Vegas.. 2006

It’s been a while and I guess I better write down this story before I completely forget. As part of my coming of oldness birthday, I got a few guys to go to Vegas to celebrate. There were 2 groups of guys coming at differnt parts of the week which made the trip insanely long. 6 days in Vegas. My liver was not happy with me, and it showed half way during the trip.

Two of the guys arrived earlier in the day while me and Howard showed up later in the evening. We had a flight delay that got us in pretty late, but it being vegas, time was not a factor. When we arrived at the hotel, we found the other guys were doing ok without us. By ok, I mean drunk.
Much drinking ensued, but that's not very interesting. I'll skip right to the good parts.

The highlight of the first part of the trip happened quickly and powered through with some good stamina. During our first night, me and one of the guys was playing craps. We’re used to us being the loud drunk ones at the table, but that night there were 2 cute girls by us that were just as loud which was very impressive. We joined in the fun and it was an amazingly fun table.

After gambling for quite a while, we ended up hooking up with these 2 girls and hung out with them all night. It was a really good time chatting and drinking with them. It's hard to describe, but the 4 of us just seem to mix so well. The time flew by and the next thing we knew it was almost 7am and we decided to call it quits. That was almost 12 hours together. Nice feat for someone we just randomly met.

The next night, with amazing coincidence, after watching the cardinals win the World Series, we ran into the girls again. In such a large and busy place like Vegas, it’s amazing to run into 2 people in 2 areas randomly. We were excited like we were old friends and haven't seen each other in years. We didn’t miss a bit when we got back together. We were back to joking and drinking right away. Good times.

The girls were going to stay up since their flight was at 6am and it was already about 2am. Of course, we stayed up and hung out with them. There was such a strange attraction to these girls. I think it's the conversation more than anything else. They were so engaging and shared about themselves. I know this is Vegas and they could've just made the whole thing up, but I'll take it.

We talked about everything and nothing at all. Thinking back, it was strange for as long as we talked, I can’t really remember what was discussed. Even after spending so much time talking, the conversation never once lost its interest.

Granted, I don’t remember conversations very well, but I remember things like this. I remembered how nice it was for us to sit at a little table at a corner of the casino. Talking and drinking away like we were old friends. I remember the music from a piano bar nearby and us randomly breaking out into some Journey tunes. I remember some strange contest about which restroom was closer and some obstacle course. I remember it all being a bit surreal and almost seem scripted being so good.

Around 4:30 am, we started our long goodbyes. Once again, it was quite strange as we’ve just met 2 days ago (although we spent probably 80% of the time together), but it seemed like such a big goodbye. It felt good and sincere. After a few minutes, we went our separate way.

The goodbye wasn't long enough in my book. Mainly because we knew we’ll never meet up again.

A Mystery to Me

Why are some people so attracted to bad boys and girls? Why is there such a strong attraction that it defies logic and the very nature of self preservation? In nature, it is unheard of that one would knowingly be attracted to something that he/she know is bad for them. It would be like a deer befriending a lion.

This kind of thing does not happen in nature because we all know the inevitable conclusion of this relationship.

Yet, we see this all around us in outrageous relationships that just should not be happening. Are the lives of some so deprived that they must seek others to fill them with excitement even if it’s in a self-destructive form? Are they so pathetic in their inability to live life that they must cling to the first thing they see as exciting in order to live vicariously through these bad boys and girls?

What is this attraction that’s so strong and emits such strong emotions that it takes control and overrides our genetically encoded warning system to not be with someone knowingly bad for us?

Although as I write this, I'm reminded of moth to flames or the mantis' breeding ritual which has the female killing the male after they're done with the mating. Hmm.. I'm poking holes into my own questions.

Spare me the research on attraction and how ‘opposites attract’ is a relationship myth. Yes, even though Paula Abdul sang a song about it, it's a myth. I’m not talking about the long term here. I’m talking about that initial impression.

Seeing someone across the room, that feeling that you get is what I’m asking. Almost like a drug, you feel you need to speak with or be close to that person. More times than not, it’s the ‘bad’ one in the crowd that captures the imagination of most people.

In nature, when a creature detects something bad, it runs away. Yet, humans today couldn’t be more attracted.

Perhaps my inability to understand is just masking my jealousy. Maybe I just need to stop watching so much Jerry Springer.

In a Dark Hour, Tiesto Comes to the Rescue

Yes, I realize I’m now a million years old and shouldn't be going to these kind of shows anymore. However, when my favorite DJ (Tiesto) was coming into town, I wasn’t about to miss his performance at my favorite Venue.

Many of you have heard me continuously bitch and moan about the lack of a good dance scene or death of the ‘rave culture’ all around the country and especially here where I live. Being old and pessimistic about the present scene, I was hesitant about the show. Also, my usual crew was no longer around, so I was stuck to going by myself.

I was quite hesistant about going even though it is my favorite DJ. It didn’t help that tickets were being sold for 3x face value and I was tempted to sell them a few times. Oh, but I trusted in my DJ and the beats, and I was so happy that I didn’t take the cash.

When I first walked into the venue, to my surprise, I immediately saw some Candykids (for explanations please go here). It was like seeing an extinct animal. I thought it maybe just a small group of kids, but as I followed them a little, they led me to more and more groups of Candykids all over the place.

This was a good sign of things to come.

As I walked around the venue, I saw more and more types of people that I haven’t seen in a while. People that I’ve missed in this culture. The place was not packed with the usual drunk frat guys and their slutty jump-up-and-down-bouncing-their-boobs-thinking-this-is-dancing crowd. What I saw was a place packed with UFO pants, glow sticks, pacifiers, Vicks, bottles of water, and people who were there to dance.

I got myself ‘prepped’, you know, stretching so I don’t throw out a hip, and other things and got down to the dance floor. I quickly found a couple groups of people to dance with around the stage. This is far different than the usual drunk groups that do not understand the meaning of dancing and thinks it’s odd that people are actually dancing instead of getting hammered and just jumping up and down like a dumbass.

I was quickly accepted into these groups as we danced in similar fashion. At one point when I was taking a rest (shut up, I’m old), a couple of people came up to compliment me on the dancing. This was a big ego boost as it hasn’t happened in a while (since the good ol' days). These people understood how its suppose to be broughten.

This one girl (AM) and I struck up a conversation as she mentioned that I danced very old school (her exact words). I was amazed and delighted that she knew. Having watched her dance as well, I knew she dances the same way. We started talking about the old days. We had been to many of the same venues, parties, and shows from ‘back in the days’.

Yay old ravers! This needs to be a new category in Wikipedia.

If you’ve ever gone to a show with me, you’d know that one of my big peeves is being crowed, especially by people who are not dancing. I’m there to dance and you don’t need to be all up in my space. When the crowd was encroaching on the group’s dance space, amazingly enough, AM had the same thought as I to move to another area so we can have space to dance while giving the remaining group more room to dance.

This is a usual practice in the days. It’s cool to hook up with people, but we like the dancing and always get back together later. As AM and I walked, we talked a bit more about the scene. Its difficult to explain as its a mentality, but to hear someone else talking about raving was worth the price of admission.

Speaking of old school, at one point during the night, I got a head job from one of the CandyKids. This involves a face to face light show with glow sticks while Vicks vapor is blown in your face. You have to be there, but it’s very cool. I was also asked for drugs several times. This is a great feeling as the kids don't think I'm old enough to be a Narc.

Besides meeting AM and many CandyKids, I met up with people who worked at a cool dance club who would get me into VIP whenever I’m there. I also met up with some groups that wanted to have regular meeting up of the make shift groups. I’m sure it was all just club talk, but it’s nice to be involved.

These are the kind of things I’m talking about. While most people’s objectives when going to a club is all about getting hammered and picking up, ravers are never about that. It’s always about dancing, meeting people, and unity to beats. Sure picking up happens, but its not why you're there. There're a lot of touching with this crowd, but its very comforting and not the creepy kind you generally get at the clubs. Also, certain chemicals may make touching an unbelievable feeling.

