johnm2283

miscellania

2007-08-15T01:59:34Z

1) In honor of karl rove's recent departure from the White House, i bring you this old clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxcuVlCuX9Y

2) I am sick, and therefore stayed home from work today. I made fun of Kris for not realizing I was home at 1pm (not a usual weekday occurrence)

3) We are starting a house D&D game. Like some sort of extreme pornography, this is both exciting and shameful. I think I'm going to be a Monk.

4) I intend to ride in the NYC bicycle century (I'm sure you've all heard by now) on September 9th. It will rock.

http://www.nyccentury.org/

100 miles, 1 gear, 1 John Manning.

Roy Blunt Jr. and Donald Duck

2007-05-03T02:29:44Z

1) I am not happy with the Honorable Roy Blunt Jr. of Missouri. Tying benchmarks of progress in Iraq to NON-MILITARY AID??

Oh right, that's great. If things don't get better, we'll pull out some of our money- but not the thousands of troops who are caught in a civil war.

2) I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Finnish embassy. While there I got to listen to the ambassador give a schpeal, while drinking and eating for free. Also, i got to see an art exhibit by this artist.

http://www.kajstenvall.com/html/site_eng.html

It was awesome.

3) house=found, job=not quite yet found.

peace out girlscouts,

John

i love this show, but i loved this article too

2007-04-27T04:08:22Z

This American Life Completes Documentation Of Liberal, Upper-Middle-Class Existence

April 20, 2007 | Issue 43•16

CHICAGO—Producers of the long-running Chicago Public Radio program This American Life announced Monday that they have completed their comprehensive 12-year survey of life as a modern upper-middle-class American.

Ira Glass compares completing the series to finding out he is a relative of composer Philip Glass.

In what cultural anthropologists are calling a "colossal achievement" in the study of white-collar professionals, the popular radio show has successfully isolated all 7,442 known characteristics of college graduates who earn between $62,500 and $125,000 per year and feel strongly that something should be done about global warming.

"We've done it," said senior producer Julie Snyder, who was personally interviewed for a 2003 This American Life episode, "Going Eclectic," in which she described what it's like to be a bilingual member of the ACLU trained in kite-making by a Japanese stepfather. "There is not a single existential crisis or self-congratulatory epiphany that has been or could be experienced by a left-leaning agnostic that we have not exhaustively documented and grouped by theme."

Added Snyder, "We here at public radio couldn't be more pleased with ourselves."

The final episode, which explored the universal tribulations of having to live with roommates again in one's mid-30s after a divorce, provided an apt bookend for the project. The completed work is expected to be an indispensable source of information for years to come about the thoughts and tastes of bespectacled cynics prone to neuroses who are actually doing just fine.

This American Life host and producer Ira Glass began work on the project in 1995 in Chicago, where he found himself inspired by and catering to an audience of professionals who dine out frequently and have a hard time getting angry. Glass and his team of producers, writers, and interns set about the exhausting task of gathering all available information on a range of subjects from minor skirmishes with the law to the rewards of occasionally talking to poor people. The raw data was then analyzed, deconstructed, reconstructed, re-deconstructed, organized under a broad philosophical title, and interspliced with musical interludes by rock duo They Might Be Giants.

Though This American Life is now lauded as the definitive source for material about getting an autistic teenager admitted to Harvard, its early run was marked by painful trial-and-error, according to producer Alex Blumberg.

"At first, we were getting a lot of stories from recovered drug addicts and East African refugees living in the States, which had their compelling elements but came off a bit cloying," Blumberg said. "But then we realized that if we had overeducated people with voices rather unsuitable for radio narrate the stories with clever analogies and accessible morals, the whole thing would come off far less depressing."

Blumberg said that the turning point came in 1997, when producers discovered a group of inner-city schoolchildren inadvertently teaching an important lesson to their attractive, suburban-raised teacher about what makes us human.

Also aiding the study were the many contributors to This American Life, who took time from their best-selling essay-writing careers to donate personal anecdotes about dropping out of prestigious art schools, taking harrowing but poignant childhood vacations to the Grand Canyon, and the unique challenges of growing up in families supportive of their homosexuality.

