new level of hell under construction due to "crunchers"

AP, Reuters, Hades: Sources near the pit of hell report that a new level is being constructed, number 10, to accommodate a growing population of people who are appearing in hell due to their loud eating of crunchy foods at work. "These people are meeting untimely deaths as well," says a spokesman for the Devil, who did not return phone calls. "It's not unusual for people to underestimate the severity of certain "activities" if you will. Eating potato chips, crunchy vegetables, and other snacks in cubicle environments and movie theatres has been on the rise, with or without mouths open, with a corresponding rise in spontaneous homicide, and of course, nobody "up there" (in heaven) wants to deal with these people." . Of course "the crunchers", once they arrive, will be given plenty of snacks and special amplifiers so that they can hear each other clearly. It's the least we could do." Construction on the new level should be completed by summer, while many crunchers wait in refugee camps on the 9th level. "I can't wait for my eternal supply of potato chips," said one damned woman cheerfully. Other denizens of the nether worlds petitioned the Great Deceiver to put up sound barriers to protect them from the new 10th level dwellers: one glutton on the 7th level said "it's bad enough we have to burn in cold eternal hellfire!".

writing by and for women who are involved in technology, science, gaming, and other geekiness

I went to a great reading last night at City Lights, several women in the tech or gaming fields, comics, etc. The first book of it's kind, giving voice to women in male-dominated areas who have never had this opportunity before. A wide variety of voices: a woman who runs a journal for rpg of Harry Potter, blogging, a comic book artist, a woman who is into many games but talked about her experiences with larp and Vampire Masquerade. Charlie Anders' development as a health care wonk. Co-editors and contributors Charlie Anders and Annalee Newitz both read, well-respected writers for literary, technology, and other fields. I would urge folks esp. women in these fields or interests to check it out.

being single in amerika and why people are dumb

well this article in today's new york times does shed some light on changes in singleness and marriage in different classes today. yes Virginia, there is a class system in this country and it is closely tied to race, immigration, education, etc.

speaking of conspiracies (what else is there to think about), I was just pondering such venerable media outlets as the times, it's extremely lame article on the suits, sitting, standing, clapping, and nose-picking of congresspeople and speakers in the house last night. this is news? the conspiracy of helping americans in their goal to remain stupid and unaware of much of what really goes on that various media outlets and others maintain. fortunately starting a ridiculous war will get their attention once in a while.

Walking Molecule Now Carries Packages

I originally found this on slashdot:

Walking Molecule Now Carries Packages
Molecule walks in a straight line and carries a tiny shopping bag in each hand
(January 18, 2007)

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (www.ucr.edu) –- A research team, led by UC Riverside’s Ludwig Bartels, was the first to design a molecule that can move in a straight line on a flat surface. Now this team has found a way to attach cargo: two CO2 molecules, making the nano-walker a molecule carrier. The work will be published Thursday, Jan. 18 in “Science Express” and later in the print-version of the journal “Science.” “This is an unprecedented step forward towards the realization of molecular-scale machinery,” said Bartels, associate professor of chemistry and a member of UCR’s Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering. “Our experiments show a means to transport molecules reliably. This will become as important to the molecular machinery of the future as trucks and conveyor belts are for factories of today.” (more)

el topo, a film by alejandro jodorowski

what a fucked up movie. saw it at the castro last night. guns, blood, guts, incest, random images, odd tonal music, super violent, bloody, odd. really two films as it is hard to reconcile the second half with the first or with anything. very interesting film. sexy and brutal.

does anyone remember tones on tail? they were really good. go, twist, christian says, lions. excellent.

writers with drinks at the rickshaw was awesome tonight. I met a couple of new people, charlie anders the hostess was hilarious and smart and fabulous...I did drift off during michelle tea's "cyberpunk" story.
justin chin's feces-focused "erotica" was wonderful and burroughs-like. extreme. like...el topo!

the theme was writers in drag: writers writing in genres outside their usual. I have an idea to make a mash up of of two genres I don't usually dabble in, or haven't in years. maybe charlie will go for it...

language is a film about the politics of desire, bear-ly

now to link that title to something...I was just thinking about the title to this blog. I first heard that as a Laurie Anderson song in high school, of course it came originally and famously from William S. Burroughs, "language is a virus from outer space." As someone who has had the idea that I could communicate with aliens, this has special meaning. and as a writer who often feels that language is a prison, hence leading me to painting and other Non-Language art.

