I am back. For all of our sakes, I am finally over the "November is Death" thing. It is ironic that I am over it on the last day of the cursed month, but it is over. I went out with some of the boys last night. It was an evening with the frat boys, er men, after shiva time. How twisted is that?
It strikes me as some sort of attempt to recreate a fun past, if only for an evening, only to have the ugly truth smack you right in the face. It really is the joyous and dizzying wholeness that is life. How fucking new agey of me to say. I hate seeing it and saying it, but I see it. Life is one big ball of joy and sadness, it all comes and goes. That was big picture meaning of last night. A few dudes getting together to discuss the present, the past and the future.
We, 53, Sambo and Laraby, er Willie, met at a sports bar up north. As rode in 53's car, he was driving and I think it is the first time I have been in a car with him driving (odd memory but just that), I noticed how developed it had become just north of Toronto. I am not sure if I like it. I can recall with some fondness that to see a ton of stars on a clear night, all you had to do was drive up to Rutherford Road. There was nothing there and it was real dark (nothing means no strip malls and concrete and houses) so you could gaze at the stars. No more. The street was chock full of strip malls, big box stores and lights.
The place was cool. A ton of huge screen televisions, pool tables, virtual reality games and off track betting (I think). We just talked about life and laughed a lot. Given the number of our contemporaries that have "suddenly" passed away lately, the topic of conversation turned to the medical and the need/desire for annual physicals (I was thinking with a physician but I guess it could mean with some dude in an alleyway, too, though that is not for me) and the dreaded prostate exam.
It got me thinking, which is always a dangerous thing. Should I ask for foreplay? A little wining and dining? The scary thing is that my doctor was my father's doctor and I can see him asking that same question before the doc stuck his gloved, at least I hope it was gloved, finger up my father's ass. How eerie would that be for him? Then again, fuck his feeling of "eerieness", the bastard has his finger up my butt. Suddenly, I have become his ventroquilist dummy. How degrading?
The second thought is what if I enjoy it? If the revulsion turns to unbridled pleasure, where would that leave me sexually speaking? Is that latent homosexuality calling? Has my life been a lie? My whole world will come down on me all because the doctor unlocked a forbidden door. It is more frightening to think that the key to the forbidden door is a latex covered finger.
Then again, if I enjoy it, I can always buy the wife a strapon and go from there. I guess my whole world may not come down on me. Then again, it may. Then again, who cares? Take the finger like a man (not sure I like how that sounds in a prison setting sort of way), get it over with and rule out any prostatic abnormalities. Do I ask the doc if it was good for him, too, afterwards? Again, I can see my father uttering the same phrase.
Well, I am done for today. The lad needs to type something up for school. Ciao!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
November is death so how can April be the cruelest month.
I am back. This may be the most depressing of posts that I can do, but then again, maybe not. This is my ode to November. Not to be confused with the Guns 'n Roses song "November Rain", though it is always appropriate this time of year. Then again, given this November, there has been no "cold November rain" but warm November rain, which is both freakish (in these parts) but I could get used to it. There are upsides to "global warming" and they are not too hard to find. They do, of course, take some adaptation to change and that is something (change) that we as humans can control (my eyebrow is raised and I hope that sentence just drips with the sarcasm it is meant to convey).
Anyway, over twenty years ago, a friend of mine was in his first year of dental school. They had exams coming up and he was not coming up or out for air. He was burdened with all this work (it is all relative, I have found), it was constantly cold, damp and dark (standard time can be a bitch along with the coming Winter Solstice--stop the Earth from spinning and revolving around the sun and leave it fixed so that it is perpetually summer up here in the northern hemisphere, fuck those in the southern hemisphere, I say) so he tells me that "November is death".
I chuckled at that. I was not in exam mode at that point yet and besides I knew the "game" of winter and spring exams. It was no big deal. Then, I went to law school, the land of 100% finals. In first year, a friend in second year took me under her wing (or large breasts) and got me started on my summaries and studying by about November 20th. That meant weekends studying from about 7 to midnight at the university (it was quiet and we had privacy). We worked by day and then by night. It was okay given the weather. It was cold and damp and dark. Being locked inside did not seem to really make a difference and besides, it was not cold and damp inside. I did have to deal with the flourescent lighting but that is another story.
November was now indeed "death". It was the death month. It was the beginning of bleak as the darkness lasted longer. It was gray and dark in the morning and the sun seemed to set at one in the afternoon, especially on cloudy, rainy days. I finally understood that "November is death".
Given the events of this year, that line is as true as ever, though it is literal now. The funniest thing is that I got married in November. My buddy got married (second time) in November. His sister got married in November. There was a baby naming this November (at least something that is life affirming). Yet, November is death really does stand out this year.
Now, I am left with a single question.....if November is death which month is life? It all goes together as one big whole.
On another note, "Heroes" was its excellent self last night. I liked the six months ago flashback to get some understanding as to how the characters got to where they are in the "present". Sylar was indeed interesting. I am still unsure about Claire Bennett's father though (the cheerleader). I am not sure if he is good, bad or just morally ambiguous in his work. What does he do? How did he start and who does he work for? All questions that should get answered as the story unfolds. The thing that intrigues me most is that there are so many connections and character interconnections. I see it as a metaphor for life or the enlightened life, and how we are all somehow connected in some oddly tangental way. "Prison Break" was good, too, and I like getting the time off to digest what occurred in the fall season.
Done for today. Time to go fishing (or is that phishing?). Ciao!
Anyway, over twenty years ago, a friend of mine was in his first year of dental school. They had exams coming up and he was not coming up or out for air. He was burdened with all this work (it is all relative, I have found), it was constantly cold, damp and dark (standard time can be a bitch along with the coming Winter Solstice--stop the Earth from spinning and revolving around the sun and leave it fixed so that it is perpetually summer up here in the northern hemisphere, fuck those in the southern hemisphere, I say) so he tells me that "November is death".
