There are a lot of Obama videos out there. Some have made me cry, many have inspired me, but this one made me laugh. There's no serious political message here-just some dancing and pseudo-singing. It was the perfect way to start my morning!
August 28th, 2008
August 27th, 2008
Privacy / Legal Issues
For Gmail users (in case you haven't heard the news yet), a hacking tool has been introduced that automatically steals IDs of non-encrypted sessions and uses them to break into the accounts. The developer is planning to release it in a few days. You can protect your accounts by switching to SSL permanently. If you're unfamiliar with the procedure,![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
blue_rose posted a step-by-step guide and also linked to a patch that would ensure that Gmail Notifier is still working afterwards. I'd like to include two off-site links, an article on HungryHackers.com which explains how Gmail and the hacking tool work, and for Firefox users there's the extension Customize Google, which can also help remove or block unwanted content, including ads and Google Analytics cookies.
skuf wrote a quick tutorial on how to block LJToys from tracking you on LJ/IJ/clones (Firefox only).
morgandawn mentions the RIAA’s Anti-Piracy Trade Agreement Wishlist.
Meta (posts are from the 15th and 23rd, but I don't want to pass them up -- my apologies for not including them earlier. I'm trying to change that, as stated in the previous entry.)
spacelogic: How Star Trek Made Me A Feminist, and Why I Don't Think STXI Is Going To Be Worth It: "I remember being freaked out by the first episode, being wary of the next several, and gradually being won over. And at some point during the entire process, I came to a shocking realization: Star Trek was more feminist than a lot of more modern TV/film productions."
the_willow: Watching The Show In Your Head (Pt 2): When You Can't: "I guess I feel like there probably needs to be respect for the fact that when you can't watch anymore, it means there's too much weighed on the side of dislike and disappointment. And those weights can be aspects of racism, sexism, classcism, national isolationism or just not enough plot ..." (talks about "Monk" and SGA as examples)
For Gmail users (in case you haven't heard the news yet), a hacking tool has been introduced that automatically steals IDs of non-encrypted sessions and uses them to break into the accounts. The developer is planning to release it in a few days. You can protect your accounts by switching to SSL permanently. If you're unfamiliar with the procedure,
blue_rose posted a step-by-step guide and also linked to a patch that would ensure that Gmail Notifier is still working afterwards. I'd like to include two off-site links, an article on HungryHackers.com which explains how Gmail and the hacking tool work, and for Firefox users there's the extension Customize Google, which can also help remove or block unwanted content, including ads and Google Analytics cookies.skuf wrote a quick tutorial on how to block LJToys from tracking you on LJ/IJ/clones (Firefox only).morgandawn mentions the RIAA’s Anti-Piracy Trade Agreement Wishlist.Meta (posts are from the 15th and 23rd, but I don't want to pass them up -- my apologies for not including them earlier. I'm trying to change that, as stated in the previous entry.)
spacelogic: How Star Trek Made Me A Feminist, and Why I Don't Think STXI Is Going To Be Worth It: "I remember being freaked out by the first episode, being wary of the next several, and gradually being won over. And at some point during the entire process, I came to a shocking realization: Star Trek was more feminist than a lot of more modern TV/film productions."the_willow: Watching The Show In Your Head (Pt 2): When You Can't: "I guess I feel like there probably needs to be respect for the fact that when you can't watch anymore, it means there's too much weighed on the side of dislike and disappointment. And those weights can be aspects of racism, sexism, classcism, national isolationism or just not enough plot ..." (talks about "Monk" and SGA as examples)August 25th, 2008
Things are a little crazy, since school starts this Thursday. I might be taking a class -- there's a seminar on comets that may help me, as I also study small icy things in the outer solar system. Also, there's a grading position open, and I acquired a reputation for being a fast grader, but I'm not hurting for money, so I might hold off.
Anime club looks good this year. I helped do the chalking today. A common way of advertising anything at Cornell is to get sidewalk chalk and a busy spot and get to work. Meghan, one of the members, draws well, so she brings a picture from something we're watching, and gets to work. The rest of us help with lettering, flats and that kind of stuff -- things people who can't draw well can be trusted with. So, if you go in front of the school store, there's a nice shot of Youko from Twelve Kingdoms. There's a Yuuko from XXXholic somewhere on North Campus. If the club site puts up pictures, I'll link them.
