But I Have Thoughts

Clearing out the thought box...

2009-10-30T09:20:00.004-04:00

It's been a long time since my last post. Lots of things have happened, most importantly my son was born. He's my excuse for being a voyeur as opposed to a participant in the blog world. If you saw him, you'd understand. He's that cute...seriously. I'm not just saying that because I'm his dad. I'm saying that because he's the most adorable baby I've ever seen. Honestly, he could and should be the new Gerber baby.

But I digress...I came back to clear out the old thought box. So here's a mishmash of thoughts bouncing around in my noggin.

If you're in any position where you come into contact with the public often throughout the day, you're an idiot for not getting the H1N1 vaccine. Seriously. It's going to help, not hurt - better life through science, people. Of course, this thought is a selfish one. A) I want my kid's daycare providers to be vaccinated for his health and mine and B) I just don't want this stupid thing spreading anymore than it has to.
Now that I'm a dad, I feel like I have to stop listening to certain kinds of music, most notably punk rock. That sounds stupid, I'm sure, but can you imagine you're dad listening to Social Distortion? Me neither.
Along those same lines, can somebody tell me when I'm supposed to stop following new music? I feel like my taste in music shouldn't intersect with my son's. Again, probably sounds stupid, but it's something I've been thinking about. Of course, I want to be as cool of a father as possible, but I don't want it to look like I'm trying too hard like that dad on Modern Family.
For the longest time, I've been a fence sitter when it comes to politics...most likely because I have trouble making decisions. I him and haw back and forth trying to see the good in both sides of any argument to the point that I just end up stuck in the middle...it's that whole paralysis by analysis thing. But I have to say, I'm starting to lean to the right just a tad bit. Growing older is making me more selfish and I feel like the some of the right's policies are better fit to help me and mine. Yet I almost hate to admit this because I despise the crazies on the right so much more than I despise the crazies on the left.
On a much less serious note, I noticed recently that flannel shirts are making a comeback. Really? Are we already done with the 80s and now we're dipping into the early 90s? I've got to say, I'm sad about this...I mean I got rid of all my flannels in the mid-90s. I'm not so happy that I may have to go out and buy more.

Anyway, there's my comeback, as weak as it is. I'm going to try to post something on a weekly basis. Maybe I can win back my readers...all 2 of you!

Not TMI, But Embarrassing

2009-01-08T08:58:00.002-05:00

So I thought I'd come back to the blog world on TMI Thursday with a tale of childhood suffering.

Picture it. A young boy is riding his Huffy, mouth wide open with a big smile. Then his evil older brother comes flying up behind him and rams into the back of his bike, which subsequently tosses him forward over the handlebars. The young boy is screaming, mouth still wide open as he face approaches the unforgiving pavement. After what seems like an eternity, the young boy hits said pavement, top two front teeth first. Blood and tears gush from the boy as he runs to the house screeching in pain, his top two front teeth (which had just come in nicely after losing his baby teeth) dangling from their roots.

The boy is rushed to the emergency room where he waits and waits and waits. Finally, he gets checked out and finds that he has to have a X-ray on his teeth. Post X-ray, the Doc tells him that the teeth can be saved, but they'll have to take him to a specialist. He's rushed to an orthodontic surgeon who paints a cast on his top two front teeth. After everything is complete, the young boy learns of all the rules he must follow to make sure the cast holds, thus preserving his teeth.

No eating hard foods, which basically means he's got to eat mashed potatoes, jello, soup, etc. (might seem cool at first, but lack of variety can crush the soul). No swimming (of course this happened at the beginning of the summer). No playing soccer, baseball, basketball or any sort of game where he could get hit in the mouth. Basically, his life was going to suck for 3 straight months. It was bad enough for the poor fellow having these restrictions, but it got worse as the pristine white cast quickly turned yellow and then almost brown as the food passed over the cast and the weeks passed through the summer. By the end, it was a shade of brown never seen before in nature. Awful. Luckily, the boy was bigger and taller than all his friends so he was spared the cruelty of young children.

Still, for 3 months during the summer of '84, the young boy suffered a life lacking any semblance of fun and had to endure a nasty brown cast covering his two front teeth.

I still have trouble smiling in pictures.

In Defense of Christmas

2008-12-10T11:55:00.002-05:00

First, sorry for not posting much in the past month. A ton has been going on with work and life, and the good ol' blog is the first to suffer in a time crunch. Now, to my post...

So when did so many people start hating Christmas? Seriously, every post I'm reading is about people hating the holidays for this reason or that. It sort of bothers me because this is my favorite time of the year by far. Maybe it's because it was such a big deal in my house when I was growing up. The decorations, the constant smell of baked goods in my mother's kitchen, everyone being in better spirits, and yes, even the music. In fact, I love the music. I've got a Christmas Choir station going on Pandora as we speak. Awesome.

I will admit, that now that I'm all growed up, Christmas has lost that magic feeling that it did when I was younger. But sometimes, like last night, when only candles and Christmas lights were on, I felt the magic again, if only for a moment. My wife was asleep on the couch, the dog was asleep on his bed near the fireplace, and I sat there...a smile on my face...thinking of how good I've got it and how much better it's going to get.

Anyway, the crazy shopping, the hot stores, the over-abundance of mediocre food, and each of you scrooges can't ruin this holiday season for me!

Working Work Working Works!

2008-11-17T14:58:00.002-05:00

Well, I had just got back into the blogging fray when work decided that I should actually do things to earn my paycheck...a lot of things. I won't bitch or moan about it, but it's still an excuse for my lack of posts. I'm putting in looooooooooooooooooooooooooong hours everyday and haven't had time to do anything that even begins to be worthy of posting. And the looooooooooooooooooooong hours are going to continue through the new year. WOOOOHOOOOOO!

But don't fret. I'll still post from time to time. Just want to explain my relative absence to...um...myself.

I'm pretty dern busy!!!

2008-11-12T09:57:00.002-05:00

But I'm not so busy that I can't start TMI Thursday a day early.

I want to lay in a bathtub full of this....naked....and possibly eat my way out.

The Death of the Slow Jam

2008-11-06T10:15:00.001-05:00

I'm not exactly sure when it happened, but at some point in the late 90s the slow jam went the way of the dodo.

See, when I was in middle school and high school, slow jams were huge. People had mix tapes and then mix CDs dedicated to the perfect mix of slow, sexy songs. They were the soundtrack to more awkward make out sessions and other quasi-sexual romps than I can even remember (who am I kidding, I can count them on one hand). In fact, my first real kiss occurred with Keith Sweat singing Merry Go Round in the background. And while I wish it would've been with a different girl (gah she was nasty!), I loved having Mr. Sweat there sort of cheering me on. Making me feel sort of smooth - sort of cool.

