Tribute

Song of the Day: Portions for Foxes by Rilo Kiley. I don't actually relate to this song technically but there's a certain jaded feel to it that makes me feel better for some strange reason. But that's not what this blog is about.

This is about www.homestarrunner.com

Since this website has been updated all of one time in the last year, I think it is pretty safe to say that it is dead. And I feel a need to write a tribute to something that me and my best friend shared for years. It's a web cartoon that has probably lost popularity since it's rabid fans have eaten up everything to the point that it's become self-referencing and no one from the outside can really break in enjoyably anymore.

The Homestar Runner universe is completely self-contained in Freetown U.S.A. a fictional "town" where all the Characters live and interact. The main geographical features are Bub's Concession Stand, Strong Bad's basement (although we never see the house exterior) and the Stick. Which is indeed a stick, sticking out of the ground.

The website gets its name from Homestar Runner, who is an armless long legged white thing wearing only a red t-shirt and spinny cap. He is hardly the dominant character though since the most popular segment is definitely Strong-Bad answering fan emails. Strong Bad is short and shirtless with a Luchador mask and boxing gloves on and treats everyone in town terribly. He is assisted in all his wrong-doings by The Cheat, who is a anvil shaped cheese colored rodent. Despite the description, he's pretty cute trust me. Just Look at Him! Most of the stories only involve the main characters, Pictured Here but side characters are not uncommon. Take Senor Cardgage for instance, the only person in Town who Strong Bad doesn't abuse and might be him in the Future if he let's himself go. He usually sneaks up behind you chewing melty candy bars and is always carrying a grocery bag with mysterious contents. Famous quotes include "No Probalo!" and "Savings is my Left Name." Another popular example is Homsar, who might be an alternative Homestar, he's impossible to describe but these quotes should help, "I was raised by a cup of coffee!" and "I'm Captain of the Gravy Train."

From mythical creatures such as Trogdor the Burninator, to vague pop-culture references poking fun at such people as Martina Navratilova and old GI Joe cartoons, the humor is varied and usually absurdist. The rules of the universe are very loosely defined. One should not question how Homestar gets items to levitate, since he has no arms, and don't you dare ask how strong bad types on a keyboard with boxing gloves on or your e-mail will be deleted. Other mini-universes also exist. Popular examples include Teen Girl Squad, which stars Cheerleader, So and

So, What's Her Face, and The Ugly One who says "I have a crush on every boy!" skewers female social interaction. Also 20X6 is a recurring theme which is a spot on Anime spoof "Huge moon boots, and for some reason, I have blue hair"





But in the end, I just have an emotional connection to this thing. I'll just close out with some favorite quotes (probably one from every main character), sbemails and toons.

"I actually enjoy a good chafe"
-Coach Z

"Oh look who thinks he's Clever Dan!"
-Strong Bad

"If I Had Arms, I'd be sticking em up my armpits right now."
-Bubs

"People get presents on Decemberween?!? I always just get locked in the bathtub by my brothers."
-Strong Sad

"Meh"
-The Cheat

"Your from Talahassee FL? What does FL Stand for? Far-off Lands? Foreign Leadership Camp? Fish Lake? Oh, okay, you're from fish lake."
-Homestarrunner

"I DON"T WANNA EAT A GUITAR"
-Strong Mad

"Too Much mayo? I love too much mayo..."
-King of Town

"I'm fiercely independent about which soy products I choose."
-Marzipan

A Few of My Favorite E-Mails

Caffeine
Trogdor
Your Funeral
Kind of Cool
Interview
English Paper

Enjoy!

Change

"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference."

-Reinhold Niebuhr

Okay so I'm trying to figure myself out right now. Without being too Neurotic I try to find the balance between improving who I am, and staying true to who I am and not worrying things I can't change. It's a tightrope.

On One hand, we have personal weaknesses and character traits that we need to improve upon, change, enlarge, or get rid of completely in our lives. To say that I am who I am and everyone should just except that is the same as giving up on life and making excuses for why you aren't the person you should be.

On the other hand though, you have to love yourself for who you are and it can be easy to just hit the "everything sucks" button and never be satisfied with anything about yourself. That's no way to live. This battle is ongoing, to recognize weaknesses, without unduly comparing ourselves to everybody else.

This has been the subject of a lot of prayer and fasting for me right now. I seem to vary between these two Ideals and don't spend a lot of time in that happy medium. Luckily though, life is really pretty good at this moment in time. I just want to make sure it stays that way.

Harder than I thought.

I lost today, so I got on facebook for school. No reallY! It was, I had to get a video of our dance class (don't judge me) so We could practice for our mid-term, and it was only on Facebook. While I was on, i learned Shaq retired (which will get it's own post on this blog)and so I had to post. And then the Girl I'm now chasing was on chat and hadn't responded to my earlier text (a great sign I know) and so I called her out on it and before you know it I was on Facebook.

Dang.