I chuckled at that. I was not in exam mode at that point yet and besides I knew the "game" of winter and spring exams. It was no big deal. Then, I went to law school, the land of 100% finals. In first year, a friend in second year took me under her wing (or large breasts) and got me started on my summaries and studying by about November 20th. That meant weekends studying from about 7 to midnight at the university (it was quiet and we had privacy). We worked by day and then by night. It was okay given the weather. It was cold and damp and dark. Being locked inside did not seem to really make a difference and besides, it was not cold and damp inside. I did have to deal with the flourescent lighting but that is another story.
November was now indeed "death". It was the death month. It was the beginning of bleak as the darkness lasted longer. It was gray and dark in the morning and the sun seemed to set at one in the afternoon, especially on cloudy, rainy days. I finally understood that "November is death".
Given the events of this year, that line is as true as ever, though it is literal now. The funniest thing is that I got married in November. My buddy got married (second time) in November. His sister got married in November. There was a baby naming this November (at least something that is life affirming). Yet, November is death really does stand out this year.
Now, I am left with a single question.....if November is death which month is life? It all goes together as one big whole.
On another note, "Heroes" was its excellent self last night. I liked the six months ago flashback to get some understanding as to how the characters got to where they are in the "present". Sylar was indeed interesting. I am still unsure about Claire Bennett's father though (the cheerleader). I am not sure if he is good, bad or just morally ambiguous in his work. What does he do? How did he start and who does he work for? All questions that should get answered as the story unfolds. The thing that intrigues me most is that there are so many connections and character interconnections. I see it as a metaphor for life or the enlightened life, and how we are all somehow connected in some oddly tangental way. "Prison Break" was good, too, and I like getting the time off to digest what occurred in the fall season.
Done for today. Time to go fishing (or is that phishing?). Ciao!
Monday, November 27, 2006
The Painting Post
I am back. I am back with avengeance! I am over the Dodge Dart sighting. It was another weekend of painting around these parts. It was part of the "honey-do" list. It was time to do the ceiling in the living room. I think I did it ass backwards again. I probably should have done the ceilings first, but did them last. I did the walls in the kitchen and dining room on November 14th, but really should have done a second coat. The kitchen is not so bad but it is small. The dining room is better but could use a second coat. I guess I could really do it at any time.
Last Saturday, I did the living room walls. Those got two coats. It was just how it worked out. As I finished the room with the first coat, it had dried where I had started, so I just continued with the second coat. I did the ceiling in the dining room and kitchen last Sunday. It was a very flat paint in white. It looks much better. Of course, the job I did 11 years ago was done with a roller on a broom handle. It was streaky, but being the same color as the walls in all the rooms was much easier to do with NO real prep work.
That is what I dislike, the prep work. The hours of taping and cleaning and then the actual painting and cleaning. Returning the furniture and rehanging the pictures is the last thing to be done.
Well, Saturday, it was do the living room ceiling, molding, baseboards and trim. I had to get an eggshell white for that one. The white used on the ceiling of the kitchen and dining room was not durable enough for the baseboards and I did not have enough to do it all. Besides, with the stucco ceiling in the living room and the fact that I avoided painting it and the molding 11 years ago meant that it had not been painted since 1989. I figured it would just suck up the paint. I slapped the white on thick with a great roller. It is done and looks fabulous.
That was a long winded way of saying what kind of weekend it was. Actually, I want to send out a belated happy birthday to my little brother who turned 36 on Saturday. Sunday, was a baby naming party for my buddy Neil's daughter. That was fun as I got to see friends of mine from elementary school, junior high and high school. It was good to see old friends again. I think that is all for today. Something a little more uplifting than what awaits in the near future, I think. Ciao!
Last Saturday, I did the living room walls. Those got two coats. It was just how it worked out. As I finished the room with the first coat, it had dried where I had started, so I just continued with the second coat. I did the ceiling in the dining room and kitchen last Sunday. It was a very flat paint in white. It looks much better. Of course, the job I did 11 years ago was done with a roller on a broom handle. It was streaky, but being the same color as the walls in all the rooms was much easier to do with NO real prep work.
That is what I dislike, the prep work. The hours of taping and cleaning and then the actual painting and cleaning. Returning the furniture and rehanging the pictures is the last thing to be done.
Well, Saturday, it was do the living room ceiling, molding, baseboards and trim. I had to get an eggshell white for that one. The white used on the ceiling of the kitchen and dining room was not durable enough for the baseboards and I did not have enough to do it all. Besides, with the stucco ceiling in the living room and the fact that I avoided painting it and the molding 11 years ago meant that it had not been painted since 1989. I figured it would just suck up the paint. I slapped the white on thick with a great roller. It is done and looks fabulous.
That was a long winded way of saying what kind of weekend it was. Actually, I want to send out a belated happy birthday to my little brother who turned 36 on Saturday. Sunday, was a baby naming party for my buddy Neil's daughter. That was fun as I got to see friends of mine from elementary school, junior high and high school. It was good to see old friends again. I think that is all for today. Something a little more uplifting than what awaits in the near future, I think. Ciao!
Friday, November 24, 2006
I have seen a ghost
I am back. I want to take a moment to wish my American friends a belated Happy Thanksgiving. With that out of the way, it has been a trying week. I was going to do another morose post but as November is still with us, it can wait. As my final post for the week, assuming I do not post on the weekend, I have to tell you all that I saw a ghost today.
This seems to fall within the area of death and it is something different. The ghost I saw is something that I have not seen in about 30 years. I actually saw a Dodge Dart on the street and it was being driven by some woman. A Dodge fucking Dart!
I know that I should not get excited by this. I mean it was the most utilitarian car ever designed in North America. It was the forerunner to those great Chrysler designed cars that were known as K cars. I swear to you that the design team at Chrysler in the 70s had a Soviet sense of the asthetic.
As far back as I remember (the late 60s), the Dodge Dart was the delivery vehicle of choice for my late father. He loved a car that was built like a tank with a great slant 6 engine. The body would fall apart but the engine could not be stopped. He finally made a switch over to GM vehicles in 1979 with a Chevrolet Citation (the first Chevy of the 80s and first front whell drive car built by GM to take on the Japanese--we all know how well that worked out).
