more spectra to think about

NPR Tell Me More: Gender Questions Surround Track And Field Star

The world governing body for track and field is deciding whether a sprinter can compete as a woman, if she also has male sex organs. The International Association of Athletics Federations has taken up the case of Caster Semenya, a world record holding South African runner. Semenya, has undergone tests to prove that she is a female after claims to the contrary. Michel Martin discusses the topic with Doctor Eric Vilain, an expert in the field of intersex science and identity.

I never gave much thought to the fact that there's no single definition of male and female. There are people clearly one or the other, but how to distinguish the ones that aren't? Sexual identity is one thing, where it's very simple to say it's up to the person to determine how they'd like to be identified. But I think this is the first time I've heard the issue come up in the field of sports, where it does seem that some sort of fair clear cut distinction will have to eventually be made.

flashback to...

NYTimes: A Fortress City That Didn’t Come to Be

A little ditty encapsulating the uncertainty following the September 11th attacks.

New York would become a fortress city, choked by apprehension and resignation, forever patrolled by soldiers and submarines. Another attack was coming. And soon.

Tourists? Well, who would ever come again? Work in one of the city’s skyscrapers? Not likely. The Fire Department, gutted by 343 deaths, could never recuperate.

If a crippled downtown Manhattan were to have any chance of regeneration, ground zero had to be rebuilt quickly, a bricks and mortar nose-thumbing to terror.

I'm not gonna tell much of my story, because I had a very ho-hum one compared to others, especially those of some of my good childhood friends attending a rival high school basically across the street from the falling towers. And everyone was affected by the 9/11 in some minor way and at the very least remember exactly where they were when they heard the news. My experience had an unrelated personal twist that is making it all the more bitter tasting, but I made it out without losing anyone I knew particularly well. I got home...eventually, after walking what I think was about 100 blocks with some stops in between to get someplace to sleep. It was a clear day with good visibility, so you couldn't miss the pillar of smoke. I got home the next day eventually, going to Brooklyn and getting picked up there. Like I said, I couldn't complain much. But I do remember the next day, when I got on an express bus and asked the bus driver if I could use my student metrocard and a token to get to manhattan, because ferry service was suspended, and he said..."no...but just get on, I guess you got no other way of getting to school" that I started to tear up and I walked to my seat.

It was a weird feeling as I said about the article before, uncertainty. I was just scared because, well, wtf. What is going on exactly?
The US was not used to random acts of terrorism or violence, at least not with the use of anything resembling bombs and destruction on city streets. Arguably my generation had been living some damn peaceful times, with no major war to speak of that affected the homeland.

I should probably flesh this out, but I don't wanna be a cheesy downer. :-) I just wanted to post something since I read this article and was reminded of how powerful just not knowing what's next is.

growing up, cont'd

I used to think I had a grasp on the growing up thing, and I definitely don't miss college. So I thought.

I don't miss college how I think most people do -- the people, the relative carefree nature, always having something new to do -- but rather I miss the routine. Those who knew me knew I was always overbooked for everything. If it wasn't just the sheer nature of being a chemical engineering major, it was a cappella rehearsals and concerts, marching band functions (and parties!), tae kwon do practice or testing or tournaments, or working my shift at the library or heading to the lab to work on that project (and get money for it!). Engineers partied hard when they could, and otherwise were banished to do problem sets when others were going out.

In high school, my main activities were track, tennis, math team, concert band/orchestra and generally running amok in the courtyard. I unsuccessfully carried over these things to college (though I tried...I also wanted to do cheerleading or rugby) and picked up what I listed above. High school to college was a definite transition for me. And it felt pretty good to learn new things and I think I changed for the better. (Apparently that's when Diana rage died down.)

In my attempt to center myself in the real working world, instead of exploring and finding new interests, I've held onto my college ones. I sing with a guy and write songs and record them sometimes for kicks...I work and train at a tkd school...and though I couldn't get the marching band aspect, it seems I've just latched onto my apartment sports teams and I can't let go. I need season after season of whatever they'll offer -- volleyball, bball, softball, soccer, tennis so far. And goodness knows I make unnecessary effort to see live sports.

