Maybe I haven't had enough lessons in war...maybe that's why I don't understand it.
A ceasefire has been agreed for the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, but not until 1:00 am EDT. In the interim, it seems that attacks, killing, murder, destruction, etc. are acceptable. What bullshit!
I'm sure both sides have extensive arguments that, in their opinions, legitimize their actions. I don't buy any of them.
When is it reasonable for the U.S. to attack Iraq? When is it reasonable for al Queda to attack the U.S.? When is it OK for any country to attack another? The answer is simple, just like the answer is simple when a child asks when it is OK for him to attack and kill another child on the playground. The answer is simple! NEVER! Bush, Bin Laden, Morales, Castro, Fox, Blair, Nasrallah, Mubarak, Chirac, Siniora...none of them seem to understand.
Don't wait for the cease fire. Just STOP it!
My GOD, I am so utterly pissed off and bitter at the bastards who don't seem to care about the poor victims of this idiotic conflict. I can't seem to have any impact elsewhere, so I will allow my Sunday night blog to express my rage at this world of ours. For the love of God, people (not that I buy into that), just let people have a chance at a shred of happiness without experiencing the terror of murder by the state.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
How Vietnamese Food Made Me Evaluate My Life
Some people tolerate food the way I tolerate a flu vaccination; they appear to have no interest in the amazing varieties of flavors, textures, and sensations that come with food. I cannot understand them. I suppose they cannot understand my relationship with food.
I eat to live, of course, but also because I find food to be a wonderful way to experience the world. My wife is equally enchanted with food. That's a good thing; the two of us get great pleasure from trying new foods and exploring new places to compare dishes we find especially good.
Last night, we visited a Vietnamese restaurant we had never visited before. We had dropped by a noodle house near another favorite Vietnamese restaurant, but a quick scan of the menu (and the layout of the interior) revealed that the focus of the place was on speed and quantity and satisfying indiscriminate palates, so we left. We headed toward an area in Richardson, located on Walnut Street, with heavy concentrations of Vietnamese and Laotions, with the idea that we'd go to one of the very authentic places there. On the way, though, my wife spotted a place that looked interesting: Phở Tấy Dộ (the symbols are as close as I can get them with my symbol set).
When we entered, it was obvious the place catered to Vietnamese families. There were several large rounds for eight in the center of the room, with tables for four around the perimeter. All the people in the place, except for us, were Asian. Most of the people who were in mid-meal had large bowls of what appeared to be phở. The menu has a tag line: "The Finest Vietnamese Noodle Soup."
After perusing the menu and deciding I wanted to sample everything, I finally decided what I would order: bún bò Huế. I have since learned (thanks to wikipedia.org) that bún bò Huế has a much spicier broth than phở and the tint of the broth is redder in color. Generally, when we eat at Vietnamese restaurants, I add a considerable amount of sauce (the moderately thin paste of cooked orange and red peppers) to get the heat index to my liking. No need last night, though. The spiciness was extraordinary! I was sweating profusely by the time I finished the bowl. Another thing different about this bún: it uses very thick rice noodles, instead of thin vermicelli like most of the bún I have had. The soup was served with the typical plate of bean sprouts, mint leaves, and lime wedges (the sprouts, etc. apparently are common sides in the southern part of Vietnam). I was very happy with the meal.
My wife had an equally excellent dish: cơm thịt nướng, a dish of grilled sliced pork alongside a mound of steamed rice. As with all the other Vietnamese places we have been, it is served with a tiny bowl of nước chấm, which is a mixture of fish sauce, water, lemon or lime juice, and sugar; it is used as a dipping sauce. The pork was wonderfully flavored.
We have never gone to a Vietnamese restaurant for breakfast, but I gather that phở is the breakfast of choice for many Vietnamese. We'll have to try it.
When we left the restaurant, we walked through the strip center where the place was located to see what else was there. When we walked past Casa Millagro and saw the nice alfresco dining area, we decided we must try the place sometime (well, the menu had a little to do with our rationale).
