Random Thoughts #23 - the "Linux" edition

Hello and welcome to a VERY early morning set of random thoughts. Since I can't get any sleep right now, here we go:

 -  I could have easily called this the "everything sucks" edition. Bills suck. Financial strain sucks. Personal problems suck. Computer problems suck. Boredom sucks. Lonliness sucks. Haunting memories suck. Ex-girlfriends suck. There's a lot that sucks out there...so why didn't I give this particular blog the aforementioned title? Quite honestly, its because not everything sucks. My friends don't suck. The Internet doesn't suck. Dancing doesn't suck. And just as important, I don't suck. So for those of you who do think that everything sucks, you're wrong. Just change your viewpoint and see. BTW, those things that I said sucked? Well, that's random thinking at play...I'm not necessarily dealing with all of that stuff right now (some of it I am), but at some time or another I have...I'm pretty sure you all can come up with your own "what sucks" lists, but don't forget to remember what doesn't.

 -  I have finally broken the stranglehold that Windows had on my computer and installed the Ubuntu Linux system. Actually, I just got bored and wanted to do something new with my computer. I used it once before a while back (at an Obama campaign office) and wondered what it would be like to use it regularly. Now that has become a reality. To be honest, it's taking me a while to get used to but so far I'm liking it. Trying to find an appearance that appeals to my taste is gonna take some time to accomplish given my limited experience with this new OS. The file system and various programs are different than what I'm used to with Windows. I'm happy that some of the programs I used on Windows are on Linux as well (Firefox and OpenOffice come to mind). There is a limited amount of programs out there for the OS (especially with the stranglehold Windows has on developers right now) but that was not unexpected. I'm still trying to find comparable programs to some of what I used before, which means that the journey I'm taking with this OS is going to be very interesting from here on.

 -  You know, for it being 3:30 in the morning, it's surprising that I'm this coherent right now...or am I????

 -  BTW, if anybody has any Linux experience and knows of some good programs I can find, give me a buzz.

 -  In the time since Barack Obama has taken office, he's already signed a bill into law, ordered the closing of Guantanamo Bay, set up strict ethics rules regarding his staff, and is already pushing for another stimulus for infrastructure. I don't think Bush ever worked this much in one month at any time during his tenure and Obama did this much in a single week. Change is here, folks.

 -  I know it's only been over a month of winter, but could the weather associated with it just go away? I am not digging the cold and all the snow...at least it looks like Sunday it'll get a little bit warmer, though not much. I'm waiting for the "sun and 72 degrees" to come back, if you know what I mean.

 -  A reminder to governors around the country...do not...I repeat, do NOT....try to sell U.S. congressional seats to the highest bidder. It isn't ethical, as evidenced by the tossing of one Rod Blagojevich from the governor's position in Illinois. BTW, try to say "Blagojevich" five times fast without becoming tongue twisted...it's a challenge, for sure.

 -  I've done lots of thinking lately. Lots of it.

 -  I need a new wardrobe, or at least new clothes and stuff. Guess I gotta wait until I get some money first.

I have the urge to go on with random thoughts, but I feel it better to cut it off now before I get too wacky with them...it is real early in the morning, y'know. Until next time, ladies, gentlemen, and non-human types...take care and God Bless.

DJ

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Random Thoughts #22 - the "change is here" edition

Hello all and welcome to a new set of random thoughts from yours truly. Legitimate or not so legitimate...true to you, not true to you...relevant, irrelevant...I'll let you decide. Enjoy.

