Thoughts that occupy my mind on the morning commute
I'm rather sick and rather busy with essay writing, but I thought I'd at least share some random thoughts that I jotted down whilst riding the subway yesterday morning. Hopefully this won't be too long, but knowing me, it will be.
1. Reading the newspaper, I'm really loving Canada's Liberal Leadership Convention. Conservative turncoat and opportunist supreme, Belinda Stronach is now a brunette! She looked much better as a blonde (see below). Questionably sane failed Democratic Presidential candidate Howard Dean is speaking! A sure sign that this is the party to back. Above all, I love the fact that the two frontrunners in this race are altogether useless.
7. Eva Green (above) is so hot. She may be the hottest woman ever. Finally saw Casino Royale on Tuesday and wow. She's unreal, one of those women who are so hot and way out of my league and thus, totally make me depressed. I guess I'll go rent The Dreamers, in which she is apparently all sorts of naked for pretty much the whole movie. Otherwise, the movie was VERY good, I'd say one of the best Bond movies ever and easily the best since For Your Eyes Only. Craig is very good and I'm glad that I was wrong about him, as were many people. I wish I didn't know the basic gist of the ending from reading the novel, but other than that I had little to complain about. Yeah, it was a bit longish and the ending was better in the book, but overall it was a great movie and well updated from a book published fifty years ago. Oh and I went to see it with that girl that I've "visited" a couple of times with. I'm sick of her already, truth be told. Really don't want to see her again, she lives way too far and just isn't worth it. Is it bad form if I just ignore her and never speak to her again? Yeah, I'm not Bond. I guess I have to be nice as I can about it. Dammit.
1. Reading the newspaper, I'm really loving Canada's Liberal Leadership Convention. Conservative turncoat and opportunist supreme, Belinda Stronach is now a brunette! She looked much better as a blonde (see below). Questionably sane failed Democratic Presidential candidate Howard Dean is speaking! A sure sign that this is the party to back. Above all, I love the fact that the two frontrunners in this race are altogether useless.
Michael Ignatieff, technocrat supreme, is a guy who hasn't lived in Canada for 30 years, decides to parachute into a riding to run for office, is opposed by that riding's Liberal party chair and is the perfect example of someone who can have all the degrees in the world from all the fanciest schools and is still a complete dumbass. Yes, I guess some say the same about George W. Bush, but at least he never made the pretense of being some great intellectual. Then there's Bob Rae, a man who stumbled his way into being elected Premier of Ontario and quickly proceeded to flush the economic fortunes of this province down the toilet. Enjoying single digit support throughout most of his term, he was voted out in a landslide after one term. Oh and this was all as a member of the NDP, Canada's charming little socialist party. But he's now a Liberal, just in time to run for their leadership. Speaking of opportunism...
Anyways, the other two top tier candidates are relatively unknown compared to these two, but I suspect the party would be a hell of a lot better off with them at the helm. Hopefully that won't happen, as I'd relish going up against either of the two losers I just mentioned. I still can't believe that this party continues to enjoy the level of support it does in this country. I blame the fact the Canadian electorate is just so complacent, uninformed and lethargic that they shrug their collective shoulders and say "Eh, might as well vote Liberal again, I guess" instead of actually paying the slightest bit of attention to what's going on.
2. Was thinking about something my mom told me the other day. She had a friend who was living in New York City and found a man's wallet. She returned it, to a well-dressed middle-eastern looking man. He said to her "I'm not going to give you a cash reward, but I will tell you something that might save your life. Don't drink any Pepsi-Co. products in 2007". Now if he was a white fellow or black or Hispanic or Asian or whatever, one would automatically dismiss him as some sort of wacko. But since he was Arabic, most people would be at least a little freaked out. I hate to say it, but it is true. I'm sure most people don't want to feel a bit uncomfortable, but I guess it's hard to help it still. I sort of do, I'll admit it. People hear two guys speaking in an Arabic sounding language to each other and for a second they get worried that they're plotting to blow up a building or something. That makes me a little sad, but I'm not sure for whom.
3. I really don't like Burkas or similar all-covering clothing for women. I'm not going to go over my reasons, because they're the same ones you've read and heard countless times I'm sure. There is NO need for them in any progressive, forward thinking society in which women are treated as equals, not subservients or even objects. Again, you've heard the arguments before, please don't make me write an essay on this.
