Category: venting

civil rights, is it just me?, listen up!, near and dear, politics, that is so gay, venting, well?, wtf?!

um, thanks… FOR NOTHING

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It seems that my outrage yesterday was a little less than it should have been. Turns out, the gesture Obama tried to placate us with, was worth nothing:

The memorandum Obama signed Wednesday is not expected to grant health and retirement benefits to same-sex partners, as that is prohibited under the Defense of Marriage Act.

(source)

That’s right, fellow gays and lesbians, say it with me; we are STILL:
SECOND.
CLASS.
CITIZENS.

…and it doesn’t look like that is going to change any time soon.

This is not just disappointing, it is outrageous. This is a major slap in the face, Mr. President, and it will not be ignored. What was initially seen as a cop out, is now an empty promise worth practically nothing. Sure, I know you are limited by DOMA, but this empty gesture is not good enough, and frankly it is insulting that you would think that it is worth anything at all.

Perhaps I am being too harsh though… as you do care, right? Allow me the chance to give you the benefit of the doubt; you did say,

“I believe it’s discriminatory. I think it interferes with state’s rights, and we will work with Congress to overturn it.”

(source)

So when can we expect this to happen? If you really want to do something for gays and lesbians, DO SOMETHING. Instead of handing us empty promises, why not take actions that would actually matter? If striking down DOMA is what it will take, why didn’t you propose legislation to do just that; instead of handing us this bullshit?! Saying that you are against something while doing absolutely nothing to stop it, implicates you as a willing accomplice. Mr. President, you are guilty of standing by while we are again, discriminated against, publicly, by our government. It is going to take more than a strongly emphatic “opposition” (with a current obvious lack of any sign that you will actually do more than “be against it”) to make a difference, and I for one am waiting to see if you will actually do anything you continue to promise. The problem is, I am losing my patience.

Again, Mr. President, I am outraged at the sheer lack of support for the community that supported you so ferociously during your rise to power; only to be ushered to the back of the bus once you took the podium. For shame, Mr. President, for shame. I only hope that you will bring the change that you promised, and stop trying to sell us snake oil instead. This is one member of the gay community that is rapidly losing support for the great man that I thought you were.

all about me, is it just me?, venting, well?, wtf?!

to the sexist asshole at the liquor store:

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No, I am NOT a woman; men can carry bags for their shit these days too. No, I will not leave my $400 bag with ipod, wallet, sunglasses, etc. behind the counter, because, if for NO OTHER REASON, women are allowed to carry their bags throughout the store; and therefore, so should I.

Basically, some guy who works at the liquor store came over to me, and bitchily asked me to leave my bag at the counter, to which I replied, “do you ask women to leave their purses at the counter?”. He replied, “no, but are you a woman?”. Clearly, I am not a fucking woman you asshole, but that doesn’t make any difference, I will not leave my bag behind the counter for the same reason that women do not have to. It is the same as a purse, so get the fuck over it. My bag wasn’t even big enough to put a bottle of alcohol in without it clearly being noticeable; so what was all the fuss about!?!

What I should have done was just put down my basket full of booze, and walked the fuck out, but instead, I just told him that he would just have to get over it, because I was almost done shopping anyway. What I found interesting, is the lady at the counter heard it all, and said that the reason he approached me, was because he must have thought it was a “backpack”; which interestingly enough, the woman behind me in line was actually wearing, and had carried throughout the store with no fuss.

Needless to say, I won’t be going back into that liquor store (Green’s on Buford Highway), and as such, won’t have to worry about whether or not I can carry my belongings with me; like all the women are allowed to do. Clearly, they don’t need my business, so I can go elsewhere!

is it just me?, mixed media, movie musings, shiny stuff, venting, well?, wtf?!

sony fail: let me count the ways

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So I finally caved and bought a PS3. I was hoping there would be a price drop announced last week at E3, which is what I have been waiting for before I bought one, but there wasn’t even a hint of such a thing happening any time soon. Since the PS3 is only $100 more than a Blu Ray player, I felt it would make more sense to get the PS3, so that I could have both, and so I did.

After un-boxing the mammoth console, I got my first taste of what will surely be a long list of Sony FAIL. The PS3 has been, and continues to be touted as THE system for HD; and it continues to claim itself as a revolutionary system with the highest quality video for games and movies. Well, some of that is true… and some of it is not. First of all, I think that it is almost a slap in the face of the consumer to ask them to pay $400 for a machine that will revolutionize their HD experience, and box the motherfucker with composite cables; which any A/V geek knows does NOT have the capability of displaying HD! Additionally, the companion HDMI cable marketed and sold by Sony for the PS3 is $60. For shame, Sony; you expect me to shell out ANOTHER $60 just to get the HD quality you promised for $400? Assholes.