On Sunday, writer and contributing editor Sarah Vowell called the project's end "oddly anticlimactic," but questioned whether work was actually complete because the show had not yet addressed the subject of "Things Ending."

"Seeing this project through to its culmination was equally satisfying and strange," said Vowell, speaking at a book signing in Colonial Williamsburg dressed as Betsy Ross. "I feel not unlike the early Pilgrims, who, standing atop Plymouth Rock after a long and arduous sea voyage, reflected on their journey, perhaps thinking to themselves 'For God's sake—doesn't anybody have anything to eat in this settlement?'"

Glass, who personally contributed over 2,000 anecdotes from his own life for documentation, called the project's conclusion the "end of an era."

"When we finished, I have to tell you, I felt something I never expected: a profound sense of contentment—maybe even relief," Glass said. "Afterwards, the other producers and I sat around for a long while, remarking on how interesting and strange it was to finally complete the study, and how perhaps it is, in some way, symbolic of life in general."

The Onion is not intended for readers under 18 years of age.

Karl Rove rapping, amongst other things

2007-03-29T15:43:31Z

Hola amigos,

its been a while since I've rapped at ya.

First off, here's an excerpt from the Radio-Television Correspondents Assn. Dinner

Karl Rove+the people from "whose line is it anyway?"+rapping= ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxcuVlCuX9Y

In other news, thanks to all of you who made the Tucker/Manning-Manning/Tucker experience such a fun time.

And thank you Rachel for the books. Although your selected works give the impression that I am a drunken gambling addict (not entirely untrue), I appreciate them very much.

Hmm. What else. Oh yes. Job Change!

I have a strong track record of not saying in the same locale for more than 4 months or so, and I'm not going to end the streak.

I've been applying at political consulting/communications firms. I also really wanna get on the campaign trail, maybe do some stuff in Virginia before hitching myself to the Obama wagon. In the meantime I may have to go back to the lucrative world of temping for a while, which actually DOES pay more than what i'm making now. how sad is that.

But i've had a good run at this job, awesome resume builder, great opportunity for networking, etc.

I've come to the conclusion- fuck gradschool. just do a whole bunch of different jobs till you have the skills and credentials to do what you want.

In other news, I'm in love with my new bicycle saddle-- the Brooks B17.

It is big, heavy, leather and old school but oh so comfy. there is a reason why they have been making the same model for 80 years.

http://www.brookssaddles.com/

Ok. thats about it. Oh, look at you- you read all the way down to the end of the page. Thank you. I mean it. gimme hugs.

John

{REDACTED}

2007-03-15T17:24:39Z

So everybody, in case you missed it-

Khalid Sheikh Muhammad was responsible for 9/11-- and 30 other attacks.

Such as the beheading of Daniel Pearl. And the Bali bombing. And the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995. And maybe also Pearl Harbor.

How do i know this? http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/nation/pdf/ksm_transcript_031407.pdf

Why, a Verbatim Transcript of Combatant Status Review Tribunal Hearing for ISN 10024, of course!

He confessed to it all!

And I totally trust the confession of a man who has been held in a small steel box by the CIA since March of 2003.

I mean, look at all the people who were involved in this bright shining example of American Justice:

There was:

Captain [redacted], United States Navy, Tribunal President

Captain [redacted], Judge Advocate member of the Tribunal

Gunnery Seargeant [redacted], U.S. Marine Corps

Lieutenant Colonel [redacted], U.S. Army, Recorder

Lieutenant Colonel [redacted], United States Air Force, Personal Representative

WOW, its a veritable who's who of American military justice!

And boy oh boy, you should have SEEN the classified evidence that was presented. I mean, you couldn't have. But, if you were one of the anonymous Lieutenant Colonels on the board, you would know that it was totally damning.

Sigh. I'm going to go sit in a corner and mourn the state of our nation.

The Manning-Tucker Experience or The Tucker-Manning Experience

2007-02-26T15:57:36Z

Hey y'all,

Evan Tucker and I are both old men. To celebrate the fact that we're still alive and kicking, we would like to have a joint birthday party. When would be good? We were thinking maybe the weekend of March 9th. Does this work for people?

discuss among yourselves...

peace,
John

This is why I love Norway...

