Saturday, December 30, 2006
Who's Civilized?
This morning's photos remind that, if this is considered "justice," we've still got a hell of long way to go as a species.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
A Camel Through A Needle's Eye
A Camel Through A Needle's Eye
Current mood: amused
Here's a press release from Franklin Graham, son of the Reverend Billy, regarding the memorial he will be building for his father. I swear I did not make this up.
"[V]isitors will pass through a 40-foot-high glass entry cut in the shape of a cross and be greeted by a mechanical talking cow. They will follow a path of straw through rooms full of multimedia exhibits. At the end of the tour, they will be pointed toward a stone walk, also in the shape of a cross, that leads to a garden where the bodies of Billy and Ruth Graham could lie. Throughout the tour, there will be several opportunities for people to put their names on a mailing list."
I'm sure that this is all part of "God's Plan." Because, you know, the bible's all about self-gratification and the accumulation of massive wealth. Not to mention that part in Leviticus about mechanical talking cows.
Jeez. Sure glad I'm not part of Corporate Christianity anymore. It sure is awfully funny to observe from the outside, though.
Currently listening :
Light & Magic
By Ladytron
Release date: 20 July, 2004
Current mood: amused
Here's a press release from Franklin Graham, son of the Reverend Billy, regarding the memorial he will be building for his father. I swear I did not make this up.
"[V]isitors will pass through a 40-foot-high glass entry cut in the shape of a cross and be greeted by a mechanical talking cow. They will follow a path of straw through rooms full of multimedia exhibits. At the end of the tour, they will be pointed toward a stone walk, also in the shape of a cross, that leads to a garden where the bodies of Billy and Ruth Graham could lie. Throughout the tour, there will be several opportunities for people to put their names on a mailing list."
I'm sure that this is all part of "God's Plan." Because, you know, the bible's all about self-gratification and the accumulation of massive wealth. Not to mention that part in Leviticus about mechanical talking cows.
Jeez. Sure glad I'm not part of Corporate Christianity anymore. It sure is awfully funny to observe from the outside, though.
Currently listening :
Light & Magic
By Ladytron
Release date: 20 July, 2004
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Little Johnnie
Little Johnnie
Current mood: listless
George Bush goes to a primary school to talk to the kids. After his talk he
offers question time.
One little boy puts up his hand and George asks him his name.
"Stanley," responds the little boy. "And what is your question, Stanley?"
"I have 4 questions: First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support
of the UN?
Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?
Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?"
Fourth, why are we so worried about gay marriage when 1/3 of all Americans
don't have health insurance? "
Just then, the bell rings for recess. George Bush informs the kiddies that
they will continue after recess.
When they resume George says, "OK, where were we? Oh, that's right,
question time. Who has a question?"
Another little boy puts up his hand. George points him out and asks him his
name. "Little Johnnie" he responds. "And what is your question, Little
Johnnie?"
"Actually Sir, I have 6 questions:
First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN?
Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?
Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?
Fourth, why are we so worried about gay marriage when 1/3 of all Americans
don't have health insurance?
Fifth, why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early?
And sixth, what the hell happened to Stanley?"
Currently listening :
Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album
By Andy Partridge
Release date: 07 November, 2006
Current mood: listless
George Bush goes to a primary school to talk to the kids. After his talk he
offers question time.
One little boy puts up his hand and George asks him his name.
"Stanley," responds the little boy. "And what is your question, Stanley?"
"I have 4 questions: First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support
of the UN?
Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?
Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?"
Fourth, why are we so worried about gay marriage when 1/3 of all Americans
don't have health insurance? "
Just then, the bell rings for recess. George Bush informs the kiddies that
they will continue after recess.
When they resume George says, "OK, where were we? Oh, that's right,
question time. Who has a question?"
Another little boy puts up his hand. George points him out and asks him his
name. "Little Johnnie" he responds. "And what is your question, Little
Johnnie?"
"Actually Sir, I have 6 questions:
First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN?
Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?
Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?
Fourth, why are we so worried about gay marriage when 1/3 of all Americans
don't have health insurance?
Fifth, why did the recess bell go off 20 minutes early?
And sixth, what the hell happened to Stanley?"
Currently listening :
Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album
By Andy Partridge
Release date: 07 November, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
RIP George
RIP George
Current mood: thankful
Today is the 5th anniversary of George Harrison's death. As one of my favorite musicians, period, and certainly my favorite Beatle, I've spent the day listening to his music and dwelling on his huge contribution to society. Put on one of his albums today if you get the chance, and take a moment to remember how loudly the "quiet Beatle" spoke with his beautiful guitar solos and spiritual lyricism. He is greatly missed; but his legacy is permanent.
Currently listening :
All Things Must Pass
By George Harrison
Release date: 25 October, 1990
Current mood: thankful
Today is the 5th anniversary of George Harrison's death. As one of my favorite musicians, period, and certainly my favorite Beatle, I've spent the day listening to his music and dwelling on his huge contribution to society. Put on one of his albums today if you get the chance, and take a moment to remember how loudly the "quiet Beatle" spoke with his beautiful guitar solos and spiritual lyricism. He is greatly missed; but his legacy is permanent.
Currently listening :
All Things Must Pass
By George Harrison
Release date: 25 October, 1990
Sunday, November 26, 2006
The Shit's Hitting the Fan
The Shit's Hitting the Fan
Current mood: scared
Folks, I hope you've been paying attention to the events in Iraq over the past couple of days. Yes, I know it's the holiday weekend, and I'm enjoying it as much as the next guy, but it is crunch time RIGHT NOW in Iraq. Thursday's massive bombing and the reaction to it are the latest developments threatening to send the country into chaos. Muqtada Al-Sadr, whose militia has up until this point backed the new Iraqi government, keeping the balance of power in check, is threatening to pull out if the PM meets with Bush next week. This would lead to utter and complete chaos. And yesterday, followers of his took over the state-ran television for 2 FULL HOURS. Here's a news report I just read.
"Followers of the militant Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took over state-run television Saturday to denounce the Iraqi government, label Sunnis "terrorists" and issue what appeared to many viewers as a call to arms. The two-hour broadcast from a community gathering in the heart of the Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City included three members of al-Sadr's parliamentary bloc, who took questions from outraged residents demanding revenge for a series of car bombings that killed some 200 people Thursday. With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki relegated to the sidelines, brazen Sunni-Shiite attacks continue unchecked despite a 24-hour curfew over Baghdad. Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia now controls wide swaths of the capital, his politicians are the backbone of the Cabinet, and his followers deeply entrenched in the Iraqi security forces. Sectarian violence has spun so rapidly out of control since the Sadr City blasts, however, that it's not clear whether even al-Sadr has the authority - or the will - to stop the cycle of bloodshed... Sunni politicians vowed to file complaints against the channel for inciting sectarian violence. Ordinary Sunnis were shocked to hear their neighborhoods singled out for attack on the government's station. "I got four phone calls from friends telling me to change the channel to Iraqiya and see what's happening," said Mohamed Othman, 27, a Sunni resident of Ameriya, one of the districts mentioned in the program. "I think this is an official declaration of civil war against Sunnis. They're going to push us to join al-Qaida to protect ourselves." "
Those of you who know the particulars of the Rwanda tragedy remember that all hell broke loose once the government lost control of the airwaves. The historical precedent is terrifying.
Folks, I'm beyond trying to figure out what the solution to this can be. That decision needs to made by smarter people with better access to information than I've got. But I would urge all of you to pay close attention to what's going on right now. And tell people close to you. We are all responsible for what's going on over there, whether we support the commander-in-chief or not.
Currently listening :
It's All Around You
By Tortoise
Release date: 06 April, 2004
Current mood: scared
Folks, I hope you've been paying attention to the events in Iraq over the past couple of days. Yes, I know it's the holiday weekend, and I'm enjoying it as much as the next guy, but it is crunch time RIGHT NOW in Iraq. Thursday's massive bombing and the reaction to it are the latest developments threatening to send the country into chaos. Muqtada Al-Sadr, whose militia has up until this point backed the new Iraqi government, keeping the balance of power in check, is threatening to pull out if the PM meets with Bush next week. This would lead to utter and complete chaos. And yesterday, followers of his took over the state-ran television for 2 FULL HOURS. Here's a news report I just read.