4. I hate people who put their bags on the seat next to them, in an attempt to avoid having to sit next to someone else. Or taking the outside seat in a row of two, in order to "block" the inside seat. Leave your bags on the floor or on your lap and sit on the inside. Lots of people ride the subway and sometimes you have to sit next to someone. Get over it.
5. I like people who bring doggies and babies on the subway. Just because doggies and babies are cute and they make me smile on my commute. That's all.
6. I would totally dig being with an older* woman, like 30 or 40. I saw this one woman who was probably mid 30s, very good looking. She was in good shape, but had a few wrinkles and a little bit of baggage under the eyes. That doesn't bother me, in fact I think it adds a certain amount of character. In a way, it's this strange turn on. Plus I've always gotten along better with older people, which probably explains why I have no friends. Where to meet these older women and how to convince them to go out with a 25 year old who lives with parents and still goes to school is the big question though.
Anyways, the other two top tier candidates are relatively unknown compared to these two, but I suspect the party would be a hell of a lot better off with them at the helm. Hopefully that won't happen, as I'd relish going up against either of the two losers I just mentioned. I still can't believe that this party continues to enjoy the level of support it does in this country. I blame the fact the Canadian electorate is just so complacent, uninformed and lethargic that they shrug their collective shoulders and say "Eh, might as well vote Liberal again, I guess" instead of actually paying the slightest bit of attention to what's going on.
2. Was thinking about something my mom told me the other day. She had a friend who was living in New York City and found a man's wallet. She returned it, to a well-dressed middle-eastern looking man. He said to her "I'm not going to give you a cash reward, but I will tell you something that might save your life. Don't drink any Pepsi-Co. products in 2007". Now if he was a white fellow or black or Hispanic or Asian or whatever, one would automatically dismiss him as some sort of wacko. But since he was Arabic, most people would be at least a little freaked out. I hate to say it, but it is true. I'm sure most people don't want to feel a bit uncomfortable, but I guess it's hard to help it still. I sort of do, I'll admit it. People hear two guys speaking in an Arabic sounding language to each other and for a second they get worried that they're plotting to blow up a building or something. That makes me a little sad, but I'm not sure for whom.
3. I really don't like Burkas or similar all-covering clothing for women. I'm not going to go over my reasons, because they're the same ones you've read and heard countless times I'm sure. There is NO need for them in any progressive, forward thinking society in which women are treated as equals, not subservients or even objects. Again, you've heard the arguments before, please don't make me write an essay on this.
4. I hate people who put their bags on the seat next to them, in an attempt to avoid having to sit next to someone else. Or taking the outside seat in a row of two, in order to "block" the inside seat. Leave your bags on the floor or on your lap and sit on the inside. Lots of people ride the subway and sometimes you have to sit next to someone. Get over it.
5. I like people who bring doggies and babies on the subway. Just because doggies and babies are cute and they make me smile on my commute. That's all.
6. I would totally dig being with an older* woman, like 30 or 40. I saw this one woman who was probably mid 30s, very good looking. She was in good shape, but had a few wrinkles and a little bit of baggage under the eyes. That doesn't bother me, in fact I think it adds a certain amount of character. In a way, it's this strange turn on. Plus I've always gotten along better with older people, which probably explains why I have no friends. Where to meet these older women and how to convince them to go out with a 25 year old who lives with parents and still goes to school is the big question though.
*Please note that by "older" woman, I do not mean to suggest that I consider 30 or 40 to be "old" or even "older" in a general sense and I never even meant to imply such. I use the term as relative to my own age, that being 25. Just because someone is older than I am, it does not mean that they are "old" or otherwise enfeebled, decrepit, over-the-hill or that their life is over. One is only as old as they feel, so therefor I probably died six years ago.
7. Eva Green (above) is so hot. She may be the hottest woman ever. Finally saw Casino Royale on Tuesday and wow. She's unreal, one of those women who are so hot and way out of my league and thus, totally make me depressed. I guess I'll go rent The Dreamers, in which she is apparently all sorts of naked for pretty much the whole movie. Otherwise, the movie was VERY good, I'd say one of the best Bond movies ever and easily the best since For Your Eyes Only. Craig is very good and I'm glad that I was wrong about him, as were many people. I wish I didn't know the basic gist of the ending from reading the novel, but other than that I had little to complain about. Yeah, it was a bit longish and the ending was better in the book, but overall it was a great movie and well updated from a book published fifty years ago. Oh and I went to see it with that girl that I've "visited" a couple of times with. I'm sick of her already, truth be told. Really don't want to see her again, she lives way too far and just isn't worth it. Is it bad form if I just ignore her and never speak to her again? Yeah, I'm not Bond. I guess I have to be nice as I can about it. Dammit.
