.... you sucked real bad. i mean, yeah you were a real son of a bitch. good riddance.
how 'bout you? was '08 good or bad? why?
12.31.2008
12.29.2008
look and see
i went on a service call out to a woman's house last Friday that shook me up a bit. she was maybe in her late 50's or mid 60's. i could smell the booze on her before i saw her round the corner of her house. she was wearing a pair of jean shorts with a fresh piss stain on the front and back.
her little yappy dog ran right up and said hello by biting my ankle. opening the door to her house i was literally knocked back by the smell. i have a super sniffer and can ferret out just about any odor. what hit me and dampened my face was a mix of rotting meat (on the counter), mayonnaise gone bad (by the sink) and human and and canine feces (on the floor and toilet seat).
at first my partner and i made jokes about the smell and how drunk she was. as we undid the P-trap to the sink so we could snake the drain i hauled a small bucket of water that drained out of the sink to the bathroom to poor down the toilet. my foot slipped in shit. there was shit on the toilet seat.
she kept going on about her husband trying to fix the sink and blowing it up. how he must have clogged it when he was doing the dishes. but no one had done a dish in this place in an eternity and there was no sign of any man living in the house. the place was cluttered with the detritus that accumulates around a person as their mental world degenerates. her mind must be, i imagined, as cluttered as this house. memories new and old pile up one on top of another until you can't make it from one end of the room to the other. it stopped being funny.
still mostly holding our breath we worked as fast as we could. it takes a lot to gag a plumber. by definition we work in shit.
all this got me to thinking about how we all need some form of community, especially at the end of the road. community and companionship brings order to our memories and can temper the inevitable degeneration that comes with age. community and companionship can, i believe - fuck i hope community and companionship will postpone the inevitable slide into the decrepit state this poor woman is now, irreversibly in.
her little yappy dog ran right up and said hello by biting my ankle. opening the door to her house i was literally knocked back by the smell. i have a super sniffer and can ferret out just about any odor. what hit me and dampened my face was a mix of rotting meat (on the counter), mayonnaise gone bad (by the sink) and human and and canine feces (on the floor and toilet seat).
at first my partner and i made jokes about the smell and how drunk she was. as we undid the P-trap to the sink so we could snake the drain i hauled a small bucket of water that drained out of the sink to the bathroom to poor down the toilet. my foot slipped in shit. there was shit on the toilet seat.
she kept going on about her husband trying to fix the sink and blowing it up. how he must have clogged it when he was doing the dishes. but no one had done a dish in this place in an eternity and there was no sign of any man living in the house. the place was cluttered with the detritus that accumulates around a person as their mental world degenerates. her mind must be, i imagined, as cluttered as this house. memories new and old pile up one on top of another until you can't make it from one end of the room to the other. it stopped being funny.
still mostly holding our breath we worked as fast as we could. it takes a lot to gag a plumber. by definition we work in shit.
all this got me to thinking about how we all need some form of community, especially at the end of the road. community and companionship brings order to our memories and can temper the inevitable degeneration that comes with age. community and companionship can, i believe - fuck i hope community and companionship will postpone the inevitable slide into the decrepit state this poor woman is now, irreversibly in.
12.28.2008
so i haven't posted in a while. maybe you've noticed? i can't really explain why. i have had a few things to say, not much but a few things worthy of a blog post.
i think i will pin it all on the "season." you know the one. it starts around Halloween and doesn't end until sometime in January.
i also started a new job. i get up around 5:30 and don't get home again until around 5:30 or 6 so i've been a little too tire to write. which sucks because i really need to write.
i will try to do better this next year.
i think i will pin it all on the "season." you know the one. it starts around Halloween and doesn't end until sometime in January.
i also started a new job. i get up around 5:30 and don't get home again until around 5:30 or 6 so i've been a little too tire to write. which sucks because i really need to write.
i will try to do better this next year.
12.16.2008
Fox News is On the Scene: File under Deuche Baggery
as always FOX "News" is on the ball.
how could anyone question their dedication to serious news when they continually produce segments like the following:
how could anyone question their dedication to serious news when they continually produce segments like the following:
12.09.2008
It Is Expensive, Here Have TWO!
so. i got this job see. but it requires me to sell items and services that are well over twice what they are worth. and don't be surprised when i tell you that i can talk anyone into anything so selling these items won't be tough for me. in our area we are the single most expensive provider of these items by any stretch.
i provided these same items for people in the past and charged very little and even then felt a little bad about it.
my question to you all, dear readers is; is this ethical? should i feel guilty? should i feel like a total sell out?
i provided these same items for people in the past and charged very little and even then felt a little bad about it.
my question to you all, dear readers is; is this ethical? should i feel guilty? should i feel like a total sell out?
11.22.2008
I Shoot My Friends, Close Range!
today i headed over to my friends, the Thomsens to fire off some images before they left for a wedding. Peter and Jana are an amazing husband and wife photography team and a lot of fun.
i was really flattered they asked me to photograph them, and i was a little nervous since Peter is miles ahead of me as a photographer. it turned out to be a blast...
Peter loves his Diana...Playing Camera Chicken "...No, you lower your camera"
Jana loves her blue sweater...
i was really flattered they asked me to photograph them, and i was a little nervous since Peter is miles ahead of me as a photographer. it turned out to be a blast...
Peter loves his Diana...Playing Camera Chicken "...No, you lower your camera"
Jana loves her blue sweater...
11.21.2008
Adventures in Unemployment Chapter 1
so i was laid off back in April but because of a combination of my quality carpentry skills and good communication skills* i've been able to generate work for myself for the last 8 months. however, the current economic climate and the ensuing irrational fear created by media talking heads has finally sapped what ever work there is to be had.
and so has begun my adventures in unemployment.
back in April i filed for unemployment thinking that i wouldn't need it but it would be smart to make it official should work ever run out. i didn't collect because i was able to support myself and it didn't seem right to collect if i could work. turns out that was a big mistake. i spent an entire day on the phone with the good folks here in California trying to collect unemployment benefits.** but got no love from them. why you might ask? because i've been working for myself and therefore i no longer qualify to receive the money I-HAVE-BEEN-PAYING-INTO-THE-SYSTEM. yeah, makes no sense to me either.
all the while i've been sending out resume after resume, pounding the pavement and cold calling potential employers. which has turned out to be an exercise in rejection. in one of the more ironic aspects of todays economic system i've learned that i am similtainiously "over qualified" and "under qualified."
because i have a college education and a diverse skill set i am over qualified for basic wage earning jobs. over and over again i am told that if i am hired as soon as i find a better paying job i will leave. duh. but you would think that in the interim employers would benefit from a highly skilled employee.
i encountered this when i moved back to California. i was living in my car for a couple months. i can't tell you how many times folks would not hire me simply because i was living out of my car. they assumed there must be something wrong with me. i remember applying to a mega grociery store as a checker or bagger and being told that not only am i over qualified but (and this next part was implied) becaus i was living out of my car i was not the best candidate.
which is weird when you think about it. you would think that a homeless person would be the most qualified to work at a grociery store. they are more familiar with grociery bags and shopping carts than anyone else - after all they live out of these items right?
* customer service and sales. as my friend Rob put it "if you can sell an mythical being who is all powerful, all knowing, who hasn't communicated to humanity for 2000 years and oh by the way is invisible you can sell anything."
** which i paid into btw so technically it is my money.
and so has begun my adventures in unemployment.
back in April i filed for unemployment thinking that i wouldn't need it but it would be smart to make it official should work ever run out. i didn't collect because i was able to support myself and it didn't seem right to collect if i could work. turns out that was a big mistake. i spent an entire day on the phone with the good folks here in California trying to collect unemployment benefits.** but got no love from them. why you might ask? because i've been working for myself and therefore i no longer qualify to receive the money I-HAVE-BEEN-PAYING-INTO-THE-SYSTEM. yeah, makes no sense to me either.
all the while i've been sending out resume after resume, pounding the pavement and cold calling potential employers. which has turned out to be an exercise in rejection. in one of the more ironic aspects of todays economic system i've learned that i am similtainiously "over qualified" and "under qualified."
because i have a college education and a diverse skill set i am over qualified for basic wage earning jobs. over and over again i am told that if i am hired as soon as i find a better paying job i will leave. duh. but you would think that in the interim employers would benefit from a highly skilled employee.
i encountered this when i moved back to California. i was living in my car for a couple months. i can't tell you how many times folks would not hire me simply because i was living out of my car. they assumed there must be something wrong with me. i remember applying to a mega grociery store as a checker or bagger and being told that not only am i over qualified but (and this next part was implied) becaus i was living out of my car i was not the best candidate.
which is weird when you think about it. you would think that a homeless person would be the most qualified to work at a grociery store. they are more familiar with grociery bags and shopping carts than anyone else - after all they live out of these items right?
* customer service and sales. as my friend Rob put it "if you can sell an mythical being who is all powerful, all knowing, who hasn't communicated to humanity for 2000 years and oh by the way is invisible you can sell anything."
** which i paid into btw so technically it is my money.
11.19.2008
Yeah, This Will Be A Good Use of Your Company's Time
so i've been incognito for a bit. as some of you know i was laid off in April and up until now i've been generating my own work as a carpenter. which is a rad gig, but i've run out of work and now i'm seeking employment - yeah, a real job.
i made the blog by invite only because i didn't want a prospective employer to google me and find this thing - which would certainly result in me not landing any job beyond something along the lines of those peasants in the "Holy Grail" whose job it is to shovel poo into a wheel barrel.*
but you people keep emailing me all offended that you don't have permission to view my blog. so instead of putting everyone i know on a VIP list of readers** i just decided to go back on the air - er - internet(s).
but more on Adventures in Unemployment during a deep recession later.
to celebrate my return from the brief hiatus i would like to do a post that is both meaningful and well worth the reduction in GDP your reading this blog at work is costing...
a meme. yeah. so dumb.
i got tagged by my friend Jessica (hey boys, she is single, smart and attractive, eh ehm).
here is a little picture to explain the thing...
the first i can do. i mean, i did. the rest, well we shall see if i make it that far.
1. i inherited just enough OCD from my gramma for it to be an inconvenience. it mostly revolves around symmetry vs asymmetry, folding shirts a certain way and the volume on the TV needing to be on an even number. yeah, come live in my head for a few days.
2. i like "chick flicks." but i'm also a huge John Wayne/John Ford fan so i get to keep the XY chromazomes.
3. i haven't paid for a haircut since before college.
4. i think it is cute when women from Minisota say bag like with an e instead of an a, like "beig."
5. i've never seen ET and have no desire to see it.***
6. while most normal adult homo sapians have an arm span roughly equal or greater than their hight, mine is actually 2 inches shorter than i am tall. i hated the jungle gym growing up.
7. i do most of my reading at the bookstore. it is free, and there is a bit of a misunderstanding at the library. try it. get a cup of coffee, pick the book off the shelf and start reading. i figure that i've read for free enough books that the cost of purchasing would equal the GDP of a small industrialized nation.
there, that was part DEU.
tag 7 people. hmmm...
James, Stacy, Cade, Gentry, and... meh, i'm over it.
*which isn't to say that when i come across a plum gig down the road i won't be going dark again. or i might just do it to screw with you. also, take note possible employers - see how easy it was to find my blog? that's cause i writes really swell and folks like to read it so maybe you want me on your team... just sayin'.
**which by the way, has a certain appeal
*** while i'm at it i also think U2 is over rated. i like some of their stuff but not much after Joshua Tree. yeah, i said it. bring it.
i made the blog by invite only because i didn't want a prospective employer to google me and find this thing - which would certainly result in me not landing any job beyond something along the lines of those peasants in the "Holy Grail" whose job it is to shovel poo into a wheel barrel.*
but you people keep emailing me all offended that you don't have permission to view my blog. so instead of putting everyone i know on a VIP list of readers** i just decided to go back on the air - er - internet(s).
but more on Adventures in Unemployment during a deep recession later.
to celebrate my return from the brief hiatus i would like to do a post that is both meaningful and well worth the reduction in GDP your reading this blog at work is costing...
a meme. yeah. so dumb.
i got tagged by my friend Jessica (hey boys, she is single, smart and attractive, eh ehm).
here is a little picture to explain the thing...
the first i can do. i mean, i did. the rest, well we shall see if i make it that far.
1. i inherited just enough OCD from my gramma for it to be an inconvenience. it mostly revolves around symmetry vs asymmetry, folding shirts a certain way and the volume on the TV needing to be on an even number. yeah, come live in my head for a few days.
2. i like "chick flicks." but i'm also a huge John Wayne/John Ford fan so i get to keep the XY chromazomes.
3. i haven't paid for a haircut since before college.
4. i think it is cute when women from Minisota say bag like with an e instead of an a, like "beig."
5. i've never seen ET and have no desire to see it.***
6. while most normal adult homo sapians have an arm span roughly equal or greater than their hight, mine is actually 2 inches shorter than i am tall. i hated the jungle gym growing up.