"Followers of the militant Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took over state-run television Saturday to denounce the Iraqi government, label Sunnis "terrorists" and issue what appeared to many viewers as a call to arms. The two-hour broadcast from a community gathering in the heart of the Shiite militia stronghold of Sadr City included three members of al-Sadr's parliamentary bloc, who took questions from outraged residents demanding revenge for a series of car bombings that killed some 200 people Thursday. With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki relegated to the sidelines, brazen Sunni-Shiite attacks continue unchecked despite a 24-hour curfew over Baghdad. Al-Sadr's Mahdi Army militia now controls wide swaths of the capital, his politicians are the backbone of the Cabinet, and his followers deeply entrenched in the Iraqi security forces. Sectarian violence has spun so rapidly out of control since the Sadr City blasts, however, that it's not clear whether even al-Sadr has the authority - or the will - to stop the cycle of bloodshed... Sunni politicians vowed to file complaints against the channel for inciting sectarian violence. Ordinary Sunnis were shocked to hear their neighborhoods singled out for attack on the government's station. "I got four phone calls from friends telling me to change the channel to Iraqiya and see what's happening," said Mohamed Othman, 27, a Sunni resident of Ameriya, one of the districts mentioned in the program. "I think this is an official declaration of civil war against Sunnis. They're going to push us to join al-Qaida to protect ourselves." "
Those of you who know the particulars of the Rwanda tragedy remember that all hell broke loose once the government lost control of the airwaves. The historical precedent is terrifying.
Folks, I'm beyond trying to figure out what the solution to this can be. That decision needs to made by smarter people with better access to information than I've got. But I would urge all of you to pay close attention to what's going on right now. And tell people close to you. We are all responsible for what's going on over there, whether we support the commander-in-chief or not.
Currently listening :
It's All Around You
By Tortoise
Release date: 06 April, 2004
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Black Friday Can Kiss My Ass!
Black Friday Can Kiss My Ass!
Current mood: contemplative
Well, everyone, I am particularly excited this week. This will be the first thanksgiving weekend I have had off since I was 11. Yeah, 11!!! Seriously, this is no exaggeration. Let me recap.
I got my first job as a paperboy when I was 11. I did this on my bike, just like the video game, at 4:30 in the morning, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for 4 years until I got into high school. Black Friday (retail slang for the day after thanksgiving) was the absolute worst. The papers were massive, weighing up to 10 lbs. each with all the ads.
When I reached high school, I started running cross-country, which trained in the mornings. So I had to give up my paper route. But that's when I started at Nordstrom as a stock boy (that term has been recently politically corrected to stockperson---how stupid is that?). And of course, here at Nordy's the biggest and nuttiest day of the year is Black Friday.
During college I worked various jobs (furniture delivery, salesperson, collections, etc.) but since they mostly revolved around the retail world, I was always super-busy on Black Friday.
After college, when I started at Amazon, Black Friday and the whole holiday thing really took on a new meaning in my head. Not only were we busting our asses on a daily basis (Cory can attest to this), but Black Friday was usually the beginning of 2 months of "Mandatory Overtime." Yuck. I don't think the words "Mandatory" and "Overtime" should ever be found in the same sentence together.
After Amazon, I managed the Men's Dept at the Nordstrom Rack through 3 Black Fridays. This was the absolute worst, and some of those hellish days are the reasons behind why I'm in school now trying to create more and different opportunities for myself. As difficult as my time at the Rack was, I am grateful for it now in a funny way. It really showed me how horrible and degrading the retail world can really be, and it gave me serious motivation to get back into school and finish my degree.
As you can imagine, I have pretty negative associations with Black Friday and the whole holiday shopping season in general. No wonder I don't celebrate Xmas (well, also probably 'cause I don't believe in that Jebus guy or that wacky 2000-year-old book). For 17 years, which is more than half my life, Black Friday has consistently been the worst day of the year for me.
That's why I'm so excited about this year. You see, I not only have Black Friday off, but I have a whole 4-day thanksgiving weekend! Those of you who have never worked in retail may not understand how big of a deal this is. But those of you who have been down in the trenches dealing with the complete shittiness of our yearly orgy of capitalism know exactly what I mean. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, I began to blog here on myspace around this time last year, with an opening salvo dealing with the very same subject.
My goal is to not spend a single dime all weekend. I'm going to spend Black Friday holed up in my apartment playing the new Zelda (which is INCREDIBLE, by the way). I don't want to even go outside that day. That's how much of a big deal this is to me. And since I can see downtown quite clearly out my window, I am going to curl up at some point in the day with a nice glass of wine and a cat or two in my lap, and gaze out at all the shoppers and the cars and the Santas, and think about the life I've had for so long. It will feel so good to know that I'm finally making my way out of it, and even though I'm still in retail behind the scenes, I can see the light at the end of my tunnel. Having this weekend off is particularly sweet. But hopefully, 2 years from now, I will be gazing out that window knowing that I don't even work in the retail industry anymore. That's gonna feel real good.
And for those of you who have to work Friday, my heart and deepest sympathies go out to you.
Currently listening :
Before / After
By Heaven 17
Release date: 06 September, 2005
Current mood: contemplative
Well, everyone, I am particularly excited this week. This will be the first thanksgiving weekend I have had off since I was 11. Yeah, 11!!! Seriously, this is no exaggeration. Let me recap.
I got my first job as a paperboy when I was 11. I did this on my bike, just like the video game, at 4:30 in the morning, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for 4 years until I got into high school. Black Friday (retail slang for the day after thanksgiving) was the absolute worst. The papers were massive, weighing up to 10 lbs. each with all the ads.
When I reached high school, I started running cross-country, which trained in the mornings. So I had to give up my paper route. But that's when I started at Nordstrom as a stock boy (that term has been recently politically corrected to stockperson---how stupid is that?). And of course, here at Nordy's the biggest and nuttiest day of the year is Black Friday.
During college I worked various jobs (furniture delivery, salesperson, collections, etc.) but since they mostly revolved around the retail world, I was always super-busy on Black Friday.
After college, when I started at Amazon, Black Friday and the whole holiday thing really took on a new meaning in my head. Not only were we busting our asses on a daily basis (Cory can attest to this), but Black Friday was usually the beginning of 2 months of "Mandatory Overtime." Yuck. I don't think the words "Mandatory" and "Overtime" should ever be found in the same sentence together.
After Amazon, I managed the Men's Dept at the Nordstrom Rack through 3 Black Fridays. This was the absolute worst, and some of those hellish days are the reasons behind why I'm in school now trying to create more and different opportunities for myself. As difficult as my time at the Rack was, I am grateful for it now in a funny way. It really showed me how horrible and degrading the retail world can really be, and it gave me serious motivation to get back into school and finish my degree.
As you can imagine, I have pretty negative associations with Black Friday and the whole holiday shopping season in general. No wonder I don't celebrate Xmas (well, also probably 'cause I don't believe in that Jebus guy or that wacky 2000-year-old book). For 17 years, which is more than half my life, Black Friday has consistently been the worst day of the year for me.
That's why I'm so excited about this year. You see, I not only have Black Friday off, but I have a whole 4-day thanksgiving weekend! Those of you who have never worked in retail may not understand how big of a deal this is. But those of you who have been down in the trenches dealing with the complete shittiness of our yearly orgy of capitalism know exactly what I mean. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, I began to blog here on myspace around this time last year, with an opening salvo dealing with the very same subject.
My goal is to not spend a single dime all weekend. I'm going to spend Black Friday holed up in my apartment playing the new Zelda (which is INCREDIBLE, by the way). I don't want to even go outside that day. That's how much of a big deal this is to me. And since I can see downtown quite clearly out my window, I am going to curl up at some point in the day with a nice glass of wine and a cat or two in my lap, and gaze out at all the shoppers and the cars and the Santas, and think about the life I've had for so long. It will feel so good to know that I'm finally making my way out of it, and even though I'm still in retail behind the scenes, I can see the light at the end of my tunnel. Having this weekend off is particularly sweet. But hopefully, 2 years from now, I will be gazing out that window knowing that I don't even work in the retail industry anymore. That's gonna feel real good.
And for those of you who have to work Friday, my heart and deepest sympathies go out to you.
Currently listening :
Before / After
By Heaven 17
Release date: 06 September, 2005
Monday, November 6, 2006
Medical Industry Funny
Medical Industry Funny
Current mood: amused
Hi all, a co-worker forwarded this hilarious Onion-like story to me this morning. Had to share as it caused me to LOL profusely for quite some time... (The "medical" terminology in the second paragraph is of particular hilarity---say 'em out loud if you don't get it at first...)
In Pharmacology, all drugs have two names, a trade name and generic name. For example, the trade name of Tylenol also has a generic name of Acetaminophen. Aleve is also called Naproxen. Amoxil is also call Amoxicillin and Advil is also called Ibuprofen.
The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra. After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced that it has settled on the generic name of Mycoxafloppin. Also considered were Mycoxafailin, Mydixadrupin, Mydixarizin, Dixafix, and of course, Ibepokin.
Pfizer Corp. announced today that Viagra will soon be available in liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one. Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of "cocktails", "highballs" and just a good old-fashioned "stiff drink". Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of: MOUNT & DO.
Thought for the day: There is more money being spent on breast implants and Viagra today than on Alzheimer's research. This means that by 2040, there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge erections and absolutely no recollection of what to do with them.
