.They just have be special.
2014-12-31
2014-12-29
Hey Franz Bakery ...
This driver (License Number 24999) was driving like maniac, weaving in and out, tailgating people in Astoria. Fucking hazard.
2014-12-27
2014-12-25
Hmm ... oat fudge bars.
Melted chocolate chips, whole oats, butter, condensed milk, flour, eggs and vanilla extract.
Tasty.
2014-12-24
2014: End of year thoughts.
I'd like to say that this year was a whole lot better than last year.
I also finally received some recognition this year for many years of smart work. It's nice to actually have some degree of respect from one's peers. Not that I'm an attention whore in that I constantly need to be told that I'm doing good work, but it's important to hear it from one's peers, management, and customers everyone once in a awhile. That and of course be rewarded for having a consistent track record in delivering. Granted that 'reward' feels like it was a few years overdue -it's far less than I expected, and there's far more to still get - but it's all part of the overall plan.
And that fucking dog finally bit the dust - you cannot imagine how much joy that brought me. No more dog hair all over everything. No more of my clothes smelling like dog shit. No more of that stupid sound it made, or having to constantly be angered when I found it up amongst everyone else where it didn't belong - because it never belonged there in the first place, and a mistake I'm not going to repeat. Such a stupid, untrustworthy beast that stunk like no tomorrow finally dropped dead. Yeah you can go on and on about how responsible I was as an owner - well fuck off! As far as I know, the only time it ever really went to the vet this year apparently, was to have its carcass disposed of (there's an irony in there somewhere). But apart from the lingering stench, life is a lot happier for me in that regard at home.
And on the subject of health, there's appearance. The self-loathing I've acquired in the last couple of years about myself and how I look have only increased and magnified. But what has really ticked me off is how people around me just don't give a fuck about my feelings and concerns. It's like I'm not interested in being in your picture, so don't take my fucking picture - you didn't ask and I didn't give you permission. And I couldn't care less whether you are a friend, co-worker, or family. To me it really is a lack of respect for my feelings and wishes regardless of whether they are rational or not. And I've never bought into this whole 'well put your feelings aside, get over it, think of this children' bullshit. I think in the New Year I'm going to be a lot more stricter about such things - can you tell I don't have a really good plan to deal with it. It's why I hate going to barber shops, any place with a mirror, being around people, etc. I'm not comfortable with how I look, and don't wish to compound that further with having others view me in even more unflattering mediums.
Then I'm slowing realizing that that the issues being experienced by someone in the family aren't really just us dealing with someone difficult or jerky - there really is a potential issue that will require some degree of medicinal and behavioral intervention. It's been distressing to me because all along and for some time I've felt there was some underlying issue that connected up the behavior and output, but what frustrates me even more (besides all the lost time) was that it took someone else outside the family to point it out, before any real action was taken. I guess in a way I've truly reached the point where I'm just plain sick and tired of having what I say about certain things being continually ignored or minimized, only to have those same certain things be treated seriously - when said by others.
And of course there's global warming, class inequality, endless racism, sexism, misandry ... seems like those just get worse and worse each year.
But I know I cannot change all of those things for the better unless I start with myself and those around me. And I can only do that by always remembering who and what I am and where I need to go.
And in some ways it was ...
... I finally caught up on my songwriting queue - in fact I not only caught up last year's, but even made the time to complete this year's as well. I got such good advice on how to effectively find time in the day to contemplate and capture and document - at least enough to call a song effectively written - that I'm actually considering for this coming year to see if I can complete two more releases of songs. It didn't hurt that I guess after last year, I was VERY inspired to write, and as it turned out, I not only completed a lot of unfinished songs, I also wrote a bunch of brand new tunes. And I have motivation in the coming year in that the next two releases have ideas I'm really looking forward to working on.I also finally received some recognition this year for many years of smart work. It's nice to actually have some degree of respect from one's peers. Not that I'm an attention whore in that I constantly need to be told that I'm doing good work, but it's important to hear it from one's peers, management, and customers everyone once in a awhile. That and of course be rewarded for having a consistent track record in delivering. Granted that 'reward' feels like it was a few years overdue -it's far less than I expected, and there's far more to still get - but it's all part of the overall plan.