As I was reflecting back on the Vietnamese dinner and how much I enjoyed it, I started thinking how much I enjoy all sorts of other cuisines and how I like to share my experiences and my likes and dislikes with other people. I regularly visit Chowhound and recently I signed on to post questions, etc. (my identity there is Uberchowguy). At any rate, it occurred to me that I really need to figure out a way to incorporate my deep, abiding interest in food into my work life. I have no interest in opening a restaurant...so that's not it. I don't want to work as a reviewer for a food guide...not that, either. I don't know what it is, but I'll figure it out. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy myself by trying new restaurants, returning to old favorites, and enjoying my interest in foods.
I eat to live, of course, but also because I find food to be a wonderful way to experience the world. My wife is equally enchanted with food. That's a good thing; the two of us get great pleasure from trying new foods and exploring new places to compare dishes we find especially good.
Last night, we visited a Vietnamese restaurant we had never visited before. We had dropped by a noodle house near another favorite Vietnamese restaurant, but a quick scan of the menu (and the layout of the interior) revealed that the focus of the place was on speed and quantity and satisfying indiscriminate palates, so we left. We headed toward an area in Richardson, located on Walnut Street, with heavy concentrations of Vietnamese and Laotions, with the idea that we'd go to one of the very authentic places there. On the way, though, my wife spotted a place that looked interesting: Phở Tấy Dộ (the symbols are as close as I can get them with my symbol set).
When we entered, it was obvious the place catered to Vietnamese families. There were several large rounds for eight in the center of the room, with tables for four around the perimeter. All the people in the place, except for us, were Asian. Most of the people who were in mid-meal had large bowls of what appeared to be phở. The menu has a tag line: "The Finest Vietnamese Noodle Soup."
After perusing the menu and deciding I wanted to sample everything, I finally decided what I would order: bún bò Huế. I have since learned (thanks to wikipedia.org) that bún bò Huế has a much spicier broth than phở and the tint of the broth is redder in color. Generally, when we eat at Vietnamese restaurants, I add a considerable amount of sauce (the moderately thin paste of cooked orange and red peppers) to get the heat index to my liking. No need last night, though. The spiciness was extraordinary! I was sweating profusely by the time I finished the bowl. Another thing different about this bún: it uses very thick rice noodles, instead of thin vermicelli like most of the bún I have had. The soup was served with the typical plate of bean sprouts, mint leaves, and lime wedges (the sprouts, etc. apparently are common sides in the southern part of Vietnam). I was very happy with the meal.
My wife had an equally excellent dish: cơm thịt nướng, a dish of grilled sliced pork alongside a mound of steamed rice. As with all the other Vietnamese places we have been, it is served with a tiny bowl of nước chấm, which is a mixture of fish sauce, water, lemon or lime juice, and sugar; it is used as a dipping sauce. The pork was wonderfully flavored.
We have never gone to a Vietnamese restaurant for breakfast, but I gather that phở is the breakfast of choice for many Vietnamese. We'll have to try it.
When we left the restaurant, we walked through the strip center where the place was located to see what else was there. When we walked past Casa Millagro and saw the nice alfresco dining area, we decided we must try the place sometime (well, the menu had a little to do with our rationale).
As I was reflecting back on the Vietnamese dinner and how much I enjoyed it, I started thinking how much I enjoy all sorts of other cuisines and how I like to share my experiences and my likes and dislikes with other people. I regularly visit Chowhound and recently I signed on to post questions, etc. (my identity there is Uberchowguy). At any rate, it occurred to me that I really need to figure out a way to incorporate my deep, abiding interest in food into my work life. I have no interest in opening a restaurant...so that's not it. I don't want to work as a reviewer for a food guide...not that, either. I don't know what it is, but I'll figure it out. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy myself by trying new restaurants, returning to old favorites, and enjoying my interest in foods.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Of Lizards and Racoons and Life in an Oven
It's a steamy 84 degrees in Dallas, with overcast skies. Today's forecast calls for temperatures to reach only 97, about eight degrees shy of yesterday's miserable scorcher. Ah, the delights of August in Dallas.
