...that's what this Nine Inch Nails song sparks my imagination to, anyway. It such a peaceful, beautiful piece of music. I hope you enjoy it half as much as I do.
D
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
New Poll
Do you think breastfeeding should be allowed in public? Go vote! The poll is just to your right! For the love of Darwin, VOTE!
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Share It To The World
I have just added a share button below all of my post so that now you, my loyal minions, can spread my intellectual seed across the interwebs effortlessly. Now GO!
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Monday, June 28, 2010
Poll Results: The Devil Doesn't Exist
If the truth were determined democratically then according to my most recent poll the devil doesn't exist. The readers decided the devil's non-existence in a 8-6 majority (I know, the massive number of voters is crashing the blogspot servers). Anyway, the devil doesn't exist, so everyone should eat, drink and be merry!
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I just found this pic; I don't know who it is of, but it is funny nonetheless.
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I just found this pic; I don't know who it is of, but it is funny nonetheless.
Something New In The Works
I am working on the details of a new blogject™. I can't give you much yet, but here is what I can give you:
1) Yes, it is another blog, but don't worry, this blog won't be neglected.
2) The subject matter of the new blogject™ is "adult" oriented; that means you have to be 18 or older to enjoy.
3) Concerning #2: No, it's not a porn blog, per se. There will be nudity, though.
4) The new blogject™will have a lot to do with sex and gender within the realms of education, pop-culture, dyadic relationships (perhaps even group relationships), art, erotica, literature, and so on.
I will definitely let you know when the new blog is up and running, so that way you can stop on by. I will let you in on another detail of the new blog: there just might be another blogger joining me to bring you the highest quality blog content. And a possible goal of this new blogject™is for there to be many contributors. I want as many voices as possible on this new blogject™, Until next time...
D
1) Yes, it is another blog, but don't worry, this blog won't be neglected.
2) The subject matter of the new blogject™ is "adult" oriented; that means you have to be 18 or older to enjoy.
3) Concerning #2: No, it's not a porn blog, per se. There will be nudity, though.
4) The new blogject™will have a lot to do with sex and gender within the realms of education, pop-culture, dyadic relationships (perhaps even group relationships), art, erotica, literature, and so on.
I will definitely let you know when the new blog is up and running, so that way you can stop on by. I will let you in on another detail of the new blog: there just might be another blogger joining me to bring you the highest quality blog content. And a possible goal of this new blogject™is for there to be many contributors. I want as many voices as possible on this new blogject™, Until next time...
D
Sunday, June 27, 2010
.XXX Could Be The New Online Suffix For Adult Websites
As early as 2011 "adult" websites maybe going from the .com to the .xxx top level domain name. Though, currently it is not mandatory for "adult" websites to switch over to the new .xxx. Personally I believe that all "adult" sites will be forced to move to the .xxx.
I don't know if this is a good or a bad idea. The porn industry is concerned that the .xxx will make it easier to censor "adult" content, and religious leaders are concerned that the .xxx will give the porn industry legitimacy. I have to admit, I don't quite understand the latter. The porn industry IS legitimate, widely available and quite profitable.
With all of that said...
If you want to see the semi-naughty picture then click the "read more" link.
I don't know if this is a good or a bad idea. The porn industry is concerned that the .xxx will make it easier to censor "adult" content, and religious leaders are concerned that the .xxx will give the porn industry legitimacy. I have to admit, I don't quite understand the latter. The porn industry IS legitimate, widely available and quite profitable.
With all of that said...
