I’m Old Now – I’m Entitled to Rant
Since I turn 40 next week I think I qualify as being old enough to rant. Besides, we even received an AARP magazine in the mail last week. Granted, it was addressed to somebody else and arrived in our mailbox by accident, but I know there must be some sort of higher power out there reminding me that I’ve reached that point in my life where more hair will grow on my shoulders, back, nostrils, and ears than will ever again grow on the top of my head.
So, before my arteries clog or I break a hip, here goes:
1 – How the hell are there people out there who honestly believe that the rapture takes place tomorrow? I mean, the quack who predicted this already predicted it would take place back int he 1990’s. He was wrong then, he’ll be wrong now. Somebody on Facebook made a funny comment that he hopes the guy is right and that all of the believers will rise to Heaven and leave the rest of the earth for the rational thinkers.
2 – Last spring had a very wet beginning in March but all of that rain and warmer temperatures provided for an early and wonderful spring. A year later and it’s May and we’ve had only about 30% of our normal sunshine. In fact, it’s been nearly a week of constant drizzle, clouds, and fog (when there aren’t sudden downpours). Randy has always said that he could see us living in Portland, Orgeon, someday. After this week, I don’t see that ever happening. A week is enough, I can’t even fathom an entire season of this.
3 – Is it just me, or does American Idol kinda’ suck this year? I admit I’ve been watching all season. And normally the final three is when I pay the most attention because there’s at least some suspense involved. This year, I could care less and have actually been fast-forwarding it. It’s like we’re left with three McPerformers with no personalities (though, Haley does seem like a diva-in-waiting). And I actually like the new hosts….but all season I can’t recall a single instance where they negatively critiqued a contestant. Things must sound very different in the auditorium, because on TV I thought Jacob consistently sounded like shit. Yet they loved him. What am I missing?
4 – Can people please stop talking about the Governator’s love-child? I mean, whether you liked him as governor or not, did this in any way affect his performance as governor? No. Did Bill Clinton’s tryst with Monica in the blue dress affect his performance? No (until time and money was wasted working toward impeachment). I think the only case where infidelity has affected job performance was with New Gingrich. Actually, it was the reverse, he claims devotion to job caused him to cheat on his sick wife (so much for his conservative, Christian values). But whether Repbulican or Democrat, what happens in their bedroom really shouldn’t be a factor in whether they are capable of completed unrelated job.
5 – National debt. Ok, we’ve hit the debt ceiling. Can we please just look at reality for once. Democrats need to allow more cuts in services (but not social security or medicare). Republicans need to allow more tax increases. It’s insane that income taxes for the wealthy are at historic lows. It’s stupid that people stop contributing to social security after earning about $108,000/year. I’m bullshit that companies like GE, Chevron, and Mobil didn’t pay a penny in taxes, yet still raked in money hand over fist. And I resent that the majority of residents in this country don’t end up having to pay any taxes as a result of credits or other reasons. And why do people who have lots of kids get tax credits when they’re the ones needing the most resources from the government? Shouldn’t they pay more?
6 – So, this isn’t so much a rant as a comment. Arlington Town Hall is a gorgeous old building, Randy and I were there a week ago and it’s got that turn of the century (20th, that is) look with high ceilings and great old details. And it hosts a beautiful auditorium with fancy wood ceilings and details. Who knew?
7 – But did you know that the folks in the Town’s Clerk office (which is staffed by ladies who called everybody “hon” and “sweetie”, which I’ve always loved) still uses typewriters for forms? I actually saw the woman using a typewriter to comlete our marriage license (oh yeah, by the way, we’re getting hitched…more on that later). I’m surprised that Massachusetts hasn’t standardized their forms electronically yet.
8 – I was bored at lunch the other day and browsed real estate online. I discovered that the home of a childhood friend is on the market now at $16.5 million dollars. The listing showed nearly 8,000 square feet of living space with 6.5 bathrooms. The weird thing is that as a kid I never noticed that we didn’t live like everybody else. Our simple house with 1 bathoom felt no different to me than the mansions my friends lived in. I just recall thinking it was cool that this one house had an elevator because I’d probably only been on one a half dozen times in my life at that age.
So, as I wrote above, Randy and I decided to get married. Ironically, we’ve chosen Independence Day as the day to end our independence. It’s going to be a small family-only event in Arlington. A few weeks later we’re going to Hawaii. We’d had the trip planned before deciding to marry, so have since decided to make it the honeymoon.
In other travels, we came thisclose to going to Europe last week on a business trip (me tagging along) but it never happened. Instead, we drove out to the Berkshires with friends and visited MassMoCA (meh), Williams College, and The Bridge of Flowers.
For Memorial Day we’re taking Amtrak up to Portland for the weekend and visiting my childhood friend, Missy. I’m looking forward to it – even if the weather is still crappy. It’ll be fun catching up.
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So many important topics. The national debt, mortality, income inequality. So of course I have to comment on American Idol.
Actually I think the talent level has been pretty high this season. All of the top ten were good singers, but only a few were really memorable. That’s the problem with Idol is that it’s a competition to find the lowest common denomiator. Winners tend to be bland, safe, and inoffensive. But that’s what the average voter likes. They’re not out for great performers, just someone who appeals to 51% of the voting audience.
Once James got the boot I lost interest. He was the last really interesting contestant left in the game. I can’t tell the difference betwee Blond Girl 1 and Blond Girl 2 and I got bored of country boy’s schtick before he even made it to the top ten.
But winning American Idol is really just a first class ticket to the B-list. With a few notable exceptions, past winners have gone on to some pretty unspectacular careers. I’m pretty sure if we take up a collection, we can get Taylor Hicks to play your birthday party. Non-winners seem to have better luck (Jennifer Hudson, Daughtry) with actual careers.
First off, REALLY quick but:
1.) CONGRATS!! That’s totally cool about you guys getting married: bravo & all best wishes!
2.) Yeah, don’t ever move to Portland, OR or anyplace in the Pacific NW with that climate (the coastalish valley that runs from somewhere up past Vancouver in Canada all the way down into northern CA…it’s a drizzly, moldy hell – I speak from experience. Portland’s a supercool city to visit but methinks a New Englander would open a vein living there for any length of time…they’re also way overdue for a big nasty earthquake in which much of the city is likely to collapse and make the Loma Prieta and Northridge quakes look like nothing much at all…just sayin’…
Who knew Arlington Town Hall is so nice? I did. I wandered in there one evening to drop off Zach’s town census form. I went into that big auditorium and down some hallways. Didn’t see a soul which was a bit creepy. There was clear place to leave the census form so I just threw it in the tax payment slot.
I’m glad you’re blogging. I happened upon it because I’m off facebook.
did you blog about the wedding…
First off Congratulations to you and Randy!! I am very happy for both of you. Enjoy Hawaii I loved it even though there was a system stalled over all the islands and it rained every day. That won’t happen to you guys because you are going in the summer instead of the winter.
HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY!!!!! You are still younger than I am so don’t worry about it! 🙂
I agree with you on the Governator. Enough is enough.
I’m also VERY happy to see you back to blogging keep up with it now.