I will openly admit I have seen Sex and The City. I watched it on HBO and in 2008 I saw the movie with my girlfriend. Did I like the movie… okay, yes I did. However I was watching the trailer for the next film and I will guarantee with 97.3% percent certainty that this movie is going to be terrible.
For two major reasons:
1) I saw Aiden in it. If you don’t know Aiden he’s the guy that the lead character (Carrie) was once in love with. Now, come on. The entire show was about her relationship with Big, and the first movie was about the same thing. Of course they ended up together at the end, and of course they will in this one too. I mean… really. How unoriginal.
And here is the “big” one….
2) It looks like it takes place in EGYPT. Yes, EGYPT. Last time I checked New York played a pretty big role in these films, it almost acts as a character of it’s own, Not to mention it’s in the title. You know… CITY. How are these women going to go to Egypt?
Well, I personally can’t fully believe I just put this much effort into this film when other summer hits are en route. But I had to break it down.
So the next time you drive and see a massive Carrie Bradshaw billboard on whatever street you’re on I want you to know that this movie (I hate to be negative) is not going to be good. As a matter of fact I think it is going to ruin things for all the Sex and The City fans. If I’m wrong please let me know… But I’m not.
Having said all this I just checked and saw that the first movie grossed over 400 million dollars worldwide, and I think this has to be some kind of record for TV show to film? Maybe?
Short Story Sunday: Conversation Pitfalls
I shouldn’t have been too surprised when I opened my email but I was. The subject: Job, the sender: Anne, my sister. I opened the e-mail to find a link to a webpage: What to say and not to say in a job interview. Oh my God, it’s finally happened, my older sister doesn’t trust me talking to an employer. Did she think I was that absentminded? I understand I’m between jobs often but it’s not because I don’t know how to talk to a boss. Immediately I closed the webpage and called my mom to complain.
Jobs and my family tend to share similar characteristics in my life. Both have the ability to drastically affect how my day is flowing - both don’t know they just affected it, I turn to my family for advice - I turn to my job for money, I complain about my job - I complain about my family, you must work at a job – and you must work within your family. They both require you in a specific mold and they see a side of you that average society does not.
I told my mother and sister some time ago that I’ll enjoy what I do for my career, that I won’t fall into the life habits of so many people around me. This statement was exactly what I was reiterating to my mom. I went on explaining that I live in Los Angeles and it’s difficult to get a career job right away. I wondered why my logical sister didn’t understand this. My mom went on to comfort me telling me that my sister is the conservative one in the family, she went to school, she got good grades, and then she proceeded to take a stable job to support herself.
I didn’t look at myself as some vagabond who didn’t have things together and that’s clearly how my sister looked at me. I carried a feeling of sibling punishment, whether she was aware of it or not I never felt like my sister understood the steps I was taking, she never could grasp that I had a plan. I truly believe she thought I was having fun in LA. She thought I was living a life where I didn’t take things seriously.
In four hours I was meeting with Dean at a literary management company. I was interviewing to do coverage. Coverage is something that has to be done on all pieces of writing. Authors or clients submit their work to the literary company, I’d read over it and give the company my thoughts, they’d pay me, that’s the coverage. This seems like a great fit for me but most importantly it would allow me to leave my job at a sushi restaurant. Don’t get me wrong I love sushi but it’s beginning to take it’s toll on me.
Although my mom managed to insert some calm in me I still paced around my apartment. Eventually I stopped. My irrational part was telling me to call Anne and to let her have it. The other part of me wanted to know why I was so affected by this. I knew there was an inevitable call somewhere but I didn’t know what I would say. Then I wondered, why is this affecting me this way?
Surely Anne didn’t mean any harm from the email, but still to think I am so ill prepared that I didn’t know how to speak to someone in a interview. If anything this is where I excelled, my communication skills trumped many around me. I always just assume that when I have the opportunity to talk with anyone I’ll win them over. She knew that, so why would she send this? It hit me that maybe she does think I’m ill prepared, maybe I am? Does she see something I don’t? Maybe I project something that I don’t know about? What I think is confidence may actually just be a blatant cry for help saying I don’t know what I’m doing. Once this hit me I had to calm myself down a little more.
I had to think about Anne’s steps in life, I had to remind myself that she didn’t completely approve of my decisions. I made a move across the country without immediately finishing my education. Anne also made a move across the country but it was to get her bachelors degree, and then it was to get her masters. I had to remind myself she was my older sister and maybe she was just looking out for me, maybe she was genuinely concerned. I remembered the time when we were at a family Christmas and I told my sister that if the sun disappeared the earth wouldn’t know for 8 minutes, she shrugged it off. My educated cousin who attended Yale was an earshot away, he jumped in and confirmed, Anne turned to him and said “Yeah, why is that?”
I was still unsettled, I questioning my existence and thought about schooling. I even contemplated missing the job interview. I thought somehow if I didn’t go that would show her. There was about two hours left until I had to leave for the interview, I thought I’d give her a call and let her know what this did to me. Surely she must have a explanation to the “How to talk to other people email.”
I called her:
“Hey Anne”
“Hi”
“So, I got your email, I’m not even going to entertain the thought of reading it.”
