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August 31, 2005
Return from Vermont, Metro Hotties, New Death Cab, Softball, New Orleans, So Long Guzman!
Vermont was awesome. For the first time in my life, I wasn't miserable while in the middle of nowhere. In fact - I had a pretty damn good time. You will still never get me to spend a lot of time in the middle of nowhere, but middle of nowhere Vermont is MUCH better than middle of nowhere Virginia. There's some Yankee snobbery for ya.
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One of the nice things about being single again is Metro Hotties. Glancing, oogling, eye flirting - the occasional smile you get from an outgoing girl. It can be a balance - being Metro flirty without being creepy. I definitely make it a policy to avoid being creepy. However, I'm probably over-cautious in some circumstances. Like with the really attractive bookish girl who sat down next to me at Farragut West and didn't move even when there were other seats open. I am kicking myself for not at least saying hi. There've been a couple of times where I've been on an escalator, or walking on the platform - and gotten a nice smile as I walk past. I should learn to take that as an invitation. But nonetheless, I still am bad at taking it beyond flirting or approaching attractive members of the opposite sex. I get shy. Unless I have consumed alcohol - in which case it becomes a LOT easier. And that's why I love Dreamos so much. And nerdy girls. And Jewish girls. And nerdy Jewish girls. Definitely love nerdy Jewish girls. With dark hair, and dark eyes.
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The new Death Cab for Cutie album is awesome. Favorite Track? Brothers on a Hotel Bed. My iPod has turned into a DCC jukebox. They're coming to 9:30 soon - I need to find someone to go with me. Then again, I need to find someone to go with me to Sigur Ros (if tickets are still available.)
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We won our final Softball game. Sweet. I got a hit. Sweet. It went out of the infield...nice. So what if my D sucked - my arm was tired. And besides, it was the last game of the season.
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So New Orleans is presently underwater. Just remember folks - the biggest problem is the loss of money, not the loss of life. The majority of the people survived - the death toll is no higher then any other storm. It's terrible that people have lost their homes, and a city has been destroyed. But it could be far, far worse.
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When Deivi Cruz is an upgrade, it's sad. My mother doesn't like that I verbally eviscerate Guzman so much. But he deserves it. He's terrible! Awful! Horrible! Cruz is an upgrade - this guy has a lackluster on base percentage, and never walks! Oi vei! But he's better than Guzman. We're also starting the arbitration clock on Zimmerman. Can't we just get Rick Short playing 3rd, and save ourselves losing yet another player before his prime? Keeping F-Rob is debatable. Keeping Trader Jim would be criminal.
Posted by MikeSager at 8:16 PM | Comments (2)
August 25, 2005
Retreat!
I'm following a DC tradition - which is to get the hell out of DC at some point in August. Retreating to Vermont. I will tell the tales upon my return (though I may blog some more before I leave tonight).
Posted by MikeSager at 8:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 18, 2005
So Move Then!
As I walk to work in the morning from the Friendship Heights Metro, I often pass this car.
Someone complaining about DC pointing out the fact it has no representation on their car? You know what - I say to them what people like that always say to those of us who think that DC should have Congressional Representation - if you don't like it, move.
Posted by MikeSager at 12:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 11, 2005
Down with Gravity, Music for Commercials aren't Commercial Music, Happy Hours, Bands, The Pointlessness of Blog Categories
Intelligent Design versus Evolution? Small potatoes. It's time we start talking about the bigger abuse from the scientific community. That's portraying gravity as fact - I mean, it's just a theory after all, right?
I would like to see our school systems start to teach what I call "Invisible Hands" theory, wherein what keeps us from flying off into space are invisible hands that reach out from the Earth. Which is flat, by the way. Duh.
It's time that we open our classrooms to Invisible Hands - it has just as much validity as gravity... And besides, can they prove gravity even works? I mean, what ACTUAL evidence is there that gravity exists?
Next I will work on getting Flying Spaghetti Monster Creation theory taught alongside Invisible Hands. I was touched by his noodley appendage. Arrr...
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So commercials have featured songs by Aqueduct, Iron & Wine, and I'm sure many many other indie bands. The Postal Service's Such Great Heights has turned into a bonafide smash hit. The Shins are finding their way onto mix CDs next to Gwen Stefani.