2007-02-09T15:40:25Z

By Mark Kinver
Science and nature reporter, BBC News

Artist's impression of the entrance to the vault

Enlarge Image

The final design for a "doomsday" vault that will house seeds from all known varieties of food crops has been unveiled by the Norwegian government.

The Svalbard International Seed Vault will be built into a mountainside on a remote island near the North Pole.

The vault aims to safeguard the world's agriculture from future catastrophes, such as nuclear war, asteroid strikes and climate change.

Construction begins in March, and the seed bank is scheduled to open in 2008.

The Norwegian government is paying the $5m (£2.5m) construction costs of the vault, which will have enough space to house three million seed samples.

See inside the Svalbard International Seed Vault

The collection and maintenance of the collection is being organised by the Global Crop Diversity Trust, which has responsibility of ensuring the "conservation of crop diversity in perpetuity".

"We want a safety net because we do not want to take too many chances with crop biodiversity," said Cary Fowler, the Trust's executive director.

"Can you imagine an effective, efficient, sustainable response to climate change, water shortages, food security issues without what is going to go in the vault - it is the raw material of agriculture."

Future proof

The seed vault will be built 120m (364ft) inside a mountain on Spitsbergen, one of four islands that make up Svalbard.

Dr Fowler said Svalbard, 1,000km (621 miles) north of mainland Norway, was chosen as the location for the vault because it was very remote and it also offered the level of stability required for the long-term project.

"We looked very far into the future. We looked at radiation levels inside the mountain, and we looked at the area's geological structure," he told BBC News.

"We also modelled climate change in a drastic form 200 years into future, which included the melting of ice sheets at the North and South Poles, and Greenland, to make sure that this site was above the resulting water level."

By building the vault deep inside the mountain, the surrounding permafrost would continue to provide natural refrigeration if the mechanical system failed, explained Dr Fowler.

'Living Fort Knox'

The Arctic vault will act as a back-up store for a global network of seed banks financially supported by the trust.

Dr Fowler said that a proportion of the seeds housed at these banks would be deposited at Svalbard, which will act as a "living Fort Knox".

Although the vault was designed to protect the specimens from catastrophic events, he added that it could also be used to replenish national seed banks.

"One example happened in September when a typhoon ripped through the Philippines and destroyed its seed bank," Dr Fowler recalled.

"The storm brought two feet of water and mud into the bank, and that is the last thing you want in a seed bank."

Low maintenance

Once inside the vault, the samples will be stored at -18C (0F). The length of time that seeds kept in a frozen state maintain their ability to germinate depends on the species.

The Arctic conditions will help keep the seeds in a frozen state

Some crops, such as peas, may only survive for 20-30 years. Others, such as sunflowers and grain crops, are understood to last for many decades or even hundreds of years.

Once the collection has been established at Svalbard, Dr Fowler said the facility would operate with very little human intervention.

"Somebody will go up there once every year to physically check inside to see that everything is OK, but there will be no full-time staff," he explained.

"If you design a facility to be used in worst-case scenarios, then you cannot actually have too much dependency on human beings."

Return to top

Patrick Stewart Hilarity

2007-01-28T04:03:51Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGf9Hc-KpAA

Dr. Martin Luther King and labor

2007-01-15T20:10:32Z

here's some quotes (from AFSCME):

Negroes are almost entirely a working people. There are pitifully few Negro millionaires, and few Negro employers. Our needs are identical with labor's needs — decent wages, fair working conditions, livable housing, old age security, health and welfare measures, conditions in which families can grow, have education for their children and respect in the community. That is why Negroes support labor's demands and fight laws which curb labor. That is why the labor-hater and labor-baiter is virtually always a twin-headed creature spewing anti-Negro epithets from one mouth and anti-labor propaganda from the other mouth.

AFL-CIO Convention, December 1961

New economic patterning through automation is dissolving the jobs of workers in some of the nation's basic industries. This is to me a catastrophe. We are neither technologically advanced nor socially enlightened if we witness this disaster for tens of thousands without finding a solution. And by a solution, I mean a real and genuine alternative, providing the same living standards which were swept away by a force called progress, but which for some is destruction. The society that performs miracles with machinery has the capacity to make some miracles for men—if it values men as highly as it values machines.

