I've been gone...

for quite a while. Honestly, I'm sure none of you give a damn. But I still feel obligated to apologize. 


Here's what's been up:


I went to see Jackass 3D and realized that very few films are made with great use of 3D effects. I didn't realize this because it was used badly in Jackass but because it was used really well. There were a few stunts that churned my stomach but it was overall really fabulous. 


I got the go-ahead on my new apartment, and will be moving in on Monday. Crazy crazy, I'm going to be a big kid now. Have to have some friendlings over to break the place in. Looking forward to holiday season because that's a great excuse for a) a brightly lit tree and b) friends friends friends. Plus, I have the Weezer Christmas album that doesn't get much air play in my house except on the days around Christmas.


My boyfriend got himself a job doing manual labor that a monkey could do. I don't judge, I'm working a job that a monkey could do, too. 


I'm working on a book that I'm planning on eventually getting published. As yet untitled, it takes all of my shitty high school experiences and condenses them and those of my friends down into a few chapters that then evolves into a modern day fairy-tale. 


Um... that kind of sums it up for now. Just wanted to check back in, I guess. 


XO
FREAK

Big Boobs Are Not A Crime

Meghan McCain is an interesting creature. At eighteen, she registered as an Independent (like yours truly) and in 2004 voted for John Kerry (like my mother did), and believes that global warming is a serious issue that needs to be dealt with and that stem cell research is valid (like her father). She's now a Republican who (in her own words) is "liberal on social issues". She believes in sex education and birth control, and is pro-life. She objected to the Arizona SB1070 (that one that said not having your papers was a crime) and supports gay equality. Not only does she support gay equality in general, but specifically same-sex marriage and gay adoption. She posed for the NOH8 campaign, and is in favor of repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell and letting gays serve openly in the military. 


She summed herself up at the Log Cabin Republicans convention in April 2009 by saying: "I am concerned about the environment. I love to wear black. I think government is best when it stays out of peoples lives and businesses as much as possible. I love punk rock. I believe in a strong national defense. I have a tattoo. I believe government should always be efficient and accountable. I have lots of gay friends. And yes, I am a Republican." 


(To fact check above information, start with Wikipedia and end with her most recent book, Dirty Sexy Politics)


I may not agree with her on everything, but I didn't expect to. The fact that she agrees with most of the things I believe and is a Republican points out to me that she may actually be the frontrunner of a new wave of Republicans who are here to help the world, not just themselves. I know, I may be biased because I survived the Bush era, but still. 


Meghan McCain is kind of my hero right now. And in just a few minutes she'll be on Rachel Maddow (another hero, I adore her to death) and I'm sitting here with my Ben & Jerry's Fro Yo and waiting impatiently. 


I love when Meghan McCain is on Rachel Maddow because it's the coming together of the best of each possible view point. 


For that reason, I'm pissed that there are bloggers out there who are attacking Meghan McCain for calling Christine O'Donnell a nutjob (which, you know, O'Donnell is...) and not only are they attacking her, they're attacking her by calling her things like "Meggie 'Big Mac' McCain" and stated that "this self-indulgent set of mega-breasts doesn't belong anywhere near a TV studio commenting on anything" (that's from Dan Riehl). 


Now, as a member of the big-boob population, I find that especially annoying. I think that Meghan McCain is gorgeous and I think that making sexist comments that also attack body image is low. 


More than low. It makes all these dudes who are saying it complete assholes. 


Anyways, I'm going to sit here as an independent who leans democratic and say that Meghan McCain has some fabulous stances on the political world. And I don't care what size her boobs are, or who her father is, or whatever. 


I believe in her stance on politics. 


That's all that counts. 


Catch her on Rachel Maddow on MSNBC tonight. 


XO
FREAK

Paranormal State!

I'm such a paranormal freak, probably because ever since I was knee high to a grass hopper I was seeing and hearing things. I'm nowhere near most "psychics" but no one doubts what I see. I see things more in my minds eye than physically, though I've been known to stop dead because someone has popped up in front of me. Doubt me if you will, but it is what it is. It is what I see. 


Because of that, I've always felt drawn to Paranormal shows. Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, and the now defunct Most Haunted, which was my first exposure to televised paranormal investigations. 


