The Strike Is Over, the Strike Is Over!!

After three days of annoyingly ridiculous rush-hour commutes, 'round-the-clock, over-dramatized news coverage, and relentless "OnlyinNewYork-speak", New York feels like New York again now that the infamous transit strike is over. People can now finally move around the boroughs and get across town again.

And not a moment too soon... I was beginning to develop cabin fever after being stuck in the Bronx for way too long. Give uss freeeeeeeeee!!!

I love how when people first began hearing the news that the strike was over, that they all assumed that the trains and buses would be ready to take passengers immediately, almost as if all the MTA has to do is flip some switch, and BAM, the largest transit system in North America is up and running. Like no, peanutheads, it's going to take at least 10 hours to get all the stations open, all the buses started, and the train cars placed back into their positions for regular service.

Whatever, man. I'm just happy that I can now take the train downtown and chill outside of the Bronx. Good times, indeed.

The Great Transit Strike of 2005

The Daily News headline says it all. Welcome to New York City, four days before Christmas, where an estimated 7 million people have been forced to walk up and down the largest city in the US in an effort to avoid traffic being caused by an additional 2 million cars trying to squeeze into a 17-mile island. Oh, and did I mention it's about 25 degrees outside? Thanks to this wretchedly horrible labor dispute between the Transit Workers Union (TWU) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), 12 million people have to endure hardship on their way to work over greed. (Depending on who you ask, both sides of the strike are equally hated.)







Now, while I side with the TWU on this whole thing, I'm not going to turn this blog entry into a political rant or anything. Personally, the only thing I care about is that the strike is over. I can only hope that the TWU gets the money that they are rightfully owed after holding out for so long on getting real raises after 9/11, and that they are financially appreciated and respected for keeping the world's largest transit system running 24-hours a day. However, if they don't, womp, womp. At least they tried. I mean, it's not like I'm getting any money out of it, y'know?

Whatever the case may be, we need this transit system back up and running again. They messin' with my vacation!

So, here I am, back in NYC after making a mad dash escape from Syracuse for Christmas. I escaped blizzards, single-digit Arctic temperatures, and an empty refrigerator, only to come to this!! A crippled city!!! However, as a New Yorker, we have all learned to roll with the punches and take hardship in stride. With that said, one must look at the lighter side of this transit strike. Take for instance, this t-shirt, released and ready for sale even before the blisters on everyone's feet have healed after the 10-mile walks they had to endure to get to work:



Another great place for a laugh during your lunch break is Craigslist's personals section. Always an interesting read, today's personals have that oh-so wonderful "Transit Strike" theme: (links can be rather... adult in content...)

Hot girl needs a ride to work. Will finger my kitty while you drive - 24 (Ditmars Astoria)

Any cute Black guys walking over the Brooklyn Bridge tonight? - 27 (Wall Street)

Home, horney and high: Transit strike - m4w - 31 (Jersey City/ Hoboken Area)

Stuck in the heights due to the strike?

Let's trade rides. - m4w - 33 (my car)

Ride on this for free - 25 (south queens/li border/bk) pic

Seeking a Woman for Transit $trike Head - m4w - 26 (Wall Street)

good cocksuckers make good neighbors/ TRANSIT STRIKE SEX - 35 (west 20s near penn)

Strike is on, let's make a day of it - 27 (morgan off L)

And my personal favorite:

Transit strike: Give me head.. I'll drive you where you need to go - m - 29 (Kew Garden Hills)

So, hey, just because there's a train strike, it doesn't mean that at the very least, you won't be able to find someone to catch a "ride" from?

Yes...you gotta love NYC. :-)

Big shout-out to Gawker for covering the strike in "blogging" detail today.

Let's Go and Make Snowballs!!

This morning, I decided to take a break from my fourth consecutive all-nighter and look out the window for a little bit... and man, did I turn right back to work real quick. It's friggin snowing out there like a mofo, and it doesn't look like Mother Nature is going to slow down anytime soon. I decided to show ya'll some pics that I took just now so everyone in Blogger-land can see what I see almost every morning when I wake up in Syracuse.