One positive thing that steamy days bring is the opportunity to see interesting creatures. A brood of lizards lives in and around the plants surrounding our flagstone patio, attracted to the area no doubt by the coolness afforded by the lush cover of leaves and the opportunities to feast on insects that find the plants attractive. The lizards, which make themselves visible only during hot, steamy weather, compete for their meals with house wrens and sparrows that like to land on the flagstones, cock their heads to one side, and watch the underside of leaves for movement. When they see a caterillar edging along, they dash in to grab it in their beaks, flit back down onto a flagstone, and then sling their heads from side to side, beating the caterpillar onto the stone. Interesting, if unappetizing.
Speaking of critters, last night as my wife and I were walking down the flagstone path from the parking lot past the theater where we saw Into the Woods, we saw a young woman sitting on her haunches, staring intently at something across the path. As we go nearer, the object of her interest became apparent: it was a very small, very young racoon that seemed to be having a hard time walking. It stopped to what appeared to be a nut that was on the ground. As we slowly walked by, the young woman looked us and smiled. Later, after the musical was underway, we realized the young woman was the actor playing the role of Cinderella.
My wife had planned on going to the office today, but we got an announcement yesterday that the air conditioning would be off today for repairs. With temperatures in the upper 90s, the office is apt to be unbearable, so that is out for her. Maybe we can enjoy a weekend day, instead.
I've decided that temperatures in the 90s can be bearable, so long as there is a breeze, some shade. And, of course, provided temperatures in the 90s do not follow temperatures well over 100 for several days. Once the temperatures get that high, and linger there for day after day, the earth seems to absorb so much heat that it exacerbates the air temperature. So, for example, when temperatures have been in the 80s and get into the 90s, it is bearable...again, with breezes and shade. But those same temperatures will be unbearable if temperatures have been in the 100s. Once that has happened, going outdoors is like stepping into your life in the oven.
Enough of this...I must get my oven mitts.
One positive thing that steamy days bring is the opportunity to see interesting creatures. A brood of lizards lives in and around the plants surrounding our flagstone patio, attracted to the area no doubt by the coolness afforded by the lush cover of leaves and the opportunities to feast on insects that find the plants attractive. The lizards, which make themselves visible only during hot, steamy weather, compete for their meals with house wrens and sparrows that like to land on the flagstones, cock their heads to one side, and watch the underside of leaves for movement. When they see a caterillar edging along, they dash in to grab it in their beaks, flit back down onto a flagstone, and then sling their heads from side to side, beating the caterpillar onto the stone. Interesting, if unappetizing.
Speaking of critters, last night as my wife and I were walking down the flagstone path from the parking lot past the theater where we saw Into the Woods, we saw a young woman sitting on her haunches, staring intently at something across the path. As we go nearer, the object of her interest became apparent: it was a very small, very young racoon that seemed to be having a hard time walking. It stopped to what appeared to be a nut that was on the ground. As we slowly walked by, the young woman looked us and smiled. Later, after the musical was underway, we realized the young woman was the actor playing the role of Cinderella.
My wife had planned on going to the office today, but we got an announcement yesterday that the air conditioning would be off today for repairs. With temperatures in the upper 90s, the office is apt to be unbearable, so that is out for her. Maybe we can enjoy a weekend day, instead.
I've decided that temperatures in the 90s can be bearable, so long as there is a breeze, some shade. And, of course, provided temperatures in the 90s do not follow temperatures well over 100 for several days. Once the temperatures get that high, and linger there for day after day, the earth seems to absorb so much heat that it exacerbates the air temperature. So, for example, when temperatures have been in the 80s and get into the 90s, it is bearable...again, with breezes and shade. But those same temperatures will be unbearable if temperatures have been in the 100s. Once that has happened, going outdoors is like stepping into your life in the oven.
Enough of this...I must get my oven mitts.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Brief
I haven't blogged in awhile and don't feel much like it now. My wife and I went out to have sushi tonight, after which we went to a musical at the theatre at which we have season tickets. The production was Into the Woods. I'm not much a fan of musicals, but it was entertaining and fun. I'm looking forward to next season, when one of the productions will be Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?
