Hey, what's new?

Reading about, and now seeing helplessly first-hand how people jump through hoops to deny climate change (once called global warming) exists and is caused, in major part, by human behavior is the closest to feeling like an immortal observer I am ever to likely be. We've known of a problem since roughly the 1920s, but are so hard-wired to seek out immediate threats and to focus on our betterment that we have pointedly ignored our own imminent demise.

Beyond all other troubles, past and present: slavery, war, famine, disease, poverty, racism, economic divides, and other human cruelty, climate change will doom society in for good.

What? Oh, sorry, did I say that out loud? I meant to say, "Same old soup, just reheated. How about you?"

Vaccinate your children

Let me start with this, because it's important. Three cases of measles this year, but only one confirmed resident of King County. The others were visitors. Check that link and make sure your too-young-or-too-sick-to-be-vaccinated children weren't exposed. Luckily, public schools still have very high vaccination rates overall. But here is the thing...

If you don't vaccinate your kids (with exception for medical necessity of course), and tell other people not to vaccinate, you are a liar and I am calling you OUT. I do it out of love and frustration that your insistence on mistrusting the vast majority of the established medical community is bringing back diseases that got so bad that, decades ago, people were finally forced to vaccinate (or probably just died).

You've had the wool pulled over your eyes just as much as climate change deniers, and the consequences are just as dire. In both cases, people you claim to care about--the poor and marginalized--will be hurt right along with your own peer group. I hope that sits well on your conscience as you smugly take your expensive vitamin A and some expensive, worthless sugar pill in a bottle marked "Homeopathic Measles Remedy." Snake oil is still snake oil, and it's being sold to you at a steep price.

But you know what? I don't even care if you decide homeopathy "works for you." Because you're not vaccinating for you. You are doing it so that other, non-able-bodied persons are able to live free of worry from another problem piled onto whatever medical ailments they already face. If you still don't vaccinate because "oh vaccines cause autism..." No they fucking don't; that is a straight up lie. To quote the CDC link at the end of the last sentence, in big bold print, "There is no link between vaccines and autism." Just because Autism exhibits itself in young children around the age they start getting vaccinated, it does not mean vaccines are the cause. If an unvaccinated child turns out to be healthy and disease-resistant, it DOES NOT MEAN vaccines don't work. It means your child's genetics are very well-tuned to fight disease. It also does not mean your child doesn't carry a disease that may be spread to other children.

None of your correlations are linked with causation. It would be like me saying that, because I ate a peach and felt good the next day, peaches must have magical healing properties. It is LUDICROUS (though, of course, that is exactly what claims of superfoods say, but we can talk about that another day).

Don't worry, it'll feel so GOOD and RIGHTEOUS to scoff at me, because you believe the thoroughly debunked lies, and wholly espouse the incorrect information that was fed to you by your peer group. You continue to believe that untested, unproven "natural remedies" will keep you and everyone else safe, if only they just keep believing. It's so easy to believe these things, because it is EASY. Someone you trust is telling you it is so. But when you dig deeper, when you look at the methodology of studies, when you ask a medical doctor without "naturopath" in their name, when you continue asking other doctors their opinions, you will find that you should vaccinate, and you should do it now.

Morning Brain: Well, Here We Go

Recently, I ran across an article on satirical news site The Onion which attempted to express that feeling where something suddenly becomes inevitable, and you have to steel your nerves to deal with it.

Here are things I've had to steel my nerves against lately:

• The alarming number of police shootings reported in the media on a near-weekly basis.
• The fact that the nation's largest police union has endorsed an orange bigot for president.
• An unprecedented die-off of trees and coral, both tied to human progress, and the lack of giving-a-shit by pretty much everyone.
• The remainder of the election cycle looming. I'm not that old, but I have never seen anything this vitriolic come out of this nation.