(In the last one, you can barely see my car underneath all that snow... and as I type up this entry, the amount of snow piling up on that car is only getting higher and higher...)

Well, back to my work!

The Wonderful World of Engrish

For the past couple of years, Engrish.com has made me laugh on so many different occasions with their wonderful pictures of various real-life attempts by Japanese businesses and municipalities to make signs, t-shirts, manuals, and other forms of visible communication, in English. As you can probably guess, in many cases, their attempts at working with the English language often fail horribly, and usually are only good for making visiting English-speakers laugh their asses off whenever they arrive in Japan for a visit. Take this wonderful sign, for example:



Isn't that shit classic?

Everyday, there's a new sign on the website for all of us to mock, laugh and enjoy. I suggest ya'll check it out.

By the way, if there's some people out there that are planning on getting me an X-Mas present, this hilarious t-shirt from Engrish.com would be simply AWESOME:



I just LOVE it!!! :-)

Oh, and one more for ya'll people...



YESSSSS!!!!! :-)

PS: There are a number of websites out there that do the exact opposite of what Engrish.com does. One of these website is Hanzi Smatter.com, a website dedicated to showing examples of Westerners misusing Chinese characters for their wares. I'm sure there are many examples out there where someone bought a shirt in Target or something thinking that it said, "Peace" in Japanese when it was really, "You are a stupid American" or something in that nature.

In either case, enjoy!!!!

The Only Way to Celebrate the Last Week of College...

Gotta love taking a bottle of wine to the face, especially with the Hobbit! (AKA: Maria)
Originally uploaded by djkibblesnbits.

"My Condoms Just Wanted to Say Hello."

"Hellooo There!!"

(Now, now, people, don't get your undies all up in a tizzy thinking that I'm going to get into some completely perverted topic. Trust me, this is a completely PG-13-rated blog entry)

This past Wednesday, I had to come up with a presentation for my Rhetoric of Text and Power class. My professor had decided to make this presentation assignment into what he called, the "Show and Tell" demonstration, where each of us would have to bring in some kind of cultural artifact that somehow demonstrated Power. (or, at least the illusion of it). We were then asked to explain this artifact's rhetorical power according to either the Traditional, Interpretive, or Postmodern Power paradigms and incorporate our answers into a 5-minute presentation that could be utilized to teach non-C.R.S. majors about Power.

Now, for me, this was a piece of cake assignment. Coming from having over four years experience making 2-hour presentations, a five-minute "show and tell" wasn't really going to test my rhetorical skill. Still, however, I felt the need to come up with an artifact that most people really wouldn't think of as a "powerful" object. Most people in the class brought in artifacts like the Bible, the New York Times, a picture of Dubya, currency, or an issue of US Weekly or some other supermarket celebrity tabloid, and proceeded to explain their artifacts in light of their respective Power paradigms.

Always the different one, I decided to stand in front of class and whip out a stack of condoms.

Now, as expected, the "power" of my objects weren't readily apparent to everyone in the class at first, but as I explained and talked about my ability to hold those condoms in front of everyone without suffering serious social consequences, it became clearer. Basically, as a male, I have the "power" to be able to stand in front of a room, or be able to accidently drop condoms, and not be judged in the same way that a female would certainly be judged. Men, overall, are not held to the same sexual standards that women are, and because of the sexual hegemony that dictates what a woman can or cannot do, women are labeled as "promiscuous" and "loose" if they are seen in public with condoms, whereas men are patted on the back and are encouraged to "get lucky" someday. Makes sense, right? I mean, it's nothing that I'm sure any of us haven't thought or heard before.

After the presentation was over, I sat down and put the stack of condoms away in my bookbag as other people stood up to present their own artifacts. After about 5 minutes, I completely forgot that I put the condoms in there in the first place...

