and maybe Elsa.
(Press the arrow on the cartoon)
Monday, October 30, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Whatcha doing?
So I know, I haven’t written much. And I really don’t have any excuse for it. Or at least a reason worthy an excuse. Suppose I’ve been working a lot. And dealing with people exhausts me so whenever I get home, the last thing I want to do is sit by the computer and write. The other exhausting thing about my job is that I don’t have my own space – an office, a desk, a chair – anything. And since I don’t have a place to retreat, I am “on” the entire time I am there, and that makes me feel spent. Suppose this job proves that I really am not a people person.
The slightly amazing thing about the job is that I now work in Red Hook which is an up-and-coming area in Brooklyn. It’s a bit cut off from the rest of civilization since the only way to get there by public transportation is taking a bus that takes forever. Or, as in my case, take the little choo-choo train that goes from nowhere to nowhere and then walk 20 minutes through the projects while dodging piles of dog shit on the sidewalks. The amazing part of this story (well, at least to me amazing) is that my highschool English teacher used to live on Van Brunt street which is where my work is located. I went to visit him when I was in college and I distinctly remember taking the bus and getting off at the location he specified on Van Brunt Street. I went with my friend and he fed us blueberry waffles and we climbed onto his roof to take in the stunning view of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan.
Of course, like many areas of New York City, Red Hook is slowly being populated by hipsters, artists, restaurants, and art-bars. There is even a Fairway organic food store in the area where my teacher used to live. And there is an IKEA on the way.
Anywho, not to change the topic but another funny thing is that friends/relatives/random people I barely know don’t believe that I’ve been surfing. Yes, I know, this web thingee doesn’t have pictures of me riding a board but I swear, I have an eight foot T&C sitting in my living room right now. Of course, that’s no proof of me surfing. Unfortunately, lately I haven’t had a chance to surf, mainly because the board is in my living room instead of being stored in Rockaways and since I don’t have a car, it’s really difficult to lug it on the subway. I’ve had offers to go out surfing but sadly I’ve come to a realization that these offers are a bunch of hot air, so no surfing. Besides, since I have all those cracks in my board and the water is leaking in, I should wait for the board to dry out so that I can fix it sometime in the spring.
It’s a little weird not to be surfing. And since I’ve managed to completely fall from the face of the earth this summer due to surfing, no one ever calls me to go out any more. And I just can’t figure what to do with myself during weekends. Yea, so if you’re reading this and I haven’t talked to you in a while, call me! Because clearly I am a loser and cannot pick up the phone.
The slightly amazing thing about the job is that I now work in Red Hook which is an up-and-coming area in Brooklyn. It’s a bit cut off from the rest of civilization since the only way to get there by public transportation is taking a bus that takes forever. Or, as in my case, take the little choo-choo train that goes from nowhere to nowhere and then walk 20 minutes through the projects while dodging piles of dog shit on the sidewalks. The amazing part of this story (well, at least to me amazing) is that my highschool English teacher used to live on Van Brunt street which is where my work is located. I went to visit him when I was in college and I distinctly remember taking the bus and getting off at the location he specified on Van Brunt Street. I went with my friend and he fed us blueberry waffles and we climbed onto his roof to take in the stunning view of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan.
Of course, like many areas of New York City, Red Hook is slowly being populated by hipsters, artists, restaurants, and art-bars. There is even a Fairway organic food store in the area where my teacher used to live. And there is an IKEA on the way.
Anywho, not to change the topic but another funny thing is that friends/relatives/random people I barely know don’t believe that I’ve been surfing. Yes, I know, this web thingee doesn’t have pictures of me riding a board but I swear, I have an eight foot T&C sitting in my living room right now. Of course, that’s no proof of me surfing. Unfortunately, lately I haven’t had a chance to surf, mainly because the board is in my living room instead of being stored in Rockaways and since I don’t have a car, it’s really difficult to lug it on the subway. I’ve had offers to go out surfing but sadly I’ve come to a realization that these offers are a bunch of hot air, so no surfing. Besides, since I have all those cracks in my board and the water is leaking in, I should wait for the board to dry out so that I can fix it sometime in the spring.
