tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99516122024-03-07T18:54:17.627-05:00The Opposite of ProgressPart the first; in which we discover our protagonist, his dilemma's - the fallacies that lie therein - through whom we can raise, by comparison, esteem in ourselves.Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.comBlogger303125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-87969256651583294162010-08-25T17:19:00.003-04:002010-08-25T17:29:02.581-04:00Fan FictionFor a second I was thinking about putting a post together called fan fiction (see above) but it would be Fan Fiction about fans (you know, the type you use in the summer to keep cool? What, you have air conditioning? Well aren't you a fancy bastard.) and what they do in the winter when they aren't being used. But I figured that would be far too cheesy, and I couldn't come up with a good ending for the the story. Also, it's a dumb idea.<br /><br />Instead I give you two short shorts I wrote in college. I recently edited one down from 350-ish words to only 200 words. The other one stands as is. They aren't brilliant or anything, but right now they are my favorite things I've ever written, and the only pieces I've been consistently proud of since their inception. So I give you my short CORRESPONDENCE, and THE WOULD BE ANGEL<br /><br /><i>The fight ended when Pa came out to dance. The sheep were the first to join, with their bleating and lack of any rhythm. Then the cows partnered up. It seemed silly at first, them on two legs with their udders flapping for the world to see as they danced the jitterbug in their pens. The chickens, arguably the best dancers, even better than Pa, started to swing with the roosters on the loft in the barn over the hay.<br /> The goats wouldn’t dance, beneath their dignity I guess. <br /> The ducks danced ballet and their pirouettes were the finest I’d ever seen. <br /> Just as the pigs brought out their breakdancing mats, Ma came out of the house and smacked Pa on the back of his head. <br /> “Don’t you get the animals riled up again, remember what happened to your horses.” She said.<br /> Pa lowered his head and walked back into the house, caressed lovingly by Ma. The animals stopped dancing, only the goats seemed satisfied.<br /> The fight was all drained out of us as we remember what happened to the horses. Last we heard they were performing on Broadway but we aren’t sure cause they don’t send us postcards anymore.</i><br /><br />And:<br /><br /><i>An Angel decided to see what it was like being a man so it grew a penis and went to Earth.<br /><br /> “Hey, look at that funny looking angel.” A little boy said to his sister.<br /><br /> “I’m not an angel, I’m a man, look at my penis.” The Angel retorted.<br /><br /> “No you aren’t.” The sister said. “Men don’t walk around naked.” So quickly the angel put on some pants.<br /><br /> “See, I’m a man.” The Angel said now dressed.<br /><br /> “No you aren’t. Men don’t have wings.” The brother said.<br /><br /> “Oh.” So the Angel took off it’s wings and placed them on the ground. Quickly the brother and sister each took a wing held hands and started to fly.<br /><br /> “Hey! Where are you going with my wings?” The Angel asked.<br /><br /> “Your wings? They can’t be your wings.” The airborne couple replied.<br /><br /> “Why not?” The Angel asked angrily.<br /><br /> “Because men don’t have wings.” The siblings said as they flew up to heaven.<br /><br /> “I guess not.” The man admitted as he watched the two children grow smaller in the distance.</i><div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-46296534496692009622010-07-27T13:32:00.003-04:002010-07-27T13:42:58.918-04:00the internet is a weird weird placeBasically I blame <a href="Http://www.reddit.com">Reddit</a>, and <a href="http://www.digg.com">places</a> <a href="http://www.4chan.org">like</a> <a href="http://www.delicious.com">it</a>.<br /><br />A whole lot of strange<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kharkovforum.com/public_files/hentaitsop.swf.htm">Please don't watch this at work, because I'd hate for you to get fired.</a> No nudity, but pretty darn close.<br /><br /><a href="http://pds20.egloos.com/pds/201007/22/35/epicsax.swf">Completely safe for work, though equally oddly mesmerizing.</a><br /><br />And finally I give you the epitome of awesome:<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3XGMb5PakOQ&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3XGMb5PakOQ&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I should be doing work.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-24491083148604991132010-04-19T22:05:00.003-04:002010-04-19T22:15:38.309-04:00little bits of minor awesomeMet the big boss at Tribeca, the one who isn't Bob. Her assistants were out and I was working out of their office today. She asked my name and when she found it was hebrew we spoke briefly about both our abilities to understand the language better than we speak. She tried saying "I can understand but I can't speak" in Hebrew, but as it is a gender specific language even though she got the words right generally speaking, she conjugated them completely incorrectly. I was too scared to correct her so I let it slide, and smiled at her attempt. But it was a good first impression over all I guess.<br /><br />Also, I'm going to be getting an industry pass to the Tribeca Film Festival this year, which theoretically means I can get into any event or screening. I say in theory because I'm not really supposed to use it, and as such am still a bit unclear as to why I'm even getting one. Though I'm not complaining at all. It's my first real pass for myself. In the past all the industry passes I got were in someone else's name (ie. my various bosses) that'd I'd borrow when they wanted me to watch a film they couldn't make and write up a report for them about said film. It's gonna be neat having one with my name on it with a picture that says industry. Almost like I'm actually doing what I want for a living, though not quite.<br /><br />Starting another gig at a smaller production office in the city near penn station. It's just one day a week, but hopefully it will open doors to a job somewhere else, and I need to remember to talk to people at tribeca to become a reader for them official like, and get paid for it, as was suggested to me by the vp of development there. It's not a lot of money, but every little bit helps. Was going to talk to them today but got busy and didn't get around to it. Either next week or after the festival when everything calms down a bit.<br /><br />I think that's all the little bits of minor awesome I have going on right now. Nothing that special, or even really that awesome, but I have to take what I can get. Beggar's can't be choosers you know.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-37276883728148111132010-02-03T21:46:00.002-05:002010-02-03T21:53:44.637-05:00Don't Shoot the Messengertoday at work:<br /><br />Boss Lady: Ami take this briefcase to 420 lexington, call this number, and give it to Dave, who will be waiting in his car.<br /><br />In my head: that doesn't sound sketchy at all.<br />at 420 Lex I make the call<br /><br />Dave: I'm not there, I'm in a black escalade at the corner of 50th and 3rd. Bring the briefcase to me there.<br /><br />At the corner of 50th and 3rd there is a black escalade with all it's windows tinted completely black and a very obese man (Dave) who looks like he stepped out of an episode of the Sopranos.<br /><br />Me: Are you Dave?<br /><br />Dave: Yep, that's for me?<br /><br />And I hand him the briefcase. A hand reaches from the back and quickly takes the case from Dave. I didn't even know there was anybody in there.<br /><br />Dave (jokingly): Do I need to sign anything?<br /><br />Me: Uh.....<br /><br />In my head: What the hell did I just do? This was legal, right? I can't go to jail. I'm too pretty to be locked up.