Cause and Effect....

What's the Incentive?

Why bother getting out of bed when you see the weather prediction?  Doesn't give you much to work with.  At least with this forecast, there's a light at the end of the tunnel with a sunny day at the end.  I guess that's supposed to make us feel good?  The realist in me knows that, in seven days from now, that sunny day will be gone... replaced with more of the same.

I've blogged about the science of weather prediction in the past, so I won't go into it again.  It's just that when you watch it, you kind of plan your life around their guess... you get psyched up for, say, tons of snow... buy a loaf of bread and a container of milk... get errands done that you wouldn't have normally run out to do... maybe use some vacation time and get a movie or two that you wouldn't have necessarily bought... and sit back and wait............................................................................ for NOTHING to happen.  I like how they've gotten vague in their wording now... 'Winter snow warning from now until March'.... or '62 inches of snow expected'. 

I am very affected by the weather, having seasonal affective disorder.... I can actually get claustrophobic as well when it doesn't let up.  And that doesn't matter if it's overcast or sun... when I lived in Vegas, it was sunny every day and I felt the same way.  I am definitely a person that needs change.  It also drives me crazy when you can't wash your car after weeks of crap on it.

Last night, I stopped and got some groceries.... I have 3 movies and have called off work (hehe).... all I can say is bring it on....

WELCOME BACK, DENNIS!

After a whirlwind tour of London, Dennis has finally arrived back home in San Francisco... welcome back... you were missed!

For Ricky...

Loyalty

I expect a lot from my friends, but expect very little from people or society.  So when something slightly great happens, it elevates it to a super-duper level. 

After losing my phone last week, I received my new one and wanted to replace the silicone cover that I had purchased to protect it (since I drop it a lot and tend to lose it occaisionally on a subway drunk on New Year's Eve).  Originally $9.95 at the store, they discontinued my phone and sold out of all accessories, but I was able to find it online at their store for $2.97.  Wow, what a great deal, huh?  Then... they were so nice to spend $13.00 overnighting my $3.00 piece of rubber.... now THAT'S service... and why I'm with them.  Loyalty runs deep.  Guess they heard me now.

Reality Check/Disclosure Statement

Disclaimer:  This post is not directed at any particular person, nor did I do anything wrong... it's just an opportunity for me to self-evaluate.

This blog gives me a unique platform to think outloud which, in turn, allows me to work though my issues and problems on a public level, whether anyone is listening or not.  I want to be honest with myself and if having friends and strangers set me straight on something that I've done, said or thought, then all the better.  I don't profess to be the best person in the world, but I do try to be the best person I can be and I'm willing to open myself up to accomplish that.  I am proud of who I am and how I treat people, especially, but cross me and I will cut you verbally.

I try to be honest with myself.  I always welcome my friend's opinion and try to see their point of view.  It's a disservice to myself to not take what others have to say into consideration as well as not to allow the opportunity to make my own mistakes, of which I make plenty.  It's then that you should be learning. 

My morals, standards and expectations are high.  I expect to be treated like I treat people.  And while the basic decent human interaction seems to be difficult for some, I state that I would always want the people around me to tell me when I have done something to offend, upset or insult them. While some seem to enjoy it, it hurts me to hurt others.  I would say that I am an empathetic, sarcastic, biting pacifist... and you can see where the conflict comes in.  I invite input from those around me no matter how hard to hear.  Help me be the best person I can be.   

Elementary...

