The only remaining opposition candidate opposing Mugabe dropped out of the race. I would too if my fellow MDC party-members had been lit on fire by Mugabe's hit men.
"Only God can remove me."
-Mugabe
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
South African Politics 101
The Major Players:
Mbeki-The current President of South Africa (following Nelson Mandela). Was the president of the ANC until recently. Lately has been notably absent from publicly condemning the xenophobic violence across the country. Has also tacitly supported instead of condemned Zimbabwe's "President", the infamous Robert Mugabe, and Zim's recent "election".
The African National Congress (ANC)-One of the organizations that was instrumental in dismantling apartheid. Now the ruling political party of the country. Both Mandela and Mbeki were elected president of the ANC before being elected President of South Africa. The ANC currently holds over 76% of the seats in the National Assembly (sort of the equivalent of Congress).
Zuma-The newly elected President of the ANC and the expected winner of the upcoming South African presidential election. He is widely supported by lower-income blacks who make up the majority of the country. However, many others (myself include) are worried about his apparent tendency toward corruption and foolish positions. His statements on AIDS have drawn the most criticism, especially his remark that he doesn't regret having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman because he showered afterwards. There is a case against him before the SA Constitutional Court for being involved in likely corrupt arrangement with a French arms dealing company. It is possible that he could be convicted before the election and thus would no longer be eligible for the presidency.
Constitutional Court-The US Supreme Court would do well to take a page out of the SA ConCourt's impressive book. The Court has made numerous bold decisions since its inception in 1994 including requiring the government to provide housing for the most vulnerable in society (much more progressive on socioeconomic issues than the US SC will EVER be), striking down the death penalty against public support, and legalizing same-sex marriage. Given the set up of the SA Constitution, however, I am concerned that the ConCourt is overly susceptible to societal pressure and at risk of being unable to fulfill its countermajoritarian duties. There don't seem to be a lot of people who agree with me on this, including my law class here. However the fact is that the SA Constitutional can be amended with a 2/3 majority vote in the National Assembly. The ANC currently holds more than enough seats in the Nat'l Assembly to pass an amendment by voting as a block. If the ANC was sufficiently concerned about a case before the court (ahem, such as ANC President Zuma's case that will determine his eligibility for the SA presidency), they could attempt to influence the Court by bringing forth legislation to amend the powers or composition of the Court. I have great respect for most of the judges on the Court, but the Court is young, its power is still inevitably tenuous. It seems completely possible to me that if pressured by a powerful enough faction, the Court could be forced to choose between losing its powers and making a fair decision.
Judge Hlophe-Western Cape Judge President (below the ConCourt) who the ConCourt recently issued a complaint of misconduct against. Hlophe allegedly tried to coerce the Court into helping Zuma by either dismissing, postponing or deciding the pending case against Zuma in his favor. Hlophe claimed that he had special information from the National Intelligence Agency and that the ConCourt Justices could lose their positions if they did not step in line.
This is not quite an "I told you so" moment for me because my worry has been that the ConCourt would be successfully coerced, and in this case, the justices have publicly rebuked Hlophe and the attempted coercion. However, this is still not over yet. It might still swing the other way. Also, if a stronger faction such as the bulk of the ANC leadership tried to pressure the Court instead of just one lower court judge, it might be a different story. Anyway, people were always skeptical of my coerced Court scenario mainly because they didn't think anyone would be so invested in the outcome of the case that they would have the gall to try and pressure ConCourt. Ha! Obviously there is some reason for worry, huh guys?
"It constitutes a grave threat to the institution of the judiciary, and accordingly to our constitution."
-Chief Justice Langa, on the alleged misconduct of Judge Hlophe (via the Cape Argus)
Mbeki-The current President of South Africa (following Nelson Mandela). Was the president of the ANC until recently. Lately has been notably absent from publicly condemning the xenophobic violence across the country. Has also tacitly supported instead of condemned Zimbabwe's "President", the infamous Robert Mugabe, and Zim's recent "election".
The African National Congress (ANC)-One of the organizations that was instrumental in dismantling apartheid. Now the ruling political party of the country. Both Mandela and Mbeki were elected president of the ANC before being elected President of South Africa. The ANC currently holds over 76% of the seats in the National Assembly (sort of the equivalent of Congress).
