Ta...daima... *Flop* x.x
November 10th, 2009
November 9th, 2009
...'bout two more hours to go. We're currently over New Mexico. At least it hasn't been a boring trip back. Nekocon was awesome and I'm glad I was able to see all you guys again~ ♥
Didn't take many pictures but we'll post what we have or something once we're back and not being lazy. :3
Didn't take many pictures but we'll post what we have or something once we're back and not being lazy. :3
LoL. Go figure, pulled aside for bag-check in RIC and the guy doing it is an FMA fan.
There are a couple of faces of Political Correctness, and one of them has really begun to grate on me of late.
It's the one that says, "No opinion can ever be wrong." That if you disagree with someone, even if you can prove that he's basing his opinion on bald mis-statement of fact, that his information is inaccurate, that he's just plain completely incorrect, you have to start your refutation of it by validating his opinion, his right to hold it, and his worth as a person.
"Sure, John Doe, I can see where you might have formed the opinion that Harry Truman started World War II, but I tend to see things a little differently, as Truman didn't actually take office until much later. Perhaps you would care to explain your point a little more clearly so I might understand?"
Why do this? Seriously, why? When did we lose the ability to say to one another, "That opinion you hold is a crock, because it's based entirely on factual inaccuracies and misinformation, and there's no progress of logical reasoning that should have brought you to it."
Sure, we're adept at saying, "You're a fucking moron and I'm totally ignoring you," but we don't seem to have the ability to tell one another, "I think you're wrong," without it being a personal statement about individual worth.
In the pagan community, this is directly harmful, because it manifests as people refusing to call out or challenge those who have destructive or dangerous behaviours, because we don't want to 'judge' someone or make him feel marginalized. So we hamstring ourselves in dealing with predators, with exploitative behaviours, with people whose irresponsibility or thoughtlessness endangers the group. We use "to each his own," to avoid calling attention to people using our community as a cover for abusing or manipulating others, and when someone does step out and say, "Hey, you know, I'm really bothered that you're using Norse traditions as a cover for white supremacy," or, "Yeah, I'm sorry, I don't accept that your 'religion' provides you with a basis to seek out sixteen year old girls and convince them that they need you to 'guide them through the tantric mysteries' in order to be pagan," some within the community treat that as a worse transgression than the original offense, because you just can't say someone is *WRONG*.
And most people I know don't see this as political correctness, but what else would you call the deliberate reframing of social interactions so that a perfectly valid statement is forcibly retouched in order to ensure it's inoffensive to everyone who might hear it?
I love you all.
It's the one that says, "No opinion can ever be wrong." That if you disagree with someone, even if you can prove that he's basing his opinion on bald mis-statement of fact, that his information is inaccurate, that he's just plain completely incorrect, you have to start your refutation of it by validating his opinion, his right to hold it, and his worth as a person.
"Sure, John Doe, I can see where you might have formed the opinion that Harry Truman started World War II, but I tend to see things a little differently, as Truman didn't actually take office until much later. Perhaps you would care to explain your point a little more clearly so I might understand?"
Why do this? Seriously, why? When did we lose the ability to say to one another, "That opinion you hold is a crock, because it's based entirely on factual inaccuracies and misinformation, and there's no progress of logical reasoning that should have brought you to it."
Sure, we're adept at saying, "You're a fucking moron and I'm totally ignoring you," but we don't seem to have the ability to tell one another, "I think you're wrong," without it being a personal statement about individual worth.
In the pagan community, this is directly harmful, because it manifests as people refusing to call out or challenge those who have destructive or dangerous behaviours, because we don't want to 'judge' someone or make him feel marginalized. So we hamstring ourselves in dealing with predators, with exploitative behaviours, with people whose irresponsibility or thoughtlessness endangers the group. We use "to each his own," to avoid calling attention to people using our community as a cover for abusing or manipulating others, and when someone does step out and say, "Hey, you know, I'm really bothered that you're using Norse traditions as a cover for white supremacy," or, "Yeah, I'm sorry, I don't accept that your 'religion' provides you with a basis to seek out sixteen year old girls and convince them that they need you to 'guide them through the tantric mysteries' in order to be pagan," some within the community treat that as a worse transgression than the original offense, because you just can't say someone is *WRONG*.
