Today, the Southeastern U.S. is center ring of a Gasoline Circus. Gas in Greenville, SC rose 63 cents in less than a day. In Atlanta, Stations were charging as much as 6 dollars per Gallon. Now public awareness is the highest it has been. Awareness of what is a real crisis in our country. We have known for some time that being dependant on gasoline has been a problem. But the problem, as I have said many times, is deeper than that. This ridiculous dependance on the automobile has got to stop. It is crippling our cities and it is only getting worse. We are the most advanced civilization in the history of the world. There is simply no reason why we cannot develop a system of public transportation that is both efficient, and convenient. But we have to act upon it. And now is the time. Now when we see what can happen when gas prices go through the roof. People are stopping and looking around for an alternative, and we need to have an answer for them.
-T
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Lost In Translation
Tonight. Stephanie and I watched Lost in Translation as we worked on our new film. This movie is so amazingly good. It is part of my ongoing hatred for Lord of the Rings. Which won best picture over this incredible film. These are the kinds of movies that I want to make. Movies that touch you where you live. Movies that are about people and their lives. And if I could make movies that touch and impact just a few people in the world as much as this one impacted on me, then I will be very successfull.
-T
-T
Monday, August 29, 2005
This Lost Time Zone
Tonight, Stephanie and I had talked about going down to the Salt Lake City Stingers baseball game. ESPN's SportsCenter is going live from an event in all 50 states over a period of 50 days. We were thinking about going until I realized that it would be 4 o'clock when they have to begin. Because the 6pm SportsCenter is only at 6 in the East. Now I won't blame Utah for this totally in this case. ESPN is famous for being uninterested in anyone who lives outside of the Eastern Time Zone. So it is even worse in California.
However, it is a pain in other scheduling situations. Mostly with primetime TV. Things all start at the same time in the East and in the West. Things in the Central Time Zone run at the same time as in the East so 1 hour earlier in their time. ie. Tune in at 8, 7 central. Mountain time though is different. It seems that different networks go with different time formats. Some networks don't do anything different at all, like ESPN. And others try to play their shows at the same time in each place. And some just get it all weird. So even though I am two hours behind my friends in South Carolina, my shows only start one hour different than them.
None of this is a real big deal I guess. Just one more reason for me to feel like I don't belong here.
-T
However, it is a pain in other scheduling situations. Mostly with primetime TV. Things all start at the same time in the East and in the West. Things in the Central Time Zone run at the same time as in the East so 1 hour earlier in their time. ie. Tune in at 8, 7 central. Mountain time though is different. It seems that different networks go with different time formats. Some networks don't do anything different at all, like ESPN. And others try to play their shows at the same time in each place. And some just get it all weird. So even though I am two hours behind my friends in South Carolina, my shows only start one hour different than them.
None of this is a real big deal I guess. Just one more reason for me to feel like I don't belong here.
-T
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Kevin Smith, Robert Rodriguez, Steph and Me
Steph and I have been talking a lot about filmmakers like Kevin Smith and Robert Rodriguez lately. I came to a conclusion that I found particularly heartening. (if that is a word) There is a huge difference between the Filmmaker and the Fan of the Filmmaker. And when I say fan, I am including would be filmmakers that follow these filmmakers. While in school, I found that I was pretty different from most of the other students. Stephanie too. We both didn't fit with a lot of them. The reason being, that we are normal. I never really felt bad about that. I was confident enough in both myself and Steph. But you know, you had to wonder a little bit.
Stephanie read a book by Robert Rodriguez, and we watched the 4 hours of an evening with Kevin Smith. I realized though, that these guys are normal too. They are regular dudes. They like big fun movies. They like regular stuff. They aren't pretentious. They aren't weirdos. They aren't trying to look cool. They aren't afraid of making money. They aren't afraid of making Hollywood movies. Just like me and Steph. They make art, but they don't set out to make art. They just want to tell stories. That's what its all about.
-T
Stephanie read a book by Robert Rodriguez, and we watched the 4 hours of an evening with Kevin Smith. I realized though, that these guys are normal too. They are regular dudes. They like big fun movies. They like regular stuff. They aren't pretentious. They aren't weirdos. They aren't trying to look cool. They aren't afraid of making money. They aren't afraid of making Hollywood movies. Just like me and Steph. They make art, but they don't set out to make art. They just want to tell stories. That's what its all about.
-T
Saturday, August 27, 2005
It's almost time
Just another quick not about College Football. For those of you out there that don't know College Football there probably is not much I can tell you to make you get it. The best thing about it, is that it is a collection of schools. There is something very special about your school. For those of us that are sports fans, we bond with our different teams for many reasons. But your college is different. Its hard to explain. For me, its like thats where I come from. The college experience is a big deal to me. Without putting too high and mighty a spin on the whole thing, but I feel like that is where you go from being a kid to being the adult that you are going to be. And you will forever be that. I am a Gamecock. Regardless of sports, I define myself that way. And because of this. My South Carolina Sports team mean more to me than any other.
The great thing about College Sports in general, is that you know that there are other people just like that from every college all around the country. I know that there are people from LSU or Oregon St. or FAMU or Wisconsin who feel the same way about as me. They are Tigers, Beavers, Rattlers and Badgers. Not sure how PETA feels about that. (more on that later) It is part of their identity, and it is something we all get. More so than in any of the professional sports.
Thursday it begins again. My Gamecocks will be playing on ESPN Thursday night. In the first appearance of Coach Spurrier. There is nothing like it. I hate that I can't be there, but I am in spirit. Once more into the breach dear friends. Or so they say. So in honor of College Football 2005, Let me be the first to say.... G! G-O! C'mon Cocks Lets Go!
-T
The great thing about College Sports in general, is that you know that there are other people just like that from every college all around the country. I know that there are people from LSU or Oregon St. or FAMU or Wisconsin who feel the same way about as me. They are Tigers, Beavers, Rattlers and Badgers. Not sure how PETA feels about that. (more on that later) It is part of their identity, and it is something we all get. More so than in any of the professional sports.
Thursday it begins again. My Gamecocks will be playing on ESPN Thursday night. In the first appearance of Coach Spurrier. There is nothing like it. I hate that I can't be there, but I am in spirit. Once more into the breach dear friends. Or so they say. So in honor of College Football 2005, Let me be the first to say.... G! G-O! C'mon Cocks Lets Go!
-T
Friday, August 26, 2005
Jogging, Movies and Idiots
Heres some Friday Stuff. First off, I jogged this morning. And it felt pretty darned good. Maybe its finally happened. They told me one day my metabolism would slow down, and I'd actually have to try to stay in shape. I dont know. But I have never been like this in my life. Probably 31 bucks a day for food didn't help. You know thats how much I get in per diam per day. Ha ha. So I got out on the pavement today. Just a little at a time. Run for 90 seconds, walk for 90. repeat. It was good. I'm going to be in shape again soon.
Steph and I did a lot of talking about movies today. We are working on feature length film that we can shoot for an absurdly low budget with only two actors. Its going to be good, but I don't want to jinx it here. We watched Out of Sight tonight. I loooooooovvvvvveeeee that movie. Its so fantastic. We watched it for research on what we are doing. Sadly the Steph and I will be the two actors in our movie, and not George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez.
Lastly, one more time from the Utah drivers are actually the worst drivers on Earth Dept. You know how when you want to turn left across traffic and sometimes you have to wait until the light turns yellow and the other cars stop? The guy in front of me was so late in turning left that he actually had to wait in the middle for the first car on the cross to pass him. Then he went in front of the next one. I thought for just a moment that I was about to witness a real accident. That would have screwed up my entire evening. I have only 1 week left driving the rent-a-car. 1 last week to avoid getting creamed by one of these Mor-ons. *knock knock knock*
-T
Steph and I did a lot of talking about movies today. We are working on feature length film that we can shoot for an absurdly low budget with only two actors. Its going to be good, but I don't want to jinx it here. We watched Out of Sight tonight. I loooooooovvvvvveeeee that movie. Its so fantastic. We watched it for research on what we are doing. Sadly the Steph and I will be the two actors in our movie, and not George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez.
Lastly, one more time from the Utah drivers are actually the worst drivers on Earth Dept. You know how when you want to turn left across traffic and sometimes you have to wait until the light turns yellow and the other cars stop? The guy in front of me was so late in turning left that he actually had to wait in the middle for the first car on the cross to pass him. Then he went in front of the next one. I thought for just a moment that I was about to witness a real accident. That would have screwed up my entire evening. I have only 1 week left driving the rent-a-car. 1 last week to avoid getting creamed by one of these Mor-ons. *knock knock knock*
-T
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Attaboy
A job well done, was the verdict at our job inspection today. For those that don't know I have been working for just over a year with my dad. We are installing a security system at an Air Force Base in Utah. I have never done anything like this, and probably won't again.
The job was originally supposed to take 6 months. It is winding up now at 15 months. The problems were things beyond our control. Constant changes in the job kept us starting over again and again. When it came down to being inspected and checked out over the last couple of days, I had little idea of what to expect. But my dad was a little worried.
Today the people that came to check us out told my dad, and me too, that we did a very good job. That he handled all of the adversity well and they apologized to him for having to put up with it. It was a good feeling.
