Globalization

I'm sadly underinformed on the subject of globalization. Here is what I am able to gather and deduce.

- It seems to have a lot to do with free trade between nations

- From what I have observed, it seems to be liberal types who are opposed to it.

- Liberal types tend to support those with less means

- Free trade means those willing to work for a lower wage for the same product will win jobs

- The US has one of the highest paid workforces in the world

- Under free trade, jobs would leave the US and be given to those willing to work for less, hence pulling them up economically

So globalization to me means wealth draining from the US and shifting to less wealthy nations. This seems to me to be the agenda for liberal types.

I'm confused.

Wonderful

The wonderful thing about Tiggers.... is that they invent artificial hearts and then donate their patents to humanity.

The men behind the voices of Tigger and Piglet died this past weekend. Shame how little I knew about them until they died.

I guess it's always the Type A's and the worriers that are the first to go. Long live spacey and grumpy!

Change

I can't tell you how happy I am with my current living situation. Those of us who live in the city can appreciate when you get just the right mix of everything (roommates, living space, neighborhood, etc). When it's good, you hope it will last forever.

It's really too bad that it doesn't.

Shannon has been letting me know gently and little by little that she plans to sail away someday with Michael off into the sunset and live happily every after. It sounds entirely romantic and adventurous and right up her alley. It also sounds now like it might start happening sooner than I expected.

Shannon is one of the best additions to my life in recent years, and it's terribly sad to think she could be subtracted soon. But I have learned in life that change is good, and the empty space left behind can and will be filled with more great things if I open myself to them.

Now my focus will be on deciding what I will do with our household that was designed for the two of us. I can't imagine a different roommate, and leaving her room empty would be expensive.

My eyes are peeled for a solution.

"When it's time to change, you have to re-arrange..."
- Brady Bunch

Escalation

San Franciscans love to walk up escalators. I do it. Most people around here do it. In fact, you can sort of tell non-residents in the city by their escalator behavior. Anyone standing on the left side of the thing is sure to have silent mental missiles sent through them by any local having to step six inches around them, or worse yet, causing the dreaded walk-block.

Ah, culture. It's so strange what people care about.

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For years, people have been trying to stop junk email by whining at their elected representatives to legislate against it... yet junk paper mail just keeps on coming and no one seems to mind that. I never got a paper cut from email.

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Who'd have thought that in an age where we are recycling 50% of our waste and have such heightened environmental awareness compared with 20 years ago (i.e. Hybrid cars, compostable plastics), that someone would just now decide to start a business of making whale burgers. Wasn't that where environmentalism all started? Saving the whales?

My favorite quote from the Whale Burgermeister: "We have decided to add a whale burger to our menu due to strong demand from our customers and feel very thankful to the whales for allowing us to make the burgers."

I'm sure the whale says "You're welcome."

Grandma Neuron

Be careful with those brain cells! Or you might forget who Jennifer Aniston is.

I read this article today about a study I remember learning about a few years ago. It explains that we have single neurons that fire when we recognize individual people. In the study I remember, they referred to them as the "Grandma" neuron. I think we all remember that moment when we see someone in public and know they look familiar... then have that "Oh yeah!" moment. That's the one brain cell in your head reserved for that person firing off its juice.

I bet the scientists in this study can sleep well at night now know they've discovered the part of the brain dedicated to Friends co-stars.

I wonder if there is a neuron that would make people confuse me with Brad Pitt.

In other news. Beware of giant popsicles in New York City. Sheesh.

The Reaper

So, as you know, I've been on an Alana Davis spree. Just infatuated I guess... Once again.

So I used my Amazon bucks gleaned from my lyrics website to purchase her latest CD, which is pretty ok. Nothing to force my friends to listen to I suppose (except poor Monica).

But there's one song on it, The Reaper, a cover of the song by Blue Oyster Cult. I'm addicted now, and all my friends will have to suffer through listening to it over and over.

There's something about both the music and the lyrics that is kind of spooky and haunting, but at the same time uplifting. I'm also a sucker for songs with la-la's, na-na's, or ya-ya's.

