Teenage Punk Girls Like My Shoes

Today's my grandmother's 90th birthday. Happy birthday to her, and here's hoping for many more.

This is non-linear storytelling mixed with a CD mini-review. Such is how things are these days. It'll work out, trust me.

Today was the first of the Summer Tropical Drinks class. It was also the day I met the fourth Alison of the past month - although the Detective Fiction one is Allyson, the different spelling isn't really enough to differentiate in my head, so she's getting lumped in (I wonder if she'll mind that?). One of the others is in my bartending class, the other is housemate Andrew's girlfriend, whom I met before meeting Andrew. And this doesn't count the Alison linked - I've known her for years now, which disqualifies her. (On a separate note, it seems like almost any time I go out with a girl these days, it turns out Alison #1 was their CS 134 tutor. And she likes them. Which is nice.) What's the point of this? It seems that, in general, Alisons (and Allysons) are hot. And yet - that's not where my focus is right now.

What's the CD? Louis XIV's The Best Little Secrets Are Kept. Picked it up on Thursday, along with Gorillaz's Demon Days. The Best Little Secrets Are Kept is about sex.

On Wednesday I was sitting on King Street, reading. Two girls, too colourful to be goth, are walking by - one stops. She's managed to make blue hair look good. "You've got such cool shoes!" "Oh my god, you're right!" the other coos. I smile. "Thank you!" The girls smile back and continue on. Meanwhile, Hank Pym is chased off the Triskelion by Captain America. My cell phone rings, it's the Nokia tune - Jenn must've changed it when she was playing with it. She's jealous because her cell phone sucks.

Tuesday, May 31st, I'm going to see The Killers in concert in Toronto. Opening for them are Tegan and Sara and Louis XIV. I don't know from Tegan and Sara. Cressa likes them; I'm more excited about Louis XIV. Their CD is good. I hope they don't suck in person.

Three margueritas today, one of which was frozen. Summer Tropical Drinks is good times. So it seems that me and tequila are on speaking terms again - but that doesn't mean I'll be doing tequila shots with you. Tough.

It was Cressa on the phone, she had gotten a table at the Huether patio already. High above the street, it's one of my favourite patios, and the entire thing is one of my favourite places to eat. I was reading for too long. Damn. We get beer, splitting a couple of pitchers of Adlys Ale over the next two hours. We tell some tequila stories, among other things. Neither of us are good with tequila.

The worst part of the marguerita? The salt along the rim with the lack of a straw on the shaken ones. The salt cleanses the palate, but I don't want that every sip. Alison, this one with red hair dyed black, doesn't like the salt either - she wants a straw too.

I think how much I like coffee. The best stuff is earthy.

Louis XIV, melodically, puts me in mind of Franz Ferdinand. They also inspired a post. "Finding Out True Love is Blind" is full of lyrics like "I want miss little smart girl with your glasses and all your books" - the rest follow the same kind of structure. The group from San Diego is as obsessed with sex as a teenager - every song is like that. If that offends you, you won't like it. Otherwise, if you like the 80's retro rock sound from bands like Franz Ferdinand, you'll like this.

After dinner with Cressa, I walk home; she goes south, I go north - she and John live in Kitchener, while I'm on Cedarbrae. It was after nine, but it's still light out. Summer's great. I'm hoping for the best.

Kumasta ka? I'm good.

DC Comics is putting out what they call "All-Star" versions of Superman and Batman, where they put the best creators behind, IMO, the best characters. Thus Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely doing Superman, and Frank Miller and Jim Lee on Batman. Which makes me happy, but I think there's something missing...

And so, I am hereby announcing my push for All-Star Prez.

This is a nerd post. It treads fanboy ground, and where fanboys go, angels fear to tread.

Star Wars is not science fiction.

There. I said it. I don't expect backlash, since my audience is limited and a portion of it would care more about what I did on Sunday night then my geeky thoughts on a movie series. Let's face it though - the last time I had a substantial post, it was ALSO about a movie.

Obviously, you can't say "Star Wars is not science fiction" and not back it up. Fortunately, this contention is neither new nor groundbreaking, so I can cite sources. (CAN. Not will) But it's something I want to write about.

First of all, we have to define science fiction. Here's what the wikipedia science fiction entry says "In defining the scope of the science fiction genre, we speak of the effect of science or technology, or both, upon society or persons". And here's where Star Wars breaks down. Star Wars isn't about any of that. There are elements of that - the line "That's not a moon, it's a space station!" leads to the examination of the introduction of a superweapon, the Death Star, into a society in rebellion. But this also is a perfect illustration of why Star Wars isn't science fiction - while this makes a wonderful fable, science fiction would examine the effect this had on guerilla warfare - either the galvanizing (or cowing...) effect the use of such a weapon would have on terrorists/freedom fighters.