Luckily, I have an HDMI cord that I wasn’t ass raped for (ahem, I didn’t buy it at Best Buy), and I just used it to connect the PS3. Crisis averted… HD was mine; and you know what, it is impressive. We played a few Blu Ray movies, and they were impressively crisp. I really can tell the difference in standard DVDs being upscaled, and a true Blu Ray HD DVD. Again, very impressive, you break even, here Sony.

Now comes FAIL #2. I bought Little Big Planet, and Resident Evil 5 (RE5 was for James, and I figured, since the PS3 is new, why not get it for that system?!) because I wanted to have at least a couple of games for the PS3. LBP is really cute, but I noticed the graphics were a little rougher than I was expecting; after all, it is plugged into my TV through HDMI, so it should be just as amazing as the Blu Ray, right (ESPECIALLY on a title like LBP, which is exclusive to the PS3)? WRONG. Turns out, Sony doesn’t really have the goods to back up their claims. The best they can do is 720p on most games, and the two that I got both fall into this category. Even though I have the PS3 output set to 1080i, and my TV can display 1080i, it can only display these games at 720p (this is a known, but quiet, issue). I wish that I would have gotten RE5 for the Xbox, because even my Xbox 360 exceeds the PS3 by upscaling everything to 1080i, and I can bet the graphics would be a little better. FAIL FAIL FAIL. Sure, it is only a minor thing, but when you buy something that expensive that is supposed to be so “AWESOME11!!1!!”, then disappointment is pretty much the word that comes to mind when you think about the whole scenario. When it comes right down to it, Sony, you do not have the HD system that you claim to; at least, you aren’t letting us use it to its full potential, anyway.

Needless to say, I am a bit disappointed. I will be making sure I keep a close eye on games that I get for the PS3, because if I can get a better version of the same game for the Xbox 360, Xbox will win this battle every time. Also, as of writing this, my Xbox 360 is only hooked to my TV through component cables, and the games look better than the 2 PS3 ones I have tried. Sure, there are some out there that will do 1080, but I am just shocked that PS3 doesn’t upscale ALL games like the Xbox does; especially when they claim the PS3 is so much better than the Xbox 360 (which, judging by the two titles I have, certainly isn’t true game wise).

As far as I am concerned, while I am glad I got the PS3, I can’t believe how much fine print, and blatant trickery Sony has instituted into their “AMAZING!!! SYSTEM!!1!11!!!!”. Seriously, Sony, you need to really get over yourself and stop the quick slight of hand, which I am sure has made customers other than myself more than a bit peeved as well. This leaves Sony with a score of negative one; let’s hope that time will allow them to break even, and make this consumer happier with his VERY extravagant and expensive purchase.

UPDATE: HOW COULD I FORGET THE LACK OF SUPPORT FOR PS2 GAMES?? Epic fail continues…

all about me, school, tragic, venting, wtf?!

I’m this close

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…to completely giving up. I have applied, taken classes, kissed ass, sent in form after fucking form, and it is all apparently not enough. I cannot get into a fucking nursing program to save my life. I am really close to just saying, “fuck it, universe, you win”. I just got off of the phone with GPC to ask why my status wasn’t changed on their website, because I have sent in the “change of status” form 3 times now, and I have found out that they still haven’t changed it, and want me to resubmit it. What for? Just for shits and grins? You have got to be fucking kidding me.

If I hear ANYONE say anything about how they “can’t believe that there is such a shortage of nurses” in Georgia, I will let them know why. I am smart, have great grades, and most of all, the drive to do the damn job, and even I can’t get my foot in the door. I have been trying to get into other schools, and they keep listing me as an out of state resident, which both quadruples the tuition, as well as puts me at the end of the list, after all of the in state residents (which is practically an instant rejection, since there is such a shortage of these programs in Georgia). I can see why kids graduating from college in Georgia could have a bleak outlook for their future; good luck finding college in this state.

Needless to say, I am MORE than frustrated right now, but I am VERY happy that I at least have a job; no I am not that diluted by my disappointment to forget that majorly important fact.

/upset rant

civil rights, is it just me?, that is so gay, tragic, venting, wtf?!