7. i do most of my reading at the bookstore. it is free, and there is a bit of a misunderstanding at the library. try it. get a cup of coffee, pick the book off the shelf and start reading. i figure that i've read for free enough books that the cost of purchasing would equal the GDP of a small industrialized nation.
there, that was part DEU.
tag 7 people. hmmm...
James, Stacy, Cade, Gentry, and... meh, i'm over it.
*which isn't to say that when i come across a plum gig down the road i won't be going dark again. or i might just do it to screw with you. also, take note possible employers - see how easy it was to find my blog? that's cause i writes really swell and folks like to read it so maybe you want me on your team... just sayin'.
**which by the way, has a certain appeal
*** while i'm at it i also think U2 is over rated. i like some of their stuff but not much after Joshua Tree. yeah, i said it. bring it.
11.12.2008
UPDATE: 11.12.08
so this week has been nutty. full of great things and not so fun things.
Tuesday i chatted on the phone with Amorina Edwards about her wedding in Sacramento in September. i have decided to limit the number of weddings i shoot next year and select only weddings that i believe have the potential to yield the best images. after talking with Amorina via email and over the phone and hearing her story about how she and her fience Ray met i knew i would want to photograph them. we are shooting their engagement session sometime in Janurary. we plan to create little magnets for the "save the date cards." should be fun. maybe i will post some of the concepts up here.
so i've been putting out feelers for second shooters in the Sac-town area. i'm not charging them very much for the wedding so i can't pay a second a lot, AND i need someone who shoots similar to my style. but i have time and there are so many gifted photographers out there that i'm sure i will find someone.*
Friday i have the first of what i hope will be many sessions with a couple that have been married for 66 years... yeah, 66. trying to comprehend 66 years of marriage... it might as well be 66 million years. they are the most tender and beautiful couple i've ever known. they are the parents of the master carpenter i work with on occasion.**
this is part of what i hope will be a larger project of photographing and documenting the stories of a generation that is quickly leaving us.
Saturday i am shooting production stills for an indi film being produced over the hill in San Jose. not sure how that will turn out but it will be a learning experience.
all this while sending out resumes and doing interviews with local construction firms. oh life. ha ha.
* feel free to contact me if you are game. send me a link to some of your work and we will talk. ideally i would like a female shooter. experience has told me that a male/female combo is the best team for weddings. sorry guys.
** yes, surprise documentary photography doesn't pay the bills. but carpentry and photography both give me the same feeling artistically. i love the process and am never happy with the end product and always think that everyone else does way better work!
Tuesday i chatted on the phone with Amorina Edwards about her wedding in Sacramento in September. i have decided to limit the number of weddings i shoot next year and select only weddings that i believe have the potential to yield the best images. after talking with Amorina via email and over the phone and hearing her story about how she and her fience Ray met i knew i would want to photograph them. we are shooting their engagement session sometime in Janurary. we plan to create little magnets for the "save the date cards." should be fun. maybe i will post some of the concepts up here.
so i've been putting out feelers for second shooters in the Sac-town area. i'm not charging them very much for the wedding so i can't pay a second a lot, AND i need someone who shoots similar to my style. but i have time and there are so many gifted photographers out there that i'm sure i will find someone.*
Friday i have the first of what i hope will be many sessions with a couple that have been married for 66 years... yeah, 66. trying to comprehend 66 years of marriage... it might as well be 66 million years. they are the most tender and beautiful couple i've ever known. they are the parents of the master carpenter i work with on occasion.**
this is part of what i hope will be a larger project of photographing and documenting the stories of a generation that is quickly leaving us.
Saturday i am shooting production stills for an indi film being produced over the hill in San Jose. not sure how that will turn out but it will be a learning experience.
all this while sending out resumes and doing interviews with local construction firms. oh life. ha ha.
* feel free to contact me if you are game. send me a link to some of your work and we will talk. ideally i would like a female shooter. experience has told me that a male/female combo is the best team for weddings. sorry guys.
** yes, surprise documentary photography doesn't pay the bills. but carpentry and photography both give me the same feeling artistically. i love the process and am never happy with the end product and always think that everyone else does way better work!
11.07.2008
Right Wing Retards Do Their Part to Boost Economy
Reacting out of unfounded fear based on chain letter emails rednecks are emptying savings to purchase AK47's and rocket launchers before the pinko-socialist-terrorist-president elect takes away their guns.
Gun manufacturers deny any links to generation of rumor.
thank you CADE
Gun manufacturers deny any links to generation of rumor.
thank you CADE
11.04.2008
Reflectoin on the Election of the First Black President
On August 31st , 1962 a rented bus carried volunteers to Indianola, Mississippi in one the first coordinated efforts to register African Americans to vote. Amid the threats of beatings and lynching - a young woman, Fannie Lou Hamer, helped keep high the spirits of the volunteers by singing hymns. One of her favorites, and one she came to be known for was “This Little Light of Mine.”
Hamer, daughter of share coppers, grand daughter of slaves was no stranger to institutional racism and the deadly bigotry that has so stained our country. Previously she had been forcibly sterilized in an effort to prevent poor blacks in the south from having children. Instead of giving in to fear, or giving up in despair, she stood tall, proud, undefeated in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles to freedom.
Through her participation in the Regional Council of Negro Leadership, Hamer garnered the attention of leaders in the nation wide movement for civil rights.
A year later, in June of 1963 Hamer was traveling home from Charleston, South Carolina where she had been working to increase literacy, her group was arrested. While in custody she was tortured by police and came close to death. Undeterred Hamer continued to organized voter registration drives, even though she never fully recovered from the beatings she received.
Now, more than 40 years later her efforts to further the cause of civil rights, and more specifically her efforts to register African Americans have resulted in the historic election of the first African American president of the United States.
It is my sincere hope, that regardless of your political affiliation you can appreciate how momentous an event we all experienced November 4th. We have, to some degree, to paraphrase the late Dr Martin Luther King Jr, cashed a check the founders wrote when they penned the words that all men are created equal. I am not naïve enough to think that the election of an African American to the most powerful position in the world is a sign that racism, bigotry and hatred are a thing of the past. But I do believe we, as a society - Republican and Democrat, Liberal and Conservative, believer and non-believer alike have taken a great leap forward toward a more just society.
There is still a great deal of work to be done. There are still those who would, out of misguided religious belief, unchecked fear and bigotry, and even hate who would seek to limit the freedoms we were all intended to enjoy to a select few. Even here in California, a decidedly “blue state” a proposition to prevent same sex couples from laying hold the same rights, freedoms and privileges others enjoy passed by a surprising margin.
There is still a great deal of work to be done. But for now, I would like to think that every one of us can, if for but a moment, lay aside our political preferences and celebrate this great leap forward. And in so doing honor the memory of the many, like Fanny Lou Hamer, who have shed their own blood, sweat, and tears in the name of liberty and justice. Let us all hope, that the day they dreamed would come has begun to dawn.
Hamer, daughter of share coppers, grand daughter of slaves was no stranger to institutional racism and the deadly bigotry that has so stained our country. Previously she had been forcibly sterilized in an effort to prevent poor blacks in the south from having children. Instead of giving in to fear, or giving up in despair, she stood tall, proud, undefeated in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles to freedom.
Through her participation in the Regional Council of Negro Leadership, Hamer garnered the attention of leaders in the nation wide movement for civil rights.
A year later, in June of 1963 Hamer was traveling home from Charleston, South Carolina where she had been working to increase literacy, her group was arrested. While in custody she was tortured by police and came close to death. Undeterred Hamer continued to organized voter registration drives, even though she never fully recovered from the beatings she received.
Now, more than 40 years later her efforts to further the cause of civil rights, and more specifically her efforts to register African Americans have resulted in the historic election of the first African American president of the United States.
It is my sincere hope, that regardless of your political affiliation you can appreciate how momentous an event we all experienced November 4th. We have, to some degree, to paraphrase the late Dr Martin Luther King Jr, cashed a check the founders wrote when they penned the words that all men are created equal. I am not naïve enough to think that the election of an African American to the most powerful position in the world is a sign that racism, bigotry and hatred are a thing of the past. But I do believe we, as a society - Republican and Democrat, Liberal and Conservative, believer and non-believer alike have taken a great leap forward toward a more just society.
There is still a great deal of work to be done. There are still those who would, out of misguided religious belief, unchecked fear and bigotry, and even hate who would seek to limit the freedoms we were all intended to enjoy to a select few. Even here in California, a decidedly “blue state” a proposition to prevent same sex couples from laying hold the same rights, freedoms and privileges others enjoy passed by a surprising margin.
There is still a great deal of work to be done. But for now, I would like to think that every one of us can, if for but a moment, lay aside our political preferences and celebrate this great leap forward. And in so doing honor the memory of the many, like Fanny Lou Hamer, who have shed their own blood, sweat, and tears in the name of liberty and justice. Let us all hope, that the day they dreamed would come has begun to dawn.
11.02.2008
Personal Update 11.02
i have a little doc project i'm working on. there is a couple i know who have been married for 66 years. i'm planning on doing a photo essay on them. pretty stoked. they are an awesome couple. it is non-paying, which is bad from a business standpoint but very freeing from a pure art perspective. i will try to post images and text as it develops.
speaking of photo stuff, if you or someone you know would like to fund a project i'm down.
currently watching "purity balls" on TLC. can't believe i used to preach this kind of shit. even when i did preach this stuff a part of me always questioned it. having spent my adult life in the church and propagating this world view - and seeing the heart break and mess that it ultimately leads to for many young people and families (no not all) i feel... guilty for preaching this garbage.
i officially have one story written and edited to the point where i am comfortable enough to share it with at least 3 people. i've got some great feedback from one of them. will have a sit down soon with the other two. maybe after some rewrites it will appear here. not likely.
i haven't been out on a date in a month. while i really like the money i'm saving it would be nice to have someone to snuggle up to as the cold rainy season approaches.
it is one month until i turn 35. in leu of charitable donations in my name, please give me cash.
speaking of photo stuff, if you or someone you know would like to fund a project i'm down.
currently watching "purity balls" on TLC. can't believe i used to preach this kind of shit. even when i did preach this stuff a part of me always questioned it. having spent my adult life in the church and propagating this world view - and seeing the heart break and mess that it ultimately leads to for many young people and families (no not all) i feel... guilty for preaching this garbage.
i officially have one story written and edited to the point where i am comfortable enough to share it with at least 3 people. i've got some great feedback from one of them. will have a sit down soon with the other two. maybe after some rewrites it will appear here. not likely.
i haven't been out on a date in a month. while i really like the money i'm saving it would be nice to have someone to snuggle up to as the cold rainy season approaches.
it is one month until i turn 35. in leu of charitable donations in my name, please give me cash.
10.31.2008
Poll Finds 1 in 4 Texans is a Dumbass
10.29.2008
Does This Even Need an Intro or Comment?
wow dude. i mean. wow...
Need Registered Nurse Or Similar To Draw Bood For Drug Test
Reply to: gigs-898789180@craigslist.orgDate: 2008-10-29, 6:47PM
Hi.
I am Getting Married and have agreed with my Fiancee' to Get tested for any Std's and Hiv first.
I have Contacted a Company that has sent me a Kit in the mail. This kit has all the Vials and Paperwork only.
I need to have Someone who is trained and able to draw a small amount of my Blood.
I will be paying you for this Service and the Company will reimburse me for it.
All you do is draw blood and fill out some Paerwork and then We ship it to a Lab in the Provided Mailer.
- it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
- Compensation: The Rate will be Established between you and the company and then i pay you.
.... can anyone tell me what "bood" is?
10.28.2008
Gay Weddings. Duh.
so just to follow up with that last post...
i was scanning a photography thread just now and the question was "Would you photograph a same sex wedding."
the comments (ur, um debate) went on for 6 pages.
for me it is a no brainer. i will photograph anyone who is paying cash money.
so if you are in a same sex relationship and looking for a photographer... i'm your man,
www.mikemurrowphotography.com
carry on.
i was scanning a photography thread just now and the question was "Would you photograph a same sex wedding."
the comments (ur, um debate) went on for 6 pages.
for me it is a no brainer. i will photograph anyone who is paying cash money.
so if you are in a same sex relationship and looking for a photographer... i'm your man,
www.mikemurrowphotography.com
carry on.
10.27.2008
The Illogic of Prop 8 and Religious Puppet Masters
if you didn't notice this year California became the second state in the union to legalize same sex marriage. gay and lesbian couples from around California stood in front of Justice's of the Peace and sympathetic Rabbi's and Pastors and were legally married. and low and behold the world did not come to an end. society didn't collapse. the marriages of heterosexual couples didn't dissolve as predicted. The LORD didn't send fire and brimstone down upon the earth, or just San Francisco and Sacramento.
what did happen was gay men gained the right to visit their dying partners in the hospital, lesbian couples were allowed to share in their spouses health insurance (if they can afford it), and same sex couples could now file joint tax returns. in essence, gay and lesbian people came one step closer to being treated as equals in the eyes of the law and society.
but now there is a proposition on the books, Prop 8, that seeks to ban same sex marriage.
can any one explain to me how Prop 8 isn't simple bigotry?
let me lay out the arguments as i've heard them:
1) gay marriage will erode hetero marriage. yet no one can explain to me how or why? i think heterosexual couples are doing enough on their own to erode their own marriages.
