Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
I'm lying, as I have done with the above comment almost every time in the past two weeks. I haven't gone home yet. I'm going now. This election has interfered with my daily morning entries! Now it's crossed the line!
I work for a newspaper and we have a lot of election stories and letters to get in. So, I'm at work late. And yes, I have also been working on the novel.
Poetry contest
Okay, there's no prize. But "Anonymous Bob" and I came up with a poem (Bob deserves most of the credit). Feel free to add lines if you come up with good ones:
With enough beers,
Roseanne would look like
Brittney Spears.
With enough rum,
Bea Arthur would look like
Heidi Klum.
With enough sherry,
George Bush would look like
Vanessa Kerry.
With enough brandy
Michael Moore
would look like Mandy.
Today is the Shady National Convention. Guess who's back, back again...
10/28/2004
10/27/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
A friend of mine e-mailed me to say that she often disagrees with Dawn, but Dawn’s latest posting about Planned Parenthood made her wonder.
Today, Dawn writes about how if you’re 6 years old, you can get into Teenwire and ask questions about sex. Dawn has made other interesting discoveries, like the brightly colored “Size Matters” rulers that Teenwire created for kids to use at school.
I don’t like kids being sexualized. I don’t care what adults do, but kids should be allowed to be kids and grow up at their own rate without pressure. The purpose of Teenwire is to help kids who already are sexually active and have nowhere else to ask questions, and that’s good. But making a kid feel out of place because he or she is NOT ready yet for sex is dumb. And that’s what stuff like the "Size Matters" school supplies collectively does.
But that’s not why I’m bringing all this up.
I bring it up because Dawn writes at the end of today’s entry, “Is that the kind of world that you want to wake up to on November 3? A world where six-year-olds are encouraged to sign up to learn about rubber penises..?”
Here is the problem.
If Kerry gets elected, he is NOT going to support 6-year-olds having sex. That’s ridiculous.
If you are a good parent, you can teach your kid right from wrong. It is also incumbent upon you to teach your kid that the poor and sick shouldn’t suffer excessively just because they are broke. That’s part of family values, too.
Maybe both sides have to do a little more talking to each other and listening if we feel that our very way of life and moral values are at stake. To some, that's the emotional issue that is influencing them more than most others. Even if it shouldn't be.
There much bigger issues at stake right now. Terrorism. Health care. Stem cell research. People who are scared that their moral way of life is threatened are going to let that influence their vote, and I understand that. Maybe liberals should take a stand against extreme programs that contribute to the sexualization of kids. But also, maybe conservatives should not say ignorant things about certain adult lifestyles just because they’re afraid of them.
This election should be about terrorism first and foremost. It should also be about having our government work to make sure people have a fighting chance at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
But we have a lot of people who fear that morality is being threatened, and then the other side who fears that the government may threaten their right to do whatever they want in their bedrooms.
Joe Schmo who doesn't pay attention to what's really going on may fall for reductive statements like "Is this the world you want to wake up to on Nov. 3?", but it seems more complicated than that. Do people believe that if they vote for a Democrat, kids are going to have sex younger? Do they really believe that heterosexuals will suddenly “choose” homosexuality? Those who are against same-sex marriage have to come up with better reasons for their opposition than just that it scares them.
Maybe a little more discussing and a little less extremism. And better parenting. If you really are concerned that the president has control over whether your kid turns out gay, you are a dope. And you should also be worrying about your kid learning the values of selfishness and greed, or not being able afford health insurance if he's between jobs.
Readings
...On another note, travel writer and blogger Daryl Lang is reading at Barbes tomorrow. Amy Sohn and Jess Liese are also reading. Info here.
A friend of mine e-mailed me to say that she often disagrees with Dawn, but Dawn’s latest posting about Planned Parenthood made her wonder.
Today, Dawn writes about how if you’re 6 years old, you can get into Teenwire and ask questions about sex. Dawn has made other interesting discoveries, like the brightly colored “Size Matters” rulers that Teenwire created for kids to use at school.
I don’t like kids being sexualized. I don’t care what adults do, but kids should be allowed to be kids and grow up at their own rate without pressure. The purpose of Teenwire is to help kids who already are sexually active and have nowhere else to ask questions, and that’s good. But making a kid feel out of place because he or she is NOT ready yet for sex is dumb. And that’s what stuff like the "Size Matters" school supplies collectively does.
But that’s not why I’m bringing all this up.
I bring it up because Dawn writes at the end of today’s entry, “Is that the kind of world that you want to wake up to on November 3? A world where six-year-olds are encouraged to sign up to learn about rubber penises..?”
Here is the problem.
If Kerry gets elected, he is NOT going to support 6-year-olds having sex. That’s ridiculous.
If you are a good parent, you can teach your kid right from wrong. It is also incumbent upon you to teach your kid that the poor and sick shouldn’t suffer excessively just because they are broke. That’s part of family values, too.
Maybe both sides have to do a little more talking to each other and listening if we feel that our very way of life and moral values are at stake. To some, that's the emotional issue that is influencing them more than most others. Even if it shouldn't be.
There much bigger issues at stake right now. Terrorism. Health care. Stem cell research. People who are scared that their moral way of life is threatened are going to let that influence their vote, and I understand that. Maybe liberals should take a stand against extreme programs that contribute to the sexualization of kids. But also, maybe conservatives should not say ignorant things about certain adult lifestyles just because they’re afraid of them.
This election should be about terrorism first and foremost. It should also be about having our government work to make sure people have a fighting chance at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
But we have a lot of people who fear that morality is being threatened, and then the other side who fears that the government may threaten their right to do whatever they want in their bedrooms.
Joe Schmo who doesn't pay attention to what's really going on may fall for reductive statements like "Is this the world you want to wake up to on Nov. 3?", but it seems more complicated than that. Do people believe that if they vote for a Democrat, kids are going to have sex younger? Do they really believe that heterosexuals will suddenly “choose” homosexuality? Those who are against same-sex marriage have to come up with better reasons for their opposition than just that it scares them.
Maybe a little more discussing and a little less extremism. And better parenting. If you really are concerned that the president has control over whether your kid turns out gay, you are a dope. And you should also be worrying about your kid learning the values of selfishness and greed, or not being able afford health insurance if he's between jobs.
Readings
...On another note, travel writer and blogger Daryl Lang is reading at Barbes tomorrow. Amy Sohn and Jess Liese are also reading. Info here.
10/26/2004
MY NEIGHBOR FIXED MY COMPUTER.
I was coming home from trivia and mentioned that I was going to go to work to check my e-mail because my computer froze when I installed new software. I told him Dell said I'd have to reinstall the operating system for four hours. He said he'd be willing to take a look. I was doubtful, but I said it would be great. He brought some disks across the hall, looked some stuff up on his own computer, and fixed it in a half hour. He had to rename the new software something else so my computer wouldn't keep trying to reload it or whatever it was doing.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Don't do anything drastic without asking a million questions first.
While I was on with Dell, they had me keep holding down either the Ctrl, or the Delete, or the F9 key when I was rebooting to get it to a menu. Ctrl didn't work. Then I remembered that a few years ago, they asked me to do that by tapping it quickly rather than holding it down. I did that, and that got it to the right screen. So even the guy on the phone didn't know enough to give me all the options. He did try to be helpful, though, and was patient.
What frustrates me is that someone more vulnerable might just have listened to them and wasted time. Or someone who hadn't backed up stuff, or wasn't able to go to an office and use that computer instead like I did, might have been really screwed. So if anyone Googles about their Dell problems, I do appreciate that they provide free technical support, but if they tell you to do anything drastic, ask around first.
Thanks to "Bob," Sara (on W.M.'s behalf), Mr. Steele, and others who said that it seemed unlikely that I'd have to reboot the whole OS just due to adding new software.
OK, I know that was boring, but I think it's good to learn from other's mistakes. 1. Back up your stuff. 2. Especially do that before installing anything new. 3. Don't panic if something goes wrong.
On an unrelated note, as I was leaving trivia, I got to pet a Clumber spaniel. It was cute even though it drooled all over my leg. Another girl saw it, too, and we both pummeled the woman who was walking it with questions. Clumbers are mostly in England and there aren't that many in the U.S.
