Didn't want her to be left out...
Me: What's this magazine on the table?
Carolyn: Oh! It's a book of mystery stories that Dan got me for my birthday.
Me: (Thumbing through said magazine) Is it any good?
Carolyn: Well, it's Brittish.
No idea what that means. Thanks Ma.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Maurice Clarett
I stumbled across a blog being written by Maurice Clarette the other day...http://mauriceclarett.wordpress.com/
For those of you that don't know, Maurice is an ex-college football stand-out who never made it in the NFL because his ego was out of control. He ended up in some legal trouble and is serving 3-5 in prison.
I find his blog extremely interesting for several reasons. I grew up around the time he was playing in college and remember how much of a moron he was. I find his growth to be very satisfying and life affirming. If Maurice can make changes like this in his life, then anyone could. I also find the discussions about day-to-day prison life to be disturbing and scary, which in itself is more than enough reason to read his thoughts.
Some times he gets a little preachy, and it now seems as though his trials have put him on a soap box, so to speak, but I encourage anyone with interest to check it out.
For those of you that don't know, Maurice is an ex-college football stand-out who never made it in the NFL because his ego was out of control. He ended up in some legal trouble and is serving 3-5 in prison.
I find his blog extremely interesting for several reasons. I grew up around the time he was playing in college and remember how much of a moron he was. I find his growth to be very satisfying and life affirming. If Maurice can make changes like this in his life, then anyone could. I also find the discussions about day-to-day prison life to be disturbing and scary, which in itself is more than enough reason to read his thoughts.
Some times he gets a little preachy, and it now seems as though his trials have put him on a soap box, so to speak, but I encourage anyone with interest to check it out.
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Abuse I Get At Home (Because I Live With My Folks)
So, I come home from a long day. Work 9 hours, drive 1 hour. Repeat...Anyway, I didn't feel much like cooking and had stopped by the local McDonalds for a 10 piece and a cheeseburger (side note, I always order the burger special, i.e. no onions. I feel this means they have to make the thing from scratch and thus will be more fresh. I spend entirely too much time thinking about fast food.) I walk in the door and my father is sitting in his chair, TV on loud as hell. In his lap is a serving bowl full of the following: Spaghetti with meatballs, steak, green beans, and string cheese. He has topped it all off with crubled up crackers and some ketchup. His words, "oh look at you, Mr Fastfood. What kind of crap do ya got in the bag there?"
I have no idea how I feel about being chastised by him, with his bowl of slop, napkin tucked into his shirt collar.
After my meal, which was eaten in sullen shame, I needed to make a run to the gas station for some heaters. On my way out the door, all I hear is "get me an ice cream treat while you're out!"
I have no idea how I feel about being chastised by him, with his bowl of slop, napkin tucked into his shirt collar.
After my meal, which was eaten in sullen shame, I needed to make a run to the gas station for some heaters. On my way out the door, all I hear is "get me an ice cream treat while you're out!"
Any Given Sunday Speech
I also thought I would post the reason for my "Game of Inches" tattoo, I love this speech Pacino gives at the end of "Any Given Sunday". The movie was heh, but the meaning holds true to a lot of areas of life...
I don't know what to say really. Three minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives, all comes down to today. Either we heal as a team or we are going to crumble. Inch by inch, play by play, till we're finished. We're in hell right now, gentlemen. Believe me. And we can stay here and get the shit kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb out of hell. One inch at a time.
Now, I can't do it for you. I'm too old. I look around and I see these young faces and I think I mean, I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make. I pissed away all my money believe it or not. I chased offanyone who has ever loved me. And lately, I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror.
You know when you get old in life, things get taken from you. That's, that's part of life. But,you only learn that when you start losing stuff. You find out that life is just a game of inches. So is football. Because in either game, life or football, the margin for error is so small. I mean one half step too late or to early, you don't quite make it. One half second too slow or too fast, and you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They are in ever break of the game every minute, every second. On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us to pieces for that inch. We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch. Cause we know when we add up all those inches, that's going to make the fucking difference between WINNING and LOSING, between LIVING and DYING.
I'll tell you this, in any fight it's the guy who is willing to die who is going to win that inch. And I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what LIVING is. The six inches in front of your face. Now I can't make you do it. You gotta look at the guy next to you, look into his eyes. Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you. You are going to see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team because he knows when it comes down to it, you're gonna do the same thing for him. That's a team, gentlemen. And either we heal now, as a team, or we will die as individuals. That's football guys. That's all it is. Now, whattaya gonna do?
