phantom of the opera

so i finally talked to sushe again for the first time in probably a month. she is the same but with updated and funnier stories. anyhow, i hate when people just hum and sing out loud...as if they're singing for reals. i mean i guess its ok for a joke..or depending on the song..but if its some slow song like celine dion or some nonsense like i really cant take it, and then of course i get overheated. this one kid at beansters does that all the time..of course its embarrassing becuase you dont know what to do..you cant say, STOP you bastard..you are so socially inept. and you cant just smile...becuase of course your blood is boiling. and theres just not much you can do but ignore it...luckily i can put an "ignore face" on anytime i want. anyhow i listened to his cd and its actually good, and its damn good to listen to some MUSIC for once. me and greg watched a velvet revolver thing on vh1 the other day, and i must say i realllly REALLLLLLLLLLy like the STP man..the skinny emaciated one. poor druggie man, he is talented though..and hes trying to get off drugs at least. anyhow, i wonder how many STD's he has..he definitely looks like he has something complicated..not just herpes or something like that. something COMPLEX... anyhow, i'm sure i'll think of it soon.
i went to phantom of the opera yesterday which was awesome but scary because of crazy disgusting detroit. random people just wandering the streets looking to slit your pretty brown throat. i felt like wearing a burka the whole time. anyhow, it was great and im glad i took greg to his first jza jza play, he wore a nice pin striped suit that fit him well and that was better than anything. and i looked amazing of course, so vain..so vain. we had a nice dinner - crab stuffed flounder etc. and btw..i think scallops are ok..i thought they had lots of eyes and stuff on them..but they didnt have any eyes..at least no eyes that i could see. and if i ate the eyes before actually finding them..they tasted pretty good. barbaric.
the weather is picking up and of course this is a plus..its going to be 63 tommorrow and i would wear my whore clothes but i have to go to the clinic...clinic is SO bloody uncomfortable sometimes when you know your assisting with a bitchy 3/4th yr and it also sucks because "asshole" is in my clinic and i feel his beady eyes reading my thoughts. i hate asshole, and he is fucking ugly as shit. piss on you.

thank god for michigan.

THANK YOU U of M, for seperating the smart university people who understand equality, from the rest of the idiots in this gun-hording, pale, gluttonous, hyper-religious, un-unaturally cold state. I hope it warms up soon.

I am writing to put in context for you recent developments about our ability to offer same-sex domestic partner benefits.

I know that the passage of Proposal 2 (now part of the constitution) in Michigan has caused a great deal of anxiety in our community about whether the University will be able to continue to support our employees by offering benefits to same-sex domestic partners. Our position on this issue has been consistent and clear. As an employer, we offer benefits to our employees and their dependents in order to create a supportive and welcoming environment that allows us to recruit and retain the very best faculty and staff. Many employees have told us over the years that the availability of these benefits has been a significant factor in their decision to locate and to remain at the University. We do not believe the state's definition of marriage is relevant in any way to our decision about what benefits to offer our employees and their dependents, and we do not intend to make any changes to our benefits based on it.

On Monday, a lawsuit was filed asking a state court to declare that Prop 2 does not affect a public employer's ability to offer partner benefits. We agree with this position and believe that the law permits the University to design our own benefit policies.

As a University, we believe deeply that all members of our community should be respected and valued, and that discrimination based upon any form of prejudice is wrong. We have worked over the years to live up to these values and to nurture an environment that is safe, welcoming and inclusive for all who choose to join our community. We will vigorously defend our ability to offer these benefits; and, we will continue to pay attention to issues that may affect the environment we have worked so hard to create.

If you have specific questions about your or your dependents' eligibility for benefits, please visit the Benefits Office website www.umich.edu/~benefits or contact a benefits representative at the HR/Payroll Service Center by calling (734) 615-2000. A booklet about same-sex domestic partner benefits at U-M also is available for download at: www.umich.edu/~benefits/forms/ssdp.pdf

Sincerely,

President Mary Sue Coleman


in other news, micro of caries could be interesting, but the presentation sucks..im going to rely on 1/2 apathy and 1/2 luck tommorrow..hopefully it works out. also i am having rib spasms like hell, and am getting asthmatic symptoms, my toilet got clogged today because i havent pooped in like 4 days...luckily it finally went down. it still nauseates me. aiduhg. i have greasy hair, and i might wash it..if i wouldnt be wasting time. tommorrow is round 5.

this is me in an italian "basically american" restaurant with a CALZONE!!! OMG look at the size of it! but dont be fooled, its full of air and was bland as shit. luckily we had some vino.

freaking ignorants.

