So ever since I came to Seattle I've been a sort of gym rat and certain things at the gym have ticked me off. I write you so that if you do these things, you can stop doing them.
1. Number one pet peeve, right after new years tons and tons of people flock to the gym thinking that this is the year they are going to get into shape. They awkwardly stand around watching other people do an exercise, then immediately jump into the spot when the more fit person leave and fumble around trying to imitate that exercise. These people take up space and make the gym busy for the other people. 1day to 2 weeks later they are gone. Don't even bother people, if you need a holiday to get into shape, it's probably not going to work.
2.Don't fart
3.If you are on one of those reclining cycle machines, or at a casual pace on the stair-step machine and reading a book or talking on a cellphone. If you think that there is an exercise that is going to get you into shape that you can read while doing, you are an idiot.
4.People who don't put the weights back in the designated spot.
5. Grunters, moaners and screamers. We get it, you are lifting a lot of weight. Good for you.
6. Dudes who come to the gym with their buddy and spend more time talking about their last workout than actually working out. "oh last time I did 5 reps at 800 pounds" "yeah, I usually run 10 miles but today is a light day" Nobody is buying it dudes, just workout.
7. People who come to the gym, grab one of the mat and do situps, pushups and other odd floor exercises then leave. Why do you come to the gym, you can easily do that at home, or in a field, or anywhere. I understand it's easier to stay focused in a place other than home, but is it worth a gym membership?
8. Big huge super fat dudes who you never see get on a treadmill but will benchpress for 3 hours straight. You don't need to be able to lift more, you need to run that fat off.
9.Talking in the locker room. I don't like it.
10. Checking yourself out, flexing in the mirror in the gym. I say it's ok in the locker room, but while we can all watch your vanity? At least hide it like a normal person.
11. Really out of shape people who have all the latest in workout fashion, the iPod nano on the neoprene armband with brand new tennis shoes, under armor spandex attire, wrist heartbeat sensors and all. Most people at this gym are in better shape than you, and they wear gymshorts and a ratty t-shirt. (this includes weightlifters using weightlifting gloves for 5 lbs)
12. In the same vein, people who come to the gym in jeans and a silk shirt, inappropriate!
I think that's all I got. I realize this list has been done before but still, I just had to. Also I know, I hate whiners, and here I am whining. But at least I pretend it's under the pretense that I am trying to get people to stop doing these things.
What do you hate that people do at the gym? I wanna know!
Quick updates
Quick updates on my Seattle life
This is probably the most frequently I have bathed, shaved, exercises, eaten well and all around lived healthily ever. Kinda neat. Mostly the bathing part.
I have tried more food venues.
Top Pot Donuts: MMMMM OMGZ freaking bigass awesome donuts better than you can get in Iowa for certain
Po Dog: I might have mentioned this but I got a hotdog, wrapped in bacon, deep fried on a bun with chili on top. Probably not the best for eating healthily but freaking delicious
Wann: I went out and got Noodle soup with fried shrimp, sashimi, sushi and warm sake with my friend Yuko all of which was super. Drinking warm sake communally could definitely grow on me.
Mia's Cafe: I got a tofu burger there today, I don't believe I have ever had tofu before. It was alright. No taste substitute for beef but it was alright.
Amazing Thai: I got an Amber curry with pork. This curry stuff that is all over out here is really growing on me, this was delicous, just the right amount of spicy.
Honey Hole Sandwiches: Dude, these are freaking good, I've eaten here twice, both times gotten hot sandwiches that rocked my world.
Other than food I still don't like the people much, the city is damn cool though.
Blogs to come:
Things I hate that people do in the gym
why conservative christians frustrate me even more
thoughts on this new supreme court decision
The purpose of blogs and the public forum
American children being stupid
This is probably the most frequently I have bathed, shaved, exercises, eaten well and all around lived healthily ever. Kinda neat. Mostly the bathing part.
I have tried more food venues.
Top Pot Donuts: MMMMM OMGZ freaking bigass awesome donuts better than you can get in Iowa for certain
Po Dog: I might have mentioned this but I got a hotdog, wrapped in bacon, deep fried on a bun with chili on top. Probably not the best for eating healthily but freaking delicious
Wann: I went out and got Noodle soup with fried shrimp, sashimi, sushi and warm sake with my friend Yuko all of which was super. Drinking warm sake communally could definitely grow on me.
Mia's Cafe: I got a tofu burger there today, I don't believe I have ever had tofu before. It was alright. No taste substitute for beef but it was alright.
Amazing Thai: I got an Amber curry with pork. This curry stuff that is all over out here is really growing on me, this was delicous, just the right amount of spicy.
Honey Hole Sandwiches: Dude, these are freaking good, I've eaten here twice, both times gotten hot sandwiches that rocked my world.
Other than food I still don't like the people much, the city is damn cool though.
Blogs to come:
Things I hate that people do in the gym
why conservative christians frustrate me even more
thoughts on this new supreme court decision
The purpose of blogs and the public forum
American children being stupid
Normal?
So nothing is normal, nor is anybody. It's a blanket statement and we all know it, but let's think about it (I just realized let's is a contraction for let us...neat)
OK SO we have this idea that there is normality, or that people are to develop a certain way. If you don't develop this way, you are not normal. BUT there really is no such thing as normal. There are just things that we are used to that are not different enough from what we are used to to say they aren't normal.
SO when we are developing and aging our minds try to come to terms with who we are/ what our idea of normal is/ and how we fit into all that. Our brains try to figure themselves out, the brains of others out, and how are brains fit into the community of brains we live in. This is extremely difficult. So I was thinking of things that shaped me the other day and analyzing how they have messed me up. I'm not saying that I am a messed up person. My point in all this is that everyone is a messed up person, since there is no such thing as a normal then we all just have are variances and messed up ness. If you can realize why your brain has been shaped to think the way it does it can be very interesting, and I think, beneficial.
SO HERE WE GO.
Sometimes I have this idea in my head that I'm not a human. I at times have difficulty relating to other people on a more than polite social level. I think most people have this, it's a well known problem of only being able to experience things from your mind, even if I could read another's thoughts, it would still be me perceiving those thoughts. This creates a conundrum. I however sometimes convince myself and get to thinking that I am something other than human. I have written before that I would truly love it if I were some other being than human. An equally sentient being, but one that is not held to human laws, mores, ideals, and subconscious laws. Not above human, or below it, just an other than. Other times I do let my ego take hold of me, that ego is strong in me at times, and it convinces me that I am some sort of other being that is better than people. This is, probably, an unhealthy mentality. But what I realized is that a large part of it comes from the way I was raised. I was always in the ELP advanced learning classes, in which you are taken away from the rest of the student body to learn with your "smarter" peers. Even in elementary I was in these. Teachers also would often assign me different tasks than the other students to get me out of the classroom. My fifth grade teacher would send me to the library to get discs so I could install reading tests on the computer, basically to keep me busy so I wouldn't disturb the class.
My parents are also to blame, being their wonderful encouraging supporting selves. They always told me I could do great things, and made me aware in their own way that they thought I was smart or above the curve so to speak. (Mom and Dad, I'm not saying this is a bad thing, I am extremely grateful to have been born to the best parents a person could ask for). Also my peers have been extremely kind in praising me and telling me I am smart. and hell, I am smart. I think I am.
BUT I realize that this has 1. inflated my ego
2. It subconsciously has created this thing in the back of my head that tells me I am an "other" or somehow not subject to the same things other humans are. It sometimes makes really connecting to other people difficult because I feel that they cannot possibly be experiencing life, the world, themselves and society in the same way I am. BECAUSE of course, I am special, as I have been told my whole life.
SO now that I have realized this, and can kind of understand why my mind convinces me of this I can combat it. I can realize, hey, maybe I am special, but everybody is also special, they've got the same tools as I do. They've got to have the same thoughts/experiences that I do. And I need to dig more to find these out, because through doing this, and finding that others are similar to me, I can come back to being human.
PLEASE NOTE: I am not whining. Just declaring personal revelations.
ALSO: I am aware that this is basic psychology and it's not my idea.
OK SO we have this idea that there is normality, or that people are to develop a certain way. If you don't develop this way, you are not normal. BUT there really is no such thing as normal. There are just things that we are used to that are not different enough from what we are used to to say they aren't normal.
SO when we are developing and aging our minds try to come to terms with who we are/ what our idea of normal is/ and how we fit into all that. Our brains try to figure themselves out, the brains of others out, and how are brains fit into the community of brains we live in. This is extremely difficult. So I was thinking of things that shaped me the other day and analyzing how they have messed me up. I'm not saying that I am a messed up person. My point in all this is that everyone is a messed up person, since there is no such thing as a normal then we all just have are variances and messed up ness. If you can realize why your brain has been shaped to think the way it does it can be very interesting, and I think, beneficial.
SO HERE WE GO.
Sometimes I have this idea in my head that I'm not a human. I at times have difficulty relating to other people on a more than polite social level. I think most people have this, it's a well known problem of only being able to experience things from your mind, even if I could read another's thoughts, it would still be me perceiving those thoughts. This creates a conundrum. I however sometimes convince myself and get to thinking that I am something other than human. I have written before that I would truly love it if I were some other being than human. An equally sentient being, but one that is not held to human laws, mores, ideals, and subconscious laws. Not above human, or below it, just an other than. Other times I do let my ego take hold of me, that ego is strong in me at times, and it convinces me that I am some sort of other being that is better than people. This is, probably, an unhealthy mentality. But what I realized is that a large part of it comes from the way I was raised. I was always in the ELP advanced learning classes, in which you are taken away from the rest of the student body to learn with your "smarter" peers. Even in elementary I was in these. Teachers also would often assign me different tasks than the other students to get me out of the classroom. My fifth grade teacher would send me to the library to get discs so I could install reading tests on the computer, basically to keep me busy so I wouldn't disturb the class.
My parents are also to blame, being their wonderful encouraging supporting selves. They always told me I could do great things, and made me aware in their own way that they thought I was smart or above the curve so to speak. (Mom and Dad, I'm not saying this is a bad thing, I am extremely grateful to have been born to the best parents a person could ask for). Also my peers have been extremely kind in praising me and telling me I am smart. and hell, I am smart. I think I am.
BUT I realize that this has 1. inflated my ego
2. It subconsciously has created this thing in the back of my head that tells me I am an "other" or somehow not subject to the same things other humans are. It sometimes makes really connecting to other people difficult because I feel that they cannot possibly be experiencing life, the world, themselves and society in the same way I am. BECAUSE of course, I am special, as I have been told my whole life.
