Hey Steve, I saw your car out at Parkway Point Friday night as I was going to purchase LOTR: The Two Towers tickets. What movie were you watching?

Also, I saw in the Illinois Times that everyone is encouraged to wear their "Middle Earth attire," so does that mean you will be dressing up as Legolas the Elf or Gimli the Dwarf? My friend Eric Fliege is going and he will be dressing up as the beautiful elf Arwen (As played by Liv Tyler!).

Oh my god. I was looking for tips on how to destroy the AT-ST before he kills all the prisoners I was trying to save in the Star Wars: Jedi Knight 2 - Jedi Outcast game, when I came across an interesting paper on negative themes George Lucas is pushing in his Star Wars movies.

Here is an excerpt:

"And yet, in "The Phantom Menace," Lucas wants us to gush with warm feelings toward a cute blond little boy who will later grow up to murder the population of Earth many times over? While we're at it, why not bring out the Hitler family album, so we may croon over pictures of adorable little Adolf and marvel over his childhood exploits! He, too, was innocent till he turned to the "dark side," so by all means let us adore him."

Oh man, it goes on and on. The name of the article is

"Star Wars" despots vs. "Star Trek" populists
Why is George Lucas peddling an elitist, anti-democratic agenda under the guise of escapist fun?

It is buried two-fifths of the way down in this long rambling essay at AAMP.

Here is the heart of the article:

"By now it's grown clear that George Lucas has an agenda, one that he takes very seriously. After four "Star Wars" films, alarm bells should have gone off, even among those who don't look for morals in movies. When the chief feature distinguishing "good" from "evil" is how pretty the characters are, it's a clue that maybe the whole saga deserves a second look.

Just what bill of goods are we being sold, between the frames?

* Elites have an inherent right to arbitrary rule; common citizens needn't be consulted. They may only choose which elite to follow.

* "Good" elites should act on their subjective whims, without evidence, argument or accountability.

* Any amount of sin can be forgiven if you are important enough.

* True leaders are born. It's genetic. The right to rule is inherited.

* Justified human emotions can turn a good person evil.

That is just the beginning of a long list of "moral" lessons relentlessly pushed by "Star Wars.""

Fun stuff.

Revenge does not solve anything.

Want to get revenge on someone? How about sending their bio to 500 inmates for romantic correspondence?

All the info is here. http://www.very-special-woman.com/bio.htm

I'm gonna go with Girl. Girl. Cheese Whiz. Nun.

If you ask nice I can tell you where to get the Brittany and Anna video.

Help. I'm trapped at work and I'm bored. And it's only 9:30.

danger schmanger. You beavers out there have a good weekend.

Hey now, that's dangerous thinkin'.

I've always been fond of hairly little beavers. Someday I suppose.

So what is everyone's top sexual fantasy?

I'd like to do it in something like mud or pudding sometime.

Fark.com is very informative. Thanks for showing us this news site, Mr. Wanless. I particularly like the story about aliens pledging to support the US in a war against Iraq. I'm going to reconsider my position based upon these patriotic extra-terrestrials.

...

Matt...... not another word. Maybe i need to deal with my own insecurities of myself as a person and then i wouldn't have issues with yours. Oh well. I won't speak of it again.
How bout those "ex gays" huh? trying to scare our gay youth straight. I say be gay and be proud.

Monica, lighten up sister.

ex gay? Geez Matt....... What is up? Have you talked to someone about this rapid personality changing?

Speaking of Monty Python - How to tell if your child is becoming homosexual: he is too satirical.

ex-gays ex-gays

rama lama ding dong

I just found out the History club for Film Night will be showing "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," a historical film about the Middle Ages.

UIS is so much cooler than ISU.

No, that is not fair. I am just trying to incite a "fun riot" between myself and Mike.