Zuma-The newly elected President of the ANC and the expected winner of the upcoming South African presidential election. He is widely supported by lower-income blacks who make up the majority of the country. However, many others (myself include) are worried about his apparent tendency toward corruption and foolish positions. His statements on AIDS have drawn the most criticism, especially his remark that he doesn't regret having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman because he showered afterwards. There is a case against him before the SA Constitutional Court for being involved in likely corrupt arrangement with a French arms dealing company. It is possible that he could be convicted before the election and thus would no longer be eligible for the presidency.
Constitutional Court-The US Supreme Court would do well to take a page out of the SA ConCourt's impressive book. The Court has made numerous bold decisions since its inception in 1994 including requiring the government to provide housing for the most vulnerable in society (much more progressive on socioeconomic issues than the US SC will EVER be), striking down the death penalty against public support, and legalizing same-sex marriage. Given the set up of the SA Constitution, however, I am concerned that the ConCourt is overly susceptible to societal pressure and at risk of being unable to fulfill its countermajoritarian duties. There don't seem to be a lot of people who agree with me on this, including my law class here. However the fact is that the SA Constitutional can be amended with a 2/3 majority vote in the National Assembly. The ANC currently holds more than enough seats in the Nat'l Assembly to pass an amendment by voting as a block. If the ANC was sufficiently concerned about a case before the court (ahem, such as ANC President Zuma's case that will determine his eligibility for the SA presidency), they could attempt to influence the Court by bringing forth legislation to amend the powers or composition of the Court. I have great respect for most of the judges on the Court, but the Court is young, its power is still inevitably tenuous. It seems completely possible to me that if pressured by a powerful enough faction, the Court could be forced to choose between losing its powers and making a fair decision.
Judge Hlophe-Western Cape Judge President (below the ConCourt) who the ConCourt recently issued a complaint of misconduct against. Hlophe allegedly tried to coerce the Court into helping Zuma by either dismissing, postponing or deciding the pending case against Zuma in his favor. Hlophe claimed that he had special information from the National Intelligence Agency and that the ConCourt Justices could lose their positions if they did not step in line.
This is not quite an "I told you so" moment for me because my worry has been that the ConCourt would be successfully coerced, and in this case, the justices have publicly rebuked Hlophe and the attempted coercion. However, this is still not over yet. It might still swing the other way. Also, if a stronger faction such as the bulk of the ANC leadership tried to pressure the Court instead of just one lower court judge, it might be a different story. Anyway, people were always skeptical of my coerced Court scenario mainly because they didn't think anyone would be so invested in the outcome of the case that they would have the gall to try and pressure ConCourt. Ha! Obviously there is some reason for worry, huh guys?
"It constitutes a grave threat to the institution of the judiciary, and accordingly to our constitution."
-Chief Justice Langa, on the alleged misconduct of Judge Hlophe (via the Cape Argus)
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Insomnia
Having a hard time.
It's nice to blame it on PMS.
It's like a depression cop out.
Your life is really not so bad, its just a chemical imbalance...yay!
But the fact remains that the things that are bothering you are still very real, you are simply paying more attention to them.
I am upset that I am not trusting enough.
I am hurt by things that I shouldn't have read.
I feel guilty that I read them.
I am angry at possibly being lied to.
I am frustrated that I am jealous.
I miss how things used to be.
I hate change.
I hate that my life will inevitably be constant change for the next two years.
I miss Natalie. Fuck code names.
I miss not feeling lonely.
I miss being single.
I miss not needing anything in my life except my family.
The sms said "Angel, it looks like I let a real prize slip away." The old me would have vowed to be okay with my boyfriend staying friends with his exes. But how can I when he goes and writes things like that to them? Was it a mistake? Did he not mean to insinuate that he wishes he was still with her? Yes, it wouldn't have hurt me if I hadn't read it (and snooped in his phone to read it...bad), but I maintain that it still would have damaged me indirectly. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In any kind of friendship or relationship anything you knowingly do that would hurt the other person will affect things. Not in a bite-you-in-the-ass karma sort of way. You will know you have done it and you will act differently, they will know subconsciously and everything about that dynamic will push the two of you apart.
Argh. I am probably overreacting or under-reacting. The only thing for sure is that I am naive. Actually no. There is another sure thing....and that is that he knows I am naive and yet he did something that he knew would hurt and confuse me anyway.
