I wish that when people ask for your opinion, they actually listen to it.
I ask for opinions all the time, from all sorts of people. Some I agree with, some I don't, but I try my best to listen.
Here's how I think one should go about asking someone's opinion about something:
1) explain the situation
2) ask the question
3) listen
4) thank the person for their time and shut up.
It ain't that hard.
I ask for opinions all the time, from all sorts of people. Some I agree with, some I don't, but I try my best to listen.
Here's how I think one should go about asking someone's opinion about something:
1) explain the situation
2) ask the question
3) listen
4) thank the person for their time and shut up.
It ain't that hard.
Am I the only omnivore left in the world? It seems that everywhere I turn, everyone's some degree of vegetarian. I don't have a problem with this, none of the non-carnivores I've ever met have ever given me grief for my steaks and chops, but I'm starting to feel a little awkward when I tear into a drumstick next to someone eating a salad. And anything positive I could say about meat is always met with this chuckle that's half "you poor unenlightened caveman" and half "I hope the meat-eater doesn't hurt me."
Gah... what's a guy gotta do for some hassle-free medium-rare around here?
-CB
Gah... what's a guy gotta do for some hassle-free medium-rare around here?
-CB
I used to be in what was, quite frankly, an emotionally damaging relationship with a girl who claimed to be a throwback hippie. How anyone that combative and angry could constantly spout the slogan "peace and love" is an irony I could have done without.
I recently found an artifact from my parents: it was a peace medallion that one of them wore during the '70s. I can't tell whether it was my mother or father; I get the feeling it was Mom's.
So, why do I bring this up?
After my release from captivity, that symbol was something I took a very dim view of... I couldn't walk past a Kohl's shirt with that logo without growling at it. It's become such a cliche that even joking about it is hackneyed... but this thing I found, it's the real deal. This was on someone's neck *in the '60s and '70s*. It's not a reissue, it's not a novelty item.
I never thought I'd be the type to build associations like that, the way many people I knew do. I guess we all get surprised. This medallion has earned a place on my wall as exactly what it was meant to be: a symbol. Even though there is a person out there who touts it as a slogan and has no idea what it really means, there were and are people who did and do; and I have a piece of that which I can always look at and be reminded.
Gah... when did I get to be such a sap. When I started this account I swore to myself that I'd stay away from personal exposition. Eh, I guess I'll pay for it with a crappy day at the office or something; how's that work for you, Karma Police?
Anyway; there's my sensitive rap for the night. Hope you liked it.
-CB
I recently found an artifact from my parents: it was a peace medallion that one of them wore during the '70s. I can't tell whether it was my mother or father; I get the feeling it was Mom's.
So, why do I bring this up?
After my release from captivity, that symbol was something I took a very dim view of... I couldn't walk past a Kohl's shirt with that logo without growling at it. It's become such a cliche that even joking about it is hackneyed... but this thing I found, it's the real deal. This was on someone's neck *in the '60s and '70s*. It's not a reissue, it's not a novelty item.
I never thought I'd be the type to build associations like that, the way many people I knew do. I guess we all get surprised. This medallion has earned a place on my wall as exactly what it was meant to be: a symbol. Even though there is a person out there who touts it as a slogan and has no idea what it really means, there were and are people who did and do; and I have a piece of that which I can always look at and be reminded.
Gah... when did I get to be such a sap. When I started this account I swore to myself that I'd stay away from personal exposition. Eh, I guess I'll pay for it with a crappy day at the office or something; how's that work for you, Karma Police?
Anyway; there's my sensitive rap for the night. Hope you liked it.
-CB
It's been a while since I've posted. I've been busy to the point where I'm starting to forget the definition of the word "laundry". Luckily I work in a warehouse; a little grit is to be expected.
Is it weird that I'm on the SG websit4e and yet I hardly ever bother to look at the photosets? There's no question that the ladies of this website are drop-dead gorgeous, but I've had little to no interest in viewing their various charms. I hope that doesn't get me kicked off or something.
I've been going through sort of a personal renaissance lately. I've been dealing with some difficult people and I'm starting to learn how to handle them better; as mentioned before, a lot of my inspiration comes from my Taoism studies. It's an amazing thing to see a situation and know what the right thing to do is and know from whence it comes.
I guess as far as posts go, this wasn't the most scintillating. I'll make an attempt to be more amusing later. Be well.
-CB
Is it weird that I'm on the SG websit4e and yet I hardly ever bother to look at the photosets? There's no question that the ladies of this website are drop-dead gorgeous, but I've had little to no interest in viewing their various charms. I hope that doesn't get me kicked off or something.
I've been going through sort of a personal renaissance lately. I've been dealing with some difficult people and I'm starting to learn how to handle them better; as mentioned before, a lot of my inspiration comes from my Taoism studies. It's an amazing thing to see a situation and know what the right thing to do is and know from whence it comes.
I guess as far as posts go, this wasn't the most scintillating. I'll make an attempt to be more amusing later. Be well.
