1.24.2003
BOUNCING BLOG TO BLOG
I was in the midst of my morning ritual, checking out updates (or lack therof) on Dave's blog. He hadn't put anything new up so I decided, as I oft do, to jump over to some of the other blogs he links to. I have never met the authors. If Ruddy B reccomends them though, I figure that's all the endorsment I need. So I head over to the Feralboy blog, and he in turn has a link to another blog that had an interesting opinion piece on diamonds. There are some certainly valid points to the piece, and I will not deny that the trafficing of gemstones is not something that I have an extreme depth of knowledge. I have purchase a total of 3 diamonds in my life. All three now belong to my wife. Did I lose sleep wondering if my purchases helped support a corrupt regeime? If that happened every time a purchase may have a detrimental effect on the world outside, I'd be naked and insane in a cave somewhere muttering to myself how everything is gonna be ok. But to be honest here is a list of my sins. I encourage everyone to analyze ways in which they unavoidably make the world a more dangerous place.
Clove Cigarettes: The brand I smoke is of indonesian origin, so who knows what group I may be helping prop up with my habit.
I drive a Ford, so undoubtedly I am increasing tensions in my corner of the world through that association, not to mention the gas I have to put in the tank.
I have a preference for Levi Strauss and Company's jeans, but i definitely would not want a job making them.
Oh yes - two of my three computers run a Microsoft operating system, so I'm pretty sure that I am definitely going straight to the depths for that one alone.
My point is your purchases have far reaching ramifications. There is no avoiding it, and if you look hard enough, soon you will not be able to purchase anything without supporting someone else's "evil" agenda.
-I may be going to hell in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoying the ride.
go and tell me all about it
I was in the midst of my morning ritual, checking out updates (or lack therof) on Dave's blog. He hadn't put anything new up so I decided, as I oft do, to jump over to some of the other blogs he links to. I have never met the authors. If Ruddy B reccomends them though, I figure that's all the endorsment I need. So I head over to the Feralboy blog, and he in turn has a link to another blog that had an interesting opinion piece on diamonds. There are some certainly valid points to the piece, and I will not deny that the trafficing of gemstones is not something that I have an extreme depth of knowledge. I have purchase a total of 3 diamonds in my life. All three now belong to my wife. Did I lose sleep wondering if my purchases helped support a corrupt regeime? If that happened every time a purchase may have a detrimental effect on the world outside, I'd be naked and insane in a cave somewhere muttering to myself how everything is gonna be ok. But to be honest here is a list of my sins. I encourage everyone to analyze ways in which they unavoidably make the world a more dangerous place.
Clove Cigarettes: The brand I smoke is of indonesian origin, so who knows what group I may be helping prop up with my habit.
I drive a Ford, so undoubtedly I am increasing tensions in my corner of the world through that association, not to mention the gas I have to put in the tank.
I have a preference for Levi Strauss and Company's jeans, but i definitely would not want a job making them.
Oh yes - two of my three computers run a Microsoft operating system, so I'm pretty sure that I am definitely going straight to the depths for that one alone.
My point is your purchases have far reaching ramifications. There is no avoiding it, and if you look hard enough, soon you will not be able to purchase anything without supporting someone else's "evil" agenda.
-I may be going to hell in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoying the ride.
go and tell me all about it
1.22.2003
SUPERSIZE MY JUSTICE PLEASE
When you are quite sure that everyone in a position of power has had their brain slowly melted down into some gelatinous mess, something can come along and give you hope. I would have to say that fat people everywhere should now realize, that McDonalds provides a product, and for some more than others, that product can have a negative effecct on their waistline. But that it even had to go as far as it did in our judicail system says a lot about the impending collapse of american society. 2 words fattys: Personal Responsibility. In much the same way as I abhor lifelong smokers suing tobacco companies, I have to say that the notion that McDonalds is responsible for fat people is even more ludicrious. Shit, if we are gonna pin someone down for selling fattening foods then I think Cinnabon is the most likely target. Have you ever eaten one of those sweet rolls? they're like little culinary nuclear reactors they're so packed with calories. Having eaten McDonald's food about 5 times a week for over 2 1/2 years while I worked there, I can honestly say that It had no effect on my weight positive or negative. The job, on the other hand left me permanantly scarred.