Tonight was my first Tuesday night movie with the gang... and it seems that I'm off to a bad start.  We went to see Sherlock Holmes... after what seemed like 25 previews, the movie started... and then the typical happened... in walked a couple... late... with bags of candy and popcorn and drinks... and sat right behind me (I have a bullseye larger than Target's painted on the back of my head, it seems).  After they had to open everything up and rattle everything, then they proceeded to talk.. and talk.... and talk.  I don't know what it is with people that think that it's audience participation in a theater... it's basic (elementary) rules of being in public.  Obviously not the Valedictorian and the runner up of their class, they seemed to go on forever talking jibberish about nothing in particular, certainly not the movie... and certainly not with any inclination that the whole rest of the theater was actually trying to watch the movie.  I have a very short fuse when it comes to chit-chatters in movies... as well as popcorn poppers... and bag crunchers.... foot tappers and snifflers... and nose breathers and  wheezers too... so of course I had to say something.  And, God love him, Matt, who was sitting next to me (and weighs all of 101 pounds) chimed in as well.  After a brief period where I thought I might get clobbered and Matt snapped in half like a twig by the huge guy, they settled down and, subsequently, ran out of the theater at the end of the movie.

I think the movie was good and I enjoyed it, after I calmed down.  It was one of those period pieces in early England where it never stops raining and everyone is dirty and the streets are filthy as well... I couldn't wait to take a shower.  The plot was excellent... there was a good connection with all the actors and the cinematography was very well done.  Very entertaining.  I'd give it 4 Bubonic Plague filled rats out of 5.

This-n-That

Today, I finally upgraded to Windows 7 and, so far, nothing seems to be broken or lost.  That's a big surprise.  Not sure if I like it yet.  Sure that will go one way or another once I experience my first crash, which is inevitable.

Over the last couple of days, I've seen some DVD's... while I only do a full review on theater movies, they are worth mentioning.  Valkyrie was delayed a couple of times and got some bad reviews, at least at first, but they apparently reworked it because it was excellent.  I liked how they started talking in German and then after a few minutes, converted mid-sentence to English.  Not to sound elitist, but sometimes I'm just not into reading subtitles and it is easier in English.  You miss so much of what's going on up on the screen.  Anyway, perhaps it was extra specially nice for me since I just spent 6 hours going through the Holocaust Museum in D.C. in September.  This perspective on the war lightens my opinions of Germans (at the time) as a whole.  Now, I just think they drink too much beer, but that has nothing to do with anything, really.  The other movie was Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood.  I think he is an excellent actor and director, but I was so turned off to his gravely 'get off my lawn' grumbles that I never really had a desire to see it.  Since he only said "get off my lawn" a few times throughout, he turned out to be not so grumpy after all, the car was awesome and the little boy was so cute (and I usually don't go for Asian fair), it was tolerable.  Enough to be an excellent movie... I highly enjoyed it.  The only thing disturbing was my friend, Matt, saying he could see that being me in a few years.  Nice talk.  See what treatment I get? 

Tonight... it's Sherlock Holmes.

Anyone Need Wood Chopped?

I had to shovel snow for the first time this season... I found my old tossle cap in the closet under my gym bag (no wonder I couldn't find it) and put it on my head and couldn't believe how much I look like a grisly, burly lumberjack... I've been sporting the beard for some time now... but never wear anything other than a baseball cap.  Maybe it's time for me to clean up my act a bit?  I'm definitely a very laid back kind of guy.  Jeans/shorts, a t-shirt, tennis shoes and a ballcap... that's usually how I roll.  It's easy and simple... And while I take good care of myself hygenically, I'm not out to impress anyone with my sense of style.  It's the David look.  It fairs well with my casual lifestyle. 

YUM !

PHONE IS BACK ON...

Mary Had A Little Lamb.... (can you hear me now?)

My friend Matt and I have an ongoing discussion about Verizon and AT&T and his iphone and my tin cans and string (to hear him talk)... so you can imagine how excited I was to find this photo on the web.  Jealous?  Probably... sadly, if Verizon gets to sell the iphone in April, I will probably get it.  But I will NEVER switch carriers.  I have been with Verizon for over ten years.  I love the coverage... although the only place that I seem to have any service issues are from my houses... as it seems like I always live in some hole that coverage is spotty.  I also have a good friend who works for Verizon that hooks me up.  Sadly, I just got hit with $70 of over texting this month... thanks to my wordy AT&T friends.  Time to switch to unlimited texting.  Please remember my rule:  You've got three texts to get your point across... then call me and use your three minutes.  I'm not that chatty, except maybe on here.

