January 2012
16 posts
Money Trumps All →
I could care less about any of these losers, but you know when you see stories coming out like this, and Romney surrogates threatening this guy, you know what they’re scared of. Follow the money.
A Separation
Ok, I may be way off, but I think this is an Iranian women’s liberation movie. It was amazing, I loved it. In my opinion, it highlighted how women in Iran, at all ages, because of their environment, are not able to speak up to men. The damage that ensues hurts everybody. It’s a dramatic example, of course, but aren’t alot of movies about making a point? Stirring something? The...
First day of a new life
I quit my job on Friday and will be traveling around the world for the next year before going back to school. It’s been about seven months in the making, but I can’t believe it’s finally here. I didn’t really feel it until this morning, walking around Madison Square Park after a dentist appointment. I just started giggling and laughing, for no apparent reason. True, I was...
Self-deport? Is this a serious discussion?
The Artist
I was surprised how emotional it was. You really feel for George. I think it actually would’ve been as effective had there been sound, but it totally works as a silent movie. Very beautiful looking film, and extremely funny in parts. I won’t cry if it wins the Oscar, but I’m rooting for Moneyball.
When I hear a car alarm, I actively try to help...
Obama's long game →
Not saying I wouldn’t vote for Ron Paul if he ran as a third-party candidate, but this article from Andrew Sullivan sums up the relative good Obama has been able to accomplish as President thus far. Sure, he has made his share of errors (unbridled war, ignoring the debt commission, the Defense Authorization Act, bending over for Israel), but most Presidents have mistakes on their records...
Thing about working after you've quit your job..
….is that the stress diminishes so, so much. Colombia in four weeks.
NIMBY
On the front page of cnn.com, there is an article about trade unions in Nigeria reporting violence from government thugs. My question is, why does the media here seem to support trade unions in other countries, but not here? Along those same lines, everybody here seems to support protesters in other countries, but here, we try to shut them down, and shut them up?
The hypocrisy is overwhelming.
Top 10 Albums Ever
My personal favorite albums. It’s difficult to whittle it down to 10, but here it goes.
1) The Beatles, “Rubber Soul”: I think it’s the perfect transition album between their psychedelic persona of the late 60’s and their early 60’s roots-influenced music. Whatever it is, I just love the songs.
2) Tom Waits, “Orphans, Brawlers, Bawlers and...
Last month in New York!
A day best left to the couch.
Google "Santorum" and see first entry
Ok, I’m three years old, and laughed about 15 times because of this the last 16 hours. Didn’t know about this previously, but I love it. A man’s entire life will be measured by this term, and it’s oh-so-appropriate.
Sorry....
…..but Romney has done nothing to deserve getting the GOP nomination. This media-driven process-of-elimination of everybody else is a fabrication. The only two relatively honest guys/gals in that field are Huntsman and Paul, and they really don’t deserve it either. Blatant liars, the rest. As a mathematical matter, Romney getting the nod would mean that only about 7% of Americans chose...
“Now if you think you do have rights, one last assignment for you. Next time...”
– George Carlin, You Have No Rights (via coeus)
December 2011
9 posts
9/11 Memorial
It is fantastic, a home-run. One of the great artistic triumphs I’ve witnessed. I worked down at the WTC for years, had an office overlooking the site, so I’m used to being around the area, but I was unprepared for the emotional impact the memorial elicited. There are two gigantic pools, in the same shapes and areas of the original towers. The water comes from street level, flows down...
Yo face....is my case......
Off to India!
For work, but still. Should be a cool trip. Only a week, so I’ll be living it up.
Top 10 Favorite Cities
Yes, these lists are kind of obvious, but they’re fun to think about. Here is a list of my favorite cities. Not necessarily the best cities, whatever that means. Just the ones I’d like to revisit.
1) New York City
2) Barcelona
3) San Francisco
4) Buenos Aires
5) Beijing
6) Amsterdam
7) Savannah
8) Florence
9) Chicago
10) Prague
Look at South Carolina →
Obama beats Gingrich AND Romney….in fucking South Carolina! I honestly don’t understand the Republican party. There are two nominees with honesty who would be much stronger candidates: Jon Huntsman and Ron Paul. I have problems with them both, but at least they have intellectual consistency. Wow, the GOP is truly fucked up. Which means our COUNTRY is fucked up. Anytime one of the two...
It’s amazing what hanging out with a good friend will do to make you forget about all the bullshit in your life.
DEA helped launder drug money →
Duh? Do yourself a favor if you read this(and don’t already know about this headline). Look at the amount of poppy that was cultivated in Afghanistan the year before and the year after the U.S. invasion. Pretty much says it all. We make alot of money by having drugs ‘smuggled’ into this country. Courts, prisons, medical facilities…..alot of money at stake.
November 2011
12 posts
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Did Paul Newman ever give a bad performance? I’ve never seen it. Top 5 actors ever.
Whenever I get drunk, there are so many options for communication now, it’s scary. Every time I wake up(this morning, for instance), I instinctively check to see that I didn’t drunk-text somebody, drunk-email somebody and drunk-Facebook somebody. Too difficult now to even deal with.