On the other hand, here are a few things that helped me unclench slightly:

• Famous people finally speaking out against injustices in venues in which they know they will be heard.
• The deep, gutteral laughter caused by a friend's comedic timing during an otherwise serious discussion.
• The Free Hugs movement and the growing level at which people are treating each other as human beings at an individual level.
• The undeniable fact that for every terrible thing we see, there are as many other things worth celebrating, from exciting space discoveries to the simplicity of a beautiful view of the sunrise. 

How do we fix the world's problems? By showing each other our love and vulnerability, and by helping each person we meet have a better day.

It's hard, especially in a culture where we are bombarded by negativity. I, for one, am trying. I don't have a lot to offer, but I can be polite on the bus or compliment a stranger I pass on my way to get grocieries. What I need to work on is getting out of my comfort zone a little more, and maybe volunteering my time somewhere meaningful. This has been a little bit rambling, but thanks for reading.

Things which could escalate quickly

I haven't posted in a very long time. Life is good. Rowing is good. Knitting is good. Videogames are good. Little black kitty is adorable. Weather is getting nice. Right. So.

According to the news this morning, here's what is going to escalate and be the most important piece of news forever:

• A gorilla grabbed a kid and was killed for his efforts. Everyone picks a side and we enter world war animal rights.
• Missing aircraft will start a blame game and all countries involved will nuke each other into oblivion, thus thrusting us into nuclear winter.
• Zika virus evolves to somehow infect all the women and make all our babies die forever. Children of Men is hailed as an apocalyptic prophesy.
• Allergy Season is upon us here in the PNW, and shall destroy us all.

According to me:
Donald T. Rump, serial liar, financial crazy person, and petulant orange child, ekes out a victory over whatever democrat claws its way to the nomination. He immediately declares "the media" illegal and rescinds protections for free speech. He makes abortion illegal, guns mandatory, and immigration impossible. All non-white people currently living in the country are mysteriously disappeared. Plots to assassinate him fail, because the great orange one is imbued with almost otherworldly spry-ness and longevity.

The only question on my mind is whether or not the nation comes to its senses. Do we have more reasonable people than we have die hard party voters? Does anyone else think Trump's sudden appeal to veterans is a ploy to get the military on his side for the coming purge? Everyone keeps telling me "oh, presidents don't have that much power," and that is perfectly true in normal circumstances. But this nation is poised to shit the bed in a big way with this guy.

Patton Oswalt made jokes about GWB and his ability to usher in the bibilcal apocalypse. While I don't belive in sword-mouth-Jesus or the 7-headed-beasties, I do think we're at a critical ethical juncture that could shape the population of this country.

Unfortunately, the echo chamber of the Internet means no one whose mind could be changed will ever read any of this.

My Cold Weather Manifesto

Summers were murder; two-a-days doubly so. Growing up in the sweltering Texas heat taught me two things: the sun is evil and don't go outside until December. Unfortunately, my parents had this pesky idea that children should do something besides read and play video games indoors all the time, so sometimes there was no avoiding the sun.

In college, something compelled me to pick up yarn and start hooking. Now, in my part of Texas, where the temperature usually only drops below 40 degrees a few days a year, knitting and crocheting might seem like a poor choice of hobbies. Given my growing knowledge of fibers, cotton would have been about the only thing worth using. My recollection is that my early efforts sat squarely in the "acrylic" territory, but memories are imperfect.

The fiber artist in me died after graduation and it wasn't until my move to New England five years later that yarn found me again. My yarn story is for another time, but suffice it to say it plays a large role in the following realization: I am a cold weather girl.

Texas is a wonderful place, and homesickness still tugs at me on a disturbingly frequent basis, but it will likely never be my home again. And that's okay, because it's not cold enough there anyway.

From blmiers on Flickr.

My first "real" winter taught me so many things -- put your windshield wipers up the night before a snow; always keep your shovel and scraper in the car, not the trunk; don't pass the plow truck, even on the left; don't use the rear defroster until the car warms up and not all windshield wiper fluid is created equal.

So now, as my third New England winter quickly approaches, there are two main thoughts in my mind, which are in direct opposition to that which my upbringing taught me: the sun brings great joy and don't go outside from December to March.