SO now that I have realized this, and can kind of understand why my mind convinces me of this I can combat it. I can realize, hey, maybe I am special, but everybody is also special, they've got the same tools as I do. They've got to have the same thoughts/experiences that I do. And I need to dig more to find these out, because through doing this, and finding that others are similar to me, I can come back to being human.
PLEASE NOTE: I am not whining. Just declaring personal revelations.
ALSO: I am aware that this is basic psychology and it's not my idea.
Capacity within a Realm
I was going to write this a while ago, and call it "Capacity within a Realm" now I don't really remember what the realm part is about, but I am still calling it that.
Sometimes I get the blues. Once upon a time while I had the blues I thought to myself that I had the capacity for great darkness and I think this is true. I think that were I to let myself and were I in the correct situations I could be capable of an extremely dark mentality and possible dark actions. (When I say this I don't mean like murdering/torturing people because I'm some sick puppy but I do mean, if it were part of the times participating in some sort of violent revolution, or a movement that treats humans as something less than humans - some shit like that)
When thinking about it on a not so bluesy day (you ever have that? Where you are in a more normal mental state and think, "What the hell was I thinking? How did I even convince myself to get into that thought pattern? Ever have that? I do) ANYWAY, I got to thinking that in reality I've always thought that I just had the capacity for greatness. I know it's a bold statement. But I've always had this thing in the back of my mind (who put it there? More on that later) that says, you can do great things. I'm not saying I will be an olympic athlete or bring world peace or be an academy award winning director, and for the most part I don't want those things. I think that I'm pretty good at thinking, so good that my brain does it when I don't want it to. Not saying I'm a genius, or able to compute amazingly as some savant, but I think my brain is wired in a very specific way that if harnessed can do good things. I think I could have an impact on shaping the mentality of a generation, or possibly putting an end to some mentalities that are no so beneficial. Dave and I have talked about this before, about starting some sort of movement...of sorts. I think it's best we don't do this haphazardly as well, I think I need to take the next years (decade?) figuring it out and then put it in motion.
ANYWAY I think right now I am in a mental state where I need to figure out what it is, and persuade myself further and further away from this "dark path) in order to achieve these things. BUT I do believe that a lot of what will bring good change is showing people that a lot of stuff they may consider part of this "dark path" isn't such a bad or scary thing. Basically opening people's minds to new sides of things. Is it a good thing to convince people that what they thought was bad is good? For example: earlier I wrote about gay marriage, and interracial marriage. I'm sure back in the day people were pretty convinced interracial marriage was a bad thing, someone convinced them it was good and well I'd say that turned out pretty well. SO that's what I intend to do, but now, with what I think needs to change. I'm thinking it has a lot to do with religion. Sorry folks. I kind of want to be the Richard Dawkins of agnosticism. What I can't figure out though, is whether I am a theistic or atheistic agnostic type person? I'd say I'm an agnostic agnostic in that I don't think we can prove there is or isn't a God, but we should still try our best to figure it out, knowing the entire time that we can never be certain.
RAMBLINGS!!!
DONE
Sometimes I get the blues. Once upon a time while I had the blues I thought to myself that I had the capacity for great darkness and I think this is true. I think that were I to let myself and were I in the correct situations I could be capable of an extremely dark mentality and possible dark actions. (When I say this I don't mean like murdering/torturing people because I'm some sick puppy but I do mean, if it were part of the times participating in some sort of violent revolution, or a movement that treats humans as something less than humans - some shit like that)
When thinking about it on a not so bluesy day (you ever have that? Where you are in a more normal mental state and think, "What the hell was I thinking? How did I even convince myself to get into that thought pattern? Ever have that? I do) ANYWAY, I got to thinking that in reality I've always thought that I just had the capacity for greatness. I know it's a bold statement. But I've always had this thing in the back of my mind (who put it there? More on that later) that says, you can do great things. I'm not saying I will be an olympic athlete or bring world peace or be an academy award winning director, and for the most part I don't want those things. I think that I'm pretty good at thinking, so good that my brain does it when I don't want it to. Not saying I'm a genius, or able to compute amazingly as some savant, but I think my brain is wired in a very specific way that if harnessed can do good things. I think I could have an impact on shaping the mentality of a generation, or possibly putting an end to some mentalities that are no so beneficial. Dave and I have talked about this before, about starting some sort of movement...of sorts. I think it's best we don't do this haphazardly as well, I think I need to take the next years (decade?) figuring it out and then put it in motion.
ANYWAY I think right now I am in a mental state where I need to figure out what it is, and persuade myself further and further away from this "dark path) in order to achieve these things. BUT I do believe that a lot of what will bring good change is showing people that a lot of stuff they may consider part of this "dark path" isn't such a bad or scary thing. Basically opening people's minds to new sides of things. Is it a good thing to convince people that what they thought was bad is good? For example: earlier I wrote about gay marriage, and interracial marriage. I'm sure back in the day people were pretty convinced interracial marriage was a bad thing, someone convinced them it was good and well I'd say that turned out pretty well. SO that's what I intend to do, but now, with what I think needs to change. I'm thinking it has a lot to do with religion. Sorry folks. I kind of want to be the Richard Dawkins of agnosticism. What I can't figure out though, is whether I am a theistic or atheistic agnostic type person? I'd say I'm an agnostic agnostic in that I don't think we can prove there is or isn't a God, but we should still try our best to figure it out, knowing the entire time that we can never be certain.
RAMBLINGS!!!
DONE
What to write what to write
I haven't been as consistent in my blogging. I've been very busy. Busier than I thought I would be. I've got films to rip and compile, pamphlets to make, programs to deliver, subtitles to type, dvd's to burn, raffle donations to solicit, and sales calls to make. The sales calls are obviously what I am most excited for. The Northwest Film Forum is a non-profit and when they show films it is quite costly, so I have been assigned with researching each film and local businesses that may have an interest in sponsoring that film. I then get to call these businesses and try to get them to give me $500-$1000. I am pretty damn good at things like that. SO I AM PUMPED. I start making calls next week. I want to bring in an astonishing cashload, when I tell the other forum workers the amount I've raised I don't want them to say good job, way to go, or even wow. I want them to to simply exclaim, "...shit" and think I am lying. I will destroy this mission. I am a leviathan of fundraising capabilities. PREPARE TO BE FLABBERGASTED SEATTLE!
So that's work.
Let's talk Seattle shall we? 2 week thoughts. I like the town. It's big but not too big, has an amazing film community, tons of cool venues and beautiful sights. The town looks phenomenal at night with all the hills and lights and Puget Sounds. BUT It rains too much. It really does. I don't know that this could be my permanent home for that reason. When it's not raining it's wet from raining early, or preparing to rain. I don't like that I have to worry about being caught without an umbrella or that I fear pulling any electronics out in fear of them getting wet. POO!
NOW THE PEOPLE. Seattleites kind of suck. Now, to be fair, this is a preliminary assessment as an outsider simply going off the vibes I've gotten so far. My new pal Willie summed it up pretty well when he said there's a politeness but not a kindness. People are polite because they somehow think they are better, and that a better person would be polite. You can sense though that they are judging. Bastards. They all have an image too, I've found it rare that you see someone who is just going to wear jeans and a shirt. It's gotta be some sort of alternative attire. The normal is not present. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing, maybe a little pretentiously self aware, but what it does do is make me feel like people are looking at me in my jeans and plain colored v-neck sweater as some sort of freak. Like I'm some sort of yuppie. THEY'RE THE YUPPIES DAMNIT. I think people in Seattle are extremely proud of themselves for living in Seattle, but wouldn't necessarily have Seattle Pride. It's a quiet pride. A nose in the air pride that includes some pride-loathing, which they are also proud of.
ALSO they are god awful drivers. Just terrible. It might be because Seattle has terribly labeled street signs and god-awful weird routes to get places but the people haven't learned. They stop where there are no stop signs and expect you to do the same. They cut you off, or nearly hit you while you aren't moving, and honk at you for something. Who knows? Very entitled drivers. They are driving the best and you are always driving poorly. But then again, look at what I'm saying. Also, parking sucks. Balls. There's lots of Asians too. and homeless people. and trannies.
HOW ABOUT MY SOCIAL LIFE?
It is beginning to exist. Slowly being born. I would now call myself pals with my basement rommates. The shy one is kind of odd, he stood in my doorway watching me play videogames the other night for like 30 minutes. I felt bad because I don't really have any multiplayer videogames except rock band, which he isn't a fan of. I also went out on the town the other night with a guy who also volunteers at the forum and his girlfriend. We had a great night and it left me in my bed until 4PM today. SUCCESS! I'm also meeting more of the volunteers at the forum. I met a guy who just directed a feature length film and submitted it to tons of festivals, he asked for my youtube account and I gave it to him. Pretty sweet. Also met a big time DJ in the area who was a DJ here when the whole grunge thing was happening, he says he has stories and I am going to try to hear them. Some of the "politeness" at the forum is disintegrating and people are getting cooler to chat with. SO YEAH it's on the up and up, I'm busy/ go to the gym all week, and have found things to do on the weekends. Pretty great.
IN OTHER NEWS
-I am pretty sure I saw my first prostitute. Cool.
-The other day I was in line at the QFC and there were two very flamboyant trannies kissing 2 people ahead of me, and the old woman between me and them looked absolutely furious. She was fuming and shaking her head. It's pretty funny. She'd have a much less stressful life if rather than get her shit in a fit she'd just think, "well look at that, that's neat"
-Tully's Coffee still sucks
-They have a football team here but nobody seems to care
- I learned a lot of LA radio DJs actually work out of Seattle
-Remember the twins a the gym I talked about? I see the skinnier one at the gym a lot more often without her heavier sister
-Is it ok to ask someone to take a picture of them because they look like a friend back home?
So that's work.
Let's talk Seattle shall we? 2 week thoughts. I like the town. It's big but not too big, has an amazing film community, tons of cool venues and beautiful sights. The town looks phenomenal at night with all the hills and lights and Puget Sounds. BUT It rains too much. It really does. I don't know that this could be my permanent home for that reason. When it's not raining it's wet from raining early, or preparing to rain. I don't like that I have to worry about being caught without an umbrella or that I fear pulling any electronics out in fear of them getting wet. POO!
