Closure

K, haven't written here for a while, and this is the last post I'll put here. No-one's reading it anymore I'm sure, but I can't just leave it without saying goodbye. I've decided to leave the blog up instead of deleting it, because it's fun to come back to these things years later.

So long, farewell, au revoir...

Good news

Hello. It's been a while, I know. School is a lot more work than I remember, but I guess I'm actually trying to do well this time, so...

Anyway, the news is that my dad has (after several months of waiting) been given a definite date for an operation that should reduce his Parkinsons' symptoms by a substantial amount. It's called Deep Brain Stimulation, or as the kidz say, DBS. He'll be going under the knife on Oct.14 in Toronto, so say a prayer to your respective god(s) or goddess(es) or whatever; all supernatural help is appreciated. No surgery is without its risks, but Dad is going into this without hesitation and with a real sense of adventure. I do believe he enjoys being a medical guinea pig, just because he gets to see all the new toys earlier than everyone else. :) Seriously though, his attitude throughout all of his medical problems has been a real inspiration. This guy has been through hell, and he refuses to be defeated. I really hope this implant works as advertised. I also hope it gives him superpowers. I'm guessing either telekinesis or maybe something to do with electromagnetism.

Earth Departure Movie

Thought I should post a link that is both cool and, with respect to the previous post, highlights the fact that in a very real and absolute sense, we are all in this thing together.

It's essentially a stop-motion movie made from pictures taken by the MESSENGER spacecraft as it sailed past us.

via BB

Rape, Murder and Beatings in the Astrodome

Also, only certain media outlets are being allowed in, and a VOLUNTEER EFFORT to establish an internal radio station (and distribute radios to those who need them) is being squashed.

This according to the people who are living there.
Go read the full BoingBoing post, I can't paraphrase.
I wish I could say it's hard to believe.
I can only hope that we, as a species, get our fucking act together some day.

n00b

So, first day of school, sorta. I biked to campus and walked around, trying to learn the lay of the land. I am directionally challenged, so this is always an anxious time. Went to the buildings I have classes in. Got that familiar feeling of thinking that everyone knows I'm lost and are secretly amused by my incompetence. It's very difficult to casually inspect a map to determine where the hell you are. "oh!, what a nice map, I admire its placement and design and I am not at all lost, how you doin?"

I became acutely aware of all the things I've been missing in the past five years of working life. Perfume, for example. Girls wear all kinds of different perfume. It's awesome. Hell, girls in general have been sorely lacking in my working environments. Sunshine. Trees. Insane rabbits that run directly across your path. People, seemingly happy people, who have not yet been crushed by the grim machinery of life. It was a nice change.

Classes start Thursday. I have one that day. Then I'm done for the week. I could get used to this.

Killarney was cool

Trio
Originally uploaded by Oranguthingy.

Check out the full set when you click through, lots more if you're interested.

Objects On Leg Are Smaller Than They Appear

Spidey 009
Originally uploaded by Oranguthingy.

I Have Decided...

...to scare the bejeezus out of you.

Read this.

Watch this.

The face-huggers from Alien are real.

Sleep tight.

(Don't read this. It's inappropriate and disgusting. And funny.)

Eric Margolis

When I started this blog I meant to highlight some of my favourite regular-reading sites, but never got around to it. So here goes: Suggestion the First!

Margolis puts up a few articles a month discussing politics. My impression is that his specialty is the middle east, but he's pretty far-ranging. I can't say I'm all that educated about geopolitical issues, but he seems pretty clever to me (although that may just be because I agree with his political leanings). So, if you're looking for a reasoned opinion on just what the hell is going on, give it a shot. Check out the archives for more.

His most recent one discusses Pat Robertson's recent death threat, and moves on to a topic that, for obvious reasons, has been really bothering me for a while now. I am terrified by how much sway the far religious right have in the States. I pity them for their delusional view of life, but I am really pretty worried about their ability to effect world-wide change. They appear to be determined to make the world a shittier place to live in and they apparently have the means to do it. I'm all for religious freedom, but it'd be super if they stopped making other people suffer because they have different beliefs.

Gah, 'nuff said. If you agree with me, this is obvious, and if you don't, well, there's no way I can change your mind. I feel so helpless in the face of it all. Especially since I'm Canadian and can't vote in their demented elections. Voting in my own demented elections is depressing enough. =)

Cindy Sheehan, Hell YES

This from today's Drudge Report:

"They’re a bunch of fucking hypocrites! And we need to, we just need to rise up..." Sheehan said of the Bush administration.

"If George Bush believes his rhetoric and his bullshit, that this is a war for freedom and democracy, that he is spreading freedom and democracy, does he think every person he kills makes Iraq more free?"

"The whole world is damaged. Our humanity is damaged. If he thinks that it’s so important for Iraq to have a U.S.-imposed sense of freedom and democracy, then he needs to sign up his two little party-animal girls. They need to go to this war."

"We want our country back and, if we have to impeach everybody from George Bush down to the person who picks up dog shit in Washington, we will impeach all those people."

found via Ted Leo