nomdiplume

First Kiss

2009-04-24T14:16:26Z

Somewhere inside her parents are sleeping.
The awkward creep.
Eternities pass in inches.
Does she object, or is she merely
feeling as awkward as I do?

Two personal spaces intertwine,
our arms gently inviting
the other into this, our own domain.

And at last the meeting. Lips
crossing distances more vast than worlds,
more empty than space.
Two worlds, self-contained, meet at this single point,
intertwined for this one moment on her parents' porch.

And then she's gone. Her arms slip off my sides
and she's inside.
Safe in her parents' house.
And I'm alone, on her porch,
with the moon, and the breeze, and the taste
of her lingering on my lips.

On the situation in the Gaza Strip

2009-01-09T18:41:54Z

I know that the odds of anyone with the power to truly influence this situation reading this are extremely small, but of the rest of you, I ask only this. Pay attention. Pay very close attention. We are witnessing a spectacular attempt to vindicate the philosophy that hate can be defeated with hate, violence with violence, and it can only fail.

The Gaza Strip is an area of only 146 square miles, or approximately twice the size of Washington, DC, and is home to just over 1.5 million people. This computes to a population density of around 4,270 people per square mile.

I do not find the civilian casualties of this ground war to be surprising, nor do I believe that Israel is seeking civilian casualties, but I do believe that dropping leaflets and expecting that any non-combatants will be able to immediately leave the field of engagement is thoroughly unrealistic. There simply isn’t anywhere to go.

I do understand that Hamas continues to be the party which violates truces, and that Israel feels that they will always do so. This standard too, is unrealistic. We can never guarantee that no single radical will attack Israel. Certainly, in a climate of such deprivation and such heavy civilian losses, there will be no shortage of individuals with too much anger and nothing to lose. To stop a cycle of vengeance using violence one must commit genocide, an offense against everything for which the nation of Israel stands.

Yesterday, in response to an article in the Washington Post which was fairly candid regarding Palestinian casualties, a reader wrote in to make the following point: that this situation would only be resolved when Palestinians love their children more than they hate Israel. This is not a new argument to me, but I do believe that it is a common one, and disasterously fallacious. If a person loses their family to civilian casualties of war, then their hate may be all that sustains them. If a person does not believe that they have any future, they are far easier to convince to commit a suicide bombing today.

So what would I have Israel do? For a small portion of the funds Israel spends on defense they could create in the Gaza strip two of the world’s best schools and one of the world’s best hospitals. For, again, a small portion of Israel $13.3 billion dollar defense budget, they could afford to staff and maintain these facilities at a standard many times that of the global average. The message I would send with these facilities would be this, “Your children can attend these schools free of charge, but you must defend them. You will all receive medical coverage in this hospital, but you must defend it. Do not allow these facilities to be destroyed.”

Children are educated in radical madrasas because there are no other schools available. Young men attend speeches by radical clerics because they have nothing else to do. Give these people a future, a means and education with which to confront ideology, a reason to defend the nation of Israel. I dream of a day when Palestinians have a reason to confront the radicals in their midst. When the question of, “I have lost everything, why shouldn’t I fire this rocket?” can be answered with, “because my daughter loves her teacher. Because your cousin’s wife is pregnant, and her baby deserves to be born in a modern hospital. Because we have a future to think about."

This is a war about religion, and there is one religious truth which I hold above almost all others: peace begins with you. If you wish to change the world, you must be the first, and not the last, to lower your guns. An eye for an eye can continue endlessly, until the entire world is blind.

Much love to you all,
-Jeremiah

Bit of a Rant (You've been warned)

2008-10-31T15:04:41Z

So for those who aren’t local, the DC Metro has just instituted a system of random bag checks at Metro stations. They won’t be announced in advance, and while you have the right to refuse, if you do you will be denied access to the system. Checks will be conducted randomly at one station at a time.

Call me crazy, but this pisses me off. I’m operating under the assumption that anyone who was actually going to smuggle drugs or plant a bomb in Metro would probably do at least minimal prep-work, meaning that they’d know at least as much about this system as I do going in.

Now this is just me, but if I were carrying drugs or explosives, and cops asked to search my bag, I’d politely decline and just board the system at the next station over. As a commuter who that would make late, however, I’m simply expected to sacrifice another little piece of my right to privacy for yet another ineffective placebo-esque half-measure of security.

