Over on Off Message (Brian's blog) the Yankees fan in Brian has been unleashed. Angered by an email from Mark, Brian is responding with both barrels. I have never been wholly neutral in the Yankees vs. Red Sox blood bath. I like the Red Sox better, but mainly because I grew up a Browns fan, and for me there is comfort in a team that is always good enough to inspire hope and always bad enough to make you hurt. But two of my closest friends are split. Now add Jen into the mix and the balance for Sox fandom is beginning to tip. However, I must admit, Brian's arguments are always more passionate, and usually better...he relishes these fights.
I'm mainly just amused. To see the fight in question....check out: off message. Oh, and in general Brian's blog is getting better daily (primarily because it's starting to be more up to date).
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
SACK Thoughts Part II
Tom Vilsack also looks like the child of Dick Gephardt and John Edwards.
For whatever that might be worth. Also, the article in the NY Times on June 27th was about Vilsack. If my little thought is right, then Halbfinger has the story now but it's embargoed.
For whatever that might be worth. Also, the article in the NY Times on June 27th was about Vilsack. If my little thought is right, then Halbfinger has the story now but it's embargoed.
VILSACK it up
This Sunday John Kerry will be in Cedar Rapids Iowa and my sources (of what merit...who knows) have told me that he will then announce his running mate as Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. The timing sounds about right. I'm guessing Kerry's staff will leak that they have a big announcement on Saturday. This will generate buzz for the Sunday shows. Then Vilsack is announced on Sunday. Though timing it with Fourth of July seems strange. But it might take some buzz from the President, maybe something about new American patriotism...who knows.
Another oddity, is a ticket full of Catholics (both Kerry and the SACK are Catholics).
Why The SACK?
1. Governor is a good balance for a Senator
2. Unlike Kerry Vilsack has done a few things
3. Strengthen the midwest. My guess is that all the polling is showing that the South, and maybe even the pseudo south (TN, Arkansas, LA) are out of play, or are unaffected by this choice. So this means, looking at the map that it's got to be midwest, southwest and Colorado.
4. Vilsack probably locks up IA. Iowans are a prideful bunch, and are enamored of their role in the world. I bet they rally to his aid.
5. Vilsack's story is a good one. Edwards proved that bios matter. Vilsack grew up orphaned in Pennsylvania, child of abuse, all that sob story stuff. Good for the sea biscuit crowd.
6. Vilsack doesn't hurt in places like MN and WI...though I don't know how much he helps.
7. Matt Paul and Franny get to be super powerful...and who doesn't want that.
8. Phil James said so.
Another oddity, is a ticket full of Catholics (both Kerry and the SACK are Catholics).
Why The SACK?
1. Governor is a good balance for a Senator
2. Unlike Kerry Vilsack has done a few things
3. Strengthen the midwest. My guess is that all the polling is showing that the South, and maybe even the pseudo south (TN, Arkansas, LA) are out of play, or are unaffected by this choice. So this means, looking at the map that it's got to be midwest, southwest and Colorado.
4. Vilsack probably locks up IA. Iowans are a prideful bunch, and are enamored of their role in the world. I bet they rally to his aid.
5. Vilsack's story is a good one. Edwards proved that bios matter. Vilsack grew up orphaned in Pennsylvania, child of abuse, all that sob story stuff. Good for the sea biscuit crowd.
6. Vilsack doesn't hurt in places like MN and WI...though I don't know how much he helps.
7. Matt Paul and Franny get to be super powerful...and who doesn't want that.
8. Phil James said so.
Hmmm...
According to the Onion the American people are not fit to govern themselves. Great little article. The Onions election coverage is the farcical paper version of The Daily Show. We have a media empire, it's just far more funny than vicious.
The Supreme Court found that, though 78 percent of U.S. citizens have seen Star Wars, only one in 200,000 were aware that the multibillion-dollar "Star Wars" missile-defense system had been approved by Congress. Additionally, while 62 percent of citizens correctly identified the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond, only .01 percent could identify former attorney general Janet Reno beyond "some woman Jay Leno always says looks like a man." Further, only .0003 percent could correctly identify the ancient Greek city-state of Athens as the birthplace of the concept of an educated citizenry participating in democratic self-rule.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Things I don't need today
Today has been motivationally a shitty day. Lots of reasons. Few of which will find an airing on this blog. But long story short, it's been a very non-Aaron day. So I went for a run to beat my body into complying with my idea of my role in the political universe. I went to the Pineridge Lake area. (Alert readers will remember this as the site of my prairie dog sightings, and the posted warnings about snakes). I arrived to find a new sign. The sign said, and demonstrated with drawings, that there had been mountain lion sightings in the area. The sign goes on to explain that if attacked I shouldn't make eye contact or the lion will take that as a challenge. I should also continue to fight back if I'm being attacked. Never stop. Frankly these are hardly reassuring. The final straw came when it said: Do not jog or run in this area as it may trigger the predatory instinct in the mountain lion. The last thing I need today is a giant cat trying to chase me so that it can eat my face. And I guess, if I really think about it, that's not just limited today...I never want my face gnawed on by a mountain lion. So I went running at a local park instead. I saw babies. They were fine with eye contact.
Monday, June 28, 2004
Domino's Pizza Of Liberation
The note that Condi passed to Bush regarding the transfer of Iraqi soveriegnty, and his response
Get Your War On's Response
Humanizing and Dehumanizing
When I came home from my final meeting of the evening (Council of Youngins) I bumped into Mike. Mike and Frank live across the hall from me, and share with me a problem of bugs crawling into their garden apartment. They've recently moved to Fort Collins, I learned, from New Jersey (shore). I'd had no real reason to talk to them earlier. But our communal bug problem (and their desire to talk with me about it) lead to a pleasant conversation. Mike is a former corrections officer, who when asked what it's like replied, "can you sit on your ass for 8 hours." Frank used to build race cars, specifically alcohol burning drag racers. Apparently he built 8 second cars. I came to learn this meant that the car would traverse the 1/4 mile course in 8 seconds. It went from 0 to 176 in 8 seconds over the space of just 1/4 mile. Pretty badass stuff. I don't know a lot about cars, but I can fake it for a while, and now I know a little more. So that's good. The top fuel cars burn 7 gallons of alcohol in those 8 seconds (and the best cars top out at 6 seconds for 1/4 mile, or something approaching 300 miles per hour). All in all lots of pleasant conversation and learning about other people and their lives. Good stuff. Solid guys. The fairly unpleasant part came when I learned of Mike's views on being a corrections officer. He talked of the kind of prison he'd want to work in, namely one where the prisoners were allowed out so that they weren't behaving like caged animals. I thought, how progressive. Then I learned about, or had reinforced, the kind of approach officers take to prisoners. If there is a fight, "we take them to where there aren't any cameras and beat the shit out of them." It was soon after that comment that I announced I need to make dinner, and we parted company.
So I fell in love...
with Seattle. It's just astonishingly beautiful. It is verdant (and if I lived there I could use that word...which is something) and hilly and full of Oberlin-esque people. It's a solid place. I saw mountains, Puget Sound, friends, a green thing that hangs off the Space Needle (it's supposed to be an alien sitting and its spaceship), Rachel in a dress, Matt, four square played by Amherst grads, Mt. Rainier, a salmon ladder, a giant pink elephant sign, oh and Jen--who truth be told may have been the neatest thing about Seattle.
I'll have a more complete wrap up later. It's funny, usually most stories here come from the same emotional inspiration (though less well constructed) that triggers essays by Sedaris and Rakoff. Namely that strange feeling of shame/embarassment/wonder/and generally being out of place. I use this blog as a way to enjoy those moments to share the absurdity of them with others. Seattle was full of happiness, giddiness, beauty and honest joy...so I'm not sure I'll have as much to write. The airports and the getting lost will provide more of the stories. But the moments in Seattle with Rachel, Matt, Jen and others were amazing and not terribly funny.
I'll hope to have photos done soon. This will help my contention that Jen's apartment is what a preschool run by Ikea would look like.
It's good to be back in Fort Collins, but really I'm lying.
I'll have a more complete wrap up later. It's funny, usually most stories here come from the same emotional inspiration (though less well constructed) that triggers essays by Sedaris and Rakoff. Namely that strange feeling of shame/embarassment/wonder/and generally being out of place. I use this blog as a way to enjoy those moments to share the absurdity of them with others. Seattle was full of happiness, giddiness, beauty and honest joy...so I'm not sure I'll have as much to write. The airports and the getting lost will provide more of the stories. But the moments in Seattle with Rachel, Matt, Jen and others were amazing and not terribly funny.
I'll hope to have photos done soon. This will help my contention that Jen's apartment is what a preschool run by Ikea would look like.
It's good to be back in Fort Collins, but really I'm lying.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Leaving On a Jet Plane
"My bags are packed, I'm ready to go..."
I'm driving to Denver within the next hour or so. Off to hang out with Andrew Kain (he of the Mason "Shitty" office of Iowans for Dean). Then it's up and at them (atom) for my 7:00am flight. I arrive in Seattle mid morning...then who the hell knows what happens. I am, sadly, expecting I won't have time to see Phil, or Sarah S, or A2. It's crappy, not much time and so many great folks out there. Maybe lunch with P-James. Again, who knows. Sunday is the wedding. Just about 11 months ago I was doing this best friend at a wedding thing for Mark and Stacy.* If it's that nice it'll be wonderful. And I won't volunteer for chair lifting duties this time...or I'll at least recruit some burly non-Jews to help.
I return at the early-even-for-Aaron time of 6:00am. So "I know when I'll be back again..." At 9:40 am. Then I have to plan for a canvass with Colorado's 2nd District Congressman Mark Udall. So it'll be a hectic week for certain.
Photos and stories to follow.