I have to ask - what the fuck is going on???!!??? I mean, AQUEDUCT? What's next - Pinback's Grey Machine selling Mr. Pibb? How about some Grandaddy in Colgate Ads?
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For the first time in my life, tomorrow I will travel straight from work to a Happy Hour. Going with Annie. Should be much fun. We will go drink cocktails, and decompress from the day. Like a normal person. Wow - a job that ends at a normal hour. This is a novel concept for me.
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So I am playing with a band on Monday night. Met them off of craigslist and the City Paper. They practice up near U Street. I haven't played with anyone since I was doing double duty with Severance and In The Honor of Thieves in January of '04. My Marshall stack has been collecting dust in the closet. It is time to rectify this. I also got an e-mail back from another group I was interested in. That one is playing stuff a little more my speed, but this group I play with on monday is still very much up my alley. We'll see what happens.
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Alright, so I have these blog categories right? But then I just end up writing about 20 different things in a post. Kind of pointless, eh?
Posted by MikeSager at 12:02 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 9, 2005
Single Guy, Sonic Youth/Aqueduct/Death Cab/Metric/Sigur Ros, Enjoyment of Work, Softball
So I've been doing this single thing since about January. Admittedly, it's been a little difficult at times "Well, I never finished a bachelors degree, I work on political campaigns, and I live in parents basement...hello?" But then a funny thing happened when I least expected it - random girls are flirting with me, without any prompting or action on my part.
I catch them checking me out on the Metro (If you're the one who wore the red jacket and got off at Friendship Heights Monday morning, e-mail me!) At bars (though I found out later in the night that she was the guitar player in the band we went to see, and in my embarassement (and my complete lack of respect for anyone who goes to a show and leaves with a musician (unless that musician is me, but I digress)) I refused to pursue it any further even if she does have beautiful dark hair and beautiful dark eyes), and other random places. I've gotten everything from a shy glance of eyes followed by an embarassed look away, to a "nice ass."
I've got to say, I enjoy this a lot. Especially the one who checked me out on the escalator, and when I noticed she smiled at me. I really liked that one - I should've talked to her. But then again - what would I say "Commute here often?"
However, I also decided to give JDate a whirl (because of my mother's suggestion, and my insatiable curiosity for all things kosher). And then I proceeded to laugh my ass off when all the matches in the area around my zipcode (and I need to tell it not to look in Reston) were people I knew from Hebrew School.
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How come nobody bothered to mention to me that I love Sonic Youth even if I never actually owned any of their music until tonight? I feel like my friends have failed me! Come on guys - why did you never force me to listen to Sonic Youth???!!???
Aqueduct licensed Hardcore Days and Softcore Nights to a Jaguar commercial. But they're still unknown enough that it makes the Jaguar hip as opposed to making Aqueduct "sell-outs" (I of course say that in jest - you sell out the moment you sign a record deal, so you might as well get paid to make the music you like to make. Go car commercial!)
Death Cab are coming here in October. DCeiver thinks they're going to 930, but I suspect that Patriot Center or Bender Arena is more likely. Bender Arena? Please insert liquor! (Enough Futurama).
Metric has a new album coming out. I am ever so hopeful that it is as awesome as their first record. Though I am concerned that the first single is called "Monster Hospital". Feels Avenue Q-ish.
Sigur Ros is coming to Strathmore on September 11th. Anyone have any interest in attending with me?
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I want to get this out there - I like my new job. I REALLY like my new job. I haven't enjoyed my work since Kerry. It is definitely a good feeling.
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Speaking of work, we're playing Children's Defense Fund tomorrow. This game is a big deal for me - it's my first game with NGP, and it's against the group I almost took a job with. Lois, my dear dear friend who works at CDF, has been talking smack about this - all the way from Paris. She won't be here, but I'm hoping another one of my Kerry-land friends who works at CDF will.
Posted by MikeSager at 10:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 8, 2005
Peter Jennings
You signed off too soon.
Posted by MikeSager at 12:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 4, 2005
A Disgusting Attack, Novak on Edge, Shutout!, Bicycle
An Israeli settler attacked and murdered 4 Palestinian civilians. What does this prove? There's a very distinct difference between the two sides in this war. One side willfully targets civilians. The other side abhors the death of civilians. Within an hour of theses attacks, Ariel Sharon condemned them. When did Arafat ever condemn an attack on civilians? The again, Arafat was ordering them.