And that fucking dog finally bit the dust - you cannot imagine how much joy that brought me. No more dog hair all over everything. No more of my clothes smelling like dog shit. No more of that stupid sound it made, or having to constantly be angered when I found it up amongst everyone else where it didn't belong - because it never belonged there in the first place, and a mistake I'm not going to repeat. Such a stupid, untrustworthy beast that stunk like no tomorrow finally dropped dead. Yeah you can go on and on about how responsible I was as an owner - well fuck off! As far as I know, the only time it ever really went to the vet this year apparently, was to have its carcass disposed of (there's an irony in there somewhere). But apart from the lingering stench, life is a lot happier for me in that regard at home.
On the other hand, in a lot of ways it wasn't ...
... The mysterious issues I've had with various muscles and joints remains unresolved, and I've not had a decent work out in well, over a year. And presently I'm no closer to getting it figured out any time soon. To make matters worse, I've grown to really hate the US Health Care system and all its bureaucracy and all the endless amount of money I seem to be pouring into it, and getting essentially nothing out of it (well nothing solved at least).And on the subject of health, there's appearance. The self-loathing I've acquired in the last couple of years about myself and how I look have only increased and magnified. But what has really ticked me off is how people around me just don't give a fuck about my feelings and concerns. It's like I'm not interested in being in your picture, so don't take my fucking picture - you didn't ask and I didn't give you permission. And I couldn't care less whether you are a friend, co-worker, or family. To me it really is a lack of respect for my feelings and wishes regardless of whether they are rational or not. And I've never bought into this whole 'well put your feelings aside, get over it, think of this children' bullshit. I think in the New Year I'm going to be a lot more stricter about such things - can you tell I don't have a really good plan to deal with it. It's why I hate going to barber shops, any place with a mirror, being around people, etc. I'm not comfortable with how I look, and don't wish to compound that further with having others view me in even more unflattering mediums.
Then I'm slowing realizing that that the issues being experienced by someone in the family aren't really just us dealing with someone difficult or jerky - there really is a potential issue that will require some degree of medicinal and behavioral intervention. It's been distressing to me because all along and for some time I've felt there was some underlying issue that connected up the behavior and output, but what frustrates me even more (besides all the lost time) was that it took someone else outside the family to point it out, before any real action was taken. I guess in a way I've truly reached the point where I'm just plain sick and tired of having what I say about certain things being continually ignored or minimized, only to have those same certain things be treated seriously - when said by others.
The usual pending problems are still with us and have never gone away ...
And of course there's global warming, class inequality, endless racism, sexism, misandry ... seems like those just get worse and worse each year.
But I know I cannot change all of those things for the better unless I start with myself and those around me. And I can only do that by always remembering who and what I am and where I need to go.
2014-12-22
A data sheet for a job I got via email ...
| Details required for Submitted your profile to the Client. | |
| Candidate Name | |
| Present location (city, state and ZIP) | |
| Work Authorization ((USC/GC/GC EAD/H1B) | |
| Visa Validity till (If Any) | |
| Contact Number | |
| E-mail ID | |
| Skype ID | |
| SSN Number: (Last 4 Digits) | |
| *Onsite availability (post-selection) | |
| Total onsite experience, working in US | |
| Overall relevant experience of candidate | |
| Availability for Interview (Preferred Time) Mention 2 Best Slots | |
| Education Details: (Highest Degree, University, Year) | |
| Certifications (If any): | |
| Last Working Day (Previous Project) | |
Seriously, won't these recruiters ever learn ... ?
I am not going to ever provide data like - oh I don't know - my Social Security Number to someone (or anyone for that matter) via email.
2014-12-21
The cost of voting in right-wingers - those asshole ALEC corporate stooges have plans in 2015.
