I just heard a sound bite of "Joe, Plumber" giving his surprise, out-of-left-field endorsement for "real American, John McCain." I've not been following Republican rhetoric too closely over the past week or so, but I've heard enough to piece together that Republicans have revived the lies that Obama is a terrorist and not a "real American."
On Wednesday, C and I watched Obama's prime-time television spot or uninterrupted "infomercial" of sorts. The best part--which C pointed out when it was over--was that there was not one mention of McCain. It was all very forward-looking and positive and full of solutions. I have a strong suspicion that a spotlight on McCain would have been very different, and focused on Obama.
--
And apparently, today is Halloween. I'm disappointed that I'm not prepared at all. I've been out of town all week, I have no costume, no candy to pass out, and no pumpkin! I have to even stop handing out candy early to get to my soccer game this evening. It's all quite a bummer. Hopefully I'll find some time this weekend to eat candy, carve a pumpkin, cook some seeds, and dress-up Alden. Maybe I'll make an Obama pumpkin...
Voting happens on Tuesday, for those of us who have not voted early. Coincidentally I am taking a "personal day" on Wednesday, and was pleased to realize I might be able to use the day to either (1) recover from a long night of celebrating or (2) pack and move to Canada. Ha. Just kidding America, I love you.
Signing off,
Dave The Scientist
October 31, 2008
October 23, 2008
Cam-pain
Apparently John McCain has launched his "Joe The Plumber Tour"--which is ironic for many reasons that surfaced after "Joe" Wurzelbacher's fifteen minutes of fame during the last Presidential debate. It is another example of how the McCain/Palin campaign is relying on the beat-a-dead-horse tactic, hoping to win votes by repeating lies and untruths so many times that some people actually believe them. The RNC is taking up any slack by suggesting Obama is a terrorist, for example.
Meanwhile, Alan Greenspan just admitted "the free market ideology that had guided his life and dominated world capitalism for a generation did not work the way he thought it would" (source ).
I have great hope that Obama will be elected President, but feel bad that I haven't done much to help promote him, outside of this blog. I'm not convinced that setting up a yard sign will make a difference, but I don't want to go door-to-door or intrude on peoples' personal time by making phone calls on behalf of the campaign. It's a shame to feel so useless at a time when I feel so passionate about this candidate.
I am proud to say that C and I just cast our votes, through the power of our wallets, for our new favorite radio station WOSU, 820AM Columbus--the local NPR broadcast station. I'll add a link on the right. Internet radio, especially NPR, has been a great source of music and news, as well as interesting stories and other great information.
Ok--I just sent off a pair of vintage eyeglasses to have lenses installed. That's about all the news that is news... Enjoy the weekend
Meanwhile, Alan Greenspan just admitted "the free market ideology that had guided his life and dominated world capitalism for a generation did not work the way he thought it would" (
I have great hope that Obama will be elected President, but feel bad that I haven't done much to help promote him, outside of this blog. I'm not convinced that setting up a yard sign will make a difference, but I don't want to go door-to-door or intrude on peoples' personal time by making phone calls on behalf of the campaign. It's a shame to feel so useless at a time when I feel so passionate about this candidate.
I am proud to say that C and I just cast our votes, through the power of our wallets, for our new favorite radio station WOSU, 820AM Columbus--the local NPR broadcast station. I'll add a link on the right. Internet radio, especially NPR, has been a great source of music and news, as well as interesting stories and other great information.
Ok--I just sent off a pair of vintage eyeglasses to have lenses installed. That's about all the news that is news... Enjoy the weekend
October 22, 2008
Work It Out
Besides the fact that the first video is HI-larious, you gotta admit how similar the dances are... Props to Brandi for realizing the similarities. This post is dedicated to my mom, for many reasons
Enjoy Life
I finally figured out the only reason to be alive is to enjoy it.
