Thursday, March 30, 2006

Sit on it Mercurtio


Dear Readers,
Hello there and I hope all is well with you. As these keys click and clatter I find myself wondering why it is that I always blog in the evening. I suspect that I always hope against hope that some outrageous event will transpire whether it be thought provoking or a yarn worth ripping. However, knowing what I know now, namely that I've been domesticated, I'm trying to incorporate blogging after my morning consitutional and directly before I paint. That sounded together didn't it?

Tragically, I'm not that beautiful however what little glimmer of purity I do give off has and will be amplified by the weather outside today. As I've mentioned in earlier posts it sure seems as if the good/bad dichotomy allows for weather enjoyment. It's always funny how something that so many people hate allows us to enjoy other things. Thank you Jeff Goldbum. " BE STILL CODY."

The fed raised again, something that I think everyone had to be expecting. For the first time in quite a long time I think that the reason for the increase had a lot to do with social pressure. This being the first meeting that "Pedagogue Ben," has chaired had he taken any action other than that perceived as a Greenspanian move he would have incited a veritable fiscal pandemic. Had he moved to stop or ease the rate that in and of itsef would have caused more stir than anything that an actual quarter point could and is doing. At least in the short term and it is my understanding that happens to be all that people care about these days anyway. Isn't it Shakespeare who said that a long time is comprised of an infinite aggregate of short runs?

All other things being equal however that future of this country looks shakier and shakier with the dollars constant weakening and the penchant of other emerging economies to hesitate on thier past policy of "open-arm," lending it would seem America,or more precisely its leaders, seem hell-bent on turning what was once a semi-solid foundation into a very public house of cards. I believe what I like the least about these on-going trends is the link of myself personally to the attrition of the prosperity. Nary a day do I turn to a news station or pick up the paper do I not learn that we, namely me, as the American worker is overstayed, underqualified and overpaid. When did that start becoming the case? I personally resent the allegations. I mean i voted for Ruben Studdard how much more qualified can an American be? Although it would be an obvious truism that blue collar America has priced itself out of the lucrative positions of yesteryear it is not too late to get in on the manufacturing opportunities afforded to your father. It only requires a simply relocation to Sri Lanka, which despite the travel brochures, is lovely almost year round. Expect in the hail of gunfire season, which is milder by the lake.
As I close I must emphatically endorse V for Vendetta if not for its veiled references to large scale American tendencies and blunders than at least for the sheer quality of the cinema. It is movie going at its best. Watch or get stuck up.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Bright light city gonna....


Set my soul on fire,
Hey there world, I do hope that you've been okay as I have been more than excited to return to you. It feels nice to be back at your bosom hoping and feeling that everyday spent there will lead to one more. It has so far, and I'm not complaining as you've been quite good to me over the years and I thank you. Boobs are good. Generally speaking.
The recent absence from updates has been directly related to a conscious decision not to stay connected to the information superhighway while on holiday. It was something that I milled over a great deal. Although it is (astoundingly/astronomically) difficult to leave all the information man has accumulated unto this point in time at your fingertips, I did rather enjoy it. Not that I mind staying connected and not because i thought my addiction to the internet was any kind of hindrance. Nay goodsir, the reason why i doth did depart from the H.M.S. COMP was between betwixt her and I lay something far more sinister than the average persons reliance on facebook. What existed between my fair lady and I was connection.
Although I am not altogether paralyzed at the thought of being completely dependent on something I truly despise the notion of something (not of emotional significance, meaning mom your still safe) being of such paramount importance that I cannot distance myself from it for a few days. What is due to Caesar give to Caesar and what is due to God give to God. I try, as best I can, to let my "inner,' (defined as the self not nulled to death by Mega Man and veiled references to GOP instability) be as distanced from the physical pleasure world as possible. Therefore, i left my internet connection at home in pursuit of the higher ideal. The one that allows me to live and make merriment with no aid or crutch. Straight Andrew Mode. For better or for Worse, but with boobs.
The holiday itself, to address the former issue indirectly and the not as of yet spoken issue of the holiday itself head on, was a romp. A true testament to human decadence. I realized when I got back that I truly made no one happy but myself, probably to a fault. In fact I laid by a pool for two hours having to go to the restroom chiefly because I didn't want to get up. Also I was stealing candy from deserving children to satisfy my sugar fix. It was nice to share a sunbeam or two with those you care about the most and that I did. Taking in sun and fun in an environment that not only allowed, but encouraged the kind of counter self-respecting behavior in which I indulge whenever possible. Kids everywhere were without candy and Las Vegas will forever be changed.
Today specifically has been wonderful, aided by the weather, but wonderful on its own merits. The start of a new quarter is always saturated with " it gives me a new chance to think that I'm going to not get drunk everyday, but i probably will,LOL" conversations. Although, I both agree and understand, the reason why I like the beginnings of the quarter is it allows me to see the actual reason why I'm taking the class. I've been a student for so long that I, in what seems like decades ago, have almost completely lost a sense of connectivity with the outside working and existing universe and can only compare classes with-in an academic construct. In the initial phases of the quarter I can often see the rhyme and connection of the classes to actual goings on in a world that I anticipate joining right after I start the commune.
I hope everything is good for you as Spring Time can be difficult for many young people. A mans thoughts turn to fancy and I'm sure that young women's thoughts turn to something other than baking although I'm not sure to what.... But whatever the case may be my sincere hope is that this spring finds you in renewed spirits and renewed zeal. Perhaps you'll even try that new Zesty Ranch dressing. I've been told its quite good. Trust me.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

