Hi. I didn't want to desert you like that, but for one reason or another I have not felt much like writing for the last couple of months.
I am enjoying school and learning stuff dude, which rocks. I am also getting good grades, which is awesome as A's are not something I got to experience during most of my secondary education. I find that if I stay focused and keep a healthy perspective, good grades seem to follow..
I am still employed as a dishwasher/cook which is awesome. I have been cooking a lot recently, which although gives me a greater sense of job satisfaction and a greater size of paycheck is a lot more stressful and comes with a lot more responsibility. Still, I enjoy what I do and the people I do it with.
For fun, I have continued playing music. I love playing the tenor banjo very much.. More people should have them.. The ukulele too is never far from reach, much like most of the instruments I own. I am starting to record more.. If you would like to hear any of it, just drop me an email and I will see what I can do. Aside from music, my rifle and I have joined a local shooting club, and I am glad I did. There is something very therapeutic and almost philosophical about spending an hour or two sighting in a scope and blasting paper targets with expensive hollow points, before disassembling and cleaning every part of your firearm.
As for my reading, there has not been much of it. Most of my time usually allocated to fun reading is spent in the study of management textbooks, and as these are better than nyquil for curing insomnia, I don't even absorb as much of them as I perhaps should.
Yesterday I voted. Unfortunately, everyone I voted for lost.. Still, my write in choice for president of Anthony T. Casey did not really have too much of a chance, as he has seen a significant drop in the polls since his mother and co- workers withdrew their support in favor of Barry Obama and John McMaverick respectively.
Did you know that the Basque language is completely unrelated to any other language, or family of languages? They must be like aliens dude..
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Actung Actung!!! DAS IST VERBOTEN
Oh hey. I have been thinking about Germany lately. There are two reasons for this: The first is that I recently read an article about rampant anti German sentiments in Britain, and the second is that I am currently watching Allo Allo, which is a British sitcom set in occupied France during WWII. I find this very interesting indeed, as I once lived in Britain, and like all my friends, I grew up with a strong dislike of the Bosch.
Just like every other school boy in England, I learned several anti German songs, but one in particular stood out. It was awesome; a song that was sung whenever Germany, Germans, War or Hitler came up in a conversation. It is a catchy little ditty; the words of which imply that certain leaders of the Third Reich were missing body parts essential to human procreation. Whenever the English met their German counterparts in the beautiful game, another song was sung by every red blooded Englishman and woman, the words of which go as follows: "Two world wars and one world cup, doo dah, doo dah, two world wars and one world cup, oh dah doo dah dae."
When I went to school, the whole politically correct nonsense had not yet invaded history classrooms, which were without fail decorated with several Churchill posters, displaying the man himself standing in front of a squadron of spitfires with words like "This was our finest hour" scrawled across his Chestertonian midsection. The teachers would run audio of Churchill speeches, and the take special care to insure that we would never forget what had happened 50 or so years ago. Still even with all that, forgetting would be impossible. If you walk down a street in my dad's home town, you will still see bombed out houses, bombed out office buildings and bombed out churches that have been left as a reminder of past wrongs. Every Christmas, it has long been a tradition in many British households to get the family together and watch the Great Escape on BBC2.. Also, if any young Britain was uncertain of what had happened, it would simply take a comment to that effect to trigger hours upon hours of stories from grandparents. You see, in a country in which the events of WW2 quite literally struck close to home/ struck homes and those events are still in the living memory of so many, it would really be impossible for someone with more than a 10 second memory to ever forget.
So how do I feel about all this now that I am an American who thinks Europe sux? Well, I have to say that in my house, Germany and Germans are still the butt of at least 2 jokes a day. In fact, whenever I don't like someone, I make them German in my head, and if I must imitate their voice, it will be my best attempt at a German accent. But is this bad? Yes and no in my opinion. For the no, it is quite stupid to stereotype the inhabitants of a whole country as being Nazis, loving rules and regulations and being hyper efficient. Also, it makes it dangerous and scary for Germans in Britain who just want to go to school or spend money. For the yes, it is best to learn from the mistakes of the past, because a Fourth Reich is more than 1 too many. Also, dislike of the Germans is one of the few things that still holds England together as a country. Still, constantly living in the past and letting old rivalries fester is a bad thing. However, if you want to dislike Germany/ the Germans for newer fresher reasons, there are plenty of resources available to meet your needs.
Just like every other school boy in England, I learned several anti German songs, but one in particular stood out. It was awesome; a song that was sung whenever Germany, Germans, War or Hitler came up in a conversation. It is a catchy little ditty; the words of which imply that certain leaders of the Third Reich were missing body parts essential to human procreation. Whenever the English met their German counterparts in the beautiful game, another song was sung by every red blooded Englishman and woman, the words of which go as follows: "Two world wars and one world cup, doo dah, doo dah, two world wars and one world cup, oh dah doo dah dae."
When I went to school, the whole politically correct nonsense had not yet invaded history classrooms, which were without fail decorated with several Churchill posters, displaying the man himself standing in front of a squadron of spitfires with words like "This was our finest hour" scrawled across his Chestertonian midsection. The teachers would run audio of Churchill speeches, and the take special care to insure that we would never forget what had happened 50 or so years ago. Still even with all that, forgetting would be impossible. If you walk down a street in my dad's home town, you will still see bombed out houses, bombed out office buildings and bombed out churches that have been left as a reminder of past wrongs. Every Christmas, it has long been a tradition in many British households to get the family together and watch the Great Escape on BBC2.. Also, if any young Britain was uncertain of what had happened, it would simply take a comment to that effect to trigger hours upon hours of stories from grandparents. You see, in a country in which the events of WW2 quite literally struck close to home/ struck homes and those events are still in the living memory of so many, it would really be impossible for someone with more than a 10 second memory to ever forget.
So how do I feel about all this now that I am an American who thinks Europe sux? Well, I have to say that in my house, Germany and Germans are still the butt of at least 2 jokes a day. In fact, whenever I don't like someone, I make them German in my head, and if I must imitate their voice, it will be my best attempt at a German accent. But is this bad? Yes and no in my opinion. For the no, it is quite stupid to stereotype the inhabitants of a whole country as being Nazis, loving rules and regulations and being hyper efficient. Also, it makes it dangerous and scary for Germans in Britain who just want to go to school or spend money. For the yes, it is best to learn from the mistakes of the past, because a Fourth Reich is more than 1 too many. Also, dislike of the Germans is one of the few things that still holds England together as a country. Still, constantly living in the past and letting old rivalries fester is a bad thing. However, if you want to dislike Germany/ the Germans for newer fresher reasons, there are plenty of resources available to meet your needs.
Monday, September 8, 2008
medium is not a compromise, but a loss by anyone's standards.
Oh hey.
Yesterday I mopped the Casey kitchen floor for fun, but I was disappointed as it was not fun at all. However, at work a few minutes ago, mopping the floor was fun.. This is because mopping the floor is the very last thing I do before locking up the kitchen, and so there is a real sense of accomplishment when the job is done. You see the same activities have different outcomes in different situations. For example, if I were to jump up on a pew in the middle of church and violently strum out pinball wizard by the Who; chances are that it would not go over too well. However, if I were to perform the same activity, minus the pew and plus the mirror in the hall when no one else was in the house, I would not feel quite as awkward... except... I just.. told you about it...
Well I was surfing around on the tubes a minute ago, and I came across a video of an old Italian talking about life in Hoboken NJ in the 50's and 60's. What was interesting was that he mentioned many neighborhood characters that I know about/know/knew. For example, my mother's uncle and owner of Leo's Gandevous, Leo DiTerlizzi. Also, the guy who wore squeaky shoes; the guy who's mother used to shout out the window not to forget his hairbrush and Stumpy; the guy with one leg shorter than the other who used to clean shellfish in the basement of Leo's. All interesting nostalgic stuff.
So I bought my first instrument from a newspaper.. A tenor banjo.. It is awesome. I drove over to Vermont to take a look, and a week later I went back and bought it. It is an Irish tenor banjo, but the previous owner had strung it up jazz style with light strings and a higher tuning. The difference between a tenor banjo and the American sort, is that a tenor only has 4 strings instead of the American 4, plus one drone string. The difference between a jazz banjo and an Irish banjo is that the Jazz version is meant to be strummed rhythmically, whereas the Irish model is for single note picking. It also has very heavy strings, and is tuned an octave below the mandolin.. It has a very low gritty sound, and is almost the equivalent of a distorted guitar of Irish traditional music.. I paid a very low price for a very good model in very good condition..
Well, my classes are going very well. At the start of the year I was worried that working 6 nights a week would get in the way of homework.. It turns out that I need not have worried, as a much better/more lucrative solution to this potential problem has presented itself; I simply do my HOMEwork at WORKwork. I have at least an hour every night where I do nothing but hang out and eat free food with my co workers, so why not put this time to good use? Well, I have been doing this exact thing for 2 weeks now, and it works wonderfully. I simply set up a small office behind my dish machine using some milk crates, and I am actually paid to do my homework.. AWESOME!! It is sort of like that Seinfeld episode where George sleeps under his desk, but better as I am earning college credits on the clock.. I can also say "Get out of my office!!!" If I am disturbed, which is awesome, because it makes me feel like I have an office........
Yesterday I mopped the Casey kitchen floor for fun, but I was disappointed as it was not fun at all. However, at work a few minutes ago, mopping the floor was fun.. This is because mopping the floor is the very last thing I do before locking up the kitchen, and so there is a real sense of accomplishment when the job is done. You see the same activities have different outcomes in different situations. For example, if I were to jump up on a pew in the middle of church and violently strum out pinball wizard by the Who; chances are that it would not go over too well. However, if I were to perform the same activity, minus the pew and plus the mirror in the hall when no one else was in the house, I would not feel quite as awkward... except... I just.. told you about it...
Well I was surfing around on the tubes a minute ago, and I came across a video of an old Italian talking about life in Hoboken NJ in the 50's and 60's. What was interesting was that he mentioned many neighborhood characters that I know about/know/knew. For example, my mother's uncle and owner of Leo's Gandevous, Leo DiTerlizzi. Also, the guy who wore squeaky shoes; the guy who's mother used to shout out the window not to forget his hairbrush and Stumpy; the guy with one leg shorter than the other who used to clean shellfish in the basement of Leo's. All interesting nostalgic stuff.
So I bought my first instrument from a newspaper.. A tenor banjo.. It is awesome. I drove over to Vermont to take a look, and a week later I went back and bought it. It is an Irish tenor banjo, but the previous owner had strung it up jazz style with light strings and a higher tuning. The difference between a tenor banjo and the American sort, is that a tenor only has 4 strings instead of the American 4, plus one drone string. The difference between a jazz banjo and an Irish banjo is that the Jazz version is meant to be strummed rhythmically, whereas the Irish model is for single note picking. It also has very heavy strings, and is tuned an octave below the mandolin.. It has a very low gritty sound, and is almost the equivalent of a distorted guitar of Irish traditional music.. I paid a very low price for a very good model in very good condition..
Well, my classes are going very well. At the start of the year I was worried that working 6 nights a week would get in the way of homework.. It turns out that I need not have worried, as a much better/more lucrative solution to this potential problem has presented itself; I simply do my HOMEwork at WORKwork. I have at least an hour every night where I do nothing but hang out and eat free food with my co workers, so why not put this time to good use? Well, I have been doing this exact thing for 2 weeks now, and it works wonderfully. I simply set up a small office behind my dish machine using some milk crates, and I am actually paid to do my homework.. AWESOME!! It is sort of like that Seinfeld episode where George sleeps under his desk, but better as I am earning college credits on the clock.. I can also say "Get out of my office!!!" If I am disturbed, which is awesome, because it makes me feel like I have an office........
Monday, September 1, 2008
Hello Silly, Here I am again...
Well, I am currently in some legal trouble which has been going on for a little while.. I shouldn't talk about it, except to say that no blame is attributable to me. Still, it has eaten up some time and given me an irrational dislike of anyone who originates from, or has even visited the Indian Subcontinent.
So I started the second half of my first year in college.. Some things I have noticed I like a lot. For example, many of those who did not take anything seriously/ slept through classes have been weeded out, and as a result class discussions and group activities are filled with people who actually want to be there. Of all the classes I am taking, Management is my favorite. Our professor is a jovial type, who besides professing uses his time to own and run a business and fight fires. Besides the professor, my classmates all seem very intelligent, with clear ideas of why they are where they are and where they are going.
My geography class is different. My professor, who although exhibiting the classic symptoms of moonbatism (i.e. the home made SunuNO!! bumper sticker on his brief case) and being a bad low talker, he does seem to know his world capitals.. It is an interesting class, and although falling far short of the standard upheld by the Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies, it does indeed have its interesting spells.
My Brazilian Music class is different.. My professor did not ask me to buy a $150 text book, which is cool. What is not cool is that she seems to have selected various You Tube videos to make up the course content.
Well, I have selected a major. To move towards my goal of being a business owner before the age of 30, I found that management is the best way to go. I am now working on a plan to achieve my goals. Currently it is a little sparse, but the pages are filling up with words, which is usually a good sign.
Well, I love my job.. I love scrubbing plates, cleaning cups and mopping floors(I actually dream of mopping floors.. It is kind of wierd).. Especially now that I only work around 30 hours a week. I am repeatedly asked to do more cooky type stuff, and I am told that this will soon lead to receiving a cook's pay and a cook's responsibilities.
Well, I must apologize for leaving you like that for so long.. I must have ruined your August.
So I started the second half of my first year in college.. Some things I have noticed I like a lot. For example, many of those who did not take anything seriously/ slept through classes have been weeded out, and as a result class discussions and group activities are filled with people who actually want to be there. Of all the classes I am taking, Management is my favorite. Our professor is a jovial type, who besides professing uses his time to own and run a business and fight fires. Besides the professor, my classmates all seem very intelligent, with clear ideas of why they are where they are and where they are going.
My geography class is different. My professor, who although exhibiting the classic symptoms of moonbatism (i.e. the home made SunuNO!! bumper sticker on his brief case) and being a bad low talker, he does seem to know his world capitals.. It is an interesting class, and although falling far short of the standard upheld by the Limbaugh Institute for Advanced Conservative Studies, it does indeed have its interesting spells.
My Brazilian Music class is different.. My professor did not ask me to buy a $150 text book, which is cool. What is not cool is that she seems to have selected various You Tube videos to make up the course content.
Well, I have selected a major. To move towards my goal of being a business owner before the age of 30, I found that management is the best way to go. I am now working on a plan to achieve my goals. Currently it is a little sparse, but the pages are filling up with words, which is usually a good sign.
Well, I love my job.. I love scrubbing plates, cleaning cups and mopping floors(I actually dream of mopping floors.. It is kind of wierd).. Especially now that I only work around 30 hours a week. I am repeatedly asked to do more cooky type stuff, and I am told that this will soon lead to receiving a cook's pay and a cook's responsibilities.
Well, I must apologize for leaving you like that for so long.. I must have ruined your August.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Humming, Yellow and Tetris
Wow.. Haha, you are reading my posts.. Do you feel stupid? I do..
Well, I hope you are OK. I am. My family have deserted me and I am here in an empty house with an empty stomach.
I finished at work early, mostly because there wasn't any. I did 15 minutes of work all evening. It was awesome. Modern dish washing I have come to notice, is basically a greasy smelly game of tetris that nobody wins.. On the other hand, it is like a party; I get to hang out in a kitchen with some cool people, I get free food and drinks, I learn skills that will no doubt be useful in life and like all the best parties I am paid to attend.. I am very pleased that I will no longer have to work my least favorite morning shift. I found a housekeeper to fill in for me on Tuesday mornings when I am in my Brazilian music class. He jumped at the chance, because he makes $3.00 an hour less than I do.
