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Cartoons

It may be the first known case of a sportscaster being traded for a cartoon character. Then again, there’s not really much difference between the two species anyway, is there?

And speaking of cartoon characters (by “cartoon character”, I’m referring to the author of this piece, and not to Curious George):

Not only does the story reveals the sinister side of a corrupt wildlife trade with perilous roots in Western imperialism, but recent ethical, legal and scientific considerations on the personhood of primates makes a traditional reading of Curious George both impossible and irresponsible.

She’s joking, right? Does anyone really write a sentence using phrases like “scientfic considerations on the personhood of primates” and not expect people to start howling with laughter?

Did I mention how happy I am that I get my husband back tomorrow? I was going to show a picture of my big grin, but my religion doesn’t allow visual representations of myself. At least not when they’re unflattering…

FTD and Me

Great. Channel 9 does a big exposé on how badly FTD screws up flower delivery orders placed online the very day after I place an order with them. My timing, as always, is impeccable.

So apparently we were spared the snow, yet again. Has The Great Pumpkin got something against me? Why are we having such a freakishly warm winter my first year back east? I’d particularly appreciate some snow this year, when I don’t have to commute to work. Oh well.

Triangle Weekend

The above was, of course, a photo opportunity which couldn’t be missed.

We spent the past weekend in Durham, with a quick side trip to Raleigh. Mark excelled at keeping my mind off something that was bothering me by feeding me regularly and driving me around in the snow all day on Saturday. We ate at Honey’s and Grayson’s and The Angus Barn and Le Coco and Spanky’s. The Angus Barn was particularly fun, because I’ve been driving by the place on the way to the state fair since I was a kid, and I’d never once been inside.

On Sunday, we got to see Becky, who I hadn’t seen in over a year, and who showed us more of Chapel Hill than I’d probably ever seen before. Then we headed home, loaded down with newspapers I’m still reading. Aside from our accommodations at the worst Red Roof Inn in the country, it was a very good weekend.

 

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

The really sucky thing about moving away from California is that you don’t get to completely remove the anal probe until the following year, after filing your last California state tax return.

Winston-Salem, Family, and Boy

We went up to Winston-Salem again this weekend. Have I mentioned what an attractive and interesting place it is?

Anyhow, I took Mark to the airport this morning so he could return for another two weeks in the City of Doom. I miss him already. The past two weeks went by way too fast, with lots of food, more travel than usual, etc. Now it’s cold, I have no one but Edgar (who generates very little body heat) to keep me warm, and I need to get back to the neglected job quest.

I love my boy. And my mom and dad. Especially after the past ten days or so.

Death Be Not Painless

I’ve always had a problem with the death penalty. Vindictive old cuss that I am, I’m still a little squeamish at the idea of a civilized society killing individuals in peacetime as a matter of justice. More importantly, I’m horrified at the very real potential for error given the irreversible nature this particular sentence.

That said, I also believe that states which use the death penalty should go ahead and do it, without the constant obsession over the most “painless and humane” means of execution. Here’s a clue: there is no humane and painless means of execution. The knowledge that one is about to die is probably the most painful thing imaginable for most human beings.

As Chief Gillespie said (yes, as a matter of fact I was inspired by an “In the Heat of the Night” rerun, thanks), the only way to execute someone without torturing him in the process is to tell him he’s forgiven, set him free, wait for the smile to cross his lips as he leaves the room, and then shoot him in the back before he realizes what’s happening.

I had an boyfriend once who was not a vegetarian, but who would only eat ground beef or sausage, because it didn’t “seem like” part of an animal. The touchy-feely approach to the death penalty seems a similar contradiction to me. If you’re going to kill people (or eat meat, or have sex with members of your same sex, or practice copyright infringement, or whatever), at least have the goddamned balls not to delude yourself into thinking you’re doing something else.

Don’t blame the mechanics of the act when it’s the act itself that you really have a problem with.