 -  I know I've talked a lot about my issues and trials over the past year here on the blog. However, I've noticed a trend over that time that I hadn't really noticed before...more and more people overall are now starting to face those same issues and trials. That may have been the case generally, but given my self-absorption and sometimes myopic focus concerning my own issues this is really the first time I've noticed such a trend. Now, don't get me wrong, I do try to stay aware of what's going on around me. Sometimes what I see and hear isn't always what's actually going on (especially regarding the hearing thing), but I'd like to think I keep up with current events and activities regarding my friends. My point actually doesn't cover that aspect...I'm talking about people overall...the general public, if you will. The economy going into a nosedive is the big factor, putting people into the same financial bracket that I'm currently in (in other words, strain), which of course leads to other areas of commonality such as self esteem issues, logistical concerns, etc. Now, in a way I feel like an expert in that I understand what all those people are about to go through and putting me in a position I've never found myself in that often: part of the general population. On the other hand, I wish I were not such an expert on that stuff and not 'just' a part of the general population because like many I know I'd rather be doing better than I am right now and I'd like to stand out in a positive light...at least that's the hope I have for myself.

 -  Wow, really long thought...gotta take a breath....whew! Ok, back to business...

 -  Regarding that 'general population and me not part of it often' point: how many of you have ever seen the movie "Mystery Men"? It's a story about superheroes and one of the taglines is "We're not your classic heroes...we're the other guys." Well, if life were like that movie, I would be one of those "other guys". Throughout my life I've been an outsider and felt like one to boot. I have done many things to try to fit in and even stand out positively to only minimal success, at times looking foolish or even worse in the end. Some of you know of my crazy attempts at "formalizing" group friendships at times (the Wolfpack and World's Finest come to mind, for those of you with long memories). Many have noticed my reluctance to do things sometimes, even supposedly important stuff...this is a big factor in that. Now don't get me wrong...there are advantages to it sometimes and I do view myself as someone who wants to do good and do the right thing. Regardless of how I felt or feel about it, if anybody had to ask me how I view myself and my life, I would state that movie tagline and proclaim "I'm one of those other guys."

 -  Whoa...another long thought...boy, those kind are tiring, aren't they...deep breath now....

 -  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....somewhere else.

 -  Barack Obama has been in office two full days now and he has already done two major things...he is closing the Guantanamo Bay prison within a year and he set up pretty strict new ethics rules for his staff. It seems like it's a good start already. Let's hope he keeps it up.

 -  I was thinking about taking a road trip by myself to the inauguration in DC just to be near the atmosphere, but I'm glad I didn't. It was really crowded (two million, from what I hear), it was really cold, I wouldn't have gotten close to anything with the traffic there, and I wouldn't have known where to go to park and where to walk. My impulsiveness was kept in check....this time.

 -  I didn't do much this past week because I pulled a muscle in my stomach. It was just annoying, a bit painful and I could have gone out anyway, but I didn't want to take any chances. I thought rest was prudent and it has been. I do plan on going out this weekend and one of my friends who moved back here to Columbus is planning to as well, so come on out and join us.

 -  You know it's a slow news day when the local news posts a story about a strange-on-its-face lawsuit concerning a strip club in your hometown that's over 100 miles away. And that's only two days after the big story so far this year, the presidential inauguration. Go figure.

 -  A few days ago I tried to install a beta of the upcoming Windows 7 onto my computer. Everything was actually working great except for one thing...I couldn't get the internet whatsoever. When I tried to reinstall my original OS, I had to call Microsoft support to get it activated again which was a nuisance. Now I have almost everything back (my music, video, photo and document files were safe regardless), but now I have an ugly gray or greenish gray color where there was once white, which I preferred. If anybody knows how I can get rid of the gray, let me know...I have tried many things, but they haven't worked so far. It's the only thing that is keeping my computer from looking like what it was before all this.

 -  The Cleveland Cavaliers aren't doing too bad so far. They may have lost to the Lakers, but they bounced back and beat the Trail Blazers. This might be the year for them.

 -  I just found out one of my friends from Akron, Jay, is finally moving to Columbus...that makes four people from my time at the Harry Buffalo who have followed in my footsteps in coming here. I am happy that he made it here and wonder what took him so long...just kidding.

Now before I go, I want everybody to know that, even though the Lord wants me to work on the things that have needed work for some time now (those issues I've mentioned in recent blogs past) and how some of you are concerned given how I've described some events recently, I am doing okay. I'm waiting for the day where I can talk about it but until then just know that I am looking forward to the good things the Lord has coming not just to me but to others and that I will be alright. Take care and God Bless.

