Ramblings from a Semi-jaded Journalist

OK, so now what?

2009-08-25T10:36:00.007-04:00

I've noticed over the past few months that I'm angry. Angrier than I've been in a very long time. And not the kind of anger that is useful in say changing the world or something epic like that. I'm angry that I don't seem to know where to go next. My entire life was planned up until I got my first "real" job. And since I did that (three long years ago), I've been treading water. The plan was: graduate high school (check), pick a college and career (check), get internship experience (check), graduate college (check), get a job (check), get an apartment (check)... then what? I feel the overwhelming pressure of upward mobility. Keep achieving, keep working, keep rising above your station. But somewhere along the way, I've either lost my momentum or ambition and now I'm just stuck and confused. Do I want to stay in this field? I don't know. Do I want to get a master's? Yes, but in what? And at what cost? Am I content to just bury my head in the sand and stay where I am? No, but how, how, how do I get out? This is my quarter-life crisis.

This article from ABC News (though it's a little dated) offers a picture of the very real time in modern 20-somethings lives. According to the article, there are significant declines in "adulthood benchmarks," as compared to our parents. For example the article offers these statistics:

"In 2000, 46 percent of women and 31 percent of men had reached those markers by age 30. In 1960, 77 percent of women and 65 percent of men had reached those same markers by age 30. Among 25-year-old women, 70 percent in 1960 had attained traditional adult status, as defined by reaching those benchmarks, whereas in 2000 only 25 percent had done so."

The article also mentions that ours is the first generation that will not do better than their parents, due to the fact that bachelor's degrees are so common and professional degrees are becoming increasingly expected in order to climb the career ladder. But yet at the same time, we are expected to continually achieve. The bar was set high for us by our parents. So, we're left to try and figure it out with the scourges of debt, uncertainty and instability to deal with.

There has some backlash against the idea of a quarter-life crisis. A piece from The Faster Times offers an opposition to a recent article by The Washington Post. Author for The Faster Times, Clay Risen writes:

"Only in a country as developed as America could we even consider pathologizing success: Kids who leave college and land good jobs that, guess what, aren’t able to fulfill their every whim. Only in a country that coddles its children into believing not only that each of them can be president, but will be president, could the stability of a good life be called a let down. I’m sure there are more than a few kids out their whining about their soul-sucking $50,000-a-year job. There are also a lot who are just having a hell of a good time being young — and a lot, especially outside the United States, who can only dream of one day making 50k. If the quarter-life crisis is real at all, it’s the psychological equivalent of obesity, a problem brought on by our own wealth."

I don't completely disagree with Risen. It absolutely is a problem brought on by generational, social and economic expectations. We've been taught from the time we could understand the idea that we were special. Each and everyone of us can and will grow up to be whatever our hearts desire. This is not reality, but because we've been inundated with this idea, the act of failing to achieve it is even more damaging.

Interesting little fact: I just went back to look at my previous drafts of posts that I abandoned, and almost exactly one year ago today, I started a post on the quarter-life crisis. Obviously, I'm still in the midst of it with no clear direction on how to get out.

Boy-Girl, Boy-Girl, Girl-Girl?

2009-04-24T14:32:00.009-04:00

I was forwarded an interesting article today by a friend. The article from CNN.com explores the new trend of women leaving men for other women. Now obviously lesbianism is nothing new, but in recent times, as the article mentions, it is more accepted within our society. I've always thought that the sexual lines between women are blurrier than the lines between men. It seems more fluid between women, in that they can move from one gender to another when seeking love. This is not true for everyone, but as a broad generalization I think it's true. When it comes to a male being attracted to the same sex, it's kind of like either you do or you don't. The cause of this I'm not completely clear on. Another friend offered her own theory that as a result of society saying it's more OK for women to be with other women and absolutely not OK for men to be with other men, that even if men may be aroused by certain aspects of the same gender, they can't act upon these feelings. I'm not sure whether I completely agree, but it's definitely a plausible theory. And the idea that "society" has always been driven by what men want or think is appropriate obviously supports the acceptability of woman-on-woman action.

One of the most interesting points in the article is a study that was conducted by Northwestern University. The study tested the arousal of both gay and straight women and men by viewing erotica targeted toward each group.

"During the experiment, the female subjects became sexually aroused when they viewed heterosexual as well as lesbian erotic films. This was true for both gay and straight women. Among the male subjects, however, the straight men were turned on only by erotic films with women, the gay ones by those with men.

"'We found that women's sexual desire is less rigidly directed toward a particular sex, as compared with men's, and it's more changeable over time,'" says the study's senior researcher, J. Michael Bailey, Ph.D. "'These findings likely represent a fundamental difference between men's and women's brains.'"

Near the end of the article it mentions that many of the women interviewed for the study explain that they are attracted to general traits in human beings regardless of gender. In speaking with people informally, I've found many times women tend to fall in love with people, not sexual organs. However, I must add that the people who have responded in this manner, do not generally accept societal restrictions. It's interesting to think that if "society" didn't demand that we think a certain way, how typical sexuality would change. The article suggests that perhaps the frequency of women leaving men for women has risen due to the increased "acceptance" of homosexuality, citing such high-profile examples as Lindsay Lohan and Cynthia Nixon. Nixon was in a solid relationship with English professor Danny Mozes for 15 years, then left him and fell in love with a woman. The question is: Was she always gay and didn't feel comfortable with it? Or did she just find what she needed in a person with the same sexual organs? The idea of changeable sexuality shoots significant holes in the theory that homosexuality is mostly nature and less nurture. But then again, is everyone born with a tendency to love whomever they find emotionally attractive regardless of gender and society stifles these desires from childhood? Or can one's sexual desires change after various life experiences?

A letter to my Heart.

2009-02-06T20:21:00.006-05:00

Dear Heart:

I know it's been awhile since we've really took a minute to catch up with one another and for that I apologize. I always know you're there. Sometimes you catch me off guard with how loud you are and I remember that without you, I'd be lost.

You've led me down so many paths, Heart, and for that I am grateful. From the time I understood how you operated, I let you lead me in any direction you desired: To the hours I'd spend laughing with my grandfather; to the first acute rumblings of infatuation for that dark-haired boy when I was about seven or eight; to a lonely stage in a coffeehouse to read poetry; to late nights sitting cross-legged on a deserted road in the warm summer air.
But we've hit some rough patches too, Heart, when you were stubbornly too open. Like the first time I really, really cried when Papaw died or the time when my father decided he was moving to Canada and left me sobbing in our living room watching him drive away.
I can't hold it against you. I understand you prefer being open to everything in the hopes that what enters will fill you with joy. And I can't lay all the blame on you. I've led you in the wrong direction a few times, too. Like my second freshmen semester obsession with Cheetos and Mountain Dew (sorry), or my stint with RockStar and vodka (again sorry... for the palpitations) and my undying love for any sort of fried food product (I really am cutting back, dude. I promise.).

And together we've made it a point to, over and over, get ourselves into exquisitely precarious situations: The time we thought it'd be a good idea to fall in love with our best friend; when we wanted that fake Prada bag so much, we let a vendor lead us into the basement of an office building in Chinatown (thank God the only result was a sub par faux designer purse); when quick wit and a devilish grin took us for all we were worth; or when we fancied a trip to Ireland and bought the ticket that same week without much thought.

But it seems to have all worked out, Heart. Yes, if you ask me, I think we're doing quite well considering the cracks and bruises along the way. And for that I'd like to thank you.
I'd like to thank you for never giving up on me. For persisting when my head told me to close you up and put up an "Out of Order" sign. For continuously reminding me that the next exciting experience is just around the corner. For craving satisfaction and affection. For reminding me that there is good in humanity. For yearning for discovery. For entertaining rebellion. For pumping the blood through my veins day after day so that I may never cease to love and hate everything the world has to offer. Thanks, Heart. We've got this whole "life" thing in the bag.