2) kids will be taught that two men can be lovers just like mommy and daddy. so what? how does this harm anyone? "well" you might say, "i don't want my kids to be taught that homosexuality is acceptable." fine, you have every right to believe what you want and teach your kids according to your religious beliefs. i say go ahead, teach your kids that homosexuality is not acceptable. no one is trying to take that away from you. kids will learn all manner of things in school. a lot of parents don't want their kids to use profanity, which they will learn to use in school. they will read it in books, hear it on the play ground and if they have my metal shop teacher they will hear it in the class room. and what about divorce? the bible is very clear about divorce. what if your kids have a teacher who is divorced? or an adulterer? how about someone who works on the sabbath? is it that hard for you to sit your child down and say to them "Junior, you learned that society believes it is ok for gay and lesbian people to be married like mommy and daddy. we believe the bible teaches otherwise, ok?" "yes mommy, it is just like how they teach evolution but we believe that the Earth is 4,000 years old and Adam and Eve had dinosaurs as pets."
what really gets to me about supporters of Prop 8 is that they won't just come out and say that they want everyone to believe exactly the same things they believe. they want everyone to follow the same religious laws, even people who don't believe what they believe, who don't believe in the same god or any god at all.
but they won't and can't say this. they won't because in their hearts they know that this would get them no where, or they can't because they haven't thought through the logic (or illogic) of Prop 8 because they aren't thinking. they are doing what their religious leaders are telling them to do. they are being manipulated by these power hungry puppet masters.
if they were genuinely concerned about "sin." then where are the propositions to ban divorce, sabbath breaking, other gods, adultery, disobeying parents, etc?
Prop 8 isn't about gay marriage. Prop 8 is a rallying point for power hungry religious leaders. it is a way to galvanize their followers around an easy target.
what did happen was gay men gained the right to visit their dying partners in the hospital, lesbian couples were allowed to share in their spouses health insurance (if they can afford it), and same sex couples could now file joint tax returns. in essence, gay and lesbian people came one step closer to being treated as equals in the eyes of the law and society.
but now there is a proposition on the books, Prop 8, that seeks to ban same sex marriage.
can any one explain to me how Prop 8 isn't simple bigotry?
let me lay out the arguments as i've heard them:
1) gay marriage will erode hetero marriage. yet no one can explain to me how or why? i think heterosexual couples are doing enough on their own to erode their own marriages.
2) kids will be taught that two men can be lovers just like mommy and daddy. so what? how does this harm anyone? "well" you might say, "i don't want my kids to be taught that homosexuality is acceptable." fine, you have every right to believe what you want and teach your kids according to your religious beliefs. i say go ahead, teach your kids that homosexuality is not acceptable. no one is trying to take that away from you. kids will learn all manner of things in school. a lot of parents don't want their kids to use profanity, which they will learn to use in school. they will read it in books, hear it on the play ground and if they have my metal shop teacher they will hear it in the class room. and what about divorce? the bible is very clear about divorce. what if your kids have a teacher who is divorced? or an adulterer? how about someone who works on the sabbath? is it that hard for you to sit your child down and say to them "Junior, you learned that society believes it is ok for gay and lesbian people to be married like mommy and daddy. we believe the bible teaches otherwise, ok?" "yes mommy, it is just like how they teach evolution but we believe that the Earth is 4,000 years old and Adam and Eve had dinosaurs as pets."
what really gets to me about supporters of Prop 8 is that they won't just come out and say that they want everyone to believe exactly the same things they believe. they want everyone to follow the same religious laws, even people who don't believe what they believe, who don't believe in the same god or any god at all.
but they won't and can't say this. they won't because in their hearts they know that this would get them no where, or they can't because they haven't thought through the logic (or illogic) of Prop 8 because they aren't thinking. they are doing what their religious leaders are telling them to do. they are being manipulated by these power hungry puppet masters.
if they were genuinely concerned about "sin." then where are the propositions to ban divorce, sabbath breaking, other gods, adultery, disobeying parents, etc?
Prop 8 isn't about gay marriage. Prop 8 is a rallying point for power hungry religious leaders. it is a way to galvanize their followers around an easy target.
10.26.2008
North Carolina has racists? Shocking, Just Shocking!
for the first time in my life i got involved in a political campaign yesterday, albeit in small and relatively insignificant way. i went to a local Obama for America phone bank and called folks in New Mexico and North Carolina.
i'm a non-joiner, non-participator by nature and out of principle* so i had to choke down the idea of being a part of anything.
what i walked away with was that Obama has a really good chance of taking New Mexico, and that there are a lot of racist folks in North Carolina. it isn't enough for some people to just hang up on you. no, they aren't happy until they have informed you that not only are they not going to vote for that "N*****" or "Fucking N*****" but that I am a traitor to my race/country. Don't I know that he hates America, is a terrorist and a socialist?
based on those comments and the tone and the rhetoric used by Palin and McCain/Palin surogets i wouldn't be surprised if there were an attempt on Obama's life should he win the election. i hope this doesn't happen, but i would be shocked if it didn't. i hope Palin understands how inflamatory her rhetoric (lies) about Obama's associations is and should anything happen i can't help but think that she would be culpable in some way.
most the names on the North Carolina list were of folks in their 20's and 30's who were thought to be leaning toward Obama. The problem was that they gave home phone numebrs and when I called I got good old mom and dad - who were absolutely not Obama supporters.
i went just to see what it was about and for the experience. not sure if i would ever do it again.
*or rather, lack of principles
i'm a non-joiner, non-participator by nature and out of principle* so i had to choke down the idea of being a part of anything.
what i walked away with was that Obama has a really good chance of taking New Mexico, and that there are a lot of racist folks in North Carolina. it isn't enough for some people to just hang up on you. no, they aren't happy until they have informed you that not only are they not going to vote for that "N*****" or "Fucking N*****" but that I am a traitor to my race/country. Don't I know that he hates America, is a terrorist and a socialist?
based on those comments and the tone and the rhetoric used by Palin and McCain/Palin surogets i wouldn't be surprised if there were an attempt on Obama's life should he win the election. i hope this doesn't happen, but i would be shocked if it didn't. i hope Palin understands how inflamatory her rhetoric (lies) about Obama's associations is and should anything happen i can't help but think that she would be culpable in some way.
most the names on the North Carolina list were of folks in their 20's and 30's who were thought to be leaning toward Obama. The problem was that they gave home phone numebrs and when I called I got good old mom and dad - who were absolutely not Obama supporters.
i went just to see what it was about and for the experience. not sure if i would ever do it again.
*or rather, lack of principles
10.24.2008
Mike the Carpenter's Tax Cut Obama vs McSame
ha ha, sweet! my tax cut Obama $500 vs bagel under McCain.
what is yours? hint: if you make under $250,000 you will do well under Obama.
what is yours? hint: if you make under $250,000 you will do well under Obama.
Tagged, now your it.
i got tagged by Stacey and the rules are post the sixth image from your sixth folder. (should be obvious but - the sixth file in "my pictures" and the sixth image from that file)
so here it is...
shot at night, near the boardwalk, i think the exposure was 1 minute at f5.8.
i tag:
James
Cade
Dan
Gentry
Agent B
so here it is...
shot at night, near the boardwalk, i think the exposure was 1 minute at f5.8.
i tag:
James
Cade
Dan
Gentry
Agent B
10.20.2008
God I love Craigslist - Cade this one is for you
ok, ok so i fully anticipate the cries of hypocrisy for posting this, but hear me out.
if you are a publisher, or aspiring publisher and you are "looking for writers" i would think that along with a general appreciation for literature you would also have a command of the language of at least a 2nd grader.
Exhibit A. can you pick out what is wrong with this ad? i am notorious for my misspellings. but i never claimed to be a publisher....
Date: 2008-10-20, 7:24PM
if you are a publisher, or aspiring publisher and you are "looking for writers" i would think that along with a general appreciation for literature you would also have a command of the language of at least a 2nd grader.
Exhibit A. can you pick out what is wrong with this ad? i am notorious for my misspellings. but i never claimed to be a publisher....
Looking for talented writers
Reply to: gigs-887137283@craigslist.orgDate: 2008-10-20, 7:24PM
Alright here's the deal:
If your into writing or have a hobby/skill that you enjoy writing about you need to read this.
I'm looking for a handful of talent that can take there writing to the next step. I want people who have a strong desire to take there writing to the next level, and use there skill to earn what they know there worth.
A new publishing company is forming and its time to jump on-board, this is not a "get rich quick" scheme, and you will never be asked to recruit people. Your only job would be to write, write about you love. Write about what you enjoy.
Take the guess work out of self promotion, let us do the dirty work, and we'll let you do the creative work.
Please email me if you think you are up for it, much more information will be provided at that time.
Please include:
Type of writing you enjoy: (ex. informational, satire, story)
Subjects you are interested in writing about:
Your goals as a writer:
Sean
time.to.get.writing@gmail.com
10.19.2008
On Laundry and Love
i now have a singular standard for a future wife. she will do the laundry. i will cook, clean, beat the kids, i'll even put out from time to time. she has to do the laundry.
why?
i hate doing laundry. no, hate isn't the right word, i megaloath doing laundry. i have to get all my shit together, drive my ass to the laundromat, turn around and go to the ATM for cash cause i forgot i don't have 20 quarters just floating around. which means i have to buy fucking gum or something to turn my big bills into 5's. then i have to stand there and ask the cashier to open her drawer again cause she gave me a couple of 5s that look like someone rolled them up to snort coke with, then wiped their ass with them*- cause you can't get small bills out of ATMs anymore.**
then i go back to the laundromat, sort my shit, start the wash at $2.50 a load plus $1.50 to dry - don't even get me started on this little rip off.
then i wait. i read a book. listen to the radio. make conversation with my fellow San Lorenzo Valley-ites, watch as a meth-zombie gets into a heated argument with a telephone pole about the economic bail out. then switch my clothes over to the driers. this is a whole other issue that pisses me off. there are never enough driers that actually get hot. you have to fight for them. last month i had to push a lady down for trying to snake my drier.
then i wait. i sit and watch my stuff cause the meth-zombie will eventually loose his argument with the pole and decide it would be a good idea to take someone's clothes.
then i take my not quite dried clothes home and fold them and put them away. this is a daunting task because i have just a bit of OCD*** and so my socks have to be matched perfectly not only by sized but by how much they have faded, worn through, how streatchy the elastic is and other inexplicable catagories. shirts have to be folded a certain way - something i saw in a retail store once and now i can't not do it that way, although, recently, equally inexplicable as the sock thing is my cotton work T's and wife beaters have to be rolled...
fuck i don't know why.
the only thing that makes it at all tolerable is that once home i can get a little drunk and listen to podcasts which makes things go a little smoother.
i'm now taking applications for future Mrs. Murrow's to be. required skills: laundry.
*nothing is out of the question here in the South Felton Ghetto
**remember those days? gas was 75 cents and you could get a fiver out of an ATM and we hadn't even had a tech bubble bust.
***thanks Grama Bell!
why?
i hate doing laundry. no, hate isn't the right word, i megaloath doing laundry. i have to get all my shit together, drive my ass to the laundromat, turn around and go to the ATM for cash cause i forgot i don't have 20 quarters just floating around. which means i have to buy fucking gum or something to turn my big bills into 5's. then i have to stand there and ask the cashier to open her drawer again cause she gave me a couple of 5s that look like someone rolled them up to snort coke with, then wiped their ass with them*- cause you can't get small bills out of ATMs anymore.**
then i go back to the laundromat, sort my shit, start the wash at $2.50 a load plus $1.50 to dry - don't even get me started on this little rip off.
then i wait. i read a book. listen to the radio. make conversation with my fellow San Lorenzo Valley-ites, watch as a meth-zombie gets into a heated argument with a telephone pole about the economic bail out. then switch my clothes over to the driers. this is a whole other issue that pisses me off. there are never enough driers that actually get hot. you have to fight for them. last month i had to push a lady down for trying to snake my drier.
then i wait. i sit and watch my stuff cause the meth-zombie will eventually loose his argument with the pole and decide it would be a good idea to take someone's clothes.
then i take my not quite dried clothes home and fold them and put them away. this is a daunting task because i have just a bit of OCD*** and so my socks have to be matched perfectly not only by sized but by how much they have faded, worn through, how streatchy the elastic is and other inexplicable catagories. shirts have to be folded a certain way - something i saw in a retail store once and now i can't not do it that way, although, recently, equally inexplicable as the sock thing is my cotton work T's and wife beaters have to be rolled...
fuck i don't know why.
the only thing that makes it at all tolerable is that once home i can get a little drunk and listen to podcasts which makes things go a little smoother.
i'm now taking applications for future Mrs. Murrow's to be. required skills: laundry.
*nothing is out of the question here in the South Felton Ghetto
**remember those days? gas was 75 cents and you could get a fiver out of an ATM and we hadn't even had a tech bubble bust.