I feel Lost like Michael Bublé. But to be honest, I like Ewan McGregor's voice better. They are near twins to my ears, but Mr Moulin Rouge wins every time.
I trusted more than I realized.
"Hate stirs up strife,
Love covers all sin."
-Proverbs
It's nice to blame it on PMS.
It's like a depression cop out.
Your life is really not so bad, its just a chemical imbalance...yay!
But the fact remains that the things that are bothering you are still very real, you are simply paying more attention to them.
I am upset that I am not trusting enough.
I am hurt by things that I shouldn't have read.
I feel guilty that I read them.
I am angry at possibly being lied to.
I am frustrated that I am jealous.
I miss how things used to be.
I hate change.
I hate that my life will inevitably be constant change for the next two years.
I miss Natalie. Fuck code names.
I miss not feeling lonely.
I miss being single.
I miss not needing anything in my life except my family.
The sms said "Angel, it looks like I let a real prize slip away." The old me would have vowed to be okay with my boyfriend staying friends with his exes. But how can I when he goes and writes things like that to them? Was it a mistake? Did he not mean to insinuate that he wishes he was still with her? Yes, it wouldn't have hurt me if I hadn't read it (and snooped in his phone to read it...bad), but I maintain that it still would have damaged me indirectly. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In any kind of friendship or relationship anything you knowingly do that would hurt the other person will affect things. Not in a bite-you-in-the-ass karma sort of way. You will know you have done it and you will act differently, they will know subconsciously and everything about that dynamic will push the two of you apart.
Argh. I am probably overreacting or under-reacting. The only thing for sure is that I am naive. Actually no. There is another sure thing....and that is that he knows I am naive and yet he did something that he knew would hurt and confuse me anyway.
I feel Lost like Michael Bublé. But to be honest, I like Ewan McGregor's voice better. They are near twins to my ears, but Mr Moulin Rouge wins every time.
I trusted more than I realized.
"Hate stirs up strife,
Love covers all sin."
-Proverbs
Your Ex-Lover is Dead
God that was strange to see you again
Introduced by a friend of a friend
Smiled and said 'yes I think we've met before'
In that instant it started to pour,
Captured a taxi despite all the rain
We drove in silence across Pont Champlain
And all of the time you thought I was sad
I was trying to remember your name...
This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin
Tried to reach deep but you couldn't get in
Now you're outside me
You see all the beauty
Repent all your sin
It's nothing but time and a face that you lose
I chose to feel it and you couldn't choose
I'll write you a postcard
I'll send you the news
From a house down the road from real love
Live through this, and you won't look back...
-Stars
"I'm insane. I go to work and I sit in a box like a veal."
-While You Were Sleeping
yes....a veal
Introduced by a friend of a friend
Smiled and said 'yes I think we've met before'
In that instant it started to pour,
Captured a taxi despite all the rain
We drove in silence across Pont Champlain
And all of the time you thought I was sad
I was trying to remember your name...
This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin
Tried to reach deep but you couldn't get in
Now you're outside me
You see all the beauty
Repent all your sin
It's nothing but time and a face that you lose
I chose to feel it and you couldn't choose
I'll write you a postcard
I'll send you the news
From a house down the road from real love
Live through this, and you won't look back...
-Stars
"I'm insane. I go to work and I sit in a box like a veal."
-While You Were Sleeping
yes....a veal
Saturday, June 14, 2008
I will miss Tim Russert
I cannot think of a news anchor that I liked more. He had the sharp wit of Keith Olbermann, the charm of Brian Williams, and the down-to-earth good nature of Chris Matthews. And apparently he was also simply a uniquely amazing person. The world has lost someone important.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Not for YOUR eyes, guys.
Mi familia is on the hunt for my blog. My sister happened upon it on a random google search of something else. Damn it. You are not even supposed to be able to find it from google. I'm telling you it is a conspiracy. To get me in trouble.
This is probably karma for whining too much. I have got to stop. Emo-ness is for Death Cab kids.
This is probably karma for whining too much. I have got to stop. Emo-ness is for Death Cab kids.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Tragic Manic
I am utterly and completely in a state of shock and depression about Richard Quest. He was the best CNN news anchor ever and now I find out that the reason that he was able to make economic summits so fun and interesting was quite possibly because he was doped up. He was arrested for meth possession in Central Park the other night.
