Jill Of All Trades

Heeeey we're in the news!

2009-09-27T20:07:00.003-04:00

Well, by "we" I mean "the Secular Student Alliance group I've been trying to start," and by "the news" I mean "part of an article in the campus newspaper," but still.

I've typed up the relevant bits below for your reading pleasure, since our newspaper doesn't seem to have an online version (?!).

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New clubs to encourage student participation
From photography to atheism, a range of organizations started this term at Centre promise additional alternatives.

By HANNAH MUSSER | CENTO WRITER

With each new school year at Centre comes a series of new clubs as well. This year, the Secular Student Alliance, the Chinese Club, and the Photography Club have been added to the list of campus organizations. Each new addition to the college’s list, which already included over 100 organizations, will add new flavors and opportunities to campus.
The Secular Student Alliance (SSA). [Miz L.], a sophomore, heard of the SSA through an atheistic blog online and thought it would be a good addition to Centre’s religious offerings. The group itself is a national organization with affiliate chapters on campuses around the world. Centre’s group, once officially recognized, will be called Centre AHA, which tentatively stands for Centre Agnostics, Humanists, and Atheists. The relationship between the SSA and its satellites is a neutral one, with the SSA providing only the resources needed to run the group, not any kind of constitution governing the group.
“Its purpose is to provide a safe space for non-theists,” [Miz L.] said. She goes on to add that the group would be a good counterbalance to all of the faith-based organizations already on campus. [Miz L.] wants to “create a positive, active voice for non-theists that could broaden the dialogue between religious groups and non-theists.”
The Secular Student Alliance would achieve this “positive, active voice” by teaming up with other organizations to complete community service projects without proselytizing. “We want to show that we are not bad people,” [Miz L.] said of the non-theists on campus.
Other activities the group hopes to host are movie showings and book discussions. [Miz L.] encourages everyone interested in the Centre AHA to attend meetings. [Miz L.] invites everyone, including theists, to come “broaden the dialogue,” but she points out that this is not a “debate or an argument” between theists and non-theists. Centre AHA does not seek to attack any religious organizations, but instead wants to let the two sides understand each other more fully. If you are interested in attending a meeting, please e-mail centre@secularstudents.org for meeting dates and mailing lists. Centre AHA currently seeks a faculty advisor as well.
[…]
[The article then goes on to talk about the Chinese Club and the Photography Club.]

On a random note, here's something that's been making me happy lately (courtesy of Skepchick):

Enjoy.

- Miz L.

My graduation speech

2008-07-18T14:48:00.002-04:00

Two months ago was my graduation, which made me realize just how much it rocks to be a homeschooled atheist only-child.

Below is a transcript of my valedictorian speech ('cause, well, I was the only one in my class).

Audience: Friends, family (mostly other Kentuckians, some not well-educated and most uninformed of my beliefs), teachers, and mentors.

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Pansy symbolism reference

Welcome, everyone! I'm so glad all of you could make it here today.

As you came in, you may have noticed our lovely cake over there. I would like to draw your attention to the flowers on that cake. As you can see, there are pansies on it. Now, some of you may have been thinking, "Hmm, that's strange, why are there pansies all over the cake?" Well, the reason we did that is because pansies hold a special symbolic meaning — they are edible, but they also hold special meaning. "Pansy" gets its name from what the French called it, the fleur de pensée, which means "flower of thought." To them, it looked like a person's face, and when the weather got hot the petals would droop forward like someone deep in thought. So in the language of the flowers, pansies symbolize a couple of things. First, they represent remembrance and memories (and later on during the slideshow we're going to have memory overload going on). Second — and this is what makes them special to me — they represent the freedom of thought, and Freethinkers, and freedom of thought is something that's been very important in my life.

I was a curious child (as I think most children are). I was the one that explored other people's closets, and asked "Why?" until you'd want to strangle me.

Now, I find that with most kids, adults will humor their curiosity for a while. But eventually, it grates on their nerves, so the children are expected to grow out of it. They'll give the kids non-answers like "because I said so," and teach them that "curiosity killed the cat." While I was eventually taught that it's impolite to open every drawer in a stranger's house and throw everything in them on the floor...I feel fortunate that those around me nurtured my natural curiosity into a love of learning, rather than suppressing it.

I truly believe that this freedom of inquiry that I was afforded — the freedom to pursue the truth, no matter where it leads — is what allowed me to become the person I am today. I know that it can be very scary letting your child explore other ideas and cultures; beliefs, lifestyles, and worldviews; the full range of choices that life has to offer — because with that comes the possibility that they will take a different path than you would have chosen for them. I know it was hard — and to those who raised me, thank you. I appreciate it. While some of you here may not agree with (or even understand) some of my beliefs, I can only hope I've become someone you can be proud of.

The truth is, the more I learned about things — and especially about other people— the more I've been able to understand other people; not only in my local community, but in my global community, as well. As I learn about their histories, experiences, and values; about who they are and where they're coming from; I find that I can identify with them, while still embracing our differences. In fact, the more I learn about the world's people and cultures, the more I value them. I begin to fully appreciate the shared humanity, and fundamental equality, of all individuals. And that moves me to defend that equality.

Of course, this doesn't mean that I'll agree with all people equally, or even get along with all people equally. But an openness to new information and ways of thinking has given me a kind of strength and flexibility. I know myself — where I come from, what I believe in, what it would take to change my mind. I know my own limitations, and realize that there are plenty of things I don't know. I also realize that there are plenty of things that I think I know, but may be wrong about. This means that when I interact with those I disagree with, I don't really fear the possibility that I may change my mind, or be "corrupted," or...get cooties. In turn, this has opened my door to opportunities and experiences — I've been able to work with many different groups of people, putting aside our disagreements in pursuit of a common goal.

And that's something that more and more of us will have to learn how to do. In case you haven't noticed, our world is getting increasingly interconnected. Here in the United States, we drive cars made in Japan, fueled by oil from Saudi Arabia, to transport our bags of groceries imported from South America and clothes made in China. Every day on the news, we see and hear the consequences of culture clash — and often, the culture rattling the hornets' nest is our own. Today, the people of our country need to learn to understand other cultures in order to survive. If we can do it well, we can thrive. Our country's historical reputation for accepting the oppressed and persecuted — "your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" — has been what drew many of our greatest citizens to this country in the first place. After all, it was the Third Reich's persecution of minorities which allowed us to gain the likes of Albert Einstein. Let us not make their mistake. Instead, let us try to live up to the hopes of those who once looked up to us. I hope that one day I can live in a country that once again is the product of Enlightenment.

