Am I an Archtype?/OBAMA DAY is here!

John Cusack. The man plagues me. Too long has he been "the person that would play me in a movie." Too long have his films been eerily similar to my own life experiences. Too long has his own, trademark speech patterns that make the ladies swoon left mine to always be a comparative to his, and never the reverse. Too long have I wished I had a quirky fun sister who is just this side of sane. What I mean is, is my personality an archetype? ---This is an old post that I never published because I went on a long description of this episode of Dead Like Me that was inspirational about this subject. However, it rambled no matter how I worded it, so let's just move on to today: OBAMA Day (election day). Here's what my fellow archtype said today on huffington post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-cusack/no-currency-left-to-buy-t_b_140250.html

See? Me but better. Damn you John Cusack!

The Economic Crisis & The Future Of Capitalism

Being in the lower-echelons of the mortgage industry for over 7 years taught me a lot about the true meaning of capitalism. The truth is that there was extensive greed, a lack of concern for the future, and the overall fundamentalist belief that as long as money was being made (by someone), it was good for the economy and good for the world. Suffice to say that I believe George Soros is right when he refers to free-market capitalists as "market fundamentalists." Meaning that they cling to the one-solution idea that the free market is perfect, that it is self-correcting, that it is the end-all be-all solution, and that, even with some ups and downs, it is good for society, as it promotes innovation, safety, and general well being. Kind of like Christianity or Islam, eh? As we're finally seeing (after years of me futilely criticizing this notion), the markets need regulation. Again, Soros was the one who put it best when he said that all of man's creations are flawed. And since market economies are man-made, they are also inherently flawed. Even if you believe that free-market capitalism is a natural expression of human interaction, you have to still admit that people are flawed. But even if you still believe that free market capitalism still is perfect, you have to admit that you have to have an orderly and basically happy society to pull it off (or under the gun). And when things like the current crisis happen, you have a lot of angry people who are getting poorer. We're all poorer now than we were, some of us just don't know it yet. So, yeah, the market will correct itself (just like it does on paper when you take econ); but at what cost? Bubbles pop up, due to the simple fact that when people have a good thing going, they don't want to stop (making money). The mortgage bubble was a beautiful example. No one wanted to stop the gravy train, even if it meant ignoring the basic lending rules that money-lenders have used since time immemorial (and I mean that literally): does your borrower have income? does your borrower have debt? what is the borrower's intention with the money? This crisis was caused by companies ignoring these basic tenants and giving out easy credit to people who should have never gotten the loan in the first place due to the fact that odds were they were never going to be able to pay it back...especially once the rates increased on their ARM. Those loans, originally meant for savvy real estate tycoons and such who would leverage property here and there, using the capital to make more money, became available to the rest of us and I believe were a large part of the problem we're facing here. People with little or no income were given loans that everyone knew they would default on. As well as less-than-scrupulous investors that would create huge scams, that would involve hundreds of homes and developments, which flourished under these deregulated circumstances. As well as little scams in between. Yes, I used the watch word of the day: deregulation. Deregulation is a fancy word for "no rules." And guess what, greed takes over. No one wanted to stop making money in order to do the "right" thing and we now have a GLOBAL economic crisis. These worthless loans were packaged up in bunches to "securitize" them and then sold around the world as valuable commodities. Now, as the defaults come in from all of these people who shouldn't have been lent to in the first place, the value of these things plummet, and money disappears from the coffers of nations around the globe that were foolish enough to believe in them. Where did the money go? Well, I never worked as an accountant, but I'm pretty sure most of it went into executive's pockets and then into mansions, jets, hookers & blow (okay, well maybe that's where I'd put it). Then, in the greatest scam of our time (likely spearheaded by the MBA) the suddenly bankrupt companies get to dip into the taxpayer's treasure chest to keep them afloat, while the CEO's get to keep the money they awarded themselves year after year for doing such a great job. Wait, you say, they didn't do such a great job if the company has to look to the gov't to bail it out! Right you are, my friend; but, they have created a perception that the sky will fall if these big banks go down. So, we, the American Taxpayers, are blackmailed into giving up the last of our cash to the banks (what hasn't been spent on Iraq). Slowly, it seems as if the media is catching up with the sad truth that the executives made off with our treasury. They paid themselves billions in advance, building up companies on falsely valued holdings, and when the truth was found out, they were long gone with the money, leaving the wreckage behind for us to have to clean up. In essence, they were thieves. And don't tell me that they didn't know, because I knew, and I'm just a poor working stiff. And living in denial is no excuse.
But the real problem is coming. We Americans are used to getting pushed around, lied to, stolen from, and basically held down by the system of debt and stress that we all live in. Why else are we the most drugged-up nation in the world? However, the rest of the world, the people of the rest of the world, are likely going to be less forgiving of our selling them bunk goods. Goods that are threatening their economic stability as well. I think the first serious cries of criminal trials for these executives will come from overseas, and will likely force us into at least giving sham trials for the execs that are the most exposed, or have the least amount of political influence. The world will be angry soon...just wait.
In the end, the simple solution is regulation. Create rules for this game. Realize that there is more to life than just today's dollar. That everything we do has lasting consequences for the future. Is it any surprise that the free-market fundamentalists (Bush being their most recent champion) also don't believe in global warming? What do you mean that dumping chemicals in the water for the last 100 years actually does something bad? And that burning coal and oil creates a by-product that doesn't just drift off into space harmlessly? That everything is connected into one big system? How can we just do what we want with impunity if we have to think about consequences for our children and the world? No, best to deny that such things are real: scoff, hand-wave & bluster--and keep doing it, so no one really finds out the truth: that in free-market capitalism, there is a remainder. Think of it as a long division problem. Free market capitalists would have you believe that free markets produce a remainder of zero. That everything divides equally into everything else, leaving nothing behind, no loose ends and is perfect. However, the truth is becoming apparent (finally!) to the world that there are things that don't fit into the equation, that are left over from the process of free markets: pollution, global warming, pharmaceuticals in the water, land mines, homeless people, garbage island, etc. These are the products of rampant free market capitalism, of out of control progress, of the single-minded notion that more is always best, that faster is better, and that greed is good.
So, where does this leave us? Well, I find it fascinating that it was the free-market hero (GWB) that was begging Congress to use taxpayer money for the bailout, essentially advocating socialism and finally pissing off the true conservatives. This was basically proof that free-market capitalism has failed, and that regulated capitalism is the only way to go. FMC's have been crying about regulation for decades and how it stifles business and innovation. But, as we've seen, without regulation, people with no conscience or foresight can drive the world into disaster, just so they can be rich. Is it really that good to be rich, enough to hurt so many people? To subvert the future of the world just so you can live the lifestyles of the rich and famous? The phrase, "dirty money grubber" comes to mind. In the end, we're going to have to realize that a hybrid of capitalism and socialism is the best solution for our times. Free market capitalism, the spawn of colonialism, will have to die it's natural death, and we'll have to pick up the pieces of our shattered world economy and carry on...hopefully with lesson learned.

