Thank you for your service, dearest veterans
November 11, 2011
I wish I were one of you. I wish I can write why I couldn’t.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being American
November 4, 2011
I’ve lived in the United States for over ten years now, though my citizenship won’t be available for another three (long story; ask me sometime). I don’t stop to think about it too much; I know I’ll pass my naturalization exam with flying colors. What does come across my mind occasionally is the question: what does it… Continue reading this entry
Where beauty and truth are neither
October 31, 2011
Take the time to read my friend William Newton’s post on marketing, how action figures have changed over the years, and how he’s concerned about the self image of today’s youths. Once you’re done, come back here. We’re going to talk a little about Madison Avenue. I was born and raised in the Philippines, as… Continue reading this entry
Conservatism and bad food
January 24, 2011
Michelle Obama is an insufferable virago, a tyrant who will beat you over the head with a fruits and vegetables. However, oppose her, but leave the foodstuffs alone. And if that doesn’t make much sense to you, consider: we like to say that guns don’t kill people; people kill people. Well, fruits and vegetables don’t oppress people; the mannish fishwife married to the President of the United States does.
Sweetest sixteen
June 14, 2010
Quite a few people were worried for Abby Sunderland when her sailboat that she was taking around the world issued a distress signal. The boat faced rough waters in the Indian Ocean, and she was incommunicado for about a day. She’s been found, though, and the discussion over the general competence of her parents continues.… Continue reading this entry
Art and the artists who make them
January 26, 2010
For a few moments, appreciate the paintings below. Composition and technique really aren’t all that exemplary, but they show practice. They capture what seems to be the intended qualities in each scene: the bustle of city life, the majesty of a palace, the tranquility of a lake. If one were to use the work alone… Continue reading this entry
Christmas For Non-Believers
December 24, 2009
It’s Christmas again, and year after year, atheists around the nation do nothing but sneer at all of us who so insensitively celebrate a religious holiday at the expense of every un- and non-believer out there. Why all the humbugging from these folks, anyway? I’ll be exploring Atheism as a belief system in the days… Continue reading this entry
A view of the patriarchy through social anthropology
November 18, 2009
Last night on Twitter, Justin Kownacki said: “God’s rightful role for families is a patriarchy in which women submit to men? Thank god; I’m a shitty listener.” Now, I follow a number of people with whom I disagree, and I have said things that I’m sure are grating to them, so I tend to let… Continue reading this entry
Veteran’s Day thoughts
November 11, 2009
This is the day in which we celebrate those who have served and live among us. All I can say is “thank you,” to everyone who has served in the military. I do not know of anyone who doesn’t know a serviceman, and I hope you have spent a few seconds to thank this person… Continue reading this entry
On the matter of taking offense
November 10, 2009
Christian Lander already listed it as one of those things Stuff White People Like. Of course SWPL is a tongue-in-cheek critique not of white people but of a certain cultural aesthetic, and Lander does it well. I may never understand why someone has to jump up and take offense at something being directly quoted. Too… Continue reading this entry
Juxtaposing Naomi Natale’s and Sonja Sohn’s speeches at TEDx MidAtlantic
November 9, 2009
When I went to TEDx MidAtlantic last Thursday, I knew that I would have to keep an open mind to views that are different from my own. In the days that followed the conference, I have been vocal about my experience on Twitter as well as here. I have always said that I liked “almost… Continue reading this entry
Experiencing TEDx MidAtlantic: an event review
November 6, 2009
Yesterday’s TEDx was my first event of the genre. I have looked at the TED site itself before to get an idea of what kind of people attend these events, and moreso, who speaks at them. This Conservative bomb-thrower didn’t feel all that hot about the fact that the actual TED event has been “graced”… Continue reading this entry
On Twitter lists and spheres of influence
November 3, 2009
Justin Kownacki has some choice commentary on a schoolyard fight between Robert Scoble and Chris Brogan over Twitter’s newest feature: Lists. In the few days since it’s been out, I’ve seen people use lists to bolster others’egos. Others use them as weapons of mass agitation (@technosailor blocked someone who listed him under “Granny Bangers,” for… Continue reading this entry
To a large extent, your survival is your responsibility.
June 30, 2009
The Maryland Daily Record has a report on one Yvonne Boughter, widow and former mother of two (now one). She has moved on from having settled her lawsuit with the Days Inn Hotel in Ocean City to suing the city’s fire department, and by extension, the city itself, to the tune of twenty million dollars.… Continue reading this entry
Parcbench has launched
March 23, 2009
I’ve been anticipating the release of Parcbench since it was a gathering buzz on Facebook, and today, they have launched the site. It’s basically a daily e-zine. From the email release announcement: Parcbench will appeal to an upcoming generation of contributors and activists and will cover everything from movie reviews and celebrity gossip to the… Continue reading this entry
Today’s moment of consumerist zen
March 10, 2009
I consider myself a relatively laid-back, patient kind of guy, but, considering today’s state of transaction technologies, writing out a check at Costco, at the end of a workday when you have at least five other people waiting for you to get over and done with, is just a tad inconsiderate.
Verboten?
March 5, 2009
You know what they say about discussing politics and religion? Well, here’s a reason why I don’t discuss religion: 3 Ways Christianity Prolongs Immaturity. Found from a WordPress hot post as seen when I was checking my stats. A twisted person like myself would probably find the comments section full of funnies, on both sides… Continue reading this entry
You know it’s a recession when…
February 18, 2009
…Starbucks starts selling instant coffee (link found from the always awesome SondraK): Called Via, the water-soluble product sells in packets of three for $2.95 or 12 for $9.95 – $1 or less per cup. Just Columbia and Italian Roast varieties will be available at first, but the company will add others later. I call it… Continue reading this entry
Michael Phelps is my hero.
February 3, 2009
Primarily because he never marketed himself as some kind of perfect person. He got drunk back in ’04, and toked this year. Fine by me. The funny is his record of advocating against drug use. Opinion from Hillbuzz: Phelps has made numerous appearances channeling Nancy Reagan at the behest of his corporate patrons, telling kids… Continue reading this entry
On the suspension of disbelief
January 16, 2009
Without it, no narrative in any medium of any will carry color. Every viewer or reader determines the limits of that suspension, but it’s always there. Even when reading historical accounts or watching documentaries, I see the need for it. I tend to be a generally skeptical guy, but I’m not the type to deconstruct… Continue reading this entry