Talking more death -- George Carlin's genius as a comic icon
I miss the 1990s. It was a rebellious, daydreaming, I could care less what you wear, where your next party is at non-conformist days. The music had a pulse, and it was that pulse I could identify why it's o.k. to have a tempered rage. My solitude led to voracious reading and writing poems and short stories. Middle and High School is that microcosm of American society, reminding us how superficial everyone is -- athlete, nerd, preppy, weirdo, redneck, and ass-kissing pawn to authority. Today, you're judged on what you do for a living.
Groups were never my thing. I hated hanging around too many people, because the odds an asshole enters the picture vastly increases. Get me one-on-one with anyone, and I can begin to tap into the commonalities we share. Yes, this even included the self-proclaimed Jesus Freaks or Born-Again Christians (trickled into my college days). Enter George Carlin.
Carlin just let his thoughts come out. It was uninhibited, and he didn't care who he offended. His comic routines had me hysterically laughing, but there was always a broader theme he addressed. Mainly, he mocked how stupid our superficiality really is. We have to buy, buy, buy useless shit we don't need, parade around with it like it's a badge of honor, and tell everyone else, "Hey, fuck you." And his take on what we think is hip, he also mocked. For example, one of his stand-ups he was puzzled by the phrase "heard that." After a series of mock dialogues, he finally yelled (emphasize paraphrasing here) "You're an asshole. Can you hear that?" It was pointing out these shortcomings that really made him a quality human being.
My aunt who never sends me e-mails sent me one a few days after 9/11. It was a lengthy poem emphasizing just how powerful it is to really treasure our friendships and family. After reading it, I noticed at the bottom who it was written by -- George Carlin. The same foul-mouthed, cynical Carlin who seemingly is a nihilist. Yeah, it's that Carlin. I know today people like Bill Maher and Lewis Black, who I also love for their humorist satire, wouldn't be where they are without Carlin's innovative work. He'll be missed, but thanks to modern technology, I can still watch one of his stand-ups on DVD. I think the mere notion I'm halfway attempting to eulogize him would probably have him saying, "I don't know this asshole. Why do people only care about someone after death? Then, it goes away, and people go back to that microwave frenzied age they're living in. I've got to look at my profile on MySpace, zone out on YouTube, bitch about gas prices, love my minister so I can be in Heaven, and find anyway I can to ignore my bitching wife. I want to come back as a virus, so I can put your life on hold."
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Thoughts and Prayers go out to Tim Russert's family and more Fox Noise shenanigans
It was another steamy, humid drought-stricken day in good ole' Georgia. The heat became unbearable just a day or two ago. Still not conditioned to it yet, I decided to sit in our company's break room. I don't know what compelled me to turn on the T.V..
Typically, a colleague of mine watches Judge Joe Brown, and I laugh at how it mocks our everyday courts. So, I wanted to see who and what was going on today and time how long it would take for me to decide the outcome of the case (usually about two minutes). Unfortunately, this wasn't a day for humor. Tom Brokaw sat behind an anchor desk and before I saw the graphic at the bottom of the screen I thought to myself, "Oh, no. What now?" He just broke the news that Tim Russert had passed away just a few hours ago. Heartbreak set in, but it wasn't nearly as painful as seeing a loved one's reaction.
A few hours later I arrived home. My father's business trip had been cancelled and as usual, he was diligently working on his PC. I broke the news to him.
"What," he said in a high-pitched, gruff voice.
He turned on the T.V. and began watching and listening to the images and narrations of Tim's life. The man I rarely saw break down couldn't hold it in. He was teary-eyed and wiping away a few tears. Essentially, Tim's life was very similar to the one my dad has lived and here are several reasons why:
1. Like my father's upbringing, Tim was a devout Roman Catholic. My parents still are today. Tim and my father are the same age.
2. My father has widely gained respect from his colleagues, customers, and suppliers for his tireless passion he applies to his craft. His competitive spirit has never faltered. Like my father, despite the grunt job I have now, his spirit has been passed down to me.