Rita Mae Brown
I hate being away from home because of work. Not only do I enjoy the good company of C and Alden, and the comfort of our house, but I also feel terrible when I'm away and am not able to help with the chores, forcing C to shoulder all responsibility. Monday I left town to go on two-day business trip, like I've done many times before. Sometimes, trips like these, or even long day-trips, really wear me out. The work can be rough, the conditions can be awful, and by the time I return to our doorstep I can be downright miserable. There have been many times when I walk through our door and expect C to run up to me, with all kinds of pity and sympathy and unconditional happiness to see me--as Alden does every time. But to expect that has been a selfish fault of mine--C's job is as physically and mentally taxing, and the job of taking care of Alden for an entire night and morning alone puts my efforts to shame. As much as I need it, C needs the same amount of excitement and enthusiasm and sympathy from me the second I see her. So yesterday, I made sure to go straight to her, with a huge smile on my face, and give her the biggest hug she could imagine. I thanked her for the great dinner she made and for taking good care of Alden and the house. I had even brought home Graeter's ice cream, knowing well that black raspberry chip ice cream is a great way to help swallow some of our daily frustrations. To come in the door with a smile and to give/get a big hug was much nicer than I had hoped.
Later in the evening C turned on some music and set off another one of our increasingly frequent dance parties. I'm not a big fan of participating in structured dance (e.g. ballroom style), but really can't deny C my cooperation. And fortunately I did start dancing with her because things got silly and, after getting kicked really hard in the head, we both enjoyed really good, uncontrollable, boisterous laughter. I love laughing with C. In fact, I would say that C laughing is my favorite thing in the world. It goes well beyond being satisfied, beyond being simply happy. Laughing so fully is the best indication that you are really enjoying life--the only reason to be alive.
So, I guess my lesson here is to get better about not wallowing in defeat, not expecting sympathy or pity, and to rise up with a smile on my face and give the love and appreciation I hope to receive. It's well worth the little bit of effort. If you want to enjoy life, you better expect to put some work into it and to stay positive.
Rita Mae Brown
I hate being away from home because of work. Not only do I enjoy the good company of C and Alden, and the comfort of our house, but I also feel terrible when I'm away and am not able to help with the chores, forcing C to shoulder all responsibility. Monday I left town to go on two-day business trip, like I've done many times before. Sometimes, trips like these, or even long day-trips, really wear me out. The work can be rough, the conditions can be awful, and by the time I return to our doorstep I can be downright miserable. There have been many times when I walk through our door and expect C to run up to me, with all kinds of pity and sympathy and unconditional happiness to see me--as Alden does every time. But to expect that has been a selfish fault of mine--C's job is as physically and mentally taxing, and the job of taking care of Alden for an entire night and morning alone puts my efforts to shame. As much as I need it, C needs the same amount of excitement and enthusiasm and sympathy from me the second I see her. So yesterday, I made sure to go straight to her, with a huge smile on my face, and give her the biggest hug she could imagine. I thanked her for the great dinner she made and for taking good care of Alden and the house. I had even brought home Graeter's ice cream, knowing well that black raspberry chip ice cream is a great way to help swallow some of our daily frustrations. To come in the door with a smile and to give/get a big hug was much nicer than I had hoped.
Later in the evening C turned on some music and set off another one of our increasingly frequent dance parties. I'm not a big fan of participating in structured dance (e.g. ballroom style), but really can't deny C my cooperation. And fortunately I did start dancing with her because things got silly and, after getting kicked really hard in the head, we both enjoyed really good, uncontrollable, boisterous laughter. I love laughing with C. In fact, I would say that C laughing is my favorite thing in the world. It goes well beyond being satisfied, beyond being simply happy. Laughing so fully is the best indication that you are really enjoying life--the only reason to be alive.
So, I guess my lesson here is to get better about not wallowing in defeat, not expecting sympathy or pity, and to rise up with a smile on my face and give the love and appreciation I hope to receive. It's well worth the little bit of effort. If you want to enjoy life, you better expect to put some work into it and to stay positive.
