Mid-life crises arriving early this year

I think I'm having a mid-life crisis.

I've heard these things tend to happen after you've had kids and are in your 40's or even as late as your 50's, but mathematically I'd suggest that's a bit of a reach for 'mid-life'. People don't usually live to be 80 or 90. In fact, the data I checked suggests that men live to around 75, which is almost exactly half as old as I am now. Moreover, I think if you're going to have this kind of 'crisis' you should do it as young as possible. Time's a wasting, so I'm getting a head start on mine. I'm proactive like that.

Photo is the crack swine-flu outbreak team. They've got scooters. And masks. I used it b/c while the swine flu paranoia has finally abated (after infecting ~0.00002% of the world's population - I barely missed it) I've got some kind of awesome cold/fever/congestion. Fun!

In other news, this is cool.

Let's talk graphic design

Today we're all about signage. So much good stuff to learn. Did you know the ampersand has been around for over 2,000 years? That makes it older than many of the letters we use in English. The number 7 must be an awesome roommate, sharing space for all that time.

I wish I could get my hands on the Unimark Guide, aka the New York City Transit Authority Graphics Standards Manual. Somebody put a bunch of images on flickr, but it's just enough to whet your appetite. Can't believe this thing came out in 1970. Can you imagine how shit it would be if they did it from scratch today? It would probably be sponsored by Coca-Cola and Budweiser, designed by the same all-things-to-all-people geniuses that made the London 2012 logo.

The manual is interesting in that it not only defines the style and format of all the signage, but also correct placement, types of signs, directories, etc. When you consider the number and types of people that use this information successfully every day this standards manual is an extraordinary achievement. If you're into that. Which you probably aren't.

This is good too, in a different way.

BMX videos galore

Why not more BMX sweetness?


I like the other one better but there's room on this space for flatland riders too.

Also this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ywu1DeqXTg4

I esp. liked this comment from intrepid viewer "Pewpewsplat":

Iron man [fictional character, exists only in the imagination] would fuck Bruce Lee [real person, legitimate badass] up... bad.. other then that it's an amazing video.

And that's everything you need to know about the internet right there: Someone from the land of make-believe is said to be able to "fuck up" someone from the real world.

Shocking news you will never believe

Apparently you don't lose most of your body heat from your head. I looked for the original source for more information but I couldn't find it. And the British Medical Journal probably doesn't have it available for free anyway.
Edit: Here's the same info in an easier-to-parse format, courtesy the BBC.

Other myths debunked:

• There is a cure for your hangover. In fact, the only cure is not to drink to excess. A ha.
  
• Sugar makes children hyperactive. Turns out that people rate their children's behavior as hyperactive after they've had some sugar, even when they hadn't.
• Snacking at night makes you fat. Apparently it depends on what you eat, and how much, and how much exercise you get.
• The bracts (red leaves) of the poinsettia plant are poisonous, and suicides rise during the holidays. Both are myths, but I had a hard time believing suicide one. I'm guessing their data is at least reasonable for it to be published.
  

And here's a link dump of 100 top sites for 2008. The Guardian only does a list every other year, so it's worth including here.

(image courtesy icanhascheezeburger.com - it has nothing to do with the post but I thought it was funny.)

Jesus has an official position on the issues

I drove by a bunch of Yes on 8 folks at a busy intersection yesterday. I thought honking the horn might be misinterpreted as a show of support.

In order to learn what all the fuss is about I decided to visit their official website for reasons why to vote "yes on 8". (Full disclosure: I filled out my ballot a week ago motherfucker! Obama/Biden in 08 fo' life!)

Here is their commentary in it's entirety (straight from their website), along with my rebuttals. Because I'm like that.

Proposition 8 is simple and straightforward. It contains the same 14 words that were previously approved in 2000 by over 61% of California voters: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

Okay so far. I don't see the why yet, but we'll get there. If your argument is that "the people" chose thus it is good then you're not off to a very good start. The People also chose to segregate (and lynch) blacks, intern the Japanese, and shoot Indians (among quite a lot else). Hell, they set OJ free. So let's not hang our arguments on The People.

Because four activist judges in San Francisco wrongly overturned the people’s vote, we need to pass this measure as a constitutional amendment to RESTORE THE DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE as a man and a woman.

