Update for Everyone III - The Whinge Binge

[Antonio the Sixth]

For the record, the class I got today was Statistical Methods I, and it looks like it's mostly going to be a Math class on probabilities. Can't say I'm enthusiastic at the prospect, but it might be helpful in the long run.

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

Also I'm growing disenchanted with certain aspects of trans/queer Discourse and I'm not sure what to do about this.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

I'm super excited about Bob Dylan's announcement today.

[Tender Branson]

Currently I'm stuck right in the middle of a huge traffic jam.

5 miles of cars in front of me and 5 behind me ...

[afleitch]

Also I'm growing disenchanted with certain aspects of trans/queer Discourse and I'm not sure what to do about this.

What specifically?

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

Also I'm growing disenchanted with certain aspects of trans/queer Discourse and I'm not sure what to do about this.

What specifically?

The language games with constantly shifting rules, partly. Mind you I'm really reluctant to be openly critical of this because most people who are openly critical of it are so as an excuse to be bigoted but it's getting exhausting to keep up with. Relatedly the idea that's developing that every conceivable facet of sexual predilection or gender expression can (or even has to) itself be an 'identity', and the ethos that the LGBT community ought to be 'inclusive' of everybody who is anything at all other than 'straight in a really narrow, specific way', rather than being a space for specific groups of people who have a specific shared history. Does that make sense?

[afleitch]

Also I'm growing disenchanted with certain aspects of trans/queer Discourse and I'm not sure what to do about this.

What specifically?

The language games with constantly shifting rules, partly. Mind you I'm really reluctant to be openly critical of this because most people who are openly critical of it are so as an excuse to be bigoted but it's getting exhausting to keep up with. Relatedly the idea that's developing that every conceivable facet of sexual predilection or gender expression can (or even has to) itself be an 'identity', and the ethos that the LGBT community ought to be 'inclusive' of everybody who is anything at all other than 'straight in a really narrow, specific way', rather than being a space for specific groups of people who have a specific shared history. Does that make sense?

It's why I prefer the term 'queer'. I'm not (that) old but I'm young enough to remember as a teen in the late 90's when there was an LGB. Mindful of my audience here, I think it was well intended but not necessary to bring into the LGB identity (as a circle within queerness if you will) trans* issues because they don't necessarily sit together. They are 'other' and suffer from being 'other' but to quote a 70 year old gay friend of mine 'they tried to fix us (emphasis on the 'us') in the 50's and we fought back but now they ask to be fixed'. I can see the angle he's coming from here. Bringing in notions of the need to change and conform into the LGB sphere doesn't sit well with those who have a different sense of themselves.

Which is why I think that different identities that are not (to be wonderfully crude) 'man with penis, who loves his penis, only screws and or loves woman with vagina' are queer identities but they are not necessarily LGB...T identities.

In terms of identities for, I would say to someone call me what you want, being okay with it is more important than what you're calling me. LGBT is now often deployed as a legitimate moniker within conservative social and religious circles but on the basis that they are not okay with it and that for me means that it is in danger of not meaning anything.

A looser association for example also extends to the understanding that queer issues and rights are historically linked with women's rights and feminism and even with minority rights. They were born from the same movement, the same countenance.

[muon2]

For the record, the class I got today was Statistical Methods I, and it looks like it's mostly going to be a Math class on probabilities. Can't say I'm enthusiastic at the prospect, but it might be helpful in the long run.

I don't know what all they will cover in your course, but statistical methods have continued to gain in importance in all fields with the prevalence of cheap computing and data storage. I suspect that you are correct in surmising that it will be helpful in the long run.

[Classic Conservative]

I've been elected President of my schools Student Council.

[Marokai Backbeat]

One of my molars has busted open in the process of eating cereal, somehow. I'm stuck with it until the beginning of the week before I can really do anything about it.

The inside of a tooth is gross, you guys.

[Antonio the Sixth]

For the record, the class I got today was Statistical Methods I, and it looks like it's mostly going to be a Math class on probabilities. Can't say I'm enthusiastic at the prospect, but it might be helpful in the long run.

I don't know what all they will cover in your course, but statistical methods have continued to gain in importance in all fields with the prevalence of cheap computing and data storage. I suspect that you are correct in surmising that it will be helpful in the long run.

That's for sure! I've already had several classes in statistical methods (one each semester since I started my Masters at Sciences Po). It's just that those classes were more practical in the sense that they focused on how to actually perform data analyses, rather than on the math behind them. The current one, on the other hand, seems to be pure math.

[Antonio the Sixth]

One of my molars has busted open in the process of eating cereal, somehow. I'm stuck with it until the beginning of the week before I can really do anything about it.

The inside of a tooth is gross, you guys.

Ugh, that sounds horrible...

Isn't there an emergency room or some other place you can go to get at least basic treatment immediately?? I know the US healthcare system sucks, but this is insane.

[Marokai Backbeat]

One of my molars has busted open in the process of eating cereal, somehow. I'm stuck with it until the beginning of the week before I can really do anything about it.

