The Way I Feel

Nimoy.

 Shatner.

 Nimoy and Shatner. And I know how I'm supposed to vote - I assume you think you know who might win this epic battle of the hearts?

Nimoy. In many ways - blasphemy though I know it is to even think it - Nimoy has had the more interesting post Trek career. Though he clearly hasn't given that up either. I suspect he's been forced by it into a role of Alien Gandhi - form dictating function. Beware of what you create!

Space Fun Helmet

Where there's space fun to be had, I'll be there.

 You're with me on this, right? 

"70's Poseidon" would be a good band name, album name, song name, or even movie name. I'm going to trademark and patent it, so let's never speak of it again.  

Cult o' Snuggie

In the year 2020 a comet passes between the Earth and Moon, wrenching the Moon's orbit asunder, sending the Earth into an age of Sorcery and Super Science. From the ashes arose the Cult o' Snuggie, effectively warmed yet with their hands free to cast spells and hit points and what nots. What can you do, mortal, with a simple blanket?

There is indeed a better way.

Pooh Fans

At least the kid seems to be enjoying it. Though I do wonder how this will all play out over the years - a lighthearted photo or a descent into the sweaty underworld of Furries? In this case, Pooh Furries, a particularly odd breed. Have you read about this? Heard about this? Yeah. Furries like to do things in costume, things you and I might say aboot, "really?" You're getting married in costume?

Of course, different strokes, whatever suits ya, I don't mind, since, why is it my business what makes you happy? As long as it doesn't involve harming me and mine, do what ye like - and I think that should be the mindset of most everyone, since, who are you to judge another's happiness? 




Yeah, that's what I thought. :)

Cera, Cera

Little ironic American monsters ready to barge out into that dark suburban night and demand candy, the good stuff too, not this toothbrush and apple shit.

Also

I recommend Buscemi's work in the underrated 1996 classic "Escape From L.A.". It's an awful movie in many ways, but if you accept that going in, suddenly it all makes sense.

Nerd Quandry

This pic has puzzled many of the greatest Trek nerds on the Web. What, exactly, is going on here? We have a prototypical young nerd in the center - untouched by any other, I must point out - surrounded by 4 extremely attractive yet equally nerdy women. How did this happen? How is it possible?!

The best answer the Collective came up with is the boy is the brother of the girl on the left, and the rest are her friends, who, for whatever wacky reason, have decided to go all anime. Maybe?

Escape from your self

As always, click for big. It's glorious - all the colors of Trek nerds you could imagine. Look at the Boy Borg in the upper right.

When we dress up in costumes, we leave our normal world behind. This is a literal, physical feeling, one you can sense even when dressing up for a dinner at the Chez Fancy or going to one of them there Broadway shows. Different costumes for different events, as you fit the new mold of who you are supposed to be, then, and there. Going to a sporting event, for instance, requires a different costume than one for the opera, and it will make you feel like a different person. Perhaps.

If you agree so far, than, ask yourself this: What does this say about us? That we - the individuals we think of as "us", or, "I" - are actually largely constructed from the clothes we wear, and the circumstances we normally find ourselves. How could you argue for a permanent "you" if "you" can change simply by wearing a different costume? 


I would argue we, knowingly or not, use this dynamic as a social and personal release valve. Halloween, for another example, allows you to confront the darker side of life, in a fun and socially accepted way. You delve into it, knowing you'll be right out. You get to take a break from your own life, escape from your self, and perhaps see the world with new eyes.


It's like a battery recharge, and the more often you can break out of the mundane, the more fresh you'll be. This is the point of many of our costumed rituals.


So, live long and prosper, Star Trek (and all affiliated) nerds. Enjoy the liberation which is the release of self. 


This is the near ultimate aim of Buddhism, by the way: Letting go of the ego, understanding what it really is in the process: An illusion. A costume. A mask.

Also, too: I was on this same not London Bridge back in the banner year of 2004:

A certain GLOW

I assure you: It's gonna be a wild Saturday night!

Crimes Against Humanity

Truly, of all the horrors America has unleashed upon the world, and there are many (and there are many wonders too - America is a land of EXTREMES!!!), Jersey Shore ranks among the worst. Perhaps THE worst. Sorry, World.

Hobbies are Habits

We are mostly creatures of habit, especially as we get older. Routines settle over the years, ways of thinking, ways of feeling, ways of acting in specific situations. This can form a huge rut that is difficult to dig out of. Or, one can "keep it fresh", and trod new ground, new sights, new sounds, and I posit this is the difference between being "young" or "old". Note! You can be old while young - old in mind, old in outlook - or young while old, or some mixture of both (of course). It's all a matter of your perspective.