[I got this story in an e-mail from GLOBAL Diversity, the GBLT group at UIS, who got is from a news service called THE LIST, from hatecrime.org]

"EX-GAYS" HITTING HIGH SCHOOLS AND COMPANIES

The "ex-gays" - a fake organization that the religious right cooked up
years ago to help take away the civil rights of gay people - now have a
new target, youth and businesses. As you should know by now, about ten
years ago, anti-gay activists cooked up this idea that if they found a
few people who would pretend to be "gay people who prayed and went
straight," they would then sell this to the American public as "proof"
that any gay person could become straight. I am not joking. They're
incredibly hateful people. Spouting off about "science" that proves
gays are prone to molesting children, that the reason you're gay is that
you were sexually molested by your father (that one was news to my
dad), and that a lot of us are gay because God put a "curse" on us (not
kidding about that one either). These folks are 100% certifiable nut
cases.

Forget the fact that the number one "ex-gay" spokesman, John Paulk, was
caught hitting on a young guy in a gay bar two years ago in Washington,
DC (the "ex-gay" dope was hitting on an off-duty staffer of the Human
Rights Campaign, doh!) Forget the fact that their chief "ex-gay" youth
spokesman, Wade Richards, has now left them and admitted that they're
all fakes. Forget the fact that the largest "ex-gay" group in England,
Courage, has now closed it doors and admitted that it was a fraud.
Forget the fact that most of the heads of these "ex-gay" groups - the
folks who say they have the secret to preventing homosexuality in YOUR
kids - have gay kids themselves who they don't seem to be able to cure.
And forget the fact that most of the "ex-gay" success stories - all 5 of
them - are folks on the payroll of religious right bigots who make
money off of attacking gay peoples' civil rights.

Anyway, what these people are doing now is suggesting that high schools
and businesses adopt "ex-gay" non-discrimination policies and "ex-gay"
clubs. Major stumbling block here? There are no "ex-gays," so who you
going to sing Cumbaya with? Other than that, sounds like a chipper
idea. Perhaps we can have Santa Claus and Easter Bunny non-
discrimination policies too (I always thought Rudolph was a bit nelly,
and don't even get me started on that twink of a dentist-elf Hermey).

Good morning everyone. Sorry I confused you Monica for a non-lesbian. I say your name at the top of Brian's post and I must have thought it was yours. Brian DOES come off that way. Kidding...kidding...

Matt became "the dude" when "moronic matt" didn't work out. Frankly I"m a little worried about our friend. He's changing identities more often then he changes his shoes. Matt--- it's time to get some help.

Tonight is the lowest point in Chicago Bears history. Can anyone dispute this? The only high point was their punters performance.

It's quite an honor to be named employee of the year. However, it's similar to being named player of the year for the Chicago Bears - not a huge accomplishment. With my 50 dollar gift certificate I'm thinking about buying a Maynard Bears jersey.

Mattie- Good luck on those finals. Having fun with those barbie dolls? I'm a little confused as I think you are too. I don't come off what way? I think that question was posed by one Brian Wanless. I think you got us mixed up. Yes People are dumb. Lots of dumb people out there. Does anybody out here know if bullfrogs really have beards? And Brian------- I am NOT always depressed. Ask Matt. The old Monica used to get down a lot..... but as of late the old Monica has taken a vacation and new improved happy as can be Monica has taken over. Matt and Mike can vouch for that. Have a great day everyone....... Happy Blogging.

Here is a myth with a beaver in it from an Oregon homeschool website.

How Raven Stole Back the Cedar Trees
There once was a village up north near the Pacific Ocean. One day a girl named Small Foot who lived in the village noticed that there were no cedar trees! Raven also noticed and began searching for them right away. He was about to give up for that day when he saw Beaver carrying a bunch of cedar trees! Raven followed Beaver to his home and there laying by the water were all of the cedar trees that were stolen. Raven turned into a beaver and asked Beaver if he could help. He said, "Yes." As soon as Beaver wasn't looking Raven turned back into a crow and took all of the cedar trees back to the village. When he got back he put all of the trees back in place. The people in the village thanked Raven, and Raven flew into the bright sky.

One nightmare final down, one to go...
Damn, it just won't end! Ok, while I'm waiting for Professor Dezhgosha to grade my program, I'll vent here on the blog. I'm going to look up some beaver myths when I get a chance. I know that little bastard has some legends attached to him.