Countless others joined Mr. Sweat - Ralph Tresvant, Tevin Campbell, BoysIIMen, Shai, Jodeci, BlackStreet, Brain McKnight, Mint Condition, Silk, Tony Toni Tone, 112, Dru Hill, a young Usher...I'm sure I left some out.

It's sad, but these voices have been hushed, only appearing during lunch hours of R&B radio stations and in iPod playlists more as a joke than anything else. My heart almost sinks at this thought and I weep for the current pubesents. For all they have as a make out soundtrack is Lil' Wayne, Akon and Flo-rida mumbling out awful songs about strippers. Well kids, if you're out there and you want some quality slow jams to slow dance and make out to, you just give Thoughts a shout out and he'll give you the perfect Quiet Storm.

(as it turns out, Keith Sweat is also good at motivating me to post and to even work a little harder - gawd he's a smooth sonofabitch!)

On the Election...

2008-11-05T17:22:00.003-05:00

In the past year, I've come to terms with what I am - and that's an independent. My friends tell me that I'm indecisive and can't pick a side. Maybe so, but I think it's because I see only gray. In my world, there is no black and there is no white. It's not that easy. In my opinion, both sides have great ideas and awful ideas.

Now the extremes on either side drive me insane. Those who are touting Obama's victory as the end of the world - saying that we're going to get attacked and simultaneously become a socialist state - are ignorant. Those who are touting Obama as the next coming of the Savior (or first depending on your religion) - as if simply electing him is enough to prove days will be better - well, you're a bit delusional.

Both sentiments remain to be seen, but at the end of the day, Obama is our new president and I think we all need to hope he succeeds (and help him succeed) in keeping us safe and helping us navigate through the economic downturn. I have always felt that anyone sitting in the big chair will feel the pressure to do the right thing, regardless of his or her party affiliation. I also think that a good leader makes sure he has the right people around him. Bush, for the most part, was awful at this. He sought the advice of a few good people, but in most instances, he took advice from the wrong people who helped him tarnish his presidency.

In the end, I hope and pray (and actually believe) that Obama has the foresight to have a well-balanced staff and cabinet - advisers who can explain all sides of the issues and help him come to the right decision - not the party decision.

Regardless, you have to ignore your political stance for just a minute, and realize how amazing it is that an african man and white, american woman gave birth to the next President of the United States. Prejudice is still strong in our country. Plenty of groups still are not afforded all of the rights that we privileged are afforded. But on January 20th, you aren't going to watch another stuffy old white man be inaugurated into the Presidency (that guy will be standing behind him). No, you're going to watch a man with both white and black blood running through his veins be inaugurated into the Presidency.

As Tim Russert (rest in peace) always used to say, "What a country...." It sure is, Tim. It sure is.

(And I voted for Obama, but have more respect for McCain than I have for almost any other politician. His concession speech was eloquent and inspirational.)

Peter Pan at 30

2008-11-03T11:09:00.002-05:00

There aren't many things you can count on in this world, but one thing I know I can count on - I'll always be young at heart. It's a fact. The kid inside me has no problem jumping out. My life is like a scene in BIG. Actually, it's like the piano on the floor scene in BIG.

So when I somehow ended up at a kegger surrounded not only by people in their early 20s, but also a good deal of college freshmen, I fit right in. I reverted back to my college days of beer pong, chugging contests and generally acting like a jagoff. You've seen that scene in Old School where Frank the Tank gives in to his inner frat boy and everyone's cheering him on. Yeah, well I know EXACTLY how he felt at that moment. No, I didn't go streaking.

Well, my inner child got pummeled by my inner old man come Sunday morning. Gone are the days where I can just bounce back the morning after. I spent much of the morning and afternoon in a dark room with old movies and football whispering in the background, my head covered by pillows to block out any light that might be making its way though the blinds. I...felt...AWFUL!!!!! I swore to myself that I wouldn't let my inner child get out of his cage like that ever again.

Funny the difference a day makes cause I'm ready to let the kid out again. Where's the next kegger?

A New Look

2008-10-31T16:06:00.003-04:00

When I was younger, my room never stayed the same for more than a couple of months. I got bored with the same old configuration. Over the years, my bed touched every inch of every bedroom wall possible. It even got to the point where I felt the need to trade rooms with my brothers. I lived in 3 different rooms growing up and it would've been 4 had my sister's room not been pink with pictures of Simon Labon all over the place.

So yeah. I get bored quickly and need to change things around. Thus the new look to the old blog.

Do you like it? No? Well screw you twice!

its an epidemic

2008-10-30T10:24:00.003-04:00

ive noticed something lately people arent using punctuation anymore first punctuation was used incorrectly but now its just not even being used are we that lazy i mean cmon people cant you just put in the comma period or apostrophe here and there do you know how hard it is to read emails without proper punctuation its not just a person here or there its everyone ahhhhhh driving me crazy but i guess i need to look at myself as well i misuse ellipses to separate sentences in my emails way too often but i still use the proper commas periods etc well i hope you enjoyed reading this im now going to include all the punctuation that shouldve been used here cause why not right

'.'.,'.?'!',,??'!!!!.,,,.,.'',?

Yo readers...I need your help!

2008-10-28T10:02:00.003-04:00

I go through phases. If I'm in a reading phase, I'll read a bookshelf's worth of books in a few weeks. If I'm into TV, I'll watch show after show until my DVR well is bled dry. If I'm into video games, I'll play for hours upon hours, days upon days, ignoring everyone and everything around me. I think I might have an obsessive personality or something. Who knows.

Regardless, my current obsession is music. I've spent the past few nights scouring for something new. I mean I'm always on the lookout for a new band to fall in love with - not necessarily new to the scene, but new to me - but that search is more intense right now. I know I'm behind on these, but I've been listening to a ton of Band of Horses, Arcade Fire, Okkervil River and The National. And they're all amazing, but I'm greedy...I want more. I need more. Turning on my iPod is like opening the fridge and seeing the same old food. Yeah, the music fulfills a need, but it leaves me wanting more. Or, for you female readers, which is all I have, it's like looking at your closet and seeing the same old outfits that you've been wearing for seasons. You know that you need just a few new pieces to make things seem fresh and new. And with that sentence, I sort of hate myself.

Anyway, I'm looking to my readers, both of you, for help. Who are you listening too? I'm into all kinds of music so I'm open to all suggestions with the exception of anything country or whatever else can be heard on the radio. I'm sorry, but on the average, radio music is mediocre and painfully unoriginal. If I could rid the world of Nickelback and not get caught, believe me, I would. But I digress. HELP!

Thoughts' Random Thoughts

2008-10-24T08:59:00.002-04:00

So I was up way too late doing work last night. 3am to be exact. Got up at 5:45. Delirium has set in. So all I can do is puke out some random thoughts.

