Originally a comment, but I decided to post it due to size.
I wasn't too thrilled about the square last night. To be honest I was there for a grand total of 35 minutes and left. The masses really got to me to be honest. The smoke was as if you were indoors and I just couldn't stand all the people walking aimlessly with a beer in one hand and a cell phone in another. Oh, and those "hot topic" kids on Main st really pissed me off.
All I can say is I'm glad that there really isn't anyone I' too crazy about on this year's schedule. To be honest if there was someone was passionate about, I'd flip. Trying to focus on an artist is tough in the "world's biggest outdoor happy hour" environment. At this point I am happy to pay to see a concert to be around liked minded people, not kids trying to distract themselves or people just there taking up space for something to do. You could throw Lance Diamond up there on stage and still get the 10,000 people crowd. It's all about drinking, free entertainment, and trying to get a phone number, all while trying to to look good in doing so. I can go to Chippewa any weekend for that, if I really wanted it.
The biggest surprise of the night was the amount of people squeezed into Tim Horton's! Not even in Canada do you get so many people getting their coffee & donuts at one time. Yea, it was cold so coffee was in order I suppose.
In closing I just didn't get a good vibe at all from the first Tats.
At this point I wish I could attend more Tuesday's in the Gorge at Artpark. You wont' have to deal with the punk kids or homeless looking people. Shit, I must be getting old & snobby :-/
Vincent's Journal
My Podcast Link
05/30/2008 21:21 #44494
my take on the squareCategory: thursdays
05/20/2008 00:51 #44396
opposite ends of the spectrumCategory: economics
Lately my viewing habbits have gravitated towards the Showtime Network. Surprisingly the biggest draw for me has not been weeds or some crazy movie, but documentaries. This one Maxed Out (SORRY GOOGLE VIDEO IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. LINK WAS -4840432044369494646) sucked me in totally this weekend. This is why the Republicans are going to wander the desert for the next 30 years. In the middle of this doc they show how the unwinding of the bankruptcy laws in this country effectively brought back the Debtors prisons a la Charles Dickens. Two of the main characters of this show Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey are interesting twist to the whole thing. For the most part I can't stand Suze, but to me Dave Ramsey has been the shining light of the Fox Business Channel. The economic climate has finally caught up to his message, "It's cool to be Frugal." 
So on one end we have the average people succuming to slavery by the banks and on the other we have the Uber Capitalists. They're kind of the people that (e:hodown) sees on a daily basis in NYC.
Yes, it's long but it does show the pinnacle of what everyone is striving for in the New York Metro Area. Those are the people everyone wants to be or pretends to me at least in their mind. It's kind of ironic that the financial "products" that some of that crowd came up is the fuel that indirectly is helping us burn $4 gas in our cars. To me it's kind of shocking to see the people that can burn though cash like it's nothing be Neanderthals. Since it always that the higher class of people the more civilized or gentrified, but in reality the ultra wealthy may have always been this way, we just never saw it on TMZ.
In the end we need to tilt ourselves to the left, a la FDR style.
We are going to have to turn to civic sacrifice to turn things around for everyone as the decession deepens. That means higher taxes on the corporate/hedge fund crowd & all sorts of other middle class building initiatives.
So on one end we have the average people succuming to slavery by the banks and on the other we have the Uber Capitalists. They're kind of the people that (e:hodown) sees on a daily basis in NYC.
Yes, it's long but it does show the pinnacle of what everyone is striving for in the New York Metro Area. Those are the people everyone wants to be or pretends to me at least in their mind. It's kind of ironic that the financial "products" that some of that crowd came up is the fuel that indirectly is helping us burn $4 gas in our cars. To me it's kind of shocking to see the people that can burn though cash like it's nothing be Neanderthals. Since it always that the higher class of people the more civilized or gentrified, but in reality the ultra wealthy may have always been this way, we just never saw it on TMZ.