Current mood: amused
Hi all, a co-worker forwarded this hilarious Onion-like story to me this morning. Had to share as it caused me to LOL profusely for quite some time... (The "medical" terminology in the second paragraph is of particular hilarity---say 'em out loud if you don't get it at first...)
In Pharmacology, all drugs have two names, a trade name and generic name. For example, the trade name of Tylenol also has a generic name of Acetaminophen. Aleve is also called Naproxen. Amoxil is also call Amoxicillin and Advil is also called Ibuprofen.
The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra. After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced that it has settled on the generic name of Mycoxafloppin. Also considered were Mycoxafailin, Mydixadrupin, Mydixarizin, Dixafix, and of course, Ibepokin.
Pfizer Corp. announced today that Viagra will soon be available in liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one. Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of "cocktails", "highballs" and just a good old-fashioned "stiff drink". Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of: MOUNT & DO.
Thought for the day: There is more money being spent on breast implants and Viagra today than on Alzheimer's research. This means that by 2040, there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge erections and absolutely no recollection of what to do with them.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
The Candy Phenomenon
The Candy Phenomenon
Current mood: amused
It never ceases to amaze me how much candy is consumed in the workplace. Has anyone else noticed this?
Here in my office there is candy everywhere. On tables outside people's cubicles. On shared endcaps for people who have community-cubes. Outside the big bosses' office.
Also, there seems to be some unwritten rule that whenever there is a meeting, event, or what-have-you, someone is required to bring some huge bag of candy for everyone to munch on during the meeting.
It's really pretty amazing how much candy gets consumed in here on a daily basis. Thank Jebus my sweet tooth doesn't show up until late at night. I don't have the money to invest in a new collection of pants!
Currently listening :
The Nightfly
By Donald Fagen
Release date: 25 October, 1990
Current mood: amused
It never ceases to amaze me how much candy is consumed in the workplace. Has anyone else noticed this?
Here in my office there is candy everywhere. On tables outside people's cubicles. On shared endcaps for people who have community-cubes. Outside the big bosses' office.
Also, there seems to be some unwritten rule that whenever there is a meeting, event, or what-have-you, someone is required to bring some huge bag of candy for everyone to munch on during the meeting.
It's really pretty amazing how much candy gets consumed in here on a daily basis. Thank Jebus my sweet tooth doesn't show up until late at night. I don't have the money to invest in a new collection of pants!
Currently listening :
The Nightfly
By Donald Fagen
Release date: 25 October, 1990
Monday, October 23, 2006
Printer Survey
Printer Survey
Current mood: curious
Hi all,
I'm finally breaking down and planning to buy a printer after many years of just mooching off the one at work. With school and my new digital camera it would just be really handy to have one at home.
But, with so many options out there, I'm not even sure where to start, so this is an appeal for recommendations. Basically, I just want something under $200, that is small and doesn't take up too much space. I'm concerned about photo quality, as I have a 7.0 MP camera now and would like to print full-sized 8"X11" prints without sacrifing too much quality. And, as a Mac owner, something geared towards OS X, not Windows, is highly preferred. Bluetooth would be even sweeter.
If anyone has any suggestions, let 'em fly!
Currently listening :
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
By Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention
Release date: 02 May, 1995
Current mood: curious
Hi all,
I'm finally breaking down and planning to buy a printer after many years of just mooching off the one at work. With school and my new digital camera it would just be really handy to have one at home.
But, with so many options out there, I'm not even sure where to start, so this is an appeal for recommendations. Basically, I just want something under $200, that is small and doesn't take up too much space. I'm concerned about photo quality, as I have a 7.0 MP camera now and would like to print full-sized 8"X11" prints without sacrifing too much quality. And, as a Mac owner, something geared towards OS X, not Windows, is highly preferred. Bluetooth would be even sweeter.
If anyone has any suggestions, let 'em fly!
Currently listening :
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
By Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention
Release date: 02 May, 1995
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Senate Debate
Senate Debate
Current mood: irritated
Well, I watched the Senate debate last night between Maria Cantwell, Mike McGavick, and Bruce Guthrie. My immediate reaction, besides the obvious fact that our electoral system is extremely favorable to the independently wealthy (all 3 are multi-millionaires and using much of their own money to finance their campaigns), was that I am absolutely sick of political-correctness. Everyone had to keep their "polite gloves" on and this was basically more of a soundbite trade-off than a real debate. I truly feel that the PC movement has crippled our language.
Cantwell: Poised, calm, courteous to the moderator and crowd, offering decent suggestions but refusing to make any real claims or intrepid plans. She was more content to just sit back and go after the administration, which looks like it will be enough to win. I was impressed, however, at how much more she felt like a real stateswoman. The other two really came off as your really political uncle who gets into debates at Christmas dinner.
McGavick: Truly a terrible candidate and a snapshot of the Repubs' strategy to win this November. I can't even count on my two hands how many times he used the words "radical Islamic terrorism" as the debate progressed. It's obvious his party is playing defense here and that their only real strategy is to scare the bejesus out of voters. I was absolutely dismayed at the glibness displayed when discussing drilling in ANWAR---although Cantwell made a very strong argument that it wouldn't have much of an effect on gas prices and the real solution is alternative energy, he completely dismissed all of that with a wave of his hand and promised he'd push for drilling from day one. This extremely short-term view of the world is one of the biggest problems with this party.
Guthrie: The Libertarian candidate was obviously out of his league, as he stuttered repeatedly and didn't make very good arguments other than the one point I was 100% behind him on: a choice between 2 parties doesn't represent America's diversity and the bipartisan system is strangling our democracy one election at a time.
I will not be voting for any of these three candidates. With the exception of Kerry in 04, I have never voted for a Democrat or a Republican. I refuse to play the "lesser of two evils" game as I wholly believe this is how the 2 parties keep radical new ideas from entering the body politic. I could write a whole blog on this topic alone (and perhaps I will), but suffice it to say that nothing will really ever change until we are presented with more real choices. No wonder 60% of eligible people don't even vote. If you think about it that way, you realize that our government only represents 40% of the country.
This time around, I am going with Aaron Dixon, the Green Party candidate, who coincidentally was arrested yesterday during a protest against his ban from last night's debate. He wasn't allowed into the debate due to his inability to meet the debate criteria (read: CASH ON HAND), and he and a large group of other disenfranchised-types tried to crash the debate. This is the kind of democracy I love and will gladly give my vote to support. Hands-on, grass-roots, storming the castle kinda stuff.
Hopefully everyone is registered to vote. And hopefully everyone will consider looking at other options than the two big parties. Make your own choices, but realize that any vote for a democrat or a republican is a vote for the status quo.
Currently listening :
Limit
By Pastaboys
Release date: 05 October, 2006
Current mood: irritated
Well, I watched the Senate debate last night between Maria Cantwell, Mike McGavick, and Bruce Guthrie. My immediate reaction, besides the obvious fact that our electoral system is extremely favorable to the independently wealthy (all 3 are multi-millionaires and using much of their own money to finance their campaigns), was that I am absolutely sick of political-correctness. Everyone had to keep their "polite gloves" on and this was basically more of a soundbite trade-off than a real debate. I truly feel that the PC movement has crippled our language.
Cantwell: Poised, calm, courteous to the moderator and crowd, offering decent suggestions but refusing to make any real claims or intrepid plans. She was more content to just sit back and go after the administration, which looks like it will be enough to win. I was impressed, however, at how much more she felt like a real stateswoman. The other two really came off as your really political uncle who gets into debates at Christmas dinner.
McGavick: Truly a terrible candidate and a snapshot of the Repubs' strategy to win this November. I can't even count on my two hands how many times he used the words "radical Islamic terrorism" as the debate progressed. It's obvious his party is playing defense here and that their only real strategy is to scare the bejesus out of voters. I was absolutely dismayed at the glibness displayed when discussing drilling in ANWAR---although Cantwell made a very strong argument that it wouldn't have much of an effect on gas prices and the real solution is alternative energy, he completely dismissed all of that with a wave of his hand and promised he'd push for drilling from day one. This extremely short-term view of the world is one of the biggest problems with this party.
Guthrie: The Libertarian candidate was obviously out of his league, as he stuttered repeatedly and didn't make very good arguments other than the one point I was 100% behind him on: a choice between 2 parties doesn't represent America's diversity and the bipartisan system is strangling our democracy one election at a time.
I will not be voting for any of these three candidates. With the exception of Kerry in 04, I have never voted for a Democrat or a Republican. I refuse to play the "lesser of two evils" game as I wholly believe this is how the 2 parties keep radical new ideas from entering the body politic. I could write a whole blog on this topic alone (and perhaps I will), but suffice it to say that nothing will really ever change until we are presented with more real choices. No wonder 60% of eligible people don't even vote. If you think about it that way, you realize that our government only represents 40% of the country.