I love you, winter. I love being cold and I love making warm things to wear during your months. May it never be 90-degrees-in-the-shade again.

Rest of world doesn't give a shit

As the year goes on, and as I listen to NPR on the way to work, I find myself becoming more cynical about other human beings. I don't like it, but there it is.

There are two things I know for sure. First, the guy who made the anti-Islam film is batshit crazy, a con man, and should probably be locked away forever. Second, aside from a few very loud protests by a small group of hateful people, the vast majority of the world doesn't give two shits about us, and has other things to worry about.

Did you even know, for example, that China and Japan are at each others' throats right now over a land dispute? Over some shitty islands no one actually wants? Did you know that Japanese businesses operating in China are being pelted with rocks, workers lives are in danger and flights have been cut all over the country?

Screenshot from Google Image Search.
Click to embiggen my feelings on all this.

I apologize for the rant this early in the morning, and you probably won't read it anyway, but there it is.

No one working a 9-5 in Libya has time to care about a crazy, ignorant American making a shitty, hateful movie in the same way you don't give a shit about Japan/China tensions over some islands. There is no possible way any of us can know all of the news from all the places, but let's keep in mind that no one else in the world can either.

The fact that we have the ABILITY to read news from all of the places, even down to the tiniest detail of, say, local daycare facilities' mounting problems in the Netherlands, tells me we're doing okay as a nation and world. We SHOULD care about each other, and we SHOULD be genuinely concerned for the welfare of others. But the story is over. The deaths were tragic, but let's let those involved mourn quietly and focus on warp drives and space and things that are important, mmkay?

Now, go enjoy your weekend :)!

Let's exercise. It's been too long.

"Fool!" Dr. Klein spat. "I told you to have everything taken care of by the time I arrived. If Meredith sees this mess she'll--"

"I'll what, love?" Meredith strode into the room. "Kill you? No, darling, I care little for your ... experiments. Just see that it's clean for the party tonight." Dr. Klein seethed quietly and turned away from his wife. Dr. Klein's befuddled assistant, Horace, started after him quickly, glancing back in time to see the tail of Meredith's cocktail dress flow around the door frame and disappear. Palpable disdain and the faint scent of her perfume lingered after she was gone, and provided Horace with the motivation to continue his work with the Doctor. Breathing deeply, his thoughts drifted after Meredith down the hall.

Dr. Klein's presence could not be ignored for long, however, and Horace snapped to his side to begin the duplicitous task of assuaging his master's anger. A long day ahead, and it would not be pleasant.

The internet, she is full of bees

Okay, so I'm not going to talk about bees. Instead, at the behest of a friend, I am going to explain to you situations in which I think racism is comedy.

Scenario 1:

Black guy: You there! You opened your door into my car and scratched the paint on purpose! You did it because I am black!
White guy: Sir, I have never seen you before in my life.
Black guy: I'm calling my lawyer!

Scenario 2:
Hispanic woman: Excuse me sir, can you tell me how to get to the bank buildling?
White guy in suit: Why do you assume I know where all the banks are? Is it because I'm a white guy in a suit? You assume I'm some big shot just because of my race? SCREW YOU, I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY IN THE BANK!
Hispanic woman: Thanks;I'll just ask that cop over there.

Scenario 3:
White guy in airport to wife: Gosh honey, look at all the terr'rists!
Iranian wife: I hate you.

unF unF unF unF

Dance until you pass out. That's my motto from now on at any live Armin Van Buuren shows. What do you even call a techno show? Is it a rave? There were certainly ravers present. I'm pretty sure the table next to us was doing drug deals.

I thought I had "slutted" myself up enough with a somewhat low-cut shirt, but I was NOTHING compared to some of the shit we saw. Scrawny, coked-out hooker-looking girls were everywhere, including one dressed in what looked to be a pink Lum outfit. The anime convention is next month, sweetie.