I have seen Laurie perform three times, in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Kent, Ohio, at Kent State.

thinking of renaming my novel "the politics of desire" or making that the overall title for the Novel which daydream nation is a part. living in the ice age is another title.

I've been working on mash-ups and such with sony acid xpress. very fun.

I did not get the job at Embarcadero, they gave it to someone with more experience in software sales. But at least they called me to let me know. Now I just need a part-time job, maybe hosting in some swanky sf restaurant. craigslist.

laurie's song:

Language is a Virus

Paradise
Is exactly like
Where you are right now
Only much much better.
I saw this guy on the train, and he seemed to gave gotten stuck
In one of those abstract trances.
And he was going: "Ugh...Ugh...Ugh..."
And Fred said: "I think he's in some kind of pain.
I think it's a pain cry."And I said: "Pain cry? Then language is a virus."
Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus!
Well I was talking to a friend, and I was saying:
I wanted you.And I was looking for you. But I couldn't find you.
I couldn't find you.And he said:
Hey! Are you talking to me?
Or are you just practicing for one of those performances of yours?
Huh?Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus!
He said: I had to write that letter to your mother.
And I had to tell the judge that it was you.
And I had to sell the car and go to Florida.
Because that's just my way of saying (It's a charm.) that I love you.
And I (It's a job.) had to call you at the crack of dawn
(Why?)And list the times that I've been wrong.
'Cause that's just my way of saying that I'm sorry.
(It's a job.)Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus!
ParadiseIs exactly like
Where you are right nowOnly much much
(It's a shipwreck,) better. (It's a job.)You know?
I don't believe there's such a thing as TV.
I mean, they just keep showing you the same pictures over and over.
And when they talk they just make sounds
that more or less sync up with their lips.
That's what I think!
Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus! Language! It's a virus!
Well I dreamed there was an island that rose up from the sea.
And everybody on the island was somebody from TV.
And there was a beautiful view, but nobody could see.
'Cause everybody on the islandwas saying:
Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!
Because they all lived on an island that rose up from the sea.
And everybody on the island was somebody from TV.
And there was a beautiful view, but nobody could see.'Cause everybody on the island
Was saying: Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me! Look at me!
Why?
ParadiseIs exactly like
Where you are right now
Only much much better.

"Language is a Virus" originates in a William S. Burroughs quotation: "Language is a virus from outer space." The Buddhist implications struck Anderson too: "In Buddhist thought, there's the thing and there's the name for the thing and that's one thing too many" (qtd. in Gaar, Talk Normal 27). People's cheesy sanctimonious excuses for harassment are delightfully satirized. The bit about tv images and voices synching up involves a musical hocket effect one hasn't heard since the Middle Ages. And of course the show with celebrities on an island became a "reality," as it were, in 2003.

Einstürzende Neubauten, the concert film

I saw this film last night at the Castro in San Francisco and it was really great. Blixa Bargeld was there and spent at least 45 minutes after the show chatting with people and answering questions. I found out that he lives in SF and will be doing a couple of things here this year, would not say what. The film is low-budget but in a way that's good because a more polished film might go against the grain of the raw edge of EN sound. It was an 11 pm show on a cold Tuesday night and the place was packed!

Cerro Torre

I have made a new committment to get in shape for Yosemite this year, going for the big walls, but this area is a long range goal of mine.

the make out room

DSC00530
Originally uploaded by ck23.

went to Writers With Drinks that night, hosted by Charlie Anders. Heard and saw Stephen Elliott for the first time. I highly recommend checking it out again at the Rickshaw Stop coming up at the end of the month.

throwing muses

throwing muses
Originally uploaded by ck23.

must be last show I saw. couple weeks ago, with mike. great show, kristin with her 50 ft wave and throwing muses bands. sigh. I like this photo because the effect is photoshop-free. just the way it is. great american music hall. thanks mike for dinner!

14 or 49

DSC00644
Originally uploaded by ck23.

I could be working right now...but I am blogging instead. Or trying to. Blogger changed or something. This photo is on a rainy night on a muni bus, on mission st., somewhere in the mission, where I live. Since my move I have been taking muni more, it is closer than bart.

I've seen some good and great films lately. Blood Diamond was great. Pursuit of Happyness was good. The Departed was a while ago but I mention it because Decaprio was great in that and in Blood Diamond. BD was bit overly political but still good.

Have not been to a club or live show in a few days or a week or two. I've been reading Stephen Elliot, Life Without Consequence his first novel, and My Girlfriend Comes Into the City and Beats Me Up, his new book of semi-auto prose. Amazing stuff.