Rants and Raves and Random Madness

100 Most important albums 1: Kiss Alive II

unkyrich — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:49:54 GMT

This is kind of a boring first album, in that it's almost 35 years old and I purchased it when it was fairly new. (Yeah, I'm 'old.')

However, this album is important to me because it started my personal music discovery. I was 9 when I bought this. I saved up some money and asked my parents to get it for me from their record club. It was the first full album I chose on my own, which wasn't a K-Tel record or something aimed at kids.

I sold this album at a garage sale, about ten years later, because punk rock unkyrich had decided that KISS were sellouts and he wanted nothing to do with them anymore. I sold it for what I had spent on it - though after 10 years, that wasn't much.

But for an album I played almost to death for a few years, it held up for a long, long time.

Blog about 100 things

unkyrich — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:57:40 GMT

{Take the 100 Things challenge!}

I'm going to try this, just to say something and use this again.

My plan is to write about the 100 most important albums to me.

It will start soon.

Rich

Writer's Block: Checking it twice

unkyrich — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:18:08 GMT

I'm on Santa's "neutral" list.

"I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just right." - The Witch, "Into the Woods"

Writer's Block: Out of this world

unkyrich — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:39:07 GMT

Yuggoth.

or

Nemesis.

Just to mess with people.

Writer's Block: R.I.P

unkyrich — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:08:24 GMT

I honestly don't care. I'm done with it, and can think of no metaphysical end point that would make me care. (People have made some up, but those aren't belief systems.)

1. If the Christians who are like me are right, I'll be in heaven and within the divine grace of God.

2. If the conservative Christians are right, I'll be in hell, suffering eternal torment. I won't have time to think about my body.

3. If the atheists are right, my consciousness will cease, and I'll be unable to care about anything.

4. If the pagans, buddhists, and others are correct, I'll be reincarnated, and be more concerned with my new body.

That being said, I would like my body donated to science - learn something from my death. Barring that, I've told my wife that I don't care if she leaves me in a plastic bag on the side of the freeway. The Death Business is just a scam, anyway.

Rich

Writer's Block: International Skeptics Day

unkyrich — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:11:24 GMT

I'm skeptical about almost everything:
ghosts, psychics, magic, faith healers, predestined apocalypses, UFOs, demons, angels, fairies, conversion therapy, spiteful deities, scientology, cryptids, compassionate conservatism, Sarah Palin's high school diploma, objectivism, Michelle Bachman's sanity . . .

The list goes on.

Sadly, I would like most of these to exist. There's just no evidence that any of it does.

Writer's Block: Freewill vs. fate

unkyrich — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 19:53:46 GMT

Neither. Love is as complicated electro-chemical reaction that occurs when we meet certain people who trigger that reaction.

It's not controlled, but there's no such thing as destiny.

Writer's Block: Just stop, already!

unkyrich — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:44:01 GMT

These days: Republican apologists, status quo apologists, and anyone who wants to turn back the progress of the previous century.

They piss me off to no end.

Writer's Block: World Vegetarian Awareness Month

unkyrich — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 08:32:48 GMT

I like to fry them up in a wok after I've carefully cut off what little fat there is on them.

GE, Y U NO PAY TAXES?!

unkyrich — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:18:12 GMT

Originally posted by lavenderfrost at GE, Y U NO PAY TAXES?!

OCCUPY WALL STREET
Why You Should Care
How You Can Help

The (supposedly liberal) mainstream media is barely doing jack squat to cover this, so it's up to us to spread the word. BOOST THE SIGNAL, PEOPLE.

What liberal media?

Writer's Block: Bone-chilling birthday wishes

unkyrich — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:17:07 GMT

Nick Andros, the "deaf-mute" (I lack the proper pc words for it) from the Stand. I identified with him very strongly when I first read the book in High School, and when the expanded book came out, finding out we shared a birthday just made me feel even more strongly towards him.

Writer's Block: Your 15 Minutes

unkyrich — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:13:08 GMT

In honor of my friends' ideas, it would be called "Darwin was Right!"

Each episode, I would try to get people to do ridiculously dangerous things - like sleeping on the banks of "The River of Certain Death" in Australia, or swimming in "Shark Alley" wearing a suit made of chum.

Those who refuse get to keep their lives.

Those who do it will die. And, if not, there's always the next challenge.

Rich

Why?

unkyrich — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:45:08 GMT

I don't get people.

So earlier this week, I finished the book Hollowstone, and tonight I put up a review of that book once I got my thoughts in order. Or as much in order as they can get.

And I saw the character assassination happening on there. And I never understand it.

I've seen it with Michael Moore, when he'd release a book and within 10 minutes of the release there are a bunch of one-star reviews citing all this misinformaton that isn't in the book. I've seen it with Ann Coulter, but feel less bad about it. Still confused, though.

