So, I'd like to dedicate this post as my shoutout. I'd like to give a shout out to an amazing person, whose charismatic, enthusiastic, psychotic, caring, funny, and loving, and of course I mean my wonderful sister. Most people who meet her end up saying "Dude, she's cool. She's like you but she's a girl". Which kind of scares the shit out of me knowing who I am, and I wouldn't wish that upon anybody.
Needless to say, that one of the few reasons I believe in a God, is because he managed to make someone like me with only the good characterestics, and omit the bad ones. If you filter out my stupidity, carelessness, wrecklesness, & overall bad habits, you'd probably be left with my sister. One of the coolest things about her is that she's very comfortable in her own skin. Its very hard in today's world to meet a woman who is happy with who she is. I don't know too many girls who can enjoy a good desert without saying "oh my god, I'm gonna have to work out for weeks to get rid of this". It takes a confident, and special person to say "Oh hell no....this desert has no chance against me....its goin DOWN!" When you hear that you've got to admire it and laugh.
Do I get annoyed with her......uuuuh hello, she is my sister! Takin my shit, forgetting to drop things off, and being an overall clutz does help me keep her coolness in check. How do I deal with having someone as cool as me related to me you ask? Well, I eat like a hefer, and truly enjoy some of the finer things in life. I can actually discuss my thoughts on a book we've read without having to hear "Dude, you know how I know your gay..."
So, in general I've been blessed to have someone in my life that allows me to see what I'm capable of being. That overlooks my insaneness and always sees potential, and knowing that is pretty amazing. For that I have and always will love her - even though she still has my favorite sweats.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Overheard Airport Conversations
Certain things just don't need to be discussed out loud. In my current job, I am required to do a bit of traveling and am often stuck in airports. I've learned many things thru simple observations, and listening about the human species.
First of all, I think the most disturbing thing I overheard happened today when I was going thru the security check. It was about 6:45 AM and I had walked past the metal detector. As I go to collect my belongings, and put on my shoes & belt my ears get bombarded with some of the nastiest filth I've ever heard. Such words should never be uttered aloud. One overweight woman working for the TSA looks over to her co-worker and says "Yeah, I've gotten my colon cleansed". To which the classy co-worker responds "For real girl? I do mine on my own. I learned how on the Inta-net". "Yeah, I heard doin that is good fo ya weight. Girl, my doctor says I'm ova-weight" the first one responds. Being the good friend she is, the other woman responds "Oh you can't go by your doctor. According to their scales everyone's overweight. You know my friend is a tiny lil thang, and the doctor told her she's overweight too." This was about as much as I could take. Luckily by this time I had my belt and shoes on and was able to move on....or so I thought. The two women then turned and walked away, and althought there was a conveter belt seperating us I felt myself move towards their direction. I soon realized that when these two women turned around their asses had a combined mass that would match the size of our moon, and had thus created a gravitational force that physically moved me. Luckily, the conveter belt was there, and I was able to break away.
First of all, I think the most disturbing thing I overheard happened today when I was going thru the security check. It was about 6:45 AM and I had walked past the metal detector. As I go to collect my belongings, and put on my shoes & belt my ears get bombarded with some of the nastiest filth I've ever heard. Such words should never be uttered aloud. One overweight woman working for the TSA looks over to her co-worker and says "Yeah, I've gotten my colon cleansed". To which the classy co-worker responds "For real girl? I do mine on my own. I learned how on the Inta-net". "Yeah, I heard doin that is good fo ya weight. Girl, my doctor says I'm ova-weight" the first one responds. Being the good friend she is, the other woman responds "Oh you can't go by your doctor. According to their scales everyone's overweight. You know my friend is a tiny lil thang, and the doctor told her she's overweight too." This was about as much as I could take. Luckily by this time I had my belt and shoes on and was able to move on....or so I thought. The two women then turned and walked away, and althought there was a conveter belt seperating us I felt myself move towards their direction. I soon realized that when these two women turned around their asses had a combined mass that would match the size of our moon, and had thus created a gravitational force that physically moved me. Luckily, the conveter belt was there, and I was able to break away.