The inside of a tooth is gross, you guys.

Ugh, that sounds horrible...

Isn't there an emergency room or some other place you can go to get at least basic treatment immediately?? I know the US healthcare system sucks, but this is insane.

They'd probably just give me painkillers and tell me to find a dentist.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Breaking a tooth on a Friday evening is bad, but unless you live way out in the boondocks, Marokai, you should be able to find a dentist that does Saturday emergencies, tho they might be pricier than your regular dentist.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

So I had wayyyyyy to much to drink tonight. The most I've ever had, in fact.

[Antonio the Sixth]

So I had wayyyyyy to much to drink tonight. The most I've ever had, in fact.

Not trying to jinx, but make sure you have something to puke when you wake during the night. I had a pretty embarrassing experience on New Year's Eve (and yes, I had taken much more than two glasses ).

[Simfan34]

Also I'm growing disenchanted with certain aspects of trans/queer Discourse and I'm not sure what to do about this.

What specifically?

The language games with constantly shifting rules, partly. Mind you I'm really reluctant to be openly critical of this because most people who are openly critical of it are so as an excuse to be bigoted but it's getting exhausting to keep up with. Relatedly the idea that's developing that every conceivable facet of sexual predilection or gender expression can (or even has to) itself be an 'identity', and the ethos that the LGBT community ought to be 'inclusive' of everybody who is anything at all other than 'straight in a really narrow, specific way', rather than being a space for specific groups of people who have a specific shared history. Does that make sense?

It's why I prefer the term 'queer'. I'm not (that) old but I'm young enough to remember as a teen in the late 90's when there was an LGB. Mindful of my audience here, I think it was well intended but not necessary to bring into the LGB identity (as a circle within queerness if you will) trans* issues because they don't necessarily sit together. They are 'other' and suffer from being 'other' but to quote a 70 year old gay friend of mine 'they tried to fix us (emphasis on the 'us') in the 50's and we fought back but now they ask to be fixed'. I can see the angle he's coming from here. Bringing in notions of the need to change and conform into the LGB sphere doesn't sit well with those who have a different sense of themselves.

Which is why I think that different identities that are not (to be wonderfully crude) 'man with penis, who loves his penis, only screws and or loves woman with vagina' are queer identities but they are not necessarily LGB...T identities.

In terms of identities for, I would say to someone call me what you want, being okay with it is more important than what you're calling me. LGBT is now often deployed as a legitimate moniker within conservative social and religious circles but on the basis that they are not okay with it and that for me means that it is in danger of not meaning anything.

A looser association for example also extends to the understanding that queer issues and rights are historically linked with women's rights and feminism and even with minority rights. They were born from the same movement, the same countenance.

I appreciate that someone finds this a salient distinction.

[DavidB.]

I've been elected President of my schools Student Council.

Mazal tov!

[traininthedistance]

One of my molars has busted open in the process of eating cereal, somehow. I'm stuck with it until the beginning of the week before I can really do anything about it.

The inside of a tooth is gross, you guys.

Ugh, that sounds horrible...

Isn't there an emergency room or some other place you can go to get at least basic treatment immediately?? I know the US healthcare system sucks, but this is insane.

One of the most fun facts about the US healthcare system is that dental work is never covered by regular health insurance, and you need supplemental coverage or you pay out of pocket.  Even when it's an Actually Serious problem that can cause wider issues, not just something cosmetic.

IIRC there was a story making the rounds a couple years ago about a young single father who died from an infected tooth because he couldn't afford to fix it.

That reminds me, it's been way too long since I've seen a dentist.  Really should get on that.

[Marokai Backbeat]

For those curious I did manage to get that tooth filled and, it being a secondary molar, that's evidently good enough. My insurance doesn't cover crowns, unfortunately. I can chew once more.

[traininthedistance]

For those curious I did manage to get that tooth filled and, it being a secondary molar, that's evidently good enough. My insurance doesn't cover crowns, unfortunately. I can chew once more.

Good to hear!

[Antonio the Sixth]

For those curious I did manage to get that tooth filled and, it being a secondary molar, that's evidently good enough. My insurance doesn't cover crowns, unfortunately. I can chew once more.

Good to hear!

[Cassius]

Went to the old strip club (properly) for the first time in my life. Whilst I wasn't my cup of tea, I understand the attraction.

[DavidB.]

Went to the old strip club (properly) for the first time in my life. Whilst I wasn't my cup of tea, I understand the attraction.

I never did that and don't plan to ever do so, but some of my friends went to such a place recently - in the Amsterdam red light district, of course. One of them tried taking pictures. He got beaten up by a bouncer. I hope you didn't have such an experience

[Hash]

I've booked myself a Columbus Day (or Día de la Raza, to be local) long weekend in Bogotá - population 6.7 million - travelling alone. People here seem to think I'm somewhat crazy travelling to the big city all by myself just to visit, and I might be a bit naive, but what the hell. I can't have lived in this country for so many months without ever going to its largest city and capital.