How many corners do I have to turn?
How many times do I have to learn
All the love I have is in my mind?
--Alon, "Lucky Man"
As the holiday season begins, and the new year approaches, I have decided to re-evaluate my life, and my priorities. In doing so, the decision to adopt an entirely new life philosophy has rendered itself expedient, because, well, let's be honest, the old one was getting worn out, depressing and just too difficult to adhere to. (It's a time-honored practice of mine to move on to something new when I start to struggle. You should see my collection of unfinished art projects, jigsaw puzzles, poems, and short stories.)
The new philosophy I have decided to adopt is a cliche. One of my students tried to preach it to me last week when I had them write in their notebooks about something they did when they were angry that they wish they could go back and change.
"I don't know what to write about," said one student.
"Haven't you ever done anything you regret?"
"You gotta live your life without regrets, mister."
I spent a few seconds attempting to contradict the student, then walked away because kids don't listen to anything I say.
Then, this weekend, I started thinking about it. I decided I like the idea of not regretting anything I do, and thus, not wallowing in self-pity and guilt after making a poor decision. In fact this new philosophy: Live life without regrets, will excuse me from ever apologizing for anything again. You see, now that I don't regret anything, I don't really make any mistakes. Nothing I say is rude or out of line because I'm just being honest, and I don't regret anything. Nothing I do is wrong, and if it is I don't care because I don't regret anything. It's really nice.
I can't wait to see where the new year and this new philosophy takes me. I imagine my life may get really exciting as I say and do things I have never had the guts to say or do for fear of regretting it later. I think my pick up lines will get much more interesting...and my relationships a lot less time consuming.
Speaking of relationships, have you ever found yourself at a point in life where you don't like anyone, and don't want to? I'm on a raft on a river flowing in that direction. All of my relationships with people (other than family members, of course) seem so shallow. They are based on convenience and personal gratification. Money, sex, or food is usually involved. Fortunately, I don't regret any of this.
And that's my regretless week in a Nutshell,
Hop
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Band-aid
When will I start to learn (Oh yeah--eee--yeahhah)
I'm bleeding in this game,
'Cause she uses boys like bandages
But the wounds remain the same.
--Third Eye Blind, "Water Landing"
Betsy says my blog is always so angst-ridden and filled with such emotion and despair that when she reads it she feels like I'm a total drama king.
So, I thought about writing a really dramatic post, dripping with angst, and all that melodramatic crap I've been laying on a little too thick lately. But then I thought, Why should I? Who cares what Betsy thinks? Not me. Not me.
Well, an hour ago I got online and made my final payment for my 2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster. I paid it off in just under 3 years. I own it. It's mine...or it will be when the e-payment is processed and the bank sends me the title...but I did it. It's so crazy. One of my ever lurking debts has been dealt a deathblow. (Dig the alliteration.)
Does anyone wanna buy a 2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster?
I got my hair cut last night...I have my National Guard drill this weekend, and last drill they threatened to cut my pay because my hair was too long...
...As a result, my students have been driven mad by my stunning good looks. Mad with desire, I think. It's a little ridiculous. One of my students told me I look hot. Seriously. What are their parents teaching them? When did it become okay to say to your teacher, "Mister, you look hot today"? Sure, a compliment is one thing...but saying I look hot? Isn't that borderline sexual harassment?
As you probably don't know, my birthday is coming up. And I'll tell you one thing I'm not going to do this year. I'm not going to write a big long paragraph about what I want for my birthday, and shamelessly solicit presents from people by telling them all the cool things I wish I had. I mean, it's so pathetic when you're reading someone's blog, and they're like: Oh, my birthday is on Friday. If you want to make me happy, you can get me the new John Mayer cd. Or when they try to drop subtle hints like: I have the first four seasons of House on DVD, I wonder what happens in season 5, or Have you read the new Nick Hornby novel? Me neither. Books make the best gifts. See, I think it's just annoying when people try to make their birthdays all about them, and when they just go on about what you should get them. As if a new set of silverware for their kitchen (because their roommates constantly use all the spoons) will make their birthday a happy one. I mean, who really believes a giftcard to Borders is a thoughtful gift? Seriously. If you want to give someone a thoughtful present, give them a framed picture of the two of you together. Or just write them a letter and slip a couple of Andrew Jacksons in the envelope. But, when it comes right down to it, a phone call sometime between 1:30 and 5:00 Pacific Time Zone would be the simplest solution to your question of what to get the guy who has everything he needs and a bunch of junk he doesn't. These people with their blogs must think their friends are total morons, or something, posting on the internet for all to see their birthday wishlist. It's pathetic people. Really, I mean, I pity them.
