WTF?!?
I wasn't planning on posting anything tonight, but I just had to share
this story. It seems a peeping tom was discovered in the waste tank of a toilet at a swimming hole a bit north of where I live. Uggghh...*gag*...ugh...man, that is so wrong. Seriously, wtf is that about.
I've Been De-Blogrolled!
I just noticed that a certain person who shall remain nameless removed me from his list of favorites. I don't really care, but I'm not sure what the reason was. Could it be because I didn't put a reciprocal link to his site on my page? I'm sorry, but I don't feel I should have to link to a page just because that person liked my blog and decided to link to it. If I link to someone's blog that I don't know very well, I don't expect them to link to mine. I'm especially not going to link to blogs with excessive drug references (which isn't to say I'm squeaky clean or anything, I just don't want to be associated with it), or to blogs containing racist hate speech, even if I agree with most of what those people had to say (there were two blogs I didn't link to for those reasons).
But that's enough about that. I don't have time to write much at the moment, but I thought I would post this week's
Penises in the News. A new study shows that most men who think they have a small penis are actually average in size. If we can get the word out we might be able to stop some guys from buying more behemoth SUV's. (By the way, I'm not one to talk about my size, but let me just say that I have no worries about whether it is big enough for not. 'nuff said).
Alright Then
I've been a little out of the loop, so I'm a little late on the tagging game unleashed by
Livewire. But I've decided to join in the fun anyways (seeing as all the cool kids are doing it). I don't usually go for the tagging games because then I feel obligated to write something I might not feel like writing about. However, this is a good one, so I'll have at it. Here goes:
A Lifetime10 years ago: I was a seventeen year old kid who never thought he'd live past age 25. I knew everything that I needed to know about the world, and I was invincible. It would be a few years before I realized how wrong I was about those things. I'm pretty sure that I was painting houses during the summer, getting paid very little to stand atop 30 foot ladders with bees circling my head and stinging me. Other than that, I don't remember much. I do remember that I had a horrible fake i.d. which somehow worked all the time, so I spent a good deal of time drinking myself into oblivion. Ironically (or prophetically), it had a fake address on it that--if I remember correctly--was for an address about five minutes from where I now live.
5 years ago: Five years ago I had just graduated college and was having a hard time finding a good job. I ended up getting a job during the summer doing data entry for a financial firm in Hartford. I worked with this sexy Jamaican girl named Jacquie who taught me some cool words, like "
bumbaclot." There was also an older woman there who sat right next to me. One day she got a phone call from someone telling her that her brother had just been brutally murdered. Her name was Francine, if I remember correctly, and as I think about that day I can still hear the sound of her crying, screaming, and sobbing when she heard the news.
1 year ago: Having recently moved to New Hampshire, I was working for a temp agency. They ended up sending me on an assignment to work for the trash company in the customer service department. It was a surreal (and awful) experience. For about three months I answered over a hundred calls a day from old ladies who were angry about their trash being picked up late. My favorite calls would be the ones from people saying that their dumpsters stink. What the hell did they expect? At any rate, I'll never be rude to a customer service rep on the phone again after that ordeal (unless they ask for it).
Yesterday: I spent most of day studying for the real estate license exam, but I found that I was making slow progress. I didn't get nearly as far as I wanted to, so I may end up having to push the exam date back by a week, which is just fine. Other than that, I didn't do very much.
Today: I had a pretty good day. I wrote a first draft of a marketing piece for a multi-million dollar property. On Friday I was having a hard time coming up with anything, but I was able to do a pretty good job on it today. I had a million small problems to deal with other than that, but nothing too stressful.
Tomorrow: I'm going a business trip to Boston. Should be exciting (not). I'll probably get stuck in a traffic nightmare, which is fairly typical of Boston.
5 snacks I enjoy: Doritos (
favorite snack of tyrants), Crackers and extra sharp cheddar cheese, ice cream sandwiches, Oreos, and wasabi peas.
5 songs I know all the words to:
Jammin' by Bob Marley,
Graceland by Paul Simon,
Me and My Uncle by the Grateful Dead,
Baby Bitch by Ween, and
Lost Cause by Beck.
5 things I would do with $100,000,000: As stated in a
previous post, I would have a party on my own private island in the Carribean and fly out all of my blogfriends to come to it. I would also pay off my credit card bills (which wouldn't leave very much money), then I'd pay off the bills for all of my friends and family, then I would find some worthwhile charities (I don't know which, there are so many), and finally, I would settle down on my private island and live off the interest.
5 locations I'd like to run away to: Hawaii, New Zealand, Amsterdam, London, Telluride.
5 bad habits I have: Scratching or "adjusting" myself at inappropriate moments (hey, sometimes it gets pointed in an uncomfortable direction), smoking (well, actually, I have a bad habit of quiting for years and then starting again), procrastination, falling in love with the wrong kind of women, and possibly excessive autoeroticism (*ahem*).