+PMA+
Positive Mental Attitude
Positive Mental Attitude
October 19, 2008
Updater [updated]
1. Great soccer game on Friday. I got a lot of props from my teammates about my game, which was really uplifting.
2. Saturday C and I traveled to KY (by way of Cincinnati) to experience my grandparents' annual "weenie roast" down on the farm. The set up was perfect, the food was endless, and the best part was hanging out with family I don't often get to see. My grandpa was in high spirits, despite the cold. Two memorable things he said were: (1) "The truth is better if you lie a little bit," and (2) when asked if he wanted to go home because he was cold he said something along the lines of, "No I'm okay, I'm not cold. I'm only freezing. I'll go in when I warm up and get cold." Oh yeah, when Grandma was looking for the switch for the headlights on his golf cart and a flashlight, Grandpa said he didn't have either of those. She said, "Well you just don't have anything then." And his response was, "I have a hot wife." [Apparently my language doesn't translate precisely what he said and how he said it--I've not managed to insert the amount of "cuteness" and enthusiasm with which he talks. But you gotta believe me] What a good time. Unfortunately C and I felt like we needed to get back to Columbus, so 7 hours of our 13 hour trip were spent in cars. The good part of that was 3 of those hours were with Amanda and Andy, and I've appreciated all the time I've had to spend with those two--getting to know Andy and see what their relationship is like. He's a good guy for sure.
3. Frost last night--not sure how that will mess with some of our especially young plants (kale, lettuce, cilantro...), but it seems to be okay.
4. Getting the house clean today--that's always worth the while. A clean house is very calming.
5. Gonna go on a long walk with C and Aldy to a nearby nature preserve. The sun is out and really warm--it could be one of the last really beautiful weekends we have left. Go enjoy it. PEACE!
2. Saturday C and I traveled to KY (by way of Cincinnati) to experience my grandparents' annual "weenie roast" down on the farm. The set up was perfect, the food was endless, and the best part was hanging out with family I don't often get to see. My grandpa was in high spirits, despite the cold. Two memorable things he said were: (1) "The truth is better if you lie a little bit," and (2) when asked if he wanted to go home because he was cold he said something along the lines of, "No I'm okay, I'm not cold. I'm only freezing. I'll go in when I warm up and get cold." Oh yeah, when Grandma was looking for the switch for the headlights on his golf cart and a flashlight, Grandpa said he didn't have either of those. She said, "Well you just don't have anything then." And his response was, "I have a hot wife." [Apparently my language doesn't translate precisely what he said and how he said it--I've not managed to insert the amount of "cuteness" and enthusiasm with which he talks. But you gotta believe me] What a good time. Unfortunately C and I felt like we needed to get back to Columbus, so 7 hours of our 13 hour trip were spent in cars. The good part of that was 3 of those hours were with Amanda and Andy, and I've appreciated all the time I've had to spend with those two--getting to know Andy and see what their relationship is like. He's a good guy for sure.
3. Frost last night--not sure how that will mess with some of our especially young plants (kale, lettuce, cilantro...), but it seems to be okay.
4. Getting the house clean today--that's always worth the while. A clean house is very calming.
5. Gonna go on a long walk with C and Aldy to a nearby nature preserve. The sun is out and really warm--it could be one of the last really beautiful weekends we have left. Go enjoy it. PEACE!
October 17, 2008
"One good thing about music..."
"...when it hits you, you feel okay." - Bob Marley
Hey party peoples. How are you? I'm good. This week has been a busy one--hence the lack of blogging--and the next few will carry on the same way. Last Friday, during the midnight soccer game I rolled my ankle and wrecked it in a gnarly way. I blame it on the cleats I bought and had never worn. Also, I was getting pretty aggressive and playing my best game yet. Anyways, the whole team played well and we won.
At work, I've been in the field every day, wearing rubber boots with no support whatsoever, walking steep inclines and through rocky stream beds. Sucks. I have a soccer game tonight, and expect to play, but will take it all easy.
