The Gap

There has recently been a lot of lamenting about the economy and for good reason. The list of obvious ills is well known, but what the heck:

1. Unemployment is up
2. Savings rates are in the negatives
3. Foreclosures at record rates
4. US deficits are sky-high

These are only symptoms of larger problems in our society and government; problems that we can all see and sense and agree on. I have to borrow an idea from my favorite MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. She has previously noted that there are certain issues that are so inflammatory that both ends of the political spectrum take sharp turns and run into each other.

I mention this because the tea parties have a lot of things right. Where we depart company is the focal point of their righteous anger is the government where I would say it’s the corporations. Our government has been corrupted by capitalism.

Our economy at this point and for the years I've been around has been designed so we serve it. We have been sold a bill of goods that equates company and Wall Street profits to economic success. This is the continuation of trickle-down theory which refuses to die even after being proven wrong. Trickle-down is the cousin of disaster capitalism for which the cannibalism phase is a natural outgrowth.

This has become all too real to me recently over the last 6 months as people close to me have lost their jobs. This has ranged from recent college grads to my mom who has been working forever. These people have or will be without health insurance as long as they are without jobs. It is getting easier and easier to fall through the gaps in our society as the social safety nets have been completely shredded. I believe it is time for us to reassess our social contracts and constructs, to refocus our energies on supporting and advancing individuals over corporations. To continue to have these gaps is irresponsible, embarrassing and just plain stupid. It’s time to fill in the gaps.

I and Love and You

I've re-entered the dating scene after what has been a long hiatus; actually I am not even sure that I can consider what I used to do as dating. So far I have met and gone out with two women. The first one was one and done; the story of the second is still being written.

The first thing I've realized in this newfound dating life is that my lifestyle is not conducive to meeting eligible women:

1. I have weird hours
2. I'm about 60 in my head
3. I'm quite timid on first contact

The weird hours are an obvious detriment. I end up being a complete bore as I wake at 5am and am unable to effectively communicate after 9:12pm. I'm home at 4:30 most days at which point I never feel like dragging myself to a happy hour and such. Half the time I feel like strangling someone who cut me off or people who park like assholes on my block.

I'm obviously still a spry 28 year old but which 28 year old uses "spry" to refer to themselves. I'm pretty steady and reliable and I tend to carry myself that way. My first choice of a car was a sensible hybrid, I only considered spinners after I saw my cousin's fisher price first Escalade. I like a good drink in moderation - I'm getting bored describing how boring I am.

I've always joked that I would take Martha Stewart over Alicia Keys, but, I am beginning to think I may like older women; someone more my speed. I would come home after a long day and I would call Martha over for a glass of red wine. We'd have some small talk about politics, food and the undue corporate influence in our society and both of us would be tuckered out at 9 or so.

The last and certainly not the least of my problems is that I am shy on first contact. I also can't understand rejection or being rejected. I am sure that I am better than 98% of the bozos out their yet I have experienced rejection. What is worse is the type of rejection I've been party to.

I feel like I have been dealt the weirdo card a couple times. Kinda like the pimple you find on your nose and ignore with the hope it just realizes it isn’t welcomed. It would have been easier on me if I got a call that went something like this: "I realize that you're a great guy and you would be wonderful for me, but I'm whack. I don't want you to waste anymore of your valuable time on a lost cause like me. Goodbye." It doesn't have to be word for word but you get the idea.

I've been given lots of advice along the way. The best has been to regain my confidence. To do that I must come to the realization that I am the most interesting man in the world. I started off that quest by finding interesting things about myself, everything, and then breaking some of my tendencies. I started with a trip to a semi local bar and am trying to actively engage people I meet at the green market. I am sure that this is like anything else, it takes work. Eventually I will reach the point where I find someone I can say those words to "I and Love and You."

Txting iz cool

My G1 introduced me to texting and I have been hooked ever since. I am now a crazy texting monkey. I've been a victim of mistaken identity quite a lot lately and gotten crazy texts as a results, enjoy.

I am not sure who this is, but, this person decided to share the following words of wisdom.

Random Text: Batman Must sound incredibly gay in Fance. Think how he must sound with a french accent, Je suis Batman! (I am Batman!)

Yet another random texting jewel.

Random Texter: Hello =)

(It's rare for someone to start a text to me with a smiley face)

Me: Hi. Sorry, I don't recognize the number...

(I tend not to remember things.)

Random Texter: Lol cuz u don't have it..lol it's anthony

- Re: Hi. Sorry, I don't recognize the number...

(What is up with all the lols? Also, the only Anthony I know, I hate. Give me my damn basketball back!)

