Ok - so, I'm craving raw carrots, and cucumbers. Pizza would be nice too, but I've got a strong hankering for the former.
I'm feeling really weak. I slept for about 9 hours, and managed to take a 2 hour nap today too. Spent a few hours in the sun at the pool with a friend, which I think didn't help my energy level. Prior to that I took a quick walk to the store (about 5 blocks one way) so I had some energy today.
A few muscle pains when walking up stairs, but nothing too uncomfortable. Tongue is still a bit on the white side, but still noticeably pink. Breath is still manageable, but I do taste a bit of funk. Weird thing though? I swear to god I've tasted solid bits of food in my mouth and have no idea where they're coming from. I'm not a shabby oral hygiene kind of guy with flossing daily and brushing my teeth twice a day, so I think it's just psychological.
Going to spend the evening watching television, being lazy, and go into work early tomorrow.
Weight 7.17.10 - 181.0
Weight 7.18.10 - 179.5
Weight 7.19.10 - 177.5
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Day One
So, day one is almost over. I forgot how easy the first day was. Today, there were very few cravings or urges to eat. The only thing that's tempting right now is the pizza from the Domino's commercial.
Physically, I'm getting a little bit of a headache and had some ache-y spots in joints that I don't remember feeling. It's quite possible I get these aches daily, but I'm just not paying attention to it and right now I feel hyper aware. I did try to have some cigarettes today which caused a massive heart race (and by massive I mean my pulse was 180). Needless to say, I threw the rest of the pack away. I had intended on doing the "after this pack" bullshit; but then my rationalizations hit me and I just chucked the whole pack.
If I'm dumpster diving later, it's just me having a nicotine fit - ignore me!
Tongue seems a little whiter than normal, but nothing too shocking there. Breath isn't funktacular yet and started my backside cleansing. It's surprisingly refreshing.
So far, I've had about 120 ounces of water today, which I think is a little on the low side.
Weight 7.17.10 - 181.0
Weight 7.18.10 - 179.5
Physically, I'm getting a little bit of a headache and had some ache-y spots in joints that I don't remember feeling. It's quite possible I get these aches daily, but I'm just not paying attention to it and right now I feel hyper aware. I did try to have some cigarettes today which caused a massive heart race (and by massive I mean my pulse was 180). Needless to say, I threw the rest of the pack away. I had intended on doing the "after this pack" bullshit; but then my rationalizations hit me and I just chucked the whole pack.
If I'm dumpster diving later, it's just me having a nicotine fit - ignore me!
Tongue seems a little whiter than normal, but nothing too shocking there. Breath isn't funktacular yet and started my backside cleansing. It's surprisingly refreshing.
So far, I've had about 120 ounces of water today, which I think is a little on the low side.
Weight 7.17.10 - 181.0
Weight 7.18.10 - 179.5
Friday, July 16, 2010
Pre-fast
I'm going to neglect to make any lengthy comments on why I haven't written anything in 2 months. I'll just say - busy.
That said, I thought this upcoming activity would be something blog-worthy. Tomorrow, Saturday, July 17th will begin my second water fast. My first one did not go for as long as planned, back in March. I attempted a 5-day fast and ended up going 3 1/2. This time, I'm not going to put a time frame on it; my goal is to go as long as my body signals to me that I need it. Ideally, I'd like to go 14 or 21 days; but if my body gives me the message that I need to end it at 7, I will.
I don't think 7 days will cut it, frankly. I know I have plenty of toxins built up from over the years. Especially considering I smoked for 16 years, did some illegal drugs in my day, drank like a fish during my early 20s, ate like crap for 7 years back in Atlanta, and live in metro Los Angeles breathing smog and chemicals daily. I'm also combining this with, yet another attempt to quit smoking. Combine hunger pains with nicotine withdrawl and I suspect it's not going to be a very pleasant experience for the first few days.
As much as I'd like to think that my "clean" diet and lifestyle changes as of recent have "fixed" my body, I'm too rational and logical to not realize that a year of being a health nut do not combat 20+ years of being a typical American. I'm looking forward to getting the nicotine out of my system along with all the other gunk that's been really affecting me. I think as I got closer to the weight I'm at (181 lbs.) all that's left are fat deposits that are filled with shit, which upon my research and understanding of my body, will affect my mood, energy level, and appetite. It's time to give my body a break, and allow it to totally focus on cleanup.
Hence: the fast.
I'm anticipating some pretty foul days and know from my past experience, even from my short fast, that I'm due for some unpleasantness. I suspect my breath will get to a point where it will wither roses and melt paint off a car, my tongue will get covered in a white-thrushlike residue, and I think my perspiration will probably smell like old skin/beauty products. I'll be sure to keep you updated!
When my tongue clears up and "true hunger" returns, that's when I suspect I'll stop the fast. Depending on how long I go, for every 5 days on the fast, I'll do 1 day of pasteurized juice only (without added sugar), and then slowly work my way back into raw fruits and veggies. I'll build back up to beans and rice over the next couple of weeks.
This is the part I'm sure my mother will want to know, I'm also going to go through a daily enema process - in the evenings, because as much as I want to play "Beat the Clock" on the commute to work, I'll pass. I didn't do this on my first fast and realized that this was a bad decision. Once you stop intaking food, your digestive system shuts down. Therefore, you stop expelling residue from your bowels. I've read too much and also know, that there is plenty of caked up crap (no pun intended) in your colon to not take the steps to assist your body in removing it.
I'll be sure to take pictures and post them. Wouldn't that be great?
I'll try to make daily updates, and we'll see how it goes.
That said, I thought this upcoming activity would be something blog-worthy. Tomorrow, Saturday, July 17th will begin my second water fast. My first one did not go for as long as planned, back in March. I attempted a 5-day fast and ended up going 3 1/2. This time, I'm not going to put a time frame on it; my goal is to go as long as my body signals to me that I need it. Ideally, I'd like to go 14 or 21 days; but if my body gives me the message that I need to end it at 7, I will.
I don't think 7 days will cut it, frankly. I know I have plenty of toxins built up from over the years. Especially considering I smoked for 16 years, did some illegal drugs in my day, drank like a fish during my early 20s, ate like crap for 7 years back in Atlanta, and live in metro Los Angeles breathing smog and chemicals daily. I'm also combining this with, yet another attempt to quit smoking. Combine hunger pains with nicotine withdrawl and I suspect it's not going to be a very pleasant experience for the first few days.
As much as I'd like to think that my "clean" diet and lifestyle changes as of recent have "fixed" my body, I'm too rational and logical to not realize that a year of being a health nut do not combat 20+ years of being a typical American. I'm looking forward to getting the nicotine out of my system along with all the other gunk that's been really affecting me. I think as I got closer to the weight I'm at (181 lbs.) all that's left are fat deposits that are filled with shit, which upon my research and understanding of my body, will affect my mood, energy level, and appetite. It's time to give my body a break, and allow it to totally focus on cleanup.
Hence: the fast.
I'm anticipating some pretty foul days and know from my past experience, even from my short fast, that I'm due for some unpleasantness. I suspect my breath will get to a point where it will wither roses and melt paint off a car, my tongue will get covered in a white-thrushlike residue, and I think my perspiration will probably smell like old skin/beauty products. I'll be sure to keep you updated!
When my tongue clears up and "true hunger" returns, that's when I suspect I'll stop the fast. Depending on how long I go, for every 5 days on the fast, I'll do 1 day of pasteurized juice only (without added sugar), and then slowly work my way back into raw fruits and veggies. I'll build back up to beans and rice over the next couple of weeks.
This is the part I'm sure my mother will want to know, I'm also going to go through a daily enema process - in the evenings, because as much as I want to play "Beat the Clock" on the commute to work, I'll pass. I didn't do this on my first fast and realized that this was a bad decision. Once you stop intaking food, your digestive system shuts down. Therefore, you stop expelling residue from your bowels. I've read too much and also know, that there is plenty of caked up crap (no pun intended) in your colon to not take the steps to assist your body in removing it.
I'll be sure to take pictures and post them. Wouldn't that be great?
I'll try to make daily updates, and we'll see how it goes.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
"We don't return security deposits."
I’ve never had an issue with a landlord. Granted, most of my experience was back in Georgia; but I cannot recall an apartment complex that was mismanaged or that I ever raised a concern about. This era of my life has changed.
I originally moved back to California in March of 2007. My company at the time flew me out here to find a place to live, along with help setting up their new Los Angeles office. During this week, I had to scramble and an apartment and one that would accept my two dogs, sight unseen. The second place I looked, I found my current apartment and the owner/landlord was kind, responsive, and attentive. I had to pay a rather hefty deposit since my only California rental history was a 6 month lease in 2000 (aside from my UCLA dorm rooms which, sadly, do not count).