I guess they don't have telephones where-ever you were at?

Hey there,
Finals and my life had been spiraling to the point of madness however, I'm happy to report, them being over, I have turned out to be a better man after all. I suppose there is something to it. In fact just two days ago I threw out a "me first and the gimmie gimmie's" album that has been broken and sitting in my album case for a year. How's that for resolve, David. ( Note: David is the first name of a particularly ornery professor whose special brand of student per student life prognosis administered an almost lethal dosage of getcha life in order to me recently)
I've watched so much television today my eyeballs actually hurt. That in and of itself is quite a feat. Something that has not been my case in quite some time. So its kind of refreshing to be back into the swing of things. Sampling being American isn't all bad, all of the time I guess. The real accomplishment of my watching today though has to go to the hour spent watching nothing. I could, and maybe should, detail everything that I watched but for that hour I truly watched nothing. At least nothing of significance. I mean i tried to watch things. I tried to give it a chance but how many times can you really watch the same show of M*A*S*H (isn't it cool I can do that?)....The answer is 4. You can watch the same episode 4 times and then it absolutely becomes intolerable. Hawkeye blends from witty to smug to offensive fairly rapidly and during the last stage the empathy that comes with feeling for all the Korean women that needlessly (and i do mean needlessly) fall into the dark canyon of human comedy reaches such a high that you almost want to adopt a child. Luckily, the Brady Bunch was being aired on the next channel and that urge was promptly squashed. Alice, just MARRY THE MEATMAN.I mean his name is Sam and he cuts meat for a living. You have found the pinnacle of man hood, lock-him down and marry him.
Truthfully though, contrary to the joy you may or may not be getting out of the shakiness of this blog entry, the relaxation has done me well. Though its obvious it doesn't bode well for my communication skills. As of late the only real talking that I've had to do is to answer one word questions that are posed by mother that more often than not have to deal specifically with dinner. Love is Love.
Too much TV a bad thing or a good thing? In discernible quantifiable doses probably a good thing. In fact if you couldn't turn off the noodle every once in a while my money's on insanity setting in rather quickly. Luckily to help navigate the murky waters of your mind the H.M.S. Television exists. And what a strong ship she be. One can without a doubt kill an entire evening with little to "show," for it. (Pick your-self off the floor from laughing and continue reading) I do think that once in a while, despite my confederacy of dunces tone, its good. I need to not think every once in a while and it also lets me get back in touch with my generation. I, like you probably, get far too little of what seems to be very popular as of late. I would like to use, as the Flagship of the New Wave, the E! Channel.
I still cant fully understand exactly what it is. I mean other than a gigantic consumer machine wrapped up and posing like it actually is news. I mean they really had a breaking bulletin on Isaac Hayes quitting South Park. Which is, quite literally, the closest thing to news reported that I saw. Also as a sidenote Mark McGrath (of just letting buildings all over the world crumble fame) is on one of those crappy shows. Wowee wow wow. God does punish those who wrong him.
Well the posts, with some luck, should be more forthcoming and frequent. Now that the downpour has gone from torrential to gin and tonic in my immediate engagement planner. I'll call you at 2 am. Sorry for the non-cohesion.

