Pragmatik » Random

You grew your beard in a little.

Johnny — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:50:47 +0000

Saw someone who works where I work, who I hadn’t seen in a while, this morning at the coffee place. He’s very nice and has a business beard (i.e., very very well-trimmed beard when he could totally grow more if he wanted to). He said, “You grew your beard in a little.” Wistfully. And intentionally understated. My beard makes ladies swoon these days. You don’t believe me?

Hate crimes on the rise.

Johnny — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:24:17 +0000

Since Obama was elected, stupid racist people are getting a little more…active. Read more. Schoolchildren shout “Assassinate Obama!” Okay, so kids are being taught by someone to be so full of ignorant hate as to call for the murder of a President-elect. If they still yell that after he’s in, should that be, something you get arrested for? I mean, you can’t go to jail and stay there for something you say. I would never want that. But is it to be construed as a threat worth of at least a look?

Maybe I sound like an advocate of the Patriot Act or something. But come on. Will we really tolerate kids yelling that? I may just be speaking out of an unspoken fear that one of these racist assholes will actually act on their hate.

If black kids in New Orleans in 2005 yelled “Assassinate Bush,” that would not have been tolerated, even if it wasn’t necessarily and entirely racially motivated.

If the kids are not being taught to be so hateful by someone else and are in fact that bad on their own, this is doubly true — we can’t tolerate this. We can’t control someone’s heart and their hate, but we can discourage the expression of it. Can’t we? Should we?

Voter related comment policy.

Johnny — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:35:10 +0000

I would propose a new policy for bloggers to adopt. While controling free speech is shaky ground, and I would not advocate controling speech in public, one’s private website is another matter. What I mean is that, non-voters should not get comments published on other people’s sites. They don’t want “their voices to be heard.” So they won’t. Shouldn’t whatever. I don’t know. I’m tired from not sleeping. With excitement! If you don’t vote, at least blog or write or something. Someting. But, honestly, I have to say that, you know, ahem, if you don’t vote (for someone), you suck. I mean, even if you don’t like the two biggies, there are third party candidates. And if you don’t like them, there are local elections. And if you don’t like them, there are ballot questions. And if you don’t care about any of that, well, I’d be surprised you’ve read this far.

Moss on a wet rock
Not helping or anything
Non-voters suck hard

Dan is a fountain.

Johnny — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:03:55 +0000

Dan — after most of the Tour du Greater Homewood. Mr. Dan is nearly half way through a 5-month training that will put him in what just might be a dream job. Dan is awesome. And he will return to cycling soon!

Dan! Dan!

DING-DING!

For Photo Friday: Freeze Frame.

Must be a successful man!

Johnny — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:47:26 +0000

I was riding the elevator up to my office today. I work on the top floor of my building. An older gent who I have not seen before was riding to the third floor. When I excused myself and pushed the button for 6, he joked, “Sixth floor? Must be a successful man!” I was still laughing when I opened my office door and threw all my crap on a chair.

My Achilles Heel.

Johnny — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:51:18 +0000

Blowing down The Avenue in Hampden Friday night with my friend Zack and a go-cart, I caught the thing in the back of my heel when I tried to keep Zack from going into the street. Didn’t break it, and watching the colors change is fun. This was at its more normal color. A few inches higher, and I might have broken an ankle. I ran into a tree when I was riding it, but I hurt neither me nor the tree. Nor the cart.

That one.

Johnny — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:36:22 +0000

I was going to make a “that one” joke, but I’ve heard quite a few good ones that were much better than what I had in mind. And I don’t know if I want to make light of the disregard displayed (all that dis-ing!) publicly toward one Presidential candidate from another. I’m not naive enough to believe that Obama likes McCain any more than John likes Barack. But he does a better job of hiding it, at least in public when the man’s standing/sitting right there. And people call him elitist! Standing while Obama was talking was minorly disrespectful. But on the other hand, I don’t know. I’m not making fun of him, but that stool looked uncomfortable for Senator McCain to maintain a posture in. I don’t think I would have been comfortable in that chair, having short legs also. Maybe his legs hurt, and he needed to stand a bit. Like I said, I don’t know. But pacing while Obama was talking at the end – I mean, geez. Even “elitists” like Obama don’t do that. Not so openly. That kind of “I’m right, and you just don’t understand” posturing stands in contrast to the “maverick” reaching across the aisle they both brag a lot about.

Another anniversary.

Johnny — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 02:12:09 +0000

Last year, we spent the day in Washington, and it was hot. Today, it was breezy, sunny and gorgeous just like in 1997. We stayed in Baltimore and only went as far from home as bike-less legs would carry us. Tomorrow, we go to the Fell’s Point Festival, like our first date. Last year, I spent the whole festival in a bar because it was hot and the beer was cold. Not tomorrow, though. I also plan on eating more this year. Yes! Last year, it was only very bad fried rice that I largely just spilled into my flip-flop. It was a hemp shoe and got very sticky. Ick.

I have fall-scented candels burning. And James playing. Just had some coffee. Will have some more.

My father bought a Mustang GT Friday. The same red as his V6 Mustang that he inherited from Mrs. Mom. You know how I feel about car ownership. That is, car ownership for me. If you wanna drive, that’s cool. But his new car is very pretty. I think I might have to steal it for a joyride. Cuz, you know, grand theft auto is funny.

I’m trying not to sound stuck-up, self-righteous or any other hyphenated thing. Really.

Call me stupidly drunk on love, loving and loveliness like, well, a love drunk. Today, I am exempt. Thank you. I am sappy today. Thank you. Maybe tomorrow for a while, too. Thank you.

Do not listen to me. Or try this at home.

Tiny bottle of Tabasco.

Johnny — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 01:51:52 +0000

I am devoted enough to spicy food to carry this in my bike toolbox. It’s not big enough to take camping, which is what it’s meant for. Despite what “manliness” this might propound, I don’t eat meat. Maybe my…courage in the spice realm makes up for whatever perceived weakness comes from not eating meat or whatever perceived weakness leads to it. Whichever. Whatever. I want to kick people who call vegetarians sissies. I can cook spicier food than most people I know will eat. What bearing does any of this really have on bravery? I mean, eating what everyone else eats. Now that’s brave. {?}

I wonder what Obama smells like.

Johnny — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:00:31 +0000

I’ll bet he smells good.

Took out my ACs.

Johnny — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:30:07 +0000

And I was just in time. I am looking forward to my commute Wednesday and beyond, with this nice weather coming. I’ve been feeling like a sucker (but not a “light weight“) for having the ACs in lately, but it’s not like you just put them in a box and are done with it.

McCain did it.

Johnny — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:10:24 +0000

Now we’re all distracted by Sarah Palin and her drama. Few people are talking about his…flaws right now. Maybe he’s smarter than we think?

Good to be busy.

Johnny — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:58:54 +0000

It’s nice to be tired at the end of the day, from working and from bike riding.

Photo Friday: Old Fashioned.

Johnny — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:34:49 +0000

[Larger.]

From the Bike Pageant and Tour du Greater Homewood a few weeks ago. A whole family on cool vintage bikes. When one got a flat, this gent traded me a tire patch for the knowledge of how to patch a tube without even removing the wheel (and he was good at it). It was awesome.

Photo Friday: Old Fashioned.

It rained a lot in Boston.

Johnny — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:00:46 +0000

A lot. This was the end of the first day. But, while it was wet and while my sandals were full of grit and gook, it was cool. I wore a flannel that day, all day. That was pretty awesome.

The morning we were leaving, this little gal/guy came out in North Quincy. He was out further, but I scared him when I took his picture.