Apparently, I did not tire of Bill Maher after watching Bill Maher: I'm Swiss on DVD the other night. A member of my staff mentioned today that he will be in Dallas as the Majestic Theatre on April 15. I immediately asked my wife if she wanted to go; she said she did, so it's on! I'm looking forward to another opportunity to hear him point his sharp barbs at the world's stupidest man (if he makes it out of Pakistan alive). We will take advantage of our certificate good for one-night plus breakfast at the Westin in downtown Dallas; it's good fortunate, I guess, that we did not use the certificate recently, as originally planned. My wife is looking forward to sleeping in the Westin's "heavenly bed." I have to admit, I really like them, too, and would like to buy one...maybe, one day.
I've not seen Brokeback Mountain, but I read the short story by Annie Proulx, upon which the film is based. I must be one of the most clueless people around. I have read the book of short stories by Annie Proulx which includes Brokeback Mountain, but I have not been paying much attention, I guess, and did not realize the movie was based on the short story of the same name. I remember when I first read the short story that I thought it was a very, very odd story. I think I'll want to see the film, but there's no rush.
This afternoon, on the way home from work, my wife and I stopped at the grocery store pharmacy where we get our prescriptions filled. I had a slew of them to fill for a one-month period, to the tune of $174 or so, and had run out of some of them, so I needed to get them filled. My wife wanted to wander the bookstore next door, so I dropped her first, dropped the prescription, and headed over to find her. As I walked into the bookstore (Barnes & Noble), it occurred to me that we are deep in the midst of retail as entertainment. The idea is not new, of course, but it was so apparent that I was shocked. There I was in Barnes & Noble, and I looked around at beautiful artwork, an in-store Starbucks, a CD section with comfortable chairs and headphones to listen to virtually anything in the store, a quiet area in the corner of the bookstore portion with a large number of comfortable easy chairs, nice lighting, and people reading. I didn't see it, but I think I recall once being inside the Starbucks and noticing that there were flat-screen televisions broadcasting CNN, etc.
It makes good sense. Give people a reason to be in a retail environment (other than shopping for pants) that entertains them, and they will buy. In a more enlightened society, the bookstore might also include a hash bar. I think, for the immediate near term, at least, retail as entertainment is solidly entrenched.
Friday, March 3, 2006
Thursday, March 2, 2006
Healthy?
I underwent a stress test today...sounds like an exam to reveal how much I know about stress. Well, I think I know a lot! Naturally, this stress test was undertaken after a winter of lethargy, laziness, and generally slothful behavior on my part. No exercise, a habit of regular and massive overeating, far too much liquor, etc., etc. That was my winter. And then, today, I was put on a treadmill to test my heart's functioning. Crap! It didn't function well at all! I was sweating like a stuck pig by the time my heart rate got to the required 142 beats per minute, which occurred after 8 minutes on the treadmill. That was after the speed and degree of incline of the treadmill was adjusted upward, radically, twice. I felt very much like I was running at top speed on a very steep mountain ridge, nearing the top. The atmosphere there among the clouds and bitter cold and snow held a fraction of the oxygen it holds here, close to sea level. Awful!
After my torture session ended, I started coughing, due to a post nasal drip that was exacerbated by the exercise. My sinuses started filling with...wet cement, it seemed...and I felt like I had just inhaled a piece of dust that decided to land at just the wrong place. I coughed, and coughed, and coughed, and coughed for at least 15 minutes. There was phlegm stuck in my airway at just the wrong spot...it was enough to drive me insane! Anyway, I finally stopped...but it has happened off and on, though not nearly as severely, ever since. I did the second round of laying motionless on a table as I was "photographed" by a machine that slipped by, very slowly, my body over a 15 minute period, taking "pictures" every 30-45 seconds. When it was all done, the technician told me everything looked good. A relief! Last time, the same guy told me it looked very, very bad! The doctor later told me it was perfect.
I hate dealing with medical tests and related "stuff." I want to be astonishingly healthy for a 25 year-old (and I'm 52), and I want that state put on permanent hold.
After my torture session ended, I started coughing, due to a post nasal drip that was exacerbated by the exercise. My sinuses started filling with...wet cement, it seemed...and I felt like I had just inhaled a piece of dust that decided to land at just the wrong place. I coughed, and coughed, and coughed, and coughed for at least 15 minutes. There was phlegm stuck in my airway at just the wrong spot...it was enough to drive me insane! Anyway, I finally stopped...but it has happened off and on, though not nearly as severely, ever since. I did the second round of laying motionless on a table as I was "photographed" by a machine that slipped by, very slowly, my body over a 15 minute period, taking "pictures" every 30-45 seconds. When it was all done, the technician told me everything looked good. A relief! Last time, the same guy told me it looked very, very bad! The doctor later told me it was perfect.