I'm not really much of a lyrics interpreter, but it seems to have something to do with one of the following:

1) Not being afraid to die
2) Not being afraid of anything
3) Becoming a vampire
4) Becoming a Scientologist

Not really sure exactly... But I think I'll definitely do at least one of those things as a result of overdosing on that song.

P.S. - I wasn't sure I spelled/used the word "gleaned" correctly, so I looked up the word. Here is the definition: to pick up after a reaper.

Spooky. But don't fear the reaper.

P.P.S. - I found some fun facts about the actual meaning of the song.

Scalped

Craigslist to the rescue once again.

I was heartbroken awhile back when, after having the chance to purchase tickets, I waited too long and missed my chance to get in to see Fountains of Wayne at Cafe DuNord next week. They are one of my favorites - and to see them at such an intimate venue was very exciting... And so it was for plenty of others, I soon found out, when the available tickets went Whoosh! out from under me.

Every time I think about that show going on a few blocks from my house without me there, I feel a little sick.

For that reason, I decided to see if my wallet could help me feel better. After all, if I pay $30 more or so.. that's just a few drinks at the show anyway, right?... and I don't need a cab, etc. etc. Man, I'm so cheap.

So our old friends Ebay and Craigslist were my destination today. And boy... there sure are quite a few others looking for the same tickets. So I bit the bullet and offered one of the few people - let's just say a few bucks more - than face value for, sadly, only one available ticket.

And it worked! I think. Apparently I was just desperate enough to beat the offers of his other suitors. I'm going to meet him after work and get the ticket. I feel both elated to be able to go and totally screwed at the same time. But it's better than sad and sick.

I had a similar bad experience this weekend trying to get Ben Harper tickets for the Warfield next month. I thought going online two hours after they went on sale would be soon enough. Bzzt! Wrong again dumbass. The show sold out within minutes and there were immediately tickets on Ebay. Enough to make one cry in defeat.

As much as we despise the scalpers for beating us to the tickets, being a free-market guy, I tend to see that the high prices paid for these tickets represent their "actual" value. In other words, how much would you pay to see X, Y, or Z? I think the real disappointment is letting them beat you to the tickets you really want. I guess you have to get up pret-ty early in the morning... Actually I'm sure of it.

Wish me luck.

Update: Got it! What a strange, clandestine encounter to meet someone on a train platform to make that exchange, nod heads, say thanks, and then walk away. Whee!

Muy buena

I saw Yerba Buena, one of my favorite live acts on Saturday night at The Independent. Wow wow wow! They really turned the crowd on. One of those shows where everyone in the venue is dancing and they just can't seem to stop. These guys are really cream of the crop musicians and performers. Let's hope they come back soon and visit us from New York.

Update: Their website says they're in SF again at Yerba Buena Gardens (cute) 10/2. Don't miss it!

Keys

Closed escrow today.

If I were going to move into my new sliver of real estate, I'd probably be much more excited than I am. At this point, it's still just an investment - no more or less exciting than the down payment money sitting in my bank account used to be... However, this place does have a fancy thermostat and built in LAN connections in the walls.. That's something new.

Although the appreciation has already been kind to me, mainly my mind is on how to make the payments and get a renter in there. Still no bites on my craigslist posts. I know I still have it pretty well over-priced, but I'm also worried about reducing the price too quickly.. Not really sure how long to wait. This week I dropped the rent by $100 and included utilities. Probably next week I'll reduce the price again. I've met (through email and in person) several other buyers who are watching me and my unit carefully.

Sometimes it's lonely being a pioneer.

Manna

I just got an email from some guy claiming he'd pay me $1500 for my lyricsbeat.com domain name. Assuming he's for real, which is a stretch, it strikes me as so interesting to be able to grow value organically through a little bit of effort and patience. I registered that domain about a year ago and tinkered with it for a couple of weeks and then set it into cyberspace on it's merry way.

Although it's probably worth somewhere in that neighborhood, I think I'll keep nurturing it. I like it. Keep your money, you dubious do-gooder.

Bubble

The real estate "bubble" has been on my mind the past few years as I was looking for real estate to purchase. No one wants to buy super-high-priced-anything if there is some threat of its value deflating soon after. Being the hyper risk averse dude that I am, this whole purchase is stressful mainly for that very reason.

