Lately, I can’t help but feel a bit older. You know when you’ve signed the lease for your first apartment that you’re not exactly a little kid anymore. You also know when you find that one gray hair that persists no matter how many times you decide to pluck it that the effects of aging have started to get to you. Similarly, when you realize that short hair looks much better than your long “rebellious” hair of your early teenage years may be a sign of maturity. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the fact that your mother has bought a Yankees jersey for your beer to keep it cold.
Whatever it is, everyone seems to reach a point in their life where they know that aren’t exactly going to be heading back to the monkey bars or pretending to be an astronaut any time soon. It’s possible that this realization has made it so many of you want to hide under the covers of your bed, curl up, and watch marathons of your favorite cartoon . Trust me, I understand. However, this is a change that should be embraced rather than feared.
Gone are the days when I find myself asked to walk the dogs at night, only to stay out with them for a brief second because the answer to that old school Nickelodeon Show “Are you afraid of the dark” for me was a resounding yes. It’s possible that danger still lurks in the dark. I mean, just the other night I ran into a rabbit that looked like it may have been the deranged bunny of Monty Python fame.Fearsome bunny rabbits aside, now that I’m older and have survived countless encounters with the terrible dark, it’s a lot easier to tell myself I survived the last couple times so why wouldn’t I this time?
Most recently, I took a train home from Boston by myself. The fact that I managed to get on the right train must have been some form of miracle, judging by the countless number of times my mom felt the need to explain to me where I needed to be .To be fair, I had proven myself a terrible listener in the past and probably deserved the treatment she was giving me. As many people before me have come to realize just because you know your parents are probably right to repeatedly give you instructions, it doesn’t make it any easier to listen to.
On the train, a chatty middle-aged woman who clearly forgot to buy one of the great books they had on selection at Back Bay station started asking me what I was doing on my laptop. I replied by telling her I was writing, which seemed to fascinate her infinitely. She asked me if I was a well known writer, clearly missing the fact by my looks that I was more likely to be a student than a well known writer. I decided to amuse myself and told her, “It’s not surprising you wouldn’t know who I am. I mean I’m only a New York Times best selling author but no one really reads the about the author page do they?”.
She looked half skeptical but turned to the old couple sitting behind the two of us and asked, “This guy says he’s a best selling author. Do you recognize him?”. The couple took one look at me, mouthed what I could only imagine is are you serious, but then turned to her and said, “Oh yes of course. He’s rather famous”. Maybe getting old doesn’t have to be all bad, at the very least this couple proved that while I will get older I may still retain my sense of humor.
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly “best selling author” neighborhood Bloggerman
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Rut Roh!
Lately, all my friends seem to be in a rush to get older. The only questions we hear these days all revolve around the same basic concept,“What are you going to do with your life when you’re out of school?”. While many people seem to have an answer to this question, my general answer seems to be that I have no clue.
I don’t understand people’s rush to grow up. It’s like suddenly being twenty is the new forty. Which means by the time we all turn thirty we’ll be regretting not thinking of our retirement plan while we were still the best block builders the school yard had ever seen.
Everyone seems in a rush to find a perfect job, and it is a competitive market. We are bred to think that if we don’t get an internship right now, we will be doomed to work the fryer at Mcdonalds with our only aspirations being to become manager some day. Internships are all fine and dandy, but god forbid we enjoy being young while the capability of going to the bathroom without the help of an adult diaper still exists.
I recently signed the lease for my very first apartment, and while totally decking it out pimp my apartment style excites me....I can’t help but feel that I need to retain my childhood somehow. That’s why I immediately went out and bought the newest Pokemon game. Part of me thought I had been getting too old for them, but honestly you’re never too old to make cute and cuddly creatures take part in dog fights to the death. *No virtual animals were hurt in the making of this po....ok maybe a little*
It’s not only Pokemon, but I still like to read comic books when I get the chance. I also enjoy watching cartoons. I get a lot of crap from my friends about this who say these are things I’m supposed to outgrow, but I disagree. Being an “adult” isn’t about becoming so serious the only person that finds you exciting is the narrator for the history channel, it’s about knowing who you are and what you like.