3. Tim came from humble beginnings. My father was no exception. His father died around the same age Tim's son Luke is. His mother helped raise my dad and three siblings in a very small, rural Nebraska town where life depended on how well your crops and livestock grew. However, they didn't know any better life. This was it. Their lives were enriched with love for one another, school, and sports activities. My dad's high school basketball career scoring record was recently broken, which was one of the fondest memories he had before moving from Nebraska upon graduating from college.
4. Tim came from Irish heritage like my father's side. Our temperament isn't discreet by any means. My dad is straight-forward and hates dealing with petty nonsense like myself. Nothing says more to this when the wordsmith used to proofread a pending article I had written. "What is all this flowery, wordy shit you got in here? Come on. Get to the point."
5. Like my father, Tim's love was endless toward his family. I'm also very grateful for so many fond memories my father shared with me -- watching Pete Rose at Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs) tie Ty Cobb's record for most career hits, spending hours on our driveway playing basketball, seeing him with a fist pump reaction after hitting a winner when competitively playing tennis, and all those dysfunctional long drives we took to see our extended family in Nebraska.
David Axelrod, Barack Obama's Chief Media Strategist, defined Tim best: "It was like preparing for the Supreme Court." I marveled at how well prepared Tim was when interviewing any guest. He would take the opposite view point, address something provocative this guest might've said or hot-button bill voted on, and most importantly, listen with an unsettling silence while the guest attempted to answer the question forthright. Most important, I didn't hear one negative attack on Russert. He ensured all his guests received appreciation towards his show's conclusion. We lost a great human being, and a man who has left an indeliable legacy in the broadcast journalism profession.
From Tim Russert to a Fox News reporter and anchor with the IQ of a peanut shell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWel21xLFn4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWVe8M5Zcys&feature=related
It was another steamy, humid drought-stricken day in good ole' Georgia. The heat became unbearable just a day or two ago. Still not conditioned to it yet, I decided to sit in our company's break room. I don't know what compelled me to turn on the T.V..
Typically, a colleague of mine watches Judge Joe Brown, and I laugh at how it mocks our everyday courts. So, I wanted to see who and what was going on today and time how long it would take for me to decide the outcome of the case (usually about two minutes). Unfortunately, this wasn't a day for humor. Tom Brokaw sat behind an anchor desk and before I saw the graphic at the bottom of the screen I thought to myself, "Oh, no. What now?" He just broke the news that Tim Russert had passed away just a few hours ago. Heartbreak set in, but it wasn't nearly as painful as seeing a loved one's reaction.
A few hours later I arrived home. My father's business trip had been cancelled and as usual, he was diligently working on his PC. I broke the news to him.
"What," he said in a high-pitched, gruff voice.
He turned on the T.V. and began watching and listening to the images and narrations of Tim's life. The man I rarely saw break down couldn't hold it in. He was teary-eyed and wiping away a few tears. Essentially, Tim's life was very similar to the one my dad has lived and here are several reasons why:
1. Like my father's upbringing, Tim was a devout Roman Catholic. My parents still are today. Tim and my father are the same age.
2. My father has widely gained respect from his colleagues, customers, and suppliers for his tireless passion he applies to his craft. His competitive spirit has never faltered. Like my father, despite the grunt job I have now, his spirit has been passed down to me.
3. Tim came from humble beginnings. My father was no exception. His father died around the same age Tim's son Luke is. His mother helped raise my dad and three siblings in a very small, rural Nebraska town where life depended on how well your crops and livestock grew. However, they didn't know any better life. This was it. Their lives were enriched with love for one another, school, and sports activities. My dad's high school basketball career scoring record was recently broken, which was one of the fondest memories he had before moving from Nebraska upon graduating from college.
4. Tim came from Irish heritage like my father's side. Our temperament isn't discreet by any means. My dad is straight-forward and hates dealing with petty nonsense like myself. Nothing says more to this when the wordsmith used to proofread a pending article I had written. "What is all this flowery, wordy shit you got in here? Come on. Get to the point."