It’s a little weird not to be surfing. And since I’ve managed to completely fall from the face of the earth this summer due to surfing, no one ever calls me to go out any more. And I just can’t figure what to do with myself during weekends. Yea, so if you’re reading this and I haven’t talked to you in a while, call me! Because clearly I am a loser and cannot pick up the phone.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Yea I know I am lazy
And I haven't updated this thingee for a while. But I blame it all on surfing, it's more addictive than crack. Here is a quick update: 5+ foot waves - a no-no for Betty McBoob. Anything around 3 feet is fun, in a scary type of way. Oh, it looks like I will be fixing my own dings soon. Cowabunga!
South Africa 'breaks' surf record
A group of South African surfers say they have broken the record for the number of people riding a single wave.
Organisers say that 73 surfers managed to stay upright for five seconds, beating the previous best of 44.
The event was organised to raise money for spotters who watch the sea to raise the alarm when sharks are seen on Muizenberg beach near Cape Town.
A lifeguard recently had his foot bitten off by a great white shark in the area.
"We have broken the world record," said organiser Dene Botha jubilantly.
"We don't know exactly by how many, but we have a record."
The record still has to be confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records.
South Africa 'breaks' surf record
A group of South African surfers say they have broken the record for the number of people riding a single wave.
Organisers say that 73 surfers managed to stay upright for five seconds, beating the previous best of 44.
The event was organised to raise money for spotters who watch the sea to raise the alarm when sharks are seen on Muizenberg beach near Cape Town.
A lifeguard recently had his foot bitten off by a great white shark in the area.
"We have broken the world record," said organiser Dene Botha jubilantly.
"We don't know exactly by how many, but we have a record."
The record still has to be confirmed by the Guinness Book of Records.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Still not sure what to say
I ran across this while reading someone else's blog. Well, not exactly, but when I saw a reference to vagina dentata, I quickly looked it up to Wikipedia. Which led me to anti-rape condoms.
They're weird. And somewhat fascinating. And confusing.
Anyways, here and here and here is what other people say about it.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
I'll never learn
In an attempt to fulfill my fantasies about a hipster with a beard in short shorts and tighty-whities, I took a leap of faith and reached out. To my own pleasant surprise, I got a lengthy response full of promises of future socializing. The very same promises I received a while back when I started noticing hipsters in short shorts and tighty-whities. To my further surprise, a few days later, I receive a third party confirmation of excitement about my reaching out from the said hipster with a beard in short shorts and tighty-whities.
So far, so good.
Of course, in all this excitement, I forgot all of the previous patterns of promises but little follow through.
But clearly, I am a sucker for self-inflicted punishment. Because I reached out again. But prior to any action, I conferred with a friend who agreed that a modern day woman should be able to do whatever she wants rather than adhere to some preconceived and outdated social standards. She also reminded me that many hipsters with beards in short shorts and tighty-whities happen to be boobs. But I chose to ignore that small piece of rather important reminder.
And I got – “Awesome! Let’s hang out soon.”
That’s it.
I guess the bigger question is: where are all the manly-men with no beards who don’t wear short shorts with tighty-whities? I have no clue where to start looking for them.
So far, so good.
Of course, in all this excitement, I forgot all of the previous patterns of promises but little follow through.
But clearly, I am a sucker for self-inflicted punishment. Because I reached out again. But prior to any action, I conferred with a friend who agreed that a modern day woman should be able to do whatever she wants rather than adhere to some preconceived and outdated social standards. She also reminded me that many hipsters with beards in short shorts and tighty-whities happen to be boobs. But I chose to ignore that small piece of rather important reminder.
And I got – “Awesome! Let’s hang out soon.”
That’s it.
I guess the bigger question is: where are all the manly-men with no beards who don’t wear short shorts with tighty-whities? I have no clue where to start looking for them.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
And a word from the Government
For the three people who read this blog, it's about freaking time! Not to mention, just in time for me to enjoy those short shorts!
FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P06-118
August 24, 2006
FDA Approves Over-the-Counter Access for Plan B for Women 18 and Older
Prescription Remains Required for Those 17 and Under
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced approval of Plan B, a contraceptive drug, as an over-the-counter (OTC) option for women aged 18 and older. Plan B is often referred to as emergency contraception or the "morning after pill." It contains an ingredient used in prescription birth control pills--only in the case of Plan B, each pill contains a higher dose and the product has a different dosing regimen. Like other birth control pills, Plan B has been available to all women as a prescription drug. When used as directed, Plan B effectively and safely prevents pregnancy. Plan B will remain available as a prescription-only product for women age 17 and under.
Duramed, a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, will make Plan B available with a rigorous labeling, packaging, education, distribution and monitoring program. In the CARE (Convenient Access, Responsible Education) program Duramed commits to:
* Provide consumers and healthcare professionals with labeling and education about the appropriate use of prescription and OTC Plan B, including an informational toll-free number for questions about Plan B;
* Ensure that distribution of Plan B will only be through licensed drug wholesalers, retail operations with pharmacy services, and clinics with licensed healthcare practitioners, and not through convenience stores or other retail outlets where it could be made available to younger women without a prescription;
* Packaging designed to hold both OTC and prescription Plan B. Plan B will be stocked by pharmacies behind the counter because it cannot be dispensed without a prescription or proof of age; and
* Monitor the effectiveness of the age restriction and the safe distribution of OTC Plan B to consumers 18 and above and prescription Plan B to women under 18.
Today's action concludes an extensive process that included obtaining expert advice from a joint meeting of two FDA advisory committees and providing an opportunity for public comment on issues regarding the scientific and policy questions associated with the application to switch Plan B to OTC use. Duramed's application raised novel issues regarding simultaneously marketing both prescription and non-prescription Plan B for emergency contraception, but for different populations, in a single package.
The agency remains committed to a careful and rigorous scientific process for resolving novel issues in order to fulfill its responsibility to protect the health of all Americans.
For more information on Plan B and today's action, please see: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/planB/default.htm.
FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P06-118
August 24, 2006
FDA Approves Over-the-Counter Access for Plan B for Women 18 and Older
Prescription Remains Required for Those 17 and Under
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced approval of Plan B, a contraceptive drug, as an over-the-counter (OTC) option for women aged 18 and older. Plan B is often referred to as emergency contraception or the "morning after pill." It contains an ingredient used in prescription birth control pills--only in the case of Plan B, each pill contains a higher dose and the product has a different dosing regimen. Like other birth control pills, Plan B has been available to all women as a prescription drug. When used as directed, Plan B effectively and safely prevents pregnancy. Plan B will remain available as a prescription-only product for women age 17 and under.
Duramed, a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, will make Plan B available with a rigorous labeling, packaging, education, distribution and monitoring program. In the CARE (Convenient Access, Responsible Education) program Duramed commits to:
* Provide consumers and healthcare professionals with labeling and education about the appropriate use of prescription and OTC Plan B, including an informational toll-free number for questions about Plan B;
* Ensure that distribution of Plan B will only be through licensed drug wholesalers, retail operations with pharmacy services, and clinics with licensed healthcare practitioners, and not through convenience stores or other retail outlets where it could be made available to younger women without a prescription;
* Packaging designed to hold both OTC and prescription Plan B. Plan B will be stocked by pharmacies behind the counter because it cannot be dispensed without a prescription or proof of age; and
* Monitor the effectiveness of the age restriction and the safe distribution of OTC Plan B to consumers 18 and above and prescription Plan B to women under 18.
Today's action concludes an extensive process that included obtaining expert advice from a joint meeting of two FDA advisory committees and providing an opportunity for public comment on issues regarding the scientific and policy questions associated with the application to switch Plan B to OTC use. Duramed's application raised novel issues regarding simultaneously marketing both prescription and non-prescription Plan B for emergency contraception, but for different populations, in a single package.
