- Baratunde Thurston
11
May
A dangerous way to move
- Baratunde Thurston
- Baratunde Thurston
11
May
To Our Mothers
My mom lets loose at my Harvard graduation.
I just got off the phone with a college friend who also lost her mother to cancer, and we agree, whoever came up with the concept of Mother’s Day was kind of an asshole. 
Since my mom passed in October 2005, this day and her birthday have been the most intense, jogging old memories, evoking what-if scenarios but mostly generating extreme levels of gratitude.
Yesterday, at a cafe in San Francisco, someone asked me to what do I attribute my success and my free-spirited, positive, happy outlook on life. Apparently, I don’t fit the stereotype of the maladjusted, depressed, bitter comedian. We’d gone a couple of rounds on this subject, and finally I just said, “I had an awesome mother.”
That’s what it all comes down to. My mother encouraged my curiosity, my creativity and my confidence. She believed, far more than I did, that I’ve got reserves of strength and purpose yet untapped. And contrary to many people I know, she never ever made me feel guilty for forging my own path. She expected it.
For everything I’ve done and have yet to do. For the love of incredible friends. For a better life than I could ever possibly have imagined for myself, I thank you Ma.
Happy Mother’s Day
11
May
Pacman victor celebrates
- Baratunde Thurston
11
May
Pacman party in sf
- Baratunde Thurston
cross-posted to jack and jill politics
I thought I’d edit this USA Today headline to reflect what’s really going on.
Links:
- USA Today story
- dnA’s badass analysis
- Pam’s House Blend more badass analysis
Update @ 10:51pm ET
Audio of Clinton’s statement
As I used to do in college and have started doing again in my travels, I’m holding office hours as a way to connect with my Bay Area people and have them connect with each other.
I’ll be sitting (ok squatting) at Revolution Cafe in the Mission all Sunday afternoon from about 3:30 to 7:30.
Revolution Cafe
3428 22nd Street, between Mission and Bartlett
My flight out is at 10pm, so I’ll head out straight from there.
The last time I was there in February, I unlocked an iPhone I picked up for $50 after it was run over by a car. In my recent Boston office hours, we got into discussions of feminism, immersive gaming and manipulating the electorate. What craziness will ensue on this trip? The Yay is a magical place, so come by and let’s hold palaver and more.
If you use Facebook, you can find the event listed there, RSVP etc.
cross-posted to jack and jill politics
We were on NPR’s News & Notes (audio is at the link) again yesterday and got to talk about the Sean Bell protests, the death of Mildred Loving and a lightning round on the Democratic primaries.
First of all, I must confess, I almost missed the joint! I got too cute with my time and arrived at the studio just in time. Just call me Lake County
Hopefully, I didn’t sound too out of breathe. As usual, Carmen brought some knowledge and insight to the discussions of race, and it was good to rap with Casey Lartigue for the first time although I think he misinterpreted one of my statements. I mentioned people were experiencing fatigue in the Sean Bell case because we’re constantly reminded of the dual justice systems in this country. He thought I meant Sharpton fatigue. No biggie.
I also gave some love to Black Agenda Report for their perfect description of the Sean Bell verdict: the decision may have been legal, but it wasn’t justice.
I’m most proud of my campaign lightning round comment about life post-NC/IN in which I stated:
I’m just happy to welcome the mainstream media to the Democratic primary. They’ve finally caught on to the Wrath of the Math which hasn’t really changed since Obama’s 12-state sweep post-Super Tuesday. That, I think, is the biggest change. The facts on the ground haven’t changed, but the media narrative and perception has, and I’m glad to see it has.
BTW for those who don’t know, “The Wrath Of The Math” is Jeru the Damaja’s second album. I started using it to describe the Democratic primary when we were on News & Notes from Dallas the day after the Texas primacaucus
Continue reading ‘NPR Redux: Bell, The Wrath Of The Math, and Loving’
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