To the Arachnid Nation:
Look, spiders. We have had this discussion I don't know how many times. I'm not sure how much clearer I can make this.
Unless you want to die a horrible fucking death, there are 3 locations that are off-limits. Everywhere else ends in either an assisted catch-and-release or inter-species tolerance, even admiration on my part.
1. My person. In general, do not approach.
2. My bathroom, when I am in it and can see you. Spiders smaller than a pea are exempt. Nudity can turn infractions into explosive situations.
3. My bedroom, again when I am present and you are visible. (I know for a fact that some have taken advantage of darkness and bit me in my sleep, I assume in revenge for the death of a loved one. Well played.)
You KNOW these rules; I explicitly stated them aloud during the short-lived Basement Tenancy of '08. So why, WHY did one of your party just RUN TOWARDS MY ANKLES WHILE I WAS TAKING A DUMP?!
I had no choice but to execute.
I think I have been more than fair with these limits. I hope you decide against retribution.
Sincerely,
-W
Seriously though it is like alien spider invasion out there WTF.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 06, 2010
Losing sight of what matters in America - CharlotteObserver.com
Losing sight of what matters in America - CharlotteObserver.com
Interesting take on the cons of individualism. I talked about this in my thesis - there's so much emphasis on 'me' that 'us' is a foreign concept, or even a traitorous one. It's not just NIMBY-ism, it's the people on the mainland of North Carolina wanting the island-folk to get washed into the sea so they don't have to pay for the Army Corps to protect them.
At the same time, it's the people building houses right behind the dunes because if they can buy the land, it's their right to build. And it's the landowners who reject setbacks from the ocean because it's their right to sell the land to a builder. It's never about the town or the community having enough room to be safe; it's about the individual's right to do whatever the hell he wants, especially if it means profiting. They'd rather their neighbors be destroyed than be prevented from doing what they want.
I'm afraid this attitude is too entrenched in our history and culture to change. Perhaps the dynamics of the population will be sufficiently altered in the next 20-30 years, and the burgeoning families of immigrants from more culture-valuing societies will be the catalyst we need. American individualism was useful in the age of pioneers (from the American government's point of view and not, say, a Native tribe's) but at this point I think it's holding us back. Wars aren't enough anymore. What will it take?
Interesting take on the cons of individualism. I talked about this in my thesis - there's so much emphasis on 'me' that 'us' is a foreign concept, or even a traitorous one. It's not just NIMBY-ism, it's the people on the mainland of North Carolina wanting the island-folk to get washed into the sea so they don't have to pay for the Army Corps to protect them.
At the same time, it's the people building houses right behind the dunes because if they can buy the land, it's their right to build. And it's the landowners who reject setbacks from the ocean because it's their right to sell the land to a builder. It's never about the town or the community having enough room to be safe; it's about the individual's right to do whatever the hell he wants, especially if it means profiting. They'd rather their neighbors be destroyed than be prevented from doing what they want.
I'm afraid this attitude is too entrenched in our history and culture to change. Perhaps the dynamics of the population will be sufficiently altered in the next 20-30 years, and the burgeoning families of immigrants from more culture-valuing societies will be the catalyst we need. American individualism was useful in the age of pioneers (from the American government's point of view and not, say, a Native tribe's) but at this point I think it's holding us back. Wars aren't enough anymore. What will it take?
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Hurricane Katrina reading material
So, it's been 5 years. I still remember the way the room changed when we found out a classmate was a Katrina evacuee, who didn't plan on moving back home anytime soon. He hadn't even visited since it had happened. This was June of 2007, so less than 2 years later. It was still something raw and terrible to us, and I wasn't even directly affected. I imagine for those who were, it's still terrible, but less raw and more survivable. For the rest of us, I think it's regret, pity, shame, and still a little bit of incomprehensible horror.
Anyway, here are 2 "what now" articles about Katrina that caught my eye, in particular:
What would happen if another Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans today? - CSMonitor.com
Sewage As Hurricane Protection? New Orleans Could Use It To Regrow Wetlands : TreeHugger
The Banks are in for a wallop with Earl, although hopefully not a direct hit. There could still be some major damage, and I hope people are overly cautious about evacuating. Oh barrier islands, and your idiosyncratic inhabitants. What a consternation you are for emergency managers.
Anyway, here are 2 "what now" articles about Katrina that caught my eye, in particular:
What would happen if another Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans today? - CSMonitor.com
Sewage As Hurricane Protection? New Orleans Could Use It To Regrow Wetlands : TreeHugger
The Banks are in for a wallop with Earl, although hopefully not a direct hit. There could still be some major damage, and I hope people are overly cautious about evacuating. Oh barrier islands, and your idiosyncratic inhabitants. What a consternation you are for emergency managers.
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