The Power of Sports
Today is February 4, 2008. Today is the day after the New York Football Giants beat the previously undefeated New England Patriots in the Superbowl. The final game of the NFL season, and the determining game to crowning a champion for the year.
Those of you who may not know (because you live under a rock), the Giants were 12 point underdogs. They were expected to lose. Patriot players had invited them to their victory party before the game was even played, and maybe worst of all an irresponsible publisher had already published a book saying the New England Patriots had won the game.
What ended up happening was the Giants beat the snot out of the Patriots Quarterback and Golden Boy Tom Brady. His ass got more of a rug burn than from the beating he took by the Giants Defense than Jenna Jameson's knees. The Giants then with 2 minutes left in the game designed a game-winning drive, with one of the most memorable plays in Superbowl history to win the game.
It was quite a game. The amazing thing is that 97.5 million Americans tuned in to watch this game. That's almost 1 in 3 Americans. Now that may not mean much. But today I am at the Chicago Airport and all I hear is people talking about the game. They cannot get enough of it. Everyone is basically saying the same exact thing, but they won't shut up. They still ramble on and repeat the same exact points with different words. Its amazing that one 60 minute sequence of events can have complete strangers making friends and talking to each other as if they've known each other for years.
Some movies never leave our minds, and some books may always be remembered. But there is nothing, and I do mean nothing that will ever bring strangers to discuss and talk the way sports does. Whether you are a fan or not, sports seem to bring out a passionate competitive beast in people and raise that beast to their mouths. Because as much we all discuss what certain athletes achieve, the majority of us, seem to be quite content with just that. In all the chatter of the greatness of these games, I have not heard a single person say "It inspired me to be a football player".
Those of you who may not know (because you live under a rock), the Giants were 12 point underdogs. They were expected to lose. Patriot players had invited them to their victory party before the game was even played, and maybe worst of all an irresponsible publisher had already published a book saying the New England Patriots had won the game.
What ended up happening was the Giants beat the snot out of the Patriots Quarterback and Golden Boy Tom Brady. His ass got more of a rug burn than from the beating he took by the Giants Defense than Jenna Jameson's knees. The Giants then with 2 minutes left in the game designed a game-winning drive, with one of the most memorable plays in Superbowl history to win the game.
It was quite a game. The amazing thing is that 97.5 million Americans tuned in to watch this game. That's almost 1 in 3 Americans. Now that may not mean much. But today I am at the Chicago Airport and all I hear is people talking about the game. They cannot get enough of it. Everyone is basically saying the same exact thing, but they won't shut up. They still ramble on and repeat the same exact points with different words. Its amazing that one 60 minute sequence of events can have complete strangers making friends and talking to each other as if they've known each other for years.
Some movies never leave our minds, and some books may always be remembered. But there is nothing, and I do mean nothing that will ever bring strangers to discuss and talk the way sports does. Whether you are a fan or not, sports seem to bring out a passionate competitive beast in people and raise that beast to their mouths. Because as much we all discuss what certain athletes achieve, the majority of us, seem to be quite content with just that. In all the chatter of the greatness of these games, I have not heard a single person say "It inspired me to be a football player".
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Betrayal
Betrayal is one of the most difficult pains to deal with. The thing is, true betrayal comes from a place where you never expect it to come from. In the crazy world that we live in, the very cornerstone of our foundation is the people in whom we trust. Trust is not something that should be given away like candy on Halloween. It is precious.
The problem is sometimes, people like me meet so many good folks, that we starts sprinkling trust on everyone we meet. We feel that people can be "trusted" because they're "good people". When one good person betrays you, an entire lifetime can come undone and crumble. However, that is still not betrayal. When trust is broken from someone new, it can still be understood. I mean really, how much can we have entrusted them with.