This time around, I am going with Aaron Dixon, the Green Party candidate, who coincidentally was arrested yesterday during a protest against his ban from last night's debate. He wasn't allowed into the debate due to his inability to meet the debate criteria (read: CASH ON HAND), and he and a large group of other disenfranchised-types tried to crash the debate. This is the kind of democracy I love and will gladly give my vote to support. Hands-on, grass-roots, storming the castle kinda stuff.
Hopefully everyone is registered to vote. And hopefully everyone will consider looking at other options than the two big parties. Make your own choices, but realize that any vote for a democrat or a republican is a vote for the status quo.
Currently listening :
Limit
By Pastaboys
Release date: 05 October, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
New 7 Wonders of the World
New 7 Wonders of the World!
Current mood: geeky
Oooh, a cool worldwide vote to determine the new 7 wonders of the world! This is right up my geekish geography/history/sociology alley! They're doing this since only 1 (Ancient Pyramids of Giza) of the original 7 are still standing.
Go to www.new7wonders.com and vote for 7 of the 21 finalists:
1 Acropolis, Athens, Greece
2 Alhambra, Granada, Spain
3 Angkor Wat temple, Cambodia
4 Chichen Itza Aztec site, Yucatan, Mexico
5 Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
6 Colosseum, Rome
7 Easter Island Statues, Chile
8 Eiffel Tower, Paris
9 Great Wall, China
10 Hagia Sophia church, Istanbul, Turkey
11 Kyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan
12 Kremlin/St.Basil's, Moscow
13 Machu Picchu, Peru
14 Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany
15 Petra ancient city, Jordan
16 Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
17 Statue of Liberty, New York
18 Stonehenge, Amesbury, United Kingdom
19 Sydney Opera House, Australia
20 Taj Mahal, Agra, India
21 Timbuktu city, Mali
Currently listening :
Fabriclive.21
By Meat Katie
Release date: 10 May, 2005
Current mood: geeky
Oooh, a cool worldwide vote to determine the new 7 wonders of the world! This is right up my geekish geography/history/sociology alley! They're doing this since only 1 (Ancient Pyramids of Giza) of the original 7 are still standing.
Go to www.new7wonders.com and vote for 7 of the 21 finalists:
1 Acropolis, Athens, Greece
2 Alhambra, Granada, Spain
3 Angkor Wat temple, Cambodia
4 Chichen Itza Aztec site, Yucatan, Mexico
5 Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
6 Colosseum, Rome
7 Easter Island Statues, Chile
8 Eiffel Tower, Paris
9 Great Wall, China
10 Hagia Sophia church, Istanbul, Turkey
11 Kyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan
12 Kremlin/St.Basil's, Moscow
13 Machu Picchu, Peru
14 Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany
15 Petra ancient city, Jordan
16 Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
17 Statue of Liberty, New York
18 Stonehenge, Amesbury, United Kingdom
19 Sydney Opera House, Australia
20 Taj Mahal, Agra, India
21 Timbuktu city, Mali
Currently listening :
Fabriclive.21
By Meat Katie
Release date: 10 May, 2005
Monday, October 16, 2006
Calling All Geeks - Nov. 19th!!!
Calling All Geeks - Nov. 19th!!!
Current mood: optimistic
OK people, for those interested, you're welcome to join me and a small group of folks for the first day of Wii-goodness. Yep, I've got my pre-order all set for the new Nintendo, and I want to cram as many people into my studio as possible for a day of geeking out, boozing it up, and general fun. This is the first console I'm buying brand new since the Super NES (yep all the way back in like 1991 or something), and I'm actually really excited.
I don't play video games as much as I once did, due to today's absurdly long, over-complex, and ultraviolent games. I just don't have the time. But the Wii is geared towards people like me: games you can pick up and enjoy with other people from time to time. The prototypical view of a gamer is an overweight, mid-20's male, buried under mountains of fast food garbage, jamming buttons together at frenzied pace in the dark at 3AM in the morning. I think this system is trying to change that, by attempting to appeal to women and the older generation through more group-oriented and less-complex games that just about everyone can enjoy. So, based on that premise, I'm going to give this one a try.
So, anyone (male, female, old, young) who wants to come is welcome on the 19th! BYOB, BYOP, BYOF. Email me for details. I'm excited to try the new controller---imagine swinging a tennis racket by actually swinging your arm rather than pressing a bunch of buttons. Or boxing with lifelike moves. I suspect it will lead to massive amounts of trash-talking. Sweet!
Currently listening :
OS_0.3
By Luke Fair
Release date: 21 June, 2005
Current mood: optimistic
OK people, for those interested, you're welcome to join me and a small group of folks for the first day of Wii-goodness. Yep, I've got my pre-order all set for the new Nintendo, and I want to cram as many people into my studio as possible for a day of geeking out, boozing it up, and general fun. This is the first console I'm buying brand new since the Super NES (yep all the way back in like 1991 or something), and I'm actually really excited.
I don't play video games as much as I once did, due to today's absurdly long, over-complex, and ultraviolent games. I just don't have the time. But the Wii is geared towards people like me: games you can pick up and enjoy with other people from time to time. The prototypical view of a gamer is an overweight, mid-20's male, buried under mountains of fast food garbage, jamming buttons together at frenzied pace in the dark at 3AM in the morning. I think this system is trying to change that, by attempting to appeal to women and the older generation through more group-oriented and less-complex games that just about everyone can enjoy. So, based on that premise, I'm going to give this one a try.
So, anyone (male, female, old, young) who wants to come is welcome on the 19th! BYOB, BYOP, BYOF. Email me for details. I'm excited to try the new controller---imagine swinging a tennis racket by actually swinging your arm rather than pressing a bunch of buttons. Or boxing with lifelike moves. I suspect it will lead to massive amounts of trash-talking. Sweet!
Currently listening :
OS_0.3
By Luke Fair
Release date: 21 June, 2005
Friday, October 13, 2006
I Don't Have 5 Arms! (Nor Do I Want To)
I Don't Have 5 Arms! (Nor Do I Want To)
Current mood: exhausted
Wow, the past couple of weeks of work have been insane! Not in the same way as the Rack, (which often made me want to drink cyanide and crawl into a dark hole), but still crazy nonetheless.
There's an old saying that goes "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part." That's basically what's going on at the moment--- we're nearing the end of the quarter and all the buying offices are trying to catch up at the last minute. And since everything needs to go through me, it's really creating the proverbial bottleneck.
The good news is that it doesn't mean I need to work a minute later or do anything special. That's what I love about this job---I'll bust my ass to get as caught up today as possible, as I always do, but when the clock strikes "8-hour shift," I'm out the door and on to my weekend. None of this "bringing it home with you" bullshit. I guarantee I'll never get into that again, even if it means living cheaply for the rest of my life.
I've made the firm lifelong decision that free time and lack of stress are more important to me than money, and I resolve never to go back on that decision. More power to those people willing to put in the long hours to get ahead, and I hope that the fruits of their labor are sweet and spiritually rewarding to them. The economy relies on people like that and I don't discount their contribution.
But for me, I guess I'm just not a true Capitalist. I'm satisfied with living simply and don't feel the deep desire to "get ahead." Guess it's just one of those pinko socialist tendencies I occasionally display. As much as I love the good ol' USofA, sometimes I just don't fit in.
(On a side note, the next 3 Depeche Mode remasters just came out. OMFG, A Broken Frame sounds like a totally new album!!! Quite a step up from the shoddy worn-out cassette I played a zillion times as a 12-year-old...)
Currently listening :
A Broken Frame
By Depeche Mode
Release date: 03 October, 2006
Current mood: exhausted
Wow, the past couple of weeks of work have been insane! Not in the same way as the Rack, (which often made me want to drink cyanide and crawl into a dark hole), but still crazy nonetheless.
There's an old saying that goes "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part." That's basically what's going on at the moment--- we're nearing the end of the quarter and all the buying offices are trying to catch up at the last minute. And since everything needs to go through me, it's really creating the proverbial bottleneck.
The good news is that it doesn't mean I need to work a minute later or do anything special. That's what I love about this job---I'll bust my ass to get as caught up today as possible, as I always do, but when the clock strikes "8-hour shift," I'm out the door and on to my weekend. None of this "bringing it home with you" bullshit. I guarantee I'll never get into that again, even if it means living cheaply for the rest of my life.
I've made the firm lifelong decision that free time and lack of stress are more important to me than money, and I resolve never to go back on that decision. More power to those people willing to put in the long hours to get ahead, and I hope that the fruits of their labor are sweet and spiritually rewarding to them. The economy relies on people like that and I don't discount their contribution.
But for me, I guess I'm just not a true Capitalist. I'm satisfied with living simply and don't feel the deep desire to "get ahead." Guess it's just one of those pinko socialist tendencies I occasionally display. As much as I love the good ol' USofA, sometimes I just don't fit in.