What to my wonderous eyes did I see sitting on my doorstep this morning?  My replacement phone.  Yipee!  I was settling into being not connected until I saw 'Up in the Air' yesterday, reminding me that what's important in life are the people around you.  I can't wait to get it activated... wishing only the worst burning in hell for the person who didn't return my lost one.

Simplicity or Solitude?

Today, we went to see 'Up in the Air' with George Clooney.  Despite all of it's accolades and award buzz, out of all the movies out around Xmas, this is the one that I was least likely to see.  I'm not sure if it just didn't appeal to me, or it was just the subject matter... but I'm glad I saw it, since it was excellent.

I have many friends that travel a lot and have the 'chairmen's/platinum/gold' status obsessions with their airlines, car rentals and hotels.  They live to keep the status level or obtain higher so they can get their free bottle of water, walk past long lines at check-in or get priority seating upgrades.  And while the perks can be amazing and very convenient, there's usually an attitude that is obtained with the status level, and that's what I can't stand.  Strap me to the wing if you have to, I'm a very easy traveler that doesn't require much.

This movie is about a guy who travels 350,000 miles a year with the goal of reaching the 10 million mile club to get his name on a plane.  He flies around the country, hired by companies, to fire people from their jobs, as well as gives seminars on getting rid of all the things in your life that weigh you down, like possessions and relationships.  He isolates himself and, while surrounded by lots of people every day, basically he is alone in life with nowhere to call home.  Estranged from his family and keeping everyone at arms length, it's only when he has to train a new girl in what he does so that she can develop her software to eliminate what he does by doing it via internet, does he start to think about what his life really is about.  And that it's having people around you in life that matters.  I would give this movie 5 first class upgrade tickets out of 5.

Cut Off

I tell you, it's pure craziness that we, as a society, have become so reliant on our technology.  It's bad enough when the electricity is out or the water is off... how many times that you turn the light switch on not thinking... but when it's no internet connection or worse, no phone... it's maddening. 

I haven't had my phone since New Year's Eve and I'm literally going stir crazy.  Fortunately, I have all my phone numbers backed up because I don't remember anyone's numbers... even my bestest friends...  and to try to find a payphone anywhere... forget it.  It was a further torture that they sent the new one out next-day air, but with New Year's Day and then the weekend with no next-day service... it's my luck totally. 

I feel violated that someone has my phone.  Nowadays, it's virtually impossible to get a phone registered to someone else (because of serial number) hooked up, so you have to wonder what they're doing with it.  Meanwhile, my photos, some intimate texts that I had on there, the only video that I have of my dog since she died... all gone.  And while it's my fault for losing it, what kind of message does that send about the world that we live in?  When this happens, what are the odds of it falling into the hands of someone bad?  Were it me, I would have dialed every number in their contacts to get ahold of them... or taken it to the nearest carrier store... or something. 

I don't know how we got around in the past... I mean, I was there and don't remember.  What about in the old, old days when you sent someone out on a horse with a hand-written message?  When you think of all the times that you use your phone to get things done during the day... trying to meet up with someone, etc... I get claustrophobic thinking about it.  And technology like answering machines and payphones are obsolete now.  We live in a world of instant gratification and instant contact.  Maybe I should relish in a few days of no contact with anyone.  If you need me, send up a smoke signal.

Signs That the Retail Economy Is In Trouble

Proving that it's not 'all in the name'.  Wonder if there was a fortune cookie that predicted this?

Badcock and More is the name of this place (actually drove by it in Florida)... I think this is one of those examples of when you should let your ego take a back seat... when this is your last name.  I hope the furniture is nice, at least.  Guess testing out the mattresses in the back of the store won't be that satisfying.

It would be interesting to know what R.A.P.E. stands for... if it's a collaboration of a few people's names, it probably would have been better if they dropped one of the partners.  It does lend to the repairman fantasy though.

