FML. Now if I get drafted, I won't have an excuse to stay out of war!
I'm just joking. of course. I couldn't help but to be a little skeptical when it was announced that Don't Ask Don't Tell would be repealed. But it looks like we have finally done it. Finally, gays and lesbians will be allowed to serve for their country and protect the very freedoms that they have been denied.
Let's hope that there's not another 15-year wait before we can all get married, eh?
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wait...Dumbledore dies?
Mmm, spoilers. I saw Harry Potter last night, decked out in my best impersonation of a Slytherin student, and it was pretty damn good. There were only a few things that were left out, and also were a few things added in that made me question the future of humanity. Just kidding. But it was weird.
A quick rundown:
Nagini is terrifying.
Harry has some hideous sweaters.
Hermione is bad at haircuts.
The Horcrux turns people into the same level of bitch as the One Ring.
It is possible to stand on train tracks and stop the Hogwarts Express.
Hedwig is ferocious.
Following balls of light around, whether they be in your chest or hovering over a frozen lake with a sword in it, is a great idea.
Werewolves love perfume.
Magic is might. Also, England prevails and Big Brother is watching you. STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY, UNITY THROUGH FAITH.
A quick rundown:
Nagini is terrifying.
Harry has some hideous sweaters.
Hermione is bad at haircuts.
The Horcrux turns people into the same level of bitch as the One Ring.
It is possible to stand on train tracks and stop the Hogwarts Express.
Hedwig is ferocious.
Following balls of light around, whether they be in your chest or hovering over a frozen lake with a sword in it, is a great idea.
Werewolves love perfume.
Magic is might. Also, England prevails and Big Brother is watching you. STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY, UNITY THROUGH FAITH.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Cancer Sticks: A Modest Proposal
Since we were little kids, we’ve been taught about the dangers of smoking. It causes a host of diseases. It puts disgusting chemicals and shit into your body. It’s a big ol’ addictive drug. It can make your baby a demon child if you smoke while pregnant. It pisses people off.
And onnn and onnnn and onnnn.
Now, I don’t smoke. I used to back in high school, but then soccer season started back up and I decided to quit because smoking made me run slower than I already did. If I ever smoke anymore, it is an extremely rare occasion brought on by stress and/or the temptation to have one while out at a party. But I know plenty of people who do smoke on a regular basis. And many folks here at school seem to be getting really upset about the proposed ban on smoking. So never fear, fellow Bishops, because I have some great alternative ideas to keep this campus hazy with clouds of nicotine.
The most obvious solution to the prevalence of smoking on campus is to take the nicotine out of the cigarettes and put some weed in there instead. I can swear to you that I have never been high before, but I have encountered people in various stages of being blazed and can tell you they are very peaceful people. Marijuana has not been found to cause cancer, so if you are one of those “DON’T SMOKE BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT CANCER” people, you would have nothing to argue about. And besides, maybe all the secondhand smoke from pot would act as a chill pill to all those bitching about secondhand smoke from cigarettes. Everybody wins.
Also, as if cigarette sales didn’t already boost the economy, can you imagine what the sale of marijuana instead of cigarettes would do? Taco Bell and Doritos would have profits through the roof. Doctors’ offices could stand to make a lot more money because everyone would want a prescription for some medical dope. The music industry would flourish because who doesn’t love stoners writing songs? Look at John Mayer.
The tobacco industry funnels a lot of money into the economy…money you would have to pay yourself if we didn’t have smokers around. Think about that.
But maybe you don’t want to take this route. That’s fine. There are other ways to combat smoking here on campus and around the country.
One argument that I hear a lot is that smoking gives you yellow teeth and stains your clothes. Okay, great. I don’t know why this is an argument unless you are telling smokers you don’t want to see their yellow teeth and yellow clothes. That’s not having a solid argument, that’s being a bitch. But at any rate, if you hate seeing people smoke cigarettes and hate breathing in their smoke, just get a paper bag and wear it around over your head. Write nice things on it about how you don’t like smoke and how you don’t want to be a servant of the tobacco industry’s evil marketing techniques. You won’t have to see them or breathe in their smoke…how cool is that?
Another idea: There’s a reason evil guys and sexy women in movies all smoke. Because it looks badass. So, make being a non-smoker look cooler. Do you think Spike from Buffy would have half the sex appeal if he wasn’t a smoker? Can you picture Popeye without a pipe hanging out of his mouth? How would Albert Einstein look without his pipe, or FDR without his weird-looking cigarette thing? Not as cool. How about James Dean? Marilyn Monroe? Frank Sinatra? Sophia Loren? Che Guevara? Like it or not, it’s kind of cool to see people whip out a lighter and elegantly light one up. Particularly if they are well-dressed…or sitting on the front steps of a SLU.
So give me some glamour, antismokers. Make yourselves look cooler instead of giving smokers dirty looks when they pass you by. Rude. One might think that smokers are going to poison all our children and give us all emphysema—they’re like the lepers you don’t want to be around for fear of catching their diseases. Anti-smoking sentiment has barred smokers from restaurants, public places, and now universities? They’re being forced to hide in a closet like a bunch of gays (who, incidentally, have a very high rate of smoking). Where do gays go when they’re forced to hide? The government or the priesthood. Where are smokers going to go if we ban them on campus? Probably back indoors, where they can spread cancer in a much more confined area.
So cut smokers a break. Odds are, they won’t be around much longer anyhow.
And onnn and onnnn and onnnn.
Now, I don’t smoke. I used to back in high school, but then soccer season started back up and I decided to quit because smoking made me run slower than I already did. If I ever smoke anymore, it is an extremely rare occasion brought on by stress and/or the temptation to have one while out at a party. But I know plenty of people who do smoke on a regular basis. And many folks here at school seem to be getting really upset about the proposed ban on smoking. So never fear, fellow Bishops, because I have some great alternative ideas to keep this campus hazy with clouds of nicotine.
The most obvious solution to the prevalence of smoking on campus is to take the nicotine out of the cigarettes and put some weed in there instead. I can swear to you that I have never been high before, but I have encountered people in various stages of being blazed and can tell you they are very peaceful people. Marijuana has not been found to cause cancer, so if you are one of those “DON’T SMOKE BECAUSE YOU DON’T WANT CANCER” people, you would have nothing to argue about. And besides, maybe all the secondhand smoke from pot would act as a chill pill to all those bitching about secondhand smoke from cigarettes. Everybody wins.
Also, as if cigarette sales didn’t already boost the economy, can you imagine what the sale of marijuana instead of cigarettes would do? Taco Bell and Doritos would have profits through the roof. Doctors’ offices could stand to make a lot more money because everyone would want a prescription for some medical dope. The music industry would flourish because who doesn’t love stoners writing songs? Look at John Mayer.
The tobacco industry funnels a lot of money into the economy…money you would have to pay yourself if we didn’t have smokers around. Think about that.
But maybe you don’t want to take this route. That’s fine. There are other ways to combat smoking here on campus and around the country.
One argument that I hear a lot is that smoking gives you yellow teeth and stains your clothes. Okay, great. I don’t know why this is an argument unless you are telling smokers you don’t want to see their yellow teeth and yellow clothes. That’s not having a solid argument, that’s being a bitch. But at any rate, if you hate seeing people smoke cigarettes and hate breathing in their smoke, just get a paper bag and wear it around over your head. Write nice things on it about how you don’t like smoke and how you don’t want to be a servant of the tobacco industry’s evil marketing techniques. You won’t have to see them or breathe in their smoke…how cool is that?
Another idea: There’s a reason evil guys and sexy women in movies all smoke. Because it looks badass. So, make being a non-smoker look cooler. Do you think Spike from Buffy would have half the sex appeal if he wasn’t a smoker? Can you picture Popeye without a pipe hanging out of his mouth? How would Albert Einstein look without his pipe, or FDR without his weird-looking cigarette thing? Not as cool. How about James Dean? Marilyn Monroe? Frank Sinatra? Sophia Loren? Che Guevara? Like it or not, it’s kind of cool to see people whip out a lighter and elegantly light one up. Particularly if they are well-dressed…or sitting on the front steps of a SLU.
So give me some glamour, antismokers. Make yourselves look cooler instead of giving smokers dirty looks when they pass you by. Rude. One might think that smokers are going to poison all our children and give us all emphysema—they’re like the lepers you don’t want to be around for fear of catching their diseases. Anti-smoking sentiment has barred smokers from restaurants, public places, and now universities? They’re being forced to hide in a closet like a bunch of gays (who, incidentally, have a very high rate of smoking). Where do gays go when they’re forced to hide? The government or the priesthood. Where are smokers going to go if we ban them on campus? Probably back indoors, where they can spread cancer in a much more confined area.