I hope he is fine and returns to entice me into watching reports on european conferences once more.
I hope he is fine and returns to entice me into watching reports on european conferences once more.
Becoming Ebert
I saw Prince Caspian tonight and it was perfect for three reasons:
1) Unlike the Lion, the Witch an the Wardrobe, it didn't seem at all like a fake Lord of the Rings or a fake anything else. It was its own movie and it was exciting and sweet.
2) Also unlike the L the W and the W, I couldn't remember the story, so it was much more fun to watch and there was less to judge.
3) Okay, so lets not lie...the story has even more openly religious undertones that Lord of the Rings. But, it avoids the pitfalls of most psuedo-Christian stories and doesn't come across as a moral lesson.
Plus, who doesn't love British kids. Lips better than Angelina Jolie....and, I am sorry but it has to be said: Peter turned out to be HOTT.
1) Unlike the Lion, the Witch an the Wardrobe, it didn't seem at all like a fake Lord of the Rings or a fake anything else. It was its own movie and it was exciting and sweet.
2) Also unlike the L the W and the W, I couldn't remember the story, so it was much more fun to watch and there was less to judge.
3) Okay, so lets not lie...the story has even more openly religious undertones that Lord of the Rings. But, it avoids the pitfalls of most psuedo-Christian stories and doesn't come across as a moral lesson.
Plus, who doesn't love British kids. Lips better than Angelina Jolie....and, I am sorry but it has to be said: Peter turned out to be HOTT.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
That Girl
Just finished watching 27 Dresses. I like that movie for an infinite number of reasons. One of the more cynical reasons is that I am that girl. The one that is always a bridesmaid, never the bride.
Well, not with regard to weddings really. I'm too young to get married just yet, and I haven't ever been a bridesmaid. But you know what I mean. I'm the girl with the terribly gorgeous and charismatic friend. Even my very first boyfriend couldn't help but admire my best friend at the time, saying, "She's like a unicorn. I could never catch her." He didn't say it directly to me, but still...that was the third sign that I needed to dump him. The first was that when we had our first kiss he asked if he could kiss me, which I HATE. And then he went for it while I was talking, so he landed on my tooth. The second was that he got a horrible haircut. But he perfectly illustrates my point. Yes, boys are dumb. But he wasn't as dumb as I will make him out to be if I ever talk about him, and even he seemed to be just as if not more enchanted with my friend as he was with me.
I'm not Jane, I'm Elizabeth. I'm not Mary, I'm Laura. That might not seem too bad, since Elizabeth and Laura are obviously the heroines in their respective stories. But that is only because they have had stories and movies made about them. The girl who is that girl only ever gets a modest happy ending in real life. The blockbuster finale is only a movie mirage.
I suppose that would be fine for me. What worries me is that Josh is that boy. Except in a different way. He is the guy that can get any girl he wants. He has looks, charisma, he's hilarious, and he is cocky enough to convince any girl that deep down she wants him. When we first started dating he told me that he was that guy. He was half joking, but its the truth and I had always known that. I watched him grow up and I saw all the girls come and go. I hear the way people still talk to him. Fathers who would love to hook their daughters up with him. And mothers who wouldn't mind hooking up with him themselves. Female teachers have massaged him. His girlfriend's mother has hit on him. And his exes never seem to let go of him.
He's Emilio Estevez in the Breakfast Club, and Blane in Pretty in Pink.
My issue is not that he's perfect. I would be the first to list his many flaws. Being the less-noticed girl doesn't make me unobservant or doormat-ish at all. I also don't have an issue with being afraid that he doesn't like me since he can have his pick of anyone. I know that he loves me, and its always been like that. Through all the girlfriends. My real issue shouldn't be an issue, but is an issue since I can't seem to let it go....I hate the fact that he is that guy and I am this girl, and there is a power relationship there that is not quite in balance. Well, its there in my head at least.
I am a person who likes drama, yes. And I am jealous by nature. But I think any girl would get a little bit tired of having to deal with exes after six fucking months. He doesn't talk about them that much. But it doesn't matter, because I see the please calls that they have sent him on his phone. That doesn't mean that he did anything wrong at all. He didn't necessarily call them back. I just hate having to wonder if he did. And having to feel like it is so so so unfair that he has these girls who are constantly vying for his attention and making me feel jealous (no Eleanor Roosevelt quotes here, please, or I will cut you), and he doesn't have to feel like he is just another boy in line for my attention or wonder if someday I will answer one of the sms' from one of my numerous admirers.