Happy Zombie Jesus Day!

2008-03-23T23:29:00.002-04:00

Hope everyone enjoyed their twice-coopted pagan fertility rites.

...And remember, Peeps are peeple — er, people — too. Ban Peeps Research!

Awww, what cute little bundles of artificial flavorings. Love 'em.

— Miz L.

Going back in time - my New Year's Day

2008-01-25T22:50:00.001-05:00

It snowed.

Went out and took some photos after dinner, just as it was starting to get dark. I went out once and it was difficult for me to turn my head against the wind - snow blew up in my eyes whenever I faced the house. Went out again a minute later and it had died down.

Once I came inside and finished defrosting my fingers, I set out on a painting spree.

"(A)Drift"
11"x14"; acrylic paint and nail polish on canvas

"GrassShoots"
7"x9"; acrylic paint and nail polish on canvas (this one looks better in person)

"Unfolding"
5"x7"; acrylic paint and nail polish on canvas (starting to see a pattern?)

These I'm trying not to get too attached to, as I might sell them (if I can, that is) and thus (maybe) get a head-start on student loans. ~~In the meantime, I'm completely at a loss for titles. Suggestions?~~ (Price suggestions also appreciated).)

[Update 2/13/08: Finally settled on titles. How do you like them?]

Oh, hey, I just realized I forgot to put up the abstract painting that started it all.

Ladies and gents, meet Flare.

(created September 19th, 2007)

This one's a tiny bit bigger than the 11"x14" black one (above), and it too is in acrylic and nail polish. I submitted it to a small-time campus art show, but it - sadly - didn't get in. Instead, I got a strange form-letter e-mail that essentially said it was creative and had artistic merit, but it...didn't match the other paintings. Ooookay then.

I love it all the same. (Yeah, this one I've gotten attached to. It's not going anywhere. Sorry.)

May make a post later explaining its influences...or may not, and let you actually think about it yourself.

- Miz L.

Sticks and Stones - The Pierces

2008-01-10T20:13:00.000-05:00

Found a lovely macabre, femme fatale/gothic horror-themed music video from The Pierces (courtesy of a friend) - thought I'd pass it along. (Here's their Myspace page, for those who do that sort of thing.)

Sticks and stones will break your bones
And leave them lying in the mud
But you'll be scared when we're alone
Like I might suck your blood
And I could tell you a witch's spell
But it just might blow your top
And you start to run just as I'm having fun
It's awfully hard to stop
It's awfully hard to stop...

Newspaper Seed Starter Pots

2008-01-10T20:11:00.000-05:00

Practical Origami, Newspaper Recycling, and a Guerilla Gardening idea

While searching for a more practical use for origami than continuing to fold billions of cranes, I stumbled across instructions to fold seed starter pots out of old newspapers. You know those fancy, expensive pots you can get at the garden center - the ones made of packed peat, that you can plant directly into the ground (as they decompose)? This is a much cheaper, and possibly greener, DIY option. Not only is it recycling old newspapers (rather than using up more natural resources) - because it's origami, there's also no staples, tape, or glue to fall into or contaminate the surrounding soil.

The instructions are here, and consist of 14 easy-to-follow (or I thought so, at least) instructions. If I have time later, I may put up my own version of the tutorial, especially as it relates to the newspaper proportions - the tutorial-writer lives in Japan and is using a Japanese newspaper, which from the pictures seems to have different proportions than most ones here in the U. S. I've just tried it with normal 8"x11" paper (not with newspaper), so the proportions and sizes may turn out different. I'll come back with an update - soon, I hope!

- Miz L.

I'm back - and so are the photos

2008-01-10T19:35:00.000-05:00

Finally getting around to posting the photos I took over the summer. I know, I'm pitiful...

Ringing in updates with a Triptych

2007-12-14T12:45:00.000-05:00

Well, finally fixed the layout. Hope to have a more steady stream of content than's been going on in the past.

An older poem of mine, but one I think could use some fresh air:

Triptych

In all the expanses of Heaven,
There are no angels, there is no sunlight.
There are no harps and hearts and feathers.
There, witches offer pink cotton candy,
And there, demons dwell in pastel crayons.

Under the chapel is the ninth gate of Hell.
Here lay the thinkers, the rebels, the magicians of light and death.
We question, converse, keep ourselves company.
The greats are with us, those before their time,
Who used their allotted world-tolerance too early.

The unfinished works and businesses hover over the lawn,
Passing through time, to pass the time,
Until their time has passed on and below.
They walk, north-south, south-north, in the skylights,
And cling to the stones of the gate as they drift.

--

More writings (and updates on what I've been doing since the last post/summer) coming shortly. I hope.

- Miz L.

Wrote my Congressman

2007-12-13T14:00:00.000-05:00

Regarding House Resolution 847: "Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith" (text; Friendly Atheist post).

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Dear Representative Chandler;

My name is [X]. I'm not sure if you remember me, but I introduced you to the Congressional Award Program a few years ago by being the first Kentuckian to whom you presented their medals.

Over the years, I believe you have represented our state extremely well. I have applauded your efforts to support Kentucky's environment and the people in it; I have urged many of my friends and family members to vote for your re-election.

This is why I was shocked, and deeply saddened, to discover that yesterday you helped to approve House Resolution 847 ("Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith").
I have thoroughly read the text of this bill as it was written by its sponsor, and have come to the following conclusion: If it was introduced as simply a symbolic gesture, it was a waste of legislation time and the taxpayer dollars that funded it. If it is ever acted upon, or if it is used as the basis for further legislation that "expresses ... support for Christians," it ruthlessly violates the First Amendment of our Constitution.

I think I can understand why you voted for this bill. In today's political climate, it is dangerous to appear "anti-Christian." Candidates of all parties, in all regions, and for all positions have been tripping over themselves to prove their piety - despite our Constitution's "no religious test" clause, which says they shouldn't have to. I understand that it takes a great deal of courage to stand up to this climate; indeed, in the case of this bill, only nine did. I can understand how one might give in to these pressures - but I cannot respect it. Climates such as this make adherence to the letter and spirit of our Constitution ever more important.