The agency remains committed to a careful and rigorous scientific process for resolving novel issues in order to fulfill its responsibility to protect the health of all Americans.
For more information on Plan B and today's action, please see: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/planB/default.htm.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Who likes short shorts?
Ahh Williamsburg, not only did you bring gnarly looking beards to men’s latest fashion but now the trend includes hotpants for men. And let me tell you, judging by the legs I’ve seen at the McCarren Park Pool shows, I like it! Who knew that skinny hipster boys have smooth thighs and wonderfully sculpted calves.
I’ve always been a fan of tighty-whities, which I used to think were actually called tidy-whities until someone pointed out the misfortune of skid marks that seems to plague some men. I was then told that the term “tidy” is inappropriate when applied to snug men’s undies. But back to my point, since it’s virtually impossible to wear boxers with hotpants (I suppose it is possible, but boy, will that look stupid!), one is required to go commando or sport some tighty-whities. Although I suspect it is ill advised to go commando when wearing hotpants because you just never know when lil’ buddy will decide to sneak a peak at the outside world.
Of course, the added bonus to the hotpants is a nice preview of what’s inside them. Hence double the pleasure – hotpants with a preview and tighty-whities. What else could a girl ask for?
Monday, August 07, 2006
Clarification
So apparently there is a minor buzz about me being "head-over-heels in love." The situation is that I am in love, but I suppose it's not in the traditional sense. This slight confusion may be due to me, a foreigner, writing in English.
Or perhaps this is due to a foreigner reading a blog written in English by a foreigner, who knows.
So to clarify, I am completely head-over-heels in love with surfing. Going to the beach and getting beat up by a hard board that's about 10 feet in length is my idea of having an amazingly fun time. I am not that much of a fan of being pummeled by the ocean, I am not really loving salt water up my nose, twisted ankles, or bruises on my knees/hips/elbows. But riding a wave for the five seconds is worth it all. I guess that's what women in violent relationships say. Great. Not to mention that my mother called this a sport for men.
But, just for my mother, below I have several examples of women surfing. One of the best surfers on the beach where I attempt to surf is a woman. She's really good, every time I turn, she catches a wave. Most others, predominantly men, just float about.
Or perhaps this is due to a foreigner reading a blog written in English by a foreigner, who knows.
So to clarify, I am completely head-over-heels in love with surfing. Going to the beach and getting beat up by a hard board that's about 10 feet in length is my idea of having an amazingly fun time. I am not that much of a fan of being pummeled by the ocean, I am not really loving salt water up my nose, twisted ankles, or bruises on my knees/hips/elbows. But riding a wave for the five seconds is worth it all. I guess that's what women in violent relationships say. Great. Not to mention that my mother called this a sport for men.
But, just for my mother, below I have several examples of women surfing. One of the best surfers on the beach where I attempt to surf is a woman. She's really good, every time I turn, she catches a wave. Most others, predominantly men, just float about.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Summer time
So in case you were wondering if I am so bummed out about the French World Cup loss that I've sunk into deep depression and can no longer update the blog... well, that's not the case.
The situation is that I found a job. Sort of. It's a short temp thing, chatting with prostitutes. It's right up my alley. And it keeps me super busy.
Additionally, I've discovered and have become head-over-heels crazy in love (not sure if that's the right term to use but heck, it works for me) and addicted to surfing. I've been going every weekend. Well, except for one weekend when I had pink eye. But despite being knocked over by waves, despite getting liters of salt water up my nose, and despite being completely banged up by the surfboard (people are now asking me if I am experiencing domestic abuse...), I love it. Sun, surf, and sand... no, more like drunken boys with a bungalow in the Rockaways. That's where I am spending my weekends instead of updating this blog.
So surf's up. For now.
The situation is that I found a job. Sort of. It's a short temp thing, chatting with prostitutes. It's right up my alley. And it keeps me super busy.