STFU

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A couple of weeks ago, it was ignorant Prejean, blabbing her opinion on the “gay lifestyle”, and her beliefs about gay marriage. She kept talking after the incident, and went so far as to claim that people choose to be gay. Clearly, she chose to be a heterosexual, and barely escaped a lesbian lifestyle. All I could think of everything she was saying was, shut the fuck up you ignorant twit. Seriously, we don’t need your bible thumping views and ignorant ideas to set our fight for equal rights back any more than we need a nail through the foot. Thanks. Moving on…

It doesn’t take long for another twit to get the mic, because here’s another person that I want to STFU: Virgina Foxx. She claims that Matthew Shepard’s HORRIBLE and VIOLENT death was not because he was gay, when it is like 99.9% clear that it was. I will never understand why people are so opposed to hate crime legislation, when so many people have been the victim of hate crimes. No one should have to be brutally slaughtered because of who they are, the color of their skin, or who they love. And if you are against it, fine, that’s your bag, but it’s reprehensible that she would go so far to discredit hate crimes legislation, and claim Matthew’s death was a “simple robbery”. How people can have their stupid heads buried this deep in the sand, and how they can somehow get public platforms is beyond me. Hey Virgina, STFU, alright? Just like Prejean, we don’t need your hateful ignorance, and your warped sense of reality mucking up things for us while we FIGHT for civil rights. What is so scary about gay people just being equal with everyone else?

It really peeves me even more that these are two women, who should know what it means not to have equal rights, seeing as women had to fight for them too. How quickly people forget. You know, you are entitled to your opinion, that’s true, but sometimes, you should think about the ramifications of your “ideals”, and just STFU already. Seriously, go back to your church and tell your mindless followers this crap; keep the public forum free of your hate-driven lies and ignorance please.

is it just me?, venting, wtf?!

we interupt your regularly scheduled program for this announcement

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This very thing is exactly what happened 15 or so times last night while I was watching TV. Seriously, I get that the weather is bad, and I get that people need to know, but just cutting off a show halfway in, and never going back to it is at a bare minimum, extremely annoying; ESPECIALLY when all you are doing is showing me a map, and you continually repeat yourself for like 30 minutes (I’m looking at you channel 2 weather dude). Additionally, the National Weather Service seriously needs to update to like, I don’t know, THIS century? That message system that was designed and probably totally savvy in 1942 is kind of outdated, don’t you think?

I also don’t understand something: I have an HDTV, and watch shows in HD. So how come, when they need to scroll something across the screen, they make the picture tiny, and ADD graphics around it? Can’t you just leave the picture alone, and scroll the info at the bottom? Seriously, making a graphic, and shrinking the picture down is not cool. Again, annoying. I am all for you informing the public, but do you have to be such a nuisance about it?

Finally, if I see one more of those “the conversion to digital TV is coming…” announcements on an HD channel I am going to scream. CLEARLY, if I am watching an HD channel, I HAVE a digital signal, and am receiving it normally, dumb asses. Stop this shit!

/rant

is it just me?, venting

how stupid are you?

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I get a lot of spam email, and I never understand why these idiots think that their schemes will work. Take this email I got this morning for instance:

Subject: Postal Tracking #HMPSH71337KU7MH
From: “United Parcel Service of America”
Date: Tue, April 14, 2009 9:25 am

Hello!

We were not able to deliver postal package you sent on the 14th of March in time
because the recipient?s address is not correct.
.
Please print out the invoice copy attached and collect the package at our office.

Your United Parcel Service of America

It had an included zip file, which I am sure was full of spyware or a virus or something. How stupid are these people that they think I would fall for this shit? I mean, I’m no rocket scientist, but I am pretty sure that if UPS wanted to get in touch with me, they wouldn’t use a hotmail email. I’m just saying.

Nice try though, asshole.

five song friday, listen up!, mixed media, music musings, music suggestion, venting

5SF: february 13

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Eeek! Friday the 13th! Okay, so maybe not; it’s just a superstition that was turned into a series of horror movies, right? Either way, I have had a pretty decent day, and the weather is amazing outside, AND I am going into a 3 day weekend, so I am pretty happy about it. I have to say, that I love doing these five song Fridays, because it is like a “welcome to the weekend!!!!”, and there is no way that could be anything other than awesome, right?! Well, let’s get to it then, shall we!?

Alesha Dixon – Breathe Slow
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_213_aleshadixon-breatheslow.mp3]
This song has hit written all over it. The first couple of times I heard it, I knew that there was something about it I kind of liked, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Well, after massive rotation on BBC Radio 1, I have fallen head over heels in love with this track, and had to feature it this week. Alesha Dixon had some success in the UK in the R&B girl band Mis-Teeq, but recently released quite a decent solo album. This is by far my favorite song on the album, and I am thankful to BBC Radio 1 for turning me on to this great track! Also, best of luck to Alesha as she heads to Africa to scale Mt Kilimanjaro for Malaria relief!

