2005, what's it good for?

I'll have another post about politics in 2005, but for now this is just for me.

It’s New Year’s Eve once again, and I guess this is that post that everyone makes. Thinking about what happened this year, what they want for next year, bla bla bla.

Oh, it’s not like I’m not going to do that. Just wanted to warn you.

This year has been one of the more interesting years that I can thinking of. There were some extreme highs and lows. I’ve had some of the best times of my life, and some of the hardest. There was never a lack of something going on this year.

Even with so much going on, I think 2005 was a set up year. Call in the closer. Put on your seat belt. Big things are going to happen in 2006.

Since I’m too lazy to put this in paragraphs, I’m gonna make lists.

Most Memorable Events in 2005:

• Had one of my favorite trips ever going to Los Angles this summer.
• Met people from Iowa and Nebraska. Who knew cool people lived there? :)
• I saw 2 oceans and 1 gulf this year
• New Job –Got the hell out of Kansas and got back to ATL!! Dirty South baby, Hell ya!

Wow, I’m struggling here. I really thought there’d be a bit more than 3 things. There are a few that I’m not posting, but in general, I guess I didn’t do that many big things this year. However, the wheels are in motion, there will be big things in 2006.

Here’s a preview of the big plans that are already in motion:
Big Red X – Big Red evolves
Trips all across the US
Trips outside of the US – Finally.
New House
I will become ridiculously old in 2006 - Vegas in November!!

We’ll see how things work out.

Have a good time tonight everyone! Get Hammered!! Be Safe!!

Old School

Like every Christmas for the last 10 years or so, a few of my high school friends get together for our annual Christmas dinner somewhere fancy.

The degree of dinner fanciness has changed with the times as well. I think the first few years we went to the waffle house, then it was off to Outback or another steakhouse of that level, and these last few years, the dinners have been amazing at some very nice places.

It’s really interesting to see how far some of them have come in their professional and personal life. Maybe it’s just the group, but they all seem to be doing quite well. We hear about others that we knew in high school that isn't fairing quite as well, and it's good to see the ones that I care about and keep in contact are doing well.

For many of us, this is the only time we see each other every year. Although you’d never be able to tell that if you saw us together. I guess knowing each other since 9th grade or longer makes you pretty familiar with someone.

It's not that we don't want to know about all the details of each other's lives, but we don't think it's necessary. We always know the big and important things. It's something nice to look forward to during this time to be able to catch up with all the little details.

A lot of things may have changed with our lives, but they’re all still the same people on the inside. It’s like I always say, people don’t really change.

Sometimes, that’s not a bad thing.

What would you rather? * Updated

In case you were wondering, here're my answers.

Have a million dollars
OR
Be able to speak 5 languages fluently?

Definitly 5 languages. There're a milion ways to make a million dollars. There are over a million people that has more than million dollars in the world. I bet you can't find 10, 000 people in the world that can speak 5 languages fluently. Besides, the ability to understand and communicate with other people is by far more valuable than money.

Win a Nobel prize for an idea you stole
OR
Become wealthy from an invention that hurts people?

People hurt people. Inventions do not hurt people. As much as I hate guns, I wouldn't blame the person who invited the gun for all the bad things that has happened because of a gun. Although just for argument sakes, you do NOT need an automatic rifle to shoot a deer.

Find but then lose your true love
OR
Never find a true love?

It would be all so much easier to never find a true love. Never knowing how wonderful and the pure joy that only being with your true love can bring. Never knowing the unbearable pain of spending your life looking for something then to only get a small taste before it's taken away.

Yet, however small the time you get with a true love is far better than never having been in contact with her/him. The joy always outweight the pain. Eventually.

Have sex with someone with no arms
OR
No Legs?

No legs. They're just in the way really.

Feed your children by regurgittion
OR
Have to lick them to bathe them?

Unless the kid wants their food with a strong taste of Jack, I'd go with the licking them clean.
Answer in the comments section!

*Bonus Question

Have your parents walk in on you having sex
OR
Walk in on your parents having sex?

Can you believe there are only 4 more days in 2005?!

Presents

Presents are great. It’s always nice to get stuff. That’s not my bag though. I’m so much happier giving someone something than receiving. This, however, is where I become a bit high maintaince as far as getting me a gift.

See if it’s something I really needed or really wanted, I would’ve gotten it for myself. I point out stuff, but those are nice to haves, and I don’t really need them so sometimes I may look at it and say great, but never use it when someone gets me stuff. Sometimes I appreciate getting the gift, but isn’t as thrilled as I probably should be about it.

However, sometimes I do get quite excited about a present. This doesn’t happen enough, but once in a while, someone gets me something that I wasn’t expecting, and it’s the perfect gift.

I’m really not that hard to shop for. Just have to think a little bit.

So I present to you. Best Present I received this Christmas *

* I haven’t received all of my presents yet, so this may change. Although I doubt anything short of Dusku could beat this.

As you may or maynot know, I love zombies. Forget terrorists, forget global warming, forget this administration. The biggest danger to human kind is Zombies.

This book teaches you everything you need to know to protect yourself from the eventual (oh, it's gonna happen) take over of zombies in this world.

Thanks for the present!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and got lots of goodies!!

If I Only Knew Better

Christmas eve. We’re not a family big on traditions or holidays. We would do the basics like present exchange, but not much else. For a long time, I wished that we would have what most people consider as a ‘traditional’ holiday together. A big dinner, lots of family, decorations, tree, baking, cooking, you know, the works.

I was young and stupid. I know.

My parents used to own a small store, and like all other retail stores, Christmas time was a big deal for the store. It was always ridiciously busy the week before Christmas and so I’ve always worked at the store during this time. I generally never had time to hang out with friends during Christmas break. I would usually be there from 9am to about 10pm every night around the holidays. I dreaded that evil store.

Christmas eve was always an event. For some reason, besides the regular Christmas rush, our store attracted a lot of last minute shoppers (probably because we’re the only store still open so late) and so we stayed opened until everyone was finished with their shopping. There’re lots of funny stories about last minute Christmas eve shoppers, they're a special breed I tell ya, but that’s for another time.

Every year for probably around 8 years, my parents would close the store around 9pm on Christmas eve. We would go home for a nice big hot pot dinner. Afterwards, we would all watch a movie that the kids have all already seen so we can explain it to our parents. That was Christmas eve.

That may not seem like a lot, and at the time it surely didn’t seem like it to me (since I was young and didn’t know better). Being so busy around this season, there was also never decorations. My friends’ houses would always have all these elaborate decorations that I wished I had. I remember one year I had 2 dollars and I walked across the street to Wal-Mart. I bought and put up one stran of little lights outside my window. It looked so pathetic and Charlie Brownish, but I was so happy and proud of it.

Because the store kept us so busy during this time, we generally didn’t have presents to give either. Many times the parents would give us cash. I usually made something to give them. We didn’t have much back then, but most of the gifts that I made during that time are still around the house.

I remember hating it so much that Christmas eve was different than other people’s. Instead of relaxing, cooking, eating, and goofing off at home, we would always be working at the store. Always the store.

I didn’t know what I had then. What seemed like something terrible and so different (working Christmas eve with the parents), was the tradition that I was looking for. What seemed to be harsh back then, are my best and favorite memories of Christmas eve.

Things changed 6 years ago. Our family is and would never be the same again. The store isn’t around anymore. In these last 6 years, with everyone so spread out across the country, 3 of these last 6 years we didn’t have Christmas together.

One of the years we didn’t have Christmas together as a family, I thought I’d do what I’ve always wanted. I seriously decorated my place. Lights, flowers, tree, decorations everywhere. It’s like Chridiarrhead explosive dierhhea all over my place.

Yea, that wasn’t the way to go. I think all the blinking lights almost gave me a seizure. That was not the tradition that I had thought I wanted.

Even during the years when I didn’t spend Christmas eve with my family, I usually spent it with friends. It was always a good time, but it’s not the same.

This will be the first year I’ve ever spent Christmas eve by myself.

It’s funny. All that time when I was younger, I was looking for some fabricated holiday tradition drilled into my head by too much TV and movies. All that seem so silly now. All I want now is a tradition that I can never have again.

What I wouldn’t give to be working tonight with my parents at the store.


Have a wonderful Christmas Eve everyone.

No More Wings!!!

So the lesson learned from my messy hot wings lunch endeavor is don’t do it at work. But always do lunch!

A colleague has encouraged me to start going out for lunch, and I think I’m catching on. I started with the Taco Bell and McDonalds yum yum cuisine. Now I feel as if I’ve advanced from noob to intermediate. I’ve had pizza from Sbbarro’s Pizzeria, Mongolian Chicken from Uncle Chan’s, and you can imagine how I fair with Popeye’s Louisiana Style Chicken. If I actually eat at the place I can prolly jump up a few levels.

Anyway, I’m diversifying my taste. My favorite thing to do during lunch (when I can afford the time) is to check out the web sites of the restaurants. Usually I only check the site if I have their product in front of me.

