chase_acow

I can't even describe the relief I felt when I saw Biden decided to step aside today. I don't even begrudge the disturbance to my sleep schedule. The Biden campaign was trying to play prevent defense - trying not to lose - and it just doesn't work. Now we can go on offense. We go out to win. And we're gonna.

I donated to Vote Save America's Anxiety Relief Program.

"You want to help, but it’s hard to figure out where your money will actually make a difference. That’s where the Anxiety Relief Program comes in.

Here’s how it works: You set up a recurring monthly donation at the level that feels right for you, and we’ll make contributions to grassroots organizations and down ballot races that need it most and build out the programs here at VSA needed to win these crucial elections. Then, at the end of each month, we’ll tell you every organization and campaign that we funded."

What is the 14th Amendment? If it took you longer than five seconds to answer, then there’s a series that’s required viewing. “Amend: The Fight for America” is a six-part docuseries spanning six hours created by Robe Imbriano and Tom Yellin, directed by Kenny Leon (“American Son”) and Reinaldo Marcus Green (“Monsters and Men”), and hosted by Will Smith. The series takes viewers through the importance of the 14th Amendment—which outlines the rights of citizens under “the equal protection of the law”—and how it’s affected everything from black folks and women’s voting rights to abortion to gay marriage. Throughout its six episodes, the series revisits historic court rulings that have been engendered by the law.
Amend: The Fight for America Educates Netflix Audiences on 14th Amendment

This series is now available for free on youtube, here is the first episode. I think I'll give it a try tonight at work. I wonder if I can claim it for continuing education. . .

I like Will Smith's dad bod (scroll down past whatever it is Mark Wahlberg is doing), but I'm not gonna lie, I'll probably also watch whatever workout/lifestyle series he did it for.

And for very little reason whatsoever, my top 5 enjoyable* Will Smith movies:
5. Gemini Man
4. Hancock
3. Bad Boys for Life
2. Men in Black 3
1. Independence Day

What's your favorite Will Smith movie?

*enjoyable does not mean best, I know I'm a gremlin

Oh well. Stephen Colbert was live every night of both and had a bunch of good people on. Except Chris Christy who I hate and refuse to watch and I wish Colbert would cut ties. These were his MCU mash ups, though they were a little different every night.

( Person, Woman, Man, Camera, TV . . . *snap* )

I watched the first hour and a half every night of the DNC and then watched the keynote speaker the next morning. I actually tuned into a group chat of the Crooked Media folks so I got them being entertaining on one side while on the other, the DNC alternatively made me hopeful, furious, and cry. But it was really well done for the virtual live/not live videos. There were too many Republicans. I don't want or have to make nice with them and I gagged a little at how much time they took up.

I didn't watch as much of the RNC for obvious reasons, but I caught the viral moments: the scary shouty woman, Don Jr's drug addiction, the gun couple, everything Melania did, Tom Cotton, Herschel Walker, Ivanka, and the first 45 mins of the longest, most boring 45 speech. It . . . wasn't great. These people are unhinged, and I've given up on anyone who still believes these outrageous lies.

DNC roll call was so much better than the RNC. There was no comparison. Ours was cute. Theirs was embarrassing.

and I would just deflate.

It's not the news has been subjectively worse the last two weeks. It's gotten steadily more ridiculous. And I just . . . I don't wanna anymore. Between the orange cheeto and the ignorant, mean people slinging spittle at my home state teachers - I'm just so tired. I had a conversation with Russ at work, and drumpf honestly strains my dedication to pacifism. Specifically the question of if you could go back in time to baby drumpf and make sure none of this ever happened, would you? I mean it's not reality, but the fact that I hesitated also bothers me. Metaphorically me.

*heavy sigh*

After putting a hold on it with my library in January, it was finally my turn to peruse Pete Souza's Obama: And Intimate Portrait and man was it a balm. It's a giant book with big, beautiful pictures of Obama visiting historical sites, visiting with real people, and playing with children. I don't have or want kids, but I like kids and he always looks so pleased when they're having a good time with him. Souza writes some, and it was always interesting, the captions try to tell you both who and what which I appreciated.

( Happy Obama with Souza - serious photo guy )

I also finished Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs - book geezus #10 in the Mercy Thompson series



Um, I loved the first several books in this series, lost a little steam in the middle, picked it back up, and now it's just churning down the money making tracks. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, I just don't know how to describe the series over all. The strength is Mercy (I REALLY love Mercy) and the secondary characters. The male lead is a Nice Leader Guy, and while on one hand, it's refreshing that they have a great relationship and the conflict doesn't come from stupid communication issues, I also find him boring.

If you're curious, here's how the author summarized the first book, and I'd encourage you to try it out - Lots of supernatural politics, some romantical leanings, and a little bit of subtle revenge.

