sundries

Last night, Patty and I participated in a salon about technology and relationships at Science House. The conversation was wide-ranging, amusing, filled with very diverse perspectives and ranged from the usual "are you different online?" (me: you're different everywhere, why do we only care when it's about the damn Internet?) to the ethical issues of child-like sex robots. There was also a great deal of food and spectacular views. If, by odd chance you're coming over here from over there, hello!

Tonight? Homeness and Project Runway. Has it moved back to New York? Please tell me it's moved back to New York.

I just realized we're going to be in Chicago in 2.5 weeks.

Charges, not unexpected, filed in the murder of Steve Perry. Warning: article is gruesome for any reader and particularly unpleasant for those of you who knew the man online or off.

Because I am all about the news you can use: Michael Jackson's estate vs. Plants vs. Zombies.

The past was not in black & white: DC during WWII.

More of similar. Not just DC this time. Color photos of rural towns 1939 - 1943.

On that note, If the Blitz comes....

One more indication that our healthcare system is still fucked: Insured Americans are using fewer medical services.

Congress is rethinking the ban on Internet gambling. This is interesting, because I'm someone who enjoys casinos and also knows we need the revenue. However, I also suspect that Internet gambling is potentially addictive in ways different or additional to casino gambling, and this could be very messy if approved.

Tom Hardy of Inception has had sex with men. Personally, I'm discomforted by his remark about gay men and gender roles and entirely more interested in his thing about shoes than anything else. I love men's shoes. Not in a pervy way, damn you.

What is it with NYC and food halls lately? First there was the opening of the one at the Plaza, now there's Eataly.

On Saturday elionwyr will being doing a blogathon to benefit Live Strong.

Separate post about graduate_maria things later.

Hey, I beta'ed this fic by bethynyc. It's Where Youth and Laughter Go and is a Stargate/Torchwood crossover with a largely WWI setting. bethnyc had to deal with a lot of complexities regarding writing that time from the eyes of people not of our time and place, and that sort of thing is really hard to balance, but she did an awesome job, so you should go read it.

graduate_maria update

As you know I'm hosting an LJ auction (graduate_maria) to help raise money for my friend theotoky who has been trying to finish her degree for the entire time (about 15 years) that I've known her. She supported an abuser so he could get his degree, and I was one of many people who helped her get out of that situation. Now that Maria is totally ready, willing and able to succeed for herself, we want to make sure she can.

More information about Maria: http://rm.livejournal.com/1876873.html

As of right now the total of donations Maria has received + value of open auctions + value of closed auctions shows we've raised about $1,400 towards Maria's tuition bill. We've still got $3,600 to go.

Current auctions that have 1 or no bids: http://community.livejournal.com/graduate_maria/12911.html

Paypal address if you'd just like to send a donation directly: mariatheo74 AT gmail DOT com

My contact information if you have transparency concerns (i.e., we will try to provide you with information you need to feel comfortable): Racheline AT gmail DOT com

Thing you can really do to help: Boost the signal.

Current auctions up close at 11:59 EST July 30.

More items and a lightening round coming soon!

THANK YOU.