And most people I know don't see this as political correctness, but what else would you call the deliberate reframing of social interactions so that a perfectly valid statement is forcibly retouched in order to ensure it's inoffensive to everyone who might hear it?
I love you all.
November 7th, 2009
I said I was going to go to bed, but I got distracted.
There are better things on my mind. Like CHRISTMAS CARDS.
I will somehow find the time between school and work to pick up my poor, dust covered (I've not touched it since AFest) Sony.
I've got a couple of ideas, BUT. The important thing with this is gimme yer mailing addresses and let me know if you want a card. CAARD.
You can't deny the love and the happiness of the holiday season~~
(I also don't mind if you can't send one in return. I love sending cards. cards cards cards. *_*)
Also- have last year's card:

Comments are screened
There are better things on my mind. Like CHRISTMAS CARDS.
I will somehow find the time between school and work to pick up my poor, dust covered (I've not touched it since AFest) Sony.
I've got a couple of ideas, BUT. The important thing with this is gimme yer mailing addresses and let me know if you want a card. CAARD.
You can't deny the love and the happiness of the holiday season~~
(I also don't mind if you can't send one in return. I love sending cards. cards cards cards. *_*)
Also- have last year's card:

Comments are screened
November 6th, 2009
I just got this in e-mail
On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 2:54 PM, John Engstrom <john@airship.org> wrote:
Heya,
Now that you are a Danish citizen would you consider letting me co-opt your USA SSN? Oksana screwed up my credit so bad I’ll be lucky if I can ever clear up my SSN. I think I would have better luck with yours. I’ll pay off whatever debts come up on your credit report if you let me have it and then you can have good USA credit, too.
Think about it and let me know if you are interested. I just need your DOB and SSN and I’m set. I’m not up to anything weird, I just want a damn credit card with more than $500 credit. Uhg.
Hope all is well with my niece! I met a super awesome girl! Hope to bring her over to visit soon.
Love,
John
Seriously, this guy just expected me to give up my SSN just like that over e-mail? I am sure the only reason they sent this out is because it had to have worked at some point. Mind you I wouldn't mind visiting Denmark at some point as they have some good progressive metal bands there, but I have not become Danish, nor am I a Donut or a Croissant ;-)
Anyway, I just had to shake my head at this when i got it in e-mail.
Ja
Rei
On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 2:54 PM, John Engstrom <john@airship.org> wrote:
Heya,
Now that you are a Danish citizen would you consider letting me co-opt your USA SSN? Oksana screwed up my credit so bad I’ll be lucky if I can ever clear up my SSN. I think I would have better luck with yours. I’ll pay off whatever debts come up on your credit report if you let me have it and then you can have good USA credit, too.
Think about it and let me know if you are interested. I just need your DOB and SSN and I’m set. I’m not up to anything weird, I just want a damn credit card with more than $500 credit. Uhg.
Hope all is well with my niece! I met a super awesome girl! Hope to bring her over to visit soon.
Love,
John
Seriously, this guy just expected me to give up my SSN just like that over e-mail? I am sure the only reason they sent this out is because it had to have worked at some point. Mind you I wouldn't mind visiting Denmark at some point as they have some good progressive metal bands there, but I have not become Danish, nor am I a Donut or a Croissant ;-)
Anyway, I just had to shake my head at this when i got it in e-mail.
Ja
Rei
November 5th, 2009
Who wants to go see the Michael Jackson movie with me? I can't find anyone to go with.
Landed. Where did our day go.
Hey guys, just a quick reminder - the newest yoga studio in Austin will be hosting an Open House tonight from 6pm - 9pm. Come on by to meet the staff, enjoy some free demonstrations and check out a class or two.
More info here:
http://www.eastsideyoga-austin.com/even ts-yoga-openhouse-austin-tx.html
More info here:
http://www.eastsideyoga-austin.com/even