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-2117794507080293682010-01-26T18:35:00.003-05:002010-01-26T19:03:01.002-05:00My angry thoughts on stupid stuffI'm a reader. It's just something I like doing, be it in comic books, magazines, novels, non-fiction, newspapers, or online, I just like reading.<br /><br />Forever I've been reading online, on gaming sites (because I also like video games) all these people complaining about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_management">DRM</a>, and other ways gaming companies "screw" with the players to prevent piracy. Now I don't play games (I refuse to use the word "game" as a verb) on my computer (if I did I'd really never get any work done, best I don't have any computer games, and spend any time gaming on a consul) but all the complaining needs to stop.<br /><br />You want all these precautionary measures to stop, it's simple, stop stealing the fucking game. Piracy may seem like small potatoes to you, but it's fucking stealing, and there is no way one could morally claim the high ground if you are fucking stealing a product. Now, whether you like it or not, video game companies make their money making and selling video games. I don't care what sort of rational you use, but downloading and playing a game that you didn't pay for, and never intend to pay for, is stealing, and stealing is wrong.<br /><br />I don't care if you think the prices are too high, or the game is flawed, or that it has DRM or other anti-piracy measures, it's still fucking stealing. If you really wanted to make a statement about the game, don't fucking buy it. If you truly are morally against a gaming company treating their customers like potential thieves, then Don't. Buy. The. Game. It's really that simple. By stealing the game all you do is prove them right, and then the escalation starts. <br /><br />The gaming company owes you nothing. Just like any other product out there, they are trying to make money. If I don't like Starbucks, or Mcdonalds, or Dunkin' Donuts, I don't steal their food/coffee/snacks, and then complain how much they suck. The reason I don't do this, it's fucking stupid, and STEALING IS WRONG. If you don't like a product don't buy it. Rebellion is starting a boycott. Rebellion is buying the competitor's games. Stealing is just you being a self-righteous prick who wants something for nothing, and then wants to complain about it.<br /><br />If you pay for a game and the anti-piracy measures actually fucks up the actual game play, you can always ask for your money back. I don't know how customer friendly the gaming companies are to users who actually purchased the game, but if there are customer service issues you just learned a very valuable lesson and shouldn't do business (stealing counts as business) with said gaming company in the future. <br /><br />And the best way to avoid that whole senario is to read up on the games. There are a million billion websites out there devoted to video games. Doing just a teensy bit of research can save you money as to which games to buy, and time. Any other argument that claims stealing is the answer is fucking retarded.*<br /><br />PC Gamers, I'm sick of it, grow the fuck up.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />*OK, so there is the privacy argument, which basically is arguing that the gaming companies force you to trade some of your privacy rights for their security, and this is actually a good argument. Not as an advocacy for stealing or pirating the game, but rather, why some measures should be changed to protect the customer's privacy, and until they do, a boycott is in order.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-78436737409771620922009-12-24T14:12:00.002-05:002009-12-24T14:29:14.020-05:00Oh happy dayGood news everybody.<br /><br />First Charlie is moving back to the grand ol' USA, and only about two hours away from me, which makes the news even greater. She is by far my favorite favorite friend with whom I barely speak. I'm just really bad about keeping up my correspondences. <br /><br />The second cool thing, I'm updating this blog via my new iPod touch. I wanted to move to the city with a friend but can't really afford to right now, so to console myself I purchased this handy gizmo. Yes, I know such purchases will keep me in queens even longer, but shut up about it- why can't you let me have anything cool? Jerks.<br /><br />I don't think I'll ever post using this again because now my thumbs kinda hurt and it took way too long. I don't know how kids text all day long. It would drive me nuts.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-37582693189799748312009-10-29T14:17:00.004-04:002009-10-29T14:23:21.352-04:00Signs of the apocalypseSign one: I got a cell phone about a month and a half ago.<br /><br />Sign two: I joined facebook three days ago.<br /><br />Sign three: I have a personal trainer for four sessions at the gym I just joined (not one of the signs, I can exercise with out the world coming to an end) and we were supposed to meet today for the second session, but he texted me to cancel till tomorrow. Instead of calling him, so help me, because I didn't really want to talk to him, I texted him back moving the session to monday, since I'm busy all day tomorrow and sunday. <br /><br />Three things a year a go I thought I'd never do. Things I kinda regret having done (not the gym thing though, I've been meaning to do that for ever). <br /><br />The four horsemen must not be so far behind.<br /><br />also, unrelated, I still owe robin a mix cd and the bracelet I bought her in Hong Kong. I sent the CD once and apparently to the wrong address because it came back to me. I was going to do it again, but then didn't. So if Robin (who has since quit blogging) still reads this, I know I owe you these things, they'll come eventually.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-27915428061454737692009-10-20T11:44:00.002-04:002009-10-20T11:48:16.822-04:00Interested in a life of crime?I hope not because crime doesn't pay.<br /><br />Unfortunately, neither does being a comic book writer who can't draw.<br /><br />I know that nobody really reads this blog anymore, and I barely even update it, but on the off chance that there is someone who reads and knows other people, or someone just stumbles upon this using the Next Blog button on the top of the page, here is a ad I posted on a few webistes searching for an artist. If you are an artist, or know an artist, feel free to drop me a line, or pass this ad (and website) along.<br /><br /><br />I can't draw to save my life. Literally, if I a gun was put to my head and I was told to draw a straight line I'd have a bullet in the brain before I finished. This would be a shame, for I have a pretty, pretty brain, with pretty, pretty ideas, and a bullet would take that pretty brain, and those pretty ideas, and turn them to mush. <br /><br />I would like to share my brain, and my ideas, especially those comic book related, but as I said I can't draw. That's where you come in. <br /><br />If you are an artist who can save multiple lives with your straight lines (also crooked lines, really all your lines, whatever shape they might be in) but would like a bit more direction then I suggest we should, in comic book lingo, have a Team Up. <br /><br />I have stories in multiple genre's and would also be interested in developing new original ideas. <br /><br />I would like to come up with something presentable to publishers. This is a no-pay gig, unfortunately, at least not until publication. I know that sucks, and it sucks not being able to pay, but this is something temporary issue which will be offset in the long run. Ownership of the property (whatever we produce) would be split down the middle, and all that entails. <br /><br />I'm friendly, personable, and am not a zombie, werewolf, vampire, or other creature of the night. If all this seems amenable to you, please contact me and we can see if a collaboration is possible.