I had an appointment with the dentist yesterday. Whenever this came up in casual conversation, almost everyone's response was, "Oh, that sucks."
This struck me as odd, because I generally have no ill feelings about going to the dentist (besides the notion of time better spent playing video games or something equally brain-rotting). I thought about this for a bit, which has inspired today's post.
When I was very young (3 or 4), I had a lot of cavities. Not "Oh, Billy ate too many Now and Laters and now his tooth hurts" amount of cavities. I mean a LOT. Having immigrated recently from the U.S.S.R. and likely having no dental insurance to speak of (I'll have to fact check on that one), no dentists in Maryland wanted to take me in - save one.
Dr. Thomas Hoffman of Columbia, MD, took pity on me and my parents, took me in and patched my teeth up. He was patient, caring, and a damn good dentist (I've gone through 3 or 4 since, and none could compare).
Whether he realized it or not, Hoffman had a profound affect on me, and not just in the sense that he saved me from a bad case of halitosis, gum disease or tooth cancer (one of those is made up). His decision to bring me in introduced my family to the Owen Brown area, which essentially shaped the rest of my life. Who my friends were, what I grew to be interested in, even who my girlfriend is. It all had a very huge impact on me. Also, and perhaps most importantly, Hoffman's kind act was a shining example to my parents that, even though times were tough, America wasn't a place devoid of kindness - that a stranger was willing to extend his or her hand to help.
After a decade or so with Dr. Hoffman still as my dentist, I ran into him for the first time in public. We were in the movie theatre to see The Fellowship of the Ring, when I saw him with his family. At that moment, I decided not to say hello, as he seemed to be very happy to be with family, and I didn't want to disturb him. I'll see him during my next appointment, I thought to myself.
So, like these things tend to go, I never had another apointment with Dr. Hoffman. One day, while sitting at the kitchen table in my home, one of my parents handed me the obituary section from the Columbia Flier. The article revealed that Dr. Hoffman had passed away (from what, exactly, I can't remember. Stroke? Heart attack?).
There are a lot of morals to this story, and most of them are obvious. But the one that supercedes all of the others is that a little kindness can go an extremely long way.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Stupid People Are Everywhere
So I'm leaving the dentist today, and a young man in a fitted cap pulls up next to me.
He is stupid.
Is he stupid because he's wearing a fitted cap? Nope. Does he have a team I hate on his cap? Nope.
My friends, this young man had the Soviet sickle and hammer symbol on his cap.
It frustrates me to no end that people in the states think it's very chic to wear this symbol, but really, if just means you're fucking stupid. The sickle and hammer is the same thing as the swastika. If you want to get technical, you could say it's even worse, because Stalin and co. killed more people than Hitler ever did.
Point being, if you want to let me know that, hey, you're an idiot, wear the sickle and hammer. Or cum goggles. Either way, I'll think you're a moron.
He is stupid.
Is he stupid because he's wearing a fitted cap? Nope. Does he have a team I hate on his cap? Nope.
My friends, this young man had the Soviet sickle and hammer symbol on his cap.
It frustrates me to no end that people in the states think it's very chic to wear this symbol, but really, if just means you're fucking stupid. The sickle and hammer is the same thing as the swastika. If you want to get technical, you could say it's even worse, because Stalin and co. killed more people than Hitler ever did.
Point being, if you want to let me know that, hey, you're an idiot, wear the sickle and hammer. Or cum goggles. Either way, I'll think you're a moron.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Thoughts Upon My Return From Vacation
Obligatory Obits:
First the easy ones: Billy Mays - you entertained and were engaging in a job where, in my opinion, one would normally be dull and annoying. Well, you were kind of annoying too - but you sold that Oxyclean like your life depended on it. Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett - neither of you really impacted my life that much, but I respect your place in pop culture.
Michael Jackson: it's all already been said - GOAT entertainer, bar none. There have been better dancers (though not many), and there have been better singers. But a better combo of the two? Not that I can fathom. Add in his music-writing ability, ridiculous showmanship, and shrewd understanding of the music industry, and he was probably the most complete artist of all time.
Steve McNair: This one hit me kind of hard. As a Ravens fan, I had plenty of time to both revile and admire him. I said this well before he died - I believe the man belongs in the HOF. The amount of shit this guy put his body through for the sake of the game is just ridiculous. He represents the "eat lightning and crap thunder" mentality that the NFL is known for. Either way, rest in peace.