Habits are the way we form our minds - we are mostly creatures of habits. We have some say in the deal, but it takes effort, will, constant application of energy, and it's oh so tempting and easy to give up, let go, settle down nearer the LCD.  Why not, right? But this is the secret of a good life, right here, so listen up!

We are our habits. Make them good, and you can reasonably expect a good life (there's always bad luck and loss and disappointment, but what are you going to do?); make them bad, make them lazy, self destructive, self defeatist, self denying, then, well, it seems equally reasonable to expect negative results. Thus, you are the author of your life, so write if you want to write, or let it be written for you.


A hobby is a habit, by definition. It requires attention, positive repetition (if you enjoy your hobby) and a focus on concepts out of your normal day-to-day. If your hobby is good, therefore, you can expect an equally good return for your time, not just enjoyment in the moment, but in the quality of your life. 


Are there any bad hobbies? If these guys above have wives, or girlfriends, or Mothers paying the bills, think they think this is a good hobby?


Also too: Check out the etymology of the word "hobby".

Tribal Beats

Thesis: Tribal allegiances allow cognitive dissonances to flourish with little impediment, since support of the Tribe - whatever it's for - trumps all other considerations. 


I view "tribalism" in all its many flavors as one of humanity's greatest burdens. It served us well, way back in the day, but now it seems only useful for violence and hate, to pit one group against another. In fact, one could see the whole of human history as the story of a Tribe, and the expansion of the definition of tribe. America, for instance, is a polyglot hodgepodge of different races, religions, regions, etc. But, due to effective mythology, we're bound up in a tribe called "America", and this, ultimately, allows all the other dissonances to be subsumed, though we all know they're still there. 


So, the goal for a hopeful future is quite clear: Expand the definition of Tribe. An alien invasion would be very helpful towards this goal! 

Let's take a tour of one of the sub-tribes of America: The Wingnuts:

Note the many references to putting things in one's ass. No projection here, I'm sure!

 "Palin-Coulter 2012". For real, I assume. Ha! If I thought that were in any way possible, I'd start buying Mayan Futures stat.

 Just for reference, so you know what "Truck Nutz" are, or in this case "Skittle Car Nutz". Also, I appreciate the parking job. No BIG GUMMINT gonna tell me where to park!

Now, I feel as if the Wingnut and his many bumper stickers is closely related to an old favorite: Crazy religious nut.

I'm sure there's a close tribal allegiance between the two, in parts.

 What I find kinda interesting is I think these people exist in every culture at all times. I just wonder how they used to express themselves before cars. Rambling around the town square in a horse and buggy, maybe? One thing's consistent though:

 We're all Brothers and Sisters in Christ's love. Well, except for all the sinners, pagans, heathens, harlots. etc.... They can all burn in EVERLASTING HELLFIRE!

Neo-Calvinism

I almost hope this is really some ultra-hipster from Austin or somewhere being super ironic. But I doubt it - note all the things Evil Calvin pisses on. He's pissed! Not sure what role the Cross is playing here, other than convincing the person who would put such a sticker on their truck that they're one of the "good guys". 

By the by, Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin and Hobbes, of course has nothing to do with this epidemic of "Calvin pissing on things" window decals - he's never really licensed the characters for anything. It must be so odd: To lose control over your creation, forced to watch it perverted and debased, and there's little you can do about it. 

I'll say this though: Bumper stickers/decals are excellent clues in making snap judgements about other people. You can tell so much about a person from what they choose to stick on their car. Or hang from the bumper, in Truck Nutz cases.

Please make a note of it

I'm impressed they would be so bold with their prediction. I'll try and remember to post an update on May 22nd.

If you are a believer, I suspect this gives you another month of so of sinnin', then you better get to the atonin'.

Amen!

No idea where this billboard is from, but what do you want to bet it's the South? They know their Jesus! "After hanging on a crucifix for a few hours, I really enjoy the smooth, refreshing taste of Budweiser. If it's good enough for the Son of Gawd, it's good enough for you."

Also too:

Miss me yet?

Hells to the no. But it's funny some in the media are trying to push this theme. Good luck! In honor of their diligent propaganda efforts, let's take a stroll through a series of posts I like to call "That's Our Bush!":

Here's our Bush pretending to read a top secret security document entitled "Bin Laden determined to strike US". Pshaw! It came from a Clinton appointee, so it has to be rubbish. Anyways, on vacation.

 His finest hour - and perhaps America's darkest. When the morans got everything they ever dreamed of. "My Pet Goat". Bin Laden struck the US - who could have known?! At least Our Bush kept us safe, right? For real - recent spin from the Rethugs is to pretend 9/11 happened sometime other than during Bush's presidency. No doubt there's a Demoncrat to blame.

