“I Withhold Judgment” (Greek)

I can see more of the world than ever before because of the Internet. However, just because I can see it does not mean I am also getting its complete context. I am only experiencing it through at most two of my senses.

Information is being sent at amazing speed now. You can take a picture and post it to a website easily. Within moments it can be viewed by many with ease too. It seems like about every other week there is a new story that goes “viral” on the Internet. It is a story but more likely now to be a video. It causes people to be “outraged”. The problem is the “emotional” reaction comes quickly. However, a couple of days later “facts” and more information come out about the video that changes the initial “reaction”. The ultimate problem is once people accept their “storyline” (usual along a political ideology) they will hold onto regardless of the new information. I am not sure if an “enraged” community is necessarily an “engaged” society trying to make any real change.  The Internet really is encouraging too much “Slackitivism”. Plus, there will be a new story coming next week to “stir the pot”. If not sooner. 

I think the Internet needs to develop two apps in order to deal with “viral videos” or “stories”. The first is the “Penicillin App”. The reason for it is that anything labeled “viral” needs some form of the “preventative medicine” that should be injected in. The second the Internet needs to bring back the Fotomat Stands. You might remember that cameras actually needed to have their images printed on film. So you had to remove the film from the camera and take it to these outlets called “Fotomat” for processing. And that took at least a week to happen. So what I am proposing there is a “Fotomat App”. This is not meant to be a form of censorship. Everything will be published however it might take a little longer to be posted. It gives people a moment to take a breath before the “hot air of rage” comes up. Some things will be published right away while others may take a day or two. And to keeping with the tradition of the “Fotomat” business plan. A few will be lost completely. And a couple will be mixed up and posted somewhere else for no reason whatsoever.

I find myself watching a lot of things via the Internet. I can see more of this world than ever before. The world might be “seen”. However, you cannot “know” the world. So you need to “check” the ego.

I like reading people’s memoir from time to time. I just have to remember the basic truth of such book. The tale is being written by “the survivors and the winners”.  After the James Frey incident a few years ago and the latest from about the Apple Factory in China (which turned out to be more “fiction” than “fact”. It all makes people a bit skeptical of this genre. However, you have to keep in mind that most of your “experience and knowledge” comes vicariously through the actions of others. Religion and politics are prime examples of that.

In my own personal reading habits I do not like getting “stuck” in one genre or one author for a long time. I also need to bounce back and forth between fiction and non-fiction. I also like to read people’s memoirs from time to time. It is a change in reading pace to read how their experiences happened upon them. I also have to remember two principals at work with this format. The first, history (even your own) is written by the “survivors and the winners”. Secondly, they tend to have a bit bias towards their “strengths” and the “weakness” of others.

I have to also admit to being a bit curious about how people’s experiences shape them to some degree. And the problem is that most of the people I know will never allow for my “inquiry”. So this genre is a way to examine someone else because they have “crack the door” a bit.

There are two author’s experiences I have read in the last couple of months when I needed to take a fiction break.

Anthony Bourdain’s memoir Kitchen Confidentialis book that has been around for many years. I do not think I could ever look at a “kitchen person” regardless of position in the same way. I enjoy his show No Reservations (available streaming on Netflix) because he uses food as a gateway into another culture. The problem with many “food shows” is that I have no “context” how the food smells and taste. There is also way to fully experience it unless I am there. It is kind of fun watching a show to see what is out there. I would like to experience different foods because the “American Diet on the Run” is beginning to lose its flavor. This show is a way I get to at least see what is out there to be explored if given the opportunity. Besides he makes a good tour guide. (Personally, I need to hand out some applications for a new “partner in crime”.)  His show also highlights other parts of the place where he is visiting in the episode. There is “Road Bowling” in Ireland or the game of “Trugo” in Australia that look completely stupid yet a lot of fun at the same time. However, trying to find someone in this country to take part is asking too much. Especially, anyone in the “parental” occupation. And whatever you do not let the politicians, lawyers and insurance agents know that you may be up to some potential “fun”.