Today I had a calypso from Larry’s Giant Subs. I read a napkin and discovered that as a penultimate to the veggie sub, the NY Special-Black Angus Roast Beef sub has the least calories (306.34 cal) of a list of 10 subs under 7 grams of fat! It contains the most sodium though.

I kept reading until I found www.larrysubs.com. And I had to check it out.

I always start with the "Find Locations", cuz it’s fun tracing my path. Then I go to the "Who We Are/History" section, and by the time I’m near the end of my meal I check out the "Menu" so that next time I’ll know what to get. I was preoccupied by Larry’s photo album. A must see.


"Most of our locations have a 20-foot, lifelike gorilla mounted in the dining room, which is impressive to the whole family." from Larry's

Where Has the Leadership Gone?

Patriot Act report targets meth

So they’re putting in legislation in the Patriot Act to fight Meth. That sounds great. Meth is probably the biggest drug problem we have in this country besides prescription drug abuse. And no, Esctasy is not destroying all your children like the media would like you to think.

So that’s a good thing right? Fighting Meth. Well, here’s the part that makes you wonder. This legislation is being put in the Patriot Act

Hmm.. the Patriot Act. The set of laws that was created after 9-11 to help protect us from terrorism. The last time I checked, Meth was mostly coming out of the midwest, not the middle east.

Maybe someone read that wrong in a memo. I think it's the same guy that wrote about the WMDs.

My point is not that we shouldn’t fight meth. Meth is horrible and it’s spreading. In our seriously disfunctional society, we have moms who feel they need to take Meth just to keep up with things. This is a whole other rant about parents and their crazy perceptions about what they think their kids need.

Personally, I think there needs to be more jokes about Meth heads. After all, all the jokes and humilation about crack heads helped me stay away from the pipe. I mean really, I have enough things people can make fun of me for, who needs the crack head jokes too?

Getting back to my point. I understand that people stick all kinds of legislation in bills that had nothing to do with the original purpose. For example, the RAVE Act (A personal attack on my way of life by the way) was attached to the Ambert Alert bill. Who’s going to vote no on the Amber Alert bill?

The point is that there is absolutly no leadership in the administration or Congress today. If the adminstration was so serious on the Patroit Act, it would not let it be dilluted with anything that wasn’t about securing the borders, having better communication among the intelligence community or something that would actually be helpful in protecting the country. No, instead, you somehow think fighting meth is a good strategy for fighting terrorism.

Brilliant.

The Republican leadership are all under indictment for their lack of moral judgement (ironic that morality is how most of them won their elections). Using insider information to sell stocks? Embazzlement? Lying? Well, that’s all fine as long as gay don’t marry I suppose.

The Democratic leadership is fighting amonst themselves and looking absolutly ridiculous to the public. In a perfect time to stand together as one party and take back serious credibility and seats in the government, the democratics are totally blowing it.

Oh well. Go out and spend and buy more stuff. That's what Jesus would want.

Happy Tuesday!!

Monday Funny

Check out JibJab's latest video!

I’m not dead.

I check on THIS once a month.
But what do you know?

For lunch today I had the hot wing combo number 2 for a mere $6.50 from a small joint called the Best Hot Wings on Eisenhower Parkway. Zaxby’s and dare I say MoJo’s had best bow down. A combo number 2 includes 10 hot hot hot (that’s extra hot) wings, fries and a medium drink. I also asked for blue cheese dressing and no carrots just celery. And they got it right on the first try!

Now that I’ve finished my mid day sustenance, I find that my fingers stick to the keys of my keyboard. What’s worse is now the keys are all different colors. Red is dominant of course, but there is also green, yellow and whitish blue. The mouse is a permanent attachment to my hand.

Let me explain. Along with my hot wing combo number 2 I received two napkins. That’s what, 1 napkin per 5 wings? Hey, that’s all right. I’m generally not a messy eater. But opps, they forgot to give me napkins for the hot sauce itself. The purpose of the fries is to sop up the remaining sauce after eating the wings. Duh!

So I’m out of napkins, but I have a pile of construction paper near by and that’s when things get a little messy. I told you about the keyboard. While I was washing my fingers, in the mirror I noticed specks of particle paper in my hair, goat-tee, fingernails, between my teeth, on my sweater, everywhere. I was a confetti of food crumbs, eraser shavings (I work through lunch) and multi-colored paper dust. You try using construction paper as napkins and see what results you get.

So to wrap things up, I am a messy eater and I need more than two napkins especially if I ordered chicken. I mean come on, if I ordered a bucket of fried chicken and got only two napkins, some heads will roll. And you know this. Yeah, I asked for more napkins and the clerk said, "What you get, dey in dere." But I need extra! I ordered extra hot wings; I need extra more napkins. Get on it!!!

That’s it.

Big Red Xolution

It's coming soon!

TUI

Sure they tell you about the dangers of drinking. Sure they tell you certain things not to do while you're drinking like drive, operate heavy machinery, pilot a plane, and perform open heart surgery.

All are good advices, but if this government really wants to keep us safe, they should give us a complete list of ALL the things not to do after one have been drinking. Let me just give the folks at... I don't know who the hell would be in charge of this most important of jobs, let's say for now the department of homeland security. They are the brilliant minds that gave us the use duct tape for any emergency campaign.

Ok, folks at homeland security, here's one to start you off with. Remember, if you don't tell us exactly what to do in all situations, the terrorists win.

TUI - Texting under the influence. You're at the bar, it's too noisy to call or talk to anyone on the phone, so naturally we turn to our text messaging capabilities. This all so useful feature is generally a useful and fun tool, but as I will describe, it can be an instrument of the devil.

Oh sure it's all fun and games while you’re there, but like a 3 dollar hooker, you're satisfied in your drunken moment, but you're left the next morning wondering what the fuck were you thinking when you text things like 'I'm Rick James... Bitch' to almost everyone you know, or steal your roomate’s cell phone to text 'Are you thinking about sex right now' to a girl he just met and thinking about dating.

Oh, it was funny then. Boy was it hilarious. I think a guy at the bar bought me a shot to get me to do it. (Umm.. I mean someone could have. These are all fictional examples) Now the next morning you're thinking wow, I'm such an asshole. Holy shit I'm an asshole. And you would be correct in thinking that.

Yes, the dangers are limitless. Another hidden danger comes from all the stored text messages in your phone. You know no one actually erases any of their text messages. Seriously, look. I bet you have hundred of text messages in your phone right now! Anyway, these old forgotten text messages will bit you in the ass. At the most awkward time, you will read them and think to yourself "fuck, this bar is not where I want to be".

So Congress, get off your ass and call an emergency hearing. The holidays are an especially dangerous time for TUI. Just as legislation has help to protect us from DUI, TUI must be next! Don’t let the terrorists win.

Just think what they’d do when the terrorists figure this out. Beheadings would be a thing of the past. Hostages would be taken, then their cell phones would be used to text things like “Allah rules!” and “Death to all Infidels!!” to everyone in your address book. Is this what you want your mom or grandmother to be getting at 3am?! The horror!!

W, this is a call out to you and administration. I know you’re behind me 100% on this. I’m sure you’ve spent a good many nights at the bar and texting all kinds of things you’d later regret. I’m sure things like the tax cut for rich people was a funny drunken text message that accidentally became a reality.

Also, Jesus would want you to get rid of TUI.

Rummy, I know you feel me too. I think it was an accident, but I got the text that you used to begin the Iraq war. I think it went something like this

“Let’s go kill’em! Go time! I’m Rick James…… Bitch.”

TUI strikes once again. Then thousands of 500 pound bombs struck Iraq.

People, it’s not all up to the government. I expect you to do your part as well. We need a grass root campaign to help fight this problem that’s ruining our society. Here’s a nice little slogan. Repeat after me.

Leave your phones at home!
Leave your phones at home!
Leave your phones at home!

Kinda catchy isn’t it? Now imagine doing the conga to it

Leave your phones at home! (Hips to the right)
Leave your phones at home! (Hips to the left)
Leave your phones at home! (Hips to the right)

Scream it loud, scream it proud!

Don’t worry America, in the few areas where the government or church isn’t telling you exactly what to do. The Pup is here to fill in that hole. Americans shouldn’t have to think. Cause we live in the greatest nation in the world. A place where even the thinking is done for you to give us more time to consume.

Be safe this holiday season, and remember... Homeland security and Pup is watching over you. Certainly not just when you're in the shower.

Somewhere

It’s hard to not know. Harder to know that it would be so easy to find out. One press of the finger. It would be there. Like a drug addict, the click would give me the release I want and make me feel so much better. So much better to know because if I knew perhaps I could pretend that things were different.

I will not find out though. No matter the craving. I will not because I made a promise.

Maybe someday, somewhere.

