Thursday Blog Review: Deceased Diarsit (a.k.a. Grrlpink)
06.30.05 (12:45 pm) [edit]Hello, boys and girls. It's Thursday and you know what that means. That's right, it's the Thursday Blog Review!
Today's candidate is my oldest and dearest friend on the blog circuit. She was one of the first who felt the need to leave a comment on my site. She is also one of tBlog's most respected veterans. To top it all off, today is her 27th birthday. Since moving to Modblog she's become known as Deceased Diarist but, we know her better as Grrlpink.
I was first attracted to her glibness. She seemed to be able to say what ever the hell came to her mind, no matter how crass or vulgar and still come across as eloquent and feminine. She also had the capability to discuss very personal things fearlessly. I liked that. I liked it a lot and I began to read her daily.
Grrlpink tends to write about feelings more than anything. Feelings about friends, lovers, family; feelings about work; feelings about memories... She also has a tendency to expound on the trivial things in life. Things we rarely think about or take for granted. Grrlpink delves into all of this and asks us all to think about it for a moment. And she asks us to emotionally respond.
Recent posts I can site with the quality that I'm trying to describe are today's about a resurfaced memory of violence, her visit home to see her family and, my personal favorite, one concerning the nature of shit. There is a sincere and vivid quality to her descriptions that paints those verbal images that I always talk about and am so fond of.
Grrlpink also posts a great deal of poetry and photos. I must admit, while she's better than most, I'm not crazy about her poetry. It's a little too stream of consciousness for my taste. Her photos however are wonderful.
Sadly, since she moved to Modblog she has erased her old one here. As she put it to me,
"Sometimes it's cathartic to start completely over." While it may be cathartic, it means you can't enjoy the wisdom and amusing antic dotes she's posted in the past. You can however keep up with her current musings through the link on the left side of the screen. I recommend doing it...if for no other reason than the occasional photo of this pretty lady.
I don't really feel that I've done her justice in this review. There is so much to say and so little time to say it. Regardless the last two things I will say today is that you should not only check out the Deceased Diarist page, you should read it frequently, if not daily. The other thing I'll say is...
...HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRRLPINK!
*sings*
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to you
You're growing old
You got grey hair...
*trails off*
I'm Tired Of Being A Vampire
06.29.05 (1:38 pm) [edit]I always thought of myself as nocturnal. I always wished that I could work at night and sleep during the day. As one of the premier Goth kids back in the 80's something just seemed more natural about it. Now I have a job that requires me to do just that and I hate it.
There are many problems with it that I don't like. By the time I get up most places that I need to visit, for example the bank or the mechanics, are closed. So many other people that I'd like to socialize with are on completely different schedules. The computer network of people I need to talk to are off work by the time I start. There are many reasons that I don't like it. The main one, however, has to be the fact that, ...I just don't like it.
I feel like I'm doing something wrong. When I wake up and enter the living room with sever bed head, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, only to find my roommate coming home from work, I feel lazy and irresponsible. Never mind that I work all night, I still feel lazy. When I have an off weekend night and friends ask me out, I feel weird because I'm having drinks with them around lunch time for me. It's all just ...not right somehow.
The worst part is that I keep going to bed later and getting up later. Pretty soon I'll be completely without sunlight all together, and we know what that means: more depression. That's the last thing I need these days.
I am trying to find a new job and I hope to have something decent by the end of July. I'm going to be looking for that horrible thing that I always dreaded growing up. The horrible 9 to 5. Having had a few now, I don't consider them horrible, I've learned to really appreciate them and I could really use one now.
Morality and Finance
06.27.05 (12:23 pm) [edit]How is everyone this bright and cheery Monday? My weekend was extremely exciting. I had my first solo gig in forever Friday and it was weird, weird, weird. The guy who booked it, who has already double booked me once and who forgot that my show was this weekend, didn't leave P.A. equipment like he promised. I had to borrow one from the girl who went before me. Fortunately, she knew who I was so, she trusted me and it all worked out. Of course, the stack of fliers I left for the club last Monday were no where to be found. This guy who does the booking is very nice but, he is a total space cadet. He doesn't really do what he says he's going to do. I'm sure he only has the job because he has the equipment.