I was coming home from trivia and mentioned that I was going to go to work to check my e-mail because my computer froze when I installed new software. I told him Dell said I'd have to reinstall the operating system for four hours. He said he'd be willing to take a look. I was doubtful, but I said it would be great. He brought some disks across the hall, looked some stuff up on his own computer, and fixed it in a half hour. He had to rename the new software something else so my computer wouldn't keep trying to reload it or whatever it was doing.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Don't do anything drastic without asking a million questions first.
While I was on with Dell, they had me keep holding down either the Ctrl, or the Delete, or the F9 key when I was rebooting to get it to a menu. Ctrl didn't work. Then I remembered that a few years ago, they asked me to do that by tapping it quickly rather than holding it down. I did that, and that got it to the right screen. So even the guy on the phone didn't know enough to give me all the options. He did try to be helpful, though, and was patient.
What frustrates me is that someone more vulnerable might just have listened to them and wasted time. Or someone who hadn't backed up stuff, or wasn't able to go to an office and use that computer instead like I did, might have been really screwed. So if anyone Googles about their Dell problems, I do appreciate that they provide free technical support, but if they tell you to do anything drastic, ask around first.
Thanks to "Bob," Sara (on W.M.'s behalf), Mr. Steele, and others who said that it seemed unlikely that I'd have to reboot the whole OS just due to adding new software.
OK, I know that was boring, but I think it's good to learn from other's mistakes. 1. Back up your stuff. 2. Especially do that before installing anything new. 3. Don't panic if something goes wrong.
On an unrelated note, as I was leaving trivia, I got to pet a Clumber spaniel. It was cute even though it drooled all over my leg. Another girl saw it, too, and we both pummeled the woman who was walking it with questions. Clumbers are mostly in England and there aren't that many in the U.S.
Well, my brilliant idea didn't seem so bright when I had to wake up this morning.
Here's something to shock you out of your slumber. And they used to say young people were apathetic!
Here's something to shock you out of your slumber. And they used to say young people were apathetic!
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Actually, it's 4:30 a.m., and I came in here about 10 p.m. I figured out how to fit in editing, revising the novel, and getting to trivia on time tomorrow. It was -- don't sleep!
But actually I am going to go home now and sleep from 5 to 9 a.m. So if you're going to trivia tonight, I will be there on time after all, and may need to join a team.
It's so much easier to catch up on stuff at work when no one's here and it's quiet. Plus, there's water available and internet access.
Speaking of which, BACK UP YOUR STUFF!!
Actually, it's 4:30 a.m., and I came in here about 10 p.m. I figured out how to fit in editing, revising the novel, and getting to trivia on time tomorrow. It was -- don't sleep!
But actually I am going to go home now and sleep from 5 to 9 a.m. So if you're going to trivia tonight, I will be there on time after all, and may need to join a team.
It's so much easier to catch up on stuff at work when no one's here and it's quiet. Plus, there's water available and internet access.
Speaking of which, BACK UP YOUR STUFF!!
10/25/2004
I tried to install my digital camera software on my computer, and it somehow made the system reboot and then got locked in the second screen after rebooting, which is the Windows Me screen. It sounds like it's rebooting but stays locked on the screen. I was on with Dell for a while and we tried different ways to get into Safe Mode, but it won't get in. They say that it's likely that I'll just have to reinstall the operating system, which takes hours on the phone. It also erases everything on the computer, which isn't so bad because I back things up maniacally, but I'd still like to avoid it if possible. I think every once in a while I'll turn on the computer again to see if it works. I eventually may have to reinstall the OS. The guy on the phone said that Windows Me doesn't provide as many ways to get into the system to erase the new software (which may be corrupting the file) as other programs do. It seems like I should be able to have a way to just get in and erase the new application, which is mucking my my computer, but I can't. So for now, I'm temporarily using a different computer. Anyway, if anyone actually knows about computers and has any other ideas on how to fix this, let me know. But if you really do know something, you probably know that if I can't get into safe mode (when I tried it just went back to the me screen), it's probably hopeless. It's not so bad as I have things backed up. It's just a pain. Dopey software.
10/24/2004
Woke up, bla bla bla.
Worked on novel most of Saturday (shock! awe!)
I went to the housewarming party last night for a good friend. The house was definitely warm. I learned two interesting things. One: Apparently, one of the most disgusting websites ever is www.tubg*rl.com, but you have to replace the * with an "i." WARNING: This came up in conversation about "shock" websites, and the two men who were discussing it refused to even explain what it was, for fear of offending everyone at the party. They said it was a woman in a tub, and vomit was involved. So don't go there unless you want to see something shocking. In the end, we nominated someone to look it up on the web in the middle of the party. Reactions ranged from disgust to laughter. I only viewed it from afar.
Second, on the way home (I was lucky enough to get a ride back from Bob), we didn't know which road to take back to Manhattan from Queens. Janet said, "Go right. Know why? Because I just saw a taxi go that way, and why would a taxi not be going back to Manhattan?" Good advice!
I plan to post a photo of the partygoers' feet when I install the software for my beloved new camera.
Plan for today (Sunday): More novel revising!
Worked on novel most of Saturday (shock! awe!)
I went to the housewarming party last night for a good friend. The house was definitely warm. I learned two interesting things. One: Apparently, one of the most disgusting websites ever is www.tubg*rl.com, but you have to replace the * with an "i." WARNING: This came up in conversation about "shock" websites, and the two men who were discussing it refused to even explain what it was, for fear of offending everyone at the party. They said it was a woman in a tub, and vomit was involved. So don't go there unless you want to see something shocking. In the end, we nominated someone to look it up on the web in the middle of the party. Reactions ranged from disgust to laughter. I only viewed it from afar.
Second, on the way home (I was lucky enough to get a ride back from Bob), we didn't know which road to take back to Manhattan from Queens. Janet said, "Go right. Know why? Because I just saw a taxi go that way, and why would a taxi not be going back to Manhattan?" Good advice!
I plan to post a photo of the partygoers' feet when I install the software for my beloved new camera.
Plan for today (Sunday): More novel revising!
Woke up, bla bla bla.
Worked on novel most of Saturday (shock! awe!)
I went to the housewarming party last night for a good friend. The house was definitely warm. I learned two interesting things. One: Apparently, one of the most disgusting websites ever is www.tubg*rl.com, but you have to replace the * with an "i." WARNING: This came up in conversation about "shock" websites, and the two men who were discussing it refused to even explain what it was, for fear of offending everyone at the party. They said it was a woman in a tub, and vomit was involved. So don't go there unless you want to see something shocking. In the end, we nominated someone to look it up on the web in the middle of the party. Reactions ranged from disgust to laughter. I only viewed it from afar.
Second, on the way home (I was lucky enough to get a ride back from Bob), we didn't know which road to take back to Manhattan from Queens. Janet said, "Go right. Know why? Because I just saw a taxi go that way, and why would a taxi not be going back to Manhattan?" Good advice!
I plan to post a photo of the partygoers' feet when I install the software for my beloved new camera.
Plan for today (Sunday): More novel revising!
Worked on novel most of Saturday (shock! awe!)
I went to the housewarming party last night for a good friend. The house was definitely warm. I learned two interesting things. One: Apparently, one of the most disgusting websites ever is www.tubg*rl.com, but you have to replace the * with an "i." WARNING: This came up in conversation about "shock" websites, and the two men who were discussing it refused to even explain what it was, for fear of offending everyone at the party. They said it was a woman in a tub, and vomit was involved. So don't go there unless you want to see something shocking. In the end, we nominated someone to look it up on the web in the middle of the party. Reactions ranged from disgust to laughter. I only viewed it from afar.
Second, on the way home (I was lucky enough to get a ride back from Bob), we didn't know which road to take back to Manhattan from Queens. Janet said, "Go right. Know why? Because I just saw a taxi go that way, and why would a taxi not be going back to Manhattan?" Good advice!
I plan to post a photo of the partygoers' feet when I install the software for my beloved new camera.
Plan for today (Sunday): More novel revising!
10/21/2004
For anyone who doesn't know, I DID tell Amy S. that trivia was nerdy. I meant it in the best possible way, and I think there's nothing wrong with that. So don't blame her!
Wait, what am I saying...I take enough heat for my own articles.
On another note, I revised the first 50 pp. of my book some more this evening. If they were, like, pages 200-250, I wouldn't worry so much. But this is the beginning. I think I'm almost done. I see the light!
Unfortunately, with this much writing, I've been bribing myself with a lot of food all month and I'm turning into a pudge. Starting Nov. 1, it's back on the treadmill. (It wouldn't make sense to do it Oct. 31.)
