mobileCategory: stuff
01/31/06 10:35 - 36ºF - ID#33879
Politics, Life, Etc
Okay, time for a couple of random thoughts:
1) It's official...we have no opposition party in this country. When all you have to do to possibly block the scariest Supreme Court nomination in our generation is vote along party lines and you can't even muster THAT...there is officially no true opposition to the Republican juggernaut that is quickly destroying the Constitution.
I spend most of my time now vasilating on what I feel is the best course of action for the political left in this country. Whether to try and salvage the bloated, festering corpse of the Democratic Party or to scrap the whole mess and try and form a new opposition party. Of course, the real crux of that is the time and effort involved in forming a new party and the viability of the party once it is formed, since this country puts so much stock in "tradition".
Let me explain a little. I grew up in a family that is basically Canadian. That being said, they still followed Canadian politics even though they lived on this side of the border. Anyone who has followed Canadian politics since the Mulroney era can tell you what happens when you divide an entire side of the political spectrum. In Canada's case, it was a divided right, not a divided left. The conservatives in Canada then spent the next 12 years dividing their votes between two and sometimes three new right-wing parties...losing the the Liberals in each general election (until the most recent). Now, it took them 12 years, but they finally put together a party which could win enough seats in the House of Commons to establish a government. What scares me, however, is that Canada is a smaller country and it is less firmly tied to "political tradition" than this country. That is to say, I think Canadian voters are more likely than American to give a "new" party a chance. That's where my issues with viability come in. Building a new party from the ground up would take a LOT of work, and in American society where instant gratification is king, I'm not sure a new party would ever reach "critical mass". Would people become overly discouraged when said "new leftwing party" (this is why I don't run political campaigns...) didn't win many races initially? (and by "initially", I mean maybe for the next 20 years?) And what would happen in the interim? How much damage would the Republican party be able to do with a completely fractured left?
Anyway...those are the political thoughts that keep me up at night.
2) I need to GET OUT more. I've been trapped inside the past few weekends and I'm going completely crazy. This past weekend, being trapped at home was a function of the most ridiculously high natural gas bill I've seen in my entire life. Now, admittedly, I live in a two-bedroom duplex all by myself...but even still, I should not receive a bill for $350 for ONE MONTH of service. It's not like I sit around in shorts with the heat cranked to 85 everyday. This is just ludicrous. So, needless to say, the entertainment budget was cut WAY back at that point. I spent pretty much all weekend playing videogames (I love Gamefly...). I beat "God of War" in 12 hours (that's 12 STRAIGHT hours...for those counting...). Yeah...I'm a loser...a currently poor one at that. I think others on here have mentioned this before, but I make the second highest wage amongst my group of friends, and I'm the one who never seems to have cash. I can't figure it out either........
I'm sure there are more...but seeing as how I'm being paid to actually do work, and not to post journal entries, I should probably get back to actual work....
1) It's official...we have no opposition party in this country. When all you have to do to possibly block the scariest Supreme Court nomination in our generation is vote along party lines and you can't even muster THAT...there is officially no true opposition to the Republican juggernaut that is quickly destroying the Constitution.
I spend most of my time now vasilating on what I feel is the best course of action for the political left in this country. Whether to try and salvage the bloated, festering corpse of the Democratic Party or to scrap the whole mess and try and form a new opposition party. Of course, the real crux of that is the time and effort involved in forming a new party and the viability of the party once it is formed, since this country puts so much stock in "tradition".