posted by King Hippo at 10:28 PM
18 Comments:
shut up. 30 is not an "older" woman. "older" is like 40. maybe even like 50. ugh...i'm not reading you any more, you're making me depressed...
oh, also, i hear people speak arabic, spanish, chinese, and multiple other languages on my subway ride almost every day. no, i do not get fearful when i hear two guys speaking in arabic. i live in NYC, and a i am NOT afraid every Arabic speaker is going to blow up my building. you apparently buy into the "fear" propoganda. i like to give people the benefit of the doubt. and seriously? if they do blow up my subway or something...oh well. there are worse ways to die...
I ride the subway every day in Toronto, which is just as multi-cultural a city as NYC, perhaps even more so and hear the same things you do (well, when my iPod battery has died). But I wasn't saying that I get all freaked out when I hear people speaking in Arabic, I was simply commenting on the fact that I'm sure a lot of people do think that way. it was just the Pepsi thing that sort of freaked me out, just because it was so weird and because it was certainly a leading story.
For the record, I know and interact with many people of Arabic decent on a regular basis, all of whom are very nice folks.
And as pertaining to your first comment, I have made sure to clarify myself on the orginal post!
no way, my city is way more multi-cultural than your city!!
(i'm trying to highlight stupidity of this argument) i didn't realize toronto has a subway. hmmm... guess i haven't been there since high school. and we just drove where we needed to be.
i talk to no one and ignore everyone on the subway...there could be Mexican troubadors playing guitars and i wouldn't notice (ok, i've actually seen that - and actually noticed - but then turn back to my magazine)
the pepsi thing is bizarre i guess...but i don't drink pepsi anyway...so until someone dies from their pepsi intake, i'm not gonna worry too much...
Katieg is old. Mike digs the old chicks. You two should hook up...
Sam
Given that that vast, vast majority of Islamic terrorism is committed against other Arabs in the Arabic-speaking world, let's not freak out too much. You're far more likley to be killed by an english-speaking person while living in Canada or the states. After the oklahoma city bombing, were you 'freaked-out' by english-speaking right-wingers? somehow I doubt it. I know that we can't control our gut reactions to things, but we can control what we do about them.
And I'm somewhat ambivalent regarding Burquas. On the one hand, they seem to represent antiquated notions about women (the corrupting effects of exposed hair, for example), but nobody's forbidding Amish people from wearing and living however they want, or forcing hasidic jews to liven up thier dress and for that I'm glad. I guess a tolenerant, progressive society must tolerate intolerance sometimes, so long as no laws are broken.
And speaking of which, since when did you want a progressive, forward-thinking society, mr. card-carrying Tory?!
-beer
OMG OMG,
First of all, the conservative government is riduculous.
Second of all, the Liberal party is rediculous(even though I support them)
Third of all, Politics in Canada is retarded, based purely on the uninvolvement of the masses. Political education just doesn't cut it anymore, although this past election may have shown that people may have started paying attention (but only to the anti-party propoganda).
Fourth of all, Arab speaking people scare me because I am socially aloof and George W. makes me believe that they are all really terrorists at heart.
Fifth of all, I am probably the worlds worst person. 30 is old, and by 40 you should be about ready to die, cuz its all downhill from there.
Sixth of all, Mike is right about Belinda Stronach, only because she was way better looking as a blonde, and also that photo makes her look like an old hag (isn't she around 40, which proves my other point).
Seventh of all, KatieG, you are way too self-righteous. You live in NYC, good for you, get over it, get a man, and get on with it.
There, 7 different kinds of smoke, courtesy of You, Me And....
(heart) Dosi
1. Doesn't look like Sam will be on Katie's Christmas card list this year...
2. Beer, I have known you and respected you for a long time, but your comments sort of hurt. I already made an effort to clarify the fact that I don't assume that someone speaking Arabic is going to blow me up, only that this is something that probably crosses many people's minds at some point.If you read the original post again, I said
"People hear two guys speaking in an Arabic sounding language to each other and for a second they get worried that they're plotting to blow up a building or something"
The Pepsi thing was what freaked me out a little, because it was so creepy and so strange. I ride the subway every day, like I said and hear Arabic spoken ALL THE TIME. It does not bother me one bit.