This is not even close to anything I want to do. But the cool thing was, that it did feel pretty good. It was nice to be a part of a big project and see it through to finish. My dad designed this job several years ago and now it is in place. Thats kind of cool. For a math and science guy like my dad, I can see a how that can feel rewarding.
I'm very glad that I did this job. It came along at a time when I was struggling in LA and allowed me to save money, pay off some bills, and get myself in a better position. I helped my dad when he needed some extra help too. It was a great chance to spend some time with him. Though I hated to see how stressed out he was over the last few months. I'll be glad when I don't work with him anymore just so we can talk about fun stuff like Dodger Baseball, without having to talk about work. I am also glad that I got to spend some time doing some kind of technical work. Its just one more experience I can add my list of things I've done. It makes me smarter overall.
So all and all, I'd say it was a success.
Thanks Dad.
-T
The job was originally supposed to take 6 months. It is winding up now at 15 months. The problems were things beyond our control. Constant changes in the job kept us starting over again and again. When it came down to being inspected and checked out over the last couple of days, I had little idea of what to expect. But my dad was a little worried.
Today the people that came to check us out told my dad, and me too, that we did a very good job. That he handled all of the adversity well and they apologized to him for having to put up with it. It was a good feeling.
This is not even close to anything I want to do. But the cool thing was, that it did feel pretty good. It was nice to be a part of a big project and see it through to finish. My dad designed this job several years ago and now it is in place. Thats kind of cool. For a math and science guy like my dad, I can see a how that can feel rewarding.
I'm very glad that I did this job. It came along at a time when I was struggling in LA and allowed me to save money, pay off some bills, and get myself in a better position. I helped my dad when he needed some extra help too. It was a great chance to spend some time with him. Though I hated to see how stressed out he was over the last few months. I'll be glad when I don't work with him anymore just so we can talk about fun stuff like Dodger Baseball, without having to talk about work. I am also glad that I got to spend some time doing some kind of technical work. Its just one more experience I can add my list of things I've done. It makes me smarter overall.
So all and all, I'd say it was a success.
Thanks Dad.
-T
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Student-Athletes
I have a little trouble with the people who complain about college sports. They say "oh they aren't really students" or "they don't care about their education" These comments always lead to the next one which is, "they are being exploited and should be payed."
There are a couple of things to consider. 1st. They aren't really talking about college athletes, they are talking about college football and basketball players. Lou Dobbs said today that college athletes have terrible graduation rates. That is of course complete garbage. College athletes have better graduation rates than the regular student body. Its really only basketball and football that struggle in this area. The women athletes are even better in this regard. So it is really just football and men's basketball that might be a problem.
2nd. only a tiny % of athletes have any thoughts of playing their sport professionally. And many of that small percentage are not going to make it. These are the ones that need the most help. They don't take advantage of the college opportunity because they hope to play sports.
3rd. THEY ARE BEING PAID!! I owe a lot of money in student loans, and I am going to be paying them for a long long time. It is personally offensive to act as though a free education is not of value. If the athletes do not value it, then it is because no one has explained to them why it is valuable.
Everyone is looking for someone to blame. Anytime large amounts of money are involved in something, people assume that rich people are making money off the backs of poor people. If you are looking to blame someone, blame whoever it is that is misleading these kids. Someone needs to tell them what a great chance they have. Someone should tell a talented kid in high school that he can get a full scholarship to Duke or Stanford or Northwestern or Vanderbilt, or many other top notch schools. Where all they have to do is get decent enough grades, and they will be in fantastic shape for the future. Why won't anyone help them for real? Instead of pretending to help them by running their mouths about how they are being exploited. I don't know.
-T
There are a couple of things to consider. 1st. They aren't really talking about college athletes, they are talking about college football and basketball players. Lou Dobbs said today that college athletes have terrible graduation rates. That is of course complete garbage. College athletes have better graduation rates than the regular student body. Its really only basketball and football that struggle in this area. The women athletes are even better in this regard. So it is really just football and men's basketball that might be a problem.
2nd. only a tiny % of athletes have any thoughts of playing their sport professionally. And many of that small percentage are not going to make it. These are the ones that need the most help. They don't take advantage of the college opportunity because they hope to play sports.
3rd. THEY ARE BEING PAID!! I owe a lot of money in student loans, and I am going to be paying them for a long long time. It is personally offensive to act as though a free education is not of value. If the athletes do not value it, then it is because no one has explained to them why it is valuable.
Everyone is looking for someone to blame. Anytime large amounts of money are involved in something, people assume that rich people are making money off the backs of poor people. If you are looking to blame someone, blame whoever it is that is misleading these kids. Someone needs to tell them what a great chance they have. Someone should tell a talented kid in high school that he can get a full scholarship to Duke or Stanford or Northwestern or Vanderbilt, or many other top notch schools. Where all they have to do is get decent enough grades, and they will be in fantastic shape for the future. Why won't anyone help them for real? Instead of pretending to help them by running their mouths about how they are being exploited. I don't know.
-T
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
The Dodgers: Brooklyn vs. Los Angeles
In Today's New York Times, Murray Chass writes an article about whether Los Angeles has the right to celebrate the Brooklyn Dodgers 1955 title. I like Murray Chass, but this is a bit much. They are, after all, still the Dodgers. They have been the Dodgers for a long time. It is entirely appropriate that they celebrate this.
First off, there has always been an issue with sports teams that move. There are 4 baseball teams playing currently that have moved and kept their identities. The Dodgers and Giants moved out of New York to the West Coast in 1958. The Braves left Boston in the early 50s for Milwaukee and then left in the Mid-60s for Atlanta. The Athletics moved from Philadelphia in the 50s to Kansas City, and then a few years later moved to Oakland. These teams have all done well to keep track of their roots. The A's still wear the White Elephant logo that they wore in Philly. On the Atlanta Braves Website you can track their history from 1876 to present. 1876!!! At Turner Field you will see statues of famous Braves, like Warren Spahn that never played in Atlanta. You will also see a statue of Ty Cobb. Cobb never played for the Braves in any city, but he is from Georgia.
At Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, you will see tributes to the members of the Philadelphia A's. Even though it is the Phillies stadium.
The Dodgers and Giants moved out of Brooklyn and Queens respectively in 1958. The cities were left devastated. In 1961, the expansion Mets came to Queens. And to honor the fans of those two previous teams, they took Dodger Blue and Giant Orange as their team colors. (that’s about enough to make me puke by the way)
I have long been aware of the "tragedy" that was the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn. I also am keenly aware of the fact that 1955 World Series is one of the most famous in history. Because it was the first time in 6 tries, in 10 year span that the Dodgers beat the Yankees. Wait! 6 years out of 10, both World Series teams were in New York? Boy, that's exciting. No wonder pro football started becoming popular about this time.(see my Small-Market Nonsense Post) The point is that I do understand the significance of the Dodgers to the City of Brooklyn, as well as the importance of that series. But the Dodgers still exist. They moved 3000 miles away, and created a new legacy. It IS their right, and more importantly, their responsibility to honor that team. The Dodgers will wear throwback Brooklyn Jerseys this coming Sunday and I think its great. At least somebody will be celebrating it. I don't see the Mets doing it.
-Tom
First off, there has always been an issue with sports teams that move. There are 4 baseball teams playing currently that have moved and kept their identities. The Dodgers and Giants moved out of New York to the West Coast in 1958. The Braves left Boston in the early 50s for Milwaukee and then left in the Mid-60s for Atlanta. The Athletics moved from Philadelphia in the 50s to Kansas City, and then a few years later moved to Oakland. These teams have all done well to keep track of their roots. The A's still wear the White Elephant logo that they wore in Philly. On the Atlanta Braves Website you can track their history from 1876 to present. 1876!!! At Turner Field you will see statues of famous Braves, like Warren Spahn that never played in Atlanta. You will also see a statue of Ty Cobb. Cobb never played for the Braves in any city, but he is from Georgia.
At Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, you will see tributes to the members of the Philadelphia A's. Even though it is the Phillies stadium.
The Dodgers and Giants moved out of Brooklyn and Queens respectively in 1958. The cities were left devastated. In 1961, the expansion Mets came to Queens. And to honor the fans of those two previous teams, they took Dodger Blue and Giant Orange as their team colors. (that’s about enough to make me puke by the way)
I have long been aware of the "tragedy" that was the Dodgers leaving Brooklyn. I also am keenly aware of the fact that 1955 World Series is one of the most famous in history. Because it was the first time in 6 tries, in 10 year span that the Dodgers beat the Yankees. Wait! 6 years out of 10, both World Series teams were in New York? Boy, that's exciting. No wonder pro football started becoming popular about this time.(see my Small-Market Nonsense Post) The point is that I do understand the significance of the Dodgers to the City of Brooklyn, as well as the importance of that series. But the Dodgers still exist. They moved 3000 miles away, and created a new legacy. It IS their right, and more importantly, their responsibility to honor that team. The Dodgers will wear throwback Brooklyn Jerseys this coming Sunday and I think its great. At least somebody will be celebrating it. I don't see the Mets doing it.