American Gangstar has been on HBO lately so that means I've watched roughly 172 times. And when the prick cop kills Denzel's dog, it bothers me to no end. I can watch a million people get killed, but one pup gets knifed and I'm ready to jump through the screen in cut the dude's throat. I was wondering why and I think I figured it out - innocence. A dog is innocent and therefore doesn't know better.

I've been reading this book called Lone Survivor, about a Navy SEAL team in Afghanistan, and it really makes me think that I constantly underachieve mostly because of pure lack of motivation and willingness to drudge through regardless of whether I'm tired or sick or whatever. I think that's why I didn't mind working so late last night...err this morning. Beyond what any soldier sees on the battlefield, the elite go through hells that I can't fathom just for the honor to be the ones doing the toughest fighting. I should be able to work a few extra hours if the task requires it. (BTW, even if you're not into reading about the military or war, it's an amazing book.)

Sad to say, I've been drinking a lot less recently and I'm not sure why. I mean I love me some drinking. Wine, beer, whatever...I really feel the need to go out and get shit canned. But the problem is that my next few weekends just don't allow it. Maybe I need to just take off a random work day and drink the night before. Who's comin' with me?!?!?!

I used to be an athlete - a runner, basketball player, squash player, soccer player. Then, I became an adult and slowly my athletic activities started to dwindle away. Now, over 8 years after graduating from college, I barely find...er make...time to do anything. But I've found something that's actually easy to do and will soon be a money maker for me come Thanksgiving. This site lays out a plan to get you ready to 100 push ups in 6 weeks. I'm just finishing my third week and I'm surprised how far I've come. Anyway, so when I visit family and friends for the holiday, I'm going to bet them that I can do 100 push ups at once. They will say I've been out of shape for years and happily lay down some dollars which I can't wait to take from them. Nothing like money to motivate me into some semblance of fitness.

Not sure if you watch 30 Rock or not, but hulu.com has the season premiere available a week ahead of time. First off, if you haven't seen it, get the first two seasons on Netflix or somewhere. It's honestly the funniest show on TV, by far. Yes, funnier than The Office. The writing is amazing and Alec Baldwin nails his role as the ultra-conservative, business executive. Anyway, I got a chance to watch the premiere. It was okay...I'm giving it a pass because they had to tie up everything from last season.

Alright, that's all I've got. Now I've only got to make it through a full work day without passing out!

So Apparently I've Been Tagged

2008-10-21T16:46:00.002-04:00

Zipcode tagged me. And now for my 7 random facts.

1. I have a sick obsession with sugary (or should I say artificially flavored) drinks. When I walk into a convenience store and see a full wall of refrigerators full of soda, sports drinks, little hugs, et al I get a little excited...if you know what I mean.

2. In my youth, I had an orthodontic cast.

3. Sometimes, when I just sitting there watching television, I'll pick up a deck of cards and shuffle and shuffle and shuffle without even realizing it. I think it's an OCD thing.

4. My favorite hangover cure is 4 Advil and 32 ounces of Mt Dew, which must be chugged at once. It's tough, but it'll get you through the morning.

5. I want to love whiskey and scotch, but in the end I'm a beer man through and through.

6. I can iron a dress shirt in under a minute and it will look and feel like a dry cleaner did it.

7. I've played video games for 12+ hours before without eating or going to the bathroom. Speaking of addictions...

I tag lemmonex, shannon, kassyk, livitluvit, and zipcode three times. Yeah, I know you tagged me already zips and that I'm supposed to tag 7 bloggers, but nobody else really comments on my blog so I don't want to be that random guy who tagged some other random blogger. I'm just not that forward. But at the same time, I'm superstitious so I had to at least tag 7 times.

Anyway, here are the rules. If you're annoyed that I tagged you, it was zip's fault. Follow the rules or don't. It's your world.

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Moment of Zen

2008-10-17T13:59:00.002-04:00

Something to get you through the afternoon!

Let's Keep With the Music Theme

2008-10-17T11:05:00.003-04:00

So my last post gave you a preview of some of my music preferences. We pretty much hit every genre on my iPod, save one. And that one, my fellow U.S. Americans, takes up a surprisingly large amount of space on this here iPod. In this genre, there are 39 artists, 69 albums and 353 songs - nearly 14 % of the total songs I own (or stole...but whatever). Have you figured it out yet? No? Well, I'll give you a clue. You've actually probably heard a good number of these songs, but never really thought about them again. There were simply there for background, to ad emotion, etc. How about now? Can you guess?

Fine, I'll tell you - movie scores. That's right. I frickin' love movie scores. And I'm not even ashamed of it.

It all started back in college. Picture it...random college town, 1996...a cool fall day. A young man, eager to write the perfect paper on truth and reality in cinema, is looking for a way to gain focus. He asks some friends if he can borrow a classical CD, but nobody has any. Finally, a friend explains that he doesn't have any Mozart, but he's got the soundtrack to Last of the Mohicans. Our eager student figures what the heck, pops the CD in his handy-dandy portable CD player and instantly falls in love. The music had such a beautiful, motivating sound to it. He feverishly writes and writes about whether the events in Glory were accurately portrayed while listening to the entire soundtrack over and over. He's so motivated, so focused. And in the end, the masterpiece built on sweat, soda and violin strings demands a....B-....shit.

Oh well, point is that movie scores became my music of choice when studying, writing papers, reading, etc. Sure, I throw some classical in there from time-to-time, but there's nothing like a score to me.

And why not? They're great - for several reasons.

1) A movie score adds instant emotion. You try not working a little harder when listening to this. For me, it's impossible. That violin starts and I'm typing like a mad man...A MAD MAN!!!! I can see Daniel Day Lewis running through the forest, his long hair flying behind him and I want to run. But I can't...so I type. Stop laughing.

2) Even if the movie sucks, the soundtrack can still be good. It's instant residual value from an otherwise useless product. Believe it or not, while most of his movies suck (especially recently), M Night Shyamalan always makes sure to have great scores (thanks to James Newton Howard). If you can tell me that the violin at 2:34 into this song isn't some of the most beautiful and haunting you've ever heard, well then I don't even know what to say.

Finally, the movie score industry has introduced a greater population to music from some amazing composers and artists. We all know or at least heard of John Williams (ET, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc.). But there are countless others. Personally, had I not been into movie scores, I would have never found Hilary Hahn - one of the most amazing violinists I've heard. She played the violin on The Village soundtrack (which I linked to above). Amazing. I had a chance to see her at the Kennedy Center this past spring. The minute she brings that violin to her neck, you know you're in for a treat.

And with this post, I can see my two readers run away...quickly.

My Own Celebrity Playlist

2008-10-15T09:28:00.002-04:00

So I was poking around the celebrity play lists on iTunes last nights and it got me thinking...I want to post my own celebrity play list. But thoughts, you're no celebrity. True indeed, but I gots me a blog and I can post anything I want so, my fellow U.S. Americans, the following is my play list.