5 things I like doing: Since I already touched on masturbation (pun intended) in the previous one I'll say sex with a real live woman, camping, hiking, mountain biking, and trout fishing.
5 things I would never wear: A thong, real fur, spandex, a bow tie (unless wearing a tuxedo), and a
vest made from real gorilla chest (yeah, I know, sort of goes with real fur, but I ran out of ideas).
5 T.V. shows I like: The Simpsons, Seinfeld, The Daily Show, 60 Minutes, 24
5 movies I like: Pi, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Memento, Garden State, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
5 famous people I'd like to meet: Jon Stewart, President Bush (so I could talk some sense into him), Bono, Gwen Stefani, and Maria Sharapova.
5 biggest joys at the moment: I've been too stressed out and depressed to experience joy. I have nothing for this category at the moment.
5 favorite toys: No time for toys at the moment, I'm too busy.
5 people to tag: Anyone who hasn't yet done one of these. You know who you are.
Study Break
I just wanted to post something quickly. I've been working on a 500 question take-home test for most of the night, and I haven't gotten very far yet. I started working on Livewire's
tag, but it will probably take me a couple of days with the limited free time that I have at the moment. I thought I'd post some links to some recommended reading (found via
Buzzflash).
Here is a sobering assessment of the situation in Iraq. (Registration may be required, but it's free, so it's totally worth it).
Here is a story about another apalling and shameless appointment by President Bush.Here is a collumn on the White House's response to the Downing Street Memo, written by a former CIA analyst.At any rate, I have to get some more school work done.
Some Much Needed Ranting
Today was another looonnnnggg day, with eight hours of work and four hours of class. Now that I'm home I need some time to relax and decompress. I also have a lot of pent up rage from the current political situation, and I need to get it out of my system.
There has been oh so much to talk about--so much that I don't know where to begin. I think I'll try to stay focused on only the most recent news item to get under my skin. So,
this is the relating story.
From the article:
"Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers."--Karl Rove, 6/22/05
While I hate to quote
the devil himself *shudder* (I feel dirty), I felt it necessary to convey the source of my anger. To counteract these poisonous words, I shall post Senator Harry Reid's demand for Rove's apology or resignation. I was kind of worried when a man known as a moderate (he is anti-abortion, for example) took the role of minority leader in the Senate, but the guy has been doing a great job. Here is his reply (
found here):
“I am deeply disturbed and disappointed that the Bush White House would continue to use the national tragedy of September 11th to try and divide the country. The lesson our country learned on that terrible morning is that we are strongest when we unite together, that America’s power is in its common spirit of democracy and freedom.
“Karl Rove should immediately and fully apologize for his remarks or he should resign. The lesson of September 11th is not different for conservatives, liberals or moderates. It is equally shared and was repeatedly demonstrated in the weeks and months following this tragedy as Americans of all backgrounds and their elected representatives rallied behind the victims and their families, united in our common determination to bring to justice those responsible for these terrible attacks.
“It is time to stop using September 11th as a political wedge issue. Dividing our country for political gain is an insult to all Americans and to the common memory we all carry with us from that day. When it comes to standing up to terrorists, there are no Republicans or Democrats, only Americans. The Administration should be focused on uniting Americans behind our troops and providing them a strategy for success in the war on terror and the conflict in Iraq. I hope the president will join me in repudiating these remarks and urge Mr. Rove to take appropriate action to right this terrible wrong.” --Senator Harry Reid (D, Nevada)
Give 'em Hell, Harry. I am so fucking sick of the rightwing radicals in this country trying to use the tragedy of September 11 to their political advantage. I was actually naive enough to think to myself before the previous election season that they wouldn't use national security as a political issue. But there Dick Cheney and the conservative echo chamber were, saying that the terrorists wanted John Kerry to win, among other ridiculous nonsense.
And it hasn't stopped. The fascists believe that
liberals hate America (I won't link to any of the actual sites, of course). From my perspective, the rightwingers have no understanding of the ideals that once made America great. They are fucking this country up (in addition to the various parts of the world afflicted by their policies), and no amount of flag waiving and phony patriotic rhetoric will change that.
It really burns me up to hear them use September 11 to divide the American people.
My friend's father died in the World Trade Center. I went to his memorial service (there was no funeral, as no remains were recovered). This man was a fixture in my childhood--at church, school, sporting events, etc. He was a good man and didn't deserve to be murdered.
So, it really pisses me off to hear conservatives say that
liberals have forgotten about September 11. Bush (and Karl Rove) could have chosen to draw the American people together, and to unite with our allies in the world. Instead, they chose to push a radical rightwing agenda and to divide us against ourselves and our allies in the world. They've sought to use the tragedy of September 11 to justify every horrible policy--from tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, to the war in Iraq, to torturing prisoners.
