| FREE Newark to Port Authority express bus ticket (Airport Express) |
[Jul. 3rd, 2008|03:03 pm] |
For anyone who wants it --
I have a ticket for the Airport Express, from Newark Airport to Port Authority, expiring August 18th.
I paid $25 for round trip, and realized I came back to LaGuardia rather than Newark. So totally free, no strings attached except it needs to be relatively easy (i.e. I'm not traveling to Queens to give you a ticket :-) ).
So let me know ASAP if you are interested! |
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| rpg racism deconstructed |
[Jul. 3rd, 2008|09:13 am] |
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Many thanks to [Unknown LJ tag] for introducing me to this snippet of history from the goblin defense fund. |
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| Today's gotta be better than yesterday |
[Jul. 3rd, 2008|07:39 am] |
So, let's see...
Yesterday ...
... I found out that a close friend is probably moving away
... I had to write my performance review self-assessment
... I lost the previously planned company for this week's long drive
... I found out that one of the two professors I'd really wanted to talk with at UCB died in April. (I had met him briefly before, and by all accounts he was a wonderful guy, which fit with my one experience)
there's probably more, but here's to non-shitty days. =) |
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| long lonely drive |
[Jul. 2nd, 2008|08:13 am] |
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Well, nuts. Sanity reasserted itself, and now I have a 6 hour drive each way with nothing but my iPod to keep me company. Probably for the best. But it's gonna be booooring. |
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| imminent dc travel |
[Jun. 30th, 2008|10:15 am] |
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Work is paying to fly me out to dc, but they want me to take a 6am flight to be sure I'll get there on time. For a noonish briefing. I would much rather fly in the night before, mess with my sleep cycle less and not massively overwhelming the 10 hour max for time I can bill in a day. Would any kind soul be willing to lodge a wayward traveler next monday evening? (Ie july 7th) |
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| imminent dc travel |
[Jun. 30th, 2008|10:15 am] |
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Work is paying to fly me out to dc, but they want me to take a 6am flight to be sure I'll get there on time. For a noonish briefing. I would much rather fly in the night before mess with my sleep cycle less and not massively overwhelming the 10 hour max for time I can bill in a day. Would any kind soul be willing to lodge a wayward traveler next monday evening? (Ie july 7th) |
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| The myth of the gay community |
[Jun. 27th, 2008|07:50 am] |
A friend of mine made a "no comments allowed" post that offended my sensibilities. So, I'll respond to it here, without identifying the post in question.
He wrote a response to this article on the growth of HIV infections rates in various demographic groups: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25398121/
In particular he took note of the very high rate of HIV transmission in young (13-24) gay men. He took this moment to criticize the gay "community" as politically unsaavy. He said education isn't a problem, noted unprotected sex with strangers as the cause, and made an impassioned plea for people not to be brainless animals/goddamned whores.
I can understand and appreciate the frustration, even share it. But I think there are a few points to be made here. 1) The gay community is a myth, which makes me feel much of the passion is misdirected, 2) the report isn't talking about self-identified gay men, but rather men who have sex with men (MSM) and 3) The study as reported could be improved by reporting the data in different groupings, which would clarify the message.
( The gay "community" is a myth. )
( The report is discussing MSMs rather than self-identified gay men. )
( I can think of two ways the study as reported could be improved by changing their demographic groupings. )
To reframe this whole critique in a political light: Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children, even the gay ones. HRC, NGLTF, and PFLAG are going to be alot less influential in the life of the young queer than the young queer's parents will be. Even up to age 24. If this were an article about 36 year olds and high rates of HIV infection, I'd be telling a different story. But it's not. I read this story a different way. I read it as a failure of parents, particularly parents of ethnic minorities[*], to raise and care for their children well.
And if there's an impassioned plea to be made it is this: Parents, love your children, care for them, protect them, and teach them to love, care for, and protect themselves. Even the queer ones. Especially if you belong to a culture that doesn't like queers, make sure your children know you will love them regardless of their sexuality, and that being queer doesn't mean you'll let them get away with a damn thing you wouldn't let your straight children get away with.
( disclaimer ) |
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| crazy |
[Jun. 26th, 2008|12:35 am] |
Well, monday I was composing a draft of the one page summary of our union constitution, its importance, how it has been developed so far, and what the next steps were for it, on my sidekick on the train, emailing it to myself shortly before I got to the office.