“Why?”
I went on to tell her how insulting it was to get something to tell me how to talk to a boss. I asked her if she thought I was stupid, I asked if she thought I would make a fool of myself by saying obscene comments and throwing something in the interview.
She thought I should read it, she said there were a few good tips. She thought I didn’t have the experience in a proper job interview and since this was my first “meaningful” interview, she thought it would help.
“Well Anne, it doesn’t help me at all. As a matter of fact it’s insulting! I’m sorry if I don’t make the decisions you want me to make but that’s why we’re not the same person. I know how to talk in a interview, and I know what I’m doing. This didn’t help, but thanks for the effort.”
It was clear from my sarcastic tone and me hanging up on her that my anger got the best of me. I also realized that this may have opened a can of worms, my sister may have meant one thing but I took as something much larger, something that I wasn’t ready to dive into. When I got ready for my interview I calmed myself a bit, and then I left.
I walked into the management company wearing my go to outfit, khaki pants and a blue buttoned up shirt. I strolled with confidence and a chip on my shoulder. I talked to the assistant and told her I was waiting for Dean. I entered his office and saw a large man with a grayish beard, he has a radiating smile which somewhat eliminated my shoulder chip. He stood up to shake my hand, his genuine introduction eased me a little more, and by the time I sat across from him at his desk I was feeling great.
Dean and I immediately hit it off. It turned out he had some family that was from my home state of Wisconsin and he had been to visit Madison a few times. He mentioned the long nights he had “while he was younger” I added fuel to the fire and added some of my own Madison stories. We both agreed they had the most bars per capita. His constant deep laugh was entertaining me, I felt that he was already my boss, and furthermore it made me feel like he was my friend. No wonder he’s a manager he’s completely personable.
After the Wisconsin talk we went on about my current sushi restaurant, he was familiar with it. I let him know it’s a great place but I’m ready to move on. Working in a late night Los Angeles restaurant environment is taxing, the people who surround you are characters, typically drunk and always looking to enjoy the night when work is done. He questioned how much I make in tips, this was a perfect transition for me to bring up the salary for this position, it was substantially better.
Dean was a joy to be around, we chatted for about ten more minutes until we both realized this interview was running long. We turned out to have a few similar acquaintances, which prolonged heavy job talk. I knew I had to wrap up the conversation. I told him it was great to meet him and I knew he was busy, I expressed my ambitions and told him I looked forward to hearing back them. Before I walked out he asked if I had any questions, I stopped and thought for a second “no” I realized this had been completely enjoyable, so I told him just that. He smiled we shook hands and breezed past the assistant to head home.
When I got in the first thing I did was call my mom. I’m not typically the person who likes to run things in but I had no choice. I told my mom I couldn’t wait to call Anne I wanted to tell her how great I can communicate, how great the interview went, how simple it was, I wasn’t nervous, and how the boss and I had hit it off. My mom was so happy for me, however she discouraged me from calling my sister. She thought I would just come off as smug and I had to ditch my “Stubborn, I told you so” mentality.
Before I called Anne I knew it was time to open her email, now the subject was humorous, but most importantly now I was right and Anne was wrong. I wanted to educate myself with the email just so it would gave me a little more ammunition. I opened the link and it read:
What to say and not to say in a job interview
How to talk with your future boss and not blow it: 5 things that will help you get the Job
1. Let them do the talking: dictate the conversation when needed but don’t forget you’re there for a job not to find a date.
2. Don’t bad mouth your old employer.
3. Don’t ask about salary, if they don’t say something by the time you walk out the door…then ask.
4. If they ask you if you have any questions be prepared and don’t let an awkward silence pass.
5. Why did we meet? Don’t underscore yourself. Remind them that you want this job.
Now after reading these five things I will admit I may have broke into a few of these rules. However, what rules sometimes forget is that there is a time and place for everything. This is Los Angeles and the typical does not apply. There is no how to rulebook living in this town. I felt this was a little more for a 9 to 5, not a literary management company.
I called Anne and let her know I was upset she sent the e-mail. I told her she had to trust my decisions a little more and I nailed the job interview. I expressed that not everything in life is learned from a textbook and that I am able to feel situations out. There are no certain rules when talking to a person because everyone is different. She heard about the big smile of Dean and that he enjoyed my Midwestern roots, I told her that Dean seemed like a good person I’ll learn from and he and I will have a good working relationship. Anne was happy for me and carried a genuine apology. I was happy when I hung up the phone but in my heart knew it was just a band aide for a gunshot. Anne will do something like this again, she won’t trust a decision of mine and take it in her power to try and teach me. However, I will let this moment pass and enjoy my momentary victory.
Two days later I hadn’t heard from anyone about the job, that was okay because I knew they had more interviews to conduct. Day three I still heard nothing and was getting anxious. Now day four came around and I was shocked I hadn’t heard a word. A few of my friends told me this was normal not to hear anything, it certainly didn’t feel normal. I was told I would hear from them by the end of the workweek or the beginning of it.
I decided to give them a call on the fourth day. When I called the assistant answered:
“Hi this is Josh Hallman, I was calling about the coverage position I interviewed for. I was checking to see if there was any progress on the position hired.”