NOW THE PEOPLE. Seattleites kind of suck. Now, to be fair, this is a preliminary assessment as an outsider simply going off the vibes I've gotten so far. My new pal Willie summed it up pretty well when he said there's a politeness but not a kindness. People are polite because they somehow think they are better, and that a better person would be polite. You can sense though that they are judging. Bastards. They all have an image too, I've found it rare that you see someone who is just going to wear jeans and a shirt. It's gotta be some sort of alternative attire. The normal is not present. I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing, maybe a little pretentiously self aware, but what it does do is make me feel like people are looking at me in my jeans and plain colored v-neck sweater as some sort of freak. Like I'm some sort of yuppie. THEY'RE THE YUPPIES DAMNIT. I think people in Seattle are extremely proud of themselves for living in Seattle, but wouldn't necessarily have Seattle Pride. It's a quiet pride. A nose in the air pride that includes some pride-loathing, which they are also proud of.
ALSO they are god awful drivers. Just terrible. It might be because Seattle has terribly labeled street signs and god-awful weird routes to get places but the people haven't learned. They stop where there are no stop signs and expect you to do the same. They cut you off, or nearly hit you while you aren't moving, and honk at you for something. Who knows? Very entitled drivers. They are driving the best and you are always driving poorly. But then again, look at what I'm saying. Also, parking sucks. Balls. There's lots of Asians too. and homeless people. and trannies.
HOW ABOUT MY SOCIAL LIFE?
It is beginning to exist. Slowly being born. I would now call myself pals with my basement rommates. The shy one is kind of odd, he stood in my doorway watching me play videogames the other night for like 30 minutes. I felt bad because I don't really have any multiplayer videogames except rock band, which he isn't a fan of. I also went out on the town the other night with a guy who also volunteers at the forum and his girlfriend. We had a great night and it left me in my bed until 4PM today. SUCCESS! I'm also meeting more of the volunteers at the forum. I met a guy who just directed a feature length film and submitted it to tons of festivals, he asked for my youtube account and I gave it to him. Pretty sweet. Also met a big time DJ in the area who was a DJ here when the whole grunge thing was happening, he says he has stories and I am going to try to hear them. Some of the "politeness" at the forum is disintegrating and people are getting cooler to chat with. SO YEAH it's on the up and up, I'm busy/ go to the gym all week, and have found things to do on the weekends. Pretty great.
IN OTHER NEWS
-I am pretty sure I saw my first prostitute. Cool.
-The other day I was in line at the QFC and there were two very flamboyant trannies kissing 2 people ahead of me, and the old woman between me and them looked absolutely furious. She was fuming and shaking her head. It's pretty funny. She'd have a much less stressful life if rather than get her shit in a fit she'd just think, "well look at that, that's neat"
-Tully's Coffee still sucks
-They have a football team here but nobody seems to care
- I learned a lot of LA radio DJs actually work out of Seattle
-Remember the twins a the gym I talked about? I see the skinnier one at the gym a lot more often without her heavier sister
-Is it ok to ask someone to take a picture of them because they look like a friend back home?
The blog to start an epic series of posts
So I haven't had that much time to write. Been busy with my extremely active social life and cool happenings. Either that or working fulltime and going to the gym 3+ hours a day because I have nothing else to do. SO I've got quite a few things to write about and rather than make them into one huge long blog I will try to break them up for your selective reading pleasure.
First things. THANK YOU so much for all your comments, I really appreciate them and you all have great things to say. When I receive comments I want to write more blogs because I know I'm not just writing to the vacant web. I do wonder sometimes who is leaving me these comments though. Either way they are greatly appreciated.
I will do a quick thing this morning that follows on many of my past themes, has to do with recent life experiences as well as horrors that have occurred in Haiti.
FIRST PAT ROBERTSON - I cannot stand this man. If you don't know what I am referring to read this.
This man has said ridiculous things before but how offensive is this? How can a man blame his God for all the good in his life and for all the bad that happens to other people? Why would someone believe is such a God that they have to feel guilty for all their slight indiscretions, and never feel valuable enough? Also fear of being punished on a daily basis? (not saying all people follow this God the way Pat Robertson does) but mostly I am just astounded that there are still people in the world stupid enough to believe this shit. Where do these people come from? Who teaches them the logic they use to back up their beliefs? Do these people have no integrity or self esteem as a human? IT REALLY GETS ME GOING.
SECOND MORMONS - I was speaking with another intern here from Japan the other night. She told me about how she had seen Mormons in japan and they approached her to try to get her to go to coffee with them to talk about mormonism. She is a buddhist and replied, " I will go to coffee with you if you will spend half of the time letting me tell you about buddhism" (props to her) they declined and went on their way. 2 things about this. 1- She informed me that she perceived them as two, well dressed, cool, brave dudes who would go up and talk to strangers, she thought this was a tactic to get young japanese girls to follow them as the boldness to talk to strangers so profusely may be seen as attractive courageousness 2 - Are these mormons so afraid of even considering another belief system that they would refuse to even listen in return for her listening to them? That's cowardice and closed-mindedness if I've ever seen it.
THIRD ANTI-GAY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS - Dude, I mean come on. WHO argues against rights? As far as I know rights=good (now, I am not claiming the right to murder would be good) but you catch my drift. The thing that frustrates me most about it is it's people with a certain religious belief system that argue against it. It's never, I want to stop gay marriage because it causes global warming. It's always, well in this book that was written thousands of years ago, by multiple people I've never met claiming to received messages from a God that I have no proof exits, says that gays shouldn't be allowed to marry. I don't know about you but I like to follow rules set for me by people who have lived in my time. In my time I have met far too many gay couples who love the hell out of each other to not let them marry. THE ONLY ARGUMENT IS A RELIGOUS ONE. In the United States there is supposedly a separation between Church and State! There are arguments that kids will be confused, or that they won't know what's going on. WHO FUCKING CARES? Do you suppose some kids were confused in the 50s when their black father couldn't marry their white mother? I bet kids were confused when they saw a black guy marrying a white chick too. When I was a kid I was confused when I first stumbled upon a video of people gettin' it on. Childhood is confusing. Let the kids be confused, that's kind of what childhood is about, being confused and figuring things out. I saw another argument that said "it might open up teens to experimentation" OH DEAR LORD. Teens experimenting? They've never done that before! Hopefully they will wear safety goggles! TEENS have been experimenting for centuries, if gay marriage is legalized, now they just won't have to feel as guilty and shameful when they do it. Whenever I see gay marriage turned down somewhere such rage is invoked in me. I'm not even gay just I really really hate stupidity.
OVERALL - I really just dislike anybody who subscribes to a religion that causes them to be blind to other ideas. When a religion claims to be absolute truth it is doing just that, new ideas are bad, ideas that aren't theres are bad. These ideas shouldn't even be pondered because it will be bad for you. Stay safe in your little box of I AM RIGHT AND HAVE NO NEED TO FURTHER LEARN ABOUT LIFE, ONLY HOW RIGHT I AM. To me, as I've stated before, to have the audacity to claim " I AM RIGHT, YOU ARE WRONG" about something you have no possible way of knowing is just sickeningly offensive to me. (just to make it clear, I don't dislike any sort of religion that follows a deity, only when they have the absolutist mentality, if they would just say "I'm pretty sure I'm right, but it wouldn't hurt to consider otherwise" They're fine with me.
First things. THANK YOU so much for all your comments, I really appreciate them and you all have great things to say. When I receive comments I want to write more blogs because I know I'm not just writing to the vacant web. I do wonder sometimes who is leaving me these comments though. Either way they are greatly appreciated.
I will do a quick thing this morning that follows on many of my past themes, has to do with recent life experiences as well as horrors that have occurred in Haiti.
FIRST PAT ROBERTSON - I cannot stand this man. If you don't know what I am referring to read this.
This man has said ridiculous things before but how offensive is this? How can a man blame his God for all the good in his life and for all the bad that happens to other people? Why would someone believe is such a God that they have to feel guilty for all their slight indiscretions, and never feel valuable enough? Also fear of being punished on a daily basis? (not saying all people follow this God the way Pat Robertson does) but mostly I am just astounded that there are still people in the world stupid enough to believe this shit. Where do these people come from? Who teaches them the logic they use to back up their beliefs? Do these people have no integrity or self esteem as a human? IT REALLY GETS ME GOING.
SECOND MORMONS - I was speaking with another intern here from Japan the other night. She told me about how she had seen Mormons in japan and they approached her to try to get her to go to coffee with them to talk about mormonism. She is a buddhist and replied, " I will go to coffee with you if you will spend half of the time letting me tell you about buddhism" (props to her) they declined and went on their way. 2 things about this. 1- She informed me that she perceived them as two, well dressed, cool, brave dudes who would go up and talk to strangers, she thought this was a tactic to get young japanese girls to follow them as the boldness to talk to strangers so profusely may be seen as attractive courageousness 2 - Are these mormons so afraid of even considering another belief system that they would refuse to even listen in return for her listening to them? That's cowardice and closed-mindedness if I've ever seen it.
THIRD ANTI-GAY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS - Dude, I mean come on. WHO argues against rights? As far as I know rights=good (now, I am not claiming the right to murder would be good) but you catch my drift. The thing that frustrates me most about it is it's people with a certain religious belief system that argue against it. It's never, I want to stop gay marriage because it causes global warming. It's always, well in this book that was written thousands of years ago, by multiple people I've never met claiming to received messages from a God that I have no proof exits, says that gays shouldn't be allowed to marry. I don't know about you but I like to follow rules set for me by people who have lived in my time. In my time I have met far too many gay couples who love the hell out of each other to not let them marry. THE ONLY ARGUMENT IS A RELIGOUS ONE. In the United States there is supposedly a separation between Church and State! There are arguments that kids will be confused, or that they won't know what's going on. WHO FUCKING CARES? Do you suppose some kids were confused in the 50s when their black father couldn't marry their white mother? I bet kids were confused when they saw a black guy marrying a white chick too. When I was a kid I was confused when I first stumbled upon a video of people gettin' it on. Childhood is confusing. Let the kids be confused, that's kind of what childhood is about, being confused and figuring things out. I saw another argument that said "it might open up teens to experimentation" OH DEAR LORD. Teens experimenting? They've never done that before! Hopefully they will wear safety goggles! TEENS have been experimenting for centuries, if gay marriage is legalized, now they just won't have to feel as guilty and shameful when they do it. Whenever I see gay marriage turned down somewhere such rage is invoked in me. I'm not even gay just I really really hate stupidity.
