Best picture of me on the runway at First Colony Mall. My mom took a whole roll of film, but took the fucking pictures with her glasses off, so almost all of the others are unfocused. Or, erm, I guess they looked focused to her.
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Yay, go John Kerry!
Got fitted for the fashion show today. I'm wearing some stuff that's... well, not my usual look. And I made a typo in the last post, the show is at 2 PM at the first colony mall, in the food court, I put 8 AM because I was thinking I've gotta be there at that time. But yeah, the show's actually at 2 on Saturday.
Got fitted for the fashion show today. I'm wearing some stuff that's... well, not my usual look. And I made a typo in the last post, the show is at 2 PM at the first colony mall, in the food court, I put 8 AM because I was thinking I've gotta be there at that time. But yeah, the show's actually at 2 on Saturday.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Walking around at night in a place so quiet as my neighborhood is absolutely chilling. I become mesmerized in my own thoughts, completely entranced in a dream as my legs carry me silently through the places I know like the back of my hand. Two hours and five miles later, I end up where I started without even knowing it. It's just strange--I don't even pay attention to where I'm going, I just focus on the peace of being alone. It'll be a hell of a lot nicer in the winter, though.
Looks like the rest in my routine did me a lot of good; I moved up five more pounds and can bench 140 now, nearly my own body weight. *yay*
I have to bleach and pressure wash my fucking patio tomorrow. I hate pressure washing. It's tedious, and a horrendous waste of water (not like I'm much of an environmentalist), and pointless. Washing your driveway is like trying to sweep the sand off the beach. In my opinion, as long as it's not entombed beneath a layer of rotten leaves, leave it alone; it's outdoors, made of concrete, and not supposed to be fucking white. But I have to do my patio and not my driveway, which is very fortunate, because my driveway is huge.
Rollerblading on Tuesday. This will be fun, as I have a good pair of rollerblades which still fit very well, despite being size eight.
Fitting for the fashion show at First Colony Mall is Thursday. The show is Saturday. Woo, hooray for the exotic back-to-school catalogue runway. If anyone wants to go and watch, it's 8 AM on the 31st at First Colony Mall in Sugarland, in the food court, but I wouldn't recommend it, it's probably not going to be all that interesting. It's also kinda far away. If someone wants to go shopping with me afterwards though, I dunno, that's fun.
Looks like the rest in my routine did me a lot of good; I moved up five more pounds and can bench 140 now, nearly my own body weight. *yay*
I have to bleach and pressure wash my fucking patio tomorrow. I hate pressure washing. It's tedious, and a horrendous waste of water (not like I'm much of an environmentalist), and pointless. Washing your driveway is like trying to sweep the sand off the beach. In my opinion, as long as it's not entombed beneath a layer of rotten leaves, leave it alone; it's outdoors, made of concrete, and not supposed to be fucking white. But I have to do my patio and not my driveway, which is very fortunate, because my driveway is huge.
Rollerblading on Tuesday. This will be fun, as I have a good pair of rollerblades which still fit very well, despite being size eight.
Fitting for the fashion show at First Colony Mall is Thursday. The show is Saturday. Woo, hooray for the exotic back-to-school catalogue runway. If anyone wants to go and watch, it's 8 AM on the 31st at First Colony Mall in Sugarland, in the food court, but I wouldn't recommend it, it's probably not going to be all that interesting. It's also kinda far away. If someone wants to go shopping with me afterwards though, I dunno, that's fun.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Yesterday I was hired from 2 to 5 to be the host at an open house (guy who sits at a card table and doesn't really do anything). It paid ten bucks an hour, and only three people came, so for the majority of the thing, I was walking around a completely empty house, singing to myself. The most boring/easy 30 bucks I've ever made.
I think I'm going to work out today. I've been on about a weeklong rest period, because I think I may have been overtraining myself. I think after all the bench-pressing I did with Shawn and Sterling, plus the five or six workouts I've done so far, I moved to a plateau where I wasn't improving, until my last workout, where I increased my bench to 135. I read a deal that says if you work yourself to death too often, your muscles don't recover--which I actually knew, but I forgot to include the fact that I was going out at noon every day to tear up huge roots from my neighbor's lawn with an axe and a mattock, which is a bit of a workout in its own right.
I really like the weight lifting--I have to do it to get good-looking for my modeling career, but I think I'd do it even if I weren't involved with that. It sounds overly masculine, but I like feeling strong, and tracking your progress really gives you a sense of accomplishment. Don't worry, though, I'm not going to become one of those weightlifting addicts (no protein supplements, please) who has to squat 500 pounds and have 2% body fat before he feels satisfied. Meh.
Somebody wanna do something tonight? I'm kind of bored, all I've been doing is helping my parents look for stuff at garage sales, and the open house job yesterday was pretty mind-numbing.
I think I'm going to work out today. I've been on about a weeklong rest period, because I think I may have been overtraining myself. I think after all the bench-pressing I did with Shawn and Sterling, plus the five or six workouts I've done so far, I moved to a plateau where I wasn't improving, until my last workout, where I increased my bench to 135. I read a deal that says if you work yourself to death too often, your muscles don't recover--which I actually knew, but I forgot to include the fact that I was going out at noon every day to tear up huge roots from my neighbor's lawn with an axe and a mattock, which is a bit of a workout in its own right.
I really like the weight lifting--I have to do it to get good-looking for my modeling career, but I think I'd do it even if I weren't involved with that. It sounds overly masculine, but I like feeling strong, and tracking your progress really gives you a sense of accomplishment. Don't worry, though, I'm not going to become one of those weightlifting addicts (no protein supplements, please) who has to squat 500 pounds and have 2% body fat before he feels satisfied. Meh.
