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Dcoffee's Journal

dcoffee
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07/08/2006 23:55 #21732

Military weddings
Category: iraq
Just got home from work, I'm a photographer, and I did a military wedding tonight, Marines actually. They make me emotional. It's just that these people disserve infinite respect, and they don't fucking get it. They're used like goddamn pawns in a giant game of risk. and you know what's at risk? it's not peace and security, it's fucking profits. When I'm at these weddings, I just cherish the presence of the people that have lived to be there, and they joy of their families to be able to celebrate something after a year of frightening uncertainty apart from their child. For me it's heavy stuff, and the Marines are all their to forget and try to celebrate, despite the fact that they've lost friends on the battlefield. These guys today were all from Iraq, and their platoon did suffer casualties and injuries. The day was never sad, they didn't have speeches lamenting any tragedy, but it still made me emotional. Maybe just because these guys could have died, I don't know... it's rough.

06/30/2006 21:57 #21731

Survey Finally
Category: estrip
People:
1. How did you find out about/why did you become of estrip?
Shawn Rider and the DMS community at UB, I had stumbled on the site prior to that but never signed up for an account.

2. How "out" are you about having a publicly accessible online journal. Do your friends know? Does your family know? Do your co-workers know? Does your boss know? Do you use your real name? Do you use your real photo?
I don't write or use anything I don't want to be public. Don't use my real name. My journal will be more public soon because I have set up a basic API and will give it a simple address.

3. How many epeeps have you met real life? 4-5, most at the Geek Meet or UB

4. How has estrip changed the way that you meet people, on and/or off line?
Not much, sometimes I am more social on the site, but I don't use it to meet people outside.

5. How has estrip affected you love life?
None.

6. How many of your friends have joined estrip because of your influence?
None yet, though I have tried.

7. Are you from Buffalo/do you live in Buffalo?
Sure do, yes to both questions.

Equipment:
1. What type of hardware or software purchases have you made as a result of using estrip?
none

2. Have you used the mobile version of estrip? Why or why not?
No, seems very cool but I have no phone. Like the idea of posting from Concerts or news events.

Lifestyle:
1. In what way has estrip changed your Internet surfings habits? Describe the amount of time you spend on estrip, when you use it and about how long?
Depends on the week, at first I was on (e:strip) about 2-3 hours per day, now it depends on whether I am having a discussion on the site.

1a. How many journals do you usually read per day?
I don't check the site every day anymore, I did for the first 3-4 months. Now I check probably twice a week. Average, I'll read 4-6 different user's journals.

2. In what ways has estrip changed the way you perceive your local community?
It allows me to see a range of perspectives from people who live differently than I do, I understand more facets of my community. I might not be able to find such a variety of perspectives otherwise.

3. How has journaling about your life affected the way you spend your free time?
Well, having a journal that people can easily read and respond to, has kind of filled the role of my old paper journal. Much of that had gotten political, rather than too personal to share. And I always wanted to publish some of my journals someday, (e:strip) provides a great audience.

4. Has estrip changed your living situation in any way?
Nope.

5. Do you find that you mediate/document more of your experiences now that you share them with others?
Sometimes. Most of my pieces are opinion rather than personal stories. I find that my personal stories tend to be expressed and remembered through pictures, now that I think about it. I like to have my camera around when I do fun stuff that I might like to remember, concerts, hiking, traveling, etc. interesting, never thought about that. But I think I do write more about politics than I would without an account on a welcoming and functionally thoughtful site like (e:strip).

6. Has publishing on estrip affected the way that write?
I haven't particularly noticed, but I do generally pay attention to my audience. I actually have gotten to be a little less picky about my writing, but I don't know the cause of that really, maybe just laziness.

7. Do you have other online journals? If so, with what service and has estrip affected your usage of that journal?
Blogger, I just use that for news articles, not my own writings.
WNY Media, I use that just for longer more important articles that I write, though I usually post them on (e:strip) too, or they start on (e:strip) and turn into longer pieces as I do research.
Myspace, never really used it, just played with the interface.
Flickr, I should post more pictures on (e:strip) but I don't.

8. Have you ever gotten in trouble for using estrip at work?
Almost, I've definitely posted from work.

9. If you have stopped using estrip, why?
Decreased now just because I'm busier.

06/02/2006 13:16 #21730

Proffit and American lifestyle
Category: society
In response to (e:libertad,50) This started as a comment, but it is something I've been wanting to write about for a while, so I'll post it here.

"A patriotic company isn't just concerned with the bottom line, but for the environment in which it operates, the welfare of its employees and the image they are portraying of their country." Hell yea to that Brother!

We have been fooled, in so many ways, by those who make a profit. They have convinced us that the most profitable course of action is the most enjoyable.

Paying less, has become more valuable than walking to the corner store, interacting with your neighbors and being part of your community.

There is no community at Wal-Mart, just miserable underpaid staff and impatient irritable customers. Is that Life? Does it mean that society is doing well if we have more faceless warehouses selling us cheap crap? Paying $3.99 instead of $4.99 for a garbage can is supposed to make my life complete?!