I briefly turned on one of those reality makeover shows tonight, and it never fails that I thought the person was better looking before the makeover. Also, the surgery victims are always married to husbands who say "I like her just the way she is," but somehow these husbands can't talk their beloveds out of dangerous surgery. I know, I know, it's hard when you have such low self-esteem, and I try not to judge, but I think what bothers me most is the message these shows send. Some of those people could use a new haircut, maybe even something changed, but they don't need to be remodeled like clay. So I wrote down these quotes from the show tonight, in which an elementary school teacher got plastic surgery:
WOMAN WHO GOT SURGERY: My mom has never said 'You're beautiful,' and tonight, she whispered in my ear and what she said was, 'You're beatiful.'
(Great, way to go, Mom. Treat your daughter like crap until she goes under the knife.)
NARRATOR (after the woman went back to teaching and one little kid said she looked 'hot'): "A teacher with a lesson...that dreams can come true!"
Yeah, great.
Finally, I conclude with dialogue from "Life as We Know It" on ABC. This is between Ben, a teenager, and the English teacher he's been fooling around with:
BEN: I want to kiss you so bad right now.
TEACHER: Bad-LY.
(It was funny even though there's a Rodney Dangerfield precedent.)
Wait, what am I saying...I take enough heat for my own articles.
On another note, I revised the first 50 pp. of my book some more this evening. If they were, like, pages 200-250, I wouldn't worry so much. But this is the beginning. I think I'm almost done. I see the light!
Unfortunately, with this much writing, I've been bribing myself with a lot of food all month and I'm turning into a pudge. Starting Nov. 1, it's back on the treadmill. (It wouldn't make sense to do it Oct. 31.)
I briefly turned on one of those reality makeover shows tonight, and it never fails that I thought the person was better looking before the makeover. Also, the surgery victims are always married to husbands who say "I like her just the way she is," but somehow these husbands can't talk their beloveds out of dangerous surgery. I know, I know, it's hard when you have such low self-esteem, and I try not to judge, but I think what bothers me most is the message these shows send. Some of those people could use a new haircut, maybe even something changed, but they don't need to be remodeled like clay. So I wrote down these quotes from the show tonight, in which an elementary school teacher got plastic surgery:
WOMAN WHO GOT SURGERY: My mom has never said 'You're beautiful,' and tonight, she whispered in my ear and what she said was, 'You're beatiful.'
(Great, way to go, Mom. Treat your daughter like crap until she goes under the knife.)
NARRATOR (after the woman went back to teaching and one little kid said she looked 'hot'): "A teacher with a lesson...that dreams can come true!"
Yeah, great.
Finally, I conclude with dialogue from "Life as We Know It" on ABC. This is between Ben, a teenager, and the English teacher he's been fooling around with:
BEN: I want to kiss you so bad right now.
TEACHER: Bad-LY.
(It was funny even though there's a Rodney Dangerfield precedent.)
My Italian penpal, Alex, writes:
Sohn is saying right about it? Who is she? I tred to understand also about the your nerd glasses; what nerd means?
After an explanation, he e-mailed back:
Now I’ve understood a little better!! I’ve read the article of Chris, the co-host with you. And I must say that I am very much with his words, and above all I concern his criticism towards the journalist Amy. This journalist criticized, I believe with a preconception form, what happens in these evenings. Having these such strange evenings and knowing people of this kind and with a few qualities who are often ignored daily... oh.. it is too fun! But in these evenings, called Trivia Night, do some competitions take place too to answer several questions, besides to speak and know other nice people?
Sohn is saying right about it? Who is she? I tred to understand also about the your nerd glasses; what nerd means?
After an explanation, he e-mailed back:
Now I’ve understood a little better!! I’ve read the article of Chris, the co-host with you. And I must say that I am very much with his words, and above all I concern his criticism towards the journalist Amy. This journalist criticized, I believe with a preconception form, what happens in these evenings. Having these such strange evenings and knowing people of this kind and with a few qualities who are often ignored daily... oh.. it is too fun! But in these evenings, called Trivia Night, do some competitions take place too to answer several questions, besides to speak and know other nice people?
10/20/2004
10/19/2004
Trivia went well tonight. Thanks to all who came. I wore my nerd glasses because of the article. My co-host, Chris, did an excellent job and will host again soon. We got some interesting answers to the question "What does Reggie Tongue do for a living?" (He plays football for the Jets.)
Apparently there was also a baseball game going on. My dad concluded an e-mail this morning with this: "Have a good day and root for the Yanks to beat those pesky Sox."
I went to a friend's play after work yesterday, then came home and worked on the novel from about 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. So I think I will go to bed early tonight.
Apparently there was also a baseball game going on. My dad concluded an e-mail this morning with this: "Have a good day and root for the Yanks to beat those pesky Sox."
I went to a friend's play after work yesterday, then came home and worked on the novel from about 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. So I think I will go to bed early tonight.
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work. [prerecorded cuz I'm up at 12:30 a.m.]
The rain has just begun.
The rain has just begun.
10/18/2004
Oh, come all ye geeks! Amy Sohn's article about trivia night is in New York magazine! It's also on the web here.
Will soon wake up, put on clothes, and go to work.
Well, I was off last week working on the novel. The verdict: Still needs a lot more work. Drat and double drat! So I'll keep pounding away.
Check out this really funny flash animation from the National Jewish Democratic Council. What does Bubbie have to say about this election? Find out! More 'toons are coming.
Someone made a really good comment on another blog on Friday. The person was defending his reasons for voting for Bush. The point he made was that moral issues don't matter, the Supreme Court picks don't matter, abortion doesn't matter and gay marriage doesn't matter if we're all blown to bits by terrorists. He thinks Bush is the best person to protect us, and that's why he's voting for him. Someone else responded by saying that Bush WANTS us to think that.
Well, I was off last week working on the novel. The verdict: Still needs a lot more work. Drat and double drat! So I'll keep pounding away.
Check out this really funny flash animation from the National Jewish Democratic Council. What does Bubbie have to say about this election? Find out! More 'toons are coming.
Someone made a really good comment on another blog on Friday. The person was defending his reasons for voting for Bush. The point he made was that moral issues don't matter, the Supreme Court picks don't matter, abortion doesn't matter and gay marriage doesn't matter if we're all blown to bits by terrorists. He thinks Bush is the best person to protect us, and that's why he's voting for him. Someone else responded by saying that Bush WANTS us to think that.
10/17/2004
Woke up, put clothes on, didn't go to work.
I like Dawn's response to my response to her response. I don't see mine was a "left-wing blog," since I voted for a Republican once (Frank Rizzo, but he was already dead). I do agree that religious people are sometimes demonized or belittled by the thinking left, and the incident that sparked Dawn's original essay - a public event where there was the implication that anyone supporting Bush was a numbskull - isn't fair either.
I was at a comedy show recently where one of the comedians made some comment that was, in effect, "We're all voting for Kerry, right?" Of course, I live in the NY area and that's a common assumption, but the idea that anyone who is voting for Bush is stupid isn't a fair idea. I think we could have more rational discourse if we could get past all of the screwy assumptions.
I don't like it when people on the right assume that the poor or uneducated deserve to be that way. Comments like that make me angry. Similarly, I don't think it's fair to assume that religious folks are ignorant, hateful, etc. Dawn seems to hold certain moral values near and dear, and I agree that there are moral crises in this country.
We're kind of arguing about abstract, easy ideas here, and I know there are more important things at stake. Nobody reads my blog to hear what I have to say about the war, and I don't think my opinions are that much more insightful than Jenny from the block. (OK, maybe than hers). This blog may be erased before you can say "Google cycle," so catch it while you can.
We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...
DENTIST PERFORMING ROOT CANAL ON ME ON MONDAY: This procedure is fairly routine.
ME: Get it, root-ine?
DENTIST: Yeah, I've done hundreds of them...
And thus, another bad pun dies a quick death.
I like Dawn's response to my response to her response. I don't see mine was a "left-wing blog," since I voted for a Republican once (Frank Rizzo, but he was already dead). I do agree that religious people are sometimes demonized or belittled by the thinking left, and the incident that sparked Dawn's original essay - a public event where there was the implication that anyone supporting Bush was a numbskull - isn't fair either.