Other Thoughts
First the easy ones: Billy Mays - you entertained and were engaging in a job where, in my opinion, one would normally be dull and annoying. Well, you were kind of annoying too - but you sold that Oxyclean like your life depended on it. Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett - neither of you really impacted my life that much, but I respect your place in pop culture.
Michael Jackson: it's all already been said - GOAT entertainer, bar none. There have been better dancers (though not many), and there have been better singers. But a better combo of the two? Not that I can fathom. Add in his music-writing ability, ridiculous showmanship, and shrewd understanding of the music industry, and he was probably the most complete artist of all time.
Steve McNair: This one hit me kind of hard. As a Ravens fan, I had plenty of time to both revile and admire him. I said this well before he died - I believe the man belongs in the HOF. The amount of shit this guy put his body through for the sake of the game is just ridiculous. He represents the "eat lightning and crap thunder" mentality that the NFL is known for. Either way, rest in peace.
Other Thoughts
- Megan Fox is incredibly overrated. She's really not that hot. Maybe even a little alien-like. I don't get the obsession. Wait, yes I do - you all have bad taste in women. Anyone over the age of 14 should get what I'm talking about.
- Never fly AirTran. AirTran, you can suck it.
- Merchants, you can suck it too.
- Barnes & Noble's website is awesome - great delivery deals.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Erm...
...in what world does 30 days in prison equate taking a man's life?
If you answered, "In the United States justice system!" you'd be right.
The Cleveland Browns' Dante Stallworth pleaded guilty not long ago to DUI manslaughter. The wide receiver was driving drunk in Florida when he killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes.
His punishment was a paltry 30-day jail sentence after reaching a plea deal, and reached a financial agreement with Reyes' family.
Now, some of you may say, "Oh, but the guy was jay-walking" or "But he waited for the ambulance to arrive!" To hell with all that - dude was driving drunk - THAT was the deciding factor. You mean to tell me he can't call a cab or get a chauffeur?"
"I will bear this burden for the rest of my life," said Stallworth in a statement.
Bullshit.
The people who bear the burden for the rest of their lives are the friends and family members of Mario Reyes. So Stallworth gets under a month (he's credited with time served) in prison, and has to serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation. Big fucking deal. He's still, at this point, allowed to continue his career in the NFL.
I pray NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell throws the fucking book at this guy and bans him from the league for life - I really do. There's no excuse for it whatsoever.
UPDATE: A very well-written take on the matter here.
If you answered, "In the United States justice system!" you'd be right.
The Cleveland Browns' Dante Stallworth pleaded guilty not long ago to DUI manslaughter. The wide receiver was driving drunk in Florida when he killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes.
His punishment was a paltry 30-day jail sentence after reaching a plea deal, and reached a financial agreement with Reyes' family.
Now, some of you may say, "Oh, but the guy was jay-walking" or "But he waited for the ambulance to arrive!" To hell with all that - dude was driving drunk - THAT was the deciding factor. You mean to tell me he can't call a cab or get a chauffeur?"
"I will bear this burden for the rest of my life," said Stallworth in a statement.
Bullshit.
The people who bear the burden for the rest of their lives are the friends and family members of Mario Reyes. So Stallworth gets under a month (he's credited with time served) in prison, and has to serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation. Big fucking deal. He's still, at this point, allowed to continue his career in the NFL.
I pray NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell throws the fucking book at this guy and bans him from the league for life - I really do. There's no excuse for it whatsoever.
UPDATE: A very well-written take on the matter here.
Monday, June 15, 2009
No Doubt Concert
Welcome back, childhood.
Yesterday, I went to go see No Doubt live. I was in the pit, which, to me, is the only way to see a concert. The opening act was The Sounds, who must've done a 15-minute set, of which I caught the last five. They were loud and energetic - though I don't feel like I learned anything about their music in that time. The same goes for the subsequent performance by Paramore, who are apparently very popular. Having never heard any of their music before, my reaction is pretty much the same as The Sounds, although I must say, the lead singer chick can work a crowd. (Side note, all three bands for the night had girl lead singers. No big deal or anything, just kinda interesting that it worked out that way). The Sounds and Paramore (to a lesser extent) seem to both have been influenced by Gwen and co., so it seemed fitting that they opened for them.
