"Time is on my side"...or is it??

As of late, I have become a believer of the notion that too much time can be the perfect opportunity for a catastrophe. All too often we hear those we know complain of not having enough time. I can't deny that I have not been a frequent complainer of my limited "free time." But, my new lifestyle as a young and independent working professional has led to quite an alteration to my previous perception.

When before I could not find enough time for myself, I now do all I can to avoid the impending hours of solitude. I have always been a person that is very much dependent upon my personal relationships, be they with family, friends or a "significant other." not only do they provide the moral support and a friendly ear (as I seem to frequently need), sometimes just having a familiar warm body in the seat next to you in the car or the couch while watching TV, can lift my mood exponentially.

As much as I believe I prefer company to solitude simply because I easily find myself feeling lonely; I now realize that limiting my "alone time" has proved beneficial for what may be a much more important reason.

Every minute that a person sits idly and without company is yet another opportunity for them to readdress and reassess the events of the past. As a highly critical and analytical over-thinker, more time for reverie is the absolute last thing I need more of. (Yes I finished a sentence in a preposition, so shot me MLA diehards)

Each moment that provides me the chance to re-think someone's speech, recent text message, or body language is another chance for me to second-guess my initial (and historically speaking, more valid) evaluation of the incident. With enough time on their hands, just about anyone is liable to drive themselves mad.

Statistics show that just like the Irish, people of high intelligence are more probable to succumb to drug and alcohol abuse.

Now, to softly toot my own horn, I'm in the sharper group of the tools in the proverbial shed. So, to alot myself further time to over-analyze every syllable my friend said three hours ago, is sure to drive me crazy, and most likely to a fond taste for beer and whisky, as a means to shut my brain off. (Wait, hmm...that's already sort of happening)

My general point is that though time can be a terrible thing to waste, many times putting it to use can prove to be more detrimental in the general scheme of things. It perhaps might be better to use excess time for the purposes of perfecting thumb-twiddling techniques or honing advanced teeth-picking strategies instead.

Perhaps I'm saying that I'd rather spend a couple of hours glued to the boob-tube than in deep concentration. I'd rather fry some brain cells than let them push me to the edge of utter confusion.

HAPPY THINKING EVERYONE.

the week of shortcomings

This was definitely not an uneventful week. With the passing of multiple celebrities and what proves to be a groundbreaking bipartisan effort for the state government, there was a lot to sit by and observe. However, it seems to continue to be a week of shortcomings.

I can not say that I was any less shocked and saddened by the passing of the beloved Michael Jackson. Bigger than a man, he was in fact an entity. Men are remembered for singular efforts or achievements. Legends and "Kings," are remembered because they accomplished something far greater then most can fathom. Michael Jackson was a humanitarian, a ground-breaker, and innovator and above all an entertainer. He made a living bringing pleasure into the home and through the stereos of millions of human beings. Though the closing years of his life were riddled with rumors and legal matters and extensive gossip, we must hope that the memory of the greater man is preserved and resonates above the less glorifying portions of his life.

Just as the San Francisco Giants were leading the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday evening, and with the aide of Brian Wilson were able to do nothing short of blow the game, Team USA blew a two nil  lead over Brasil in the Confederations Cup. It seems like it was a week of perceived triumphs that fell short. 

And just like Team USA fell short of a victory that was never anticipated to have a chance, the state legislature demonstrated a fascinating bipartisan effort in the passage of the democratic budget balance package. The representatives of both the republican and democratic farms gathered on Thursday and were apparently able to settle their differences and rescue the state and their constituents. How noble for politicians to work towards a solution for the people. This almost bears the resemblance of a functioning political system.

But of course, as I noted it to be a week of shortcomings, the apparently fiscal and political achievement followed sort. The proposed package was actually not a complete solution, as it fell just short of the more than $50 million in cutbacks that are necessary to get the state out of the red. Unfortunately, for our Governator, just short is not good enough. Upon the announcement of the package's congressional approval, Schwarzeneggar made his own announcement that he would be vetoing the package once it reached his desk. He said that he did not want a "piece-meal solution" to the state's budget crisis.

Frankly this reeks of sour grapes for his own Republican camp being unable to propose a solution that gained bipartisan support. Where the guv's months of effort and salary threats failed to motivate or result in solution, a Democratic document proved to succeed. Granted as the July 28th deadline for when the state will "run out of money" has gotten closer, the pressure has probably set in at the capital for the need to forge a solution. Aside from what the causal mechanism may actually be, just when we thought we had an approved temporary solution to the budget crisis, we had the rug swept out from under us, due to the principals of our Governator. Putting the squeeze on our representatives is not going to result in a better solution. A step in the right direction is usually adequate for most people. Apparently the Governator must destroy all budget problems with a solitary crushing blow, so the problems won't say "I'll be back!" 

