manitou

2005-09-07T04:13:00.000-07:00

it's early, and i'm up to make sure that i'm not late for a 9am disposistional hearing this morning.

i'm sick of the sioux falls police man.

i'm also sick of people bitching about the price of gas, and no, i don't think the price will drop, regardless of the drop in crude.

ho hum.

i watched a friend of mine play with his new ibook today. he just took it right out of the box and i wanted to cry.

somebody please gift me a computer. i seem unable to aquire one myself.

2005-08-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

that was last night.

i recently came back to the SoDak from a trip down to GA so i could visit, as well as take care of some legal issues.

Suprised?

No. No i do not think you are.

The trip on the whole was great. I had the chance to catch up with certain folks, avoid others, and manage to drink 4 days in a row, which if any of you actually know me, then it is to know that it is a rare thing to witness.

I just can't help it when i visit Athens. The place compels you to drink, just as New Orleans commands the utter addiction to smack, coke, and other soul-stealing substances.

SO i paid about $400 worth of fines, which i discovered should have been taken care of when last arrested back in Jan.2004.

Probation officer messed up, and apparently this is going through some channels so i can be refunded.

THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

i hate to make this short, especially since i haven't bee posting, and therefore neglecting my post, no pun intended, but i really haven't much to say of the chitchat nature, though have some real matters to bring forth at a later time.

they should be of interest to you, because it could happen to you, or those you love.

and it has nothing to do with this kitten, which i am posting below, even though he came into this world to only have his sibling rip out his eye on the second week of his life.

and finally, a couple of geeky things you should try out.

one of them is from Rob's request.

the other has been my own little fascination of late. see if you can find me.

2005-08-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

the author and an underage girl

I was forced to slam Shaun's head into a Waffle House chair
and steal his blogger passwords so we could see an update here.

so here: proof of my (much) earlier protestation to Curt that
I would be no better at this than Shaun.

long live the revolution
rob

2005-08-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

yes, i did get pulled over again.

the sioux falls man is a bored man, and nay a 24hr donut shop around, save for casey's,
the kum n' go, and other assorted, but not freshly made, donut vendors...

therefore, they do their job, which by definition, seems to be the case.

they police.

oppressively.

annoyingly.

and one day, after i conquer mars, i will destroy them.

with mind bullets.

and using the energy of my friends' quick, clever wit and zest for colorful dialouge.

2005-07-14T00:52:00.000-07:00

So.
48 hours of jail equals complete waste of time. I had an "American history X pt2: The lite version" while i was in there. After 4 hours of the common room, and then put into housing, you began to realize most of the white people in there have shaved heads. All of them walking around in their stripes, acting tough with toothpicks as eyebrow jewelry, which still baffles me. I walk in, though now i have to say that at this time my hair has been growing out again, thankfully, but as i said, i was walking into housing, and white guys were sitting around a table playing cribbage, because in the midwest you don't play spades in jail, you play cribbage, and they call me over to sit with them, so i do, not really thinking because if you spend enough time in there you may as well shave your head because what is a sense of fashion anymore when you sleep on a plastic bed and eat plastic food and drink fake kool-aid that tastes of soap.

i see them play their hands.
i spot a swastika inside the right arm.
another, in defeat, rests his forehead on the table.
i spot another swastika on the backside of his racist scalp.

i stand and walk over to as many peoples of color as possible and sit with them, though that only lasted a few hours until i realized that i could sleep my sentence away...

they asked me why i came to sit down.

"swastikas", i say. "fuck that."
"cool". and he goes back to watching Beverly Hills Cop 2.

I haven't seen a skinhead in years. PLENTY of years. I thought we evolved in the urban environs, meaning that they stayed hidden.

Then i remind myself i'm in the mid-west.

Seeing as the new Harry Potter is coming out this Sat. (or friday at midnight), and seeing as i am a huge fan(if you disagree, get off your 'i hate it cause it's mainstream' ass high horse and have some fun with your brain that drips pretentious droppings, you shit. i bet you read Garfield. fucker.) i decided jail could be well spent catching up and rereading the other books.

Couldn't. The warden declared them 'contraband'.

Then i remind myself that i'm in the mid-west.

A few nights ago a tree branch few over my retrofitted cable wires that extend from my house to the world beyond. I should say tree 'log'.

That would be more appropriate.

2005-07-02T03:14:00.000-07:00

about a month ago the police got me again. in fact, they got me right in front of my house, and as i stepped out of the car it was then that i even noticed i had been pulled over.