Cartoons, Comics, Video Games may all be “childish endeavors”, but giving them up just because other people think you’re too old is even more childish. I guess what I’m trying to say to all my friends who seem to be in a rush to be more “adult” is live a little before the most exciting part of your day becomes putting your teeth in so you can eat some bran cereal. There are certainly parts of our future lives to look forward to, but for now why not kick back with a bowl of fruity pebbles and enjoy some Scooby Doo?
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood Bloggerman
I don’t understand people’s rush to grow up. It’s like suddenly being twenty is the new forty. Which means by the time we all turn thirty we’ll be regretting not thinking of our retirement plan while we were still the best block builders the school yard had ever seen.
Everyone seems in a rush to find a perfect job, and it is a competitive market. We are bred to think that if we don’t get an internship right now, we will be doomed to work the fryer at Mcdonalds with our only aspirations being to become manager some day. Internships are all fine and dandy, but god forbid we enjoy being young while the capability of going to the bathroom without the help of an adult diaper still exists.
I recently signed the lease for my very first apartment, and while totally decking it out pimp my apartment style excites me....I can’t help but feel that I need to retain my childhood somehow. That’s why I immediately went out and bought the newest Pokemon game. Part of me thought I had been getting too old for them, but honestly you’re never too old to make cute and cuddly creatures take part in dog fights to the death. *No virtual animals were hurt in the making of this po....ok maybe a little*
It’s not only Pokemon, but I still like to read comic books when I get the chance. I also enjoy watching cartoons. I get a lot of crap from my friends about this who say these are things I’m supposed to outgrow, but I disagree. Being an “adult” isn’t about becoming so serious the only person that finds you exciting is the narrator for the history channel, it’s about knowing who you are and what you like.
Cartoons, Comics, Video Games may all be “childish endeavors”, but giving them up just because other people think you’re too old is even more childish. I guess what I’m trying to say to all my friends who seem to be in a rush to be more “adult” is live a little before the most exciting part of your day becomes putting your teeth in so you can eat some bran cereal. There are certainly parts of our future lives to look forward to, but for now why not kick back with a bowl of fruity pebbles and enjoy some Scooby Doo?
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood Bloggerman
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Who Judges The Judgeman
Recently, I find my friends throwing around the word pretentious a lot. Interestingly, pretentious seems to go hand in hand with knowing a lot about a certain subject. One of my friends is a self pro-claimed “judgmental douchebag”. The other day he was watching a documentary about parking lots because other documentaries are obviously too main stream for him, and I found myself judging him.
This raised the question if he is a judgmental douchebag, and I judged him, what does that make me? I have noticed a pattern of myself becoming more “pretentious” lately. I mean I went to see the opera the other night, and my head was translating the original Italian that in it. I'm obviously just THAT cultured.
Also the longer I work on the radio station, the more I feel worthy of judging people based on what music they listen to. I can’t help it, it just sort of happens naturally. I’d like to claim this bad nature was just brought out by spending so much time around this friend who wouldn’t even date a girl because her name was the same as a certain car brand, but it’s simply not true. He may act as a catalyst, but I was probably just judgmental all along.
Everyone judges people on some level, whether it’s based on the clothes they wear, the music they listen to, or even the way they talk. Sorry but if you’re saying “bro” every other word, I’m probably going to think you’re not the most intelligent person in existence. The things I find myself and friends judging people for is a little ridiculous though.
A great example of this is Justin Beiber. Don’t get me wrong, I despise him with my very being, and assume anyone who considers what he does good music needs to get their ears checked. But, I begrudgingly admit that Justin Beiber at least has some music talent compared to some artist who are completely auto tuned these days. However, he should probably stay away from tweeting controversial things about abortion (see: Kanye West).
I almost wonder how the people who I judge perceive me. Some people would like me to believe they aren’t judging me at all, but I don’t believe this to be true. I’m sure with my own music taste people say things to themselves like, “Really he likes those bands? He wouldn’t know good music if it slapped him in the face” Or especially with the way I dress, “Who taught him how to dress? Rosie O Donnel?”. Hell maybe even, “He thinks he’s so much better than us just because he reads twitter updates from NPR on his android phone”.
