yikes! and you thought divorce in the united states was easy. in malaysia, they've had to decide not to allow muslim men to end it by text messaging. and what would such a message look like anyway? what if the sms message didn't make it? what if it went to the wrong person? would malaysian women be concerned when their husbands give them a mobile phone for their birthday? are these men now wondering if e.mail and instant messaging are also banned? i mean geez, what are these people thinking? no, don't answer that, i really don't want to know.
speaking of the end of love, the last "love bug" rolled off the production line in mexico yesterday (07/30/2003) ending a 68 year run on the vehicle. it was light blue and number 21,529,464.
i have had it good. very good at times, and am grateful, but since the age of twelve, i've become hateful towards all humans in general. only because it seems so easy for people to get along that have empathy. only because i love and feel sorry for people too much i guess.
thank you all from the pit of my burning, nauseous stomach for your notes of concern during the past days. i'm too much of an erratic, moody baby! i've lost a lot of passion along the way, and so i try and remember these words -- it's better to burn out than to fade away.
it has been a while since i've done free association.
tonight is hockey night. i wouldn't expect many of you to know that, but it is. it hasn't always been, but i got moved up with the big boys a few years ago. not that i belong there mind you -- many of these guys played collegiate or juniors. some of the younger ones may very well be on their way in the next year.
despite being more of a moving pylon out there -- ok, i had like 2g, 7a in 10 games last season -- i live for hockey night. no matter how well or poorly i perform, i know i can head back into the lockerroom and i'm accepted. sure i'll take a little ribbing sometimes, but i know it's to cheer me up. besides, hasn't anyone else been so excited to take a penalty kill shift that they tripped going over the boards and took out the ref?
now hockey wasn't my first sport. in fact, i starting playing (semi-competitively) later in life. in the 6th grade i got coaxed into playing soccer Fußball by a girl. lucky for me, being german, it came pretty naturally. by the end of my first season i was playing on the american select team as well as for a local german club. that young lady altered my life as Fußball played a major role in my growing up, particularly during my high school years where i moved around a fair amount.
by the time university came along, i made a major decision. education over athletics. despite having a scholarship in hand to play (ok, probably ride the bench the first year or so) on a nationally ranked team, i made my choice. i'd work hard, put myself through school and take the road most travelled. at the end of my freshman year, i ran into coach arena at a practice. i still liked kicking the ball around a bit. i could still sign on for next year, he said, but it would have to be a partial scholarship. a chance to change paths? i eventually declined.
the team won several (3, i think) national championships while i would have been there. woulda, coulda, shoulda.
so now i'm going to go grab my gear, drive to the rink, and lace 'em up because tonight is hockey night.
i may be mad past recovery, but i too have lucid intervals (apologies to Miguel De Cervantes) and during those times, thankfully, i could grab my laptop (wireless) and poke around the net in an effort to take my mind off of things. my efforts didn't go for naught. as usual, jamie had something off beat going on with his magic wang post which was simple a scientific experiment involving a simple word replacement in a harry potter book. heh.
faith pointed out an AP news story showing that france has decided they don't e-mail anymore, rather they courriel instead. fine, have it your way and when i'm feeling better, i'll go have a royal with cheese and some freedom fries.
now on over to ebay where talking at work seems to be a bit of a no-no these days. can this be for real? perhaps this is a real life shut up and take your options situation. meg, if you're reading, chime in any time babe.
on a more serious note and firmly in the category of what possessed me to clink on this site's link, i read a short story about fiona, a tale of on-line love. now i read a bit more on the site trying to figure out if this was fiction or not. i'm still not 100% sure, but they convinced me that the character certain experienced it.
speaking of experiences, ernie had a link to some bay area couples who visited tuscany (italy) recently. their little storming the castle just cracks me up. the rest of their pictures make them seem like a delightful bunch, the sort that would be very fun to hang out with over there.
and i'll wrap up with doing the friday five:
1. When was the last time you cheated?
lately i've come to realize i've been cheating myself of alot, so to some extent i suppose the answer is today and everyday. the question is when will i stop.