Thanks to Monica for sending me this sensible article which addresses insane markets like New York and the Bay Area where many other writers only speak in national generalities.

It's certainly no guarantee of anything.. but at least I can feel like less of a fool for buying at the bubble's peak.

Spin those wheels

Most who know me have, at one time or a hundred, heard me run on at the mouth about my general distaste for government and those who promote its growth. Miles leans libertarian.

I ran across this document while searching the San Francisco city website for something unrelated. This document discusses a voter-approved ballot proposition that passed in 2002 banning all new billboard construction in the city and a 2001 statute passed to tighten enforcement of "scofflaw" billboards.

This is how things seem to go in government in my experience:

1) People are annoyed, frightened, or offended by something
2) Some of those people organize to whine publicly about whatever it is, encouraging the government (aka Mommy) to eradicate the irritant. "Waaa!"
3) Mommy, who's main job is to respond to whining, springs into action and puts its wheels in motion to accommodate the irritated.

-- then one of two things generally happens --

4a) The irritant is removed at a substantial financial cost and/or loss of liberty to everyone.
4b) The irritant is not removed at a substantial financial cost and/or loss of liberty to everyone.

You see.. Many times the irritant is not removable, but the wheels must still spin to show people that Mommy cares. Unfortunately, wheel spinning isn't free and sometimes comes in the form of things like the Patriot Act.

In this case of the billboards, I searched around and wasn't able to find any action past this report from back in 2002. It's jam packed with all kinds of real-world complications and budget realities that tend to grind efforts to a halt. This one seemed especially gloomy.

It's not clear to me whether the voters have gotten any satisfaction other than the fact that their voices were heard and votes counted. But at least hundreds of man hours and untold dollars were spent. If anyone knows better, I'd like to know.

Maybe

Maybe representative democracy isn't such a good idea.

I read this article in the news today about U.S. Congressman Walter Jones, who was a huge supporter of the Iraq war, doing a complete 180 and suddenly realizing that maybe this war was a bad idea... and people really do get killed... and maybe the reasons for it weren't so good... And he was one of relatively few people responsible for making it happen in the first place. Now of course hindsight is 20/20.. but the concept that we have regular every day humans motivated mainly by public sentiment (rather than logic) who make such profound, irreversible decisions.. it just seems to me that there should be some kind of proven track record of reasoned, researched thought that is required of those that lead us.. rather than mere popularity. This, it seems, is why wars rage on century after century. Masses are lead by emotion. And to the extent you let the masses lead, the country's resources will be managed by emotion.

Harmony

This weekend I got to spend a lot of time with Shannon which was really fantastic and kind of overdue. We camped out at the Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa and got to see The Mutaytor, in their full fiery glory. It was great to see one of our most favorite bands and celebrate the moment of her 30th birthday during the show. We made several new friends up there on our trip that we hope to see again in the future. Some through our friend Burley (aka Wonder Boy), and some just because it was just so darn friendly there.

The next day we enjoyed the sunniest day I can remember this year in the city by flopping down in the sun in Dolores Park and then wandering over to Zeitgeist to share the remainder of Shannon's birthday and some cold beers with a big crowd of beautiful, stoked-for-the-nice-day Mission folk all enjoying a great day on the patio.

Happy birthday Shannon. xo.

I can't stop

I'm still addicted to this South Park Studio. I made a little tribute to my friends at the Buc and another for the Mission House. I hope they like it.

Alana Davis

Holy crap.

Yesterday, I just accidentally noticed the ad in the Weekly for Alana Davis at the Red Devil Lounge the same evening. I've had her CD for years and always thought she had a pretty sound. So I snapped up the opportunity to go check her out in such an intimate venue. So glad I did. Jamie and I went down a little too early and had to sit through some of the openers so that we wouldn't miss anything.

When she came on, it was just her with an acoustic guitar and a mic. She proceeded to melt me and many others in the audience with a soulful, emotional, and highly groovy set. What a woman. Truly seems to have it all together - Mind, body, soul, music, business (she started her own record label). What a great gift she gave us last night. I'm grateful. Thanks Alana.

Here's her website. If she's in town again, I highly recommend seeing her.

