The Patriotic Earthling

Eh, more or less.

2010-05-31T06:51:44Z

( Clarke and Dawe - Lending Merry-Go-Round )

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Favorite Tweets 2009

2010-05-24T21:05:45Z

Like the 2008 post, these were all public when I quoted them. If you want yours taken down, just leave a comment and I will.

Favorite Tweets 2009

pineapplecakes: anamariecox and maddow in the same room is an explosion of hot and smart. #

sarking: Freshman congressmen are adorable and should not be allowed near Stephen Colbert. #

fakerahmemanuel: anniemal Clever old fucker was a compliment. We should all hope to be clever old fuckers one day. #

anamariecox: Preparing for BSG premiere with marathon; starting with season 2. Tigh giving me serious McCain flashbacks. #

thetrainblack: "You think history is going to go with the unfortunate stagecraft angle? OK, anything else?" Rhetoric. His other mistake is /rhetoric/? #

sarking: skywaterblue I agree with this tweet. Kate Clinton is awesome and makes maddow act even more adorable. #

driftingfocus: I'm not liking this inaugural prayer. Too Jesus-y. #

sarking: (Thank the Lord he did not say "potpourri of balls." I wouldn't have stopped laughing for a month.) #

sarking: Rachel on Hillary at the State Department: "You can call it a rockstar entrance. It was almost more of a 'greeted as liberators' entrance." #

sarking: Rachel: "Foggy Bottom. Yeah, this is not a news cycle for sophomoric people like me who are tired." #

thetrainback: :D JON! OMG HE'S DEFENDING THE MORALITY OF ATHEISTS. :D :D :D GOOD PERSON=/=RELIGIOUS PERSON (at least not necessarily) #

ricksanchezcnn: just got back in, heard my colleague is questioning the S. Pov Law ctr's def. of hate groups. let me help: white sheet, pointy hats. #

ricksanchezcnn: when you're against the southern poverty law ctr, you've pretty much defined yourself. nuff said. #

luchalibrarian: Where exactly did the angel touch you? #

stonermc: willatwork yes! i was thinking that.. rachel backwards and forwards... sounds rude somehow. #

( much more under the cut )

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Favorite Tweets 2008

2010-05-23T11:45:48Z

Well, the ones I favorited anyway. I'm un-starring stuff as I copy down the quote or link. So, without further ado...

Favorite Tweets 2008

sarking: "Election news! Which means -- I love this part -- roll the animation!" <3 #

thetrainback: Obama has one electoral vote for every day of the year. :) #

docsaico*: You're only as ugly as we think you are, kay? #

docsaico*: Leviticus, chapter 20. And if a man lies down with another man, they have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Amen. #

thetrainblack: My mom hadn't heard the story of Coulter-bitch breaking her jaw and having it wired shut. We *flailed* about the poetic justice of it all. #

natthedem: "I won't quote back any of the things said about me. This is a family program, I know." - Barack Obama on Blago's opinion of him #

sarking: My Pet Goat should be featured prominently in the G. Dubs Lie-berry. #

sarking: Excuse me: Lie-bury. That's better than "Lie-berry." Lie-bury was the administration's main approach to governing. #

thetrainblack: "Sydney Poitier, Bill Cosby, Oprah, Urkel. Starter negroes, if you will." #

lalisa: sarking American Family Association to gays: NO SOUP FOR YOU! #

*then colbertobsessed

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Atheists in Foxholes Memorial

2010-05-14T03:02:07Z

It’s time to dispel one of this nation’s greatest myths . . . There are indeed many atheists in foxholes.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation erected its monument to “Atheists in Foxholes” in 1999 at Lake Hypatia, Alabama.

The monument is dedicated to the many members of the military who were “atheists in foxholes,” as well as to all freethinkers (atheists, agnostics, and skeptics of any persuasion) who serve in the U.S. military.

The monument reads:

“In memory of ATHEISTS IN FOXHOLES and the countless FREETHINKERS who have served this country with honor and distinction.

“Presented by the national Freedom From Religion Foundation with hope that in the future humankind may learn to avoid all war.”

Foundation president Anne Nicol Gaylor originally proposed an “Atheists in Foxholes" monument to replace a cross on public property in San Diego.

The Foundation’s formal bid was rejected in favor of religious bidders.