*Mark, I'll probably be up in time for a call...so let's try and talk on Sunday.
I'm driving to Denver within the next hour or so. Off to hang out with Andrew Kain (he of the Mason "Shitty" office of Iowans for Dean). Then it's up and at them (atom) for my 7:00am flight. I arrive in Seattle mid morning...then who the hell knows what happens. I am, sadly, expecting I won't have time to see Phil, or Sarah S, or A2. It's crappy, not much time and so many great folks out there. Maybe lunch with P-James. Again, who knows. Sunday is the wedding. Just about 11 months ago I was doing this best friend at a wedding thing for Mark and Stacy.* If it's that nice it'll be wonderful. And I won't volunteer for chair lifting duties this time...or I'll at least recruit some burly non-Jews to help.
I return at the early-even-for-Aaron time of 6:00am. So "I know when I'll be back again..." At 9:40 am. Then I have to plan for a canvass with Colorado's 2nd District Congressman Mark Udall. So it'll be a hectic week for certain.
Photos and stories to follow.
*Mark, I'll probably be up in time for a call...so let's try and talk on Sunday.
New Favorite Bumpersticker
I have seen this twice in Fort Collins, and nowhere else.
Metaphors be with you.
Metaphors be with you.
Greatest
This blog has been sorely lacking in discussion of ultimate. Though I have been sore and sorely lacking in my play, so maybe the two are related. A friend sent me this link.
It's called "The Greatest." A "greatest" is when while diving, jumping out of bounds a player catches the disc and throws it to a teammate. It's rare, ie, I've never seen it done. I've tried to do it once, but it was in a pickup game and my teamate ignored the disc as it bounced off her shoulder. This link is a successful one. It's pretty great.
It's called "The Greatest." A "greatest" is when while diving, jumping out of bounds a player catches the disc and throws it to a teammate. It's rare, ie, I've never seen it done. I've tried to do it once, but it was in a pickup game and my teamate ignored the disc as it bounced off her shoulder. This link is a successful one. It's pretty great.
What Smart People Do.
I talked to Neil Gray yesterday. It was, as nearly all conversations with Neil are, wonderful. I guess if he were a warden offering me my last meal, or a super villan we might have a conversation from which I left somewhat disheartened...but generally it's good stuff. Last night's conversation was the standard, what have you been doing, what are you thinking, how is your significant other, wouldn't it be great to see one another event. But into that pleasant mix was tossed the intriguing subject of what it is that Neil does this summer.
N.A.G: "I'm cutting mouse brains into ultra thin slices..."
A.B.L: "What do you use? Is it like a deli meat slicer?"
N.A.G; "More like that than you might want to think."
Turns out according to the soon to be M.D. Ph.D mouse brains continue to demonstrate neural firing in regular and orderly patterns for up to 12 hours after death. In classic Neil and Aaron fashion the conversation then became a free for all of what if questions. I was reduced to 9 year old Aaron asking my Dad how neurons work, or why the sky is blue, or any number of annoying questions. Some interesting thoughts...what does the neural activity mimic, ie what living patterns are most like this pattern. Answer: sleep. I thought this was amazingly hopeful. The idea that after death the brain begins it's shut down by replicating sleep rather than firing at random or simulating terror or arousal. That was very positive in my mind.
Other questions: What if the mouse is aroused when killed? What if it's sleeping? What about temperature? Does the gender of the mouse matter?
Long story short, smart people like Neil to amazing things that make not as smart people like me really happy to know them. And make curious people ask all kinds of questions that are probably annoying...but it's Neil so he tolerates them.
N.A.G: "I'm cutting mouse brains into ultra thin slices..."
A.B.L: "What do you use? Is it like a deli meat slicer?"
N.A.G; "More like that than you might want to think."
Turns out according to the soon to be M.D. Ph.D mouse brains continue to demonstrate neural firing in regular and orderly patterns for up to 12 hours after death. In classic Neil and Aaron fashion the conversation then became a free for all of what if questions. I was reduced to 9 year old Aaron asking my Dad how neurons work, or why the sky is blue, or any number of annoying questions. Some interesting thoughts...what does the neural activity mimic, ie what living patterns are most like this pattern. Answer: sleep. I thought this was amazingly hopeful. The idea that after death the brain begins it's shut down by replicating sleep rather than firing at random or simulating terror or arousal. That was very positive in my mind.
Other questions: What if the mouse is aroused when killed? What if it's sleeping? What about temperature? Does the gender of the mouse matter?
Long story short, smart people like Neil to amazing things that make not as smart people like me really happy to know them. And make curious people ask all kinds of questions that are probably annoying...but it's Neil so he tolerates them.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
2 for the price of 1
I decided that tonight (well, now it's become last night) I would treat myself to a trip to the drive in movie theater. The theater is 3 blocks from my house. Tonight they were showing for 5 dollars a double bill of Shrek 2 and The Terminal. I'd previously only ever been to a drive in movie once before, where I saw Shrek, so it'd seemed fitting that I'd watch its sequel in the same fashion.
As each of you no doubt knows, I struggle with late night movie watching. Who am I kidding I struggle with mid evening movie watching. While visiting Mark in Boston for the first time we discovered a means by which I could nearly ensure awakedness throughout the duration of the film: the 10:30am movie.
My previous drive in experience was interesting. Too much light pollution meant that the movie was generally just a series of splotchy dark images that I could hear but couldn't really discern. This evening was different. I found the movie decent at least the part I watched. Midway through the film I received a call on my cell. I looked down, and saw it was from a friend ...and having been fairly bored with the previous 15 minutes of the movie--I took the call. An hour later the movie ended. It was strange to watch a silent Shrek 2. There was, as best I can tell a giant ginger bread man, a wedding gone awry, a flying pig, a musical ending of some sort. Generally seemed jovial. Maybe I'll see it on DVD. The good news was that talking to Jen (the friend) didn't put me to sleep...so Mark you'd be proud of me for lasting through an entire movie. It was 11:30pm and there was another movie still to come. I fought my personal demons as long as I could, but finally I was overtaken by sleep around 12:45. I awoke at 1:15am. Apparently some sort of romantic subplot between Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones had arisen and been resolved. I'm guessing that Tom Hanks' English improved, since he seemed in greater control in the last scene. So long story short--I spent 5 bucks to see most of two movies, through which I was planning on sleeping anyways.
As each of you no doubt knows, I struggle with late night movie watching. Who am I kidding I struggle with mid evening movie watching. While visiting Mark in Boston for the first time we discovered a means by which I could nearly ensure awakedness throughout the duration of the film: the 10:30am movie.
My previous drive in experience was interesting. Too much light pollution meant that the movie was generally just a series of splotchy dark images that I could hear but couldn't really discern. This evening was different. I found the movie decent at least the part I watched. Midway through the film I received a call on my cell. I looked down, and saw it was from a friend ...and having been fairly bored with the previous 15 minutes of the movie--I took the call. An hour later the movie ended. It was strange to watch a silent Shrek 2. There was, as best I can tell a giant ginger bread man, a wedding gone awry, a flying pig, a musical ending of some sort. Generally seemed jovial. Maybe I'll see it on DVD. The good news was that talking to Jen (the friend) didn't put me to sleep...so Mark you'd be proud of me for lasting through an entire movie. It was 11:30pm and there was another movie still to come. I fought my personal demons as long as I could, but finally I was overtaken by sleep around 12:45. I awoke at 1:15am. Apparently some sort of romantic subplot between Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones had arisen and been resolved. I'm guessing that Tom Hanks' English improved, since he seemed in greater control in the last scene. So long story short--I spent 5 bucks to see most of two movies, through which I was planning on sleeping anyways.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Who'd Have Thought I'd Need to Go to Seattle to Escape the Rain
It's been rainy here. Rain seems to affect (someone tell me if it's affect or effect, I'm forgetting the rule here) Coloradoans the way snow does DC residents. Namely it ruins their daily lives, confuses them and all but calls into question their faith in God. Though people out here can drive through the rain, unlike DC drivers in the snow.
I've been here a short bit. But already I'm furious at the weather. How dare it rain for 4 days straight. What kind of horrible fate have I been given? Etc. Though it has been quite cold for June (namely 45-55 degrees). Today is more of the same. I'm heading to Seattle to see Rachel and Matt get married. I am going to get to read one of two passages either Robert Louis Stevenson or Shakespeare. I'm a big fan of Bill but the Stevenson passage is amazing so I'm hoping to get to read that one.
While in Seattle I'll be visiting Jen Katz (she of infinitedriveway, and a contributor to MuD), plus because she's great she's agreed to join me for the wedding. Jen says funny, witty, interesting things...so I'm sure she'll make a good partner in crime for the wedding--a get away driver for if I botch the readings...or make a toast with my fly down, or commit any other crime against weddings.
How odd is it that I'm expecting better weather in Seattle than in Fort Collins? I'll tell you, it's very odd. I'll try and take photos and I'll have a report on the slew of Seattle stories (see I avoided the obvious Sleepless in Seattle pun...and went straight for the semi obscure horse racing reference.)
I've been here a short bit. But already I'm furious at the weather. How dare it rain for 4 days straight. What kind of horrible fate have I been given? Etc. Though it has been quite cold for June (namely 45-55 degrees). Today is more of the same. I'm heading to Seattle to see Rachel and Matt get married. I am going to get to read one of two passages either Robert Louis Stevenson or Shakespeare. I'm a big fan of Bill but the Stevenson passage is amazing so I'm hoping to get to read that one.
While in Seattle I'll be visiting Jen Katz (she of infinitedriveway, and a contributor to MuD), plus because she's great she's agreed to join me for the wedding. Jen says funny, witty, interesting things...so I'm sure she'll make a good partner in crime for the wedding--a get away driver for if I botch the readings...or make a toast with my fly down, or commit any other crime against weddings.