(On a side note, the next 3 Depeche Mode remasters just came out. OMFG, A Broken Frame sounds like a totally new album!!! Quite a step up from the shoddy worn-out cassette I played a zillion times as a 12-year-old...)
Currently listening :
A Broken Frame
By Depeche Mode
Release date: 03 October, 2006
Monday, October 9, 2006
The Crazy Life
The Crazy Life
Current mood: productive
Man, after 2 weeks of this working full-time and going to school at nights M-Th thing, I'm having a hard time adjusting! I think I'll be OK, it's just tough for someone like myself to not have as much "me" time as I'm used to. But, I'm not complaining. It's for a good cause and I think I can keep myself motivated. It's just going to be a long winter... :)
Anyway, I've made sure to keep friday nights and saturdays free, so that is a good thing. But sunday has become homework day. Yesterday I spent a little over 6 hours total. It was almost like another day at work! And then of course, this morning, I'm back at work!
Ya know what would help? If someone wanted to pay my rent for me. Any takers? C'mon rich myspace cruisers! There's gotta be someone out there who wants to sponsor me. I promise I'll give you mad credit when I'm successful and famous.
OK, back to work I suppose. I have a pre-calc exam tonight. Wish me luck!
Currently listening :
High Land, Hard Rain
By Aztec Camera
Release date: 09 July, 1991
Current mood: productive
Man, after 2 weeks of this working full-time and going to school at nights M-Th thing, I'm having a hard time adjusting! I think I'll be OK, it's just tough for someone like myself to not have as much "me" time as I'm used to. But, I'm not complaining. It's for a good cause and I think I can keep myself motivated. It's just going to be a long winter... :)
Anyway, I've made sure to keep friday nights and saturdays free, so that is a good thing. But sunday has become homework day. Yesterday I spent a little over 6 hours total. It was almost like another day at work! And then of course, this morning, I'm back at work!
Ya know what would help? If someone wanted to pay my rent for me. Any takers? C'mon rich myspace cruisers! There's gotta be someone out there who wants to sponsor me. I promise I'll give you mad credit when I'm successful and famous.
OK, back to work I suppose. I have a pre-calc exam tonight. Wish me luck!
Currently listening :
High Land, Hard Rain
By Aztec Camera
Release date: 09 July, 1991
Friday, September 8, 2006
Magic World
Magic World
Current mood: jubilant
Ooooooh, I just love these mornings where I wake up, look out the window, and see the city covered in fog and mist! I get this strange, magical, medieval feeling when the skyscrapers are covered in fog and the car lights are just dots moving through mist.
I'm always wistful at the passing of summer into fall, but it's mornings like these that remind me all seasons are special. Lyrics from the song "Season Cycle" by one of my favorite bands, XTC, pop into my head:
"Season Cycle"
Season cycle moving round and round
Pushing life up from a cold dead ground
It's growing green
It's growing green, well
Darling don't you ever stop to wonder
About the clouds about the hail and thunder
'Bout the baby and its umbilical
Who's pushing the pedals on the season cycle?
Summer chased by Autumn
Autumn chased by Winter
(season cycle go from death to life)
Winter chased by Springtime
(bring a harvest or a man his wife)
Springtime's turning
(it's growing green, it's growing green, well)
Darling, don't you ever sit and ponder
(darling did you ever think)
About the building of the hills a yonder
(all this life stuff's closely linked)
Where we're going in this verdant spiral
Who's pushing the pedals on the season cycle?
Round and round and round and round
I really get confused on who would make all this
(is there a God in Heaven)
Everybody says join our religion get to Heaven
I say no thanks why bless my soul
I'm already there!
Autumn is Royal
As Spring is clown
But to repaint Summer
They're closing Winter down
(Music and Lyrics by Andy Partridge)
Currently listening :
Skylarking
By XTC
Release date: 14 May, 2002
Current mood: jubilant
Ooooooh, I just love these mornings where I wake up, look out the window, and see the city covered in fog and mist! I get this strange, magical, medieval feeling when the skyscrapers are covered in fog and the car lights are just dots moving through mist.
I'm always wistful at the passing of summer into fall, but it's mornings like these that remind me all seasons are special. Lyrics from the song "Season Cycle" by one of my favorite bands, XTC, pop into my head:
"Season Cycle"
Season cycle moving round and round
Pushing life up from a cold dead ground
It's growing green
It's growing green, well
Darling don't you ever stop to wonder
About the clouds about the hail and thunder
'Bout the baby and its umbilical
Who's pushing the pedals on the season cycle?
Summer chased by Autumn
Autumn chased by Winter
(season cycle go from death to life)
Winter chased by Springtime
(bring a harvest or a man his wife)
Springtime's turning
(it's growing green, it's growing green, well)
Darling, don't you ever sit and ponder
(darling did you ever think)
About the building of the hills a yonder
(all this life stuff's closely linked)
Where we're going in this verdant spiral
Who's pushing the pedals on the season cycle?
Round and round and round and round
I really get confused on who would make all this
(is there a God in Heaven)
Everybody says join our religion get to Heaven
I say no thanks why bless my soul
I'm already there!
Autumn is Royal
As Spring is clown
But to repaint Summer
They're closing Winter down
(Music and Lyrics by Andy Partridge)
Currently listening :
Skylarking
By XTC
Release date: 14 May, 2002
Friday, September 1, 2006
We're Killin' Ahselves Heah!
We're Killin' Ahselves Heah!
Current mood: bitchy
You know, it's absolutely ridiculous that I only get 2 weeks of vacation every year. And I work my ass off, every single day. I think that people should have a minimum of at least 6 weeks a year away from their workplace. Just think how much more valuable of an employee I'd be if I had enough time away to make sure things in my personal life were all settled. Sometimes it's such a rush just getting all the little errands, projects, and goals in your life accomplished. Not to mention the countries I'd like to travel to but don't want to waste thousands of $$ just for a lame weeklong visit (you can't do shit in a single week. I'd say it takes a minimum of a month to really start feelin' the culture)
A couple weeks ago I had drinks with an old friend from college, Ben from Germany. He was here, of course, on vacation; one of the many he takes to all parts of the globe every year. He was explaining to me how his company gave him 2 paid months off a year, and how this went above and beyond Germany's mandatory 6-week requirement. And he has a good, skilled, high-paying job! What the fuck? How can he have his cake and eat it too?
We Americans are just plain crazy! Why do only give ourselves 2 weeks a year? Just to get a little step ahead of the next guy? This capitalism/free market thing, while a good thing for my wallet, sometimes isn't the best thing for the soul.
Currently listening :
Global Underground: Cape Town
By Dave Seaman
Release date: 22 August, 2000
Current mood: bitchy
You know, it's absolutely ridiculous that I only get 2 weeks of vacation every year. And I work my ass off, every single day. I think that people should have a minimum of at least 6 weeks a year away from their workplace. Just think how much more valuable of an employee I'd be if I had enough time away to make sure things in my personal life were all settled. Sometimes it's such a rush just getting all the little errands, projects, and goals in your life accomplished. Not to mention the countries I'd like to travel to but don't want to waste thousands of $$ just for a lame weeklong visit (you can't do shit in a single week. I'd say it takes a minimum of a month to really start feelin' the culture)
A couple weeks ago I had drinks with an old friend from college, Ben from Germany. He was here, of course, on vacation; one of the many he takes to all parts of the globe every year. He was explaining to me how his company gave him 2 paid months off a year, and how this went above and beyond Germany's mandatory 6-week requirement. And he has a good, skilled, high-paying job! What the fuck? How can he have his cake and eat it too?
We Americans are just plain crazy! Why do only give ourselves 2 weeks a year? Just to get a little step ahead of the next guy? This capitalism/free market thing, while a good thing for my wallet, sometimes isn't the best thing for the soul.
Currently listening :
Global Underground: Cape Town
By Dave Seaman
Release date: 22 August, 2000
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Accidents Happen!
Accidents Happen!
Current mood: uncomfortable
There was a super-nasty accident in the Medical/Dental Building parking lot today. That's the building directly west of my office on 6th and Pine. I guess there were 2 people literally mangled in between 2 cars. The rear car apparently hit the acceleration rather than the brake. (Makes my spine tingle!) As I walked by, I saw one of the women being carried out on a stretcher. Her hip bone was sticking off the side of the stretcher. This is one of the nastiest things I think I've ever seen in person. It's burned into my mind right now the way you get sunspots after you look at the sun.
As with everything, I tend to dig a little deeper. I am not a huge fan of outrightly violent movies, but some of my close friends absolutely live for the stuff. Our culture in general is very attuned to and desensitized to violence. (And strangely puritanical about a couple of things I happen to like a lot---sex and nudity!) I noticed that other passersby were not nearly as shocked and concerned as I'd become. There were a few exceptions, of course. But in general it was business as usual.