...Fast forward to four days later. I'm sitting at a Barnes and Noble, looking through some books that I REFUSED to spend 15 bucks on, when I see a decent quote that I could use for one of my final papers. So, I dig through my napsack looking for my notebook, find it, whip it out, and much to my horror, see three condoms fly out of my bag, soar across 10 feet, and smack a mid-40's woman in the face. Before the woman could even look up from her "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book, I quickly apologized for the condom malfunction that had just occurred. She looked down at the "Trojans" that were now lying on the floor harmlessly right in front of her, and then looked right at me, her mouth agape in disbelief. To be honest with you, I don't know who was more shocked, her or me. It took her about a minute to recover from the shock of it all. At least I think that's how long it took. I had picked up those condoms and walked outta there so fast, I don't think I've walked faster all year long. I didn't even wait to see her response before I had migrated to another section some 400 feet away.

What the hell do you say to someone who's just been smacked by a rack of condoms? "Hellooo there?"

All I know is that was one of most awkward moments I've had this year. Cross THAT "to do" off my list!

Upon Closer Inspection (December 2005)

Welcome, everybody, to a new feature on the Coffee Break. Introducing "Upon Closer Inspection," a brand-new monthly mini-series dedicated to getting people to look at media that we take for granted in a more critical light. For example, everyday, we hear songs on the radio, and well, sometimes, we are forced to listen to songs that we wouldn't otherwise take any kind of interest in on our own. Who knows, maybe there's nothing on the radio, or that little kid down the street keeps on singing the lyrics to some infectious pop song over and over again. Whatever the reason, we ALL find ourselves bobbing our heads to some random song that gets played over and over again, and more than half the time, we never take the time to really LISTEN to the lyrics that are being blasted through our speakers. Nine times out of 10, if anyone actually truly listened to the lyrics of these songs, you'd quickly realize that there's a lot more to this music than the infectious beat that happens to capture your attention for four minutes. And in many of these cases, you'd quickly conclude that maybe that little 5-year old girl shouldn't be screaming out the lyrics to these songs after all. ("Like a Virgin" anyone?)

So, here comes "UCI", the Coffee Break mini-series aimed at getting people to realize what the hell it is that they are really taking in on any given day. And to start it all off, we'll make a "UCI" about the popular reggae song, "Legalize It" by Sean Paul.

10 minutes cannot pass by without hearing this song at least once on the radio nowadays. "Legalize It" is everywhere, people find themselves singing along to the lyrics of this song without even knowing what the hell it is that they (or Sean Paul) are saying. Now, in some media outlets, the title "Legalize It" has been changed to "Recognize It" and its lyrics have been adjusted somewhat. But, for the most part, the main message is still there. Let's take a closer look at these lyrics, shall we?

Just gimme di trees and mek we smoke it yow
It a mek we peace so dont provoke it yow
We nuh need nuh speed so we nah nuh coke it yow
Set yuh mind at ease we gotta take is slow.


So when yuh see di S.P. floatin dont provoke him
Cau di weed weh we smokin need fi soakin
Best ting fi di meditation, and di best high grade a Jamaican
When we a bun a weed we supportin and promotin
Low di crack and di coke ting yeah we smokin
Herb a di healin of di nation
Legalize it right now we gwaan blaze one
...

Everyday, we be burnin not concernin what nobody wanna say
We be ernin dollars turning cau we mind deh pah we pay
Some got gold and oil and diamonds all we got is Mary J
Legalize it, time you recognize it

If you couldn't tell what the song was about from the title, "Legalize It," well, you better get with the program right now. Sean Paul, very proudly, celebrates the oh-so-wonderful custom of smoking marijuana daily, and calls for the immediate legalization of it. Now, if you've ever listened to any of Sean Paul's other hits, he's pretty much saying the same thing over and over again when it comes to weed. I mean, c'mon, what the hell did you think the song, "Gimme the Light" was about? It damn sure wasn't about no god damn flashlight, that's for sure. Now, for Sean Paul, he doesn't just talk about smoking Mary Jane everyday, but he even gets into the politics of it in the next verse. Check it out:

This purple haze mek me crazy
Mek me write nuff tune and dats what pays me
But its dat not di only occupation
Going to gain som I give yuh education
When a farmer grows it he knows to close it
Econimical benefit help fi those who a fi deh yah pon di hard jugglin
Cau di system only keep man struggling
Studyin people a use it dont abuse it
Cau di concentration well reputed
Dats why herb man dem a di wise one
And it found on di grave of King Solomon
And it good fi di eye sight and di chest sight
And it give yuh nuff inside just gimme di light
And, mek we blaze it we should a neva waste it


Again, we be burnin not concernin what nobody wanna say
We be ernin dollars turning cau we mind deh pah we pay
Some got gold and oil and diamonds all we got is Mary J
Legalize it, time you recognize it

Now, I have no idea what the hell he means when he says that weed is good "fi di chest sight." (I mean, I didn't know my chest could "see.") But, pretty much, he's briefly mentioning the incredible politics surrounding marijuana in Jamaica, where farmers, thanks to the IMF, have little choice BUT to sell marijuana to make a living. Then, he mentions, with the line "And it found on di grave of King Solomon," is a direct reference to the Rastafarian belief that marijuana is the sacred plant of God that was found growing right by the grave of King Solomon of the Bible (or the Torah, or the Koran, depending on your religious beliefs). So, in other words, it's a GOOD thing to smoke marijuana. But, Sean Paul warns us not to smoke it too much. ("Don't abuse it" he says) Especially people who are in school.

The rest of the lyrics in the song are basically repeats of the chorus over and over again. And with that said, that concludes this month's UCI. Now, if you have no problem with the legalization of marijuana, then, well, this song is a great anthem for you. But if not, then, well, I guess you've been bobbing your head to the wrong song on the radio.

In either case, happy listening, everybody! And remember that it pays to watch and listen closely to the messages that are being spouted by media outlets every single day, because, sometimes, well, they warrant closer inspection.

Crush of the Month (December 2005)

Alrighty, guys, it's been awhile since I've named a "Crush of the Month", but fear not, because this month's winner is definitely a doozie...

For the past two months, this wonderful lady has given me the exquisite pleasure of greeting me with a smile every single morning. And everytime I went to bed, I had the incredible luck to be able to look into her eyes and whisper sweet nothings as I slipped into a deep slumber.

Who could it be other than the wonderful Vida Guerra, FHM's Cover Girl for the Month of November and my December Crush of the Month. (Oh, and that whole thing about seeing her everyday? I was talking about my desktop picture, lol)



For those of ya'll who have no idea who she is, Vida burst onto the modeling scene about 3 years ago, when her now ex-boyfriend sent in pictures of her for a monthly FHM "Show off your girlfriend" contest. As soon as her initial pics came out, people began clamoring for more, and, well, before you knew it, Vida was everywhere. Since her initial break, she's launched a very successful website, vidasworld.com appeared on a few TV shows and movies, and she's launching a highly anticipated calendar in 2006. In other words, this girl is raking in the dough. And with good reason. She has incredible "assets."

And now, her wonderful culo has been selected to grace the pages of the "Coffee Break" for years to come. Wowee.

Questions, Questions...

I stole this idea from Krystyn, and her wonderful blog. (Krystyn, ever since you put up that video player thingy on your blog, I haven't been able to get into it because it crashes every browser that I use to get into it. Is there anyway you can have it encoded in another format other than Windows Media? I also have the same problem with Robert's blog, too. The only reason I can keep up with the reading is because I have an RSS feed, but I can't comment without actually getting into your site.)

Believe it or not, I've never actually done one of these "question" blog entries on here since I started this blog two years ago. I figure since I haven't been providing much content in recent weeks, I guess this is as good a way as any to let people know where I stand... :-)

1.* What do you believe is the meaning of life? At some point, we all get fucked. :-)

2* Last word you said: "Fuck" (I stepped on a puddle of water in the kitchen)

3* Last song you sang: "I Ain't Going Out" by Jon B.

4* Last person you hugged: I'm not sure... it was either Atlantis or Yosaira yesterday when I said hello to them...

