![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Happy birthday to me~
Jan. 25th, 2011 11:57 pm
...Well I have to make at least one post before it's midnight. :P
A WINNAR IS ME
Nov. 30th, 2010 11:49 am
YAY I WON NANO
...now what the hell do I do with this "novel."
I know that (for me at least) it's generally not wise to revise the beginning before finishing the end, particularly if you're still sort of figuring out where the novel is going. But...surely there's something I can do to make this easier to write, because at the moment, I really have no idea what my main character wants, and no idea if I'll be keeping any of the beginning, and and and
and I like to whine about writing and I've been bottling it up all month. :F How've you all been?
...now what the hell do I do with this "novel."
I know that (for me at least) it's generally not wise to revise the beginning before finishing the end, particularly if you're still sort of figuring out where the novel is going. But...surely there's something I can do to make this easier to write, because at the moment, I really have no idea what my main character wants, and no idea if I'll be keeping any of the beginning, and and and
and I like to whine about writing and I've been bottling it up all month. :F How've you all been?
Coincidence? I think not.
Nov. 13th, 2010 11:22 am
Some random observations about two jobs, one being The Job, and the other being The New Job.
Observation #1: At The Job, everyone had an addiction. Be they alcoholics, chain smokers or some kind of junkie, everyone did. (Yours truly had a sprawling epic story in lieu of an actual drug, but I was definitely the exception.) And some of them had even recovered from said addictions prior to working at The Job, only to fall back into them at The Job.
At The New Job, everyone works out and most of them are health-conscious. This might have something to do with the employee health initiative, which lowers the cost of health insurance for people who reach certain wellness goals.
The Job had no such initiative.
Observation #2: At The Job, most people were either unmarried or in unstable relationships. I say MOST--I can think of at least one exception. But the majority of people slept around (within the company, a lot of times), the excuse being that those outside of The Job really just didn't understand the sort of environment that The Job was--those of us inside could only TRULY connect with others inside, and this sort of made it Okay. I, having been in a monogamous relationship for coming up on nine years, was considered an oddity. (I did sympathize with the argument, absolutely, but the thought of me personally having an affair makes me physically sick.)
At The New Job, I tell people nine years and it doesn't even faze them; the first two coworkers I spoke to about their relationships had nine and eleven years, respectively. Talk of sleeping around is discussed as a theoretical abstract; the idea of it happening within the company is treated with...not exactly disdain but with a sort of horrified speculation? Like "oh God, imagine if this person slept with--MENTAL IMAGE FAIL."
And but so anyway, just sayin'.
Observation #1: At The Job, everyone had an addiction. Be they alcoholics, chain smokers or some kind of junkie, everyone did. (Yours truly had a sprawling epic story in lieu of an actual drug, but I was definitely the exception.) And some of them had even recovered from said addictions prior to working at The Job, only to fall back into them at The Job.
At The New Job, everyone works out and most of them are health-conscious. This might have something to do with the employee health initiative, which lowers the cost of health insurance for people who reach certain wellness goals.
The Job had no such initiative.
Observation #2: At The Job, most people were either unmarried or in unstable relationships. I say MOST--I can think of at least one exception. But the majority of people slept around (within the company, a lot of times), the excuse being that those outside of The Job really just didn't understand the sort of environment that The Job was--those of us inside could only TRULY connect with others inside, and this sort of made it Okay. I, having been in a monogamous relationship for coming up on nine years, was considered an oddity. (I did sympathize with the argument, absolutely, but the thought of me personally having an affair makes me physically sick.)
At The New Job, I tell people nine years and it doesn't even faze them; the first two coworkers I spoke to about their relationships had nine and eleven years, respectively. Talk of sleeping around is discussed as a theoretical abstract; the idea of it happening within the company is treated with...not exactly disdain but with a sort of horrified speculation? Like "oh God, imagine if this person slept with--MENTAL IMAGE FAIL."
And but so anyway, just sayin'.
Mixed Feelings
Oct. 13th, 2010 02:20 pm
So, not even a week after quitting The Job, I've got my next one lined up. I didn't even have to APPLY, guys; these people CALLED ME. I start Monday. And it's the same sort of work, only better-organized and slightly better paid.