OVERALL - I really just dislike anybody who subscribes to a religion that causes them to be blind to other ideas. When a religion claims to be absolute truth it is doing just that, new ideas are bad, ideas that aren't theres are bad. These ideas shouldn't even be pondered because it will be bad for you. Stay safe in your little box of I AM RIGHT AND HAVE NO NEED TO FURTHER LEARN ABOUT LIFE, ONLY HOW RIGHT I AM. To me, as I've stated before, to have the audacity to claim " I AM RIGHT, YOU ARE WRONG" about something you have no possible way of knowing is just sickeningly offensive to me. (just to make it clear, I don't dislike any sort of religion that follows a deity, only when they have the absolutist mentality, if they would just say "I'm pretty sure I'm right, but it wouldn't hurt to consider otherwise" They're fine with me.
Seattle January 10
I don't know where this one begins or ends as I don't really have one thought but a few ideas and mind burblings to record in my usually rambling form. BOOM ready to rock.
First things. I am realizing why I like the forum and all that it entails to much. I grew up going to church every sunday and wednesday (for youth night) and was fairly well involved in all the activities. While I am now not religious in the sense that the majority of the people in my church are I enjoyed the community. I thought it was an excellent place to grow because not only are you surrounded by people with solid values and varying opinions they also all seem to have a stake in your future. They would encourage success and take interest in what I was doing. It provided me opportunities for leadership and to grow as a person. While for me it may not have been the best place to be questioning my state of spirtuality it certainly gave me a secure place to do so within. Same thing with the children's theater I would volunteer backstage and act in. The people care about one another, have strong beliefs and values and are accepting as a community. I seem to have grown out of both of these things, also moved to another place, but they are things I will always fondly remember and can attribute to much of the making of the person I am now. The forum is, once again, the same way. It's all people with a common interest, some paid, some volunteers, some theater goers who are all part of a community. They may not all socialize outside of the forum but it is certain that they are interested in and invested in the lives of those all around them. It's like church. There is not so much a competitivity but a teamwork mentality and I thoroughly enjoy being a part of it.
I think non-profit might not only be my future, but the a larger part of the future of our country and world. Industry is being automated and people are not needed as much, the service intdustry becomes more automated and unnecessary as well. For me at least the world is becoming easier to enjoy on a smaller budget. Small non-profit communities could be the way to go.
As for life events. Yesterday was good, good and interesting. I went to the gym and all that jazz, bought some groceries and came home to My younger housemate and his girlfriend. I was planning to cook up the salmon I had just purchased and they were planning to cook their Mac'n'Cheese. What transpired is that we three chilled in the kitchen area and chatted. I learned a lot, he's a jr, 19, she's a freshman and of similar age, they go to different schools but in the same general area and they are very nice people. I successfully cooked my Salmon and made a delicous wrap with hummus, sprouts and spinach and went to my room to check on my things. They were kind enough to invite me to a movie, I told them I didn't want to intrude, and they said they were going with other people anyway. SWEET. FRIENDS! Originally I think there were going to be 6-7 of us (possibly some single ladies woop woop) then it turned out to be them and another couple. FIFTH WHEEL. At least a third wheel makes a tricycle, what vehicle has 5 wheels? It turned out to be a nice time though, we saw Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. Pretty good flick, very inventive, odd and charming. (SIDE INTERRUPTION NOTE: Seattle people LOVE looking in windows rudely as they pass, just glaring. I witness it both from indoors and out, but they have no shame getting nose close to investigate the indoors) After the flick we just strolled Downtown Seattle, we went to the pier, past many many bums, saw the original Starbuck's (I found out that the Tully's I thought was a competitor is actually a subsidiary as well) But mostly I just socialized with these two younger couples. It made me feel like an old sinner or something. They were so fresh, everything in this city amazed them. The though of pulling on a door and finding it locked, or the fact that I would give bums change and chat with them, or that it was after 9 and we were strolling freely in the streets of a big city just enlivened them. I don't know if it's because I am (very slightly) older or just a different personality. But I am just not amazed to the same extent by all of these things. I think they are cool and interesting and I enjoy my time here but I'm just not knocked on my socks or frightened by any of it as they were. It was a weird feeling. Also I experienced a sort of (maybe I am just imagining this) feeling of "try to be cool for the older person" either that or "try to appear as if I'm not trying to be cool for the older person" Whatever I did I couldnt help but perceive myself through them as the older guy. I HATE when I get the feeling that people are working to impress you or be liked by you for several reasons. 1. Who the hell am I to impress? Why would you worry about impressing ME? and if you're sole interaction with me is trying to impress then who the hell are you? OR what confidence do you have in yourself that you can't just assume that either your SELF will be impressive, or that if I am not impressed, your SELF is just as impressive as it was, just not to me. ANYWAY They kept mentioning that they wished they know of some parties, or wish they had something to do and I kept thinking "well what they hell are we doing, isn't this enjoyable?" It reminded me of my freshman year where a weekend wasnt complete unless I had committed embarassing drunken acts at some faraway party. Maybe I'm just more easily contented now. They told me stories of their times "getting drunk and having someone drive them to walmart" or the time they ate a whole pie. (I don't know why the drunk walmart thing is in quotes) and I was just like God if they only knew the shameful things that I have done. Hence the feeling like a sinner. Also they sort of had an innocence in coupledom in which the fact that they are both relatively new couples and friends (I think) and the structure of the two couples hanging out inhibits both the 4 of them interacting individually but also the two couples interacting as a couple. In reality, I was the only one free to act without consideration of any significant other. Also the innocence of newness of relationships and awkward sexual tension was there. I WITNESSED IT. I am glad to not be a part of that, at least not for awhile.
BUT THIS BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER THOUGHT. Being in a new city is very freeing. Moreso it makes things less risky. If I mess up here I probably just offend some person I don't really know. Back home messing up can ruin my friendships and the friendships of friendships and all sorts of jazz. Here there's not much risk. Aside from the getting mugged.
I'm trying to be as introspective in a self-improvement kind of way as I possibly can in my time here and so far so good. A huge thing I want to work on is my comfortability with being alone. Through my friends that know me best (sometimes ones that surprise you) I have learned that I sort of have this fear of being alone. I operate best within a close male-female relationship. People have pointed out I always have a girlfriend, or a woman of interest or SOMEONE of that nature, and they were right. I have tried out here to enjoy things for myself. Doing things because I actually draw pleasure from them, not because they make others happy. I'm a Libra, supposedly the stars say it's in my nature to try to be the orchestrator of fun for others. That's spot on. I feel like if I am in a situation and it is not fun, or successful, or any one person is not having a good time that it is in some way my fault. I feel I must take it upon myself to fix it. This turns people into relying on me for things I wish they could rely on themselves for. I don't think this is just me either. I think this is a feeling of our times that we feel personally guilty if anything we are involved in isn't a laugh riot or boomin' success. So I've been working on that. It's been going pretty well. I have this person I call my TGF (text GF) that I text all the time, and it helps me feel not alone, but I don't know if it is good for what I am trying to do. A lot of times when I find something that I enjoy, I hear a good song for example, I have to tell someone. I CANNOT keep it to myself as my own little secret fave. I am a sharer, for me if something isn't shared then what the hell is the point. I battle with myself over whether this is a positive thing or a negative one. The negative is when I have something that I experienced and no one to share it with it is immensely painful. ( I would like thoughts on this)
I gotta share, or I'll whither away and die. LETS MOVE ON TO SOME FUN BITS SHALL WE?!
DEEP THOUGHTS/Observances
-when you are texting and want to illustrate that you are shouting, you add more to the end ex. ahhhhhhhhh, pooooooooooo BUT when you want to shout a number it is more difficult EX. 1000000000000000 What number am I shouting?... (1000)
- I was at the gym the other day and saw twins, one was slightly fatter, but they worked out together, do they both have a common model to strive for, or does the fatter one want to look like the skinnier one and the skinnier one like some other girl?
-I saw a man listening to a CD player the other day, get with the times dude.
-In the outdoor shopping mall here they have lots of little bins of umbrellas, that you can use while you are there and return later. OH SEATTLE
-Sometimes the world loses it's mystery for me and I am no longer amazed by things. Sometimes I'm just in a bad mood, other times I need to go out and find something amazing. HMMM
THANK YOUS
Thank you roommate for inviting me out and about, it was a nice time
Thank you Geoff for your Krusty Krab comment, I love it
Thank you TGF for giving me T entertainment
Whenever I write a longer blog I assume nobody reads the whole thing. If you don't mind commenting whether you did or not (be honest) I would appreciate it. (you can comment anonymously)
and yes I truly and deeply appreciate all comments and criticisms. Give em to me!
ALSO just got another idea for a blog. COMING SOON BIATCH
First things. I am realizing why I like the forum and all that it entails to much. I grew up going to church every sunday and wednesday (for youth night) and was fairly well involved in all the activities. While I am now not religious in the sense that the majority of the people in my church are I enjoyed the community. I thought it was an excellent place to grow because not only are you surrounded by people with solid values and varying opinions they also all seem to have a stake in your future. They would encourage success and take interest in what I was doing. It provided me opportunities for leadership and to grow as a person. While for me it may not have been the best place to be questioning my state of spirtuality it certainly gave me a secure place to do so within. Same thing with the children's theater I would volunteer backstage and act in. The people care about one another, have strong beliefs and values and are accepting as a community. I seem to have grown out of both of these things, also moved to another place, but they are things I will always fondly remember and can attribute to much of the making of the person I am now. The forum is, once again, the same way. It's all people with a common interest, some paid, some volunteers, some theater goers who are all part of a community. They may not all socialize outside of the forum but it is certain that they are interested in and invested in the lives of those all around them. It's like church. There is not so much a competitivity but a teamwork mentality and I thoroughly enjoy being a part of it.
I think non-profit might not only be my future, but the a larger part of the future of our country and world. Industry is being automated and people are not needed as much, the service intdustry becomes more automated and unnecessary as well. For me at least the world is becoming easier to enjoy on a smaller budget. Small non-profit communities could be the way to go.