I don't know what to say really. Three minutes to the biggest battle of our professional lives, all comes down to today. Either we heal as a team or we are going to crumble. Inch by inch, play by play, till we're finished. We're in hell right now, gentlemen. Believe me. And we can stay here and get the shit kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb out of hell. One inch at a time.
Now, I can't do it for you. I'm too old. I look around and I see these young faces and I think I mean, I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make. I pissed away all my money believe it or not. I chased offanyone who has ever loved me. And lately, I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror.
You know when you get old in life, things get taken from you. That's, that's part of life. But,you only learn that when you start losing stuff. You find out that life is just a game of inches. So is football. Because in either game, life or football, the margin for error is so small. I mean one half step too late or to early, you don't quite make it. One half second too slow or too fast, and you don't quite catch it. The inches we need are everywhere around us. They are in ever break of the game every minute, every second. On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us to pieces for that inch. We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch. Cause we know when we add up all those inches, that's going to make the fucking difference between WINNING and LOSING, between LIVING and DYING.
I'll tell you this, in any fight it's the guy who is willing to die who is going to win that inch. And I know if I am going to have any life anymore it is because I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch because that is what LIVING is. The six inches in front of your face. Now I can't make you do it. You gotta look at the guy next to you, look into his eyes. Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you. You are going to see a guy who will sacrifice himself for this team because he knows when it comes down to it, you're gonna do the same thing for him. That's a team, gentlemen. And either we heal now, as a team, or we will die as individuals. That's football guys. That's all it is. Now, whattaya gonna do?
Some More Quotes
Keeping in the spirit of my below post, I'm going to keep going with the quotes. It's one of those days I guess. Where I can't count on myself to be original, so it's much better to steal someone else's shit...
A mind not to be chang'd by place or time.The mind is its own place, and in itselfCan make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.
-Milton, Paradise Lost
I read once that the Egyptions had 50 words for sand, and the Eskimos have 100 words for snow. I wish I had a thousand words for love, but all that comes to mind is the way you move against me while you sleep, and there are no words for that.
-Mark Andreas
Pour out the ocean and sweep up the woodFor nothing now could ever come to any good
-Auden
A simple child
That lightly draws its breath,
And feels its life in every limb,
What should it know of death?
-Wordworth, We Are Seven
The music in my heart I bore
Long after it was heard no more.
-Wordworth, The Solitary Reaper
She gave me eyes, she gave me ears;
And humble cares, and delicate fears;
A heart, the fountain of sweet tears;
And love and thought and joy.
-Wordsworth, The Sparrows Nest
"Love is where you find it. I think it is foolish to go looking for it, and I think it can often be poisonous
-Vonnegut, Slapstick
The hardest of all is learning to be a well of affection, and not a fountain; to show them we love them not when we feel like it, but when they do.
-Nan Fairbrother
Love is my religion - I could die for it.
-John Keats
Be kind - Remember every one you meet is fighting a battle - everybody's lonesome.
-Marion Parker
I was waiting for such a long time, she said. I thought you forgot. It's hard to forget, I said, when there is such an empty space when you are gone.
-Brian Andreas
We are all addicts of fossil fuels in a state of denial. And like so many addicts about to face cold turkey, our leaders are now committing violent crimes to get what little is left of what we're hooked on.
-Vonnegut, Man without a Country
In answer to the question of why it happened, I offer the modest proposal that our Universe is simply one of those things which happen from time to time.
-Edward P. Tyron
These Next ones are all Vonnegut, in honor of my favorite writer...
"You'll forget it when you're dead, and so will I. When I'm dead, I'm going to forget everything--and I advise you to do the same."
"People are hated a lot of places...Americans, in being hated, were simply paying the normal penalty for being people, and that they were foolish to think they should somehow be exempted from that penalty."
"Why should I bother with made up games, when there are so many real ones going on?"
"Anyone unable to understand how a useful religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either."
"Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from things she found in gift shops."
"I have told my sons that they are not under any circumstances to take part in massacres, and that the news of massacres of enemies is not to fill them with satisfaction or glee."
"And not many words come now, either, when I have become and old fart with his memories and his Pall Malls, with his sons full grown."
"He supposed that the intent of the gospels was to teach people, among other things, to be merciful, even to the lowest of the low. But the Gospels actually tought this: Before you kill somebody, make absolutely sure he isn't well connected."
