Choosing Obama to be President of the United States is like choosing the Mail Room clerk to replace the CEO of a Megacorporation, just because he thinks that the guys at the top aren't doing it right.

Not because he has any real ideas about how they should be doing it, but he knows from his 10 years epxerience (6 as an office services clerk, and 4 as the person in charge of the mail room) that it needs to be done differently.

Plus, all the secretaries in the office think he's cute.

Does that make sense?

If you haven't pre-registered yet, the answer is NO!

Comic-Con Pre-reg is officially closed, sold out, ka-put, and there will not be any at-door registrations.

Unless you know someone with a pass that they havent given away yet, or you win tickets on the radio, you ain't gettin' in, folx!

BTW, I decided a few weeks ago that I was just going to skip ComicCon this year. See? I'm doing my part to make sure that others can get in [chuckle].

Here's a nice little article:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/14/2008-07-14_barack_obama_purges_web_site_critique_of.html

It seems that since the Surge is working, Barak Obama has a little bit of egg on his face for insisting that the surge "...would only increase sectarian violence".

McCain had this to say:

"The major point here is that Sen. Obama refuses to acknowledge that he was wrong," said McCain, adding that Obama "refuses to acknowledge that it [the surge] is succeeding."

This, is just an example of the kinds of problems that INEXPERIENCE will lead to. Obama is basing his platform on the polls, not on what is really the right thing to do. McCain at least sticks to his guns, even if his position is not popular.

Last Saturday was the return of the San Diego Fandom Gathering at the Polar Den.
http://polarden.org/fandom

Attendance was a bit low, but those who came had a fun time.

After BBQ and random chat in the backyard, everyone sat down to watch The Princess Bride on the Big-screen in my theater (91-inch, hi-def from a ceiling-mounted projector). There was plenty of munchies and sodas all around, and general good fun.

Notably missing: I didn't receive any flyers from local conventions to hand out at the Fandom Gathering... I did have plenty of copies of the SD Fandom Index, though.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: The next Fandom Gathering is set for November 8. Spread the word!

In the audio version of “Dreams from My Father” Obama alters his voice to mimic Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s and repeats passages from a sermon saying a society “where white folks’ greed runs a world in need.” In the audio Obama can be heard swearing and quoting a variety of racial slurs.

Well... so much for Obama not knowing about the Rev. Wright's racially inflammatory sermons.

The audio clip "...where white folks’ greed runs a world in need" in Obama's own voice was getting a lot of airtime on the radio while I was driving in to work.

Happy Birthday to ashi

Get yourself a Free Slurpee on 7-Eleven day!

Knitting San Diego's diverse fandom groups together!

It's time for SCA'dians to play with Trekkies, Filkers to sing with Gamers... from Buffy fans to Anime cosplayers... We all need to be able to get together in a social setting and tell eachother what is fun about being a fan.

The party starts at 4pm and will go late. BYOB, and Bring meat for the BBQ. Tell your friends!

Group organizers: Bring your flyers, or send them along with a friend.

Visit http://polarden.org/fandom for details.

I picked up a small star on my windshield a couple months ago... It hasn't grown into a crack and it's on the passenger side, so I have been ignoring it.

Last weekend I picked up another star just left of center toward the bottom of the windshield... and it's growing.

This morning, it was about 10 inches across, so I called my insurance and filed a claim.

The windshield repair people will come to my office tomorrow and replace it here. That's nice and convenient.

It's amazing how many people who don't even know me decide to judge my whole outlook on a topic based on a single question I aksed... instead of looking at the question itself and helping me to answer it.

I recently committed a MAJOR social faux-pas when I posted a comment on bovil's journal, and the following are the specific apologies I'd like to extend not only to Bovil, but to the entire community at large:

1) I'm sorry for not reading existing comments in the thread before adding my own comment, and for my social awkwardness at asking a question about what is a very incindary topic, when everyone else was just offering congratulations. I really was NOT trying to start a fight, nor was I in any way trying to take away from K&A's happiness. It was not the right time to post the question that I did, and for that I am sorry.

2) It's been pointed out to me that on my own thread, the term "bragged about" could be (and by at least one person was) read with a negative connotation. I did not mean any disrespect by using "bragged", as in my mind, Bovil absolutely had "bragging rights" and was simply exercising them. I'm sorry that this was interpreted as a negative buzz-word for anyone who read it that way; that was not my intent.

3) I want to be PERFECTLY CLEAR that I am in no way prejudiced or biased against any couples of any gender-combinations deciding to join in any way they choose. I apologize to anyone who took my query to mean that I am in any way homophobic.

I pride myself in listening to other people's points of view, especially when they come from a completely different angle from mine. If you surround yourself only with people who share your point of view, I guarantee that your mind will stagnate.

In my original comment to Bovil's post (which admittedly was done in the wrong thread at the wrong time), I was simply asking a question regarding CALIFORNIA's laws that specifically make Domestic Partnerships equal to Marriage in all respects, and was hoping for some first-hand clarification of why it was so important to redefine marriage, when it doesn't grant any additional rights under California law.

I wasn't making any social commentary on Federal laws, nor on whether or not same-sex couples should or should not have all the rights and privileges as opposite-sex couples. I was simply asking what, if anything, was lacking by not being "Married" as opposed to being "Partners".