Lately I have been trying to go to church almost every day.. Because I can. It gives me a reason to get up early instead of sleeping until 2, which I will not be able to do for the rest of the year. The only negative side effect I obtain from my regular religious observance, is that I feel 50 years older than I am for doing so... Only without the maturity and hopefully common sense that such an age would afford me.
Well, I just made myself some spaghetti. Nothing fancy, just with a light sauce of some home grown onions, peppers, tomatoes, some not home grown bacon and some home grown basil and parsley.. It was good. I may do it again some time.
Well.. What else? In all honesty, I do not enjoy playing the mandolin any more. It hurts, even through my heavily calloused fingers.. I can't seem to get the sounds I want either, and it doesn't stay in tune, even when I ask nicely. My fingers do not seem to find the notes like they did only weeks ago, and I do not like playing it even with other people.. It just seems to shout at me for no reason. Perhaps we are in need of couples counselling.. Or maybe I should change the strings. Part of it is that I am a chemically challenged musician.. By this I mean that the grease my fingers emit is more corrosive to metal strings than the grease the majority of the population emit, and even with the specially coated (and thus more expensive) strings that I buy, they seem to rust out quickly.. Oh well.
At my 6 night a week party, I noticed something. The problem with male public conveniences is that they seem to attract a great deal of an ammonia based fluid on the floor around them. This is no ones fault but the urinal manufacturers, who design them in such a way as to make half of the fluid they are built to absorb splash itself on to the originator of said fluid's clothing. The problem of a urine splashed front can be remedied in 3 of the 4 following ways..1, Stand back.. This approach has it's problems. Namely that there will no doubt be a suspicious yellow trail leading from the initiator of the process to the device meant for the disposal of it's main bi product. There is also the problem of said person inadvertently exposing himself gratuitously in a public bathroom, and such behavior is often not well received. 2, Stand to the side. This has it's problems too. Unwelcome liquids can and will be splashed onto those in the immediate vicinity, which is typically frowned upon. This also carries the problem of unwanted exposure, as a careless glance from an unsuspecting passer by can cause the owner of a weakened constitution to spew a half digested meal onto the floor, adding to the mess of bodily fluids already present. 3, Squat in the stall.. A gentleman would never do such a thing when wall mounted pottery is present and available. It simply is not an acceptable alternative. The solution; abide by the gentleman's unwritten code of behavior for visiting a public convenience, which will now be written down. Part 1. Never, never never never avail one's self of the convenience next to one currently in use. To do so is completely unacceptable, and any private club would be perfectly within their rights to expel a member caught engaged in such an activity. A gentleman must exhibit self control in all matters, and would rather ruin his trousers than break the cardinal rule. Part 2. Eyes forward. To do otherwise cannot be pardoned. Take time to enjoy the beautifully printed copies of renaissance artworks/news paper clippings/ graffiti questioning the sexual preferences of an acquaintance. Part 3. As in golf, learn over time to find the sweet spot on the convenience in question. Practice should enable perfect shooting for life, or until such time as a gentleman may require a dignified personal convenience disposal unit. Before perfection is achieved, it may become necessary for one to carry a small bottle of eau de cologne for the olfactory satisfaction of those whose immediate vicinity he must enter....
That should do it.
Well, I hope you are OK. I am. My family have deserted me and I am here in an empty house with an empty stomach.
I finished at work early, mostly because there wasn't any. I did 15 minutes of work all evening. It was awesome. Modern dish washing I have come to notice, is basically a greasy smelly game of tetris that nobody wins.. On the other hand, it is like a party; I get to hang out in a kitchen with some cool people, I get free food and drinks, I learn skills that will no doubt be useful in life and like all the best parties I am paid to attend.. I am very pleased that I will no longer have to work my least favorite morning shift. I found a housekeeper to fill in for me on Tuesday mornings when I am in my Brazilian music class. He jumped at the chance, because he makes $3.00 an hour less than I do.
Lately I have been trying to go to church almost every day.. Because I can. It gives me a reason to get up early instead of sleeping until 2, which I will not be able to do for the rest of the year. The only negative side effect I obtain from my regular religious observance, is that I feel 50 years older than I am for doing so... Only without the maturity and hopefully common sense that such an age would afford me.
Well, I just made myself some spaghetti. Nothing fancy, just with a light sauce of some home grown onions, peppers, tomatoes, some not home grown bacon and some home grown basil and parsley.. It was good. I may do it again some time.
Well.. What else? In all honesty, I do not enjoy playing the mandolin any more. It hurts, even through my heavily calloused fingers.. I can't seem to get the sounds I want either, and it doesn't stay in tune, even when I ask nicely. My fingers do not seem to find the notes like they did only weeks ago, and I do not like playing it even with other people.. It just seems to shout at me for no reason. Perhaps we are in need of couples counselling.. Or maybe I should change the strings. Part of it is that I am a chemically challenged musician.. By this I mean that the grease my fingers emit is more corrosive to metal strings than the grease the majority of the population emit, and even with the specially coated (and thus more expensive) strings that I buy, they seem to rust out quickly.. Oh well.
At my 6 night a week party, I noticed something. The problem with male public conveniences is that they seem to attract a great deal of an ammonia based fluid on the floor around them. This is no ones fault but the urinal manufacturers, who design them in such a way as to make half of the fluid they are built to absorb splash itself on to the originator of said fluid's clothing. The problem of a urine splashed front can be remedied in 3 of the 4 following ways..1, Stand back.. This approach has it's problems. Namely that there will no doubt be a suspicious yellow trail leading from the initiator of the process to the device meant for the disposal of it's main bi product. There is also the problem of said person inadvertently exposing himself gratuitously in a public bathroom, and such behavior is often not well received. 2, Stand to the side. This has it's problems too. Unwelcome liquids can and will be splashed onto those in the immediate vicinity, which is typically frowned upon. This also carries the problem of unwanted exposure, as a careless glance from an unsuspecting passer by can cause the owner of a weakened constitution to spew a half digested meal onto the floor, adding to the mess of bodily fluids already present. 3, Squat in the stall.. A gentleman would never do such a thing when wall mounted pottery is present and available. It simply is not an acceptable alternative. The solution; abide by the gentleman's unwritten code of behavior for visiting a public convenience, which will now be written down. Part 1. Never, never never never avail one's self of the convenience next to one currently in use. To do so is completely unacceptable, and any private club would be perfectly within their rights to expel a member caught engaged in such an activity. A gentleman must exhibit self control in all matters, and would rather ruin his trousers than break the cardinal rule. Part 2. Eyes forward. To do otherwise cannot be pardoned. Take time to enjoy the beautifully printed copies of renaissance artworks/news paper clippings/ graffiti questioning the sexual preferences of an acquaintance. Part 3. As in golf, learn over time to find the sweet spot on the convenience in question. Practice should enable perfect shooting for life, or until such time as a gentleman may require a dignified personal convenience disposal unit. Before perfection is achieved, it may become necessary for one to carry a small bottle of eau de cologne for the olfactory satisfaction of those whose immediate vicinity he must enter....
That should do it.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Puss, Rig and Steam..
Oh hey, didn't see you come in.
well, here I am with my ukulele.. I started playing it again after a brief hiatus, and I am glad that I did. I almost forgot how fun they are. I also heard something interesting on NPR.. It was about someone who had discovered how to read the musical notes that are above all the words in the Hebrew bible.. It was interesting, and I spent 20 minutes sitting in a parking space on main street listening to it.
I am looking forward to 2:00 tomorrow, because after that I will have no work until Thursday.. After work, I am going over to Nicola's Trattoria to apply for a job I saw advertised.. It is essentially the one I have now, with less to do and with better pay..
Today I washed dishes, prepped and portioned calamari, pasta and chicken wings, took stinky revenge on house keeping, covered for the cook, forgot to eat dinner and found something interesting in my nose..
It is probably time for sleep.. It would be a good idea. Perhaps I should bike to my breakfast shift tomorrow.
well, here I am with my ukulele.. I started playing it again after a brief hiatus, and I am glad that I did. I almost forgot how fun they are. I also heard something interesting on NPR.. It was about someone who had discovered how to read the musical notes that are above all the words in the Hebrew bible.. It was interesting, and I spent 20 minutes sitting in a parking space on main street listening to it.
I am looking forward to 2:00 tomorrow, because after that I will have no work until Thursday.. After work, I am going over to Nicola's Trattoria to apply for a job I saw advertised.. It is essentially the one I have now, with less to do and with better pay..
Today I washed dishes, prepped and portioned calamari, pasta and chicken wings, took stinky revenge on house keeping, covered for the cook, forgot to eat dinner and found something interesting in my nose..
It is probably time for sleep.. It would be a good idea. Perhaps I should bike to my breakfast shift tomorrow.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Horns, Radar and Spacing..
Hey there.
What I am confused about is something funny. Some of the newest and most heavily democratic voters in NH are former MA residents.. The greatest reason for people to move here is because of the NH advantage. Somewhat strangely, they will take their voting habits from their old home and bring them here. That sucks.. If you vote for someone who thinks you are not paying enough, then the odds somewhat favor them telling you to pay more. As that influential idiot Bill O'Reilly likes to say "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome" It may not be a definition of insanity, but it does define those who move to escape oppressive taxes, and then vote for those same oppressive taxes in their new home..
Well whatever.. True or not, it does explain why upon finding out that I am not from these parts, many people ask me to describe my political persuasions, perhaps almost hoping to have their suspicion confirmed that all out of staters are retarded.
I had some time on my hands today.. Not really, I just didn't put my shoes on so my dad would not be able to ask me to help him saw up the piano on the front porch. My point is that I found myself on the computer watching a lecture given by a gentleman called Evan Sayet, who spent one hour explaining why people who think that the films of Michael Moore are honest, hope for the world to be like the John Lennon song Imagine.. His reasoning was that because nothing man has ever created has been able to stop war and suffering, and because all of our institutions so far have failed to do this, they must be torn down and replaced with a socialist utopia, where everything we hold dear is devalued to the point where there is nothing to kill or die for, no religions, no families and of course no possessions. It was very interesting indeed, but I did not buy it, at least not in full because his position requires that there must be absolute truth that is not questioned.. However, if you cannot judge the truths you hold dear by the same standard you would judge Sicko, then you will be making the same mistake as those who believe that it is an honest look at our health care system. You should try to disprove your own theories, or you will never eat at Applebee's again.. Seriously, don't eat at Applebee's.. I know things.
Interestingly enough, inside that old piano we found some British coins from 1914... Some half crowns, haypennies and schillings and wonderfully imperialistic sounding stuff like that.
What I am confused about is something funny. Some of the newest and most heavily democratic voters in NH are former MA residents.. The greatest reason for people to move here is because of the NH advantage. Somewhat strangely, they will take their voting habits from their old home and bring them here. That sucks.. If you vote for someone who thinks you are not paying enough, then the odds somewhat favor them telling you to pay more. As that influential idiot Bill O'Reilly likes to say "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome" It may not be a definition of insanity, but it does define those who move to escape oppressive taxes, and then vote for those same oppressive taxes in their new home..
Well whatever.. True or not, it does explain why upon finding out that I am not from these parts, many people ask me to describe my political persuasions, perhaps almost hoping to have their suspicion confirmed that all out of staters are retarded.
I had some time on my hands today.. Not really, I just didn't put my shoes on so my dad would not be able to ask me to help him saw up the piano on the front porch. My point is that I found myself on the computer watching a lecture given by a gentleman called Evan Sayet, who spent one hour explaining why people who think that the films of Michael Moore are honest, hope for the world to be like the John Lennon song Imagine.. His reasoning was that because nothing man has ever created has been able to stop war and suffering, and because all of our institutions so far have failed to do this, they must be torn down and replaced with a socialist utopia, where everything we hold dear is devalued to the point where there is nothing to kill or die for, no religions, no families and of course no possessions. It was very interesting indeed, but I did not buy it, at least not in full because his position requires that there must be absolute truth that is not questioned.. However, if you cannot judge the truths you hold dear by the same standard you would judge Sicko, then you will be making the same mistake as those who believe that it is an honest look at our health care system. You should try to disprove your own theories, or you will never eat at Applebee's again.. Seriously, don't eat at Applebee's.. I know things.
Interestingly enough, inside that old piano we found some British coins from 1914... Some half crowns, haypennies and schillings and wonderfully imperialistic sounding stuff like that.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Fuse, Spikes and Heads
Hey. Nothing excellent to report.
Today I woke up at 1:00 pm because I am on restaurant time. I then went to the golf course with my brother and some people from work. We then hit golf balls for an hour or so. It was fun.
I do not think that a good way to spread your religion is to shout at people and say things like "THE END IS NEAR!!!", but I do think that if someone asks what you believe and why you believe it, you should be able to tell them, and tell them wicked good, or say nothing.. Somehow I was able to do the former, in of all places a busy kitchen to someone my age and of the opposite sex without getting laughed at. A year or so I could not have done this, and that is because I did not know what I believed or why I believed it. What I thought I believed, I would have been embarrassed to tell anyone, but it is strange how a year of learning stuff can change how you see your religion in relation to the world, and just how seriously you take the whole idea.
It is weird, but in all my previous forays into the food and beverage industry, I came away with the notion that I could do just as well without it. However, now I am not so sure. There is something about it that I like.. Food is somewhat of a hobby of mine, and I would be quite stuck without it. Even in a crappy job like washing dishes and cleaning floors and other surfaces, there is a philosophical edge.. To see dirty things made clean again is good for the soul. It gives hope to a world full of Russians and Georgians that everything, no matter how covered in cheese and BBQ sauce can be good again... That no matter how gross a floor may be, there is not only the hope that it will be shiny and sanitary again, but the certainty. Also, no matter how much value Putin may place on human life, or how much value a busy cook may place on a rusty baking tray; with a little elbow grease, both things can be as they should..
On a somewhat lighter note, aren't world politics tragically funny? I am speaking of Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, who according to legend got the job through the offer of free pies. In protest of China's treatment of Tibet, he boycotted the opening ceremony of the Olympics.. However, he made it quite clear that he would be attending the closing ceremony.. The only pleasure I get from the Olympics is the funny international drama, or should I say draMao.......... Oh dear.. Oh dear. I am really really sorry for that..There is no excuse, and if we were living somewhere less free, I really would deserve some sort of public electroshock treatment.
Today I woke up at 1:00 pm because I am on restaurant time. I then went to the golf course with my brother and some people from work. We then hit golf balls for an hour or so. It was fun.
I do not think that a good way to spread your religion is to shout at people and say things like "THE END IS NEAR!!!", but I do think that if someone asks what you believe and why you believe it, you should be able to tell them, and tell them wicked good, or say nothing.. Somehow I was able to do the former, in of all places a busy kitchen to someone my age and of the opposite sex without getting laughed at. A year or so I could not have done this, and that is because I did not know what I believed or why I believed it. What I thought I believed, I would have been embarrassed to tell anyone, but it is strange how a year of learning stuff can change how you see your religion in relation to the world, and just how seriously you take the whole idea.
It is weird, but in all my previous forays into the food and beverage industry, I came away with the notion that I could do just as well without it. However, now I am not so sure. There is something about it that I like.. Food is somewhat of a hobby of mine, and I would be quite stuck without it. Even in a crappy job like washing dishes and cleaning floors and other surfaces, there is a philosophical edge.. To see dirty things made clean again is good for the soul. It gives hope to a world full of Russians and Georgians that everything, no matter how covered in cheese and BBQ sauce can be good again... That no matter how gross a floor may be, there is not only the hope that it will be shiny and sanitary again, but the certainty. Also, no matter how much value Putin may place on human life, or how much value a busy cook may place on a rusty baking tray; with a little elbow grease, both things can be as they should..
