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| Saturday, May 17th, 2008 |
mactavish
|
3:29p |
Weddings make me cry. "May 16, 2008 Marriage Equality Comes to California By George Takei Our California dream is reality. Brad Altman and I can now marry. We are overjoyed! At long last, the barrier to full marriage rights for same-sex couples has been torn down. We are equal with all citizens of our state!" Lots more goodness at the link. |
fireflyfans
[ ana_jo ]
|
9:41p |
videos Hi!
First post here, I recently made two Firefly video and thought i shoud share
Title: Circles
Song: Circles by Hollywood Undead
Paring: Mal & Inara
and
Title: River Red Sam
Song: Red Sam by FlyLeaf
Character: River & Simon you can find them Here hope you like them Current Mood:  hopeful |
mactavish
|
12:40p |
Update 3:12 pm: Yes, we (and ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) coyote3502) were right, it's a broken spring for the serpentine belt tensioner. ~$250. We can manage that. deyo did manage to fix his own car.
*sigh* deyo can't fix my car. We're going to have it towed to Lim's. If he can't, I think it might be done for. It's got such a nice CD player, too. :( I was hoping we could keep it going until we could afford a used Prius or Subaru Forester. I'm thinking we might have to buy an interim cheap used car. *grumble* |
joedecker
|
11:05a |
Don't Panic!!: An analysis of the CA marriage decision on the 2008 Presidential Election On several mailing lists I'm on (darbnet, babn-chat, ...), on LJ, and in person, I've had several allegedly pro-same-sex-marriage folks express significant concern, sometimes even mild panic, at the ruling and/or the timing of the ruling. After some time to think about it, I've concluded that it's going to be a negligible influence. Below, I'll outline the lines of argument I've used to come to this conclusion. (Before I do, one note. The analysis below is moot. The die is cast, the decision is made. Moreover, claims that "this was bad strategy" on the part of (whom?) are ludicrous, the timing of this decision is very unlikely to have been planned, by ANYONE to coincide with the 2008 presidential elections, the justice system spent unpredictable numbers of years getting this case tried. What's done is done in any case, so chill out, okay? Good.) Okay, here're the arguments: First, and more generally, the same-sex marriage issue is just less new, and less news, than it was four years ago. Part of this is the success the pro-same-sex marriage camp has had already in Massachusetts, as well as civil unions in VT, CT, NJ and NH. The addition of California is less of a trigger, I think, that the Massachusetts was. If you don't doubt that this is just "not as big a deal" in the news, go ahead and check your favorite big news sources, the issue is already out of the headlines. I think the "this isn't as big a change emotionally" sense would likely be particularly true outside of California. Now, within California, one might imagine that the influence of the law would be greater, and yes, I might, just might, concede (although you should read the rest of this argument) that this raises GOP voter turnout for the November 2008 election (when an anti-same-sex-marriage constitutional amendment will likely be on the ballot). However, even if that's true, California is unlikely to go McCain, I don't think the Dems will have to work hard to hold California in the election (barring any big mistakes they might make going forward), and so, within California, CA's delegates will almost certainly vote Blue in the electoral college.I'll add, in addition to this not being "new", the timing is not perfect for influencing the presidential election. It's still six months until the presidential election, I think that distance will leave other issues looking old and boring compared to whatever new stuff the parties dig up in the months to come. I've seen the backlash arguments, and have often found them, in the fullness of time, to be overly played. Salon took this on recently, but that's not the only case, the 2004 "Valentine's Day Marriage Revolution in SF" was the cause of panic for some local Dems on my f'list, concerned that the backlash of that would spill onto the then-fragile progress of marriage in Massachusetts. That worked out okay, too. Finally, we turn to our good friend, the data. The smart money was unmoved by the California decision. The leading for-money presidential betting line in the country is the Iowa Electronic Markets. Below I include data I've consolidated from their web site. (I'd provide a direct link to the data, but a direct link isn't possible with their site design.)
| Date | Comb. Volume | Dem | Rep |
| 5/13/08 | 229 | 0.583 | 0.419 |
| 5/14/08 | 556 | 0.601 | 0.402 |
| 5/15/08 | 1733 | 0.595 | 0.420 |
| 5/16/08 | 274 | 0.600 | 0.406 |
These are the "last trades" for the day in each case, so the 5/15 data represents the first day of trading with the decision. Note the increase in volume, but also notice that the fluctuations in the predicted probabilities a Democratic victory are, right now, *higher* than they were two days before the decision, and that any effect of the decision on price is hidden within the entirely normal day-to-day fluctuations of that market. In short, people betting their own money on the 2008 presidential race are, as a whole, entirely unconcerned about the impact of the California decision on the US Presidential race. I conclude, for all these reasons, that you should be unconcerned as well. |
hopeforyou
|
10:54a |
Seen elsewhere...