I thought I'd make things a bit more interesting than iTunes does and give songs I like to listen to when I'm in a certain mood. And while I could make it easy on you and link an mp3 for every song, I'm way too lazy for that. If you want to hear the song, I suggest you use the google button. Without further ado...

I'm tired and need some sleeping music - Brian Eno: An Ascent

I'm tired but I need to wake the hell up - Metallica: Master of Puppets, The Prodigy: Get Up Get Off

I'm considering whether I'd have sex with myself or not - Q Lazarus: Goodbye Horses (Okay, I've got to throw a few funny ones in here or it'll get boring - bonus points if you know what I'm referencing here.)

I'm really pissed at somebody - Snot: My Balls Your Chin (yeah, it's vulgar...so what?)

I'm white and I want to rap, dammit! - N2Deep: Back to the Hotel

It's Wednesday morning and I want to get messed up - Bob Dylan: Everybody Must Get Stoned

It's Friday and I want to leave work and get messed up - Social Distortion: Ball & Chain

I want to drink some beer! - Guns & Roses: It's So Easy
I want to drink a martini! - Frank Sinatra: Fly Me to the Moon
I want to put on an ironic t-shirt and drink some PBR in a can! - Foals: Big Big Love

Okay, so I like to drink - so do you!

I want to get freaky - Silk: Freak Me
Time to screw! - Gabriel & Dresden: Arcadia (Hey, it's not always love making and this song's got the perfect screwing beat!!!)

I'm feeling Icelandic and angry - Bjork: Army of Me

I'm feeling like a Democrat - Bad Religion: Sowing the Seeds of Utopia
I'm feeling like a Republican - Pink Floyd: Money

I've got two selfish sex partners who need reprimanding - Interpol: There's No I in Threesome

I want to tease up my hair, paint my face white and act depressed - The Cure: Lullaby

I screwed over a good woman, she dumped me, but I'm sort of getting over it - Margot & The Nuclear So & So's: Skeleton Key

It's Sunday morning and I need soft, soothing music - The Innocence Mission: Bright as Yellow, Bon Iver: Re:Stacks, Iron and Wine: Trapeze Swinger

I'm feeling pretty down and I want to continue to feel pretty down - Counting Crows: Raining in Baltimore, Smashing Pumpkins: Soma, Gary Jules: Mad World

I need some perspective - The Rolling Stones: You Can't Always Get What You Want

I need some motivation - U2: Where the Streets Have No Name

I want you to kiss my ass, but I feel like telling you in a folksy way - Damien Rice: Coconut Skins

I'm feeling Irish and thirsty - The Pogues: Streams of Whiskey (I'm not Irish, btw)

I'm wondering how many it takes to make a thing go right - Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock: It Takes Two

I just moved into a new place, job, etc. - The Talking Heads: This Must Be the Place

I want to kiss Jake Ryan over a candle-lit cake while sitting on my dining room table in a bridesmaid dress - The Thompson Twins: If You Were Here

I want to know how it feels - Tony!Toni!Tone!: It Feels Good

I want to listen to music at work - The Tragically Hip: My Music @ Work

I wanna rock! - Twisted Sister: I Wanna Rock

The list is over and I need an ending - The Doors: The End

Well, I could go on, but I should probably do some work...maybe. Feel free to keep the list going in the comments with the music you listen to when you're in a certain mood.

Becoming an expert...

2008-10-14T09:09:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point I became an expert on all things job related. I'm not saying I'm an expert in my field...hell no...I've got a lot to learn. No, I'm talking about the job search, networking, interviewing, negotiating, etc.

Now I'm not self-centered enough to call myself an expert, but every one of my friends and family thinks I am. I just got off the phone with my brother, whom I haven't talked with for months and who is older than me and who does EVERYTHING better than me (at least he and my parents think so). And HE actually called ME asking for interview advice. Wow. He must've spoke with my sister because I recently helped she and my brother-in-law prepare for interviews. Two weeks ago, an old coworker had me edit his resume and he credits me with getting the interview.

Honestly, this is a great feeling because when I was in grad school, I was awful at interviewing, at resume writing and at negotiations. Seriously awful. During interviews, I would basically just bull-shit with the interviewer about anything, never explaining why I belonged in the job. Man, was I bad. But now I'm living proof that an MBA does have some value. All of those "soft skill" classes I thought were worthless have helped me move into a job I love and have allowed me to help friends and family.

And I guess I have a job to fall back onto if this one doesn't work out...career counselor.

Got any career questions? Apparently I have the answers.

Tyler Durden

2008-10-09T10:30:00.002-04:00

Well, my fellow U.S. Americans, I've got a confession to make. I live a double life.

To most people who know me, I'm your typical urban snob yuppie type. I scoff at friends who invite me to do anything in the burbs. I jump all over people who proclaim what a great meal they had at The Macaroni Grill. I laugh at the fools who fear the city. I constantly sing the praises of the Metro and the walkability of my perfect urban neighborhood.

But every morning, I walk out to my...gulp...car and drive to the burbs for work. I spend the next 45 minutes destroying mother gaia as I listen to sports talk radio. And when I get to work, I drive around an enormous parking lot, that has plenty of open spots by the way, looking for the closest spot to the front door of my office building. When it's lunch time, I get back in my car and drive to Subway or Quiznos or whatever chain sandwich place you can think of. Sometimes...sometimes I even go to a strip mall or a Walmart or something like that. Then, at the end of the day, I jump back into my car and speed home.

I'm so ashamed. Promise you won't hate me.

So I'm back...

2008-10-08T11:34:00.002-04:00

...but I make no promises about how often I'll post.

So how about an update. When we last spoke I was swamped at the new job, so much so that I decided to end my short-lived blogging experiment. Well, the job still kicks my ass, but I don't mind. Like I told a friend, the job is like a dominatrix and I'm like a sex slave. Yeah it hurts, but so good. That's right, America...I've got problems, but who doesn't.

What else? Nothing really. The Skins are playing really well for the first time since 1991. They just beat the much maligned cowgirls and beagles, which is always a plus. But I'm worried that the NFL is slowly eating away at my soul...or at the very least, it's eating away at my Sundays. I watch ALL DAY. From about 11am until midnight, there I am, watching. Or if I'm out, I'm checking scores, etc. It's a sickness. What's worse, I think I gave it to my wife.

Other random stuff...so how about this weather? Amazing right? Fall is my favorite time of year. You get that cool, crisp night air creeping in your windows and wrapping itself around your pillow. The days are the perfect, comfortable temperature allowing you to wear that hoodie without being too warm. Perfect. Somebody rake me up a pile 'o leaves so I can jump in it.

