(no subject)

* There's been more negotiation between Syria and the UN. I'm not convinced that anything real will be done to stop the genocide, but I'd love to be surprised. It's nice to see Hillary Clinton out working to stop it though. I have a whole lot of problems with the Clintons over a bunch of stuff that happened in the '90's, but I have huge respect for both of them when it comes to political intelligence and foreign policy just generally. I may not trust either of them when it comes to domestic policy, but it's hugely reassuring to me to have someone as tough and able as Mrs. Clinton out negotiating to try to help the Syrian people.

A Sunni general has defected. There is hope that Sunni officers might follow suit.

* I forgot to mention, that in the UK MI5 has busted two terrorist cells and is investigating further.

* Mitt Romney would like to remind all the people in the Midwest and South who have been without power for a week that if he were President he would prevent wasteful stimulus spending on infrastructure upgrades like burying the powerlines to prevent power loss. After all, which is more helpful to the average person, electricity to run the refrigerator in July and job creation, or tax cuts for the super wealthy and corporate welfare? Tax cuts for the rich and corporate welfare obviously, right?

* "Manitoba Trans Human Rights Code Expansion Bill Gets Royal Assent:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2012/07/manitoba-trans-human-rights-code.html

* Hector's been escalating since the 4th. It took hours of drama to get him to eat and take a nap today. I do not think the occasional random mortar outside in the driveway is helping.

* Squirrel and I (separately and together) watched a lot of movies that I've been trying to figure out how to write about. Here is the best I managed:

1. Prometheus: ( No spoilers: )

2. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter ( Structural spoilers, but no real plot detail )

So problematic and unpleasant and just generally something to avoid.

3. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: ( I can't explain what's wrong with this without telling you huge spoilers: )

I just... there really was enough to like here that I wish they had had a bigger, better vision, instead of falling back on the same old, same old cliched problematic bullshit.

4. Spider man: I did not see this one, Squirrel did. Everything I'd heard about the film made me want to avoid it. According to Squirrel, it's actually significantly more incompetent than even I expected it to be, with gigantic plot holes and boneheaded continuity issues such as breaking glass in a scene and having the glass magically unbroken later in the same scene. No thanks.

The thing is, I'm bored with Spider Man anyway. ( Cut for length, under the cut I talk about what's wrong with Spiderman as he currently is written and ways to fix that that Marvel will definitely never adopt: )

(no subject)

* Today Libya had their first free elections. They were picking a legislature to start the process of forming a government.

* More on Debtor's prison in the US as a way to increase the tax burden on the poor and create a permanent underclass: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46979738/vp/48104425#48104425

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* Fighting back against illegal practices that land poor people in Debtor's prison: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46979738/vp/48104466#48104466

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* It turns out Mitt Romney thinks that George W. Bush's economic policies didn't do nearly enough damage to the economy as his economic plan is all about doubling down on the discredited "trickle down" economic theory. Sigh: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/melissa-harris-perry/46419672#48104344

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* "Yollada Getting Drama Already:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2012/07/yollada-getting-drama-already.html

* Today was my idea of perfect weather. Not to hot, not too cold, high pale clouds, a breeze blowing over the hill from the bay. I took one of my special real sugar root beers, a book needing finishing, and a folding chair out on the patio and let the black cats have a ramble. Unfortunately, late in the walk, a bee showed up who really liked my BPAL. I am allergic, but haven't possessed an epipen in something like a decade. I am not phobic, and am one of those people who sits still and lets the bee buzz about until it loses interest rather than flailing about in order to encourage it to sting. Still, I am not particularly happy having a bee brushing against my neck. All this would have been fine, except Mache had just gone inside and the screen door was still cracked. Hector chose this moment to make his break for freedom. By the time I'd unhooked The Butt from my ankle, carefully set down the book, and slowly edged away from the extremely persistent bee, Hector had lept the garden wall. He saw me coming and beelined for the parking lot. I stood there calling him, knowing damned well that by the time I'd gotten out the step ladder, hobbled up it, and tried to shamble after him, he could be long gone. I also knew he generally comes when called and is terrified of the big blue room, what with him having been abandoned in it to starve as a kitten. My gamble paid off, and he was soon galloping right back in utter terror of the great outdoors. He zipped inside, I crooned praises and gave him the pettins once he'd calmed down enough to take them. (I never yell at a cat for escaping, as it discourages them from returning; I always praise and make a fuss over a cat who comes back inside when called in order to reward the coming back in when called behavior. Cat psych 101 and why I hardly ever have trouble getting them to come back in.) I finished my short story with the bee "helping", then got the Butt back in. Well, the first half hour was relaxing at least.