It's late, my thought processes are not full functioning, so I'll stop. But before I do, I'll say I was delighted to hear that my Falba-based brother made it to his destination in Mexico after 2 days of driving.
It's late, my thought processes are not full functioning, so I'll stop. But before I do, I'll say I was delighted to hear that my Falba-based brother made it to his destination in Mexico after 2 days of driving.
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Planned to be Up...But Down I Am
I'm almost 53 years old and generally look the part. I have greying hair, a rather large and (unfortunately) growing pot-gut, and, in my opiniono, exceptionally ugly legs (though they are exceptionally powerful, goddamn it!). I insist on wearing shorts when I can, regardless of my ugly legs and miserable knees. I don't plant myself in the middle of attractive people, expecting to be perceived as attractive; I just go about my business. Fuck attractive. Temperatures above 106 require shorts. Actually, those temps require wading pools and ice, as my blogging friend Isbelita suggested in response to one of my recent rants.
I'm me. I like it OK. OK, I've not achieved my ideal body fat ratio, but I'm not weeping at my miserable, wizened skeleton, covered from head to toe with fat and flesh and fear. Screw it. I am OK, at least tonight I am, with my body. I consider myself a 3.73 on an 8 point scale. Maybe better. And I am working on it...slowly.
All of that drivel is a prelude to my next statements.
'Ugly' people don't deserve the moniker. There are no ugly people. There are only ugly attitudes. I see people sometimes who are very, very unattractive and I know they know it and it makes tears well up in my eyes. It really pisses me off that people who don't fit the fashion-plate definition of attractive can be treated so badly by the average person. What does it take for people to ignore obesity, skin problems, undeveloped limbs, crossed-eyes, and the myriad other 'maladies' that plant themselves on people? What is it about humanity that finds it fun to laugh at other people, to make fun of them, to take joy in their misfortunes?
I am not speaking as someone who has never engaged in the behavior that I now find so offensive. I've been as much of a prick as anyone has; but somehow I have long since realized it. I do believe I would have been less of a prick if the stupidity of my attitudes had been driven into me hard as a very young kid. Maybe not. I'm not blaming my parents, because they were fine people who would NEVER had accepted their children making fun of people who were 'ugly.'
One of my sisters sent me an email this morning that went into some detail about a couple who lived very, very long lives and had a long and wonderful marriage. I liked their attitude...after a certain point, they decided to make only right turns, because elderly people tend to have poor eyesight, depth perception, etc. and one of the leding causes of motor vehicle accidents for the elderly is turning in front of other people. So they decided not to do it. They made right turns until they reached their destinations. People would laught at those folks, too. But they deserved honor and respect for recognizing their potential faults...not ridicule for it.
I learned late this afternoon, after I arrived home (my wife and business partner was still at work...she called me with the news), that our health insurance premiums are increasing by more than 100%. We pay about 70% of our staff's premiums, but this huge increase will hammer that. We've not been able to increase our management fees lately. This situation argues that we must. Either that, or we have to cut staff. I hate being my own boss. I want a pension! I want 5 weeks vacation! I want to earn more than minimum wage!
Back to the issue at hand. My health insurance issues, as important and troubling as they are to me, are meaningless when compared to people who are abused because of their appearance or other things out of their control. I get very upset by such stuff. It makes me question whethere there really is any innate goodness in my fellow humans. Too often, I think not.
I'm me. I like it OK. OK, I've not achieved my ideal body fat ratio, but I'm not weeping at my miserable, wizened skeleton, covered from head to toe with fat and flesh and fear. Screw it. I am OK, at least tonight I am, with my body. I consider myself a 3.73 on an 8 point scale. Maybe better. And I am working on it...slowly.
All of that drivel is a prelude to my next statements.
'Ugly' people don't deserve the moniker. There are no ugly people. There are only ugly attitudes. I see people sometimes who are very, very unattractive and I know they know it and it makes tears well up in my eyes. It really pisses me off that people who don't fit the fashion-plate definition of attractive can be treated so badly by the average person. What does it take for people to ignore obesity, skin problems, undeveloped limbs, crossed-eyes, and the myriad other 'maladies' that plant themselves on people? What is it about humanity that finds it fun to laugh at other people, to make fun of them, to take joy in their misfortunes?