It's on

Alright. Since I'm closing escrow next week, and I best have someone helping me pay this mortgage, I posted my first craigslist ad for my condo last night. What agony to write copy intended to get someone excited about renting this place. Turns out.. after hours of crafting my best shot.. that I can be much more salesy and cheesy than I thought! I found desirable services and employers around the property, put together an album of photos of it, and looked over other similar places nearby. Whew! I'm usually so damned lazy. I decided to way overprice the place in the first ad.. just to see if the place might be worth more than I think. So far not one email. So much for optimism.

Link to Craigslist post

Update: So far as of close of business Friday, I have received one reply - from another Miraval buyer like myself asking to share information. At least I have friendly competitors. Price reduction coming soon.

South Park Mania!

I love it. Most toys I just look at, smile, and say "cute"... then go on with my day. This South Park Studio website lets you create your own South Park characters. The choices of hair, clothes, etc is somewhat limited, but somehow you can make these little guys look like the spitting image of just about anyone. I'm addicted. You have to do a screen capture to save your creations, but it's a small price to pay I suppose. Try it!

Here's my household as Southparkians:

Windfall

I can't believe it. I found $1,500 yesterday. I guess I should be thrilled - I am kind of. But when the money I find is my own - and that much - my overwhelming sentiment is - How could I have lost track of that much?! What a schmuck. If I never found it, I would never have missed it. It's a check from my old landlord for my security deposit. I must have lost it while I was moving. It's not exactly mine yet either since it hasn't cleared the bank. It's pretty old. We'll see. Ugh.

I also feel scooped because a blog post I had in the works was about pit bulls. I'm trying to develop a case for my local legislators to enact some further controls on aggressive breeds. Not bans, but at least some obstacles. But before I got it written, another kid got his face torn off by a pit bull in the city this weekend (and died), so now it's big news again. Probably a good time to bring it up to politicians. And low and behold, Gavin Newsom, our charismatic mayor, has already announced he plans to propose some new local ordinances on the subject.

I have in the past, found myself in the middle of a pit bull attack between Shannon's dog, Holmes, and a "previously friendly" pit bull. One of the most frightening things I have ever been in the middle of. I am also acquainted with a nice young girl who had her scalp ripped open trying to protect her little dog from being torn to shreds. I've had just about enough of the phrases "It's not the breed, it's the owners" and "Mine's so sweet. He has never hurt anyone." The logical "pit" they fall into is that many or most pit bull attacks are by dogs who have "never hurt anyone". If every pit bull attacked only once in its life, there would be hundreds of attacks per year. That's too many. Remember also, that we only hear in the media about the incidents when someone lands in the hospital, or worse. Rarely when dogs are hurt or killed, or when someone is merely bloodied. It's a common site in a park like Dolores or Alamo Square to first hear an angry dog fight sound and then turn to see a group of dogs, one of which is, more often than not, a pit bull. I have never heard a news story about a Labrador or Collie ripping someone's face off. Why is that? You can blame the tough guy owners, but I think there are abusive owners of all breeds of dog. There is a reason you are not permitted to own Cheetahs and Wolves in San Francisco - even nice friendly ones. Pits are just plain more aggressive and unpredictable than other breeds. Yes, even the one you know and love. Be careful, please.

Update: It has come to my attention that all city and county governments in California appear to be prohibited from passing any breed specific legislation. I guess that precludes hot heads like me from trying to push through laws containing "prejudice" against dogs of a certain breed. It's a wait for the attack to happen first strategy. Shame.

Out of Debt

For the first time in my adult life, I don't owe any money to any behemoth organizations. The last payment on my last credit card was just sent today. Now you could argue that my car lease is a debt. Or that the rent on my flat is a debt. Or the other credit card I use that I pay off every month. But don't. Because they aren't. Because I said so :)

I will enjoy this blissful state for approximately two weeks until I take on the largest debt of my life for this condo thing. That debt is healthy debt though - if there is such a thing - so I'll still feel pretty good about that.

Whee! I feel free... like I'm floating effortlessly over a financial wilderness, laughing at the evil credit card monsters lurking below. Alright fine it's not that great. But it's a milestone.