Politi-geek

I was inspired by a friend who, good-naturedly, was lamenting about the distinct lack of political-ness here on the Geek Find. Happily for me, I didn't have to try too incredibly hard. Being a geek doesn't mean burying your head in the latest Astonishing X-Men or being too googly about the fact they are making a movie of the manga Battle Angel Alita. A geek can be just as serious as the big-time pundits on TV (insert laughter about TV personalities here). I've begun to avoid the televised news as there is never anything thoughtfully discussed about local or national issues, unless its on OPB. You can see better political manueverings and discussions on Battlestar Galactica or West Wing. But that's why I love podcasts. I can find the people who keep my interest and have something to say which interests me.

This vague notion of political geekery was rolling around in my mind when I listened to one of my favorite podcasts today, Escape Pod. The most recent story, Shadowboxer, was disturbing in a political ethics sort of way. In a war on terror, what are we willing to give up? And what are we willing to do to secure our way of life? Which leads me to another, perhaps too serious Tuesday question: Do we need to change our thoughts on our way of life and the way it survives? Am I touching on blasphemy? Shocking? Check out the story and decide for you self.

Of course you can't have political discourse without people to fire you up. I mean, Fox has Bill O'Reilly and Anne Coulter. I find them very similar to Jerry Springer (What? You can't see Jerry in a blonde wig?). Outrageous and a tad on the far side for me. You can only shout at the TV so many times before it gets old. I haven't chanted 'Jerry! Jerry!' in years. The Leftwing Nutjob podcast lets me be outraged without hearing Bill hoarsely drowning out opponents. There isn't any yelling which saves my poor ears.

If you aren't in the podcast-listening mood, you can always check out a few places with way too many fun facts. NPR is fast becoming my only news source. Easy to read and with more than just the impression of being balanced, I absolutely adore the site. Of course, they also have podcasts from their shows, which are very nice too.

Tired of hearing how badly Dems behave? Or at least finding only them scandalized in the news most often. Now you have a home to call your own with the Republicans Behaving Badly blog. You know they can't all be good upstanding leaders . . .

Do I lean a wee tad to the left? Well, yes I do. Do I think all Republicans are big idiots? Well, no. Or at least not all of them. But then I will admit some Dems are big idiots too. The only way to get out of this mess alive is to attempt some sort of civil discourse. Mud slinging back and forth is just dirty. Not to mention eventually it seems to turn into bombs. Those are a lot more deadly. Here's hoping peace will come to the world. And Anne Coulter comes to her senses. I'm just kidding. Sort of.

This has been your politi-Geek Find of the Day.

Don't quote me

There are times in life where you grope for the perfect phrase which will express exactly how you are feeling right there and then. "Well, forget it! I'm not doing it! This episode was badly written!" -- Gwen DeMarco, Galaxy Quest

Now you too can have quotes for all occasions. Amaze your friends! Flabbergast your family (preferably at your sister's wedding)! And don't forget a few 'Dammit Jims' for good measure. I will help arm you with enough quote material to last the rest of your AIM lifetime. Find a new e-mail signature today!

Links:
Wikiquote - I found this site looking for new quotes. Pretty neat.
Galaxy Quest
Firefly/Serenity
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (movie)
Same, only the book instead
Star Trek - because
Star Trek - the more, the merrier.
Star Wars - because. Again.
Space Balls
Monty Python
Einstein - kind of a genius and a little on the funny side.
A big long list of scifi quotes

This has been your 'Back off man. I'm a scientist.' Geek Find of the Day. (Venkman, Ghost Busters)

Learn to be Crafty

There is just something about making your own truly geeky usable art. Its different, fun and unusual. After all, how many people do you know with a knitted Spock on their chest? I knew I had to put up a list of funky stuff when a friend and I started thinking up Firefly cross-stitch patterns. Below is a list of great crafts all for your crazy creative habit. Things like the creations listed below are what truly show off your geek flag. Let it fly and let it fly proud! I make ornaments and very odd scarves. I'm very excited to try out the Jayne hat too. My very first hat! Now get out there and get creating! Enjoy!


Links:
Jayne Cobb Hat
Jayne's Hat knit kit
Star Wars sweaters
Dr. Who scarf!
Dr. Who's K-9 (Just love the music to that show)
Star Trek - Bones was so a closet knitting freak
Alas Yorick!
Linux Scarf - because you just knew someone out there would come up with it.
Harry Potter
How to make your very own Nintendo purse
Make's Craft Magazine
Make blog. Where crazy people like us post the stuff they come up with
Join your very own geeky crafter tribe
Find even more Crafty geek stuff to make!

This has been your I'll show you my Jayne hat if you show me your Linux scarf Geek Find of the Day!