UAW 25th Anniversary dinner, April 27, 1961

When there is massive unemployment in the black community, it is called a social problem. But when there is massive unemployment in the white community, it is called a Depression.

We look around every day and we see thousands and millions of people making inadequate wages. Not only do they work in our hospitals, they work in our hotels, they work in our laundries, they work in domestic service, they find themselves underemployed. You see, no labor is really menial unless you're not getting adequate wages. People are always talking about menial labor. But if you're getting a good (wage) as I know that through some unions they've brought it up...that isn't menial labor. What makes it menial is the income, the wages.

Local 1199 Salute to Freedom, March 1968

Bio-Shield, VaxGen and Viagra

2006-12-21T18:03:37Z

Here's a story that came about recently that I've been thinking about.

On Tuesday, Federal officials canceled an $877.5 million contract with the California-based firm VaxGen, which was supposed to produce a new Anthrax vaccine. The new product was supposed to be the centerpiece of the Bush Administration's $5.9 billion "Project Bioshield". The company had missed several deadlines and appeared to be generally off-track for its production goals, so they pulled the plug. Whatever.

I am bothered by a couple things related to this. First, they picked a company with a poor record. This is a company that's best known for producing an AIDS drug that was a flop, and temporarily getting de-listed from the NASDAQ stock exchange for accounting irregularities.

But more importantly is why they couldn't get anybody to do a better job. It seems to me perfect evidence of the current relationship between government and business. People tend to focus on the negative consequences of big business influencing government policy. While that is certainly one of the most significant issues of our day (and the topic of much discourse), the other side of the same coin is that government is often unable to rouse corporate support in tackling some of the greater challenges we face.

Now I personally am not very afraid of Anthrax, despite the fact that we live in DC. I think that people in Ohio or Kansas have even less reason to fear. However, since the Bush administration insists that we are all living in constant danger of death from radical Islamist elements- you would think they'd put a little more effort into things.

The fact of the matter is, none of the larger pharmaceutical companies were interested in a project such as this. And although some suggest it was nepotism, the main reason why they had to go with VaxGen was out of necessity. No bigger company wanted it, and the 2nd closest company to getting the deal wasn't even American- it was a british firm.

Why couldn't Merck, Pfizer or Wyeth do this job for the Federal Government?

Because they didn't want to. The money wasn't good enough. And Uncle Sam is too difficult of a customer.

If the Bush Administration was filled with more than hot air (to be polite), it would either pour a lot more money into such contracts or simply find its way to legislate compliance in cases like this. Here's my interpretation of how this went in WWII versus the "war on terror"

FDR in the 1940s: "Hey General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. We're at war now and we need you to stop making cars and start making tanks.
Auto Industry in the 1940s: "Yes Sir!"

Bush in 2006: "So..umm...does anybody wanna make us some anthrax vaccine? Please? We'll pay you $877.5 million!"
Pharmaceutical companies: "Nah, no thanks. we're cool. We make more $ making anti-impotence drugs"

poor little Rhode Island (or...John is a God of Domestic Travel !!!)

2006-12-12T18:54:23Z

create your own personalized map of the USA or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

a trimmer, slimmer, leaner, meaner you in 07?

2006-12-04T19:50:12Z

Well hopefully not meaner. All the others apply, however.

I am hereby requesting a workout partner in the District for the purposes of keeping me from achieving a level of chubbiness which is unacceptable.

Evan Tucker and I had a great thing going, but unfortunately that can't continue since I got a job (silly me). Plus, it was really cold outside and the gym teacher gave us weird looks. don't ask.

So. If anyone would like to do any sort of regularly scheduled physical exercise with me, please let me know.

cheers,
John

strange things at the costco

2006-11-30T17:13:19Z

So I was recently browsing the internets cus i'm considering joining one of those wholesale food club things, ie. BJ's or Costco.

I was very distrubed when i saw this:

http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?ec=&pos=2&whse=BC&topnav=&cat=20596&eCat=BC|20595|20596

In other news,

New Years is coming up soon.

2007

2006-11-20T20:01:57Z

Its really not that far away.

We should start planning.