5. Like my father, Tim's love was endless toward his family. I'm also very grateful for so many fond memories my father shared with me -- watching Pete Rose at Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs) tie Ty Cobb's record for most career hits, spending hours on our driveway playing basketball, seeing him with a fist pump reaction after hitting a winner when competitively playing tennis, and all those dysfunctional long drives we took to see our extended family in Nebraska.
David Axelrod, Barack Obama's Chief Media Strategist, defined Tim best: "It was like preparing for the Supreme Court." I marveled at how well prepared Tim was when interviewing any guest. He would take the opposite view point, address something provocative this guest might've said or hot-button bill voted on, and most importantly, listen with an unsettling silence while the guest attempted to answer the question forthright. Most important, I didn't hear one negative attack on Russert. He ensured all his guests received appreciation towards his show's conclusion. We lost a great human being, and a man who has left an indeliable legacy in the broadcast journalism profession.
From Tim Russert to a Fox News reporter and anchor with the IQ of a peanut shell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWel21xLFn4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWVe8M5Zcys&feature=related
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
I couldn't have said it any better -- Air America's Rachel Maddow breaks down The Conservative Mindset and why Democrats continue breaking down barriers
http://airamerica.com/content/maddow-obama-wins-nomination-take-ahmadinejad
http://airamerica.com/content/maddow-obama-wins-nomination-take-ahmadinejad
Thursday, June 12, 2008
A parody of Keith Olbermann's 'Worst Persons in the World' and pimping out one of my new fav bands, VNV Nation
It's a two-fer today for Conservative cooky talk hack Austin Rhodes. Responding to a widely viewed YouTube video on the Dr. Phil show, Rhodes began imposing his supposed "cultural values." An eight-year-old began pointing his finger and yelling at his mother for how she physically beats him. Rhodes was appalled the boy acted like a brat. Instead of grounding the boy, taking away his personal interests like playing with friends, computer, and video games, Rhodes said he was beaten to the point he was hurting for a few days by his parents. "I would have them (bruises or welts) on me for days," he boasted. Then, thinking he's just a real tough bad ass under his strict upbringing, he attacked liberals for their loosey, goosey parenting. O.k. Since you're so infatuated how everyone else parents, perhaps we should just have a case worker from the Department of Family and Children Services camped out at your home. When you beat your child for misbehaving, let's see how well your parenting is looked upon by a family law judge.
The silver also goes to Rhodes for political opportunism. Attacking Barack Obama, Rhodes said, "He's the most liberal Senator" and "a socialist." You know, I love how Conservatives always confuse Democrats with Socialists. It's laughable that one policy position, Universal Health Care which doesn't go as far as Hilary Clinton's or John Edwards', has him deemed as a Socialist. Let the person croak like the treatment homeless people received in L.A. not too long ago when they were literally dumped out of taxis outside hospitals.
Later, he scared his listeners by demanding they vote for McCain opposed to Libertarian nut case, Georgia's own Bob Barr, claiming we really need to avoid having "liberal judges" on the Supreme Court. So, I guess we should have the government tell everyone what to do with his or her body like the case that banned partial birth abortions. The same court granting more authority for police officers to travel at ridiculous high speeds and endanger the public's safety (slowly stripping away Miranda rights). That court. Yeah, let's continue granting power to elitist institutions. And as far as the most liberal senator allegation, it was reported in a right-wing publication, The National Review. This was the same rag that smeared John Kerry in the '04 election year saying he was the most liberal senator. I guess passing bipartisan legislation like Obama has done now makes him too liberal.
The gold goes to the Columbia County Sheriff's Deputy (worse than Barney Fife) who pedaled up to the scene of an accident at the Publix parking lot where Robin's (girlfriend) mom was just hit by someone backing into her. She still has her Massachusetts accent which apparently we have a hidden ordinance stating Northerners must be discriminated against. She rehashed what happened. The officer said it looked like she was at fault and not the other woman who by the way was parked in a handicapped spot without a sticker or tag. "How can it be my fault when you can see the damage this lady did to my car?" her mother recounted when telling that to the officer. Later, she asked why he wasn't writing up an accident report or collecting the woman's insurance information. "Are you trying to tell me how to do my job?" he asked with some usual redneck sarcasm. "I wouldn't have to if you would take down all the information," Robin's mother snapped back. The Columbia County Sheriff's Deputy and his blatant use of treating someone who isn't born and raised in the South like a second class citizen, (echo) TODAY's WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD.