Somebody wanna do something tonight? I'm kind of bored, all I've been doing is helping my parents look for stuff at garage sales, and the open house job yesterday was pretty mind-numbing.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Monday, July 19, 2004
Something important on your desk: small green bic lighter
If you could afford it at the moment, you would buy: my own apartment and a stereo system, which is all I'd really need
Something you don't have a lot of: money
If your house was burning and you could only save 3 items what would they be: I'm not real materialistic unless it comes to clothing, so I'd probably save my italian wool blazer, my pair of black gothic pants, and my hard drive. You can't get that much free music anywhere anymore, and it'd be a terrible loss.
MORALS
If there were no side effects, you would enjoy being addicted to: I dunno. I don't like being dependant on things.
A time when you purposly hurt someone emotionally: I can't think of a time when I seriously hurt someone and wasn't just screwing around.
A time you accidentally hurt someone emotionally: I tripped this guy at the roller rink once and broke his ankle. I didn't really mean to do it, but I did get the hell away pretty fast.
One person you have killed in your thoughts: the fucking president
FRIENDS:
Three traits you look for in a friend: intelligence, pretty similar views, not a real party animal
Who makes you laugh most often: prolly rob with his stories of idiots at kroger demanding refunds on ranch dressing and shit
A friend who you can tell anything: julia, todd because he doesn't really say anything to anyone
A friend you can go to for advice: my dad, as long as it's before happy hour, or maybe emily would be a better answer since happy hour is about 9 AM to 10 PM in my household
The best piece of advice you had been given: STFU!
The friend who uses most of your energy: larkin
EGO
Your 3 best qualities: I try to see things from multiple perspectives, especially the perspective of the person on the lowest level of events (ex. the people being bombed rather than the assholes voting to bomb them); I'm a good hands-on worker (as long as I'm getting paid), I remain an individual for myself, not to make people laugh, or to be popular, or even to be nonconformist, but for my image as I prefer it. I wear, say, and think what I want, and don't change that for anyone.
Your 3 worst qualities: It doesn't take me long to see things from multiple perspectives before I call everyone a dumbass (although I'm not sure if that's bad so much as realistic), I can be pretty gullable, and occasionally I don't know when to shut the hell up.
Describe your Ideal self:I'd like to be like my dad (minus the cheap beer) and be a practical guy who doesn't take his car to a guy and pays 300 dollars to have the wrong thing fixed; I'd also like to be intelligent when it comes to making business agreements, and really cautious
You are embarassed when: I fuck up some simple thing like lining up in choir or something
The greatest physical pain you ever endured: Sterling's older sister ran over my finger once with one of those plastic go-carts that you pedal. Actually, I don't think that was the worst, but I've had it pretty easy as far as health goes, so I'm not complaining about anything.
The greatest emotional pain you ever endured:I'm not sure. Maybe repeatedly being told that I'm not doing well enough in school, which is probably why I try to live my life and exist for myself rather than to live up to some jerk's expectations.
Moment you are most ashamed of: In Doerre choir, I kept missing the rhythm on some fucking stupid coreography we were doing (this is why I don't dance), and Mrs.Travis just gave up, got pissed as hell at me, and had me stand there and not do it during the concert while everyone else did. Bitch.
Your best physical feature: Hair. Depending on what they say in New York about me, I may be cutting it collar-length and layered, but it'll still be uncommonly long, just not shoulder-blade length. Whatever's marketable.
Who/What makes you happy: being completely alone in my house with no parents (no fucking dogs would be wonderful too but never happens), and doing whatever the hell I want.
Who/what makes you sad: the fact that this country will go to war, killing thousands, on a goddamned hunch.
EMOTIONS
Emotion you hide most: intolerance.
The emotion you tend to experience most: contentment
One of your most tragic memories: being unable to go to San Antonio junior year, which I am still pissed about
One of your happiest memories: San Antonio freshman year
One of your angriest memories: being astounded that Mr.Raddin can lecture a class of 100+ about the values of America and that we're the "moral compass of the world"; that's not my angriest memory, of course, but it really got my tolerance leaking like compressed air, because I think that concept is extremely pretensious
A memory that makes you laugh: the idea that someone like Rachel Reynolds would chase me, practically a bottomless well of anti-christian energy, around
A memory that makes you happy: driving a motorboat in maine and being very liberal with the throttle
Something someone can say or do that you find extremely attractive: anyone that can be an individual/radical/opinionated person without being dumb enough to get in trouble or do stupid shit
Something someone can say or do that you find unattractive: chew with their mouth open, smoke, do drugs, drink, etc.
Two things appealing about people: dark hair, long, defined, elegant facial features
A personality trait you find appealing: the ability to look at the world, the shitty state its in, and just laugh. If you can't do that, at least every once in awhile, it's very, very gloomy.
Your secret passion: if I told you, it most certainly wouldn't be a secret
What you enjoy most about having a committed relationship: I like taking care of someone, but I don't like the burden of being depended on or "needed"
RELATING
Describe your mate physicaly: not even terribly sure about this, but not classic, mainstream beauty; short black/brown/red hair, good-looking face
Describle your mate's personality: intelligent, someone with similiar views, atheist, not really a party animal, considerate
You feel most attractive when: I dunno. I bought my warddrobe to feel attractive in, so it depends on what mood I'm in. I can feel sexy in a pair of fitted blue jeans and a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up/buttoned low, or in a pair of baggy black gothic pants with a tight black shirt and fishnet undershirt. Or a dark, modern-looking suit. Or my work clothes even, beat up T-shirt with the sleeves cut off and jeans. I guess I've got high self-esteem.
Favorite thing you like to see your mate wear (clothing wise don't say naked): whatever she's comfortable in, but something that's got a unique style to it. not obscenely bright colors I suppose.