So cut smokers a break. Odds are, they won’t be around much longer anyhow.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Boehner/Boner Puns
They're bound to be running rampant since Ohio's own fake baked House representative is now Speaker of the House. Here are a few t-shirt slogans to get you started.
...and how DO you pronounce it?
Boehner is a Dick
Boehner: Nice guy, but he seems a bit stiff.
Don't think with your Boehner.
Get your Boehner out of my House.
Your Boehner does not excite me.
Is that a Boehner, or are you just hard for Republicans?
Electile Dysfunction
Your Boehner Needs More Viagra.
Pop a Boehner
I get a Boehner for politics
...and how DO you pronounce it?
Boehner is a Dick
Boehner: Nice guy, but he seems a bit stiff.
Don't think with your Boehner.
Get your Boehner out of my House.
Your Boehner does not excite me.
Is that a Boehner, or are you just hard for Republicans?
Electile Dysfunction
Your Boehner Needs More Viagra.
Pop a Boehner
I get a Boehner for politics
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Tuesday
Hello blogosphere. I know it's been a while...but I just wanted to make a quick post and ensure everyone is going to vote or has already voted. No matter your political standpoint, it is SO important that everyone gets out there and casts a ballot. So please...vote. It's so important that you do.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
80th birthdays and fondue pots
Drunk relatives from out of state. Talking Glee and football with my uncle. Grandma's boyfriend from Denmark and his native birthday songs. Flank steak. Fondue. My girlfriend sleeping on the couch as my father carefully builds a cave of pillows around her. One brother with his pants too high, the other pulling out a comb to fix his hair all the time.
Yep, it's good to be home for a bit. Strange how much catching up you have to do after years of not seeing uncles, aunts and family friends. Strange how little time it takes to catch up.
I love catered food.
And fondue.
Hope all went well at the tailgate and first night game tonight, my Bishops back at OWU.
I miss my cat.
Yep, it's good to be home for a bit. Strange how much catching up you have to do after years of not seeing uncles, aunts and family friends. Strange how little time it takes to catch up.
I love catered food.
And fondue.
Hope all went well at the tailgate and first night game tonight, my Bishops back at OWU.
I miss my cat.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
An open letter to Senator John McCain, R-Ariz.
Mr. McCain:
I feel like I should just call you “John” because we have some level of familiarity. I left you a nice message last week on Constitution Day. Did you listen to it? Have you read my tweets?
And after all, you’ve been to the place I call home. You were the fellow who spoke at our commencement this past year here at Ohio Wesleyan. It was a nice speech, very empowering. As a matter of fact, you quoted Winston Churchill when you said “defeat is never fatal. Victory is never final. It’s courage that counts.”
So given your recent threat to filibuster during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” hearings on the Senate floor and the overwhelmingly Republican vote Tuesday to block discussion of DADT repeal, I wonder. Is the defeat for gay rights advocates everywhere fatal? Is your victory final? And whose courage counted?
I am also wondering why a war veteran and distinguished politician and community service advocate such as yourself would balk in front of reporters after the Senate hearings. Two of them were from The Advocate and Metro Weekly, two of the LGBT community’s prime news sources. They confronted you and you shied away.
How could you sit in front of reporters and claim the military does not actively seek to find out someone’s sexual orientation? How could you claim private e-mails of military members have never been searched? “Bring them to our office,” you said. “It is not the policy, it is not the policy, it is not the policy.”
It may not be the written policy, Senator, but you know it’s true. You’ve heard of Major Mike Almy, a 13-year veteran of the Air Force, who was relieved of his duties after a routine search of computer files uncovered emails to his same-sex partner. Almy explained what happened in a testimony before the Senate Armed Services committee…your own committee! So how can you sit there and lie?
Furthermore, how can you defend such a discriminatory policy? Even if you are waiting for the survey from the Pentagon about the opinion of service members on the repeal, you should know. You should understand and you should be able to tell that this policy never should have been implemented in the first place. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says it’s ridiculous. Barack Obama wants to repeal it. Defense secretary Robert Gates thinks it’s outdated. The House of Representatives voted it unconstitutional. What other evidence do you need? Why are you playing politics with people’s lives?
I find it hard to imagine that if a gay soldier had saved your life in Vietnam, you would have denied him and waited for the next straight guy to come along. I also find it hard to imagine that the 13,000 LGBT soldiers who have been “honorably” discharged since 1993 really had a negative effect on their companies. I’m sure they didn’t enlist to get some action (and I don’t mean on the battlefield). Is that why you enlisted?
For the life of me, I can’t even imagine why LGBT people would want to serve in the first place. Why would someone enlist in the military knowing this policy is in place, knowing their rights will be surrendered and their personal lives destroyed if someone finds out, knowing they will be kicked out and their pay cut?
Maybe because, for some unknown reason, they love the country that denies them their basic rights. Maybe because they want to serve and fight and protect the freedoms they hope they have some day. Maybe because they bleed red just like everyone else.
Maybe we should fight homophobia instead of homosexuals.
You could help if you stopped hiding behind your lies and whatever principles you are trying to uphold here. Look beyond what your party wants and start supporting what’s right.
Sincerely,
Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
I feel like I should just call you “John” because we have some level of familiarity. I left you a nice message last week on Constitution Day. Did you listen to it? Have you read my tweets?
And after all, you’ve been to the place I call home. You were the fellow who spoke at our commencement this past year here at Ohio Wesleyan. It was a nice speech, very empowering. As a matter of fact, you quoted Winston Churchill when you said “defeat is never fatal. Victory is never final. It’s courage that counts.”
So given your recent threat to filibuster during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” hearings on the Senate floor and the overwhelmingly Republican vote Tuesday to block discussion of DADT repeal, I wonder. Is the defeat for gay rights advocates everywhere fatal? Is your victory final? And whose courage counted?
I am also wondering why a war veteran and distinguished politician and community service advocate such as yourself would balk in front of reporters after the Senate hearings. Two of them were from The Advocate and Metro Weekly, two of the LGBT community’s prime news sources. They confronted you and you shied away.
How could you sit in front of reporters and claim the military does not actively seek to find out someone’s sexual orientation? How could you claim private e-mails of military members have never been searched? “Bring them to our office,” you said. “It is not the policy, it is not the policy, it is not the policy.”
It may not be the written policy, Senator, but you know it’s true. You’ve heard of Major Mike Almy, a 13-year veteran of the Air Force, who was relieved of his duties after a routine search of computer files uncovered emails to his same-sex partner. Almy explained what happened in a testimony before the Senate Armed Services committee…your own committee! So how can you sit there and lie?
Furthermore, how can you defend such a discriminatory policy? Even if you are waiting for the survey from the Pentagon about the opinion of service members on the repeal, you should know. You should understand and you should be able to tell that this policy never should have been implemented in the first place. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says it’s ridiculous. Barack Obama wants to repeal it. Defense secretary Robert Gates thinks it’s outdated. The House of Representatives voted it unconstitutional. What other evidence do you need? Why are you playing politics with people’s lives?
I find it hard to imagine that if a gay soldier had saved your life in Vietnam, you would have denied him and waited for the next straight guy to come along. I also find it hard to imagine that the 13,000 LGBT soldiers who have been “honorably” discharged since 1993 really had a negative effect on their companies. I’m sure they didn’t enlist to get some action (and I don’t mean on the battlefield). Is that why you enlisted?
For the life of me, I can’t even imagine why LGBT people would want to serve in the first place. Why would someone enlist in the military knowing this policy is in place, knowing their rights will be surrendered and their personal lives destroyed if someone finds out, knowing they will be kicked out and their pay cut?
Maybe because, for some unknown reason, they love the country that denies them their basic rights. Maybe because they want to serve and fight and protect the freedoms they hope they have some day. Maybe because they bleed red just like everyone else.
Maybe we should fight homophobia instead of homosexuals.
You could help if you stopped hiding behind your lies and whatever principles you are trying to uphold here. Look beyond what your party wants and start supporting what’s right.
Sincerely,
Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Friday, September 10, 2010
Watermelondrea gets cray-cray
My friends, I am the victim of false advertising. Whoever sold me that seedless watermelon at the farmer's market was a dirty rotten liar. Obviously he was blindly guessing as to the contents of that melon. How did he know what was gonna be in there?
Finding seeds in seedless watermelon is like finding high-fructose corn syrup in Diet Coke or finding a child in your belly a few months after your boyfriend says he has protection. An unwanted surprise. A lie. And when I buy a watermelon, market man, I want a sweet tasty treat that sends rivulets of pink juice down my mouth and NOT a mine field where hard black pustules burst out of the ground and attack me. Besides, those seeds are how plants have sex and I do NOT want little melons growing in my belly.
