Drama-riffic Internets

I know I haven't updated about the gazillion things I have done since the last vlog entry, and I apologize. I've had a lot both on my mind and my plate recently, and I am epically failing at balancing it all. I am currently working on some sort of system to file my life into the important categories and devote the requisite amount of time to each. But I've kinda failed at that, too. You see, I have a problem. I can't stop dealing with drama on the internet.

I feel like the word "drama" definitely gets a bad rap. I don't mean to say that I am wasting my time or that any argument/disagreement is petty and/or not worthwhile. No one is forcing me to read and write these things. It's just so easy to read about it and think about it and write about it and then read the responses and think about them and then write some more. Sometimes I just wish the internet was like one giant Skype call and I could quick say what I wanted and move on. Since I also refuse to be ripped apart on anything factually related to opinions of mine, I do extensive research to try and justify what I have to say. Today, I reached the breaking point when I read this:

"The Freedom from Religion Foundation wanted in on the action, so there will be a billboard posted that reads 'Religion is but a myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.'"

Actually, what the sign says is this: (from Pharyngula)

"At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."

First of all, it's not a billboard. It's a sign. It's also next to a nativity scene and what they are calling a "Holiday Tree". Apparently, no one has yet requested to have a menorah there, so there isn't one.
I'm sure you can imagine what happened in the comment thread, but just in case, I'll clue you in. Here was the majority opinion:

"i have a big problem with those who try and take away my being able to celebrate [Christmas], i/e Christmas trees in stores and such, just because they dont believe in it. Dont take away what i believe in just because your views are different from mine!!"

Are you joking? That sign is in the capital building. Freedom of religion means that the government cannot favor any particular religion. Since it is a government building, all religions must be allowed to express themselves.
On a further note, I was unaware that Christians spent Christmas at the capital building. How is it even possible that this sign or calling the tree there a "holiday tree" is taking away anything that you believe in? Especially since I'm fairly certain that the tradition of decorating an evergreen was not commonplace during the time of Christ.

Perhaps I have a unique view since I have always celebrated Christmas but have never had any religious association with it. I really could care less if someone says "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" or "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Kwanzaa" or "Happy Festivus" or just "Have a good fucking day". That person took the time to be polite and give you a greeting of some sort. In a week where I am spending most of my free time reading people's shitty-ass comments berating each other, I appreciate the fact that someone in real life might be friendly to me and others. So, please, however you are greeted in Walmart or Whole Foods or some sort of center for secular humanists, just smile back and say thanks. I know it may have stemmed from Christianity, but the whole "goodwill towards men" should be on everyone's mind. And not just in December, either.

20 Pop-Culture Hits You Say We Couldn't PAY You To See

EW recently published a list of "20 Pop-Culture Hits You Say We Couldn't PAY You To See". I was unsurprised by some - High School Musical, Da Vinci code, Godfathers, James Bond, dancing movies (defined as any of the "Step it Up"s or "Bring it On"s), reality TV. Some seemed a little arbitrary, like the movies 300 or ET. What's the problem with ET?

The user comments that justified the answers were the best part. One person won't see any of the Lord of the Rings because "somehow watching them would feel like cheating on my beloved Harry Potter."
Another won't read Oprah books just because she endorses them, though I don't think he realizes that Oprah has chosen Anna Karenina and 100 Years of Solitude in the past. If a "housewife" (his description of who reads Oprah's recommendations) reads Anna Karenina and hadn't before, bully for her! What's wrong with people reading for whatever reason?
One person just doesn't do vampires. At all. "I'm against vampires. Which means, Buffy and Twilight — yeah, I'm not watching! Sorry! But I have seen every episode of Gossip Girl, so I've got that going for me. Which is good." I've seen every episode of Gossip Girl, too, but it's not something I think "I've got going for me".
"Sarah" won't watch Jaws, but has a rational reason that seems out of place in this list. "For some reason, people being eaten by a large fish scares the crap out of me." Uh, yeah. I think most of us would agree.
This girl is obviously crazy and leads a sad, sad life: "When I was a kid, I wasn't allowed to watch the show [The Simpsons], and as a teenager, I stopped wanting to watch it. I'm an adult now, and people are always shocked that I've managed to live my entire life without seeing a single second of The Simpsons, except for those old Butterfingers commercials."

And finally? This person wouldn't see Harry Potter if you paid her because...drum roll..."I have read none of the books or seen any of the movies. I don't really plan on starting any time soon." Really? That's the least interesting answer ever. I was hoping she'd be some religious nut.

Image search meme

Google image search meme. Search for your answer for each one, and pick your favorite from the first 3 pages.
I got naked chicks for several of my answers, but neglected to include them.


Your first name:

Your middle name:


Your last name:

Your age:

A place you would like to visit:


Your favorite place to be:


The name of a past love:


Your college degree or concentration:


Your grandmother's first name:


Where you grew up:


Your childhood pet's name:


Your best friend's nickname:

Your first job:


Your favorite food:


Your favorite color:


What you are doing right now:


One of your bad habits:

Rhymed Couplets

Have you all seen this:



In honor of positive thinking, JP's favorite rhyme scheme, and xkcd today:


I wrote my own lyrics. They're really cheesy, but I had fun doing it.

