Archive for September, 2008
great depression: reloaded »
Saturday, September 20th, 2008
Can I just be the one to call this off? Do I have the clout for that? Can I just throw up my hands with a sigh and say, “ok, kids; it didn’t work out. It was a solid run but we really need to try something else.”
It was fun wasn’t it? I mean, for awhile there anyway. And for a few people it’s still going strong. We had a good run. Sure, awhile ago things started to get a little shaky. For some, it was that they couldn’t waste the money on health care, others couldn’t throw money at putting their kids through college. Most just saved less money and lived from check to check. read: the american dream.
But then things got out of hand. Lending practices, medical costs rising faster than inflation and no significant increase in real wages sort of blew things the fuck up. The quick reaction was to blame the Mexicans and terrorism and stuff but that doesn’t really seem to be panning out. Mainly because the Mexicans don’t have real money and the terrorists don’t have any real influence. Can’t blame the higher-ups for trying though. Wait… yeah, we can.
Things have sort of hit the fan and I wonder if I have the ability to step on the brakes. Granted, I may not have to. Seems things are crumbling right quick on their own. Some magazine or whatever has a rough outlook on the whole thing.
Apparently marketing loans to people that can’t afford them has had some adverse effects. In any case, I’m going to say, just now and for my readers, that the system needs a breather. The saving negative money, taxing the poor and the bailing out of banks with borrowed funds are a fun twist if unsustainable.
From the ashes of the predatory and absurdly disproportionate system scorched in a fire of ignorance and greed let’s think about some of that “greater good” the old folk talk about. Let’s think of something new, eh?
Oh, and … to be honest it’s barely related but I’ve got to mention it… web marketing is far cheaper than other forms and gives you access to a larger audience. I just may know some people…
In a Presidential race that’s now rendered neutral there won’t be any money for a green revolution or universal health care; no one can afford a trillion dollar war or absurd tax cuts for the richest, who are you going to vote for?
friday free for all »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
… Wednesday I wore a corduroy blazer with leather elbows. I slept like hell, woke up before the alarm and had an extra half-hour on my hands. I also wore my spectacles. I received compliments like, “you look sharp today,” “who’s this?” in the sense that I can’t be me because me sucks and dresses like a 7-year-old orphan; i took it as a compliment and “you look very nice today.” It was $5 and is missing a button. There are numerous spots where its frayed and discolored. Sometimes people are entertaining.
… Are all Michael Cera movies going to have hand-drawn titles from here on out? Is that like being typecast? And yes, before you ask, I’ll probably want to see it.
… Monday Movies is nixed, no more. I’m sure you missed it Monday and have been perched on the edge of your office chair/sofa/bean-bag waiting for the next installment since. The staff and I had a discussion over the weekend. The stress of being locked into watching so many movies has worn on us.
We will, however, review on occasion. They’ll be under the header: UTDR Up The Drain Reviews; catchy. You didn’t think we’d be able to forfeit our inane commentaries from the celluloid soapbox, did you? you didn’t. Plus, it’s getting close to movie season so we’ll have fuel for the fires, so to speak. In this case, “fires” refers to mostly ignored film critiques. We’ll even take suggestions.
… While I’m still intent on the G9 because it’s relatively affordable, I like what I see here. That’s 21.1mgpx and HD video. It’s a beast. Now… all I need is an extra $4k laying around somewhere.
… and finally:
I took a little under an hour yesterday laying out a logo idea that popped into my head. I have a few alterations and some reworking to do but I wanted to see what you think. Let me know in the comments or, because you kids aren’t fans of such things, email/IM me or mention it in passing.
words »
Friday, September 19th, 2008
We’re sitting around in a circle, all the desks facing toward the center. Across from me is a girl who I’ve shared class with since Kindergarten. We don’t talk often. Most are shuffling their papers or waiting impatiently for something to do.
I sigh, push myself against the back of my chair, using the top of my desk for leverage, and crack my back. We’re reviewing four or five papers today. I read three of them last night. Hopefully the reviews will fill more time than expected and I won’t be put on the spot. I glance through the two I missed. (more…)
two things i don’t get »
Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
There are hundreds of millions of things I don’t quite understand, things I have never been able to wrap my head around. trickle-down economics, calculating an appropriate tip, reality television’s popularity, etc. I know I’m not the sharpest knife on the tree so maybe one of you can enlighten me per the following items.
Tap’dNY:
… that 90%+ of bottled water is filtered tap water from whatever municipality offers the cheapest H20 to the bottling plant is a given. If you didn’t know that you can go right on back to watching Cops and drinking your Nyquil bombs. Still, this is just too… um… honest? for my tastes. Is it ironic? Chic? Fucking stupid?
If you’re a big enough fad-humper to think this is awesome, you’re probably the same idiot who sued Apple when the iPhone predictably dropped in price or waited in line so you and your socially handicapped “gang” could be among the first hundred thousand to play Wii. Congratulations to you. You’ve earned a special place in the hearts of the masses. That the place is nicknamed the “lemmings’ asshole” is pure coincidence and you wouldn’t get the reference anyway.
Mélissa Theuriau marrying Jamel Debbouze:
… For those not familiar, Mélissa’s another reason to hate the French those assholes with their happier lives, free health care, five weeks of vacation and hot news anchors and Jamel’s the weird dude that played the handicapped kid in Aélie. Sure, he played the role well and I was a fan but now I loathe him.
Honestly, look at him and then watch this clip. That’s the hard-hitting journalism that asks the tough questions and puts things into… perspe… um…
… whoa. Sorry about that, I was lost in her eyes for a moment. What was I saying? Tough questions? What the hell? I have no idea what she’s saying and couldn’t care less. Can we sign this woman up for guest spots on Countdown, like, yesterday?
bentley is the new saturn »
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
As discussed in the FFFA, I’m looking into a digicam something classy. While spelunking the interweb I came upon a comment about the Canon G9 that mentioned another manufacturer. One I hadn’t heard of.
For those of you who donated money to our staff after Friday’s post, you’re likely familiar with said brand. Hell, you gave your daughter one of their offerings for her tenth birthday just for being precious and then another on her twelfth because that bitch dropped it out the limousine window. To the rest, let me Wikipedia give you a brief introduction. They’ve been making cameras since the twenties and they’re good at it.
Leica is just one of dozens of brands the less fortunate 96%+ of the population don’t know of. The cheapest I found is on ebay and that’s still about 100% of my monthly income. Their point-shoot costs as much as the G9.
Sure, everyone knows Bose, Bentley and Rolex Thanks E!, MTV, oprah but what about Inglesina, Maybach and Corum? These brands aren’t known by the vast majority but they’re thriving. It’s an entire industry of top-of-the-line-anything. In a nation where Wal-Mart has become its own nation-state through the wallets of those that can’t afford anything else, does that seem odd?
Personally, I’ll gladly toss away my liberal leanings and kiss the asshole of an ox to pay for an M8 with the same percentage of my income I will the G9. I’d fad-fuck until my inner thighs bled and smile for the duration. Afterward, I shan’t be caught dead in a Mercedes which come off the factory line smelling destitute or with a watch that doesn’t have the etched signature of the sexagenarian, Swiss timepiece maker who assembled it. Obviously.