But I don't know. I feel like I still haven't totally worked through the PTSD (sooooo not being facetious here). I'm still having work nightmares. I'm still unable to talk about The Job in a way that isn't twitchy and hysterical. And here I am, not even a full week off (because most of this week I've spent cleaning or doing things that I didn't have opportunity to do for months because of The Job), ready to jump back in.
...Is it bad that I'm kind of hoping it's terrible, so I can quit without guilt?
I just want a vacation, that's all. A real vacation. I swear I won't be idle. I'll get things done. I just want my own length of time to do them in.
I know I should be thrilled at getting a job so quick, but I wasn't kidding when I said I was prepared for a few months unemployment. I was kind of hoping for that.
Not really expecting any advice from anyone, but if you have it, I'm open. :(
But I don't know. I feel like I still haven't totally worked through the PTSD (sooooo not being facetious here). I'm still having work nightmares. I'm still unable to talk about The Job in a way that isn't twitchy and hysterical. And here I am, not even a full week off (because most of this week I've spent cleaning or doing things that I didn't have opportunity to do for months because of The Job), ready to jump back in.
...Is it bad that I'm kind of hoping it's terrible, so I can quit without guilt?
I just want a vacation, that's all. A real vacation. I swear I won't be idle. I'll get things done. I just want my own length of time to do them in.
I know I should be thrilled at getting a job so quick, but I wasn't kidding when I said I was prepared for a few months unemployment. I was kind of hoping for that.
Not really expecting any advice from anyone, but if you have it, I'm open. :(
Some things I need to get off my chest.
Jul. 29th, 2010 08:06 pm
*points to subject*
( 1. Goodbyes suck. )
( 2. Fundies suck. )
( 3. Getting what you want kind of sucks, too. )
( 1. Goodbyes suck. )
( 2. Fundies suck. )
( 3. Getting what you want kind of sucks, too. )
I figured it out!
Jun. 29th, 2010 07:45 am
You're my Kaho. :)
...but hopefully your spouse isn't planning to cover the city in eternal darkness any time soon. Or smother my baby sister with magical sheep.
...but hopefully your spouse isn't planning to cover the city in eternal darkness any time soon. Or smother my baby sister with magical sheep.
A crazy jackass by any other name...
Jun. 23rd, 2010 12:13 am
So, after much deliberation, I've finally gotten around to changing my username.
I first started using "ihrketayhl" as a username back in high school, when I needed a quick email address for a guestbook I'd just started posting on (hi, Fiona-chan!). The word was taken from a shoddily made-up language in a story I was writing at the time--it was one of the only words in said language, which was probably a good thing, given how, erm, imaginative I was with spelling/pronunciation.
For a long time it was my default username for everything, and it feels strange parting with it, but this is the last in a long line of goodbyes: LJ was the only place I still used it.
I'm vareth in silico, vareth, or var pretty much everywhere else nowadays, so I thought this was a suitable change. But I'll still answer to To-ya. Or ihrketayhl, if you can actually spell it. ;)
I first started using "ihrketayhl" as a username back in high school, when I needed a quick email address for a guestbook I'd just started posting on (hi, Fiona-chan!). The word was taken from a shoddily made-up language in a story I was writing at the time--it was one of the only words in said language, which was probably a good thing, given how, erm, imaginative I was with spelling/pronunciation.
For a long time it was my default username for everything, and it feels strange parting with it, but this is the last in a long line of goodbyes: LJ was the only place I still used it.
I'm vareth in silico, vareth, or var pretty much everywhere else nowadays, so I thought this was a suitable change. But I'll still answer to To-ya. Or ihrketayhl, if you can actually spell it. ;)
Writer's Block: Weekend wish list
Jun. 19th, 2010 06:07 pm[Error: unknown template qotd]
Give me a weekend like today: all on my own, no obligations but plenty of options. As opposed to tomorrow, where I have to go into work, because some part of me is strangely compelled towards efficiency and customer service despite the fact that, y'know, it's SUNDAY and seriously no one should ever feel like they have to work on a Sunday.
Especially no one who's making $11/hr. Guh, job, why so abusive.
That said: I have a new flashdrive! :D It's a little blue PNY Micro and it is THE CUTEST THING EVER. I've heard they don't last long at all, but hell, it wasn't even fifteen bucks and I really only need it for tomorrow. I have christened it "Socrates" because...well, doesn't everyone name their electronic devices after classical philosophers? OF COURSE THEY DO, LEAVE MY HAPPY BUBBLE ALONE.
