Rogue Shakespeare Stout
This stuff is amazing. I tried it recently...it's rich and flavorful, yet it goes down astoundingly smoothly. So, I'm sharing the joy, and urging everyone to go out and get a bottle.
Friday, December 29, 2006
tis the season
Rogue Shakespeare Stout
This stuff is amazing. I tried it recently...it's rich and flavorful, yet it goes down astoundingly smoothly. So, I'm sharing the joy, and urging everyone to go out and get a bottle.
Friday, December 22, 2006
prostitution
Along the lines of Mark's recent legalization post, another question of legalization: prostitution?
I tend to think it should be legal for a few reasons:
1) Consent issues aside, the government does not belong in the bedroom. In fact, nobody really ought to be judging the sexual habits of others. They are personal choices on the level of scale...with lifestyle choices such as no sexual contact before marriage, no sexual intercourse before marriage, monogamy, promiscuity...and who cares? Truthfully, I worry more about a choice to abstain sex before marriage than promiscuity, seeing as it may stupidly push a young couple into marriage. Sure, prostitution is something different in that in many cases it involves sex not necessarily for pleasure (though there are "female empowerment" advocates who believe that stripping and prostitution can be empowering), and for other reasons that nobody seems to be able to put into words for me (a clear sign of blind beliefs without logic), but who are we to judge, much less the government?
2) Would I rather have my law enforcement agency spending time and tax dollars on preventing violent crimes or prostitution?
3) The main motivation, in my opinion, is for the well being of the prostitutes and clients. Let's face it, prostitution is going to happen no matter what. Some say that it's the oldest profession. I'm sure we've all read some Bible stories, it wss definitely around . Why not have unions to protect the rights of prostitutes? Why not regulate the trade for things like STD's? And perhaps most importantly, why should a prostitute be afraid to call the police when s/he is in danger?
So, agree or disagree/why or why not? I'd be curious to hear opionions from everybody...so, if you're a quiet lurker, or have stumbled upon this, please comment. I'm hoping to slightly recover from my shock after arguing about this with a kid at work today, and after talking about safety, hearing him say "who cares if they're killed? They're prostitutes." But, if that's a common opinion, I'd be interested to find out.
I tend to think it should be legal for a few reasons:
1) Consent issues aside, the government does not belong in the bedroom. In fact, nobody really ought to be judging the sexual habits of others. They are personal choices on the level of scale...with lifestyle choices such as no sexual contact before marriage, no sexual intercourse before marriage, monogamy, promiscuity...and who cares? Truthfully, I worry more about a choice to abstain sex before marriage than promiscuity, seeing as it may stupidly push a young couple into marriage. Sure, prostitution is something different in that in many cases it involves sex not necessarily for pleasure (though there are "female empowerment" advocates who believe that stripping and prostitution can be empowering), and for other reasons that nobody seems to be able to put into words for me (a clear sign of blind beliefs without logic), but who are we to judge, much less the government?
2) Would I rather have my law enforcement agency spending time and tax dollars on preventing violent crimes or prostitution?
3) The main motivation, in my opinion, is for the well being of the prostitutes and clients. Let's face it, prostitution is going to happen no matter what. Some say that it's the oldest profession. I'm sure we've all read some Bible stories, it wss definitely around . Why not have unions to protect the rights of prostitutes? Why not regulate the trade for things like STD's? And perhaps most importantly, why should a prostitute be afraid to call the police when s/he is in danger?
So, agree or disagree/why or why not? I'd be curious to hear opionions from everybody...so, if you're a quiet lurker, or have stumbled upon this, please comment. I'm hoping to slightly recover from my shock after arguing about this with a kid at work today, and after talking about safety, hearing him say "who cares if they're killed? They're prostitutes." But, if that's a common opinion, I'd be interested to find out.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
memes
Killing two tagged memes with one stone:
random questionnaire
1. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
I like it closed, but I often keep it cracked open for Leo to wander in and out.
2. What was the weather like on your graduation day?
moderate, if I remember correctly
3. What kind of winter coat do you own?
Wow this is random. Well, seeing as I'm in California, I don't need a dedicated parka. So, fleece, sweaters, etc.
4. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?
California Greens plenary, a few months or so ago
5. Where do you keep your change?
my wallet?
6. Describe your keychains?
A very grabbable college lanyyard with bike lock, barn, condo, house back home, and pool keys
7. What is your favorite flavor of jelly?
boysenberry or peach
8. Some things you are excited about?
Friends are home during winter break, I can hopefully go home at some point, and a friend's wedding.