In the end we need to tilt ourselves to the left, a la FDR style.
We are going to have to turn to civic sacrifice to turn things around for everyone as the decession deepens. That means higher taxes on the corporate/hedge fund crowd & all sorts of other middle class building initiatives.
jenks - 05/20/08 19:33
that's one piece of advice my grandfather gave my dad years ago... if you can't afford to buy it in cash, don't buy it. I use credit cards, but I pay them in full every month. My insane student loans are enough debt- I don't need another 10K at 18% interest or whatever.
But of course you're right janelle... there are always emergencies that can mess everything up.
that's one piece of advice my grandfather gave my dad years ago... if you can't afford to buy it in cash, don't buy it. I use credit cards, but I pay them in full every month. My insane student loans are enough debt- I don't need another 10K at 18% interest or whatever.
But of course you're right janelle... there are always emergencies that can mess everything up.
janelle - 05/20/08 11:42
jon: You make things sound so simple. It's just as easy as being responsible and living within your means. There are plenty of people who do just that and then find themselves seriously ill, out of work, and wracked with medical bills. You can't get a loan to pay off medical bills, so what do you turn to...the credit card! What happens the second you make a small mistake and forget to pay your bill just once....the interest rate SKY rockets!
I hate debt too. We pay cash for everything too. We faithfully set aside the maximum amount we can in our Roth IRAs almost every month. We even use the envelope system. If the money isn't in the envelope, we don't buy it. But I'm not so arrogant as to believe that it's just about financial responsibility. It may well be that Drew and I are faced with financial insecurity in the future due to any a number of things that just happen in life.
jon: You make things sound so simple. It's just as easy as being responsible and living within your means. There are plenty of people who do just that and then find themselves seriously ill, out of work, and wracked with medical bills. You can't get a loan to pay off medical bills, so what do you turn to...the credit card! What happens the second you make a small mistake and forget to pay your bill just once....the interest rate SKY rockets!
I hate debt too. We pay cash for everything too. We faithfully set aside the maximum amount we can in our Roth IRAs almost every month. We even use the envelope system. If the money isn't in the envelope, we don't buy it. But I'm not so arrogant as to believe that it's just about financial responsibility. It may well be that Drew and I are faced with financial insecurity in the future due to any a number of things that just happen in life.
jon - 05/20/08 11:18
Oh, I wanted to add, yeaah, I saw that film before too. People's lives are being torn up by debt, but still they are the ones signing the dotted line.
Getting out of debt (or not getting in) is all about personal financial responsibility. And reading the fine print.
On a personal level though, I hate debt. Using cash for purchasing cars, fixing the house, appliances, etc has been my standard for a long time now. And I don't regret it.
Oh, I wanted to add, yeaah, I saw that film before too. People's lives are being torn up by debt, but still they are the ones signing the dotted line.
Getting out of debt (or not getting in) is all about personal financial responsibility. And reading the fine print.
On a personal level though, I hate debt. Using cash for purchasing cars, fixing the house, appliances, etc has been my standard for a long time now. And I don't regret it.
jon - 05/20/08 10:21
I'm not going to pretend to have an answer for the national debt. I don't, and I don't think people like Greenspan or various executives of banks do either. It is a new status-quo which is deeply disturbing, at least to me.
However, I can say as an individual, I learned a long time ago that living below my means is the only way to be financially secure. As a result, I haven't paid a single cent of interest on my credit cards in years. I don't know what the debt figure is for the average American, but I can guarantee it won't ever apply to me.
I see it as taking part of recycling. I do my part.
I'm not going to pretend to have an answer for the national debt. I don't, and I don't think people like Greenspan or various executives of banks do either. It is a new status-quo which is deeply disturbing, at least to me.
However, I can say as an individual, I learned a long time ago that living below my means is the only way to be financially secure. As a result, I haven't paid a single cent of interest on my credit cards in years. I don't know what the debt figure is for the average American, but I can guarantee it won't ever apply to me.