Larry, my landlord, owned the building until the mortgage fallout and was forced to liquidate one of his properties to maintain his others. My building was the one selected to be sold. The new owner then hired a property management company called Capital Realty Advisors. They took over the building and gave the initial impression that this would be a smooth and uneventful transition. This was far from the truth.
The issues started with one of the tenants in my 7 unit building having some “sketchy” guests over for 5 minutes at 3am, publically shooting up (what I can only guess was heroin or meth), loud noises late at night, having guests bring laundry over and use our only washer/dryer, guests sleeping behind the building/in a garage, police involvement for outstanding warrants, physically assaulting another resident, and finally theft of personal property. Needless to say, these nuisances were afforded every courtesy under the law and it took them four months to get them out. During this time, the management company did nothing – except for two weeks before the removal, installing two locking doors, which did nothing to solve the problem.
Furthermore, we’ve had issues with getting any maintenance completed. When they took over the building in June of 2009 they demanded a list of all outstanding repairs and then proceeded to… not repair them. I eventually sent in a demand to have certain things repaired (like the peeling paint and drywall in my shower). It only took four months and three missed appointments to get that done.
I’ve always been a good tenant. My rent has never been late; I don’t cause issues nor do I complain about stupid stuff. I have no idea why they treat their residents like we’re just property. The building, exterior-wise, has fallen into disrepair. Compound this with the fact that they have said, in no mincing of words, “We don’t return security deposits.” Really? The boldness of their words is startling.
Despite that fact that this is illegal they seem to be getting away with this. Thankfully. I know the law, and I’m not afraid to use it. Kiss my ass Capital Realty Advisors.
I originally moved back to California in March of 2007. My company at the time flew me out here to find a place to live, along with help setting up their new Los Angeles office. During this week, I had to scramble and an apartment and one that would accept my two dogs, sight unseen. The second place I looked, I found my current apartment and the owner/landlord was kind, responsive, and attentive. I had to pay a rather hefty deposit since my only California rental history was a 6 month lease in 2000 (aside from my UCLA dorm rooms which, sadly, do not count).
Larry, my landlord, owned the building until the mortgage fallout and was forced to liquidate one of his properties to maintain his others. My building was the one selected to be sold. The new owner then hired a property management company called Capital Realty Advisors. They took over the building and gave the initial impression that this would be a smooth and uneventful transition. This was far from the truth.
The issues started with one of the tenants in my 7 unit building having some “sketchy” guests over for 5 minutes at 3am, publically shooting up (what I can only guess was heroin or meth), loud noises late at night, having guests bring laundry over and use our only washer/dryer, guests sleeping behind the building/in a garage, police involvement for outstanding warrants, physically assaulting another resident, and finally theft of personal property. Needless to say, these nuisances were afforded every courtesy under the law and it took them four months to get them out. During this time, the management company did nothing – except for two weeks before the removal, installing two locking doors, which did nothing to solve the problem.
Furthermore, we’ve had issues with getting any maintenance completed. When they took over the building in June of 2009 they demanded a list of all outstanding repairs and then proceeded to… not repair them. I eventually sent in a demand to have certain things repaired (like the peeling paint and drywall in my shower). It only took four months and three missed appointments to get that done.
I’ve always been a good tenant. My rent has never been late; I don’t cause issues nor do I complain about stupid stuff. I have no idea why they treat their residents like we’re just property. The building, exterior-wise, has fallen into disrepair. Compound this with the fact that they have said, in no mincing of words, “We don’t return security deposits.” Really? The boldness of their words is startling.
Despite that fact that this is illegal they seem to be getting away with this. Thankfully. I know the law, and I’m not afraid to use it. Kiss my ass Capital Realty Advisors.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Irresponsbility
I really enjoy this title. You don't know where I'm going to go with it. Hell, I really don't know. Kidding. At least click the link at the bottom of my rant if you get tired of reading it.
I linked another blog on my Facebook page that talked about this ridiculous new sandwich that KFC has put on the market. I swear to god, someday, I will wake up and it will be a dream. Sadly, however, I recalled that Wendy's has it's own version of instant death on the market called the Baconator. Most of anything on the Carl's Jr menu is a mixture of unhealthy crap with unhealthy crap.
Why am I surprised? I fully understand some people are not ready to embrace veganism and fully understand that a majority of people will continue to support the animal abuse and torture industry and eat meat. I get it. I'm not going to be an ass about their choice. I, futhermore, understand that hamburgers and hot dogs will be sold and remain on the market. I'm a realist.
What I'm repulsed about, is that someone would eat this piece of crap knowing (and yes, everyone KNOWS that this saturated fat and cholesterol soaked shit is bad for their arteries) how bad it is for them. What further perplexes me is with the huge shift in the fast food industry promoting healthy alternatives: how could something like this get to the public?
Oh, yeah. Corporate greed. You can produce this "sandwich" cheaply from chicken byproducts that you call patties, cheap cheese, and byproduct bacon and sell it as a STEAL to the lower classes as a filling, delicious meal, and make some bank in the process. Who cares if you're going to send thousands to their early grave's? I mean, they have the CHOICE to eat it, right?
Of course, they have the choice to put it in their fucking mouths but it doesn't absolve you of your negligence, selfishness, greediness, or repulsiveness. You mislead the public about the safety of your product to make a buck. You produce your ingredients for bottom dollar, without the public health interest as a fleeting thought. It's this foulness that makes these corporate fucks destined to the 9th level of hell.
Tobacco companies gave people a CHOICE to use their product and look at where they are now.
When did the safety and quality of food become secondary concerns for providing food to the public?
I highly recommend FOOD, INC. to anyone who wants to see the state of food in America. This is NOT a vegetarian/vegan documentary but a documentary about the state of food production in our country and the industry that has been built around it. It was nominated for an Academy Award this year and is streamable on NetFlix. It will also be airing, free of charge, on PBS on April 21st. Arm yourself with knowledge. I promise you'll be better off in the long run.
2 minute clip of Food, Inc and the article to go along with it.
Food, Inc Clip
I linked another blog on my Facebook page that talked about this ridiculous new sandwich that KFC has put on the market. I swear to god, someday, I will wake up and it will be a dream. Sadly, however, I recalled that Wendy's has it's own version of instant death on the market called the Baconator. Most of anything on the Carl's Jr menu is a mixture of unhealthy crap with unhealthy crap.
Why am I surprised? I fully understand some people are not ready to embrace veganism and fully understand that a majority of people will continue to support the animal abuse and torture industry and eat meat. I get it. I'm not going to be an ass about their choice. I, futhermore, understand that hamburgers and hot dogs will be sold and remain on the market. I'm a realist.
What I'm repulsed about, is that someone would eat this piece of crap knowing (and yes, everyone KNOWS that this saturated fat and cholesterol soaked shit is bad for their arteries) how bad it is for them. What further perplexes me is with the huge shift in the fast food industry promoting healthy alternatives: how could something like this get to the public?
Oh, yeah. Corporate greed. You can produce this "sandwich" cheaply from chicken byproducts that you call patties, cheap cheese, and byproduct bacon and sell it as a STEAL to the lower classes as a filling, delicious meal, and make some bank in the process. Who cares if you're going to send thousands to their early grave's? I mean, they have the CHOICE to eat it, right?
Of course, they have the choice to put it in their fucking mouths but it doesn't absolve you of your negligence, selfishness, greediness, or repulsiveness. You mislead the public about the safety of your product to make a buck. You produce your ingredients for bottom dollar, without the public health interest as a fleeting thought. It's this foulness that makes these corporate fucks destined to the 9th level of hell.
Tobacco companies gave people a CHOICE to use their product and look at where they are now.
When did the safety and quality of food become secondary concerns for providing food to the public?
I highly recommend FOOD, INC. to anyone who wants to see the state of food in America. This is NOT a vegetarian/vegan documentary but a documentary about the state of food production in our country and the industry that has been built around it. It was nominated for an Academy Award this year and is streamable on NetFlix. It will also be airing, free of charge, on PBS on April 21st. Arm yourself with knowledge. I promise you'll be better off in the long run.
2 minute clip of Food, Inc and the article to go along with it.
Food, Inc Clip
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
It's A Renter's Market
The title is misleading, I know. Here's your bait and switch.
Let me preface with: I hate apartment hunting. Hate. I would rather put out a lit cigarette in my eye. If I still smoked; I would do that right now.
Why do I hate this process so? A variety of reason - one of which are my dogs. I understand some people want to be "pet friendly" but don't want to allow in pitbulls so they make their acceptance of pets conditional in listings. This just adds another level of hell for my screening process, since it requires a call to the apartment manager and sometimes you get conflicting information. Add in the fact that my big girl is a whopping 48 pounds (yes, I weighed her last night, and it was quite amusing to anyone who was watching) and is going to be 11 years old shortly and my situation gets a little more complicated than most.
