The first time I played poker, with real people and real (albeit coin) money, I was hosed. Not necessarily because I am bad at playing cards--I am not excellent but I can do okay--but because my luck was exceptionally poor. The second time I played was not much different, though I did manage to reach the bottom of my change dish slower.
But on Saturday, the Gods finally let me go. I got good hands (I was dealt an Ace high straight in 5-card!) and managed to come away with more money than I had entered with. At least, I think. It's hard to tell when you play with a big pile of uncounted change.
It was a fun evening, full of surprising hands and excellent pizza. And, above all, a clean slate of gambling karma.
Now it's off to DC and then Michigan for a few (nine) days! I may post while away, but clearly there are no promises.
December 19, 2006
December 7, 2006
If It Were In The Onion...
Once again, the Washington Post hands us a story that is so full of deranged quotes that it feels like it should be a satire of some kind. But no, the House really is going to work 5 days a week. The horror.
It's not so much the workload (out by 2pm on Monday and Friday!), which is eerily similar to my own schedule, but the reaction from the Congresspersons who dislike the plan. I'm not assuming they're all GOP, but that's all the Post quotes (though a Dem Rep from Florida says she has a Brownie troop conflict). Roy Blunt (R-MO) says its a strategy to screw freshman Democrats, but even funnier are Rep. Jack Kingston's (R-GA) thoughts:
Oh Jack, you stupid SOB, I'm sorry if you thought being voted into one of the highest positions in the free world would require only a half-hour of your time every 3rd weekend of the month, but it turns out this isn't the National Guard.
But he's right, though. I could care less about his family. Because millions of Americans see their kids and spouses far less often than good ol' Jack Kingston and his ragtag bunch of freeloading representatives. The article also mentions that this year's GOP-led Congress--the 109th--worked for a whopping 103 days (and how many of those were out-at-2pm days?) this year.
But I guess that's fine, what with there being nothing at all to legislate about these days.
It's not so much the workload (out by 2pm on Monday and Friday!), which is eerily similar to my own schedule, but the reaction from the Congresspersons who dislike the plan. I'm not assuming they're all GOP, but that's all the Post quotes (though a Dem Rep from Florida says she has a Brownie troop conflict). Roy Blunt (R-MO) says its a strategy to screw freshman Democrats, but even funnier are Rep. Jack Kingston's (R-GA) thoughts:
"Keeping us up here eats away at families. Marriages suffer. The Democrats could care less about families -- that's what this says."
Oh Jack, you stupid SOB, I'm sorry if you thought being voted into one of the highest positions in the free world would require only a half-hour of your time every 3rd weekend of the month, but it turns out this isn't the National Guard.
But he's right, though. I could care less about his family. Because millions of Americans see their kids and spouses far less often than good ol' Jack Kingston and his ragtag bunch of freeloading representatives. The article also mentions that this year's GOP-led Congress--the 109th--worked for a whopping 103 days (and how many of those were out-at-2pm days?) this year.
But I guess that's fine, what with there being nothing at all to legislate about these days.
November 30, 2006
Can we try TV chemotherapy?
My television, with years of excellent service under her belt, is dying.
I knew she* had a cancer of some sort when white lines began appearing
at the top of the screen when first powered on. But those lines faded
fairly quickly and I hoped they were merely a sign of age.
Sadly, whatever malady afflicts my poor JVC has spread so that now she
has become a defacto editor of all television shows, randomly fading
any given scene to black. While sometimes I appreciate the effort to
spare me further idiocy, the sound remains and after a few seconds,
the picture fades right back in.
This is simply unacceptable when one has The Office and Scrubs to
watch. Fortunately a backup TV exists, but it will not serve us in the
long-term. No, I must look towards the future. I must look towards...
a new television.
Since I'm not technically jobless anymore (lawyer w/clients =
employed, no matter how little he is making), it seems that buying a
TV is probably a wise move. I'm concerned about wasting money on a TV
that is obsolete out of the box (i.e. non-HD, non-digital, etc.) but I
do not have much to spend on such luxuries.
Suggestions are welcome, but mostly I just wanted to share my sadness
at losing a valued member of the household.
*Yes, my television was of the female gender. No, not for any particular reason.
November 21, 2006
Best Ends
Let's just pretend I've apologized profusely for the lack of updates, and then move on to an actual post, eh?
Best Movie Ending: This is a tough one for me, as I have seen a great many movies (984 at last count). But the first one that comes to mind was The Shawshank Redemption. Say what you will about the feasibility of two ex-cons living in a shack in Mexico, but from the moment Andy escapes, to the moment Redd begins his search, I was on the edge of my seat.
Best TV Ending: It seems to me that it's really, really hard to pull of ending a television show well. The format just doesn't lend itself to a non-episodic ending (problem, non-solution, failure of non-solution, realization of actual solution: all in 22 to 43 minutes) and many shows have met their end with decidedly mixed results. The best you can generally hope for is for a few kernels of excellence in an otherwise so-so finale.* The exception (you knew there had to be one) in my opinion is the series finale of The Office (UK version, of course). I won't give it away -- because it's absolutely amazing if you don't know what happens -- but it achieved exactly 100% of what I wanted from that series. Brilliant.
Best Game Ending: Another area that is rife with disappointment. Beyond the "YOU HAVE WON PLAY AGAIN?" of the NES days, even today's whiz-bang games still often lack a real punch at the ending. I'm not terribly well-rounded when it comes to games -- console titles like Resident Evil or Final Fantasy aren't my thing -- but from the many computer games I've played, the Starcraft and Diablo series stands out as pretty well-finished products. Perhaps that's only because the entirety of the storyline was good, and the endings just kept up the excellence.
Best Book Ending: Tough call. I am not as well-read as I'd like, so it's difficult for me to really say. In fact, I'm just going to leave this to the librarians and English majors, and plead ignorance.
Best Life Ending: Trick question. Life doesn't really end, does it? I guess if someone dies while saving 80 nuns and 120 children from certain doom while curing cancer and ending world hunger, that'd be a pretty good ending. Until I do that, however, the story is often better than how it ends, as far as life goes.
*Buffy ended this way; so did Angel. Seinfeld, in my opinion, didn't really even reach the so-so level. MASH probably holds the gold in this category, but since I didn't see it at the time, and thus did not have the emotional connection to the characters, I went with my own personal favorite.
Best Movie Ending: This is a tough one for me, as I have seen a great many movies (984 at last count). But the first one that comes to mind was The Shawshank Redemption. Say what you will about the feasibility of two ex-cons living in a shack in Mexico, but from the moment Andy escapes, to the moment Redd begins his search, I was on the edge of my seat.
Best TV Ending: It seems to me that it's really, really hard to pull of ending a television show well. The format just doesn't lend itself to a non-episodic ending (problem, non-solution, failure of non-solution, realization of actual solution: all in 22 to 43 minutes) and many shows have met their end with decidedly mixed results. The best you can generally hope for is for a few kernels of excellence in an otherwise so-so finale.* The exception (you knew there had to be one) in my opinion is the series finale of The Office (UK version, of course). I won't give it away -- because it's absolutely amazing if you don't know what happens -- but it achieved exactly 100% of what I wanted from that series. Brilliant.
Best Game Ending: Another area that is rife with disappointment. Beyond the "YOU HAVE WON PLAY AGAIN?" of the NES days, even today's whiz-bang games still often lack a real punch at the ending. I'm not terribly well-rounded when it comes to games -- console titles like Resident Evil or Final Fantasy aren't my thing -- but from the many computer games I've played, the Starcraft and Diablo series stands out as pretty well-finished products. Perhaps that's only because the entirety of the storyline was good, and the endings just kept up the excellence.
Best Book Ending: Tough call. I am not as well-read as I'd like, so it's difficult for me to really say. In fact, I'm just going to leave this to the librarians and English majors, and plead ignorance.
Best Life Ending: Trick question. Life doesn't really end, does it? I guess if someone dies while saving 80 nuns and 120 children from certain doom while curing cancer and ending world hunger, that'd be a pretty good ending. Until I do that, however, the story is often better than how it ends, as far as life goes.
*Buffy ended this way; so did Angel. Seinfeld, in my opinion, didn't really even reach the so-so level. MASH probably holds the gold in this category, but since I didn't see it at the time, and thus did not have the emotional connection to the characters, I went with my own personal favorite.
November 7, 2006
Obligatory Voting Post
You should vote. Today should probably be a holiday to make it easier on you, but even though it isn't, vote anyhow.
I live in one of the most liberal cities in this hemisphere, a place where my largely progressive vote will most likely be but one in a huge tide of left-leaning ballots, but I'm still voting.
Even if you're the opposite, you should vote as well. I'd rather that some of you thought a little bit harder before you did, and about the right things, so here's a list of what to consider today:
The Iraq War
Government disaster response
Whether your congressman is corrupt
Whether your party supports the corruption
The environment
Your positions on these things don't matter to me. Everyone can disagree. Vote your conscience. But do not vote based on:
John Kerry's inability to read a teleprompter
The gay marriage boogeyman
Anything involving "culture wars"
Fear
These are red herrings. None of them truly matter to the welfare of our country because all are irrelevant to this election, especially that last one. Finally, don't vote based on any ad you've seen on TV, ever. They are all (Democrat and Republican alike) distortions and should be taken about as seriously as you would take voting advice found on the back of a sugar packet.
I live in one of the most liberal cities in this hemisphere, a place where my largely progressive vote will most likely be but one in a huge tide of left-leaning ballots, but I'm still voting.
Even if you're the opposite, you should vote as well. I'd rather that some of you thought a little bit harder before you did, and about the right things, so here's a list of what to consider today:
The Iraq War
Government disaster response
Whether your congressman is corrupt
Whether your party supports the corruption
The environment
Your positions on these things don't matter to me. Everyone can disagree. Vote your conscience. But do not vote based on:
John Kerry's inability to read a teleprompter
The gay marriage boogeyman
Anything involving "culture wars"
Fear
These are red herrings. None of them truly matter to the welfare of our country because all are irrelevant to this election, especially that last one. Finally, don't vote based on any ad you've seen on TV, ever. They are all (Democrat and Republican alike) distortions and should be taken about as seriously as you would take voting advice found on the back of a sugar packet.
November 6, 2006
2-0
My exceptional legal career continued today, as I went to court to fight what I considered to be an unjust MUNI ticket. Also, because I didn't know it would only cost $100 (the MUNI website says fines can be $500) until after I scheduled the court date.
Turns out, it takes 45 minutes but all the judge asked for was my MUNI pass at the time -- which I gave him -- and the whole thing was dismissed.
Will I remember this 40 years from now, when I sit atop the Supreme Court dispensing justice as a robe-clad modern-day gladiator of the legal arena? Probably not. But it was still fun to win one.
Oh, and I'm 2-0 because I fought a parking ticket in law school and won that, too. For those keeping score.
Turns out, it takes 45 minutes but all the judge asked for was my MUNI pass at the time -- which I gave him -- and the whole thing was dismissed.
Will I remember this 40 years from now, when I sit atop the Supreme Court dispensing justice as a robe-clad modern-day gladiator of the legal arena? Probably not. But it was still fun to win one.
Oh, and I'm 2-0 because I fought a parking ticket in law school and won that, too. For those keeping score.
October 28, 2006
Politicos
I haven't said much about politics in awhile--a long while, actually--perhaps because it depresses me. I've been politically aware for a long time now (since the mid 90's) and I've never been more "aware" of the futility of caring about politics than I am right now.
I don't mean that politics doesn't matter; in fact, just the opposite. I think when you look at all the things people can obsess over (celebrity, sports, social life) politics is one of the only things that can and will actually change the world. The people we elect are directly responsible for how our society, and our planet, will end up, and yet those who do the electing are so incomprehensibly stupid that it makes me wonder how anything works at all.
Take obsession over celebrities, or sports. I know a number of people (myself include, but to a lesser degree, I hope) who know the latest about every Hollywood person out there. They "vote" with their wallets, but at the end of the day, Hollywood has only an indirect effect, at best, on how people live their lives. Sports is the same; I'm quite disappointed that the Tigers got beat out of the Series like they did (that's a whole 'nother post, even) but does it change the world? It barely changes Detroit.
Then there's politics, where there seems to be no real accountability, and no real thought behind any one particular voter's choices while in the voting booth. People spend hours learning about what stupid-ass thing Paris Hilton did last week, but 5 minutes of actual thought about the Iraq war, or the environment, or just the corruption in general, is apparently too much to ask.
I'm just frustrated, and this is a rant. I've been depressed, politically, since the 2004 election, and I don't want to see the same thing happen here. But I'm smart enough to know that even if my "wildest dreams" come true and the Dems pick up both the house and senate, they're probably too inept to do anything with them.
I'm just one vote, unfortunately. And I can curse and bemoan the voting majority in this country that wants to keep electing the Republican party, but I can't do a single thing about it. None of them even read this blog.
Okay, just in case they do, I'll say this: don't be an asshole. The Republicans have screwed up pretty much every facet of government, and while the Democrats may screw up as well, any of you who put the GOP in power in 2000 and 2004 owe the rest of us the chance to let our own people fix it. If it doesn't work, I'll join you in voting Whig in 2008.
I don't mean that politics doesn't matter; in fact, just the opposite. I think when you look at all the things people can obsess over (celebrity, sports, social life) politics is one of the only things that can and will actually change the world. The people we elect are directly responsible for how our society, and our planet, will end up, and yet those who do the electing are so incomprehensibly stupid that it makes me wonder how anything works at all.
Take obsession over celebrities, or sports. I know a number of people (myself include, but to a lesser degree, I hope) who know the latest about every Hollywood person out there. They "vote" with their wallets, but at the end of the day, Hollywood has only an indirect effect, at best, on how people live their lives. Sports is the same; I'm quite disappointed that the Tigers got beat out of the Series like they did (that's a whole 'nother post, even) but does it change the world? It barely changes Detroit.
Then there's politics, where there seems to be no real accountability, and no real thought behind any one particular voter's choices while in the voting booth. People spend hours learning about what stupid-ass thing Paris Hilton did last week, but 5 minutes of actual thought about the Iraq war, or the environment, or just the corruption in general, is apparently too much to ask.
I'm just frustrated, and this is a rant. I've been depressed, politically, since the 2004 election, and I don't want to see the same thing happen here. But I'm smart enough to know that even if my "wildest dreams" come true and the Dems pick up both the house and senate, they're probably too inept to do anything with them.
I'm just one vote, unfortunately. And I can curse and bemoan the voting majority in this country that wants to keep electing the Republican party, but I can't do a single thing about it. None of them even read this blog.
Okay, just in case they do, I'll say this: don't be an asshole. The Republicans have screwed up pretty much every facet of government, and while the Democrats may screw up as well, any of you who put the GOP in power in 2000 and 2004 owe the rest of us the chance to let our own people fix it. If it doesn't work, I'll join you in voting Whig in 2008.
October 24, 2006
If My Life Were a Movie, It Would Be an Alan Smithee Film
Saw this at BU's, and figured why not; I like thinking of my life as a soundtrack. It's the same theory as the 20 first-lines (sister just did it here) but with an associated purpose. Some pretty funny results, but no real evidence that iTunes knows what the hell it's talking about.
Opening Credits--One of These Things First - Nick Drake
I'm fairly neutral on this one. Minus points for already being in a major motion picture soundtrack.
Waking Up--Wild Thing - Tone Loc
Actually it was a clip from the Simpsons. But I discounted that for artistic integrity reasons. This one is much cooler, and much cooler than I generally feel when waking up.
First Day of School--Out of Town - Zero 7
Sort of 70s detective show-ish. Strange first day, man.
Prom--Connection - Elastica
Well, this might actually have been played at my Prom, so it's not a bad pick.
