Pictures from the Grand Street Block Party

Pictures from the Grand Street Block Party post the Grand Street Clean Up

September 12th, 2009





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Hate (or just annoyance)

This picture is from the Fusion Cafe in Albany, which made a big deal
about being open on Saturdays. Open from 11 am. This picture wad
taken at 11:30 am on a Saturday. Hate.

In other news, I went to Starbucks today. I have been curtailing my
Starbucks trips because I have been making more coffee at home and
because I find that I am limited in my choices because they always
have Pike Place Roast brewing and that is undrinkable. I am also not
a fan of their anniversary roast. Guess which two roasts were
featured today? Sigh. I went with an Americano because I refuse to
go without coffee for the following reasons:

A) I have been up since 2:30.
B) I am spending my afternoon surrounded by screaming 7 year olds.

I need the subtle embrace of my stimulant addiction to get me through
the day.

What should the Duggars name their baby?

Baby 19 is being chosen by the readers of People magazine.

I say vote for Jay-Z!

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20301727,00.html

Parking Fail

Via the Notorious LUX

Two Links

The Most Eloquent Expression of Grief via The Awl

Kathy Griffin in Kate is Enough via Huffington Post

Never Forget?

So...as you may have gathered, today is the eighth anniversary of the attacks of September 11^th. Purposely, I did not listen to NPR this morning to avoid the collective therapy session that this day has become.

Online, however, it is not so easy to avoid these things.

You know what, I don't want to "NEVER FORGET".

I want to forget.

I want to forget ignored Presidential Daily Briefings.

I want to forget watching people jump to their death.

I want to forget Pat Tillman as a soldier.

I want to forget Colin Powell at the United Nations.

I want to forget the name of Lyndie England and Abu Gharab.

I want to forget water boarding.

I want to forget KSM.

I want to forget Mayor Guliani running for President on the basis that he was Mayor of New York on this date eight years ago.

You know what I want to remember about September 11^th?

On this date, seven years ago, I brought my son home from the hospital.

I will remember the people who died, and the people who tried to save them, but...

I want to forget but I am doomed to remember the title of the Presidential Daily Briefing of August 6, 2001 which was titled, "Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US".

Who needs reasons...

when you've got heroin?

The Origin of my First Username

I am a poor freezingly cold soul
So far from where
I intended to go
Scavenging through life's very constant lulls
So far from where I'm determined to go

Wish I knew the way to reach the one I love
There is no way ...
Wish I had the charm to attract the one I love
But you see, I've got no charm
Mmm...

Tonight I've consumed much more than I can hold
Oh, this is very clear to you
And you can tell I have never really loved
You can tell, by the way, I sleep all day

And all of my life no-one gave me anything
No-one has ever given me anything
My love is as sharp as a needle in your eye
You must be such a fool
To pass me by

Why "They" Hate Barack Obama

He's a black man, with a black wife, and a weird black name. Even worse, he's a dazzling orator who doesn't fit any of the negative stereotypes we've been taught about black men, which, ironically, makes him even more threatening. There is an undeniable discomfort among a sizable number of white Americans who see themselves being supplanted at the top of the power structure and cannot help but be resentful and afraid.

(Via The Awl)

Defined By What We Are Not

On another blog, a blogger was complaining about their lack of cash and the self loathing that it causes.

Someone in the comments wrote that they are "not defined by (their) bank account".

Rubbish.  Trash.  Untrue.

We as human beings, especially as Americans, are defined by what we do not have.

If we do not have enough cash, that makes life much more difficult, and defines us and what we can and cannot do.

If we do not have a partner, that makes social situations sometimes awkward, and it defines who we are in the company of our peers.

If we do not have a job, we lack a place in society, and our opinions are automatically discounted.

If we do not have health care,  we live in fear of accident and illness, and we wonder what we can and cannot do.

The absence of something defines who we are, what we do, and often...how happy we can be.

Money doesn't buy happiness or love, but...it makes life a lot easier, and when life is easier, we can be happier.

The commenter was an idiot...but I suppose I am as well for being concerned about this.

Where Have the Journalists Gone?

If it seems to be a good idea to explain to Jaycee Dugard all she missed during her time in captivity, you are incorrect.  You should not be employed by the Orange County Register.  I have certain suggestions for what you should be doing, but...it would be wrong of me to commit those to print (and by wrong, I mean that when someone does take you to task for your wrongheadedness, I do not want to be considered a suspect).

Just...read the column...

Then...read the apology...

Via The Awl.

What Would Jesus Drink?

The King of Beers.  He would also be a NASCAR guy...

"When thirsty, this Jesus would want to grab a cold one. The King of Kings and the King of Beers are together at last. NASCAR Jesus."

Via Deadspin

The Apology

"This evening, I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the president's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill," the statement said. "While I disagree with the president's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility."

Shoutin' Joe Wilson (TM) Apologizes To The President (CNN)

Repeating the Beatles

Like most people, I was initially confused by EMI's decision to release remastered versions of all 13 albums by the Liverpool pop group Beatles, a 1960s band so obscure that their music is not even available on iTunes.

Chuck Klosterman Repeats The Beatles

Thanks to Sarah for this.

Joe Wilson Lies.

South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson shouted "You lie!" after Obama had talked about illegal immigrants.
(Source: Augusta Chronicle)

Interesting, don't you think?

A Congressman heckling a President...

He does have a Twitter...

As I am writing this, Sen. McCain is calling on the Congressman to apologize for his "immature behavior".

Well Said, Mr. President

But what we have also seen in these last months is the same partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have toward their own government. Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics. Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise. Too many have used this as an opportunity to score short-term political points, even if it robs the country of our opportunity to solve a long-term challenge. And out of this blizzard of charges and counter-charges, confusion has reigned.