Additionally, I've discovered and have become head-over-heels crazy in love (not sure if that's the right term to use but heck, it works for me) and addicted to surfing. I've been going every weekend. Well, except for one weekend when I had pink eye. But despite being knocked over by waves, despite getting liters of salt water up my nose, and despite being completely banged up by the surfboard (people are now asking me if I am experiencing domestic abuse...), I love it. Sun, surf, and sand... no, more like drunken boys with a bungalow in the Rockaways. That's where I am spending my weekends instead of updating this blog.
So surf's up. For now.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Ronaldo, part II
In the midst of the FIFA World Cup fever, there are about a gazillion newspapers and magazines that contain (predictably) witty articles about how football (soccer…) is not popular in the United States. And although I have not read all gazillion of them (I read two), it seems that most write about how football is a low-scoring game and therefore it cannot capture the attention of an average American.
Clearly the writers of these (two) articles smoke crack. Because last time I checked, baseball, an American favorite pastime, is a low-scoring game, too.
I like playing softball, the girlie version of baseball. It’s fun. And it’s fun mostly because there is a lot of drinking involved while waiting for your turn to bat. Being a girl, I am usually the catcher and the consumption of alcohol contributes to the antics behind the home plate. Most the antics involve falling down when attempting to catch the ball. Also, since I grew up amidst boys, I have minor athletic skills so when I swing a bat, it actually hits the ball. Which, of course, doesn’t mean much because most of the time, the ball doesn’t travel far.
Contrary to playing softball, baseball is the most boring thing in the world. There is a lot of waiting, gigantic ass-scratching, and spitting. It takes forever for teams to change field (or whatever that is called), it takes forever for a batter to bat, and, most of the time, there is a lot of looking around. Not to mention that there aren’t that many home runs.
In football, there is tons of running up and down the field. All the running (which, as I established before, contributes to rock hard bodies) builds to a stressful suspense for the observer who hopes that someone will get the ball close enough to kick it into the field goal. Yes, most of the time, the ball is either high or wide or both, but to anyone who is watching football, it looks like the ball might just make it. It’s also cool to watch some of the amazing footwork that is required to avoid an opponent trying to steal the ball. Is there a bicycle kick in baseball? No, sir! It’s also amazing to watch an economically “underdeveloped” (have you noticed that no one says Third World anymore?) country (Ghana) kick the ass of a “world power” (US). For once, a country’s GDP does not correlate to its athletic ability like it does in the Olympics.
Football is also a lot more civilized game. The referee has the power to kick a player off the field for something minor as a hand flip protesting a referee’s call. In baseball, it is acceptable to throw chairs and bats onto the field or, even worse, onto fans.
Clearly the writers of these (two) articles smoke crack. Because last time I checked, baseball, an American favorite pastime, is a low-scoring game, too.
I like playing softball, the girlie version of baseball. It’s fun. And it’s fun mostly because there is a lot of drinking involved while waiting for your turn to bat. Being a girl, I am usually the catcher and the consumption of alcohol contributes to the antics behind the home plate. Most the antics involve falling down when attempting to catch the ball. Also, since I grew up amidst boys, I have minor athletic skills so when I swing a bat, it actually hits the ball. Which, of course, doesn’t mean much because most of the time, the ball doesn’t travel far.
Contrary to playing softball, baseball is the most boring thing in the world. There is a lot of waiting, gigantic ass-scratching, and spitting. It takes forever for teams to change field (or whatever that is called), it takes forever for a batter to bat, and, most of the time, there is a lot of looking around. Not to mention that there aren’t that many home runs.
In football, there is tons of running up and down the field. All the running (which, as I established before, contributes to rock hard bodies) builds to a stressful suspense for the observer who hopes that someone will get the ball close enough to kick it into the field goal. Yes, most of the time, the ball is either high or wide or both, but to anyone who is watching football, it looks like the ball might just make it. It’s also cool to watch some of the amazing footwork that is required to avoid an opponent trying to steal the ball. Is there a bicycle kick in baseball? No, sir! It’s also amazing to watch an economically “underdeveloped” (have you noticed that no one says Third World anymore?) country (Ghana) kick the ass of a “world power” (US). For once, a country’s GDP does not correlate to its athletic ability like it does in the Olympics.