Also managed to nearly lose my ATM card at the store. Thankfully, in the time it took me to search my pockets, return my purchase to the shelf, head down to the bank, and ask the teller what to do, a customer found it on the floor, gave it to a store clerk, who took it to the bank in the store and asked them if they could find me. Seriously -- the teller was asking a coworker if she could get through to VISA when the coworker asked if this was the card she was trying to cancel. (Awesome people for being so prompt.)
Unfortunately, I spent most of today hunting down why my website wasn't working. Turns out I let the domain name registration lapse*, so I have a site, but no way to get to it besides through IP address. I ended up getting a similar name (.com instead of .net), and now just need the nice folks at my webhosts to tell me how to hook A into B, when I don't know how to get into my site to tell it 'okay, we need to point here'.
* Because the email it is linked to no longer exists, and I remember nothing about how to get into my billing account. I am brilliant, I know.
I got markers. Once the tea** kicks in, I'm gonna color this evening. ^_^ The internet also appears to be working again -- it was being spotty. Not enough to not work, but enough that I couldn't stream music or stay in a chat room.
** Jasmine green, third brew. There's enough to give me a bit of a pick-me-up after work, without keeping me up past bedtime.
Anime club looks good this year. I helped do the chalking today. A common way of advertising anything at Cornell is to get sidewalk chalk and a busy spot and get to work. Meghan, one of the members, draws well, so she brings a picture from something we're watching, and gets to work. The rest of us help with lettering, flats and that kind of stuff -- things people who can't draw well can be trusted with. So, if you go in front of the school store, there's a nice shot of Youko from Twelve Kingdoms. There's a Yuuko from XXXholic somewhere on North Campus. If the club site puts up pictures, I'll link them.
Also managed to nearly lose my ATM card at the store. Thankfully, in the time it took me to search my pockets, return my purchase to the shelf, head down to the bank, and ask the teller what to do, a customer found it on the floor, gave it to a store clerk, who took it to the bank in the store and asked them if they could find me. Seriously -- the teller was asking a coworker if she could get through to VISA when the coworker asked if this was the card she was trying to cancel. (Awesome people for being so prompt.)
Unfortunately, I spent most of today hunting down why my website wasn't working. Turns out I let the domain name registration lapse*, so I have a site, but no way to get to it besides through IP address. I ended up getting a similar name (.com instead of .net), and now just need the nice folks at my webhosts to tell me how to hook A into B, when I don't know how to get into my site to tell it 'okay, we need to point here'.
* Because the email it is linked to no longer exists, and I remember nothing about how to get into my billing account. I am brilliant, I know.
I got markers. Once the tea** kicks in, I'm gonna color this evening. ^_^ The internet also appears to be working again -- it was being spotty. Not enough to not work, but enough that I couldn't stream music or stay in a chat room.
** Jasmine green, third brew. There's enough to give me a bit of a pick-me-up after work, without keeping me up past bedtime.
contentHi! Uh, I suck at introductory stuff, so I'll get straight to the point, okay?
You'll have noticed that the updates have been very infrequent. Of course, I never started out with a strictly set posting schedule in the first place, but it's been getting worse. The overall posting activity on IJ has increased over the year, while my own spare time and energy have decreased, and I finally admit that I can't keep doing this newsletter on my own.
I'm really sorry that I didn't react earlier... I kept hoping that I'd soon have more time on my hands again and things would get back to normal, you know? Well, that was rather stupid of me, as it only reduced the usefulness of this asylum for everyone, and I apologize.
Fact is, if I want to maintain![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif)
meta_roundup and do regular updates, I'll need help. I'd definitely need someone help me collect links, and perhaps even someone who'd help posting individual issues.
As a first step, I've created a poll in my journal to ask who'd be willing to become a compiler or editor, and see what I/we could work with in theory. Comments are open, for questions and discussion. All news and decisions will also get posted here.
The poll will stay open for a week. In the meantime, I'm going to post a regular roundup issue on Wednesday.
Thank you for your patience, and for sticking with this project over time;meta_roundup had its first 'birthday' a few days ago, actually (Aug 3rd), and I remember how anxious I was in the beginning whether it'd even get that far. *feels nostalgic*
You'll have noticed that the updates have been very infrequent. Of course, I never started out with a strictly set posting schedule in the first place, but it's been getting worse. The overall posting activity on IJ has increased over the year, while my own spare time and energy have decreased, and I finally admit that I can't keep doing this newsletter on my own.
I'm really sorry that I didn't react earlier... I kept hoping that I'd soon have more time on my hands again and things would get back to normal, you know? Well, that was rather stupid of me, as it only reduced the usefulness of this asylum for everyone, and I apologize.