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2014/11/12666/alec-buoyed-election-results-lays-blueprint-2015
Blocking Local Minimum Wage Increases
Local Right to Work
Depriving Low-Wage Workers of Health Insurance
"The Onslaught of Shareholder Activism"
Tobacco, Trade, and Teeth
Blocking Local Minimum Wage Increases
Local Right to Work
Depriving Low-Wage Workers of Health Insurance
"The Onslaught of Shareholder Activism"
Tobacco, Trade, and Teeth
2014-12-18
Hmm ... what a surprise Hershey thinking of adding sugar back to replace HFCS?
http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/12/03/hersheys-may-cut-hfcs
"But as Americans have become more aware of the potential dangers of genetically modified corn and the possible connection between high-fructose corn syrup and diabetes, the demand for the ingredient’s removal from foodstuffs has grown. "
Of course - it has nothing to do people like me pointing out the bullshit PR crap they try to delude themselves into thinking is real is that - bullshit, no.
"But as Americans have become more aware of the potential dangers of genetically modified corn and the possible connection between high-fructose corn syrup and diabetes, the demand for the ingredient’s removal from foodstuffs has grown. "
Of course - it has nothing to do people like me pointing out the bullshit PR crap they try to delude themselves into thinking is real is that - bullshit, no.
2014-12-17
2014-12-16
What a novel idea - let referees police the game of hockey.
http://itsnotpartofthegame.blogspot.com/2014/10/next-step-let-refs-police-game.html#more
Call The Instigator Rule
Stop The Crap After The Whistle
Crack Down On Dangerous Penalties
Track Dangerous Penalties By Player
All seems reasonable to me.
Call The Instigator Rule
Stop The Crap After The Whistle
Crack Down On Dangerous Penalties
Track Dangerous Penalties By Player
All seems reasonable to me.
2014-12-15
Sigh - dreams on furlough
So many ideas to capture - but no way of doing so properly.
Okay - I'll be less obtuse.
My old 12-track recorder has reached its technical limits of what I can do with it as is. By this I mean that it has limited space on its internal hard drive, and I've reached that limit. To make matters worse, it's one of those ones from the 90's which used an archaic JAZ technology that's obsolete now.
To make matters worse, my old PC died, and replacing it will be a bundle of cash. And there's no priority to include a really good sound card and recording software because Internet usage and regular family use take priority.
I've been looking at other digital multi-track recorders from BOSS, Zoom, and TASCAM. Each have their relative strengths and weaknesses, but none of them are enough of a value proposition for me to be able to justify spending $500-$700 over the needs of getting a PC for the family.
And a dedicated digital audio workstation (DAW) is simply beyond my financial means.
So I'm stuck. Happy Holidays - YAY!
Okay - I'll be less obtuse.
My old 12-track recorder has reached its technical limits of what I can do with it as is. By this I mean that it has limited space on its internal hard drive, and I've reached that limit. To make matters worse, it's one of those ones from the 90's which used an archaic JAZ technology that's obsolete now.
To make matters worse, my old PC died, and replacing it will be a bundle of cash. And there's no priority to include a really good sound card and recording software because Internet usage and regular family use take priority.
I've been looking at other digital multi-track recorders from BOSS, Zoom, and TASCAM. Each have their relative strengths and weaknesses, but none of them are enough of a value proposition for me to be able to justify spending $500-$700 over the needs of getting a PC for the family.
And a dedicated digital audio workstation (DAW) is simply beyond my financial means.
So I'm stuck. Happy Holidays - YAY!
2014-12-14
FUCK: the definitive book.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuck%3A_Word_Taboo_and_Protecting_Our_First_Amendment_Liberties
A book I would like to read for sure.
A book I would like to read for sure.
2014-12-12
Ah the beginning of another weekend.
Lots of screaming and yelling from the kids ... ah the joy of parenting small children.
2014-12-11
Measure 92 in Oregon done for now.
I read on a website how some person (okay like a corporation) implied that groups advocating for such measures should just give up.
Typical stupidity.
If anything, the opposite is true.
Given the overwhelming financial odds (corporations dumping in wads of cash to placate enough people with misinformation to vote against it; or simply not care), the fact that the initiative was short 800 or so votes, tells me they need to fight on and continue.