Living in a police-state does not make you more safe. Police states antagonize and disenfranchise civilians, who then get angry. What do angry people do when they are disenfranchised? They lash out. They express their power, any way they can. People like me write. Some people are less peaceful. Police states, the ultimate expression of draconian security, beget the very civilian terrorists they seek to eliminate.

I’m going to be conducting a little write-in campaign to let Metro know what I think of their most recent fear-based initiative. If any locals wish to join me in this, I thank you.

-Jeremiah

Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated ...

2008-10-27T18:40:13Z

Hello all,
Apologies for being absent for a week or so. I'm taking three graduate courses this semester, Statistics, Intro to Graduate Research, and Intro to Graduate Writing. The second two are pass/fail, and not too intensive, but I'm also working full time and taking care of my dad, and Statistics is kicking my butt. Long story short, time has lately been my most precious resource, and not because money is so astoundingly plentiful.

In better news, I reduced my office hours to 32-hrs a week (M,T,Th,F) in hopes of actually getting enough sleep in the near future, so that's a positive step.

So, yeah, since last we saw our hero:

Saturday, 10/18 - Renn Fest! I set aside pretty much the entire day for Festing, and did my best to leave super-early. After a few false starts I finally scooped up Will and headed down. We actually arrived near 11:00, so later than I'd hoped, but still pretty early, and then stayed right up until the end of the pub sing. I saw the Medieval Babes! Awesome. Very awesome. I missed their show last year, so I was absolutely not going to miss it again this year.

I was initially going with Paul the last weekend, and then Sariel and Danielle copped out a few times and wanted to go the last weekend with me, then Loopy decided to come into town for it, then Danika decided to make it a big event and posted a mass facebook invite. Long story short (as if), there ended up being a group of about 30 folks I know wandering the festival grounds. There were upwards of 5 separate groups of people with whom I particularly wanted to spend time or vice-versa, so I ended up spending a lot of the afternoon herding metaphorical cats. Have you ever tried to get three separate groups of independently-minded people, all carrying on three distinct conversations, to walk in the same direction at the same speed? There should be prizes.

Still, a fun time was had by all, and I in particular had a blast. I sang my heart out at the pub sing, and am reasonably satisfied that I've filled my Ren Fair jones for at least a month or six.

Sunday, 10/19 - Mostly working on my Statistics, though I also had a paper due for Graduate Research. I did take a break for a few hours in the afternoon and visit Girlville for a game day with C & L and a whole crowd of their peeps. I didn't stay as long as I'd have liked to (stupid grad-school), but I did have a great time. The girls themselves were fairly preoccupied with all the company, but they know charming people. ( c ; Really should have slept more than I did, but I played a video game for a few hours after dinner, rather than proofing and finishing my paper, so sleep got sacrificed to the god of procrastination. Yay.

Monday, 10/20 - Office during the day. After dinner I met Kelley up at Teaism in Dupont for linner. To be honest, had I remembered that she's vegetarian, I'd have suggested somewhere else. Teaism is great, but I'm not a fan of their veggie option. Tea was good, though. Afterwards I walked her back to her car in Adams Morgan. Glad I made the time. It's always good to catch up. ( c ;

Tuesday, 10/21 - Work. After work was homework. Paul stopped by and hung out for an hour or so in the evening, which was nice. He lives in Balt. these days, so it's a bit more of a treat when he's able to stop by and just chill for a few.

Wednesday, 10/22 - My first scheduled day off. Stayed home and did homework, mostly. I did go to a couple of job fairs and a Teach For America briefing as well. Evening was dancing. My instructor, Olga, is trying to hard-sell me on making a longer-term committment to Arthur Murray, and in particular on dancing in the showcase. I appreciate her commitment, and she really is quite sweet, but I'm not at all sure I'm going to for it. I'm loving the dancing, but time is something I really haven't got at present, and Arthur Murray is hella expensive. *sigh* At least I still have a few weeks of lessons left to think it over. I don't suppose anyone reading this is local and decent at latin dancing, are they? I really need to find a cheaper way to Mambo. And Swing. And Salsa-dance. Why did I ever stop making time for dancing again?

Thursday, 10/23 - Work. Met an old friend for drinks downtown. Didn't stay long because I was feeling poor and time-crunched. Meant to get to bed early, but instead stayed up late chatting online with a friend in Japan.

