The strong is weak!

Strong you suck! which I'm sure is a true statement at some point so you can't knock me for that comment.  Somebody please find a good replacement for weekend update. Honestly we were just fine with just Seth because Cecily you're killing me. It was really sad when I watched the rerun tonight where Tina came on and showed her how it's done - being naturally funny i.e. She really should stick to 'the girl you don't want to start a conversation with at a party'. She's great with dumb girl roles like the porn star hawkers although I don't care much for that skit. The hispanic chick skit with the puppy dog boyfriend isn't too bad either but she just isn't cut out for weekend update. Don't get me wrong, it's good to see some East Indian representation on snl.(sic) Here's an idea (Mindy for guest appearance). It seems to be the latest shtick with snl women to play dumb roles by the way so maybe she wouldn't fit the bill. About the only funny woman in cast seems to be Kate McKinnon but the whole show is in a sort of hibernation with near misses and bombs. We probably get 2 funny skits out of the whole show every weekend and they manage to keep their heads above water by having constant appearances by Kristen Wiig and Tina Fey and it's about the only thing that keeps people actually wanting to check out snl. Lome should really look into having Andy and Bill as guest appearances! And what about Mr. Peepers? classic! Otherwise we'd really rather be out sucking down some margaritas. We just have to get our kicks elsewhere these days. I don't mean to be so hard on a fellow woman and maybe you can prove me wrong but I just don't have the time to wait and see. Bobby Moynihan! You rock!

As for Tonight's regular show...Oh good Lord Kristen LOFrickinL! Yay Will, Steve and Dave!
Keenan was also awesome! but 1D come again...oh wait...you can't. Don't worry, you won't be missed. I'm not a fan of the group of course but snl is always an opportunity to check out what music artists have to offer because there's the visual entertainment challenge. In the rerun Arcade Fire was guest artist and they put on a show with great enthusiasm even though you might have been wondering what they were going for especially when the female singer Regine did the weird reflection demonstration. But we get it...the song is enough to carry the act so I don't think anyone cared too much as we were all probably trying not to wince.

celebrity blitz

Ok so I am not so busy that I am not available for commenting on Miley Cyrus. I really don't bother with the celeb comings and goings but Miley has been really working the media and I hear her name in my office, see her pictures on every news page on the web so I can't seem to avoid finding out what the bleep she's up to now. So far, she got all freaky on MTV awards, sang a hit song about doing Molly, commented that she prefers Molly and weed compared to cocaine, drew Sinead O'Connor out for a girl fight then won herself a spot on SNL. That was pretty good but really, I think she needed to space them out a bit...it just all seemed to bowl the spotlight over a bit to quickly but we're so used to these things now we go oh wow! wth! then...on to the next thing, we move on and now, well I think we will forget about her for a while. My honest thought on the whole thing is I believe she does it all for show (duh) but I mean I don't think she really does Molly and parties as much as she purports to and neither is she really the persona she has taken on. The weed part I think she might have been doing for a while now because I've seen my brother who's smoked pot for eons and he has no idea how slow he is. His brain has slowed down so much it affects his speech. Compared to years ago when I was younger he's just not the bright person I used to know. I have to say, legalizing weed is probably just another tactic to continue dumbing down America. Anyway, so if we've forgotten about Miley then why am I writing this? Well unfortunately I saw Katy Perry on the Bruce Willis episode of SNL and thought of Miley and what I wanted to say about all the nonsense she's been doing and as for Katy and her Roar performance, well...I have yet to see her talent. My friends have a running joke about her "firework" song but that's about the only affect she has in my circles. I conscientiously try to boycott things I believe to be stupid and Katy Perry is one of them. - Others include, AT&T, Comcast (same thing), I'm close to boycotting Stop & Shop altogether, I tried to boycott Capital One when I dumped them but then they bought my credit card company so I'm back with them but I will do it again soon but on to my story - While watching the SNL episode she came on and started the Roar song and I immediately thought I knew that song from somewhere and wondered if she was about to do a cover. So I kept repeating the opening of her song to myself so it would jog my memory and while the song transformed to the song I was thinking of it hit me - The Lumineers Ho hey! she copied the rhythm! Check it out just at the beginning. So many songs copy songs that have gone before. There's hardly any real talent anymore it's all about smoke and mirrors. The talented is certainly not in the mainstream media.

If I can think it...

How do I patent an idea? GPS reminder. Have you ever thought of a restaurant or other great destination you would like to visit when next you were in the area? Then there should be a GPS app to note places or things you would like to do once you are in the area. Then when you're there again t reminds you! Mark Zuckerberg you better stay clear!!! Google would be the best way because their maps are already most frequently used.

Marathon running vs running your mouth, equally dangerous.

