The bride and groom:
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| From Wedding Pictures |
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| From Wedding Pictures |
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| From Wedding Pictures |
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| From Wedding Pictures |
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| From Wedding Pictures |
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| From Wedding Pictures |
Ok, so it's been awhile. I have a busy house now, although now that my new roommate started her job, it's quieter.
It's the last week of summer vacation, and I'm excited. Financial aid got disbursed yesterday, so I should be getting a nice check in the mail. I need to decide between paying of my private student loan, saving the money in case I need it later, or buying a laptop. I don't need the laptop right away, but I'll want it before we leave for Japan.
I've already purchased some of my textbooks from Amazon. One of the 5(!) textbooks for my architecture class is GORGEOUS. It's a coffee table book, and the pictures are amazing. I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing some of the sights in person.
Also, I'm glad to see Brent and I aren't the only ones planning a Star Wars location wedding cake:
So, I got an email from MoveOn.org that was simply appalling. Earlier I talked about how a friend joined the Facebook group "The Pill Kills"... well, now it seems the government is taking that same logic. The email in its entirety: Can you imagine living in a place where birth control is considered an "abortion" and health insurers won't cover it? Where even rape victims are denied emergency contraception? It seems unbelievable, but the Bush Administration is quietly trying to redefine "abortion" to include birth control. The Houston Chronicle says this could wipe out dozens of state laws that protect women's reproductive freedom and protect rape victims.1 Access to basic health care for millions of women would be jeopardized. And it's being pushed as a "rule change"—meaning, it doesn't need congressional approval. Can you sign an emergency message to Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, whose department is considering this rule change right now? Tell him: "Contraception is NOT abortion. The Bush Administration's proposal to change the definition of abortion and reduce women's access to birth control must be stopped." Clicking here will add your name to this message: The best way to beat back this proposal is to show Secretary Leavitt massive public outrage—that's why today we're launching this petition jointly with Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Together, we'll deliver every signature to Leavitt. You can help add to our momentum by forwarding this message to friends. Here's what some others are saying about this proposal: The administration needs to stop playing word games with women's health and state clearly they will reject any regulations that will undermine women's access to basic health care.—Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.4 [It's] a spectacular act of complicity with the religious right... —RH Reality Check, Information and Analysis for Reproductive Health5 Can you help send a loud message to Secretary Leavitt that birth control is NOT abortion? Clicking here will sign your name: Thanks for all you do. –Nita, Laura, Patrick S., Adam G., and the rest of the team Sources: 1. "Redefining abortion; Federal officials considering a rule allowing health care workers to refuse to provide contraceptives," Houston Chronicle, August 10, 2008 2. Letter to Secretary Mike Leavitt from Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and 26 other senators, July 23, 2008 3. "Redefining abortion; Federal officials considering a rule allowing health care workers to refuse to provide contraceptives," Houston Chronicle editorial, August 10, 2008 4. "Birth control: is administration backing down—or not?" Los Angeles Times blog, August 8, 2008 5. "HHS Moves to Define Contraception as Abortion," RH Reality Check, July 15, 2008 6. "White House Considering Contraception Restrictions," Public News Service, August 11, 2008
Dear MoveOn member,
http://pol.moveon.org/The draft regulation would define birth control as abortion...it could deny access to critical family planning for women across the country.—Letter signed by Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and 26 other senators.2
The draft rule could void laws in 27 states that require insurance companies to provide birth control coverage for women requesting it [and] laws in 14 states requiring that rape victims receive counseling and access to emergency, day-after contraceptives.—Houston Chronicle editorial3
http://pol.moveon.org/
http://www.chron.com/disp/
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=
http://www.chron.com/disp/
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=
So, as Brent and I were getting out of our car early Saturday afternoon, two nice ladies stopped us in the parking lot and told us about their church, which was opening up across the street. Neither Brent nor myself were even the little bit interested, but listened and took pamphlets to be polite. However, when we got inside we discovered that one of the things they handed us was a Chick tract.
