Child Wears Klan Robe (Aryan Outfitters)
Trippy! A whole different culture to growing up in Portland, Oregon.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Obama-nation or Obam-ination
It's funny when you can hear your local Mexican taxi drivers chanting, "Obama Obama!"
When I came home today I was just slightly apprehensive when I saw that McCain was leading on TV. I momentarily thought, "they're stealing it again." But then I saw that it was 7 to 3 electoral votes. Then I got online and say that Bushie henchman Karl Rove expects Obama to win by a large margin. Hey if Rove says it is then it is.
I do hope that Obama reaches out to the conservatives when he begins his presidency. Nothing pissed me off more when Bush squeaked by with a 1% margin and Cheney claimed that he had been given a "mandate." A mandate to fuck 49% of us over? In the end I think we all are surprised at how his "go it alone, free market capitalism" mentality allowed us to fuck ourselves over. Or you can blame the wealthy and the banking system.
It comes down to this, most people are idiots, most people are greedy. The government puts laws in place to protect us from ourselves. I'm doing fine, I hope you are too but there are plenty of people out there losing their jobs and if not finding it hard to make ends meet. Prevententive medical care is the first thing to go, old people spacing out their medication so they have money for their food and housing. That's really messed up. Back to work! Younger and middle-aged people with no or low paying jobs trapped where ever they are unable to seek or worse find better pay.
(Nearly) Everyone was living high on the housing hog and now the chickens have come home to roost. Trapped in a home that's lost value. And what really pisses me off is the talk that the bailed out banks are using that money for mergers and acquisitions. Greedy fucks! That's not going to get anything going. They'll ride it out and have more power while all the majority of people are strapped for credit even though they still have jobs that will provide the payments.
An acquaintance of mine is a Libertarian. When he ran for his local office ages ago, one of his things was to sell the city parks. Why? His mentality was, would you have problem going into a city park at night? Probably yes. Do you have a problem going to a amusement park like Disneyland? No. It's very black and white for him. Little or no taxes. No welfare or assistance of any sort. Back in the day he had bought two homes for $14,000 which at the time had grown to a value of $17,000 apiece. His local real estate agent called him and told him that a new Federal act allowed single mothers up to $22,000 in financing. He sold both for $22,000. Do you too see the hypocrisy? Is his taking the additional $10,000 in profit wrong? Did he take welfare?
My only statement to him is that we have to take care of the idiots. Think if Social Security had be privatized to something like a stock account and everyone had jumped on the bandwagon like they had the housing boom. No more money. A lot of people cant take care of themselves. Some people will always rent. Maybe they could afford a house but they spend their money too foolishly to make the payments. A lot of that just happened when the ARMs went up. So I figure this, let the government take care of the basics. Basic social security and basic health care that will take care of you on a basic level for your whole life. If you want more then you'll naturally be smart enough to set aside more for your future and work for a good company that gives you good to great health care so you don't have to use the basic version.
Take care of the idiots, they are the people who enable the rest of us to well off or rich. Being selfish is only going to bit you in the ass. It says so in the Bible.
And apropos (speaking of which) of social conservative thinking. No one is pro-abortion. But if someone wants to make another choice, that's their right. Let their God judge them. Not you or yours. If you don't want your kids to learn sex-ed at school. Opt out. That's your right. But don't forget to respect everyone else's.
When I came home today I was just slightly apprehensive when I saw that McCain was leading on TV. I momentarily thought, "they're stealing it again." But then I saw that it was 7 to 3 electoral votes. Then I got online and say that Bushie henchman Karl Rove expects Obama to win by a large margin. Hey if Rove says it is then it is.
I do hope that Obama reaches out to the conservatives when he begins his presidency. Nothing pissed me off more when Bush squeaked by with a 1% margin and Cheney claimed that he had been given a "mandate." A mandate to fuck 49% of us over? In the end I think we all are surprised at how his "go it alone, free market capitalism" mentality allowed us to fuck ourselves over. Or you can blame the wealthy and the banking system.
