I hope that Hank Williams IV grows up and determines to redefine and revive country western music. Like Country's King David. A good one comes only every few.
New Star Trek movie still looks sweet.
My Worst Mix 2009 is coming along smoothly.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
First Mugging
If you want to know the details of my mugging, I'll tell you them in person. Or give me a call.
They were bullies. It was obvious. And they were dressed pretty nicely, considering. And they were assholes. Not because they mugged me even, but because of how they acted when they did it. Not to say that a large amount of criminals aren't assholes, that seems very likely, but these guys seemed like the kind who would mug someone for fun. Not because they needed money, but because they thought it would be a good time. And that's what bothers me about this. I'd actually be more fine with everything if it was some raggedy old crazy person mugging me who clearly could use the cash. But these guys had a car, friends (such good friends they'd mug someone with them), nice clothes.
I got my iPod stolen 25 days ago. Clearly it isn't my month. Suddenly I have no access to my money. Suddenly I have no way of proving my identity.
But I feel secure in knowing that they would have mugged someone if not me, and that being targeted might have saved someone else from something worse. And considering what they could have done, I'm glad it didn't go badly. It's an important reminder. People get mugged every day. People are murdered, every day. There is crime. People do not treat each other like human beings. That is life. So what good is it for me to be mad at some people for being assholes.
This affects people. Racism is sometimes a byproduct of crime, regardless of how ill founded it is. Irrationality is life too. Sometimes you get close to giving up on humanity and maybe that one person just ruins your ability to tolerate people.
Maybe I might never give someone directions again.
What do I do now? What have I learned, all four and a half hours later? I think that maybe the muggers just affirmed something to me: money and goods aren't what life is about. Wanting those things will make you do terrible things to get it. Being alive is worth everything.
They were bullies. It was obvious. And they were dressed pretty nicely, considering. And they were assholes. Not because they mugged me even, but because of how they acted when they did it. Not to say that a large amount of criminals aren't assholes, that seems very likely, but these guys seemed like the kind who would mug someone for fun. Not because they needed money, but because they thought it would be a good time. And that's what bothers me about this. I'd actually be more fine with everything if it was some raggedy old crazy person mugging me who clearly could use the cash. But these guys had a car, friends (such good friends they'd mug someone with them), nice clothes.
I got my iPod stolen 25 days ago. Clearly it isn't my month. Suddenly I have no access to my money. Suddenly I have no way of proving my identity.
But I feel secure in knowing that they would have mugged someone if not me, and that being targeted might have saved someone else from something worse. And considering what they could have done, I'm glad it didn't go badly. It's an important reminder. People get mugged every day. People are murdered, every day. There is crime. People do not treat each other like human beings. That is life. So what good is it for me to be mad at some people for being assholes.
This affects people. Racism is sometimes a byproduct of crime, regardless of how ill founded it is. Irrationality is life too. Sometimes you get close to giving up on humanity and maybe that one person just ruins your ability to tolerate people.
Maybe I might never give someone directions again.
What do I do now? What have I learned, all four and a half hours later? I think that maybe the muggers just affirmed something to me: money and goods aren't what life is about. Wanting those things will make you do terrible things to get it. Being alive is worth everything.
Monday, March 2, 2009
10 of 12
Yeah. I respect all of these bands and don't like them, with Radiohead and the Beatles being the exception. And the Beatles article writer has a point.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Barry Schwartz makes a passionate call for "practical wisdom" as an antidote to a society gone mad with bureaucracy. He argues powerfully that rules often fail us, incentives often backfire, and practical, everyday wisdom will help rebuild our world.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
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