Also, have acquired Lots Of Books over the past few weeks, one of which is If You Want To Write. Which I do. So I am.
How've you been, internets? :D
Give me a weekend like today: all on my own, no obligations but plenty of options. As opposed to tomorrow, where I have to go into work, because some part of me is strangely compelled towards efficiency and customer service despite the fact that, y'know, it's SUNDAY and seriously no one should ever feel like they have to work on a Sunday.
Especially no one who's making $11/hr. Guh, job, why so abusive.
That said: I have a new flashdrive! :D It's a little blue PNY Micro and it is THE CUTEST THING EVER. I've heard they don't last long at all, but hell, it wasn't even fifteen bucks and I really only need it for tomorrow. I have christened it "Socrates" because...well, doesn't everyone name their electronic devices after classical philosophers? OF COURSE THEY DO, LEAVE MY HAPPY BUBBLE ALONE.
Also, have acquired Lots Of Books over the past few weeks, one of which is If You Want To Write. Which I do. So I am.
How've you been, internets? :D
New fandoms = me being 12 all over again
May. 6th, 2010 06:33 pm
So, done with FFXIII at long last. Extended review to follow? Maybe? I know what I want to say about the game, I'm just not sure when I'll actually get the time to jot it all down. Lots of Thoughts.
But right now primary in my mind: WHY are most of the Vanille/Fang shippers also Vanille/Fang/Lightning shippers, and WHY do people think all the Lightning/Hope shippers are pedos? I love V/F but am so, SO not interested in V/F/L; Lightning's dynamic with Hope and with Snow and with Serah = SO MUCH MORE INTERESTING TO ME SORRY.
I hate that moment where you think you're above all of this shipping nonsense and you realize abruptly you AREN'T. At least I admit, in terms of FFXIII, it's not so much that I want the characters to bang as that certain pairs have really interesting dynamics, sex or not.
And then you've got the other new thing that's been obsessing me, which I recommend to EVERYONE with no reservation whatsover: DRRR!! or Durarara or whatever you want to call it.
IT IS WONDERFUL and you can legally watch it for free. :D
But the fandom is obsessed with Shizuo and Izaya, who I like in the show but really don't care about as a pairing. *waves CeltyxShinra flag* For now I am content with the canon, but I'm almost out of episodes, the manga's not even as far as the anime, and the light novels haven't been fully translated. RARRRRR.
Doesn't fandom know by now that it's supposed to CATER TO MY NEEDS, GODDAMMIT??
But right now primary in my mind: WHY are most of the Vanille/Fang shippers also Vanille/Fang/Lightning shippers, and WHY do people think all the Lightning/Hope shippers are pedos? I love V/F but am so, SO not interested in V/F/L; Lightning's dynamic with Hope and with Snow and with Serah = SO MUCH MORE INTERESTING TO ME SORRY.
I hate that moment where you think you're above all of this shipping nonsense and you realize abruptly you AREN'T. At least I admit, in terms of FFXIII, it's not so much that I want the characters to bang as that certain pairs have really interesting dynamics, sex or not.
And then you've got the other new thing that's been obsessing me, which I recommend to EVERYONE with no reservation whatsover: DRRR!! or Durarara or whatever you want to call it.
IT IS WONDERFUL and you can legally watch it for free. :D
But the fandom is obsessed with Shizuo and Izaya, who I like in the show but really don't care about as a pairing. *waves CeltyxShinra flag* For now I am content with the canon, but I'm almost out of episodes, the manga's not even as far as the anime, and the light novels haven't been fully translated. RARRRRR.
Doesn't fandom know by now that it's supposed to CATER TO MY NEEDS, GODDAMMIT??
I remember when I first decided I wanted to be a writer. I was eleven years old, and I thought Anne McCaffrey was the best thing I'd ever read or WOULD ever read; and I thought to myself, I want to make someone feel the way I feel now. I loved dragons, but more than dragons I wanted to write about music, and flight, and overcoming odds.
Sadly (sadly?), that last part hasn't changed.
But when I was eleven, twelve, thirteen, all I knew about writing was that you had to spell things right, and that complete sentences weren't as important as elementary school teachers wanted you to think. When I was fifteen, I was a Good Writer, No Really.
Then at sixteen, I started sporking Mary Sues, and reading books about writing, and articles about writing.
