01.16.09
Posted in Rants, Political Commentary, Reflections at 00:50 am by Josh
It has been eight long years.
Look, I know it sounds cliche, but honestly, they have been long years. All eight of them. In the beginning, it wasn’t so bad. The year 2000 brought about some of the finer jokes I’ve heard and some heavy-handed yet light-hearted criticisms of President Bush as he seemed to spend more of his first year as the world superpower’s commander in chief on vacation than he did in office. That was the last time life in America was not only good (for it still is and then some), but for the most part, carefree.
Enter September 11th. That day will live in on the memories of Americans not only because of the tragedy that took place, but also because of the direction it sent our President and consequently, our country. When President Bush first “declared war”, I was inspired. It is the only time in my life I felt compelled to fight, the only time I have ever tasted (and I pray the only time I ever will) what it means to leap to the defense of those you consider “your own people”. If there had been a draft, I’d have enlisted. If there had been a real war, I might have done the same. But we all know what followed: A war under the facade of diplomacy. That is precisely the sort of war no one can ever win. I think of it as fighting with “light” weapons. It’s a silly idea; the other side will not be so ill-equipped. Whether or not the American people agree with war as a majority is irrelevant. If you make the choice to fight, you sure as hell had better go in there blasting. Mr. Bush did not. Mr. Bush made excuses. Mr. Bush found scapegoats. Mr. Bush changed the course of the war to the extent that the real purpose was never realized. Now, as Mr. Bush leaves office, we remember that Osama bin Laden is still alive somewhere in the world. So much for avenging the United States.
But I do not have only contempt for the President. I want to make it very clear that I believe the job of criticising the President is much easier than the job of being the President. I do not believe, under any circumstances, that Mr. Bush maliciously or carelessly made any decisions which have affected the American people today. I do believe he made mistakes. I do believe that the President of a country should not make as many mistakes. But I also believe that this President faced some of the toughest circumstances — perhaps the most difficult since Franklin Delano Roosevelt — this country has ever seen. FDR, his cousin Ted, Abe Lincoln; these men were up to the challenge. George W. Bush, I think, was not. That’s no slur on the man; it’s just what I see from the very distant seat I sit in. I’m not sure who would have been up to it. Al Gore is a definite no-no, and Kerry would have been only a little bit better. Sure, we like to have a scapegoat just as our President did, but let’s not forget that we as the American people have not done a great job of supporting the proper leaders over the years. We could blame money, trust funds, silver spoons, oil rigs; it doesn’t matter. We The People are still the ones who did nothing but complain to each other about it.
I have no ill words for our Outgoing. I’m not happy with the job he’s done, but I hold nothing against him. The American people — not their leader — need to wake up and realize a few things. You can’t just elect the commander of a democracy and expect him to figure it all out. You also can’t just elect people who hold wealth and power in the country’s financial investments and expect that they will be the right people for the job. Sometimes you need someone who understands people, someone who understands true justice and stands for it above all else. You need someone who cannot be swayed by the petty offerings of the declining greenback, someone who speaks a language beyond that of capital or investments or future profit. America is a country, not a corporation. We are citizens, not a board of directors. We cannot sit up high and proclaim what is fair and unfair, what is profitable and what is not, without doing something tangible about it. No more useless protests. No more useless petitions. If you don’t like what the President is doing, get yourself into politics, change it yourself. “I don’t have the same corporate funding.” Who cares. If your ideas are really better, the people will listen. I’m sick of blaming one man for the faults of a country. I hope and pray that President Obama will do wonderful things for Our Great Nation. But in the meantime, I propose that we applaud President Bush for doing the best he knew to do for a country I have no doubt in my mind he loves with all of his heart.
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01.14.09
Posted in Music at 23:28 pm by Josh
$179 for a lawn seat to Phish? This country really has gone to hell in a handbasket. I paid less for the Coventry Festival and the IT Festival and they included two days of music and camping. So much for summer reminiscences.
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Posted in Movies at 11:27 am by Josh
I know the film industry is in a bit of a lull (who isn’t?) but this is just desperate and destined to fail. And Jackie Chan? Filmed in Beijing? I mean, why not. Let’s just do away with all of the Japanese aspects of the movie altogether. They can live on a farm in Nebraska, Mr. Miyagi will be Mr. Denner and he can live in a backwoods shack, and Daniel can be Ernest and he can bitch-slap his way to the top of the local, “I’ma Kick Yer Ass, Boy” circuit.
After all, what’s a remake without a new interpretation.
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Posted in Random Thoughts, News at 10:55 am by Josh
I’m not sure that this explains why I talk to myself, but it sure is an interesting study.
I was going to tell you a bit about how I feel today, then I considered writing some poetry for you, and now I’m throwing in the towel altogether. If you don’t have something nice to say, best to say nothing at all. Have a happy day. We’ll talk soon.