Pat Cleveland invited the Foundation to erect its own monument on land donated by the Cleveland family in rural Alabama, as part of a freethought park. Pat is president of the Alabama Freethought Association, a Foundation chapter which also hosts the national Foundation’s southern Freethought Hall and auditorium near Talladega. The monument was formally dedicated at the chapter’s annual July 4th gala in 1999. To commemorate this special occasion, Alice Shiver read the following poem which she wrote:

Atheists in Foxholes

Atheists in foxholes, some say they are myths,
Creations of the mind who just don’t exist.

Yet, they answered the call to defend, with great pride.
With reason their watchword, they bled and they died.

They took Saratoga from the British crown,
Secured America’s freedom at the Battle of Yorktown.

From Sumter to Appomattox, fields flowed with their blood.
When the cannons grew silent, the flag proudly stood.

From the Marne to the Argonne, in trenches and tanks,
They defeated the Germans -- the whole world gave thanks.

They were bombed at Pearl Harbor, fought on to Berlin.
Many freethinking women served along with the men.

Still war keeps erupting -- Iraq, Bosnia, and Kosovo.
Where is the peace that eludes people so?

It is broken by tyrants who bear crosses and creeds,
That overshadow reason with hate and cruel deeds.

So atheists prevail until your work is complete.
Mothers mourn, children cry, and bigots plan your defeat.

By air, land, and sea, you answer freedom’s call.
Without god or faith, you seek liberty for all.

I've already been informed of the historical error about the Marne.

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<3

2010-05-07T16:44:10Z

honey lover

you are the soothing hum
the grass stains on my jeans
the summer in my hair
the color in my cheeks
you are the the constant wave
beating against my heart
the warm honey on my lips
the paint on my nails
you are the perfect dance
and a moonlit ride
the sticky vanilla cream
you are the flower in my palm
the reason I smile
the chills down my spine
you are more than you'll ever know
you are the love of my life

by Rachel Strowbridge

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In honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day...

2010-05-07T11:16:22Z

The stuff in italics is my commentary. :)

[ Source ]

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day! In honor of the spouses that work so hard on the home-front I've compiled a list of 101 Ways to Thank a Military Spouse!

It is about Respect, Love, Admiration, Appreciation, and a simple Thank You.

Enjoy!

A simple "Thank You for Serving, too"

CHOCOLATE

Take the time to *listen* She may not have had an adult conversation for quite some time!

Don’t assume HE is not a military spouse. Thank the military-husbands too.

THIS.

Pick up something at the store that reminds you of her; a potted-plant, a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, nail-polish & nail files, etc etc

Give her a call! Say ‘Thank You’ and find out how her day is going.

A day at the spa! (Thank you, @shelly_76)

That would kick ass. :)

FREE child-care. Watch her children for her. Let her do something on her own.

Invite her out for a local-sight-seeing tour. She might not know the area & enjoy learning.

Equip her.

For example, help around the house that needs a tall person or someone who can lift more than the spouse can while the servicemember is away. Best way to support the troops: supporting their families!

Take a spouse out for coffee or tea.

Social interaction? In person? That's just crazy talk. :P

Pray for him. Pray for her.

even those of us who don't believe in prayer appreciate the sentiment. Well, at least I do.

Make a fancy-drink. Pour two glasses. One for you, one for her. Make toasts and enjoy together.

*Give* him a book from your book-shelf that you enjoyed.

Offer to wash her car (Don’t forget to vacuum)

Business-owners: Host a special event just for spouses, don’t do it for monetary gain.

Do you garden? Bring her some of your produce; flowers, fruits, vegetables.

Give her personal space to miss her loved one. Then open-up your arms to take her in.

YES.

Gather your mutual-friends. Have a multi-family picnic.

If she calls asking for something, a cup of milk, some eggs, potatoes etc etc Lend with a cheerful heart and don't expect your 'gift' back!

Buy her a military-spouse shirt. Have it shipped to her: http://shop.cafepress.com/military-spouse

But please, nothing cheesy or offensive like "Army Issued Wife." :)

Find a military-spouse book she might enjoy: http://tinyurl.com/csm6wb

These, on the other hand, can be *quite* useful.

Plan a play-date at your house. Get the kids together and enjoy the day.

Sit with him at church. Not many enjoy sitting in the pew alone.