Think I might be able to sue?
go and tell me all about it
When you are quite sure that everyone in a position of power has had their brain slowly melted down into some gelatinous mess, something can come along and give you hope. I would have to say that fat people everywhere should now realize, that McDonalds provides a product, and for some more than others, that product can have a negative effecct on their waistline. But that it even had to go as far as it did in our judicail system says a lot about the impending collapse of american society. 2 words fattys: Personal Responsibility. In much the same way as I abhor lifelong smokers suing tobacco companies, I have to say that the notion that McDonalds is responsible for fat people is even more ludicrious. Shit, if we are gonna pin someone down for selling fattening foods then I think Cinnabon is the most likely target. Have you ever eaten one of those sweet rolls? they're like little culinary nuclear reactors they're so packed with calories. Having eaten McDonald's food about 5 times a week for over 2 1/2 years while I worked there, I can honestly say that It had no effect on my weight positive or negative. The job, on the other hand left me permanantly scarred.
Think I might be able to sue?
go and tell me all about it
1.21.2003
OPINIONS AND SPHINCTERS
Blah. That is how I woulod describe the last week. Overall low energy, both physical and mental. I hate weeks like that, feels like I'm dragging my ass through molasses. Any way, not a lot has been going on in my personal life lately, so I have been watching a lot of TV and surfing the net even more that the usual. SO with that in mind here are my opinions on some of the "issues" of the day.
LeBbron James - The next in an increasingly common line of high-school-to-th-pros athletes that the NBA seems to be quite enamored with. LeBron is going to be drafted high, given an insane bonus, and probably a long term deal. The man is set, and barely 18 years old. Good for him I say. LeBron James has also been driving around in a new Hummer H2 that as equiped, is likely around the $75,000 dollar mark. This has many people up in arms about the ethics involved, where the money came from, and how this may taint the image of high school athletics. Well I'm calling shenanigans on anyone who is in that camp, and not screaming about all the other crap that has been going on for some time now surrounding LeBron's soon to be professional endeavours. See LeBron's games are often televised, which is not unheard of, but on PAY PER VIEW? The kid is on Sportscenter as often as Michal Jordan. Tickets to his HIGH SCHOOL GAMES come at $20 a pop. He and his team have been FLOWN BY JET to other parts of the country to play OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS. Apparently the exploitation of James is fine, so long as James himself does not benefit from his exploitation. We often see young people, often much younger than James reach amazing heights of success in other professions. A child can act, sing, play an instrument and rake it in hand over fist - not a peep from anyone - and why should there be? If you have the skills use them. Of course the world seems unready for 16 year olds in pro basketball, and I'm not saying there should be, but considering that many of the people in a position to critisize an 18year old driving a $75,000 SUV around, are the same ones that apparently had no problem with the rest of the circus surrounding this young man, should really just suck it up and keep quiet. Because at the end of the day, there is nothing that is quite as offensive as hypocrisy - which is exactly what we are talking about here. Oh yeah, for the record, I think Basketball is a pretty stupid game.
The Bush Tax Cut Plan - I'm not an economist, never claimed to be one. That said, aside from the class warfare rhetoric that blinds us from the meat of the issue, and sadly comes part and parcel to any tax relief package, we really have no clue if this will stimulate the economy. Seriously. How can you trust a man that has been saying for over the last year that the economy is "strong", while billion dollar companies file for bakruptcy, and thousands are laid off, to fix it? How can you trust a congress that never fails to take care of itself, yet allows unemployment benefits to lapse, to make the right choice for the citizenry? Basically, I expect the US economy to bleed a while longer, while the debt spirals back up to unseen levels. Call it a hunch.
Affirmative Action - I'm all for it, but I would make one adjustment. Base it on socio-economic factors. That is not to say that there is not race bias in our society, there is without question. But there are countless people who could use a leg up, of all races. And since the unfortunate fact is that there are a large number of minorities below the poverty line, they should still benefit the most from afirmative action type programs.
