Items: People who live in big cities in Canada tend to live longer than those in rural areas. Should we be surprised? I don't know.
Continuing to prove that if you live in the USA, you can sue anyone for anything, comes this headline: Fat Americans sue fast food firms. And who are these persons of size suing? You guess it: McD, Burger King, Wendy's, and KFC. Here's a quote from one of the plaintiffs: "I always thought it was good for you. I never thought there was anything wrong with it." Yes, of course, nothing wrong with a burger smothered in special sauce with cheese, and that extra-super-sized pile of French fries cooked in hot oil. AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!
My question: why can't people of any height, size, shape or whatever, take responsibility for themselves rather than blame others? It's not a question of singling out overweight people - this applies to all of us. If I bitch about not getting enough sleep, who do I blame? Sealy Posturepedic because my mattress isn't working? Second Cup or Starbuck's because I had that extra-large latte? No, it's my fault I was up until midnight again last night, and feel like the dog's breakfast in the morning. So, what will happen if they win the lawsuit and get oodles of coin? Probably throw a pizza party to celebrate.
Speaking of fast food restaurants, it's amazing what you can get at A&W this summer:
2) What was your first post about? Starting the blog, and thanking two website creators for their influence.
3) How many changes (name, location, etc.) of your weblog have there been, if more than one? No changes yet.
4) What CMS (content management system) do you use? Do you like it or do you want to try something else? Blogger, and minor changes using NoteTab Lite.
5) Do you read people who have both a journal and a weblog? Or do you prefer to read people who have all of their writing in one central place? Beats me. Haven't given it a lot of thought, and frankly, am not sure I can tell the difference at this point in time. I read a few weblogs only, listed on my blog homepage.
I finished reading Chapter 7 (Human Rights) in Fukuyama's book, and my brain shut down completely. I read the last few pages with the same clarity you feel when you stare into the eyes of a chicken. I salvaged some dignity by learning two new words from those pages: oppobrium and noumena, which is the plural of noumenon. It means: a posited object or event as it appears in itself independent of perception by the senses. Whaa-ahh-ahh.....*sniff*. OK, I'm going to stare into the eyes of a chicken now by looking in a mirror.
Then of course, you search these terms online and come up with numerous hits, web sites named Opprobrium (also the name of a death metal band) and Noumena (yes, it's a blog, and features this definition: "the intellectual conception of a thing as it is in itself, not as it is known through perception." I am now silently weeping. I wonder if that makes sex, moving to NYC and half-decent salary increases noumena for me, as opposed to my mortgage, which would be reality. (Good grief, there is a metal band from Finland called Noumena. OK, what the hell is going on? Is this coincidence?)
And in the review in Scientific American of this book, there is another new word for Randy: quotidian. Gosh, and there are websites too, including blogs and more blogs.
I have two university degrees, know how to read, and can speak in complete sentences, often using multisyllabic words. Let us see if I can use these three words (or variants thereof) in a sentence: While I am able to satisfy my basic quotidian needs, certain wants continue to be noumena, lest I act in such a way as to lead to conduct that might be considered opprobrius. Whew!
Speaking of words, is there a word that describes this: the frustration you feel when, in the midst of speaking in a conversation, you can't remember the word that describes what it is you need to express, yet you know the word exists, but can't remember it.
George Harrison was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame on June 28 (my birthday!). Eric Idle delivered the honour on George's behalf. It is a must read. Thanks, Chris.
There are many interesting library sites out there. I wasn't aware of this comic strip set in a public library, Overdue. The creators both "work" in libraries. But they don't reveal much else about themselves - well, one of them, anyway. Now that said, one of the creators, Bill Barnes, has a blog. It doesn't appear to be syndicated anywhere, which begs the question: how are they making money producing this gem? Oh, and they tell you what a library is.
Edge is another interesting site for those interested in mind expansion. Not, it's not about U2 or major hallucinogenics. The site sez: "The mandate of Edge Foundation is to promote inquiry into and discussion of intellectual, philosophical, artistic, and literary issues, as well as to work for the intellectual and social achievement of society"
Within its webpages you will find Twelve Flowers by Katinka Mattson. She uses "non-photographic" techniques, employing a flat-bed scanner. Reading about it really hurts my brain. But the "non"-photos are amazing. Have a look.