I have equipment and if I were evil I'd take the boy's job. However, I'm not going to do that. Despite my frequent attempts to sound tough, my morals usually get the best of me. I haven't found a full time job yet because I keep running into little ethical problems where ever I look for them. I don't sue people when I should because I just can't bring myself to be that vicious, even when it's called for. I could and often should do a lot of things for my benefit but don't because of ethics and morals that I have.
Funny thing is, most people think I don't have any. They think, largely because I speak my mind (and probably because I used to fuck any girl I met at least once) that I'm callas and crude. They believe that because I let things make me visibly irritated that I'm mean and rude. They assume that because I express my desires and pursue unusual dreams that I'm selfish.
Maybe they're right. But, I do have morals and right now they're making me starve.
So, what do I do? I continue combing the want ads hoping to find that dream job, just over the proverbial, as well as literal, hill. That job that will fulfill my desires without breaking my spirit. That job that will provide me with what I need without making me compromise my values. That job where I can look my coworkers in the eye with pride and continue to look others in the eye afterwards. Where is it? And why am I suffering physically, financially and spiritually in the mean time?
Seems to be because I'm too nice.
Wow. I never thought I'd ever get to say that.
Feels...good?
My Boss The Drug Whore
06.24.05 (9:14 am) [edit]Are you one of those people at your job who works harder than anyone else with little or no reward? Virtually everyone I work with is lazy, selfish and careless. I'm one of the ONLY ones who tries to do everything perfectly and what does it get me? One shift this week. You read me right, one fucking shift. Others who cheat constantly get great hours but, not me.
It doesn't really help that my boss is a total fucking train wreak. She's constantly wired. I think she's been shorting Adoral but, it could be coke. Whatever it is, it's turned her into a dipshit. She's also recently broken it off with her husband to start having lesbian sex with her direct supervisor. Of course, that's really none of my business. It doesn't affect me, with the exception that it tells me that her boss is also a dipshit. It tells me that her boss is willing to risk her job by having drug and sex parties with her subordinate. All this leads to one or both of them not being able to do their jobs.
I have watched co-workers commit serious crimes on the job and max out on hours. Meanwhile, I'm anally retentive about how I do things and I get as little as possible. This ignorant, wasted little cunt that I work with may end up in a sack in the river real soon. AAAAHHHH!
Sorry, just had to vent. Now I'm off to pick up my incredibly tiny paycheck. See you all Monday.
Thursday Blog Review: The Jongleur
06.23.05 (12:27 pm) [edit]Hello children, it's Thursday and you know what that means. That's right. It's the Thursday Blog Review!
Brought to you by GUNS, the breast enhancement tablet that really works! Ladies, now you can feel good about yourself for all the wrong reasons.
Okay, since I'm beginning this all over again, and hung-over, I figure that I might as well start at the top with The Jongleur.
This sight is unique in that it isn't a written diary, essay fest or series of letters to his visitors. The Jogleur's (thejongleur-link to the left) sight is made up of drawings, some with small notes attached. A good bit of them appear to be drawn on the pages of text books which leads me to believe that we're probably looking at the work of a student. I don't know. You see, his profile is mysteriously brief. All it really says is that he's a single male. He does respond to many of the comments on his sight but, even then it's rarely much more than to say thanks.
I must admit that when I first viewed his work I was a little baffled. Some posts are meticulously drawn with great care and detail while others seem to almost be slapped together. The notations next to them are often difficult to read and the meaning behind the sketches almost always eludes me. Still, he's got to be the number one tBlog for a reason. That reason seems to be that everyone is a bit puzzled, but also determined to try to comprehend what he presents. I believe the fact that this sight is so different is another reason he receives so many visitors. All in all, it is interesting.