The only bad part of the night was when I had to leave during Tiesto’s set. I have never left a set early, but the venue was getting so crowed and insanely hot. Not to mention that I was dead tired by about 2am (this is quite sad as we used to go at 1am and stay till about 6am). I was too tired to dance anymore and even if I wanted to, there wouldn’t be space anyway so I decided to leave.

It was a good time. Old school good time.

OLD

That’s what I am officially now. Old.

Back in the day, and yes, now that I’m old I’m allow to use this phrase. Back in the day (sophomore year high school), I planned out what I wanted to be when I grew up. For the most part, I followed those plans and have done ok. I've hit most of the bigger things that I was aiming for. Got sidetracked here and there, but not too bad.

Interestingly enough, my plans from back in the days only went as far as this birthday. I couldn’t back then, nor could I really today, see past this old age that I’ve hit. I mean seriously, by this age, I was expecting to sit in a home and eat cream corn and yell at kids for walking on my lawn.

During my birthday dinner, there were some people there that I’m very glad I’ve met over the years. There were some really old friends. There were some that I really expected to always be there, but for some reason, just didn’t want to anymore. I am very glad for the ones that are still here.

I think I was pretty good at figuring out how to grow up, but now that I have, I’m not quite sure what to do with myself as a grown up.

I’m open to suggestions.

It’s That Time Again

Vegas. That magical word that instantly gets the attention of everyone on that email list. That magical word that instantly revives memories that you thought had died with your brain cells during your last trip. The memories that you thought you had buried with that dead hooker out in the middle of the desert.

Vegas

I used to go because I liked to gamble. It was exciting. It was fun. Now I go for the social aspects of it all. Seeing some good friends, catching up a years time in one weekend.

I have one goal this trip. I will come back with a story. A story that will be....

Wait for it... Legendary.

As part of the Vegas growing tradition, it’s time for………

Roulette: Blogger Style

Since I’ll inevitably play some roulette this weekend, I thought I’d get all my fellow bloggers to play along since you won’t be there.

You know how this is done. Pick a number between 0 and 36. Just one. I’ll play all the numbers I get and I’ll let you know which ones come up when I get back.

This will be a good judge of your excellence in super fun macktastical luckiness. By good judge I mean completely random of course. If your number keeps repeatedly hitting (landed on), I will send a plane for you.

Ko was the winner last year. Hopefully, the winner this year will be cuter and less hairy :D

You’re so Flamboyant

It’s probably been about 5 years since I’ve seen one of my favorite 2 man group in concert. With working hitting its crazy time, I needed a little break. In comes the group that I’ve been listening to since the 4th grade to make things all good and gay.

I don’t know what the attraction is, but I’ve always loved the Pet Shop Boys (PSB). I think it’s that mix of disco dance with the fab 80s vibe.

As usual, the PSB show delivered. It was more of a show than just a concert complete with dancers, multiple outfit changes, and an awesome ever changing stage. The fans went crazy the entire show. As I’ve complained about audiences before on this blog, there was definitely nothing to complain about this time.

The guys at the show were fabulous and the women were wild with little self-conscience. They were certainly there having fun. After all, there’s really no one to impress as the hot guys doesn’t exactly play on the right team. Everyone sang and danced during the entire show. A jolly good time for everyone.

They played ‘suburbia’, which is one of my top favorite songs in the beginning of the show. After the intermission, they played ‘always on mind’ which got the concert hall going crazy. It was a good mix of old material and new. Even though I’ve heard the old stuff a million times, it was so much cooler to hear it live. They ended the show with an encore of 'It’s a sin' and 'Go West'. Both crowd and my personal favorites.

What a great way to start the 2 week celebration to my oldness.

Keith Olbermann

'Beginning of the end of America'

What It Really Means to Protect America

This Administration and the President constantly reminds us that what they do is to protect America. They use the term “protect America” like the Men in Black would ask you to look into the blinking red light. Somehow, as soon as the term “protect America” is used, we automatically accept whatever insanity they spew at us.

There is no better example of this misuse of power than what the President signed into law on Tuesday. Before Tuesday, the principle of habeas corpus meant that anyone thrown into jail had a right to ask a judge to hear his case. He also had a right to go free if the government could not show a legal basis for holding him.

This is a basic right that we as Americans believe in and that our founding fathers put in a little document called the Bill of Rights. This administration believes that they have the precedence and authority to suspend and eliminate the Bill of Rights slowly under the banner to Protect America. The Bill of Rights is the basic blue print of freedom and what it means to be an American.

How does the administration explain their action to chip away at personal liberties? You guessed it, he did it to Protect America. How diluted is this President in that he thinks that eroding the Bill of Rights is Protecting America? How blind are you that you don’t know that this is the goal of the Terrorist? Why can’t you and your supporters see this?

Not only are you not protecting America and American with this law, you are moving us closer and closer to the ideals of the people that we are in a war with. Mr. President, we are not like the terrorist and America can NOT tolerate the suspension of what it means to be an American for you to fight this war that you’ve created. If your idea of protecting America is to rot it from the inside and take away our basic rights, I question your alliance and loyalty as I would ANYONE that supports you in this cause. You sir, are the enemy combatant.

Do not let this administration pull the wool over you ever time they say they’re doing something to “Protect America” when in reality they are doing more harm and destroying the American way of life more than a thousand 9/11s could possibly do.

When we start eroding our own rights and what this country was founded for, we are stepping in dangerous territory. We must not sit by willingly while an administration drunk with power continues to cause more harm to the very fiber of being American. If we allow the administration to continue in their insanity, there will no longer be an America as we know it to protect.

I would like to quote a speech by Patrick Henry in 1775.

“Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.
….
There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!

…Give me Liberty or Give me Death”

These words could not hold more truth today. We can no longer shut our eyes against what this administration is doing. We can no longer just hope that things will get better. Action must be taken.

It is better to die in a country with liberty than to live in the country this administration is trying to create.

Traffic

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy listening to the traffic report each morning. Apparently, there were accidents and lights out on all major highways this morning and traffic is completely stopped up.

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

That’s what you get for living out in the suburbs or way the hell out in the middle of nowhere.


I’m a bad person for laughing I know.

Cootie Pup

I've had 4 business trips cancelled on me in the last month. What the hell?

Someone spreading rumors that I have cooties or something?

Cut it out! That's not cool.

Marie Antoinette

I must say, a very good casting decision for this last Queen of France.

I'm so there.

On Strategy

Once again, the administration and their cronies have begun another attack on the Democrats with more ferocity and careful planning than they’ve shown to the terrorist. In fund-raisers and speeches this week, the president and the vice-president are back on their soapbox to tell their supporters that the Democrats are weak on defense and would allow the terrorists to attack again.

On the anniversary of 9/11 this year, this president told the public in his speech that: ”We must put aside our differences and work together to meet the test that history has given us”. It’s taken him less than a month to go back on this idea of putting aside our differences and once again attack the Democrates and anyone that would disagree with him of nothing short of treason.

I don’t know where you learn the definition of working together, but Mr. President, working together does not mean blaming and calling others soft and just waiting around for the terrorists to attack again.

So unconnected to reality, and under so many layers of their own lies, this administration is unfit and can no longer function as the leadership of America. This president and administration no longer has the interest of the American people in mind. For whatever reason, they believe and are leading this country into a militarized zone, which in turn burns holes at the very fabric of the constitution. This administration no longer has the respect of running the government as elected leaders, but more like the Legion of Doom.

Militarizing this country is not the solution to anything. Nothing good happens with militarization. This is a nothing more than the knee jerk reaction of a war mongering administration and those people who seeks to attack the American way of life. Why cannot you not see Mr. President, that this is exactly what the terrorists wants and that you're not fighting them with these types of actions. You are doing nothing short of helping them and introducing their way of life into this country.

In case you have forgotten Mr. President, this country was founded on freedom and tolerance, not the military. Military actions has always been the last resort, not the first option.