“Hi Josh, yes the position has been filled”
“Oh… You mean the coverage position right? With Dean?”
“Yes”
“Oh, Okay”
“Thank you very much for coming in”
“Sure, thank you. Um, take care”
I was floored. What could have went wrong? How did this just happen? I wanted to call Dean and ask him how it went wrong? I started to analyze everything. I realized that this wasn’t so much about me not getting the job but more about me telling my family I didn’t get it. I just couldn’t believe it.
Maybe I was too buddy-buddy? Maybe I shouldn’t have asked about the salary. Or maybe someone else was just better than me. I had no answers, I was convinced nobody could have had a better interview. I hoped I’d hear something from Dean’s office in the next few days but I didn’t. When I finally accepted defeat in the job I didn’t talk about it with anyone.
About a week in a half later my sister asked about it. She wondered when I was going to start.
“Um, well Anne, it turned out that they hired the bosses nephew. This town is so fickle like that, it’s unfortunate but it’s the way it is I guess.”
I completely lied to my sister but I just didn’t what else to say. She said she’s sorry and that was that. After we hung up I looked over her email once more and couldn’t help but wonder if the 5 things actually were true.
Jobs and my family tend to share similar characteristics in my life. Both have the ability to drastically affect how my day is flowing - both don’t know they just affected it, I turn to my family for advice - I turn to my job for money, I complain about my job - I complain about my family, you must work at a job – and you must work within your family. They both require you in a specific mold and they see a side of you that average society does not.
I told my mother and sister some time ago that I’ll enjoy what I do for my career, that I won’t fall into the life habits of so many people around me. This statement was exactly what I was reiterating to my mom. I went on explaining that I live in Los Angeles and it’s difficult to get a career job right away. I wondered why my logical sister didn’t understand this. My mom went on to comfort me telling me that my sister is the conservative one in the family, she went to school, she got good grades, and then she proceeded to take a stable job to support herself.
I didn’t look at myself as some vagabond who didn’t have things together and that’s clearly how my sister looked at me. I carried a feeling of sibling punishment, whether she was aware of it or not I never felt like my sister understood the steps I was taking, she never could grasp that I had a plan. I truly believe she thought I was having fun in LA. She thought I was living a life where I didn’t take things seriously.
In four hours I was meeting with Dean at a literary management company. I was interviewing to do coverage. Coverage is something that has to be done on all pieces of writing. Authors or clients submit their work to the literary company, I’d read over it and give the company my thoughts, they’d pay me, that’s the coverage. This seems like a great fit for me but most importantly it would allow me to leave my job at a sushi restaurant. Don’t get me wrong I love sushi but it’s beginning to take it’s toll on me.
Although my mom managed to insert some calm in me I still paced around my apartment. Eventually I stopped. My irrational part was telling me to call Anne and to let her have it. The other part of me wanted to know why I was so affected by this. I knew there was an inevitable call somewhere but I didn’t know what I would say. Then I wondered, why is this affecting me this way?
Surely Anne didn’t mean any harm from the email, but still to think I am so ill prepared that I didn’t know how to speak to someone in a interview. If anything this is where I excelled, my communication skills trumped many around me. I always just assume that when I have the opportunity to talk with anyone I’ll win them over. She knew that, so why would she send this? It hit me that maybe she does think I’m ill prepared, maybe I am? Does she see something I don’t? Maybe I project something that I don’t know about? What I think is confidence may actually just be a blatant cry for help saying I don’t know what I’m doing. Once this hit me I had to calm myself down a little more.
I had to think about Anne’s steps in life, I had to remind myself that she didn’t completely approve of my decisions. I made a move across the country without immediately finishing my education. Anne also made a move across the country but it was to get her bachelors degree, and then it was to get her masters. I had to remind myself she was my older sister and maybe she was just looking out for me, maybe she was genuinely concerned. I remembered the time when we were at a family Christmas and I told my sister that if the sun disappeared the earth wouldn’t know for 8 minutes, she shrugged it off. My educated cousin who attended Yale was an earshot away, he jumped in and confirmed, Anne turned to him and said “Yeah, why is that?”
I was still unsettled, I questioning my existence and thought about schooling. I even contemplated missing the job interview. I thought somehow if I didn’t go that would show her. There was about two hours left until I had to leave for the interview, I thought I’d give her a call and let her know what this did to me. Surely she must have a explanation to the “How to talk to other people email.”
I called her:
“Hey Anne”
“Hi”
“So, I got your email, I’m not even going to entertain the thought of reading it.”
“Why?”
I went on to tell her how insulting it was to get something to tell me how to talk to a boss. I asked her if she thought I was stupid, I asked if she thought I would make a fool of myself by saying obscene comments and throwing something in the interview.
She thought I should read it, she said there were a few good tips. She thought I didn’t have the experience in a proper job interview and since this was my first “meaningful” interview, she thought it would help.
“Well Anne, it doesn’t help me at all. As a matter of fact it’s insulting! I’m sorry if I don’t make the decisions you want me to make but that’s why we’re not the same person. I know how to talk in a interview, and I know what I’m doing. This didn’t help, but thanks for the effort.”