But ever since Paranormal State popped up, I was fascinated. Not only did they use some really fabulous tech for advertising - the directional audio billboard won them a place in my geek heart - they also had a cast that I found fascinating. 


Which I think is an important thing to mention, because I watch the show for the Paranormal Research Society not for the editing by A&E that has been questioned occasionally. 


But I have this strange soft spot for Ryan Buell. 


He was haunted as a child and took that and started PRS at Penn State. He's flat out adorable. He's smart, sweet and very, very human. I've always wanted to sit down and talk to him. I think it's adorkable when he says "y'all" and other things, which have snuck into my own vocabulary. And I'm very, very proud of him for coming out as bisexual. 


Well anyways, today is the day that the new season of Paranormal State started and I, along with other loyal fans, settled in to watch. Next up is Psychic Kids, another of my many soft spots, and suffice it to say I'm a bit of a fanatic. 


But the thing is, I watch these shows not out of morbid curiosity or to scare myself but rather because when I was a kid, I saw things.


I saw things in dark places, had things chase me and grab at me, had someone sit on my bed when no one was there, saw the former occupants of one of the homes we lived in wandering around like they'd never died, heard things when I'm alone, seen things out of the corner of my eyes and even felt things touch me. 


I'd die if I got the chance to investigate with PRS. It's on my bucket list, actually. 


Well, I'm going to focus in and watch Psychic Kids then finish my math homework and crash. 


But check out Paranormal State! 


XO
Freak

Recap

So many things to talk about!


Well... lets see. Where shall I start?


Last school week was obnoxiously long. It also means that I completed my THIRD WEEK of College. Downside was that I found out that if my WR241 teacher doesn't like me/my writing (even if it's good) I'll probably get flunked. Upside, she's liked my style so far. At least outwardly.


If she doesn't like it by end of term, I'll loose my apartment. Yep. Because my apartment is only getting paid for by my father for as long as my grades are above a 3.0 and a FAIL in WR241 means NOT a 3.0 for me. Or even close.


Other letdown from WR241 was the fact that my creepy stalker dude hadn't been removed. Upside is that he's started fleeing as soon as school lets out. Still going to make my boyfriend show up early and wait outside for me on Wednesday.


Other school news, I'm annoyed with writing in an "academic voice" in my WR121 class. I don't want to learn how to write in an academic voice. My senior paper is as academic as I'm ever going to get and that's my version of an academic voice and that's how it shall stay. Also, might be tutoring some more kids. That's $15 an hour. Pocket money? Yes please.


And finally, MTH95... well, it went well on the one day we had a sub, because our actual teacher is a complete bloody idiot. But I got a 90% on a test, which was promising.


Then last night was my boyfriends birthday and we engaged in mild hedonistic behavior - and I got a new dress! - and today is my mothers birthday and I've just finished the painting I did for her...


And I'm watching Shrek and waiting for her to get back from doing something social, then we're having dinner and watching a movie and hanging out. My boyfriend is sick so isn't over like he'd planned and I was feeling sick so came home early - I was going to go see Jackass 3D with him at 2:40 but... the sickness! THE SICKNESS! - and yeah.


Other important information is that I found a brilliant new musician a while back who I'm finally wanting to feature. She'll get her own post in a bit, but for now, just check her out.


Misty Miller


She's a teenager from England who writes her music on a Ukulele. She's fucking awesome.


Anyways, that's it.


XO
FREAK

Once again, we're back to "The Real Housewives"...

My mother is watching the reunion show from Real Housewives DC and it's pretty solidly making me want to meet Michaele Salahi JUST so I can tell her she's...
~ An idiot
~ A bitch
~ Faker than a Barbie Doll
~ A liar
~ Petty
~ Vapid
~ Useless
~ Less useful in society than an STD
Among other things. 


Actually, honestly, my opinion of her is pretty well summed up in Platypus by Green Day. 


But enough of her. Lets talk about the rest of the cast.


The Real Housewives of DC flew under the radar in my last Real Housewives post. I'd only watched part of an episode and I didn't much like it. But now? 


I've come to appreciate the majority of the women.


The one who at first put me on edge was Catherine Ommanney. She seemed bitter and annoying and like she could use a filter, but over the course of the series I realized that she was actually a really sweet person. She was also a very strong personality, and though it took some getting used to, I realized that I would willingly put up with her. She's a Londoner and a mother and I'm actually looking forward to her book coming out. Yes, I will read it. I find her fascinating. 