-------

This was inspired by the Letter to My Heart Campaign on blogher.com.

Reflection.

2009-01-22T22:05:00.001-05:00

The following is the original version of my guest column that appeared in the paper this evening. What appeared in the paper was tweaked, which is fine, but here's the original. Not my best, but take it for what you will.

“We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass…”
Though the critics have said that President Obama’s inaugural address was not the most eloquent of his rhetoric, what I saw as a person experiencing the monumental occasion that was the inauguration of our 44th president, was that people are united. With the estimated two million present on and around the mall on Tuesday, what I didn’t see was ill will or disagreement. I saw an incredible amount of citizens put aside their races, creeds and differences to come together and celebrate the swearing in of President Obama and Vice President Biden.
As I walked through the packed streets of Washington D.C. toward the National Mall on the morning of the inauguration, the energy was positive. There was a sense of accomplishment and hope for things to come emanating from the hundreds of thousands marching through the unseasonably frigid weather to get a glimpse of a JumboTron and bear witness to the historic moment. I saw people working together to find the best route to the activity after being turned away by closed streets block after block. I heard cheers of celebration, saw signs of support and felt the warmth of kindness despite the temperatures. Though the streets were packed from sidewalk to sidewalk, people were not angry to be moving so slowly. I felt a sense of calm among all those hiking along to see the inaugural activities. The attitude was that of: “As long as I’m here, I’m happy.”
After finally arriving at the mall, I took a place behind the Washington Monument positioned near a JumboTron. The crowd surrounding me was cheerful and chatting excitedly, but once the proceedings began everyone quieted trying to hear the broadcast over the speaker stack. During the invocation, most bowed their heads and several around me recited “The Lord’s Prayer” along with Pastor Rick Warren concluding with a resounding “Amen.” When President Obama’s image flashed onto the screen, the sound of cheers was resonant among the sea of flag-waving attendees even as far back as where I was standing. The feeling of unity was palpable.
The atmosphere for the entire extended weekend was one of celebration. Groups of people walking near the National Mall were chanting “Yes we can” and “Obama.” Street vendors, capitalizing on the enthusiasm for the event, were selling Obama T-shirts, buttons, posters, calendars; pretty much anything one could imagine bearing the President’s likeness: even earrings. The only thing I could say was: “This is insane.”
Never in my lifetime, have I experienced or dreamed of experiencing such an epic occurrence. Never in my life have I felt the kind of energy that I felt flowing through the streets of D.C. this past weekend. Regardless of your political views and beliefs, what I can tell you about my experience is this: The people of this nation are hopeful. They are excited about the possibilities of change to come and ready to undertake the responsibilities to accomplish it.

Calm before the storm.

2009-01-20T07:57:00.001-05:00

It's around 8 a.m. On inauguration day. There are reportedly hundreds of thousands along the parade route and at the Mall already. We should be making our way into DC shortly to join the insanity.
The past few days have been great. Though many systems are strained with the influx of people trying to use them, there seems to still be a sense of calm. The air has a certain sense of hope to it, as trite as that sounds, and people seem generally happy to be wherever they are despite the crowds.
On Sunday, we went to the "We Are One" concert at the Lincoln Memorial. An estimated 400,000 joined us. Though we didn't get close enough to see actual people, the Jumbotrons did a wonderful job of letting everyone experience it. It was ultimately refreshing to see everyone genuinely come together to celebrate. Old and young, black and white, everyone was so happy to be a part of the event. You haven't really heard the National Anthem until you've heard that many people sing along.
So, now I make may way into the madness to see what I see and experience the renewed energy and sense of hope that one man has given a nation.

Nothing will last forever.

2008-12-29T20:26:00.007-05:00

Before I lose the motivation and time to do so, I figured I'd better post a little farewell to 2008. It was an eventful year, not only personally, but culturally as well.
In 2008 we saw a female candidate that had a serious shot at becoming vice president, however disastrous and vomit-inducing the choice may have been. (Thank you, America, for not making me live out the next four years awash in her idiocy.) Our economy has continued to flounder, businesses are closing not only at home, but abroad. The rate of joblessness has skyrocketed. The real estate world has continued to crumble. Automakers needed bailing out. Wall Street needed bailing out. Everyone needed bailing out. Scandal after scandal has come to light, including our own governor being brought down by a newsman's wet dream of prostitution and betrayal. Stars have not just fallen from grace but crashed and burned onto the screens of our televisions. But as tumultuous as 2008 may have seemed, this country did something that surprised even the most skeptical nonbelievers. This year, we saw this country rise up and come together to elect the first black president with the hope that he can actually make the long-awaited change we crave in Washington. To use a trite quote: "It's been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change gon' come. Oh yes it will."
The upcoming year has the possibility of being one of the most historical in a very long time, whether for the good or bad. In January an estimated 1 to 2 million people (depending on what projection you read) will gather in Washington D.C. to be a part of Barack Obama's inauguration. I will be among those and though I didn't win the regional "lottery" for tickets, I will happily stand in whatever spot I can get to be a part of history. Americans made a monumental choice on Nov. 4 and the hopeful energy still teeming from that decision is palpable.
Though times in recent months have seemed dire, I still have hope that this is not the end and that brighter skies are just around the bend. I may be fooling myself by putting my faith in something that seems unreachable or at least very far off, but I have to. And as cheesy as it sounds, I have faith in the people of this country. I have faith that we will not be discouraged so easily, and that perhaps the imperfect situations we are forced into may will us into waking up and demanding a better life. As I type this I can't shake the feeling that it sounds like the idealistic visions of a naive 20-something, but maybe that's what we need. Maybe in 2009 we need to wash ourselves of the dirt that has tainted our dreams and the baggage of cynicism that has weighed down our hopes. Or maybe I'm just feeling unusually hopeful this evening. Either way, I am excited to see what the coming year will bring. Nothing is expected and anything is possible.

Tea, lager and laughs.

2008-12-03T10:38:00.007-05:00

Never in my life could I ever have imagined that I would be erecting my Christmas tree with two Englishmen while drinking tea and listening to Wham's "Last Christmas," but there we were. Last night Kev and Ben assisted me in putting up my (regrettably) plastic tree. Now, because I'm a bad blogger and don't update with as much fervor as I intended when I began this thing, there has been no mention of these two since my travel entry. To make a long story short: The Englishmen were in Cork for about a week looking for work when I arrived. Their plan was to secure jobs, a flat and a new life away from England. After about a week and a half of desperately searching for work, they said bullocks to it and decided to do something crazy with the savings they had left. So, not but a few days after I returned from my trip I received a Facebook message from Ben stating that he and Kev were in Dublin airport waiting to board a plane for San Francisco. I urgently suggested that they, at some stage, come and see me in sunny C-town. After about a month or so in California and a hedonistic stop in Vegas, they arrived at Hancock International on Nov. 15.
Since then, we've spent many a night swimming in lager and chatting endlessly about the differences between our cultures. I've introduced them to my co-workers and my "home" friends, and both groups have given rave reviews of the duo. On Thanksgiving I took on the epic task of preparing my mother's traditional meal for the first time. Considering they'd never experienced a Thanksgiving, I thought it only proper to prepare for them what I've had every year of my life. It came out almost as good as mum's and I think they enjoyed it. They asked me exactly what Thanksgiving meant and why we celebrated it as a nation. After bumbling through an answer about Pilgrims and Indians and Columbus, I sheepishly looked it up on Wikipedia (yes Steph, Wikipedia) and gave them a semi-appropriate answer. The bottom line as far as tradition goes, I said, was that we were to eat a gut-busting amount of food and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.. both of which we succeeded in doing. After the meal, we settled in for a few episodes of the British version of The Office. The blending of cultures was beautiful. Haha.
So, now they're here until Dec. 14. I intend to take them to Niagara Falls on Saturday if the weather cooperates... or even if not, I think I'm going to try to make the journey regardless. They will be able to say they went to Canada too, maybe that's an accomplishment in England... here it's merely a burden. I hope to give a full and proper reflective entry after they've departed, but I wanted to try and get down some of the stuff I know I'm going to forget. It's funny that, no matter what the situation, once you get into a routine, things seem to be so normal and mundane even though the experience is anything but. Hopefully the feeling of this experience will remain, even if the details have gone.