***thanks Grama Bell!
10.17.2008
10.15.2008
Obligatory "personal life" Update
so in keeping with my commitment to those of you who asked here is a post with some personal stuff. please enjoy, if you get bored then click over HERE for a laugh, or HERE, but don't say i didn't warn you. here is a chance to feast on a bit of self disclosure... enjoy!
anyway life is tough as an independent carpenter slash photographer. i had the next 4 weeks booked with one client to do some repairs on their house until last Friday when they called me up freaked out about how far the stock market has dropped and canceled pretty much the entire job minus a door install.
i understand, i suppose, why they are freaked, but i don't think it is justified. i mean, if you house is falling apart it is only going to get worse and cost you more later. i would like to thank all the fear mongers in the Media for throwing around the "D" word and scaring the shit out of people. this entire thing is surreal. it is all based on peoples perceptions about money that isn't real but instead is further abstracted to numbers on a big screen on Wall Street. can't we all just pretend that things are good and start buying stock again? i understand not investing in shit can businesses but there are business that are doing well like Wal-fart, and the fast food joints, i don't see any reason not to invest in google or the stronger banks. frick if i had the money i would invest it. but we are all lemmings and douche's like the guys on CNBC yelled fire so now we are all fucked.
which makes me sad because i like being a carpenter. i like working on my own because i approach it as an art. i'm free to create really good work with out someone telling me to just do it half ass so they can make a profit off my labor. if i had to go back to working for a company i think my metaphorical soul would just shrival up and die.
as far as the photography goes things aren't much better. i'm starting to wonder if i don't just suck and that is why i don't have any business for next year. i really love shooting weddings because there are so many opportunities for creating great images. plenty of people are viewing my portfolio but then just moving on. makes me want to hang up my gear and never take another photo. don't get me wrong, i don't do it for the money, but if people don't want you to shoot their wedding because you suck then why bother right? why bother trying to make images if all you produce is shit, or even mediocre.
so yeah, i'm pretty discouraged about it.
on the relational front things are slow. i was dating a lot over the summer but have kind of lost interest. you can only go out with the same personality so many times before you get bored. i seem to attract the same woman over and over. they seem different at first but in the end they turn out to be the same absolutely crazy woman. since the end of summer the number of dates i've been on has dwindled to bagal. i'm ok with not dating the crazies, as much fun as they can be at the moment, and i don't want to spend the rest of my life with them. but i'm not ok with being 35 and single. i feel as though i am fast approaching the "creepy-weird-single-guy" age.
so there you go, hope you got your fill!
anyway life is tough as an independent carpenter slash photographer. i had the next 4 weeks booked with one client to do some repairs on their house until last Friday when they called me up freaked out about how far the stock market has dropped and canceled pretty much the entire job minus a door install.
i understand, i suppose, why they are freaked, but i don't think it is justified. i mean, if you house is falling apart it is only going to get worse and cost you more later. i would like to thank all the fear mongers in the Media for throwing around the "D" word and scaring the shit out of people. this entire thing is surreal. it is all based on peoples perceptions about money that isn't real but instead is further abstracted to numbers on a big screen on Wall Street. can't we all just pretend that things are good and start buying stock again? i understand not investing in shit can businesses but there are business that are doing well like Wal-fart, and the fast food joints, i don't see any reason not to invest in google or the stronger banks. frick if i had the money i would invest it. but we are all lemmings and douche's like the guys on CNBC yelled fire so now we are all fucked.
which makes me sad because i like being a carpenter. i like working on my own because i approach it as an art. i'm free to create really good work with out someone telling me to just do it half ass so they can make a profit off my labor. if i had to go back to working for a company i think my metaphorical soul would just shrival up and die.
as far as the photography goes things aren't much better. i'm starting to wonder if i don't just suck and that is why i don't have any business for next year. i really love shooting weddings because there are so many opportunities for creating great images. plenty of people are viewing my portfolio but then just moving on. makes me want to hang up my gear and never take another photo. don't get me wrong, i don't do it for the money, but if people don't want you to shoot their wedding because you suck then why bother right? why bother trying to make images if all you produce is shit, or even mediocre.
so yeah, i'm pretty discouraged about it.
on the relational front things are slow. i was dating a lot over the summer but have kind of lost interest. you can only go out with the same personality so many times before you get bored. i seem to attract the same woman over and over. they seem different at first but in the end they turn out to be the same absolutely crazy woman. since the end of summer the number of dates i've been on has dwindled to bagal. i'm ok with not dating the crazies, as much fun as they can be at the moment, and i don't want to spend the rest of my life with them. but i'm not ok with being 35 and single. i feel as though i am fast approaching the "creepy-weird-single-guy" age.
so there you go, hope you got your fill!
10.12.2008
Agnosticism, Confrimation Bias, and the Near Impossibility of Genuine Discussion.
of all the seasons on the calendar, after baseball season, the election season is my favorite. i wish it came around more often. i know, i know you hate it right? every one bickering, pundits spouting off, politicians lying their asses off.
me, i love it.
i'm a word guy. i pay attention to how people use words and what they are trying to accomplish with those words. i like thinking through the nuance and parsing and encoded messages that are being communicated. to be honest, i usually don't give a rats ass who gets elected. i don't have a political party, and i think all government is just another form of control and power wielded by those who can buy it over those who can't.*
something that i am always conscious of, but which becomes more apparent during election season is what is referred to as Confirmation Bias. basically, when we believe something we have a proclivity to actively seek information that confirms in our minds that belief while simultaneously ignoring or rejecting information that contradicts our held belief. if you are an Obama supporter you view all information you encounter about him through a filter that prejudices that information and greatly influences how you interpret it. the end result being that you subconciously (for the most part subconsciously) only receive information that supports your belief that Obama is the best candidate and you either reject, ignore, or reinterpret negative information that might contradict that beleif. the same is true for McCain supporters, and it is, in my biased view point, sadly true for those that would defend the choice of Palin as VP.
this is what makes discussions about politics, in particular presidential politics so heated and yet so unproductive - and to me, very entertaining especially on comment threads on blogs. we all end up talking past one another. no matter how many examples, facts, anicdotes, etc that we might toss at one another, the likelihood that either of us is going to change our beliefs based on information, or "the facts" if you will is very, very slip. we long ago made up our minds and god help us if we let "the facts" get in our way.
there is a prevalent misconception about that we are rational, objective beings who come to our deeply held beliefs based on logic, reason, and truth. the reality is that we first make up our minds and only then do we seek out information to confirm that bias.
the sooner we all come to grips with this the better off we will all be. i am continually amused to see peoples obvious bias influencing how the interpret reality. i am just as guilty as the next person. my only consolation is that at least i acknolege that i have prejudices and bias. most folks aren't willing to even admit to it, let alone examine that bias.
let me say it again clearly, we don't look at the facts and arrive at a conclusion. rather, it is reveresed, we have a belief and seek out confirmation of that belief. this by no means invalidates anyone's beliefs. but it most certainly should result in a great deal more humility about those beliefs.**
i was having brunch with some friends today and we were discussing the bible. personally i think that book is absolutely worthless as a guide for absolute truth. it is no better than any other religious book. it is just a bunch of stories, some of which are very troubling. i see no justification for using it, as opposed to any other religious text, as a source for "Absolute Truth." that is my bias. i said as much today, i admit partially just to get a rise out of a guy who sees the world in absolutes/black and white. for my part, i am agnostic. i find that there just isn't any reason for certainty especially when it comes to absolute truth claims. that is my bias. earlier in the discussion this guy stated, when i pressed him, that we must fear god if we are going to be moral, that to lack that fear means we are a threat to society. he even said he feared for his families safety. to which i asked since i don't fear god or man does that make me some kind of sociopath or threat to public safety? but he couldn't hear what i was saying because of Confirmation Bias. he can onlyhear information that would confirm his deeply held beliefs.
to my mind this is just one more reason to be agnostic. of course that could be my own Confirmation Bias. which only means that i should be agnostic about my agnosticism.
*although.. for the first time in my life i am actively supporting a candidate. in the past i have merely voted for one candidate because the other "option" was less desirable, or because the one party and the people around me who supported that party were so annoying that i intentionally voted for the other guy.
** and by humility i don't mean the bullshit artificial christianese humility. i am talking about a humility that acknoleges that your beliefs are not based on fact but on subjective interpretations of those facts and because of that you have no room to say that some one else is absolutely wrong. they might be. but then again you might be wrong.
me, i love it.
i'm a word guy. i pay attention to how people use words and what they are trying to accomplish with those words. i like thinking through the nuance and parsing and encoded messages that are being communicated. to be honest, i usually don't give a rats ass who gets elected. i don't have a political party, and i think all government is just another form of control and power wielded by those who can buy it over those who can't.*
something that i am always conscious of, but which becomes more apparent during election season is what is referred to as Confirmation Bias. basically, when we believe something we have a proclivity to actively seek information that confirms in our minds that belief while simultaneously ignoring or rejecting information that contradicts our held belief. if you are an Obama supporter you view all information you encounter about him through a filter that prejudices that information and greatly influences how you interpret it. the end result being that you subconciously (for the most part subconsciously) only receive information that supports your belief that Obama is the best candidate and you either reject, ignore, or reinterpret negative information that might contradict that beleif. the same is true for McCain supporters, and it is, in my biased view point, sadly true for those that would defend the choice of Palin as VP.
this is what makes discussions about politics, in particular presidential politics so heated and yet so unproductive - and to me, very entertaining especially on comment threads on blogs. we all end up talking past one another. no matter how many examples, facts, anicdotes, etc that we might toss at one another, the likelihood that either of us is going to change our beliefs based on information, or "the facts" if you will is very, very slip. we long ago made up our minds and god help us if we let "the facts" get in our way.
there is a prevalent misconception about that we are rational, objective beings who come to our deeply held beliefs based on logic, reason, and truth. the reality is that we first make up our minds and only then do we seek out information to confirm that bias.
the sooner we all come to grips with this the better off we will all be. i am continually amused to see peoples obvious bias influencing how the interpret reality. i am just as guilty as the next person. my only consolation is that at least i acknolege that i have prejudices and bias. most folks aren't willing to even admit to it, let alone examine that bias.
let me say it again clearly, we don't look at the facts and arrive at a conclusion. rather, it is reveresed, we have a belief and seek out confirmation of that belief. this by no means invalidates anyone's beliefs. but it most certainly should result in a great deal more humility about those beliefs.**
i was having brunch with some friends today and we were discussing the bible. personally i think that book is absolutely worthless as a guide for absolute truth. it is no better than any other religious book. it is just a bunch of stories, some of which are very troubling. i see no justification for using it, as opposed to any other religious text, as a source for "Absolute Truth." that is my bias. i said as much today, i admit partially just to get a rise out of a guy who sees the world in absolutes/black and white. for my part, i am agnostic. i find that there just isn't any reason for certainty especially when it comes to absolute truth claims. that is my bias. earlier in the discussion this guy stated, when i pressed him, that we must fear god if we are going to be moral, that to lack that fear means we are a threat to society. he even said he feared for his families safety. to which i asked since i don't fear god or man does that make me some kind of sociopath or threat to public safety? but he couldn't hear what i was saying because of Confirmation Bias. he can onlyhear information that would confirm his deeply held beliefs.
to my mind this is just one more reason to be agnostic. of course that could be my own Confirmation Bias. which only means that i should be agnostic about my agnosticism.
*although.. for the first time in my life i am actively supporting a candidate. in the past i have merely voted for one candidate because the other "option" was less desirable, or because the one party and the people around me who supported that party were so annoying that i intentionally voted for the other guy.
** and by humility i don't mean the bullshit artificial christianese humility. i am talking about a humility that acknoleges that your beliefs are not based on fact but on subjective interpretations of those facts and because of that you have no room to say that some one else is absolutely wrong. they might be. but then again you might be wrong.
10.11.2008
Another Frightening Show About the Economy
HERE is another great (and disturbing) show from TAL about the economy, it is a follow up to the previous show. ENJOY.
another source of good intel is the Planet Money blog and podcast
another source of good intel is the Planet Money blog and podcast
10.08.2008
A Light Tight Box
i've been playing around with night photography lately. i got hooked on it while in Canada and put it aside when i returned to the States. the other night i couldn't sleep so i grabbed my camera and tripod and headed out the door not knowing where my feet would take me and my camera.
this first image i played around a bit with in photoshop and am fairly happy with the result. actually i'm happy with all three of these images.
click on each image to see a larger, better version.
the second and third have very minimal editing, they are pretty much as i shot them.
i've always said that if i could draw/paint i would sell my camera gear. the impressionists left a huge, uh, impression on me in college and that is what i was aiming at with the editing in this first image.
this second one is a palm tree next to the post office. i spot metered, did my little zone system calc and then painted it with a halogen flashlight while the shutter was open. the blue cast is from the halogen, not photoshop.
this final image i again did the little zone system calc (thank you Ansel again) and then painted the blocks with my flash light. while the shutter was open i ran down between them flashing the light on each block as i went.
enjoy.
comments welcome.
this first image i played around a bit with in photoshop and am fairly happy with the result. actually i'm happy with all three of these images.
click on each image to see a larger, better version.
the second and third have very minimal editing, they are pretty much as i shot them.
i've always said that if i could draw/paint i would sell my camera gear. the impressionists left a huge, uh, impression on me in college and that is what i was aiming at with the editing in this first image.
this second one is a palm tree next to the post office. i spot metered, did my little zone system calc and then painted it with a halogen flashlight while the shutter was open. the blue cast is from the halogen, not photoshop.
this final image i again did the little zone system calc (thank you Ansel again) and then painted the blocks with my flash light. while the shutter was open i ran down between them flashing the light on each block as i went.
enjoy.
comments welcome.
