Just a Little Difference

Saw a site, liked it, but when I tried to add it to my feed reader, I got a little bit of information overkill from Wordpress. Bit of an oversplash on latest service content. I fed the blog of this-new-feature, that-new-promotion. Sign up today. Oops.

That said, site put up and taken down from my list on the right, redirect your feed. Or at least label it properly. (So much for not ranting. My bad.)

One quip and I'll head to bed shortly: I wanted to thank people who stumble their way here while searching for information on no-fault attendance policies.



These are my most recent search results. I have four pages available on a log. They all look pretty close to this.

I haven't received much feedback, so my guess is that people just typed the words into a search engine to figure out what they mean. I would hope that criticizing the policy by talking candidly and honestly about it about my perceptions of it may help someone out. Maybe she didn't know what he was getting into. Maybe he doesn't care because, if economically pressed, people will weather a lot of stress and dissatisfaction for the sake of chasing an already ethereal and largely evaporated dollar. Maybe they dance along a perpetual line of suspicion about the fairness of the job. Maybe you just need that much of a reason to quit.

I don't know. You already heard my story. I'm just throwing some guesses out there.

Tonight, maybe I'll dream about being able to make a difference. You know, just sitting there as close to face-to-face as a virtual Internet connection would allow, fielding questions and responses and helping to build some understanding. People can imbue words with so much power when spoken openly and freely from the heart. I think, heroic or not, we need each other to listen to our stories. You feel dignified when you feel heard. You feel humanistic when you feel accepted.

Anne Frank once said,

"How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment; we can start now, start slowly changing the world. How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make their contribution... how we can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness."

It was the story of leaving a crap job for good reason and little incentive to be graceful about it. It was a life lesson, an experience, and a good opportunity to do some unburdening. A singular unburden in a process of continuous unburdening, coping with changes in life experiences, and transitioning as neatly as possible into the demanding challenges ahead. But we take refuge in those transitory storms, seeking shelter in our companionship -- our friends that nurture and care and our words that, in the interim, will soothe the stings.

Good night, and thanks again.

Make Up Your Mind!

Posting a rather decisive video courtesy of popURLs.com. Much courtesy and appreciation to YouTube user bravenewfilms for putting together this footage.



I'm really curious about the ways in which politicians become confronted with their rhetoric and speech content, only to stage an incessant backpedal into recovery. To his credit, McCain's admission of needing to learn more about economic policy was dated approximately three years ago. He could have learned something: Perhaps he doesn't truthfully believe in the economic value of a gasoline tax cut and knows deep down that it isn't viable, but he would rather play politician and flaunt it for the American public to latch onto. That's "straight talk," isn't it?

Dear Douggy

Daniel Chandler's article "Personal Home Pages and the Construction of Identities on the Web" has this to say about how such audiovisual content belies an ever increasing dynamism regarding how people manage their lives:

More fundamentally, however, web pages are much more dynamic than print. An oft-mentioned feature of this is that they can be linked to each other in complex ways using hypertext, in contrast to what some have seen as the linear nature of print (Snyder 1996). But perhaps most dramatically personal home pages have none of the fixity of print (I came across one British home page entitled ‘He changes his webpages more often than his underpants’! 2). The Web is a medium ideal adapted to the dynamic purposes of identity maintenance. Home pages constitute a medium which can be continually revised, making such pages closer in this sense to the provisional, informal and personal status of notes and drafts rather than to the formal and public status of published text. Text which is constantly revised seems to some writers to be part of themselves whilst that which is printed feels ‘dead’ and detached from them (Chandler 1992, 67; 1994a, 193; 1995a, 55-9, 151-5, 175-8).

So, the Web is especially good for individuals who like to change it up for their audiences. One web page's title really underscores the point: I can be whatever I want to be! And why not? Insulated within the confines of one's own browsing environment and isolated from the inherent disclosures of a face-to-face interaction, there is hardly anything policing one to be anything but who they really are.



Obviously.

In 2004, a male college student penned conservative commentary under the guise of his girlfriend an anonymous web picture. Blonde, busty, and an unashamed brand promoter for Abercrombie and Fitch, he was eventually discovered spamming publication services such as Blogdex. This created quite a stir. It opened up some ethical dialogues about being authentic and for proper services usage, sure.

Why would someone want to be fake? I can come up with a few reasons.

1. The Internet is a portable and quick means of access to dating and having sex. Embellishing a few details may be worth it to get a lay.

2. Fabrications carry little foreseeable risk in some situations. Someone can lie about their appearance or age with little consequence to the other person, depending on the level of fabrication? If a five-year age difference or a small increase in penis size can go unnoticed, then it doesn't cause any undue harm.