Make of our hands, one hand
Make of our hearts, one heart
Make of our vows, one last vow
Only death will part us now
Make of our lives, one life
Day after day, one life
Now it begins, now we start
One hand, one heart
Even death won't part us now

There's a place for us
somewhere a place for us
Peace and quiet and open air
wait for us somewhere

There's a time for us
some day a time for us
Time together with time to spare
time to learn, time to care
some day, somewhere

We'll find a new way of living
We'll find a way of forgiving
somewhere

There's a place for us
a time and place for us

Hold my hand and we're halfway there
Hold my hand and I'll take you there
somehow, some day
somewhere

There's a place for us
a time and a place for us
Peace and quiet and open air
Hold my hand and I'll take you there
somehow, some day
somewhere

-PSB

Back to our regularly scheduled happy programming.

What the Fuck is wrong with you people?

According to sources close to the Pentagon and Congress, the military will probably be asking for another $100 Billion dollars next year for the Iraq thing. I say thing because I have no idea what it has become. Certainly it’s not a war. A colonization? A police operation? A zombie invasion? What the fuck is it anymore?

Whatever it is, one thing’s for sure. It’s costing a shit load of money. To date, I believe they’ve spent about $277 Billion dollars. I don’t care who you are, even the biggest country in the world, that’s a lot of money.

We are still quite a long ways away from being done with this thing. Next year’s $100 Billion is not unique, this is going to be a regular pattern of the things to come.

We have the largest deficit in the history of this country. We owe trillions of dollars to people like China (fantastic human rights records), and Saudi Arbia (fantastic human rights). Of course, we're still giving the super rich a break cause they sure could use it.

Meanwhile, there are more people living under in the poverty line than ever. Our personal debts are at an all time high (can't blame them, they're just learning from their governement).

I know wars are expensive, but somewhere in there, someone HAS to be fucking up big time or getting cheated out of their money. How do you go through $277 Billion dollars in a year and a half?!!! Most governments can run countries for decades for that type of money.

Hell, we could really use that money here in this country. Our education is so horribly funded that we’re falling behind other countries. As the CEO of Intel said recently, many companies are having to move their operations elsewhere not because of cost, but because the number of highly educated people are becoming more scarce in this country.

In case you want to argue that there are more people going to higher education than ever, look at the type of schools that includes (many more on-line ones). Students are coming out of colleges with over $100K in debts. Great way to start a young person’s life. How can any of them even think about going to grad school?

Look at the trends in this country. People are getting less educated. People are becoming more religious and conservative. The military is taking the majority of the country’s funds. The class separation between the wealth and the not continues to expand.

That’s fucking wonderful. We’re becoming the state the terrorists have always dreamed about.

You say we’re safer? Is being safer worth the cost of becoming a a bunch of fucking in-debt uneducated religiously fanatic militants?

I’ll let you decide that for yourself.

Simplicity

Is it really true what they say about ‘the best things in life are those that you have to work the hardest for?’ Would we really not appreciate something simply because it was simple to achieve?

With the right planning, don’t most things work out pretty simply? Why should things be difficult if there was enough planning involved in the first place? I can’t foresee all the scenarios you say? That maybe true, but I think careful planning would eliminate 90% of the foreseeable complications. Yes, there’s still 10% to deal with, but that’s not that bad.

So why make things hard? You say many didn’t have a choice in choosing the easy life. You’re probably correct. You would probably be correct to think that some just doesn’t know how, doesn’t know what 'easy' looks like.

Look at the majority of the lottery winners. Statistics shows that most of them go through almost all of their money within 5 years. This includes those that won the big hundreds of million pots.

Did those people just not know how or want to live easily? Did they not accept their role in an easy life and instead subconscientiously sabotaged themselves back to the hard life that they are familiar and most comfortable with?

This goes the same for other things and for things other than money. Choices, they’re a bitch.

It’s no wonder so many people turn to religion. Making choices and living with the choices you’ve made is difficult. Having someone telling exactly what to do in every situation is a lot easier. So in this cases I suppose people did choose the easy life.

I’ve always said that when I die, I would love to spend eternity looking at ‘what-if’ scenarios. What if I did this vs. that, or what if I did or didn’t do something. What, if anything, would be different. I think that would entertain me for a really long time.

Is this why religious people keep talking about the after life? Easy vs. hard life? If I subscribe to what I just said, planning would allow you to achieve the easy afterlife. If there is one. But also to an earlier point, would you appreciate something that was easily gotten?

I’ve always been a bit of a megalomaniac for as long as I can remember (among other issues). Through the years, the reasons have drastically changed. An all powerful being as most imagine would be omnipotent and omniscience (no, not the same thing). I think in the beginning I was drawn to the power. I mean, who wouldn’t want that.

However, as I get older, that just doesn’t seem as important or appealing any more.

The more I think about it, the more it becomes clear. I no longer want omnipotence. I care very little any more about those things. What I truly desire is omniscience, and more importantly with that, answers to my questions.

To know. To understand. To be able to answer my ‘what-ifs’.

Perhaps I’m being a little dramatic with saying omnipotent and omniscience, but you get the idea.

So many questions. So many possible answers. Only one way to find out and play out the ‘what-ifs’.

Why can’t things just be simple and easy?

Oh yea, I wouldn’t appreciate it as much.

Work

Work. Work Hard. Work is the only thing that will see you through.

Not that I have a choice as my job has grown into a daily 12 hour monster that just seems to just get more complicated and time consuming.

Last week I left my house on Tuesday afternoon around 4pm. I got back Sunday around 2pm. I don't mind the traveling, actually I quite like it. The only problem is that all the work that needed to be done from Tuesday till Friday will need to be made up. Probably all by the end of the day today.

Oh, today's gonna be a great day.

I'm glad at least it's raining. I'm glad to see nothing but grey and darkness out my window.

Work. Work Hard. Work is the only thing that will see you through.

I'll put on my mask. My mask of professionalism and taking good care of my clients. My mask will make me concentrate only on all the work I have ahead of me. That's the mask I will see in the mirror. Maybe if I have it long enough, I'll forget what's underneath.

"Fallen" - Sarah Mclachlan

Heaven bend to take my hand
And lead me through the fire
Be the long awaited answer
To a long and painful fight

Truth be told I've tried my best
But somewhere along the way
I got caught up in all there was to offer
And the cost was so much more than I could bear

Though I've tried, I've fallen...
I have sunk so low
I messed up
Better I should know
So don't come round here
And tell me I told you so...

We all begin with good intent
Love was raw and young
We believed that we could change ourselves
The past could be undone
But we carry on our backs the burden
Time always reveals

In the lonely light of morning
In the wound that would not heal
It's the bitter taste of losing everything
That I've held so dear.

Only the foolish and the ignorant don’t believe in a Plan B

From the Village Voice

By now, it has become all too apparent that George W. Bush's Food and Drug Administration likes to play politics with women's reproductive health. It wasn't exactly surprising when a report recently revealed the agency's "unusual" maneuvering over the morning-after pill, or Plan B—a booster dose of the ordinary birth control pill that has been approved for over-the-counter sales by an FDA advisory panel and the staff itself, but has remained in limbo since April 2003.

On November 14, the Government Accountability Office— the investigative arm of Congress—issued findings from a 16-month investigation into why, in May 2004, the FDA first refused to make Plan B available without a prescription. Barr Laboratories, which manufactures the drug, has revised its original application and is now requesting approval for over-the-counter sales for women older than 16.

As I’ve said many times before, these people in power today are NOT Republicans. Republicans are hands off and small government. The current administration has created the largest and most expensive government ever seen in this country.

No, this country is not run by Republicans, this country is being run by religious fundamentalist who care little about ‘All men are created equal’, and more about ‘Thou shall do as we say and don't ask questions’.

This move by the FDA to delay (and hopefully kill) the morning after pill is a perfect example of this. In an agency that is supposed to be more concerned with science and the health of the population, government officials stepped in and rejected the approval of this drug for purely political and theocratic reasons.

Funny how we fight against this type of government controlled restrictions in every part of the world, but for some reason people tolerates it here in the US.

For all you guys out there opposed to this, let me ask you some questions. Why exactly are you so afraid of this pill? Do you think your GF/Wives will just go out randomly having sex with people? Do you think you won’t be able to keep your woman barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen anymore? Do you think this will somehow effect your manhood if women are able to choose who and when they want to have kids?

By putting the plan B pill on the shelves, women will not all just automatically have unprotected sex with every guy they see. This is real life people, not a porno.

Don’t even start with the moral justifications. Your president that you all look so highly on seems to think pre-emptive strike is a good thing. Well, that’s just what this is.

Even more upsetting is that there are not more women speaking up against this. I know what some of you are thinking, and here’s my response. Just because it’s available doesn’t mean you have to use it. The fact is that by having a choice you are empowering yourself and your gender to more decisions in life.

Don't kid yourself. A child changes everything. It doesn't just delay things, it changes all your plans. Forever.

The obligation to raise and care for a child is a big one. Not everyone can do it. Not everyone should do it. Go to your local Wally world (and other places) and you’ll see what I mean.