I was at a comedy show recently where one of the comedians made some comment that was, in effect, "We're all voting for Kerry, right?" Of course, I live in the NY area and that's a common assumption, but the idea that anyone who is voting for Bush is stupid isn't a fair idea. I think we could have more rational discourse if we could get past all of the screwy assumptions.
I don't like it when people on the right assume that the poor or uneducated deserve to be that way. Comments like that make me angry. Similarly, I don't think it's fair to assume that religious folks are ignorant, hateful, etc. Dawn seems to hold certain moral values near and dear, and I agree that there are moral crises in this country.
We're kind of arguing about abstract, easy ideas here, and I know there are more important things at stake. Nobody reads my blog to hear what I have to say about the war, and I don't think my opinions are that much more insightful than Jenny from the block. (OK, maybe than hers). This blog may be erased before you can say "Google cycle," so catch it while you can.
We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...
DENTIST PERFORMING ROOT CANAL ON ME ON MONDAY: This procedure is fairly routine.
ME: Get it, root-ine?
DENTIST: Yeah, I've done hundreds of them...
And thus, another bad pun dies a quick death.
10/16/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work. [Prerecorded.]
Dawn is protesting the assumptions people make about conservatives. Well, maybe I'd like conservatives better if making ignorant assumptions about other people wasn't such a popular practice of theirs. I've found that a lot of regular folks who are conservatives (not all) tend to base their rationale on selfishness or hate. Do you ever hear Democrats saying things against the poor or ill? Things like "They probably got that way due to bad decisions. I don't like supporting them with my tax dollars"? Is it moral to be prejudiced or hateful without actually asking people first how they got into their situation, and to consider whether it might be worth giving them the bare minimum to get back on their feet?
Dawn is protesting the assumptions people make about conservatives. Well, maybe I'd like conservatives better if making ignorant assumptions about other people wasn't such a popular practice of theirs. I've found that a lot of regular folks who are conservatives (not all) tend to base their rationale on selfishness or hate. Do you ever hear Democrats saying things against the poor or ill? Things like "They probably got that way due to bad decisions. I don't like supporting them with my tax dollars"? Is it moral to be prejudiced or hateful without actually asking people first how they got into their situation, and to consider whether it might be worth giving them the bare minimum to get back on their feet?
10/14/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.
I've been home writing this week. Right now, all I can safely say is that some of the book works, some of it probably doesn't, and some I just don't know about because I'm not an impartial reader. This morning, I cut a bunch of stuff out of the novel, and then this afternoon I needed to put some of it back in. When that happens, I'm overediting.
At least I finally got to call a plumber for the sink that's been stopped up for a month.
I've been home writing this week. Right now, all I can safely say is that some of the book works, some of it probably doesn't, and some I just don't know about because I'm not an impartial reader. This morning, I cut a bunch of stuff out of the novel, and then this afternoon I needed to put some of it back in. When that happens, I'm overediting.
At least I finally got to call a plumber for the sink that's been stopped up for a month.
Woke up, got dressed. (Pre-recorded).
Two reactions to the "don't buy electronics on-line" entry. Candee, a talented graphic artist, recommends the site buydig.com to buy digital items and save $$.
Jodi says sometimes if you go in person, they don't have the model you want, and they try to convince you to get an inferior one. Yeah, well, I say that you find the one you want online and then go get it at the store, but I'm an amateur at this.
I'm working heavily on the novel this week. After three years, it's time to finish. But every time I read it, it still seems to need much more work. So, work it will get.
Two reactions to the "don't buy electronics on-line" entry. Candee, a talented graphic artist, recommends the site buydig.com to buy digital items and save $$.
Jodi says sometimes if you go in person, they don't have the model you want, and they try to convince you to get an inferior one. Yeah, well, I say that you find the one you want online and then go get it at the store, but I'm an amateur at this.
I'm working heavily on the novel this week. After three years, it's time to finish. But every time I read it, it still seems to need much more work. So, work it will get.
10/12/2004
Woke up, got dressed.
Why you should not buy electronics online
A public service message from me.
Yesterday I decided it was finally time to get a digital camera. I've always wanted to have a really good camera with a good zoom and the ability to adjust the shutter speed, even if it cost more. I had already asked Kevin at ForgottenNewYork for a recommendation for a camera with those features that an amateur like me could use, and he recommended this one. I could have bought it on line.
But I don't like that idea. What if I get it and something's missing, or broken? Then I have to put it back in the mail. Besides, I like to try things before buying.
So instead I went to the J&R Computer World in New York, tried a few similar cameras, and bought this one. I was passing the old church on the way back to the WTC PATH station, so I put batteries in and went to take a picture. I looked through the view finder and there was already a frozen image of the graves and trees on the screen. Spooky.
Then the zoom lens moved in and out by itself, and snapped another picture.
Maybe I had done something wrong. I tried to play with it more but it wanted to take its own pictures every six seconds. I pressed "off" a few times before finally it turned off.
I got it home and read the instruction manual. It seemed that I'd done everything right. I called Canon and they suggested trying different batteries, as the ones in the box could have gotten old. I did, but no luck. From their end, they said, I could send it in for repairs. That seemed like a pain since I had bought it two hours ago.
So I took the train back to Park Row and the manager, a very nice guy named Mark, said it wasn't my fault and it looked like there were gremlins in it. He sent me next door, and the guy at the desk said, "I gotta see this. I heard there were gremlins in your camera." He gave me a new camera, and it's been working great.
But if I'd bought the thing on-line and had to mail it back, it would have been a pain.
So moral of the story, don't buy things on line.
Also, crack is wack.
Yesterday I decided it was finally time to get a digital camera. I've always wanted to have a really good camera with a good zoom and the ability to adjust the shutter speed, even if it cost more. I had already asked Kevin at ForgottenNewYork for a recommendation for a camera with those features that an amateur like me could use, and he recommended this one. I could have bought it on line.
But I don't like that idea. What if I get it and something's missing, or broken? Then I have to put it back in the mail. Besides, I like to try things before buying.
So instead I went to the J&R Computer World in New York, tried a few similar cameras, and bought this one. I was passing the old church on the way back to the WTC PATH station, so I put batteries in and went to take a picture. I looked through the view finder and there was already a frozen image of the graves and trees on the screen. Spooky.
Then the zoom lens moved in and out by itself, and snapped another picture.
Maybe I had done something wrong. I tried to play with it more but it wanted to take its own pictures every six seconds. I pressed "off" a few times before finally it turned off.
I got it home and read the instruction manual. It seemed that I'd done everything right. I called Canon and they suggested trying different batteries, as the ones in the box could have gotten old. I did, but no luck. From their end, they said, I could send it in for repairs. That seemed like a pain since I had bought it two hours ago.
So I took the train back to Park Row and the manager, a very nice guy named Mark, said it wasn't my fault and it looked like there were gremlins in it. He sent me next door, and the guy at the desk said, "I gotta see this. I heard there were gremlins in your camera." He gave me a new camera, and it's been working great.
But if I'd bought the thing on-line and had to mail it back, it would have been a pain.
So moral of the story, don't buy things on line.
Also, crack is wack.
10/11/2004
10/10/2004
10/09/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.
Yes, again, that has been pre-recorded.
I have to catch up on a few things. I at least have to mention that last week I went to a debate in which Todd S. tried to convince one of the founders of C*ddle Parties that our society is NOT too s*xually repressed. She said our society IS too s*xually repressed. (And no, my censoring is not a result of such repression, but a result of my not wanting people to find me here while Googling for s*x!!) Anyway, the debate was quite funny. Todd capped it off by revealing that not long ago, a web retailer was selling "Child Pimp & Ho Costumes" on the Web. I find this quite disturbing. I don't care what adults do with each other, but when they start giggling over their cute little 11-year-old ho, there's a problem.
Yes, again, that has been pre-recorded.
I have to catch up on a few things. I at least have to mention that last week I went to a debate in which Todd S. tried to convince one of the founders of C*ddle Parties that our society is NOT too s*xually repressed. She said our society IS too s*xually repressed. (And no, my censoring is not a result of such repression, but a result of my not wanting people to find me here while Googling for s*x!!) Anyway, the debate was quite funny. Todd capped it off by revealing that not long ago, a web retailer was selling "Child Pimp & Ho Costumes" on the Web. I find this quite disturbing. I don't care what adults do with each other, but when they start giggling over their cute little 11-year-old ho, there's a problem.
10/08/2004
10/07/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
That portion of the blog was previously recorded earlier in the morning.
