• People in the US are insanely polite.  Even in New York, the area least likely to receive accolades for its friendliness,  I rediscovered the cordiality of my compatriots.
• Too many people are fat.  The stereotype seems to turning into fact.  I find this particularly poignant given the fact that I live in Germany, not the sleekest of countries in terms of height and girth.
• Cars and trucks are huge.  Our future as a co-leader with China as the largest emitters of Greenhouse Gases seems secure.
• Our roads are shit.
• The energy of the place is contagious.  One feels alive in the US, a feeling unlike any other place I have been.  Change always seems eminent.
• The shopping is annoying.  I went into Target and within a few minutes wanted to scream, pull my hair out and smash all the quasi-stylish home goods.  Why does the US really need 5 Acre stores which have everything and yet, nothing?
• Radio continues its streak of conforming to the status quo by pumping out the same five songs repeatedly according to whatever pop music genre it reportedly conforms to.  Intermixed with this repetition is highly contrived advertisement for everything on public service announcements on how “Tax Fraud Pulls Families Apart” (seriously) to 1950′s style jingles on “The New York Family Circus” (the only circus with New York in the titles – if that doesn’t make you wanna go, what will?).
• Overall, the US is cleaner than Europe.  It really is.  People actually know how to use a trash-can and pick up after their dogs.

Regardless of all the surprises, both positive and negative, Long Island still felt a bit like home with the sights and sounds mixing up nostalgia, and the comfort of my friends securing my tranquility.  I can’t wait to get back to Wyoming in August to smell the air  that will truly bring me back.

As such, I encounter, shall we way, resistance to my perceptions.

Nowhere is this resistance more apparent than when I attempt any theory to diminish the perceived physical divisions of the sexes. In fact, the notion of biology as a major force in our lives seems so ingrained, I tend to gauge a person’s political position on their ability to release themselves from this anatomical determinism. Not that I am judging….

My simplistic belief is as such: the physical divide between women and men is mythical and therefore, exaggerated purposefully as to not disrupt the process of procreation. In direct relation, gender, as a set of culturally specific identifiers and meaningful signs, are placed in accordance with this process and provide us, as gendered people, with the tools we must work with. Disrupting this process is complicated, counter-intuitive and difficult.

Thus, research which supports such a position is refreshing. A recent study from the University of Toronto and published in Psychological Science entitled “Playing an Action Video Game Reduces Gender Differences in Spatial Cognition” suggests the generally accepted gender disparity between men and women in spatial cognition is highly dependent on the activities we “choose” to engage in and not our biological makeup (Feng 850). Using two distinctly different video games (an action-based first-person shooter versus a non-action game), the study concludes that exposure to an action-based virtual environment greatly improves spatial ability for both genders, and although gender difference in spatial tasks was not shown to be “eliminated, it was greatly reduced” (Feng 853). As the study states, this is significant for multiple reasons:

• Spatial ability is not determined by biological sex.
• The attainment of spatial ability is not short-term but has long-term effects.
• High level spatial ability is associated with success in underrepresented academic areas for women such as the sciences and engineering.

Therefore, the question becomes, “How are we denying women access to these activities which are proven to narrow the gender gap and provide opportunity?” In my MA thesis entitled “fighting_with_cyborgs: feminism and video games”, the overall answer was apparent: video games are not made with women in mind. From stereotypical, insulting imagery of female characters to complete exclusion, the video game industry has historically ignored women.

When I wrote my thesis in the year 2000, I felt the video game industry was at a turning point. Signs of improvement were around. Internet gaming and technology pointed to a user-defined game-space. All-female Quake Clans and other groups were infiltrating this “male domain” of video games, playing by their own rules and defining their own identities as well as their avatars. The world of video games looked on the verge of something interesting. Eight years later, however, the story seems to have stalled and remained largely the same. Women, despite many improvements, still seemed left out of the equation. Accordingly, we must turn to history and find a moment similar for guidance. In the second part of this post, I will attempt to look at the historic legislation, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, in order to provide further insight in our abilities to grant or restrict freedom on the basis of biological sex and culturally appropriate gender roles.