Surprise! Corporations avoid paying income taxes!

The study reported here does not mention how much they think the American gov't loses per year from these games corps play to avoid paying their fair share. Republicans will probably say that all the dirty tricks to avoid paying taxes attracts businesses to the U.S., which in turn makes the economy stronger, which makes individuals richer, which makes the individuals pay more taxes to keep the gov't running and build infrastructure. I think that's an interesting theory; but, like many conservative theories, I'm not quite sure it really happens like that in real life.

Bless You!

I sneeze a lot. Typically two in a row. So, I often hear "Bless You"--quite often actually. Many times a day. So much so that I feel I should be apologizing to those around me. My sneezes are also loud, which is not my fault, it's just how they are. I'm not being over-dramatic. So, as you may guess, I've become a bit annoyed at hearing it all time. Not being a religious man doesn't help. So, for many years, I have walked around, hearing "bless you" from random strangers and being irked about it. "Why do you have to bless me, I'm just sneezing!" I would say/think. Why don't they bless you for coughs? They seem much worse to me.

Then it came to me one day when I was thinking about how lucky I have been in my life (not tempting fate here, Mr. Murphy): maybe everyone blessing me for 30+ years has augmented my luck/karma/whatever in life. And maybe, just maybe, I owe much of my good fortune to those people who dutifully give me their blessing with that little often-used phrase. Imagine, here I was, all these years disgruntled at having to hear it and not be left in peace every time I achoo--and it was probably helping me all along. I mean, say you hear "Bless You" five times a day for your entire life. If there exists the power of prayer, positive thinking, good energy, whatever, then I've been soaking it up in these little moments all my life.

