December 2008
1 post
It all comes at once
It’s kind of a coincidence, but over the past month-and-a-half or so, all three of my older brothers have contacted me in one fashion or another. All of them had essentially the same thing to say—they disapprove of my choices in life, and more importantly, my beliefs.
It’s weird growing up with these people and having them as best friends all my life. Then have them turn their...
November 2008
6 posts
Random thoughts about what it means to be a man
“How do I know when I am a man?” A boy asks.
The father responds, “When you can see more sides to every story than one.”
The boy pauses for a second, then turns to his father seriously and asks, “Are you sure it’s not sex?”
I forget where I heard that, but it really stuck with me.
My dad never taught me that, though he was just as intellectual. In...
A personal lineage
I just found out my great grandfather on my Dad’s side was in the Black Watch which was a royal Scottish Highlander. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Watch). My grandfather was in the navy in WW II and landed boats on the shores of Iwo Jima. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Iwo_Jima). If I have the facts right, on my mothers side my great grandfather was a scientist who worked in...
For all you aspiring filmmakers
For all you aspiring filmmakers
Apple is holding a contest in association with 2008 Insomnia Film Festival. The top 25 movies will not only be added to iTunes but will be shown to some big-time industry players.
But here’s what makes it different:
There’s only a 24 hour timeslot to make the 3-minute film on this Saturday, Nov. 15, and it’s up to you to publicize it.
Find out...
The Life and Times of a Dead Clown →
Into the deep waters
I woke up Tuesday feeling like Obama needed to win the election. I felt it more than I wanted to win a scholarship to pay off my loans at Columbia. But when I made it to the polls, my head brought me back to where I’ve been for the past year or so. I stuck to my principles and voted third party. And today, the day after the election, I felt like shit.
Why I felt like Obama needed to win, I...
October 2008
8 posts
And I missed two stops on the bus
And I missed two stops on the bus tonight because I was thinking about that first time I moved into your tiny apartment and we fell asleep on the couch watching Heroes. And you were there when I finally was free.
And I pissed my pants a little when I zipped up too soon because I was thinking about your plans for a non-profit organization that made synthetic trees which converted oxygen into...
Hit me with your best shot: The choices behind...
There’s nothing like having it your way, right? At least Burger King says so.
I think Multimedia is the best source for something like that. You can have it however you want it.
I had this idea a while back for making a website based on every source of media possible. I mean, at least a few different media. I always find that when I’m on the web, I will sometimes want to read about...
Everytime I block, everyblock
My block: http://chicago.everyblock.com/streets/rosemont-ave/1214-1298w/
Besides cracking up to see that someone gave a Yelp review of CVS for one star and Walgreens for five stars, I actually learned something.
Usually, when it comes to street crimes, I find myself pretty apathetic. But when it comes to an aggravated robbery on a CTA platform that I use twice a day, and at a time that I barely...
Masters at debating (Senator Government)
So I watched those master debaters speak with their pieces, and I couldn’t help but think—they could give the same answer for every question.
It was when I was watching them explain whether they would appoint a supreme court judge who had opposing views on Roe v. Wade. Neither of them answered the question directly. Neither of them even really directly said “probably no.”...
The constitution is so oldschool.
I read the constitution again today. I find it nice to brush up on the roots of our nation and what we supposedly follow.
The most interesting thing that sticks out to me is the amount that the constitution stresses the power of the states to legislate everything that is not specifically defined in the constitution. Article X of the bill of rights pretty clearly states it. This seems to be...
I guess I'll have to do it for you.
In my earlier college days I dreaded group projects for one reason—unequal workloads.
Whether it was due to some slacker in the group who just put off doing the work because he or she figured they rest of us would cover, or whether it was some overbearing, self-appointed group leader who took the whole responsibility of the project to his or her self, it never seemed equal.
One...
September 2008
8 posts
Radiohead Remix Opportunity
Radiohead is requesting audience remixes of “Reckoner” so that they can be played on the radio. Check it out.
Download the individual track stems here:
http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/browserRedirect?url=itms%253A%252F%252Fax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net%252FWebObjects%252FMZStore.woa%252Fwa%252FviewAlbum%253Fid%253D291094944%2526s%253D143444
...
Chi-Town Ink
As some of you may know, I wrote a profile piece on Windy City Ink, a new tattoo shop on Division that recently opened its doors. The shop opened in mid-August, and when I talked to them, the owner told me they would “for sure” be doing a Miami Ink reality show/Chicago style. He couldn’t comment any further.
That was exciting. I was glad to put it in my article.
But the other...
Lessons learned the hard way: Gambling
The internet has affected my life in way to many ways to elaborate in a single post, but there is one thing that sticks out—losing at online Texas Hold ‘Em.
I was 18, and similar to many other 18-year-olds, I thought I was the shit. I had just got out of high school and I thought I would experiment with the world of online gambling.
At first it was a game. I would play $5 buy-in...
No more Nalgene
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/health/chi-bpa-websep17,0,3143856.story
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/bpa-in-water.php
So I have been hearing bad things from my hippy friends about nalgene bottles recently, but I decided it was no big deal. But I can’t ignore it anymore.
This article, released Sept. 16 by the Tribune, which revealed a study that shows some links...
On Death
Death is the most awesome and horrifying experience I can think of, though I am yet to experience it.
I find it strange that so few people think about death in their every day lives. And if they do, it is without conscious awareness that they will someday die. People almost always subconsciously think they will live, regardless of what happens, or conversely, convince themselves that it does not...
To slut or not to slut?
In the past year or so, I’ve ended up dating many people younger than I, because they are just as undefined and enthusiastic about life as I. But evetually it sticks out too much—they are insecure and seemingly lost. The difference with me is I’m very self assured and not lost at all. I’m defined by my undefinition and my enthusiasm. “Not all those who wander are...
The Future of Journalsim
“To be a journalist is to say hi to everyone, all the time.” -Joel Alonzo
When it comes to the changing face of Journalism, I can see to routes of reaction, despair or excitement.
There are plenty of things to despair about.
Newspaper circulation is declining. With thousands of jobs being lost every year, it has become a very unstable career choice. Newspapers don’t stand a...
Dear Mr. President (A letter to the future...
Dear Mr. President, Whatever you are planning on doing, please don’t do it. I know everyone wants you to fix their problems, and I know you especially want to rule the world and fix everyone’s problems in the world yada yada yada. But please give us a break. We can fix our own problems without you trying to help us. In the past hundred years or so, presidents have just gotten in the...