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-57568051215010950182009-07-28T11:41:00.002-04:002009-07-28T11:50:09.805-04:00if you could see through my eyesI'm color blind. It's no big deal really. Or rather it shouldn't be, yet whenever someone finds out that I'm color blind they go on a rampage of asking what everything looks like. <br />"what color is this?" <br />"what color is that?" <br />and so forth.<br /><br />For the record it's not really that tactful to ask someone who's color blind about colors her or she can't see. Sure you might find it fascinating, but at best you're mildly annoying the person you're asking (because everyone asks the same damn questions), at worst you're making them feel very out of place and/or humiliating them for their disability. Most likely the former and not the latter, as I've yet to really meet any fellow color blind person who was overly sensitive about said disability. The point being, it's annoying as hell so cut it out.<br /><br />That said, if you really are curious there is a neat website that lets you see the world as if you were color blind. So go <a href="http://www.webexhibits.org/causesofcolor/2.html">here to see the world in a different light</a> and stop bugging me.<br /><br />That is all.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-51825389766003686372009-03-06T14:59:00.005-05:002009-03-06T16:02:00.399-05:00Nothing is nothingSo I was getting a little uncomfortable keeping that video at the top of my blog for so long, thus I'm entering a new entry just to knock it away from being the first thing anyone might see.<br /><br />If you are looking for something interesting to read, feel free to check out a short story I wrote <a href="http://posting.triggerstreet.com/gyrobase/Submission?oid=oid%3A2267881">here</a>. Or don't.<br /><br />And if you are in the mood for something I thought was really clever and had absolutely nothing to do with, <a href="http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7929/timemachine.jpg">check it out</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-27713474516006082782009-02-25T00:31:00.003-05:002009-02-25T09:39:31.716-05:00because this is too funny not to post (NSFW)I can imagine a very lonely man sitting at home, trying to figure out how to combine his two favorite things. If they figure out how to connect one of these to a PS3, Xbox 360, or heaven help us, a Nintendo Wii, the population of this country will decrease by at least half in by the next generation. But is that really a bad thing? <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8JORtc2gAsY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8JORtc2gAsY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-28382370336362509212008-12-30T10:11:00.005-05:002008-12-30T10:33:18.996-05:00IsraelI think that the attack on Gaza right now is horrible. I think the entire situation in the region is fucked beyond belief. Because though I think this is a disproportionate response to Hamas, and the Palestinian people in Gaza, I can't think of a proportionate response, or what that even means in context. As of the end of November <a href="http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Palestinian+terror+since+2000/Missile+fire+from+Gaza+on+Israeli+civilian+targets+Aug+2007.htm">1212 rockets and 1290 mortar bombs</a> were fired into Southern Israel. In an article I read on Sunday in the new york times (which I don't have access to online to reference) 300 rockets were fired into Israel last week alone right after the cease fire ended. <br /><br />What Israel is doing I think is wrong, but there doesn't seem to be a right thing to do. What is the proportional response to almost 3000 rockets/mortar bombs, fired into one's country over the course of a year? Because what they were doing before didn't seem to be working to get it to stop.<br /><br />And how does one negotiate with an organization that calls for one's destruction?<br /><br />None of this is an excuse for Israel, just honest issues that as a Jew, a supporter of Israel, and of Peace, that I struggle with every day.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-28591384597002742232008-12-16T10:34:00.003-05:002008-12-16T10:44:01.211-05:00too muchI was going to post about my best friends wedding and work my way backwards to my trip to hong kong, and I will, but probably next week.<br /><br />I just learned that another good friend's, someone else who was a groomsman at the wedding, mother passed away yesterday. It was expected as she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but it's still very sad. She is survived by her husband, and three grown children.<br /><br />The funeral is on Thursday from what I've heard and I will be attending. I'm hoping this is the last funeral I'll be attending in a while. Though my great aunt was recently rushed to the hospital with pneumonia. Last I heard she was doing better, but right now I'm trying not to take anything for granted.<br /><br />There has been a lot of happiness in my life recently, but it's constantly being tempered with bad news like this. My thoughts and well wishes go out to my friend, and his family.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-23370445913195525172008-12-02T22:34:00.004-05:002008-12-02T22:48:07.071-05:00No titleI was going to start posting about my trip to Hong Kong, which was pretty amazing, but I can't get my camera to connect to my computer, thus I can't post any pictures. Once I manage to figure out the problem, I shall post all about my trip, pictures and all (even if you aren't interested in seeing them).<br /><br />But as of right now I've lost a interest in all this. A friend of mine, a few weeks shy of 22, passed away in his sleep last night. His mom walked in and thought he was still asleep, but when she tried to wake him, she realized he had passed on. We don't know the cause of death, though heart disease does run in his family. He was a really great person, a bit loud, and sometimes annoying, but had a great big heart, and was one of the funniest guys I've known. He had a problem with drugs and alcohol in the past, but had cleaned up his act and putting his life back together. He was sober for at least 6 months prior to today, and we were all very proud of him. He was finishing up a degree at Queens college and wanted to go to law school after he graduated, and some day run for office. He was a big goofy oaf of a man, and he wanted to do good in the world. <br /><br />I just saw him yesterday, we worked together at Starbucks. He seemed fine, healthy, and at the top of his game. For lack of a better way of saying this, but it's just sad. I can't get used to writing all this in the past tense. It's all too depressing.<br /><br />I have a wedding to go to this weekend, I'm the best man. I'm all very hectic emotionally right now, and need time to settle (He would have made fun of me for being all girly with emotions).<br /><br />So I might not post for a while. Not that I post regularly anyway, but right now it just isn't on my mind.<br /><br />Take care.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-62955540944310829762008-11-10T11:58:00.003-05:002008-11-10T12:38:10.936-05:00Around the world and back againSo, I'm far too <del>busy</del> lazy to blog in a regular fashion, which is why it comes out in dribs and drabs.<br /><br />Obama won as we all know. I voted for him and it was the first time I voted for a winning Presidential candidate. My previous two Presidential voting experiences my candidate lost. I thought maybe my vote was the kiss of death and I contemplated voting for McCain giving him the kiss of death I gave to Gore and Kerry so he would lose. Luckily I didn't have to, as my vote clearly isn't a death knell. Obama won and we are all happy about it. Since everyone and their grandma has already commented on the historic importance of this election I don't think I need to write on it. Suffice to say it's about time we've had our first Hawaiin president. Did you know aside from being the first president from Hawaii, Obama is also the first president who is an undergraduate alum of Columbia University? Two historic firsts in one man, how amazing is that?