Friday, 10/24 - Work. Went to a party in VA with 'Nika, which was awesome. My demon costume keeps getting more complicated, and I've not been getting motivated to finish it. I'm going to leave the shoes for last, since they need the most work and can only be worn outside, but I still have a little bit of wiring and sewing left to do on the shades and tail. I really need to finish that thing. Anyhow, I improv'ed a ronin costume using my wakizashi, a brightly colored samurai-themed top open across the chest, a matching headband, some spiky hair, and some body paint to make me look like I'd been out in the jungle. It was last-minute, and it showed, but I was relatively pleased with the overall effect. There was dancing, and good conversation, and beer. I got home near 4 am. It was a good thing.

Saturday, 10/25 - Stayed home doing classwork. Lots of studying, working online with the group for my first big class project, lots of statistics homework, etc ...

Sunday, 10/26 - Stayed home. Statistics are evil. Did get sleep. Even took a nap in the afternoon. ( c ;

Monday, 10/27 - Work, which I'm at now. If I'd remembered how much typing I had to do this afternoon, I'd probably have donated blood later in the day. Otherwise, just grand. Busy week ahead, as I have plans pretty much every night this week. I feel like imitating a comedian I saw on The Daily Show a few weeks ago - "There's way too many parties! Why are there so many parties? The brochure said there would only be a few parties. This is WAY too many parties!"

So, um, yeah. There you have it. All the news what's fit to print. Hey, quit whining! I said it was fit to print. I made no promises about reading it. Silly people, haven't you learned better than that by now?

Stay tuned for our next thrilling episode: "A statistic too far" or "Why is that man striking his computer with that crowbar?"

All my best,
-Jeremiah

True Confessions (a rather scuffed work-boots diary)

2008-10-14T22:57:33Z

I slipped, Monday. Slipped not a small way. In point of fact I smoked one puff off a friend's cigarette Sunday night. I walked to the nearest gas station Monday morning. I bummed a cigarette en route to give me time to "think about it". I bought a pack of American Spirits, the cigarette with the fewest chemical additives, actually not owned by Philip Morris. I bought heavies, when I'm used to milds, to force myself to get queasy. Which I did. I still smoked the whole pack. And another by 9 am this morning. And then I quit, again. I'm clean for all of 13 hrs. Not much, I'll own.

This much have I learned, and seek to remember: It is folly to think that cigarettes are merely nasty, and offensive, and that with time I will remember that they are horrible. No. Individually they are satisfying, and remarkably focusing, and quite pleasant. What is to remember is the trade. Better that I had not walked this path, for it is a trade not worth making. Who among us would choose to always smell bad for so small a pleasure. Who among us would choose to be kissed less fervently by the ones they love for ten moments of middling satisfaction. Who among us would choose to die for so easily a regretted vice.

I again resolve myself to the path from which I have strayed. Current count: 13 hrs, 0 days. One step at a time.

-Jeremiah

Quitters can has win?

2008-10-13T11:14:01Z

It's frustrating when it isn't easier (really) on day 4 than on day 1, but this too shall pass. I woke up this morning REALLY wanting a cigarette. But I haven't had one. I've been writing instead. My sleep schedule might not be perfect at present, but I really have no desire to go through this again. However many times is enough. Dayeinu. I intend to see this one through.

Begin day 5. Arghhh.

To control the way that water flows

2008-10-11T20:37:06Z

Some years ago, I listened to Garrison Keilor give a short Keilor-style dissertation on men, on men and flowing water. Mr. Keilor suggested that there comes a time of year when men want to control the way that water flows. It could be a hose in the yard. It could be peeing in the parking lot. It could be a pond in our garden. There comes a time when we wish to control the flow of water.

Our power is a fragile thing, full of the everything and absence of everything with which we choose to imbue it. The same man can be the envy of a 500-person crowd or the most pitiful specimen in a 20-person bar. We are what we make of ourselves, of the water, the essence, the life which flows through us.

At the end of the day, our energy defines us. However preoccupied we, ourselves, may be, whether it be with the attractiveness or unatractiveness of our form, we define ourselves in story. We choose to be complex or to be simple. We choose to be proud, or to be weak, or to live in that most terrifyingly vulnerable of states which defines the everyday. We choose, moment by moment, to embrace that which defines us, that which makes us unique and whole, and hope that in so doing we may find the poem which ends the search.