It comes down to this, most people are idiots, most people are greedy. The government puts laws in place to protect us from ourselves. I'm doing fine, I hope you are too but there are plenty of people out there losing their jobs and if not finding it hard to make ends meet. Prevententive medical care is the first thing to go, old people spacing out their medication so they have money for their food and housing. That's really messed up. Back to work! Younger and middle-aged people with no or low paying jobs trapped where ever they are unable to seek or worse find better pay.
(Nearly) Everyone was living high on the housing hog and now the chickens have come home to roost. Trapped in a home that's lost value. And what really pisses me off is the talk that the bailed out banks are using that money for mergers and acquisitions. Greedy fucks! That's not going to get anything going. They'll ride it out and have more power while all the majority of people are strapped for credit even though they still have jobs that will provide the payments.
An acquaintance of mine is a Libertarian. When he ran for his local office ages ago, one of his things was to sell the city parks. Why? His mentality was, would you have problem going into a city park at night? Probably yes. Do you have a problem going to a amusement park like Disneyland? No. It's very black and white for him. Little or no taxes. No welfare or assistance of any sort. Back in the day he had bought two homes for $14,000 which at the time had grown to a value of $17,000 apiece. His local real estate agent called him and told him that a new Federal act allowed single mothers up to $22,000 in financing. He sold both for $22,000. Do you too see the hypocrisy? Is his taking the additional $10,000 in profit wrong? Did he take welfare?
My only statement to him is that we have to take care of the idiots. Think if Social Security had be privatized to something like a stock account and everyone had jumped on the bandwagon like they had the housing boom. No more money. A lot of people cant take care of themselves. Some people will always rent. Maybe they could afford a house but they spend their money too foolishly to make the payments. A lot of that just happened when the ARMs went up. So I figure this, let the government take care of the basics. Basic social security and basic health care that will take care of you on a basic level for your whole life. If you want more then you'll naturally be smart enough to set aside more for your future and work for a good company that gives you good to great health care so you don't have to use the basic version.
Take care of the idiots, they are the people who enable the rest of us to well off or rich. Being selfish is only going to bit you in the ass. It says so in the Bible.
And apropos (speaking of which) of social conservative thinking. No one is pro-abortion. But if someone wants to make another choice, that's their right. Let their God judge them. Not you or yours. If you don't want your kids to learn sex-ed at school. Opt out. That's your right. But don't forget to respect everyone else's.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Schadenfreude- My favorite German word!
Schadenfreude- "joy at the expense of others." Or so that's how I understand it. It's a great word and in my opinion typically a great feeling. Let me warm you up before I give you an extreme example.
Everyone watches America's Funniest Home Videos or something of the like. What are they all about? People getting hurt for the most part and the audience laughing about it.
Notice how it's titled "Funny Accident Compilation." But they are...
Funny how you just can't stop watching can you?
So in my expertly twisted mind I found this article about a 12 year old boy's trick or treat killing funny. Macabre? Yes but read the article. A 22 year old guy thinks someone is trying break in to his house and unleashes 29 shots from an AK-47 through the front door. Obviously a dude with problems but the humor for me is that the greedy little boy took the majority of the bullets because the he "was determined to get candy first, so he was in front when the shots were fired." Also the slain boy's mother reminisced that he "liked to bake cakes, in part because he relished licking the batter." I see it as one of God's strange punishments for our greediness.
Pretty sick huh? Sorry. It happened in South Carolina. The dad wants the bullet happy dude to suffer life in jail. I'm sure the dude was on drugs or all paranoid. I mean you have to have some insecurities if you have a machine gun. The kid probably pounded on the door all excited for candy. We know what happened next. I wonder if the dad supported hard core gun rights? I wonder if he changed his mind? So a somber introspective mood approaches. Do you think the guy should get life? His first words when he opened the door were, "Oh no!" I think an incident like that screws you up for life but might open your eyes with some additional therapy.
