Tuesday, July 18, 2006

While I was away,,,

~ Why does a network (Fox) feel compelled to put "Fair and Balanced" into their branding? I'm watching Neil Cavuto (does that guy have a mellon or what?...), and during the break the "fair and balanced" blurb pops up. When did we start categorizing news? When Walter Cronkite, Howard K. Smith and Frank Reynolds were kings of dinner-time TV, did they need to add a moniker other than "evening news" or a reasonable facsimile thereof? ... I smell a rant comin'...
~ I was checking out QVC yesterday (please don't ask me why), and Birkenstock was doing their best to sell people into accepting the "new and improved" fashion and comfort thing. Good enough I thought, the shoes were not "earth shoe" re-treads and it was all going well until,... the models started to walk the runway. Someone please tell Birkenstock that it behooves them to invest into a little pedicure prep for the models. Bad feet close-ups are pretty disgusting while you wolf down your sushi. The second model's toes could have been forklift replacements at Home Depot.
~ I've realized that the internet is a worst addiction than TV. The world is at your fingertips,... literally. It is as addictive as video games, drugs, the Sopranos and my Girlfriend's bread pudding. A funny thing happened when I tuned out of the internet (and blogger) for a week; I caught up on my reading. Seriously, it was the best thing I'd done in months. The one thing I loved doing more than anything in life had been the one thing suffering the most (well, other than quality time with the Gal-friend, but that is yet another rant). I polished off no less than 3 books that were half-read on my shelves. So I've made a promise to myself not to log on until I read at least one chapter of anything that fancies me that moment. Just more fodder for writing I guess...
~ I think I really am concerned about the environment. Not because of any specific reason; although they are plenty. But simply because I don't know squat. The more I read, the more I get LESS informed. It seems you can take the same facts and make diametrically opposing points on almost anything. Nothing is objective, nothing is concrete and everything is subjective to the interpretation of the viewer or reader. So in the interest of "fair and balancing" my ass, I am going to re-educate myself in as many disciplines of environmental issues as I can. Today it was 114 degrees in Morgan Hill, California. That has a LITTLE to do with it.
~ Some blogs just aren't funny. The funny thing is that THEY think they are funny. Comedy and satire is an art form all of its own and subject to the moods of the audience. I wonder why most wanna-be writers (moi) are also wanna-be comedians (not moi).... Is it because of our never-ending desire to please and make people laugh?....

I've been away for good reasons. My daughter Samantha is relocating with her mom and new husband to the great state of Pennsylvania in a few weeks. Of course, I will be traveling every 3 months or so to visit, but obviously this is a major change of things for the house of Pain. This little girl has been glued to my hip since her birth. Her feet never touch the ground while I am within her reach. I am spending every waking second with her in the hope that the last 5 years of my life with her have not been in vain. That she remembers me always no matter how dark the night, how different the new school or how strange the new surroundings.
Life goes on, life gives, and takes away. I love you Sammy, you saved my life...

10 comments:

billie said...

tp- the new look is dark and foreboding- like your mood? not bad- just different. keep us in the loop- and keep enjoying your life!

Al-Ozarka said...

Come on! Admit it! Some of do actually make you laugh now and then!

Dardin Soto said...

Betmo:
Dark?... hmmmm I guess so :) I really did not notice until reading your comment... I've been hanging out at the dark wraith's site too long....
Al-Ozarka:
Hell I laugh all the time,... there are a many blogs funny as hell. Its the ones that THINK they are funny and aren't that give me the yawn attacks (lol)

Ellie said...

like the new look. sounds like you are having somewhat of a good time. I can't remember the last time that I sat down and read a book calmly and not in a rush on the bus or catching snippets of it every few days. enjoy. :)

Dardin Soto said...

Im telling ya Ellie, sometimes you gotta detox,.... :)

Brooke said...

Nice new digs!

What is it with QVC always selling Birks? It's all they have on... Not that I watch it! Just flipping through!

Seriously, I hope that you and Samantha adjust to the new living arrangements. Best of wishes!

Frank Partisan said...

The last paragraph could have been a post in itself. It was what mattered.

msliberty said...

When my mom moved my brother and me to Anchorage, AK, we could only visit dad once or twice a year. I remember being five yrs old, and looking out the window of the plane to see my dad, standing plastered up against the chain-link fence that surrounded the runway of the Pasco, WA, airport. He had his arms stretched out wide and the tips of his fingers were laced inbetween the metal links of the fence. I watched him there, motionless, until the motion of the plane we were traveling in snatched him from view.

That was 25 yrs ago, and I still remember.

Dardin Soto said...

Brooke:
Thanks for the note! Samantha is going to be fine in her new home. I am just torn to pieces over not being able to see and touch her daily as I do know... but I know we have a bond that is everlasting :)

Renegade Eye:
Thanks, you are probably right, the rest is superflous isnt it...

Msliberty:
That is the most hopeful and appreciated comment I've had the pleasure to read in many moons. Thanks,... i really needed that. Bless you for your thoughts...

msliberty said...

TP: You're welcome. :)

I forgot to mention that one of the reasons this particular memory is so salient to me is that I knew, without a question, that my dad didn't want to say goodbye to us (my brother and me) any more than we wanted to say goodbye to him. He stood there, in the summer heat, watching us leave, because he had to. Even though my mom made it nearly impossible for him sometimes, he always fought for time with us and he always made sure to take the time to explain to us, in the age-appropriate language, his thoughts and feelings. He didn't try to be brave or protect us from his pain of being a part-time father.

Once I asked him, "Dad, why are you sad?" He said, "I'm sad because I'm going to miss you when you are gone. When you're not here, I miss you all the time." These tender displays of emotion made him stronger, from my childhood perspective. I never once questioned whether he loved me or wanted me. This is a very nice legacy.

If you're interested, you can dig through the archives on my site for a couple of postings on my dad...one is from his retirement party and the other was in honor of this past Father's Day. (I would put the link in right here, but I don't know how.)