As do many thousands of people across the country. However, my days have been so filled bees, that it could almost be called an addiction. To wit, I'm declaring the next 24 hours of my life to bee-free, to give myself a break, clear my head, and tackle the mystery anew.
If you did not understand this post, don't worry; I'll explain everything once I get it all figured out.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Thursday, August 19, 2004
SWEET!
My blog is now ad free! I don't know why Google/Blogger/Blogspot decided to scrap the text ads, nor do I care. The only complaint I have is that it clashes with my template.
UPDATE: Changed the color of the tool bar and learned it's function. If you click the "Next Blog" button, it will take you to a random recently updated blog hosted by blogspot. The search bar searches only my blog, so don't use it to look for porn.
UPDATE: Changed the color of the tool bar and learned it's function. If you click the "Next Blog" button, it will take you to a random recently updated blog hosted by blogspot. The search bar searches only my blog, so don't use it to look for porn.
Gift Quandry
I wonder when cash became a thoughtless gift, or at least a gift without much effort behind it, and gift cards, which are like cash but less useful, became the quick, thoughtful gift of choice.
Monday, August 16, 2004
Olympic Hubris
Alternate titles: Olympic Arrogance; Stupid Political Stunt.
You may have heard of the Olympic Judo fighter, from Iran I believe, who bowed out of the games because his first opponent was from Israel, and Iran and Israel have a relationship best described as nonexistent. [Hint: Iran doesn't recognize Israel the same way protestants don't recognize the Pope or two Mormons don't recognize each other in a liquor store. Badum-bum!]
Anyway, that sort of thing pisses me off. I'm of the ever so humble opinion that the Olympic Games should focus exclusively on sport. You should not be there push whatever political/religious agenda you may have. This is a golden opportunity for nations to set aside differences and just play some games. Who cares what the state of the world may be? You're here to prove your worth, not against a nation, but against another human, to see who has the fire, the spark, the desire to win.
In other words, put up or shut up.
Stunts (and yes I feel it was a stunt) like this only cheapen the ideal that the games stand for. What's the point of competing if every Tom Dick and Harry brings his social baggage with him to the match? I can't compete with him: he eats pork; or him: he doesn't believe in Baby Jesus; or her: she thinks women are allowed to have an opinion; or these guys: they're pro-life; et cetera ad naseum.
So what if he hails from a country you and your government don't officially endorse? He's still real, so fight him. Don't punk out because you'll look good to the folks back home.
Yes I know that the United States, under President Carter, boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics because we didn't like Russian soldiers in Afghanistan. [An aside about Carter's decision to boycott: I do like the idea of a permanent home for the games, even if that idea does trample, somewhat, the international spirit of the games.] I don't think it's better just because my side was the one doing the boycotting. It was stupid stunt (even more stupid because it was publicly endorsed) just like this one. Hell, We went to the 1936 Berlin games when Hitler was running Germany. Did Jesse Owens bow out when it was revealed that he would be racing Nazis? No, he came to compete and compete he did, winning four gold medals.
My point is, this guy pissed me off.
You may have heard of the Olympic Judo fighter, from Iran I believe, who bowed out of the games because his first opponent was from Israel, and Iran and Israel have a relationship best described as nonexistent. [Hint: Iran doesn't recognize Israel the same way protestants don't recognize the Pope or two Mormons don't recognize each other in a liquor store. Badum-bum!]
Anyway, that sort of thing pisses me off. I'm of the ever so humble opinion that the Olympic Games should focus exclusively on sport. You should not be there push whatever political/religious agenda you may have. This is a golden opportunity for nations to set aside differences and just play some games. Who cares what the state of the world may be? You're here to prove your worth, not against a nation, but against another human, to see who has the fire, the spark, the desire to win.
In other words, put up or shut up.
Stunts (and yes I feel it was a stunt) like this only cheapen the ideal that the games stand for. What's the point of competing if every Tom Dick and Harry brings his social baggage with him to the match? I can't compete with him: he eats pork; or him: he doesn't believe in Baby Jesus; or her: she thinks women are allowed to have an opinion; or these guys: they're pro-life; et cetera ad naseum.
So what if he hails from a country you and your government don't officially endorse? He's still real, so fight him. Don't punk out because you'll look good to the folks back home.
Yes I know that the United States, under President Carter, boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics because we didn't like Russian soldiers in Afghanistan. [An aside about Carter's decision to boycott: I do like the idea of a permanent home for the games, even if that idea does trample, somewhat, the international spirit of the games.] I don't think it's better just because my side was the one doing the boycotting. It was stupid stunt (even more stupid because it was publicly endorsed) just like this one. Hell, We went to the 1936 Berlin games when Hitler was running Germany. Did Jesse Owens bow out when it was revealed that he would be racing Nazis? No, he came to compete and compete he did, winning four gold medals.
My point is, this guy pissed me off.
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Flood
I am in the middle of a creative flood! You see, I've always fancied myself a 'writer.' I enjoy writing, and am pretty good at it, I think. But for the longest time, the only thing I was writing (outside of papers for school) was this little blog. And while this is fun, it wasn't exactly the creative release I'd been looking for.
That all changed this week, when my wife and I went camping up at Goose Lake. We spent most of the day discussing some projects that we had kicking around, but never really got to. Once we started brainstorming though, it was like the flood gates opened. It was easily the most productive 24 hours I've had in a very long time. It also helps me to not worry, quite so much, about how much we spent.
I feel good!
That all changed this week, when my wife and I went camping up at Goose Lake. We spent most of the day discussing some projects that we had kicking around, but never really got to. Once we started brainstorming though, it was like the flood gates opened. It was easily the most productive 24 hours I've had in a very long time. It also helps me to not worry, quite so much, about how much we spent.
I feel good!
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
A Simple Wish
I want to see a car manufacturer come out with an ad and say, without any rebates or incentives or cash allowances or bonus cash or cash back or 90 days same as cash or no interest/no payments for 1 full year, "This is our car. This is the price of our car. We chose this price because this is lowest price we can offer and still remain profitable. Feel free to finance through us or your lending institution of choice."
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