This reminds me of a statistic from the 04’ elections. The population least likely to vote for Bush was educated urban women. The population most likely to vote for Bush was uneducated rural women. Don't let the uneducated determine what will happen for all of you.

Happy Post Turkey-Day-Coma Day!

Turkey Day Post

It’s Thanksgiving once again. A time for families that rarely see each other to indulged in turkey goodness. Hopefully most of us are thinking of more thankful things than the yearly worship of the consumer Gods that is the ‘Day after Thanksgiving sale’.

I know it’s a bit silly, but I do think about the things I am thankful for. I try to follow the intent of many holidays, like on New Years Eve, I will always think about what I’ve accomplished this year and set some goals for next year. Then of course get totally hammered. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I go to NYC to see the tree. Things like that, it’s just what you’re suppose to do.

Anyway. So I’m sitting here thinking about how I don’t want to do work today. I mean really, who does work today?

I’ll start with a couple things that I’m very thankful for

Professionally
I think professionally I’m doing fine. Pretty good exciting new job with a growing company, a good stepping stone to my next job (yes, I think 2 jobs ahead of my current job. It’s a serious problem I know).

Although I was unsure at first, working from home has been the greatest thing. With the horrible traffic here in Atlanta, not having to be in it everyday is a serious work perk.

So I'm thankful.

Family and Friends
Yes, I’ve also realized that I put professionally before family and friends.

I guess I have my job to thank for the things in this part. I am enjoying living in Atlanta with my family and friends quite a bit. It’s nice to know you’ve got someone close by that you can just drop in. Teaching my nephew to say ‘I live a Thug life” is also fantastic.

Of course, that’s all I can think of right now in terms of thankful things. Now for something more traditional tot his site.

Things I’m NOT thankful for:

I’m not thankful for the current administration in almost any way, shape, or form.
I’m not thankful that this administration used a lie to take the nation to war.
I’m not thankful that W used the resources of the United States to fight his (and other evangelical warmongers’) private war. I know all about your tower of Babel reason.
I’m not thankful that W has ruined one of the biggest opportunities to bring the world together after 9-11. Now everyone just hates us.
I’m not thankful that this country has elected a president that thinks God speaks to him directly.
I’m not thankful that people think that’s ok.
I’m not thankful that there is no real leadership in the government today.
I’m not thankful that this administration uses fear, intimidation, and deception as its primary tools.
I’m not thankful that people don’t try to do more for themselves instead of just waiting for handouts
I’m not thankful that people actually think there’s not enough religion going on in the world. Look at all the shit around you, guess what the main causes for most of them are you jackass.
I’m not thankful that people have made religion into a global disease. Let me set it straight for y’all. You’re all FUCKING wrong if you think religion requires ANY killing of ANYTHING to spread your message.
I’m not thankful that somehow you think letting loving couples marry their partner have any effect on your life.
I’m not thankful that the upper class keeps getting richer while the majority of Americans continues to increase their debts.
I’m not thankful that the government keeps helping only the rich and big corporation. I’m not thankful that the government keeps cutting vital programs helping those that most need helping.
I’m not thankful that human trafficking has made a major comeback and no one is paying any attention to it.
I’m not thankful that the environment is going to shit and everyone thinks its just part of some cycle.
I’m not thankful that big pharmaceuticals have taken over as the biggest drug cartels.
I’m not thankful that people don’t realize this and there isn’t a just say no campaign against prescription drug abuse.
I'm not thankful that peoplethink of everything in terms of money or the bottom line. There has to be more than that living in a society.
I’m not thankful that intelligent design isn’t outright laughed at and ridiculed, but somehow is law in some states.
I'm not thankful that people actaully think ID is science.
I’m not thankful that it took me 30 minutes to do the thankful list an only 10 minutes to do this one.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Pardon the Interruption

Thought you knew what to expect here huh? Thought you were all ready to flip onto another page when you see the same old post huh? Thought you were going to see a post with insightful views of the world around us or witty inside jokes?

Well you’re wrong on all accounts.

Actually, I’ve got nothing. There are a couple things going on that have seriously destroyed my lack of time or interest in posting.

As the year winds down, there are so many things that I want to do before the year is out, and so many more things I want to plan for the next year. I've got things on lists to check off. Yes, list with a S, multiple lists. You see, you’d never know it if you met me, but I’m a closet neurotic OCD planning fool.

Sure some things I do seem random and totally idiotic, but I assure you, most are not. Even the randomness gets planned out. I don’t plan for a specific randomness, just options for randomness then pick one. Sounds pathetic I know, but it's what I do.

I personally don't know what people are thinking about all the time. Like whenever I have any free time, I think of a situation and different ways I would act in them. Some are proper, some involves a chainsaw. Whatever comes, I've aleady played it out in my head.

You see, that's the problem. There are things that play out just like I've planned, but then real life is a funny thing. There are many things that no matter how much you've thought it through, it's just not the same when it actually happen.

Sometimes things just feels like shit no matter how well you prepare yourself.

Anyway, another reason for my absence is due to the fight between my computers and I lately. First my monitor was doing strange things, then the wireless stopped working. What a pain in the ass. Besides moving, I think having computer problems, out of the blue cause it was all working fine, is one of the worst things ever.

It was only 29 degrees when I woke up today. I’m very surprised they didn’t shut down the schools. We just don’t do 29 here. I remember schools were shut down when there was a threat of snow one year. Yep, just threat. It turned out nice and sunny. We’re that scared of the cold here. I think the afternoon highs will be in the 60s and will probably be a very nice day.

One thing that I don’t do anymore since moving to Atlanta is watch the news. Since I’m working all the time I miss a lot of the news that comes up around 5pm. So no news for me. However, there is one topic that I keep hearing on the radio. I don’t know if it’s just this one radio station’s crusade or anything, but they’ve mentioned it everyday this week.

The story involves a 37 yr. old lady that got pregnant by a 15 yr. old boy. Apparently they’ve been having sex since he was 13. The legal age to marry is 18, but under a weird old law, you can marry anyone you knock up no matter their age. Yay family values!

So now there’s a big uproar about the law and people are genuinely surprised at this law that I bet was written by those under the banner of protecting the family.

Listen all you conservative bible-thumping think you know what’s best, what seems like a good idea in your belief system, isn’t always the best idea for the rest of the world. When will you learn that trying to extract rules from a book written 2000 years ago is NOT a good idea?

Sure it’s got some good stuff in there, but we don’t need to look to that to know what’s right and wrong. Don't steal or kill people? You need to look at an ancient text to know that's not good?

If you think people do need a Bible/Koran/whatever the hell old text to teach them between right and wrong, maybe you should look at yourselves as a parent or the fact that we pay teachers $17,000 a year why there's so many stupid people around. BTW, there are people who plays sports that make that kind of money in hours.

Maybe you’re just not willing to admit that we’re fucking up in terms of education. Maybe we're too concerned with this capitalistic consumer society to be worry about a silly thing like education. Maybe having a kid is more than about procreation to keep you company or buy cute little baby clothes.

Think about why people want their kids to have a good education nowadays. It's not so they would be better people or help society as a whole grow intellectually. No, it's so they can have a good job and have lots of money to buy stuff. When education has degraded into only a means of
making money, society is in big trouble.

Just as all these anti-gay marriage laws will soon prove to be a great loophole in domestic abuse acquittal, this law in Georgia will now see the ill-effects of trying to rule through theological theories.

Can't wait till Harry Potter Tomorrow!!

I don’t know how stupid you think everyone is.. but…

The Chiefs of the big 5 oil companies defended their record breaking profits this year in front of the congress today. When I say record breaking, I mean more than any company in any industry EVER.

Together, these 5 oil companies earned more than $25 BILLION in profits in the 3rd Quarter as the price per barrel rose to $70 after the disruptions caused by Katrina and Rita. At a time when we were seeing record destruction and devistation in our cities, some were seeing a great opportunity to cash in.

The explanation by one of the oil chiefs was that “earnings goes up and down year to year”.
According to the chief of ConocoPhillips, whose profits rose 89% from the same period last year, states that he does not consider that margin (+89%) a windfall.

WHAT the FUCKING HELL? You don’t think 89% is that big of an increase within a year?!! This is NOT a normal cycle of profits. How are you people keeping a straight face and not breaking into laughter when you say this crap?

The ExxonMobil Chairman was quoted as saying “It’s the profits that makes the company run and make the economy run”. Well, you got one part right.

How exactly do you think the high cost of gas and heating bills in the winter will help the economy is beyond me. Perhaps you’re just talking about yourself. I’m sure you’ll get a nice big bonus out of this, and maybe you’ll buy a couple of new houses where people will be hired to work on your lawn and clean your house. See new jobs for everyone!

Bravo for helping to keep the economy going.

For some reason, the Republicans denied Democrats’ request to have these chief’s testify under oath. I can’t even think of a mildly good reason why this testimony doesn’t need to be under oath. What the hell? Someone PLEASE explain to me the logic behind this.