Sitting at home in Boston today and there's a lot going on. Much more of the types of goings ons than anyone would care to have. The world (at least the internet connected one) has heard by now, about what I am coining as the Boston Marathon massacre. Three people died. A lot less than the first massacre, but death, in no form is acceptable to humans. We were made to live. More and more in this crazy world, the issue of life and death is weighed constantly, even in conversations that seem so harmless! Honestly, I don't feel the urgency of the situation -even while all public transportation is halted and everyone is told to stay indoors- as much as when I hear words that mean prison and death.. Speaking about eliminating freedoms is death. Speaking about eliminating an entire people's freedoms or rounding up a race or ethnic group of people for judgement because of a person's actions is genocide. The bible says that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." Phrases like "immigrant reform" and "foreign policy" don't exactly have a human friendly tone.

Where I work, I have seen folks go overboard on policies that hurt the innocent; in a field that affects people's livelihoods indirectly; and it's usually because someone slipped through their fingers. But don't you just hate when management sends out an email reminding everyone how to do their jobs because one person somewhere forgot how to do theirs? We all ask - Why didn't they just talk with that person?

I was listening to a woman on an episode of Weekend Aristocrats, a reality program on Plum TV where the word "million" gets tossed around like a football on Sunday. Mind you, I am not a reality show buff but reality tv tends to show us what society is coming to. So a group of 30 somethings attending a function hosted at the Chillingworth Castle were delighting in a conversation with the owner sir Humphry Wakefield a 77 year old baronet, the way a group of children delight in teasing a caged monkey. And as I suspected, it became severely painful to watch as he was baited by them and the situation ended in a tense stance with him on the defensive. He ever so gentlemanly and civilly kept trying to explain that he was being quite frank yet not politically correct, he knew but he held that choosing the right genetic disposition in a person can improve a family's chances of success socially, physically and economically. It's not hard to figure whose side I am on in this fight. I am generally on the side of the defenseless. No, not the average blokes and lassies who decided to spring for a castle venue- probably placing themselves more in the bankrupt state than they already are- then pitting themselves against one man albeit of the caliber, the likes of which they, weren't used to rubbing shoulders with, then being surprised by what he says when they expect him to say exactly that! (such like the imbecility of the children now screaming after being pelted with monkey poop). No, I feel for the old man who is forced to let his home for a celebration of dimwitted barbarians who see themselves civilized. A particular woman on the attack from the group turned on the poor man with the look of death when he said that he could make an argument based on successful families that a marriage of unequal stature would be unwise. At least he had empirical data!

Was she right in now vehemently voicing her disgust? Sure! but he was also entitled to his theory. They asked the question! Did he get upset at her reaction? no! He was a gentleman. You know, if you ask someone with a lesser background who would be their dream partner, they usually say someone rich. However jokingly. She was just mad that he was basically saying she didn't stand a chance with him even if he were younger. Fair and square to me! If I don't like what or who you are then I won't marry you. Some people are so self righteous that they sometimes forget their own prejudices and instead issue death dealing judgement to others who air theirs. I know my own prejudices and honestly I try not to air them in a drunken state because it just wouldn't be wise. Truth is we all just want to be liked but let's face it most people don't like us. Having a human understanding and respect for the next person is probably the next best thing to liking me and I'll take it any day in a world where mob mentality is everywhere.
On that note I think this method could help people feeling like outcasts maybe accept it, deal with it and live their life anyway. I understand it's hard fitting in, I don't feel I do often but I don't want people to die! Combatting terrorism starts with looking at ideals. Strongly held ideals don't wither overnight. People have to be reasoned with in an exchange to understand why they feel that way. We tend to approach things in a head on a stick manner. Tolerance and respect for life can be a short order solution. Really I'm not qualified to tell anyone what to do but War is the campaign of those who have the presence of mind to see the future but don't mind not living to see it.

At the end of the day the lesson here is simple old baronets should not drink while in company of; and hence allow their guard to be let down and end up in conversations with; the plebeians.

On a health kick

I have been absent I know. Hey who really has time to do this? It truly requires dedication. So give some applause to me for getting back because I am dedicated. Right? I can hear the "yeah right"s echoing across the land now. Well, like I said I've been on a health kick and sort of a fitness kick because of course it's been quite some time since that bike ride and me almost making it back to my size 4 (The ghostly figure I reach for and it fades into the mist in my hands never to be graspable ever again). I am not endorsing this image by the way. I have become quite happy with being decently figured. Sometimes skinny looks horrible on people. So I try to find ways to up my fitness level before I turn into a pumpkin (shape). Ever heard of this Insanity program? If you have maybe you were sick one day from work and ended up on the couch watching daytime tv and saw the "for just 3 payments of ..." ad. Exactly what happened to me and for the first time ever I called that 1800 number for my special offer. It cost much- to put it nicely- but I was determined to prove that it worked if I worked. So I started pounding the mat and the sweat poured and then all I noticed was that I was getting stronger but less and less able to walk up or down stairs. I visited my doctor and he said I developed patellar's syndrome. Well what is that?? It means that the moving tracks on the front of my knees that stretch and contract when I bend and extend were coming out of alignment. So doc what do I have to do? He said "rest". And how did I develop this condition doc? "most likely the intense exercises you've been doing." So how do I prevent it from happening again doc? "Through exercise as your legs and knees get stronger" So how do I strengthen them if I can't exercise doc? "I know it's a vicious cycle but for now rest and you can start physical therapy." Well there goes my health kick! I know...don't worry that I've given up - I haven't- I'll be back Shaun T! and I'll be cursing at the screen just like before!