-Tom
Monday, August 22, 2005
The End is Here
I found out today, that my last day at work might be Friday. I have, of course, known for months that it would be coming soon. Did I prepare for it? mmm kinda, but not really. I'll say this. I am excited to be done. I'd like to say that I have just been waiting until my job was over to start looking for a new one. That would be a good idea. My job was just too stressful to bother. 1. Thats not true. 2. If it was, I'd be an idiot.
Well, its here now. And I'm happy to be done. I was glad to have this job. It was a great help. It allowed me to pay off bills, save some money, buy a new computer. And I learned some new skills that I hope I NEVER have to use again. So, here's to the future.
I will kind of hate to give up that rented Malibu that I've had for a year now.
-T
Well, its here now. And I'm happy to be done. I was glad to have this job. It was a great help. It allowed me to pay off bills, save some money, buy a new computer. And I learned some new skills that I hope I NEVER have to use again. So, here's to the future.
I will kind of hate to give up that rented Malibu that I've had for a year now.
-T
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Another Sunday and More Movies
Another Sunday, and another couple of movies to add to the 2005 list. I saw Red Eye and Skeleton Key this weekend. Both were good. Both were, once again, better than expected. We also saw Guess Who and Are we there Yet. Guess who was pretty funny. Are we there yet was fine. Pretty funny also. Not overly great. So I have now seen 34 movies this year so far, and here is how they rate:
1. Revenge of the Sith
2. Cinderella Man
3. The Island
4. War of the Worlds
5. Batman Begins
6. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
7. The Jacket
8. Wedding Crashers
9. Fever Pitch
10.Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
11.Must Love Dogs
12 Skeleton Key
13.Bad News Bears
14.Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
15.Ice Princess
16.House of Wax
17.Guess Who
18.Upside of Anger
19.Fantastic Four
20.The Longest Yard
21.Bewitched
22.Herbie
23.Sky High
24.Hitch
25.Madagascar
26.Are We There Yet
27.Dukes of Hazzard
28.Mrs. Congeniality 2
Good Movies
----------------------------------------------------------------
Not Good Movies
29.Sin City
30.Dark Water
31.Man of the House
32.White Noise
33.Boogeyman
34.Cursed
1. Revenge of the Sith
2. Cinderella Man
3. The Island
4. War of the Worlds
5. Batman Begins
6. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
7. The Jacket
8. Wedding Crashers
9. Fever Pitch
10.Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
11.Must Love Dogs
12 Skeleton Key
13.Bad News Bears
14.Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
15.Ice Princess
16.House of Wax
17.Guess Who
18.Upside of Anger
19.Fantastic Four
20.The Longest Yard
21.Bewitched
22.Herbie
23.Sky High
24.Hitch
25.Madagascar
26.Are We There Yet
27.Dukes of Hazzard
28.Mrs. Congeniality 2
Good Movies
----------------------------------------------------------------
Not Good Movies
29.Sin City
30.Dark Water
31.Man of the House
32.White Noise
33.Boogeyman
34.Cursed
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Ebay decisions
Just a quick blog about Ebay and bad decisions. I thought I'd play the role of Ebay seller a few months ago. Since I was eating out a lot for lunch anyway, I thought Id get a whole set of Star Wars Burger King toys. Actually a second set, because I opened the first ones. Anyway, I got it, after a lot of trying and eating. I could have sold them right away for about 70 bucks. But I thought that as the promotion ended and they became harder to find, there would be a bigger demand and that I would be able to sell them in August for maybe over 100 bucks. Stephanie told me that wouldn't happen and that I should take the money and run. Silly Girl I thought. You may know about Ebay, but I know about Star Wars. So I waited.
Now its August. The sets are selling for about 20-25 bucks. I'm sitting here with a shoebox full of unopened toys, and about 15 extra pounds around my middle. And Stephanie giving me that scrunched nose look that means "Why don't you listen to me?!"
Why indeed?
-T
Now its August. The sets are selling for about 20-25 bucks. I'm sitting here with a shoebox full of unopened toys, and about 15 extra pounds around my middle. And Stephanie giving me that scrunched nose look that means "Why don't you listen to me?!"
Why indeed?
-T
Friday, August 19, 2005
The LA Subway-Lets get on track
So yesterday I was browsing through one of my more nerdy messageboards The Transit Coalition Message Board. It's one of my favorite sites I must say. Why? I don't know. I'm weird. But I feel strongly about public transportation, and I feel that Los Angeles, as the City of the Future, is going to have to lead the way for the rest of America. As it has always done. Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and other Old cities have brought their transportation with them from before the automobile. But Los Angeles is a modern city. Like most American cities, raised on cars. Los Angeles has become synonymous with Traffic and Pollution. It is the Poster City for an epidemic that has reached crisis level all across the country. Don't kid yourself. Your city is next. As a wannabe Angelino, I care very much about this situation.
As I was reading different messages, there was a link to an article in the LA Weekly pertaining to the sad state of affairs that is LA Public transportation. This article The Subway Mayor was so perfect, that I had to share it. It chronicles the history of public transit in LA for the last 50 years. The article reads like a well-written story. And this story is utterly fantastically ridiculous. Its like Bringing Up Baby. It is just one absurd screw-up and calamity after another. Political, Social, and Technical. Planning problems, Contractor corruption, NIMBYism (I love that term. Not In My BackYard in case your scoring at home) Plus, racial and social class fighting, a 60 foot wide sinkhole that opened up in Hollywood Blvd. And of course, pockets of Methane Gas hidden under the LA Streets caused by ROTTING DINOSAURS!!! No seriously:
"In March 1985, a worker punched a time clock at a Fairfax-area Ross Dress for Less and ignited a basement full of odorless methane gas. The freak explosion shook the earth and ripped through the building, blowing off most of the roof and throwing burning debris hundreds of feet in the air. Four square blocks of shops on the south edge of the Farmers Market were evacuated.
For the next few days, TV viewers in Los Angeles watched in amazement as fiery cracks in the earth opened near the explosion site. It looked as if the city, poked with hundreds of gaseous, oil well–size holes for a century, was about to be consumed from within."
Disasters and absurdities aside, the time has come to get serious. A friend of mine in LA told me that she filled her car up for 2.87 per gallon the other day for the low grade fuel. People have finally had enough, and I for one am glad to see it.
Los Angeles, the city of the future.
Remember dear readers you heard it first.
-T
As I was reading different messages, there was a link to an article in the LA Weekly pertaining to the sad state of affairs that is LA Public transportation. This article The Subway Mayor was so perfect, that I had to share it. It chronicles the history of public transit in LA for the last 50 years. The article reads like a well-written story. And this story is utterly fantastically ridiculous. Its like Bringing Up Baby. It is just one absurd screw-up and calamity after another. Political, Social, and Technical. Planning problems, Contractor corruption, NIMBYism (I love that term. Not In My BackYard in case your scoring at home) Plus, racial and social class fighting, a 60 foot wide sinkhole that opened up in Hollywood Blvd. And of course, pockets of Methane Gas hidden under the LA Streets caused by ROTTING DINOSAURS!!! No seriously:
"In March 1985, a worker punched a time clock at a Fairfax-area Ross Dress for Less and ignited a basement full of odorless methane gas. The freak explosion shook the earth and ripped through the building, blowing off most of the roof and throwing burning debris hundreds of feet in the air. Four square blocks of shops on the south edge of the Farmers Market were evacuated.
For the next few days, TV viewers in Los Angeles watched in amazement as fiery cracks in the earth opened near the explosion site. It looked as if the city, poked with hundreds of gaseous, oil well–size holes for a century, was about to be consumed from within."
Disasters and absurdities aside, the time has come to get serious. A friend of mine in LA told me that she filled her car up for 2.87 per gallon the other day for the low grade fuel. People have finally had enough, and I for one am glad to see it.
Los Angeles, the city of the future.
Remember dear readers you heard it first.
-T
Thursday, August 18, 2005
The Dodgers...Give up? or not?
Everytime I start to consider giving up on this season, the Dodgers get back into the race. Tonight, they are only 4 games out, but they are 9 games below .500. They aren't very good. So I had been thinking recently about whether or not to just pack it in this season and look toward next year.
It occured to me that I'm not really sure what difference it would make to anyone if I give up or not. Don't get me wrong. I do believe that my intense love and "rooting" for my team, even when done from home, DOES affect their performance. But I am alerted to the fact that there is a weird level of tension that exists inside me. So much so, that I have to decide to let it go when I feel the team is done. Can't I just watch them and see what happens? Do I need to be so emotionally involved that I have to actively manage my passions this closely? Apparently so.
Obviously this is a little bit of a problem. I mean, very clearly it is. I admit it. Its something I'm working on. At the same time, its also something that is special about sports, and Baseball in general. It is a special thing to have something as "trivial" as a baseball team be THIS important in your life. Friends, Family, pets, goals, hopes, dreams. These are hopefully some of the things that people care deeply about. But I feel sad for people who don't have something fun in their lives that means this much.
There are a lot of ways I can describe myself. Man, Christian, Human, Earthling, American, Southerner, Gamecock, and Dodger Fan. I am a Dodger fan. Thick and Thin and all that. And I'm proud of that. Now it is up to me to not let it engulf everything else it my world.