Football is also a lot more civilized game. The referee has the power to kick a player off the field for something minor as a hand flip protesting a referee’s call. In baseball, it is acceptable to throw chairs and bats onto the field or, even worse, onto fans.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Land O Lakes, Part II
Boy: "I am an accomplished filmmaker."
Girl (rolls her eyes): "Um, so, I want a Brooklyn Lager. Thanks!"
Girl (rolls her eyes): "Um, so, I want a Brooklyn Lager. Thanks!"
Monday, June 26, 2006
Is Ronaldo too fat?
I am not going to write much about the FIFA games because I really don’t know much about football. Or soccer, if you, the reader, are an American. But since I am Latvian, by default, I will refer to it as football.
But the thing that I can write about is that football players make the best looking athletes. My argument is rooted in the fact that football players have the most proportional bodies. And considering that they have to run up and down the field for 90 plus minutes, I can only imagine rock-hard bodies under those shirts. A case in point:
Think about it, basketball players are long-armed, long-legged tall freaks. I am 5’5” on my tallest day; anyone above 6’1” is really, really tall to me. And apparently, an average basketball player in the NBA is 6’6” – that’s super duper tall to me!
Baseball players. For whatever reason, perhaps this is due to the tight uniforms, they all have huge asses. Being an ass person myself, I can’t complain too much, but the thing is, I have the typical incurved white-girl butt. So standing next to a gigantic ass would be really intimidating. The only exception to this argument is Randy Johnson of the New York Yankees. But he’s tall so he automatically falls into the tall freak category.
American football players fall into the same category as hockey players. They are all huge. And some are even tall. And hockey players are always missing teeth or have messed up looking noses.
Cyclists - they shave their legs. Swimmers take it further, they shave every body part that has exposed hair. And I like hair. Beards especially.
Speed skaters? Have you seen their enormous thighs? Figure skaters? Well, they wouldn’t like me anyways.
I can go on and on and on. But you see my point. Football players are in shape but none of their muscles are freaky looking. Some are tall but they don’t have to be freaky tall. They don’t have missing teeth or busted noses. And if you’re David Beckham, well then you’re extra super dreamy to millions of girls.
But the thing that I can write about is that football players make the best looking athletes. My argument is rooted in the fact that football players have the most proportional bodies. And considering that they have to run up and down the field for 90 plus minutes, I can only imagine rock-hard bodies under those shirts. A case in point:
Think about it, basketball players are long-armed, long-legged tall freaks. I am 5’5” on my tallest day; anyone above 6’1” is really, really tall to me. And apparently, an average basketball player in the NBA is 6’6” – that’s super duper tall to me!
Baseball players. For whatever reason, perhaps this is due to the tight uniforms, they all have huge asses. Being an ass person myself, I can’t complain too much, but the thing is, I have the typical incurved white-girl butt. So standing next to a gigantic ass would be really intimidating. The only exception to this argument is Randy Johnson of the New York Yankees. But he’s tall so he automatically falls into the tall freak category.
American football players fall into the same category as hockey players. They are all huge. And some are even tall. And hockey players are always missing teeth or have messed up looking noses.
Cyclists - they shave their legs. Swimmers take it further, they shave every body part that has exposed hair. And I like hair. Beards especially.
Speed skaters? Have you seen their enormous thighs? Figure skaters? Well, they wouldn’t like me anyways.
I can go on and on and on. But you see my point. Football players are in shape but none of their muscles are freaky looking. Some are tall but they don’t have to be freaky tall. They don’t have missing teeth or busted noses. And if you’re David Beckham, well then you’re extra super dreamy to millions of girls.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Ha!