What would you like your mate to do more of: exist?
FINALLY
If you had more time alone you would: probably wish I had less time alone
If you had more patience you would: devote more time to making music
If you could change one thing about your physical appearance what would it be: I'd have my hair be lighter. it's kind of stressful to tie it back because it's heavy as fuck, and I have to wait for advice from Neal Hamil to cut it. I think it'd also be nice if getting well-developed muscles didn't take so much work :P
If you had no committments what would you be doing: drivin around in a truck. or riding a really sleek Japanese motorcycle. or something
If you could have one super power what would it be: flying. or laser eyes. I'm leaning more towards laser eyes because I'm afraid of heights.
If you could start all over....: I'd be pissed if I did, because I'd have to do it all over again, and I might forget how I did it the first time, and end up the wrong way, a devout Catholic or something, which would be bad.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Craptasterpiece Theatre~
I wrote this a couple of weeks ago out of sheer boredom. But now that I think of it, it's really good that I keep this blog, and record important events in my life in detail; someday I'll be able to write a decent (and maybe more interesting than self-flattering) memoir and actually be able to recall things that are worth reading.
The two dark circles of sweat that were quickly evaporating from the red, crackling surface of the creaking wheelbarrow stared up at me as I paused to massage my tired back with the hard, wooden handle of my shovel. They were like little eggs, the droplets; sizzling on the nearly superheated red paint that was constantly beat upon and bleached by the relentless sun directly above me. The sweat was everything. And the blood. Both covered me in a kind of protective layer and it was as if I was breathing more sweat than air, like a frog, ventilating the salt through my skin. The soreness penetrated even the muscles in my face. I was tired of squinting and my eyebrows ached.
I loved it.
To complain of cuts and bruises would have been to reverse the polarity of my very nature. The hard work, moving the bricks and dirt, made me feel good, made me feel like I was accomplishing something even though I would spend the fifty dollars' pay in an instant on tuition and overpriced coffee. Which was perfect, because I needed nothing else to exist. My life consisted of this never-ending cycle of finding low-skill manual labor: mowing lawns, moving heavy objects, things that "well-rounded young boys" were supposed to do all the time fifty years ago. It seemed to me as though the universal work ethic had dissolved, but perhaps that's just because I lived in a nice neighborhood.
When I wasn't working I would be out with my introverted friends; companions that had taken years to grow friendly with. We would gaze out a rainy cafe window on a Friday night at a picturesque Kroger parking lot, sipping our poor-quality coffee that we didn't really give a damn about anyway. We wished for nothing more, and nothing less. The Guys and I continually basked in the glory of having our own money to spend on completely useless items. On a specific incident we purchased a chocolate cake in a grocery store and consumed the entire thing on a few napkins at midnight on the justification that no one could stop us. Our lives were beautifully full of the independence we sought after, yet lacking its worries perfectly.
The two dark circles of sweat that were quickly evaporating from the red, crackling surface of the creaking wheelbarrow stared up at me as I paused to massage my tired back with the hard, wooden handle of my shovel. They were like little eggs, the droplets; sizzling on the nearly superheated red paint that was constantly beat upon and bleached by the relentless sun directly above me. The sweat was everything. And the blood. Both covered me in a kind of protective layer and it was as if I was breathing more sweat than air, like a frog, ventilating the salt through my skin. The soreness penetrated even the muscles in my face. I was tired of squinting and my eyebrows ached.
I loved it.
To complain of cuts and bruises would have been to reverse the polarity of my very nature. The hard work, moving the bricks and dirt, made me feel good, made me feel like I was accomplishing something even though I would spend the fifty dollars' pay in an instant on tuition and overpriced coffee. Which was perfect, because I needed nothing else to exist. My life consisted of this never-ending cycle of finding low-skill manual labor: mowing lawns, moving heavy objects, things that "well-rounded young boys" were supposed to do all the time fifty years ago. It seemed to me as though the universal work ethic had dissolved, but perhaps that's just because I lived in a nice neighborhood.
When I wasn't working I would be out with my introverted friends; companions that had taken years to grow friendly with. We would gaze out a rainy cafe window on a Friday night at a picturesque Kroger parking lot, sipping our poor-quality coffee that we didn't really give a damn about anyway. We wished for nothing more, and nothing less. The Guys and I continually basked in the glory of having our own money to spend on completely useless items. On a specific incident we purchased a chocolate cake in a grocery store and consumed the entire thing on a few napkins at midnight on the justification that no one could stop us. Our lives were beautifully full of the independence we sought after, yet lacking its worries perfectly.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Just got a call from the Neil Hamil Agency- a big client of theirs wants to use me in a fashion show on the 31st. I'm seeing the booking agent this Thursday about it. YES!
Unfortunately, this means I'm going to cancel my haircut appointment that's also on Thursday--if the client saw me with really long hair, they probably want me with really long hair. I'll consult the agency about whether or not I should get it layered right now, but hell, this is cool! I haven't even finished taking their classes yet!
Got Emily's birthday present today too. Party tomorrow at one *glee*. For once I actually had an original idea for a gift and didn't have to ask a thousand people for suggestions. The gift is sort of... untraditional.
Unfortunately, this means I'm going to cancel my haircut appointment that's also on Thursday--if the client saw me with really long hair, they probably want me with really long hair. I'll consult the agency about whether or not I should get it layered right now, but hell, this is cool! I haven't even finished taking their classes yet!
Got Emily's birthday present today too. Party tomorrow at one *glee*. For once I actually had an original idea for a gift and didn't have to ask a thousand people for suggestions. The gift is sort of... untraditional.