Oh well, thats its for tonight. Going to see Red Eye this weekend. Rachel McAdams has been removed from the Who wants to play Princess Leia when I remake the original Star Wars Trilogy. A great choice I think, but she's simply too old at this point. Frontrunner Hayden Panettiere is looking like a lock at this point. Saw her in Ice Princess and shes great. Ah dreams.
"I don't know where you get your delusions laserbrain"
-T
It occured to me that I'm not really sure what difference it would make to anyone if I give up or not. Don't get me wrong. I do believe that my intense love and "rooting" for my team, even when done from home, DOES affect their performance. But I am alerted to the fact that there is a weird level of tension that exists inside me. So much so, that I have to decide to let it go when I feel the team is done. Can't I just watch them and see what happens? Do I need to be so emotionally involved that I have to actively manage my passions this closely? Apparently so.
Obviously this is a little bit of a problem. I mean, very clearly it is. I admit it. Its something I'm working on. At the same time, its also something that is special about sports, and Baseball in general. It is a special thing to have something as "trivial" as a baseball team be THIS important in your life. Friends, Family, pets, goals, hopes, dreams. These are hopefully some of the things that people care deeply about. But I feel sad for people who don't have something fun in their lives that means this much.
There are a lot of ways I can describe myself. Man, Christian, Human, Earthling, American, Southerner, Gamecock, and Dodger Fan. I am a Dodger fan. Thick and Thin and all that. And I'm proud of that. Now it is up to me to not let it engulf everything else it my world.
Oh well, thats its for tonight. Going to see Red Eye this weekend. Rachel McAdams has been removed from the Who wants to play Princess Leia when I remake the original Star Wars Trilogy. A great choice I think, but she's simply too old at this point. Frontrunner Hayden Panettiere is looking like a lock at this point. Saw her in Ice Princess and shes great. Ah dreams.
"I don't know where you get your delusions laserbrain"
-T
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
A Brown Shirt
I got a brown shirt this week. I don't know why I wanted one. I like Brown. Its so 70s. But not annoying pop 70's. Like actual 70s. It seems that brown is somewhat popular lately. Its almost funny just for me to say that of course. The idea that I know whats popular or am even observant enough to notice is pretty funny. Anyway, last week I got it in my head that I wanted a brown shirt. Anyway I found one. Its got the Beatles on it. The album cover from Let It Be. I looked it up, and Let It Be was released in May of 1970. So it did just sneak into the 70s I guess.
I hate Orange though. Otherwise I might find some more 70s stuff. Last year I ate dinner at the Pioneer Chicken on Sunset Blvd. near Echo Park. It was great. All the booths in there were dark stained wood with colored vinyl. Brown Orange or that creamy eggshell color. Wood Paneled walls too.
I Love the 70s
-T
I hate Orange though. Otherwise I might find some more 70s stuff. Last year I ate dinner at the Pioneer Chicken on Sunset Blvd. near Echo Park. It was great. All the booths in there were dark stained wood with colored vinyl. Brown Orange or that creamy eggshell color. Wood Paneled walls too.
I Love the 70s
-T
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Sex and the City
I'm not sure if I am supposed to like this show but....I do. I have liked it from the beginning. I was never really sure why. I like the Sopranos, I like Six Feet Under and I like Sex and the City. Its the Late 90s Early 2000s HBO you know?
So this show is about women and dating and life in the city right? Ok, but it seems to be about more than that. Its not just about women, but people. Something I recently discovered is that women are, in fact, people too. No, seriously. I know, I can find the inner Fight Club in everything. But I realized tonight why I like this show. These girls are fighting the same battle that Steph and I are fighting. A battle I usually just associate with men. Mostly because, well, I'm a man.
The women in this show are great. They want a real life. They want to do something that matters they want to be successfull. But actual success. They want to live lives that are fulfilling. And while every week brings a new issue of love and sex, it also brings a new examination of life and society and culture.
I tend to think of mundane societal issues of work and travel and material possessions. This show, however deals with the more personal mundane issues of love and sex. It can do this because its a "woman's show" I'm glad it does. It would be great if there was a man show that dealt with same kind of issues. But there can't be. No guys would watch. I probably wouldn't watch it either.
We need more shows like this. THIS is reality television. Yes this show may be a little wacky and all four of its main characters are kind of extremes. They are charactures of different kinds of women. But the whole point of the show is to dig. To try to understand why we do what we do, and why we need to do what we do. The funny thing is, that it is more real than reality shows. There is no camera watching Carrie and Miranda, and they live their real lives. People in reality shows are always in front of a camera. And they are nearly always put into situations that are completely fabricated. Houses, Islands, Entrepreneurial Competitions, Boxing Tournaments. And this is why they cannot be trusted as honest portrayals of life. Those shows are pure entertainment. I gain much more insight into people by watching those 4 gals. And Big and Steve too.
There, so THATs why I watch Sex and the City. For its educational value.
-T
So this show is about women and dating and life in the city right? Ok, but it seems to be about more than that. Its not just about women, but people. Something I recently discovered is that women are, in fact, people too. No, seriously. I know, I can find the inner Fight Club in everything. But I realized tonight why I like this show. These girls are fighting the same battle that Steph and I are fighting. A battle I usually just associate with men. Mostly because, well, I'm a man.
The women in this show are great. They want a real life. They want to do something that matters they want to be successfull. But actual success. They want to live lives that are fulfilling. And while every week brings a new issue of love and sex, it also brings a new examination of life and society and culture.
I tend to think of mundane societal issues of work and travel and material possessions. This show, however deals with the more personal mundane issues of love and sex. It can do this because its a "woman's show" I'm glad it does. It would be great if there was a man show that dealt with same kind of issues. But there can't be. No guys would watch. I probably wouldn't watch it either.
We need more shows like this. THIS is reality television. Yes this show may be a little wacky and all four of its main characters are kind of extremes. They are charactures of different kinds of women. But the whole point of the show is to dig. To try to understand why we do what we do, and why we need to do what we do. The funny thing is, that it is more real than reality shows. There is no camera watching Carrie and Miranda, and they live their real lives. People in reality shows are always in front of a camera. And they are nearly always put into situations that are completely fabricated. Houses, Islands, Entrepreneurial Competitions, Boxing Tournaments. And this is why they cannot be trusted as honest portrayals of life. Those shows are pure entertainment. I gain much more insight into people by watching those 4 gals. And Big and Steve too.
There, so THATs why I watch Sex and the City. For its educational value.
-T
Monday, August 15, 2005
Monday Monday....
I'm just not sure what to write about today. No really. I have no idea. Its Monday. Ugh. I hate Mondays. But more than Mondays, I hate being so damned typical as to hate Mondays. And its not that I just want to be different, for difference sake. But for the fact that I hate that life style that people lead that makes them hate Mondays. But I'm playing the role of grumpy worker bee guy so here goes.
I almost got killed by a crazy lady who didn't know how to use her turn signal. She was in the right lane and I in the left on a shopping center road. I got into the left hand turning lane and she cut across two lanes to get in front of me with no blinker.
I have this guy that I work with who thinks that nothing is his problem, when in fact he's the guy who runs things. Well no, he is the guy who works the computer that controls the security system I am installing. He doesn't run anything. Another guy and I were trying to adjust a card swiper that unlocks a door, while he monitored it. He told us to try something. So we did. He got the appropriate reading so he said it worked. We then tried to go in the door physically and it would not open. When we told him this, he replied "Well I'm sorry" and then hung up.
I've got guys that actually work at the building that I am protecting who are bugging me all day about if they are going to get to sneak out of the emergency exits to smoke anymore. Um no! Its a military base for crying out loud. You can't be propping open emergency exits so that you can sneak out and smoke when no one is looking. And don't get mad at me because you can't be trusted. I'm just the guy that does the installation.
Oh, thats it I guess. Its really not much actually. The biggest complaint I have is how the heck to people live this lifestyle. Every morning on my way to work I call one of my best friends on his way to work. Of course its 8:15 for him and 6:15 for me. And every morning he says "Whats up?" and I say "Going to work" and he says "Me too" I think he plans to be that way forever. "I am Jack's raging bile duct" ERRRRRRRRR.
-T
I almost got killed by a crazy lady who didn't know how to use her turn signal. She was in the right lane and I in the left on a shopping center road. I got into the left hand turning lane and she cut across two lanes to get in front of me with no blinker.
I have this guy that I work with who thinks that nothing is his problem, when in fact he's the guy who runs things. Well no, he is the guy who works the computer that controls the security system I am installing. He doesn't run anything. Another guy and I were trying to adjust a card swiper that unlocks a door, while he monitored it. He told us to try something. So we did. He got the appropriate reading so he said it worked. We then tried to go in the door physically and it would not open. When we told him this, he replied "Well I'm sorry" and then hung up.
I've got guys that actually work at the building that I am protecting who are bugging me all day about if they are going to get to sneak out of the emergency exits to smoke anymore. Um no! Its a military base for crying out loud. You can't be propping open emergency exits so that you can sneak out and smoke when no one is looking. And don't get mad at me because you can't be trusted. I'm just the guy that does the installation.