In a festive sort of way, not a "buy bottled water and dig a bomb shelter kinda way".

even funnnier than rick "frothy" santorum

2006-10-20T03:36:07Z

see above subject line:

http://www.thephatphree.com/features.asp?StoryID=3159&SectionID=2&LayoutType=1/

Rick Santorum and the Eye of Mordor (yes, you read it right)

2006-10-18T03:21:43Z

Hello kiddies,

so. i could tell ya all about whats going on in my life.

but fuck that noise.

Here's something interesting about our favorite Senator from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum.

In a recent interview, he likened the War in Iraq to the war against Sauron in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. I shit you not.

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2006/10/17/santorum/index.html

adios,
John

I need a hug

2006-09-26T04:54:31Z

hello comrades,

Rather than go into a lengthy tale about my woes, i'll keep it simple.

Things=crappy

My employment situation=tenuous.

I've run into a problem whereby the local here likes me, but doesn't have the $ to hire me.

I'm trying to use some connections to secure other employment here in Philly, but I don't know how well that'll work.

So I may soon be unemployed and back in the Towson/DC area.

signing off,
John

going going, back back....

2006-07-19T16:48:53Z

In the words of the Notorious B.I.G., "If I got to choose a coast I got to choose the East".

In this spirit I am returning to the Baltimore/DC/NYC area for a real honest to goodness vacation!

I get in friday, but then will immediately go back home to bmore and then up to NYC to see my sister.

Monday however, i'll be back in the DC and will be available for hanging out-ness.

holla back,
John

johnm2283 @ 2006-07-11T01:09:00

2006-07-11T08:09:55Z

style="background-color: white" border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=6>
<col width="33%">
<col width="33%">
<col width="33%">
<tr valign="top">
<td style="color:black; background-color:white">✓ I miss somebody right now.</td>
<td style="color:black; background-color:white">✓ I don't watch much TV these days.</td>
<td style="color:black; background-color:white"> × I own lots of books.</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td style="color:black; background-color:white">✓ I wear glasses or contact lenses.</td>
<td style="color:black; background-color:white">✓ I love to play video games.</td>
<td style="color:black; background-color:white">✓ I've tried marijuana.</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td style="color:black; background-color:white">✓ I've watched porn movies.</td>
<td style="color:black; background-color:white"> × I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.</td>
<td style="color:black; background-color:white">✓ I believe honesty is usually the best policy.</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td style="color:black; background-color:white"> × I curse sometimes.</td>
<td style="color:black; background-color:white">✓ I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.</td>
<td style="color:black; background-color:white"> × I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.</td>
</tr>
</table>* * * * *