The real dagger in the heart comes when someone you really trusted - like family is the one who breaks the trust. That is when you simply are so stuneed/shocked/hurt/mad/ and in general disbelief that it leaves you in a state of true shock. I mean, the mere fact that someone so close betrays you is so utterly mind-blowing that the shock does not leave for a while, sometimes ever. The consequences in that moment seem inconsequential. After you finally get over the fact that it happened, then you start realizing how fucked you are. The first two things I've described, I imagine are probably commnon for anyone who is betrayed.
The thing that differentiataes us is what we do after this. Most of us probably start some sort of damage control. I recommend tact, strategy, practicality, and execution. If all else fails, then remember its not the end, and what's gonna happen, will happen. Hope for the best. I hope you never have to go through this. But more importantly please remember how important your trust is, and use it sparingly.
The problem is sometimes, people like me meet so many good folks, that we starts sprinkling trust on everyone we meet. We feel that people can be "trusted" because they're "good people". When one good person betrays you, an entire lifetime can come undone and crumble. However, that is still not betrayal. When trust is broken from someone new, it can still be understood. I mean really, how much can we have entrusted them with.
The real dagger in the heart comes when someone you really trusted - like family is the one who breaks the trust. That is when you simply are so stuneed/shocked/hurt/mad/ and in general disbelief that it leaves you in a state of true shock. I mean, the mere fact that someone so close betrays you is so utterly mind-blowing that the shock does not leave for a while, sometimes ever. The consequences in that moment seem inconsequential. After you finally get over the fact that it happened, then you start realizing how fucked you are. The first two things I've described, I imagine are probably commnon for anyone who is betrayed.
The thing that differentiataes us is what we do after this. Most of us probably start some sort of damage control. I recommend tact, strategy, practicality, and execution. If all else fails, then remember its not the end, and what's gonna happen, will happen. Hope for the best. I hope you never have to go through this. But more importantly please remember how important your trust is, and use it sparingly.
Van Wilder - A Great Role Model
One of my favorite movies is Van Wilder. The first time I saw it was right after I got back from Spring Break in college. To be quite honest, that movie did give me a great new way of looking at things.
"Don't take life too seriously...or you'll never make it out alive" is what he said. The movie has an amazing Carpe Diem tone, of enjoying the present to the fullest, but at the same time to not fear the future. Since then, the many times I've been fucked, I always knew that stressing wouldn't do any good. "Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair, it'll give you something to do, but your not going anywhere" another excellent quote. Both things are quite hard to do, and it seems like many people don't understand this.
I'm sure we can all be a little better than where we are, but we all have made a sacrifice to keep from achieving that. That sacrifice is enjoying the present, the moment, the toast, the kiss, the laugh or hug. These are the things that matter most in anyone's life time. You might be able to develop amazing technology, or medicine, but if you can't be happy with how you did it, then what's the point?
So in the words of Van Wilder "You can't treat every situation as life or death because you'll die a lot more than you'll live". Take a moment, be spontaneous, and enjoy what's going on. In the end, its not all about "having what you want, but wanting what you have" - Sheryl Crow.
"Don't take life too seriously...or you'll never make it out alive" is what he said. The movie has an amazing Carpe Diem tone, of enjoying the present to the fullest, but at the same time to not fear the future. Since then, the many times I've been fucked, I always knew that stressing wouldn't do any good. "Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair, it'll give you something to do, but your not going anywhere" another excellent quote. Both things are quite hard to do, and it seems like many people don't understand this.
I'm sure we can all be a little better than where we are, but we all have made a sacrifice to keep from achieving that. That sacrifice is enjoying the present, the moment, the toast, the kiss, the laugh or hug. These are the things that matter most in anyone's life time. You might be able to develop amazing technology, or medicine, but if you can't be happy with how you did it, then what's the point?