Oh, thats it I guess. Its really not much actually. The biggest complaint I have is how the heck to people live this lifestyle. Every morning on my way to work I call one of my best friends on his way to work. Of course its 8:15 for him and 6:15 for me. And every morning he says "Whats up?" and I say "Going to work" and he says "Me too" I think he plans to be that way forever. "I am Jack's raging bile duct" ERRRRRRRRR.
-T
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Brat Camp, Stephanie and the Truth
Steph and I watched a 5 hour marathon of the reality show Brat Camp today. We were both very annoyed by the way they "treated" these kids. These were kids, KIDS mind you, that had some serious emotional issues. Divorced parents, one that recently found out he was adopted, one who's father died recently, and one girl who was sexually molested when she was 12. The show applied different labels to these kids, like "Angry Punk" and "Habitual Liar" and labeled all of them as brats. The "therapists" treated them terribly. As if they were just a bunch of spoiled brats who decided to be obnoxious. These kids needed real therapy and, more than that, they needed someone to show them that they love them.
Now a few years ago I probably would have bought into this. I'd have probably said "what a bunch of punks" But I met Stephanie, and was amazed by how no-nonsense she was. She sees the truth in everything. And I mean the actual truth. Not the truth as filtered through politics and agendas and political correctness that I and most people tend to see. And it is not that she seeks to see through the fog. She just does. So if I say anything different, she looks at me as though I'm nuts. Simply put, the world never wants to accept the idea that maybe this person's parents did a bad job. But, you know what? It's probably true. So just deal with it. Some things are just a cop out. Babies are not a blessing! (more on that later)
The point is that I have always thought that most people can't see the world because they are too involved in that particular situation. Can't see the forest for the trees as they say. Turns out, I still did that myself sometimes. But no more. Stephanie worries sometimes if she is too blunt or if she sounds like a jerk, but the truth is, she just sounds honest. And it is refreshing for me, even if it is unsettling for those who are hiding in there little safety-zones.
-T
Now a few years ago I probably would have bought into this. I'd have probably said "what a bunch of punks" But I met Stephanie, and was amazed by how no-nonsense she was. She sees the truth in everything. And I mean the actual truth. Not the truth as filtered through politics and agendas and political correctness that I and most people tend to see. And it is not that she seeks to see through the fog. She just does. So if I say anything different, she looks at me as though I'm nuts. Simply put, the world never wants to accept the idea that maybe this person's parents did a bad job. But, you know what? It's probably true. So just deal with it. Some things are just a cop out. Babies are not a blessing! (more on that later)
The point is that I have always thought that most people can't see the world because they are too involved in that particular situation. Can't see the forest for the trees as they say. Turns out, I still did that myself sometimes. But no more. Stephanie worries sometimes if she is too blunt or if she sounds like a jerk, but the truth is, she just sounds honest. And it is refreshing for me, even if it is unsettling for those who are hiding in there little safety-zones.
-T
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Tasty and Smelly
Its Saturday and I am pretty lazy today. So I just want to put out a question to the world. Why does Tasty mean good and Smelly mean bad? I don't know either.
-T
-T
Friday, August 12, 2005
If you're going to San Francisco
August 12th, 2002 was a pretty important day in my life, for a number of reasons. I spent that day roaming around the city of San Francisco with my best friend and traveling companion Stephanie.
Stephanie had spent the summer in LA. I flew out there in late July to spend a couple of weeks there. It was my first time out there, and it was a big deal. (more on that later) Stephanie had to drive back to South Carolina. So I offered to drive home with her. We decided to go to San Francisco first, to visit my brother Jesse. Then we would drive cross country, beginning from there.
So this particular Monday morning, we woke up in San Francisco. Something very important happened right away. Jesse lived in Oakland but worked in San Francisco. He lives in a nice little house. It had a front and back yard, and was on a relatively quiet street, in a relatively nice neighborhood. We walked about an 8th of a mile to a bus stop and waited for about 5 minutes. We got on the bus and rode for a little less than 10 minutes. We got off the bus and walked into the train station. We boarded a train. We rode for less than 5 minutes. Under the bay which was pretty cool by the way. We arrived in San Francisco, and then walked about 6 blocks to Jesse's office. All for just a few bucks. I couldn't believe how easy it was. No worries about gas or parking or anything. No dealing with traffic. And Jesse didn't have to live in a big high rise stacked on top of anyone. And thus began my interest/facination/obsession with public transportation. We took various forms of transportation the rest of the day, and needless to say, I was in love.
More important than that was the city itself. What a cool place and what a fun day. Steph and I were just really getting to know one another. And it was the best way to do it. We hoofed it all over that place. We saw Pac-Bell park where the Dirty Giants play baseball. We went out to a park, where we could see the Golden Gate Bridge. We walked down crazy crooked Lombard Street. We went to China Town and Downtown. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe. And we went to the corner of Haight/Ashbury. It was a fantastic time. I still feel bad that Steph didn't get to see the Full House house. I will take her back someday.
This was what it was all about for me. This was real world exploring. Road Tripping. Seeing places in person that I had seen my whole life on TV. And the thing that got me the most was that it was really not hard. I was 3000 miles away and having the time of my life. This is the point that I realized I can do anything I want. I can go anywhere I want. And I DO want to go places. And I DO want to do things. Its the day I began to see how badly most people live their lives. With no freedom. Steph and I just went to San Francisco. Why? Because we could. Maybe it was just that Haight/Ashbury mood I was in, but I realized that maybe the ideals of "60's" are still very relavent today. (more on that later) I hate to put to grand a stamp on the whole day, but it was Earthshattering for me. I have since dedicated my life to living it they way I want. I will go off and explore the world.
The other thing that happened was that I really found Stephanie that day. We had bonded over a lot of things already. But this was the cement that sealed the deal. I found someone that thought like I did. Someone that sought adventure and believed in excitement and passion. And someone that also did not believe that being married and having kids and having a "good job" and a house are the true meaning of life. She validated all of the emotions and thoughts and feelings I'd been having for years. I thought I was nuts. That there was something wrong with me. Turns out, that I just wanted more out of my life than to be just a regular Joe. Every day since then has been better than before.
Looking back on that day, Its really very important. A date I should remember. But I didn't right away. A weird thing happened today. I was listening to the Ipod while at work and If You're Going to San Francisco came on. Real quick explanation. In 2002, I made a CD of 60's songs that were part of that whole SF Monterrey Pop Festival movement. And they are all on my Ipod. I have heard that song on the Ipod many times at work, but it was today that it made all of those memories come flooding back to me. I honestly spent an hour thinking about that day. All the while skipping songs until I came to the songs that were on that CD. It made me really happy, and it really reminded me about how that place and that day made me feel. It wasn't until on the way home, that I realize that today was the 3 year anniversary of that day. It's pretty weird, but its true.
-T
Stephanie had spent the summer in LA. I flew out there in late July to spend a couple of weeks there. It was my first time out there, and it was a big deal. (more on that later) Stephanie had to drive back to South Carolina. So I offered to drive home with her. We decided to go to San Francisco first, to visit my brother Jesse. Then we would drive cross country, beginning from there.
So this particular Monday morning, we woke up in San Francisco. Something very important happened right away. Jesse lived in Oakland but worked in San Francisco. He lives in a nice little house. It had a front and back yard, and was on a relatively quiet street, in a relatively nice neighborhood. We walked about an 8th of a mile to a bus stop and waited for about 5 minutes. We got on the bus and rode for a little less than 10 minutes. We got off the bus and walked into the train station. We boarded a train. We rode for less than 5 minutes. Under the bay which was pretty cool by the way. We arrived in San Francisco, and then walked about 6 blocks to Jesse's office. All for just a few bucks. I couldn't believe how easy it was. No worries about gas or parking or anything. No dealing with traffic. And Jesse didn't have to live in a big high rise stacked on top of anyone. And thus began my interest/facination/obsession with public transportation. We took various forms of transportation the rest of the day, and needless to say, I was in love.
More important than that was the city itself. What a cool place and what a fun day. Steph and I were just really getting to know one another. And it was the best way to do it. We hoofed it all over that place. We saw Pac-Bell park where the Dirty Giants play baseball. We went out to a park, where we could see the Golden Gate Bridge. We walked down crazy crooked Lombard Street. We went to China Town and Downtown. We went to the Hard Rock Cafe. And we went to the corner of Haight/Ashbury. It was a fantastic time. I still feel bad that Steph didn't get to see the Full House house. I will take her back someday.
This was what it was all about for me. This was real world exploring. Road Tripping. Seeing places in person that I had seen my whole life on TV. And the thing that got me the most was that it was really not hard. I was 3000 miles away and having the time of my life. This is the point that I realized I can do anything I want. I can go anywhere I want. And I DO want to go places. And I DO want to do things. Its the day I began to see how badly most people live their lives. With no freedom. Steph and I just went to San Francisco. Why? Because we could. Maybe it was just that Haight/Ashbury mood I was in, but I realized that maybe the ideals of "60's" are still very relavent today. (more on that later) I hate to put to grand a stamp on the whole day, but it was Earthshattering for me. I have since dedicated my life to living it they way I want. I will go off and explore the world.