On a somewhat lighter note, aren't world politics tragically funny? I am speaking of Gordon Brown, the British prime minister, who according to legend got the job through the offer of free pies. In protest of China's treatment of Tibet, he boycotted the opening ceremony of the Olympics.. However, he made it quite clear that he would be attending the closing ceremony.. The only pleasure I get from the Olympics is the funny international drama, or should I say draMao.......... Oh dear.. Oh dear. I am really really sorry for that..There is no excuse, and if we were living somewhere less free, I really would deserve some sort of public electroshock treatment.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Virtue, Ribs and Ozone........
Well, I just posted a long crappy thing about work... I am sure you do not want to read it, and I really did not want to write it, and this showed. I should be providing you with something more useful than descriptions of the various duties of a dishwasher, or how I smell nice at every hour of the day... Be prepared for something much better...... It will be so awesome I can't even tell you what it is.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Lemons, Mars and Tang...
Oh hey, I do apologize for not posting yesterday. You see, I fell asleep around 8:00, which was quite surprising.
Tomorrow I have some plans. I shall wake up at 7:00, sit on the edge of my mattress and rub my face for a few minutes.. I will then reset the alarm clock and go back to sleep until 9:00. I will then get up, shower and dress myself in clothes. Several minutes later, I will go outside and perform an oil change before collecting and depositing my paycheck. When this is completed, I will ride the bicycle over to Keene State to try my luck at the job fair. Later depending on the clemency of the weather, I will either mow the lawn or play music before showing up for work.
Well, a change in my hours has allowed me to practice with my elderly musician friends again, which is nice. We had a good practice today, and good practices are always a reason to play more music. I noticed that my mandolin skills have really deteriorated over the last few weeks, and so I will attempt to fix this imbalance in my small but assorted collection of things I do well.
Again, I am really looking forward to college. Last year it seemed that I was the only person who called out my professors on anything, or showed any interest in what was being taught. Hopefully this year, there will be more people who express their opinions.. Even if they are wrong.. That is something environmentalists do very well indeed. In my kitchen, opinions are often expressed about various issues such as taxes, people taking the flag in vain, the Indians we work with, gays, hippies, massholes, moonbats and whatever WKBK has to say. How are so many of my fellow students unable to express anything, apart from grunts, the word "like" and how much they can drink? I guess that with age comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes more things that annoy you, until you become wrinkly and like to shout at the ducks you are feeding about the economy..
Tomorrow I have some plans. I shall wake up at 7:00, sit on the edge of my mattress and rub my face for a few minutes.. I will then reset the alarm clock and go back to sleep until 9:00. I will then get up, shower and dress myself in clothes. Several minutes later, I will go outside and perform an oil change before collecting and depositing my paycheck. When this is completed, I will ride the bicycle over to Keene State to try my luck at the job fair. Later depending on the clemency of the weather, I will either mow the lawn or play music before showing up for work.
Well, a change in my hours has allowed me to practice with my elderly musician friends again, which is nice. We had a good practice today, and good practices are always a reason to play more music. I noticed that my mandolin skills have really deteriorated over the last few weeks, and so I will attempt to fix this imbalance in my small but assorted collection of things I do well.
Again, I am really looking forward to college. Last year it seemed that I was the only person who called out my professors on anything, or showed any interest in what was being taught. Hopefully this year, there will be more people who express their opinions.. Even if they are wrong.. That is something environmentalists do very well indeed. In my kitchen, opinions are often expressed about various issues such as taxes, people taking the flag in vain, the Indians we work with, gays, hippies, massholes, moonbats and whatever WKBK has to say. How are so many of my fellow students unable to express anything, apart from grunts, the word "like" and how much they can drink? I guess that with age comes responsibility, and with responsibility comes more things that annoy you, until you become wrinkly and like to shout at the ducks you are feeding about the economy..
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Desert, Dessert and Berlin..
So I nearly got mugged. No joke.. As I left work, I approached my vehicle and noticed that two short people were drinking out of paper bags and sitting on the curb. As I drew near, they jumped to their feet, and I heard the click of a switchblade. I first intended to jump into my car and speed away, but for some reason I gathered up all the testicular fortitude I could muster and ventured 
a "How are ya?" which was met by an Irish sounding "Fine mate, and yourself?".. Oh great. We have Pikeys at the Best Western.. Well, I bid good night to the Pikeys, and went home..
a "How are ya?" which was met by an Irish sounding "Fine mate, and yourself?".. Oh great. We have Pikeys at the Best Western.. Well, I bid good night to the Pikeys, and went home..It is often the case when working in an any environment that you will develop a dislike for some of the people in it. This is not the case in my kitchen, but there is an animosity between kitchen people and the house keepers. In the pecking order, they are below us. Many do not speak English, and the ones that do are not the sort of people you would feel comfortable letting into your home. My main complaint is that they are required to bring a cart of plates, cups and utensils back to the kitchen after their shift.. Plates cups and utensils which I am responsible for. They consistently fail to do this, and either I or one of the cooks is forced to do it for them. I therefor thought it would be a good idea to remind them of their duty, so I penned a short note for the purpose, with the illustration you see above. In fact, I penned several of them and stuck them all over their little room. Problem solved.
Well. here I am. In 6 hours I get to work the breakfast shift.. I am not looking forward to it. Although I am happy with my current employment, I am going to a job fair at Keene State on Thursday to see if I can do better than groundskeeper there. I think with a little charm and cunning, I could wrangle a cook position. Unfortunately as I possess neither quality, I may be stuck. However dish washing jobs are available and I will see if they pay better then what I currently make.
"Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life".. I once complained about this statement, but I would rather never work a day in my life than something I was told today by an aspiring philosopher I work with, who noted that "You should see work as a break from life, and life as a break from work." This way of thinking can be used to cover up the fact that you hate your job, or your life. I do not aspire to hate either. It is perhaps time that I took more of an example from my own family.. My father, like his father was born into being a factory worker, and for a while he was. However, as I am sitting in his huge house and typing on his expensive computer, it is clear that he no longer is. My mother was born to be a seamstress in Jersey City, but instead followed her dream and went to college to become a highschool teacher and even now continues to study education. With parents like mine, how can I do anything but love what I do, and do what I love? All I need to do is find exactly how to do what I love, learn to do it better, fail, start again and do it even better. Something I would love to do right now is sleep, so I will see you tomorrow.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Samarkand, Cocktails and Ice..
It seems that I use up a lot of these posts talking about work. This is perhaps because I do not do much else. I recently watched an episode of No Reservations, where Anthony Bourdain told me that the kitchen has always been a refuge for the socially awkward, and this is probably true. There was nothing to do tonight, apart from learn to be a line cook, so that is what I did. I learned that the cook I am usually on with actually prefers dish washing to cooking.. You see a restaurant cook is not a creative creature. Cooking for a living is not the creative process that TV would have you believe. In fact, it is more of a formula that must be followed to avoid being shouted at. A creative line cook is not a line cook that would last long. Well, there was so little to do that for a while I pulled up some milk crates and took a doze in my dish pit. I was awakened by the sound of orders being shouted into the kitchen, and of the cook being woken from a situation similar to my own. Until closing, I had to work hard.. When you are not prepared, hard work is harder to get used to, but I finally did and settled into the almost hypnotic trance that any sort of repetitive labor tends to induce.
I have found that I am able to take pride in my work as a dishwasher. Maybe it is a gift that I have how I am able to do this; that I can repeatedly give my best to a job where corners can easily be cut and no one would know, at least for a while. It really is satisfying to punch the clock at the end of the day knowing that you gave your very best, no matter how crappy the job is.
Isn't it funny how a vigorous morning bike ride sounds great now, yet come tomorrow will seem like a less favorable alternative to motor transportation?
Isn't bread cool? You can do so much with it, such as placing meat and cheese between two slices of it. Every culture in the world has a version of it, and in many it is given a reverent status. When I was very young and in Athens Greece, an old man told me I needed to finish my sandwich, because it represented Jesus. My elderly Italian relatives do the same thing, with my grandmother refusing to throw bread away, and wincing as if in pain when my father throws away the last mouldy hunk of a week old loaf. In my religion, certain bread is what our lives are built on. In Judaism, Islam and many other religions, bread is also viewed as sacred. In Germany, Britain, Ireland and NH, Liquid bread has an almost religious following. I don't like whole wheat bread. It doesn't appeal to me. I would rather not eat any bread at all then something that looks like it came out of a wood chipper. In my house, we are quite elitist when it comes to bread. Everyone will complain and groan at what is available locally. We are fond of bread that originates in New Jersey, and even prefer it stale over New Hampshire bread. I like Tortillas, preferably when wrapped around something fatty and spicy and deep fried. I also like wheat thins and cookies........ Snack time.
I have found that I am able to take pride in my work as a dishwasher. Maybe it is a gift that I have how I am able to do this; that I can repeatedly give my best to a job where corners can easily be cut and no one would know, at least for a while. It really is satisfying to punch the clock at the end of the day knowing that you gave your very best, no matter how crappy the job is.
Isn't it funny how a vigorous morning bike ride sounds great now, yet come tomorrow will seem like a less favorable alternative to motor transportation?
Isn't bread cool? You can do so much with it, such as placing meat and cheese between two slices of it. Every culture in the world has a version of it, and in many it is given a reverent status. When I was very young and in Athens Greece, an old man told me I needed to finish my sandwich, because it represented Jesus. My elderly Italian relatives do the same thing, with my grandmother refusing to throw bread away, and wincing as if in pain when my father throws away the last mouldy hunk of a week old loaf. In my religion, certain bread is what our lives are built on. In Judaism, Islam and many other religions, bread is also viewed as sacred. In Germany, Britain, Ireland and NH, Liquid bread has an almost religious following. I don't like whole wheat bread. It doesn't appeal to me. I would rather not eat any bread at all then something that looks like it came out of a wood chipper. In my house, we are quite elitist when it comes to bread. Everyone will complain and groan at what is available locally. We are fond of bread that originates in New Jersey, and even prefer it stale over New Hampshire bread. I like Tortillas, preferably when wrapped around something fatty and spicy and deep fried. I also like wheat thins and cookies........ Snack time.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Plecticles, Membership and Stretch..
My brother and I just got back from a kick around with some old MC2 students. I found out that I hate wet feet and mosquitoes, that I will be taking a management class with Nate Hardy and that your chances of kicking a ball accurately are greatly diminished by darkness.
Right now I am on restaurant time, which means that I finish work at 11, I get home by 1 and I am asleep by 3:30. Unfortunately this also means that I wake up around noon. I have found that if I do not maintain this schedule, I must complete my shift in a daze and run the risk of driving into a tree. I like trees, yet my interaction with them these days consists of nothing more than a casual glance or possibly a makeshift urinal. I do not wish to become part of one.
I have not touched my mandolin all week, preferring to dabble in the arts of the 12 string or ukulele. I have noticed that my style of mandolin playing does not lend it self well to solo performance at all. For me to play and enjoy it, there have to be other musicians about. I suppose it is a bit like drinking: Cool when there are others doing it, but pretty sad if you are on your own.
I may post music I record to this page in future. It could be fun. Well, it is time for me to press the post button again.
Right now I am on restaurant time, which means that I finish work at 11, I get home by 1 and I am asleep by 3:30. Unfortunately this also means that I wake up around noon. I have found that if I do not maintain this schedule, I must complete my shift in a daze and run the risk of driving into a tree. I like trees, yet my interaction with them these days consists of nothing more than a casual glance or possibly a makeshift urinal. I do not wish to become part of one.
I have not touched my mandolin all week, preferring to dabble in the arts of the 12 string or ukulele. I have noticed that my style of mandolin playing does not lend it self well to solo performance at all. For me to play and enjoy it, there have to be other musicians about. I suppose it is a bit like drinking: Cool when there are others doing it, but pretty sad if you are on your own.
I may post music I record to this page in future. It could be fun. Well, it is time for me to press the post button again.
Sevillia, Windows and Seatbelts........
Today my family and I rented a boat, and went sailing on Spofford lake. It was not so much sailing, as to sail you need wind. Instead it was rowing.. Me rowing. If it were not for the paddle that we found before boarding, we would still be there.
After a day of paddling my family around Spofford lake, I went to work. It was tiring, but besides damaging my gentleman's area on a glass rack and not getting any free steak, it was not bad. I did manage to use my excellent problem solving skills to create a mop out of some rags, a sponge and another mop. My workplace is doing badly. If it were a real restaurant, instead of a hotel restaurant, it would have closed down a while ago. If the owners used a little common and business sense, they could make so much more.
Goodnight to you all. May your dreams not include mopping.
After a day of paddling my family around Spofford lake, I went to work. It was tiring, but besides damaging my gentleman's area on a glass rack and not getting any free steak, it was not bad. I did manage to use my excellent problem solving skills to create a mop out of some rags, a sponge and another mop. My workplace is doing badly. If it were a real restaurant, instead of a hotel restaurant, it would have closed down a while ago. If the owners used a little common and business sense, they could make so much more.
Goodnight to you all. May your dreams not include mopping.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Politic, Scrubbie and Okapi
Hey.. Speaking of politics, yesterday I took the Nolan survey, and I found out that I am a conservative libertarian. I also met the congresswoman for Swanzey, Marlborough and some other towns that don't matter. Susan B. Johnson is a jolly funny lady, and not at all like the politicians I see on CSPAN. We joked about Brattleboro, and complained about John McCain.
Today at work was fun. I worked hard and had fun with my co workers. Unlike almost everywhere else, when there is a customer behaving badly, it is an advantage. We get at least an hour of entertainment from mocking the offending person, and plotting revenge.. Today we had a crowd of young Massachusetts residents in a room, who ordered room service. In my short experience, it is usually the worst type of people who order room service. They were not happy with anything, and the third time our poor waitress had to suffer their abuse, my help was requested. I practiced my best threatening stare, took off my shirt and shouldered the tray. Perhaps seeing a fat wild eyed Italian in a tank top set them straight, but apparently not, as they shouted down the hall after us for ketchup. However, we thought it would only be fair to report them for smoking in their room, which carries a $100 fine. I think the chef may have scared away the guy who repeatedly orders a 24 oz. rib eye 5 minutes before closing, by standing in the dining room and sharpening his knives.
That is what I did today.. What did you do?
Today at work was fun. I worked hard and had fun with my co workers. Unlike almost everywhere else, when there is a customer behaving badly, it is an advantage. We get at least an hour of entertainment from mocking the offending person, and plotting revenge.. Today we had a crowd of young Massachusetts residents in a room, who ordered room service. In my short experience, it is usually the worst type of people who order room service. They were not happy with anything, and the third time our poor waitress had to suffer their abuse, my help was requested. I practiced my best threatening stare, took off my shirt and shouldered the tray. Perhaps seeing a fat wild eyed Italian in a tank top set them straight, but apparently not, as they shouted down the hall after us for ketchup. However, we thought it would only be fair to report them for smoking in their room, which carries a $100 fine. I think the chef may have scared away the guy who repeatedly orders a 24 oz. rib eye 5 minutes before closing, by standing in the dining room and sharpening his knives.
That is what I did today.. What did you do?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Line, Tone and Long life...
Hey.. Here I am in my new belt. Today my family and I went on an excursion to the Cheshire Fair.. I ate ribs, which were good..
Tomorrow my parents and I are going to KSC to pay for my next semester. I am really looking forward to my next year of higher education. It should be cool. I am taking Management 101, Geography: The Cultural Mosaic and Brazilian Music. I still need to choose a major, but I still have time.. I will give myself until December to explore and try to decide as best I can what my early 20's will look like, and how best to work towards owning my own business.
Wow.. It is around 3:00, and I am watching Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares.. Wow, a lot of people do not seem able to clean their kitchens. I really should be payed more.
