Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Frost Armwrestling Fulgrum
What bothers me the most is the underlying thought that in the end this all futile and perhaps my life would be better served escaping all of this. Flying on the plane today I was surrounded by folks living the lifestyle of lemmings. Get up, go to work, come home, spend time with the family, and then repeat for the rest of your life. When I think of them I feel incrediblu sorry for them. My God if I look back ten years from now and I am living that same lifestyle - dictated, predictable, ordinary - then fucking kill me right now. And then it hits me: that is the thought that will save you. As long as the fire burns within and I constantly seeking the road less traveled then my life will be far from ordinary, completely unpredictable, and will only be dictacted to me periodically.
But here is the rub. On some level I crave the lemming lifestyle. The security of a home and warmth of family will end up being the last uncharted territory for me. After I have base-jumped Mount Rushmore and swam with whale sharks the most challenging task will be that of father and husband. Thus the inner battle continues on.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Random Thoughts On Gov. Paterson's Press Confernce
2. It's only been a week since Elliot Spitzer admitted having sex with an escort and here we are again - another news conference with a politician admitting he was having an affair.
3. At least he is doing it the right way. No pun intended, but the premptive approach is refreshing.
4. It worked so well you can sense the press giving a collective shrug as if to say 'You called a press conference for this.'
5. They seem more interested in finding out if he either used state or campaign funds or if someone got a promotion out of it. Both cases was a no.
6. Favorite quote: "Governor what else are we going to find out about your life that we don't want to know." His wife's smile at that statement was priceless.
7. She's kind of hot too.
8. A Governor that is legally blind and a player on top of it. He's got my vote.
9. Another difference between how Paterson handed this verses Spitzer - he actually allowed his wife to speak instead of simply standing there.
10. He's not used to dealing with the press yet.
11. He's especially not used to dealing with New York City press.
12. Quoted from a Daily News reporter: "Do you and your wife plan on remaining sexually faithfully to each other in the future."
13. He is not mentioning the fact that the Daily News approached him the day of his swearing in with what they had found out.
14. Governor Paterson's closing statement: "I want to thank all of you for giving me and Michelle the opportunity to address this situation."
15. Translation: "I want to thank that asshole from the Daily News for forcing me into this really uncomfortable and probably unnecessary situation."
For the full story and video of press conference visit the Daily News.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Because It Is That Good
First there was the Geraldine Ferraro taking the low road after one quote was taken out of context. It is rather sad to watch someone who is considered a political pioneer digging themselves further and further into hole simply because they want to be right.
Then Fox News got a hold of footage of Reverend Wright. Since it is Fox News, specifically Shawn Hannity and Bill O'Reily, they choose the most inflametory statements possible. The fact that Reverend Wright is the minister of Obama made it newsworthy.
Kind of funny . . . Bill O'Reily warning about offensive material in the face of the spin and lies he tosses out everyday.
And since it encapsulates both of the problems here is another clip from The Daily Show.
The final domino fell today on CNN. Ignore the snippets the press has been pulling out from it. Watch the full video to really get the scope of the speech. This speech was a long time coming.
You can't deny it. It is really, really good. You just can not deny it.
I voted for Clinton in the primary. As much as I want her to win there is no way I could imagine her making a similar speech. Perhaps we are all soft from eight years of bumbling Bush speeches. He said he was a unifier until the questions became too difficult and he decreed himself the Decider. After that it was impossible to get a straight answer from the man. When he was actually talking that it. It is not hard to imagine a similar posture taking over Clinton when the pressure starts to mount.
That is the point where I changed my mind. What is interesting to consider is this: when the pressure mounts Barack Obama has the resolve to handle those situations effectively because of our politely racist society. Hilary Clinton does have the experience and the extra heavy weight of being a woman in this political boys club. John McCain may have endured being a POW and is currently battling the anger of many conservative critics to his campaign.
Regardless both of these candidates have not had to deal with a lifetime of racism. Combine this with two generations passing on stories of abuses far worse than trouble getting a cab or someone walking to the other side of the street to avoid you and you have someone who can handle almost anything. Sounds kind of strange coming from a cracker like me, but it's true. I know it's true and so do you.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Burning Man 2008 Art Projects
Since then my standard response when someone would ask if I was going was "If I can afford it." In the back of my mind I knew that I would end up going, but it almost felt like an obligation. Then an email announcing the arts grants arrived. The funded projects are:
http://www.christianristow.com
The Cave, by Chassy Cleland and Henya Emmer, New York, NY
Ask me if I'm going now?
Friday, March 7, 2008
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
I Am Not Patrick Bateman.
