gdp's Comments

Crasstalk : A Male View on Wedding Planning

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:20:33 +0000

Don't let it. I told about five people to meet me at the park, made sure my most whimsical friend was a mail-order minister, bought forty dollars worth of flowers at Trader Joe's, and found a twenty dollar dress at Target the morning of. It was gorgeous. There's no reason, in my mind, to make a "happy" day stressful because of others' expectations. Sorry, I just don't think that's what the day is about. Today's my first anniversary! <img src=”ht<img src=&rdquo ;http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=408481446338&set=t.1104751255&type=1&theater” />” /> Pretty sure my pic won't work...

Crasstalk : A Male View on Wedding Planning

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:51:57 +0000

Don't let it. I told about five people to meet me at the park, made sure my most magical/whimsical friend was a mail-order minister (she was), and ran by Trader Joe's for 40 dollars worth of flowers and Target for a 20 dollar dress the morning of. It was beautiful, truly. We got a fire going later, someone made a cake, we all got wasted and at one point I yelled for people to make drunk speeches. Today's my first anniversary! Anyway, do what you want. I never understood stressful "happy" events. Fuck that.

Crasstalk : Fat to Fit: My guide to Gastric Bypass (Part 2)

Mon, 16 May 2011 21:17:43 +0000

I can't wait. It's really great to put this out there, and thank you! It's brave and you find out you're not so freakish or alone. And you're not. Much good luck to you.

Crasstalk : City Guide: San Francisco

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:38:02 +0000

Awesome post! I would add, in the Mission: -Velvet Cantina around 22nd/Valencia for dark red corners and creative Mex appetizers and killer Margaritas -Taqueria Cancun for the best tacos in town -Shotwell's at 20th and Shotwell for the sweetest bartenders and some thoughtful brews and a wonderful jukebox and warm, smart people -Philz Coffee at 24th and something for handmade creamy magical coffee -and Dolores Park--especially for free films, sunny days, city views, and elopements.

Crasstalk : The Atheist Affirmation

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 02:55:07 +0000

Good response. Something similar happened to me a few days ago--I was having the world's worst bus adventure to work and in response to the various banshee-style screamfests going on around me I said aloud, rather randomly, "Ugh, the bus is already hell on earth, I mean..." And the normal-seeming woman next to me suddenly lights up and says, "Actually this isn't like hell. Hell is very different. Tell me, have you been saved?" I'm like, "Huh?" And she's like, "Have you accepted Jesus." I shook my head and didn't know what to say; she implored me to please, please think very hard about it. Well, no...but that wasn't the part that got me. She didn't anger me. It's just that it's so damn strange and so out of context. For these people, I guess every moment exists within the Jesus context. But for those who don't reside in that particular construct, it's a complete non sequitur and an entirely insane notion to introduce. We are, actually, just riding a bus, and suddenly someone is politely mentioning the potential for my immortal soul to burn in a fiery dungeon for all eternity? ODD.

Crasstalk : Tuesday Evening Open Post

Wed, 2 Mar 2011 00:54:44 +0000

No yeah, she's classically gorgeous. Exquisite. I can't hate me some Winona. Now that sounds bad, as if it's because she's beautiful that I forgive her everything. Which means I'm part of the problem. But damn, it must somehow be okay just to awe at something so pretty.

Crasstalk : Saturday Night Scary Movie Open Thread

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:19:34 +0000

We're GOING to get through this. *astral plane hug*

Crasstalk : Saturday Night Scary Movie Open Thread

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 18:55:59 +0000

It's...it's too late. I was charging through it on the theory that reading over the plot now might neutralize my irrational childish imprint-o'-terror, but I was wrong. It only awakened memories of other scenes, like the guy's eyes burning out from the scarecrow disguise before they shoot him a million times and he doesn't understand anything except fear and he's innocent and ohhhhhhhhh. But you know, I kept going, and I started reading reviews, and then comments on reviews, and it turns out there's a whole generation of people traumatized at young ages by this thing. We are not alone. Not alone, like for instance in a silo, slowly suffocating in abject claustrophobic horror. Gahhhhsob.