It's been a long, a long time coming.

2008-11-03T14:31:00.006-05:00

Here we are: upon the eve of one of the most titillating and history-making elections in U.S. history. In less than 36 hours (save any serious disaster with new voting machines), this country will have sealed its fate for the next four years. I'm conflicted about coming to the end of the relentless campaigning. On one hand, as a journalist I am saddened because I know that indecision and upheaval breed good news, what the hell is the country going to talk about once we've decided? A silver lining would be never another mention of Joe anyone. However, on the other hand I can breathe a sigh of relief (at least in part depending on the decision that is made) at the idea that my inner turmoil regarding this election will cease to exist after Nov. 5. On the Oct. 31 episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher," Maher asked why people are so thankful for this election to be nearly over. He went on to say it's one of the most exciting races ever to grace politics and has amazingly gotten so many people so involved, so why would we want it to be over? Essentially, I agree. I wish I could find the direct quote, but the transcripts for that episode haven't been uploaded to the HBO site yet. Check back to check it out.

However, on the second point of personal turmoil, columnist Kathleen Parker wrote a column about undecided voters at this point in the election. The following quote pretty much sums up the election for me.

"So what are these zombies of the voting booth really waiting for? Something they won't find: The perfect choice. It doesn't exist. The clear path is dappled with doubt. The telling clue is buried in the hearts of Col. Mustard, who worries about Iraq and taxes under Obama, and Miss Scarlet, who can't get past McCain's age and the winking wonderwoman of Wasilla."

As much as I want to blindly get behind Obama and support him into the fiery pits of Democratic oblivion, I always have to look at both sides of the situation. The problem is that both sides are so skewed, there is no right decision. As a general rule, I work on logic and rationalization. Both are absent from the decision that I am forced to make tomorrow. If you know me, you know who I'm voting for, but be aware it isn't without reservation. I will pull the lever, or click the button, or whatever other mechanism appears at the polling station, for a candidate I warily support. I have hope that he will be exactly what this country needs, exactly at this moment in history, but at the same time pray that well-intentioned ideas don't get twisted. The ideal candidate would include a beautiful melody of feasible, fair ideas and concrete plans, with a dash of rationality and an ample supply of eloquence and poise minus any inkling of a trophy sidekick. As we know, this candidate doesn't exist. But don't let that deter you from getting off your anti-establishment ass to get to the polls and vote tomorrow. As much as you'd like to convince yourself: not voting doesn't mean your bucking the system, or damning the man. It just means you're lazy.

Vote!

Sojourner.

2008-10-13T13:43:00.031-04:00

I have intended, since I returned from my trip abroad last week, to get on here and write a proper post on it. But my procrastinatory attitude got the best of me. I wanted to sit down and get everything out before it started to seep out of my memory. I'm five days out, and finally making myself sit down to do this. Hopefully I still have most of what I wanted to say stored somewhere in the chaos.

Warning: This will be long.

So, for anyone who doesn't know and happens to stumble upon this thing, I decided to go for a vacation in Ireland for six days. I traveled to Cork specifically, with a few small day trips to outer areas in Cork County. I departed from upstate New York on Wednesday (Oct. 1) at around 12:30 p.m., then flew to Detroit to wait for a few hours before heading to Europe. In the search to relieve my boredom while at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, I found the Fox Sports Bar and decided a beer wouldn't be such a bad idea. The beer wasn't, however sitting at the bar may have been. An incredibly intoxicated woman named Jennifer plopped herself next to me and proceeded to drool her sad tale of being kicked off her flight all over my shoulder, spitting a few pieces of half-eaten food on my shirt for good measure. I wished her well and got out of there post haste. My flight from Detroit left on time and I arrived in Amsterdam at around 8:00 a.m. the next day (Thursday, Oct. 2), had to wait about an hour, then boarded my Aer Lingus flight for my final destination.

I arrived at Cork International Airport at my scheduled time and as soon as I stepped off the plane, (Cork airport is one of those airports where you have to take movable stairs to the tarmac and essentially walk into the airport terminal. None of that fancy hallway-to-the-airplane door nonsense) the smell of manure hit me. Oddly enough, I'm pretty sure that same smell graced my nostrils six years ago when I arrived at the airport in Dublin. Either way, it reminded me of home and I smiled. I managed to find transport to my hostel and was on my way.

I stayed at Bru Bar & Hostel during my vacation. The hostel is owned by two Kiwis who seemed like fun-loving, easy-going blokes. As soon as I arrived all I wanted was a shower and nap, so I checked in and relaxed. After my reprieve, I decided to venture out into Cork City. Now sadly, I can't remember exactly what I did next. If my memory serves me, my main objective was to secure sustenance. The street my hostel was located on, MacCurtain (or McCurtain depending on signage), was full of pubs and small eateries. I happened upon a fish shop with Indian influences named Eko. I decided what better a time than to get a big plate of fish and chips, but apparently I was the only one with the thought. I ate my Beamish-Battered Haddock and chips alone in that restaurant, not another customer to be seen. The food was delicious and at a good price, so I'm a bit confused as to why I was the only one there. Oh well.

After my meal, I decided to hit one of the bars I had researched before leaving the States. It was on the other side of town, so I had the chance to walk down Patrick Street and Grand Parade and take in the night scenes (at left: a fountain in Cork city centre). I arrived at Fred Zeppelins to find a few people milling around the bar and tucked away in the back at tables. I ordered a Heineken (ew, I know) and perched myself on a stool at the side bar. The music was decent enough. The bar was described as a "metal, alternative, gothic" establishment, so obviously I had to check it out. After a few Belgian brews (I can't remember the name of the beer) and a failed attempt at conversation with a group of Irishmen, I decided to head back to the bar at my hostel. On the way back, I came upon a pub named Gallagher's on the corner of MacCurtain. The sign outside indicated a traditional Irish music group playing inside, so I popped in to check it out. The crowd was older, but the place was pretty packed. I ordered a Coors Light (apparently a big American beer over there) and took a spot near the door to enjoy the music. It was exactly what I had hoped to see. A group of three: two fiddle players and a whistle player. It was wonderful, but I only caught the end of the set. I quickly finished my beer and headed to Bru.

Bru seemed a bit tame when I returned, I headed to my room to store some things and then ventured back downstairs to drink. When you check it, they give you a free drink voucher. It's a BOGO. Having told myself to try and soak up any sort of local flavor possible, I ordered a Beamish. If you don't know of it, it's a lot like Guinness... which I don't drink. But, when in Ireland. It was less hard to drink than I expected, the only catch I had to get two because of the coupon. After a little bit of sitting silently at the bar, a guy to the right of me asked if I was alone and struck up a conversation. Turns out he's an Aussie named Rodney (above) living in the hostel and looking for work. A wonderful bloke, with whom I spent a few nights at the bar drinking. The rest of how the night goes is a bit of a blur. I'm not sure how I got from talking to Rodney to meeting the Dutch girl named Tjitske and the two Englishmen named Ben and Kev.... or the Italian. In any event, it was a great night with many laughs. I feel blessed to have met the people I did that night. It amazes me that you can bond with people from a completely different culture than your own in the span of about 20 minutes. OK, maybe not a completely different culture (I mean we are British Light) but people who don't know you, or where you are really from or who you know. It really revives the idea of humanity and innate goodness. Cheesy? Yeah.