How odd is it that I'm expecting better weather in Seattle than in Fort Collins? I'll tell you, it's very odd. I'll try and take photos and I'll have a report on the slew of Seattle stories (see I avoided the obvious Sleepless in Seattle pun...and went straight for the semi obscure horse racing reference.)
I'm EATING this PLASTIC BAG
Emily Thorson has a great piece of father son dialogue over at her blog. I'm stealing it and reposting it here
A Happy Father's Day to my Dad, who with patience and grace put up with similarly absurd declarations from me....and still does. Thanks.
Conversation overheard on the [extremely crowded] train while returning from the DC United game on Saturday...
Kid: There are TOO MANY people on this train! And that's why it's going SO SLOW! Look how slow it's going!
Father: Well, actually, we're still at the station. The train hasn't started moving yet.
Kid: Oh. Yeah. But it will NEVER get to a hundred miles an hour with THIS MANY people on it! There are too many!
Father: The train only goes about forty miles an hour.
Kid: Oh. I'm SO HUNGRY that I'm EATING this PLASTIC BAG!
Father: Please don't eat the plastic bag.
A Happy Father's Day to my Dad, who with patience and grace put up with similarly absurd declarations from me....and still does. Thanks.
Saturday, June 19, 2004
I meet people
At today's Pride in the Park I met:
A man who while in college five times debated a young Republican that everyone thought would be governor....the young Republican was Ted Bundy.
A couple in their 50s who lovingly discussed meeting while canvassing precincts. The husband looked at his wife, reached out his hand to grasp hers and said: "That was our first precinct walk together." Which I thought was about as cute and old-married-coupley as you can get...especially for the progressive set. I wonder if there is a precinct canvassing anniversary card you can get from Hallmark. "I'll never forget your delicate knuckles as they rapped door after door. Your IDs so accurate, your demeanor never wavering. I knew I loved you then, and I do to this day. Through Carter, Reagan, Clinton and the Contract with America we've been partners, walking buddies, and I've cherished every moment. Here's to one hundred more blocks and 1000 walk sheets together. I'll take this house, and you can take the next, forever."
A former candidate who talked about leaving a meeting in the late 1970s and on the way out having a volunteer (a released felon) inquire as to whether he (the candidate) would like to do some coke. Upon hearing this I said, you know it's a bad sign when people are using your literature to cut lines of coke.
A man who was an archaeologist and now does ARC GIS for the forest service and helps them to map out their controlled burns etc, whose wife is an interiorscaper. She designs plant environs for inside your home. He also told me in amazing detail (I asked) about the greenhouse he built for her.
A woman holding a sign reading: "I'm a lesbian so there."
A man holding a sign reading: "God Save the Queens." My favorite sign of the day.
A gay felon (he said as much) who said he'd vote for my candidate because he likes bacon (the foodstuff). He also escorted me to the Walrus Ice Cream booth where he insisted I try "cake batter" ice cream. He was right, it's amazing.
A woman who tried to convince the local newspaper editor to hire me to do stand up comedy...ostensibly for the newspaper. I'm not certain that newspapers employ standup comedians, and if so what they ask them to do. Flattering, but baffling.
Is that Modest Mouse in Your Pants or Are You Just Happy to See Me?
I recently bought a new phone. It's much more spiffy than ever phone that I ever needed or expected to own. This phone has as its main features a speakerphone capacity, and my new favorite function a voice recorder. My phone (little blue nokia delight that it is) allows me to record notes to myself, or what's better, music in 1 minute batches. You can then save these 1 minute pieces of music or notes as the ring tone.
While meeting with Bob and the web site folks I was summoned to action by the strains of Float On by Modest Mouse. Bob shot me a glance that soon turned to a silly grin as he realized that my pants were singing to the assembled masses. Melodic pants, isn't technology wonderful.
I passed on another phone that had a flashlight, FM radio, and camera. It's like some sort of swiss army phone. That one made me feel queasy and more sell-outish than I'd like. So I went with the trusty blue nokia.
While meeting with Bob and the web site folks I was summoned to action by the strains of Float On by Modest Mouse. Bob shot me a glance that soon turned to a silly grin as he realized that my pants were singing to the assembled masses. Melodic pants, isn't technology wonderful.
I passed on another phone that had a flashlight, FM radio, and camera. It's like some sort of swiss army phone. That one made me feel queasy and more sell-outish than I'd like. So I went with the trusty blue nokia.
Giant Ass
Last night I ventured out in 48 degree weather and spitting rain to do duty as manager of the Bacon for Senate campaign. This duty, attending a Bush Bash with other Dems, was honestly not that hard. It wasn't really what I wanted to be doing, but I went because I should. I also realized that it'd be great story fodder. And it was.
Normally it's quite hard to get lost in Fort Collins. There are these giant things called mountains which are always to the West. Due West. So it's hard to get lost. Except last night the mountains were encased in this horrible thick fog. So West was hard to find, and even harder to find was this random home in the country. I wandered around Windsor (about 8.5 miles East of Fort Collins) until I found something that might be the road I wanted. I took it for a while, and then I saw it, and knew I was on the right track. The it in question: a 40foot, giant red inflatable donkey (40GRID hereinafter). Like the Stars to the 3 Magi, so was this 40GRID to me. I followed it's magnificence to the promised rendez vous with semi-intoxicated Democrats, cut bell peppers and ranch dressing.
On the off chance that anyone not friendly to me or my campaign ever reads this I'll not further describe the various little strange moments involved at the party. Suffice to say I had much less to drink that some folks, I didn't choose to perform a Dean scream, and I didn't hit on anyone. More details available off line.
At the end of the party one of the people I'd talked to who had had a few, but was still very cogent wandered up the hill to the base of the 40GRID. It was then that I realized the 40GRID sat/perched upon a large monolith that resembled tan stone. In point of fact, it looked almost identical to the rock from Who's Next.
I said as much, but sadly no one got the reference. As he approached, I thought, if he pees on this because he too thinks it's like the rock from Who's Next he instantly becomes the coolest person I know in Fort Collins. Alas the 40GRID was not micturated upon in celebration of The Who's ouvre. What can you do?
In other news...on the way out to see 40GRID, and attend the BBQ, I passed a famer's field full of mini boulders (very large rocks). They were spaced regularly and for as far as I could see. Each had a greenish tint to it. Turns out it's a "moss rock" farm...habitat...whatever you call a collection of rocks that have moss on them. Sign proclaimed Moss Rocks for sale $150.
To really botch the line from the Graduate, "I have one word for you, Mossrocks."
Normally it's quite hard to get lost in Fort Collins. There are these giant things called mountains which are always to the West. Due West. So it's hard to get lost. Except last night the mountains were encased in this horrible thick fog. So West was hard to find, and even harder to find was this random home in the country. I wandered around Windsor (about 8.5 miles East of Fort Collins) until I found something that might be the road I wanted. I took it for a while, and then I saw it, and knew I was on the right track. The it in question: a 40foot, giant red inflatable donkey (40GRID hereinafter). Like the Stars to the 3 Magi, so was this 40GRID to me. I followed it's magnificence to the promised rendez vous with semi-intoxicated Democrats, cut bell peppers and ranch dressing.
On the off chance that anyone not friendly to me or my campaign ever reads this I'll not further describe the various little strange moments involved at the party. Suffice to say I had much less to drink that some folks, I didn't choose to perform a Dean scream, and I didn't hit on anyone. More details available off line.
At the end of the party one of the people I'd talked to who had had a few, but was still very cogent wandered up the hill to the base of the 40GRID. It was then that I realized the 40GRID sat/perched upon a large monolith that resembled tan stone. In point of fact, it looked almost identical to the rock from Who's Next.
I said as much, but sadly no one got the reference. As he approached, I thought, if he pees on this because he too thinks it's like the rock from Who's Next he instantly becomes the coolest person I know in Fort Collins. Alas the 40GRID was not micturated upon in celebration of The Who's ouvre. What can you do?
In other news...on the way out to see 40GRID, and attend the BBQ, I passed a famer's field full of mini boulders (very large rocks). They were spaced regularly and for as far as I could see. Each had a greenish tint to it. Turns out it's a "moss rock" farm...habitat...whatever you call a collection of rocks that have moss on them. Sign proclaimed Moss Rocks for sale $150.
To really botch the line from the Graduate, "I have one word for you, Mossrocks."
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Aaron Tries To Celebrate Bloomsday and Fails
Earlier in the day I noticed that Google had customized its logo for the day. It looks like this
I wasn't sure who that was supposed to be, so I clicked and found out, it's James Joyce. Today June 16, 2004 is the 100th anniversary of Leopold Bloom's journey through Dublin in Joyce's Ulysses. I'm told that it's the greatest novel ever written, and a sort of literary K2 with Everest being Finnegan's Wake. So rain having drowned my canvass for the day I decide to search for the book. I stop at Barnes and Noble. I say this with appropriate remorse--no good independent book store. I've asked, repeatedly. They do not have Ulysses. They suggest a used book store. I go there. The woman has never heard of the book, and then tells me it might be in classics. I check. It's not. We proceed to talk about small bookstores and I play the JKD card (well the WKD card really, or even the SK card). And we talk about Ruminator books (a great JKD approved store in St. Paul) she thinks I'm talking about remainder books, and responds with "oh yeah there's good money in that." She then sends me to B. Daltons. They don't have it either. I am in a college town where 68% of the adults have college degrees and nearly 25% have MA or higher and I cannot find a copy of Ulysses. I'm not looking for a cultural analysis of sexual roles of Tuvan throat singers, or lyric poetry celebrating lemon yogurt...just a copy of a fairly well known novel. Exasperated I say to the manager of B. Dalton's (and really this isn't his fault), "Are you telling me that a town of 120,000 people has three and only three bookstores?" Again not his fault, but he responds calmly, "Yes."
