Pay Attention, Damn It!

Way back in history, just about when we were standing upright for the first time, the rules of Nature still applied. Pretty much the way the Animal Kingdom dictated the rules over all the other species. Everyone has at least once seen the image of the club-wielding Caveman dragging the beautiful mate by the hair.

The biggest, strongest, prettiest of the lot were the ones who got all the goodies. No one worried much about etiquette or social rules.

When you take a look at the timeline of human existence, you can see how far we'd come from the Stone Age by the end of the 20th Century. In fact, if you look at just the latter half of that Century, you can see the amazing progress we made in that time period alone.

People started creating laws, way back, because the Cavemen lived pretty much by the rules of the animal kingdom, survival of the fittest and all. I guess they got sick of the Big Guy taking all the good stuff, simply because he could wallop anyone who tried to stand in the way, so the Nerds banded together and created Society, with all its laws and the ability to enforce those laws. We wanted to differentiate ourselves from the beasts of the wild, and it was through the use of our brains that we began to accomplish that.

A big part of our great move forward was the process of trial-and-error. We learned from our mistakes, and the guys the built the better mousetraps were the ones who achieved success. Hard work, education, all were part of the formula. Didn't get it right? Back to the drawing board.

So what the hell is up with us as we enter the 21st Century? I read about a plan in some school district to eliminate grades for school work. What are we working on creating here? I remember when a bad grade was usually an incentive to work harder, even if it was because you didn't want to get punished. But it also acted as motivation. Made you work harder, just because you wanted to do better. I figured the grading system was there to measure performance, but to help find the people who were the best at what they did. I always remember George Carlin's line "Somewhere out there is the worst doctor in the world. And someone has an appointment with him tomorrow."

Screw the self-esteem, Little Johnny, I want the doc from the TOP 10% of the class, please?

Now we have people who see bad grades as "detrimental to self-esteem".

What is self-esteem? The way I saw it, your self-esteem was your own personal grading system. You measured your self-worth by your accomplishments. And grades helped you to figure out what you were better at. Some kids were math whizzes, others were budding scientists, and yet others were artists and musicians. You found your niche, and went to work getting better and better at it.

Now we don't want anyone to get their feelings hurt? Why?

Imagine if the Wright Brothers' Mom told them to stop trying to build airplanes after they crashed a few dozen times. I almost said we'd be rowing around in boats, but I can't imagine that the first boat that went into the water got very far either. Failure led to success for the people who chose to learn from their mistakes. So yeah, when Alexander Graham Bell got a few busy signals on his first attempts, maybe Mrs. Bell baked him some cookies, but I'm sure she didn't tell him to throw in the towel. He felt bad, I'm certain, that he didn't get to talk on the phone right away, but I'm guessing that he channeled his frustration and got back to work, just so we can walk around blabbing into cellphones all day now.

Political Correctness, Diversity Training, and other social movements in recent history started out with great intentions, no doubt. No one wants to feel badly, and no one should go out of his way to make other people feel badly, particularly if the motivation is bigotry. And I know that we have miles to go in the right direction before we hit the mark.

But I think we've bastardized the concepts here a little.

The thing I don't like about the whole "PC" thing isn't what it has given us, but rather what it has taken away from us on a social level. Used to be, someone was a jerk, you didn't have to like them. Didn't matter their race, creed, or whatever; if he was an idiot, he was an idiot. Now it feels to me as though I'm being forced into having to like someone because I'm supposed to. Doesn't quite work for me.

We have some folks demanding "respect" without doing a damned thing to earn it.

We have other folks whose sole source of self-pride is that "they don't take shit from anyone!". You know, the "mess with me and you'll get hurt" types. There you go. You might have earned something along the lines of respect. But when I think of those descriptive phrases, another creature comes to mind, namely the killer bee. And I stay the hell away from them. Is that what the person is after? Solitude?

With the proliferation of websites allowing self-expression, such as myspace, you'll see some people laying it all out there, giving you all they've got. Then they write something like "if you don't like what you see, move on". Some of the self-same people will then complain that they aren't the center of attention. I don't get it.

Why are we making it ok to be an asshole? Look at some of the celebrities who are in the forefront of media attention? Half of them are riding on the coattails and credit cards of Daddy or Mommy's money. They did the work, now we pay the price? I'm not saying everyone on the cover of People is an asshole. But look how many "hot celebrities of the moment" are famous for no other reason than that they are assholes?