How long can the American people allow this administration to use these tactics to divide this country? How long will the American people stand this paranoid and disillusioned administration that has caused more harm to the basic fabric of the American spirit than the terrorist could ever hope to achieve in their wildest dreams?

The American people should not and cannot continue to believe in the doom and gloom speeches that has put the public in so much fear that we've allowed the actions of this administration to go unchecked for the last 6 years. It is not the way of the American people to live in fear and we cannot tolerate a government that seeks to keep us in control by using fear as its tool.

If by using fear as a tool to control the population, we should really question the type of 'democracy' that this administration is looking to spread in the middle east.

The strategy that the current administration is following to fight terrorism is self-destructive. It causes more harm to America than it does to the terrorists.

Think of terrorism as cancer. Once can continuously attack the body with chemotherapy and radiation to ensure that there is no cancer in the body. However, you are harming the body ever bit as much as you are the cancer. When the body becomes weak, it becomes even more susceptible to attacks from other sources.

In their self-absorbed, unchecked by reason, unwillingness to listen, strategy against the terrorist, this administration is willing to sell out the very meaning of this country in order to achieve a goal that even they themselves can’t fully comprehend anymore.

It is time that we say no more and take back this country to why it was founded.

What the FUCK is wrong with you people?

Oh here we go again…

In the county that I just moved from, a mom of 4 is once again trying to ban Harry Potter books from school libraries. Her main reason this time? It’s evil and if we don’t stop it, there will be more school shootings.

Are you fucking kidding me?

What kind of crazy ass Kool-Aid are you drinking lady? How could you possibly make a link between Potter and school shootings? What version of Potter are you reading? Linking Potter and school shootings is about as solid of an argument as linking Iraq and terrorists/WMDs.

Even if I give in to your main argument that Potter promotes Wicca. Do you know what the hell Wicca is? Wicca promotes living in harmony with the earth. No where does it EVER say anything about shooting up schools. How many Wiccas have you known to lock up a room of school girls and shoot them execution style? HOW Fucking many?

I can name one Christian right off my head though.

Before the shooting, this piece of shit guy in PA was considered a good Christian. If this is your idea of a good Christian, I’ll take my chances elsewhere.

How dare you compare Potter to evil? I bet my life that more people have killed and died because of the Bible than the Potter books. What kind of definition of Evil are you working with? Is evil promoting friendship and fighting through adversity through your own abilities and teamwork with your friends? Is that evil? Is that what we’re trying to ban from our kids from learning?

All you ever preach is this lazy, do-nothing and just hope attitude that hopes for some mysterious force to take care of everything. That is the exact definition and purpose of prayer. That’s fucking pathetic.

Don’t pray for things to get better. Go out and fucking do something about it. Stop being fucking lazy and just sit around praying and pretend that’s doing something. That’s like someone on welfare praying that someone knocks on their job and gives them a good job.

Yes, you’re a fucking spiritual welfare case.

After the shootings in PA, I watched as they put one of the fathers of the Columbine victims on TV. This is what he said:

…This country is in a moral free-fall. For over two generations, the public school system has taught in a moral vacuum, expelling God from the school and from the government, replacing him with evolution, where the strong kill the weak, without moral consequences and life has no inherent value. We teach there are no absolutes, no right or wrong. And I assure you the murder of innocent children is always wrong, including by abortion. Abortion has diminished the value of children. Suicide has become an acceptable action and has further emboldened these criminals. And we are seeing an epidemic increase in murder-suicide attacks on our children….

Evolution and the lack of prayers is what you’ve resorted to blaming the shootings on? Abortion has diminished the value of children?

No sir, you, and parents like you have diminished the value of children. By saying that you want to ‘protect’ all these children even though they are in horrible situations and will have a very difficult chance in a good life, you have sentenced them for life in misery. By saying all children are special, none are, and it is you who is diminishing their value.

It is the quality of life, not the quantity of life. When people learn this, the world will be a better place.

Instead of blaming other outlets, why don’t you look in the mirror first? So many of you are failures as parents and refuse to admit that it’s your fault. You don’t have the first idea on how to be a parent. Instead you blame things like Potter, the music a kid listens to, or even teaching evolution.

I hear so many of you wanting to have kids. You don’t have the first clue on how to be a parent. I understand that it’s programmed into our DNA to have children to ensure the survival of the species, but for whatever egotistical or selfish reason you think you want to have a child, how about learning how to raise a child first before having one? And no, you don’t just ‘know’ how to raise a child. And no, the Bible is not a good reference on raising a child.

Here’s a little secret. Just praying that your child becomes a good person doesn’t really work. You actually have to be a good parent in order to raise a good child. This takes a lot of work. Yes, this goes against everything you believe I know.

So instead of spending your energy on blaming Potter as evil or the teaching of evolution as the cause for school shootings, go read a book on how to raise a kid or just go hang out with your kid. No, there’s no more ‘me’ time for you. This is what you signed up for when you had a kid.

Start taking the responsibility and act like a real parent.

Top 10 Searches Engine Links

Got this idea from E-Lo to look at my last 10 searches so here we go.

10. Cavilers marching band recordings – Odd that this search linked my site. Although I love DCI, I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned them on this blog. I much prefer the Blue Devils or Madison Scouts. Shut up, marching bands are cool.

9. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood – Are woodchucks and woodpeckers the same things? There’s a giant spider web in one of my trees. Wonder if it can hold a bird. Now that’d be something.

8. Speak and Math band Texas – I’ve heard of pep bands for sports, but apparently in Texas, the Speech and Math clubs get their own pep bands too. Fantastic.

7. coolio north carolina shirt helicopter – I don’t think Coolio sang that song with the taking off of the shirt and swinging it over your head like a helicopter. I would like to know the song writer's muse and inspiration.

6. Camp for unloved children cartoon – Worst cartoon idea…. EVER.

5. we movin on up from the eastside 2006 version – Whoa, I didn’t know there was a soundtrack about my move. Sweet.

4. Drunken things to do on your birthday – Now this is where I do have a bit of expertise. Of course, the only drunk thing I seem to do on my birthday is pass out.

3. kentucky governor's daughter stripper – Really? Anyone got a pic?

2. a nasty beat down after a guy mistakenly laps a dude's girl – By lapping I hope they mean give a lap dance. That in itself is disturbing as I don’t think I’ve ever seen a male lap dance but I don’t think it would be all that exciting. Maybe I’m just not going to the right places.

And the winner for best search that got linked to this page..

I don’t love you I won’t – Fine. I hate you and hope you end up on Springer. How does this search get to this page? The internet Gods must be telling me something.

Mr. Pup Goes to Washington, Part 3

The last time I was in DC, it was in the 10th grade. We were there to march in the Cherry Blossom Parade. It might look like all fun and games on TV, but marching in a parade is hard. Just imagine a hot day, big polyester uniform, marching for over a mile without being able to scratch yourself. Because as you know, as soon as you do that, you’ll end up on TV.

I continued my journey by walking towards the White House, and it’s doesn’t hold the grandeur that I remembered. When I last visited, there was a fence. Other than that, it was a clear view at the magnificent building. When I saw it this time around, I couldn’t help but notice how insanely militarized the White House has become.

I think it’s a shame what this country and the world has become. Militarization of anything has never been the path to peace. How do we say that we want peace when we militarize so much of our own world? There’s a line that I think we have crossed in trying to achieve some imaginary sense of ‘safety’. I digress.

As I mentioned before, I had my mp3 player on. I walked towards this grassy area by the building to get a better view of the White House. All of a sudden, I feel this hand grab my shoulder. When I turned around, a man in a black suite, who didn’t look particularly cheery said “You need to leave this area now”.

Apparently, he had been yelling at me for a bit now, but with my headphones on, I didn’t hear anything. He was clearly secret service and not happy about having to come after me. I played the tourist card and was sent on my way. I don’t know why that was exciting for me, but it’s not everyday I get the attention of the secret service.