5* Last thing you laughed at?: My mother's comment on my blog.

6* Last time you said "I'm in love with you?": I don't think I've ever said that. I mean, I've said, "I love you", but I don't think I've ever actually said, "I'm IN love with you..." I have said that about someone to other people, though.

7* Last time you cried: Believe it or not, I actually teared up when Peter Jennings passed away.

8* What color socks are you wearing: I'm not wearing any socks at the moment... I'm in a pair of sandals. I usually wear white socks, though.

9* What's under your bed: Let's see... a shitload of shoes, a box containing paid bills, and an emergency box of condoms. Hey, you asked.

10* What time did you wake up today: 6:11 AM

11* Current taste: It's a mix of toothpaste and coffee.

12* Current color hair and what it looks like: I have dark brown bed head at the moment. I just got a shape-up, so my hair is crispy and short.

13* Current annoyance: The fact that I can't be anywhere else in my house but my room because it's just too damn cold out there is annoying the shit out of me. I'm a prisoner in my own damn house thanks to the fucking cold.

14.* Current desktop background: A picture of Mario (y'know, like Nintendo Mario) skidding to a stop in a go-kart.

15* Current worry: Whether or not I'll have the energy to get past this week, academically.

16* Current Hate: Papers. I fucking hate PAPERS!!!! And Windows, too. I can't stand Windows.

17* Current favorite article of clothing: My Apple Campus-Rep polo shirt. I only wear it, though, during special events, so it's not something I overdo.

18* If you could play an instrument, what would it be? Well, since I already can play the viola and the violin, I would love to learn how to play the electric bass guitar. (I'm already toying around with an acoustic guitar.)

19* Favorite color: I really don't have one.

20* Do you believe in an afterlife: Kinda. I believe in a mix of the afterlife and reincarnation.

21* How tall are you: 5'8

22* Current favorite word/saying: "That's enough outta you." That'll change next semester, though. It'll prolly be "OHHH MY GAWWWWDDDDD."

23* How many kids do you want: 2 would be fine. And no, I don't have the two already, you freaking haters.

24* Favorite season: Summer, hands down.

25* One person you wish you could go back and talk t:Che Guevara

26* Where do you want to go for college? Well, I'm at Syracuse University already, but I would consider going to an Ivy for law school. Or Oxford for a Masters in something.

27* What is your career going to be like: I WANT it to be a place where I'll be allowed to travel everywhere and meet all kinds of people. I'm a people person, definitely. And, I gotta make the paper. Plain and simple. I have way too much of an expensive taste in gadgets to be broke.

28* Have you ever said "I love you" and meant it: Of course. That would be fucked up if I told my family members that I loved them, and I really didn't.

29* Dreamed something really crazy and then it happened the next day: Fuck yeah. I just can't remember what it was. :-)

30* Do you have a crush on someone: I ALWAYS have a crush on someone. It just happens to change every month. (Hence my old "Crush of the Month" entries... which reminds me...)

31. Would you rather be single forever with a great family or be with your soul mate and have no family? It's sad to say, but with the way my family is, I'd rather be alone with my soul mate then have to deal with the nonsense that happens in my family.

32* What book are you reading now?: Every fucking book in the SU Library... it's fucking Finals time.

33* Worst feeling in the world: Getting kicked in the nuts. I don't think there's anything that comes close. Heartache is pretty bad, but it's like getting a glancing blow to the nuts. But nothing can close to a full on blow. (Heh heh, I said, "Blow...")

34* How many rings before you answer: It depends on who's showing up on the caller ID. I never pick up the phone on a number I don't recognize.

35.* Would you rather be honest and poor, or a liar and rich? It's a lot easier to change your moral standing than it is to change your financial standing. I'd rather be a liar and rich than honest and poor, because I could always change and become honest AND rich. And then, after awhile, I'd be poor again, lol.

36* Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: Yup. Two. My big bear, Haiku, and my little bear, Cocoa Puff. I mean, it's not like I hug them or anything. They usually get used as pillow supplements.