Here's a pretty cool blog by a reader.
That portion of the blog was previously recorded earlier in the morning.
Here's a pretty cool blog by a reader.
10/06/2004
Lori wrote: "I just got my brandy new XM Satellite radio receiver
so that I could listen to Opie & Anthony, who are back on the air as
of Monday. Yay, oh happy day! Then, this morning, at 8:30am, Howard Stern announced that he is going to Sirius Satellite radio--XM's competitor when his 15 months are up
on his current contract with Infinity/Viacom!!! What am I going to
do!!!! This is a dilemma!! Am I supposed to buy two satellite radio
receivers and pay for both so I can hear both shows!? Isn't that a bit
excessive?! But I've been listening to Howard since 6th grade!!!
Oh, the humanity!!"
Was that when you weren't listening to Z-100?
so that I could listen to Opie & Anthony, who are back on the air as
of Monday. Yay, oh happy day! Then, this morning, at 8:30am, Howard Stern announced that he is going to Sirius Satellite radio--XM's competitor when his 15 months are up
on his current contract with Infinity/Viacom!!! What am I going to
do!!!! This is a dilemma!! Am I supposed to buy two satellite radio
receivers and pay for both so I can hear both shows!? Isn't that a bit
excessive?! But I've been listening to Howard since 6th grade!!!
Oh, the humanity!!"
Was that when you weren't listening to Z-100?
Valerie's post reminded me to mention Rodney Dangerfield. My favorite joke of his: "Kids are having sex younger and younger these days. The other day I saw a birth control pill in the shape of Fred Flintstone."
There are now a few more mentions on Google News, all of them saying 6 or 8 minutes ago. The Associated Press has not released it yet. Where are you, guys? You can't have the Atlanta Journal-Constitution beating you!
It's fun to see news spread. Right now, this is the only story mentioning Sirius Satellite Radio on Google News. I'll update later or tomorrow... (If you can't get into it, it's a Times story.)
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
INTERNET SCOOP: Howard Stern is leaving Infinity Broadcasting after his contract ends in 2006, and intends to go to Sirius Satellite Radio, where he plans to run three channels. He said he's excited about breathing life into this new medium.
I don't know if any of you care, but since it's only a half-hour-old scoop I thought I'd beam it your way.
INTERNET SCOOP: Howard Stern is leaving Infinity Broadcasting after his contract ends in 2006, and intends to go to Sirius Satellite Radio, where he plans to run three channels. He said he's excited about breathing life into this new medium.
I don't know if any of you care, but since it's only a half-hour-old scoop I thought I'd beam it your way.
10/05/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
A few metro area items to report today. First off, this morning 1010 WINS reported that last night, an armored truck flipped over on the NJ Turnpike and spewed change everywhere. As Adam Sandler says in "The Wedding Singer"...that's information I could have used yesterday!! Also, the Naked Cowboy of Times Square is now in radio ads endorsing Yahoo. Finally, there's an article in the New Yorker this week about a woman whose dog was nearly torn apart by a pack of junkyard dogs who live with an old man in a lot at Ninth Ave and 36th Street. The city has not done anything because no one handles dog-on-dog crime. Other dogs have been attacked, too. This morning it appeared that 1010 WINS has already picked up on the story, so now I'll bet something will be done. People complain about journalism, but the woman who wrote the New Yorker article wasn't getting anywhere no many how many calls she made or dogs were attacked. I'll bet the laws will change now.
A few metro area items to report today. First off, this morning 1010 WINS reported that last night, an armored truck flipped over on the NJ Turnpike and spewed change everywhere. As Adam Sandler says in "The Wedding Singer"...that's information I could have used yesterday!! Also, the Naked Cowboy of Times Square is now in radio ads endorsing Yahoo. Finally, there's an article in the New Yorker this week about a woman whose dog was nearly torn apart by a pack of junkyard dogs who live with an old man in a lot at Ninth Ave and 36th Street. The city has not done anything because no one handles dog-on-dog crime. Other dogs have been attacked, too. This morning it appeared that 1010 WINS has already picked up on the story, so now I'll bet something will be done. People complain about journalism, but the woman who wrote the New Yorker article wasn't getting anywhere no many how many calls she made or dogs were attacked. I'll bet the laws will change now.
10/04/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
They said on the radio that there won't be rain this week. As if that's a good thing.
If you need some great '80s punk to start your Monday, and you're not feeling as patriotic as usual, click on this and click the "Not Proud of the USA" song on the right (by the Mice)...I like it not necessarily because I'm not feeling proud, but it is a fun song. Hey, maybe it will motivate you to vote.
They said on the radio that there won't be rain this week. As if that's a good thing.
If you need some great '80s punk to start your Monday, and you're not feeling as patriotic as usual, click on this and click the "Not Proud of the USA" song on the right (by the Mice)...I like it not necessarily because I'm not feeling proud, but it is a fun song. Hey, maybe it will motivate you to vote.
10/03/2004
10/02/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work...on the book.
Wes works in a book store and notes that the book I mentioned yesterday was on Oprah, hence its high ranking. It might be fun to read, but could just cause a whole bunch of The Rules-like debates.
In other news, a famous photoblogger with one of the best sites in NY has been goodly enough to submit a list of Zierings! Thank you, Kevin of Forgotten NY!
>>Dawn Wells (Gilligan)
Robin Williams (well, he was never the star of another TV show)
Guy Williams (Lost in Space)
Mike "Touch" Connors (Mannix)
Andrew Shue (Melrose; played pro soccer after show ended)
Frank Bank (Lumpy Rutherford) has rarely appeared in a non Leave It To
Beaver show, though he has been Lumpy in 4 decades
Dustin Diamond (Dustin is unemployable in Hollywood in a non-Screech
role, except when he is boxing Horshack)
The dude who played Arvid on Head of the Class
Wes works in a book store and notes that the book I mentioned yesterday was on Oprah, hence its high ranking. It might be fun to read, but could just cause a whole bunch of The Rules-like debates.
In other news, a famous photoblogger with one of the best sites in NY has been goodly enough to submit a list of Zierings! Thank you, Kevin of Forgotten NY!
>>Dawn Wells (Gilligan)
Robin Williams (well, he was never the star of another TV show)
Guy Williams (Lost in Space)
Mike "Touch" Connors (Mannix)
Andrew Shue (Melrose; played pro soccer after show ended)
Frank Bank (Lumpy Rutherford) has rarely appeared in a non Leave It To
Beaver show, though he has been Lumpy in 4 decades
Dustin Diamond (Dustin is unemployable in Hollywood in a non-Screech
role, except when he is boxing Horshack)
The dude who played Arvid on Head of the Class
10/01/2004
If you have any doubts about how neurotic women are about men, look at what the number 2 best selling book in the country is.
I just went to the pizza place next door. $3.50 per slice may seem a little much, but it's got chicken parm and broccoli on it. Anyway, they always have the Post and Daily News out to read. Two things from the Post:
1. The articles on the first few pages of the Post overwhelmingly give the debate to Kerry. Wow, did the Post change owners overnight or something? I'm going to e-mail some Posties to see if gremlins got into their newsroom and adjusted the rightist bent.
2. Lisa Minelli is accused of having cheated on her husband by beating up on her chauffeur, too. Allegedly.
1. The articles on the first few pages of the Post overwhelmingly give the debate to Kerry. Wow, did the Post change owners overnight or something? I'm going to e-mail some Posties to see if gremlins got into their newsroom and adjusted the rightist bent.
2. Lisa Minelli is accused of having cheated on her husband by beating up on her chauffeur, too. Allegedly.
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
I had a lil' debate with Dawn yesterday about Sex And the City. Thanks for putting it up, Dawn. I just don't think it's fair to assume that women try to emulate the SATC girls. It's just as bad as the assumption Dawn doesn't like, that all men in NYC are horrible. SATC is a dang funny and well-written show.
I had a lil' debate with Dawn yesterday about Sex And the City. Thanks for putting it up, Dawn. I just don't think it's fair to assume that women try to emulate the SATC girls. It's just as bad as the assumption Dawn doesn't like, that all men in NYC are horrible. SATC is a dang funny and well-written show.
9/30/2004
9/29/2004
9/28/2004
It is still pouring out and I stepped in a puddle. I just went to a very entertaining "Feed the Young Writers" reading in NYC, hosted by Ned Vizzini. Now I'm home and I can finally actually write. Yay.