War's over! Whoo-hoo! Let me take a tangent at this moment, and reveal another Repuglican technique: They make their own reality. The banner says "Mission Accomplished", doesn't it? War's over. This is a powerful tool the Rethugs have used to shape all aspects of American society since St. Ronnie showed them the way - just make up whatever it is you want to be the truth, repeat it incessantly, and viscously attack anyone who would disagree. It will often work, and if it doesn't, try again with something else - not like anyone in the media will call you on it (IOKIYAAR). For example, the crack McCain team released this photo before the first Obama-McCain debate was over:

You see, it didn't matter what he actually did in the debate - they were going to push the "We won" theme regardless. And they certainly tried - the 27%er's will believe it, and accompanied by a pliant media, perhaps they could get another 23% to as well. And that's all it takes. You will see this technique used ALL THE TIME. Watch for it. Moving on...

Yeah. But even:

Pop psychologist diagnosis, 25cents worth: These27%ers want a strong Daddy, they want to be told what to think, what to feel (as long as it gibes with their foundational understanding of Jesus and the American Myth). These types of people - and every country in history has had them - form the foundation of any fascist state, because they like it.

But of course, they like it only when it's "their" guy, i.e. a Repuglican. Wanna bet the same Tea Party types that paid for this billboard also paid for this billboard?

Keep in mind this billboard went up a few weeks after Obama took office. I wonder what impeachable offense he'd committed by then, oh wait! It doesn't matter. He's a DEMONCRAT, who's also - GASP! - black. But let's end with some laughter, cuz Bush was good for that:

"Grownups back in the White House"

With such grace and class. And we end with this sweet, sweet moment I still savor:

Bye Bye Bush!

A Confederacy of Morans

It's real. I know it doesn't look real, but it is. If you dare, let the horror soak in - these were the men running/ruining our Empire. Morans. Ideologues. Partisan Wingnuts. But it's always the same, yeah? The History of the World, in a nutshell: Due to favorable circumstances/good luck, some smart individuals make a series of decisions that allow their endeavours to succeed. This success breeds more success, and with this success comes power. Power breeds more power until a critical point is reached and the Enterprise expands greatly, and flourishes. But power draws in the greedy and degenerate, and soon they worm their way into the Enterprise, rotting it from the inside. This process continues as Power always becomes its own end, and the initial reasons for the Enterprise are forgotten. Add in some unfavorable circumstances/bad luck, and these Inheritors of the Empire can no longer make wise decisions, and thus the center falls apart, and the Enterprise starts to collapse. Maybe it can recover, maybe pieces of it mutate into other things, but that's it. The end. All of our human works seem to follow this pattern.

But still - to see our degeneracy so clearly as this memo. Breathtaking, in its rather shocking stupidity.

But that's what the American Empire has been driven into - a culture that now seems to emphasize ignorance and superstition over facts, partisan patriotism over civic duty, greed over the common welfare, yadda yadda, Aptly summed, here:

 America: Fuck Yeah!

If'n it pisses off them liberals

Apparently, Arizona did not have a state sales tax under the Glorious Leader W. Oh wait,  the Fed's have nothing to do with sales taxes! Oh, you Wingnuts!

Have you heard about this? Read about this (a new favorite catchphrase)? Shocking news when a morbidly obese person dies of a heart attack:

 Shocking AND ironic, since he was working as a spokesperson for the wonderfully named "Heart Attack Grill" in lovely Chandler, AZ. As you can see, folks over 350 pounds eat free! Which is an interesting marketing technique.

And, as you can also see, the establishment goes all out in pushing the medical theme - but you see, it's all twisted up, in comedic style - look, the waitresses are nurses:

I do get it - there's plenty of themed restaurants out there, and this is something of a Hooter's derivative, no doubt. I'd even stop by if I was in Chandler, and I'm a ultra-hippie Vegetarian libtard! But pushing the medical theme so strongly (and the Obama's cut joke) makes me think of one of the 2 things you need to know to really understand a Wingnut.
1. If it pisses off a liberal, they're for it. Whatever it is. Might even change viewpoints in order to stay opposed to the liberals. You see, in this case, the "LIBTARDS" are for heath and diet and a health care system that covers everyone, and focuses on simple and cheap steps like preventive care - like diet and exercise! Stupid ass liberals, amirite?
And for your edification, 
2. Projection - if they're accusing someone of something, rest assured they're doing it themselves, or supporting it.

Now, armed with this wisdom, filter any and all crazy thing a Wingnut says through it, and suddenly you'll find reason where before there was inconsistent insanity.

There's some other handy guides, but these two will serve you well enough.

Redshirt in Love

Given the next away mission could be your last, who's to blame these crazy kids for falling in love? Seize the day, yadda yadda.

I can't wait to see the kid photos.

Back Boobs

Have you heard about this? Read about this? Apparently, back boobs are the new thing. And why not? If you got it, flaunt it, baby.

Nice Melons

See what I did there?


Science chat's over for the nonce. On with the LULZ.