"I think you guys are going to have to come up with a lot of wonderful new lies, or people just aren't going to want to go on living."
"A few Americans, but very few, still have extended families. The Navahos. The Kennedys."
"Freud said he didn't know what women wanted. I know what women want. They want a whole lot of people to talk to. What do they want to talk about? They want to talk about everything."
"I am a Humanist, which means, in part, I have tried to behave decently without any expectation of rewards or punishments after I'm dead."
"What is it? What can it possibly be about? Blow jobs and golf?"
"That's the end of good news about anything. Our planets immune system is trying to rid itself of poeple."
" What made being alive almost worthwhile for me, besides music, was all the Saints I met, who could be anywhere. By Saints I meant people who behaved decently in a strikingly undecent society."
"Speaking of plunging into war, do you know why I think George W. Bush is so pissed off at the Arabs? They brought us Algebra. Also, the numbers we use, including the symbol for nothing, which the Europeans had never had before. You think Arabs are dumb? Try doing long division with Roman Numerals."
"Evolution is so creative. Tha's how we got Giraffes."
"There is no reason Good can't triumph over evil. If only Angels would get organized along the lines of the Mafia."
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
Kurt Vonnegut, Timequake
"The Purpose of Human Life, no matter who is controlling it is to love whoever is around to be loved."
Kurt Vonnegut, Sirens of Titan
That is all for now...
A mind not to be chang'd by place or time.The mind is its own place, and in itselfCan make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.
-Milton, Paradise Lost
I read once that the Egyptions had 50 words for sand, and the Eskimos have 100 words for snow. I wish I had a thousand words for love, but all that comes to mind is the way you move against me while you sleep, and there are no words for that.
-Mark Andreas
Pour out the ocean and sweep up the woodFor nothing now could ever come to any good
-Auden
A simple child
That lightly draws its breath,
And feels its life in every limb,
What should it know of death?
-Wordworth, We Are Seven
The music in my heart I bore
Long after it was heard no more.
-Wordworth, The Solitary Reaper
She gave me eyes, she gave me ears;
And humble cares, and delicate fears;
A heart, the fountain of sweet tears;
And love and thought and joy.
-Wordsworth, The Sparrows Nest
"Love is where you find it. I think it is foolish to go looking for it, and I think it can often be poisonous
-Vonnegut, Slapstick
The hardest of all is learning to be a well of affection, and not a fountain; to show them we love them not when we feel like it, but when they do.
-Nan Fairbrother
Love is my religion - I could die for it.
-John Keats
Be kind - Remember every one you meet is fighting a battle - everybody's lonesome.
-Marion Parker
I was waiting for such a long time, she said. I thought you forgot. It's hard to forget, I said, when there is such an empty space when you are gone.
-Brian Andreas
We are all addicts of fossil fuels in a state of denial. And like so many addicts about to face cold turkey, our leaders are now committing violent crimes to get what little is left of what we're hooked on.
-Vonnegut, Man without a Country
In answer to the question of why it happened, I offer the modest proposal that our Universe is simply one of those things which happen from time to time.
-Edward P. Tyron
These Next ones are all Vonnegut, in honor of my favorite writer...
"You'll forget it when you're dead, and so will I. When I'm dead, I'm going to forget everything--and I advise you to do the same."
"People are hated a lot of places...Americans, in being hated, were simply paying the normal penalty for being people, and that they were foolish to think they should somehow be exempted from that penalty."
"Why should I bother with made up games, when there are so many real ones going on?"
"Anyone unable to understand how a useful religion can be founded on lies will not understand this book either."
"Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from things she found in gift shops."
"I have told my sons that they are not under any circumstances to take part in massacres, and that the news of massacres of enemies is not to fill them with satisfaction or glee."
"And not many words come now, either, when I have become and old fart with his memories and his Pall Malls, with his sons full grown."
"He supposed that the intent of the gospels was to teach people, among other things, to be merciful, even to the lowest of the low. But the Gospels actually tought this: Before you kill somebody, make absolutely sure he isn't well connected."
"I think you guys are going to have to come up with a lot of wonderful new lies, or people just aren't going to want to go on living."
"A few Americans, but very few, still have extended families. The Navahos. The Kennedys."
"Freud said he didn't know what women wanted. I know what women want. They want a whole lot of people to talk to. What do they want to talk about? They want to talk about everything."
"I am a Humanist, which means, in part, I have tried to behave decently without any expectation of rewards or punishments after I'm dead."