Tomorrow my parents and I are going to KSC to pay for my next semester. I am really looking forward to my next year of higher education. It should be cool. I am taking Management 101, Geography: The Cultural Mosaic and Brazilian Music. I still need to choose a major, but I still have time.. I will give myself until December to explore and try to decide as best I can what my early 20's will look like, and how best to work towards owning my own business.
Wow.. It is around 3:00, and I am watching Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares.. Wow, a lot of people do not seem able to clean their kitchens. I really should be payed more.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Steam, Eggs and Mopping..
Like I have said, I do my crappy job far too well.
When I got home last night, I could not sleep.. I stayed awake and read until 3. I then had 4 hours until I had to be at work again.. When I arrived, I found it waiting for me as it always is. It is one of those few things in life which can always be counted upon. After a few hours of work, intermixed with complaining about French people, one of the cooks came running into the kitchen and urgently told me to grab my sanitizing equipment and stash some mouldy trays outside, as the health inspector had just entered the building. I hurriedly cleaned out one of the fridges and disposed of some curdled milk, before being informed that it was not a health inspector, but a traveling silverware salesman. Surprise visits from the City of Keene are usually met with some nervousness. Apart from this and my usual duties, I stocked our dry storage facility, portioned steak tips and flattened boxes, as well as making sure that housekeeping was doing their job..
Well, I think it is time that I again perused the classifieds. Never hurts to look for something better.
Dude, I don't know what else to tell you.. I think it really is time for sleep. Did you know that the hot sauce at Armadillo's hurts just as much going in as it does coming out?
So I will stop writing about politics for a while... I do not like alienating my base. Besides, I get to talk about how right I am on my own time.
Let us see what the next few days throw into the mix.
When I got home last night, I could not sleep.. I stayed awake and read until 3. I then had 4 hours until I had to be at work again.. When I arrived, I found it waiting for me as it always is. It is one of those few things in life which can always be counted upon. After a few hours of work, intermixed with complaining about French people, one of the cooks came running into the kitchen and urgently told me to grab my sanitizing equipment and stash some mouldy trays outside, as the health inspector had just entered the building. I hurriedly cleaned out one of the fridges and disposed of some curdled milk, before being informed that it was not a health inspector, but a traveling silverware salesman. Surprise visits from the City of Keene are usually met with some nervousness. Apart from this and my usual duties, I stocked our dry storage facility, portioned steak tips and flattened boxes, as well as making sure that housekeeping was doing their job..
Well, I think it is time that I again perused the classifieds. Never hurts to look for something better.
Dude, I don't know what else to tell you.. I think it really is time for sleep. Did you know that the hot sauce at Armadillo's hurts just as much going in as it does coming out?
So I will stop writing about politics for a while... I do not like alienating my base. Besides, I get to talk about how right I am on my own time.
Let us see what the next few days throw into the mix.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Navaja, Snakes and Dust...
Wow, I really do my job far too well..
Well, it is time to renovate the room again.. It is full of bottles, receipts, rotting fruit and other assorted crap. It is weird, because I spend a lot of my days cleaning up other people's stuff and I seem to let myself go when it comes to my own. Perhaps I should employ myself as an incentive to do better..
Wow, I just tried to read the federal tax code, and I had my mind blown.. Perhaps the people who set them deserve a little extra for being so clever.
Well I have to be at work again in 7 hours.. I am not looking forward to it. Not only will I have to work my ass off in a hot kitchen, but the hotel is full of French people; the most annoying ones I have ever met outside France.. A lot of people like to say that we need to be multi lingual, and point to western Europe as an example of this. If the people I had to deal with today were an example of multi linguality, then perhaps the world should look to me for it's ideal of lingual brilliance. Speaking of Senator/Doctor/Community Organizer/ God/ Barack Obama; in the words of his teacher Karl Marx "History repeats itself; first as tragedy, then as farce." I am sorry if I just insulted your messiah.. It will probably be the last time, but to be honest he reminds me of my mother, and love her though I do, I think she would be the worst president ever..
Wow.. Read the first word of every paragraph, and see if you detect a pattern. Did you know blogger does not accept Obama as a word?
Well, it is time to renovate the room again.. It is full of bottles, receipts, rotting fruit and other assorted crap. It is weird, because I spend a lot of my days cleaning up other people's stuff and I seem to let myself go when it comes to my own. Perhaps I should employ myself as an incentive to do better..
Wow, I just tried to read the federal tax code, and I had my mind blown.. Perhaps the people who set them deserve a little extra for being so clever.
Well I have to be at work again in 7 hours.. I am not looking forward to it. Not only will I have to work my ass off in a hot kitchen, but the hotel is full of French people; the most annoying ones I have ever met outside France.. A lot of people like to say that we need to be multi lingual, and point to western Europe as an example of this. If the people I had to deal with today were an example of multi linguality, then perhaps the world should look to me for it's ideal of lingual brilliance. Speaking of Senator/Doctor/Community Organizer/ God/ Barack Obama; in the words of his teacher Karl Marx "History repeats itself; first as tragedy, then as farce." I am sorry if I just insulted your messiah.. It will probably be the last time, but to be honest he reminds me of my mother, and love her though I do, I think she would be the worst president ever..
Wow.. Read the first word of every paragraph, and see if you detect a pattern. Did you know blogger does not accept Obama as a word?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Shotguns, Cheap and Tasty..
So I must apologize for my over exaggeration of the nanny state in England with regards to firearms.. Sorry Heather.
Speaking of the nanny state, European officials may now invade any private British dwelling to check that refrigerators are up to new EU standards. It is things like these which make me love New Hampshire very much indeed.
I just got back from work.. It turns out that I picked up even more shifts.. Not only this, but I am now being trained as a cook. This is because there is a hiring freeze at my workplace, and versatility is required. This means that the cooks have to wash dishes.. Nobody gets paid more, everyone has a lot more work and nobody is happy with the situation.. Sounds like socialism.. But at least I get to put cooking experience on the old resume.
Is it weird that I dream about mopping floors? Probably. Well, I just watched Anthony Bourdain in Saudi Arabia. It was an interesting show, because I learned that unlike the Arabs I see on TV, A lot of real ones actually smile and joke. Cool ha? Looking at Arab and Muslim cultures is really interesting for me, because they make me think about beliefs and what they are.. Differences are so deep.. My beliefs are so different from those of the the majority population of the middle east.. Sometimes it is not only beliefs that are different, but the very definition of belief. I like pies and cakes of all sorts.
Speaking of the nanny state, European officials may now invade any private British dwelling to check that refrigerators are up to new EU standards. It is things like these which make me love New Hampshire very much indeed.
I just got back from work.. It turns out that I picked up even more shifts.. Not only this, but I am now being trained as a cook. This is because there is a hiring freeze at my workplace, and versatility is required. This means that the cooks have to wash dishes.. Nobody gets paid more, everyone has a lot more work and nobody is happy with the situation.. Sounds like socialism.. But at least I get to put cooking experience on the old resume.
Is it weird that I dream about mopping floors? Probably. Well, I just watched Anthony Bourdain in Saudi Arabia. It was an interesting show, because I learned that unlike the Arabs I see on TV, A lot of real ones actually smile and joke. Cool ha? Looking at Arab and Muslim cultures is really interesting for me, because they make me think about beliefs and what they are.. Differences are so deep.. My beliefs are so different from those of the the majority population of the middle east.. Sometimes it is not only beliefs that are different, but the very definition of belief. I like pies and cakes of all sorts.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
&&&, Golpe and Trees...
Hey there. I am sitting here naked, except for my clothes, and drinking Arizona Orangeade. I am also realizing that my work ethic is far too good for the job I hold. I just got back from it.. Another day; another 75 cents.. I made a slogan!!
I was watching CSPAN before. It was prime minister's question time, and it was funny.. I often like to complain about the controlling of our lifestyles by our government, but I was quite relieved as we still have a long way to go before it is anywhere near as bad as in England. In England, there is a complete ban on handguns, yet gun violence is a huge problem, probably because those who commit this violence do not choose to follow gun laws.. Although the number of guns per person in England is a lot lower than here, many people still like to kill each other. That is why parliament banned the carrying of any knife with a blade longer than 2 inches, yet it would seem that people who like to stab other people disobey not only the law against murder, but also the law against carrying a knife of any use for their task.. What I saw on CSPAN was ridiculous, and sad.. Since guns and knives are illegal, people seem to be in the habit of cutting each other with broken glass. Because of this, an MP suggested to the PM that glasses and glass bottles be made illegal in bars, and replaced with a non breakable material.. What is next? Chairs? Boots? Soon the citizens of Great Britain will be covered in 12 inches of bubble wrap before being allowed to leave their homes..
I was watching CSPAN before. It was prime minister's question time, and it was funny.. I often like to complain about the controlling of our lifestyles by our government, but I was quite relieved as we still have a long way to go before it is anywhere near as bad as in England. In England, there is a complete ban on handguns, yet gun violence is a huge problem, probably because those who commit this violence do not choose to follow gun laws.. Although the number of guns per person in England is a lot lower than here, many people still like to kill each other. That is why parliament banned the carrying of any knife with a blade longer than 2 inches, yet it would seem that people who like to stab other people disobey not only the law against murder, but also the law against carrying a knife of any use for their task.. What I saw on CSPAN was ridiculous, and sad.. Since guns and knives are illegal, people seem to be in the habit of cutting each other with broken glass. Because of this, an MP suggested to the PM that glasses and glass bottles be made illegal in bars, and replaced with a non breakable material.. What is next? Chairs? Boots? Soon the citizens of Great Britain will be covered in 12 inches of bubble wrap before being allowed to leave their homes..
Friday, July 25, 2008
Upload, Spray and ACHTUNG!!!!
Hey there.. I realized how weird it is to watch yourself on video. Besides waving my hands and biting my lips at awkward times, I also sway suggestively while playing an instrument. These problems are easily remedied by standing perfectly still, and using my mouth like a college professor uses their mind.
I just got home from work.. It took me much longer to clean up than usual, because I seemed unable to focus on what I was doing. Still, in my form of employment this is not a problem, but an advantage as the more time I spend on something, the more I get payed.. Seriously; I could bring a sleeping bag to work and camp out behind my dish machine. This form of wage labor does seem a little anti capitalist however, as it does not encourage one to do one's job better.. In fact it does exactly the opposite.
Today I awoke early, and went to the 8 am mass at my place of worship. I like to go at least once on a week day, so that I can be just another pair of butt cheeks in the pews as opposed to one of 16 musicians. After this, I made my way over to collect my paycheck. I was pleased to see that it was a big one.. I was however displeased with the amount that was missing. On my way to deposit my hard earned wages, I was approached by a young environmentalist outside Cheshire Music.. She asked if I had a moment for the environment.. I warned her that I was so conservative that I made Rush Limbaugh look like ..........Her, but I asked politely for her pitch. It was a petition to bring up cleaner car legislation for NH on the November ballot. I declined, as more regulation of our lifestyles is not something I approve of. She was very polite, and explained that her dad shared my views. Whatever your viewpoint on such issues, I still respect anyone who risks public abuse to get their opinion across, especially if they are polite, although politeness has not historically been the way to make things happen.
When I got home, I got a call from work telling me that I was needed that night at work, and that my only day off had been canceled.. I was not best pleased, but I do like money. Dude, I have a weird painful lump on my leg, where I was tackled by Dr. Hardy a few months ago.. It is not going away. What should I do?.. Perhaps I should call into "Good Morning with Dan Mitchell" when he has the doctor on to take calls from Keene residents about the various itches and rashes experienced by their friends..
So now I smell good again.. This is nice, as a few minutes ago it was not the case. The rest of my evening shall consist of watching myself play music, drinking ice tea, some inspirational reading and maybe some introspective strumming of my ukulele..
I just got home from work.. It took me much longer to clean up than usual, because I seemed unable to focus on what I was doing. Still, in my form of employment this is not a problem, but an advantage as the more time I spend on something, the more I get payed.. Seriously; I could bring a sleeping bag to work and camp out behind my dish machine. This form of wage labor does seem a little anti capitalist however, as it does not encourage one to do one's job better.. In fact it does exactly the opposite.
Today I awoke early, and went to the 8 am mass at my place of worship. I like to go at least once on a week day, so that I can be just another pair of butt cheeks in the pews as opposed to one of 16 musicians. After this, I made my way over to collect my paycheck. I was pleased to see that it was a big one.. I was however displeased with the amount that was missing. On my way to deposit my hard earned wages, I was approached by a young environmentalist outside Cheshire Music.. She asked if I had a moment for the environment.. I warned her that I was so conservative that I made Rush Limbaugh look like ..........Her, but I asked politely for her pitch. It was a petition to bring up cleaner car legislation for NH on the November ballot. I declined, as more regulation of our lifestyles is not something I approve of. She was very polite, and explained that her dad shared my views. Whatever your viewpoint on such issues, I still respect anyone who risks public abuse to get their opinion across, especially if they are polite, although politeness has not historically been the way to make things happen.
When I got home, I got a call from work telling me that I was needed that night at work, and that my only day off had been canceled.. I was not best pleased, but I do like money. Dude, I have a weird painful lump on my leg, where I was tackled by Dr. Hardy a few months ago.. It is not going away. What should I do?.. Perhaps I should call into "Good Morning with Dan Mitchell" when he has the doctor on to take calls from Keene residents about the various itches and rashes experienced by their friends..
So now I smell good again.. This is nice, as a few minutes ago it was not the case. The rest of my evening shall consist of watching myself play music, drinking ice tea, some inspirational reading and maybe some introspective strumming of my ukulele..
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Coating, DVD and Walking..
I just got to rehearse with my elderly musician friends, which was nice as it has been a while. I also got a DVD that shows a concert I played at.. I learned that I have awkward mannerisms, such as covering my mouth with the back of my hand..
So I sometimes play music. On Thursdays after work, I and some of my fellow kitchen people and other assorted hotel workers get together in one of the ballrooms and jam.. They are mostly awful, but it is a good time.
I just watched Walk Hard.... It was awesome.
I will have something good coming up... I spent an hour writing what you just read.. I need to get into the habit again..
So I sometimes play music. On Thursdays after work, I and some of my fellow kitchen people and other assorted hotel workers get together in one of the ballrooms and jam.. They are mostly awful, but it is a good time.
I just watched Walk Hard.... It was awesome.
I will have something good coming up... I spent an hour writing what you just read.. I need to get into the habit again..
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
VACATION, TRIUMPHANT AND RETURN!!!!
Hello. I have not posted on this site for a few days. You are still cool, and I have no intention of leaving you.
So why not jump right in?.. Gas prices are down a little, and they used to be higher. I am very displeased with our elected officials.. Almost all of them at this particular point; except for one. He is currently unpopular, and for some very good reasons. He is however not as stupid as anyone who would like to blame oil companies or speculators on the futures markets for obscene gas prices. He is our president, and I will give my reasons for why two weeks ago I found it hard to find a nice thing to say about him, and now I have a good one.
Do you know what an oil speculator is? They are the same sort of people who buy lottery tickets; the same sort of people who think it is a good idea to give money to casinos in the hope of getting a return on their investment. In essence, they are gamblers who play the odds. They buy oil stocks based on whether they think their investment will pay off or not.. If they sense a change in the future of oil trading, they will buy and sell accordingly; causing the price per barrel to rise or fall.. If for example, they hear that fewer people will drive to work in the coming months, they will bid the price down.. If they hear that a series of pipelines are shut down, they will bid the price way up.. They look for anything to tell them what will happen in relation to the future of oil.... Anything, just as a poker player will try to learn all that they can from the faces of their fellow gamblers. If for example an oil speculator were to be reading this blog, and saw nothing but "80,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 BARRELS WORTH OF OIL DISCOVERED IN TANZANIA!!!!!!! BP PLANNING TO DRILL!!!" The price per barrel would fall.. It is simple supply and demand, which I learned about when I was 15..