So for future reference...please. Advertise exactly what you are giving to me.
And PS, Axe. Women do not flock to me when I use your shampoo. I am sorely disappointed.
Finding seeds in seedless watermelon is like finding high-fructose corn syrup in Diet Coke or finding a child in your belly a few months after your boyfriend says he has protection. An unwanted surprise. A lie. And when I buy a watermelon, market man, I want a sweet tasty treat that sends rivulets of pink juice down my mouth and NOT a mine field where hard black pustules burst out of the ground and attack me. Besides, those seeds are how plants have sex and I do NOT want little melons growing in my belly.
So for future reference...please. Advertise exactly what you are giving to me.
And PS, Axe. Women do not flock to me when I use your shampoo. I am sorely disappointed.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Don't Ask Don't Tell Ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL
In the wake after Prop 8 being re-enforced, I am taking this with a grain of salt.
http://www.openleft.com/diary/20102/breaking-dadt-ruled-unconstitutional
http://www.openleft.com/diary/20102/breaking-dadt-ruled-unconstitutional
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Things the cat eats
Since agreeing to be his foster mom two and a half weeks ago, Leah and I have seen Scoops grow from a thin, flea-bitten kitten to a happy, healthy, playful young cat. But here are some things he enjoys eating that we find remarkable:
NOTE: He gets into half of this stuff because we say, "there's no way he's going to want to eat that!"
RJ and Leah
Pads
Noodles
Cap'n Crunch
Watermelon
Artichoke dip and tortilla chips
Ice cream with white chocolate chips in it
Bugs
Taco Bell, even after we put hot sauce on it
The meat, beans and rice out of a homemade burrito
Goldfish crackers
Barbecue chips
We live with a young, fuzzy garbage disposal.
NOTE: He gets into half of this stuff because we say, "there's no way he's going to want to eat that!"
RJ and Leah
Pads
Noodles
Cap'n Crunch
Watermelon
Artichoke dip and tortilla chips
Ice cream with white chocolate chips in it
Bugs
Taco Bell, even after we put hot sauce on it
The meat, beans and rice out of a homemade burrito
Goldfish crackers
Barbecue chips
We live with a young, fuzzy garbage disposal.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
OMG TERRORISTS
Between people saying Obama is a Muslim and all of this coverage of the proposed faith center at Ground Zero, I am starting to think that being Muslim is a crime.
What do you all think about them building a place of worship right by where the 9/11 attacks occurred? I personally think it's a bad idea because some of our own extremists are probably going to try and bomb the place. And then some Muslim extremists are going to retaliate back. I don't think it is a safe idea at all...even though they have been meeting there for years.
Public thought in the USA seems to be that all Muslims are evil. Of course that's not true; only the extremists are the ones hurting people. And there are extremists in every religion and culture. Should we ban all white people from the South just because they COULD be KKK? Should we ban all priests from having service at schools because they COULD be child molesters? Like I said, that faith center should not be built there for safety reasons. But I think that they, in theory, have every right to build it.
What do you all think about them building a place of worship right by where the 9/11 attacks occurred? I personally think it's a bad idea because some of our own extremists are probably going to try and bomb the place. And then some Muslim extremists are going to retaliate back. I don't think it is a safe idea at all...even though they have been meeting there for years.
Public thought in the USA seems to be that all Muslims are evil. Of course that's not true; only the extremists are the ones hurting people. And there are extremists in every religion and culture. Should we ban all white people from the South just because they COULD be KKK? Should we ban all priests from having service at schools because they COULD be child molesters? Like I said, that faith center should not be built there for safety reasons. But I think that they, in theory, have every right to build it.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Cheese is the most delicious food known to man. It goes with everything.
On another note, I move into my apartment next Wednesday (my 20th birthday) with my girlfriend Leah. And then school starts on that following Monday, the 23rd.
After two years of having to pack up and move in early for soccer, I'm used to early arrival at OWU. But that doesn't mean I like it. It'll be so nice to move into a more permanent spot and know I don't have to pack up and leave again at Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break or summer. I hate pulling my roots up and moving.
So I guess it's time to pack...
On another note, I move into my apartment next Wednesday (my 20th birthday) with my girlfriend Leah. And then school starts on that following Monday, the 23rd.
After two years of having to pack up and move in early for soccer, I'm used to early arrival at OWU. But that doesn't mean I like it. It'll be so nice to move into a more permanent spot and know I don't have to pack up and leave again at Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break or summer. I hate pulling my roots up and moving.
So I guess it's time to pack...
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Chopped
Where did all the time go?
Summer somehow has sped by me and here I am, midnight on August 4. Two weeks until my twentieth birthday. Two weeks until I move into my first apartment.
I hardly wanted to leave school and I am certainly ready to go back...but I feel as if I haven't made good on my summer yet. No big trips, not much partying with friends, not enough lazy days poolside...and it seems a waste to clean my room because I know I'll just be packing everything up again soon.
Wow. I don't know what happened. Am I ready for the fall? There's a lot at stake and a lot on my plate but the days just get shorter and shorter.
In the meantime, I need to relish the time I have left--Cincinnati won't be my home anymore soon.
Summer somehow has sped by me and here I am, midnight on August 4. Two weeks until my twentieth birthday. Two weeks until I move into my first apartment.
I hardly wanted to leave school and I am certainly ready to go back...but I feel as if I haven't made good on my summer yet. No big trips, not much partying with friends, not enough lazy days poolside...and it seems a waste to clean my room because I know I'll just be packing everything up again soon.
Wow. I don't know what happened. Am I ready for the fall? There's a lot at stake and a lot on my plate but the days just get shorter and shorter.
In the meantime, I need to relish the time I have left--Cincinnati won't be my home anymore soon.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Bummed.
I'm a little depressed right now because my youth group leaves for Kaibeto, AZ tomorrow morning...and I won't be on the train.
Too much money and too much time away from work and my internship. That's basically what it boils down to. I need to save for my apartment this year and I certainly don't have hundreds of dollars to spend, even for something as wonderful and transcendent of material value as a mission trip. So I'll be here in Cincinnati. Not on a train with some of my closest friends. Not working hard on an Indian reservation for people who really need it. Not bonding with amazing people in the sweltering heat. Not singing on top of the Grand Canyon.
Just here.
At least I have a conference this weekend--it's in Indiana and my sorority paid for it, so it's hardly the same. And I'll get to make money and see my friends and spend time with my wonderful girlfriend.
Still, though...my heart will be in Arizona.
Too much money and too much time away from work and my internship. That's basically what it boils down to. I need to save for my apartment this year and I certainly don't have hundreds of dollars to spend, even for something as wonderful and transcendent of material value as a mission trip. So I'll be here in Cincinnati. Not on a train with some of my closest friends. Not working hard on an Indian reservation for people who really need it. Not bonding with amazing people in the sweltering heat. Not singing on top of the Grand Canyon.
Just here.
At least I have a conference this weekend--it's in Indiana and my sorority paid for it, so it's hardly the same. And I'll get to make money and see my friends and spend time with my wonderful girlfriend.
Still, though...my heart will be in Arizona.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sportswriting--being on the outside and loving every minute of it
Being a sports reporter can be very demeaning. You know how they say those who can't do coach? Well, perhaps those who can't do AND can't write are the ones coaching. Those who are snappy writers yet mediocre players are the ones in the bleachers with notebooks.
At least that's my opinion. But aside from feeling athletically inept as I watch young men my age throw touchdowns, dunk baskets and hit homers, I also feel rather small. And I've noticed something--how many freakishly tall reporters do you see? Not many. Most of them are around my size--I'm 5'10". And I've begun to feel insignificant among 6'6" sweaty men with abs of steel and inked-up biceps (And no, I'm not doing it for the sexual thrill). LeBron James looks tiny on TV but I bet he could stomp me into the ground if I asked him the wrong questions. Maybe that's why I like soccer. I hear Landon Donovan is shorter than me!
So why do we do what we do? Well, it's not for the glory. It's not for the smell after the game. It could be for the occasional free food and VIP seating. But maybe it's because we just love the game. We love picking out the most exciting parts of the games and talking to players and coaches about their reactions. Maybe it's because we want to be a part of our native team's journey, to have the MVP know us by name.
Or maybe we're just crazy.
