Exhbits, Readings, and TV

This picture is strange, but I like it. It's from the Mark Moore gallery and painted by artist Julie Heffernan, but unfortunately the photographs of the pictures are too small to appreciate any real detail in them. I would actually love to visit the gallery on May 23rd, hint hint.


My mind refuses to settle down, jumping from one project to the next. It's searching for something to involve it totally and completely in the way it wants, to provide it with what it needs, responsibility be damned. It wants to learn seven new things literally at once.

I also watched the new episode of "Castle". The difference between "Castle" and the other shows I am watching is that I actively look forward to it. I would say that I even like it better than "Bones", which has regained its standing as one of my favorite shows, even though the two are very different. Of course, "Castle" parodies "Bones" in some ways. Yesterday when I was incapacitated I finished catching up on all of the new "Bones"; that's a lot of TV. "The Double Dearly Departed" had me laughing throughout almost the entire episode and was probably my favorite of all of the new ones.

Anyways, later on I no doubt will come back to talk about some of the things I have learned today. For those who live in or by Los Angeles, LACMA currently has an exhibit about Pompeii's art and culture on display. Perhaps that's something I could see on, say, the 24th, provided it's convenient. Also, apparently there is a Lebowski fest taking place on May 7th?

I'm reading and to some extent accidentally destroying a book called The Morphology of the Folktale by Propp, an analysis of forty-two Russian folktales in an attempt to scientifically study fairy tale structure. Propp was very influenced by the anthropologist Levi-Strauss, which is why at one point I requested that book back. The problem is that the study is so mathematical it makes me feel like studying pure math, so I've been jumping between it and Linear Algebra. I also got this strange urge to read the Tale of Genjii at one point.

Hi!

So, this morning I got out of bed at 12:00pm and dragged myself to the doctor to get a note about the fact that dying prevented me from going to my midterm. Then I read a couple more chapters of The Ring of Nibelung and failed at reading a book I am supposed to be. I watched the "Bones" episode "The Cinderella in the Carboard" instead.

My body is trying to kill me by demanding candy. "I want Sour Patch Kids" it says, while an ominous wave of nausea rolls through my body. "Also, throw in some chocolate on the side."

Thankfully, I am feeling a lot better this evening. But my day was still boring, although I did watch a lot of "Bones". Unfortunately, it's a bit monotone compared to what I prefer to do.

Unfair

So after a nice, productive day most people would go to sleep and relax before their midterm tomorrow. I start vomitting. NOBODY else that I am aware of has the stomach flu. Where did this come from?

Cleaning and German Tales

I remember reading the plot of the Nibelungenlied as a child. It was one of my least favorite stories because of how horribly depressing it was, which made such an impression on me that I may never read it as an adult. The ending is the wife of Siegfried locking all of the warriors who betrayed her husband in a hall and poisoning them.

Today I read some of The Ring of the Nibelung, studied quantum physics, did a lot of housework while watching "Bones", and exercised. Ammonia with surfactants is an excellent cleaner. My mom bought me some ammonia ($0.99 for about a gallon)when I was attempting to do a fishless cycle(Aquaria Central's server wasn't responding when I wrote this) which, unfortunately, well, contained surfactants. I decided to use it as a normal person might and was pleasantly surprised. Needless to say, however, my windows are open and I took two showers today.
I also use the "Greenworks" all-natural line from Clorox for extra irony, although if they came out with something that effectively cleaned floors I would use it instead. Their bathroom and glass cleaner work very well and their all-purpose cleaner works fine, although not as effectively as some other brands. What? I do live alone and do all my own cleaning, which also probably makes the layer of dust in the previous picture with Monkey self-explanatory. If you want to have an awkward conversation about the relative effectiveness of household cleaners, feel free to bring it up. I must also say that the microfiber cloth my mom bought me is the most effective duster I have used, including Pledge, and the most environmentally friendly.
If you are a man and are laughing at this point, let me tell you that one of the most unattractive things to many woman is a guy who won't do his share of the housework. I only clean up after myself because I have to and if somebody put me in charge of his or her mess in addition to my own I would turn into an axe murder overnight. Thankfully, I am with someone with whom that will never be an issue.
Significant others should never have to act as parents.

