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Happy (Belated) Darwin Day [Feb. 13th, 2008|08:17 pm]
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[mood | tired]


February 12th was Charles Darwin's birthday. In honor of his birthday, I've decided to review the book Monkey Girl: Evolution, Education, Religion, and the Battle For America's Soul by Edward Humes.
Dover, Pennsylvania became the unlikely battleground over science versus religion in America, leading to an eventual victory for science and reason (From a conservative judge, nonetheless!)
Humes recounts the first famous science vs. religion trial in America--the Scopes Monkey Trial, which led to the town of Dayton, Tennessee becoming an unwitting laughingstock. The Scopes Trial was a calculated move by a town council seeking ways to increase revenue and publicity for their small town. Instead, it led to the town being portrayed as a backwater hillbilly breeding ground by journalists of the time, including H.L. Mencken.
While recounting these past trials and court decisions, Humes provides a context for what happened in Dover. By 2004, creationism in public school had been revamped as intelligent design, replacing god with an unnamed designer (aka god). The problem is that science refrains from attributing what can't be explained to the supernatural, which is exactly what intelligent design does. We gave that up when we realized that seizures weren't caused by demons and that the sun is at the center of the solar system.
Of course, the point was never about good science. The point was a minority group of fundamentalist Christians hijacking a local school board with intimidation tactics seeking a way to legally return god to the classroom (Of course, their idea of god, not a Muslim, pagan, or Shinto god). Humes tells of William Buckingham, the oxycontin-addicted former cop and current fundamentalist who was prone to rants such as, "Jesus died on a cross for us 2,000 years ago, won't someone stand up for him now?" At the trial, he failed to recall making such statements, and the tapes of the meetings were conveniently missing. Buckingham, undoubtedly guided by the kind, giving spirit of Jesus, attacked anyone who disagreed with him. The shame (For him) is that he attacked moderate Christians, people that probably shared similar beliefs with him.
For me, the highlight of the book was when Humes recounted Michael Behe's--Discovery Institute wunderkind--testimony where he confesses that by his definition, astrology is science:
"When you call it [intelligent design] a scientific theory," Rothschild asked, "you're not defining that term the same way that the National Academy of Sciences does?"
Behe nodded. "Yes, that's correct."
...
Rothschild then reviewed the National Academy's definition of a scientific theory, which did not include ID: a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses. Then Rothschild asked Behe: "Your definition is a lot broader?"
Behe preferred a definition that excluded "well-substantiated."
"That's right, intentionally broader..."
"Sweeps in a lot more propositions?" Rothschild asked.
"It recognizes that the word is used a lot more broadly than the National Academy of Sciences defined it."
"And using your definition, intelligent design is a scientific theory, correct?"
"Yes."
And then the next trap was sprung. "Under that same definition, astrology is a scientific theory, correct?"
Astrology. Horoscopes. Magic. Behe hesitated and at first did not answer directly, but when Rothschild pressed him, he admitted, "Yes, that's correct." The definition he used to qualify ID as a scientific theory also encompassed astrology (301)

At its heart, this book is an indictment of American scientific illiteracy, and the illiteracy of the people in charge of choosing our children's curriculae. Several of the school board members in the book admitted to not understanding EITHER evolution or intelligent design, but choosing ID because it felt morally right.
Monkey Girl was a gripping read that illuminated scientific concepts in terms that laypeople could understand. Beyond that, it also explains legalese behind court decisions regarding creation and evolution in the classroom.
At the end of the book, I could only hope that the state of science education in America gets better. Not only because evolution is right, but if we want to compete globally in fields outside of reality tv, then we really have to step up what is taught to our children.
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Memorial Day Memories [May. 28th, 2007|03:30 pm]
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[mood | thoughtful]