I see it as taking part of recycling. I do my part.
drew - 05/20/08 09:26
I saw that film. It's a amazing how people are encouraged to wreck themselves, and how they go along with it.
(e:janelle) and I, on the other hand, were frugal before it was cool.
I saw that film. It's a amazing how people are encouraged to wreck themselves, and how they go along with it.
(e:janelle) and I, on the other hand, were frugal before it was cool.
05/17/2008 15:37 #44375
Bar Fight!Category: allentown
Yea, I almost got into one last night in allentown and of all places it was F'n Gabriel's Gate Ironically we went there since my Ex saw some old co-worker across the street @ Frizzy's and didn't want to get into it with her.
We get to the bar, of which all the stools were taken at the time. We order a couple of beers and then wait for a couple to cash out their bar bill as they were heading to a table. There is this old guy literally stuffing his face with chicken wings at the end of the bar, but I think nothing of it.Then for the next 30 minutes we watch the Celtics lost to the Cavs. The weird guy goes away to the bathroom and comes back 20 minutes later to the same spot at the end of the bar. Then all heck breaks loose. He then marches to my stool 5 down and starts getting into my face saying, "You moved my beer!! That is a rotten thing to do!!!" Now to be honest I though he was saying that I stole his beer, but nothing I said to the contary did anything but make him more angry. At one point I thought we were going to go at it, but he backed away. From what my ex tells me he then proceeded to stand behind me chugging his beer. The next thing is that a guy that was watching this unfold at a table behind us comes up to me and tells me , "that guy is getting ready to BUST THAT BEER BOTTLE OVER YOUR HEAD!!!" I turn around and the guy is bright red!!!
My thought is, "I am going to get into a fight @ Gabriel's Gate with a 55 Year old Gay Guy!!!" I put down my half finished Heinie & immediately leave. As a precautionary measure I ready myself on the right side of the door nest to the iron gate. The decision is made, if this Fucker comes across the line of the gate, I'm taking him down UFC Style on the sidewalk. Well he did follow me outside, but he just looked at me on the front of the steps, sneered at me and then walked away towards Coulter Bay.
My Ex was laughing her ass off that of all Fucking places I was going to get into a fight with an AARP member at Gabriel's Gate!!! Of all the shady ass places I've been to drink I actually can't believe that I had to experience this at this of all places! It's a fucked up world where you feel safer with 21 year old fratboys drinking on Chippewa. I guess if you're dealing with people that may be packing you don't pull that kind of drama when you're tripping balls.
Anyway to close the night we ended up checking the newest incarnation of the Jupiter Room now "The Bend." All I can say is I really like what they have done to the place. I actually felt comfortable in there without the vibe of throwing down ;-)
Ironically we went there since my Ex saw some old co-worker across the street @ Frizzy's and didn't want to get into it with her. We get to the bar, of which all the stools were taken at the time. We order a couple of beers and then wait for a couple to cash out their bar bill as they were heading to a table. There is this old guy literally stuffing his face with chicken wings at the end of the bar, but I think nothing of it.Then for the next 30 minutes we watch the Celtics lost to the Cavs. The weird guy goes away to the bathroom and comes back 20 minutes later to the same spot at the end of the bar. Then all heck breaks loose. He then marches to my stool 5 down and starts getting into my face saying, "You moved my beer!! That is a rotten thing to do!!!" Now to be honest I though he was saying that I stole his beer, but nothing I said to the contary did anything but make him more angry. At one point I thought we were going to go at it, but he backed away. From what my ex tells me he then proceeded to stand behind me chugging his beer. The next thing is that a guy that was watching this unfold at a table behind us comes up to me and tells me , "that guy is getting ready to BUST THAT BEER BOTTLE OVER YOUR HEAD!!!" I turn around and the guy is bright red!!!