<br /><br />Moving on, to even further in the past.<br /><br />Nashville was fun, and drunk. Very very drunk. I can't remember the last time I drank so much in one weekend (possibly because I was very drunk at the time). One the down side we only went to one authentic honkey tonk country western bar and I would have preferred more, if only to get a more authentic experience that I can't get up in New York. Perhaps being from Atlanta the majority of the folks wanted bars that weren't country or southern-y. It was the only bar we went to with live music and it kicked ass in my humble opinion. I have never loved country music more in my life and probably never will - as I don't care for it that much to begin with - but that evening listening to it live I was enthralled and getting my country on (as the kids say).<br /><br />I was hoping we would do something interesting in Nashville during the day on saturday, but the day was spent indoors in our hotel drinking bloody mary's watching college football. But c'est la vie. I had fun, but it wasn't my bachelor party and Jason had a blast and that's all that matters. <br /><br />One highlight, extremely drunk on Friday night, some friends were hungry, and nothing was open save a taco bell drive through. We waited on line sans and automobile, but wouldn't get served since apparently it's unsafe for them to serve people outside of a car. I don't exactly understand how this can be, but no car, no food. Thus my friends hopped in the back of a taxi, already occupied and waiting on line for food, to order. They freaked the girl out in the front seat, but the taxi drive was cool and said it happens all the time. All the time? Really? My buddies paid for all the food, but the girl was freaked out still, and complained that they got the wrong things. <br /><br />On a side note, apparently all strip clubs in Nashville are byob. It was my first strip club experience and I can tell you I wasn't that impressed. It was a very nice strip club, and though I like breasts as much (or even more) than next guy, to me there is something very unsexy about a woman dancing naked for strangers for money. It just doesn't get me going. I didn't get a lap dance as I know that I'd want to apologize to the stripper the entire time. I don't know what I'd be apologizing for, something along the lines of "I'm sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances." Or "I'm sorry you are forced to do this to make a living." Or something equally stupid and condescending, as they probably like their job more than I like mine, and make more money than me to boot. I skipped out early with two other guys who didn't care for the club that much either. I don't feel like I missed out on anything as from what I gathered one stripper kept talking about her dog who just had elbow surgery, and kept asking my friend the vetrenarian what she should do (and consequently every one she gave a lap dance to afterwards). Another guy there I heard wound up giving a lecture while getting a lap dance on the importance of keeping good credit, and how to build good credit after having a bad credit rating. <br /><br />Over all, a very good time, but not what I'd want to do on my bachelor party (if I'm ever to have one). <br /><br />To the future.<br /><br />Next Monday around noon I shall be on a plane making my way to Hong Kong. I have an HSBC bank account so I'll actually be able to use my bank card in Hong Kong and not get fined for it (even though it's a British Bank HSBC stands for Hong Kong, Shanghai Banking Corporation). So that's pretty cool. On top of that I'm going to get a prepaid credit card from AAA for travel, so if it get's lost or I get robbed I won't have to worry about anyone getting to my personal finances (I'm not going to be taking my bank card with me everywhere, I'll be leaving it securely with my passport the majority of the time). I still have to buy a camera, a long ass book to read - my flight leaves around noon on Monday and doesn't get to Hong Kong due to crossing the international date line, and a three hour layover in Seoul, until Tuesday at ten-fifty pm.<br /><br />My pal who lives there said she already planned a lot of fun stuff for us to do, while I got some good advice from another friend of mine who grew up in Hong Kong (albeit the British part - as she is third generation white Hong Kong) of stuff to do and see. I'm going to buy a guide book and look up stuff on my own because I'll have a good deal of time on my own and I want to see as much as I can. It's going to wicked expensive since most of Hong Kong from what I understand is mostly shopping. Maybe I'll get a suit some pants or shirts tailor made for me. Probably not, but who knows.<br /><br />I think that's it for now. I just got the new Firewater and Fleet Foxes albums. The Firewater album is awesome, and though I wasn't the biggest fan the the Fleet Foxes album it has been growing on me.<br /><br />The end, probably until I come back from the far east. Have a delicious Thanksgiving for those of you who might celebrate the turkeyiest of holidays. And for those of you who don't well, you should. It's a delicious holiday, even if it's as fictitious as Christmas.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-23036359211695579532008-10-16T10:19:00.003-04:002008-10-16T10:48:44.733-04:00the inconvinence of truthI've been absent, here's what you missed:<br /><br />It's official. I'm going to vacation in Hong Kong in November. I've been on the fence for a bit, but expense be damned. I haven't really traveled and taken more than two days of vacation in over a gazillion years (literally). It's only going to be for a week, but if all goes well it will be a very good week. I shall be staying with a friend who is currently semestering over there, which will cut down on my expenses tremendously. I am quite pleased.<br /><br />I've never seen a traditional Korean wedding ceremony and I guess I never will. My buddy Koo got married two weeks ago and because mapquest should really be called "the most ass backwards way of getting from point a to point b dot com" we (Natasia and I) got there late and missed the wedding. We arrived just in time for the reception. The food was pretty good (from what I had of it - lots of meat, lots of Korean stuff I was too scared to eat because I didn't know what was in it and I'm a coward) and we were sat with the only other white couple there. On the down side the best man gave the worst toast I have ever heard in my entire life. Things one should never say during a best man toast: "Ladies, I'm single and looking for a sugar mama." followed by "Also I am completely broke so anyone qualifies." A best man toast is not the time to practice your <a href="http://www.aa.org/">AA</a> material. Don't talk about the hard life you've been having. How you had no one to talk too, how you felt estranged from your best friend, but thanks to Jesus everything is OK now. And most of all, it's a toast. It should be no more than five minutes not nearly a half an hour. I wish I had a time machine so I could talk to this best man and set him straight.<br /><br />Lots of other travel is coming up, I am going to Nashville Tennessee this weekend for a bachelor party. I will write more on that after the fact.