Further Reading and Citations:

Feng, Jing, Ian Spence, and Jay Pratt. “Playing and Action Video Game Reduces Gender Differences in Spatial Cognition.” Psychological Science. 18:10 (2007): 850-855. PDF version here

The Economist article on the study here

Wire article on the study here

Ian Spence’s Homepage here

Tags: gender, feminism, biology, video games, spatial recognition, sex

For years, the ecological community has released dire, apocalyptic warnings regarding the demise of our oceans’ ecosystem. Citing pollution, overfishing and global warming as the three major causes, major peer-reviewed studies have provided a sound basis for the implementation of new policies regarding how we engage with our major bodies of water (see Further Reading). Yet, countries around the world continue a status quo approach to the maintenance of our oceans. In regards to overfishing, the Iccat‘s resolution to retain current quotas for Bluefin harvesting in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic illustrates this trend.

Any quick search on overfishing will invariably cite the destruction of the Bluefin as exemplary of poor judgment on par with the near destruction (and subsequent acquiescence) of the American Bison; a horrific moment in environmental history and counter to our sensibilities. Nevertheless, the bourgeois markets of the world desire this fish as part of a nouveau, culinary diet driven by the popularity of sushi and the desire for healthier land-based-meat alternatives. Coupled with Japan insatiable diet for all things underwater, the industrialized world’s increasing demand for fish runs counter to sustainability. Thus, only a decrease in demand combined with active participation in policy-making can reverse this devastation.

Education, therefore, is key in not only illuminating the negligence involved within the global fishing market (see Further Reading) but also in demystifying our perceptions of fishing in general. With a few exceptions, today’s fishing resembles an assembly line at sea. Baited long-lines can stretch for miles (see examples here) and nets pulled between two ships can fit multiple football pitches within their circumference. Bluefin “are fattened offshore in sea cages before being shot and butchered for the sushi and steak markets in Japan, America, and Europe” (Montaigne 2007 link here). The days of the “Old Man and the Sea” are over.

Fortunately, as part of the industrial bourgeois, I feel we have the luxury to change and influence. For many of us, we have the ability to choose what we eat and the time to expand our knowledge on these subjects. Truly, we are the ones fucking up. We are the only ones who can rectify this. See below for links for information on what we can do to help solve this problem. Also, look for a section on this sight for new petitions taking on this issue as well as others in the near future.

Further Reading:

BBC article on Iccat’s recent decision here.
Canada’s Federal Fisheries Minister’s reaction to the Iccat decision here
Australian Article on Tuna Fishing here
Excellent National Geographic Article cited above here
Great New York Times article here
Article on Japan’s fishing demand here

Journal Abstracts from Science: here and here

What We Can Do:

Excellent site on Overfishing including links to fish-eating guides:

Overfishing.org

Tags: overfishing, environment, iccat, politics, bluefin

Tomorrow, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (Iccat) will vote on a United States and WWF supported proposal to cease the fishing of Bluefin Tuna for a period of three-to-five years. From the research I have amassed, total bans as well as the implementation of oceanic reserves are the only solution for many of the world’s fish stocks to replenish. Thus, I have put together a one day online petition to the Iccat urging them to implement this ban as one step in the right direction in addressing this global environmental problem:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/bluefintuna

Spread the word.

Further reading:

BBC Article on Proposal (link here)

WWF’s Proposal (link here)

Excellent book on Overfishing: The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat by Charles Clover

Overfishing.org (link here)

Greenpeace’s Overview (link here)

Tags: Overfishing, Bluefin Tuna, Politics, Environment, International Policy, Iccat

The following drinks are my own; meaning, I have not seen these drink recipes before nor do I know of any replication. That said, all bartenders are swindlers, pirates of the 20th century who beg, borrow and steal. Any bartender who tells you differently is lying or drunk…probably both.

C’s Sidecar:

This is truly my signature drink. I have always loved the Sidecar. It is brilliant when built with balance in mind, shakened cold and served fresh. My version of this classic cocktail fuses my childhood love of a Creamsicle with this great drink:

• 1 oz. Navan Vanilla Liqueur
• 1 oz. Grande Marnier Orange Cognac
• 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice (or one whole Lemon squeezed fresh)

Build, shake like a madman, and strain fresh into a cocktail glass. No garnish.