Needless to say, the next morning was rough. I slept until about 10:30 a.m. and made myself get up finally to take a shower and see more of the area. I decided to not go very far, considering my late start, and headed up to the train station to catch a ride to Cobh (pronounced Cove). It started out a gloomy day, but once I arrived in Cobh, the clouds opened up to reveal a wonderful blue sky complete with plenty of sun. My first destination was finding a suitable place to eat lunch. I found a bar/restaurant named The Quays, not far from the train station. I checked out the menu and it seemed reasonable, so I popped in for a bite. They had a wonderful deck area with outdoor seating, and considering the blessed weather I thought it a grand idea. I can almost definitely say, what followed was the best meal of my life. Because I wanted to try as many different things as possible, I ordered soup and a sandwich. It was a lot. The seafood chowder was incredible. It had huge chunks of crab and salmon and was absolutely amazing. I've never had better and doubt I ever will. The sandwich was chicken breast with sun-dried tomatoes and herb stuffing on wheat bread, apparently a traditional kind of sandwich in that area of Ireland... the chicken with stuffing that is. It was amazing as well. The meal also came with traditional Irish soda bread and butter made in Cork. Let me say, you haven't had butter unless you've had this butter. It was plentiful in Cork and the surrounding area and came with just about every meal I had. I smuggled some back to the States in my bag, it got a bit beat up and I feel I have to save it for fear I will never have it again.

Following my sensational meal, I did a bit of sight-seeing around Cobh, took a few pictures, hiked up to the cathedral and finally bought a few gifts at Christie's. Upon returning to Cork, and feeling much better after a meal and a bit of walking, I headed back to the hostel to assess the scene. Now, I can't precisely remember what I did that night (this being Friday). I think Michelle (a Californian transplant from Queens that was staying my room) and me kept it a little low key at the Bru Bar before meeting up with Tjitkse to head to the Shelbourne, a pub just down the street. Tjitske's colleagues were having a party for one of the workers and she invited us to join her at a private residence after the Shelbourne. Michelle and I decided against it and headed back to Bru. We stayed up for a few drinks with the Aussie rugby team that was staying at the hostel, and one of their beautiful coaches. He was very George Clooney-esque with the salt and pepper hair and incredible smile. We stumbled back to our room at around 3 a.m., I think. I remember calling my mother before heading to the room and her questioning why in God's name I was up so late... oops.

The next day (Saturday) being once again hungover (thankfully not as bad as the previous morning), I slept in too late. I had intended to catch a bus to a place called Robert's Cove that morning, but only one bus ran and it left at around 9:15 a.m. I missed it. So, instead I got up, and decided to grab a traditional Irish breakfast with Michelle. We headed down into Cork and stopped at a trendy kind of restaurant that I can't remember the name of. Possibly one of my favorite things in the world is the trad Irish breakfast. It's meat, meat, meat, egg and toast. Generally it includes Irish sausage, black and white pudding, incredible bacon that is of a cut unknown to the States, half a tomato, an egg or two and toast. Perfect for a hangover. After breakfast and speaking with Michelle about her trip to Blarney, I decided I'd do the touristy thing and go to Blarney Castle. A quick bus trip and 5.60 Euro later, I was in the center of Blarney village. I made the short walk up the castle and started to take it all in. Americans just don't have the luxury of architecture as old as this. It's unfortunate. The third variance of Blarney Castle, which is what is standing today, was built in 1446. Incredible. The Blarney Stone is located at the very top of the castle. I did not kiss it. I know, I know. But the acrobatics one had to participate in to kiss the bloody thing were beyond what I was prepared to do with a slight hangover and inappropriate attire. And, I saw the people kissing it before I got there... it isn't like they sanitize it. Haha. But I did traverse the treacherous spiral stairway leading to the top of the castle. It was made of stone, was wet, muddy and quite steep at points. But well, well worth it. The day trip was worth it. I was a bit cynical about doing something so touristy, but I can understand why it draws so many. It's an incredible structure and something that if you have the chance to see, you absolutely should.

Upon returning from my Blarney adventure, I met up with Michelle and Tjitske. The ladies mentioned they were going to see a concert later in the evening and asked if I'd like to join. Though I hadn't heard of the act, Damien Dempsey (at left), I decided to check it out. Before the show, we went into Cork to have dinner. We went to another restaurant that I can't remember the name of, and I had some butternut squash-jalapeno soup and a chicken salad. Delicious, and so much I couldn't finish. When we arrived at The Savoy, the doors weren't open, so we had to wait for a bit in the rain. After getting in, we grabbed a beer and took our positions near the stage. The first act was some guy from Dublin. The reason for the show was that it was part of the Cork Folk Festival. The crowd started to thicken before Damien came on. The music was good, but the most interesting part of the entire thing was being removed from the "scene" so to speak. I was moved by the energy in the crowd and by their complete adoration of the act. At one point they actually brought Dempsey back on stage by singing a few rounds of a chorus from one of his songs. It was incredible. People were so into it. I've never been an outsider at something like that, but it was a pleasant experience.

We headed back to Bru after the show to find the Englishmen downing beers. Tjitske and me joined them for a good part of the evening, until around 2 a.m. I believe. I was pretty restrained because I knew that I had to get up the following morning at around 7 a.m. to catch a train to Killarney for my day trip. I woke up late, of course, but managed to get myself together in time to get over to the train station and hop on board a train to Mallow. In Mallow I changed trains and ended up in Killarney at 10:19 a.m. From the station I had to book it to the tour office by 10:30 a.m. because my tour was set to leave. I made it in time and hopped on a bus with two Americans from Georgia and an Asian lady from London. The bus driver took us to Kate Kearney's Cottage, where some rustic looking gentlemen asked us if we wanted to take a pony trap through the Gap of Dunloe. The Asian lady and I decided to ride together and our ridiculous journey through a 7-mile stretch of valley began. Thank God I didn't try to walk the blasted thing... I may have died. It was gorgeous despite the temperature and the horse flatulence. It took about two hours to make the trip, which dropped us at another cottage. I was freezing by this point and quickly bought some Irish tea and a scone for a snack. After about 30 minutes, we made our way down to the lake to board a row boat (really no joke, row boat... well with a motor) with 11 other tour-goers. We had to wear life jackets and it was even colder on the water. The captain guided us over three lakes to the end point of our journey, Ross Castle. The experience was great and I'm glad I did it. Despite the cold, it was like nothing I've ever seen and it was the "real" Ireland everyone thinks of.

The night after my Killarney excursion was pretty tame. There were rumblings of plans with Tjitske and the Englishmen, but nothing came to fruition. So, I sat downstairs and wrote. I tried to write about everything I wanted to remember, but ended up writing a bunch of nonsense. It was cathartic however and I feel added to the calm that I seem to have acquired from this trip. The next day (Monday, Oct. 6 - my last day), I decided to hang around Cork and say my farewells to the streets. I had another traditional Irish breakfast (I'm really in love) and went to HMV to check out their music sale. Picked up two albums for 15 Euro total: "Frank" by Amy Winehouse and an album by The Frames -- the band of the guy (Glen Hansard) who was in "Once." I decided to do a bit of shopping as well while I was in the city. I stopped at Penney's (not JC) and found a scarf, hat and two pairs of shoes. Also a shirt for a friend and a scarf for mum. It was a fruitful day.

I decided to spend my last evening in Bru. I was actually good this time considering I had to be up at 3 a.m. to check out and catch the airport bus by 4:30. I hung around at the bar for a while with Rodney, the Aussie, then we met two Aussie girls and a Canadian and spent the rest of the night chatting with them. I got the Aussies to do an ABBA pose for a photo and we had a group sing-along to "Afternoon Delight." A fitting end to a wonderful trip.