I remember the blue Dart from the late 60s, followed by the red Dart with black interior (great for those Sunday drives in the summer, something about the smell of my flesh searing to the interior was enjoyable for the whole family), then the gold Dart and finally the green Dart. The green one, of the mid 70s, had the body falling apart but an engine that would not quit. My father would also only own a single car, so the delivery vehicle was also the family car.
I never thought that I would see one again here. It was such an ugly car that I did not want to see one. With this amount of time elapsed, ugly has given way to cool. It is a nostalgic thing. The car looked so out of place. The tires looked very thin and the squared body made the car look something like an a shoe box on tires the width of a ten speed bicycle. It was freaky.
There you have it. I saw a ghost. A Dodge fucking Dart patrolling the roads. What is the connection and is it a message for me? Have a great weekend and ciao!
This seems to fall within the area of death and it is something different. The ghost I saw is something that I have not seen in about 30 years. I actually saw a Dodge Dart on the street and it was being driven by some woman. A Dodge fucking Dart!
I know that I should not get excited by this. I mean it was the most utilitarian car ever designed in North America. It was the forerunner to those great Chrysler designed cars that were known as K cars. I swear to you that the design team at Chrysler in the 70s had a Soviet sense of the asthetic.
As far back as I remember (the late 60s), the Dodge Dart was the delivery vehicle of choice for my late father. He loved a car that was built like a tank with a great slant 6 engine. The body would fall apart but the engine could not be stopped. He finally made a switch over to GM vehicles in 1979 with a Chevrolet Citation (the first Chevy of the 80s and first front whell drive car built by GM to take on the Japanese--we all know how well that worked out).
I remember the blue Dart from the late 60s, followed by the red Dart with black interior (great for those Sunday drives in the summer, something about the smell of my flesh searing to the interior was enjoyable for the whole family), then the gold Dart and finally the green Dart. The green one, of the mid 70s, had the body falling apart but an engine that would not quit. My father would also only own a single car, so the delivery vehicle was also the family car.
I never thought that I would see one again here. It was such an ugly car that I did not want to see one. With this amount of time elapsed, ugly has given way to cool. It is a nostalgic thing. The car looked so out of place. The tires looked very thin and the squared body made the car look something like an a shoe box on tires the width of a ten speed bicycle. It was freaky.
There you have it. I saw a ghost. A Dodge fucking Dart patrolling the roads. What is the connection and is it a message for me? Have a great weekend and ciao!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
The sobering reality of death
I am back. I will tell you it was a sad and sobering funeral today. I am thinking that it can only be like that when a 42 year old man is laid to rest. It was standing room only at the funeral. That is a testament to the lives that Kelly touched in his short time on this Earth.
Things like this happen in life and the natural thing to do is to try to make sense of it. Oddly for me, I vacillate between extremes ala "My Dinner With Andre". I can see the possibility of both sides being "true" or "correct". On the one hand, I WANT to believe, as I think we all do, that there is some "meaning" to life. I hold on to the hope, which I realize is not a strategy nor something to really hang one's hat on, that there is some deeper meaning to life. I have not been able to tie it all up into a neat little package, yet, but that it can be done, given enough time.
The other hand holds that life is really a random series of events and things. Any meaning is imposed by the "thinker" mostly as a way to deal with the incredible discomfort that comes with the notion that life is random and uncontrollable by the self. That gives rise to a sense of helplessness and sense of what ever you do does not matter. It is a rather cynical and jaded view AND it is equally as valid the "life has meaning" and is knowable notion.
I can straddle those two worlds. I can accept both as possible and equally valid. The only way to define it is to prove it, by observation, one way or the other. The big problem there is that personal bias will always enter into the observations one makes. On one hand, you look harder to find meaning and maybe ascribe meaning that does not really exist or you believe that any meaning found is by its very nature done just to decrease the level of anxiety that the thought of a meaningless existence can entail.
There is no right answer here. This is just a statement of how my mind is bouncing at this moment in time. There is a lot to be said for the work of early Quantum physicists like Heisenberg, Einstein, Planck and Bohr. Their works really work at the micro and macro vantage points of life. Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle is a fine idea that gets at how we work with our observations. It also gets to the truth that what you see is not necessarily what you think you see. Besides, you cannot be sure that your very presence and act of observation has not tainted the observations.
It all makes for an uncertain world. It is an ambiguous world. That is an anxiety provoking notion for most people. Not me. I enjoy life in the ambiguous. I can accept a certain lack of control of events in my life. I know the only I control is myself. With that in mind, I know I can adapt and thirve in any situation. I am like a cockroach without the six legs and scurrying when the lights are turned on.
I do not know what any of this means, though. I am working through the message of Kelly's life and untimely passing. It is something worth pondering. The only conclusion that quickly becomes apparent is Carpe Diem. Sieze the day, as those are finite and we do not know when our number will be called. Have a good time, all the time because in reality life is too short. Ciao!
Things like this happen in life and the natural thing to do is to try to make sense of it. Oddly for me, I vacillate between extremes ala "My Dinner With Andre". I can see the possibility of both sides being "true" or "correct". On the one hand, I WANT to believe, as I think we all do, that there is some "meaning" to life. I hold on to the hope, which I realize is not a strategy nor something to really hang one's hat on, that there is some deeper meaning to life. I have not been able to tie it all up into a neat little package, yet, but that it can be done, given enough time.
The other hand holds that life is really a random series of events and things. Any meaning is imposed by the "thinker" mostly as a way to deal with the incredible discomfort that comes with the notion that life is random and uncontrollable by the self. That gives rise to a sense of helplessness and sense of what ever you do does not matter. It is a rather cynical and jaded view AND it is equally as valid the "life has meaning" and is knowable notion.
I can straddle those two worlds. I can accept both as possible and equally valid. The only way to define it is to prove it, by observation, one way or the other. The big problem there is that personal bias will always enter into the observations one makes. On one hand, you look harder to find meaning and maybe ascribe meaning that does not really exist or you believe that any meaning found is by its very nature done just to decrease the level of anxiety that the thought of a meaningless existence can entail.