Me: Anthony? I am at a loss here

(Really, I want my damn basketball back!)

Random Texter: Lol from brooklyn ur boo on the low ur 5th grade boyfriend

- Re: Anthony? I am at a loss here

(My boo you say? There is the damn "lol" again. Boyfriend, boyfriend? Having a boyfriend at some point in my life would likely be something I would remember)

Me: Yeah. You have the wrong number

Random Texter: Oppz sry lol

- Re: Yeah. You have the wrong number

(Really dude. "Oppz sry lol" I know I can't spell or construct full sentences, but that is ridiculous. "lol," really, "lol?")

Rhode Island Adventurer

Spent some time with Larry, my Brother, his wife and my niece this weekend. We all took a last minute trip to Rhode Island to frolic on seaweed filled beaches and trying not to fall off cliffs. I would love to write all about the adventures but I am too lazy right now.

Jesus Fish...

I'll take a photo of you taking a photo of J taking a photo of you...

Hugs!

I love this one cause she looks smoked up

mmmmm young wine

Waxing Poetic

Visited Baltimore this past weekend. I visited the Great Black in Wax Museum while I was there and was inspired to write this poem. I didn't know what to expect when I went to the Museum but figured it was some soft-shoe around history that focused on "accomplishments." All I knew before going there was that they had Obama in wax so I prepared myself for the worst. It's still very rough, but, it's probably best kept this way.

Ripped from lives, land and loved ones

Betrayed by own, handed to the man

Shackled minds and bodies

Tortured, raped and dismembered

Remembered languages, religions and customs

Left on distant shores

For the land of the FREE, LIBERTY, JUSTICE

Broken minds, spirits and backs

From sun up to sun down and again

Land of opportunity only cause others lack

Wealth of nations owed to every crack of 9 tails

Picket fences, backyards and 2.5 kids

Built on hundreds of years of hopes and tears

Jim Crowed and left back

Force fed and then crack

Hits the streets with Strawberries, 9s

Now cops on the beat

With firearms aimed and night sticks

Swinging free

Like the strange fruit hanging, limbs loose

Create our own middle passage

Packed in Ghettoes and slums

Gunned down by fellow brothers

For whips, ice and pride

Past lost in the hustle

Ripped from Lands, Lovers

Betrayed by fellow brothers

Land of the FREE, LIBERTY, JUSTICE

Built at the tip of 9 tails

Where do your Health Care Premiums go?

CEO compensation compiled by the AMA in an article about the hard times hitting health care CEOs.

http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/images/gbisc0601a.pdf

The Health Care Debate Part 1

America needs Universal, Single-payer, and “Socialized" health system. That was likely the most anticlimactic statement; I'm a big lefty and everyone knows that. Before I go on I must note that no plan being currently considered meets these criteria. There are many reasons to switch to the system I want; at the same time I realize some have concerns.
I will not every pay any attention to the unrealistic/outrageous questions that some ask.

The Other side:
1. How much is this expansion going to cost us?
The short answer is less. The long answer is that we don't know. The fact is that we already have the highest healthcare costs and the poorest outcomes in the "developed" world. Countries with Universal systems use their bargaining power to rein in costs. For instance the very same drugs cost less in Canada; savings range from 20 -45%.

2. What about long waits? I've heard they ration in Canada and those other socialist Lands.
Health insurance already rations. We judge people's worth to society based on their pocketbook. Fat cats get the best treatment. Health insurance workers decide whether people should have based on their bottom line, they even have metrics that are judged by Wall Street money in/payments for procedures.

3. Those damned illegals will use it!
"Illegals" already use the emergency rooms and that comes directly from you and I. The point is to formally account for these costs. Its best to treat people before a minor thing escalates into something more dangerous. Treating all with respect and the best care is the compassionate thing to do.

4. The government can't run anything!
We come together as a society because the whole is greater than the sum of our parts. The government is not a mythical giant living on Capitol Hill, we are the government. Our family members serve in the armed services, post offices and fire houses. All of these are government agencies that play vital roles in our everyday lives and do so admirably.

5. I'm happy with my Doctor can I still see her/him?
Hopefully. Many doctors over the years have shifted between and off the various Health Insurance plan. This is a free country, just as you want a choice of plans; Doctors want the freedom to move between networks.

Health care is a right, without it, life is not possible, liberty and happiness cannot be pursued. Right now we are carelessly discussing and calculating the worth of those without health insurance. People are standing up and shouting that fellow Americans are not good enough. I believe our obligation to protect Americans should go beyond military might; the health of everyone on our soil is just as significant.

A New(ish) Car!!!