Saturday, July 10, 2004
I realized today that I'm actually a relatively handy guy. I was mowing my neighbor's lawn today, as he's asked me to begin doing it for him (John: 1, Szabo Lawn Crew: 0), and the twine on my edger fed too much, wrapped itself around the shaft, and partially melted to the plastic casing (fuck!). I just took it home, disassembled the spool, took apart the rotating parts with some pliars and a wrench, pried out all the superheated plastic junk, blew the thing out with a compressor, lubricated it, rewound the spool, put it all back together, and it worked better than when my dad had put it together all with knots in the fucking stuff. So, like, go me.
You are an SRDF--Sober Rational Destructive Follower. This makes you a font of knowledge. You are cool, analytical, intelligent and completely unfunny. Sometimes you slice through conversation with a cutting observation that causes silence and sidelong glances. You make a strong and lasting impression on everyone you meet, the quality of which depends more on their personality than yours.
You may feel persecuted, as you can become a target for fun. Still, you are focused enough on your work and secure enough in your abilities not to worry overly.
You are productive and invaluable to those you work for. You are loyal, steadfast, and conscientious. Your grooming is impeccable. You are in good shape.
You are kind of a tool, but you get things done. You are probably a week away from snapping.
------------
Sort of. I'd like to think I'm not that unfunny, or a tool. After all, I only work really hard when I'm getting paid for it.
You may feel persecuted, as you can become a target for fun. Still, you are focused enough on your work and secure enough in your abilities not to worry overly.
You are productive and invaluable to those you work for. You are loyal, steadfast, and conscientious. Your grooming is impeccable. You are in good shape.
You are kind of a tool, but you get things done. You are probably a week away from snapping.
------------
Sort of. I'd like to think I'm not that unfunny, or a tool. After all, I only work really hard when I'm getting paid for it.
This is an excerpt from a factual, well-researched article from rotten.com. I won't link to the whole thing here, because it's pretty graphic, but this is a timeline of events having to deal with the Abu-Ghraib prison scandal. This is what Kerry means when he says we need to take a realistic view of what America is doing in Iraq, and if Bush thinks the Democratic Party is being pessimistic, maybe he's right, and maybe the Democratic Party is very wise in doing so. This is what's come out of "Operation Iraqi Freedom", and it sucks.
Timeline
1984 According to statistics furnished by the White House, a total of 4,000 Iraqis are summarily executed at Abu Ghraib on orders of Saddam Hussein.
Feb-Mar 2000 According to statistics furnished by the White House, a total of 120 Iraqi political prisoners are executed at Abu Ghraib on orders of Saddam Hussein.
Oct 2001 According to statistics furnished by the White House, 23 Iraqi political prisoners are executed at Abu Ghraib on orders of Saddam Hussein.
Jun 2003 The Army assigns Brigadier General Janice Karpinski to oversee Abu Ghraib prison, which has been renamed the Baghdad Central Correctional Facility.
Sep 2003 Brigadier General Janice Karpinski gives a tour of the Abu Ghraib prison facility to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. She points out that Saddam Hussein used the prison to torture his enemies, whereas the Americans don't.
Oct 2003 During an interview at Abu Ghraib prison with 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft, Brigadier General Janice Karpinski declares: "This is international standards. It's the best care available for -- in a prison facility."
8 Oct 2003 At a Republican party gala at the Washington Hilton, President George W Bush proclaims: "Iraq is free of rape rooms and torture chambers."
6 Nov 2003 After receiving uncomfortable Red Cross reports regarding abuses in the Abu Ghraib Prison, the U.S. military responds by issuing new requirements that appointments be made before any inspections to the particular cellblocks in which the worst abuses occurred. Note that by the rules of the Geneva Conventions, the Red Cross may visit any part of the prison without any prior notification. [The New York Times, 19 May 2004.]
14 Dec 2003 During an interview at Abu Ghraib prison with a St. Petersburg Times reporter, Brigadier General Janice Karpinski declares: "Living conditions now are better in prison than at home... At one point we were concerned they wouldn't want to leave."
14 Jan 2004 Military investigators question Army Reserves Staff Sgt. Ivan "Chip" Frederick regarding his role in the Abu Ghraib incidents. As a reservist, Frederick has a civilian job back home in Virginia, where he worked for six years as a state prison guard at Buckingham Correctional Center.
29 Apr 2004 CBS television broadcasts photographs taken of Iraqi prisoners being mindfucked and sexually humiliated at the hands of US troops in Abu Ghraib prison. "60 Minutes II has a dozen of these pictures, and there are many more -- pictures that show Americans, men and women in military uniforms, posing with naked Iraqi prisoners."
29 Apr 2004 A reporter for the Baltimore Sun shows some of the Abu Ghraib photos to Terrie England, who immediately recognizes her daughter Lynndie R. England as one of the soldiers. The mother then dismisses what she sees in the pictures as nothing more than "stupid kid things -- pranks."
30 Apr 2004 During a photo op in the White House rose garden with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, President George W Bush insists: "Their treatment does not reflect the nature of the American people. That's not the way we do things in America. And so I -- I didn't like it one bit."
30 Apr 2004 During a briefing with the White House press corps, spokesman Scott McClellan thwarts a reporter's attempts to ascertain when the President first learned of the crimes:
REPORTER: How long has the President been aware of the evidence of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison?
MCCLELLAN: Well, there were allegations that go back quite some time here, Terry. And that's why you already have the military pursuing some criminal charges against some individuals.
REPORTER: Had the President seen these photographs before two nights ago?
MCCLELLAN: I don't know the exact time when he saw the photographs. I mean, they've certainly been in the media the last couple of days.
30 Apr 2004 The New Yorker runs a piece by Seymour Hersh detailing other abuses at Abu Ghraib.
6 May 2004 Radio commentator Rush Limbaugh dismisses the photos taken of naked prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, saying: "This is no different than what happens at the Skull and Bones initiation."