(Additional Listening. Anthony Bourdain had some good chats on the podcasts from Marc Maron and Joe Rogan)

From time to time I like to browse the bookstore looking for titles that I might find interesting. I know you “should not judge a book by its cover”. But you have to admit a “cover” gets your attention. If a “cover” did not do that than all the supermodels would be out of work and cereal boxes would not be so colorful. I have to admit this title did a good job grabbing my attention, God’s Middle Finger by Richard Grant. This is his journal of his travels throughout the Sierra Madres region of Mexico. It also includes a history of the region and culture that exists there. I came to one conclusion. There are places on this planet that are and will always simply “Be Nuts”. I liked his approach and when I stumbled by his latest book Crazy River, I knew I had to pick it up. This time he travels the Malagarasi River in the region of Africa. And once again he found another “crazy place” that defies (for lack of better term) Western Logic.

Both of these stories made me realize something. Hopefully, it is something others may pick up on. I can use the Internet or book to get a glimpse of someone, something or someplace I may not have any direct knowledge of. Their existence exists on their terms not mine. So I need to remember that when laying out some “judgment” of my own. I may be right or I may be wrong. Neither side should be firmly set. The places described in those two books will never exist the way any other country outside the region act. You can be in the safety of a book or in front of computer witnessing these places. However, you are never going to have the “context”. We all got postcards of places at one point. And maybe one day got to those locations. Changed your “context”? Didn’t it? The way your life operates from the confines of the space of your home does not necessarily translate outside of it. And you cannot force it upon others either. And you will not always being willing to accept what others want to put into your house.

We can all see a news video report. Remember at any given point an event is happening in 360 degrees. There is not a camera that will ever give the 360 degree view.

What you do see exists in the same moment as what you do not see.

In the end, you can never know the world as a whole. You can be aware. Then accept the reality between what can influence and what you cannot. And remember the same principal is working on you from the other side.

I know it is almost impossible to “withhold judgment”. You need some degree of “judgment” to survive. If people did not have any there would be more people playing in traffic every day.

Remember how the story of this photo changed from when it was first shown last year.

I think I should add another category to this blog.

It should be called “The Thoughts that Have Been Banging Around in My Head for Far Too Long”. Or “The Thoughts that Make Me Stare at the Ceiling While I am Trying to Go to Sleep.” And there has to be a point to put a stop to it and just get it out.

I come a family setting that is more about what you have “procreated” rather than what you are “trying to create” separate from that. So if I am not doing the first part than the second part does not matter. And when you make to my age without doing the first part you are going to be “odd man” out. All I can say “It is what it is.” All I can do is focus on the second part. And the second part is something that they do not want to acknowledge. The good part is it saves a lot of phone calls. But it makes dinners awkward.

Plus, you cannot force something. Especially on to others.

There are times when you stumble across things on the Internet such as a video posting. As you watch it you realize that the person being featured has more wisdom than you ever realized. However, the sad case is this person’s wisdom was never fully realized while he was alive. And you have more questions for him. This is the case with the late comedian Patrice O’Neal.

It is hard to be attempting to do something the people around you do not understand whatsoever. I could lay out the “plan” or “THE VISION” (As the trumpets blare) with all of its fine details. The problem is the more details you give out the more people seem to figure out how they will not work. Rather, how to make them work. Everyone has an “escape plan” to make to the next level for themselves. And you have a role in them. Whether or not they tell you what that is. Your plan changes their narrative. It is just how life operates. That is why the clip resonated with me.

I know what I am do for all of its “ups and downs” is unusual. I am at an age where you tell people that I am “experimenting” they FREAK OUT. Our society has demonized the idea of “experimentation”. A failed national drug policy and risky financial products are big reason behind the fear. There are also way too many lawyers and insurance agents that claim “You can be made whole again. And it will not cost you thing to do so.”

Does Life’s Fine Print guarantee a return on the investment at all times? If so where is my refund on drinks and movies?

The traditional methods of achievement are not holding completely true so I have to turn to different sources for inspiration. It is more than finding just ways to improve the writing and finding outlets and audiences for it. There is no field of knowledge out there that exists on its own. It has to interact with all the other ones out. Anyone arguing for “purity” is wasting time.

I needed to find other sources for building the mechanisms and supports to help that “elusive plan”. I carry copies with me of the following books to refer when I have a chance. It is not always about improving just the “writing” part. It is also about improving the other parts around it.

(NOTE: I do not buy completely into any of the following sources as being the “absolute” way. I am just working through the parts that may help me. It is a matter of “assembling and reassembling” the process.)

1. GapingVoid.comThis blog I read weekly written by Hugh MacLeod. It is more about using the Internet to make connections. However, I am looking forward to his latest book Freedom is Blogging in Your Underpants.