Then there's Stacie Scott Turner. I think part of the reason I found issue with her was that she was constantly accusing Cat of being a racist, and when the reunion show aired tonight she claimed that she had never accused her of any such thing. She did. Buck up and admit to it. You were an ass but we're not going to hold it against you if you just say you're sorry. That said, I found a bit of pity for her when I found out that she wasn't able to find her birth father. The whole adoption thing... yeah, I'm used to that. I'm adopted, I found my birthmother and it went to shit. I hope her story ends better. 


Lynda Erkiletian... I think the fact that she reminds me just a little of my mother is why I tolerate her. Some of what she does would bother me otherwise, but she just makes me laugh because I see so much of my mother in her. Other than that, I don't really have an opinion on her. Oh, but her admission that she smoked weed as a teenager makes me grin.


But oddly enough, my favorite on the series was Mary Schmidt Amons. I don't know why. She just was.  She's glazy, lazy and sweet. If you don't get it, watch an episode. I think I see a bit of me in her. In a weird way. 


I ended up liking the series a lot better than I was expecting to. 


And now I'm faced with The Real Housewives of Orange County. Who might have ruined the Weezer song Beverly Hills for me. But I'm 25 minutes into the first episode with my mother and I'm just...


No. 


I'll save my review for the final show or whatever. Until then, that's the end of that. I'll write a blog that's better soon. I have a ton of cool stuff for you guys.


XO
FREAK

a rant and an open letter to President Obama

EDIT: Since I posted this, things have started to look up. They also started to look down, and now they're doing both (I hope things don't get too bad of vertigo...) so while I still want things to change and promises to be followed through on, I want to remind everyone to keep up on politics so that you can form your own educated opinions. Sometimes it feels like one voice can't make a difference, but that should mean you speak louder, not less.

*****************************************************

Lily Allen put out a song on her album It's Not Me, It's You called Fuck You (well, technically called F**k You, but...) which is generally regarded as a jab (or full on stab, you pick) at George W. Bush, the (thankfully) former President of the United States.

I, as an openly bisexual, well educated, open minded, 18 year old female residing in the USA, believe that the song is perfect. 

Now, the thing is...

Even though Bush is gone, we still haven't fixed the problems that are really keeping us from evolving as a people. 

I was unsure about the last election, and if it had been up to me Hilary Clinton would be in office. When she wasn't an option... well, that's a rock and a hard place.

Fortunately, I wasn't old enough to vote so the fact that Obama has sort of fallen through as a president doesn't fall on my shoulders.

But I've got to say I'm mad right now. 

At the government, at Obama and at the world at large.

Why?

As mentioned, I'm an openly bisexual girl. I have gay and lesbian and bisexual friends, I've dated guys and girls, my mothers friend who has always been an uncle to me is gay, my great uncle was gay and I'm named after his long-time partner...

So the fact that Don't Ask Don't Tell exists? 

That pisses me off.

Just days ago a judge ruled that DADT was unconstitutional. Yeah. Because it is. 

I also believe that it is unconstitutional to treat any social group differently based on age, race, gender or sexual preference. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one in my home town, where on a daily basis I deal with people of all ages, races, genders and sexual preferences who are complete jerkoffs about things.

My father is Arabic and is racist against Mexicans and Mexican Americans. 

My former friend is gay and is homophobic about bisexual people - going so far as to claim that it isn't a real sexuality. He has said this to my face. Thus the "former" in "former friend". 

A girl I went to camp with in Seattle is a feminist who feels that girls who are both feminine and strong are "betraying the cause". 

I know people who are older who judge young people, young people who judge their elders...

It's stupid. 

So FUCKING stupid. 

But right now, the issue on the table is Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Right now, President Obama has the opportunity to END IT. 

And he hasn't.

He doesn't seem like he's going to.

He passed it off to the senate.

Suffice it to say, I'm upset. 

So here is the only statement I can make to our fearful leader.