7 May 2004 Testifying before a Senate panel, Donald Rumsfeld confirms that videotapes of abuses at Abu Ghraib have yet to be released, as well as numerous additional photos. Also extant are videotapes taken by U.S. soldiers of Iraqi guards raping young boys.
12 May 2004 A "secret room" at the U.S. Senate becomes an adult theatre between the hours of 2 and 5 PM as unreleased torture pictures, forced-sodomy pictures, and numerous sex pictures allegedly involving Lynndie England are displayed to Congressmen in a government slide show.
14 May 2004 Piers Morgan, editor of England's Daily Mirror newspaper, steps down after criticism over that publication's printing of Abu Ghraib style "torture photos" which actually originated on porn sites created by spammers during the early days of the Afghan and Iraq Wars. Another publication fooled by similar photos was the Boston Globe.
21 May 2004 In an interview with Australia's 60 Minutes, Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage declares: "If you're talking about Abu Ghraib and the abuse there, it doesn't intrigue me at all; it horrifies me. And it seemed to me that we had a command climate there that was conducive to this kind of bad behavior. And nobody was taking normal corrective actions, no one was exercising command, and I find that a horrifying specter and I couldn't be angrier about it, and I couldn't be sorrier about it."
24 May 2004 In a speech at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, President George W Bush announces: "A new Iraq will also need a humane, well-supervised prison system. Under the dictator, prisons like Abu Ghraib were symbols of death and torture. That same prison became a symbol of disgraceful conduct by a few American troops who dishonored our country and disregarded our values. America will fund the construction of a modern maximum security prison. When that prison is completed, detainees at Abu Ghraib will be relocated. Then, with the approval of the Iraqi government, we will demolish the Abu Ghraib Prison as a fitting symbol of Iraq's new beginning."
24 May 2004 See no evil: Donald Rumsfeld bans the use of cameras by the U.S. Military in Iraq. (edit by me, John: I did a little research on this one, because it seems to me like the authority to do something like that ought to be in the President's hands, or that banning cameras altogether is really extreme, and I was able to find this quote from a Pentagon statement: "Digital cameras, camcorders and cellphones with cameras have been prohibited in military compounds in Iraq," it said, adding that a "total ban throughout the US military" is in the works. This might not mean cameras altogether, but who the hell knows what our government means anymore. The point is that it's a surprisingly blatant attempt to keep more shit like this from pouring out of Iraq, and you don't need to be a conspiracy theorist to see the obvious cover-up.)
Kerry/Edwards '04~
Timeline
1984 According to statistics furnished by the White House, a total of 4,000 Iraqis are summarily executed at Abu Ghraib on orders of Saddam Hussein.
Feb-Mar 2000 According to statistics furnished by the White House, a total of 120 Iraqi political prisoners are executed at Abu Ghraib on orders of Saddam Hussein.
Oct 2001 According to statistics furnished by the White House, 23 Iraqi political prisoners are executed at Abu Ghraib on orders of Saddam Hussein.
Jun 2003 The Army assigns Brigadier General Janice Karpinski to oversee Abu Ghraib prison, which has been renamed the Baghdad Central Correctional Facility.
Sep 2003 Brigadier General Janice Karpinski gives a tour of the Abu Ghraib prison facility to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. She points out that Saddam Hussein used the prison to torture his enemies, whereas the Americans don't.
Oct 2003 During an interview at Abu Ghraib prison with 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft, Brigadier General Janice Karpinski declares: "This is international standards. It's the best care available for -- in a prison facility."
8 Oct 2003 At a Republican party gala at the Washington Hilton, President George W Bush proclaims: "Iraq is free of rape rooms and torture chambers."
6 Nov 2003 After receiving uncomfortable Red Cross reports regarding abuses in the Abu Ghraib Prison, the U.S. military responds by issuing new requirements that appointments be made before any inspections to the particular cellblocks in which the worst abuses occurred. Note that by the rules of the Geneva Conventions, the Red Cross may visit any part of the prison without any prior notification. [The New York Times, 19 May 2004.]
14 Dec 2003 During an interview at Abu Ghraib prison with a St. Petersburg Times reporter, Brigadier General Janice Karpinski declares: "Living conditions now are better in prison than at home... At one point we were concerned they wouldn't want to leave."
14 Jan 2004 Military investigators question Army Reserves Staff Sgt. Ivan "Chip" Frederick regarding his role in the Abu Ghraib incidents. As a reservist, Frederick has a civilian job back home in Virginia, where he worked for six years as a state prison guard at Buckingham Correctional Center.
29 Apr 2004 CBS television broadcasts photographs taken of Iraqi prisoners being mindfucked and sexually humiliated at the hands of US troops in Abu Ghraib prison. "60 Minutes II has a dozen of these pictures, and there are many more -- pictures that show Americans, men and women in military uniforms, posing with naked Iraqi prisoners."
29 Apr 2004 A reporter for the Baltimore Sun shows some of the Abu Ghraib photos to Terrie England, who immediately recognizes her daughter Lynndie R. England as one of the soldiers. The mother then dismisses what she sees in the pictures as nothing more than "stupid kid things -- pranks."
30 Apr 2004 During a photo op in the White House rose garden with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, President George W Bush insists: "Their treatment does not reflect the nature of the American people. That's not the way we do things in America. And so I -- I didn't like it one bit."
30 Apr 2004 During a briefing with the White House press corps, spokesman Scott McClellan thwarts a reporter's attempts to ascertain when the President first learned of the crimes:
REPORTER: How long has the President been aware of the evidence of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison?
