It's Saturday night. Go out and have fun

And enjoy some music courtesy of Seattle band, Voyager One

Hymn To Good Fortune

Wishful Thinking

I was reading some rather optimistic comments over at Daily Kos that people are starting to sit up and take notice that no WMD have yet been found in Iraq after several months. However, I disagree that this story has legs as I have yet to see it being mentioned on any of the US Media sites like CNN, MSNBC or any of the major papers. Until that happens, most Amerikans will be remain ignorant and help Bush keep his 66 percent apporval rating I think its disgraceful that the British press cares more about this story than the US. In fact The Guardian has it as its lead story.
Well maybe if Tony Blair gets pummelled over this, people here will wake up. Call me optimistic.

Full of shit

Greetings to all of you who found this site searching for shit eaters. Feel free to look around. The toilet is 'round back. And it's empty I might add, so you may be disappointed.

Maybe I should move up north, eh?

So I took this test to see if I qualify to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker. I scored a 72 which means I almost pass (you need a 75 to qualify). Basically all I need is to be fluent in French or have a job arranged and I'd be able to get in. Well you also need lots of money - enough funds to keep you self sufficient for 6 months, according to their website. So looks like I need to save about 15 grand or so. Sigh. Well it's nice to know I can qualify at least.I suppose I could probably save a goodly amount in the next 2 years or so or at least enough by the end of next year. I do know I'll be seriously looking into it if Shrub gets re-elected. There's just no way I want to stay in a country whose people are THAT stupid.

Language Games

Wittgenstein once remarked that "philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language." I've discovered that this concept actually applies to life itself rather than just philosophy. Every day is a continuous onslaught from different sources who either choose to ignore the definitions of words or simply change the definitions altogether. These days, people use the word "defense" as another word for invasion. And "freedom" to mean slavery. Or vice versa. George Owell wrote about this as well. And I find it interesting that the very sources that employ Newspeak to confound the audience offer commentary on it at the same time. It's a wonder any real communication takes place at all. When words cease to have meanings, then all that is left is speaking nonsense.

I was brooding on these things yesterday, which was Memorial Day here in the USA, a day for "remerbering those who died defending our country." Fair enough, I thought. But when was the last time "our country" was actually under attack? And how does invading defenseless countries qualify as "defending?" How does a random sample of 200 people translate into the the whole of the "American People" as polls claim?

Maybe I'm just taking all this shit too seriously. What do you think? Is this weirdness limited to English? Or does it occur in other languages as well like Icelandic or Russian? Or Hungarian for that matter?

Matrix Redux

A big complaint that I've been reading about concerning 'The Matrix: Reloaded' has been that many of the important dialogue scenes were hard to follow. Fortunately, I've been able to track down an unofficial transcript of the main scene between the character Neo and The Architect and you can read it here if you are so inclined.

In the meantime, I'm going to go swimming.

Cross Eyed

So I just got back from the eye doctor. I'd been thinking I need a new prescription as things have been rather out of focus lately, which is a Bad Thing if you drive professionally for a living like I do. Turns out my prescription really hasn't changed so the doctor thinks it may be dry eye syndrome but I'm skeptical as I don't have many of this symptoms associated with that. Throw on top of that some aphoria which is a very mild form of strabismus and I should just be grateful I can see anything at all.

Can you believe King County lets me drive a bus? :-)

Cool

Someone else actually gets it. I knew I wasn't the only one.

It Don't Mean Shit

So Mr. Natural was this hippy drug guru in some 60s comic book. One day a young devotee approached him and asked, "What does it all mean, Mr Natural?" And Mr Natural gave his now famous reply, "It don't mean shit."

I've been reflecting on this lately as I struggle daily with the absurdities of living in this world. The alienation I've felt toward the world in general only seems to get worse every year. I look around and see others who seem to be human - they have heads and arms and legs etc. Yet I feel no kinship to any of them. It's a little disconcerting at times and when I start to feel this way, I remember that simple truth. It really doesn't mean shit.

I must admit I stand in awe quite often when I roam the so-called 'blogosphere.' I sometimes wonder what motivates people to reveal personal details about themselves for all to read. I've never been comfortable writing about myself mostly because I think people would just be bored to tears with the mundane details of my life. I mean, I'm having a tough enough time trying to come up with 100 interesting things about me. And I figure if someone wants to know more about me they could always email or message me.

