<BREEDING A NEW CULTURE>

A call to U.S. Muslims to be courteous guests

Posted by Jennifer Rebecca
Published: 2008-06-27 14:41:14

I have never been so profoundly affected by an essay. Tradition or Extradition? The Threat to Muslim-Americans by Abdal-Hakim Murad, a British shaikh, is pretty much the best thing ever. As the new 'Jews' of this country, U.S. Muslims must be vigilant not to — ahem, dare I say it? — deserve being labeled Other. The shaikh takes us quickly through the particular struggles being faced among Muslim-Americans. And how America has handled other perceived enemies in decades past. And what we must do to avoid a showdown with an increasingly suspicious host, who has a history of antisemitism. The believer’s greatest... (Read More)

Thoughts on D&D 4e

Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2008-06-27 09:45:15

While on a recent vacation, I bought the Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition Players Handbook. I immediately launched into reading it during a marathon Starbucks session. After finishing up the PHB, I went down to the bookstore and immediately bought the other two core rulebooks. I've made my way almost halfway through the Dungeon Masters Guide, and I finally couldn't bear not sharing my thoughts here on the site. Save versus Wall of Text... Things I Like About 4e Rudimentary tanking is built into the core game mechanics. As readers of this blog and followers of my life likely already know, I've been... (Read More)

Fear fashion

Posted by Jennifer Rebecca
Published: 2008-06-26 13:16:01

This started as a comment to an interesting post I read from awhile back about latte-sipping urbanites wearing Middle Eastern headwear to look cool. It makes me laugh, this hilarious thing Americans do of picking up the outward symbol (kaffiyeh) and not necessarily embracing or even being aware of its political interpretations (tribal affiliation, Palestinian solidarity, etc.) or functional purposes (desert heat/wind). America, so commercial. America, so reductionist. America, so effing funny. Like 30 people left comments on the post. It partially digressed into a discussion between commenters whether Americans, particularly non-Muslims, were 'allowed' to wear 'Muslim' clothing. The Prophet, upon him be... (Read More)

One For The Pointless Accomplishments File

Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2008-06-25 09:03:40

I finally got exalted reputation with Orgrimmar in World of Warcraft this morning on my day off. I promptly zoomed off to the orc capital city and got my spiffy new timber wolf mount. I have spent so much of my gaming time working for this mount that I actually feel like I've accomplished something. I understand that I just increased an integer in Blizzard's database(s) above a required threshold, but that tiny little SQL update feels like I just earned something. And, yes, people I don't know, this in my main character in WoW. I'm the last person alive who doesn't... (Read More)

Pathophobia

Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2008-06-19 15:23:07

So, I've spent most of the afternoon drinking Diet Coke. This is hardly unusual for me, and it's really not the crux of my post but rather the subtle event that leads toward rising narrative action and an eventual literary climax. In any event, because biology works, all this beverage necessitated a trip to the restroom. Again, hardly newsworthy stuff here. Upon arriving in the second floor bathroom, I discovered a scene of pure Lovecraftian horror. Someone, in an apparent fear of pestilence, had unleashed some sort of unholy bathroom ritual involving yards of toilet paper draped across the toilet set... (Read More)

80s Cartoons Ranked By Amount of Money I Spent On Merchandise

Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2008-06-18 06:13:49

Masters of the Universe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Voltron Thundercats GoBots ... (Read More)

Prayers for a food jihad

Posted by Jennifer Rebecca
Published: 2008-06-11 01:07:22

I was having the worst headaches. Every day from morning till night, and sometimes even in my dreams. Pounding or dull, they never really went away. At first I tried to be stoic. But deep in my heart I am a pill-popper. I started allowing myself one Excedrin at work and two Advil at night. I read once that women feel pain more than men, and respond better to medication. Sounds made-up, but I'm going to pretend it's true. My husband, being naturally suspicious of all pills (even vitamins), made me go to the doctor. I always want to burst into... (Read More)

The Holy Trinity of Personal Motivation

Posted by Rusty Haskell
Published: 2008-06-10 08:56:09

"Happy Birthday" by The Crüxshadows "Big A, Little A" by Crass "Shine" by Rollins Band If you're not sufficiently motivated after listening to all three of those songs in a row, check your effing pulse. You're probably already dead. ... (Read More)

May and June

Posted by alene
Published: 2008-06-08 10:47:57

You know, it has been a really interesting few weeks here in Allyson-land. At the beginning of May I was informed that I was scheduled to be laid off from UF, and then a week later I was informed that I would be reassigned to another office rather than laid off. I'm also in the middle of trying to find a teaching job, but so far I haven't gotten a call for a single interview. Still, I'm continuing to apply to schools around Gainesville, and am also planning to go to the Hillsborough County teacher interview days this coming week.... (Read More)

Kitty toys!

Posted by alene
Published: 2008-06-07 16:45:57

I've been knitting kitty toys this week. These are so easy and fun to make! And Tux loves the one I gave him (the beat up looking pink one) because it is well-stuffed with some catnip. Hehe. ... (Read More)