As for life events. Yesterday was good, good and interesting. I went to the gym and all that jazz, bought some groceries and came home to My younger housemate and his girlfriend. I was planning to cook up the salmon I had just purchased and they were planning to cook their Mac'n'Cheese. What transpired is that we three chilled in the kitchen area and chatted. I learned a lot, he's a jr, 19, she's a freshman and of similar age, they go to different schools but in the same general area and they are very nice people. I successfully cooked my Salmon and made a delicous wrap with hummus, sprouts and spinach and went to my room to check on my things. They were kind enough to invite me to a movie, I told them I didn't want to intrude, and they said they were going with other people anyway. SWEET. FRIENDS! Originally I think there were going to be 6-7 of us (possibly some single ladies woop woop) then it turned out to be them and another couple. FIFTH WHEEL. At least a third wheel makes a tricycle, what vehicle has 5 wheels? It turned out to be a nice time though, we saw Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. Pretty good flick, very inventive, odd and charming. (SIDE INTERRUPTION NOTE: Seattle people LOVE looking in windows rudely as they pass, just glaring. I witness it both from indoors and out, but they have no shame getting nose close to investigate the indoors) After the flick we just strolled Downtown Seattle, we went to the pier, past many many bums, saw the original Starbuck's (I found out that the Tully's I thought was a competitor is actually a subsidiary as well) But mostly I just socialized with these two younger couples. It made me feel like an old sinner or something. They were so fresh, everything in this city amazed them. The though of pulling on a door and finding it locked, or the fact that I would give bums change and chat with them, or that it was after 9 and we were strolling freely in the streets of a big city just enlivened them. I don't know if it's because I am (very slightly) older or just a different personality. But I am just not amazed to the same extent by all of these things. I think they are cool and interesting and I enjoy my time here but I'm just not knocked on my socks or frightened by any of it as they were. It was a weird feeling. Also I experienced a sort of (maybe I am just imagining this) feeling of "try to be cool for the older person" either that or "try to appear as if I'm not trying to be cool for the older person" Whatever I did I couldnt help but perceive myself through them as the older guy. I HATE when I get the feeling that people are working to impress you or be liked by you for several reasons. 1. Who the hell am I to impress? Why would you worry about impressing ME? and if you're sole interaction with me is trying to impress then who the hell are you? OR what confidence do you have in yourself that you can't just assume that either your SELF will be impressive, or that if I am not impressed, your SELF is just as impressive as it was, just not to me. ANYWAY They kept mentioning that they wished they know of some parties, or wish they had something to do and I kept thinking "well what they hell are we doing, isn't this enjoyable?" It reminded me of my freshman year where a weekend wasnt complete unless I had committed embarassing drunken acts at some faraway party. Maybe I'm just more easily contented now. They told me stories of their times "getting drunk and having someone drive them to walmart" or the time they ate a whole pie. (I don't know why the drunk walmart thing is in quotes) and I was just like God if they only knew the shameful things that I have done. Hence the feeling like a sinner. Also they sort of had an innocence in coupledom in which the fact that they are both relatively new couples and friends (I think) and the structure of the two couples hanging out inhibits both the 4 of them interacting individually but also the two couples interacting as a couple. In reality, I was the only one free to act without consideration of any significant other. Also the innocence of newness of relationships and awkward sexual tension was there. I WITNESSED IT. I am glad to not be a part of that, at least not for awhile.
BUT THIS BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER THOUGHT. Being in a new city is very freeing. Moreso it makes things less risky. If I mess up here I probably just offend some person I don't really know. Back home messing up can ruin my friendships and the friendships of friendships and all sorts of jazz. Here there's not much risk. Aside from the getting mugged.
I'm trying to be as introspective in a self-improvement kind of way as I possibly can in my time here and so far so good. A huge thing I want to work on is my comfortability with being alone. Through my friends that know me best (sometimes ones that surprise you) I have learned that I sort of have this fear of being alone. I operate best within a close male-female relationship. People have pointed out I always have a girlfriend, or a woman of interest or SOMEONE of that nature, and they were right. I have tried out here to enjoy things for myself. Doing things because I actually draw pleasure from them, not because they make others happy. I'm a Libra, supposedly the stars say it's in my nature to try to be the orchestrator of fun for others. That's spot on. I feel like if I am in a situation and it is not fun, or successful, or any one person is not having a good time that it is in some way my fault. I feel I must take it upon myself to fix it. This turns people into relying on me for things I wish they could rely on themselves for. I don't think this is just me either. I think this is a feeling of our times that we feel personally guilty if anything we are involved in isn't a laugh riot or boomin' success. So I've been working on that. It's been going pretty well. I have this person I call my TGF (text GF) that I text all the time, and it helps me feel not alone, but I don't know if it is good for what I am trying to do. A lot of times when I find something that I enjoy, I hear a good song for example, I have to tell someone. I CANNOT keep it to myself as my own little secret fave. I am a sharer, for me if something isn't shared then what the hell is the point. I battle with myself over whether this is a positive thing or a negative one. The negative is when I have something that I experienced and no one to share it with it is immensely painful. ( I would like thoughts on this)
I gotta share, or I'll whither away and die. LETS MOVE ON TO SOME FUN BITS SHALL WE?!
DEEP THOUGHTS/Observances
-when you are texting and want to illustrate that you are shouting, you add more to the end ex. ahhhhhhhhh, pooooooooooo BUT when you want to shout a number it is more difficult EX. 1000000000000000 What number am I shouting?... (1000)
- I was at the gym the other day and saw twins, one was slightly fatter, but they worked out together, do they both have a common model to strive for, or does the fatter one want to look like the skinnier one and the skinnier one like some other girl?
-I saw a man listening to a CD player the other day, get with the times dude.
-In the outdoor shopping mall here they have lots of little bins of umbrellas, that you can use while you are there and return later. OH SEATTLE
-Sometimes the world loses it's mystery for me and I am no longer amazed by things. Sometimes I'm just in a bad mood, other times I need to go out and find something amazing. HMMM
THANK YOUS
Thank you roommate for inviting me out and about, it was a nice time
Thank you Geoff for your Krusty Krab comment, I love it
Thank you TGF for giving me T entertainment
Whenever I write a longer blog I assume nobody reads the whole thing. If you don't mind commenting whether you did or not (be honest) I would appreciate it. (you can comment anonymously)
and yes I truly and deeply appreciate all comments and criticisms. Give em to me!
ALSO just got another idea for a blog. COMING SOON BIATCH
Seattle January 9.
I am currently in a Tully's coffee, which I think may be the largest Starbuck's competitor here. It is pretty much exactly a Starbuck's but has it beat in one way. It's Wi-Fi is free! (I get Wi-Fi at Starbucks's anyway being an AT&T customer, but whatever). Upon first sip I find that bum bu da bum their coffee is not that great. WOMP WOMP.
Whatever, I feel like some big city urbanite blogging on my mac in a coffee shop while also downloading personal fitness apps on my iPhone. I'm friggin' modern.
Last night was a Friday night to remember, ahhhhh the glory. Actually I went to the gym, for like 2+ hours because, why not? I got nothing else to do. While I was there I was like, I never remember what weight I set it at last time and have no idea if I am progressing or not because of this DUN DUN DA DUN I downloaded an app called iFitness so I can track that shit. We'll see how this goes. I'm hoping to looks like Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV by the end of my time here. That's achievable right? When I got back from the gym I was going to grab some food and maybe a beer, thought about seeing if one of my housemates wanted to go. Then again I wasn't to knock on a dude's door to see if he wanted to go on a spontaneous man date. So I walked to the QFC (Quality Food Center) alone. I got me a bigass Tuna Wrap, some hummus (which turned out to be barely hummus at all, fake commercial crap) and pita chips. It was delicious. Later that night my timid 28 year old roommate knocked, I crawled from my bedspace to greet him and he asked whether I was going to be up for awhile because he was just going to put in a movie but wouldn't if I was going to bed because the sound might disturb me. First off, I cannot hear anything that goes on in his room from my room, so what the hell. But anyway it was very considerate, but not so considerate in that, "I want you to feel welcome", as much as it was, considerate in that "If you were to come into my room and ask me to turn my movie down later I would be frightened and then whimper to myself about it later" I may be too cruel in my judgements as I have said before, but I have something in me that wants me to hate people with crippling timidity. If I were cruel I'd toy with him. Tell him that, "No, I wasn't going to bed, but am going to be watching my own movie, and hate when the sounds of other movies interrupt mine, also, that it would be best if he went to bed, as he has to get up early to help me clean my car in the morning"
ANYWAY that was last night. Nothing exciting. (I just took two more sips, still sucks) Today was nice. I woke up, once again did not want to exit my bed, and snoozed several hundred times. I am going to have to remind my friends of the time difference between here and Iowa because I dislike getting loud texts at 8 or 9 AM, either that or I could turn my phone on vibrate. I'll do vibrate. But I had made an appointment at the Apple store to get some problems with my computer fixed. My baby's been claiming in it's menu bar recently that I need to get my battery checked. I was alll, "nawwww," but then I was all, " OH Shit, didn't some people's batteries blow up and stuff?" HMMMMMM also my superdrive hasnt been able to recognize blank discs. SO I take it in and drop it off. The mac store is bustling as always with it's community of young hipsters, middle aged hipsters and young families. I like the young families the most. Watching the moms and pops awkwardly sit on a stuffed orb with their small child playing Lego Batman on the iMacs. It's cute. Especially because the moms, pops and their kids are all dressed in tip top Pacific Northwest Haute fashion. Whatever though. They say they'll fix it in an hour and a half, SWEET, so I go get a coffee (there are 4 starbuck'ses in this outdoor University Village shopping center, 4! not just one across from each other, but one at each corner, there are also other side, non starbuck's, coffee shops) and then I picked up the Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (so far a good read) I picked up the coffee at one starbucks, stopped at the B&N (also containing a Starbucks) and plopped down to read it at the Starbuck's across from where I had bought my coffee. I hoped this Starbuck's wouldnt make me leave due to loitering as I had bought my coffee at the one across the way. I sat, read, watched couples with their dogs (everyone has dogs) and their small kids. I like young families, maybe one day down the road I will play a role in one. Hopefully the role of "young father." A woman with a timid little greyish dog came up and asked me to look after her dog while she got her coffee. I gladly accepted. That's that community trust I am looking for. Apparently it can be found in hip, upper-class shopping centers. That's the place for me. I read for about an hour and a half, then walked back, where my computer was fixed. New Drive, New battery, ALSO I noticed that where there was a slight dent in the side before, it looks like they made some attempts to flatten it. Props Apple crew. Props.
Now I am going to hit up the gym again, using my new iFitness App, then clean out my car, finish getting my room in order, and do a little grocery shopping finally. HUZZAH!
I will write again later about strange observances and such. Also comparing the Forum where I work to both The Children's Theater where I used to volunteer, and to Church, which I used to attend.
Whatever, I feel like some big city urbanite blogging on my mac in a coffee shop while also downloading personal fitness apps on my iPhone. I'm friggin' modern.
