2009 will be drawing to a close in a few short hours. Let's hope that 2010, and the next decade, will be better for all than this year past.
The blog itself was not as gratifying or interesting of a process as I thought it might be. A grand total of 20 posts throughout the year.
I am going to toy with the format a bit, change the writing style, and see if January and February of 2010 bring more fruit to the effort. If not, it will be another blog lost in the vast web.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Semi Pro Volleyball, PDX Style
I play volleyball. Rather, since moving to Portland I play volleyball. A lot. In as, five times last week I played the game.
How did this happen? Sunday night, Underdog Sports at Hillside Community Center. Monday night, at Fulton. Tuesday AND Thursday at Southwest Community Center. Friday at 24 Hour Fitness in Vancouver, WA. Yes, I have been to Washington now.
How the hell did I wind up here again (in the Pacific NW that is)?
Volleyball is a funny game. You mostly play it in Junior High and then never play it again. Out here it is big. Maybe because of the rain or maybe because people aren't very competitive out here and volleyball is an interesting sport.
It's not like basketball where one person can dominate. It has little to do with hockey or football where you hit people. I enjoyed that.
It's bump, set, spike. To me, there is very little athleticism in the sport. In the sense that it is a true team game, and people that know me well, no I despise these sorts of things. I prefer to go off and do my thing, or play an unorthodox style, or get into it with people.
Volleyball isn't really like that. Why do I play so much? I couldn't tell you. My father would probably say it has something to do with that I am all or nothing. There is truth in that. Besides, sprained ankles and broken noses are a bitch when you get older.
No mas.
How did this happen? Sunday night, Underdog Sports at Hillside Community Center. Monday night, at Fulton. Tuesday AND Thursday at Southwest Community Center. Friday at 24 Hour Fitness in Vancouver, WA. Yes, I have been to Washington now.
How the hell did I wind up here again (in the Pacific NW that is)?
Volleyball is a funny game. You mostly play it in Junior High and then never play it again. Out here it is big. Maybe because of the rain or maybe because people aren't very competitive out here and volleyball is an interesting sport.
It's not like basketball where one person can dominate. It has little to do with hockey or football where you hit people. I enjoyed that.
It's bump, set, spike. To me, there is very little athleticism in the sport. In the sense that it is a true team game, and people that know me well, no I despise these sorts of things. I prefer to go off and do my thing, or play an unorthodox style, or get into it with people.
Volleyball isn't really like that. Why do I play so much? I couldn't tell you. My father would probably say it has something to do with that I am all or nothing. There is truth in that. Besides, sprained ankles and broken noses are a bitch when you get older.
No mas.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Some People Got To Have It
Money that is. I've been paying keen attention to the economy, finance, and the politics of it all since the cookie started to crumble a couple years ago. I don't care to remember how many times I've read about SIVs or CDOs, Lehman Brothers, Ben Bernanke, and so on and so forth.
We've got a problem people. I wanted to understand what this was all about. Who was at fault and why? Where and how did things go wrong? Key moments and decisions made. The heart of the matter. My conclusion is that all of this is irrelevant.
The problem is that capitalism in our modern society will put everyone at risk.
Grand statement, right? Off base. Too strong. What do you mean?
We live in a world with limited resources and a rapidly growing populace. We've got a pizza pie problem here folks. Everyone wants a cut of the pie, the slices will get smaller, and there will be no more ingredients to get another pie in the oven.
The nature of capitalism caused the financial collapse. Its ethos. The idea that one can better themselves through material gains. See, everyone was playing the game. Some were skirting the rules sure. Others were oblivious for certain. The majority wanted their slice of the pie. That's what it's all about, right?
Right, and wrong in the sense that it cannot be anymore. We have a construct problem folks. Something that won't easily be fixed. It will require the majority to view life differently. It will require the actual usage of words like sacrifice, sustainability, and the common good.
Shit, I'm not sure that is what I have learned from the mass media the past twenty years or so. Man, do we have a problem. Where's my money?