So in the words of Van Wilder "You can't treat every situation as life or death because you'll die a lot more than you'll live". Take a moment, be spontaneous, and enjoy what's going on. In the end, its not all about "having what you want, but wanting what you have" - Sheryl Crow.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Progress
Progress is one of the rarest things in life to witness. If you are lucky you can even live through it. However, many of us spend countless hours and days wishing to see progress in people, places, and situations that just simply seem destined not to. Recently, I was among the few lucky people who habitate this planet, and was able to witness such a euphoric phenomenon.
I have a very close friend who I think very highly of. For as long as I've known him, he has always been known as the funny guy, and nice/proper/good guy. He was always the one to open the door for someone, or to be a VERY polite gentleman when dealing with a lady. He always treated women with way too much respect, and put them on pedestals that reached the stratosphere. The ladies have always perceived him to be "cute" and "such a good person to talk to". It actually grossed me out. Now, I'll be the first to admit, I don't demand attention from the ladies with my looks or style, and I have also been a little guilty of being some of the adjectives aforementioned. However, it was a sense of politeness he had, that I never saw duplicated. The worst part, is that every time he said something funny, and made people laugh you knew he was holding back from saying something that would make people ecstatic.
Then today, it happened. He got on the phone with a girl and was a complete jerk, and funny at the same time. I mean if I was the girl I would think this guy is an asshole, but he's pretty right and funny too. The thing with funny people, is that they're usually right about what they're saying. It was transformation before my own eyes, and ears. I was ecstatic and excited that this happened. He was as he describes it "loose". A state of mind, I highly recommend.
Life is short, what do you have to lose. Be like Petey Greene, and speak your mind. If an ex-con can inspire millions, just imagine what you can do by speaking what's on your mind, and not giving a fuck about what people think. I admit, this is easier said than done. But courage is a commodity reserved for the few.
I have a very close friend who I think very highly of. For as long as I've known him, he has always been known as the funny guy, and nice/proper/good guy. He was always the one to open the door for someone, or to be a VERY polite gentleman when dealing with a lady. He always treated women with way too much respect, and put them on pedestals that reached the stratosphere. The ladies have always perceived him to be "cute" and "such a good person to talk to". It actually grossed me out. Now, I'll be the first to admit, I don't demand attention from the ladies with my looks or style, and I have also been a little guilty of being some of the adjectives aforementioned. However, it was a sense of politeness he had, that I never saw duplicated. The worst part, is that every time he said something funny, and made people laugh you knew he was holding back from saying something that would make people ecstatic.
Then today, it happened. He got on the phone with a girl and was a complete jerk, and funny at the same time. I mean if I was the girl I would think this guy is an asshole, but he's pretty right and funny too. The thing with funny people, is that they're usually right about what they're saying. It was transformation before my own eyes, and ears. I was ecstatic and excited that this happened. He was as he describes it "loose". A state of mind, I highly recommend.
Life is short, what do you have to lose. Be like Petey Greene, and speak your mind. If an ex-con can inspire millions, just imagine what you can do by speaking what's on your mind, and not giving a fuck about what people think. I admit, this is easier said than done. But courage is a commodity reserved for the few.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Perspective
Many people gain perspectives from different experiences, and methods. I gained my most important perspective in a rather unique way. That would be the perspective of what I'm doing with my life.
In a somewhat dimly lit Italian restaurant thru eyes hiding behind a thick set of spectacles I gained perspective. Intense eyes magnified by the thickness of the spectacles were looking at me and challenging me. They belonged to one of my cousins for whom I have the utmost respect. We were generously sipping, consuming, embracing, and enjoying rather tasty and expensive Italian wine. After about the third bottle the discussions elevated to a new level of passion (As with anything else Italians do, their wines tend to generate a lot of passion as well). We discussed everything from where my cousin would move, to what he wanted to do with his life now that his medical training was coming to an end, and what would make him happy. Married, with three beautiful daughters, and owner to countless numbers of hours spent helping others, I felt my cousin had earned the right to take a moment back at this important fork he had arrived at in his life before embarking down a chosen path.