I hate dealing with medical tests and related "stuff." I want to be astonishingly healthy for a 25 year-old (and I'm 52), and I want that state put on permanent hold.
Bill Maher: I'm Swiss
Bill Maher is merciless. He's more than a little wrapped up in his own self-importance, but he's extremely sharp-witted. I share most of his political points of view, but not all. For one thing, he considers himself a Libertarian. So does one of my nephews. I have told my nephew, and I would tell Bill Maher, than I believe libertarianism, as widely promoted by the few people in public life who espouse their support for it, is steeped in greed, irresponsibility, and sociopathy.
Now I readily admit that my view of libertarianism is colored as much by the rhetoric of people who profess to be libertarians as by the philosophical tenets of the philosophy, to which I am personally drawn.
I'm not bright enough to get into a truly meaningful argument about it, but I wanted to drop my notes up front, before I give my reaction to the DVD my wife and I watched last night, Bill Maher: I'm Swiss. It was hillarious! I laughed aloud during most of the program, which was simply Bill Maher doing his standup routine in front of an audience in Portland, Oregon sometime in 2005.
His profane, but perfectly rational and reasonable, attacks on virtually everything Bush has ever done were wonderful. He was equally sharp-tongued in his attacks on Democrats, but it was obvious he has much more regard for Democrats and their ideals than he does for Republicans. People who are offended by vulgar and profane language should avoid the DVD...but, then, those people should also avoid this blog.
Despite my admiration for the program and the fact that I found it hillariously funny ane entertaining, Maher can tend to overdo it. In my view, he should try to limit his use and reuse of material on the same topic, same people, same attacks, to four per program.
I would watch it again. If you're from Texas and can't take a joke and don't like being belittled for where you are from, you might want to step out of the room when he starts talking about Texans.
Now I readily admit that my view of libertarianism is colored as much by the rhetoric of people who profess to be libertarians as by the philosophical tenets of the philosophy, to which I am personally drawn.
I'm not bright enough to get into a truly meaningful argument about it, but I wanted to drop my notes up front, before I give my reaction to the DVD my wife and I watched last night, Bill Maher: I'm Swiss. It was hillarious! I laughed aloud during most of the program, which was simply Bill Maher doing his standup routine in front of an audience in Portland, Oregon sometime in 2005.
His profane, but perfectly rational and reasonable, attacks on virtually everything Bush has ever done were wonderful. He was equally sharp-tongued in his attacks on Democrats, but it was obvious he has much more regard for Democrats and their ideals than he does for Republicans. People who are offended by vulgar and profane language should avoid the DVD...but, then, those people should also avoid this blog.
Despite my admiration for the program and the fact that I found it hillariously funny ane entertaining, Maher can tend to overdo it. In my view, he should try to limit his use and reuse of material on the same topic, same people, same attacks, to four per program.
I would watch it again. If you're from Texas and can't take a joke and don't like being belittled for where you are from, you might want to step out of the room when he starts talking about Texans.
Wednesday, March 1, 2006
La Llorona
Tomorrow, my thalium stress test and "fasting labs." Which means no food or drink of any kind after midnight and no caffeine after 1:30 pm today. Tomorrow, I go in for the lab work at 1:15 pm, then the stress test at 1:30. Oh, boy!
Today, I made had a presentation/interview with a prospective client...I'll know whether I'm one of the two final finalists in two weeks.
After work today, my wife and I went to see my staff member who just had a baby. The baby was one month premature, but very healthy except for a mild case of jaundice. Thick head of dark black hair on this tiny baby...amazing!
After baby-watching, we went out to eat an an Indian restaurant close by...tonight's our date night...and then came home and decided to watch Bill Maher: I'm Swiss, which we rented from Netflix. Just as we sat down to watch it, the phone rang; my wife's sister was on the phone. So, my wife is now talking to her and I'm writing to you. I'm not in a particularly bloggy mood, but I do owe the blog something today, so here it is.
Oh, I bought Ringside Seat to a Revolution--An Underground Cultural History of El Paso and Juárez: 1893 - 1923! If you don't recognize the book or why I might have bought it, read one of my blogs in which I mentioned it. Anyway, it's very interesting, though not something I'm apt to read cover to cover in one sitting...more like something I will read a bit here and there. The publishers are smart marketers...they included with the book several colorful postcards of Mexican origin (Cinco Puntos Press specializes in Mexican-themed materials). Each postcard has several of the company's titles on the other side, along with contact information. My shipment also included a bumper sticker that reads: Honk if you've seen La Llorona," and then includes the publisher's name and contact info. I had only a vague, vague recollection of something about La Llorona, so I googled it. There's some fascinating information about it on this website. Put your cursor slowly over each of the photos and listen...then click on the photos to get the legend associated with it.
