Off

I figured out why they named the insect-repellent. It's the second half of what one most commonly says in the presence of mosquitos (and down here, gnats) and really the only part that was fit to print.

Here's an article worth reading:

Katy McKy - Raw Story Columnist
Published: January 30, 2006

The sky isn't falling, but it's fraying. The ozone, that blanket of O3 between oblivion and us, dissolves when we spray fluorocarbons. The oceans rise. Divorce rates also rise, as more and more Americans, especially in the red states, emulate Britney Spear's matrimonial habits.

Then there's more. According to Sir James Lovelock, the original Gaian guy, the Earth is treating us like a virus, raising the temp to burn us off the global body. With every factory closing, we become more a nation of consumers and borrowers rather than producers and savers. And we're borrowing 2 trillion dollars to fund our Iraqi imperialism. Via that imperialism, we've cultivated a fresh crop of terrorists. We're running out of oil, but we're running high on gluttony. And so on.

And what worries the Right? Brokeback Mountain. And gay marriage.

Read the rest of the editorial at the link above. I recommend it.

Sunday Shopping

is sometimes required
if Monday eating is also desired.

Prince

A friend of mine (who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty, but you know who you are J!) sent me some burnt copies of two Prince CD's (an act which I believe is illegal, not to mention unethical... but I digress). So I just spent the last two hours listening to them. Now of course this wasn't the first time I've listened to Prince, but it may well be the last.

Here's the problem: I now feel drained of energy and I feel like I need to clean out my ears with something. I can't shake that nagging feeling that I just lost two hours of my life that I will never ever ever get back. I feel unhappy and sick and disgusted with myself for not living up to my own high standards. It's like the hangover the day later: you promise yourself you will never ever do this again to yourself....

It just goes to show: I've said it before and I'll say it again: friends don't let friends listen to Prince.

Wealth

Today I walked out of my house and realized that I have a convertible waiting out there for my use whenever I want. Now it's not the newest car nor the most reliable - but let's count our blessings for a minute shall we? I have a house to myself, all the space I need, a job, some nice furniture, and never lack for having food in the fridge. I pay my rent and don't have problems with landlords or family members or even my friends. I have a CD collection that puts every the music library of college I've ever worked at to shame. (Someday I'm going to work at a college which has a larger CD library than I do - despite the CDs I am going to add to my collection between now and then. Someday). I have more books than I do time to read them (I play a lot of chess online). There's another thing... a computer that functions and keeps me connected to the world. A growing collection of DVD's that keep me entertained when I'm bored. For a minute there, I felt rich. It's not a material wealth either, but a cultural and general happiness. For a minute there, it was like "who cares that I owe thousands of dollars to credit cards that I won't be able to pay off completely for several months?" I have everything I need. Reasons to give thanks.

Life in South Georgia

I was out driving in my convertible this weekend - went to Atlanta - put on the shades, wearing a T-shirt, took the top down... and then realized "my God, it's friggin' NOVEMBER! I'm not supposed to be able to do this..." What a life.

I have to plug the beneifits because there aren't that many, living in this small little town. Sigh.

Blog spam

Have people really nothing better to do than go around posting advertisements masquerading as comments on other people's blogs? Go to hell! Maybe you are already and just don't know it...

Current infatuation: Estampie Natalis, by Vaclav Nehlybel. Definitely on the list for next year... if I can find a viola... :-)

Appparently my re-awakening is even news on other people's blogs: Thanks Jay. Good to know at least someone's reading this!