2. When was the last time you stole?
saturday i stole a taxi. not like physically taking the cab, just beating someone else to the punch. ok, it really wasn't even me. i just followed. so i guess that makes me an accessory to the crime? i'm not talkin' copper... you won't get me to roll on her. unless.... oh, never mind.
3. When was the last time you lied?
as a rule, i don't lie; however recently i broke that rule. for the record, as i see it there are three ways to lie to someone. 1) tell them an untruth, 2) tell them only part of the truth, 3) tell them the truth in such a way that they think that you are lying. when i must be deceptive, and recently it was a must, i don't generally commit a number 1. number 2 isn't quite lying is it? more often than not, i'll go with number 3.
of course, it's said that "a half truth is a whole lie", so what do i know?
4. When was the last time you broke or vandalized another's property?
nothing on purpose since the days of university pranks.
5. When was the last time you hurt a loved one?
wednesday, july 16th. i'm still very sorry.
last night i just crashed. the duct tape could only hold me together for so long. i went to bed to around 8:30pm for the first time in recent memory. heck, the last time i did that, i was probably 12 or something. if i could ignore the general feeling of crappiness, it was actually pretty nice to lay in bed and simply try and relax.
of course, murphy had to get into the act. cisco announced a nasty security flaw in their ios which required immediate attention. i thought i was ahead of the curve when i got the ball rolling and got a trouble ticket opened to get the necessary patch before my demise. but no, i find out this morning while only semi-lucid that an exploit script is already making the rounds. fuck me!
it's been a week since i've done a meme and what the heck it's an easy way to get in a blog entry. i'm feeling pretty lazy today.
from this weeks thursday thumb-twiddler:
1. Can a government morally do what an individual cannot, e.g., killing, theft, lying?
can they? hell, they do it every day. but yes, i do think a democratic government should have some ability to do things that would otherwise be considered morally (or otherwise) wrong for an individual. the government must look out for the people as a whole which may require it to take such actions. as long as we are truly "by the people, for the people", i'm ok with it.
2. A foreign nation persists in dumping dangerous, toxic chemicals into the ocean, killing fish and other marine life. What is the most serious, drastic step you would support taking to stop them?
i think boarding and seizing the offending vessels if it is done off shore would be reasonable. even if that means by force. the key is -- destroy the delivery method.
3. If it were socially acceptable for you to dress for work any way you wanted -- how would you?
exactly how i do now. shorts, t-shirt, sandles.
joycelyn elders clearly knew something many others failed to recognize -- the health benefits of masturbation. australian scientists have shown that the more men masturbate between the ages of 20 and 50, the less likely they are to develop the disease that kills more than half a million men each year.
At long last I am able to say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak.
A few hours ago I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart.
You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.
But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love.
And I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course.
I have made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the end, be best for all.
This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me -- a happy home with his wife and children.
During these hard days I have been comforted by her majesty my mother and by my family. The ministers of the crown, and in particular, Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, have always treated me with full consideration. There has never been any constitutional difference between me and them, and between me and Parliament. Bred in the constitutional tradition by my father, I should never have allowed any such issue to arise.
Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the empire. For that I am very grateful.
I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. It may be some time before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to his majesty in a private station, I shall not fail.
And now, we all have a new King. I wish him and you, his people, happiness and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all! God save the King!
-- Edward VIII - December 11, 1936
i've tried to put into words how fabulous the sunrise was this morning. none do it justice. let me just say that there have been none better in my lifetime.
oh my! this video is pretty funny. not like the star wars kid, but funny none the less. it is a very 80's style PSA on software piracy. it explains how copying software is going to ruin the software industry. in a rap no less. ha! very retro.
note the irony -- it is only available in WMV format.
i'm all for software developers and companys to be paid for the software they produce. that is only right, but their simplistic (if not misleading) explanation of copyright law just made me want to scream.
what ticked me off more than anything was something that kind of flew by. they suggested that if you want to try it, buy it. i would be perfectly fine with that if you could fucking return software you didn't like. i hate nothing more than spending hard earned money on some software and finding out it sucks and being stuck with it. stores won't let you return it. they will let you exchange it for the same software most of the time. come on guys -- create a reasonable return policy or provide better [usable] demos or evaluation copies, especially with the price tag of applications these days!
today's meme entry comes via 7th heaven daily.
ok. i just had to share this story out of the united kingdom. it seems some incredible hulk dolls given out at the fair on brighton pier would litterally give you the willys. Kim Kent said of her six year old daughter:
Later when she was playing with it, she discovered it had a lump under its shorts. Being curious she took them off, then ran up to me asking why her doll had a willy.and yes, there are pictures and more details in the uk's on-line sun newspaper.