Mr. Chandler, through the Congressional Award Program I have worked with many outstanding Kentuckians of all backgrounds, ages, genders, races, and classes. I have worked side-by-side with people of many different beliefs and religions, and with people of no religion. H. RES. 847 does them a great disservice, and shows an extraordinary amount of disrespect for their efforts. As a Congressman, it is your duty to represent all Kentuckians, not just those of a particular faith. Laws do not exist for the protection of the majority, for those are not the ones who need the protection.

This resolution specifically states, "the House of Representatives ... expresses its deepest respect to American Christians and Christians throughout the world." However, a clause in our First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." Perhaps I show my youth by preferring a document just over 220 years old to a religion established towards the end of the Roman Empire.

I hope that in future legislative action, you will further your record of keeping the diverse interests of Kentuckians in mind - and that you will also keep in mind our country's founding principles.

Sincerely,

[signed]

[literaghost/Miz L.'s name]

Five Principles for Peace - A Personal and Philosophical Perspective

2007-11-25T13:48:00.001-05:00

(The last of the Peace Studies assignments/musings.)
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Enough "P" alliteration for you?)

Yes, I wrote another novel... The first two postulates are the longest, as they lay the foundation for the rest. If you can get through those, you should do fine. Good luck! :)

Summary: The first two postulates focus on personal responsibility and on interconnectedness. The last three focus on the principles of balance, strength, and flexibility. None of these alone will suffice; they need to be used together (interconnectedness); in addition, they are your own tools to monitor and use (personal responsibility).

--

1. Everything begins with yourself. You have the capacity to change the world for the better; everyone does. (Movements, after all, break down into individuals.) There is no excuse to wait for someone else to clear the path, whether it be a politician or a classmate ("If only they'd just pass that bill," "If only they'd just listen to me for once"...). Make the first move, and speak only for yourself - the first steps have to come from changes within yourself, not from changing other people. (Thus, this entire manifesto-type-deal is essentially my talking to myself. [Hello, there, self - how are you today? Had a nice break?] Feel free to adopt what ideas may strike a chord, but under no circumstances take this as "[Miz L.] telling me what to do.")

2. There is no "Other." There is no "They." The polarized mentality of "Us vs. Them" makes us that much more easily led into atrocities, whether it be of nationality, creed/religion/philosophy, economic status, sex and/or gender, or even profession. We can see this in the discussions leading up to wartime - and we can see it in ourselves. Whether we're blaming all our troubles on "terrorism," "society" (ex. - "the secularization of society," the militarism of society"), "the administration," or "the media" (ex. - "the mainstream media," "violent video games"), the fact is that finding something to scapegoat does nothing. Whether or not they actually have a factor in our problems, there is nothing they do that is without our agreement, explicit or implicit. It doesn't matter how much we complain, or what we're complaining about, if we still do nothing to change (see above point).
In addition, it is important to remember that despite our surface differences, we all come from the same source - whether it be the dust of the earth, or the same molecules that have cycled through different forms since the Big Bang. Every action has an effect, an equal and opposite reaction, no matter how small. Even if the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil doesn't set off a tornado in Texas, it at least shifts the atmosphere surrounding it. "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main [...] therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." There is no "other" - for we are the other.

3. In all things, maintain a sense of balance, moderation, and perspective. Passion and emotion are valuable; so are logic and keeping a cool head. It is important to reduce/minimize harmful emissions from transportation, but it is equally important to travel, and to explore other cultures and environments. Pay attention to your instincts, but don't let them rule you. Pick your battles, but don't give up the bus seat that would change the world. Choose wisely - is it really a big deal? Is it really harmless? Also remember, the "everything" in "everything in moderation" includes moderation.

4. Don't let yourself get burned out - but don't give in to cynicism or apathy. Achieving peace, especially positive peace, covers an enormous amount of issues. Just "staying informed" can be overwhelming. Rest when you need to ("everything in moderation..."); enjoy the life you have. Perhaps work on "inner peace" for a while. But don't give up, or stop caring. Dust yourself off and go at it again. Remember - you are never the only one. There's always someone else who feels overwhelmed, too - and, more importantly, there are always others who are working for the same goals. They're helping you; go help them.

5. There are no hard-and-fast rules...including these. People do have differences, and situations have differences. Stay flexible.

Lost? Confused? Might want to re-read the summary...

Not lost? Good for you! Please turn in a brief analytical summary on Wednesday. ;)

- [Miz. L.]

--

Ties in nicely with Thivai's post on the Yes! Magazine article.

How does religion promote war and/or peace, if at all?

2007-11-18T13:34:00.000-05:00

(Musings for another Peace Studies assignment.)

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These are my scattered musings on the role of religion in fostering war and peace, and on religious in/tolerance more generally (as I see the two to be linked). I'm not sure if they'll all make sense, because I have a lot of different thoughts on this topic running around ~~screaming~~ simultaneously in my head. Take a deep breath...

...Here goes.

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What first comes to mind is an experience/revelation I had at an academic conference/"camp"/thingus this past summer. My roommate of the five weeks was the daughter of a Christian preacher, and worked at a Christian radio station. She told me she had only gone to one church - her dad's - for her entire life. While she was at the "camp," she and her group of friends made an effort to visit a different kind of church every week - going to a Catholic church and one with a different racial base, among others. For a little while, I thought, "Great! They're actually learning to accept...

...Other...forms of Christianity."

And then I realized how far we have to go.

And that's when I got depressed again.

So here's the first of my thoughts: organized religion seems to be inherently exclusive. Some may be exclusive on greater or lesser levels, but they still are.

Take "interdenominational" efforts. The premise seems to be, "We're accepting, all right! We accept all forms of Christianity!" Translation: If you're Buddhist, get out.

Then take the "interfaith" efforts. "As long as you believe in God/some sort of higher power, you're all right by us!" Tough luck, atheists and agnostics.

Organized religion - like so many other organized social constructs - can be used to unite people (for many purposes). But at the same time, they divide them against "The Other" - whether that be people of a different religion, people of no religion, or people who don't interpret their religion in the same way. With these divisions often (not necessarily, but often enough) come conflict. There's conflict, for example, between those who interpret their religion "for peace" and those who interpret it "for war."