Bikes in Amsterdamn →
First time in my life I realized how big a deal this was. (To clarify, first time I understood was in Amsterdamn)
Spotify kind of fucking rocks
I think I may spend the next week listening to nothing but Igor Stravinsky. I am listening to The Rite of Spring for the first time and it is incredible.
Why aren't liquor stores closed on Tuesdays?
Follow me here. Sunday is still the weekend, so they should be open. And since it is the “Day of Rest”, shouldn’t you have a glass of wine in your hand? Jesus loved wine, I’m pretty sure he was an alcoholic. Mondays, you’re on edge; you’re ready to kill somebody because of work, therefore, you need a drink to take the edge off. You desperately need liquor stores...
Sagamore Hill
Teddy Roosevelt’s estate, with his grave nearby. Oyster Bay, NY. What a beautiful home and property, went up there this afternoon. Grave was unassuming, with a great quote from TR: “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” Words to remember. They don’t have politicians like him anymore.
Paul running strong 3rd in New Hampshire →
Of course, that’s not the headline here. And Paul, I saw, is running 2nd in Iowa. So why doesn’t he get any media attention? I have alot of problems with some of his views, but at least he’s honest. He deserves to get more headlines.
I’m beginning to think that this ‘voting’ thing is all a sham, and that corporate-owned candidates are funneled to Americans. Not...
DVD Player Kaput
After 9 years! Only two months left until I leave for South America. That’s pretty good timing. Amusingly, the scene it died on was the moment Denzel Washington walked out of prison in ‘American Gangster’. Fitting, because in about 9 weeks, that’ll be me!
Rabbit Hole
Really a well-done, understated movie about a couple (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) going through the turning point of their marriage, eight months past the death of their young son. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters’ feelings, and of course, the performances (including the supporting characters, eyeing them from afar). Very realistic. Love movies like this.
Business Uncertainty
If businesses want ‘certainty’ on taxes, perhaps we should just raise them and give them the ‘certainty’ they need to start spending their wad of cash. I don’t actually believe this, but I don’t believe their excuses either.
For the record, I am in favor of a progressive tax system for individuals, but business taxes should be lower than they are, without the...
That's what Joe Frazier said about Muhammad Ali in... →
NYC Marathon
First time I witnessed it in the 9 years I’ve been in the city. It was inspiring seeing these people, some of whom with disabilities, push themselves to the limit. Friends who did it, I’m so proud of them. I loved the costumes, the smiles, people slapping hands with total strangers…..great atmosphere. Bands playing on the route. A couple of funny stories:
1) A woman in the race...
October 2011
23 posts
This is why I'm quitting
I spend two days researching water scarcity issues in India, from every angle. I put it in a presentation that encompasses many different issues facing the country, and the one part I care about the most, the part with by far the most thought spent on it, is contracted by my boss. Half the rest of the presentation I made up on the spot! Truly sad.
At least I get to go to India in December. But if...
28 ounces of mac and cheese. Yum. Ouch.
Ron Paul on Meet the Press
1. Wow, amazing they have him on.
2. David Gregory doesn’t listen. He never asks appropriate follow-up questions. Just sticks to a script. Also, he’s an idiot. I suspect these two points are related.
3. Why does he never asks other, mainstream politicians, these types of difficult questions? I would have him ask Alan Greenspan or John Boehner, for instance, why cutting government...
Politicalprof: There's no such thing as "American"... →
politicalprof:
So at one point of the Republican “debate” last night, the mutually-interrupting blatherings of the various candidates turned to the Republican shibboleth that the United States has vast untapped resources of oil and gas and that if we just drilled for them—often in environmentally sensitive areas—we would no longer be in the thrall of big oil and/or nations like Saudi Arabia....
Wow, Rick Perry should just give it up....
Effectiveness
Does effectiveness matter if you’re in business with dishonest people looking to ruin you? That’s my question of the day.
Miguel Cabrera
Despite the Tigers getting blown out last night, there was an amazing moment in the 8th inning when Miguel Cabrera stepped up to the plate.
It took him a few moments to get into the box, and he kind of sat there and looked around, a bit of a grim look on his face. What he was thinking, I figured out, was that it would be his last at-bat of the season, and he wanted to make it count. The visible...
NBA player taken out of context →
I love corporate media. Some NOBODY says something, not even true, and our lovely media deems it headline worthy. Saw the same quote on Yahoo. God I love our media.
Congrats "Julie K" and "James N"
I feel special since I was the very first person to see you when you were engaged tonight. Albeit accidentally, but whatever. You are a wonderful couple and I couldn’t be happier for you! Much love.
Steps for Bloomberg to end OWS
Step 1: Mayor Michael Bloomberg: “They can stay there as long as they want to. I believe in free speech.”
Step 2: Brookfield: “We need to clear out the protestors one section at a time, in order to clean.”
Step 3: Police Commissioner Ray Kelly: “Protestors that are gone in order for the city to clean are not allowed to move their sleeping bags and possessions back...
Top 10 Washington Square Park Highlights
1. Seeing thousands of people who think like I do. The combination of money from corporations directed to politicians is my big thing, but the other issues people have there are totally legitimate.
2. Having thousands of people obey specific commands. It’s unfortunate that the city doesn’t let the protesters have amplified speakers. Fuck them. We’ll just come up with our own...