Right and wrong are a matter of opinion in this matter, but still: why do we need to "restore" the definition of marriage? If the definition is not "restored", what happens? And why do you care so much?

Proposition 8 is about preserving marriage; it’s not an attack on the gay lifestyle. Proposition 8 doesn’t take away any rights or benefits of gay or lesbian domestic partnerships. Under California law, “domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits” as married spouses. (Family Code § 297.5.) There are NO exceptions. Proposition 8 WILL NOT change this.

That is good. What's the point then? And what is your motivation?

YES on Proposition 8 does three simple things:

It restores the definition of marriage to what the vast majority of California voters already approved and human history has understood marriage to be.

See prev. arguments re: 'the people'. Because a lot of people think something does not make it true. Or just.

It overturns the outrageous decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people.

Still with this 'will of the people' stuff? Schools would still be segregated if we went by the 'will of the people'. Our country fought a civil war over slavery and the 'will of the people'. This argument about the 'will of the people' is useless.

It protects our children from being taught in public schools that “same-sex marriage” is the same as traditional marriage.

I can see this being an issue if you feel strongly about it, but is there really a danger of this happening? And if it does happen, can't you tell your kids something different? I mean, they're going to learn evolution in science class, but when they get home you're going to tell them that it's just a theory (which it isn't) and that the earth was created 6,000 years ago (which it quite obviously wasn't). Still don't see it.

Proposition 8 protects marriage as an essential institution of society. While death, divorce, or other circumstances may prevent the ideal, the best situation for a child is to be raised by a married mother and father.

I don't necessarily disagree, but what does that have to do with protecting marriage?

The narrow decision of the California Supreme Court isn’t just about “live and let live.” State law may require teachers to instruct children as young as kindergarteners about marriage. (Education Code § 51890.) If the gay marriage ruling is not overturned, TEACHERS COULD BE REQUIRED to teach young children there is no difference between gay marriage and traditional marriage.

If you insert the words 'not' next to your qualifiers in the above (may, could), your argument goes out the window. You're suggesting I should be afraid of the possibility of this happening? Hrmm... how likely is this type of teaching to happen?

We should not accept a court decision that may result in public schools teaching our kids that gay marriage is okay. That is an issue for parents to discuss with their children according to their own values and beliefs. It shouldn’t be forced on us against our will.

Same as above.

Some will try to tell you that Proposition 8 takes away legal rights of gay domestic partnerships. That is false. Proposition 8 DOES NOT take away any of those rights and does not interfere with gays living the lifestyle they choose.

However, while gays have the right to their private lives, they do not have the right to redefine marriage for everyone else.

CALIFORNIANS HAVE NEVER VOTED FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

Not strictly true. The original proposal passed 61/39, so 39% of the voters thought it was a bad idea. You could say that they 'voted for same sex marriage'.

If gay activists want to legalize gay marriage, they should put it on the ballot. Instead, they have gone behind the backs of voters and convinced four activist judges in San Francisco to redefine marriage for the rest of society. That is the wrong approach.

What is the right approach? It is the obligation of judges to overturn legislation that is discriminatory and/or violates our constitution. That's why you are pursuing this amendment.

Voting YES on Proposition 8 RESTORES the definition of marriage that was approved by over 61% of voters. Voting YES overturns the decision of four activist judges. Voting YES protects our children.

Protects our children from what, exactly? That they "may" be taught same sex marriage? From the evils of homosexuality? From atheists? From reason? Color me confused.

Please vote YES on Proposition 8 to RESTORE the meaning of marriage.

RON PRENTICE, President
California Family Council

ROSEMARIE "ROSIE" AVILA, Governing Board Member
Santa Ana Unified School District

BISHOP GEORGE McKINNEY, Director
Coalition of African American Pastors

You guys have a regular rainbow coalition over there. Cute.

I remain unconvinced. The main arguments for this position are religious, but there is nothing religious in this manifesto. That's plain weird. Special bonus: I googled 'California Family Council'. I guess they're more than a little bit shady. Good at making money, though.

The religious angst over gay marriage and prop 8 is outlined in gloriously overwrought prose over at thecall.com. Here's a link. It's either inspiring or inspiringly funny, depending on your point of view. I thought it was hilarious bible-thumping craziness.