Instead how about, running a small business doing what I love to do, a hardware store, clothing store, a bike shop, shoe store, camping store etc... That's life, waking up each morning and doing something I enjoy.

Instead we are convinced that if we can buy more things, then our life will be fulfilled. What we own determines how happy we are, not how we live. What a bunch of crap.

Personally I'm careful of where I spend my money, I will pay that extra dollar at a local business to get a plunger for my bathroom, instead of looking for the cheapest price. Because local businesses make my community a better place, they are more enjoyable to visit, and I feel like I am giving the owner a gift by helping them to live peacefully. The paradigm in this country has got to shift.

libertad - 06/03/06 00:23
jenks, thats so funny! This has all turned into quite a dialogue eh? Thats good.
metalpeter - 06/02/06 22:57
Speaking of Local stores that is really what downtown needs. It is great that there are lofts and all kinds of apartments and people moving downtown. But What would really help the city is if those people had local places to shop for clothes and food and other needed items. It would be nice to see that happen soon.
jenks - 06/02/06 22:49
when i first moved here i was looking for a hardware store- and ended up at the allen street hardware store cafe. oops! haha.
dcoffee - 06/02/06 22:45
Great points everyone.

I tend to walk to get most of what I need, that's why I like living in the city near a commercial district, not that I mind driving, but it's just a more enjoyable lifestyle. I shop at a 24 hour Walgreen’s, Latinas, Ambrosia, and Cafe 59. I have to drive to Aldi to get most of my food. but I am definitely boycotting Wal-Mart.

I'd like to see more local businesses because they seem to enrich my environment more than big all inclusive shopping centers that are surrounded by fields of asphalt. it's just my preference, but I really hate the wide Sprawlways, long traffic lights, and huge parking lots where the infrastructure is Only set up for cars, not people. so I shop locally.

and FYI, there are some good hardware stores and such at Grant and Ferry if you don't feel like venturing to the burbs for stuff.
metalpeter - 06/02/06 18:59
I admit Target is a great store Movies, DVDs, CD's, clothes, house stuff, food and you get my point they sell a lot of stuff. It is nice to try to go to local places but often you really can't. In my hood I know of no local electronic stores, drug stores, sneaker place etc. I try to get my CD's at New World when I can. But quality and ones personal taste is verry important also. Some people like cafe' Aroma, some like spot, some prefer starbucks, or even solid grounds (why did i get that stair like no body has ever heard of it). If one has a choice of big corporate or local it is better to go with local. But I don't think I have ever seen a mall with all local stores. Convience is a big factor when buy things wich is why places like target are verry sucessfull.
jenks - 06/02/06 17:36
First off I want to go on record as saying of course I support local business and would rather have them get my dollar than a big mega-chain.

That said, I will admit that I love Target. It's not so much about the price, as the convenience. If I need fish food, socks, paper towels, a plunger, and milk- I could go to five stores, or I could go to Target/Walmart.

Sure in a perfect world I'd drive my emissions-free vehicle, or better yet ride my bike/walk, to five mom and pop stores and stop and chat and ask about the kids and get warm fuzzies... But that's just not always feasible. Don't get me wrong, I wish it were, but it just isn't always.
uncutsaniflush - 06/02/06 17:25
(e:leetee) and I try to shop at small, local, mom and pop stores as much as possible even if it means paying a bit more.
libertad - 06/02/06 17:04
I have been trying to be more aware of where I spend my money. hey its not that hard when you dont have any! We are lucky in Buffalo to have some great local stores. Some of my favorites are (e:petsupplies), Chef's Deli, Guercio's and Talking Leaves.

05/18/2006 22:02 #21729

You are being Spied upon
Category: politics
Yea, it seems more and more, that Fascism and Neo-Conservatism are one in the same. if you haven't read the recent Beast article "top ten signs of an impending police state" you definitely should. it's a quick laundry list of the atrocities being committed against us by our imperial president. I'm sorry, but this stuff is seriously getting out of hand.

Now the whitehouse is tapping journalists phones the reason, so they can find out who is leaking information to the press. You know like Abu Graib, our secret prisons in Romania and other un-american atrocities committed by the Bush administration. The goal apparently is to stop the american people from finding out any damaging info about the Bush administration.

And PS, they're tapping your phones too . actually if you want to be technical, they aren't actually listening to your phone calls, they are simply recording every number you dial. So they know everyone you call. the daily show explains .

And if that wasn't bad enough, they're spying on the Internet. The following quote is from a key witness in the lawsuit against AT&T saying it was against the law for the them to comply with the NSA spy program. Hello Totalitarianism!
"In 2003 AT&T built "secret rooms" hidden deep in the bowels of its central offices in various cities, housing computer gear for a government spy operation which taps into the company's popular WorldNet service and the entire internet. These installations enable the government to look at every individual message on the internet and analyze exactly what people are doing. Documents showing the hardwire installation in San Francisco suggest that there are similar locations being installed in numerous other cities."
More of his story here

This all clearly has little to do with terrorism, and it has everything to do with detecting ANYONE who disagrees with the policies of the executive branch. Watergate was nothing compared to this.

the "Legitimate power of the executive" as dick Cheney calls it, is just a polite way of saying, the imperial president.



libertad - 05/30/06 09:59
(e:jason),

Thanks for your response. DCoffee hasn't written in a while so I just saw your comment. I decided to ask The Beast myself what they consider themselves. Here is my email to the editors. If they write me I'll post it in my journal.
----------------------------------------------
Here is a question for The Beast. Does The Beast
consider itself a liberal publication? If not, where
does The Beast fall on the political spectrum?

