The weather is gloomy and the air has a slight bite to it. It is overcast, the sky cloaked by a single enormous cloud.
My mood is similar. Has been for a few weeks now. I could pretty easily point to an array of holes draining water from my glass, but they'd all sound petty and inconsequential - particularly in this economic climate. Besides, I could also compile a list of things adding to it, so I'm not ready to call this situational.
Serendipitously, I read an article yesterday on CNN discussing SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. I'll stop short of saying I have anything close to a medical condition, but suffice it to say I found elements of the article quite interesting. Not the least of which is the fact that it cites the brother of a childhood friend, someone I hadn't thought about in 20 years. Seems he is affected by the condition, and writes about it in his blog.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Live from the Home Office
I recently started a new gig. After 7 years in mobile, I was ready to try something different. Part of that different is working out of the home.
I am nervous about the home office for a plethora of reasons. Will I be able to hunker down when my great dane brings a slobbery tennis ball my way? Can I resist the urge to vacuum daily??? Will business casual evolve to wanton nudity?!?!?! The early results are positive: the dog sleeps for 22 hours of every day, the floor is covered in animal hair, and I am fully clothed.
Yay. Yay for the home office.
One thing I wasn't nervous about was daytime theft. As many of you are aware, I live in the hood. Agents call it "burgeoning," but this is just a fancy way to make you feel better about finding used condoms on your front lawn.
Or, in yesterday's case, a set of keys.
Some explaining. Yesterday, I went to lunch and left my motorcycle on the other side of that door, in clear view of the first floor of the house (I'm not stupid). I went upstairs to my home office after lunch, having forgotten to put the bike in the garage (okay, maybe a little stupid). Later last night I went to move it and noticed a set of keys on the seat of the motorcycle. Someone else's keys.
Someone may have been trying to steal my motorcycle by trying a bunch of random keys. In broad daylight. In my front yard.
I put the keys on the other side of the door, just in case the erstwhile grand thefter person returned because he couldn't get into his crack house. I want him to know that his keys aren't lost after all, they are a mere six feet away from where he left them.
I am nervous about the home office for a plethora of reasons. Will I be able to hunker down when my great dane brings a slobbery tennis ball my way? Can I resist the urge to vacuum daily??? Will business casual evolve to wanton nudity?!?!?! The early results are positive: the dog sleeps for 22 hours of every day, the floor is covered in animal hair, and I am fully clothed.
Yay. Yay for the home office.
One thing I wasn't nervous about was daytime theft. As many of you are aware, I live in the hood. Agents call it "burgeoning," but this is just a fancy way to make you feel better about finding used condoms on your front lawn.
Or, in yesterday's case, a set of keys.
Some explaining. Yesterday, I went to lunch and left my motorcycle on the other side of that door, in clear view of the first floor of the house (I'm not stupid). I went upstairs to my home office after lunch, having forgotten to put the bike in the garage (okay, maybe a little stupid). Later last night I went to move it and noticed a set of keys on the seat of the motorcycle. Someone else's keys.
Someone may have been trying to steal my motorcycle by trying a bunch of random keys. In broad daylight. In my front yard.
I put the keys on the other side of the door, just in case the erstwhile grand thefter person returned because he couldn't get into his crack house. I want him to know that his keys aren't lost after all, they are a mere six feet away from where he left them.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Hold the Oedipus Complex
Like me, my father is a fierce independent. Historically, he has employed reason and compassion equally, though stores of the latter seem to be depleting with age, and he remains, above all else, pragmatic, which is just about the nicest thing I can say about someone's political views. That said, unlike me, he is still undecided in this election, a stance forcing me to reevaluate the tenor of my evangelism for Obama/Biden. At this point, I have to fight the urge to accuse him - and others who remain undecided - of not paying attention, but that does no one any good, and, in my father's case anyway, it simply isn't true.
Initially I tried to persuade him that I am my father's son, and pride myself on examining issues from as many angles as possible to unearth solution first, candidate second. That when the dust settled and the candidates were reduced to spreadsheets, Obama/Biden come out on top. Add the obvious charisma and intellect of Obama, and you've got a candidate as good off paper as he is on it.
It didn't work.
