Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Flooding and Landslide in Cinque Terre
http://culturalcomments.blogspot.com/2011/10/disaster-strikes-vernazza.html
http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/1111/hi.htm
This is just terrible news... This was Amy's and my favorite surprise from our anniversary vacation last October. We hiked from Monterosso to Vernazza and had what we agreed to be our most spectacular meal near the harbor in Vernazza. It is truly a gem.
Obviously, devastation anywhere is terrible news, and there are more cities along the river that have shared a similar fate, but this just hits home for us. We have walked those streets, we have visited those shops and we have eaten in those restaraunts.
Happily, the words 'totally destroyed,' which is what I first heard of the devastation, is not entirely true - while horrible, most of the flooding and landslide damage was to the first level, and most buildings look otherwise intact. Efforts are already moving along to get services restored, debris removed, and businesses back up and running.
Monday, October 31, 2011
High Functioning Autism: Artist draws 18ft picture of New York skyline from memory
Friday, October 28, 2011
I think I'll just use Posterous
I mean... with all of these different social media sites, blogs, etc, why wouldn't I just make it simpler and use one site that can post to them all? The time fish may be right...
I'll probably end up still doing quick one-off tweets only on twitter, or just quick updates on Facebook, but I think for anything more substantial than that, it makes sense to just build it in one place and have it post everywhere at once.
Why not save the time?
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Parents need to grow up
Nothing like government officials abusing their power to strong-arm businesses selling perfectly legal products in a perfectly legal manner because the products promote something they or others don't like. See, it's OK to single out, publicly embarrass and discriminate against this product, because freedom of speech doesn't apply when you support something the government finds icky... right? Tax money can be spent on propaganda to slant the issue, but god forbid a private business tries to promote an opposing viewpoint! This is just as ridiculous as parents who cried out that Twisted Sister was satanic and pornographic music, and tried to get the music banned. These are essentially ideas, and the government should be protecting the rights of individuals and businesses who want to express themselves, even and especially when those ideas run counter to their own. P.S. I LOVE the self-righteous look of the lady holding the bag. Classic.
And think about it: you can buy penis-pops at novelty stores... true, they're considered 18+ products, but last time I checked, a pot leaf is not considered an obscene image. We don't censor pot leaves in the media, there's no bleeped-out version of cannabis slang (unless it happens to overlap with another 'naughty' term), and any of these teenagers can go to their local Barnes and Noble to learn how to MAKE these Ring Pots in a way that would make them live up to their name - I don't see these books being sleeved in blacked-out sealed-plastic bags. It's not a low to carry a product that represents a popular political point of view just because some kids might find it interesting. If they support legalization or they just think the idea is funny, that's their right to freedom of conscience. Punishing a candy company for commercializing a popular political viewpoint is just ridiculous.
Friday, October 7, 2011
What do we want?!? A STUPID CHANT!!! When do we want it?!? NOW!!!... apparently.
You know what I hate about pop-rallies? That stupid chant...
"What do we want?!?""[Insert what you WANT, preferably with as few syllables as possible]!!!"
"When do we want it?!?"
"NOW!!!"If you're rallying for something, isn't it obvious you want it now? Also... since EVERY rally/protest seems to include this, your possibly unique passion seems less unique, and in my mind, gets lumped into just ANOTHER demand/complaint.Also, even if I really want what you're talking about, if that's ALL you're going to say, I'm going to get bored REALLY quick. At least break it up with impassioned speech between chants - don't just do it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over... get it?
Thursday, October 6, 2011
10/05/2011 RIP Steve Jobs
I don't have the words... the world lost a Disney and an Edison at once. I'm in shock, and I'm sad. I find myself still inspired, and know that his being here, and me being a small part of his vision, will be something I carry with me. He was part of my world view. Without him in it, the world feels much more empty - maybe not more empty, but certainly less full. Here's to hoping for a wonderful afterlife in which he truly will live forever... or at least in reincarnation so his energy can reshape the world in the future. Other than that, my heart goes out to his family, his friends, and all of the people his presence graced. For those of us who believed in his vision, felt his passion, and loved what he produced, may we take his example, and carry it with us.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Oh yeah...
That's right... I have a Posterous account. I might actually end up using this more, especially with Spaces and the new design. We'll see - I might end up disappearing for another year though... who knows?!?