"What is it? What can it possibly be about? Blow jobs and golf?"
"That's the end of good news about anything. Our planets immune system is trying to rid itself of poeple."
" What made being alive almost worthwhile for me, besides music, was all the Saints I met, who could be anywhere. By Saints I meant people who behaved decently in a strikingly undecent society."
"Speaking of plunging into war, do you know why I think George W. Bush is so pissed off at the Arabs? They brought us Algebra. Also, the numbers we use, including the symbol for nothing, which the Europeans had never had before. You think Arabs are dumb? Try doing long division with Roman Numerals."
"Evolution is so creative. Tha's how we got Giraffes."
"There is no reason Good can't triumph over evil. If only Angels would get organized along the lines of the Mafia."
"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
Kurt Vonnegut, Timequake
"The Purpose of Human Life, no matter who is controlling it is to love whoever is around to be loved."
Kurt Vonnegut, Sirens of Titan
That is all for now...
Newest Tattoo
So, I've been inked again. Most recently on my right forearm. Just a simple phrase "There's always something left to love". Below is the excerpt from "Raisin in the Sun" where I got the idea. I think this is one of my favorite passages in any literary text. The idea is one that every person of every background can embrace...
Raisin in the Sun, Elaine Stansburry
Ruth: I thought I taught you to love him.
Beneatha: Love him? There's nothing left to love.
Ruth: There's always something left to love. Have you cried for that boy today? Not for yourself and the family because we lost the money. I mean for him. And what he's gone through. And God help him. God help him, what it's done to him. Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When he's done good and made things easy for everybody? That aint the time at all. It's when he's at his lowest and he can't believe in himself because the world's whipped him so. When you starts measuring somebody measure him right, child. Measure him right. You make sure that you done taken into account the hills and the valleys he's come through to get wherever he is.
Raisin in the Sun, Elaine Stansburry
Ruth: I thought I taught you to love him.
Beneatha: Love him? There's nothing left to love.
Ruth: There's always something left to love. Have you cried for that boy today? Not for yourself and the family because we lost the money. I mean for him. And what he's gone through. And God help him. God help him, what it's done to him. Child, when do you think is the time to love somebody the most? When he's done good and made things easy for everybody? That aint the time at all. It's when he's at his lowest and he can't believe in himself because the world's whipped him so. When you starts measuring somebody measure him right, child. Measure him right. You make sure that you done taken into account the hills and the valleys he's come through to get wherever he is.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
A Conversation With Erik
I think I am most proud that we could come up with more than 2 Mary J references…
Erik: …I am going to call her around lunch time to get the 411 (information)…
Dave: I knew what 411 meant
Erik: I wasn't sure.
Dave: Me and Mary J go way back…
Erik: ahhh...then are You goin' down, cuz I ain't around? (Ed. Note: Now that I think about this, I think Erik was perhaps questioning my sexuality...)
Dave: I don’t know if I can, there is just too much drama…
Erik: Well, you're all I need to get by!
Dave: Technically that was Method Man
Erik: But, he was looking for a real love, you know, someone to set his heart free...real love.
Erik: …I am going to call her around lunch time to get the 411 (information)…
Dave: I knew what 411 meant
Erik: I wasn't sure.
Dave: Me and Mary J go way back…
Erik: ahhh...then are You goin' down, cuz I ain't around? (Ed. Note: Now that I think about this, I think Erik was perhaps questioning my sexuality...)
Dave: I don’t know if I can, there is just too much drama…
Erik: Well, you're all I need to get by!
Dave: Technically that was Method Man
Erik: But, he was looking for a real love, you know, someone to set his heart free...real love.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Random Thinking Friday
Every ethnic group in the US gets a holiday, but not the French-Canadians. At least not a very cool one. Have you ever tried to celebrate Bastille Day? Let me tell you, not very fun…
How come my Tivo won’t stop recording every episode of Scrubs? I told it to stop like 2 weeks ago and I am tired of having nothing on my play list besides 22 Scrubs episodes and the latest Dancing With the Stars. Swear to god, the last one is for my Mom. Of course, that is exactly what I would tell you if I wanted to throw you off track…
The Dairy Queen in Apple Valley now has an Orange Julius. So awesome. I had my first strawberry banana Orang Julius in like 10 years. It was like being back at the mall, shoe shopping at Foot Locker. Trying to find the latest Cross Colors shirt. I had a shirt that was featured prominantely in a Dr. Dre video once. I think I was at the height of my coolness in 8th grade. Which reminds me, Katie Mueller, if you are around call me…
And speaking of food, I fucking love In-N-Out Burger. Just love it. I would bang one of those little burgers if it wasn’t for hot grease…
Cliff Huxtable has the best sweaters. Those things are like $1000 a piece…
I think my Dad has started buying flavors of Snack Pack and Yogurt that I don't like, not because he likes the flavors he is buying but rather because he doesn't want me to eat them. Which pisses me off because it's actually kind of smart, and I didn't think of it first...