Life's Okay--Mission: Impossible Theme (1996 version)
Life is not, apparently, very okay. Mission: Impossible? That's a depressing thought.
Driving--I Want You to Want Me - Cheap Trick
Can't see this one very well. Came in just slightly too soon...
Falling in Love--Free Until They Cut Me Down - Iron & Wine
Also doesn't quite fit, as it isn't sappy enough. Stupid iTunes knows I have better for this category.
Breaking Up--The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - Theme
Wow. I can't blame her for breaking up with me, what with the tense stand-off and ensuing gun battle. This is probably the best song so far.
Mental Breakdown--November Rain - Guns 'n Roses
From what I remember from the video, this would be better for the Wedding, but only if I want her to get hit by lightning or something. Still, not bad for a reality-detachment montage. At nearly 9 minutes long, my mental is really getting a good breakdown. "Everybody needs some time on their own."
Reconciliation--Runaround Sue - Dion
I don't want to reconciliate with runaround Sue, thanks very much. Whore.
Wedding--Unforgettable - Nat & Natalie Cole
Egads. Amazing pick, I guess, but iTunes sure isn't very original. Every damn wedding in the early 90s played this.
Sex Scene--Magic Man - Heart
Hmmm. Makes me feel like a pederast. At least it wasn't "Magic Carpet Ride".
Birth of Child--No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age
Sounds like a rough birth. Sorry, dear.
Dance Sequence--Transformers: The Movie - Main Theme
This is not the song from the television show, but rather the completely deranged rock-out song, complete with wailing guitars, that started the movie. It does have a beat, though. Extra points for managing to sneak in the words "Unicron" and "Decepticons" despite the intensely silly result. Seriously, if you haven't had the auditory pleasure of experiencing this song, let me know and I'll send it to you.
Flashback--Nights in White Satin - The Moody Blues
I'm gonna pretend it's not the extended version, just because the creepy monologue messes it up completely. The song itself works ("letters I've written, never meaning to send" etc.) Incidentally, this was my favorite song at some point in my youth. Not something by Bette Midler, as some would have you believe.
Final Battle--Whatcha Want - Beastie Boys
I'm seeing some sort of police raid gone bad. But that's just me.
Death Scene--Airwolf - Main Theme
Now this is just weird. Somehow I always suspected my death would involve Jan Michael-Vincent. I'm probably not alone on that.
Funeral Song--Short Skirt, Long Jacket - Cake
A little late for establishing dating priorities, isn't it? If any of my potential female funeral attendees would do me the honor of attending in a short skirt (long jacket optional), I'm sure I could put in a word for you with the big man upstairs. That is, if I'm upstairs.
Closing Credits--Only Fools Rush In - Elvis Presley
iTunes would have you believe there will be a great deal of second-guessing and whatnot when I shuffle off this mortal coil. Although, "only fools rush in" will probably turn out to be a great explanation of my inevitable ending.
This is actually my second attempt. The first run-through was nonsensical and pretty dumb (aside from putting You're My First, My Last, My Everything by Barry White as the Prom theme; if only my actual Prom had been that awesome) so I tossed it and tried again. This is still nonsensical, but in much funnier ways.
Opening Credits--One of These Things First - Nick Drake
I'm fairly neutral on this one. Minus points for already being in a major motion picture soundtrack.
Waking Up--Wild Thing - Tone Loc
Actually it was a clip from the Simpsons. But I discounted that for artistic integrity reasons. This one is much cooler, and much cooler than I generally feel when waking up.
First Day of School--Out of Town - Zero 7
Sort of 70s detective show-ish. Strange first day, man.
Prom--Connection - Elastica
Well, this might actually have been played at my Prom, so it's not a bad pick.
Life's Okay--Mission: Impossible Theme (1996 version)
Life is not, apparently, very okay. Mission: Impossible? That's a depressing thought.
Driving--I Want You to Want Me - Cheap Trick
Can't see this one very well. Came in just slightly too soon...
Falling in Love--Free Until They Cut Me Down - Iron & Wine
Also doesn't quite fit, as it isn't sappy enough. Stupid iTunes knows I have better for this category.
Breaking Up--The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - Theme
Wow. I can't blame her for breaking up with me, what with the tense stand-off and ensuing gun battle. This is probably the best song so far.
Mental Breakdown--November Rain - Guns 'n Roses
From what I remember from the video, this would be better for the Wedding, but only if I want her to get hit by lightning or something. Still, not bad for a reality-detachment montage. At nearly 9 minutes long, my mental is really getting a good breakdown. "Everybody needs some time on their own."
Reconciliation--Runaround Sue - Dion
I don't want to reconciliate with runaround Sue, thanks very much. Whore.
Wedding--Unforgettable - Nat & Natalie Cole
Egads. Amazing pick, I guess, but iTunes sure isn't very original. Every damn wedding in the early 90s played this.
Sex Scene--Magic Man - Heart
Hmmm. Makes me feel like a pederast. At least it wasn't "Magic Carpet Ride".
Birth of Child--No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age
Sounds like a rough birth. Sorry, dear.
Dance Sequence--Transformers: The Movie - Main Theme
This is not the song from the television show, but rather the completely deranged rock-out song, complete with wailing guitars, that started the movie. It does have a beat, though. Extra points for managing to sneak in the words "Unicron" and "Decepticons" despite the intensely silly result. Seriously, if you haven't had the auditory pleasure of experiencing this song, let me know and I'll send it to you.
Flashback--Nights in White Satin - The Moody Blues
I'm gonna pretend it's not the extended version, just because the creepy monologue messes it up completely. The song itself works ("letters I've written, never meaning to send" etc.) Incidentally, this was my favorite song at some point in my youth. Not something by Bette Midler, as some would have you believe.
Final Battle--Whatcha Want - Beastie Boys
I'm seeing some sort of police raid gone bad. But that's just me.
Death Scene--Airwolf - Main Theme
Now this is just weird. Somehow I always suspected my death would involve Jan Michael-Vincent. I'm probably not alone on that.
Funeral Song--Short Skirt, Long Jacket - Cake
A little late for establishing dating priorities, isn't it? If any of my potential female funeral attendees would do me the honor of attending in a short skirt (long jacket optional), I'm sure I could put in a word for you with the big man upstairs. That is, if I'm upstairs.
Closing Credits--Only Fools Rush In - Elvis Presley
iTunes would have you believe there will be a great deal of second-guessing and whatnot when I shuffle off this mortal coil. Although, "only fools rush in" will probably turn out to be a great explanation of my inevitable ending.
This is actually my second attempt. The first run-through was nonsensical and pretty dumb (aside from putting You're My First, My Last, My Everything by Barry White as the Prom theme; if only my actual Prom had been that awesome) so I tossed it and tried again. This is still nonsensical, but in much funnier ways.
October 7, 2006
Cubs Tigers Win! Cubs Tigers Win!
Hey GOP, here's your "October surprise". The Tigers took the Yankees in 4!
So this is what it's like to be truly proud of one's chosen team. Next up is the A's, and I'm actually gonna try and see about some tickets, since I live here. But even if they go 4 and out, they beat the NY Yankees.
My semi-atheistic worldview has been challenged.
So this is what it's like to be truly proud of one's chosen team. Next up is the A's, and I'm actually gonna try and see about some tickets, since I live here. But even if they go 4 and out, they beat the NY Yankees.
My semi-atheistic worldview has been challenged.
October 6, 2006
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Holy christ they might actually win this thing.
I'm shocked and elated. As a long-standing Tigers fan (15+ years) I'm not sure exactly how I'm supposed to react to... what's the word... "success". But here we are, 1 game away from beating the New York Goddamn Yankees in the playoffs.
"I feel so full of... what's the opposite of shame?
Pride?
No, not that far from shame.
Less shame?
Yeah!"
*Please note: eventually I will stop writing useless little posts about baseball. I swear. This is just so weird for me.
I'm shocked and elated. As a long-standing Tigers fan (15+ years) I'm not sure exactly how I'm supposed to react to... what's the word... "success". But here we are, 1 game away from beating the New York Goddamn Yankees in the playoffs.
"I feel so full of... what's the opposite of shame?
Pride?
No, not that far from shame.
Less shame?
Yeah!"
*Please note: eventually I will stop writing useless little posts about baseball. I swear. This is just so weird for me.
October 5, 2006
October 1, 2006
Interim
Salutations,
Busy with life for a bit. Nothing big or bad, just lots of it. I felt I should mention it now that we're in a new month and all. Happy October!
More posts coming soon.
Busy with life for a bit. Nothing big or bad, just lots of it. I felt I should mention it now that we're in a new month and all. Happy October!
More posts coming soon.
September 19, 2006
Land v. World
I finally made it to Disneyland this past weekend, after only 4 years of living in California. Of course, from San Francisco via San Luis Obispo, it's a bit longer of a trip than it would have been when I lived in southern Cal.
Turns out, Disneyland has its own little charm. I've been to its bigger and noisier sister park in Orlando a number of times, the last of which was 10 years ago, and was eager to see what the big differences might be. But my brain, and the passage of time, have conspired to keep me from a truly informed analysis. Wandering through the Anaheim park conjures up loads of deja vu, but I don't know if the similarities are real or imagined.
So the hell with comparisons. Disneyland is smaller but has a bit more authentic charm. Also, some of the best rides were closed--the Haunted Mansion, the Monorail, 20,000 Leagues (all of which are being "retooled").
But it was all a bunch of fun anyhow! Disney's California Adventure has some cool rides as well, and the use of Fast Passes (they didn't have them when I last went) makes a day at the park into an exercise in logistics and time-management.
Perhaps later I will put up some pictures!
Turns out, Disneyland has its own little charm. I've been to its bigger and noisier sister park in Orlando a number of times, the last of which was 10 years ago, and was eager to see what the big differences might be. But my brain, and the passage of time, have conspired to keep me from a truly informed analysis. Wandering through the Anaheim park conjures up loads of deja vu, but I don't know if the similarities are real or imagined.
So the hell with comparisons. Disneyland is smaller but has a bit more authentic charm. Also, some of the best rides were closed--the Haunted Mansion, the Monorail, 20,000 Leagues (all of which are being "retooled").
But it was all a bunch of fun anyhow! Disney's California Adventure has some cool rides as well, and the use of Fast Passes (they didn't have them when I last went) makes a day at the park into an exercise in logistics and time-management.
Perhaps later I will put up some pictures!
September 13, 2006
12 of 12
I thought this was a cool idea last month, but thought so far too late to do anything. So I promised various parties, including myself, that I wouldn't let a cool idea go un-...idea'd again, and that I'd do the September 12 of 12.
Sadly, yesterday was one of the more boring days I've had recently. I'm not just saying that to excuse my poor photography--it really was, as days go, more uneventful than most. And this is coming from someone who knows boring.
Anywho, I did it in Flickr because I like their system. And, boring or not, this blog definitely needs more photos of meaningless crap. Check it out, if you'd like.
September 11, 2006
Or, You Know... Not.
I've tried to hold myself out as an open-minded individual, someone who will readily look to the facts of a situation, and not bow to emotional or irrational pressures in order to reach a conclusion.
This is often not the case. But I considered it the case when I previously wrote that I was unsure about the events of 9/11/01--specifically, who did what and how it all happened.
Now, I'm changing my mind. Again. Once again, facts have surfaced that seem to easily repudiate the formerly-strong case made by those who cry "conspiracy!" I'm not going to go into it here (I don't really want Google referencing my blog as a source of 9/11 conspiracies) but I wanted to take today to note my shift in belief.
This is not to say I'm 100% down with the official story. I think the government did a truly immoral job of investigating the attacks, and I would bet money that more than a few shady things occurred. But the science of the conspiracy folks just doesn't add up anymore, not with so many reputable (non-psycho conservatives) folks disagreeing.
By the way, this didn't come about because of today's anniversary. I just thought it'd be a topical time to mention my slight shift. My previous comments re: dismissal of ideas that seems to juxtapose our present worldview by labeling them "crackpot" still stand. The 9/11 folks aren't necessarily crackpots; wrong, most likely... but let's prove it.
For those keeping score at home, Sam's current mood is: distrustful but of grudging acceptance.
This is often not the case. But I considered it the case when I previously wrote that I was unsure about the events of 9/11/01--specifically, who did what and how it all happened.
Now, I'm changing my mind. Again. Once again, facts have surfaced that seem to easily repudiate the formerly-strong case made by those who cry "conspiracy!" I'm not going to go into it here (I don't really want Google referencing my blog as a source of 9/11 conspiracies) but I wanted to take today to note my shift in belief.
This is not to say I'm 100% down with the official story. I think the government did a truly immoral job of investigating the attacks, and I would bet money that more than a few shady things occurred. But the science of the conspiracy folks just doesn't add up anymore, not with so many reputable (non-psycho conservatives) folks disagreeing.
By the way, this didn't come about because of today's anniversary. I just thought it'd be a topical time to mention my slight shift. My previous comments re: dismissal of ideas that seems to juxtapose our present worldview by labeling them "crackpot" still stand. The 9/11 folks aren't necessarily crackpots; wrong, most likely... but let's prove it.
For those keeping score at home, Sam's current mood is: distrustful but of grudging acceptance.
September 8, 2006
There's a Doings a-Transpirin'
I know that I've been crapulent in my updating "lately" (summertime) but I just wanted to give notice to all you who populate the linkage bars to the right: I still read and love what you're doing. Moving to new cities, arguing with co-workers, installing cabinets, going (back) to school... I may not write as much as I once did, but I still reads 'em all.
I wanted to point that out not because I think it really matters--especially to those of you I've never met face-to-face--but because with the exception of my chicken-head-posting friend, I think all those blogs yonder are writing some great stuff. Some, maybe not as often (kindred spirits) but all entertaining and interesting. And to be honest, I still laugh every time I see the chicken head, too.
While we're on the topic, I'd like to note that both of my sisters are now blogging with at least some regularity (here and here, the latter handily beating my own blog in the too-long-and-weird-URL competition). And to mark the occasion, much like we honor the Olympics ever 4 years, my father has even updated his cobwebbed blog.
With so much genetic competition, perhaps my own Internet writer's block will finally evaporate.
I wanted to point that out not because I think it really matters--especially to those of you I've never met face-to-face--but because with the exception of my chicken-head-posting friend, I think all those blogs yonder are writing some great stuff. Some, maybe not as often (kindred spirits) but all entertaining and interesting. And to be honest, I still laugh every time I see the chicken head, too.
While we're on the topic, I'd like to note that both of my sisters are now blogging with at least some regularity (here and here, the latter handily beating my own blog in the too-long-and-weird-URL competition). And to mark the occasion, much like we honor the Olympics ever 4 years, my father has even updated his cobwebbed blog.
With so much genetic competition, perhaps my own Internet writer's block will finally evaporate.
August 28, 2006
Actual Things That Need Looking Into
As far as that flight in Kentucky is concerned, there are some real questions I have as to what happened. Such as:
Why did a short runway end with a plane crashing and exploding? Why didn't it just run off the runway, become damaged and "crash" to a stop? It exploded in flames "in a grassy field"?
Even considering that it crashed, why did almost everyone die? Obviously because of the explosion, but what is it about the jet that caused such an ending?
As far as aviation disasters go, I'd usually prefer to be in one that involved a plane and a short runway (assuming I had to be in one at all). At least, until now. It seemed like the pilot could jam on the brakes, through the engines in reverse, and even if the plane DOES careen off the tarmac, bumps and bruises would be the worst of the injuries suffered.
But here's what I'm not asking: how could the producers of the Emmys be so insensitive?! I don't mean to say that if you lost a loved one on that flight, you shouldn't be sad. Mourning is a natural and important process. But why are you watching the Emmys? And if you're just offended by proxy, well then I'm offended by proxy at your idiocy.
I'm having a rough day. My head hurts. Thus, my usual patience for incompetent behavior has been dramatically lessened.