Thanks,


Libertad
jason - 05/19/06 16:42
I can't speak for Joshy, but I believe it is a liberal publication. Now, I don't use the term as a perjorative, but merely a term to describe their politics in a most general way. They admit as much in their columns now and then, and anyway I think they are comfortable enough in their own skin to not be offended.

Although I consider most of its contents only bird cage worthy, I do have a serious soft spot for their brand of humor. I love how they make fun of Tom Cruise. I thought the Terri Schiavo "America's Favorite Vegetable" cover was way over the top extreme, same for the Reagan cover, but every one of us has an evil bastard inside that laughs at these things.

It's kind of funny when you think about how similar The Beast is to a program like Rush's, or probably more appropriately Rusty Humphries. In Rush's terms, they employ absurdity to demonstrate what they believe to be absurd. It's entertaining, it works, and it also gives you little nuggets of fact to think about. Yes, even Rush's show contains interesting little tidbits of fact to chew on.

I'm not so secretly wondering if any one of you take in any right-leaning media at all. I have Thom Hartmann set up on my iTunes podcast list, and I think he's great. I don't think you can take in a story from only one political perspective, and truly believe that you are being responsible and informed. For example, someone said the other day on the radio that the war on terror is bullshit - Why? - because if we were really so serious about stopping terror we would be policing the border better. It made me think about the war on terror from a new perspective. Very valuable.

Of course the Beast's article is mostly junk, but there are little nuggets of fact inside to consider - like the jails being built. Also the fact that Bush never uses his veto - very interesting.

I don't think people should take that particular publication very seriously, on both ends, in terms of believing everything they say, and in terms of getting so pissed off when something is said that upsets you.

I learned that lesson very recently.
libertad - 05/19/06 13:34
I love the Beast, particularly their covers. My favorites were when Reagan died and the head line was "Reagan accepts key position at the gates of hell" and this one :::link:::

Their disturbing and twisted humor often mimics the disturbed nature of our traditional media and our government.

(e:joshua), do you really think the Beast is liberal?
dcoffee - 05/19/06 13:17
of course they are, but that doesn't mean they can't find good info or write well. :)

you should read the bullited headlines at least, and their notes on how Bush has never vetoed a bill, but has issued twice as many signing statements as ALL previous presidents combined. Saying things like "Only the president, as commander in chief, can place restrictions on the use of US armed forces, so the executive branch will construe the law "as advisory in nature." hmm, not a veto?
joshua - 05/19/06 12:49
Dude - you do know that the guys at The Beast are unhinged lunatics, right?

If you want a reasonable liberal who knows what he is talking about, check out Thom Hartmann.

05/09/2006 21:53 #21728

New Apartment!
Category: life
I'm leaving North Street and heading a few blocks up Richmond into a much nicer apartment. the one we're in now is dirty, small, and a haven for too many crackheads. Molly and I are moving into a much bigger and nicer place now.

A picture of the new apartment on Richmond.
image


It has a porch in the back, off-street parking, all utilities and appliances included, 2 bedrooms, a big living-room, a real kitchen with counters and storage, and it's in a nice building, not like this one.
Very excited, I can't wait to have a porch and more space, it's going to be a good summer.

__________________________________________________

I'd also like to mention one of my new favorite beverages,
Wild Irish Rose. one bottle costs a whopping $3.50, and after about half of it you start slurring your words. It's a red wine with 18% alcohol, but it's not bitter or cough syrupy, it's like a light sherry, easy to drink. Great for bonfire parties, camping, and barbecues. it's my fun summer wine.



image
At this point in the bottle Molly and I were too drunk to stay inside, so we went for a drunken stroll around the neighborhood. it was too fun, we aren't lightweights, this is just good wine.


metalpeter - 05/10/06 18:01
That is one of the Many houses I've walked by and thought it must be a great place to live. It looks huge but from the outside you can't tell how it is divided, in any event it looks like a great place.
dcoffee - 05/10/06 08:34
Hmm, havn't tried Thunderbird wine, it looks kind of scary. I didn't wake up with a headache after drinking Wild Irish Rose, which is also produced in the fingerlakes making me feel a little better. if I was a wino, this would be my drink.
Havn't tried "napa valley's bien nacido's 2004 qupe" but I'll have to give it a try. I should write a post on wines, I've tried a lot of different kinds since wine is what I drink most of the time. hmmm
mrdt - 05/09/06 22:58
be prepare for a headache... for a summer white try napa valley's bien nacido's 2004 qupe. at about $12 it will please the pallet and impress friends
libertad - 05/09/06 22:21
hmmm, I'll have to give that wine a try. The apt. looks beautiful.
jenks - 05/09/06 21:59
is it as good as thunderbird "wine"??