10.04.2008
Greg Brown Got it Right
On Yellow Dog, 2007
i tell you what this war is all about, oil
we invaded for that and we ain't gonna leave
when you go take what you want
call it freedom and liberty
well you're walking on the cut bullshit side of me
well the media is bought off
they ain't gonna tell the truth
they're gonna do as they're told, stay employed
NBC, CBS, ABC and CIA
all of 'em are just workin' for the oily boys
well the democrats are chicken
they're tryin' to appease
the same oily boys that brought America to its knees
amongst this pile of lies, the only hope i see
get the green party going, run the prostitutes out of DC
these names will live in infamy
Bush and Cheney, Rove and Rumsfield too
well, Condaleeza you know she's just another oily boy
and they're wreckin' this world and just what are we gonna do
it has to be we the people
one by one, two by two
and then many million strong
to say this land is out land
and what you're doing in our name is just plain wrong
i tell you what this war is all about, oil
we invaded for that and we ain't gonna leave
when you go take what you want
call it freedom and liberty
well you're walking on the cut bullshit side of me
i tell you what this war is all about, oil
we invaded for that and we ain't gonna leave
when you go take what you want
call it freedom and liberty
well you're walking on the cut bullshit side of me
well the media is bought off
they ain't gonna tell the truth
they're gonna do as they're told, stay employed
NBC, CBS, ABC and CIA
all of 'em are just workin' for the oily boys
well the democrats are chicken
they're tryin' to appease
the same oily boys that brought America to its knees
amongst this pile of lies, the only hope i see
get the green party going, run the prostitutes out of DC
these names will live in infamy
Bush and Cheney, Rove and Rumsfield too
well, Condaleeza you know she's just another oily boy
and they're wreckin' this world and just what are we gonna do
it has to be we the people
one by one, two by two
and then many million strong
to say this land is out land
and what you're doing in our name is just plain wrong
i tell you what this war is all about, oil
we invaded for that and we ain't gonna leave
when you go take what you want
call it freedom and liberty
well you're walking on the cut bullshit side of me
10.02.2008
Let Me Spell It Out For You
it is simple. pass the bailout. or another bailout. pass gas and call it a bailout. it doesn't matter. all that matters is that the douche bag bank owners think you have done something so they will unpucker their ass holes and let a little credit trickle out.
why? why drop 700 billion on the "fat cats?" because when these ass holes are afraid to lend money people like me go hungry. see, the business we work for, contract out to, and get supplies from, like the people who need their homes worked on - these folks can't get loans to operate their business, make pay roll or, say, use to pay carpenters like myself.
i was shooting the shit with a handful of guys at the lumber yard the other day and 2 of them are going out of business because they can't find work. another is laying off his entire crew because he can't get a loan to operate from month to month. he has the same credit he had a year ago. it is the same bank. but no one has trust in the market or in the availability of money so they are being tight fisted.
so pass the fucking bailout, rescue plan, what the fuck ever you want to call it.
and to all of you out there who are against the bailout. you are fucking retarded. what do you think is going to happen to your job when your company can't get a loan? or the people who use your companies services can't get a loan? shut the fuck up, quit writing letters to congress telling them to not pass the bailout. some of us need this so we can buy food next week.
sure, i am pissed as hell at these fucks who got us into this. and i don't think anyone should profit from the bailout. but not bailing them out isn't going to punish them nearly as much as it will folks like me.
now go right your republican congress person and tell them to put the fucking politics aside and pass something, anything at all.
why? why drop 700 billion on the "fat cats?" because when these ass holes are afraid to lend money people like me go hungry. see, the business we work for, contract out to, and get supplies from, like the people who need their homes worked on - these folks can't get loans to operate their business, make pay roll or, say, use to pay carpenters like myself.
i was shooting the shit with a handful of guys at the lumber yard the other day and 2 of them are going out of business because they can't find work. another is laying off his entire crew because he can't get a loan to operate from month to month. he has the same credit he had a year ago. it is the same bank. but no one has trust in the market or in the availability of money so they are being tight fisted.
so pass the fucking bailout, rescue plan, what the fuck ever you want to call it.
and to all of you out there who are against the bailout. you are fucking retarded. what do you think is going to happen to your job when your company can't get a loan? or the people who use your companies services can't get a loan? shut the fuck up, quit writing letters to congress telling them to not pass the bailout. some of us need this so we can buy food next week.
sure, i am pissed as hell at these fucks who got us into this. and i don't think anyone should profit from the bailout. but not bailing them out isn't going to punish them nearly as much as it will folks like me.
now go right your republican congress person and tell them to put the fucking politics aside and pass something, anything at all.
9.30.2008
New Favorite Craigslist Add
"joint" me to sell home products? wonder what those "products" could be? hmm
Joint me to sell home products (East Bay)
Reply to: gigs-861958262@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-09-30, 10:59PM PDT
If you want a part time job, this is for you.
Reply to this ad for more information
9.28.2008
The Giant Pool of Money: How We Got in this Mess
i'm a big fan of This American Life on NPR. a while back they aired an episode dedicated to explaining just how we got into the financial crisis (or how a small number of people got us into it actually).
i have a friend who works for a large brokerage firm and he tells a similar story. check it out, and don't worry, listening to one episode of TAL on NPR won't make you a dirty flaming "libtard" and your GOP friends won't have to know if you don't tell them.
it's a podcast that you can download and listen to. you can find it HERE.
on that same note, my former roommate, Rob w/1 B predicted the exact scenario we are in ONE YEAR AGO. freaky. read that HERE. this is disturbing on a number of levels, but mostly because this kind of hyper accurate prognostication isn't something you would expect from someone who i've seen vomit into a pitcher at a bar, daily utter a string of non-sequitors, and more than once tell me "i really wish you had your shirt off right now" and who gigles while taking a dump - i guess now i know what he is giggling about.
i have a friend who works for a large brokerage firm and he tells a similar story. check it out, and don't worry, listening to one episode of TAL on NPR won't make you a dirty flaming "libtard" and your GOP friends won't have to know if you don't tell them.
it's a podcast that you can download and listen to. you can find it HERE.
on that same note, my former roommate, Rob w/1 B predicted the exact scenario we are in ONE YEAR AGO. freaky. read that HERE. this is disturbing on a number of levels, but mostly because this kind of hyper accurate prognostication isn't something you would expect from someone who i've seen vomit into a pitcher at a bar, daily utter a string of non-sequitors, and more than once tell me "i really wish you had your shirt off right now" and who gigles while taking a dump - i guess now i know what he is giggling about.
9.24.2008
What I'm Reading: GO READ THESE TWO BOOKS!
i should be editing photos right now, but i can't focus until i've put this post up.
if i were more confident of my ability to utter an imperative and see it followed i would simply write the following:
stop what you are doing and go find a copy of "blindness" and "seeing" by Jose Saramago.
however, i am not so self diluted, despite assertions about my hubris to the contrary. i am at my limits to find a way to write about these two books in a way that will even come close to doing them justice, not giving away the best part of the plot, and still convince you to read these two books while we are in the final days of this "election season."
so i will instead offer you this review from the Guardian, apologies for the length and for the spoilers (however the best part of the book is not revealed). if you can't dedicate the 2 minutes it would take to read the full review the following quote from Saramago himself should suffice,
Accepting his Nobel prize, Saramago, calling himself "the apprentice", said: "The apprentice thought, 'we are blind', and he sat down and wrote Blindness to remind those who might read it that we pervert reason when we humiliate life, that human dignity is insulted every day by the powerful of our world, that the universal lie has replaced the plural truths, that man stopped respecting himself when he lost the respect due to his fellow-creatures."
if i were more confident of my ability to utter an imperative and see it followed i would simply write the following:
stop what you are doing and go find a copy of "blindness" and "seeing" by Jose Saramago.
however, i am not so self diluted, despite assertions about my hubris to the contrary. i am at my limits to find a way to write about these two books in a way that will even come close to doing them justice, not giving away the best part of the plot, and still convince you to read these two books while we are in the final days of this "election season."
so i will instead offer you this review from the Guardian, apologies for the length and for the spoilers (however the best part of the book is not revealed). if you can't dedicate the 2 minutes it would take to read the full review the following quote from Saramago himself should suffice,
Accepting his Nobel prize, Saramago, calling himself "the apprentice", said: "The apprentice thought, 'we are blind', and he sat down and wrote Blindness to remind those who might read it that we pervert reason when we humiliate life, that human dignity is insulted every day by the powerful of our world, that the universal lie has replaced the plural truths, that man stopped respecting himself when he lost the respect due to his fellow-creatures."
Seeing
by José Saramago, translated by Margaret Jull Costa
Some years ago a reliable friend told me I should read José Saramago's Blindness. Faced with pages of run-on sentences and unparagraphed dialogue without quotation marks, I soon quit, snarling about literary affectations. Later I tried again, went further, and quit because I was scared. Blindness is a frightening book. Before I'd let an author of such evident power give me the horrors, he'd have to earn my trust. So I went back to the earlier novels and put myself through a course of Saramago.
It's hard not to gallop through prose that uses commas instead of full stops, but once I learned to slow down, the rewards piled up: his sound, sweet humour, his startling imagination, his admirable dogs and lovers, the subtle, honest workings of his mind. Here indeed was a novelist worthy of a reader's trust. So at last I could read his great book - or his greatest until its sequel.
Accepting his Nobel prize, Saramago, calling himself "the apprentice", said: "The apprentice thought, 'we are blind', and he sat down and wrote Blindness to remind those who might read it that we pervert reason when we humiliate life, that human dignity is insulted every day by the powerful of our world, that the universal lie has replaced the plural truths, that man stopped respecting himself when he lost the respect due to his fellow-creatures."
This, on the face of it, is an odd description of Blindness, for in that book it is powerless people who insult human dignity - ordinary people, terrified at finding themselves and everyone else blind, everything out of control. Some behave with stupid, selfish brutality, sauve qui peut. The group of men who seize power in an asylum and use and abuse the weaker inmates have indeed abandoned self-respect and human decency: they are a microcosm of the corruption of power. But the truly powerful of our world don't even appear in Blindness. Seeing is all about them: the perverters of reason, the universal liars. It is about government gone wrong.
Very evidently Saramago's novels are not simple parables. It would be rash to "explain" what all the people (but one) in the first book were blind to, or what it is that the citizens of Seeing see. What's clear is that they're the same people, it's the same city, a few years later: one book illuminates the other in ways I can only begin to glimpse.
The story begins with those ordinary citizens, who not so long ago regained their sight and their tranquil day-to-day lives, doing something that seems quite unconnected with vision or lack of it. It is voting day, and 83% of them, after not going to the polls at all in the morning, go in the late afternoon and cast a blank ballot.
We see the dismay of bureaucrats, the excitement of journalists, the hysteria of the government, and the mild non-response of the citizens, who, when asked how they voted, refuse to say, reminding the questioner that the question is illegal. The satire is at first quite funny, and I thought it was going to be a light, Voltairean tale.
Turning in a blank ballot is a signal unfamiliar to most Britons and Americans, who aren't yet used to living under a government that has made voting meaningless. In a functioning democracy, one can consider not voting a lazy protest liable to play into the hands of the party in power (as when low Labour turn-out allowed Margaret Thatcher's re-elections, and Democratic apathy secured both elections of George W Bush). It comes hard to me to admit that a vote is not in itself an act of power, and I was at first blind to the point Saramago's non-voting voters are making. I began to see it at last, when the minister of defence announces that what the country is facing is terrorism.
Other ministers oppose him but he gets what he wants - a state of emergency, then the exodus of the government, by night, from the capital city, which is declared to be under siege. A bomb is exploded (by terrorists, of course, as the media report), killing quite a few people. An attempted evacuation of the 17% of voters who marked their ballots ends in failure, as the government forgets to tell the troops blocking all the roads to let the refugees through. The so-called terrorists in the city, still mild and peaceable, help the refugees carry back upstairs all they tried to take with them - the tea service, the silver platter, the painting, grandpa ...
The humour is still tender but the tone darkens, tension rises. Characters, individuals, begin to come to the fore - all nameless except a dog, Constant, the dog of tears from Blindness. The ministers jockey horribly for power. A superintendent of police is sent into the city to find the woman who did not go blind when everyone else did four years ago, sought as the link between the "plague of white blindness and the plague of blank ballots". The superintendent becomes our viewpoint and mediator; we begin to see as he begins to see. He brings us to the woman, the gentle light-bearer of the first book. But where that story began with an awful darkness that slowly opened into light, this one goes right down into the dark.