How come my Tivo won’t stop recording every episode of Scrubs? I told it to stop like 2 weeks ago and I am tired of having nothing on my play list besides 22 Scrubs episodes and the latest Dancing With the Stars. Swear to god, the last one is for my Mom. Of course, that is exactly what I would tell you if I wanted to throw you off track…
The Dairy Queen in Apple Valley now has an Orange Julius. So awesome. I had my first strawberry banana Orang Julius in like 10 years. It was like being back at the mall, shoe shopping at Foot Locker. Trying to find the latest Cross Colors shirt. I had a shirt that was featured prominantely in a Dr. Dre video once. I think I was at the height of my coolness in 8th grade. Which reminds me, Katie Mueller, if you are around call me…
And speaking of food, I fucking love In-N-Out Burger. Just love it. I would bang one of those little burgers if it wasn’t for hot grease…
Cliff Huxtable has the best sweaters. Those things are like $1000 a piece…
I think my Dad has started buying flavors of Snack Pack and Yogurt that I don't like, not because he likes the flavors he is buying but rather because he doesn't want me to eat them. Which pisses me off because it's actually kind of smart, and I didn't think of it first...
Monday, March 16, 2009
Music...
I have come to the conclusion that there is really nothing quite like music. Nothing comes close to the range of experiences you can have with song. Music offers us a completely unique view of our past, as well as a soundtrack for our future. How many times have I listened to “Ghetto Bastard” and felt that, well, everything was going to be alright? How many time have I felt the need to break down at the sound of a single violin string? How is it that I know the song playing over the radio when I broke up with my first girlfriend?
Some of my favorite memories are of driving around, late at night, listening. It offers me time to reflect on my day. The music puts my thoughts into context, it gives them order. It gives me order. It makes me whole.
Many could argue that movies could possibly offer a similar reaction to memory, but I argue that the most dramatic, awe inspiring scenes in movies are made that way only with the addition of a musical score. Ever try and watch Halloween with the sound off? Ever try and not tear up during the final parts of Armageddon, when Liv Tyler puts her hand on the screen That’s my father up there! Okay, the last one may be a stretch, but point taken I think…
Some of my favorite memories are of driving around, late at night, listening. It offers me time to reflect on my day. The music puts my thoughts into context, it gives them order. It gives me order. It makes me whole.
Many could argue that movies could possibly offer a similar reaction to memory, but I argue that the most dramatic, awe inspiring scenes in movies are made that way only with the addition of a musical score. Ever try and watch Halloween with the sound off? Ever try and not tear up during the final parts of Armageddon, when Liv Tyler puts her hand on the screen That’s my father up there! Okay, the last one may be a stretch, but point taken I think…
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
And Speaking of My Friend's Baby...
The kid has the hugest balls I have ever seen (present company excluded...). I'm not kidding. Chaz (as I like to call him) looks like he's got a huge snail crawling up his stomache...I should say snail shell because the actual snail part is pretty tiny still...He's going to be a grow-er, not a show-er...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Baby Play Dates
I have a friend who has recently become a new mom, congratulations to her. I had a conversation with her not to long ago which she had to interrupt because she had taken her child, who is two months old, to one of her friend’s house for a baby play date.
Are you kidding me?
Babies can barely sit up straight, let alone play with another baby that cannot sit up straight. What exactly would a baby do on a play date? I'm thinking they might make some noises, maybe wave their legs and arms around a bit, but if you're thinking they're going to construct an exact replica of the Arch de Triumph out of Legos, I think you will be sorely disappointed.
I suppose, there is not much for a new mom on maternity to do other than make up things their baby is doing, so I think I'll let this one slide (other than blogging about it and posting it up for everyone to see)…
Maybe I should bring her some Chinese take-out and stimulate her mind a little bit with some pleasant conversation. Maybe I could help the baby build his Arch.
I do enjoy Legos…
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
