[ f e c k l e s s ]
Monday, July 29
Sex Aid: Porn to Save the Third WorldHarvey is often asked how he squares his philanthropic work with his role as a purveyor of pornography. "I don't see a conflict," he says bluntly. "As the publication of my book made clear, I'm proud of what I sell and I have no reservation about publicizing it. Why be defensive? I sell products that provide sexual education and sexual pleasure. Period. And I must say that in twenty-five years, we have never, to my knowledge, lost a grant or donation because of my work with Adam & Eve."(10:47 AM | #)
Sunday, July 28
I really, really, really, really don't like job hunting. In case it wasn't clear.
On the other hand, I'm liking the whole Burlesque thing that's been hitting San Francisco. A number of my friends and acquaintances seem to be getting involved in burlesque troupes, and, there's going to be a big convention in September that looks like a lot of fun. (We're going to miss it, due to a . . . prior engagement.) We did get to see a friend's troupe in their first performance, and it was a hoot. Strip-teases, Applause Girls, fan dances, the whole bit. (OK, so I didn't really get the improv comedy troupe. But I usually don't.) This is a new fad I can happily support.
(10:15 PM | #)
Wednesday, July 24
Columbine and Mary Anne talk about a debate about genre in science fiction sparked by a review of a new Karen Joy Fowler short story based in part on an old James Tiptree story.
If you haven't been reading Columbine, Mary Anne, Karen Joy Fowler, or James Tiptree . . . you should. You should also be reading Samuel Delany's essays on genre, because he's wiser and more lucid on the subject than I could ever be.
(4:02 PM | #)
Monday, July 22
Inspired by the view of the Safeway sign, the Shining Beacon of Gorceries, which can be seen rising to the heavens from the vantagepoint of lower Clinton Park.
Safeway in the Sky
When I'm hungry and there's an ache in my chest
Gonna go to the place that's not best
When I'm so hungry I could lay down and die
Goin' on up to the Safeway in the sky.(8:52 PM | #)
Sunday, July 21
(more thoughts on the future we signed up for)
I'm going to make a (possibly ill-advised) analogy here. In the Mars Trilogy, Kim Stanley Robinson lays out a pretty persuasive roadmap for one path humanity could take toward a better human society. It's science fiction, of course, and includes the right blend of optimism (there are people out there who will spend their lives working toward a better future and they can have an effect) and cynicism (it will take a couple of staggeringly large disasters to wake up the majority of the planet from stupidity and short-sightedness). There are three Martian revolutions, one per book. The first is unplanned, unorganized, idealistic, and run by a small group of scientists who are extraordinarily intelligent but have spent their whole lives disdaining politics. They have no cohesive organizing structure, they have no solid communications network, they have no concrete goals, and they have no idea what the large number of people who have followed in their wake and taken advantage of their leadership actually want. This revolution fails.
The second revolution fixes a lot of these problems, and succeeds, at least for long enough to start building the infrastructure of a new society. The third revolution is primarily a social one, and serves to carry the Martian ideas out to the wider world.
We (and we know who we are, even if we can't put a useful label on it) have just suffered through the first, failed, revolution. Time to start fixing mistakes.
(10:25 PM | #)
Saturday, July 20
Yup.
Part of my brain is tempted to make snarky comments here, but I'm not going to do that. I agree with the sentiment, and most of the assertions. The world in 2002 is both a better place than the apocalyptic nihilism of the 80's was predicting, and a much worse place than the Mondo 2000 style pioneers of the early 90's were trying to invent. (Yes, I know there were optimists in the 80's and cynics in the 90's. We're not talking about those people.)
On the other hand, you can look at the language and find some of where things went wrong. Politics should not take a back seat to technology, because when it does, politics will end up biting you in the ass. As it did. Politics should have been part of the future we signed up for, part of the plan.
(5:21 PM | #)
Thursday, July 18
A remarkable number of the best female cartoonists around today are showing some of their work at the gallery just around the corner, as part of Ladyfest. Opening reception is this Friday.
(10:01 PM | #)
Famous heroes of the kabuki stage depicted as frogs. by Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi (1798-1861). (via Making Light)
Actually, do yourself a favor and poke through all of the religious images Teresa has found as well. They include Jesus being Dismembered by Swearers, Jesus being Attacked by Tools, Jesus Eating Roast Guinea Pig and (a personal favorite), The Blessing of the Vodka Shop.
Oh, and Plauguedomes.
(9:16 PM | #)
How to be Electroclash!(9:01 PM | #)
Though we went to a place in the Tenderloin, with slight differences in the menu. This was actually my second encounter with Bo Bay Mon, I'd experienced it before in D.C. Yum. Thanks Winnie!
(8:58 PM | #)
. . . weddings. reston. display bibles. many rugrats. details in time.(8:58 PM | #)
Sunday, July 14
I know you miss the Wainwrights, Bobby, but they were weak and stupid people--and that's why we have wolves and other large predators.-- The Far Side Calendar, July 10(9:23 PM | #)
Sunday, July 7
Andy Goldsworthy film: Check.
Move B & W to alameda: Check.
Get up at ungodly hour to catch flight to east coast to go to wedding and perform assorted tasks for other upcoming wedding: Check. *yawn*
(8:58 PM | #)
Saturday, July 6
Aaron fills in the blanks for the culturally illiterate:Neil Gaiman and Harlan Ellison are black gangsta rappers who sometimes write novels, short stories and comic books. Neil Gaiman wrote a series called Sandman, which garnered accusations of racism from some quarters because of a recurring image of a white woman dying by fire. These complaints are groundless. He also wrote lyrics for songs performed by black gangsta rappers Boiled in Lead and the Flash Girls. The latter group includes his Nubian goddess assistant, The Fabulous Lorraine, and also Emma Bull, wife of noted black gangsta rapper, Minnesota gubernatorial candidate and science fiction/fantasy/comic book author Will Shetterly. Will lost because The Man just couldn't handle a brother running the state.(4:46 PM | #)
Friday, July 5
I should pick up the latest issue of Locus, for the Elizabeth Hand interview. Geez, I wish Mortal Love--her next novel-- would come out already.(2:46 PM | #)
Matt Amati is a very odd person who went to New College while I was there. He played banjo, and once translated some Catullus into Robert Burns style Scots, which was just one of the coolest things ever.(2:21 PM | #)
Tuesday, July 2
Facets, like cheese, are not simple:"I begin to see what you mean about facets. Not being simple." (I opened the fridge for a beer at this point. God, the fridge was full of facets also; a french husband means a shelf dedicated to cheese: there was french italian spanish, goat, sheep and cows milk, soft and hard, herbed and plain and what about the creme fraise! where the hell would that go?.... My revery was broken by Karl reaching past the cheese for an ice tea.)
(3:59 PM | #)
Monday, July 1
He's not so green as he is cabbage-looking. Fine words butter no parsnips.
Mmmmm, cabbage.
(8:45 PM | #)