How Do I Get Offended, Let Me Count The Ways

Why do I get so offended when people say, "Beatles or Stones?" - Why?? Because, believe me, I get really offended. To me, it's not quite the fact that it's not even that close, it's that it's a ludicrous comparison in the first place. The Beatles stand alone as a group. Just like Elvis does as a solo artist.

And though I'm not like a Beatles freak or anything, I find this to be one of my "dealbreakers" because it's so appalling an idea. I mean, not to demean U2 or anything, but I think a more appropos comparison would be "Stones or U2?" - and, frankly, I think the answer is U2.

I'm not even a Stones hater. I like some of their stuff. But in terms of quality and impact, I think they're also still below The Smiths, Nirvana and probably some more--possibly even Pearl Jam, tho I'm not a big fan of them, either.

Why do I get so offended when confronted with stupidity? I mean, I don't know if there's more stupidity, or is it--like crime--so over-reported and/or witnessed that its true quantity is inflated in the public/my mind.

But, seriously, I think that listening to those stupid teabaggers at a protest (captured on film by an "undercover" prankster) scarred me for life. And I was just SO. VERY. OFFENDED that I have to entrust these people with the vote. It's disgusting.

And I'm talking more about the willfully, rather than the "innocently" stupid--if you aren't educated, well, then it only stands to reason you are going to be less open to new ideas, facts, etc., because you've had no lengthy experience with such things. But I know many folks with not a whole lot of "education" that are still plenty smart.

But the willfully ignorant ones--the ones who still blather and parrot crap told them by talk radio, even when contradicted by facts (e.g., "You lie!"), those are the ones I want to see shipped to Alabama or Mississippi or some other welfare state that consistently votes against government support but takes in WAY more federal support than they provide in return, and just let them be their own, yes, stupid, country and leave us to a socialist "hellhole" of universal health care, world class mass transit, zero waste policies, and a quality education povided through college in exchange for 3 years service to your country in the military, Peace Corps, or Americorps. I'll take that trade.

Why do I get so offended over timidity on the highway? Kyle is always hectoring me for being so "aggressive" on the road and for getting SO. VERY. OFFENDED by timid drivers. You know, coming to a virtual stop to get around the corner, sitting there like a dumb animal and/or on the cell/texting when the light turns green,etc. It's like they just don't deserve to drive. But, again, really, it's more the willful ignorance that is most annoying.

I mean, how can so many people complain, like me, about how people don't know how to use the left lane on the highway, and yet there still be so many people who don't know how to use the left lane on the highway? And, again, why do I get so offended by the arrogant, clueless, selfish assholes who cruise along at the same effing speed as the car on their right, or won't bother to temporarily merge back to the right so you can pass because, eventually, they will pass the car far off in the distance on the right.

And yet, in the end, rather than really honestly beating myself up for getting so "easily" offended, I rationalize that my rage is healthy, as it is based on legitimate things to be offended about--and that, in the end, it's the rest of society who should be asking, "Why am I NOT so offended?"

Well, Why aren't you?

Sent via Blackberry

So I finally broke down and joined the "so 10 minutes ago" cool club by getting a Blackberry. Of course, it's still through CREDO, so I get to maintain my hippie cred. :)


My first impression: WTF? Why does someone need this much shit on their phone? I mean, I just don't have time to do even a TENTH of what this thing can do. And I don't want to make the time. I guess my generation gap is showing.


What's interesting, though, is that we're living in one of those few moments in history where you can actually almost feel/see the change, its happening so fast. I mean, if you took a Blackberry back to just 1989 - 20 years ago - most people would have been goggle-eyed at what all it can do.


Or maybe it's just me. I mean, I seriously am still blown away by TV (and even, to a lesser, extent, radio). I just don't grasp how IMAGES can be transmitted through THIN AIR. I mean, I've had it explained to me, "scientifically," a thousand times (or was it a thousand acres?), but it still blows me away. The phone itself is a trip--cell or landline. That you can hear someone's voice, instantaneously, through an effing WIRE, let alone the AIR?? I mean, seriously, as they say in "Shakespeare in Love," It's a mystery!


I remember coming back from Peace Corps, in 1999, right near the height of the dot-com boom and it seemed like, overnight (i.e., the 2 years I was away), everyone had gotten a cell phone! Of course, they were HUGE by comparison to today's.


I wish I could remember what show, it was something like Magnum P.I., where the hero had this HUGE effing cell phone. It was a trip. It looked more like one of those mondo-sized military walkie-talkies. Ah, back in the old days.


Anyway, the (first?) downside I've found to the Blackberry is how long the battery takes to charge and how long (as in not) it holds the charge.


But at least I'm cool for 10 minutes ago.