Lucky Pisser
Monday, January 31, 2005 | comments (0)
Every once in a while a story like this will just warm your heart . . . or the snow outside your car.
link to this | comments (0) | File:
link to this | comments (0) | File:
Photos, photos, photos.
Saturday, January 29, 2005 | comments (2)
Thanks to Picasa, one of Google's more recent purchases, I've finally come up with a relatively painless way to post photos to my site. It took a little while to get the exported result the way I wanted it, but now that I have, it should only take me 20-30 minutes to add a new gallery. Very cool. And what's even cooler is that Picasa also provides a great way to sort through photos on my PC, which I desperately needed. And, in typical Google fashion, the software is free! (Oh, if you have a MAC, disregard everything I just said, because there is no MAC version yet. There's also no version for non-English speakers.)
Anyway, I've got three new galleries up:
A trip we took to New York with Jeff and Amy
Communist Bakesale in Baltimore
2005 Inaugural Stuff
Take a look when you have some free time.
link to this | comments (2) | File: Blog
Anyway, I've got three new galleries up:
A trip we took to New York with Jeff and Amy
Communist Bakesale in Baltimore
2005 Inaugural Stuff
Take a look when you have some free time.
link to this | comments (2) | File: Blog
Dear Washington DC Police Department and Emergency Services:
Friday, January 21, 2005 | comments (5)
I understand the use of sirens in an emergency. I can even understand (sort of) using your sirens when you're transporting our esteemed President to one of his many high-dollar, high-brow dinner events. However, there seem to have been many buses and limos over the last two days that have received a police escort through our city and I guess what I'd like to know is: Who are all these people and why do they need to be escorted with sirens at 1:00 a.m? I'm fairly certain that a busload of people, no matter who they are, could do just as well to wait at traffic lights for that taxing 2-mile trip to their hotel. But maybe I'm just being 'quaint.'
Here is the bottom line. I'll get down to brass tacks: You are disturbing the peace in my neighborhood. If I were playing loud music in the streets at 1:00 am, somebody would certainly call and complain and I would most likely be told (by you) to stop. I'm asking you as politely as I can: please stop.
And now a brief message for all you out-of-town, suburbanites honking your fucking horns outside my window, you need to learn that being in the city means that sometimes you have to sit in traffic and be close to other people. I know proximity to others probably makes you uncomfortable, but just because you feel threatened is no reason to engage in this senseless chest-puffery by making noise. I find it strange how people generally seem to understand the futility of honking when they are sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway. But for some reason when they're sitting in the same sort of traffic in the city, they feel the urge to express their discontent with a horn honk. It does no good, guys. Really. Now, I've been known to honk my horn a bit myself now and again. But there is a time and place for horn honking, and it is not when you're sitting in traffic at 1:00 am on a congested city street when there is nowhere for anybody to go. Would you like me to come to your neighborhood and honk my horn outside your house all night? Because I can have that arranged.
Sincerely,
Confused and aggravated
link to this | comments (5) | File: DC
Here is the bottom line. I'll get down to brass tacks: You are disturbing the peace in my neighborhood. If I were playing loud music in the streets at 1:00 am, somebody would certainly call and complain and I would most likely be told (by you) to stop. I'm asking you as politely as I can: please stop.
And now a brief message for all you out-of-town, suburbanites honking your fucking horns outside my window, you need to learn that being in the city means that sometimes you have to sit in traffic and be close to other people. I know proximity to others probably makes you uncomfortable, but just because you feel threatened is no reason to engage in this senseless chest-puffery by making noise. I find it strange how people generally seem to understand the futility of honking when they are sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway. But for some reason when they're sitting in the same sort of traffic in the city, they feel the urge to express their discontent with a horn honk. It does no good, guys. Really. Now, I've been known to honk my horn a bit myself now and again. But there is a time and place for horn honking, and it is not when you're sitting in traffic at 1:00 am on a congested city street when there is nowhere for anybody to go. Would you like me to come to your neighborhood and honk my horn outside your house all night? Because I can have that arranged.
