Tomorrow is THE DAY. So, I probably won't be around for a week. The exam is Monday through Wednesday, and then Thursday and Friday invovle intoxication and video games. So, don't expect to see me for a few days. I mean, not that I'm so indispensible to your daily life or anything. [And, let's be honest - I'll totally have to let you all know...
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Jesusfuck is my new favorite swear.
Try it out. Tell all your friends.
Tomorrow I'm going to quit my research assistant position. I have too much shit to do, and while the work is nice and the pay is better ... I can't help but wondering: every week I spend working for someone else, how many days does that keep me in graduate school longer?...
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Try it out. Tell all your friends.
Tomorrow I'm going to quit my research assistant position. I have too much shit to do, and while the work is nice and the pay is better ... I can't help but wondering: every week I spend working for someone else, how many days does that keep me in graduate school longer?...
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Seriously, what's worse than receiving crazy emails from your mom asking if she is a good parent and lamenting about your sibling's latest fuck-up?
Families. What are you gonna do?
Also: The philosophy group ... Not really doing it for me. Pretty much, my SG time is just spent updating my journal, reading other journals, and dropping a comment here and there. Oh. And with...
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Families. What are you gonna do?
Also: The philosophy group ... Not really doing it for me. Pretty much, my SG time is just spent updating my journal, reading other journals, and dropping a comment here and there. Oh. And with...
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daversion:
what's worse than receiving crazy emails from your mom asking if she is a good parent and lamenting about your sibling's latest fuck-up?
actually, i kinda wish i would receive those. or at least have siblings. (i mean, i do--sort of. half.)
Also: The philosophy group ... Not really doing it for me. Pretty much, my SG time is just spent updating my journal, reading other journals, and dropping a comment here and there. Oh. And with the naked ladies too.
i'm in that group as well, but i pretty much forgo participation. i think i made, what, one thread? it got some serious response, too, but i pretty much feel like a lame-ass when i wander in there. up side: Arete is the group owner 
as for SG-time-spending, i find that i'm rarely on anymore. well, maybe that's not entirely accurate. i guess i'm on about as often as ever was (okay, no), but i spend my time lurking threads or groups, seeing if there's anything worth typing a few lines about. most times, no. as such, my comment count is stagnant (*insert reference to NOLA flood waters*), and i've been removed from comicking's monthly post stats tracking for inactivity 
when i do have time for journal reading, your entries are--as always--some of my favorites to peruse. there was lengthy past entry that caught my eye, but i didn't get a chance to read it in its entirety.
any sets to recommend? i think i'll take a peek at Venice's new set before i get back to work on my past-due paper 
sweetavenue:
Hiya!!! School starts next week. I'm excited. I can't wait to meet some writers down here, damn it! 
We are now officially ONE WEEK away from the exam. The tension is on. Two books left.
I'm reading History of Political Philosophy by Strauss and Cropsey right now. This books sucks. It's mostly just summaries. Which I guess is cool. But a lot of the thinkers (Marsilius of Padua?!?!? Seriously?!?!?) are just not interesting. The book is also weak in terms of 1) critique...
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I'm reading History of Political Philosophy by Strauss and Cropsey right now. This books sucks. It's mostly just summaries. Which I guess is cool. But a lot of the thinkers (Marsilius of Padua?!?!? Seriously?!?!?) are just not interesting. The book is also weak in terms of 1) critique...
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galvagin:
Yeah, I am busy. I'll be more content once I'm done with core classes. 
Good luck with the Strauss. At least now you'll understand why we're in Iraq, neh?
Good luck with the Strauss. At least now you'll understand why we're in Iraq, neh?
lesborella:
I think Quentin Tarantino killed the Rashomon story telling conceit andnow ehn anyone else uses it it smells like it's rotting. Good luck on your exams
As much as it pains me, I must move on - I cannot leave up pictures of Linda Cardellini indefinitely.... 
Anyway, I actually have something on my mind today. Namely, what is the bag with Americans being afraid of politics? More specifically, in the days since Hurricane Katrina, a series of ugly questions have started to rise to the surface: Was FEMA led entirely by...
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Anyway, I actually have something on my mind today. Namely, what is the bag with Americans being afraid of politics? More specifically, in the days since Hurricane Katrina, a series of ugly questions have started to rise to the surface: Was FEMA led entirely by...
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ojaeflo:
That thong and fishnets were TOTALLY lost on those guys.
shard:
The important thing is to help those who are displaced by the hurricane. The criticizm is going to come no matter what, but it shouldn't interfere with relief efforts. Morale is important.
New Orleans has been below sea level and in the hurricane path for years now. The water temp in the gulf has been consistantly rising. There were failures on local, state, & federal levels. They should have had every municipal & school bus taking people out of there a week in advance, but there were no plans in place. Everybody loses. Learn from mistakes.
My dad went to UC. I've been to the South Side. My Uncle is a Socialist and has always lived on the south side. He was a H.S. gov't teacher. He's the only white man for miles in his hood.
If I had more money, I would come to Chicago several times a year.