Sometimes I think I just need to lighten up, but then I’m reminded by my other pretentious friends of the existence of shows like Teen Mom. Or the fact that Snookie is a best selling New York Times author. Actually, I guess Snookie’s book is at least making people read right? That has to count for something.
I guess it’s time for me to go back to reading Charles Dickens in my study while blowing into my bubble pipe.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
It was Judgmental bloggerman time
This raised the question if he is a judgmental douchebag, and I judged him, what does that make me? I have noticed a pattern of myself becoming more “pretentious” lately. I mean I went to see the opera the other night, and my head was translating the original Italian that in it. I'm obviously just THAT cultured.
Also the longer I work on the radio station, the more I feel worthy of judging people based on what music they listen to. I can’t help it, it just sort of happens naturally. I’d like to claim this bad nature was just brought out by spending so much time around this friend who wouldn’t even date a girl because her name was the same as a certain car brand, but it’s simply not true. He may act as a catalyst, but I was probably just judgmental all along.
Everyone judges people on some level, whether it’s based on the clothes they wear, the music they listen to, or even the way they talk. Sorry but if you’re saying “bro” every other word, I’m probably going to think you’re not the most intelligent person in existence. The things I find myself and friends judging people for is a little ridiculous though.
A great example of this is Justin Beiber. Don’t get me wrong, I despise him with my very being, and assume anyone who considers what he does good music needs to get their ears checked. But, I begrudgingly admit that Justin Beiber at least has some music talent compared to some artist who are completely auto tuned these days. However, he should probably stay away from tweeting controversial things about abortion (see: Kanye West).
I almost wonder how the people who I judge perceive me. Some people would like me to believe they aren’t judging me at all, but I don’t believe this to be true. I’m sure with my own music taste people say things to themselves like, “Really he likes those bands? He wouldn’t know good music if it slapped him in the face” Or especially with the way I dress, “Who taught him how to dress? Rosie O Donnel?”. Hell maybe even, “He thinks he’s so much better than us just because he reads twitter updates from NPR on his android phone”.
Sometimes I think I just need to lighten up, but then I’m reminded by my other pretentious friends of the existence of shows like Teen Mom. Or the fact that Snookie is a best selling New York Times author. Actually, I guess Snookie’s book is at least making people read right? That has to count for something.
I guess it’s time for me to go back to reading Charles Dickens in my study while blowing into my bubble pipe.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,
It was Judgmental bloggerman time
Monday, January 17, 2011
If Batman can stand up for Ricky Gervais then so can I
As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Ricky Gervais. I saw him live for my birthday a few years back, and haven’t stopped talking about it since. Anyone who could come up with the idea for the office and extras is a genius in my book.
There are rumors going around that he has gotten himself banned from the Golden Globes for making some inflammatory comments last night. Honestly, what was the Hollywood Foreign Press Association expecting when they hired him? “Oh he’ll just go on about how lovely everyone is all night, because that’s hilarious right?” He’s a comedian, he gets PAID to make fun of people. And he does it well.
Apparently even the likes of Bruce Willis was offended by some of his comments. Really, Bruce Willis? We’re expected to buy into this image of certain actors or actresses as badasses, but then they go and tattle on Gervais to their agents about what a “meanie” he is.
Don’t get me wrong, his dig at Robert Downey Jr. was definitely taking it too far, but the rest of the jokes he made were pretty much fair game. Hollywood actors and actresses get paid millions of dollars to appear on screen for 2 hours, and literally get treated like gods ( in some cases even better, I doubt the shrines of some of the Greek gods were even as well detailed as some of the shrines fans build to their favorite celebs). Are we really expected to feel sympathetic towards them when one night a year someone makes fun of an aspect of their life that the entire viewing public is well aware of anyway?