Last night was a Friday night to remember, ahhhhh the glory. Actually I went to the gym, for like 2+ hours because, why not? I got nothing else to do. While I was there I was like, I never remember what weight I set it at last time and have no idea if I am progressing or not because of this DUN DUN DA DUN I downloaded an app called iFitness so I can track that shit. We'll see how this goes. I'm hoping to looks like Dolph Lundgren in Rocky IV by the end of my time here. That's achievable right? When I got back from the gym I was going to grab some food and maybe a beer, thought about seeing if one of my housemates wanted to go. Then again I wasn't to knock on a dude's door to see if he wanted to go on a spontaneous man date. So I walked to the QFC (Quality Food Center) alone. I got me a bigass Tuna Wrap, some hummus (which turned out to be barely hummus at all, fake commercial crap) and pita chips. It was delicious. Later that night my timid 28 year old roommate knocked, I crawled from my bedspace to greet him and he asked whether I was going to be up for awhile because he was just going to put in a movie but wouldn't if I was going to bed because the sound might disturb me. First off, I cannot hear anything that goes on in his room from my room, so what the hell. But anyway it was very considerate, but not so considerate in that, "I want you to feel welcome", as much as it was, considerate in that "If you were to come into my room and ask me to turn my movie down later I would be frightened and then whimper to myself about it later" I may be too cruel in my judgements as I have said before, but I have something in me that wants me to hate people with crippling timidity. If I were cruel I'd toy with him. Tell him that, "No, I wasn't going to bed, but am going to be watching my own movie, and hate when the sounds of other movies interrupt mine, also, that it would be best if he went to bed, as he has to get up early to help me clean my car in the morning"
ANYWAY that was last night. Nothing exciting. (I just took two more sips, still sucks) Today was nice. I woke up, once again did not want to exit my bed, and snoozed several hundred times. I am going to have to remind my friends of the time difference between here and Iowa because I dislike getting loud texts at 8 or 9 AM, either that or I could turn my phone on vibrate. I'll do vibrate. But I had made an appointment at the Apple store to get some problems with my computer fixed. My baby's been claiming in it's menu bar recently that I need to get my battery checked. I was alll, "nawwww," but then I was all, " OH Shit, didn't some people's batteries blow up and stuff?" HMMMMMM also my superdrive hasnt been able to recognize blank discs. SO I take it in and drop it off. The mac store is bustling as always with it's community of young hipsters, middle aged hipsters and young families. I like the young families the most. Watching the moms and pops awkwardly sit on a stuffed orb with their small child playing Lego Batman on the iMacs. It's cute. Especially because the moms, pops and their kids are all dressed in tip top Pacific Northwest Haute fashion. Whatever though. They say they'll fix it in an hour and a half, SWEET, so I go get a coffee (there are 4 starbuck'ses in this outdoor University Village shopping center, 4! not just one across from each other, but one at each corner, there are also other side, non starbuck's, coffee shops) and then I picked up the Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (so far a good read) I picked up the coffee at one starbucks, stopped at the B&N (also containing a Starbucks) and plopped down to read it at the Starbuck's across from where I had bought my coffee. I hoped this Starbuck's wouldnt make me leave due to loitering as I had bought my coffee at the one across the way. I sat, read, watched couples with their dogs (everyone has dogs) and their small kids. I like young families, maybe one day down the road I will play a role in one. Hopefully the role of "young father." A woman with a timid little greyish dog came up and asked me to look after her dog while she got her coffee. I gladly accepted. That's that community trust I am looking for. Apparently it can be found in hip, upper-class shopping centers. That's the place for me. I read for about an hour and a half, then walked back, where my computer was fixed. New Drive, New battery, ALSO I noticed that where there was a slight dent in the side before, it looks like they made some attempts to flatten it. Props Apple crew. Props.
Now I am going to hit up the gym again, using my new iFitness App, then clean out my car, finish getting my room in order, and do a little grocery shopping finally. HUZZAH!
I will write again later about strange observances and such. Also comparing the Forum where I work to both The Children's Theater where I used to volunteer, and to Church, which I used to attend.
Thoughts on Doodlejump and other observations
DoodleJump is a fun game for the iPhone in which you play the role of a tiny snout-nosed alien hopping endlessly upwards on a series of diminishing and changing platforms all while avoiding aliens and blackholes. It is a fun time-killer and as everything seems to, it makes me think about life. One thing I realized is that there really is not point. You're not saving a princess or defeating an evil force, or even trying to collect a certain number of things, simply trying to rack up a high score and once you've got that high score the only thing to do is to defeat that previous high score. In some ways I think this is a good model for life. I should strive for the highest level of success, whatever that is, and then once I have reached that platform, go at it again and strive for a higher platform. The more often I strive for the highest platform the better I will get at avoiding the obstacles I will face and jumping strategically. It's a way to live life folks. Strive and strive again for that high score.
Another thing is that when you are trying to get a higher score, you are always jumping with a platform in mind. Jumping to a specific platform. If you fail to pick a platform to jump to you will either land back on the one you were at or fall to your death. This is like in life when people just move and move without goals. Move with a mission and you will get that high score.
The final thought I had is, I am pretty sure this character in the game can't look down. This I'm sure could be applied to not looking back in life, but mostly I just think of how frightening it would be to jump up, thinking you are going to land on a platform, except just keep falling. God that would be terrifying
Now onto a random likes and dislikes session.
Likes:
-overhearing one good looking girl talk to another good looking girl about how attractive a third unseen girls ass is
-seeing fully dressed Mannequins being transported on a trolley and freaking out because you are sure they are dead/passed out children
-Tacos Guaymos Carne Asada Burritos with a Tecate
Dislikes:
-Being in a cold room wrapped in blankets fearing getting up to go to the cold shower
-How iPhones don't just return to the article you were reading after responding to a text
-Overhearing horribly awkard and personal conversations when people don't know you are working in the next room
-A Capitol Hill native warning me that I may see gay people holding hands/kissing with the possible mindset that it may frighten my fragile Iowa mind. (we got gay marriage, you don't Washington TAKE THAT)
-When someone on the street asks you for spare change or something and you are willing to give it but honestly don't have any and you feel bad because you had nothing to give them but also because you think that they assume that you are lying.
and here's a big one that's been bugging me lately. This is almost in direct response to another blogger's blogs, and if they read my blog I am sorry if I offend, but would love their response to my frustrations to follow.
People who limit their enjoyment of things by denying the reality that is all around them. This person is a fairly conservative Christian, alternative interests aside. But they have written that they dislike certain films/shows etc because they are about sex or divorce or infidelity. To me this just seems like they are denying that these things exist. I have seen films that are unpleasant to watch, but good films, because they handle something out there that is real and does exist. Sex/Divorce/bad relationships happen in today's world. A LOT. and to not represent that in film and media is to deny it's existence. Media is here to show what goes on in our world and to comment on it how the creator see's fit. I am not going to turn of American History X because I don't like racism or neo-nazism. I am going to watch it and see what it has to say on the subject. Things like this frustrate me. In some ways refusing to watch movies about disturbing and unpleasant but true things is cowardice because you are refusing to face reality. If you do not face reality and see it for what it is, there is no way to change it into something less disturbing, or to learn to accept what you used to believe was disturbing as something else.
Another thing is that when you are trying to get a higher score, you are always jumping with a platform in mind. Jumping to a specific platform. If you fail to pick a platform to jump to you will either land back on the one you were at or fall to your death. This is like in life when people just move and move without goals. Move with a mission and you will get that high score.
The final thought I had is, I am pretty sure this character in the game can't look down. This I'm sure could be applied to not looking back in life, but mostly I just think of how frightening it would be to jump up, thinking you are going to land on a platform, except just keep falling. God that would be terrifying
Now onto a random likes and dislikes session.
Likes:
-overhearing one good looking girl talk to another good looking girl about how attractive a third unseen girls ass is
-seeing fully dressed Mannequins being transported on a trolley and freaking out because you are sure they are dead/passed out children
-Tacos Guaymos Carne Asada Burritos with a Tecate
Dislikes:
-Being in a cold room wrapped in blankets fearing getting up to go to the cold shower
-How iPhones don't just return to the article you were reading after responding to a text
-Overhearing horribly awkard and personal conversations when people don't know you are working in the next room
-A Capitol Hill native warning me that I may see gay people holding hands/kissing with the possible mindset that it may frighten my fragile Iowa mind. (we got gay marriage, you don't Washington TAKE THAT)
-When someone on the street asks you for spare change or something and you are willing to give it but honestly don't have any and you feel bad because you had nothing to give them but also because you think that they assume that you are lying.
and here's a big one that's been bugging me lately. This is almost in direct response to another blogger's blogs, and if they read my blog I am sorry if I offend, but would love their response to my frustrations to follow.
People who limit their enjoyment of things by denying the reality that is all around them. This person is a fairly conservative Christian, alternative interests aside. But they have written that they dislike certain films/shows etc because they are about sex or divorce or infidelity. To me this just seems like they are denying that these things exist. I have seen films that are unpleasant to watch, but good films, because they handle something out there that is real and does exist. Sex/Divorce/bad relationships happen in today's world. A LOT. and to not represent that in film and media is to deny it's existence. Media is here to show what goes on in our world and to comment on it how the creator see's fit. I am not going to turn of American History X because I don't like racism or neo-nazism. I am going to watch it and see what it has to say on the subject. Things like this frustrate me. In some ways refusing to watch movies about disturbing and unpleasant but true things is cowardice because you are refusing to face reality. If you do not face reality and see it for what it is, there is no way to change it into something less disturbing, or to learn to accept what you used to believe was disturbing as something else.
Seattle Day 4
I've had a few days to adjust here and some of the formalities have come down at work. One of the guys here, Adam offered to take me for a beer sometime and I told him I am DOWN.
I also met some of the other volunteers. There's a much more part time intern from Japan? by the name of Yuko, she doesn't speak english all that well but I sense she has a pretty good sense of humor. I am mostly in charge of finding things for her to do when she is in once a week. I am up to the task.
I have also met a young woman by the name of Marcy, we had very little conversation but she seems nice and says she volunteers here for the discounts on the classes, meaning we possibly have similar interests (as I should expect from all volunteers at a Film Forum) and could be best pals.
There is also a dude by the name of Willy James, at least I was told, he and I have had extensive conversation but I have yet to have the audacity to be like, "yo WILLY J!" because I think the name Willy James sounds preposterous. He and I could be good buds however and I enjoy his company when he is around.