Fact is, if I want to maintain
meta_roundup and do regular updates, I'll need help. I'd definitely need someone help me collect links, and perhaps even someone who'd help posting individual issues.As a first step, I've created a poll in my journal to ask who'd be willing to become a compiler or editor, and see what I/we could work with in theory. Comments are open, for questions and discussion. All news and decisions will also get posted here.
The poll will stay open for a week. In the meantime, I'm going to post a regular roundup issue on Wednesday.
Thank you for your patience, and for sticking with this project over time;
meta_roundup had its first 'birthday' a few days ago, actually (Aug 3rd), and I remember how anxious I was in the beginning whether it'd even get that far. *feels nostalgic*August 24th, 2008
Icon Pimpage. Feel free to yoink, please credit to me. Img Src
and:
also avaliable in 1000x1000 pixels.
and:
also avaliable in 1000x1000 pixels.
August 23rd, 2008
Sorrow’s Dark Array
Author -cornerofmadness
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win (eventually) Winry/OC, mentions of Maes/Gracia and Al/OC
Rating – will vary from chapter to chapter, mostly Pg-13 but will eventually contain well marked adult chapters.
Time Line – anime based, spoilers all the way through the anime and the movie and does have strong manga elements such as Armstrong’s older sister and the land of Xing
Summary – As Roy and Riza prepare for their wedding, while dodging assassins, Ed and Al try to find their way back home.
Author’s Note #1– This was written after much prodding byevil_little_dog as a sequel to the source of sorrow and is now her holiday gift even if she has beta’ed part of it. So thanks to her and lyricnonsense for the beta. You do not have to read the first story to understand this. You’ll quickly pick up that Riza has retired from the military to be Roy’s wife and bodyguard. Olivia Armstrong is now president and she’s assigned Roy as the ambassador to Ishbal; oh and that Roy was severely injured in the destruction of the Gate, requiring some of Winry’s automail.
Author's Note #2 - This is a longer work and like real relationships, the ones listed in the pairings, take time to mend and come together. They have to work at it. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
“Days of absence, sad and dreary, Clothed in sorrow's dark array, Days of absence, I am weary; She I love is far away.” – Shakespeare
Author's Note _ since no one got the shout out last time, it was Miao-Yin's name and description which came from Kurt Russell's Big Trouble in Little China
( THE WALLS ARE TRYING TO EAT ME )
Author -
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win (eventually) Winry/OC, mentions of Maes/Gracia and Al/OC
Rating – will vary from chapter to chapter, mostly Pg-13 but will eventually contain well marked adult chapters.
Time Line – anime based, spoilers all the way through the anime and the movie and does have strong manga elements such as Armstrong’s older sister and the land of Xing
Summary – As Roy and Riza prepare for their wedding, while dodging assassins, Ed and Al try to find their way back home.
Author’s Note #1– This was written after much prodding by
evil_little_dog as a sequel to the source of sorrow and is now her holiday gift even if she has beta’ed part of it. So thanks to her and lyricnonsense for the beta. You do not have to read the first story to understand this. You’ll quickly pick up that Riza has retired from the military to be Roy’s wife and bodyguard. Olivia Armstrong is now president and she’s assigned Roy as the ambassador to Ishbal; oh and that Roy was severely injured in the destruction of the Gate, requiring some of Winry’s automail.Author's Note #2 - This is a longer work and like real relationships, the ones listed in the pairings, take time to mend and come together. They have to work at it. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
“Days of absence, sad and dreary, Clothed in sorrow's dark array, Days of absence, I am weary; She I love is far away.” – Shakespeare
Author's Note _ since no one got the shout out last time, it was Miao-Yin's name and description which came from Kurt Russell's Big Trouble in Little China
( THE WALLS ARE TRYING TO EAT ME )
Sorrow’s Dark Array
Author -cornerofmadness
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win (eventually) Winry/OC, mentions of Maes/Gracia and Al/OC
Rating – will vary from chapter to chapter, mostly Pg-13 but will eventually contain well marked adult chapters.
Time Line – anime based, spoilers all the way through the anime and the movie and does have strong manga elements such as Armstrong’s older sister and the land of Xing
Summary – As Roy and Riza prepare for their wedding, while dodging assassins, Ed and Al try to find their way back home.
Author’s Note #1– This was written after much prodding byevil_little_dog as a sequel to the source of sorrow and is now her holiday gift even if she has beta’ed part of it. So thanks to her and lyricnonsense for the beta. You do not have to read the first story to understand this. You’ll quickly pick up that Riza has retired from the military to be Roy’s wife and bodyguard. Olivia Armstrong is now president and she’s assigned Roy as the ambassador to Ishbal; oh and that Roy was severely injured in the destruction of the Gate, requiring some of Winry’s automail.