So this is my Bloomsday. But wait, there's more. Later this evening because of a meeting I must attend I am back in the book district. All three are within 2 blocks of one another in various strip malls. I decide to stop into B. Dalton's just to buy something to read. I call my friend Jen. I ask her what she recommends. Which I'll admit is largely unfair because you'd want to give some guidelines. We finally settle on a book by someone Garcia, a Dominican author. I march into the store and begin to search for Garcia. Nothing. Lots of Stephen King. Some sorta trashy looking stuff. No Garcia. Having struck out again, I scour the shelves for things I should have read. I'm in the buy something, anything mode. I settle on three leading contenders--The Crying of Lot 49 by Pynchon. I've never read anything by him, but my smart friends Mark and Garrett have...and like I said they're smart, so maybe his books made them smart. I also consider Skinny Legs and All a book by Tom Robbins which FC and FCH highly recommended that first night we all went drinking. And I pick up Breakfast of Champions by Vonnegut. Never read Vonnegut. I'm always being told to read Vonnegut. So I select the Vonnegut book and prepare to check out. At the counter the checkout woman, who has not been party to my various mishaps and failures in book buying asks the innocent question: Did you find everything okay? I respond "no." I say, "no this is the second time today I've tried to find a book and struck out. I found this other book, and I'm sure it's great, but to honestly answer your question, no, I couldn't find several things I hoped to buy." She was shocked but laughed. So it was fine. And thus the sun sets on my Bloomsday. I'm sure I'll like Vonnegut, and it's far more likely that I'll finish it. But still, 120,000 people and three sorry bookstores. Sigh.
I wasn't sure who that was supposed to be, so I clicked and found out, it's James Joyce. Today June 16, 2004 is the 100th anniversary of Leopold Bloom's journey through Dublin in Joyce's Ulysses. I'm told that it's the greatest novel ever written, and a sort of literary K2 with Everest being Finnegan's Wake. So rain having drowned my canvass for the day I decide to search for the book. I stop at Barnes and Noble. I say this with appropriate remorse--no good independent book store. I've asked, repeatedly. They do not have Ulysses. They suggest a used book store. I go there. The woman has never heard of the book, and then tells me it might be in classics. I check. It's not. We proceed to talk about small bookstores and I play the JKD card (well the WKD card really, or even the SK card). And we talk about Ruminator books (a great JKD approved store in St. Paul) she thinks I'm talking about remainder books, and responds with "oh yeah there's good money in that." She then sends me to B. Daltons. They don't have it either. I am in a college town where 68% of the adults have college degrees and nearly 25% have MA or higher and I cannot find a copy of Ulysses. I'm not looking for a cultural analysis of sexual roles of Tuvan throat singers, or lyric poetry celebrating lemon yogurt...just a copy of a fairly well known novel. Exasperated I say to the manager of B. Dalton's (and really this isn't his fault), "Are you telling me that a town of 120,000 people has three and only three bookstores?" Again not his fault, but he responds calmly, "Yes."
So this is my Bloomsday. But wait, there's more. Later this evening because of a meeting I must attend I am back in the book district. All three are within 2 blocks of one another in various strip malls. I decide to stop into B. Dalton's just to buy something to read. I call my friend Jen. I ask her what she recommends. Which I'll admit is largely unfair because you'd want to give some guidelines. We finally settle on a book by someone Garcia, a Dominican author. I march into the store and begin to search for Garcia. Nothing. Lots of Stephen King. Some sorta trashy looking stuff. No Garcia. Having struck out again, I scour the shelves for things I should have read. I'm in the buy something, anything mode. I settle on three leading contenders--The Crying of Lot 49 by Pynchon. I've never read anything by him, but my smart friends Mark and Garrett have...and like I said they're smart, so maybe his books made them smart. I also consider Skinny Legs and All a book by Tom Robbins which FC and FCH highly recommended that first night we all went drinking. And I pick up Breakfast of Champions by Vonnegut. Never read Vonnegut. I'm always being told to read Vonnegut. So I select the Vonnegut book and prepare to check out. At the counter the checkout woman, who has not been party to my various mishaps and failures in book buying asks the innocent question: Did you find everything okay? I respond "no." I say, "no this is the second time today I've tried to find a book and struck out. I found this other book, and I'm sure it's great, but to honestly answer your question, no, I couldn't find several things I hoped to buy." She was shocked but laughed. So it was fine. And thus the sun sets on my Bloomsday. I'm sure I'll like Vonnegut, and it's far more likely that I'll finish it. But still, 120,000 people and three sorry bookstores. Sigh.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Sushi By Kevin
I went today to a place called Sushi By Kevin. Outside on the awning in bold it says: "Sushi to go!" So I drove over there (it's only a few blocks from my new office, yes I know I could have walked, but I'm lazy and often in a hurry) and ordered some sushi. The chef is a dred-locked, tattoed, pierced (everywhere) guy in his early thirties who quoted Seinfeld (often, but inaccurately) and was appartetly a father, as he was wished a Happy Father's Day. He was/is Kevin. I ordered spicy tuna rolls, and salmon rolls. Total for the 10 pieces was 9.25. Not a bad deal.
While waiting for my dead fish to be wrapped in fish eggs (sort of a ying and yang there) and rice I picked up the local alternative paper. I read there that Steve Vantatenhoven is running against Bob. This was certainly news. Who is Steve Vantatenhoven? No clue. I'll soon learn. But the main portion of his platform as best I can tell is that he wants a return to direct democracy a la the ancient Athenians. I've been using the line for years but finally it has a real opponent, "democracy (direct) is only good for determining who drinks poison." I have to imagine that his votes are siphoned off from the libertarians. That's right we have third party candidates taking from other third party candidates who are taking from the Republicans. It's a mixed up world we live in.
Side notes:
A woman was very nasty to me the other day, primarily I think because she doesn't like politics but also because she was struggling mightily with the word solicitor...and kept saying she didn't take solicililators.
We canvassed a house that was having a garage sale. I peaked my head in to see what kinds of things they had, and saw "Rodeo Bloopers I" and "More Rodeo Bloopers". This prompts two questions: 1. Isn't almost all of the rodeo basically a blooper. It's people falling off of a 2,000 lb bull that has some sort of chaffing device wrapped around its genitals...that's essentially a blooper by itself, right. 2nd do you need a second video. Are the falls really that distinct. Isn't it mainly a guy in cowboy hat and jeans with chaps falling off of giant angry animal with sore private parts. Even NASCAR has numbers and colors to distinguish, as best I can tell rodeo guys don't have uniforms.
I got to use for the first time...my new favorite political term: ballot chase. It refers to efforts made by campaigns to persuade voters who've requested or received absentee ballots. But to me it just sounds like something out of a key stone cops redux of the 2000 Florida election.
While waiting for my dead fish to be wrapped in fish eggs (sort of a ying and yang there) and rice I picked up the local alternative paper. I read there that Steve Vantatenhoven is running against Bob. This was certainly news. Who is Steve Vantatenhoven? No clue. I'll soon learn. But the main portion of his platform as best I can tell is that he wants a return to direct democracy a la the ancient Athenians. I've been using the line for years but finally it has a real opponent, "democracy (direct) is only good for determining who drinks poison." I have to imagine that his votes are siphoned off from the libertarians. That's right we have third party candidates taking from other third party candidates who are taking from the Republicans. It's a mixed up world we live in.
Side notes:
A woman was very nasty to me the other day, primarily I think because she doesn't like politics but also because she was struggling mightily with the word solicitor...and kept saying she didn't take solicililators.
We canvassed a house that was having a garage sale. I peaked my head in to see what kinds of things they had, and saw "Rodeo Bloopers I" and "More Rodeo Bloopers". This prompts two questions: 1. Isn't almost all of the rodeo basically a blooper. It's people falling off of a 2,000 lb bull that has some sort of chaffing device wrapped around its genitals...that's essentially a blooper by itself, right. 2nd do you need a second video. Are the falls really that distinct. Isn't it mainly a guy in cowboy hat and jeans with chaps falling off of giant angry animal with sore private parts. Even NASCAR has numbers and colors to distinguish, as best I can tell rodeo guys don't have uniforms.
I got to use for the first time...my new favorite political term: ballot chase. It refers to efforts made by campaigns to persuade voters who've requested or received absentee ballots. But to me it just sounds like something out of a key stone cops redux of the 2000 Florida election.
The Greatest Love of All...and Some Underworld Spy
I had my first meeting of the Bacon Youth Steering Committee...and let's just say:
"I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.
Show them all the beauty they possess inside."
An impressive group of people. Some have been very politically active others were roped in by their friends. They are going to do amazing things. I'm impressed by them, and eager to work with them. I think I'll be a decent motivator. Julia West was roped in by me (she was at HQ for another meeting), and I made her stay. Turns out she is friends with Dave Karpf. Which I have promised I will not hold against her.
Oh, and I'm currently listening to Carly Simon's "You're So Vain"...is that a sign of illness? I don't own an apricot scarf, if you're wondering. Also I know for a fact that I don't think that "all the girls dreamed that they'd be my partner." Though when I went to Saratoga my horse it naturally won, so there's that.
"I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.
Show them all the beauty they possess inside."
An impressive group of people. Some have been very politically active others were roped in by their friends. They are going to do amazing things. I'm impressed by them, and eager to work with them. I think I'll be a decent motivator. Julia West was roped in by me (she was at HQ for another meeting), and I made her stay. Turns out she is friends with Dave Karpf. Which I have promised I will not hold against her.
