MyTunes: World At Large

Flaunt It...Or Not...

I was at a bar last night with some mates when this guy sits a seat or two to my left. He was wearing a shirt that said "Vagitarian." Seriously, and this isn't the first time I have seen this (though it's possible that it was the same guy twice). I honestly had/have no problem with this guy for wearing that shirt (although he looked like a schlub, but that's not because of what the shirt said). What gets me is that if I wore the gay-equivalent of that shirt, some a-hole walking down the street will invariably call me the f-word and some Tony Perkins type of homophobe (if you don't know who he is, consider yourself lucky) will consider it "flaunting my sexuality." Such double-standards I find so incredibly frustrating and annoying. Why is one considered flaunting and worthy of public ridicule and the other is not? If someone could answer that question without giving a bigotted/homophobic answer, I think I would die from sheer shock.

Some people are gay. Deal with it. When we actually do flaunt it, you'll know it:

Royal Pain

The hotter Prince.

I’m a big news watcher. A lot of my free time is spent cruising through various news outlets. Usually, this is a good thing. Unfortunately, with the upcoming royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, said wedding is what a lot of the news is obsessed with. One of my main morning shows, “Morning Joe,” is airing from London all week long. Sure they’re talking about other subjects while they’re there, but it just irks me anyway. When the general media locks onto stories like this that don’t really have any affect on the world at large (this and whether or not Lindsay Lohan is going back to jail), I get incredibly annoyed. There are far more important and life-changing things going on in the world. The goods news is that it will be over by the end of the week (Thank the good Lord for that).

Also, Harry is the hotter brother. Maybe I'll pay attention to his wedding (unless it's not to me).

;)

Post Easter/Lent Wrap-Up

The forty days are over, which means indulging in that stuff that I gave up for six weeks. There was Chinese food, there was Ben & Jerry’s (chocolate fudge brownie if you’re wondering), there was sausage…pretty much everything except pizza. I haven’t gotten to that yet, but it’s only a matter or time.

I also have the tradition of watching “Kingdom of Heaven” every Easter (and Christmas). It’s my favourite film of all time. Liam Neeson, Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, and Brendan Gleeson are in this film, and I think they’re all great in their parts. If you haven’t seen it, you should (particularly the director’s cut).

King of the Hardwood 2011

Eric Decker

Nick Youngquest

For those who don't know, this is a competition modeled after the NCAA basketball tournament. Instead of college basketballs teams, it's about hot male athletes from around the globe and from all different sports. The competition just ended and the it has been announced that the winner is Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker. It was a very slim victory. The very close second place finisher was Australian rugby player Nick Youngquest (though he is currently playing for a British team). I voted for Decker, but it was a really tough call (I thought about far longer than I should have for something like this). I wouldn't be mad whoever won. By the way the margin of victory was 1%. Decker was gracious in victory. Youngquest (jokingly) asked for a recount (he has a great sense of humour).

Side note: I think one of the funniest responses to this was someone saying that it would probably be the only thing a Denver Bronco would win all year.

King of the Hardwood 

Happy Easter!!!

Hope everyone has a great holiday.

Poe's Law

A few weeks ago, I came across this concept called Poe’s Law. Essentially what it says is that it is nearly (if not utterly) impossible to tell a religious fanatic from someone doing a parody of a religious fanatic. There is a specific incident that happened that brought this up. Days after the catastrophic earthquake in Japan, a video appeared on YouTube of a woman saying that this was God showing his existence, that the quake was a good thing, and how she was happy that it happened. You can imagine the negative comments that were thrown her way (one of which may have come from me, but I don’t recall). Within a day or two, the video was removed. Shortly after that, it was revealed that the whole thing was a hoax. I admit it: I was duped (then again, so were many other people, some of whom are far more savvy than I). It was probably still a little tasteless given the timing, but I actually thought it was a funny video after the truth came out.

On a slightly more serious note, it probably doesn’t say anything good about certain segments of the religious community that Poe’s Law is, apparently, credible.