...cop came running out to me, hand outstrecthed, doing his 'stand back citizen' posture.

so, after court, they sentenced me to 2 days in the penn.

nice one, SoDak. way to take this threat off your fair streets.

the funny part is, is that the day i have to go spend my 48 hour slap on the wrist is on the 4th of July.

which is independence day.

but not for me i guess.

2005-06-30T01:39:00.000-07:00

2005-06-29T02:08:00.000-07:00

i got a new tatt.
i gotta new tatt.
igotsomeinkandi'mreallyfuckinghappyaboutit.

2005-06-25T01:30:00.000-07:00

my firend, the greek sent me this email i thought i should share with all of you.

News Release :
--------------

June 24, 2005 5:38:00 PM

William Hung Teams Up With Billy Ray Cyrus

Full-Length Album, "Miracle: Happy Summer From William Hung," to Be released on July 12th

Billy Ray Cyrus to Appear in Video for First Single, "Achy Breaky Heart"

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 06/24/05 -- The magical William Hung returns this summer with "Miracle: Happy Summer From William Hung," a collection of classic American summer songs sung from the heart.

The first single will be "Achy Breaky Heart," the smash hit made famous by musician/actor Billy Ray Cyrus. Cyrus will appear in the tongue-in-cheek video which will be shot shortly. William's rendition is already being serviced to various radio formats with an emphasis on country radio.

William's quirky personality and lovable demeanor captured the hearts of music fans nationwide as the most memorable, rejected talent show contestant in American history.

William has since become a household name through a variety of ventures in music, video and commercial endorsement deals with high-profile companies such as Cingular Wireless and AskJeeves.

"Miracle: Happy Summer From William Hung" features his unique take on summer-themed songs as well as some of William's personal favorites including "Tie A Yellow Ribbon," and "I Love L.A." The set also includes brand new inspirational sayings, or "Moments," from William as those on his debut CD were so cherished by his fans.

So, put on the swim trunks, lather up with the lotion and get Hung in the sun this summer with America's most unlikely star!

Track List:

1. Miracle Moment
2. It's A Miracle
3. Because of You
4. Tie A Yellow Ribbon
5. Achy Breaky Heart
6. I Love L.A.
7. Summer Moment
8. Surfin' USA
9. Dance Dance
10. Just Do It
11. Ocean Deep
12. Right Here Waiting
13. Healing Hands
14. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
15. Final Moment
16. Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=191965

i will be there for the midnight release...

2005-06-24T19:08:00.000-07:00

dammit.

mr skecthy tattoo artist flaked on me, and my excitment.

no inky for me tonight.

dammit.

2005-06-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

i'm going to get a new tattoo tonight. it's been about 7 years since my last.

it's about time.

i'm fucking excited.

come by later if you want to see it.

2005-06-23T04:33:00.000-07:00

it's a little after 5am here i the midwest. It's thursday morning. outside my window is some thug bumpin' away in his rusty ass chevy cavalier.

hey asshole. you live in South Dakota.

folks around here call what he's playing "trashy shit from the rez". that's funny and wrong, all in one.

i happen to live in what is referred to around town as the 'ghetto'.

my neighbor, the meth dealer, says,"man, i'm from chicago. if this is the ghetto, i call it paradise.'

-
i think it would be a shame if this post didn't spark a heated passionate debate.

im glad you are back to blogging again.
post more.
anti | 06.22.05 - 7:35 pm |

to be honest, the previous post was a joke, a setup so i could be an ass.
kind of backfired. regardless it does seem i stepped into something, so i'll bite. you want to hear what i think? sounds like fun.

and thanks, glad to be back.

-
I am libertarian too...Whatt bugs me, as I posted, is when people are labeled as inherently stupid or cultish for simply having any religion at all.

Of course there are stupid cultish sheep out there, but they are on BOTH sides.

I don't really give a damn what people want to believe as far as religion goes, but saying at ALL people are ignorant for having a religious believe to me is ignorant in itself.
melissa | Homepage | 06.22.05 - 8:11 pm |

i completely agree. i'm not sure if that came out in my comments. sorry if i offended or confused...