That said, the show was AMAZING. The first two DJs were mildly interesting, but it is obvious whose name was on the tickets: Armin Van Buuren. I'm amazed how into the music I get when it's live. I can listen to A.S.O.T. all day long and just perk my ears up every now and again, but play the same tunes live, and I'm raptly fascinated by everything coming from the speakers.

Unfortunately, I don't think there were enough people cheering, nor was the venue completely full, so I'm not sure he'll ever come back. Oh well, at least I got to see him once :)!

He uses it in the bathtub...

I'm talking about the word "eureka," which has been attributed to Archimedes when he stepped into his bathtub and discovered water displacement. ::themoreyouknow::

I somewhat hope the idea for the show Eureka (on the Sci Fi channel). How in the world did this show go under my radar for 2 seasons? The third season starts tomorrow. OI!

Basically, it's a show about a town full of geniuses who mostly all work for Global Dynamics, a mega-corporation that develops new and crazy technology for the greater good. Among the things we saw in yesterday's marathon (I have things I could be doing, but I am VERY lazy): dimensional rift to heaven, an airborne love potion that makes all the women want the sheriff, an invisibility potion that kills, and cryogenics. Throw in a sheriff and his daughter, neither of whom are geniuses, and enjoy the comedy. It's sort of a drama, but more like a sitcom, but an hour long sitcom. It's funnier and not as dramatic as BSG, so it'll be a nice distraction while I wait for the rest of that.

Lewis Black's show was last night, and it was not at all his best performance. The opening act was half an hour long and was followed by a nearly 30 minute intermission. Uncle Lew had a few really hilarious jokes, but nothing as gut-busting as the last show. He's more a political comedian now than he used to be, and it is for that reason that I will have to leave him behind as my favorite comedian. I'm sorry, Mr. Black, but I just don't like politics.

And I'll whisper, "No."

OMGOMGOMGOMG Watchmen trailer was awesome last night. I mean .... the Batman movie was great too, but OMGOMGOMG Dr. Manhattan is absolutely perfect. The Comedian is spot on. Rorschach's mask is just right. The scene on mars with the thing and the pointy shinies and the pretty lady and the AAAAAAHHHHHH I NEED IT NOW.

It was really more a teaser than a full trailer, but there was enough of it to make me AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Chrissie and I squealed and held onto each other for fear our squeals would carry us away into the heavens. But anyway yes. I am slightly regretful that I went to the Batman movie at midnight last night, as I did not get home until well after 3 am. Luckily, my dog had been sleeping by the door so I basically just scooped her up into bed and passed out without incident. Boy am I tired. I'm not pass-outy, just loopy and feel like I'm on something. Thank goodness for half-days.

Everyone's a little bit racist!

So Friday, Sal, Chrissie, and I met a racist old woman. She referred to black people as the N-word, and as "big ape-men." How ... quaint... Oi. She was super nice other than that. Nothing terribly interesting other than that for Friday...

Saturday was the busiest day ever. Pedicure/manicure to get ready for Avenue Q and mah pretty black dress, then I had a few minutes to chill before I met Chappaboogie for lunch at the Gallery Art Cafe, which is now open on the weekends! Yay! We then went to see Hellboy 2, which was pretty badass. Thoroughly impressed. Yes.

Following the moviefilm, I dropped my darling Chappaboogie off and headed to my tiny hovel to change into my fancydress for the evening's performance. I really didn't have much time to sit and relax before it was time for dinner. PF Chang's served some delicious food, and after a drink at 8.0, we headed to Bass Hall for deliciously vulgar puppetry in the show Avenue Q. I rather enjoyed it, but it was still a musical. Highlights included: The Internet is for Porn and Everyone's a Little Bit Racist. Detractions include: dragging plot at times, loud drunk bitchfaces who kept singing along with all the songs. Die please. ::smile::

Okay, I keep getting distracted by pesky ol' WORK, sooo I'll be goin now. Later, folks.

Explosions both great and small

Ahhh fireworks. Greatest of all Chinese inventions. That might be a lie.