War in Iraq - SO I guess what you are saying, is that is where Osama Bin Laden is probably lurking? In fact when is the last time Bush, Ashcroft, or that insipid little twit Ari Fleischer even mentioned Bin Laden? War on Terrorisim? More like a war on rational thought.
Fortunately, I noticed that it is "Awards Season" when the rich and famous get together to glad hand themselves on how well they entertain the masses, and an amalgam of half wits makes fun of their fashion choices. So at least we can continue to be distracted by more nonsense a while longer.
go and tell me all about it
Blah. That is how I woulod describe the last week. Overall low energy, both physical and mental. I hate weeks like that, feels like I'm dragging my ass through molasses. Any way, not a lot has been going on in my personal life lately, so I have been watching a lot of TV and surfing the net even more that the usual. SO with that in mind here are my opinions on some of the "issues" of the day.
LeBbron James - The next in an increasingly common line of high-school-to-th-pros athletes that the NBA seems to be quite enamored with. LeBron is going to be drafted high, given an insane bonus, and probably a long term deal. The man is set, and barely 18 years old. Good for him I say. LeBron James has also been driving around in a new Hummer H2 that as equiped, is likely around the $75,000 dollar mark. This has many people up in arms about the ethics involved, where the money came from, and how this may taint the image of high school athletics. Well I'm calling shenanigans on anyone who is in that camp, and not screaming about all the other crap that has been going on for some time now surrounding LeBron's soon to be professional endeavours. See LeBron's games are often televised, which is not unheard of, but on PAY PER VIEW? The kid is on Sportscenter as often as Michal Jordan. Tickets to his HIGH SCHOOL GAMES come at $20 a pop. He and his team have been FLOWN BY JET to other parts of the country to play OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS. Apparently the exploitation of James is fine, so long as James himself does not benefit from his exploitation. We often see young people, often much younger than James reach amazing heights of success in other professions. A child can act, sing, play an instrument and rake it in hand over fist - not a peep from anyone - and why should there be? If you have the skills use them. Of course the world seems unready for 16 year olds in pro basketball, and I'm not saying there should be, but considering that many of the people in a position to critisize an 18year old driving a $75,000 SUV around, are the same ones that apparently had no problem with the rest of the circus surrounding this young man, should really just suck it up and keep quiet. Because at the end of the day, there is nothing that is quite as offensive as hypocrisy - which is exactly what we are talking about here. Oh yeah, for the record, I think Basketball is a pretty stupid game.
The Bush Tax Cut Plan - I'm not an economist, never claimed to be one. That said, aside from the class warfare rhetoric that blinds us from the meat of the issue, and sadly comes part and parcel to any tax relief package, we really have no clue if this will stimulate the economy. Seriously. How can you trust a man that has been saying for over the last year that the economy is "strong", while billion dollar companies file for bakruptcy, and thousands are laid off, to fix it? How can you trust a congress that never fails to take care of itself, yet allows unemployment benefits to lapse, to make the right choice for the citizenry? Basically, I expect the US economy to bleed a while longer, while the debt spirals back up to unseen levels. Call it a hunch.
Affirmative Action - I'm all for it, but I would make one adjustment. Base it on socio-economic factors. That is not to say that there is not race bias in our society, there is without question. But there are countless people who could use a leg up, of all races. And since the unfortunate fact is that there are a large number of minorities below the poverty line, they should still benefit the most from afirmative action type programs.
War in Iraq - SO I guess what you are saying, is that is where Osama Bin Laden is probably lurking? In fact when is the last time Bush, Ashcroft, or that insipid little twit Ari Fleischer even mentioned Bin Laden? War on Terrorisim? More like a war on rational thought.
Fortunately, I noticed that it is "Awards Season" when the rich and famous get together to glad hand themselves on how well they entertain the masses, and an amalgam of half wits makes fun of their fashion choices. So at least we can continue to be distracted by more nonsense a while longer.
go and tell me all about it
1.13.2003
MORE FREE TIME
That is what the Steelers have given me. Seriously, I will catch the Conference Championship games, and the super bowl, but a signifigant amount of time that I usually waste following the Steelers, is now readliy available to waste on other things. Decisions decisions.....