2. The 4 Hour Workweekby Tim Ferris. He is becoming more prolific about his own personal experiments. His work is about achieving more efficiency in your everyday life.

3. The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau. Another source for ideas on how to accomplish things in an “untraditional” way. (It is how the “New Economy” is working. His latest manifesto The Towerpresents some formable ideas.

4. The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield. There has to one book dealing with the “internal mental struggles”.

5. The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry is a book that deals with how to help clean up the thought process. I think it is a good exercise to breakdown and examine the “process”.

I have also been listening to the podcast This Week with Larry Miller. It is a weekly (thus the title) podcast that lasts about an hour. It features just himself doing what is basically a monologue. He discusses those everyday things most of us can relate to it. He breaks them down and offers another perspective to them. Many times he sums things up as “Maybe it’s not perfect. But for what it is. It is good enough. And that’s all right.”

Things exist within their own time. Recognize it. And accept it.

This is a photo taken on as I watched the Super Bowl game this year at my friends’ house. That is their daughter Olivia there. And I am “Her Favorite Uncle”. Before you applaud this achievement let me tell you the “competition” for the title was “weak field of contenders”. She was watching her film on an IPad just sharing the couch during the game. She is 41/2 operates an IPad and more importantly can read. She is also very amusing. The dog name is “Smudge” and his breed is basically “a stomach with four legs, a tail and fur”. Every time, I go over there that dog bounces up in the window and has the look that says, “Thank God you are here”. And then wants to be petted for about 10 minutes and looks at them with the look that says, “See what he is doing. Why can’t you do this for me?” It is nice to be appreciated. One day, Maggie (The Mom) told me that one afternoon the two of them were going “absolutely bonkers” and just started running around the living room and looking out the window. The reason was someone had parked a truck just like mine in front of the house. And they thought I was coming to the house. It took a few minutes, to convince them at that time I was at work.

I guess I have an effect. It is nice to be joyfully recognized.

There are times when you have a good thing. And I cannot recreate it to have for myself 24/7. And that is all right. There are just situations that are unique. So do not get greedy.

I think people too often can get too caught up within themselves. They do not take any time or effort to take a different perspective on things.

I start many of my mornings reading Jessica Hagy’s blog Indexed. She creates simple graphs that break down how certain things or ideas are related to each other. She also has some good ones too in Thoughts Over Coffee. She also had another article to take a look at titled, How to be More Interesting(in 10 Simple Steps). And Loopholing: Seeing the Options Between the Rules.

Sometimes when things seem to very “complex” it is a relief to be able to see something that breaks it down to its basic “elements”.

I am not sure how I really feel when it comes to “The Power of the Universe”. But I would also be insincere if I did not admit to the “possibility” that it may be at work out there. As I was pondering all my thoughts for this posting I came across this posting from GapingVoid. It related to an upcoming documentary about a renowned sushi chef who even in his older age does not feel he has truly mastered his craft.

Maybe the message of the film is that person needs to remember the “craft” on hand in the moment. Rather than focusing in on the clock or on a date on a calendar as the “ultimate deadline” for its achievement. There are things that need to play a few extra “Mulligans” in life.

The thing we should never retire from. There are things you do that time as “an ending” should not be taken into consideration.

Does any of this make sense?

If this left you with a “Blank stare”.

Sorry. But that’s on you.

Here is what is currently on my reading pile. And all of them were new additions to that never-ending pile.

The first book I finished was Code for Failure: A Gas Station Novel by Ryan W. Bradley. This book was based on a recommendation from Ben at Dead End Follies. I had never heard of this author before. And there was a good reason this was his first novel. It was also time to read something that was “off the radar” for a change. This is a story of young man who through failures ended up by chance working a gas station. I think many of us can relate to sense of dread we get from a job that is needed for the only purpose of paying bills. I think we can all draw from these jobs to make observations on people and circumstances. This book avoids what I have seen in a lot of first time authors which is lots words and over description of things. Each chapter is only a page or two so each one is concise. The plot as a result of this structure seemed to me to be of meandering pace. It was later on I realized that the main character to this book is also meandering through his life. He does not realize he is searching for that “unknown sparkplug” that will be the catalyst to moving forward.

It is a good read for those trying to find “meaning to this job”.

This book also made me think of what I can draw from in regards to my own employment history. And that is enough for a future posting.