So what is new? Oh! I got to experience the magic of terrifying explosions set off just a few feet from my chair. That was a first. I still have no idea what any of the fireworks are called, but the show was fun just the same (except for the REALLY BRIGHT and REALLY LOUD fireworks). I also got to take Maizieface to my parents' new lake property and she seemed to have a good time! So yes! Thursday and Friday check!

Saturday, my pals and I went to see Wanted and enjoyed dinner and bowling after. Rather expensive evening, but mostly worth it. Wanted wasn't so much GOOD as hilarious. I laughed quite a bit. Hooray for laughing!

Sunday I rearranged my living room and played lots of videogames. Whee. I like the result. It's much more viewer-friendly, and now people don't have to sit in awkward positions to see my computer screen from the couch. Go go anime-party? Well no... I wouldn't make anyone squint at the subtitles on my monitor. It's 20'', but my TV is much bigger. Then again, my computer is widescreen!

And finally, I think I'm buying a condo. Screw yardwork. I mean, a yard would be great for Maizie, but the more she's outside, the more fleas I'll have to pick off ...

Anyway, it's meeting time here at work. Thanks for reading the rambles of an insane person. BYEEE!

Glug glug, squish squish.

Jellyfish!

I saw some! Over there! Guys? Hey guys?

I discovered my limit for prolonged activity in the heat: it is 1.5 hours at an aquarium. The Dallas World Aquarium has a lot of nifty things, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. However, remind me not to cut it quite so close next time. Call me crazy, but I really like having solid plans. I liked the idea of riding to Dallas on the train to go to the aquarium for Chappaboogie's birthday. Instead, our friend decided we were to drive in her new Hybrid car, which would have been fine except for 1) people are never on time, 2) we had to meet later anyway, and 3) there was random bridge construction on the way to Dallas. We arrived around 2:30 pm, parked, and stood in line for 30 minutes. Once we got in to the aquarium, it went pretty fast and we were out of there by a few minutes after 4. I walked in my apartment at 5:09 (I timed it), took Maizieface for a brisk walk (5:29), hopped in for a rinse in the shower (5:35), put down some food for Maizieface (5:37), threw on some clothes (5:44) and makeup (5:45), and hopped in the car (5:49). It takes approximately 15 minutes to get to Frye's apartment, and I arrived just two minutes after six. We then hopped in HIS car and made it to BJ's Brewhouse to join our xeno crew for dinner and then bowling.

That's my heroic tale. This weekend is fireworks and food. Next weekend is Avenue Q!

Shut up already!

With the sales of the RadioShack waterfront campus to Tarrant County College, employees in attendance at yesterday's company-wide meeting asked only the most pertinent questions:

Will we still have nacho Friday?
Can I still have a chair?
When TCC moves in, will we still have air conditioning?
Will we still be allowed to turn on the lights?
Can we still use the E-mails?
What will happen to the internet box?
Can I still drink whiskey at my desk?
If I enroll in classes with TCC, can I use the restroom facilities?

As you can see, employees have priorities strictly in order. Unfortunately, fearless leader Julian Day was unable to answer these questions in spite of their obvious importance. Answers to these questions after a word from our sponsors.

Still not much to report.

Played PowerStone last Saturday night with Brian and Cody.

Now I have sinus problems for the second time this year, and have decided to break down and go to the doctor tomorrow. The human body is both awesome and craptastic. Boo for germs.

I haven't got much to report at the moment, but I would like to mention briefly that I CRAVE Indian food again. I miss its gentle caress as it slides into my mouth.

Also, I'd like to introduce you to de-rez. Oh my.

A-Kon 19 = Success!

Mornin', Internets. It's Monday, and I don't want it to be Monday. I'd like it to still be Weekend, so I could spend a bit longer at A-Kon.

As my new profile pictar suggests, I ran into Nabeshin (Watanabe Shinichi) in the Komik market, and poked Cody until he got off the phone and got in the picture. Well, originally I just wanted him to TAKE the picture, but Nabeshin's translator/PR agent/bodyguard/adorable tag-along grabbed the camera and shoo'd him into the picture. For a quick, 3 second pose, I'd say it turned out well.

