Set On Repeat (On My iPod)

One night, recently, I was enjoying myself at a friend's apartment, and we were listening to the M.I.A. 'channel' on Pandora.com. The song "Cobrastyle" by Robyn came on, and I really enjoyed it. The song is actually a cover of the Teddybears' (featuring Mad Cobra) 2004 single of the same name. I couldn't help but listen to the song over and over again ad nauseum.

I figured I would give her other songs a chance, so I listened to the 30-second samples, and I immediately became infatuated with her song "Handle Me". As an added bonus, the album also features a somewhat techno remix of the song. I purchased both. I've been listening to both songs nonstop for the past several days. I think this is due mostly to its lyrical content. The acoustic guitar and synthesizer crossover is done really well too. Give it a listen, won't you? The music video is interesting enough as it is. She merely maneuvers around a box that is seemingly in a fixed position. Enjoy.

You Can Purchase [Insert Book Title] From Amazon.com

Okay. That's great. I can purchase a book from a website. Simply wow.

I was reading a book review of Malcolm Gladwell's latest "Outliers" and at the end of the article was "You can purchase Outliers from amazon.com". Like I said, simply wow. When I think of a book, I don't think of receiving it in a box within 7-10 business days; I think of a bookstore. I think of holding the book in my hands. I think of how it would look on my bookshelf. All of those things are removed when I buy a book from amazon.com. For the record, I've never purchased a book from Amazon. Would it be too much to include local bookstores in your purchasing-plug? It is quite simple: You can purchase [insert book title] anywhere books are sold. Done.

Furthermore, if you are going to come into a bookstore, ask for a book, then compare our (the publisher's) price to what Amazon offers, then don't waste my time. If you are so concerned about price, buy it on Amazon. One doesn't need a formal lesson in economics to understand the difference between a giant online retailer and a local independent bookstore.

I'm Afraid I'm Going To Have To Issue You A Citation...

...for being so sexy. Bow chick a wow wow.

Or, I'm here to fix your cable? your leaky faucet? your pool? Did I miss anything?

Which 'Watchmen' Character Am I?

The obvious answer is, of course, The Nite Owl [II] (Dan Dreiberg). The results are via Quizilla.com:

You are Nite Owl. Some may consider you a recluse but deep down you're a really good guy who wants to do the right thing.

Well, I try to be a 'good guy' whenever I find the chance. I guess I can be a real asshole, like Rorschach, at times.

For Immediate Mass Distribution

If you do not already know, there is a bill in the Washington State Senate (SB 5688) that would expand the legal rights for domestic partnerships. This is not gay marriage; it is a proposed bill granting equal legal rights of which heterosexual couples already have. Let me be clear, heterosexuals have legal rights that homosexuals (myself included) do not. I am sure you know other gay and lesbian people amongst your family and friends, and they are legally less-than-equal as well.

There is currently an attack ad campaign fighting against the senate bill, and if it continues, Senators up for re-election will feel pressure to vote it down, and we (gays and lesbians) will continue to be discriminated against. The attack campaign is misleading in that it argues that domestic partnership rights would threaten and "redefine marriage". The word 'marriage' is nowhere to be found in the 'domestic partnership' bill, and thus could not possibly redefine marriage.

Please help by calling your Senator (and Representative) and tell them you support the domestic partnership bill. If you have friends and family elsewhere in Washington, please urge them to do the same. There is absolutely no reason why homosexuals should not have the same rights that the vast majority of people have. None. Please help fight this campaign of fear and intolerance.

From the Stranger (SLOG):

What needs to happen? Supporters of domestic partnerships who live in swing districts--i.e., outside of Seattle--need to make personal contact with their senator and representatives. Tell them about how your same-sex relationship is lovely and you support domestic partnership rights, or say that you want your lesbian daughter to have the same rights as your straight son (or whatever is personal to you)...Call them. Send an email. Live in Seattle? Call your parents or friends who live in the suburbs and ask them to help.

For information on the legislative process or to leave a message for a member, contact the Legislative Hotline at the in-state toll-free phone number 1.800.562.6000. For complete information about the Legislative Hotline, please see the Legislative Service Center's Contacting Your Legislator page.

I'm not going to remain quiet about this.

Jon Brock

*Many thanks to Erin for the edits (and firm support), and Rene for the firm support.

Here It Is, For All The World To See

Ladies and Gentlemen...the Marchstache:

Also known as: "the child molester", "the rapist", and "the 70s gay porn star".