The second reason is just trying to find listings. There's no real central place to go here in Los Angeles. Driving around will net you a ton of numbers, at the cost of gas, but there's absolutely no initial screening involved that you get in other places. I'd venture to say 40% of all listings in LA are just done by hanging a sign. The remainder get thrown on craigslist or, shudder, the paper. Craigslist is spammed daily by people putting up the same listing, over and over, so it get tedious to sort through and the remaining sites out there just don't have any quality listings (apartments.com and rent.com have NO listings for West Hollywood - which is far from reality).
Next we get to the actual apartment visit. This is where the apartment manager tends to say obvious shit in case you missed it. "The apartment has hardwood floors." Really? I just thought this was REALLY tough carpet. Thanks Sherlock! Sherlock tends to get pushy and trys to make you sign something at this point. He'll even try to get you to make the deposit and first month's rent right away. Sorry, I'm just not that keen on writing $2,000 checks on my first viewing of the apartment before I can do some sideline research. But I guess some people need an apartment right away - those kind of people trying to outrun the feds or some shit.
Now comes the sideline research. For me, before I pick a place to live, I want to make sure that it's a safe area and that it's going to be convenient to the places I need/want to go to all the time. I'll check the LAPD crime website which shows a map of all the major crimes that have hit the immediate area around an address. I'll check the registered sex offenders site as well to make sure I'm not near some pervert cluster (or at least make sure they're cute before I move in). Then I'll just goggle the closest Target, Whole Foods, 24 Hour Fitness, and Petsmart.
Then comes the actual application process and signing away of your life. Then the packing and the moving (do I need to elaborate on how much THIS SHIT sucks?).
After reading this - maybe, I'm just a neurotic freak... I dunno. I just don't want to move somewhere for a year that I'm going to regret.
Nah, I'm a neurotic freak.
Let me preface with: I hate apartment hunting. Hate. I would rather put out a lit cigarette in my eye. If I still smoked; I would do that right now.
Why do I hate this process so? A variety of reason - one of which are my dogs. I understand some people want to be "pet friendly" but don't want to allow in pitbulls so they make their acceptance of pets conditional in listings. This just adds another level of hell for my screening process, since it requires a call to the apartment manager and sometimes you get conflicting information. Add in the fact that my big girl is a whopping 48 pounds (yes, I weighed her last night, and it was quite amusing to anyone who was watching) and is going to be 11 years old shortly and my situation gets a little more complicated than most.
The second reason is just trying to find listings. There's no real central place to go here in Los Angeles. Driving around will net you a ton of numbers, at the cost of gas, but there's absolutely no initial screening involved that you get in other places. I'd venture to say 40% of all listings in LA are just done by hanging a sign. The remainder get thrown on craigslist or, shudder, the paper. Craigslist is spammed daily by people putting up the same listing, over and over, so it get tedious to sort through and the remaining sites out there just don't have any quality listings (apartments.com and rent.com have NO listings for West Hollywood - which is far from reality).
Next we get to the actual apartment visit. This is where the apartment manager tends to say obvious shit in case you missed it. "The apartment has hardwood floors." Really? I just thought this was REALLY tough carpet. Thanks Sherlock! Sherlock tends to get pushy and trys to make you sign something at this point. He'll even try to get you to make the deposit and first month's rent right away. Sorry, I'm just not that keen on writing $2,000 checks on my first viewing of the apartment before I can do some sideline research. But I guess some people need an apartment right away - those kind of people trying to outrun the feds or some shit.
Now comes the sideline research. For me, before I pick a place to live, I want to make sure that it's a safe area and that it's going to be convenient to the places I need/want to go to all the time. I'll check the LAPD crime website which shows a map of all the major crimes that have hit the immediate area around an address. I'll check the registered sex offenders site as well to make sure I'm not near some pervert cluster (or at least make sure they're cute before I move in). Then I'll just goggle the closest Target, Whole Foods, 24 Hour Fitness, and Petsmart.
Then comes the actual application process and signing away of your life. Then the packing and the moving (do I need to elaborate on how much THIS SHIT sucks?).
After reading this - maybe, I'm just a neurotic freak... I dunno. I just don't want to move somewhere for a year that I'm going to regret.
Nah, I'm a neurotic freak.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Paying Attention
So now that I've made my switch to being vegan, I'm slowly working the rest of all of my vices out of the woodwork. During this process, I've noticed something else has arisen, unexpectedly. I've become hyper-aware of all the bullshit in advertising and the media.
I can't explain it, or even put a finger on where it's coming from. I can, however, tell you that it's a burning fire of anger that usually crops up hearing pure and utter crap. This usually culminates in an intense desire to punch the fuck out of my television, toss it out the window, hit it with my car, set it on fire, and then take a steaming whizz on the ashes. Realistically, it's not my television's fault - nor do I feel like replacing it, quite yet, so I've managed to contain my Office Space moment.
Here's are a few examples of stuff that I've seen recently. The Biggest Loser on NBC is a great inspirational show I concede, hence why I was watching it. The commercials that regularly go out during the show it seems are not enough advertisement. So, NBC has sold little minispots during the show for which the producers cleverly disguise into the show (for which these exists not enough sarcasm for me to express how blatant they are). Once of these big minispots that comes up often is for Extra Sugar Free Gum. I could tolerate this, despite the fact that it only has 5 calories a slice because it's a chemical shitstorm and is sweetened with aspartame... yum!
I could not forgive the 2 minute infomercial they did for cow's milk. Boasting the nutritional benefits and re-emphasizing the high source of protein and calcium contained within. Furthermore, they added dialogue that implied that if you don't drink milk you won't get calcium anywhere else. What they forgot to mention was the blood and pus that goes into every glass, along with the hormones, antibiotics, and chemical crap that gets poured into this "nectar of the gods." The conveniently leave all of these details out to promote this known carcinogen.
This shames me, tremendously. Not in the fact that a majority of Americans are ignorant to the negative aspects of drinking dairy; but that I live in a country whose government actually subsidizes and advertises for this industry (Happy cows come from California was a government ad campaign). It shames me that when I get the question, "But where do you get your calcium," that people look at me like I've grown a third head when I explain I get it from the same place the cow's do... greens. It's like they thought that cow's were blessed with a special organ in their bodies that makes calcium.
Another gem of a commercial is for a well-known spaghetti sauce that depicts a young boy feeding his vegetables to his dog, day after day. Then the narrator comes over, "You don't know where you kid's vegetables go" and then he sells Ragu as the savior! Kids won't give their tomato sauce to their dogs; they will actually eat it, because it's so good! And then mom can benefit by knowing that their child has had their vegetable serving! Isn't that RAD!
You know what happened when I didn't finish my plate as a kid? I was forced to do it or I might get punished. Being punished did not amount to "time-out." It generally involved a belt, and my soon to be red ass. I never even considered feeding food I didn't like to a dog, or hiding it. If I was caught - it would be a veritable shitstorm. I ate what was given to me - including meat (and this my parents did have to force down). Hell - as a punishment, my parents once made me eat scrambled eggs without ketchup. That was fucking hell.
Furthermore, this brand of spaghetti sauce isn't the health food that it's made out to be. Certainly, there are much worse - but christ. It has added sugar and salt as two of the main ingredients along with the ubiquitious "Natural Flavors" which could be anything from ground up insects to something further processed. Furthermore, it has oil and more oil added. Adding olive oil wasn't enough - they had to add some soybean oil later on. Let's add in the fact that we've got dehydrated vegetables in this mix. So, don't give me this crap that it's going to be good for kids.
You know what red pasta sauce is supposed to be? A blend of vegetables in a tomato sauce and not some cheap slew of crap with added sugar and salt. The natural sugars of the tomato and other vegetables should be enough... but not for our American pallets. We have to go and fuck up what nature gave us. Which leads to processed crap in a jar and the advertisements telling us how healthy it is.
It's not and it makes me ill that I bought this bullspit for so long and it's be perpetrated upon the American public. Just say it for what it is, "Because we're a nation of convenience, come buy our processed jar of shit that you can leave in a cabinet for a year without fear of spoilage and dump it on some equally processed pasta and you can pretend that this is a healthy alternative - and you can make it in 15 minutes!"
I can't explain it, or even put a finger on where it's coming from. I can, however, tell you that it's a burning fire of anger that usually crops up hearing pure and utter crap. This usually culminates in an intense desire to punch the fuck out of my television, toss it out the window, hit it with my car, set it on fire, and then take a steaming whizz on the ashes. Realistically, it's not my television's fault - nor do I feel like replacing it, quite yet, so I've managed to contain my Office Space moment.