I look for that which completes me. For the other half to a soul. There must be someone for whom the love of life transcends that which is merely pretty, who has the confidence to express joy in the face of banality, who will respond with hope when I feel the most despair. There must be someone who believes that all stories are true, that at the center of that which is most confusing must be the most true, that connection is more than a word to describe convenience.

There are days when I live and love at the will of the word. When the spirit flows through me and it takes all I have not to speak, not to share my innermost thoughts with those at bus-station and metro-train, when I struggle to contain the power of that which manifests at my surface. There are days when my depths rebel, and it is all I can do to remain calm. The world is not shallow, look for those who see its depths, for in those depths lie the greatest mysteries.

There is that which transcends the moment, connection which continues to provide even in the absence of communication, that which changes us merely because we know it is. We act on the surface, but we react much more deeply. I'm expected in Greenbelt, and I should go. Much love to you all. May that which sneaks upon you in the night be answered with your morning kiss.
Much love,
-Jeremiah

72 Hours

2008-10-11T18:20:06Z

Minute by minute, hour by hour, I've been refusing to smoke. I really hope this gets easier soon.
-Jeremiah

Meme ganked from Willow_25 (who ganked it from Ozma914)

2008-10-10T15:00:26Z

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now (even if we don't speak often or ever) please post a comment with a completely made up, fictional memory of you and me.

It can be anything you want - good or bad - but it has to be fake.

When you're finished, post this little paragraph in your LJ and see what your friends come up with.

"Withdrawal" or "Oh, what fun quitting cigarettes is"

2008-10-10T12:41:33Z

Another morning spent being stern with myself. I really need to get caught up on class stuff, but the last few nights it's been pretty much everything I could do to get through to 5:00, meet after-work obligations, make myself eat something, and then put myself to bed. I really want to be social this weekend, but I should probably spend a fair amount of time just making sure I have my "i"s dotted and my "t"s crossed.

I cleaned out and stored all of my ashtrays yesterday. Tonight I'll try to do laundry so that the smell is out of my clothes. Still no cigarettes since noon Wednesday. So it's on. Nice when a quit attempt gains traction. Hard to do, but it gives you something to keep working for. My sense of smell is already recovering, which is always a mixed blessing. I live in a city after all, there are a lot of smells around me I'm not grateful for smelling. Still, on the whole I suppose I'd always choose to have sharper senses, even if there's a lot of unpleasantness to sense. Better to be sensitive, particularly if you wish to be a healer.

Not really sure what this weekend will consist of. Certainly there needs to be a fair amount of mundane chore-doing, classwork, and the like, but hopefully I'll fit some fun in there as well. Much love to you all, wherever you may be. I hope your weekends are wonderful.

-Jer

nomdiplume @ 2008-10-09T13:55:00

2008-10-09T17:58:13Z

Nicotine-free for more than 24 hours.
Currently somewhat unpleasant to be around.
Not very happy.
Still, nicotine-free for more than 24 hours.

Conversations with myself

2008-10-09T14:09:53Z

The Child: "Does it ever get any easier?"
The Old Man: "Probably not. Just do the next thing."

The Child: "Is it this hard for everyone?"
The Old Man: "There's no way of knowing. We try to understand. We try to empathize. We do the next thing."

The Child: "Am I trying hard enough?"
The Old Man: "One can never try hard enough. We live life one moment at a time. We seek our own path, our own happiness. We do not know the future. We seek to do the next thing."

The Child: "But what if I'm wrong?"
The Old Man: "That can happen. Try your best. Own your mistakes before you move on. Then do the next thing."

The Child: "But what if I lose?"
The Old Man: "You can't really lose. Tomorrow still happens. There will still be a day in front of you. There will still be another thing to do."

The Child: "Will you stay with me?"
The Old Man: "Silly child. I am you. I am always with you. When you seek your core, my voice will be there."

The Child: "Then why can't I be you? If I'm really wise, why do I behave so foolishly?"
The Old Man: "We are all the child as well as the man. Living in the moment means accepting fear, and uncertainty. We carry our idealized selves within us, but they will never be the whole of us, or we would lack purpose. Child, parent, sage, and fool, we all react in turn, our humble understandings becoming wisdom only after time's sand has already trickled from us.