--

Which brings me to thought part two: try as we might, there is just no way to determine that a peace-promoting interpretation of religious doctrine is any more "right" or "valid" than a war-promoting one, much as we cannot determine the opposite. We can agree with one more than the other, sure; we can argue that one is more beneficial, or useful, or practical, or just. But we cannot argue that one is more legitimate - at least not based on that doctrine. Doctrine can support almost anything, if you know where to look.

Let's take that old favorite standby of religious arguments for an example - the Bible. Many will argue, "Oh, all that weird 'stoning and vengeance' stuff is just in the Old Testament. Jesus didn't actually say any of it (he, naturally, only said peaceful hippie stuff), so we shouldn't pay attention to it."

At this point, I should admit the influence of Marvin Harris, controversial anthropologist. In his book "Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of Culture" (chapter: The Secret of the Prince of Peace), he includes this table:

Blessed are the peacemakers. (Matthew 5:9)	Think not that I am come to send peace on earth, I come not to send peace but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)
Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew 5:39)	Suppose ye that I come to give peace on earth? I will tell you nay, but rather division. (Luke 12:51)
All that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 26:52)	He that hath no sword, let him sell his garments and buy one. (Luke 22:36)
Love thine enemies; do good to them that hate you. (Luke 6:27)	And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them out of the temple...and poured out the changer's money and overthrew the tables. (John 2:15)

Needless to say, it's difficult to assimilate the attitudes of the two columns simultaneously (although many apologists have made a living using rhetorical and/or logical and/or historical contortions to do so). Thus, many who try to follow its teachings focus on either one column's perspective or the other's.

I think this stems from an inherent difficulty of using any one document - written by many people, over many time periods, whether divinely inspired or not - as the sole basis for one's life choices. It's like the joke about George Washington's axe - "This is the original he used to cut down the cherry tree. The handle's been replaced six times, and the head only five." After all that, can you really say it's the same axe? The same "essence" may be there, but we'll never really know, having only fragments of (what we think are) the originals. In this case, even the original axe's head was made at a different time, by a different person, than its handle - and they possibly never fitted together very well in the first place.

--

And so, thought the third: what are religious groups working for peace doing, anyway? To me, it seems a little like a knitting club deciding to join the peace effort. Perhaps their reasoning is "It's harder for people to knit when they're worried about being bombed, so we should try to stop the bombing so more people can concentrate on their knitting." Sure, okay, whatever. Their heart's in the right place, I suppose, and we could certainly use whatever help we can get. But I have trouble seeing the connection - or, at least, I have trouble seeing how the connection's any stronger than, say, that of an underwater basket weaver's guild.

Perhaps the connection lies in the sort of poetic justice that comes when religious groups come together to solve a conflict instead of causing one, especially when it was the cause in the first place. "You started it - you end it." In that case, treaty agreements between groups of different philosophies or politics that have been in conflict are on the same level. It's just one more tool, or one more cultural classification method to get around. Lyrics from John Lennon's "Imagine" come to mind: "Imagine there's no countries./It isn't hard to do./Nothing to kill or die for,/and no religion, too." Here, and in the rest of the song, I think Lennon's referencing some of the things that divide us - Christian or Muslim, Capitalist or Socialist, Rich or Poor, Saved or Sinner ("Imagine there's no heaven..."). While some can unite within those labels, most of the time they're just obstacles to be worked around in order to really reach other people.

--

Which, in a roundabout way, brings me to thought number four: why religious contributions, and what differentiates between theirs and those of any other philosophy? To me, religion is mostly "Philosophy + Supernatural [beliefs]." So, what distinguishes "religious contributions" (or detractions) from simply "philosophical" ones might be the "supernatural" part - which, by definition, we can't verify. Not very useful.

Perhaps the importance lies in sheer numbers, or power. Given the clout many religions have (if only because they're "divinely backed"), getting them on the side of peace would be immensely beneficial to the peace movement - at least in the short run. Much like making a peace alliance with the former USSR might have been, or one with North Korea might today. However, at least to me, it would have similar problems in the long run. Say you've got a major world power on your side, working for peace (or at least for disarmament). What do you do when you find out about its humanitarian crises, about the critics getting silenced and the women getting beaten? It makes for a careful compromise, especially when in negotiating a positive peace.

--

So that's the end of my Sunday-night thoughts about Religion and War and Peace. Might have to come back later if any more get shaken out of the tangle.

Made it to the end? Congratulations! Have a cookie. If you're brain's hurting by now, go relax.

- [Miz L.]

We're Here

2007-09-17T13:32:00.000-04:00

Berea won't know what hit it...

Our new view. (Welcome home.)

[Berea photostream]

Response to the Iraq Veterans Memorial

2007-09-16T13:28:00.000-04:00

(Another response for the Peace Studies class. Site referenced is the Iraq Veterans Memorial. From the site: "The Iraq Veterans Memorial is an online war memorial that honors the members of the U.S. armed forces who have lost their lives serving in the Iraq War. The Memorial is a collection of video memories from family, friends, military colleagues, and co-workers of those that have fallen.")

--

My cousin left for Iraq in August. My mother's half-sister (his mother) relays me e-mails about his state of being; as I read them, I realize just how little I know about him. I was always closer to his younger sister, Meredith - when we were small, we girls would gang up against him in extended sibling rivalry, which usually involved one side barricading a door against the other. I would traipse about town and exchange clothes with Meredith, but I barely spoke to Jesse. Now, my mother asks me to help compile jokes and magazines for his care packages, but I have no idea what to include. What does he think is funny? What interests him? What sort of food does he like? What does he want to do with his life? What did he do on the weekends? And I wonder if I'll ever get another chance to know him.

War memorials can be strange things. The Iraq Veterans Memorial is different than most I've seen, and not just because it's online. The Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D. C. - and, to a greater extent, our state one in Frankfort - attempt to make casualty statistics more personal by listing individual names instead of numbers. However, with these memorials, victims are still just names etched in cold stone. We still wonder what the people with those names were like, who knew them, and how they're remembered. The Iraq Veteran's Memorial does more than list names - it brings you face-to-face with the people behind the names and those who knew them; it shows you exactly who they were, what they looked like, what the faces of their friends and family in mourning look like. It also reinforces a detail many of us would rather not think about: That could be you.