If you want to see the semi-naughty picture then click the "read more" link.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
World Cup Today
The U.S. is playing Ghana in the second round of the Fifa World Cup today. So check it out on your local ABC station. The pregame show starts at 2pm and then the game at 2:30pm. I know, some of you would rather shove a number-two pencil in your eye before you would watch soccer. Knowing the aforementioned, I present to you some of the most amazing soccer moves EVER! If the video doesn't get you amped then watch something else, or better yet, read a book. If you pick the latter, I suggest Cosmopolitan's, Guide to Getting it On, in which, you can read about a variety of sexual activities and personal accounts of those activities. And this is not a lewd book. The personal experiences coupled with the practical how-to will not only give you an enjoyable reading experience but it may even give you something new to try, maybe something you secretly have wanted to do but weren't too sure about such as: anal sex, playing with your self, sex fantasies, double penetration, threesomes (everyone wants to try that one!), prostate massage and so on. However, The Guide to Getting it On, isn't only about physical sexual contact, you can also learn about: romance, lubes, abortion, adoption, gender, sexual orientation, sex & diabetes, vulva care, premature ejaculation, explaining sex to kids, and on and on. I highly recommend The Guide to Getting it On, and you can pick up a copy from your local bookseller or anywhere like Amazon.
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Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Fuji Minx: Redux
As some of you may have noticed, the Fuji Minx video for "The Music Made Me Do It," was taken down from Youtube. I had a suspicion that that was going to happen. But don't fear! The video has been loaded to the video sharing site Vimeo. I will be posting the video below, again.
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FUJI MINX - The Music Made Me Do it (Official Un-Censored Version) from FUJI MINX on Vimeo.
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FUJI MINX - The Music Made Me Do it (Official Un-Censored Version) from FUJI MINX on Vimeo.
Guns, Germs, And Steel
I don't have much to indoctrinate you with today, as it is, I am just sitting around my house and resting. With that said, I present to you Jared Diamond's, Guns, Germs, and Steel. It's a three part series, each episode is an hour long, so don't feel that you have to watch them all during one sitting. You are just going to have to come back here a couple of times to watch the remaining episodes (I really just want you to boost my traffic stats!). Diamond's series explores why societies rise and fall; his thesis is that societies' success is influenced by their access to guns, germs, and steel. Sit back and enjoy! Oh, in your time not spent reading your favorite blog, and by that I mean PZ Myers' blog, you may want to read Jared Diamond's 1987 essay, The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race. The article should give you some great background/foundation for Guns, Germs, and Steel.
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Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three
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Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Big Box Retailers Perpetuate Social Stereotypes...Maybe
The following is a short extra-credit paper I did for an anthropology class. My goal was to see if big-box retailers' in-store advertisements perpetuated social and cultural views of who should be in our (the consumer's) peer group. This wasn't a serious study by any means. The idea was to get myself and others to use their 'sociological imaginations' so that we could (hopefully) stimulate conversation. I just wanted everyone to be more aware of their surroundings and to ask why.
D
Does in-store advertising (e.g. signage and product packaging) affect our perceptions of who should be in our peer or class groups? Do they reinforce racial and gender stereotypes? These are the questions that I set out to try to answer for this extra-credit project. I know: these are really big questions with no readily available answers to them. Unfortunately, I did not have the hours to research through the relevant peer-reviewed studies (if any exist, which I’m sure they do); nor was I able to use the triangulation method of gathering data. If was to use triangulation, I would have observed, surveyed consumers, and I might have used an interview method to gain the rest of my data (this method, I feel, would have been a rich source of data). There is also another short-coming with my “study:” the sample is not random. The stores I picked were all in one particular area, located in close proximity to one-another.
All of the short-comings of my “study” aside, I think we can still draw some very basic, surface, superficial conclusions. Though it was not my intention to make any deep, concrete, or peer-review worthy conclusions in the first-place. This project is not meant so much to be concrete or prescriptive but, rather, it is meant to stimulate conversation. So while we may not be able to draw solid conclusions here, I would like to have some fun and look at my findings through the lens of Conflict Theory; with just a touch of Feminist Theory (I know it technically falls, at least partly, within the realm of Conflict Theory). Again, my primary hope for this paper is that it stimulates thought and conversation.