Here's are a few examples of stuff that I've seen recently. The Biggest Loser on NBC is a great inspirational show I concede, hence why I was watching it. The commercials that regularly go out during the show it seems are not enough advertisement. So, NBC has sold little minispots during the show for which the producers cleverly disguise into the show (for which these exists not enough sarcasm for me to express how blatant they are). Once of these big minispots that comes up often is for Extra Sugar Free Gum. I could tolerate this, despite the fact that it only has 5 calories a slice because it's a chemical shitstorm and is sweetened with aspartame... yum!
I could not forgive the 2 minute infomercial they did for cow's milk. Boasting the nutritional benefits and re-emphasizing the high source of protein and calcium contained within. Furthermore, they added dialogue that implied that if you don't drink milk you won't get calcium anywhere else. What they forgot to mention was the blood and pus that goes into every glass, along with the hormones, antibiotics, and chemical crap that gets poured into this "nectar of the gods." The conveniently leave all of these details out to promote this known carcinogen.
This shames me, tremendously. Not in the fact that a majority of Americans are ignorant to the negative aspects of drinking dairy; but that I live in a country whose government actually subsidizes and advertises for this industry (Happy cows come from California was a government ad campaign). It shames me that when I get the question, "But where do you get your calcium," that people look at me like I've grown a third head when I explain I get it from the same place the cow's do... greens. It's like they thought that cow's were blessed with a special organ in their bodies that makes calcium.
Another gem of a commercial is for a well-known spaghetti sauce that depicts a young boy feeding his vegetables to his dog, day after day. Then the narrator comes over, "You don't know where you kid's vegetables go" and then he sells Ragu as the savior! Kids won't give their tomato sauce to their dogs; they will actually eat it, because it's so good! And then mom can benefit by knowing that their child has had their vegetable serving! Isn't that RAD!
You know what happened when I didn't finish my plate as a kid? I was forced to do it or I might get punished. Being punished did not amount to "time-out." It generally involved a belt, and my soon to be red ass. I never even considered feeding food I didn't like to a dog, or hiding it. If I was caught - it would be a veritable shitstorm. I ate what was given to me - including meat (and this my parents did have to force down). Hell - as a punishment, my parents once made me eat scrambled eggs without ketchup. That was fucking hell.
Furthermore, this brand of spaghetti sauce isn't the health food that it's made out to be. Certainly, there are much worse - but christ. It has added sugar and salt as two of the main ingredients along with the ubiquitious "Natural Flavors" which could be anything from ground up insects to something further processed. Furthermore, it has oil and more oil added. Adding olive oil wasn't enough - they had to add some soybean oil later on. Let's add in the fact that we've got dehydrated vegetables in this mix. So, don't give me this crap that it's going to be good for kids.
You know what red pasta sauce is supposed to be? A blend of vegetables in a tomato sauce and not some cheap slew of crap with added sugar and salt. The natural sugars of the tomato and other vegetables should be enough... but not for our American pallets. We have to go and fuck up what nature gave us. Which leads to processed crap in a jar and the advertisements telling us how healthy it is.
It's not and it makes me ill that I bought this bullspit for so long and it's be perpetrated upon the American public. Just say it for what it is, "Because we're a nation of convenience, come buy our processed jar of shit that you can leave in a cabinet for a year without fear of spoilage and dump it on some equally processed pasta and you can pretend that this is a healthy alternative - and you can make it in 15 minutes!"
Saturday, March 27, 2010
You have been terminated ....
Random irritation: I’m writing this blog at Starbucks because I’m getting new tires put on my car. Confused? Starbucks is next to the Pep Boys. I had planned on logging on the net and writing a bit, but instead of doing that, I’m writing this in Word to upload later because it seems that Starbucks and AT&T have partnered up to charge for wireless access at Starbucks.
Do you not make enough money off the coffee to provide this service? Seriously? Why is it that the independent coffee houses that I go to can, but Starbucks cannot? Didn’t you just raise your drink prices? Really?
I shall not be coming here to write again. Just sayin’…
So… today a chapter closed in the story of my life. I officially saw, “Terminated” next to my name at Daylight Transport. It was a good farewell, however. My coworkers, led by a friend, decorated my desk with balloons and then had an afternoon potluck. What I found most touching: they considered my vegan lifestyle.
I ate a few jokes about eating only carrots, but they actually had a ton of veggie options. Bread, some gorgeous vegetable platters with green beans and cherry tomatoes to boot, and a nice spread of fresh fruit were included. It gets better. I’m not sure who or what started this movement or who really contributed or participated in its funding so I’m trying to be mindful to not say names in the effort of appearing ungrateful – so to all and especially a certain Southerner who seemed to be at this charge I offer my thanks - but they even included some hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and falafel. It was quite nice to see that they cared that much.
I managed to even get some die hard meat eaters to try some of the veg options!
Regardless, it was a pleasant parting. I left on good terms and can be rehired in the future. I have nothing against Daylight – I’ve been treated with respect so I can’t speak to anything negative. I do wish they’d put a little greater emphasis on personal development with their employees, which I mentioned in my exit interview. So to those whom I worked with who may have expected some dramatic rant – I am sorry to disappoint.
I know, it’s so unlike me…
Do you not make enough money off the coffee to provide this service? Seriously? Why is it that the independent coffee houses that I go to can, but Starbucks cannot? Didn’t you just raise your drink prices? Really?
I shall not be coming here to write again. Just sayin’…
So… today a chapter closed in the story of my life. I officially saw, “Terminated” next to my name at Daylight Transport. It was a good farewell, however. My coworkers, led by a friend, decorated my desk with balloons and then had an afternoon potluck. What I found most touching: they considered my vegan lifestyle.
I ate a few jokes about eating only carrots, but they actually had a ton of veggie options. Bread, some gorgeous vegetable platters with green beans and cherry tomatoes to boot, and a nice spread of fresh fruit were included. It gets better. I’m not sure who or what started this movement or who really contributed or participated in its funding so I’m trying to be mindful to not say names in the effort of appearing ungrateful – so to all and especially a certain Southerner who seemed to be at this charge I offer my thanks - but they even included some hummus, stuffed grape leaves, and falafel. It was quite nice to see that they cared that much.
I managed to even get some die hard meat eaters to try some of the veg options!
Regardless, it was a pleasant parting. I left on good terms and can be rehired in the future. I have nothing against Daylight – I’ve been treated with respect so I can’t speak to anything negative. I do wish they’d put a little greater emphasis on personal development with their employees, which I mentioned in my exit interview. So to those whom I worked with who may have expected some dramatic rant – I am sorry to disappoint.
I know, it’s so unlike me…
Sunday, March 21, 2010
I thought it was time...
I've lost all excuses for not writing, so I figured it was about that time to start it again, or at least, more frequently.
For those who know me in the real world, some may be aware that a big change is coming ahead, as in the next week or so. If this catches you by surprise, then you'll have to stay tuned or watch Facebook. Some good things are headed my way, and they'll bring some peace to other aspects of my life, which is always a good thing.
So, instead of talking about any of the past topics that I've said I was going to cover, I've decided to address the elephant in the room (or at least the suspected elephant in the room). I've been vegetarianish for the past 5 years (the occasional fish) but as of a little over a month ago, I've realized that I couldn't maintain this excusatarian - I cannot talk credit for this term - lifestyle and have gone totally vegan.
I can tell you what set this in motion. On a date, a little over a month ago, I was meeting this guy at a Borders Books, and while waiting, I decided to look at the Fitness section and stumbled across a book, whose title just caught my eye: Skinny Bastard. I picked up the book and started reading, and was so enthralled by what I read that I ended up buying the book while on the date with this guy. I read the whole thing within about 2 days, and immediately scrambled for more material. The book opened my eyes, not only to how bad animal products are for human consumption, but the treatment of domesticated animals by man.
I should have prefaced this blog with, I became excusatarian because I did not like the taste of beef or pork and decided that I did not need to eat them, if I did not like them. I was aware these products weren't the best for you, but didn't make the connection to animal rights yet.
Back to the present day, within 4 days of reading the first few sentences in that book, I went full fledged vegan. I've since then poured myself into reading and watching as much as I can about a variety of these topics: animal rights, animal husbandry, history of our agrarian society, veganism, health concerns due to a meat centered diet, the rise of our fast food society, and a ton more. Any book or documentary I can find, I try to gobble up - I'll list a few movies at the end of the blog that are just fascinating, but not pushy. I've started to marathon through a vegan podcast that has about 3 years worth of podcasts called Food for Thought that is so well done and informative, along with emotional at times.
It's been a bit of an adjustment, but really smooth overall. I love eating well, and healthy and don't find that I miss any of the foods I used to eat at all (butter included!) I've found substitutions that work for any situation and am having so much fun trying out new vegetables every week! Bok Choy here I come!
The guy that I went on the date with is already history, but this lifestyle change still remains; however, I do feel myself becoming one of "those people." And by "those people," I mean the ones that turn their noses up at meat. I don't throw paint on fur, and I'm not going to leave the table if my dinner guest orders a hamburger; but I can't promise not to give a dirty look at the plate. I won't tell you where it comes from while your masticate your ground leg or shoulder; unless you ask, then it's fair game!