The Jongleur's post for June 6th is a rather good example of his work and the effects it seems to have on others. It appears to be a person on top of a table trying to swim through the water underneath it. The notation with it says "The difference between us and them, #1". Most visitors had a hard time understanding where he was coming from but, it didn't stop them from trying. I suppose that is the great method of many artists.
Outside of all that, I don't really know what to say about this sight. It really doesn't offer much that you can put your finger on. Personally, I'm not that crazy about it but, I understand why so many are and I have to take that into consideration. Plus, as I said, it is different. That has to earn The Jongleur a few points. Whether it should earn him enough to make him number 1... that's something I think you'll have to decide for yourself.
I'm Bobby Joe Thorazine and this has been the Thursday Blog Review. Don't miss next week when we take a long, hard look at someone extra special, a bit dark and quite gay. Thanks.
Word For The Day
06.22.05 (12:14 pm) [edit]Hey everybody, try something with me. It's just a word, a word that I think has a lot of power, power to help us move past problems and frustration. Power to help us step outside of our normal day to day grind. Power to help us live. That word is ...boogers.
Come on, say it with me, out loud.
Boogers.
Even if you're at work. Hell, ESPECIALLY if you're at work. Say it.
Boogers.
Don't you just feel ridiculous...and a little better? If you were already in a good mood don't you just feel giddy?
Boogers.
Even better, say it like Brak from Space Ghost Coast to Coast. That's where I got the idea. Say it they way Brak would.
Boogers.
Boogers. Boogers. Boogers!
Sorry, fairly silly entry but, hey, I try.
Hey Man, You Got Any Feelings You Could Spare?
06.21.05 (1:28 pm) [edit]I have a question. Is it wrong to not give to homeless beggars on the street? Actually, I have two questions. Is it wrong TO give to homeless beggars on the street? I got my first real taste of dealing with the destitute in Louisville. My experience there taught me that around 85% of the homeless in Kentucky have no real desire to change their situation, only get cash for more drugs. That was Louisville, Kentucky. Birmingham, Alabama never really had many homeless.
Things have changed.
By the time I moved back the homeless population had sky rocketed. Now one can't walk down the street without being asked for change. On top of that, the percentage of those who are obviously just bums is staggering. I'd go as far as to say it's 99%. If some guy has a crusty mohawk that tells me he has no real desire to get out of his situation anytime soon. If all he does is huddle in the doorways of local businesses accosting everyone who walks by and getting pissed if they brush him off, that tells me he's only after a handout. It sickens and saddens me. Yet, after turning him and all his compatriots down while walking to work, I always feel a little guilty.
Maybe I feel guilt because I have run into those who are willing to work. These are the ones who don't just ask for money, cigarettes or food but ask if they can do anything to get it. At a recent wedding reception for a friend one man turned up at the end of the evening. He asked the groom if he could clean up the mess we'd all made in exchange for ...anything. My friend agreed and the man began proudly collecting our trash in exchange for tips. He also seemed very concerned that any of us might drive home drunk. I gave him everything I had in my wallet and my entire pack of cigarettes.
The next day I was walking through Southside again blowing off crack heads and junk whores, almost with malice. I watched one young man bath in the fountain and saw a young girl get picked up for prostitution so she could buy more drugs. The whole time I wondered where our local relief was for these people. Then a friend of mine told me why the homeless population had exploded so suddenly.
Atlanta.
According to him, Atlanta, Georgia had rented a fleet of buses and offered every vagrant they passed fifty dollars to get on board and ride to Birmingham. Once here they were dropped off and abandoned. If this is true then, I'm officially ready for another war between the states.
I'm not angry that Atlanta would dump their problem off on another city as much as I am that they deemed that acceptable. If applied properly the cost of the buses and the bribes could have been used to correcting the problem. Instead they just laid a trail of trash to the neighbors yard and led the raccoons and possums next door.