New Orleans has been below sea level and in the hurricane path for years now. The water temp in the gulf has been consistantly rising. There were failures on local, state, & federal levels. They should have had every municipal & school bus taking people out of there a week in advance, but there were no plans in place. Everybody loses. Learn from mistakes.
My dad went to UC. I've been to the South Side. My Uncle is a Socialist and has always lived on the south side. He was a H.S. gov't teacher. He's the only white man for miles in his hood.
If I had more money, I would come to Chicago several times a year.
A bit of indulgence today...
So, I do not put a lot of stock in dreams. In part, that is probably because I rarely remember much of what I dream. When I do recall anything, it is mostly disjointed images of which I am uncertain and really have no context for. This is in stark relief to my wife: she is one of those folks...
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So, I do not put a lot of stock in dreams. In part, that is probably because I rarely remember much of what I dream. When I do recall anything, it is mostly disjointed images of which I am uncertain and really have no context for. This is in stark relief to my wife: she is one of those folks...
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bredoteau:
I love hearing dream stories! An old roommate of mine used to tell the most ridiculous shit; I swore he was making it up. He remembered them really well, too.
I had a dream once (recently) in which I punched a guy in the face. I woke up at the exact instant and punched a bunch of books off of my bedside table.
Anyway, I wrote that because of my finances. They are really in bad shape. I'm almost getting to a point where I can't pay the minimum balance on my credit cards. And I don't know what to do.
I had a dream once (recently) in which I punched a guy in the face. I woke up at the exact instant and punched a bunch of books off of my bedside table.
Anyway, I wrote that because of my finances. They are really in bad shape. I'm almost getting to a point where I can't pay the minimum balance on my credit cards. And I don't know what to do.
india:
that dream is ace, shes real pretty
It's Saturday, my wife is at her class, I need to get to work, but I'm watching Weekend at Bernie's. This movie cracks me up. The guys who star in it remind me of Ross and Chandler from Friends. Not the *actors* - the actual fictional characters seem similar. What's up with that?
Last night, we went out with another couple - a...
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Last night, we went out with another couple - a...
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obd:
This is what Kayne West thinks about the whole state of things. I'm pissed. It's freakin' ridiculuous, talk about breaking the social contract.
bredoteau:
I'm surprised I didn't think of bouncing this off you earlier: do you think that if more politicians spoke the way Mayor Nagin did vis--vis the federal response that political participation might increase?
As I'm reading for my exam, it occurs to me that two fundamental issues are in a lot of ways of radically undertheorized: liberty and democracy. Prima facie, that just sounds ridiculous. Since at least the mid-1980s, and the take off of deliberative democracy compounded by the more recent surge in civil society literature, it seems like everyone is talking about liberty, democracy, or some...
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bredoteau:
Group was atually problematic. When turnout isn't good, there is a lot of pressure and compulsion on those who do show up. Otherwise you mind as well be getting drinks at the bar. I hope that was just an anomaly.
As you probably could have guessed, I'm 100% with you on your journal entry. The second part of Democracy in America is absolutely critical. And on the side of Nietzsche, pro-democracy advocates have even invoked him in their arguments! Hogwash! What a bad reading!
Regarding Foucault, have you ever read his statement on human rights from '84?
As you probably could have guessed, I'm 100% with you on your journal entry. The second part of Democracy in America is absolutely critical. And on the side of Nietzsche, pro-democracy advocates have even invoked him in their arguments! Hogwash! What a bad reading!
Regarding Foucault, have you ever read his statement on human rights from '84?
shard:
Freedom is wonderful, but there's actually very little we get to choose regarding our fate.
Regarding theories such as Malthus, they fail to appreciate the inent to reduce suffering. While it's true that altruistic actions may actually increase suffering in the long run, it is speculation and it's also very cynical. It fails to acknowledge the value and power of humanity. The influence we have over our fate and others in respect to quality of life and compassion is actually quite profound. What's the point of a long life which is self centered?
Serving in public office is referred to as public service. A democracy functions best when it's citizens assume responsability for themselves.
I guess i should wait until I have my coffe before responding to such issues.
Regarding theories such as Malthus, they fail to appreciate the inent to reduce suffering. While it's true that altruistic actions may actually increase suffering in the long run, it is speculation and it's also very cynical. It fails to acknowledge the value and power of humanity. The influence we have over our fate and others in respect to quality of life and compassion is actually quite profound. What's the point of a long life which is self centered?
Serving in public office is referred to as public service. A democracy functions best when it's citizens assume responsability for themselves.
I guess i should wait until I have my coffe before responding to such issues.
It is, I kid you not, 6;30 AM and here I am awake and updating. It was one of those things: I went to bed sort of early last night, woke up at 6:00 to use the bathroom, and as 6 AM is when I'm usually up ... well, now i'm wide awake.
Just a few odds and ends...
The other night, my wife and...
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Just a few odds and ends...
The other night, my wife and...
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trucker_fiction:
yeah, there's a super-walmart on veterans now... i just moved here, but this place doesnt seem too bad
lesborella:
Of course your wife has first dibs. That's understood. She's not one of those people who is a leisurely reader is she? I generally finish a book in one sitting, regardless of how long it takes me. I'm not a fast reader either so I end up staying up all night.