And can I take a second to talk about how much of a bitch one of his exes is? I actually look forward to the day that I meet her again, so I can finally dish it back to that petite, fakey, two-faced whore. She is exactly the kind of girl that I would do everything in my power to ensure that my daughter does not turn out to be. Let's call her Lacey. I met Lacey when I came here at the age of 17, and she was dating Josh. I tried so hard to get to know her and be nice to her, because I knew that the only way to preserve Josh and my friendship as we got older was to make sure that the new people in his life liked me. She was nice to my face. In an aloof sort of way. Lacey had Josh cut her pizza for her when she came over for dinner, which nearly made me throw up, but I still gave her the benefit of the doubt. And then that little cunt (yes, I'm going all McCain on her ass) had the nerve to tell my 10 year-old little sister to "get the hell out of her way" when nobody else was listening. My sister never did ANYTHING to her. Then, after I left (not to return again for another 4 years) she told Josh's entire family that I was so so mean and had cornered her in a room and told her that I hated her. As if. Josh apparently sort of believed it. Which doesn't say much for him, actually.
Anyway, this is the same biatch that re-declared her love for Josh a couple of months ago. He turned her down. But the point is that I still have to deal with her being in his life. Not by choice maybe. But she is still there. Along with others. And it annoys me. This wouldn't be such an issue if he was not that guy. Or if I were his girl equivalent, instead of being that girl.
"I feel like I just found out my favorite love song was written about a sandwich."
-Jane, 27 Dresses
Well, not with regard to weddings really. I'm too young to get married just yet, and I haven't ever been a bridesmaid. But you know what I mean. I'm the girl with the terribly gorgeous and charismatic friend. Even my very first boyfriend couldn't help but admire my best friend at the time, saying, "She's like a unicorn. I could never catch her." He didn't say it directly to me, but still...that was the third sign that I needed to dump him. The first was that when we had our first kiss he asked if he could kiss me, which I HATE. And then he went for it while I was talking, so he landed on my tooth. The second was that he got a horrible haircut. But he perfectly illustrates my point. Yes, boys are dumb. But he wasn't as dumb as I will make him out to be if I ever talk about him, and even he seemed to be just as if not more enchanted with my friend as he was with me.
I'm not Jane, I'm Elizabeth. I'm not Mary, I'm Laura. That might not seem too bad, since Elizabeth and Laura are obviously the heroines in their respective stories. But that is only because they have had stories and movies made about them. The girl who is that girl only ever gets a modest happy ending in real life. The blockbuster finale is only a movie mirage.
I suppose that would be fine for me. What worries me is that Josh is that boy. Except in a different way. He is the guy that can get any girl he wants. He has looks, charisma, he's hilarious, and he is cocky enough to convince any girl that deep down she wants him. When we first started dating he told me that he was that guy. He was half joking, but its the truth and I had always known that. I watched him grow up and I saw all the girls come and go. I hear the way people still talk to him. Fathers who would love to hook their daughters up with him. And mothers who wouldn't mind hooking up with him themselves. Female teachers have massaged him. His girlfriend's mother has hit on him. And his exes never seem to let go of him.
He's Emilio Estevez in the Breakfast Club, and Blane in Pretty in Pink.
My issue is not that he's perfect. I would be the first to list his many flaws. Being the less-noticed girl doesn't make me unobservant or doormat-ish at all. I also don't have an issue with being afraid that he doesn't like me since he can have his pick of anyone. I know that he loves me, and its always been like that. Through all the girlfriends. My real issue shouldn't be an issue, but is an issue since I can't seem to let it go....I hate the fact that he is that guy and I am this girl, and there is a power relationship there that is not quite in balance. Well, its there in my head at least.
