Thursday, October 29, 2009

Task Management

It's that time again - when I shirk the little voice in the back of my head that tells me how self-indulgent and undeniably ego-centric it is to pretend that my thoughts merit the attention of the public at large (or in my case, at very small) and write a new blog post.

Today's topic: Independent music scene aficionados.

What is it about white people and music that makes us think that just because other people enjoy a particular musician or artist that they are somehow beneath us, even if we really would or did enjoy them otherwise? I have dealt with this feeling myself. We all have that band, singer or glockenspiel player that we sort of view as our "pet" musician. We love to tell our friends about the little details of their lives and how great they are and ultimately, the coup de gras is to utter some semblance of the phrase, "no one's really heard of them yet." At that exact moment, little silent fireworks are released into the brain, a personal victory march for our own awesomeness at knowing of a hidden talent that is not appreciated by those who do not actively work to find new music.

Once they become popular one of two things happens. Either you act disinterested in them because, "Yeah, I was listening to that stuff like, a year and a half ago. I'm kind of over it," when in reality you just bought and enjoy the heck out of their "sell-out" major-label debut - OR - you have sworn off even listening to their major-label debut because they are so beneath you that you don't, you CAN'T even care. They can no longer deliver the fireworks.

And so I ask, dear scene-kid music "lover," is it the music you love or is it the scene? If it truly is the music then stand by your band. Rock out to that top 10 single - yes, even rock out next to that redneck guy in the bar who doesn't even know what he's listening to but still bobs his head in-between sips of the blue ribbon. You know why he bobs his head? Because the music is good. Be an equal opportunity appreciator.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Sandy Eyes

Another beautiful fall day! In about 15 minutes I will go out the door, hop in my car and go hurtling down the interstate at 80 miles per hour toward work and I may take a moment or two to glance around and admire the beauty of nature as I go. Also, the beauty of 18-wheelers, especially the ones with cartoon theme mud flaps.

A while back I did a post about things I miss from college, and I think I need to add one to that list - walking to class. What I wouldn't give to live close enough to work to be able to walk to work instead of drive. Sure, I had to leave 30 minutes earlier because walking is not as time-efficient, but those were some of the best times to think and enjoy being outside.

Don't get me wrong, I am well aware of all the thinking that can and does take place in cars, especially on the interstate, but it's just not the same. If I get a break from work today I think I will walk aimlessly around the outside of our office building. There are some pine trees back there and even if my coworkers look outside and think I've gone postal, it will be worth it to breath in some pollen and feel alive again.

Love. Grace. Peace.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

I'm Well Enough and Don't You Know to Leave Well Enough Alone?

Discovery has a new show about lobster catchers.

This is why I don't watch television anymore.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Let Freedom Ring

This morning I had a delicious breakfast before heading out to work for the last time this week. Before I left, I let our Chihuahua out to use the bathroom, (read: front yard). When I brought her back in she looked as pathetically sad to be put back into the kitchen as she always does. In a moment of genuine pity, I leaned over, gave her one last head scratch, and promised her that I'd play with her when I got home.

It's 11:11 and I still haven't played with her.

I know dogs don't understand English and Maggie certainly has no idea that I stood her up tonight, but the more I think about it the more I feel like a huge jerk. I'm going to stop writing now and see if I can't locate her favorite half-destroyed squeaking octopus. Then, it's time for sleep.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

You're Disappearing and I'm Disappointed

I had something really really interesting to write about today and I can't because it may be "offensive." Even though you have no way of knowing what it was going to be, I just want to assure you that there is no reason for it to be offensive and if you would have been offended, you are relatively stupid. Those of you who would have found it thoughtful and entertaining - thanks for being on-board with me.

When I was a kid I used to imagine that I was incredibly important. I think we all thought that at one point or another. Did you? What I mean to say is, did you think that your decisions were going to matter to someone other than you and those closest to you? I hope all of us thought that, or some version of that growing up. How sad would it be to ask a kid what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said "documentation security specialist?"