Let me explain a little. I grew up in a family that is basically Canadian. That being said, they still followed Canadian politics even though they lived on this side of the border. Anyone who has followed Canadian politics since the Mulroney era can tell you what happens when you divide an entire side of the political spectrum. In Canada's case, it was a divided right, not a divided left. The conservatives in Canada then spent the next 12 years dividing their votes between two and sometimes three new right-wing parties...losing the the Liberals in each general election (until the most recent). Now, it took them 12 years, but they finally put together a party which could win enough seats in the House of Commons to establish a government. What scares me, however, is that Canada is a smaller country and it is less firmly tied to "political tradition" than this country. That is to say, I think Canadian voters are more likely than American to give a "new" party a chance. That's where my issues with viability come in. Building a new party from the ground up would take a LOT of work, and in American society where instant gratification is king, I'm not sure a new party would ever reach "critical mass". Would people become overly discouraged when said "new leftwing party" (this is why I don't run political campaigns...) didn't win many races initially? (and by "initially", I mean maybe for the next 20 years?) And what would happen in the interim? How much damage would the Republican party be able to do with a completely fractured left?
Anyway...those are the political thoughts that keep me up at night.
2) I need to GET OUT more. I've been trapped inside the past few weekends and I'm going completely crazy. This past weekend, being trapped at home was a function of the most ridiculously high natural gas bill I've seen in my entire life. Now, admittedly, I live in a two-bedroom duplex all by myself...but even still, I should not receive a bill for $350 for ONE MONTH of service. It's not like I sit around in shorts with the heat cranked to 85 everyday. This is just ludicrous. So, needless to say, the entertainment budget was cut WAY back at that point. I spent pretty much all weekend playing videogames (I love Gamefly...). I beat "God of War" in 12 hours (that's 12 STRAIGHT hours...for those counting...). Yeah...I'm a loser...a currently poor one at that. I think others on here have mentioned this before, but I make the second highest wage amongst my group of friends, and I'm the one who never seems to have cash. I can't figure it out either........
I'm sure there are more...but seeing as how I'm being paid to actually do work, and not to post journal entries, I should probably get back to actual work....
Permalink: Politics_Life_Etc.html
Words: 634
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: jan. blows
01/25/06 01:49 - 31ºF - ID#33878
Mid-Winter Rut
I can't stand this time of year...it seems like no one ever wants to DO anything. I'm personally "done" with winter for the year...I'm ready to get going, to do things, to get out...anything. I find myself cruising my contact list making random telephone calls to people who all give me the same "nah...it's too cold/wet/cloudy/hot/purple monkey dishwasher to do anything..." and I'm sick of it. I want to get out!!! RESCUE ME!!!
Permalink: Mid_Winter_Rut.html
Words: 81
Location: Buffalo, NY
Category: 2005
01/04/06 10:09 - 38ºF - ID#33877
Year End Lists
In honour of, in honour of...etc etc etc...
Here it is, boys and girls...
MY 2005 List
My favourite moments of 2005
-Opening day of rugby season...
-The summer fundraiser (16 straight hours of booze and doing horrible, horrible things)
-Thursdays in the Square
-The night with Matty, Fathead, and Frank that started at Geckos, moved to SideBar, and then wound up with 8 rounds of Red Bull & Vodka at THE COLONIE LOUNGE!!!!
-Matty-gras '05
-Running at Chestnut Ridge and Delaware Park
-The Regatta with Kji and the rest of the SLU alums
-Nights with "the veets"
-Saranac Lake Can-Am Rugby Tournament
-The partying AFTER the rugby playoffs
My least favourite moments of 2005
-Losing to Rochester in the playoffs
-Having to move
-Grandmother's death
-Mom's stroke
-Sister's seizure
-The cake eating contest after the Finger Lakes match...
-Blowing the opening kickoff against the Syracuse Chargers..
-"Christmas Fiasco"
Did you keep your New Years Resolution '05?
Hmm...I don't make them...so yes and no...
Did you fall in love in 2005?
NEXT QUESTION! (a la Drew Rosenhaus)
Did you break up with anyone in 2005?
Yes...and it affects things more than I care to admit or acknowledge...I used to think I did feelings well, now I know I'm just as lost as every other male in that awful, stereotypical way...
Did you make any new friends in 2005?
A whole new team, a whole new set of brothers...
What was your favourite month of 2005?
Lets go with...hmmm...May or June...it's a tossup...