I know more about the soldiers on the Iraq memorial website by watching a minute's worth of videos than I've known about Jesse my entire life. I can barely write him a letter - what would I put in a eulogy? I know full well how ill-prepared for that possibility I am. Too often we are fooled into thinking it won't be us, it won't be our friends or relatives or neighbors who won't come home. But it's always someone's - and they're not much different from us. What if we get the next blow?

Moving Day

2007-09-15T13:20:00.000-04:00

Pack up the cats, we're moving.

What? How would you do it?

_{Posts should resume shortly.}

Response to the Sixth Anniversary of 9/11

2007-09-11T13:03:00.000-04:00

(Written for a section of my Peace Studies class.)
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Yes, it's really been that long. Stop rhetorically asking, already. You know it's been that long. You can feel it. You can see it in our eyes - we're already weary of trying to summon the old heartache that just won't come anymore. We're weary of trying to remember what we were doing when we found out the news, making it the Kennedy Assassination on our generation's cultural timeline.
All the same, I discover myself still trying. I'm saddened, but not particularly surprised, to find that my memory's hazy, frayed, and fragmented. At times it resembles a threadbare and moth-eaten patchwork quilt. Maybe I'm holding on to it for sentimental value (could it be my security blanket?), but it could never have much practical use now.

What do I remember? I remember taking a break from my piano practice to go into the kitchen, and the kitchen TV was on. It had been several hours after it actually happened. The news was frenzied, and jumbled, and repetitive. My parents had to explain what was going on. They did so simply and to-the-point, although they were doubtlessly as clueless or confused as I was. My aunt Kathy (now buried somewhere in Monticello) called us about it, wondering if we knew, if the news was on here - that TV again. Was I numb then, or am I just numb now?
I remember feeling frightened for our Muslim neighbors, who lived at the corner of the cul-de-sac, whose younger children played games in the street with the others and whose older daughters walked to school in their headscarves and backpacks. I had been studying American history that year. I remembered all too well what had happened to the Japanese after Pearl Harbor fever.
I remember a sudden blooming of red, white, and blue. Stars threatened to blind me; stripes reached to ensnare me in their candy-cane tentacles. (Maybe the Libyan family would have avoided harassment if they swathed their heads in Old Glories?) People set up booths outside of the mall, selling flags on dowel rods to "support the families of 9/11 victims." My mother bought a few. The money never got where it was supposed to.
The first Sunday after, my mother insisted we go to church. We hadn't gone in months. Now, in her mind, it was "the right thing to do." I don't remember the service. I remember the sanctuary was packed, though. Did I listen? Was I fed propaganda; was I stirred by it? Did we fear judgment day - and who was supposed to be judging whom?

I remember our restaurant slowly losing business as people increasingly preferred to huddle in front of the television (that TV again!) than to get out of the house. We closed that restaurant after a year of struggle. My father now works for his former competitor.
I remember making an ungainly attempt to defend my beloved French from my then-best friend. I don't think either of us knew what we were talking about.
I remember being swept up in the patriotic tide like everyone else. I was snagged by a dissenting twig along the way, though, and I'm grateful for it. I wish more branches took hold.

Six years later, and my memory fades by the day. Six years later, and we speak of "cultural amnesia." Given how little we knew in the first place, I doubt it would do us much good to remember. Meanwhile, the future keeps coming - and we keep trying, instead of rebuilding. Where do we go from here?

Return from (Unannounced) Hiatus

2007-08-23T20:59:00.001-04:00

Clear off! This is our park!, originally uploaded by Reciprocity.

I'm back. Miss me? Yeah, didn't think so.

--

I wonder what caused that bridge collapse...could it be due to government corruption? Shoddy infrastructure? The Wrath Of God?

Nope! Pigeons!

Experts say the corrosive guano deposited all over the span's framework helped the steel beams rust faster.

Although investigators have yet to identify the cause of the bridge's Aug. 1 collapse, which killed at least 13 people and injured about 100, the pigeon problem is one of many factors that dogged the structure.

I think the best responses to this come from my mom, and a commenter on the CBS page -

Mom: "THAT'S RIGHT-BLAME THE PIGEONS!"

Commenter ("AaaBee"): Poop, huh? Nope, ain't buying it. The White House is still standing after 7 years of shit.

More posts coming as soon as I have time. Recordings from where I've been during the hiatus also coming, as soon as I can figure out how to upload and post them properly. Damn computer troubles...

- Miz L.

2007-06-12T22:29:00.000-04:00

According to The Gender Genie, 13 of my (21 entered) writing pieces were really written by a male version of myself.

I somehow suspected it'd turn out like that...hmm.

May post some snippets later tommorow, we'll see.

Nowhere to Go but

2007-06-12T22:04:00.001-04:00

Nowhere to Go but, originally uploaded by literaghost.

...Up.

Or is it down?

When the door's locked, nothing to do but turn around and start over.

(Craft house, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio.) .

Paris, condensed (pt. 2)

2007-06-12T21:56:00.001-04:00

Paris, condensed (pt. 2), originally uploaded by literaghost.

Hip Gypsies

2007-06-12T21:52:00.001-04:00

Hip Gypsies - 16, originally uploaded by literaghost.

A few belly dancers at Berea's International Festival (taken May 18th). They call themselves "The Hip Gypsies."

Go check out my Flickr page - got an account update, so my photos are better organized now. Huzzah!

- L. W.

A Brief Correspondence

2007-06-12T18:58:00.000-04:00

Open Letter to Certain Nonprofits^*

To Whom it May Concern;

Sometime last year, I certified my backyard with the National Wildlife Federation as a Wildlife Habitat. Shortly after my contact information entered the NWF database, I began to receive a barrage of mail from non-profits of all shapes and sizes (that would be you^*), often with enclosed free stuff, and all with one ultimate goal: to solicit donations.