Thinking of my grandpa. He was a war hero in World War Two. He was injured and left to recover, then returned to fight.
Some leftists I know view America's participation in World War Two as our attempt to build a global empire. I'm not sure if I agree with that & I do think that there some good came out of WW2, too bad it didn't happen earlier.
But that's beside the point.
I'm very proud of my grandpa. I used to visit my grandparents' house every summer. My grandma was usually away playing bingo, so I spent most of my time with grandpa. We'd go swimming & fishing, walk his dog, & barbecue.
He died my freshman year of college. That was the first wake & funeral that I remember clearly (My grandma on my dad's side died when I was 7)--being there was really hard but it definitely brought closure.
I miss you, Poppy.
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Holiday Malaise [Dec. 26th, 2006|02:31 pm]
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[mood | tired]
[music |Tori Amos "The Wrong Band"]

My new favorite quote is: "Happy families are all alike; Every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." It's from the first chapter fo Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, the one book I failed to read for Mrs. P's English class.
Yesterday;
Went to a family Christmas party at my (second) cousin Jeanie's house. Jeanie is old enough to be my mum so she's more of an aunt to me. She has about a billion very thin very tan daughters. I've only met them about one other time.
I have this thing, I really don't do well in crowds of people, esp. people I don't know well. If possible I will escape. I spent my mum's holiday party in my parent's room watching Court TV. But this time, I was at a stranger's house & there was no escape. The dog was barking, music & My Super Sweet Sixteen was on, there were people everywhere & I just tend to get really overstimulated. I just started to cry & I went to the spare room where they were keeping Jake the Abscessed Cat (Their cat, Jake, used to be an outdoors cat until the accident. He fell asleep under the family car & Jeanie's husband, Ed, didn't check & started the car. The fan cut up his back. He's healing pretty well except he has these two abscesses that are 1. full of this bloody liquid & 2. very oozey and runny. The vet says they don't hurt Jake, they're just itchy. Anyway, pray for Jake). Jake, despite his accident, is the sweetest cat on earth. He was so affectionate. It's pretty amazing for a cat to act that way after an injury. Petting Jake I started to cry harder because I miss(ed) Harley, my cat who died this year.
My dad & stepmother followed me & well...they want to understand what I'm going through but then they make me feel very guilty for ever being upset. They want me to be happy all the time.
So my dad asks me 20,000 questions about what's wrong. I can't tell him the real reason b/c he's already pressing how I'm w/family & should have no reason to be upset.
Then, my stepmother comes in & the first thing she does is try to give me this HUGE hug. Big mistake. I don't WANT to be hugged by her. So I just sort of shriek "I don't want a hug!" How presumptious, to just assume that it's ok to touch me. Then she grabs my hand & tells me she's "sending me vibes."
0_0
FtW?
I'm as new age as the next Wiccan girl, but I don't need this bullshit from my Valiumed-up ditzy stepmother.
Then she starts telling me about her friend who lost her husband & son within three months & how much better my life is.
