firefox: not so hot

I just spent two hours fixing firefox, the final culprit being my add-on google bookmarks, which I've been using for all my tags over the past 8 mos at least, with the thinking it would make them more portable should I have to retire this old girl. Well, they disappeared but I did find them on the google website finally, so they're around but I do not have easy access. I'm glad I didn't lose all those great recipes and friends' blog URLs etc.
Hope everyone is getting pumped for inauguration!!!

Obama

So, i think this clearly warrants a post. I will just be repeating what others have said, but it was just such a powerful moment for me personally as well as our country. I feel redeemed, I felt overwhelmed and surprised. Surprised because I did not realize how strongly part of me felt something was going to fuck it all up. But amazingly, he's here, he's real, and he's going to be president. And not much could make me happier right now.

like OMG, NERDFART

OK YOU GUYS!!! guess what has me filled with orgasmic-level excitement today?
GUESS!!!!!
the AMERICAN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM!!!!!!!
OK so Franz Boas, the father of American Anthropology and all-around total badass of a scrawny Jewish dude, made this totally groundbreaking and awesome exhibit that revolutionized EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE that I am going to FINALLY GET TO SEE before they RENOVATE IT"S ASS and make it all F*%#$# ed up. They keep threatening to tear it down and redo it. I have looked and I am *pretty sure* it's still the original 1890something version that he put together.


^^yeah, that's him. Boas.

"Why is this so awesome?" you may ask. "why are you totally pee-in-your-pants-excited?" Well, aside from the totally kickassedly thorough, contextualized, and revolutionary-in-scale ethnographic work he did in the Pacific NW, this exhibit represents that work in what was a totally new and radical way. Instead of lining up functionally similar items in an order of progressing "complexity" to approximate "evolution from barbarism to civilization", Boas decided to shove that Golden Bough right up their stuffy British arses. He didn't put all the arrows together, he put the Kwakiutl arrows with the Kwakiutl hunting gear next to the Kwakiutl canoe. He organized exhibits by the culture and tradition themselves, IN ITS CONTEXT, giving the objects something much closer to their original meaning than "clearly guns are better than blow darts. We can tell this because blow darts are on the left next to the slingshot, while guns are on the right".
NOT to mention the larger-than-life canonized ethnographic work he did on the Kwakiutl potlatch (related to my personal interest in giftgiving). I would get all giddy about that in and of itself. It's some facinating and compelling stuff. Recently it has become popular as a [poor] parallel of consumerism and identity in capitalist society.

Jeez that is more big and puffy words than I've used in a while. I feel better having got that out of my system. I was so excited I could not sleep. Hopefully I'll be able to now. <3 M

Oh, I think I almost forgot to say the important part. Going to NYC w/ the fam to see it!!! (only THEY think I'm going to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. Ha.)

maybe I am behind the times

but does anyone else think Miranda from Sex in the City looks like David Bowie???

Floydfest

It was awesome! Not only did I get to see the bands I wanted to, but some of the best ones I saw I wasn't even planning on seeing! There was a great Senegalese hip-hop band, and Oliver Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe, who made me dance with relative abandon in a sea of 50-something hippies. I saw some awesome folks at the "crooked road all-stars" show, including the winner of Myrle Fest's Guitar competition and the Mandolin player who won best overall performer at Galax in 2005. Freaking awesome. I was a bit disappointed though because it seemed the group that was supposed to come on at 10 didn't show, and they were really talking it up. I was praying that Ralph Stanley was gonna roll up in a limo or something, and then I would be forced to pee in my pants. Who showed up instead was a folklorist from the Smithsonian, dressed in some kind of red and gold elvis-superhero costume. he was actually pretty entertaining though so I was pleased.
I saw Crooked Still, who was awesome. I parked next to and quickly made friends with a "Hoorah Clogger" from Blacksburg, who was a little creepy and invited me to do some impromptu yoga in the middle of a crowd. I "passed" on account of the "grass", haha.
they had all kinds of veg-food, including vegan CORN DOGS which I was eyeing earlier but like "eww, ground meat" since I thought they were real. All kinds of neat vendors to watch. I had personally brought a taco bell burrito and my own drink in, so I was set, but I couldn't resist the smell of freshly made, off the griddle waffle cones and ice cream, and I have to say it was delicious.
There was so much more to see I would love to go back next year and do the whole weekend with camping, so I did not have to worry about driving home at 12 and could stay for the wilder up-till-three bands, etc. Lots of good acts on Friday as well I could catch. The whole atmosphere was so chill and relaxed I would like to spend more time in it. I plan on going back!

whiskers on kittens and smelly attic rooms

so things are going relatively well with my new apartment. This will be a brief update, since I can't seem to get to sleep this week no matter how exhausted I am. I have assessed the room-space, and it is good. I have assessed the roomate, and the verdict is out, mostly because she's as awkward as I am. I think things will be fine but I am just nervous about it. Frankly I am way too relaxed about things and THAT is making me a little uncomfortable. I feel like this space is mine already and I don't want to like, overstep my bounds. Also, the other day I was talking to my parents on the phone and left my door open, and I found today that the sound carries really well so she could have heard the whole conversation. Today I am anxious because I have not seen her... at ALL... and I am pretty damn sure she was here when I knocked on her door to see if she wanted to go on a walk, but she didn't answer. Maybe she was meditating or napping or something. She did get back late last night... I can hear her moving around down there. I hope I didn't keep her up or something/I hope she'd tell me if I did rather than ignore me.
I have also just this afternoon assessed the neighborhood, on foot, and it is excellent. The yard is currently fair, but gets a 'good' rating because I can do all kinds of gardeney maintenance in it since the roommate holds no interest in these things.
The roommate also bought a new AC for my attic space since it is so hot up here with the tiny 99$ type unit that is in here. It was super hot outside (90+) when I first moved in though and has not been nearly as bad since. I have the windows open right now.
Also, I've touched base with an old high school friend of mine who lives really close to here. I am looking forward to seeing him again.
I don't know if I mentioned but I now live near a ghetto-food-lion and this of course pleases me greatly. I missed the one in Cville so much. However, the Lion-brand cheese bags are now over 7$!!!!!! can you believe that shit???? it used to be 5 something. I had my traditional nacho meal tonight for dinner and it was satisfying but a bit bittersweet with all the memories these nachos have for me. It would have been more so if I'd bought a giant bottle of Pace Medium Salsa.
...god if you didn't know what that meant that last bit would sound really weird...
Well, much love to all, and I'll be in touch.
aside:
Still looking at campgrounds... I think Montebello Camping and Fishing Resort is a promising one... it has woods camping so there would be a bit more privacy. I prefer not to be next to people in a big field.

Summer Fun

Planning on Sat/Sun...anyone want to go to FloydFest with me???

http://atwproductions.com/