Dear Newsweek Editor,



I am writing in regard to the article in Newsweek Jan 10, 2005 issue titled ‘After the Tsunami.’ http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6777635/site/newsweek/



First, I wish to thank Newsweek for its coverage of the disaster. As a Sri-Lankan American, it brings some measure of relief to know that the world is being informed. As a result of news organizations like yours informing the world, you have stirred people’s hearts. It is moving to see such a genuine outpouring from so many people in this country and the world. It is through the power of organizations like yours that some measure of good in this time of horror is being seen.



With such power and great coverage, I was surprised, disappointed and offended to see the characterizations of Hindus in the article by Kenneth Woodward called ‘Countless Souls Cry Out to God.’ It is absolutely clear that Mr. Woodward has no comprehension of the philosophy, depth and power of Hinduism. Statements such as ‘Hindus are untutored in refined theological speculation on life and death’ is not only inaccurate, it is downright asinine. To the contrary, Hindu philosophy has volumes of work dedicated to life and death and are covered in such concepts as karma, re-incarnation, samskaras (mental impressions that serve to manifest particular tendencies in an individual), to name a few.



Further, I wish to inquire about the quotation in the article from Richard Davis about Hindus stating “Relating to a local deity and cooling her anger through propitiation is more important than thinking about personal or collective guilt for what has happened.” What was the purpose of putting this quote in by Mr. Woodward? ‘Personal or collective guilt for what has happened?’ Mr. Woodward and Davis seem to be characterizing the affected Hindus as unsophisticated thinkers that just blindly go and pray to a woman when they should be thinking of why it is their personal and collective fault that this happened!



In response, let me first say that Hindu’s have no problem acknowledging the feminine principle of the universe. There are many archetypes of the feminine and the teachings surrounding it are tailored to every level of aspirant, from the child to the college professor. If you want to understand the feminine aspect of God in a human like form of a woman, it is available to you or if you want to understand it as a vibration power that is the active effect of the universe, you can. Unlike in the West, there is no problem with thinking of God as a woman. God is man, God is woman, God is man and woman and God is beyond both man and woman. Hence, there is consistency in thought regarding the omnipresence of God in Hindu philosophy.



Second, let me assure you that save Buddhism, there is no religion on earth that places as much responsibility for the content and context of your life as Hinduism. It is not a matter of blame, guilt, a wrathful God or deserving such a horrible tragedy. Rather, Hinduism acknowledges a larger perspective where all situations will ultimately be seen in the light of the soul’s growth, serving to merge it back with The Ultimate Source. Adversity can be the ultimate teacher and rather than characterizing the Hindus who suffered in this tragedy as foolish people that are “controlled by the play of capricious deities,” humanity should be humbled by the people of all faiths who have lost everything and in their loss, for a brief moment in time, brought the world together. What other event in recent memory has brought people of all races and religions together to help one another?



It is unfortunate that we still live in a time where it takes a tragedy to bring people together. Countless souls cry to God, but perhaps it is God that is crying to us as well. Until we learn to understand one another, respect our differences and commit to live in harmony, God by whatever name you call Her will continue to cry. Newsweek is in a unique position in the world to inform and bring people together. Misinformed articles like Mr. Woodward’s serve only to exacerbate misunderstanding and create tension through such characterizations. A printed apology by Newsweek and Mr. Woodward to the Hindus of the world and suffering region would be appropriate. The people in South Asia have suffered enough without having to see one of their great philosophies reduced to superstitious insanity in international press. Further, I am not sure if Mr. Davis was quoted out of context, but if not, it seems that ‘Bard College in New York’ would be well served to find a ‘specialist’ who actually understands the depth of the people/religion it purports to teach about.



In any case, other than this negative point, I wish to again thank Newsweek for its role in covering the tragedy in South East Asia. It is through such coverage, the world is informed of the tragic plight there and people have the opportunity to come together. Thank You.



Sincerely