Still, for as messed up as the NFL season was this past year, the Black and Gold did a fine job of keeping in it as long as they could.
I guess I will actually start shopping for power tools, so as to build some shelving for Ann's shoe collection. Which is in the midst of a serious growth spurt thanks to a 6 pair christmas vacation.
go and tell me all about it
That is what the Steelers have given me. Seriously, I will catch the Conference Championship games, and the super bowl, but a signifigant amount of time that I usually waste following the Steelers, is now readliy available to waste on other things. Decisions decisions.....
Still, for as messed up as the NFL season was this past year, the Black and Gold did a fine job of keeping in it as long as they could.
I guess I will actually start shopping for power tools, so as to build some shelving for Ann's shoe collection. Which is in the midst of a serious growth spurt thanks to a 6 pair christmas vacation.
go and tell me all about it
1.08.2003
INFOBANALITY
I went through the roof yesterday. Not in the literal, get yourself to the hospital sense, but the more common for me - Distressed at the decline of society fashion most of you are familiar with.
This is what set me off.
I was watching 24 on FOX, which I now realize is about the only broadcast show i watch with any regularity anymore. I get FOX off of my sattelite dish, as east and west coast feeds, i was watching the east coast feed out of New York. FOX affiliates are usually running local news after the 9pm slot, and so i was given blurbs at every commercial break to remind me that NEWS was on it's way. Here is the part that brought me to the brink. EVERY single blurb focused on the announcement of the new and improved Gameboy Advance SP by Nintendo. This was pretty much not news. It was advertising. If I had a product to push on the marketplace, I could not have bough the amount of exposure that Nintendo was given pretty much free of charge on a major market network station. It made me sick. Every time I watch the news, I am reminded of just how prophectic the movie Network was more that 25 years ago. American news is no longer about the free flow of ideas and the exchange of information on the issues of the day. It is smiling, plastic, giggling personalities trying to push an agenda that has little basis in reality. It is about ratings and marketshare as anything in primetime is.
More importantly it reminds me of a Bill Hicks joke -(with apologies to Dave)
"How many of you out there in marketing and advertising?
Do me a favor, when you get home tonight, kill yourself."
It's no surprise that Bill was not a widley marketed purveyor of comedy, but he is one of the brightest minds to ever do standup.
go and tell me all about it
I went through the roof yesterday. Not in the literal, get yourself to the hospital sense, but the more common for me - Distressed at the decline of society fashion most of you are familiar with.
This is what set me off.
I was watching 24 on FOX, which I now realize is about the only broadcast show i watch with any regularity anymore. I get FOX off of my sattelite dish, as east and west coast feeds, i was watching the east coast feed out of New York. FOX affiliates are usually running local news after the 9pm slot, and so i was given blurbs at every commercial break to remind me that NEWS was on it's way. Here is the part that brought me to the brink. EVERY single blurb focused on the announcement of the new and improved Gameboy Advance SP by Nintendo. This was pretty much not news. It was advertising. If I had a product to push on the marketplace, I could not have bough the amount of exposure that Nintendo was given pretty much free of charge on a major market network station. It made me sick. Every time I watch the news, I am reminded of just how prophectic the movie Network was more that 25 years ago. American news is no longer about the free flow of ideas and the exchange of information on the issues of the day. It is smiling, plastic, giggling personalities trying to push an agenda that has little basis in reality. It is about ratings and marketshare as anything in primetime is.
More importantly it reminds me of a Bill Hicks joke -(with apologies to Dave)
"How many of you out there in marketing and advertising?
Do me a favor, when you get home tonight, kill yourself."
It's no surprise that Bill was not a widley marketed purveyor of comedy, but he is one of the brightest minds to ever do standup.
go and tell me all about it
1.07.2003
YOU'VE BEEN WAITING
Or so I like to pretend. You have been coming back to the site, and seeing no tasty morsels, have become so saddend. Not to fear though as I Have returned from weeks of ambling and will now give you the skinny on certain hapenings.
