aequorea

yeah, definitely doesn't leave much time for planning. I think somebody must have dropped the ball somewhere in scheduling. As it is, it sounds like a fun afternoon! I'm hoping to be there. I'm wondering if I could bring a flask... yes, it's the afternoon, but I am going to be dressed for a night out and cheering for drag queens! I think alcohol would be a nice addition.

A friend of mine is filming in Detroit and needs extras to be the audience at a drag show! Filming will be tomorrow (Tuesday Aug 2, 2011) at the Rainbow Room in Detroit from 11am to 4pm. The Rainbow Room is located at: 6640 E 8 Mile Rd Detroit, MI 48234 I would so love to see DGN pack the place :-D I know it's unlikely as so many people will be working, but if you can make it out, please do!

I am heartbroken over the end of this era. There will still be manned space flight, and American astronauts will still be involved in the ISS project, but we will be dependent on hitching rides with the Russians and Europeans. I teach high school science, and I always take the time to tell my students about shuttle launches. It is still mind-boggling to me that people climb to the top of the shuttles, strap in, and basically get blown off the face of the earth. That said, I think that retiring the shuttles is the right thing to do. We, as human beings, are at a point in space research where we can collect and analyze massive amounts of data from telescopes, remote sensors, and space probes. All of the current research on exoplanets, dark matter, and the history/fate of the universe involves remote sensing. And let's face it, it's hard to justify spending money on manned space flight when unemployment and underemployment are so high. One ongoing project that I find absolutely fascinating is the European Space Agency's Mars500 "mission." Mars500 official site Sending a manned mission to Mars would entail locking 3 to 6 people into a confined space for years. YEARS! I mean, think about a 3 day family road trip, and then think about it lasting years. Psychology becomes a significant issue. The Mars500 mission is an on-Earth simulation, complete with built-in communication delays of up to 15 minutes. There have been other simulation attempts, but none have been successful. It will be interesting to see how this one turns out! (a moment of silence for the American shuttle program)

I am fortunate enough to have avoided the need for food stamps, bridge cards, cash assistance thus far in my life. I don't really know how it works, so please feel free to correct/educate... If you are working and have a bridge card, wouldn't you have some cash in addition to the bridge card? Could you use that for the wants and the bridge card for the needs? IMO if the government is giving you money they have the right to regulate it. It is a handout, yes? The intent is to make sure that people who are struggling financially can still feed themselves and their families. It sounds like the system is flawed - it doesn't cover hygiene items and still allows for junk food and abuses - but I don't have anything better to suggest :shrug: It would be interesting to have a basic nutrition/cooking class as an addition to bridge card program. Some people really do not know how to cook or what constitutes a balanced diet.

The interview clips aired on TV are the stupid funny ones. I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent person, but I have certainly said my share of dumb shit. That said, I agree that education is not valued as highly as it should be.

I will be there! It is my first day of freedom from this hellish school year, AND my birthday!!!! There will be GREAT rejoicing!

Thank you to everyone for posting your thoughts. I think reflecting and pondering is the best thing for me right now. In a way, I grieved for Ari when I learned his diagnosis. He and I spent a lot of time talking about his experiences: times when he knew his actions were "crazy," times when he felt lifted up by his altered perspective of the world, times when he took his meds and just felt dead and drained. After some thought, I can conceive of a possible future where he would have been able to accept himself as is and find a stable way to live. I just keep coming back to the fact that wherever he is, he is no longer suffering. I think Nathan (the cousin) will make it okay. He's just had a really difficult time for the last few years, and this has hit him hard. The good thing is that he is talking, rather then locking it all in. Epic Fail Guy - I know what you mean about envying those who have succeeded! I have felt that way too. I have often felt that death would be a release. I think that may be part of the reason for my current perspective. I use tattoos as a talisman against this - symbols for emotional strength and endurance, mostly. Raev - I love you (HUGS) I am working 70 hours a week and barely even speak to my housemate, which is why I am so out of touch with the world (and you in particular). I have been resenting this job for a long time, but I am really upset that it has kept me from seeing Ari much this past year. I'm trying to let go of that though, because there's nothing I can do about it. Thank you DGN for letting me use/abuse this forum for my own emotional needs!

I am looking into certification for animal rescue. I am planning to spend at least a week on the Gulf doing volunteer work this summer, maybe just manual labor if I can't get certified. Anyone else interested? BTW, thanks to all who are posting links! This thread has become an excellent resource.

How are GMOs destroying our genes? I agree that they didn't actually *create* anything new. It's a triumph of biotech lab techniques, but not like creating a unique multicellular organism.

I learned today that a friend of mine committed suicide yesterday. Now there is an Ari-shaped hole in the world, and I am sitting on my back porch getting drunk on wine. I am trying to process, and I thought that people here might have some interesting reflections or advice. There are two things that make this situation a little unusual: 1. Ari was schizophrenic. I don't think he was content. I know he struggled with the pros and cons of medication. 2. I taught his younger sister and his cousin - they are the ones who contacted me. The cousin is a senior in high school. I believe that Ari is better off wherever he is now. However, I think this is a reflection of my own experiences of mental illness and just wanting the struggle to be OVER. Also, my research on schizophrenia led me to believe that there was little hope for him to ever be content, truly himself and truly happy. I don't know if that's true or not. Ari chose to leave. I have mixed emotions on this. On the one hand, I am grateful that he is no longer struggling. On the other hand, I know that I survived periods of suicidal thoughts and plans, and I am basically content today. I am not comparing my struggles to his, just trying to process things through the only parallels I know. Is suicide a coward's escape, or a way of letting go? Or both? Does it matter if there is a husband/wife, or children? I'm having coffee with the cousin tomorrow, and I need to sort through some of my own emotions first. Please comment. Disagreeing is all good, but please be polite about it.

I have been out of the loop and only just found out! I will be there :-)

Totally forgot to mention this in my earlier post, but I got a good laugh out of it... MsterBeau called ME mischievous! pot, meet kettle...

Decent night... Drank, talked with DGNers, danced a bit. I was having an off day but still very happy to be out! Spook n Taystee - so happy to see you both! I definitely do not get out often enough. Stormknight - love the glove LOL Mstrbeau - small fucking world indeed! Tyger - so happy to meet you! fun times! Pomba Gira - happy birthday! Gimp - nice pic... can hardly wait to see the finished product! Cat - however do you get your hat to stay at such a jaunty angle? OsakaKoneko - I hope that you are doing well! Said hello to Fin, Bean, Eevee, Crank and Xilla. Saw Darkchylde and Tanuki but did not get the chance to say hi. So bummed to hear that I missed Prick!

HOORAY! I'm so so happy! Awesome! One of my friends did the light design :-) the world seems very small this week!

I'll be there tonight! hooray! The night's plans include dinner and a Sondheim show called Assassins, in which all of the main characters are people who attempted to or successfully assassinated US presidents. Supposed to be delightfully twisted. Then we'll be heading to CC! Xilla, where will you be? I'll be coming from the Birmingham area around 10:30 or 11:00.

Is that how the KMFDM song was requested? AWESOME I have heard a lot of complaints about lady gaga, but I for one enjoy it once in a while! :duck and cover:

I am so sad that I missed the event! Most of my time is spent grading lately :-( I would LOVE to see people, drink beers, and eat fisheys... would anybody be interested in going next Monday, February 15th? I'll be on break, so I will be freeeeeee! I miss you all (HUGS)