At least that's my opinion. But aside from feeling athletically inept as I watch young men my age throw touchdowns, dunk baskets and hit homers, I also feel rather small. And I've noticed something--how many freakishly tall reporters do you see? Not many. Most of them are around my size--I'm 5'10". And I've begun to feel insignificant among 6'6" sweaty men with abs of steel and inked-up biceps (And no, I'm not doing it for the sexual thrill). LeBron James looks tiny on TV but I bet he could stomp me into the ground if I asked him the wrong questions. Maybe that's why I like soccer. I hear Landon Donovan is shorter than me!
So why do we do what we do? Well, it's not for the glory. It's not for the smell after the game. It could be for the occasional free food and VIP seating. But maybe it's because we just love the game. We love picking out the most exciting parts of the games and talking to players and coaches about their reactions. Maybe it's because we want to be a part of our native team's journey, to have the MVP know us by name.
Or maybe we're just crazy.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Team USA's nation of believers
America gets a bad rap around the world.
We're cocky. We're fat. We have too much money. We get involved in everyone's business. And on the world stage, no one gives us much respect.
Enter the world of soccer (or football, as everyone else calls it). Soccer is the world's game. Kids in Africa and the Central/Southern American countries grow up playing it in the streets. Soccer in Europe is like the MLB or the NFL in America--everyone's got a team to root for, and players are traded and swapped and bribed around teams all season until a league winner is crowned. But it hadn't really caught on in America until recently.
Sure, kids play it and we have summer camps and a major league team and even some opportunities for women. But we don't have big stars like Beckham, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo or Messi. We don't have huge national soccer tournaments. We'd rather tune in to our own version of football than everyone else's, and our fans certainly aren't characterized like the face-painting, vuvuzela-blowing raucous crowds that everyone else seems to have.
I have never been a huge fan of the US team. Of course, I have national pride, but in the 2006 World Cup it seemed wasted on our squad. Who were these men, thinking they were so tough amidst these glamorous teams from Europe and South America? Thinking they had the guts to make a run? I'm quite confident our 2008 Olympic champion women's team could have swept the floor with them.
But they had four years to shape up, and I had four years to develop my own soccer skill (and thus, my critical eye). And when this year's Cup rolled around, I watched our little Yankee underdogs with a bit less hostility.
A lucky tie against England and an unlucky tie against Slovenia (that goal should have counted!) were, nonetheless, ties. Never mind that we came from an 0-2 deficit against the Slovenians starting in the second half. In the point brackets, it was still a tie.
But Algeria. Wednesday's match against Algeria was nothing short of magnificent. I'll say that in hindsight, though I was screaming at all of our missed chances the entire game. Our World Cup this year has been one of both good and bad luck, as I said before. And as time wound down and as shot after shot went awry or was scooped up by the Algerian keeper, my little glimmer of hope in our ragtag, come-from-behind team was waning.
And then, it happened. Tim Howard snatched the ball off of an Algerian shot and whipped it down the field to Landon Donovan. Donovan passed it off and it landed at the feet of Jozy Altidore, who in his haste kicked the ball out a little too far into the box and into Rais M’Bolhi's goalie gloves. The charging Clint Dempsey tripped over the deflection and the ball rolled forward... leaving a wide open shot for Donovan to run in and punish the back of the net!!
GGGOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! USA! USA! USA!
My girlfriend and I jumped up from the couch, screaming. The dog started howling. The announcer was hollering in his British accent as Donovan, our hero, slid on his belly down the goal line and got mobbed by his team. Bob Bradley smiled. The USA fans in the crowd went nuts, from the eagles to Captain America to Elvis to those just decked out in their patriotic best.
It was a damn good day for America.
Never mind the two disallowed goals, none of that mattered anymore. We were through, we won the group, we proved our worth in the bracket. And it showed up everywhere, all over the news. Our little team had WON. For the third game in a row we had held on and pulled one out in the last minute to save our asses and our reputations.
We may not be the classiest players on the field or have the most famous players. Our fan base may not be huge, but it is loyal. And it's growing, especially after today. When we've got an energy crisis, a huge oil spill, two wars we're losing, crooked politicians left and right and a still-weak economy on our hands, soccer is becoming the one thing we can turn to for support and strength. We believe in the pride of our nation and the glory of our team to bring us home a victory!
We're cocky. We're fat. We have too much money. We get involved in everyone's business. And on the world stage, no one gives us much respect.
Enter the world of soccer (or football, as everyone else calls it). Soccer is the world's game. Kids in Africa and the Central/Southern American countries grow up playing it in the streets. Soccer in Europe is like the MLB or the NFL in America--everyone's got a team to root for, and players are traded and swapped and bribed around teams all season until a league winner is crowned. But it hadn't really caught on in America until recently.
Sure, kids play it and we have summer camps and a major league team and even some opportunities for women. But we don't have big stars like Beckham, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo or Messi. We don't have huge national soccer tournaments. We'd rather tune in to our own version of football than everyone else's, and our fans certainly aren't characterized like the face-painting, vuvuzela-blowing raucous crowds that everyone else seems to have.
I have never been a huge fan of the US team. Of course, I have national pride, but in the 2006 World Cup it seemed wasted on our squad. Who were these men, thinking they were so tough amidst these glamorous teams from Europe and South America? Thinking they had the guts to make a run? I'm quite confident our 2008 Olympic champion women's team could have swept the floor with them.
But they had four years to shape up, and I had four years to develop my own soccer skill (and thus, my critical eye). And when this year's Cup rolled around, I watched our little Yankee underdogs with a bit less hostility.
A lucky tie against England and an unlucky tie against Slovenia (that goal should have counted!) were, nonetheless, ties. Never mind that we came from an 0-2 deficit against the Slovenians starting in the second half. In the point brackets, it was still a tie.
But Algeria. Wednesday's match against Algeria was nothing short of magnificent. I'll say that in hindsight, though I was screaming at all of our missed chances the entire game. Our World Cup this year has been one of both good and bad luck, as I said before. And as time wound down and as shot after shot went awry or was scooped up by the Algerian keeper, my little glimmer of hope in our ragtag, come-from-behind team was waning.
And then, it happened. Tim Howard snatched the ball off of an Algerian shot and whipped it down the field to Landon Donovan. Donovan passed it off and it landed at the feet of Jozy Altidore, who in his haste kicked the ball out a little too far into the box and into Rais M’Bolhi's goalie gloves. The charging Clint Dempsey tripped over the deflection and the ball rolled forward... leaving a wide open shot for Donovan to run in and punish the back of the net!!
GGGOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! USA! USA! USA!
My girlfriend and I jumped up from the couch, screaming. The dog started howling. The announcer was hollering in his British accent as Donovan, our hero, slid on his belly down the goal line and got mobbed by his team. Bob Bradley smiled. The USA fans in the crowd went nuts, from the eagles to Captain America to Elvis to those just decked out in their patriotic best.
It was a damn good day for America.
Never mind the two disallowed goals, none of that mattered anymore. We were through, we won the group, we proved our worth in the bracket. And it showed up everywhere, all over the news. Our little team had WON. For the third game in a row we had held on and pulled one out in the last minute to save our asses and our reputations.
We may not be the classiest players on the field or have the most famous players. Our fan base may not be huge, but it is loyal. And it's growing, especially after today. When we've got an energy crisis, a huge oil spill, two wars we're losing, crooked politicians left and right and a still-weak economy on our hands, soccer is becoming the one thing we can turn to for support and strength. We believe in the pride of our nation and the glory of our team to bring us home a victory!
The big gay chip on Rob Thomas' shoulder
This is old but I liked it. I miss Rob and Matchbox 20...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-thomas/the-big-gay-chip-on-my-sh_b_208183.html
Also, Get Him to the Greek is hilarious.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-thomas/the-big-gay-chip-on-my-sh_b_208183.html
Also, Get Him to the Greek is hilarious.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Control your children!
I was shot and robbed at the Florence Freedom baseball game Tuesday night.
Something hit my shoulder with crushing force in the second inning and thudded to the ground at my feet. It was a navy t-shirt, tied up into a bow like some cruel grenade. My best guess was that it was shot by a t-shirt cannon, so I turned around to look for the perpetrator. I saw nothing, so I twisted back around to get it when someone began to close in on my prize.
A small child, running from several rows over, reached out her little hand, swooped down, and grabbed the shirt from off of my Sperry. Before I could protest, she was running back to her seat, shirt held high.
Her mother congratulated her on her prize as she climbed back into her seat. But I was livid. Her brother, I'm sure, could feel the fire in my eyes as I glared over at them. Oh, he knew. He knew how I had been wronged by his little harlot of a sister. But that didn't stop him from wearing it later.
Children like that are why people murder other people. If I ever see them again, I'm telling them that Santa Claus isn't real and their mother found them in a dumpster. There is no excuse for rude children like that.