Does this mean I need to go out and buy a TV and tune in to CSI, etc., like the rest of the country? Should I quit with the obscure documentaries and artsy-fartsy story-based indie films; and seek out blood-and-guts action instead? (I did, after all, check out SoaP last weekend, although that was more of a comedy...)
I just dunno. Today's social mores seem to indicate that my skin is not thick enough, if a little bloody exposed hip bone wigs me out. Sensitivity is not a good trait to carry into the 21st century, it seems. Yet I can't stop thinking about these 2 poor people. I wonder how civilians in Iraq and Lebanon (not to mention the Congo, again, and Darfur) deal with the constant blood and gore they are surrounded with every day.
On a side note, I've never been more pleased with the fact that I don't own a car. Destructive machines, those.
Currently listening :
The Age of Plastic
By The Buggles
Release date: 15 June, 1990
Current mood: uncomfortable
There was a super-nasty accident in the Medical/Dental Building parking lot today. That's the building directly west of my office on 6th and Pine. I guess there were 2 people literally mangled in between 2 cars. The rear car apparently hit the acceleration rather than the brake. (Makes my spine tingle!) As I walked by, I saw one of the women being carried out on a stretcher. Her hip bone was sticking off the side of the stretcher. This is one of the nastiest things I think I've ever seen in person. It's burned into my mind right now the way you get sunspots after you look at the sun.
As with everything, I tend to dig a little deeper. I am not a huge fan of outrightly violent movies, but some of my close friends absolutely live for the stuff. Our culture in general is very attuned to and desensitized to violence. (And strangely puritanical about a couple of things I happen to like a lot---sex and nudity!) I noticed that other passersby were not nearly as shocked and concerned as I'd become. There were a few exceptions, of course. But in general it was business as usual.
Does this mean I need to go out and buy a TV and tune in to CSI, etc., like the rest of the country? Should I quit with the obscure documentaries and artsy-fartsy story-based indie films; and seek out blood-and-guts action instead? (I did, after all, check out SoaP last weekend, although that was more of a comedy...)
I just dunno. Today's social mores seem to indicate that my skin is not thick enough, if a little bloody exposed hip bone wigs me out. Sensitivity is not a good trait to carry into the 21st century, it seems. Yet I can't stop thinking about these 2 poor people. I wonder how civilians in Iraq and Lebanon (not to mention the Congo, again, and Darfur) deal with the constant blood and gore they are surrounded with every day.
On a side note, I've never been more pleased with the fact that I don't own a car. Destructive machines, those.
Currently listening :
The Age of Plastic
By The Buggles
Release date: 15 June, 1990
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Obligatory Sports Post
Obligatory Sports Post
Current mood: disappointed
OK, I just have to say it.
The Mariners officially suck. Thanks for getting my hopes all up, guys, and then proceeding to play like they couldn't beat my grandma's softball team for the past 2 weeks... Can't believe I thought we had a chance at the playoffs. Either suck, or be good, but stop jerking us around! I'd be fired from my job if I was that inconsistent.
OK, that's it. Had to get it off my chest. Back to your regularly scheduled existential blogs and survey bulletins.
Currently listening :
Power, Corruption & Lies
By New Order
Release date: 25 October, 1990
Current mood: disappointed
OK, I just have to say it.
The Mariners officially suck. Thanks for getting my hopes all up, guys, and then proceeding to play like they couldn't beat my grandma's softball team for the past 2 weeks... Can't believe I thought we had a chance at the playoffs. Either suck, or be good, but stop jerking us around! I'd be fired from my job if I was that inconsistent.
OK, that's it. Had to get it off my chest. Back to your regularly scheduled existential blogs and survey bulletins.
Currently listening :
Power, Corruption & Lies
By New Order
Release date: 25 October, 1990
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
The Price of Commerce
The Price of Commerce
Current mood: hungry
I love living next to the Pike Place Market. It's important to me to support local farmers. I love handing them my cash, having them make me change from the pouches on their belts, and the general old-fashioned form of free market capitalism on a very small scale.
Plus, I swear to Whomever that it tastes better. Safeway peppers are all slimy and obnoxiously large. The peppers at the market are fresh, crisp, and full of flavor. The guy who runs the organic stand is like an old friend of mine now. When I walk by, he always shouts out a recommendation to me, knowing that I'll take it straight home into some random concoction for the evening. I give him my feedback, and he passes it along to the farmers.
I wish I could participate more in small-scale commerce. Living in a major city makes that difficult, although recently I have begun to support small internet businesses, which you can do from anywhere. But at least the market is always there for me, and I don't have to pay some suit a percentage of my food budget.
Currently listening :
Dare!
By The Human League
Release date: 16 September, 1997
Current mood: hungry
I love living next to the Pike Place Market. It's important to me to support local farmers. I love handing them my cash, having them make me change from the pouches on their belts, and the general old-fashioned form of free market capitalism on a very small scale.
Plus, I swear to Whomever that it tastes better. Safeway peppers are all slimy and obnoxiously large. The peppers at the market are fresh, crisp, and full of flavor. The guy who runs the organic stand is like an old friend of mine now. When I walk by, he always shouts out a recommendation to me, knowing that I'll take it straight home into some random concoction for the evening. I give him my feedback, and he passes it along to the farmers.
I wish I could participate more in small-scale commerce. Living in a major city makes that difficult, although recently I have begun to support small internet businesses, which you can do from anywhere. But at least the market is always there for me, and I don't have to pay some suit a percentage of my food budget.
Currently listening :
Dare!
By The Human League
Release date: 16 September, 1997
Monday, August 7, 2006
Sweet Freedom; Or, How the Helper Remembered to Help Himself
Sweet Freedom; Or, How The Helper Remembered To Help Himself
Current mood: optimistic
I've been single for almost a month now, and can I just say folks, the feeling is great. It's amazing how much of myself I've lost over the past couple of years. Not just in this last relationship, but in the grey area that existed before it, the part of my mind that allowed me to bury so much of myself for what I thought was the better overall good.
I am a very generous and giving person. It's a part of my personality I believe I developed especially because of my stepdad, who is one of the most selfless and caring people I have ever known. He is the type of person who is more concerned with how he can make people around him happy, and he often forgets to keep an eye out for himself. When I was a kid, I can recall many times when I'd have to say something specific to him to make sure he was thinking of himself and not just the group. For someone so conservative and oriented towards free-market philosophy, this was an awfully communistic personality trait for him to display. I will always respect him, for everything he is, but especially for that. It's humbling to have been raised by such a giving person, and I'm lucky.
I tend to express these same sorts of selfless feelings in relationships. I forget about myself in order to make sure the other person is always comfortable. This became a huge problem in this last relationship. She was an extremely selfish person, almost negatively so. I often felt neglected and forgotten about, and definitely thought of it as a one-sided relationship after a while. My support was important and integral to her, but I didn't get much in return.
Now, I'm not the type of person to just stay in a bad situation. But, she had been struggling with some serious and difficult mental problems for some time. I was able to deal with the one-sided-ness, thinking all the while that it wasn't her fault and that things would get better eventually. And during the times when she was normal, I was happy around her.
But those happy times began to get very few and far inbetween. And things never did get better, although I respect her for trying. Suffice it to say that now we are no longer together, I am rediscovering myself and who I really am. There were parts of my personality that I loved, and had forgotten about, with my mental energy focused elsewhere. But certain things that were buried are starting to float back up to the surface. It's kinda fun remembering some of things I used to enjoy, and realizing that I still enjoy them. No wonder when we were together all I wanted to do was watch TV and play video games. My creativity, lust for life, and spontaneity were gone, buried deep down under the daily burden of being there for her.
The past month has been incredible, and the pain didn't take very long to melt away. After seeing how much I'd forgotten about myself, I started to realize that there wasn't much to mourn. And it's been fabulous to just be selfish for a little while. I'm not sure whether or not I want to get back into another relationship at this point, but when I do, I won't settle for anything less than 50-50. That's the way it should be, and I won't compromise again, for ANY reason.
Currently listening :
The Legend of Johnny Cash
By Johnny Cash
Release date: 25 October, 2005
Current mood: optimistic
I've been single for almost a month now, and can I just say folks, the feeling is great. It's amazing how much of myself I've lost over the past couple of years. Not just in this last relationship, but in the grey area that existed before it, the part of my mind that allowed me to bury so much of myself for what I thought was the better overall good.
I am a very generous and giving person. It's a part of my personality I believe I developed especially because of my stepdad, who is one of the most selfless and caring people I have ever known. He is the type of person who is more concerned with how he can make people around him happy, and he often forgets to keep an eye out for himself. When I was a kid, I can recall many times when I'd have to say something specific to him to make sure he was thinking of himself and not just the group. For someone so conservative and oriented towards free-market philosophy, this was an awfully communistic personality trait for him to display. I will always respect him, for everything he is, but especially for that. It's humbling to have been raised by such a giving person, and I'm lucky.