I have also met
At work here I have been ripping files from DVD, converting them to DV files, putting them together as a continuous stream in Final Cut Pro, sending them to compressor where I convert them to a DVD compatible file, and then burning them to DVD. Needless to say it takes a loooong time and doesn't require much of me but to click a few buttons and wait. I may begin what may be a faster process of ripping from DVD, converting to DV (possibly direct to the DVD compatible file if I can) then directly to DVD studio pro where I will arrange them as a sequence of movies that play continuously, skipping the step of aligning them in final cut and reconverting them. I hope this works because it will cut my time in half
As for out of work adventures there has been a few.
I got a parking ticket. I was pretty sure the meter said don't worry about it after 6 and it was 6:10 at the time. However, parking tickets here are an astronomical $40 and I will not be doing that again.
I went out to a place called Buckley's in Belltown which is the local Big 10/Iowa bar here to watch the Hawks kick some ass in the Orange Bowl. I arrived alone and struggled up front to order a beer, then picked my spot in a corner awkwardly to watch the game. Not a good time from the get go, but it got better. A young woman by the name of Sam greeted me by basically calling me out on my lame being aloneness and I chatted with her and another lame being aloner by the name of Michael. They were great company throughout the game, we proceeded to get a little tipsy and watch the game in a great environment surrounded by hawk alum and a beer band that played the fight song every time it was deserved. There are videos up on my youtube site (youtube.com/kapatachowa) if you want to check them out. Michael took off and it was left to Sam and I to play trivia BUT WAIT, who is this across the bar. Could it be? IT IS, the sole contact I had coming out here was a friend of my brother's named Jon who tried to help me find a place to live. I said hi, we chatted, he was drunker than I. He derided me for not taking the place he suggested as I would be living with some Sig Eps (woulda been nice) then he called my brother, who was also drunk and they chatted. Also there was one of my brother's friend's Mike, also drunk. Cool guys though, maybe we'll all get drunk sometime in the future. I walked Sam to her busstop, trying to seem as little like a creepy stranger as I could and we parted ways. I walked around for awhile in the city, lights on, nothing open, under the shadow of the Space Needle (what the hell is that thing for?) and then drove home. All in All, damn good night. Life refresshing.
On the interactions with the housemates front, I've been making tiny progress. I purchased a 6 pack at a local brewery to try it out (the Elysian) and let my basement housemates know they were welcome to it if they so choose. The 28 year old Sheet music purchases (while packing his lunch for the next day in a middle school style insulated lunch container) informed me he wasn't much of a beer drinker, preferring wine. I try my best daily and nightly not to judge him to harshly, he's just a gentle spirit. Either that or a huge pussy. The other roommate looked scared that I was talking to him. I hope my roomates don't read this as I am currently probably judging them too harshly and am actually sure they are kind individuals.
I joined a Gym. That's nice. It is small but has all that I need. The guy who signed me up was real casual about it, almost criminally so. I think he's up to something.
ON THE FOOD FRONT:
I have been trying coffees, foods and beers/liquors out here. Here's the updates
Went to a place called Pike St. Fish'n'Chips, got a Cod Sandwich with Slaw and Fries. PHENOMENAL.
Went back there today for $2 Fish Tacos: PHENOMENALLER
Also ate at a local chain -Dick's Burger place. Pretty good. 2.50 burgers. only takes cash. Nothing amazing.
BEER: I tried the ESB from the Elysian Brewery right by my work. At first you're like DAMN this is good, then it gets almost too much. Sweet/syrupy I can't imagine drinking more than one. I also tried the Olympia Hefe-Weizen while getting Fish&Chips. That kind of sucked.
ALSO I have declared my quest to find an awesome local Whisky. My number one prospect is something called Dry Fly, supposedly they serve it at a bar a block away so step one is -try it there. Wish me luck.
DEEP THOUGHTS
-is that guy limping or is he drunk?
-People are generally nice, people aren't as much compatible as nice people just get along with other nice people
- I really hate this whole thing of everyone being suspicious of one another EX. I walked that girl to the bus stop and was so worried she thought I was going to rape her OR I was walking in downtown Seattle and this other girl was walking alone and sped up so I wouldn't be right by her
-I dislike when people have to establish their "higher" status over you EX. dude exclaiming "are you even old enough to drink?" at the bar DOUCHE
-Alterna-kids who think they are clever/smart/idunno EX. the gym I am working out at is on the second floor and has large glass windows by the treadmills. Dumbass alterna-skater thinks it is funny to stare directly at me, making eye contact, for long periods of time and then laugh to his girlfriend. What the hell man?
Complaints about Seattle
-parking is satanic
WHELP I think that covers it folks. I'll get back to you when I've got more to tell.
I also met some of the other volunteers. There's a much more part time intern from Japan? by the name of Yuko, she doesn't speak english all that well but I sense she has a pretty good sense of humor. I am mostly in charge of finding things for her to do when she is in once a week. I am up to the task.
I have also met a young woman by the name of Marcy, we had very little conversation but she seems nice and says she volunteers here for the discounts on the classes, meaning we possibly have similar interests (as I should expect from all volunteers at a Film Forum) and could be best pals.
There is also a dude by the name of Willy James, at least I was told, he and I have had extensive conversation but I have yet to have the audacity to be like, "yo WILLY J!" because I think the name Willy James sounds preposterous. He and I could be good buds however and I enjoy his company when he is around.
I have also met
At work here I have been ripping files from DVD, converting them to DV files, putting them together as a continuous stream in Final Cut Pro, sending them to compressor where I convert them to a DVD compatible file, and then burning them to DVD. Needless to say it takes a loooong time and doesn't require much of me but to click a few buttons and wait. I may begin what may be a faster process of ripping from DVD, converting to DV (possibly direct to the DVD compatible file if I can) then directly to DVD studio pro where I will arrange them as a sequence of movies that play continuously, skipping the step of aligning them in final cut and reconverting them. I hope this works because it will cut my time in half
As for out of work adventures there has been a few.
I got a parking ticket. I was pretty sure the meter said don't worry about it after 6 and it was 6:10 at the time. However, parking tickets here are an astronomical $40 and I will not be doing that again.
I went out to a place called Buckley's in Belltown which is the local Big 10/Iowa bar here to watch the Hawks kick some ass in the Orange Bowl. I arrived alone and struggled up front to order a beer, then picked my spot in a corner awkwardly to watch the game. Not a good time from the get go, but it got better. A young woman by the name of Sam greeted me by basically calling me out on my lame being aloneness and I chatted with her and another lame being aloner by the name of Michael. They were great company throughout the game, we proceeded to get a little tipsy and watch the game in a great environment surrounded by hawk alum and a beer band that played the fight song every time it was deserved. There are videos up on my youtube site (youtube.com/kapatachowa) if you want to check them out. Michael took off and it was left to Sam and I to play trivia BUT WAIT, who is this across the bar. Could it be? IT IS, the sole contact I had coming out here was a friend of my brother's named Jon who tried to help me find a place to live. I said hi, we chatted, he was drunker than I. He derided me for not taking the place he suggested as I would be living with some Sig Eps (woulda been nice) then he called my brother, who was also drunk and they chatted. Also there was one of my brother's friend's Mike, also drunk. Cool guys though, maybe we'll all get drunk sometime in the future. I walked Sam to her busstop, trying to seem as little like a creepy stranger as I could and we parted ways. I walked around for awhile in the city, lights on, nothing open, under the shadow of the Space Needle (what the hell is that thing for?) and then drove home. All in All, damn good night. Life refresshing.
On the interactions with the housemates front, I've been making tiny progress. I purchased a 6 pack at a local brewery to try it out (the Elysian) and let my basement housemates know they were welcome to it if they so choose. The 28 year old Sheet music purchases (while packing his lunch for the next day in a middle school style insulated lunch container) informed me he wasn't much of a beer drinker, preferring wine. I try my best daily and nightly not to judge him to harshly, he's just a gentle spirit. Either that or a huge pussy. The other roommate looked scared that I was talking to him. I hope my roomates don't read this as I am currently probably judging them too harshly and am actually sure they are kind individuals.
I joined a Gym. That's nice. It is small but has all that I need. The guy who signed me up was real casual about it, almost criminally so. I think he's up to something.
ON THE FOOD FRONT:
I have been trying coffees, foods and beers/liquors out here. Here's the updates
Went to a place called Pike St. Fish'n'Chips, got a Cod Sandwich with Slaw and Fries. PHENOMENAL.
Went back there today for $2 Fish Tacos: PHENOMENALLER
Also ate at a local chain -Dick's Burger place. Pretty good. 2.50 burgers. only takes cash. Nothing amazing.
BEER: I tried the ESB from the Elysian Brewery right by my work. At first you're like DAMN this is good, then it gets almost too much. Sweet/syrupy I can't imagine drinking more than one. I also tried the Olympia Hefe-Weizen while getting Fish&Chips. That kind of sucked.
ALSO I have declared my quest to find an awesome local Whisky. My number one prospect is something called Dry Fly, supposedly they serve it at a bar a block away so step one is -try it there. Wish me luck.
DEEP THOUGHTS
-is that guy limping or is he drunk?
-People are generally nice, people aren't as much compatible as nice people just get along with other nice people
- I really hate this whole thing of everyone being suspicious of one another EX. I walked that girl to the bus stop and was so worried she thought I was going to rape her OR I was walking in downtown Seattle and this other girl was walking alone and sped up so I wouldn't be right by her
-I dislike when people have to establish their "higher" status over you EX. dude exclaiming "are you even old enough to drink?" at the bar DOUCHE
-Alterna-kids who think they are clever/smart/idunno EX. the gym I am working out at is on the second floor and has large glass windows by the treadmills. Dumbass alterna-skater thinks it is funny to stare directly at me, making eye contact, for long periods of time and then laugh to his girlfriend. What the hell man?
Complaints about Seattle
-parking is satanic
WHELP I think that covers it folks. I'll get back to you when I've got more to tell.
Seattle Beginnings
I am working here at the Northwest Film Forum and Children’s Film Festival Seattle for the next 3 months and had my first day of work yesterday. It was good, everyone is exceptionally nice and very polite. I like the nice part but the polite part is going to have to change a bit, I am ready to shake the formalities and be drinking buddies with all my coworkers. Let’s rage. Other than that this is a cool place in a cool neighborhood (Capitol Hill) and I am excited to be involved in the Forum’s endeavors. Right now I am involved in creating the reels that make showing successive films for screenings much easier, it is time consuming, but not hard. So…Job=good. Let’s get on to the neighborhood.