I do feel guilty about not helping these people. I feel guilty that I enjoyed a posh party in my suit and tie while some man wearing socks for gloves cleaned up after me. I feel guilty that I am part of a culture that doesn't seem to care. At the same time, when some guy with bruised arms that I've seen wrangle seventy-five cents goes to spend it immediately on chocolate, I know what's going on and I don't want to be a part of that either.
So, what do we do? Virtually no American program designed to help the homeless has made a dent. The ones who'd like to improve their situation are stigmatized these days, not so much by society as much as by others who are just looking for a fix. People like me are jaded because they cared once or twice only to be conned or ripped off by someone who didn't care who he hurt. Taxes are directed toward pointless wars, shopping malls and golf courses rather than toward social programs that could help. As I walk down the street trying avoid eye contact I know that I am one of the ones who'd just assume ignore the problem and focus on what's ahead rather than at my feet.
What do we do?
I wish I had an answer. The only thing I know that we should do is to think about it. Consider it and try to brainstorm solutions for these people rather than where to put the next metro plex. Realize that their problem is ours and care.
Maybe we can convince Mel Gibson to do his next epic about that. I dunno.
Think about it, and if you have any ideas, be sure and let me know.
Nashville Pussy: Watch Out, It's Contagious
06.20.05 (7:49 am) [edit]Good Monday to you all. How was everyone's weekend? Mine was excellent and it all started Friday night with a trip to the Nick in Birmingham to see a fantastic band. As the sound check completed and the crowd packed in, a thunderous drum beat began followed by a frantic call and response. The abrasive male singer screamed out the question as the two ladies on either side of him replied.
"What time is it?!?" "It's Pussy time!" "What time is it?!?" "It's Pussy time!" "What time is it?!?" "It's Pussy time!"
As the earsplitting guitars kicked in I turned to the person next to me and asked "Who the hell is this?" He simply pointed to a marquee on the ceiling that read in big, bold letters NASHVILLE PUSSY.
Ironically hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, this old school metal quartet has a wonderful quality that so many hard rock bands are missing these days: filth. Consisting of two sweaty, creepy, hairy guys who look like roadies for Motorhead (Blaine Cartwright- rhythm guitar and vocals and Jeremy Thompson-drums) and two sweaty, creepy, sexy women who look like they could beat Lemmy's ass (Ruyter Suys-lead guitar and Karen Cuda-bass), Nashville Pussy are as bare bones as it gets without sacrificing the showmanship. Loud, fast, hook-laden and lewd, these southern ass kickers and ball breakers spent two solid hours damn, near hospitalizing me and the rest of the audience from their sheer intensity. It was vicious. It was beautiful.
With songs like, The Bitch Just Kicked Me Out, She's Got The Drugs and, one of my personal favorites, I'm Gonna Hitchhick Down To Cincinnati And Kick The Shit Outta Your Drunk Daddy these hard rock hellions make it plainly clear that they aren't playin' around. With three albums, two soundtracks and a Grammy nomination to their credit, Nashville Pussy are clawing their way into public attention and I was honored to have seen it for myself.
As wild and entertaining as the band was, I have to admit that the highlight of the show took place in the audience. It all revolved around one of Birmingham's finest who was apparently at the show to make sure know one threw up the goat too hard. I'm not kidding. This cop stood, arms crossed, on the second row for most of the show. At one point he forced an audience member to stop head banging. Afterwards Blaine dedicated the song Keep On Fuckin' to Officer Killjoy who immediately took off.
As things continued I had the extreme pleasure of receive a bath in Karen's sweat and most of the beer that Ruyter spit into the audience. I also had the pleasure of becoming permanently sterile from the white den that emitted from the stage as the band closed the show with feedback and rhythmic punches. If all this weren't enough, Ryter broke every single one of the strings on her guitar. For the unexperienced, that's a lot harder than it sounds and it tends to make some really wild noises. It was all wonderful.