Did you travel outside of the US in 2005?
Only Canada...nothing major..
How many states did you travel to in 2005?
Actually...hmmm..the only state I was in in 2005 is NY...scary and odd...I think that's the first time that's happened.
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Every once in a while...
What was your favourite song from 2005?
Hmmm..."Gold Digger" by Kanye West? I don't know...alt rock is dead, hip hop is getting stale...nobody does anything new anymore...I spend most of my time listening to stuff written well before 2005...
What was your favourite album from 2005?
See the previous response...lol.
Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2005?
I play rugby....'nough said.
Did you do drugs in 2005?
Oh....maybe one....
Do you have anything that you're ashamed of this year?
Hmmm...I've treated some people poorly, and that is something I'm ashamed of whenever I do it...
What was the worst lie someone told you in 2005?
Hmmm....there aren't any real glaring winners to this one...people have been pretty honest with me this past year...
Did you treat somebody badly in 2005?
NEXT QUESTION! (again, a la Drew Rosenhaus)
Did somebody treat you badly in 2005?
Oh yeah...you all know who you are...lol...just kidding...no seriously..you know who you are and you'll be hunted down and dispatched.... :)
What was your proudest moments of 2005?
-Every time I was selected to start in rugby...
-Making the playoffs...
-Honours/recognition at work...
-Not vomiting no matter how much I had to drink...
-Seeing the people around me succeed...
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2005?
Totally blowing the opening kickoff against the Syracuse Chargers in front of friends and teammates...
If you could go back to any moment in 2005 and change something, what would it be?
No regrets, right?
What are your plans for 2006?
-Start running again NOW, so that I don't pay for it this spring like I do every other spring...
-Refocus on work, get promoted faster...
-Increase the time I spend with friends and family...
-Be a better human being...
Here it is, boys and girls...
MY 2005 List
My favourite moments of 2005
-Opening day of rugby season...
-The summer fundraiser (16 straight hours of booze and doing horrible, horrible things)
-Thursdays in the Square
-The night with Matty, Fathead, and Frank that started at Geckos, moved to SideBar, and then wound up with 8 rounds of Red Bull & Vodka at THE COLONIE LOUNGE!!!!
-Matty-gras '05
-Running at Chestnut Ridge and Delaware Park
-The Regatta with Kji and the rest of the SLU alums
-Nights with "the veets"
-Saranac Lake Can-Am Rugby Tournament
-The partying AFTER the rugby playoffs
My least favourite moments of 2005
-Losing to Rochester in the playoffs
-Having to move
-Grandmother's death
-Mom's stroke
-Sister's seizure
-The cake eating contest after the Finger Lakes match...
-Blowing the opening kickoff against the Syracuse Chargers..
-"Christmas Fiasco"
Did you keep your New Years Resolution '05?
Hmm...I don't make them...so yes and no...
Did you fall in love in 2005?
NEXT QUESTION! (a la Drew Rosenhaus)
Did you break up with anyone in 2005?
Yes...and it affects things more than I care to admit or acknowledge...I used to think I did feelings well, now I know I'm just as lost as every other male in that awful, stereotypical way...
Did you make any new friends in 2005?
A whole new team, a whole new set of brothers...
What was your favourite month of 2005?
Lets go with...hmmm...May or June...it's a tossup...
Did you travel outside of the US in 2005?
Only Canada...nothing major..
How many states did you travel to in 2005?
Actually...hmmm..the only state I was in in 2005 is NY...scary and odd...I think that's the first time that's happened.
Did you miss anybody in the past year?
Every once in a while...
What was your favourite song from 2005?
Hmmm..."Gold Digger" by Kanye West? I don't know...alt rock is dead, hip hop is getting stale...nobody does anything new anymore...I spend most of my time listening to stuff written well before 2005...
What was your favourite album from 2005?
See the previous response...lol.
Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2005?
I play rugby....'nough said.
Did you do drugs in 2005?
Oh....maybe one....