As far as aviation disasters go, I'd usually prefer to be in one that involved a plane and a short runway (assuming I had to be in one at all). At least, until now. It seemed like the pilot could jam on the brakes, through the engines in reverse, and even if the plane DOES careen off the tarmac, bumps and bruises would be the worst of the injuries suffered.
I'm having a rough day. My head hurts. Thus, my usual patience for incompetent behavior has been dramatically lessened.
August 21, 2006
Instead of Coffee in the Morning
I wake up and check out CNN, which often provides enough of a jolt to get me through the next few hours caffeine free. Today, it's the headline that some escaped convict is terrorizing my alma mater. No, not San Diego--they have rich kids there, no felons are allowed--but rather Virginia Tech! Luckily nobody I know personally goes there anymore, but it's still rather disturbing to see such news posted on CNN. If it were 1999, I'd be armed with a baseball bat and some TeamFortress and I wouldn't be pretty happy not to go to class today.
As an aside, what's up with Tech always starting so early? It's only August 21st! I guess that's usual for VT, but it always seemed a week or two earlier than everybody else.
Back to deposition editing...
As an aside, what's up with Tech always starting so early? It's only August 21st! I guess that's usual for VT, but it always seemed a week or two earlier than everybody else.
Back to deposition editing...
August 15, 2006
Because I Don't Want to Read Anymore Depos
I got nothing too.
Q: 4TH PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALLS:
A: My dad. He's #4, not forth from newest. The phone numbers backwards.
Q: DO YOU CHEW ON YOUR STRAWS?
A: Only if left alone with them for an extended period.
Q: WHAT IS THE NEXT CONCERT YOU'RE GOING TO?
A: Jesus I don't know. Talk to me when I have a bit more disposable income.
Q: WHAT WORD DO YOU SAY A LOT?
A: Apparely I've resurrected "awesome". I'm not proud of that at all. I sort of wish it were, say, "jurisprudence" or "objection!" Alas. Awesome.
Q: WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE:
A: A croissant. In about 8 minutes it will be pizza.
Q: WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU SAID TO SOMEONE AND WHO WAS IT?
A: "That dude was like, heroin thin" to my roommate, because I saw a guy my height with the waist of an 8-year-old girl. Frightening.
Q: DO YOU WATCH TV?
A: Not as much as when the shows are new. Summer + no cable = DVD fun only.
Q: EVER BEEN HUNTING?
A: Only in the bargain sense. Haha! I lied, not even that.
Q: IS MARRIAGE IN YOUR FUTURE?
A: Probably, because I end up giving in to society's demands sooner or later. Hopefully it's still later.
Q: WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING RIGHT NOW?
A: Getting the pizza I ordered. Or, watching The Shield on DVD.
Q: DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?
A: Not especially.
Q: WHO'S THE YOUNGEST ONE IN THE FAMILY?
A: Extended? I have a cousin that's like, 6 months or something. But you probably just mean Emily.
Q: IS DRUG FREE THE WAY TO BE?
A: That's how I roll, but I'm not "with it" like the kids today.
Q: ARE YOU A HEAVY SLEEPER?
A: Not to my knowledge. Every damn thing wakes me up, most nights.
Q: LAST TIME YOU USED A SKATEBOARD?
A: Literally once, maybe 15 years ago. Awkward tall guys with no sense of balance do not belong on thin planks of wood with tiny wheels.
Q: WHERE WAS THE LAST PLACE YOU SLEPT BESIDES YOUR HOUSE?
A: The ol' lady's house, I believe.
Q: EVER RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE ROAD?
A: No. Despite attempts to see how far I can go, I always wuss out.
Q: BEST MOVIE YOU'VE SEEN IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS?
A: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Because it rocks, that's why.
Q: DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WHO COME UP WITH BRAIN DEAD QUIZZES ARE CRYING FOR HELP IN SOME TWISTED WAY?
A: Nah, gives me something to do. I've never tried to come UP with one, though...
THE LAST PERSON LIST
1. You saw: The aforementioned roomie.
2. Talked to on the phone: The aforementioned special lady friend.
3. Hugged: Geez... probably the same.
4. Text: I'm going to count this as email and say my boss, Steve.
5. Messaged over myspace: Yeah I don't do that. Nobody.
FAVORITES
1. Number: 6 is nice and twice what 3 will ever be.
2. Song: I'll tell you what's bugging me intensely: "You're Beautiful" by that Blunt guy. Blech.
3. Color: Black, like my coffee that I don't drink.
4. Season: Iris got this one, Summer into fall is the bee's knees.
TRUE/FALSE
I am a morning person: Not usually. It comes too soon.
I am a perfectionist: Pretty much, if you don't count being organized as perfection.
I am an only child: Despite my many gambits as a toddler, no. They lived.
I am currently in my pajamas: Nope.
I am currently single: For tax purposes, yes. But otherwise no.
I can be paranoid at times: Not anymore.
I currently regret something that I have done: Some things I haven't, nothing I have.
I enjoy texting on the phone: Was this created by a 12-year-old? "Enjoy" texting? I shudder at what these kids will turn into...
Q: 4TH PERSON ON YOUR MISSED CALLS:
A: My dad. He's #4, not forth from newest. The phone numbers backwards.
Q: DO YOU CHEW ON YOUR STRAWS?
A: Only if left alone with them for an extended period.
Q: WHAT IS THE NEXT CONCERT YOU'RE GOING TO?
A: Jesus I don't know. Talk to me when I have a bit more disposable income.
Q: WHAT WORD DO YOU SAY A LOT?
A: Apparely I've resurrected "awesome". I'm not proud of that at all. I sort of wish it were, say, "jurisprudence" or "objection!" Alas. Awesome.
Q: WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE:
A: A croissant. In about 8 minutes it will be pizza.
Q: WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU SAID TO SOMEONE AND WHO WAS IT?
A: "That dude was like, heroin thin" to my roommate, because I saw a guy my height with the waist of an 8-year-old girl. Frightening.
Q: DO YOU WATCH TV?
A: Not as much as when the shows are new. Summer + no cable = DVD fun only.
Q: EVER BEEN HUNTING?
A: Only in the bargain sense. Haha! I lied, not even that.
Q: IS MARRIAGE IN YOUR FUTURE?
A: Probably, because I end up giving in to society's demands sooner or later. Hopefully it's still later.
Q: WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING RIGHT NOW?
A: Getting the pizza I ordered. Or, watching The Shield on DVD.
Q: DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?
A: Not especially.
Q: WHO'S THE YOUNGEST ONE IN THE FAMILY?
A: Extended? I have a cousin that's like, 6 months or something. But you probably just mean Emily.
Q: IS DRUG FREE THE WAY TO BE?
A: That's how I roll, but I'm not "with it" like the kids today.
Q: ARE YOU A HEAVY SLEEPER?
A: Not to my knowledge. Every damn thing wakes me up, most nights.
Q: LAST TIME YOU USED A SKATEBOARD?
A: Literally once, maybe 15 years ago. Awkward tall guys with no sense of balance do not belong on thin planks of wood with tiny wheels.
Q: WHERE WAS THE LAST PLACE YOU SLEPT BESIDES YOUR HOUSE?
A: The ol' lady's house, I believe.
Q: EVER RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE ROAD?
A: No. Despite attempts to see how far I can go, I always wuss out.
Q: BEST MOVIE YOU'VE SEEN IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS?
A: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Because it rocks, that's why.
Q: DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WHO COME UP WITH BRAIN DEAD QUIZZES ARE CRYING FOR HELP IN SOME TWISTED WAY?
A: Nah, gives me something to do. I've never tried to come UP with one, though...
THE LAST PERSON LIST
1. You saw: The aforementioned roomie.
2. Talked to on the phone: The aforementioned special lady friend.
3. Hugged: Geez... probably the same.
4. Text: I'm going to count this as email and say my boss, Steve.
5. Messaged over myspace: Yeah I don't do that. Nobody.
FAVORITES
1. Number: 6 is nice and twice what 3 will ever be.
2. Song: I'll tell you what's bugging me intensely: "You're Beautiful" by that Blunt guy. Blech.
3. Color: Black, like my coffee that I don't drink.
4. Season: Iris got this one, Summer into fall is the bee's knees.
TRUE/FALSE
I am a morning person: Not usually. It comes too soon.
I am a perfectionist: Pretty much, if you don't count being organized as perfection.
I am an only child: Despite my many gambits as a toddler, no. They lived.
I am currently in my pajamas: Nope.
I am currently single: For tax purposes, yes. But otherwise no.
I can be paranoid at times: Not anymore.
I currently regret something that I have done: Some things I haven't, nothing I have.
I enjoy texting on the phone: Was this created by a 12-year-old? "Enjoy" texting? I shudder at what these kids will turn into...
August 14, 2006
I Know What You Did Last Weekend
or, "I'm not going to spend 20 minutes in a Starbucks bathroom giving you tattoos."*
This update is a week old, but it bears posting if only so I can proudly display the funniest thing I've heard in ages.
Last weekend was a whirlwind of travel down (and up again) the western coast of California. First, we drove down to Monterey and experienced the world-famous^ Monterey Bay Aquarium. It actually IS quite nice, and impressive, what with the kelp and the fish. And the jellyfish because damn they have a lot of those.
Then it was on to San Luis Obispo, hometown of the current yin to my yang, to visit with her fam and take in the Cal Poly sights. It's tough to explain the Cal Poly college town atmosphere without a proper example, so I shall give you a several based on geography. Choose whichever works for you:
- Georgetown on a Friday night with hotter coeds.
- Pacific Beach on a Thursday night with slightly less slutty girls, and more SUVs.
- The USD campus, undergrad area, but with bars.
- Absolutely nowhere in the Bay Area that I know of.
Actually, SLO is a lovely little town, and I saw it from a great vantage point but failed to bring my camera. Also, everyone hates pictures taken from the top of a mountain unless it's like, this one.
But I'm back in SF, safe and sound and slightly sunburned. No more travel for a little while, but I will try and be better about updates. I've got one in the pipe right now that I know you're all excited about because the topic is Google Books and copyright law. It's a scorcher!
*Right, the Starbucks thing. All I'll say is that I still don't have a tattoo, and that's probably for the best.
This update is a week old, but it bears posting if only so I can proudly display the funniest thing I've heard in ages.
Last weekend was a whirlwind of travel down (and up again) the western coast of California. First, we drove down to Monterey and experienced the world-famous^ Monterey Bay Aquarium. It actually IS quite nice, and impressive, what with the kelp and the fish. And the jellyfish because damn they have a lot of those.
Then it was on to San Luis Obispo, hometown of the current yin to my yang, to visit with her fam and take in the Cal Poly sights. It's tough to explain the Cal Poly college town atmosphere without a proper example, so I shall give you a several based on geography. Choose whichever works for you:
- Georgetown on a Friday night with hotter coeds.
- Pacific Beach on a Thursday night with slightly less slutty girls, and more SUVs.
- The USD campus, undergrad area, but with bars.
- Absolutely nowhere in the Bay Area that I know of.
Actually, SLO is a lovely little town, and I saw it from a great vantage point but failed to bring my camera. Also, everyone hates pictures taken from the top of a mountain unless it's like, this one.
But I'm back in SF, safe and sound and slightly sunburned. No more travel for a little while, but I will try and be better about updates. I've got one in the pipe right now that I know you're all excited about because the topic is Google Books and copyright law. It's a scorcher!
*Right, the Starbucks thing. All I'll say is that I still don't have a tattoo, and that's probably for the best.
August 3, 2006
Overqualified?
Now that I'm once again shooting for that Big Fancy Job, I'm also once again getting a regular diet of rejection letters in the mail. I don't really mind them--it puts a slight damper on what is usually a productive day, but it's the nature of the beast.
What's funny, however, is the lengths some firms go to convince you that you're awesome, but that they just don't have a position right now. I know they're just form letters, but "your academic credentials and experience are impressive" sounds silly coming from a firm that doesn't want you. Think about it: impressive means "striking or vivid" and thus implies that my particular resume stood out from the crowd.
Now, it's just as likely that it stood out for its complete lack of anything resembling useful qualifications (impressively bad) but the end result is still funny to me. "We recognize that you're one of the brightest legal minds in California, and possibly in the western hemisphere, and that by all accounts you should be teaching at Stanford or a justice of the California Supreme Court. However, your experience and interests do not meet our present employment needs."
What's funny, however, is the lengths some firms go to convince you that you're awesome, but that they just don't have a position right now. I know they're just form letters, but "your academic credentials and experience are impressive" sounds silly coming from a firm that doesn't want you. Think about it: impressive means "striking or vivid" and thus implies that my particular resume stood out from the crowd.
Now, it's just as likely that it stood out for its complete lack of anything resembling useful qualifications (impressively bad) but the end result is still funny to me. "We recognize that you're one of the brightest legal minds in California, and possibly in the western hemisphere, and that by all accounts you should be teaching at Stanford or a justice of the California Supreme Court. However, your experience and interests do not meet our present employment needs."
July 31, 2006
We've Got Spirit, Yes We Do
Let's go crazy, bullet-point style!
Spirit Airlines is low rent. I mean, this is obvious given the cost of their flights (low), but they're also oddly located in the International terminal at SFO (I was flying to Detroit... Make all the jokes you want, but Michigan has yet to be sold to Canada).
Mini book review #1: The Kite Runner -- Highly enjoyed it, even though it was seriously depressing. Very interesting look at Afghanistan through a fictional account. Plus, the author is from, and some parts take place in, San Francisco. Gotta support the team. Recommended!
Mini book review #2: Running with Scissors -- the author is now being sued by the people he memoirizes (it's early and if there's a word for that, it ain't in my vocabulary), probably because if the account is even half true, they're drug dealers, statutory rapists, and frauds. Oh and actual rapists. The book itself was entertaining but lacked a strong narrative to tie all the funny stories together. Like David Sedaris but only 40% as funny. Mildly recommended.
Chickens I am not counting: The job hunt is looking up. I'll say more when I have actual news, but things are progressing for once. That's nice. Added bonus: freaking out my sister by telling her that when I go to interviews, I'm going to bring beer and give high-fives and say things like "aw hell no, dawg, I ain't playin like that!"
July 11, 2006
Hey, a Blog!
I almost forgot I had one of these! Fortunately, fates have smiled on my reading public (fates being, well, me) and have conspired to give me much more free time again.
That's right, I've rejoined the ranks of the unemployed. Not for too long, I hope, but as of yesterday I'm home again in my sweats surfing the Internet forgirls games jobs. There comes a time in any crappy, low-paying job when one must weigh the benefits of said job (actual money coming in) against the detrimental side-effects (not enough money to pay bills, job is painfully unsatisfying in most aspects, and worst: job kills energy for job-hunting during off hours). I have done this, and I now sit before you, a bum.
I am far less bitter about job searching now, probably because I've taken the edge off by actually having a job and by knowing that some amount of work DOES exist out there. But I am now the last of my loser friends to get a job (a feat, considering that only 1 of 5 from law school had one back in the fall, and she had to move to Europe and get paid in Ramen), and such an ignoble honor does not suit me.
In other news, my car got "broken into" the other day, leaving me pissed and my ashtray/change holder missing. I used quotes because it's quite possible I left it unlocked--even though I never do--given the simplicity of the hoodlums that got in. They took everything out of the glove compartment and pulled out the change thing, but left the stereo (!) and didn't bother to check the trunk at all. Amateur hour, I tells ya!
In other, other news, I'm headed to Michigan for a week starting next Friday, so that will be nice. Not that I need a vacation, really, but it's good to see family. Sad that 11 months after the last summer visit and I'm in pretty much the same financial position. At least this time I can get into arguments with my uncle about pharmaceutical litigation.
No more, you fiends! I return to myleisure job-searching.
That's right, I've rejoined the ranks of the unemployed. Not for too long, I hope, but as of yesterday I'm home again in my sweats surfing the Internet for
I am far less bitter about job searching now, probably because I've taken the edge off by actually having a job and by knowing that some amount of work DOES exist out there. But I am now the last of my loser friends to get a job (a feat, considering that only 1 of 5 from law school had one back in the fall, and she had to move to Europe and get paid in Ramen), and such an ignoble honor does not suit me.
In other news, my car got "broken into" the other day, leaving me pissed and my ashtray/change holder missing. I used quotes because it's quite possible I left it unlocked--even though I never do--given the simplicity of the hoodlums that got in. They took everything out of the glove compartment and pulled out the change thing, but left the stereo (!) and didn't bother to check the trunk at all. Amateur hour, I tells ya!
In other, other news, I'm headed to Michigan for a week starting next Friday, so that will be nice. Not that I need a vacation, really, but it's good to see family. Sad that 11 months after the last summer visit and I'm in pretty much the same financial position. At least this time I can get into arguments with my uncle about pharmaceutical litigation.
No more, you fiends! I return to my
July 6, 2006
That's why he's The King
Larry King is interviewing the President at some point in the near
future (tonight?) and CNN.com has a brief interview with King about
the interview. A bit... meta for my taste, and largely
inconsequential, but it did reveal this tidbit to which I, naturally,
took offense:
"I want to learn as much as I can about as many things as I can. I'm
as interested in feelings as I am about facts. I know we have 139,000
troops in Iraq, but I want to know about how he feels about all the
troops."
He wants to know how the President feels about the troops. The
President. Of the United States. Is there any more softball,
feel-good, useless question to ask him? Is there any chance the
President will say "Larry, honestly, I think they're disgraceful," or
"I respect them and the failures have been mine and mine alone"?
No. It's a stupid question, and it's a waste of journalism to have
someone asking the most powerful man in the free world numerous
questions, and instead he's going to repeatedly punt (other questions
will include the prez's feelings on Ken Lay--given that the man just
died, I doubt it will get into their very shady relationship).
Nobody wants to ask real questions. And when they do ask real
questions, they don't care when the answer completely dodges it. There
have been signs that the media is waking back up a bit, and perhaps
the esteemed Mr. King isn't exactly a hard journalist these days, but
it certainly doesn't make me remotely interested to tune in. Tonight,
on CNN: the President reviews his talking points while Larry King nods
approvingly.
June 27, 2006
An Inconvenient Truth
Yeah, I saw An Inconvenient Truth. Of course I agree. It's not like I can have any less respect for the current administration, so the eye-opening stuff was just more of the same.
I could write an entire diatribe, but what would be the point? Few people who read my blog would disagree, and those who do are so blatantly partisan--you'd have to be, to ignore that much science--that there's no point in arguing.
I really, really wish "we" (I didn't vote for him, of course) hadn't gone and screwed over the planet by electing the wrong person as President. Twice. Gore in '08. Hillary can rot in the Senate for all I care (old link but she's still sponsoring it as a "alternative" to a Constitutional Amendment. I'm really beginning to loathe that woman, politically speaking.)
I could write an entire diatribe, but what would be the point? Few people who read my blog would disagree, and those who do are so blatantly partisan--you'd have to be, to ignore that much science--that there's no point in arguing.
I really, really wish "we" (I didn't vote for him, of course) hadn't gone and screwed over the planet by electing the wrong person as President. Twice. Gore in '08. Hillary can rot in the Senate for all I care (old link but she's still sponsoring it as a "alternative" to a Constitutional Amendment. I'm really beginning to loathe that woman, politically speaking.)
June 26, 2006
Boo Friggin' Hoo
Please allow me to once again inject my own brand of self-righteous
indignation (or "poorly-constructed rant") into the current topic du jour: the male crisis.
indignation (or "poorly-constructed rant") into the current topic du jour: the male crisis.
I've been hearing (or reading, rather) a lot lately about men and boys in crisis. They have crappy test scores, chick-lit is all the rage, there are too many hair-care products, etc. Some individuals have "risen up" against this terrible wussification of our culture to fight back. I guess. The problem is, they're fighting back against a nonexistent threat.
Take today's WP article on how boys' test scores aren't really lagging. Add to that the rise in "frat lit" as a response to chick lit, and you have a weird juxtaposition: everybody's crying about males doing badly while also saying males need to stop crying about everything and man up.
I agree with the second part. But that's not a male- or female-specific problem, people just need to learn to differentiate between actual problems (lost your job, got hit by a car, got cancer) and perceived problems (broke up with boyfriend of 3 weeks; didn't get to go to baseball game last night; gender doing slightly less well in mathematics exams).
My point is this: there are many things in the world you can't just "walk off". These things include African genocide, middle east conflict, mass tort litigation, and ice cream headaches. If there's anything "wussier" about society today, it's that both genders often fail to realize that you don't actually deserve to have happiness handed to you on a silver platter. When things go bad, or wrong, or poorly, suck it up and stop complaining about how unfair it all.* It's not unfair, it's life. It's up and down. You are no more inherently deserving of the ups than you are of the downs.
* I realize it's super-funny to my family that I of all people am now
claiming that life isn't fair. But I only mean you have to MAKE it
fair, you can't just sit around and wait for it to naturally exist
that way.
UPDATE: Hyperlinks that don't hyperlink 1, blogging by email 0.
June 21, 2006
Giants Among Men
I went to my first San Francisco Giants game last night, at the very
convenient and charming AT&T Park (or is it SBC? I can't keep up).
Some observations:
The Giants are, in a word, craptacular this season. I mean, there are
worse teams (there always are) but they certainly haven't been doing
much to keep themselves out of the dregs of the league. Despite this,
the Giants still have a much better fan showing on a Tuesday night
than, say, the 1st-place Detroit Tigers, who after years of neglect
(read: craptacularness) still don't sell out games even though they
have one of the best records in the majors.
A fact I still cannot believe, by the way. Armed with my new Detroit
hat (wearing with pride again! for the first time? who knows...) it
has become difficult to convince people that I'm not a fair-weather
Tigers fan. Those who remember me in high school and college know
differently, but the recent appearance of many, many Detroit hats
around the country casts my own loyalties in suspicion, I guess.
Back to the team at hand, however. The Giants played the Angels
(Anaheim for those who don't know/care) and, despite a fairly
lackluster effort on both sides, managed to come away with a win
(3-2). The night was made even better by the spectacular seats--club
level, right behind home plate. You could smell Omar Vizquel's cologne
and (insert obvious steroid/Bonds joke). One of the partner's in the
firm has season tickets that he gives away when he can't go, and I was
lucky enough to be invited by the lovely lass who won 'em.
Night at the ballpark: highly recommended.
June 14, 2006
It's like the Olympics, or Haley's Comet
Apparently, every ten years we give the President the ability to legislate.
I didn't have a blog in 1996. I'm not actually sure that anyone did. But I didn't agree with the line-item veto then, and I certainly don't agree with it now. Granted, this newest version isn't as powerful as Clinton's brief foray into legislating, but it still undermines the process.
Nobody likes pork-barrel projects except congresspersons. Often times the people they benefit don't even care; they're just there to enhance image and waste some of the trillions the government has to spend.
But that doesn't mean we need to upend the democratic process to get rid of them. Pork is there because legislation is all about compromise and consensus. Sure, one party holds sway most of the time, but consensus is still necessary. Senators barter. Representatives bargain. If you give the President carte blanche to eliminate the fruits of those bargains, it dampens the entire process.
Example: Barbara Boxer wants funding for tree-huggers in Marin, and Trent Lott isn't terribly interested in helping her out. But she says she'll stop opposing some conservative social issue if he'll fund her pet project. They agree. Now, Lott didn't necessarily need Boxer's actual vote for the budget, because he's got the majority. But now he can count on less of a media fuss about his issue, so in their eyes, everyone wins.
Now enter the President, who thinks tree-hugging is for pinkos and vetoes that item out. Congress--Republicans out of principle and some Democrats out of anti-pork feelings--agrees and easily votes to agree. The end result is that Boxer has lost her half of the bargain, because we let the President muck around.
It's a simplistic example, I know, but I threw it together in 10 minutes. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter who heads up the Executive Branch (even if it's me); that's not one of the powers of the President, and it tips the scales too far in his already-lopsided favor (executive orders, anyone?).
I didn't have a blog in 1996. I'm not actually sure that anyone did. But I didn't agree with the line-item veto then, and I certainly don't agree with it now. Granted, this newest version isn't as powerful as Clinton's brief foray into legislating, but it still undermines the process.
Nobody likes pork-barrel projects except congresspersons. Often times the people they benefit don't even care; they're just there to enhance image and waste some of the trillions the government has to spend.
But that doesn't mean we need to upend the democratic process to get rid of them. Pork is there because legislation is all about compromise and consensus. Sure, one party holds sway most of the time, but consensus is still necessary. Senators barter. Representatives bargain. If you give the President carte blanche to eliminate the fruits of those bargains, it dampens the entire process.
Example: Barbara Boxer wants funding for tree-huggers in Marin, and Trent Lott isn't terribly interested in helping her out. But she says she'll stop opposing some conservative social issue if he'll fund her pet project. They agree. Now, Lott didn't necessarily need Boxer's actual vote for the budget, because he's got the majority. But now he can count on less of a media fuss about his issue, so in their eyes, everyone wins.
Now enter the President, who thinks tree-hugging is for pinkos and vetoes that item out. Congress--Republicans out of principle and some Democrats out of anti-pork feelings--agrees and easily votes to agree. The end result is that Boxer has lost her half of the bargain, because we let the President muck around.
It's a simplistic example, I know, but I threw it together in 10 minutes. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter who heads up the Executive Branch (even if it's me); that's not one of the powers of the President, and it tips the scales too far in his already-lopsided favor (executive orders, anyone?).
June 12, 2006
Muzak
Another good meme from Dennis!, and everybody knows I'm a sucker for easy content. You can read the "rules" on his blog, but a quick summary is thus: these are the first lines of the first 20 songs (roughly...) that played when I opened iTunes and hit random. You could guess what they are, but methinks nobody will bother so I just did it out of curiosity.
My own pathetic attempts at defending my weird musical tastes are also included. Let's begin!
1. "Well beer, we've had some good times..."
2. "Humming... all the way to Reno."
3. "I've been looking so long at these pictures of you."
If you don't get this one, and you're under 35, punch yourself in the face.
4. "Come on, oh my star is fading. And I swerve out of control"
5. "May god bless and keep you always, may your wishes all come true."
Okay this is pretty unmasculine so far. I hope it gets better.
6. "You let me violate you. You let me desecrate you."
Woah. You ask for it, you got it.
7. "Suzanne! You're all that I wanted of a girl."
Not too hard when the title is the first word of the song...
8. "This or that. This or that. This or that. This or that."
Rap really is repetitive.
9. "Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain. We all have sorrow."
10. "You and I in a little toy show buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got."
Hmm. It's better in German.
11. "At last, my love has come along."
I swear to God my music collection isn't really this wussy.
At which point iTunes crashes my computer. Or rather, "Bye Bye Blackbird" by Ray Charles crashes it. I don't blame iTunes. Reboot and let's go!
12. "I wish I would have met you. Now it's a little late."
Interlude: Polaris, by Zero 7. No words.
13. "He came riding fast like a phoenix out of fire flames."
Another interlude: War Cry, from the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack.
14. "Here comes the hot stepper (murderer), I'm the lyrical gangster (murderer)."
15. "Lights go out and I can't be saved. Tides that I tried to swim against."
16. "Stand in the place where you live, now face north."
Man, two R.E.M. and two Coldplay? Whiny-rock represent!
17. "I want to break free. I want to break free."
18. "I know what you want. I wanna take you to a midnight show tonight."
19. "Manic depression is touching my soul."
This one goes out to all my Zyprexa homies. I feel ya.
20. "We got married in a fever hotter than a pepper sprout."
There's no one like the original, damn you.
Well that was frightening for all involved (me and the neighbors). Turns out, it really IS Bye Bye Blackbird that crashes it (not iTunes) because it just did it again. What the hell, Ray? Why you gotta hate on iTunes?
My own pathetic attempts at defending my weird musical tastes are also included. Let's begin!
1. "Well beer, we've had some good times..."
2. "Humming... all the way to Reno."
3. "I've been looking so long at these pictures of you."
If you don't get this one, and you're under 35, punch yourself in the face.
4. "Come on, oh my star is fading. And I swerve out of control"
5. "May god bless and keep you always, may your wishes all come true."
Okay this is pretty unmasculine so far. I hope it gets better.
6. "You let me violate you. You let me desecrate you."
Woah. You ask for it, you got it.
7. "Suzanne! You're all that I wanted of a girl."
Not too hard when the title is the first word of the song...
8. "This or that. This or that. This or that. This or that."
Rap really is repetitive.
9. "Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain. We all have sorrow."
10. "You and I in a little toy show buy a bag of balloons with the money we've got."
Hmm. It's better in German.
11. "At last, my love has come along."
I swear to God my music collection isn't really this wussy.
At which point iTunes crashes my computer. Or rather, "Bye Bye Blackbird" by Ray Charles crashes it. I don't blame iTunes. Reboot and let's go!
12. "I wish I would have met you. Now it's a little late."
Interlude: Polaris, by Zero 7. No words.
13. "He came riding fast like a phoenix out of fire flames."
Another interlude: War Cry, from the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack.
14. "Here comes the hot stepper (murderer), I'm the lyrical gangster (murderer)."
15. "Lights go out and I can't be saved. Tides that I tried to swim against."
16. "Stand in the place where you live, now face north."
Man, two R.E.M. and two Coldplay? Whiny-rock represent!
17. "I want to break free. I want to break free."
18. "I know what you want. I wanna take you to a midnight show tonight."
19. "Manic depression is touching my soul."
This one goes out to all my Zyprexa homies. I feel ya.
20. "We got married in a fever hotter than a pepper sprout."
There's no one like the original, damn you.
Well that was frightening for all involved (me and the neighbors). Turns out, it really IS Bye Bye Blackbird that crashes it (not iTunes) because it just did it again. What the hell, Ray? Why you gotta hate on iTunes?
June 11, 2006
Money Makes a Shill
Yes it's late, but that's when I do my best ranting.
Back when he was press secretary to our last useful President, Mike McCurry was a personal hero of mine. He seemed forthcoming and straightforward in a business (politics) that rarely sees "forthcoming" and never sees candor. He was a great press secretary, not like the talking chimps the Bush Administration has ponied up to the podium. Well, Ari was deft, but in a more malevolent, dark-side-of-the-force way.
That's why it's so sad and depressing to see someone of his former pragmatism shilling for what is possibly the worst government-meets-tech idea since email taxation. I won't go into the whole debate--you can read McCurry's hugely twisted slant here and the much more enlightening (and not written by a hired gun like McCurry) viewpoint here--but I just wanted to show how easy it is to fall from grace. Maybe someday I'll stop being idealistic and will sell my soul to AT&T for millions, but I can always say that McCurry & Co. did it first.
Okay, I said I wouldn't get into it, but briefly:
- the Internet is already regulated: regulated meaning kept neutral so that infrastructure owners must allow equal access to content-providers.
- the communications companies want an end to these regulations and a beginning to a "tiered" Internet where money buys fast-loading webpages
- Translation: right now, my blog (Blogger technical problems notwithstanding) and eBay load at the same speed. This would change if the telecomm companies get there way, and my page would load at a crawl so that eBay, which can pay, can zip people in and out.
- Even eBay, which has the money to do this, opposes this idea. That's because it's a colossal mistake.
Now it's super-late, and I'm not sure I'm making sense. But go ahead and read those articles, they're written "with care" and probably "edited for grammar", and you know neither of those things are particularly popular here at DU.
Back when he was press secretary to our last useful President, Mike McCurry was a personal hero of mine. He seemed forthcoming and straightforward in a business (politics) that rarely sees "forthcoming" and never sees candor. He was a great press secretary, not like the talking chimps the Bush Administration has ponied up to the podium. Well, Ari was deft, but in a more malevolent, dark-side-of-the-force way.
That's why it's so sad and depressing to see someone of his former pragmatism shilling for what is possibly the worst government-meets-tech idea since email taxation. I won't go into the whole debate--you can read McCurry's hugely twisted slant here and the much more enlightening (and not written by a hired gun like McCurry) viewpoint here--but I just wanted to show how easy it is to fall from grace. Maybe someday I'll stop being idealistic and will sell my soul to AT&T for millions, but I can always say that McCurry & Co. did it first.
Okay, I said I wouldn't get into it, but briefly:
- the Internet is already regulated: regulated meaning kept neutral so that infrastructure owners must allow equal access to content-providers.
- the communications companies want an end to these regulations and a beginning to a "tiered" Internet where money buys fast-loading webpages
- Translation: right now, my blog (Blogger technical problems notwithstanding) and eBay load at the same speed. This would change if the telecomm companies get there way, and my page would load at a crawl so that eBay, which can pay, can zip people in and out.
- Even eBay, which has the money to do this, opposes this idea. That's because it's a colossal mistake.
Now it's super-late, and I'm not sure I'm making sense. But go ahead and read those articles, they're written "with care" and probably "edited for grammar", and you know neither of those things are particularly popular here at DU.
June 7, 2006
Update: CNN Steals Posts
Perhaps it is unfair to paint all of CNN with the plagiarist's brush
when it is only Lou Dobbs who, by sheer coincidence, says the
same thing today in his online column. A little more eloquently, maybe, but still: I'm watching my sitelogs
for CNN employees, Dobbs. I'm on to your crafty game.
Update to the Update: Apparently blogger doesn't like HTML tags in emailed posts. Who knew?
June 6, 2006
Of Amendments and Rights
President Bush is apparently seeking to further entrench himself into
the Presidential wastebin of history (say hi to Herbert Hoover when
you get there!) by promoting an ill-conceived,
snowball's-chance-in-hell anti-gay amendment to the Constitution.
Aside from this amendment having almost zero chance of coming even
close to ratification, and aside from the oh-so-blatant political
strategy it's designed to promote, such an amendment would be a first
for the U.S. Constitution. Why? Because the Constitution, brilliant
document that it is, does not strip rights from citizens, almost
without exception.*
What do I mean? Well, take the first 10 amendments (the Bill of
Rights, people. Come on, read your civics books). None of those
amendments, which almost all Americans cherish (even pesky #2) takes a
right away from anybody. They limit what the <i>government</i> can do,
not what citizens can do. No abridging speech, no abridging press, no
limiting religion. Later, a clearly drunken Congress did manage to
pass an amendment that took something away--the 18th Amendment,
creating prohibition, which lasted all of 13 years.
I'm not saying that gay marriage is good. I mean, I would say that,
but that's not the point. The point is even if it's proven that gays
getting married causes eyeball cancer in puppies, it shouldn't be the
subject of a Constitutional Amendment. It's not what the Constitution
is for. Furthermore, using the promotion of an amendment--a change to
the rock that our extraordinarily powerful and prosperous society is
built upon--as a political tool is absolutely asinine. Politics will
adhere itself to everything, of course, but to create an amendment for
pure political gain? Have you no sense of decency, sir?
*Some might argue that the 26th, while prohibiting interference with
the right to vote, also codifies the voting age at 18 and thus limits
those 17 and younger from voting. I say, who cares what kids think?
This is my first attempt at an email-based blog, so my apologies if it
comes out green or in Sanskrit or Wingdings or makes your monitor
asplode.
June 4, 2006
Broken Record
I hate to bring it up almost twice in a row, but I keep running across stuff that makes me question why exactly everyone is so quick to dismiss "conspiracy theories".
First of all, there are "conspiracy theories" and then there are things that haven't been explained well. It seems to me that these should be exclusive categories. Most "conspiracies" have been explained (i.e. the 'fake' moon landing, crop circles, etc.) but in situations like this one, most of the irregularities not only haven't been explained, they've been ridiculed.
I'm all for ridicule. I enjoy it. I ridicule people, places, feelings, NASCAR, and weather patterns on a routine basis. But I also believe in fact, and in not deriding a theory simply because it can somewhat easily be lumped into a grouping of other, crazier theories. And it seems to me that the mainstream media--not just partisan media, but pretty much everyone--falls to easily into the trap of automatically discounting a theory simply because there are other theories about the same event that are kooky.
Example: Someone alleges that the 2004 and 2000 elections were "stolen" by a CIA taskforce intent on ensuring a GOP presidency. They believe this because a former CIA intern is in the background of a picture taken in Palm Beach, FL, during the big 2000 mess.* Somebody else alleges that the voter rolls from 2000 and 2004 were extraordinarily low in some precincts, and that this abnormality is compounded by all the precincts being traditionally Democratic strongholds.**
Now, the first person just has a kooky theory, based on nothing but a photograph. The second person just has questions that need answering. If you can't see the difference in these two "conspiracy theories" then you need to read it again until you do.
* I made this up.
** I did not make this up. Sadly.
First of all, there are "conspiracy theories" and then there are things that haven't been explained well. It seems to me that these should be exclusive categories. Most "conspiracies" have been explained (i.e. the 'fake' moon landing, crop circles, etc.) but in situations like this one, most of the irregularities not only haven't been explained, they've been ridiculed.
I'm all for ridicule. I enjoy it. I ridicule people, places, feelings, NASCAR, and weather patterns on a routine basis. But I also believe in fact, and in not deriding a theory simply because it can somewhat easily be lumped into a grouping of other, crazier theories. And it seems to me that the mainstream media--not just partisan media, but pretty much everyone--falls to easily into the trap of automatically discounting a theory simply because there are other theories about the same event that are kooky.
Example: Someone alleges that the 2004 and 2000 elections were "stolen" by a CIA taskforce intent on ensuring a GOP presidency. They believe this because a former CIA intern is in the background of a picture taken in Palm Beach, FL, during the big 2000 mess.* Somebody else alleges that the voter rolls from 2000 and 2004 were extraordinarily low in some precincts, and that this abnormality is compounded by all the precincts being traditionally Democratic strongholds.**
Now, the first person just has a kooky theory, based on nothing but a photograph. The second person just has questions that need answering. If you can't see the difference in these two "conspiracy theories" then you need to read it again until you do.
* I made this up.
** I did not make this up. Sadly.
May 27, 2006
Blog Post
So far this weekend I've watched a Star Wars movie, done laundry but only folded half of it, and worked 4 hours of overtime.
Tomorrow, it's Carnaval! And then relaxation because Monday is a (unpaid) holiday.
I know everyone out there is quite jealous at the superstar lifestyle I lead, but rest assured: it's not all it's cracked up to be. If I were less poor, I'd be in Florida this weekend with friends. If I were less tired, I'd be going out tonight despite my 8 a.m. wake-up time.
But overall, despite my shakey financial state and my constant employment-induced exhaustion, I'm good. Really good, considering. So no worries when I don't post, because it's okay. I'm just busy doing this whole life thing.
Tomorrow, it's Carnaval! And then relaxation because Monday is a (unpaid) holiday.
I know everyone out there is quite jealous at the superstar lifestyle I lead, but rest assured: it's not all it's cracked up to be. If I were less poor, I'd be in Florida this weekend with friends. If I were less tired, I'd be going out tonight despite my 8 a.m. wake-up time.
But overall, despite my shakey financial state and my constant employment-induced exhaustion, I'm good. Really good, considering. So no worries when I don't post, because it's okay. I'm just busy doing this whole life thing.
May 23, 2006
C-O-N...spiracy
The roomie and I watched a surprisingly not insane speech last night discussing the terrorist attacks on 9/11. Without going into all the nitty-gritty detail, I was semi-convinced that the official story of the attack is not exactly what happened.
Now, before you call me nuts, let me clarify. I'm not sure what the truth actually happens to be. All I've become aware of is the flimsiness (if that's a word) of the actual explanation, as given by the government.
I'm not really into big conspiracies. I generally feel that the government is far too bureaucratic to manage large-scale cover-ups, simply because too many people will tell. I still believe this.
But there's just a lot of weird crap associated with 9/11 and the government response. And what's possibly more shocking is how many people have outright forgotten some of the key facts. For instance, who out there remembers that three WTC buildings fell? Yes, WTC 1 and 2, but then seven hours later, WTC 7, which had not been attacked. And it fell like as clean a demolition as has ever been--right into itself. Official explanation is that a fire, and the toppling of the first two, lead to WTC 7's fall. But no building in modern history has ever collapsed because of fire--except the three that fell on 9/11.
And that includes some real firestorms, buildings that lost 10 to 20 stories to fire, not the handful of floors that burned at the World Trade Center.
I won't get into it all, because there's a lot. Impossibly hot fires, hastily exported debris, missing hijackers (did you know that a good number of the "19 hijackers" aren't dead--they're complete misidentifications by the government), and so on. The only reason I buy into any of this is because for once, I saw an almost completely scientific and non-partisan approach to the issue. You can read about it your self at www.st911.org.
Obviously, there's a lot of crap out there that makes "9/11 conspiracy" sound completely asinine. But just because some idiotic theories are out there doesn't mean that there aren't some that have a kernel (or more) of truth.
Now, before you call me nuts, let me clarify. I'm not sure what the truth actually happens to be. All I've become aware of is the flimsiness (if that's a word) of the actual explanation, as given by the government.
I'm not really into big conspiracies. I generally feel that the government is far too bureaucratic to manage large-scale cover-ups, simply because too many people will tell. I still believe this.
But there's just a lot of weird crap associated with 9/11 and the government response. And what's possibly more shocking is how many people have outright forgotten some of the key facts. For instance, who out there remembers that three WTC buildings fell? Yes, WTC 1 and 2, but then seven hours later, WTC 7, which had not been attacked. And it fell like as clean a demolition as has ever been--right into itself. Official explanation is that a fire, and the toppling of the first two, lead to WTC 7's fall. But no building in modern history has ever collapsed because of fire--except the three that fell on 9/11.
And that includes some real firestorms, buildings that lost 10 to 20 stories to fire, not the handful of floors that burned at the World Trade Center.
I won't get into it all, because there's a lot. Impossibly hot fires, hastily exported debris, missing hijackers (did you know that a good number of the "19 hijackers" aren't dead--they're complete misidentifications by the government), and so on. The only reason I buy into any of this is because for once, I saw an almost completely scientific and non-partisan approach to the issue. You can read about it your self at www.st911.org.
Obviously, there's a lot of crap out there that makes "9/11 conspiracy" sound completely asinine. But just because some idiotic theories are out there doesn't mean that there aren't some that have a kernel (or more) of truth.
May 17, 2006
Alphabetical Fun
I saw this wandering the Internet, and you know how I love to avoid a substantive post. It's me from A to Z!
Accent: People say I talk too fast to be a local (Californian, more so when SoCal), but I'm pretty sure when I toss out a y'all or two that I sound a bit Virginia.
Booze: Beers or something like a 7 and 7. You know, where you can't taste the alcohol.
Chore I Hate: That would be all chores, Alex. Laundry especially.
Dogs/Cats: I'll get a dog before getting a cat, that's for sure. But I don't mind felines.
Essential Electronics: Los Computeros y player de la dvds.
Favorite Perfume/Cologne: I don't really know the names of any of the ones I like.
Gold/Silver: Silver. We're talking car colors, right?
Hometown: Fairfax, VA.
Insomnia: Sometimes. Have yet to figure out the cause.
Job Title: Attorney. Well, technically, temp. Sad but true.
Kids: Someday. Unless you mean baby goats. And then: someday.
Living Arrangements: Apartment with excellent roommate in the Sunset district of SF.
Most Admired Trait: Admired by who? I'd say crazy movie knowledge, but then I'd be confusing "trait" with "mental disorder".
Number of Sexual Partners: Hah! You wish. Bigger than a breadbox.
Overnight Hospital Stays: A big fat none.
Phobia: I hate needles. And camel crickets. That's about it though.
Quote: So many to choose from. "The only people with nothing to fear are those with nothing to lose."
Religion: Lapsed Catholic.
Siblings: Two sisters. Both college graduates as of 3 days ago.
Time I usually wake up: 7:30...ish.
Unusual Talent: I can crack my shoulders.
Vegetable I refuse to eat: Cabbage. Blech.
Worst Habit: Biting my nails. I could win a medal if it ever becomes an eligible sport.
X-Rays: Only on my teeth. I've never broken a bone.
Yummy Foods I Make: I can't actually create any foods that a living creature would willingly ingest. But I pour a mean bag of M&Ms.
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn One.
More later! Including a post on my triumphant return to Blacksburg after lo this many (five) years. Sneak preview: there are still a lot of hicks.
Accent: People say I talk too fast to be a local (Californian, more so when SoCal), but I'm pretty sure when I toss out a y'all or two that I sound a bit Virginia.
Booze: Beers or something like a 7 and 7. You know, where you can't taste the alcohol.
Chore I Hate: That would be all chores, Alex. Laundry especially.
Dogs/Cats: I'll get a dog before getting a cat, that's for sure. But I don't mind felines.
Essential Electronics: Los Computeros y player de la dvds.
Favorite Perfume/Cologne: I don't really know the names of any of the ones I like.
Gold/Silver: Silver. We're talking car colors, right?
Hometown: Fairfax, VA.
Insomnia: Sometimes. Have yet to figure out the cause.
Job Title: Attorney. Well, technically, temp. Sad but true.
Kids: Someday. Unless you mean baby goats. And then: someday.
Living Arrangements: Apartment with excellent roommate in the Sunset district of SF.
Most Admired Trait: Admired by who? I'd say crazy movie knowledge, but then I'd be confusing "trait" with "mental disorder".
Number of Sexual Partners: Hah! You wish. Bigger than a breadbox.
Overnight Hospital Stays: A big fat none.
Phobia: I hate needles. And camel crickets. That's about it though.
Quote: So many to choose from. "The only people with nothing to fear are those with nothing to lose."
Religion: Lapsed Catholic.
Siblings: Two sisters. Both college graduates as of 3 days ago.
Time I usually wake up: 7:30...ish.
Unusual Talent: I can crack my shoulders.
Vegetable I refuse to eat: Cabbage. Blech.
Worst Habit: Biting my nails. I could win a medal if it ever becomes an eligible sport.
X-Rays: Only on my teeth. I've never broken a bone.
Yummy Foods I Make: I can't actually create any foods that a living creature would willingly ingest. But I pour a mean bag of M&Ms.
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn One.
More later! Including a post on my triumphant return to Blacksburg after lo this many (five) years. Sneak preview: there are still a lot of hicks.
May 11, 2006
Firsts
Because I'm bored, and because it's a not-so-subtle way of showing how well-read and urbane I am, so that people out there reading this automatically think, "My, isn't he well-read and urbane, I think I should like to have sex with an individual like that," I now present you with the first line of every book I'm currently in the middle of reading. This does not include prologues, introductions, or other non-chapter 1 equivalents.
"A suitable starting point from which to compare historical developments on the different continents is around 11,000 B.C."
"I once joked that there are three things you can't do in life."*
"Imagine for a moment that you are the manager of a day-care center."
"The madness of an autumn prairie cold front coming through."
"Asking whether there is a liberal or conservative bias to the mainstream media is a little like asking whether al Qaeda uses too much oil in their hummus."
"I come from Des Moines."
"Calling it a cover-up would be far too dramatic."
Not sure what that accomplished, but it was fun to write. Strange that there's only one fiction book in the lot of that, right now.
"A suitable starting point from which to compare historical developments on the different continents is around 11,000 B.C."
"I once joked that there are three things you can't do in life."*
"Imagine for a moment that you are the manager of a day-care center."
"The madness of an autumn prairie cold front coming through."
"Asking whether there is a liberal or conservative bias to the mainstream media is a little like asking whether al Qaeda uses too much oil in their hummus."
"I come from Des Moines."
"Calling it a cover-up would be far too dramatic."
Not sure what that accomplished, but it was fun to write. Strange that there's only one fiction book in the lot of that, right now.
May 10, 2006
Fore! Things
Tagged by the mouse, and always eager for content:
Four Things I Know
1. How to make almost any consumer electronics device work properly.
2. The birthdays of at least 30 or 40 people, including those I haven't seen in years.
3. The identity of that guy in that one movie about the car, and the dogs chase them, and it's really pretty stupid but do you know the movie? Yes I do.
4. Myself, to a certain degree.
Four Things I Used to Know:
1. The ancient art of Karate, at least up to a green belt level.
2. The cheat codes for every first-person shooter out there ("iddqd" anyone?).
3. More than just some random vocabulary words in French. Je suis tres stupide.
4. How to row a mean starboard-side position in crew. It's possible I still know this, but I haven't had the opportunity to find out in years.
Four Things I Want to Know:
1. How to perform routine car maintenance.
2. Italian.
3. More, about everything.
4. What will happen next.
Four Things I Don't Know and Don't Care About
1. Your car's horsepower, engine size, or rims.
2. College basketball, for the most part. College anything, for that matter.
3. Most contemporary non-independent pop music.
4. How to make decorative centerpieces.
Since I don't really tag people, consider yourselves free to do as you wish.
Four Things I Know
1. How to make almost any consumer electronics device work properly.
2. The birthdays of at least 30 or 40 people, including those I haven't seen in years.
3. The identity of that guy in that one movie about the car, and the dogs chase them, and it's really pretty stupid but do you know the movie? Yes I do.
4. Myself, to a certain degree.
Four Things I Used to Know:
1. The ancient art of Karate, at least up to a green belt level.
2. The cheat codes for every first-person shooter out there ("iddqd" anyone?).
3. More than just some random vocabulary words in French. Je suis tres stupide.
4. How to row a mean starboard-side position in crew. It's possible I still know this, but I haven't had the opportunity to find out in years.
Four Things I Want to Know:
1. How to perform routine car maintenance.
2. Italian.
3. More, about everything.
4. What will happen next.
Four Things I Don't Know and Don't Care About
1. Your car's horsepower, engine size, or rims.
2. College basketball, for the most part. College anything, for that matter.
3. Most contemporary non-independent pop music.
4. How to make decorative centerpieces.
Since I don't really tag people, consider yourselves free to do as you wish.
May 9, 2006
Mistaken Movie Identity
When I was a younger man, perhaps even what you would call a preteen (the memory is fuzzy), I recall one experience with late-night cable watching that has stuck with me for years.
A friend was sleeping over, and we saw in the cable guide that "Red Heat" with none other than the current governor of Caleeforneeuh and John Belushi's brother as east-meets-west buddy cops. It's definitely a staple of the 80's Arnold movie, and is perfect for two 12-year-old boys to watch late at night.
But then everything went to a very strange and uncomfortable place. Red Heat started, and though both of us had thought we had seen the movie before, the initial plot and scenes confused us. This was, in fact, before my encyclopaedic knowledge of all things cinematic had sprung forth, and so I did not immediately realize that this was not the "Russian cop awkwardly adjusts to American lifestyle" action movie we were expecting. It was instead Red Heat, "American woman caught up in East German prison" movie, a strikingly effective propoganda piece (to me, at 12) on the perils of travelling to the eastern bloc at the time.
In our naivete, we watched the entire movie, only giving up on an appearance by The Terminator after about 45 minutes. By then, we wanted to see whether Linda Blair would make it out. But in hindsight, this was not the late night women-in-prison cable movie that most 12-year-old boys would love to see. I suspect it was this early case of mistaken identity that, to this day, keeps me from being able to enjoy such movies on the same level as most other guys enjoy them.
Next time on "Why Nuture Beats the Hell out of Nature" theater: the little piece of my soul that died when I watched the movie Fortress, and how it gave me nightmares (and daymares!) for months afterwards. And please note--I am not the only one who got freaked the hell out by this movie. (Interesting trivia: this movie also has a doppleganger, which I have never seen because to even watch a movie called Fortress, even if laughably bad and starring Christopher Lambert, breaks me out in a cold sweat.)
A friend was sleeping over, and we saw in the cable guide that "Red Heat" with none other than the current governor of Caleeforneeuh and John Belushi's brother as east-meets-west buddy cops. It's definitely a staple of the 80's Arnold movie, and is perfect for two 12-year-old boys to watch late at night.
But then everything went to a very strange and uncomfortable place. Red Heat started, and though both of us had thought we had seen the movie before, the initial plot and scenes confused us. This was, in fact, before my encyclopaedic knowledge of all things cinematic had sprung forth, and so I did not immediately realize that this was not the "Russian cop awkwardly adjusts to American lifestyle" action movie we were expecting. It was instead Red Heat, "American woman caught up in East German prison" movie, a strikingly effective propoganda piece (to me, at 12) on the perils of travelling to the eastern bloc at the time.
In our naivete, we watched the entire movie, only giving up on an appearance by The Terminator after about 45 minutes. By then, we wanted to see whether Linda Blair would make it out. But in hindsight, this was not the late night women-in-prison cable movie that most 12-year-old boys would love to see. I suspect it was this early case of mistaken identity that, to this day, keeps me from being able to enjoy such movies on the same level as most other guys enjoy them.
Next time on "Why Nuture Beats the Hell out of Nature" theater: the little piece of my soul that died when I watched the movie Fortress, and how it gave me nightmares (and daymares!) for months afterwards. And please note--I am not the only one who got freaked the hell out by this movie. (Interesting trivia: this movie also has a doppleganger, which I have never seen because to even watch a movie called Fortress, even if laughably bad and starring Christopher Lambert, breaks me out in a cold sweat.)
May 7, 2006
Bush at His Best
I think he and I are actually in agreement about this one. It really is the best thing our Commander in Chief has managed in the last 6 years.
Hip hip hooray.
Hip hip hooray.
May 1, 2006
Reading is Fun-damental
There's an article on Slate that talks about a plan to win the hearts and minds of those who despise us in the Middle East, but not through the usual methods (you know, bombs and land mines and secret torture prisons).
Books! Translated books! And although I can't cite a specific post (even on the old blog) I actually had this idea a few years back. See, it occurs to me that what makes America great isn't McDonalds or Playboy or other things that fly directly in the face of most Muslim teachings, but rather its the free exchange of ideas. Translating the works of Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson, of the Constitution and the great speeches of our founding fathers, could be a way to reach those who fear and detest us. After all, it's not our current way of thinking--in fact, I'm fairly sure that most of the drafters of our Constitution would be aghast at the current state of our Union--so it provides some immunity to criticism of the current Administration.
I'm rambling a bit, and I really wanted to put together a more coherent post on this, but I'm a wee bit sick (Just a wee bit! I'm still unbreakable! It's just stress!) so this is what you get.
Tomorrow, if less fuzzyheaded, I'll argue with Sebastian Mallaby via my Internet soapbox.
Books! Translated books! And although I can't cite a specific post (even on the old blog) I actually had this idea a few years back. See, it occurs to me that what makes America great isn't McDonalds or Playboy or other things that fly directly in the face of most Muslim teachings, but rather its the free exchange of ideas. Translating the works of Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson, of the Constitution and the great speeches of our founding fathers, could be a way to reach those who fear and detest us. After all, it's not our current way of thinking--in fact, I'm fairly sure that most of the drafters of our Constitution would be aghast at the current state of our Union--so it provides some immunity to criticism of the current Administration.
I'm rambling a bit, and I really wanted to put together a more coherent post on this, but I'm a wee bit sick (Just a wee bit! I'm still unbreakable! It's just stress!) so this is what you get.
Tomorrow, if less fuzzyheaded, I'll argue with Sebastian Mallaby via my Internet soapbox.
April 22, 2006
Maybe it's the System
A column in the Post today says that the GOP is "unraveling" and while normally such a determination would make me dance a jig, this one makes me pause.
The Democrats were as similarly situated in 1992 as the Republicans in 2000. They had a better (i.e. worse) economic situation on which to capitalize, but otherwise Americans seemed to have had it with the people in charge. Clinton came along, promised change and was pretty successful in following through (I won't get into the particulars there because I'm sure everybody has their own standard). Bush did the same, and was "fortunate" to have 9/11 come along and really give him the political capital he was struggling to find immediately after the election (note again: not blaming Bush for 9/11, it's just how it worked out).
Maybe all the problems that hit the current administration are problems that end up plaguing any party that gets to be in charge of the executive branch for more than 5 years. That is, perhaps both (or all) parties are so corrupt and have lost focus on the purpose of political service that it only takes about 4 or 5 years for their true colors to show. With the Democrats, it was using power to enrich your personal life; with Republicans, it seems to be using power to unconstitutionally achieve your political aspirations.
Either way, it all comes tumbling down eventually, because government is too big and there are too many people looking to take it down for such things to stay hidden. Incidentally, this is also why I don't really believe in massive government conspiracies like Area 51 or JFK being killed by the CIA or faking the moon landing. People aren't secret keepers, by their very nature. Eventually it will come out, if there were enough people involved.
I'm still happy that the GOP is taking such a beating right now, though I don't believe in the American people enough anymore to think that it will actually change who they vote for. We need new blood on both sides of the aisle.
The Democrats were as similarly situated in 1992 as the Republicans in 2000. They had a better (i.e. worse) economic situation on which to capitalize, but otherwise Americans seemed to have had it with the people in charge. Clinton came along, promised change and was pretty successful in following through (I won't get into the particulars there because I'm sure everybody has their own standard). Bush did the same, and was "fortunate" to have 9/11 come along and really give him the political capital he was struggling to find immediately after the election (note again: not blaming Bush for 9/11, it's just how it worked out).
Maybe all the problems that hit the current administration are problems that end up plaguing any party that gets to be in charge of the executive branch for more than 5 years. That is, perhaps both (or all) parties are so corrupt and have lost focus on the purpose of political service that it only takes about 4 or 5 years for their true colors to show. With the Democrats, it was using power to enrich your personal life; with Republicans, it seems to be using power to unconstitutionally achieve your political aspirations.
Either way, it all comes tumbling down eventually, because government is too big and there are too many people looking to take it down for such things to stay hidden. Incidentally, this is also why I don't really believe in massive government conspiracies like Area 51 or JFK being killed by the CIA or faking the moon landing. People aren't secret keepers, by their very nature. Eventually it will come out, if there were enough people involved.
I'm still happy that the GOP is taking such a beating right now, though I don't believe in the American people enough anymore to think that it will actually change who they vote for. We need new blood on both sides of the aisle.
April 20, 2006
A Tale of Temping
I haven't updated with any significant information in awhile, and there's really nobody to blame besides myself. And Satan. There's always Satan to blame.
In that time, I've become an actual lawyer. You can look me up at the state bar website and everything. I'm 100% now, no "still waiting for X" or "haven't received my Y" anymore. Though I haven't paid dues yet, they give you quite awhile to do that. This is fortunate because right now, dues cost more than I make in a week.
Speaking of crappy pay, temping is just about up. At least, at the place and salary that has semi-sustained me lo these past 5 or 6 weeks. The good news? I get a raise (25%) and a reprieve from my copy/scan duties for two weeks. The bad news: after that, I have no job again.
Still, I'm ready to move on. It's a nice office, and I've met some great people (there's a story there, too, but focus!) but asbestos and pharmaceutical litigation aren't really my bag, and neither is being the most underpaid lawyer practicing in the state of California.
The way people treat temps is a good indicator as to their worth as a human being. I am particularly lucky because I get to watch the sometimes dramatic shift in attitude between when I first meet someone ("Hey. Copy this for me. Thanks.") and when they eventually hear that I'm a JD-holding almost (at the time) lawyer. Sometimes the transformation is hideous to behold. I know that my schooling and the ambition that people usually associate with a law degree can draw out an unwarranted respect, and I've gotten used to that. Not to be trite, but it still seems wretchedly shallow to behave with more civility simply because it turns out I've got more education than previously assumed.
But I digress. Or, not really, since this was supposed to be about temping. It has been so long since a real post that I'm worried about needlessly opening the floodgates, so I'll just leave you with the best "condescending temp" line ever: "This job is not what I really do, OK? I play keyboards."
* Yes that's from the Simpsons. Like you have to ask?
In that time, I've become an actual lawyer. You can look me up at the state bar website and everything. I'm 100% now, no "still waiting for X" or "haven't received my Y" anymore. Though I haven't paid dues yet, they give you quite awhile to do that. This is fortunate because right now, dues cost more than I make in a week.
Speaking of crappy pay, temping is just about up. At least, at the place and salary that has semi-sustained me lo these past 5 or 6 weeks. The good news? I get a raise (25%) and a reprieve from my copy/scan duties for two weeks. The bad news: after that, I have no job again.
Still, I'm ready to move on. It's a nice office, and I've met some great people (there's a story there, too, but focus!) but asbestos and pharmaceutical litigation aren't really my bag, and neither is being the most underpaid lawyer practicing in the state of California.
The way people treat temps is a good indicator as to their worth as a human being. I am particularly lucky because I get to watch the sometimes dramatic shift in attitude between when I first meet someone ("Hey. Copy this for me. Thanks.") and when they eventually hear that I'm a JD-holding almost (at the time) lawyer. Sometimes the transformation is hideous to behold. I know that my schooling and the ambition that people usually associate with a law degree can draw out an unwarranted respect, and I've gotten used to that. Not to be trite, but it still seems wretchedly shallow to behave with more civility simply because it turns out I've got more education than previously assumed.
But I digress. Or, not really, since this was supposed to be about temping. It has been so long since a real post that I'm worried about needlessly opening the floodgates, so I'll just leave you with the best "condescending temp" line ever: "This job is not what I really do, OK? I play keyboards."
* Yes that's from the Simpsons. Like you have to ask?
April 12, 2006
Technical Difficulties
Blogger has eaten two posts this week, and normally it doesn't eat them so... permanently. But lo and behold this week it's feeling moody and thus, I find myself apologizing for the lack of posts. Sorry.
They's a-comin' though! And maybe even a picture of me in a funny mustache! Hang on to your hats.
They's a-comin' though! And maybe even a picture of me in a funny mustache! Hang on to your hats.
April 4, 2006
01:02:03 04/05/06
In a little over an hour (Pacific Time) it will be 1:02 a.m., and 3 seconds after that it will be 1:02:03 on 04/05/06.
I'm not usually into stuff like that, other than to say "huh, that's cool" but this one got me thinking. It only happens once every hundred years, so chances are highly unlikely any of us will see the next one (or saw the last one).
Except, it sort of happens again if you follow the European date style, because 04/05/06 is May 4th (or so I've been told by my Eurotrash acquaintances) and thus just as accurate.
Anyway, just thought I'd share what me mum shared with me earlier tonight. If you're superstitious, you might not want to be buying a house or conceiving a child at around 1 a.m. tonight. On the other hand, maybe you totally should because that house could be magic or the child could be... well, probably the Antichrist. So don't do that one.
(Which reminds me, 06/06/06 is this year; if I hadn't read that 666 isn't really the number of the beast--mathematical error, I think it's actually like 669--I might be worried. Still, I bet people freak out.)
I'm not usually into stuff like that, other than to say "huh, that's cool" but this one got me thinking. It only happens once every hundred years, so chances are highly unlikely any of us will see the next one (or saw the last one).