I am a person who likes drama, yes. And I am jealous by nature. But I think any girl would get a little bit tired of having to deal with exes after six fucking months. He doesn't talk about them that much. But it doesn't matter, because I see the please calls that they have sent him on his phone. That doesn't mean that he did anything wrong at all. He didn't necessarily call them back. I just hate having to wonder if he did. And having to feel like it is so so so unfair that he has these girls who are constantly vying for his attention and making me feel jealous (no Eleanor Roosevelt quotes here, please, or I will cut you), and he doesn't have to feel like he is just another boy in line for my attention or wonder if someday I will answer one of the sms' from one of my numerous admirers.
And can I take a second to talk about how much of a bitch one of his exes is? I actually look forward to the day that I meet her again, so I can finally dish it back to that petite, fakey, two-faced whore. She is exactly the kind of girl that I would do everything in my power to ensure that my daughter does not turn out to be. Let's call her Lacey. I met Lacey when I came here at the age of 17, and she was dating Josh. I tried so hard to get to know her and be nice to her, because I knew that the only way to preserve Josh and my friendship as we got older was to make sure that the new people in his life liked me. She was nice to my face. In an aloof sort of way. Lacey had Josh cut her pizza for her when she came over for dinner, which nearly made me throw up, but I still gave her the benefit of the doubt. And then that little cunt (yes, I'm going all McCain on her ass) had the nerve to tell my 10 year-old little sister to "get the hell out of her way" when nobody else was listening. My sister never did ANYTHING to her. Then, after I left (not to return again for another 4 years) she told Josh's entire family that I was so so mean and had cornered her in a room and told her that I hated her. As if. Josh apparently sort of believed it. Which doesn't say much for him, actually.
Anyway, this is the same biatch that re-declared her love for Josh a couple of months ago. He turned her down. But the point is that I still have to deal with her being in his life. Not by choice maybe. But she is still there. Along with others. And it annoys me. This wouldn't be such an issue if he was not that guy. Or if I were his girl equivalent, instead of being that girl.
"I feel like I just found out my favorite love song was written about a sandwich."
-Jane, 27 Dresses
Monday, June 2, 2008
Move *****, Get Out the Way!
If Obama takes Clinton as a running mate I will be forced to throw up a little bit in my mouth. And then I will watch (and doorbell for Obama) futilely as McCain steals the election.
It's not that she's a woman, it's that she's a biatch, and has exposed this fact ever so publicly during the course of the campaign.
It's not that she's a woman, it's that she's a biatch, and has exposed this fact ever so publicly during the course of the campaign.
Extra-extralicious
Today was fabulous in a boring sort of way. I am positively elated to be done with school (for now). I have no immediate complaints, and because of that I have nothing much of importance to say. In light of this, I will get a little bit list happy and tell you four things of not so important nature:
1) I always seem to have these "admirers" who are roughly ten years older than me, and into academia. This happened at the UW and again here at UCT. At the UW it was my policsi TA who came from the Soviet Union (as he called it), who kept me in his office answering questions about my life for a loooong time on repeated occasions. The meetings were mandatory for everyone in the class regarding our papers. It wasn't like I kept being somehow tamed into his Gowen lair. But I just couldn't get away when he finished talking about my paper and launched into the Russian inquisition. Here at UCT it was a librarian who I seemed to have caught the eye of. That was much less creepy and way more beneficial, though, because the librarian actually helped me find hidden dvd's and lots of books, and never tricked me into a small room.
Still, though. Why me? Do I somehow seem endearing to older university people who are ten years my senior (at least)? I only explained two instances of this phenomenon, but its part of a much longer pattern of uncomfortability. Not too annoying, but strange nonetheless.
2) Interestingly the name Phoebe has biblical roots. Isn't that funny? It sounds so much more modern and almost new-agey...thanks in part to Friends, I think. But its in Romans 16, so technically its on par with names like Moses and Ezekiel.
3) A confusing riddle: What do Superman, Moses, and the Cabbage Patch Kids have in common?
4) People say "now now" here a lot. It is the equivalent of saying something like "I will be there just now"...which they also say. Contrary to logic, now now can mean in ten minutes, in a couple of hours, or NEVER. I learned this the hard way last time I was in South Africa.
"Simplicity provides a fine line between elegance and plainness."