It was good for me, in the long run: I needed to improve, and my ego was so swelled at that point that I couldn't. So I don't wish that I'd never read those essays, and I don't wish that I'd never looked critically at my writing. On the whole, I'm the better for it.
But there are some times when I look over my really, really old work, and I see my younger self doing good things--subconsciously, utterly unaware that they are good. Things that I can't do now without some sort of planning.
I feel like Lyra at the end of The Amber Spyglass. I hate having to relearn things I used to just know.
Sadly (sadly?), that last part hasn't changed.
But when I was eleven, twelve, thirteen, all I knew about writing was that you had to spell things right, and that complete sentences weren't as important as elementary school teachers wanted you to think. When I was fifteen, I was a Good Writer, No Really.
Then at sixteen, I started sporking Mary Sues, and reading books about writing, and articles about writing.
It was good for me, in the long run: I needed to improve, and my ego was so swelled at that point that I couldn't. So I don't wish that I'd never read those essays, and I don't wish that I'd never looked critically at my writing. On the whole, I'm the better for it.
But there are some times when I look over my really, really old work, and I see my younger self doing good things--subconsciously, utterly unaware that they are good. Things that I can't do now without some sort of planning.
I feel like Lyra at the end of The Amber Spyglass. I hate having to relearn things I used to just know.
Two Things, both Fandom-related
Jan. 31st, 2010 11:01 pm
Thing One: So, I'm watching Advent Children Complete in Japanese for the first time, and I realize the word that Sephiroth uses for Cloud, that they always translate as "puppet", is ningyō. Typically you would translate that as "doll," and I can see why they didn't, because that's...even for Sephiroth that's a little too gay.
But my GOD, ningyō? Way, way creepier than "puppet" conveys. Way more appropriate. Yet another example of how translations just can't do the original justice. Look at the kanji, man. Even the karakuri ningyō, which we would more readily translate as "puppet," has a lot of cultural weight and implication that the English just can't get at.
And this,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
canofstag, is why I like watching things in the Japanese, even though I know you have an enormous mancrush on Steve Burton.
Thing Two: I READ THE HUNGER GAMES AND ALL OF YOU GUYS NEED TO READ IT TOO. AM BUYING SEQUELS ATM.electrumqueen, YOU + ME = NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS, YESTERDAY.
Katniss &hearts &hearts &hearts
But my GOD, ningyō? Way, way creepier than "puppet" conveys. Way more appropriate. Yet another example of how translations just can't do the original justice. Look at the kanji, man. Even the karakuri ningyō, which we would more readily translate as "puppet," has a lot of cultural weight and implication that the English just can't get at.
And this,
canofstag, is why I like watching things in the Japanese, even though I know you have an enormous mancrush on Steve Burton.Thing Two: I READ THE HUNGER GAMES AND ALL OF YOU GUYS NEED TO READ IT TOO. AM BUYING SEQUELS ATM.
electrumqueen, YOU + ME = NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS, YESTERDAY.Katniss &hearts &hearts &hearts
HAPPY EARLY BDAY TO ME
Jan. 24th, 2010 01:44 pm
I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW THIS HAPPENED BUT
UM
I HAVE A PS3
AND ALSO POSSIBLY THE MOST AWESOME PARENTS EVER
I KNOW YOU DON'T READ MY LJ, PARENTS, BUT ILU &hearts &hearts &hearts
EDIT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POST: Wow, I actually like playing Firion now that I don't die every time. That's kind of cool.
UM
I HAVE A PS3
AND ALSO POSSIBLY THE MOST AWESOME PARENTS EVER
I KNOW YOU DON'T READ MY LJ, PARENTS, BUT ILU &hearts &hearts &hearts
EDIT THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POST: Wow, I actually like playing Firion now that I don't die every time. That's kind of cool.
A few things I've been thinking about lately:
1. I'm writing a character who is gay, and already has a love interest. I sort of ship him with this other guy, also, and I'm okay with that. I've sort of started to ship him with this other girl, though, too, and THAT bothers me. Double standard?
2. It needs to be summer. Now.
3. Sometimes I really wish I was an atheist. Or at least something other than the sort of Christian I am. Because I don't know how to reconcile "standing up for yourself," which I rationally should do, and "loving/forgiving those that persecute you," which is what I spiritually (?) should do, and it's really starting to mess up my life.