José Saramago will be 84 this year. He has written a novel that says more about the days we are living in than any book I have read. He writes with wit, with heartbreaking dignity, and with the simplicity of a great artist in full control of his art. Let us listen to a true elder of our people, a man of tears, a man of wisdom.
now go, buy these books, stop what ever you are reading now and read these instead.
9.18.2008
Blogging Again
So, it's been a while huh?
I stopped for a handful of reasons, some valid, some not so valid.
So Much Internet, So Little Time.
For one, I just didn't feel like I had anything worth writing about that anyone would really care to read. Why would anyone want to use the time they waste on the net on my site? I came to that conclusion because I almost never got any comments on the majority of my posts. And to my mind, in the blogging world comments and therefore conversation is the only real form of feedback. But I know that isn't totally valid because I have a stat counter and could see that there were about 100 regular readers. Of course there were a bazillion people who would come by the blog for about 5 seconds (1).
Self Absorbed, Mundane, and Oh So Cute
Another reason is I felt like I ran out of things to say, other than personal shit and I don't care to read about other peoples personal lives on their blogs. I don't care about your photos of your 3rd little oh so cute hell spawn(2), or your trip to see the in-laws in Wendover, Utah. (3)Why would you want to read about that stuff from me? But maybe people do want to read about that stuff? Couldn't you just call me if you wanted to know that stuff?
When Writing Gets in the way of, uh, Writing.
More on this at a later date.
I Got My Mojo Working but it Ain't Working On You.
Did you know that women will Google your name and based on the search results not go out with you again? That one is self explanatory. But I've come to the conclusion that at some point if a woman is going to put up with me for the rest of hers or my life she will have to be ok with my sense of humor and my absurd take on the world. Or maybe I am just fucked.
Long story short, I've decided to start blogging again. I am reworking the format, and my approach of course. And any feedback about what you liked reading would be great. A couple of changes are that I will do my best to keep the posts short, 250-500 words or less, and at a 6th grade reading level (4). And I will try to add some, gavomit, personal stuff, shudder.
1. number one keyword(s) search that got people to my site: big boob masturbation. go figure. at least i know how to get Google add money if i wanted to.
2. not true. if you are rearing the spawn of hell i do want to read about that.
3. word to the wise; if you break down in Wendover - it is best just to give up hope. or just pretend it isn't really happening and imagine instead you are an extra in a Rob Zombie flick. and try to think of a happy place.
4. you know who you are.
I stopped for a handful of reasons, some valid, some not so valid.
So Much Internet, So Little Time.
For one, I just didn't feel like I had anything worth writing about that anyone would really care to read. Why would anyone want to use the time they waste on the net on my site? I came to that conclusion because I almost never got any comments on the majority of my posts. And to my mind, in the blogging world comments and therefore conversation is the only real form of feedback. But I know that isn't totally valid because I have a stat counter and could see that there were about 100 regular readers. Of course there were a bazillion people who would come by the blog for about 5 seconds (1).
Self Absorbed, Mundane, and Oh So Cute
Another reason is I felt like I ran out of things to say, other than personal shit and I don't care to read about other peoples personal lives on their blogs. I don't care about your photos of your 3rd little oh so cute hell spawn(2), or your trip to see the in-laws in Wendover, Utah. (3)Why would you want to read about that stuff from me? But maybe people do want to read about that stuff? Couldn't you just call me if you wanted to know that stuff?
When Writing Gets in the way of, uh, Writing.
More on this at a later date.
I Got My Mojo Working but it Ain't Working On You.
Did you know that women will Google your name and based on the search results not go out with you again? That one is self explanatory. But I've come to the conclusion that at some point if a woman is going to put up with me for the rest of hers or my life she will have to be ok with my sense of humor and my absurd take on the world. Or maybe I am just fucked.
Long story short, I've decided to start blogging again. I am reworking the format, and my approach of course. And any feedback about what you liked reading would be great. A couple of changes are that I will do my best to keep the posts short, 250-500 words or less, and at a 6th grade reading level (4). And I will try to add some, gavomit, personal stuff, shudder.
1. number one keyword(s) search that got people to my site: big boob masturbation. go figure. at least i know how to get Google add money if i wanted to.
2. not true. if you are rearing the spawn of hell i do want to read about that.
3. word to the wise; if you break down in Wendover - it is best just to give up hope. or just pretend it isn't really happening and imagine instead you are an extra in a Rob Zombie flick. and try to think of a happy place.
4. you know who you are.
8.08.2008
Dear Penthouse
so I'm cruzin Craigslist trying to pimp my photo business as well as looking for carpentry projects. I click on "gigs" and am scanning the long list and come upon this gem:
House Boy Wanted:
i'm looking for a young man to work as a house boy. i am centrally located to downtown. must be VERY fit and willing to work around the house. 420 friendly. if interested contact me by aim or yahoo at (email removed). please have a photo and tell me your a/s/l and what, if anything, you do for work.
katherine
HA!
"dear Penthouse, when i was 20 my folks through me out and i had no job or anyplace to live so i went to the library to get on a computer to check Craigslist and ...."
House Boy Wanted:
i'm looking for a young man to work as a house boy. i am centrally located to downtown. must be VERY fit and willing to work around the house. 420 friendly. if interested contact me by aim or yahoo at (email removed). please have a photo and tell me your a/s/l and what, if anything, you do for work.
katherine
HA!
"dear Penthouse, when i was 20 my folks through me out and i had no job or anyplace to live so i went to the library to get on a computer to check Craigslist and ...."
8.05.2008
Conservative or Terrorist.
Here is a quiz for ya, name the source of the statement - conservative or terrorist. Take the quiz here.
8.04.2008
Holly Fails Wedding
here is a link to my portfolio online www.mikemurrow.ifp3.com. it is brand new and i have some work to do still. you will find Holly Fails wedding photos on there. Go to Galleries and click on Holly's Wedding.
7.11.2008
"Ain't Love Strange" - paul thorn (e-Dating Post #14)
Love Web 2.0
So, uh, internet dating huh? I think the whole phenomenon(1) is quintessentially modern America. It is a marriage of a consumerist - comodifying mentality, our notoriously short attention span, unjustified hope, and sex. Nearly everything that is Modern America (or Post-Modern if you want to be pretentious and cliché) minus mom hot dogs and apple pie(2).
Consider the process. It boils down to marketing product (yourself ) to potential buyers (absolute strangers in this case) by presenting them with a product they may or may not know they are interested in and convincing them that this product will bring them happiness and/or sexual bliss. The idea is to present your potential buyer with an image, a lifestyle, with abstractions not foreign to advertising - sex, romance, an improved self through addition. You put together a presentation with appealing images and enticing ad copy and then cold call (for the most part if you are a man) a set of potential buyers. As soon as you’ve completed a profile you have essentially comodified yourself. Admittedly that is a some what cynical way of looking at it. The whole thing, when you step back and look at it is surreal to say the least.
The key is to recognize this aspect of internet dating, get over it, and further conceptualize the process as having romantic possibilities. This isn’t that extraordinary if you think about it. Pop-culture is full of romantic narratives hung on unlikely tropes. If you lack imagination and an appreciation for the absurd you might need to update your Netflix Que. A couple of suggestions; Stranger than Fiction, Punch Drunk Love, and Eternal Sunshine. Not to mention movies that use internet dating like Must Love Dogs. The real art in life is to see past the comodification, quantification, and reductionism and find beauty. Romance isn’t any different. If you were to reduce traditional love and marriage to its components you would find it equally unappealing.
1. I shouldn’t call it a phenomenon because phenomena to my mind tend to be fleeting and for better or worse e-dating seems to be here to stay barring the advent of some apocalyptic event that eradicates the internet for eternity. But I like the way the word sounds so it stands.
2. But I sure that some enterprising individual will find a way to incorporate those sacred three into a dating site as well. It might be an “Adult” site of course.
So, uh, internet dating huh? I think the whole phenomenon(1) is quintessentially modern America. It is a marriage of a consumerist - comodifying mentality, our notoriously short attention span, unjustified hope, and sex. Nearly everything that is Modern America (or Post-Modern if you want to be pretentious and cliché) minus mom hot dogs and apple pie(2).
Consider the process. It boils down to marketing product (yourself ) to potential buyers (absolute strangers in this case) by presenting them with a product they may or may not know they are interested in and convincing them that this product will bring them happiness and/or sexual bliss. The idea is to present your potential buyer with an image, a lifestyle, with abstractions not foreign to advertising - sex, romance, an improved self through addition. You put together a presentation with appealing images and enticing ad copy and then cold call (for the most part if you are a man) a set of potential buyers. As soon as you’ve completed a profile you have essentially comodified yourself. Admittedly that is a some what cynical way of looking at it. The whole thing, when you step back and look at it is surreal to say the least.
“Marriage is like a tense, unfunny version of Everybody Loves Raymond, only it doesn't last 22 minutes. It lasts forever.” pete from Knocked Up.
The key is to recognize this aspect of internet dating, get over it, and further conceptualize the process as having romantic possibilities. This isn’t that extraordinary if you think about it. Pop-culture is full of romantic narratives hung on unlikely tropes. If you lack imagination and an appreciation for the absurd you might need to update your Netflix Que. A couple of suggestions; Stranger than Fiction, Punch Drunk Love, and Eternal Sunshine. Not to mention movies that use internet dating like Must Love Dogs. The real art in life is to see past the comodification, quantification, and reductionism and find beauty. Romance isn’t any different. If you were to reduce traditional love and marriage to its components you would find it equally unappealing.
1. I shouldn’t call it a phenomenon because phenomena to my mind tend to be fleeting and for better or worse e-dating seems to be here to stay barring the advent of some apocalyptic event that eradicates the internet for eternity. But I like the way the word sounds so it stands.
2. But I sure that some enterprising individual will find a way to incorporate those sacred three into a dating site as well. It might be an “Adult” site of course.
7.08.2008
The Tao of Mike: On Love
Tao of Mike: Embrace the Mystery of Love
I think "love" is first of all undefinable because I don't think any of us, when we are talking about "love" are always talking about the same thing. At least I don't think we can be certain that when we say "love" everyone in the room has in mind the same thing. Words are merely symbols we pour meaning into and I'm not so convinced everyone of is filling that vessel with the same substance. And that is really OK. It is more than OK, that is part of the art of life.
I also think love is/can be a choice and yet also be completely involuntary. I think maybe our genes and biochemical make up along with our environment and perhaps also the burrito we had last night and the 3 Tequila shots we might have just had have more to do with who we fall in love with than any of us would like to permit. And that is OK too. Again, that is more than OK, it is part of the mystery and beauty of "love."
The Romantic part is that we can't know with certainty (1) what the processes are that that work in us at the given moment we "fall in love" or when that moment will be or who the other person will be. Who knows how many great love affairs have been born out of indigestion?
There is a freedom in the not knowing. You can swim in an uncertainty that deep and wide. And that is what makes it beautiful and dangerous.
1. god help us all if modern science proclaims to have the formula down. I don't believe in Hell. But if there is such a place, and lets say candidates are selected by the people, by the fans ala MLB All Star game - first on my list would be the Professor Fink who formulated the theorem for how and why we fall in love. don't get me wrong, I am fascinated by brain science and behavioral science and all that. but come on folks, leave us a bit of mystery please.
I think "love" is first of all undefinable because I don't think any of us, when we are talking about "love" are always talking about the same thing. At least I don't think we can be certain that when we say "love" everyone in the room has in mind the same thing. Words are merely symbols we pour meaning into and I'm not so convinced everyone of is filling that vessel with the same substance. And that is really OK. It is more than OK, that is part of the art of life.
I also think love is/can be a choice and yet also be completely involuntary. I think maybe our genes and biochemical make up along with our environment and perhaps also the burrito we had last night and the 3 Tequila shots we might have just had have more to do with who we fall in love with than any of us would like to permit. And that is OK too. Again, that is more than OK, it is part of the mystery and beauty of "love."
The Romantic part is that we can't know with certainty (1) what the processes are that that work in us at the given moment we "fall in love" or when that moment will be or who the other person will be. Who knows how many great love affairs have been born out of indigestion?
There is a freedom in the not knowing. You can swim in an uncertainty that deep and wide. And that is what makes it beautiful and dangerous.
1. god help us all if modern science proclaims to have the formula down. I don't believe in Hell. But if there is such a place, and lets say candidates are selected by the people, by the fans ala MLB All Star game - first on my list would be the Professor Fink who formulated the theorem for how and why we fall in love. don't get me wrong, I am fascinated by brain science and behavioral science and all that. but come on folks, leave us a bit of mystery please.
7.02.2008
Yet Another Dating Story.
i was talking with my friend(1) tonight and we were talking about crazy people we have been on dates with. it reminded me of a crazy date i was on a couple months ago.
i will just say a few words.
she had bridal gown magazines in her purse. it isn't like she just bought them. they were worn and dog eared.
don't bring bridal gown mags to yourfirst date ANY DATE.
now, i know women read those things. but taking them on your date? really?