37* If you could have any job you want: I'd be the CEO of Apple. Plain and simple. Steve Jobs, you're cool n all, but, I think I could trump you on leadership. And that's saying a lot about my confidence in myself, because, Steve, you and I are usually on the same page when it comes to many of the decisions made by the company. I'd work a whole lot more on cutting a lot of the internal bureaucracy within the corporation.

38* Wish you were: Debt-free and living in Europe.

39* Future College plans: Well, graduating. And then, after that, I don't know.

40* What is the longest you've gone without talking to anyone? Without talking to ANYONE? Like, complete silence? LOL. I'm not sure, but it was prolly around the time when I was pledging my freshman year. Either that, or during one of those times when I was on lockdown in high school.

41* What are you most afraid of? Two things: Getting struck by lightning and unintentionally impregnating a girl. Close calls on both ends...

42* What clothes do you sleep in? PJs and a ol' shirt from high school.

43* Who is the last person who called you? Zulay

44* Where do you want to get married: I don't know. Let me first concentrate on WHO I'm going to marry, first. I don't get that about people. Why does everyone always have their wedding days planned out, but they never consider the actual person they're going to marry? Or why doesn't anyone plan for what happens AFTER the wedding day? "Till death do us part" after all, is a pretty long fucking time.

45* If you could change anything about yourself what would that be: I'd be RIPPED with muscles. I'm gonna be working on that soon, though...

46* Who do you really hate: Hmm... I dunno. I really dislike a lot of people, though.

47* Are you timely or always late: I'm always on time... (and I know everyone is screaming, "YEAH FUCKING RIGHT!!!!") Yup, I'm always on time... MY TIME. :-)

48* Do you have a job: Damn skippy.

49* Do you like being around people? Sometimes. I like being in my own element a lot, though.

50* Best feeling in the world? Drinking a nice cold soda on a hot day when you've had nothing to drink in ages. That, and being in love. Talk about Cloud 9...

51* What was the last thing you ate: A leftover chicken parm sandwich I made.

52* Are you a health freak: Not really. I don't OD on junk food, though. I'm not a big fan of chips and candy. I do OD on soda, though. I must cut that out, ASAP.

53* Do you have a "type" of person you always go after?: Zulay and I discovered the other day that I have a tendency to attract girls with psychological deficiencies. I don't go after them on purpose, but it usually happens. They usually unload all their shit on me, and make me go through the motions to clean up their mess. I guess it has something to do with the fact that these girls are usually sexual "artistes." I can't stand prudes, stupid tarts, and closed-minded people. I guess that leaves the ones with the psychological deficiencies. Go figure.

54* you want someone/thing you don't have: Yeah. All the time. Like food in the fridge, for example. Or classes without any work.

55* Are you lonely right now?I'm physically alone, but I'm pretty happy being on my own at the moment.

56* Ever afraid you'll never get married:Not really.

57* Do you want to get married?: I'm not sure about that whole "till death do us part" thing. I don't have commitment issues, but at the same time, shit, things change over time. I guess right now, I'm in that state of mind where I'm anti-marriage because I'm seeing way too many people getting married or engaged when they're simply not ready.

*In The Last 6 Months HAVE YOU...*

58* Cried: Yupz
59* Bought Something: The real question is, "when haven't I bought something?"
60* Gotten Sick: Fuck yeah
61* Sang: Always. Even in public. "WATCH MEHHHH!!!!"
62* Said I Love You: Yupz
63* Wanted To Tell Someone You Liked them: Nah. But, I think they know, though.
64* Met Someone?: Yupz
65* Moved On: Definitely.
66* Talked To Someone: Ummm... that would be sad if I didn't.
67* Had A Serious Talk: At least three times a week.
68* Missed Someone: Of course.
69* Hugged Someone: Everyday!
70* Yelled at Someone: Also everyday.
71* Dreamed About Someone You Can't Be with: Yeah, a couple of times.
72* Made out with someone: Yupz. I usually try not to make it a habit, though, if I'm not going to get into a relationship with them.
73* Have you ever been heartbroken: Yes, I have. Sigh. But nothing OD, though. It was more of a disappointment than an actual heartbreak. Remember that we are talking about the past six months...
74* Do you like the way things are right now?: Definitely not. I need to get over finals!!!!