I hate America.
Something hit my shoulder with crushing force in the second inning and thudded to the ground at my feet. It was a navy t-shirt, tied up into a bow like some cruel grenade. My best guess was that it was shot by a t-shirt cannon, so I turned around to look for the perpetrator. I saw nothing, so I twisted back around to get it when someone began to close in on my prize.
A small child, running from several rows over, reached out her little hand, swooped down, and grabbed the shirt from off of my Sperry. Before I could protest, she was running back to her seat, shirt held high.
Her mother congratulated her on her prize as she climbed back into her seat. But I was livid. Her brother, I'm sure, could feel the fire in my eyes as I glared over at them. Oh, he knew. He knew how I had been wronged by his little harlot of a sister. But that didn't stop him from wearing it later.
Children like that are why people murder other people. If I ever see them again, I'm telling them that Santa Claus isn't real and their mother found them in a dumpster. There is no excuse for rude children like that.
I hate America.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Taking on Taylor Swift
The opportunity of a lifetime has presented itself to me...tonight, armed with only my voice, I will begin my quest to topple my biggest rival, Taylor Swift.
How, you ask? Well, a local radio station is holding a contest to see who will sing Taylor's part for "Two is Better than One" at the Boys Like Girls concert on Saturday in Cincinnati. I'm trying out tonight to take her place. If I land the spot, I'll gain fame and fortune in front of thousands of preteens and their parents and hopefully get a record deal or something.
Let it be known that Swiftie, my biggest and fiercest rival, is going down like a busted oil rig.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Nothing says Cincinnati like a football game in June between the all-stars of the east side and west side. I'm currently in the corner seat in a press box full of middle-aged men talking about the Reds as we all devor hot wings and Saratoga chips. I bet they are from Montgomery Inn. A cooler of soda accompanies these treats.
Even though one reporter goes to my old church and one has covered a lot of the same games I have, I feel like the new kid that skipped a few grades on my first day of school. Everyone knows each other and has reported football games before. I'm an awkward newcomer.
I expect to be making many east-west stereotypes in my head tonight.
I have to say I'm excited to be covering the annual Cincinnati east-west all-star football game tonight. I hope my west side bias doesn't show through too much. It'll be interesting to see if the folks I meet live up to the stereotyped (yet true) caricatures of east side and west side people. From dress to cars to mannerisms, I'm going to keep a close eye on the faces of my beloved city.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A less than gleeful episode
The funk episode of "Glee" hurt my ears and my soul.
Usually, the music salvages the sub-par plot, or at least the choreography does. Not tonight. I was left wanting more drama and less of the soul-less, excruciatingly painful funk that they tried to pull off. If I were Shelby Corcoran I would sleep well. Will Schuester and his brothel of women/problems is no threat to you.
To start, I don't know where Mercedes gets off a) laughing at Quinn wanting to get funky because she's white and pregnant, and b) claiming to be discriminated against. The only time race factors in to Glee is when she calls herself a "steamy mug of hot chocolate" or throws around lines like "Hell to the naw, I'm Beyonce," "Why are we going all vanilla on this song," and "You've never dated a sista before have you?" She's just like Kurt. You either stop flaunting how different you are or grow a pair and deal with it
...But then I saw what white people do to funk and wished they would just leave. Funk is about anger and rhythm, which you can infer black people have both of. Finn Hudson? Tina Cohen-Chang? Not so much. And Quinn's performance with the awful fake baby bumps on the "unwed mothers club" members was a train wreck. White girl, you cannot sing James Brown. Pregnant women, stop shaking your unborn, unexpected and probably unwanted fetuses around.
Sue Sylvester's small presence in these past few episodes made me wonder just what she was up to. And I hoped it would be more than slinging one-liners and trying to one-up the ever-changing Will Schuester. If Will isn't divorcing his wife, he's trying to trick Sue. When he's not trying to be motivational he's making out with the world. And when he's not seeking revenge on Sue he's yelling at the kids for trying to seek revenge on Vocal Adrenaline...all the while being an obnoxious compromiser.
Rachel also annoyed me because of her lack of guts. I would have kicked Jesse in the crotch instead of having a sing-off. Besides, those high socks were NOT funk.
I'm worried that the season finale will have too much to wrap up. Quinn's baby bump, though it disappeared for the Gaga episode, looks bigger than ever. What's up with Will and Emma? Will Terri start meddling again? Are Finn and Rachel going to stop being obnoxious and go out? Will Kurt hit puberty? Can Artie walk now?
And most importantly, who wins regionals?! Hm...
Usually, the music salvages the sub-par plot, or at least the choreography does. Not tonight. I was left wanting more drama and less of the soul-less, excruciatingly painful funk that they tried to pull off. If I were Shelby Corcoran I would sleep well. Will Schuester and his brothel of women/problems is no threat to you.
To start, I don't know where Mercedes gets off a) laughing at Quinn wanting to get funky because she's white and pregnant, and b) claiming to be discriminated against. The only time race factors in to Glee is when she calls herself a "steamy mug of hot chocolate" or throws around lines like "Hell to the naw, I'm Beyonce," "Why are we going all vanilla on this song," and "You've never dated a sista before have you?" She's just like Kurt. You either stop flaunting how different you are or grow a pair and deal with it
...But then I saw what white people do to funk and wished they would just leave. Funk is about anger and rhythm, which you can infer black people have both of. Finn Hudson? Tina Cohen-Chang? Not so much. And Quinn's performance with the awful fake baby bumps on the "unwed mothers club" members was a train wreck. White girl, you cannot sing James Brown. Pregnant women, stop shaking your unborn, unexpected and probably unwanted fetuses around.
Sue Sylvester's small presence in these past few episodes made me wonder just what she was up to. And I hoped it would be more than slinging one-liners and trying to one-up the ever-changing Will Schuester. If Will isn't divorcing his wife, he's trying to trick Sue. When he's not trying to be motivational he's making out with the world. And when he's not seeking revenge on Sue he's yelling at the kids for trying to seek revenge on Vocal Adrenaline...all the while being an obnoxious compromiser.
Rachel also annoyed me because of her lack of guts. I would have kicked Jesse in the crotch instead of having a sing-off. Besides, those high socks were NOT funk.
I'm worried that the season finale will have too much to wrap up. Quinn's baby bump, though it disappeared for the Gaga episode, looks bigger than ever. What's up with Will and Emma? Will Terri start meddling again? Are Finn and Rachel going to stop being obnoxious and go out? Will Kurt hit puberty? Can Artie walk now?
And most importantly, who wins regionals?! Hm...
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
News of an early-morning fire alarm at OU hit me as I lay in bed at my parents' house with the cat. "There's a crying sorority girl somewhere," my girlfriend asserted, referring to the YouTube video. This just made me realize one thing. No matter the hour, no matter where the alarm goes off...there is always the luxury of a trip to UDF, Timmy Ho's or one of our fine establishments in Delaware. OU? Not so much.
God bless America.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
I think I made a revelation...well, you know how anything you drink after you brush your teeth tastes gross or makes your mouth hurt? Well, I often brush my teeth and grab a Diet Coke before I leave the house. I brushed my teeth with regular Crest, the blue paste, nothing special. And you know what? It doesn't taste nasty.
Just a tip. :) I hope everyone's summers are going well!
Oh, Bambi...I cried so hard when they shot your mother...
Did anyone get footage of the deer on campus today? You know, the one that...
a) ran into a car
b) jumped through a building in Slocum and out another
c) tried to get into Phillips hall.
This is about to be a trending topic, I see it now.
a) ran into a car
b) jumped through a building in Slocum and out another
c) tried to get into Phillips hall.
This is about to be a trending topic, I see it now.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Branching out
I've become an NPR junkie lately. I love it. And I was listening to "The Story" with Dick Gordon today on my rainy drive back from Rookwood with my grandma, and on the show was a man who had interviewed Jackie Robinson in 1962, before he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. I had to smile and feel some Bishop pride as I listened to an excerpt where Robinson talked about how the first person he called when he found out was Branch Rickey and his family. Robinson, who to my surprise sounded like a 1950s radio broadcaster himself, said he credited Rickey for all his success and for integrating baseball.
Awesome. :) I'm proud to be a Bishop today.
Awesome. :) I'm proud to be a Bishop today.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Phone call from Afghanistan...
Some soldiers dancing to Lady Gaga made me smile while writing my paper. :)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Is it just me or does this soccer game have more nudity than most?
Great display of soccer and human anatomy last night at Roy Rike Field. Our men's team successfully fought off visiting Xavier (a D-I school and everything!) for 90 minutes, and a rocket off the foot of Dylan Stone with 15 seconds left in the game sealed a victory for us.