It was clear from my sarcastic tone and me hanging up on her that my anger got the best of me. I also realized that this may have opened a can of worms, my sister may have meant one thing but I took as something much larger, something that I wasn’t ready to dive into. When I got ready for my interview I calmed myself a bit, and then I left.
I walked into the management company wearing my go to outfit, khaki pants and a blue buttoned up shirt. I strolled with confidence and a chip on my shoulder. I talked to the assistant and told her I was waiting for Dean. I entered his office and saw a large man with a grayish beard, he has a radiating smile which somewhat eliminated my shoulder chip. He stood up to shake my hand, his genuine introduction eased me a little more, and by the time I sat across from him at his desk I was feeling great.
Dean and I immediately hit it off. It turned out he had some family that was from my home state of Wisconsin and he had been to visit Madison a few times. He mentioned the long nights he had “while he was younger” I added fuel to the fire and added some of my own Madison stories. We both agreed they had the most bars per capita. His constant deep laugh was entertaining me, I felt that he was already my boss, and furthermore it made me feel like he was my friend. No wonder he’s a manager he’s completely personable.
After the Wisconsin talk we went on about my current sushi restaurant, he was familiar with it. I let him know it’s a great place but I’m ready to move on. Working in a late night Los Angeles restaurant environment is taxing, the people who surround you are characters, typically drunk and always looking to enjoy the night when work is done. He questioned how much I make in tips, this was a perfect transition for me to bring up the salary for this position, it was substantially better.
Dean was a joy to be around, we chatted for about ten more minutes until we both realized this interview was running long. We turned out to have a few similar acquaintances, which prolonged heavy job talk. I knew I had to wrap up the conversation. I told him it was great to meet him and I knew he was busy, I expressed my ambitions and told him I looked forward to hearing back them. Before I walked out he asked if I had any questions, I stopped and thought for a second “no” I realized this had been completely enjoyable, so I told him just that. He smiled we shook hands and breezed past the assistant to head home.
When I got in the first thing I did was call my mom. I’m not typically the person who likes to run things in but I had no choice. I told my mom I couldn’t wait to call Anne I wanted to tell her how great I can communicate, how great the interview went, how simple it was, I wasn’t nervous, and how the boss and I had hit it off. My mom was so happy for me, however she discouraged me from calling my sister. She thought I would just come off as smug and I had to ditch my “Stubborn, I told you so” mentality.
Before I called Anne I knew it was time to open her email, now the subject was humorous, but most importantly now I was right and Anne was wrong. I wanted to educate myself with the email just so it would gave me a little more ammunition. I opened the link and it read:
What to say and not to say in a job interview
How to talk with your future boss and not blow it: 5 things that will help you get the Job
1. Let them do the talking: dictate the conversation when needed but don’t forget you’re there for a job not to find a date.
2. Don’t bad mouth your old employer.
3. Don’t ask about salary, if they don’t say something by the time you walk out the door…then ask.
4. If they ask you if you have any questions be prepared and don’t let an awkward silence pass.
5. Why did we meet? Don’t underscore yourself. Remind them that you want this job.
Now after reading these five things I will admit I may have broke into a few of these rules. However, what rules sometimes forget is that there is a time and place for everything. This is Los Angeles and the typical does not apply. There is no how to rulebook living in this town. I felt this was a little more for a 9 to 5, not a literary management company.
I called Anne and let her know I was upset she sent the e-mail. I told her she had to trust my decisions a little more and I nailed the job interview. I expressed that not everything in life is learned from a textbook and that I am able to feel situations out. There are no certain rules when talking to a person because everyone is different. She heard about the big smile of Dean and that he enjoyed my Midwestern roots, I told her that Dean seemed like a good person I’ll learn from and he and I will have a good working relationship. Anne was happy for me and carried a genuine apology. I was happy when I hung up the phone but in my heart knew it was just a band aide for a gunshot. Anne will do something like this again, she won’t trust a decision of mine and take it in her power to try and teach me. However, I will let this moment pass and enjoy my momentary victory.
Two days later I hadn’t heard from anyone about the job, that was okay because I knew they had more interviews to conduct. Day three I still heard nothing and was getting anxious. Now day four came around and I was shocked I hadn’t heard a word. A few of my friends told me this was normal not to hear anything, it certainly didn’t feel normal. I was told I would hear from them by the end of the workweek or the beginning of it.
I decided to give them a call on the fourth day. When I called the assistant answered:
“Hi this is Josh Hallman, I was calling about the coverage position I interviewed for. I was checking to see if there was any progress on the position hired.”
“Hi Josh, yes the position has been filled”
“Oh… You mean the coverage position right? With Dean?”
“Yes”
“Oh, Okay”
“Thank you very much for coming in”
“Sure, thank you. Um, take care”
I was floored. What could have went wrong? How did this just happen? I wanted to call Dean and ask him how it went wrong? I started to analyze everything. I realized that this wasn’t so much about me not getting the job but more about me telling my family I didn’t get it. I just couldn’t believe it.