3. Web users can safely explore alternative identities and behaviors in a safe and controlled environment. This is often popular in role-playing situations whether game-affiliated or chat and context-focused. Want to indulge a little? Let your imagination run wild.

4. And sometimes, with all the pressures of work, school, money, relationships, and family, sometimes it's just good to immerse yourself into a web site or forum. Distractions carry a small benefit of social belonging and hobby development, a little more dynamic and interactive than your favorite book or a dip in a hot bath.

Not all lies are abominable lies. Some are good; others can be useful or just plain fun. And to that, I ask, what's the harm in pretending to be a cow?

I don't think anyone would take issue with a man posting as a cow. It's sheer genius, total comedy!

My friend Douggy and I were members of an internet forum in common, and his distinction in the field, was posting web pictures and chatting as an anthropomorphic cow. Some posts would have some variant of "moo," but he tended to post in English and punctuate a lot of his content with hugs, kisses, and affection smileys. For the short time he participated on the board, the good majority of posters registered a favorable response. We appreciated his candor and lightness of heart, and he was never cross or rude to anyone. Quite the gentleman. On a board that takes reality rather seriously and has had its frustrations with upstarts posting fake pictures and identities, this was a welcome breath of fresh air. It seemed mutual. People really liked him and who wouldn't like being appreciated as a good... four-hooved mammal.

I invited him to tell me the story of why he left the board. Apparently, he got harrassed by a few unsavory characters, and he -- for appropriate pun use -- wandered off into greener pastures.

At this point, I don't quite know a good way to conclude this. I would like to believe that I am who I say I am, but I also recognize that, like most people, if I care about what you guys think of me, then I am all the more tempted to put my best appearance forward. As a blogger, I would like to think of myself as an intelligent person with something more worthwhile to tell you than what I ate for lunch this afternoon. I think it's worth exploring the social distance that some people place between their "Internet lives" and their real selves, and it is mutually worth exploring how those two fields narrow down. I also think it's worth validating that not all Internet lives are creating equally shallow, regardless of one's published rating on Hot or Not.

But, pointing it back to my new friend, I wanted to thank him for being a good guy. I want to wish him the best, express my thankfulness for the laughs, and I would hope that he somehow sees as real the care and respect that people have for him -- spots and all -- even if we are separated by many miles of ocean and fiber optics.

Take care, my man.

Catchy!

Increasingly popular on YouTube, here is some footage of Bill O'Reilly during a 1989 Inside Edition pre-telecast, overreacting to a teleprompter malfunction.



And it's been remixed. You can't beat entertainment like this, folks.

Numbers

The page was a little slow-loading this afternoon, but now it seems to be working fine. Take a look at a recent published article entitled, "Obama Over the Top."

A regression method statistician and analyst pseudonymed "Poblano" of 538.com has been running various simulations of Democratic candidates against McCain. His simulation engine weighs 2004 Democratic performance, income, age, voting record, education levels, and gender and current polling averages. He has been tweaking effects of political outcomes by adding increased percentages to voting blocs popular with Obama -- African-Americans, voters aged 18-24, and the Latino vote to name a few.

Progress Illinois writer Josh Kalven adds,

These projections illustrate the extraordinary level of flexibility enjoyed by the Obama campaign as they head towards the general election. Rather than focusing on simply winning Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, they have a big enough war chest and a broad enough base of support to create all sorts of contingencies in case one of those typical battleground states goes for McCain.

"If Obama wins the traditional big three, he's going to have a tough time losing anyway," Poblano said. "But now you give him a margin for error where if something goes wrong in Ohio, if you're winning North Carolina and Iowa and Colorado, it's a very robust scenario for him with a lot of Plan A's, Plan B's, and Plan C's to win the election."

This is an incredible read and an important reiteration for the Obama campaign: that he can emphasize increasing awareness and revitalization of his base supporters and push for national voter registration, instead of dignifying the vitriol and doing back-alley political bartering to stay safe.

The cited web pages reference Poblano's direct computations subjected to peer review. I invite Obama supporters to take a look and to arm themselves, not with scales, but with real knowledge of the political landscape.

Boy Gotta Be Different

I think I'm almost done with the name change. i had to take an afternoon off to turn in some more paperwork and make a bunch of telephone calls. Regarding some things, it just may be easier on me to wait until I move to Arizona since it doesn't make much sense to get a new license, and then have to get another new one and vehicle registration in order to claim residency out there.

I sat down with a friend of mine from the University. I got about 15 minutes with her. We planned a lunch date in June -- how agreeable she is to Thai food -- and she asked me why I chose to do it. I gave her the abridged version about being proud of where I come from, so it would make sense to have two surnames, not just one. She chuckled. I don't think she was insensitive about it or making fun of me; and it probably a good segue into a few women observing in conversation, "See, now you know what it's like for us to get married."