We've got a problem people. I wanted to understand what this was all about. Who was at fault and why? Where and how did things go wrong? Key moments and decisions made. The heart of the matter. My conclusion is that all of this is irrelevant.
The problem is that capitalism in our modern society will put everyone at risk.
Grand statement, right? Off base. Too strong. What do you mean?
We live in a world with limited resources and a rapidly growing populace. We've got a pizza pie problem here folks. Everyone wants a cut of the pie, the slices will get smaller, and there will be no more ingredients to get another pie in the oven.
The nature of capitalism caused the financial collapse. Its ethos. The idea that one can better themselves through material gains. See, everyone was playing the game. Some were skirting the rules sure. Others were oblivious for certain. The majority wanted their slice of the pie. That's what it's all about, right?
Right, and wrong in the sense that it cannot be anymore. We have a construct problem folks. Something that won't easily be fixed. It will require the majority to view life differently. It will require the actual usage of words like sacrifice, sustainability, and the common good.
Shit, I'm not sure that is what I have learned from the mass media the past twenty years or so. Man, do we have a problem. Where's my money?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
President Obama's Prize
The boobs are out in full force since President Obama was awarded the nobel prize this past week. As one would expect, the central arguments against this decision focus on his lack of experience and results thus far in his presidency. The peanut gallery mocks, "What have you done?", in horror.
This isn't about experience or results folks. That is a ruse. This is about ideology, what one believes in, and those who stand to lose the most are outraged.
The general global disposition towards the US towards the end of George W's presidency was abysmal. The mere fact that President Obama was elected shifted perceptions towards our country literally, overnight and his pragmatic stance towards numerous issues has reinforced those early beliefs of those around the world.
Now, many are going to recoil in horror in that we are even paying attention to Europe, China, or otherwise. *This land is your land, this land is my land,* fra, la, la. Get over it people. The world has changed! The modern reality of economics, energy, health care, geopolitics, etc., et. al. This has changed too!!
Can you imagine that we are no longer in the same position we once were at the end of WWII? Could it be that the 1980s are over?
People may talk about experience and results when discussing President Obama. What they are really bemoaning is his ideology. It is not their own. For me, this is worthy of a prize in and of itself.
This isn't about experience or results folks. That is a ruse. This is about ideology, what one believes in, and those who stand to lose the most are outraged.
The general global disposition towards the US towards the end of George W's presidency was abysmal. The mere fact that President Obama was elected shifted perceptions towards our country literally, overnight and his pragmatic stance towards numerous issues has reinforced those early beliefs of those around the world.
Now, many are going to recoil in horror in that we are even paying attention to Europe, China, or otherwise. *This land is your land, this land is my land,* fra, la, la. Get over it people. The world has changed! The modern reality of economics, energy, health care, geopolitics, etc., et. al. This has changed too!!
Can you imagine that we are no longer in the same position we once were at the end of WWII? Could it be that the 1980s are over?
People may talk about experience and results when discussing President Obama. What they are really bemoaning is his ideology. It is not their own. For me, this is worthy of a prize in and of itself.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Sense & Sensibility
It has been interesting to note the Republican stance since President Obama has been elected. There has been the comedy of Sarah Palin, the lack of leadership, the obligatory red herring that is bipartisanship, and so forth.
What it really is about is money. Isn't it always?
If anyone think the battle over health care has been notable wait until the cap and trade legislation gets going. That will be real folly.
The people will be the ones that lose. The so called electorate. *chuckles*
What it really is about is money. Isn't it always?
If anyone think the battle over health care has been notable wait until the cap and trade legislation gets going. That will be real folly.
The people will be the ones that lose. The so called electorate. *chuckles*
Friday, August 14, 2009
Off the Wall
Michael Jackson died on June 25th, 2009. I have been wanting to write about this for weeks now, but have been unable to do so until now.