I know that some people even say bless you under their breath or in their heads when someone sneezes. Maybe because they are embarrassed, maybe because they just choose to, I don't know. So, imagine how many more I must get than I even know about.

So, what I am saying is that I hereby apologize to everyone who has ever blessed me for sneezing. I treated you poorly by scoffing (mostly to myself, or complaining later with friends) at your efforts when I should have been kindly and humbly accepting of your graciousness. It may well be that my sneezing has not been a curse like I thought; but, a little miracle that has helped me all my life, through the good will of others. It's quite a concept.

Therefore, to all of you people out there who have said "Bless You" to me over the years, "Bless YOU!"

Mandela on US Terror List?

It's true.

I'll spare you the rant this time. It speaks for itself. As the article mentions at the end:

"Mandela was jailed for 27 years for his struggle against apartheid, and has become a worldwide symbol of freedom. He was hailed for overseeing the peaceful transition from white to black rule as South Africa's first post-apartheid era president."

Worldwide Symbol of Freedom. On our terrorist watch list. How backwards are we? Does that mean that our gov't is so corrupt that the people in charge fear that the same people who helped topple apartheid because their values are so simlar as that facist, racist system? 27 years in jail for freedom for his people and we won't let him in here. It's just spooky.

Let the Obama-Haters True Colors Shine!

Here it comes, people. Now we get to see how much racism and fear of the black man will play into this election. Already, stories are coming out, little items are being made so that the fraidy-cat racists can ban together in solidarity in their belief that only white Christians deserve to be in power. Oh sure, they always say that's not how they feel in public; but you know, and I know, that in their hearts, there lurks the ol' white sheets and burning crosses. For evidence, before you say I'm full of it and that I'm trying paint a picture for political gain, etc, check these out:

Buttons at a booth at the Texas Republican Convention

and worse...

The Sock Obama

Now, will these people who buy these proudly display them? No, I doubt they would have the courage. They will keep them in their homes and cuddle up with their festering hatred and fear while they long for the times of separate water fountains, and when blacks "knew their place."

I would LOVE to see if anyone had the balls to actually put one of those Sock Obamas out for everyone to see. Can you imagine the reaction? Well, I guess some places still wouldn't bat an eye in this country. I sure hope I'm wrong about that.

But, mark my words, all of this will backfire. I believe that just seeing these products, Republicans (the ones who still can be saved) might feel just a little bit ashamed at the thought that these are the people that they are in bed with, politically speaking. It might just even make them switch their votes in the booth, last minute, in secret. I also think that the polling on this election will be heavily skewed both ways, as voters on both sides of the political spectrum vote across party lines secretly, and lie about it when the pollsters ask them, so as not to embarrass themselves. Conservative whites who develop a conscience will secretly mark Obama, while liberal whites will secretly vote for McCain because they still haven't come to grips with their own fears of African-Americans. I mean, thank god for those automatic-locking car doors that lock as soon as you go over 10 miles an hour right? No more surreptitiously locking your door as you go through that black neighborhood! Imagine the convenience--you can be racist, but not look racist!

Look, I think we're ALL racist, ok? We all have some sort of cultural baggage we're still carrying, fears of "The Other" that is somewhat intrinsic in human nature. What we all need is courage--the courage to overcome these fears and irrational ideas and try to move forward and accept that we're all just people, we're all just Americans. That's the whole point to this fucking country, people. Not just so that rich, white men can avoid taxes from England--no matter what their intention was when they wrote all those old documents we hold dear. As I've said many times before, the genie of equality and liberty for all is out of the bottle, and he is impossible to put back in.

So, raise your racist Sock-Obama's high, we're not afraid. We know that Obama isn't just a black man or a white man, he's THE MAN.

Thank God for Aimee Mann

Her new album delivers everything a fan of her's could want. The lyrics are sublime, as always. Her music, mellow and moving, expresses, as usual, what my soul feels. Thank you, Aimee.

Gen-X vs. Millennials?

