As we were rolling along through Montana today, I decided that we should call in to request some songs to kill time. Luckily the DJ at KPOW Copper 94.1 was ready and willing to take my request for Build Me Up, Buttercup. I was excited like whoa until 45 minutes passed and he still hadn't played my song. I'll admit, I was feeling pretty sad and dejected, but I realize that as the only request line radio in Southwest Montana, he can't necessarily take everyone's requests. As soon as I reconciled myself with the fact that no buttercups were being built up, I heard him say, "This is the last request song of the day..." -I'm thinking damn this radio station- "and its Build Me Up Buttercup requested by a young lady named Phoebe Brooks, who also is our free lunch prize winner!"
My mom, my sister and I screamed and yelled all the way from Anaconda to Butte to claim our free lunch coupon and 2 liter of Pepsi. It was phenomenal. I don't think they get many people taking pictures in front of their station with their winnings, though, because I got a lot of weird looks.
Still, I will rep Copper 94 all the way to Baltimore.
Me and Butte are like me and pickles. And I really like pickles.
Also, Yellowstone is dope. I've never seen any of it before, and I am very impressed. A little like Disneyland with all the different areas...frontierland, fantasyland and all that. Except with no rides, of course. Lots of Matterhorn looking hot springs today.
"Ok-la-ho-ma, wouldn't wanna be ya."
-my mother to passing Oklahoma tourists
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Roadtrip: Sea-town to B-more
me: "I hate cookie cutter hotels"
my mother: "Well that's too bad because I signed up for the La Quinta rewards club and we're gonna La Quinta it all the way to Baltimore."
my mother: "Okay, we are not going to pass another one of this historic sites without stopping and appreciating it."
my sister: "Well will you just pull up close so I can appreciate it without leaving the car."
me: "What's a trustle?"
my mother: "The word is trestle, not trustle! Oh my goodness, its like you didn't even graduate from college."
my mother: "Well that's too bad because I signed up for the La Quinta rewards club and we're gonna La Quinta it all the way to Baltimore."
my mother: "Okay, we are not going to pass another one of this historic sites without stopping and appreciating it."
my sister: "Well will you just pull up close so I can appreciate it without leaving the car."
me: "What's a trustle?"
my mother: "The word is trestle, not trustle! Oh my goodness, its like you didn't even graduate from college."
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Zim is Doomed
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
"Only God can remove me."
-Mugabe
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.
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