I tend to express these same sorts of selfless feelings in relationships. I forget about myself in order to make sure the other person is always comfortable. This became a huge problem in this last relationship. She was an extremely selfish person, almost negatively so. I often felt neglected and forgotten about, and definitely thought of it as a one-sided relationship after a while. My support was important and integral to her, but I didn't get much in return.
Now, I'm not the type of person to just stay in a bad situation. But, she had been struggling with some serious and difficult mental problems for some time. I was able to deal with the one-sided-ness, thinking all the while that it wasn't her fault and that things would get better eventually. And during the times when she was normal, I was happy around her.
But those happy times began to get very few and far inbetween. And things never did get better, although I respect her for trying. Suffice it to say that now we are no longer together, I am rediscovering myself and who I really am. There were parts of my personality that I loved, and had forgotten about, with my mental energy focused elsewhere. But certain things that were buried are starting to float back up to the surface. It's kinda fun remembering some of things I used to enjoy, and realizing that I still enjoy them. No wonder when we were together all I wanted to do was watch TV and play video games. My creativity, lust for life, and spontaneity were gone, buried deep down under the daily burden of being there for her.
The past month has been incredible, and the pain didn't take very long to melt away. After seeing how much I'd forgotten about myself, I started to realize that there wasn't much to mourn. And it's been fabulous to just be selfish for a little while. I'm not sure whether or not I want to get back into another relationship at this point, but when I do, I won't settle for anything less than 50-50. That's the way it should be, and I won't compromise again, for ANY reason.
Currently listening :
The Legend of Johnny Cash
By Johnny Cash
Release date: 25 October, 2005
Friday, August 4, 2006
Budget Stay in NYC
Budget Stay in NYC
Current mood: curious
So I'll be in NYC next month and would love to stay on a budget. Who's got tips? Sure, sure, I can "google it," just like I can google that naked photo of your aunt Josephina, but one tends to prefer an honest recommendation from the lips of a trusted friend. I'm cool with hostels and the like.
Currently listening :
English Settlement
By XTC
Release date: 25 June, 2002
Current mood: curious
So I'll be in NYC next month and would love to stay on a budget. Who's got tips? Sure, sure, I can "google it," just like I can google that naked photo of your aunt Josephina, but one tends to prefer an honest recommendation from the lips of a trusted friend. I'm cool with hostels and the like.
Currently listening :
English Settlement
By XTC
Release date: 25 June, 2002
Thursday, August 3, 2006
The Borg
Current mood: quixotic
I'm seeing more and more people out on the street with the little bluetooth cellphone adapters that fit in the ear. All I can think of is the Borg! These people crack me up. They walk around talking to thin air like it's no big deal. I catch the funniest sayings from people here and there. That is, when I don't have my super-duper noise canceling headphones plugged deep into my ears, pumping deep electro bass into my soul.
I think of it on a grander scale, though. It would be funny to go back a couple hundred years and see what sorts of things you had in your pockets and on your person back then. Probably things more suited towards survival and safety. It's interesting how things have changed. The things we carry around now don't serve much practical use. They are luxury items that we've become accustomed to. I sure as hell am not gonna leave my Ipod at home! Talk about the end of the world!
Resistance is indeed futile.
Currently listening :
The Pink Opaque
By Cocteau Twins
Release date: 02 February, 1999
Current mood: quixotic
I'm seeing more and more people out on the street with the little bluetooth cellphone adapters that fit in the ear. All I can think of is the Borg! These people crack me up. They walk around talking to thin air like it's no big deal. I catch the funniest sayings from people here and there. That is, when I don't have my super-duper noise canceling headphones plugged deep into my ears, pumping deep electro bass into my soul.
I think of it on a grander scale, though. It would be funny to go back a couple hundred years and see what sorts of things you had in your pockets and on your person back then. Probably things more suited towards survival and safety. It's interesting how things have changed. The things we carry around now don't serve much practical use. They are luxury items that we've become accustomed to. I sure as hell am not gonna leave my Ipod at home! Talk about the end of the world!
Resistance is indeed futile.
Currently listening :
The Pink Opaque
By Cocteau Twins
Release date: 02 February, 1999
Monday, June 19, 2006
Good mood!
Good Mood!
Current mood: satisfied
This is sort of a strange thing to blog about...
But, lately I've just been in a very positive, progressive-thinking mood. Dunno if it's just the coming of summer (probably) or that my astrological indicators are in some sort of alignment (more likely) but things just seem to be clicking lately.
I got the very first college-level 4.0 in my life this past quarter! Not bad for having been out of school for 8 years. This has tremendously helped my confidence and outlook regarding this this whole going-back-to-school thing. It's been sort of an experiment for me (and for those close to me you know that I've really changed around my lifestyle for this) and it feels very rewarding to have some level of success.
I've reconnected lately with some people who have been out of my life for some time. It was fantastic to see one of my all-time closest buddies Nate last week. I've always had a high level of respect and admiration for him, and it was so great to hang out with him after a couple years apart. I'm glad he's back from Iraq safely and I look forward to seeing him more often.
I've also been extremely happy with the way my relationship with my parents has developed over the past 4-5 years or so. I really like that I have 4, not just 2, really cool parents, all of whom treat me as an equal and all of whom have contributed to the adult I've become. I see the way other people still have serious issues with their parents, even in their adult lives, and I feel lucky that after many years of tense, acrimonious, and sometimes bitter conflict, we've resolved our differences and agreed to disagree. Our relationship is stronger and for the better because of it.
My oldest younger sister Anna recently was married, and she was SO HAPPY. It was heartwarming to see her finally tie the knot with her childhood sweetheart and best friend Sean. It was one of the more emotional experiences I've had in years. They are going to have a good life together. You can just tell by being around them how much in love they are. I'm always nervous about Mormon weddings, specifically because they get married so young, and because they are so inexperienced and naive sexually, but I really think this one was meant to be.
I've finally started to make firm plans (after MUCH talk) and will be buying property this fall. Unless the housing market crashes over the summer, I'll probably have to stick to a condo for now, but it will sure be a load off my mind to know that I'm not wasting $600 on rent every month. Jeeez! It will be cool to start building some equity. And then, a few years from now when I begin my actual career, I'll have a little equity saved up as down payment for a real house (hopefully out in the middle of nowhere considering how much I hate people... ha ha ha... No, actually, I'm not kidding, disregard that ha ha ha...)
Anyway, I don't write this as a "Look At Me I'm Happy" sort of thing. It's not my intention to gloat. It's just that, for most of the past 10-15 years, I've had my struggles and been extremely unhappy and often wondered if I would ever feel the way I do now. There were some VERY dark moments along the way, with little or no light at the end of the tunnel.
I guess that's just a life lesson in The Best Things in Life Don't Come Easy. And I certainly don't expect things to plateau here. I'm going to keep working on the things that bring me down, and keep focusing on the things that lift me up. I figure I've got another 50 years at least, and as we all know, anything can happen at anytime.
But for now, I'm smiling! :)
Currently listening :
Transitions
By John Digweed
Release date: 27 June, 2006
Current mood: satisfied
This is sort of a strange thing to blog about...
But, lately I've just been in a very positive, progressive-thinking mood. Dunno if it's just the coming of summer (probably) or that my astrological indicators are in some sort of alignment (more likely) but things just seem to be clicking lately.
I got the very first college-level 4.0 in my life this past quarter! Not bad for having been out of school for 8 years. This has tremendously helped my confidence and outlook regarding this this whole going-back-to-school thing. It's been sort of an experiment for me (and for those close to me you know that I've really changed around my lifestyle for this) and it feels very rewarding to have some level of success.
I've reconnected lately with some people who have been out of my life for some time. It was fantastic to see one of my all-time closest buddies Nate last week. I've always had a high level of respect and admiration for him, and it was so great to hang out with him after a couple years apart. I'm glad he's back from Iraq safely and I look forward to seeing him more often.
I've also been extremely happy with the way my relationship with my parents has developed over the past 4-5 years or so. I really like that I have 4, not just 2, really cool parents, all of whom treat me as an equal and all of whom have contributed to the adult I've become. I see the way other people still have serious issues with their parents, even in their adult lives, and I feel lucky that after many years of tense, acrimonious, and sometimes bitter conflict, we've resolved our differences and agreed to disagree. Our relationship is stronger and for the better because of it.
My oldest younger sister Anna recently was married, and she was SO HAPPY. It was heartwarming to see her finally tie the knot with her childhood sweetheart and best friend Sean. It was one of the more emotional experiences I've had in years. They are going to have a good life together. You can just tell by being around them how much in love they are. I'm always nervous about Mormon weddings, specifically because they get married so young, and because they are so inexperienced and naive sexually, but I really think this one was meant to be.
