Interplanetary Revolution

I was going to write a blog about how I've recently rediscovered my obsession with Russia since I started studying the language again. I'm reading a history of the country, watched half of Dr. Zhivago today (my favorite movie EVER, but it is next to impossible to watch the whole thing in one go), and then I decided to watch some Soviet propaganda films on youtube.

Which is where I found this, and now my mind is just way too blown to write any sort of decent blog.

Just watch. I can only describe it as INSANE and GENIUS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSE14cMsDtY

After that

I had to post something that was slightly less sad and depressing. The world is the very root of my sadness. There is so much bad energy. I am going to go to the beach today and try to enjoy some sun and "fresh" air. The summer is quickly leaving us as are some great times and people. I want to get in as much of it as possible. 

I also went to Chicago this week and had a blast. There will be some pictures of some new clothes. Not a ton but I was really happy with my haul. I was very intrigued by the fact that I saw in comparison to Minneapolis very few "fashionable" people. Most days of the week I walk out my door and if I go in the right direction, which I usually do, I see people with great style. I see people walking down the street and I want to dress like them or want an article of clothing that is similar. Not so much in Chicago. All around its a great city and hopefully will be seeing much more of it in the future.

None of these items were bought in Chicago, BUT look at the great butterfly band a acquired from a coworker. Just a bit of fun, its like a myspace reunion tour.

In response

The post made previously by Chelsea about the conflict occurring between Russia and Georgia. It is a position the U.S. has found it self in once again because our fearless leaders have decided it necessary to side with our priorities. Mostly resources dealing with oil and the war in Iraq. Seeing as we are already involved in that the U.S. would heed a warning to not get involved other than encouraging both nations to hold peace talks and discontinue Russia's occupation of Georgia. Our nation cannot afford to be enemies with any one especially when our relationships with others have become tumultuous. I would think it more of concern to our Great Nation weather our students can finish their mandatory education or weather the citizens can afford health care. I know this is a far removed subject from the dealings with Russia and Georgia, but it just exemplifies the fact that we have a very skewed idea as a nation as to what is important and who is important. Yes the people of the areas being attacked are in need and as a world we should be worried about them, but we need to reanalyze what we are stating with the commitment to Georgia. 

I find it interesting as I read more about this situation, the more information I get and the better understanding I get. The more confused I seem to be in my position. I just popped onto guardian.co.uk and read that Georgia had signed a cease fire. Which is great and now Russia has to evacuate troops. I'm glad of this, but now there is the mess of dealing with the trampled feat caused by the invasion and now by the U.S. standing with Georgia. Now the country of Georgia stating that they are angry that assistance wasn't given much earlier when NATO denied Georgia membership. They are angry, Russias pissed, all of the citizens living in Ossetia are homeless and hungry. Who do you side with in a situation like this. Was it the right decision to step in and force the two countries to stop fighting(Hippocratic). A big jumbled messssss.

Elbow - Independent Woman.

So my sister just texted me, asking me who was the British guy who did a cover of Destiny's Child's "Independent Woman." Apparently I made a mix CD circa 9th grade with this song on there. After 10 seconds of completely not knowing what the fuck she was talking about, the song immediately came back to me, but I still had zero idea of who sang it. My hunch was The Cooper Temple Clause, (I listened to them a lot back in the day, when the mix in question was made. Who Needs Enemies is still one of my favorite songs), so I googled them, but no dice.

BUT. Another link led me to Elbow. And I got to listen to this song again. AND IT IS GREAT. So I thought I would share.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMUTiASn2B8

On The Fighting In South Ossetia

So, I haven't exactly been the best at keeping up to date with current events lately. When I was in high school, I made sure I knew what was going on, reading/watching a variety of sources. And I cared, and I protested and volunteered and wrote letters and op-eds and voted with my wallet, and all that good stuff.

And then I graduated from high school and entered this state of complete disinterest and apathy about the world I live in. I guess I've become a lot more cynical and pessimistic in the past few years, to the point where I feel like nothing I, or anyone, can do will make a difference. I know how that sounds, and believe me, I feel bad about it. I still try to do a little bit here and there, and I probably do more than the average (American) citizen, but I still think that my 16 year old self would kick my 20 year old ass for thinking this way.

Which is why I feel so incredibly guilty when people ask me my opinion on the Georgian-Russian conflict in South Ossetia. I'm a Russian major and plan on being a Russian translator, for fucks sake, I should really know more about the situation. Meeting new people this month, when they find out what I'm going to go to school for, one of the first follow up questions is what I think about the conflict. I admit, the first time someone asked me, I had zero idea what they were talking about. I had no clue where South Ossetia was (luckily I at least guessed right, that it was part of the former Soviet Union.)