Personal attacks, inability to separate fiction from reality, untrue accusations. And that's just in one of Coulter's books. (Thanks, I'll be here all night, tip your waitress . . .)

Sorry. Ignore that comment.

The real point is I don't see what people are gaining. They seem to have an active group of people voting down positive reviews - and in some cases, making the same blanket comments. And I hope I don't get any of those comments, because I'm NOT the person to get into it with. Not because I'm right (I mean, it's a review - just opinion with a less fancy name. Opinions are neither right nor wrong, just informed or uninformed), but because when pissed off, I'm an asshole. I go for the offensive low blow. And I might make things worse.

Hell, I might borrow something from otherdarkmeat and say something akin to "If you can't stand the heat, get back into the kitchen." (When he did say that, the person had it coming. Really. There's only so often you can be incorrectly accused of being sexist before you snap and say something awful.)

Anyway, I'm not looking for answers, because I know there are none.

But my opinion can't be wrong, so long as I recognize it as my opinion, and not as facts.

Rich

It's been a while

unkyrich — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:47:05 GMT

I posted this on Facebook, but didn't mention it here, yet.

I've lost a bunch of weight since I last weighed myself.

For the first time in over a decade:
1. I am under 250 lbs.
2. My weight is less than what is listed on my driver's license.
3. I can wear an XL shirt without it being a belly shirt. (Which, on my, is a repulsive image.)

I've only increased the amount of water I drink, and cut out maybe one or two sodas a day (replaced with water.)

I feel good, not sick.

So there's some good news.

Rich

Wait up a bit

unkyrich — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 04:45:38 GMT

So I've got one thing to say about Amy Winehouse's death.

I'm not going to shame her for being an addict, because that's ridiculous. Plus, she had multiple health issues beyond that, so until they come out with the actual coroner's report, all people are doing is speculating.

I wasn't a huge fan, but I did appreciate her voice.

However - they are putting her in this mythical "27" club of musicians who died at the age of 27. Which she did do.

But let's look at the rest of the club, shall we?

Robert Johnson - An astonishingly good blues guitarist.
Brian Jones - One of the founders of the Rolling effin' Stones.
Janis Joplin - 'nuff said.
Jimi Hendrix - The man who revolutionized how the electric guitar was played.
Jim Morrison - Love or hate the Doors, their impact on rock & roll is indisputable.
Kurt Cobain - Gave rock & roll a much needed kick in the ass in the early 90s. Ended glam hair metal for a long, long time.
(There's also some member of the Grateful Dead whose name I can't remember.)

What do these people have that Winehouse doesn't?

They changed music. Each of them left an imprint on music as their legacy.

Amy Winehouse had a good voice. But she didn't change music at all. She just kind of revived a style, for a brief moment.

I'm not taking away from what she did or what she had. But she's not on the level of any of these others.

Evil week, I bid you adieu

unkyrich — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:55:52 GMT

Last week was bad. At the beginning. While mostly it was my fault, there's still a lot of contributing factors.

On Tuesday, my car was impounded, due to expired registration. While this is true, and my fault, and legal, I think the cop's priorities were out of place. There's a lot of trouble down here in ~~River City~~ Fremont, and it took apparently three vehicles of officers to take my car away. While I'll admit I was very angry, I wasn't threatening. The main officer was (threatening, that is). So if anyone in the Fremont area was robbed, mugged, beaten, or otherwise a crime victim some time between 5:50 and 6:30 PM, I'll tell you which officers weren't protecting you from the crime, but were instead protecting you from me . . .um . . . occupying space on the road in a safe manner. (I haven't had a moving violation in 20 years, I haven't had an accident in 22 years, and have never committed a violent felony. In fact, the only felonious behavior I've engaged in has long been past the statute of limitations, and is something I don't think should be illegal in the first place.)

Anyway, I spent Wednesday getting extra funds together - which I actually managed to do by tapping into money that I shouldn't have, but I'd rather do that than have the money disrupt our normal budget.

Thursday, I spent four hours going through the process of retrieving my car. A trip that included the DMV, the Police Department, and the towing company. And everyone in that day (including the cabbie who drove me to the PD and the towing company) was nice. So far, the only dick in this whole story was the original officer.

I should point out that this officer and I have a history, even though he probably doesn't remember me. He was involved in this mess from six years ago. (I'm sicilian. I have a long memory.) I'm surprised he didn't pull a gun out at the BART station.

I've had guns pulled around me four times in my life. One was a drunk friend. One was a mugger. Twice it was the police. Twice.

I've got this week to straighten out the rest of the mess with my registration. I'll probably do it, though this is one of my least favorite laws/taxes.

I just dislike how the cops get to become terrorists with this particular one.