The most regretful thing about this incident is the loss of civilians. A civilian is never a legitimate target. But this incident also paints a domestic picture - how those on the extreme are reacting. It is unfortunate that those on the far left have made Israel their target of choice. In all of the encounters I've had with people who are virulently anti-Israeli, it is readily apparent that it is merely cloaked anti-semitism. There's nothing wrong with being critical of Israel - I consider myself to be a very large critic of Israel just as I am a very large critic of my own country. But there's a difference between having a legitimate grievance with policy, and singling out one country and holding it to an impossible standard. Especially while, at the same time, standards are lowered for the other side of this conflict.
Let me get this clear right now - the Israelis should've pulled out of the West Bank and Gaza years ago. It was right of Barak to offer what he offered during the peace process. Israel should hold itself to a high standard, and hold itself to the rule of law - as it does. IDF soldiers must stop attacking the press, and must be more careful to avoid unnecessary civilian casulties. But there is a difference between a civilian being caught in the crossfire of a fight between military units, and blowing up a Pizza Parlor or Daycare or City Bus. If you think the death of Rachel Corey was noble, then you need to look at who's murdering who.
If the roles were reveresed, and this was an Arab shooting Jews on a bus (bear in mind that all involved were Israeli citizens) then the Arabs would celebrate the gunman as a martyr. The family would recieve financial considerations. And the government would be silent. But since this was a Jew attacking Arabs, the Israeli Government, Military, and Police all denounced the attack. This man's family will likely not be able to stay in Israel (if they're even there in the first place). And had he not been killed by the mob, he would've been arrested and locked up forever.
Which brings me to my point - I am sick and tired of hearing those who claim to represent those of us on the left denouncing every "human rights abuse" and "racist" act of Israel. You want racist acts? Look at Darfur. Or Liberia. Or Indonesia. Or Chechnya. You want Human Rights Abuse? Look at China. Or Russia. Or the Congo. Or Cuba. There are many worse offenders in the world. Going after Israel while ignoring said offenders is not criticism. It is Anti-Semitism. For more on this, checkout The Case for Israel by Alan Dershowitz. This book does to Finkelstein and Chomsky what Lies and Lying Liars did to Bill O'Reilly and Fox News.
Moving onto slightly lighter matters... Bob Novak said bullshit on CNN today, and then stormed off the set. I'm confused - isn't this one of the neocons who was shocked, shocked, by Janet Jackson's breast? Guess it's tough to recognize that you're a principle actor in the unravelling of your buddy Dubya. Just saying...
So I could've gone to the game tonight. Patterson pitched a shutout, and got 13 strikeouts. Wilky hit a grand slam. I could've been there tonight. Then again, I was there last night and the night before... But still...13 strikeouts. 7 runs. Man...
So I've started biking again. I used to be active - I started running on the treadmill in the gym of my former super-swanky apartment building in downtown Orlando. But here I have no gym. And I tried running on the paths here once, and realized that was a pretty laughable idea for me. But on my bicycle...How wonderful.
But there are rules to how to engage in physical excersize in DC.
Rule number 1: Bring the iPod. How else are you going to listen to the new Death Cab for Cutie?
Rule number 2: Shorts are acceptable, even if your legs give sasquatch a run for his money. (I'll discuss my Sideshow Bob hair in another entry).
Rule number 3: A t-shirt from a former campaign must be worn, extra points if it's from a losing campaign (Come on - we're Democrats. We have lots of THOSE shirts). Besides, where else are you going to be able to strut a John Kerry or Bill Bradlee t-shirt?
Rule number 4: If on Bicycle, wear a helmet. That big squishy thing inside that skull is what makes you your money. Besides, the helmets look much cooler now than they used to. I asked the guy at the bike store what the difference between the $30 model and the $80 model - he said "Comfort. But they're all comfortable." So I asked, "Does the $30 model do just as good of a job as the $80 model in letting me continue to not die?" "Yes - you will continue to not die if you wear either model. They all meet the same safety standards."
Rule number 5: Fanny packs are acceptable when working out. But ONLY when working out. Wearing it any other time will bring shame onto your whole household. In fact, if you do - even while working out, wear one - I suggest the campaign t-shirt. That way, people will realize that you're a local and not yell at you for sport when you're on the Metro.
Posted by MikeSager at 11:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack