Thursday, March 6, 2008
good idea, but it just never worked (for me)
You know what? For all their good intentions, I can’t stand soup spoons. No. I should clarify. I can’t stand using soup spoons. I understand the idea – to get more SPS (soup-per-spoonful) – but no matter how hard I try, I can’t ever seem to get all the soup out of the spoon, leaving me to wonder how much is soup and how much is spit. That’s gross. Who wants to put that back in their bowl of beef stew? I sure don’t.
Friday, February 8, 2008
i'm done with rumbling
Alright, enough is enough. For real this time. I mean it. Goodness gracious. And I thought football’s popularity was ridiculous.
Politics has become a sport, that’s all there is to it. It’s a total spectator sport, complete with MVPs, strategies, goals, player stats, coaches, star rookies, dirty tricks, and two teams. It’s not a sport! It’s not supposed to provide entertainment, and it’s not supposed to generate ratings! Politics is supposed to be the process by which we select the individuals who will lead our government and our country, NOT an über-competitive trial where only those who have spent enough time practicing the plays win! Politics should be about honestly deciding who is best suited to make decisions for all of us. Today, it’s all about the win. After that we, the spectators, go home and wait for the next game.
Never have I heard the word electability tossed around so damn much as in today’s political parlance, as if a candidate’s ability to win the office is way more important than how the candidate will lead the office. I know people who would prefer Obama win the nomination and presidency, but voted for Clinton because she’s the stronger player and therefore more likely to win. It’s not about who’s best (or who one feels is best), it’s about who will bring home the title. And nothing has done more to encourage this stupid mindset than the 2-party system.
This system epitomizes sports. It breeds professional players so efficiently that someone who genuinely would be great for our country practically isn’t allowed to be considered for the major leagues without paying their dues to one of the two teams. Worse, it creates a far-reaching mindset of “us against them,” where the home team’s win is more important than what the home team will do with the trophy. Thing is, in real sports, the trophy sits in a glass case and gets dusty, it does not deal with world leaders who would like nothing more than to see both teams – along with the entire stadium and its fans – cease to exist.
This über-competitive spirit is doing more and more and more to damage our country in so many ways. It distracts us from nearly everything else that’s happening, and more importantly the ramifications of what’s happening. We’ve become so blinded by this intense desire to win that we’ve stopped considering what that win will mean. When a Republican introduces a bill to the Senate, it seems the Democrats – before even READING the damn thing – band together to destroy it. AND WE SUPPORT THEM!!! We cheer them on, and praise them for “defeating” the other team’s play! Nevermind what that bill may have meant or done, the important thing is it was killed. And we can trust that every time a move is blocked by one team or another, we’ll hear about it somehow.
Our modern media is relentless in transforming an election into an exciting, action-packed contest. Daily headlines read Clinton, Obama face off, Blitzer: Deny, deny, deny to the bitter end, Clinton's Penn vs. Obama's Axelrod, TIME Poll: Clinton More Beatable than Obama, Bush: Keep a conservative in White House, Clinton polls strongly on Super Tuesday (take a look at the picture on this one!), Inspiration vs. Substance, S. African Head Wary on Circumcision … wait, scratch that one … and Why Romney's Product Launch Failed. PRODUCT LAUNCH??!? He’s not a damn product any more than he’s a damn linebacker, but anything is better than making it sound potentially boring! And yes, I realize how trendy it is to point a bony finger at the morally corrupt mainstream media (MSM) and bellow out (usually in a thick, Sideshow Mel-esque English accent) “there lay the devils!!” While I am fed up with them, truthfully it’s not entirely their fault. It’s ours. It’s us. We’re the problem. We’re the problem because we ask for it and have come to expect and demand it. If a newspaper doesn’t provide action-packed headlines on a daily basis, we ignore them until they go out of business, telling everyone else very clearly that we expect excitement, and if we don’t get it from one source, we’ll find it from another. After all, why read something boring when you COULD be reading about the latest underhanded play?
Honestly though, it’s understandable that we don’t pay attention to anything else: today’s issues are freakishly complicated. Not that we shouldn’t be aware of the issues; we should. But frankly, it’s downright unrealistic – and I think unfair – to ask the average American to understand the complexities of immigration policy and its subsequent economic effects on international trade agreements, or the ancient, nearly incalculable factors behind the hatred between some of the religious sects in the Middle East, or the very precisely worded language of constitutional law and how it’s intended to be used and upheld. Each of these subjects require nearly a lifetime devoted to their study even to begin to understand, and expecting Americans to have the knowledge and understanding to be able to vote based on a candidate’s suggestions in ridiculous! Once again, I’m not advocating ignorance of the issues; I’m suggesting that, given the choice between studying a few dozen white papers on public policy and watching play-by-play coverage of last night’s “GOP v Dem Cage Match: Final Countdown to Super Tuesday,” people are naturally going to choose the one they enjoy more. The problem lies in the fact that we don’t really have any other models from which to base a selection. It’s either study up on public policy and ignore all the heated back and forth, or get sucked into the fray and make your decision based on who puts up a better fight. And what better way to pick a side than joining others who share your own personal value system?
What a stupid thing it is to have an entire country trying to pick a leader based on something as vague and inconstant as values. Let’s be real, it’ll be relatively easy to tell if a candidate has poor principles, and ditto for someone with little personal honor. All you have to do is look at how they’ve lived their life. Beyond that, value takes on a predominantly religious undertone. I’m not even going to start on that, except to say I’m all for not picking a leader who’s going to lead me and the rest of us based on what he reads in a heavily-edited, highly-political, 2000 year old text. Values change over time, and are not representative of all of us. They are, however, deeply based on emotion, making them easy to use to rally hordes of people behind your team. Hence their use in the 2-party system. Just yesterday our president declared “I'm absolutely confident that with your help, we will elect a person who shares our principles.” Nobody questions whether they’re well suited for working with the rest of the world, or if those principles best represent the nation. It’s an appeal to our emotions, rather than our best judgment.
One last thing. I’ve brought up representation twice now, and I think it warrants a quick explanation. There is no way we could ever elect anyone who represents all of us. There are too many of us, we are too widely varied, and we don’t really even know what we’re talking about when it comes to governance. Full representation just is not possible, which obviously causes problems in a representative democracy. The 2-party system addresses this by offering people the option of voluntarily aligning themselves with one of the two parties, thereby offering representation even if the candidate isn’t really all that like you. This is where a third option for choosing a candidate needs to come in. We need to start evaluating candidates based on their reason and intelligence, instead of how well they represent us. I don’t want a candidate who’s plan for Iraq and the Middle East vibes with my own, because I know basically nothing about Middle Eastern politics, country reconstruction, and negotiating treaties. In short, I wouldn’t trust me to formulate a plan, so why on earth would I vote for someone who’s plan meshes with mine? I want to vote for someone who I feel I trust. Someone who is intelligent and reasonable enough to track down and utilize the world’s foremost minds in policy, and build a plan based on their consensus. Not a plan based on the consensus of a country full of people who know very little about the problem at hand.
I don’t want someone who promises to run the country how I’d run the country. I want someone who promises to run the country well.
Politics has become a sport, that’s all there is to it. It’s a total spectator sport, complete with MVPs, strategies, goals, player stats, coaches, star rookies, dirty tricks, and two teams. It’s not a sport! It’s not supposed to provide entertainment, and it’s not supposed to generate ratings! Politics is supposed to be the process by which we select the individuals who will lead our government and our country, NOT an über-competitive trial where only those who have spent enough time practicing the plays win! Politics should be about honestly deciding who is best suited to make decisions for all of us. Today, it’s all about the win. After that we, the spectators, go home and wait for the next game.
Never have I heard the word electability tossed around so damn much as in today’s political parlance, as if a candidate’s ability to win the office is way more important than how the candidate will lead the office. I know people who would prefer Obama win the nomination and presidency, but voted for Clinton because she’s the stronger player and therefore more likely to win. It’s not about who’s best (or who one feels is best), it’s about who will bring home the title. And nothing has done more to encourage this stupid mindset than the 2-party system.
This system epitomizes sports. It breeds professional players so efficiently that someone who genuinely would be great for our country practically isn’t allowed to be considered for the major leagues without paying their dues to one of the two teams. Worse, it creates a far-reaching mindset of “us against them,” where the home team’s win is more important than what the home team will do with the trophy. Thing is, in real sports, the trophy sits in a glass case and gets dusty, it does not deal with world leaders who would like nothing more than to see both teams – along with the entire stadium and its fans – cease to exist.
This über-competitive spirit is doing more and more and more to damage our country in so many ways. It distracts us from nearly everything else that’s happening, and more importantly the ramifications of what’s happening. We’ve become so blinded by this intense desire to win that we’ve stopped considering what that win will mean. When a Republican introduces a bill to the Senate, it seems the Democrats – before even READING the damn thing – band together to destroy it. AND WE SUPPORT THEM!!! We cheer them on, and praise them for “defeating” the other team’s play! Nevermind what that bill may have meant or done, the important thing is it was killed. And we can trust that every time a move is blocked by one team or another, we’ll hear about it somehow.
Our modern media is relentless in transforming an election into an exciting, action-packed contest. Daily headlines read Clinton, Obama face off, Blitzer: Deny, deny, deny to the bitter end, Clinton's Penn vs. Obama's Axelrod, TIME Poll: Clinton More Beatable than Obama, Bush: Keep a conservative in White House, Clinton polls strongly on Super Tuesday (take a look at the picture on this one!), Inspiration vs. Substance, S. African Head Wary on Circumcision … wait, scratch that one … and Why Romney's Product Launch Failed. PRODUCT LAUNCH??!? He’s not a damn product any more than he’s a damn linebacker, but anything is better than making it sound potentially boring! And yes, I realize how trendy it is to point a bony finger at the morally corrupt mainstream media (MSM) and bellow out (usually in a thick, Sideshow Mel-esque English accent) “there lay the devils!!” While I am fed up with them, truthfully it’s not entirely their fault. It’s ours. It’s us. We’re the problem. We’re the problem because we ask for it and have come to expect and demand it. If a newspaper doesn’t provide action-packed headlines on a daily basis, we ignore them until they go out of business, telling everyone else very clearly that we expect excitement, and if we don’t get it from one source, we’ll find it from another. After all, why read something boring when you COULD be reading about the latest underhanded play?
Honestly though, it’s understandable that we don’t pay attention to anything else: today’s issues are freakishly complicated. Not that we shouldn’t be aware of the issues; we should. But frankly, it’s downright unrealistic – and I think unfair – to ask the average American to understand the complexities of immigration policy and its subsequent economic effects on international trade agreements, or the ancient, nearly incalculable factors behind the hatred between some of the religious sects in the Middle East, or the very precisely worded language of constitutional law and how it’s intended to be used and upheld. Each of these subjects require nearly a lifetime devoted to their study even to begin to understand, and expecting Americans to have the knowledge and understanding to be able to vote based on a candidate’s suggestions in ridiculous! Once again, I’m not advocating ignorance of the issues; I’m suggesting that, given the choice between studying a few dozen white papers on public policy and watching play-by-play coverage of last night’s “GOP v Dem Cage Match: Final Countdown to Super Tuesday,” people are naturally going to choose the one they enjoy more. The problem lies in the fact that we don’t really have any other models from which to base a selection. It’s either study up on public policy and ignore all the heated back and forth, or get sucked into the fray and make your decision based on who puts up a better fight. And what better way to pick a side than joining others who share your own personal value system?
What a stupid thing it is to have an entire country trying to pick a leader based on something as vague and inconstant as values. Let’s be real, it’ll be relatively easy to tell if a candidate has poor principles, and ditto for someone with little personal honor. All you have to do is look at how they’ve lived their life. Beyond that, value takes on a predominantly religious undertone. I’m not even going to start on that, except to say I’m all for not picking a leader who’s going to lead me and the rest of us based on what he reads in a heavily-edited, highly-political, 2000 year old text. Values change over time, and are not representative of all of us. They are, however, deeply based on emotion, making them easy to use to rally hordes of people behind your team. Hence their use in the 2-party system. Just yesterday our president declared “I'm absolutely confident that with your help, we will elect a person who shares our principles.” Nobody questions whether they’re well suited for working with the rest of the world, or if those principles best represent the nation. It’s an appeal to our emotions, rather than our best judgment.
One last thing. I’ve brought up representation twice now, and I think it warrants a quick explanation. There is no way we could ever elect anyone who represents all of us. There are too many of us, we are too widely varied, and we don’t really even know what we’re talking about when it comes to governance. Full representation just is not possible, which obviously causes problems in a representative democracy. The 2-party system addresses this by offering people the option of voluntarily aligning themselves with one of the two parties, thereby offering representation even if the candidate isn’t really all that like you. This is where a third option for choosing a candidate needs to come in. We need to start evaluating candidates based on their reason and intelligence, instead of how well they represent us. I don’t want a candidate who’s plan for Iraq and the Middle East vibes with my own, because I know basically nothing about Middle Eastern politics, country reconstruction, and negotiating treaties. In short, I wouldn’t trust me to formulate a plan, so why on earth would I vote for someone who’s plan meshes with mine? I want to vote for someone who I feel I trust. Someone who is intelligent and reasonable enough to track down and utilize the world’s foremost minds in policy, and build a plan based on their consensus. Not a plan based on the consensus of a country full of people who know very little about the problem at hand.
I don’t want someone who promises to run the country how I’d run the country. I want someone who promises to run the country well.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
fun with random emoting
When I get excited – for any reason, good or bad – I lose my ability to communicate. I’ve begun noticing when I’m calm I can be articulate, reasoned, concise, and clear. Anything else, I start rambling, stuttering, forgetting simple words, talking myself (and whatever I’m talking about) in circles, getting further and further from the point, and ultimately losing track of the entire discussion. Not to mention supremely weirding people out. What royally sucks is it’s exactly those times that I’m discussing something I’m passionate about that I want to explain why. It’s so goddamn frustrating when I’m talking about something exciting with someone, and it feels like my passion and my ability to impart said passion are in this diabolically evil inverse relationship. One that does imply causation, if there was any question. And for as long as I can remember, it’s made me feel like a damn idiot.
And people wonder why I prefer to communicate in writing, where I can stare at the computer screen with a blank look on my face without it staring back, wondering when I’m gonna come back to earth.
And people wonder why I prefer to communicate in writing, where I can stare at the computer screen with a blank look on my face without it staring back, wondering when I’m gonna come back to earth.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
cold mornings
You know what I like? I'll tell you what I like. Really, truly, brutally cold Chicago mornings. Not at all unlike this morning. While waiting for the bus just before 8, yeah, it was straight up 0°F, with a wind chill of - ready for this madness? - -20°F. There really is nothing as invigorating as feeling your nose hairs freeze over.
But the best part, I feel, about really, truly, brutally cold Chicago mornings is the bus ride downtown on the drive. Because on really, truly, brutally cold Chicago mornings, the lake, all the way to the horizon, is completely enveloped in a shroud of rising steam.
I like that.
But the best part, I feel, about really, truly, brutally cold Chicago mornings is the bus ride downtown on the drive. Because on really, truly, brutally cold Chicago mornings, the lake, all the way to the horizon, is completely enveloped in a shroud of rising steam.
I like that.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
a kid in a suit
Goodness gracious. Did that really just happen? I certainly hope that had at least the appearance of organization!
I'm at our event today - a debate between the 6 candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Cook County State's Attorney. At the moment I can hear them yelling at each other in the next room. Normally I enjoy watching these, but I'd kinda rather sit here in the lobby & write today. After getting slammed with everyone arriving at once (not to mention having reps from all 6 camps peering over my shoulder), I can use the downtime!
Don't think for a moment that I'm bemoaning my fate; this is the best part of my job! I love the excitement of event management! Seriously, everything can and will happen. In the middle of writing that last paragraph a reporter from the Tribune (who plugged into the mult box and has been recording the show) came running in from the next room frantically telling me that all of a sudden none of the media plugged into the press feed were getting audio. Whoops! We got it fixed though. As it turns out a (thankfully) very polite gentleman had settled the leg of his chair on the wire running to the back of the room. Didn't see that one coming. Although I have to admit - to cater momentarily to my ego - there is something deeply gratifying about being a kid in a suit who actually knows enough about what he's doing to tell professional businessmen (one of which I am not) and politicians what to do.
This thing has to be ending soon. It's already gone on far longer than normal. Though considering it's 6 politicians on stage, I probably could've seen that one coming...
I'm at our event today - a debate between the 6 candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Cook County State's Attorney. At the moment I can hear them yelling at each other in the next room. Normally I enjoy watching these, but I'd kinda rather sit here in the lobby & write today. After getting slammed with everyone arriving at once (not to mention having reps from all 6 camps peering over my shoulder), I can use the downtime!
Don't think for a moment that I'm bemoaning my fate; this is the best part of my job! I love the excitement of event management! Seriously, everything can and will happen. In the middle of writing that last paragraph a reporter from the Tribune (who plugged into the mult box and has been recording the show) came running in from the next room frantically telling me that all of a sudden none of the media plugged into the press feed were getting audio. Whoops! We got it fixed though. As it turns out a (thankfully) very polite gentleman had settled the leg of his chair on the wire running to the back of the room. Didn't see that one coming. Although I have to admit - to cater momentarily to my ego - there is something deeply gratifying about being a kid in a suit who actually knows enough about what he's doing to tell professional businessmen (one of which I am not) and politicians what to do.
This thing has to be ending soon. It's already gone on far longer than normal. Though considering it's 6 politicians on stage, I probably could've seen that one coming...
Monday, January 28, 2008
feelin' a bit crazy! (literally)
I tried a little experiment over the weekend. Normally I take a 20mg adderall tablet twice a day - once when I get up around 7 and again around 2 - and it does me pretty well. Due to the downright silly levels of stress last week however, I decided to try taking half a tablet on Saturday and Sunday instead of the full to see if maybe it would slow me down a bit and help me relax. (God I love admitting to taking FEWER drugs to relax.)
Well. It slowed me down. A lot. My mind was all over the map this weekend. I was having mad problems holding conversations left and right. It slowed me down so much, in fact, that I just plumb forgot to take the second half pill Sunday afternoon. It got to the point where I was talking to one of my roommates and wound up sitting and staring at her thinking "should I be saying something right now?" (As it turned out she was waiting for a response.) I'm back on my regular dosage now, but I'm still feeling the effects of being off. It really is a very strange feeling, and it reminds me why I used to be so frightened to talk to people. Because I'd wind up staring at them with a silly blank look on my face wondering "are they waiting for me to talk?"
So now I'm still a bit off, but getting better. Fortunately, it's Monday. Meaning it's burger night. Meaning a variety of friends will be converging upon Matisse for burgers, beer (possibly veggie burgers, depending on the friends that show up), and some much needed catching up. Then back to our front porch for a little bit of hookah to wrap up the evening. Yay!!
Well. It slowed me down. A lot. My mind was all over the map this weekend. I was having mad problems holding conversations left and right. It slowed me down so much, in fact, that I just plumb forgot to take the second half pill Sunday afternoon. It got to the point where I was talking to one of my roommates and wound up sitting and staring at her thinking "should I be saying something right now?" (As it turned out she was waiting for a response.) I'm back on my regular dosage now, but I'm still feeling the effects of being off. It really is a very strange feeling, and it reminds me why I used to be so frightened to talk to people. Because I'd wind up staring at them with a silly blank look on my face wondering "are they waiting for me to talk?"
So now I'm still a bit off, but getting better. Fortunately, it's Monday. Meaning it's burger night. Meaning a variety of friends will be converging upon Matisse for burgers, beer (possibly veggie burgers, depending on the friends that show up), and some much needed catching up. Then back to our front porch for a little bit of hookah to wrap up the evening. Yay!!
brief lull in the day ... a few days ago
Originally posted on Jan. 27th, 2008 at 11:00 PM
And here it is!! Go me!
WOO!!
Here's the deal: over the holidays our last full time man got accepted last minute to law school. Kick ass for him, for reals! Also, kick ass for me, in the very literal sense of the phrase. I am getting my butt whooped! Did I mention we have no part time staff? Cause we kinda don't. In other words, in addition to my job (which has been spectacularly busy booking & organizing over 11 events in the past 2 1/2 weeks!), I'm suddenly doing a second full time job in the same office AND going over resumes & conducting interviews with potential new employees. If I've learned anything from the latter, it is this: when applying for a position - any position, whether it be at a job, school, anything - do whatever you have to do to avoid asserting that you are the "ideal candidate" for said position. There's no way anyone could know such a thing! I'd like to say I've begun discarding the cover letters the include this phrase, BUT THEY ALL DO!!!
To be fair though, it really isn't an offensive suggestion, & applying for a job is nerve-wracking. It doesn't really annoy me nearly as much as all that, I just find it terribly amusing that's it's use is so ubiquitous (how ya like that action McNulty!*). I also realized as I was writing that I sound somewhat bitter at having become so busy as of late. I'm totally not! Sure I'd like to have a bit more time to read, or watch movies, or watch The Daily Show online, or play with my camera, or run (even though I'm always looking for excuses not to), or clean my room, but that'll come at some point. Plus I get all those things in every now & then.
As for my peace of mind & sanity, oh yeah, totally got that covered in all sorts of creative ways. For example, this morning I got up as usual, took a slightly hurried shower, & while getting dressed you know what I did? I played on my computer "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" No better way to put a permagrin on your face for the day, guaranteed! Oh Peanuts. How can anything be so wonderfully simple & beautiful? Answer: it can't. The end.
*Not in the original text
And here it is!! Go me!
WOO!!
Here's the deal: over the holidays our last full time man got accepted last minute to law school. Kick ass for him, for reals! Also, kick ass for me, in the very literal sense of the phrase. I am getting my butt whooped! Did I mention we have no part time staff? Cause we kinda don't. In other words, in addition to my job (which has been spectacularly busy booking & organizing over 11 events in the past 2 1/2 weeks!), I'm suddenly doing a second full time job in the same office AND going over resumes & conducting interviews with potential new employees. If I've learned anything from the latter, it is this: when applying for a position - any position, whether it be at a job, school, anything - do whatever you have to do to avoid asserting that you are the "ideal candidate" for said position. There's no way anyone could know such a thing! I'd like to say I've begun discarding the cover letters the include this phrase, BUT THEY ALL DO!!!
To be fair though, it really isn't an offensive suggestion, & applying for a job is nerve-wracking. It doesn't really annoy me nearly as much as all that, I just find it terribly amusing that's it's use is so ubiquitous (how ya like that action McNulty!*). I also realized as I was writing that I sound somewhat bitter at having become so busy as of late. I'm totally not! Sure I'd like to have a bit more time to read, or watch movies, or watch The Daily Show online, or play with my camera, or run (even though I'm always looking for excuses not to), or clean my room, but that'll come at some point. Plus I get all those things in every now & then.
As for my peace of mind & sanity, oh yeah, totally got that covered in all sorts of creative ways. For example, this morning I got up as usual, took a slightly hurried shower, & while getting dressed you know what I did? I played on my computer "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" No better way to put a permagrin on your face for the day, guaranteed! Oh Peanuts. How can anything be so wonderfully simple & beautiful? Answer: it can't. The end.
*Not in the original text
a memory like a triscuit
Originally posted on Jan. 23rd, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!! We had an event today, and while the speaker was doing his thing, I hung out at the check-in table and wrote a blog entry. A pretty good one too, a whole page long! Go me!
Annnnnnnnndddddddd I left it at the office. Go me! I'm still posting it though. Only tomorrow. Like a little window back in time. 24 hours ago.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!! We had an event today, and while the speaker was doing his thing, I hung out at the check-in table and wrote a blog entry. A pretty good one too, a whole page long! Go me!
Annnnnnnnndddddddd I left it at the office. Go me! I'm still posting it though. Only tomorrow. Like a little window back in time. 24 hours ago.
wait ... was someone just serious?
Originally posted on Jan. 16th, 2008 at 7:55 PM
UPDATE!!
I opted to run 3.62 miles instead of the 4-5 on which I so heartily had designs a few hours earlier. And you know what? It SUCKED!! Just like it always has! I'm so happy I'm still me and not some slender, leggy, muscular hotshit runner who all the chicks wanna do and all the guys wanna be.
Me is way better.
Just fyi.
UPDATE!!
I opted to run 3.62 miles instead of the 4-5 on which I so heartily had designs a few hours earlier. And you know what? It SUCKED!! Just like it always has! I'm so happy I'm still me and not some slender, leggy, muscular hotshit runner who all the chicks wanna do and all the guys wanna be.
Me is way better.
Just fyi.
let's stop being serious
Originally posted on Jan. 16th, 2008 at 3:27 PM
Wanna hear a joke? Yeah ya do, cause it’s good. It goes like this:
I’m holy crap tired from the tremendous lack of sleep I’ve been getting as of late. It’s kinda ridiculous. Stress? Stress and I are so close we’re practically having an affair (which is possible even without a wife or girlfriend; I looked it up). I won’t go into any details, cause that’s not the kind of guy I am, but I will say I’ve been having her pretty much non-stop since that whole shift in the year happened. It’s been hot. I’ve said too much. The weather here suddenly seems to have gotten the notion that it’d be a good idea to do everything it can to mimic its uncle in Russia … meaning it’s cold. Really cold. On top of all this, I’ve become aware of this strange phenomenon currently present in my life. It’s this odd deal where as I’m being given by those in complete power less and less reason to invest myself personally in my job, the amount of work required of me increases more and more. Kinda awkward. Still trying to determine whether there’s direct causation in play here or if it’s just a coincidental correlation. More on that as it develops.
And the punch line? Get ready for this; you may need to sit down, it’s pretty outta control. All I want to do tonight is go home and run 4-5 miles. ME. RUN. FURTHER THAN THE KITCHEN. Is that not ludicrous?? I’ve detested running all my life, and now not only do I want to run (in excess), I’m seeking refuge and comfort in it. If that doesn’t make you laugh out loud you may want to consider a line of work other than orthodox economics.
Plus, I’m pretty sure I’m happy. I like being happy. So bonus there.
The ½ marathon in Phoenix was, in a word, completelyridiculouslyfun. It rocked. My only goal (and a flimsy one at that) was to run faster than 10-minute miles, which I killed. By killed of course I mean I came in JUST under at 2 hours, 9 minutes and 13 seconds, which amounted to a pace of 9:52-minute miles. It hurt, but I’m thinking it was probably worth it. So much so in fact, that I kinda really want to sign up for the ½ in St Louis on April 6th. I haven’t yet, but to be honest that’s only because I spent way way more in Phoenix than I intended (those cabs are pricey!). HOWEVER, Friday is payday. Nuff said about that. (I’m gonna sign up on Friday!!) And in the spirit of pushing myself to the limit, I think I want to run it alone. Thing is, I know the only way I was able to train consistently for this last one was because there were friends involved, and this time around I want to know I can do it on my own by my own volition, with no one else to push me along. Probably a dumb idea I realize, but I’m kind of a dumb guy in many ways. In all other ways I’m a genius though. Just wanna be real clear about that.
Wanna hear a joke? Yeah ya do, cause it’s good. It goes like this:
I’m holy crap tired from the tremendous lack of sleep I’ve been getting as of late. It’s kinda ridiculous. Stress? Stress and I are so close we’re practically having an affair (which is possible even without a wife or girlfriend; I looked it up). I won’t go into any details, cause that’s not the kind of guy I am, but I will say I’ve been having her pretty much non-stop since that whole shift in the year happened. It’s been hot. I’ve said too much. The weather here suddenly seems to have gotten the notion that it’d be a good idea to do everything it can to mimic its uncle in Russia … meaning it’s cold. Really cold. On top of all this, I’ve become aware of this strange phenomenon currently present in my life. It’s this odd deal where as I’m being given by those in complete power less and less reason to invest myself personally in my job, the amount of work required of me increases more and more. Kinda awkward. Still trying to determine whether there’s direct causation in play here or if it’s just a coincidental correlation. More on that as it develops.
And the punch line? Get ready for this; you may need to sit down, it’s pretty outta control. All I want to do tonight is go home and run 4-5 miles. ME. RUN. FURTHER THAN THE KITCHEN. Is that not ludicrous?? I’ve detested running all my life, and now not only do I want to run (in excess), I’m seeking refuge and comfort in it. If that doesn’t make you laugh out loud you may want to consider a line of work other than orthodox economics.
Plus, I’m pretty sure I’m happy. I like being happy. So bonus there.
The ½ marathon in Phoenix was, in a word, completelyridiculouslyfun. It rocked. My only goal (and a flimsy one at that) was to run faster than 10-minute miles, which I killed. By killed of course I mean I came in JUST under at 2 hours, 9 minutes and 13 seconds, which amounted to a pace of 9:52-minute miles. It hurt, but I’m thinking it was probably worth it. So much so in fact, that I kinda really want to sign up for the ½ in St Louis on April 6th. I haven’t yet, but to be honest that’s only because I spent way way more in Phoenix than I intended (those cabs are pricey!). HOWEVER, Friday is payday. Nuff said about that. (I’m gonna sign up on Friday!!) And in the spirit of pushing myself to the limit, I think I want to run it alone. Thing is, I know the only way I was able to train consistently for this last one was because there were friends involved, and this time around I want to know I can do it on my own by my own volition, with no one else to push me along. Probably a dumb idea I realize, but I’m kind of a dumb guy in many ways. In all other ways I’m a genius though. Just wanna be real clear about that.
Monday, January 7, 2008
writing about writing?
There are so many things I want to say, so many things I want to write, but for some reason I'm not. This is unacceptable.
I want to write about my trip home for Christmas (sadly, I even already have the title for that post), how my running is going (the Phoenix 1/2 marathon is THIS Sunday!), how I'm feeling, what I'm thinking (lots, to say the least), what I'm reading ( which is contributing greatly to what I'm thinking), even what I'm eating (Trisquits & tuna). I just can't seem to find the time between working, training (goodness I never thought I'd hear that come out of my fingers), reading, and trying to keep in touch with those I care about. Grrrrrrrrr. I know I can function more efficiently than this!
Alas, this is not the post to remedy any of the above yearnings. Hopefully the next will relieve my backlog of personally expressive correspondence. At the moment, I'm in far too peaceful a state even to being to delve. I suppose that's a good thing.
Plus I need to get my butt to bed...
I want to write about my trip home for Christmas (sadly, I even already have the title for that post), how my running is going (the Phoenix 1/2 marathon is THIS Sunday!), how I'm feeling, what I'm thinking (lots, to say the least), what I'm reading ( which is contributing greatly to what I'm thinking), even what I'm eating (Trisquits & tuna). I just can't seem to find the time between working, training (goodness I never thought I'd hear that come out of my fingers), reading, and trying to keep in touch with those I care about. Grrrrrrrrr. I know I can function more efficiently than this!
Alas, this is not the post to remedy any of the above yearnings. Hopefully the next will relieve my backlog of personally expressive correspondence. At the moment, I'm in far too peaceful a state even to being to delve. I suppose that's a good thing.
Plus I need to get my butt to bed...
Monday, December 17, 2007
YEAH SCHULTZ!!
NOW THEY'RE PLAYING LINUS & LUCY - OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PEANUTS THEME SONG!!!!!!
What a great day for music! How can one not smile with this stuff??
Oh Peanuts. Have I ever mentioned Charlie Brown is my personal hero? Cause he is.
What a great day for music! How can one not smile with this stuff??
Oh Peanuts. Have I ever mentioned Charlie Brown is my personal hero? Cause he is.
ladies & gentlemen, rabbi vole on the bass!
Oh the Joy that is They Might Be Giants!!!
Here I sit, at a desk in a small office with people spying on my every move to ensure I'm not trying to "undermine" them, listening to same radio station as I do every day because the woman in our office is "distracted" if we play anything else, and what comes over the airwaves? Dr. Worm by They Might Be Giants! One of the most absurd, nonsensical, delightful pieces of brilliance ever to be sung by those wonderful dorks!
As soon as I heard the giddy fanfare that begins the song I couldn't help but break into a huge smile – because I love the song, but also because I could only imagine what was going through the heads of the others in the office. I won't even try to speculate. I'll just enjoy it. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Dr. Worm
They Might Be Giants
They call me Dr. Worm.
Good morning, how are you? I'm Dr. Worm.
I'm interested in things.
I'm not a real doctor,
But I am a real worm;
I am an actual worm.
I live like a worm.
I like to play the drums.
I think I'm getting good,
but I can handle criticism.
I'll show you what I know,
and you can tell me if you think I'm getting better on the drums.
I'll leave the front un-locked cause I can't
hear the doorbell.
When I get into it I can't tell if you are
watching me twirling the stick.
When I give the signal, my friend
Rabbi Vole will play the solo.
**Awesome Bass Solo!**
Some day somebody else besides me will
call me by my stage name, they will
call me Dr. Worm.
Good morning, how are you? I'm Dr. Worm.
I'm interested in things.
I'm not a real doctor,
but I am a real worm;
I am an actual worm.
I live like a worm.
I like to play the drums.
I think I'm getting good,
but I can handle criticism.
I'll show you what I know,
and you can tell me if you think I'm getting better on the drums.
I'm not a real doctor,
but they call me Dr. Worm.
Sigh. I definitely need more people around me who enjoy such silliness in life.
Here I sit, at a desk in a small office with people spying on my every move to ensure I'm not trying to "undermine" them, listening to same radio station as I do every day because the woman in our office is "distracted" if we play anything else, and what comes over the airwaves? Dr. Worm by They Might Be Giants! One of the most absurd, nonsensical, delightful pieces of brilliance ever to be sung by those wonderful dorks!
As soon as I heard the giddy fanfare that begins the song I couldn't help but break into a huge smile – because I love the song, but also because I could only imagine what was going through the heads of the others in the office. I won't even try to speculate. I'll just enjoy it. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Dr. Worm
They Might Be Giants
They call me Dr. Worm.
Good morning, how are you? I'm Dr. Worm.
I'm interested in things.
I'm not a real doctor,
But I am a real worm;
I am an actual worm.
I live like a worm.
I like to play the drums.
I think I'm getting good,
but I can handle criticism.
I'll show you what I know,
and you can tell me if you think I'm getting better on the drums.
I'll leave the front un-locked cause I can't
hear the doorbell.
When I get into it I can't tell if you are
watching me twirling the stick.
When I give the signal, my friend
Rabbi Vole will play the solo.
**Awesome Bass Solo!**
Some day somebody else besides me will
call me by my stage name, they will
call me Dr. Worm.
Good morning, how are you? I'm Dr. Worm.
I'm interested in things.
I'm not a real doctor,
but I am a real worm;
I am an actual worm.
I live like a worm.
I like to play the drums.
I think I'm getting good,
but I can handle criticism.
I'll show you what I know,
and you can tell me if you think I'm getting better on the drums.
I'm not a real doctor,
but they call me Dr. Worm.
Sigh. I definitely need more people around me who enjoy such silliness in life.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
wine after a run is good for you, i swear
I REMEMBERED!!!
I brought up all that silliness because work is finally beginning to become completely ridiculous, and I wanted to explain why that's ok! Seriously though, work is becoming truly ridiculous. Tax fraud here, boss having my staff pick up stamps for his wife's Christmas cards there, then getting completely betrayed by the one person I thought was supporting me, which of course led to the boss calling me 7 times before I got to my phone to call him back, only to have him once again insult, belittle, and threaten me. All while claiming he's completely clean. Yeah. Honest people do that. Really.
But enough of that. I remembered while on my fanTAStic run! Hot damn I love running when it's like this! Total blizzard, horizontal snow, high winds, not a single person out ... except me. :) I'll admit, running through 4 inches of snow on top of solid ice isn't easy, and I was hurtin', but it's always oh so worth it! Then I came back (looking like a snowman since all the snow stuck to all of me), stretched for awhile (I can touch the tip of my right toe for the first time in my life!!!!), mapped my run out at mapmyrun.com while icing my knees, and now I'm raving. RAVING!
But I'm quickly mellowing out. I've opened a brand spankin new bottle of wine, I'm feelin pretty good, and I'm highly considering curling up under a blanket on the front porch, putting some mellow music on, and getting friendly with that hookah while cuddling with a pillow. Is my life sad? I'm gonna go ahead and say no
I brought up all that silliness because work is finally beginning to become completely ridiculous, and I wanted to explain why that's ok! Seriously though, work is becoming truly ridiculous. Tax fraud here, boss having my staff pick up stamps for his wife's Christmas cards there, then getting completely betrayed by the one person I thought was supporting me, which of course led to the boss calling me 7 times before I got to my phone to call him back, only to have him once again insult, belittle, and threaten me. All while claiming he's completely clean. Yeah. Honest people do that. Really.
But enough of that. I remembered while on my fanTAStic run! Hot damn I love running when it's like this! Total blizzard, horizontal snow, high winds, not a single person out ... except me. :) I'll admit, running through 4 inches of snow on top of solid ice isn't easy, and I was hurtin', but it's always oh so worth it! Then I came back (looking like a snowman since all the snow stuck to all of me), stretched for awhile (I can touch the tip of my right toe for the first time in my life!!!!), mapped my run out at mapmyrun.com while icing my knees, and now I'm raving. RAVING!
But I'm quickly mellowing out. I've opened a brand spankin new bottle of wine, I'm feelin pretty good, and I'm highly considering curling up under a blanket on the front porch, putting some mellow music on, and getting friendly with that hookah while cuddling with a pillow. Is my life sad? I'm gonna go ahead and say no
gotta remember to take those meds...
I'm not religious. I grew up religious - Episcopalian - and I feel fortunate for it as it contributed to the person I am now (what didn't?), but that affiliation ended long ago for reasons beside the point of this post, and as I'm attempting to teach myself to focus and remain on-topic in my writing, I'll save those reasons for another time.
So - as I was saying - I'm not religious, but I do believe in god. Or God. Or GOD (spoken forcefully by a baritone through one of those cool Zoom Tube toys, or whatever they were called). I'm gonna go with god, because capitalizing it indicates the name of a specific person or entity (or really any other proper noun, such as a cab company or a lake), and my definition of god - or rather the possibilities of god - is not nearly that precise.
To me, god can and could be any number of things: an all-encompassing presence throughout the known (and unknown) universe, an unnaturally-old-yet-somehow-still-attractive man of Burmese descent with a soothing voice and wispy white beard that contrasts in a very pleasing way with his darker brown skin sitting atop a mountain somewhere in south-central Asia (improbable), a powerful elderly man in endlessly flowing robes with an unlimited supply of lightning bolts and a wicked-bad temper (slightly more probable than the last), or something as small and completely insignificant to every living creature, everywhere - save one: the often vague, confusing, and quite possibly unknowable subconscious functions of our brains. My reason for offering a whole buffet of potential definitions of what god could be rather than what i believe god to be is, I've found, strangely incomprehensible to a lot of people despite being very simple: I don't know. And further, I don't think it's possible for me to know. That being the case, for me to choose one deity over all other potential deities would seem not only needlessly arbitrary, but entirely inconsequential. Maybe when I die I'll discover the truth ... maybe my heart simply will stop beating. Neither outcome affects (or at the very least should affect) the manner in which I live my life or what I do prior to my inevitable demise, so why spend my mental capacity speculating?
Now that I've cleared that up, on to the original intent of this post.