I took a Saturday afternoon and went to two stores: two big-box (a general retail store and a sporting goods store) retailers. What I had found was there are many similarities between the two big-box stores. In the big-box retail stores, most of the in-store signage was dominated by “white” people. In particular, areas of business and business casual clothing, white males (females for the female clothing) were portrayed the most. The same went for teenage casual clothing and women’s clothing. While other ethnicities were not excluded, “whites” were portrayed in in-store signage at a rate of 4:1 (roughly). Interestingly enough, once I reached the sporting apparel and sporting goods, “blacks” were represented at higher rates, around 1:1 or 2:1 (this is in comparison to “whites”). Another interesting observation, with sporting goods in particular, was that “whites” were portrayed as participating in activities such as: fishing, camping, hunting, and swimming. In all of these sporting categories, only “whites” were portrayed as participating in such activities. It is also worth noting that women were represented in sporting goods very poorly.
The portrayal of women was also typical, in a stereotypical way. Women were mostly represented in the following areas: apparel, fashion accessories, make-up, and housewares. Again, “whites” represented most of those being portrayed on the in-store signage and product packaging. “Black” females had higher representation within the realm of high, trendy women’s fashion, but again, they were not equally represented. However, the most diversified women’s section was with make-up. This was the only place within the store where there was roughly equal representation for many ethnicities. But women were still advertised as people who wear “feminine” colors, take care of children and house, and are sexually available at all times. This is as opposed to the men, who, appear rugged, tough, and economically successful.
On a positive note, the pharmacy area and children’s toy sections were very well diversified. In these areas the ratio of represented “whites” in comparison to other ethnicities dropped to anywhere from 1:1 to 2:1. In the toy section in particular, children were portrayed as cooperating and sharing with those of a different social, ethnic, or cultural background.
What does all of this mean? My observations have led me to this conclusion (remember, this is superficial, and at this point for fun): in-store signing represents the large ideals and stereotypes of our society. Gender, racial and class roles are still completely intact and represented inside these big-box retailers: girls are to wear pink; women are to be sexually available and take care of children and house; men are to be rugged and successful; “blacks” play basketball; and so on. While each department signage had diversity within it, “white” males were still the most represented in all categories except for make-up and women’s clothing (this is for obvious gender role reasons). Again, my observations herein are superficial, and noi concrete, viable conclusions can be drawn here. However, this has left me wondering if in-store signing does affect the perceptions of the consumer, in particular as to who that consumer is supposed to find within their class and peer group. On the surface in-store advertising does, to a degree, tell us who we should expect along with where and how.
D
Who Do We Expect?
Does in-store advertising (e.g. signage and product packaging) affect our perceptions of who should be in our peer or class groups? Do they reinforce racial and gender stereotypes? These are the questions that I set out to try to answer for this extra-credit project. I know: these are really big questions with no readily available answers to them. Unfortunately, I did not have the hours to research through the relevant peer-reviewed studies (if any exist, which I’m sure they do); nor was I able to use the triangulation method of gathering data. If was to use triangulation, I would have observed, surveyed consumers, and I might have used an interview method to gain the rest of my data (this method, I feel, would have been a rich source of data). There is also another short-coming with my “study:” the sample is not random. The stores I picked were all in one particular area, located in close proximity to one-another.
All of the short-comings of my “study” aside, I think we can still draw some very basic, surface, superficial conclusions. Though it was not my intention to make any deep, concrete, or peer-review worthy conclusions in the first-place. This project is not meant so much to be concrete or prescriptive but, rather, it is meant to stimulate conversation. So while we may not be able to draw solid conclusions here, I would like to have some fun and look at my findings through the lens of Conflict Theory; with just a touch of Feminist Theory (I know it technically falls, at least partly, within the realm of Conflict Theory). Again, my primary hope for this paper is that it stimulates thought and conversation.
I took a Saturday afternoon and went to two stores: two big-box (a general retail store and a sporting goods store) retailers. What I had found was there are many similarities between the two big-box stores. In the big-box retail stores, most of the in-store signage was dominated by “white” people. In particular, areas of business and business casual clothing, white males (females for the female clothing) were portrayed the most. The same went for teenage casual clothing and women’s clothing. While other ethnicities were not excluded, “whites” were portrayed in in-store signage at a rate of 4:1 (roughly). Interestingly enough, once I reached the sporting apparel and sporting goods, “blacks” were represented at higher rates, around 1:1 or 2:1 (this is in comparison to “whites”). Another interesting observation, with sporting goods in particular, was that “whites” were portrayed as participating in activities such as: fishing, camping, hunting, and swimming. In all of these sporting categories, only “whites” were portrayed as participating in such activities. It is also worth noting that women were represented in sporting goods very poorly.