-CB
I read a lot of Taoism. I started a while ago and have been studying it in some form or other over the last 6 years.
I'm now, finally, beginning to see how these esoteric concepts apply to everyday life. The idea of being able to change, to be open to possibilites and just letting things go where they're supposed to go. It's an amazing feeling.
There's a line from the Analects of Confucius that says "Isn't it wonderful to apply what you've learned?". Truer words have not been spoken.
Am I a paragon of serenity and peace now? Shit no. But I'm working on it.
-CB
I'm now, finally, beginning to see how these esoteric concepts apply to everyday life. The idea of being able to change, to be open to possibilites and just letting things go where they're supposed to go. It's an amazing feeling.
There's a line from the Analects of Confucius that says "Isn't it wonderful to apply what you've learned?". Truer words have not been spoken.
Am I a paragon of serenity and peace now? Shit no. But I'm working on it.
-CB
I'd like to share two conclusions I've come to.
the first is that Hello Kitty and Mickey Mouse are the real-world equivalents of Itchy and Scratchy.
The second is that there's very little you can take on faith. I was having a conversation today with a co-worker who said that he didn't want to raise his kids in the city of Chicago. He wanted something more "family-friendly". I'm assuming that means safe. Well... I've walked alone through the middle of the Loop at 2 in the morning unmolested, and it's common knowledge that high schools in the middle of suburbia are now likely as anyplace else to be hotbeds of violence.
We were also talking about kids as a concept and he mentioned things like being a father and passing genes, etc. Again, this is a bit of a false premise. The idea of legacy and things I don't think became a societal goal until the concept of dynasty arose. Once someone's lineage was connected to things like estate and politics, everyone cared; but in a tribal or clan society where you're not My Kid, you're Our Kid, does it really matter that much?
I've often been accused of thinking too much; it seems to me like most other folks don't think enough. I encourage you all; don't just listen--examine. Probe. Inquire. It may make life more confusing but infinitely more interesting.
-CB
the first is that Hello Kitty and Mickey Mouse are the real-world equivalents of Itchy and Scratchy.
The second is that there's very little you can take on faith. I was having a conversation today with a co-worker who said that he didn't want to raise his kids in the city of Chicago. He wanted something more "family-friendly". I'm assuming that means safe. Well... I've walked alone through the middle of the Loop at 2 in the morning unmolested, and it's common knowledge that high schools in the middle of suburbia are now likely as anyplace else to be hotbeds of violence.
We were also talking about kids as a concept and he mentioned things like being a father and passing genes, etc. Again, this is a bit of a false premise. The idea of legacy and things I don't think became a societal goal until the concept of dynasty arose. Once someone's lineage was connected to things like estate and politics, everyone cared; but in a tribal or clan society where you're not My Kid, you're Our Kid, does it really matter that much?
I've often been accused of thinking too much; it seems to me like most other folks don't think enough. I encourage you all; don't just listen--examine. Probe. Inquire. It may make life more confusing but infinitely more interesting.
-CB
I'm engaging in an interesting little activity right now.
I'm converting most of my old cassette tapes to digital. Not all of them. Some of them I don't really have an interest in anymore, some I have the CDs of. Right now I'm working on Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet".
I like that I'm doing this. I'm sure I could find a copy of this album for five bucks in a used record store somewhere, but I like the fact that I'm using the *tape*. It makes me feel like it still has something to contribute. Call me sentimental, call me an animist, but it never seemed right to me that the only thing one seemed to be able to do with their old media was chuck it in the face of the new formats.
Of course, the question is now what do I do with the tapes once I've ripped them? I think the answer to that is still keep them. I like having the liner notes. Hm; aren't I glad I got that settled?
I was once told that many things come down to a matter of time versus money: which do you have more of and which are you more willing to spend? In this case I guess it's the former, but it's more than that: as I mentioned, I don't think it's right to just chuck something when you can get another use from it. Could one consider this some sort of political statement against planned obsolescence? I just call it a way to preserve a good tape.
Ooh, "dead or alive". Love that track. Later!
-CB
I'm converting most of my old cassette tapes to digital. Not all of them. Some of them I don't really have an interest in anymore, some I have the CDs of. Right now I'm working on Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet".
I like that I'm doing this. I'm sure I could find a copy of this album for five bucks in a used record store somewhere, but I like the fact that I'm using the *tape*. It makes me feel like it still has something to contribute. Call me sentimental, call me an animist, but it never seemed right to me that the only thing one seemed to be able to do with their old media was chuck it in the face of the new formats.
Of course, the question is now what do I do with the tapes once I've ripped them? I think the answer to that is still keep them. I like having the liner notes. Hm; aren't I glad I got that settled?
I was once told that many things come down to a matter of time versus money: which do you have more of and which are you more willing to spend? In this case I guess it's the former, but it's more than that: as I mentioned, I don't think it's right to just chuck something when you can get another use from it. Could one consider this some sort of political statement against planned obsolescence? I just call it a way to preserve a good tape.
