Added a link to Mutts, one of the few "new" comics I like.

The worst movie of all time???

I added Kim's blog to the links list; she's a fellow member of the Wong Karwai boards. If you happen to visit her blog, you might find an energetic debate between myself and someone named "Riply." Riply introduced himself to us by calling Kim's views "simple-minded," then proceeded to lecture us on freedom of speech. Despite telling everyone to ignore him I chose to engage his comments (that's his comment on the Radiohead post), and a rather silly battle of ancient Greek name dropping ensued. Things were progressing in an acceptable manner when he got off this blast:

"Doubting Thomas does not like Shakespeare yet refers to the "genius" of Bill Walton! It would therefore not be unreasonable to make the case that Doubting Thomas would have, indeed, denied Michelangelo a paint brush. (After all Leroy Neman is a superior artist!) Despite your aesthetic aneurism, I remain confident that even a failed substitute teacher can understand and attempt refute such an analogy, given time; lots and lots of time. A little hint for you, saying that Thomas says it's so does not really count as an argument, despite rushing to your dictionary for some sort of magic spell to make it so. Thomas, your wooden horse remains empty. Just give me one angry Greek, that's all I ask, some sort of challenge!"

The key here being his "failed substitute teacher" smack. This comment actually hurt, not because of its confusion--even if you never work, you can't be called a "failed" substitute--but because it used personal information to attack me. Ad hominem attacks are usually weak since they come from a lack of knowledge; my blog gave him (or her) access to enough information to make this one sting. Lani has always taught me to phrase things in "I" statements, thus taking ownership of my feelings. Part of my post:

But calling me a "failed substitute teacher," thus touching on a myriad of topics that I struggle with, hurt. And I have to wonder why someone, someone I don't even know, would make such a statement. While I don't really understand your continued presence here, I can't deny your particular talent for obfuscation, or your ability to stimulate discussion (even when being insulting). I'm obviously not against a little friendly jabbing myself. But to reference my career problems, my identity struggles, thoughts I was simply working through.... I have no time for someone like that.

Goodbye Riply. I wish you well.


I'm sure this will simply open myself up to more ridicule, but it felt better to say that.