Lunchtime musings ...

Between studying, training, applying, and wasting my life away at work, I'm looking for an outlet. Writing is, and always has been, my old reliable. It's been a while since I've posted a b-log, but due to an overwhelming and inspiring grassroots campaign (one person), I think I'll get back to this. For those of you who don't know the b-log, it's as mercurial as Idaho weather. In tone, it ranges from solemn, insightful explorations of the human condition to, and more commonly, random absurdities. Sit back and enjoy. Or don't. Stand and experience anguish. Whichever you choose, know that most of what I do, say, and write is slathered with irony. Real irony. Not like that Alanis Morissette happenstance that totally ruined my generation's definition of the word. Prepare to be MYSTIFIED (but probably not)!

I just returned from Belizean travels yesterday and I'd be lying if I told you that it was "good to be back". It isn't. My job is a constant doldrum of bullshit and office politics. Somehow I've managed to keep myself neutral amongst the the warring factions, but I'm pretty sure that's just because my apathy makes me seem like an ally to each side. At least, as they see it. One side is clearly evil and one is clearly all that is good in this office space, but neither is worth defending at this point. It's a sinking barge, but we're all on the same ship, so it's really quite self-destructive. Eh, I couldn't care less. It still continues to be the benefactor of my desire to globetrot and keep me in the lifestyle to which I have become accustomed (id est, one that really isn't enviable or glamorous, but I get to eat out a lot and try to make a difference in this world where I can by giving myself and AIM's money). That at least satisfies my frustration during this time of limbo, a time of my life in which I feel like I'm in between everything.

Whatever, focus on the positive.

I currently have a lot of irreverent thoughts in my head that would be way more entertaining than philosophizing or lamenting, so let's get to those. Not to mention, I'm not sure I'm in the proper mindset to compose any prose that is coherent or complete. The brain is all over the place. Anyway, HERE BE MUSINGS:

Sitting on the plane yesterday, in my periphery I happened to catch a lady doing a word search across the aisle. People over the age of 7 (months) seriously do word searches? This upsets me for many reasons, but mostly for the fact that word searches can be done by anyone, at any age, at any time, with any IQ. I can't imagine the type of person who gets satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, or, fuck, entertainment out of completing a word search. It's just a bunch of letters and the answers are GIVEN to the solver. It's not like you have to randomly find words or even know how to spell them. Oh, and if you have a handful of words left with which you are struggling, I'd say there's a good chance you can discover those elusive little buggers WHERE THERE ARE ABSOLUTELY NO WORDS CURRENTLY CIRCLED. Novel, eh? I'm not even trying to be a jerk, I just don't get it. There is no sport in a game in which you can place one of these "puzzles" in front of anyone at anytime and, no matter how many branches are absent on his or her family tree, it can be completed within a couple of hours. Does that seem futile to anyone else?

Man, that was longer than expected. Here are a few more, but with brevity in mind:

$3 billion. That is the amount, in US dollars, presidential candidates are expected to spend on TV advertising this race. THREE BILLION DOLLARS. And TV is a dead fucking medium. Consider this: how much more free publicity and goodwill would a candidate garner if he or she donated all of the allotted funds for just TV advertising to domestic or international causes? Insure a few uninsured, renovate a homeless shelter, donate your money and services to a fundraiser for a cause other than your own. How much attention would that get in the middle of a race? And, if you're thinking that we'd rather hear the candidates' platforms and issue stances than hear about a contrived publicity stunt, name one goddamn candidate you couldn't find the issues on. At this point, the public has heard all these people have to say and, if not, you can certainly find it in about three billion places. Even if contrived and manipulative, as least something would be done in this world aside from slinging mud.

With the wildfires, this is the only time Californians would be fine with their state falling into the sea.

A wedding ring is not a gasket for a leaky relationship. (There's something funny and/or clever and/or insightful to be gleaned from that metaphor, so tell me if you find it, 'cause I can't.)

Will this country ever elect a president on a joke? For example, Stephen Colbert is officially running in one state. What would happen if we all just voted for him jokingly, as a ruse and he got elected? I think this nation needs an "Oh, fuck ... " moment to uproot partisanship.

Those new eBay commercials are awesome. I really am confused why eBay needs to advertise, though. Hasn't that company penetrated our collective consciousness yet? I would contend that it has. The commercials are great, but they do nothing for that company other than qualify for induction into the pantheon of companies that have great, memorable, but ultimately ineffectual commercials that persuade the public to think that they are companies that have great, memorable, but ultimately ineffectual commercials. Geico, anyone?

That's probably enough for today. My lunch hour is almost over and I must return to sifting through a myriad of inane e-mails that I was, for some reason, copied on. Thanks for stopping by, everybody.

Until next time, I am as always, Blake.