BTW, my system of supervised walks in good weather out back has had my hoped for effect of redirecting the black cat interest in escape to the back door. Neither of them have darted out the front door between someone's legs in the this calendar year so far. They will come greet Squirrel or I when we return from errands or what ever, but while still under foot are under foot inside instead of escaping and needing chasing. This is much safer for everyone involved. They can generally be persuaded to back up and let us carry packages inside, and there is less risk of bad things happening to them, like one of them not getting caught and being trapped outside with cars and wildlife.

* Cleolinda's Spider Man review explains so much: http://cleolinda.livejournal.com/1028689.html?style=mine#cutid1

I'm definitely not going to see it, but I'm glad I read that.

* "The Land of Stories: When the fourth wall is a doorway:" http://lettersfromtitan.com/2012/07/06/the-land-of-stories-when-the-fourth-wall-is-a-doorway/

* "What do Disney princesses and urban fantasy girls have in common?:" http://seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com/452136.html

* I thoroughly endorse this review of "Chicks Kick Butt:" http://big-wired.livejournal.com/294516.html?view=481140&style=mine#t481140

* Word: http://neo-prodigy.livejournal.com/1077699.html

* Bwahahahaha! http://xkcd.com/1078/

(no subject)

* Today Libya had their first free elections. They were picking a legislature to start the process of forming a government.

* More on Debtor's prison in the US as a way to increase the tax burden on the poor and create a permanent underclass: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46979738/vp/48104425#48104425

( Embed: )

* Fighting back against illegal practices that land poor people in Debtor's prison: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46979738/vp/48104466#48104466

( Embed: )

* It turns out Mitt Romney thinks that George W. Bush's economic policies didn't do nearly enough damage to the economy as his economic plan is all about doubling down on the discredited "trickle down" economic theory. Sigh: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/melissa-harris-perry/46419672#48104344

( Embed: )

* "Yollada Getting Drama Already:" http://transgriot.blogspot.com/2012/07/yollada-getting-drama-already.html

* Today was my idea of perfect weather. Not to hot, not too cold, high pale clouds, a breeze blowing over the hill from the bay. I took one of my special real sugar root beers, a book needing finishing, and a folding chair out on the patio and let the black cats have a ramble. Unfortunately, late in the walk, a bee showed up who really liked my BPAL. I am allergic, but haven't possessed an epipen in something like a decade. I am not phobic, and am one of those people who sits still and lets the bee buzz about until it loses interest rather than flailing about in order to encourage it to sting. Still, I am not particularly happy having a bee brushing against my neck. All this would have been fine, except Mache had just gone inside and the screen door was still cracked. Hector chose this moment to make his break for freedom. By the time I'd unhooked The Butt from my ankle, carefully set down the book, and slowly edged away from the extremely persistent bee, Hector had lept the garden wall. He saw me coming and beelined for the parking lot. I stood there calling him, knowing damned well that by the time I'd gotten out the step ladder, hobbled up it, and tried to shamble after him, he could be long gone. I also knew he generally comes when called and is terrified of the big blue room, what with him having been abandoned in it to starve as a kitten. My gamble paid off, and he was soon galloping right back in utter terror of the great outdoors. He zipped inside, I crooned praises and gave him the pettins once he'd calmed down enough to take them. (I never yell at a cat for escaping, as it discourages them from returning; I always praise and make a fuss over a cat who comes back inside when called in order to reward the coming back in when called behavior. Cat psych 101 and why I hardly ever have trouble getting them to come back in.) I finished my short story with the bee "helping", then got the Butt back in. Well, the first half hour was relaxing at least.

BTW, my system of supervised walks in good weather out back has had my hoped for effect of redirecting the black cat interest in escape to the back door. Neither of them have darted out the front door between someone's legs in the this calendar year so far. They will come greet Squirrel or I when we return from errands or what ever, but while still under foot are under foot inside instead of escaping and needing chasing. This is much safer for everyone involved. They can generally be persuaded to back up and let us carry packages inside, and there is less risk of bad things happening to them, like one of them not getting caught and being trapped outside with cars and wildlife.

* Cleolinda's Spider Man review explains so much: http://cleolinda.livejournal.com/1028689.html?style=mine#cutid1

I'm definitely not going to see it, but I'm glad I read that.

* "The Land of Stories: When the fourth wall is a doorway:" http://lettersfromtitan.com/2012/07/06/the-land-of-stories-when-the-fourth-wall-is-a-doorway/

* "What do Disney princesses and urban fantasy girls have in common?:" http://seanan-mcguire.livejournal.com/452136.html

* I thoroughly endorse this review of "Chicks Kick Butt:" http://big-wired.livejournal.com/294516.html?view=481140&style=mine#t481140

* Word: http://neo-prodigy.livejournal.com/1077699.html

* Bwahahahaha! http://xkcd.com/1078/

(no subject)

* This shows that even though Republicans like Mitt Romney's demand we fire large numbers of Firefighters on the grounds that firing people magically "creates jobs," its a bad idea because (Surprise!) we need firefighters.: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/melissa-harris-perry/46419672#48104630

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* According to a Right Wing Think Tank preventing rape costs to much so we shouldn't do it: http://bonjoursex.tumblr.com/post/25744175953/right-wing-group-protections-to-prevent-prison-rape

* It turns out an Australian Salvation Army Spokesman is calling for all LGBT folk to be put to death: http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2012/06/26448/

Yes, I've heard there's been a non-apology, but I'm suspecting communication not "miscommunication."