× I have broken someone's bones.	× I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.	× I hate the rain.
× I'm paranoid at times.	× I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.	× I need/want money right now.
× I love sushi.	× I talk really, really fast.	× I have fresh breath in the morning.
× I have long hair.	× I have lost money in Las Vegas.	× I have at least one sibling.
× I was born in a country outside of the U.S.	× I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.	× I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
× I like the way that I look.	× I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months.	× I am usually pessimistic.
× I have a lot of mood swings.	× I think prostitution should be legalized.	× I slept with a roommate.
× I have a hidden talent.	× I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.	× I have a lot of friends.
× I have pecked someone of the same sex.	× I enjoy talking on the phone.	× I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
× I love to shop and/or window shop.	× I'm obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal.	× I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
× I have a mobile phone.	× I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.	× I've rejected someone before.
× I currently like/love someone.	× I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.	× I want to have children in the future.
× I have changed a diaper before.	× I've called the cops on a friend before.	× I'm not allergic to anything.
× I have a lot to learn.	× I am shy around the opposite sex.	✓ I'm online 24/7, even as an away message.
× I have at least 5 away messages saved.	✓ I have tried alcohol or drugs before.	× I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past.
× I own the "South Park" movie.	× I have avoided assignments at work/school to be on Xanga or Livejournal.	× I enjoy some country music.
× I would die for my best friends.	× I'm obsessive, and often a perfectionist.	× I have used my sexuality to advance my career.
× I think Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.	× I have dated a close friend's ex.	× I am happy at this moment.
× I'm obsessed with guys.	✓ Democrat.	× Republican.
× I don't even know what I am.	× I am punk rockish.	× I go for older guys/girls, not younger.
× I study for tests most of the time.	× I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.	× I can work on a car.
× I love my job(s).	× I am comfortable with who I am right now.	× I have more than just my ears pierced.
× I walk barefoot wherever I can.	✓ I have jumped off a bridge.	× I love sea turtles.
× I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup.	× I plan on achieving a major goal/dream.	× I am proficient on a musical instrument.
✓ I hate office jobs.	× I went to college out of state.	× I am adopted.
× I am a pyro.	× I have thrown up from crying too much.	× I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.
× I fall for the worst people.	× I adore bright colours.	× I usually like covers better than originals.
× I hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays.	✓ I can pick up things with my toes.	× I can't whistle.
× I have ridden/owned a horse.	× I still have every journal I've ever written in.	× I talk in my sleep.
× I've often thought that I was born in the wrong century.	× I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.	× I wear a toe ring.
× I have a tattoo.	× I can't stand at LEAST one person that I work with.	× I am a caffeine junkie.
× I am completely tree-huggy spiritual, and I'm not ashamed at all.	× If I knew I would get away with it, I would commit at least one murder.	× I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical, the better.
× I enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner.	× I'm an artist.	× I am ambidextrous.
× I sleep with so many stuffed animals, I can hardly fit on my bed.	× If it weren't for having to see other people naked, I'd live in a nudist colony.	× I have terrible teeth.
× I hate my toes.	× I did this meme even though I wasn't tagged by the person who took it before me.	× I have more friends on the internet than in real life.
× I have lived in either three different states or countries.	✓ I am extremely flexible.	× I love hugs more than kisses.
× I want to own my own business.	× I smoke.	× I spend way too much time on the computer than on anything else.
× Nobody has ever said I'm normal.	× Sad movies, games, and the like can cause a trickle of tears every now and then.	× I am proficient in the use of many types of firearms and combat weapons.
× I like the way women look in stylized men's suits.	× I don't like it when people are unpleased or seem unpleased with me.	× I have been described as a dreamer or likely to have my head up in the clouds.
× I have played strip poker with someone else before.	× I have had emotional problems for which I have sought professional help.	× I believe in ghosts and the paranormal.
× I can't stand being alone.	× I have at least one obsession at any given time.	× I weigh myself, pee/poo, and then weigh myself again.
× I consistently spend way too much money on obsessions-of-the-moment.	× I'm a judgmental asshole.	× I'm a HUGE drama-queen.
× I have travelled on more than one continent.	× I sometimes wish my father would just disappear.	× I need people to tell me I'm good at something in order to feel that I am.
× I am a Libertarian.	✓ I can speak more than one language.	× I can fall asleep even if the whole room is as noisy as it can be.
× I would rather read than watch TV.	× I like reading fact more than fiction.	× I have pulled an all-nighter on an assignment I was given a month to do.
✓ I have no piercings.	× I have spent the night in a train station or other public place.	× I have been so upset over my physical gender that I cried.
× I once spent Christmas completely alone because there was a miscommunication on which parent was supposed to have me that night.	× There have been times when I have wondered "Why was I born?" and may/may not have cried over it.	× I like most animals better than most people.
× I own a collection of retro games consoles.	× The thought of physical exercise makes me shiver.	× I have hit someone with a dead fish.
× I am compulsively honest.	× I was born with a congenital birth defect that has never been repaired.	× I have danced topless in front of dozens of complete strangers.
× I have gone from wishing I was a girl to revelling in being a boy to feeling like a girl again in the span of five minutes, and not cared a whit for my actual sex.	× I am unashamedly bisexual, and have different motivations for my desires for different genders.	× I sometimes won't sleep a whole night or eat a whole day because I forget to.
× I find it impossible to get to sleep without some kind of music on.	× I dislike milk.	× I obsessively wash my hands.
× I always carry something significant around with me.	× Sometimes I'd rather wear a wig in day-to-day life than use my own hair.	× I've pushed myself to become more self-aware and thereby more aware of others.
× Even though I live on my own I still cry sometimes because I miss my mother.	× I hand wrote all the HTML tags in this document.	✓ I've liked something which a majority of people claimed was either bad or weird.
× I have been clinically dead for a brief period of time.	× Instead of feeling sympathy/empathy with people and their problems, I simply become annoyed.	× I participate/have participated in auto drag races and won.
× I do not 'get' most comedy acts.	✓ I don't think strippers are money-greedy or slutty for dancing.	× I don't like to chew gum.
× I am obsessed with history/historical things and can't wait for someone to build a time machine so I can be the first to use it.	× I can never remember for the life of me where I parked the car.	× I had the TEEN ANGST thing going for at least 2-3 years.
✓ I wish people would be more empathic and honest with each other.	× I play Dungeons and Dragons weekly.	✓ I love to sing.
× I want to live in my mother's basement when I grow up.	× I have a custom-built computer.	× I want to create a certain someone's babies, even though there's a 0% possiblity of ever achieving it.
× I would be in a relationship with one of my pets if they were human.	× I've gone skinny-dipping.	× I've performed in three plays.
× I enjoy burritos.	✓ I'm Irish and loving it.	× I have a thing for redheads.
× I am a twin!	× Most of the times, I'd rather do something intellectual instead of doing something generically 'fun'.	× Once I set out to finish something, I always stay at it until it is completed before I move on to something else.
× I wish there were a way to erase past mistakes.	× I sleep more than 12 hours a day.	× I wish I could be prouder of what I've accomplished, but it's never enough.
× I need more time to myself.	× I wish I was more open-minded.	✓ I hope that I go really prematurely grey.
× I download songs from the internet.	× I've just reenacted chapter 58 of Death Note with my best friend.	× I say random things to freak people out.
× I'm still a little mad about the ending of Death Note.	× I love playing Truth or Dare.	× I love listening to slow music, but I hate singing to it.
× Music helps me remember that I am not alone.	× Playing my favorite sport makes me temporarily forget my problems.	× I think this survey is particularly long.
× I prefer my LJ friends to my real-life ones.	× I can only hate someone that I love.	× I've ordered an extra two shots of espresso to an Americano at Starbucks.