1. who by the way has way better, or maybe worse?, stories than i do and could make a killing with a book deal.
i will just say a few words.
she had bridal gown magazines in her purse. it isn't like she just bought them. they were worn and dog eared.
don't bring bridal gown mags to your
now, i know women read those things. but taking them on your date? really?
1. who by the way has way better, or maybe worse?, stories than i do and could make a killing with a book deal.
6.11.2008
More Wildfire Photos of Bonny Doon.
the most recent news is that it is over 300 acres and growing, not under control, but it is moving South West, away from most homes and from our area.
as of 4:50 pm.
as of 4:50 pm.
Bonny Doon Fire
i have never seen a fire in this area. but this has been a really dry year so i imagine there will be more to come.
6.09.2008
50 is the new 20, hippies damn hippies, and LTRs
heat. it does funny things to people, rather, it makes them, you, me, we, us all into stark raving short fused assholes. i propose a referendum to be held as soon as possible. my proposal is simple, a revelation of common sense really. the speed limit should be set to reflect the ambient temperature. 89 degrees and below we all drive at the normal posted speed. however when the temperature surpasses 90 it is set on a sliding scale. at 90 we can drive 5 miles faster than the posted limit. for every 5 degrees after that the speed limit shall increase by 5 mph.
while i am sure that this might increase accidents it might eliminate heat related road rage. we might also have to ban old people and select others who are notorious for driving slow in the fast lane, rubber necking, and generally slowing down everyone else who has a life and some place to be. driving down 9 to Santa Cruz i got behind a rusting Subaru. it was an old hippy. they are recognizable by their unwashed bodies, petulie stink, hairy arm pits and full beards (1) and on the highway you can spot them easily. they are either in a VW Square back or an old rusted Subaru and no less than 3 bumper stickers with a reference to "piece" "love" or piece and love."
all the way down 9 i got behind one of these folks and soon enough there were at least 12 cars in our little 12 mph caravan. 9 has pull outs for slower drivers to get off the road. but there are people in our society who feel it is their duty to ensure that everyone "just mellow out dude" and drive at least 10 miles below the posted speed limit. (2) eventually we got into Santa Cruz and i am sweating through my shirt. as we turn onto a city street that normally is a 4 lane that has been reduced to 2 lanes due to construction i whip around the Subaru and its no less than 12 bumper stickers promoting piece and love and all that shit the little hippy lady flips me the bird and yells something very piece loving out the window at me. i find a place to park and as i am getting out i see that she has pulled up beside me (blocking traffic!) and she begins to threaten me and yelling about how big of an ass hole i am for cutting her off. all i could think to say was, "hey lady, give piece a chance right?" stunned she gets back in her car, pulls off laying on the horn and flipping me the dirty bird.
all this could have been avoided if we would bump up the speed limit to reflect the temperature. also, if hippies would just drive faster.
________________________________
i am back at the internet dating after a long hiatus. not sure why i expect it to be different this time round. but i figured i should give it another shot. i still believe the farmers market and places like that are great places to meet women. last time i was doing the e-dating thing, and i am not sure if i have shared this story before, i "met" a woman online and set up a date. one thing to keep in mind is her profile stated she was 28.
i met her at a coffee shop and right away something wasn't right. instead of the 28 year old in the photos i was sitting across from a woman who was at least 48. not being one to waist time beating around the proverbial bush i started doing the math. she was telling me about her kids, her education, places she had been things she had seen and when i saw an opening i went for it. "so, uh, you're not really 28 huh?"
silence.
i explained to her how her math didn't add up given the things she had told me and what not. she explained that she "fudges a little" on her profile because men aren't looking for women in their late 40's. this way she shows up in their search results.
i guess 48 is the new 28.
____________________________
speaking of dating. since when did "prior experience" become a deal breaker for a potential mate? a number of women i have been out with have questioned my ability to be a good life partner because i have never been in a long term relationship (longer than 9 months). (3) some of them want you to have been in multiple LTR's (that is how the kids type it now). i dono but it just seems odd to me that a woman would question your ability to commit if you haven't been in a LTR. wouldn't it be a red flag if i had been in a LTR or worse, multiple LTR's but am still single? it's like in the experience requirements section in the app for potential husband there is a little highlighted section - "Long term boyfriend - min 2 years exp." if someone has been in one or more LTR and is still single doesn't that say something about their commitment to, you know... commitment?
1. both the men and women
2 a real tragedy of the commons if you ask me
3. if you can't close the deal after 9 months what the fuck are you doing? if you don't know if you want to spend the rest of your life with someone after dating for 9 months you already have your answer. but maybe that is just me.
while i am sure that this might increase accidents it might eliminate heat related road rage. we might also have to ban old people and select others who are notorious for driving slow in the fast lane, rubber necking, and generally slowing down everyone else who has a life and some place to be. driving down 9 to Santa Cruz i got behind a rusting Subaru. it was an old hippy. they are recognizable by their unwashed bodies, petulie stink, hairy arm pits and full beards (1) and on the highway you can spot them easily. they are either in a VW Square back or an old rusted Subaru and no less than 3 bumper stickers with a reference to "piece" "love" or piece and love."
all the way down 9 i got behind one of these folks and soon enough there were at least 12 cars in our little 12 mph caravan. 9 has pull outs for slower drivers to get off the road. but there are people in our society who feel it is their duty to ensure that everyone "just mellow out dude" and drive at least 10 miles below the posted speed limit. (2) eventually we got into Santa Cruz and i am sweating through my shirt. as we turn onto a city street that normally is a 4 lane that has been reduced to 2 lanes due to construction i whip around the Subaru and its no less than 12 bumper stickers promoting piece and love and all that shit the little hippy lady flips me the bird and yells something very piece loving out the window at me. i find a place to park and as i am getting out i see that she has pulled up beside me (blocking traffic!) and she begins to threaten me and yelling about how big of an ass hole i am for cutting her off. all i could think to say was, "hey lady, give piece a chance right?" stunned she gets back in her car, pulls off laying on the horn and flipping me the dirty bird.
all this could have been avoided if we would bump up the speed limit to reflect the temperature. also, if hippies would just drive faster.
________________________________
i am back at the internet dating after a long hiatus. not sure why i expect it to be different this time round. but i figured i should give it another shot. i still believe the farmers market and places like that are great places to meet women. last time i was doing the e-dating thing, and i am not sure if i have shared this story before, i "met" a woman online and set up a date. one thing to keep in mind is her profile stated she was 28.
i met her at a coffee shop and right away something wasn't right. instead of the 28 year old in the photos i was sitting across from a woman who was at least 48. not being one to waist time beating around the proverbial bush i started doing the math. she was telling me about her kids, her education, places she had been things she had seen and when i saw an opening i went for it. "so, uh, you're not really 28 huh?"
silence.
i explained to her how her math didn't add up given the things she had told me and what not. she explained that she "fudges a little" on her profile because men aren't looking for women in their late 40's. this way she shows up in their search results.
i guess 48 is the new 28.
____________________________
speaking of dating. since when did "prior experience" become a deal breaker for a potential mate? a number of women i have been out with have questioned my ability to be a good life partner because i have never been in a long term relationship (longer than 9 months). (3) some of them want you to have been in multiple LTR's (that is how the kids type it now). i dono but it just seems odd to me that a woman would question your ability to commit if you haven't been in a LTR. wouldn't it be a red flag if i had been in a LTR or worse, multiple LTR's but am still single? it's like in the experience requirements section in the app for potential husband there is a little highlighted section - "Long term boyfriend - min 2 years exp." if someone has been in one or more LTR and is still single doesn't that say something about their commitment to, you know... commitment?
1. both the men and women
2 a real tragedy of the commons if you ask me
3. if you can't close the deal after 9 months what the fuck are you doing? if you don't know if you want to spend the rest of your life with someone after dating for 9 months you already have your answer. but maybe that is just me.
5.30.2008
Distractions from your Cubical.
the Giants. the San Francisco Giants. dammit. i mean, WTF!? i mean yeah we had a sick triple play tonight. we have a couple great starters in Cane and Lincecum and Yabu has a hot hand. but we got no middle relievers apparently Malina's hitting streak is over (what ever mojo he had going isn't working, maybe his madre washed his socks or he didn't take the same route to the ball park tonight?) and don't even get me started on my Royals. good thing i am still living off the KU championship.
____________________________
chicks man. i don't think i could date a hippy chick. i am just not attracted at all to them. they are just... i dono, um, dirty? and not in a good way. they are all over the place here in the Santa Cruz/South Feltion Ghetto area. it must be the vibe. you know, they just look like they are extras who just walked off of a bad Kevin Costner or Mad Max post-apocalyptic-"we sew our own clothes"- a bar of soap is worth more than a human life... thing.
speaking of how shallow i am. i went out with a girl this last week, a couple of times, who was smart (which is a plus) and all but for some reason i just wasn't seeing it. then i realized she reminded me of a girl i went to highschool with and that was the end of it. how shallow is that? what is wrong with me?
____________________________
been watching The Wire off of Netflix. if you haven't consumed this brilliant piece of work you are missing something. i can't say enough about it so i won't say anything more except to say that if you like quality art you need to check it out. the first few episodes will be slow, but if you give it a chance you will be hooked. it really is good TV. which is rare.
____________________________
going to Boston in June to remodel the Cade's bathroom. super excited to see the Cades and Wilcox's and Gentry's. it will be a bit crazy as i won't have any of my tools and because they are friends i don't want to disappoint them. not that i am not damn good at what i do, but you know. i never let pass a chance to get inside my own head and worry about the quality of my own work.
you may now return to your 9-5er.
____________________________
chicks man. i don't think i could date a hippy chick. i am just not attracted at all to them. they are just... i dono, um, dirty? and not in a good way. they are all over the place here in the Santa Cruz/South Feltion Ghetto area. it must be the vibe. you know, they just look like they are extras who just walked off of a bad Kevin Costner or Mad Max post-apocalyptic-"we sew our own clothes"- a bar of soap is worth more than a human life... thing.
speaking of how shallow i am. i went out with a girl this last week, a couple of times, who was smart (which is a plus) and all but for some reason i just wasn't seeing it. then i realized she reminded me of a girl i went to highschool with and that was the end of it. how shallow is that? what is wrong with me?
____________________________
been watching The Wire off of Netflix. if you haven't consumed this brilliant piece of work you are missing something. i can't say enough about it so i won't say anything more except to say that if you like quality art you need to check it out. the first few episodes will be slow, but if you give it a chance you will be hooked. it really is good TV. which is rare.
____________________________
going to Boston in June to remodel the Cade's bathroom. super excited to see the Cades and Wilcox's and Gentry's. it will be a bit crazy as i won't have any of my tools and because they are friends i don't want to disappoint them. not that i am not damn good at what i do, but you know. i never let pass a chance to get inside my own head and worry about the quality of my own work.
you may now return to your 9-5er.
5.28.2008
They Just Grow Up So Fast!
it seems like it was just yesterday when rob w/1 b was puking into a pitcher* at 99 Bottles, now he is off to save the world - well, he is at least going to New York to do something all goodie goodie.**
oh the good times we have had. he and my other roommate jon and i have lived together for 3 years now. we started in an unfinished basement until we exhausted their good will. that was good times. there is just something right about everything wrong that happens when you put single men together.***
rob has what could be described as a loose command of the english language. he would spit out a series of words, all nonsequtors that only the initiated could interpret. he is the master of bad advice and total non-sense. like the time i farted and he looked at me straight faced and said, "i really wish you had your shirt off right now."
he giggled while taking a dump. wish i could be there the fist time his new roommates experience that. he would get ready to go somewhere, go out to his car and start to leave, but then come back in because he forgot his books and leave again. come back for his wallet (which was always in the cushions) leave again. come back again for that orange beanie (that i can't picture him with out) leave. come back again for his car keys. this would happen every day.
rob, when he still drank, would drink all my beer, and eat all my food. he would make huge bowls of popcorn and when he was done he would just stick the bowl under the couch. back in the basement days he would kick all his empties under the couch and coffee table. eventually the little reservoir of beer bottles, cups, bowls, plates, and other detritus would over flow and if you came in after dark you were certain to do one of those 3 stooges/ willy coyote running in place things on top of one of the beer bottles before breaking your ass on the ground.
we had so much crap scattered all over the place in that basement. jon who has a snore that frightens farm animals had all his stuff piled up around his bed like a fort so we had to carom our shoes and flashlights and D batteries off the celling to hit him in hopes he would wake up and stop snoring long enough so the rest of us could fall asleep.**** then in the morning you would have to fumble around to find your shit again. one night i came in late and we only had one light, a floor lamp in the back of the basement so it was pitch dark. i stepped on something long and cylindrical that started to hum and vibrate. "uh, what the hell is this?" turns out it was only robs electric toothbrush.
we were more than just crude beer swilling assholes. we all worked on the times cross word through the week texting clues and answers to each other. we all shared a West Wing obsession. had deep and meaningless conversations about politics and a mutual disdain for what rob started referring to as "cool church" and "hip church."*****
now he is off to NY to work for Pastors for Peace and will likely be over seas to study after that. and so ends a good run.******
it's been good times little buddy. god speed and up yours rob w/1 b. god speed.