Ok, finals are done. Yippeee!
I love everyone! (irrational exubberance)
[One second later...]
I hate everyone. (illogical fright)

I can play with my emotions like girls play with their barbie dolls. Their so easily manipulated.

Mike is the Bee's knees. Brian is the Cat's pajamas. Monica is the leopard's stripes. Joe is the bullfrog's beard.

You don't come off that way at all, Monica. That is an uncomfortable situation. In my experience, people are dumb. People are always questioning my sexuality or gender. They don't take that second it takes to figure out I'm a boy. Lazy skunkers.

Manic whatty what? I don't think so. I think I'm just a freak. Actually, it is my natural rythm. Or maybe it is unnatural, but i doubt it. We can't all be John Wayne: cool as a cucumber all the time. I freak out often. It is part of growing up.

Monica, your always depressed. Hope your feeling better. Mike, congrats on the recognition. Your the bees knees.

So my director told everyone that works for my agency last night that I wasn't gay. I'm not exactly sure how to feel about that one. I didn't know my sexuality was being questioned in the first place. Do I come off that way???

CONGRATULATIONS to Mike on being awarded Employee of the Year at the O.G. What an honor. SPEECH SPEECH!
Matt I think it's definitely your attitude that sucks. Sounds like you are suffering from Manic depression. I had that once.

i was voted employee of the year at the olive garden, but i don't know why. i don't think i necessarily fit in there, but i still got the most votes. search me. you never know how much people appreciate you sometimes.

Do you guys know what a computer science dork looks like? Me.

I'm so moody. Moody moody moody. up down up down up down. Is it my emotions that suck or is it my attitude?

We teach people how to treat us

For real, I straight up told this faculty member that I don't mind putting 16 exams online for her, because that is my job to assist faculty. But I do want to be appreciated.
I told her that.
And you know what? Friday she came up to me in person a month later and said, "Thank you so much." I fucking love to be appreciated. Sometimes, I swear I'll do anything for acceptance or admiration. I mean, isn't that a big part of job retention? If your boss or coworkers simply rate you favorably? On the Best Buy employee survey, there are questions like, "Do you have a best friend at work?" and "Does your boss touch you appropriately when you deserve to be touched after making a big sale for the company?" Ok, not exactly that last question, but my point is that managers know that ass-kissing employees makes 'em feel good and will give them more reasons to work hard and stay. Hell, if it was all about the money, many of us would just stay home.

For serious, I don't care anymore. The left's radical vision will destroy the world, and so will the right's. So who fucking cares who destroys it first? Have at it, boys! The world is yours!

I want answers too, dammit. I am always searching, searching, searching... The answers always come back contradictory. I can't find many absolutes. I am the kind of poor soul who even questions the Ten Commandments. Should thou really not kill? What are guns for, then? Why is it ok to kill murderers? UGH!

You know what? Whatever fits the situation. That is my theme song. The short version can fit on a t-shirt: "Whatever".

Monica, I swear I was only doing Marc a favor. I had worked for Joe, and I at least owed Marc that much. He is a good guy. I don't plan on doing much politiking after this. Unless the "Jews for Satan" party puts up a candidate. Oh wait, they already have - his name is G. W. Bush.

What is this "moronic matt" business all about? When did he become a moron? I see he is back on the political trail; ringing people's doorbells and soliciting political literature or asking for signatures. Matt I thought you had given it all up? I thought politics were falling away from your future? I want answers!

Astronomy picture of the day. Remind me to put this one on my list of links.

Also check out cool 404 error page

That is the way we politely ended all our visits.

Last night was a Rockabilly/Honkey-Tonk/Hip-Hop/Rap show at the Underground in the Hilton. Good show, great contrast. Kudos to Brian for bringing Robust, Qwel, and Offwhyte to Springfield. I really wanted to stay and see Offwhyte, but I had to go. To learn more about the label these artists are on, or just see what Wanless spends his time involved in, visit Galapagos4.com.