My wife's off the phone...I'll tell you about the Maher movie some other time.
Today, I made had a presentation/interview with a prospective client...I'll know whether I'm one of the two final finalists in two weeks.
After work today, my wife and I went to see my staff member who just had a baby. The baby was one month premature, but very healthy except for a mild case of jaundice. Thick head of dark black hair on this tiny baby...amazing!
After baby-watching, we went out to eat an an Indian restaurant close by...tonight's our date night...and then came home and decided to watch Bill Maher: I'm Swiss, which we rented from Netflix. Just as we sat down to watch it, the phone rang; my wife's sister was on the phone. So, my wife is now talking to her and I'm writing to you. I'm not in a particularly bloggy mood, but I do owe the blog something today, so here it is.
Oh, I bought Ringside Seat to a Revolution--An Underground Cultural History of El Paso and Juárez: 1893 - 1923! If you don't recognize the book or why I might have bought it, read one of my blogs in which I mentioned it. Anyway, it's very interesting, though not something I'm apt to read cover to cover in one sitting...more like something I will read a bit here and there. The publishers are smart marketers...they included with the book several colorful postcards of Mexican origin (Cinco Puntos Press specializes in Mexican-themed materials). Each postcard has several of the company's titles on the other side, along with contact information. My shipment also included a bumper sticker that reads: Honk if you've seen La Llorona," and then includes the publisher's name and contact info. I had only a vague, vague recollection of something about La Llorona, so I googled it. There's some fascinating information about it on this website. Put your cursor slowly over each of the photos and listen...then click on the photos to get the legend associated with it.
My wife's off the phone...I'll tell you about the Maher movie some other time.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Mass Transit
I am a supporter of mass transportation systems. I think they have the potential to save vast amounts of energy supplies and reduce pollution. I have heard arguments against them, saying they actually consume more energy in total than cars, but I doubt that. They certainly reduce congestion. They make for less stressful travel. They allow people watching. And they can permit people to read and otherwise be distracted during their commutes.
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system has been improving over the years. While buses remain a very tough way to get around Dallas (due to schedules, routes, etc. being designed by people who don't use the roadways...ever), the trains are really slick. Apparently, when DART first proposed a system of light rail throughout Dallas, one of the lines was to have run from DFW airport through Carrollton and up through Addison and into Richardson. But, after North Dallas residents got wind of the plan, they balked, arguing that a light rail system through their neighborhood would result in a reduction in land values, noise pollution (they prefer their pollution in the air they breathe), crime, interracial marriage, liberal political positions, homosexuality, etc. So, thanks to the Republican monied masses, that plan was shelved.
But, lately the powers that be in Addison and some in North Dallas and Richardson (I think it's Richardson) have put pressure on DART to add the "Cotton Belt" rail line back to the long-term plan. My wife and I received notice a few weeks ago that a meeting on the subject would be held tonight at the recreation center just around the corner from us, so we are going to go. We're both ardent supporters of mass transit, though we both realize we will be long gone (either distance or death) by the time any such plans would come to pass in our neighborhood. But we'll go tonight to express our support for the concept.
I have no idea where the stations would be, or how far from us, but I am convinced that mass transit that is convenient to this area would drive values up, the way it has in every other area of Dallas. I think the muttonheads who oppose it because of the noise and crime have never used mass transit.
OK...I went to the meeting. I actually learned some things about plans under contention. The plan supported by the City Councilman who called the meeting actually looks good. But it does not involve the Cotton Belt rail line that is close to us. I learned, though, that the Cotton Belt plan that is favored by other cities close by would just zip through our neighborhood, with no stops for at least a 3 or 4 mile stretch. And, I learned that an alternative plan for the Cotton Belt rail line would have 3 stations within about 2-3 miles of us. But that plan is being supported only as a "backup" if the primary plan does not get support by the DART board.
Finally, I learned that there are, indeed, people in my district who are self-centered, selfish, rotten fascists. During the comment period, when people were to have 2-3 minutes, the first speaker was a Not in My Back Yard guy who pranced and strutted about how successful he and his Stalinist buddies have been for years in saying "NO TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN MY BACK YARD!" My wife and I listened to him for 5 minutes, stood up, and walked out of the meeting. The tone in the room suggested everyone else was a supporter.
I gotta get out of this place!
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system has been improving over the years. While buses remain a very tough way to get around Dallas (due to schedules, routes, etc. being designed by people who don't use the roadways...ever), the trains are really slick. Apparently, when DART first proposed a system of light rail throughout Dallas, one of the lines was to have run from DFW airport through Carrollton and up through Addison and into Richardson. But, after North Dallas residents got wind of the plan, they balked, arguing that a light rail system through their neighborhood would result in a reduction in land values, noise pollution (they prefer their pollution in the air they breathe), crime, interracial marriage, liberal political positions, homosexuality, etc. So, thanks to the Republican monied masses, that plan was shelved.