Also, an impressive turnout from the OWU community made me proud to be a Bishop. I have never seen so many lax bros in my life, and out homecoming king ripped his clothes off and took a victory jog across the field.
Oh, OWU.
I'll miss you when I leave.
But for now, I'm ready to be done with you and all your finals.
Also, an impressive turnout from the OWU community made me proud to be a Bishop. I have never seen so many lax bros in my life, and out homecoming king ripped his clothes off and took a victory jog across the field.
Oh, OWU.
I'll miss you when I leave.
But for now, I'm ready to be done with you and all your finals.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sushi
I have never seen the man who makes the tasty sushi out from behind his work station in all my life...but today I saw him walking around twice. Once getting food, once going to the bathroom.
I have always wanted to say hi and tell him he makes great sushi, but would that be awkward? He seems more approachable when away from his raw fish and knives.
It struck me that he is one of the few food service people I have never talked to. Hm.
I have always wanted to say hi and tell him he makes great sushi, but would that be awkward? He seems more approachable when away from his raw fish and knives.
It struck me that he is one of the few food service people I have never talked to. Hm.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Miranda Lambert versus Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert vs. Taylor Swift
The Ultimate Fan Showdown
The Ultimate Fan Showdown
Fans and frenemies alike know where my loyalties lie: with Miranda Lambert, whose music and message have carried me through some pretty rough stuff in my life. And many of you out there have read the column I wrote after the Grammys lamenting that Taylor Swift won so many awards. Taylor grates a bit of a nerve with me and I have chosen to root for the underdog in my Miranda. It doesn't mean I despise Taylor, it just means I don't really like her music (or rather, prefer Miranda's harder edge).
So when my girl took home three CMAs last night and Taylor didn't take home anything, I felt the need to gloat to one of her fans.
Enter Ethan, a fellow OWU student whose profound love for T. Swift echoes mine for Ran. My wall post to him today sparked a humorous and slightly biting clash of the blonde country bombshells. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you... Miranda Lambert versus Taylor Swift.
THE CONTENDERS
Michelle Rotuno-Johnson: Team Miranda
Fan since: 2005
Favorite album: "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
Favorite song: "Only Prettier"
Times seen in concert: Two, planning on a third on July 20th
Biggest claim to fandom: Has Miranda's exact tattoo on her back
Merchandise owned: Two t-shirts and a bumper sticker
Fan since: 2005
Favorite album: "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
Favorite song: "Only Prettier"
Times seen in concert: Two, planning on a third on July 20th
Biggest claim to fandom: Has Miranda's exact tattoo on her back
Merchandise owned: Two t-shirts and a bumper sticker
Ethan Baron: Team Taylor
Fan since: 2007
Favorite album: Fearless (Platinum Edition)
Favorite song: Mary's Song (Oh My My)
Times seen in concert: First time coming up on June 5th!
Biggest claim to fandom: Runs a Taylor Swift fan site. SwiftieNation.com
Merchandise owned: Six posters, all the albums signed, one t-shirt, and guitar picks.
THE FEARLESS REVOLUTION: A CLASH OF TITANS
(Courtesy of Facebook)
Dear Taylor:
Sorry about last night...five nominations and nothing to show for it. If your awards shelf is looking a bit lonely you can borrow one of the three I got, or ask Carrie for one of hers. Better luck next year. At least you still have the Grammys, where you can pass off as a pop singer.
Love,
Miranda Lambert
Aka female artist of the year, record of the year and music video of the year winner
Thank you for your condolences. It was the first time I have ever gone win-less at an American held event but I feel that since I won 5 awards at the ACMs last year that it was ok that I didn't win this year. I mean it is voted on by country fans and I feel like I am not well liked in the country community. This is a shame because I have brought many people back to the country music genre even if I am not completely country.
I'm glad you can add 3 more awards to your case bringing your total up to 5. I would love to come over and see them sometime as I am feeling a little cluttered with my 62 awards right now.
Anyways, let me know when we can meet-up for tea or something, I'll be done my 89 sold-out international tour dates soon.
Forever and Always,
Taylor ♥
I take comfort in losing to you because I know that at least I can drink my sorrows away as part of the over-21 crowd. By the way, if you have any tickets to Taylorville I would be happy to visit. Being an independent woman really is hard sometimes, so maybe I can come visit your fairytale world where Romeo and Juliet are a good couple and everyone is in high school. Get some boobs and get back to me.
Gunpowder and lead,
Ran
I guess you don't want to hang out as you never came around to inviting me over. I guess having 5 awards can be a little bit sad and obviously being an independent woman is hard. Picking on me seems like a sport to you which can only lead me to believe that you are jealous of my optimism about life. I believe that having dreams is something to be proud of. I am not embarrassed of wanting to find my Romeo or yearning for that perfect day.
I'll be 21 this year and my new album will be coming out and hopefully you like some of those songs. I can't promise it will be about guns and booze but maybe you can catch a glimpse into my life experiences. I've suffered heartbreak just I am sure you have and I've had to break up with and get over many guys. So how do I make myself feel better? I write about it, I write about them and I think that is much more fearless than writing about your party last night.
Maybe if I can't come over to my place you can come over to my new pad in Nashville. I was the top grossing country artist last year so I can fly you in if you'd like.
Stay Beautiful,
Taylor ♥
Well, I'm glad you are enjoying your money. As for finding your Romeo... allow me to remind you that he and Juliet killed themselves after deciding they were in love after a few days of knowing each other. I believe in real love, like the love my boyfriend Blake and I have shared for five years now. Keep trying for it, darling, and my apologies about your failed trysts with Jonas or Lautner or whoever that was.
You are welcome to come visit me in my home, which is actually in my hometown back in Texas. I've chosen to spend my earnings on things other than houses, and am proudly raising money for charities through my Muttnation Foundation program and remaining close to my family, friends and handsome boyfriend (who also took home some accolades last night!).
I assure you I have had my share of heartbreak, as I address with my songs with more mature themes such as domestic violence and finding my faith. We've both had our share of cheaters and liars, and I guess I just have different ways of dealing with them.
Only prettier,
Ran
first let me say that I am glad you and blake are happy. i really am. second, being launched into the spotlight so quickly hasn't been great for my love life. i Will admit that i was socially awkward in hIgh school and that i waSn't the center of attentions (i was always on the outside). this Has led me into some quite meaningless relationships and i've realized that i need to take time for my career and the right guy will come along eventually. it is a learning process for me and i hope you respect that i'm just trying to find a place in this World.
i am a little taken back by your disrEgard for my charitable side and the ignorance that i have tried to make a change in this world. i have launched campaigns against sexual predators, Donated over $100,000 to the red cross for disaster relIefs in the 2008 iowa flooDs, donated $250,000 to public schools, and that is only a few.
as for my family, i believe that i'm closer to them thaN anything else in the world. i could give you numerous examples but i hope you undersTand that Family is more important to me than anythInG in the world as i am sure you agree with me.
i am glad tHat we could talk about our differences and hopefully one day we can share a stage Together . i'd love to come to texas to see you and blake. stay fearless.
your superstar,
taylor ♥
Absolutely. Let's hang out next time we're both free. I'm touring around internationally as well so we're both very busy. Also, props to you for all of your charity work! I'm glad you are making good use of your stardom and I apologize for my ignorance of that side of you.
Perhaps one day soon we can get together at my place, drink whiskey and shoot guns. I assure you it's much more effective than burning pictures.
Love,
Ran
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Grapes, gays and Gaga
Exhausted from a morning of learning, those of us PRIDEsters that are in Buffalo for the Northeast LGBT conference are crashed on our beds watching Iron Chef America (secret ingredient? Grapes). The drive to Buffalo wasn't too terrible. Five hours but we rocked out to Gaga and other hot jams.
It's interesting being at a conference relating to LGBT issues. Makes me realize how much work we could put in to our LGBT group on campus to make it better. And then again, ALL of our organizations could use some work recruiting outside our boxes and working with people outside our norms for events. We are kind of cliquey, really, when you think about it...and those of us who aren't in cliquey minority groups don't give a fuuuuuck. It's college, man. Who cares?
I have a bit of thinking to do about how to make PRIDE better and how to connect with other groups to broaden our horizons and our reach on campus. And we've certainly got some good ideas to take back to campus...considering PRIDE week was a little pfft.
