Bureaucracy

As in armies so in corporations: unhappiness with an institution can coexist with strong commitment to it; a person, even if generally unhappy, who is given room to make sense of things on his or her own patch becomes bonded to the organization.

— Richard Sennett, The Culture of the New Capitalism

Awesome Rave Playlist

Lovingly hand-crafted for Rave in the Cave, doncha know.

"Crazy" (single mix) - Brooklyn Bounce
"Gimme Freaks" - DJ Earworm (boot)
"She Wants Him" (vocal mix) - Moussa Clark & Terrafunka
"Hung Up" (radio edit) - Madonna
"Maniac" (remix) - Michael Sembello
"Flashdance" - Deep Dish
"Adagio for Strings" - DJ Tiësto
"Blue Monday" - New Order
"Call on Me" (radio edit) - Eric Prydz
"Dance Your Pain Away" - The Moon Whispers
"Boo in Love" - DJ Tripp (boot)
"Barbie Girl" - Rob Mayth (Candy Boyz vs Klubbstylerz Remix)
"Spin Me Harder" - DJ Tripp (boot)
"Brand New Lover" - Dead or Alive
"Zombie" - Andrew Spencer and the Vamprockerz (Ray Knox Hands Up Extended Club Remix)
"Blue (Da Ba Dee)" - Eiffel 65
"Caramelldansen" - Caramell
"God Is a DJ" - Dutch Trance Force (DJ Cobra Mix)
"Chase" - Giorgio Moroder
"Sweet Dreams" - Overdub featuring Sophia (Doug Laurent Bonzai Mix)
"I'm Too Sexy for Sex" - DJ Roy Batty (boot)
"What Is Love" - Haddaway
"You Keep Me Hangin' On" - Kim Wilde
"Flashdance ... What a Feeling" - Irene Cara (Adam Van House Mix)
"Enjoy What You Do" - Mac Murphy (Disco Filter House Radio Edit)
"Hyperactive!" (12-inch mix) - Thomas Dolby
"Dragostea Din Tei" - O-Zone (DJ Rosse Extended Remix)
"Precious" - Depeche Mode
"Born to be Alive" - DJ Team
"Situation" (US 12-inch mix) - Yaz
"I Kissed a Girl" - The Real Booty Babes (Club Radio Edit)
"Billie Jean Is a Spy" - DJ Tripp (boot)
"Don't Stop the Music" - Rihanna
"Sandstorm" - Tunnel Alliance

As mixed, this playlist runs to approximately 150 minutes of aural goodness.

My new year's tarot

Based on a modified Celtic cross spread

1. The significator: Queen of Swords
2. The problem, antagonist, or obstacles: The Empress
3. The foundation: King of Pentacles
4. The crown: 4 Pentacles
5. The near past: 6 Pentacles
6. The near future: Page of Wands
7. Attitude toward question: 3 Pentacles
8. Environment or influences: Page of Swords
9. Hopes and fears: 10 Swords
10. Outcome of the reading: Knight of Swords

I feel this spread represents triumph after considerable struggle (look at all those swords!). I have ample material resources for the task; my major struggle will be with the contradictory qualities of my own character. But note that the outcome card signals success: bravery, strength, a skillful and clever person, arrival. I'm reading this as an encouraging sign for the year ahead — if nothing else, it's much more positive than last year's spread!

Bad poems for sale

Because I could not stop the puck
It kindly stopped for me:
The crease held but just ourselves
And immortality.

Ha ha.

L