Maybe I was too buddy-buddy? Maybe I shouldn’t have asked about the salary. Or maybe someone else was just better than me. I had no answers, I was convinced nobody could have had a better interview. I hoped I’d hear something from Dean’s office in the next few days but I didn’t. When I finally accepted defeat in the job I didn’t talk about it with anyone.
About a week in a half later my sister asked about it. She wondered when I was going to start.
“Um, well Anne, it turned out that they hired the bosses nephew. This town is so fickle like that, it’s unfortunate but it’s the way it is I guess.”
I completely lied to my sister but I just didn’t what else to say. She said she’s sorry and that was that. After we hung up I looked over her email once more and couldn’t help but wonder if the 5 things actually were true.
Come on now Mr. Meteorologist
This past week I realized that a monkey could be a meteorologist...maybe. But seriously across the board the meteorologists were saying it was going to Thunder Storm and rain - it was 80 and sunny. I understand mother nature is a tricky lady but I just think if we have the capability to look at flares on the sun and look light years into the universe I think we should be able to track the cloud formation and get close to predicting rain.
Remember in Back to the Future part 2 when Doc Brown looked at his watch when it was pouring, told Marty to wait a few seconds and then POOF it stopped raining. He explained they can predict exact weather - I want that. What's the deal? I'm sick of these "these guys" acting like they know what they're talking about, especially here in California. Weather in California fluctuates once every 73 days so is it asking to much to be spot on?
Maybe I'm just being to negative or maybe I'm wrong, but when Johnny Mountain looks at his doppler 6500 and tells me it's going to rain, I want rain.
Remember in Back to the Future part 2 when Doc Brown looked at his watch when it was pouring, told Marty to wait a few seconds and then POOF it stopped raining. He explained they can predict exact weather - I want that. What's the deal? I'm sick of these "these guys" acting like they know what they're talking about, especially here in California. Weather in California fluctuates once every 73 days so is it asking to much to be spot on?
Maybe I'm just being to negative or maybe I'm wrong, but when Johnny Mountain looks at his doppler 6500 and tells me it's going to rain, I want rain.
The Single most useless thing in the world...
Worrying.
If you've mastered the art to avoid worrying consider yourself on the Path to Jedi. So many times I/we/people worry about things completely out of control and it leads nowhere, absolutely nowhere. Acceptance and Trust may be the ways to avoid worrying.
What I do know is that we are not here to worry about yesterday or tomorrow - Embrace everything.
If you've mastered the art to avoid worrying consider yourself on the Path to Jedi. So many times I/we/people worry about things completely out of control and it leads nowhere, absolutely nowhere. Acceptance and Trust may be the ways to avoid worrying.
What I do know is that we are not here to worry about yesterday or tomorrow - Embrace everything.
Don't Worry.
If any two combined words are taken for granted...It's these two.
Only you to thank... and Trust
When I rolled out of bed this morning the soothing feel of trusting every action of the day hit me. Sometimes I think we forget that everything that happens around us is created by the previous action that we just made, and once we can realize that, we can begin to walk in any direction that we please knowing everything is going to work out just the way we planned.
The key to this equation is trusting yourself and what you're doing (or not doing). If you walk shaky footed then all and any decision will appear that way. It's just something to keep in mind. I think we all know someone (maybe ourselves) who will always say things like "...oh of course this would happen." That saying takes place right after something "happens" to them - we tend to forget we put ourselves in every position, I'd like to think we are ALL connected, no coincidences.
Enjoy the day!
The key to this equation is trusting yourself and what you're doing (or not doing). If you walk shaky footed then all and any decision will appear that way. It's just something to keep in mind. I think we all know someone (maybe ourselves) who will always say things like "...oh of course this would happen." That saying takes place right after something "happens" to them - we tend to forget we put ourselves in every position, I'd like to think we are ALL connected, no coincidences.
Enjoy the day!
The "Don't Argue with me" Movie List... First 10
I’m thinking about different movies and all of these Hollywood Reboots currently taking place. I stand by my idea that I think it’s ridiculous to remakes the majority of the so-called culture changing classics.
I’m sitting and staring at my DVD’s and I began to think about what may or may not be rebooted that led to me thinking about films I’m passionate about it, the films that I won’t let someone get away with a sly comment to cut it down… You know what I mean.
This is a list of movies that I don’t want to see rebooted and I will also argue why they are great till my face turn Blue. I’ve been down the argument road a few times. But in my opinion these are certifiably solid movies. I’d love to hear why anybody does not like these movies…
Back To The Future
The Empire Strikes Back
Unbreakable
The Wizard
Titanic
Minority Report
Vanilla Sky
The Goonies
The Truman Show
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Time Travel Blues
After watching LOST last night my mind began to wonder about time travel and the possibilities. But before I get into the time travel aspect of things let me first say that LOST is coming down to it's homestretch. It's amazing where it began and where it is now, if you've stuck with it or watch it on a regular basis - I think we're in for a good payoff. The Good VS Evil angle is wrapping soon.
I think it's also important to note I saw the movie Hot Tub Time Machine which is also a possible catalyst to what I'm thinking right now.