Best of Craigslist: The girls I have dated
Now before anyone gets the wrong idea I haven't done most of the actions the original posted wrote about. For example he appears to have never had a healthy relationship with anyone. Period.
But I know how he feels in regards to how some girls, and eventually women, have fit into my life. Some are a temporary distraction from other thoughts swirling in your mind. Some are just for fun, never amounting to anything other then sex. Some of them teach you things you never would have realized about yourself and the world around you. And others end up ripping your heart to shreads.
Fortunately, and this is where my own experience takes a dramatic turn from the original posters, some of them turn into friends. After all the shit, stress, sobbing, sex, and strife you get to watch and help each other change for the better. So if I wrote one these postings myself it would probably sound like some strange, fucked-up Hallmark card:
You were absolutely stellar lover. I am sure most of prowess and abandon had to do with the issues surrounding your father. After each sweat-drenched session I secretly thanked him. Watching you get your life back together has been wonderfully exciting. I hope it doesn't dull the edge you had in the bedroom. That would be a shame.
If not for those brave souls, and the ones who are no longer around, I would probably have wriyten something eerily similar to the girls I have dated.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Uncle Ben's Deep Fried Advice - Dating (Part 2)
You were right. Musicians only care about their gigs. Even when they are the ones that mention "call me if you're in town and we can hang out." and when you do they don't answer, so you leave a voicemail. In the voicemail you even mention that you have a birthday present for them(NON SEXUAL--I know what you're thinking). Then they text message you, without the balls to reject you in person saying they are "heading to my dad's place.
"AAAARGGGHHHHHH!!!!
BLLLAAAHHHHH!!!
WHHYYYY??
Agravated
Dear Agravated,
What can I say other than I told you so. Instead of dancing around pointing my finger and laughing at you I will repost the advice Nadia left as a comment the last time we talked about the "sweet, cute, musician." As a frame of reference Nadia has lived and worked within the Austin music scene for the last 10 years. In that time she has dated and slept with her fair share of singers, guitarist, bassists, and drummers. The lady know your pain all to well.
"DON'T DATE MUSICIANS. Seriously! You can bone a musician all day long, but [a] possible relationship is more work than what it's worth. Have your fun on the side with the least amount of expectation and you'll have a great time."
If you want to peg an section of Creatives to date try writers. We have our own quirks and fidelity issues; the latter of which revolve around our craving for living life to the fullest. Fortunately when we do lie, and we do, it is believable and credible. If it's not then at least it's entertaining.
Take that "sweet, cute, musician" down from the shelf and let's relable him "stupid, flakey, musician." Now lock his ass in a cabinet you don't go into very often. After you've locked the door and turn away for it and repeat his new name one more time. Alright Agravated say it with me:
"Stupid"
"Flakey"
"Musician"
Monday, March 3, 2008
Digging Through 50 hours of music
Some eliminations were pretty easy. How the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir ended up on my hard drive is beyond me. Ditto for Yes U's Devastations and the most boring ambient trance ever courtesy of one Steve Roach. Other deletions were a surprise. Listening to Gun's and Roses absolutely horrible Live Era 87-93 all that cam to mind was what a pretentious, grandstanding ass Axl Rose was. From all reports he still is, but this gem of a set was a stark reminder. If you have this album and want a perfect example of the train wreck that Rose was steering listen to Dust and Bones. It is a excellent reflection of what Guns and Roses was slowly becoming: bombastic, out of sync, and overshadowed by the antics of an out of control front man.
The cool part of cleaning house is coming across those things you forgot a while back. Head Automatica's "Beating Heart Baby" and "Please Please Please" were the perfect antidote to the sluggish feeling that had descended upon my evening. Even though he looks like he should be at the local biker bar, Tommy Sunshine crafts amazing dance tracks from the Pitchfork approved artists. His double disc Ultra Rock Remixed has survived the deletion or file transfer thus far. The unfortunate aspect of Seattle's Blues Scholars is that very few people are aware of combination of political and social commentary they bring to strong beats. These guys are what is missing from hip-hop today. Then there is the old reliable of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Bands and their stellar Magic. Among the favorites already present in my mind these shone out to surprise me one more time. And I am only on the J's now.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Dante's Inferno Test
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Second Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| Purgatory (Repenting Believers) | Very Low |
| Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) | Very Low |
| Level 2 (Lustful) | Extreme |
| Level 3 (Gluttonous) | Low |
| Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) | Moderate |
| Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) | Low |
| Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) | High |
| Level 7 (Violent) | Moderate |
| Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) | Very High |
| Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) | Moderate |
Take the Dante Inferno Hell Test