"Turn the other cheek," as the famous dude says.
Go ahead and comment on any moments of personal observations of Schadenfreude to lighten the mood please. I'm going to watch kats do silly things.
Everyone watches America's Funniest Home Videos or something of the like. What are they all about? People getting hurt for the most part and the audience laughing about it.
Notice how it's titled "Funny Accident Compilation." But they are...
Funny how you just can't stop watching can you?
So in my expertly twisted mind I found this article about a 12 year old boy's trick or treat killing funny. Macabre? Yes but read the article. A 22 year old guy thinks someone is trying break in to his house and unleashes 29 shots from an AK-47 through the front door. Obviously a dude with problems but the humor for me is that the greedy little boy took the majority of the bullets because the he "was determined to get candy first, so he was in front when the shots were fired." Also the slain boy's mother reminisced that he "liked to bake cakes, in part because he relished licking the batter." I see it as one of God's strange punishments for our greediness.
Pretty sick huh? Sorry. It happened in South Carolina. The dad wants the bullet happy dude to suffer life in jail. I'm sure the dude was on drugs or all paranoid. I mean you have to have some insecurities if you have a machine gun. The kid probably pounded on the door all excited for candy. We know what happened next. I wonder if the dad supported hard core gun rights? I wonder if he changed his mind? So a somber introspective mood approaches. Do you think the guy should get life? His first words when he opened the door were, "Oh no!" I think an incident like that screws you up for life but might open your eyes with some additional therapy.
"Turn the other cheek," as the famous dude says.
Go ahead and comment on any moments of personal observations of Schadenfreude to lighten the mood please. I'm going to watch kats do silly things.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Melancholy- How points is that in Scrabble?
My lord it's been a while. Almost a month. I've been busy trying to invest and then divest myself of my girlfriend. I've been dating a gorgeous smart Mexican gal (also the mother of two gorgeous and smart daughters) for the past 15 months. I'm hoping it's coming to an end. You know when you love someone so much but things aren't working out no matter what you do? I suspect that's the problem. You're trying to do something. Fix them, help them, heal them. But you come to the reality that it's their problem(it's actually never just one problem is it?) that they have to fix. There are so many wise sayings that flow across our lips everyday yet we almost never associate them with ourselves unless it's to prove a point to someone else but never to ourselves. And then in retrospect they all make perfect sense. Of course none come to mind at the moment but one, "Happy wife, Happy life."
So I Googled a few:
"If you love me, let me know. If not, please gently let me go."
"I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you."
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." (I've been accused of judging. It hurts to think I could be at fault.
"Women wish to be loved not because they are pretty, or good, or well bred, or graceful, or intelligent, but because they are themselves." (Oh, that's a good one. One I've heard lately! But if you're an alcoholic self-centered brat... you might want to compromise!)
"If you love someone you would be willing to give up everything for them, but if they loved you back they'd never ask you to."
"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."
And enough! Let's get one last quote from Herman Hesse (I'm partial to Germans):
"If I know what love is, it is because of you."
So where does this leaves us? It leaves me alone for now. I welcome the peace of mind but my mind in solitude. It's terrible what your mind comes up with when you are by yourself. Like a ship on the high seas it swings from contented bliss from one moment to the next of melancholy and sadness. The fear of loss. Was it worth it? Is it worth it?
Not too long ago I met a great gal, young, only 20 but she was convinced she was in love with me. And ready to move from the States where she had no family and no obligations outside of school. I was quite smitten with her as well but my "maturity" stopped me. I felt, and told her that if she didn't finish her degree that she would resent me one day. Was I right? I don't know. The Mexican, she was married 10 years. She left her husband because he didn't want her to go back to college among other things. He wanted a beautiful trophy wife and mother to their daughters. But I think she resented his control with time. And so it was. And so we became. But even though I have no doubt we are perfect soulmates (most of the time), I feel, and she alluded to the fact that she'd never had time to come to terms with herself. Or maybe rather, be herself. I will admit that my fault was/is the expectation and pressure that if you have the responsibility of two young daughters and you unexpectedly find yourself in love with another that you (actually she) will surpress and resolve those urges and be with that person you love. And I think that's where she was torn. And it created issues. I applied pressure and she would seek relief. That's my flaw. Too much pressure.