Now, I have no problem with this, in itself. You're nonprofits, after all - never asking for donations would be suspicious, at best. However, I feel it is my responsibility to warn you that I am a student (and, honestly, a bit of a spendthrift). What little money I have, I spend on books.^**

In summary, while I apprecitate everything you do for the world, you probably shouldn't expect monetary help from me anytime soon - maybe when, you know, I actually get a job. Until then, I will continue to snag the free stuff out of your petitions and solicitations, and toss the rest into the recycling bin.

Sincerely,

[L. W.]

_{*You know who you are.
**Well, and postage, but that's to get more books. Besides, the decade's supply of return-address labels you've sent me by now only aggravates matters.}

Response from Certain Nonprofits

Dear [L. W.];

In your letter dated [...], you write:

What little money I have, I spend on books [...] and postage[.]

To this, we reply:

Tree-killer.

Sincerely,

[The Nonprofit Conservationist League]

2007-05-26T21:08:00.000-04:00

Moo Matisse

_{Cow paintings in the window of an art gallery, somewhere in northern France.}

Not Quite Free Yet

_{It seems it was just yesterday that everyone spoke of "freedom coming to Russia." Did their wings get stuck at the critical moment, also?
(Monument in Moscow, Russia.)}

Pick a Letter

_{Letter cutouts on a craft house worktable - Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio.}

And now, your regularly scheduled photo-flood.

2007-05-26T20:55:00.000-04:00

Guardian of the Fake Sushi

_{Window display for a Japanese restaurant - downtown Nashville, Tennessee.}

Memorial

_{D-day memorial on one of Normandy's beaches.}

Opposing Pair

_{Towers in the Old Kremlin - Novgorod, Russia.}

Shall break for the night after the next round.

Interlude for a Widget

2007-05-26T19:42:00.000-04:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Your regularly scheduled barrage of photos shall continue shortly.

2007-05-26T17:49:00.000-04:00

Infinite

_{Stained glass inside the Sainte Chapelle cathedral on the Ile de la Cite - Paris, France.}

Long On Fun!

_{Playing with focus and perspective. Some sort of taffy-thing, found and shot in a discount convenience store.}

Body in the Bathroom

_{Random, innocent bodycast found in an upstairs bathroom of the craft house. What can I say, I guess they're predisposed to mildly philosophical setups. I had nothing to do with it, I swear. (Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio.)}

2007-05-26T16:18:00.000-04:00

History is Bunk

_{Perhaps a better title would have that phrased as a question.
(Partially destroyed German bunker at one of Normandy's beaches.)}

Keely & Frasier

_{Two young writers in the upside-down tree - Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio.}

St. Sophia

_{Saint Sophia cathedral in Novgorod, Russia (under renovation).}

2007-05-26T16:00:00.000-04:00

Exodus

_{Group exiting the Kremlin - Moscow, Russia.}

Family

_{Family gathering (Easter '06) - Okolona, Louisville, Kentucky.}

Find Peace

_{Is this even where you can find it, where it's such a small and hidden-away part compared to all the other ostentation?
(Inside a St. Petersburg cathedral.)}

2007-05-26T15:42:00.000-04:00

Clarity

_{Gondoliers outside the Venetian hotel and casino - Las Vegas, Nevada.}

Gaining Perspective

_{Abbey courtyard/garden - Monastery of Mont Saint-Michel, France.}

Descent

_{Stairs of a partially-destroyed German bunker - one of Normandy's beaches.}

2007-05-26T15:19:00.000-04:00

Waiting...

_{...For the moment of freedom.
(Taken through a gate at the Keeneland race track - Lexington, Kentucky.)}

Dead and Lush

_{Not long before the rest fall.
(Dried reeds in our backyard.)}

Far from Home

_{Wherever home is.
(The landscape just outside Novgorod, Russia.)}

2007-05-26T14:58:00.000-04:00

Art Lovers

_{A scuplture of lovers inside the Hermitage museum (St. Petersburg, Russia). Outside the window is Palace Square, and its entrance through the General Staff building (the archway).}

Attention to Detail

_{One of my group-mates getting splashed by one of Peterhof's fountains (Peterhof being the summer palaces and gardens of Peter the Great) - outside St. Petersburg, Russia.}

Ceremony

_{Inside the chapel of the cathedral at Mont Saint-Michel (France), where they still hold services.}

Once again, pictures link to their original (borderless) versions in my deviantART gallery.

Beginning the siege of photo posts

2007-05-25T22:49:00.000-04:00

I've been working on adding borders to some of my better photos - think I'll need to play around with widths and such. Any comments?

Branches

_{These roots run deeper than you'd expect.}

10

_{Part of the old water tower (now arts center) - Louisville, Kentucky.}

Camera-Shy

_{Photo collage - Orphanage #4, St. Petersburg, Russia. This particular orphanage "specializes" in (if you could call it that) mentally and physically disabled children. All of the orphans there have some degree of schizophrenia, and quite a few of them have conditions that leave them permanently infant-like, despite being well into their teens. Many stories here...*}

Pictures link to original pics in my dA gallery. (Borders added using Picnik.)

More photos coming soon, and continuing - at least until I get other posts written, and perhaps even after that.

_{*Explanation of title: here, taking photos directly of the children felt boorish and awkward to me - instead, I took a picture of pictures. Which of us could be called "camera-shy," then? Hmm.}

2007-05-24T23:49:00.000-04:00

Well, I've forgotten what else I was going to post.

Besides that one thing. Which is for later.

Ah, well. Photo posts starting tomorrow, while I'm trying to remember what I was doing.

THE CATACOMBS OF LEXINGTON!

2007-05-22T22:08:00.000-04:00

Much ado has been made about my sideways mentioning of an attempted Urban Exploration stint a while back. Thus, without any further of said ado, I give you...the rest of the story.

LEXINGTON IS BUILT upon the dust of an ancient walled city of vast extent. In 1776 hunters discovered catacombs 300x100 feet, fifteen feet below the surface, in which there were numerous mummies...*

Several years ago while browsing through a library, I chanced upon some poorly-researched book on ancient and paranormal-y sites, of which my city (Lexington) had a passing mention. According to the book, the city as it stands had been built on several underground Native American catacombs. My first thoughts were "Ooh, catacombs!" and "Hey, why haven't I heard of this before?" However, the book was rather vague on both where these supposed catacombs were located and how to access them - and as my research skills were nowhere near where they are today, the matter died.