"To Pop the Question, Kids are Thinking Big"

2006-05-20T03:21:51Z

From the Washington Post-

"Alex, will you go to prom with me?"

Pity the boys in today's celebrity-driven, over-the-top entertainment culture, where asking a girl to the prom has turned into performance art.

Prom proposals, as these humbling exercises are now called, have been more elaborate than ever this spring, according to Promspot.com's associate editor, Kate Wood.

A chat with her girlfriends, a phone call or a quick conversation by the lockers between classes won't do anymore. That's so 2005. In 2006, the request has to be painted on a giant sign parked in front of her house or accompanied by 50 red candles, hundreds of Hershey Kisses and an original poem. Why? For the same reason guys go to prom: because girls want it that way".

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/18/AR2006051802305.html

and the final score...Fever 102, Thunder 21

2006-05-08T05:14:34Z

Hey kids,

In order to give you a better understanding of the Yakima Valley's local flavor, I present to you the following tale:

"John goes to an indoor football game"

Our tale begins with our protagonist receiving a phone call from a PSE member organizer who will be working with him in Spokane. He has 2 tickets to a "Tri-Cities Fever" football game.

For those of you counting at home, the "tri cities" consists of Richland, Pasco and Kennewick.

Anyhoo. So this guy Dave w/ PSE who i'll be working with wanted to have some quality time with an SEIU person, and since my boss wasn't available he invited me. So we go out to see the fever.

Now the fever are a team in an indoor football league- meaning the field is roughly half the size of a normal 100 yd football field. They play in an arena that is designed for ice hockey, basketball and the like. This means that footballs are often flying into the stands and players are also often careening over the padded divider walls into the stands. I have never been to a NASCAR event but i feel as though this must have the same appeal that the car wrecks do.

Also, the fever isn't even in the main indoor football league-the AFL (arena football league). They're in some podunk league called the NIFL, which has teams from crappy towns like Lubbock and Fayetville.