Gervais is also supposedly under threat of never being nominated for a Golden Globe. No offense to the Invention of Lying or any other movie he was ever in, but that threat just shows how childish the HFPA is being since he would never be nominated for one anyway. I mean Invention of Lying had that “Pepsi, for when coke isn’t there” line, but assuming they AREN’T that dumb you wouldn’t have seen any Golden Globes in Gervais’ trophy case anyway.
Interestingly, Christian Bale came to his defense. You know you have done something right when you have Batman on your side. But then again, Bale’s idea of humor is punching his mother in the face. Oh, I’ve gone too far now? Guess I’ll have to be banned from the Golden Globes as well.
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
There are rumors going around that he has gotten himself banned from the Golden Globes for making some inflammatory comments last night. Honestly, what was the Hollywood Foreign Press Association expecting when they hired him? “Oh he’ll just go on about how lovely everyone is all night, because that’s hilarious right?” He’s a comedian, he gets PAID to make fun of people. And he does it well.
Apparently even the likes of Bruce Willis was offended by some of his comments. Really, Bruce Willis? We’re expected to buy into this image of certain actors or actresses as badasses, but then they go and tattle on Gervais to their agents about what a “meanie” he is.
Don’t get me wrong, his dig at Robert Downey Jr. was definitely taking it too far, but the rest of the jokes he made were pretty much fair game. Hollywood actors and actresses get paid millions of dollars to appear on screen for 2 hours, and literally get treated like gods ( in some cases even better, I doubt the shrines of some of the Greek gods were even as well detailed as some of the shrines fans build to their favorite celebs). Are we really expected to feel sympathetic towards them when one night a year someone makes fun of an aspect of their life that the entire viewing public is well aware of anyway?
Gervais is also supposedly under threat of never being nominated for a Golden Globe. No offense to the Invention of Lying or any other movie he was ever in, but that threat just shows how childish the HFPA is being since he would never be nominated for one anyway. I mean Invention of Lying had that “Pepsi, for when coke isn’t there” line, but assuming they AREN’T that dumb you wouldn’t have seen any Golden Globes in Gervais’ trophy case anyway.
Interestingly, Christian Bale came to his defense. You know you have done something right when you have Batman on your side. But then again, Bale’s idea of humor is punching his mother in the face. Oh, I’ve gone too far now? Guess I’ll have to be banned from the Golden Globes as well.
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
Friday, January 7, 2011
Senor Frog's is hopping (the revenge of the old man puns)
This post, should you receive it, comes to you via the Mexican Internet. Apparently not all internets are created equal, contrary to the popular belief of those who think the every answer to life is on google.
Now don’t get me wrong. Mexico is a wonderful place to be in the winter time. The sun is continually shining, the sound of the ocean is calming, and random people are offering to massage my feet. Actually, I don’t like that last part. Why would I want some stranger touching my foot? Or, even worse, why do they want to touch my foot? You could say it was the money sure, but there isn’t enough money in the world.
I could tell you about how I went to see the jungle, or went parasailing, or maybe saw a donkey show. But the truth is, I haven’t done any of those things. Not that I want to see a donkey show, but it’s one of those things us college students are SUPPOSED to do when we come here. Kind of like how we are supposed to drink tequila while singing, “1 tequila, 2 tequila, 3 tequila....FLOOR”. No, the highlight of my trip has been videoing a couple parrots flying over my head, laying on the beach getting some much needed R &R after all the long nights (with the help Dunkin Doughnuts coffe, Dunkin keeps America running. This blog is not sponsored in anyway by Dunkin Doughnuts, pay no attention to the ads) back at school, and finally watching a man get rescued on the beach.
Why was I standing there watching the man get rescued? For starters, I don’t consider myself a good swimmer. As much as I’d like to imagine myself being a super hero, I am not. This is actually the ONE situation where Aquaman would have been helpful. Maybe, just maybe, I didn’t help because everyone else besides the life guards (who were running in bay watch fashion) were just staring and watching. Actually, one guy did try to help, and only ended up being a second person for the life guards to help. Moral of the story: next time you want to help someone in danger, don’t. (Kidding obviously, but do seriously consider if you can really help)
The nights are slightly boring. Why’s that you ask? Well when you’re on vacation with your parents you can’t exactly go clubbing or anything, not that I really would, but it’s nice to pretend right? Because I’m in another country, hulu and sites of that sort won’t let me catch up on any of my favorite tv shows which is a bit frustrating.