I'm Back.

Wow, it has been over 2 months since we last spoke. Please keep that extended period of silence in mind when I excessively ramble throughout the length of this entry.

What have these months brought. Some pleasant, and not so pleasant times. I have spent many hours with friends lately. Be it mostly drinking in the bars, I still consider time spent with friends, regardless of the venue, and usually regardless of the circumstances, to be time well spent, and time when the best of memories are made.

So back to that drinking thing. My view, I am 22 years old. I have a very good job for my age (especially for this economy), I am in great health (aside from those occasional cigarettes and the mild alcohol induced liver damage), and I have no real priorities outside of work to keep me tied down. I choose to drink, predominantly because it is the primary social activity of my age bracket. Most people my age have no dire responsibilities aside from our jobs. We enjoy having fun. And going to a bar, kicking back a few (and it seems to often for some people, too many), and laughing and hugging it up with my closest friends and acquaintances, gives me almost the same amount of joy as a good shag. 

Yes I said shag, as the more commonly used terms would just ruin the light-hearted nature of this entry.

All of that being said. I have probably never been happier. As I have spent most of my life single, being single at the moment has left me only slightly more bummed, if any, than I have ever been. I am so busy with cars, friends, the gym and work. That I have far less thinking and pondering time than I did in college. I have always tried very hard to keep myself occupied. Maybe my ADHD have been my saving grace for being "emo" about being without a GF. 

Yes, I want a GF. No, I'm not going to join E-Harmony. Yes, I am taking the, "it will happen when it will happen approach." No further questions.

So, being nearly my actual bed time, and believing that this briefly composed entry seems rather complete and well-rounded, I am going to close with a short conclusion.

This will probably end up being the best year of my life so far. It seems to only be improving. Yeah, work can be stressful, and I hope that the California Air Resources Board is dismantled and SMOG will cease to exist, but beyond that, I have no grounds for any complaint. Except for maybe to have all human beings who drive on my commute to magically learn to "merge" overnight.

Good night folks.

feeling stuck

It happens far too often to far too many of us aspiring adults. In a world where change is so prevalent and constant you'd expect us to be more capable and willing to adjust to change, or to seek it out. Well, unfortunately not.

We seem to love voluntary new stuff, rather than the changes and alterations that were not borne by our own free will. In the same token, so many things that we wish could be changed never will. And many other things we try to alter to our own avail continually fall short of our expectations. But it is just these challenges that make us stronger, wiser and far better off. POENA PAR SAPIENTIA. It is a Latin phrase that means "pain/punishment for knowledge." It is this notion that helps me to deal with the constant frustration I experience when things do not turn out as intended, or things come at me without my expectation and are unwanted. The best thing we can all do is benefit from the unfortunate. Silver linings are not always obvious, and seldom outweigh the damage of the greater cloud, but we all need something to look forward to.

oh to be..

Oh to be one of the beautiful people. It must be a tremendously fine existence to regularly feel holier than thou. but, I 'm glad it is not my existence.

The locale that I visited this passed weekend seemed to be filled with people trying too hard. I don't imagine that the majority of them are too conceited or rude, however, I get the inkling that they are all putting on a facade so that their confidants and acquaintances believe they are in fact the hip and trendy. I don't blame them for trying; however, I hope to never find myself in the same position, at least to so obvious an extent.

poena par sapientia

East and West

The cultures of the world constantly clash, they constantly intermingle, and they constantly find a way to sustain their existence in spite of each other.

When it comes tot he Far East and typical western culture, there are many cultural aspects that one could indicate are similar, if not identical.

The western values of greed and the bible's "Golden Rule," have both found their ways to the ends of the earth, with a few exceptions.

Of the social mores that have not been identically transferred to the Far East is business practices. This statement is not intended to offend the Far East, or indict the West, it is nothing more or less than an observation.

Business in the Far East is conducted on an "as-needed" basis. They work later and longer hours. their day begins later than in western culture, and ends when work is concluded, not when the clock strikes 5, or 6 etc.

From my personal exp it seems as if personal space, and personal time are of no consequence when it comes to the sake of business (for the Far East). Bottom dollar or top dollar is the goal, and shall be the aspect at the determines when business is considered concluded. If a greater profit margin can be attained through late hour negotiations, why should their be any objections?

The problems that can arise from such a perspective to business is that it clashes with western business practices. In the West your rise with the sun, bust your ass through the day, and the result at sundown is what will have to remain until the light shines again in the morning. It kind of follows the perspective that the business day is just that, the day. With the arrival of the evening, comes the necessary departure from the office, and the mental departure from the work that transpires within it.

Of course critical situations necessitate extensive measures. However, what exactly defines critical? The East seems to be much more willing to go the extra mile in any given situation. Perhaps Americans just do not work hard enough. Perhaps the Far East just works too hard.