Other people's lives

I like it when people tell me that losing their wallet and having to replace their i.d. and credit cards is the "biggest ordeal I've dealt with in my life." It confirms my faith in cosmic balance.

Also, I was walking home the other day and there was a young woman walking behind me talking on the phone with a friend. I deduced that they were talking about what the friend might give up for Lent. The woman walking behind me suggested a couple of things and then she said "Oh! I know, you could give up pickles," slight pause, then "Well, it's supposed to be hard."

Two gripes and something cool

• Taking up a whole bench on the Metro with your iPod on, eyes closed, pretending to be asleep during rush hour is a dick move, guy.
• How much righteous hatred is too much for parents driving their kids door-to-door trick-or-treating?
• I saw three different African-American kids, somewhere in the 7-10 range, dressed up as Obama tonight. Just thinking about them makes me smile.

What happened to good drug etiquette?

Thanks to the NYT, I spent the evening familiarizing myself with the whole genre of Salvia trip YouTube videos (as an added bonus, it's also the first time I recall having seen the word "bong" appear in the Times). Back in my younger and wilder days, I was no stranger to all manner of psychedelics, and to be perfectly honest, I enjoyed them. Salvia, however, was my least favorite - I tried it once and had the worst experience of my life. It wasn't a good time. Some people enjoy it, and that's fine by me, but it's definitely not my cup of ('shroom) tea.

Watching the videos, though, made me realize we were downright civilized in our little adventures. A few thoughts:

• Tim Leary always talked about "set and setting" in having a good trip. We always managed to either be outside in a safe environment, at a show or club, or some comfy place to chill out. Watching these jokers get blasted in their dingy apartments doesn't seem like a lot of fun to me.
• You know what sucks when you're tripping? People pointing and laughing, and some jerk trying to "trip you out" with some sort of nonsense. People, just let the person enjoy their voyage.
• You know what would've sucked even more? Someone waving a camera in my face and documenting my trip.
• And really, posting it on YouTube? I don't care if the shit's legal, broadcasting to the world how fucked up you were is one of the stupidest uses of technology I've seen.

Take the advice from someone who's "been there," kids - turn off the camera, light up a doob, put on Dark Side of the Moon, and just relax. It's much easier on your constitution.

< /cranky old man >

Oh, fuck it. This one's pretty fucking funny.

A Timely Reminder

I am not having the best of days. This perked me up considerably. Thank God for youtube.

Should I be disappointed?

I'm by no means old. I can still party down with at least the top 25% of them. But in the graduate employee union world, I think it's fair to say that I'm something of an "elder statesman." Should I be disappointed that I was the last to leave a drinking sesh of grad employees?

I Kid You Not

I came home a 3 pm today to find my daughter sitting in her bathrobe eating a bowl of tortellini that is clearly her lunch. Her chores for the day are largely undone.

She is very sorry that she doesn't have them done yet, but she has a good excuse. She didn't get up until 10 o'clock today and she's been playing a lot of Wii.

I Am Old

Any of you all got any idea what this means?

If you want it on a t-shirt, you can get it here.