If you like Freaks and Geeks you'll like this. Did you like Anchorman? It is similar in tone but significantly better.
If you like Freaks and Geeks you'll like this. Did you like Anchorman? It is similar in tone but significantly better.
Today, I was once again yelling at the Tribune over my bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats (the only cereal I'll actuallly put up with). There was a little gem of a story about right-wing, pro-lifers being up in arms again. It seems, a recent study suggests that fetuses do not feel pain, as they lack the neurological wiring to experience it. Any reaction that fetuses *do*...
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pumpkineater:
all this was too much for me to read this time through so more on it later, but i wanted to say, b dylan in his youth was a phenomena...in the truest hegelian sense.
evanx:
Yea, it's crazy. RIGHT NOW is just the right time for us. It's all happening so fast! 
Making it out to the SGB in Chicago this year? Missy and I'll be there! And maybe Kira again!
Making it out to the SGB in Chicago this year? Missy and I'll be there! And maybe Kira again!
lesborella:
We used to watch this movie every day when I was in college my sophomore year. Every day. I can't tell you how many times I said "Who wants an Orange Whip? Orange Whip? Orange Whip? Orange Whip? Three Orange Whips!
I want to comment on your last few posts. Cindy Sheehan may be a dangerous antiSemite, as opposed to the not dangerous type. she's disavowed some of the comments attributed to her but not allof them. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't hate the Jews (not including myself, I'm not a self hating Jew) but this zionist conspiracy Jewish overlords of America stuff makes me sick. If the Jews are really in control of america, they're doing a pretty good job disguising their objectives as those of the Fundamentalist Christian Right. And if the Jews are in control I WANT MY PIECE GOD DAMN IT. I didn't take those Bar Mizvah lessons for nothing.
And as far as marketing to children you don't want to get me started. I used to work at the Fox Family Channel, and they wouldn't produce a cartoon if they did not have a toy company signed on to pick up some of the production costs. That's right, they wouldn't make a cartoon unless there were toys in production. The shows were just elaborate commercials. Nothing more. Period. End of Story. they used to do the Power Rangers, and the Toy company would send them the toys in advance and they would write the episodes around the new toys (for example Power Ranger Jet Bikes) I wish I was making this up. It's bad enough the children's television shows are poorly written, dirivative, and soulless, but that they are only designed to sell products...it's almost more than I can bear. Don't get me started on Mtv which always reminds me of the movie "They Live" (which belongs up there with The Blues Brothers) where you put on the sunglasses and everything just says CONSUME CONSUME CONSUME.
I want to comment on your last few posts. Cindy Sheehan may be a dangerous antiSemite, as opposed to the not dangerous type. she's disavowed some of the comments attributed to her but not allof them. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't hate the Jews (not including myself, I'm not a self hating Jew) but this zionist conspiracy Jewish overlords of America stuff makes me sick. If the Jews are really in control of america, they're doing a pretty good job disguising their objectives as those of the Fundamentalist Christian Right. And if the Jews are in control I WANT MY PIECE GOD DAMN IT. I didn't take those Bar Mizvah lessons for nothing.
And as far as marketing to children you don't want to get me started. I used to work at the Fox Family Channel, and they wouldn't produce a cartoon if they did not have a toy company signed on to pick up some of the production costs. That's right, they wouldn't make a cartoon unless there were toys in production. The shows were just elaborate commercials. Nothing more. Period. End of Story. they used to do the Power Rangers, and the Toy company would send them the toys in advance and they would write the episodes around the new toys (for example Power Ranger Jet Bikes) I wish I was making this up. It's bad enough the children's television shows are poorly written, dirivative, and soulless, but that they are only designed to sell products...it's almost more than I can bear. Don't get me started on Mtv which always reminds me of the movie "They Live" (which belongs up there with The Blues Brothers) where you put on the sunglasses and everything just says CONSUME CONSUME CONSUME.
rickets:
I heard they were from Bettendorf.
So, despite all the shit I have to do, I keep finding time to read novels and what now. Mostly, it's a function of house sitting: it's a 45 minute bus/"L" ride (one way!) up to E.'s house. That's a LOT of time to burn through a paperback, ya know?
A few good things ...
Blood Done Sign My Name by Timothy Tyson - I...
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A few good things ...
Blood Done Sign My Name by Timothy Tyson - I...
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rickets:
Don't worry. The umbrella guy goes all over the neighborhood. I've seen him most often by the lakefront or near monoxide towers on 55th. He's also been spotted by reliable witnesses near Jackson Park.
smithers_jones:
I'm Gonzo without a doubt.
in an academic environment, thats what brilliance will do to people who are utlimately, dorks.
well, at least you arent the kind of grad student who wears his distressed leather shoulder bag and blazer elbow patcheslike he's the hippest smartest academic this side of.... i dunno. bert cohler. who puts his feet up and waxes philosophic during ta sessions and hits on poor unsuspecting underclass girls.