Just for fun, here's the 2004 presidential election by county.
9.10.2008
Pop vs. Soda - The Battle for your Diabetes
Question: What is the source of our regional identity? Chicken or the Egg?
Just for fun, here's the 2004 presidential election by county.
Just for fun, here's the 2004 presidential election by county.
8.12.2008
8.11.2008
Real (and awesome) Professional Baseball team names
All from the 19th Century American Association (precursor to the National League).
Boston Beaneaters
Brooklyn Grooms
Brooklyn Bridegrooms
Boston Doves
Brooklyn Superbas
New York Highlanders
Cleveland Naps
Brooklyn Tip-Tops
Boston Beaneaters
Brooklyn Grooms
Brooklyn Bridegrooms
Boston Doves
Brooklyn Superbas
New York Highlanders
Cleveland Naps
Brooklyn Tip-Tops
George Orwell has a blog!
Well, to be clear: his diaries are being published in real time - blog style. It's comforting to know that blogs in 1938 were every bit as masturbatory are as ones 70 years later. I can't wait until the delicate and timeless symbiosis between George's self-loathing and inflated sense of purpose propel him to 'challenge' social/personal mores while pimping his Fringe show.
7.03.2008
7.01.2008
6.30.2008
Does anybody have a breath mint?
Congratulations! A single additional Monday has been allotted to your life - what will you choose to do with it? Currently, I am quietly recouping lost energy at a desk covered in familiar. In the distance I can start to see the day when the mundane of The Job will overtake the comfort of it, but as of today, The Job still suits me pleasantly.
This weekend:
• Took Chuckles to see Iron Man, again. Adequately entertained, again. This was followed by a 3 hours conversation about nothing and everything with Chuckles and my roommates – I love my home.
• Shot some ‘Drinking with Ian’ stuff for Brian. Met some very funny people. Memorable quote:
A: “I’m exhausted from all this simulated humping.”
B: “Yeah, you might want to think about simulating getting tested.”
• Indian wedding! Congrats to Paul and Avni. Avni was one of the prettiest brides I’ve ever seen – Formal Sari FTW! Alisha, as a bridesmaid, looked lovely as well. It made me wonder: are there some brides that intentionally dress their bridesmaids in the ugliest dresses possible in order to ensure that they are the prettiest girls at the party? If so – awesome. I think this should transfer regular (read: non-life ending) parties. If you throw a party, you should be able to mandate that your gender/sexual equal must dress in the least attractive attire possible – perhaps a garbage bag, a urine-soaked poncho, or something Old Navy. Anywho, the after an hour long conversation about religion with strangers at dinner, there was dancing and frivolity. Good stuff.
• Sunday = Chipotle lunch with Marie, several healthy hours of bike riding, handiwork installing new lighting in the kitchen, and evening of writing. Way to go Sunday.
This weekend:
• Took Chuckles to see Iron Man, again. Adequately entertained, again. This was followed by a 3 hours conversation about nothing and everything with Chuckles and my roommates – I love my home.
• Shot some ‘Drinking with Ian’ stuff for Brian. Met some very funny people. Memorable quote:
A: “I’m exhausted from all this simulated humping.”
B: “Yeah, you might want to think about simulating getting tested.”
• Indian wedding! Congrats to Paul and Avni. Avni was one of the prettiest brides I’ve ever seen – Formal Sari FTW! Alisha, as a bridesmaid, looked lovely as well. It made me wonder: are there some brides that intentionally dress their bridesmaids in the ugliest dresses possible in order to ensure that they are the prettiest girls at the party? If so – awesome. I think this should transfer regular (read: non-life ending) parties. If you throw a party, you should be able to mandate that your gender/sexual equal must dress in the least attractive attire possible – perhaps a garbage bag, a urine-soaked poncho, or something Old Navy. Anywho, the after an hour long conversation about religion with strangers at dinner, there was dancing and frivolity. Good stuff.
• Sunday = Chipotle lunch with Marie, several healthy hours of bike riding, handiwork installing new lighting in the kitchen, and evening of writing. Way to go Sunday.
6.26.2008
Bravery
I am blessed. By just about every metric, I live a charmed life. The occasional turn of fate that doesn't go my way is far overshadowed by the towering good that I am privy to.
But... in the world around me - shit happens. There is the shit that happens to people and places far away - removed from my ethnocentric circle of influence. This shit gets called earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and genocide. All of it devastating yet frighteningly easy to distract myself from. With these happenings, as with the rare troubles I face, it takes little effort to give control/credit over to the powers that be, often a higher power or the unseen hand. Calmly, detached - 'shit happens.'
Then there is the shit that hits the ground walked on by people I know. Watching the people I love battling inconceivable pain, I always end up filled with rage; rage at God, rage at fate, rage at the world that incubates ignorance and evil. Anger is not a trait I experience often enough to know what to do with or not be terrified by it's consummation.
Why does my brain allow the pain of one to completely swallow the pain of thousands? I know it's typical, but it feels wrong. This is a part human nature I will always be frustrated by.