With the president lifting federal the ban on offshore drilling, the price has fallen.. No coincidence. None at all. Just the possibility of there being more oil available in the future has caused the price to fall. That is how the free market works... And when I see congress on CSPAN trying to regulate the free market, it makes me sad. A free market is anything.. Anything at all where goods and services can be bought and sold. If I wanted to sell you some crappy mandolin strings and you wanted to buy them, I could sell them to you. If I had the only tiny supply of these crappy strings, and they were very popular, my price would go way up... It is so simple, and so sad that people who make laws for a living can not learn what I learned in 5 minutes from Wikipedia, and a little common sense....
Well apart from complaining, I am doing quite well.. I am working nearly every day scrubbing plates, and I am quite enjoying it..Sort of.. I also got a second job.. It was the easiest job I ever got. I simply asked the head of grounds at KSC if I could have one, and he said that he would start me off the second week of August.. Cool ha?
So why not jump right in?.. Gas prices are down a little, and they used to be higher. I am very displeased with our elected officials.. Almost all of them at this particular point; except for one. He is currently unpopular, and for some very good reasons. He is however not as stupid as anyone who would like to blame oil companies or speculators on the futures markets for obscene gas prices. He is our president, and I will give my reasons for why two weeks ago I found it hard to find a nice thing to say about him, and now I have a good one.
Do you know what an oil speculator is? They are the same sort of people who buy lottery tickets; the same sort of people who think it is a good idea to give money to casinos in the hope of getting a return on their investment. In essence, they are gamblers who play the odds. They buy oil stocks based on whether they think their investment will pay off or not.. If they sense a change in the future of oil trading, they will buy and sell accordingly; causing the price per barrel to rise or fall.. If for example, they hear that fewer people will drive to work in the coming months, they will bid the price down.. If they hear that a series of pipelines are shut down, they will bid the price way up.. They look for anything to tell them what will happen in relation to the future of oil.... Anything, just as a poker player will try to learn all that they can from the faces of their fellow gamblers. If for example an oil speculator were to be reading this blog, and saw nothing but "80,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 BARRELS WORTH OF OIL DISCOVERED IN TANZANIA!!!!!!! BP PLANNING TO DRILL!!!" The price per barrel would fall.. It is simple supply and demand, which I learned about when I was 15..
With the president lifting federal the ban on offshore drilling, the price has fallen.. No coincidence. None at all. Just the possibility of there being more oil available in the future has caused the price to fall. That is how the free market works... And when I see congress on CSPAN trying to regulate the free market, it makes me sad. A free market is anything.. Anything at all where goods and services can be bought and sold. If I wanted to sell you some crappy mandolin strings and you wanted to buy them, I could sell them to you. If I had the only tiny supply of these crappy strings, and they were very popular, my price would go way up... It is so simple, and so sad that people who make laws for a living can not learn what I learned in 5 minutes from Wikipedia, and a little common sense....
Well apart from complaining, I am doing quite well.. I am working nearly every day scrubbing plates, and I am quite enjoying it..Sort of.. I also got a second job.. It was the easiest job I ever got. I simply asked the head of grounds at KSC if I could have one, and he said that he would start me off the second week of August.. Cool ha?
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Steak, Forbes and it came to pass..
That I am watching El Mariachi with a beer, an apple and a mandolin.. The only good thing about watching movies in other languages, is that I can play music during them and not miss a thing.
Perhaps I am more open minded then I give myself credit for.. I mean, I listen to NPR, I read books with titles like "God is not great", I watch foreign films, I listen to world music and I even attempt to understand people who say that you should never trust the government, yet change their middle names to Hussein in order to support a political candidate.
Tomorrow after work, I must drive to Hartford to pick up my parents and sister. I do not mind the drive, as it gives me a good amount of thinking time and it will be nice to have clean clothes and hot water again.
Cool.. Today I mowed the lawn while smoking a cigar.. It was the last of the two I bought, and I felt it would be a nice ethnic accoutrement to my religious jewelery, my tank top and my body hair.. I had to throw it away halfway through the front lawn, as I didn't think it would go so well with the gasoline I was pouring into the lawn mower.
After this, I went to have lunch Serena Olsen during her lunch break. It is nice to catch up with old friends. I then stopped by my place of worship for the sake of a familial tragedy, because as Christopher Hitchens points out “those who offer false consolation are false friends.”
Well, I have not really read anything of interest lately, and I do not want to take that slippery slope into fan fiction.. I am greatly looking forward to supplementing my reading of Christopher Hitchens with more of a Chestertonian perspective.
I guess perspective is important in all things. Since my journey into Catholicism, I have really noticed one thing, and that is how different the perspective of a cultural Catholic is, verses one who actually believes. For the former, religion is just one of those obligations that you have to put up with at Christmas and Easter, whereas for the latter, everything else revolves around the obligation, which ceases to be an obligation but becomes the very reason for one's existence. To explain this to a non believer such as yourself is complicated and awkward. They are two different perspectives, which cannot be reconciled and therefor sometimes lead to anger from both sides.. One bible verse, which is so often held up by atheists as proof the the so called "Family Values" movement is not biblically based, as well as that several parts of the same gospels are contradictory, is the one where Jesus says some crazy stuff about him being a cause for division.. It seems to me that these different perspectives illustrate that crazy stuff perfectly.
Perhaps I am more open minded then I give myself credit for.. I mean, I listen to NPR, I read books with titles like "God is not great", I watch foreign films, I listen to world music and I even attempt to understand people who say that you should never trust the government, yet change their middle names to Hussein in order to support a political candidate.
Tomorrow after work, I must drive to Hartford to pick up my parents and sister. I do not mind the drive, as it gives me a good amount of thinking time and it will be nice to have clean clothes and hot water again.
Cool.. Today I mowed the lawn while smoking a cigar.. It was the last of the two I bought, and I felt it would be a nice ethnic accoutrement to my religious jewelery, my tank top and my body hair.. I had to throw it away halfway through the front lawn, as I didn't think it would go so well with the gasoline I was pouring into the lawn mower.
After this, I went to have lunch Serena Olsen during her lunch break. It is nice to catch up with old friends. I then stopped by my place of worship for the sake of a familial tragedy, because as Christopher Hitchens points out “those who offer false consolation are false friends.”
Well, I have not really read anything of interest lately, and I do not want to take that slippery slope into fan fiction.. I am greatly looking forward to supplementing my reading of Christopher Hitchens with more of a Chestertonian perspective.
I guess perspective is important in all things. Since my journey into Catholicism, I have really noticed one thing, and that is how different the perspective of a cultural Catholic is, verses one who actually believes. For the former, religion is just one of those obligations that you have to put up with at Christmas and Easter, whereas for the latter, everything else revolves around the obligation, which ceases to be an obligation but becomes the very reason for one's existence. To explain this to a non believer such as yourself is complicated and awkward. They are two different perspectives, which cannot be reconciled and therefor sometimes lead to anger from both sides.. One bible verse, which is so often held up by atheists as proof the the so called "Family Values" movement is not biblically based, as well as that several parts of the same gospels are contradictory, is the one where Jesus says some crazy stuff about him being a cause for division.. It seems to me that these different perspectives illustrate that crazy stuff perfectly.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Dollar, Pitt and Bridge
OH NO!!!!
I got home from work very early, and so now I am left with nothing to do for the next few hours.. I will probably strum upon the ukulele, before continuing my studies of the Iliad.. I am not enjoying it at all..
Last night after reading several online reviews of it, I ordered Orthodoxy by Jee Kay the Chezt Chesterton. I think the review that won me over was entitled "A Slob's Guide to Religion." Did you know that there are religious slobs as well as atheistic slobs? Slobbery is something everyone can take part in, and is therefor the perfect common ground for any apologist to start from.
These posts are getting lame.. Every day is worse. I need to change something; to do something incredibly stupid.. Something perhaps involving a small canoe, explosives and Surry dam.. That plan sucks.. Perhaps I should start stealing from work, and horde prime rib in my room until it goes bad.. Well, I can't promise anything tomorrow, but Tuesday's post will make your day so much better than it already was.
AWESOME!!!!!!
I got home from work very early, and so now I am left with nothing to do for the next few hours.. I will probably strum upon the ukulele, before continuing my studies of the Iliad.. I am not enjoying it at all..
Last night after reading several online reviews of it, I ordered Orthodoxy by Jee Kay the Chezt Chesterton. I think the review that won me over was entitled "A Slob's Guide to Religion." Did you know that there are religious slobs as well as atheistic slobs? Slobbery is something everyone can take part in, and is therefor the perfect common ground for any apologist to start from.
These posts are getting lame.. Every day is worse. I need to change something; to do something incredibly stupid.. Something perhaps involving a small canoe, explosives and Surry dam.. That plan sucks.. Perhaps I should start stealing from work, and horde prime rib in my room until it goes bad.. Well, I can't promise anything tomorrow, but Tuesday's post will make your day so much better than it already was.
AWESOME!!!!!!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Elixir, Green and Vision
Today I slept until noon, because as I could. It is a very nice feeling to wake up at 7, and then go to sleep for another 5 hours.
When I finally woke up, I found that the mandolin strings I ordered last week had arrived. I put them on my instrument immediately, only to find that they were absolutely crap.. 2 of them snapped right away, and they buzzed terribly.. Oh well. I shall order some better ones as soon as this post is finished.
I just got back from work.. I picked up more hours, which is nice and also tiring.. One thing about my job which is nice is how easily it is to make new friends very quickly.. One thing which is not nice is how my feet hurt, and how I always seem to come home with lots of untraceable cuts and bruises.
Shaving is becoming increasingly difficult without hot water, so I must now go put the kettle on. please feel free to enjoy the rest of this post... Have fun.
Did you know that I enjoy watching Blackadder? It is funny.
When I finally woke up, I found that the mandolin strings I ordered last week had arrived. I put them on my instrument immediately, only to find that they were absolutely crap.. 2 of them snapped right away, and they buzzed terribly.. Oh well. I shall order some better ones as soon as this post is finished.
I just got back from work.. I picked up more hours, which is nice and also tiring.. One thing about my job which is nice is how easily it is to make new friends very quickly.. One thing which is not nice is how my feet hurt, and how I always seem to come home with lots of untraceable cuts and bruises.
Shaving is becoming increasingly difficult without hot water, so I must now go put the kettle on. please feel free to enjoy the rest of this post... Have fun.
Did you know that I enjoy watching Blackadder? It is funny.
Bland, Coated and Grass.....
I am so sorry for the unexpected glitch in our regular programming. The computer I was using became infected with particularly nasty virus.. It has to be a very sad person indeed, who does not create a virus for financial gain, but for amusement.
Although work was incredibly long and gross, I had a good wholesome time, which was nice because the rest of my day was less fantastic.. I found out from my grandmother that there was a death in the family. I will not discuss this however.. Some things are not meant to be shared via the Internet.
This morning, I woke up, took a cold shower and went to church. I then made my way over to Borders to buy a book.. I did my usual meander through the crowded store, and eventually left with the Iliad and another book that tells me how the religious beliefs I hold so dear are nothing more then the legacy of the thousands of years of oppression against our collective soul. I am not enjoying the Iliad.. Homer is not as funny as I remember him to be, and as for the other I guess certain books are made to tell a certain audience what they would like to hear, and are not really built to be read by the ones they criticize.
Tomorrow I am going to sleep into the afternoon.. Why? Because I can... Indeed. I should probably mow the lawn too..
Although work was incredibly long and gross, I had a good wholesome time, which was nice because the rest of my day was less fantastic.. I found out from my grandmother that there was a death in the family. I will not discuss this however.. Some things are not meant to be shared via the Internet.
This morning, I woke up, took a cold shower and went to church. I then made my way over to Borders to buy a book.. I did my usual meander through the crowded store, and eventually left with the Iliad and another book that tells me how the religious beliefs I hold so dear are nothing more then the legacy of the thousands of years of oppression against our collective soul. I am not enjoying the Iliad.. Homer is not as funny as I remember him to be, and as for the other I guess certain books are made to tell a certain audience what they would like to hear, and are not really built to be read by the ones they criticize.
Tomorrow I am going to sleep into the afternoon.. Why? Because I can... Indeed. I should probably mow the lawn too..
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Chaplin, Sombrero and Turnips
Hey there..
Today I ran out of clothes.. So the choice was simple; buy new ones, or wash the old ones. I chose the latter. For some reason I felt the urge to wash them in the backyard, and that is exactly what I did. I scrubbed out and sanitized a recycling bin, and filled it with detergent, fabric softener and my clothes.. It seemed to go well.
Later, I made some music by downloading some free software. Using a microphone, a mandolin and a guitar, I wrote and composed a little ditty. I strummed out a chord progression on my guitar and played the melody on mandolin, before laying in 4 harmony tracks in different octaves.. I think it sounds really decent, but I unfortunately damaged it irreparably by using some cheap effects that came with the software. It still sounds beautiful, albeit the kind of beauty that is not marred, but improved by imperfection.
Tomorrow, I am going to go over to KSC to meet with the head grounds keeper, in order to apply for a job with them this fall. I am doing this because I may not be able to be a dishwasher once school starts, as one of the reasons that I was hired to my current position was that I am currently able to work erratic shifts. However, once school starts this talent must be pushed aside to make room for my educational development.
Speaking of education, I have had some.. "What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul." Indeed.. What block of marble would be complete without a soul? I like this quote, not because I have an uncontrollable quote fetish, but because it also points (at least to me) to something that the purpose of education should never be.. The goal of the sculptor is not to change his raw material into something different; if it was, then he would not be a sculptor but an alchemist. In education, educators should not attempt to change who their students are, i.e. sculpting them into who they would like them to be, with only the knowledge and world view that it is thought they should have.. If our public educators did this, then they would not be educators, but indoctrinators.
Today I took part in a political phone survey.. I have always wanted to. I started the interview in my normal voice, which went on for about two minutes.. I then switched over to by best Irish, finishing with a not so believable Mexican. The interviewer seemed confused, and after each voice change asked if she was still speaking with me, to which I answered that I should hope so. As for the questions themselves, I messed with my poor interviewer even more. I told them that since 1989, I had voted straight republican, also telling them that I was in fact a lifelong democrat. When we got to the questions that start with "On a scale of 0 to 100" , I answered 99.5 to everything.. I had a very good time.. Simple things please simple minds.
Today I ran out of clothes.. So the choice was simple; buy new ones, or wash the old ones. I chose the latter. For some reason I felt the urge to wash them in the backyard, and that is exactly what I did. I scrubbed out and sanitized a recycling bin, and filled it with detergent, fabric softener and my clothes.. It seemed to go well.
Later, I made some music by downloading some free software. Using a microphone, a mandolin and a guitar, I wrote and composed a little ditty. I strummed out a chord progression on my guitar and played the melody on mandolin, before laying in 4 harmony tracks in different octaves.. I think it sounds really decent, but I unfortunately damaged it irreparably by using some cheap effects that came with the software. It still sounds beautiful, albeit the kind of beauty that is not marred, but improved by imperfection.
Tomorrow, I am going to go over to KSC to meet with the head grounds keeper, in order to apply for a job with them this fall. I am doing this because I may not be able to be a dishwasher once school starts, as one of the reasons that I was hired to my current position was that I am currently able to work erratic shifts. However, once school starts this talent must be pushed aside to make room for my educational development.
Speaking of education, I have had some.. "What sculpture is to a block of marble, education is to the soul." Indeed.. What block of marble would be complete without a soul? I like this quote, not because I have an uncontrollable quote fetish, but because it also points (at least to me) to something that the purpose of education should never be.. The goal of the sculptor is not to change his raw material into something different; if it was, then he would not be a sculptor but an alchemist. In education, educators should not attempt to change who their students are, i.e. sculpting them into who they would like them to be, with only the knowledge and world view that it is thought they should have.. If our public educators did this, then they would not be educators, but indoctrinators.