No More Wasted Time and Energy

I've been trying to give equal attention to opposing views of mine, and frankly, I am no longer willing to do so until the opposition actually has something of value to state. I do not belong to any political party, but my political positions can be summed up as socially liberal and fiscally conservative (except when it comes to my own spending). While it may not be the best, the Democrats are actually making an effort to get things done. The only thing I hear and see the Republicans doing is spewing messages of hate and anti-progress. What kind of a world do we live in where the de facto leader of the Republican party (Rush Limbaugh) glorifies the anticipation of a liberal Senator's death due to cancer? What kind of a world do we live in where it is 'free speech' to hold a placard that says "Dan White : Hero for Killing a Queer"? [Note: the person holding that sign may or may not belong to the Republican party, but seeing as how the religious right aligns itself with the Republicans, I think it's safe to connect the two.] What kind of a world do we live in where a Senator glorifies the anticipation of a Supreme Court Justice's death due to cancer?

I am absolutely disgusted.

Book Review [Updated]

There was a book cover photo here, but I believe the publishing website pulled it.
I've been burned out on reading for weeks now, and I'm glad to say that I finally started (and finished) an advanced reader copy. The book is "Shuck" by Daniel Allen Cox. It's essentially the "diary" of Jaeven Marshall, a 20 year old male prostitute living and partying in New York City. He comes to live with, and inspire, an artist that is having trouble finding his inspiration. In the meantime, Jaeven spends his time trying to submit his short fiction to literary magazines and publishing houses, all the while turning tricks to support his increasing crystal meth addiction.

On the whole, it was easy to read, but I think it lacked the literary quality that I would normally enjoy. I wasn't too enthralled with the numerous accounts of what could be done with foreskin (such as using it to hold a pen and signing autographs). Furthermore, the plot was too simple, and didn't come to a conclusion at the end of it all. If I were to give it a grade, it would get a D+.

How Many Days Has It Been Since November 4th?

I don't know. But I do know that today is the day in which the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in support of and against the passage of Proposition 8 -- the state initiative that banned gay marriage from the California state constitution. Two things must be ruled on: 1). will proposition 8 be overturned and subsequently legalize gay marriage (again), and 2). if proposition 8 is not overturned, will the gay marriages performed up until November 5th be nullified? The Court is said to render a verdict within the next 90 days, but some say the ruling could come as soon as later this afternoon.

Update - The outlook is bleak.

Some Thoughts On Why Our Economy Is Failing

I'm not going to pretend that I know the exact reason why our economy is failing, but I will offer up some observations. In my opinion, based on what I've read in the news, our economic problems have been conceived by pure and utter greed. Yes, greed. Why do I say that? Well, if you've been paying attention, you'll see that the people who are responsible for this mess are the ones who were trying to swindle as much money out of people as is possible.

1. Stanford Financial Group
2. Enron
3. American International Group
4. Bernard Madoff
5. Telecom Businesses, Retailers, and Collection Agencies

Those are just off the top of my head. Capital One is another creditor that tried to swindle someone in particular: me. A few years ago, someone opened a fraudulent credit card account using my name and social security information. I suspect I know who it was, but I have no verifiable proof. The bill was nearly $700 and I was annoyed to receive it. Annoyed, because this was the third time someone had stolen my identity. I did what I was suppose to do. I contacted Capital One's fraud department, and reported it as a fraudulent account. They informed me to file a police report, which I did, and then fax it to them. I heard nothing after a few days, so I called again. I was explicitly told that until a suspect is arrested, tried, and convicted, I am responsible for the payment of the bill. I could not believe this was happening to me. Apparently, this is something that Capital One is notorious for doing. They try to swindle unknowing consumers into believing that this is the standard procedure for cleaning up their credit. Wrong.

I needed to have an attorney send them a letter telling them to mark the account as fraudulent, to stop harassing me, and to clear my credit record of this account, or be subject to litigation. Very quickly thereafter, I received a letter from Capital One stating that it was fraud, my record is clear, and I owe nothing.

As I said, we wonder how our economy is faltering. Perhaps it's due (in part) to people and businesses of power trying to swindle other people out of their money. These are just my thoughts.

If I Were Ever To Start A Band...

...I would have an awesome band name. I found it today in the book I'm reading. Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome...

Running from Lions with Manes of Fire

Good Things Are Bound To Come, Right?

From a Seattle Times article regarding gang membership in Seattle:

The FBI estimated in March 2008 that 10,000 gang members and associates are operating in King County and pose a "high" level of threat. According to a Seattle police report written last year, "in some areas of the city people are crippled by fear of gangs and are afraid to walk in their own neighborhood."

Peak recruitment for gang membership occurs between fifth and eighth grades.

Primary factors that predict gang membership for teens are academic failure, low commitment to school, persistent anti-social behavior and associating with peers who engage in problem behavior.