This is Adams' letter to his wife, Abigail, written July 3, 1776.
The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.
-- John Adams
i reach for you
i reach in vain
tears come down
like pouring rain
my heart wantswhen skies are dark
i crave your sound
i reach for you
but your not found
but in my dreamsto hold you close
and have you near
i reach for you
am left with fear
|
Out There somehow i'll find you i hear you breath for all that i can see you're hidden in my dreams do you know i miss you for i can hear you and are you aware that i can feel you when you are not there somehow you're with me at least you'll know i miss you |
In Here couldn't sleep so i went out walking thinking about you and heard us talking all the things I should have said echo now inside my head it just ain't fair this thing called loving when one's still there the other feels nothing for i am the other and i am the one to yearn for another and wait for the sun |
Let me just say, WTF? Must we turn absolutely everything into some dysfunctional "us" against "them" deal? It's a hot dog eating contest. No one's life will change for winning or losing. Get over yourselves already.Rant On
Maybe it's just me, but here in the U.S. it has always been "us" against "them" and often dysfunctional.
Be it at the individual level where neighbors silently compete to put the most expensive cars in the driveway, have the most impressive halloween decorations, and slap the most "I'm a proud parent of an honor roll student..." bumper sticker on their SUVs. It's about some sort of bizarre pecking order.
Be it at a group level where people rave about "their teams", but once there is a contrary view, rioting ensues. And it is not just isolated to professional sports (e.g. Oakland Los Angeles Oakland Raiders) but people get increasingly all bent out of shape at college, highschool, and youth sporting events. Of course sports is all about competition, but it is the lines being crossed that get my goat. Besides, eating hotdogs could be considered a sport... heh!
Even our legal system is an adversarial process. "plaintiff" .vs. "defendant". How many attorneys are more concerned about winning a case than about pursuing justice? To do the right thing rather than win the battle for their client. Sure, it's their job but that isn't the point. It is an "us" against "them" and winning matters.
We are a competitive people and always have been. We want to be number one even if it is a stupid hot dog eating contest.
I just wish some of our lazy ass politicians would get their heads out of their asses and get this country to compete for some more things that matter. How about an education system (K-12) that is the best in the world? Shit, I'd settle for top-10 at this point. It is the not competing for important things I find truly dysfunctional.
At least we don't have this competition problem in the blog world eh?
On to the Thursday Threesome which is themed "celebrate".
Onesome- Celebrate: What's your favourite way to celebrate? Do you go out for a meal at a nice restaurant or head out to the local bars and blow off some steam with your friends and a few drinks? Or maybe something quiet, like a nice meal at home with the movie of you choice in the DVD player or VCR? Or something completely different? Tell us!
ok. well, for me it all depends on what i'm celebrating. when my men's hockey team one the championship a few years back -- it was definitely an eat, drink, and be merry affair. for personal accomplishments, i much prefer getting peace and quiet. some solitude.
Twosome- Independence: How old were you when you declared your independence and left home for the first time? Did you go back temporarily? Are you still there? ;)
left home after my junior year in college (age 20). have never even spent the night in my parents home since. they've stayed with me a few times, but i've never been back.
Threesome- Day: As in, "Day-o!" (Cueing up Harry Belafonte!) Hey, what are you singing this summer? Last year it was Cheryl Crow "Soak up the Sun"; what's working the beat for you this year? Is there a favorite song or two on your hit list?
a favorite one or two? surely your joking. let me see what songs are queued up and playing now (in no particular order):
well, while most of you see the address just fine, those little robots that are looking for e.mail addresses aren't seeing it. why again you might ask. because in the actual page, it really doesn't look like an e.mail address at all. generally, i don't care for javascript, but at times like this it is handy.
now i figured some of you out there might be interested in doing the same thing, so i've included a javascript form to let you make your own funky email addresses. have fun!