<br /><br />Last little thought of the day. Who are the idiots out there who are still undecided? The two candidates have been running for over a year now. If you don't know which one you like better that means you haven't read a newspaper, watched a single bit of television, listened to the radio, checked your e-mail, or surfed any part of the internet for over a year. Or, you are incredibly stupid (and probably ugly to boot). Either way, if either one of those two things are true you don't deserve the right to vote. I don't care which candidate you've decided on (well I do care, but that is an all together different rant), but if you claim you don't know the candidates well enough yet, you haven't been fucking paying attention and I hate you. And for all of you undecided who can't make up your mind because even though you think Obama would be better you aren't sure if you can vote for a black man, You are what's wrong with this country and I hate you even more. If you really loved America like you say you do you'd kill yourself for the betterment of the rest of us.<br /><br />That is all for now.<br /><br />TTFN<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-86020105264196691932008-09-25T17:33:00.001-04:002008-09-25T17:34:46.657-04:00I love sarah silvermanThis is hilarious, especially if you are jewish. Watch it!<br /><br /><object width="400" height="225"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1808434&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /> <embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1808434&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/1808434?pg=embed&sec=1808434">The Great Schlep</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/thegreatschlep?pg=embed&sec=1808434">The Great Schlep</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com?pg=embed&sec=1808434">Vimeo</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-73769216612589150632008-09-22T12:49:00.002-04:002008-09-22T12:54:00.771-04:00The End is NighRecently all of my dreams seem to have something to do with an apocalypse of some sort. Either a world wide end, or a more personal apocalypse which only affects my family and friends.<br /><br />Not a pleasant way to spend what should be more restful sleep. I don't usually remember my dreams, but the ones as of late have been quite vivid.<br /><br />I don't know. It's just putting me off and keeping me on edge during my waking hours. Everything just feels different.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-39238560612863711922008-09-12T14:28:00.001-04:002008-09-12T14:29:41.841-04:00Another vidSo really I have nothing much to say today, but I found this video and it made me laugh so I figured I'd share. Hooray internets.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hZWYwYqbfuM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hZWYwYqbfuM&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-14317785521383669262008-09-10T21:42:00.004-04:002008-09-12T14:29:55.985-04:00Two thingsThe first is that the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/2650665/Legal-bid-to-stop-CERN-atom-smasher-from-destroying-the-world.html">world did not end</a> <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=Government&articleId=9114435&taxonomyId=13&pageNumber=1">today</a>. So hooray world! That's one for science and nothing for irrational fears of science and human development. That brings the total score to... well science is still far behind as <a href="http://www.alaska.net/~clund/e_djublonskopf/Flatearthsociety.htm">there are still people</a> <a href="http://www.theflatearthsociety.org/">who believe</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Earth_Society">that the world is</a> <a href="http://wfc3.gsfc.nasa.gov/art/overview/intro/earth_hub_.jpg">flat</a>. But Science is definitely catching up. So hooray for science as well.<br /><br /><br />The second things is why is it that a celebrity seems to be able to speak more succinctly as to the problem with Sarah Palin as the vice-presidential nominee than anyone else I've heard so far? <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C6urw_PWHYk&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C6urw_PWHYk&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-33998196211606399212008-09-08T12:31:00.006-04:002008-10-16T10:52:41.197-04:00In an infinit universe I cannot confirm or deny anythingThe weekend happened. That can be said for certain. Anything beyond that is anyone's guess.<br /><br />Things that may or may not have occurred this weekend:<br /><br />- The universe, inexplicably (as most things in the universe are) imploded and life as we knew it ended, only to explode, expanded and pick things off exactly where it left off, leaving none of us residents of this new universe any the wiser.<br /><br />- I went to a small music festival to raise money for Food Not Bombs called Feminfest in a clearly condemned <a href="http://www.abcnorio.org/">buiding</a>.<br /><br />- A small boy off the coast of Maine realized that he wants to be an train engineer when he grows up. The fact that all trains that survive in the future will be run by robots will be no deterrent to this little boy, as he also realized he wants to be a robot when he grows up.<br /><br />- I had three cheese tortellini for dinner at my brother's apartment on Friday night and discussed how we would make the next Superman movie if we were able to start from scratch. I'd keep Lex Luthor as the main villain, while he would prefer someone not seen in the movies yet, like Brianiac.<br /><br />- Bands that played in the music festival in the lower east side <a href="http://www.plastiqpassiontheband.com/">Plastiq Passion</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sheknowsbestband">She Knows Best</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sheeatsplanets">She Eats Planets</a>, <a href="http://www.shiragirl.com/">Shiragirl</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/indeepestsleep">In Deepest Sleep</a>, and <a href="http://www.malblum.com/">Mal Blum</a>. <br /><br />- The bands in question were mostly punk, and mostly lesbian (throughout the course of my adult life I have had a strange affinity with lesbians, remind me to tell you about it sometime).<br /><br />- The current President of the United States realized the sort of mess he created, felt really bad about it for a minute, then realized that it was too late to fix his mess, and decided the person who gets the job next can sort it all out. Basically how the previous president felt, and the one previous to that, going all the way back to President Washington - who really did try his best to do the right things.<br /><br />- I secretly fell in love with the drummer of Plastiq Passion, who was pretty cute (a plus), a drummer (for some reason I'm a sucker for girl drummers), and wore a Superman T-shirt that said SAVE ME on the back (very sexy to a complete dork like me). It is of course not meant to be as I will never see her again, and am pretty sure she's dating the lead singer, who I wasn't positive was a girl, until it was pointed out to me by my only friend at the show (who is one of the trio from She Knows Best - the whole reason I went to the festival in the first place).<br /><br />- 70 Million Light years away, on a small red-green-ish planet orbiting around a type O blue star, a singular inhabitant figured out how to keep everyone in the entire universe happy, and create a peaceful co-existence for everyone - even people it didn't know. This sudden epiphany drew its attention away from everything else, and didn't see the flight of stairs, which it consequently fell down. The fall snapped its fragile body in two. Since it was not the type of creature that could live in two separate pieces it died, taking the secret of eternal happiness with it to the grave.<br /><br />- Of the bands I saw, I would recommend (in the order that they played at the show) Plastiq Passion, She Knows Best, and Mal Blum. <br /><br />More things may or may not have occurred, but if I were to list all every possible occurrence of this past weekend this post will never end. <br /><br />Happy week to you all.