And that's my wounded week in a Nutshell,
Hop
I'm bleeding in this game,
'Cause she uses boys like bandages
But the wounds remain the same.
--Third Eye Blind, "Water Landing"
Betsy says my blog is always so angst-ridden and filled with such emotion and despair that when she reads it she feels like I'm a total drama king.
So, I thought about writing a really dramatic post, dripping with angst, and all that melodramatic crap I've been laying on a little too thick lately. But then I thought, Why should I? Who cares what Betsy thinks? Not me. Not me.
Well, an hour ago I got online and made my final payment for my 2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster. I paid it off in just under 3 years. I own it. It's mine...or it will be when the e-payment is processed and the bank sends me the title...but I did it. It's so crazy. One of my ever lurking debts has been dealt a deathblow. (Dig the alliteration.)
Does anyone wanna buy a 2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster?
I got my hair cut last night...I have my National Guard drill this weekend, and last drill they threatened to cut my pay because my hair was too long...
...As a result, my students have been driven mad by my stunning good looks. Mad with desire, I think. It's a little ridiculous. One of my students told me I look hot. Seriously. What are their parents teaching them? When did it become okay to say to your teacher, "Mister, you look hot today"? Sure, a compliment is one thing...but saying I look hot? Isn't that borderline sexual harassment?
As you probably don't know, my birthday is coming up. And I'll tell you one thing I'm not going to do this year. I'm not going to write a big long paragraph about what I want for my birthday, and shamelessly solicit presents from people by telling them all the cool things I wish I had. I mean, it's so pathetic when you're reading someone's blog, and they're like: Oh, my birthday is on Friday. If you want to make me happy, you can get me the new John Mayer cd. Or when they try to drop subtle hints like: I have the first four seasons of House on DVD, I wonder what happens in season 5, or Have you read the new Nick Hornby novel? Me neither. Books make the best gifts. See, I think it's just annoying when people try to make their birthdays all about them, and when they just go on about what you should get them. As if a new set of silverware for their kitchen (because their roommates constantly use all the spoons) will make their birthday a happy one. I mean, who really believes a giftcard to Borders is a thoughtful gift? Seriously. If you want to give someone a thoughtful present, give them a framed picture of the two of you together. Or just write them a letter and slip a couple of Andrew Jacksons in the envelope. But, when it comes right down to it, a phone call sometime between 1:30 and 5:00 Pacific Time Zone would be the simplest solution to your question of what to get the guy who has everything he needs and a bunch of junk he doesn't. These people with their blogs must think their friends are total morons, or something, posting on the internet for all to see their birthday wishlist. It's pathetic people. Really, I mean, I pity them.
And that's my wounded week in a Nutshell,
Hop
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Everybody Get Dangerous
For this reason, a man should fix his affections upon a girl who is of good family, whose parents are alive, and who is three years or more younger than himself.... She should also be beautiful, of a good disposition, with lucky marks on her body, and with good hair, nails, teeth, ears, eyes...
--Mallanaga Vatsyayana, The Kama Sutra
Yes, that's right. I'm taking relationship advice from an ancient Indian text. Actually, this is about all I have read. (It leaves me to wonder what it means by "lucky marks on her body"?)
I bought a new phone a couple of weeks ago--one with the capability to simultaneously surf the web, find a good sushi restaurant, play music, check movie showtimes, offer a weather report and show pictures my friends recently uploaded to Facebook--all while I'm driving 90mph on the freeway without a seatbelt and texting my friends as I read a book I've downloaded (for free) to my phone. I love it. It's brought an element of danger to my life I never imagined could exist. Perhaps to up the ante a bit, I'll try this all while riding my Harley. You know, to make it really dangerous...
Anyway, as I mentioned, my new phone has the capability of downloading books for free, and when I first browsed the library, one of the top downloads, was The Kama Sutra. Oh, the power of suggestion. With one tap of my finger to the touch screen, I was downloading one of the world's top authorities on...what is this book about anyway? (I know what you're thinking, and NO, there are no pictures, so let me type an emoticon that represents me sticking my tongue out at you. :P ) Since downloading the application, I finished Bram Stoker's Dracula and I'm now reading H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man.
This past week our nation celebrated Veteran's Day. It's a day we set aside to show appreciation for those who have done something most of us would never do. Something dangerous, like fighting in a war. I started my celebration with free food. My friends had a Veteran's Day breakfast. (No, I didn't dress up in my ACUs and march, or perform a flag ceremony or anything of the like...I wasn't even invited to say a few words or offer a prayer over the food...) I also celebrated by spending money on clothes, working out at the gym, and eating a complimentary meal from Applebee's. My meal was complimentary because I happen to possess a military ID card.