In closing let me just say that Nashville Pussy will, most likely be in a club near you soon. If this happens, go. I don't care what type of music you're into or out of, go. At the very least you'll see what rock n' roll is supposed to be and has not been for quite a while, loud yet lisenter friendly, simple yet virile, honest yet nasty. Lovely readers, this is the testament of one who has been officially Pussy-fied.
For more information on Nashville Pussy click onto the link to the left. Just make sure children and any religious relatives and friends are far, far away. Enjoy.
Need To See Dr. Bobby? Make An Appointment
06.17.05 (10:39 am) [edit]I should have been a psychologist. Everyone I know comes to me when they're upset or confused. Trouble is, that's the only time that they turn up. I'll have not seen a particular friend in months and suddenly, there will be a knock and my door and they'll be there crying or clenching their fists or deeply concerned about...something. Where are they the rest of the time?
Don't misunderstand. I'm honored that so many people respect my opinions and consolations. If someone I care for is destroyed because of a breakup with a spouse or fighting with relatives or afraid of being fired or whatever, I want to be able to be there for them. I just wish they'd call or drop by when their in good moods. I wish they'd come by occasionally to ask how I am.
My friend Liz is the worst about it. She recently broke it off with her boyfriend of three years and decided to move to New York. Her parents aren't happy and her ex is taking his time moving out. She came to me last week about the break up and last night it was about her parents. The only other times I hear from her is if she's responding to one of my e-mails. I've called her on it before, saying, "You know, you can come see me when you're not upset too. I promise it would be okay." She always gets mad and I always end up apologizing. Last night, at the end of her long grief session I told her so again and refused to apologies. I told her that I wasn't going to let her guilt trip me into retracting something that I knew was true. She left in a haste.
I immediately sent an e-mail to where she works telling her nice things and that I would miss her but, still stood by my critique. This morning I got a reply which included an apology. She confessed that she did, in fact, neglect correspondence with me unless it was something critical. She also told me that she wouldn't be able to attend my show next week as she had other friends to see. It seems she still doesn't get it.
I like helping my friends but, I miss them when they're not unhappy. It makes me unhappy and I sit at home alone. When I call them to discuss my feelings, they're always busy. This has led me to a very critical decision. From now on, when my friends need a shoulder to cry on and some neighborly advice...I'm charging them $50.00 an hour. I'd make it $75.00 but, I don't have any credentials.
This morning the phone rang and it was another friend.
"Bobby! Hey, it's Mike!"
"Mike? Hey, I haven't heard from you in years. What's up?"
"Oh, nothing really. Just called to see how you were doing."
Now that is a good way to start your day.
*Smiles and tears up a little*
Return of the Thursday Blog Review: Update
06.16.05 (7:54 am) [edit]Well, seeing as how I plan to start posting the Thursday Blog Review again next week, I figured I better re-run an old post about criteria for such. It states what I consider to be important qualities to have in a blog, as well as, things to avoid.
I haven't decided who I'm reviewing next week but, I have been looking around. I'd like to start off with someone good. So far, I've only had the opportunity to do four: Eka the Ferret, Irishred, Dangerkitty and the sublime and breath taking Billlyryan. Suggestions for who comes next are welcome.
All that being said here is the previous post as it originally ran on Feb.24, 2005
Thursday Blog Review: Special Edition Thursday
Okay, I know a lot of people have been dreading this. This is the post I’ve been promising that isn’t all high praise. Well, not to worry. It’s not what you think. We already have Idiotsreaction doing the really dirty (and in their case, unnecessary) work, so I see no reason to tear into people who aren’t as talented as others. The flip side is I’ve reviewed all the blogs that I feel are, more or less, flawless. Most of us have a few things negative about our sites and before I get into reviewing any further, I want to establish what I perceive those to be and why. Also, I’ll discuss the types of blogs that have little or no chance of getting reviewed, simply because I don’t want to splatter somebody.