I know everything. And I'll tell you what you should be doing. I can only thank my mother in part for that philosophy. If you love someone you let them figure it out on their own. It just kills me when you see it coming and you tell them, "I told you so." While that is so gratifying, it must be the most irratating thing you can say to someone. Are you like me? Do you do that too?
My fear now, or rather not my fear but the feeling of exasperation knowing that if all goes according to plan, I have to meet another person. And the whole finding another person I connect to is a bitch. Not that I won't, I know I will but there is the downtime, the rebound or two (or more), and then the connection to someone I think I can love and be with. My actual fear is my track record. I chose these somewhat independent self centered women. I'm an enabler. I'm a hopeless romantic. Blame my mother. And ironically she blames me or rather warns me each time.
In the end I broke it off because, for the person I love, I will sacrifice everything for their happiness but I didn't feel the person I loved would come close to doing the same for me.
"The hottest love has the coldest end." Socrates
So I Googled a few:
"If you love me, let me know. If not, please gently let me go."
"I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you."
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." (I've been accused of judging. It hurts to think I could be at fault.
"Women wish to be loved not because they are pretty, or good, or well bred, or graceful, or intelligent, but because they are themselves." (Oh, that's a good one. One I've heard lately! But if you're an alcoholic self-centered brat... you might want to compromise!)
"If you love someone you would be willing to give up everything for them, but if they loved you back they'd never ask you to."
"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love."
And enough! Let's get one last quote from Herman Hesse (I'm partial to Germans):
"If I know what love is, it is because of you."
So where does this leaves us? It leaves me alone for now. I welcome the peace of mind but my mind in solitude. It's terrible what your mind comes up with when you are by yourself. Like a ship on the high seas it swings from contented bliss from one moment to the next of melancholy and sadness. The fear of loss. Was it worth it? Is it worth it?
Not too long ago I met a great gal, young, only 20 but she was convinced she was in love with me. And ready to move from the States where she had no family and no obligations outside of school. I was quite smitten with her as well but my "maturity" stopped me. I felt, and told her that if she didn't finish her degree that she would resent me one day. Was I right? I don't know. The Mexican, she was married 10 years. She left her husband because he didn't want her to go back to college among other things. He wanted a beautiful trophy wife and mother to their daughters. But I think she resented his control with time. And so it was. And so we became. But even though I have no doubt we are perfect soulmates (most of the time), I feel, and she alluded to the fact that she'd never had time to come to terms with herself. Or maybe rather, be herself. I will admit that my fault was/is the expectation and pressure that if you have the responsibility of two young daughters and you unexpectedly find yourself in love with another that you (actually she) will surpress and resolve those urges and be with that person you love. And I think that's where she was torn. And it created issues. I applied pressure and she would seek relief. That's my flaw. Too much pressure.
I know everything. And I'll tell you what you should be doing. I can only thank my mother in part for that philosophy. If you love someone you let them figure it out on their own. It just kills me when you see it coming and you tell them, "I told you so." While that is so gratifying, it must be the most irratating thing you can say to someone. Are you like me? Do you do that too?
My fear now, or rather not my fear but the feeling of exasperation knowing that if all goes according to plan, I have to meet another person. And the whole finding another person I connect to is a bitch. Not that I won't, I know I will but there is the downtime, the rebound or two (or more), and then the connection to someone I think I can love and be with. My actual fear is my track record. I chose these somewhat independent self centered women. I'm an enabler. I'm a hopeless romantic. Blame my mother. And ironically she blames me or rather warns me each time.