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-35173435227940972782008-09-04T23:51:00.003-04:002008-09-05T00:04:14.245-04:00Basically what I think about politiciansThese are not my thoughts but I agree with them whole heartedly. <br /><br />From Chapter 28 in Douglas Adams' <u>The Restaurant at the End of the Universe</u><br /><br /><blockquote>The major problem - one of the major problems, for there are several - one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them.<br /><br />To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made president should on no account be allowed to do the job. To summarize the summary of the summary: people are a problem.</blockquote><br /><br /><br />I can't say it better myself, which is why I don't care how exciting a speaker is, or how much any candidate offers change (see both democrat and republican conventions for details) if you want to be president, I just don't trust you. People are definitely a problem.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-81845852546787442402008-09-02T01:58:00.002-04:002008-09-02T02:14:34.315-04:00idea for a storyMain character starts off as an evil bastard. Comes from a very shakespearian background. Step father killed his actually father to take over the family business (something verging on mob related with out actually going into mafia styled cliche). Main character was abused by his real father, but left with enough dough never to have to work, ever. Thinks he's bad-ass, really just a bit psychotic. Decides to kill his step-father and mother for having his father killed (even though he hated his father, this guy is the kind of fucked up that it doesn't matter).<br /><br />His plan fails miserably, and he gets shot in the head by his step-father after being tortured for a bit.<br /><br />He wakes up alive a few days later where ever his body was dumped (swamp, shallow grave, river, whatever). He is completely unharmed, as if he was never shot in the first place.<br /><br />He tries to go back to his life, but has a new sense of calm that he never had before. he starts taking the time to figure out who he is, what sort of guy he was and who he wants to be. A real soul searching. He is not the same guy he was before he was killed. He meets a girl of course. A girl who he knew back before he died. She was the only one in the local coffeeshop/diner/wherever that he went to regularly that dealt with him. All the other employees hated helping him. She hated it too, but would bear it because she's just a very nice person. He's changed and he apologizes and they start talking. Through the story, though it isn't a love story, she helps him find himself. They don't fall in love. More of a mutual understanding. He helps her with some sort of problem she's having. I don't know. Crazy ex-boyfriend, back payment on student loans, something pretty common to all people, the shit we all have to deal with, only for her multiplied a bit.<br /><br />His parents wanted to cash in on his small fortune, thinking that he's dead. they discover he's still alive somehow. He starts interacting with them a bit, as if nothing ever happened. Freaking them out. He's torn. Does he want to try and move on with his life or does he want his revenge?<br /><br />His step-dad attacks, and this takes him back to all the old shit he had to deal with. he can't get in contact with the girl, and decides that he's going back for the step-dad.<br /><br />epic fight, this time though he wins. His step-dad is at his mercy. He has one final option, kill him, or walk away. He kills him. Shooting his step-father through the head just like he was shot.<br /><br />He walks away, feeling satisfied, when he feels a trickle of blood down his forhead. he reaches up and discovers that the wound that killed him in the beginning returns just as magically and mysteriously as it left. he falls down dead.<br /><br />He leaves his money to the girl and this helps her solve whatever big problem she had. <br /><br />Themes to touch on: the purpose of self-discovery, can someone ever really change, and revenge as not only useless, but detrimental.<br /><br />Nothing that original, which is why I'm posting it here in this form instead of really trying to write it out. Maybe as a short story. I don't know. Needs a lot of work.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-82330259360481702422008-08-27T13:32:00.005-04:002008-08-27T16:03:24.642-04:00Movies for boys and girls togetherEarlier today I was asked to shred a ton of paper's for <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000134/">Bob's</a> office at Tribeca, and it seemed to be pretty pointless. Basically anything that had his name on it had to be shredded, even if it didn't have his address or phone number. I would have rather recycled it, but I understand the need for privacy in his personal life, and I respect that. One thing though that I thought was a bit superfluous was a copy of the newest draft for Little Fockers (the third in the meet the parents series). I can't imagine that anyone would be dumpster (or recycle) diving for a copy of this script, and as there are so many interns and other low rung people here who have access to the script (myself included, I've already read the script - at least this draft - and I know I'm not the only one), if this was going to get out, it probably would have already (assuming only someone low on the totem pole would leak the script). I think it's just a bit overly cautious of them, but that's just coming from someone who is a big fan of recycling (one can only recycle shredded paper if it's brought to a special drop off point, it doesn't get curbside pick up, and I don't think - though can be wrong - that we do that here). Not really a big deal as it's only about 100 pages, but still, it's the general principle that irks me.<br /><br />After doing all the shredding I came back to my desk with naught else to do. All the office save one exec is off for an extended labor day weekend (lucky them). Said exec who is here, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1155511/">Hardy Justice</a>, is one of the nicest guys I've ever met or worked for (and has the most kickass real name out of anyone I've ever know, topping one of my brother's friend's named - and I kid you not, his full legal name - Lightning Jay) and he's out at a lunch meeting currently. Thus, after scrolling through the job boards, I tooled around on the interweb and came across <a href="http://blog.muchmusic.com/archives/2008/08/action_flicks_f.php">this post of movies guys and girls can enjoy together</a>. I was a bit inspired and decided to create my own list of ten movies you can rent, lean back, and enjoy with your boyfreind/girlfreind/wife/husband/or whomever without having to worry if it's a guy flick or a chick flick.<br /><br />In no particular order:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486655/">STARDUST</a><br /><u>Synopsis</u>: Nerdy guy from a small town in Victorian England promises a manipulative but beautiful girl he'll bring her a falling star as an engagement gift, and sneaks off to a magical kingdom to retrieve said star only to find the star is a beautiful girl, and must rescue her from an evil witch who wants to eat her heart to stay immortal. Of course said Nerdy guy turns into a heroic and handsome hero, while he falls in love with the star, and she with him. <br /><br /><u>What appeals to the dudes</u>: Robert De Niro, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfiffer, explosions+magic+adventure=Awesome.<br /><u>What appeals to the ladies</u>: Beefcake lead, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfiffer, Happy lovey dovey ending.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325980/">PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN</a><br /><u>Synopsis</u>: If you haven't seen this movie already you have been living under a rock. Orlando Bloom must team up with scaliwag pirate Johnny Depp to save his secret love Keira Knightly from evil Zombie Pirates lead by Geoffrey Rush.