Death By Pizza

Like many people here in the States, this is one of my favourite foods. I could literally eat it everyday (and working around it so much, I almost do). I love melted cheese and I love bread, two of the three main components of almost all pizzas of course. It’s just so much stuff that I like rolled into one food. I have noticed over the past few years that pizzas have gotten more and more unhealthy. It didn’t really hit me until the last few weeks when I started seeing commercials for pizza that had crust stuffed not just with cheese (as if that wasn’t bad enough), but also with meat. Don’t get me wrong, it sounds and looks delicious, but it’s as if the people who came up with this idea are trying to make pizza as caloric and fatty as possible. Not to mention that it looks like a bitch to make (I feel sorry for the people who have to spend what must be a huge amount of time making these pizzas).

Having said all of that, it probably won’t stop me from ordering one of these pizzas one of these days. Best tasting heart attack ever!!!

Not Perfect, but Far Better

In case you haven’t noticed from previous posts (and my current background), I vastly prefer Spring weather over Winter weather. Warm > cold, it’s just the way I am. I don’t have to worry about wearing (and washing) tons of clothing to prevent shivering and sickness, everything turns green and colourful, and there is more sunlight (being dark by 5 is really depressing). Having said that, it isn’t a perfect season…since there is no such thing. Ever since my first year of university, I have suffered from Spring allergies. Luckily it’s not too serious. I can survive without medication. Even as I’m writing this, however, my eyes are really itchy and my nose is running. The eyes are what really kill me. I can rub them for minutes on end until I look like I just smoked up. At least I don’t have it as bad as my sister used to. She had to get shots for her allergies as a kid, and I hate needles.

Interesting Sighting: Part 2

This past Sunday, I was at work in the afternoon when some of the night shift people started coming in. I heard many of them talking about coming from watching a Quidditch match. Apparently, this is more intense than I originally thought. because this match that they had come from wasn't just some random group of people assembling to play a game, this game was between two college club teams (i.e. Virginia Tech and James Madison). From what I heard, there were more people there than there were at Tech's baseball game that which was held the same day. I was told it wasn't even people there merely to watch and mock either, people were doing some of the same classic Hokie cheers that you would hear at a football game or a basketball game (the two biggest sports at Virginia Tech). I was speechless when I heard all of this, and that doesn't happen much. I am officially intrigued. I need to see one of these matches up-close and personal.

Interesting Sighting: Part 1

Every once in a while, I find myself perched in my favourite reading spot. It's atop a monument built into the side of a hill that looks westward over a large grassy field from about 20 feet up. Such was the case a week or two ago. When I got there, I saw something interesting: I saw a bunch of people playing Quidditch. Yes, you read that correctly, Quidditch...as in that sport from the "Harry Potter" books/films. They had the hoops, the brooms, everything (though obviously they weren't actually flying around). It was interesting, and very amusing watching these people (most likely in their late teens to early twenties) jumping around while holding brooms between their legs.

Wipeout

This morning, I was supposed to run a memorial 5k. This is something I have been training for for two weeks (since I'm not in the best of shape). Unfortunately, the run was not to be. Because of bad weather, it was canceled. Evening as I am writing this (near noon), it is so dark outside I have to turn a lamp on in order to see. The wind is blowing pretty badly. Rain is beating down on the roof. Thunder is rumbling in the distance.

To make this already miserable day even more miserable, I'm closing at work tonight, which means I won't be home before midnight. Super Saturday.

Another Reason to Loathe Him

I don't watch basketball (especially pro-ball). Sometimes, I get into March Madness but that's about it. I find the game a bit boring (though if you like it, have at it). It's rare that something basketball related gets my attention. This is on of those rare times. From NBA.com:

"The NBA fined Kobe Bryant $100,000 on Wednesday for using a derogatory gay term in frustration over a referee's call.

NBA Commissioner David Stern issued a swift disciplinary ruling after the five-time NBA champion guard cursed and used a common homophobic slur when referee Bennie Adams called a technical foul on him Tuesday night in the third quarter of Los Angeles' win over the Spurs.