Also of interest: Howard Rheingold on what he is calling smart mobs: "Smart mobs emerge when communication and computing technologies amplify human talents for cooperation." (HR)
Thanks to Chris for letting me know about PopMatters, another interesting pop culture review journal.
I suppose it was inevitable. I am an unabashed fan of Kevin Smith's movies. In Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Ben Afflect tells our boys about the web site known as moviepoopshoot.com. Well, it exists now, devoted to pop culture such as movies, comics, etc.
The week off continues. Friends from Winnipeg are on their way at the moment, and will be here this evening to visit. I've been e-mailing myself with ideas about which I will write in this space, like gratitude, and ethics. The gratitude issue is raised in Dennis Prager's book, and is having a dramatic impact on me. Prager asserts that the key to happiness is gratitude, and this resonates with me. All too often we take things for granted; hell, how about everything? In any event, I've decided to begin this in a simple fashion, by saying grace before a meal. So far, I have done so one time only, always remembering afterwards to do so. However, this makes sense to me - changing a mindset isn't easy, and requires work. It's a challenge I'm taking, and enjoying it along the way.
I've made a number of notes from my readings, and may post some of them here shortly.
I'm trying new eating habits: more lean meat, chicken and salmon, fresh and/or steamed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, onion, carrots, asparagus), and fresh vegetables (apples, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, bananas, peaches, mandarin oranges). Trying hard to keep away from carbs for now. Been reading about this in NYTimes Magazine, that perhaps a diet that includes more fat with less carbohydrates is the best way to lose weight.
I'm not "overweight", but I'm 200 pounds at the moment. (According to insurance charts, yes, but insurance charts are based on average body size, bone structure, etc.) To see me in person is to doubt that figure - but I've been working out with weights now for quite some time, and increasing muscle strength increases your weight without making you heavier (i.e., carrying more fat on your body). Still, I have a ways to go.
At the blog meeting last week, we talked about Triumph the Insult Dog. Taz mentioned that some of the sketches are available at Albino Blacksheep. The Bon Jovi and Star Wars bits are priceless, and worth watching over and over. In the meantime, I can't determine the purpose of the Albino Blacksheep site.
Wait! Oh no, he's got his OWN SITE now! But many of the video links don't work. :-(
I'm reading the NYTimes just now, and read an article about SpongeBob SquarePants. Never heard of it. Millions of kids watch it every day in the USA. Well, I'm in Canada, don't get Nick or Nickelodeon, and don't have kids.
SpongeBob SquarePants? There's a lot going about which I've no clue.
Took the day off, and slept on and off until 1:00 pm. Had a workout, went to Avenue Guitars to borrow a Godin A6 guitar, only to learn it was sold six weeks ago. :-( Instead, I played an octave mandolin for a while. Need really big fingers for certain chords.
Hmm. A minor reprieve. I solved the debugging problem by doing a Google search on "syntax error code 0", and found a discussion of syntax errors on all pages at Tek-Tips Forum. I understand what was missing, but still don't understand the code.
The archives have appeared on the left, but most don't work. It is impossible to delete the broken ones.
I've taken a few deep breaths, trying not to let the many small problems and quirks about Blogger get to me - too much, anyway. I've given up on archiving until someone can show me why it won't work, and how to make it work. The script error on the page seems to be originating from a page that doesn't seem to exist. Poltergeists?
On Friday, at the Sidetrack watching The Northern Pikes, it was another interesting social setting for me. By far one of the oldest people there, I still find myself watching the many, many gorgeous women who frequent such places. It is a sad realization, knowing you are past the age that might interest 99% of them. Still, with the right attitude, you never know what might happen.
I write the above in reaction to a challenge from a friend to be more soul-bearing in this blog. I don't know if I have the guts to do that yet, if at all. But it's a fair challenge.
I descend further into blog hell. Now I have a syntax error appearing when I load my blog page. I apologize for this. It appeared from nowhere. I don't know what the error is. The Microsoft Script Editor "debugger" opens up and wants to help. I can't invoke its help - it is supposed to go into "break" mode - but it won't. Well, bugger that.
I've had to go to Advanced Internet Options, and disable script debugging and disable the notification about every script error function.
The supposed cookie, that allows you to automatically log you into Blogger from your home computer doesn't work.
At this point in time, I do want to break something. This is indeed so much fun.
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