As I laid in bed last night thinking about how great it would be to time travel my mind started to wander and think about all of the things I would want to do to generate some extra cash for myself. How would I secure myself if I traveled to the past so when I came back I had some more money, then I wouldn't have to work - just time travel all the time. Is the thought of "What would I do to become a billionaire" greedy and shallow - Yes of course, but lets not pretend it's not what you would think of too.
As I was sinking my teeth into the possibilities of what I'd create a realization started to creep in. I came to a decisive conclusion, and it went a little something like this....
I'd create a computer! Yes I'd create the worlds first computer, and sell that ... Wait, how would I even create a computer in the first place? I don't know how to build it?
The internet, I'd create the internet! ... Wait, how would I create the internet? What the hell is the internet really? Would I just explain the idea to someone?
Google! I'd create Google... Wait, Google? Do I have to make algorithms? How would I make Google?
Okay I'd conceptualize the idea for Jurrasic Park, Star Wars, The Goonies, Huck Finn, or any really amazing movie or piece of literature! ... Wait, no, because it's the little things I cannot explain that make me love the books and film.
...I think you can see where I'm going with this. So I had to tone down my ambitious thinking to something more along the lines of -
What about Post its! The little yellow sticky things! ... Maybe, this sounds partially feasible but something but, could I make a post it? Would I be willing to spend time trying to market a post it?
What about a office supply like a stapler! .... Ahh, See above.
This sudden wave of frustration took me over, my mind was lighting up like fireworks with ideas but it kept leading me to the same dead end, the dead end of - How do I actually make this happen? I never had thought about the smallest details when trying to re write history for my financial time travel gain. However, like I said earlier from all of this I came to a conclusion, 2 conclusions to be exact:
1) You can't just create something you don't care about, you have to love what you're doing and then it'll work.
2) If I time travel, investment and gambling are the smartest thing to do. It's the most logical get rich quick scenario I could come up with. (Possible conclusion #3: Warren Buffet is from the future).
This is my take on the space time continuum. Just watch out you don't pull a Marty McFly and really throw things out of wack.
I think it's also important to note I saw the movie Hot Tub Time Machine which is also a possible catalyst to what I'm thinking right now.
As I laid in bed last night thinking about how great it would be to time travel my mind started to wander and think about all of the things I would want to do to generate some extra cash for myself. How would I secure myself if I traveled to the past so when I came back I had some more money, then I wouldn't have to work - just time travel all the time. Is the thought of "What would I do to become a billionaire" greedy and shallow - Yes of course, but lets not pretend it's not what you would think of too.
As I was sinking my teeth into the possibilities of what I'd create a realization started to creep in. I came to a decisive conclusion, and it went a little something like this....
I'd create a computer! Yes I'd create the worlds first computer, and sell that ... Wait, how would I even create a computer in the first place? I don't know how to build it?
The internet, I'd create the internet! ... Wait, how would I create the internet? What the hell is the internet really? Would I just explain the idea to someone?
Google! I'd create Google... Wait, Google? Do I have to make algorithms? How would I make Google?
Okay I'd conceptualize the idea for Jurrasic Park, Star Wars, The Goonies, Huck Finn, or any really amazing movie or piece of literature! ... Wait, no, because it's the little things I cannot explain that make me love the books and film.
...I think you can see where I'm going with this. So I had to tone down my ambitious thinking to something more along the lines of -
What about Post its! The little yellow sticky things! ... Maybe, this sounds partially feasible but something but, could I make a post it? Would I be willing to spend time trying to market a post it?
What about a office supply like a stapler! .... Ahh, See above.
This sudden wave of frustration took me over, my mind was lighting up like fireworks with ideas but it kept leading me to the same dead end, the dead end of - How do I actually make this happen? I never had thought about the smallest details when trying to re write history for my financial time travel gain. However, like I said earlier from all of this I came to a conclusion, 2 conclusions to be exact:
1) You can't just create something you don't care about, you have to love what you're doing and then it'll work.
2) If I time travel, investment and gambling are the smartest thing to do. It's the most logical get rich quick scenario I could come up with. (Possible conclusion #3: Warren Buffet is from the future).
This is my take on the space time continuum. Just watch out you don't pull a Marty McFly and really throw things out of wack.
Attack of the Clones Review...funny stuff
Not sure if you've seen the first version this guy did for "The Phantom Menace" but it is a pretty good review of "Attack of the Clones" Typically I don't like this stuff but this was too funny to pass up.
Attack of the Clones Review
Short Story Sunday: The Power
The Power
The strangest feeling hit me, it was a realization that shouldn’t even be realized it should just be the way it is. It happened at a vulnerable time but it happened. I was in a strange relationship clinging to someone because I needed company. She was pushing the relationship to move further and further to serious land but I didn’t want to. I was concerned, I didn’t want to move forward but I didn’t want to lose this girl.
This scenario may be the ultimate crux in life I basically wanted everything on my own terms. I laughed at the thought, and then it hit me again! I can have everything on my own terms, hell I don’t need to do anything I don’t want to do.
I literally can have anything I want it just depends on the sacrifices. Anyone can have anything. Why do I finally understand this idea? This simple concept of having or getting anything is completely attainable it just depends on the route you take to get what you want. What a concept, what power.
