Reality Check

David Sedaris, the Presidential Election, and Why I'm Taking a Stand.

Now, I'm not really one to voice my opinion on my blog about politics. I am fine discussing my political views among friends and family or even in a group, but since this blog is meant to be pretty lighthearted, focused on technology and some random happenings in my life, I tend to keep it that way.

That said, however, I am at the point where I really think that this election could go down in global history as one of the stupidest decisions Americans have ever made. Instead of going on to rant about Sarah Palin and the cost of her outfits (I save that for Twitter) or the general issue that our country is in fact facing one of the greatest financial crisis’ it's seen in over 75 years, I am going to leave you with a little something to read.

I turned to read The New Yorker today and found a great article that really put it in perspective for me. Not only was the article pretty straightforward and made me laugh a bit, but it was from one of my all time favorite authors, David Sedaris.

Here's the link to it, but in summary, here are a few paragraphs from the story that really hammer home a great message:

I don’t know that it was always this way, but, for as long as I can remember, just as we move into the final weeks of the Presidential campaign the focus shifts to the undecided voters. “Who are they?” the news anchors ask. “And how might they determine the outcome of this election?”

Then you’ll see this man or woman— someone, I always think, who looks very happy to be on TV. “Well, Charlie,” they say, “I’ve gone back and forth on the issues and whatnot, but I just can’t seem to make up my mind!” Some insist that there’s very little difference between candidate A and candidate B. Others claim that they’re with A on defense and health care but are leaning toward B when it comes to the economy.

I look at these people and can’t quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?

To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”

To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.

I mean, really, what’s to be confused about?

That's all from me on this topic. Enjoy your David Sedaris for the day. /LC

I'm a big fan of "Law and Order" but...

I'm a huge fan of the original "Law and Order." Not really any of the spin-offs - I'm talking Jerry Orbach, Chris Noth, etc etc. And of course, Sam Waterston. But this article took me a bit by surprise (well, considering the candidate, maybe not that much) and really made me laugh.

White House hopeful Fred Thompson called his trip down aisle of rifles, shotguns and pistols at a gun show "a day in paradise," and said he wished he could come back to spend more time and money.

So much for gun control (again). 

Check it out. /LC

BTW: for those nit-pickers (and I know who you are) that are going to tell me it's "Sam Waterson," it's actually not. That's just an alias name he used earlier in his career. See? I am a buff. :)

This was my morning...

No wonder I made it to the gym by 7AM... (click to see what *really* happened).

And to think they look so innocent.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly on Halloween

I'm a huge fan of Halloween normally, but this year due to travel schedules I didn't have time to get geared up in my usual costume (no, I'm not telling what it is). I headed out with friends instead to downtown SF. It was a relatively mellow night, but it was great to see some awesome costumes ("Jackie O" was my favorite) and some kids running around in costumes.

When at Voda downtown (great little place on Belden Lane, if you're ever in SF) my friends and I were talking about our favorite memories and Halloween observations. I coined it "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of Halloween. So, here we go...

The Good

The awesome haunted houses that are popping up in SF neighborhoods for the little kids to visit. There's one a few houses down from me, and a bunch in the Mission district. People go all out for Halloween here and it's really great. Plus, you get the few older kids running around with shaving cream and throwing eggs. I normally wouldn't support this, except as a teen I had quite a blast doing this myself (if no one gets hurt)... and a little yolk never hurt anyone except maybe a car or two (I really hope my father isn't reading this).

The Bad

The Castro is CLOSED. A tradition that dates back years and years has come to an end due to some crazy folks going nuts last year (violence, guns, etc). I love the Castro Halloween celebration and it's too bad that this year's event was cancelled. That said, it was kind of cool to see that there were a few folks that gathered for a funeral procession down Market Street (the main Castro drag) to mourn the loss of the the event. Check it out. This is vastly different from the scene last year.

The Ugly

The Mean Muni Drivers. As I was heading back from my outing and waiting at the bus stop, I noticed a mother and her son. He must have been 3 or 4 years old, and had on the cutest darn devil costume: pointy red ears, trifork and all. Now, lots of folks take the bus up to the more "neighborhood-y" areas to trick-or-treat, including some of the less fortunate folks that might not live in the best areas to trick-or-treat. So, we get on the bus, and this mother didn't have the money to pay for her fare. The bus is kind of full, but this bus driver starts to holler at her - "If you can't pay the fare you have to get off Lady!" He repeats this several times, her son starts to cry because he's afraid he can't go trick-or-treating, and the bus driver continues to yell. I couldn't believe it. Where's the Halloween spirit? What happened to people being humane, and friendly, especially to a mother and her child that just want to trick-or-treat?

I have to say I was totally shocked. Thank god a few of us were in the holiday spirit as we all rummaged for change and dollars to pay her fare. She graciously thanked all of us, but the thanks wasn't truly needed. It was just great to see her son get an opportunity to have one night where he gets to experience the magic of Halloween. And hopefully lots of candy too.

Okay, so the beginning of that story was the ugly, but in the end it did turn into something great.

Another year, another Halloween. I'm off to eat some candy... /LC