Has the world become so fragmented and its people so isolated and separated from each other that people just reach out in desparation to be "heard?" It's been said that people have a need to be known and understood. Why is it easier to empty the thoughts in one's head onto a computer screen than it is to simply approach a stranger in a coffee shop or book store and start a conversation?

Stupid Human Tricks

I think this has to be a uniquely American thing:

Motorcycle vs Car

Several years ago when I was traveling through Europe and living in Hungary at the time, a good friend (who has a unique talent for putting things in the proper perspective) wrote a letter and pointed out that only in America do things like hot rods exist. It was then I realised how absurd things really are in this country. Wackiness and insanity goes on here that you just do not see anywhere else and, more importantly, could *never* see anywhere else. Take the story linked above. Could someone name any other country where people do crazy stunts with motorcycles? Or drag race?

Well maybe it does exist elsewhere. Maybe it's because this is the kind of 'news' we get on a daily basis instead of real information? Now more than ever, I've come to define 'news' in this country by what is not reported. On June 2nd, the FCC will meet to vote on ratifying a plan to change the rules limiting ownership of media companies. This could possibly result in one major corporation owning most or all of the media outlets in many cities. The folks at FAIR point out that people who rely on TV news for information (most people in this country) would be hard pressed to have heard of this issue. Not surprising as the only folks who will benefit from this are the parent companies of the TV networks.

A quick scan of the headlines at the Seattle PI says it all. Top two stories are about latino enrollment at a small seattle suburb school, a donut shop being sued for sexual harassment and a story about the mentally ill. And of course there are the obligatory daily articles about the Laci Peterson case (if someone can explain to me why this particular case is getting so much attention in the press here, I'd appreciate it) and other fluffy entertainment pieces. Curiously, I could find no mention of the FCC issue nor any stories about what's happening in Iraq.

Information is power and an uninformed population is a powerless one. And that does not bode well for future elections, which is perfectly fine for those currently in power.

I'm back. Didya miss me?

Ok I was only gone for a couple days or so, but in blog time, that can be an eternity for some people. Weather here has been so nice as of late, I decided to do some hiking and outdoor life stuff.

Of course, now I need to think of something to write about.

Matrix: Reloaded

So after seeing this movie today, I'm a bit puzzled by all the negative reviews. It's almost like the critics didn't see the same movie I did. I thought it was great. Not because of the special effects (of which there are plenty) and fight scenes (also plenty), but the direction the story went and the plot revelations were completely twisted and unexpected. And it's a rare thing to see philosophy in a film, let alone in a film with black leather, shades and kung fu.

Now I've got to go see it again and pick up the stuff I missed. I highly recommend this movie especially if you are a fan of the first like I am.

That's it. I'm never linking articles from the AP or CNN again

Turns out, the article I linked to earlier regarding a hospital in Oregon seeking a Klingon speaker was somewhat of a joke. The story originated in The Oregonian and if you read the original story, you can see the humorous bent in the story. However, those fine folks at the Associated Press seemed to just ignore the obvious humor and report it as straight news. And the AP's story made it out to CNN and other news outlets. Thanks go out to Peter for the links that straightened me out.

Happy Birthday to Me!

At the risk of being narcissistic, I'll take up space here (well it IS my blog after all) to wish myself a Happy Birthday. I generally like to take myself out for dinner and drinks so that's what I'll be up to tonight. And tomorrow, I'll be seeing The Matrix Reloaded. And I encourage everyone else to do the same.

Also a big danke schön to Michelle for the well wishes. Now if you could just teleport to me a Schwarzwaldekirschtorte, that would be perfect. :-)

Geez, flush it already!

So yesterday, we learned that the Microsoft "internet potty" was supposedly a hoax. Today however, in what was the lead story (you heard right, an entire world and this is the lead story.) the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that the "internet potty" was, in fact, an actual product idea but cancelled.

Now this so-called 'story' is a perfect example of how corporate media in the US operates. They start with an obscure 'filler piece', then offer follow-ups, then run it as a major story. Meanwhile, real news gets ignored. Just compare the websites of the Seattle PI and the British Independent Note the difference. It's sad and frustrating that in the country that once championed a free press as the cornerstone of its constitution, I have to go to international sources to find real news.

