Monday, October 29, 2012

Come Again?

I was in my mid 20's before the terms Democrat and Republican meant anything to me, let alone liberal or conservative. I had heard those terms plenty times before, but really didn't associate them with anything in particular. Retrospectively, I feel like not knowing made me more naive about how things work in some cases, but perhaps more informed with the details of actual issues.

The concept of a political spectrum doesn't make me cringe in itself, so much as how people associate so closely to either end without really educating themselves on the matters at hand. Too often, it feels like fanatical commitment to being a member of group or reciting bumper sticker cliches, perhaps without knowing what you are really saying. I am sure my view will prove wrong in a number of instances. But it's a feeling I haven't been able to shake.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

The Loop

Reading old post. Love this quote:


"Structure is not a template. It's not cookie cutter. It's something that arises organically from the material once you have it."

Know Your Only

Formulaic. Formulaic.
Why are you
Standing in my improv?
You interfere
The Feeling.
You have your time
And place.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Truth Be Told

Two articles I found interesting.


"The key is you don’t want to copy the blues; you want to capture the mood."

When Hate + Respect = Love

I think the people that amaze me most are the ones I don't think I may like much, but still get my respect. I remember that teacher from middle school who was direct, and who some other kids considered harsh. But to me she had purpose. She was never abusive, never about blind control.

She listened when it mattered, was flexible, but mostly focused on doing the job right. And if you took her aside and asked, she would explain things to you. I'm not sure if the kids ever saw behind her no-nonsense responses. She ended up being one of my favorite teachers. She cared about what she was doing and the kids she was doing it for, first and foremost. She never really made it about her.

There's this politician I like that everyone else I know seems to hate (not running for president). I don't agree with a lot of his ideology. But he addresses the issues and speaks clearly behind them. And he has admitted to fault and, much more importantly, committed to fixing his errors when he has instead of just talking about them. I feel like if I were sitting across the table from him we could disagree all day and still get things done (that is, if I were a politician. never will be).

I dunno where it came from. But it's those kind of people that have something I can't put my finger on.

Spread Knowledge

I learned so much in the past couple months, from only a handful of people who know more than I ever will learn in a lifetime. I hope there's questions. There are more than enough experts to refer people to. A whole lot of knowledge I just didn't expect to get.

I'll be very willing to pass on the curious who want to know more to people more knowledegable. And I hope it does not come across as pointing fingers. To find something that can be bettered or explored  when an issue is systemic, not due to a particular person or group, feels so much less personal, less so the burden of a person, and much more so..... Individually Available? A Choice? Collaborative? Empowering? Possible? Contextual?

I dunno.

Whatever it is, I'm hoping it's less abrasive. Hoping knowledge and direction can be productive. Less angry. I really like the possibilities. Potential effort or exploration and the intent behind them is just as important as the results, if not more so.

I am an overoptimistic nerd for real, lol.

Speak Up In Life, In Person

I don't so much doubt, as much as I become an insatiable skeptic, when I hear "all X are Y," outside of hard sciences and pure math. It's so rare that it actually holds true. It's usually more of a practicality when giving advice or trying to convince someone of something. Often times, there is nothing wrong with that. It is what it is. But sometimes it can lead to dangerous assumptions.

I especially have doubts when the phrase refers to people. I want to know what you really mean, what you are really trying to say, what your intent and your assumptions really are, or what real life context it is said in. Because, when you say "all X is Y" or "all X are Y," all that stuff really matters. For real, for real.

It's a phrase that draws enough personal scrutiny from me to be pretty sure I struck it from my vocabulary long ago. Probably since I got into reasoning, analysis, and writing (which has made up for the bulk of my academia and career). Whenever I hear it in the real world, I assume it's a practicality to get things done or get a viewpoint across far more often than I assume it is a truth or near-truth. I need something near proof or reason for me to think of it as the latter.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Nose Up, Smile Wide

If I see a bit of arrogance sitting on top of substance and a place earned in life, I might very well tip my hat to it. That's not ignorance. It's a celebration.