Hot (cool) now

Cucumber fizz and all cucumber flavored drinks are in and I am imbibing till I drop. The cool, fresh, mild taste of cucumber is so inviting any time of the year. It's perfect in the fall and even more perfect in the summer as an ice-cream flavor. I always head over to JP Licks for tubs of homemade cucumber ice-cream. Come see if you can spot me!

Phenomenal people have lived and passed on like Steve Jobs and many people will write about him and wax nostalgic ( I've always wanted to use that phrase but now its anti-climatic) finding lessons and meanings for themselves in things he's said. I myself am not immune to the worldwide gasping and reflection. I never knew the man. Not in the remotest bit, nor his history, but I do remember being in grade school where we used an old dirty-cream Apple desktop computer with its rainbow colored apple symbol used back then. I also recall being somewhat reintroduced to Macintosh by a boyfriend in 1997 and that was the point at which I knew there was something special about a Mac. Not because of him but because using a Mac gives you a feeling, a feeling like you can do something. Like you can make something, like you, even you, are intelligent enough to use this. It's conscientious computing, with a personality, with a 'soul'. It is the innovator's computer - it thinks the way we do - full of ourselves and introspective, always searching for meaning. Although I wasn't wise enough at that young age to know that I should purchase stocks in Apple, I put stock in Mac as a computer I trusted to own.

At the time, I also was unaware that Steve Jobs had just been rejoined to Apple. Subsequently, the breakthrough came and suddenly Apple reemerged, shaking off the dust and back in black (white) like never before. Bringing out their Ipods, pads and aspiring to turn laptops into thin air. I was jealous, but only because they monopolized everything. I couldn't stand their Agreements and felt forced  like a captive slave to agree to their terms. I resented their order and know it all technology whilst everyone else was constantly trying to keep up. I grew suspicious of them and yet in 2009 I settled on getting a laptop and where else would I go for the simplicity of having a worry free computer experience? Apple of course! Even so, I can still see room for improvement. When something unimaginable is realized, the mind then becomes rabid with ideas and one is able to conceive of what seemed to be impossible before.

Now the task will fall on someone new. Some new innovator stepping in to fill giant shoes. Steve Jobs knew this when he said

"...Death...is life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you , but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away."

I found a common thought process with the man, nothing special I'm sure many people do in that he used death as a motivator and aid in decision making. I found other thoughts in common with him now. When before, I never had the time to be interested in anything he had to say. But that's always the case with us fickle beings. I think part of the reason I looked at his quotes now was to see how he thought but that probably would just be one aspect of what everyone thinks he is. Thinking changes with time and I'm sure he'd be abashed to see some of the quotes being posted having fallen from his mouth. I enjoyed some of the quotes such as

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma."

Today we have coined a new job title - Innovator. I can see job postings now offering such position and a job description carved from the stylings of Jobs' workload. These are the people we 'hate' and admire -The ones who live, learn and work according to their own methods, unconventionally. They dare to be in your face whether you like it or not because they are out to make money and feed their families! Steve Jobs will be remembered by many not only in his creations but because after you realize 'the man' you realize he was, and will remain an inspiration to the not so mainstream thinkers and underdogs.

I have long held my jealousy and resentment for Apple since their resurgence, boycotting their products (as I type on my Macbook) and avoiding the pod crazes and appleworld media reports. Yet when I heard of Jobs' step down from his position in August, I knew something was up. Upon his death my reaction was shock and uneasiness of sorts, for what, I wasn't sure. But then uncertainty comes with change. I'm sure the people at Apple feel the same. No matter how much you dislike a person their taking the helm and steering the ship is respected and you follow, however grumpily. That uneasiness must have been what the masses felt when Alexander the great was killed and all the power fell to his generals. It is left to be seen what road Apple will take from here and what it will become, if anything else.

In the wake of his death I couldn't help asking the views of everyone I encountered what their thoughts were on his passing. Here are some of the varying responses I received:-

"He was truly an exceptional man. It's a great loss"

"Oh well, there will be more people like him. He was not the only smart person alive"

"What do you think about Jesus dying?"

"I just hope Apple can continue to make and sell the same great products"

"Like these chickens, he's just sleeping" 

"Sad...I think it's so sad. He was still young" 

"He was born the same year as my mom, so I think that is way too young" 

 "I just hope it will slow Mac sales. It's unfortunate but I'm not overly concerned"