"Experience," he explained. When asked what that meant in practical terms, he continued, "It's the only thing that can generate real wisdom." It made sense on the surface; I am certainly wiser than I was ten years ago (though, probably slightly dumber too). I wondered about the experience/wisdom tipping point. Someone who is 95 would technically have more experience, but would they be wiser? More to the point, would McCain make an even better candidate at 95?
I pressed him on this, peppered my case for Obama with real data points, and even pleaded to his innate optimism: "One candidate seems to be so much more positive and hopeful than the other, who seems to be running on fear - to the point where he is labeled an 'elitist' or an 'idealist'. When did it become wrong to be an elitist, Dad? I certainly believe our form of government and cultural construct are elite, and I'd much rather have ideals than cynicism. In fact, I think Obama should come right out and say 'Yes, I AM an elitist, and you should be too!'"
I held the phone to my ear, waiting for the concession.
"You're just like your mother, it's cute."
Initially I tried to persuade him that I am my father's son, and pride myself on examining issues from as many angles as possible to unearth solution first, candidate second. That when the dust settled and the candidates were reduced to spreadsheets, Obama/Biden come out on top. Add the obvious charisma and intellect of Obama, and you've got a candidate as good off paper as he is on it.
It didn't work.
"Experience," he explained. When asked what that meant in practical terms, he continued, "It's the only thing that can generate real wisdom." It made sense on the surface; I am certainly wiser than I was ten years ago (though, probably slightly dumber too). I wondered about the experience/wisdom tipping point. Someone who is 95 would technically have more experience, but would they be wiser? More to the point, would McCain make an even better candidate at 95?
I pressed him on this, peppered my case for Obama with real data points, and even pleaded to his innate optimism: "One candidate seems to be so much more positive and hopeful than the other, who seems to be running on fear - to the point where he is labeled an 'elitist' or an 'idealist'. When did it become wrong to be an elitist, Dad? I certainly believe our form of government and cultural construct are elite, and I'd much rather have ideals than cynicism. In fact, I think Obama should come right out and say 'Yes, I AM an elitist, and you should be too!'"
I held the phone to my ear, waiting for the concession.
"You're just like your mother, it's cute."
Monday, September 8, 2008
In Response to a Former Coworker
A former coworker sends me material about her new venture. Occasionally she sends job opportunities (Yay!), but most of the email contains references to her quasi-professional, quasi-personal blog. This time she alluded to a political stance, and I got curious.
You can read her original post in its entirety here.
Full disclosure: she is a nice woman, and was, in her short tenure, an obviously capable team player. Though she capitalizes adjectives with alacrity:
"Loyalty needs to reside within the American people. During the past several years we have watched several of our elected officials make decisions that benefit themselves, instead of voting and fighting for the people who elected them. They take actions that advance their aspirations, instead of the aspirations of our great nation. Ensnarement with individuals who are disloyal to America only to disassociate when brought to light or damage to ones own political aspirations arise.
Loyalty is demonstrated in ones desire to protect our nation and stand up to those who attempt to defile it in words, actions and associations.
There is only one Presidential candidate in our upcoming election, who has demonstrated Loyalty to America - at all cost, who has never defiled America or her people through words and associations, and who will continue to be Loyal to America and her people.
I believe they are and have been Loyal to America and her people. I believe they will cross party lines, do the necessary shaking Washington needs, and serve the people of America. They will create change and inspire Loyalty.
John McCain, thank you for being a Loyal American. Thank you for demonstrating strong ethics. Thank you for your leadership. And thank you for choosing Governor Sarah Palin as your Vice President. "
My response:
First let me say I admire your courage in seeking a way to intertwine your political views with your business practices; while I pride myself on being willing to roll the dice on occasion - even in professional settings, I'm not sure even I'd have that kind of moxie. Since you sent an unsolicited email to me, however, I don't feel the need to exercise a corresponding amount of moderation.
