Uncouth PerspectivesNot on the rug, man.

And no, you jackass, I do not mean I am convinced they do not exist.

I mean, I do not think you need a day to make something special which SHOULD be special all the time. Celebration is one thing, but so many people take the spirit of the “holidays” (whichever one it may be) and run it through a filter. Then, they take the good stuff left over and throw it away and frolic down the lane with the bad goo in the filter.

A proof: yesterday was Valentine’s day. I went to work and first thing walking into the building I was attacked by flowers and candy and people eyeing and comparing their gifts. It is this end bit that gets me (I really want to say “this latter bit” but I’ve been told this is improper unless you are only comparing two items. That makes me sad.)

Laaaaame.

So, I worked through the day blissfully unaware of the so-called importance of the day. Aside from the sick rituals of forced-giving and then status comparison by the recipients, I did not even have to realize what day it was.

My night was simple, having been planned out long in advance. Ate dinner at The Olde Ship [theoldeship.com]. Then went and saw ICP [insaneclownposse.com] at the Grove in Anaheim. Then hung out and got some more food a little later. Took a shower, went to bed.

Woke up at 5pm today.

A DAMN fine day, in my book. And not because of the title of the day, but because the day was good. Was it nice that it happened on Valentine’s day? Sure. But, what makes me happy, the day could have been ANY day.

Any that is what is important.

*CHANGELOG:

- Reordered the main page article listing to the last 7 posted articles individually.

- Completely removed the news module.

- Added a “news” category.

- Alphabatized all category listing and pull down menus.

- Added the last 30 posted comments to the “Forums” section.

*TODO:

- Enhance comment / forum system

- Enhance front page look

- Add news module ability to article submission, instead of seperate module

…

There’s more than just that comin’ folks, so stay tuned!

Isaac.

I really believe that when people become stagnant and rigid in their thoughts and beliefs, one of the best ways to open an eye is to be controversal and/or strong in your approach.

Ayn Rand comes to mind when I think about this. Her writing has changed a LOT of people, myself included, and her approach is very strong and, in a sense, very militaristic. Whether or not she really was that extreme in her beliefs I, personally, will never know. However, I do know that it had some impact and effect.

Yet, I also do not believe that you have to tackle “important” topics and always be extreme. I do not think you -always- have to make a “statement.” Because, when it comes down to it, these “important” issues are made up of other issues and values. The ones we do not always talk about.

One of the responses I got to a recent rant I posted was “Well, yeah. One problem, though. No one will argue will really argue with that.” … As if, this is a bad thing. Moreover, that I would not get comments on it (which, for the most part, I really did not). To that, I really want to say:

So what. It is not about comments, or popularity, or making a fuss for me. When I started doing this, I was writing for myself. When it stops being about writing for myself, I will stop writing. Done. However, I want to share. And while I want to make people think.. and while I will and do write about controversal issues, it is also not about that. I’m not going to go out of my way to find something controversal.

I write about what bothers me. Whether or not it is a “big issue” …. or something people will jump up and down about. I do enough of that in my daily life that I don’t always needs to write about it.

Plus, sometimes it is nice to read something and just go “Yeah.”

And maybe, just maybe, that will make all the difference.

Another response piece.  I am just tired of the taboo and unrealistic understanding of menstruation.

So, in my normal course of staying up to date with news, politics, technology, and the like, I read many different portal and such sites. I often, depending on the site and subject read the comments by users.

On this particular adventure, I was browsing through Slashdot, a news portal site primarily dedicated to technology news and, really, one of the ones that started this all.

I was reading a post on a field medical kit that can stop bleeding in two minutes. Much to my surprise, I was reading the comments on this particular issue and I suddenly found myself reading jokes about menstruation and tampons the like.

Excuse me?

Let’s get this straight right now. I’m going to give you a set of ground rules. This is it. If anyone tries to tell you different, tell them to piss off. They’re only lying to you.

1. Say the word Vagina. It’s not dirty–neither the word NOR the vagina.

2. The vagina is designed to clean itself. This is natural. See number 1.

3. Menstruation is NOT dirty. It is blood. If someone gets a cut on his/her arm, people don’t run around screaming “Ewww! How diiiiirty!” Don’t treat it different.

4. Yeah, it sucks. Let’s not make it worse–especially if you do not have to experience it.

5. Any jokes relating the above subject matter are stupid. Period.

Heh.

Now, can we stop squirming over something natural and not dirty? Can we worry about bigger issues? And can we not judge on this?

Please?

It’s time to start really living.

Dear Kelly,

As a dedicated reader of “Fark” (among many other news portals) I am actually pretty surprised to see I missed your original article, or you may have had one more email last time.

However, I am not writing to discuss the “tough act to repeat” piece. Rather, I’d like to draw a couple of points and perhaps even throw a couple of questions your way, if you are interested or even notice this email with your new found fame.