I was getting hungry so I walked towards Chinatown because I had a craving. In case you didn’t know, here’s a tip on Chinese restaurants. There’re 2 things that you have to look for. 1. Lots of people in the restaurant. 2. Lot of Asian people in the restaurant. If you’re in a new area and looking for a good Chinese restaurant, just find one with lots of Asian people and you’re good to go. Even better, look for part of the menu to be on little sheets of paper taped to the wall. This ensures quality.

This assumes you wanted real Chinese food and not some bastardized American version of course.

I ended up at a place called Big Wong’s restaurant. I thought this would be funny to put on my expense report. Despite the name, it was filled with Asian families so I gave it a shot. Nothing much to report here except it was fantastic. Not the best I’ve had by a long shot, but it did the job.

I began my trek back to the hotel. It was still early and I didn’t want to go back right away. I remembered that I saw a bar right by my hotel in my drunken stumble back last night.

So I went in the BG. It was a nice small bar with a little grill on the other side of the room. I sat at the end of the bar next to a couple of seemingly drunk guys who was talking to the cute bartender. Eventually, we struck up a conversation when I agreed with one of the guys that when your girlfriend secretly reads your email, she’s crazy.

Turns out the bartender worked for one of the guys for her day job and as I got in good with this guy, the beers and shots started flowing. Of course, knowing the bartender makes one’s bar tab significantly cheaper. Fantastic as I’m not able to expense drinking binges.

In general, I’m not a fan of eating alone, especially in public. However, as I have to travel for work, I’m pretty much forced to eat by myself pretty often. Not that I need another reason to go to a bar, but I’m beginning to find that eating at a bar really isn’t as bad even if you have to do it alone.

Naturally, there will always be people there by themselves. Bartenders are usually quite friendly, and if you wait long enough, people will be drunk and everyone will be friendly.

The rest of the trip was quite uneventful, but I think the protest, run in with secret service, and the night at GB made the 3 day meeting tolerable.

Mr. Pup Goes to Washington, Part 2

It was a painful first day as we had an all day meeting about the meeting the next 2 days. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s meeting to meet about other meetings. Seriously, that’s the biggest waste of time ever. Don’t wait till I get there to talk about what we’re going to meet on. Get it together way before I’m there people.

The day of the meeting came and it was as painful as the first. Even worst is that these are all executives. It can be easily seen that the bureaucratic disease has infected them all. The group discussed and harped on topics that they’re interested in, even if it’s not remotely relevant to the topic at hand. Everyone was afraid to make a decision and wanted to play nice (i.e., be political). When a decision was made, everyone had to say something about their support for it. Even if it's just saying exactly what the person before had said.

Here’s a hint for those of you looking to be executives. Being executives means making decisions, so when I’m in a meeting with you asking for decisions, make decisions. Don’t try to be political and make it sound all good with me. Just tell me the decision. I’ll tell you if it’s a stupid idea or a good idea. Unlike most people, in my book, the higher position you are, the more you have to work for me to give you credit and respect. I don't get star/executive struck.

I’ll stop harping on this as it’s boring.

After the 2nd day of meetings, I decided to go out for a stroll around the city. I was right in the middle of everything. The capital building was only 5 blocks from where I was so I started there.

Outside the building, there was a small group of protestors with signs to “Jail Bush” for war crimes. Being that I haven’t been in a protest in a while, I joined the group for a bit. Fun as it was philosophically, it was quite boring. Especially since there’s no one in congress right now, it wasn’t the most effective way to protest the president.

I move on and walked towards the mall. The actually space isn’t as nice as I imagined, but there was a lot going on. I think it was kick ball league night so there were about 4 games going on there. The mall is surrounded by gorgeous buildings filled with smart people stuff. I would've like to go in some of them, but as the sun is going down, I need to keep moving towards the Washington monument.

While the monument looked close when I was walking on the mall, it was in fact not so much. Luckily, I had my mp3 player so it was fun to see everything with a soundtrack. If the right song is on (Sexyback), watching people jogging can be hilarious. Life and everything you do, is much better with a soundtrack.

For some reason, when I got to the monument, it wasn’t as large as I thought it’d be either.

Seeing as there’s not much to do there, I took a right turn and headed for the White House. Maybe Bush'll be around for a chat and a beer.

To be continued…

Mr. Pup Goes to Washington

So I’m here in Washington DC. Here’s my story.

I was at the airport 2 hours early as usual. I generally like being at the airport early so I can catch up on my magazine reading. For this particular trip, I had to fly a low-cost airline based out of Atlanta. I had sweared I would never fly this airline for work, but as that they were $200 cheaper than anyone else, I had to book with them.

Generally, 2 hours would put you at the gate with about an hour of wait time, but no, not with this airline. Due to a million people flying this airline at all times, also with the added people checking in bags due to the stupid ass no liquid law, there was quite a bit of wait to check in my bag.

I waited an hour and 20 minutes to check in my bags. All because of my toothpaste, mousse, cologne, and Jack, cause you know, that Jack is dangerous. All those extremist that drinks Jack or all the different types of explosives you can make with Jack. So after 80 minutes in line, by the time I got to the counter, they informed me that it was too late to check in bags. The next flight was 8 hours later.

“What the fuck?” were my exact words. The employee informed me that I should’ve been there 2 hours early. “I was here 2 hours early jackass. It was the hour and 40 min wait in line that’s making me late”.

I know it’s not his fault, but still.

I stormed off from the counter, ran to security, and decided to take my chance with my liquid items.

To my surprise, they caught me with my liquids. Seeing those guys working the screening, I didn’t think they could find a disease in a whore house. I had to get rid of the toothpaste, mousse, face wash, and cologne. By the end of this search, I had 20 min. before the flight took off. Being that the next flight isn’t for another 8 hours, and this is a business trip, I had to leave my stuff.

Of course, my terminal was at the very end of the concourse. If you’ve ever been in Hartsfield, you know that’s fucking far. Much further than I’m in shape for to run with a luggage and a heavy ass computer bag.

I got there as they were about to close the plane. To add on to the frustration, someone was in my seat. It just keeps getting better.

Oh, I can’t wait till to see what DC brings me.

To be continued….

You Sir, Are Not Fit

I’ve been trying to think for days now on how to best write about this abomination that is in the White House. It’s so shocking and amazingly insane that it is difficult to put into words the rage that I feel.

This stance on torture that this administration is so adamant about enforcing is simply unacceptable. What is even more unacceptable is that the American people do not realize how this strikes at the very fabric of America more than ANY terrorist can ever hope to do.

Everything this country stands for. Every life that has been lost fighting terrorism. This is all based on the essence of this country. A country that is built on the freedoms to think, to defend against acts of cruelty, and most importantly, a country that is ruled by hope, not fear.

What you have done Mr. President, is pervert everything that this country stands for. You have isolated America from the rest of the world, made American fear everything around them, and began the push to deteriorate the freedoms that so many have fought and died for.

The founding fathers and all Americans, past and present, would and should be completely disgusted and outraged that a president would even slightly hint that it is tolerable to use torture as a way to combat anything.

Torture is never an acceptable form of behavior for anyone. One of the key points that this administration pointed out in going into Iraq was that Saddam used torture and torture chambers on its own people. Mr. President, are you now arguing that what Saddam was doing is acceptable? I believe he too was trying to get ‘information’ from these people that did not subscribe to his views and meant him harm.

How are you and Saddam different? Perhaps is it more acceptable, Mr. President, that it’s not our own people that we’re torturing. Is that your belief? Doesn’t your belief also include being a good Christian? How do you think your discussion will go when you try to convince Jesus that torture can be tolerated sometimes.

Mr. President, you have done nothing in your 6 years in office to build or strengthen this country. You have done nothing but push the agendas of the evangelical and the rich. What’s even worst, when we lost 3000 people on Sept. 11th, you wasted the one major opportunity in the 21st century to unite the world. You have not only squandered that opportunity to build something good around the world, but in turn you used it as a staging point to spread your hatred and poison around the world.