While I agree that John McCain is a "Loyal American," I struggle to attach much actionable meaning to it, which necessarily discounts it as differentiating election evaluation criteria, for me. I mean, saying McCain is loyal is much like saying my friend Lisbeth is awesome; someone else may not think so, and no one is right or wrong. I might say McCain is a political opportunist, or that religious extremists have hijacked the otherwise reasonable republican party and weakened it - perhaps irreversibly, or that the new right's short-sighted economic policy has bought hypnotized Americans off with cheap toys and dubious ploys to moral superiority, at the expense of a rich, diverse culture and dynamic, global economy. I could say those things, but those may (or may not) just be my own opinions. Your mileage may vary.
What is not a matter of opinion, however, are the candidates' positions on issues: McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time (the Obama campaign was generous: the actual number is 95% in 2007 according to mediamatters.org); he was at one time a maverick republican bastion of pro-choice, and now is pro-life; he stated in his nomination acceptance speech that he wants to make Bush's tax cuts to the rich permanent (the wealth gap is widening in this country, at alarming rates - I'd be happy to share a barrage of data with you on this particular point. Suffice it to say the richest 1% of Americans control 50% of the assets).
What is also not a matter of opinion is that Palin's Alaska receives 10x MORE per capita in federal funding than any other state in the U.S, even while she waxes poetic about frivolous government spending and earmarks and brags about killing a bridge project she initially supported (note: she kept the funds). Nor is it a matter of debate that Palin openly believes in the rights of the rape-created fetus and fights to support it, yet sees no moral quandary with shooting big game from aircraft simply for sport. Nor is it a matter of opinion that Palin supports teaching creationism in school (note: it does not matter if you believe it, it is not science).
I could go on, but I think you get the point.
You can read her original post in its entirety here.
Full disclosure: she is a nice woman, and was, in her short tenure, an obviously capable team player. Though she capitalizes adjectives with alacrity:
"Loyalty needs to reside within the American people. During the past several years we have watched several of our elected officials make decisions that benefit themselves, instead of voting and fighting for the people who elected them. They take actions that advance their aspirations, instead of the aspirations of our great nation. Ensnarement with individuals who are disloyal to America only to disassociate when brought to light or damage to ones own political aspirations arise.
Loyalty is demonstrated in ones desire to protect our nation and stand up to those who attempt to defile it in words, actions and associations.
There is only one Presidential candidate in our upcoming election, who has demonstrated Loyalty to America - at all cost, who has never defiled America or her people through words and associations, and who will continue to be Loyal to America and her people.
I believe they are and have been Loyal to America and her people. I believe they will cross party lines, do the necessary shaking Washington needs, and serve the people of America. They will create change and inspire Loyalty.
John McCain, thank you for being a Loyal American. Thank you for demonstrating strong ethics. Thank you for your leadership. And thank you for choosing Governor Sarah Palin as your Vice President. "
My response:
First let me say I admire your courage in seeking a way to intertwine your political views with your business practices; while I pride myself on being willing to roll the dice on occasion - even in professional settings, I'm not sure even I'd have that kind of moxie. Since you sent an unsolicited email to me, however, I don't feel the need to exercise a corresponding amount of moderation.
While I agree that John McCain is a "Loyal American," I struggle to attach much actionable meaning to it, which necessarily discounts it as differentiating election evaluation criteria, for me. I mean, saying McCain is loyal is much like saying my friend Lisbeth is awesome; someone else may not think so, and no one is right or wrong. I might say McCain is a political opportunist, or that religious extremists have hijacked the otherwise reasonable republican party and weakened it - perhaps irreversibly, or that the new right's short-sighted economic policy has bought hypnotized Americans off with cheap toys and dubious ploys to moral superiority, at the expense of a rich, diverse culture and dynamic, global economy. I could say those things, but those may (or may not) just be my own opinions. Your mileage may vary.
What is not a matter of opinion, however, are the candidates' positions on issues: McCain voted with Bush 90% of the time (the Obama campaign was generous: the actual number is 95% in 2007 according to mediamatters.org); he was at one time a maverick republican bastion of pro-choice, and now is pro-life; he stated in his nomination acceptance speech that he wants to make Bush's tax cuts to the rich permanent (the wealth gap is widening in this country, at alarming rates - I'd be happy to share a barrage of data with you on this particular point. Suffice it to say the richest 1% of Americans control 50% of the assets).