Sincerely,
Confused and aggravated
link to this | comments (5) | File: DC
A Sights and Sounds of Democracy
Thursday, January 20, 2005 | comments (0)
Earlier this evening, outside our window, one could hear the menacing rumble of explosions, could make out bright flashes of lights over the rooftops of nearby buildings. All day and all evening, emergency vehicles have darted around the city, their sirens wailing and whirring frenetically. Police cars, fire trucks, ambulances. Could it be Washington DC is under attack? Could it be there is some great crisis? No these are the sites and sounds on the eve of the 55th presidential inauguration. Those explosions and bright lights? Fireworks over the Ellipse. And the sirens? Motorcades for important dignitaries, wealthy supporters of the incumbent, and yes even the president himself. Motorcades are important to have when going off to the assorted high-dollar balls, dinners, and yes, The Texas State Society 'Black Tie & Boots Ball,' which according to rumor, will feature a Lyle Lovett and . . . well, a bull, though it's not clear whether it will be a 'live' bull or of the 'mechanical' variety.
The irony, of course, is that while DC is hosting this grand, $40-million dollar series of celebrations for our president (and picking up $17.3 million tab for police, construction, and emergency services, while at the same time being inconvenienced by the congestion, traffic, and street closings) there won't be too many of it's residents actually in attendance at any of the festivities. As the District voted against Bush 9 to 1 in the November elections, it's safe to say that not too many of its residents would be invited to any party thrown by or for Bush. Even the 'public-invited' parade is going to consist primarily of out-of-town Bush supporters. The attendance of the parade will be carefully controlled at entrance points by police. And the selling of bleacher seats at $15, $60, and $125, will help to ensure a mostly-supportive audience.
There are also many 'counter-inaugural events being planned, including a Critical Mass bike ride and a Women's March and Funeral Procession. The ANSWER coalition even managed to reserve a section of bleachers for themselves at 4th and Penn. The one I find the most interesting is the 'Turn Your Back on Bush' movement. (I will probably even take part in this one myself, if I can get close enough to the parade for it to matter.) Here's another good piece on two opposing activists groups that will be at the parade.
I'll walk down to the parade route tomorrow, camera around my neck, ready to witness democracy in action. I'll be getting there probably around noon, so I'm not sure what to expect in terms of crowds, or lines. Several streets within a couple blocks of my apartment are going to be closed off to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Hopefully, I won't have any trouble getting into the 'restricted' areas.
Earlier today, I told Catherine, "You know we're probably in one of the safest locations in the world right now with all the security forces within blocks of our apartment."
"True," she said, "but we're also smack in the middle of one of the largest targets in the world."
"Ah, yes," I said. "Right."
link to this | comments (0) | File: DC
The irony, of course, is that while DC is hosting this grand, $40-million dollar series of celebrations for our president (and picking up $17.3 million tab for police, construction, and emergency services, while at the same time being inconvenienced by the congestion, traffic, and street closings) there won't be too many of it's residents actually in attendance at any of the festivities. As the District voted against Bush 9 to 1 in the November elections, it's safe to say that not too many of its residents would be invited to any party thrown by or for Bush. Even the 'public-invited' parade is going to consist primarily of out-of-town Bush supporters. The attendance of the parade will be carefully controlled at entrance points by police. And the selling of bleacher seats at $15, $60, and $125, will help to ensure a mostly-supportive audience.
There are also many 'counter-inaugural events being planned, including a Critical Mass bike ride and a Women's March and Funeral Procession. The ANSWER coalition even managed to reserve a section of bleachers for themselves at 4th and Penn. The one I find the most interesting is the 'Turn Your Back on Bush' movement. (I will probably even take part in this one myself, if I can get close enough to the parade for it to matter.) Here's another good piece on two opposing activists groups that will be at the parade.
I'll walk down to the parade route tomorrow, camera around my neck, ready to witness democracy in action. I'll be getting there probably around noon, so I'm not sure what to expect in terms of crowds, or lines. Several streets within a couple blocks of my apartment are going to be closed off to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Hopefully, I won't have any trouble getting into the 'restricted' areas.
Earlier today, I told Catherine, "You know we're probably in one of the safest locations in the world right now with all the security forces within blocks of our apartment."
"True," she said, "but we're also smack in the middle of one of the largest targets in the world."
"Ah, yes," I said. "Right."
link to this | comments (0) | File: DC
Show him your back
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 | comments (0)
There are several Counter-Inaugural events going on Thursday. I think this one shows the most promise: turnyourbackonbush.org
link to this | comments (0) | File:
link to this | comments (0) | File:
A beard for winter
Monday, January 17, 2005 | comments (3)
I'm going through a bearded faze (photo courtesy of Mat). I've been through a bearded faze before, when I was in college. Back then, something about being around academics and professors made me want to grow facial hair. But when your a college student, no matter how hard you try, a beard will always look a bit strange. A youthful face with a full-on beard just seems slightly off. I noticed this with other students my age when I was in college, but I always thought (mistakenly) that I transcended this incongruity. I always felt the beard made me look older when, in truth, I just looked like a young kid who happened to have some hair on his face. I've confirmed this by looking at my graduation pictures.
