Tranquil Madness

Friends of Iraq Blogger Challenge

See that new link over on the side? Want to know what it is about?

The Friends of Iraq Blogger Challenge seems to be a catch-all title for the numerous projects undertaken by Spirit of America. The project I have chosen to support (after it being brought to my attention by Wilson and Eliot) is seeking donations to help Iraq's universities.

Go to Spirit of America's website (specifically the Iraq's Universities section) for more information.

If you feel you are able and a blogger at LeTourneau, feel free to join the Yellow Project Team and donate.

If you feel you are able but not a blogger at LeTourneau, feel free to donate anyway.

Are You Kidding Me?

From a GE owner's manual:

"GE supports the Universal Design concept--products, services and environments that can be used by people of all ages, sizes and capabilities. ... For details of GE's Universal Design applications, including kitchen design ideas for people with disabilities, check out our Website today. For the hearing impaired, please call 800.TDD.GEAC (800.833.4322)."

Only Because This is Cool. . .

Biological molecules? Cool!

You are mRNA. You're brilliant, full of important,
interesting information and you're a great
friend to the people you care about. You may
have sides to you that no one understands. But
while you understand more than most people,
you're only half-there most of the time.


Which Biological Molecule Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I'm mRNA? Then why does Genetics hate me? Argh.

ATTN: Females

Can someone (anyone) please explain to me why walking down a church aisle in a white dress to have a ring put on a finger is the biggest event in a woman's life?

I have nothing against weddings, but it seems to me that most people--male and female--put way too much effort into it. I understand the symbolism of it and everything, but most people spend too much money and get way too stressed.

People waste money on special napkins (and other little "keepsakes"), special decorations, and about three or four thousand special photographs. In my opinion, anything other than the clothing, jewelry, and food is superfluous.

Then again, what do I know? What better way to start a new life together than by spending hideous amounts of money on a ceremony that lasts maybe a couple of hours?

The Jabberwocky

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought--
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arm, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"
He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

--Lewis Carroll

If anyone actually understands all of that, please contact me. My psyche and I would like to have a discussion with you.

That is all.

Election Maps

I know. Everyone and their mother is sick of hearing stuff about the election. I sympathize, really.

However, when things like these come to my attention I feel it my duty to point them out. Besides, I find them interesting.

These two maps I found on Wonkette:

Purple Haze

Veritcal Division

The following site was found through Andrew Sullivan:

Maps and Cartograms of the 2004 US Presidential Election

Before you ask, I do not get all of my news through Sullivan and Wonkette. I do enjoy both sites immensely, though.

Global Personality Test

Before you sigh and roll your eyes at me, remember that I have not actually shared my quiz results for something like this in quite some time.

Besides, other people were doing it.

Trait Snapshot:

does not make friends easily, secretive, introverted, reclusive, observer, dislikes leadership, does not like to stand out, dislikes large parties, values solitude, solitary, nihilistic, does not fit in, does not want to fit in, submissive, unassertive, suspicious, prudent, unadventurous, worrying, weird, intellectual, frequently second guesses self

Some Reactions...

Here are a few reactions to the election (and the results) that I find particularly amusing.

All quotes were found from metaquotes.

Some have language that may be offensive.

"Well, at least if the endtimes are coming, all those damned annoying christian fundamentalists will go away in the rapture and leave us the fuck alone already."
-------
"are there fires and looting yet?

I have smores.

yep.

yummy goodness."
-------
"I for one welcome the return of our tyrannical neoconservative overlords and pray they lead us to righteous victory against gays, the french, stem cell research, abortion and the environment. Amen."
-------
"Kerry: I could be president tomorrow!
Bush: I like shiney things.
Kerry: Well, not tomorrow, but you know, tomorrow they'll be deciding it.
Bush: And swords. I like swords.
Kerry: But then in January, I could be President!
Bush: Swords swords swords. They're shiney too."
-------
"[...] I started getting a really bad feeling about voting for Kerry, but I figured I'd probably regret it if I voted for Bush, so I went with Kerry anyways. After Kerry swears in, his eyes will glow red and his face will fall off and there will be tentacles everywhere, and that will be that. Ah well. That's democracy."
-------
"Dear United States of America,

You've more than made your point. Please elect a real president this time.

In exchange, we promise to be less uppity. Also, we'll send down some pot.

Our love to Hillary,
Canada"

Political Sadist

I just have to get this off my chest.

I am kind of hoping that Bush wins the popular vote but Kerry wins the electoral college.

Or maybe Kerry could win the popular vote but Bush win the electoral college.

Or maybe their could be a tie in the electoral college.

I just want to see the aftermath. Can you imagine the uproar any of those scenarios would bring? I think it just might be worth it. . .