4. Final Fantasy VIII is a tremendously fun game. I'd forgotten this. And I actually rather like Rinoa, go figure.
5. I want a job that pays better.
6. Next year I will be turning 25 on the 25th. I need to start planning. The numbers only line up like that once.
7. I love this song.
1. I'm writing a character who is gay, and already has a love interest. I sort of ship him with this other guy, also, and I'm okay with that. I've sort of started to ship him with this other girl, though, too, and THAT bothers me. Double standard?
2. It needs to be summer. Now.
3. Sometimes I really wish I was an atheist. Or at least something other than the sort of Christian I am. Because I don't know how to reconcile "standing up for yourself," which I rationally should do, and "loving/forgiving those that persecute you," which is what I spiritually (?) should do, and it's really starting to mess up my life.
4. Final Fantasy VIII is a tremendously fun game. I'd forgotten this. And I actually rather like Rinoa, go figure.
5. I want a job that pays better.
6. Next year I will be turning 25 on the 25th. I need to start planning. The numbers only line up like that once.
7. I love this song.
*points to subject*
So, okay. This kid's already been scammed by Tate Publishing into paying 4K to publish his first novel. He's a very nice kid, has a lot of friends and incredibly supportive family, soooo as far as I can tell no one's ever bothered to tell him that the book kind of sucks (read: it makes Eragon and Twilight look like absolute masterpieces).
Kid has posted a thread on a board we're both part of, asking for advice on a new series. I and several other people give him exactly what he asks for, he dismisses a lot of it, one of the posters (not me, surprisingly) tells him he's being a douche, he ignores that too, responds only to my post, and says he would rather "reply to me on AIM."
Which, y'know, whatever. I want to help this kid, and I don't want him giving Tate any more money; I want him to get good enough that he could be published (gasp) WITHOUT paying money for it.
That's my goal, here.
But I've sent this kid three different messages now, over the course of...two weeks? Three? Something like that. Have sent him a few messages on AIM as well, and had a few BRIEF conversations that never touched on writing.
I'm starting to feel like a jilted girlfriend here. Do I post a follow up in the thread, calling him out on this bullcrap (because he HAS been online, frequently, and has posted in several other places)? Do I say screw this and just start sporking his writing in the hopes that he gets angry enough to work on it?
(No, ignoring the kid is not an option, because I am Emotionally Invested in this by now and also he knows most of my online friends. Also I hate Tate Publishing and any writer I can save from their clutches is more than worth the effort, IMO.)
Thoughts?
So, okay. This kid's already been scammed by Tate Publishing into paying 4K to publish his first novel. He's a very nice kid, has a lot of friends and incredibly supportive family, soooo as far as I can tell no one's ever bothered to tell him that the book kind of sucks (read: it makes Eragon and Twilight look like absolute masterpieces).
Kid has posted a thread on a board we're both part of, asking for advice on a new series. I and several other people give him exactly what he asks for, he dismisses a lot of it, one of the posters (not me, surprisingly) tells him he's being a douche, he ignores that too, responds only to my post, and says he would rather "reply to me on AIM."
Which, y'know, whatever. I want to help this kid, and I don't want him giving Tate any more money; I want him to get good enough that he could be published (gasp) WITHOUT paying money for it.
That's my goal, here.
But I've sent this kid three different messages now, over the course of...two weeks? Three? Something like that. Have sent him a few messages on AIM as well, and had a few BRIEF conversations that never touched on writing.
I'm starting to feel like a jilted girlfriend here. Do I post a follow up in the thread, calling him out on this bullcrap (because he HAS been online, frequently, and has posted in several other places)? Do I say screw this and just start sporking his writing in the hopes that he gets angry enough to work on it?
(No, ignoring the kid is not an option, because I am Emotionally Invested in this by now and also he knows most of my online friends. Also I hate Tate Publishing and any writer I can save from their clutches is more than worth the effort, IMO.)
Thoughts?
*sounds of triumph!!*
Dec. 21st, 2009 01:35 am
I WROTE SOMETHING! WOO! :D :D :D
...shutupit'sbeenawhile.
...shutupit'sbeenawhile.
WELL HELO THAR
Nov. 1st, 2009 01:18 am...I'm going to start posting in this more.
Largely because it's that time of the year again, and I find myself wanting to do all sorts of things that will hurt my wordcount. :D
Those of you who I haven't already asked this question to--I may be posting my NaNo as I write it, not here but in another LJ. I cannot guarantee quality or sense, for obvious reasons, but if anyone's interested in reading, drop me a comment, and I'll pop the link in here when I actually start posting on it.