MCCLELLAN: Well, there were allegations that go back quite some time here, Terry. And that's why you already have the military pursuing some criminal charges against some individuals.
REPORTER: Had the President seen these photographs before two nights ago?
MCCLELLAN: I don't know the exact time when he saw the photographs. I mean, they've certainly been in the media the last couple of days.
30 Apr 2004 The New Yorker runs a piece by Seymour Hersh detailing other abuses at Abu Ghraib.
6 May 2004 Radio commentator Rush Limbaugh dismisses the photos taken of naked prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, saying: "This is no different than what happens at the Skull and Bones initiation."
7 May 2004 Testifying before a Senate panel, Donald Rumsfeld confirms that videotapes of abuses at Abu Ghraib have yet to be released, as well as numerous additional photos. Also extant are videotapes taken by U.S. soldiers of Iraqi guards raping young boys.
12 May 2004 A "secret room" at the U.S. Senate becomes an adult theatre between the hours of 2 and 5 PM as unreleased torture pictures, forced-sodomy pictures, and numerous sex pictures allegedly involving Lynndie England are displayed to Congressmen in a government slide show.
14 May 2004 Piers Morgan, editor of England's Daily Mirror newspaper, steps down after criticism over that publication's printing of Abu Ghraib style "torture photos" which actually originated on porn sites created by spammers during the early days of the Afghan and Iraq Wars. Another publication fooled by similar photos was the Boston Globe.
21 May 2004 In an interview with Australia's 60 Minutes, Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage declares: "If you're talking about Abu Ghraib and the abuse there, it doesn't intrigue me at all; it horrifies me. And it seemed to me that we had a command climate there that was conducive to this kind of bad behavior. And nobody was taking normal corrective actions, no one was exercising command, and I find that a horrifying specter and I couldn't be angrier about it, and I couldn't be sorrier about it."
24 May 2004 In a speech at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, President George W Bush announces: "A new Iraq will also need a humane, well-supervised prison system. Under the dictator, prisons like Abu Ghraib were symbols of death and torture. That same prison became a symbol of disgraceful conduct by a few American troops who dishonored our country and disregarded our values. America will fund the construction of a modern maximum security prison. When that prison is completed, detainees at Abu Ghraib will be relocated. Then, with the approval of the Iraqi government, we will demolish the Abu Ghraib Prison as a fitting symbol of Iraq's new beginning."
24 May 2004 See no evil: Donald Rumsfeld bans the use of cameras by the U.S. Military in Iraq. (edit by me, John: I did a little research on this one, because it seems to me like the authority to do something like that ought to be in the President's hands, or that banning cameras altogether is really extreme, and I was able to find this quote from a Pentagon statement: "Digital cameras, camcorders and cellphones with cameras have been prohibited in military compounds in Iraq," it said, adding that a "total ban throughout the US military" is in the works. This might not mean cameras altogether, but who the hell knows what our government means anymore. The point is that it's a surprisingly blatant attempt to keep more shit like this from pouring out of Iraq, and you don't need to be a conspiracy theorist to see the obvious cover-up.)
Kerry/Edwards '04~
Friday, July 09, 2004
be sorted @ nimbo.net
You're one hard-working, loyal, compassionate little thing, aren't you?! Well, there are some good things, and some bad things about that. Bad things first, so after you're let down and crying your eyes out, plunging into a state of depression, I can cheer you up with the better facts. Bad thing, your house has a horrible rep for being a bunch of wimps. Sorry. Good thing, it's not quite true. You're tough! It's hard to be loyal! And remember, Hufflepuff is you! Don't be ashamed of yourself, mmkay?
Huffle-fucking what? Whatever.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
I'm No Fuqtard
Check out my Morality! 65% liberal, 35% conservative
You typically don't seek out new experiences.
You are well-organized, and are reliable.
You tend to shy away from social situations.
You are neither extremely forgiving nor irritable.
You probably remain calm, even in tense situations.
Who would've thought! Me, holding conservative views? I actually don't think this test is terribly inaccurate, despite it saying that I'm actually well-organized. It's true, I don't generally seek out new experiences--by myself. I love doing that kind of thing, but as long as I've got some people to back me up, because, as it says, I'm more introverted than extroverted.
I do hold some views that tend to be "conservative". I think that some views of the really, really far end of the left-wing crowd are just unrealistic, for example: you're not going to get rid of the military, instantly inject our somewhat intolerant culture with more social acceptance or environmental awareness, you're not going to end all wars, and it's probably impossible to stay isolationist in today's world, especially since we will probably never move away from fossil fuels until we just don't have them anymore. I think I might know a little bit about human nature, and it's a bit stupid to assume the entire nation will take on your perspective on an issue just because it's good for the world. People don't want to conserve resources because conserving resources is fucking expensive! I could buy a 40,000 dollar hybrid car, or I could buy a used traditional car and buy a hell of a lot of gasoline for what the car payments on the new thing would cost me, even if gas is two dollars a gallon. People don't want to part with their money, even if the government needs taxes! I mean, FUCK! It's money! People STEAL money! Why do you think Bush was elected in the first place? Tax cuts are damned nice, no matter what happens to the stupid government! I think anyone who doesn't realize that the entire country isn't necessarily bleeding their hearts out over those poor Iraqis is retarded. Look to thine own ass first. Duh.