Life is lived forward, but understood backwards. Accept uncertainty. Accept that real wisdom is always simple, and real life is always complicated. Accept that you will not always understand, and that you do not always need to. Accept that without the foolish, there is no wisdom. That without the risk of folly, there is no action. Do the next thing."

Repeated Meme

2007-09-14T21:20:51Z

Isn't it weird when the same quiz shows up from two different groups of friends? Anyhow, this is a meme that drydem started from the Career Matchmaker tool at CareerCrusing.com. I like these results.

My top recommended jobs:

1. Child and Youth Worker
2. Special Education Teacher
3. Teacher Assistant
4. Elementary School Teacher
5. High School Teacher
6. Social Worker
7. Recreation Therapist
8. Early Childhood Educator
9. Addictions Counselor
10. Occupational Therapist
11. Clergy
12. Speech-Language Pathologist
13. Music Teacher / Instructor
14. Genetic Counselor
15. Psychologist
16. Sport Psychology Consultant
17. Art / Music Therapist
18. Rehabilitation Counselor
19. ESL Teacher
20. Foreign Language Instructor
21. Gerontologist
22. Tour Guide
23. Mediator
24. Librarian
25. Dental Assistant
26. Computer Trainer
27. Public Health Nurse
28. Naturopath
29. Fitness Instructor
30. Mental Health Nurse
31. Diving Instructor
32. Esthetician
33. Coach
34. Personal Trainer
35. Athletic Trainer
36. Professor
37. Licensed Practical Nurse
38. Dry Cleaner
39. Podiatrist
40. School Counselor

nomdiplume @ 2007-09-12T09:31:00

2007-09-12T16:34:24Z

Hello all. Sorry for the lack of entries lately. Wedding was awesome, airport on return sucked. Got a sunburn, had a blast. Got home, worked crazy hours, didn't sleep enough. Got sick, still working crazy hours, will be more communicative when I'm back to feeling less overwhelmed. In the meantime, here's something to tide folks over:

My Dream Last Night

I am in a lab/classroom wearing a lab coat and protective glasses and holding a comically oversized pear of tweezers. I know that I am waiting for government representatives to arrive so that I can begin a presentation. There is a blackboard behind me, and a lab desk in front. I am nervous. When the government representatives arrive they prove to be a series of brightly-colored toadstool-like creatures between 3 and 12 inches in height. They wave their bodies back and forth and make meeping noises. I find this oddly comforting. I am, after all, taller than they are.

The mushroom-shaped government agents form a neat line and cease meeping. There is an air of expectation. I begin my presentation. I am a gorpologist. I specialize in gorp-decontamination, which involves both cleaning gorp which has been contaminated with other things and other things which have been contaminated by gorp. I show a slide show featuring a shiny metal gorp-cleaning machine, squirrels washing gorp, a series of men in lab-suits cleaning gorp off of a cafeteria floor, and intelligent-looking men wearing lab coats and glasses holding granola breakfast cereal with tweezers and looking very seriously at it.

I am trying to convince them to retain my services in return for a share of any recovered gorp. I do not tell them that I know of a cave nearby with a vein of pure gorp. This cave, I realize, has been my goal from the start. A fortune in gorp. I try not to betray my excitement, or my rising sense of confusion as to what I mean by gorp. I find myself afraid that all of my previous gorp-plans may be undermined by a basic incomprehension as to what gorp is. My audience begins to meep and sway slightly, and I find myself perturbed by my inability to understand.

Suddenly I am running. There is a flash of hall and doors and city streets and then I am running in a field. There are graves nearby, there is a lovely tree ahead, and the sun is shining. I begin to feel very sleepy, so I sit down next to the tree. One of the mushroom-government-men tops the hill, but we both understand that the game is over, so he just slides up and falls asleep in my lap. Soon, I’m sleeping too.

I love my head. It fits my neck pretty well, and it makes me laugh.
Much love,
-Jeremiah

Coolest. Pan-handler. Ever.

