I know this is from last year (perhaps 2 yrs ago), but it made me laugh thinking about it.

"Michael, what do you want for Christmas?"
"Grandma, can you get me an X-box?"
"What? A next-box? I don't even know what the first-box was?"

Posted in: Life, Funny, Random,

I don't get it.

Seriously.

Twitter? Identi.ca? Jaiku? Huh?

It's stupid. 140 characters.

I have EVDO in my pocket.

I'm a hypocrite. I know.

Follow me. Or don't.

Posted in: Internet, Technology, Random,

A high level director at a major corporation is promoted. The executive position which he assumes is for a large department and a great deal more responsibility than he previously managed. His predecessor gives the newcomer some advice. He says that things will not always be easy, so when times get difficult open one of these letters he has written. With that he hands him 3 letters and departs.

Before long, the executive finds himself in a difficult spot. Things have not been progressing as well as he hoped. Reluctantly he opens the first of the three letters. It reads quite simply: "It is time for a reorganization." He diligently proceeds with the necessary steps to restructure and reorganize his department.

After what initially seems like a successful reorganization, the executive eventually finds himself in another difficult predicament. His department is not meeting expectations. Once again he turns to his letters and opens the second one. It reads again: "It is time for a reorganization." Without hesitation, he proceeds once again in restructuring his department.

Not too much time later, the changes implemented and personnel reassignments have not made the impact the executive was expecting. He turns to the third and final letter. It reads: "Is it time for you to write 3 letters to your successor."

Posted in: Random,

Some of my more frequent visitors may have noticed the obvious banner on the top right of my site. I debated for a while as to whether or not I should have done so, but I decided that it might make a tiny difference. I want to say that I don't "believe in Obama". This is not a personal criticism, rather I see him just as much a politician as anyone else in the U.S. government. However I do believe that a better choice to attempt to correct Republican mistakes for the past 8 years would be a Democrat for president. As much as I greatly disagree with many Democratic views, I cannot in good faith vote for a Republican. Hopefully this will be a message to true conservatives that they have lost track of their core principals. Perhaps if they themselves make a "change", the nation would benefit.

At the end of the day, I do not think anyone understands what "change" really is. When Obama (hopefully) comes to office, what will be different? What can he change? The U.S. will still have more or less the same Congress. The economy will still be in turmoil. There will still be civil unrest in Iraq. It's quite convenient to point all blame at a (terrible) president and even even easier to think a new (charismatic) president can fix it all. The president is quite limited by himself. Citizens need to realize that a government is so much more than just a single leader.

When people vote this November, I hope they realize that the choice which will have the least direct impact on people will be for president. The choices for state representatives, mayors, proposals and even city council will hold so much more relevance. This is not to say that the president is not important, but rather that change depend on all aspects of the government working together. People need to hold all "public leaders" responsible.

A vote for Obama may be the first step towards the changes the United States so desperately needs. But The Change We Need will ultimately have to come from the entire government and most importantly: the people for whom they represent. Do your part.

Posted in: Politics,

Oddly enough I find Amazon.com's new music suggestions pretty useful. While I do generally pay attention to media news and most of my favorite bands, there is always some news that I haven't heard that Amazon never fails to miss! Data mining at its best, I guess.

I'm really happy to hear that both Oasis (Dig Out Your Soul) and The Verve (Forth) have new albums for this fall. I didn't think that The Verve would get back together and produce a new album (its been 11 years! since the Rolling Stones stole their "Bittersweet Symphony"). They sounded great at Live8 in 2005 and I heard they started touring again last year. Here's hoping for an awesome album. Release date next week.

Oasis, well, not much anticipation there. I still listen to (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1997) in its entirity, and honestly I still sounds great - every song. To be fair, they've had quite a few good hits after that, but nothing as good. Their new one should be available in October.

And then there's my favorite: U2 that band that everyone loves to love. I have heard mixed stories about when they will release their next album, supposedly titled: "No Line On The Horizon". Judging by their recent (almost) 4 yr release cycle (ATYCLB in 2000, HTDAAB 2004), I would hope its this year. (There is a funny story about Bono playing his music too loud and some curious fan who recorded it and leaked it on the web!) ... Anyways Amazon gladly tells me that their much older albums (Boy, October, War, Under A Blood Red Sky) have all been digitally remastered. I really HATE it when bands do this. They add so-so music that was never meant to be released on a second CD in addition to only moderately improved original tracks. They might throw in a special booklet or pictures, or even a cheap DVD. And the kicker: they cost between 3-5 times as much as the original CD release (plenty of suckers out there). The thing here is that these are 20-30 yr old songs, and most only have a few good songs and fans already own the original. I don't own all 4 of those original albums, but after considering it, I don't mind. Of course this not to say that I'm not a sucker myself. I paid $50 from Amazon for the Super Deluxe Remastered "The Joshua Tree" release last year (yeah, "super deluxe"!!!). In my defense it is arguably one of the best albums ever recorded - and I had a gift certificate - and I have a tummy ache (inside joke).

So if you're into some mainstream rock like I am, I hope you find something of interest. This is just a friendly reminder that while I love free MP3 downloads just like everyone else, there are plenty of albums that I am really happy I own.

Posted in: Music,