The portrayal of women was also typical, in a stereotypical way. Women were mostly represented in the following areas: apparel, fashion accessories, make-up, and housewares. Again, “whites” represented most of those being portrayed on the in-store signage and product packaging. “Black” females had higher representation within the realm of high, trendy women’s fashion, but again, they were not equally represented. However, the most diversified women’s section was with make-up. This was the only place within the store where there was roughly equal representation for many ethnicities. But women were still advertised as people who wear “feminine” colors, take care of children and house, and are sexually available at all times. This is as opposed to the men, who, appear rugged, tough, and economically successful.
On a positive note, the pharmacy area and children’s toy sections were very well diversified. In these areas the ratio of represented “whites” in comparison to other ethnicities dropped to anywhere from 1:1 to 2:1. In the toy section in particular, children were portrayed as cooperating and sharing with those of a different social, ethnic, or cultural background.
What does all of this mean? My observations have led me to this conclusion (remember, this is superficial, and at this point for fun): in-store signing represents the large ideals and stereotypes of our society. Gender, racial and class roles are still completely intact and represented inside these big-box retailers: girls are to wear pink; women are to be sexually available and take care of children and house; men are to be rugged and successful; “blacks” play basketball; and so on. While each department signage had diversity within it, “white” males were still the most represented in all categories except for make-up and women’s clothing (this is for obvious gender role reasons). Again, my observations herein are superficial, and noi concrete, viable conclusions can be drawn here. However, this has left me wondering if in-store signing does affect the perceptions of the consumer, in particular as to who that consumer is supposed to find within their class and peer group. On the surface in-store advertising does, to a degree, tell us who we should expect along with where and how.
Monday, June 21, 2010
What Religion Should You Choose?
I forget where I found the following diagram, it may have been on PZ Myers' blog or Phil Plait's. I don't remember. Anyway, I hope it helps.
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Cathaholics
For all of you recovering Cathaholics out there I present the Fuji Minx and their song, The Music Made Me Do It. And I am not even going to warn you about the topless singer either.
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Sunday, June 20, 2010
Father's Day
Congrats on inseminating a female, fellas! I did it twice. And hopefully I get some action tonight! Yeah, I said it.
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Saturday, June 19, 2010
Can't Help But To Wonder
I, over the past week, have been enjoying some World Cup soccer when I can. And I think it's great. I really like watching soccer, probably because I like defense oriented games (e.g. hockey). At the moment I am watching Cameroon vs. Denmark, and I can't help but to wonder why in the world are we having a soccer tournament in dirt-poor, HIV/AIDS ridden, starving Africa? Granted, the tourney is taking place in the rich country of South Africa, but how much of the proceeds of the tournament will go to AIDS research or solutions to end poverty and hunger in Africa? I confess, I don't know the answer to the preceding question. Though I think the World Cup "situation" is endemic in the world today, especially the United States. Think about it: we have food eating contests; TV shows dedicated to overeating; we spend our extra money on frivolous plastic bullshit from Wal-Mart; and the list goes on and on and on.
We all like to say how much we give a fuck about the poor, the needy, the down-trodden, the sick and the broken, but I don't think we give enough of a shit. I know I don't. At least I am admitting it. Yes, I want to do more and so should you. We are comfortable and have grown complacent; these feelings are due to, in part at least, our proximity to the problem: we don't do more because we shelter ourselves from the problem.
Perhaps I am just being self-loathing and I haven't hated myself enough this week. Or perhaps there really is a problem here. No, wait, there is a problem here. We should find a way to eliminate, or at least, stem the tide of poverty, hunger and disease, before we spend inordinate, gargantuan amounts of money on a soccer tournament or anything else that is logically and ethically secondary when there exists such epidemics in the world.