On behalf of all mentally ill people, I would like to say a big "FUCK YOU!" I don't NEED a reason to be upset. If I'm PMSing & see a particularly emotional episode of The Golden Girls I'll get upset. There are days when I wake up willing myself to die & I know it's just my brain playing tricks on me. So don't start a pissing contest about whose pain is worse.
Of course, my mom & stepdad are completely unavailable throughout this. Probably at some awful nudist retreat. Thanks, mom.
Anyway, Jeanie & my cousins are great, I just can't deal with a lot of new people at once. I'm like a skittish dog.
They gave me an awesome Christmas prezzy; A collection of Victoria's Secret mini fragrances that includes; Dream Angels Heavenly, Dream Angels Desire, Very Sexy for Her, Very Sexy for Her 2, Victoria's Secret Pink, Rapture, & Body by Victoria.
Tres awesome.
My dad gave me $100, in addition to the $200 he gave me earlier in the season. My (step) uncle Bob gave me $25. My (step) grandma H. gave me gloves. & my stepmother gave me the ugliest purse in existence--it's bright blue and has these huge cabbagey roses on it.
My dad & stepmother & (step) grandma H. have this history of buying me the most hideous clothes on earth. Grandma H. was buying me jumpers with teddy bears & cats on them well into my teens. When I was in my grunge-hippy phase (About 12-13) they would buy me the skankiest clothes on earth--really tight flares and low-cute shirts & big fuzzy glittery sweaters. Everything polyester mixes. What I remember most...are the snakeskin pants. They got me these really tight, low-cut snakeskin print pants. I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer but sometimes they dressed Buffy kind of skankily. I was watching season 4 a couple of days ago & I realized that Buffy and I had the same snakeskin pants.
So tomorrow I'm doing some retail therapy.
First, I have to get my roommate a present for Christmas (she's visiting her 'rents until January). I found this awesome purse I want to get her. Tunes, this used-record store in Hoboken, is selling these bags made out of old record covers & I found one from when Johnny Cash played Fulsom Prison. We both love the Man in Black, so I figure she'll like that. I'll prolly get her a book too. I'd like to get the next volume of Bizenghast if I can find it but will settle for Godchild, Nana, or Sensual Phrase. I also found this book about manic-depression & maintaining creativity that I might get.
I was thinking of going to Best Buy & seeing if they had any of the dvd's I want. I'm in a Japanese mood, so I'll be looking for Kamikaze Girls or Suicide Club.
I want to go to Sephora's. I'm almost out of my usual perfume, BCBG Girls in Metro. I'm thinking of getting the new Betsey Johnson, the new Anna Sui, DKNY Be Delicious, or something by Stella McCartney. I can't remember the name but I'll recognize it if I smell it.
Finally, I want to go to Pearl Paint. I need to find some kind of sealant for my collages. Maybe I'll splurge and get some Sakura's, Tombo's, & Prismacolors. Prolly not.
Things to look forward to: Read in Vogue that Stella McCartney's new organic skin-care line will be released at Sephora's in January. Sadly looking forward to that. I try to use only organic products but a lot of their packaging is stuck in the 70's, the textures can be funky, and some of them lie & still have inorganic ingredients in them. Kiss my Face is pretty good.
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A Very Swayze Christmas... [Dec. 24th, 2006|11:22 pm]
[Tags|]
[mood | thoughtful]
[music |MST3K "The Skydivers"]