It’s probably a sign I should spend less time on the computer, but I have been reading about a book a day and didn’t bring enough books with me to last the entire time. I’d say this bad planning on my part was a circumstance of this one time, but again I don’t want to be a liar. I should probably work on not procrastinating so much...starting tomorrow.
There is a plus side though. All the reading I’ve done lately has made me head swell with the desire to do some writing of my own again. So you all get to suffer through a bunch of post just like this one again! Oh joyous day!
-Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
Now don’t get me wrong. Mexico is a wonderful place to be in the winter time. The sun is continually shining, the sound of the ocean is calming, and random people are offering to massage my feet. Actually, I don’t like that last part. Why would I want some stranger touching my foot? Or, even worse, why do they want to touch my foot? You could say it was the money sure, but there isn’t enough money in the world.
I could tell you about how I went to see the jungle, or went parasailing, or maybe saw a donkey show. But the truth is, I haven’t done any of those things. Not that I want to see a donkey show, but it’s one of those things us college students are SUPPOSED to do when we come here. Kind of like how we are supposed to drink tequila while singing, “1 tequila, 2 tequila, 3 tequila....FLOOR”. No, the highlight of my trip has been videoing a couple parrots flying over my head, laying on the beach getting some much needed R &R after all the long nights (with the help Dunkin Doughnuts coffe, Dunkin keeps America running. This blog is not sponsored in anyway by Dunkin Doughnuts, pay no attention to the ads) back at school, and finally watching a man get rescued on the beach.
Why was I standing there watching the man get rescued? For starters, I don’t consider myself a good swimmer. As much as I’d like to imagine myself being a super hero, I am not. This is actually the ONE situation where Aquaman would have been helpful. Maybe, just maybe, I didn’t help because everyone else besides the life guards (who were running in bay watch fashion) were just staring and watching. Actually, one guy did try to help, and only ended up being a second person for the life guards to help. Moral of the story: next time you want to help someone in danger, don’t. (Kidding obviously, but do seriously consider if you can really help)
The nights are slightly boring. Why’s that you ask? Well when you’re on vacation with your parents you can’t exactly go clubbing or anything, not that I really would, but it’s nice to pretend right? Because I’m in another country, hulu and sites of that sort won’t let me catch up on any of my favorite tv shows which is a bit frustrating.
It’s probably a sign I should spend less time on the computer, but I have been reading about a book a day and didn’t bring enough books with me to last the entire time. I’d say this bad planning on my part was a circumstance of this one time, but again I don’t want to be a liar. I should probably work on not procrastinating so much...starting tomorrow.
There is a plus side though. All the reading I’ve done lately has made me head swell with the desire to do some writing of my own again. So you all get to suffer through a bunch of post just like this one again! Oh joyous day!
-Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Remember Remember The 2nd of November
I’ve been noticing since the elections occurred yesterday that many of my friends are complaining about the results, and are claiming they are going to move out of this country.I will admit when I was in middle school I had ideas of moving out of the country myself, but that's before I really knew anything about politics. While I am by no means thrilled myself with the results, I’d like to remind my friends that we live in one of the most democratically free countries in the world. In our parents generations if they weren’t happy with the political policies, they marched on D.C. In our generation, we complain via our facebook statuses.
That’s the great thing about this country. We have the freedom, at least theoretically, to be able to change the politics of which we don’t approve. The difference is that people give up too easily, are generally unmotivated, and maybe our best and brightest really do move to other countries. As cool as Scott Pilgrim may make Canada seem, it has its own issues especially with it’s Health Care System which is why a lot of the best doctors from Canada end up coming to America. As cool as we Americans think British accents are, their system has it flaws as well.
Look on the bright side people: Christine O’Donnel did not win her election. The day I lose any hope I have left for this country is the day that someone who is asked what issues they are against and then asks the questioner to give them some issues is elected. Granted, she didn’t use the words “getting all mavericky maverick up in here” so she may be slightly better than Sarah Palin.
