Sometimes, I do get worried about other people’s perceptions. I know, for example, that Weird Al has plenty of Jewish friends, but one of my Jewish friends was offended by his song “Pretty Fly For A Rabbi.” I can see why, the song is filled with stereotypes and cliches. But Al went for the laugh anyway, hoping everyone would assume he didn’t really think those things.

An example that will hit closer to home – one of my best friends is Mexican, and she was at the show Saturday night. I wasn’t sitting with her and didn’t see her reaction to “Count to Ten,” but afterwards I believe you joked, “nobody likes Mexicans, right?” Or something like that. Ouch. Now, I come from the assumption that it’s all in good fun and you don’t mean it, but that could still be hurtful to my friend, and then I worry she’ll think less of me for being a fan of yours! I haven’t asked her about it, but I know she enjoyed the show quite a bit, so it must have not been too bad.

I don’t know if this is the right place to have aired this, but I guess you asked…?

Anyway, I’d pay $20,000 for a dog I could communicate with a bit more than normal and would live as long as I do. I hates it when they die. And it would be so awesome to be able to have a little more connection – to know they know you love them, and vice-versa. And it would be cuddly and soft.

@Ann: if there is a cat like that that exists that would be really awkward after you threw it at people. But luckily when the cat starts seizing its a good distraction and gives you time to book it.

@Wesley: I think I can help you with that: simply wire me the $20k and don’t shake the box when it arrives…

The more I think about it, the more I think that I would also pay $20K for an exploding pudding sheep. I’d bring it to my classroom and toss it at students if they fell asleep or were particularly obnoxious. I’m sure my union would back up this practice. The regenerating cow and babelfish would also be nice, though.

One thing that I personally can’t get into is The Matrix. When the movies came out, I had friends who thought they were the greatest things evah. I was mostly just bored. I also can’t understand why anyone would ever voluntarily read anything by James Joyce. Pure torture. And I wholeheartedly agree about Bob Dylan.

@Ann: Your shirt actually made me laugh out loud. Love it.

http://www.thebigmoney.com/articles/video/2009/02/20/rip-baconmania

Then again, this is all coming from a girl that has a t-shirt saying “Epilepsy: Seize the Day” with sparkles on it. This shirt is instantly make 342% funnier to my friends and I by the simple fact that I actually *do* have epilepsy. You know what? If you can’t laugh at yourself, what’s the point??

2. I would definetly pay $20,000 for a Moogle, from the Final Fantasy video game series, or a babelfish, from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, because it’d be awesome to understand all languages.

3. I’m totally with Paul on Radiohead and poetry. Also I would add a lot of Adult Swim shows. I enjoy Aquateen a lot but I’ve tried to watch lots of other shows like Sealab and I just can’t get into them.

For 20k, that animal better be magical or mythical….preferably one that can reproduce asexually and thus recoup your investment. An intelligent dragon with the voice of one Sir Sean Connery perhaps?

I don’t know if I could justify paying 20 grand for a pet, but maybe to save one of the last members of a dying species. Like, the last plesiosaur or something. But I don’t know where I’d keep one of those…

The Milliways Cow! Played by the illustrious Peter Davison of Doctor Who fame. I grew up on Who, so I love it, but I can see why it might be hard to get into it as an adult.

I like Dylan, but only under certain circumstances. Partly because his music has emotional connections to an ex-boyfriend who was a big fan, and partly because I can’t understand half of what he’s singing. I’m totally with you on Radiohead, too.

American professional soccer has nothing on European footie. No comparison at all. I was in England during the Euro Cup five years ago and had a grand old time watching a semifinal game in a hotel lounge with a busload of elderly tourists. A little old lady actually cussed out the TV. It was great. This country has taken an exciting sport and made it slow and dull.

Sometimes I wish I could enjoy Literature more than I do, but for the most part I just like books with a good story, preferably of the sci-fi or fantasy persuasion. Although a friend got me to read all of Jane Austen over the past year for book club, and I’ve finally discovered that I like those, so maybe there’s still some hope.

I demand a recount!

As far as things I can’t enjoy, I can’t listen to Nerdcore. I like MC Frontalot’s lyrics, but can’t listen to him for even a minute.

As far as something to suggest, find a copy of the film “The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra”. If you like cheesy bad movies, then you will love this send up of them.

And obligatory Pink Floyd, The Eagles, etc. love.

Also Paul and Storm, those guys are HILARIOUS. Speaking of which, one thing I didn’t get into and I wish I had was Da Vinci’s Notebook. Le sigh.

Normally it happens with TV shows. I started watching House for example just recently, and they’re in like what, season 8 now already.

(Coulton too, he’s neat). I hate nerdcore.

Ok that’s all, I think.

What I find really obnoxious is that most of the people who make noise that certain subjects are off limits or taboo have zero actual experience with that topic. They patronizingly argue on behalf of those whom they fear offending without ever attempting to empathize or enter into their experience. I’ve been through some very difficult personal experiences in my life and when I share them with people I tend to do so in a humorous way. This allows them to understand that part of me in a way that’s more comfortable for them and helps put the troubling events into an objective perspective. If I couldn’t joke about it, I couldn’t talk about it at all.

On to lighter fare.

two – I’d pay $20K for the following:
a half-pony, half-monkey monster – for the kids
a ravenous bugblatter beast – for home security
a cross of a monkey and a lapdog that will produce a monkey that likes to chill and watch TV but can be trained to fling poo on command – for the wife (big monkey fan)
Battlecat sans Cringer – for the win

three – I have never been able to get into the Beatles. I understand their effect on the history of music, I get why other people like them, I just cannot imagine ever listening to a whole album start to finish. Same goes for Elvis, though with less respect for his musical abilities since he was, as far as I know, always singing songs other people wrote. Lastly as a geek and gamer I find it odd that strategy games like Risk, Warhammer 40K, Axis and Allies have no interest to me whatsoever.