Now onto No Doubt. Now, I'm used to going to Hip Hop shows - so this was not nearly the exhausting experience I had mentally prepared for. At Hip Hop shows, the crowds are significantly rougher (to be fair, No Doubt's crowd is probably less prone to violence than, say, Ozzie Osbourne's), and the rappers starting three hours late is par for the course. Luckily, No Doubt came on right on time, and what an entrance it was.
Right as the set began, a large white curtain dropped from the ceiling. Then, you saw sillouhettes emegerge. First came all of the guys, one by one, each striking a pose. The crowd was nearly in frenzy, at which point Gwen's sillouhette emerged. The crowd erupted, and after some posing, the curtain dropped.
The set was fantastic. The music and singing were clear, and the energy was just fantastic. Each member of the band, including touring band members Stephen Bradley and Gabrial McNair truly gave a professional performance. For me, the highlights were "Just a Girl," "Don't Speak" and "Hey Baby" - the third mostly because I forgot it had existed. They ran through all the essentials, and for the encore they played three songs, and for one of them, brought The Sounds and Paramore on stage to help peform it. The 20 or so people on stage performing seamlessly was fantastic.
Finally, what can I say about Gwen? She is a bonafide superstar. From her interactions with the crowd (she got invited to a wedding by a fan couple), to her theatrics on stage (romping around, doing pushups, etc.), she at all times has a magnetic presence. Almost effortlessly, she dares you to not love her wholly and absolutely. And this isn't me talking about how sexy she is - though believe me, with those abs and that cute face, she is - but with every single song, you can see that she is a master of facial expression, and draws the listener in. Most importantly, you got the sense - not just from her, but from the whole band - that they were grateful to be there. It really feels like the show was a labor of love, and because of that, I won't soon forget it.
Yesterday, I went to go see No Doubt live. I was in the pit, which, to me, is the only way to see a concert. The opening act was The Sounds, who must've done a 15-minute set, of which I caught the last five. They were loud and energetic - though I don't feel like I learned anything about their music in that time. The same goes for the subsequent performance by Paramore, who are apparently very popular. Having never heard any of their music before, my reaction is pretty much the same as The Sounds, although I must say, the lead singer chick can work a crowd. (Side note, all three bands for the night had girl lead singers. No big deal or anything, just kinda interesting that it worked out that way). The Sounds and Paramore (to a lesser extent) seem to both have been influenced by Gwen and co., so it seemed fitting that they opened for them.
Now onto No Doubt. Now, I'm used to going to Hip Hop shows - so this was not nearly the exhausting experience I had mentally prepared for. At Hip Hop shows, the crowds are significantly rougher (to be fair, No Doubt's crowd is probably less prone to violence than, say, Ozzie Osbourne's), and the rappers starting three hours late is par for the course. Luckily, No Doubt came on right on time, and what an entrance it was.
Right as the set began, a large white curtain dropped from the ceiling. Then, you saw sillouhettes emegerge. First came all of the guys, one by one, each striking a pose. The crowd was nearly in frenzy, at which point Gwen's sillouhette emerged. The crowd erupted, and after some posing, the curtain dropped.
The set was fantastic. The music and singing were clear, and the energy was just fantastic. Each member of the band, including touring band members Stephen Bradley and Gabrial McNair truly gave a professional performance. For me, the highlights were "Just a Girl," "Don't Speak" and "Hey Baby" - the third mostly because I forgot it had existed. They ran through all the essentials, and for the encore they played three songs, and for one of them, brought The Sounds and Paramore on stage to help peform it. The 20 or so people on stage performing seamlessly was fantastic.
Finally, what can I say about Gwen? She is a bonafide superstar. From her interactions with the crowd (she got invited to a wedding by a fan couple), to her theatrics on stage (romping around, doing pushups, etc.), she at all times has a magnetic presence. Almost effortlessly, she dares you to not love her wholly and absolutely. And this isn't me talking about how sexy she is - though believe me, with those abs and that cute face, she is - but with every single song, you can see that she is a master of facial expression, and draws the listener in. Most importantly, you got the sense - not just from her, but from the whole band - that they were grateful to be there. It really feels like the show was a labor of love, and because of that, I won't soon forget it.
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