I have hope that America will soon wake up from the post 9/11 hangover, and the majority of people will see more clearly what the radical fascists have been doing to our country. And when they do wake up, they are going to be very pissed off.
At any rate, I think that is enough politics for now. This rant was much needed on a personal level for me, even if no one actually reads the whole thing. Good night.
Quickie
Okay, time for a quick post. I've been insanely busy for the last week or so and haven't had a moment to blog. Things continue to go well at the new job, and I'm almost done with my course, so I should have my real estate license pretty soon. I'm going to be spending a lot more time studying over the next two weeks, so my infrequent updates will likely become even more infrequent. Such is life I guess.
I've been wanting to go on a good political rant for a while now, but I don't have the time to do it properly. In case you haven't been paying attention, the tide has finally begun to turn against Emperor Bush. Public opinion--including members of his own party--has been turning against him. The word "Impeachment" has actually been used a lot in the last couple of weeks, mostly because the "Downing Street Memo" proved that war was the first option for Bush, not the last. So, instead of ranting right now, I'll post a few links to sites where I might have gone for some fuel:
Common DreamsAlternetBuzzflashAfter Downing Street
Randomness
In my previous entry, I posted a referring URL from my site meter that showed my blog coming up in someone's Google search under the terms "odiorne pervert". I've seen my site come up in a lot of random searches, but this one really made me wonder. My site came up in this particular person's search because of two posts that I wrote in March, one in which I mentioned taking a walk in
Odiorne State Park, and another in which I used the word "
pervert" (after saying something about making sweet love to my coffee maker). So that explains that.
Of course, I had to find out what this person was looking for. I was thinking that some sort of pervert must have exposed himself at Odiorne Point, which is pretty close to where I live. I searched Google under the search terms "Odiorne, exposed", and I found
this story, which I hadn't hear about. It seems that there has been a serial flasher at Odiorne for several years who has now graduated to wearing underwear on his head and fondling women.
So, someone was searching Google for a story on it. Instead, they found my blog, and a couple of entries totally unrelated to what they were looking for. This got me to wondering if the blogosphere might eventually make getting good information on the internet more difficult. The first link that came up in that person's search pointed to a chat room in which people went on and on calling Odiorne a nude beach, which it isn't. They had the story all wrong, and were spreading it like a virus. The internet accelerates the flow of information, including useful and correct information, but it also accelerates the flow of of incorrect information and outright lies.
The more lies and distortions that get pumped into blogworld and the internet in general, the more likely that someone will use that information and accept it as truth, and then pass it on to someone else. This explains much of why there are so many rightwing believers in America who repeat the same lies and distortions over in over, in synch with one another. I don't think that all repuglicans have bad intentions and
want to lie. They're just very misinformed--and misled.
At any rate, I didn't mean to get going on a political rant. I'm too tired to get all riled up about that stuff right now. I worked eight hours today and went straight to a four hour long class. My brain is still all geared up from being in class all night, so I probably won't be able to fall asleep. Oh well, I'm off to count sheep. Good night.
Okay, Who Was It?
I was just looking through the referring urls on my sitemeter, and I noticed
this one. It seems that someone wants to know about my sexual habits via my blog. Hmmm...who could it be?
Update:
Here is another one I just found. Could be the same person. If that person is reading this, I assure you that I am not the Odiorne Pervert, whoever that is.
Mr. Egghead's World
A couple of days ago I posted some "spider" pictures below. Mysfit pointed out that one of the creatures (appearing in two of the pictures) only has six legs, which would mean that it isn't a spider. Now, I kind of think that I know a spider when I see one, and I was damn sure that this was a spider. However, spiders have eight legs and two body segments, whereas insects that have six legs and three body segments.
I checked out the other pictures that I took of this creature, and he has six legs in each. However, he does appear to have two body segments, just like spiders do. I've done some searching on the web, but I can't seem to figure out what this thing is. If anyone has a biology background, or if you're just bored and feel like doing some research, I would love you forever if you could identify this beast.
Here is one picture, and
here is the other.
Okay, that's it for now. I'm long overdue for a political rant, and there is oh so much to rant about, so I hope to return later with another post.
UPDATE: I'm thinking that it must be a spider, and maybe his legs are pressed together in all of my pictures. He might have tensed up from my friend scaring him before I took the picture. He could be a nursery spider.
Check this out. And that guy was photographed only about 40 miles from where I saw mine.
UPDATE #2: Okay,
here is another site. I think I have identified the beast as a nursery web spider. Damn I'm good.
Slow Work Day = Blogging Time
I'm making a second attempt at a blog entry from work. I started writing one earlier, but the office manager / IT person came over to work on my computer. I was just noticing on CNN.com that the jury has reached a decision in the Michael Jackson case, which is to be read in just a few minutes. My feeling on that, based on very limited knowledge of the case, is that he may not have done it this time, but he sure as hell did ten years ago. So, either way, I think the guy is a twisted pervert.