Tuesday evening, I missed my weekly dinner to fly out to DC to sleep in a coworkers basement, so I could come in to HQ to work most of the day and present the constitution to the union governance, so we can present it to everyone else for feedback and input. Tonight I flew back home immediately afterwards, dealing with the usual zoo + delays that is O'hare. The things I do to fly out of National, without transfers.
Anyway.
We only made it about a third of the way through the constitution, got snagged on some interesting points. 1 hour and 15 minutes of discussion. I anticipate at least two more. I've been asked to fly back in for them. Ugh. I probably will, but ugh. This will not help me train for the triathlon.
And the main point of the triathlon is to motivate me to exercise regularly. Ha. Well, good luck with that.
At least I have Origins this weekend. Oh, and familial visitation next weekend. (Likely with compadre in tow). The week after that I'm supposed to go to DC anyway for work. But what about everything else I want to do with my life?
*whimper* |
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| Vacation Plan Quizes |
[Jun. 23rd, 2008|11:51 pm] |
Poll #1209989
Open to: All, results viewable to: AllHow crazy is it to bring a guy I've been on 3 very enjoyable dates with on a 6 hour drive each way to an extended family gathering in the middle of nowhere? Which game(s) should I take to Origins? (please check no more than 5)
I forgot Mu on the list, feel free to add it via comment. |
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| triathlon equipment (was triathlon bike rental reservation) |
[Jun. 23rd, 2008|02:32 pm] |
For less than the cost of shipping a bike, I'll be picking one up from a shop around the corner from the triathlon itself. The bike should be much nicer and more suitable than my tool-around-town bike. Hopefully it will fit well, too.
Need to get a wetsuit, too. Wonder if I'll look good in it. People usually do, imho. =)
Estimated water temp is 66F |
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| Origins |
[Jun. 22nd, 2008|05:10 pm] |
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I'm looking forward to Origins. Yay for giant dork fests. I'll be in Columbus sometime on thursday afternoon/evening to sometime on sunday. Woo. =) |
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| Today in good and bad |
[Jun. 22nd, 2008|04:54 pm] |
Good:
- finally installed rear rack on bike
- got name on the mailbox
- healthy breakfast (greek themed egg-beater fritata w/ fat free greek yogurt, flax seed, & low fat granola)
Bad:
- hideously unhealthy lunch: leftover pizza, blech, saturated fat city.
- Not enough sleep last night (board gaming on saturdays is good. Board gaming until 2am on Saturdays is not. =)
- to much general lounging
- so far have failed to hit the important items on my todo list
- one page summary document for union voter education outlined, but not drafted
- failed to move an inch towards completing applications for west coast environmental policy jobs.
- haven't coded any interviews for work.
- haven't cleaned my room.
- haven't beaten my linux desktop into working properly with the wireless card.
- too much couch lounging (even with very little WoW).
- declined an opportunity to go running with Don in favor of said loafing.
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| competitive athleticism |
[Jun. 22nd, 2008|04:44 pm] |
I've been biking running and swimming for the past few weeks. I'm trying to train for a triathlon. Why? I don't really know. But, as ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ludomancer repeatedly noted while we were living together, I am goal oriented.
I was going to get into the chicago triathlon, but that's already closed. On the other hand I've been meaning to see vancouver for awhile now, and they have a triathlon on labor day. It's tremendously expensive to fly directly to vancouver, but I could just fly to seattle with a free southwest voucher & then bus it up to vancouver for less than $100. That would make the out of pocket travel expenses plus the registration for such a trip less than the registration for the chicago triathlon. Hmmmm.
I should hop on this one pronto. |
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| Needier than I like to think I am. |
[Jun. 22nd, 2008|02:41 am] |
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Yeah, well, it's true. Kinda sad too. I'll be fine. |
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| independence day plans |
[Jun. 20th, 2008|05:51 pm] |
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My 4th of july plans may involve me heading off southern illinois for quality extended family time. Which always brings up the question of how to get there. I'm thinking if I can find a friendly st louis local to hang out with for a bit I could take a chicago to st louis red eye, then rent a car to get to grand chain. Perhaps this crazy. |
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| farewell to the hotty redhead |
[Jun. 20th, 2008|09:41 am] |
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Have a good day. You made me not mind the temporary train breakdown so much. <insert wistful sigh here> |
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