Oh, and I'm currently listening to Carly Simon's "You're So Vain"...is that a sign of illness? I don't own an apricot scarf, if you're wondering. Also I know for a fact that I don't think that "all the girls dreamed that they'd be my partner." Though when I went to Saratoga my horse it naturally won, so there's that.
Monday, June 14, 2004
What it's like here
Observation:
Living in Colorado is like living amongst animated REI manequins. Everyone is more crunchy than I am. Which doesn't take that much. People are tanned, and toned. They talk of fourteeners. They call carabeaners--beaners, and use them to prevent themselves from falling off mountains, not to lash their keys to their backpacks.
They have roof racks that are in near constant use. They haul and tote and carry things that help them haul and tote and carry other things up mountains. People drive SUVs because they need to. There are nearly no overweight people here. I saw a woman who at most was 20 lbs overweight while canvassing and it was shocking. People do things like open and maintain viable bike stores. It's a strange place. Good. But strange.
Living in Colorado is like living amongst animated REI manequins. Everyone is more crunchy than I am. Which doesn't take that much. People are tanned, and toned. They talk of fourteeners. They call carabeaners--beaners, and use them to prevent themselves from falling off mountains, not to lash their keys to their backpacks.
They have roof racks that are in near constant use. They haul and tote and carry things that help them haul and tote and carry other things up mountains. People drive SUVs because they need to. There are nearly no overweight people here. I saw a woman who at most was 20 lbs overweight while canvassing and it was shocking. People do things like open and maintain viable bike stores. It's a strange place. Good. But strange.
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Photos Are Up
Over on Extra Vaganza my RMNP photos are up. Some are okay. I really need to buy a digital camera.
I could learn to love it here.
Estes Cone
I decided that I was not going to drive 2.5 hours (round trip) just to mosey around. I wanted a hike. And shit, I got one.
I arrived at the Longs Peak Ranger Station (photos are not mine, I'll post mine when they are developed)at 10:00am. Ideally I'd have arrived earlier, but I left on a whim after watching ESPN for about 30 minutes when I first got up. I'm not yet at the "hiking is my thing" stage (especially given that I hike in low cut ADIDAS sneakers....not a good choice). I did pack provisions, water, snickers bars, and starburst. I'm sure I should bring Cliff Bars, and things that come from REI...but gas station food (in part) has kept me alive thus far, why turn my back on it now.
According to my online resources the Estes Cone hike is 3.3 miles with a gain of 1600 feet (topping out at 11,006). It's rated moderate. I'm sure it is, but it's a fairly intense hike at the top.
I made great time through the first mile or two. I think I was at or under 15 minutes per mile, inlcuding a few photos. The elevation gain was slight if at all. I think the trail may have given away as much elevation as it gained over those first 2 miles. Then shit got serious. The trail had previously been somewhat sandy and generally easy. Not any more. Now it was a hike. The trail got rockier, and the trees gnarlier. And the ground tilted upwards.
Finally I got to the .7 to Cone marker. This is where the cairns come in...
The cairns are placed throughout the final 7 tenths of a mile. At this point the trail is nearly indistinguishable from the surround terrain. You're climbing, not walking.
Here is a pictogram of what it looks like....see I'm not a weakling...it gets much steeper all of a sudden. (the numbers a slightly different from those at the Ranger Station, but the general trend is exactly right).
But the summit is amazing. See photos at extra vaganza
I arrived at the Longs Peak Ranger Station (photos are not mine, I'll post mine when they are developed)at 10:00am. Ideally I'd have arrived earlier, but I left on a whim after watching ESPN for about 30 minutes when I first got up. I'm not yet at the "hiking is my thing" stage (especially given that I hike in low cut ADIDAS sneakers....not a good choice). I did pack provisions, water, snickers bars, and starburst. I'm sure I should bring Cliff Bars, and things that come from REI...but gas station food (in part) has kept me alive thus far, why turn my back on it now.
According to my online resources the Estes Cone hike is 3.3 miles with a gain of 1600 feet (topping out at 11,006). It's rated moderate. I'm sure it is, but it's a fairly intense hike at the top.
I made great time through the first mile or two. I think I was at or under 15 minutes per mile, inlcuding a few photos. The elevation gain was slight if at all. I think the trail may have given away as much elevation as it gained over those first 2 miles. Then shit got serious. The trail had previously been somewhat sandy and generally easy. Not any more. Now it was a hike. The trail got rockier, and the trees gnarlier. And the ground tilted upwards.
Finally I got to the .7 to Cone marker. This is where the cairns come in...
The cairns are placed throughout the final 7 tenths of a mile. At this point the trail is nearly indistinguishable from the surround terrain. You're climbing, not walking.
Here is a pictogram of what it looks like....see I'm not a weakling...it gets much steeper all of a sudden. (the numbers a slightly different from those at the Ranger Station, but the general trend is exactly right).
But the summit is amazing. See photos at extra vaganza
Rocky Mountain National Park
Going to take a little break, and drive to RMNP. Hike either Estes Cone (photos to follow) or The Loch trail.
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Today's Special
Asian Chicken with Peanut Seasame Noodles and Bruscetta
Marinated chicken breast in: sliced jalapenos, ginger, diced garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, seasame oil, chili power. Seared (in seasame oil) until the breast formed a nice crust, seasoned with salt.
Peanut Noodles (spaghetti)
tossed in a sauce of: peanut butter, seasame oil,rice wine vineager, peppers, salt,cracked black pepper and a 1/4 cup water...heated to thicken.
garnished with scalions.
Bruschetta (goat cheese, olive oil drizzle, pepper, salt, sliced tomatoes on crisped french bread)
Not too bad. Not bad at all.
Marinated chicken breast in: sliced jalapenos, ginger, diced garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, seasame oil, chili power. Seared (in seasame oil) until the breast formed a nice crust, seasoned with salt.
Peanut Noodles (spaghetti)
tossed in a sauce of: peanut butter, seasame oil,rice wine vineager, peppers, salt,cracked black pepper and a 1/4 cup water...heated to thicken.
garnished with scalions.
Bruschetta (goat cheese, olive oil drizzle, pepper, salt, sliced tomatoes on crisped french bread)
Not too bad. Not bad at all.
If Simon and Garfunkle Were Wonkish Obies....
They would release an album with this cover. It'd be called, "Hand Me My Walking Keynes" and it would be about how government spending in times of economic trouble can be a measure of support and stability for the people. Which is Simon, hard to say. I realize that only a few people reading this blog will really find any of this funny, but as I am one of those people....the post stays.
I also welcome additional captions/descriptions for this photo. (Rarely do photos so perfectly capture two people and their interactions with one another).
Friday, June 11, 2004
Physics Lessons and the Things I hear
Today I went out for a meeting at a local coffee shop: Starry Night. Named for the painting not the song. I asked. After parking I walked to the shop and en route saw a very tanned young woman (20 or so) adjusting her haltertop (I think that's what it's called) quite aggressively. Reminscent of the food network specials on bread kneading. Apparently this is part of the ordeal of this garment. She seemed confused by the physics involved, the weight, mass, and gravity calculations that a lifetime of breast ownership and confinement would seem capable of teaching. But the real strange part was she walked by with her two friends: young hipster, trendy jeans and pricey flip flops and her female friend, less tanned, shorter, and with an "ironic" Urban outfitters issued mesh truckers cap suspended at a jaunty angle on her head. From uber-tanner comes the line: "I think everyone is fat." No trace of irony, joviality. Just a blind resignation to the fact that she was bought and owned by American cultural fucked-upedness. So that was something.
Campaign Roundup: Read Faster, Shower Often, Fan-Tastic
Once my dad told me about his first semester of teaching. He was teaching several courses one of which was developmental psychology. He'd taken one course as an undergraduate in developmental, and had not fared well. But now, he was being asked to not only know this, but teach it to others.
So he bought the text book, and just made sure that he read it faster than they did.
That's the feeling I get some days out here. I don't know exactly what to say, or do. I just try to learn the lessons a bit faster than those I'm leading. And when that doesn't work, I try to think about what Jeff would do, or Robert, or Dan, or Tim. The good news is I've had great role models, the terrifying thought is, what if I'm never that good.
In other news: we moved into our new office today. It's wonderful. I have my own private office; that's good for the ego. I have a door and everything. It's pretty great. I'm helping the county chair to set up the office, and am drawing on the insight gleaned from the FOG. Good offices need couches, microwaves, tea kettles, mini-fridges. I wanted to suggest that adding a really cool former Army Ranger would round out the place and give it some needed energy, but that doesn't seem like something she can realistically provide. (Though one of the US Senate candidates, Mike Miles is a former Dean supporter and Army ranger, so that's close).
The best feature of the office is that down the hall in the bathrooms, there is a shower. A full fledged clean, I might add, shower. There are lockers and a little bench. So I'll not stink as much as I might otherwise. Always a plus. I am very excited about the shower.
Let's see what other fun campaign tid bits can I share.
FANDOM
1. While canvassing I saw a truck with a Copenhagen sticker. Not a sticker proclaiming the virtues of the Dutch city (ed note, I'm informed by JKD that I have again screwed up Denmark/Holland/Netherlands/Dutch and Danes...I cannot keep them all straight), rather one professing undying brand loyalty to "chaw." He is clearly not impartial or undecided regarding chewing tobacco. He is a Copenhagen 1, which is just as good for my campaign as a Corn 1.
2. Broncos signs. I'm a nominal sports fan. But I grew up a fairly serious Browns' fan. Every open garage here in Fort Collins has a frickin' Denver Broncos banner. It's maddening. I went so far as to find fellowship with a transplanted Steelers fan---just in our shared annoyance with the Broncos. Said Steelers fan is currently employed as a distributor for tortillas here in Fort Collins. I joked with him, and suggested that that was a better business for here than his hometown of Erie. We decided that in Erie the comparable business is selling wursts, kielbasa, and sausages. He also showed me a shirt his wife had just bought him, it said "The only sign of life in Cleveland" and below that was a interstate sign reading: 146 miles to Pittsburgh. Not sure he'll vote for us, but we both hate the Broncos, so that's something.