I'm certainly enjoying myself. :)
It's interesting being at a conference relating to LGBT issues. Makes me realize how much work we could put in to our LGBT group on campus to make it better. And then again, ALL of our organizations could use some work recruiting outside our boxes and working with people outside our norms for events. We are kind of cliquey, really, when you think about it...and those of us who aren't in cliquey minority groups don't give a fuuuuuck. It's college, man. Who cares?
I have a bit of thinking to do about how to make PRIDE better and how to connect with other groups to broaden our horizons and our reach on campus. And we've certainly got some good ideas to take back to campus...considering PRIDE week was a little pfft.
I'm certainly enjoying myself. :)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
What the fuck, Ohio.
You are teasing me with this whole spring weather thing.Spring and winter. Sprinter. Or Wing. Do you know how much of an inconvenience it is for me to have to keep taking my window screen in and out when I want to adjust my room temperature? Do you know how close my car is to blowing up from the constant switching of its heat and air conditioning modules?
Seriously.
Today a nice English couple helped me get an Easter egg pinata down at Walmart. After I told them the pinatas were only $2 because it was after Easter and everything was discounted, they went ahead and bought the last egg pinata after the man took his shoes off and climbed on the shelves to get it for me. Good thing I saw him looking at the expensive one and recommended the egg. And as he said, "they're kids, they won't care what it looks like." I thought the same thing about my fellow students.
I now have two Easter egg pinatas and a lot of candy in my car for our post-Day of Silence celebration on Friday. I also got cupcakes, pin the tail on the donkey and some noisemakers.
Should be a good day, eh?
Seriously.
Today a nice English couple helped me get an Easter egg pinata down at Walmart. After I told them the pinatas were only $2 because it was after Easter and everything was discounted, they went ahead and bought the last egg pinata after the man took his shoes off and climbed on the shelves to get it for me. Good thing I saw him looking at the expensive one and recommended the egg. And as he said, "they're kids, they won't care what it looks like." I thought the same thing about my fellow students.
I now have two Easter egg pinatas and a lot of candy in my car for our post-Day of Silence celebration on Friday. I also got cupcakes, pin the tail on the donkey and some noisemakers.
Should be a good day, eh?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The eve of the protest.
On the eve of the Westboro protest, I just want to remind everyone what we're standing for tomorrow. All of us, whether we're from OWU or from other schools (though for security reasons, these people may not be there in force).
We're standing for love, for community. We're standing together. We're standing against possibly the most atrocious hate group in the United States. And we're not only standing for our own rights and for our own identities, but we're standing alongside so many members of our human family: our brothers and sisters in the military, in the Muslim community, in the Jewish community, in the Hindu community, in the black community, among those with AIDS and so many more.
We will conduct ourselves with pride, decorum and grace. We will stand against them with nothing but our hearts and our bond as a community.
I hope to see all of you tomorrow on the JAYwalk embracing our OWU community and especially those who are visiting from other schools. Let's send the WBC on their way feeling belittled and ignored.
We're standing for love, for community. We're standing together. We're standing against possibly the most atrocious hate group in the United States. And we're not only standing for our own rights and for our own identities, but we're standing alongside so many members of our human family: our brothers and sisters in the military, in the Muslim community, in the Jewish community, in the Hindu community, in the black community, among those with AIDS and so many more.
We will conduct ourselves with pride, decorum and grace. We will stand against them with nothing but our hearts and our bond as a community.
I hope to see all of you tomorrow on the JAYwalk embracing our OWU community and especially those who are visiting from other schools. Let's send the WBC on their way feeling belittled and ignored.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
One place I forgot...
...the bathrooms in Edwards. Unless it's after four, when the athletes may be in there, it's a good secret place to poop.
Safe shitting!
RJ
Safe shitting!
RJ
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tyra Banks VS. Westboro Baptist
...there are hundreds of YouTube videos on these crazy radicals but here's just one example.
I can't believe they're coming to our campus with their hatred and their bigotry and their lies. But one thing's for sure--we're not going to let them show up and not get a big helping of OWU love.
I can't believe they're coming to our campus with their hatred and their bigotry and their lies. But one thing's for sure--we're not going to let them show up and not get a big helping of OWU love.
godhatesfags.com
...well, I'm sure everyone has heard, but Westboro Baptist Church is coming to campus next week to protest our showing of "The Anatomy of Hate." They're the folks from godhatesfags.com
This is from the schedule.
"Ohio Wesleyan College 43 Rowland Avenue WBC to picket the screening of "The Anatomy of Hate" to give those attending an opportunity to hear some truth for the first time in their lives. Today's youth have been raised on a steady diet of "God loves everyone" and "it is okay to be gay" -- both loud lies from the pit of hell. The Anti-Christ Obama is on the scene now with his hatred of all men, teaching them these same lies, as well as promoting the slaughter of millions of unborn babies. He will bring this nation and world's full destruction very soon. God's perfect attribute called "hate" is the topic of this film. God's hate is not a human emotion, as God is not a human. God's hate is His determination to send the unrepentant sinner to hell. That needs to be preached! There is no forgiveness without repentance! God does not love all willy-nilly. He loves His own -- those who keep His commandments. De 7:9 - "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations". 1Jo 5:3 - "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." You do not know His commandments and you do not keep them -- that is why God Hates You! That is the anatomy of God's hate."
Despite how upset I am and how tempting it is to be a militant homosexual, it's important to realize that the goal of their hate is to make us act out and be violent. We cannot do that at any cost. We need to fight their hatred and their foundationless anger with quiet protests and our own creative ways of fighting back peacefully.
I hope the OWtsiders make up songs to rival theirs.
...but if they bring guns I want to be the first one to be shot.
This is from the schedule.
"Ohio Wesleyan College 43 Rowland Avenue WBC to picket the screening of "The Anatomy of Hate" to give those attending an opportunity to hear some truth for the first time in their lives. Today's youth have been raised on a steady diet of "God loves everyone" and "it is okay to be gay" -- both loud lies from the pit of hell. The Anti-Christ Obama is on the scene now with his hatred of all men, teaching them these same lies, as well as promoting the slaughter of millions of unborn babies. He will bring this nation and world's full destruction very soon. God's perfect attribute called "hate" is the topic of this film. God's hate is not a human emotion, as God is not a human. God's hate is His determination to send the unrepentant sinner to hell. That needs to be preached! There is no forgiveness without repentance! God does not love all willy-nilly. He loves His own -- those who keep His commandments. De 7:9 - "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations". 1Jo 5:3 - "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." You do not know His commandments and you do not keep them -- that is why God Hates You! That is the anatomy of God's hate."
Despite how upset I am and how tempting it is to be a militant homosexual, it's important to realize that the goal of their hate is to make us act out and be violent. We cannot do that at any cost. We need to fight their hatred and their foundationless anger with quiet protests and our own creative ways of fighting back peacefully.
I hope the OWtsiders make up songs to rival theirs.
...but if they bring guns I want to be the first one to be shot.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
THINGS OUR GOVERNMENT CONTROLS THAT ARE GOOD FOR US
...a list for everyone complaining about health care and the fact that the government controls our entire life.
Our food.
Have you ever read Upton Sinclair's The Jungle? If not, go read it. Without regulation of food packaging and distribution, we might have rats and body parts and dirt in our meat. Think of that next time you bite into a juicy sausage.
Medicine.
This reminds me of the movie/musical Sweeney Todd when a man is claiming to sell a "miracle elixir" to grow hair back. I think it was actually made of pee. Thanks again to government regulation, we don't have phony doctors selling us miracle potions on the street corners...well, for the most part. I still have my doubts about Nutrasystem.
Trust busting.
Hearkening again back to the 1900s, where progressives pushed for government control of big businesses in monopolies. I think it was called "trust busting."
Halliburton anyone?
Toxins in our water and in kids' toys.
Enough said. Thanks to John Stewart for making this point in a poignant and hilarious way.
Childrens' education and, essentially, the future of this country.
No Child Left Behind Act ring a bell?
Pollution.
Call it environmentalism, conservationism, communism...whatever its name, saving the earth has actually been important since the last century's progressives took hold of it. I kind of agree.
Your civil rights.
Sure, if you're a white straight middle-class male, you may not care. But it was governmental laws that made it possible for women and blacks to be treated less like dirt and more like people. Hopefully we'll get there soon with gay rights.
Drugs.
Wait, cocaine is illegal?
Does Mexico know?
Child Labor.
...though sometimes I think the fat little punks in this nation need it.
Our food.
Have you ever read Upton Sinclair's The Jungle? If not, go read it. Without regulation of food packaging and distribution, we might have rats and body parts and dirt in our meat. Think of that next time you bite into a juicy sausage.
Medicine.