I know people kind of expected this grand tale of my solo adventure abroad. I'm not sure it was grand. It was wonderful. I met people that I never expected to interact with. I'm so glad I went alone because it opened me up to everything. Had I traveled with someone, I wouldn't have had the opportunities I did to bond with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I've regained a sense of the independence that had somehow escaped me for so long. The trip made me realize that truly no matter where you go, you can connect with people you've never spoken to on some meaningful level. The people I met didn't know me, didn't know where I came from necessarily or know anyone that I knew, but yet they spent their time getting to know me for a few days. That's an incredible feeling. Just like the last time I went abroad, it was a growing experience. It brought me out of my comfort zone and woke me up. It shook me.

The only downfall is that now, I've only been back for five days, and I can't wait to go somewhere else.

I am human, hear me.

2008-09-12T19:35:00.007-04:00

Has anyone else noticed the influx of female-related material flowing onto the pages (or sites) of several newspapers and news organizations? Everywhere I look there's an article about an issue regarding women. Obviously, I'm not necessarily complaining about the fact that women's issues are being brought to the forefront of conversation. I am curious however, why now? Undoubtedly it is because of the picture-perfect vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. She's a news peg. But really, just because a sweet-faced mother of five burst onto the scene? Where was the concern with Hillary?
One of the biggest issues being addressed as of late is that of motherhood. How will Palin care for her children and be vice president? Hillary doesn't have young children, it wasn't an issue. The question of the capability of a mother being able to care for children and hold down a significant job is ludicrous. It angers me every time it's brought up. The children do have a father, gasp! One response I got to that justification was, "Yeah, but he has a full-time job too." Really? Many American households deal with both parents holding down full-time jobs and their kids aren't wandering off into rivers or sticking forks in electrical outlets.

Another issue being looked at more closely (thank you a thousand times) is the reality of the "glass ceiling" and how women are treated in the corporate environment. I came across an intriguing article by The New York Times earlier today under the Jobs section. The author Hannah Seligson, shares her experience as a 20-something woman coming out of college and entering the workforce. Seligson argues that young women, while in college, are naive and used to the equality of academia. When a woman enters the workforce she is often stunned by the gender ideas still in place in many establishments. I can agree on some level. Certain comments that have been made in my own work place (eg. "Well this is a room full of trouble," said by a male co-worker when entering a room solely full of women with no man to "police" them) that left me gritting my teeth. I take it with a grain of salt usually and chalk it up to the small-town attitude. I have no metropolitan experience with which to compare my current situation. When I was in a metropolitan setting, I worked in an office with only women. However, I don't doubt that these things happen on a frighteningly frequent basis.
The Seligson article contradicted itself however. It at one point brings up the issue of inequality in the work place, but in the next breath says women need to stop showing "feminine" traits at work.
"I have also seen young women — myself included — getting in the way of their own success. I have found that we need to build a new arsenal of skills to mitigate some of our more 'feminine' tendencies," she wrote. Seligson goes on to talk about how women need thicker skin and to toughen up in order to make their lives easier. Why can't we just say everyone needs to be more professional? No one wants an employee sobbing over a tough critique or on the opposite end of the spectrum throwing a computer tower through a window. Which by the way, either sex is completely capable of.

I'm just so tired of the categorizations. Yes, men can act in certain ways and women in others, but both can absolutely act in those same ways conversely. It's the same thing as questioning how Sarah Palin can take care of a family while being vice president -- a very scary role reversal (for some) that for whatever reason Americans can't fathom. God forbid a father take on the role of caregiver.
These categorizations are also the cause of such attention being paid to Palin in the media. She is an attractive woman. A mother. And a potential national leader (technically). This makes her a spectacle, a novelty. How many articles are bringing up the issue of race regarding Obama? Far less, I can assure you.

Bottom line, what women in this country need to demand is a level playing field.

What a gal.

2008-09-04T14:10:00.019-04:00

Throughout my citizen's journey toward the upcoming election, I have tried to keep an open mind and weigh both sides of the political divide with honest intention. This desire led me to watch Sarah Palin's speech last night... as well as the urge to see what she would have to say in regards to the media sputum about her personal life pumped into every outlet in existence.

Palin began her speech with a little McCain adoration, then continued into a brief synopsis of her personal life and struggle. Her first personal point was that she is the mother of a soon-to-be-deployed soldier. Palin's 19-year-old son will head to Iraq to serve this country on Sept. 11. Really? I would like to preface the impending bit of cynicism by saying that I feel completely indebted and grateful toward any citizen that joins the military to serve this country. I am in no way trying to imply that what Palin's son, Track, is doing is anything but admirable.

However, this is just the first issue I have with the entire package deal that is Sarah Palin. The point I keep coming back to is that McCain's choice seems so "perfect." He's chosen a woman (Hey, Hillary lovers... look! She's got one of them vaginas too!) that is just as cute as button (Even prettier than McCain's wife!) and has a Vaseline smile that could knock down a crowd of cowboys in an instant. Her family has, as she said in her speech, "the same ups and downs as any other -- the same challenges and the same joys." Without a doubt, her family does mirror many families in this country: a larger family, a child going into the military, a child with special needs and a child having a child out of wedlock. No one can ignore the fact that these are challenges that "normal" American families face every day. It just seems contrived. Do both candidates think they are fooling people? Perhaps it has come with age, or a more cynical nature, but almost everything about this entire election screams manipulation. I guess it goes with the territory.

To her credit, Palin was well-spoken throughout her speech. It seemed that under the surface however, there was a multitude of various insinuations and contradictions. I believe she does have the capability to win over at least a few hearts and minds in this country with her at-first-glance sugary, sweet demeanor. Especially by throwing in phrases like, "He's still my guy," in regards to her husband and making sure she comes across as just another PTA mom. And of course by making little quips about eBay and how her children missed the personal chef she put the kibosh on, I'm sure she'll be a big hit with the 65+ crowd.

As far as the meat of her address goes, Palin did point out a few of her accomplishments but also spent quite a bit of time debasing opponent Sen. Barack Obama. Granted, this comes with any political debate or speech, but generally I think opposing candidates try to at least stick to fact and truth in order to effectively debunk each other. In this instance... not so much. I came across an interesting article released by the AP about Palin stretching the truth during her speech. One of the best parts the AP contradicted with research, was when she spoke about Obama's tax plan.

"The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes ... raise payroll taxes .. raise investment income taxes ... raise the death tax ... raise business taxes ... and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars," Palin said.
The AP article offers the facts that in actuality Obama's tax plan would, "increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually... He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise."
Hundreds of billions, huh?

As a word-oriented person, I generally pay attention to the language people use and the associations that go along with it. In Palin's speech, a few words jumped out at me. What also made itself apparent was the reason for choosing these words.
First: "Take it from a gal who knows the North Slope of Alaska." Gal is a slang term for girl originating in the late 1700s. The term "good ol' gal" comes to mind. Palin is trying to align herself with the good ol' boy mentality that goes along with much (not all) of the Republican party. Why couldn't she have just said woman? Using the term "gal" softens the blow for men. It makes taking direction from a female a bit easier to swallow. Some make take no offense to it, but call a steadfast feminist a "gal" and see where it gets you.
Second: "By the grace of God." Self explanatory. Separation of church and state.
Third: "... how evil is overcome." The term evil in this sense is being used in reference to McCain's time as a P.O.W. The evil is the enemy. Isn't Satan also an evil enemy? I'm just spit-balling here. Point being again... religious connotation. But I do have to commend her for not bombarding us with "folks."

I can't deny that Palin does have a certain charisma that will reach out to a specific demographic. I can see people falling head over heels for her and her family. McCain made a smart decision in choosing Palin to be his running mate, there's no doubt about that. How far will it get both of them? The next few months will be extremely interesting as the finish line nears. Palin still has a lot to prove, but I'm just not sure how much shucks-infused dialogue I can take.