Two or three months ago, the matter resurfaced (I can't quite remember how), and I returned to the hunt for answers.

My trail led to the accounts of Thomas Ashe, an Irish adventurer/historian of the early 1800's, who quickly gained notoriety as being "a slippery fellow" who told people what they wanted to hear. The story stuck, however, being picked up by the historian George W. Ranck in 1872 ("History of Lexington," pub. Cincinnati, OH). Mentioned also was a Prof. Rafinesque, one-time teacher at Lexington's Transylvania University, and referred to in a 1902 article as "the highest authority on the mounds and reliques [sic] of the Mississippi Valley" - despite the fact that he was a professor of botany, which his career seemed to be limited to.

In 1873, a year after the publication of Ranck's History, William Leavy published his own "Memoir of Lexington," which included a scathing critique of Ranck's inclusion of the catacomb story. However, while Leavy might have made a convincing case by critiquing Ranck's dubious sources, he instead simply lists a bunch of people who were in Lexington at the time of Ashe (not even saying "and they didn't see anything of the sort"). Helpful for genealogists, maybe, but...
Um. Yeah.

And so I continued my search. That's when I started to run into trouble.

My archival resources online were rapidly dwindling, so I decided to enlist the help of a friend and search our main library's Kentucky Room - but, wouldn't you know it, a series of crises threw off my plans.

What happened:

Bad weather (after all, this was February).

Grandmother being rushed to the hospital (and grandfather, soon after she got out).

Exploration partner falling ill, and then just becoming lazy once he realized that we would not actually be digging up graves (keeping in mind that I only recently stopped looking...twelve, and it would be very unwise for me to wander the depths of downtown Lex on my own).

And, the kicker...

A pipe burst in the Kentucky Room, damaging quite a few books and temporarily closing it for repairs. If that's not angry Native American spirits wreaking havoc in an attempt to dissuade potential nosy explorers, I'm not sure what is.

All that was coupled with a growing sense that - if the shrines/catacombs even existed - entering them would probably require getting jackhammers and a backhoe in the middle of a busy downtown intersection, or persuading strangers to let us dig up their basements. It didn't help that most of the only recent mentions I've heard of the catacomb legend are coupled with either Illuminati conspiracy theories or internal analyses of the Book of Mormon.

So, that particular plan to go where no girl has gone before (well, at least not recently) has petered out. Unfortunately for those who have to deal with me, the urge to discover and rediscover local treasures has only been stoked.

Me and my army of bird-crafts will find those abandoned buildings yet. You'll see.

Anyone got the number for Origamaholics Anonymous?

2007-05-17T23:21:00.000-04:00

What I should be/should've been doing:

Working

Updating blog

Explaining what the hell I was talking about in the beginning of my last post

Writing Morphine semi-tribute/music post

Working through Perilous Times before the library confiscates it or something

Responding to my dA comments

Responding to comments, period (I haven't forgotten you, Thivai, I swear!)

Getting butter, chocolate, gelatin, peppermint oil, and heavy cream from the grocery

Going through the 607 unread deviations on my dA watch

Probably 15 more things I've already forgotten about

What I've actually been doing:

Folding cranes

Lots...and lots...of cranes.
173, to be exact.

The smallest's slightly more than half-an-inch or slightly less than two centimeters in wingspan (depending on your country).

I know, I know, I'm crazy. I can't help it, though - this stuff is addicting!

Wait...why's my hand all spotty-looking in that last picture? Oh, no, it's...it's...

...THE FOLDING SICKNESS! Mother always told me to beware of those tricky Japanese handiworks, I should've listened...

_{Actual posts starting tomorrow night.}

Good lord, I need to update this thing more often.

2007-02-03T13:52:00.000-05:00

The search for the catacombs of Lexington is on! That's right, we're going into urban exploration.
...As soon as I get back in town for more than two days at a time, that is. Need to grab my notes on it next time we get back. When we get in full swing, the journey shall be documented here.

In other news, Kris Reisz = love. Check out his blog - see that clay crow a couple entries down? Yeah, I made that. Go me. Oh, and Josh Bernstein = love, too. Archeology? Swoon.

In other other news, Superman is a dick. (Likes showing his off, too, apparently.)

Despite the teacher raising the grading scale twice, my having very little idea what's going on, somehow making half the class hate my guts, and missing half the assignments for two weeks in a row due to being out-of-town, I still seem to be making an A in Advanced Economics. Let this be inspiration for the masses: If I can do it, anyone can! Hell, I even think Warren Buffet's the test-tube love child of Jimmy Buffet and Warren Zevon! (Politicians, you have no excuse anymore.)

I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's

And his hair was purple*

Ah-whoo! Werewolves of London

Draw blood) Ah-whoo!...

_{*All lyrics sources I've found say that it's "perfect," not "purple." Honestly, I like my version better, so there it is.}

More later. Over and out.

- L. W.

Hurrah, link to backlinks finally working!

2006-02-20T22:37:00.000-05:00

Not sure what happened there - I reposted the code where it was the first time, and then it worked. Weird. Ah, well.

Wheeeee! The geekiness will infect EVERYONE! Muahahahahaha!

[Over and out, finally]

That's not sweat, that's my creative juices flowing!

2006-02-20T22:19:00.000-05:00

Not that I'm sweating anyway, because I'm still lazy, but oh well.

In the quest for creating a less stifling background, I've been painting. Unfortunately, neither of the things I painted have any use as a background whatsoever, but I'm pleased with the results nonetheless.

The first*

The second

All the random brightness variations and crease-looking things are a result of the canvases being larger than my scanner (I had to scan them in bits and piece them together on MS Paint, grrrr).

Yep, I'm multi-talented. Now, let's see if I can finally compose my vague mental abstractions... Wish me luck!

[Both pieces are acrylic on canvas.]

*The yellowish text in the middle of the upper-left-hand corner (if that makes any sense) reads:
"ACTUAL REALITY
ACT UP
FIGHT AIDS".
- Thank you, Rent.

Congratulations, 'You Ain't No Picasso' and 'Motel de Moka'!

2006-02-19T22:04:00.000-05:00

You're blogs of note!

Of course, I'm probably far behind the times on this one, but wanted to draw attention to 'em in any case. Check them out, oh four-or-so people who read this thing!