Donnie Darco

A Respose to Knicks Punk'd You...

I believe the trade was an honest mistake made by Donnie Walsh. He isn't trying to form the future of the Knicks, a run and gun team, fact is reaching into their past. What he wants to do is recreate the old 90s teams. He admired the toughness and the blue collar type attitude of the Oakman. In awe of the bruising style of AnthonyMason. and the inability of Charles Smith to make just 1 basket.

It seems that Walsh got to watching old tapes of the Knickerbockers sharpening their elbows on the likes of the Pacers and Bulls. See, he meant to get Miletich and not Milicic.

Miletich, who came up with the fighting system, seemed like exactly what the the team needed to fill the middle. He would be the intimidating force the Knicks would build a defensive force around. It was an honest mistake that neither Darko nor Walsh should be blamed for.

Happy Birthday J$

Much love and respect to you.

Mugging (Dont Get Caught up)

Jeans pressed to impress
Tie on so I can be fly
Ensemble tight to make the right
impression
The hair is lined just sharp can be
Perhaps this time will be different

I get noticed as soon as I walk in
"Ooo someone is Fancy"
"I knew it was a special day"
They part so we are close
Small talk prevails
Drinks and Dance come next

Get close not sure what to expect
despite best efforts still nil
its chill but no love returned
now night over, feeling bummed
shunned and stunned and done

Beat down and robbed of my dignity
Pity but today was no different
and neither will the next
There is always hope
A recipe for getting caught up

Pirate!

I clearly do not have enough going on in my life, between packing for my move, hunting for a used car, working 10+ hour days, and becoming Senior Software energy through attrition. Newly inspired by USA network's replay of the pirate movies I set forth on a mission of great importance: find new pirate references on the Internet. Early on in my search I found a pirate name generator. The site requires that you answer a few questions, to gauge you pirate personality. It churns these through some complex algorithms, and then supplies you with a name.

I am proud to introduce you to : Black Marty Rackham. This got my wheels a turning, in fact I became very disappointed in myself. Somehow I had overlooked the fact that I was never graced with a pirate name, I had also failed to give one to my peoples.

Time to rectify...

LBO : Lord IronLeg la Bouff
Y-O : Captain Redbeard the Feared
AK : Alvilda Gunpowder the Konquerer
X : Barbarossa der Tantzer
DJ : Sir Diabolito Skillz
RK: Mad Abednego the Fierce
Jron: Sir Ronald of Morgan

Arrr! tis a fearsome crew.

The Scale

There is a much disputed scale that I have started using due to influence from my Aussie boss. This scale attempts to put into perspective how hot some celebrities are. I am of course referring to the finger scale.

The application of this scale is just as simple as its founding principles. Step one :choose a superfine woman to idolize. Step two: decide how many fingers you'd give up to get with her. Let's take a real world example. I'm a big Jessica Alba fan from the Dark Angel days and I would happily give 8 for her back then, unfortunately she has become skin and bones recently, she now rates a three.

Shakira! Shakira!

I'm chilling in the barbershop today watching some Latin channel, busy figuring out if I could get inspiration from a Spanish pop star. Some Spanish some came on with Akon singing in English. I waited to see if Akon would bench press anyone, or spit, or kick them in the head. Nothing of the sort happened.

Right after the Akon song, as far as I remember at least, a Shakira song came on. I frankly don't recall the name of the song but it did remind me of how big a fan I am. Shakira was of course doing the pseudo belly dance. This is the long way of saying that I'd give both hands up to my elbows for 2 minutes. She's what The Streets meant by "you're fit but you know it."

The Cousin of Death

I feel lighter than air
I become unaware
of the world around
a tingle at the toes
feet cannot be found
a shallow breath
now I cannot feel my chest
sensations of being and knowing gone
slowly the veil of darkness washes over m
my last thoughts filled with fear
fear of what I might find there
I have no control as I sink deep
into that thing called sleep

******************

At various points it seems that I've had trouble accepting the natural act of falling asleep. I tend to click on and off like a light switch, non CFL of course. Slowly drifting away is so foriegn to me that the loss of control freaks me out everytime. I was having such an event and found the above piece was the result of breaking out of the drift. If any of this doesn't make sense, its because I should have been asleep 2 hours ago.

Lonely Ranger

Last week was my 10 year High School reunion. I had no desire to go to this function, but had run out of excuses not to attend. My trepidation about going was unfortunately confirmed by my attendance. I try not to regret things, but I can certainly say that I didn't get much out of the reunion.