I did this for me, not for you. I want to live my life in the most nonviolent way possible. Eating meat is violent and not in line with my values. This progress is good for me: respect that.
On a lighter note, my step-brother asked me how my romantic life was going and his is fairing as bad as mine. He said something about more fish in the sea. This has coined the new tagline for my love life: "A Catch and Release program."
Movies:
Food, Inc - nominated for an Academy Award this year and you can watch it instantly on Netflix
Super Size Me
Fast Food Nation
Books:
Diet for a Small Planet
Skinny Bastard
Podcasts:
Food for Thought - www.compassionatecooks.com
For those who know me in the real world, some may be aware that a big change is coming ahead, as in the next week or so. If this catches you by surprise, then you'll have to stay tuned or watch Facebook. Some good things are headed my way, and they'll bring some peace to other aspects of my life, which is always a good thing.
So, instead of talking about any of the past topics that I've said I was going to cover, I've decided to address the elephant in the room (or at least the suspected elephant in the room). I've been vegetarianish for the past 5 years (the occasional fish) but as of a little over a month ago, I've realized that I couldn't maintain this excusatarian - I cannot talk credit for this term - lifestyle and have gone totally vegan.
I can tell you what set this in motion. On a date, a little over a month ago, I was meeting this guy at a Borders Books, and while waiting, I decided to look at the Fitness section and stumbled across a book, whose title just caught my eye: Skinny Bastard. I picked up the book and started reading, and was so enthralled by what I read that I ended up buying the book while on the date with this guy. I read the whole thing within about 2 days, and immediately scrambled for more material. The book opened my eyes, not only to how bad animal products are for human consumption, but the treatment of domesticated animals by man.
I should have prefaced this blog with, I became excusatarian because I did not like the taste of beef or pork and decided that I did not need to eat them, if I did not like them. I was aware these products weren't the best for you, but didn't make the connection to animal rights yet.
Back to the present day, within 4 days of reading the first few sentences in that book, I went full fledged vegan. I've since then poured myself into reading and watching as much as I can about a variety of these topics: animal rights, animal husbandry, history of our agrarian society, veganism, health concerns due to a meat centered diet, the rise of our fast food society, and a ton more. Any book or documentary I can find, I try to gobble up - I'll list a few movies at the end of the blog that are just fascinating, but not pushy. I've started to marathon through a vegan podcast that has about 3 years worth of podcasts called Food for Thought that is so well done and informative, along with emotional at times.
It's been a bit of an adjustment, but really smooth overall. I love eating well, and healthy and don't find that I miss any of the foods I used to eat at all (butter included!) I've found substitutions that work for any situation and am having so much fun trying out new vegetables every week! Bok Choy here I come!
The guy that I went on the date with is already history, but this lifestyle change still remains; however, I do feel myself becoming one of "those people." And by "those people," I mean the ones that turn their noses up at meat. I don't throw paint on fur, and I'm not going to leave the table if my dinner guest orders a hamburger; but I can't promise not to give a dirty look at the plate. I won't tell you where it comes from while your masticate your ground leg or shoulder; unless you ask, then it's fair game!
I did this for me, not for you. I want to live my life in the most nonviolent way possible. Eating meat is violent and not in line with my values. This progress is good for me: respect that.
On a lighter note, my step-brother asked me how my romantic life was going and his is fairing as bad as mine. He said something about more fish in the sea. This has coined the new tagline for my love life: "A Catch and Release program."
Movies:
Food, Inc - nominated for an Academy Award this year and you can watch it instantly on Netflix
Super Size Me
Fast Food Nation
Books:
Diet for a Small Planet
Skinny Bastard
Podcasts:
Food for Thought - www.compassionatecooks.com
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Just a quickie...
Just a quick spew, since it's been a minute and I have lots to spew about. First of all, life is finally calming down and I've got some new life changes in place. Namely - I made the plunge and finally went completely vegan. My body is still reacting pretty interestingly to the news, but so far so good. More updates on this later. I have spew to spew about.
So, on my previous rant about big business ramming cutting costs down peoples throats? Well, someone read this and sent me a link to an interesting site out there called the Tea Party and Freedomworks. At first glance, it was interesting - upon closer inspecting, I ran like a two-dollar whore in church.
I rarely dish on peoples beliefs or political views, but, yikes. These people are a bit nuts. Watch some of the YouTube videos they have... it's scary.
Basically, what this group is doing is preying on this recession and drumming up fear and paranoia. They're using the fact that we elected a black president to scare many older white Americans into thinking that one day Mr. Obama, during the state of the union is going to reach back behind his head and unzip his body to reveal the anti-christ himself. They're using the job losses and bailouts to show evidence that our country is now run by banks and that no one has their best interest at heart.
They're basically scum who are trying to prey on the weak and drum up support for their own cause, which seems to be an overthrow of our government. I'm - not - fucking - kidding. I'm sure there are sub-groups out there that act differently but they're quoted in the NY Times to say that a violent revolt may be necessary. Cute!
Speaking of sub-groups, their whole structure reacts of a terrorist group. One main body making decisions and spreading it downwards through groups, ultimately to cells who's members aren't published. They have a little "sister" group who's main mission is to tell sheriffs and our military to disobey orders they don't agree with (they say unconstitutional - but for fucks sake, for 100+ years the average joe though slavery was constitutional, and then for 60 years after that segregation. Sorry Joe the Plumber but you don't exactly have a great tract record for intelligent decisions).
This whole group makes me ill. While, I conceed that we have issues and departments within our government that are corrupt to no end, I don't think that our government is being subverted at ALL levels by some Ring of 12 or some bullshit. I think it's run by greed and that many corporations have their hands in the different pots and that needs to be fixed.
We have issues, yes. But, jebus christ, Obama's health care plan isn't going to make Death Panels. Seriously?
Or, if they do, can we just tell these panels to run these people over with a concrete mixer. Scaring people, spreading lies, and causing paranoia is pretty much the lowest thing you can do; I would venture to say, as low as what AIG did during the housing bubble. Congrats and becoming exactly what you hate, fearmongers. Congrats!
Next few post topics:
HIV is Still a Big Deal, Dumbass
Need vs. Want
Valentine's Day - The Apocalypse
So, on my previous rant about big business ramming cutting costs down peoples throats? Well, someone read this and sent me a link to an interesting site out there called the Tea Party and Freedomworks. At first glance, it was interesting - upon closer inspecting, I ran like a two-dollar whore in church.
I rarely dish on peoples beliefs or political views, but, yikes. These people are a bit nuts. Watch some of the YouTube videos they have... it's scary.
Basically, what this group is doing is preying on this recession and drumming up fear and paranoia. They're using the fact that we elected a black president to scare many older white Americans into thinking that one day Mr. Obama, during the state of the union is going to reach back behind his head and unzip his body to reveal the anti-christ himself. They're using the job losses and bailouts to show evidence that our country is now run by banks and that no one has their best interest at heart.
They're basically scum who are trying to prey on the weak and drum up support for their own cause, which seems to be an overthrow of our government. I'm - not - fucking - kidding. I'm sure there are sub-groups out there that act differently but they're quoted in the NY Times to say that a violent revolt may be necessary. Cute!
Speaking of sub-groups, their whole structure reacts of a terrorist group. One main body making decisions and spreading it downwards through groups, ultimately to cells who's members aren't published. They have a little "sister" group who's main mission is to tell sheriffs and our military to disobey orders they don't agree with (they say unconstitutional - but for fucks sake, for 100+ years the average joe though slavery was constitutional, and then for 60 years after that segregation. Sorry Joe the Plumber but you don't exactly have a great tract record for intelligent decisions).
This whole group makes me ill. While, I conceed that we have issues and departments within our government that are corrupt to no end, I don't think that our government is being subverted at ALL levels by some Ring of 12 or some bullshit. I think it's run by greed and that many corporations have their hands in the different pots and that needs to be fixed.
We have issues, yes. But, jebus christ, Obama's health care plan isn't going to make Death Panels. Seriously?
Or, if they do, can we just tell these panels to run these people over with a concrete mixer. Scaring people, spreading lies, and causing paranoia is pretty much the lowest thing you can do; I would venture to say, as low as what AIG did during the housing bubble. Congrats and becoming exactly what you hate, fearmongers. Congrats!
Next few post topics:
HIV is Still a Big Deal, Dumbass
Need vs. Want
Valentine's Day - The Apocalypse
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Too much teeth
No annoyance of the day/week/month, yet.