You will find the following drinks at A Touch of Venice Restaurant in Mattituck, New York. Or, if you find me, at my place.

Cuba Libre Especial

My friend Brian (family chef and owner of A Touch of Venice) asked me to make a drink using a recent addition to the bar: 10 Cane Rum. Seeing as I love rum, I consented. After a few miserable attempts at something fantastic, I settled again on distorting, and in my humble opinion, improving a classic, the cuba libre. The result is a more rum forward drink with only a hint of sweetness. Served up, this can’t be beat:

• 2 oz. 10 Cane Rum (this is a first press rum. It is very light and has a crispness about it…search for something similar)
• 1 oz. Goslings Dark Rum (I find Goslings to have a nice, round flavor that gives the drink the necessary body. Substitute your dark rum of choice to see the results)
• 1 Lime, Freshly squeezed (sorry, no substitutes here)

Build, shake like hell, strain into a 1/2 sugar-rimmed cocktail glass, top with a Splash of cola. Lime garnish.

Mojito de Alemania

I love wheat beers. Thus, I am very happy to be living in Germany!!! With Belgium next door, my life is almost complete. Inspired by the citrus and floral qualities of weizen or weiss beer, I felt it would certainly compliment and give body to the “in” drink of the last eight years, the mojito. In addition, I am convinced of its novelty. What cocktail uses wheat beer as an ingredient? Here is the result:

• 2 oz. light rum (again, I find 10 Cane an excellent choice)
• 1/2 oz. Orange Cognac (Grand Marnier or Harlequin)
• 1 oz. Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz. sugar syrup
• 5-6 mint leaves
• 1 oz. Weizenbier (I prefer a ‘Kristal’ weizen which is filtered and a bit lighter)

Muddle mint leaves, build all ingredients except beer, shake and pour into a highball glass. Top with Weizenbier (this replaces the soda in a normal mojito). Garnish with fresh sprigs of mint or a lime wedge.

More to come….

And now that I have gone through the (minimal) pain of transferring my blog, so much more to come…

C

Mythically, I am the now the same age as Jesus was when he was crucified. Although this is debatable (which part of Theology is not?), I do believe it places a bit of burden on a person who is turning this age. I can’t help comparing my contributions to the world with his and thinking, “Hmmm, I truly haven’t done much, have I?”

Oh well, he was (or is) the Son of God which gave him a bit of an advantage. And I have done some nice carpentry work in my day. So, well, whatever. Yet, the question remains, how do we effect this world?

My partner took me out to dinner tonight at an inaccurately named Spanish restaurant called “Frida.” Despite the name, the food brought us back to our days in Granada eating tapas every night for (at the time) 70 eurocents per Cruzcampo beer we ordered. The food was wonderful with great drinks and light, crisp wine to accompany it. But, since this is Germany and my birthday to boot, we had to order the kuchen (cake) and an espresso. Upon my first bite, part of the answer to the effects we have on this world emerged. The cake was too familiar. I have been eating cake like this my whole life. Family feuds over who gets the corner piece continue to be fought and won over cake like this. This is my family’s cake…just in a chocolate form.

My mother’s side of my family is of German descent. For generations, the cake of our gatherings is a semi-sweet, bread-like blackberry cake covered in caramel icing. It is the Bauer tradition. No person I have come into contact with knows of a cake like this. Not one. And every person who tries it seems to take a a bite and contemplate it for a minute. The cake seems odd and counter to our expectations. Yet, I have never questioned it. I certainly have never entertained the notion of where it originated. Tonight, however, changed that. Tonight fulfilled a part of me. I connected with a part of a story that has been going on in my family for probably over a hundred and fifty years.

And now, I understand that this is our effect. This is the basis of how we change and mold and push those around us and those after us. It is the stories that begin with simple, everyday things. The stories that start with a good gathering of your family and friends so that someone says, “Let’s do this again.” It is these stories that turn out to have such substance, such weight that they stay and are repeated. I believe my family’s blackberry cake began in such a way.   We are never sure how we influence but truly, our influence, however seemingly small, matters.