How dare you exploit Sept. 11th to use it to create even more hatred and deaths around the world. You disgrace the memory of all that have died or been harmed by this event.

Now it is not only Americans that are paying the price, but millions others all around the world will suffer because of our mistake in putting you in power. Those that are harm directly through the many battles throughout the middle east, and those that gets ignored (Africa, domestic problems), all suffer because you do not understand the concept of being a leader or even a moral person.

Somehow, you have gotten the idea that we must become and use tactics of the the terrorists and extremist such as torture to defeat them. You are wrong sir. Very wrong. It is unacceptable to even hint that the actions of the terrorist and extremist will be tolerated. By defending and pushing for torture, that is exactly what you are doing.

You say we are nothing like the terrorists and extremist, we should act different then.

You cannot defeat this problem only through force or becoming like them. That is the way and the thinking of a naive leader who was put in power not by his own merits, but through a political machine that has deceived the American public for too long.

George W. Bush, you’re not fit to be the President of the United States. You’re hardly fit to be an American.

Only WE should have a Faith-Based Government?

So this administration is out there trying to convince the world that Iran should not have nuclear weapons because they are a religious fundamentalist theocratic government.

What exactly does statements like this say about this administration, the NeoCons, and the people who support them?

“Still, some Southern women remain stalwart supporters of the president and the Republican Party. At a watermelon festival in Chickamauga, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, substitute teacher Clydeen Tomanio said she remains committed to the party she's called home for 43 years.

"There are some people, and I'm one of them, that believe George Bush was placed where he is by the Lord," Tomanio said. "I don't care how he governs, I will support him. I'm a Republican through and through."”

Blind faith is a dangerous thing. Especially when the faith is in someone who so carelessly and knowingly endanger the safety of the entire world for profit and a secret crusade.

You can’t go around saying that the US can have a theocratic government because its based on the Christian faith and that you believe that’s the only one true faith. Whereas you can’t tolerate the Iran government because they don’t have the same faith-based government simply because you don’t like their faith.

Before you accuse me of being anything other than someone who believes and remembers what this country was created for (i.e, land free from a government of tyanny). I’m not sticking up for the Iran government either because I think it’s horrible to govern based on faith. No matter the faith. Faith which is created by men. Men who are corrupted in their own desire for power and control. Christianity and Islam are both equally guilty in terms of bringing war and misery to the world.

For all of you that believe that prayer is the answer. Guess what? It’s not.

It’s the problem.

Concerning a rebuttal to the President's speech last night.


Everything I’ve wanted to say

Olbermann: 'How dare you, Mr. President'

I May Need Some Sleep.....

The first thing I did after I paid my first ever gigantic mortgage bill was to tell Pup that he has to start smoking crack now cause we can’t afford the coke.

I then realize that I have so many other problems that the mortgage bill shouldn’t even really be a concern.

I mean come on, I have a stuffed bear that smokes crack.

Pup is Bringing SexyBack

Damn that song’s catchy.

So once again, I’m in the same TV situation as I was a few years ago. The only channels I get are religious channels and Spanish channels. One bonus channel that I get now is a religious Spanish channel. Fantastic.

Yes, I’m too cheap to get cable.

You know, I don’t know how families do this. I see single income families of 4 all the time with all this stuff. I have no idea how they do it. I can barely support me and Pup. Beside the booze and the occasional crack, Pup’s not that expensive to keep up with. To have a wife and 2 children all feeding off one salary? How does that work?

Besides the basic living costs, how do people afford cable? I think I do ok financially, and I have no idea how I’d pay $50 (at least) for cable a month. I’m stuck with my fizzy channels, but it’s ok though. This lets me catch up on a lot of religious and Spanish channels.

It doesn't help that I just moved out of a house that had every channel and I mean EVERY channel and a Tivo. Not that I have the channels to watch anything, but I have no idea when shows are on either. Serious withdraws…

Oh well, guess it’ll be more time for me to figure out how to bring the Sexyback.

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I Think

Another list of things in my head. Seriously busy here with working then going to the house to work some more late at night. I will hopefully be fully moved into my new house by this weekend!


I think painting your own house sounds like a good idea at first, but then you start doing the work and realize you’re not a very good painter.

I think if you come visit my house, you should pay no attention to the edges of the wall.

I think drinking while painting is a good idea until you take off the tape and realize you just painted on the trim cause you didn’t tape the right places.

I think I need to buy some Lowe’s stocks. I have spent so much money there recently.

I think Sam is a really sexy name for a girl.

Like having a kid or a pet, once you get a new house, that’s the only thing you talk about in conversations.

I think we’re ignoring some really important domestic issues that’s going to hurt the country badly in the long run.

I think everyone should be a little nicer. In other words, stop being such self-centered assholes.

I think the religious conservatives will outbreed the liberals.

I think that my house warming party will not include furniture. It will by BYOC. Bring your own chair.

It's all mine!

I closed on the house on Friday. I'm now an official home owner! Even though everything in the house is in great shape I still walk around saying, "yea, let's switch that out or that needs to go." All these hours of watching HGTV is finally going to pay off.

Oh, this will be fun. First things first. Who's up for some painting?

Reason # 14,763 why I can not have children

Due to some last minute change of plans in my last business trip, I had to try to get a car at the airport. For some reason, there were no cars left in Orange County except one.

One big ass, big as a whale, love shack-seats-about-20-super-mini-van. This was the only car they had left in all the rental places and since I needed a car, that’s what I got.

*Travel Tip of the day – If you have to rent a car last minute like this, tell them you have a corporate account. Say you work for someone like GE, Sprint, or pretty much any fortune 100 company. You’ll get a much better rate and the rental people doesn’t check any type of ID.

What I learned is that I can’t drive anything this big. Every turn was a 9 point turn. Parking is a nightmare. I thought about picking people up at the airport and acting as a taxi to make up for all this room I had in the car.

I don’t think I could possibly drive this thing and have screaming children in the back. If they did, they’re just gonna have to get the hell out and walk.

To top it all off, I had to fill up the tank before returning the van, I was filling a quarter of a tank. Do you know how much that was? $40. Yup. $40 for a quarter of a tank. I drove from the airport to the hotel and once out for dinner. You’re looking at maybe 30 miles tops total.

BTW, Lucy gets 49 mpg.

So in conclusion, no big ass vans for me so probably I’m not fit to have children. I know mini-vans are not a requirement for children, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Oh How Nice of Those NeoCons…

In case you had any illusions about who the NeoCons serve, this is a great example. And no, it's not you that they're even remotely concerned with.

I sure do enjoy hearing people complain how rich people are so discriminated against by taxes just because they’re rich. Most of time, this argument is from people who doesn’t have that much wealth themselves. They argue even though they can’t comprehend how much money these elites have.

Please note, when I’m talking rich here, I’m not talking about the guy making 100K or 200K a year. No, I’m talking about the uber rich. The group that’s .01% of the population that holds about 80% of the country’s wealth. Also, I’m not saying all of the .01% people are not good people or who would necessarily disagree with me.

So many people have been brainwashed to think that the rich are really benevolent people who will somehow send your broke ass a check because they’re nice people. I’m not saying that rich people are not nice. However, there’s a reason they’re rich and they stay rich for a reason. It’s not really about the people that I’m really against (most of the time), it’s the width of the wealth gap and the continuation of this government to perpetuate it that I’m unhappy with.

As I said in the beginning, most of the people that you hear complaining about taxes on the uber rich do not fall into that .01% of the population. The most prevailing thing I see is that many people live under the illusion that if they worked hard, they can be just as well off as these people, and WHEN they become this wealthy, they don’t want all these taxes put on them.

To that, I say slow down. Let’s take this thing one at a time.

I’m not saying that joining the ranks of the .01% is not possible in one lifetime. A lot of people got to where they are in one lifetime, but there are many more that are of family/old money. The chances of being that wealthy, especially in one generation, are very unlikely. Probably as good as me making the NBA playing center.