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
It's pouring today. A good novelizing day. But I'm at work. Boo.
Overheard on the PATH train from NY to NJ (from two trainmen sitting there in caps and white hats):
TRAIN STAFFER 1: Did you do that terrorism training yet?
TRAIN STAFFER 2: No. I'm trying to avoid it.
TRAIN STAFFER 1: Yeah. I already missed the first one.
We are not making this up.
It's pouring today. A good novelizing day. But I'm at work. Boo.
Overheard on the PATH train from NY to NJ (from two trainmen sitting there in caps and white hats):
TRAIN STAFFER 1: Did you do that terrorism training yet?
TRAIN STAFFER 2: No. I'm trying to avoid it.
TRAIN STAFFER 1: Yeah. I already missed the first one.
We are not making this up.
9/27/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
OK, I admit that I wrote that in advance. Work is really busy and I barely have time to blog. And weekends are busy because I'm finishing up the novel. My goal for more than a year was to finish it by late October 2004, and I'm going to meet that, but I have to keep working steadily to do that.
It seems like there are two phases of novel-writing: creation, and telling the story. Sometimes they go on at the same time, but the first one -- making up everything about the characters and their world and their story and history -- has to be thought about constantly, not only while writing. Once everything is finally nailed down (sometimes after a few revisions even), you then get to finally look at it some more and just figure out where you're doing a good job of telling it and where you need to take a scythe and start carving and shaping.
It was only after three years of work on this one that I know everything that has happened to these characters. And yes -- as the cliche goes -- I know what they ate for breakfast today. Some of the details will not make the final cut, but I know it's in their history. Maybe it will be re-added somewhere. Maybe just as a line. But I know it, so I can focus on how to tell the story.
Was that boring? Sorry.
Actually, there was a point to all this...my first two novels took place in New York, so there was a little less research and creation involved. They were about women close to my age, so I also was able to do a little less imagining, even though the main plot twists never happened to me. This new novel is harder because I was doing more research. I'm glad I'm finally able to focus on honing the "telling" of it.
In other news...yes, there's another hurricane, and I was too busy to even mention it here. Plus, even I'm getting a little jaded by them. In a few months we can move on to blizzards.
Finally, I've been wanting to mention that asking trivia questions shows the transition among generations. A few weeks ago, I helped host bar trivia and I did an audio round of songs that mentioned school in the title or lyrics. They included Beatles ("Getting Better"), Hall & Oates ("Adult Education"), and Steely Dan ("My Old School"). By the third song, a pair of players at one of the front tables said, "These are all OLD!"
I guess it happens...an '80s song like Adult Education is considered "old" to kids who are 21 or 22. It's still odd, though. I always try to mix up my audio rounds so no generation is slighted (there was an Eminem song in there too), but I found the reaction interesting. No one complained about our question about the Battle of 1812...and that was before their time, too! Audio rounds should be age-diverse, but it's still up to people to learn songs that were on the radio before they were born. It's cultural history. Besides, that's why it's trivia!
Okay, so I got to ramble a bit. I hope everyone has a happy Monday.
OK, I admit that I wrote that in advance. Work is really busy and I barely have time to blog. And weekends are busy because I'm finishing up the novel. My goal for more than a year was to finish it by late October 2004, and I'm going to meet that, but I have to keep working steadily to do that.
It seems like there are two phases of novel-writing: creation, and telling the story. Sometimes they go on at the same time, but the first one -- making up everything about the characters and their world and their story and history -- has to be thought about constantly, not only while writing. Once everything is finally nailed down (sometimes after a few revisions even), you then get to finally look at it some more and just figure out where you're doing a good job of telling it and where you need to take a scythe and start carving and shaping.
It was only after three years of work on this one that I know everything that has happened to these characters. And yes -- as the cliche goes -- I know what they ate for breakfast today. Some of the details will not make the final cut, but I know it's in their history. Maybe it will be re-added somewhere. Maybe just as a line. But I know it, so I can focus on how to tell the story.
Was that boring? Sorry.
Actually, there was a point to all this...my first two novels took place in New York, so there was a little less research and creation involved. They were about women close to my age, so I also was able to do a little less imagining, even though the main plot twists never happened to me. This new novel is harder because I was doing more research. I'm glad I'm finally able to focus on honing the "telling" of it.
In other news...yes, there's another hurricane, and I was too busy to even mention it here. Plus, even I'm getting a little jaded by them. In a few months we can move on to blizzards.
Finally, I've been wanting to mention that asking trivia questions shows the transition among generations. A few weeks ago, I helped host bar trivia and I did an audio round of songs that mentioned school in the title or lyrics. They included Beatles ("Getting Better"), Hall & Oates ("Adult Education"), and Steely Dan ("My Old School"). By the third song, a pair of players at one of the front tables said, "These are all OLD!"
I guess it happens...an '80s song like Adult Education is considered "old" to kids who are 21 or 22. It's still odd, though. I always try to mix up my audio rounds so no generation is slighted (there was an Eminem song in there too), but I found the reaction interesting. No one complained about our question about the Battle of 1812...and that was before their time, too! Audio rounds should be age-diverse, but it's still up to people to learn songs that were on the radio before they were born. It's cultural history. Besides, that's why it's trivia!
Okay, so I got to ramble a bit. I hope everyone has a happy Monday.
9/24/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Tonight starts Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement in which Jewish people are not supposed to eat or work. I'm not religious, but I think it's good to take stock of what you've done wrong, atone, try to do better...the fasting can be worthwhile because it reminds me what it's like to not be able to snap my fingers and have whatever I want instantly. There certainly are people all over the world, and in our own country, who can't have the things that some of us take for granted. So while I don't necessarily follow religious customs for the traditional reasons, I do think there is value to them.
Thus...no black and white cookie tomorrow. ;)
Tonight starts Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement in which Jewish people are not supposed to eat or work. I'm not religious, but I think it's good to take stock of what you've done wrong, atone, try to do better...the fasting can be worthwhile because it reminds me what it's like to not be able to snap my fingers and have whatever I want instantly. There certainly are people all over the world, and in our own country, who can't have the things that some of us take for granted. So while I don't necessarily follow religious customs for the traditional reasons, I do think there is value to them.
Thus...no black and white cookie tomorrow. ;)
9/23/2004
9/22/2004
9/21/2004
One or two people have e-mailed me to ask how I can like wicked weather when it's ruined lives and washed away homes. Well, of course I don't like it when it ruines lives and washes away homes. I also think trains are beautiful, but not when they hit people or crash.
I do love seeing nature's fury, when the sky turns charcoal and green and the winds toss the traffic lights and the rain creates pools of reflection in the street. Sometimes it's nice to walk around in a storm and be reminded of the power of this world you might be lucky enough to inhabit for 70-80 years.
I do love seeing nature's fury, when the sky turns charcoal and green and the winds toss the traffic lights and the rain creates pools of reflection in the street. Sometimes it's nice to walk around in a storm and be reminded of the power of this world you might be lucky enough to inhabit for 70-80 years.
9/20/2004
I woke up this morning around 7 and drank in the cool fall air and heated up a b&w cookie started working on my novel. I got through pages 200 to 340 (the end), and it took me until just now. There are still things to be fixed, holes to be filled, but I really needed this time to focus and get through it. I stopped only for internet breaks, food, and yeah, to go to the bathroom.
9/18/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.
We are having a wonderful thunderstorm. If the remnants of Ivan are this bad after it's been on land for days, I can now imagine how awful it was down south. Oddly, the first mention of it on this blog was August 27!
I think we've reached the midpoint of the worst here, because my barometer was down to 29.7 inches an hour ago and is starting to rise. The tropical depression is moving away, but it's still supposed to rain all day. We needed to cool off.
I just got an e-mail from a friend saying, "Best weather EVER." At last, people who understand me!
We are having a wonderful thunderstorm. If the remnants of Ivan are this bad after it's been on land for days, I can now imagine how awful it was down south. Oddly, the first mention of it on this blog was August 27!
I think we've reached the midpoint of the worst here, because my barometer was down to 29.7 inches an hour ago and is starting to rise. The tropical depression is moving away, but it's still supposed to rain all day. We needed to cool off.
I just got an e-mail from a friend saying, "Best weather EVER." At last, people who understand me!
9/17/2004
The fruit store near my house had, as of today, pumpkins! Big ones and little ones. It's pumpkin time.