Ooh, "dead or alive". Love that track. Later!
-CB
I learned a lesson about responsibility today.
At my new job, we've discovered that someone who worked there previously did not follow a procedure they should have. As a result, six people (including myself) now have to scramble to find the mistakes and fix them before they're noticed by upper management.
It doesn't pay to take shortcuts. Do the work. Just... do the damn work.
At my new job, we've discovered that someone who worked there previously did not follow a procedure they should have. As a result, six people (including myself) now have to scramble to find the mistakes and fix them before they're noticed by upper management.
It doesn't pay to take shortcuts. Do the work. Just... do the damn work.
So, yesterday was my birthday. I win this round too, World!! Heh heh heh...
It amazes me to think about where I was at this time last year. The fewer details I go into, the better, but suffice it to say, things were decidedly un-good. Things now are making their way towards good.
I'm always reminded of a line from MASH: "Here's to the new year. May she be a damn sight better than the old one, and may we all be home before she's over."
In other news, I went to the roller derby bout at UIC Pavillion on Saturday. I helped set up the floor. This was the second time I've done so, and while the labor is not easy by any stretch of the imagination, I must say I enjoy it.
It's one of the most communal activities in which I've partaken in quite a while. No one calls dibs on anything or says you do this too much. If you see something that needs to be done, you do it; then you go on to the next thing. If someone sees a gap, they fill it. It's a great feeling.
And this is not a thankless task. One of the refs told me that everyone appreciates it, and that it literally could not be done without folks like us. I'll believe that wholeheartedly because I've seen what goes into it. I would not want to be a competitor in the match and have to assemble that thing as well.
The bout itself was great. I only had a passing awareness of the sport before a friend introduced me to it, but I'll happily call myself a fan now.
Other than that, a quiet weekend. Looking forward to next weekend; Monday off. As a great man once said, "I'm going to sleep the sleep of the just. Or the dead. I don't care."
And with that, I have decided I've spent way too much time on the computer tonight; I'm going to do something physical now. Be well, all.
-CB
It amazes me to think about where I was at this time last year. The fewer details I go into, the better, but suffice it to say, things were decidedly un-good. Things now are making their way towards good.
I'm always reminded of a line from MASH: "Here's to the new year. May she be a damn sight better than the old one, and may we all be home before she's over."
In other news, I went to the roller derby bout at UIC Pavillion on Saturday. I helped set up the floor. This was the second time I've done so, and while the labor is not easy by any stretch of the imagination, I must say I enjoy it.
It's one of the most communal activities in which I've partaken in quite a while. No one calls dibs on anything or says you do this too much. If you see something that needs to be done, you do it; then you go on to the next thing. If someone sees a gap, they fill it. It's a great feeling.
And this is not a thankless task. One of the refs told me that everyone appreciates it, and that it literally could not be done without folks like us. I'll believe that wholeheartedly because I've seen what goes into it. I would not want to be a competitor in the match and have to assemble that thing as well.
The bout itself was great. I only had a passing awareness of the sport before a friend introduced me to it, but I'll happily call myself a fan now.
Other than that, a quiet weekend. Looking forward to next weekend; Monday off. As a great man once said, "I'm going to sleep the sleep of the just. Or the dead. I don't care."
And with that, I have decided I've spent way too much time on the computer tonight; I'm going to do something physical now. Be well, all.
-CB
I recently read an essay called "Against School". It stated that compulsory education as it exists today is designed to steer us all towards the middle and make us good little conformists and consumers. While I agree with the general premise of this essay, there's one flaw in the theory I can't resolve.
A working class is needed to keep any system maintained. Someone needs to work the lines, man the machines, and do the labor. This does not mean that they have to be stupid, but if everyone is a scholar, who's going to fix the printer on which they print their dissertation?
The Buddhists have a saying: "Chop wood, carry water". Does it take more training to be a surgeon than a waiter? Yes. But the lawyer may not know how to make his lobster bisque, and the waiter may not know how to argue his way out of a traffic ticket.
I'm not going to argue the notion of dedicated social roles or somesuch, but people can find themselves having talents in mundanity that others don't, and you should do well any job you have, whether it's porta-john cleaner or hematopahologist.
I'll still rock out to "School's Out for Summer", but I think "Blue Collar Man" may have a place in my rotation too.
A working class is needed to keep any system maintained. Someone needs to work the lines, man the machines, and do the labor. This does not mean that they have to be stupid, but if everyone is a scholar, who's going to fix the printer on which they print their dissertation?
The Buddhists have a saying: "Chop wood, carry water". Does it take more training to be a surgeon than a waiter? Yes. But the lawyer may not know how to make his lobster bisque, and the waiter may not know how to argue his way out of a traffic ticket.
I'm not going to argue the notion of dedicated social roles or somesuch, but people can find themselves having talents in mundanity that others don't, and you should do well any job you have, whether it's porta-john cleaner or hematopahologist.
I'll still rock out to "School's Out for Summer", but I think "Blue Collar Man" may have a place in my rotation too.