If it's too weird to be true, it probably isn't

Turns out the "internet potty" I wrote about earlier is a hoax. Well maybe there is hope after all. In what, though, I don't know.

In other news, we see that freedom of speech is alive and well in Pheonix, Az....Not!!

Cox Rejects Anti Tax Cut Ad

It's hard enough for opposite views to get aired in the corporate media, but now opposing views can't even buy advertising to get their views across.

So here it is on the day before my birthday and I'm still looking for some actual good news to report. If anyone has any, do let me know. I could use a bit of cheering up.

Fascinating

Here in Amerika, we don't get much information from the press, yet news outlets still have to fill out their alloted space and time, so they tend to fill the news void with fluff and such. Sometimes in all the fluff though, you find some random bits of weirdness that just make you step back for a moment. Consider:

Hospital Seeks Klingon Speaker

Now at first read, I simply shrugged it off and thought, "Yet another sign the End Is Near." But on second thought, I found it to be fascinating. Can you believe that some people can only speak in a fictional language created for the sole purpose of a TV show? And that this same language has now created an actual demand for people to learn and speak it outside of this television program? The implications are rather unsettling I think.

Friday Night 10 pm

Perhaps one day I'll get more creative and think up an actual headline for my posts. Maybe someday. But for now, I'm going to relax and enjoy a nice cold beer and enjoy this balmy evening. Well balmy by Seattle standards. There's really not much one can do but enjoy the quiet moments like these when they come. The world get weirder by the moment. Nothing makes sense.

Serious, what kind of a world is it when you hear about Bush being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. I'm not making this up. Read it for yourself. All I can do is shake my head sadly and grab another beer from the 'fridge.

Thursday Evening 9:30 pm

A Nation Of Cowards

I think the author of the above piece hit the nail right on the head. As depressing as things are right now, I take some comfort in the fact that at least I'm not alone in my thinking.

Truly though, only in a nation of cowards could Bush Jr have a 68 percent approval rating. This for a man who lost the popular vote when elected. However, I think this speaks more about the so-called 'opposition' than the alleged popularity of the ruling party. The Democratic Party in this country is dead. See, the trouble is that there is no opposition. In a recent debate of 9 wannabe opponents to Bush, they all sounded like republicans. And people in this country aren't going to vote for a different republican when there's already one in the White House.

Don't ask me, I've given up trying to figure out the idiots that make up the population of this country.

Things can never get too weird

This is either weird or stupid. You be the judge.

Internet invades portable potties

This article actually addresses one of the many things I've never understood about humans and that is the tendency to want to bring reading material into the bathroom. To me, a bathroom stall is not the ideal place to be enjoying War and Peace, let alone surf the internet. I prefer to go in, get it done and then leave. But that's just me. I think the best place to read a book is in a comfy lazy boy by the fireplace.

Yawn

I hate it when I can't even figure out a decent headline for a post. Damn I suck sometimes. :-)

Anyway here's a picture I took on Friday:



This is what I had to sit in for over thirty minutes on Friday afternoon down by the University of Washington. I'm glad they pay me by the minute.

May is here

And I'm as lazy as ever. Should I feel guilty about not putting anything down for a couple of days? I'm not sure really. But hey I did manage to jot down 30 more trivial tidbits about myself and they're right here.

Truth be told, I've been tired lately. Since this week, I've been filling in for a collegue while he's on vacation meant waking up every morning at 4 am this week. I used to be a morning person but these days, I like sleeping in a bit.

I was asked today what I thought about Bush's chances of getting re-elected next year. Being the realist that I am, I predict that he will win in a landslide against some unnamed opponent. The sad truth is that there is no opposition in this country. The Democratic Party (the only alternative offered) is composed of spineless bastards who run and hide at the first sign of attack. Unless the Democrats can offer up a candidate who can stand up and fight back, they are doomed. I believe Bush's alleged popularity is a paper tiger. He can be beat but it will take some work and I don't think anybody is tough enough. Currently, only Howard Dean is showing any kind of potential. All in all though, it's rather depressing.