***

Dear President Obama,

Please, for the sake of all Americans of all genders and sexual preferences, grow a pair and chose to NOT appeal the ruling to end Don't Ask Don't Tell. We had no choice but to put our trust in you when you said you would stand up for our rights, and you've betrayed us. Think about how many American lives have been destroyed because you wouldn't just stand up for us. That destruction is on your shoulders, Mr. President. This is a larger conversation that just DADT, but that's the issue you have to face right now. While DADT was conceived with good intentions, it has put a number of talented, intelligent soldiers in a choke hold. Speak about who they are, even on accident, and they lose everything. Not only do they loose everything, America loses a talented soldier. Lives are lost because translators are let go due to sexuality. Those lives are on your shoulders, the blood on your hands, Mr. President. You always have an excuse for why you dance around issues and don't face them head on, but I'm tired of listening. It's your job to protect American Citizens. It's your job to take the authority we gave you and use it for good. You are failing not only yourself and your family, not only the government and your people, but also the world. How? You're failing to set a good example. You're failing to be a strong leader. 

Stop playing political games. You talked the talk on the campaign trail and got yourself into office, but you then alienated those of us who had to believe in you by falling through on everything.

I'm sick of it, Mr. President. I'm sick of not having the same rights as the rest of the country. I'm sick of knowing that every day peoples jobs are at risk because of who they are, not because of any valid reason. 

The facts and figures will tell you the same thing that I'm stating here. Your numbers are down. Face it, you don't have a choice. If you don't put on your big boy pants and take charge, you're not going to have a chance to put it right in a second term.

So stop failing us, Mr. President. We deserve better than this.

Yours truly,

Sascha Marie

Revolution, Helter Skelter, Hey Jude, Eleanor Rigby and Michelle have always been my favorite Beatles songs. I first started listening to the Beatles when I was just a few days old, they were my mothers favorite band and she had a box set with ALL of their music, and even as I graduated into listening to other bands - The Runaways, Joan Jett, Hole, Nirvana, and a million more - I still have always loved the Beatles.


Just some songs more than others. Yellow Submarine, for example, has made me want to slit my wrists since I was in Elementary school and they got joy out of making us sing it every day in choir, in the round. The movie I love, but the song itself is suicide inducing. 


But of all the songs I love of the Beatles, I think my favorite favorite right now is probably Revolution. It was inspired by the massive political protests going on in early 1968 and is doubting some of the tactics, mainly the violent ones. Something I can agree with. 


On a semi-related note, I made a new shirt:

I'm kind of proud of myself haha.

Anyways, I'm off to College. 

XO

FREAK!

DIY? Yes Please!

There's this fashion line coming out. I don't know much about it, just got linked there from Twitter by some kid being retweeted by some musician I barely listen to, and it's called Sober Is Sexy. It's safe sex and anti-drug. Apparently. I got linked to a buzznet post from Hanna Beth so I'm going to assume that the ex gf of Metro Station's Trace Cyrus (also known as "Miley Cyrus' over rated yet under appreciated older brother") has something to do with it? She's apparently getting over some addiction...


Anyways, I don't actually care. Because that's not what this post is about.


Well it kind of is.


This post is about one of the shirts listed as part of the collection:


It's white, looks better with the sleeves ripped off and the sides slit, and in black on the front it says Heroin Killed The Radio Star


And you know what?


While I refuse to spend upwards of $25 on a shirt that's basically a DIY gone crazy, I am totally okay with taking that one white shirt I never wear and writing that on the front in Sharpie.


HA.


Another of their shirts is black with white typing that says The Only Coke I Do Is Diet, which is more lame, but I'll keep up with the collection solely so that on 10.10.10 when it comes out I can make some DIY t-shirts inspired by them.


And by the various Coco Chanel shirts I've been coming across lately.


Just a lot of DIY.


Anyways, college in a few minutes. Gotta run.


XO
FREAK

The Great Debate

Harry Potter v. Twilight.

This is quite possibly (and depressingly) a defining feature of todays youth. 

On the one hand, you have the Harry Potter Generation. Hi! That's me. And my beau. And most of my friends.

On the other hand, you have the Twilight Generation. Mostly younger than us HP fans, I see it mostly in this years high school Sophomores. They seemed hit hardest, but I'm not going to lie, there's a huge swath of older people who like twilight, in their 20's or 30's.

But more than age, there's a defining feature that draws a line in the sand that most HP/Twilight fans won't cross.