What is also not a matter of opinion is that Palin's Alaska receives 10x MORE per capita in federal funding than any other state in the U.S, even while she waxes poetic about frivolous government spending and earmarks and brags about killing a bridge project she initially supported (note: she kept the funds). Nor is it a matter of debate that Palin openly believes in the rights of the rape-created fetus and fights to support it, yet sees no moral quandary with shooting big game from aircraft simply for sport. Nor is it a matter of opinion that Palin supports teaching creationism in school (note: it does not matter if you believe it, it is not science).
I could go on, but I think you get the point.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Anything but Burnt Umber
I’ve been thinking a lot about employment lately. Some random thoughts:
• It is discourteous to leave a job without giving your employer two weeks’ notice. Unless you are being terminated, in which case staying an extra two weeks is considered anything but courteous.
• In Georgia, where I live, you cannot legally be denied a job because you are over 40. Unless you are over 70, in which case, the local Hooters’ manager can legally say “your saggy tits will never see the inside of a Hooters tank top.”
• You can, however, be denied a job based on your sexual orientation, something I discovered years ago when I tried to moonlight as a bartender in midtown.
• Georgia is an “at will” state, which, according to law, means that in the absence of a written contract stating otherwise, you may be terminated for “good cause, bad cause or no cause at all, so long as it is not an illegal cause.” That’s like saying, “you can buy this car in red, fire engine red, candy apple red, yellow, magenta, copper, orange, black, blue, royal blue, sky blue, white, mauve, beige, tan, green, British racing green, off white, cream, but not burnt umber.” Wouldn’t it be better just to say “you can’t get this car in burnt umber?” Lawyers.
• It is discourteous to leave a job without giving your employer two weeks’ notice. Unless you are being terminated, in which case staying an extra two weeks is considered anything but courteous.
• In Georgia, where I live, you cannot legally be denied a job because you are over 40. Unless you are over 70, in which case, the local Hooters’ manager can legally say “your saggy tits will never see the inside of a Hooters tank top.”
• You can, however, be denied a job based on your sexual orientation, something I discovered years ago when I tried to moonlight as a bartender in midtown.
• Georgia is an “at will” state, which, according to law, means that in the absence of a written contract stating otherwise, you may be terminated for “good cause, bad cause or no cause at all, so long as it is not an illegal cause.” That’s like saying, “you can buy this car in red, fire engine red, candy apple red, yellow, magenta, copper, orange, black, blue, royal blue, sky blue, white, mauve, beige, tan, green, British racing green, off white, cream, but not burnt umber.” Wouldn’t it be better just to say “you can’t get this car in burnt umber?” Lawyers.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Obamarant!
I am enraged by an article I just read on CNN about the possible downside for blacks should Obama win the November election. The gist of it is that instead of being a vehicle for fundamental change, Obama would be a puppet for white guilt, the penultimate statement on the death of racism among white Americans.
By publishing an article whose premise is utterly incendiary and stupid, CNN has decided that the scandalous opinions of a few rogues looking to breath new life into the otherwise waning saga of black victimization and welfare economics are, in fact, more important than their potential backlash. I am awed at the creativity of many people to turn the election of a black president into a racist event. Maybe I'm the dumb one.
Thank god the kind of white people who Obama will need to carry are not capable of being dumb enough to believe that suddenly everything is rosy for black people.
I can see this kind of bullshit being spewed from Republican pulpits as a clever way to discourage blacks from voting for Obama, but if there is one single black person that thinks an Obama presidency would do more harm than good, please, kindly, go fuck yourself.
By publishing an article whose premise is utterly incendiary and stupid, CNN has decided that the scandalous opinions of a few rogues looking to breath new life into the otherwise waning saga of black victimization and welfare economics are, in fact, more important than their potential backlash. I am awed at the creativity of many people to turn the election of a black president into a racist event. Maybe I'm the dumb one.
Thank god the kind of white people who Obama will need to carry are not capable of being dumb enough to believe that suddenly everything is rosy for black people.
I can see this kind of bullshit being spewed from Republican pulpits as a clever way to discourage blacks from voting for Obama, but if there is one single black person that thinks an Obama presidency would do more harm than good, please, kindly, go fuck yourself.
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