What? The oil chiefs may not be truthful if they're under oath or something. Oh wait, no, that's the whole fucking point of being under oath. Does the Republicans not want the oil chiefs to have to tell the truth?

I’m glad there are Republicans that are questioning the oil companies and these record breaking profits. Make no mistake. $25 BILLION profits in 3 months time is a lot. A shit load if you will. The bigger test will be if there’s anything done about this.

According to many accounts, this hearing will result in a lot of rhetoric, and maybe some threats, but likely result in very little action.

Fan-fucking-tastic.

Of course, looking to this administration for any help with oil companies would be a good laugh.

There comes to a point when even Republicans cannot stand by as big corporations continue to take advantage of the citizens of this country. Of course, being that many of these Republicans are in the back pockets of the oil companies, it may be long time before this ass raping stops.

Happy Humping!

What 2nd course?

Ended before it got started.

I think that’s the best way to describe my birthday. After a big lull in the celebration the last couple of years, this year had all the makings of a great birthday. I was around friends and family. People drove for hours to come this weekend. I’ve just moved back to ATL, and the new job’s been going well.

So everything’s going fantastic.

Overall, the plan was simple. Dinner and go out to a few bars. I picked a Tapas restaurant to go to since that’s been my thing lately. While we waited for other friends to come by to go to dinner, we started playing a game, and that game started the end for me.

It was a roulette drinking game that had 6 shot glasses and a roulette wheel. Each shot glass had 6 numbers on it. If the ball lands on your number, then you have to take a shot (or half shot depending on if it’s black or red).

I don’t remember how long we were playing, but a lot of shots were taken. We already had to resort to beer shots by the time my friends came by.

So we went off to dinner where we had to wait for our table. I think the wait was about 45 minutes, and in that time span I had 2 mojitos, 1 jager bomb, 2 lemon drop shots. Then came time to sit down where sangria was ordered.

Needless to say, this is when my memory of the night begins getting fuzzy. I remember having some really tasty dishes. I remember having to go to the bathroom several times, and I remember hurling in the bathroom a couple of times too. Other than that, it’s all pretty fuzzy.

Talking with friends later I found out that there was a whole 2nd round of food that came out that I completely did not remember. Guess I’m going to have to go to that restaurant again. Hopefully, they won’t remember me.

After dinner people were asking where we were going next, but unfortunately I was done. I was ready to sleep under the table at the restaurant.

I don’t remember much of the ride home except I hurled a bit in big red. Poor girl. One comforting thing is that when you’re around good friends, you don’t get as embarrassed about things like that. Simply because they’ve seen me do it way too many times to care.

Baring this little set back, the rest of the birthday weekend was great. Had lots of great food and I actually went car shopping. If you didn't know, car shopping is probably one of least enjoyable experiences for me. I'll have to tell you the story of one of the car salesman that we met. Man, talk about over share.

I put down an order for a red Toyota Prius. I'm not planning on buying till next year, but the wait seems to be a couple of months, so hopefully, the timing will work out perfect.

I also got some majorly awesome presents. The best would probably have to be THIS.

Yes, be jealous. Very very jealous.

Happy Tuesday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY




PUP !!!!


You damn near 30!!! I hope you can read the huge font old man!!!!

Go, Go, Go, Pup..

It's your birthday
We gon' party like it's yo birthday
We gon' sip Bacardi like it's your birthday

Ironically (in an Alanis way), I’m listening to ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ by Bon Joni. Interesting that’s the first song I’ve heard today and the second cued is Pet Shop Boy’s ‘Being Boring’.

After the accident, ‘Being Boring’ became one of the theme songs for me. Given a second chance at things (life), I've realized there’s no reason to be boring or to hold yourself back about things. The only fear I had after coming back was not accomplishing everything that I wanted.

I could’ve stayed dead if I wanted to be boring. That’s not what happened though, I came back. It would be a big waste if I didn’t take advantage of it. There's so much out there to experience.

I think I’ve changed pretty drastically to the person you know as Pup now. You would never read what the old me would post, cause he probably wouldn’t or it would just suck a lot (not that I'm saying this is a great blog or anything), but there definitly wouldn't be cool posts like 'What the fuck is wrong with you people'. Yea, he kinda sucks.

So next year will be the big one. Old age will be at my doorsteps. I will be prepared to meet it in Vegas. This birthday is more like the 2 minute warning. There’s still time left, but you’ve better hurry.

You see, I set a lot of goals for myself. There are academic/professional goals, and there are personal ones. I seem to be on-track and doing pretty well in the academic/professional side. Somehow I’m not doing very well on the personal side (being so involved in the professional side has this side effect).

There's gonna be a lot I'm going to have to do in this next year.

'cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot
For love - we'll give it a shot

I was looking for what I wrote last year. Apparently, I didn’t make a birthday type post. I was way too angry at the election results. I bet some of you thought I over-reacted. Did I? No, I think I nailed it.

Last year I said this “For some reason, the last three birthdays have been really been slow and tame. Boo. Oh well, there’s always next year.”

I’ve got some things planned for today, so hope that streaks ends tonight!

Happy Best Day of the Year!!

Oh My Gucci Lord!

I was going to post some reflection of this past year, about things I’ve accomplished, or still working on, but forget that crap. I think this takes precedence.

This article is just fucking unbelievable. No, this is not an article from the onion.

The House (Congress, not Waffle) released some emails from Brownie, then director of FEMA, immediately after Hurricane Katrina hit.

In an email correspondence between Brownie and Cindy Taylor, FEMA’s deputy director of public affairs during the critical first days after the hurricane, Brownie’s main interest seems to be with what he was wearing and how he appeared on TV rather than the people that were suffering in this disaster.

My favorite line from Brownie to Cindy “… I’m a fashion god.” Yes, how dare FEMA make you wear such horrible clothing. Where are FEMA's priorities? Let's forget about the budget to help people and can get Calvin Kline to design FEMA wear instead.

Yes, fashion is ABSOLUTELY the topic you should be discussing as head of FEMA after a major disaster. Browie, you ARE doing a good job.

Mission accomplished once again Mr. President. You sure know how to pick'em.

BTW, there’s still time for next-day delivery for presents :)

Pup can be Heros… Just for one day..

Maybe it’s because I watch too many movies, or maybe I just have grandiose dreams, but have you ever thought of being a hero? No, not that indirect nice person hero crap. Not the donating to the Red Cross, or United Way, or some other indirect way of helping out your fellow man and being a hero. Also not the long term being a big brother/big sister mentoring being a hero thing either.

No, I’m thinking more along the lines of superman or batman hero stuff. For example, saving people’s lives or fighting real evil people (unlike made up ones..) that is doing something bad right in front of you. Something like catching a kid before he/she runs out into the street in front of a speeding car. Running into a burning building to save someone. Stopping a homicide from happening. You know, things like that.

Ah, but I bet you can’t guess WHY I want to do this. Ok, go ahead and guess. Give up? It’s not the being a hero thing actually. Sure saving a person’s life and having their undying thanks would be great, but that’s not the main reason (yes, I know I’m selfish like that). It’s not the getting on the news, wearing a cape, and it has nothing to do with being made into a TV movie (unless they write in Dushku as my girlfriend).

The main reason I would want this opportunity I think is to see how I would actually react in a critical situation. Sure, everything knows what the right thing to do in crisis time, but would they actually do it or would they freeze up?

I can dream of tons of scenarios and exactly what I would do at each one, but that’s all just in my head. In a real situation, what would I do? Be brave? Get myself shot? Be able to kill someone? Or just stand there and pee in my pants?

Unlike other types of things that can be simulated, this is not something that you can fake. It’s gotta be a real scenario with real bad people and real people in danger. Only by facing the real thing can you really determine what you would do.

For some reason, I always think of this guy when this topic pops into my head.

Now that’s man who’s proved what he would do.

Happy Wednesday!

Live from ATL, it’s Pup’s Blog!!!!!!

The biggest question I have after the move is, when the hell did I accumulate all this crap? For the normal person, a 1 bedroom apartment should take up about 10 feet worth of truck space. I took up 14 feet, and I did not take my dinner table/w 4 chairs, futon, or computer desk. I also took one very full car load worth of clothing and one very full load worth of random stuff to Goodwill.

Luckily for me, at the last moment I found a church group that was willing to take those things off my hand and deliver it to a family that escaped from Katrina. I guess there are hurricanes that pick you up and sends you to OZ.

After all that, it was still 14 feet worth of stuff. Sheese.

So T and I made the trip East from KC to ATL, it took about 14 hours with frequent stops and time off to play checkers at the Cracker Barrel. Yea, besides Dig Dug, I’m the champ of checkers (I have a trophy from the 4th grade to prove it too :p).

Now I’m in ATL for good. Except for this afternoon when I have to fly back to KC for work. Isn’t that funny?

I don’t have any of my stuff and that really sucks. I don’t know how I’m going to go from a huge apt. to trying to put most of my stuff in 2 rooms (one office, and one bedroom). I guess this is good in that I won’t be able to buy as much crap, but it’s also bad that I won’t be able to buy as much crap.

