Entries from March 2004 ↓

I don’t usually do these things, but….

Nope. Sorry. Not interested. I don�t feel like it. I�ve got something else to do.

I�ve been saying those words a lot lately. Just about any time someone asks me to do something. There�s a touch of insincerity to it, but I�m unconcerned. I don�t care.

Can�t quite put my finger on the reasons behind the malaise. On one hand, it�s a general boredom around doing the same things in the same way with the same people. The search for something new and different to excite me, and the inability to find it. On the other hand, it may just be that sense of entitlement and privilege that comes with age. I know what I want and that ain�t it. Go away. No more going along just to get along.

It may also stem from basic fatigue. Forty hour work weeks will sap your mental energy more than anything else. Asking me to do anything on my time that I didn�t plan on doing is asking a lot.

It could also be seasonal. It�s not quite spring so it�s not quite warm. It�s not winter but it�s still kinda cold. Never completely sunny, but not completely grey. Just enough to keep you off balance and edgy.

I can�t promise you I�ll get to the bottom of any of this. Right now, I just don�t feel like it.

�…These guys are the most crooked, you know, lying group I�ve ever seen. It�s scary.� — Sen. John Kerry, on Republicans

The Bush reelection team has the audacity to want John Kerry to apologize for making that statement. Kerry was making private comments to supporters in Chicago on Wednesday and forget he still had a microphone on. His remarks were heard by reporters.

Excuse me, but what part of that was a lie?

If he said anything untrue, then perhaps he should apologize. Frankly, I think his comments were too polite.

The Bush Administration is the evil empire, make no mistake about it. They illegally occupy the office having stolen the election four years ago, and they have done their damnedest to lie and steal their way through everything else since.

Kerry should make no apologies but instead be even more aggressive in labeling and defining Bush, so that choices are quite clear in November. This is no time for a gentlemanly, by the book campaign, as others also suggest. Kerry must take the offensive and make it clear that Bush represents only the most narrowly drawn racist, sexist, homophobic, pro-business, anti-worker, elitist and imperialistic interests, so that even dullards in the swing states can see the difference.

But Kerry must also clearly articulate a vision for America that outlines how real job formation at living wages will come about; how to mend relationships with all the other countries we alienated by launching the unnecessary attack on Iraq; how to extricate ourselves from military hotspots all over the globe and foster and respect national sovereignty in those regions; how to provide leadership around America�s domestic needs, specifically its social programs, and not force those with the least to pay the most. In short, Kerry must demonstrate how he will do all the things Bush has failed at.

This election is not about same-sex marriage or morality on television in the wake of �Tittiegate�. It is about how our federal tax dollars are spent both at home and abroad, who gets to appoint federal judges that will impact generations to come, and what kind of future we can all expect with threats to the Social Security system and cuts to education funding.

UPDATE: Check out “Grand Theft America”.

After what, three years on hiatus, The Sopranos return to the Sunday night lineup for their fifth season on HBO.

Everyone�s favorite North Jersey mafia family has promised to give us more nail-biting tails of deception, greed and violence centered around Tony Soprano�s (James Gandolfini) organized crime family, and less on the deception, greed and violence stemming from his biological family.

Separated from his wife Carmela (Edie Falco), she�ll try to divorce him and get a financial settlement, but it won�t come without a fight. Tony will also have his hands full with some new mob rivals. Actors Steve Buscemi and Robert Loggia will have guest starring roles this season.

Fasten your seatbelts, we�re in for a helluva ride.

We�re coming out of the winter doldrums. The days are getting sunnier, warmer and longer and we�re shedding those winter clothes. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Spring is just around the corner.

Had enough clich�s?

This all boils down to one thing. Everybody is lonely and horny and looking for love. If you read the blog family anyway. Seems everyone has the urge to merge, if only they could find someone, or work up the courage to say hello. Sounds a lot like discussions we had last fall.

Now in the interest of living up to my �Uncle Bernie� reputation, I�d be remiss if I didn�t at least attempt to pass along some unclely advice to the lovelorn. Mind you, this comes from the school of �do as I say, not as I do� but I have it on good authority it works. Perhaps just below a certain age range.

First (and I do practice this one), lower your expectations. If you walk into every social setting hoping to meet Mr. Wright, not only are you not likely to meet him, but you�ll miss out on the fun of just getting to know new people. Serious relationships grow out of friendships and common bonds, not at first glance like in the movies or romance novels. Show some interest in other people and they may prove to be worth your interest, because…

It�s not all about you. Self consciousness and second guessing are born out of an unnecessary preoccupation with yourself. You can�t predict who�s gonna like you and who�s not, who�s gonna think you are too short or not attractive enough, dressed all wrong or some other internalized insecurity. Take a shower, put on clean clothes, smile and be yourself, and (I�m repeating myself here) express some interest in getting to know the people around you.

While I�m at it, shyness is not a weakness. If played right, it can be a charming asset. If that�s your personality trait, understand it and use it as an ice breaker. Even extroverts get nervous on first introduction, so acknowledging that allows you to move past it. But…

Don�t jump into bed right away. Especially if you hope to form a relationship with the person. (If all you want is a booty call, then smoke �em if you got �em.) If you seem too easy, you aren�t valued goods, you are soon to be �used� goods.

Don�t judge a book by it�s cover. Ok, another clich�, I know. But if all you�re looking at are pretty people, you may be overlooking some gems. Sometimes the most ordinary looking are the nicest.

Lead an interesting life. Which gets back to my pet peeve about clubs and bars. Not to imply that interesting people never go there, but you have so little opportunity to demonstrate how interesting you are in those settings. Exercise the muscle between your ears. Attending a discussion group on some topic dear to your heart allows you to pontificate on the many things you know and show everyone how your mind works. Taking a group exercise class or joining a bike riding club, for example, shares a common interest with like minds (and shows off your body too).

Don�t take rejection personally. Just because someone doesn�t find you appealing, doesn�t mean you aren�t appealing to someone. Their rejection is just one person�s opinion. Let it go and move on.

Be aware of your strengths and play to them. And don�t tell me you don�t have any, we all do. If you can�t see them, ask your friends. They might be physical, intellectual, spiritual, whatever. Find ways to demonstrate them in group settings so others can see them clearly too. Which is similar to…

Flaunt it if you got it. Dress to impress, which doesn�t necessarily mean spending a lot on clothes. It�s more about wearing them well. If you look hotter from the rear, wear the tight jeans tonight. Got a nice face? Avoid hats or hair styles that hide it.

Finally, check the attitude! NOBODY likes bitchy queens. NOBODY. If you are the type that loves to sit and read people, or you walk around with a major log on your shoulders, know that it only reflects poorly on you. That person who might have been interested can surely see this.

We�ll all be getting outside more in the days and weeks ahead and opportunities to meet new people will be plentiful, if you keep your eyes, ears and minds open.

Ah, my work is done here.