Well the time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed. Now is the season for action. Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together, and show the American people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. Now is the time to deliver on health care.

President Obama, September 9, 2009

(Source: NY Times)

Interesting (Even while it makes me happy)

Union College made Forbes list of America's Best Colleges at #26 which makes me very happy but...

It is above...

William and Mary
Notre Dame
Brown
Cal
Penn
Dartmouth

Duke is at #104.

How do they come up with these rankings?  Not that I am complaining, but however, I find this...odd.  Unless Forbes is giving Union the love that we do deserve.

What Makes a University Great? (From Forbes)

Socialized Medicine

I want this mug from someecards

Ten Seconds of a Cat Grooming Himself

Completely random.

I blame the antihistamines

Allergies

I know the cause of the seasonal allergies that seem to be causing issues in the northeast...

Yes, I am calling this a conspiracy.

Happy Birthday, Buddy

I will admit that I find it odd when adults make the claim that their child is their best friend.

That being said, I will admit that my son is my favorite person in the world.

Seven years ago, today, he came into the world and I am so very lucky.

Happy Birthday, TEA, and I wish you so much happiness.

Dear Bartender...

Hi there!

I know we see each other a couple of times a week and we are friendly...

However, if the first thing you say to me as a walk in is "there goes
my lunch", and then after ten minutes on a slow night, you don't get
around to asking if I want a beer...

Well, I am going to leave and go to the Lark Tavern which has cleaner
taps, better beer, and different food.

While we may be friendly, I am a customer. You don't make friends buy
beer.

This is Entirely Too Creepy

Couple Married at Son's Funeral

The parents of a 7-year-old boy who died after an upstate New York car crash have fulfilled his wish that they get married, and they did it at the child's funeral. (CBS 6)

Okay...

Deep Breath...

As many of you know, I am entirely against the institution of marriage (and only in favor of marriage equality because I want everyone to have the chance to be miserable and go through either a painful divorce or the death of a partner) but this just...shocks me.

The wedding day is often traumatic and anti-climatic, but...

At the funeral of your child???

Even if it was his wish, decorum should prevail...any relationship that is founded on guilt it doomed to fail and many many marriages fail after the death of a child...

Who thought this was a good idea?  Who the hell thought that this traumatic experience was the perfect opportunity to say ""Til Death Do We Part"?

Am I overreacting (probably) but this is...

I have no words.

Obama's Zombies

From HuffPo via Misfitina

75 Things Men Don't Know About Women

3) "No, we didn't see last week's Battlestar Galactica."

Esquire's 75 Things You Don't Know About Women

Some days...

It feels like a have a lot to say, but...

It is impossible to verbalize anything...

Housekeeping Note

All of the sites that I was accessing using OpenID linked to http://afutilemistake.blogpsot.com have expired.  If you have a blog with private entries that would would like me to keep reading, please add http://www.afutilemistake.com.

Thank you.

Geekery

Is it really wrong that I am getting excited about Batman/Superman: Public Enemies coming out on DVD?

It is just that I think of TEA and I watching it while on the couch, eating junk food, and both of us going "Wow" at the same moment.

The idea of his smile makes me happy, which is saying something.

I Like This Woman More and More

The former first lady said she believed criticism of the speech had arisen because of the accompanying lesson plans. If parents are opposed to the address, said Bush, "That's their right. You know that certainly is the right of parents to choose what they want their children to hear in school… (But) I think it's also really important for everyone to respect the President of the United States."

Does she think it's fair to criticize Obama, as some have, by labeling him a socialist? "I'd have no idea whether it's fair, do you think I thought it was fair when President Bush was criticized — not really. So, I guess not," she responded. (CNN)

She reads, she smokes cigarettes, she is pro-choice...though she has dubious taste in men...I think I really like her.

Something to think about

Human Rescue Plan - Sean Penn | WFP | United Nations World Food Programme - Fighting Hunger Worldwide



The wars, the bailouts, and everything else...

David Plotz asked would the country be different if Iraq and Afghanistan had never happened...would we be safer? Would would not have spilled so much blood nor would we have spent so much treasure.

An Update of Sorts

For the past two weeks, I have been averaging about four hours of sleep a night.  Normally, this wouldn't be of any concern to me but coupled with other physical issues (broken toe [severely broken], gastro-intestinal issues, as well as my normal persistent headache), I am starting to get concerned that I am falling apart at middle age.

Yes, I am middle aged, for those of you who are wondering.  (As a white male born in 1974, life expectancy is 69.0 years.) (http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005148.html)

Could I be falling apart?

Does it really matter?

I try to stay in shape, working out several times a week, and I have completely (almost) switched away from motorized transport, preferring my feet (walking and cycling) and is it too little too late?

I wonder if my headspace was better, would my body feel better, or because I am completely negative, my body is reacting accordingly.

I suppose only time will tell.

Labor Day

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.(USDoL)

Despite an emerging economic expansion, businesses were sufficiently skittish about the future that the job market continued its long, steep decline in August, according to a new government report Friday. The unemployment rate rose to 9.7 percent, from 9.4 percent, as employers shed jobs for the 20th straight month, the Labor Department said. (Washington Post, Sept. 5, 2009)

"The real unemployment rate released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is 16.8%, 7 points higher than the officially reported rate."  (Common Dreams, Sept. 4, 2009)

Cirque du Soleil

Yesterday, I saw Cirque du Soleil.

To be perfectly honest with you, gentle reader, and I never thought I would say this, but I think they need to "gay it up a little" so that this particular show is more consistent with Cirque past.

Though, the Chinese girls were creepy and intriguing at the same time...which probably makes me a bad person.

A very special thank you to SandorS and Maria.

Eva Preferred Blur