3. While walking down a short cul de sac, I encountered a 7 year old boy, Brandon who was cavorting in the middle of the road. He was doing his "trick", which consisted of tucking his knees into his baggy (hand me down, I'm guessing) Chicago Bulls sweatshirt, and then sort of running/bouncing/lunging. It's hard to explain, but essentially he used his arms to pull himself forward while kicking his tucked under legs. Imaginge Gollum from LOTR. Sorta like that. Every few feet he'd stop and make sure I was looking. When he sat still he looked like those mushroom men that you squash in Super Mario Brothers, what with his arms pulled into the sweatshirt and his feet just sticking out from under the Bulls logo. Brandon ran (in a normal manner) over to me and informed me that the doorstep I was on was where Marcos lived (well actually the house, not the doorstep). Sure enough I knocked on the door (with Bradon at the end of the driveway behind me) and sliding on the linoleum floor in his baseball gear (stirrups and all) was Marcos. I talked to Marcos' mom and moved to the next house. I was told by my newest staffer (Brandon) that this next house was his home. I knocked on the door and sure enough there was a man who claimed parentage for my 7 year old accomplice. Brandon's father, had a tattoo. Truthfully, he had several. The most unusual, and potentially the most unusual I've ever seen was a full color reproduction of the MOPAR logo on his inside forearm. Yup, MOPAR like the auto parts. This was a level of brand loyalty, affinity, devotion that I'd never imagined. Very nice conversation, but I just tried to construct a story that explained what experience would lead to such a tatoo. I struck out. He's just a big fan of MOPAR. You gotta root for something.
So he bought the text book, and just made sure that he read it faster than they did.
That's the feeling I get some days out here. I don't know exactly what to say, or do. I just try to learn the lessons a bit faster than those I'm leading. And when that doesn't work, I try to think about what Jeff would do, or Robert, or Dan, or Tim. The good news is I've had great role models, the terrifying thought is, what if I'm never that good.
In other news: we moved into our new office today. It's wonderful. I have my own private office; that's good for the ego. I have a door and everything. It's pretty great. I'm helping the county chair to set up the office, and am drawing on the insight gleaned from the FOG. Good offices need couches, microwaves, tea kettles, mini-fridges. I wanted to suggest that adding a really cool former Army Ranger would round out the place and give it some needed energy, but that doesn't seem like something she can realistically provide. (Though one of the US Senate candidates, Mike Miles is a former Dean supporter and Army ranger, so that's close).
The best feature of the office is that down the hall in the bathrooms, there is a shower. A full fledged clean, I might add, shower. There are lockers and a little bench. So I'll not stink as much as I might otherwise. Always a plus. I am very excited about the shower.
Let's see what other fun campaign tid bits can I share.
FANDOM
1. While canvassing I saw a truck with a Copenhagen sticker. Not a sticker proclaiming the virtues of the Dutch city (ed note, I'm informed by JKD that I have again screwed up Denmark/Holland/Netherlands/Dutch and Danes...I cannot keep them all straight), rather one professing undying brand loyalty to "chaw." He is clearly not impartial or undecided regarding chewing tobacco. He is a Copenhagen 1, which is just as good for my campaign as a Corn 1.
2. Broncos signs. I'm a nominal sports fan. But I grew up a fairly serious Browns' fan. Every open garage here in Fort Collins has a frickin' Denver Broncos banner. It's maddening. I went so far as to find fellowship with a transplanted Steelers fan---just in our shared annoyance with the Broncos. Said Steelers fan is currently employed as a distributor for tortillas here in Fort Collins. I joked with him, and suggested that that was a better business for here than his hometown of Erie. We decided that in Erie the comparable business is selling wursts, kielbasa, and sausages. He also showed me a shirt his wife had just bought him, it said "The only sign of life in Cleveland" and below that was a interstate sign reading: 146 miles to Pittsburgh. Not sure he'll vote for us, but we both hate the Broncos, so that's something.
3. While walking down a short cul de sac, I encountered a 7 year old boy, Brandon who was cavorting in the middle of the road. He was doing his "trick", which consisted of tucking his knees into his baggy (hand me down, I'm guessing) Chicago Bulls sweatshirt, and then sort of running/bouncing/lunging. It's hard to explain, but essentially he used his arms to pull himself forward while kicking his tucked under legs. Imaginge Gollum from LOTR. Sorta like that. Every few feet he'd stop and make sure I was looking. When he sat still he looked like those mushroom men that you squash in Super Mario Brothers, what with his arms pulled into the sweatshirt and his feet just sticking out from under the Bulls logo. Brandon ran (in a normal manner) over to me and informed me that the doorstep I was on was where Marcos lived (well actually the house, not the doorstep). Sure enough I knocked on the door (with Bradon at the end of the driveway behind me) and sliding on the linoleum floor in his baseball gear (stirrups and all) was Marcos. I talked to Marcos' mom and moved to the next house. I was told by my newest staffer (Brandon) that this next house was his home. I knocked on the door and sure enough there was a man who claimed parentage for my 7 year old accomplice. Brandon's father, had a tattoo. Truthfully, he had several. The most unusual, and potentially the most unusual I've ever seen was a full color reproduction of the MOPAR logo on his inside forearm. Yup, MOPAR like the auto parts. This was a level of brand loyalty, affinity, devotion that I'd never imagined. Very nice conversation, but I just tried to construct a story that explained what experience would lead to such a tatoo. I struck out. He's just a big fan of MOPAR. You gotta root for something.
Thursday, June 10, 2004
ABJ's Blog
ABJ--my old roomate (aaron bonner-jackson) now has a blog. It's become very good. His recent post about going to DC was classic ABJ. Witty, big hearted, and funny. So it's a good read.
Anyway...it's linked over on the right down in the Other Sources. But you should read it daily. And he should post daily.
Anyway...it's linked over on the right down in the Other Sources. But you should read it daily. And he should post daily.
Sometimes It's Hard to Imagine
There are some days when I just don't understand what the world must look like to ardent Conservatives. It's just something that I don't pretend to understand. For instance, in the wake of Reagan's death...this push to memorialize him on the 10 bill. Especially after all of this:
Since 1990, lawmakers have introduced at least 30 pieces of legislation honoring Reagan. They have introduced five resolutions recognizing his birthday and two bills implementing a national memorial in his honor and awarded him a Congressional Gold Medal. They have also named at least two post offices, a courthouse, an aircraft carrier and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after him.
from http://www.thehill.com/news/060804/memorial.aspx
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Why Not Weiden
I was wandering on the inertnet when I came (again) to the Bush in 30 seconds site. I wanted to watch the winning video, "Child's Pay"
Why do we, as Democrats, insist on hiring the same tired ad firms. Each of the major Democratic firms has examples of great ads. Clearly they have talent, but maybe they're overworked, or just burnt out. Why not occassionally use people like Fisher a former Boulder resident now living in Denmark. Why not once in a while try and use Weiden Kennedy (besides the fact that it's probably the most expensive firm in the world). Weiden Kennedy does ESPN, NIKE, the new Miller commercials. If you've ever wanted to tape a commercial and re-watch it...it's probably a Weiden Kennedy. They did the poetry of sports montage for the Winter Olympics, etc.
It's baffling to me. Maybe it's just loyalty, but I have to believe that there are firms out there that could inject new ways of doing ads. But I'm guessing that won't be the case for a while...maybe never.
Why do we, as Democrats, insist on hiring the same tired ad firms. Each of the major Democratic firms has examples of great ads. Clearly they have talent, but maybe they're overworked, or just burnt out. Why not occassionally use people like Fisher a former Boulder resident now living in Denmark. Why not once in a while try and use Weiden Kennedy (besides the fact that it's probably the most expensive firm in the world). Weiden Kennedy does ESPN, NIKE, the new Miller commercials. If you've ever wanted to tape a commercial and re-watch it...it's probably a Weiden Kennedy. They did the poetry of sports montage for the Winter Olympics, etc.
It's baffling to me. Maybe it's just loyalty, but I have to believe that there are firms out there that could inject new ways of doing ads. But I'm guessing that won't be the case for a while...maybe never.
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
As if my hatred for my database weren't enough
The lakers are currently beating Detroit. The Lakers are a team with a) aging point guard convinced he's the best ever, though currently playing little defense and not so much jump shot, b) a once great powerforward, who is thugged out, and spends large portions of his interview time being a jerk, c) a potential rapist d) the single worst addition to the NBA in my lifetime. Mr. D) makes basketball nearly unwatchable. It's a game without grace, humility, skill...it's about being the largest living land mamal, and brutally abusing a cavalcade of also ran centers. God, I hate the Lakers.
Drunken Blind Trolls
I'm working on getting to know my new database. Currently, it's not my favorite. In fact, it makes me miss the Huttleston. That's right. This database is less intuitive, less helpful, and in fact less powerful than the Hutt. It may not be as slow. But as I said to molly: "my new database is worse than the hutt...it's as if the hutt had been built by drunken blind trolls."
My plan is to go and buy some beer, and like Purim drink until I don't mind that my database has the functionality of wadded up newspaper shoved down a garbage disposal.
My plan is to go and buy some beer, and like Purim drink until I don't mind that my database has the functionality of wadded up newspaper shoved down a garbage disposal.
Gmail
So I have a gmail account invitation that I can offer someone. But frankly I don't know if I know anyone who wants it. If you're interested let me know. I may be getting more than one.