Author's Note #2 - This is a longer work and like real relationships, the ones listed in the pairings, take time to mend and come together. They have to work at it. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
“Days of absence, sad and dreary, Clothed in sorrow's dark array, Days of absence, I am weary; She I love is far away.” – Shakespeare
Author's Note _ since no one got the shout out last time, it was Miao-Yin's name and description which came from Kurt Russell's Big Trouble in Little China
( THE WALLS ARE TRYING TO EAT ME )
Author -
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win (eventually) Winry/OC, mentions of Maes/Gracia and Al/OC
Rating – will vary from chapter to chapter, mostly Pg-13 but will eventually contain well marked adult chapters.
Time Line – anime based, spoilers all the way through the anime and the movie and does have strong manga elements such as Armstrong’s older sister and the land of Xing
Summary – As Roy and Riza prepare for their wedding, while dodging assassins, Ed and Al try to find their way back home.
Author’s Note #1– This was written after much prodding by
evil_little_dog as a sequel to the source of sorrow and is now her holiday gift even if she has beta’ed part of it. So thanks to her and lyricnonsense for the beta. You do not have to read the first story to understand this. You’ll quickly pick up that Riza has retired from the military to be Roy’s wife and bodyguard. Olivia Armstrong is now president and she’s assigned Roy as the ambassador to Ishbal; oh and that Roy was severely injured in the destruction of the Gate, requiring some of Winry’s automail.Author's Note #2 - This is a longer work and like real relationships, the ones listed in the pairings, take time to mend and come together. They have to work at it. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
“Days of absence, sad and dreary, Clothed in sorrow's dark array, Days of absence, I am weary; She I love is far away.” – Shakespeare
Author's Note _ since no one got the shout out last time, it was Miao-Yin's name and description which came from Kurt Russell's Big Trouble in Little China
( THE WALLS ARE TRYING TO EAT ME )
busyRussian Government goes after Live Journal bloggers.
I wonder if SUP owning Live Journal and them having close ties to the Russian Government is making it easier to go after people expressing their political opinions?
I wonder if SUP owning Live Journal and them having close ties to the Russian Government is making it easier to go after people expressing their political opinions?
Joe Biden is the Democratic VP choice. I'm quite pleased with this pick.
Why?
Because I love a man that will get in your face and tell you exactly what he's thinking, without taking the time to look for a more polite way of doing it. That's Obama's job. Biden is the attack dog.
Just ask Joh Ashcroft. I think his ass still hurts from the kicking it got from Biden.
The moment is about 4:40 minutes in. This is from the Daily Show.
Oh, SNAP!!!! Biden's son is about to deploy to Iraq in the next month or so. That makes this clip all the more relevant.
Let the fun begin.
Why?
Because I love a man that will get in your face and tell you exactly what he's thinking, without taking the time to look for a more polite way of doing it. That's Obama's job. Biden is the attack dog.
Just ask Joh Ashcroft. I think his ass still hurts from the kicking it got from Biden.
The moment is about 4:40 minutes in. This is from the Daily Show.
Oh, SNAP!!!! Biden's son is about to deploy to Iraq in the next month or so. That makes this clip all the more relevant.
Let the fun begin.
I've been feeling quite a bit better over the past few days and I wanted to thank everyone for their prayers, concerns and comments. It may be a few days before I respond to comments because yesterday afternoon there was a brief thunderstorm and an electrical power outage while my computer was on (I was out of my apartment but I'd left my computer on to download a Dr. Who episode). My hard-drive and moniter came through intact but my modem seems to have burned out so I won't have internet connection at home until the replacement arrives (hopefully by 08/27/08) and I don't want to tie up the breakroom computer at work like I am now (fortunately it's very early and no one's around).
August 22nd, 2008
CNN says Joe Biden of Delaware is the Dem Vice-presidential candidate. They say it's confirmed.
Kos says Obama will officially announce his selection in the morning.
As I recall the NY Times confirmed Dick Gephardt as Kerry's running mate once upon a time. Or was it another paper? Regardless, I guess we'll know tomorrow!
I didn't have a strong feeling about who I wanted, so I don't really have a strong response to this either way. I'm still far too amused with HousesGate to focus on the race.
Kos says Obama will officially announce his selection in the morning.