It's the same in Washington and California.
Typical stupidity.
If anything, the opposite is true.
Given the overwhelming financial odds (corporations dumping in wads of cash to placate enough people with misinformation to vote against it; or simply not care), the fact that the initiative was short 800 or so votes, tells me they need to fight on and continue.
It's the same in Washington and California.
Test of new Bloggeroid app
Since Blogger wouldn't fix their Android app despite my pleas, I decided to turn elsewhere.
I wonder ... could this work?
I wonder ... could this work?
2014-12-10
One more set of reasons to never trust anything advocated by the CIA, or anyone who tries to place them in a positive light ...
... it's simply not possible.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_Intelligence_Committee_report_on_CIA_torture
The CIA is a classic modern example of an institution where really stupid people have authority of life and death over people. That makes them extremely dangerous to everyone in society.
The worst part about it - is none of the individuals or groups behinds this will ever be held accountable for their actions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_Intelligence_Committee_report_on_CIA_torture
The CIA is a classic modern example of an institution where really stupid people have authority of life and death over people. That makes them extremely dangerous to everyone in society.
The worst part about it - is none of the individuals or groups behinds this will ever be held accountable for their actions.
2014-12-09
Profit over proof. Once and everywhere
1. Corporate ghostwriters can produce an entire article for a researcher (who may or may not have been the one who actually did the research and who may or may not acknowledge the role of the true author).
2. Companies pay thousands of dollars to academics who give lectures favorable to drugs.
3. Money talks to the mind: Researchers who have received more money from a drug company perceive that its drugs are safer than do researchers without those financial ties.
4. Requirements that researchers report financial conflicts of interest when publishing articles tend not to work because (a) there are no consequences for failing to report conflicts and (b) backup systems to ensure reporting don't work.
5. The same problems regarding not reporting conflicts of interest occur when applying for grants.
6. Management at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which gives tens of billions of dollars in grants, discourages investigating conflicts of interest.
7. NIH advisory committee members receive large sums of money from drug companies for speaking and consulting.
8. NIH waivers for conflicts of interest are supposed to be exceptional, but are passed out like candy on Halloween.
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/27889-gmo-contamination-denial-controlling-science
Global Warming is a looming catastrophe? Nuclear exposure deadly? Frankenfood unsafe? That drug has life-ending side-effects?
Never to these corporations. They don't think and they don't care. Profit over proof. Once and everywhere.
"Defending the right of scientists to investigate dangers of GMO food could not be successful if that defense were limited to demanding free scientific inquiry while ignoring the way that agro dollars control the world's food. The food industry will use any technique it can to squash significant opposition. That includes softening their blows against critics until the heat dies down and then beginning the attacks anew. The right to scientific investigation can only be protected if it is part of a larger effort to challenge the right of corporations to define what good food is and how it should be grown. The fact that the food sovereignty movement fully understands the unity of these goals is why it is so strong and why Big Food fears it so much."
2. Companies pay thousands of dollars to academics who give lectures favorable to drugs.
3. Money talks to the mind: Researchers who have received more money from a drug company perceive that its drugs are safer than do researchers without those financial ties.
4. Requirements that researchers report financial conflicts of interest when publishing articles tend not to work because (a) there are no consequences for failing to report conflicts and (b) backup systems to ensure reporting don't work.
5. The same problems regarding not reporting conflicts of interest occur when applying for grants.
6. Management at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which gives tens of billions of dollars in grants, discourages investigating conflicts of interest.
7. NIH advisory committee members receive large sums of money from drug companies for speaking and consulting.
8. NIH waivers for conflicts of interest are supposed to be exceptional, but are passed out like candy on Halloween.
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/27889-gmo-contamination-denial-controlling-science
Global Warming is a looming catastrophe? Nuclear exposure deadly? Frankenfood unsafe? That drug has life-ending side-effects?
Never to these corporations. They don't think and they don't care. Profit over proof. Once and everywhere.