"Moon Called is the beginning of the story of Mercedes Thompson a coyote shapeshifter who is also a pretty decent mechanic. Mercy's world looks a lot like ours except that the Otherworld is begining to be forced out of hiding by our modern technologies. Mercy shares her back fence with the local Alpha werewolf and works evenings on the vampire Stefan's VW bus. She's safe and content -- which doesn't make a very interesting story, does it? So, of course, matters begin to change on the first page. In this book Mercy faces trolls and gremlins, old boyfriends and older vampires. I hope you enjoy her story." http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/

I watched Political Animals when it first came out because A. politics and B. gay character. I bought and watched it again because Sebastian Stan, and it was just as engaging this time. TJ is gonna break your heart. I wish whoever had decided to give it a second season, though I don't think they ever intended to. I just want good things for the entire family.

I can't figure out how to crossover fandoms to give TJ a happy ending though. I have this day dream where a character who looks a lot like Eliot from Leverage is hired to 24/7 life/sober coach and/or bodyguard TJ to success with their first meeting being a conversation about endorphins resulting in the Eliot character going, sure it's my job to make you feel good without drugs/booze, I'll give you a blowjob. Of course then they fall in love but don't tell each other as Eliot tricks TJ into making good decisions, protects him from kidnapers, is befuzzled when TJ tries to take care of him, have what is supposed to be but definitely is not meaningless sex and begs to stay as an actual boyfriend when he does so good at his job that he gets fired.

There's a chance I spent too much time thinking about it before bed.

This entire series is full of fantastic actors/characters and if you like political intrigue and sexy drama, I think it's up your alley.

Yesterday, the roommate and I went to see Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. The bottom line is I found that it's a very solid movie -> cast, acting, plot, dialog, effects, ending BUT I felt more than a little skeevy about the vampires=south=evil. I guess I kinda assumed the vampires would be a third party to the war, and to some extent they were, but the battle of Gettysburg really made my stomach roll.

I checked out Rotten Tomatoes when I got home, and I wouldn't have expected it to have such low ratings. Apparently people went in expecting something silly and colorful, and AL:VH is definitely neither. I enjoyed the narration, and the history context/quotes, but mostly before I realized what was going on.

Possibly, I did not pay enough attention to the previews.

To sum up -> I have feelings and they all conflict each other.

To sum up further -> I kinda want some Abe/Henry.


in unrelated post script news -> There's something about Armageddon and Deep Impact that can make me bawl no matter how many times I've seen them both.

Yesterday, I was political.

First, I donated my grocery money to Obama. I might not get to vote this year (b/c I am severely awful and scatterbrained, but moving three times seven months will do that), and I wanted to do something, so I'll be eating spaghetti for the cause.

Second, I went to listen to my Congressman give a talk at the College Republican meeting. It was hard to go in there and not crow about how badly the republicans are treating us, but I managed because Frank Lucas is a good guy and good for the district. He voted no repeatedly on the bail-out and he's not as conservative as others. I still wanted to strangle some of the red-necked ag boys. Yeah, thirty people there, and only four girls.

Today, I was a little political as I emailed my dad (a staunch republican who raised me on Reagan and Limbaugh with a healthy dislike of social liberals and all democrats) the reasons I supported Obama because my heart got a little ahead of my brain. I know that no amount of reason will ever change his mind, but at least he knows I can think for myself.

But, the capper for today is this tidbit about the "surprise" we get after SPN tomorrow -



( Then, Jensen made me laugh until I cried and it's only going to get better tomorrow! I have done this y'all! Survivor is an old favorite though I prefer 'High On You'. )

1.
So, I tried to go to the opening College Republicans meeting tonight and made it as far as the poster that was set up to attract the unwary. There in big block letters – "Pro-Life" "Defend Marriage" "Support the Troops!" (not that I don't support the troops, because I do, but why should that be a republican come-on?) – and I got kinda angry. I had a vision of handing out McCain bumper stickers, and realized that I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Then, I accidentally checked out the chick (which I do occasionally though never in much seriousness) walking up the escalator and knew I was in the wrong place.

I still think I'm a republican, I can't quite give away the label yet because there's just as many things the dems do that I don't agree with. I'm just sick of party politics. Maybe I'll try to check out the Young Dems next week and see if I do any better.

2.
Regarding Stargate: Universe, I am cautiously optimistic. I really enjoyed ST: VOY, and I always thought that SGA was more compelling, in canon and fic, when they were cut off from Earth. I think I'll enjoy a younger cast and influences into the story arcs. JoeF, Ben, Michael, and David are all very nice to look at, but I do like 'em a little closer to my own age too.

I am not really behind amireal's advert campaign. Instead, I like what liviapenn had to say here. Defriend me if you need to, but I don't plan to make a big deal out of anything. I'd like to be fannish about the new series, but it's a long way away.



I'm still drowning under a pile of papers and readings. I would really like an August redo. Please?

Okay, so whoever writes Obama's speeches, I want to have their babies. I'm actually kind of choked up, thinking about the America that he's describing. For once I feel like I'm not a phony for having a degree in political science. I sincerely, completely hope that he's for real.

Change will not be easy.