Take a picture. Send it in an email to her.

Or snail mail. It's nice to get stuff in the mail that isn't bills, especially during a deployment when we're constantly sending care packages to our servicemembers.

Offer to help with yard-work! (Thanks, guamgurl)

True this! Especially for spouses in unfamiliar places with kids and a job and barely time to microwave dinner. Though I'd appreciate it too. ;)

Give her privacy if you sense she does not want to open up.

This is a big one. Also, don't take it personally if she doesn't want to open up *to you*.

( much more )

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And Tim Minchin's be the win and the awesome, forever and ever.

2010-05-04T12:16:02Z

( behind the cut )

( lyrics )

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Regionalisms Meme

2010-05-02T13:46:18Z

Ganked from (LJ)simply_fly_away.

Age: 26; 27 on (American) Thanksgiving.

Where did you grow up: Mostly Titusville, Florida, USA.

1. A body of water, smaller than a river, contained within relatively narrow banks.

stream or creek

2. What the thing you push around the grocery store is called.

shopping cart or just cart, sometimes "buggy" in the South

3. A metal container to carry a meal in.

lunch box

4. The thing that you cook bacon and eggs in.

frying pan or just pan

5. The piece of furniture that seats three people.

couch or sofa

6. The device on the outside of the house that carries rain off the roof.

gutter

7. The covered area outside a house where people sit in the evening.

porch or patio, though my dad uses "lanai"

8. Carbonated, sweetened, non-alcoholic beverages.

soda--I find it hella annoying when my Southern brethren call all soda "Coke"

9. A flat, round breakfast food served with syrup.

sounds like a pancake to me

10. A long sandwich designed to be a whole meal in itself.

a sub (short for submarine sandwich)

11. The piece of clothing worn by men at the beach.

swim trunks (unless they're board shorts or a Speedo)

12. Shoes worn for sports.

tennis shoes

13. Putting a room in order.

cleaning up

14. A flying insect that glows in the dark.

firefly or lightning bug

15. The little insect that curls up into a ball.

roly poly :)

16. The children's playground equipment where one kid sits on one side and goes up while the other sits on the other side and goes down.

see-saw

17. How do you eat your pizza?

with my hands, point to crust if I'm in front of the TV, with a knife and fork if I'm at the computer

18. What's it called when private citizens put up signs and sell their used stuff?

garage sale or yard sale (my dad's from the Midwest, he sometimes calls 'em tag sales)

19. What's the evening meal?

dinner, though as a Southern Girl I suppose I should say "supper" :P

20. The thing under a house where the furnace and perhaps a rec room are?

basement...which I'd only seen once in person before moving to Alaska (living in Florida = no basements)

21. What do you call the thing that you can get water out of to drink in public places?

water fountain

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Spent the whole evening with Chris.

2010-05-02T08:36:15Z

It was wonderful. I got up around 1730 and while Chris finished up his video game I made coffee (and put it in a container to heat up individual cups whenever) and unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, and then we went to the movie theater to see what was playing, and bought tickets for the 2150 3-D showing of How to Train Your Dragon. Then we stopped by GameStop and Barnes & Noble (they're right next door to each other so if I'm there with Chris, we always hit both places), and then we had dinner at Geraldo's, a local Italian restaurant.

Dinner was wonderful, super tasty, and the first time Chris and I had gone out to eat at an actual restaurant...this year, at least. We both had books and read them on occasion (even after our food arrived) but there was still conversation in between. That's one thing I love about Chris--he's not offended if I'm reading during dinner, especially since he usually is too. (Usually when we have dinner together at home, it's in front of a movie or TV show, but we talk during the show and fistbump at oh-snap moments. ^_^)

After that we got back in plenty of time for the movie. After finally finding a change machine that works, I played DDR with a stranger who was there with two of his friends. Chris held my bag and joked about 'knowing his place as husband' with his fellow spectators. There were three levels, each in "easy" mode, and my "competitor" (whom I helped by figuring out where the old-ass sensors still worked and letting him know) and I both cleared all three levels...and learned that there were only three and that the game was over. Boo. But it was just about time to go into our theater and take our seats and start munching on our munchies. Even some of the previews were in 3-D! XD

And the movie was...AWESOME. :D The story, the animation, even the fat kid rattling off D&D stats. ^___^ This is definitely, definitely, a movie to see in 3-D! (Though if you're wearing glasses I hope your 3-D glasses are more comfortable than mine were.) Also, I totally want a Toothless plushie!