A long long time ago - circa 1994 - I asked god (see above) to give me what I would need to become the kind of person I desired to be, whatever that desire would turn into as I grew older. All I knew at the time was that character would include (among other things) strength - to know what was right, to do what was right, to know what I'd want, and to seek what I'd want. I didn't know how I would get these qualities, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.
It hurt to ask.
I came to the realization 6 or 7 years ago that I was getting exactly what I'd asked for. The problem is these qualities I'm seeking are not genetic. They aren't inherited by some and not others. They're acquired through experiences necessitating their use, and their acquisition is no guarantee. Joy. To acquire the strength to know what's right I have to experience a situation where there's wrong. To have the strength to do what's right I have to be the only one in the situation with the desire to fix it (as is my current situation at work). If I'm not then someone else will do it, which teaches me nothing.
The there's the whole bit about knowing and seeking what I want. Learning that bit sucks. It's coming along to be sure, but it still sucks. Especially when it comes to girls. They're crazy. And confusing. And scary. And at the moment there are two on my mind. Often. One lives in Chicago (though she's definitely not from Chicago), and while I'm totally infatuated with her because she's adorable and quirky and fun and nice and cute, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't really work out. Plus I'm pretty sure she's not into me, which at the very least makes things less confusing.
The other is far more complex - in my mind anyway. She does not live in Chicago, which would make it difficult to pursue her had I the guts to do such things. It's complex because I've felt very connected to this girl for a long time, despite not having spent a great deal of time with her. Strange. I have finally worked up the courage to talk to her on occasion though, so bonus there!
When did this become about girls? This wasn't supposed to be about girls. My mind is preoccupied with girls plenty on any given day. What was this about? Damnit. I can't remember anymore. I guess that means it's time to go type this up, stretch, and run 5 miles. If I hurry maybe I can get out there while it's still snowing! I do so love running in inclement weather!
So - as I was saying - I'm not religious, but I do believe in god. Or God. Or GOD (spoken forcefully by a baritone through one of those cool Zoom Tube toys, or whatever they were called). I'm gonna go with god, because capitalizing it indicates the name of a specific person or entity (or really any other proper noun, such as a cab company or a lake), and my definition of god - or rather the possibilities of god - is not nearly that precise.
To me, god can and could be any number of things: an all-encompassing presence throughout the known (and unknown) universe, an unnaturally-old-yet-somehow-still-attractive man of Burmese descent with a soothing voice and wispy white beard that contrasts in a very pleasing way with his darker brown skin sitting atop a mountain somewhere in south-central Asia (improbable), a powerful elderly man in endlessly flowing robes with an unlimited supply of lightning bolts and a wicked-bad temper (slightly more probable than the last), or something as small and completely insignificant to every living creature, everywhere - save one: the often vague, confusing, and quite possibly unknowable subconscious functions of our brains. My reason for offering a whole buffet of potential definitions of what god could be rather than what i believe god to be is, I've found, strangely incomprehensible to a lot of people despite being very simple: I don't know. And further, I don't think it's possible for me to know. That being the case, for me to choose one deity over all other potential deities would seem not only needlessly arbitrary, but entirely inconsequential. Maybe when I die I'll discover the truth ... maybe my heart simply will stop beating. Neither outcome affects (or at the very least should affect) the manner in which I live my life or what I do prior to my inevitable demise, so why spend my mental capacity speculating?
Now that I've cleared that up, on to the original intent of this post.
A long long time ago - circa 1994 - I asked god (see above) to give me what I would need to become the kind of person I desired to be, whatever that desire would turn into as I grew older. All I knew at the time was that character would include (among other things) strength - to know what was right, to do what was right, to know what I'd want, and to seek what I'd want. I didn't know how I would get these qualities, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.
It hurt to ask.
I came to the realization 6 or 7 years ago that I was getting exactly what I'd asked for. The problem is these qualities I'm seeking are not genetic. They aren't inherited by some and not others. They're acquired through experiences necessitating their use, and their acquisition is no guarantee. Joy. To acquire the strength to know what's right I have to experience a situation where there's wrong. To have the strength to do what's right I have to be the only one in the situation with the desire to fix it (as is my current situation at work). If I'm not then someone else will do it, which teaches me nothing.
The there's the whole bit about knowing and seeking what I want. Learning that bit sucks. It's coming along to be sure, but it still sucks. Especially when it comes to girls. They're crazy. And confusing. And scary. And at the moment there are two on my mind. Often. One lives in Chicago (though she's definitely not from Chicago), and while I'm totally infatuated with her because she's adorable and quirky and fun and nice and cute, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't really work out. Plus I'm pretty sure she's not into me, which at the very least makes things less confusing.
The other is far more complex - in my mind anyway. She does not live in Chicago, which would make it difficult to pursue her had I the guts to do such things. It's complex because I've felt very connected to this girl for a long time, despite not having spent a great deal of time with her. Strange. I have finally worked up the courage to talk to her on occasion though, so bonus there!
When did this become about girls? This wasn't supposed to be about girls. My mind is preoccupied with girls plenty on any given day. What was this about? Damnit. I can't remember anymore. I guess that means it's time to go type this up, stretch, and run 5 miles. If I hurry maybe I can get out there while it's still snowing! I do so love running in inclement weather!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
what's a picture worth?
I'm enjoying this concept of blogging photos with stories attached! I may have to continue.
Unlike my last picture story though, this one isn't quite as pleasant. I was in a poor, poor mood at the time, as can be seen in my sulky expression. What a pouter!
Unlike my last picture story though, this one isn't quite as pleasant. I was in a poor, poor mood at the time, as can be seen in my sulky expression. What a pouter!
Monday, November 5, 2007
inexplicable
UUUUGGGGGHHHHHHH.
Stated (loudly) in true Peanuts fashion: head tilted straight back nearly 45 degrees, mouth open to the size a grapefruit, tonsils (or tongue, never could figure out which) wiggling near the back of the throat. God bless Peanuts. Charlie Brown is my hero. Truly he is. Which is why this has been the desktop on my office computer for so long.
I am completely, utterly off today, and I do not know why. I've been running according to my schedule, and it's been going well. I logged 17.64 miles this week. I've been rockin' the Lake Shore trail, hardcore. I actually got nearly 7 hours of sleep last night, which is a bit more than I've been getting, but not so much as to significantly throw me off. I've been eating well, keeping in shape, etc. In other words, I am at a loss to explain my extraordinarily flighty brain functions today. I don't like that.