I was reading Mark Morford's post and it lead me to this article where some mean-spirited Gen-X-er humiliated (or tried to, not realizing that Millennials don't really give a shit if someone sees them high in a fairy costume) and fired a dude for calling in sick. Anyway, I left my 2 cents in response to this, as I feel that any cultural war between the Gen-X and Millennials (formerly known as Gen-Y?) is a waste of time.

Here's the comment that I left and my rant against the rant:


First of all, as a Gen-X-er, I resent the resentment towards the Millennials. I think they are a fine lot and I have seen no evidence that they were any lazier or disenchanted with the world than we were. I also vote for unity and peace between the two generations. Now, this article started with someone getting caught playing hookie by some jerk who thinks that people who call in sick when they aren't are lazy. This is, of course, absurd. Everyone plays hookie, and those that don't are boring as fuck. If you've never called in sick when you weren't really ill, then you are so fucking sad, my friend. You can't imagine anything more inspired for yourself than to just go to work like you do every day after day? Variety is the spice of life, people. Yes, hard work is good, and hard work is fine, but first take care of head. But, seriously, if you're sitting there, with your perfect attendance record, your undying loyalty to your company, with the weight of the world resting on your shoulders...try to relax. Don't you realize that the way we have things set up at work is rigged so that no one can ever take a "mental health day" without having to lie? You are just pissed that you are so uninspired in your life that if you called in sick, you wouldn't have anything to do. So, you come into work every day without fail and try to get what little pleasure you can by telling others what to do and judging them and humiliating them when you "catch" them playing hookie. Sad, sad, sour grapes for you, my friend. Try to lighten up. The world moves on fine without you if you take a little break now and then.
Now, onto this generational war thing. Look, I was born in 1972, which, if you look at birth rates, had the lowest population growth of all generations between WW2 and today. Hence, I've always felt that my particular subset of Gen-X has been in the shadows of all of this bologna for years. I can't say that I've felt anything in common with those born before 1969 or those born after 1979, so to me, that is Gen-X. But, whatever, it's a loose term. Was "grunge" gen-x music? Well, to me it was. It's a terrible name for it, but, I think we all know that once we heard Smells Like Teen Spirit, all previous rock music became crap overnight, and the rage, disappointment & disillusionment all came flowing out and changed (and also somehow killed) rock n roll. After it was over, radio died, rock n roll seemed spent and flaccid, and the next generation started to take over as we all finally had to get jobs and sell out. Of course, after that, magically the internet took off and all of us who had Atari 2600's when we were 4 found out we had a naturally symbiotic relationship with computers and that were indeed quite possibly half-machine ourselves.
After the bust of the dot.com's, we Gen-X-ers realized that the current economic and social models were not going to be sustainable. Plus, the Bush Administration has showed us that the real engine behind this version of "free market capitalism" is the dark, dark greed of the man behind the curtain. We realized that there are a scarce amount of resources, and that we need to think more carefully about everything--bringing us to the green movement. Now, I'm not going to say that we get all the credit for this stuff, but I know for a fact that Gen-X has been a huge part of all that I have mentioned, and that our generation has been defined by this. Ironically, we Gen-X-ers are the most prepared to live in this new world, since we remember best the teachings of our grandparents, the greatest generation, and how they used to scrimp and save, having been changed forever since the great depression.
But, this anti-gen Y/millennial thing has to stop. It's ridiculous. They are very bright kids who saw clearly our failures, our weaknesses, and our tragic inability to change the wrongs we saw (we just didn't have the numbers like the Boomers). But, I think that they also know that we will be the next generation in power, and that we are not going to sell out like the Boomers did. We can't, we've already swallowed the Red Pill, and there's no going back. We're going to have to work together, Millennials, if we're going to get this world back on track. We need you on our team and your support if we're going to change anything. And fellow Gen-X-er's: don't be so smug. We are one of the smartest generations ever, but we were also duped by quite a bit in the past (remember "Just Say No?"), so be open to the Millennials ideas about life. Fresh eyes are always good.