...so that's about it for my Saturday. It's now 0034 I've spent the last half hour writing this entry and watching the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Later, all. :)

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We are NOT amused.

2010-05-01T10:21:25Z

I just finished watching Your Business on MSNBC.

Towards the end of the show, the host and panel answer reader emails.

One of the emails was about what a small business owner was to do regarding maternity leave. He knew he couldn't afford to pay for the maternity leave but he wanted to be fair.

The two panelists--both men--both said that the business owner would have to decide if it was worth keeping the pregnant woman on and granting her maternity leave. One said that the business owner should make a policy regarding all female employees, and the other said that it was okay to grant some women maternity leave and some not based on how vital they were to the country.

So let's see what this woman's possible options are:

1. Work as usual until she pops, and be back bright and early the next day. Not good even in a low-risk pregnancy. Impossible in a high-risk pregnancy.

2. Work from home, if possible, by computer, or do some kind of flex-time.

Or, as these guys are suggesting...

3. Get fired, for daring to be the female of the species and reproduce.

(So paternity leave is totally out of the question, I take it?)

Okay, I know that they're talking about a small business here, but what the actual fuck?

I am ashamed, as an American, that this is even an issue. Is this how the world's biggest superpower treats its women? (Answer: Yes, it is.)

We can has socialist nanny sate nao?

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In which I get rather sentimental.

2010-04-30T07:55:35Z

When Fizzy and I are online together, and there's no conversation, but the chat windows stay open for half an hour, an hour, two hours, more, I like to imagine we're in the living room with laptops, Fizzy (and Chris, if I expand the fantasy outside just the chat) on the couch and me on the recliner, an episode of [whatever] going unwatched on the teevee machine.

Every once in awhile one of us will get up for snackage, taking whatever empty cups/plates of the other's as well as our own. She'll bring me another can of Diet Pepsi and I'll thank her with a smile, and I'll offer her a handful of Reesycups and she'll take them with a thank-you and go back to where she was sitting and it'll be quiet again except for the clicking of us at our laptops and the noise of the TV.

And every once in awhile I'll look over at her (or them) and wonder what I ever did to deserve such good fortune. :)

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ANZAC Day 2010

2010-04-25T13:31:30Z

I didn't stay out the whole time to watch the sunrise this morning, but there was lots of light coming up over the hills to the east when I wiped the tears off my face*, shivered a bit (it's cold!), and went inside.

So to get something right, I'm posting this poem I found a few days ago at exceptindreams that, while not about Gallipoli or even Australia, seemed fitting for the day.

"The Signal"
Sharon Olds

When they brought his body back, they told
his wife how he'd died:
the general thought they had taken the beach,
and sent in his last reserves. In the smokescreen,
the boats moved toward shore. Her husband
was the first man in the first boat
to move through the smoke and see the sand
dark with bodies, the tanks burning,
the guns thrown down, the landing craft
wrecked and floored with blood. In the path of the
bullets and shells from the shore, her husband had
put on a pair of white gloves
and turned his back on the enemy,
motioning to the boats behind him
to turn back. After everyone else
on his boat was dead
he continued to signal, then he, too,
was killed, but the other boats had seen him
and turned back. They gave his wife the medal,
and she buried him, and at night floated through
a wall of smoke, and saw him at a distance
standing in a boat, facing her,
the gloves blazing on his hands as he motioned her back.

--

*I took my last Effexor yesterday and since I just got up at quarter of two, I don't want an all-day crying headache. I may wind up with one anyway, but I can at least try to hold it off.