I am not speaking as someone who has never engaged in the behavior that I now find so offensive. I've been as much of a prick as anyone has; but somehow I have long since realized it. I do believe I would have been less of a prick if the stupidity of my attitudes had been driven into me hard as a very young kid. Maybe not. I'm not blaming my parents, because they were fine people who would NEVER had accepted their children making fun of people who were 'ugly.'
One of my sisters sent me an email this morning that went into some detail about a couple who lived very, very long lives and had a long and wonderful marriage. I liked their attitude...after a certain point, they decided to make only right turns, because elderly people tend to have poor eyesight, depth perception, etc. and one of the leding causes of motor vehicle accidents for the elderly is turning in front of other people. So they decided not to do it. They made right turns until they reached their destinations. People would laught at those folks, too. But they deserved honor and respect for recognizing their potential faults...not ridicule for it.
I learned late this afternoon, after I arrived home (my wife and business partner was still at work...she called me with the news), that our health insurance premiums are increasing by more than 100%. We pay about 70% of our staff's premiums, but this huge increase will hammer that. We've not been able to increase our management fees lately. This situation argues that we must. Either that, or we have to cut staff. I hate being my own boss. I want a pension! I want 5 weeks vacation! I want to earn more than minimum wage!
Back to the issue at hand. My health insurance issues, as important and troubling as they are to me, are meaningless when compared to people who are abused because of their appearance or other things out of their control. I get very upset by such stuff. It makes me question whethere there really is any innate goodness in my fellow humans. Too often, I think not.
Tuesday, August 8, 2006
Computers hate me and want me dead
Computers hate me and want me dead.
Yesterday and today were days reminiscent of the horror-days of yesteryear when I dealt with plagues of locusts decending on the computerscape.
Several of the computers in my office are elderly, having been purchased not long after I formed my company in 1998...well, the oldest is probably from late 1999 or early 2000. I have been renewing virus software protection on them annually since 2002, prefering to stick with Norton Antivirus 2002 than making the logical move to upgrade. That bad, penny-wise and pound-foolish decision came back to haunt me.
When it came time to renew, we discovered it was impossible to renew...must upgrade. So, we decided to do same...upgrade to Norton 2006. Easy enough, not much money, etc.
But, the computers we upgraded became angry and tried to hurt us. They either slowed to the speed of near-frozen molasses or allowed as they were unwilling to put up with the new software, goddamn it!
After wrestling with the beasts for two days, we discovered that our machines with 128K memory were too elderly for the software...Norton 2006 requires 256K, they tell me. Bastards!
And, of course, these old crippled computers didn't need today's inexpensive memory. They needed old, expensive memory. So, we upgraded one and temporarily patched another and opted to replace a third. This is occuring, of course, at the same time I am looking at replacing our ancient server and our phone system (which, incidentally, cannot run on Windows NT Server...bad, old software...which we are using). I'm about to invest in an entirely new computer network! We'll have a few workstations that will still work...but MY GOD, THE COST IS ASTRONOMICAL!
I screamed alot and I think I frightened my young Australian assistant. I probably pissed off everyone in the office...no one likes to hear their boss raging like a bull and threatening Bill Gates and his entire generation with a beating. Wait, I'm part of his generation.
We're back in business, if only barely. A couple of adjustments, plus a new server and phone system...we'll be in business...and the poor house. But the new phone system may allow me to work at home more frequently...and has the added benefit of turning my notebook computer into a telephon extension so that, if I am online, my office can transfer a call to me, I can speak to the person from my computer, and can transfer the call back! Magic!
I need 5 new clients, though, large and generous ones, to pay for all of this. I'll do right by them! I have changed my stripes. I like clients! Send them my way!
Finally...I lost my chance today to go to Mexico with my brother. He's on his way. He will stay with my other brother for a week or so, then venture out to a village where English is not spoken and will rent a place short term...and there, he will be forced to polish his Spanish. That's his plan. I envy him.
Enough bloggery for tonight.
