Oh, dear… Rufus is an angel. He was perfect. Charming, funny, amazing. Stunning.

I almost cried during “Sanssouci” (why?) … I probably should have let myself, but I didn’t want to miss a note of his beautiful voice.

Ahh…

I saw this over at Shakesville and felt it necessary to repost. The message is clear and simple.

The poster is part of a campaign by Stonewall in the UK designed to help stop homophobic bullying in schools. A Scottish actor supporting the organization (who I don’t know because I barely watch TV) added: “Be bold. Be brave. Be a buddy not a bully.” That short, sweet message applies to everything.

I’m going to be a buddy to Rufus Wainwright tomorrow night in NYC.

“Women get jewelry. Men get laid. Happy Valentine’s Day.” - Melissa McEwan at Shakesville, a lovely quote which sums up all the silliness surrounding this stupid holiday. The video linked over there, showing men using jewelry to “hypnotize” women into (apparently) having sex with them, is a perfect example of human idiocy. I think I’ve already said as much as I need to about this before. Just love and be happy.

In other silly news, I have been getting a few emails and messages about Wikipedia’s Muhammad article having illustrations. So what? This shouldn’t even be an issue. Wikipedia is not trying to destroy Islam or defame the prophet. I support Wikipedia’s editors in their display of these images and all other images which expand human knowledge.

So, apparently, I:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the 5th Sentence.

4. Post the next 3 sentences.

5. Tag 5 people.

The book is “The Defense is Ready” by Leslie Abramson, a book given to me by my dear grandma, who always passes along the most interesting books. The chapter is “Baby Killers” :-p

Especially when you’ve been through hours of labor by yourself. It might have been a persuasive defense.

In any event, I didn’t have to get to that if I could prove that she never killed the baby because you can’t kill a person who was never alive.

I wonder about this meme; the wording is so poor. Why do I need to “find” the fifth sentence? If one wants the respondents to post sentences 6-8, just say so.

I don’t even know 5 people, so this chain is now officially broken.

A conference to network, discuss and share ideas about issues confronting Muslims. http://www.hereticmuslims.com/

Yes, indeed. It will rock. [Edit: IT ROCKED. HARD.]

Another thing that rocks is getting back my glasses that I left halfway across the country over a year ago. They are amazing. I missed them so much.

Although Donna Karan is an idiotic bitch for continuing to use fur in her designs… damn it.

I recently got myself a “job” on Second Life, for whatever reason. I found it while browsing the SL Classifieds one day and Googling the name of the company. It turned out to be a great project to be a part of; it’s much more than a job, it’s a performance.

The project/job is called Double Happiness Manufacturing, also known as “Invisible Threads: Sweatshop Jean Factory in Second Life“.

The project uses “virtual” workers to produce a real-world product. As I understand it, there is a computer and printer set up at a real-world location and customers give the order through the computer to the workers in the factory. We, as workers, select options (one person per machine per option) that the customer desires and send the virtual product to the printer, which prints the result on a fabric, where it is assembled and given to the customer to wear.

As an added bonus, this installation of Invisible Threads in which I’m taking part is set up at the Sundance Film Festival! While we work, there is an audio and video stream from the RL installation to our factory so we can see and hear the customers. During our job hours this evening, Robert Redford himself observed our process and said he liked our exhibit. Amazing!

Some videos: Double Happiness Demo, Double Happiness Factory Tour

Bit of odd news from Germany, Mustafa Akyol shares a new poster being circulated: Sexual Abuse Alla Turca.

Anything that says “Republikanische Jugend” (Republican Youth) can’t be good. Their website says the ad is an “anti-mosque” campaign… Sweet.

(I’m wondering about the translation of the phrase in the poster. Mustafa translates as “don’t abuse me” but I understand it as “don’t mess/flirt/fool around with me” from it. It’s literally “make me not on”. Given the circumstances he talks about between Germans and immigrants, I understand how “abuse me” fits. Either way, I think it expresses a nationalist/racist/anti-Muslim/protect the pretty Weiße Mädchen attitude.)

Just helping to pass around this awesome video and site.

The Story of Stuff!!!

If you’re feeling negative after watching the video, make sure to see “Another Way” 10 Little and Big things you can do help.

BIG THANKS TO Thoughts of a Hijaabi.