In the end I broke it off because, for the person I love, I will sacrifice everything for their happiness but I didn't feel the person I loved would come close to doing the same for me.
"The hottest love has the coldest end." Socrates
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Back and refreshed!
There's just too much good stuff going on. The Sarah Palin Interviews. Cougar Parties.
I went back home to the states for a week. Ah, people are so polite and organized there. I had to restrain myself from driving like a Mexican (cutting people off, passing on either side...) and ironically enough went to a great wedding where the food was of course, Mexican. The weather was overcast and cool and I had to do automotive work for the family (the cost of "free room and board). I'm happy to be back but miss the delicious microbrews.
So the girlfriend and I are in negotiations, I hope that works out. She's definitely my soulmate but she's got some baggage. Is it worth it? I'm tried of putting out all the effort to see her over-react to a situation and leave. So anyways I had some free time today and checked out the news, oh and I watched the debate last night. I like both candidates but McCain disappoints me with all his lies and bullshit scare/propaganda tactics. He said Obama "doesn't get it" seven times. Which was later revealed to be part of his coaching for the debate. He "doesn't get it." reling on shit talking rather then actually addressing the issues makes me think of him as more of a Republican yahoo then a "Maverick." I've also been checking out Sarah Palin's interviews. Oh my God. First I watched all the clips for her "best" moments and realized why so many people are terrifed (the spell check just went out, beware!) of her ignorant ass. And then I started checking youtube for more videos of her interviews. I tried to watch her first interview but after my initial terror she put me to sleep. Hey, that's a sign of a true politician.
First McCain distancing himself from the W.
A little more of Bush and McCain...
And back to Plainin... It's Pa[l]inful but try to get through it.
This one of her and Katie Couric is just too much. Just remember, the average American male dies at the age of 75 (click on results, page 4). McCain's 72 put the odds are up just a little bit regarding his cancer among other things. They say he's slated to buy the farm in 2-3 years. And this would be our President. And this is the woman he chose as his backup. Already demonstrating great presidential judgement.
Ok yeah, I got to take a break.
I went back home to the states for a week. Ah, people are so polite and organized there. I had to restrain myself from driving like a Mexican (cutting people off, passing on either side...) and ironically enough went to a great wedding where the food was of course, Mexican. The weather was overcast and cool and I had to do automotive work for the family (the cost of "free room and board). I'm happy to be back but miss the delicious microbrews.
So the girlfriend and I are in negotiations, I hope that works out. She's definitely my soulmate but she's got some baggage. Is it worth it? I'm tried of putting out all the effort to see her over-react to a situation and leave. So anyways I had some free time today and checked out the news, oh and I watched the debate last night. I like both candidates but McCain disappoints me with all his lies and bullshit scare/propaganda tactics. He said Obama "doesn't get it" seven times. Which was later revealed to be part of his coaching for the debate. He "doesn't get it." reling on shit talking rather then actually addressing the issues makes me think of him as more of a Republican yahoo then a "Maverick." I've also been checking out Sarah Palin's interviews. Oh my God. First I watched all the clips for her "best" moments and realized why so many people are terrifed (the spell check just went out, beware!) of her ignorant ass. And then I started checking youtube for more videos of her interviews. I tried to watch her first interview but after my initial terror she put me to sleep. Hey, that's a sign of a true politician.
First McCain distancing himself from the W.
A little more of Bush and McCain...
And back to Plainin... It's Pa[l]inful but try to get through it.
This one of her and Katie Couric is just too much. Just remember, the average American male dies at the age of 75 (click on results, page 4). McCain's 72 put the odds are up just a little bit regarding his cancer among other things. They say he's slated to buy the farm in 2-3 years. And this would be our President. And this is the woman he chose as his backup. Already demonstrating great presidential judgement.
Ok yeah, I got to take a break.
Monday, September 8, 2008
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