I think I have my first flu. I'm pretty sure it's not H1N1, though - it hasn't really gotten to my lungs.

Compared to a cold, it sort of reminds me of a hurricane - intense and it sucks, but over with PDQ.

At least compared to school ;)

The summer job is over & I've got a couple of weeks before school starts up again. It's been sort of a hectic summer - my father's mother had a small stroke and my mother's mother had a vitamin deficiency so she now has to go into assisted living.

I'll have to do a post on the health care "debate", which has been pissing me off lately. No time to do such an in depth post right now, though.

Current Mood: thoughtful

Amazon.com's MP3 store officially wins. Because they have a Linux version.

Suck on that, iTunes!!

Current Mood: satisfied

Me, I've been glued to my computer and the Twitter updates on #IranElection from BBC, which also has useful analysis and updates on what's been going on out there.

It's an interesting phenomenon, to put on my sociology hat for a moment. You have the people who are the protesters, Westerners supporting the protesters, Basiji posing as protesters, and asshats who turn (or try to) this very Iranian protest into statements about the American administration.

Most of what's going through are re-Tweeted messages of support. There's also some useful info like links to first aid guides. Last night, there were Tweets advising to remove street signs and house numbers to confuse any Basiji who might attack in the night. And, of course, the heart-wrenching story of "Neda", the young woman shot in the heart whose death was captured on a cell phone video. Last night, there were calls to strike. Today, they are calling for a vigil of light by using car headlights and candles.

Of course, there's a ton of spam to filter through, but I suppose that all the noise is also a defense. I was wondering what would prevent the Iranian establishment from using Facebook or Twitter just as the protesters are. Guess I wasn't the only one.

I'm rambling, now. Let me leave with a great summary link from Livejournal.

Current Mood: quixotic

I've been super busy with my summer job, so not really any time to post.

Just one comment to make - cultural geography is really, really fascinating.

Yeah, that's it.

Current Mood: okay

So, I went last night to see the new Star Trek movie - in IMAX at the VA Air & Space Center, no less. It was pretty awesome - well worth the extra money to see it on the really big screen. I just think of it as a museum donation, anyway.

Pokemon is a strangely addictive little cartoon. I find myself watching it in the mornings despite myself, along with Archie's Weird Mysteries. I'm not surprised by that one - I grew up reading the Digests and it remains a guilty pleasure. I guess Pokemon has to go into that category, too.

I'm still fighting with the graphics driver on the latest Xubuntu upgrade. At least I know from the forums I'm not the only one having this problem, but no one's gotten back with us on it. Hopefully, that means they're working on a fix, but I can't help but feeling a little ignored.

In other news, I applied for a job & interviewed a couple of weeks ago. I just got notice that even though I was technically the most qualified, I didn't get it because the overboss didn't like my personality. W...T...F? I wouldn't have even been working directly with the overboss that much. On the other hand, I'm probably better off not at a place that shallow.

Current Mood: tired

I like my independence. I'm even registered as an independent (though not as a member of the Independent Party). And I love my little Linux box that's happily chugging along even at 9. That's 900 in people years ;)

Hell, even this journal - a personal journal in this den of RPGs - is independent compared to using LiveJournal (under an alternate name).

I'm not sure why I felt the need to ramble about this, except that my aforementioned Linux box just survived the latest Xubuntu kernel upgrade.

Current Mood: nerdy

What's the allure of the motorcycle? Is it just because it's the mechanical analog of the horse? Like motorcycles, there are a wide variety, and people are passionate about their favorite breeds. Some like the large, powerful warhorses; some like sleek and swift Arabians, who are also notoriously temperamental; and, of course, there are the fans of your solid thoroughbreds.

It shouldn't be a surprise that I like both heavy horses (Clydesdales, in specific) and Harleys. I've thought they were awesome for as long as I can remember. Probably the result of misplaced testosterone. I'd love to get one, but that would cost more than I can safely budget right now, especially with the extra insurance and license add-on. Also, neither my parents nor my spouse are particularly enthralled with the idea, and I don't need to be giving them heart attacks.

Current Mood: quixotic

Boil-in-dish lasagne noodles are nasty. Stick with the real ones.

Current Mood: busy

Bringer of flowers ... and pollen.

My silver car is now yellow.

Current Mood: indescribable

EEEE! So, I finally got a round to getting some much needed shoes for when I go girly. I prefer comfort above all things, but I also like to look nice if I can pull it off. Well, they finally made something I've been wanting for years - the top of a dress shoe and the bottom of a sneaker.

I finally understand the stereotypically female desire for many pairs of shoes.

But I found just one to settle on.

Current Mood: excited

Click here for a bit of tax perspective.

I suppose it was predictable, but, to quote Jon Stewart - "It's not tyranny; it's called 'losing'."

So, for tax day, there have been organized "Tea Parties" a la the pre-Revolutionary tactics of colonial protesters. Like our ancestors, these idiots are claiming taxation without representation - because they did not get a personal say in the tax laws.

Dudes - this is not ancient Greece. We're a democratic republic, not a true democracy. Been that way even since the Articles of Confederation. Those officials you elected to office (assuming you bothered to vote)? Those are your representation. No one gets a personal say, nor should they. That way lies chaos and dissolution.

Our ancestors had no representation because the king appointed a representative to serve in the legislature - a representative not from the Colonies and barely spent any time there. You don't like the current government? Exercise your right to vote in 2010, but keep in mind - the majority rules.

Sucks for the shoe to be on the other foot, don't it?

I'm not even going to touch the blatant misinformation these yahoos have on their main page. I just take comfort in the fact they're pretty much preaching to the converted, anyway.

Current Mood: annoyed

...is Same Sex Kiss Day.

I like this idea. Exposure has been used to successfully cure other phobias for decades. Why not use it for homophobia, too?

Current Mood: dorky