Multitudes

"Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes."

-Walt Whitman
Song of Myself

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Work, Work, Work

Very close to getting something much more engaging and polished. Just have to work on two sections for people interviewed, clear up the intro, and get one more interview done.

Everyone's An Einstein

I do my best to not assume that the way I succeed or fail dictates what another should do. Different strokes, different folks. Maybe they are in fact related. But I'll work to find out. Real, unadulterated self-motivation can close lots of gaps, real or imagined. 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

In All Honesty

There's this thing, I don't know if it's a trend, for just kind of deciding what you think of someone and doing your best to fit everything else around that opinion. What actually is, or clarifying what we don't know, takes a back seat to ego.

Just Because: The Sequel

Never quite saw a theme or point in the movie 5th Element. A lot of action, explosions, and space aliens. Doesn't exactly speak to smarts or good taste or substantive story line. But it's one of my favorite movies anyway.

Must have watched it half a dozen times, at least. Never thought to question why. The only reason for me to think of why, to figure it out, would be if someone were to ask. But, until then, I'm content just knowing I like it.

I don't think I'm the only one. I do my best to consider that dynamic, contradiction, or whatever you may call it in others.

It often doesn't hurt to ask. You get to know, or at least clarify, everything you once had to assume.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Just Because

Aside from books assigned to me in school, the last fiction book I remember reading was third and final novel of the Bourne Trilogy. Yes, of Jason Bourne fame, the book series was turned into the movie franchise starring Matt Dillon. I was in my early teens.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Yum

Fried fish and plantains. Rice and seasoned beans. Belly full of joy. Smiling like a clam.

Mother Goose

Everybody swears they know
The person that they don't
That person makes me curious
I ask what psychics won't

Universal

"I work them long nights, long nights to get a payday."

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Excercise

Man, if you want to work on, rework, or fine tune your writing muscles just get a blog without any type of expectations. It just makes it easier when you have to go back and do it for real.

You can kind of write at will, get ideas down, experiment. Short or long as you want when it comes. Take as little or much time as you want to. Not so demanding as a Twitter or Facebook. Public practice for your rawest thought and form.

When Wrong Leads Right

This project will eventually come together.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Avoiding Binary

Agreeing with and being inspired by an argument are two different things. They can be shared but they don't have to be. In my case, they are two separate things.

Pets R' Us

Has the world really gotten to the point where looking the part is more important than being it? Maybe my inkling is just off the mark.

Bad Religion

I don't like listening to or reading the writings of Warren Buffet just because he is rich and successful. I like to do so because when he speaks he makes so much goddamn sense. He doesn't have to rely on his name or personal brand for proof. The logic of his arguments, as plain and simple as they are, speak for themselves.

Spotlight

I don't watch TV or go to the movies often. But when I watch them, I fall into them, even lose myself sometimes.

My favorite actor as a kid was Harrison Ford. I think it's because I loved Indiana Jones.

As an adolescent, I favored Denzel Washington. I didn't see a whole lot of his movies. But I could never get over how he could create entire characters, whole personas, out of mere subtleties. He owned those subtleties, as if he had grown into them over a lifetime of habit.

My favorite actor of this generation might be James Franco. I only have a limited palette to work with, since I only watch movies and TV so much. But the man just seems so versatile as an actor. I love that I can't pin him down in his characters.

I'd like to see how he grows into the rest of his career.

Context is My Credo

I'm just recalling some of my posts and a previous conversation today. Poor does not equal pious and rich does not mean unholy. There's a lot of human between the two to consider. I don't know if that needed clarification.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Reading

The train station can serve of as a poverty barometer of sorts. I've never seen as many homeless persons in Penn Station as I have over the last two years.

Job Theory

You'll get various input on the state of jobs and hiring from recruiters. In my experience, two have been fairly common over the last few years.

