So I just returned from the Third Circle of Hell in which I was raised...
'Twas interesting. I got to spend some time with the two guys I used to always get into shenanigans with the last year I lived there before I met Rachel. It was very eye-opening to see how our paths have diverged. Don't get me wrong...they are true friends and have always been there when I needed them but I've just grown up I guess. They are both working dead end jobs while I am ever rising in a major company and am going to start shopping for a house next year (which trust me, takes a hell of a lot more in the Valley than it does back there) as well as having started many significant side projects (the jazz band I play in, the production company &c)...
It was also nice seeing Sirch and the old group from the Game Store. Although it was amusing how little I've kept in touch. Half the people there were at the party I had met Rachel at and some of them thought we were still together. I got a good laugh out of that. It was almost as funny as Kathryn's voice mail asking us to go see Petersen speak at a rally last year (which was also amusing since I was an active volunteer for his campaign at the time calling people to come to the same rally).
All in all it really was a trip of self-reflection. Since I've left there I've gone from sodomizing dress codes to always being named "best dressed" at work. I have completely freed myself from all connections with organized religion. The other amusing thing is just how many of my old compatriots have either gotten married (pitiful archaic custom) or have had kids (with most of those I know not exactly intentional...still successful on avoiding that issue...hanger jokes aside). I've gotten several articles published in journals and am working on getting one I co-wrote with my father (on the practical possibilities of microbial life on Eurpoa) published.
Some things were hard going back. Seeing that mom still holds to her delusions of faith, seeing the state of most of my friends, seeing the grip that peasant superstitions still hold on that town (couldn't even order a Martini when Stripey and I got some grub...wtf). I guess the truth is that I just outgrew that town and probably had done so when I was back in High School. I need a big city where I can catch anything from an Opera to some damn good jazz. (On that note...gotta love the rhythm room....seeing Buckwheat Zydeco there only falls second to when we all went to see The Who earlier this year).
When I got back to Phoenix Katie was asking me all sorts of questions. She raised the issue of if we (Rachel and I) had not moved out here when we did, would I be the same as my friends. I can honestly say no. Anyone that knows me knows that I have such a drive for my key passions (education, music, writing, and film) that I had not choice to leave such a po-dunk town and would have left no matter what. With my next vacation in the spring I was thinking about going back but think I'll take the time and either go sailing with the girls or head down to the Coronado mountains again. Although of course, next fall will be my free trip to Waikiki (Nice perk of business travel -- I get to keep all of my frequent flyer miles and hotel points for personal use) I already have 1.5 round trips with SWA and have 4 free nights of Marriot points for the Waikiki beach and 3 with Hilton but by the time I take the trip I'll will have spent so much damn time in Warner Center (in Woodland Hills) that I will have a full weak at the Marriot on the beach that it will suffice to just stay there...plus anyone that knows me knows why I am now officially creeped out by Hilton Hotels...Gold level VIP or not...
Well Alas, must finish some chores and do an EKR before the day is out. I've got to leave time to get music ready for our annual new years bash of insanity.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Anti-Semitism
Ok, given that "Jew" is part of my user name I'm sure it was just a matter of time until I made a post on this issue.
I was recalling an even earlier today that had really caught me off guard...some nekulturmey shicksa called me a kike. Needless to day I did not reply kindly and i debased her and her family in French, German, Russian, Yiddish and even a little farsi I've been looking into thanks to Yalda.
When I told Katie (my sister) about it she reminded me of a fight with Rachel. She had gotten all ubersensitive since I had called some woman who cut me off a "feebleminded cunt."
and the shoeless wonder compared it to people calling me a Kike. I remember being torn between shock and laughter at that idea (if you knew my past you'd understand my reaction). Katie's reaction to hearing that was first surpise that I didn't slap the shit out of Rachel for such a comment (my family takes this shit serious) and I found myself talking her out of going after Rachel....should have let her lol.
Travel is wearing more and more but I guess this is what happens when you get to my level of a major company...my services and skills are in rather high demand. The plus side is that after a few more trips I think I'll cash in all of my Rapid Rewards, Marriott Rewards, and Hilton Honors points for a free trip to Hawaii....anyone care to join :)
I was recalling an even earlier today that had really caught me off guard...some nekulturmey shicksa called me a kike. Needless to day I did not reply kindly and i debased her and her family in French, German, Russian, Yiddish and even a little farsi I've been looking into thanks to Yalda.