I guess it couldn't hurt to understand women. Some would have you believe that the clitoris is very much a biological Rubik's Cube.

Just wanted to shed some more light on a name change feasibility. Assuming that you have already had your petitions filed and granted and you have certified copies in hand, here is the recommended rundown of stops to take thereafter.

Distinguishing Your Needs
A certified court order generally consists of two pages: a front page patterned with a gold seal or state insignia mark summarizing the legitimacy of being drafted in the court, and a back page featuring the court order itself. Copies of certified orders do not count as certified. A copy of court order is simply the second page. Copying this copy page is legitimate for most situations. A photo ID includes a driver's license, non-driving state ID, or a US passport with a clearly identifiable picture. A filing fee is a nominal fee to be paid with cash, check, or money order to cover appropriate expenditures. Call ahead to determine how much you need.

Update: Credit Bureaus
You need: nothing
Difficulty: minimal

To confirm, once you notify your creditors of your name change, the major credit bureaus will update automatically. Verify name changes in your annual credit report.

Social Security Administration
You need: certified court order, Social Security card, photo ID, SS-5
Difficulty: minimal

File out an SS-5 form. The instructions are fairly straightforward; the application is only one page. As an adult, you only need to fill out your prior biographical information and sign and date. If you are a minor, then you will need your parents' biographical information to corroborate your request for a name change. Take the completed form to your local Social Security office.

The offices have a computer workstation set up. Select option "1." This covers amendments made to existing Social Security cards. Wait patiently -- took me maybe 30 minutes, if that -- and get called up to a clerk window. Hand over the completed application, your photo identification, your social security card, and the SS-5. She'll make copies and input the information. Your new social security card will arrive at your home address in 5 to 7 business days.

Internal Revenue Service
You need: Nothing!
Difficulty: minimal

The IRS automatically changes your records in accordance with the Social Security Administration. Changes occur within 10 days of the SS update.

Bureau of Vital Statistics
You need: certified court order, birth certificate, photo ID, filing fee
Difficulty: moderate

Every state has a Bureau of Vital Statistics, a document clearinghouse establishing birth records, death records, and marriage and divorce certificates. Most Bureaus house records dating back to close to the turn of the century. For older documents, they can probably tell you how to find them. You'll want to amend your birth certificate and/or marriage or divorce certificates to feature your new name.

The Kentucky Bureau is located in Frankfort near Kentucky State University, and there is a $10 fee for birth certificate amendment. The fee basically covers a brand new birth certificate; the amendment is a process unto itself.

You fill out a basic form stating how you want your name to appear on the birth certificate and your biographical information. You will need to know your birth city and, preferably, your birth hospital. The wait takes between 60 and 90 minutes. I had to wait longer because amendments were not performed in the same department as the Bureau's main desk. I also assume that it took some time to dig up my records, too. In any case, bring a book and a soda. You get called when your new birth certificate is ready. Extra copies require an additional fee.

Bank Accounts
You need: copy of court order, photo ID
Difficulty: minimal

Most banks have specialized bank officers to handle this transaction. Show a copy of the court order. The bank officer may ask you a few questions to confirm account changes. Once answered, the name change can be made. Debit cards will be sent to your statement address within 5 to 7 days. The new cards will have the same account number and access PIN. The old cards can be destroyed once the new cards arrive.

I didn't bother to reorder new checks simply because I don't use them. Check fees vary by bank. New checks can be easily ordered and sent to your home address if you wish.

Online Bank Accounts
You need: Copy of court order, photocopy of photo ID
Difficulty: moderate

Online banks usually require that you mail a standardized form on their website and the copy of court order to a specified address on site. ING Direct only wanted the court order. PayPal wanted the court order and a photocopy of an ID with your new legal name. You will receive notification once the changes are made.

Credit Cards
You need: Copy of court order, standardized form
Difficulty: moderate

Most credit card companies have their own specific form that you need to use. The credit card company will mail it to you. Fill it out, enclose your copy of court order and mail it back to the specified address. Your replacement card will arrive after that. Citi Simplicity was an exception to the rule. The service representative took care of it over the phone. Though rare that it worked out this way, credit card companies will ask security questions to authorize any such account changes.

Department of Motor Vehicles
You need: Copy of court order, photo ID, vehicle registration, filing fees
Difficulty: moderate, difficult

Kentucky consolidates driver's licensing and vehicle registration within the same county clerk office. Be prepared for a long wait depending on the time of day. (Arrive in the early morning, if possible.) Look up your local DMV on the Internet to see if there are any forms you can print from home and fill out, if necessary. Keep the court order copy on hand in case if it needs to be seen.

