Those of you who frequent this blog know that I rely on public transportation in order to get around. This involves taking both a train and a bus in order to get from work to home. Usually I mind my own business and except for getting hit on or accidentally flashing little old ladies, my commutes tend to mostly be long, slightly boring, and relatively drama free.
Mostly.
The following Kay Adventure is brought to you in part by the people of downtown San Jose and in part by my need to laugh at what was a pretty freaky and frightening situation.
Let me set the scene. It’s around 5:30 on a weeknight and my train has just pulled into the downtown stop. Normally I get off here and walk a block or so over to where the bus picks up. I have my head phones in and I am totally minding my own business.
I get off the train, as do about a dozen people, and like normal we all walk right behind the not moving train car and cross the street. But this time I realize that there is a car on the train tracks, blocking us from walking behind the train…
Yes, a car on the tracks. Now, this happens occasionally. If you are new to driving in downtown and you negate to read the signs and if you turn too early, you might end up on the tracks. I have seen this happen a lot. But normally, people realize Right Away that they goofed and back up and get off the train tracks.
This woman driver had decided to instead drive along behind the train for at least two blocks because that was as far as we were from the closest intersection.
Not only that, but she was practically touching the back of the train with her car. Not a bright idea safety wise.
A few more things you ought to know, she looked pretty freaked out and there wasn’t going to be a place for her to turn off the tracks for a few more blocks. Her only real option was to either reverse and go back or follow the train for quite a while before being allowed to turn off the tracks.
Ok, so I walk behind her car (since she is blocking the normal route), and I feel a bit bad for her.
Apparently, my pity isn’t shared by several of the men in the area. Four to five men have converged upon her car and have started yelling at her, calling her names, and basically telling her she shouldn’t be there, she needs to get her car off the tracks, etc. A fair bit of vulgarity is involved with these yells.
The train moves forward but the guys are at her windows and in front of her car blocking her… and still yelling. She looks even more freaked out and this is where I decide, in my infinite dumb dumb dumb wisdom to get involved.
I take my headphones out and approach the car. I figure that she might appreciate a kinder face. Plus these guys seem overly pissed about something so silly and for some reason I think I might be able to diffuse the situation.
I try to talk to her, to explain that she won’t have a chance to turn off the tracks, that her best bet is to reverse and go back…. And she honks at me and calls me a bad name,
Well, fine. I tried to help, whatever. I start to walk away and she floors it leaving the group of men in her wake.
The group of men no longer have her to yell at… and so they all turn and start to yell at me.
Seriously. Calling me names, telling me I should have minded my own business, (even more vulgarity) and advancing on me in a pack.
I don’t respond to them, just head off toward the bus stop and they follow me for a full block, yelling and cursing.
Not fun. In fact, really really scary. My heart was pounding and instead of just sitting on the bench I went into the closes store and hung around inside for a bit to try to calm myself down. I felt twitchy for the rest of my time downtown and didn’t feel at ease until I was safely on my bus.
I didn’t think about why I was afraid, just that I was.
Fast forward two days. I was relating this story to an acquaintance and her first response was;
Her; “Well, what were they?’
Me: Who, what?
Her: The men, what were they?
Me: Bigger than me… and men… and angry for some reason.
Her: (getting frustrated) Yeah, but what WERE they, you know, were they black? Or Mexican?
Me: I don’t know.
Her: How do you not know? I bet they were black. Or Mexican
Me; I didn’t ask them for their background or IDs, I was more into, you know, not getting surrounded or anything.
Her: Right, well they weren’t white were they?
Me; I don’t know… I mean, I guess they had skin that was darker than mine, but then again I am pretty darn pale… most people are darker than I am.
It was then, as she looked at me like I was the one on crack, that I started to think about why I had been so afraid.
Why did these guys frighten me? Because they were loud, sure. Because they were in a group and thus outnumbered me, sure again. But also, because they were men.
And like it or not as a woman alone in downtown, even in a crowded part of downtown… even in a crowded part of downtown at 6:00 in the evening… there will always be this heightened sense of wariness regarding men.
For me, fear is color blind… but more interestingly.. not gender blind.
Not at all.
STICKY
Palin and the Porn Star: Part 2!!!!!
Holy crap… I had my Sarah Palin and the Porn Star post… and I thought I was probably never again going to get the chance to put those two in a blog title.
But guess what?
Porn star turned politician Stormy Daniels has requested a sit-down with Sarah Palin to discuss the trials and tribulations of being a woman in politics!