So I'm not sure if I feel good about the fact that this time around the beard seems to suit me a little better. On the one hand, it's nice to be able to grow facial hair now and again and have it look appropriate for my face. On the other hand the fact that I can pull it off much more convincingly means I'm getting older, for real. In other words, it's not the beard. I simply AM older!
Anyway, this bearded faze has mainly to do with the weather - it's a nice accessory for the cooler months. I don't plan on trimming the growth this time, either. Thanks to Jeff's redbeard look last winter, I've been inspired to see how bushy mine would get within the span of a couple of months. Should be fun.
Update 3/30/05
And here are the results -
link to this | comments (3) | File: Ho_Hum
So I'm not sure if I feel good about the fact that this time around the beard seems to suit me a little better. On the one hand, it's nice to be able to grow facial hair now and again and have it look appropriate for my face. On the other hand the fact that I can pull it off much more convincingly means I'm getting older, for real. In other words, it's not the beard. I simply AM older!
Anyway, this bearded faze has mainly to do with the weather - it's a nice accessory for the cooler months. I don't plan on trimming the growth this time, either. Thanks to Jeff's redbeard look last winter, I've been inspired to see how bushy mine would get within the span of a couple of months. Should be fun.
Update 3/30/05
And here are the results -
link to this | comments (3) | File: Ho_Hum
Novocaine soup, anyone?
Wednesday, January 05, 2005 | comments (2)
I recently went to the dentist to have my six-month checkup. I'm pretty good about dentist visits. Generally, it seems like a wise thing to do. In Dallas I had a GREAT dentist: Dr. Scott. But I hadn't been to the dentist here in DC yet, so I was a bit nervous about finding one that would be as good as Dr. Scott. I finally found one through a friend of mine at work. I like him in so much as he's a nice guy and in general does not inflict unnecessary pain, but I'm not sure I'm going to stay with him. For one thing, he made me worry about this stupid little white thing on my tongue. Had me convinced I had cancer or something. Then I go to the oral surgeon and the guy just shrugs and says he's 'not impressed.' He didn't even think it was necessary to do a biopsy. Okay, so maybe it's good that my new dentist is overly thorough and wants to get things checked out to be on the safe side, but on the other hand, shouldn't he have known it was nothing? Second, I had to get a filling done by the new dentist. Everything went very well. Quick and painless. But now the filling hurts. I bit into some moderately crunchy cereal the other night and felt a sharp nerve pain in the tooth that was recently filled. Tonight I bit into a very soft cookie and felt the same thing. So now I'm a little pissed. I had no problems before seeing this dentist and since seeing him I've developed two problems: One that turned out not to be a problem and another that shouldn't have been a problem but is turning out to be a serious problem.
So I may have to look for a new dentist, but not before I check to see if this one will fix the filling he did at no extra cost.
One thing I've noticed about having a cavity filled is how my attitude has changed over the years in regard to novocaine. When I was a kid I hated not being able to feel my mouth. It really bothered me to be numb. Now I don't mind it at all. Numb is good. If I'm numb, then there is no pain. And no pain is okay by me. It seems that most feeling involves some degree of pain these days. Even pleasure brings about pain because there is always the awareness that the pleasure will stop at some point. I like the idea of not feeling for a time. Then there's no reason to be sad, happy, angry, disappointed, or . . . anything. Of course I wouldn't want to always feel this way. Indifferent. But it's nice for a little while . . . you know . . . to have a nice litte reprieve from sensation.
link to this | comments (2) | File: Chewing Health Ho_Hum
So I may have to look for a new dentist, but not before I check to see if this one will fix the filling he did at no extra cost.