So we go there and from the looks of things, you'd think this was the center of the universe. Everybody and their mother was out at the game. There was also a weird, pervasive vibe that everyone was there to flirt and hook up or something. At one point Dave commented that the tri cities had "hot girls"- a comment which i found somewhat distrubing because i really didn't see too many girls over the age of 15- and those that were of legal age were generally not that attractive. But i digress.

So we grab some beers, watch the game, wander around the stadium. It is fun. It is an experience. The players will dance around to the music (generally bad hip hop) in between plays. When they score a touchdown (which is absurdly frequent), they will take off their helmets and do a half lap around the field to give high 5's to little children and hot chicks. They will stop the play of the game to do some stupid little contest involving empty pizza box relays and gift certificates to the local dominos. And I must admit, it is pretty fucking cool when a player jumps for a ball and goes crashing over the wall and into the audience.

So thats pretty much it. It is fun. I did however feel a little bit bad for the opposing team, the "big sky Thunder". These poor sons of bitches are from Bozeman, Montana.

Montana!

For christ-sakes, how can they have a chance against anybody?

After a while, they started to look like those teams that have to pretend to play the Harlem Globe Trotters. Arena football games are usually very high scoring (like 77-58), but this was really lopsided. Oh well. I wish the Big Sky Thunder success in their future endeavors, and hopefully arena football of some sort will come to the DC area so that you all may witness its glory.

adios,
John

Manning, North Dakota

2006-05-01T07:32:44Z

I just mapquested the route from Seattle to Baltimore. I dont think i'm gonna have to drive there at any point, but ya never know.

Its 4 days, 8 hours. only 5 hours longer than the trip from Houston.

For some reason it only now occured to me that this route would take me through the northern central part of the country which i havent really seen. Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, etc.

Also for some reason i have the urge to pack up and go. I wanna see Montana. Actually no. Fuck that, i wanna bypass it. Go further north.

Calgary, Alberta. Followed by Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Gods Lake, Manitoba. Fort Hope, Ontario. Val-d'Or Quebec. etc.

Do the whole thing in one beautiful arc through desolate Canadian wilderness before plunging back down into the good old USA like a knife into the chest.

The only down side to that route is that i would miss out on the village of Manning in North Dakota (population 50).

anyhoo.

In other news, I have switched hotels so now i'm staying in Yakima (the big city!) rather than Toppenish (which is just 17 miles down the road).

In an effort not to make Toppenish feel slighted or neglected, i shall list its endearing qualities:

1) It is home to over 65 murals (this is its claim to fame)
2) There is a really good combination car wash/espresso hut
3) It will soon be home to one of the largest American flags in the state (thanks to the efforts of my friend there, who is the former mayor).

4) Did i mention my friend the former mayor? he is awesome. Bus driver for the school district. Chapter president of the local union. Uber nice. Involved in pretty much every aspect of civil life possible. He and his wife have adopted me and my coworker and give us wine and food as we discuss strategy.

Sorry if this does not meet my usual standards of work related blogifying. oops.

much love,
John

random

2006-03-16T04:25:47Z

okay kiddies, its story time...

So several nights ago, we were having a meeting at the office. Debriefing the day's events. all businessey and shit.

So i'm there with my coworkers, and then all of a sudden i hear loud trumpeting and guitar strumming. My internal monologue response was, of course, WTF?

So into the conference room walks...A 6 PERSON MARIACHI BAND!!!!

yeah, i know.
fucking sweet.

surreal. really weird. shocking and full of awesomeness.
It was my coworker's (Isela) birthday. Her mom conspired with her friends to hire the group and have them sing to us all. It was great.

That is all for now. I will update with real info when i am not tired from nonstop working.

Adios amigos,

John

johnm2283 @ 2006-03-13T17:20:00

2006-03-13T22:21:19Z

Why do Norwegians have all the good luck?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4802928.stm

johnm2283 @ 2006-03-02T19:44:00

2006-03-03T01:03:54Z

So,

Yesterday I was informed that i'm being transferred from Jacksonville to Houston, Texas. This means that I have the weekend off before i go to texas.

This means that tomorrow morning at around 8am i will begin driving up to DC/MD. I will be in the area till monday, when i will drive to Texas.

I would appreciate any and all company or revelry during this time.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled journaling.

Sincerely,

John "pick up and move in 2 days cus my life is crazy" Manning