DJ

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Random Thoughts #21 - the "out there" edition

Hello and welcome to another set of crazy random thoughts that pop into my head. I'm waiting on what the Lord has for me next so until then let's get to them, shall we? Enjoy.

 -  I actually had a good time at the OC on Saturday night. There were more attractive women there than usual...even the bouncers noticed. It was an enjoyable night, to say the least.

 -  If anybody knows people who deal with autism (more in a professional manner than a personal one), could somebody have them get in touch with me? It's a private manner that I'm not gonna get into here but I've got some questions.

 -  A subject that's probably only interesting to me: what celebrities have you met? I'm not talking about those you have just shaken their hand or asked a question to get an answer...I'm talking about having at least a short conversation with, hung out with for a time, or keep in touch with. I've had that with Paul Newman (really, a cool cat if I'd ever met one, God rest his soul), The Dude from the Big Lebowski (real name Jeff Dowd; I have his business card somewhere around here), Jerry Springer (extremely sharp political mind; surprising for what he does now), and Spike Lee (great director and storyteller, but facts twist around him & he comes off too much as a suck-up to certain people and things). If anybody has some to share and might want public (let me know on that...don't want to cross any boundaries here), maybe I'll put up a "random encounters" blog, in a way similar to my random thoughts blogs.

 -  Regarding that last blurb...I am a Christian and know that celebrity is not something looked highly upon, idolatry and such (the Lord is the only one I will ever worship, BTW). Describing encounters with celebrities, however, does give insight into ourselves, sometimes what we value, and definitely paints a portrait into the types of people who we look up to and don't look up to...given my interests in mass media and it affects people, that's what I'm getting into here.

 -  I watched some of the Golden Globe Awards last night. Last year they had a press conference for a ceremony due to the writer's strike, but it came back in grand fashion this year. This is the one award show that, if I had went to one, seems really fun to be at. Since the MTV Awards have become so over-scheduled and corporate in nature, this one is probably the loosest and funnest award show out there right now and probably for the foreseeable future.

 -  Why the label "out there" for this edition? Well, I am putting things out there, but that would be too literal and too easy an interpretation for me to use. I've been described as "out there" by some including people who probably shouldn't be doing so. For this particular blog, it was just something random that popped into my head...I get those from time to time...goes with the "random" theme, I guess.

 -  There's only a bit over a week left until Barack Obama officially becomes President of the United States. It does seem, however, that his influence is already shaping activities within the country and around the world. That shows me how powerful his influence may become in the next four years, and thankfully it seems like it's gonna be one for the greater good...unlike the one we've been dealing with for the past few year.

 -  I haven't gotten around to getting out to other different places more yet, with the weather being so crappy and all. I'm also still in the middle of a "stable job" search and that other stuff I've been alluding to, so getting out is not something high on the list of things to do unless things start happening on other fronts...or I just get bored and go do something.

That's it for now. Not as many as the last time but enough for me this time. Maybe next time I'll talk about some grand adventure that I've been on...or maybe not. Take care and God Bless.

DJ

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Random Thoughts #20 - the "uhh..new year" edition

Hello and welcome to 2009, folks...whether you like it or not. The thing about time is that you can either go forward with it and/or live in the current one. You can't go back until time travel is a reality, which I doubt will ever happen in our lifetimes. Anyway, onto my ramblings:

 -  What did I do on New Year's Eve? Well, for the first time since probably my first go-round in college, I pretty much did nothing. I just stayed home and played a game on my computer that night. I didn't have the cash on hand to do anything and the default plan went kerplunk and kerplooey. The funny thing is...from what I've heard about other people's NYEs that I know of, mine was probably one of the better ones comparatively, so in a way I don't feel so bad. I am not planning to do this again, however.

