Fayrorness asked, "Do you consider yourself an optimist, a pessimist, or a realist?"

I don't really think it's a helpful set of labels.

I've always wondered - aren't those awfully dependent on frame of reference? I mean, suppose Cthulhu eagerly looks forward to devouring the world. Is that pessimistic or optimistic? It's a good scenario for him, but it's a bad scenario in general for the world.  And what does being a realist mean for him, anyway?  He probably has an entirely different idea about what is "normal" or "everyday" than the average human.  Does it mean he's not a realist? No; he just has different experiences. 

Cthulthu is an extreme example, but the same differences exist in experiences between humans.  If life sucks and you are surrounded by thieves and con-artists, it's probably maladaptive to be too optimistic.  If you're at the top of the world, there's probably no point in being too pessimistic.

I just realized I typically hear "off the market" or "on the market" as dating terms now and not as actual economic terms.

What does it say that my post about DearRicky got more hits than the video I posted the same day of a cop abusing his authority? Are we jaded about the abuse of power? Or are we simply more sensitive about racism than corruption?

When does "I don't think the evidence for racial motivation behind rape is as strong as you say" somehow mean, "I support rape?"

Apparently this is a logical conclusion when your name is Ricky and you have an axe to grid with all those "anti-Caucasians" who do not hail from the master race.  (Added bonus: Ricky collectively refers to white women as "our women," as if being a white male automatically entitles him to possession and dominion over all white women - and as if he shouldn't care if a woman who is not white is raped.)

Now, I don't mean to say Ricky's post has no redeeming characteristics.  It is fitting and proper that Ricky abhors rape.  It's not so great that he acts like he's accomplishing the betterment of the world with his little tirade, particularly given how his outrage is reserved only for acts against whites.  Apartheid mindset aside, we've gone over this before: for hot button issues, awareness has reached the point that we don't need more awareness.

We need action.

So Ricky, if you truly want to take it to the next level, go volunteer to help battered women.  Writing about it on the Internet is not going to change the world.  Many people have already done it before you.  And before you defend women - which is noble by itself - please examine your own motivations and ask if maybe you only do so because you think of them as "yours."

Readers: how does it make you feel when someone is okay with crimes being committed against those who are not of a certain race?  Is it acceptable for someone to be outraged only by the rape of white women?

Oh, those wacky Americans who say, "Oh, those wacky Japanese" and then use man-killing weapons to carve their food up.

The wages of sin is death, but are the wages of drama more drama?

If Jesus made a mix tape, what would it sound like?

Apologies if I've neglected my personal blog a bit.  If you were one of those who got it, you would know that I'm currently in New York on assignment.

That assignment is a geek's dream: I'm covering the New York Anime Festival.

Really, despite the image of otaku (anime fanatics) as socially stunted, unwashed cretins, there was quite a bit of sophistication in those I met.  Even some which might have turned out to be raving lunatics were in person models of intelligence and decency, if not respectability (wearing a shirt with a nearly-naked girl on it doesn't help your image, whether you're a frat boy or a nerd.)

Also, I have a hilarious story of a guy being hit on by a persistent girl and not realizing it.  I'm not sure if I should post that here, or somewhere else.

In any case, I am still in New York.  I've been twittering what I'm wearing at the start of each day.  Say hi to me if you see me!

Startlingly accurate.