Rich

Writer's Block: Subtitles please

unkyrich — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:22:36 GMT

One of my favorite foreign films, Let the Right One In, had already had an American remake. It's passable, still enjoyable, but misses a lot of the subtext and . . supertext(??) that made the original so awesome.

Another one is The Brotherhood of the Wolf, which has still NOT been remade in America, and should never, ever, ever, be remade in America. EVER. (Learn to read the friggin' subtitles, Americans.)

Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

unkyrich — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:35:04 GMT

Day 25 → The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

Because I haven't died yet.

I've never been super-close to death, beyond having guns pointed at me a few times too often.

For everything else, I credit an over-dose of common sense. It's not fear that stops me from doing things, but more a good assessment between risks vs. rewards.

Now, if I could only stop my big mouth . . .

Rich

Game Theory and modern politics

unkyrich — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:32:56 GMT

Prelude: I've read a lot. Mostly by authors who are considered economic conservatives/right wing. This includes Ayn Rand. I disagree with a lot of that - in fact, I disagree with almost everything Ayn Rand said, and think her followers are even more deluded. That being said, one of the most informative and entertaining articles I've ever read were two chapters in Why People Believe Weird Things, in which the author - a noted libertarian - debunks Ayn Rand's "Objectivist Philosophy" pretty hard.

I also tend to think that Libertarians are full of it.

The main evidence I have is a bit of real life game theory, where a bunch of us provided yet a new aspect to all this nonsense that actually seemed to work really well.

A well-known, and quite talented, game designer (who is an avowed libertarian and, I believe, shows a certain affection for Rand's flawed theories) created a LARP based on this. It was supposed to only last two hours - it lasted four. It was supposed to end when only three of us were still alive (out of . . . 20 or 25), though actually only four or five had died at the end.

Some friends and I broke his game by creating an idea of "selfish cooperation."

There is no doubting that a group negotiates better than an individual. This is why so many republicans hate unions, and are trying to break as many public unions as they can - it's easier to boss around one teacher at a time, rather than the entire union. (If you think this isn't the case, keep in mind that the public unions in Wisconsin were willing to make every economic sacrifice asked of them in order to retain their group bargaining power, but their ~~dictator~~ ~~governor~~ (I'm sticking with dictator) decided to not accept that until they gave up their group bargaining power. Think this is still just about money?)

Anyway - early in this game, a friend of mine and I realized we were playing the same way, and that this would lead into a collision. He and I against each other never ends well for a game. So we spoke, and allied ourselves. We brought two more into our little conspiracy, and then hatched our plan.

This took a total of an hour - all part of game set-up, mind you - and ended with our group of 4 pretty much holding 75% of the power from the moment the game actually began.

We weren't nicer. In fact, each of us proved to be a true bastard in a game about the hallowed halls of power. I killed people without any fear of retribution. Another of our group continued to gain power by brokering deals that ultimately only served him. A third gave his plan for defending our little niche in the galaxy that involved slaughtering millions of innocent people. Our fourth quietly and quickly worked himself up until he gained the 25% of the power we didn't have at the start.

Oh, and we did mess with each other in ultimately minor ways.

People tried to break us. They failed.

I like to feel that we won. We made our own terms of victory. We backed each other because it served each of our own selfish interests.

Ayn Rand likes to speak highly of the individual selfish will. The group selfish will can be stronger.

Had this been real life, with no veneer of fantasy, I may have made different choices. That is true. But in the fictional world presented to us, selfish cooperation became the path to success. And in game theory, that's what matters.

And when people look at what is better for all of them, and work towards that, they'll do much better.

More later - when I feel like discussing the conspiracy of trying to make each of us convinced that we are all lonely islands.

Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.

unkyrich — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:50:38 GMT

Day 23 → Something you wish you had done in your life.

Related to my previous post, I wish I had gone to the local community college before getting into big university. Even if just for a year.

I was young (17) when I first went off to college. Way too young to actually be responsible for myself. I would have missed some of the friends I made, but I think I would have made other friends, and then eventually lives would link back around. Probably for the better.

Of course, some of the people I met my freshman year at U of I did give my butt a much needed kick into changing how I thought about things. And a lot of the people I met my first year were gone by my second. (Sometimes, drugs are REALLY bad, m'kay?) But this option would have kept me a little more grounded than what wound up happening.

Rich

Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.

unkyrich — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 07:05:22 GMT

Day 22 → Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.

I wish I had never dropped out of college.

I mean, sure, I had a terrible semester. But they were willing to let meback in. But I had run out of money.

And so on and so forth.

But, because I didn't complete college, I'm still unsure if I'm ever going to complete it now.

It was an active motion to drop out - it took more effort than staying in. Apparently I could have continued with extra help due to . . . some issues I was aware of.