 -  It's been generally a year since I brought back my personal blog and one of the big things about it is that it has been a blessing for me. I blog because I want to, because I do it for myself, and because I let it work for me. For those of you who read my blog, thank you...I appreciate the patronage.

 -  The Buckeyes blew it in the Fiesta Bowl. One blown defensive coverage will do that.

 -  Since I restarted the blog, I'm noticing that as much as things have happened and/or changed, there are some things that have stayed the same. Unfortunately some of those similarities include my current financial status, my currently-limited involvement in things, and the lack of any romantic prospects at the moment. I'm hoping by this time next year those particular things will be improved big time.

 -  The new year means some websites I regularly check out are changing if not changed. Don't be surprised in your own websurfing that changes to your most visited sites might be coming if not here.

 -  I'm pretty sure over the last couple of days you've noticed my default pic is a stylized professional-looking logo. It is a modified version of the DC Comics logo, changed to my name...and since I'm a DCU fanatic it appeals to the fanboy in me. I've been looking for one to use and I may modify more or create unique ones of my own, but I think this one will do for now. I did the work myself, trying to make it look as presentably professional as possible. If anyone has ideas on new ones, let me know or send me a base pic I can work from...I like tinkering with this kind of stuff.

 -  "Tinker"...that just sounds like a dirty word, doesn't it. Make me giggle.

 -  Also speaking of a year ago, I wrote about watching out for the "winter blues". Well, it looks like I'm gonna have to take my own advice there because it's yet another thing I'm dealing with right now on top of those other challenges I'm already facing and already alluded to ad nauseum. I'm saying this because if it seems like I'm putting off doing certain things (even those that might seem important), me dealing with my blues is the reason why. I haven't started singing the blues as karaoke, so all is not lost. On the other hand, maybe I should....hmmmmm.

 -  Now that the holiday season is over, we're gonna start seeing some new episodes of a lot of our favorite shows. Smallville is starting in a couple of weeks with an episode focused on the Legion of Super Heroes (the 31st century superhero team Superman inspires)...it should be good.

 -  Like I said in my last blog, I don't normally make resolutions, but in the spirit of the new year (what little I have of it right now), I am trying to promise myself something. I want my current state, my finances, my love life, and anything else applicable to be improved greatly and to be in a better state of mind (damn winter blahs). Facing those challenges I've already talked about, getting out a bit more, and finding a suitable employment atmosphere are just some of the ways that will help me there. For those of you looking to do the same, I want to wish you good fortune in your endeavors as well...and don't be afraid to ask for help (I won't be).

 -  Lots of parentheses and dots in my blogs....(heh heh heh)...(ishkibibble)...(going out of my mind)...(warning)...(danger)...(crazy guy blogging right now)...

 -  Two weeks until our new president is sworn in. I wish it were sooner, but Bush wants to cause some more ruination before he's out...his hands-off approach to the current Gaza-Israel situation is a reminder of this. Say it with me now...only two more weeks...only two more weeks...only two more weeks...

 -  As many of you know, I've been going to the OC in Gahanna regularly on Saturdays for the past few months (only one night I missed due to a hospital visit to a friend now passed). However, I am looking to get out to more places and check out different spots as well. Nothing against the OC, but I think I need a little more variety. I'm probably gonna check out a place some of my friends have found but if anybody has suggestions, let me know as I'm sure other people here may want to do the same.

 -  Has there ever been a time that you just wanted to mess with somebody who was acting smug, self-righteous, pompous, arrogant, and outright unsympathetic by pointing at them like some devout old religiously-oriented person and yelling "SINNER!!!" repeatedly at that person just to embarass the heck out of them? I've been very tempted to do so recently, just to throw certain people off. Mind you, I'm talking about complete strangers or barely known acquaintances, not our friends or people regularly known to us. I am a Christian, but this might be something to consider doing...nahhhhhhh.

That's it for now. I didn't expect to have this much, to be honest, but hey...random thoughts happen sometimes. Join me next time as I do a back flip off a diving board...I just hope they remember to put the water in the pool before I do. Take care and God Bless.

DJ

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