A new beginning

I used to run a blog, satanscientist.livejournal.com, running from personal topics to ranting and rolling. I did it for nearly 8 years before succombing to the 140 character updates of facebook. Over the last year, I have fallen into a dangerous pattern of ineptitude. Once I finished my book project in February, I have kind of just had a lot of fun, but I have started to get that aimless feeling. Though this summer was fun, its time to get serious again. I went to a lot baseball games, got caught up in love, nd still haven't sorted it all out, and did two major road trips. I also drank some beers and had a whole ton of fun.

Again, though, I've been in a minor rut with the direction of my life. Here's my chance at redirection. Thus, a new blog as well.

So I start Grad School tomorrow at Temple University. I am pursuing a Masters of Liberal Arts, with a plan on focusing on the politics of sports. I want the training to teach and write, which I believe I have in me. I need a little stirring and baking to make them more delicious though.

Here's some basic labels for me:

I am an anarchist (or libertarian socialist, or anarchist-communist, or syndicalist, whatever you prefer). I also have strong feminist influences.

I am a divorcee, all accomplished in my 20s. I've been single for nearly 2 years now and have reached the point where I want to have enough self-respect for myself to not settle for less.

I come from Irish Catholic roots.

I am a long time member of the Wooden Shoe collective, an anarchist infoshop collective, bookstore like since November of 2000.

I am a member of Solidarity, a feminist, anti-racist, socialist organization, joining about a year ago.

I am a major Phillies fan.

I have punk rock influences, the edgy quick ska-ish political kind and less grindy crusty hardcore sort. For a long time, I played a tug of war with my punk roots, at times actively rejected them as I found a variety of elitist ultra hip punk kids, but I've made my peace.

I also enjoy folk and salsa and a bit of hip-hop.

Johnny Cash is my go-to guy in karaoke.

I grew up on a sheep farm in Northeast PA (Susquehanna County), before moving down to the Philadelphia area at 14 (near king of prussia). I lived in DC from 19-20, and have lived in Philly proper since then. I have lived in City Line Ave, West Philly, Fishtown, and currently South Philly.

I tend to get involved with political stuff, as an agitator and a radical.

I helped found a fun punky, radical softball team this summer, the Oregon Ave Octopi, and hope we continue it next year.

I went to George Washington University before transferring in the middle of my sophomore year to Temple University for my undergraduate degree in History and American Studies.

I was a member of the Progressive Student Union at GW, and at Temple, the Outraged Community Coalition and Student Labor Action Project. I worked with United Students Against Sweatshops and served on their national coordinating committee for a spell. I would go on to be a regular volunteer with Philly Jobs with Justice until about a year ago.

I worked in a million shitty jobs when I was a teenager, and overall have been working since I was 10 years old in some manner. I then almost got a career going in libraries, doing 8 years of work in a variety of science and medical libraries as a librarians assistant/technician. I believe I am done with library work, as it sapped my soul the last few years before a messy end.

This is my favorite song:

I am a recovering vegetarian. Meaning, I was a vegetarian for nearly 8 years, and had a 4 year lapse when I encountered a terrible burnout in the summer of 2007 on a lot of political lifestyle. However, thanks to an inspirational friend, I have decided to get back on the vegetarian bandwagon. Maybe I'll flirt with veganism.

I hate it when people act like they're better than other people. No matter who you are or what you're doing.

I have a somewhat low tolerance for bullshit.

I generally like people, though at times I feel antisocial and just enjoy reading.

I enjoy Star Trek related things and am nerdy.

My vision is somewhat poor.

I've been drinking coffee since I was 10.

I homebrew beers.

If you deliver me blueberries or things with blueberries in them, you will forever be in my heart.

So here it goes. Enjoy.