What I Think of Berkeley Politics

I did not write this, but the fellow who did said it pretty much exactly how I would have. I can't say it any better, so I'll just associate myself with his/her remarks.

Pretty much sums up why despite loving the place, I can never live there again.

A Change of Pace

Thought that I would mix things up here for a moment.

Something that may surprise people who read this blog but don't know me (probably nobody, but you never know) is that I actually really love this country. Which, ironically, is why I'm usually so critical of it; I know that it can do better, especially than it has over the past eight years. Also, generally speaking, writing about things that are good typically isn't that interesting. Sometimes you have to make an exception.

So I'm sitting at home with the Olympics on, its men's gymnastics, and it is amazing to watch people from so many different parts of the world competing. The Chinese are amazing of course, as are the Russians, the Indians, and some other assorted Europeans; I can't help but have this big shit eating grin because every single one of them has an American flag on his uniform. All of the other teams all look identical, but ours looks identical to all the other teams combined. Thats fucking awesome.


Also, Dara Torres is my hero. Most of the girls she is racing weren't even born yet when she won her first olympic medal back in 1984; they haven't caught up with her yet.

It Am Only Thing To Do!!!

For Great Justice!

Ain't that the fucking truth.

I swear that most of my fellow American's are like goldfish; nothing beyond the most basic short term memory, and virtually no brains to speak of at all. :-P

Thats pretty much the way to do it...

I'm mourning today for somebody that I've never met.

Professor Dr. Randy Pausch died yesterday of complications from pancreatic cancer.

I came to know of him the same way that millions around the world did via his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon. He was a professor of computer science, but his lecture was about life and was given when he only expected to have another five months to live. We all face adversity in our lives; I hope and aspire to be able to handle whatever life throws at me with the same grace and attitude he did.

The video of his last lecture is about 1:15 long, but you owe it to yourselves to block out some time and watch it.

Rest in peace Professor. The world is poorer without you in it.

Prescient Satire

Depressing how prophetic The Onion ended up being in an attempt at satire back in January 2001.

You know that something has gone horribly horribly wrong when the most outrageous attempt at hyperbole ends up falling a little bit short of the reality a few short years on.

Nooks and Crannies

I absolutely fucking love living in the city. I've been living here for nine months and I'm still discovering awesome new restaurants less than two blocks from my apartment! Just went to a fantastic little Cuban place with a friend of mine today that I had somehow overlooked. Its definitely going on the list of places to frequent.

Still can't believe that it I wasted the previous seven years of my life in the south bay. Tragic.

Comics can be irritatingly precise.

This comic sums up how I think in a disturbingly accurate manner.

How did he get into my head?

Two Steps Back

We're going to be feeling the damage from the Bush administration for decades to come.

Voting rights were dealt a major blow by the supreme court today.

You can look forward to lots of "voter verification" acts that are specifically targeted at minorities and the underclasses in the coming years.

Fucking Ass Jackals

Here we go again

There is no other reasonable explanation, Ralph Nader is a rabid NeoCon.

I really really hope that he gets hit by a bus, thus ending his campaign to destroy the US and everybody that we'll take down with us.

Seriously, if this guy thinks that running will help advance the causes he purports to believe in, than he is so stupid that it is indistinguishable from malice. Not surprisingly, his running mate is Matt Gonzalez, another guy who is so stupidly, zealously liberal that he is shooting himself and everybody else in the head. Liberal isn't even the right word for it, being liberal is a good thing, these guys are just fucking zealot asshats. Like all zealot asshats, they need to go.

Good Move

Was just watching the news when they played a story about how the pope just announced that the catholic church will no longer allow pedophiles to be priests.

Really?

Only just now?

These guys are quick.

Bush Library???

It occurred to me today that Bush is probably beginning to think about setting up his presidential library as most ex-presidents do. The next thought that occurred to me is: "What the hell is he going to put in it? Its not like he's ever read a book in his life!" Other than the lack of books, its not like he has any documents related to any achievements to put in it (having not had any achievements.... significant movement in a negative direction does not count as an achievement).

Probably just end up being an empty room... much like the space between his ears.

So, who wants to go to Malaysia?

Specifically Kuala Lumpur, from oh.. say March 14 through March 24. We could even swing on over to the Formula 1 race while we're there.... ;)

Looks like it would be about $2300 per person including airfair, hotel, and race tickets... anyone? anyone? Buller? Buller?

You know you want to. (Stares long and hard at Josh and Sam in particular)

Seriously, Fuck 2007

Evidently this year hasn't finished getting the last of its digs in on me. While on my way to my company's holiday party this evening I was rear ended. I was stopped in traffic on 280, when a pickup truck slammed into the car behind me (also stopped) which forced it into me. Ouch. Neck hurts a little bit, but I'm basically fine, so no worries there.

The really awesome part is that I, literally, am just about to sell the fucking thing. This will make it harder to sell, and worth less when I do. You can imagine how thrilled I am. The worst part of all of it though is the amount of time it is sure to consume dealing with car repairs and insurance, etc, etc...

With the exception of the one outstanding highlight of making a rather fantastic new friend, this year has seriously sucked. I can't wait for 2008.

Foul Fowl

Generally speaking, noise doesn't really bother me while I'm sleeping (or trying to). This is a good thing as I live in a relatively busy part of the city amidst a constant backdrop of cars, horns, sirens, neighbors banging about and sundry other sounds. However, I have recently discovered a new disturbance that seems to cut right through everything. It reaches down through the hazy mists of my slumber and grabs me, pulling me suddenly, rudely into the harsh and unwelcome state of consciousness.

This is the sound of pigeons getting it on.

I live in the pigeon red light district of San Francisco; the pigeons outside my window are the porn stars of the avian world. Their noisy cooing is ridiculous, dirty and offensive. They make me feel like a priest in a brothel. I get hot under the collar and want to start preaching about fire and brimstone, damning them to hell for their salacious behavior.

Mostly though, I just don't like being woken up by the sounds of passionate animalistic sex when I, myself, am not getting any.

I'll have my revenge though, sooner or later any pigeons dumb enough to sleep near my window will get whats coming to them. ;-)

How do they know???

So, I go to load up one of my favorite sites this evening, and I'm greeted with the following banner ad:




I know that they try to target internet advertising, I just can't believe how good its gotten! How did they know?

Black Comedy

Since my last post, the following things have happened to me (in chronological order):

1) The transmission in my car broke. (Since fixed under warranty)
2) Somebody started writing tons of checks in my name and I've been having to deal with identity theft.
3) I got a black eye after walking into an open dumpster lid that I didn't see (was looking down at my phone while walking along). It still hurts a week later.
4) I came down with a cold.

Clearly, I have pissed off the gods.

The thing is, at this point, it is all just sort of funny. If the last few months of my life were portrayed in a movie people would laugh, but would find it completely unbelievable.

So I laugh cause its funny, but at the same time, seriously, fuck everybody; this shit is getting old.

Communist Subversion

I am working on moving to San Francisco to investigate the International Communist Conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our Precious Bodily Fluids..... and perhaps to enjoy imbibing a number of other fluids at the numerous local bars. I am checking out a few places over the coming week or so, and if I'm lucky, I'll move in before October!

I am very much looking forward to seeing a lot more of all of my friends and family. Really hard to get people to come down and visit in the south bay for some reason.... I can't figure it out.... ;-P

P.O.E.