There is no right answer here. This is just a statement of how my mind is bouncing at this moment in time. There is a lot to be said for the work of early Quantum physicists like Heisenberg, Einstein, Planck and Bohr. Their works really work at the micro and macro vantage points of life. Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle is a fine idea that gets at how we work with our observations. It also gets to the truth that what you see is not necessarily what you think you see. Besides, you cannot be sure that your very presence and act of observation has not tainted the observations.
It all makes for an uncertain world. It is an ambiguous world. That is an anxiety provoking notion for most people. Not me. I enjoy life in the ambiguous. I can accept a certain lack of control of events in my life. I know the only I control is myself. With that in mind, I know I can adapt and thirve in any situation. I am like a cockroach without the six legs and scurrying when the lights are turned on.
I do not know what any of this means, though. I am working through the message of Kelly's life and untimely passing. It is something worth pondering. The only conclusion that quickly becomes apparent is Carpe Diem. Sieze the day, as those are finite and we do not know when our number will be called. Have a good time, all the time because in reality life is too short. Ciao!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Shaken and not stirred. Life is a strange journey.
I am back. I am writing somewhat reluctantly today. I have had news today that has shaken me to the core. An acquantaince of mine died "suddenly" yesterday. He could not have been more than a year older than I. His name is/was Kelly Silverstein.
Kelly was a good man. I had just seen him two months ago at a fraternity alumni function. I sat with him and did not know he was, if he was at the time, ill. He leaves a wife and two young (early teen/pre teen) sons.
I think the reason I have so shaken and upset is that, from what I have pieced together and heard, he was diagnosed about a month ago with leukemia. This is something that strikes close to home for me. In fact, I want to know which type of leukemia he had.
By way of background, it was acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) that took my father from me/us over 16 years ago. I guess if it was not that, it would have been something else. In any event, I still miss my father and the counsel and guidance that I have lost. I know that I may, may?, not have taken his advice and that in his absence I could be inclined to make him seem, in my own mind, like the second coming of either Socrates or Solomon (he was neither, but there was wisdom in his words and deeds). I am aware of that. It would have been and would be something to treasure, though. Again, you do not know what you have until it is gone.
When Willie's grandfather passed away, Willie's father impressed me, again, with his ability to view his personal sadness in a larger context. He knew how lucky he was that he still had his father at 68 (his age, his father was 98). As somebody who lost his father when he was 26 (which was better than my brother, 19, sister, 22, and own father, 8), he said what I thought.
The other leukemic victim that I knew was my neighbor. She had breast cancer and had chemotherapy. When that was done, she got sick again. It was acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) which was probably caused by the chemotherapy. You have to love the fact that the "cure" for one cancer gave you "new" life just to take it away with another form of cancer. Sadly, she passed away about this time last year. That may not have happened had the hospital admitted her quickly for her infection (lung).
I could go into a screed about the state of our health care system, but that is not the point right now. A young, relatively speaking, man has died leaving family and friends grieving. I am just torn up about it and that is all there is to say. Good bye Kelly Silverstein, your journey here was too short and you touched a lot of lives. Ciao!
Kelly was a good man. I had just seen him two months ago at a fraternity alumni function. I sat with him and did not know he was, if he was at the time, ill. He leaves a wife and two young (early teen/pre teen) sons.
I think the reason I have so shaken and upset is that, from what I have pieced together and heard, he was diagnosed about a month ago with leukemia. This is something that strikes close to home for me. In fact, I want to know which type of leukemia he had.
By way of background, it was acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) that took my father from me/us over 16 years ago. I guess if it was not that, it would have been something else. In any event, I still miss my father and the counsel and guidance that I have lost. I know that I may, may?, not have taken his advice and that in his absence I could be inclined to make him seem, in my own mind, like the second coming of either Socrates or Solomon (he was neither, but there was wisdom in his words and deeds). I am aware of that. It would have been and would be something to treasure, though. Again, you do not know what you have until it is gone.
When Willie's grandfather passed away, Willie's father impressed me, again, with his ability to view his personal sadness in a larger context. He knew how lucky he was that he still had his father at 68 (his age, his father was 98). As somebody who lost his father when he was 26 (which was better than my brother, 19, sister, 22, and own father, 8), he said what I thought.
The other leukemic victim that I knew was my neighbor. She had breast cancer and had chemotherapy. When that was done, she got sick again. It was acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) which was probably caused by the chemotherapy. You have to love the fact that the "cure" for one cancer gave you "new" life just to take it away with another form of cancer. Sadly, she passed away about this time last year. That may not have happened had the hospital admitted her quickly for her infection (lung).
I could go into a screed about the state of our health care system, but that is not the point right now. A young, relatively speaking, man has died leaving family and friends grieving. I am just torn up about it and that is all there is to say. Good bye Kelly Silverstein, your journey here was too short and you touched a lot of lives. Ciao!
Friday, November 17, 2006
Goodbye, Milton Friedman
I am back. I was not going to post today but something sad came up. It is sad on a larger level as I did not know the man personally. I have admired him and read his books. He spoke to me, or should I say his personal philosophy and work as an economist did. He was Milton Friedman, the scholar/scientist/economist most closely associated with the University of Chicago and the Chicago School of Economics. They did philosophical battle with the Keynesian economists of the day. Their basic, boiled down to something overly simplistic, notion was that people should be free to choose ("Free to Choose" is a great book written by Milton and Rose Friedman from the late 70s and widely influenced the philosophies of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher) and allow the markets to work. Government should be small, with little economic influence. It is a philosophy that values FREEDOM and individual choice and opposes the tyranny of government.