I've finally started to make firm plans (after MUCH talk) and will be buying property this fall. Unless the housing market crashes over the summer, I'll probably have to stick to a condo for now, but it will sure be a load off my mind to know that I'm not wasting $600 on rent every month. Jeeez! It will be cool to start building some equity. And then, a few years from now when I begin my actual career, I'll have a little equity saved up as down payment for a real house (hopefully out in the middle of nowhere considering how much I hate people... ha ha ha... No, actually, I'm not kidding, disregard that ha ha ha...)
Anyway, I don't write this as a "Look At Me I'm Happy" sort of thing. It's not my intention to gloat. It's just that, for most of the past 10-15 years, I've had my struggles and been extremely unhappy and often wondered if I would ever feel the way I do now. There were some VERY dark moments along the way, with little or no light at the end of the tunnel.
I guess that's just a life lesson in The Best Things in Life Don't Come Easy. And I certainly don't expect things to plateau here. I'm going to keep working on the things that bring me down, and keep focusing on the things that lift me up. I figure I've got another 50 years at least, and as we all know, anything can happen at anytime.
But for now, I'm smiling! :)
Currently listening :
Transitions
By John Digweed
Release date: 27 June, 2006
Thursday, April 6, 2006
Hurry, Hurry, Hurry
Hurry, Hurry, Hurry
Current mood: pensive
Riding my notoriously slow elevator this evening, I overheard a younger woman complaining about how she'd "kill herself" if she had to live in this building and deal with this elevator.
It got me thinking about the current pace of our culture, and the pace of city life in general. We're always thinking about what's going to happen next; about where we're going next; about that next purchase; etc.
It's sad, really. Does anyone ever stop to notice what's going on around them? Do people still take pleasure in the little things? Or have the little things turned from pleasant surprises to annoyances?
At some point in my life I'm going to have to move out of the city. I'm not going to be able to keep this pace up forever. Nor do I even want to.
Currently listening :
3121
By Prince
Release date: 21 March, 2006
Current mood: pensive
Riding my notoriously slow elevator this evening, I overheard a younger woman complaining about how she'd "kill herself" if she had to live in this building and deal with this elevator.
It got me thinking about the current pace of our culture, and the pace of city life in general. We're always thinking about what's going to happen next; about where we're going next; about that next purchase; etc.
It's sad, really. Does anyone ever stop to notice what's going on around them? Do people still take pleasure in the little things? Or have the little things turned from pleasant surprises to annoyances?
At some point in my life I'm going to have to move out of the city. I'm not going to be able to keep this pace up forever. Nor do I even want to.
Currently listening :
3121
By Prince
Release date: 21 March, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
New Job, New Outlook
New Job, New Outlook
Current mood: excited
Well, I'm happy to announce that I have decided to stay at Nordstrom, albeit in a new and less stressful position. And with the great set schedule (M-F 7-4) I am going to be starting classes at SCCC on Apr. 3. I can't wait!
I will now be working as an "Item Analyst" in the Centralized Merchandising Information Office (CMIO) in the corporate offices. Maybe a little less exciting than managing at the Rack, but certainly a lot less stress and responsibility. Plus, I can listen to my Ipod all day! Those of you who know me well know that that is as close to heaven as my agnosticism allows me to get!
My last day at the Rack is tomorrow, the 17th. I will miss all of the friends and acquaintances I've made here, and I will really miss the team that I have built. They are good people and I have the utmost respect for them.
But I was ready for a new challenge, and this will provide me with that as well as the opportunity to finally get that damn little piece of paper that says I'm smart. Hard to get ahead in the world without a degree anymore, I've learned.
Currently reading :
The Cosmic Puppets : A Novel (Vintage)
By Philip K. Dick
Release date: 11 November, 2003
Current mood: excited
Well, I'm happy to announce that I have decided to stay at Nordstrom, albeit in a new and less stressful position. And with the great set schedule (M-F 7-4) I am going to be starting classes at SCCC on Apr. 3. I can't wait!
I will now be working as an "Item Analyst" in the Centralized Merchandising Information Office (CMIO) in the corporate offices. Maybe a little less exciting than managing at the Rack, but certainly a lot less stress and responsibility. Plus, I can listen to my Ipod all day! Those of you who know me well know that that is as close to heaven as my agnosticism allows me to get!
My last day at the Rack is tomorrow, the 17th. I will miss all of the friends and acquaintances I've made here, and I will really miss the team that I have built. They are good people and I have the utmost respect for them.
But I was ready for a new challenge, and this will provide me with that as well as the opportunity to finally get that damn little piece of paper that says I'm smart. Hard to get ahead in the world without a degree anymore, I've learned.
Currently reading :
The Cosmic Puppets : A Novel (Vintage)
By Philip K. Dick
Release date: 11 November, 2003
Thursday, March 2, 2006
Mayor Small Penis
Mayor Small Penis
Current mood: quixotic
Pretty funny what happened to me yesterday...
Walking into the gym yesterday to do my afternoon workout, and whaddaya know? There's Mayor Nickels a couple lockers down from me, totally naked and chatting with some other naked guy.
Now, normally in the gym locker room I don't go around checking out other guys' packages. But... he is the mayor. And I had to look.
Very, very, very small. Almost embarrassingly so! Now, perhaps it was obscured by his massive belly, but I'm pretty damn sure he will never command Randy Johnson's nickname. (The Big Unit)
Thinking about it later on, I'm almost embarrassed myself that our mayor has such a small penis. But perhaps it is appropriate for a city such as ours. One that talks the talk but rarely walks the walk. Mass transit, this century, anyone?
Current mood: quixotic
Pretty funny what happened to me yesterday...
Walking into the gym yesterday to do my afternoon workout, and whaddaya know? There's Mayor Nickels a couple lockers down from me, totally naked and chatting with some other naked guy.
Now, normally in the gym locker room I don't go around checking out other guys' packages. But... he is the mayor. And I had to look.
Very, very, very small. Almost embarrassingly so! Now, perhaps it was obscured by his massive belly, but I'm pretty damn sure he will never command Randy Johnson's nickname. (The Big Unit)
Thinking about it later on, I'm almost embarrassed myself that our mayor has such a small penis. But perhaps it is appropriate for a city such as ours. One that talks the talk but rarely walks the walk. Mass transit, this century, anyone?
Sunday, January 29, 2006
The Silent Majority
The Silent Majority
Current mood: thoughtful
Playing Trivial Pursuit (What a great game! What a great title---I love pursuing trivial things!) last week, a question came up which caused me to think. The question had to do with a quote from Richard Nixon and who he thought elected him. The answer was the "Silent Majority."
Today I was putting this into the context of our current lovely situation and wondering whatever happened to the silent majority. I heard the term bandied about time and time again during the 2004 election, and for some naive reason had this underdog/lifesaver sort of spirit all summer as I held out hope that the regime might get bumped from office by the wisdom of this silent majority.
You know who they are: sensible, reasonable, hard-working, down-to-earth people who go about their business, don't talk politics but pay attention, and know right from wrong. These people knew that pre-emptive war was questionable at best. They knew that taking from the poor and giving to the rich was wrong. And they've noticed the continual drone of scandal and abuse of power from a cocky Washington.
Obviously they were still a little too Silent in '04....
Nixon was elected in '68 due in large part to the "Pull Out of Vietnam" theme of his campaign. He didn't stick with that theme for much longer after he was sworn in, keeping combat going (not to mention attacking Cambodia!) for the remainder of his presidency.
The silent majority turned on him pretty damn quick. What will happen this fall, not to mention '08? That is, if the Silent Majority still exists? Or are they just too busy watching American Idol to care anymore?
Current mood: thoughtful
Playing Trivial Pursuit (What a great game! What a great title---I love pursuing trivial things!) last week, a question came up which caused me to think. The question had to do with a quote from Richard Nixon and who he thought elected him. The answer was the "Silent Majority."
Today I was putting this into the context of our current lovely situation and wondering whatever happened to the silent majority. I heard the term bandied about time and time again during the 2004 election, and for some naive reason had this underdog/lifesaver sort of spirit all summer as I held out hope that the regime might get bumped from office by the wisdom of this silent majority.
You know who they are: sensible, reasonable, hard-working, down-to-earth people who go about their business, don't talk politics but pay attention, and know right from wrong. These people knew that pre-emptive war was questionable at best. They knew that taking from the poor and giving to the rich was wrong. And they've noticed the continual drone of scandal and abuse of power from a cocky Washington.
Obviously they were still a little too Silent in '04....
Nixon was elected in '68 due in large part to the "Pull Out of Vietnam" theme of his campaign. He didn't stick with that theme for much longer after he was sworn in, keeping combat going (not to mention attacking Cambodia!) for the remainder of his presidency.
The silent majority turned on him pretty damn quick. What will happen this fall, not to mention '08? That is, if the Silent Majority still exists? Or are they just too busy watching American Idol to care anymore?
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