As promised...

Let the ranting begin.

At left, you can see a picture of Borat (AKA Sascha Baron Cohen, whom many of you know as King Julian from Madagascar), a supposed Kazakhstan, filming a documentary about America for his country.

From what I have heard, the movie pokes fun at every group. Which is one of the many arguments I heard during my encounter with those who like the movie. That I shouldn't take it so personally because the movie makes fun of everyone. Perhaps I should begin at the beginning.

About four months ago, I saw an article on EC discussing this Borat character and as I read the comments in the article, I saw many Pentecostals condemning him to hell for sacrilege. They said that he had insulted Pentecostals by exploiting our way of worship and that they found it highly offensive. About two months ago, I saw another article (this is an ongoing debate) with the video clip attached. I watched it to see what all the fuss was about.

My jaw dropped open. I could not believe the things that this man was doing. I will not put the clip up, but here's the best I can describe it. Borat wakes up on a doorstep in front of a church, walks in, and is welcomed by a man in the church. Throughout this 5 or so minute clip, it shows Pentecostals dancing, leaping, shouting, and all those other things that we "crazy" Pentecostals do to worship God. The man next to Borat is speaking in tongues and praising God, and Borat is trying to imitate the man. The clip shows bits and pieces of the sermon, but the thing that made me want to go and hurt this guy was the altar call scene. Borat was led to the altar by this man, and prayed for. The minister gave him the microphone after a moment, and Borat explained that he was in this country to do a documentary for his country. He asked if God loves everyone and if he could help him with all of his problems. The minister assured him that he could and then they began to once again pray for Borat. Borat then begins to fake speaking in tongues.

Before I spout off my amateur rantings about the shock I was in over this scene, allow me to quote Malcolm Gladwell, reporter for the New Yorker-

"I thought the scene in Borat, similarly, where Sascha-Cohen attends a Pentecostal service, goes up for the altar call, and then mocks the religious esctasy of the other worshippers, was as deeply offensive as any movie scene I have witnessed in some time. Since when is it okay to invade someone's house of worship, and make fun of their most sacred religious rituals? But that is what comedy consists of right now..."

My beef is two-fold-branching. This means that I will begin with two issues, and several more branch out.

Uno-

Not so much with the movie, but on EC we have all of these Pentecostals saying things like "I went to go see this movie and that one scene was so offensive, I walked out" Ex-squeeze me? Let's take a look at the rating label for Borat:

R for pervasive strong crude and sexual content including graphic nudity, and language.

Uh-huh. And you walked out because it was insulting? Am I missing something here? As a Pentecostal, why were you even there to begin with?

Anywhoooooo.....

Two.

The subject of the movie in general. Man oh man, where to begin?

I think that Mr.Gladwell's article mirrors my feelings exactly. I think that Cohen needs to learn where the line is and stay far away from it, rather than marching over it like the Third Reich.

Not only did this guy insult the beliefs of my organization, he did it dishonestly. Which... sounds really wierd, but go with me here.

The guy approached the church (which was the Mississippi Campmeeting, FYI) and told them that he was filming a documentary. He did not tell them who he was or what he was planning to do with the footage he collected that evening.He exploited those poor people without their knowledge.

And people eat it up.

Which brings me to my own story.

I was sitting in fifth period Spanish III, where we talk about everything but Spanish, a guy we will call Niles (I'm in a Frasier kind of mood at the moment. David Hyde Pierce is actually playing on the iPod at the moment.) was talking about Borat-

"And did you see the crazy scene with those church people? That was insane huh?"

[classmates nod and hoot in agreement]

"Those people were insane, huh? Oh my gosh, how can anyone actually act like that?"

I raised my hand, and La Señora, who was trying deperately to restore order to her chaotic classroom.

"Niles," I said, "I know exactly how people can act like that. I am one of those people. You think it's crazy because you don't understand. That is how we worship God."

Niles along with the rest of the class became silent. Then Niles burst into laughs.

"OH MY GOD!!!! DID YOU KNOW THOSE PEOPLE!?!?!?!?!"

"No. My family has some friends there, though, and they may have been in that service. I don't know."

[more laughing here]

"THAT'S AWESOME!!!"

So, this is the lows that society has dropped to. We have now reached the low of making fun of peoples religion and beliefs.

Good job, America. Aren't we proud of ourselves?

Useless Rambling

I absolutely love that picture. Back when CSG and I were friends (Oh, don't get me started on that) he showed me that picture. I fell out of my chair. And since I am going on about useless nothings today it seemed appropriate.

Plus, how can a pancake-headed bunny not make you feel better about yourself? This is what I'm saying.

So, I'm sitting here in my near-death office chair, a hand-me-down from Dad, which has seen the Blossoms jump in it one too many times, wondering, "What to blog? What to blog?", knowing full well that I have nothing to say, but because I have an unhealthy addiction to blogging I can't not blog. So I guess I am just pouring out utter nothings from my brain like Blue Kool-Aid that a 2-year-old has just drank out of.

You know there is substance somewhere, but not sure where, how much, and if it's going to choke you or make you vomit. Much like my poo post.

So, let us press on.

I suppose I could make this a ranting post. Yes, I think I will. I have 2 good ones. One that I have not yet addressed, although it happened about a week ago.

Most recent- Group projects.

They annoy me.

Today in Bio, we were doing a lab studying the variation of legumes (peanuts, to be precise) and my group members told me "Rebecca, you have the best grades and you like schoolwork, so why don't you do the paperwork?"

*cleans out ears*

Ex-squeeze me? I like doing schoolwork? What?

So, I end up doing it, not wanting to cave to them, but also not wanting my grade to suffer because of them. So, when I don't get the 3-person paperwork done by the end of the alotted time, my teacher rips my groups head off. And the group gives me *the look*. Which ticked me off. Can you honestly blame me?