Episode I - The journey eastward. - Actually it was North Eastward, but forgive me the trifles. Week one of my fantastic winter respite tok ANn and I to the Hoosier state, where Ann's family gathered for Christmas festivities. We were spared a drive down to indianapolis due to unexpected snowfall, but still made the rounds to grandmothers, and great aunts in the local vicinity. There was I must tell you, a bit to much talking about people dying and the division of their posessions for my taste, but all in all it was a good week in the heartland of america. Highlights included:
Ming - a Blue Russian looking cat, who was very chatty and very territoral, consideing he was the interloper - Watching to Alpha Male Cats scrap is pretty hairy. Ming is lucky he didn't get his butt whupped.
Getting to enjoy the day after x-mas retail style. I did the bulk of my shopping on-line this year, but wouldn't you know it the DVD/Surround sound system Ann and I got for her folks was D.O.A. - at least ast the audio was concerned. Fortunately the returns went smoothly and without incident. I also was insane enough to go into a mall, where I found myself prefering looking at Flatware Patterns as opposed to decorations. I must be a married homeowner to have gone down this path.
Food! Glorious food! Chicago style deep dish pizza, barbeque steak, good hamburgers, Tasty Italian - all the things I don't get n a regular basis in Gallup.
Hanging out with Jan and Rose, Ann's Great-Aunts. If I can bee this hip and down-to-earth, and generally as pleasant as these two ladies when I get to be their age, I will consider my life a successful one.
Episode II - Still more eastwardly.... On to PIttsburgh, for a belated x-mas with my sister and parents. The folks came out from Vegas a few days before we got into town, and we all crashed at My Sister's place. 6 adults and 3 children + 2 dogs makes for family fun. The dogs are great footwarmers come bedtime though.
Saturday upon arrival, Ann and I were beckoned to Dee's Cafe which I am officially over. It finally dawned on me that it is too crowded, too noisy, and most importantly I can't smoke there. Why do I need to be there? Well there was good reason. Got to see Mike M, and Danielle D, Burke, Matty P, and a whole bunch of others. This was the only time I got to see some of them, so my thanks to Danielle for being very persuasive, and designated driver.
Sunday was mostly family time, Steelers style, and much fun was had as well as much concern over the Steelers play - but a win is a win.
Monday, Some serious cooking courtesy of Dan B. - Alfredo and roast beef tenderloin. The man is an artist with food.
Tuesday - NYE - The Jane St. spectacular. We must be all getting older, or more sober, cause nobody went for the midnight run this year. Kinda fitting though, as Mike, who in my mind was the originator, was not present to witness the festivities. Much hanging fun with all the cool kids. Josh, Jim, Matty D, Ro, Joe - hell the whole damn crew and then some! There was one young lady there who just seemed to rub me the wrong way but I found ignoring her did a lot to lessen that feeling. Also broke out some good champagne - Mum's of France, and oh yeah it is worth the price of admission. Usually we drink Mum's of California, but the State Store was only stocking the french - so I had no choice ;-) Special shout out to Ro for letting us crash at her place - very comfy pillows.
From there we kept it simple, a little shopping, a little hanging, and some serious bracing for the return west. The new Anti Bomb regulations at the airports are a major pain in the neck, but overall there were no major problems. But seriously if you have to ask me if I feel safer? Not in the least. I would like to remind all of you that 9/11 did not involv anyone planting a bomb. So why the massive investment in bomb screening tech is a bit beyond me. I feel very uneasy trying to rationalize why our government feels it so necessary to remove more and more of our rights, all the while saying that they are protecting my way of lilfe. My way of life did not involve being constantly treated like a suspect.
Overall, the break was a good one, too short in places, too long in others - but so it goes. Foe those I only saw briefly, I am glad that I got to see you at all. Hope that some of you make it out my way in the future.