Rich

Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour befor

unkyrich — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:08:58 GMT

Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

It all depends on the seriousness of the accident and the argument. If it's a minor fight, then whatever. If it's a minor accident, so what?

Yeah, I suck at this meme. I'm going to keep trying, though.

Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.

unkyrich — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 06:40:13 GMT

Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.

I had fun with them in the past - and also some real horrible times. I had a blast with pot (except one overdose, which I didn't know you could do). I did use alcohol to lower my inhibitions, and once they were gone, most of the time I became someone fun, but occasionally I'd just become a depressed pile of weepiness.

So I quit both.

I believe most people who use drugs really shouldn't.

I think alcohol makes peoplke stupid and gives them an excuse to be stupid, and that never goes away. When I drank, I still took full responsibility for my actions, but a lot of people don't.

Despite this, I don't care if people drink, I'd just prefer if they weren't around me when they were drunk.

Rich

Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

unkyrich — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 06:35:33 GMT

Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

Weird questions again.

What do I think about religion? Most are good, and most worshippers are good people, but the bad ones wind up giving the whole she-bang a bad mess. Case in point: Islam. There are 1.2 billion adherents (or something like that), and the amount of those who are violent terrorists is so small that I can't even put a reasonable percentage down. Something around 0.004%.

Chrisitanity is the same way - most Christians aren't crazy people who want to wipe out gay people and are hoping for the book of Revelations to come true. It's just that those who want that are the loud, noisy ones.

Now, it the question is "What religion is mine," I'll say this:

I'm a non-denominational Christian, who believes in science in most things that are relevant. (Science defines the world, religion provides one path for developing morals)[1]

I also have some animistic viewpoints I can't ditch, and a huge heap of Taoism for how to interact with the world. So make of that what you want.

As for politics?

In the US, it is hopelessly fucked. Religion got too far involved in it. Democrats have the intelligence but not the passion, Republicans have the passion but not the intelligence. End result - we're doomed.

Rich

[1] Religion does not have a monopoly on morality. But it can provide a path.

Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.

unkyrich — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:58:39 GMT

Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.

In light of all the other questions leading up to this one, this seems kind of random.

But, here goes:

I support any marriage between consenting adults - be it a man and a woman, two men, two women, six men and four women, however you want. It's none of my business, and has no effect on my life.

Cil and I know several gay couples who got married during the brief period it was legal here in California, and our marriage hasn't been affected at all. So I'm not sure how this can be "a threat to marriage" that all the crazy people make it out to be. I've never heard one argument against gay marriage that isn't based on religion, prejudice, or portraying humanity as way more stupid than I think humanity is (and I'm pretty much convinced that overalll, we're only a generation or two away from what was portrayed in "Idiocracy.")

Now, I have learned that this isn't the end-all-be-all of the gay rights movement. Despite the repeal of DADT, gays are still being booted from the military. DOMA is still out there. Gays still can't give blood. The list of rights I have based entirely on my sexual orientation that a lot of my friends don't have is enough to make me kind of ill.

Do I think that all churches should be forced to perform same-sex marriages? Nope, though I may think of them as being kind of backwards and socially retarded because of it. (Hell, one of the first things Herr Pope did was put out a declaration against gay priests. This wasn't an attempt to deal with the rampant pedophilia going on among Catholic priests. It left me with a question - what is the real difference between a celibate straight man and a celibate gay man?) I have a right (as does everyone else) to have my opinion be informed by how a group acts.

Edited to add: I got concerned after posting this that people might construe my comment about the pope's declaration about gay priests meaning I think that gay priests (or gay men in general) have a tendency towards pedophilia. I want to clarify that nothing is farther from the truth - the evidence holds up that most pedophiles identify with being heterosexual. So I hope this clears that up.

But there are a lot of rights tied up in marriage, and there are a lot of implied definitions in the word "marriage" that makes civil unions pretty much worthless. (Plus, let's not get started on how "separate but equal" is always the first and never the second.)

To understand how idiotic I think the whole anti-gay marriage viewpoint is, let's put it this way:

As a child, when I was parroting my father's views on homosexuality without putting any thought into it (and I do mean child - this starts around the age of 9 or 10), I thought gay men could marry each other. I was parroting a very homophobic/anti-gay world view then. (This came up because of the TV show "Soap." My dad wouldn't randomly preach about this.)

It never, ever occurred to me that two people in love couldn't get married until they started making serious moves to ban gay marriage out here in California. So, for about two decades, it never even occurred to me that this would, could, or should be a problem.

During that time, my viewpoint on homosexuality changed to fit reality, and only reinforced my belief that trying to make it illegal for two consenting adults to marry, despite whatever differences they may or may not have, is a pretty horrible thing to do, and we as a society should not accept treating any other humans as less than human.

Rich