The one they handed us was their one on Mormonism. Having a bit of background in the subject, I can actually report that the 15 or so pages are accurate, if not a bit mean spirited. Stuff like God was once a man, Kolob, war in heaven, etc. I lost it and started laughing hysterically on page 17 though, where it says "I can tell you for a fact that it is nothing but a modern-day form of Baal worship." It calls Mormonism a mix of "Babylonian and Jewish religions."
Even better than Baal worship however, was the very last page, where it tells you how to "get to heaven." There is, honest to god, a question that asks "Do you accept Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour?" AND THEN THERE ARE CHECK BOXES FOR YES AND NO!
Btw, here is the link for the actual track we were handed: The Visitors. Scroll down to the bottom to see the check boxes for yourself.
EVERYONE who has even the slightest bit of RPG nerd in them owes it to themself to read this one: Dark Dungeon. It has to be one of the funniest things I have ever read in my entire life. Even more absurd than the comics are the links down at the bottom of the page... one of which suggests that casting a spell in D&D might actually summon a demon in real life!
And, as a bonus link: Why do people laugh at creationists? This is a series of YouTube videos poking fun at the absurd arguments that creationists sometimes make, like that the Grand Canyon was made in 5 minutes, or that the banana is absolute proof of God.
I haven't posted this week because I've been astonishingly busy. One of our close friends needed a place to stay, and so Brent and I have gotten three new roommates--her and her two cats. So, I've been busy helping her move her stuff, get settled, etc.
I'll try to think of something funny and witty to post later today. Right now, the caffeine has not kicked in.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2008, 1:23 p.m.
By Thomas Daykin
Leinenkugel drops Apple Spice, adds Nut
Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. is dropping its Apple Spice seasonal brand and replacing it with Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown Lager, it was announced today.
The new holiday seasonal beer will be sold during November and December. The Chippewa Falls-based brewer says it will be "the perfect complement for holiday foods such as glazed hams, roasts, gravies, pies and pastries."
Apple Spice, which had been Leinenkugel's winter seasonal beer, is being dropped. Apple Spice had good sales, but its growth is currently limited by production costs and ingredient availability, a company spokeswoman said.
I'm going to cry. I loved Apple Spice. It was delicious and I was looking forward to it this year. /wrists
I like a movie reviewer who can admit that sometimes you don't need a thought provoking story. Sometimes you don't need character development. Sometimes you just need fun.
From his 1999 review of The Mummy, which he quoted in today's review of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor:
There is hardly a thing I can say in its favor, except that I was cheered by nearly every minute of it. I cannot argue for the script, the direction, the acting or even the mummy, but I can say that I was not bored and sometimes I was unreasonably pleased.
Half Blood Prince trailer.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the first Harry Potter movie since everyone and their mum has seen a naked Daniel Radcliffe, right?
Last night it struck me that if I could think of a catchy, beautiful fully instrumental theme from a movie, it was John Williams 9 out of 10 times. The Harry Potter theme was stuck in my head, and I confirmed with Brent that it was John Williams. Then I thought about Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, etc., and they all these amazingly beautiful and catchy songs.
The ones I'm thinking of specifically: "Hedwig's Theme" from Harry Potter (Williams scored the first three movies, this theme is now used in all of them.) Pretty much anything from Star Wars, but specifically "The Imperial March" and "Princess Leia's Theme" (I threw in an extra special video for "The Imperial March, btw.) Also, the main theme from Indiana Jones and "Welcome to Jurassic Park."
Two side factoids: I could completely ruin "Duel of the Fates" from Episode 1 for you, but I won't. And every ringtone I've ever had with the exception of Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode version) has been a John Williams song.
Last night, Brent was being surveyed by some government thing, so I needed to get out of the house. I drove down the street to Borders, and grabbed one of the Stephanie Meyer books that they are heavily promoting right now. I didn't want to like it. I dislike reading books that are heavily hyped (I didn't start reading Harry Potter until just before the fifth book came out,) and to be quite honest, I was nervous about the author. I didn't want another Tracy Hickman level... thing. But, I had an hour to kill, so I grabbed the first book, Twilight. And damned if it didn't catch my interest.