So before you concern yourself with taxes for this group, wait till you get there then worry about it.

Many of you give this argument that the rich are nice people, and if we tax them in any way, they will seek revenge by firing all of us. Let's talk about how contradictory this is for a moment.

You think the rich are nice, and if they’re nice, they would be ok with paying a little more taxes. Believe me, at the end of the day, it doesn’t affect them at all. They argue on principle, not because it really matters to them financially.

Similarly, the case is made that if the minimum wage is increased, all these restaurants and other hospitality industry that pays minimum wage will not be able to sustain their profits and hence will have to fire people.

Once again, if the rich are so nice, they would understand and not punish these companies when their profits drop a little to help out its employees. As we all know, this is not the case. No matter the cause, if profits fall or come under some arbitrary profit targets, the company is seriously punished by this faceless creature called “share-holders” that everyone bows down to.

There’s a point when you can’t blindly say that profits are the only thing we care about at all costs. To work so hard at a job and yet still live in extreme poverty is not the American dream. These people will never dig themselves out of the hole. If you are truly concerned with these workers as so many of you Neocons claim you are, try to help them for once instead of just your wallets.

Let’s say for a moment that I’m entirely wrong about my reasons to increase the minimum wage and that you are right. Why don’t you explain to me what your Neocons are doing.

The Republican has a package on the floor that would increase the wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour, phased in over the next three years.

HOWEVER, in exchange for this benevolence to the low income population, the Neocons also included in the bill that would exempt $5 million of an individual's estate, and $10 million of a couple's, from estate taxes by 2015. Estates worth up to $25 million would be taxed at capital gains rates, currently 15 percent and scheduled to rise to 20 percent. Tax rates on the remainder of larger estates would fall to 30 percent by 2015.

So basically they’re saying, we’ll give you your $2.10/ hour, but we’re going to want to keep an estimated $268 billion (by some figures) over the next 10 years for that.01% of the population.

Think about this long and hard. For once, don’t just think short term and just about your surroundings. Think about the big picture and how this will harm our society by continuing to further the wealth gap. Not to mention, the Neocons has created a $300 billion dollar budget deficit. This is not the time to give the rich a nice little present.

Do you think these people are really THAT hard up or concerned if they don’t get this money? Sure it’s nice to be getting billions of dollars, but listen, they’re not going to be starving. That I can guarantee you. They’ll be just fine. However, not having this money for the government will cut desperately needed programs that everyone in the country can benefit from, programs that I guarantee the rich will not help pay for.

I’ve never said that we shouldn’t have a gap between the wealthy and the not. However, the gap of .01% of the population controlling 80% of the wealth is a problem.

If the rich are going to fire so many people because they can’t afford them due to the high wages, what the fuck is the $268 Billion dollars all about? If the wages are increased, they’re still going to fire all those people AND keep their nice little bonus. That's the reality people.

I’m sure the Neocons will use this well by saying that Democrats are against raising the minimum wage come election time, and I’m sad to say that I’m sure the majority of the American population will fall for it. Wise up and wake up people.

The rich are rich for a reason, and they also stay rich for a reason. None of the reasons include looking out for anyone else but themselves.

Yes, it is ALL YOUR FAULT

Don’t rationalizing it. Don’t make excuses for yourself. Don’t think eventually history will show you any gratitude. Don’t say that others would’ve been just as bad. Take some responsibility for once. You are the cause for these problems and it is all because of your irrational self-serving actions.

When this country was attacked on 9/11, we had the single best opportunity since WWII to unite the world. To have one common stance against a common enemy. To once again show how when we all work together, what great achievements we can make.

What you did was squandered that opportunity. I don’t care why you did it. For revenge, for money, for oil, for a doomsday welcome-Jesus-back scenario that you seem to want to bring to the world, or for whatever reason.

I don’t care what your reason is. You’ve screwed not just the US, but the world.

Under the disguise of finding WMDs, then liberating a group of people not looking to be liberated, and unknowingly destroying a barrier that was keeping the region in balance, and all the meanwhile irritating the most volatile region in the world. You have caused more death and destruction than that region would have caused itself in decades time.

Don't just count the American Deaths, the death of all the civilans are all on your hands.

While you're busy on your crusade, the real people that needed help (and still do), mostly in Africa, are still dying by the thousands each DAY from diseases, famine, and genocide every day. A situation that is begging for help, but constantly being ignored because YOU aren’t really interested in helping people are you? If your main interest is helping people, what is your excuse for not helping the people of Africa?

Not enough oil in that region for you? Not cool to crusade in Africa?

Are you all really that self centered that you only care about yourselves? That as long as we're safe, it's fine for thousands of others to die. Do you only care about your wallets when you go to the pump? Being that the dying people in Africa would never attack us or our religion so who cares right?

You should be ashamed to call yourself an American.

Not only was this opportunity to unite the world squandered, you’ve managed to turn the world against us. There is no respect for us in the international community. Our leaders are laughed at or painted as war mongers and greedy self serving colonialist.

And no, they are not wrong for doing so. This administration's actions justifies everything.

Do NOT think for a second that since we are the most powerful country and therefore everyone should bow down to us. That is exactly the mentality of this administration and like a narcissistic little boy, it gets you nowhere in the real world. We’ve become isolated and our ideals about democracy, liberty and freedom crumble a bit each day.

This hyper-patriotism towards country or religion is the cause for all our problems. This is the dark side of esteem not just in the people, but in the culture. Everyone (and every culture)would like to think they’re special, and that they’re irreplaceable. In your small world, this is probably true. However, in the grand scheme of things, very few things are significant and/or unique.

The sooner everyone starts thinking that way, the sooner we will realize that the little petty things doesn’t matter. It’s the big picture that we’re working towards.

You may think I’m just some left-wing nut and that this is just another political bashing of the right-wing Neocons. To tell you the truth, I could care less about the left or the right. I care about the human state in general. I care about saving the specie, not any country or group of people.

Never have I had so little hope or optimism for humans.

Last Night I had a Dream

Last night I had a dream. I dreamed that I was studying to take a very important test. I can’t remember what it was for, but I knew the fate of the free world depended on it. I studied and studied about every possible subject. I dreamed that I studied for months. Possibily years.

The day finally came for the big test.

I was handed the test, and I saw that it was a bunch of lyrics.

After looking at it a bit more carefully, it was lyrics of Cher songs. That's right, Cher.

I had to write in which Cher song corresponded with the lyrics.

Go on, try to analyze that!

I should probably not have pizza so late at night.

My Lucy's Back...

My lucy's back, and you're gonna be in trouble
When you see her comin', better cut on the double
(Hey la, hey la, my Lucy's back)

You've been spreadin' lies that I was untrue
So look out now, 'cause she's comin' after you (Hey la, hey la, my Lucy's back)

Hey, she knows that you've been tryin' And she knows that you've been lyin'
She's been gone for such a long time
(Hey la, hey la, my Lucy's back)

Now, she's back, and things will be fine
You're gonna be sorry you were ever born
(Hey la, hey la, my Lucy's back)


Not only is Lucy back, she now has a new protector. Meet Gloomy.

Gloomy

Don't let their soft fuzzy bodies and big eyes fool you.. gloomy bears are killers. Just take a look at those claws!

I should be Working in the White House

The National Journal published a list of salaries for the 403 White House staffers. Here are some good jobs that I would love to have:

Ethics Advisor $114,688
The ethics advisor position must be quite easy. The administration can save over $100K/advisor/year by simply eliminating these 2 positions and replace it with a copy of the bible.

Director for Lessons Learned $106,641
Yes, there is a White House Director for Lessons Learned. It’s like getting paid to be a “yea, you shoulda done that” person. What kind of qualifications does this job require? Let me know so I can apply next time it’s open. I’m very good at tell people what they should have done after the fact.

Supervisor of Search and File $92,820
$92K for search and file? I can definitly supervise other people to go search and file stuff for $92K/year.