Let me add that I feel we could all improve. My blog is far from perfect and I spend a lot of mental energy trying to make it better. I tend to complain a lot and post nonsense just to have something on the page. All of us have short comings. These reviews are critiques with the purpose of highlighting writers' strong points, as well as discussing where they need work. The episode of Sex in the City where Cari releases her book and gets a New York Times review was on TBS last night. She didn’t take note of all the good things the reviewer said, only the last line that said she portrayed men as “disposable”. When I site short comings, please try and keep an open mind and not let your heart do your thinking for you.
Okay. Criteria for a good blog are, in my opinion, as follows:
1) Character- It needs to have its own personality. This isn’t terribly difficult because we all have our own and they tend to shine in our writing. Still, if a blog doesn’t engage the reader with style and color then it lacks the magnitude of character to be good. This not only applies to the content but also the design.
2) Content- These are, essentially, diaries and you should be able to post whatever the hell you feel like. However, these are diaries that are available to the public to read and if the public finds it boring or ignorant then there’s no charm. If you’re going to post it with the hopes that others will read and comment on it, make it intriguing. It’s okay if your opinions are the type others don’t typically agree with as long as they hold our interest. Telling us you have a hang nail and you can’t find your other sock isn’t worth posting.
3) Writing- Again, if this is for public consumption, it needs to be worth reading. A writer’s ability to use the language is what it all depends on. If you can write in ways that spark colorful images in other’s minds then even hang nails might become worth reading about. I don’t even feel that good grammar is necessarily all that important as long as your words themselves have substance, style and are engrossing. I should also say that if your blog is not mostly about writing, for example those that are mostly photographs, the same criteria apply. Give it style, post quality material and do it well.
Now, there are several types of blogs that tend to automatically suck. They have a basic design that is almost always destine to fail.
1) Teen Blogs- Everybody’s got to start somewhere but, that’s not always an excuse. These are the one’s that we all seem to complain about more than any, the one’s that are just mindless, slang-filled, blathering about dating, homework, wild emotion and parents.
“I saw T toda n he jest blew rit past lik I wutten nuttn. Fuk! Him, Mom, Mz Amy, dey all trippn. U no wut Im sayn. I gots to go change my tampon.”
Huh? How is any of that genuinely working through your feelings and thoughts? It’s just drivel. Never mind that you can barely even read the misspelled slop that they write with, what does any of it really mean. Your love interest, your parents, your teacher, none of them seem to understand how you feel. You’re at a loss as to how to cope. Fine. Write it. I know I’ve compared quality writing to painting before but, there’s a difference between creating abstract art and just throwing paint at the canvas.
2) Poetry Blogs- I have nothing against poetry or poets but, let’s face it, most people aren’t that good. Like all other forms of writing you have to use your words well. If you’re just expressing an opinion or feeling you can just come out and say it. If you’re going to write poetry then apply some form. It doesn’t have to be a sonnet or even have a rhythm/meter rhyme scheme but, for Christ’s sake, give it some aesthetic contour. Just because Motley Crue is a guilty pleasure of mine doesn’t mean I can’t recognize bad poetry.
3) Peggy Hill Blogs- These are the ones that are clearly written by lonely house wives and shut-ins who think that they have much more to contribute to the world than they actually do. I know everyone needs to feel like they have a purpose but, the sad truth is, some people don’t and none of us should have our time wasted by considering their delusions. It’s perfectly okay to want to express you feelings and opinions but, don’t comment on objectified labor or morals and legislation when the height of your understanding of Western philosophy is how to make Frito pie.
Well, that’s the “short” version of what I’m looking for. I still welcome recommendations as to who needs to be reviewed. I’m sure there are plenty of really good ones that I don’t know about. There are also plenty that I do know about and we’ll be getting back to both next week. Until then, good blogging to you all.