Oh yeah almost forgot - The Two Towers was good, considering it was all middle.
go and tell me all about it
Or so I like to pretend. You have been coming back to the site, and seeing no tasty morsels, have become so saddend. Not to fear though as I Have returned from weeks of ambling and will now give you the skinny on certain hapenings.
Episode I - The journey eastward. - Actually it was North Eastward, but forgive me the trifles. Week one of my fantastic winter respite tok ANn and I to the Hoosier state, where Ann's family gathered for Christmas festivities. We were spared a drive down to indianapolis due to unexpected snowfall, but still made the rounds to grandmothers, and great aunts in the local vicinity. There was I must tell you, a bit to much talking about people dying and the division of their posessions for my taste, but all in all it was a good week in the heartland of america. Highlights included:
Ming - a Blue Russian looking cat, who was very chatty and very territoral, consideing he was the interloper - Watching to Alpha Male Cats scrap is pretty hairy. Ming is lucky he didn't get his butt whupped.
Getting to enjoy the day after x-mas retail style. I did the bulk of my shopping on-line this year, but wouldn't you know it the DVD/Surround sound system Ann and I got for her folks was D.O.A. - at least ast the audio was concerned. Fortunately the returns went smoothly and without incident. I also was insane enough to go into a mall, where I found myself prefering looking at Flatware Patterns as opposed to decorations. I must be a married homeowner to have gone down this path.
Food! Glorious food! Chicago style deep dish pizza, barbeque steak, good hamburgers, Tasty Italian - all the things I don't get n a regular basis in Gallup.
Hanging out with Jan and Rose, Ann's Great-Aunts. If I can bee this hip and down-to-earth, and generally as pleasant as these two ladies when I get to be their age, I will consider my life a successful one.
Episode II - Still more eastwardly.... On to PIttsburgh, for a belated x-mas with my sister and parents. The folks came out from Vegas a few days before we got into town, and we all crashed at My Sister's place. 6 adults and 3 children + 2 dogs makes for family fun. The dogs are great footwarmers come bedtime though.
Saturday upon arrival, Ann and I were beckoned to Dee's Cafe which I am officially over. It finally dawned on me that it is too crowded, too noisy, and most importantly I can't smoke there. Why do I need to be there? Well there was good reason. Got to see Mike M, and Danielle D, Burke, Matty P, and a whole bunch of others. This was the only time I got to see some of them, so my thanks to Danielle for being very persuasive, and designated driver.
Sunday was mostly family time, Steelers style, and much fun was had as well as much concern over the Steelers play - but a win is a win.
Monday, Some serious cooking courtesy of Dan B. - Alfredo and roast beef tenderloin. The man is an artist with food.
Tuesday - NYE - The Jane St. spectacular. We must be all getting older, or more sober, cause nobody went for the midnight run this year. Kinda fitting though, as Mike, who in my mind was the originator, was not present to witness the festivities. Much hanging fun with all the cool kids. Josh, Jim, Matty D, Ro, Joe - hell the whole damn crew and then some! There was one young lady there who just seemed to rub me the wrong way but I found ignoring her did a lot to lessen that feeling. Also broke out some good champagne - Mum's of France, and oh yeah it is worth the price of admission. Usually we drink Mum's of California, but the State Store was only stocking the french - so I had no choice ;-) Special shout out to Ro for letting us crash at her place - very comfy pillows.
From there we kept it simple, a little shopping, a little hanging, and some serious bracing for the return west. The new Anti Bomb regulations at the airports are a major pain in the neck, but overall there were no major problems. But seriously if you have to ask me if I feel safer? Not in the least. I would like to remind all of you that 9/11 did not involv anyone planting a bomb. So why the massive investment in bomb screening tech is a bit beyond me. I feel very uneasy trying to rationalize why our government feels it so necessary to remove more and more of our rights, all the while saying that they are protecting my way of lilfe. My way of life did not involve being constantly treated like a suspect.
Overall, the break was a good one, too short in places, too long in others - but so it goes. Foe those I only saw briefly, I am glad that I got to see you at all. Hope that some of you make it out my way in the future.
Oh yeah almost forgot - The Two Towers was good, considering it was all middle.
go and tell me all about it