So afterwards I went up to her desk and explained that I was doing the whole groups work on my own. She told me I could turn it in after lunch. Yippee.

Group work is such a waste of time. Whoever thought of it needs to burn in the bad place. I have very bad experiences with group work. In cute-history-teacher's class, I got a 33/35 on my personal portion of the Rise of Authoritarian Government project. My group grade was 25/40. Because they didn't turn in the other pieces. Which I offered to turn in. Argh. I was mad.

So, why do they make us do it? It plummets GPA's!

I have another rant, but at the moment, I don't have time for it. I have to set the table, so later I will rant away.

Thursday 13 #11

And to conclude this day of utter crappiness....

A 13 Part Valentines Day Rant By Me

1. So, here's my beef with Valentine's Day, any holiday whose mascot is a fat naked man flying around shooting arrows at random people has GOT to be messed up.
2. Plus, if you are single you feel like an utter freak. (Unless, like my mother, you didn't care about what guys thought about you when you were a teen. Good for you. I don't have that talent.)
3. And when you feel like an utter freak, no amount of reassurance that you are a strong, confident, intelligent woman and that someday a wonderful man who looks stunningly like Topher Grace is going to sweep you off of your feet with a dozen roses and ask you to bear his children (after marriage of course) is going to make you feel better.
4. Of course, along with those who fantasize about the above mentioned Topher-look-alike on your behalf, like to encourage you that this said man will be around next year.
5. Yeah right.
6. And how exactly did the massacre of two Martyrs named Valentine somehow translate into an "Oh Baby I love you" holiday?
7. I know when I see two mangled men dying in anguish I think "Gee whiz! This would be a great time to give that special someone a tennis bracelet/chocolates/card/dozen roses/ (insert romantic gift here)
8. Also, didn't all of you lovebirds just get a holiday to schmooze on New Years Eve at midnight?
9. And with Valentines Day, why on earth is Sweetest's Day around? Is it to torment us (unhappy) singles?
10. I think I would like it in Korea, honestly. On April 14th, if you recieve nothing for Valentine's Day, you go to this huge party with other singles and eat Jajangmyun, which is noodles in black sauce. The holiday is called Black Day.
11. Why don't we have a single's day in the USA?
12. Did I mention I was dumped on Valentine's day once? (The crapweasel!)
13. Above all, my brother (who was too cute for me to get upset) asked me today "Why aren't you married? When are you getting married? Are there any boys who will marry you?" Unfortunately, haven't found one where the interest is mutual, even if I was eligible.

P.S. If I get one comment with the words "You are only 16" I will hurt someone!

And now, for something completely different...

And now, back to your regularly scheduled program.

I hate Valentine's Day

I suppose that once upon a time, when the trend was to wear white tights with glittery red hearts on them, eat cupcakes, and give little cards with such characters as Star Wars, SpongeBob, and Nemo, I liked the holiday. My friend Emily and I were discussing my bitterness for the day. She doesn't get my loathing for it. She says she supposes it has a little to do with the fact that she never wants to marry or date. She asked me, "What makes you hate it so much?"

It is a common misinterpretation that I hated V Day because I am bitter. And I am. But this is not the only reason. I hate seeing the ridiculous amounts of PDA in the halls at school anyday, so why on earth would I like to see a guy give a girl some chocolate, a cute little teddy bear saying "Be Mine", and a dozen roses, and then have them block my locker by sucking each others faces off. It annoys me.
Then of course you have my bitterness. I've been dumped on V Day the only year that I did have a significant other (thank you, MX). I've had stitches the day before V Day and had to hobble to my party. And I've had friends call me with "words of encouragement". I know they mean well, but the last thing I want to hear on this day of loathing is "Don't worry. There will be someone next year." I've waited for my next year. It's never come.
And finally, I think that it is a complete waste of a holiday. How on earth did two martyrs getting slaughtered turn into a day of love?
So I suppose I will close by quoting my Aunt Julie.
"Grab your friend, share a cupcake and celebrate Friendship Day in style!!"

This is in reference to Westerville City Schools, where my cousin, Andrew, is in 4th grade, referring to Valentines Day as "Friendship Day" this year.

Normally after 2 days I wouldn't care but....

Outside of my window our road hasn't been plowed and you can't tell the where the yard stops and road starts. And everyone else has closed. Stupid MV.

6:44- Hang on, there's hope. MV Academy just closed?

6:50-Nope. The people on 90.9 FM are making fun of us.

And after a greuling day of unnecessary school...

I am exhausted. Almost every school from here to Columbus (including the Career Center and Catholic school here) closed today and we had to go. Ech. So, as if that day couldn't be more of a bleeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhh, we had to do part of the fitness exam in gym. Stairs. Ick. I did 30 in a minute and was quite proud of myself, despite my legs giving out and my heart rate going up to 176 per minute. Maybe I will lose some weight in gym class this year, though, which I will enjoy. Although, should you see me you should not tell me this unless I am a mere shadow of myself. For some reason whenever someone says "You've lost weight" I end up putting it back on. Not good times. I have ran all 3 of my laps in gym the past 2 days without stopping or walking, another accomplishment I am proud of.

On a completely different note, tomorrow the finalists of the 2007 Bloggies are being announced. Was supposed to be today, but crapweasels pushed it back. I don't think I really have a shot, but it will be nice to know. Wish me luck!

It's Official. My school is moronic

Every school in the area except ours has a delay or is closed and the roads are terrible, but guess who still has school?

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Update:Even the Catholic School in town is on a delay. Maybe there's hope. Maybe my school is stupid?

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Update: The career center here closed too. I am getting ready to head out the door. Stupid, stupid, stupid MV City Schools.