And then, of course, the economy. I'm trying to be an optimist here. I don't look at my 401K because, well, I won't need that anytime soon. But my mutual funds...oy! Well, it's not a loss if you don't cash it out, right? Things will turn around...that I am sure of. Now the timetable? Who knows. I'm trying to read everything I can about strong investors, like my man Warren Buffett, on the hopes that I'll pick up some ideas to help me recoup all of my unrealized losses. By the way, I'm betting that if Obama wins, Buffett will be our next Treasury Secretary. And to be honest, I think he's MUCH more qualified than the CEO of eBay. McCain has made some interesting choices regarding those he wants to have around him if he's president. And some of those choices have made this independent thinker think twice.

Well, that should satiate you for now. If I've been removed from your blogroll, here's hoping I can fight my way back on.

It Was Fun While It Lasted

2008-07-10T10:04:00.002-04:00

Well, I've been in the new job for a few days and it's obvious that I won't have any time at all to blog...not at all. I sort of knew this was going to happen when I took the position, but I wanted to see for sure before I shut down "thoughts".

For all three of you who actually read this blog, thanks for the support. This isn't the end of me, just the end of the posts. I'll still check your blogs when I need a break.

That's all and that's it.

This Is The End

2008-06-24T09:20:00.003-04:00

You ever hear that Doors song? This is the end...beautiful friend, the end. I'll never look into those eyes...ahhhgain.

I can't get it out of my head today. It's probably because today is my last day with my current employer.

I thought it would feel amazing, but it's just weird. When you work, you fool yourself into thinking that you're important...that the company really needs you. In actuality, your company can always use you which makes you useful, but not necessarily important. You, yourself, are not really needed This has been made abundantly clear to me. Since giving my notice a few weeks back, it's like I'm a ghost here. I'm not invited to meetings, to lunches. People don't stop to ask me questions or even shoot the shit. I'm in some sort of purgatory where my company and coworkers have moved on, but I'm still sitting here.

Like I said, it's weird. And while I will feel a huge sense of relief when I walk out the door in a few hours, I'll still feel the sting of not mattering anymore. But, such is life. And when I start the new job, my ego will get the boost it needs. Everyone will want to meet the new guy and I'll be inundated with new things to learn and new projects to begin. I'll feel important again.

Either way, starting tomorrow I get some time off to get some things done around the house and to just relax before taking that huge step forward in my career. I have a feeling this is going to be the right place for me. That I'm going to a place where I feel like I belong.

Sadly, the workload will be such that blogging will suffer, but I don't post all that much now so no big deal.

Just like the workplace, the blogging world can use me, but it certainly doesn't need me.

The Beautiful People

2008-06-10T15:33:00.002-04:00

In my years and years living in the DC area, I've lived on every Metro line. I spent a year battling the masses coming from Vienna on the Orange line. Then a year on the Blue/Yellow line. A few years cramming in with the Red liners coming from Rockville. And now a few years on the spacious Green line.

Yes, each line has it's own unique clientele and some are more crowded than others during rush hour, but one thing has occurred to me during my years as a Metro rider - on average, the beautiful people live on the Orange line.

The men, the women, they all look like they jumped out of some clothing catalogue. Even on the hot, nasty days (like today) when we're all sweaty and gross, they still look perfect. No sweat stains on the pits, make-up isn't running. Just perfect. It's actually sort of scary, but it doesn't change the fact that they're beautiful. But, I will say this. There are exceptions to the rule. And they are bad. They stick out like sore thumbs. Yikes

And of course, there are still beautiful people on the other lines. They just don't come out in the numbers that the Orange liners do.

Look, all of you Blue/Yellow/Red/Green liners should stop yelling at me. I don't want to believe it either and I'm certainly not happy about it. Because if the Orange line is where all of the beautiful people are, and I am a Green liner, well, then I'm not beautiful. Deep down, I've always known this, but it's difficult to swallow.

Developments for Thoughts

2008-06-04T11:39:00.002-04:00

Okay…So I’ve been gone for a while, but I have an excuse. Several really. First, I was interviewing for a new job a few weeks ago so, in addition to my usual work duties, I had to prepare for the interview and then write 8 thank you letters. That’s right, 8! It was a marathon and I swear they kept messing with the temperature in the conference room I was in all day. It was hot, then cold, then hot. Anyway, regardless of the temperature fluctuations, I was extremely impressed with everyone and the company as a whole. The only issue is that I can only get to the office by car. It’s not bus, metro, bike or hot air balloon accessible. Still, when I left the interview I found myself very excited about the opportunity and I was hoping that they’d keep their promise of getting back to me within a week. They did…with an offer already above my walk-away point. I’m still a bit shocked…and scared because this means they’ll expect actual work and value from me. Yikes.

Anyway, this happened 3 Fridays ago and then work was crazy the week before Memorial Day weekend because I was going on a mini-vacation the week of Memorial Day. It went well. Some pool time. Some drink time. Some eat time. I got back last Thursday and then I had to prepare for my negotiation session last Friday. That’s right – even after they came in above my walk-away, I went to ask for more…and somehow, by the grace of God, I got it. Wow again…so the nerves are turned up even more now, but that’s a good thing.

So then I came back to work this past Monday and here I am. I’m trying to figure out when to tell my current employer to f’ off, er, I mean, that I’m pursuing a new opportunity. The boss here is nuts and this boss might tell me to walk the minute I say I’m moving on. I guess we’ll see. I’ll probably make the announcement on Friday. Should be entertaining. If you have any suggestions or experiences about letting your employer know that you’re moving on, I’d love to hear about them.

Anyway, if I have time later today, I’ll fill you in on all of the things that I won’t miss about this place. The list is long. As a preview, I’ll tell you all the things that I actually will miss. Oh wait, there’s only one – the location.

It's Comcrapstic!

2008-05-20T11:42:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure if you have Comcast cable or not, but if you do you've no doubt noticed that they rate movies using a star system. It's generally follows that 1 star = sucks, 2 stars = average, 3 stars = worth your time, 4 stars = life changing!!!! Well, okay, I may have gone over board on that last one, but you get the point.

Anyway, more to the point....because my lovely wife and I have no semblance of a life whatsoever, we try to guess the ratings on a movie before checking out what the Comcast rating actually is. Normally, we're right on, but there are a few exceptions from time to time. Like last week, for instance. There was an Indiana Jones marathon on USA and my wife guessed 1 star for Raiders of the Lost Ark and I guessed 2. We were both wrong as it came in at 3 stars. Justified, I think. It's got everything you'd want in an entertaining movie and it can actually be enjoyed by different audiences.