Tags: Food, Drink, Germany, Family, Traditions

I had only recently heard of this band through an acquaintance as we discussed the merits (and faults) of Germany’s music scene one night at an art opening in Dusseldorf. His description left me curious but nonetheless uninspired. I left the conversation with the feeling that another teenie pop-rock band was enjoying some success in an mostly prosaic music world. And truly, subsequent listenings of the band’s music has not convinced me of any profound ability. Nevertheless, what I do find profound is the ability of the band’s lead singer, Bill Kaulitz, to bend gender so fabulously.

Sexuality and rock music have a symbiotic relationship hinged by the performance of gender. In the history of rock and roll, sexuality surfaces as a major component in its appeal, longevity and controversy. In direct relation, the capability of an artist to display both normative and non-normative gender performance provides the foundation for this sexuality. Thus, rock music has been a sort of acceptable playground for gender and sexuality. From Ziggy Stardust to Grace Jones to Dead or Alive to Annie Lennox to Boy George to Madonna to the Cure to the Rocky Horror Picture Show to…well, the list goes on and on, popular rock has allowed flexibility in the performance of gender. Which, to say the least, is interesting given our continual inflexibility as we move through a normal day. Many questions arise from this dynamic situation in relation to how we determine whether gender is a performance or an innate component to our identity.

Given the popular acceptance of gender bending on-stage, gender seems to be established in the minds of the population as separate from identity; a performance one ‘puts on’ and ‘takes off’ like make-up and not completely fused to our bodies (which, as has been argued by many queer theorists and feminists is gender). Such a case could be made for many of the artists mentioned above. However, this is what makes the lead singer of Tokio Hotel so interesting. In watching him on stage at the EMA’s, it would be difficult to say his gender play is not a part of his identity. It ‘feels’ like him. It is ‘him’ without the presence of irony or show or fantastic display. I was captivated by the entire scene as well as the group’s huge fan base of teenage girls. What does this say about the continual negotiation we have with our gender identity and our sexuality in the modern world? And, what does this say about how gender and sexuality is emerging within the next generation? As we continue to watch these performances play out and ebb and flow with the tides of trends, we shall find out.

Tags: Tokio Hotel, EMA’s, Gender, Sexuality, Rock, Music

Snoop Dogg’s uncomfortable, sexist and dated performance as host was pathetic. Ill-fitting, insensitive and borderline idiotic, Snoop illustrates perfectly how mundane the pop world has become. Skits that went nowhere, statements that left artists grasping for something to say and a blatant disregard for the cultural environment where the show was taking place (“Everyone speaks English!”) show nothing more than a lack of intellect on the part of the producers, promoters and artists.

And this, is exactly the problem: a lack of critical intellect capable of understanding the fine line between excessiveness and competence. I kept waiting for a rock and roll moment; a smashed guitar, a jump into the on-stage jacuzzi…hell, give me a streaker…something! Instead, we were treated to Jared Leto calling his bandmates; lame. Or, some guy from Romania taking off his pants when prompted about taking the stage; what? But, truly, the worst was Amy Winehouse.

Beyond disappointing and clearly crossing the line of overindulgence, Amy Winehouse’s behavior failed as a rock star in multiple ways. In complete contrast to her interesting music, style and persona, Winehouse seemed without substance, confused and somewhat pathetic. An obvious effect of alcohol or drugs or both, her singing and movements were like my alter-drinking-ego Glen after a bottle of gin at a karaoke bar. At least it was entertaining. What was not entertaining was her lack of grace in accepting the “Artists’ Choice” award. The only award worth anything at the EMA’s and presented by Michael Stipe, Winehouse’s perplexity at receiving the award and her awkward “thanks” and quick exit seemed discourteous to the people who at least somewhat matter. Even the most antisocial artists pay their respect to their contemporaries. Otherwise, I can think of nothing less rock and roll.

Further Reading:

Amy Winehouse Defends her MTV EMA Performace

Tags: AmyWinehouse, EMA’s, MTV, Politics, Rock and Roll, Snoop Dogg