I would totally buy my rocks from them... they sound like they're pretty cool, but I'm sure their walls look more like Indian burial mounds, and probably with a lot of Twinkie wrappers thrown in.

Ok, shouldn't someone in the registrar's office have put a stop to this when they applied for their business name?

No... I'm not that adventurous

I get that there's limited parking at the malls at Xmas... but, really?

Maybe when pets are robots like in the Jetsons...

Over a Grand

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Turning the Page

I think that this comic, blurry and all, sums up my feelings for 2009.  Like reading a book, you read the page, ingest the information and move to the next page.  You don't tear out the page... it just becomes a part of the overall story.  And while I promised not to reflect, summarize, forecast or analyze, although it wasn't a fantastic year, it was still a year of change in the right direction for me in the form of stability.  Funny, considering the rest of the world was turned upside down. 

I've made progress in sorting things out but have some follow-through to do.  The work isn't done yet and probably never will be, but I want 2010 to be better.  I had slogans for 2008 and 2009... "Things will be great in 2008" and "I'll be fine in 2009"... the only thing I can come up with for 2010 so far is "It's raining men in 2010"... but I'm going to try to find something else that may not be as fun as that one... but more therapeutic or spiritual... maybe something with 'zen' in it instead would be more appropriate.

Home Sweet Home

I finally made it home... the weather is usually so opposite on either side of Pennsylvania with the mountains in between.  In the past, there are times where it's 50 degrees on one side of a tunnel, and on the other side, a blizzard.  That's kind of what happened today.  It wasn't a fun trip, but I just wanted to get home.  It's amazing also... going from Philadelphia where the drivers are all aggressive... and Pittsburgh, very passive.  I'm buzzing across the state and when I get here, it seems like people are lolly-gagging around.

 

I have to say, despite my expecting the worse from the house when I got back (with my Dad and his toast crumbs), it was actually clean, since he dusted and ran the sweeper a few days ago.  On one hand, I was hoping to come home to a mess and feel needed... but I'll take his burst of independence gladly, with not having to do a major overhaul tomorrow.  I do have a stack of mail to go through... which has been driving my Dad crazy... it sitting there.  I also thought that he'd have the heat all the way up to 72... but it was still at 64, which is what I had it set at when I left.  Amazing.

Well, I received an Xmas gift after all.  My brother called as I was settling in... and I talked to him for a bit.  He texted me 'merry christmas' on Xmas... so just the fact that his phone was on was a good indicator to me that things were going ok.  It appears as though he has 100 days sober... he's leading the AA/NA meetings now... he's still at his job, going through some management training and working long days... and is still living at the 3/4 way house.  He sounded bright, attentive and calm.  When I asked him what was different this time... i.e. why he's been able to stay sober and stick to the job... he simply said "time to grow up".  And while it was hard for me not to reply with my usual sarcasm and disbelief... I congratulated him and told him I was proud of him.  Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus... it's great when it's calm.

My phone won't get here until Monday... It was very difficult to not have it... I don't know anyone's numbers by heart... so it's a further cut off from the world... at least my computer is plugged into my cable like a life-line at my desk and I don't have to go to Barnes and Noble or hang over the balcony.  Being gone 27 days, I really missed home... my own surroundings... my DVR (which was only 28% full with all the repeats over the last couple of weeks) and my woobie.  It will be a good sleeping night, for sure.

New Years Day

If anyone tries to call me, I lost my phone on the train last night... the phone is suspended... you won't be able to get ahold of me... best communication is via my email address, or leave a comment on here.  I won't have my new phone until Monday.

In light of the phone situation, I'll be heading back to Pittsburgh instead of staying a few more days here in Philly.  Considering I've been gone since December 5th, it's about time that I go back anyway.  Will be back around 5.

In regards to the superstition that whatever you are doing New Years Eve is how your year goes... maybe losing my phone is a hint for me to keep my mouth shut?  Quite a few would like that, I'm sure.

Happier New Year to you!