A good idea for a science fiction short story would be a love story between a human and an alien, emphasizing perception shaping the role of both in shaping the other into someone they are obviously not.

Later Edit: This entry sounds much more angry than I meant it to be. I was trying to be funny, not defensive. Btw, another scenario for my becoming an axe murder is working with people like those in "The Scientist and the Physicist".

Love in a time of Pictures

Today I drew how I pictured the most beautiful Rhine maiden, Flosshilde, tempting Albreich to his doom on a purple and green boulder in The Ring of Nibelung. The drawing is unfinished because I have a test tomorrow, but here is the computer edited version*. Apparently the smaller the size of this picture, the worse it looks. Click the above "thumbnail" for much better viewing.

Sadly, Gawker and Jezebel are loosing their charm for me: Gawker, because of a lack of entertaining stories, and Jezebel because of too much militant feminism. Jezebel can actually raise some refreshing points, post interesting stories, and attracts interesting commentators, but I am finding hypocrisy and extremism in their selections and clientele. For example, there is a constant movement on the site to prove that obesity is not actually unhealthy.

Although, I must agree with the commentor who said that Mr. Liszt is her type:

Yes, Chris should certainly fear this man who died well over a hundred years ago. His sexy ghost will come to haunt me and I will be seduced by his manly mastery of music theory.

For the gullible: I'm being sarcastic. Lolz.

*Note: I am aware that her limbs need some tweaking.

Stalkers and Free Stuff

I found a lovely site today entitled "Psychotic Letters From Men". It is extremely entertaining and no less than those publicly exposed deserve, although what they need, in my opinion, is extensive therapy. Here is an excerpt from the first entry:

"Annie quickly prepared for "the talk." Couch pillows were fluffed as lines were rehearsed, and Annie called Robert into the living room to inform him that he was no longer welcome at her home, and would have to leave first thing in the morning.

Robert reacted by vomiting on her couch, which pretty much negated the purpose of her earlier pillow-fluffing.

Fresh out of vomit, Robert began to cry, and continued crying throughout the entire night. Sobbing, actually. Annie couldn't believe what she saw. "His reaction to the end of a relationship that had been at the most two months long and mostly phone-based made me tell him to nut the fuck up and get over it," Annie says."

On this same site I found this sick marriage contract linked. If someone handed me this I would kick him or her in the balls for every time it stated to "initial here".

Amusingly, on Freecyle seven Trojan condoms were listed as "TAKEN".

I just realized that some people here may not know what Freecycle is. It's basically a trading community where you give away things you no longer have use for. Here is the official description:

"Welcome! The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,735 groups with 6,684,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by entering it into the search box above or by clicking on “Browse Groups” above the search box. Have fun! "

Usually, at least in San Diego, the things listed are much better quality than condoms. For example, a portable dishwasher was offered today.

Review: "Sit Down, Shut Up" Episode Two

For all of of you wondering why I am watching TV: I put it on while doing exercise(and my routine is actually taking a bit longer than usual today). Speaking of which, I officially am a fan of "Castle".

Today I watched the second episode of "Sit Down, Shut Up", which was much funnier than the first one. The jokes were hit and miss, but enough hit that I am happy after watching the show and feel good about recommending it. I don't like Andrew, the gay/bi/I'll-take-whatever-I-can- get teacher, but although at first the science versus spirituality debate annoyed me, it played out to my satisfaction. I actually laughed at loud at the twist in the episode. I don't think it showed the drastic level of improvement "Parks and Recreation" did, but we're definitely starting to see some of the potential in the show realized. Also, Will Arnett should do voicework more often.

Watch the Episode here:


After I watch the newest "Parks and Recreation" I'm going to be attempting to watch "Deadwood". Right now I have to eat and am afraid of dirtying up my library book, and hey, it IS Saturday, so I think I'll watch an episode of "Bones".