Today I took part in a political phone survey.. I have always wanted to. I started the interview in my normal voice, which went on for about two minutes.. I then switched over to by best Irish, finishing with a not so believable Mexican. The interviewer seemed confused, and after each voice change asked if she was still speaking with me, to which I answered that I should hope so. As for the questions themselves, I messed with my poor interviewer even more. I told them that since 1989, I had voted straight republican, also telling them that I was in fact a lifelong democrat. When we got to the questions that start with "On a scale of 0 to 100" , I answered 99.5 to everything.. I had a very good time.. Simple things please simple minds.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Irish Stew, Ginseng and Compact.
HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today I was thinking about the phrase "Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life." It can have many meanings depending on the frame of mind of the reader. Just think; if what you really love to do is stay in your bed, drink gravy and light your farts, and you really put your mind to these goals....You certainly will never work a day in your life.. Oh dear.
I have never considered myself to be self centered (save in the gastronomical sense...Coincidentally one of the seven senses I appeal to) but then again, I tend to think of the opinions of others as being less important or correct then my own.. Opinions are very personal, because they come from our experiences and people more intelligent than us, who we like to say we agree with. For instance, if someone came up and told me that store brand medicated powder was equal to Gold Bond, I would laugh self righteously and tell them that they were much mistaken, and that Craig Ferguson agrees with me..
Today I realized that I am a racist... Let me explain. Not the sort of cross burning sheet wearing racist, but more of a not-on-purpose racist. If I were to be walking down a street at night by myself, and I happened upon a group of African Americans; I would be more apprehensive then if I had met their Caucasian counterparts.. Why is this so? When I was growing up in NJ, our next door neighbors/ my friends were Hispanics.. When I caught my first fish, it was a black kid who lived a few doors down who helped me reel it in. Our area was positively multicultural/diverse/ all the things you would expect 30 miles from New York City.. When I lived in England, one of my best friends was Jewish and another was Peruvian... But on top of all that, my recent paternal family tree, which is as Irish as stew has more than one person of African heritage entwined in it's branches. It can never be good when someone lists their diversity credentials.. But they are part of the reason why this is a confusing subject for me.. I have no hatred for anyone based on race.. Or anything else. Just a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that something is not quite right. Of course, once I get to know someone of another race, this completely dissipates, yet there it is.. I am not going to mention my parents.. They might read this.. But I know my maternal grandfather openly hated everyone. Perhaps it is not just me.. I have been told through public education for years that such opinions are bad, but perhaps what is worse is pretending that they do not exist, until one day someone cuts you off and you go all Kramer on them. But where do these feelings come from? Is there some Freudian explanation?... I hope not.. I cannot really think of anyone who's opinion I truly value who espouses racist rhetoric.. I have never been beat up by a black kid, so that only leaves the genetic option I guess. Honesty is important.. That was pretty honest I thought, and though many of you may stop reading future posts, I would encourage you not to do so..
The end......
Today I was thinking about the phrase "Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life." It can have many meanings depending on the frame of mind of the reader. Just think; if what you really love to do is stay in your bed, drink gravy and light your farts, and you really put your mind to these goals....You certainly will never work a day in your life.. Oh dear.
I have never considered myself to be self centered (save in the gastronomical sense...Coincidentally one of the seven senses I appeal to) but then again, I tend to think of the opinions of others as being less important or correct then my own.. Opinions are very personal, because they come from our experiences and people more intelligent than us, who we like to say we agree with. For instance, if someone came up and told me that store brand medicated powder was equal to Gold Bond, I would laugh self righteously and tell them that they were much mistaken, and that Craig Ferguson agrees with me..
Today I realized that I am a racist... Let me explain. Not the sort of cross burning sheet wearing racist, but more of a not-on-purpose racist. If I were to be walking down a street at night by myself, and I happened upon a group of African Americans; I would be more apprehensive then if I had met their Caucasian counterparts.. Why is this so? When I was growing up in NJ, our next door neighbors/ my friends were Hispanics.. When I caught my first fish, it was a black kid who lived a few doors down who helped me reel it in. Our area was positively multicultural/diverse/ all the things you would expect 30 miles from New York City.. When I lived in England, one of my best friends was Jewish and another was Peruvian... But on top of all that, my recent paternal family tree, which is as Irish as stew has more than one person of African heritage entwined in it's branches. It can never be good when someone lists their diversity credentials.. But they are part of the reason why this is a confusing subject for me.. I have no hatred for anyone based on race.. Or anything else. Just a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that something is not quite right. Of course, once I get to know someone of another race, this completely dissipates, yet there it is.. I am not going to mention my parents.. They might read this.. But I know my maternal grandfather openly hated everyone. Perhaps it is not just me.. I have been told through public education for years that such opinions are bad, but perhaps what is worse is pretending that they do not exist, until one day someone cuts you off and you go all Kramer on them. But where do these feelings come from? Is there some Freudian explanation?... I hope not.. I cannot really think of anyone who's opinion I truly value who espouses racist rhetoric.. I have never been beat up by a black kid, so that only leaves the genetic option I guess. Honesty is important.. That was pretty honest I thought, and though many of you may stop reading future posts, I would encourage you not to do so..
The end......
Monday, July 7, 2008
Opera, Piezo, Fireworks..
Hey there. I hope that you are having a happy summer.
....Nothing is coming.... Nothing yet.. I really do not want to write about anything.. It is quite late. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and for the upset in the regular programming..
....Nothing is coming.... Nothing yet.. I really do not want to write about anything.. It is quite late. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and for the upset in the regular programming..
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Refill, Swimming and Cards...
Hey there. Today I did some work on my mandolin. I attempted to secure a strap button to the back of the body, but the two screws I put in snapped, as they had some objection to being forced into a lump of metal. After I had sanded them down, I attempted a third screw, and this time it was a success. I also took my new pickup off the instrument, and put it on my ukulele which now sounds awesome.
I just put 4 hours in down the old dish pit. It was awesome.. I didn't have to do anything. I am thinking about bringing an instrument to work on such days so I will have more to do then sit in an empty kitchen staring at the walls. I recently have been considering riding the cycling machine to work; it does seem like a great idea before, but when I am done there is nothing I would like less.
Why is it that so many westerners turn to eastern religion and philosophy? Is it because what they have at home seems so rigid and strict, with severe penalties for disobeying rules? I guess eastern religions, specifically Buddhism must seem far more tolerant and free, and even possess a certain mildly cool factor. However, I was recently watching a John Safran skit, where he questioned people on the street, giving them authoritarian sounding quotes and asking if they came from the Pope or the Dalai lama.. The correct answer was always the latter.. Such things that the Dalai lama has expressed a negative view on include Abortion, Homosexuality and non reproductive sex.. Especially during the day. It would seem that even in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, there is a concept of absolutism. It really makes you think doesn't it?.. However different religions can seem, there are usually common factors which bind them, such as a disapproval of assless chaps/ the song YMCA and grabbing at fetuses with BBQ tongs down the local Planned Parenthood..
I just put 4 hours in down the old dish pit. It was awesome.. I didn't have to do anything. I am thinking about bringing an instrument to work on such days so I will have more to do then sit in an empty kitchen staring at the walls. I recently have been considering riding the cycling machine to work; it does seem like a great idea before, but when I am done there is nothing I would like less.
Why is it that so many westerners turn to eastern religion and philosophy? Is it because what they have at home seems so rigid and strict, with severe penalties for disobeying rules? I guess eastern religions, specifically Buddhism must seem far more tolerant and free, and even possess a certain mildly cool factor. However, I was recently watching a John Safran skit, where he questioned people on the street, giving them authoritarian sounding quotes and asking if they came from the Pope or the Dalai lama.. The correct answer was always the latter.. Such things that the Dalai lama has expressed a negative view on include Abortion, Homosexuality and non reproductive sex.. Especially during the day. It would seem that even in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, there is a concept of absolutism. It really makes you think doesn't it?.. However different religions can seem, there are usually common factors which bind them, such as a disapproval of assless chaps/ the song YMCA and grabbing at fetuses with BBQ tongs down the local Planned Parenthood..
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Tea, Haiti and Weddings
Oh hey. Whats up?
I spent the first part of my day watching the movie Zeitgeist, which among other things attempts to convince those who watch it that all religions, specifically Christianity come from a primitive understanding of astrology.. I have been told by many people that I NEED to watch it. I was however completely unconvinced, even though I approached it's viewing with a mind open enough to swallow light... Along the theme of religion, I also watched part of the series "John Safran VS. God." I really enjoyed it, because it was funny. The protagonist of the series who is a small squeaky voiced Australian Jew, explores a good number of religious beliefs, including Voodoo, Hinduism, Buddhism, The Church of Peyote, Catholicism, Mormonism and he even tries to join the KKK... Apart from being funny and slightly offensive, he makes you think about different points of view in a comedic and experienced way.. He thoroughly engages in all the different belief systems he explores by doing things such as living like a Buddhist monk for a week; Being an alter server and going to confession in a Catholic church; taking peyote and living in the desert for a few days and looking for his own personal guru in India, not to mention pitching his idea about extreme cycling missionaries to different Mormon movie producers.
So I just got back from a 9 hour shift.. I was washing dishes for a Haitian wedding.. The Haitians had come a long long way, and there were a lot of them. Very aloof people.. They expect a certain level of service, and had a way of looking down on the hotel workers who were bringing them food and drinks. A number of the workers said this made them uncomfortable, but they seemed quite friendly to me. I was also pleased to see that they were not the live goat testicle eating voodoo type Haitians, which are the only ones I have heard about. This made me think that it is a shame that the only things we hear about little know cultures are the extremes which make them seem incompatible with our own.. Still, I guess the EMO trend would seem pretty outlandish to your average Haitian.
I really must get some sleep in now.. I am very tired indeed.. I am also pleased that the word "EMO" is not recognized by the Blogger spell checker.
I spent the first part of my day watching the movie Zeitgeist, which among other things attempts to convince those who watch it that all religions, specifically Christianity come from a primitive understanding of astrology.. I have been told by many people that I NEED to watch it. I was however completely unconvinced, even though I approached it's viewing with a mind open enough to swallow light... Along the theme of religion, I also watched part of the series "John Safran VS. God." I really enjoyed it, because it was funny. The protagonist of the series who is a small squeaky voiced Australian Jew, explores a good number of religious beliefs, including Voodoo, Hinduism, Buddhism, The Church of Peyote, Catholicism, Mormonism and he even tries to join the KKK... Apart from being funny and slightly offensive, he makes you think about different points of view in a comedic and experienced way.. He thoroughly engages in all the different belief systems he explores by doing things such as living like a Buddhist monk for a week; Being an alter server and going to confession in a Catholic church; taking peyote and living in the desert for a few days and looking for his own personal guru in India, not to mention pitching his idea about extreme cycling missionaries to different Mormon movie producers.
So I just got back from a 9 hour shift.. I was washing dishes for a Haitian wedding.. The Haitians had come a long long way, and there were a lot of them. Very aloof people.. They expect a certain level of service, and had a way of looking down on the hotel workers who were bringing them food and drinks. A number of the workers said this made them uncomfortable, but they seemed quite friendly to me. I was also pleased to see that they were not the live goat testicle eating voodoo type Haitians, which are the only ones I have heard about. This made me think that it is a shame that the only things we hear about little know cultures are the extremes which make them seem incompatible with our own.. Still, I guess the EMO trend would seem pretty outlandish to your average Haitian.
I really must get some sleep in now.. I am very tired indeed.. I am also pleased that the word "EMO" is not recognized by the Blogger spell checker.
Friday, July 4, 2008
No Fuba, Capo and Zip Ties..
Hey hey kidz!!!
Today was the 4th of July.. A very important day indeed. It is a day to think about our great country, and how it came to be created and those who created it. Unfortunately, there are those who see this day as a very bad one. I am speaking of Code Pink, who oppose every war ever fought, while relishing in the liberties that some of said wars have brought to them. One of their latest operations has been to attempt to convince the Cuban exile community of Miami to fight for the conviction of a CIA anti communist fighter, who hijacked a Cuban plane. When Code Pink showed up in their pink Che shirts, they were forced to reconsider their plans for a public demonstration due to the fact the angry mob chasing them seemed to disagree with their point of view. Apparently many in that community have slightly bitter memories of life in their country of origin.
Did you know that the ex drummer from the band Boston is a dishwasher at the Colorado steakhouse? It is true... According to him. If it is, then my workplace is as good a place as any to successfully master the art of getting screwed over.
Yes indeed. It is now time to sleep.. I am tired, and no doubt you are as well.
Today was the 4th of July.. A very important day indeed. It is a day to think about our great country, and how it came to be created and those who created it. Unfortunately, there are those who see this day as a very bad one. I am speaking of Code Pink, who oppose every war ever fought, while relishing in the liberties that some of said wars have brought to them. One of their latest operations has been to attempt to convince the Cuban exile community of Miami to fight for the conviction of a CIA anti communist fighter, who hijacked a Cuban plane. When Code Pink showed up in their pink Che shirts, they were forced to reconsider their plans for a public demonstration due to the fact the angry mob chasing them seemed to disagree with their point of view. Apparently many in that community have slightly bitter memories of life in their country of origin.
Did you know that the ex drummer from the band Boston is a dishwasher at the Colorado steakhouse? It is true... According to him. If it is, then my workplace is as good a place as any to successfully master the art of getting screwed over.
Yes indeed. It is now time to sleep.. I am tired, and no doubt you are as well.
Dissonance, Locks and Houses
Hey there. Today was a good day indeed. I saw a fight, I bought some music stuff and I got paid.
This morning after dropping the brother off at drivers ed, I went to my place of work to collect my paycheck. It was my biggest payment yet, which was nice. I then went into town to choose some mandolin accessories. I bought a small pickup, which I secured to my new mandolin, and a tiny Roland Cube amplifier. I was very pleased with both my purchases. I decided that It is probably a good idea to get anything I need in the way of musical gear as soon as possible, as I will have far less money when the school year starts. My new pickup sits unobtrusively near the bridge of my mandolin, and my new amp, although powered by either an ac adaptor or batteries is incredibly loud and does the best possible things to the sound of my instrument. It also has some effects, which I played with for hours this morning, including reverb, delay, a phaser and a flanger.. Awesome!!.
Today at work, something cool happened.. One of the customers in the bar area decided that it would be a really fine idea to proposition the bar tender repeatedly; making references to her physical appearance and what he would like to do with a number of her body parts. I think I have mentioned the fat jovial Italian owner of my workplace in a previous post.. However, upon being informed of what was taking place in his fine establishment, all trace of joviality slipped away.. He came running through the kitchen, which was not an easy feat for someone of his girth, and entered the bar.. All of us kitchen people promptly dropped what we were doing, and raced to observe the inevitable confrontation. Alerted by the sound of extremely heavy foot falls, the offending customer had also dropped what he was doing, and lept out of his seat. Our now out of breath boss, still running let out a stream of profanities, which went along the lines of "F**k you, you f*****g sleazy m****rf****r!! Get the f**k out of my f*****g bar!! There was no pause or change in his motion as he ran for the terrified customer, who was at this point running for his car, and possibly his life. Our boss stopped at the door, at this point almost completely out of breath.. He then made a whispered and wheezing apology, which could not be heard over the applause from the other patrons.
Something about conservatives is not clear to me. For instance, how can you say things like "Freedom from government is what this country was founded upon", "Government is not the solution to the problem; government is the problem", "Leave us alone!!" and "we want as little government as possible without anarchy", while defending such ideas as the PATRIOT act, no child left behind and energy bills that not only dictate the size of your toilet, but also how you light your home? I do not like this sort of confusion.. It is confusing, and wrong to sacrifice your core principles for convenience, or just getting along. Perhaps I am not the Ditto Head I claim to be, as I simply cannot use my vote to support things that I think are wrong.