The More People There Are The Less You Know
06.15.05 (11:43 am) [edit]I miss living in the country. Small towns are great, if for no other reason than their hospitality. You walk down the street and every person you pass looks you in the eye and says, "Hello." Here in the city you can walk millimeters away from someone and they completely ignore you. And, God forbid you do greet them, because they'll just get nervous and reach for their keys in self defense. I hate it.
Big cities are always trying to find new ways for their residents to socially interact. Whether it's new bars and nightclubs, dating services, gyms, churches, social clubs, you-name-it, there's always something to try to bring people together. Social contentment cuts down on crime. It reduces medical expenses. It breaks down the alienated, disenfranchised feeling of the urban resident. If there are fun bars to go to people won't be as likely to buy illegal drugs on the street. If people meet people through dating services or in gyms they're less likely to become depressed and take drastic actions against themselves or others. Churches and social clubs form family type atmospheres that keep people from feeling lost and alone.
So why doesn't any of it work? The average urban populace is miserable socially. The bar scene can be just as ugly as the drug scene and just as dangerous. Plus how good do you feel sitting at the end of a bar alone consuming depressants? Most dating services are a scam. Plus there's no guarantee that you'll meet people that don't make you sick. Gyms and churches can be excruciatingly elitist and conformist. Social clubs...we'll let's face it, most of them are just devoted to really stupid ideas. So where does this all leave us?
Birmingham is having a really serious problem with it. The bars, gyms and churches are all carbon copies of each other. The dating services are disreputable and pathetic. The social clubs barely even exist. It's become such a concern that it even made the evening news last night. Where can Birmingham residents go to meet and interact?
Me personally, I've met very few people here that I really want to spend time with and those that I do don't seem to want to spend time with me. I've never been one to stand by and watch as the world goes by. I tend to do something about it. My first instinct was to start a social club of my own but, it'd probably end up like the rest: a handful of nerds gathering once a week to talk about or do something almost no one cares about. A friend has considered opening a bar and I considered going in with him but, what would make us any different from all the others in town? I even considered starting a church. After all, I'm ordained (That's correct. Rev. Thorazine, at your service). Why not start a new denomination and hold services? Of course, how do we prevent ourselves from becoming as elitist as all the others?
It's a tough call. There has to be a new way of breaking down social barriers and getting people to interact without fear or arrogance. I'd like to find it. Starting today, I will search and, God willing, I will find it. Until then, I am left to face the averting eyes of fellow pedestrians and the arrogance of the socially comfortable. I am left to wonder with the rest of Birmingham, what is it we are missing and how can we avoid becoming just another city full of strangers?
Happy Blogging To All
06.14.05 (11:51 am) [edit]Someone said yesterday that this was Blogger's Day, a day set aside to celebrate and discuss the merits of our fine craft. I don't know if that's true but, seeing as how it's one of my favorite topics, I'm inclined to address the subject again.
Those of you familiar with my site know that one of the reasons I enjoy doing this is because I can say anything I want here, be anyone I want. No one knows who I am or what I look like or my address or telephone number or shoe size. I can say whatever without the fear of legitimate repercussions. It's what I've previously referred to as the blog mask and it can be rather nice. Ironically, I am more myself here than anywhere, largely because of these facts. I think many of us are.
Another nice thing about all this is the fact that, here, our opinions matter. Real journalists, or editorialist, have an editor telling them, "Today I want a piece on the war in Iraq, or welfare reform, or the Michael Jackson trial or something else 'important'." Here we can discuss the growing problem of people who walk down the street with their pants wedged in their butt crack if we want. The things here may not always be genuinely "important" but, they are what is truly on the mind of the public.
Someone else told me that bloggers were becoming the new and true voice of the media. In a way that's sad because few of us have any real credentials, much less sources. In another way it's good because we can speak freely without being edited. We also have almost instant feed back and can discuss our ideas in an open forum. I was on the forensics team in college (for the uninformed, that's public speaking and debate, not Dana Scully-ing dead people) and I loved the opportunity to stand in front of a room full of pre-law and journalism majors and start screaming about the social significance of the Big Mac or how Elmo was, in fact, the anti-christ. I believe that it's individuals like myself, who aren't afraid to look into the many aspects of literally anything who have the potential to spread new ideas.