Previous to reading the book (which I finished last night,) I had read something about the author, in which she said something along the lines of writing enjoyable, intense romances without the sex. I don't have anything against sex scenes in book as a general rule, but I can see her point. I don't mind them on principle, but I have read quite a few books where I thought "Oh, for crying out loud, not another one,"--here I'm thinking you, Laurell K. Hamilton, or where I've thought "But... but... you didn't need that sex scene, it doesn't fit in with the rest of the book!"--here I'm thinking of Jim Butcher.
/tangent I wanted to like the Harry Dresden novels. I just couldn't get past the main character. I guess when I read popular, for entertainment novels, I really need to stick to ones where the main character is female. Or, doesn't evaluate the breasts of every single woman he ever meets. / end tangent
Anyway, Twilight was a quick ( I finished in maybe three hours) and enjoyable read. It helped that both main locations of the book were places I've lived before--Phoenix, Arizona, and the Olympic Peninsula. It also does romance between a century old vampire and high school girl WAY better than seasons one through three of Buffy. So, evidently I have another young adult series to read. I promise my reading tastes will grow up one day. I'm currently reading a Japanese novel about sheep.
I'm freaking bored. School ended two months ago, but because of both the job market and the cost of gas, I couldn't find a part-time job that would be worth my time--it doesn't make much sense gas-wise to take a 4-hour a day summer school job that pays 8 dollars an hour, but is 25 minutes away. So, I've been bumming around this summer. And I'm bored. I've done a little studying, a few craft projects. At this point, I'm considering trying to remember how to knit and working on that. I mean, I can usually entertain myself with reading and/or games, but I'm running out of material.
Side note: Brent and I were having our periodic "how to we feel about the concept of kids" discussion. We agree: we understand why people want kids (at least, we can think of reasons why we do) and it's something we'll consider in five or so years. But neither of us can understand baby love. I can see why you'd want a 4 year old--someone to teach new things to, help them start enjoying different hobbies, etc. But why do some people obsess over babies? Little squirming babies that can't talk, can't walk, can't do anything for themselves? I think maybe if we ever decide to pass our awesomeness on to a second generation, we'll heavily consider adoption.
It's my party... and I'm exhausted. People just cleared out at about 8-ish, after having been here for 26+ hours. Hours full of drinking, gaming, and general craziness.
The highs:
My internet tell me I'm a dork. Especially the one titled "Star Wars font info." I guess even more telling than the bookmark itself is how often I visit that site...
I saw a picture from the premier of The Dark Knight, and was once again astonished by Gary Oldman's looks. A) He always looks different, and B) he always looks fantastic, unless he's not supposed to. He's been in some shit movies, but he's always something to look at. Unless you don't recognize him. Which I didn't, in Batman Begins, until the credits were rolling. The man has also been in some highly nerdy movies: Batman, Harry Potter, Lost in Space, Fifth Element, Dracula, etc.
(If you were wondering, my favorite Gary Oldman is the tortured reverend in The Scarlett Letter. Crappy movie, so watching him was about the only thing to do.)
At the Dark Knight premier, 2008: 
As Sirius Black, 2004:
In Air Force One, 1997:
As Rev. Dimmesdale, 1995:
As Dracula, 1992:
* There are several things I should be doing, and even more that I could be doing, but instead I can't muster up the enthusiasm to even browse websites.
* I am anxious for school to start again. I enjoy learning and like the atmosphere of university. Also, I want my degree.
* I played the hell out of Polarium for the DS last week (I got it, plus a case and some styluses/styli for 5 bucks on clearance.) I now see black and white patterns when I close my eyes.
* I enjoy the Star Wars RPG Brent is running so incredibly much. I will be sad when it finally has to end.