There will always be social trends. And while every generation thinks that they are the great innovators, coming up with something unique and new, I'm not sure what to make of the current trend. I'm not even sure what it is. But I think it might actually be "new and unique". The trend that I'm seeing isn't "live and let live" like some people would lead you to believe. "Live and let live" implies you live your life the way you want to, and I'll live mine my way. I see, more and more, that people not only want to live the way they want to, they're gonna shove their lifestyle in your face, and you're going to like it. And you're not going to ignore it.

I could tolerate it if people were jamming great accomplishments onto my table. But I would say it's a pretty safe bet that the people busy with great accomplishments don't need to shove anything anywhere.

No, instead we have a whole lot of people out there who think being beautiful is all they have to do to garner all the attention.

The biggest, strongest, prettiest of the lot were the ones who want all the goodies. No one worries much about etiquette or social rules.

Funny, huh? Feels like we've come full-circle.

Crocodile Hunter Dies at 44

Steve Irwin, the hugely popular Australian television personality and conservationist known as the “Crocodile Hunter,” was killed Monday by a stingray while filming off the Great Barrier Reef. He was 44.

I didn't know Steve Irwin personally. But this news made me sad just the same. I'd watched his program with the kids many times. His tv style was interesting, amusing, funny, all while being incredibly educational. The kids and I learned a lot together watching the madcap Steve on his adventures.

My personal condolences to his wife and children.

To read more on the story, go here

Note To Radio Shack

"The work force reduction notification is currently in progress," the e-mail from RadioShack managers read. "Unfortunately your position is one that has been eliminated."

That was how the Management Worms at Radio Shack notified some 400 employees that they were being laid off from their jobs. Pretty impressive management style, wouldn't you say? Some piece of shit behind a keyboard, doesn't even have the human decency to end someone's career with a face-to-face, human discussion.

I like worms when I put them on a hook to try and catch fish. I do not like worms when they are in charge of a major corporation.

Just to follow with my own thoughts...

Attention RadioShack: My shopping list modification is currently in progress. Unfortunately, your stores have been eliminated.

When I think of the class of human (questionable classification) being that is filling top management spots in American Business these days, it sort of makes me ashamed to be a human. Cowardly, sniveling worms are the Captains of Industry? That's a shame.


I hope that I'm not alone in my choice to bypass RadioShack Stores in the future.

Lyrical

LOL, I see how it happens. I see how my parents felt when confronted with "my music" back in the day.

I really tried to stay progressive, and I won't say that I hate any music in particular. No it's not that strong, but as someone who has listened to, and enjoyed tons of different music over the last 30 years or so, I have to say, GIMME A BREAK!

Here's a sampler of something I saw on MTV Hits this morning...

How long do you think it took to pen these lyrics?

Artist : Cheyenne Kimball

Title : Hanging On

I've had a bad day
And nothing ever seems to go my way
I've got a heartache
Don't wanna think about it

And everytime I try to smile, I cry, so
I'll just hide my face
Get out of my way
Don't wanna talk about it


And I'll be fine
I just need some time

[Chorus]
I'm hanging on today
And nothing's gonna stop me, anyway
I'm holding on, I'm strong
I'm the only one who can make it change
I don't wanna cry
Gotta live my life
I'm gonna make it alright
I'm hanging on and nothing's gonna stop me, anyway

I went the wrong way
But I'm not lost, it's a good mistake
I saw the day break
I'm gonna shout about it

Oh, and everytime I turn around
I find that, I'm alone again
I've had a bad day
I'm gonna laugh about it

And I'll be fine
I'm gonna be alright

[Chorus]
I'm hanging on today (today, yeah)
And nothing's gonna stop me, anyway
I'm holding on, I'm strong (I'm strong)
I'm the only one who can make it change
I don't wanna cry
Gotta live my life
I'm gonna make it alright
I'm hanging on and nothing's gonna stop me,
Nothing's gonna stop me

When I feel lonely
I feel like I'm floating
Nothing is real
I'm above it all
I'm above it
I'm above it all

[Chorus]
I'm hanging on today
And nothing's gonna stop me, anyway
I'm holding on, I'm strong
I'm the only one who can make it change
I don't wanna cry
Gotta live my life
I'm gonna make it alright
I'm hanging on and nothing's gonna stop me, anyway

My New Favorite Song

U And Dat by E-40
(feat. T-Pain, Kandi Girl)

[Hook: T-Pain]
Girl, I been shaking, sticking and moving tryna to get you and that booty
Tryna get to you and that booty
Tryna get to you and that booty
Girl, I been shaking and acting a donkey tryna to get you and that monkey
Tryna to get you and that monkey
Tryna to get you and that monkey

