thecarp's New Writeups

Earring Magic Ken (thing)

2004-01-23T20:04:17Z

Sometimes companies don't do quite enough research. Earring Magic Ken was released by Mattel in 1993 dressed in the fashion of ravers of the day. One of the accessories that he had was a small ring on a string.

The ring was special though, in that the necklace did not pass through the ring, but rather was wrapped around it.

This fashion may not mean anything to most people, but that's the point. It was, in fact, a fashion among gay men wore to make a statement about their sexuality, as the ring was in fact not just a fashion statement, it was a cock ring.

Mattel apparently did not know this when they decided that Ken should wear this fashion. Among many gay men (like the ones who first told me about this amusing story) often refer to him as "Cock Ring Ken".

Apparently as a matter of coincidence there is another doll (whose name I forget) who is not only anatomically correct, but whose member Ken's cock ring fits perfectly on. This leads some to…

Package store (place)

2002-05-10T05:53:21Z

A package store (or packy if you are from The Hub), is where you go to buy your liquor (lickah). You could say that a Package Store is a liquor store, and you would be right.

It is often said to be a feature of the Massachusetts dielect, however I have seen the words "Package Store" on a liquor store in Virginia recently, so it does not apear to be the case.

The term has fallen into disuse in recent years, and is mainly used when doing impressions of a hard core south boston accent, usually in the form of "Im goin on down to tha packy to get me some lickah paly".

To be very specific, a package store is a store that sells Alcohol in "packaged form"; meaning that it is not in an open container and is being sold with the intent that it is consumed somewhere else.

pit rat (person)

2002-01-04T18:13:56Z

The pit rat is one of the indigenous species of the greater boston area. They can be found in many places throughout the boston area, however they always return to their homeland, which is known as "the pit" at harvard square T station in Cambridge. This is where they spend the largest portion of their time, and where the center of their primitive society exists.

Pit rats are naturally scavengers. While they may, from time to time, seek employment, and rarely may even aquire employment, this state never lasts long. They spend most of their time smoking pot and using various and sundry other recreational drugs. Some have been known to sell drugs for money, however, as a group, they have a reputation for charging very high prices for very low quality drugs. They are the origin of the term "harvard square bag".

While some pit rats have been known to go as far as sleeping in the pit and making it their home, many do find other places to stay. Many pit rats are…

3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (thing)

2001-11-05T19:05:47Z

A brown solid at STP, with a melting point in the range of 153 - 155 C.

Synonyms: 3,4-dihydroxybenzenecarbonal, protocatechuic aldehyde, rancinamycin IV 
Molecular formula: C7 H6 O3
CAS No: 139-85-5

Known to be produced by the bacteria Streptomyces lincolnensis "in a sulfur-depleted culture medium". (J Antibiot (Tokyo) 1976 Aug;29(8):777-86)

Also a common precursor seen in texts like pihkal on the synthesis of psychoactive chemicals.

Black Lodge (thing)

2001-11-04T22:08:56Z

A song by Anthrax from their album "Sound of White Noise" released in 1993. The song is set apart from the rest on the album in the liner notes with the note that it is "also written by Angelo Badalamenti for Anlon Music".

This is perhaps one of the most unique songs that the band has ever done. It is set apart from their normal music in that it is actually a painful love song, quite out of character for the band that did 1000 points of hate (also from white noise). In this song the band abandons their normal fast metal for a more mellow and contemplative tone.

The song is a passionate lament. A proclamation of love, blind love for one who cannot return that love. Love for one who lives in their own personal hell. Its chorus the irrational plea of a lover wanting to go where he can never actually go. It is an expression of the pain of watching a loved one in pain, and knowing that there is nothing that can be done.

That's how I interpret it anyway.

Lyrics removed for copyright reasons. --ed.

The Three Pillars of Zen (thing)

2001-10-18T17:53:41Z

"The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, Enlightenment" is a book by Roshi Phillip Kapleau on zen buddhism and its practice (originally published in 1965). The book turns away from the idea of talking about zen philosophy, and even goes as far as to say that books describing "zen philosophy" and talking about koans are detrimental to those who would like to experience zen.

The book is set as a collection of short monologs about zen practice. The book places high emphasis on the practice of zazen and the relationship between the master and student. While the book does highly recomend that any who choose to practice zen find a master, it does have suggestions and make allowances for those who do not wish to, or are unable to, practice under a master.

It is the assertion, in this book, that zen can only be understood by direct experience and through the practice of zazen. As such, it sets out to be a practical guide for the practice of zazen and progressing…