Kissing is important in any romantic relationship. It’s the basis and foundation for intimacy. Well, I guess there are some men who don’t kiss, but – they’re special in so many ways. Perhaps, I should say that kissing is the foundation for intimacy in most relationships, so I don’t have to exclude anyone. I suppose there are some man/horse relationships that don’t use that as a basis for intimacy. But then again, I’m not exactly planning my blog, or train of thought around any potential centaur breedings either.
My point is, if you can’t kiss, it’s a deal breaker for me. I can usually find some merit in most guys, but there are some, that are just hopeless. I went out with a guy recently and it was so bad, I couldn’t even deal with it. It was like his tongue was in constant circular motion in my mouth. Ok, left cheek, top of the mouth, right cheek, bottom of the mouth, and… AGAIN! Added to the fact that it was wet, sloppy, and it felt like someone was running a freaking car wash in my mouth, I quickly made an excuse and bailed.
He had no clue, however. I was astounded. He was in his mid-30s, and had absolutely no clue how awful he was. Then I thought about it, are there people out there who actually like that kind of kissing? I can’t imagine that anyone would want to have that feeling in the mouth more than once, but maybe there are. I think most people, like me, don’t want to be a jerk about it; so, he will go through his life thinking that the “car wash” motion is the hottest thing since flavored lube. Sadly.
Perhaps, if we all just responded by jumping up, slapping then and screaming, “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT,” we’d correct some of this bad behavior? I doubt it. But it would certainly be a hell of lot more amusing.
I know that, I for one, would much rather have some constructive criticism than continue to do things that make people uncomfortable. In a past relationship, it took a few months for the dude to tell me that biting on his neck turned him off because he was highly ticklish there. Months. He said it made him uncomfortable to talk about, because he wasn’t sure how I’d take it. Seriously?
Why do we have such an issue talking about our needs and wants and likes and dislikes with our partners? Why is it easier to resign ourselves to unfulfilling rolls in the hay than to bring up this topic? Are we that scared of offending the person? Or are we just so prude, that even in a committed relationship, this topic is taboo? Whatever the reason, I won’t and can’t live like that. Maybe it’s just because I was sexually unsatisfied in a relationship for a long time, and choose not to say anything and I refuse to do it again?
Doesn’t really matter, because , if you can’t kiss – I don’t have the time to coach you. You could be the best at everything else; suck the chrome off a bumper, make a million dollars a year, like to do the dishes… etc. We’re ending after that first sloppy, tongue on the back of my throat, nasty lip lock.
Kissing is important in any romantic relationship. It’s the basis and foundation for intimacy. Well, I guess there are some men who don’t kiss, but – they’re special in so many ways. Perhaps, I should say that kissing is the foundation for intimacy in most relationships, so I don’t have to exclude anyone. I suppose there are some man/horse relationships that don’t use that as a basis for intimacy. But then again, I’m not exactly planning my blog, or train of thought around any potential centaur breedings either.
My point is, if you can’t kiss, it’s a deal breaker for me. I can usually find some merit in most guys, but there are some, that are just hopeless. I went out with a guy recently and it was so bad, I couldn’t even deal with it. It was like his tongue was in constant circular motion in my mouth. Ok, left cheek, top of the mouth, right cheek, bottom of the mouth, and… AGAIN! Added to the fact that it was wet, sloppy, and it felt like someone was running a freaking car wash in my mouth, I quickly made an excuse and bailed.
He had no clue, however. I was astounded. He was in his mid-30s, and had absolutely no clue how awful he was. Then I thought about it, are there people out there who actually like that kind of kissing? I can’t imagine that anyone would want to have that feeling in the mouth more than once, but maybe there are. I think most people, like me, don’t want to be a jerk about it; so, he will go through his life thinking that the “car wash” motion is the hottest thing since flavored lube. Sadly.
Perhaps, if we all just responded by jumping up, slapping then and screaming, “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT,” we’d correct some of this bad behavior? I doubt it. But it would certainly be a hell of lot more amusing.
I know that, I for one, would much rather have some constructive criticism than continue to do things that make people uncomfortable. In a past relationship, it took a few months for the dude to tell me that biting on his neck turned him off because he was highly ticklish there. Months. He said it made him uncomfortable to talk about, because he wasn’t sure how I’d take it. Seriously?
Why do we have such an issue talking about our needs and wants and likes and dislikes with our partners? Why is it easier to resign ourselves to unfulfilling rolls in the hay than to bring up this topic? Are we that scared of offending the person? Or are we just so prude, that even in a committed relationship, this topic is taboo? Whatever the reason, I won’t and can’t live like that. Maybe it’s just because I was sexually unsatisfied in a relationship for a long time, and choose not to say anything and I refuse to do it again?
Doesn’t really matter, because , if you can’t kiss – I don’t have the time to coach you. You could be the best at everything else; suck the chrome off a bumper, make a million dollars a year, like to do the dishes… etc. We’re ending after that first sloppy, tongue on the back of my throat, nasty lip lock.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
No Longer Paid to Be a Person
Well, this has been an interesting week. Started off with the stomach flu on Monday and Tuesday and ended the week with a nice little head/chest cold. I feel like I work in a petri dish. My entire department is passing stuff back and forth, and a ton of them have children, who just bring more crap into the mix for them to bring to work. Maybe I’ll get something next week, just to complete the cycle of three.
Annoyance of the week: People who cough/sneeze and don’t cover their mouth. It’s just downright rude. I bet they don’t wash their hands after visiting the restroom either. Dirty little shits.
So, this week at work, we had a meeting and during said meeting our manager decided to address something that came up during the week. Let me start by saying that, miscommunciations and misinterpretations abound at my job. Lots of stuff is taken out of context, so there is always drama. I mean, seriously, a ton of drama. There was less drama when I worked in the gay bar; and that had a bunch of gay men on the same PMS cycle FFS.
Anywho, the reason I bring this up is the way it was address to us, a group of adults, most of us in our 30s. It was address in the most childish, kindergarten kind of way. The amount of condescention that was being spewed forth could have drowned half of Los Angeles. It wasn’t even a lecture, or a scolding; it was like she was having to explain it to people who didn’t speak English as a first language. It even included a, “I can’t hear you,” when we all failed to respond loud enough to her, “Do you get it now,” question. I mean, really?
This seems to be a common pattern in talking with friends of mine, in various industries – all across the nation. Will the just let anyone be a people manager now? Is there literally, no training required? Furthermore, do they even check to see if the person possesses a basic level of common sense? This is a growing problem. Companies, because of the economy are seeing their people, as less of assets, and more of as replaceable parts. And certainly, they don’t need to be coddled or taken care of with a level of respect that was present five years ago (when the job tables were reversed).
Companies use logic like, “We don’t have it in the budget for raises,” or, “We can’t guarantee your hours, so when we’re slow, you’ll have to go home.” This is proposterious to me. You know the value of a tank of gas, and you certainly don’t say, “Sorry, we don’t have it in the budget pay $2.90 a gallon, we’ll have to pay $2.10,” and expect to get away with it. Why are people’s salaries so different? You know the value of an hour of work; and you further know that if you add more responsibility to a job, that the value of that hour of work goes up. Why it is socially acceptable to abuse people in a recession?
Human resource departments don’t seem to be saying anything. The people paid to make sure employees are treated fairly are more commonly now seen as only there to protect the company from potential lawsuits. They’re paid to reduce benefits and cost to the company and then smooth over the reduction (or increase in cost) to the employee. They’re no longer around to conduct training courses for managers, to make sure they have the necessary skill set to train, grow, and manage their people. Instead, they’re there to protect those managers and devalue complaints when they cross their desk.
I know, realistically, that human resource departments are paid to do the exact things that I stated above, and have been for years; I just think now, they no longer paint a smile on their face when they tell you to get the fuck out. Perhaps, that’s the problem. We’ve actively removed all sense of humanity from the workplace in the name of business.
Annoyance of the week: People who cough/sneeze and don’t cover their mouth. It’s just downright rude. I bet they don’t wash their hands after visiting the restroom either. Dirty little shits.
So, this week at work, we had a meeting and during said meeting our manager decided to address something that came up during the week. Let me start by saying that, miscommunciations and misinterpretations abound at my job. Lots of stuff is taken out of context, so there is always drama. I mean, seriously, a ton of drama. There was less drama when I worked in the gay bar; and that had a bunch of gay men on the same PMS cycle FFS.
Anywho, the reason I bring this up is the way it was address to us, a group of adults, most of us in our 30s. It was address in the most childish, kindergarten kind of way. The amount of condescention that was being spewed forth could have drowned half of Los Angeles. It wasn’t even a lecture, or a scolding; it was like she was having to explain it to people who didn’t speak English as a first language. It even included a, “I can’t hear you,” when we all failed to respond loud enough to her, “Do you get it now,” question. I mean, really?