So I've been working on this new-ish project where I take pictures of men sitting on subways with their legs spread wide apart. Unfortunately, since I am unemployed, I have the world's crappiest cellphone plan which does not allow me to send pictures from my phone to a computer/internet. So that project has been on hold until future notice.
But I was excited to learn that the New York Magazine came up with the Urban Etiquette Handbook which briefly talks about men spreading their legs while sitting in the subway car. Here is a glimpse:
Rules of the underground: (1) Knees may be no more than six inches apart. (2) If you can't control your offspring, watch as a stranger does it for you. (3) What did we say about checking out the girls? (4) The Post is only 25 cents—buy your own. (5) Holding the subway door makes everyone on the train love you. (6) As does loud music. (7) Lie down on subway only if dead.
But I was excited to learn that the New York Magazine came up with the Urban Etiquette Handbook which briefly talks about men spreading their legs while sitting in the subway car. Here is a glimpse:
Rules of the underground: (1) Knees may be no more than six inches apart. (2) If you can't control your offspring, watch as a stranger does it for you. (3) What did we say about checking out the girls? (4) The Post is only 25 cents—buy your own. (5) Holding the subway door makes everyone on the train love you. (6) As does loud music. (7) Lie down on subway only if dead.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Hope Land O Lakes doesn't sue me
I am always surprised at the level of buttering up that oh-so many guys go through in order to get into a girl’s pants. Not only does the buttering up sound insincere but it’s also the same technique used over and over by every other guy out there. And more pathetically, these techniques seem to cross every social group – from the typical blond and wholesome frat boy from Ohio to the skinny Williamsburg hipster in his skinny jeans and designer t-shirt.
Maybe I am wrong, maybe all that buttering up works on a 22 year old girl fresh out of left-wing liberal arts college somewhere in the woods of New York State.
At age 28 and having survived many harrowing years of being buttered up by men of local and international representation, it just doesn’t work any more.
Perhaps there needs to be some sort of an intervention (ah, social work…) informing desperate men that they are in great need to change their lines. Perhaps there needs to be a brainstorming session with an easel and a dry-board marker. Perhaps there can be a top secret focus group to test the lines.
Or how about this:
Boy: “Hey, want go home with me and have sex?”
Girl: “No.”
Chances are we’ve decided long ago whether we want to sleep with you.
Maybe I am wrong, maybe all that buttering up works on a 22 year old girl fresh out of left-wing liberal arts college somewhere in the woods of New York State.
At age 28 and having survived many harrowing years of being buttered up by men of local and international representation, it just doesn’t work any more.
Perhaps there needs to be some sort of an intervention (ah, social work…) informing desperate men that they are in great need to change their lines. Perhaps there needs to be a brainstorming session with an easel and a dry-board marker. Perhaps there can be a top secret focus group to test the lines.
Or how about this:
Boy: “Hey, want go home with me and have sex?”
Girl: “No.”
Chances are we’ve decided long ago whether we want to sleep with you.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Just a little steam
This entire job search situation is driving me completely bonkers. Not due to the fact that I cannot find anything half-way decent, but due to the fact that people who are recruiting potential employees are unbelievably stupid. I don't know, maybe I should look into Human Resources positions, seems like any old moron can work there.
More later, I just needed to let off some steam. It's finally sunny outside so I am going to take a walk to get away from the computer.
More later, I just needed to let off some steam. It's finally sunny outside so I am going to take a walk to get away from the computer.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Slight break
I haven’t written in a while for several reasons. I was away for a week which was really nice. Any chance to get away from
I am also in the full swing of looking for some sort of employment. I am still on that high-ground where I am being selective and holding out for a great job. I really don’t want a crummy 9-5 behind-the-desk job. Well, I suppose the doom day will come and I will have that crummy 9-5 job. Although nowadays I think it’s going to be more like 9-6 plus financially uncompensated extra hours during rush projects. You know - those projects where your boss gets to leave at
As a side note, I used to have a manager who not only left at
Anyways, so I really don’t want a job this summer in general. It would be great to bum around, visit friends who don’t live in
So the next few posts will be about stupid job searches. In fact, one of these days, I am going to start posting the number of resumes sent vs call-backs.