I love my kittens, I love Judd Apatow,
I love raw oysters, I love the falling snow,
I love my own world, and how my music sounds.

I love PHI, I love our happy hours,
I love my Harrys, I love when I get flowers,
I love my own world, and all its loveliness.

I love my Mazda, I love when Pittsburgh wins,
I love espresso, I love when JP grins,
I love my own world, and how my cookies taste.

The new generation

Remember when this was us? Only instead of a craigslist post, we got a Pitt news editorial written about us and had the police show up?
Fuck you, Ben Rubin. I like singing songs from 'The Little Mermaid'. And no one ever had a heart attack. Sorry that your life couldn't be peppered with fun and laughter your freshman year.

Status message wars

I know I've mentioned the Gmail status message wars before here, but today was a good 'un.

Shan: go see Into the Wild...immediately.
Freya: Before you go see 'Into the Wild', read the book!
Tim: Before you read the book or go see the movie "Into The Wild", find me a job or a large sack of money
Zac: Before you read any books, see any movies or give Tim a sack of money, make sure you test your smoke alarms regularly.

Quick post because I am falling behind on posting (again!) and have waaaay too much going on to organize any thought processes.

Genealogy of Mario

This totally cracked me up. The summary at the end is the best part.

As explained to me by Japanese 6-year-olds.

"We've been thinking for a long time that earnest people reacting to a candidate is the future of music video."

I have spent the past 2 hours crying with laughter and watching these over and over again. Seriously, wiping away tears.

Iraq withdrawal date: 12,008 (response to Yes We Can)

Ridin' on a dinosaur, you and me.

So, we're making a movie

Tim: you know I could write a screenplay about this, and then you could get to meet seth rogen
call the movie "Meeting Seth Rogen"
me: that'd be awesome
Tim: these absurdists pseudo-reality movies are all the rage lately
me: i'll help
write the screenplay, edit, whatever
Tim: by doing what exactly? being crazy?
me: Lisa actually makes documentaries
she would help
I'll also "act" in it
Tim: yes no I would take it the weinsteins and have them give me money for it
I wouldn't produce the film myself
me: oh, I see
well, if they say no, I've got $500 on it
and I'll convince lisa to edit it for free
Erik can do the sound
JP can look pretty
Tim: Erik has a boom mic?
me: I meant the sound editing
Tim: well see, the movie kinda requires Seth Rogen to be in it
me: right
Tim: so at some point
me: so we'll contact his people
Tim: do you know how to do that?
me: and we'll film us smoking together in my apartment!
sure
I bet we can find emails or something
Tim: yeah I can see you're not taking this project seriously
I'm going to have to back out
me: what?????
I am SO taking it seriously
you don't think we could SOMEHOW contact Seth Rogen's agent?
Tim: I don't think with a crew like me JP, Lisa, and Erik we are going to impress Seth Rogen's agent
me: I'm sure if we had a conference call they would gain confidence in us
Tim: yes especially when the only scene you have written is "us filming seth rogen smoke in my apartment"
that's the whole treatment basically
me: and why don't I get to be part of the crew?
Tim: that's your only pitch
me: hahahaha
Tim: go onto imdb and leave a message on the message boards
"need to contact Seth"

and here's what Kathleen had to say:

Kathleen: i'm trying to think of a more interesting pitch
got it!
we tell them you are a cancer (or some other life threatening thing) patient
and your last wish in life is to smoke with seth rogen
me: oh yeah, that'd be great
I'm sure no one would ever figure out that I'm not dying
and then we can make one called
Why Seth Rogen Hates Freya

Geek!

So, surprisingly, I am only 4 kinds of geek:

Potter Geek
Food geek
Book Geek
TV Geek

If I had to pick the geekiest? Potter.

What about you?

Catching up

I find the world of social networking sites to be infinitely fascinating. Aside from flooding the internet with pointless surveys about useless facts in my life that I don't think anyone reads, I spend a fair amount of time doing what I like to call "MySpace stalking". I find people I don't really know that I have some connection to (went to high school together, significant other of someone, etc.) and try to figure out what kind of people they are based on their pictures and profile. It's ridiculous, highly judgmental, and slightly pathetic on my part. I realize this and do it anyways.
But every once in awhile, it comes in handy. You find someone (or someone finds you) that you weren't expecting. Someone you hadn't thought about in years. Someone you never thought you would talk to again. And yet, it's a really good feeling that they are (even remotely) a part of your life again. This recently happened to me, and I have been amazed at how open and warm the reception has been - on both sides. I look forward to our messaging. I love that they do my surveys, too. And I appreciate getting to know someone who has changed and grown and yet still feels connected to me on some level.
Yes, Ash, this is about you. Sorry it's so cheesy. It's that "organizing thoughts" thing that has come back to bite me in the ass. =)