Director of Radio $55,200
In the morning it’s smooth Jazz. The afternoon we’ll go all 80s!

Director of Rapid Response $45,000
Director of Fact Checking $46,500
Funny that the Director of Rapid Response and Fact Checking are among the lowest paid positions in this administration.

Mid-Season Tournment

This last weekend was the mid-season summer league ultimate tournament. Unlike other tournments I've been to lately, this was a 2 day tournment. 2 days of pain. After a harsh 9 hour running around day on Saturday, Sunday started quite painful. It was difficult to get out of bed, everything was aching, and I was limping around. I don’t see why people want to prolong their life. This certainly isn’t worth it if this is a preview of old age.

As luck would have it. Our first game was against a group of high school kids. Fantastic. They all seem so young. They of course felt no pain that us old people feel after running for a day. Our chant for the game became “we’re older than your parent.. we’re older than your parents!”

Luckily, even with all the running, they weren’t that great of a team so we managed to beat them pretty easily.

On to the Semi-finals!

We were surprised as we met the opposing team. Most have been drinking a lot already. They explained that they’ve lost some people to injury and some to the World Cup so they just don't have the motivation to play a regular ultimate game. Instead, they challenged us to a different type of game.

In the first game, before you could substitute, you would have to do a shot. The shot consisted of you lying on the ground, and they pour apple juice, vodka, and whipped cream in your mouth. I don’t think the game actually happened, but good times were had by all.

A second game that didn’t really happen was beer-ti-mate. Basically, holding a beer the entire time you’re playing.

So we moved on to the finals for our bracket championship.

Much to our surprise, the team (who is famous for being drunk during the game) was totally sober and focused on winning. When drunk this team is very good. We were quite afraid of the sober version. It wasn’t good that half our team was drunk when we started the game.

It turned out to be a very good and intense game. It was a game to 11. We were tied at 10 and they had the disc. They score and they win. We ended up making a huge defensive stand and then scoring to win the game.

Yay for us!! We win another water bottle!! I think there was a side wager of pitchers of Margaritas and porn, but I haven’t seen either of those prizes yet.

Ultimate is the best sport ever because it’s the only sport where people playing the sport out drinks the spectators.

Movin' on up

Well we're movin on up, To the east side.

To a deluxe house that’s painted like the sky.

Movin on up, To the east side.

We finally got a place that’s all mine.

Fish don't fry in the kitchen;

Beans don't burn on the grill.

Took a whole lotta tryin' Just to get up that hill.
Now we're up in the big leagues

Gettin' our turn at bat.

As long as we live, it's Pup and me baby

There ain't nothin wrong with that.

Well we're movin on up, To the east side.

I think...

Let me explain some things about what I think. This is after all, a blog about what I think.

I think that ideally, socialism and even communism are ideal societal models. However, humans are not capable of living in such a world because the majority of humans are still innately just simple animals who are greedy, lazy, self-preserving, and incapable of self sacrifice or lacks the understanding of the meaning of the greater good. Humans are also incapable of running such a government without becoming corrputed. Basically, humans are the broken ones, not the model.

I think that there is something wrong with our society when entertainers and CEO makes millions of dollars while teachers barely make minimum wage.

I think the wealth gap is one of the biggest problems society faces today. Here’s a very insightful article. It’s great to think that the American dream is still true. That you can work hard and be rich. Well, you can work hard and be ok. The way our society is shaping up, the rich will take care of their own, and they’re not really looking for new members.

I think that the wealth gap problem will not be solved because the people with the money have all the power and the people without money have been taught that this is ok.

I think people don’t see the real problems in the world because they’re too consumed in their own lives and that they would be scared if they knew.

I think we can give a lot more than we do. By pure numbers I’m sure the United States gives more than anyone else. Fractionally, it’s very insignificant. It’s like Bill Gates giving someone $100 vs. a guy making $40K/yr. making a $100 donation. Please don't say that it's the same thing.

I think there are a lot of organizations that do good but has an agenda behind it. What better audience to convert into your way of thinking than coming in and acting like a saint. Think of it as product marketing.

I think everyone needs to work. If everyone worked 10 hours a day, there would be a lot less bad things going on. Everyone would be too tired. The only thing people would want to do after work is getting a beer, not think about protesting or planning to blow up stuff.

I think people need to dance more. Especially in our society. Somehow dancing has become a bad thing in our society. People have no idea how to celebrate. We have lost our way even in knowing how to celebrate and that’s sad.

I think it’s funny that the topic of gay marriage only comes up during election time.

I think if it really does hurt the poor when you tax the rich, then the rich really aren’t the benevolent people that you think they are if they in turn punish the poor.

I think if we don’t start being concern with the real issues of this country like the lack of education the children are getting, it will rot this country from the inside out. It will be much more detrimental than any terrorist attack.

I think people need to know that all wars from now on will be fought for resources (oil, water, etc.). People can hide it behind religion or democracy, or any nice ideals like that, but at the end of the day, it is about a resource that someone wants.

I think if you think there’s nothing wrong with the environment, then by all means, move to the coast, have some kids, and let them run around in the sun for a while. See how that works out for you.

I think another beer will do me good.

Wise up America

As I’m driving around here in LA, I see that gas prices are about $3.51 in some areas. As much as I do enjoy seeing that being a conservationist, I know that it only hurts the poor while rich either benefits or could care less. This I cannot stand.

In the news last week, I heard that the CEO of Shell is going on a tour to assure consumers that they are not benefiting from the high gas prices. This seems a little contradictory as they continue to make record profits. Their argument on the high gas prices is that it is simply a matter of supply and demand.

When Former Exxon CEO retired, he received a benefits package valued at around $400 million dollars. There are a lot of countries that doesn’t make that much in a year. This is not including the $3.6 million bonus last year plus salary and other benefits.

Exxon defends Raymond's compensation, pointing out that during the 12 years he ran the company, Exxon became the largest oil company in the world and that the stock price went up 500 percent.

So, here’s the point. Which one is it? Why did an oil company like Exxon make over $36 billion dollars last year.

Is it purely a supply and demand that’s driving the prices of the gas up so high and inadvertently giving the oil companies such a high profit margin? If so, why are you giving the CEO such a large benefits package and bonus? After all, he didn’t have anything to do with it right? It’s the mysterious market forces that are doing all the work. Why give him such a big bonus when he didn't have anything to do with your profits?

If the CEO deserved the bonus and the insanely large benefits package, this would mean that they did have control over what’s going on. Hence they are the reason and/or had the ability to control the gas prices. This would also mean that they lie to congress and in your face on a daily basis.

So which one is it? You can’t have it both ways.

People, think about what these corporate types are saying. They are lying to your face. Don’t accept things as just how it is. Question things for once.

Sadly, the oil company CEOs can wear shirts that says “Fuck you, I’ve got your money”, and you would still buy their gas cause you just gotta look cool in your Escalade or H2. Of course, all of you need your horsepower so that you can go 5mph being stuck traffic everyday.

What the hell is wrong with you people? You don't need any car that gets under 20MPG.

Of course, this government is just so powerless to do anything about it because they’re so tied up in listening to your mundane phone conversations, fighting a war to get the oil companies more oil to make more money at the expense of our lives, fighting science so that other countries can be way ahead of the US in embryonic research, and of course, the most important topic for our government today, fighting to keep gay couples as second class citizens without equal rights.

Yup, the “Gay agenda” is definitely what’s destroying this country and need this government's #1 focus.

Good job everyone!

What the Fuck is Wrong with You People?

I think this maybe the second time this topic has made the "What the Fuck is wrong with you people" list. Congrats to these people for having me pissed off like this twice.

"Chief executives of U.S. corporations earned 262 times the pay of the average worker in 2005, the second-highest level in the 40 years the data's been kept, an economic research group said this week.

Last year, the average CEO was paid $10.9 million a year, or 262 times an average worker's earnings of $41,861, the Economic Policy Institute said Wednesday.

The research group also found a CEO earned more in one workday in 2005 than an average worker earned in 52 weeks.