"Polyfuckery is like serial monogamy on steroids." |
polyamory
[ diamond62 ]
|
11:54a |
|
joedecker
|
9:00a |
This Saturday and Sunday I’ll be participating in Silicon Valley Open Studios at 1733 Hudson Drive, San Jose, CA. 11am-5pm each day. Drop by if you get a chance! |
fluffthebunny
|
8:47a |
Ellen...
:)
|
polyamory
[ celtfiddler ]
|
8:41a |
|
oldtdevil
|
12:53p |
Live from Galway! We just got into the hostel at Galway. It looks like a very cute city.
Dublin was fun, but I don't think it will be the highlight of the trip. Best parts:
The Guinness really does taste better. It's more flavorful, less bitter, more creamy. There's no preservatives in it, and it probably is made with better water than the stuff Stateside. According to the bartender at Sin E, the best Guinness in the world is in Nigeria.
The Jameson's tour was a blast. It's a tour of the original distillery, which has been shut down. Operations are now in Cork. The tour has small models of all the machinery including the three different stills used in the process. Triple distilled means three different sizes of stills to get the smooth taste. This was emphasized about 20 times in the 30 minute tour. At the end, we had a whiskey tasting comparing Jamie's, Powers, Paddys, Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker Red. I think Powers is the best. Paddy's is Ireland's version of well whiskey. It's the piss.#
Also tried Jameson's Gold. Fantastic! Spicy, thick, rolls on the tongue. Too bad it's €75. It's exported so I should be able to find it cheaper in the States.
For breakfast, we discovered something called Butty. I had a sausage butty, which is a bap sandwich - like a biscuit - with fried egg and really good local sausage. I had it with brown sauce because I'm still not sure what brown sauce is.
Tomorrow we are taking a tour of the Cliffs of Doher and some of the surrounding areas. This country is so amazingly green! The bus ride from Dublin to Galway (3 hours, €14.50, not bad at all) took us through about 20 small towns that look like modified Ren Faires mixed with track housing. Between the towns was green fields and lots of sheep and cows. And then more green fields, and sheep. And cows. And did I mention the green? Really. After three hours, it's a little disturbing to realize that ancient locals may never know any other color of landscape.
Off to find more Guinness and craic! Cheers! |
chalepa_ta_kala
|
3:06a |
Twitterings of the Day [ Automatically shipped by LoudTwitter.] |
earthpig
|
12:06a |
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| Friday, May 16th, 2008 |
fireflyfans
[ jawastew ]
|
10:57p |
|
simplykimberly
|
10:09p |
|
aelfie
|
9:08p |
Okay, now what? All the kids are either asleep or in bed going to sleep (joe is sacked in with Ike). Its just after nine...now what? I have no clue on what the fuck to do with myself. I am completely baffled. Current Mood:  indescribable |
mactavish
|
6:34p |
Well, hell Casey lost a radiator hose yesterday. We were going to fix it tonight. We couldn't stop at Kragen because my serpentine belt went bananas (didn't break, just went slack) a mile from home -- cheers to zpdiduda who rescued me so I could bring the cold groceries home, while deyo waited for the tow truck. I guess early tomorrow we'll go to Kragen for parts when it's cool enough to bicycle, come back, and fix the cars before it heats up too much. Both cars within 24 hours. Dude. Not fair. |
murphystopheles
|
4:17p |
Cutting off the nose to save the penis From my Ergonomics class: The average bicycle police officer spends 24 hours a week on his bicycle and previous studies have shown riding a bicycle with a traditional (nosed) saddle has been associated with urogenital paresthesia and sexual dysfunction. Aim. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the no-nose bicycle saddle as an ergonomic intervention and their acceptance among male bicycle police officers. Methods. Bicycle police officers from five U.S. metropolitan areas were recruited for this study. Officers completed: (i) the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire (IIEF); (ii) computerized pressure measurements at the points of contact on the bicycle; the handlebars, the pedals, and the saddle; (iii) one night of nocturnal Rigiscan® assessment; (iv) penile vibrotactile sensitivity threshold assessed by computerized biothesiometery. Officers selected a no-nose saddle for their bicycles and were asked to use the intervention saddle exclusively for 6 months, at which point they were retested. Main Outcome Measures. Perineal pressure, urogenital numbness, penile vibrotactile sensitivity threshold, erectile function as measure by International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire (IIEF) and Rigiscan. Results. After 6 months, 90 men were reassessed. Only three men had returned to a traditional saddle. The results are