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le sigh

2010-04-22T10:01:08Z

My garden is filled with papayas and mangos
My life is a mixture of reggaes and tangos
Taste for the good life
I can't live it no other way
While out on the beach there are two empty chairs
That say more than the people who ever sit there
>From under my lone palm
I can look out on the day

Chorus:
Where no bird flies by my window
No ship is tied to my tree
Love is a wave building to a crescendo
Ride if you will, ride it with me

I knew this girl made of memories and phrases
Who lived her whole life in both chapters and stages
Danced 'til the dawn
Wished all her worries away
Well she wasn't crazy, no she wasn't mad
She just wanted the father that she never had
From under my lone palm
I think about her today

Chorus:
Where no bird flies by my window
No ship is tied to my tree
Love is a wave building to a crescendo
Ride if you will, ride it with me

We sailed from the port of indecision
Young and wild with oh so much to learn
Days turned into years
As we tried to fool our fears
But to the port of indecision I returned

My gardens are filled with papayas and mangos
My life is a mixture of jingles and jangles
Come Christmas winds
Blow all my worries away

Chorus:
Where no bird flies by my window
No ship is tied to my tree
Love is a wave building to a crescendo
Ride if you will, ride it with me

Sing if you will, sing to the sea
(No bird flies by my window)
(No ship is tied to my tree)

--Jimmy Buffett, "Lone Palm"
Fruitcakes, 1993

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BOOOOOBQUAAAAAAKE

2010-04-22T04:45:06Z

( source )

In the name of science, I offer my boobs

This little bit of supernatural thinking has been floating around the blogosphere today:

"Many women who do not dress modestly ... lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes," Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi was quoted as saying by Iranian media. Sedighi is Tehran's acting Friday prayer leader.

I have a modest proposal.

Sedighi claims that not dressing modestly causes earthquakes. If so, we should be able to test this claim scientifically. You all remember the homeopathy overdose?

Time for a Boobquake.

On Monday, April 26th, I will wear the most cleavage-showing shirt I own. Yes, the one usually reserved for a night on the town. I encourage other female skeptics to join me and embrace the supposed supernatural power of their breasts. Or short shorts, if that's your preferred form of immodesty. With the power of our scandalous bodies combined, we should surely produce an earthquake. If not, I'm sure Sedighi can come up with a rational explanation for why the ground didn't rumble. And if we really get through to him, maybe it'll be one involving plate tectonics.

So, who's with me? I may be a D cup, but that will probably only produce a slight tremor on its own. If you'll be joining me on twitter, use the tag #boobquake! Or join the facebook event!

Ms. McCreight, my bow, my axe, and my jugtacular 38G cleavage are at your disposal.

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This makes me want an iPad. And maybe a kitty.

2010-04-20T09:17:02Z

Totally ganked from (LJ)bluebombardier.

Those apps look really cooooooooool. XD

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Feeling safe, Iowa? (TRIGGER WARNING)

2010-04-19T11:43:51Z

Okay, so this actually happened yesterday morning, but I still need to vent.

Trialia and I were talking on Google Talk, and a friend of hers who lives in Dubuque was feeling suicidal. I don't feel the details are mine to disclose but suffice it to say, things were going very, very badly for this friend.

She had tried to reach the Dubuque Police Department, with no luck. The main line was closed since it was Sunday. I tried calling. No luck.

I got the idea to call the local fire department, so they could hook me up with the emergency line, since I wasn't nearly close enough to call 911 and get the Dubuque line. I got their answering machine too.

Dammit.

After some more thinking (and some fooding) I though, well, how 'bout a crisis hotline? And guess what?

I got a fucking answering machine at the fucking suicide hotline.

There was even a "press 4 to talk to a real person" WHICH TOOK ME RIGHT BACK TO THE ORIGINAL MESSAGE. I found this out after pressing four times and realizing I was getting THE SAME DAMN MESSAGE.

I was out of ideas by then. I went to Twitter and Facebook to see if anyone was (or knew someone who was) close enough to Dubuque to call 911 and get someone to check on the friend. It was around that time that Tria was able to reach the Cedar Rapids police department, which went to go check on her friend.

So for all of that...

WHAT THE FUCK, IOWA?

Not that I think it's just Iowa. I'm sure many states (FSM forbid, even most) would have the same problem. And I think it's fucking ridiculous.

Come on now, how many times have we seen on the news where someone was stopped from killing themself (or someone else) because the local police got a call from an online friend on the other side of the country, or the world?

There needs to be a line, easy to look up online, that anyone can call (or instant-message) anywhere in the world, from which an operator can call the local 911 in a situation like this. Hell, I bet there are lots of people (myself included) out there who'd volunteer to do that kind of thing if they had all the information they needed.

...