Monday, March 06, 2006

A link for dat azz

http://www.insidebayarea.com/business/ci_3565557

Shout, Shout, let it all out.


Hey Cutie,
How have you guys been? I've been okay just dealing with the times and struggles of being a Simmons in this topsy turvy world. Which, yes, to satisfy your curiosity does involve shoe contracts, but in the end its quite difficult. I mean at the end of the day I am not a role model. I am a student. Do not envy me.

These last couple of days have had me thinking more about the potential job market in '07 i.e. Graduation day. It would seem the softening of the economy (in relative terms to industrial jobs) would be good for me, Andrew, the potential white collar worker. Despite that fact, I still find myself wondering about the relative strength of the business sector directly after I graduate. This is not to say that I don't still daydream of that contruction job someday. Wearing a hard hat and posting pictures of girls in Bikinis on the back of my timecard which is already dirtied with grease. In fact I've been packing my lunch in a pail with a "Val Halen is for Pussies," sticker for the last couple of weeks just to try it out. But again despite these things, I can't help but feel as if perhaps the "pendulum," of job availability will not be in full back swing within the next two years.

While most Mens thoughts turn to that of young ladies in the spring mine,as of late, as stirred towards making myself as a competitive job candidate as I can. Absract, I know. Sometimes the dreamy eyed idealist liberal that used to live inside these bones gives a tremor in my 'noggin trying to counter-balance the inherent self-centered nature of participating in a successful market driven, free economy. " Daydream, live and paint. Make something beautiful and then spit on. Tell someone Jackson Pollock was a visionary when in reality you think he was an egotistical, one trick pony. Light something on fire and ponder what gives that energy its energy." These all seem like trivial endeavors that were once important to a much freer spirit. I suppose while most people buy birkenstocks for the first time during their undergraduate years, I in contrast, have put mine on e-bay.

Things aren't all bad about being a corporate raider though. I must admit that. First, there are a lot more women in heels, which contradictory to the "sexual harassment handbook," is a very large pro bono of working in the world of tie pins and action item lists. There is the sense of external accomplishment. Mothers around the world are aggregately more pleased to here that you are Assistant Vice President of Accounts Payable then when they receive a collect call from Kazikistanian village asking for plane money home for two because she really does have to meet Irgugurelal as she's the new love of your life. I guess mine has always been the struggle of duality. Trying desperately to keep something organic and vital alive inside the cool husk of significant marginal profits,computer networks and routing tables. It hasn't always been easy but it has come naturally. Sometimes I forget that it's very hard to change one's own hardwiring and it seems as if lately I realize more and more that mine has a lot more to do with Steve Eikenberry than Steve Jobs.

My immediate past has been chalk full of classes, projects and papers (over-looking the undergrad version of Alice in Wonderland "Oh My!" I write on...) something that I am none to fond of. However, I will share with you,reader,the converse of my schooling. Namely, Spring Break. Look it's caps locked that means its for real. The fact that I am going on vacation non-withstanding what's important is the off-time from the constant of shlocking to class and wondering when and where a pop quiz might live come from. That thought is fit for neither man nor beast. I think someone important said that.

Well, like all good things this post most come to an end. I look forward to our next encounter as it will most likely see me praising the spring break trip a significant amount more. So tune in next post for the extolling of bikinis. Until then, don't wax your ears, you can hear the same and you won't poke your eardrums. Which hurts. Don't hurt, don't swab.
Cheers