Aaron The Organizer
Yesterday, after a very spicy beer (it is brewed with Serrano chiles) I took a walk through Old Town Square. The lingering buzz and spice in my mouth, I started talking with the proprietor of this art store. I had no real questions for him, and could easily have just left without saying anything. But for some reason (alcohol, 97 degree heat, strange chile beer, finally getting it) I decided to strike up a conversation. I was channeling Dan, Robert, Phil James, Buffy and others who just seem able to start a conversation because they have to (organizers) and because they want to (kickass people). So we talked about this and that and the other.
Since there was a while before my meeting I went into another store. Walked up started talking with the owner. Looked at Navajo pottery. He is an anglo who grew up on a reservation. He'd owned an art store in Georgia for 17 years (had an Obie working for him. represent). I was out doing the work of local politics. He's a Republican, but he won't ever say that I wasn't polite and maybe he'll cross over on this election, who knows.
Today a man came to repair my stove. Same thing. We ended up talking about TABOR (tax payer's bill of rights, local issue) and growth, etc. It's great. I'm all of a sudden without fear. If someone is a jerk--it's blog fodder or a good story for later. So what do I have to lose.
I'm finally in the mind set you have to be to organize...where you seek conversation all the damn time. Everyone is a voter, not just those on the phones and at the doors.
Since there was a while before my meeting I went into another store. Walked up started talking with the owner. Looked at Navajo pottery. He is an anglo who grew up on a reservation. He'd owned an art store in Georgia for 17 years (had an Obie working for him. represent). I was out doing the work of local politics. He's a Republican, but he won't ever say that I wasn't polite and maybe he'll cross over on this election, who knows.
Today a man came to repair my stove. Same thing. We ended up talking about TABOR (tax payer's bill of rights, local issue) and growth, etc. It's great. I'm all of a sudden without fear. If someone is a jerk--it's blog fodder or a good story for later. So what do I have to lose.
I'm finally in the mind set you have to be to organize...where you seek conversation all the damn time. Everyone is a voter, not just those on the phones and at the doors.
Monday, June 07, 2004
blockquoting
I've been wanting to be able to blockquote with spiffy boxes like all the super fun blogs for a while now. I think this will do it.
Given that I needed something to quote in a block....Roosevelt seems good
Given that I needed something to quote in a block....Roosevelt seems good
It is not the critic who counts;
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man
who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;
who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows great enthusiasms,
the great devotions;
who spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while
DARING GREATLY
so that his place shall never be
with those timid souls
who know neither victory or defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt
Heading to Seattle, but not for a while
Plans are being finalized for my first trip west of Colorado. I'm going to be traveling to Seattle for Matt Pierce and Rachel Anderson's wedding. I haven't seen Rachel since college, and I've missed having her across the hall immensely.
I get to see my friend Jen (who I last saw in snowy, evil Iowa), in fact I'll be staying with her in her new place. Should be exciting. I have no idea the schedule for the weekend. I don't know how intense wedding prep is when you're just a guest, or potentially a guest reading something in English...or Hebrew. There is talk of me trying to learn Hebrew for the wedding. Mainly this talk comes from others. Most of the words out of my mouth express great trepidation at trying to speak even limited phrases in Hebrew. So we'll see. As with so many experiences of late, it'll be an adventure.
I'll be gone the 25-28th. It should be fantastic. Hoping for no rain for the wedding. Though it's Seattle, so who knows what to expect.
I get to see my friend Jen (who I last saw in snowy, evil Iowa), in fact I'll be staying with her in her new place. Should be exciting. I have no idea the schedule for the weekend. I don't know how intense wedding prep is when you're just a guest, or potentially a guest reading something in English...or Hebrew. There is talk of me trying to learn Hebrew for the wedding. Mainly this talk comes from others. Most of the words out of my mouth express great trepidation at trying to speak even limited phrases in Hebrew. So we'll see. As with so many experiences of late, it'll be an adventure.
I'll be gone the 25-28th. It should be fantastic. Hoping for no rain for the wedding. Though it's Seattle, so who knows what to expect.
Sunday, June 06, 2004
Man I Love Excel and Access
Playing around with fundraising lists, and donor data. You can do so much cool stuff with Excel and Access. The brilliance of excel is that it allows the low and high end user to feel comfortable. Nothing deeper than that..or funny, just a reaffirmation that excel is my friend.
If True This is Terrifying
A new article on Capitol Hill Blue quotes unnamed White House Aides on the subject of the President's current mind state. Again, IF accurate, he's gone all Nixon. But this time with religious fervor. Not only is he ignoring foreign policy in order to wordsmith (a skill you'd think he'd admit he doesn't posses) attack ads, but he is becoming even more embattled. This scenario doesn't end with compromise. We have to win.
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Hmm.
Reagan died today. I can only hope he was not in too much pain, and that his family could be with him. Dying from Alzheimer's is horrifying, and I pray he was comforted by whatever memories remained.
I imagine that we'll see untold thousands of bridges, parks, estuaries, logging corporations, national monuments named for him in the years to come. I don't like the deification of Reagan. The general sense of perspective is so skewed. His contribution to American history are not that impressive (at least in my estimation), so it's amazing to think of the millions that will be spent in a rather un-conservative way to iconize their dearest president. Airports, highways, landmarks, rivers, oceans, continents...?
Carter was/is a statesman, he serves his country daily. What fate awaits him upon death? I'm guessing no one will suggest that he appear on the dime.
I imagine that we'll see untold thousands of bridges, parks, estuaries, logging corporations, national monuments named for him in the years to come. I don't like the deification of Reagan. The general sense of perspective is so skewed. His contribution to American history are not that impressive (at least in my estimation), so it's amazing to think of the millions that will be spent in a rather un-conservative way to iconize their dearest president. Airports, highways, landmarks, rivers, oceans, continents...?
Carter was/is a statesman, he serves his country daily. What fate awaits him upon death? I'm guessing no one will suggest that he appear on the dime.
How do you help the world.
What's the best way to help the most people?. This eccentric (rides his bike around Denmark in a yellow jacket) economist assembled a group of top scholars to determine how best to spend 50 billion dollars, in order to help the greatest number of people. The problems that are most efficient (ie, most saved for least invested)...each deals with epidemics that disporportionately plague Africa (not shocking): AIDS, malnutrition, and malaria.
Friday, June 04, 2004
Judaica Heaven Dot Com
I went in search of Jewish bumper stickers, as per the last question of the last post. And I came to this site: Judaicaheaven.com
There's not fooling around on this site. It is very clear about what it presents and represents. However it was closed. I've never heard of nor seen an internet site (especially commerce) that closed. I couldn't look at Jewish bumper stickers because it's Friday night. That's amazing. I have to admit I respect that. It's not false piety...or at least it's not just for show. That's hard core commitment to your beliefs. And it's a commitment that in no way denigrates my beliefs, nor detracts from my excercise of freedom...so I'm all for it. Below is what I saw when I visited.
Thank you for visiting JudaicaHeaven.com. Our online store is currently closed for Shabbat or a Jewish Holiday. We close every weekend from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday in observence of the Shabbat. Please return Sat. evening, and we'll be open until next Friday! Additionally, we close for all Jewish holidays. We will be closed for Passover on April 5, 2004 until April 13th, 2004.
If you feel this message is an error, please check the time and date on your computer, or email us at support@judaicaheaven.com.
There's not fooling around on this site. It is very clear about what it presents and represents. However it was closed. I've never heard of nor seen an internet site (especially commerce) that closed. I couldn't look at Jewish bumper stickers because it's Friday night. That's amazing. I have to admit I respect that. It's not false piety...or at least it's not just for show. That's hard core commitment to your beliefs. And it's a commitment that in no way denigrates my beliefs, nor detracts from my excercise of freedom...so I'm all for it. Below is what I saw when I visited.
Thank you for visiting JudaicaHeaven.com. Our online store is currently closed for Shabbat or a Jewish Holiday. We close every weekend from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday in observence of the Shabbat. Please return Sat. evening, and we'll be open until next Friday! Additionally, we close for all Jewish holidays. We will be closed for Passover on April 5, 2004 until April 13th, 2004.
If you feel this message is an error, please check the time and date on your computer, or email us at support@judaicaheaven.com.
Old Navy
While canvassing yesterday I came to home of a man wearing a shirt that said:
Old Navy Original: One Savior, 12 disciples and one fishing boat.
I couldn't quite make out the text so I just wrote down "original old navy." I then went home and searched for the shirt on google. Found a listing of Christian bumperstickers. Most are clever, and obviously "on message." Except this one: "So you're a feminist... isn't that cute." First off, I don't know how that's Christian. It's certainly somewhat hateful. But that would, in my mind make it pretty far from a tradional reading of Christian texts. It's conservative. I find it just awful that the idea of being Christian has become inextricably linked with being Conservative politically. Guess what neither party gets to claim God.
The other bothersome sticker was this one: "'Big Bang Theory... you've got to be kidding.' -God" The idea that God is a cynical, snarky, mocking 'too cool for school' diety just seems to undercut the power of God, the majesty, and the infinite love. I just don't think of God as sarcastic.
Strange. Are there Jewish and Muslin bumper stickers like these? What is it about Christianity as practiced in America that gives way to this particular expression of faith?
Old Navy Original: One Savior, 12 disciples and one fishing boat.
I couldn't quite make out the text so I just wrote down "original old navy." I then went home and searched for the shirt on google. Found a listing of Christian bumperstickers. Most are clever, and obviously "on message." Except this one: "So you're a feminist... isn't that cute." First off, I don't know how that's Christian. It's certainly somewhat hateful. But that would, in my mind make it pretty far from a tradional reading of Christian texts. It's conservative. I find it just awful that the idea of being Christian has become inextricably linked with being Conservative politically. Guess what neither party gets to claim God.