Still, hope subsists. From the mouth and heart of someone far braver that I - said while living through the worst moment of his life;
But... in the world around me - shit happens. There is the shit that happens to people and places far away - removed from my ethnocentric circle of influence. This shit gets called earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and genocide. All of it devastating yet frighteningly easy to distract myself from. With these happenings, as with the rare troubles I face, it takes little effort to give control/credit over to the powers that be, often a higher power or the unseen hand. Calmly, detached - 'shit happens.'
Then there is the shit that hits the ground walked on by people I know. Watching the people I love battling inconceivable pain, I always end up filled with rage; rage at God, rage at fate, rage at the world that incubates ignorance and evil. Anger is not a trait I experience often enough to know what to do with or not be terrified by it's consummation.
Why does my brain allow the pain of one to completely swallow the pain of thousands? I know it's typical, but it feels wrong. This is a part human nature I will always be frustrated by.
Still, hope subsists. From the mouth and heart of someone far braver that I - said while living through the worst moment of his life;
"Live with peace in your heart, and seek out those with peace in theirs."
6.24.2008
The Omega Male Commeth
In nature and faith, the exploits of the Alpha Male are well documented and rarely contested. The world has come to accept its collar-flippin', lady-bonin', Nickleback-rockin' progeny with the quiet dignity a mother has for her slow but charming son. The hyperbolic would say that the Alpha Male is so well accepted in the social zeitgeist that this sticky-haired feller now stands next to some of our most rigid mores, like no white after Labor Day – and – he/she that smelt it, ergo, dealt it.
This presents us with a hole to fill. (It’s important to note: that is indeed what “She” did say). As with all problems, Physics is here to help. Newton’s Third Law of Motion speaks to the direct inverse relationship between action/reaction. Kenneth Cole’s Reaction™ is youthful and fun-loving line of shoes and mid-range apparel. The truly lovely derivation of this bedrock of rationalism, and indeed all Physics, is that it always manages to illuminate and humiliate at the same time. Enumerated:
Gravity = Paramount
Falling on Your Face = Gravity’s Skanky Paramour.
I have just now decided to term this relationship the Double Inverse Polarity Paradigm of Humiliation - for that title clearly sounds badass. Look for it in next months JAMA! But I digress.
The very existence (action) of the Alpha Male requires the retroaction (reaction) of its antithesis. The positron to his electron, the Dave Coulier to his John Stamos. Thus, we must presume the latent coexistence of the Omega Man. In accordance with the laws of nature; The Omega Man must balance the force of the Alpha Man, which, heretofore, makes the Omega Man a little like Luke Skywalker - also badass.
Through means of simple extrapolation the Omega Man already begins assume form. From the ether we start to see the brute outline of the chthonian hero forgotten by time's more beautiful children. In the reflection of the Alpha's physical superiority we can see the Omega's relative dirth of dexterity, agility, stamina and strength. Truth be told: the Omega is only metaphorically familiar with these terms as a lexicon for the Dungeons and Dragon's Complete Rule Set (4th Edition). Where the Alpha might leisure in 'sport' - the Omega might take pleasure in reading McSweeny's and collecting ironic tee-shirts. Alpha is to likes big boobs - as Omega is to likes big boobs under ironic tee-shirts. Alpha: Dave Mathew's Band, Omega:: bands that don't suck. The beat goes on...
Which brings us to the crux; the Back to the Future 3 of this assertion. Just as the Alpha profits from his considerable (if counterfeit) confidence, and the resulting leadership grab - so too does the Omega benefit from his apparent (if artificial) apprehension in social situations. Chicken and the egg be damned - the Omega now lives in a world that is entirely not without reward for him. Insecurity is a tool often helpful to the Omega but has become MOST beneficial in 'The Game.' 'The Game' - also known as 'the F%$king Game' - has many rules and infinite players. Essentially, 'The Game' consists of finding, copulating-with and keeping lady-humans. In the past the Omega would have been far outclassed in 'The Game' by the Alpha, but something has changed - and it's only been recently. The Omega is becoming increasingly more apt in playing outside the rules, especially in contrast to the Alpha. This, coupled with a radical shift in women's desired traits in men, the final shape of the new Omega males becomes finally visible - the new Hero.
Next to talk about:
The Omicron Male
The Omega Female
The evolving role of procreation/breeding in 'the game'
Your penis; your frenemy?
This presents us with a hole to fill. (It’s important to note: that is indeed what “She” did say). As with all problems, Physics is here to help. Newton’s Third Law of Motion speaks to the direct inverse relationship between action/reaction. Kenneth Cole’s Reaction™ is youthful and fun-loving line of shoes and mid-range apparel. The truly lovely derivation of this bedrock of rationalism, and indeed all Physics, is that it always manages to illuminate and humiliate at the same time. Enumerated:
Gravity = Paramount
Falling on Your Face = Gravity’s Skanky Paramour.
I have just now decided to term this relationship the Double Inverse Polarity Paradigm of Humiliation - for that title clearly sounds badass. Look for it in next months JAMA! But I digress.