Who knows how, but I didn't realize this until today. I'm feeling a little stuck, in that young adult rut, and I think still doing these activities out of habit and not out of actual interest is keeping me from actually moving on from college and enjoying my new life. I'm tempted to wipe the slate clean, and pick up something new. I could be in a dance class or a book club by now. (Actually, bartending classes are first up on the list when there's time. =P) I think I was supposed to apply to law school around now. My bad.

grab a friend and grow up

when the Ikea directions tell you not to assemble something alone, just follow the directions. You trust the rest of the directions, don't you? Oh well. Somehow I managed to construct my used bed frame without much injury. Thank you, Woot, for giving me a box that was exactly the height I needed to get the frame together.

But enough of that. More importantly, I have a bed.

I have not had a bed since college. Not a real one, anyway. I've been sleeping on air mattresses, my futon...*ahem* and other people's beds. But now I have my very own (not so comfortable) bed. It makes me one step closer to being an adult.

I've been criticized for lack of bed, lack of "real" drinking glasses, lack of regular leftovers, lack of other furniture, lack of cleanliness?...etc. All of these times, it's been hinted that "damn, girl, you need to grow up."

Usually I ignore and justify. I say I don't *need* these things. And since I don't need them, it makes future moves easier. Why do we feel that certain things define us as adults? And why does it even matter? As if cooking, owning a cat, owning a house, and generally keeping house is distinctly grown up. I can see how it's good...financially sound...or perhaps gives you a feeling of independence and maturity, but I don't understand why exactly it matters. I feel the same pressures and ideas, but I don't know what to make of it. And in my head, I have a very specific and not universally applicable definition of adulthood: the ability to make good decisions. Most of the time. And when you don't, know what the good decision is, even if you don't go that path. (For example, right now I'm having tortilla chips and dip for dinner. Is that a good decision? No. But I know it.) And I think I'm getting to my definition of growing up.

Anyway, I own a bed. Happy now?

you are what you say you are

(a superstar...)

Fewer people *think* they're overweight these days, and people are accepting their bodies. Yay, right?

CNN: As nation gains, 'overweight' is relative

Or are we just becoming complacent?

Apparently women with normal BMIs are less likely to say they think they're overweight than they used to. This is good. This means happy healthier people, who know they're okay, and won't obsess about it.

But then again, apparently brands are downscaling sizes, so that you might think you're awesome and in a size 8, but it's only a matter of labeling and you're really wearing a size 12. And that quick fix illusion may not be so much a good thing at all. Also it might be what's making it difficult to buy jeans online these days.

And getting back to BMI...
NPR: Top 10 Reasons Why The BMI Is Bogus

I'd add in comment but I am hungover and this was difficult enough. Good day.

I'll be back

I think this blog is a summer thing. I've been getting the urge to write lengthy posts not suitable for my tumblelog. Also would like to post pictures that facebook and tumblr don't need. See y'all soon. YAY!

in case you haven't seen

I would totally dance to this at a party. Oh, Vince.

re-jingamajob your skin

With the billion commercials about rejuvenating, revitalizing, renewing, re...verbing your skin, are any other girls out there worried that if we don't start now, we'll get real wrinkly really fast? Should I be nipping this in the bud? I realize it's marketing, but damn, I feel like it's working on me.

My grandmother always had really nice skin. She always wore hats to protect her face from the sun, had a slew of skin products and traditional know how...maybe I should find me some placebo night cream.

Because spring weather is boring

(from howstuffworks)

Hello blog! I remember what this is for again! For things that aren't super silly and would depress my animal filled tumblelog.

Having never really lived through another recession, I can't be sure how much advertising has exploited the term and how much people talked about it. But all of a sudden, fuel efficiency and all things budget are awesome, car commercials will scream "recession!!!" at you and still try and convince you to drop tens of thousands of dollars, and instead of "oh this weather" people in line at the supermarket will just say "hey how about this recession?".

I guess I'm just entertained by the tangental things I hear. Being amongst the snarky young educated types (let's admit it), this seems to boil down to commentary about commentary.