Do you have anything that you're ashamed of this year?
Hmmm...I've treated some people poorly, and that is something I'm ashamed of whenever I do it...
What was the worst lie someone told you in 2005?
Hmmm....there aren't any real glaring winners to this one...people have been pretty honest with me this past year...
Did you treat somebody badly in 2005?
NEXT QUESTION! (again, a la Drew Rosenhaus)
Did somebody treat you badly in 2005?
Oh yeah...you all know who you are...lol...just kidding...no seriously..you know who you are and you'll be hunted down and dispatched.... :)
What was your proudest moments of 2005?
-Every time I was selected to start in rugby...
-Making the playoffs...
-Honours/recognition at work...
-Not vomiting no matter how much I had to drink...
-Seeing the people around me succeed...
What was your most embarrassing moment of 2005?
Totally blowing the opening kickoff against the Syracuse Chargers in front of friends and teammates...
If you could go back to any moment in 2005 and change something, what would it be?
No regrets, right?
What are your plans for 2006?
-Start running again NOW, so that I don't pay for it this spring like I do every other spring...
-Refocus on work, get promoted faster...
-Increase the time I spend with friends and family...
-Be a better human being...
Permalink: Year_End_Lists.html
Words: 603
Location: Buffalo, NY
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I can't say that political thoughts such as these keep me up at night, but I do entertain similar ruminations. The movement to block Alito, failed at best. People paying attention knew the outcome before it was official. When you want someone in a position.. it seems to work itself out that way, eh? Moreover, it is symbolic to the deeply disturbed state of the political arena on various levels.
Political tradition is a hinderance to forward movement. Adaptibility, its counterpart, is not embraced. A new party? The idea has been tossed around for years. (now this is a topic I perseverate on) However, the time, effort and change process involved, as you said, to reach a critical mass, are barriers in a steadfast traditional political culture.
Nothing is impossible, but people need to be ready to persist in their (our?) efforts to begin the change process.. I am active in political pursuits, research and writing (not so much here).. and yeh, I get to where I feel at a loss as to what to do. Maybe Political Science will be my next educational venture; I could use a kick in the ass to go from thinking to doing.. and others could use doing the same.
ha, I thought I was Canadian until I was about 7 years old. Almost all of my family is from Canada, as we spent a lot of time there. I thought we had a Prime Minister..I only watched Canadian television, etc.
I feel the huge heat bill pain. It's still early enough in the season to reap the benefits of doing this: Go buy flannel sheets, extra candles for btu's, a small electric heater (it wont jack your electric bill) and cover your drafty windows.. you have one set in particular that really lets the chill in. Heat rises.. then escapes.
Reading over your post.. one more thought:
Use your imagination.. get out.. it doesnt cost a lot to have fun. It is more in a matter of who it is with than what. I am quite sure you have a few fun friends to get togther with that doesnt cost much. Or invite a bunch of people over, make them bring food, music and beverage.. Possibilities are endless..be creative.
And in a few months you have got Rugby again.. so its all good.
And I'm no small guy...but I still prefer my 95 degree days of summer...:).
I do not disagree with you about this country's Republicans.. they screwed up in a lot of different ways. But is that really a function of the party, or simply its leaders? I am not sure Gore would have done any better. Nor do i think Chretien did any better than Martin. Then again... how bad would Layton do? lol
And admittedly, the Liberals screwed up...but so have our Republicans (and on a grander scale, imo)...but they're still in office.
Sorry to hear about your natural gas bill. We hear ya... we live in a large victorian.
One thing strikes me about what you said, though. Maybe my memory is weird, but for some reason, this stuck in my mind.
This is what you said today: It's not like I sit around in shorts with the heat cranked to 85 everyday.
And this is what you posted 12/09/05: I love being able to look out of my windows at the snow and wind while sitting in my living room in shorts and a t-shirt.
Funny that when i read what you wrote today, i remembered what you wrote before. How unlike me to have a good memory. Go figure...