But then, last night, the shock of all ratings shocks occurred. We're mindlessly scrolling through the channels when she notices that Dirty Dancing is starting in a few minutes. I tried to click faster, but to no avail. She wanted to take a trip down memory lane and would not take no for an answer. So we play our game...I guess 1 star, maybe 2 and she guesses 2. IT'S 3 STARS!!!! Are you kidding me? What the hell is that based on? I'm sorry...I know it's got a bit of a following, especially for women like my wife who have dreamed of having that summer, vacation romance since they were 10, but it's just not a good movie. Acting = the suck, Premise = the suck. I mean the only thing that's even remotely interesting is dancing. (Take away my man card NOW...I don't deserve it!!!!). And I guess it ranks high on the unintentional comedy scale too, but that shouldn't be used in the rating system. Still, Comcast gave it 3 stars.

And now, I will never trust the star system again. Never. I feel so betrayed.

Who You Are

2008-05-12T12:38:00.003-04:00

I'm having a real identity crisis over here. Who the heck am I? I think that my passing into the beginning of my, gulp, fourth decade has really had me pondering this exact question.

And the only way I can describe myself to myself, and you, my faithful reader, is that I am the part of the Venn Diagram where all circles overlap. That is to say, you've got a bit of everything over here. That is to say further, I'm confused in every facet of my life. Seriously confused.

Let's go over some things about me:

I'm a hipster wannabe in a yuppie's body. Oh the irony. I wear yuppie clothes and drive a yuppie car (but not to work - I Metro - GREEN LINE WHAT WHAT!!!!), but I listen to hipster music and love hipster bars. Only problem is, when I go to those hipster bars to listen to hipster music I'm wearing my yuppie clothes so I look painfully out of place.

With politics, I end up agreeing with both sides. It's like I can't pick a side and just stick to it. For a long time I would say that I was better than the hardcore liberals/conservatives because my mind was open to all possibilities, but that's not true. I'm just unable to pick a side. Although I am a registered Democrat. Not that it means anything.

My friends? They run the gambit from slacker to overachiever. And that's great because I pride myself in being able to communicate with people of all spectrums of life. In fact, I really love my diverse group of friends because I get exposed to so many things that I wouldn't of if I just hung with a set group. But trying to get my friends together is insane. My 30th birthday party was like a 6th grade dance. Everyone stuck to their group and didn't mingle at all. I spent my night running around trying to give everyone equal time. Alcohol was all that got me through it.

So anyway, I don't know. Maybe I'm looking at this all wrong. Maybe I should be proud of myself for being so open minded. Who knows. Do you know? Hello, Internets? You out there?

Rants

2008-04-30T12:54:00.003-04:00

I can't think of anything specific to write about today so I'm just going to rant 'n rave for a bit.

-We've got a company outing coming up and we thought we'd be allowed to wear jeans to work prior to the outing. But now we're not...because my boss sucks...she sucks so bad. She takes fun and toe kicks it in the junk. She's a terrorist of fun. Not that it won't be nice to not have to wear a suit and tie, but c'mon...letting the peons wear jeans wouldn't have been that awful. I aspire to be a boss someday, but I worry that I won't be able to be because I'm not enough of a prick or bitch. Guess I'll have to work on that.

-You know who else I hate? People who sprint in front of me to get on the Metro escalator and then stop. Hey fuckface!!! Why do you need to get in front of me if you're going to stop and stand. From the looks of your HUGE ASS, you could use the exercise so MOVE!!!! (on second thought, maybe I am a prick).

-I bought new shoes last night and forgot to scuff the bottoms up. I essentially skated to work today cursing at the shoemaker every step I took. Seriously, why do men's dress shoes have slippery bottoms? It's stupid, right? Ladies, does this happen to you?

-I want to punch Meatloaf's son in the face. Have you seen that cell phone commercial yet? The one where he's begging his dad to get him a Go-Phone? When you see it and you see the stupid face he makes, you'll want to punch him too.

-Speaking of commercials, I can't get through the Capital One commercial where the guy says "WAR KITTENS!!!!!" without laughing audibly. I'm such a simple man.

So there you have it....these are the kinds of thoughts that go through my mind all of the time. I'm sure there's be more to come.

The End

2008-04-22T12:47:00.003-04:00

Yep...today marks the last day of my third decade on Earth. Weird.

Last year I kept telling everyone that it wouldn't bother me. That I'm a kid at heart and that's all that matters. But as the day has drawn closer and closer, I realized I was lying to everyone...including myself.

I'm weirded out beyond belief. 30 shouldn't mean much to me. I've done all the things that I'm "supposed" to do by now as a man. I bought a ring and got married, I bought a home, I bought a car, I'm done with grad school and have started my career. Seriously, I should be happy with myself, but I'm not.

I guess it's because I'm not bothered by what I have or haven't done...I'm just bothered about getting older. See, I pride myself on being a big kid. That's all I am. Yeah, I am responsible when need be, but otherwise I act like I'm 12. But 30 makes me think that I have to be an adult more often. And in the next couple years, I'll be a dad - god willing - and then that's it. I'll have to be a permanent adult, responsible not only for my wife, but for a kid too! Yikes!

I know, this probably seems stupid, but I can't help but flip out a little. And I have to apologize to my 2 readers cause normally I'm funny when I flip out. Sorry.

Anyway, I guess I'll just have to go home and play video games all night. That will help me feel childish!!!!

The Wait

2008-04-14T14:24:00.002-04:00

I'm going to be honest with you, America. I have the patience of DC cabbie. And it's because of this that I am getting no sleep and that my stomach is in a perpetual state of nervousness. It's awful.

And why am I like this? Because I had a job interview a few weeks ago. And during that job interview I was told by Mr. HR that I would quickly hear whether they wanted to move forward or not. Quickly, according to Mr. HR, was a week. Do you think I may have heard? Heck no. Not one word. Nothing. No email, no phone call, no telegraph....NOTHING!

So, once again, an HR person has lied to me. I am Jack's complete lack of surprise. After all, it has been my experience that HR people have an inflated sense of self, as if they actually have a say in the hiring decision and timeline. Guess what...in the end, you don't. You just don't. The manager who (whom? I never know what to use here) I would be working for has that choice. His schedule dictates when I hear if I got the job or not, not yours. I know this. I always know this, but once again I was blinded by optimism and believed you, Mr. HR, when you told me you'd get back to me so quick. And once again, you lied to me. Should I be mad at you? Of course not. I should be mad at myself...my stupid, sucky self.

I want to email or call you, Mr. HR, but it's still too early to do that. I have to wait until 2 weeks have passed for it to be acceptable. Ugh. Instead, I'll continue to live on 3 hours of sleep and continue to have a nervous stomach until I hear something. DAMN YOU, IMPATIENCE!!!!!!!

Things I Love

2008-04-09T16:20:00.002-04:00

Well, since apparently the hits are going to roll in, I guess I should introduce these new readers to the real thoughts! What better way than to list some of the things I love.

