You know, even though she's cute and all, when her face pops up on my Facebook page, to the right, saying, "Is she into you?", all I can immediately think is, "Oh, god, I hope not!" Somehow, I think that's not quite the response they're aiming for.
Which is odd, coz Facebook, a la Big Brother, usually is pretty good at "targeting" their ads. But google mail or gmail or whatever is even better. I'll be reading an e-mail from Kyle, yakking about his latest mis-step towards enlisting, and at the top of my mailbox, is a little ticker with ads and/or news stories about the Army.
Creepshow.
But, in the meantime, it turns out that putting on a sweater, or in my case my awesomely warm and colorful Keith Haring bathrobe (I should do a commercial for it!), really does mean you can go without turning the heater on/up.
But only for awhile.
I think I might be becoming a bit too fond of those 7-11 Taco & Cheese taquitos. But damn, they're good! :)
Have to give a shout out to Disney's "Carol" - very gothic (wink to Brian). Keep in mind, I'm basing it on seeing it in Digital 3-D on IMAX. I swear, time and again it seemed to be snowing between my 3-D glasses and my eyes. And, thankfully, Zemeckis has managed to fix that dead eye look from "Polar Express."
Another cool thing about it: the ghost of Christmas present looks like a cross between Jesus and Santa (of course, he's written that way), and surprisingly Disney includes the exchange between Scrooge and the Ghost wherein Christmas Present chides him for thinking mankind can do things in his name. Anyway, I highly recommend it - again, at least the 3-D IMAX version.
Best. Carol. Ever.
I have a confession to make: my very favorite "modern day" Christmas songs is Michael Bolton's "Our Love is Like a Holiday"
The latest in Excalibur's parking spot: tonight, in the same area on Hyde, but a large space, the guy still had to have his buddy get out and "direct" him into it. It was comical; he had at least 4-6 feet behind him.
Later, across the street, a Smart car got into a space that only a Smart car could have gotten into. I couldn't have even gotten my Mini in it! But my thing about Smart cars is they are TOO small. I see them on the freeway and I immediately think of some dark animated cartoon wherein the Smart car is coming to a stop but accidentally bumps slightly the car in front causing the Smart car to burst into flames.
So the latest episode of "Dexter" (and latest, for me, is Season 3, Disc 2, Episode 8) had a very touching and yet distressing storyline wherein a dear friend of Dexter's--a sweet old lady, natch--asks him to put her out of her end stage lung cancer misery. And of course Dexter's all torn up coz it doesn't fit his "code."
I can imagine very few more horrible positions in which to be put. I can't even begin to fathom how I would cope with such a request. There was an exchange that implied it would be easier to do for someone you really love, that if they were in horrible pain, and all knew it was only a matter of time, that you could more "easily" do it because of that love.
Personally, I don't see it. If, for example, Kyle were begging me to "help" end his life, I can only imagine I would be so devastated at the prospect of him dying that there is no way I could contribute to it without having some kind of breakdown afterwards.
Curious to hear what others think about this. Could you "help" someone in this way? What would it take? Would it be easier or harder to do it for someone you REALLY loved?
Discuss.
Showing posts with label Hyde. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hyde. Show all posts
9/11/09
Medical Marijuana, Maher Mayhem, & More!
So as of the day I'm writing this, September 11th, I am "legal" to buy medical marijuana. I celebrated by finishing off the last of my "illegal" dope. But as I was leaning out the window, overlooking Hyde, and blowing smoke out, an older man across the street, middle-Eastern (irony alert!), stopped from walking up Hyde towards Sutter to look across the street where it seemed he looked right at my window/me.
So I just stood there, looking around, and of course assuming he's a terrorist because Rush says he fits the profile, and blah blah blah, before he slowly starts to walk off, but he keeps pausing to look across the street, and of course I could just be paranoid, but it did seem like he was looking at me/my window.
But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. :)
He turned east up Sutter, and went (skulked!) around the building on that corner, but I waited to see if he would pop back around to try and "catch" me or whomever he was gawking at. I decided, if he did that, I'd have to call the FBI on him.
But seriously, what's sad is, if I were someone like, say, Peter Krause in Civic Duty, I could probably make a big deal out of it. Which is just gross. Awful movie, BTW--and not just because of the stereotyping; I was actually embarrassed for Peter Krause. Anyway, as the movie does show very well, tho, this country is still very, very ill--despite Obama's optimistic speech.
Like with medical marijuana. I know for a fact that it helps me with my glaucoma--as well as the band that's still around my eye. And, also, lately, it has helped me from sliding into too deep of a depression worrying about Kyle.
But somehow, it's preferable to "medicate" those symptons with either chemicals in my eyes on a daily basis, and then Xanax or Paxil or Zoloft, blah blah blah--rather than something that grows naturally. I mean, I don't get it.