<br /><br /><u>What appeals to the dudes</u>: Johnny Depp, Sword fights, zombies, explosions (and Keira Knightly if you're into that sort of girl)<br /><u>What appeals to the ladies</u>: Johnno Depp, Orlando Bloom, (somewhat) Forbidden Romance+Victorian setting=instant chick appeal.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/">FIGHT CLUB</a><br /><u>Synopsis</u>: An underground flight club turns into a social revolution.<br /><br /><u>What appeals to the dudes</u>: Intense Violence, scarily relateable psuedophilosophy that makes you feel smart, big explosions at the end.<br /><u>What appeals to the ladies</u>: Brad Pitt and Edward Norton extremely ripped and often shirtless, Strange yet endearing love story.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080339/">AIRPLANE</a><br /><u>Synopsis</u>: An average plane flight goes out of control when the passengers and crew all come down with a case of food poisoning. Only one man can save them, a former pilot suffering PTSD after flying rescue missions in Vietnam. Hilarity ensues.<br /><br /><u>What appeals to the dudes and the ladies</U>: Outright hilariousness spoof. The synopsis sounds bleak but there is nothing not funny about this movie. Leslie Neilson in his first real comedy, and the Zucker Brothers at their best.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118929/">DARK CITY</a><br /><u>Synopsis</u>: In a city where it's always night an amnesiac must decipher his own identity while eluding the police who want to arrest him for murder. His quest deepens when he discovers the city has a secret far scarier than his own and his search for his life turns into a battle for the minds of every citizen.<br /><br /><u>What appeals the the dudes</U>: Jennifer Connelly, aliens+super powers+noir detective+special effects=awesomeness.<br /><u>What appeals the the ladies</u>: Jennifer Connelly, Rufus Sewall (if you're into that sort of guy), touching romance+comment on love knowing no bounds=us putty in your hands.<br /><br /><A href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373074/">KUNG FU HUSTLE</A><br /><u>Synopsis</u>: A comedy set in 1940's Hong Kong two small time hoodlums try to break into the notorious Axe Gang, but wind up saving the small slum in which they live from the gang and the most deadly martial artist in the world.<br /><br /><u>What appeals to the kid in all of us</u>: Equally awesome and hilarious Kung Fu fight choreography+over the top cartoon like special effect sequences+endearing story about growth, friendship and community (and throw in a bit of love)=Stephen Chow is cooler than Jackie Chan.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/">JURASSIC PARK</a><br /><u>Synopsis</U>: An archeologist, a paleontologist, a mathematician, and two prepubescent kids, are trapped on an island filled with ferocious Dinosaurs. <br /><br /><u>What appeals to the dudes</u>: Dinosaurs on the attack (need I say more?)<br /><u>What appeals the the ladies</u>: One of the few actually intelligent female characters in a leading role ever in an action movie (Laura Dern as the Paleontologist), and a grouchy old man who hates kids learns to love kids (in a healthy way).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0236348/">JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS</a><br /><u>Synopsis</u>: An updated live action version of the classic Archie comic back up characters, who also had their own animated TV show in the 70's.<br /><br /><u>What appeals to the dudes</u>: Rachel Leigh Cook, and Rosario Dawson (and I guess Tara Reid if you like trashy), mockery of everything that turned MTV from a cool station where you could stay up late watching headbangers ball (if you don't get the reference you make me feel very old) to a 12 year old girls wet dream.<br /><u>What appeals to the ladies</u>: Empowering gals standing up, taking control, and getting it all on their own terms. Power girl rocker soundtrack.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090605/">ALIENS</a> (or if you are the mood for something a bit more esoteric <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/">ALIEN</a>, the third one <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103644/">Alien³</a> is totally just a guy movie and the fourth isn't worth seeing by anyone)<br /><u>Synopsis</u>: Ripley (as played by Sigourney Weaver) is stuck in outerspace fending off really creepy looking parasitic, and evil aliens (or alien if your just watching the first one), with weird double mouths and acid for blood.<br /><br /><u>What appeals the the dudes</u>: Balls the wall sci-fi action, humans vs. the scariest looking aliens ever captured on film. (for Alien, suspense so thick not only will she be clinging to your arm, but you'll be clinging to hers).<br /><u>What appeals the the ladies</u>: Strong female lead kicking ass and taking names, Ripley is the original three dimensional badass female lead who paved the way for the few who followed in what generally is a male dominated field.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0316356/">OPEN RANGE</a><br /><u>Synopsis</u>: Two Free Range Cattle drivers run into trouble with a greedy land Baron in the old west.<br /><br /><u>What appeals to the dudes</u>: Gun slinging, tough taking cowboys, doing what cowboys do best, drinking, killing, and saving small towns from despotic rich folk and the corrupt local law.<br /><u>What appeals to the ladies</u>: The fleshed out sensitive side of Kevin Costner as a cowboy and gunhand and the soft, subtle and quietly moving love story between him and Annette Benning.<br /><br />Five Honorable Mentions (a bit more niche rentals that, though appeal to both men and women, aren't big hollywood movies, thus have a smaller demographic in general):<br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0128445/">Rushmore</a><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423731/">Samurai Champloo</a> (not a movie but an anime TV series - one complete story told in 26 episodes, get over that it's anime and it holds up very well)<br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0179116/">But I'm A Cheerleader</a><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319758/">Live From Baghdad</a><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099487/">Edward Scissorhands</a><br /><br />If anyone has any ideas of their own they'd like to add or refute, (assuming anyone has cared to read all this) I'd love to hear them.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9951612.post-58803661868668076222008-08-20T15:48:00.004-04:002008-08-20T17:52:53.043-04:00Dear Sucky Starbucks Customers,<i>A note of warning, if you are not a sucky Starbucks customer then this letter probably won't apply and you need not read its message to stop sucking. That being said, you very well maybe a sucky customer of a different establishment and might want to take that into consideration before patting yourself on the back. If you are a delightful customer then this clearly doesn't apply to you, and kudos for being delightful, you are an unfortunate rare breed of consumer who should be encouraged. If only all customers were like you the world would be an easier place to live. If you aren't sure where you fall, the chances are you're probably only a little bit sucky, which can be easily rectified. With that warning in mind I shall begin.</i><br /><br />Dear Sucky Starbucks Customers,<br /><br />I'm sure you aren't bad people. You don't rape small animals, you don't torture children, you probably even pay your taxes on time, and those are all things you should be proud of. When it comes to your Coffee shop etiquette, however, you need a lot of work.