You Ain't No Picasso
Motel de Moka

Fun fact: Matt at YANP's a local. Let's give him a hand for helping disprove the notion that all Kentuckians are child-selling, animal-abusing Israel-haters.

More posts tomorrow, if I've got time. If anyone cares to know. Hahah, 'course ya do! Why? 'Cause I say so! Really!

Now Presenting: Solving the Problem of Welfare-Supported Addictions

2006-02-19T21:23:00.000-05:00

Yeah, that's right, my fellow Kentuckians have discovered the solution. The addicted ones should support themselves by...

...Selling their children!

(LONDON, Ky.) -- A 19-year-old woman from Laurel County is accused of trying to sell her children -- a 4-week-old and 2-year-old.

... For Amanda Jones Marksberry, police say matters of money -- and ultimately drugs -- might have mattered more than her own children.

... After a month-long investigation the Laurel County Sheriff's Department arrested Marksberry when they say she offered to sell both children to an undercover officer.

Online Reporter: Jeff Tang

Apparently, she's not the only one around here who decided to put a spin on Swift's "Modest Proposal." Awfully clever, aren't we? Yeah.

Hrm.

2006-01-22T20:59:00.001-05:00

Considering changing background. Having trouble narrowing my ideas, though. Any suggestions - as to colors, subject matters, mediums, etc.? If needed, methinks I'll just make, alter, or paint my own.

Blasted over-enthusiastic brain...

Happy Paraskavedekatriaphobia Day!

2006-01-13T10:07:00.000-05:00

http://people.howstuffworks.com/friday-thirteenth.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th

Not to alarm the superstitious, but there's also to be another full moon tonight.

And I have an essay due tonight, too...hmm...

...Guess I should get back to work on that now, eh?

Over and out, then.

Well, changed template again.

2006-01-11T22:48:00.000-05:00

Much closer to what I really wanted at first, now. Thanks to Martijn ten Napel for the template. FINALLY figured out how to make the background image show up! [thwacks self on head repeatedly] I'll have to credit him for the temp. in the sidebar sometime...prolly not tonight, though, net time's getting low.

On a side note, apparently my photography's getting me noticed:

Subject: excellent in site
Date: 1/10/2006 6:12:17 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: [michael]
To: [literaghost]

just checked out your http://kaywebb.deviantart.com/ and you have excellent in site!!

from your profile and website and blog i'm going to push my 3 classes of students to excel even more than i have in last 6+ years. thanks for the kick in the @$$.

best to you in your future. and go get jack's on the road and read up.

regards, michael

Thanks for the complements, Michael dear; I appreciate professional opinion. (As you can see, I'll give you a bit of press as well. At least, from the 0.002 percent of people who actually visit this.)

Over and out.

x^infinity

2005-11-12T21:50:00.000-05:00

~~Loneliness is sharpest felt when pressed in from all sides by company...~~ Angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst...

~~...At least my cat still pays attention to me. Sometimes.~~ ...Angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst. Angst.

~~Damn thing keeps rooting around in my closet.~~ Angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst.

~~One of these days he'll pull out a skeleton.~~ Angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst angst.

Editu 2/3/07: Pointless angsting under a meaningless, pseudo-intellectual header! Fun times! (Sorry 'bout that, folks.)

Decent Recent Reads (sort of)

2005-11-12T21:21:00.000-05:00

Speaking of which...

Read and Loved

"Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of Culture" -- Marvin Harris

"Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy" -- Jostein Gaarder

"An American Childhood" -- Annie Dillard

"No Exit" -- Jean-Paul Sartre

"Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft -- Thor Heyerdahl

"Alas, Babylon" -- Pat Frank

"Brave New World" -- Aldous Huxley

"Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters" -- Mark Dunn

"Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within" -- Natalie Goldberg

Started, Not Finished, Still Love

"The Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics" -- Gary Zukav

"Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" -- Annie Dillard

"Who Let the Blogs Out?: A Hyperconnected Peek at the World of Weblogs" -- Biz Stone

Want to Start, Damnit

"On the Road" -- Jack Kerouac

"The Writing on the Wall: 108 American Poems of Protest" -- Walter Lowenfels (ed.)

Startlingly enough, all of the Amazon pictures that were avaliable of those books showed the exact same versions as the ones I own (or, in Biz Stone's case, checked out from the library). Odd.

Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of Culture [book review]

2005-11-12T21:14:00.000-05:00

Random review-like-thing I wrote to get extra-credit for WHAP (AP World History) for a book I read semi-recently. Pretty good read, actually.

Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches: The Riddles of culture (by Marvin Harris)

Technically, this book covers cultural anthropology and sociology, not world history. However, I believe that these fields have important functions in the study of history, especially if one wants to determine why things happen, not just what and when. I believe that an understanding of sociology and the like is extremely beneficial in analyzing cause-and-effect relationships both in human psychology and in historical events around the world.

That being said, I would also like to introduce contextual information about Mr. Harris. It seems that his works and opinions have been the subject of much debate, at least from what I've browsed through on the internet. Many of Harris's theories are highly controversial; it's little wonder that many dismiss him as a "quack" and an "axe-grinder" whom "no one in anthropology takes seriously anymore." Harris is a cultural materialist and a Marxist, and many in his field and elsewhere are offended by his viewpoint. I, for one, find his theories fascinating (if a little far-fetched at times) and his writing style engaging. I'd recommend reading "Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches" with both a grain of salt and an open mind.

"Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches" attempts to answer many perplexing questions about human behavior with practical and scientific explanations. The first few chapters offer explanations to the Hindu veneration of the cow and the Jew and Muslim loathing of pigs and pork. The last few chapters address the causes for medieval witch-hunts, and offers both explanations and criticism for the rising of the new-age movement (especially interesting, for this book was first published in 1967!). Chapters in-between address everything from Cargo Cults to an (extremely controversial!) theory of the rise of Christianity and original character of Jesus of Galilee.

Personally, I enjoyed reading this book and absorbing all the insights it had to offer, but it's probably not for everyone.

On another note, I found a rather intriguing interview of Marvin Harris.

Links

2005-11-05T12:55:00.000-05:00

Testing links.

Besides, these things are just so damn gorgeous.

Definiendo el Amor

emily.nu/star69

Lovely.

Over and out.