The only postulation I can formulate is that perhaps I've been too … inward facing? … as of late. I've been focused pretty heavily on training (as I don't really feel like injuring myself), working to keep my clean (so far so good!), and reading voraciously – on the bus to and from work, in my room, on the front porch, everywhere. At the moment I'm jumping around between 'The Black Swan' – a philosophy-based look at the practical sides and potential dangers of relying on predictions based upon the empirical data of inherently random events – 'Innovation Nation' – discussing how and why this country is slowly losing its place globally as the leader of innovation – and 3-4 Cato Institute reports on everything from current political language, the rise of doublespeak, a critical examination of the policies of No Child Left Behind, and a highly critical look at the Constitutional record of our current administration. I'm just not used to being able to read since I've been off Adderall for so long, and now that I can I wonder if I'm overdoing it. It seems silly, but my head is beginning to swim, and that's the only possible reason I can come up with.
I don't think I'm spending enough time talking to people anymore. I'm tempted to say I miss being close to people, but upon further examination I can't seem to define the designation of close. I have great friends here, and I get along with all of my roommates splendidly. The reason I went off Adderall last year was because I realized – only after mistakenly going off it – I was slowly withdrawing from people on a personal level, and I didn't like that at all. Is that happening again? I vowed I wouldn't let it, because this time I was aware of it. But for some reason I still feel like I am, and the strange thing is I have little evidence to back that up. Meaning now I'm suspecting it's all in my head. Hmmmmmmmm.
Now I'm pretty sure I'm rambling, so I'm going to stop. I think I just need to talk with friends more. Whether we have discussions about the country's current Constitutional policies, debates on the merits of attempting to predict seemingly random and highly influential events, or chats about ice cream, doesn't matter. I just need to increase my personal contact with the good people I already have in my life. There. Done. Yay me.
Stated (loudly) in true Peanuts fashion: head tilted straight back nearly 45 degrees, mouth open to the size a grapefruit, tonsils (or tongue, never could figure out which) wiggling near the back of the throat. God bless Peanuts. Charlie Brown is my hero. Truly he is. Which is why this has been the desktop on my office computer for so long.
I am completely, utterly off today, and I do not know why. I've been running according to my schedule, and it's been going well. I logged 17.64 miles this week. I've been rockin' the Lake Shore trail, hardcore. I actually got nearly 7 hours of sleep last night, which is a bit more than I've been getting, but not so much as to significantly throw me off. I've been eating well, keeping in shape, etc. In other words, I am at a loss to explain my extraordinarily flighty brain functions today. I don't like that.
The only postulation I can formulate is that perhaps I've been too … inward facing? … as of late. I've been focused pretty heavily on training (as I don't really feel like injuring myself), working to keep my clean (so far so good!), and reading voraciously – on the bus to and from work, in my room, on the front porch, everywhere. At the moment I'm jumping around between 'The Black Swan' – a philosophy-based look at the practical sides and potential dangers of relying on predictions based upon the empirical data of inherently random events – 'Innovation Nation' – discussing how and why this country is slowly losing its place globally as the leader of innovation – and 3-4 Cato Institute reports on everything from current political language, the rise of doublespeak, a critical examination of the policies of No Child Left Behind, and a highly critical look at the Constitutional record of our current administration. I'm just not used to being able to read since I've been off Adderall for so long, and now that I can I wonder if I'm overdoing it. It seems silly, but my head is beginning to swim, and that's the only possible reason I can come up with.
I don't think I'm spending enough time talking to people anymore. I'm tempted to say I miss being close to people, but upon further examination I can't seem to define the designation of close. I have great friends here, and I get along with all of my roommates splendidly. The reason I went off Adderall last year was because I realized – only after mistakenly going off it – I was slowly withdrawing from people on a personal level, and I didn't like that at all. Is that happening again? I vowed I wouldn't let it, because this time I was aware of it. But for some reason I still feel like I am, and the strange thing is I have little evidence to back that up. Meaning now I'm suspecting it's all in my head. Hmmmmmmmm.
Now I'm pretty sure I'm rambling, so I'm going to stop. I think I just need to talk with friends more. Whether we have discussions about the country's current Constitutional policies, debates on the merits of attempting to predict seemingly random and highly influential events, or chats about ice cream, doesn't matter. I just need to increase my personal contact with the good people I already have in my life. There. Done. Yay me.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
just perfect
Ok, I realize this was posted in May (and truthfully, that's when I read it for the first time), but I was talking to a friend about it yesterday and it inspired me to look it back up. I love it. I couldn't possibly express my own feelings any better.
Watch It, Mac!
Watch It, Mac!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
pleasant memories
I was going through some of my Flickr photos from past times, and I came across this one. I haven't thought about this day in a long time, but its simplicity and gentle memory still makes me smile.
I need more memories like this. I need to make more memories like this
I need more memories like this. I need to make more memories like this
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
behind the iron-clad rhetoric
So I really don't have the time at the moment to rant in excess, but in the process of cleaning my desk I was going through the notes I took during some of last week's events, and I found one that I just had to share.
On Monday September 24th we had Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky speak at a luncheon. I will shamelessly admit that I had never heard of her, and really knew nothing about her. Long story short, she gave a fascinating talk, filled with the passion of conviction that I so long to see in today's policy-makers. She talked about a smattering of different issues over the course of her presentation, which was just short of an hour, but the topic that struck me more than the others was the war. She recently was appointed to the
One other thing she mentioned saddened me just as greatly. The military PR machine has been cheering about how more and more of Baghdad's neighborhoods are safer, with violence ebbing significantly. Unfortunately, it's because in each neighborhood one sect has killed and/or driven out the other, creating a more segregated city than ever. We're basking in a victory that, in reality, is nothing more than the inevitable outcome of ethnic cleansing. And, as a tax-payer, I feel I'm a part of that victory.
Let me tell you, if that realization doesn't ruin your day, I don't know what will.
On Monday September 24th we had Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky speak at a luncheon. I will shamelessly admit that I had never heard of her, and really knew nothing about her. Long story short, she gave a fascinating talk, filled with the passion of conviction that I so long to see in today's policy-makers. She talked about a smattering of different issues over the course of her presentation, which was just short of an hour, but the topic that struck me more than the others was the war. She recently was appointed to the
- Car bombs are not considered sectarian violence
- Gunshots to the back of the head are included sectarian violence, but not to the front of the head
- Sunni on Sunni violence is not considered sectarian violence
- Shi‘ite on Shi‘ite violence is not considered sectarian violence
One other thing she mentioned saddened me just as greatly. The military PR machine has been cheering about how more and more of Baghdad's neighborhoods are safer, with violence ebbing significantly. Unfortunately, it's because in each neighborhood one sect has killed and/or driven out the other, creating a more segregated city than ever. We're basking in a victory that, in reality, is nothing more than the inevitable outcome of ethnic cleansing. And, as a tax-payer, I feel I'm a part of that victory.
Let me tell you, if that realization doesn't ruin your day, I don't know what will.
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