Next time you consider moving out of the country, remind yourself that the best place to live these days is probably Switzerland. Do you know how many languages you’d have to be proficient at to really blend in/get along in Switzerland? At least four. That’s three and half more than most Americans are willing to learn ( I say 3 and half because a lot of us also suck at English).
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
That’s the great thing about this country. We have the freedom, at least theoretically, to be able to change the politics of which we don’t approve. The difference is that people give up too easily, are generally unmotivated, and maybe our best and brightest really do move to other countries. As cool as Scott Pilgrim may make Canada seem, it has its own issues especially with it’s Health Care System which is why a lot of the best doctors from Canada end up coming to America. As cool as we Americans think British accents are, their system has it flaws as well.
Look on the bright side people: Christine O’Donnel did not win her election. The day I lose any hope I have left for this country is the day that someone who is asked what issues they are against and then asks the questioner to give them some issues is elected. Granted, she didn’t use the words “getting all mavericky maverick up in here” so she may be slightly better than Sarah Palin.
Next time you consider moving out of the country, remind yourself that the best place to live these days is probably Switzerland. Do you know how many languages you’d have to be proficient at to really blend in/get along in Switzerland? At least four. That’s three and half more than most Americans are willing to learn ( I say 3 and half because a lot of us also suck at English).
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Phoenix Is Reborn
This title seems fitting because I’ve been reflecting a lot on lately on “my past life” if you will. Life before I started going to Ithaca college, or even life as a “lowly freshman”. This time last year the high point of my life was telling my neighbor’s girlfriend that she sounded like the demon from the movie paranormal activity when they went at in bed ( I still have nightmares about that movie...and that sound). This title is also fitting because now, I’m going to concerts such as Phoenix at Cornell.
Phoenix was unknown to me until this summer...then again a lot of the music I like now was unknown me previous to this summer. As many of you who read this know, I went to Lollapalooza this summer and it pretty much changed my life. Not in the “oh my god I’m going to be a musician cause I totally can play my acoustic guitar while doing covers of bob dylan in your local starbucks” way, but in the helping me to define who and what I am, as well as what I like to do. Phoenix which had been new to me then seemed like an old friend at this point.
It was a night out with friends, friends who I had not seen much lately, save the exception of one who insists on being more my frenemy than my actual friend (even though she is in my list of favorite contacts on my phone). I had been thinking lately what life had been like before I knew them, how things had changed since meeting them, and how hot the opening act was...the last part isn’t a kodak moment, but it needed to be said.
So may there be many more nights of almost having a seizure from the light show filled with the companionship of friends such as yourselves. As for Phoenix, keep stringing together random english words to make songs it’s really awesome. Oh also buy yourself an english dictionary and look up the definition of the word “last song”, not that I’m complaining. Also thank you for putting on the best show I've seen since Lollapalooza itself.
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
Phoenix was unknown to me until this summer...then again a lot of the music I like now was unknown me previous to this summer. As many of you who read this know, I went to Lollapalooza this summer and it pretty much changed my life. Not in the “oh my god I’m going to be a musician cause I totally can play my acoustic guitar while doing covers of bob dylan in your local starbucks” way, but in the helping me to define who and what I am, as well as what I like to do. Phoenix which had been new to me then seemed like an old friend at this point.
It was a night out with friends, friends who I had not seen much lately, save the exception of one who insists on being more my frenemy than my actual friend (even though she is in my list of favorite contacts on my phone). I had been thinking lately what life had been like before I knew them, how things had changed since meeting them, and how hot the opening act was...the last part isn’t a kodak moment, but it needed to be said.
So may there be many more nights of almost having a seizure from the light show filled with the companionship of friends such as yourselves. As for Phoenix, keep stringing together random english words to make songs it’s really awesome. Oh also buy yourself an english dictionary and look up the definition of the word “last song”, not that I’m complaining. Also thank you for putting on the best show I've seen since Lollapalooza itself.
Until next time,
I’m just your friendly neighborhood bloggerman
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