The other thing that happened was that I really found Stephanie that day. We had bonded over a lot of things already. But this was the cement that sealed the deal. I found someone that thought like I did. Someone that sought adventure and believed in excitement and passion. And someone that also did not believe that being married and having kids and having a "good job" and a house are the true meaning of life. She validated all of the emotions and thoughts and feelings I'd been having for years. I thought I was nuts. That there was something wrong with me. Turns out, that I just wanted more out of my life than to be just a regular Joe. Every day since then has been better than before.
Looking back on that day, Its really very important. A date I should remember. But I didn't right away. A weird thing happened today. I was listening to the Ipod while at work and If You're Going to San Francisco came on. Real quick explanation. In 2002, I made a CD of 60's songs that were part of that whole SF Monterrey Pop Festival movement. And they are all on my Ipod. I have heard that song on the Ipod many times at work, but it was today that it made all of those memories come flooding back to me. I honestly spent an hour thinking about that day. All the while skipping songs until I came to the songs that were on that CD. It made me really happy, and it really reminded me about how that place and that day made me feel. It wasn't until on the way home, that I realize that today was the 3 year anniversary of that day. It's pretty weird, but its true.
-T
Thursday, August 11, 2005
I'd like a Ground Beef Sandwich please.
I went to the Hard Rock Cafe a couple of nights ago. It was my birthday, don't know if I have mentioned that on here before. Anyway, I wanted something other than a burger. I pretty much always get burgers, just because I love them so darn much. But i wanted something different. I came upon the Pulled-Pork Sandwich, and I decided to get it.
Now I am from the South, and in the South, we are quite familiar with this item. Its a little something that we call a barbeque sandwich. Now Steph and I have been talking for years about our different cultures. Specifically different names for things. Well, this Pulled-Pork substance is something we just refer to as "Barbeque" And until just recently, it would seem that the Yankee..uh..errrrr I mean the "Outside-the-South" term for this didn't exist. Because I never knew anyone ever ate these kinds of sandwiches. I guess I was wrong about that. Apparently, they have caught on around the country. But under the name "Pulled-Pork Sandwich" I hate this. Even though I really do understand it. Its just that where I'm from, "barbeque" is a thing. Its like Potato Salad or Cole Slaw or Bean Dip or Salsa. Its a stuff. Barbeque, it comes in cups and pints and quarts and probably liters too. And you put it on bread and it becomes a Barbeque Sandwich.
Its not fair :-( Everything else gets to keep its name when it becomes popular. Pizza, Calzones, Hamburgers, Gyros, Philly Cheese Steaks etc. So how come when the Barbeque Sandwich goes pop, it gets made into this sort of functional sounding name. Once again, I get it. I really do. It just annoys me. I want to start asking for Ground Beef Sandwiches instead of burgers. How about going to little Caesar's for carry-out Tossed Dough Circles. Oh well.
I'm actually glad that no one likes Grits. If they did, people will probably call them "Corn Speck Clumps" or something equally appetizing.
Grits, Barbeque and Sweet Tea. You people don't know what you are missing. Mmmmmm. Though I hate Okra.
-T
Now I am from the South, and in the South, we are quite familiar with this item. Its a little something that we call a barbeque sandwich. Now Steph and I have been talking for years about our different cultures. Specifically different names for things. Well, this Pulled-Pork substance is something we just refer to as "Barbeque" And until just recently, it would seem that the Yankee..uh..errrrr I mean the "Outside-the-South" term for this didn't exist. Because I never knew anyone ever ate these kinds of sandwiches. I guess I was wrong about that. Apparently, they have caught on around the country. But under the name "Pulled-Pork Sandwich" I hate this. Even though I really do understand it. Its just that where I'm from, "barbeque" is a thing. Its like Potato Salad or Cole Slaw or Bean Dip or Salsa. Its a stuff. Barbeque, it comes in cups and pints and quarts and probably liters too. And you put it on bread and it becomes a Barbeque Sandwich.
Its not fair :-( Everything else gets to keep its name when it becomes popular. Pizza, Calzones, Hamburgers, Gyros, Philly Cheese Steaks etc. So how come when the Barbeque Sandwich goes pop, it gets made into this sort of functional sounding name. Once again, I get it. I really do. It just annoys me. I want to start asking for Ground Beef Sandwiches instead of burgers. How about going to little Caesar's for carry-out Tossed Dough Circles. Oh well.
I'm actually glad that no one likes Grits. If they did, people will probably call them "Corn Speck Clumps" or something equally appetizing.
Grits, Barbeque and Sweet Tea. You people don't know what you are missing. Mmmmmm. Though I hate Okra.
-T
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
So you actually like your car?
I'm really wondering about this? Let me see if I have it straight. Gas is in the $2.30 per gallon range. Lower priced cars are now around 20,000 and up. Insurance is up. Car Taxes are up. You have to pay to park in many places. Even when its free, you have to find a place to park it. Marshall McLuhan said that the Car gives you freedom right up to when you take it somewhere. Traffic is bad and deadly. 48,000 people are killed every year in America in automobile accidents.
I find it funny that when people fly on airplanes, a loved one might ask them to call when they land so they might know the person arrived safely. Flying is the easy part, its the drive to the airport that is more likely to kill you. Call me when you get to the grocery store or the mall is more like it.
Furthermore, you actually have to drive. And people will say, "oh, I like to drive." No you don't. People say they like the taste of beer too, but they don't. I enjoy driving from time to time too. I like road trips. I like relaxing and watching the scenery go by. But thats not what we do is? 90% of all of our driving time is out of obligation.
I like this one, "I like the quiet time." or "It gives me a chance to relax before work" Is this true? If it is, you need help. You need to arrange your life differently. If sitting in a tiny metal box on wheels is relaxing, something is wrong in your life.
The point is, that cars should be an extra, a luxury. They should be like having a boat. Something you don't need, but want. Something you use for recreation. Otherwise, its absurd. If you are talking neccesity, then its the worst possible mode of transportation.
People's "love" for automobiles is a lie used to justify their dependence. It doesn't have to be that way. We don't have to waste 2 hours a day sitting in that ridiculous box. I won't do it anymore.
Public transportation is the future. Get on board
-T
I find it funny that when people fly on airplanes, a loved one might ask them to call when they land so they might know the person arrived safely. Flying is the easy part, its the drive to the airport that is more likely to kill you. Call me when you get to the grocery store or the mall is more like it.
Furthermore, you actually have to drive. And people will say, "oh, I like to drive." No you don't. People say they like the taste of beer too, but they don't. I enjoy driving from time to time too. I like road trips. I like relaxing and watching the scenery go by. But thats not what we do is? 90% of all of our driving time is out of obligation.
I like this one, "I like the quiet time." or "It gives me a chance to relax before work" Is this true? If it is, you need help. You need to arrange your life differently. If sitting in a tiny metal box on wheels is relaxing, something is wrong in your life.
The point is, that cars should be an extra, a luxury. They should be like having a boat. Something you don't need, but want. Something you use for recreation. Otherwise, its absurd. If you are talking neccesity, then its the worst possible mode of transportation.
People's "love" for automobiles is a lie used to justify their dependence. It doesn't have to be that way. We don't have to waste 2 hours a day sitting in that ridiculous box. I won't do it anymore.
Public transportation is the future. Get on board
-T
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Happy Birthday to me!
Woo Hoo. I'm 30. 3-0. Whats up with that? But I got up this morning and the sky was Blue and the grass was green and I was still in Utah, blech! So I'm taking it easy today. Short blog. Just going to say a few things. I got Sopranos season 5. Yes! I love that show. Steph and I ate at the Hard Rock Cafe tonight. That was nice. All and all, a pretty top notch day. So I'll be back tomorrow, with no more whining about how old I am.
-T
-T
Monday, August 08, 2005
Setbacks and Steps Forward
The last night before I turn 30. I found two more really stupid mistakes that I made. Bills that have gone unpaid. One, a regular bill. One that might be easily blamed on poor customer service that gave me some poor information about automatic bill paying. It might be easy to blame them, had I actually checked my bank account once in a while or actually read the mail that they sent.
This is stupid. I set out at the beginning of this year to fix this crap. And every time I turn around I feel like I screwed up again. Worse yet, I feel like I make dumber mistakes than the last. errr.
The other bill issue was related to Student Loans. This isn't even that hard. I just get the occasional piece of mail, and I just need to respond.
The screwed up thing is this. My goal for the last year, year 29 I mean, was to successfully slim and trim my obligations and debts down to something manageble. I have done that. Mission accomplished. Yet I still feel every night I have more and more stuff that I have to worry about. When it is actually less and less. And I used to put everything off until tomorrow. Now I'm putting stuff off until 12 hours from now. Just as long as I don't have to worry about that RIGHT NOW. ERRRRRR
But tomorrow is the big day. It's on now. Goals for year 30 and goals for decade 30s. I can't stop talking about it. Its like a stupid thought that gets in your head. You don't even feel that way, but it keeps coming back. Just because you said it was stupid. Own it. Embrace it. The hell with it. I'll say it. Tomorrow is going to be the biggest most important day in my whole entire life!
Well, we will see I guess.
Time to grow up then right?
So I guess that means no more Star Wars quotes then. Right?
"Not this ship sister."
You know better than that.
Heres to it.
-T
This is stupid. I set out at the beginning of this year to fix this crap. And every time I turn around I feel like I screwed up again. Worse yet, I feel like I make dumber mistakes than the last. errr.