We all like to say how much we give a fuck about the poor, the needy, the down-trodden, the sick and the broken, but I don't think we give enough of a shit. I know I don't. At least I am admitting it. Yes, I want to do more and so should you. We are comfortable and have grown complacent; these feelings are due to, in part at least, our proximity to the problem: we don't do more because we shelter ourselves from the problem.
Perhaps I am just being self-loathing and I haven't hated myself enough this week. Or perhaps there really is a problem here. No, wait, there is a problem here. We should find a way to eliminate, or at least, stem the tide of poverty, hunger and disease, before we spend inordinate, gargantuan amounts of money on a soccer tournament or anything else that is logically and ethically secondary when there exists such epidemics in the world.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Transgender Women Go Topless
Earlier this month at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, a few transgender women decided to take off their tops and show off their surgically enhanced chests. Mind you, Rehoboth Beach is not a nude beach. When asked by a life-guard to put their tops back on, the transgender ladies protested but eventually submitted to the request, as not desiring an encounter with the local police. But according to the local Police Chief Keith Banks, the transgender ladies were doing nothing illegal, and get this, because they still had male genitalia. Though because of this quirky situation, Rehoboth Beach commissioner Kathy McGuiness feels that the issue needs to be discussed at the next town hall meeting.
If you are like my wife, your head probably hurts after reading this story. What sort of sense or logic is there to any of this? But there are bigger questions at hand. How do you define what a man or woman is or is not? Is this news story about sex, gender or both? Why can men (whatever the term men/man means, and are we talking about sex and/or gender here?) take of their shirts legally pretty much everywhere but women can't? If you have a surgically enhanced chest and you have a penis then why can't you bare your chest?
If you are like my wife, your head probably hurts after reading this story. What sort of sense or logic is there to any of this? But there are bigger questions at hand. How do you define what a man or woman is or is not? Is this news story about sex, gender or both? Why can men (whatever the term men/man means, and are we talking about sex and/or gender here?) take of their shirts legally pretty much everywhere but women can't? If you have a surgically enhanced chest and you have a penis then why can't you bare your chest?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
What Is With All Of The Videos?
Yeah, what is up with that? I don't know. I think most people are visual learners, myself included. Also, a 5-10 minute video can usually explain a complex idea more efficiently than I can. But again, I think it has a lot to do with the fact that my generation and younger have been presented everything visually. Plus there is just a ton of interesting stuff out there on the interwebs that is worth sharing. So sit back and enjoy!
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Toadies To Release Feeler
I don't know about you, but I am a big, big Toadies fan. If you don't know them, which you should, then you have probably heard their song, Possum Kingdom. If not Possum Kingdom then you may know Tyler or I Burn. And if none of these are ringing your bell then you need to get your arss over to YouTube and watch some videos. At any rate, The Toadies are releasing their album Feeler, which was pulled by Interscope Records 13 years ago. Interscope thought that the record wouldn't sell, so they sat on it. Well, good news, Interscope's rights to Feeler have ended and those rights go back to the band.
So sometime this summer (there isn't an exact release date yet, but the record has been recorded) Feeler will be released; at first as a digital download and then as a CD. So go get it, that is, when it comes out. You can get more info at the official Toadies website.
D
So sometime this summer (there isn't an exact release date yet, but the record has been recorded) Feeler will be released; at first as a digital download and then as a CD. So go get it, that is, when it comes out. You can get more info at the official Toadies website.
D
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Do We Need God As a Prime Mover?
If God created the world, then who created god? and who created whoever created god? So somewhere along the line something had to just be there. So why can’t we just skip the idea of god and go straight to earth?
- Ryan Hanson
The above was the atheist quote of the day today (if you have ever scrolled down to the bottom of the page, you will notice it), and I would like to reflect on it for just a moment. I personally agree with Mr. Hanson's statement except for saying that the earth has always been here. I get where he was going with that, but he, as I would have and do, should have gone with, instead of earth, let's say, the universe or the multiverse. I only say this so as to be consistant. We can show that the earth hasn't been here forever, it's only been here for about 4.5 billion years. All of this is really neither here nor there, I am just being a bit picky.