Some readers may think a book must contain almost every word in the dictionary. Sometimes “condensed and precise” language makes a work a better read. He may be in another genre but the late author Robert B. Parker used the same technique in his work. I liked his Spenser series. It is a good example of simple structure and good dialogue used together to make interesting and deep characters along with gripping plots.

The second book came to me from the site LitReactor. There was posting list the works of Douglas Coupland. I had read his first book Generation X: Tales of An Accelerated Culture when it was released back in 1991. It was the “buzz” book being publicized by magazines like Spin. It was the book that would “define” the generation. I was young at the time and was looking for a definition to my generation that would be more realistic than that of the mainstream media. I liked the book for the time but it really did not stick with me over time. The part that did was the various “Neo-Logos” used throughout the book. The book did not define my generation but then it was hard to when I have never met anyone who has read the book or even heard of it. This is not to be a “slam” on the author. Just my circle at time has never been broad in the literary field. It is also something I realize now that with all the media outlets that there will never be that overall “voice of the generation” again. However, I am beginning to suspect there never really has been “one” for any generation. Plus defining yourself within a generation “as a whole” is like being asked to be “paint with a broad brush”. That method avoids the specifics of your “own being”.

I was reading the list and thought I should give this author another shot.

This is the book I am currently reading. It is the story of high school shooting as told by four different characters. I know I wanted to get away from the “dark world at an end” scenarios. However, the premise of this book intrigued me. It is a very touchy subject. I like a “risky” story for a premise. Plus there are times when you want to see how a writer gets out the “tricky situation” or how they really “get into it”. Each of the four characters narrates their own chapter. This is another example of using various “Points of View” to tell the story over a period of 15 years.

I finished the first chapter. Here is a bit of preview. The first chapter is written from the view of Cheryl who is a victim of the shooting narrates her own death. She is a church going girl secretly married to her boyfriend. The chapter is about how she is wrestling with “faith” along with “life and death” even from beyond. I know this type of character is handled as just a “stereotype” in many books and films. So far that handling is not in this book. I hate when writers embrace “stereotyping” characters. I see it so many times in movies. It is just a “lazy mentality” to create with.

And finally, the next book I will be reading.

Nick Cave is a“voice” people should get more familiar with. He is one of the best songwriters too many people have “never heard of”. He wrote the screenplay for the movie The Proposition. It may take place in the Australian Frontier. It is one of the best of the “westerns” out there. I had read his book And the Ass Saw the Angel many years ago. (This might be one of those “to be read again” selections for “The Pile”) His writing is like his music. It does not “hold your hand”. It goes for “The Throat”. (Listen to the albums Henry’s Dream, The Murder Ballads, or Live Seeds)

Plus I like people who do not want to be “pigeon holed” in their work in order to create it.

By the way.

Always looking for more book recommendations.

And let me know if you have checked out any of these books.

I have to close this post with a song from Nick Cave. Or two.

I am a bit stuck at the moment for what I might want to read next. I have been reading George RR Martin’s “Song of ice and Fire” series. (AKA “Game of Thrones”) for the last two months. I need to take a break after reading the first four novels straight through. And besides the next book is not out on paperback yet. It is a good series so far and I liked how each chapter was told from the “Point of View” of a different character. It is interesting way to tell a story. I also liked how each time I thought I knew how the story might go that it went another way. I can say if you have not read it. Don’t get too attached to any character. They will surprise you. Tolkien fans would appreciate this series.

I picked up “The Night Eternal” by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo Del Toro to complete their “Strain Trilogy” for next book to read. It is a different take on Vampires in an apocalyptic world. After finishing the “Walking Dead” Season 2. I need a break from “The End of World” scenarios.

It is after that book at which I am lost for an idea of what to read next. And I do have any “readers” around me to make suggestions.

I looked at “To Be Read” pile. And there really is anything at the moment I am too keen on at the moment. “Don Quixote” is one I want to conquer but an 1100 page book is a little much at the moment. I also want to get through Stephen King’s “Dark Tower” series but at the moment I am tired of the thought of any multi-book series.

I am at a lost for something new to read. The only buzz is about “The Hunger Games” series. I am not against it. However, I need to get away from that genre for a bit.

I am looking for a different book to read. I am looking for a stand alone story.

So any suggestions out there?

I think there is a tendency for people to dismiss what you find based on the way you came to the material. It really should not matter. The point is you discovered something for yourself.