Now, I realize how boring a subject this can seem to be and to me, it is very fascinating. It is economics espousing a positive human philosophy. If people are given free choice to meet their own interests, good things follow, both personally and economically. It takes a laissez-faire view of government's role in people's lives (minimal, Defense of their subjects from without [defense of the realm] and protection from within [laws, police and courts]), otherwise let people handle their own affairs in any way they see fit within the confines of criminal law. It really means that left to our own devices, we, collectively, through our interactions will develop a set of business norms or laws or generally accepted behavior. It assumes that people are basically good, there are always exceptions and ways to try to deal with such individuals, and will form whatever bonds they need because it is in their interests to do so (sort of akin or exactly like Adam Smith's Invisible Hand notion [Adam Smith, in his book "The Wealth of Nations" published in 1776 and was the forerunner to the Chicago school]).
This is as opposed to Keynesian economics that basically says that government should be very active in the economy (stimulate)(borrow and spend in a recession/down time and reign in budgets, presumably with tax increases, to pay off the debts incurred during recessions in expansion cycles). The problem with this Keynesian notion is that it seems to fall apart in practice with governments unable or unwilling to decrease their spending during the boom times so that the debt is not paid down and then there is more borrowing and spending during the next down cycle. Again, it is like a Marxism, sounds good in theory (some aspects) but does not work in practice due to the influence and self interest of people. Government intervention distorts the decisions people make or can make and thus distorts the economy.
I know there are those who would vociferously disagree and I tend to sense it is due to an assumption that man is basically bad and needs guidance or coerced into being good. They would point out how simplistic my arguments are. They are that way because I do not want to bore anybody, though it is occurring anyway and it is more for background. That to me is the interesting thing. Two groups of people, looking at the same thing, using different basic assumptions and coming with two, very different theories. The big difference is at the assumptive level, and that is the hardest part to prove as fact, given the differences in how people do act.
To make a long story short, Milton Friedman, who was 94, was flagbearer for all those who assume that people are basically good. I wish him a fond farewell into the next realm, whatever or wherever that is. Have a great weekend and ciao!
Now, I realize how boring a subject this can seem to be and to me, it is very fascinating. It is economics espousing a positive human philosophy. If people are given free choice to meet their own interests, good things follow, both personally and economically. It takes a laissez-faire view of government's role in people's lives (minimal, Defense of their subjects from without [defense of the realm] and protection from within [laws, police and courts]), otherwise let people handle their own affairs in any way they see fit within the confines of criminal law. It really means that left to our own devices, we, collectively, through our interactions will develop a set of business norms or laws or generally accepted behavior. It assumes that people are basically good, there are always exceptions and ways to try to deal with such individuals, and will form whatever bonds they need because it is in their interests to do so (sort of akin or exactly like Adam Smith's Invisible Hand notion [Adam Smith, in his book "The Wealth of Nations" published in 1776 and was the forerunner to the Chicago school]).
This is as opposed to Keynesian economics that basically says that government should be very active in the economy (stimulate)(borrow and spend in a recession/down time and reign in budgets, presumably with tax increases, to pay off the debts incurred during recessions in expansion cycles). The problem with this Keynesian notion is that it seems to fall apart in practice with governments unable or unwilling to decrease their spending during the boom times so that the debt is not paid down and then there is more borrowing and spending during the next down cycle. Again, it is like a Marxism, sounds good in theory (some aspects) but does not work in practice due to the influence and self interest of people. Government intervention distorts the decisions people make or can make and thus distorts the economy.
I know there are those who would vociferously disagree and I tend to sense it is due to an assumption that man is basically bad and needs guidance or coerced into being good. They would point out how simplistic my arguments are. They are that way because I do not want to bore anybody, though it is occurring anyway and it is more for background. That to me is the interesting thing. Two groups of people, looking at the same thing, using different basic assumptions and coming with two, very different theories. The big difference is at the assumptive level, and that is the hardest part to prove as fact, given the differences in how people do act.
To make a long story short, Milton Friedman, who was 94, was flagbearer for all those who assume that people are basically good. I wish him a fond farewell into the next realm, whatever or wherever that is. Have a great weekend and ciao!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Julie Andrews sings "These are a few of my favorite fears"
I am back. These are a few of my favorite fears.
Ablutophobia, the fear of washing or bathing-sadly, I think I have smelled some people with that fear.
Alektorophobia is the fear of chickens. Given how we have eviscerated those buzzards, that could be a rational fear.
What do you do if you are both ambulophobic (fear of walking) and amaxophobic (fear of riding in a car)?
Autodysomophobia is the fear of one that has a vile odor. Please see Ablutophobia above and any posting I have made about Stinky Guy, whom I have not smelled in ages. I hope he is okay.
Autophobia, fear of oneself or of being alone. Does self loathing count as fear? Just thought I would ask.
Those were some of my favorite "A" phobias. You can check out the link and see the rest of the "Alphabet of Fear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Please note that Zemmiphobia is the fear of the great mole rat. I do have to figure that it is one obscure and rare phobia. Then again, what do I know? Going to run. Ciao!
Ablutophobia, the fear of washing or bathing-sadly, I think I have smelled some people with that fear.
Alektorophobia is the fear of chickens. Given how we have eviscerated those buzzards, that could be a rational fear.
What do you do if you are both ambulophobic (fear of walking) and amaxophobic (fear of riding in a car)?
Autodysomophobia is the fear of one that has a vile odor. Please see Ablutophobia above and any posting I have made about Stinky Guy, whom I have not smelled in ages. I hope he is okay.
Autophobia, fear of oneself or of being alone. Does self loathing count as fear? Just thought I would ask.
Those were some of my favorite "A" phobias. You can check out the link and see the rest of the "Alphabet of Fear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Please note that Zemmiphobia is the fear of the great mole rat. I do have to figure that it is one obscure and rare phobia. Then again, what do I know? Going to run. Ciao!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
More of said same, though funny has been overtaken by profound
I am back. I am not sure why that is, but it is. I was going through the "Awake!" pamphlet left to me by the Jehovah's Witnesses. Let me preface this first. I have nothing against the Jehovah's Witnesses. In fact, as a religion goes, they do preach peace and love, which are positive things, and can only make their adherents better people. I just do not like being preached to and the inference that my religion, of which I am proud, is "wrong", "false" or going to lead me to hell. I figure that Karma exists and I have seen it in action.