I don't think it has anything to do with my political views that the test has called me a little conservative, however; it's just because I work with my hands a lot, I'm down to earth, and I spend a lot of time imagining the situations people are experiencing throughout the world these days. One man winning an election, or a new program, or set of laws, isn't going to change the world dramatically, because abstract legislation and concrete practice are two different things. If Kerry said he wanted gay marriage legal, he probably wouldn't be elected, so whether he believes in it or not, he chooses the more moderate side of civil unions to advocate. Bush may be an awful speaker and an idiot who confuses church with state, but he knows that since we got our sorry asses involved in the whole Iraq thing, we've got to stick with it until we can get our sorry asses out without abandoning the people over there who, despite whatever values they have that may seem atrocious to our little moral code, might like to live in a place where they don't have a 90% chance of being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade while buying milk at a fucking 7-11 (the problem I have with it is that none of it has much of anything to do with "homeland security", which is the primary justification for going to war, while a more secondary justification seems to be "liberation of the Iraqi people").
So, don't forget that I am not a closed-minded, antichrist Bush-basher who doesn't consider the statistics. I'm a realistic liberal guy who tries to look at a situation from a guy-who's-in-the-midst-of-it perspective, which is what we ought to be fucking doing, people, not playing with our dicks on Capitol Hill selling our souls for prestige and a good re-election campaign.
You typically don't seek out new experiences.
You are well-organized, and are reliable.
You tend to shy away from social situations.
You are neither extremely forgiving nor irritable.
You probably remain calm, even in tense situations.
Who would've thought! Me, holding conservative views? I actually don't think this test is terribly inaccurate, despite it saying that I'm actually well-organized. It's true, I don't generally seek out new experiences--by myself. I love doing that kind of thing, but as long as I've got some people to back me up, because, as it says, I'm more introverted than extroverted.
I do hold some views that tend to be "conservative". I think that some views of the really, really far end of the left-wing crowd are just unrealistic, for example: you're not going to get rid of the military, instantly inject our somewhat intolerant culture with more social acceptance or environmental awareness, you're not going to end all wars, and it's probably impossible to stay isolationist in today's world, especially since we will probably never move away from fossil fuels until we just don't have them anymore. I think I might know a little bit about human nature, and it's a bit stupid to assume the entire nation will take on your perspective on an issue just because it's good for the world. People don't want to conserve resources because conserving resources is fucking expensive! I could buy a 40,000 dollar hybrid car, or I could buy a used traditional car and buy a hell of a lot of gasoline for what the car payments on the new thing would cost me, even if gas is two dollars a gallon. People don't want to part with their money, even if the government needs taxes! I mean, FUCK! It's money! People STEAL money! Why do you think Bush was elected in the first place? Tax cuts are damned nice, no matter what happens to the stupid government! I think anyone who doesn't realize that the entire country isn't necessarily bleeding their hearts out over those poor Iraqis is retarded. Look to thine own ass first. Duh.
I don't think it has anything to do with my political views that the test has called me a little conservative, however; it's just because I work with my hands a lot, I'm down to earth, and I spend a lot of time imagining the situations people are experiencing throughout the world these days. One man winning an election, or a new program, or set of laws, isn't going to change the world dramatically, because abstract legislation and concrete practice are two different things. If Kerry said he wanted gay marriage legal, he probably wouldn't be elected, so whether he believes in it or not, he chooses the more moderate side of civil unions to advocate. Bush may be an awful speaker and an idiot who confuses church with state, but he knows that since we got our sorry asses involved in the whole Iraq thing, we've got to stick with it until we can get our sorry asses out without abandoning the people over there who, despite whatever values they have that may seem atrocious to our little moral code, might like to live in a place where they don't have a 90% chance of being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade while buying milk at a fucking 7-11 (the problem I have with it is that none of it has much of anything to do with "homeland security", which is the primary justification for going to war, while a more secondary justification seems to be "liberation of the Iraqi people").
So, don't forget that I am not a closed-minded, antichrist Bush-basher who doesn't consider the statistics. I'm a realistic liberal guy who tries to look at a situation from a guy-who's-in-the-midst-of-it perspective, which is what we ought to be fucking doing, people, not playing with our dicks on Capitol Hill selling our souls for prestige and a good re-election campaign.
Surveys are time-consuming, so I will take them. This is just nine questions anyway.
1: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4. Write down what it says:
"...fear it should happen to them as it has to those who have been despoiled."
2: Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first?
the Calvin & Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book
3: What is the last thing you watched on TV?:
part of a fascinating documentary on CCTV about the flooding of the Huang River
4: WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what the time is:
12:50
5: Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?:
12:56
6: With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?:
ceiling fan, stomach grumble because I ate like fucking a hundred chocolate-covered raisins
7: What are you wearing?:
camoflauge jeans
8: Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?:
Alejandro!
9: Seen anything weird lately?
was removing various pieces of junk from my neighbor's nephew's garage apartment because I had to pull up all the carpet, and came across an (empty) box for a sex game called Consenting Adults as well as about ten fucking (empty) boxes of marlboro menthols, which is what the place smells like
1: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4. Write down what it says:
"...fear it should happen to them as it has to those who have been despoiled."
2: Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first?
the Calvin & Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book
3: What is the last thing you watched on TV?:
part of a fascinating documentary on CCTV about the flooding of the Huang River
4: WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what the time is:
12:50
5: Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?:
12:56
6: With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?:
ceiling fan, stomach grumble because I ate like fucking a hundred chocolate-covered raisins
7: What are you wearing?:
camoflauge jeans
8: Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?:
Alejandro!
9: Seen anything weird lately?
was removing various pieces of junk from my neighbor's nephew's garage apartment because I had to pull up all the carpet, and came across an (empty) box for a sex game called Consenting Adults as well as about ten fucking (empty) boxes of marlboro menthols, which is what the place smells like
Monday, July 05, 2004
In between my endless stream of outdoor jobs, it's pretty boring around here. I find myself half wishing that school would start, or that I could drive. If I could get out of here myself without bothering friends to cart me around, maybe I wouldn't have these somewhat unpleasant weeklong periods of little or no human contact. I dunno. Gotta mow a lawn tomorrow and finish pressure washing my neighbor's driveway. People owe me too much money.