* In case anyone is interested in the Zumi soap experiments, the soap does melt quickly, despite me keeping it outside the shower in an open container that lets it dry thoroughly between uses. The texture on my skin is amazing though. For serious, I love handling it. It turns out that Eucalyptus is smaller, less concentrated levels, decoupled from peppermint and menthol, is woodier and perfectly bearable. It's not a scent I'd pick, but it really is acceptable in soap if nothing better is available. I am rather dreading the Lavender peppermint which is next in queue. I love lavender, but peppermint on me is like salt on slugs. I am hoping it will be softer when wet, like the Eucalyptus and hence less unpleasant than toothpaste, but I am not sanguine. There are less overload triggering scents in zumi according to Amazon, and I find the idea of sampling them tempting because I'm a sucker for the right texture. No money for those experiments, alas.

* Mr. Skorkin explains why he writes that way: http://www.gq.com/entertainment/tv/blogs/the-stream/2012/06/how-to-write-a-monologue-like-aaron-sorkin.html

* A really interesting conversation about sex positive feminism and porn: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/melissa-harris-perry/46419672#48105125 Pt. 2: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/melissa-harris-perry/46419672#48105138

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* I've been watching a bunch of old Mythbusters. Until this season, I watched episodes at random and missed a lot. For example, I saw Kari when she was pregnant, but not the episodes with her replacement. Now I know I say I'm attracted to two out of five Mythbusters, but my lack of sexual interest does not mean I don't love watching Kari on the show. She's fun and intelligent and competent and like blowing stuff up, all of which I very much appreciate. Still, I don't think I realized how crucial she was to the chemistry of the show until she was replaced by a perfectly nice competent lady who simply didn't have the same chemistry with the other presenters. I mean, it's really obvious that show wouldn't be even close to as fun without the Jamie/Adam dynamic, but I think Kari is the same kind of necessary to make the show pop.

(no subject)

* This shows that even though Republicans like Mitt Romney's demand we fire large numbers of Firefighters on the grounds that firing people magically "creates jobs," its a bad idea because (Surprise!) we need firefighters.: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/melissa-harris-perry/46419672#48104630

( Embed: )

* According to a Right Wing Think Tank preventing rape costs to much so we shouldn't do it: http://bonjoursex.tumblr.com/post/25744175953/right-wing-group-protections-to-prevent-prison-rape

* It turns out an Australian Salvation Army Spokesman is calling for all LGBT folk to be put to death: http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2012/06/26448/

Yes, I've heard there's been a non-apology, but I'm suspecting communication not "miscommunication."

* In case anyone is interested in the Zumi soap experiments, the soap does melt quickly, despite me keeping it outside the shower in an open container that lets it dry thoroughly between uses. The texture on my skin is amazing though. For serious, I love handling it. It turns out that Eucalyptus is smaller, less concentrated levels, decoupled from peppermint and menthol, is woodier and perfectly bearable. It's not a scent I'd pick, but it really is acceptable in soap if nothing better is available. I am rather dreading the Lavender peppermint which is next in queue. I love lavender, but peppermint on me is like salt on slugs. I am hoping it will be softer when wet, like the Eucalyptus and hence less unpleasant than toothpaste, but I am not sanguine. There are less overload triggering scents in zumi according to Amazon, and I find the idea of sampling them tempting because I'm a sucker for the right texture. No money for those experiments, alas.

* Mr. Skorkin explains why he writes that way: http://www.gq.com/entertainment/tv/blogs/the-stream/2012/06/how-to-write-a-monologue-like-aaron-sorkin.html

* A really interesting conversation about sex positive feminism and porn: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/melissa-harris-perry/46419672#48105125 Pt. 2: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/melissa-harris-perry/46419672#48105138

( Embed: )

* I've been watching a bunch of old Mythbusters. Until this season, I watched episodes at random and missed a lot. For example, I saw Kari when she was pregnant, but not the episodes with her replacement. Now I know I say I'm attracted to two out of five Mythbusters, but my lack of sexual interest does not mean I don't love watching Kari on the show. She's fun and intelligent and competent and like blowing stuff up, all of which I very much appreciate. Still, I don't think I realized how crucial she was to the chemistry of the show until she was replaced by a perfectly nice competent lady who simply didn't have the same chemistry with the other presenters. I mean, it's really obvious that show wouldn't be even close to as fun without the Jamie/Adam dynamic, but I think Kari is the same kind of necessary to make the show pop.