Largely because it's that time of the year again, and I find myself wanting to do all sorts of things that will hurt my wordcount. :D
Those of you who I haven't already asked this question to--I may be posting my NaNo as I write it, not here but in another LJ. I cannot guarantee quality or sense, for obvious reasons, but if anyone's interested in reading, drop me a comment, and I'll pop the link in here when I actually start posting on it.
(no subject)
Jun. 18th, 2009 10:43 pm
If you are reading this right now, you have more luxury than someone in Iran could ever hope for right now. If you are watching TV or a video on youtube, updating your status on Facebook, Tweeting, or even texting your friend, you are lucky. If you are safe in your home, and were able to sleep last night without the sounds of screaming from the rooftops, you need to know and understand what is happening to people just like you in Iran right now.
They are not the enemy. They are a people whose election has been stolen. For the first time in a long time, a voice for change struck the youth of Iran, just as it did for many people in the United States only seven months ago. Hossein Mousavi gained the support of millions of people in Iran as a Presidential candidate. He stands for progressiveness. He supports good relations with the West, and the rest of the world. He is supported with fervor as he challenges the oppressive regime of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
On Friday, millions of people waited for hours in line to vote in Iran's Presidential election. Later that night, as votes came in, Mousavi was alerted that he was winning by a two-thirds margin. Then there was a change. Suddenly, it was Ahmadinejad who had 68% of the vote - in areas which have been firmly against his political party, he overwhelmingly won. Within three hours, millions of votes were supposedly counted - the victor was Ahmadinejad. Immediately fraud was suspected - there was no way he could have won by this great a margin with such oppposition. Since then, reports have been coming in of burned ballots, or in some cases numbers being given without any being counted at all. None of this is confirmed, but what happened next seems to do the trick.
The people of Iran took the streets and rooftops. They shout "Death to the dictator" and "Allah o akbar." They join together to protest. Peacefully. The police attack some, but they stay strong. Riots happen, and the shouting continues all night. Text messaging was disabled, as was satellite, and websites which can spread information such as Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and the BBC are blocked in the country. At five in the morning, Arabic speaking soldiers (the people of Iran speak Farsi) stormed a university in the capital city of Tehran. While sleeping in their dormitories, five students were killed. Others were wounded. These soldiers are thought to have been brought in by Ahmadinejad from Lebanon. Today, 192 of the university's faculty have resigned in protest.
Mousavi requested that the government allow a peaceful rally to occur this morning - the request was denied. Many thought that it would not happen. Nevertheless, first a few thousand people showed up in the streets of Tehran. At this point, it is estimated that 1 to 2 million people were there. Mousavi spoke on the top of a car. The police stood by. For a few hours, everything was peaceful. Right now, the same cannot be said. Reports of injuries, shootings, and killings are flooding the internet. Twitter has been an invaluable source - those in Iran who still know how to access it are updating regularly with picture evidence. People are being brutally beaten. Tonight will be another night without rest for so many in Iran no older than I am. Tonight there is a Green Revolution.
For more information:
PICTURES:
here and here
NEW INFORMATION:
Here - near constant updates
Here - ONTD_political live post
ON TWITTER:
@StopAhmadi, @ProtesterHelp
دنیارابگوییدچطورآنهاانتخاباتمان دزدیده اند
Tell the world how they have stolen our election
- original post by
one_hoopy_frood(no subject)
Jun. 18th, 2009 10:43 pm
If you are reading this right now, you have more luxury than someone in Iran could ever hope for right now. If you are watching TV or a video on youtube, updating your status on Facebook, Tweeting, or even texting your friend, you are lucky. If you are safe in your home, and were able to sleep last night without the sounds of screaming from the rooftops, you need to know and understand what is happening to people just like you in Iran right now.
They are not the enemy. They are a people whose election has been stolen. For the first time in a long time, a voice for change struck the youth of Iran, just as it did for many people in the United States only seven months ago. Hossein Mousavi gained the support of millions of people in Iran as a Presidential candidate. He stands for progressiveness. He supports good relations with the West, and the rest of the world. He is supported with fervor as he challenges the oppressive regime of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
On Friday, millions of people waited for hours in line to vote in Iran's Presidential election. Later that night, as votes came in, Mousavi was alerted that he was winning by a two-thirds margin. Then there was a change. Suddenly, it was Ahmadinejad who had 68% of the vote - in areas which have been firmly against his political party, he overwhelmingly won. Within three hours, millions of votes were supposedly counted - the victor was Ahmadinejad. Immediately fraud was suspected - there was no way he could have won by this great a margin with such oppposition. Since then, reports have been coming in of burned ballots, or in some cases numbers being given without any being counted at all. None of this is confirmed, but what happened next seems to do the trick.
