Life's Little Battles...

Here's to the small victories in life. The daily battles of attrition fought to the point where apathy reigns and vodka heals.

Today, after months of convoluted mess, which included heaps (I see some using that word and it makes me laugh) of bureaucratic nonsense, negotiation, patience, frustration, and downright aggression, I received an official start date from my new job in Los Angeles: August 22, 2005. Way to go US Government. Originally, if you remember my first posting about the job, I was to start in the beginning of June. Now, it looks closer to the beginning of September! I'm happy to report that, unless contacted by certain agencies in DC, I won't be having to go through this process many more times in my life. It's ridiculous. How they expect to obtain and retain young talent is obviously beyond any Human Resources department.

Also, as of August 15, I will leave all the drama that is the LBC, and head on up to the City of Angels.

Excited? Sort of. Exhausted? Yes. Finally.

Incredible.

Driving around during lunch today it dawned on me...it had already happened, without me even realizing it. As the days have added up to nearly 8 months, I have been waking up to it, cursing it's blinding effects during the morning commute, eating lunch under it, jogging in the warm radiance of it, and watching it disappear into a cool evening under pink skies...

I am beginning to take the Sun for granted. Like a faithful partner that's always by your side while your busy flippin channels and downin' the Jack, somedays you forget to take notice!

California. The weather is simply amazing. SUNNY EVERYDAY. And when I talk about sunny, I'm not talking about Michigan "Mostly Sunny" mumbojumbo. You know, some scattered sun with a bunch of cumulus puffers blocking all the rays so that you're hot one minute, cold the next.

No, no, no..Southern California's summers consist of one thing and one thing only: pure, unadulterated, hot, blue, steamy, sexy, cloudless skies. I would say in Michigan we would get about 2 weeks of this weather (cloudless sun with low humidity) PER YEAR. Here, it is an everyday phenonmenon. As if that isn't enough, for those of us fortunate enough to live near the ocean, a cool, refreshing breeze is always present so we never really sweat, nor do we have "to deal" with LA's beautiful smog (hey, it seriously does make for an excellent sunset).

The affects of all this sun pouring down on me are, for the time being unknown..Perhaps I'm becoming more crazy, but most would argue that that isn't possible..but I do know that my patience, temper, and demeanor in general is remarkably better than the gloom back East. Go Fig.

I've got good news. I just saved a bunch of money ($300/400/mo) by switching to living alone to living with roommates.

On Bomb Blasts, Brazilian Electricans, and Wars of Terror...

Scouring the news lately, it appears the world is becoming decidely more dangerous in places not often associated with violence. Hmm, something isn't working. I found some interesting quotes taken from AdBusters...

"Violence can bring about fundamental social change. Violence gets the public to pay attention. Violence tempts the enemy to react with cruelty, revealing their true character. Violence isn't a part of the kind of future we want. Violence plays into the hands of the enemy, who will use it to justify brutality. Violence is undemocratic and leaves no space for others."

"The seduction of war is insidious because so much of what we are told about it is true: it does create a feeling of comradeship, which obliterates our alienation and makes us, for perhaps the
only time in our life, feel we belong."

"War allows us to rise above our small station in life. We find nobility in a cause and feelings of selflessness and even bliss...War, for those who enter into combat, has a dark beauty, filled with the monstrous and grotesque...War gives us a distorted sense of self; it gives us meaning."

"Because we no longer understand war, we no longer understand that it can all go horribly wrong. We no longer understand that war begins by calling for the annihilation of others but ends, if we do know when to make or maintain peace, with self-annihilation. We flirt, given the potency of modern industrial weapons, with our destruction."

"For war in the end is always about betrayal, betrayal of the young by the old, of soliders and politicians, and of idealists by cynics."

Who Wants A Mustache Ride?

So, I'm currently looking for places "up in the Los Angeles scene, where u see a lot people perpetratin' like da king" Some of the postings are just so classic on craig's list (one of my favorites):

We are a goodlooking, interracial, fun couple looking for a smart, sweet female to move in with us and be our lover. You wouldn't have to pay rent. We live on the water in an upscale, 2 BR condo with a full health facility, restaurant, etc. If we click, this could turn out to be a really beautiful thing. Please send your pic as a start. Age and race don't matter. Thanks.
ADMIRALTY WAY at PALAWAN google map yahoo map

Beautiful, indeed.

Quote of the Day..

Rita- In Grand Rapids says:
I just got back from thailand and China. I lost my passport and green card and got lost in Thailand .... my dad had to come pick me up LOL. crazy story. over a beer some day.

Middle Ages Revisted..

If you turned on CNN last weekend, you might have been amused and tickled (if you were me) to see a small town featured: A townie type of town...good ole pop. 10,000 Greenville, Michigan.

Yes, apparently, not everyone's a fan of the New Harry Potter book (you can find a video link on the right). Plus it makes excellent kindling in your rusted out BBQ.

Now before everyone goes and starts making accusations of backwardess, I can assure all the Harry Potter fans out there that it's not so much that particular book the people of Greenville are so afraid of, but rather books in general.

Da Lone Madarass.

Here's to friends we meet along the way, lose contact with for a little while, meet up with again, lose contact with, etc. etc. I met Olaf back in Belize in 1996, then again in 1998, and finally another time in 2004. He recently moved to Los Angeles, and he'll be shackin' up with the old Drakester until we find a place suitable for us two WILD AND CRAZY GUYS! It's really amazing how things work themselves out, and how you never know when you will run into a friend that you thought you wouldn't see for awhile..

Good Thing..

Sheep go to Heaven, Goats go to Hell.

The World From Above: Fotolar

Okay, okay. Mix wants landscapes, I got landscapes. A few. Not sure if you guys have checked out the satellite samples at DigitalGlobe, but they're def. worth perusing through. Bishkek was interesting, given the recent elections, but I really enjoyed Mecca. Of course, Kiev tops my list;) So, give it a looksie, you may even find your city. I did.

Something in the Water.

From time to time, I go to flickr.com and just search the latest pictures randomly uploaded. It's a great way to see the day from cameras around the globe (and daydream). Photography fascinates me, especially scenes that I can lose myself in.

Sometimes I stumble upon a gem. Sometimes I come across a diamond. Today I found a goldmine.

We love you Latvia, Oh yes we do.
We love you Latvia, and we'll be true!

Another Sad Day in the History Books...

...and this time it's London, although I can't say it's much of a surprise.

To the Red, White, and Brew

Nothin Doin' Nada..

...Never...

How Ya Like Me Now?

I just went to chill at the Japanese Garden by where I work...nothing like feeding overstuffed Koi to the sounds of people moshing at Van's Warped Tour, which was also taking place on campus. Very authentic experience. Damn, I felt old. Looking forward to a long weekend of chillin!!!

That's a Shame, A Damn Shame.

Damn Germans and their no speed-limits...