Last night, C bought a Sizzla album (reggae) and it's really making me feel good today. It's a sort of "greatest hits" album. Anyways, it's good music.
I'm not sure what it is about reggae music, but I always feel good when I'm listening to it. Whether it is slow and mellow, or up-beat ska/roots reggae, or a heavy dub mix, it fills me up. It's good to dance to, it can ease oppressive summer heat, and it can warm a Midwestern winter.
So, go find some good reggae. If you don't know where to start, I recommend Bob Marley, or Sizzla. It will make you feel good. Check outPandora.com and create a Bob Marley "radio station." Actually, this is one I created: check it out .
[Brandi--I hope I don't sound like a total dork. You probably have a lot of insights about reggae. Feel free to school me on it. Say word?]
Hey party peoples. How are you? I'm good. This week has been a busy one--hence the lack of blogging--and the next few will carry on the same way. Last Friday, during the midnight soccer game I rolled my ankle and wrecked it in a gnarly way. I blame it on the cleats I bought and had never worn. Also, I was getting pretty aggressive and playing my best game yet. Anyways, the whole team played well and we won.
At work, I've been in the field every day, wearing rubber boots with no support whatsoever, walking steep inclines and through rocky stream beds. Sucks. I have a soccer game tonight, and expect to play, but will take it all easy.
Last night, C bought a Sizzla album (reggae) and it's really making me feel good today. It's a sort of "greatest hits" album. Anyways, it's good music.
I'm not sure what it is about reggae music, but I always feel good when I'm listening to it. Whether it is slow and mellow, or up-beat ska/roots reggae, or a heavy dub mix, it fills me up. It's good to dance to, it can ease oppressive summer heat, and it can warm a Midwestern winter.
So, go find some good reggae. If you don't know where to start, I recommend Bob Marley, or Sizzla. It will make you feel good. Check out
[Brandi--I hope I don't sound like a total dork. You probably have a lot of insights about reggae. Feel free to school me on it. Say word?]
October 10, 2008
Scienterrific!
Yesterday was a great day at work--I traveled to southern Ohio, hiking around some impressive topography surrounding a landfill to check out stream quality. Fortunately, for us, the stream beds were mostly dry, so most of our time was spent looking for salamanders and we found four species (The photo above is of a tentatively-identified Slimy salamander). Plus we returned home several hours earlier than we expected and I had the insurmountable pleasure of eating Carlyn's homemade pizzas (Greek, BBQ, and sausage).Right now I'm getting hyped on some good coffee and music by The Promise Ring after an eye exam I had scheduled this morning. Turns out my right eye cares to wander in certain ways (upward, that is), independent of my left eye. When my brain is tired, it stops trying to control this habit and then I have fun, late-night double-vision. Or "beer-eyes" as I should call it. It's like beer-goggles, but without the goggles. When the doctor was testing this, I was cracking up.
Tonight I have a soccer game at midnight. That should be a good time--hopefully I'm not much more useless than I have been during our earlier games.
I'm looking forward to a fun filled weekend of family, football, and fund raising. (We're participating in a Walk for Autism on Sunday). Cooolness.
--
In other news, I just learned about an interesting amendment/add-on to the $700b "bail-out plan" that was recently passed: inclusion of the Bicycle Commuter Act. This amends Section 132(f) of the IRS code of 1986 to include “bicycles” in the definition of transportation covered by the qualified transportation fringe benefit, thereby extending commuter benefits to bicyclists. More info is found
I'm out
October 8, 2008
True hope responds
"True hope dwells on the possible, even when life seems to be a plot written by someone who wants to see how much adversity we can overcome. True hope responds to the real world, to real life; it is an active effort." - Walter Anderson, American painter
--
+ listen:Mogwai
--
+ listen:
October 6, 2008
Bore of the Same
I've been largely uninspired to post recently. When I'm not working, my mind has been occupied with Alden, C, or the competition for the White House. Unfortunately, this Presidential Circus is getting boring. While I heartily (and sadistically) enjoyed the Vice Presidential debate last week, and really enjoyed Saturday Night Live's spin on the event , I've been getting weary of all the malarkey--especially of that coming from the Republican camp. Anyways, I'm sure many others feel that way about Democrats, and all-in-all, it's exhausting, frustrating, deflating, and lame.