Lady GaGa – Fashion
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_213_ladygaga-fashion.mp3]
Alright, if you don’t get it by now, Lady GaGa is massive. HUGE. I have been screaming about her for almost a year now, and I am so pleased to see her getting the attention she deserves. Well, it seems like her steam engine has caught on fire, as there are all kinds of tracks spilling onto the tracks these days. The most recent is this amazing song from the Confessions of a Shopaholic soundtrack, appropriately called (and all about) Fashion. Lady GaGa’s blend of dance-pop is such a great, upbeat sound that it is hard not to bounce about when listening to great pop songs like this one. I’m glad that she released it, instead of Heidi Montag, which was what I had seen swirling around the internets. Hooray for new GaGa! Also, if it is going to all be this good, keep it coming!

Morrissey – I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_213_morrissey-imthrowingmyarms.mp3]
Now, I know that this will probably piss someone off, but normally, Morrissey just bores me. Now, that doesn’t mean that he isn’t a fabulous artist, but for whatever reason, his voice usually hits the “go to sleep” button in my brain, and I have to shut it off. However, with this new song, Morrissey has made me sit up and pay attention; with my eyes and ears wide open! It’s peppy, fun, and the video is down right cute! It makes me wonder where the depressive Morrissey has gone; although, the lyrics definitely have his typical sardonic twist, but this time, they are juxtaposed with a, dare I say it, upbeat pop backing track! I must declare that I love this song, and I might have to go back through his catalog and see if I can find other moments that are as peppy as this song is.

Joanna Pacitti – 4th of July
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_213_joannapacitti-4thofjuly.mp3]
Okay, I’ll admit it. I watch American Idol. Mostly, I like to see who’s good and who isn’t, and by the time they get to the top 12, it is all gravy because most of those kids are pretty good. Well, with the recent crop, there was this one chick who stood out; both because she had a great singing voice, and also because there was a lot of press about her having a record deal prior to her auditioning this season. Well, it all came to a head, and unfortunately got her the boot from the show, which kinda sucks I guess, because she had made it to the top 36 as of this week. Well, I was talking to my friend John last night about her previous records, and he informed me of a song she did for the Legally Blonde soundtrack that was actually quite good. After listening to that song, we headed to iTunes, and low and behold, they have some of her songs (although not that particular one… poop), and this one struck me instantly. It is brilliantly sung and totally beautiful. I hate that Joanna got booted from AI, but I hope that the publicity can get her back on track to making more great music like this. Keep going Joanna, and don’t give up!!

Lily Allen – He Wasn’t There
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_213_lilyallen-hewasntthere.mp3]
Oh Lily, how I have missed thee!!! Ever since I saw her in concert a couple of years ago (check out the pictures!), I have been a massive fan. Well, after there was word that she would be releasing a new album at the beginning of this year, I began to get more and more excited to see what Ms. Allen would have in store for us on her second record. After the release of the massive single, The Fear, my anticipation only grew, because I knew that I was going to be getting more of the Lily that I had fallen in love with on her debut. Well, as I mentioned last week, her album came out this week, and more great Lily Allen is exactly what I got. I love a lot of the songs on the album, even if they borrow heavily and sample heavily several other popular songs through the ages, and this one is definitely one of my favorites. I love that “playing on an old record” scratchy sound, and as always, her lyrics will make you smile and really show her writing ability to be pretty keen. I’m glad that her album is so good, and I am glad that it is finally out; I was tired of waiting! Also, as a heads up, I just noticed that on Amazon.com, they has It’s Not Me, It’s Youon sale for $3.99!! That’s a steal!

So there’s another five songs on this very nice Friday for you. I hope you enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed bringing them to you! Now, let me know what you thought, and as always, tell me what you are listening to!! You never know when you will see it on the list!

flickr, is it just me?, music musings, tragic, venting, wtf?!

where’d my flickr buddy icon reply function go?!

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If you use firefox, and like me, find the flickr buddy icon reply function to be one of the best scripts for greasemonkey, and one that you use daily, you are probably wondering where in the hell it went! Well, thanks to one of my flickr contacts, I was led to a forum that had the script update that I needed to fix the problem. Here it is. Just click on that link, and it will install it, and just like that, you are back in business. No need to thank me, you are more than welcome.