When I told Katie (my sister) about it she reminded me of a fight with Rachel. She had gotten all ubersensitive since I had called some woman who cut me off a "feebleminded cunt."
and the shoeless wonder compared it to people calling me a Kike. I remember being torn between shock and laughter at that idea (if you knew my past you'd understand my reaction). Katie's reaction to hearing that was first surpise that I didn't slap the shit out of Rachel for such a comment (my family takes this shit serious) and I found myself talking her out of going after Rachel....should have let her lol.
Travel is wearing more and more but I guess this is what happens when you get to my level of a major company...my services and skills are in rather high demand. The plus side is that after a few more trips I think I'll cash in all of my Rapid Rewards, Marriott Rewards, and Hilton Honors points for a free trip to Hawaii....anyone care to join :)
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Strength Is Not Measured by That Which You Would Kill For
Often throughout my life I've heard people say what they would kill for. I'm not talking about "God, I'd kill for a cold beer." but of ideas, or country.
While watching Ken Burns' latest documentary series one veteran commented that "It is hard to give up someone else's life." My grandfather always told me that what one would die for always says more about a man that what he would kill for.
Once I grew up I started to realize what that really meant. Killing, fundamentally, is easy. The act of taking a life is simple and for many people the repurcussions (guilt, incarcerations, various mental issues) may not even come to years later. Additionally, as compared to dying, killing can be done repeatedly.
Death, being a permanent condition is rather harder to accept. I rarely ever hear anyone speak seriously of what they'd die for.
I think that such casual statements of what one would kill for are also part of the overal degredation of the english language we have constantly been enduring but that is a rant for a different day.
While watching Ken Burns' latest documentary series one veteran commented that "It is hard to give up someone else's life." My grandfather always told me that what one would die for always says more about a man that what he would kill for.
Once I grew up I started to realize what that really meant. Killing, fundamentally, is easy. The act of taking a life is simple and for many people the repurcussions (guilt, incarcerations, various mental issues) may not even come to years later. Additionally, as compared to dying, killing can be done repeatedly.
Death, being a permanent condition is rather harder to accept. I rarely ever hear anyone speak seriously of what they'd die for.
I think that such casual statements of what one would kill for are also part of the overal degredation of the english language we have constantly been enduring but that is a rant for a different day.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Business Travel
My big project at work these past few weeks has been getting Live Meeting up and running.
Even though this is standard software for my company this is actually proving to be a nightmare. It turns out the main office (located in LA) is still running win2k, does not have the citrix client on their machines (needed for how we access...long story) and so it will be a few weeks until I can do all of my remote training through that.
Normally I wouldn't care, except that as usual I got my last minute training request. I have to train 20 people next week and it took every ounce of reason to push this off until Thursday and Friday. I am however, getting sick of business travel. Sure I've got lots of frequent flyer miles and loads of hilton Honors points but they don't like to let me rent a car due to the "you are too damn young" surcharge i get nailed with.
Why is it that every time I start to get shit laid out at work timing is always waiting to sodomize me in the end?
bloody hell.
Even though this is standard software for my company this is actually proving to be a nightmare. It turns out the main office (located in LA) is still running win2k, does not have the citrix client on their machines (needed for how we access...long story) and so it will be a few weeks until I can do all of my remote training through that.
Normally I wouldn't care, except that as usual I got my last minute training request. I have to train 20 people next week and it took every ounce of reason to push this off until Thursday and Friday. I am however, getting sick of business travel. Sure I've got lots of frequent flyer miles and loads of hilton Honors points but they don't like to let me rent a car due to the "you are too damn young" surcharge i get nailed with.
Why is it that every time I start to get shit laid out at work timing is always waiting to sodomize me in the end?
bloody hell.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Making Sitzkreig Look Honest
Ok, here comes my obligatory liberal anti-bush/war post:
Ever since 2004 I have been counting down the days until this term is over...
I was very frustrated when "the current president" as Sarah Vowell refers to him was elected (sorry, won't bother with a bullshit "re-") that year on a platform of keeping boys from kissing, bullshit tax cuts and shouting from the hills that the liberals are cowards and that the terrorists would win.