One thing I've noticed about having a cavity filled is how my attitude has changed over the years in regard to novocaine. When I was a kid I hated not being able to feel my mouth. It really bothered me to be numb. Now I don't mind it at all. Numb is good. If I'm numb, then there is no pain. And no pain is okay by me. It seems that most feeling involves some degree of pain these days. Even pleasure brings about pain because there is always the awareness that the pleasure will stop at some point. I like the idea of not feeling for a time. Then there's no reason to be sad, happy, angry, disappointed, or . . . anything. Of course I wouldn't want to always feel this way. Indifferent. But it's nice for a little while . . . you know . . . to have a nice litte reprieve from sensation.
link to this | comments (2) | File: Chewing Health Ho_Hum
New Year's Resolutions
Sunday, January 02, 2005 | comments (4)
It's that time of year again. A time of renewal, of rebirth. A time to consider where we've been and where we want to go, what we want to do, and what we came close to doing. Last year involved some pretty big changes - we moved to a new city. Catherine found a new job. We bought our first home. I started playing music again. We hung out in cool places with old friends (thanks, Jeff and Amy) and we met lots of really great new friends (thanks, Emily, Mat, Marlene and The Jones). Yes, in retrospect, 2004 was a great year. Life has been good.
But now that we're settled in DC, there are still some lingering regrets . . . some areas of my life I neglected . . . some things left undone . . . or, rather, not begun. For one thing, my postings on this blog have been far fewer and far between than I would have liked. All you have to do is check out the amount of times I posted something in December - a glaring zero - to see that I've become somewhat complacent. Aside from the blog, my off-line writing went through some prolific periods in 2004, but ended on a less than stellar note. The entire home-purchasing experience, while a necessary and positive step forward for us, really stressed me out and left me barren of any creative impulse whatsoever.
So here are a few resolutions for the new year:
1) No more cable TV. It's going away. We're calling Comcast tomorrow and canceling it. I'm tired of opening myself up to the fear and marketing machine that is TV. We pay way too much money to Comcast to allow them to slowly main-line their drug to us, a fatal cocktail of 12-minute narcotic programming followed by 3-minute, high-potency advertising. This first resolution is really key to all that follow.
2) Write more. Whether I blog more or not is irrelevent, but I do want to write more.
3) Since October, I've been terrible about working out. So I'm going to get back to it in the New Year. This one is a cliche, isn't it? I'm going to go to the gym more. But usually this one is not a problem for me. It's only been recently that it's been an issue. Now, I do have a tendancy to take working out to an unnecessary extreme, so I want to be careful not to become compulsive about it, but I do need to get back to a more regular schedule, if for no other reason than to help ease the dull pain in my back that wakes me up in the early hours of the morning.
4) Read more fiction. These days, I mostly read magazines. It's time to get back to a better regime of literature.
5) Do more with my photos. I don't have a problem taking photos, I only have a problem when it comes to doing something with them!
6) Play more music. I'm off to a good start with this one . . .
So there it is. Some resolutions for the New Year. Maybe having them in writing will help with their execution!
link to this | comments (4) | File: Chewing
But now that we're settled in DC, there are still some lingering regrets . . . some areas of my life I neglected . . . some things left undone . . . or, rather, not begun. For one thing, my postings on this blog have been far fewer and far between than I would have liked. All you have to do is check out the amount of times I posted something in December - a glaring zero - to see that I've become somewhat complacent. Aside from the blog, my off-line writing went through some prolific periods in 2004, but ended on a less than stellar note. The entire home-purchasing experience, while a necessary and positive step forward for us, really stressed me out and left me barren of any creative impulse whatsoever.
So here are a few resolutions for the new year:
1) No more cable TV. It's going away. We're calling Comcast tomorrow and canceling it. I'm tired of opening myself up to the fear and marketing machine that is TV. We pay way too much money to Comcast to allow them to slowly main-line their drug to us, a fatal cocktail of 12-minute narcotic programming followed by 3-minute, high-potency advertising. This first resolution is really key to all that follow.
2) Write more. Whether I blog more or not is irrelevent, but I do want to write more.
3) Since October, I've been terrible about working out. So I'm going to get back to it in the New Year. This one is a cliche, isn't it? I'm going to go to the gym more. But usually this one is not a problem for me. It's only been recently that it's been an issue. Now, I do have a tendancy to take working out to an unnecessary extreme, so I want to be careful not to become compulsive about it, but I do need to get back to a more regular schedule, if for no other reason than to help ease the dull pain in my back that wakes me up in the early hours of the morning.
4) Read more fiction. These days, I mostly read magazines. It's time to get back to a better regime of literature.
5) Do more with my photos. I don't have a problem taking photos, I only have a problem when it comes to doing something with them!
6) Play more music. I'm off to a good start with this one . . .
So there it is. Some resolutions for the New Year. Maybe having them in writing will help with their execution!
link to this | comments (4) | File: Chewing