Except, it sort of happens again if you follow the European date style, because 04/05/06 is May 4th (or so I've been told by my Eurotrash acquaintances) and thus just as accurate.
Anyway, just thought I'd share what me mum shared with me earlier tonight. If you're superstitious, you might not want to be buying a house or conceiving a child at around 1 a.m. tonight. On the other hand, maybe you totally should because that house could be magic or the child could be... well, probably the Antichrist. So don't do that one.
(Which reminds me, 06/06/06 is this year; if I hadn't read that 666 isn't really the number of the beast--mathematical error, I think it's actually like 669--I might be worried. Still, I bet people freak out.)
April 2, 2006
Sunday Ramblings
I'm as big a fan of time travel as the next guy (even though safety is not guaranteed) but this Spring Forward crap is for the birds, daddy-o. I have now updated my list of least desirable time travel destinations:
- The Early 80's ("Morning in America")
- Y2K (Again? It was lame the first time)
- 848 A.D. (Rome annexes the west bank of the Tiber. Who cares!)
- 3 a.m. last night
Hopefully by next year I will have mastered traveling to that holy grail of temporal do-over opportunities, The High School Years.
I find this headline to be mildly amusing, but can't really think of anything funny to add. Maybe "Wheat to Urge Separation of Desirable, Non-Desirable Elements."
Completing the rambling trifecta, an article in the Post made me once again weep for the significantly low standards we Americans have. I've ranted previously about what's funny and what's not (okay, I think it was on the last blog, but most of you saw it) and damn it, most of the President's stuff isn't even that funny. He gets 95% of the laughs from the fact that he's President. I'm pretty sure that secretly (or not so secretly), his reason for seeking election to the highest office in the land was to dramatically improve the play of his extremely lame jokes. Mr. President, we get it; you're a "plainspoken, average joe" (read: uneducated and dim). Please stop hammering it into our heads by emphasizing your childlike fascination of foreign languages and your comical mispronunciations.
- The Early 80's ("Morning in America")
- Y2K (Again? It was lame the first time)
- 848 A.D. (Rome annexes the west bank of the Tiber. Who cares!)
- 3 a.m. last night
Hopefully by next year I will have mastered traveling to that holy grail of temporal do-over opportunities, The High School Years.
I find this headline to be mildly amusing, but can't really think of anything funny to add. Maybe "Wheat to Urge Separation of Desirable, Non-Desirable Elements."
Completing the rambling trifecta, an article in the Post made me once again weep for the significantly low standards we Americans have. I've ranted previously about what's funny and what's not (okay, I think it was on the last blog, but most of you saw it) and damn it, most of the President's stuff isn't even that funny. He gets 95% of the laughs from the fact that he's President. I'm pretty sure that secretly (or not so secretly), his reason for seeking election to the highest office in the land was to dramatically improve the play of his extremely lame jokes. Mr. President, we get it; you're a "plainspoken, average joe" (read: uneducated and dim). Please stop hammering it into our heads by emphasizing your childlike fascination of foreign languages and your comical mispronunciations.
March 30, 2006
"Crazyladysayswhat?"
"What?"
"Exactly."
Disclaimer: if you're my parents or a prude, you might not want to read this. Fair enough warning.
So I perused the gossip blogs the other day (and thank god for them, because it lets me hide my secret non-manly shame in the anonymity of the Internet) and I saw this choice quote from the current queen of outright weird, Sharon Stone:
Um. First of all, if you're "in a situation where you cannot get out of sex" you don't offer alternatives. You call the fucking police because you're being raped. Second of all, I'm pretty sure that Sharon Stone is neither a medical doctor nor competent to give her opinion on which color is her favorite, much less on what sexual techniques are safest.
I know this has probably been beaten into the ground (see the aforementioned gossip blogs) but I'm more confused than anything else; is she just nuts? Was she trying to be funny? Do people actually think any of this is true?
Because this is my blog and, as such, I get to offer free and unsolicited advice to the masses, here's a little something to counteract the absolute insanity above:
-Don't give blowjobs to anybody you wouldn't want to sleep with.
-Don't have oral sex, period, unless you're in a relationship with the person.
-Sleeping with lots of people does not make you a better or more liked person. It just means you've slept with lots of people.
-Do not equate your ability to get someone into bed to your worth as a person. The two are at best unrelated, and at worst, inversely proportional to one another.
Bit of a prude myself? Perhaps. But Sharon Stone went and put me off sex for at least 2 days. If that doesn't sound like much, remember that I'm a guy. It's about 47 hours and 59* minutes longer than I usually refrain from thinking about it.
*58 if I've been knocked unconscious
So I perused the gossip blogs the other day (and thank god for them, because it lets me hide my secret non-manly shame in the anonymity of the Internet) and I saw this choice quote from the current queen of outright weird, Sharon Stone:
Young people talk to me about what to do if they're being pressed for sex? I tell them (what I believe): oral sex is a hundred times safer than vaginal or anal sex. If you're in a situation where you cannot get out of sex, offer a blow job. I'm not embarrassed to tell them."
Um. First of all, if you're "in a situation where you cannot get out of sex" you don't offer alternatives. You call the fucking police because you're being raped. Second of all, I'm pretty sure that Sharon Stone is neither a medical doctor nor competent to give her opinion on which color is her favorite, much less on what sexual techniques are safest.
I know this has probably been beaten into the ground (see the aforementioned gossip blogs) but I'm more confused than anything else; is she just nuts? Was she trying to be funny? Do people actually think any of this is true?
Because this is my blog and, as such, I get to offer free and unsolicited advice to the masses, here's a little something to counteract the absolute insanity above:
-Don't give blowjobs to anybody you wouldn't want to sleep with.
-Don't have oral sex, period, unless you're in a relationship with the person.
-Sleeping with lots of people does not make you a better or more liked person. It just means you've slept with lots of people.
-Do not equate your ability to get someone into bed to your worth as a person. The two are at best unrelated, and at worst, inversely proportional to one another.
Bit of a prude myself? Perhaps. But Sharon Stone went and put me off sex for at least 2 days. If that doesn't sound like much, remember that I'm a guy. It's about 47 hours and 59* minutes longer than I usually refrain from thinking about it.
*58 if I've been knocked unconscious
March 27, 2006
Roommateless
Fridays (and the subsequent weekend) are much sweeter when you have to work 40 hours a week, and as such it was with no small amount of joy that I blissfully vegged almost the entire weekend away.
But just almost; I did go down to the beach a couple times, and shopped for food, and other various mundanities that must be accomplished during this oh-so-precious time period. But it was sort of weird, because with my roommate out of town, it even got a little bit lonely. Not in a "I'm lonely, sign me up for speed-dating" way, but I think I'm getting accustomed to having another person in the apartment. Even if she is as quiet as a mouse most of the time.
Work is going... on, I guess. It's hard to be a low-paid temp in a place where you, and everyone else, know that you could be doing a helluva lot more. Fortunately, some stuff has cropped up that allows me to do some work besides my usual 8 hours of administrative crap per day. And that's good not only for my blossoming legal career ("blossoming" in this case meaning "not dead on the vine yet") but also because I made more than 8000 copies on Friday and man, does that suck. We lawyers waste a LOT of paper.
Congrats to GMU for getting to the damn Final Four. That's crazy! What's next, Mary Washington goes to the Rose Bowl? How about if Longwood wins... okay I ran out of sports, but you get my point. Go Masons! Or, um, whatever they're called.
But just almost; I did go down to the beach a couple times, and shopped for food, and other various mundanities that must be accomplished during this oh-so-precious time period. But it was sort of weird, because with my roommate out of town, it even got a little bit lonely. Not in a "I'm lonely, sign me up for speed-dating" way, but I think I'm getting accustomed to having another person in the apartment. Even if she is as quiet as a mouse most of the time.
Work is going... on, I guess. It's hard to be a low-paid temp in a place where you, and everyone else, know that you could be doing a helluva lot more. Fortunately, some stuff has cropped up that allows me to do some work besides my usual 8 hours of administrative crap per day. And that's good not only for my blossoming legal career ("blossoming" in this case meaning "not dead on the vine yet") but also because I made more than 8000 copies on Friday and man, does that suck. We lawyers waste a LOT of paper.
Congrats to GMU for getting to the damn Final Four. That's crazy! What's next, Mary Washington goes to the Rose Bowl? How about if Longwood wins... okay I ran out of sports, but you get my point. Go Masons! Or, um, whatever they're called.
March 21, 2006
"I'm Not Dead. I'm Getting Better!"
The problem with a temp job, or at least the one I'm going to briefly mention here, is that you don't really have the ability to waste a heck of a lot of time. And since one of my chief time-wasting activities is, of course, writing in this silly little corner of the interweb, I've slack. A lot!
I'd promise change, if I thought I could keep the promise. I'd swear to mend my ways, to write 100 New Things About My Past or Why Girls Are Crazy or even Cats I Used to Own, but I don't like swearing if I don't think I have a good shot at living up to the blasphemous oath.
The good news is, it won't last forever. I still have ideas daily, I just lack the time right now. I also lack the work computer and the imprecise responsibility of a salaried position that makes daily blogging oh-so-easy.
Oh, and something tells me it's my step-dad's birthday today. Or tomorrow. I really need a wall calendar. But either way, I'm sure it's before the next update, so Happy Birthday Dan!
I'd promise change, if I thought I could keep the promise. I'd swear to mend my ways, to write 100 New Things About My Past or Why Girls Are Crazy or even Cats I Used to Own, but I don't like swearing if I don't think I have a good shot at living up to the blasphemous oath.
The good news is, it won't last forever. I still have ideas daily, I just lack the time right now. I also lack the work computer and the imprecise responsibility of a salaried position that makes daily blogging oh-so-easy.
Oh, and something tells me it's my step-dad's birthday today. Or tomorrow. I really need a wall calendar. But either way, I'm sure it's before the next update, so Happy Birthday Dan!
March 15, 2006
Who Would Have Thought...
...that working an eight-hour day would be so darn exhausting? It's not like I work in the salt mines or, as a friend put it, like I "live in Ireland during the 30s" (or was it the 40s? Either way, I suppose). And yet: I'm barely awake enough to compose this riveting bit of narrative.
I hope that this is just temporary (haha! like the job!) and that I simply need to reacclimate to a life of steady work. After all, I did it before, and for two years.
I totally stole MUNI today, by the way. Wasn't going to make it to the front of the train before it closed the doors, so I just jumped on. Never paid. I'm a thief. Thank god my moral character application is complete!
An uneven, ill-tempered sleep is calling my name. I hope it manifests in a more peaceful and fulfilling form than it has these last few days. And that I'm not roused by two-days-too-early Irish revelers.
I hope that this is just temporary (haha! like the job!) and that I simply need to reacclimate to a life of steady work. After all, I did it before, and for two years.
I totally stole MUNI today, by the way. Wasn't going to make it to the front of the train before it closed the doors, so I just jumped on. Never paid. I'm a thief. Thank god my moral character application is complete!
An uneven, ill-tempered sleep is calling my name. I hope it manifests in a more peaceful and fulfilling form than it has these last few days. And that I'm not roused by two-days-too-early Irish revelers.
March 14, 2006
Housecleaning
A few of you astute observers (or lazy ne'er-do-wells who haven't updated their bookmarks/links) will notice that the old blog is now officially gone. And by that I mean deleted.
It's something I planned to do all along (and I think I mentioned that before) but before anyone in the family gets all worried, know that I did save all the entries (one month at a time--3 years doesn't take THAT long) onto my laptop before giving it the axe.
One of the downsides is that I lose all the comments on the blog--there just isn't enough time to go through each entry and save the individual page. But, on the other hand, I switched comment handlers so many times (remember when Blogger didn't have 'em built in) that it's only about a year's worth, if that. There are a few I'll miss in particular...
On the upside, I can now begin recycling old blog posts, and though some of you may remember them, you have nowhere to turn for proof that I've already ranted about said topic! Suffer the wrath of reruns!
I'm off to work. No, not the good kind. The temp kind.
It's something I planned to do all along (and I think I mentioned that before) but before anyone in the family gets all worried, know that I did save all the entries (one month at a time--3 years doesn't take THAT long) onto my laptop before giving it the axe.
One of the downsides is that I lose all the comments on the blog--there just isn't enough time to go through each entry and save the individual page. But, on the other hand, I switched comment handlers so many times (remember when Blogger didn't have 'em built in) that it's only about a year's worth, if that. There are a few I'll miss in particular...
On the upside, I can now begin recycling old blog posts, and though some of you may remember them, you have nowhere to turn for proof that I've already ranted about said topic! Suffer the wrath of reruns!
I'm off to work. No, not the good kind. The temp kind.
March 12, 2006
Holy Cow
Five whole days with no posts! I think that calls for a super-duper summary edition of TIIADU. Hold onto your hats as we go crazy, tilde-style!
~Flogging Molly! Pretty kick-ass show. Haven't seen bands like that since sometimes during high school. The Fillmore is a great venue.
~More crappy temp work! But this time, I met some cool people, and made slightly more money than usual.
~Even more temp work! Two (2) whole weeks worth, starting bright and early tomorrow morning. The downside: pay is marginal. The upside: at a law firm. Also, it's a job.
~Holy hailstones*, Batman! On Friday night, a mini thunderstorm tore through our little part of town, dropping two or three lightning strikes right on our heads (not quite literally, but damn close) and hail the size of M&Ms.
* please note: spellchecker caught my original typo, "hailtsones" and suggested (drumroll please) "waltzing". Bravo, spellchecker. How well you know me.
~PG&E responds in force! The above-mentioned lightning blew our building's power to hell. It was out for about 22 hours, which was fine for the first 12, but then became boring. When PG&E finally got going, they had one giant crane, three van/trucks, and two cherry-pickers on the scene. I'm pretty sure it was just one guy actually working.
~Flogging Molly! Pretty kick-ass show. Haven't seen bands like that since sometimes during high school. The Fillmore is a great venue.~More crappy temp work! But this time, I met some cool people, and made slightly more money than usual.
~Even more temp work! Two (2) whole weeks worth, starting bright and early tomorrow morning. The downside: pay is marginal. The upside: at a law firm. Also, it's a job.
~Holy hailstones*, Batman! On Friday night, a mini thunderstorm tore through our little part of town, dropping two or three lightning strikes right on our heads (not quite literally, but damn close) and hail the size of M&Ms.
* please note: spellchecker caught my original typo, "hailtsones" and suggested (drumroll please) "waltzing". Bravo, spellchecker. How well you know me.
~PG&E responds in force! The above-mentioned lightning blew our building's power to hell. It was out for about 22 hours, which was fine for the first 12, but then became boring. When PG&E finally got going, they had one giant crane, three van/trucks, and two cherry-pickers on the scene. I'm pretty sure it was just one guy actually working.
March 7, 2006
In Brief
Here in the land of the gay cowboys (or at least, the land of the gays who really want to meet cowboys) we've taken the Best Picture award particularly hard. There are articles in the Chronicle ("SF Gays saddened over 'Brokeback' loss") and a general sense of melancholy regarding the whole affair. Probably a big part of it is that the Academy Awards have no bigger supporter, usually, than the gay community, and they sort of feel stabbed in the back by Sunday's outcome. I can't really say for sure whether they're justified, because I haven't even seen Brokeback Mountain. I have seen Crash, however, and that's what I wanted to mention (if you haven't noticed by now, "brief" to me is three paragraphs; I need help).
Lots of people hated Crash. I'm not really sure why, as it had lots of suspense, really intricate characters, and an interesting plot. The big criticism, from what I've gathered, is that (and this is quoting from Fish's blog--even though she liked it too) "it's a heavy-handed lecture on racism". Well sure, and don't see Star Wars because they totally overdo it on the outerspace stuff. It's not heavy-handed: it's what the movie was about. Yes, the movie's opinion about racism was blatant. It wasn't subtle at all. It wasn't supposed to be.