-Brown Sugar
1) I always seem to have these "admirers" who are roughly ten years older than me, and into academia. This happened at the UW and again here at UCT. At the UW it was my policsi TA who came from the Soviet Union (as he called it), who kept me in his office answering questions about my life for a loooong time on repeated occasions. The meetings were mandatory for everyone in the class regarding our papers. It wasn't like I kept being somehow tamed into his Gowen lair. But I just couldn't get away when he finished talking about my paper and launched into the Russian inquisition. Here at UCT it was a librarian who I seemed to have caught the eye of. That was much less creepy and way more beneficial, though, because the librarian actually helped me find hidden dvd's and lots of books, and never tricked me into a small room.
Still, though. Why me? Do I somehow seem endearing to older university people who are ten years my senior (at least)? I only explained two instances of this phenomenon, but its part of a much longer pattern of uncomfortability. Not too annoying, but strange nonetheless.
2) Interestingly the name Phoebe has biblical roots. Isn't that funny? It sounds so much more modern and almost new-agey...thanks in part to Friends, I think. But its in Romans 16, so technically its on par with names like Moses and Ezekiel.
3) A confusing riddle: What do Superman, Moses, and the Cabbage Patch Kids have in common?
4) People say "now now" here a lot. It is the equivalent of saying something like "I will be there just now"...which they also say. Contrary to logic, now now can mean in ten minutes, in a couple of hours, or NEVER. I learned this the hard way last time I was in South Africa.
"Simplicity provides a fine line between elegance and plainness."
-Brown Sugar
Sunday, June 1, 2008
WINNER
Spent the weekend at Josh's and it was chock full of good clean fun. My favorite kind. LOTS of games. We played hide and seek for the first time and I found out that he is just as good as I am. Amazing. After Olive, I doubted that I would ever meet another person whose was on par with me in the whole hiding arena. Actually, the biggest barrier to that is the fact that only little-kiddish people like me want to play hide and seek in the first place. I hid in a bedroom cupboard that was near the ceiling. And after he found me, I just about broke my leg because I fell out of it trying to climb down. Good thing he's a good catcher too. Josh hid in between two twin mattresses that were pushed together to make one bed with king-sized sheets and a duvet. He got in and remade the bed with himself in it somehow.
We also played Careers, which is a board game that looks like a cheap version of Life but is waaaay more fun. I hate that stupid game. Anyway, you should buy Careers if you ever come across it. It will bring you days and days of good times.
And finally, since we've been fighting so much lately, we did a relationship counseling worksheet. Not a real one, just one that I made. Which was cheating, sort of, because I asked questions that I wanted to know his opinions on and also ones that I wanted to tell him my opinions on without being super obvious. In any case, it turned out very nicely and now we have absolutely no issues. I get the Freud of the week award. In more ways than one...... Except that I did cause slightly more drama because I checked his inbox on his phone, which he hates because he says it means that I don't trust him. Hmph. Whatev. I don't feel all that guilty because a) I told him that I looked, which I didn't have to, I was just trying to be honest, and b) I found two "please call" messages from his ex that he had deleted. Normally that wouldn't be an issue that an ex sent him those, especially since he deleted them and didn't necessarily call her back. Still, I asked him if he had heard from her recently and he lied and said no. Hmmm, c'est la vie. I will let this one go, especially since everything has been relatively perfect with us this weekend. Plus, I way to hotttt for him to even consider cheating on me.
We also played Careers, which is a board game that looks like a cheap version of Life but is waaaay more fun. I hate that stupid game. Anyway, you should buy Careers if you ever come across it. It will bring you days and days of good times.
And finally, since we've been fighting so much lately, we did a relationship counseling worksheet. Not a real one, just one that I made. Which was cheating, sort of, because I asked questions that I wanted to know his opinions on and also ones that I wanted to tell him my opinions on without being super obvious. In any case, it turned out very nicely and now we have absolutely no issues. I get the Freud of the week award. In more ways than one...... Except that I did cause slightly more drama because I checked his inbox on his phone, which he hates because he says it means that I don't trust him. Hmph. Whatev. I don't feel all that guilty because a) I told him that I looked, which I didn't have to, I was just trying to be honest, and b) I found two "please call" messages from his ex that he had deleted. Normally that wouldn't be an issue that an ex sent him those, especially since he deleted them and didn't necessarily call her back. Still, I asked him if he had heard from her recently and he lied and said no. Hmmm, c'est la vie. I will let this one go, especially since everything has been relatively perfect with us this weekend. Plus, I way to hotttt for him to even consider cheating on me.
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