Hit Me Up, Barista-ji

A short while back, I had a craving satisfied. It wasn't just the product, it was the familiarity. It was the casual experience I've had a million times before. It was the queuing up, like visiting the Soup Nazi. Make your  order. Shift to the right. Make your payment. Shift to the right.
But this was Mumbai. It was right around the corner from the Taj Hotel. The setting was like a large living room with several comfy chairs, a table and a shitload of hipsters. Felt like calling up my buddy, Tony, to come and meet me for a caffeinated beverage or two. Unfortunately, it would take about 3-4 weeks for him to arrive. Well, at least, I'd have coffee.

The Big Pep Talk

It isn't just that people generally suck, it is that they feel entitled while they suck that disturbs me so. There is a never-ending parade of oxygen thieves going on before our eyes. We watch. Can't take our eyes away. It is like driving by a horrible accident on the highway - you can't help yourself. Ya gotta look. It should be on every major city's calendar of annual events. Well, in most cities, it is a daily event, but let us just go ahead and recognize it officially.
We can call it "Parasitic Sunday."
"I'm Taking Up Space Day."
Go ahead and have fun with it, cuz they ain't goin away.

++++++++++++++++

I'm just a little frazzled today.
I could use a drink.

The Big "O"

The United States has shifted its focus to Asia.
Hmmm. Not really news. We've been an Asia-focused nation for a very long time. We've been Japan-obsessed (pro and con). We've been China obsessed (pro and con ). We've been Vietnam obsessed (pro and con). We've been... Get the picture?
We've had a presence there for more than 100 years. Asia has had a presence in the United States for longer than that.We're literally 1 mile apart.
Google it.
So, the "new" focus ain't really new. It isn't a "new" policy at all. What we've done is recognize that Europe has gotten smaller. We'll continue to ignore Africa and treat South America like noisy neighbors. The middle east is just a pain in the ass and will be ignored once we don't need them for energy requirements. Why? We're a meddlesome aunt/uncle. We're fickle. We give gifts. We interfere. We wag our finger. We go home and ignore.
Asia is different. We do our manufacturing there. We do our banking there. We owe them a shitload of money. We get our engineers there. We do our "aren't we nice/feel good" work there. We take their money for educating their youth. Our favorite cuisines come from there. A sizable chunk of our back office work is there. Hence, we blame them for our unemployment issues. Well, them and Mexicans.
So , be grateful that we've finally announced the obvious. America is Asia-oriented. So pucker up and glace longinly in Asia's direction. We've made our bed.

It is Election Day in the good 'ole USA. Get out there and take a stand.

A Capitol Idea

Addressing a session of Congress.
Sometimes, I find myself wondering "if only.."

Orwell v. Huxley Redux

Having visited this notion quite often of late (this being the "Silly Season" and all, a pithy analysis was in order. Since Mr. Postman was rather concise in his analysis here, I thought I would share it.

Orwell v. Huxley

 

 

In the grand scheme of things, who was "more" correct - Aldous Huxley, or George Orwell? Now, I'll admit openly that I have a dark vision. I believe, in principle, in the writings of Thomas Hobbes, Malthus, Orwell and Huxley. This is true for many different reasons, as well as one unifying one - we create our own dystopia. And, we are doing so right now.

What got me started on this train of thought? I read "Lord of the Flies" a long time ago. Plato even wrote of the dictatorship of the artists. Our DNA always seems to get in the way of "peaceful" co-existence.

Freedom to Fail

Rhetorical flourish? Perhaps.
I truly believe that free societies cannot be completely safe. But non-free societies instill even more fear into me..
Democracy is grand, yet scary as hell. I fear majority rule more than anything. That is not freedom either. I cannot see mandatory rules for behavior and thought as being "free." I have the liberty to do as "they say so?" Bullshit!
Freedom is messy. People get hurt. That is the cost of freedom. Many cannot handle true freedom. It scares them too damned much.
I want the freedom to think, regardless of those who may be offended by my thoughts. I want the freedom to worship as I wish. Or not to worship at all.
Freedom is about the ability to choose.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles...

I believe in the Power of One.

I believe that one person can, and has, made all of the difference. One person will initiate the call for innovation. One person begats a new faith. One person creates the template for innovation. One person is all that it takes to cry out for change.
The majority subordinates. The majority seeks to hammer down change. The majority seeks for others to submit. Nay. They damand submission.

The individual says "Bullshit!"

The power of one rises up. The power of one screams "Enough!"

It begins with one.

The Boogie Man

Iran sure can pick winners.
But, you must admit, this bat-shit crazy bastard sure can grab some headlines.
But, his manners do leave something to be desired.
If only his head was filled with oil. Or, sanity.

Don't Keep Score (and a few days)

Some things write themselves (or do they?).

Don't Keep Score and Four Years Ago...

THIS bit of leadership by disincentive has left me out of sorts.
Now I disagree with the POTUS on a lot of core issues. I dislike the direction he has taken the country, but THIS infuriates me. When I think about all of the things about the US that are ingrained in me, self-sufficiency is key to being an American. What we have here is self-aggrandisement.
Whatever happened to "the chief business of the American people is business?"

All Life is Suffering

Such is life.
We miss what we once had.
We want what we don't have.
We never seem to have enough.
Such is life.

BALLS!!!

All I'm sayin.

For Armchair Generals Everywhere

Enjoy the GAP.

Just thinkin

Pompey and the Optimates would be a great name for a band.

A Context-Free Open Letter

Dear Snerd Murphy (or whatever the hell your name is),
Your public behavior is a beauty to behold. You are a
testament to the wonders of nature and to the notion of natural selection. You
have truly made me question the veracity of Darwin’s theory.
I applaud you.
I mean that in the most sincerely ironic sense.
Now, please stop. No, really. Stop it. Right now.
Yours truly,
An individual concerned for humanity’s future.

Just a Suggestion

Given all the rhetoric surrounding climate change, genetically modified food and over-population...

Appropriate vs. Inappropriate

And the Heat Goes On

Well, to be perfectly frank, the Foreign Registration Office (FRO) have made it much easier
than it had been in previous times. It was a multiple-day colonoscopy with gardening tools. Now
it is just a lot of waiting in a multitude of different lines and dumping a
shitload of documentation in front of people who wonder what the fuck you’re
doing in their country. It has been 9 different lines, plus getting a bank
draft (out in the mid-day sun to get there).
I'm neither a mad dog, nor English.
Don’t let me forget the documents you need that are not on
the document checklist THEY provide you with. They look at you like “What is
wrong with you,” when you do not miraculously have them at your disposal. Then
returning at 5 p.m. if you’ve accomplished “the needful.”
This is a lot of bitching and griping, but the truth of the
matter is, they have every right and I begrudge them nothing. I’m their guest.
Their house. Their rules. Well, the arbitrary part pisses me off royally, but
the rules, per se, do not.
I lead an interesting life over here, so what the fuck.
There are plusses. Don’t make any mistakes about it. For
instance 1. Gorgeous girl from Uganda in stilettos and a grey pencil skirt -
thumbs up! 2. Korean girls. Full stop. 3. NRI shenanigans. Love that word – shenanigans. 4. Girl who looked Italian and smelled like jasmine. 5. Nice lunch. Always a plus. 6. Last but not least is
that I did not have to think a whole lot today. That, in and of itself, is rare
and joyous. Now I just need to go back, pick up the paperwork, take a richshaw
home (after arguing about the fare, of course) and take a cool shower and
relax.