HARRY POTTER FANS

_____________________

TWILIGHT FANS

See? Line. In the proverbial sand. The HP fans may have read Twilight, but probably think it's dumb. If not, they fall into the other catagory: Twilight fans who like Harry Potter. 

The line in the sand is sort of a one-way line. 

Twilight fans are allowed to like other things, because they're notorious for ignoring quality and being suckered in by anything sparkly (VAMPIRES HAVE FANGS STEPHANIE MEYERS!) and if they're of the right age they probably remember when Harry Potter was all the rage and sparkly and new.

Harry Potter fans have dignity.

They know that Twilight could have been written by a twelve year old, that it's a self-serving story for Meyers because she gets to toss out all of her ideals (marriage before sex, anti-abortion even in the face of death) and she got to write a story where a girl who's entirely plain (and bitchy and dumb) and could easily be HER gets to hook up with a supposed sex god.

Also known as bitchy dumb boring looking inexplicably popular necrophiliac girl gets banged by ancient undead pedophile with a blood fetish.

Doesn't look so snazzy now, does it?

In HP, you come across things like "equal rights" and an argument against the validity of slave labor, racism and a million other things cleverly disguised as a book that (well, the first one anyways) was geared at children.

Harry Potter may not be the best written story in the world, but it improved over time and JKR is a fabulous story teller.

Twilight was shitty from book one through the most recent novella and anything that's going to come, and SMeyers is a shitty story teller.

And thus the debate rages on.

Are we the Twilight Generation or the Potter Generation? Shall we be remembered for sweeping cinematic set in Scotland or boys in glitter and lipstick in a dreary town in Washington that no one had ever heard of? Shall we be remembered for lessons about tolerance or about keeping a baby even if it might kill you? 

I've lectured my fair share of brainless preteen girls about the fact that the relationship between Bella and Edward - he's overpowering, she goes back to him even after he's emotionally/verbally abusive, he takes her away from her friends and family, bans her from seeing people, treats her like we're in the dark ages and GETS AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE HES A SPARKLEPYER - is really, really unhealthy. 

I don't care if you want to marry him. He's a) fictional and b) a total asshole.

And then there's Bella! She's vapid, for one. Almost killer herself several times over a boy who treats her like shit. Unintelligent. Really fucking bitchy - if she walked into any real high school, she wouldn't be swarmed and suddenly popular. You treat people like that and you have no friends. She's manipulative. She's everything I hate about teenagers. 

Don't model your social life after her. Both she and Edward show obvious signs of sociopath tendencies. THATS NOT GOOD.

I forget that not everyone has the entire Harry Potter series committed to memory. 

Let me wrap it up for you:

Boys parents are killed, ends up with bitchy family, finds out he's a wizard, goes to boarding school, meets fabulous friends, finds out about having an arch nemesis, has a more local nemesis, has many adventures, becomes the star of the local sport of choice, has more adventures, stands up for all sorts of things, has his trust betrayed by an old bearded man, looses his godfather and a handful of other people who were important to him, comes to terms with death, defeats arch nemesis, proves he's a good person, good triumphs over evil, world is saved, boy marries girl and has kids and lives happily ever after. 

Compare that to the plot of the Twilight saga:

Girl leaves mother to live with father so her mother can live happily ever after even though she's going to suffer, is bitchy and mean to everyone and yet they still fawn all over her, meets boy who obviously doesn't like her, becomes obsessed, decides its true love, almost dies, boy leaves to protect her, leads on other boy (younger), toys with a handful of boys emotions, nearly kills herself, boy nearly kills himself, rescues him, plans to live happily ever after, gets married just so she can have sex, has loads of violent sex on her honeymoon, has kid even though it nearly killed her, gets turned into a vampire, fights war, lives happily ever after without a care about the fate of the world.

I'll pause so you can take bleach to your brain and forget that Twilight ever existed. I'm sorry if anyone thinks I'm dumb. Just wait for a rant on the idiocies of Lady Gaga. Then you'll all hate me - I got kicked off of Buzznet for saying I thought her music had no artistic merit and cheapened female sexuality, among other things, so it won't be the first time. 

But for now, think for a moment about if you'd rather be remembered for Twilight or Harry Potter.

I'm going to re-read all of HP in time for the new movie, so I think you know where I stand.