Lunch

Have I spoken about my lunch habits before? I swear, I am the only person in the world that reads a book during lunch...by choice. In my experience, there are 4 types of people when it comes to lunching (these are those that work in offices...this is my only experience in the past 10 years):

1) "I don't want to eat alone" type I: These folks cannot stand the idea of eating alone in a restaurant or cafeteria or likely even on a park bench. I gather that some don't like the idea of being seen eating alone, lest others consider them as lonely and undesirable. However, I believe that some just have a primal need for human company while consuming. These folks tend to hold up a conversation, but only about trite and uninteresting things. Original thought eludes these folks.
2) "I don't want to eat alone" type II: The other side of this spectrum is inhabited by the performers. The ones who desperately need someone to talk to during lunch. They need to spin their yarns, often at a high volume, in the presence of an adoring audience. They are essentially space-fillers for the Type I's. They fill the vacuum of silence & dull conversation that the Type I's produce. It seems to me a symbiotic relationship and you'll often see (like I did today) a group of Type I's sitting with a single Type II, silently listening as the boisterous Type II continues his seemingly unending monologue of recycled opinions and truth-challenged observations. It's interesting to watch the Type I's in this situation because often they all appear disinterested and take turns in silent harmony with making eye-contact with the Type II--easing the burden of the attention they must give the speaker by distributing it amongst the group. I see very little joy or laughter at those tables and I, frankly, feel pity for the Type I's: forever drawn to these blowhards, yet not seeming to really enjoy themselves at all. I am honestly unsure if the Type II notices or cares. A horrible off-shoot of the Type II is the Boss Type II. The one who drags his employees with him to lunch and just talks about work and what needs to be done. Patently ignoring the "break" part of lunch break.
3) The "Eat At The Desk"er's: Over the past decade, I've seen the number of people who eat at their desk increase immensely. Likely this is to do with the Internet and that little entertaining screen. Sure, some people actually work while they are eating. But, most, I'm sure, just browse the net and goof-off (which is fine, since it's a break). It feels so similar to the eating in front of the TV that most of us do, that it just seems natural. This is also the choice for those Type I's that can't find anyone to lunch with them and they use it as a hiding place, solemnly eating their lunch, wishing for companionship. Of course, there's nothing wrong with eating at one's desk, from my perspective, since I belong to the last group:
4) The Loners: These few sit on the fringe of cafeterias quietly lunching solo. In my experience, they are viewed (as in high school) as the dejected members of society, those that are so socially awkward that they cannot form human bonds and therefore, sit, hopefully waiting for someone to come up and talk with them about anything. I honestly have no knowledge if this is true or not. Being a Loner, you don't actually talk to any of these other Loners (otherwise, we wouldn't be loners, would we?). However, I can tell you that I eat alone by choice (Why are you at a Gas-n-Sip at 10 o'clock with no girls in sight? --by choice, man, by choice). There reasons are myriad: I detest small talk, I detest commitment (because once you have lunch with someone, there comes the repeated invitations and you are expected to regularly eat with them lest you slight your co-worker and consequently feel guilty), I detest watching others eat (mastication is not exactly appetizing--ironically), I detest listening to people who can't shut-the-fuck-up...it goes on. But, mostly, I just love to read. I find reading while eating to be quite entertaining, much more so than whatever real people can usually offer up. Although, in my group of loners, I would say that reading is not all that common. Most of the time when I see someone eating alone, they are just staring out into space. Perhaps daydreaming? That sounds nice. It's so rare that I see someone else with a book--sure, sometimes theres a newspaper or a magazine; but, it's a rare occurence to see one of my bookworm buddies out there actually unabashedly reading an actual book.

Oh, I forgot to mention the fifth group because they are experts at being unseen: the car lunchers. The mentality of those are not known to me, since they are an elusive group. Stroll any parking lot at lunch and you'll see them, if you look hard enough. There's probably more, but it's Friday and it's quittin' time.

i.

Faces 2

This one hangs in an Amsterdam museum. I love this one because of 2 reasons: 1) The man looks just like my old friend Gary, who I miss. 2) This is one of the few paintings of this time (or any time previous) that a husband and wife are pictured together in a portrait. She has the look of a very intelligent, strong-willed woman and he looks like a laid-back, somewhat jovial man. They both look a little mischievous to me. Like they lead a somewhat scandalous lifestyle and enjoy it greatly. It reminds me of my wife and I.

Faces

I took this picture surreptitiously in a Paris museum. It was a very small part of a huge collage. The tribal-looking mask pictured here looks a lot like a good friend of mine. Granted, he's much more handsome than this mask; but, somehow it still looks like him to me. If I could buy this and hang it on my wall I would.