Now I REALLY Won't Shop At Wal-Mart

Yesterday, for an extra-credit assignment for one of my classes, I had to watch the documentary, "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" by Robert Greenwald. Basically, the movie details many of the wonderfully corrupt things that the Wal-Mart Corporation has done in order to solidify their position as the #1 corporation in the world. As if I didn't have enough reasons to hate Wal-Mart before, this documentary pretty much confirms many of the same things that i have been telling people for years about the company. The documentary itself is available now on DVD, and I highly recommend that everyone watches this documentary to gain some insight into the company that constantly parades around these commercials about "family values" and then turns around and betrays the very customers and associates that they make their money off of.

Some of the tactics utilized by the company sound eerily familiar... I was beginning to see some of the same practices within the Upstate NY district of Starbucks... hmm...

Unfortunately, one of my uncles is a manager of a Superstore in Houston. And unfortunately, he's brainwashed at the moment. I remember beginning to get into an argument with him last year about why I would never shop or work for Wal-Mart. As expected, he felt the need to defend his job. I decided to stop the conversation before it got too heated and before I made him feel like a buffoon for working for such an unethical company. I wonder how (or rather, if) his opinion of the company has changed a year later.

My roommate, Morgan, actually had considered working for Wally World whenever he graduated out of college as a manager. He asked what I thought about it, and I let him know how I felt about the company. I pretty much equate working for Wal-Mart on the same level as working for Philip Morris. (Or Altria, as the company is called now) How could anyone go to work every morning, knowing full well that your paycheck has been funded, in large part, thanks to the amoral practices instituted by your bosses? He tried to defend the company, pretty much spitting the textbook responses he learned here at the School of Management in Syracuse. But there really isn't any kind of defense for what the company has done to the American landscape. The so-called "low prices" that you get when you shop at Wal-Mart actually are only low because your tax dollars have paid for the rest...

Watch the documentary for an introduction into the kinds of business practices this company engages in. And then do what people in New York have been doing for years: reject any kind of proposal that talks of bringing yet another fucking Wal-Mart into your area.

SHIIITT, It's COLD!!!!

Only 5 days ago, everyone in Syracuse was lollygagging around outside in their t-shirts and sandals, enjoying the wonderful 80 degree weather. Some people around here were complaining that it was too hot for them, and that winter needed to "get here already," but for the most part, these people were usually picked up and thrown into trash cans while others gathered around and talked about having picnics in the park.

Now, here we are in the frozen tundra. It's as if the Snow Miser himself was outside running around screaming, "I'm HERE, bitches!!" (And the Heat Miser was sulking in the background.)

It's freaking cold. Like, 15 degrees cold. And there's so much snow on the ground. If you were to take pictures of what the weather was like this weekend, and compare them to pictures taken during our little summer holiday last week, you would think that you were looking at pictures of two completely different regions. I was just outside, coming back from a little run to the local McDonalds to pick up some munchies for an all-nighter, and I was practically frozen in the time that it took to walk the 15-feet from my car to my front door. Never mind I was wearing about 13 different layers of clothing!!! (Alright, alright, maybe not 13... more like 4.)

Usually, it takes extremely low temperatures to make me feel as cold as I did this past weekend while I was walking outside, but because of the fact that it's been rather snow-less here in Syracuse for about 7 months, I've grown rather accustomed to 40-plus degree weather. But now, if this past weekend's weather was any indication, it looks like I better get back to being used to extremely low temperatures again.

Shite. I better stock up on some longjohns or something.

Be Responsible for Your Own Pollution

I read an article on the BBC News website the other day that got me thinking about alternative solutions to solving our ongoing pollution problem, and I think the proposal mapped out in this article is really a step in the right direction that could definitely see support from both sides of the political fence. Check it out:

"CO2: This time, it's Personal"

It's definitely food for thought!