Well, I guess that's it. No way for someone outside Dubuque to call authorities (or even the suicide hotline!) in Dubuque to stop a potential suicide on a Sunday. This is a FAIL.

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I love cultural conversations with Fizzy.

2010-04-17T13:58:53Z

Summary of part of our last chat...

Me: Your apple cider has alcohol in it?
Fizzy: Yours doesn't?

See also: lemonade, Nutri-Grain, Jell-O

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Fandom Love Meme ganked from stephie_nhbg

2010-04-16T18:02:28Z

1. The first character I first fell in love with:

It was either Geordi, Data, or Wesley. Probably the first. (ST:TNG)

2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now:

Jimmy from NCIS.

3. The character everyone else loves that I don't:

The Sixes from BSG, and Tony from NCIS. I find them annoying and not particularly sexy.

4. The character I love that everyone else hates:

Ginny from HP.

5. The character I used to love but don't any longer:

Chuck and Sarah (mostly Sarah) from Chuck.

6. The character I would shag anytime:

Gibbs, Ziva, Abby, McGee, and Ducky from NCIS; Geordi and Data from ST:TNG, Harry from ST:VOY, Remus from HP; Penelope and Morgan from CM; and various others. :)

7. The character I'd want to be like:

Penelope Garcia from CM. XD

8. The character I'd slap:

Tony, and occasionally Kate, from NCIS.

9. A pairing that I love:

Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione, Ginny/Luna, Neville/Luna, Remus/Sirius (HP); Jack/Daniel, Jack/Sam, Daniel/Teal'c (SG:SG-1); Tony/Ziva, McGee/Abby, Gibbs/Ducky (NCIS); Data/Geordi (ST:TNG); Tom/Harry (ST:VOY)...oh wait, that was singular. :P

10. A pairing that I despise: Harry/Draco (HP), Tom/B'Elanna (ST:VOY), Ben/Kasidy (ST:DS9), Gibbs/Tony (NCIS), and ESPECIALLY Daniel/Vala. Ugh...

11. Favorite character:

I can't pick just one. Not even per fandom.

12. My five favorite characters:

Penelope Garcia (CM), Geordi La Forge (ST:TNG), Leroy Jethro Gibbs (NCIS), Harry Kim (ST:VOY), Ben Sisko (ST:DS9).

13. My five least favorite characters:

All the Sixes (BSG), Vala Mal Doran (SG:SG-1), Seven of Nine (ST:VOY), Kasidy Yates (ST:DS9), Deanna Troi (ST:TNG)

14. Which character I am most like:

Probably McGee (NCIS).

15. My deep, dark fandom secret:

I love a well-written Mary Sue/self-insert.

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I ♥ NCIS.

2010-04-10T14:14:59Z

CUT TO:
INT. CAR – MOVING

ZIVA: That’s ARES?
TONY: According to McGeek – Ziva, watch the road! (SFX: CAR HORN HONKS B.G.)
ZIVA: I have great peripheral vision.
TONY: My sphincter doesn’t.
ZIVA: Well, at least we won’t have trouble finding it.
TONY: Really?
ZIVA: Tony, it’s the size of an ATM.
TONY: Well this is the controller console, and this …
ZIVA: Your mystery woman!
TONY: Watch the road!
ZIVA: Oh, yes it is, isn’t it?!
TONY: No, this is no one! It’s McGee’s idea of a prank. This is the pirated part of ARES we have to find.
ZIVA: Twenty million for that?
TONY: Well, size doesn’t mat – forget I even stupidly started to say that.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOUSE – DAY

ZIVA: Will you tell me her name if I find the pirate’s copy of ARES?
TONY: Pirated copy.
ZIVA: That’s what I said.
TONY: No, you said pirate’s copy. A pirate is a person like Captain Jack Sparrow. A pirated copy--
ZIVA: Who is Jack Sparrow?
TONY: Johnny Depp.
ZIVA: He’s a pirate?
TONY: No, he’s an actor.
ZIVA: Oh.
TONY: How did we get here?
ZIVA: I drove.
(DOOR OPENS)

CUT TO:

INT. HOUSE – DAY

(SFX: DOOR CREAKS OPEN)
ZIVA: This is going to be like looking for a needle in a needle stack.
TONY: Needle in a haystack.
ZIVA: I like my description better.