Should I support Change?

2008-08-03T21:27:00.005-04:00

There is no doubt that this country requires some sort of change as far as the path it is on politically. Personally, I have finally decided to steadfastly support Obama in the political race. After this decision and perusing both he and McCain's Web sites to compare and contrast, I thought it would be a good idea to actively support Obama's campaign. I proceeded to sign up for the support portion of his site before the thought even occurred to me that perhaps, considering my career, giving all my personal information to a candidate -- in what is shaping up to be a very heated political race -- wasn't a very good idea.

The issue of journalists and political alliance has been wrestled with since perhaps the birth of the idea of journalistic objectivity. Can a journalist be objective and a passionate supporter of a political candidate or social cause? Many news organizations and papers have rules within their codes of conduct explicitly detailing the restrictions of their employees' political affiliation or action. The New York Times Company Policy on Ethics in Journalism outlines what is expected of any employee.
Section 89 details: "Journalists do not take part in politics. While staff members are entitled to vote and to register in party primaries, they must do nothing that might raise questions about their professional neutrality or that of our news operations. In particular, they may not campaign for, demonstrate for, or endorse candidates, ballot causes or efforts to enact legislation. They may not wear campaign buttons or themselves display any other insignia of partisan politics."

In theory, journalists sacrifice certain privileges in order to remain objective or at least in order to perpetuate the guise of objectivity. Other commentators on this issue are a bit more lenient in their thoughts. Randy Cohen, a columnist for The New York Times, was asked about this topic on NPR in 2004. Cohen, even though he is required to follow NYTimes standards, said that bottom line a journalist covering an event should have no affiliation with it. If a movie critic were to openly support a politician that would be acceptable, however if a political reporter were to do so, it would be a conflict of interest. That's Journalism 101: Don't cover anything you have a connection to, including family, special interests, social causes, etc.

In my position, I don't report... usually. I do however choose which stories go into the paper, where they go and how much attention they are given. Never at my paper have I ever heard a whisper of a code of conduct regarding political affiliations, however my journalistic morality is vexed at the fact that I may have jeopardized my guise of objectivity. Not saying that I do not strive to be utterly objective in my work, I do. It irks me that the thought of my commitments as a journalist didn't come before my desire to support a political candidate. I'm sure that if this sort of topic had ever been discussed in the workplace, I would've thought better of it. So, as much as I'd like to completely and actively support my candidate, I won't and can't morally bring myself to do so. This is my penance. I am outing the fact that I do support Obama, but I am wholeheartedly committing to my journalistic objectivity... even if that means sacrificing participation in any events to assist his campaign. I came out of college with a deep-seated sense of journalistic responsibility to objectively presenting the news. It saddens me that I seem to have lost some of that to the mismanagement of the newsroom in which I work. At least the light clicked on before I was clad in Obama gear standing on the corner of Main Street holding a "Vote for Change" sign.

If hip-hop should die before I wake.

2008-07-21T21:16:00.005-04:00

In any genre of music, garbage can be found. It always will be. There will always be people to buy the swill that some record label big wig decided would be the next hot thing, just because it's the next hot thing. That kind of goes without saying. However, the world of hip-hop seems to have two separate factions. The artists trying to spread the word of what it's actually like to live where they lived and the artists who continue to perpetuate this idea of a "baller." This post comes from a seething disgust within me for the latter.

I happened upon BET's Rap City: Tha Basement the other day, only to find a video that did nothing but fuel my hatred for what this genre of music is becoming. More and more the hip-hop world is being overrun with rappers who insist on rapping about how much money they have, spend and use to acquire "bitches" and/or "hoes." The video that sparked this rant is "Splash/Byrd Gang Money" by Byrd Gang feat. Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Chink Santana and NOE. I offer a little sampling of the lyrics, which mind you I had to transcribe on my own because I couldn't find any site (not even one of the largest collections of hip-hop lyrics on the Internet) that had them... this point will come in handy later, remember it.

"Goddamn I'm so cold,
Money, hoes and clothes, that's all a young n***a knows.
Big bank rolls, my neck froze,
Hoes that wanna roll,
We slammin' them Bentley doors."
(Side note: The second line of this is actually a Notorious B.I.G. lyric... recycled).

Now, in comparison I'd like to offer some lyrics from an artist that I consider to be of the first ilk. The ones that bring some sort of reality of their own lives to the table.

"Me and Willa raised three daughters all by herself, with no help,
I think about a struggle and I find the strength in myself,
These words, melt in my mouth, they hot like the jail cell in the South
before my n***a Core bailed me out."
("Get By" - Talib Kweli)

Artists like Talib Kweli, Cunninlynguists, Dead Prez and even Kanye West (before the fame got to him) rap about the struggles they have faced and overcome. They urge the hip-hop community to strive to rise above. They don't preach about hustlin' everyday and staying in that lifestyle. They don't perpetuate the idea of stacking paper and weighing down necks with diamonds and gold. Some say art mirrors life and that people need something to relate to... can people in the Bronx really relate to slamming doors on Bentleys? To having 24" all-chrome rims? Or can they relate to raising babies in a world full of economic unrest? To struggling everyday to find the next meal to put on the table or a way to put a child through college? The argument is that the flashy side of hip-hop is something to aspire to achieve, but at the same time much of work within that faction of hip-hop relates to hustlin' and dealing... not to getting an education or rising above your situation. Somewhere along the way hip-hop got confused and now hustlin' is glorified and revered. When in reality, that life eventually gets you two places -- in a jail cell or in the ground.

Rapping about bitches and hoes and how your neck stay froze, doesn't bring anything to world of hip-hop. Nor does rapping about how awesome you are when a handful of people know your name (see above lack of lyrics point). It's garbage. It's nonsense. It does not facilitate change in a culture that seeks it. It does not provoke thought or action other than finding a way to get whatever materialistic nonsense XXX rapper is blathering about.

I suppose these points can be made about any genre. But perhaps it is the most prevalent in hip-hop because of the size of the genre. In the late '90s, rap became America's biggest selling music genre. Recently it has declined. There's an interesting article from Time that discusses the possibities of why hip-hop is on the downturn.
"Longtime rap fans are doing the math and coming to the same conclusions as the music's voluminous critics. In February, the filmmaker Byron Hurt released Beyond Beats and Rhymes, a documentary notable not just for its hard critique but for the fact that most of the people doing the criticizing were not dowdy church ladies but members of the hip-hop generation who deplore rap's recent fixation on the sensational."

Hip-hop started out of necessity. Out of a necessity for change within the music industry. It started underground because people needed something to relate to. Can the average hip-hop consumer now really relate to stacking millions in the back of a mansion with 32 friends making in rain on a handful of strippers? I know I can't. What I can relate to is honesty, whether it be about hustlin' in the streets when it was necessary not glorified or struggling to raise a family or watching a friend die at the hand of a drug dealer. I cannot relate to $500 bottles of champagne or diamonds bigger than my face. It would be an interesting world if hip-hop could get back what it was when it meant something. I can feel a change bubbling under the surface in the industry. Let's just hope for hip-hop's sake, the genre doesn't die before it wakes.

Feed my eyes.