Watched Love Actually. One of the few movies with the actual capacity to cheer me up. Except when Alan Rickman's character cheats on Emma Thompson with the Ileanna Douglass-y secretary--for some reason I find it deeply upsetting.
Anyway.
What I want for Christmas.
1. Peace. On the large scale--I am so sick of countries fighting each other over stupid differences. Religion, language, veils, no veils. "I'm a Christian, my god's cock is bigger than yours!" "No, I'm a Muslim, & my god's cock is bigger than yours!" On a smaller scale, some inner peace would be nice.
2. I don't know if this exists, or if anyone could recomend one, a zombie game for PS2 would be nice. I tried Resident Evil 4 but I really hated the camera work & the way the characters handled.
3. My parents to pay attention to me. I think that's all I've ever wanted, but they've always been too busy partying for me.
4. A new cell phone. Preferably a camera one.
5. A sewing machine.
6. Alan Rickman. Can be replaced with (1) Remus Lupin.
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*MumbleMumble* FIVE GOLDEN RINGS *MumbleMumble* [Dec. 18th, 2006|12:55 am]
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[mood | annoyed]
[music |"This Year's Girl" Buffy the Vampire Slayer]

Every time I hear Christmas carols, I think of the Eddie Izzard routine about how everyone mumbles all the words to "The Twelve Days of Christmas" except for the "FIVE GOLDEN RINGS" part. Just makes me laugh. That happens rarely nowadays, must savor it.
Parents had a huge Christmas party yesterday, I hid in my parents' room & watched tv. Just can't deal with crowds lately. Before the party we exchanged presents.
This is what I got:
-A black cashmere scarf
-A copy of An Inconvenient Truth
-Fleece pajamas (huh?)
-Seamless underwear (Double huh)
-A Timex watch
-A copy of The Writer's Guide to Poisons, an awesome that catalogues the kinds & sources of poisons, levels of toxicity, symptoms, & causes of death. This is my fave present.
-$50.
-A green sweater (Huh?)
-The soundtrack to that Cirque du Soleil show about The Beatles (Semi-huh? I was really into The Beatles, but that was about 10 years ago. I still like them but I'm not nearly as hardcore).
-Pink fuzzy socks
-A book of sudoku puzzles
-A pen with my name on it
-A bottle of the hair-dye I use
I feel guilty, I know I should be grateful, but I'm kind of disappointed that I didn't get what I asked for. I told my mum that the only thing I wanted for X-Mas was a sewing machine. It was/is really important b/c I have some original patterns for handbags & junk that I want to make & I'm deeply tired of hand-sewing. I've been planning on making some stuff to sell @ etsy.com. Also, I planned on buying the Built By Wendy book so I could learn to read clothing patterns. *Sighs* I'm 23, I shouldn't be this immature. I just really wanted a sewing machine.
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Unbranded [Dec. 14th, 2006|10:11 pm]
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[mood | tired]
[music |"Vogliatemi Bene" Madame Butterfly]

Today.
Went to the library & returned my books. I have to remember to add them to the list (I've been keeping a list of books that I've been reading since the beginning of this summer. I've been trying to get to 50 but I'm only at a little above 30).
I always read 2 books, one fiction & one nonfiction. I plan to read Orlando by Virginia Woolf, which I'd taken a break from. It's really good, actually, just a little much for me to handle when I started reading it. I checked out No Logo by Naomi Klein. Basically, it's about the branding of American culture and its spread around the world. I don't feel like describing it any further b/c that would take up a lot of space, & I definitely plan to go into unbranding and culture jamming in later entries.
Then, I checked out some music. Apparently, I'm in a tragic gay musical-theater mood. I ended up checking out The Scarlet Pimpernel soundtrack, the Dee-Lovely soundtrack (I've never seen the movie, I just like Cole Porter and wanted to hear the various interpretations of his songs), & Madame Butterfly.
I have this thing about opera in general, esp. MB. I got into opera b/c of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I got into the show late, so I was watching the seasons on dvd with one of my friends. Anyone familiar with season 2 (One of my fave. seasons), probably remembers "Passion." That's the ep. when Angellus kills Jenny Calender. Anyway, after Giles finds the roses & candles & champagne, and actually goes to his room and finds Jenny, there's an opera piece playing that I thought was beautiful. I looked it up @ Buffyguide.com & it turns out it's from La Boheme.
The part that we first here is "Oh soave faciulla," when Rodolfo first declares his love for Mimi. As Giles goes up the stairs, he sings;
O soave fanciulla, o dolce viso
Di mite circonfuso alba lunar,
In te ravviso il sogno
Ch'io vorrei sempre sognar!

Which translates to;
Oh! Lovely girl! Oh, sweet face
bathed in the soft moonlight.
I see in you the dream
I'd dream forever!

Then, when Giles drops the glass and bottle, Mimi sings;
Ah, tu sol comandi, amor! which means Ah! Love, you rule alone!, while Rodolfo sings;
Fremon giĆ  nell'anima
Le dolcezze estreme.

which means;
Already I taste in spirit
The heights of tenderness!