The wind before a big rainstorm.
The sound of a lone basketball being dribbled in an otherwise empty gym.
Being drunk during the day (bonus points if it's a weekday).
My wife's genuine smile (not the damn picture pose smile - i hate that!!!).
Napping with my dog.
Fall
Reading biographies about "great" people.
Wii bowling
Real bowling
Driving in the city on a weekend morning.
Almost every John Hughes movie.
Going to football games.
Classical music - especially when it's violin heavy.
Darkness
Waking up after a night of heavy drinking and laughing with my friends about all the stupid shit we did.
Christmas.
Road trips (but only on the way there).
The beach before sunrise.
Watching crappy movies on tbs/tnt/usa movies all day on a rainy, crappy day.
Stand-up comedy (In fact, Lewis Black is the inspiration for my blog title).
The rush from handling things at work when the shit hits the fan.
Sugary drinks.
Movies scores.
The idea of trance/techno music (In reality it never seems to work for me).
The silence in my place late at night.
The smell of a camp fire.
The way snow sounds at night.
Processed/microwaveable pizza snacks.

A Proud Day for Thoughts!

2008-04-09T14:00:00.000-04:00

Proud enough that my faithful readers, both of you, get two posts in one day.

Why the second post? Cause as of today, my blog has been listed on not one, but TWO of my favorite bloggers' blogrolls. Say that three times fast. Hmmm...that was easier than I thought it would be. Back to my point...

A few weeks ago I noticed that I was included on Shannon Stamey's blogroll. It was a pretty big deal, especially considering that I only had maybe two posts up at that point. I'm definitely into her blog. She's got that snarky tone that I seem to be drawn to. And while I don't agree with everything she says (yes, i wear flip flops with jeans), her posts almost always make me laugh...quietly...I work in cubeland, remember?

Then, just a few minutes ago I saw that my blog made Capitulate Now's "I Stalk People Here" list. Even better, I was second on that list. Yeah, I know the list is in alphabetical order, but don't try to rain on my parade with your "facts"!!!! If you want to know how to do the self-deprecating thing, check out her blog. She's got it down to a science. In my world, nobody thinks they are ever wrong so her blog is always a breath of fresh air. And it's necessary after reading another blog on her list by the name of Eggs and Blue Cheese, the blog equivalent of Goatsie, Tub Girl and 2 Girls In a Cup combined. Always good for a gross-out if that's your thing.

So there you go. It's a proud day for thoughts. And to show you both my appreciation for my inclusion on your respective blogs, I'll try to post more. I promise.

I Wish Our Fingers Were Thicker

2008-04-09T09:10:00.000-04:00

Cause if they were, then people wouldn't be able to fit their fat fingers in their noses. Then I wouldn't have had to watch this mouth-breathing troglodyte pick and pick and pick and pick and then flick and flick and flick and flick.

Curse you God for not thinking about this when creating us. (Wow, I just cursed God - just kidding, Big Guy!). And curse you Metro for keeping me stuck between Metro Center and Farragut North forcing me to witness this awful nasal excavation!

Honestly, after hearing about somebody finding a log of crap on a metro seat and now witnessing this schmuck picking and flicking away, I never want to sit on the Metro or even lean against the walls on the Metro. I'm really going to start working on my balance such that I'll never even have to hold on to one of the poles. Now, if I can only avoid inner ear infections and vertigo I'll be able to avoid all Metro surfaces, save the floor.

And I'm not even bothered by germs or dirt or the like, but the nose picking really got to me. Nasty.

Reason 9,856 That I Suck

2008-03-27T10:15:00.000-04:00

God do I suck. Why? Because I'm a wreck. Why? Because my iPod is sitting on the kitchen counter instead of sitting on my desk. I know, I know...it shouldn't be a big deal, but see this is a reason I suck. I'm that much of a mess without my iPod.

But don't you even think of judging me. My world is a harsh world and that little iPod is my only defense.

It's blocks out the mind-numbing conversations I have to listen to during my morning Metro ride. For instance, I may not have had to listen to these two 30-something, balding, chubby guys who probably still live at home go on and on and on about their XBOX360 Halo 3 live tournaments. Oh the pain! For some reason I'm reminded of Dude Where's My Car..."Theshe are Intergalactic Schpasche Schuits!" Instead, Radiohead or Bad Religion or Method Man would've drowned them out, but these friends were on the kitchen table...so, so far away.

And now, at work, I realize even more how much that little machine means to me. If you live in cubeland, you know how perilous it can be. Oh the noise! There's no escape!!!! You know that woman in Office Space who says, "Corporate accounts Nina speaking. Just a moment"? Well, split here in two. One piece being this goofy loud talker who never shuts up and laughs like the Lewis Skolnick. Pretty much looks like him too. The other piece being this annoying self-proclaimed genius who spends his days telling everyone how amazing he is, but does it mixing Indian and English words and phrases in every sentence. Normally, I don't hear these two schmucks because my dear iPod shields my ears from their inane drivel. But not today. Today I must suffer.

Never again will I leave my iPod at home. Never again.

Good god...it's only 10:40am. I am sadness.

Baby Backpack

2008-03-24T13:45:00.000-04:00

Can you tell me why parents decide to bring a gaggle of kids on the Metro during the morning rush hour? I mean, does it make any sense to you? "Oh, I know what we'll do...we'll jump on the Metro at 8am and bring a stroller to block the door. It's gonna be GRRRREAT!!!!"

I wish I were not hindered by logic. Then I'd be happy, but, as the title says, I have thoughts. These thoughts bash away my happiness and ignorance, well at least sometimes. Anyway, where was I...

Oh yeah, this morning I didn't have to deal with a huge stroller. No, I had to deal with a hiking-like backpack what wasn't full of hemp clothes and GORP. No, this backpack had a kid in it.

And this kid was dangling like 3 feet behind the backpack wearer. You would think that the father wearing said backpack would be especially careful knowing that his very young child was riding back there, but no. This idiot keeps turning around, bouncing the pack against either a pole or any poor rider standing in this behemoth backpack's way.

Well, I happened to be the poor rider and being the passive aggressive person I am, I gave he and his wife the ashamed head shake hoping they would feel guilty enough to stop bouncing their kid off me. But no...no head shake could stop the insanity...which...kept...going...all the way to Gallery Place where I escaped with only minor bumps and bruises from the backpack attack.

I know, I know...you think I should've said something and I have no right to bitch because I didn't have the balls to speak up. But my counter is that they should've been more aware of their surroundings. They should've known the Metro would be packed at 8am and that they'd be better off wait an hour or so.

Either way, someday, when I have kids, I promise you this: I will go out of my way to be aware of what's going on around me and I won't let my kids get in your way. You can bank on that!