This reminds me of the movie/musical Sweeney Todd when a man is claiming to sell a "miracle elixir" to grow hair back. I think it was actually made of pee. Thanks again to government regulation, we don't have phony doctors selling us miracle potions on the street corners...well, for the most part. I still have my doubts about Nutrasystem.
Trust busting.
Hearkening again back to the 1900s, where progressives pushed for government control of big businesses in monopolies. I think it was called "trust busting."
Halliburton anyone?
Toxins in our water and in kids' toys.
Enough said. Thanks to John Stewart for making this point in a poignant and hilarious way.
Childrens' education and, essentially, the future of this country.
No Child Left Behind Act ring a bell?
Pollution.
Call it environmentalism, conservationism, communism...whatever its name, saving the earth has actually been important since the last century's progressives took hold of it. I kind of agree.
Your civil rights.
Sure, if you're a white straight middle-class male, you may not care. But it was governmental laws that made it possible for women and blacks to be treated less like dirt and more like people. Hopefully we'll get there soon with gay rights.
Drugs.
Wait, cocaine is illegal?
Does Mexico know?
Child Labor.
...though sometimes I think the fat little punks in this nation need it.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Health care! ...now can I get married?
All right, so we've got our health care. Passed by 7 votes even though not a single Republican voted for it. I don't know what that says about it or about Republicans, but regardless this is historic.
I also don't really know what it means, so I looked it up on one of the forums I frequent (and moderate), and luckily someone had a topic on it... as of November 2009, these were the basics.
It may be too much to ask, but...can I get married now?
I also don't really know what it means, so I looked it up on one of the forums I frequent (and moderate), and luckily someone had a topic on it... as of November 2009, these were the basics.
Summary: The summary of the bill includes the following elements, among others:
1. Establishes a mandate to purchase private insurance for most individuals with an income above poverty level.
2. Creates a mechanism to enforce the mandate in a sliding scale tax on those who do not purchase health insurance for most legal United States residents with an income above poverty level.
3. Prohibits pre-existing condition exclusions.
4. Requires adjusted community rating, guaranteed issue, and guaranteed renewal of individual and small group health insurance that: limits age rating variation of premiums to 2:1 (200 percent), prohibits gender and health status rating variation of premiums, allows variation of premiums by geographic area and family (vs. individual) enrollment.
5. Prohibits cancellation of coverage except for evidence of fraud.
6. Limits annual out-of-pocket expenses to $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for a family.
7. Requires Health and Human Services to create a non-subsidized public health insurance plan with pricing based on private industry averages. Three optional levels of coverage are to be offered by the plan which must set premiums at a level sufficient to fully finance the costs of the health benefits the administrative costs related to operating the plan.
8. Establishes a Health Insurance Exchange (HIE) within a proposed Health Choices Administration, to provide a market place for insurers to sell qualifying plans on a public web site.
9. Requires the creation of a risk equalization pool that will allow qualifying plans to minimize the impact of adverse selection of enrollees among the plans.[9]
10. Provides a tax credit for low-income individuals and families to help pay insurance premiums.
11. Requires employers with payroll costs over $500,000 to provide health insurance that meets the minimum standard of coverage allowed in the HIE.
12. Provides for a tax on employers that do not provide the required health insurance.
13. Provides for a tax on couples with adjusted joint gross income exceeding $350,000 (80% of this figure for single people)
14. Reduces Medicare payments to hospitals with excessive re-admissions.
15. Further expands Medicaid eligibility and scope of covered preventive services, for lower-income individuals and families.
16. Increases Medicaid payments to physicians for primary care.
17. Provides for a phased-in elimination of the Medicare Part D coverage gap and requires drug manufactures to discount and/or rebate additional qualifying drugs originally excluded from the plan.
18. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop quality measures for the delivery of health care services in the United States.
19. Establishes the Health Benefits Advisory Committee chaired by the Surgeon General of the United States.
20. Prioritizes any eventual implementation of best practices in the delivery of health care.
21. Establishes a National Prevention and Wellness Strategy along with appropriations for its trust fund.
22. Outlines Administrative standards that reduces costs and improves service, including the ability for Administrators to determine an accurate total financial estimate at the point of service as well as enabling real time electronic transfer of funds to take place if possible (mirrors currently existing laws)
Ways of funding is currently being debated.
It may be too much to ask, but...can I get married now?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Stewart vs. Beck
Am I the only one who cringes every time they see Glenn Beck on the televisions in HamWill during dinner?
No?
Then check out John Stewart's parody of the FOX News commentator--guaranteed you'll get a laugh out of it.
Hope everyone's weekends are going well so far. :)
No?
Then check out John Stewart's parody of the FOX News commentator--guaranteed you'll get a laugh out of it.
Hope everyone's weekends are going well so far. :)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
This week's editorial cartoon
is FABULOUS! As is this week's featured celebrity. :) I hope everyone had a good and safe night. Please don't end up on TFLN...
The new issue is up at www.owutranscript.com! But in case you just can't wait for the editorial cartoon...
I wonder who that could be?
Good night all. Get home safe!
RJ
The new issue is up at www.owutranscript.com! But in case you just can't wait for the editorial cartoon...
I wonder who that could be?
Good night all. Get home safe!
RJ
Green beer and three-legged cats
I almost rolled out to class today in my green plaid pajama pants but decided that would be too overboard, even for St. Patrick's Day. But I was wrong! There was plenty of Irish pride out there on campus. Even the food had an Irish accent--corned beef, fish, sauerkraut...I, of course, wanted none of those treats in my mostly Italian mouth, so I opted for the egg salad.
As tempting as it was to go to Clancey's with my roommate and the rest of the world, I'm locked down in my dorm room trying to do everything I didn't get done while in NYC. Kind of a shame. I've got Dropkick Murphys on; does that count for partying like the Irish?? I didn't see any pots of gold today, either, or any rainbows...overall, a disappointing day. But the Lucky Charms treats at the bakery looked delicious!
On a more tangential note, I met the cat who lives in WoHo today. You know, the fluffy one with three legs? ADORABLE. I suppose he was out enjoying the sunshine with the rest of the creatures on campus who decided to surface today. It's good to see people outside enjoying the weather for a change instead of power walking to the nearest building to thaw their extremities. Let's hope it stays, eh?
RJ
As tempting as it was to go to Clancey's with my roommate and the rest of the world, I'm locked down in my dorm room trying to do everything I didn't get done while in NYC. Kind of a shame. I've got Dropkick Murphys on; does that count for partying like the Irish?? I didn't see any pots of gold today, either, or any rainbows...overall, a disappointing day. But the Lucky Charms treats at the bakery looked delicious!
On a more tangential note, I met the cat who lives in WoHo today. You know, the fluffy one with three legs? ADORABLE. I suppose he was out enjoying the sunshine with the rest of the creatures on campus who decided to surface today. It's good to see people outside enjoying the weather for a change instead of power walking to the nearest building to thaw their extremities. Let's hope it stays, eh?
RJ
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Here comes the vomit
Live from the Internet, it's WORD VOMIT!
Your favorite chunks of verbal upchucking are now splattering all over the Internet. Apart from my weekly column in the Ohio Wesleyan Transcript, I've decided to start blogging on a regular basis about OWU life and whatever else comes to mind. We'll see what we can come up with, eh?
I'm currently in La Guardia airport with editor in chief Katie Tuttle, news editor Kate Miller, arts and entertainment editor Diane Bizzarro and former A&E editor Brad Russell. We just wrapped up three days in New York City for the spring college media conference! No one was raped, murdered or pickpocketed but we did meet some pretentious journalists, a possible radical liberal feminist terrorist and a whole host of other characters in the Big Apple. We're eager to apply some new changes to the paper as the semester goes on. :)
For some of my other hot juicy meaty opinions visit my LGBT issues-related blog at outandoutraged.blogspot.com.
SO FETCH!
RJ
Your favorite chunks of verbal upchucking are now splattering all over the Internet. Apart from my weekly column in the Ohio Wesleyan Transcript, I've decided to start blogging on a regular basis about OWU life and whatever else comes to mind. We'll see what we can come up with, eh?
I'm currently in La Guardia airport with editor in chief Katie Tuttle, news editor Kate Miller, arts and entertainment editor Diane Bizzarro and former A&E editor Brad Russell. We just wrapped up three days in New York City for the spring college media conference! No one was raped, murdered or pickpocketed but we did meet some pretentious journalists, a possible radical liberal feminist terrorist and a whole host of other characters in the Big Apple. We're eager to apply some new changes to the paper as the semester goes on. :)
For some of my other hot juicy meaty opinions visit my LGBT issues-related blog at outandoutraged.blogspot.com.
SO FETCH!
RJ
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