Now, of course, there are plenty of bloggers out there who are really just wasting our time. These things were originally designed as journals and many still use them for just that. If you want to type your diary on the computer rather than write it in a book your older brother might find, that perfectly fine, but why post it on the web? Why share ideas with the public that don't have any potential effect. Honestly, I'd rather see posts by the Ku Klux Klan than by some kid complaining about not being able to remember the combination on his or her locker. I may not agree with the information but, at least I'll learn something...and have the opportunity to openly disagree with it.
Blogging makes me feel like I've done something with my day. I can sit at work all day watching the paint dry and still feel valuable if I can share an idea or two here. These are ideas that people from all over the world can see and discuss. Some may even change my mind on these subjects from time to time. I also get the opportunity to learn from everyone else here. It's a beautiful thing. Who knows, maybe some of us might be offered jobs writing because of these things.
...Probably not me but, you never know.
Birmingham, What Gives?
06.13.05 (8:52 am) [edit]It's done nothing but rain in Birmingham for three straight weeks. Grim as it's been, it has given me plenty of indoor time to work with this albatross I call a personal computer and I have finally gotten it to, more-or-less, behave. Now I can wake up everyday, check my mail, talk to you lovely folks and search for celebrity porn all from the comfort of my own home. This must be what the ancients meant when they coined the term "Paradise".
Can you tell that it was a long weekend? I worked the Kid Rock concert this weekend and had my love and respect for Alabama tested to it's limits. All of the dregs of my fair state crawled out from every single one of their literal holes to attend this putrid event. All of the years of growing up telling myself that this particular part of the south wasn't as backward, ignorant, inbred, obnoxious, disease-ridden, vulgar, filthy and racist were all put to a massive test. These people made the Rascal Flatts audience seem like Nobel Prize candidates. Loud, stupid, crass, rude, illiterate, you-name-it... It was like I was back in Kentucky. I guess some parts of the south really do deserve the stereo type.
Well, the good part of my weekend is that my music career began to pick up again. I got a gig for my band from one club that I've been working for nine months. I got a solo spot at another that I feel I can take over. Finally, I spoke to an old friend, a singer from a former rival band, who said he might be able to get us into one of the bigger clubs in town. Everything seemed to turn on a dime and it has relieved me of tons of stress. I mean, I've played all these places before and they know who I am but, the nature of the business in Birmingham changed so much while I was gone that I've literally had to start over. Now it's begun. If all goes according to plan, by this time next year I should be playing weekly, if not daily. I can't wait.
Well, that's it for today. Tomorrow I'm going to try and return to posting actual essays about important, or at least interesting things. As I've said, the Thursday Blog Review will return as soon as I'm oriented enough so, keep me appraised of who to watch out for. Until then, I'm Bobby Joe Thorazine...good day.
Okay, Let's Try This Again
06.10.05 (1:25 pm) [edit]Good God. Folks, setting up this computer in my house and working through all the bugs has been a major undertaking. Well, everything seems to be officially corrected and you folks get to have me back on a daily basis.
I considered switching to another blog host but, after playing with several I realized that I like tBlog best. Every once and a while I get frustrated with something here and consider splitting but, it's becoming more and more obvious that that will never really happen. I'm a creature of habit and the simplicity of tBlog is something that I'm used to. Now that I can get into it daily, I fully intend to.
Good to be back and starting Monday you folks will get some new and regular posts from me. ...Provided nothing else goes wrong.
Some of you may have noticed that I've redecorated a little. I also renamed the sight but, I don't really like it. I'm going to change it again but, I haven't decided to what. As always, I'm open to suggestion.
See you all Monday.