C YA..
This morning after dropping the brother off at drivers ed, I went to my place of work to collect my paycheck. It was my biggest payment yet, which was nice. I then went into town to choose some mandolin accessories. I bought a small pickup, which I secured to my new mandolin, and a tiny Roland Cube amplifier. I was very pleased with both my purchases. I decided that It is probably a good idea to get anything I need in the way of musical gear as soon as possible, as I will have far less money when the school year starts. My new pickup sits unobtrusively near the bridge of my mandolin, and my new amp, although powered by either an ac adaptor or batteries is incredibly loud and does the best possible things to the sound of my instrument. It also has some effects, which I played with for hours this morning, including reverb, delay, a phaser and a flanger.. Awesome!!.
Today at work, something cool happened.. One of the customers in the bar area decided that it would be a really fine idea to proposition the bar tender repeatedly; making references to her physical appearance and what he would like to do with a number of her body parts. I think I have mentioned the fat jovial Italian owner of my workplace in a previous post.. However, upon being informed of what was taking place in his fine establishment, all trace of joviality slipped away.. He came running through the kitchen, which was not an easy feat for someone of his girth, and entered the bar.. All of us kitchen people promptly dropped what we were doing, and raced to observe the inevitable confrontation. Alerted by the sound of extremely heavy foot falls, the offending customer had also dropped what he was doing, and lept out of his seat. Our now out of breath boss, still running let out a stream of profanities, which went along the lines of "F**k you, you f*****g sleazy m****rf****r!! Get the f**k out of my f*****g bar!! There was no pause or change in his motion as he ran for the terrified customer, who was at this point running for his car, and possibly his life. Our boss stopped at the door, at this point almost completely out of breath.. He then made a whispered and wheezing apology, which could not be heard over the applause from the other patrons.
Something about conservatives is not clear to me. For instance, how can you say things like "Freedom from government is what this country was founded upon", "Government is not the solution to the problem; government is the problem", "Leave us alone!!" and "we want as little government as possible without anarchy", while defending such ideas as the PATRIOT act, no child left behind and energy bills that not only dictate the size of your toilet, but also how you light your home? I do not like this sort of confusion.. It is confusing, and wrong to sacrifice your core principles for convenience, or just getting along. Perhaps I am not the Ditto Head I claim to be, as I simply cannot use my vote to support things that I think are wrong.
C YA..
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Mandolin, Plectra and Habits.....
My mandolin came yesterday.. However I did not notice this, as the UPS guy put it in a corner of the garage I don't visit every day. I found the package this morning, and exercised a great deal of self restraint in it's opening; doing so when I had returned from my visit to town. I opened it carefully, and found my new machine inside.
I was very pleased with what I found. It was very different from my other mandolin; very different indeed. It was a Brazilian style, Mexican made Italian named work of art, but I feel that boring you with details will also bore me, so I will only say that I do not regret ordering it at all and I thoroughly enjoy playing it. The only downside to this new toy is that it is not as loud when I really hammer on it as the other one is, but that problem will be solved when I install a pickup next week. Cool ha? The only modification that I have made so far was to drill a strap button onto the side, which was a much needed accoutrement.
Well, 100 posts.. Thank you for reading them. It is really appreciated.. We have covered a lot over the last few months have we not? I complained about college professors, I complained about democracy, I complained about not being able to find work, and I complained about work. I talked at length about ukuleles, music in general and body hair. Really we did not get past any of those, and nor will we in the coming months. I also transcribed a brand of traditional conservative rhetoric that would make AUH20 blush..(I know Science....)
Did you know that Americans are the best people in the world? It was actually proven.. Americans donate a higher percentage of their earnings to charitable causes then the people of any other country(4 times more then the first runner up). Did you also know that the French are the worst people in the world? It has been proven. Your average Frenchman gives a lower percentage then a South African.. . Did you know that between election seasons, politicians don't give to charities? Did you also know that some politicians think they earn too much, and should be taxed more? It's true.. I guess this is where personal responsibility comes into play.. If you think that the people of this country need help, and government programs are the way to go, why not refuse tax deductions? Why not just pay more?.. You can, and it really is not hard, though I guess you would actually have to have the Ownership, Management, Self Direction and Character to do so.
I was very pleased with what I found. It was very different from my other mandolin; very different indeed. It was a Brazilian style, Mexican made Italian named work of art, but I feel that boring you with details will also bore me, so I will only say that I do not regret ordering it at all and I thoroughly enjoy playing it. The only downside to this new toy is that it is not as loud when I really hammer on it as the other one is, but that problem will be solved when I install a pickup next week. Cool ha? The only modification that I have made so far was to drill a strap button onto the side, which was a much needed accoutrement.
Well, 100 posts.. Thank you for reading them. It is really appreciated.. We have covered a lot over the last few months have we not? I complained about college professors, I complained about democracy, I complained about not being able to find work, and I complained about work. I talked at length about ukuleles, music in general and body hair. Really we did not get past any of those, and nor will we in the coming months. I also transcribed a brand of traditional conservative rhetoric that would make AUH20 blush..(I know Science....)
Did you know that Americans are the best people in the world? It was actually proven.. Americans donate a higher percentage of their earnings to charitable causes then the people of any other country(4 times more then the first runner up). Did you also know that the French are the worst people in the world? It has been proven. Your average Frenchman gives a lower percentage then a South African.. . Did you know that between election seasons, politicians don't give to charities? Did you also know that some politicians think they earn too much, and should be taxed more? It's true.. I guess this is where personal responsibility comes into play.. If you think that the people of this country need help, and government programs are the way to go, why not refuse tax deductions? Why not just pay more?.. You can, and it really is not hard, though I guess you would actually have to have the Ownership, Management, Self Direction and Character to do so.
Tiple, Taste and Tornado
Hey there. Post 99... Wow.
This morning I got up and went to work. I arrived early and started cleaning dishes. I also met the owner of the hotel. Actually I had met him on several previous occasions, but I had just assumed that he was the fat jovial Italian that is required in any self respecting kitchen.
Speaking of work, I had an interesting day. I was pulled away from my usual duties, when someone spilled bleach in an obscure corner of the kitchen and noticed a considerable number of flies making a speedy exit from the scene of the crime. It was then my job to spray Raid behind every fixture in the fine establishment, as well as sanitize the walls, the garbage cans and every door. It was not too exhausting however, and did interrupt the monotony of cleaning silverware. I was pleased to learn of something that is not my responsibility. It is the most disgusting job in any kitchen, which apparently causes many first time workers to vomit profusely. It is emptying the grease traps... I do not really know what a grease trap is, but I am very happy that I do not have to learn. Every year someone new is asked to volunteer for the task, and a sizable bonus is given to the unlucky hero.
Apart from grease traps, the only other creepy thing I can think of that I have noticed is the creepy flirting between 17yr old servers and cooks old enough to be their grandfathers. Well, actually there is one other thing. Today some very creepy insurance salesmen came to offer everyone in the kitchen a disability insurance policy. I rejected it outright, because I have learned from my father to listen very carefully to such people. The plan he offered me was cheap. $3 a week.. Unfortunately it expires after 30 days, and the total amount of coverage that can be given is one payment of $500 upon a full medical inspection. Indeed... I would have 30 days to find a way to disable myself while scrubbing plates..... But as the injury must occur at work, I would have more like 12 days.. So I would lose $12 to the insurance company...Lose my job and after a full physical that I must pay for in order to qualify, as well as the examination after the injury that I must also pay for.. I would have about $20 left over... He did make a really good pitch though, about how the money would help me to get on my feet after the accident, and would be a great help to my dependents.. I am pretty sure that he had the wrong guy.. Wow you can't make this stuff up. Unfortunately for the company, they failed to sell a single policy to anyone I work with. I get much better offers from Bank of America, who not only use threatening language to try to sell me life insurance, but also do not charge me any fees to keep my money with them.
This morning I got up and went to work. I arrived early and started cleaning dishes. I also met the owner of the hotel. Actually I had met him on several previous occasions, but I had just assumed that he was the fat jovial Italian that is required in any self respecting kitchen.
Speaking of work, I had an interesting day. I was pulled away from my usual duties, when someone spilled bleach in an obscure corner of the kitchen and noticed a considerable number of flies making a speedy exit from the scene of the crime. It was then my job to spray Raid behind every fixture in the fine establishment, as well as sanitize the walls, the garbage cans and every door. It was not too exhausting however, and did interrupt the monotony of cleaning silverware. I was pleased to learn of something that is not my responsibility. It is the most disgusting job in any kitchen, which apparently causes many first time workers to vomit profusely. It is emptying the grease traps... I do not really know what a grease trap is, but I am very happy that I do not have to learn. Every year someone new is asked to volunteer for the task, and a sizable bonus is given to the unlucky hero.
Apart from grease traps, the only other creepy thing I can think of that I have noticed is the creepy flirting between 17yr old servers and cooks old enough to be their grandfathers. Well, actually there is one other thing. Today some very creepy insurance salesmen came to offer everyone in the kitchen a disability insurance policy. I rejected it outright, because I have learned from my father to listen very carefully to such people. The plan he offered me was cheap. $3 a week.. Unfortunately it expires after 30 days, and the total amount of coverage that can be given is one payment of $500 upon a full medical inspection. Indeed... I would have 30 days to find a way to disable myself while scrubbing plates..... But as the injury must occur at work, I would have more like 12 days.. So I would lose $12 to the insurance company...Lose my job and after a full physical that I must pay for in order to qualify, as well as the examination after the injury that I must also pay for.. I would have about $20 left over... He did make a really good pitch though, about how the money would help me to get on my feet after the accident, and would be a great help to my dependents.. I am pretty sure that he had the wrong guy.. Wow you can't make this stuff up. Unfortunately for the company, they failed to sell a single policy to anyone I work with. I get much better offers from Bank of America, who not only use threatening language to try to sell me life insurance, but also do not charge me any fees to keep my money with them.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saints, Mangos and Cigars...........
Hey, how are you? Well I hope.
This morning I woke up very early and went to church. You see, as I had basically slept on my feet through my visit yesterday, I felt that I owed myself and the almighty another shot. Catholic churches have masses every day of the week, and so I was not alone in my visit. There were about 30 to 40 people present, which surprised me, as I wouldn't have thought that going to church was what people thought about first thing on a Monday morning.
Speaking of religion, I was watching TV recently as I sometimes do. I am not a huge Sean Hannity fan, but he had an interesting segment on his show about a cult that exists in Mexico. It is the cult of Santa Muerte, or Saint Death. Saint Death is depicted as a skeleton wearing a shawl and carrying a scythe (doesn't the word scythe look like a scythe?) Her followers are often practicing Catholics, and pray to her for help in departments that other Saints are not seen as being in favor of such as adultery, revenge, phallic enhancement and help with drug deals and other illegal ventures. Saint Death apparently has a very libertarian view on such things.. Many Saint Death followers have no religion, and see her as a favorable alternative to other belief systems on the market. I don't know.. But when there is nothing certain you can see in life, death is certain.. "Memento mori", or "remember you are going to die" was the Roman way of reminding Emperors that they were human, and that knowledge is really what separates us from the lesser species...ez. Thus, the most common prayer to Saint Death is one for a happy death. However, she does not give help for free, and will happily take offerings of apples, alcohol and cigars in exchange for favors.. I do not see myself joining this cult anytime soon.
Speaking of Cigars, my relationship with them is not a happy one. Today I had my first one in months, and it was quite a negative experience. I cut and lit it, but at my first puff I felt the unpleasant sensation of hot smoke rushing into by breathing tubes. This is not supposed to happen, as cigars are not inhaled but despite the first puff, I apprehensively took a second. It was a successful attempt, but not a pleasant one. My mouth was filled with the taste of stale coffee grounds and charcoal smoke. Despite the first two puffs, I took a third, only to discover that the wretched thing had gone out. Compared to this last and final puff, the first two were like ambrosia.. It was awful. This time, not only did the foul taste of semi burned tobacco come to reside in my mouth, but also a fair amount of hot ash... When I had thrown away the extinguished and completely unsatisfactory article, I washed my hands and gargled with Listerine for about 5 minutes. This happened around 4, and my hands still smell incredibly bad. My clothes will never be the same, and I applied so much cologne that I now smell like my family in New Jersey. Needless to say, I will probably not make a habit out of this habit. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, but other times a cigar is just awful.
Have a good week..............
This morning I woke up very early and went to church. You see, as I had basically slept on my feet through my visit yesterday, I felt that I owed myself and the almighty another shot. Catholic churches have masses every day of the week, and so I was not alone in my visit. There were about 30 to 40 people present, which surprised me, as I wouldn't have thought that going to church was what people thought about first thing on a Monday morning.
Speaking of religion, I was watching TV recently as I sometimes do. I am not a huge Sean Hannity fan, but he had an interesting segment on his show about a cult that exists in Mexico. It is the cult of Santa Muerte, or Saint Death. Saint Death is depicted as a skeleton wearing a shawl and carrying a scythe (doesn't the word scythe look like a scythe?) Her followers are often practicing Catholics, and pray to her for help in departments that other Saints are not seen as being in favor of such as adultery, revenge, phallic enhancement and help with drug deals and other illegal ventures. Saint Death apparently has a very libertarian view on such things.. Many Saint Death followers have no religion, and see her as a favorable alternative to other belief systems on the market. I don't know.. But when there is nothing certain you can see in life, death is certain.. "Memento mori", or "remember you are going to die" was the Roman way of reminding Emperors that they were human, and that knowledge is really what separates us from the lesser species...ez. Thus, the most common prayer to Saint Death is one for a happy death. However, she does not give help for free, and will happily take offerings of apples, alcohol and cigars in exchange for favors.. I do not see myself joining this cult anytime soon.
Speaking of Cigars, my relationship with them is not a happy one. Today I had my first one in months, and it was quite a negative experience. I cut and lit it, but at my first puff I felt the unpleasant sensation of hot smoke rushing into by breathing tubes. This is not supposed to happen, as cigars are not inhaled but despite the first puff, I apprehensively took a second. It was a successful attempt, but not a pleasant one. My mouth was filled with the taste of stale coffee grounds and charcoal smoke. Despite the first two puffs, I took a third, only to discover that the wretched thing had gone out. Compared to this last and final puff, the first two were like ambrosia.. It was awful. This time, not only did the foul taste of semi burned tobacco come to reside in my mouth, but also a fair amount of hot ash... When I had thrown away the extinguished and completely unsatisfactory article, I washed my hands and gargled with Listerine for about 5 minutes. This happened around 4, and my hands still smell incredibly bad. My clothes will never be the same, and I applied so much cologne that I now smell like my family in New Jersey. Needless to say, I will probably not make a habit out of this habit. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, but other times a cigar is just awful.
Have a good week..............
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tropics, Bills and Fruit...
Well, it was a very odd Sunday for me. You see I have over the years gotten used to some sort of meal with the family on most nights, and sitting by myself at the kitchen table scraping cheese from a pizza box is really not what I have come to expect.
It is 7:30, and it to me feels a good few hours later. The reason for this is because when my new alarm clock went off at 5:00, I was unable to immigrate back into the realms of the subconscious and so I spent a few hours watching infomercials and eating breakfast. Did you know that Billy Mays is annoying? He in fact reminds me of someone I saw on TV during a family vacation to the island of Malta. His name was Angelo Di Roberto, and he would wheeze asthmatically between blisteringly fast Maltese endorsements of hair dryers.
So hey, I find myself running out of things to talk about.. I could run through my day with a fine tooth comb (haha.... Who uses a tooth comb?) but that would not do either of us any good. I think by tomorrow the blogging juices should have experienced a renewal in the fingers, and hopefully they will have something of great import to tell you about..