VNV Nation
This is one of my favorite bands out today and one of the most energizing bands when performing live. They engage the audience like few groups do. VNV's music has a broad history. Their early albums are fueled with an intense, harsh industrial sound. To the present, it's more of an industrial trance/alternative electronic body music vibe they present. Much of their work has songs beginning with a slow melodic sound followed by hard drum pounding beats and synthesizers. They're one of the top EBM bands in Europe and U.S. This is one band I need to see. Enjoy.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IbX8R9njMgc
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7zFlO9LvA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=g4nAzWExsuc&feature=related
It's a two-fer today for Conservative cooky talk hack Austin Rhodes. Responding to a widely viewed YouTube video on the Dr. Phil show, Rhodes began imposing his supposed "cultural values." An eight-year-old began pointing his finger and yelling at his mother for how she physically beats him. Rhodes was appalled the boy acted like a brat. Instead of grounding the boy, taking away his personal interests like playing with friends, computer, and video games, Rhodes said he was beaten to the point he was hurting for a few days by his parents. "I would have them (bruises or welts) on me for days," he boasted. Then, thinking he's just a real tough bad ass under his strict upbringing, he attacked liberals for their loosey, goosey parenting. O.k. Since you're so infatuated how everyone else parents, perhaps we should just have a case worker from the Department of Family and Children Services camped out at your home. When you beat your child for misbehaving, let's see how well your parenting is looked upon by a family law judge.
The silver also goes to Rhodes for political opportunism. Attacking Barack Obama, Rhodes said, "He's the most liberal Senator" and "a socialist." You know, I love how Conservatives always confuse Democrats with Socialists. It's laughable that one policy position, Universal Health Care which doesn't go as far as Hilary Clinton's or John Edwards', has him deemed as a Socialist. Let the person croak like the treatment homeless people received in L.A. not too long ago when they were literally dumped out of taxis outside hospitals.
Later, he scared his listeners by demanding they vote for McCain opposed to Libertarian nut case, Georgia's own Bob Barr, claiming we really need to avoid having "liberal judges" on the Supreme Court. So, I guess we should have the government tell everyone what to do with his or her body like the case that banned partial birth abortions. The same court granting more authority for police officers to travel at ridiculous high speeds and endanger the public's safety (slowly stripping away Miranda rights). That court. Yeah, let's continue granting power to elitist institutions. And as far as the most liberal senator allegation, it was reported in a right-wing publication, The National Review. This was the same rag that smeared John Kerry in the '04 election year saying he was the most liberal senator. I guess passing bipartisan legislation like Obama has done now makes him too liberal.
The gold goes to the Columbia County Sheriff's Deputy (worse than Barney Fife) who pedaled up to the scene of an accident at the Publix parking lot where Robin's (girlfriend) mom was just hit by someone backing into her. She still has her Massachusetts accent which apparently we have a hidden ordinance stating Northerners must be discriminated against. She rehashed what happened. The officer said it looked like she was at fault and not the other woman who by the way was parked in a handicapped spot without a sticker or tag. "How can it be my fault when you can see the damage this lady did to my car?" her mother recounted when telling that to the officer. Later, she asked why he wasn't writing up an accident report or collecting the woman's insurance information. "Are you trying to tell me how to do my job?" he asked with some usual redneck sarcasm. "I wouldn't have to if you would take down all the information," Robin's mother snapped back. The Columbia County Sheriff's Deputy and his blatant use of treating someone who isn't born and raised in the South like a second class citizen, (echo) TODAY's WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD.