As for the Burkas, you proved my point for me. It's the fact that it oppresses women, not that it's an expression of religion. The same basic rules for modest dress goes for both Amish men AND women, whereas the burka is a symbol of female oppression.
And I don't know how being a Conservative Party member means I don't want a society in which women have the same rights as men, people have freedom of religion, a separation of church and state, a freedom of press and of opinion and so on. I like to think it's things like that which define a "prgressinve and forward thinking society".
3. Dosi also isn't getting on Katie's Christmas card list and is still as crazy as ever. He really should have his own blog. It would make this circus look like an Amish tea party.
wow - self-righteous, huh? no, i'm just always right.
and i'm sorry, i thought the purpose of a "comment" section was to actually leave "comments" - but apparently, they're unwanted. i'll have to refrain from bothering in the future.
i used to hold such high opinions of canadians.
Dear The People that Post on this Blog;
Comments are always welcome, they allow interaction between the members, even though I am too lazy to become a member.
However, I am also currently very jaded against the female gender, since they "always think they are right". Perhaps instead of spouting some inate jargon, you actually READ what Mike has to say, and then comment on what he says, not what it sounds like he is saying. That's a typically female move. If you pay attention, you won't make yourself look like an ass. Isn't reading comprehension taught at a very early age and constantly reinforced throughout life? Fuck.
(heart) Dosi
Furthermore,
"I used to hold such high opinions of Canadians" further reinforces the American stereotype. Nothing Mike has said can really be taken as offensive. Just what I have said, and it was my purpose to be offensive.
(heart) Dosi
One Last Thing,
Most of my rage comes from my boy Jake Plummer, the former QB of the Denver Broncos, being replaced by that piece of shit Jay Cutler. Denver was doing just fine, and then everyone starts shitting on Jake Plummer and blaming him for two losses, one to the team that will undoubtedly make it to the SuperBowl(the chargers) and a shit loss to Kansas City. Then they replace him with Jay "the only reason my numbers are bad instead of fucking the worst is because my receivers do all the work" Cutler. And they lose to the Seattle Seahawks, who looked absolutely ATROCIOUS. Give me a fucking break. Mike Shanahan is a knob, and I am even further enraged because Plummer is now done, no one is going to want him because hes getting a bit old. He will never start in the NFL again and that just sucks.
(heart) Dosi
Hey, Dosi (Mr. I am the King of Reading Comprehension)
If you're going to get on Katie's case about not fully understanding what she's reading before commenting, perhaps you should try editing your comment before you post. Isn't editing "taught at a very early age and constantly reinforced throughout life?"
I believe you mean "inane", meaning "lacking significance, meaning, or point"
- not - "inate" which is (1) spelled incorrectly, and (2) the wrong choice of word, as it means "belonging to the essential nature of something".
Also, just to be a bitch, I'll point out that 'jargon' does not fit in the sentence, as that would infer that Katie's comment was incomprehensible or convoluted, which it is not. The fact that you don't agree with her does not make her comment insignificant jargon.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Yikes! So much hostility.
For the record, I like your comments, Katie and I thank you for making them, even if I don't always agree.
Secondly, Beer also sort of misread my comments and he's a male and a Canadian.
Lastly, I'd rather have Daphne and Katie being the ones gettting into it! I like it when girls fight...
Daphne,
I never once said I was the "King of Reading Comprehension" although I suppose I did infer it and good on you for picking it up. That's quite an astute observation, one I am surprised you made considering your gender (I am assuming that you are a woman, not like that Adrien character who was a man with a woman's name). But I digress, you got me, and got me good you did.
Furthermore, I chose to use the word jargon as a description of Katie's post because it doesn't make sense. It pertains to nothing posted on this blog, instead, it pertains to what she "assumed" to be posted on this blog. Thus, it was completely pointless, and the point that I was making was that both her and Mike were arguing completely different things, but thanks for bringing the dictionary out on me.
(heart) Dosi
Dosi, why would you be surprised that a woman could make an astute observation? I don't understand the connection.
[notes to herself to remove Dosi from her Christmas card list]
And Kid Icarus - thanks for the belated Birthday wishes!
Daphne;
You're cute :). Merry Christmas and Happy Belated Birthday!
(heart) Dosi
Thanks Dosi ;)
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