So what have I been doing? Who the hell knows, who the hell cares, I don’t need to do anything I don’t want to do. Since this revelation is so shocking I did what any person would do with this power, I used it.
I called the girl I was dating. I laid out exactly what I wanted and how it was going to be. I didn’t hold back, it felt liberating, not because I was holding much back but I definitely was bending to comfort this girl I was seeing. I didn’t want to bend anymore; I didn’t want to care about her emotions, just mine.
My expectations were a little different than the outcome. I expected her to understand, I expected nothing to change, and I expected her to applaud while I was on the phone with her. I literally was waiting for someone to jump out of nowhere and tell me I was doing a good thing right now. In my mind I was being forthcoming and I was doing what most didn’t do, or what I didn’t do. I was well aware that by me saying what I was saying I’d compromise the intimacy aspect of things and also the companionship but I didn’t want it too.
“I’m sorry, things are moving at a speed I just cannot handle right now. I didn’t expect for us to be this deep in a relationship, I don’t even want a relationship, I’m not sure how this happened.”
Note: As I said this all I thought was… The Power.
She said: “I cannot be in some partial relationship.”
“Well I cannot be in A relationship.”
And so it ended, we didn’t speak again for about six months. When her and I finally reconnected she told me she was just out of another relationship. Apparently she had done some pretty heavy dating after us.
Many months later - We re-connected for roughly an hour and eventually she finished our conversation by thanking me for being so honest in the past, she said it was refreshing. I asked how it was refreshing and she let me know it was good to talk with someone who knew exactly what they wanted. Thank you! That’s all I wanted to hear from her in the first place. In my mind I felt justified for our brief departure.
Me: “Thanks for being so understanding.”
“Of Course.” She said, but something tells me she wasn’t completely honest. A moment later she said, “Would you like to grab a drink later?”
And with that question I knew I was being sucked back in…
Of course, within a few days and many phone calls her and I were back on. I don’t know how it happened but the on again off again fling was on. I wondered if she told me it was “refreshing” because she was baiting me. I always wonder if women know key phrases or statements to make a man come back. Regardless, I was momentarily back.
Many dates in it seemed like déjà vu and I remembered why I didn’t want to be in a relationship with her. I hate to use this line but…It’s not you it’s me, I thought. I needed to get out but now I m back to being comfortable with her. Eventually I stuck it out many more months than I wanted, it just happened. The power I thought I possessed clearly was a fading prize. It’s like a light bulb, every once in a while a change needs to be had. I wondered how I made it back and in so deep with this girl again, what was I doing wrong, how did I find myself appeasing her and wanting to run from this? She was getting everything she wanted.
Then it hit me! I don’t need to be in this relationship! I can do anything! I have the power!
Uh Oh…
It dawned on me that holding the power to do whatever you want is sometimes forgotten. It gets lost in the shuffle, especially with emotions, and if you don’t turn that power into a way of life it’ll be lost.
The Greatest Letter Never Read... or Written?
**Before I go into this - I have to say this letter has some controversy surrounding it. Some say it was never written, some say it was revised over time, and others say it was written. Written or not it's still pretty great.
So it goes... In 1855 the United States sent word to Chief Seattle of the Dwamish Tribe that they would like to purchase his "land"
His response...
THE GREAT CHIEF in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. The Great Chief also sends us words of friendship and good will. This is kind of him, since we know he has little need of our friendship in return. But we will consider your offer, for we know if we do not so the white man may come with guns and take our land. What Chief Seattle says you can count on as truly as our white brothers can count on the return of the seasons. My words are like the stars - they do not set.
How can you buy or sell the sky - the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. Yet we do not own the freshness of the air or the sparkle of the water. How can you buy them from us? We will decide in our time. Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing, and every humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people.
We know that the white man does not understand our ways. One portion of land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs. The earth is not his brother, but his enemy, and when he has conquered it, he moves on. He leaves his father's graves and his children's birthright is forgotten. The sight of your cities pains the eyes of the redman. But perhaps it is because the redman is a savage and does not understand.
There is no quiet place in the white man's cities. No place to listen to the leaves of spring or the rustle of insect wings. But perhaps because I am a savage and do not understand - the clatter only seems to insult the ears. And what is there to life if a man cannot hear the lovely cry of the whippoorwill or the arguments of the frogs around a pond at night? The Indian prefers the soft sound of the wind itself cleansed by a mid-day rain, or scented by a pinõn pine: The air is precious to the redman. For all things share the same breath - the beasts, the trees, and the man. The white man does not seem to notice the air he breathes. Like a man dying for many days, he is numb to the stench.
If I decide to accept, I will make one condition. The white man must treat the beasts of this land as his brothers. I am a savage and I do not understand any other way. I have seen thousands of rotting buffaloes on the prairie left by the white man who shot them from a passing train. I am a savage and do not understand how the smoking iron horse can be more important than the buffalo that we kill only to stay alive. What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beast also happens to the man.
All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.
Our children have seen their fathers humbled in defeat. Our warriors have felt shame. And after defeat they turn their days in idleness and contaminate their bodies with sweet food and strong drink. It matters little where we pass the rest of our days - they are not many. A few more hours, a few more winters, and none of the children of the great tribes that once lived on this earth, or that roamed in small bands in the woods will remain to mourn the graves of the people once as powerful and hopeful as yours.