I did eventually have enough intelligent conversation with a select few individuals to be able to come to an answer to that question. What it boils down to is that there is nothing in the law itself that makes that separation, but it's a matter of changing the perception that some people have about same-sex couples in general. Same-sex couples just want to be able to use the term "We're married" without being corrected by anyone saying "No you're not, you're Partners."

I'm not sure that changing the definition of marriage is the right way to go about changing the mindsets of people who are biased against same-sex couples. *I* have certainly never told anyone [who is partnered and calls their better-half their spouse] that they are wrong, and anyone who does really needs to change their mindset, or at least keep their opinions to themselves... If more people "treated" same-sex couples with the respect that ANY loving relationship deserves, then the whole argument of whether it's called "Marriage" or"Domestic Partners" becomes moot... at least in California where the legal aspects are alreay equal.

It's human nature to fear what you don't understand... and those dolts who wish to deny same-sex couples their happiness, simply don't understand... and therefore are afraid.

These people's minds are not going to be changed by redefining what Marriage is, though. Doing so will just make them become more activist against same-sex couples because of their fears. They will attempt to justify ever-more vocal and eventually violent acts as a defensive measure against what they believe to be an attack on their religious or personal belief systems.

All I'm saying, is that maybe its best to leave them alone on that level. If you want someone to recognize your spousal status, then just insist that it exists and SHUN THEM if they don't wish to recognize it.

The answer lies in educating the fear out of these people, not in attacking their belief system. The Definition of Marriage lies too close to the core of their belief system.

Tonight at Mountain Mike's Pizza (3089 Clairemont Drive) is the SanSFiS Sponsored event where a portion of all proceeds go to support SanSFiS.

http://www.mtnmikes.com/www/fundraisers/SD.Speculative.Fiction/SD.speculative.7.1.08.shtml

The San Diego Speculative Fiction Society, Inc. (www.SanSFiS.org), is the non-profit corporation behind the Vintage Sci-Fi Movie nights, the San Diego Fandom Index publication, and of course, the local Sci-Fi/Fantasy convention: Conjecture.

The San Diego Sci-Fi Meetup will also be holding it's meeting at Mountain Mike's tonight, complete with Sci-Fi Book Swap... so bring your used books and take some away with you as well.

If you can't make it, live nearby, and want to order delivery, we also get credit for that. Just remember to mention that you are with SanSFiS (or "that science fiction group") when you order so we get credit. Follow the link I provded above for a coupon.

The fun starts at 7:30pm. I'll be there!

Overheard at lunchtime today:

"The US Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 today to start making 6 to 3 decisions."
--Dennis Miller, comedian, talk show host

bovil recently bragged about his and his partner's marriage certificate on his LJ, and I asked a fairly innocuous question about his point of view of how this is different (In California) from a domestic partnership.

His response was to freeze the thread, ban me from sending him personal messages, and a quick 1-line response to the thread that if I didn't understand "separate but equal" there was no point in discussing it.

Wow. I didn't expect to be SHUNNED for asking a simple question, from someone who I thought could handle intelligent discussion.

So... bovil... if any of your friends point this message out to you and you happen to read this: My question is WHAT exactly "separates" same-sex couples in California that justifies your "Separate but Equal" analogy? You have ALL the same rights as opposite-sex couples, so where exactly is this alleged separation?

Separate but Equal was a problem with segregated races back in the 50's... there's no such separation between same-sex couples and opposite-sex couples that I can see anywhere in California. Even children in public schools are allowed to choose to use whichever restroom for the gender "they identify with".

Or is it simply that you can't answer the question and prefer to shun me instead?

more cat pictures

In L.A. overnite on business... Downtown sux after 6pm, big time.

Movie doesn't start til 8. Waiting in nearby hotel lobby til then.

:(

WTF!

It's June in Sunny San Diego. Where the $#@! did this rain come from?

After a long hiatus of Real-Life-Interruptus causing me not to host the Fandom Gatherings at my house, I'm pleased to announce that I am ready to host again!

The next fandom gathering is scheduled for Saturday, July 12. Details are online at http://polarden.org/fandom

The purpose for the Fandom Gatherings (besides having a reason to clean my house) is to help knit San Diego fandom together. People of all fandoms (SCA'dians, Klingons, Stormtroopers, Filkers, Browncoats, Gamers, etc.) are welcome to attend and discuss their interests with others. Event organizers are welcome to bring materials and perhaps find new members to their groups at the Fandom Gathering as well.

SPREAD THE WORD!!

Tell your friends, tell your Newsgroups, Blog about it all you want... The more people at the party, the merrier!

PolarDen.Org/fandom

I hope to see you there!

--Darrel.

War, Day 4
Weather ended up ok, but threatened bad all day.
Purchased booth for Sept.War. I is a merchant now.
Good friends, warm fires. Home by noon 5/25

War update:
Day 2 weather turned worse. Rained all afternoon, sometimes really hard.
Day 3: much better. Woke to suns, then drizzle, then more sun. Happy now.

War day 1: not bad. Got setup by 3 & weather was ok... Part sun, part cold/windy.

Day 2: cold all morning & Now it's raining... Hope it gets better soon.

SCA Potrero War, that is.

I'm heading up to the hills of East San Diego on Thursday to find a camping spot amongst a few thousand medieval-attired friends.

I'm going to drag my trailer up there, but it won't be very full. Does anyone need to drop off any large items at my house that I can take in my trailer for them?