It is 7:30, and it to me feels a good few hours later. The reason for this is because when my new alarm clock went off at 5:00, I was unable to immigrate back into the realms of the subconscious and so I spent a few hours watching infomercials and eating breakfast. Did you know that Billy Mays is annoying? He in fact reminds me of someone I saw on TV during a family vacation to the island of Malta. His name was Angelo Di Roberto, and he would wheeze asthmatically between blisteringly fast Maltese endorsements of hair dryers.
So hey, I find myself running out of things to talk about.. I could run through my day with a fine tooth comb (haha.... Who uses a tooth comb?) but that would not do either of us any good. I think by tomorrow the blogging juices should have experienced a renewal in the fingers, and hopefully they will have something of great import to tell you about..
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Nuns, Fresca and Peaches.
Why hello there. I would love to talk about something other then myself.. Unfortunately, as I am me, and the things that happen to me are also likely to happen to myself, this is often hard to avoid.
Today there was a wedding reception at the Best Western, and I cleaned up after it. It was very hard work, but luckily there were two of us dishwashers, and so it was not the all nighter it could have been. Also today, I dropped my parents and sister in Hartford in order to catch a plane. It was an easy drive, as there were few cars on the road... Unfortunately all the negative stereotypes I have heard about Asian women in cars were confirmed.
Did you know that I worked more hours in a part time job this week then any Frenchman is legally allowed to work full time? Infact 7 more. Wow.. They are a lazy bunch. Well, I have a pain in my gut that was no doubt caused by eating too much wedding food too fast, and can only be cured by either alkaseltzer and sleep or bran flakes and an hour on the toilet.. I am hoping it is the former. so I will let you get back to whatever it is that you should be doing. Talk to you soon...
Today there was a wedding reception at the Best Western, and I cleaned up after it. It was very hard work, but luckily there were two of us dishwashers, and so it was not the all nighter it could have been. Also today, I dropped my parents and sister in Hartford in order to catch a plane. It was an easy drive, as there were few cars on the road... Unfortunately all the negative stereotypes I have heard about Asian women in cars were confirmed.
Did you know that I worked more hours in a part time job this week then any Frenchman is legally allowed to work full time? Infact 7 more. Wow.. They are a lazy bunch. Well, I have a pain in my gut that was no doubt caused by eating too much wedding food too fast, and can only be cured by either alkaseltzer and sleep or bran flakes and an hour on the toilet.. I am hoping it is the former. so I will let you get back to whatever it is that you should be doing. Talk to you soon...
Workity, Rescue and Guido
Hey, I don't know if you know what a guido is, but I will tell you anyway. Along time ago, Italian immigrants began pouring into the cities of America's northeast. Their children did some cool stuff, and their grandchildren became guidos. The unique species known as the guido, is known for a hair style called the blowback, a wife beater, lots of gold, an extremely obnoxious car and an attitude to match. Well long story short, I now have a full blowback.. And it looks, for lack of a better word retarded...
So I just got home from work.. I stink.. Seriously.. This is one of the few times in my life so far that I have not smelled wonderful. The reason for this is a new cologne I am testing. It contains the fragrances and particles of mahi mahi, prime rib, scallops, garbage, sludgy mop water, fryilator grease and Buffalo sauce. I myself am not sure that this concoction will be the great commercial success it's manufacturers anticipate.. Still, that is the beauty of the free market. Anyway.. It was my longest shift ever, and me and my blowback are quite exhausted.
Sorry dudes, but as I have given myself the lofty goal of not mentioning a certain stringed instrument, I am afraid that is all for tonight. Buy a ukulele...
So I just got home from work.. I stink.. Seriously.. This is one of the few times in my life so far that I have not smelled wonderful. The reason for this is a new cologne I am testing. It contains the fragrances and particles of mahi mahi, prime rib, scallops, garbage, sludgy mop water, fryilator grease and Buffalo sauce. I myself am not sure that this concoction will be the great commercial success it's manufacturers anticipate.. Still, that is the beauty of the free market. Anyway.. It was my longest shift ever, and me and my blowback are quite exhausted.
Sorry dudes, but as I have given myself the lofty goal of not mentioning a certain stringed instrument, I am afraid that is all for tonight. Buy a ukulele...
Friday, June 27, 2008
Supremity, Endurance and the last mandolin
Hey.. So today I ordered the Paracho Elite Venice mandolin. It should be here in a week, and I am looking forward to playing it. I also promise that you will not see the word mandolin in a single post from now until that day comes.
I just got home from work.. I was there much later than usual, because a group came in just as the kitchen was closing, and decided that it would be a great idea to order scallops at 10:00. I did not happen to think this was such a great idea, and neither did the cook. We both gave them angry glares, and engaged in a brief sketch, where I tapped my wrist angrily and the cook threw up his arms and pointed at them. We in fact made them quite uncomfortable. Speaking of uncomfortable, as I was performing my duty of delivering dirty linen to housekeeping, I noticed two hotel guests approaching me. One of them had a grin on his face; no doubt caused by my thoroughly soaked groinal area ( In my job, a soaked groin means that you are a good worker.) I was in an uncharacteristically bad mood, caused no doubt by my scallop ordering buddies, and to me his facial muscles pointed to all that is wrong with the world. I met his grin with my best scowl.. I even turned my head as he passed, doing my best to look threatening. Even though his grin was gone, I was determined to make him even more uncomfortable for his unforgivable offence, and I got my chance as I was leaving work. He was standing at the front desk, so I snuck up behind him and slammed the key to housekeeping as firmly as I could on the desk next to him. I saw him jump, and so I slowly turned my head, again doing my best to look like I had just swallowed a shard of glass, to which he responded by averting his gaze. My terrorizing of the guests completed, I made my way out the door, cheerily shouting my goodnights to the employees at the front desk..
Today something made me happy. The supreme court came out with a ruling on the D.C gun ban, and thankfully the justices chose in favor of the individual vs. the collective right to bear arms. Justice Scalia wrote the decision.. Justice Scalia is a cool guy, because he explains things in a manner a kindergartner could understand. I personally never understood how the words of the second amendment could be interpreted as anything but and individual right, especially when read right after the first and before any others containing the words "the people." Something I find funny now that I have a little more perspective then I once did, is how the left and right in this country like accuse each other of picking and choosing from the constitution; the left focusing on the rights of enemy combatants, and the patriot act, and the right focusing mainly on the rights of gun owners and taxpayers, while both claiming to be on the side of the constitution.
I really do not like to talk about gun control, but it is now time.. I guess those who support and oppose gun control measures are divided into two groups; those who say that death is not the worst of all evils, and thus ones freedom is more important then ones life and those who say that life is the most precious of all gifts, and must be preserved at all costs.. I guess arguments against the first point are simple; people do not like being shot. It is not something one wakes up and wishes upon ones self.. Unless there is some sort of very big problem going on, but generally it is not something to aspire to. People also do not like the fact that several children are tragically killed in gun accidents each year.. Generally, arguments against the first point are mainly either emotional, or convenient. Arguments against the second point are more ideological. Live free or die.. The very right to defend your life, or the lives of those you love against any who threaten them, be it a home invader or a tyrannical government. I feel confident in my position on the 2nd amendment, and can happily and correctly quote it(the amendment), along with the first on demand. I could now write something about my views, but quite frankly it would sound like an NRA propaganda piece, so I will let Cesare Beccaria do it for me. The following quotation is taken from his 1764 book On Crimes and Punishment, and was used fondly by Thomas Jefferson "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
Well that is all.. for now.
I just got home from work.. I was there much later than usual, because a group came in just as the kitchen was closing, and decided that it would be a great idea to order scallops at 10:00. I did not happen to think this was such a great idea, and neither did the cook. We both gave them angry glares, and engaged in a brief sketch, where I tapped my wrist angrily and the cook threw up his arms and pointed at them. We in fact made them quite uncomfortable. Speaking of uncomfortable, as I was performing my duty of delivering dirty linen to housekeeping, I noticed two hotel guests approaching me. One of them had a grin on his face; no doubt caused by my thoroughly soaked groinal area ( In my job, a soaked groin means that you are a good worker.) I was in an uncharacteristically bad mood, caused no doubt by my scallop ordering buddies, and to me his facial muscles pointed to all that is wrong with the world. I met his grin with my best scowl.. I even turned my head as he passed, doing my best to look threatening. Even though his grin was gone, I was determined to make him even more uncomfortable for his unforgivable offence, and I got my chance as I was leaving work. He was standing at the front desk, so I snuck up behind him and slammed the key to housekeeping as firmly as I could on the desk next to him. I saw him jump, and so I slowly turned my head, again doing my best to look like I had just swallowed a shard of glass, to which he responded by averting his gaze. My terrorizing of the guests completed, I made my way out the door, cheerily shouting my goodnights to the employees at the front desk..
Today something made me happy. The supreme court came out with a ruling on the D.C gun ban, and thankfully the justices chose in favor of the individual vs. the collective right to bear arms. Justice Scalia wrote the decision.. Justice Scalia is a cool guy, because he explains things in a manner a kindergartner could understand. I personally never understood how the words of the second amendment could be interpreted as anything but and individual right, especially when read right after the first and before any others containing the words "the people." Something I find funny now that I have a little more perspective then I once did, is how the left and right in this country like accuse each other of picking and choosing from the constitution; the left focusing on the rights of enemy combatants, and the patriot act, and the right focusing mainly on the rights of gun owners and taxpayers, while both claiming to be on the side of the constitution.
I really do not like to talk about gun control, but it is now time.. I guess those who support and oppose gun control measures are divided into two groups; those who say that death is not the worst of all evils, and thus ones freedom is more important then ones life and those who say that life is the most precious of all gifts, and must be preserved at all costs.. I guess arguments against the first point are simple; people do not like being shot. It is not something one wakes up and wishes upon ones self.. Unless there is some sort of very big problem going on, but generally it is not something to aspire to. People also do not like the fact that several children are tragically killed in gun accidents each year.. Generally, arguments against the first point are mainly either emotional, or convenient. Arguments against the second point are more ideological. Live free or die.. The very right to defend your life, or the lives of those you love against any who threaten them, be it a home invader or a tyrannical government. I feel confident in my position on the 2nd amendment, and can happily and correctly quote it(the amendment), along with the first on demand. I could now write something about my views, but quite frankly it would sound like an NRA propaganda piece, so I will let Cesare Beccaria do it for me. The following quotation is taken from his 1764 book On Crimes and Punishment, and was used fondly by Thomas Jefferson "Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
Well that is all.. for now.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Orinoco, Pliers and Formulas..
Hello again. It has been too long, so I may as well dive right in.. Did you know that mandolins were at one time very highly thought of in Japan.. So much so that mandolinists were completely immune to the persecutions of Japan's military government. Apparently, due to the Japanese tendency to not enjoy complex rhythms, the mandolin music preferred in that country was the slow Italian variety. Another peculiar Japanese characteristic is that they are a naturally socialist people. By this I mean that instead of small bands, where each member may demonstrate his or her virtuosity, Japanese mandolinists organized themselves into huge orchestras, where they could all blend in harmoniously together. Musical socialism is a very good idea in many cases, as long as the orchestra is not too enormous, and the conductor not too despotic..
A month or so ago, I sustained a severe blow to my shin. It eventually turned into a puss filled welt, and now it feels really strange.. Perhaps a visit to the doctor is in order. However this is not possible, as they might find something wrong. Besides, I have not been to a doctor since I dropped a guitar on my toe when I was 13.
Have you ever noticed that some of us have strange faces; faces that if looked at from even a slightly different angle make us look like completely different people. I noticed this recently when I checked the view count on my Youtube video. We are a strange sort of people. It is like that Seinfeld episode.. I think the festivus one, where Jerry's girlfriend changes in different lighting. Perhaps I only think this about myself because I am not in the habit of holding two mirrors up, but I have noticed this in many other people.. Perhaps a bored brain just comes up with ways to amuse itself while the owner is out shopping.
So today I was waiting at Autex Mazda while my dads car was being inspected. During the wait, I started reading an awful magazine. In it was an article about some recent violence in Mexico.. It was not about the extreme acts of unfathomable brutality that the cartels are fond of, or even about food riots by angry farmers unable to buy corn because it is being used to make ethanol.. No.. It was about emo kids and how they are being persecuted by just about everyone else in Mexico City. Really? Now; unlike race, "Emo-ness" IS something you have control over.. If you do not like getting hit for wearing tight jeans and makeup, there would seem to be an easy path towards ending this violence. I don't know.. Perhaps my recent foray into the world of conservatism has given me a slightly negative attitude towards those who are... well, Non traditional.. Also, perhaps it is my lack of understanding of this "culture" that causes me to be critical. Of course I am not saying that people should not have the right to wear whatever they want and paint their faces.. I am just saying that when popular opinion is so obviously against you, and you do not seem to have any message other than misery and nihilism to deliver.. It is perhaps time to start considering other options. You have to think though.. Is this really important? Of all the problems facing Latin America, is this the one that should stand out? No. No it is not.. What is important is that Mexico is starving, and that whole families have absolutely no other option for survival then to break the law. Perhaps I got a bit lost back there, but as I remember, the author of the article in question concluded that the violence, and the American style sub cultures involved would shatter our bigoted stereotypes of Mexicans as sombrero wearing cactuses... Or something... I would rather keep my childish stereotypes then forget that even though Mexico might have modern innovations like the emo scene.. It is still in trouble, and needs help.
A month or so ago, I sustained a severe blow to my shin. It eventually turned into a puss filled welt, and now it feels really strange.. Perhaps a visit to the doctor is in order. However this is not possible, as they might find something wrong. Besides, I have not been to a doctor since I dropped a guitar on my toe when I was 13.
Have you ever noticed that some of us have strange faces; faces that if looked at from even a slightly different angle make us look like completely different people. I noticed this recently when I checked the view count on my Youtube video. We are a strange sort of people. It is like that Seinfeld episode.. I think the festivus one, where Jerry's girlfriend changes in different lighting. Perhaps I only think this about myself because I am not in the habit of holding two mirrors up, but I have noticed this in many other people.. Perhaps a bored brain just comes up with ways to amuse itself while the owner is out shopping.
So today I was waiting at Autex Mazda while my dads car was being inspected. During the wait, I started reading an awful magazine. In it was an article about some recent violence in Mexico.. It was not about the extreme acts of unfathomable brutality that the cartels are fond of, or even about food riots by angry farmers unable to buy corn because it is being used to make ethanol.. No.. It was about emo kids and how they are being persecuted by just about everyone else in Mexico City. Really? Now; unlike race, "Emo-ness" IS something you have control over.. If you do not like getting hit for wearing tight jeans and makeup, there would seem to be an easy path towards ending this violence. I don't know.. Perhaps my recent foray into the world of conservatism has given me a slightly negative attitude towards those who are... well, Non traditional.. Also, perhaps it is my lack of understanding of this "culture" that causes me to be critical. Of course I am not saying that people should not have the right to wear whatever they want and paint their faces.. I am just saying that when popular opinion is so obviously against you, and you do not seem to have any message other than misery and nihilism to deliver.. It is perhaps time to start considering other options. You have to think though.. Is this really important? Of all the problems facing Latin America, is this the one that should stand out? No. No it is not.. What is important is that Mexico is starving, and that whole families have absolutely no other option for survival then to break the law. Perhaps I got a bit lost back there, but as I remember, the author of the article in question concluded that the violence, and the American style sub cultures involved would shatter our bigoted stereotypes of Mexicans as sombrero wearing cactuses... Or something... I would rather keep my childish stereotypes then forget that even though Mexico might have modern innovations like the emo scene.. It is still in trouble, and needs help.
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