Crasstalk : Saturday Night Scary Movie Open Thread

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:59:00 +0000

OH MY GOD. I could have written your comment; totally eerie. Same experience, about 7 years old, same scene seared into my brain. No idea what that movie was, never heard of it again. Still haunts me. Do you remember how when he was finally drowned in corn, there was just the glove on top of all the grain? How dusty it was in the silo? Oh jesus I'm going to be thinking about this as I go to sleep tonight. But I am slightly comforted that I am no longer alone with the scarecrow corn drowned man. Maybe? Ughhhh.

Crasstalk : I can't believe we still have to protest this crap

Sat, 26 Feb 2011 19:23:50 +0000

Super-agree. Had to come in here just to say how well- and elegantly-written and structured this article is, not to mention how packed with usefulness. Incredible job, thank you!

Crasstalk : Crasstalk Evening News Round Up

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:43:30 +0000

Um, sorry to post this here, but after I got my avatar in order I was no longer allowed into the evening open thread! ("Bad Request," about twenty times) Also tried to PM you but don't see that function. So this is to say thank you for solving my avatar problem, and with all my heart I hope to be readmitted to the thread, har.

Crasstalk : Tuesday Evening Open Thread Thingamajig

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:20:31 +0000

1) Antonia's Line 2) Raising Arizona 3) Eternal Sunshine If you guys haven't seen Antonia's Line, do check it.

Crasstalk : Tuesday Evening Open Thread Thingamajig

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:03:26 +0000

Preemptive apology for dumb, but...I can't seem to upload an avatar through ID. Every damn time I try, I get shunted to a page that says Fuck Off (actually just says "request could not be completed"). Anyone Bueller? Is it me? I want to be colorful.

Crasstalk : Boom Bye Bye: Buju guilty!

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 01:54:06 +0000

Can't reply, overcome by the perfection of that. GLENN IS RALPHIE.

Crasstalk : Boom Bye Bye: Buju guilty!

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 01:51:00 +0000

Fair! I'm just personally a bit vague on the location of the line. Shades of awfulness...if I were as vigilant as I kind of theoretically want to be, I'd be stuck in a darkened box with no flatware or shampoo or films or songs. No personal stake in Buju; I don't like that kind of reggae music. His bombast reminds me of closeted Republicans. There'd be no reason to make such an overt and aggressive statement if you didn't have some...personal stuff to come to terms with. But yeah, I'll give you that his enthusiasm for bashing gays is a thing apart.

Crasstalk : Boom Bye Bye: Buju guilty!

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 01:22:06 +0000

Yeah. But that launches us right into that fresh and exciting argument over whether you're allowed to like an artist's work even when that artist is a colossal douche. I'm watching Chinatown tonight; whatchoo doing?

Crasstalk : It's Getting Harder to Ignore the Violence in Mexico - Because It's Right At My Door

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:17:12 +0000

I have spent a great deal of time in Zipo, less in Mazunte. Last visit was for about 4 months, and although I feel like I know the community fairly well and had support around me, I still started to become afraid on a basic level toward the end of that last stay. There seemed to be a point when I had stayed too long, and whatever "just passing through" mojo had dissipated but the "accept me as a local" mojo wouldn't come. There's such dramatic beauty, an expansive quality, to that area, but it is very clearly intersected by a menacing energy. The surf itself, which took at least three people when I was there last, the remoteness which allows small health issues to become powerfully dangerous, and certain longterm residents who have basically lost it and aren't really safe to be around. I left when I was threatened seriously--not in response to anything I had done but just because someone was bored and decided to terrorize me. After I left, my best friend there died from a simple infection at 50; they just couldn't get him to the hospital. It is like some lost island, lord of the flies-type shit, so ethereally beautiful, but prickly, changeable, fundamentally wild. That area of Oaxaca feels to me like a love of one's life that you had to leave to save yourself. I really ache for it, but I don't know if I can go back. Thanks for mentioning it and letting me share.