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Dear Tria,

2010-04-06T11:55:49Z

Dear Tria,

I don't know how to tell you this, but I dislike your eyelashes. I decided this when your dog humped my leg in your apartment and I saw you sit on the elephant in the corner. I'm sure you're scarred enough to understand that I get turned on only by garbage (wo)men. I'm returning your toe ring to you, but I'll keep the oil tank from your car. You should also know that I told in my confession today about the moose poaching and I will haunt you when I'm reincarnated as an Eskimo.
Warm tingly sensations,
Heather

--

( Here's how you do it: )

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I could use some help.

2010-03-24T17:01:57Z

Is there a good way to say "no, the Christian penchant for cherry-picking and double-speak does not surprise me at all"--a way that a believer friend would not find offensive?

And this is an open-minded friend from a rather secular society (she's Australian and "agnostic at best"/"believer"), yet she found the above offensive. I don't know if it's social ineptitude or undiagnosed Asperger's or what, but I (a) don't understand why it's offensive and (b) can't think of a more delicate way to put it.

The reason I find it inoffensive is because both liberal and conservative Christians have certain parts of the Bible that they highlight and parts that they ignore. If you think that slavery is wrong, if you think that homosexuals don't deserve to die for being homosexual, if you don't see a woman as the property first of her father and then of her husband, you're on the right side of history--but if you also believe in the Gospels and that Jesus is the Son of God, born of a virgin, then you're cherry-picking the Bible.

Hell, even the Dominionists are cherry-picking because the books of the Bible themselves were cherry-picked from a larger selection of texts.

But to my original question...any ideas? My friend and I have already cooled off and made up from that particular discussion (not that it really got rude, though), but I've had this on my mind for the past few days.

Thanks in advance.

(cross-post: atheism, antitheism, atheist, and my DW/LJ.)

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Had a nap. Feeling better.

2010-03-22T03:14:21Z

Watching the health care vote.

The procedural bullshit isn't helping with the feeling better, but I want to see the actual vote live.

Everyone got their fingers crossed?

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This just in from PZ Meyers!

2010-03-19T12:26:11Z

It's Euphemism Week! These words are banned: cock cunt damn fuck kirshenbaum mooney shit vegemite

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We sure do! :D

2010-03-18T11:23:09Z

Makes me want to go out and buy an SUV...well, if I could afford one.

Also...

Happy Birthday, Fizzy!
Okay, so it'll be your birthday in your time zone in a couple of hours and it's only a few hours into the day before where I am, but whatever, you can has sparkly text love!

(And to think that this time last year I was just learning that you're a fellow Heather. What a difference a year makes!)

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Signal Boost: Three Weeks of Dreamwidth

2010-03-17T07:49:42Z

Signing up for the Three Weeks Of Dreamwidth fest w00t!

Tentatively, the start date for the fest is Monday, April 26.

Just to make sure it is clear, anything that you choose to create and offer for this festival is with the understanding that it be posted only on Dreamwidth for three weeks from the date you post it, with the intent of stimulating conversation and connection here at home. After three weeks, you may post the content anywhere you wish.
[...]
There will be at least one friending meme. We will be using one main comm to link things, and emphasizing posting to existing comms. We will be including both fannish and non fannish content. There will be totally awesome memes in private journals.

Sounds like fun to me!

I have INVITES, if anyone would like one!

Cross-posted to heathermacicons, heatherslibrary, sidetrackedery, good_news_week, accessworld, and whole_books. :)

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The Patriotic Earthling

Eh, more or less.

Favorite Tweets 2009

Favorite Tweets 2008

Atheists in Foxholes Memorial

<3

In honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day...

And Tim Minchin's be the win and the awesome, forever and ever.

Regionalisms Meme

Spent the whole evening with Chris.

We are NOT amused.

In which I get rather sentimental.

ANZAC Day 2010

*le sigh*

BOOOOOBQUAAAAAAKE

This makes me want an iPad. And maybe a kitty.

Feeling safe, Iowa? (TRIGGER WARNING)

I love cultural conversations with Fizzy.

Fandom Love Meme ganked from stephie_nhbg

I ♥ NCIS.

Dear Tria,

I could use some help.

Had a nap. Feeling better.

This just in from PZ Meyers!

We sure do! :D

Signal Boost: Three Weeks of Dreamwidth

le sigh