At my writers' group meeting tonight, more than twenty minutes were spent recounting various Ali G episodes because someone brought up Ali G. At least five episodes were recounted, in proper accents. I sat there stone faced. It's not that I don't have a sense of humor. It's just - didn't Stuttering John do all this stuff ten years ago? He was asking serious people stupid questions long ago. He asked that Reagan impersonator, Jim Morris, what it was like to be with the Doors. Is it funnier with a lame accent?
Ali G, Tom Green....ZIERING.
I brought some of the beginning of my new novel to the group - part of the 15 pages that I've revised like 60 times in three years. Yes, I am STILL revising those 15 pages. The group didn't hate it or find it glaringly unreal. So that was good news. I think I'm done revising it for now. (Emphasis on "for now.")
Another topic of discussion at the group was whether to give money to homeless people. Two people said that they don't want to give to alcoholics. My feeling is, why is it ok for wealthy people to get themselves sauced, whereas homeless people, whose life sucks and actually have a good reason to get plastered, aren't allowed to? If they really are alcoholics (and how do you know?) they're going to drink anyway, so give them a buck and maybe they can eat, too. If you think I'm being funny, I'm not. Who are we to judge the lives of someone who lives on the street? I know you can't give to everyone. But don't kid yourself into thinking you're doing them a favor by withholding the money. They ask for it because they need it. Even if it doesn't turn their situation around. Even if you don't approve of what they're using it for. Maybe it will make them feel better for an hour. We all use money to do that for ourselves, don't we?
Finally, a guy at the writing group said that recently, he had a dream that his book got published. "And when you woke up," I said, "Did you say, 'Oh damn'?"
At my writers' group meeting tonight, more than twenty minutes were spent recounting various Ali G episodes because someone brought up Ali G. At least five episodes were recounted, in proper accents. I sat there stone faced. It's not that I don't have a sense of humor. It's just - didn't Stuttering John do all this stuff ten years ago? He was asking serious people stupid questions long ago. He asked that Reagan impersonator, Jim Morris, what it was like to be with the Doors. Is it funnier with a lame accent?
Ali G, Tom Green....ZIERING.
I brought some of the beginning of my new novel to the group - part of the 15 pages that I've revised like 60 times in three years. Yes, I am STILL revising those 15 pages. The group didn't hate it or find it glaringly unreal. So that was good news. I think I'm done revising it for now. (Emphasis on "for now.")
Another topic of discussion at the group was whether to give money to homeless people. Two people said that they don't want to give to alcoholics. My feeling is, why is it ok for wealthy people to get themselves sauced, whereas homeless people, whose life sucks and actually have a good reason to get plastered, aren't allowed to? If they really are alcoholics (and how do you know?) they're going to drink anyway, so give them a buck and maybe they can eat, too. If you think I'm being funny, I'm not. Who are we to judge the lives of someone who lives on the street? I know you can't give to everyone. But don't kid yourself into thinking you're doing them a favor by withholding the money. They ask for it because they need it. Even if it doesn't turn their situation around. Even if you don't approve of what they're using it for. Maybe it will make them feel better for an hour. We all use money to do that for ourselves, don't we?
Finally, a guy at the writing group said that recently, he had a dream that his book got published. "And when you woke up," I said, "Did you say, 'Oh damn'?"
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
This morning, Howard Stern was talking about "Zierings," stars like Ian Ziering who will never star in a show again after their first show (in this case, 90210) ends. He was trying to "guess the Ziering" on various shows.
This morning, as I was heading to work, the crossing guard at the corner apprised me of town events. "I called the emergency number this morning," she said. "Whenever it rains, the lights do this." She pointed toward the traffic lights, which were blinking instead of just turning red, yellow and green. "They're supposed to get a new box," she said, "but it costs $7,000 and the mayor doesn't want to pay for it. That's dangerous. This is a 8-way intersection!" Then she went and helped a kid across the street.
This morning, Howard Stern was talking about "Zierings," stars like Ian Ziering who will never star in a show again after their first show (in this case, 90210) ends. He was trying to "guess the Ziering" on various shows.
This morning, as I was heading to work, the crossing guard at the corner apprised me of town events. "I called the emergency number this morning," she said. "Whenever it rains, the lights do this." She pointed toward the traffic lights, which were blinking instead of just turning red, yellow and green. "They're supposed to get a new box," she said, "but it costs $7,000 and the mayor doesn't want to pay for it. That's dangerous. This is a 8-way intersection!" Then she went and helped a kid across the street.
9/16/2004
9/15/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Judy Blume is winning a major literary award today, as well she should. The Times notes:
"Ms. Blume has also made some updates in the books, like replacing the belts and pins that hold sanitary napkins in place in 'Are You There God?' with sticky strips to attach them directly to underwear."
Judy Blume is winning a major literary award today, as well she should. The Times notes:
"Ms. Blume has also made some updates in the books, like replacing the belts and pins that hold sanitary napkins in place in 'Are You There God?' with sticky strips to attach them directly to underwear."
9/14/2004
Thanks for all of your advice on the dentistry. People seem to think that the estimate wasn't half bad. OK. I'm not giving up black and white cookies anyway.
Tonight was an excellently-hosted team trivia game in NYC run by Neil and Sarah. My team won, 99 percent due to the knowledge of Val, Bob and Phil in categories including musical theater, '80s TV, and Harry Potter. I had little to contribute except bad doodles and worse jokes.
Tonight was an excellently-hosted team trivia game in NYC run by Neil and Sarah. My team won, 99 percent due to the knowledge of Val, Bob and Phil in categories including musical theater, '80s TV, and Harry Potter. I had little to contribute except bad doodles and worse jokes.
Hello. This morning I woke up, put clothes on, went to work, and ate oatmeal.
My dentist sed I probably have to a have a root canal and a crown. It's normally $3,000 but they can do it for $1,800. Isn't that SWELL?
Does $3,000 (or $1,800) sound right to anyone? How do people pay for these? I mean, I can pay for it, but wow - that's a lot of money. My tooth doesn't even hurt.
My dentist sed I probably have to a have a root canal and a crown. It's normally $3,000 but they can do it for $1,800. Isn't that SWELL?
Does $3,000 (or $1,800) sound right to anyone? How do people pay for these? I mean, I can pay for it, but wow - that's a lot of money. My tooth doesn't even hurt.
9/13/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Satan's Laundromat seems to be appaled at a guy trying to sell picture books at Ground Zero: link.
I was on a road trip this weekend. Many observations, so I'll summarize, in no particular order:
1. The car I rented had a digital display that, for some radio stations, would scroll the name of the song playing and the artist. I guess some stations now input that information for radio displays. Maybe this is something everyone knew but me. Anyway, someday our kids will have that on all of their radios, and they won't be able to comprehend a time when we would hear a cool song, sit through six others to wait for the DJ to tell us what it was, and never find out anyway.
2. I went to a high school football game Friday night. I've been doing that for the last few years each fall, as part of something I'm writing. You can see everything that's right with the world there.
3. I learned even more about the weather at a seminar. So watch out! Here's a site that the junkies say they like: www.wunderground.com, the weather underground.
Have any of you read "At Home in the World" by Joyce Maynard yet? The best book to read during fall. If you read it, e-mail me and tell me what you think.
Have a happy Monday.
Satan's Laundromat seems to be appaled at a guy trying to sell picture books at Ground Zero: link.
I was on a road trip this weekend. Many observations, so I'll summarize, in no particular order:
1. The car I rented had a digital display that, for some radio stations, would scroll the name of the song playing and the artist. I guess some stations now input that information for radio displays. Maybe this is something everyone knew but me. Anyway, someday our kids will have that on all of their radios, and they won't be able to comprehend a time when we would hear a cool song, sit through six others to wait for the DJ to tell us what it was, and never find out anyway.
2. I went to a high school football game Friday night. I've been doing that for the last few years each fall, as part of something I'm writing. You can see everything that's right with the world there.
3. I learned even more about the weather at a seminar. So watch out! Here's a site that the junkies say they like: www.wunderground.com, the weather underground.
Have any of you read "At Home in the World" by Joyce Maynard yet? The best book to read during fall. If you read it, e-mail me and tell me what you think.
Have a happy Monday.
9/10/2004
I won't be blogging this weekend, in honor of the Sept. 11 anniversary. I think there are people with better things to say right now. For those who say, "It was 3 years ago; get over it," well, it's still worth taking stock of the things we have every day, and thinking about how we can improve ourselves and our lives. I am thankful for many things, including the fact that people like you read my goofy writing. Have a nice weekend.