The other bothersome sticker was this one: "'Big Bang Theory... you've got to be kidding.' -God" The idea that God is a cynical, snarky, mocking 'too cool for school' diety just seems to undercut the power of God, the majesty, and the infinite love. I just don't think of God as sarcastic.
Strange. Are there Jewish and Muslin bumper stickers like these? What is it about Christianity as practiced in America that gives way to this particular expression of faith?
Smelling Like Big Oil
I'm not usually one to read democrats.org. See the DNC and I have never been terribly tight--they sometimes try to get rid of my candidates. But, my friend Clare Gannon now works for them. This section of the site (which she wrote) is fan-fucking-tastic. It's a Cosmo-Quiz to see if your man has been lying to you.
4. When you have a ton of errands to run, like filling up your car with record-high gas prices, and you ask him to help out with groceries he...
A. Tells you he has some big time jaw-boning to do with visiting OPEC friends, but when you call OPEC, they haven't heard from him.
B. Tells you he's working late, but comes home smelling like Big Oil.
C. Starts defending his best friend, mentions a certain oil company, and then quickly changes the subject.
For the rest click here.
Go Clare, way to make the DNC palatable.
4. When you have a ton of errands to run, like filling up your car with record-high gas prices, and you ask him to help out with groceries he...
A. Tells you he has some big time jaw-boning to do with visiting OPEC friends, but when you call OPEC, they haven't heard from him.
B. Tells you he's working late, but comes home smelling like Big Oil.
C. Starts defending his best friend, mentions a certain oil company, and then quickly changes the subject.
For the rest click here.
Go Clare, way to make the DNC palatable.
Late Greats
The new song by Wilco (from their as yet unreleased album) Late Greats...is amongst their bests. I'm guessing it'll receive the same kind of amazing air-time that Float On is getting. If you find an opportunity to listen to Late Greats..do so.
Old Man
Since I moved out to Colorado (living in the shadows of the mountains) I've grown attached to Neil Young's OLD MAN. I have no real insight into why this might be. I welcome close reading with suggestions as to why this song now makes sense to me. Lyrics.
My guess is it's these lyrics that seem familiar and more appropriate than ever....
"Old man look at my life,
Twenty four
and there's so much more
Live alone in a paradise
That makes me think of two."
Yeah, maybe it's that. Though I, of late, feel less alone in Fort Collins. I'm meeting people, and now know enough people that I occassionally bump into "friends" (acquaintances) on the street.
My guess is it's these lyrics that seem familiar and more appropriate than ever....
"Old man look at my life,
Twenty four
and there's so much more
Live alone in a paradise
That makes me think of two."
Yeah, maybe it's that. Though I, of late, feel less alone in Fort Collins. I'm meeting people, and now know enough people that I occassionally bump into "friends" (acquaintances) on the street.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
The Sound of Heads Rolling...
Tenet just resigned. "Personal reasons." I'm guessing one of two reasons, Bush was going to fire him, personally. Or personally he couldn't stand watching the singlehanded singleminded destruction of American intelligence for political purposes. Either way, a very legitimate personal reason.
"'I will miss him,' Bush said." Apparently his aim with that new Saddam pistol is off.
So how long till Colin Powell feels the same personal revulsion? Devotion to duty is a fine trait, but I have to imagine that Powell and others have a sense of higher allegiance to the principles of the country than to the neo-cons.
"'I will miss him,' Bush said." Apparently his aim with that new Saddam pistol is off.
So how long till Colin Powell feels the same personal revulsion? Devotion to duty is a fine trait, but I have to imagine that Powell and others have a sense of higher allegiance to the principles of the country than to the neo-cons.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Whom to Vote Against...
"Pressed to elaborate on his views, Hamm said, "To be honest, Kerry could be a guy with a paper bag over his head, for all I care. I'd vote for anybody as long as he wasn't Bush." Not Mike Hamm, but rather a fictional person from an Onion article.
Poll: Many Americans Still Unsure Whom to Vote Against.
Poll: Many Americans Still Unsure Whom to Vote Against.
Mr. Popular
So I went with fellow campaigner and FC's boyfriend, and FC's housemate to a dive bar/sports bar. Said bar, Sliders, was not playing game 6 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, instead each TV was tuned to the Teen Choice Awards--primarily to capture the undulations of Britney. I arrived early, and asked that they turn one tv to the playoffs. The moderately attractive bartender/barmaid...female person serving alcoholic beverages complied. So far a fine evening.
FC arrived with FCB (fellow campaigner's boyfriend). We sat and began conversation. Fairly early on it came to be known that I was the only one at the table for whom politics had long been a passion. I was "Mr. obsessed with politics." Seems about right. Pleasant conversation, cheap beers, a shot of tequilla. Life is fine.
FCH (fellow campaigner's housemate arrives). Apparently, I learn later, though suspected all along, I was being set up with FCH. FCH is pretty nice, intelligent, more than just a little political, and truly obsessive about Pearl Jam. A pretty solid conversation partner. She has been to every Pearl Jam concert I've ever been to. Sorta eerie. She knows the umbrella "wash" woman from the Pittsburgh concert(whom she informs me, is a real bitch). She's been to 57 PJ concerts. "Though only in the US and Canada," she laments.
As the evening progresses folks leave to smoke in packs. I am left with FC and then later with FCB alone at the table. The first "alone" time is with FC. This leads to discussion of the nature of relationships, and suffice to say, the conversation gets a bit strange and uncomfortable quite quickly. Though I attribute most of this to alcohol. I spend time explaining the joy of being with FCB, of having a relationship...down playing the appeal of others. Alcohol makes people blurt out what they'd normally hold close or ignore, so I don't take anything from the conversation. Later FCB and I sit and talk. He's psyched that I've found a pickup frisbee game. He's a real outdoorsy kind of guy, and has played some informal disc. So he's excited to find a place to play.
I am apparently interesting, or at least novell. It becomes clear that for this night, and maybe only this night, I am the belle of the ball. I'm the most interesting person (there) to each of them (they each know the others so well that I'm new and "special.") It's all very flattering, but sorta strange. I have no experience with this feeling. So after a few beers, a shot of tequilla and something called a Jaeger bomb (jaeger and red bull), I leave. "Always leave them wanting more..." How very odd.
Good news. I know people in Ft. Collins...and really no bad news. FC is nice, FCB is nice and eager to play frisbee, and FCH is pretty cool, too. I finally know people my age, and there was promise of a trivial pursuit party. Which party may see the end of Aaron's allure, as I tend to be fairly cut-throat and more than just a bit decent at the game. But who knows. So ends the report of Aaron's meagre social life.
FC arrived with FCB (fellow campaigner's boyfriend). We sat and began conversation. Fairly early on it came to be known that I was the only one at the table for whom politics had long been a passion. I was "Mr. obsessed with politics." Seems about right. Pleasant conversation, cheap beers, a shot of tequilla. Life is fine.
FCH (fellow campaigner's housemate arrives). Apparently, I learn later, though suspected all along, I was being set up with FCH. FCH is pretty nice, intelligent, more than just a little political, and truly obsessive about Pearl Jam. A pretty solid conversation partner. She has been to every Pearl Jam concert I've ever been to. Sorta eerie. She knows the umbrella "wash" woman from the Pittsburgh concert(whom she informs me, is a real bitch). She's been to 57 PJ concerts. "Though only in the US and Canada," she laments.
As the evening progresses folks leave to smoke in packs. I am left with FC and then later with FCB alone at the table. The first "alone" time is with FC. This leads to discussion of the nature of relationships, and suffice to say, the conversation gets a bit strange and uncomfortable quite quickly. Though I attribute most of this to alcohol. I spend time explaining the joy of being with FCB, of having a relationship...down playing the appeal of others. Alcohol makes people blurt out what they'd normally hold close or ignore, so I don't take anything from the conversation. Later FCB and I sit and talk. He's psyched that I've found a pickup frisbee game. He's a real outdoorsy kind of guy, and has played some informal disc. So he's excited to find a place to play.
I am apparently interesting, or at least novell. It becomes clear that for this night, and maybe only this night, I am the belle of the ball. I'm the most interesting person (there) to each of them (they each know the others so well that I'm new and "special.") It's all very flattering, but sorta strange. I have no experience with this feeling. So after a few beers, a shot of tequilla and something called a Jaeger bomb (jaeger and red bull), I leave. "Always leave them wanting more..." How very odd.
Good news. I know people in Ft. Collins...and really no bad news. FC is nice, FCB is nice and eager to play frisbee, and FCH is pretty cool, too. I finally know people my age, and there was promise of a trivial pursuit party. Which party may see the end of Aaron's allure, as I tend to be fairly cut-throat and more than just a bit decent at the game. But who knows. So ends the report of Aaron's meagre social life.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Like a freshly shorn sheep...
except my beard hairs won't ever be turned into a blanket.
I finally decided that I would shave off the beard (the soup strainer if you will). I have photos, that I may post, of the newly shorn Aaron. I don't know if I like it. I think I may have decided that I'm just not that convinced (nor that concerned) that I'm all that attractive. So this investment in the beard or not the beard is a false choice. I don't really like either. But so what. Life moves along, and I make up for it elsewhere.
Tonight I'm meeting a staffer (from another campaign) and her boyfriend for drinks. Maybe the social life starts tonight.
I finally decided that I would shave off the beard (the soup strainer if you will). I have photos, that I may post, of the newly shorn Aaron. I don't know if I like it. I think I may have decided that I'm just not that convinced (nor that concerned) that I'm all that attractive. So this investment in the beard or not the beard is a false choice. I don't really like either. But so what. Life moves along, and I make up for it elsewhere.
Tonight I'm meeting a staffer (from another campaign) and her boyfriend for drinks. Maybe the social life starts tonight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)