2007-08-16T03:34:25Z

My parents and I passed this guy on the street in Seattle and I gave him a buck to let me take his picture. Ridiculous and exploitative, maybe, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity. ( c;
-Jer

nomdiplume @ 2007-08-14T10:11:00

2007-08-14T17:12:18Z

I'm sick, which sucks, but at least I'm back at the office today. I penned the following between naps yesterday, as I'd been meaning to write something about this experience for ages. Hope you like.
-J

Outdoor People

Sitting in an alcove when we walk by, hidden from the street around them, a low cough from a pile of coats. “Got a light” stops me and I turn. Face to face with the elephant in my living room. Awkward moment. I smile and ask something inconsequential. He pauses, then responds. Question and answer are forgotten immediately. My lighter is returned. The woman says we make a nice couple. We laugh. It’s easier than explaining that we’re only friends. Easier than how far we’ve walked already. Easier than explaining the tension of the night between us.

The woman talks quickly, grabbing Myra’s sleeve to hold her attention. The man begins to ask me music trivia. I keep up as well as I can, but he is much better. Myra and the woman converse seriously. The woman interrupts. She is concerned that Myra is cold. She is compelled to sit, and the woman covers her with a coat. The man is concerned that they are imposing. Myra is touched by the gesture. I assure him that they are not. A man’s voice from the pile of coats behind them complains about the noise and motion. The coats are roughly hushed by our companions. The man and the woman exchange words, half-veiled verbal blows, patience worn thin by wind and weather. We shift uncomfortably.

She has a story of unparalleled beauty told in a simple truth. He has an earthy anecdote about a concert, full of freedom and ingenuity. She tells a tale of spirituality in the beauty of nature. He offers rare gems of forgotten musical lore. They hush each other like jealous children. We listen, ourselves enthralled as children. Awed and hushed by this strange new world, in which we’re made such honored guests.

Finally, we ask them to recommend a bar. They each have a favorite. The other’s favorite is garbage. They snipe bitterly. We choose his bar for the recommendation of back-to-back baby grand pianos and live music, and he offers to walk us there. The two block walk is full of stories. Stories of a city larger than life, and just the size of its sidewalks. Stories real like the smell of a rain-wet alley on a summer night.

At the bar he slides in behind us, glad of the excuse to sit indoors with the music. We sit apart, we by the pianos, he in a shadowed corner by the door. He listens intently. We buy beers, and on impulse, I send him one. He toasts me, and I beckon him over. He joins us.

The beer is good and cold, and he tells stories of his life. His name. When he used to live indoors. When he still does, sometimes. His son, who he only sees when he’s sober. His son is developmentally disabled. He saved his son’s life, once, when his son tried to throw himself out of a window. He caught him and held him, there among the broken glass. He thanks god that he was there, that he was sober.

The pianos fall to silence, and he insists on walking us to the bus stop. It’s late, and he knows these streets too well. I give him a cigarette and he remembers old concerts. We talk softly by a church fence while he pees in the garden. We find the bus stop, and he leaves us with blessings. And I am alone, again, with Myra. Alone at a bus stop miles from where we began. Alone with each other, and with the wet city, and the stories, and the blessings hanging in the air.

nomdiplume @ 2007-08-06T01:55:00

2007-08-06T05:57:08Z

So I have about 60 photos downloaded onto my computer, pretty much none of which have been seen by, well, anyone. Sorry. Have I mentioned that I sort of suck at this whole photographer thing? I was going to deal with it today, but instead I ended up going with some folks from my apartment for a picnic in Riverfront Park. Anyhow, I'm hereby going to pledge in type to have some up either here, on facebook, or on flicker by Tuesday night. Feel free to poke me if I forget.
-J

It's Time to Take a Stand

2007-08-02T16:11:30Z

Dear friends,
I have just encountered an issue of great importance, of which I knew you would want to be informed. While watching The Daily Show on the Comedy Central website, I was subjected to an advertisement for Red Stripe beer which I feel perpetrates a great injustice upon us, the American people. Below I have copied my own e-mail to the Red Stripe brewing company. I hope that you, as concerned Americans, will choose to support me in this pivotal issue.

Thank you,
Jeremiah

Subject: Boo Rennaisance Festivals; Yay Beer

Dear Red Stripe,
Having just seen the above add on Comedy Central, I found myself
inspired to tell my computer to go F itself. I would like to believe
that this is not the hoped for reaction to your commercials. For the
record, Rennaisance festivals are all about the beer. And the
corsets. They make new ones, you know, which don't injure the wearer.
But they still do wonderful things to breasts. Just thought you
should know.
All my best,

Jeremiah L.