Sure, I'm willing to be that said terrorists and their compatriots would love to have seen Bush get defeated...as would the majority of the rest of the world. I find it utter crap whenever someone states that because the terrorists would like something it is inheritly bad. You know, I'm pretty damnèd sure that both bin Laden and I are pretty damn fond of Oxygen...not going to make me hold my breath until I turn blue. And I'm also pretty damn certain that there is not an american who wouldn't be happy to give any of those arses a .45 ACP enema.
In a hypothetical debate one night someone asked me if I ever thought I'd feel guilt about having not volunteered to server in the "war on terror." I actually laughed. I have respect for those who do but it will be a cold day in hell when I would volunteer and be willing to sacrifice for a sodding joke. Plus the fact that I was raised by "militant pacificists."
The war on terror is just as much as a joke as the war on drugs. There will always be those who disagree with Lincon's thought of the "ballot is stronger than the bullet" and there will always be a customer base for taco bell.
Ever since 2004 I have been counting down the days until this term is over...
I was very frustrated when "the current president" as Sarah Vowell refers to him was elected (sorry, won't bother with a bullshit "re-") that year on a platform of keeping boys from kissing, bullshit tax cuts and shouting from the hills that the liberals are cowards and that the terrorists would win.
Sure, I'm willing to be that said terrorists and their compatriots would love to have seen Bush get defeated...as would the majority of the rest of the world. I find it utter crap whenever someone states that because the terrorists would like something it is inheritly bad. You know, I'm pretty damnèd sure that both bin Laden and I are pretty damn fond of Oxygen...not going to make me hold my breath until I turn blue. And I'm also pretty damn certain that there is not an american who wouldn't be happy to give any of those arses a .45 ACP enema.
In a hypothetical debate one night someone asked me if I ever thought I'd feel guilt about having not volunteered to server in the "war on terror." I actually laughed. I have respect for those who do but it will be a cold day in hell when I would volunteer and be willing to sacrifice for a sodding joke. Plus the fact that I was raised by "militant pacificists."
The war on terror is just as much as a joke as the war on drugs. There will always be those who disagree with Lincon's thought of the "ballot is stronger than the bullet" and there will always be a customer base for taco bell.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
The Changes in America
One aspect of my constant historical research is the fact that no matter how much I notice the changes in American culture throughout my life I am constantly reminded of how these changes pale in comparison to say, the last 70 or 80 years. My generation has had no great trial, we are those that forsook analog for digital and most people I know of my age have no respect or appreciation for anything that came before them.
A good example of this is my vinyl collection. Anyone I know that has any collection that can match or exceed my own (keep in mind this is limited to my age group) only have vinyl to spin. My collection is pretty much classic rock, classical, jazz, etc. Everyone that sees it thinks its cool but have no clue who half of the people are (I guess John Klemmer, Arlo Guthrie, Pat Metheny and even Herbie Hancock are just relegted to a few listeners among us).
Another thing I have noticed is the cynicism of my generation. Well, not so much cynicism holistically, as I am a right cynical bastard myself but what I suppose is a cynicism of ignorance. If you ever hear me bash an Idea/Religion/Concept/whatever I shan't be talking out of my arse but am at least somewhat educated on the concept.
When I go out I tend to wind up conversing with those at least a decade older than me if not those of my parent's age. My friends love to tease me for this as I have been found debating economics and Sun Tzu instead of "macking on some chick." I guess I just have different priorities in life...
well either that or the simple fact that i know that banging some random bar chick here is asking to get the clap...
A good example of this is my vinyl collection. Anyone I know that has any collection that can match or exceed my own (keep in mind this is limited to my age group) only have vinyl to spin. My collection is pretty much classic rock, classical, jazz, etc. Everyone that sees it thinks its cool but have no clue who half of the people are (I guess John Klemmer, Arlo Guthrie, Pat Metheny and even Herbie Hancock are just relegted to a few listeners among us).
Another thing I have noticed is the cynicism of my generation. Well, not so much cynicism holistically, as I am a right cynical bastard myself but what I suppose is a cynicism of ignorance. If you ever hear me bash an Idea/Religion/Concept/whatever I shan't be talking out of my arse but am at least somewhat educated on the concept.
When I go out I tend to wind up conversing with those at least a decade older than me if not those of my parent's age. My friends love to tease me for this as I have been found debating economics and Sun Tzu instead of "macking on some chick." I guess I just have different priorities in life...
well either that or the simple fact that i know that banging some random bar chick here is asking to get the clap...
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