I walked around in the University District of Seattle last night for quite some time, just to get my bearings in this excited new place. There were food shops: Tacos, Seafood,4,899,876 Coffee shops, Smoke Shops, QFC’s, Vegan, Falafel, Burgers, Fish’n’Chips, Sushi, and all that Jazz which I am very excited to sample. I started out my walk lonely, being a new person in an established city. I would walk around and see a variety of types of people. People I am used to, heavy metal dude’s (I actually overheard quoting the lead singer or Slayer), Bro’s at Irish Pubs, and a hell of a lot of scenester/hippie/indie/hipster kids. I usually hate this type, but their females are just so GD cute. Possibly I will have an Avatar style romance in which I infiltrate their masses and win their favor by winning the heart of their indie-princess. We’ll see.
But as I was saying, I started off being lonely, watching all of these people going to bars, or outside smoking, or rolling up to parties, or stumbling drunk home with their friends and I wanted to be a part of it. “OOH OOH, I’m in!” I want to just chime in and join as if it were that easy. I started to get sad. Why the hell can’t I be included in this jovial life you are all leading? I thought to myself, as I passed many houses with the lights on featuring young adults socializing to TV, “wouldn’t it be nice if I could just knock on the door, introduce myself as Bryce, say that I would like to make friends and have them welcome me” Wouldn’t it be nice if people were that trusting and a random lonely stranger showing up at the door wouldn’t be greeted with a call to the police, but rather a, “Hey man, welcome to Seattle, can I show you around? Wanna come party with us? Here’s a beer.” Damn this world where every stranger is perceived as a rapist or drug addict (for the record I am neither)
Then I realized I’m new. I’m the new kid and I don’t have the teacher to introduce me to the class. Maybe I can have the mayor publicly introduce me? I remember I always kind of hated new kids, especially the ones that had frequently been new kids due to moving around a lot. They were always obnoxious and showy, overly energized and somewhat flirtatious. The girls always liked them. I suppose they had to develop a sort of boldness to meet people. They’ve done this new thing before. Well it’s my first time, and this class is pretty GD big. I will do my best to take bold actions to begin my conquering while still attempting to maintain a low obnoxiosity. Also, I hope the girls like me, do Seattle chicks think Iowa dudes are cool; possibly if I let them perceive me as the innocent country boy frightened by pigeons and cocktails?
What I am basically coming to terms with, and feeling like I should have before I left for Seattle, weeks before, is that this is one of those times in my life when I am really going to have to work to actively live to the best of my ability, which honestly isn’t something I have been doing in a while. No lie, I’ve been slacking. I am going to have to leave my room, stop watching downloaded Showtime shows, and walk the streets, eat at new places, approach strange and new people, finally ask one of my housemates to go get a beer with me at that German bar up the street (it’s like an awkward flirting living with people you’ve never met). I am hoping I am up for this because I want adventures. Adventures damnit.
The only way I know to think about life like this is in relation to a movie where similar things happen, which I know is a terrible way to do things. YET, preconceptions are kind of my thing, can’t go into anything without one, and I preconceive my ideal Seattle adventure as that one where the young guy starts hanging out with some people through an odd occurrence where he meets a cute scenester-princess in the grocery store checkout line (she comments on a Twilight magazine and I rip her for it, but it turns out to be a misconception) then this girl and I hang out together, I start to like her, then she introduces me to her friends who vary from hardcore metal-heads smoking dope in creepy basements to ravesters taking E and trying to find secret intense raves. I get caught up in all of this, mostly because I like the girl, (there’s also this really cool guy who takes me under his wing but turns out to be a POS who has a history with my indie-princess and hates me secretly for being the new guy) then realize halfway through that THIS JUST ISN’T ME, but I can’t just leave the scene now, I love these people. I must leave the scene and bring them out with me SAVE THEM. BUT OH NO it’s useless, they are stuck in their ways, and it’s not until I risk my life, nearly dying, to save my indie-princess’s life, that she see’s that she must leave the scene with me, but it’s too late. I must return to my Podunk Iowa town. (apparently Podunk is a proper noun). Also during this time my indie-princess and I get in on like phenoms daily nightly, ever so rightly.
Once again, I’m up for this, I’ve conquered a new city before (that’s right Iowa City, you’re my bitch) Just this time I don’t have an IN, making friends isn’t hard, getting yourself into a social situation where it’s possible to make friends is. Goal number one is to make that happen. Goal number 2 is to find a GD gym in this freaking town that just has weights and treadmills. That’s all I need, no classes, no aromatherapy, no new modern equipment. I need heavy shit, and stuff to run on.
I will be writing frequently to keep my LOYAL FANs updated on how my progress goes.
I tend to think in little metaphors and cheesy phrases that I think I’ve made up, but probably haven’t. Here’s a few from my walk. ( This will become the DEEP THOUGHTS section of my Seattle Blogs)
-“Life is only sad when you’re not a part of it”
-“For Cigarette smokers, realizing your addicted and trying to quit happen in amazingly close proximity to one another.”
FUNNY THINGS I SAW/OVERHEARD
-Hobo talking to himself nearly shouting “are you testing me? ARE YOU TESTING ME” then as soon as I pass saying something like “See, seee I can do it”
-A cat
-overheard “I drink water like it’s going out of style, like water is my thing”
-A dirt path in a park in Seattle, WHY would you have a dirt path, it’s going to be mud 99% of the time, it’s fucking seattle COME ON
I walked around in the University District of Seattle last night for quite some time, just to get my bearings in this excited new place. There were food shops: Tacos, Seafood,4,899,876 Coffee shops, Smoke Shops, QFC’s, Vegan, Falafel, Burgers, Fish’n’Chips, Sushi, and all that Jazz which I am very excited to sample. I started out my walk lonely, being a new person in an established city. I would walk around and see a variety of types of people. People I am used to, heavy metal dude’s (I actually overheard quoting the lead singer or Slayer), Bro’s at Irish Pubs, and a hell of a lot of scenester/hippie/indie/hipster kids. I usually hate this type, but their females are just so GD cute. Possibly I will have an Avatar style romance in which I infiltrate their masses and win their favor by winning the heart of their indie-princess. We’ll see.
But as I was saying, I started off being lonely, watching all of these people going to bars, or outside smoking, or rolling up to parties, or stumbling drunk home with their friends and I wanted to be a part of it. “OOH OOH, I’m in!” I want to just chime in and join as if it were that easy. I started to get sad. Why the hell can’t I be included in this jovial life you are all leading? I thought to myself, as I passed many houses with the lights on featuring young adults socializing to TV, “wouldn’t it be nice if I could just knock on the door, introduce myself as Bryce, say that I would like to make friends and have them welcome me” Wouldn’t it be nice if people were that trusting and a random lonely stranger showing up at the door wouldn’t be greeted with a call to the police, but rather a, “Hey man, welcome to Seattle, can I show you around? Wanna come party with us? Here’s a beer.” Damn this world where every stranger is perceived as a rapist or drug addict (for the record I am neither)
Then I realized I’m new. I’m the new kid and I don’t have the teacher to introduce me to the class. Maybe I can have the mayor publicly introduce me? I remember I always kind of hated new kids, especially the ones that had frequently been new kids due to moving around a lot. They were always obnoxious and showy, overly energized and somewhat flirtatious. The girls always liked them. I suppose they had to develop a sort of boldness to meet people. They’ve done this new thing before. Well it’s my first time, and this class is pretty GD big. I will do my best to take bold actions to begin my conquering while still attempting to maintain a low obnoxiosity. Also, I hope the girls like me, do Seattle chicks think Iowa dudes are cool; possibly if I let them perceive me as the innocent country boy frightened by pigeons and cocktails?
What I am basically coming to terms with, and feeling like I should have before I left for Seattle, weeks before, is that this is one of those times in my life when I am really going to have to work to actively live to the best of my ability, which honestly isn’t something I have been doing in a while. No lie, I’ve been slacking. I am going to have to leave my room, stop watching downloaded Showtime shows, and walk the streets, eat at new places, approach strange and new people, finally ask one of my housemates to go get a beer with me at that German bar up the street (it’s like an awkward flirting living with people you’ve never met). I am hoping I am up for this because I want adventures. Adventures damnit.
The only way I know to think about life like this is in relation to a movie where similar things happen, which I know is a terrible way to do things. YET, preconceptions are kind of my thing, can’t go into anything without one, and I preconceive my ideal Seattle adventure as that one where the young guy starts hanging out with some people through an odd occurrence where he meets a cute scenester-princess in the grocery store checkout line (she comments on a Twilight magazine and I rip her for it, but it turns out to be a misconception) then this girl and I hang out together, I start to like her, then she introduces me to her friends who vary from hardcore metal-heads smoking dope in creepy basements to ravesters taking E and trying to find secret intense raves. I get caught up in all of this, mostly because I like the girl, (there’s also this really cool guy who takes me under his wing but turns out to be a POS who has a history with my indie-princess and hates me secretly for being the new guy) then realize halfway through that THIS JUST ISN’T ME, but I can’t just leave the scene now, I love these people. I must leave the scene and bring them out with me SAVE THEM. BUT OH NO it’s useless, they are stuck in their ways, and it’s not until I risk my life, nearly dying, to save my indie-princess’s life, that she see’s that she must leave the scene with me, but it’s too late. I must return to my Podunk Iowa town. (apparently Podunk is a proper noun). Also during this time my indie-princess and I get in on like phenoms daily nightly, ever so rightly.
Once again, I’m up for this, I’ve conquered a new city before (that’s right Iowa City, you’re my bitch) Just this time I don’t have an IN, making friends isn’t hard, getting yourself into a social situation where it’s possible to make friends is. Goal number one is to make that happen. Goal number 2 is to find a GD gym in this freaking town that just has weights and treadmills. That’s all I need, no classes, no aromatherapy, no new modern equipment. I need heavy shit, and stuff to run on.
I will be writing frequently to keep my LOYAL FANs updated on how my progress goes.
I tend to think in little metaphors and cheesy phrases that I think I’ve made up, but probably haven’t. Here’s a few from my walk. ( This will become the DEEP THOUGHTS section of my Seattle Blogs)
-“Life is only sad when you’re not a part of it”
-“For Cigarette smokers, realizing your addicted and trying to quit happen in amazingly close proximity to one another.”
FUNNY THINGS I SAW/OVERHEARD
-Hobo talking to himself nearly shouting “are you testing me? ARE YOU TESTING ME” then as soon as I pass saying something like “See, seee I can do it”
-A cat
-overheard “I drink water like it’s going out of style, like water is my thing”
-A dirt path in a park in Seattle, WHY would you have a dirt path, it’s going to be mud 99% of the time, it’s fucking seattle COME ON
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