More time-wasting, courtesy of Willow_25

2007-08-01T18:18:04Z

You scored as Babylon 5 (Babylon 5), The universe is erupting into war and your government picks the wrong side. How much worse could things get? It doesnâ€™t matter, because no matter what you have your friends and you'll do the right thing. In the end that will be all that matters. Now if only the Psi Cops would leave you alone.

</td>

Babylon 5 (Babylon 5)

100%

Moya (Farscape)

88%

Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix)

75%

Deep Space Nine (Star Trek)

69%

Heart of Gold (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)

63%

Serenity (Firefly)

63%

Millennium Falcon (Star Wars)

63%

Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda)

63%

Enterprise D (Star Trek)

56%

Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica)

56%

SG-1 (Stargate)

50%

Bebop (Cowboy Bebop)

38%

FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files)

25%

Which sci-fi crew would you best fit in with? (pics)
created with QuizFarm.com

I really should watch Farscape sometime. A number of friends have told me how good it was.
-J

Continuing a meme from Songquake

2007-08-01T15:00:55Z

The Boy Next Door
Random Gentle Love Dreamer (RGLD)

Kind, yearning, playful, you are The Boy Next Door. You're looking for real Love, a lot like girls do. It might not be manly, but it's sweet.

We think the next three years will be very exciting and fruitful ones for you. Your spontaneous, creative side makes you a charming date, and we think you have a horny side just waiting to shine. Or glisten, rather. You enter new relationships unusually hopeful, and the first moments are especially glorious. If you've had some things not work out before, so what.

Your exact male opposite:
The 5-Night Stand

Deliberate Brutal Sex Master

On paper, most girls would name the Boy Next Door as their ideal mate. In the real world, however, you're often passed over for more dangerous or masculine men. You're the typical "nice guy:" without just a touch of cockiness, you're doomed with girls. A shoulder to cry on? Okay, sure. But never a penis to hold.

More than any other type, Boys Next Door evolve as they get older. As we said, many find true love, but some fail miserably in the search. These tarnished few grow up to be The Men Next Door, who are creepy as hell, offering backrubs to kids and what not.

ALWAYS AVOID: The Nymph (DBSD)

CONSIDER: The Maid of Honor (DGLM), The Peach (RGLM)

Link: The Online Dating Persona Test @ OkCupid - free online dating.

Pretty decent result, really! ( c; I keep finding I get more kinky as I get older, and a little more confident and cocky. OK, so maybe I'm a little whitebread, but my 30s are clearly going to kick ass. ( c:

I got flirted with by a pair of university students on my way to work this morning, and they started it! I must just be having a crazy pheremone week or something. ( c;

nomdiplume @ 2007-07-31T13:28:00

2007-07-31T21:00:23Z

Hello all,
I'm killing time at present, so I thought I'd put up a short post.

Life is pretty decent at present. I still have no money, though that isn't likely to change in the near future. ( c; On the other hand, I've gotten a really unusual amount of attention from the opposite sex of late, which is much fun. I've gotten whistles, a girl shouting at me for my number, several nice comments, and just sort of a lot of positive attention. Not sure if this has more to do with my working out more recently, if my hair or stubble or some-such is just the perfect length right now, or if it's something more intangible, but it's definitely been a big ego booster.

My vacation was lovely. My parents arrived right on schedule, my chicken mole turned out fantastically, we all got along very well the entire time we were together, and I had a great time driving back to Spokane.

We spent 3 days together in Seattle and did a lot of walking (Liepold family style), which was excellent, if a little tiring for my folks. Afterward I headed off toward Yakima Valley to hit a series of wineries in Walla Walla and Wapato (yes, I picked them because they're fun to say). I ended up car-camping in Wapato the first night, and was pleasantly surprised to get a full night's sleep without being asked to move along. The second day I met a couple of hippies in Walla Walla who took me to their two favorite wineries, bought me a $5 sampler at one of them, and then allowed me to crash on their couch for a few hours that night. (THANKS, GUYS!)

I ended up getting home after midnight, which was nice due to the lack of traffic, and sleeping until the following afternoon when I jumped up to use the rental car for a quick shopping trip and then return it. I managed to stock up on soda and a box of wine (for cooking, mostly) while I didn't have to carry the liquids home by hand, and also, as a special treat, swung by the mall to blow $20 on a videogame. Just to mention - Gothic 3 = hardcore awesome. Worth way more than a $20 sticker. Possibly better than Oblivion.