4 more days untill my birthday people, you can still get things here with Priority Mail ;)

Happy Monday!

Warty Gords

Hard to see, the dark side is

Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination for the Justice position today. It would seem that being overly under qualified and the fact there are no paper trails as to any of her opinions other than 'He (Bush) is the best governor ever', would be good reasons to revoke her nomination.

However, we all know that wasn’t the reason. Although I am happy to see that Miers withdrew, there’s a great concern over who will next be nominated.

The primary downfall of Miers’ nomination was not anything the left did, but it was the doing of the far right. The ultra conservative/religious fundamentalists (UC/RF) did not believe she would enough of a hardliner to sway the courts towards total conservative religious ideology. Even knowing that this move will make an already battered and weaken presidency even worst, these zealots did not stop in attacking Miers.

What these UC/RF are demanding is a person of proven conservative and hard liner views. A person that they know will spread their far-right disease into the courts. There is no moderation with this group.

I’ve mentioned this before, but does this scenario sound and look familiar to you? Can you say IRAN? These religious far-right power brokers openly states that they are the ones that put Bush in the White House, and as such, they openly state that this administration will do what is necessary to please them. Or else be damned.

They put Bush in the White House, if necessary, they will take him out and replace him with someone who will follow their every command. Is this kind of thinking for a group with such political powers disturbing to anyone else but me?

As much as I enjoy seeing the Republicans spilt into 2 sects, with one being unyielding fundamentalism. It’s scary to see that fundamentalist group holds all the power right now. It will be even scarier to see who the president will nominate next to please his far-right overlords.

With all this going on, it’s hard not to think about Iraq with its constantly changing purpose. Most recently, the administration says that we’re in Iraq to spread democracy and to fight theocratic rule. Funny for this administration to be saying that. Maybe we should bring back the troops to spread democracy here in our own back yard.

For most of this administration, the Far-right has been in the back ground of things. Controlling everything through others while not openly revealing themselves. It seems that the time has come for them to step forward.

I’m just waiting for one of them to say “At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi. At last we will have revenge.”

Have a good Thursday!

Pumpkin Festival, CA

Pup’s got to hold on ready or not. Pup live for the fight when it’s all that Pup’s got!

Pup's half way to somewhere.

Last night was my parting night at my bar. Just like usual, I walk in and is immediately greeted by the staff and a few of my friends.

Strangly, I think Axel Rose of G'n' R was there last night. I'm so serious. There was this guy that looked like of like him, with the long hair and big bandana playing some pool. I thought about playing 'Welcome to the Jungle' and see how he reacted.

I know I’ve gone through all the reasons why having a bar to call your own is great, but I thought I make a list anyway.

1. People know your name, drink, and usual order when you come in. The order is a big deal because it’s very Sally, from When Harry met Sally, like. Everything on the side. It’s embarrassing to order it like that and I’m not usually that way, but it’s really good this way with the chicken wings and chili cheese fries.

2. Any miss pours, extra orders, or drink experiments comes directly to you.

3. Drinking with the staff.

4. Being able to play cards with the staff. Last night we played UNO. Old school fun!

5. Being able to go to bar by yourself and feel like you’re not there by yourself.

6. You bill always comes up mysteriously low for the large volumes of alcohol and food you’ve consumed.

7. One of my favorite reasons. At least once a night, Bon Jovi’s ‘Living on a Prayer’ comes on the jukebox. The bar livens up a notch and everyone sings along. It’s the official song for this bar I think. FANTASTIC. It’ll be hard to find another one like it.

Last night I was there till they close around 3:30am. It was sad to go. Here’s to finding a new place in Atlanta or maybe I'll realize I shouldn't spend that much time in bars :p


Happy Wednesday!

Coastal Flowers

Everything that used to be right is now wrong

I’ve got 3.5 more days here in Kansas City. There’s much work to do on the job front and on the packing front. It’s a 2 sided war that I’m not doing well at (along those same lines, you can’t win a land war in Asia).

So what am I doing about it you ask? Well, I’m just going to blog and waste some time of course.

Since when did staring at 13 yr olds become so wrong?

Check out this Article about the bizarro Olsen-twins. Instead of the cute sweet girls on Full House with Bob Sagat, these girls are apparently dubbed as “the Olsen Twins of the White Nationalist Movement".

This is freaky and a bit disturbing. Supposively, they draw a crowd at all the rallies with hit songs like "Sacrifice" — a tribute to Nazi Rudolf Hess, Hitler's deputy Fuhrer — clearly show the effect of the girls' upbringing. The lyrics praise Hess as a "man of peace who wouldn't give up."

Wonder why that chart topper hasn’t hit the top 40s yet. I guess people are still more interested in hearing about a girls’s lumps and wondering what she will do will all that booty in her pants. How shallow are we huh?

I mean, why wouldn’t we want to hear about "Let the cities burn, let the streets run red, if you ain't white you'll be dead."

As the hate label (music) that supports these girls shrug off criticism that music should not be handed out to schoolyard children, arguing that "it's just music, it's not like you're handing out AK-47s." Now that’s an argument that’s hard to refute.

Well, unless you have a 6th grade education.

Now these girls can’t be all bad now can they? After Hurricane Kathrina, the girls did send some supplies and aid. However, they were only given to white victims through a white nationalist organization, and with pamphlets about their message. Wow, that’s like going to third world countries to feed the people, but making them read the bible.

I’m sure this is God’s plan. Yea, we’ll give you food, but your souls are ours bitches.

So once again, we see how wrong the society can be. Before you start your own organization, think first, how you will get more members. If your primary tools to enlist new members are breeding them and whoring out 13 yr olds, then maybe you should rethink your ideas.

Have a good Tuesday!

Route 1, Stretch between San Francisco and Santa Cruz

Guess Who?

I’m back. I’m sure you were all just checking this blog thousands of times a day to see if the Pup is back. And judging by the stat counter you haven’t. Oh well, it was a nice thought anyway. :)

The picture above is of a small part of the coast line between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. It was indescribably gorgeous. Going down route 1 with miles and miles of continuous coast line was simply dreamy. Although in my dreams I was driving a convertible while the sun is going down, and instead of my friends in the car, there was a particular person sitting next to me.

Anyway, the drive was great never the less.

I went to San Francisco a couple of days early to hang out with friends and to enjoy the sights before my week long training. We went to what was supposively the biggest pumpkin festival in the world. It was ok. There were some pumpkins, but it turned out to be like any other arts and craft fair. The highlight was a pumpkin sausage and super garlic fries. Mmmm…

So after the festival, we drove down the coast line to Santa Cruz. I think I could definitely get used to the idea of being a beach bum or surfer. Many of whom I met while walking around Santa Cruz. It’s just as I remembered them. Surfer people are something else.

Sadly, that’s not the life I live. I live in crazy working world. From Monday till Friday afternoon, I was stuck in intense training sessions. I don’t remember ever studying this hard or having so much information crammed into me. Some of it may be because of the time change, but I think I was averaging a good 4 or 5 hours of sleep at night at the most. It wasn’t really the hours of sleep that bothered me. I can't stand sleeping as it is. The room I had was quite nice, but it was unfamiliar and with an unfamiliar bed bed. It was after all, a hotel.

By the time I caught my flight home on Friday night, I was totally spent. As I was driving home, I was thinking. I can’t wait to see Pup. Haven’t seen him in a while. I bet he’s finished all the liquor in the house and set some stuff on fire.

Then the mind went to a bad place. After being gone for a week, who do I have to look forward to seeing me? Sure Pup is nice, but not really real. As people were leaving training on Friday, they all talked about the people that will be waiting for them when they get home. Part of me was quite jealous.

When I got back home, it was just as I’ve left it. Every bit the same. Every bit as alone.

As I finally lied down in my own bed and closed my eyes. The bed suddenly felt strange and uninviting as I lie in it alone. Suddenly, even my own bed felt just like being in another hotel.

I think this maybe why I'm a much better traveler than a lot of people I know. Being on the road just doesn't seem that different to me.

So as I lie there that night, I thought to myself, 'maybe one day, we'll finally find a home to go to'.

The Joys of Moving

As you know, I am in the process of moving and in case you haven’t done much moving, it’s a big pain in the ass. It’s even worst when you have to move long distances and pay for it yourself. I can’t believe how incredibly expensive it is to do anything relating to a cross state move.

Having someone to move you is just out of the question because of price. I’ve been pretty spoiled by my last two moves where people came and packed everything and then it all magically showed up at my new place with no hassles from me. Now I’m gonna have to get my lazy ass in gear and pack and load and crap.

There’s the renting your own truck option, but with gas prices the way they are, it adds almost 33% to the cost of the truck to drive it there. Besides that, I did not enjoy my drive in a giant 16” truck (Yea, I have a lot of stuff. Shut up) with Big Red towing behind it. The best though, is being able to go to a truck stop and feel kind of like a trucker.