Here’s a quote:
“As a woman who is often criticized and dismissed by the media, I obviously can relate to Governor Palin on many levels,” Daniels said in a statement. “Given this, I am very interested to hear what she has to say about the challenges women like ourselves who are not afraid to display our sexuality face when it comes to being taken seriously as leaders.”*
Can I just say a few things?
One: I want to know more about the “sexuality face”… oh wait, for 19.95 I could get all the “sexuality face” I want of Stormy… and I am not sure the world s ready for Sarah’s.
Two: If this trend continues I am going to have to be careful about who I link together in my blog… hmmm, the possibilities for chaos are so tempting….
Three: I doubt Palin will sit down with a porn star, (especially one who is for sex education, pro condoms, pro gay marriage, and once stared in a movie called The Camp Cuddly Pines Power Tool Massacre-which sounds just awesome by the way-) but damn what a fun meeting of the minds that would be…
If they put the Palin and the Porn Star shin-dig on TV I bet it would draw American Idol like numbers.
And with that... let's all enjoy the weekend.
(source:1 and 2)
But guess what?
Porn star turned politician Stormy Daniels has requested a sit-down with Sarah Palin to discuss the trials and tribulations of being a woman in politics!
Here’s a quote:
“As a woman who is often criticized and dismissed by the media, I obviously can relate to Governor Palin on many levels,” Daniels said in a statement. “Given this, I am very interested to hear what she has to say about the challenges women like ourselves who are not afraid to display our sexuality face when it comes to being taken seriously as leaders.”*
Can I just say a few things?
One: I want to know more about the “sexuality face”… oh wait, for 19.95 I could get all the “sexuality face” I want of Stormy… and I am not sure the world s ready for Sarah’s.
Two: If this trend continues I am going to have to be careful about who I link together in my blog… hmmm, the possibilities for chaos are so tempting….
Three: I doubt Palin will sit down with a porn star, (especially one who is for sex education, pro condoms, pro gay marriage, and once stared in a movie called The Camp Cuddly Pines Power Tool Massacre-which sounds just awesome by the way-) but damn what a fun meeting of the minds that would be…
If they put the Palin and the Porn Star shin-dig on TV I bet it would draw American Idol like numbers.
And with that... let's all enjoy the weekend.
(source:1 and 2)
"Awwwww"
Things that make you go “Awwwwww’
Warning: This post contains explicitly cute photos and an overall sugary sweet coating. People with a low tolerance for sweet or adorable might do well to read the following with a healthy helping of lemon wedges at the ready.
It’s Friday and I have decided that what the world needs (or at least those of you who stop by here every now and then) is a heaping happy dose of Things That Make You Go Awwwww….
First off we have the photos of my newest niece… Bitty B joined her sister O in the world last week and has already charmed her itty bitty way into our hearts. Like heart burn… but more fun.
Ok, if human babies aren’t your thing, here are a few classically cute animals!
The video is dedicated to Stacy and her pug Hurley.
And lastly, a sweet story from your’s truly.
I love getting flowers. Yes, they die, Yes they don’t last… but I think that is part of their charm. Life is short, bad things happen, we might as well enjoy it while we have it right? The same can be said for relationships…. Although we like them to last a long time, the fact is that nothing lasts forever and, just because it is short lived, doesn’t give it less value.
Flowers remind me of this… they remind me that beauty changes and that time keeps moving. They make me value the past and take joy in the present.
Yeah I know, that’s a lot from dead plants. Shh.
The Maifan-San has given me flowers a few times during our time together. Each time was special, each time was perfect, each time I was reminded of how special he is.
The first time I cried.
We had made plans for the weekend but then he had to go out of town for work and thus our plans were broken. The thing was that he didn’t “seem” all that upset about having to break our date. Also, we weren’t exclusive as of yet and there was a part of me, a rather large part, that wondered if he was just loosing interest.
I decided to not sit around and sulk, so I lined up two dates, fully anticipating a busy day. That morning I got up and was looking over my notes while getting ready for Date 1 (yes I take notes... when you are dating multiple people, it just makes logistical sense to have a cheat sheet of who has a cat versus who is allergic to cats etc) and it hit me. I didn't want to be dating anyone else. I just wanted theThe Maifan-San
Then the flowers were delivered. The card wasn't mushy, just a "thought you mike like these" and when I called him, he told me he felt bad about having to cancel our date and that he missed me.