I decided to review the past articles you’ve written because the Bush comment sparked my interest. I am, to be clear, not a Bush supporter. But, then again, most of the things I support are neither popular not mainstream. But, again, I should qualify that with my views not being “damn the man/mainstream/culture/(insert witty supidism here)” for the
sake of damning.

Instead, I simply find that my views and attitudes do not wing to a particular side or expression… why? I would like to think that it is because I decided my views rather then living with what I was given. If that were the case, I’d be a loud-mouthed bigot atheist spewing hatred
out at, essentially, everyone. I’d rather live life than spew anything.

Or, perhaps, I like to think I’ve done something grand with my beliefs, but I’m just an ego-centric bastard. Either way, I prefer to speak and live my beliefs, rather than socio-politcal-econmic-whatever lines.

Which, in a loudly rambling way, brings me around to why I am writing you. I read your article “Liberals have coolness, stars on their side”. I find it quite an interesting perspective on the whole situation, if nothing else because I currently live in Orange County,
Southern California. If it happens that you are not familiar with Orange County, let me give you a brief introduction. In a land touted for being “liberal” and crazy (Southern California in general), Orange County is considered the last bastion of hope for the Conservative and
Republican minded–which is to say, the kids around here are rebellious bastards, the parents are too rich to know how to live, and if you’re not one of those two you are assed out.

Around here, the “cool” kids are the conservatives. Yet, believe it or not, the conservatives kids are the ones with the piercings, and the tattoos, and.. well.. all that jazz. Oh ho! I’m rambling again.

What I’m really trying to get at is this need for division bothers me. I know that people will have different beliefs (I study religion, trust me, I know!) but it makes me sad that we have to stand divided as people by these lines I talked about earlier. I mean, why can we not leave the
political arguments to the council meeting/etc?

It is particularly the “We’re that group of misfits in elementary school that were friends because no one else liked us.” line that caught me. This is exactly what I’m talking about… it is wrong, -wrong-, that one should be alienated by a line of liberalism or conservatism, y’know?

Anyways, I’m sure I’ve gone on long enough and did not even get near my point, but I hope it’s worth something.

And, in response to your peaked comment… Yeah, most everyone has peaked… but some of realize that is not what it is all about.

Cheers!

Isaac.

Editor’s Note:
Article that got I first read:
http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/01/27/3e354651da028

Your thoughts?

Wow. Well, there is a LOT of stuff in the pipeline from readers.. this rocks!

It’s been busy, busy, busy times at work, I’m afraid, and I have been really sick. In fact, I just went to the doctor’s again today, the second day in a row. Still no sign of “fixed” in the future, so we shall see.

Anyhoo, when I actually get some time to sit down and write, I’ve got some good stuff for you. And the work sitting in the pipeline here rocks…

Thanks for sticking in and thanks for still reading!

Isaac.

…

It’s just another day, get over it.

Allright, this week I’m teaming up with some friends of mine to put some more work into the logistics and look of Uncouth. I will be, I think, making my own forum-type application rather than going with my ever loved phpBB just because I want to keep the user interface the same and not have to need two sets of logins.

While we are working on this, I may post some articles that are more forum-esque in that they are more like “What do you think/discuss/etc” type pieces.

What I would REALLY like, though, is some feedback. Please tell me your thoughts on the site.. what you like (so I don’t take it away)… what you don’t like (so I CAN take it away)… what you would like to see (so I can add it).. and the like..

Thanks!

Isaac

Well, after all of this time, I finally have my first certification. Next semester I will have two more and my AA. I guess I’ve actually almost accomplished something–at least according to society.

Instead of writing more.. I’d like to pose the question: What are your thoughts on degrees?

Are they important?

How do they compare versus an actual education?

Should one be compared to one’s talents and abilities or should we simply work off things like degrees?

So, I spent all day vomiting yesterday.

What reall sucks about this is that I also threw up in the corner of my room. And… it smells putrid. My dear friend brought his steam cleaner over and I go to try to clean it up, but because it was in the corner it’s been a complete pain in the arse. I think I’m going to try to get a professional clean-up-vomit-in-the-corner company to come clean it up. I hope that doesn’t cost too much.

Anyways, enough of my vomit. I have recently been introduced to two wonderful shows that I think I’m the last person in the world know about: Red Dwarf and Twin Peaks. I’m sure most people out there are scoffing at me for one or both of those.. whether in a good way or a bad way, I don’t care. You -must- get your hands on the tapes of these shows and watch them. I have been seriously so inspired by these that I may take my hand at writing something up for a TV series. I have high doubts of doing anything with it, but it would be a grand ole experience.

As I was sitting here trying to hold my solid food down and not feel like my intestines were trying to crawl their way out of my abdomen, I really am saddened, again, by the state of art and creation in America today. I watch something like Twin Peaks or Red Dwarf and I am amazed at how wonderful it is… but it is because they did not hold back. Both of those shows took risks and had neat, interesting, and while cooky and crazy, -real- characters. Even Agent Cooper.

Why do we allow art to be forsaken for consumption?