To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
Lila and I are engaged!! ^.^ On August 29, 2011, the one year anniversary of my arrival in San Francisco (a coincidence, except I don’t believe in pure coincidence).
I’ve seen a lot of people arguing in favor of the majority vote. Why does the opinion of the minority take precedence over the will of the majority?
The answer is actually far simpler than most people thing. The Constitution has a Bill of Rights to ensure that the will of the majority does not preempt the laws of our land, nor do they allow the majority to deny equal rights, protections, and responsibilities under the law.
In the 1950’s and 60s, several states had referendums to add a State Constitutional ban on interracial marriage. Averaged out across all states, 82% voted in favor of the ban. Yet, in 1967, SCOTUS ruled (Loving v Virginia) that such bans were in violation of US Constitution, and the 14th Amendment.
Just because the majority want something, doesn’t mean a thing if it denies equality to even one person. - BeckFastPaws
–http://www.CNN.com/2010/US/08/04/california.same.sex.ruling/index.html - Judge Overturns California’s Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
There are so many great comments!
fleeting inspiration: the books i love
There are certain books I always return to, no matter how many times I’ve already read their dog-eared pages. Some I purchased new, others I found in my grandfather’s science fiction collection, and still others were discovered on the library $.50 rack.
1. “The Giver” by Lois Lowery
Inspiring, the main reason I’m a writer, dystopian future, sad but a good look at humanity, human nature, and the way we perceive our world. Also, can be applied to the way writers perceive our world and interpret it for the rest.
2. “Permutation City” by Greg Egan
All those things the Internet was “supposed” to be/do, dystopian future, hopeful, technical and geeky, but in the “makes you think” category, excellent writing, inspired me to choose science fiction as my genre.
3. “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens
Interwoven characters, real life background events of the French Revolution, real and hard and somewhat raw for Mr. Dickens’ writing, enthralling from start to finish. The way an epic novel should be written.
4. “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
Smart writing, dark/light contrasting humor, engaging characters and storyline, satirical and irreverent, but also incredibly intelligent and insightful, couldn’t put it down, re-read x4 and starting again.
5. “Dune” by Frank Herbert
Feuding houses, intergalactic drug trafficking, civil war, and desert power. A classic staple of science fiction and an amazing story.
“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.”
- Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear
6. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
Coming of age in a changing world, commentary on the ‘phony’ picket-fences version of the 1950s, stream of consciousness that resonated with a teenage me, thick with angst and symbolism. “In 1981, it was both the most censored book and the second most taught book in public schools in the United States.”
7. “A Wizard of Earthsea” by Ursula K. LeGuin
Short, but well written story of a simple man becoming something more, precise information on in-world herb lore, true names as powerful secrets.
8. “Sea Dragon Heir” by Storm Constantine
Magical imagery, an amazingly rich background fantasy world, taboo love that conquers social norms, draws out deep emotions in the reader, complex society, strong and memorable characterization.
9. Anything written by Philip K. Dick
I have never been disappointed by any story of Mr. Dick’s. His perceptions of humanity and technology and how they interact are incredibly spot-on in these modern times, and I find myself alternately dismal and hopeful. His writing includes so many universal themes, fears, and predictions that they have been made into many different film adaptations: Minority Report (“The Minority Report”), Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Paycheck (“Paycheck”), Total Recall (“We Can Remember It for You Wholesale”), Impostor (“Impostor”), Screamers (“Second Variety”), A Scanner Darkly (A Scanner Darkly), and Next (“The Golden Man”).
10. Anything written by Neil Gaiman
As with Mr. Dick, Mr. Gaiman’s writing is consistently enjoyable, thought-provoking, and well written. If you are unfamiliar with his work, <i>Stardust</i> is the latest of his novels to become a film. I recommend everything he’s ever written, most of which I’ve already read. Word play, irreverence, dark imagery and humor, illogical logic, and ineffability. The Sandman comics/graphic novels are also excellent and highly recommended.
There are so many others. I’m sure more will come to mind as soon as I publish this.
Much of my collection consists of old science fiction compilations that I inherited from my grandfather. I’m on a new reading spree — going to try to make it through all of them eventually — and I’ll recommend stories as I find them.
Me/vernajast/lene: This satisfied far too many facets of my geekdom not to be reblogged. ^_^ Enjoy!
Good morning. Have some chiptunes.
“Colour Television” by J. Arthur Keenes. What is up with those noises halfway through? It’s like the chiptune equivalent of the Gilbert Gottfried-voiced AFLAC duck. But in a good way.
“Tear You Apart,” She Wants Revenge
Audio version on Last.fm without censoring:
http://www.last.fm/music/She+Wants+Revenge/_/Tear+You+Apart?autostart
Got a big plan, this mindset maybe its right
At the right place and right time, maybe tonight
And the whisper or handshake sending a sign
Wanna make out and kiss hard, wait nevermind
Late night, and passing, mention it flipped her
Best friend, who knows saying maybe it slipped
But the slip turns to terror and a crush to light
When she walked in, he throws up, believe its the fright
Its cute in a way, till you cannot speak
And you leave to have a cigarette, your knees get weak
An escape is just a nod and a casual wave
Obsessed about it, heavy for the next two days
It’s only just a crush, it’ll go away
It’s just like all the others it’ll go away
Or maybe this is danger and you just don’t know
You pray it all away but it continues to grow
I want to hold you close
Skin pressed against me tight
Lie still, and close your eyes girl
So lovely, it feels so right
I want to hold you close
Soft breasts, beating heart
As I whisper in your ear
I want to fucking tear you apart
Then he walked up and told her, thinking that he’d passed
And they talked and looked away a lot, doing the dance
Her hand brushed up against his, she left it there
Told him how she felt and then they locked in a stare
They took a step back, thought about it, what should they do
Cause there’s always repercussions when you’re dating in school
But their lips met, and reservations started to pass
Whether this was just an evening or a thing that would last
Either way he wanted her and this was bad
He wanted to do things to her it was making him crazy
Now a little crush turned into a like
And now he wants to grab her by the hair and tell her
I want to hold you close
Skin pressed against me tight
Lie still, and close your eyes girl
So lovely, it feels so right
I want to hold you close
Soft breasts, beating heart
As I whisper in your ear
I want to fucking tear you apart
“Sinead’s Hand” - an Irish PSA by MarriageEquality. Via @neilhimself (Neil Gaiman) on Twitter.
Five movies to watch (or rewatch) this winter…
(in no certain order, most are on Netflix)
1. The Fifth Element
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119116/
science fiction, dystopian future, exciting, funny, unique filming, rich imagery, Bruce Willis, Milla Jovavich (!)
2. Labyrinth
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091369/
David Bowie in tight pants!, musical, Jim Henson, surreal, fantasy, teenage Jennifer Connelly <3
3. Were the World Mine
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0476991/
surreal, musical, gay, boy’s school, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, beautiful, sweet
4. Repo! The Genetic Opera
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0963194/
dystopian future, genetic alteration, dark, evil, fun, musical, big name actors, Anthony Head, a-m-a-z-i-n-g
5. Spirited Away
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245429/
anime, beautiful, alternate dimensions, thought provoking, moving, never gets old, Miyazaki
About me
... she said follow the butterflies, so I followed her.
