aahhh.. brisk!

What a fantastic weekend. I didn't do anything.. but my parents have been away for a few days and there is this fantastic sense of calm that has settled. No Ferdinand waking me up at 8am on Saturday, telling me to start my day, no mother asking me to go get her things. No one had me do a thing and it was fantastic. I've almost forgotten how it feels to live on my own. Then again, each time I got hungry I spent a good hour or two trying to think of what to eat and getting annoyed there was nothing ready for me in the fridge.. then trying to remember what I did when I was on my own.

Speaking of which, I'm starting to look at places in the city. Ape may be coming over in a year or so to further his pursuits of becoming an overqualified bum, but strong chance he may stay over in England for a few years in which case I'll be more than happy to join him and rent out whatever I may buy here. It's always exciting to plan for the future, and even moreso to actually get out and start looking at places that I may be calling home - all on my own. Little Jimmy is really heading off to camp, eh?

Right, well my meal is ready so I'm off. Enjoy the coming week!

Legal Torture ?

I heard a compelling argument as to why the Geneva Conventions do not apply to al Qa'ida detainees. Nevermind the fact that I think the context of this argument is ludicrous - the 'War on Terror' is the biggest yellow submarine or whatever the metaphor is, and al Qa'ida is an idea - how do missiles work to defeat an idea? Anyhow, I heard it and it made sense. Have a listen and tell me what you think. I think the most definitive measure of greatness is noted in how a nation, or a person, treats its worst enemy. In my opinion, the hideous nature of Guantanamo Bay reveals the lack of development and civilisation that this nation claims as its hallmark. That, and the dire state of public transport. The argument put forth by John Yoo was difficult to poke through. Obviously I don't want to agree with him but I think the next step here is to reread the Conventions and see what I come up with.

a day in the life of..

I won't mention that my commute took two hours in the morning and three in the evening when it normally takes under an hour, door to door. I won't mention the outright bitterness I feel towards NJ Transit and Amtrak. Apparently, Amtrak has decided to limit the trains going into NY Penn Station and has rerouted them to Hoboken. This isn't a huge problem for me personally, but even the most basic observation of Hoboken Station immediately reveals that it is not equipped to handle the kind of traffic that Penn sees. The result was an absolutely mad mob scene with rude fucks bulldozing their way through a tightly packed crowd. Next time this happens I'm going to stick my foot out and start tripping some of these self aggrandized suburbanites, bring them back to reality. Forget the fact that the station is outdoor and it is beyond freezing today. Actually don't forget that - my toes were so cold I thought they were going to break off. I wouldn't have felt it if they did. No I won't mention any of this because I'm grateful that I'm home safely, and my house is nice and cozy and my feet are finally dry and warm.

So that was that. I wonder where this guy has gone. I hope everything is okay. Maybe this is a result of budget cuts in order to finance the Lotus. Come back!

Allright, friends. I need to eat some food and watch some newly downloaded episodes of Scrubs. Stay warm.

rebooting

This is pretty bad, I need to step up my writing. I have been reading some fantastic blogs where the writing is just leagues from where I am. I'm sick of stating the obvious, or maybe stating things so obviously. It's dumb. I know this kind of stuff doesn't come from trying and I will feel even more self-conscious if I try. I am also sick of whining. I'm sick of a lot of things. This negativity is taking its toll on me, as it always does. In its own subtle, malicious ways: the blemish on my chin, my inability to be active and of course, the unfinished paintings that are sitting in the corner of my room. I'm also getting collection notices from my local library where I kept a book out for a month past its due date, and while I've finally returned the book I owe them $40. I haven't even finished the book. Bah.

So for the first time in weeks I feel rested. I know I write about sleep a lot but it's something that I hold very dear. There are few things in life that can make me feel as good as a good sleep, barring the obvious, of course. By that I mean chocolate.
Anyhow, I'm once again turning the page. I've once again bought a little journal to document what I eat so I can stop 'forgetting' and just stop. I'm once again unconditionally committing myself to the gym and going to study Arabic again. I'm pretty happy with work as it is still something new and a challenge, and I'm gaining a bit of confidence. Can't go wrong with that. Will write more, you'll bear with the crap that comes forth and be rewarded for your patience with a few unpolished gems along the way. That's just where I am now. As long as I get better, I'm okay with that. Happy New Year.

In all seriousness

'What does WA stand for?'
'Washington.'
'What's a city there?'
'Seattle.'
'Why am I not finding any of our offices there?'
'We don't have any offices there.'
'No, we have offices in Washington, I know that for a fact.'
'Do you mean Washington DC?'
'Yea, what state is that in?'
'It's not in a state, it's on its own. Just enter the city and leave the state blank, you'll get the numbers.'
'Oh, right here it is.'
'Aren't you looking for a contact for a client in Washington State?'
'Yea, Washington.'
'Do you mean Washington DC or Washington State?'
'They're the same thing.'

and so it goes

They knew this before they shocked and awed. Shameless. Farce.

I got on the wrong train today. They posted track 3 and that's where I went. I didn't hear the change in track being announced as I had my headphones on and was settled in my seat as the conductor checked my ticket. I didn't concede the error until about half an hour later when I realized I was about 10 miles north of where I should have been. I phoned Ferdinand to come get me, and he was less than impressed.

My uncle is the president of one of our global businesses. When I applied and interviewed for this job, I didn't tell him what I was doing. I only informed him when I had been hired, and of course he was delighted. I have every intention to use his helpful nod when I move forward, but for now I need to learn. This is all well and good except he came into my office today for some meetings and made it a point to come and say hello to me. Now, the people who were too arrogant to introduce themselves slow and smile as they come by my door, and the ones I work with give me that knowing smile that explains to them how someone so 'challenged' can come to be one of their equals.


"You are a classic beauty, the kind artists seek. I like the trashy look, you don't have that"

That is why the ape is the ape.

Now Billy

Okay I've been perusing some of your blogs and the activity there is slower than molasses on a winter day. What's the story people? New year has begun, the holidays are over. Where are you all hiding? Get this - the days aren't shorter, it just gets dark early. That doesn't mean the day is over. It just means you switch on a light. Just because I don't have anything interesting to say doesn't mean you have an excuse. Come on, chop chop.