But I had read nothing about it. I don't watch TV, I don't get the newspaper, and I don't live with my incredibly intelligent, informed, politically active, and awesome father anymore, so I suppose these sources aren't really available to me. But, I have the internet. I can check any website I want to find out whatever I want, and I don't ever take advantage of it. But today, I decided to read up on it.

Now, I've only read a few articles on the BBC website. I realize that everything has a bias, and I realize that I really need to look at several more sources before I can even begin to form a concrete opinion. Add to that the fact that the US, Russia, Georgia, and S. Ossetia are all saying opposing things, so it's pretty confusing, and I'm not 100% sure what is going on.

But I do know this. The citizens of South Ossetia are the ones suffering, no? Georgia was the one that launched an attack on them. The majority of South Ossetians are Russian citizens, and support Russia/Russia supports their separatist movement. The US says we want to send humanitarian efforts, etc...

So why the fuck are we supporting Georgia? If they just fucking let South Ossetia secede, like they wanted, this whole thing wouldn't have been an issue.

Oh yeah. Georgia has troops in Iraq. Makes sense why we're supporting them now. But really, Russia is a pretty powerful country all said, why do we want to alienate them? Especially now that the US is quickly falling from the top spot, we're going to need all the help we can get from as many nations as possible if we're not going to completely end up in tatters.

I don't know. Just frustrated. With the US government. With myself for not knowing enough about this or any other thing in the world.

I could be completely misinformed, by the way, so don't quote me on any of this. This is just what I thought of after reading a couple of articles.

I really don't understand why people are surprised when they find out I am as young as I am, or why I don't get carded, or why when I do, my fake ID works.

I think I look 19-2oish, but I have the emotional fucking maturity of a twelve year old and the interests of a six year old.

Sometimes I just feel so pathetic.

Kick.

I think I am the only person in Minneapolis not heading down to Chicago this month. Ten people I know have already gone (well, Wes and Rachel are on their way) and a couple others will be going later this month.

It's kind of chilly outside lately, no? Summer is on its way out. Which is terrifying. The feeling of anticipation and dread you get in late summer is one of the worst feelings in the world. This time, it's a little bit different though, because instead of dreading the beginning of a new school year, I'm anticipating leaving for Europe. But also dreading it. I have this feeling that I will last two days before huddling in an alleyway in London, penniless and cold and crying.

Probably not, but that's the fear.

This is absolutely the direction that fashion is headed. At least for fall. Check out fashion-ation.net, there is a great post about fashion reflecting society and the woes of pollution and a world in need of help. When we feel so down and every day is a bit more macabre, we tend to dress the part. When bright colors and patterns aren't going to lift your spirits any more its only appropriate to make your clothes an extension of your emotional state. Morose, yes. But, beautiful. Its like Victorian house participants ran into some vampires and created amazingness in the time of a lackluster world.

On another note. Chicago, tonight, tomorrow and the next day. SHOPPING! What to buy says me.

Coworkers, Britt's Pub, and the Market BBQ not a bad combo after all.

My stomach could have done without the jalapenos.

GOOD Birthday.

Gin and Tonic

Mimosa 

Mexican Three Way

Confusing few days after.

Still confused and don't know what to do or to say or to whom. 

I have questions I want to ask about four people and they are all male counterparts. 

Most of them consisting of  topic matter related to what i am to do in the next few weeks/months.

Considering, reconsidering and finally probably doing nothing about anything and continue living.

I tend to find myself in compromising situations. and always have. I usually do the questionable thing. 

In my current case no one is/was conflicting directly with anyone else. I think it odd the reaction that my actions receive from people who seemingly care not if I exist. 

People walking away and not wanting to talk about certain subjects.

Bitchy e-mails

oh so many options.

It may all just melt away which usually happens

for most things

its a good thing i have a valid id

just considering the fact that i have maybe three overdo parking tickets makes me cringe a bit seeing as that would be a tick over $100 to pay off. Not only that I don't think I could get my license renewed in the state of Minnesota. So my long and grueling trip to the DMV to get a MN state issued ID has been thwarted for yet another long while. Until I can successfully pay my overdo parking tickets. What a fucking game. I should maybe have not gotten my car towed and parked illegally to begin with and wouldn't have these problems. Quite irritating non-the-less. I'm fucking hungry. I'm going to take the bus to the Wedge where I seem to have been like every other day this week and I'm not to upset by it. 

OOO I got my sewing machine delivered today. I'm set to fucking go. I'm so excited to sew like a crazy sonofabitch. I have a few things set up ready to do and then I just have to go and buy some fabric, which A. sucks because I'm kinda broke and going to Chicago B. Is rad cuz than I will have shit to do. What ever, I got it covered. Soon to come seersucker shorts and everything.