This is not a "My Name Is Earl" idea of Karma, though that one is very funny, they should make a television series out of it. It is the attitude that if whatever you focus on, you will receive more of in life. It is about having a humble disposition, and knowing what is truly important and somewhat fixed. It is about being able to count your blessings, no matter how tough the present seems to be. It is not about fixating on material things as they are impermanent and can be taken away. That is all good, so do I NEED somebody trying to "sell" me that their way is the "right" way?
In fact, to "sell" me on the notion that their way is the "right" way, it presupposes that my way is the "wrong" way (or the "left" way). It is an either/or statement. How do they KNOW their way is "right"? They do not know, it is an article of faith. I can appreciate the sense of faith and I still do not find it a compelling notion to get me to switch religions. I need something greater than the circular arguement that faith provides. The only fact that I KNOW is that as a mere mortals, we do not KNOW what comes after life and if there is in fact a single, "right" or "correct" or "true" religion and the rest can and are going to hell.
I just do not buy it. I do buy, and it is an article of faith, that do good things and good things happen. I do find comfort in that sort of karmic tit for tat notion. It is just striving to be a better person and what is wrong with that? I wanted to get this out in the open, so that when I do mock the words and ideas in "Awake!", you will know that I mock it out of love and not hate. I kid because I love. Ciao!
This is not a "My Name Is Earl" idea of Karma, though that one is very funny, they should make a television series out of it. It is the attitude that if whatever you focus on, you will receive more of in life. It is about having a humble disposition, and knowing what is truly important and somewhat fixed. It is about being able to count your blessings, no matter how tough the present seems to be. It is not about fixating on material things as they are impermanent and can be taken away. That is all good, so do I NEED somebody trying to "sell" me that their way is the "right" way?
In fact, to "sell" me on the notion that their way is the "right" way, it presupposes that my way is the "wrong" way (or the "left" way). It is an either/or statement. How do they KNOW their way is "right"? They do not know, it is an article of faith. I can appreciate the sense of faith and I still do not find it a compelling notion to get me to switch religions. I need something greater than the circular arguement that faith provides. The only fact that I KNOW is that as a mere mortals, we do not KNOW what comes after life and if there is in fact a single, "right" or "correct" or "true" religion and the rest can and are going to hell.
I just do not buy it. I do buy, and it is an article of faith, that do good things and good things happen. I do find comfort in that sort of karmic tit for tat notion. It is just striving to be a better person and what is wrong with that? I wanted to get this out in the open, so that when I do mock the words and ideas in "Awake!", you will know that I mock it out of love and not hate. I kid because I love. Ciao!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Karma and more visits from Jehovah's Witnesses
I am back. I had another visit on Saturday from the Jehovah's Witnesses. This time I was given the full Watchtower edition. Of course, I prefer "All Along the Watchtower" (Hendrix or Dylan, it is all good, or is that Sol Goode), but that is just me. This time it was an older dude in black and white (it is no wonder that I put on The Specials and did some skanking at dinner that night, I did and still do love those ska bands of the early 80s, The Specials, The Selector, Madness, The English Beat and more recently early No Doubt) and the gray haired lady who did little but smile.
He hands me the pamphlets and tells me that "my wife enjoyed the earlier ones". Is my wife having an affair with a Jehovah's Witness? I punched him right in the face. Wouldn't you know it, the gray haired lady just kept on smiling while her "partner" was bleeding from the nose. Ooops! Okay, I did not punch him, but accusing my wife of having an affair. I need to get those Japanese panties with the GPS and biometric sensors. Those Jehovah's Witnesses have planted an evil seed in my brain.
The ironic part is that the seed they have planted runs counter to their teachings. Spreading the good word and they cause a divorce because one older dude in black and white thinks that he gave my wife a copy of The Watchtower. This is how all the bad in the world starts, a simple misunderstanding. Now, I have to seek my revenge on them for causing my marriage to end.
If that is not bad enough, I am receiving comments from my "What if Opportunity is a Jehovah's Witness?" post from people who will not come forward (Anonymous). One who thinks that I need psychological help and am a moron (what is it dude, am I a moron or in need of psych. help?) and another that links to a Jehovah's Witness website/blog. I think I may have offended the Jehovah's Witnesses. I may have to take it on the lam for a while. Lie low and wait for this to blow over. Then again, I have some great Jehovah's Witness reading material to get me through it.
I may be back to write on what I have read. I have never met any written material that I did not feel the need to mock. Have a great one. Ciao!
He hands me the pamphlets and tells me that "my wife enjoyed the earlier ones". Is my wife having an affair with a Jehovah's Witness? I punched him right in the face. Wouldn't you know it, the gray haired lady just kept on smiling while her "partner" was bleeding from the nose. Ooops! Okay, I did not punch him, but accusing my wife of having an affair. I need to get those Japanese panties with the GPS and biometric sensors. Those Jehovah's Witnesses have planted an evil seed in my brain.
The ironic part is that the seed they have planted runs counter to their teachings. Spreading the good word and they cause a divorce because one older dude in black and white thinks that he gave my wife a copy of The Watchtower. This is how all the bad in the world starts, a simple misunderstanding. Now, I have to seek my revenge on them for causing my marriage to end.
If that is not bad enough, I am receiving comments from my "What if Opportunity is a Jehovah's Witness?" post from people who will not come forward (Anonymous). One who thinks that I need psychological help and am a moron (what is it dude, am I a moron or in need of psych. help?) and another that links to a Jehovah's Witness website/blog. I think I may have offended the Jehovah's Witnesses. I may have to take it on the lam for a while. Lie low and wait for this to blow over. Then again, I have some great Jehovah's Witness reading material to get me through it.