presented for those who used the no-nose saddle continuously for 6 months. There was a 66% reduction in saddle contact pressure in the perineal region (P < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in penis tactile sensation (P = 0.015). There was a significant improvement in erectile function assessed by IIEF (P = 0.015). There were no changes noted in the Rigiscan® measures. The number of men indicating they had not experienced urogential paresthesia while cycling for the preceding 6 months, rose from 27% to 82% using no-nose saddles. Conclusions. (i) With few exceptions, bicycle police officers were able to effectively use no-nose saddles in their police work. (ii) Use of no-nose saddles reduced most perineal pressure. (iii) Penile health improved after 6 month using no-nose saddles as measured by biothesiometry and IIEF. There was no improvement in Rigiscan® measure after 6 months of using no nose saddles, suggesting that a longer recovery time may be needed. Authors Schrader-SM; Breitenstein-MJ; Lowe-BD |
angelbob
|
4:13p |
Wednesday passes, but Brezsny remains... This week, Brezsny told the Gemini: "Pain is weakness leaving the body," says fitness trainer Mark Duval. If that's true, you have gotten a lot stronger in recent weeks. By my astrological reckoning, you've shed a few months' worth of emotional distress, you've purged a few years' worth of frustration, and you've exorcised a couple of lifetimes' worth of confused dreams. Congratulations on all the new vitality you've earned through your constructive losses. Well... good? To Leo, my moon sign, he said: "The maxim for any love affair," wrote Charles Williams, "is 'Play and pray, but do not pray when you are playing and do not play when you are praying.' We cannot yet manage such simultaneities." But I strongly disagree with Williams, especially in regards to your destiny in the coming weeks. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you can and should play while you pray, and pray while you play. In fact, I recommend that you blend reverence and irreverence in every way you can imagine. Explore the revolutionary concept of sacred fun.A fine sentiment. I play while I do everything. [Edited to fix cut'n'paste error] |
hopeforyou
|
2:06p |
...
Very much at the point where I want to hide somewhere, but not sure where...
Just getting out of bed and going out to run errands was a dangerous proposition today, because when I went to bend over to put my sandals on this morning, I banged my head near my eye on the corner of the shoe stand.
Now my eye has felt like it's burning and irritated all day, and a bruise is forming in the corner of it.
On top of this, I am weepy and hormonally challenged, and eating red meat isn't helping as much as I hoped it would with the fatigued feeling.
I want to start over. Thing is, I don't know if I should start this day over -- or roll back the changes to a much earlier build. |
sfpoly
[ inki ]
|
1:47p |
SF poly under 40 coffeehouse social and dinner, this Monday May 19 Monday May 19th (every 3rd Monday) 6-8pm at the coffeehouse 8-10pm dinner at a nearby restaurant possible clubbing afterwards Muddy Waters Coffeehouse 521 Valencia St, between 16th and 17th San Francisco Jen, Pepper, and whomever they can pull in will be chatting, socializing, and generally getting up to wacky hijinks at the Muddy Waters coffeehouse next Monday. This is not a discussion or activism group, but rather just a regular social gathering - we will repeat this event the 3rd Monday of every month. We welcome poly and nonmonogamous people (new, curious, or experienced) under 40 years of age. Feel free to arrive late or just stop by briefly. ( details ) |
aelfie
|
12:46p |
A birthday Shout Out! Happy Birthday to kineticphoenix. I hope you are enjoying your European Vacation! Current Mood:  aggravated |
fluffthebunny
|
3:47p |
Marital Rating Scale from 1939 Found at Kirtsy , a marital rating scale, from the year that John McCain was three years old: Current Mood:  amused |
dragon_spirit
|
11:08a |
It's spreading! I woke up this morning with a mullet and 4 dogs. It looks like I'm already infected with THE GAY, so if you haven't already had it, you probably shouldn't kiss me. I've also been sexually harassing myself for hours now by staring at my own breasts. Clearly, we're all doomed. Current Mood:  pretty and witty and GAY |
moonwhispers
|
11:04a |
Happy 13th Birthday!!! To my boy, Zackery! Omg, I can't believe he's not my little boy anymore. He's a teenager, it's all so weird and scary. Current Mood:  anxious |
| Saturday, May 17th, 2008 |
fireflyfans
[ beck_a_la ]
|
1:49p |
Sci-Fi Channel! Anybody else watching SciFi channel right now? I turned on the TV and one of my favorites (Safe) is on! Wooh! (Why I don't just pop the DVD in, I don't know). Current Mood: cheerful |
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cheerful
okay