The “fantasy” genre of literature is something I had pretty much abandoned after high school. I also never had a good reason to return to anything within the genre except for The Lord of the Rings series. So I had not been paying attention to the genre. I am always looking for new TV series to watch and I heard reviews for HBO’s new series Game of Thrones. (I do not have cable so I have to wait for the DVD’s to hit Netflix. So when it comes to TV series especially the ones on cable I am always about 6 months to a year behind in watching them.) The series is based on the books by George R.R. Martin who is a writer I was not familiar with either. I wanted to read at least the first in the series to see how well (or maybe not) the TV series plays to the book. I was curious on how the adaptation may work. However, the DVD’s will not be available until March.

I bought the book and 800 pages of story made take pause. I have not tackled reading a book of this amount in a while. However, I made it a goal to read at least one chapter a day. Side track a moment. It is also a goal of mine to read new authors this year and tackle more from my “To Be Read” pile.

This book took about 2 ½ weeks to read. And it was so worth the time. This book is filled with very intriguing characters. Each chapter is written from the “point of view” of its various characters. There is continuity between them all. It is a long book but it rewards the reader. Every time, there was something of “cliché” moment for “fantasy” writing the author goes the other way. Then I found myself drawn in even more to the story line where it became a book that was hard to put down.

I am not going to write a full review of the details. I want to give you the opportunity to discover it for yourself. I believe this work is worth the effort. I was so taken by the story than the day after I finished this book I immediately picked up the second volume Clash of Kings. It looks like Mr. Martin’s series is going to be with me for the next two months. After that I will need a new author to tackle from another genre. I am open to suggestions. I do not want to get stuck for too long in any one particular genre.

I was thinking why this series has gained some of the spotlight when it comes to our popular culture. First, HBO knows how to promote a series. They are also more willing to take on shows that big 3 networks would not have the courage to show. But then again the FCC has a thin skin when it comes to the few of the “offended”. A series also brings attention to the book it is based on. In this case, I think it is the tone of this book which is capturing the audience. This is a story about the most “seductive and addictive” drug ever known and that is “power”. This story highlights various factions trying to obtain that “power” and the characters that are caught up in that struggle.

This book I think captures some undertones that are going on in the U.S. culture at this time. The first thing is these are characters that swear oaths and go into actions to defend those oaths. We live in a culture where it seems like those who are in “power” are constantly saying “I did not say that. I was taking out of context.” We have too many so called leaders now that hide behind lawyers, insurance regulations and opinion polls. People want to experience people who are the “antithesis” of that even if it is in a fictional setting. Secondly, I also think that our current Presidential Election process (or better yet “farce”) is bringing people to this series. In the story, it is a kingdom being ripped apart by various factions with the goal somehow reuniting that same kingdom as a whole someday. How this series will come to that ending is yet to be known (at least for myself)? It is not healthy for a society to have at least two years of two parties with various factions fighting it out for the job of the President. Two years running for a four year job is not an efficient way to run a society. At least not forward and up. But it seems like a good way to “go into the ground”. Ideology cannot be fought on a daily basis. There has to be some “pragmatics” at work. This book says as much about our present times as it does for the time in which it set.

looking at you now, I can see exactly where you fall on this spectrum. you are a man constantly trying to fix today what Yesterday Man did to you. you make up your bed, you clean those dirty dishes from the night before, and pledge not to start drinking until six, thinking that’s the way to keep an even keel. but in reality you’re always playing catch-up. I know this because I’ve been there. the thing is – you can’t fix the mistakes of Yesterday. Yesterday Man is dead, he’s gone forever, and blame and atonement aren’t worth a damn. what you CAN do is help yourself today. eat a vegetable. read a book. cut that hair of yours. leave Tomorrow Man something more than a headache and a jam-packed colon. do for Tomorrow Man what you would have wanted Yesterday Man to do for you.

It reminded me of this clip from the Drew Carey Show.

I stopped by the local bookstore to browse the titles. I do this to add to my reading list for the local library. I am trying to only buy books I can see myself referring to in the future. I have also been trying to read more from my To Be Read pile. It is cheaper economical alternative. And it is about time I got around to reading them.

I made this observation though. The store had racks of discount books outside in front of the store. They were those obscure book titles nobody wanted and they are heavily discounted at this point. And the rack is unsecured. This is what I think their reasoning for this may be. “Look if we can get you to pay something for these books. That would be great. But if you grab one and run. We’re not going to chase after you.”