I may be back to write on what I have read. I have never met any written material that I did not feel the need to mock. Have a great one. Ciao!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Another thing not to stuff up your ass (as if you need the warning)
I am back. I will have to be brief. I am off to the outlaws' soon for dinner. I am girding for more insanity. My father in law had another assessment with his gerontologist. He scored higher than he did in February. Of course, when asked what year we were in, he said "1922". The man was not even born in 1922. He owns a fucking LCD television (being able to actually work it is another story) but he thinks it is 1922. I am waiting for him to put on a tricorn, stuff his hand in his breast pocket, say it is 1802 and say he is Napoleon. Then I HAVE to sell tickets. I mean by this point, it is performance art. It is all fun and games until he starts to fingerpaint on the walls using his own feces, then I have to rescind any invititations here. I am not cleaning that shit (literally and figuratively).
I have culled another story from my "they should not be allowed to consider breeding" file. Here it is.
Brit burns bum with firecracker
Thu Nov 9, 9:37 PM ET
A 22-year-old man suffered internal injuries after lighting a small firecracker he had inserted into his buttocks, paramedics said Thursday. The incident took place Sunday, when Britain celebrated Bonfire Night, traditionally marked with fireworks to celebrate the Guy Fawkes' gunpowder plot to blow up Parliament in the 17th century.
The man suffered burns and other unspecified internal injuries in the incident in Sunderland, 275 miles north of London.
Katherine Shenton, a spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service, said a caller had phoned in that the victim was bleeding after the firecracker exploded.
Several of the man's friends recorded the incident on a mobile phone. The blurry images show a man bent over with his pants down and a white flash as the firecracker explodes.
The Times newspaper reported the man is a soldier who recently returned from Iraq.
The Iraqis could not get him, so he decided to get himself. In the immortal words of Jeff Spicoli, "People on 'ludes should not drive" and people should not stuff firecrackers up their ass and light them. I am really frightened that I have to say that, given it really is obvious and I hate stating the obvious. Then again, obviously, some people are able to ignore the obvious, obviously at their own peril.
Again, if I am going to stuff something up my ass, firecrackers (lit or not), is not one of them. Of course, my post nuclear holocaust me would have me shooting lasers from my ass, though shooting lit firecrackers could be fun, too. Then again, the risk that the "shoot" somehow malfunctions, leaving me with just the explosion and an explanation for the proctologist, kind of puts me off that "power".
Nice friends though. Nobody stopping the insanity. To make matters worse, they took pictures. That is what friends are for. Enjoy the weekend. Ciao!
I have culled another story from my "they should not be allowed to consider breeding" file. Here it is.
Brit burns bum with firecracker
Thu Nov 9, 9:37 PM ET
A 22-year-old man suffered internal injuries after lighting a small firecracker he had inserted into his buttocks, paramedics said Thursday. The incident took place Sunday, when Britain celebrated Bonfire Night, traditionally marked with fireworks to celebrate the Guy Fawkes' gunpowder plot to blow up Parliament in the 17th century.
The man suffered burns and other unspecified internal injuries in the incident in Sunderland, 275 miles north of London.
Katherine Shenton, a spokeswoman for the North East Ambulance Service, said a caller had phoned in that the victim was bleeding after the firecracker exploded.
Several of the man's friends recorded the incident on a mobile phone. The blurry images show a man bent over with his pants down and a white flash as the firecracker explodes.
The Times newspaper reported the man is a soldier who recently returned from Iraq.
The Iraqis could not get him, so he decided to get himself. In the immortal words of Jeff Spicoli, "People on 'ludes should not drive" and people should not stuff firecrackers up their ass and light them. I am really frightened that I have to say that, given it really is obvious and I hate stating the obvious. Then again, obviously, some people are able to ignore the obvious, obviously at their own peril.
Again, if I am going to stuff something up my ass, firecrackers (lit or not), is not one of them. Of course, my post nuclear holocaust me would have me shooting lasers from my ass, though shooting lit firecrackers could be fun, too. Then again, the risk that the "shoot" somehow malfunctions, leaving me with just the explosion and an explanation for the proctologist, kind of puts me off that "power".
Nice friends though. Nobody stopping the insanity. To make matters worse, they took pictures. That is what friends are for. Enjoy the weekend. Ciao!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
A bit of this, a bit of that
I am back. I have missed a couple of days here. The most frustrating was yesterday. I was good to go, but had no electricity (in our area) for over six hours. No lights, no heat, no hot water. No heat, because the ventor motor for both furnace and hot water heater are electric. With those not working, the damn things do not go on. In fact, without electricity there is no power to the fan to force the hot air through the duct work. I am thinking that my brother's gas burner, hot water radiators may be a better way to heat these houses. Then again, I am sure that the combustion gases have to be vented and those would be powered by electricity. I should ask him.
Anyway, I had that going for me. Nothing like trying to work while freezing and given it was a gray November day (with rain, but not too cold, which is odd) I could barely see things even in the afternoon. To make matters worse, I, like a bit of a twit, decided to run a couple of scans on my laptop. I ended up running down the battery, so I had no computer that I could use. I just did not think that the power would be off for that long. Silly me. You would think that I would have learned from the blackout of 2003.
On a lighter note, I received a comment from my November 2 posting. I published it. It was interesting. I was called a moron and that I need psychological or psychiatric counseling. It was posted by "Anonymous". Now, Anonymous, if that is your real name, I am a bit unclear as to how I am a moron. It may be true, you just did not give me any evidence to support your conclusion. As to the need for counseling, the same would apply. I may just need that, but I am not sure what "offended" you enough to approach such a personal subject with me. Be that as it may, I respect your opinion. Then again, I may be a moron and need some sort of psychological counseling but in hiding behind the "Anonymous" marker, perhaps you need to grow a pair, or at least take you balls out of your mother's purse. No offense.
I did receive some interesting comments on the Moonies as well. It seems they are still in business, but doing so a little more quietly. I thank the dude who posted that comment.
Anyway, I have to run. I have to play Mr. Mom and then visit with Willie's family. Sadly, his grandfather, all of 98, passed away. My condolences and thoughts go out to he and his family. At the funeral, I was struck by the fact that they spoke so well of the man and how modest and humble he was. I have always thought that about Willie and his parents. It is funny and he set a great example for the following generations to emulate. That is just on a personal level, which does carry great weight.
