to my half-Vulcan Spockish father.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I also
heard from him that fairly recently, in the Bethlehem area, the 24-hour
Wegman's off of Center St. <a href="http://articles.mcall.com/2014-02-16/news/mc-wegmans-bethlehem-closed-roof-collapse-concerns-20140216_1_jo-natale-wegmans-snow-covered-roof" target="_blank">had a collapse scare</a>. One day, the manager showed up to work to
find out that the <b><i>steel pillars of +25 roof support</i></b> that are located throughout
the store have started to <b><i>flex "near the roof"</i></b>! I'm not making this up! He actually freaked out a bit and said,
"WE NEED THIS CHECKED
OUT!" The fire department showed up
and kicked everybody out for safety reasons!
The store was <b><i>closed for</i></b> <b><i>17 hours</i></b> (overnight) while the
employees and manager had to wait for an assessment of the structure by an
inspector. The inspector said that the
place will hold the weight, despite the weirdness of FLEXING STEEL POLES (that aren't from Poland; sorry for the stupid pun), and they reopened at 2:30 PM EST on Sunday, February 16th, reassuring everyone that it will be okay. However, I'm typing this while having images
in my head of that Wegman's being the center of a story about how an inspector
gave the green light on the structural safety, only to have the building
collapse days later with some casualties.
Of course, this was out of concern thanks to media influence
sensationalizing such stories and making it near impossible to think "Just
fucking trust the inspector," without thinking about the possibility of
false structural positives turning into bad news for people working in that
building as it collapses onto their heads.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So I beg
you, with this in mind, BE CAREFUL! Make
sure that the tops of your cars, trucks, buses, SUVs, etc, are cleared off so
you don't wind up killing people with frozen blocks of snow falling off the
roof of the vehicles/shipping containers/buses on bridges only to slam into the
cars trying to pass underneath. Stay
warm, and make sure you keep an extra supply of tauntauns on hand and share if
people need them!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h3>
BONUS! Ascent of the
Cubes: A Way to Make Sure You Don't Go to Bed On Time</h3>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9EjZ3NHM0M/TsKfAPfUttI/AAAAAAAACvs/d4aKbs4mdHk/Ascent-of-the-Cubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q9EjZ3NHM0M/TsKfAPfUttI/AAAAAAAACvs/d4aKbs4mdHk/Ascent-of-the-Cubes.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, my...Davros/Cthulhu! This poster is full of WIN!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just
recently, I've been listening to one particular episode of the Nerdist podcast
over and over (because I enjoyed it a lot), with Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson as the
guest. And in the episode, he described
higher spacial dimensionality. Please,
allow me to share his ideas so that you may experience the liquification of
your brain!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><a href="http://youtu.be/-3N8s6sGa2M?t=10m10s" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE THE ASCENT OF THE CUBES!!!!</a></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Once you've
listened to that, let's take it further: if the four-dimensional cube has eight
three-dimensional cubes as boundaries, isn't the five-dimensional cube bounded
by ten four-dimensional cubes, which each have eight three-dimensional cubes as
boundaries? *offers tissues for bleeding
noses and painkillers for readers who can't quite grasp that concept* It's so crazy to think about!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyways, I shall
leave you writhing in agony like that, while I go hunt down some chocolate to
celebrate a belated Singles Awareness Day by myself. Please don't hate me for making your brain
constipated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>ENJOY YOUR
FIVE-DIMENSIONAL TACQUITOS! #boobs #EXCELSIOR!</b><o:p></o:p><br />
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