So what I’ve decided on is a moving service where they leave a tractor trailer in front of your house, you pack and load it, they drive it to your destination, then you unload. I think this will work out the best and if you know me, I’m sure you would have guessed this is the cheapest way to go.

The problem however, is that my apartment complex has very narrow streets and a giant 28” trailer will block at least 2 of my neighbors. I asked the apt. manager and she said I’ll have to get permission from everyone around my building or it’s a no go. How annoying.

Well, I think I’ll tell my neighbors the day before so they don’t get their cars trapped, but asking for permission is probably not going to happen. I just don’t do that.

Random notes:

I’ll be gone all next week for work, so no blogging. I think this will be the longest I will have gone without blogging since I started this whole thing over a year ago. We’ll see how I hold up. Hope I don’t get the shakes.

Laying my arms on my hard desk and working on my laptop has started making my wrist and elbow hurt a lot. I’ve talked to my office manager about it, but Pup just keeps making fun of me and calling me names.

Since a couple of people were upset that I didn’t mention my birthday last year, here’s your warning.

21 days until my birthday!

I’m going to be SO old.

See you all in a week or so!

More on the Miers Nomination

From the “700 Club” Broadcast:

The Rev. Pat Robertson responded to criticism from the Right regarding the Miers nomination and also offered a stern warning to those conservative senators who might be thinking of voting against her.

Rev. Robertson suggested that people should look at who is supporting Miers before they doubt her conservative credentials. He named James Dobson, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, Jay Sekulow of the Robertson-founded American Center for Law and Justice, and himself as proof of support for Miers’ nomination from the Right. Robertson concluded by noting: “These so-called movement conservatives don’t have much of a following, the ones that I’m aware of. And you just marvel, these are the senators, some of them who voted to confirm the general counsel of the ACLU to the Supreme Court, and she was voted in almost unanimously.

And you say, ‘now they’re going to turn against a Christian who is a conservative picked by a conservative President and they’re going to vote against her for confirmation?’

"Not on your sweet life, if they want to stay in office.”

Where else have we seen Religious leaders threaten Political Leaders? Where else have we seen religion so entrenched in politics?

How do we respond to those who accuse the US of being in the Middle East simply because of oil? It is obviously NOT to spread democracy because this administration and other religious leaders are fighting so hard to steer our government to a ‘govern by religion’ model just like the terrorists we're fighting.

How does this not scare people that we have a religious leader so openly threaten political leaders with their positions if they do not do as they say? How many times will our political leaders bow down to their religious masters?

How can the American public support a judge so obviously entrenched with religious fundamentalists that if appointed, will no doubt set the court and the country towards theocratic rule?

The answers to all these questions are scary and this is exactly what they want. This is the way to which they gain power. This administration and fundamentalist religious leaders operates solely on fear. They tell you what to be afraid of and paint this picture of mysterious men out to get you to make you afraid of your own shadows. Then they say only by following exactly as they say (without question of course) will you be safe.

Now think about this. Which side, Good or Evil, do you think would operate this way? Who would try to gain power using fear as its core strategy?

Once again I say, we’re not fighting AGAINST the Terrorist, we’re fighting to BECOME like the terrorists.

Mr. President, you need to get out more.

I don't always agree with Bill, but this is funny.

This is from Real Time with Bill Maher:

- You can only kill the number-two man in Al Qaeda once. According to the White House, we've killed the number-two man in Al Qaeda about nine times now. He's not a terrorist. It turns out he's a zombie. We're fighting them over in Transylvania so we don't have to fight them here.

- George Bush must meet some new people. You know, when Americans see their president giving every job to the same old cronies, they use words like "loyal to a fault" and "stubborn" and "close-minded," "lives in a bubble," "sock-puppet," "asshole." "Worst president ever." But they're missing the point. The problem isn't his political philosophy - "kill people and animals and take their gas" - the problem is he has to expand his circle of friends beyond his mom, Karen Hughes and the House of Saud. Which is why before George Bush makes another political appointment, he has to join Friendster.

This week, President Bush had to nominate a Supreme Court judge, and he picked the most qualified person within 30 feet of his office. Her qualifications: well, she is a lawyer and former commissioner of the Texas State Lottery. And she's seen every episode of "Judging Amy." Abortion, affirmative action, separation of church and state. Yeah, let's ask the lady who peddled scratch tickets to liquor stores.

Does he just go with the first person he sees? I wouldn't be surprised if Laura was his sister. Now, of course - I keep checking with him - of course, George Bush isn't the first politician to hand out graft gigs to his pals, but he doesn't seem to understand that that's what the bullshit jobs are for: ambassador to the Bahamas. The Recycling Czar. Head of the CIA. But George Bush puts stooges where they can do real damage: Director of FEMA? That guy from the horsie show is available. U.N. Ambassador? Dick Cheney knows a guy with a mustache and anger issues.

Supreme Court justice? Lady down the hall. Labor Secretary? The guy who helped me move that hooker's body at Yale could probably do it. You know - you know, Mr. President, when you got elected, we all figured you were no genius, but smart enough to hire qualified people. But it turns out you're just a dimwit who enjoys feeling superior. And the only way to accomplish that is to surround yourself with the likes of Mike Brown and Harriet Miers: Goober and Aunt Bea. Unspectacular souls who make you feel comfortable and unthreatened. Kind of like when Madonna used to hang out with Rosie O'Donnell.

Well, I hate to burst your bubble. But real friends are the ones who tell you the truth. They're also the ones who work hard so as not to embarrass you. These people who work for you aren't behaving like friends. They're behaving far worse. They're behaving...like family.

Yes, it's almost enough to make you miss the old pre-"honor and integrity" days. Because at least when Clinton talked about tapping the woman down the hall, he was just having sex with her.

This week in Pup

OH.. You KNOW you’re Jealous!!

Guess what I just got 4 tickets for?!!!

Maybe THIS can give you a hint. Well, not so much a hint as just the answer.

That’s right folks, Finally.... the Pup is baaaaaacccck in New York City.

Jon Stewart will meet the Pup… well, not exactly meet, more like me stalking from far away. Close enough.

I’m really excited to go. The date is kinda bad being on a Wednesday, but I don’t care. I’m so there. The day of the taping is close enough to New Years Eve that I think I may have to try New Years Eve in NYC or somewhere up in the northeast.


It’s still mucho busy here in Pup land, so no post, but I’ll leave you with this. It will make you laugh for hours.

Check out the awesomeness that is this video

Gem Sweater

Rise of the Apocalypse

Enough of that boring work stuff. Back to the ranting.

If this doesn’t scare the hell out of you, you have got some serious issues. Either that or you have been living in a cave and doesn’t understand things that are going on around you.

Concerning Bush’s pick for the Supreme Court justice Harriet Miers, there’s something seriously seriously wrong here.

She has no record that can point to her social and political views or beliefs. Those are pretty important things to know as she will be deciding on some very important cases. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to find out what her opinions on things are.

This of course, is the administration trying to pull off another John Roberts. However, unlike Roberts, who at least had a little bit of experience and paper trail from being a judge, Miers has NEVER been a judge. Hell, I’ve never been a judge either, put my ass on the Supreme Court.

Since when is being a personal friend a good enough qualification to be a Supreme Court judge?!! You can’t pull that shit in the real world. You don’t see close friends of the CEO get appointed to the CFO position or something. They get a job in HR or something where they can’t hurt anything. That’s how it works. This shit wouldn’t fly for a second in the real world. How fucked up and far from reality is this administration?!!

When are we going to stop tolerating this bullshit?!! If you’re the president and you want to put a friend as an ambassador to Bumblefuck, that’s fine. No real damage there.

However, as we’ve seen with the total incompetence of Brownie, a fired Arabian Horse lawyer, there are just some jobs that are just too important to be left up to idiotic favoritism appointments. I think being a permanent member of the Supreme Court of the United States may just be one of those

What I can’t tolerate, and what I can’t believe how the American public can tolerate is, that the administration continues this ‘I know best’ bullshit and picks these appointees that has no paper trail. They just assume we will no questions their decisions.

Who the fuck IS you to be telling me shit without me asking questions? Hey Asshat, we’re FIGHTING the religious zealots, not trying to become like them. Did you get confused somewhere among all your flip flopping?

How much longer will you republicans continue to be sheep, and how do you sleep at night, knowing that you will vote for someone who you know doesn’t have the damnest bit of qualifications for this job, and that which you know NOTHING about their opinions? This opinion that will shape the country for the next couple of decades?

All that aside. There’s something horrible inside this woman. Although there’s no clear paper trail or obvious signs it’s there. Believe me, look at her. There’s a shit load of evil screaming to come out. This is probably one of the biggest tells. .

In an interview with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, he says that he approves of Miers, and when asked why, he states "Some of what I know I am not at liberty to talk about,"

What in the fucking hell?!! What do you know???!!
There is nothing that Dobson agrees with that will be good for this country.