Magic words.
I canceled the other dates and spent the day with my girlfriend alternating between giggling and daydreaming about The Maifan-San
Over the years he has brought me flowers to cheer me up when I was having a really horrible day....
... to celebrate Valentines Day....
.... and last weekend, "just because.”
Because why? Is it because I bake yummy cookies for him and occasionally send him naughty photos? Is it because he knows that these simple things melt my heart and make me go all mushy inside? Maybe it’s a combination...
Either way, I have these photos as part of my screen saver and they never cease to make me happy.
And make me go awwwwwwww.
Have a great weekend!
Warning: This post contains explicitly cute photos and an overall sugary sweet coating. People with a low tolerance for sweet or adorable might do well to read the following with a healthy helping of lemon wedges at the ready.
It’s Friday and I have decided that what the world needs (or at least those of you who stop by here every now and then) is a heaping happy dose of Things That Make You Go Awwwww….
First off we have the photos of my newest niece… Bitty B joined her sister O in the world last week and has already charmed her itty bitty way into our hearts. Like heart burn… but more fun.
Ok, if human babies aren’t your thing, here are a few classically cute animals!
The video is dedicated to Stacy and her pug Hurley.
And lastly, a sweet story from your’s truly.
I love getting flowers. Yes, they die, Yes they don’t last… but I think that is part of their charm. Life is short, bad things happen, we might as well enjoy it while we have it right? The same can be said for relationships…. Although we like them to last a long time, the fact is that nothing lasts forever and, just because it is short lived, doesn’t give it less value.
Flowers remind me of this… they remind me that beauty changes and that time keeps moving. They make me value the past and take joy in the present.
Yeah I know, that’s a lot from dead plants. Shh.
The Maifan-San has given me flowers a few times during our time together. Each time was special, each time was perfect, each time I was reminded of how special he is.
The first time I cried.
We had made plans for the weekend but then he had to go out of town for work and thus our plans were broken. The thing was that he didn’t “seem” all that upset about having to break our date. Also, we weren’t exclusive as of yet and there was a part of me, a rather large part, that wondered if he was just loosing interest.
I decided to not sit around and sulk, so I lined up two dates, fully anticipating a busy day. That morning I got up and was looking over my notes while getting ready for Date 1 (yes I take notes... when you are dating multiple people, it just makes logistical sense to have a cheat sheet of who has a cat versus who is allergic to cats etc) and it hit me. I didn't want to be dating anyone else. I just wanted theThe Maifan-San
Then the flowers were delivered. The card wasn't mushy, just a "thought you mike like these" and when I called him, he told me he felt bad about having to cancel our date and that he missed me.
Magic words.
I canceled the other dates and spent the day with my girlfriend alternating between giggling and daydreaming about The Maifan-San
Over the years he has brought me flowers to cheer me up when I was having a really horrible day....
... to celebrate Valentines Day....
.... and last weekend, "just because.”
Because why? Is it because I bake yummy cookies for him and occasionally send him naughty photos? Is it because he knows that these simple things melt my heart and make me go all mushy inside? Maybe it’s a combination...
Either way, I have these photos as part of my screen saver and they never cease to make me happy.
And make me go awwwwwwww.
Have a great weekend!
The Abuse of Man
Here’s a story that is severely disturbing.
A 32 year old Russian woman has been arrested by Russian police in connection with the drugging and rape of 10 men.
Apparently she would invite them back to her place, drug them, utilize a rope (or rubber band depending on the source) to keep their penis’ hard, and rape them. The men would wake up at the hospital with signs of sexual assault and the narcotic still in their systems.
The woman in question Valarie K. had a fascination with spiders and horror movies which might explain her horrible proclivity to do such a thing.
Most disturbing of all though, one of the victims refused to file a police report saying that he “likes hot women.”
And that last bit is truly sick. Now, I’m not saying that people shouldn’t be free to enjoy kinky sex… and I understand the draw of some S and M, sure. But his attitude makes me think that he isn’t dealing with the fact that he was sexually abused.
Because lets be honest, he was. Even if he was planning on having consensual sex with her when he went back to her apartment, the fact is that she drugged him and used him… without his permission.
Rape is rape no matter the genders or previous intentions involved.