2008-07-07T20:10:00.005-04:00

The confines of free speech is a hotly debated issue. What is considered "appropriate" or "offensive" is continuously up for discussion. The latest area to be tested is the idea that "public" online spaces aren't necessarily covered under the First Amendment. When a company owns a Web site, they can control what is broadcast in that venue. An article released yesterday by the Associated Press details an instance where a Dutch photographer with a Flickr account posted a photograph of a Romanian boy smoking a cigarette. Without warning, Yahoo removed the photo saying it was in violation of an unwritten ban on depicting children smoking. Not only does this action infringe on one's right to share the documenting of life, it offers a frightening look into the idea that the Internet isn't as freeing as it is commonly perceived.
This Romanian boy was smoking. He couldn't have been more than 11 years old. Just because it may be considered "inappropriate," doesn't mean that it didn't happen. The 1972 Pulitzer Prize-winning photo by Nick Ut depicting a Vietnamese girl running down the street naked after being burned by Napalm was ultimately disturbing, but it happened. It also brought the attention of the world the Vietnam War and the fact that innocent people were being seriously affected. In modern times, the way we share information and images has changed.

The Internet is capable of reaching the ends of the Earth in seconds. The entire idea of how people perceive the world is changing rapidly due to the amount of information that is available with the click of a button. Along this vein, the Internet can be a dangerous thing for those who wish to oppress a group people with ideas different than their own. Because of the instantaneous access to a plethora of information, the Internet is a more efficient place to spread the word of rebellion; it's more effective than print publications. I'm not saying that in this situation Yahoo was trying to silence the Romanian people or anything. I'm saying there is a thin line between actual freedom of expression on the Internet and the veil of it.
There are myriad advocacy groups promoting the First Amendment in relation to the Internet. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is one such group. The foundation's site states: "Preserving the Internet's open architecture is critical to sustaining free speech. But this technological capacity means little without sufficient legal protections. If laws can censor you, limit access to certain information, or restrict use of communication tools, then the Internet's incredible potential will go unrealized." They mainly cover the idea of the government infringing on the people's right to freedom of expression. However, as mentioned above, when a company owns a site -- such as Facebook, Flickr or MySpace -- they can determine by their company's guidelines what is acceptable and unacceptable. Networking sites are such an enormous part of modern culture, that the limitation on what can and cannot be expressed on them can have a crucial impact. The AP article mentioned above states that evicting a user from an online community or networking site "would be like banishing that person to the outskirts of town." People easily forget that the sites we visit daily and build our social contacts on are owned. They are not free and clear. What we choose to place on our pages can be removed without warning or, depending on the severity of offending material, more severe penalties may be inflicted.

This all goes back to the idea of what is "obscene," and who makes that ruling. The legal definition of obscenity is as follows:
“Whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest.
Whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law.
Whether the work, taken as whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.”
However, there is a lot of gray area within this definition. A photograph of a naked woman isn't necessarily pornographic because it may include artistic or scientific value. Now say that same naked woman was engaged in intercourse with a male, would this be obscene? Again, it depends on the context. The photograph could have scientific value by being educational. It's all relative.
Is a young Romanian boy smoking obscene? Or does it have political and scientific value in that it educates people around the world to the issues of the Romanian population? Now obviously, the Dutch photographer isn't being brought up on charges or anything. His picture was just taken down. But the point here is, who makes that call? In the legal system of our society the government judges, but does that mean in the realm of the Internet that fat cats with bulging pockets decide how and where we can express ourselves? Maybe so.

F*!#: George Carlin dead at 71.

2008-06-23T18:11:00.004-04:00

I intended to do a post on faith healing, though it seems that is a beast that I don't have the discipline to conquer at the moment. Perhaps at another time.

However, I do feel the need to at least write something about the fact that George Carlin passed away yesterday at the age of 71. Now I'm not a die-hard fan, though I do appreciate what he offered to our culture. Carlin was a ballsy guy. He made a living from not only being inappropriately shocking, but bringing to the forefront the issues we as a society shy away from. In his obituary released by the AP today, the quote I wanted to use as a pull out on the front page was: "The whole problem with this idea of obscenity and indecency, and all of these things — bad language and whatever — it's all caused by one basic thing, and that is: religious superstition. There's an idea that the human body is somehow evil and bad and there are parts of it that are especially evil and bad, and we should be ashamed. Fear, guilt and shame are built into the attitude toward sex and the body. ... It's reflected in these prohibitions and these taboos that we have." (It was too long to use in the space I had.)
I think this epitomizes what Carlin dedicated his life to proving. That our culture is so virginal and scared of taboo subjects. He broke the rules and people loved him for it. Many hated him, but what he accomplished was showing us how easy it is to laugh at our own societal stigmas. He talked about what no one wanted to talk about. He said things no one wanted to hear or say, at least in a public venue. In 1978 the Supreme Court made a ruling upholding the government's authority to fine stations for broadcasting inappropriate language because an excerpt from "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television" was broadcast on a New York radio station. Carlin made a significant impact on our culture and it's devastating to lose someone like him.
I wish that I would've been able to see him during his early years. When I saw him at Purchase in 2006, he was bitter. Granted that was part of his schtick, but it wasn't funny bitter; it was old, worn down and hateful... but still a legend. I appreciated that fact that I was able to witness such a cultural icon live. I respect him for the work he did. Though in today's society the boundaries are tested frequently, Carlin was one of the first to try and succeed.

"I love and treasure individuals as I meet them, I loathe and despise the groups they identify with and belong to."

"The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, “You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I’m just not close enough to get the job done.”

"The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it."

"Honesty may be the best policy, but it’s important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy."

R.I.P. George Carlin, 1937-2008

The fire is sweepin' our very street today.

2008-06-10T17:12:00.005-04:00

There is no denying anymore that the fuel situation in this country is getting out of control. In fact, the fuel situation is hitting hard in other countries as well. Today, truck drivers across Spain blocked roads and halted deliveries in protest of rising fuel costs. The length of the protest is indefinite, so Spaniards are stocking up on food and fuel in fears that soon they will be hard to come by. In Barcelona, 40 percent of gas stations have run out of fuel and it is reported that markets are running low on food supplies in other parts of the country.
In the U.S. gas is now more than $4 a gallon on average. I have watched the numbers climb day by day as I dread every trip to the gas station. It was $4.07 yesterday at a local Sunoco, this morning, $4.15. Industry analysts are expecting the frenzy to peak at $5 a gallon over the summer. Though the issue of fuel cost has been in the background for the past decade, it is only now coming to the forefront and changing the way people live.
According to a CNN/Opinion Research poll, 66 percent of Americans have changed their driving habits to cut back on fuel purchases. Seventy-one percent are considering buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle. This percentage -- especially in a country full of ride big, live big good ol' folk -- is mind blowing.
Every avenue of our lives is seeing the sting of higher fuel prices. The price of food is beginning to dramatically increase from week to week due to the fact that truck drivers are finding it harder to fill their semis with diesel. With diesel at more than $5 a gallon, it takes approximately $1000 to fill an 18-wheeler's tank. At what point will it all be too much?
People are currently -- and have been for some time -- cutting back on recreational spending, but now it seems that soon they will have to cut back on necessary spending. A Principal survey released today found that 56 percent of workers have cut back spending because of economic challenges. Is there a quick way out of this fuel fiasco?
Even if people start buying more fuel-efficient vehicles tomorrow, our dependence on oil would not be significantly tamed. It's like the leaders of this nation have been sucking the bank account dry and now the rent is due. Many people in this country want to keep their eyes shut to the fact that we are in a serious situation that cannot be easily remedied. Every single person in America -- and across the globe -- needs to wake up now, in the hopes that though we may not be able to stop anything in our time, our efforts today will at least assist the next generation. So many think that global warming is a joke and sort of associate the idea of fuel-efficient vehicles with that. It's unfortunate, because despite whatever you may think about global warming, oil dependency is real and serious and will soon steal the bread from your children's mouths.

Underdogs with good intentions.