The people of Iran took the streets and rooftops. They shout "Death to the dictator" and "Allah o akbar." They join together to protest. Peacefully. The police attack some, but they stay strong. Riots happen, and the shouting continues all night. Text messaging was disabled, as was satellite, and websites which can spread information such as Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and the BBC are blocked in the country. At five in the morning, Arabic speaking soldiers (the people of Iran speak Farsi) stormed a university in the capital city of Tehran. While sleeping in their dormitories, five students were killed. Others were wounded. These soldiers are thought to have been brought in by Ahmadinejad from Lebanon. Today, 192 of the university's faculty have resigned in protest.
Mousavi requested that the government allow a peaceful rally to occur this morning - the request was denied. Many thought that it would not happen. Nevertheless, first a few thousand people showed up in the streets of Tehran. At this point, it is estimated that 1 to 2 million people were there. Mousavi spoke on the top of a car. The police stood by. For a few hours, everything was peaceful. Right now, the same cannot be said. Reports of injuries, shootings, and killings are flooding the internet. Twitter has been an invaluable source - those in Iran who still know how to access it are updating regularly with picture evidence. People are being brutally beaten. Tonight will be another night without rest for so many in Iran no older than I am. Tonight there is a Green Revolution.
For more information:
PICTURES:
here and here
NEW INFORMATION:
Here - near constant updates
Here - ONTD_political live post
ON TWITTER:
@StopAhmadi, @ProtesterHelp
دنیارابگوییدچطورآنهاانتخاباتمان دزدیده اند
Tell the world how they have stolen our election
- original post by
one_hoopy_froodFeeling Thinky.
Jun. 9th, 2009 10:56 pm
For the curious, I love my new job. But that's not what this post is about.
Any of you who know me IRL, and a handful of those who only know me online, know that I spend a lot of my time in...let's be generous and call them "conversations"...with those who hold viewpoints that oppose mine.
Put bluntly: I like to argue. A lot.
And for the past handful of years I've felt drawn particularly to religious or religion-based arguments, possibly just because of the sociopolitical climate, or possibly because I like my debates with a healthy dose of batshit. Who knows.*
I'm Catholic, if anyone's wondering; I'm just a pro-gay marriage, pro-evolution, pro-Choice and pro-religious-freedom Catholic who doesn't believe in Hell, which according to a lot of people makes me a very BAD Catholic. XD
Anyway, there's your background. Today's topic is abortion, specifically late-term abortions. No, I'm not planning on making this a terribly long post, I just...needed to vent this at somebody.
( But it got a little long, and also some folks don't care about this shit. )
*not meant to imply all religious folks are batshit. though i'm religious and i'm pretty batshit, so make of that what you will. XD
**edit to the last *: yeah, never mind, we're batshit.
Interested in other points of view. Sharing welcome.
Any of you who know me IRL, and a handful of those who only know me online, know that I spend a lot of my time in...let's be generous and call them "conversations"...with those who hold viewpoints that oppose mine.
Put bluntly: I like to argue. A lot.
And for the past handful of years I've felt drawn particularly to religious or religion-based arguments, possibly just because of the sociopolitical climate, or possibly because I like my debates with a healthy dose of batshit. Who knows.*
I'm Catholic, if anyone's wondering; I'm just a pro-gay marriage, pro-evolution, pro-Choice and pro-religious-freedom Catholic who doesn't believe in Hell, which according to a lot of people makes me a very BAD Catholic. XD
Anyway, there's your background. Today's topic is abortion, specifically late-term abortions. No, I'm not planning on making this a terribly long post, I just...needed to vent this at somebody.
( But it got a little long, and also some folks don't care about this shit. )
*not meant to imply all religious folks are batshit. though i'm religious and i'm pretty batshit, so make of that what you will. XD
**edit to the last *: yeah, never mind, we're batshit.
Interested in other points of view. Sharing welcome.