What makes me mad is that there is a pervasive attitude that women can’t rape men
because of biology (if he’s hard, he’s into it)
because of the power structure (how could she overpower him?)
because of the misogynistic attitude (all men want sex, can’t rape the willing)
And all three arguments are false false false
The fight to bring the female to male domestic abuse stories to light is an uphill battle. I personally know of a (very sweet) guy who was abused by his girlfriend and has trouble being accepted in domestic abuse support circles because of his gender. His problem isn’t totally unique and the problem is only exacerbated by macho idiots that refuse to admit to being victimized.
Dear Russian Man Who Won’t Admit to Being Raped,
I understand your reluctance to admit that you were powerless, helpless, and taken advantage of. Ask any other rape victim and they will tell you they felt the same way.
All I can tell you is that your lack of acceptance doesn’t make you more of a man; it makes you less of one.
Just because you were victimized, doesn’t mean you are a victim.
I hope you find the strength to deal with what happened to you.
-A Survivor
A 32 year old Russian woman has been arrested by Russian police in connection with the drugging and rape of 10 men.
Apparently she would invite them back to her place, drug them, utilize a rope (or rubber band depending on the source) to keep their penis’ hard, and rape them. The men would wake up at the hospital with signs of sexual assault and the narcotic still in their systems.
The woman in question Valarie K. had a fascination with spiders and horror movies which might explain her horrible proclivity to do such a thing.
Most disturbing of all though, one of the victims refused to file a police report saying that he “likes hot women.”
And that last bit is truly sick. Now, I’m not saying that people shouldn’t be free to enjoy kinky sex… and I understand the draw of some S and M, sure. But his attitude makes me think that he isn’t dealing with the fact that he was sexually abused.
Because lets be honest, he was. Even if he was planning on having consensual sex with her when he went back to her apartment, the fact is that she drugged him and used him… without his permission.
Rape is rape no matter the genders or previous intentions involved.
What makes me mad is that there is a pervasive attitude that women can’t rape men
because of biology (if he’s hard, he’s into it)
because of the power structure (how could she overpower him?)
because of the misogynistic attitude (all men want sex, can’t rape the willing)
And all three arguments are false false false
The fight to bring the female to male domestic abuse stories to light is an uphill battle. I personally know of a (very sweet) guy who was abused by his girlfriend and has trouble being accepted in domestic abuse support circles because of his gender. His problem isn’t totally unique and the problem is only exacerbated by macho idiots that refuse to admit to being victimized.
Dear Russian Man Who Won’t Admit to Being Raped,
I understand your reluctance to admit that you were powerless, helpless, and taken advantage of. Ask any other rape victim and they will tell you they felt the same way.
All I can tell you is that your lack of acceptance doesn’t make you more of a man; it makes you less of one.
Just because you were victimized, doesn’t mean you are a victim.
I hope you find the strength to deal with what happened to you.
-A Survivor
Mass Sues Over DOMA
Massachusetts, I love you.
Today the STATE of Mass (not a random couple, but the actual state) filed to sue the US Government over DOMA (The Defense of Marriage Act: refuses same sex couples federal benefits and allows states to not recognize legal same sex marriage preformed in other states.)
A CA couple filed a similar suit a while ago and the Obama Administration said it should be dismissed.
But this is a state, STATE suing the federal government because DOMA “interferes with the right of Massachusetts to define and regulate marriage as it sees fit”
Once again, I love you Massachusetts!
Read more here
In other not so good news, Maine's same sex couples have a battle ahead of them.
Novemebr Ballot.
Buttonwillow
The Maifan-San aka The Man (aka Anthroslug: boyfriend extraordinaire) is currently on assignment in Buttonwillow… where they keep finding odd things out in the desert.
And now thanks to the miracle of the internet I know more about Buttonwillow than I probably ever needed to know
First off, Buttonwillow is the name of an American town… and yet Microsoft Word wants me to correct it to Button Willow
Secondly, buttonwillow is actually the name of a plant… a variant of the buttonbush. (“buttonbush” by the way is perfectly acceptable to MSWord.)
Here’s the fun part… the town was originally named Buena Vista (1895) but soon changed its name because of a popular meeting spot/landmark (future placement of the town’s first post office). That spot was the site of a buttonbush that was mistaken for a buttonwillow. I doubt the Yokut Indians (original settlers of the area) had any such confusion, but whatever.
The original spot is now considered a historical Landmark (No. 492) Oddly named the Buttonwillow Tree even though it is a bush, very clearly a bush) but it is the Buttonwillow Racetrack that seems to get all the attention in the town.