"Defending the right of scientists to investigate dangers of GMO food could not be successful if that defense were limited to demanding free scientific inquiry while ignoring the way that agro dollars control the world's food. The food industry will use any technique it can to squash significant opposition. That includes softening their blows against critics until the heat dies down and then beginning the attacks anew. The right to scientific investigation can only be protected if it is part of a larger effort to challenge the right of corporations to define what good food is and how it should be grown. The fact that the food sovereignty movement fully understands the unity of these goals is why it is so strong and why Big Food fears it so much."
2014-12-08
Hey progressive groups ...
Here's a tip.
When you do business with Amoron's holiday marketing strategy (smile) you're in effect a partner in their business.
Groups like IRT and Courage Campaign are asking me to do business with them by helping their holiday marketing strategy - they should really read the GIFs Amoron has them put in their emails more carefully. They are not a charity - charities don't use '.com'.
They are -in-effect - a partner in their business - and I want no part of it.I will no longer trust these two groups that much either going forward.
Still I can't blame them too much - corporations will take advantage of any situation for growing themselves. Much like a cancer, I would think.
When you do business with Amoron's holiday marketing strategy (smile) you're in effect a partner in their business.
Groups like IRT and Courage Campaign are asking me to do business with them by helping their holiday marketing strategy - they should really read the GIFs Amoron has them put in their emails more carefully. They are not a charity - charities don't use '.com'.
They are -in-effect - a partner in their business - and I want no part of it.I will no longer trust these two groups that much either going forward.
Still I can't blame them too much - corporations will take advantage of any situation for growing themselves. Much like a cancer, I would think.
A promise of the future
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_%28spacecraft%29
Or at least, one thay doesn't involve fucking up the planet as much as Global Warming.
Or at least, one thay doesn't involve fucking up the planet as much as Global Warming.
2014-12-07
Weekend just about over.
Well it was a local weekend for sure.
New library, holiday lights at the park, eating dinner at a local diner.
Can't say we weren't checking out the usual city haunts. I feel so productive.
New library, holiday lights at the park, eating dinner at a local diner.
Can't say we weren't checking out the usual city haunts. I feel so productive.
2014-12-06
Ah a lazy Saturday ...
When you've got no money - you've got to get creative to keep the family entertained.
The library usually works.
The library usually works.
2014-12-05
'Modern-day feminist'? No thanks.
I have always believed when it comes to who's smarter - men or women, that they are both equally stupid.
That one is no more and no less than the other.
In that regard, I have always believed feminism has always been about true equality between men and women. I say this because I know for many many years in many societies, women have been regarded as inferior or less than men, and have been treated as property or essentially less than human.
I've never believed that.
And I believe feminism has been about the pursuit of rectifying these inequalities, along with other basic things like walking down the street without being harassed or attacked or ogled.
All that being said ...
... I've found there are a group of women who've always carried themselves as morally superior to men - and oftentimes I find them in the media or part of the entertainment establishment. Indeed I know it's largely to push products and services by corporations on the purchasing customer base in Western Society - but when I hear this same type of women calling themselves, 'modern-day feminists' - a red flag goes up.
They speak of the Bechdel test as the measure of any film they go to (which really is a measure of the quality of the writing as opposed to the genders), and at the same time smear any one who disagrees as misogynist.
These are usually the same women who proclaim demanding equal pay for equal work, and in the same breath, expect a man to hold a door open for them. What fucking hypocrisy - that's not equality of respect; that's believing you are better and deserving to be treated as more important. Or worse, treating men like animals or less than human - kind of like the same kind of way many men used to treat women back in the day ...
I've never believed that.
So next time you hear someone calling themselves a 'modern-day feminist' - ask them what they really mean and request some examples. If they sound anything like some of the examples I've seen and heard, one can only hope they don't reproduce.
It goes back to what I said -
I have always believed when it comes to who's smarter - men or women, that they are both equally stupid.
That one is no more and no less than the other.
In that regard, I have always believed feminism has always been about true equality between men and women. I say this because I know for many many years in many societies, women have been regarded as inferior or less than men, and have been treated as property or essentially less than human.
I've never believed that.
And I believe feminism has been about the pursuit of rectifying these inequalities, along with other basic things like walking down the street without being harassed or attacked or ogled.