* I've been on a city building game kick lately. I picked up what I thought was going to be a city builder at Half-Price books on Sunday, but turns out it's just an economic simulation, with no real city building. I might give it a go later, but it doesn't satisfy my immense craving to build sprawling metropolises. Luckily, it was only 5 bucks.
* HBO is making a television series out of a series of books I read. I'm too nervous about their quality to be excited.
* I've been slowly (for me) re-reading the Harry Potter series. I can't decide if flaws I find are flaws in the writing, the plot, or simply the characters themselves.
* I FINALLY found something that tastes reasonably like old-fashioned glazed donuts. Entemmans makes glazed poppers that satisfy my craving.
* I feel bad that I spent money on my adorable little green iPod nano, and now it's not getting any use, since I'm home all summer. I know I'll use it constantly once school starts up again, though.
* I don't have kids, and I don't even work with kids anymore, but I still buy children's books. Doreen Cronin writes amazing children's books about politics and labor relations.
The 9 Most Badass Bible Verses.
Hilarity. I especially enjoyed the comparisons to Star Wars.
//edit//
OMG! I am so addicted to cracked.com right now. Ever since reading about the Bible verses, I've been going from link to link. My second favorite (after the Bible one) is the 5 Most Badass Presidents.
Ok, I'm going to do something that's totally not me. I'm going to blog about... football.
I can't help it. I feel like I'm observing a scientific study on sports obsession, coming to Wisconsin after living in Washington for 20+ years. In my experience, Washington football fans cheer the Seahawks at their games, are pleased when they do well, and generally just forget about the team when they're having an off year. That is so not the case in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin, on the whole, has this bizarre obsession with the Packers. People will sell their soul for season tickets (and probably their firstborn too.) So, it was big news earlier this year when Brett Favre announced his retirement. The quarterback HIMSELF announced his own retirement. That fact will be important later. Less than a day later, they were selling Brett Favre memorabilia "The Career of a Legend" and stuff like that. Sports Illustrated put out a special Brett Favre issue about his whole career (I know because every store in the area had about 2,000 copies each--they must have printed two issues for each person who lives in Wisconsin.) Anyway, there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth, but eventually, the cheeseheads got over it, celebrated his career, and then made predictions on how Favre's replacement, Aaron Rodgers, would do in the coming season.
And today... today every news outlet is reporting that Favre asked the Green Bay Packers to release him from his contract. Wait... hold on. Why would he do that if he was retired? Turns out, he asked the Packers if he could come back, they were like "Uh... dude, you said you were retiring. We built this year's team on the idea you wouldn't be back. So, uh... no. Stay retired." Evidently, Favre didn't like this, and wants to be released so he can seek out other teams to play for this year.
So, know Packers fans appear to be split. The majority support the Packers brass for having the balls to tell Favre to stay retired. A very very vocal minority are yelling about how Favre is bigger than the Packers and they should bow to his every whim.
To me, this is all very fascinating. I mean, the dude is thirty eight years old. Even if he comes out of retirement, he only has a few more years. Also, from what I've read in the news stories today, he's pulled the "Will I retire or won't I" stunt for a few years now, he made it "official" this spring, and is now trying to pull out of retirement already. But dude... just take your vast stockpile of money, buy a country club membership, maybe a sailboat, and retire like normal people do. Well, normal people who are twice your age. Go into broadcasting, go into coaching. Just stop looking like a pathetic old (for football) man who thinks he's still shit hot (I actually don't know if he is shit hot or not... I have no idea, I don't follow the Packers.)
Anyway, from my outside perspective, this is an interesting turning point for Packer's fans. Do they prove themselves cheeseheads for life and support the Packers brass, or do they prove themselves Favre-heads and wail about how one man is more important than the whole rest of the team combined. Really, my only personal interest in this is to not have to see 2,000 more copies of "Favre Retires" Sports Illustrated in my local grocery stores next year too.
A while ago, I posted about how adorable this was. And guess what Brent got me for my birthday! So adorable!!!!