--
In the face of my writers' block, I decided that I might begin an on-going series of biographical posts introducing cool people that have made an important impact on my life or generally inspire me. I would feature a photo of the person and a description. I could even include a little interview or questionnaire completed by that person. Maybe if I exhaust the seemingly endless list of cool people I know personally, I could extend my series to people who I've never met but of whom I know. So, get excited. This ish is about to get crazy good.
--
In the face of my writers' block, I decided that I might begin an on-going series of biographical posts introducing cool people that have made an important impact on my life or generally inspire me. I would feature a photo of the person and a description. I could even include a little interview or questionnaire completed by that person. Maybe if I exhaust the seemingly endless list of cool people I know personally, I could extend my series to people who I've never met but of whom I know. So, get excited. This ish is about to get crazy good.
October 4, 2008
October 1, 2008
Nick & Norah
Since A Day in the Good Life has accumulated the impressive number of 2037 (and counting!) visitors, I've become quite an authority figure. As such, I was invited to be one in a select, discriminating audience privileged to critique the not-yet-released film, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Not really--but J&M did find some free passes for the "sneak preview" last night. I'd say, overall, I enjoyed the movie. The film takes place over one day in the life of our emo-punk hybrid protagonist, Nick. Generally, the portrayal of the indie/punk scene made me shutter. I understand it is nearly impossible to capture the raw essence of a punk show and believe a director should steer far away from the attempt, or should consider outsourcing the effort to someone with a more intimate understanding. While I don't expect a director of such a mainstream movie to "hit the nail on its head," my bar of expectations is not too low. Here are a couple of knit-picky critiques I had:
Twice in one particular scene, Nick was referred to as "a straight edge" (where "straight edge" was used as a singular noun!). This had my blood a' boiling. "Straight Edge" should fall behind the article "A" when it is being used as an attributive adjective, never as a substantive adjective! In other words, either say, "I am straight edge," or "I am a straight edge kid." (Thanks Wikipedia for the hasty grammar lesson.)
Also, Nick's band-mates are overtly homosexual. This offered an excellent opportunity to name-drop homosexual activist punk bands (e.g. Limpwrist, Pansy Division). I'm sure there are many more. Character details like this seemed to be completely lacking while they deserved at least a little attention.
In the end, this love story had my heart tingling. There's nothing greater than the igniting young love between soul-mates overcoming conflict. It made me want to be in a band again, but with a broosh sleeve of tattoos. C would be my Norah.
What was more exciting, was the brisk bike ride through downtown Columbus between Jess & Mike's crib and the theater. Hopefully J got some clean nighttime photos en route.
Twice in one particular scene, Nick was referred to as "a straight edge" (where "straight edge" was used as a singular noun!). This had my blood a' boiling. "Straight Edge" should fall behind the article "A" when it is being used as an attributive adjective, never as a substantive adjective! In other words, either say, "I am straight edge," or "I am a straight edge kid." (Thanks Wikipedia for the hasty grammar lesson.)
Also, Nick's band-mates are overtly homosexual. This offered an excellent opportunity to name-drop homosexual activist punk bands (e.g. Limpwrist, Pansy Division). I'm sure there are many more. Character details like this seemed to be completely lacking while they deserved at least a little attention.
In the end, this love story had my heart tingling. There's nothing greater than the igniting young love between soul-mates overcoming conflict. It made me want to be in a band again, but with a broosh sleeve of tattoos. C would be my Norah.
What was more exciting, was the brisk bike ride through downtown Columbus between Jess & Mike's crib and the theater. Hopefully J got some clean nighttime photos en route.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)