The group includes salary, bonuses, stock options and other payments in its definition of CEO pay.

Even with stats like this, the Republicans refuse to raise the minimum wage from $5.15/hour. Working 40 hours a week, a person working minimum wage can expect a whopping $206 a week before taxes."

Here’s the problem with all these fuckers that keep these Republicans in power. Yes, I’m talking to you people who vote to keep these bastards in. You’re fucking selfish and greedy or you just simply don’t know any better.

I’m sure the minimum wage has nothing to do with most of you and so you don’t really care. You know, most of you also call yourselves Christians. You all seem to love pulling out that card around elections. Well, this is a very Christian thing to do, you know, helping the rich and screwing the poor. Jesus would be proud.

Yes, he’s very proud of you for not helping the poor as you waste endless amounts of time and resources keeping people who love each other from being together or waging an unnecessary war. Yes, Jesus is very proud indeed.

Why don’t you, the common republican, care anyway? Do you think these people will just use that extra dollar increase for booze or drugs? You probably believe in some lies and pipe dreams about how the rich will share their wealth voluntarily. That they will get SO rich that it will naturally trickle down to the poor. If you believe that, you need to wake the fuck up. That will NEVER happen. NEVER.

These are hard working people that are doing backbreaking shit work. I guarantee you this is work that you would NEVER want to do. They deserve a fighting chance to have a good life just as much as your silver spoon overfeeding self.

BTW, if you vote Republican and you make below 300K a year and/or are not a straight white male, you’re a fucking ignorant brainwashed dumbass.

Newport Beach, CA

View from my balcony

Don’t you wish your Pup was Ghetto like me…

You can put the Pup in a very nice upscale $230/night room…

The Pup will still bring a 12 pack of beer and open them in the deadbolt hole because he didn’t have a bottle opener. BTW, this results in a big mess so I don’t suggest it.

The Pup will still fill the trash can up with ice and use it as a cooler

The Pup will still check for nudie magazines under his mattress

The Pup will still have no hesitation dropping something from the 8th floor

The Pup will still swim up to the pool bar and order a PBR

Almost Perfect

I’m in one of the best rooms in San Diego right now. My room overlooks the dock and the Pacific Ocean. I’m in a little resort hotel with 2 swimming pools and 2 nice restaurants among other very nice amenities (can you say swim up pool bar?).

When I went to get some ice, I started a small conversation with another guest. He had suggested this very nice restaurant that was within walking distance. I could make a short stroll around the dock and it’s right there on the water. You could sit outside on a near perfect night with a great view of the ocean. Being that it was dusk, it also had a perfect backdrop of the sun setting beyond the ocean.

After dinner was finished, I could take a slow stroll back around the dock. There are several seats on the trail so people can sit and enjoy the view. It would be dark when I started on the way back because of the wonderful dinner and conversations. While sitting at one of those benches, the fireworks show from the nearby theme park would begin and light the sky with its array of colors.

Yes, it would be quite the perfect night. I definitely could and would do all of these things if she was here with me.

People wonder why I don’t sleep. I don’t sleep because when I lay there awake, I wonder where she is. Sometimes I wonder what if there is no she at all. That's a thought that keeps me awake each night.

Tomorrow's hotel is suppose to be even better. Fantastic.

The Kids Redeemed

It’s no secret that I’m not impressed with the kids today. It could be that I’m just an old bitter man who drinks in the front parking lot with a wife beater and yells at the kids.

After the NIN show, I wasn’t sure what to expect as I headed off to the Artic Monkeys concert.

The concert was held at my favorite venue where I’ve had some of my favorite concert moments. Some that comes straight to mind is seeing Prodigy where we were asked to leave the upper levels because all the jumping was causing the place to become unstable. Orbital/Crystal Method where some of the sickest moves I’ve ever seen were displayed in a dance off. Dido where I was about 5 feet away from her. This and others like Pet Shop Boys and Marilyn Manson just to name a couple.

Earlier that day, I had endured two seriously tough ultimate matches that lasted about 5 hours in over 90 degree heat. We had very limited subs and was playing a high school/college team. Damn kids and their running around. It was all I can do during the game not to just hurl. I’m really selling this sport aren’t I?

Both games were great as both came down to the last point and more importantly we won both games. In the first game, because we were short people, we played 6 vs.7. Now that’s a lot of work trying to cover multiple people.

I was tired, to say the least, going into the concert. The venue offered standing room right in front of the stage or seating up in the balconies. Being old and very tired, we opted for the seats. Up around the seating area, I couldn’t help but notice that everyone around us was English. Not totally unexpected as this is an English Band. Their heavy British accents and England Soccer jerseys was an easy give away.

What a reaction when the monkeys finally came out. They rocked a lot more than I thought they would. There were people dancing in their seats and in the isles. As I looked down from the balcony, I saw a wave of people jumping up and down with fists pumping. Now that’s good crowd.

The energy level stayed high during the whole show. Crowd surfing ensued as the Monkeys kept rocking out. Even as tired as I was, the energy of the place lifted me back to life. About half way through the show I was back up and moving around in the isles too.

I was expecting a good concert, but it turned out to be great and lots of fun.

Kids, especially English ones, you are redeemed.

I Want to Pup You Like an Animal

With the continuing crap going on in my life, there has been an unlikely ally lately. I don’t generally go to that many concerts. Actually, before the They Might Be Giants concerts, I don’t think I’ve been to one in over 9 months (yes, I know that's still a lot more often than most people but the voices don't care about other people).

They Might Be Giants gave me a great lift with their energetic fun show that really helped my spirits. It all went away with the accident to Lucy last week, I was ready to punch someone in the face.

Last night I went to the Nine Inch Nails concert. Trent certainly delivered. The show was amazing and he was better than ever. Way to give my pent up rage a voice.

With that said, I must point out that I’m very disappointed in the crowd. Though they were into it, they weren’t really into it as much as they should. The music was rocking. Everyone should have been jumping around, but alas, just swaying.

What the fuck is wrong with you people?

Even right in front of the stage, there was no real action going on. T and I walked in the lawn area completely expecting a mosh pit or at least some slam dancing. Even there, nothing. I’ve seen more action at a widespread panic concert or at the Lilith Fair.

What the hell is wrong with these kids nowadays? Last time I saw NIN, there were 2 pits and looking toward that stage, you see an ocean of people jumping up and down with people being lifted to the top. People would run around and dance like they were possessed. Now that’s a good crowd.

In the good ol’ days, there would be a pit, maybe 2. As soon as one is formed, T and I would run and hurl ourselves in and clean up the weak from the pit. Yes, we were those guys. Of course that came with some serious bruises from other bigger fish in the pit, but it’s all good.

In this age of implanted fear from the government, religious minority enforced political correctness, lawsuit fears, too much coddling with our technology, and just generally pansy ass people who would use a weapon because they’re too chick shit to get some real action going, we as a society are going down the wrong path of civilization.

I’m not saying we should be anarchist or be randomly violent. No, that shit's just retarded. There is a certain degree of controlled violence that’s good for people, a controlled outlet. Anger and violence has become so shameful and unacceptable that we are forced to just pent it up inside. It doesn’t go away folks, it just manifests itself in other ways.

We’ve become so afraid to express ourselves. We’ve become so afraid to do anything that others may perceive as strange or different. We’ve become what the government and the religious minority wants us to be, an obedient subdued fearful group of citizens that needs their control on our lives because we don’t know any better.

Start mooing people, cause you're becoming cattle.

This country has shifted from power of the people, to power to the minority. If there is no hope in this crowd that I saw last night, there is certainly very little hope elsewhere.

As much as I wanted to hear more, I didn’t blame Trent for not doing an encore. The crowd certainly didn’t deserve one.

6 -06 -06

The END is coming!! The END is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!


What? The world isn't ending today?
Damn it...

Yea, all you rightous self-serving religious fundamentalist will just have to spend a bit more time with us before your flying spaceship come takes you away.

So sad for you.