Here’s a photo of the buttonwillow
Apparently the foliage turns silver in the fall and the flowers are white… which sounds sort of pretty. Call me selfish but I hope that the Maifan-San isn’t in Buttonwillow long enough to see the silver foliage.
And this concludes your random bit of learning for the day.
And now thanks to the miracle of the internet I know more about Buttonwillow than I probably ever needed to know
First off, Buttonwillow is the name of an American town… and yet Microsoft Word wants me to correct it to Button Willow
Secondly, buttonwillow is actually the name of a plant… a variant of the buttonbush. (“buttonbush” by the way is perfectly acceptable to MSWord.)
Here’s the fun part… the town was originally named Buena Vista (1895) but soon changed its name because of a popular meeting spot/landmark (future placement of the town’s first post office). That spot was the site of a buttonbush that was mistaken for a buttonwillow. I doubt the Yokut Indians (original settlers of the area) had any such confusion, but whatever.
The original spot is now considered a historical Landmark (No. 492) Oddly named the Buttonwillow Tree even though it is a bush, very clearly a bush) but it is the Buttonwillow Racetrack that seems to get all the attention in the town.
Here’s a photo of the buttonwillow
Apparently the foliage turns silver in the fall and the flowers are white… which sounds sort of pretty. Call me selfish but I hope that the Maifan-San isn’t in Buttonwillow long enough to see the silver foliage.
And this concludes your random bit of learning for the day.
Sarah Palin and The Porn Star
"Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time to build up. And there is such a need to build up and fight for our state and our country, and I choose to fight for it," [Sarah] Palin said.
And then she resigned.
Apparently fulfilling the term of office she had been elected into wouldn’t have been productive or wise.
Just when you think she can’t get any crazier….. I mean, honestly. If she wants to run in 2012 for president (lord have mercy) shouldn’t she work on procuring an image of “able to do the job”?
There are a variety of excuses/reasons/justifications for her resignation… ranging from she didn’t like all the mean mean media people, she didn’t enjoy being a lame duck, she is a foil of distraction for people like Sanford and Romney, the sky was a particularly fine shade of blue one morning….
Who cares! Let her go…. It might be a foolish wish, but I, for one, am praying to the great spaghetti monster in the sky that she goes away for good. I don’t think she is doing the Republican party any favors.
In more interesting news….
A Porn star might be running for Senate in Louisiana. Shouldn't be that big of a deal... we have had actors, wrestlers, body builders, and comedians ascend the political ladder... why not porn stars?
At least she will be honest about her sex life.
And I bet she's pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, and maybe even anti Sarah Palin.
She's got my vote.
News and Notes
Happy Monday! Happy July! Happy back from a long weekend or a holiday weekend or still enjoying the time off…
I had a great weekend, full of family and friends. I also had one of those mental moments of “what am I doing with my life?” but I got over it.
Just a few notes this morning to help you ease your way into the week….
A film remake of TJ Hooker...and like the newest Star Trek, this franchise reboot won’t be including William Shatner.
Speaking of Sci-Fi… a sequel to TRON:
And if that isn’t enough Sci Fi Geek news for you, from Gamastura: After years of decreasing support for its older titles, LucasArts today announced it will be releasing through Steam ten of its games across numerous genres, franchises, and developers. Included amongst the planned digital releases for July 8 are original adventure games Loom and The Dig, as well as numerous Indiana Jones and Star Wars titles. More Here
Ok, enough about pretend science… what about real science? Well we have the Updated Stem Cell Research Rules
And lastly, where science sensationalist meets skeptical analysis. Be wary of what the headlines say, here's why:
Enjoy your Monday!
I had a great weekend, full of family and friends. I also had one of those mental moments of “what am I doing with my life?” but I got over it.
Just a few notes this morning to help you ease your way into the week….
A film remake of TJ Hooker...and like the newest Star Trek, this franchise reboot won’t be including William Shatner.
Speaking of Sci-Fi… a sequel to TRON:
And if that isn’t enough Sci Fi Geek news for you, from Gamastura: After years of decreasing support for its older titles, LucasArts today announced it will be releasing through Steam ten of its games across numerous genres, franchises, and developers. Included amongst the planned digital releases for July 8 are original adventure games Loom and The Dig, as well as numerous Indiana Jones and Star Wars titles. More Here
Ok, enough about pretend science… what about real science? Well we have the Updated Stem Cell Research Rules
And lastly, where science sensationalist meets skeptical analysis. Be wary of what the headlines say, here's why:
Enjoy your Monday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