[Verse 1: T-Pain]
Girl, he simping (Simpin)
I walk up in the club with a limpin (Limpin)
God listen, what you gonna do, with this pimpin
What you gonna do, with this pimpin
Girl, I'm a call ya (Call ya)
Later on tonight or tomorrow ('Morrow), now follow
What you gonna do, with this baller
What you gonna do, with this baller

[Verse 2: E-40]
What you gonna do when I bend the block (Bend the block)
Pull up on that ass in a brand new drop (Brand new drop)
Speakers on blast with tremendous knock ('Mendous knock)
TV's in the dash, rims just won't stop
You need to be down with a pimp like me
I aint turning down nothing but my collar, you see
I'm a leave you with my number, you should hollar at me
Cuz I'm a baller, can't nobody hustle harder than me, oooh

[Hook: T-Pain]
Girl, I been shaking, sticking and moving tryna to get you and that booty
Tryna get to you and that booty
Tryna get to you and that booty
Girl, I been shaking and acting a donkey tryna to get you and that monkey
Tryna to get you and that monkey
Tryna to get you and that monkey

[Verse 3: E-40]
Oooh, your ass is right
I aint tryna let that pass me tonight
I'ma put my bid in and tell you something slick
Whisper in your ear while I'm holding my dick
I don't mean no harm, it's the hood in me (Hood in me)
Sipping on that Renshaw Hennessy (Hennessy)
Psychedelic colors in my jewelry (Jewelry)
Suckers hella jealous cuz you digging me, oooh
Now what you gonna do mama
I'm tryna dip later on, me and you mama
Like the way that you groove and you move mama
You know the women love me, I'm the 40 Water (40 Water)
Popping my P's cuz I'm laced with game
Nathen but the Yay flowing through my vein
She wear Miss Sixty, can't fit in the Gucci
Cuz her ass big enough to sit a cup on her booty (Goodness!)

[Hook: T-Pain]
Girl, I been shaking, sticking and moving tryna to get you and that booty
Tryna get to you and that booty
Tryna get to you and that booty
Girl, I been shaking and acting a donkey tryna to get you and that monkey
Tryna to get you and that monkey
Tryna to get you and that monkey

[Verse 4: Kandi Girl]
Yeah I see you looking (Looking)
But my ass in these jeans got you shooken (Shook, and)
I don't think you know what to do, with this gousy
What you gonna do, with this pussy
Yeah I know you want this (Want this)
Tryna chase me through the club for this good shit (Good shit)
But I don't think you can handle, this pussy
What you gonna do, with this pussy

[Verse 5: E-40]
You looking like you got that good gooshy, gooshy
Fucking round with me, I beat the brakes off that pussy
Have your ass cumming like a porn star movie
Tell your friends and I bet they all wanna do me
Hoes know me, I'm E-Fo-Oh (E-Fo-Oh)
They recognize pimping when I step in the door (Step in the door)
Higher than a satellite full of that dro (Full of that dro)
Holla at a playa when you ready to go, oooh

[Hook: T-Pain]
Girl, I been shaking, sticking and moving tryna to get you and that booty
Tryna get to you and that booty
Tryna get to you and that booty
Girl, I been shaking and acting a donkey tryna to get you and that monkey
Tryna to get you and that monkey
Tryna to get you and that monkey

At The Same Time...

I figured, a whole lot of us spend the first 20 or so years of our lives trying to be close to, and be like, people we spend the rest of our lives trying to stay away from.

Progress

So when you think about it, technology has advanced so incredibly over
just the last 10 years (remember the move up to a 56K modem, huh?), that
if you really ponder it, the subject is mind-boggling.

In 1979 I had a Chevy Monte Carlo, equipped with an 8-track tape deck (a
whole 25 watts) and a CB radio. But if I needed to get in touch with
most people from the road, it involved pulling over, getting out of the
car, and walking to a pay-phone, which was attached to a wall with
WIRES. Luxury, back then would have been to find one of those phone
booths that were low to the ground, so you could call through the car
window. Car phones were barely in production, and those that were were
in the hands of very wealthy people. (Don't even get me started on
cellphones right now...)

In 2006 I have a Ford Explorer, a GPS device, a cellphone an Ipod that
transmits to an FM signal in the car radio. I also have a TMobile
Sidekick, which, should the need arise (and damn, it so often does),
would allow me to send an email anywhere I need to right from the
vehicle (NOT WHILE DRIVING, NOW!!!!).