In the meantime, I need to take a shower.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Oh boy!
Social work has many little dirty secrets. The obvious one is that most social workers (that is, individuals with a Master's level social work degree) are economically-speaking well-off white women trying to rescue the poor. If they are not rescuing the poor, they are opening their private offices to address the needs of the more desirable clients - those with private insurance or those who can pay $150 or more for therapy sessions.
Another little secret is that most social workers enforce conditions where social work is necessary or that is continues to infinity. So instead of ending the need of social work, social workers ensure that social work continues so that social workers have steady jobs.
Another little secret that I found out in the past year or so is that most social workers are not the brightest stars in the world. The level of nincompoopery that occurred at a Master's level program is flabbergasting! There were times when I was embarrassed for some of the stupid shit people said in class. And this also applies to faculty. Here is a small example:
So, as every social worker knows, social work school is all about "process recordings" and "journals." The student writes about her "feelings" that arise as a result of experiencing events/interactions with clients and it's a way to "discover" oneself and possibly "resolve" any ambivalence. Bullshit like that. I think I wrote about this before - it's an easy way for a supervisor or a professor to check in with the student to see how she is doing without having to spend any time talking to her. It's cheap social work-style therapy. So, of course, in one of my classes I had to keep a journal where I had to make an entry for each week. One week, the professor briefly spoke about pornography and that it greatly contributes to male violence due to its objectification and degradation of women. The professor did not permit the class to argue her point due to a "time constraint."
Ok, that statement in itself can be argued either way. But in my journal I wrote that this is a poor statement to make by a social work professional who is a dean (yes, a dean, not THE dean) at a school where there are about 700 female students. Her comment to my journal entry was: "It never occurred to me that some of the students could have been sex workers - but statistically they very well could have been and I want to be more careful in addressing the topic."
So great, a small "victory" for me. But here is how her statement is completely asinine: tuition of the school where I went is about $26,000 per year plus living costs. So make that at least $35,000 yearly expense. Why in the whole wide world would she not think that of the 700 women at the school, there is at least one person who is stripping/dancing/making money in the sex industry while in school? After all, the job has flexible hours and pays well.
Another little secret is that most social workers enforce conditions where social work is necessary or that is continues to infinity. So instead of ending the need of social work, social workers ensure that social work continues so that social workers have steady jobs.
Another little secret that I found out in the past year or so is that most social workers are not the brightest stars in the world. The level of nincompoopery that occurred at a Master's level program is flabbergasting! There were times when I was embarrassed for some of the stupid shit people said in class. And this also applies to faculty. Here is a small example:
So, as every social worker knows, social work school is all about "process recordings" and "journals." The student writes about her "feelings" that arise as a result of experiencing events/interactions with clients and it's a way to "discover" oneself and possibly "resolve" any ambivalence. Bullshit like that. I think I wrote about this before - it's an easy way for a supervisor or a professor to check in with the student to see how she is doing without having to spend any time talking to her. It's cheap social work-style therapy. So, of course, in one of my classes I had to keep a journal where I had to make an entry for each week. One week, the professor briefly spoke about pornography and that it greatly contributes to male violence due to its objectification and degradation of women. The professor did not permit the class to argue her point due to a "time constraint."
Ok, that statement in itself can be argued either way. But in my journal I wrote that this is a poor statement to make by a social work professional who is a dean (yes, a dean, not THE dean) at a school where there are about 700 female students. Her comment to my journal entry was: "It never occurred to me that some of the students could have been sex workers - but statistically they very well could have been and I want to be more careful in addressing the topic."
So great, a small "victory" for me. But here is how her statement is completely asinine: tuition of the school where I went is about $26,000 per year plus living costs. So make that at least $35,000 yearly expense. Why in the whole wide world would she not think that of the 700 women at the school, there is at least one person who is stripping/dancing/making money in the sex industry while in school? After all, the job has flexible hours and pays well.
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