"So, you don't want to be a doctor or a scientist or an astronaut?"

"Shucks no, mister! I want to fade into obscurity in a service oriented organization in Ohio!"

If everyone mattered to everyone else, no one would really matter at all. It's best to know that you matter to those you love - to God - and to be satisfied in your beautiful normalcy.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Add;Subtract;Multiply;Divide

My Calculator
Uses Calculator tape
It runs out often

This has been Nathan Presents: Haiku from the Office #001


Sometimes it really strikes me that the MythBusters have really run out of Myths to bust. This evening one of the myths was whether or not it was literally possible to knock someone out of their socks and them survive the force of the hit. They tested it, as always, with two lame experiments before (predictably) pulling out 500 lbs of explosives to blow the dummy legs up. Turns out your socks will not be knocked off and you still live to tell the tale.
I'm not even a scientist, or nearly a scientist for that matter, and I still find fault in some of their techniques. They are flawed experiments with too many variables unaccounted for to really say definitively one way or the other.

Having said that, I still watched for an hour to see the legs blown up. Score: 1-Discovery Channel, 0-Nathan.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Money Doesn't Grow on Trees, but Chocolate Does

I had a favorable weekend and to my own great surprise - a really pleasant Monday.

Here is the short list of highlights of things I did this weekend:
- Went to Greenville (to spend the night before D.C.); did not leave smelling like Greenville (bonus).
- Rode to D.C. with my friend Jeff.
- Saw the WWII monument with the fountains actually on this time.
- Saw Ford's Theater and the house across the street where Lincoln died.
- Went to National Zoo. Favorite animal: the sloth bear.
- Sailed on a 26 foot boat around Bath creek.


Here is the short list of things I would have done if I'd had $7,400,000 to blow:
- Hired my own cab for the day.
- Gone to lunch with George Stephanopolis, my treat.
- Walked through street in front of White house with a leaf blower, blowing around a hundred thousand $1 bills. Played it off like I was making a statement. Wait for someone to think it was deep.
- At least 30 more gas station coffees.
- Sailed in Bath Creek on a full size replica of the Queen Ann's Revenge.
- Purchased the sloth bear.

Despite the lack of funds, it was still almost a good. I got some pretty fantastic views of the sunset in D.C. on Saturday, the weather was great. I took some pictures but camera phones can only do so much - and "so much" usually involves recording my friends doing things that will embarrass them later.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Why is Palindrome Not a Palindrome?

You know how I know you're gay?

Does anyone else remember that skit? I forget where it's from (someone can post it in the comment section if you do know) but it is just two guys sitting on a couch playing video games and one of them says to the other one:

"You know how I know you're gay?....._________" and fills in the blank with some random thing about the other guy. Then the other guy returns in kind with the same phrase.

Yesterday I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Applebee's neighborhood grill and bar with longtime friend of mine, Matt Johnson. We sat down, Matt had a beer, I told a corny joke or two, we artfully critiqued the attractiveness of the waitress, but before any of this a funny thing happened. While the hostess - who was clearly in earshot - lead us to our booth, I casually said, "Matt, I really wish you would dress up a little nicer for our dates in the future," to which Matt quickly muttered cursing under his breath, presumably to reassure the hostess of his compete and undeniable heterosexuality, (as if his beard weren't evidence enough).

I've been single for a while now and it never occurred to me that I should avoid situations that may give the appearance of one who wasn't actively seeking a female compatriot. It isn't uncommon for friends of mine to joke around quite gay-ishly just to get a reaction, but the more I think about it, the more I wonder if Matt was right. Maybe we should all be more mindful of our behavior as it could give the wrong impression to the pubic at large.

I would say lesson learned but I did just got back from Walmart where I purchased a pumpkin spice candle in a glass jar. Looks like I have some ground to make up.