Some think that Crash sets us back by showing that every race can believe in stereotypes, and that knowing that somehow makes it "okay" for everyone to be racist. I don't think the movie implies that at all--in the film, everyone who is racist is largely incorrect in their racist beliefs. If you think the movie gives you a free pass to distrust blacks, whites, hispanics, or anyone else, you need to look at yourself and ask why you were waiting for such a "free pass" in the first place.
Anyway, if you didn't like Crash because it lacked in subtlety, I think you need to realize that's exactly what made it an excellent film. It said--loudly--what many of us often think, and then made us uncomfortable by showing how stupid we are when we think those things. Of course, if you didn't like it because you think it had plot holes or bad acting or was boring, more power to you.
Lots of people hated Crash. I'm not really sure why, as it had lots of suspense, really intricate characters, and an interesting plot. The big criticism, from what I've gathered, is that (and this is quoting from Fish's blog--even though she liked it too) "it's a heavy-handed lecture on racism". Well sure, and don't see Star Wars because they totally overdo it on the outerspace stuff. It's not heavy-handed: it's what the movie was about. Yes, the movie's opinion about racism was blatant. It wasn't subtle at all. It wasn't supposed to be.
Some think that Crash sets us back by showing that every race can believe in stereotypes, and that knowing that somehow makes it "okay" for everyone to be racist. I don't think the movie implies that at all--in the film, everyone who is racist is largely incorrect in their racist beliefs. If you think the movie gives you a free pass to distrust blacks, whites, hispanics, or anyone else, you need to look at yourself and ask why you were waiting for such a "free pass" in the first place.
Anyway, if you didn't like Crash because it lacked in subtlety, I think you need to realize that's exactly what made it an excellent film. It said--loudly--what many of us often think, and then made us uncomfortable by showing how stupid we are when we think those things. Of course, if you didn't like it because you think it had plot holes or bad acting or was boring, more power to you.
March 6, 2006
Weekend by the Numbers
One: attorneys now living in this apartment. Big congrats to the roomie for gettin' her swear on.
Two: damn parking tickets. Also, coincidentally, the number of parking tickets I will be contesting. Not so much because I was in the right (I see it as a gray area, which probably means I don't have a chance in hell) but because I have nothing better to do with my time.
Three: free drinks at the bar because of aforementioned roomie's birthday. If anything ever goes wrong with this apartment--fire, flood, etc--I'm just going to move in to the pub across the street. I'll have to learn to decipher that Irish brogue, though.
Four: minutes the building fire alarm rang on Saturday night, around 12:30 a.m. It was finally shut off by my neighbor. I only learned it was OUR building's alarm when he knocked to make sure I wasn't on fire. Nice guy.
Five: hours spent working as web designer to a small-but-busy Michigan engineering consultant. He pays me the big bucks to put together webpages, and because he is obligated to, genetically. It's sort of like I never went to law school at all! Welcome to 1999, please stay seated until the time machine has come to a complete stop at the gate.
Six: ...is a digit found in my home phone number exactly once. Yeah, I've got nothin else on this one.
Seven: hours before I got dressed on Sunday. In my own defense I was, in fact, working (see above) so it wasn't a total slacker experience.
Eight: the time in the a.m. when the sun brightens to the point wherein I think a nuclear holocaust has occurred outside my window. On the plus side, with work as inconsistent as it has been, the sun keeps me on a fairly normal wake-up schedule.
Nine: the time I still get out of bed, stubborn as I am, despite 8 a.m. wake-up shine.
Two: damn parking tickets. Also, coincidentally, the number of parking tickets I will be contesting. Not so much because I was in the right (I see it as a gray area, which probably means I don't have a chance in hell) but because I have nothing better to do with my time.
Three: free drinks at the bar because of aforementioned roomie's birthday. If anything ever goes wrong with this apartment--fire, flood, etc--I'm just going to move in to the pub across the street. I'll have to learn to decipher that Irish brogue, though.
Four: minutes the building fire alarm rang on Saturday night, around 12:30 a.m. It was finally shut off by my neighbor. I only learned it was OUR building's alarm when he knocked to make sure I wasn't on fire. Nice guy.
Five: hours spent working as web designer to a small-but-busy Michigan engineering consultant. He pays me the big bucks to put together webpages, and because he is obligated to, genetically. It's sort of like I never went to law school at all! Welcome to 1999, please stay seated until the time machine has come to a complete stop at the gate.
Six: ...is a digit found in my home phone number exactly once. Yeah, I've got nothin else on this one.
Seven: hours before I got dressed on Sunday. In my own defense I was, in fact, working (see above) so it wasn't a total slacker experience.
Eight: the time in the a.m. when the sun brightens to the point wherein I think a nuclear holocaust has occurred outside my window. On the plus side, with work as inconsistent as it has been, the sun keeps me on a fairly normal wake-up schedule.
Nine: the time I still get out of bed, stubborn as I am, despite 8 a.m. wake-up shine.
March 2, 2006
Walk the Line
It's Oscar time, and since I've had a cash flow problem of late (no cash to flow) I haven't seen too many of the nominated movies. I have seen Crash, and Walk the Line, and I really want to see The Constant Gardener and Syriana still, but the rest have eluded me. But this isn't about the Oscars or any of those movies. It's about Walk the Line; specifically, the performances therein. First off, I thought all the actors did well. Joaquin Phoenix especially, and to a slightly lesser extent Reese Witherspoon. I say slightly lesser because sometimes it seemed like she was just turning up her southern accent a notch and acting like she has in countless other movies. She's good, but her performance wasn't groundbreaking.
Lately, though, I've heard a lot of people saying--usually with hushed voices, as if they were saying "Sometimes I wonder if Satan got a bad rap"--that Phoenix's performance of Johnny Cash's songs are better than the originals. I'm no music expert, but I like music and am not tone deaf, which probably ties me with a number of music critics, qualification-wise. Recently my roommate got the movie soundtrack on CD, and I've since listened to both the original and the Joaquin Phoenix covers of a number of the songs, often back-to-back. And frankly, though I appreciate the argument, Johnny Cash is still better.
Here's why: first of all, he wrote the songs. Cover bands are almost never as good as the original because of this important fact. Second of all, Cash's music is far less "produced", something you can tell just by listening to it. While Phoenix does a fine job (he's a great actor and his vocal talents are quite good), his tracks are all too clean. And that's not what this music is about... Folsom Prison Blues, for example, is one of Cash's most famous songs, and the live performance at Folsom Prison easily outshines any cover of that song, by anyone, anywhere. Finally, Joaquin is doing a Johnny Cash impression, and his best feature is that he can hit some of those low notes a bit easier than Cash. Unfortunately, he's still just imitating, and he pitches his songs much lower--and in a much safer range--than most of the originals are sung. Since everyone thinks of Cash's gravelly voice first, everyone seems to think Joaquin's ability to sing with more bass is a coup.
By the way, this analysis is true not only for Folsom Prison Blues, but also for Walk the Line (the song), Jackson, and Ring of Fire. Also, only the original Cash could sing with Kris Kristofferson and still retain dignity. Yikes.
March 1, 2006
Of Course They Screwed Up
So the big news today is that video that shows how informed FEMA and the President were about Katrina, days before it hit land. They knew it was Category 5, they knew the levees would likely break, etc. I am underwhelmed.
Not because it's not a big deal, which it is. It's a huge deal, but I thought so in the months after the hurricane when it was still fresh. It's still a huge deal, but here's the thing: so is everything else Bush has screwed up. I refuse to act like this is the last straw, or the final nail in the coffin, or any of those things, because it's just pathetic at this point. The Bush Administration cannot focus on anything it doesn't want to focus on, and the results of that--whether it be the thousands of lives lost in Iraq, or the thousands lost because of a natural disaster--are a constant source of confusion to me.
So this latest development doesn't shock or surprise. It doesn't even faze me. Nobody in Congress will do anything, and any sensible Republicans will be hushed up in favor of party unity. There is no excuse for this behavior, but hey--there hasn't been an excuse for anything they've done in the last 6 years. At this point, I'm fairly certain Bush could personally execute random tourists on the lawn of the White House, and the GOP would still rush to blame the media, Democrats, the terrorists, Europeans, and trial lawyers for good measure.
Post-script: Fantasy Life said it with more wit and fewer words.
Not because it's not a big deal, which it is. It's a huge deal, but I thought so in the months after the hurricane when it was still fresh. It's still a huge deal, but here's the thing: so is everything else Bush has screwed up. I refuse to act like this is the last straw, or the final nail in the coffin, or any of those things, because it's just pathetic at this point. The Bush Administration cannot focus on anything it doesn't want to focus on, and the results of that--whether it be the thousands of lives lost in Iraq, or the thousands lost because of a natural disaster--are a constant source of confusion to me.
So this latest development doesn't shock or surprise. It doesn't even faze me. Nobody in Congress will do anything, and any sensible Republicans will be hushed up in favor of party unity. There is no excuse for this behavior, but hey--there hasn't been an excuse for anything they've done in the last 6 years. At this point, I'm fairly certain Bush could personally execute random tourists on the lawn of the White House, and the GOP would still rush to blame the media, Democrats, the terrorists, Europeans, and trial lawyers for good measure.
Post-script: Fantasy Life said it with more wit and fewer words.
February 27, 2006
Blow the Man Down
No, I don't mean it that way. We're having some severely windy weather here in San Fran, with gusts topping 70 miles per hour (55 mph sustained!) in some areas. I'm fairly certain I'm in one of those areas, as the wind is absolutely howling by the roughly 32 windows we have in this place. It may be over-dramatized by being top floor and our right-on-the-corner status, but man is it loud.
But also very cool. At the worst part, around 6:30 this evening, the lights were flickering and opening a window even a crack meant a piercing howl of wind would then shoot through the apartment. And I mean through; it knocked papers off the table on the other side of the room.
I like wind. I love storms. Part of the reason I disliked San Diego (and there weren't that many) was that there was never any damn weather. 72, sunny. 72, sunny. 71, sunny. Granted, that month we had fires burning down a good chunk of the county was sort of cool, but that's both not weather, and more damaging than a good old-fashioned thunderstorm. San Francisco, while very weathery in its own right, still seems to lack serious thunder and lightning action. Maybe this will change (wrong season), but for now I'm just happy to see storms brewing. The feel of that nearly-warm, rainy wind against my face reminds me so much of Michigan and Virginia that it's almost overwhelming.
(I've resolved to take more pictures to accompany my blog posts, but alas, wind is tough to photograph, what with the invisibleness and all. Next time.)
But also very cool. At the worst part, around 6:30 this evening, the lights were flickering and opening a window even a crack meant a piercing howl of wind would then shoot through the apartment. And I mean through; it knocked papers off the table on the other side of the room.
I like wind. I love storms. Part of the reason I disliked San Diego (and there weren't that many) was that there was never any damn weather. 72, sunny. 72, sunny. 71, sunny. Granted, that month we had fires burning down a good chunk of the county was sort of cool, but that's both not weather, and more damaging than a good old-fashioned thunderstorm. San Francisco, while very weathery in its own right, still seems to lack serious thunder and lightning action. Maybe this will change (wrong season), but for now I'm just happy to see storms brewing. The feel of that nearly-warm, rainy wind against my face reminds me so much of Michigan and Virginia that it's almost overwhelming.
(I've resolved to take more pictures to accompany my blog posts, but alas, wind is tough to photograph, what with the invisibleness and all. Next time.)
February 22, 2006
The Best Advice You Ever Got
That was the question posed the other day; what was the best advice anybody ever gave you? It's not easy to answer unless, well, unless it is--like if you're a firefighter and you love it, and the best advice you ever got was "stay the course, you'll make it!" Then you'd just point to that and say, "and now I love my life, so there you go!"
But I don't think I've had a moment like that before. And when I try to think of good advice I've been given, I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting the source/manner of giving of at least 75%. And I think I'll end up doing my parents a disservice, as it would seem that all the "advice" given during the formative years just sort of blends into my personality now. I'm sure I'm the way I am because of stuff I was told way back when, but I can't single out any particular comments.
So with all that being said, I think the best modern advice I've been given (i.e. fairly recently) was to be more confident. It wasn't phrased exactly like that, but for awhile I had labored under the largely incorrect impression that people would just like me for me--true when you're a great person, but less true if you let your insecurities define you. If you want to Make Friends and Influence People, you must be confident in your good qualities, and keep your less attractive aspects a bit more secure. Not hidden away forever, just not out on your sleeve.
Anyway, the person who gave me the advice probably doesn't even know that he/she did so, but I've always been grateful.
....
I totally just remembered, my step-mother's advice to go to San Diego for law school, when everyone else was leaning towards Jersey and Rutgers, was really good advice. I mean, I think it was. I may not be far removed enough for 20/20 hindsight. But it feels like it was good advice.
But I don't think I've had a moment like that before. And when I try to think of good advice I've been given, I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting the source/manner of giving of at least 75%. And I think I'll end up doing my parents a disservice, as it would seem that all the "advice" given during the formative years just sort of blends into my personality now. I'm sure I'm the way I am because of stuff I was told way back when, but I can't single out any particular comments.
So with all that being said, I think the best modern advice I've been given (i.e. fairly recently) was to be more confident. It wasn't phrased exactly like that, but for awhile I had labored under the largely incorrect impression that people would just like me for me--true when you're a great person, but less true if you let your insecurities define you. If you want to Make Friends and Influence People, you must be confident in your good qualities, and keep your less attractive aspects a bit more secure. Not hidden away forever, just not out on your sleeve.
Anyway, the person who gave me the advice probably doesn't even know that he/she did so, but I've always been grateful.
....
I totally just remembered, my step-mother's advice to go to San Diego for law school, when everyone else was leaning towards Jersey and Rutgers, was really good advice. I mean, I think it was. I may not be far removed enough for 20/20 hindsight. But it feels like it was good advice.
February 20, 2006
Happy Prez Day
Our greatest modern Presidents, as decided by me, at 9:30 in the morning on a Monday:
1) Franklin Roosevelt (saved America)
2) Woodrow Wilson (ideas were before his time)
3) Harry S Truman (got stuck with a tough job)
4) Bill Clinton (will be screwed over by historians)
5) Jimmy Carter (more effective post-Presidency when he grew a pair)
This could not be less thought-out, so don't anybody go all "Mormons rock" on me and disagree. I mean, go ahead and disagree, but don't expect me to back up these choices as if my life depended on it. I'm right, of course, but I can't be expected to tell you why. That's just not how America works these days, son!
By the way, our worst Presidents (narrowing this list down was tough) were Nixon, Hoover, Grant, McKinley, and Bush Jr. Welcome to the club, dubya. They don't deserve a line each. Johnson was close, because of Vietnam, but in the end I'm fairly certain that history will note the current President as one of our most uninspiring.
1) Franklin Roosevelt (saved America)
2) Woodrow Wilson (ideas were before his time)
3) Harry S Truman (got stuck with a tough job)
4) Bill Clinton (will be screwed over by historians)
5) Jimmy Carter (more effective post-Presidency when he grew a pair)
This could not be less thought-out, so don't anybody go all "Mormons rock" on me and disagree. I mean, go ahead and disagree, but don't expect me to back up these choices as if my life depended on it. I'm right, of course, but I can't be expected to tell you why. That's just not how America works these days, son!
By the way, our worst Presidents (narrowing this list down was tough) were Nixon, Hoover, Grant, McKinley, and Bush Jr. Welcome to the club, dubya. They don't deserve a line each. Johnson was close, because of Vietnam, but in the end I'm fairly certain that history will note the current President as one of our most uninspiring.
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