We have technology now that allows us to transfer incredible amounts of
information, in remarkably short amounts of time. I recently downloaded
a complete text-version copy of Romeo and Juliet from the Internet
Public Library in less than a minutes.

You can buy pretty much anything you want online now, and as a matter of
fact, some companies provide items that you can only buy online. More
and more companies are offering Internet-Only special prices. Pretty
cool stuff.

Unfortunately,with progress comes problems. You can have your identity
stolen in the blink of an eye. Credit card fraud, theft, con games and
the like, are prevalent everywhere online. The advertising industry more
closely resembles a monstrous school of pirahnas on a never-ending
feeding frenzy than any type of actual organized business. On some
websites, it is nearly impossible to find the actual content of the site
through the piles and piles of ads placed on nearly every part of the
webpages.

And of course, the most vile problem being that of the evil predators
that have made the Internet their base of operations. I believe that the
Web has given voice to a large segment of the population that we were
probably better off not hearing from, but such is life. Generation R (as
in Reality TV) is calling for no-holds barred, and I think that we're
reaping what we've sown. Our kids are up against threats on a daily
basis from potentially anywhere in the world. Many people have become
the most base of humans, thriving on immediate gratification of every
impulse. And they're using the Internet to ply their trade, so to
speak.

It becomes the stuff of interesting debate. Basically it comes down to a
coin flip when you argue about whether technology is a poorly managed
tool in society, or whether it should continue unabated in its
progress.

I'm not sure what I think. I know I don't want to be without the
technological abilities I have been given, but I wonder...at what cost?

One of Those Things

I have a mystery here in my home. On my bed, there's 6 pillows. 2 of those pillows are kind of for looking, not using. They're covered with pillow shams.

Now I know there's no good reason for me to have pillows in shams, but that's not the point. This morning, I get up to make up the bed, and one of the "shammed" pillows isn't there. I looked all around, behind, under the bed. No pillow.

What the hell? Maybe that's why I wasn't hungry for breakfast.

I live alone, by the way, and I figured since the TV was still here, it wasn't a burglar. Who knows...

Curious...

I was reading something the other day online. There was a posting on a bulletin board:

"Well, I can see u have extensive insight into the plight described here based on the content of ur assessment. Unfortunately, I can only experience this from the perspective of an outsider."

Nice statement. But with all that, why would he write "u" and "ur" instead of you and your? All those letters, and he's worried about saving 4?

I don't get it.

Reality TV?

Thanks to computer technology, the animation in cartoon movies is getting incredibly realistic. The characters are looking more and more like real people. It's unbelievable.

At the same time, thanks to reality television, we're being introduced to characters who are, more and more, resembling old cartoon characters. Like Elmer Fudd.

Ok every season, these shows are producing some of the scariest, stupidest people I have ever seen. They're making shows about people who are just progressively dumber and dumber, and I'm afraid it's going to get worse.

Funny, it takes incredible effort, money and time to produce fantastic computer generated animation.

It takes simply finding a crew of idiots to make a Reality show. At the rate we're going with this genre, 2 or 3 seasons down the road, we can just throw a few blocks of wood in a room and turn on a camera.

Enough.

Kelly Sweet

I recently stated that "I miss music..."

Well, it's not dead yet. At least not completely. There is talent out there, if you look hard enough.


I just discovered this artist last night. All of her stuff here is great, but in particular, I recommend the DREAM ON cover that she performs. Click on that one below.

Hands

I have always had a thing for a woman's hands. I think pretty hands matter so much, because they require some care. Says something about the person when the hands are pretty and well-cared for.

And no one holds your hand "by accident". It's an expression of closeness, but it doesn't have to equate to sexuality. A good friend can hold your hand for different reasons than a lover, but the closeness is understood.

And it just feels good.

Careful, Careful

So apparently, a man named John Mark Karr, confessed to the murder of JonBenet Ramsey in 1996.
The way I remember it, the media had tried and convicted the parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, of the crime.
It's a good thing we still manage to actually try our suspects in court.

I Miss...

God I miss music. What happened?

In Memoriam

It was a year ago, July 22, that one of my dearest friends in the world decided that she could no longer be here among us, and ended her own life.

A year later, and it's not any less painful to remember that she and I had had an argument, and that we never got the chance to reconcile. I never got to say goodbye to her. It's not any easier to deal with that loss.

I just want to say that I love her, and will always love her. I will never forget her.