As I recall the NY Times confirmed Dick Gephardt as Kerry's running mate once upon a time. Or was it another paper? Regardless, I guess we'll know tomorrow!
I didn't have a strong feeling about who I wanted, so I don't really have a strong response to this either way. I'm still far too amused with HousesGate to focus on the race.
(temporary live preview at
gwenhwyfach)Layout Style: Bloggish
Resolutions: 800x600 or above
Browsers: Firefox (best), IE
( Installation instructions under the cut )
I'm posting this under the "just when you get your car washed" rule. You know how just when you get your car washed, it rains?
I want to fucking know who Obama's VP is. And I'm hoping that just when I post this, the selection will be released.
Update: It didn't work. Damn it.
I want to fucking know who Obama's VP is. And I'm hoping that just when I post this, the selection will be released.
Update: It didn't work. Damn it.
There's a new Obama music vid by Dave Stewart (The Eurythmics) playing right now.
And it is beautiful.
Grab some tissues and come with me.
Forest Whitaker has got to be the most Zen-Buddha guy on the planet. That is all.
And it is beautiful.
Grab some tissues and come with me.
Forest Whitaker has got to be the most Zen-Buddha guy on the planet. That is all.
August 20th, 2008
In a way the self-pity and recriminations of my recent posts has been my way of coping with my health problems. I think I'm more comfortable blaming myself than admitting that things actually seem very much beyond my control.
I had to call in sick to work yet again yesterday and it's easier to say "I'm lazy, I’m selfish, I’m irresponsible" than it is to admit that I'm helpless. That despite my best efforts to change my diet I’m still having moments were I'm extremely nauseous and shaky. Even though it's over 80 degrees outside I have chills so badly I have to cover myself with a blanket and I can’t seem to do anything to stop it. It’s frightening, it really is and I’m also very concerned about money, my job, and my independence.
I hate that I’m writing about my health problems again. I very much want to be over them but they continue to intrude and really consume my attention and energy.
In my 50 years on earth i have done some wandering across the political spectrum..this baffled me, it did not seem so much that my views changed so much as the world around me seemed to. I often feel like a Conservative that has just lost his job or a Liberal that has just gotten mugged..in the two party American political system and the left right dicotomy i felt lost..
I am very secular but at this point reject most socialist and leftist
nonsense..I'm not really a conservative but feel threatened by the absolute nonsensical drivel babbled by most leftists..where do belong on the poltical spectrum? I vote Democratic mostly now..but have in the past sided with the republican reluctantly and may again..considering some of the incompetant
corrupt and militant crud spilling out of the democratic party from time to time..how can this be explained its funny but i think i found the answer in the history of Radicalism by 18th century standards i am on the far left
by 21st cetury standards i'm dead center or a bit to the right..I find it ironic and interesting that the only way i can make sense of my own political
ideology is to study the history of the French radical party Does anyone else suffer from this malady?
August 19th, 2008
w00t! My tv girlfriend is going to come see me every evening after Keith beginning Sept. 8. She'll follow Keith and replace Dan Abrams whose show is dull and shrill and I always turn him off. Just think. Two whole hours of smart people to listen to each evening! Won't it be fab?! ;)
August 18th, 2008
I just realized that as of today it’s been five years since I moved to
I had very high hopes when I came out here. I really thought I could make something of myself as a writer and an artist and find people I could relate and to punk rock shows, cool restaurants and galleries.
Five years later I’m barely holding on to a menial job that doesn’t quite cover my living expenses, I’m more or less friendless, and most of the opportunities of the city seem to pass me by. I try not to surrender to self-pity but I really do feel like a failure. It really seems like during my time in
When I arrived here I felt fairly close to both my sister and Biff, who I worked for from my arrival till about two years ago. I’ve pretty much pushed my sister way with my relentless negativity and constant depression and while Biff did bring over his new baby last month, which was really sweet of him, we’re more or less out of each others lives.
Maybe I just feel this way about things because I’m really not in the best place right now. This has been a hard year with bouts of severe depression, disordered eating and now hypoglycemia (or maybe that’s been in the background all along). Unfortunately I can’t say it’s been limited to the past year. Since I arrived in
During this time I’ve had brief periods where I felt content and comfortable with myself, like I was being the person I was meant to be and but for the most part I feel like I’ve squandered my life. It’s not that I’ve lacked opportunities; I’ve had tremendous advantages that ought to have outweighed the obstacles I’ve faced. It just seems like the only possible explanation is that I’ve done something wrong, that I’ve made the wrong choices and not put enough effort into things, that I haven’t been brave enough or strong enough.