Back at work these last two weeks things have been kinda crazy. The office staff has been in and out a lot, the individual replacing the girl I work most closely with left while I was gone on vacation, and the replacement has to ask me questions in order to make photocopies. In other words, I just got another coworkers job-title folded into my own. Yes, I know I bring this on myself. Still pisses me off. Note to self - in times of responsibility vacuum, there's no need to look that competent. Oh, also the local Habitat for Humanity sent me 23 students for the financial skills class. Without warning. Grrrr. Had a chat with them about that. Anyhow, taught three classes this weekend, two on Saturday and one on Sunday, with another tomorrow night.

Anyhow, I'm finally mostly caught up, and adequately burned out that I'm not working too much overtime this week (that isn't already scheduled) come hell or high water. Fortunately, my boss is talking about giving me Thursday off (since I only had one appt.), taking my one appt, and covering my Neighborhood Assets shift for me. While I do sometimes get annoyed at T. for seeming to do so little around here, she is awfully sweet sometimes. Not really sure what I'm doing with Thursday, but I'm pretty OK with having a slack day on the calendar. I still need to figure out what the next engineering project K. and I will be working on is anyway.

One of the other SNAP offices got confused, what with my taking a week off right when one of our other VISTAs left, and thought I'd just finished my VISTA year. This evidently resulted in a bit of hand-wringing and lamenting (gratifyingly). Still, I got to spend part of this week reassuring clients that while I appreciated the lovely eulogy, it was a bit premature. Mostly just worth mentioning for the kink of getting to hear how much people were missing me before I left. ( c;

Anyhow, back to the grindstone.
Much love to you all,
-Jer

nomdiplume @ 2007-07-28T21:49:00

2007-07-29T01:53:42Z

Have you ever flown out of an airport when it's really cold outside? They have these extendable towers on the backs of trucks, which have a huge water cannon mounted on it. The water cannon fires really hot water, which they use to defrost the plane. I'm pretty sure that this is the ultimate birthday present for any guy ever. I mean, giant vehicle-mounted squirt gun? Now that's damn cool. Jehova's witnesses a problem? NOT ANYMORE! (Glee) Not that most of us would have any legitimate use for such a toy, but, frankly, I don't care. I totally want one. Just thought I'd share.
-J

nomdiplume @ 2007-07-28T17:32:00

2007-07-28T21:33:15Z

OK, so not the post I owe you all, but spook_six posts so rarely that I can't pass up the chance to reinforce.

Just one of those time-wasters where I learn stuff about you ... it's fun. A little.

1. Your Middle Name:
2. Gender:
3. Age:
4. Single or Taken:
5. Favorite Movie:
6. Favorite Song or Album:
7. Favorite Band/Artist:
8. Dirty or Clean:
9. Tattoos and/or Piercings:
10. Do we know each other outside of LJ?
11. What's your philosophy on life?
12. Is the bottle half-full or half-empty?
13. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?
14. What is your favorite memory of us?
15. What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
16. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:
17. You can have three wishes (for yourself, so forget all the 'world peace etc.' malarkey) - what are they?
18. Can we get together and bake a cake?
19. Which country is your spiritual home?
20. What is your big weakness?
21. Do you think I'm a good person?
22. What was your best/favorite subject at school?
23. Describe your accent:
24. If you could change anything about me, would you?
25. What do you wear to sleep?
26. Trousers or skirts?
27. Cigarettes or alcohol?
28. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
29. Will you repost this so I can fill it out for you?

D&D Meme - Yup, long afternoon.

2007-07-11T23:01:57Z

I Am A: Chaotic Good Elf Bard Ranger

Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.

Race:
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently concern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.

Primary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.

Secondary Class:
Rangers are the defenders of nature and the elements. They are in tune with the Earth, and work to keep it safe and healthy.

Find out What D&D Character You Are, courtesy of Zinious Software corporation

Continuing a meme to pass the time

2007-07-11T22:29:35Z

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

Your in-depth results are:

Gryffindor - 12
Hufflepuff - 12
Ravenclaw - 11
Slytherin - 8

Whew - just dodged being pegged as a Hufflepuff. ( c;