I have unofficially decided to change my wardrobe--a dangerous move, I admit, particularly considering I'm doing this with virtually no female input whatsoever. I used to wear khaki shorts and bright t-shirts that had some sort of clever remark painted on the front. I'm now moving towards an entire wardrobe of blue, black, and grey. Probably because that's how I feel most of the time... So, I've replaced all of my cheesy "type tees" with virtually indistinguishable black and grey t-shirts purchased for less than $10 each from the clothing racks at Ross (Dress For Less). I have three criteria that must be met before I buy a t-shirt: (1) It must be the proper color--black, blue, or grey. (2) It must cost less than $10. (3) It must have some sort of design with wings on it. If a t-shirt like this exists at Ross (Dress For Less), I probably bought it.
There might be some sort of symbolism attached to the wings on the t-shirt. Something about freedom, or flying. Both of these things are dangerous in their own rite. Or is it "right"?
This week our school offered free tickets to the UNLV vs. Pittsburgh basketball game. I'm going and I'm taking the girl from the computer lab. You haven't heard about her, because I don't know enough to really mention her. I mean, all I know is she likes books, she grew up in Alaska, and she transferred here from Georgia. I don't know her name or how old she is, or anything really important, so we'll see how it goes. Yes, some might consider it dangerous to go out with someone I don't know...but I have no choice but to take such risks. It could make for another great date story, like the blind date of 2007 we all remember so well...
And that's my dangerous week in a Nutshell,
Hop
--Mallanaga Vatsyayana, The Kama Sutra
Yes, that's right. I'm taking relationship advice from an ancient Indian text. Actually, this is about all I have read. (It leaves me to wonder what it means by "lucky marks on her body"?)
I bought a new phone a couple of weeks ago--one with the capability to simultaneously surf the web, find a good sushi restaurant, play music, check movie showtimes, offer a weather report and show pictures my friends recently uploaded to Facebook--all while I'm driving 90mph on the freeway without a seatbelt and texting my friends as I read a book I've downloaded (for free) to my phone. I love it. It's brought an element of danger to my life I never imagined could exist. Perhaps to up the ante a bit, I'll try this all while riding my Harley. You know, to make it really dangerous...
Anyway, as I mentioned, my new phone has the capability of downloading books for free, and when I first browsed the library, one of the top downloads, was The Kama Sutra. Oh, the power of suggestion. With one tap of my finger to the touch screen, I was downloading one of the world's top authorities on...what is this book about anyway? (I know what you're thinking, and NO, there are no pictures, so let me type an emoticon that represents me sticking my tongue out at you. :P ) Since downloading the application, I finished Bram Stoker's Dracula and I'm now reading H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man.
This past week our nation celebrated Veteran's Day. It's a day we set aside to show appreciation for those who have done something most of us would never do. Something dangerous, like fighting in a war. I started my celebration with free food. My friends had a Veteran's Day breakfast. (No, I didn't dress up in my ACUs and march, or perform a flag ceremony or anything of the like...I wasn't even invited to say a few words or offer a prayer over the food...) I also celebrated by spending money on clothes, working out at the gym, and eating a complimentary meal from Applebee's. My meal was complimentary because I happen to possess a military ID card.
I have unofficially decided to change my wardrobe--a dangerous move, I admit, particularly considering I'm doing this with virtually no female input whatsoever. I used to wear khaki shorts and bright t-shirts that had some sort of clever remark painted on the front. I'm now moving towards an entire wardrobe of blue, black, and grey. Probably because that's how I feel most of the time... So, I've replaced all of my cheesy "type tees" with virtually indistinguishable black and grey t-shirts purchased for less than $10 each from the clothing racks at Ross (Dress For Less). I have three criteria that must be met before I buy a t-shirt: (1) It must be the proper color--black, blue, or grey. (2) It must cost less than $10. (3) It must have some sort of design with wings on it. If a t-shirt like this exists at Ross (Dress For Less), I probably bought it.
There might be some sort of symbolism attached to the wings on the t-shirt. Something about freedom, or flying. Both of these things are dangerous in their own rite. Or is it "right"?
This week our school offered free tickets to the UNLV vs. Pittsburgh basketball game. I'm going and I'm taking the girl from the computer lab. You haven't heard about her, because I don't know enough to really mention her. I mean, all I know is she likes books, she grew up in Alaska, and she transferred here from Georgia. I don't know her name or how old she is, or anything really important, so we'll see how it goes. Yes, some might consider it dangerous to go out with someone I don't know...but I have no choice but to take such risks. It could make for another great date story, like the blind date of 2007 we all remember so well...
And that's my dangerous week in a Nutshell,
Hop
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