While most of the discussions were about him, and what he was doing, I managed to find time to self reflect in the middle of all this. "For future generations to come" were the words he uttered which sent my mind into a whirlwind of thoughts, flashes, and ideas. Those were the words he chose to describe how well his family would be taken care of (financially) from his hard work, and the fruits of his labor. Unfortunately, those same exact words made me realize that I probably wasn't in a shape to take care of myself (let alone my future children), and he was worrying about his future generations. In this smorgasbord of thoughts I realized that what I was doing with my time was far less valuable than what my cousin was doing with his time. We were both happy, but what we were contributing to society was vastly different.
Its sad but true, that the way other people live their lives to do what gives them happiness does have an affect on us. Maybe I'm getting older, maybe I'm starting do give a damn about things but the feeling I had in the pit of my stomach in that particular moment managed to stay with me until today. In recent years I've grown much fonder of things like music, books, and people who have made accomplishments. I guess in that moment I realized that I was living a life that completely satisfied my more stupid inhibitions, and pretty much ignored the interests of my higher conscious. Its not necessarily a bad thing, but I guess all people at some point have to come to this realization and make a decision. We have to either choose to realize this and satisfy our higher callings, or choose to ignore them. Although there is no incorrect answer, one decision will make more of a difference in the world than the other.
Up to this point I've randomly attended museums or read books and used it as an excuse to think I'm doing good. But when you see someone who is living a life of satisfying a higher calling it really gives you a good idea of where you are. Hopefully someone can read this, and understand that they too will have to make this decision of satisfying the higher calling or ignore it. Whatever you choose, I hope its something you can look back on many years from now and be proud.
In a somewhat dimly lit Italian restaurant thru eyes hiding behind a thick set of spectacles I gained perspective. Intense eyes magnified by the thickness of the spectacles were looking at me and challenging me. They belonged to one of my cousins for whom I have the utmost respect. We were generously sipping, consuming, embracing, and enjoying rather tasty and expensive Italian wine. After about the third bottle the discussions elevated to a new level of passion (As with anything else Italians do, their wines tend to generate a lot of passion as well). We discussed everything from where my cousin would move, to what he wanted to do with his life now that his medical training was coming to an end, and what would make him happy. Married, with three beautiful daughters, and owner to countless numbers of hours spent helping others, I felt my cousin had earned the right to take a moment back at this important fork he had arrived at in his life before embarking down a chosen path.
While most of the discussions were about him, and what he was doing, I managed to find time to self reflect in the middle of all this. "For future generations to come" were the words he uttered which sent my mind into a whirlwind of thoughts, flashes, and ideas. Those were the words he chose to describe how well his family would be taken care of (financially) from his hard work, and the fruits of his labor. Unfortunately, those same exact words made me realize that I probably wasn't in a shape to take care of myself (let alone my future children), and he was worrying about his future generations. In this smorgasbord of thoughts I realized that what I was doing with my time was far less valuable than what my cousin was doing with his time. We were both happy, but what we were contributing to society was vastly different.
Its sad but true, that the way other people live their lives to do what gives them happiness does have an affect on us. Maybe I'm getting older, maybe I'm starting do give a damn about things but the feeling I had in the pit of my stomach in that particular moment managed to stay with me until today. In recent years I've grown much fonder of things like music, books, and people who have made accomplishments. I guess in that moment I realized that I was living a life that completely satisfied my more stupid inhibitions, and pretty much ignored the interests of my higher conscious. Its not necessarily a bad thing, but I guess all people at some point have to come to this realization and make a decision. We have to either choose to realize this and satisfy our higher callings, or choose to ignore them. Although there is no incorrect answer, one decision will make more of a difference in the world than the other.
Up to this point I've randomly attended museums or read books and used it as an excuse to think I'm doing good. But when you see someone who is living a life of satisfying a higher calling it really gives you a good idea of where you are. Hopefully someone can read this, and understand that they too will have to make this decision of satisfying the higher calling or ignore it. Whatever you choose, I hope its something you can look back on many years from now and be proud.
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