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01.11.09
Posted in Restaurants & Bars, Food, New York City at 13:47 pm by Josh
I have decided to pledge my support to the notion that Grimaldi’s produces some of the finest pizza in New York City. It’s not because of the coal ovens, though. It’s the ingredients they use. Their mozzarella is the thick, white variety as opposed to the shredded, string-cheese type so by the time it’s been all warmed up it literally all but melts in your mouth. Now I can’t speak for many of the toppings, but I can say that I was impressed with their use of whole, fancy black olives as opposed to the sliced-and-canned sort. Sure, there was the risk of chomping down on a pit. But really, what is life without a little risk?
I would also like to boast that I have now championed the Brooklyn Bridge at night in the snow, although I am not as hardcore as those brave enough to do it in Chuck Taylor Low-Tops. I do feel just the slightest bit guilty for the mild level of frostbite my companion endured, but I am pleased to report that by three in the morning, both movement and color returned to all of her toes. Thanks be to God.
Lastly, Veniero’s — whose desserts are never a bad idea, though there was a question of whether or not anything but gluttony and self-indulgent lust are present within its mirrored walls — really needs to kick their waitstaff up a notch. They aren’t big on communicating or serving once you’ve already been served. I asked for extra waters and I was looked at like I’d just requested the deed to the restaurant. That, and when I ordered a caffe correto, they brought me a double instead of a single which ended up being fine since I was out so late, but entirely not the point. You bring a single unless someone asks for a double. It’s just common courtesy. At least they put enough Anisette in it.
I’m going to eat my eggs now like a good zombie.
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01.10.09
Posted in Music, Announcements at 18:38 pm by Josh
Phish is back, kids, and not just for some three-day stint at Hampton. That was quicker than I expected.
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01.03.09
Posted in Writing, Life, Stories at 22:03 pm by Josh
My New Year’s Eve plans were pleasantly and unexpectedly foiled. A friend from my small group who was stuck at work was debating a solo ski trip for the following day, but was having difficulty justifying her decision as she’d started the week in California and was planning to end it in DC. Of course I, being the best person to come to when you need to be convinced of doing something you’re not sure about, strongly encouraged her to throw concern to the wind, pick up her ski boots, and head to Hunter Mountain, even if it meant getting up at 4:30am on New Year’s. As it turned out, my encouragement won me an invitation. Despite not sleeping until 2:00am thanks to some new neighbors who like to wear shoes until the wee hours of the morn, I rose and rushed to a bus which we both almost missed. Two sleepy hours later, we were someplace entirely not New York City, racing down a very cold, but otherwise well-conditioned mountain. I think it was the nicest New Year’s I’ve had in a very long time.
The Q has left the country. My oldest friend will be among the beasts of the Costa Rican rain forests for the next three months. She’s crazy, so I’m fairly certain she’ll survive, but prayers are most welcome, just in case.
I have two writing projects in the works this year, one of which I hope to complete tomorrow, the other I hope will be done before the end of February. The first is a collaboration: a comic book based on a building that is alive, unbeknownst to those who occupy it. I’m taking my leads mostly from House of Leaves while the artist has a number of other inspirations, of which I’m familiar with none. Still, it promises to be much fun and now that the script is almost done, I’m very much looking forward to seeing the pictures to go with it. This will be nothing like the way I imagine it, and I think that’s the most exciting part of all.
The second is a project I’ve been working on since August. I’ve completed one draft of it by hand and am now completing the second on computer. The working title is The Human Condition of Imperfect Love. It is my first attempt at apologetics, and since I can’t do anything on a small scale, I’ve gone ahead and addressed the issue of human love as it relates to God Love, how the former was intended to be more like the latter and that because it is not, we face the majority of the problems we do today. It’s not coming out quite the way I’d hoped, but then again, I suppose these things never do. I had some volunteers for reading, but as best as I can tell, they haven’t done so or at least haven’t given me any feedback on the material I’ve sent. If you are interested in giving me honest, critical feedback, let me know and maybe I can send you a chapter or…who knows, seven?
I’ve been drinking too much espresso lately. And I still need to move to Brooklyn. And I’m talking to myself more than I used to. Maybe that’s why I’m back on the blog. We’ll see.
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12.31.08
Posted in Today, Reflections, Church, Life at 11:57 am by Josh
I can’t remember the last time it was December 31 and I said to myself, “Gee, I’m really going to miss this past year.” Realistically, such a sentiment is moronic at best given that a year is really only a unit of measurement, but then it does take an awful lot more to say, “I’m really going to miss all of the things that have happened in my life over the course of this past year.” Whether fortunate or unfortunate depends on how you look at it, but I, for one, still do not have to worry about using either statement to express my feelings.
But let me not be a complete downer; this year saw better things for me than many to preceed it. I spent most of it working at Eyeblaster, a company I grew to love and will miss dearly as it is not a part of my entry into 2009. During that time I think I learned more about life, people, and who I am as a person than I did about online advertising and global human resources, but with the latter throw in, it was a robust experience, to say the least. Losing this job is one of the hardest things I’ve been trying to come to terms with.