And, luckily, for all of its other problems, I'm fortunate enough to live in a state that allows for it. It's ludicrous that the Republicans can't get behind this coz then they can help control how it's taxed. And of course it'd bring in a buttload of money, and seriously curtail violence here and in Mexico over the trade. I mean, honestly, what century are we living in?
Why are we letting, why did we ever let, a slack-jawed, dimwitted, electorate outmanuever "us?" (i.e., the 70% of the country that's NOT crazy--although I think Bill Maher might be generous using that percentage figure; see link at end).
Yeah, Obama won, and maybe he'll get something done on health care, but where's the big symbolic gesture that could be made, that would cost nothing but a "stamp of approval" from him or an executive order? I'm not even suggesting it had to be in support of legalizing marijuana or gay marriage; I'm just saying that moments like this in history don't come around that often.
And the moment never proves to be more important than the follow-through. I mean, how could it? If he wanted to embrace the idea that he came in facing as great a challenge as FDR, then he should have been better prepared to move like FDR did when he took office--to immediately put the Republicans on the defensive reacting to policy change announcements, drafts of legislation, executive orders, bully puplit speaking, etc.
And I'm only angry because of how badly--how very badly--Bush responded/took all the universal goodwill felt toward the United States after 9/11 and not only squandered it, but beat it to a pulp and fed it to jackals and crows. Word.
Freaky coincidence. The day after I wrote the above, a friend forwarded me the following video--Maher said it almost as well as I did! :) Click here.
So I just stood there, looking around, and of course assuming he's a terrorist because Rush says he fits the profile, and blah blah blah, before he slowly starts to walk off, but he keeps pausing to look across the street, and of course I could just be paranoid, but it did seem like he was looking at me/my window.
But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. :)
He turned east up Sutter, and went (skulked!) around the building on that corner, but I waited to see if he would pop back around to try and "catch" me or whomever he was gawking at. I decided, if he did that, I'd have to call the FBI on him.
But seriously, what's sad is, if I were someone like, say, Peter Krause in Civic Duty, I could probably make a big deal out of it. Which is just gross. Awful movie, BTW--and not just because of the stereotyping; I was actually embarrassed for Peter Krause. Anyway, as the movie does show very well, tho, this country is still very, very ill--despite Obama's optimistic speech.
Like with medical marijuana. I know for a fact that it helps me with my glaucoma--as well as the band that's still around my eye. And, also, lately, it has helped me from sliding into too deep of a depression worrying about Kyle.
But somehow, it's preferable to "medicate" those symptons with either chemicals in my eyes on a daily basis, and then Xanax or Paxil or Zoloft, blah blah blah--rather than something that grows naturally. I mean, I don't get it.
And, luckily, for all of its other problems, I'm fortunate enough to live in a state that allows for it. It's ludicrous that the Republicans can't get behind this coz then they can help control how it's taxed. And of course it'd bring in a buttload of money, and seriously curtail violence here and in Mexico over the trade. I mean, honestly, what century are we living in?
Why are we letting, why did we ever let, a slack-jawed, dimwitted, electorate outmanuever "us?" (i.e., the 70% of the country that's NOT crazy--although I think Bill Maher might be generous using that percentage figure; see link at end).
Yeah, Obama won, and maybe he'll get something done on health care, but where's the big symbolic gesture that could be made, that would cost nothing but a "stamp of approval" from him or an executive order? I'm not even suggesting it had to be in support of legalizing marijuana or gay marriage; I'm just saying that moments like this in history don't come around that often.
And the moment never proves to be more important than the follow-through. I mean, how could it? If he wanted to embrace the idea that he came in facing as great a challenge as FDR, then he should have been better prepared to move like FDR did when he took office--to immediately put the Republicans on the defensive reacting to policy change announcements, drafts of legislation, executive orders, bully puplit speaking, etc.
And I'm only angry because of how badly--how very badly--Bush responded/took all the universal goodwill felt toward the United States after 9/11 and not only squandered it, but beat it to a pulp and fed it to jackals and crows. Word.
Freaky coincidence. The day after I wrote the above, a friend forwarded me the following video--Maher said it almost as well as I did! :) Click here.
9/10/09
The Return of Excalibur's Parking Spot
Freak show! Exactly one week later, almost the exact same space is open around 8:30 in the evening, on Hyde, right outside my dining room window.
First, this land cruiser kind of thing pulled paralell with it, and deja vu, he was almost exactly the same size as the space--possibly a bit bigger; but it turns out he was just dropping someone off. BUT, rather than being a Highlight's Magazine "Gallant," he was an evil "Goofus," who didn't realize the car sitting behind him wanted the space, and finally, falsely (unfortunately), assumed the land cruiser guy was going to try and cram his thing in there (huh huh huh), so takes off.