The very existence (action) of the Alpha Male requires the retroaction (reaction) of its antithesis. The positron to his electron, the Dave Coulier to his John Stamos. Thus, we must presume the latent coexistence of the Omega Man. In accordance with the laws of nature; The Omega Man must balance the force of the Alpha Man, which, heretofore, makes the Omega Man a little like Luke Skywalker - also badass.
Through means of simple extrapolation the Omega Man already begins assume form. From the ether we start to see the brute outline of the chthonian hero forgotten by time's more beautiful children. In the reflection of the Alpha's physical superiority we can see the Omega's relative dirth of dexterity, agility, stamina and strength. Truth be told: the Omega is only metaphorically familiar with these terms as a lexicon for the Dungeons and Dragon's Complete Rule Set (4th Edition). Where the Alpha might leisure in 'sport' - the Omega might take pleasure in reading McSweeny's and collecting ironic tee-shirts. Alpha is to likes big boobs - as Omega is to likes big boobs under ironic tee-shirts. Alpha: Dave Mathew's Band, Omega:: bands that don't suck. The beat goes on...
Which brings us to the crux; the Back to the Future 3 of this assertion. Just as the Alpha profits from his considerable (if counterfeit) confidence, and the resulting leadership grab - so too does the Omega benefit from his apparent (if artificial) apprehension in social situations. Chicken and the egg be damned - the Omega now lives in a world that is entirely not without reward for him. Insecurity is a tool often helpful to the Omega but has become MOST beneficial in 'The Game.' 'The Game' - also known as 'the F%$king Game' - has many rules and infinite players. Essentially, 'The Game' consists of finding, copulating-with and keeping lady-humans. In the past the Omega would have been far outclassed in 'The Game' by the Alpha, but something has changed - and it's only been recently. The Omega is becoming increasingly more apt in playing outside the rules, especially in contrast to the Alpha. This, coupled with a radical shift in women's desired traits in men, the final shape of the new Omega males becomes finally visible - the new Hero.
Next to talk about:
The Omicron Male
The Omega Female
The evolving role of procreation/breeding in 'the game'
Your penis; your frenemy?
5.20.2008
This Technology Will Blow Your Mind..
These genius' never cease to amaze me.. This technology will soon be at our fingertips..
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
5.13.2008
A Return to Innocence
Tired.
· Yesterday: I met with the group that is working to start a big old national tournament in MN. The initial plans are really exciting, but there is so much to do and many complications that are going to make this a pain in the sassafras. I find myself wondering if I really have the gumption to take something like this on and try to lead the group. All Though… the certain huge multi-national corporation that seems frightening willing to bank-roll this throw-down makes the prospect a smidge more palatable.
· Saturday: Saw some dance – I like the dance. Every time I watch the dance I find myself wishing to have more interesting thoughts. It seems there is little grey area in the objectivity of dance. All of it either seems to fall on the far James Joyce/Constructionist side of things or on the far Ron Howard “who needs subtlety” angle. But as an audience member, I found myself wondering if the moment I figure out what the creator was going for is the moment the creation become pedestrian? I simply enjoy dance, and most art I ‘spose, when I my head isn’t big enough to contain it. Maybe I need to start appreciating little ideas more. Concept that fit in the palm of my hand. I also ran into 3 past “girlfriends” (your term, not mine). This unforeseen meeting of twains left me feeling rather skanky and regretting some actions. Btw, Ben and Laura are about as cute as a stupid couple can be. It’s really nice to watch two people being good to each other and not self-mutilating their souls in the process.
· Friday: Bike got stolen, suck it karma. Jenny took me to a bonfire and fooled me into liking people one more gullible time.
This week: Need to study up on the Grand Canyon. Leave in 13 days!
· Yesterday: I met with the group that is working to start a big old national tournament in MN. The initial plans are really exciting, but there is so much to do and many complications that are going to make this a pain in the sassafras. I find myself wondering if I really have the gumption to take something like this on and try to lead the group. All Though… the certain huge multi-national corporation that seems frightening willing to bank-roll this throw-down makes the prospect a smidge more palatable.
· Saturday: Saw some dance – I like the dance. Every time I watch the dance I find myself wishing to have more interesting thoughts. It seems there is little grey area in the objectivity of dance. All of it either seems to fall on the far James Joyce/Constructionist side of things or on the far Ron Howard “who needs subtlety” angle. But as an audience member, I found myself wondering if the moment I figure out what the creator was going for is the moment the creation become pedestrian? I simply enjoy dance, and most art I ‘spose, when I my head isn’t big enough to contain it. Maybe I need to start appreciating little ideas more. Concept that fit in the palm of my hand. I also ran into 3 past “girlfriends” (your term, not mine). This unforeseen meeting of twains left me feeling rather skanky and regretting some actions. Btw, Ben and Laura are about as cute as a stupid couple can be. It’s really nice to watch two people being good to each other and not self-mutilating their souls in the process.
· Friday: Bike got stolen, suck it karma. Jenny took me to a bonfire and fooled me into liking people one more gullible time.
This week: Need to study up on the Grand Canyon. Leave in 13 days!
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