Action for the Sake of Action

2008-03-20T09:22:00.000-04:00

So I was reading through the DCist comment threads yesterday and, no big surprise, there was plenty of debate about the protesters.

I'm usually of the thought that they annoy me. They screw up the commute, they're a bunch of slackers who just want to make it seem like they care, blah blah blah. I'm jaded, what can I say.

Yet, one commenter struck a chord with me. He/she completely backed their right to protest and even said it was their responsibility to do so if they thought their government was wrong. But, he/she said, action for action's sake is just stupid. He/she called yesterday's protestors out for not taking the time to figure out the best way to reach those who could affect change. "You want to protest? Screw the guy making the decisions, not the guy getting screwed by the decisions." Well put, my friend.

It's a great point. I've always been a believer that G Dubs and his adminstration were so proud that they assumed any military action would end in glorious victory. That's the only explanation for the "Bring It On!" comment. But I digress. Maybe these protesters are just like the people they hate the most. Maybe they're too proud and think that just by blocking a few intersections and building entrances that the whole world will rally around their cause. Just like G Dubs, they've assumed that any action is fine instead of actually thinking about the best way to reach the policy makers.

I, of course, don't have those answers, but maybe the people who feel so strongly about ending the war would benefit from some intense thought and planning.

Anyway, pride, it appears, has screwed both sides.

Metro Anti-Fashion

2008-03-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

This past week I noticed an inordinate amount of people wearing fedoras on the metro. To see one or two random guys wearing them in a week is no big deal, but I saw 5 or 6 per ride. I kid you not.

So my question is why? Why are you wearing that STUPID hat? Yes, it looked cool on Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones movies. Yes, it was actually a popular fasion..IN THE 30s!!!!! So why are you wearing it now?

Here's another thing...I'm not saying I'm Johnny Cool or anything, but the guys who are wearing these stupid hats already look goofy enough. They normally have bad facial hair and ill-fitting, awful suits. I mean, take a look at the mirror and see that you're just making matters worse. And you women who date or are married to these men...where the hell are you? I know my wife would NEVER let me get out the door wearing some stupid hat.

So please...PLEASE...I beg of you. Just stop wearing the fedoras. You want to wear a hat, throw on a Nats hat or something. Yeah, it looks dumb with a suit as well, but I'm just looking to minimize the pain.

Debunking DC Target and Development Myths

2008-03-11T09:32:00.000-04:00

See, I live near all that new development up in Columbia Heights. Up in Columbia Heights...is that redundant? Anyway, for the past week, I've had to read comment after comment on blog after blog about how terrible the Target is for the neighborhood, about how the development is ugly, all wrong and only independent businesses are good for the area. So I've decided to address most of these idiotic arguments one-by-one.

1) Target is killing the small businesses in the area.

First of all, not sure if you've been up there, but I'd say about 90-95% of the small businesses in the area shouldn't be alive anyway. Second, I'm a capitalist and, in my book, the neighborhood will decide which businesses should survive and that decision will be made with the almighty dollar. Yep, that means that most, if not all, of those crappy dollar stores will be gone along with the payday loan shops. Sorry.

The followup from the Birkenstock-clad crunchies is usually...

2) The longtime residents now don't have anywhere to shop because everything is high end.

If you believe this, you're as dumb as you look and I hope that you get scabies from your unclean ways. Take a bath and open your eyes. Target is painfully far from high end and the longtime, poorer residents proved that to me this weekend. I was there 4 times (I know, a bit much) on Saturday and Sunday. Every time I was there, it was packed with longtime residents buying affordable goods. Go figure. I've talked to people and they've said that they're happy that they finally have a nice store to shop in that isn't dirty, that has what they want and need.

3) I'd be okay with all this development if it were filled with independent businesses.

You're living in a dreamworld, my friend. This development is in the city, on a Metro line. Rents are expensive as all get out and there's a reason for that. Somebody put up a lot of cash to buy the land, build the buildings, etc. They expect to get a return on that money just like you expect to get a return on the money in your 401K. Most indie businesses just don't have the cash to rent out these bright and new store fronts. Those that do, will. Like D'Vines for instance. But please try to understand business before making this statement. There's not some money fairy out there giving away huge subsidies for your fabric store or record shop.

4) Traffic and crime are going to hurt the success of all that development.

First traffic. It's on a Metro line so many people will use that option. Also, think about traffic at the P St Whole Foods...it sucks something fierce, but people haven't stopped going there. They'll deal with it - some by going at "off" hours and others by summoning whatever patience is left after dealing with idiots like you.

Now crime. I've lived near there for some time now and crime was MUCH worse before Target opened. More attention on the area brings more police. Does that mean that crime will be washed away for good? Of course not, it's the city. But, things at this point are so much better than they used to be. And my guess is they'll only get better.

There...I feel much better.

tHe dC iPod mAnual

2008-02-21T14:50:00.000-05:00

Seems like everybody is blogging about iPods and iPod ettiquite. I thought I would enlighten myself (since nobody else has read my blog yet, or probably ever) as to how one should use his or her iPod in public.

1) If you're in a confined, public space (metro, bus, bathroom stall) turn it down. I know you want to drown out the noise of the mouth-breathers surrounding you, but nobody wants to hear your crap. And even if the song is one your fellow stall-mates might like, nothing is more annoying than sort of hearing something. It's enough to drive you crazy. Now if you're on the street walking, blast until your ears bleed.

2) If you're at work or somebody is trying to talk to you, pull out those earbuds. As a certain scanner jockey tells us, it's rude to keep them in. How about next time you come talk to me, I'll just stick my fingers in my ears while you talk? The song can wait. I mean you just have to hit pause and you can pick up where you left off.

3) You can do it, but you look like a complete schmuck when you have a bud in one ear and your cell phone in the other. I am sadly one these schmucks. Here I am, walking down the street, listening to music in one ear and talking on the phone in the other. Awful...I know. I'm working on it. STOP JUDGING ME!!!!

4) Finally, and this could go for cell-phones, book-reading, etc., be aware of your surroundings. Seriously, this song does not change the fact that you're walking down a public street amongst others. So if you're about to walk into somebody, DON'T!!!! And if you do, take out your earbuds and apologize for being an ass.

That's all I got, if I forgot something, let me know.

In the beginning...

2008-02-20T15:30:00.000-05:00

...I was naive. I was confident. I was naive about my confidence. Now...um, who knows. I'd like to think that what I do, who I am, what I experience is good and great and all that stuff, but I have thoughts.

And that's what this blog is about.

Whether it be my work life, my love life, my family life, my friend life or just the things I experience day-to-day, I need somewhere to put my true thoughts. Those thoughts that I can't yell out either because it's frowned upon or I'm too much of a ninny to do it.

Anyway, if you happen to make your way to this blog, maybe you'll find my musings interesting...maybe you won't, but I will muse away regardless.