The other bill issue was related to Student Loans. This isn't even that hard. I just get the occasional piece of mail, and I just need to respond.
The screwed up thing is this. My goal for the last year, year 29 I mean, was to successfully slim and trim my obligations and debts down to something manageble. I have done that. Mission accomplished. Yet I still feel every night I have more and more stuff that I have to worry about. When it is actually less and less. And I used to put everything off until tomorrow. Now I'm putting stuff off until 12 hours from now. Just as long as I don't have to worry about that RIGHT NOW. ERRRRRR
But tomorrow is the big day. It's on now. Goals for year 30 and goals for decade 30s. I can't stop talking about it. Its like a stupid thought that gets in your head. You don't even feel that way, but it keeps coming back. Just because you said it was stupid. Own it. Embrace it. The hell with it. I'll say it. Tomorrow is going to be the biggest most important day in my whole entire life!
Well, we will see I guess.
Time to grow up then right?
So I guess that means no more Star Wars quotes then. Right?
"Not this ship sister."
You know better than that.
Heres to it.
-T
Sunday, August 07, 2005
The Duke Boys and Clueless Filmmakers.
One of the first substantial conversations that Stephanie and I ever had, was about the lack of female directors in the movie business. Especially considering that there are quite a bit of movies that are made for women, about women. (more on this later) This doesn't just stop at women though. It would seem that there are a lot of movies that are made by people who just clearly don't know what they are talking about.
Heres one:
The Dukes of Hazzard. I saw this movie today. First let me say, that this was THE show of my childhood. Ok, this and the Muppet Show. I have been looking forward to seeing it, but I'll admit that I did not have high expectations. It was not particularly great. In fact it really wasn't very good. If you know the Dukes well, you might find enough in jokes to make it ok. Which is how I felt. Otherwise, I can't imagine someone liking it very much. Unless of course you are not from the South and enjoy laughing at dumb hicks.
I have read a little from the director Jay Chandrasekhar, who says that he loved the show as a kid growing up outside of Chicago. He says all the right things. He says that he wanted to cast as many Southerners as possible. He says the studio wanted the movie to be like Super Troopers, which he made and wanted to be like Smokey and the Bandit. Another Southern Classic. But I saw this movie, and I don't get any of that. Here's a movie about Southerners that just felt like a cartoon from start to finish.
Oh I realize that in most ways, it was meant to be a cartoon. But the problem is, that it was made to be so shallow that all that is left is just a series of jokes. And all the jokes are based around hicks being dumb. I watched Man of the House this weekend, and that movie was an absurd and silly movie too, but at least Tommy Lee Jones got to have some motivation. Some growth. I'm not saying that I wanted Dukes of Hazzard to be Citizen Kane, but it could have been a little more than what it was. A series of Hillbilly jokes.
And no Southern person in the history of the world every used the word Y'all to refer to just one person. Ever.
-T
Heres one:
The Dukes of Hazzard. I saw this movie today. First let me say, that this was THE show of my childhood. Ok, this and the Muppet Show. I have been looking forward to seeing it, but I'll admit that I did not have high expectations. It was not particularly great. In fact it really wasn't very good. If you know the Dukes well, you might find enough in jokes to make it ok. Which is how I felt. Otherwise, I can't imagine someone liking it very much. Unless of course you are not from the South and enjoy laughing at dumb hicks.
I have read a little from the director Jay Chandrasekhar, who says that he loved the show as a kid growing up outside of Chicago. He says all the right things. He says that he wanted to cast as many Southerners as possible. He says the studio wanted the movie to be like Super Troopers, which he made and wanted to be like Smokey and the Bandit. Another Southern Classic. But I saw this movie, and I don't get any of that. Here's a movie about Southerners that just felt like a cartoon from start to finish.
Oh I realize that in most ways, it was meant to be a cartoon. But the problem is, that it was made to be so shallow that all that is left is just a series of jokes. And all the jokes are based around hicks being dumb. I watched Man of the House this weekend, and that movie was an absurd and silly movie too, but at least Tommy Lee Jones got to have some motivation. Some growth. I'm not saying that I wanted Dukes of Hazzard to be Citizen Kane, but it could have been a little more than what it was. A series of Hillbilly jokes.
And no Southern person in the history of the world every used the word Y'all to refer to just one person. Ever.
-T
Saturday, August 06, 2005
3 more days...dunt dunt dahhhhh
Tuesday is approaching and the big 3-0. Or whatever. Funny thing is. I'm not typically the kind of person that gives a crap about such things. And I don't really in this case either. Or I didn't at least. Yet somewhere along the way, I started wondering if I should care. I started thinking about it. Not because I wanted to, just because I thought I should. Anyway, I looked back at my 20s and wondered where I'd been, and forward to where I was going. And some of that other nonsense. Somehow or another, I let it be a big deal. And somehow it seemed like it can only be bad. Why? I'm not really sure. So I decided to make it into a good thing. Which it should be anyway. So I set some goals and some plans for myself. Looked at what I did in the last 10 years and what I wanted to do in the next. So it was cool, and not really that big a deal.
But now, the day is coming closer. I love my birthday. I really really do! Getting older is no big deal. But I because I have worked myself up about it, I feel like an entire new decade starts on Tuesday. While I realize that an entire new decade starts everyday, I'm really feeling the weight of that statement.
So where we are now is here: I am experiencing both dread and excitement about my 30's. I realize that I should probably not make a big deal about either way, but that is where we are. I am excited to make every day count. And feel the pressure of thinking that way. Wow! how over-the-top is this attitude? Well, ready or not, here it comes. I say again, bring it on! "I'm ready for the trials" I know the correct response to this post is, "Dude take a pill" Or something along those lines. And when I wake up on Tuesday and the Sky isn't red and there aren't two suns or a new football coach at Penn St. then I guess I'll calm down. But until then.....
-T
But now, the day is coming closer. I love my birthday. I really really do! Getting older is no big deal. But I because I have worked myself up about it, I feel like an entire new decade starts on Tuesday. While I realize that an entire new decade starts everyday, I'm really feeling the weight of that statement.
So where we are now is here: I am experiencing both dread and excitement about my 30's. I realize that I should probably not make a big deal about either way, but that is where we are. I am excited to make every day count. And feel the pressure of thinking that way. Wow! how over-the-top is this attitude? Well, ready or not, here it comes. I say again, bring it on! "I'm ready for the trials" I know the correct response to this post is, "Dude take a pill" Or something along those lines. And when I wake up on Tuesday and the Sky isn't red and there aren't two suns or a new football coach at Penn St. then I guess I'll calm down. But until then.....
-T
Friday, August 05, 2005
College Football!!!
It is August, so I think its time to talk about College Football. Understand this. If I was in South Carolina, it would be time to talk about College Football, the day after last season ended. I have been really submerged into Baseball lately. However, one of my most favorite thing in the world is College Football.
This will be my third season that I have missed after having been to every single game for 6 years. A couple of years ago, I was in a hotel room in Bakersfield California. That was the day I missed my first Gamecock home game. It was pretty hard on me. I'm over it now, but I still really miss it.
Football is the opposite of Baseball in every way. It is so important to be at or at least see every game. Some of it is just because 1 football game is equivalent to about 15 Major League Baseball games. Its that urgency that makes you hang on every moment of each game.
In addition to all of the normal stuff, Steve Freaking Spurrier is now our Coach. The Ole' Ball Coach. I simply can't get this through my head. When I see the Visor on the sideline, then maybe I'll believe it.
We are starting the season ranked in the mid 30s. There are 6 SEC teams in the top 25. Its going to be an uphill climb, but I think this season could be great. September 1st is the big day. Lets get it started. Go Cocks!!
-T
This will be my third season that I have missed after having been to every single game for 6 years. A couple of years ago, I was in a hotel room in Bakersfield California. That was the day I missed my first Gamecock home game. It was pretty hard on me. I'm over it now, but I still really miss it.
Football is the opposite of Baseball in every way. It is so important to be at or at least see every game. Some of it is just because 1 football game is equivalent to about 15 Major League Baseball games. Its that urgency that makes you hang on every moment of each game.
In addition to all of the normal stuff, Steve Freaking Spurrier is now our Coach. The Ole' Ball Coach. I simply can't get this through my head. When I see the Visor on the sideline, then maybe I'll believe it.
We are starting the season ranked in the mid 30s. There are 6 SEC teams in the top 25. Its going to be an uphill climb, but I think this season could be great. September 1st is the big day. Lets get it started. Go Cocks!!
-T
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Once More, better than I expected
Stephanie and I went to see Sky High tonight. Why? Why not? It seemed like it might be fun. And I like going to movies during the week too. Once again we have a that was better than I expected situation. That is clearly the theme of the Summer. This movie seemed like it was just a silly kid movie. Turns out, it was. But man was it funny.
I'll add that to The Island which we saw two weeks ago. Theres a movie that we went to just to see what the heck it was about. Turns out, it was about quite a bit. Of course hearing Ewan McGreggor say "Clones" was pretty cool too. That movie was great. Somewhere in the middle of it I was thinking that it might be the best movie I'd seen this year. It struggles down the stretch a bit, but still really great.