9/08/2004
9/07/2004
9/06/2004
Today in America, we celebrate those who wake up, put on clothes (usually) and go to work!!
We do this by not working today.
Speaking of work, what would you do if you were Jewish and the guy making your sub at the sub shop used some anti-Semitic comments as he was carving up your sandwich? Would you say anything? Mr. NJWT wasn't sure.
Despite the fact that the hurricane is down in Florida, it's been pretty breezy up here today. Meanwhile, Hurricane Ivan could be the next threat.
We do this by not working today.
Speaking of work, what would you do if you were Jewish and the guy making your sub at the sub shop used some anti-Semitic comments as he was carving up your sandwich? Would you say anything? Mr. NJWT wasn't sure.
Despite the fact that the hurricane is down in Florida, it's been pretty breezy up here today. Meanwhile, Hurricane Ivan could be the next threat.
9/05/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, didn't go to work.
I think I've finished a draft of the first half of the novel. Now, there are no xxx's in it and I don't have to move things around. All that took is three years. There will be more revisions anyway.
Today's topic: People complaining about how press 'overcoverage' of the Sept. 11 anniversary. Listen, folks: The only reason that it seems like overkill is because every media outlet in the country covers it. The only way to avoid "too much coverage" would be if CBS and CNN voluntarily decided not to cover it because FOX and ABC were already doing it. Then they'd be negligent. It's an important event and has to be covered.
People also complained about the media covering the "duct tape" scenario. Well, we had the government telling us they'd raised the terror alert. People kept asking what they could do about it. No one was giving them an answer. And someone had a suggestion. It would have been unfair not to cover it. The media doesn't promote fear, and in fact, people aren't scared easily. They're still living in New York, skydiving and eating sushi. But they wanted to know if there was anything they could do, so someone gave a suggestion.
I will admit to one thing. We killed Princess Di!
I think I've finished a draft of the first half of the novel. Now, there are no xxx's in it and I don't have to move things around. All that took is three years. There will be more revisions anyway.
Today's topic: People complaining about how press 'overcoverage' of the Sept. 11 anniversary. Listen, folks: The only reason that it seems like overkill is because every media outlet in the country covers it. The only way to avoid "too much coverage" would be if CBS and CNN voluntarily decided not to cover it because FOX and ABC were already doing it. Then they'd be negligent. It's an important event and has to be covered.
People also complained about the media covering the "duct tape" scenario. Well, we had the government telling us they'd raised the terror alert. People kept asking what they could do about it. No one was giving them an answer. And someone had a suggestion. It would have been unfair not to cover it. The media doesn't promote fear, and in fact, people aren't scared easily. They're still living in New York, skydiving and eating sushi. But they wanted to know if there was anything they could do, so someone gave a suggestion.
I will admit to one thing. We killed Princess Di!
9/04/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
At 11:34 a.m. I was getting on the PATH train, and a man in a WELCOME TO NEW YORK, NOW GET OUT t-shirt was getting off the train, and a man in a WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY - DON'T WORRY, WE HATE YOU TOO! shirt was getting on. Seriously!
Jon K. writes:
oatmeal, I'm
eating it;
apples and
spice
in dactylic monometer.
At 11:34 a.m. I was getting on the PATH train, and a man in a WELCOME TO NEW YORK, NOW GET OUT t-shirt was getting off the train, and a man in a WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY - DON'T WORRY, WE HATE YOU TOO! shirt was getting on. Seriously!
Jon K. writes:
oatmeal, I'm
eating it;
apples and
spice
in dactylic monometer.
9/03/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Valerie has posted a sexy weatherporn photo of Hurricane Frances. It's not going to hit us, though. Maybe this Tropical Storm, Ivan, will. Probably not. Anyway, within two weeks we'll be out of the woods regarding hurricanes for the year.
The word "HURRicane" is dactylic.
Valerie has posted a sexy weatherporn photo of Hurricane Frances. It's not going to hit us, though. Maybe this Tropical Storm, Ivan, will. Probably not. Anyway, within two weeks we'll be out of the woods regarding hurricanes for the year.
The word "HURRicane" is dactylic.
9/02/2004
At the beginning of summer, I came up with a summer reading list for friends and blog readers. These are books I'd recommend -- some just plain fun, some more weighty, but all riveting reading. (I don't recommend reading that's a chore - trust me.)
But now the cool weather is here (thank god; better for writing) and there are two books that come to mind that are great to snuggle up in front of the fireplace with. One was also on my summer reading list. The other is not my favorite book ever but it's very readable, entirely appropriate for winter, and like other books I recommend, it's extremely compelling.
So click here for two books that are great autumn/winter reading. (And no, they're not mine.)
But now the cool weather is here (thank god; better for writing) and there are two books that come to mind that are great to snuggle up in front of the fireplace with. One was also on my summer reading list. The other is not my favorite book ever but it's very readable, entirely appropriate for winter, and like other books I recommend, it's extremely compelling.
So click here for two books that are great autumn/winter reading. (And no, they're not mine.)
9/01/2004
Supportive Alan correctly points out that "My Favorite Things" is dactylic! He notes:
The message can be sung to "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music:
Itching dark urine and clay colored stools,
Odor that passes and smells like old mules,
Brown poopie pieces and pee-pee that stings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
The message can be sung to "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music:
Itching dark urine and clay colored stools,
Odor that passes and smells like old mules,
Brown poopie pieces and pee-pee that stings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Today I got a piece of junk e-mail whose subject head impressed me, as it was written in dactylic monometer! Dactylic monometer is a fairly rare poetic meter, moreso in junkmail subject lines. Here was the subject head:
Itching, dark urine and clay colored stools
Or, properly versed:
Itching, dark
urine and
clay colored
stools.
It was actually written as "clay c()l()red st()()ls" so as to throw off junk mailers, but it was possibly also going for that cummings use of unusual punctuation and grammatical types. Even the capitalization is off.
Note carefully that the accent is always on the first of three syllables. Dactylic words are "beautiful" and "yesterday." "Itching-dark" and "urine-and" would also fall into the category, although in this case, the poet uses two words to achieve the DA-da-da DA-da-da effect.
So let's recap:
Itching dark
DA-da-da
Urine and
DA-da-da
Clay colored
DA-da-da
stools.
Maybe I will scan the actual message later to see which meter the poet used.
Today I got a piece of junk e-mail whose subject head impressed me, as it was written in dactylic monometer! Dactylic monometer is a fairly rare poetic meter, moreso in junkmail subject lines. Here was the subject head:
Itching, dark urine and clay colored stools
Or, properly versed:
Itching, dark
urine and
clay colored
stools.
It was actually written as "clay c()l()red st()()ls" so as to throw off junk mailers, but it was possibly also going for that cummings use of unusual punctuation and grammatical types. Even the capitalization is off.
Note carefully that the accent is always on the first of three syllables. Dactylic words are "beautiful" and "yesterday." "Itching-dark" and "urine-and" would also fall into the category, although in this case, the poet uses two words to achieve the DA-da-da DA-da-da effect.
So let's recap:
Itching dark
DA-da-da
Urine and
DA-da-da
Clay colored
DA-da-da
stools.
Maybe I will scan the actual message later to see which meter the poet used.
8/31/2004
Woke up, put on clothes, went to work.
Despite being arrested, Michael of www.satanslaundromat.com managed to publish his usual excellent photos, these being of the convention. Read the entry from a day or two ago about his arrest.
Despite being arrested, Michael of www.satanslaundromat.com managed to publish his usual excellent photos, these being of the convention. Read the entry from a day or two ago about his arrest.
8/30/2004
8/28/2004
Some sad '80s news:
Laura Branigan, a Grammy-nominated pop singer best known for her 1982 platinum hit "Gloria," has died. She was 47.
Branigan died of a brain anuerysm Thursday in her sleep at her home in East Quogue, said her brother Mark Branigan. He said she had complained to a friend of a headache for about two weeks before she died, but had not sought medical attention.
Laura Branigan, a Grammy-nominated pop singer best known for her 1982 platinum hit "Gloria," has died. She was 47.
Branigan died of a brain anuerysm Thursday in her sleep at her home in East Quogue, said her brother Mark Branigan. He said she had complained to a friend of a headache for about two weeks before she died, but had not sought medical attention.