Ah, but on the bright side, I am in for a change of style soon! I'm getting my hair cut at a professional place for the first time in probably three years. I have decided that I'm going to turn this uniform-length blonde mop on my head into something stylish, although don't panic, because I plan to keep the length. I'm gonna get the stuff layered so it doesn't attempt to tear my scalp off my head anymore (goddamn, if you just let it all grow at the same time, it's HEAVY). I might eventually buy some darker-than-natural dye and play with different colors; the idea here is that if I'm going to be a model after all, I need to figure out what I look good in. Rafael, the Columbian guy at the Mayo-Hill place, said something that's probably good advice: "If you like the way you look, other people will. You gotta be confident." Which I am, usually. It's just that my head hurts, so some of this stuff must go. Hell, even my skin's starting to look not-so-awful anymore (I admit it's something I was embarassed over quite often during the school year, and had a lot of trouble figuring out what to do about it) despite me working in the dirt all the time. Once the working season ends I ought to look allright. *sigh*
I baked a cake today. Now, I admit, I'm no pastry chef, and I could probably be something of a visual artist, but I quit trying in eighth grade when my schedule filled up. My cake was a bit lopsided, granted, but despite appearance, I do believe I have the right to say I make a mean fucking chocolate cake. Two layers, covered in bittersweet frosting, and in between the two layers is a sauteed cherry sauce. This is the second one I've ever done, and the first I've done with no help from anyone, although damnit, it's kind of a two person job (you mix while I add brown sugar, etc.). Meh.
Faced with the reality of not being able to sleep until, well, about the time I'm writing this (continous patriotic explosive devices being detonated in the vicinity), I went for a walk among the smoke and flame tonight. I tripped over spent casings and fuses, shielded myself from showers of sparks and (probably) carcinogens, and watched junior high students throw bombs in the storm drain. Hooray for America! I toyed with the idea of wearing a turban (or a picture of John Kerry) on my head, but then realized that I would need a great deal of flame-retardant material.
My mother was just giving clothing to the goodwill, so I scrounged myself some camoflauge pants from Academy, and two really neat shirts (the button-up style that I wear just about all the time) out of a paper sack. They fit really well, and it's not like I really care if they're women's shirts, since they're not even feminine--one's a beige safari type thing and the other's a Bogari silk shirt that's sort of a mellow-blue Hawaiian thing. Anyway, yay for my wardrobe. I'm going to go begin a study on how long it takes for the side effects of generic antihistamines to take effect, since I've been having some weird insomnia recently. Happy Fourth, and if you hold a Party for the President I'll kill you.
Ah, but on the bright side, I am in for a change of style soon! I'm getting my hair cut at a professional place for the first time in probably three years. I have decided that I'm going to turn this uniform-length blonde mop on my head into something stylish, although don't panic, because I plan to keep the length. I'm gonna get the stuff layered so it doesn't attempt to tear my scalp off my head anymore (goddamn, if you just let it all grow at the same time, it's HEAVY). I might eventually buy some darker-than-natural dye and play with different colors; the idea here is that if I'm going to be a model after all, I need to figure out what I look good in. Rafael, the Columbian guy at the Mayo-Hill place, said something that's probably good advice: "If you like the way you look, other people will. You gotta be confident." Which I am, usually. It's just that my head hurts, so some of this stuff must go. Hell, even my skin's starting to look not-so-awful anymore (I admit it's something I was embarassed over quite often during the school year, and had a lot of trouble figuring out what to do about it) despite me working in the dirt all the time. Once the working season ends I ought to look allright. *sigh*
I baked a cake today. Now, I admit, I'm no pastry chef, and I could probably be something of a visual artist, but I quit trying in eighth grade when my schedule filled up. My cake was a bit lopsided, granted, but despite appearance, I do believe I have the right to say I make a mean fucking chocolate cake. Two layers, covered in bittersweet frosting, and in between the two layers is a sauteed cherry sauce. This is the second one I've ever done, and the first I've done with no help from anyone, although damnit, it's kind of a two person job (you mix while I add brown sugar, etc.). Meh.
Faced with the reality of not being able to sleep until, well, about the time I'm writing this (continous patriotic explosive devices being detonated in the vicinity), I went for a walk among the smoke and flame tonight. I tripped over spent casings and fuses, shielded myself from showers of sparks and (probably) carcinogens, and watched junior high students throw bombs in the storm drain. Hooray for America! I toyed with the idea of wearing a turban (or a picture of John Kerry) on my head, but then realized that I would need a great deal of flame-retardant material.
My mother was just giving clothing to the goodwill, so I scrounged myself some camoflauge pants from Academy, and two really neat shirts (the button-up style that I wear just about all the time) out of a paper sack. They fit really well, and it's not like I really care if they're women's shirts, since they're not even feminine--one's a beige safari type thing and the other's a Bogari silk shirt that's sort of a mellow-blue Hawaiian thing. Anyway, yay for my wardrobe. I'm going to go begin a study on how long it takes for the side effects of generic antihistamines to take effect, since I've been having some weird insomnia recently. Happy Fourth, and if you hold a Party for the President I'll kill you.
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Happy 4th of July
I love America!
Sucks that I hate the assholes that run the place.
And a lot of the people that live in it.
I think as the parade goes by, I'll stick all my speakers outside on the roof and play System of a Down's "Fuck the System" at full volume. Have a nice, flammable evening!
Sucks that I hate the assholes that run the place.
And a lot of the people that live in it.
I think as the parade goes by, I'll stick all my speakers outside on the roof and play System of a Down's "Fuck the System" at full volume. Have a nice, flammable evening!