This is a fucking neon sign of the Apocalypse.


My island idea doesn't sound so crazy now does it? Who wants to apply for citizenship to Pup-Land?

Working from Home: Day 3

So here we are on day 3 of working my new job from home. All I have to say is. Working in boxers ROCKS!!

So far, it’s been great. Of course, this is only day 3. Who knows when I’ll resort to

AllworkaNdnoplaymakespupadullboyAllworkandnoPlaymakespupadullbear AllworkaNdnoplaymakespuPadulldogaLlworkandnoplayMakespupadullboy
aAllworkandNoplaymAkeSpupadullpupAlLworkandnoplaymaKespupadullboy
AllwOrkandnOplAymaKesPUPadullboyAllWorkandnoplaymakespupadullboy
allworkandnoplaymAkespupadullboyallworkandnoplaymakespupadullstuff
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AllworkandnoplaYmakespupadulldogAllworkandnopLaymakESpupadullboy
AllworkaNdnopLayMakespuPpadullboYallworkandnoplaYmakespupadullboy
AllworKandnoplaymakesPupadullpupAlLworkandnoplaymakEspupadullboy

Anyway.

It’s been really good. A lot of things that I thought I’d miss, mainly working with people, hasn’t really hit yet. I’m quite enjoying working by myself. I think I’m getting a lot more done than I would be if I was at an office.

There’s so much I have to learn with this new company. It gets overwhelming at times and I have 2 weeks to get all caught up. This is gonna be fun!

Fun like getting punched in the balls.

So I thought I needed some social interaction and went to play ultimate last night. Afterwards, I went to the bar that a couple guys and I always go to by myself. This is the first time that I’ve ever gone to a bar by myself. The others that usually go with me were no shows.

Since I only have 2 more chances to do this before my move, I figured I’d brave it. It wasn’t that bad though. I knew everyone working there and the couple that was at the bar.

I always thought it was odd how you make friends at the bar. For example, there’s this cool couple that’s usually there the same nights we are. I don’t think we’ve talked for the first few months we saw each other but there was general acknowledgement.

Then one night we were getting pretty hammered, as was the couple. We were watching muted Goodfellas on the TV and a few jagerbombs later, here we are (BTW, this couple can drink more jagerbombs than anyone I’ve ever met. I think they average about 6 per night (each) plus all the beer and drinks. They usually leave pretty sober. Amazing.)

So I hung out with them and the people that worked there last night. Last night’s conversation revolved around where sea monsters would more likely live. I said Pacific because the Atlantic ocean is wimpy.

Then the conversation went primal as more drinks were poured and the discussion of a karate monkey began.

This Karate Chimp.

So a good time was had by all. It’s gonna suck having to move and get established at a new bar.

Happy Wednesday!

The Madness of Slow Cooked Smoked Meats

I attended what was dubbed the ‘World Series of BBQ’ this weekend at the American Royal. This was something that I had wanted to attended before leaving here. What I saw was much more than I expected.

The competition space spanned across 20 acres with over 500 teams competing in a number of categories. You have your vegetables, beans, potatoes, chicken, sausage, and desert category. That’s all nice and fine, but as you know, those are all 2nd class citizens when it comes to BBQ. The main event involves the judging of BBQ Pork, Brisket, and Ribs.

I went on Friday night, and as the competition wasn’t till Saturday afternoon, there were parties everywhere. There was a big offical state with the band that sand 'Louie Louie', but I must've seen at least 2 other dozen bands apread out all cross the space. People were everywhere. Let me correct that. Drunken ass people were everywhere. I’m convinced that this is just an excuse for everyone to camp out, cook some meat and drink. A lot.

The air was filled with hickory smoke goodness, and every tent (area of each team).had an unlimited supply of BBQ and alcohol. It was like heaven.

You could go by each tent to try out some of their food. Though this was not the competition food they would be serving tomorrow, it was all still very good.

We ended up at a tent where a friend had a friend that knew a friend that working. The meat was everywhere and the beer and shots were a floating. Good times was had by all. After staying at this tent for a while, we found one of our friends at another tent that was competing in the beans competition the next day.

Hour and hours later, after gallons of alcohol, we decided to go. Before we left, I saw an idea that I may just have to steal for a later party. A team had bought 2 giant blocks of ice. They cut (sawed) a path in the middle and raised the block of ice to a 45 degree angle. Individuals would sit at the bottom and drink as they poured shots from the top.

I don’t know if I explained it very well, but it was awesome and people were getting hammered.

Have a good Monday Everyone!

Tagged.

This is from my tag from E-Lo.

Mother Nature, I give up. "So I was lying there mostly naked drowning in my own sweat."

I think I was talking about how I had to finally turn on the air conditioner because it was just unbearably hot in my apartment. Yea, I'm that cheap.

So now I pass the tag along to you...
The rules are:
1. Go into your archive.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five other people to do the same.

Yea, this site isn’t popular enough to lose 5 more readers with tags. As a matter of fact, I don’t think we have 5 readers now. Negative number readers would be bad.

_________________

So today’s my official day of unemployment. I did a very poor job in negotiating between my old and new job. Initially I had wanted a month off between jobs. Then it went down to a week. The final agreement was 1 lousy day off between jobs.

Argh. What the hell happened?

You’d think I’d be sitting around doing nothing being that this is my only day off. Oh, but I wish. I’ve been up and running around non-stop since 7:30am this morning. Yes, that’s very early for me to be working. I think I was more productive this morning than I usually am all day.

This is the first time since maybe 4 years ago that I've really had a day to myself. Usually when I take a day off, I'm flying somewhere. Who knew there was so much to do around the house. With my move still not yet planned, there's so much to do. I need an assistant.

I'd ask Pup to help, but as usual, he's drunk and watch Jerry Springer.

OK, back to running around being productive.

I’ll leave you all with a funny.

"The president believes the government should be limited not in size, Jon, but in effectiveness. In terms of effectiveness, this is the most limited government we've ever had."--Daily Show correspondent Rob Corddry


Have a great weekend everyone!

It's one day late, but....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY T !!!!!!!

You're like totally old. I bet you can't even read this.

Another Chapter in the Book

Today is Wednesday. Tomorrow will be my last day of work at my current job.

It’s always a weird feeling for me to leave a job. I often wonder how things will be once I leave. Will anyone even notice? Will things get better? Get worst? Then there’s always the sense that I am abandoning them. How could they possibly work without all my silliness and random interruptions? I think this is especially true with this move. My current group is going to be in a lot of trouble and lacking some serious manpower to run things with me and another person leaving. Even more serious than that, my boss has also decided to leave the group.

I’ve really liked my job here and the people that I’ve worked with. I’ve gotten to do some really cool things that I’ve read about in school. In the 2 years I’ve been here, a lot has changed. When I first got here, the company was laying off thousands of people. This is in sharp contrast to the recent merger and adding another 20,000 people to company. Having gone through major lay offs and merger between fortune 100 companies is something one doesn’t often experience.

It’s really too bad that my job is located in Kansas City and far away from anyone I know. I’ve always told everyone that I really liked my job, but can’t stand the place I lived at. Now, I’m going to a city with people that I know I’ll love, but the job is now the unknown.

I’ll be leaving some people here that I hope to keep in touch with. It seems that as people’s lives get more complicated (or just old), it gets harder and harder to keep up. What would I do without the random drunk calling (and now drunk text messaging)? I think that’s the only mechanism I have to keeping up with people I don’t talk to on a regular basis.

On Monday I’ll be starting my new job. This job will be very different in structure and scope from what I’ve done before. First of all, the company is virtual. That means pretty much everyone works from home. We will see how I adapt to being cooped up at home all day. I’m not sure how great that is for my sanity.

One big draw for the job is that I’ll be able to move back to Atlanta. I grew up mostly in Atlanta. I never did like it much back then. While I was growing up, I’ve always wanted to live Seattle and/or LA. And if you look at where I’ve lived, I was slowly creeping towards the west coast.

The longer I’ve been away from Atlanta, the more I’ve missed it. I’ve missed being able to order sweet tea without someone saying ‘there’s sugar packs on the table’. I’ve missed being close to people I know. I’ve missed being in the city that I’ve raved at many a warehouses. And lastly, I’ve missed the city I grew up in.

I’ve been moving around for quite a while now. Moving from job to job every couple of years. In an interview, I would explain it as my need to be exposed to different industries and companies, and that is true to some degree. I would however, say that my need to move is just part of a search. My search for a home.

Home doesn’t just mean a place. It also means the people that populate that place. I’ve lived in many areas that would be great to build a home, but a house doesn’t make for a home. A home is a stable place you know you will be for a while. A home is where you build your life. A home is where it’s surrounded by your people who make your home part of a group. A home is a place I want to share with someone else and grow old.

Another chapter of my life closes and a new one begins. This new road will be filled with uncertainty (job wise) that I have never experienced before, but I will be comforted by the familiar, yet seemingly unending, search for a home that I so much long for.