VNV Nation
This is one of my favorite bands out today and one of the most energizing bands when performing live. They engage the audience like few groups do. VNV's music has a broad history. Their early albums are fueled with an intense, harsh industrial sound. To the present, it's more of an industrial trance/alternative electronic body music vibe they present. Much of their work has songs beginning with a slow melodic sound followed by hard drum pounding beats and synthesizers. They're one of the top EBM bands in Europe and U.S. This is one band I need to see. Enjoy.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IbX8R9njMgc
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ht7zFlO9LvA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=g4nAzWExsuc&feature=related
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Ironic what you learn on 'Jeopardy!' and Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo's hilarious exchange analyzing 'Sox Appeal'
I took a break from watching the Red Sox-Rays baseball game last night to beat Robin in Jeopardy! Well, that's not exactly true. She won this time. The categories were terrible. Anytime I see Art, Opera, Ballet, o.k., let me concede this category. Occasionally, I'll have some luck with an educated guess. The final Jeopardy question really reminded me how I reject the Clinton Administration and this one's crazy "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
Here's the question which is still embedded in my memory: In 2007, this entertainer and former sitcom star was awarded "Honorary Corporal" by the U.S. Marine Corps. (Music). Do ya' know? Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle and an open homosexual). What's ironic about the military's disdain for homosexuality is its very foundation. Frederich von Steuben, a Prussian General, offered his services to our Colonials during The Revolutionary War. Much of West Point's military code is based on his military expertise he lended. Yet, it's fine for say, Blackwater mercenaries to molest and even rape our brave young women in Iraq. It's the ultimate hypocrisy.
Clingy, Debonair guys with catchy pickup lines says 'I'm artificial' -- A down-to-earth, honest one should be catch #1
Last night, I heard the term "metrosexuals" used by Jerry Remy. I hadn't heard it in awhile. During the game, it was the second taping of a dating reality show at Fenway Park called "Sox Appeal." Three contestants compete to win over their potential one month dating sweetheart (guesstimate on time length). Two guys were clean cut and extremely too well dressed to be at a ball game. Remy called them metrosexuals or guys who like to shop. He said shopping is the worst thing he has to do. He just wants to get in and out of the store. Amen.
A third guy wore a Boston Red Sox jersey and probably weighed about 300 lbs. with a buzz cut. He wasn't fat, just built. He had about three cups of beer in front of him. Remy said the other two guys are probably driving a Porsche and Ferrari, while this guy came in a Ford. Ladies, take the guy who enjoys doing guy things. If your guy worries more about fashion than you do, you should immediately terminate the relationship.
I took a break from watching the Red Sox-Rays baseball game last night to beat Robin in Jeopardy! Well, that's not exactly true. She won this time. The categories were terrible. Anytime I see Art, Opera, Ballet, o.k., let me concede this category. Occasionally, I'll have some luck with an educated guess. The final Jeopardy question really reminded me how I reject the Clinton Administration and this one's crazy "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.
Here's the question which is still embedded in my memory: In 2007, this entertainer and former sitcom star was awarded "Honorary Corporal" by the U.S. Marine Corps. (Music). Do ya' know? Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle and an open homosexual). What's ironic about the military's disdain for homosexuality is its very foundation. Frederich von Steuben, a Prussian General, offered his services to our Colonials during The Revolutionary War. Much of West Point's military code is based on his military expertise he lended. Yet, it's fine for say, Blackwater mercenaries to molest and even rape our brave young women in Iraq. It's the ultimate hypocrisy.
Clingy, Debonair guys with catchy pickup lines says 'I'm artificial' -- A down-to-earth, honest one should be catch #1
Last night, I heard the term "metrosexuals" used by Jerry Remy. I hadn't heard it in awhile. During the game, it was the second taping of a dating reality show at Fenway Park called "Sox Appeal." Three contestants compete to win over their potential one month dating sweetheart (guesstimate on time length). Two guys were clean cut and extremely too well dressed to be at a ball game. Remy called them metrosexuals or guys who like to shop. He said shopping is the worst thing he has to do. He just wants to get in and out of the store. Amen.
A third guy wore a Boston Red Sox jersey and probably weighed about 300 lbs. with a buzz cut. He wasn't fat, just built. He had about three cups of beer in front of him. Remy said the other two guys are probably driving a Porsche and Ferrari, while this guy came in a Ford. Ladies, take the guy who enjoys doing guy things. If your guy worries more about fashion than you do, you should immediately terminate the relationship.
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