<br /><br />The first rule of all shopping: don't order if you don't have any enough money. I know, you are going to make a crack about Starbucks being over priced (and I'll get to that in a moment) but seriously, how hard is it to actually bring your wallet in with you? Not only are you wasting the time of the people behind you, you're wasting your time, and most importantly, my time. I can't give you the drink if you can't pay for it. Do you go to a clothing store with out enough funds and expect them to discount that shirt you really want because you're a dollar short? They'll tell you to put it back on the shelf, or hold it aside until you come back with enough money. Same works for coffee. No money, no coffee.<br /><br />"I just forgot my wallet in the car. I'll run out and get it." Fine, great, may I recommend checking for your wallet before you walk into the store? You are penalizing the people behind you in, making them wait longer for their drinks, while you run to your car. Here's how it works. You stand in line, you order a drink, I call out the drink to the barista, the barista makes the drink while you pay. If you can't pay, the drink is still made because we assume you have the fucking money. Thus the people behind you, who could have ordered now must wait longer for their drinks because the drink you ordered but can't pay for is wasting their time. So what's a minute or so? Well, people I've found are generally cranky, people in dire need of affine are even crankier, and you're delaying their caffeine fix. I'm sure you can do the math on this one. Also, we aren't going to remake your drink because you're an idiot who can't keep track of your wallet. Your drink will be sitting out for you until you come and pay for it, meaning it will be cold (or warm if it is supposed to be cold) when you finally get it. And is that really what you want? No it is not.<br /><br />Yes, Starbucks lingo is pretty stupid sounding. I know it's difficult to remember the name of the decaf, double tall, no foam, extra vanilla, breve caramel macchiatto that you love. But guess what, you don't have to remember all that. All you have to do is tell the person working the register what you want in your drink. If you want three shots extra of espresso, just say, "with three extra shots of espresso" and we'll do it for you. If you want half and half just say so. You don't have to speak in Starbucks-ese. Those of us who work behind the counter call it out in a certain Starbucks way because it actually makes the job easier. I say "double tall, breve, no foam latte" to the person making the drink because it's easier and quicker than saying, a tall latte with two shots of espresso and half and half with no foam. Just like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diner_lingo">diners have their own lingo</a>, so do we. A Tall is a small, Grande is a medium, and Venti is a large. If you can't remember that (and no one is asking you to) just say small, medium, or large. We understand English. Most of us working don't really care what you say. For the love of god, people, jokes made about the names of the sizes or how we call out drinks stopped being funny in the early ninties. You aren't being clever, just annoying and derivative. Get over yourself. If you want to engage me in conversation that's cool. Management would like nothing less than a personal connection with each customer. But I can only hear the same comment so many times before I want to kill you. Talk about something more interesting, like the weather, or the Olympics, or even the Yankees (though I would prefer the Red Sox). You aren't funny, just fifteen years behind the times. Move on.<br /><br />I'm only going to say this once, I have no control over the prices of any of the food or beverages we sell. Complaining to me will not get the prices to change. Telling me "well, this is why Starbucks is doing so poorly right now." Or "Coffee shouldn't be this expensive." Won't make me sympathetic to you. In fact every time I hear that (which is far too often) I have to resist the urge of spitting in your drink.<br /><br />What you are paying for when you shop at Starbucks: A livelyhood for coffee farmers. It shouldn't be a shock to learn that just like every other independent farmer coffee growers are regularly screwed by everyone else. <a href="http://ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives/020703/020703a.htm">In fact the price of coffee beans is so undervalued that farmers barely survive on their coffee, if they can survive at all.</a><br /><br />Starbucks is far from perfect in regards to the treatment of their growers, however, compared to almost every other multinational coffee company, <a href="http://www.starbucks.ca/en-ca/_Social+Responsibility/Commitment+to+Origins.htm">They are practically saints</a>. Because it's comparative that isn't really saying much, and more should be done, but that would make the price of coffee get even higher, and I know you'd hate that, no matter how many people it will help.<br /><br />Another thing you're paying for when you shop at Starbucks: My health insurance. Unlike many other fast food companies (and that's really what Starbucks is turning into) they actually treat their employees well. As long as I continue to work at least 20 hours a week I get health insurance, vision, and dental. I also get stock options, and paid vacation hours. I am treated very well by my employers. In fact I think Starbucks should be the template for all other fast food places when it comes to treatment of employees. I lived for two whole years without insurance and believe me, it is not fun at all. If you think that complaining about the price (ie, the fact that Starbucks cares for its employees well being) is somehow going to endear me to you, well you're a fucking moron. If you are such a miserable bastard that thinks just because I work in food service means I should be treated like shit then fuck you. How about I go to your office and complain that you get paid too much to your face and that you don't deserve health benefits because it's mildly inconvenient to me? I'm sure that would make us the best of friends. <br /><br />If you really think that Starbucks is over priced, I have a simple solution, don't go there. There are other places for coffee. Dunkin' Donuts, Tim Horton's, McDonalds, Burger King, Krispe Kreme, every side of the road and greasy spoon diner, and every 7-11 and every other convenience store known to man all sell coffee cheaper than Starbucks. If you really don't want to pay Starbucks prices you have plenty of options. So stop your damn complaining no one if forcing you to come here.<br /><br />You are welcome to use our bathroom, even if you don't purchase anything. I'm a human being, I too use the bathroom. It's OK. What isn't OK: peeing or shitting all over the floor. The toilet exists for a reason, use it. After you wash your hands put the used paper towels in the garbage. This really isn't brain surgery. It's right next to the sink. Use it! Speaking of the garbage, if you are going to shoot up in there - fine I could care less - just don't throw the needles away in our garbage. That's an accident waiting to happen. I don't want to get what ever disease you might have getting stabbed through a garbage bag by your syringe because you are an inconsiderate junkie. This goes to the diabetics as well. Please discard your syringe safely. Lastly, and I can't stress this point enough, FLUSH THE FUCKING TOILET WHEN YOU ARE DONE. I don't think I need to explain this last one.<br /><br />There is more, but those are the key points and this letter is long enough already. Please try and stop being so sucky.<br /><br />Thank you.<br /><br />Love,<br />Amichai<br /><br /><br />P.S. to you fellow employees of Starbucks, if a customer asks for a small, don't correct them. If they really have that hard of a time remembering what size is called what, even though based on price on the menu alone and the cups on display it should be obvious, then it's just not worth your time. Don't be a dick about it, OK? Thanks.<div class="blogger-post-footer">I don't know what this does so I'm typing in to see.</div>Amichaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10662677886550979790noreply@blogger.com2