Yeah. What can I say, Angellus had just the right touch when he was killing. Maybe I should be dru + angellus, I just love him so much better when he's bad than when he's all broody & Buffy lusting.
Anyway, after hearing that, I bought the La Boheme soundtrack from the recent production at the Metropolitan Opera House.
So I really like opera now, although I'm mostly familiar with Puccini.
One day, I was at [info]glorifficus's apartment & we were watching these animated short films. I generally liked most of them, hated one or two, but the one that really got to me was a stop-motion animated short of Madame Butterfly. There was this doll with yarn hair who was Cio-Cio-San, & when Pinkerton & Kate took her baby away I remember she starts ripping her hair off and she just completely unravels. It was an amazing image. I wish I had the name of the short & who made it so I could find just a copy of that.
And The Scarlet Pimpernel. That was the first Broadway play that I saw since I was 4 & my dad took me to see The Wizard of Oz. I went with the Italian Honor Society. It was a great way to get out of school and go to NYC. I just really enjoyed the show & I used to listen to the soundtrack all the time (My friend made a tape for me). Now the tape is lost somewhere in my parent's house. At least I can burn a cd of the soundtrack now. Ah, memories, those trips were so much fun. My Italian teacher, Signora H., was really overbearing. All the Honor Societies would go on these trips (National, Italian, Spanish, & French), but she'd just kind of demand that we all go for "real Italian food" at Sbarro's. That cracks me up, it's like when Michael on The Office is in NYC & goes to get a slice of "authentic New York pizza" at Sbarro's. Then we'd have an hour to wander around Broadway & Time Square until the show started. Good fun when you're 15.
Anyway, I can't express how much I am dreading this weekend. Not only am I missing Rasputina, I'm going home for our "Christmas" before my parents disappear to Florida for who knows how long. Yeah, I'm just out of outpatient & we're playing the meds merry-go-round but I'll be ok! Don't trouble yourself with my brain disorder.
I think my real problem with my parents is that from the age of 14 they pretty much decided I was grown up so I had absolutely no guidance after that (Except that I COULD NOT pursue the fine arts). They just started partying a lot and never really paid attention to me. I remember one night I came home really high & really drunk, and they were supposed to be home, & I was so scared they'd know--I mean, I reeked of pott, my pupils were huge, my eyes were red, I had a bag with half a dozen donuts and a bagel, and I could barely walk--but they weren't home. I ended up eating most of the donuts and the bagels, stashing my clothes in the back of my closet until I could wash them without anyone noticing, showering, and they STILL weren't home. I'd gotten home at about 3 am, I didn't get into bed until daybreak & my parents didn't come home until noon. They had outpartied me.
In so many ways I have to be the adult. I had to fill out my college paperwork all by myself, I just asked them for their financial info. I didn't even go on any campus visits b/c they were too busy to take me anywhere. My cup of resentment runneth over & I'm really trying to contain it so the holidays can be halfway decent. I'm just really pissed that their abandoning me at this really precarious time in my life when I need all the support I can get. When I'm in group sessions & getting blood tests, they'll be with their nudist groups & swinging. Barf.
I wish Emma Thompson were my mom.
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Prezzies [Dec. 7th, 2006|10:57 pm]
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[mood | cold]

Went holiday shopping today. Sadly, couldn't afford decorations for the apartment--jolly consists of the X-Mas card my mum & stepdad sent me hung up on the door and anapple cinnamin spice candle.
Maybe will enjoy X-Mas with movies. What to watch; Nightmare Before XMas, Love, Actually, Home Alone, Bridget Jones's Diary, the first 2 Harry Potter movies b/c they have good XMas scenes, Santa Clause Conquers the Martians on MST3K.
I bought my mum & dad their presents. I got my mom the extended 10th anniversary edition of Mallrats (I know, it's really weird, my mom loves this movie). I got my dad the book version of An Inconvenient Truth--I couldn't find the movie anywhere, weird. My dad's into the environment, I think he'll enjoy it. My mum picked up things for me to give my siblings & my stepdad. I just have to pick out something for my stepmom (I was thinking a copy of Cell by Stephen King) & my roommate.
I'm sorry, I love everyone else, & to all the peeps who I know IRL who read this, I just can't afford anything. I can't even afford craft supplies. The oven in my apartment doesn't work & my toaster oven has been smoking so I can't even bake anything. I'm looking into no-bake things, maybe a cheese cake or mousse.
Bust magazine is having a craft-fair on the 9th @ the Warsaw in Brooklyn, which I'm thinking of going to. It will be full of shaggy-haired hipsters in expensive faux vintage but I think it's worth it.
BtW love the new isaac Mizrahi stuffs @ Target.
Reading Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris, the prequel to the Hannibal Lecter series that explains Hannibal's youth. It's getting really mixed reviews on Amazon but I'm enjoying it.
Watching "Living Conditions" on Buffy the Vampire Slayer & it's reminding me of my evil ex-roommate.
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