I can't quite pinpoint what is wrong with me. I tend to think of myself as a friendly person. I am good at engaging people in one on one conversations; I love telling elaborate stories about the most mundane of things. I would say it is anxiety linked to meeting new people but that couldn't have come into play for the reunion.

What does this all mean? I am an anti-social loon with no good reason for the things I do. The Big City kid who hates big groups?

The Ranger rides again...

Hybrid Theory

I need a car.

Moving from Jersey back to Brooklyn and away from my job means I lose some of the things I have become comfortable with. Gone are the days of being picked up by my boss. Sleeping in the car is no longer an option. Public transport is not a viable option; it wasn't even serviceable the first time around.

So far I've test driven a used Prius and have interest in the civic hybrid. The Prius was tricked out with navigation and bluetooth sync. In the end I wasn't thrilled with the look or the price of the Prius.

The Civic hybrid is based on the well known Civic body style so it doesn't look half bad. Unlike the Prius, the Civic is a mild Hybrid which is less efficient. Full Hybrids operate on the electric motor under 25 mph while mild ones rarely cut off the gas engine. The advantage to this is that the full hybrid saves tons of gas in city driving.

I am still considering conventional gas engine cars like the Toyota Yaris. I have about 2 weeks to make a decison and a purchase. This theory needs to become a reality...

Brooklyn, What?

It looks like I am making the move back to Brooklyn after deserting my one and only. Its personally difficult for me to note, but I am actually gonna miss Jersey. There will be no odes to Jersey posted here, just noting it wasn't the 7th circle of Hell, a high compliment for anything "Jersey."

All the obvious pluses to returning to Brooklyn should be clear. Lbo and I get to be roommates for the first time. Psych can be watched in the way God intended it to be. Perhaps there will even be a return of the balling duo; if L and I ever stop acting like old farts with knee and shoulder injuries.

Brooklyn my habitat, the place where it happens at.

The Enemy of Perfect

words never spoken can not be heard
the unspeakable should be given voice
wait too long and words fall on deaf ears

the greater good may be now

reality betrays us all
putting a fine point on our shortcomings
the truth lifting the mask
exclaiming that it alone holds all the answers
thwarting best made plans
and well laid out thoughts
in due time we settle
succumb the good

Why I hate Lebron James

Why don't you?

I've always had a healthy unreasonable hate for the star forward of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the last year this has blossomed beyond flirting with disdain to a richer hate for most things he does: commercials are less funny, basketball games less interesting, and life worse for humanity in general. Some may dismiss my views as "unsubstantiated" or mere hyperbole, but I assure you that I cannot stand the sight of this man. I would not go as far as calling him a no talent hack, but that's only cause common wisdom dictates that someone averaging 40+ points in the playoffs with 5+ rebounds and assists cannot be labeled as such. This is not personal, for that I cite Kobe's overall bitchiness.

I do not like the way Lebron plays the game of basketball. He reminds me of the Knicks back in the days when Anthony Mason was the point forward; the ball does not move around and he bulls through people to get to the hole. Kobe, Pierce even Garnet, all forwards comparable to Lebron, use finesse and style to get to the basket. While there is merit in keeping the game simple and I understand that the shortest distance is a straight line, it shouldn't be through the defender.

While it does seem excessive to write about Lebron after he has been eliminated, I had to get this off my chest. After the playoffs and through next season there will be talk of the Knicks acquiring him, so this is weighing on my mind. I don't think he will end up in the orange and blue, but even the speculation gets me worked up. Hopefully he's a decent human being, I'm not holding my breath.

American Will

I have chimed in about the torture debate and the war on several occassions but recent events have crystallized a few things for me. Our former Vice President and permanent dick, Dick Cheney, has the infamous "dark side" quote. He has been fleshing out this theory during his latest media blitz justifying torture. By extension people who do not take these illegal measures care more about "rights" of "evil doers" than America. People who hold this opinion fail to see that America is an idea or a principal and not a nation of common identity, but I digress.

A coworker echoed the Cheney reasoning: "Americans want to intervene but lack the will to do what it takes to win." This was in the context of an ongoing discussion of the targeting of civilians by America and the use of napalm. This was also with the backdrop of John Stewart tripping over himself walking back from critical statements of U.S. use of nukes.

I will readily admit that my morals and principals do not allow for any form of mass murder and destruction; I can't even stomach the death penalty. Hundreds, maybe thousands of Iraqis were murdered when we targeted high level targets in Saddam's regime. We are making the same mistakes in Pakistan and Afghanistan with drone strikes. I understand war but I detest it; it should always be a last resort. Our Iraqi occupation is not a last resort. Americans may not have the "will," but we do a great job at turning a blind eye.