At any rate, things are going pretty well these days. I like the new job, and I've managed to get out to do fun stuff on the weekends for the last several weeks. I just wish I had more friends around here. That's what I get for moving 150 miles to a place where I don't know anyone (okay, so I knew one person). When I was in college and in my early twenties it was easy to meet people. It happened on a daily basis without any effort on my part. It seems that everyone my age is busy getting married and making babies.
Oh well, who needs friends anyways. At least I have my blogfriends, most of whom are beautiful, sexy, and smart women with great senses of humor (yes, I know, I am shameless with the flattery). I really wish I knew this many awesome ladies in real life. I'm also thankful for my male blogfriends, but there aren't too many Skrambled readers carrying a Y chromosome. There is the Forgotten Machine, of course, and Roger Stevens on occasion, but that's about it for regular visitors (all apologies to other dudes who stop by regularly without leaving comments).
I was thinking that when I win millions of dollars in the lottery it would be cool to throw a big party and to buy everyone plane tickets to come to it. I'll be rich enough to get any band to come and play, so we could have a vote on the entertainment. Maybe I could buy an island somewhere in the Carribean and we could all party in my own private resort. Hell, we could all move there and start our own country. Man, I need to get rich soon.
Big Freaking Spider Closeup
Arachnophobia
I just returned from a night down in Gloucester, MA. A couple of my friends came up from New York City for a trip there, so I drove down to meet them and camp out for the night. 'Twas a wonderful weekend. We woke up today and found ourselves in the Land of the Giant Spiders. I took a couple of pictures of them, which I've posted below. God I hate those fucking things.
At any rate, I just wanted to post something up quickly. I may return later if possible.
Big Freaking Spider
Tent Spider
Pass the Valium Please
"I have an existential map. It has 'You are here' written all over it."--Steven Wright
I thought I'd start things off with a quote, just for kicks. I am at a point right now where I am just stretched thin. My mind has been racing between peaceful tranquility and raging anxiety, punctuated by moments of utter joy and despair.
I've spent probably six of the last eight weekends travelling over 300 miles, and between work and school I have been more stressed out than I've been in years. I am greatly looking forward to this weekend. I should have some good pictures to post of the beach, and there is a lot going on around town that could make for some quality photos.
There have so many things I've been wanting to write (read: rant) about, but I haven't had the time. I keep getting great ideas, but by the time I get a chance to write it down, it's gone from my brain. I know that once my class is over I'll be less stressed out, so that won't be a problem for much longer.
I have been keeping up with the continuing misdeeds of the Bush junta, but I don't have the energy for a proper rant right now (perhaps in the morning). Instead, I give you,
Penises in the News (yeah, I know, this isn't a lighthearted news item like most PITN's, but oh well).
Alright, I'm off to get my standard five and half hours sleep.
Update
Okay, so I've decided that it's time for one of my few and far between blog posts. I'm sneaking this in while I'm at work. I have been pretty busy over the last several days and haven't had much time for blogging. I've been meaning to say thank you to the people who have recently linked to me (shubhodeep, shoes, and anyone else I'm forgetting). Links are always welcome, and I'm sorry that I'm currently in a mode of infrequent posting. When the time is right I should be able to start posting daily again (but I'm not making any promises).
Things continue to go well at the new job. I'm finally feeling comfortable here, and I feel like I've had the chance to prove myself useful on a few occasions. The class I'm taking is also going somewhat well, but I've fallen really far behind in my reading. We don't have any tests/quizes/homework/etc., so I don't have enough motivation to study before class. It doesn't really matter as long as I pass the license exam, but it looks like I'll be cramming for that.
At any rate, I am really glad I got this job when I did. I got it just before all the new college graduates had a chance to compete for the job at a lower wage, and just before another dismal jobs report from the US governement that showed yet another month of poor job growth (there were around 78,000 jobs created in May, while 150,000 is required just to keep pace with new workers entering the workforce).
Here is a good article on what's been happening to the American Dream.I have a theory that the repuglicans in power and their wealthy corporate sponsors want there to be a crappy job market. The slight loss of revenue caused by the unemployed being unable to spend money is offset by the fact that desperate job seekers are more likely to accept a lower paying job than they would in an economy with many well-paying jobs. So they can get smarter, better qualified employees for a lower cost. This might explain why profits at the executive level continue to grow. I don't have time to do the research right now, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that starting wages have fallen dramatically over the last few years.
That's all I have time for right now. I'd better get back to work before I get busted.
You May Be Brainwashed If. . .
No time to post right now. Just wanted to post a link to
this article. It demonstrates quite well the difference between the "Reality Based Community" and rightwing fascists who get their news from corporate media.