My thought is, "I am going to get into a fight @ Gabriel's Gate with a 55 Year old Gay Guy!!!" I put down my half finished Heinie & immediately leave. As a precautionary measure I ready myself on the right side of the door nest to the iron gate. The decision is made, if this Fucker comes across the line of the gate, I'm taking him down UFC Style on the sidewalk. Well he did follow me outside, but he just looked at me on the front of the steps, sneered at me and then walked away towards Coulter Bay.
My Ex was laughing her ass off that of all Fucking places I was going to get into a fight with an AARP member at Gabriel's Gate!!! Of all the shady ass places I've been to drink I actually can't believe that I had to experience this at this of all places! It's a fucked up world where you feel safer with 21 year old fratboys drinking on Chippewa. I guess if you're dealing with people that may be packing you don't pull that kind of drama when you're tripping balls.
Anyway to close the night we ended up checking the newest incarnation of the Jupiter Room now "The Bend." All I can say is I really like what they have done to the place. I actually felt comfortable in there without the vibe of throwing down ;-)
carolinian - 05/18/08 14:49
Old man sitting in the young man's bar waiting for his time to get a can of whoopass opened up on him.
Old man sitting in the young man's bar waiting for his time to get a can of whoopass opened up on him.
metalpeter - 05/18/08 09:47
That is crazy not to mention you where in a lose lose situation. If the guy was really old if you fight then it looks like you are beating up an old guy but if he wins then a crazy old man beat your ass. Walking out was the smart thing to do. On a side note that crazy guy needs to learn that when you move your beer goes with you. Granted I don't know what he was doing in the bathroom and if a beer would be ok to do it with but never leave your beer unless you don't want to finish it. Crazy stuff like that one reason I don't like to really go to bars that much.
That is crazy not to mention you where in a lose lose situation. If the guy was really old if you fight then it looks like you are beating up an old guy but if he wins then a crazy old man beat your ass. Walking out was the smart thing to do. On a side note that crazy guy needs to learn that when you move your beer goes with you. Granted I don't know what he was doing in the bathroom and if a beer would be ok to do it with but never leave your beer unless you don't want to finish it. Crazy stuff like that one reason I don't like to really go to bars that much.
paul - 05/17/08 18:31
That is so crazy. Some Allentown folk can be quite sketchy. I wish you had a picture of him.
That is so crazy. Some Allentown folk can be quite sketchy. I wish you had a picture of him.
janelle - 05/17/08 17:22
lol, that's all I can say.
lol, that's all I can say.
05/15/2008 20:05 #44354
Things shaping upCategory: politics
Today I cam across a couple of interesting stories regarding where things are likely to head. The first one that grabbed my attention is the story that the Republicans are looking to go back in to the wilderness. and to me it couldn't happen to a better group of people. It sort of sounded like something that I said back a while ago in November
They totally ran the country into the ground. All of their principles that they stood for were just ignored when they became inconvient. In the end the only two things that remained were lowering the tax burden for the higher income brackets & for the most part putting abortion back into the dark ages. Really if you're not sexually repressed looking for suggestive logo's on coffee cups or living in a McMansion in Tom Reynold's district you don't have a reason to support those people any more. The majority of the middle class that was bullshitted into voting for them against their best interest have finally woken up. Sorry, no more student loan aid for your kid, but we can abolish the estate tax so some family can pass 500 Million to the next generation. Thank God it is coming to an end. I actually respected the Country Club Republican Party when they were just the loyal opposition.
Now to make sure whoever comes out of the Democratic juggernaut wins without any doubt, we may have a viable third party Candidate
to split the Republican vote. With him setting up a run he may splinter enough El Rushbo listeners to the point where Hillary may even win hands down even if she Steals the nomination EEERRR, wins the nomination. Just like the way Bill got in with Perot splintering the conservative red state vote.
and to me it couldn't happen to a better group of people. It sort of sounded like something that I said back a while ago in November It will just be like shooting fish in a barrel. Deregulation Capitalists will be kept far away from sharp objects and Washington for decades after this mess really gains momentum.