• using terms like "oh this recession!" or "these are my recession shoes" in a sarcastic manner (though yes, all based in fact)
  
• one of my friends says that everyone's favorite thing to do (and by everyone, he meant young guys who are trying to out-intellectual the other) is to say what they think about the economy and the recession and it's usually just what was last said on This American Life
  
• another one of my friends likes to say that the economy and the recession has ousted talk of religion and God (I don't really get this one, but okay)
  

Anyway. I've got nothing more to say for now.
What prompted this post was an article in the NYTimes.
Recession Anxiety Seeps Into Everyday Lives
Apparently even those who still have jobs, and even children, are just suffering from general anxiety about the economic situation. I don't buy some of the stories, but I think it's an important thing to be aware of. Let's not let things that we can't control necessarily stress us out. Yes, being unemployed does suck, but other than working hard to prevent losing your job (and even that isn't always enough) there's not much to do! I feel like some people are suffering from some sort of post-traumatic stress syndrome, even though the recession is not a traumatic event by most definitions of the term, unless say, you actually did lose everything all at once.

But a few months ago, Ms. Hubbard, a graphic designer in Cambridge, Mass., began having panic attacks over the economy, struggling to breathe and seeing vivid visions of “losing everything,” she said.

She “could not stop reading every single economic report,” was so “sick to my stomach I lost 12 pounds” and “was unable to function,” said Ms. Hubbard, 52, who began, for the first time, taking psychiatric medication and getting therapy.

Madness. Stay afloat, kids.

a Pececito

I found this on the internet. Happy Birthday, Warren!

(as I break my posting hiatus. Been busy/busy with other blogs. Oh. You know.)
I also recently got promoted (not a big deal, and a year behind most people). So that ~15% increase in work is gonna be GREAT. :-)

Before Sunrise, with a musical twist?

Just watched "Once". I didn't think I could do it alone, 'cuz I knew it'd be so damn sweet and cute, but I managed. :-) Bittersweet ending, the way all movie love stories should end. I don't wanna say it's realistic, but...maybe it is for the majority of encounters. Isn't that why we love Before Harry Met Sally and Before Sunrise/Sunset?

Also what is it that's so beautiful about music that it's really easy to fall for someone that makes beautiful music?

OKAY clearly I am caught up in the warm fuzziness of the movie. There is a reason there is no "love" tag for posts here. It has no place!

things I wish I had the determination to do

BOOMBOX from Ely Kim on Vimeo.

"100 days, 100 songs, 100 locations, 100 dances."
He's a Yale grad student!
#99 is HGS courtyard perhaps?

Thanks to my officemate who brought it to light. (I thought it was another 100 dances video which I didn't like very much. This one's cute.)

gonna drunk dial my blog now

Tumblr, which hosts some of my other blogs, now has a new call-to-post feature. You call it, and it will publish as an audio post. Who knows why you'd want to do this, but it's nice knowing I have the option.

ps - Thank you to Sweet Services for sending me 5lbs of candy! A dedicated post is to come. They seem to often have candy giveaways if you check their blog! :-)

I love the willingness to mock your own genre

NBC wouldn't let me post to tumblr. Boo. Mike Herg decided to make me watch this. I'm glad. :-)

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

old school meets new school

Wooden 2GB thumb drive doubles as Post-It Notes dispenser

And what if I ran a post-it note program from the USB? Huz. Zah.

late post, but in case you didn't know

The Madden '09 simulation of the Super Bowl was only off by 2 points.

Madden 09 predicts Pittsburgh Steelers victory in Super Bowl XLIII

They predicted a Steelers victory of 28-24. Now, I do understand that 28-24 is VERY different from the real 27-23. It'd be pretty awesome if the simulation also included a safety. But I was still excited at the time. No one really understood my mile-a-minute muttering trying to explain how/why a video game prediction even happened, and no one really cared because the game was awesome, but I thought I'd point it out to anyone else who thought that was cool.

petaphiles

So apparently this PETA ad got rejected for airtime during the Superbowl.

'Veggie Love': PETA's Banned Super Bowl Ad

The comments on the page are interesting since they go both ways...

And although I agree that equally as inappropriate commercials air, this one actually serves no purpose. Graphic horror movie ads? They're marketing a movie. The dumb beer commercials? I mean no one really takes them seriously, and they're for a laugh. This commercial? It's a cheap shot! It's in the category of dumb beer ad, but they're trying to be taken seriously? Who's gonna be persuaded by that?