Instead, Luke Skywalker uses the Force to shoot the Death Star in a weak spot, like David's faith guiding his aim in hitting Goliath in the eye with his slignshot, in causing its destruction. Any effect this monster of technology is to have on society is subsumed by the Boy's Own Adventure of Luke becoming a fighter pilot in a grand rebellion. The science of Star Wars doesn't have a background, instead it exists to play up the fantasy of Star Wars while simultaneously covering up its closer relations to something like The Lord of the Rings, the prototype for much of modern pulp-style fantasy. Hell, Star Wars has more in common with Indiana Jones than Star Trek. Star Wars and Indy concern themselves with the adventure. Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings are about the battle with the Dark Lord. Star Wars and Star Trek? They both have spaceships.

Star Trek examines the society of the future through the lens of the crew - much of the best Trek ("Errand of Mercy," "The Inner Light," and the last half of Star Trek: Deep Space 9, for example) concerns itself with societal change. Star Wars is less concerned with it's thematic structure, and more with the adventure and fantasy. Obviously, it connects with us in a primeval way by following Joseph Campbell's mythological structure of the hero's journey, which in itself bears thematic connotations. But Star Wars never approaches the purview of science fiction - instead, it is a space-opera fantasy.

I am Excited. I do not know exactly Why.

For those desiring an explanation: the Saddest Wookiee.

Moo ha ha.


I took the most accurate villain personality test
created by: The Arch Villainess Gracie

"And wipe the protocol droid's memory."

Two unconnected things:

Star Wars Horoscope for Virgo

You show efficiency when working for a good cause. But you tend to be a bit fussy when it comes to doing something out of the ordinary. Like many Virgos, you want to stay out of the spotlight. You do well at picking up the smallest details. Star wars character you are most like: C3P0

What is Your Star Wars Horoscope?

So yeah. I don't think that's a good idea.

I want it. I'll never get it, though. And not in a PSP-way, rather a I-have-that-three-times-over-already kinda way.

There are the three other contenders for my dollars, the PS3, XBox 360 and Nintendo Revolution, but none of them excite me at all yet. We'll see what happens when they hit.

I can't believe it. Just like last night's episode of the Simpsons, sexyslumberparty.com. I mean, I'm not surprised it exists, just... click the link. Trust me, it'll be okay.

My cell is back in business. 572.1376.

Bored:

Your Political Profile

Overall: 30% Conservative, 70% Liberal

Social Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

How Liberal / Conservative Are You?

So a nutjob Conservative, in Canadian terms. Gotcha.

Your Birthdate: September 14

With a birthday on the 14th of the month (5 energy) you are inclined to work well with people and enjoy them. You are talented and versatile, very good at presenting ideas, and you are also very good at organization and systematizing. You may have a tendency to get itchy feet at times and need change and travel. You tend to be very progressive, imaginative and adaptable. Your mind is quick, clever and analytical. A restlessness in your nature may make you a bit impatient and easily bored with routine, and rebel against it. You have a tendency to shirk responsibility.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to good manners and elegance.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage pessimistically. You don't think happy marriages exist anymore.

In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Eh. That's enough for now.

Blast. The blackout and the subsequent immovable Bomber line when the power came back wrecked things.

I may have embarrassed myself by leaving my cell phone in my jeans as they went into the laundry, but at least I'm not this girl and about to be embarrassed all over the internets.

I put my cell phone through the wash. yeah. Should have a new one at the end of the week; in the meantime, I am reachable at home by phone at 519.885.6358. Don't leave a message on the phone, I won't get it. Also, feel free to try twice, it goes to message at an annoyingly short three rings.

I recommend using my e-mail if you need to reach me during the day. The phone will be fine most evenings. I'll let you know when the new cell arrives.

Watched Kingdom of Heaven tonight. Thought it was pretty good.

What's the movie about? War in the Holy Land. Only eight hundred years ago. Here's a great site on the Crusades. It's important to note that the time period is actually BETWEEN the second and third crusades - this is the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Background important to the movie begins with Baldwin IV, the movie itself begins with Succession Woes and runs to -- HISTORICAL-STYLE SPOILER ALERT! -- Fall of Jerusalem. A bunch of bits are cut out, like any mention of Baldwin V, and Orlando Bloom plays Balian, so our focus is on his character. But it seems the history is pretty reasonable. Not great, but better than I expected.

What's interesting about the movie is that both Christian and Moslem factions are played pretty even-handedly. Both sides have their fanatics, and on that regard I'd have to say the Moslems come off looking a little better, no doubt due to the strong leader in Saladin and their relative lack of on-screen politicking. Balian is on the side of the Christians, so it is obvious who we're intended to root for. His ultimate goal is to save the people rather than Defend the Holy Land, so we do.

It's gory at times, Orlando Bloom had but one expression the entire movie, and the cursory love story was pretty extraneous, but all-in-all, quite enjoyable.

Posts are like waiting for a bus - you wait for ages and then a bunch all show up at the same time.

This is interesting. So what if the winner had years worth of experience on the teenage girl? When you learned your trade in 1927, you're not as fast as you used to be.

The guy who found the finger in his frozen yoghurt? He kept the finger. Yes, that's a link to the corporate website's official response, but you don't frigging fabricate that he held on to the finger - it's pretty easy to show that "hey! He kept the finger!"

It makes me sad that he did not do everything in his power to get it to the hospital, where perhaps it could have been reattached. At the very worst, don't think about your lawsuit, think about that guy suing you.

God damn it.