Recent data show an increase in key predictive factors: 2,929 Seattle Public Schools students were considered truant during the 2006-07 academic year, a 15 percent increase from the previous year.

Either this is new information or I'm just naive, but the point in bold is absolutely troubling.

Starbucks Is Holding Steady (For Now)

Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, has announced that the layoffs will cease for the time being.

Since resuming the CEO role early last year, Schultz has tried to fix the chain's slipping profits by cutting 8,700 jobs, closing about 975 stores and making a dizzying array of menu and other changes.

Fact Or Fiction?

According to Google...

1. Jon likes to have sex.
   
2. Jon likes to lounge by the fireplace and write his novel.
3. Jon likes to keep his work fresh and contemporary.
4. Jon likes to sleep in cupboards and dresser drawers.
5. Jon likes to design for both print and 'new-fangled media' as he calls it.
6. Jon likes to hurt me.
7. Jon likes to spend time with friends and family.
8. Jon likes to drink.
9. Jon likes to highlight one of his most recent completed works to share with you his enjoyment of painting.
10. Jon likes to make Sushi and biscuits whenever he has something to celebrate, which he force-feeds to his colleagues!

Which are fact and which are fiction? You decide.

A Sense Of Temporary Ownership

I was riding the bus last night, and I noticed that a guy got up out of his seat, grabbed a bus schedule, and proceeded to sit back in the exact same seat he was in previously. Now, this was on an articulated bus with about four passengers total; i.e., the seating options were in abundance. However, he decided to go back to his seat somewhere near the middle of the bus. Why would he (or anyone) do that? He could have just as easily sat down in the seat right next to the bus schedules. No, he felt compelled to return to his exact same seat. I'm sure we've all done this as well, but we probably don't recognize it. Is there a sense of temporary ownership in selecting a seat on a bus? These are questions with no right or wrong answers. Comments?

U.S. Government Now Owns Over 80% Of A.I.G.

According to the New York Times, the U.S. government has just agreed to give American International Group (A.I.G.) an additional $30 billion dollars in an attempt to further stabilize the failing insurer. The article continues:

The intervention would be the fourth time that the United States has had to step in to help A.I.G., the giant insurer, avert bankruptcy. The government already owns nearly 80 percent of the insurer’s holding company as a result of the earlier interventions, which included a $60 billion loan, a $40 billion purchase of preferred shares and $50 billion to soak up the company’s toxic assets.

The loss that A.I.G. is preparing to report on Monday would be the largest ever by any company in a single quarter. Still, of the $62 billion loss being reported, only about $2 billion is a cash loss. The rest is the result of noncash items like write-downs on the value of the company’s assets.

If I know anything about how the stock market works, I would imagine that A.I.G. stock prices will dip significantly at the start of Monday's trading day. We shall find out.

[Update] - Well, A.I.G.'s stock price did not dip, but the market is down significantly. The Washington Post has the news:

The Dow plummeted 93 points, or 1.3 percent, to 6,969 about 24 minutes into trading -- a level not seen since 1997. The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index fell 1.4 percent, or about 10 points, while the tech-have Nasdaq fell .5 percent, or 7 points.

Shares of AIG were up 7 cents, or 17 percent, to 49 cents in early trading but are off 99 percent for the year.

Read the rest of the story here.

What Else Can New York Tax Its Denizens On?

New York Governor David Paterson has proposed an internet download tax in order to help curb the vast deficit that that state is currently facing. This would specifically include downloads from iTunes as well as pornography. NPR has the story here.

Kindle Eliminates Books, Hearst Eliminates Newspapers

The Hearst Corporation, which owns several magazines, newspapers, and television networks, is planning to release a wireless e-reader for its newspapers. Granted, this does reduce the costs of resources, labor, and logistics, but it is also another step toward "killing off" the printed news and entertainment. *After writing this post, I discovered that the New York Times is already publishing on the Kindle (via Amazon).*

Books. Books. Books. Books. Books. Books.

Click on the photo for full size.

Ugly Sweaters Are Not Making A Comeback

That doesn't mean we all can't have a little fun in the mean time, right? Check out this gem that I found at Value Village. It's Eddie Bauer. I just can't come to terms with the fact that in mid-1990s this was the fashion; people paid $40+ for this crap. I should also note that I have no intention of wearing this ever again, except when trying to be comical. There was an Ugly Sweater party last night, hence the picture. It's a size medium. Does that mean that people were typically fatter in the mid-1990s than they are now -or- people have shed away the pounds and/or the preference for oversize sweaters? This is what puzzles me. To top off the evening of terrible clothing, Rainier beer was served. Gross, but my compliments to those who purchased it.

*And of course a cute gay guy had to show up to the party while I was wearing that hideous piece of crap.*