This seems to be a common pattern in talking with friends of mine, in various industries – all across the nation. Will the just let anyone be a people manager now? Is there literally, no training required? Furthermore, do they even check to see if the person possesses a basic level of common sense? This is a growing problem. Companies, because of the economy are seeing their people, as less of assets, and more of as replaceable parts. And certainly, they don’t need to be coddled or taken care of with a level of respect that was present five years ago (when the job tables were reversed).
Companies use logic like, “We don’t have it in the budget for raises,” or, “We can’t guarantee your hours, so when we’re slow, you’ll have to go home.” This is proposterious to me. You know the value of a tank of gas, and you certainly don’t say, “Sorry, we don’t have it in the budget pay $2.90 a gallon, we’ll have to pay $2.10,” and expect to get away with it. Why are people’s salaries so different? You know the value of an hour of work; and you further know that if you add more responsibility to a job, that the value of that hour of work goes up. Why it is socially acceptable to abuse people in a recession?
Human resource departments don’t seem to be saying anything. The people paid to make sure employees are treated fairly are more commonly now seen as only there to protect the company from potential lawsuits. They’re paid to reduce benefits and cost to the company and then smooth over the reduction (or increase in cost) to the employee. They’re no longer around to conduct training courses for managers, to make sure they have the necessary skill set to train, grow, and manage their people. Instead, they’re there to protect those managers and devalue complaints when they cross their desk.
I know, realistically, that human resource departments are paid to do the exact things that I stated above, and have been for years; I just think now, they no longer paint a smile on their face when they tell you to get the fuck out. Perhaps, that’s the problem. We’ve actively removed all sense of humanity from the workplace in the name of business.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Moments of Complete Clarity
Buenos dias!
Annoyance of the Day: People who say, "I should blog more" or "I should call so-and-so more" etc.
I am one of these people. I know it, I fail at picking up the phone and calling my parents or family back home. I suck at it. I'm a horrible person. Getting the picture?
However, people who continually just use this as an excuse drive me nuts. I just acknowledge the fact that I don't always keep my levels of communication as high as I should. It's easier this way, and less disappointing for my family, I hope. I try to do better, but I don't use this as an excuse or placation. I just get so wrapped up in the day-to-day, that I forget about the week-to-week, or the month-to-month.
So, to summarize, shut the fuck up about it, or accept it, and do you best to minimize your impact on the people you love. That's the best I can offer.
I writing this a few days early, since I have some extra free time with the holiday, but when this gets posted, I should be at 72 hours without a cigarette, again. I say again, because, as anyone who knows me will attest to - this is is not my first time at this rodeo. It will, however, be the 6th time I've quit and made it to 72 hours. The remaining 100 times, I've failed at 48, or 24, or 10, or 1...
Anyhow, in writing my last post, I was thinking about all my moves back and forth across the country and recalled one of my, moments of complete clarity. I'm sure I've head this term somewhere else, but hell if I can remember who I'm plagiarizing. Whether or not I'm using the term as correctly as I should, I will explain what this phrase means to me. There are few true moments in life where one can say they were 100% aware.
Our perceptions of life are so easily clouded. Mood, and life events, skew how our puny little brains take in information. Think about two states of mind...
- You've just been cut off in traffic, pissed off at your partner, had a bad day at work, your lunch tasted like crap, you spilled coffee on yourself in the morning.
- You've just been cut off in traffic, just had a quickie, had a fantastic day at work, your lunch tasted incredible, and you got a free coffee this morning because the barista liked your shirt.
Your reaction to the exact same stimulus, being cut off in traffic, is likely going to be different. However, when you remember the incident months later, you won't have the immediate backstory of your affected mood during the day to alloy you to process the information. Point being, if we were fully rational living things, our response to any stimulus would be consistent, regardless of any other outside influence.
I think it's safe to say, we're not those kind of beings. We're emotional and irrational and our reaction to any stimulus varies on a thousand different variables.
So, what are these moments of which I'm speaking? They are simply times in life, when the haze of life and emotion part and you can see, with perfect clarity and understanding something... anything.
These moments are clearly rare, and I think I've been blessed and lucky to have two in my life. I think some people are doomed to go through life without experiencing a single one; I pity that. These two moments have greatly influenced me and changed me to the core. They're brief but meaniful.
Writing for me, helps to bring about these moments; and there are times I can see, in my mind's eye, the haze parting... but something makes it all for naught, and the haze thickens again. I know that there's something valuable, just on the other side of the fog. Sometimes you get a slight glimpse of a shape, a face, a thought... and you gain a little understanding, but - the true moments of complete clarity, are the true meaning of epiphany.
Value your life, it's far too short. Treasure these moments and when the do happen, be receptive and drink it all in. For these times, are truly priceless.
Annoyance of the Day: People who say, "I should blog more" or "I should call so-and-so more" etc.
I am one of these people. I know it, I fail at picking up the phone and calling my parents or family back home. I suck at it. I'm a horrible person. Getting the picture?
However, people who continually just use this as an excuse drive me nuts. I just acknowledge the fact that I don't always keep my levels of communication as high as I should. It's easier this way, and less disappointing for my family, I hope. I try to do better, but I don't use this as an excuse or placation. I just get so wrapped up in the day-to-day, that I forget about the week-to-week, or the month-to-month.
So, to summarize, shut the fuck up about it, or accept it, and do you best to minimize your impact on the people you love. That's the best I can offer.
I writing this a few days early, since I have some extra free time with the holiday, but when this gets posted, I should be at 72 hours without a cigarette, again. I say again, because, as anyone who knows me will attest to - this is is not my first time at this rodeo. It will, however, be the 6th time I've quit and made it to 72 hours. The remaining 100 times, I've failed at 48, or 24, or 10, or 1...
Anyhow, in writing my last post, I was thinking about all my moves back and forth across the country and recalled one of my, moments of complete clarity. I'm sure I've head this term somewhere else, but hell if I can remember who I'm plagiarizing. Whether or not I'm using the term as correctly as I should, I will explain what this phrase means to me. There are few true moments in life where one can say they were 100% aware.
Our perceptions of life are so easily clouded. Mood, and life events, skew how our puny little brains take in information. Think about two states of mind...
- You've just been cut off in traffic, pissed off at your partner, had a bad day at work, your lunch tasted like crap, you spilled coffee on yourself in the morning.
- You've just been cut off in traffic, just had a quickie, had a fantastic day at work, your lunch tasted incredible, and you got a free coffee this morning because the barista liked your shirt.
Your reaction to the exact same stimulus, being cut off in traffic, is likely going to be different. However, when you remember the incident months later, you won't have the immediate backstory of your affected mood during the day to alloy you to process the information. Point being, if we were fully rational living things, our response to any stimulus would be consistent, regardless of any other outside influence.
I think it's safe to say, we're not those kind of beings. We're emotional and irrational and our reaction to any stimulus varies on a thousand different variables.
So, what are these moments of which I'm speaking? They are simply times in life, when the haze of life and emotion part and you can see, with perfect clarity and understanding something... anything.
These moments are clearly rare, and I think I've been blessed and lucky to have two in my life. I think some people are doomed to go through life without experiencing a single one; I pity that. These two moments have greatly influenced me and changed me to the core. They're brief but meaniful.
Writing for me, helps to bring about these moments; and there are times I can see, in my mind's eye, the haze parting... but something makes it all for naught, and the haze thickens again. I know that there's something valuable, just on the other side of the fog. Sometimes you get a slight glimpse of a shape, a face, a thought... and you gain a little understanding, but - the true moments of complete clarity, are the true meaning of epiphany.
Value your life, it's far too short. Treasure these moments and when the do happen, be receptive and drink it all in. For these times, are truly priceless.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Imaginary Lines and the Quality of Life
Good morning/afternoon/evening,
Annoyance of the Day: People who post only pictures of themselves on websites that only contain places that should be covered in public.
This is typical in the gay community; I'm not so sure about you breeders. Since some gay men are still closeted, they are afraid that someone they know may be browsing a gay dating site and see their picture, so they only post pictures of their sensitive areas. Really? How and why has this become socially acceptable, for god's sake? If this is your only selling point, I'm certainly not buying. Put on some pants, and grow a pair - hopefully, this set will actually work.
So, back on topic, this came up on New Year's Eve. In mingling with people I had just met, the topic of where I grew up came up. I explained I was from Atlanta and immediately, I got the standard question, "What's it like there," which is quickly followed by, "Do you like it there?" Both questions are pretty vapid, by my standards, and any answer you give them is pretty subjective.
Maybe this comes from my experience at moving cross country now, three times, but a city, state, country, what have you - is just an imaginary box on the map. I will conceed that they may be some culture differences in the country areas, but when we're talking about major cities within the domestic United States, there isn't much distinction. Before I delve further into this topic, I want to clarify that I'd like to compare apples and apples. Please don't think I'm saying that Los Angeles, CA is the same as Eutaw, Alabama (pronounced You-Taw, like the state - yes, laugh please, I do).