One thing we know that the white man may one day discover. Our God is the same God. You may think that you own him as you wish to own our land, but you cannot. He is the Body of man, and his compassion is equal for the redman and the white. This earth is precious to him, and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its Creator. The whites, too, shall pass - perhaps sooner than other tribes. Continue to contaminate your bed, and you will one night suffocate in your own waste. When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses all tamed, the secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted by the talking wires, where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone. And what is it to say goodbye to the swift and the hunt? The end of living and the beginning of survival.
We might understand if we knew what it was the white man dreams, what hopes he describes to his children on long winter nights, what visions he burns into their minds, so they will wish for tomorrow. But we are savages. The white man's dreams are hidden from us. And because they are hidden, we will go our own way. If we agree, it will be to secure your reservation you have promised.
There perhaps we may live out our brief days as we wish. When the last redman has vanished from the earth, and the memory is only the shadow of a cloud passing over the prairie, these shores and forests will still hold the spirits of my people, for they love this earth as the newborn loves its mother's heartbeat. If we sell you our land, love it as we have loved it. Care for it as we have cared for it. Hold in your memory the way the land is as you take it. And with all your strength, with all your might, and with all your heart - preserve it for your children, and love it as God loves us all. One thing we know - our God is the same. This earth is precious to him. Even the white man cannot escape the common destiny.
Here's a link: http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC03/Seattle.htm
So it goes... In 1855 the United States sent word to Chief Seattle of the Dwamish Tribe that they would like to purchase his "land"
His response...
THE GREAT CHIEF in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land. The Great Chief also sends us words of friendship and good will. This is kind of him, since we know he has little need of our friendship in return. But we will consider your offer, for we know if we do not so the white man may come with guns and take our land. What Chief Seattle says you can count on as truly as our white brothers can count on the return of the seasons. My words are like the stars - they do not set.
How can you buy or sell the sky - the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. Yet we do not own the freshness of the air or the sparkle of the water. How can you buy them from us? We will decide in our time. Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing, and every humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people.
We know that the white man does not understand our ways. One portion of land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs. The earth is not his brother, but his enemy, and when he has conquered it, he moves on. He leaves his father's graves and his children's birthright is forgotten. The sight of your cities pains the eyes of the redman. But perhaps it is because the redman is a savage and does not understand.
There is no quiet place in the white man's cities. No place to listen to the leaves of spring or the rustle of insect wings. But perhaps because I am a savage and do not understand - the clatter only seems to insult the ears. And what is there to life if a man cannot hear the lovely cry of the whippoorwill or the arguments of the frogs around a pond at night? The Indian prefers the soft sound of the wind itself cleansed by a mid-day rain, or scented by a pinõn pine: The air is precious to the redman. For all things share the same breath - the beasts, the trees, and the man. The white man does not seem to notice the air he breathes. Like a man dying for many days, he is numb to the stench.
If I decide to accept, I will make one condition. The white man must treat the beasts of this land as his brothers. I am a savage and I do not understand any other way. I have seen thousands of rotting buffaloes on the prairie left by the white man who shot them from a passing train. I am a savage and do not understand how the smoking iron horse can be more important than the buffalo that we kill only to stay alive. What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beast also happens to the man.
All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.
Our children have seen their fathers humbled in defeat. Our warriors have felt shame. And after defeat they turn their days in idleness and contaminate their bodies with sweet food and strong drink. It matters little where we pass the rest of our days - they are not many. A few more hours, a few more winters, and none of the children of the great tribes that once lived on this earth, or that roamed in small bands in the woods will remain to mourn the graves of the people once as powerful and hopeful as yours.
One thing we know that the white man may one day discover. Our God is the same God. You may think that you own him as you wish to own our land, but you cannot. He is the Body of man, and his compassion is equal for the redman and the white. This earth is precious to him, and to harm the earth is to heap contempt on its Creator. The whites, too, shall pass - perhaps sooner than other tribes. Continue to contaminate your bed, and you will one night suffocate in your own waste. When the buffalo are all slaughtered, the wild horses all tamed, the secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted by the talking wires, where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone. And what is it to say goodbye to the swift and the hunt? The end of living and the beginning of survival.
We might understand if we knew what it was the white man dreams, what hopes he describes to his children on long winter nights, what visions he burns into their minds, so they will wish for tomorrow. But we are savages. The white man's dreams are hidden from us. And because they are hidden, we will go our own way. If we agree, it will be to secure your reservation you have promised.
There perhaps we may live out our brief days as we wish. When the last redman has vanished from the earth, and the memory is only the shadow of a cloud passing over the prairie, these shores and forests will still hold the spirits of my people, for they love this earth as the newborn loves its mother's heartbeat. If we sell you our land, love it as we have loved it. Care for it as we have cared for it. Hold in your memory the way the land is as you take it. And with all your strength, with all your might, and with all your heart - preserve it for your children, and love it as God loves us all. One thing we know - our God is the same. This earth is precious to him. Even the white man cannot escape the common destiny.
Here's a link: http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC03/Seattle.htm
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