They totally ran the country into the ground. All of their principles that they stood for were just ignored when they became inconvient. In the end the only two things that remained were lowering the tax burden for the higher income brackets & for the most part putting abortion back into the dark ages. Really if you're not sexually repressed looking for suggestive logo's on coffee cups or living in a McMansion in Tom Reynold's district you don't have a reason to support those people any more. The majority of the middle class that was bullshitted into voting for them against their best interest have finally woken up. Sorry, no more student loan aid for your kid, but we can abolish the estate tax so some family can pass 500 Million to the next generation. Thank God it is coming to an end. I actually respected the Country Club Republican Party when they were just the loyal opposition.
Now to make sure whoever comes out of the Democratic juggernaut wins without any doubt, we may have a viable third party Candidate
to split the Republican vote. With him setting up a run he may splinter enough El Rushbo listeners to the point where Hillary may even win hands down even if she Steals the nomination EEERRR, wins the nomination. Just like the way Bill got in with Perot splintering the conservative red state vote.
05/15/2008 00:19 #44343
Hateriots ApologyCategory: sports
Apology
On Feb. 2, 2008, the Boston Herald reported that a member of the New England Patriots [team stats]' video staff taped the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough on the day before Super Bowl XXXVI. While the Boston Herald based its Feb. 2, 2008, report on sources that it believed to be credible, we now know that this report was false, and that no tape of the walkthrough ever existed.
Prior to the publication of its Feb. 2, 2008, article, the Boston Herald neither possessed nor viewed a tape of the Rams' walkthrough before Super Bowl XXXVI, nor did we speak to anyone who had. We should not have published the allegation in the absence of firmer verification.
The Boston Herald regrets the damage done to the team by publication of the allegation, and sincerely apologizes to its readers and to the New England Patriots [team stats]' owners, players, employees and fans for our error.
Seriously, can we move on with things now? I think that the damage has been done when they lost. Having that hanging over their head with the potential of a congressional investigation most likely distracted them enough were they lost the big game. They lost a draft pick & the big game, that's punishment enough. So they taped the lousy Bills, Browns, Chargers, Chargers [Cheerleaders] and Jets. They really gained a competive advantage from checking out hotties from SoCal do leg kicks.
I just love how these tools on Sports Talk Radio are calling in saying that it is an NFL Conspiracy to protect their product and hence bottom line. These must be the losers that sleep with aluminum foil helmets at night so the government won't read their thoughts. Better yet the egos of former players or fans that just can't stomach that someone is better, smarter and more wealthier than they are. So they attempt to rationalize it through some crazy conspiracy theory.
Personally I am not a Pats fan. I really don't care about them personally. All I wonder is what would have these overweight slobs be saying if say Dick Jouron was caught doing something & the Bills 1st round pick was taken away by the league? The whole "The world is trying to F**k Buffalo" paranoia that overtakes this area would just be freaking insane.
In the end maybe it's just me and my ego isn't out of whack. There are people in this world that are better, smarter, stronger and richer than I am. If someone went to an Ivy league school, drives a BMW, has a hot 6' 100 lb blonde trophy S.O. and a ton of $; I don't secretly begrudge him. I am honest happy for him or her given the circumstances. But for the typical male where status is the measuring standard and everything, you can get his kind of poisonous envy that just has taken a life of it's own for the last 6 years.
Sorry it wasn't your thing. I do admit that it was pretty packed and some dude kept crashing into me and that was a bumber but the girls who would where cool till I got burned ok not a burn a hot cigerette not there fault someone ran into me though. The crowd can sometimes be tough. I guess the people you where around where different then the people I was around, they seemed like they where there to have fun and listen to some music, that lance diamond comment is very funny. In terms of going to paying concerts you sure Have a lot to chose from like every summer around this area.