Yesterday and today were days reminiscent of the horror-days of yesteryear when I dealt with plagues of locusts decending on the computerscape.
Several of the computers in my office are elderly, having been purchased not long after I formed my company in 1998...well, the oldest is probably from late 1999 or early 2000. I have been renewing virus software protection on them annually since 2002, prefering to stick with Norton Antivirus 2002 than making the logical move to upgrade. That bad, penny-wise and pound-foolish decision came back to haunt me.
When it came time to renew, we discovered it was impossible to renew...must upgrade. So, we decided to do same...upgrade to Norton 2006. Easy enough, not much money, etc.
But, the computers we upgraded became angry and tried to hurt us. They either slowed to the speed of near-frozen molasses or allowed as they were unwilling to put up with the new software, goddamn it!
After wrestling with the beasts for two days, we discovered that our machines with 128K memory were too elderly for the software...Norton 2006 requires 256K, they tell me. Bastards!
And, of course, these old crippled computers didn't need today's inexpensive memory. They needed old, expensive memory. So, we upgraded one and temporarily patched another and opted to replace a third. This is occuring, of course, at the same time I am looking at replacing our ancient server and our phone system (which, incidentally, cannot run on Windows NT Server...bad, old software...which we are using). I'm about to invest in an entirely new computer network! We'll have a few workstations that will still work...but MY GOD, THE COST IS ASTRONOMICAL!
I screamed alot and I think I frightened my young Australian assistant. I probably pissed off everyone in the office...no one likes to hear their boss raging like a bull and threatening Bill Gates and his entire generation with a beating. Wait, I'm part of his generation.
We're back in business, if only barely. A couple of adjustments, plus a new server and phone system...we'll be in business...and the poor house. But the new phone system may allow me to work at home more frequently...and has the added benefit of turning my notebook computer into a telephon extension so that, if I am online, my office can transfer a call to me, I can speak to the person from my computer, and can transfer the call back! Magic!
I need 5 new clients, though, large and generous ones, to pay for all of this. I'll do right by them! I have changed my stripes. I like clients! Send them my way!
Finally...I lost my chance today to go to Mexico with my brother. He's on his way. He will stay with my other brother for a week or so, then venture out to a village where English is not spoken and will rent a place short term...and there, he will be forced to polish his Spanish. That's his plan. I envy him.
Enough bloggery for tonight.
Monday, August 7, 2006
Things I Shouldn't Say
This will be short because I am starting late, I have very little energy, and I have limited comments to share with the universe tonight.
My brother will head out to Mexico without me tomorrow...rotten deal. I just couldn't drag myself away. Then, after I made the decision, I read something that essentially branded me as one of "those people" who don't care enough about their own personal lives to ignore work. That stings, but I have my reasons...like wanting to keep paying the bills.
I got a nice message on one of my posts today from a blogger I've grown fond of (her posts) and so I encourage you to visit her blog and express your support for her comments.
If you have suggestions about how I can retire early, please pass them along. Alternatively, if you can suggest ways I can turn my present attitude around so that my work situation is tolerable, please get in touch. I hate almost everything I do, despite my enjoyment of the tasks. Tough to understand? I want to work for ME. I do, of course, in that I own my own business, but I don't, you see, in that I have clients. I want to work for ME!
I'm putting an early end to my wild rant. Good night, and good golly!
My brother will head out to Mexico without me tomorrow...rotten deal. I just couldn't drag myself away. Then, after I made the decision, I read something that essentially branded me as one of "those people" who don't care enough about their own personal lives to ignore work. That stings, but I have my reasons...like wanting to keep paying the bills.
I got a nice message on one of my posts today from a blogger I've grown fond of (her posts) and so I encourage you to visit her blog and express your support for her comments.
If you have suggestions about how I can retire early, please pass them along. Alternatively, if you can suggest ways I can turn my present attitude around so that my work situation is tolerable, please get in touch. I hate almost everything I do, despite my enjoyment of the tasks. Tough to understand? I want to work for ME. I do, of course, in that I own my own business, but I don't, you see, in that I have clients. I want to work for ME!
I'm putting an early end to my wild rant. Good night, and good golly!