 I have been trying to organize unwanted books and other things to E-Bay. But right now with that is a project on hold due to the fact there are a few things more pressing for me to get done. And the sooner. The better.

A few months ago, Ben over at the blog “Dead End Follies” published a list of books he was going to challenge himself to read. He wanted to read The Executioner’s Song by Norman Mailer but he could not find an affordable copy of the book. I had a copy of that book that has sat in my TBR pile for about 15 years. I started to read it but it was too dense for me to tackle at the time. I think it was too ambitious at the time to read along with all of my other college requirements. I am going to save the story of why I picked up this particular book for another time. So I decided I would pass the book along to him. I guess the book was meant more for him than it was for me. Also I hate it when people buy books just to leave them on a shelf to try impressing people. They want to give some false representation of “intelligence” they really do not possess at all .I try find out a lot about a people by their bookcase along with their CD and DVD shelves.

Besides if you have something that someone else needs then pass it along. Is that item whatever it might be worth holding on to just to collect dust in your place? It is become more about how you apply what you have in your possession both physically and mentally. That is what the comment section, the e-mail link, Twitter feed, Facebook, etc is there for you to reply to and get the conversation started. Tools were meant to be used. Thoughts and ideas are meant to be shared.

I have been thinking about the challenge of the Internet. You are going to come across a wide variety of topics. Most of the postings are there just for passive viewing. But from time to time you are going to come across websites where people are looking for answers to questions or problems. The challenge is taking a moment or two to respond. The future is going to those out their willing to participate with people. Many of these people will most likely never meet directly in person. We have experienced the “troll” on the Internet that person who cowardly hides behind a made up screen name with the sole purpose of being an asshole spewing ignorance. Secret identities only work in super hero comics. And those characters are trying to help humanity. The Internet Superhighway is going to eventually filter these trolls on to the off-ramp. Talk shit is going to accomplish nothing in a conversation. The Internet will someday filter these people out of the conversation because they are irrelevant.

The people who are willing to put their name to what they are putting out are going reap the benefits. Well most of the people. And let me declare this mandate. When it comes to publishing on the Internet pictures or video of your genitals (male or female) in action. PLEASE leave that to the professionals! Or to drunken amateurs who need to learn a life lesson. Doing the “act” in return for a free t-shirt is not an economic formula for success that will carry you through life. Another thing I want to mention. If you have ever posted your own “in action photos” (it does not count if you blacked out your face) then you cannot complain about privacy settings on social media websites.

I listened again to an old podcast from Keith and the Girl that featured a conversation with comedian Doug Stanhope. He said two things that stood out for me in regards to the Internet. “This is what the Internet will do. It is going to force people into places of honesty they don’t want to be in.” And “But the Internet is putting everyone on stage when it comes to social networking.” This episode ends with his story about how the Internet reunited him with a past “flame” aka Bobbie Barnett. She was not happy being the subject of one his most downloaded comedy bits. His response in the podcast episode was a bit tough yet funny. (Note: This segment in discussion starts at around 48:00 minute mark and the original comedy bit ends out the podcast)

In the end, you cannot take any of it with you. Whether that is a physical item or a mental thought. So when you can leave them behind

Besides, I would hate to have to go to this extreme with my site.

It has once again been way too long since I posted to this blog. It is has been a couple of weeks of annoyances and frustrations. And trying to attempt to put anything together for postings under this circumstances would have led to something that I would not like at all. It would have been a disservice to not only myself but anyone who takes the time to read this blog.

It has been a rainy spring here. And many of the home projects had to be put aside due to the weather. I was trying to write one night during a rain storm. It was raining hard and I went to check my basement to make sure the sump pump was working. I have had a couple of basement floods over the years. The basement was fine. However, the roof over the entrance way decided to spring a leak. The next day, I had to have a friend help try to repair where I thought the leak might be. And we had to do it while it was still raining. We thought we had it. A few hours later, when even more rain came the leak returned. I had to tarp the roof in a rainstorm. Let me warn you. Rain, a slippery roof, a plastic tarp along with the forces of gravity came close to making me test my health insurance coverage. The leak it turned out was caused by the roof vent not being broken and not sealed properly. The next joy was the fact it took over a week for me to be able to fix it properly. So every time it rained I was a “leak detection” duty. It was hard to focus on the writing when I was always on guard during the rains.

So let me throw a few more things out there.