And then, right then, the guy drives off. By this point the woman he dropped off could be 4 blocks away. Loser. It's just amazing to me how clueless people are "these days" about anything outside of their own little bubble/world. But it does make life easier for judgmental people like me! So, um, thanks?
So anyway, almost immediately, a smaller, almost perfect-sized-for-the-spot car shows up. And, surprise, surprise, just like last week, ANY decent parallel parking skills are in complete absence--and again it's a stick shift that's involved.
What's different is, this driver mucks it up by being overly cautious. There's no bashing back and forth like last week--it's more wildly ill-timed wheel-cutting that was obviously brought on, at least in part, by an apparent concern for the other cars! I figure, with the crappy driving, and this unheard of concern for something that doesn't belong to you, it's got to be an alien that's "driving" the car.
But, instead, it was a woman. So now we've observed the difference in how men and women try to "finesse" their way in to a parking space. The winner? Me for having this free entertainment slash sociological experiment right outside my windows! :)
And for those of you who didn't get the "Goofus & Gallant" reference (which would mean you never went to the dentist as a child), and for those who just miss the rascals, here's a couple of classics:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theblog/archive/GoofusGallant_Oct1980.jpg
First, this land cruiser kind of thing pulled paralell with it, and deja vu, he was almost exactly the same size as the space--possibly a bit bigger; but it turns out he was just dropping someone off. BUT, rather than being a Highlight's Magazine "Gallant," he was an evil "Goofus," who didn't realize the car sitting behind him wanted the space, and finally, falsely (unfortunately), assumed the land cruiser guy was going to try and cram his thing in there (huh huh huh), so takes off.
And then, right then, the guy drives off. By this point the woman he dropped off could be 4 blocks away. Loser. It's just amazing to me how clueless people are "these days" about anything outside of their own little bubble/world. But it does make life easier for judgmental people like me! So, um, thanks?
So anyway, almost immediately, a smaller, almost perfect-sized-for-the-spot car shows up. And, surprise, surprise, just like last week, ANY decent parallel parking skills are in complete absence--and again it's a stick shift that's involved.
What's different is, this driver mucks it up by being overly cautious. There's no bashing back and forth like last week--it's more wildly ill-timed wheel-cutting that was obviously brought on, at least in part, by an apparent concern for the other cars! I figure, with the crappy driving, and this unheard of concern for something that doesn't belong to you, it's got to be an alien that's "driving" the car.
But, instead, it was a woman. So now we've observed the difference in how men and women try to "finesse" their way in to a parking space. The winner? Me for having this free entertainment slash sociological experiment right outside my windows! :)
And for those of you who didn't get the "Goofus & Gallant" reference (which would mean you never went to the dentist as a child), and for those who just miss the rascals, here's a couple of classics:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theblog/archive/GoofusGallant_Oct1980.jpg
9/3/09
Excalibur's Parking Spot
So tonight there's this small parking spot on Hyde, right out the dining room window where I sit with my laptop. I happened to glance out and saw a van trying to get in it and I scoffed just before they gave up and took off.
It stayed empty for awhile until a jeepish kind of car/thing tried very hard to get in it. Of course, from my vantage point, I could tell they were just this much too big--and I don't mean much. And, in the end, if they had spent another 20-30 minutes, they might have gotten in there, but by gawd they gave it the old college try. I've never seen a Jeep crab like that!
But the sad thing is, if they had finally made it in there, the pickup truck in front of them would have never been able to get out if they tried to leave first--as they were bumper to bumper with the car in front of them. But do you think those guys would have cared if they'd been able to get in? I'm guessing not.
Anyway, after a while, the two jeep boys gave up (and it took them awhile to get back out!), and another car, smaller finally, made the effort. It was a fairly tight fit, but anyone with any decent parallel parking skills (c'est moi!) woudn't have a problem.
This dude had a problem.
A serious problem.
His buddy got out to "help" direct him, but all he basically ended up doing was comically clapping his hands to his head and shrieking when his buddy backed--repeatedly--into the van parked behind. Then, at the end, and for good measure I suppose, he rammed the bumper of the pick up in front of him. Moral of the story: Drive a MINI.
It stayed empty for awhile until a jeepish kind of car/thing tried very hard to get in it. Of course, from my vantage point, I could tell they were just this much too big--and I don't mean much. And, in the end, if they had spent another 20-30 minutes, they might have gotten in there, but by gawd they gave it the old college try. I've never seen a Jeep crab like that!
But the sad thing is, if they had finally made it in there, the pickup truck in front of them would have never been able to get out if they tried to leave first--as they were bumper to bumper with the car in front of them. But do you think those guys would have cared if they'd been able to get in? I'm guessing not.