The test this weekend will be the Dukes of Hazzard. My expectations for this one are a little hard to define. I actually don't expect it to be great. However, it was my absolute favorite show as a kid. So I do have sort of high hopes for it. I guess we will just have to see what happens.
This year so far
1. Revenge of the Sith
2. Cinderella Man
3. The Island
4. War of the Worlds
5. Batman Begins
6. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
7. The Jacket
8. Wedding Crashers
9. Fever Pitch
10.Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
11.Must Love Dogs
12.Bad News Bears
13.Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
14.House of Wax
15.Fantastic Four
16.The Longest Yard
17.Bewitched
18.Herbie
19.Sky High
20.Hitch
21.Madagascar
22.Mrs. Congeniality 2
----------------------------The Good Line------------------------------------
23.Sin City
24.Dark Water
25.White Noise
26.Boogeyman
27.Cursed
I'll add that to The Island which we saw two weeks ago. Theres a movie that we went to just to see what the heck it was about. Turns out, it was about quite a bit. Of course hearing Ewan McGreggor say "Clones" was pretty cool too. That movie was great. Somewhere in the middle of it I was thinking that it might be the best movie I'd seen this year. It struggles down the stretch a bit, but still really great.
The test this weekend will be the Dukes of Hazzard. My expectations for this one are a little hard to define. I actually don't expect it to be great. However, it was my absolute favorite show as a kid. So I do have sort of high hopes for it. I guess we will just have to see what happens.
This year so far
1. Revenge of the Sith
2. Cinderella Man
3. The Island
4. War of the Worlds
5. Batman Begins
6. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
7. The Jacket
8. Wedding Crashers
9. Fever Pitch
10.Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
11.Must Love Dogs
12.Bad News Bears
13.Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
14.House of Wax
15.Fantastic Four
16.The Longest Yard
17.Bewitched
18.Herbie
19.Sky High
20.Hitch
21.Madagascar
22.Mrs. Congeniality 2
----------------------------The Good Line------------------------------------
23.Sin City
24.Dark Water
25.White Noise
26.Boogeyman
27.Cursed
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Dilemna Dilemma
Yesterday I posted a blog that I titled Steroid Dilemma. I must admit that I originally posted it as Steroid Dilemna. When Stephanie told me I spelled it wrong, I calmly informed her that it was she, in fact, that was wrong. We looked it up of course and found absolutely no reference to the spelling Dilemna. I was dumbfounded. Is it possible that I am insane. I have spelled it this way my entire life and have never been corrected on it.
I looked up Dilemna on Yahoo. It did ask me if I meant Dilemma. But it also had some 150,000 pages of listings for Dilemna. After some research, Stephanie found some discussion groups about the different spellings. I looked up Dilemna Dilemma on Yahoo and found a few pages discussing the issue.
Apparently there is a large group of people out there that use the spelling Dilemna. The large Majority do not. However there seems to be no pattern for understanding its use. It does not seem to be an issue of Age or Geography which were the first two things I thought of.
I asked both of my parents, and they spell it differently than I do. So I am confused as to how i learned to spell it this way. The thing of it is, is that not only do I spell it this way and have seen it spelled this way. But I wasn't even aware of an alternate (in this case the correct) spelling of the word.
If there is anyone out there, that might read this blog and spells the word Dilemna, please let me know. Thanks.
-T
I looked up Dilemna on Yahoo. It did ask me if I meant Dilemma. But it also had some 150,000 pages of listings for Dilemna. After some research, Stephanie found some discussion groups about the different spellings. I looked up Dilemna Dilemma on Yahoo and found a few pages discussing the issue.
Apparently there is a large group of people out there that use the spelling Dilemna. The large Majority do not. However there seems to be no pattern for understanding its use. It does not seem to be an issue of Age or Geography which were the first two things I thought of.
I asked both of my parents, and they spell it differently than I do. So I am confused as to how i learned to spell it this way. The thing of it is, is that not only do I spell it this way and have seen it spelled this way. But I wasn't even aware of an alternate (in this case the correct) spelling of the word.
If there is anyone out there, that might read this blog and spells the word Dilemna, please let me know. Thanks.
-T
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Steroid dilemma
I find that Steroids dominated the talk radio scene for a second straight day. To be honest. I can't get enough of it. Normally I get really sick of stories that won't go away. But I care about this one a lot. I feel compelled to write this blog about it, but I don't want to want to. So I'm writing about writing about it.
It gets me fired up. I won't lie. I called in to the National Radio show today. XM's The Show with Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy, because I was so fired up. I'm angry because people don't have the guts to say what they think. Somewhere along the line we all wanted to be "fair" and give people the benefit of the doubt. Which sounds good on the surface. But in the end, I think people are so obsessed with it, that they have forgotten to use common sense. These guys are lying their butts off. Its disrespectful and to be honest, its a well uh, I hate to say it but quite frankly its a disgrace. There I said it. But all day I heard guys on ESPN with Hall of Fame votes saying they would still vote for Palmeiro for various reasons. Reasons ranging from "its too hard to distinguish them from the other cheaters" to "Their numbers are just too great, reguardless of what they did"
Let me call some attention to a couple of items from the Baseball Hall of Fame's guidelines to voting on the Hall of Fame.
5. Voting — Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.
6. Automatic Elections — No automatic elections based on performances such as a batting average of .400 or more for one (1) year, pitching a perfect game or similar outstanding achievement shall be permitted.
Terms like integrity, sportsmanship and character seem to stand out to me. Also it would seem to indicate that "numbers" do not equal automatic entry.
Baseball writers have a responsibility to protect the Hall of Fame from Liars, Cheaters, and other such undesirables. And I hope they realize that. If I have to see Mark McGwire's fat (but getting smaller) head up on stage accepting that honor, I'll be sick. I think all of the other Hall of Famers should boycott and not go to their inductions. But they won't do that, because THEY have class.
The Hall of Fame is not a right. Its a privilege. Its not something that you earn with magic numbers. 3000 hits 500 hrs 3000 k's 300 wins. It is something that is bestowed upon you if you are worthy of the honor.
-T
It gets me fired up. I won't lie. I called in to the National Radio show today. XM's The Show with Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy, because I was so fired up. I'm angry because people don't have the guts to say what they think. Somewhere along the line we all wanted to be "fair" and give people the benefit of the doubt. Which sounds good on the surface. But in the end, I think people are so obsessed with it, that they have forgotten to use common sense. These guys are lying their butts off. Its disrespectful and to be honest, its a well uh, I hate to say it but quite frankly its a disgrace. There I said it. But all day I heard guys on ESPN with Hall of Fame votes saying they would still vote for Palmeiro for various reasons. Reasons ranging from "its too hard to distinguish them from the other cheaters" to "Their numbers are just too great, reguardless of what they did"
Let me call some attention to a couple of items from the Baseball Hall of Fame's guidelines to voting on the Hall of Fame.
5. Voting — Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.
6. Automatic Elections — No automatic elections based on performances such as a batting average of .400 or more for one (1) year, pitching a perfect game or similar outstanding achievement shall be permitted.
Terms like integrity, sportsmanship and character seem to stand out to me. Also it would seem to indicate that "numbers" do not equal automatic entry.
Baseball writers have a responsibility to protect the Hall of Fame from Liars, Cheaters, and other such undesirables. And I hope they realize that. If I have to see Mark McGwire's fat (but getting smaller) head up on stage accepting that honor, I'll be sick. I think all of the other Hall of Famers should boycott and not go to their inductions. But they won't do that, because THEY have class.
The Hall of Fame is not a right. Its a privilege. Its not something that you earn with magic numbers. 3000 hits 500 hrs 3000 k's 300 wins. It is something that is bestowed upon you if you are worthy of the honor.
-T
Monday, August 01, 2005
Steroids are back!! And its about time
Today Rafael Palmeiro got suspended for ten games for using steroids. I have already heard people say that its a dark day and a black eye for baseball. But I completely disagree. Its another good day. Just like the day the players testified before Congress was a good day. The fact is, we all know that players used steroids. We know that some are still using them. Then catching one is a victory for us all. Why would it be anything else? I want these guys dead. I want McGwire dead, I want Sosa dead, I want Bonds Dead, I want their families....well ok. Perhaps dead is a strong word. But I want these guys and their dirty secret dragged out in public for all the world to see.
As for Palmeiro and his HOF chances. They should be over for right now. First of all. Rafael is a guy that has HOF numbers but does not have the HOF persona. While he has put up good numbers. He has never really impressed anyone. Never won an MVP never been the best hitter in the League, Never been the best First Baseman in the League, Never really even been the best hitter on his own team. So racking up great numbers is all he has. It should have been enough, but now the numbers are called into question. Right now, there is no way he goes in the Hall of Fame.
More on all this to come
-T
As for Palmeiro and his HOF chances. They should be over for right now. First of all. Rafael is a guy that has HOF numbers but does not have the HOF persona. While he has put up good numbers. He has never really impressed anyone. Never won an MVP never been the best hitter in the League, Never been the best First Baseman in the League, Never really even been the best hitter on his own team. So racking up great numbers is all he has. It should have been enough, but now the numbers are called into question. Right now, there is no way he goes in the Hall of Fame.
More on all this to come
-T
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