All that being said ...
... I've found there are a group of women who've always carried themselves as morally superior to men - and oftentimes I find them in the media or part of the entertainment establishment. Indeed I know it's largely to push products and services by corporations on the purchasing customer base in Western Society - but when I hear this same type of women calling themselves, 'modern-day feminists' - a red flag goes up.
They speak of the Bechdel test as the measure of any film they go to (which really is a measure of the quality of the writing as opposed to the genders), and at the same time smear any one who disagrees as misogynist.
These are usually the same women who proclaim demanding equal pay for equal work, and in the same breath, expect a man to hold a door open for them. What fucking hypocrisy - that's not equality of respect; that's believing you are better and deserving to be treated as more important. Or worse, treating men like animals or less than human - kind of like the same kind of way many men used to treat women back in the day ...
I've never believed that.
So next time you hear someone calling themselves a 'modern-day feminist' - ask them what they really mean and request some examples. If they sound anything like some of the examples I've seen and heard, one can only hope they don't reproduce.
It goes back to what I said -
I have always believed when it comes to who's smarter - men or women, that they are both equally stupid.
2014-12-04
The Onion never fails us in times of need.
It's funny because it's so true and quite honestly if I don't laugh, I'll scream at the injustice of it all -
http://www.theonion.com/articles/police-officer-demonstrates-proper-technique-for-s,37595/
http://www.theonion.com/articles/police-officer-demonstrates-proper-technique-for-s,37595/
Common Core Math ....
I don't recall elementary school needing to be so complicated such I need to waste an hour trying to figure out how to add numbers by 6's and 7's.
Ah interesting stuff ... too bad they haven't won a Stanley Cup in over 20 years.
1909 – The Montreal Canadiens, the oldest professional ice hockey club in the world, was founded as a charter member of the National Hockey Association.
On this day in 1909.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Montreal_Canadiens
On this day in 1909.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Montreal_Canadiens
2014-12-03
Think Mike Brown was robbed of justice ... what about Eric Garner?
"Many believe NYPD
conducted an unlawful stop of Eric Garner; witnesses say he was breaking
up a fight, not selling untaxed cigarettes as the NYPD claims.4
And multiple NYPD officers can be seen on camera brutally slamming
Garner to the ground and strangling him to death as he yells out in
pain, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe." Other officers and EMS
workers did nothing to intervene or revive him."
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justice_for_Eric_garner/?t=3&akid=3938.1200954.RAJpHH
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justice_for_Eric_garner/?t=3&akid=3938.1200954.RAJpHH
2014-12-02
RIP Le Gros Bill
Joseph Jean Arthur "Le Gros Bill" Béliveau, CC GOQ (August 31, 1931 – December 2, 2014) was a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played parts of 20 seasons with the National Hockey League's Montreal Canadiens. As a player, he won the Stanley Cup 10 times, and as an executive he was part of another seven championship teams, the most Stanley Cup victories by an individual to date. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_B%C3%A9liveau
A class act from beginning to end.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_B%C3%A9liveau
A class act from beginning to end.
Oxford-style debate on GMOs hosted by Intelligence Squared in NYC, December 3rd, 2014.
More below.
http://intelligencesquaredus.org/debates/upcoming-debates/item/1161-genetically-modify-food
http://intelligencesquaredus.org/debates/upcoming-debates/item/1161-genetically-modify-food
- Reception: 5:45-6:30 PM
- Debate: 6:45-8:30 PM
- Kaufman Center
129 West 67th Street
(b/w Broadway and Amsterdam)
NY, NY 10023
We'll see how objective the corporate media is. I'm not holding my breath that it'll be a fair debate, but we'll see.
2014-12-01
The other horrible thing that happened in the US on this day in 2001
2001 – Less than two months after disclosing accounting violations, Texas-based energy firm Enron filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, evaporating nearly $11 billion in shareholder wealth.
Amazing to me how Ken Lay got away with never ever getting a conviction on his record.
Amazing to me how Ken Lay got away with never ever getting a conviction on his record.
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