9. Do you re-use towels after you shower?
For about a week.
10. Have you ever been in a planetarium?
Yeah, they're fun.
11. Have you ever received one of those big tins with three kinds of popcorn?
Yes, they're awesome, but the caramel goes so much quicker than the others.
12. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?
Nice cold Northern California pacific...yeah. Not an ocean, but the Mediterranean, at least in Israel, SUCKS for hair. And skin/smell.
13. Any plans for Friday night?
Not really. I'm lame. Shabbas candles? Last Friday night was occupied by Scrabble. I'm lame.
14. What is out your back door?
Small backyard, then small street, then greenbelt. I love where I live.
15. What's the most painful dental procedure you've ever had?
My wisdom teeth being removed, I was knocked out, but I was bleeding for over 24 hours and in bed for a few days.
16. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
That or other things
17. Who did you lose your concert virginity to?
Honestly, I don't know, I went with my mom to little things since I was a kid, and then in high school I of course saw my friends' bands, and I'd see free stuff in parks and at Amoeba. And of course the SF symphony. I think my first REAL concert was Tea Leaf Green.
18. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machine?
What kind of a question is that? There must be more to it, like "just randomly," or "so you can hear it later." But the answer to the question is yes, of course, that whole contact thing is sort of the point.
19. How many different beverages have you had today?
Coffee, cherry cider, water, and a Pyramid Apricot Heffeweizen (not as bad as I expected, the fruitiness wasn't sickening...it almost added as a contrast to the lightly roasted flavor...try it)
20. Last thing you recieved in the mail?
I might have gotten a bill or something boring since, but I'm counting Mark's awesome Phil Lesh and Friends Live at the Warfield CD's (thank you!)
21. Have you had to take out a loan for school?
Of course (unfortunately)
22. Do you have any famous ancestors?
Not that I know of
23. Your prom night?
It ended an hour or two after prom. I'd say prom was fun (beautiful place with a nice view and friends, and dressing up and getting your boyfriend in a tux is kinda fun), but the afterparty was fairly lame. Supposedly we left before all the fun happened. I still think after-prom time is overrated. High schoolers party all the time (no matter how lame it is) , and who wants to lose their virginity in such a cliche way?
24. Do you know all the words to the song on your MySpace profile?
Oh, I get it, this thing is for high schoolers. I don't have a myspace.
24. Are you any good at math?
Yeah, I'm pretty good, but it generally bores me.
25. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Lying in bed, checking email and cuddling with Leo.
26. What were you doing this morning at 8 AM?
Sleeping. Got a problem?
27. When was the last time you shaved?
About a month ago. I usually don't wear anything other than pants in the winter.
28. Explain what ended your last relationship.
I think I mentioned earlier that I was boring. It didn't end. I've been working on my first one for about four years now.
Tagged meme #2
I guess I'm like you, Mark
Which Historical Lunatic Are You?
From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey.
Now, since I had to suffer, I'm making everyone else suffer. Do them or bad things may or may not happen to somebody.
random questionnaire
1. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
I like it closed, but I often keep it cracked open for Leo to wander in and out.
2. What was the weather like on your graduation day?
moderate, if I remember correctly
3. What kind of winter coat do you own?
Wow this is random. Well, seeing as I'm in California, I don't need a dedicated parka. So, fleece, sweaters, etc.
4. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?
California Greens plenary, a few months or so ago
5. Where do you keep your change?
my wallet?
6. Describe your keychains?
A very grabbable college lanyyard with bike lock, barn, condo, house back home, and pool keys
7. What is your favorite flavor of jelly?
boysenberry or peach
8. Some things you are excited about?
Friends are home during winter break, I can hopefully go home at some point, and a friend's wedding.
9. Do you re-use towels after you shower?
For about a week.
10. Have you ever been in a planetarium?
Yeah, they're fun.
11. Have you ever received one of those big tins with three kinds of popcorn?
Yes, they're awesome, but the caramel goes so much quicker than the others.
12. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?
Nice cold Northern California pacific...yeah. Not an ocean, but the Mediterranean, at least in Israel, SUCKS for hair. And skin/smell.
13. Any plans for Friday night?
Not really. I'm lame. Shabbas candles? Last Friday night was occupied by Scrabble. I'm lame.
14. What is out your back door?
Small backyard, then small street, then greenbelt. I love where I live.
15. What's the most painful dental procedure you've ever had?
My wisdom teeth being removed, I was knocked out, but I was bleeding for over 24 hours and in bed for a few days.
16. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?