Take your new license to the vehicle registration area along with your existing registration. Request a name change. Vehicle registrations usually require cash or a certified bank check for payment. Check for details.

If your car is leased, be sure to call your leasing agency to document the change there as well.

Insurance
You need: copy of court order, standardized forms
Difficulty: minimal

I just have car insurance to change over. Progressive made it easy to do online. I could click on Policy Details, then Driver Change, and then update the name on file. It was confirmed online, and I will receive new insurance cards in the mail.

Educational Institutions
You need: copy of court order, standardized forms
Difficulty: minimal, moderate

It is probably more appropriate to focus on present institutions than past ones. I have degrees from two colleges. UK has a simple university form for the registrar's office. Fill it out, enclose the copy of the court order, and a photocopy of your ID to confirm the changes. Transylvania enables you to change your name in the alumni development listings without any problem, but it will not change historical records. The rationale -- weak but understandable -- states that the university maintains historically accurate records, and that the name on file is one's name at the time on enrollment and/or matriculation.

You can elect to pay a fee to issue a new diploma with your new name. Contact your university's registrar for details. Contact persons may differ on the undergraduate and graduate levels. I also hear informally that so long as your alumni records hold up, that there isn't as dire a need to venture back to change old biographical information. Universities can verify enrollments and matriculations, if need be, with your Social Security number.

(Whew.)

I'm mostly done with the name change. I have a few more calls to make. If any information changes here, I'll be sure to post it.

Baseball to the Forehead

I watched "Hardball" tonight. Chris Matthews featured -- rather, marinated with balsamic vinaigrette and grilled over open flame to charred well done -- Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson about Senator Clinton's direction with the remaining primary contests. West Virginia votes on the 13th, then Kentucky and Oregon on the 20th.



What's your West Virginia plus?
And this is when it got dicey. Wolfson states that Senator Clinton commands a strengthened voting bloc of blue-collar, low-education voters, and that this base will be reluctant in converting its loyalty to Obama, and would rather swing toward Clinton. She, in return, reiterates the findings of an Associated Press article: that Obama faces "weakening support" from this same group. She pulled a few suspicious semantic choices -- "hard working" tagged to blue-collar, she explicitly said "white," and somehow Democratic-leaning independents like her better. He backed it up, rather poorly, with bitter-gate. Somehow, this bloc will be so overwhelming that it will evaporate OBama's tendencies to do well among a variety of different segments. And from what little I figure about West Virginia's population, not everyone is barefoot, missing teeth, and greasemonkied.

Why are you afraid to say the word white?
He said that race and gender are sensitive issues in this presidential candidacy contest, and that he would rather look at race in an "uplifting" way. Which, of course, runs counter-intuitive if Clinton simultaneously says she'll support Obama but paternalistically warn against his -- hell, just saying that whites aren't gonna like an uppity (elitist) black (Negro) guy (Hussein). Dan Gerstein commented in a separate article that Hillary has to accept the idea that she has not affirmatively won any more support from issues alone, thus she can only dent Obama's chances through discrediting or contributing to suspicions and speculations.

Are you serious?
Or, maybe just some really poor argumentation and hope beyond false. Wolfson firmly stated that Hillary can pull off big wins in the next few primaries. Just how much? Numbers aren't fully clear, but they get something close to "massive upset."

The exchange didn't dignify mathematical findings or logical continuities either. Somehow, West Virginia is a "key state" only because former President Clinton won it during his election runs, and that Mrs. Clinton should command that faithfulness out of loyalty. (Yeah, right.) It's okay to stoke divisiveness without literally meaning to stoke it vis-a-vis the most recent Hardball interview. And it's a good and dandy to argue hypothetical situations not even closely grounded in any real action, such as overstating the importance of Puerto Rico's delegates even though the territory can't vote for a national president, though it's worth the debate. Michigan and Florida? A popular vote should count over an electoral delegation split, even if the ballots were incomplete?

Pre-Indiana and North Carolina, Clinton stared down a wicked barrel: if awarded even half the proportions from each contest, she needs 66% or better victories from here on out.

Let it rest.
Marc Ambinder did a quick-and-dirty rundown on why she should stop. Jennifer Nix spelled it out a little more conscientiously. But again, I'm wondering as a supporter of the Blue, if Hillary has even the slightest recognition of how she can possibly dust herself off and redirect toward supporting Obama. Would she does so begrudgingly, half-heartedly? Like a dirty-cheeked child post-roughhouse, shuffling foot and not looking into your eyes when he says "I'm sorry" all quiet.

There is admiration in tenacity; there is clear excessiveness in being reckless.