Keep On Walking

But I'm learning from all this. Working a mental muscle I haven't had the opportunity to use in some time. Its the kind of situation where you don't necessarily know what to expect from yourself, but you expect to progress along the way. Whether I'll be merely adequate or exceed my expectations I can't tell. But I'm both interested in and have enough respect for the product and it's intended recipients to make it the best it can be.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Humbled

This has become quite the humbling task.

Monday, October 15, 2012

People's Choice



Blue State
Red State

Swim                                      in                 purple                                    waters

Walk                          through                     shades     of         grey

Recipe for Anything

Feelings and data. Information and inuition. Qualitative and quantitative. New and old. Left brain, right brain. Destruction and creation. Rules and improvisation or innovation. Numbers and art.

In my mind's eyes these things are complementary, not mutually exclusive or divided. They can do things together that neither could do fully or partially alone. The most important thing is to know what you are looking at and why. Then you know how best to apply any of the tools at your disposal.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Absolutely Not

I sometimes find myself in situations in which the other party wants a response in absolute or binary terms. A lot of times I don't have an answer for them. Not without more context. (And especially if I don't know who they are... I know, I know. I know what you're thinking. It's complicated. At least I think so. Wild times, my friend.)

I don't knock the approach. Things move faster that way I guess. But for me, it just doesn't apply to most of my life. Or at least I need to know how it does before I give an answer I can believe.

Sager Says

As Mike Sager once said:

"Heart is everything.  Stay true, work hard.  Don't compete, be yourself."

Once you know the feeling, you'll recognize it (or lack thereof) in others. It comes from inside and shows in your approach to life. The things you see, hear, or read in front of you are less than secondary. 

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Dusky

Full moon
Blue Moon
Neck all
Under water

Definition or Reaction?

When you label something "ironic," consider that it may have more to do with the accuracy of your original assumptions than the actual thing itself. Just a random thought.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Kendra Goes "Pow"

Man, I really like this girl Kendra. New video for her single "Pow."

Just start at 0:12 or 0:20. Then let it go to 0:24. That "stir me in the guts" is right on beat, just in it like she feels what she is doing, without sounding like she's trying. It just sounds like hmph. It's those little things that get me.

I'm not sure she's a lot of people's taste. But it's my flavor. Love when I can feel the music.

Looks in Context

"Context matters." That's my credo.

Appearance matters too. But in context.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Seriously, Knicks?

Wallace was good in his day. But the man is coming on 40. I hope you guys know what you are doing.

Raiiiiid Lol

Question world. If you feel like another man in stalking you would you feel flattered or creeped out. I certainly don't feel flattered. I don't know why you would want to come across as so creepy. It looks ridiculous, like you have no life of your own to attend to. I need to find the Raid equivalent for human beings.

People

The shyest, most solitude person, when met face-to-face, is more interesting than anything they can put on a Facebook profile.

The Mind Is Mightier

I get why people say good writing is a certain way. But if all writers actually wrote that way - the same way - people would get bored with it all. As with many things, diversity matters. It makes things more dynamic.

I'd hate to think that all writers would take a particular subject and do more or less the same thing with it.

Women and Sexuality


Nothing is more attractive than a woman with an "it" factor.

One Time Only

I've said my peace. It's not worth a second effort.

Candy Funk Actor

The stranger smelt like dung baked in cologne. He moved in forethought subtleties. He sat in his neighbor's purpose, on command, staring at his smart phone for direction. He was no more convincing than the old man who sat before him.

His person lay buried in guts he hadn't searched. The lack thereof was as visible as the ensemble he wore. I pitied him, gave thanks the world never turned me so weak, and asked higher powers to give him the courage to know his self.

But he was convinced his identity was the world's duty.  So he played a part he never contemplated. Despite his efforts, his audience was the wiser. They thought little of the man who owned so little of himself. Actors were more common than chairs.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Feeling Easy

Trees. Breeze. Tunes. Skyline. Blessed.