Animal "Husbandry"

This is how I think: It bothers me that we only eat female animals for the most part. Almost all of our meat (cows, chickens, pigs) are females. The males just get to fuck them all. That's pretty much their whole job. Now, granted, with the current "progress" of technology, many males are manually stimulated or worse to get the semen, which is probably it's own cruel fate; but, nevertheless, historically it seems that the females, as usual, are treated the most cruel. I'm not saying that it's wrong to eat meat. I eat meat every day. But, to me, there's something wrong with this. It's never sat right with me. It seems like another example of male domination of the world, one that goes largely unnoticed. I know, what I am I, some kind of Animal Feminist? And, of course, the key to this whole thing is the term mentioned above. Like you're the husband of your flock? There's probably some website devoted to this topic, but I'm too busy to look it up.

pharmaceuticals in drinking water

The latest in the long line of ways that we're killing ourselves. But keep it to yourself, we don't want to cause a panic!

An Epiphany

Lately I've felt very boring. I don't have a lot of ideas of things I want to do--at least not any that thrill me. Sometimes I get depressed about it. Monday night I was having one of those times when my honey called me on her way home and said that she had to stop the car and pull over because it was making a horrible loud noise. When I arrived on the scene, I found that the culprit was the plastic undercarriage cover that goes over the bottom of the engine--presumably to keep it safe from rocks and such. Apparently, when I had the oil changed that day, they either broke it or forgot to put bolts on it or it just was it's time to break. In any case, I rigged it up with some bungee cords that I had in my car and we got it home.
Later, I parked the car 1/2 on the curb so I could get under it and just removed the thing. Mind you it was pouring rain, and I was in the gutter, but I wanted her to be able to use the car the next day. The car actually rides a lot smoother than it ever has, making me think that the thing was going before we bought the car.
The reason I mention all of this is that, afterwards, I felt noticeably better. A few hours before that, I was totally in the dumps. It made me realize that part of what I'm probably missing in my life is challenge. And, although I carefully set up my life to be safe and easy--something in me needs that challenge, that crisis, in order to feel good. I'm obviously not getting that kind of thing from work anymore, so I guess that I'm going to have to go out and find some.
Now, in case the universe is listening--no, I am not asking for something horrible to happen. I want a fun challenge, something that does not threaten my or a loved one's safety. You know, like a water-slide race or a chocolate chip cookie eating contest.

Midafternoon Life Crisis

I found this amusing. The TV review parts are less so, but the beginning and the end made me laugh.

I love Mark Morford

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2008/01/18/notes011808.DTL

Global Warming Petition To The Press

Sign here.

(Poseur) Boots, hmm...

I was in the city and saw these for sale. Yes, they are pre-scuffed. I mean, I wear a old pair of Doc Martins that are pretty scuffed up; but, I SCUFFED THEM UP! Buying them pre-scuffed just seems wrong. I stood there dumbfounded staring at these in disbelief. I have to say that anyone who buys these $160 boots must be a poseur...

Rain Hysteria

Okay, so it's been raining here in the Bay Area for awhile and the first day everyone was beside themselves worrying about it. And, really, in Marin there's something to worry about. There's flooding and mudslides and closed roads and power outages--okay, reason to be concerned.

HOWEVER, I caught a news report on TV the other night that made my jaw drop. An umbrella-covered reporter standing outside the Strawberry Village Starbucks, showing how packed it was in there, reported (very seriously) about how everything was in chaos and that the Starbucks looked more like a shelter than a coffee house. The camera then changed to mothers holding children, with closeups to the children's worried eyes. Interviews with "Marin-Mom's" saying that they just didn't know what to do with their kids with no power at their house. They were huddled together like refugees and, it appeared, that the women were completely perplexed and helpless as to what to do besides hang out in a coffee shop.

I know, that it's hard to describe here; but, believe me, the newscaster was laying it on thick, trying to make a story out of this nonsense. I mean, don't know what to do when the power is out??? How about play some games, TALK to your kids, do an art project---for God's Sake, where are we as a society??? Can't we do without TV, Internet & Video Games for a night or two? It was pathetic to watch and it made my stomach turn. I can only hope that it's only in richy-rich areas like Marin that this happened. God help us if the rest of us lose the ability to entertain ourselves so easily.

Obama, Baby!

I'm so stoked!