2008-06-01T20:38:00.005-04:00

I did it. I gave in and watched Juno. For a good while I refused to participate in the hype. I listened to the praises and adulation but remained strong in my conviction to not be disappointed once again by "The Greatest Movie Ever Made." But hey, everyone succumbs to Sunday evening boredom.
Well, I can't say I was devastated. Did this film fall prey to the issue I have with being pummeled by a film's acclaim only to find it lacking in all it was supposed to be? Kind of.
The writing was solid. Diablo Cody, former stripper and Juno's writer, tried to capture the awkwardness in the interaction between high schoolers. This came across well, however if one were to look at reality -- especially in today's teen society -- the language is leaps and bounds above what is used by most 16-year-olds. The dialouge was "hip" and "witty," with cute little catchphrases like "Your eggo is preggo" -- which actually seem more funny on Facebook flair than in the script.
The most well-developed character was by far Juno. Cody really worked on her and one could sense that Juno (the girl) was her baby. Her dialogue was interesting and her personality made the movie entertaining. Juno is someone anyone could know. Or at least someone anyone would like to know.
The soundtrack consists of super-indy, I'm-cooler-than-you-because-only-four-people-know-about-this-band acts a la Garden State with lesser known artists. I can't lie. I downloaded a handful of songs because they're quaint.
The film didn't leave me with a connection to it or a longing to watch it again, not really even a solid emotional response. I'm sure it's due to the fact that I've been told by 537 chicks that it was awesome. I can't say that. I can't say it was awesome just because I have a uterus. I can say it was cute. I can say that I appreciated the dialogue for the most part. I can say that I'd like to see Ellen Page in more films. But as far as a must-see... not so much.

Wanderer.

2008-05-26T12:58:00.000-04:00

I'm on my way back from our trip to New York. The weather was wonderful, nothing to complain about really. The trip got me thinking about the need to escape and explore.
We had set directions and usual places to stop. The planning and lack of adventure fanned the flames of discovery deep within me. It awakened the urge to set out on an uncharted course in the hopes of stumbling upon something unknown and exciting. Who cares about getting lost? This is really just rambling about the desire to escape from the everyday, to participate in something you didn't plan or expect. The urge to have no schedule and embrace wherever you are and whatever you're doing with open eyes and an open heart.
I crave a real adventure.

Leaving education behind.

2008-05-20T22:00:00.005-04:00

No Child Left Behind is getting tougher on schools... and faculty are trying to compensate to avoid consequences like layoffs and school-funded tutoring. NCLB states that by the 2013-14 school year all students must pass tests in math and reading. For those of you who aren't math savvy, that's 100 percent. Every student must pass in order for schools to avoid strict consequences. Yet districts aren't being allotted the funding to accommodate the increasing need for faculty in order to accomplish these goals. As a result, corners could be cut as far as the type of education America's children are getting.
Supporters of NCLB say that by pushing schools and educators to ensure students pass standardized testing, the country ensures a brighter generation. However, dissidents insist that by forcing every child to pass a standardized test hinders a proper education. Teachers are forced -- especially on a tight budget -- to lower the caliber of the material they teach in order to get everyone through. Or they are forced to lecture on only what will be on a standardized test, leaving out many other important subjects like art and music -- which are both losing massive funding because of the focus on math and reading as a result of NCLB.
Currently, scores are up across the country. Is this because our children are getting a better education? Are they getting brighter? Or is it because everyone gets an award regardless of actual merit?
There's a disturbing "laissez-faire " parenting movement happening that is teaching children that they have no restrictions. By giving no restrictions and letting a child "figure it out" alone, it instills no drive and presents an idea that everyone is just as special as the next. There is no authority, no drive for excellence or competitive initiative. If Johnny shows up and gets an award, then why should Timmy put forth the effort to receive the exact same award, or even one a bit better? Timmy is shown through example that just being there is enough to garner some sort of recognition. Where's the motivation for success?

Meet the precedent.

2008-05-04T19:08:00.004-04:00

Let me start here by saying that everyone makes mistakes. People misspeak. I am guilty of said action quite often. However, there are certain expectations that go along with holding a public office or running for the highest office in this country. I won't get into my political views or the situation of the upcoming election. That isn't the point here.
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama appeared on Meet the Press this evening. In 27 minutes, he misused "a" three times. Meaning he used "a" when it should've been "an." Now many would say it's a bit nitpicky. But have we been conditioned by our current Commander in Chief to accept butchery of the English language? It's just another example of how our society is losing the grasp of proper English and eloquent speaking. Not to say that Obama isn't very charismatic, or that he doesn't generally speak well. The question here is how many people watching tonight even picked up on it? Or care?

I don't belong to you and you don't belong to me.

2008-04-28T15:06:00.004-04:00

Over the weekend images of 15-year-old Miley Cyrus posing in the upcoming Vanity Fair were released. In one of the images she seems to be topless with a satin sheet wrapped around her. Her back is exposed and she is looking toward the camera. The uproar about this photo shoot, that may I add was done by one of the most noted and talented photographers in the business - Annie Leibovitz, has bombarded entertainment news. So much so, that Cyrus has now issued an apology saying she is "embarrassed" by how Vanity Fair is using the material collected for the photo spread and corresponding article. Disney has followed suit by saying "a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines." The entire situation is ridiculous.
With our society being so sexually motivated from years of repression, the fact that a 15-year-old star posed in a semi-provocative manner should be no mouth-dropping matter. Far from Hollywood, on the streets of suburbia young girls' skirts are getting shorter and their tops lower. Their mouths glisten with the highest-end lip gloss to entice pubescent boys. They know sex sells. By 15 most of the teens in America have had some sort of sexual contact and are well aware of how profitable sexuality can be. Who is buying the sexually-influenced paraphernalia for these kids? Who is responsible for how they look when they walk out of the door in the morning? Not Miley Cyrus. Not Vanity Fair.
Parents, and whoever else feels the need to be self-righteous, are getting up in arms because they see the loss of innocence in Cyrus as the loss of innocence in their own children. When it's right in front of one's face it's, "Oh not my Ashley. It's just the fashion. There isn't anything else in the stores to buy. She looks cute. She's a good girl." Little do they know Miss Ashley knows more about sex, drugs and how to get what she wants than they could ever imagine. But when it's another's child, when it's someone that is put in the spotlight for people to judge, it's a travesty. Poor little Miley is being manipulated and she didn't realize the photos would be used in such a manner. So please parents of America, come to arms and assist this poor child. Turn a blind eye to your own kids because it's too difficult to deal with. Feel proud because you called out a magazine for doing exactly what they were asked to do. How about the parents of this country come to the aid of their own children and let Miley Cyrus figure out who she is on her own.
Stop buying your girls cute little T-shirts that say stuff like "Boys like me because (insert innocent yet provocative description here)." And don't judge a 15-year-old with more money than God for doing something she wants to do. What is your 15-year-old doing when you aren't around?

I need something to sing about...

2008-04-24T21:14:00.004-04:00

After much procrastination and inquiry of worthiness, I've decided to create a blog. I've had a LiveJournal for years, but it's just nonsensical updates for friends I don't have frequent contact with. No one really uses it anymore anyway.
So, I've made the choice to start a "professional" blog. My intention in this endeavour is to practice the writing that I used to enjoy. I feel I've fallen terribly far behind in my use of the English language to create a coherent article that others would enjoy reading. The last thing I wrote was a film review for the paper ... and that was almost two years ago.
I'd also like to use this as a place to comment on current events, if I feel the need to do so. I will admit I'm not a newsperson through and through .. at least not "real" news. Ask me about the latest Hollywood tart to flash her vag to the world and I'll give you a 46 minute dissertation. Ask me about the latest issue the World Health Organization is working on and I'll stutter and sputter until I can think of a general health-related answer to appease you. It's not that I'm an idiot, I'm just elbow deep in news all day. Sometimes I just need a break.
Point being, I'm not sure how frequent these posts will be or how dedicated I'll be to it. But hey, sometimes you just got to go with the flow. Do you believe it in your head?