"Kobe Bryant's comment during last night's game was offensive and inexcusable," Stern said. "While I'm fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. ... Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society."

Stern's action drew praise from gay-rights organizations that have demanded a fuller apology from Bryant and the Lakers. Bryant issued a statement earlier Wednesday, saying his words came out of frustration and shouldn't be taken literally.

"We applaud Commissioner Stern and the NBA for not only fining Bryant but for recognizing that slurs and derogatory comments have no place on the basketball court or in society at large," Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said. "We hope such swift and decisive action will send a strong and universal message that this kind of hateful outburst is simply inexcusable no matter what the context."

Bryant's words and actions were captured by TNT's cameras during the network's national broadcast of the Lakers' regular-season home finale.

Bryant punched his chair before taking a seat on the bench and threw a towel on the court near his feet in frustration after picking up his fourth foul in the third quarter. He got his 15th technical of the season for arguing the call, one shy of the cumulative trigger for a one-game NBA suspension.

"What I said last night should not be taken literally. My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period," Bryant said in a statement issued through the Lakers. "The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone."

Gay-rights groups denounced Bryant's actions. Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said slurs are unacceptable.

"Professional sports players need to set a better example for young people who use words like this on the playground and in our schools, creating a climate of intolerance and hostility," Barrios said. "The LA Lakers have a responsibility to educate their fans about why this word is unacceptable."

Bryant has edged right up to the line of serious NBA discipline this season, ranking second only to Orlando's Dwight Howard in technical fouls - mostly for arguing with referees. Bryant was called for an additional technical foul that was rescinded Monday.

If Bryant gets another technical foul in the Lakers' season finale at Sacramento on Wednesday night, he would be suspended for the first game of next season.

The Lakers will open the playoffs this weekend at Staples Center."

Kobe Bryant is someone who, for as long as I can remember, has had this air of smugness around him, like he can do/say whatever he wants and get away with it (at least relatively). Huge turn-off. This incident is just another reason for me to dislike him.

Almost There

There are about two weeks left in Lent. It has been a bit rough at times because I gave up some major vices for Lent. That list includes sweets (i.e. candy, soda, ice cream etc.), fried foods (I love buffalo strips, especially with honey mustard), and pizza (which I have tons of access to on an almost daily basis). In general, part of the reason for giving up those specific things is 1) I'm trying to get leaner, 2) in a few days there is an event at which I will attempt to run 3.2 miles which is a lot for me and 3) diabetes runs in my family so avoiding sugar and obesity now voluntarily is far better than doing so with my life on the line.

That said, I am almost literally counting down the days until Easter so I can indulge in the stuff that I have been without for the past few weeks. Seriously, when the clock strikes midnight, game on.

Another Long Weekend

That was meant in both good and bad ways. It was another weekend filled with clouds, rain, and cool temperatures, but this time nature decided to add a lightning show, heavy fog, and some tornadoes in a nearby county.

I got off of a six-hour shift at 10 Friday night, showered and changed, then headed back downtown to see a friend of a friend perform at a bar. It was a good performance, but the bar was fairly dead. I went to another bar a block away and met up with some people, where I was until last call (2 a.m. is when the bars close here in Virginia). I lucked out and hitched a ride with someone. I ended up getting less than 5 hours of sleep that night (and since much of that was drunk sleep, it doesn't really count).

I, very slowly, got out of bed just after 8 a.m. Saturday morning (possible only because I popped an Aleve before going to bed the night before). Still a little drunk. Lucky me, I had a double-shift that day (some of which I was hungover for). I was working for 10 hours, pretty much all of which I was busy during. Oh how tired I was and my feet hurt quite a bit.

I ended up going out again that night, but only for a few hours. Didn't get hammered, mainly because it was going to be another early day.

Sunday was a pretty low key. Worked for five hours, went home and enjoyed a nice day. I went to see "Your Highness" that night with a couple of people. I know the film has gotten some bad reviews (probably from critics who were taking it way to seriously), but it was pretty good. I read something interesting: apparently, there was not a script onset, just an outline and the dialogue was primarily improvised.