So, cities are what you make them. No one can propose to have, "Done everything possible" in the city that they currently live. I've lived in Los Angeles Metro for a total of 6 years; I have yet to go to the Hollywood Bowl, Sanita Anita Racetrack, any Indian casino, visit Catalina Island, or even visit Rodeo Drive. And this is shit off the top of my head. The local news stations always pop up with great things to go do, that I have no idea are in my backyard - Japanese gardens, local plays/musicals, concerts, and just general activities to pass time.
I'm trying to establish the premise that using cultural attractions as the reasons for disliking a certain city, or area, are superficial. As an inhabitant of any area, you have the opportunity to do whatever you want - you may have to search for it, but they are there. Expecting it to come to you, will lead to disappointment.
So, to answer the question, yes, I liked it in Atlanta and it's just like it is here, just with a little more rain, and 1 snow day a year. It's a city, with people and different personalities. When I was 17, I couldn't wait to get the hell out of Atlanta. I ran, far and fast, to California. Has my life had a massive shift since moving out here? Being honest with myself, no.
When I first moved out here, I thought, I could be myself and not be stiffled. Looking back, with 20/10 vision, I wasn't stifling in Atlanta. I allowed me to stifle myself. The people there didn't do it to me; I let my perception of the society of the south do it to me. I do, rather like the weather of Southern California, and I don't think I can live away from the beach again. These will keep me near a coast, but if I had to move back to Atlanta. I'd find a way to be happy.
Just because things aren't perfectly what you want, doesn't give you a right to be miserable. They're imaginary lines on a map, drawn by history and old, dead, men. This is a short life, don't let "the city you live in" become and excuse for you to not try at life.
Annoyance of the Day: People who post only pictures of themselves on websites that only contain places that should be covered in public.
This is typical in the gay community; I'm not so sure about you breeders. Since some gay men are still closeted, they are afraid that someone they know may be browsing a gay dating site and see their picture, so they only post pictures of their sensitive areas. Really? How and why has this become socially acceptable, for god's sake? If this is your only selling point, I'm certainly not buying. Put on some pants, and grow a pair - hopefully, this set will actually work.
So, back on topic, this came up on New Year's Eve. In mingling with people I had just met, the topic of where I grew up came up. I explained I was from Atlanta and immediately, I got the standard question, "What's it like there," which is quickly followed by, "Do you like it there?" Both questions are pretty vapid, by my standards, and any answer you give them is pretty subjective.
Maybe this comes from my experience at moving cross country now, three times, but a city, state, country, what have you - is just an imaginary box on the map. I will conceed that they may be some culture differences in the country areas, but when we're talking about major cities within the domestic United States, there isn't much distinction. Before I delve further into this topic, I want to clarify that I'd like to compare apples and apples. Please don't think I'm saying that Los Angeles, CA is the same as Eutaw, Alabama (pronounced You-Taw, like the state - yes, laugh please, I do).
So, cities are what you make them. No one can propose to have, "Done everything possible" in the city that they currently live. I've lived in Los Angeles Metro for a total of 6 years; I have yet to go to the Hollywood Bowl, Sanita Anita Racetrack, any Indian casino, visit Catalina Island, or even visit Rodeo Drive. And this is shit off the top of my head. The local news stations always pop up with great things to go do, that I have no idea are in my backyard - Japanese gardens, local plays/musicals, concerts, and just general activities to pass time.
I'm trying to establish the premise that using cultural attractions as the reasons for disliking a certain city, or area, are superficial. As an inhabitant of any area, you have the opportunity to do whatever you want - you may have to search for it, but they are there. Expecting it to come to you, will lead to disappointment.
So, to answer the question, yes, I liked it in Atlanta and it's just like it is here, just with a little more rain, and 1 snow day a year. It's a city, with people and different personalities. When I was 17, I couldn't wait to get the hell out of Atlanta. I ran, far and fast, to California. Has my life had a massive shift since moving out here? Being honest with myself, no.
When I first moved out here, I thought, I could be myself and not be stiffled. Looking back, with 20/10 vision, I wasn't stifling in Atlanta. I allowed me to stifle myself. The people there didn't do it to me; I let my perception of the society of the south do it to me. I do, rather like the weather of Southern California, and I don't think I can live away from the beach again. These will keep me near a coast, but if I had to move back to Atlanta. I'd find a way to be happy.
Just because things aren't perfectly what you want, doesn't give you a right to be miserable. They're imaginary lines on a map, drawn by history and old, dead, men. This is a short life, don't let "the city you live in" become and excuse for you to not try at life.
Friday, January 1, 2010
It's a New Year, Charlie Brown
So, it's that time of the year. The time of new year's resolutions. Most of which are completely dead by March. I'm not sure why that is, but I'm sure there are a couple of psychology Ph.D. candidates who need a topic for a thesis and there you go - happy to help (I'm sure there are a million theses on this topic regardless).
I'm guilty of it too this year. I'm going to change lots of things about my life. Blogging will be one of them. I'm writing just to write; it's something I sorely miss doing. An ex of mine mentioned and old blog I had on myspace and thus the ball went rolling.
First of all, I'm writing for me and not to any particular audience, because - frankly - I'm not sure what that audience is, and if there will even be one. So, one day my writing will be inane and devoid of any meaning, much like the gay men in Los Angeles: Vapid and Shallow. The next day, I may be serious and grounded. Time will tell.
Secondly, I am gay. So please don't read too much into the above comment, nor will that consume my blog. I don't count myself as the kind of guy who wears my sexuality on my sleeve. It's who I am, but it's not all I am.
Lastly, I consider myself a strong liberal and tend to use profanity. My writing will possibly and probably contain strong liberal views. However, I try to be respectful of other opinions, about certain topics. I only say this, because some people get easily offended over political differences. These people probably have blood pressure issues, if I had to guess. Words are words, and are only given whatever meaning that we allow them to own.
Ok - so, I said this on an old blog 2 years ago, but it bears repeating.
Annoyance of the day: People who don't curb their dogs - If I can carry a plastic bag and pick up shit, you can too. Additionally, I don't know who you are, but whoever has the lawn bomb maker who lives near CSULB. If I ever see you, I will cuss your ass out. You are the reason people don't like people with dogs living near them. You are the reason we get crap (no pun intended) when walking our dogs.
On that note, to the people who give dog owners shit when they are out with their animals - why must you judge all of us by our lowest common denominator. I make it a habit now, just to carry the god-damned plastic bag in my hand, just so you won't berate me walking down the sidewalk. Fuck off.
I'm quitting smoking again and found a fanastic site to help with the motivation.
Quit Smoking Counter For those in the same boat as I.
I think I am going to call this first post, the first post and retire and watch the last of a few of the bowl games on television. O.M.G. - a gay guy who likes football... yes. And I don't watch it for the uniforms, though it's a nice little bonus.
I'm guilty of it too this year. I'm going to change lots of things about my life. Blogging will be one of them. I'm writing just to write; it's something I sorely miss doing. An ex of mine mentioned and old blog I had on myspace and thus the ball went rolling.
First of all, I'm writing for me and not to any particular audience, because - frankly - I'm not sure what that audience is, and if there will even be one. So, one day my writing will be inane and devoid of any meaning, much like the gay men in Los Angeles: Vapid and Shallow. The next day, I may be serious and grounded. Time will tell.
Secondly, I am gay. So please don't read too much into the above comment, nor will that consume my blog. I don't count myself as the kind of guy who wears my sexuality on my sleeve. It's who I am, but it's not all I am.
Lastly, I consider myself a strong liberal and tend to use profanity. My writing will possibly and probably contain strong liberal views. However, I try to be respectful of other opinions, about certain topics. I only say this, because some people get easily offended over political differences. These people probably have blood pressure issues, if I had to guess. Words are words, and are only given whatever meaning that we allow them to own.
Ok - so, I said this on an old blog 2 years ago, but it bears repeating.
Annoyance of the day: People who don't curb their dogs - If I can carry a plastic bag and pick up shit, you can too. Additionally, I don't know who you are, but whoever has the lawn bomb maker who lives near CSULB. If I ever see you, I will cuss your ass out. You are the reason people don't like people with dogs living near them. You are the reason we get crap (no pun intended) when walking our dogs.
On that note, to the people who give dog owners shit when they are out with their animals - why must you judge all of us by our lowest common denominator. I make it a habit now, just to carry the god-damned plastic bag in my hand, just so you won't berate me walking down the sidewalk. Fuck off.
I'm quitting smoking again and found a fanastic site to help with the motivation.
Quit Smoking Counter For those in the same boat as I.
I think I am going to call this first post, the first post and retire and watch the last of a few of the bowl games on television. O.M.G. - a gay guy who likes football... yes. And I don't watch it for the uniforms, though it's a nice little bonus.
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