Anyway, after a while, the two jeep boys gave up (and it took them awhile to get back out!), and another car, smaller finally, made the effort. It was a fairly tight fit, but anyone with any decent parallel parking skills (c'est moi!) woudn't have a problem.
This dude had a problem.
A serious problem.
His buddy got out to "help" direct him, but all he basically ended up doing was comically clapping his hands to his head and shrieking when his buddy backed--repeatedly--into the van parked behind. Then, at the end, and for good measure I suppose, he rammed the bumper of the pick up in front of him. Moral of the story: Drive a MINI.
8/16/09
Streetwalkers
So one of the things I like about my apartment is that I am almost at street level. The almost is critical coz, rather than being eye to eye and them able to see in to my apartment, I am right over their heads--and I've got big windows that actually open, so I can kind of sit/lean out and see/spy on (if it's possible to "spy" on someone in public) the most amazing collection of people.
I think this is one of the coolest things about living in San Francisco--although there are definitely other cities that have this aspect as well--the sheer diversity of people you see/meet. I just looked out on to Hyde for about 5 minutes and saw seniors, individuals, couples, threesomes, every age spectrum except the very young, at least a half dozen different races/ethnicities, etc.
But what's even more interesting to me, is the people who stand out, for whatever reason, to you. For example, although there were many more flamboyant and/or loud and/or otherwise noticeable folks, the two that stood out to me the most were:
A grey-haired older man, probably in his late sixties, in a gray sweater and gray slacks and walking a gray terrier and/or miniature schnauzer. I think, obviously, the gray combo made him noticeable, coz he was otherwise very nondescript, just kind of trudging along with his dog. But I became curious as to what his life was like and started almost immediately down a macabre, unpleasant path that I kinda just forced myself to stop considering. Again,I blame it on the gray. The movie of his life, whatever it is, would definitely be filmed solely in shades of gray.
The other group I noticed most was a threesome--two guys and a girl. They looked very "European," all attractive, one of the guys was wearing shorts (! - had to be in the 50s by this point, but maybe I'm just a wuss). Anyway, interestingly, to me, they spoke both English and some unintelligible language that sounded possibly Scandinavian. Yeah, it was like a Mentos commercial. Check out these two; the first one is a spoof using footage from a JCVD movie or Chuck Norris show or something:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_IAb_XmVa8
and this one starts off kinda slow, but is totally bizarrely funny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCQ-fsfKgxQ
So anyway, I'd be curious to hear from others when you next people watch who stands out to you, and why. And for anyone who wants to make up a story using for main characters either of the two that stood out for me, based on the brief description I gave above, I'll give them a cool prize (well, I think anyone that reads my blog would think it's cool--but be warned: it is rather subversive--and Brian, you know you're already on enough lists!)
I think this is one of the coolest things about living in San Francisco--although there are definitely other cities that have this aspect as well--the sheer diversity of people you see/meet. I just looked out on to Hyde for about 5 minutes and saw seniors, individuals, couples, threesomes, every age spectrum except the very young, at least a half dozen different races/ethnicities, etc.
But what's even more interesting to me, is the people who stand out, for whatever reason, to you. For example, although there were many more flamboyant and/or loud and/or otherwise noticeable folks, the two that stood out to me the most were:
A grey-haired older man, probably in his late sixties, in a gray sweater and gray slacks and walking a gray terrier and/or miniature schnauzer. I think, obviously, the gray combo made him noticeable, coz he was otherwise very nondescript, just kind of trudging along with his dog. But I became curious as to what his life was like and started almost immediately down a macabre, unpleasant path that I kinda just forced myself to stop considering. Again,I blame it on the gray. The movie of his life, whatever it is, would definitely be filmed solely in shades of gray.
The other group I noticed most was a threesome--two guys and a girl. They looked very "European," all attractive, one of the guys was wearing shorts (! - had to be in the 50s by this point, but maybe I'm just a wuss). Anyway, interestingly, to me, they spoke both English and some unintelligible language that sounded possibly Scandinavian. Yeah, it was like a Mentos commercial. Check out these two; the first one is a spoof using footage from a JCVD movie or Chuck Norris show or something:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_IAb_XmVa8
and this one starts off kinda slow, but is totally bizarrely funny:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCQ-fsfKgxQ
So anyway, I'd be curious to hear from others when you next people watch who stands out to you, and why. And for anyone who wants to make up a story using for main characters either of the two that stood out for me, based on the brief description I gave above, I'll give them a cool prize (well, I think anyone that reads my blog would think it's cool--but be warned: it is rather subversive--and Brian, you know you're already on enough lists!)
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