Also, this is just a gripe, but I am sick and fucking tired of iTunes. It is the slowest, worst program on my computer, and I am a complete slave to it. It deletes album artwork whenever it feels like it, and doesn’t put it on my ipod when I update it half of the time. I mean, how much is it to ask Apple to make a program that is literally used by millions of people to have the functionality that it promises?! I just don’t get it. Grrrr I tell you. GRRRR.

"pointless", is it just me?, music musings, tragic, venting

a random list: music artists I can’t stand

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I’m in a random mood, and unfortunately, I am constantly thinking of/compiling a list of music artists that I can’t stand, so I thought I would make a blog post out of it. It could be the voice, it could be the music, but most likely, it is a combo of the two that send me over the edge. If you like ’em, more power to you, but please don’t play ’em when I’m around; after all, I hate them.

The list of music artists I can’t stand (for record’s sake, I guess):

  • Nickelback: not only do all of their songs sound alike, they aren’t good. Additionally, Chad Kroeger’s voice makes me never want to hear again (not to mention the fact that he is a complete and utter tool).
  • M.I.A.: I still think that she is fucking with all of us. The music is annoying at best, and her vocals are like cats trapped in a plastic bag, being beaten with reeds. I don’t get how she is nominated for an Oscar.
  • U2: If I could use one word to describe U2, it would be arrogant. Or pompous. Either way, it is the self-righteousness that Bono practically sweats that gives me a physical reaction similar to nauseousness whenever I hear their music.
  • Matchbox Twenty/Rob Thomas: bleck. Overproduced rock pop at its worst. AND it’s played on the radio practically non-stop. I wish that someone, anyone, would MAKE it stop.
  • Gwen Stefani: Hollaback Girl is one of the worst songs of the century. Yes, I said that, and stand behind it, and you need to deal with it.
  • Fergie/Black Eyed Peas: Another extremely annoying addition to this list. It’s not that Fergie CAN’T sing, is just that when she does, it is the stupidest thing imaginable. No, I do not want to know anything about her humps.
  • Old Dirty Bastard/Big Baby Jesus: One of the worst, most raspy, and drunk sounding voices in rap. At least his name is fitting; well, the first one anyway.
  • Norah Jones: Zzzzzzzzzzzzz… I’m sorry, I’m sleeping.
  • Bob Dylan/Jacob Dylan/The Wallflowers: Bob and Jacob’s voices are so similar, that they get lumped together. Their voices are like nails on a chalkboard to me, which is unfortunate, because I actually think Bob Dylan is quite a brilliant song writer. I wish he would have just stuck with writing.
  • Linda Perry/4 Non-Blondes: They only really had one hit with What’s Up, but it is one of the worst songs that has ever been made. It’s almost like a knife in my heart when I hear it on the radio, because of the massive amount of ANYTHING else that could have been played. Definitely one of my least favorite songs ever. Another case of great song writer using their voice to torture the masses.
  • Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs: If I ever hear Because the Night or Carnival, it will be far, far too soon. I think that they play both of those over the PA in the elevator to hell.
  • Sonic Youth: Not music. Noise. Lots of random, chaotic, annoying noise.
  • Kid Rock: Trailer trash that somehow got lucky enough to get money, and is still, wait for it… trailer trash. Seriously, I bet he smells like an ashtray. Add that to the recent raping of an American rock classic, and there you go.
  • T-Pain: Swallow that goddamned vocoder already. Seriously. SWALLOW IT.
  • Jack Johnson: I am sitting, waiting, and wishing that he would stop making music. He falls in the same boat with Norah Jones; music in the genre that I love that is so boring that it puts me to sleep faster than a handful of Quaaludes.
  • KATY PERRY: she’s a bigot who makes no apologies for being so. Fuck her.
  • TV on the Radio: This isn’t music, it, like Sonic Youth’s “material” is just strange noise with very, very annoying vocals. Seriously, it sounds like the aforementioned cats in a bag.
  • Eddie Vedder/Pearl Jam: whenever I hear Pearl Jam, one word always pops in my head: douche. Seriously Eddie Vedder sounds like he is trying to be as much like Bob Dylan as he can, and with regards to annoying me, he does it very, very well. There is only one song of their’s I like, because it is the only one that doesn’t sound like every other one they’ve ever done.

WOW! That list is longer than I thought it would be!! Well, I may add to it at a later date, but it’s a good start. If any of these artist’s songs come on anywhere around me, I do the best I can to get away from them, and if I cannot escape, I usually complain about them while it is on. I know that I am not alone here; let me know about those out there making music, that are like nails on a chalkboard to you.