FIN
* and the AC Unit. in his defense it was my birthday and things always get a little nutty on my birthday - except this year, guess i am getting old balls. we started out at the Palomar and pretty soon it seemed like a good idea to buy several rounds of Yeger Bombs. That same night another friend slept in the ally behind the Asty (aka the Nasty Asty) and paid for the cab the nest morning with a giant jar of change. i have also seen him pee his pants.
** feel free to check out his BLOG he promises to keep it updated with what he is doing and all that good stuff.
*** in a totally hetero way. most of the time.
**** never worked.
***** the two local "postmodern-hipster" churches in our area. there are some ok folks involved but we came to the conclusion that for the most part it is all just an exercise in douche-baggery.
****** of course i am sure we will see him again. only not as a rent paying roommate so much as a couch dwelling guest as he bounces between school and various other adventures.
oh the good times we have had. he and my other roommate jon and i have lived together for 3 years now. we started in an unfinished basement until we exhausted their good will. that was good times. there is just something right about everything wrong that happens when you put single men together.***
rob has what could be described as a loose command of the english language. he would spit out a series of words, all nonsequtors that only the initiated could interpret. he is the master of bad advice and total non-sense. like the time i farted and he looked at me straight faced and said, "i really wish you had your shirt off right now."
he giggled while taking a dump. wish i could be there the fist time his new roommates experience that. he would get ready to go somewhere, go out to his car and start to leave, but then come back in because he forgot his books and leave again. come back for his wallet (which was always in the cushions) leave again. come back again for that orange beanie (that i can't picture him with out) leave. come back again for his car keys. this would happen every day.
rob, when he still drank, would drink all my beer, and eat all my food. he would make huge bowls of popcorn and when he was done he would just stick the bowl under the couch. back in the basement days he would kick all his empties under the couch and coffee table. eventually the little reservoir of beer bottles, cups, bowls, plates, and other detritus would over flow and if you came in after dark you were certain to do one of those 3 stooges/ willy coyote running in place things on top of one of the beer bottles before breaking your ass on the ground.
we had so much crap scattered all over the place in that basement. jon who has a snore that frightens farm animals had all his stuff piled up around his bed like a fort so we had to carom our shoes and flashlights and D batteries off the celling to hit him in hopes he would wake up and stop snoring long enough so the rest of us could fall asleep.**** then in the morning you would have to fumble around to find your shit again. one night i came in late and we only had one light, a floor lamp in the back of the basement so it was pitch dark. i stepped on something long and cylindrical that started to hum and vibrate. "uh, what the hell is this?" turns out it was only robs electric toothbrush.
we were more than just crude beer swilling assholes. we all worked on the times cross word through the week texting clues and answers to each other. we all shared a West Wing obsession. had deep and meaningless conversations about politics and a mutual disdain for what rob started referring to as "cool church" and "hip church."*****
now he is off to NY to work for Pastors for Peace and will likely be over seas to study after that. and so ends a good run.******
it's been good times little buddy. god speed and up yours rob w/1 b. god speed.
FIN
* and the AC Unit. in his defense it was my birthday and things always get a little nutty on my birthday - except this year, guess i am getting old balls. we started out at the Palomar and pretty soon it seemed like a good idea to buy several rounds of Yeger Bombs. That same night another friend slept in the ally behind the Asty (aka the Nasty Asty) and paid for the cab the nest morning with a giant jar of change. i have also seen him pee his pants.
** feel free to check out his BLOG he promises to keep it updated with what he is doing and all that good stuff.
*** in a totally hetero way. most of the time.
**** never worked.
***** the two local "postmodern-hipster" churches in our area. there are some ok folks involved but we came to the conclusion that for the most part it is all just an exercise in douche-baggery.
****** of course i am sure we will see him again. only not as a rent paying roommate so much as a couch dwelling guest as he bounces between school and various other adventures.
5.15.2008
WTF
i never get sick. never.
last night i was watching THESE cool vids on RADIO LAB, like this one:
i was cheering on the little cell and then went to bed and got sick.
were there like little bacteria that jumped on me because they didn't like my cheering? what else could explain it? i am not remotely superstitious (except when it comes to baseball) so you tell me what the fuck?
******
also of note, when you are done watching all those rad vids read THIS article and tell me it doesn't sound like something G13 would write?
last night i was watching THESE cool vids on RADIO LAB, like this one:
i was cheering on the little cell and then went to bed and got sick.
were there like little bacteria that jumped on me because they didn't like my cheering? what else could explain it? i am not remotely superstitious (except when it comes to baseball) so you tell me what the fuck?
******
also of note, when you are done watching all those rad vids read THIS article and tell me it doesn't sound like something G13 would write?
5.12.2008
The Tao of Mike: Avoid Drama
Precept # 18: "on the path to happiness one must avoid stepping in the shit of others"
or "save the drama for yo mama."
there are some people who thrive on drama. they are hooked on it like white-upper-middle-class women on Oprah. these folks can't feel normal unless there is some chaos swirling around them, and it is always chaos of their own making.
what is worse is they will drag others into it. they will play their friends like pawns. this one is the bad guy this time, that one is "my only real friend." they are sad, real life versions of Don Quixote and they can't continue on in their self-absorbed mini-drama-ventures with out a Sancho Panza or two by there side to affirm their heroism in the face of what ever little shit-storm they have cooked up. and that is the key: they need other people to play along, to acquiesce to their absurd demands, take their shit, and affirm their self diluted narcissistic paranoia that "yes, though they are a good friend, everyone else shits on them."
you can't really have a relationship with these people. they will feed on your soul and sap your spirit all the while making you feel like you are the bad guy. shit can these people. yes, this seems cruel and heartless, but you are doing yourself, everyone else, and them a service. the worst thing anyone can do is play the enabler. disengage from them emotionally. there little game only works if you get wrapped up in it.
the only way to deal with them is to refuse to engage with them in their drama. don't play the part they need you to play. if you do this you will tread the path to happiness with out the smell of shit on your shoes.
or "save the drama for yo mama."
there are some people who thrive on drama. they are hooked on it like white-upper-middle-class women on Oprah. these folks can't feel normal unless there is some chaos swirling around them, and it is always chaos of their own making.
what is worse is they will drag others into it. they will play their friends like pawns. this one is the bad guy this time, that one is "my only real friend." they are sad, real life versions of Don Quixote and they can't continue on in their self-absorbed mini-drama-ventures with out a Sancho Panza or two by there side to affirm their heroism in the face of what ever little shit-storm they have cooked up. and that is the key: they need other people to play along, to acquiesce to their absurd demands, take their shit, and affirm their self diluted narcissistic paranoia that "yes, though they are a good friend, everyone else shits on them."
you can't really have a relationship with these people. they will feed on your soul and sap your spirit all the while making you feel like you are the bad guy. shit can these people. yes, this seems cruel and heartless, but you are doing yourself, everyone else, and them a service. the worst thing anyone can do is play the enabler. disengage from them emotionally. there little game only works if you get wrapped up in it.
the only way to deal with them is to refuse to engage with them in their drama. don't play the part they need you to play. if you do this you will tread the path to happiness with out the smell of shit on your shoes.
5.11.2008
A Few Things...
first, the wedding. as i said before it was great. that was one of two of too many weddings that i have attended or been a part of that went off perfectly. i would post some photos but apparently one should not drink and attempt to produce descent photos. out of on the flight back i had time to reflect on how being around old friends can be a centering experience. you begin to remember who you are again.
**********
i don't go to movies in the theater for two reasons; for one thing it is too damn expensive, the other reason is that i enjoy movies more if i am alone at home and i am not distracted. but there is a genre of films that are better on the big screen. the comic book hero/action/cgi pic is just better that way. that being said and keeping the former in mind dropped my nine bones to see Ironman. sorry to say i was let down a bit. maybe i put too much onto the second tier comic hero. what ever the reason i was not impressed. but i loved the previews for the Batman flick, stoked about The Hulk, and am pretty sure that i will be as disappointed in the upcoming Indiana Jones sequel as i was in the 3 Star Wars prequels.
**************
finally, Jeff Gentry sent me an article in The New Atlantis that upholds the virtues of craftsmanship and trades work (how i pay my rent) that i think is worth your reading. in it Matthew B Crawford elucidates our long fall into Gnosticism in our post-industrial "information age." it is a long article so you might want to bookmark it and take chunks out of it as you kill time in your cubicle. following is an excerpt...
**********
i don't go to movies in the theater for two reasons; for one thing it is too damn expensive, the other reason is that i enjoy movies more if i am alone at home and i am not distracted. but there is a genre of films that are better on the big screen. the comic book hero/action/cgi pic is just better that way. that being said and keeping the former in mind dropped my nine bones to see Ironman. sorry to say i was let down a bit. maybe i put too much onto the second tier comic hero. what ever the reason i was not impressed. but i loved the previews for the Batman flick, stoked about The Hulk, and am pretty sure that i will be as disappointed in the upcoming Indiana Jones sequel as i was in the 3 Star Wars prequels.
**************
finally, Jeff Gentry sent me an article in The New Atlantis that upholds the virtues of craftsmanship and trades work (how i pay my rent) that i think is worth your reading. in it Matthew B Crawford elucidates our long fall into Gnosticism in our post-industrial "information age." it is a long article so you might want to bookmark it and take chunks out of it as you kill time in your cubicle. following is an excerpt...
...the physical circumstances of the jobs performed by carpenters, plumbers, and auto mechanics vary too much for them to be executed by idiots; they require circumspection and adaptability. One feels like a man, not a cog in a machine. The trades are then a natural home for anyone who would live by his own powers, free not only of deadening abstraction, but also of the insidious hopes and rising insecurities that seem to be endemic in our current economic life. This is the stoic ideal.So what advice should one give to a young person? By all means, go to college. In fact, approach college in the spirit of craftsmanship, going deep into liberal arts and sciences. In the summers, learn a manual trade. You’re likely to be less damaged, and quite possibly better paid, as an independent tradesman than as a cubicle-dwelling tender of information systems. To heed such advice would require a certain contrarian streak, as it entails rejecting a life course mapped out by others as obligatory and inevitable. (Matthew B. Crawford, The New Atlantis "Shop Class as Soulcraft)
i find that last paragraph particularly appealing and helpful. when folks get to know me they can't resist asking when i am going to "do something with my life/education" revealing a simultaneous disdain for manual labor and reverence for Gnostic forms of work that in my opinion are soul killing. it is good to read at least one voice in the intellegencia that understands the non-economic value of the kind of work i do while not romanticizing it with salt-O-the-earth cliches.
5.08.2008
More Details to Come...
the wedding was great (probably one of the best planned wedding weekends i have experienced), the bride was beautiful (the groom, well...).
i was honored to be in the wedding. i have some amazing friends that i simply do not stay in touch with enough...
more details to come...
i was honored to be in the wedding. i have some amazing friends that i simply do not stay in touch with enough...
more details to come...
4.30.2008
Whats the Worst That Could Happen?
this weekend one of my very few good friends and the last of my single college buddies will be getting married to this great girl.
i am stoked to be honest. a lot of the friends i had at KU will be there that i haven't seen or spoken to in about a decade. good times will be had.
that is, if i don't get screwed by the airline industry (see here, and here, and here.)
because i can never resist cheap air fair i have a crazy itinerary. i leave tomorrow night (thurs) at 10pm and arrive in Atlanta at 5:40am on Friday. then i hop on another jet at 8:30am and arrive in Tulsa at 9:30am then take another flight which will put me in Saint Louis at 11:50am. if you are keeping track that is 3135 miles flown, 7 hours and 6 minutes in the air, and a total of 13 hours + at the mercy of our dilapidated airline industry.
and that is just the flight out there.
so, given my prior experience with the airlines and the multiple stops and the extended time i will be dealing with the airlines i am fairly confident i am screwed.
but at least i saved a few bucks right?
i am stoked to be honest. a lot of the friends i had at KU will be there that i haven't seen or spoken to in about a decade. good times will be had.
that is, if i don't get screwed by the airline industry (see here, and here, and here.)
because i can never resist cheap air fair i have a crazy itinerary. i leave tomorrow night (thurs) at 10pm and arrive in Atlanta at 5:40am on Friday. then i hop on another jet at 8:30am and arrive in Tulsa at 9:30am then take another flight which will put me in Saint Louis at 11:50am. if you are keeping track that is 3135 miles flown, 7 hours and 6 minutes in the air, and a total of 13 hours + at the mercy of our dilapidated airline industry.
and that is just the flight out there.
so, given my prior experience with the airlines and the multiple stops and the extended time i will be dealing with the airlines i am fairly confident i am screwed.
but at least i saved a few bucks right?
4.28.2008
How Awesome Is That?!
i love globalization. all those free Tibet flags the neo-hippies are waving during the Olympic torch run are made in... wait for it... CHINA!
HA HA HA. that makes my day.
many thanks to Deadspin.
HA HA HA. that makes my day.
many thanks to Deadspin.
4.23.2008
4.21.2008
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