I found a woman who really, truly seemed to like me. Someone who I clicked with immediately, went on dates with, cuddled on the couch with, had songs and pictures to share with. I never thought that would happen again. It didn’t last, and that saddens me more than the loss of Eyeblaster. But as my dear friend says to me still, at least it happened, no matter what struggles have come out of it.
I changed churches. I still don’t know how I feel about everything, except that I feel right about leaving my first church. I also feel like I’m supposed to be at the church I’m at now, though I wish I was more a part of the community. Yes, we all live in the New York City area, but believe it or not, it takes me an hour to get there on the subway. Still, I’ve finally connected with some lovely people who I feel like I can call friends.
I could go on to the bittersweetness of small groups, vacations, old friends, holidays, writing, and hope for the future, but the point of it all is that it is bittersweet. There is nothing I can look back on from 2008 without shedding a tear while stretching a smile. This is definitely better than not being able to smile at all, and I’m thankful that I’ve received blessings enough to bring tears to my eyes. Still, I can’t — really, I won’t — stop hoping that one of these 31 days of December, I will reflect on my year, sit down at my blog entry page and say, “I sure am going to miss this past year.”
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12.29.08
Posted in Weather, Writing, Life at 20:11 pm by Josh
I’ve got something that makes only my throat sick. What annoys me is that I’d really like to have a glass of wine or maybe some of this fine Irish whiskey I collected over the holiday, but I feel like that will only make things worse. It’s not the burn I fear; indeed, that’s what I like. It’s the fact that I can almost guarantee one slug of the stuff and I’ll end up with a full-blown chest cold, and I just had one of those last week. I blame this on the fluctuating temperatures (not on global warming).
Having more time on the couch makes writing easier, but having only a Moleskine and a desktop computer does not. If you would like to donate a laptop which has Word, internet capabilities, and at least one USB slot, please let me know.
Okay, back to what I’m supposed to be writing…
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12.23.08
Posted in Life at 20:22 pm by Josh
If I were any sort of writer at all, I’d owe all of you an apology for woe-is-me rantings followed by months of silence, seasoned only with the scraps of the spice rack. The only thing I can apologize for now, though, is that you’re not going to get an apology. Such is the way with weblogs. But enough foreplay; let’s get on to the update.
Most recent is that I am once again among the ranks of the gainfully unemployed. I say ‘gainfully’ because I didn’t make out too badly in the whole ordeal and while I’m looking for work, I’m also kind of not. This recession business is making me feel that “we’re in this together” vibe, especially as many of my friends (and some of their parents) have been laid off. Good thing they made absinthe legal in the US. Let’s kick it 1930’s style. Bring Bohemia back to New York.
I’m roughly halfway through the second draft of a book about the imperfections of human love. It sounds a downer, I know, but trust that it’s not. At least, I don’t think so. None of the people who’ve pestered me to read it have responded to the first chapter (except Mike) so I don’t have a hell of a lot more to go on but my own opinion, but since I’m typically not pleased with the material I write, I think this is a good sign.
I support our President-elect. I bring this up because at first, I did not, but as times got tougher and it became more apparent that John McCain was just fattening up hungry children for the sake of throwing us in the fire, Obama simultaneously started talking more like a leader and less like someone who wanted us to believe he could be a leader. I especially support his most recent offer to pick up a beer tab for reporters. The hypocrites of Our Great Nation can criticize him all they like; I think you all are just pissed he didn’t buy any beer for you. Maybe if you were nicer to him, he would.
Wouldn’t that be a presidency? We’re in a recession, so everybody have a drink on me? Impossible, maybe. But a man can always dream. It would certainly be American. At least New York-ian (?).
I started a comic book project with another buddy of mine. Very interesting, as I’d never really considered writing comics before. It sounds really ignorant, I know, but I’d never even thought about the fact that comics have to be written. I suppose I just thought they miracled themselves out of universes far beyond the reaches of our own, where superheroes and abnormal phenomena are daily occurrences and it’s only the surprised looks on civilian faces and disbelief in the existence of anything but what we can prove that keep them sending copies our way. That wasn’t a slur on Stan Lee. He’s brilliant. A genius, really. And I don’t think he’s an alien. Maybe a superhero, though.
And then there was the music. I had to take a major digger for some of this stuff and I’m not going to say the music is so good that it was worth it, but I’m pretty happy with the new tunes. I’d post them here, but I just realized that I only recorded half of the, so you’ll just have to wait until after Christmas when my voice has returned and I’m the only person chilling out in New York City until the New Year.
I think that’s enough for now. Who knows when we’ll see each other again. At least once more, since I promised you music. Hopefully more often than that. Time will tell. In the interim, have a Merry Christmas. Drink some egg nog.
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