I seriously needed an extra day to recover from this weekend. Since I don't work on Mondays, I guess that's what today is for.

A Tale of Two Days

Monday, 9:30 a.m.

I walk out of my townhouse to go on a morning run. It's a beautiful sunny day. It's warm with a light breeze from the South. People that I see seem in high spirits at the beginning of what will be a great Spring day.

Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

I walk out of my townhouse on my way to work. It feels less like April and more like early Winter. The temperature is just above freezing, but a stiff wind out of the North makes it feel far colder. A light shower of snow is falling. And people's heads are down. The difference of twenty-four hours is a stark one.

Such is the clime of this corner of the world. A week can take you through a year's worth of weather. There is a saying around here, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes."

Flash Back

Every once in a while, I have a dream that takes place at some point in my past. Last night was one of those times. For me, these are some of the worst dreams I can have. The reason is that, like a lot of people (I suppose), I have this deep-seated desire to go back and relive my past in order to fix the major mistakes. It's a very unshakable and consuming desire.

Sometimes when you are in the midst of a dream, you realize that, or have a hunch that, you are dreaming. Such was the case in this dream last night and I tried to wake myself out of it. No dice. This led some part of my mind to think that I was not, in fact dreaming...that I had in fact gone back. A few minutes later, I actually did wake up (in the middle of the night) with this tremendous sense of disappointment and betrayal. I had been tricked, by myself, into thinking that one of my greatest wishes had come true only to find out it hadn't.

~

The reason I ended up wake from this dream probably has something to do with the storms that rolled through the area during the night. The wind was howling, it sounded like an Indian monsoon, and thunder that sounded like bombs exploding.

Both in my mind, and in the real world, it was a tumultuous night.

Sudflood XXI

Sudflood is an all-day (i.e. 1pm to 2am) concert that my fraternity puts on every year in April, the proceeds of which go to Push America (an organization to benefit people with mental and physical disabilities). There were a couple of years that the concert, for whatever reasons, didn't take place, so this was the first time in a while it went on.

It was a blast. I saw a lot of people I had not seen in years. The weather was pretty crappy (40's, mostly cloudy, very windy), but some of the bands still played outside. I had a nice "beer blanket" on most of the time. One of the bands that was there was one of my favourites, Carbon Leaf. They played some my favourite songs of theirs including American Tale, The Boxer, and Desperation song. If you have never heard their stuff, give them a listen. I love seeing them live. It was a great day and a great night.

I am paying for it now.

Work Tales: My Precious

I walk into work on Tuesday morning, and one of the first things that I see is a picture of me printed out next to a picture of Gollum (i.e. from "The Lord of the Rings" film). What really got me was that this was done by one of the managers. I have a couple of thoughts on this:

1) I'm pretty sure I could have called this harassment since this was a manager (which someone suggested I do).

2) This manager is not well liked. Most of us hate him to some degree. I'm actually one of the people that didn't, and still don't though my opinion of him is quite a bit lower now.

3) Don't worry I didn't overreact or get pissed. I just let it alone and didn't even take the pictures down (another manager did the next day). Of course the main reason I left them up was so people would see what a douche this guy is. Mission: Accomplished.

4) The funniest thing was that everyone thought I had done something to this guy to piss him off.

And in case you're wondering no, I don't actually look like Gollum (see the profile picture for confirmation on that). I am very into Tolkien, which is where I guess he got the idea.

 ~

Today is April Fool's Day...which I hate. It's seriously one of the worst days of the year for me. I have a sense of humour and all, but this day has a habit of kicking my in the ass. To make matters worse, I have to work during it.

I guess my hatred of this day dates back to grade four when one of my best friends told me he was moving away. Just as the tears started flowing down my face, he said "April Fool's." It didn't really help that he was the first guy I ever had a crush on (though the crush had ended months before), but even regardless of that, I felt totally naked and like a schmuck. So yeah this day pretty much blows. We'll see how it goes...I guess.