That's not to say I don't think it's an awesome commercial. I just think it was a dumb move since people already stereotype PETA supporters...

(originally shared on Jason's google!)

bowling hero

You know how Guitar Hero and Rock Band do not prepare you at all for the real thing? Drums, maybe. Vocals, sure. But the guitar plays more like a recorder that comes with a Disney songbook than a guitar.

Well, it's not like I even play Wii bowling. But I definitely forgot how hard real bowling was. I took bowling gym class once upon a time because my high school shared a gymnasium with an elementary school and so we took "cool gym classes" because we um "had no resources to accommodate the needs of a high school." So I took folk square ballroom gym class in a room the size of a normal classroom, rock climbing at this place at the bottom of a hill on the west side which took half the classtime to commute to, the same with the swim gym class, and BOWLING GYM CLASS AT PORT AUTHORITY (Times Sq). It was fun; not gonna lie. And shoe rental came with the class so if we wanted to pay for an extra game after class it was pretty cheap. But it's not exactly the average P.E. requirement.

Anyway, as much as I remember my 4-step approach, how to give courtesy to those in lanes adjacent if they're set up before you, and how to not get your fingers crushed by balls coming up through the return, Wii bowling has spoiled me in terms of how well I think I can do after some drinking. I'm just saying. =P Plus you don't have to factor in the chipped finger holes.

End stream of consciousness. Hasta la vista.

daily morning struggle-puzzle

So upon arriving at work, I usually have to find a way to deal with 3 problems:

• hunger
  
• being cold
  
• being sleepy
  

Hunger is usually dealt with by either buying a sandwich, eating a granola bar, or having a bowl of cereal.
Being cold can be dealt with by having a cup of coffee or tea, or taking out my fleece throw.
Sleepiness can be dealt with caffeine.

But what order to do these in?

Today I am doing the doubly productive thing with a cup of tea, but now I'm really hungry. But on deck for breakfast today is a bowl of cereal, and I don't wanna get colder! STRUGGLE!

I wish I were cool enough to manage this

I've posted it everywhere. And I can't stop listening to and watching it.
Wind Waker Theme Unplugged

imma balla

I played in the first game of the season today in the league I joined. I'll be sure to post if I actually score any points. I was a bit timid this time around and only made 2 attempts. Both were better than bad attempts. =P

Also joined Netflix.
I had blockbuster by mail for over a year...and blockbuster total access for some of it. It was nice...not gonna lie. With Blockbuster, you can return to a brick and mortar store, and then you instantly get a free rental. And a coupon per month for a video OR game rental. But somehow I just got incredibly lazy over time. And by "somehow" I mean, duh. But that's why I got rid of that feature and only paid $5/mo and still barely had a queue with high turnover. But now I'm doing the $9/mo plan from Netflix so I can have unlimited streaming of whatever movies and whatever TV shows they offer. Somehow that is worth it to me, even if I still don't actually watch the movies I request. Yay...
My opinion: If you're not lazy and have a car, Blockbuster Total Access trumps Netflix in that you have a wider selection of free/bonus/extras from just the DVDs by mail. But Netflix is better for your average slug like me. :-)

wishywashy

My blog is just a youtube video blog!
Things I've seen today:

How to use your coin washer for free. I wouldn't actually try this, since I have all of 7 slots to deal with, and it'd take me so long that I'm sure I'd get caught...


How to get your washing machine to tweet (on twitter) when it's done. Wayyyyyyy too complicated but good for people who can handle that. To think I used to build power sources in lab.

the wonders of Vince Offer

After a few discussions with people, it has come to my attention that Vince, "the ShamWOW guy" is not yet a household name. It is here for some reason, and maybe on the East coast in general, but maybe not.

But you must see his commercials. You must understand. I want a ShamWOW and a SlapChop for no good reason. (Though to be honest I'm sold pretty easily with As Seen on TV things...)

easier or harder than normal juggling?

Quite intrigued with this video. As does happen when it's one of the first things you see when you wake up. This is like a halftime show for Deadball.