That or other things
17. Who did you lose your concert virginity to?
Honestly, I don't know, I went with my mom to little things since I was a kid, and then in high school I of course saw my friends' bands, and I'd see free stuff in parks and at Amoeba. And of course the SF symphony. I think my first REAL concert was Tea Leaf Green.
18. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machine?
What kind of a question is that? There must be more to it, like "just randomly," or "so you can hear it later." But the answer to the question is yes, of course, that whole contact thing is sort of the point.
19. How many different beverages have you had today?
Coffee, cherry cider, water, and a Pyramid Apricot Heffeweizen (not as bad as I expected, the fruitiness wasn't sickening...it almost added as a contrast to the lightly roasted flavor...try it)
20. Last thing you recieved in the mail?
I might have gotten a bill or something boring since, but I'm counting Mark's awesome Phil Lesh and Friends Live at the Warfield CD's (thank you!)
21. Have you had to take out a loan for school?
Of course (unfortunately)
22. Do you have any famous ancestors?
Not that I know of
23. Your prom night?
It ended an hour or two after prom. I'd say prom was fun (beautiful place with a nice view and friends, and dressing up and getting your boyfriend in a tux is kinda fun), but the afterparty was fairly lame. Supposedly we left before all the fun happened. I still think after-prom time is overrated. High schoolers party all the time (no matter how lame it is) , and who wants to lose their virginity in such a cliche way?
24. Do you know all the words to the song on your MySpace profile?
Oh, I get it, this thing is for high schoolers. I don't have a myspace.
24. Are you any good at math?
Yeah, I'm pretty good, but it generally bores me.
25. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Lying in bed, checking email and cuddling with Leo.
26. What were you doing this morning at 8 AM?
Sleeping. Got a problem?
27. When was the last time you shaved?
About a month ago. I usually don't wear anything other than pants in the winter.
28. Explain what ended your last relationship.
I think I mentioned earlier that I was boring. It didn't end. I've been working on my first one for about four years now.
Tagged meme #2
I guess I'm like you, Mark
Which Historical Lunatic Are You?
From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey.
Now, since I had to suffer, I'm making everyone else suffer. Do them or bad things may or may not happen to somebody.
Friday, December 08, 2006
update
Yes, there has been a long gap between posts. The past month has been ridiculously busy, with additions such as a friend crashing in my living room (apparently breaking up with your girlfriend when you live together is complicated...who knew?), ridiculously tedious post-labs, work pushing me to full time (plus farmers markets), missed protests (damned misinformation), Thanksgiving at home (thank god for Leo to keep my sanity), and relationship woes (fortunately not mine, unfortunately from people who like to whine for hours about them).
But I figured I'd make sure everyone knew I was still alive. So here's my time to complain...about my favorite customer of the day.
A woman in line steps up to the counter, while I'm helping somebody else. I can tell by the snotty look and upturned nose that she thinks she owns everything. Likely not helped by clearly expensive designer coat, indicative of wealth. She is clearly impatient, and in order to get her out of the store as quickly as I can, I ask her what she would like while the customer in front of her is gathering his things. "One levain," she says, much like one would expect a patrician to order a plebian in ancient Rome...yet I had to gleefully note to myself that she had mispronounced "levain." I ring her up and put the bread on the counter. It was quite easily in her reach, certainly a tad closer to me, but right where one would expect a cashier to put down something when they are helping two customers with a line out of the door. I say, "have a nice day," and in an even snootier, more condescending way than before she says "MY BREAD?" I almost slipped. I was very close to asking "do you have arms?" Luckily the brain-mouth filter picked it up just in time.
But I figured I'd make sure everyone knew I was still alive. So here's my time to complain...about my favorite customer of the day.
A woman in line steps up to the counter, while I'm helping somebody else. I can tell by the snotty look and upturned nose that she thinks she owns everything. Likely not helped by clearly expensive designer coat, indicative of wealth. She is clearly impatient, and in order to get her out of the store as quickly as I can, I ask her what she would like while the customer in front of her is gathering his things. "One levain," she says, much like one would expect a patrician to order a plebian in ancient Rome...yet I had to gleefully note to myself that she had mispronounced "levain." I ring her up and put the bread on the counter. It was quite easily in her reach, certainly a tad closer to me, but right where one would expect a cashier to put down something when they are helping two customers with a line out of the door. I say, "have a nice day," and in an even snootier, more condescending way than before she says "MY BREAD?" I almost slipped. I was very close to asking "do you have arms?" Luckily the brain-mouth filter picked it up just in time.
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