I bought some new anime to review, took some notes at some panels, and generally laughed at those standing in long lines for concerts and the like. I also laughed at the pre-reg people (sorry, Cody) who stood in the longest line ever. I got my 3-day badge in about 40 minutes, but pre-reg line took about an hour and a half. SUCKAS!

But anyway, I placed some flyers here and there at the con, and hopefully my podcast will see more pageviews for it. I hear that's the money-maker. Pageviews. Wheee! BYE!

Most awkward audition ever

Well it's been more than a week since I tried my throat at voice acting, and let me tell you...it was the most awkward thing in the world.

I was told to park at the left door, so that's what I did. The guard inside was unhelpful at best, and didn't give a crap whether I knew what was going on or not. Apparently, a little binder at the entrance was supposed to give me character background and a head start on the lines. I wasn't informed of this, so how was I supposed to know that the binders were for me, right? The guard notices me still sitting in the main lobby, and tells me to go in the other room. There should be a lady I can talk to about where to go from there. Weeeelll when I went in the "other room," I discovered it was actually a big empty warehouse with sound studios in rooms off to the sides. All the doors were closed, so as I walked loudly (I had on heels) to the center of the room, I couldn't help but wonder when they'd release the lions.

Eventually, a guy came out and asked if he could help me. It was the kind of condescending "can I help you?" that you get from all employees at the super market, but I told him why I was standing in the middle of the room and he, with a laugh, instructed me where to wait for the audition lady. At this point I should mention that he was kind of ... unprofessionally dressed: long hair with ponytail, t-shirt, and somewhat messy jeans. I'm standing there dressed for an interview. I guess Funimation really is laid back.

And so I sat. I stared at the tree outside the tinted window; I squinted to see across the dark warehouse; I watched a couple of people come out of a room and completely ignore my presence. My "buddy" from before walked through and waved at me at one point. Finally, a door at the far end of the room opened and a woman in jeans and a T-shirt came out to greet me with a fake British accent. I know it was fake, because when I couldn't understand her, she turned it off.

From that point it should have been less awkward, but it wasn't. I went in to this room with a soundproof booth. I could hear them only through headphones. I was told to tell them my character and get going. It was at this point I learned about the mysterious books at the entrance. Joy. I'd been sitting for 15 minutes with nothing to do, and now I only have about 30 seconds to prepare my characters. Suffice to say, at this point any calmness I had went right out the window, and I'm pretty sure the audition was utter crap. At the end, I expected some kind of "we'll let you know" or "hey thanks for coming in. don't worry, everyone is nervous at their first audition" buuuut all I got was a "Great! Have a good evening."

Oi.

Fun summer coming up. Memorial Day grilling, A-Kon, Avenue Q, Lewis Black, and hopefully some swimming at a lake (or at the very least, someone's apartment complex pool).

In final news, I'm going to lose 5-10 pounds by the end of summer. I'm going to Toronto over labor day and I absolutely must be the prettiest girl at the party. Yes yes.

Oh yeah, my ME blog...

I've been so busy lately it's hard to focus on anything! LET'S GLOOVY!

So I have now finished three "TheGirlNerd" podcasts. I'm excited about being TheGirlNerd. Now I need to figure out how to get listeners. There are anime podcasts that have been around a LOT longer than me, and who have more than just the one cohost. What I need to do is get a roommate or boyfriend or something who likes anime, and who I can goad into doing the podcast with me and Alex. Hmmmm.... HMMMMMM....

ALSO I have an audition with Funimation on Monday night for a voice acting opportunity (I mentioned it last time) and I am what you might call beside myself with excitement. I'm putting myself on a weekend voice regimen to ensure optimum voice quality. ::science::

I think I'm the only dork on the planet who hasn't seen freakin Iron Man yet, but with any luck I'll be going tomorrow night with some pals! I am going to try to focus on my last 2.5 hours of work. BYE!