Over the last few weeks, I have enjoyed the Adam Carolla podcasts. He can get on a “rant” that last a few minutes but in the end he brings to a great point. Comedian Bill Burr does the same thing with his podcast. Here is an episode when they teamed up.

I also need to rant. The rain has not been fun. It not only put a leak in my house. It is also caused a bunch of static to happen in my phone line. I had to wait to I got to work to call in to have a service call to fix the problem. My line went out on Saturday night. So this was Monday morning. I was told it would not be until at least Thursday before they could come out. And then it would be sometime between 9AM and 5PM. This is modern day customer service. “Customer service” has become an urban legend. It is a myth. I think I could find Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster a lot easier than I can find “service”. I think it would be easier to prove Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster actually exists. I also hate when the service rep tells me someone has to be their not necessarily myself and they could call me on my cell phone. I then I have to tell that person I have neither one of them in my immediate life. Then there is a brief pause. And I can hear the person thinking that I am a “pitiful borderline pathetic” person. But then again this person is in customer service which I know is providing me with the “illusion of service”. I know many who work in or have worked in customer service call centers. The next time, I see any of them I am going to have to asked them, “What the Fuck? Why do I call for customer service? If you are are just going to lie then I might as well call an adult hot-line for the same effect. I know they are lying to me to make me happy! And in the end I am going to have to handle the problem myself. But at least I can Guarantee! The job will be completed. And on time.” And by the way. It does not matter what company it is. I have never had a service tech make it to my house before 2:30PM. 

I did fix the roof. My hands were covered in tar. I would not been surprised at all if the my friend who helped the first came back. He hit me with a broken opened feather pillow. Snapped a quick photo. Posted with the title “The Evidence that Surprised No One.” Trust me. He is that type of person.

My ranting is done for now. I needed to get that out.

I am trying to get back to doing what I need to. But there are a few things I also need to complete. I will spare those details from this post.

I have been reading blog postings that kind of align with my condition.

Stephen Pressfield’s post “The Pain of Being Human”

Chris Guillebeau’s post “The Need for Change”

And last night I stumbled upon this segment from writer Sebastian Junger where he is coming to realization that his own desire and circumstances have changed.

Finally, it is nice to have a long weekend. It would be nice to spend sometime with a book, maybe a movie, the notepad along with some of my ideas. And see what happens from there.

My computer/website issues of the last week or so (although it feels longer than that) took too much out of me. And the writing part suffered a bit because of it. I just need to keep writing in order to keep moving forward. However, at this point I really had nothing for a “big idea”. 

So I came up with a new category to post under for the blog. It is called “Brain Fried”. It will be a semi regular update on what I reading, watching, listening to, etc. They may be things that lead to something for future postings. Or not. Hopefully, writing them out will get me closer to “breaking the code”. It is just another way to keep readers aware that there are things “cooking in the noggin”.

 This week’s sample platter includes:

• ·         The article Zen and the Art of Ninja Productivity

• ·         Writer’s Digest March/April edition had an article entitled “50 Simple Ways to Build Your Platform in 5 Minutes a Day”

 It led me to Grader.com to use as tool to grade the effectiveness of my blog. It gave me 61 out of 100. It recommended I put in better link tools to interface with Facebook and I should add a Twitter account to the page. I am not sure about the Twitter platform. It seems to me I would need more regular Internet access to make that a viable tool. I do not own a cell phone and my employment blocks use of such sites. But I am not ruling it out. I just need a plan on how to use it. I am not about to just use for the reason of “because” and “everyone else is”.

• ·         2 albums in heavy play for me this week.

The Dropkick Murphys new album Going Out in Style. You cannot listen to their music with a passive ear. And if you are going to go “walking out towards the sunset” this is the soundtrack. Go out “Rocking!” There is subtext to this album for me that has been on my mind lately and that is the dilemma of nostalgia. Just because something is or was. Does not mean necessarily that it should be. Nostalgia can be a very thick smokescreen.

The other album is Born Free by Kid Rock. There are some days you just want to listen to a straight forward rock album.

And finally I came across this quote from comedian Ted Alexandro.

“I am 42 years old, single, never married, no kids. I did it! I made it through the maze. Let me tell you something, if you are in your twenties or thirties, just hold on because it is beautiful on the other side of that rainbow. You don’t hear enough about it. You don’t have enough role models. It’s pretty much me and George Clooney, I think.”

I never thought I would be looking George Clooney as a role model for my life.

I live a strange life.