I loved Michael Jackson. His talent, drive, charisma, and remarkable showmanship, often sent chills down my spine. You knew you were watching a great in action. There was the days of ABC, 123 when I was a little boy. Off the Wall will forever remain my favorite album of all time for its sheer electricity. The release of Thriller was time to behold, and to be glued, to MTV. My first concert was The Jackson's Victory Tour in the summer of 1984.
I've got soul, and I have always loved his music.
Then it went away. I went first, losing interest in Bad and the later albums, as his life became more about theatre and less about music. He went later, due to rumor, allegations, and innuendo. Finally, the passage of time.
Then, suddenly, he was gone and all that was old was new again. His death, has stayed with me, moreso than any I have experienced save for my grandfather. He too, who passed far too young in his life and for my own selfish reasons that I've pondered about through the years.
Michael is magical. That will forever remain. He was able to reach people, in a style and fashion that he was most likely unable to reach himself. I have gone back to the tapes, and the videos, pictures, and all. The talent, raw and real, was always there.
I can empathize with Michael Jackson, if only because I can relate to the distance and loneliness he must have felt. The passage of time, and pain that does not go away but goes numb.
We all live. Our lives unfold before us, decisions we make and the fate of chance, and we are left to move forward.
I will always love the sound, dance, and passion of the artist. RIP Michael. May you find peace and better days.
I loved Michael Jackson. His talent, drive, charisma, and remarkable showmanship, often sent chills down my spine. You knew you were watching a great in action. There was the days of ABC, 123 when I was a little boy. Off the Wall will forever remain my favorite album of all time for its sheer electricity. The release of Thriller was time to behold, and to be glued, to MTV. My first concert was The Jackson's Victory Tour in the summer of 1984.
I've got soul, and I have always loved his music.
Then it went away. I went first, losing interest in Bad and the later albums, as his life became more about theatre and less about music. He went later, due to rumor, allegations, and innuendo. Finally, the passage of time.
Then, suddenly, he was gone and all that was old was new again. His death, has stayed with me, moreso than any I have experienced save for my grandfather. He too, who passed far too young in his life and for my own selfish reasons that I've pondered about through the years.
Michael is magical. That will forever remain. He was able to reach people, in a style and fashion that he was most likely unable to reach himself. I have gone back to the tapes, and the videos, pictures, and all. The talent, raw and real, was always there.
I can empathize with Michael Jackson, if only because I can relate to the distance and loneliness he must have felt. The passage of time, and pain that does not go away but goes numb.
We all live. Our lives unfold before us, decisions we make and the fate of chance, and we are left to move forward.
I will always love the sound, dance, and passion of the artist. RIP Michael. May you find peace and better days.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
The Grand Decline
I believe the United States has seen better days. We are amidst the Grand Decline. This isn't akin to the Great Recession which is a worldwide phenomenon. The Grand Decline is specific to the United States.
It begins with apathy and selfish indolent behavior. It ends with the United States a mere player on the world stage along with China, Russia, European Union, and other emerging markets.
How did this happen? Well, we bought a lot of crap without the means to pay for it. This is everyone mind you from consumers, to business, and of course, the government as well. The wonderful consumer culture has left everyone leveraged to the hilt, and guess what, the bill has come due.
You can't forestall the inevitable once the game has changed, and change it has. There will be no rising real estate values or tech stock bubbles to bail us out this time.
I believe the most difficult aspect for this transformation will be psychological. What will it mean for the average US citizen when we aren't number one anymore?
It begins with apathy and selfish indolent behavior. It ends with the United States a mere player on the world stage along with China, Russia, European Union, and other emerging markets.
How did this happen? Well, we bought a lot of crap without the means to pay for it. This is everyone mind you from consumers, to business, and of course, the government as well. The wonderful consumer culture has left everyone leveraged to the hilt, and guess what, the bill has come due.
You can't forestall the inevitable once the game has changed, and change it has. There will be no rising real estate values or tech stock bubbles to bail us out this time.
I believe the most difficult aspect for this transformation will be psychological. What will it mean for the average US citizen when we aren't number one anymore?
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