Ciao!
Anyway, I had that going for me. Nothing like trying to work while freezing and given it was a gray November day (with rain, but not too cold, which is odd) I could barely see things even in the afternoon. To make matters worse, I, like a bit of a twit, decided to run a couple of scans on my laptop. I ended up running down the battery, so I had no computer that I could use. I just did not think that the power would be off for that long. Silly me. You would think that I would have learned from the blackout of 2003.
On a lighter note, I received a comment from my November 2 posting. I published it. It was interesting. I was called a moron and that I need psychological or psychiatric counseling. It was posted by "Anonymous". Now, Anonymous, if that is your real name, I am a bit unclear as to how I am a moron. It may be true, you just did not give me any evidence to support your conclusion. As to the need for counseling, the same would apply. I may just need that, but I am not sure what "offended" you enough to approach such a personal subject with me. Be that as it may, I respect your opinion. Then again, I may be a moron and need some sort of psychological counseling but in hiding behind the "Anonymous" marker, perhaps you need to grow a pair, or at least take you balls out of your mother's purse. No offense.
I did receive some interesting comments on the Moonies as well. It seems they are still in business, but doing so a little more quietly. I thank the dude who posted that comment.
Anyway, I have to run. I have to play Mr. Mom and then visit with Willie's family. Sadly, his grandfather, all of 98, passed away. My condolences and thoughts go out to he and his family. At the funeral, I was struck by the fact that they spoke so well of the man and how modest and humble he was. I have always thought that about Willie and his parents. It is funny and he set a great example for the following generations to emulate. That is just on a personal level, which does carry great weight.
Ciao!
Friday, November 03, 2006
I got nothing
I am back. I am sitting here listening to Stevie Wonder's "Innervisions". He put that album out in 1973. Along with "Talking Book" (also 1973) and "Songs In The Key Of Life", the three make up the quintessential Stevie Wonder collection. I know I do not mention "Ebony and Ivory" or "I Just Called To Say I Love You". Those were from the, "I am in it for the money" collection. That, of course, would include any Who album after "Who Are You" but I do have a soft spot for "Face Dances" though it was not great.
I do not feel a rant coming on. What the hell is wrong with me? I know a list too long to get into here. I am mustering up the courage I am going to need for the Friday night dinner with my outlaws. This one is special as it is their 50th Anniversary tomorrow. 50 years? That is cool. Some people do not live 50 years (will I be one of them? I hope not, I want to get to 50 + one day and then croak.) I do wish them another 50 years together.
That is all for this week. I will be among the people this weekend, so I am thinking I will have something to rant about then.
I do not feel a rant coming on. What the hell is wrong with me? I know a list too long to get into here. I am mustering up the courage I am going to need for the Friday night dinner with my outlaws. This one is special as it is their 50th Anniversary tomorrow. 50 years? That is cool. Some people do not live 50 years (will I be one of them? I hope not, I want to get to 50 + one day and then croak.) I do wish them another 50 years together.
That is all for this week. I will be among the people this weekend, so I am thinking I will have something to rant about then.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Halloween Recap
I am back. I have some Halloween fun to recap. I took the lad out for Halloween. I said that his costume was too highbrow for some. I mentioned that he was going as Edvard Munch's "The Scream". The wife had found a frame and attached black neoprene with a hole for the lad's face. He had white gloves taped up near the face so as to look like he was holding his head in his hands. The kids at school had no idea what he was. These kids are clowns, football players and such. I cannot understand how elementary school kids do not know from "The Scream". What is that all about? What are they teaching our kids?
Well, on the street, where it really counts, he rocked. He had decided to wear the gloves and do the anguished face. The wife streaked his face with grease paint in the appropriate "The Scream" colors. It looked awesome, when he wanted it to. Now, to be quite honest, nobody got his costume without asking. When they did ask and hear his explanation (and face), all were impressed. Of course, to the nanny set, who did find it a giggle, it looked like he was a picture, with his face in the frame. We had a good haul, though and that is really what Halloween is all about.
He and wife decided to gon farther. They went to this funky house across the bridge. The house looks like it is unfinished, but it has been that way for at least three years. Anyway, the woman there went to art school. She loved the costume. And who would not?
The lad and wife had carved a couple of pumplins. One was with bats and the other was a skull with flames at the top of his head. They were cool. At about eight, I blew out the candles and brought in the mat that screams when you step on it. It scares the crap out of little kids, though there are those who figure it out and love to jump on it repeatedly. We were left with the dregs of candy.
The next morning the two pumpkins were gone. There was no remnants to suggest somebody smashed the pumpkins on our or our neighbors' properties. Who the fuck stole those Jack O'lanterns? Why? This is a greater mystery than how they get the caramel in the Caramilk chocolate bar (there, you can tell I am Canadian with that line). Ciao!
Well, on the street, where it really counts, he rocked. He had decided to wear the gloves and do the anguished face. The wife streaked his face with grease paint in the appropriate "The Scream" colors. It looked awesome, when he wanted it to. Now, to be quite honest, nobody got his costume without asking. When they did ask and hear his explanation (and face), all were impressed. Of course, to the nanny set, who did find it a giggle, it looked like he was a picture, with his face in the frame. We had a good haul, though and that is really what Halloween is all about.
He and wife decided to gon farther. They went to this funky house across the bridge. The house looks like it is unfinished, but it has been that way for at least three years. Anyway, the woman there went to art school. She loved the costume. And who would not?
The lad and wife had carved a couple of pumplins. One was with bats and the other was a skull with flames at the top of his head. They were cool. At about eight, I blew out the candles and brought in the mat that screams when you step on it. It scares the crap out of little kids, though there are those who figure it out and love to jump on it repeatedly. We were left with the dregs of candy.
The next morning the two pumpkins were gone. There was no remnants to suggest somebody smashed the pumpkins on our or our neighbors' properties. Who the fuck stole those Jack O'lanterns? Why? This is a greater mystery than how they get the caramel in the Caramilk chocolate bar (there, you can tell I am Canadian with that line). Ciao!
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