But why should god (I am speaking here of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic god of Abraham, or really it could be any god, but I am emphasising the personal god here) be the start of anything? If god is than something must have created god. And this goes off into what philosophers call, infinite regress. There is no end. So why couldn't the universe or multiverse be all that there is forever and ever? It has always been and may always be. It's just a thought. Below is a video from Neil DeGrasse Tyson's PBS special, Origins, which he also has a book out with the same title. Tyson goes through the cosmic clock to give us an idea of the formation of the universe.
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Big Butter Jesus
Last night, the world famous Big Butter Jesus burned down. The details are sketchy, but I heard that the Lord was struck down by a bolt of lightning. Maybe the good lord didn't care for that particular graven image, and it was an ugly one at that. All that is left is the steel skeleton since the outer-surface, made of styrofoam and fiberglass, burned away. R.I.P. Big Butter Jesus.
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Monday, June 14, 2010
Organic Food
We have all been told that organic food is better for us than non-organic food: it's better for the environment; it tastes better; it's less toxic to our bodies and so on. But all of these assumptions begs the question: Are organic foods any better for us? And if you have been to a grocery store lately, you may have noticed the large price gap between organic and non-organic foods. So why should I pay more for organic foods, especially if they are no better than their non-organic counterpart? We are also coming so very close to the 7,000,000,000 population mark on this earth. Can organic only farming feed all 7 billion people? Considering that we aren't feeding all of them now, I don't think so.
In the video below Penn & Teller investigate this issue of organic food. Of course I have to say that P&T are biased, they are libertarian. Libertarians are often pro-business and pro-small-government. At the least, the video below is not meant to be prescriptive but, rather, stimulative. Go grab your popcorn and sit back and relax. Life isn't so much about having the right answers but that you ask the right questions.
D
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
In the video below Penn & Teller investigate this issue of organic food. Of course I have to say that P&T are biased, they are libertarian. Libertarians are often pro-business and pro-small-government. At the least, the video below is not meant to be prescriptive but, rather, stimulative. Go grab your popcorn and sit back and relax. Life isn't so much about having the right answers but that you ask the right questions.
D
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Revamp, etc.
As you can tell, I have a new layout for the blog, so enjoy. Also, I just added a new link in the 'chosen ones' section for the Feminist Review. So check 'em out. In adding the Feminist Review as a link, I will be writing more and more about the nature and political implications of gender and sex issues.
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Need Catheters?
I know that there is a real need being addressed in this commercial, but I can't help but to laugh.
Cheers!
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Cheers!
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How To Destroy Angels
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails fame has a new project, How To Destroy Angels. Check out the video for their song, The Space Between. And you can get their six song EP for free at their website.
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This is not for you
"I tried to think of something deep to say, but my well is dripping dry today."
-Live (Throwing Copper)-
Summer is upon us, and I am back to spew forth my sophomoric ideological ejaculate onto the internet masses. Though a massive following (if you want to call it a following) I do not posses; nor should I, as I am not the most consistent of bloggers. My fault. I would actually have to write something in order for someone to read it. Seeing as I haven't been writing, it's difficult to gain a following of loyal minions to hang upon my every hollow word; better for me to fade away into internet obscurity than to be consumed with web page hit-counts and the everyday worry of wondering if I actually have anything worthwhile to contribute to the opinion giving community that is the world-wide-blog. With that said...
Cheers!
D
-Live (Throwing Copper)-
Summer is upon us, and I am back to spew forth my sophomoric ideological ejaculate onto the internet masses. Though a massive following (if you want to call it a following) I do not posses; nor should I, as I am not the most consistent of bloggers. My fault. I would actually have to write something in order for someone to read it. Seeing as I haven't been writing, it's difficult to gain a following of loyal minions to hang upon my every hollow word; better for me to fade away into internet obscurity than to be consumed with web page hit-counts and the everyday worry of wondering if I actually have anything worthwhile to contribute to the opinion giving community that is the world-wide-blog. With that said...
Cheers!
D
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