Conversation starters

This one's for Kaitlyn. I have decided to compile the most normal, friendly, socially-acceptable conversation topics. Feel free to use these the next time you have a social outing, family gathering, or mostly when meeting that special someone's parents.

1. Obama! When I did an internet search for dijon mustard, I was hoping to find a recipe. But instead, I learned something new about our president. Obama likes dijon mustard! With news stories like this, you can talk politics without anything getting heated, since nobody could possibly care that much. (Except for Fox News reporter Sean Hannity, who really really cares.)

www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/07/hannity-attacks-obama-for_n_198851.html

2. Celebrity gossip. Its current, hip, and you can judge famous people for hours without anything getting back to anyone. Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are good for beginners. Try "Have you heard Brit's new song? Can you believe it?!" or "I cannot believe that out-of-control Paris Hilton." Your mutual hate towards famous young women will make you and your aquaintance form a deep and lasting bond. Way better than talking about the weather.

www.people.com

3. Your interesting carreer. If you have that, then talk about it and you're all set. But don't worry if you have a shitty job or are like me and have no job. It can still become an exciting topic of conversation (and if you're young, it will become a topic of conversation). The trick is to sound focused, so as to appear that you are working towards something. Pick a hobby of yours and say "I'm hoping to get into ______, but finding a job right now has been really difficult because of the economy." With one statement, you can respond without sounding like a bum and segue into another great topic of conversation:

4. The economy. Who's not pissed about it? It's bad, everything is bad, we're all waiting for it to get better. Maybe a bit depressing and definitely not appropriate if your aquaintances are bank owners or the like, but will get you through an awkward moment. Seriously, at the first sign of an awkwardly long silence, you can sigh and say "This economy sure has been hard." Someone will have a story about it, guarunteed. Once you're good at talking about the economy, you can try to be an optimistic expert to lighten the mood. Try "Things have been getting better, based on a report I read this morning." The report is below.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/jun/02/hopeful-economic-signs-emerge-data/

5. Pets. I'm noticing more and more that we, as people, like to take living things and keep them in our homes or in boxes and call them ours. Everyone's doing it! If you don't have a pet, ask about their pets. Then sit tight and take in a multitude of stories like how this one time, Fluffy was running around the room chasing a moth and totally smashed 'er face against the wall and it was sooooo cute.

6. Your spoon collection.

That should get you started. Soon, you won't be able to stop small talking, and can take your skills outside of obscure social situations to places like the grocery store or bus stop. Prepare to meet FRIENDS!

I am Unreasonable

I keep getting the feeling that I am unreasonable. I have wild expectations which I just shouldn't be expecting anyone to fulfill. I am demanding too much, I am brainwashed by feminist ideals and overreacting to things that I could ignore or "let go of" if I wanted to.

How I am unreasonable:
-I expect to be listened to, even when my opinions to not line up with most people's. Even when what I say is not what the listener wants to hear.
-I don't want my money to fund the killing of civilians- and yes, that is regardless of race or religion or political affiliation.
-I expect my girlfriend to be treated with some fucking respect as a person, no matter what.
-I expect the same respect for myself, but somehow most people see me as more deserving.
-I want to be able to survive and have access to resources I need even though those in control of those resources devalue the skills and abilities I have.
-I expect my health insurance to pay for things I need without me having to call them multiple times to convince them that they are obligated. In other words, I expect their business to provide the service they are promising.
-I want to be educated about people besides white heterosexual males in history. I want this in public school, in K-12 schools, not just for those who decide they are interested in alternative viewpoints and have the privilege of going to college.
-I refuse to believe that women are treated equally in our society, no matter how many men tell me so.
-I refuse to believe that what most people do is my only option. I refuse to let capitalism kill my spirit, I refuse to sell my soul, and I refuse to ignore those being exploited just because an ocean (or financial differences) separate us.

This may seem like a rant. I suppose I am angry and using this as a means to get some of that anger out. But really what I'm trying to figure out is what is so unreasonable about my stance on things. Why am I considered radical... why am I told over and over that I don't know enough about the world or "how things are" to criticize the bullshit I deal with every day? Is it because I am critical in ways that threaten people? I'm tired of having to question myself every time someone questions me, while my questions are written off as being unreasonable.

Does anyone else have unreasonable expectations? Do share!