Good Morning

Is there such a thing as a pointless memory? I don't think so; my belief is that every experience lends something to be learned from, as long as we don't overgeneralize from it. Then again, I am only nineteen, but I have a sneaking suspicion I won't be proven wrong.

Today I was attempting to deal with some of my worst memories, prepared to accept that they were simple exercises in pain that one must let go and forget. Then I realized that those experiences helped to make me damn strong. If I can survive and grow from them I can survive and grow from many, many things. And that is a wonderful way to start the day.

One of the reasons I often read and rarely write is that part of the joy of tales for me is the mystery of their every aspect before I start and complete them. It is interesting to write a story not knowing where it may lead, but far more difficult. Part of what I enjoy about writing in general is that I sometimes sit down to scribe what I know and a conclusion will magically form from the previous elements. Take, for example, the shallow issue of clothing and American culture.

Clothing has, throughout human history, helped to form an indicator about a person, whether it be rank or affiliation. In the modern day, subcultures are no exception, and there are instant subconscious impressions which can be formed by looking at how a person dresses. Of course, in the modern day, a lot more influences a person's dress than cultural affiliation, such as time, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. Lastly, it is impossible and not worth the time to indicate all the things which compose a person in dress. There is a paradox here, where some people dress specifically to be associated with a culture and others simply dress for convenience. It seems the wisest thing to do is not to form opinions based on clothing, but ironically, some people may even be offended if their cultural affiliation is ignored. Perhaps the only thing possible is to tread lightly and give the benefit of the doubt. Stereotyping people based on the way they are dressed is at times no better than stereotyping people because of their race.

Writing organized the structure of my thoughts and helped me to articulate them in a manner much more effective than speech, even if this was a shallow topic.

I also love drawing because when I start, I rarely know what or who I will end up with. Today I drew a character I named Angelica Bonnet. Her wispy hair, long face, neck, and fine features would be beautiful if she didn't live in a society which appreciated the bold and straight line. Angelica has tried to live in this society and conform to it all her life; only a small inkling in the back of her mind wonders if she has been following the wrong path, an inkling she rarely pays attention to. She has fit into her society successfully, but she is not beautiful now.

I planned none of that.

Yes, many great works have come from pre-planned scenes and points, and occasionally I feel the need to create one of these myself. But I feel right now as though the greatest story I ever write will be a road which I will wander and discover new things while exploring.

Note for early readers: I condensed the last two blog entries for brevity. I don't pre-plan posts and sometimes the organizational structure that results from sporadic posting is not the best.

Today

So I'll speak in pretentious generalities because I don't want to go into details. The first part of today involved a lot of stretching and exercise, the next, two talks about something upsetting, both cathartic. Then a talk which saddened me, and then a lot of staring at the walls. A stupid mistake was made, probably for the better, and another mistake which leads which leads down a road I cannot predict and do not know why I am forging ahead on. A lot of staring at my monitor, bursts of energy, now reading.

I'm writing this so maybe, one day when I look back on it, I can remember this, because I feel as if it's going to be significant. I've made myself a promise to revel in the things and friends I have and hopefully live more in the present. I'm happier in some ways and deeply disappointed in others. What I talked about today really helped me in general. Don't bother reading inbetween the lines, subtext can lie to you.

Title?

I can't get out of bed at the moment. The muscle relaxant gave me a hangover today, which means that I don't believe I will be taking it tomorrow. I just attempted to read in bed and the book would not stay still in my hands.
FYI, I honestly write about these things because they are what is happening to me, not because I'm asking for sympathy. Ok, a little sympathy is appreciated, but here is one of the reasons why I am actually lucky: I can afford treatment. Many people in the United States today would not be able to get the help they need because of our healthcare system. And that's just one reason I am fortunate. Also, I just realized that this is sort of my fault for not eating dinner last night, since medication taken on an empty stomach has a much more powerful effect.
So I was going to write an entry about scientific methods applied to literature and attempt to use my scant knowledge to perhaps come up with a brilliant conclusion, but instead I'm going back to sleep, because zzzzzzzzzz.........