Archive for October, 2007

2007.10.17

Sick Again; WTF?

I have a cold again. The kind where it feels like someone hammered nails in my face. Yesterday it was the right side between my eye socket and nostril. Last night the left side took its turn. It was so painful I was waking up every couple hours. Most irritating.

What the hell is up with this summer? I hadn’t been sick in what seems like years, despite traveling and working in a very international city (things come in here before much of the rest of the country). Now twice in almost two months. I’m irritated. I hate being trapped at home, and being sick at home is being trapped.

It’s a trap!

*sigh*

Stupid viruses.

2007.10.16

Why Hammer Turkey?

I don’t get this at all. To ensure the Executive Branch conducts its foreign policy in a manner consistent with American values the non-binding House Resolution 106 was created. It condemns the Ottoman Empire’s genocide of 1.5 million Armenians around World War One. Naturally people see this as an attack on the modern state of Turkey, which rose from the ashes of the Ottoman Empire. So Turkey is upset (sorta understandably) and the Republicans are upset (I think for purely political reasons) and the Democrats are pushing this forward.

Sorry, but shouldn’t this be a section in the history books? I mean, why don’t we pass another resolution condemning Germany for the Jewish Holocaust? Or against all the European countries involved in the black slave trade? Or on ourselves for slavery in the first place? More, even though those events happened should I, personally, be held responsible for slavery? So long as I realize what happened in its historical context and use that knowledge to recognize and fight against its possible rising again (slavery, persecution, genocide, etc) isn’t that enough? Heck, let’s condemn the Bible (the Old Testament at least) next for depicting events which describe genocide to the letter.

This resolution is stupid. Not for its content -these things should not be forgotten- but because it serves no purpose. At least no purpose I can agree with. I can see where it might be used to undermine relations with Turkey and thus the “war” effort (American involvement) in Iraq. If this is the true motive it is bad form. If they really want to get our troops out of there then do it honestly.

This resolution stink, Speaker Pelosi. Quit dipping your feet in the same sewage the Bush Administration walks around in. You’re supposed to be better than that.

2007.10.15

Post Modern Reese’s

You remember the ads for Reese’s peanut butter cups, right? “The two great tastes that taste great together.” Here is one of the old TV commercials.

Well, now I’ve found two other disparate items that are pretty awesome together, in a totally geek-jock way. Geek. Jock. I guess that’s a fairly small demographic… Anyways, Katee Sackhoff surfs.

Katee Sackhoff + Surfing = Awesome

Does anyone know which beach that was? I’m guessing SoCal and I don’t know the beaches there.

2007.10.11

Three Too Many

Today was shot from the get go. Somehow I, the zombie, managed to get myself to work (late) and got through the day (slowly, mindlessly). Why? Because last night I participated in the bi-weekly drinking event called ALPHAbar SF. They are determined to hit a bar for every letter in the alphabet, and last night was the letter C. We went to City Tavern in Cow Hollow.

I thought my gin and tonic was a bit weak, so I drank a few too many and by the time others were ready to head out dancing and do more drinking I was done. As in plastered. Stumblingly so. I hate that feeling of not being able to even walk in a straight line. I hate that feeling of wanting to have an intelligent conversation with the taxi driver, of knowing just what the witty thing to say, but having my mouth fail to utter anything coherent. And worse, knowing I was incoherent. Suck.

But I had a good time and in another two weeks I’ll be going out again. Next time I’ll use some restraint… If you’re interested, the ALPHAbar SF is open for anyone to come along. You’ll even get a card to keep track of the places visited!

2007.10.08

Beirut in San Francisco

Tonight KT from work convinced me to go see the band Beirut play at the Herbst Theater. I’m only passingly familar with their work and I have a few observations about the band, the show and the venue. Though it will sound like a list of criticism, I really did enjoy the show and would see them again (though see #2; different location!).

1: The few songs I know I really like. The sound is unique and fairly well constructed. That being said a lot of the songs tonight sounded far too similar to the rest of the songs. When I’m noticing similar phrasing and melody between songs it’s time to switch it up, boys!

2: The Herbst Theater is not the best venue for a show like this. It’s a sit down theater and until the encore that’s what everyone did. Except a few people dancing along the aisles, that is, who had as much rhythm as a pack to tripping hippies. Then -finally!- at the encore people suddenly mobbed the front. Suddenly the energy that could have been there the whole show appeared and I think the band and the audience enjoyed themselves much more. Location location location!

3: Zach Condon is the driving force behind Beirut. Though only 21 years old he has apparently been performing for years. So I say this with dripping sarcasm: it was kind of exciting when he finally opened his eyes and started looking at the audience. Open your eyes! Jeez. I still remember Allison getting on my case about not making eye contact whenever I performed. Hopefully Zach gets this soon.

4: Dudes… Too many people on stage? I know some bands are quite large but, really, that many?

5: The audio mixing could have used some work. I’m not sure if that was because of the venue (where the sound board might have been poorly placed) or a bad technician working the board. Don’t get me wrong… It wasn’t bad but there were times where it was obvious someone was playing and I couldn’t hear the instrument at all. Then again maybe that’s why they needed three people playing ukelele at the same time.

6: Zach brilliantly closed the show with a solo performance (with ukelele) covering Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Despite flubbing the lyrics (and covering it up with a laugh and a side along glance) it was really nice to hear.

It was a good show and I’m glad KT convinced me to go. As some of you know I’m notoriously difficult to drag out once I’m home and settled. But it was Beirut… I had to go see what they were like. If you get a chance you should, too.

2007.10.07

Marriage of the Living Dark

At long last I’ve finally finished David Wingrove’s Chung Kuo series. A couple weeks ago I ordered the final book, The Marriage of the Living Dark, about 10 years after it was first printed. Exactly three weeks ago I started the first book in the series and today I finished the last one.

I’m still digesting the ending. Parts of it I don’t really understand and I think, for reading it only once, that it jumped around a bit too much. Other parts I was surprised by how familar the events were. It was like I’d read it all before though I know I hadn’t.

My next project relating to this series will be to read the excellent series of interviews and commentary Bob Newell has gathered. I see there’s a section on Mr. Wingrove’s reflections after finishing the first seven novels; I wish there was one for the eighth!

Next I’ll be going back into my manga reading. I’m dreadfully behind and really want to finish Death Note though, perhaps, that title will soon become taboo.

2007.10.04

Second Annual Halloween Party

We’re having another Halloween party at my place. If you’re in the area stop by! Details are here.

2007.10.02

Motorcycle Classes

After years of procrastination and urging from friends I finally signed up for motorcycle classes. I’ve wanted to ride since high school but it was never a priority. Now, suddenly, I might have my license. I’m sure when my parents hear about this they’ll have words for me! I suppose it’s a good thing I’m on my own now…