Salmonella is in your peanut butter

This peanut is going to be the end of civilization as we know it... or pb & j's and snickers bars.

take back the night tshirt draft

here are two different versions.
hopefully you like one of them, which one?
what should i change?
also, what colors? I was thinking white ink on black tees (glow in the dark?!), but there are lots of other fun combinations. like pink on purple... maybe that's not too gender neutral.
anyhow, excited to hear what you think :D

01

02

mai 68

This is awesome, like as awesome as quantum science. I was watching clips of french new wave film on youtube since i left my dvds at school. This clip came across my path:

The clever slogan "pas de flics des films.." caught my attention. It translates to something like "films not cops" (i don't know french, so appoligizes for mistranslations). I'm a sucker for those slogans such as "make tea not war" & "make awkward sexual advances not war."
Next I consulted Wikipedia, naturally, to get some more background. I vaguely remembered learning about the social unrest of the late 60's & 70's in France, vaguely...
What I find particularly incredible, aside from the outpouring of political graphic art that was produced by the students, is the use of expression & voice & mind. Wait! Nay, not even that. I find it delightful and refreshing and reassuring, ect. ect. that STUDENTS, young people were doing something. They were not only questioning convention, but in general life and the sense we are told to make of it and then what actually makes sense. The students acknowledge the nonsensical violence that the police and government blindly unleashed on peaceful protesters. The hypocrisy of a government that does not at all protect its citizens or their human rights & instead responds with force.

“The police post themselves at the School of Fine Arts – the Fine Arts’ students poster the streets.”

Here is some more art from the protests. It's soooo good! Let's bring this type of expression back. I'm tired of design for designs sake. I want purpose, humor, & expression.

“A youth disturbed too often by the future.”


"Return to normal."

Lastly, I stumbled upon this website that sells gorgeous reprints of so so many of the may 68 posters and everyone's favorite british slogan "stay calm and carry on." check it out, and to the (if there is) anyone who reads this blog, feel more than invited to buy me this mug!!!:

reflection 2008, onwards to 2009

2008
8 good moments
spring break, walking across toronto to & fro the deerhoof concert
graduation dinner for cory w/ fay & co.
bike ride e. lansing to charlevoix








exploring the abandon cinema

fall alleycats & group rides

finally going to the msu planetarium!!
fl family vaction, disney world the "happiest place on earth"












all times spent star gazing, listening to friends, holding hands, late night walks, and appreciating trees in the fall

8 bad moments

the start of 2008
working elff as a sleep deprived, dehydrated projectionist, ergh
not biking to or.
summer classes
getting out of my lease
certain parts of august and september but you guys got me thru it
having a sinus infect
having a sore throat from mono and not being able to sleep & then sleeping to much (but that wasn't all that bad)


2009
wishes & goals
EAT BETTER. i stopped cooking since moving into the co-ops so as to not deal w. the kitchen & the boredom of eating alone. prepare a week's worth of salad at a time, ect.
TRY NOT TO BUY NEW THINGS. i have too much of everything. i need to downsize so that one day i can move across the country with ease.
DEAL W/ PASSIVITY BY HAVING SOME DAMN ENTHUSIASM. just that. partake in my own life, don't zone out when conversations are happening around me. smile & say hello.

live freely, openly, happily, and without consideration of convention
go abroad
find a home
find a job
adopt a pet (netherland bunny or mini potbelly pig!!)

Feminism in "I Dream of Jeannie"!

As an opinionated, critical feminist, things in the media tend to make me want to puke. I Dream of Jeannie is no exception- how can any good come out of a TV show which features a half-dressed woman with magical powers who's existence is centered upon her "master." Regardless, the episode "My Turned-On Master" caught my attention the other day. I was pleasantly surprised with the messages of feminism which slipped their way into the show. The episode was about Jeannie giving her powers to Captain Nelson for 24 hours in order to attend a formal dinner with him. The trick is that he doesn't know he holds the power of magic for half the episode. While still unaware of his power, he talks about Jeannie being a silly girl who doesn't know enough to do anything meaningful or good with her power. He goes on to say that he would be able to make the entire world better with magic; he could end war, drought, ect. Then, when Jeannie breaks the news that he has her powers, he turns into a jerk. He tells her he will finally be able to save the world, and shoos her away. The best line occurs when Captain Nelson tells Jeannie to leave him to do "men's work" to which she replies, " "It was women's work when I was doing it." In the end, she laughs at his self-righteous and simple understanding of the problems of the world, and he ends up losing his magical abilities.
I really enjoyed the perspective of this episode. While men are viewed as more capable as political leaders than men by our culture, I Dream of Jeannie shows how a more feminine approach is a sign of intelligence and experience. Captain Nelson embodies the masculine attitude of "knowing it all" and "knowing what to do." Unfortunately, much of what is done with this attitude is harmful, and Jeannie explaines this to him. Jeannie, on the other hand, represents the feminine traits of thoughtfulness and patience. It is unfortunate that she cannot be more involved or interested in the "world problems" which Captain Nelson is concerned about, since her strong character could come up with realistic and sound solutions which he is far far away from.