Mannequin Town

Lol, aw man. If you are a man who decides to try and dress like Andre 3000, the quality of your person better be at least that of your clothes and more. Otherwise you end up looking like your clothes are bigger than your personality. And makes the whole thing look so forced, and an expensive ensemble look cheap. The weird thing is I've been seeing more of this since the recession hit. Guys have confidence in YOURSELF first and foremost. Otherwise the rest won't matter. You'll always look like you are trying too hard to be someone else.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Beat Line

Boogie woodie, cha cha, dollar whine, akey breaky, shuffle.

Morning

Slim Goodie talk. Coffee French Roast. Drive. Destination. Get it done.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Well Off Either Way

I can't remember a time I envied another man. But, overtime I have become annoyed with men who insist I should want something just because it's widely desired. A luxury car is all fine and well. But unless I can afford it after maintenance, insurance, a mostly paid off home, little to no debt, daily expenses covered, great health, quality living, social life, extra cushion in case I am no longer working in the future, affordable education, and all the other little things I forgot to mention - and all of this with plenty room to spare - then that fancy car feels like nothing more than a hefty burden. If I were rich man, I could take or leave it either way.

I will never knock the next man. If he's happier having that when he's next to me, he makes for better company. But I can't pretend I want or don't want something based upon what the rest of the world is doing. It would be lying to myself for the sake of show. Another weight. I cherish freedom more than anything. And placing myself under financial duress for the privalege of being locked into other people's fantasies and expectations does not feel free.

Thank You, Apple

Earphones are great for music. Better for blocking out  public conversations I do not care about :). Cellphones and Facebook have turned personal affairs into PSA's. It's the hip thing to do, I guess. I prefer to stay in my lane.

Taking A Break From Reading Online Media

I have some regulars. But for the most part, I find I get what I need offline. I saw an article about a tech journalist who did this and said it was all for the better. I'm going to give it a go for a month. There's stuff online I like, but I'm pretty sure I can do without. Will try and see.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

10,000 Pages Of Popular Culture

I browsed through every issue of Esquire since 1971, every issue of Ebony since 2000, and every issue of GQ since 1986 (except for 2005-2009, but I'll get to it). The most striking thing you'll notice if you read the articles, is how different each magazine is under different editors.

You don't even have to read the mastheads to know they changed. And the style and layout of the magazine tends not to change all at once right away. It'll have a transition period of say, six months to three years, and will have a new style, new subtleties, new perks and faults altogether. Same brand and general audience. Different priorities.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Number 6


When you discuss social, policy, and economic issue can you speak coherently to the issue at hand, do you balance what you know with what you don't and are learning, or is your immediate reaction to speak to which political party is at fault? If the latter, you may very well be:

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

My Eyeballs Hurt

So I'm working on this opinion piece. Research included going through the last two years of Esquire's and GQ's printed magazines. Being the all too curious and absorbed guy I am, I ended up trying to browse through every issue of Esquire since 1975 (they have them at the library). I only have 2009 and 2010 left.

Of course this means I have to do the same for GQ for balance. But I'm learning a lot. I think, in the very least, this piece will turn out to be interesting and grounded in some sense of what is, rather than wishful thinking. At least that's the hope.

That Guy

Some people work so hard to be overheard. The dude whose cell phone conversation you can hear from the other side of the room. Same with two people having a conversation a few steps away way louder than they have to. Everyone knows you want attention. It's the easiest way to prove you probably aren't worth listening to in the first place. Just start with hello. They're far more likely to listen.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Miles 2

Oh man, this is like adultery for the ears.

Miles

I stand corrected. Everyone who insisted on Miles Davis and John Coltrane knew what they were talking about.

I am not a jazz fan. But I like their music for more reasons I can feel - no, experience - than explain. And whenever I get that kind of feeling, I know I am listening to something special.