But, lately the powers that be in Addison and some in North Dallas and Richardson (I think it's Richardson) have put pressure on DART to add the "Cotton Belt" rail line back to the long-term plan. My wife and I received notice a few weeks ago that a meeting on the subject would be held tonight at the recreation center just around the corner from us, so we are going to go. We're both ardent supporters of mass transit, though we both realize we will be long gone (either distance or death) by the time any such plans would come to pass in our neighborhood. But we'll go tonight to express our support for the concept.
I have no idea where the stations would be, or how far from us, but I am convinced that mass transit that is convenient to this area would drive values up, the way it has in every other area of Dallas. I think the muttonheads who oppose it because of the noise and crime have never used mass transit.
OK...I went to the meeting. I actually learned some things about plans under contention. The plan supported by the City Councilman who called the meeting actually looks good. But it does not involve the Cotton Belt rail line that is close to us. I learned, though, that the Cotton Belt plan that is favored by other cities close by would just zip through our neighborhood, with no stops for at least a 3 or 4 mile stretch. And, I learned that an alternative plan for the Cotton Belt rail line would have 3 stations within about 2-3 miles of us. But that plan is being supported only as a "backup" if the primary plan does not get support by the DART board.
Finally, I learned that there are, indeed, people in my district who are self-centered, selfish, rotten fascists. During the comment period, when people were to have 2-3 minutes, the first speaker was a Not in My Back Yard guy who pranced and strutted about how successful he and his Stalinist buddies have been for years in saying "NO TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN MY BACK YARD!" My wife and I listened to him for 5 minutes, stood up, and walked out of the meeting. The tone in the room suggested everyone else was a supporter.
I gotta get out of this place!
Monday, February 27, 2006
Hope & Dreams
I just read the "This I Believe" piece from today...it made me sad, but gave me just a tiny touch of hope, nonetheless. Read what a 16 year-old thinks about the future. I am so worried that the young man's hope is badly misplaced, but it's still something that makes me hopeful. Would that hope and desire control the future, rather than Bush and radical Muslims.
I'm trying to conduct a rational assessment of the amount of money I have in my accessible and inaccessible (e.g., 401K accounts, etc.) accounts. I want to know how much of, and when, my money will be available to me. I want to calculate, coldly, what I might be able to do if I sold my house, my car, my "stuff," and all the other material things I have. How long would I last, at various levels of consumption, if I dropped out?
Am I being completely blind? How could I possibly retire at 52? I'm willing to defer it until I'm 53 if necessary. One of my sisters may want to do the same, but I don't know that she wants to contribute to my retirement and live in the same house. But maybe we could make it a compound..
I do have ideas about making money into retirement...but don't know how realistic and legitimate they are.
I'm trying to conduct a rational assessment of the amount of money I have in my accessible and inaccessible (e.g., 401K accounts, etc.) accounts. I want to know how much of, and when, my money will be available to me. I want to calculate, coldly, what I might be able to do if I sold my house, my car, my "stuff," and all the other material things I have. How long would I last, at various levels of consumption, if I dropped out?
Am I being completely blind? How could I possibly retire at 52? I'm willing to defer it until I'm 53 if necessary. One of my sisters may want to do the same, but I don't know that she wants to contribute to my retirement and live in the same house. But maybe we could make it a compound..
I do have ideas about making money into retirement...but don't know how realistic and legitimate they are.
Dubrovnik, etc.
Today, I had a conversation with a Board member of a client association who is going to attend the meeting in Dubrovnik with me. She said a group of member of the association are taking advantage of the meeting by doing some travelling after the meeting...they plan on taking a cruise ship overnight from Dubrovnik, after the meeting, to Barri, Italy. Then, they will rent a car and drive to Naples and other places of interest. When they fly back, they will fly back from Naples. She claims she got a ticket from Phoenix to Milan to Zagreb to Dubrovnik, and then from Naples to Phoenix, for only $849. I can't find anything like that from Dallas. The cheaptest ticket I could find for Dallas/Milan/Zagreb/Dubrovnik and then Naples/Dallas was $1800+
I'd love to go to Italy, for just a bit, but the cost and the time may make it impossible. If only I could simply leave my office for six weeks, I'd do something different.
Drat!
I'm almost annoyed that I have to go to Dubrovnik. I want to take advantage, but my company needs my attention. Don't get a company like mine!
I'd love to go to Italy, for just a bit, but the cost and the time may make it impossible. If only I could simply leave my office for six weeks, I'd do something different.
Drat!
I'm almost annoyed that I have to go to Dubrovnik. I want to take advantage, but my company needs my attention. Don't get a company like mine!