XO

FREAK

Worst Pies In London...

I'm watching Sweeney Todd, eating Ben & Jerry's Phish Food and writing a book for my creative writing class. I love my life.


In other news, Law & Order UK premiers on BBC America next, once I finish my icecream I'm going to have cheesey noodles with veg, and I'm looking at an apartment tomorrow after I get done at the community college. OH! And I understood my math homework!


And my boyfriend is getting his car back from the shop and his phone is getting turned back on, is going to look at job things if he's feeling better, our 9 months was on the first, and I'm tutoring for pocket cash.


Life is good!


Well, I have a book to write. So I've got to go. 


XO
FREAK

The Bohemian Life

For anyone who's watched the movie or musical "RENT" or seen the opera La Boheme, or read any of the dozens of books or articles written about Bohemian life, or seen the movies, or...

Ehem. For anyone who's come into contact with those advents of culture, "La Vie Boheme" is a familiar term. It's French for "The Bohemian Life" and the Bohemian life...

IF you want a long-winded description, read the Wikipedia entry on Bohemianism. If you want to really fall in love with the culture, read Bohemian Manifesto by Laren Stover. 

What it is, though, boils down to a group of people living outside of the confines of convention. The concept of the "starving artist" is a modernization of la vie boheme. It spent years meaning the same thing as gypsy life, and came from 19th century French. 

Bohemians have long been associated with seemingly unorthodox and often anti-establishment political/social views. Free love, frugality and voluntary poverty (which in todays world bring to mind hippies and flower children, not artists and other bohemian subgroups) were keystones in the lifestyle. Yes, sometimes people assume that it also involves bad personal hygiene and a dislike of things like fidelity, but judge not an entire cultural movement on the happenings of a handful of situations. 

For a long time, la vie boheme has really drawn me in to it's romance and artistry, because I've often theorized that I'm just not cut out for traditional life. I really am happy to live on pennies in a shitty loft somewhere and just work on art, and am jealous - yes, jealous - of the starving artists I meet, who aren't trapped by life in cubicles and on payroles. I don't want to have a car - though I'd be sad to give up Janis - and while I adore material possessions in some senses (clothes from resale or inexpensive stores, vintage things, artwork, books, and technology) I also don't give a fuck. I don't want a diamond or a brand new designer gown or a mansion for the sake of having a mansion. 

I'm happy to be unemployed, learning and reading and working on my creative pursuits instead of showing up to do a menial task day after day after day for people who I really fucking DONT like. 

Perhaps I really will fair better in a life undefined by the conventions of money and popularity, where artistry is king and judgement isn't a way of life. 

Gelett Burgess, an American writer and member of the Bohemian Club, wrote about Bohemia like this:

"To take the world as one finds it, the bad with the good, making the best of the present moment to laugh at Fortune alike whether she be generous or unkind - to spend freely when one has money, and to hope gaily when one has none - to fleet the time carelessly, living for love and art - this is the temper and spirt of the modern Bohemian in his outward and visible aspect. It is a light and graceful philosophy, but it is the Gospel of the Moment, this exoteric phase of the Bohemian religion; and if, in some noble natures, it rises to a bold simplicity and naturalness, it may also lend its butterfly precepts to some very pretty vices and lovable faults, for in Bohemia one may find almost every sin save that of Hypocrisy. ...

His faults are more commonly those of self-indulgence, thoughtlessness, vanity and procrastination, and these usually go hand-in-hand with generosity, love and charity; for it is not enough to be one's self in Bohemia, one must allow others to be themselves, as well. ...

What, then, is it that makes this mystical empire of Bohemia unique, and what i the charm of its mental fairyland? It is this: there are no roads in Bohemia! One must choose and fine one's own path, be one's own self, live one's own life."

(Thank you Wikipedia for having that listed as a description, I've read it before but had lost it and always loved it.)

To be a Bohemian isn't to give up the joys of worldly possessions but rather to share them. Make money on something, then do something good (though perhaps frivolous) with it. I may be of a slightly more of a nouveau bohemian mindset than the bohemians of lore, but that doesn't make me less of a bohemian soul.

J'adore la vie boheme. Some day I shall live la vie boheme. Viva la vie boheme, mes amis... viva la vie boheme.

XO

FREAK