-
not trying to be a bitch, but i gots a question - do you think that christianity, or christian god is the moral authority?

cause i dont think so. i think humanity has alway had a stong ethic/morality - albeit in a different form than today.

so, no - i dont think that athiests get their asses handed to them right there - because atheism and morality are like apples and oranges to me i guess.

is the absense of god the absense of morality?
bigtanky | Homepage | 06.23.05 - 2:11 am |

i don't think you're a bitch at all.

i don't think that christianity, or christian god is the moral authority. i think all religions are the moral authority as they apply to their cultures respectfully. and as the relgions changed, form worshipping the rocks and trees, to zorastorism, to christianity/buddism/hinduism/islam/ba hai, etc.. the morality of man adjusts subsequently.

the problem is that christianity is tricky.

see, buddism has no real laws that effect the society around you. it's more about a devoted sense of personal accountability. (i'm speaking in loose terms, as i do not know that much on the faith, and i'm certainly NO AUTHORITY. this is simply how i see it.) Islam demands that it's faith IS the law, and christianity states that the law of the land will reflect the faith. Moreover, that god himself put said laws into effect.

probably why they get the 'sheep' label often enough, well, obviously.

so, law equals morality, in that capacity. to operate within morality is operate within god.

it's a catch 22.

And that's what i mean when i say atheists can't tackle the subject.

Morality is not something human beings instinctually have. They are taught, handed down generation to generation. you know this.

So when you put the question to a theologian, or an atheist "where does the concept of right and wrong come from? where did it originate? and logically speaking, can you take this from it's root to it's conclusion?"

i guarantee the thelogian will provide and more concise and 'well-armed reply'. they have the bible, and apologetics, and a wealth of history and witness. they've been at this far longer than those who question and doubt. and those who doubt and question also don't have the weight of fire and brimstone, just fear of a gun and some time in the state penn.

They have their brains, common sense, some sociology books, and the courage not to accept what has been handed down year after year as 'truth'. They also have the 'golden rule'. Unfortunately the 'golden rule' isn't a deity. It just kind of hangs out, weighing on your conscience.

so, do i think the absense of god the absense of morality?

fuck if i know, it just seems that way to me. My scope isn't nearly large enough to confidently answer that. Whatever the truth is, wheither it be god/lack thereof, the entire concept is larger than any of us, as it currently stands. I'm sure god is a much higher, more complex, much more powerful entity than the bible makes him out to be. As they put it, he's a big baby who kicks and screams and sends down the flood and frogs if he doesn't get attention. But, if you accept it, it does answer plenty of questions, including the biggest one of them all, "why the fuck are we here, and what is the point of it all?"

He answers, "to worship me." And how do we do that? "by following my law."

i still don't buy it. doesn't mean i can explain why right or wrong exisits. past the point of tradition,neitherr can any of us. we simply feel that right and wrong is right and wrong.

is it wrong to rape someone? why? because it's not very nice, or because it destroys them inside and out, regardless of the fact that it's an irrehensible act? but see, every adjective i gave it is biased. break it down darwin, scientific, atheist. it's simply two mammals vying for dominance. emotionless, cold, utterly morbid and very national geographic, complete with the long far off stare of a dying animal.

it is lawless. you need to institute ethics to keep the peace.
not enough.
we need an opiate for the masses. we need a consequence greater than ourselves.
because we are not cold and scientific.
we are passionate and emotional.

I'd like to say that philosophy, and those that create it's different aspects, would act as a substition, or reason enough. But as with the christians, there are far too many conflicts within themselves, and with other philosopies, for anyone to take them seriously, or more importantly, to be loyal enough to follow.

Not everyone follows, agrees with Nieztche, and not every christian is a baptist, or a lutheran.

Believe it or not, there is a difference.

speaking of Nieztche, anyone ever see that shirt that says;
"God is dead" -nieztche
"Nieztche is dead" -God

-
oh i just thought of something...

is it that you think america was founded on judeo-christian beliefs and ethics??

because slavery and genocide are considered taboo (not just taboo, but im being light), and yet... america was founded on such things.
anti | Homepage | 06.23.05 - 2:16 am |

yes.

i believe there were more that colonized this country for 'freedom of religion', rather than 'freedom from religion', or 'freedom from tyranny'.

regardless that a healthy amount of our 'forefathers' were atheists themselves.

and unfortunately, and i hate to make light of it, but slavery and genocide were nastybyproductss of a perverse sense of economics. and greed. and those same ethics exist today,albeitt with less death than actually takes place within our borders. it's a concept of how much you can get away with and not get caught (or be stopped rather). Basically, it's a shining example of what happens when you give idiots power and a gun.

But back then, they weren't doing anything wrong. You know, the whole 'majority rules' shit.

And no, those actions do not reflect the christian aspect of things.

More like it reflects that old quote;

"Kill a man, your a murderer,
Kill a million, you're a conquerer,
Kill everyone, and you're a god..."

But, can you imagine trying to be a governing party when this country was first getting on it's feet? How do you keep it all in line? How do you uphold law?

not that i'm saying that it's any excuse, but shit...

-
so i'll stop here. i would also like to add that i didn't mean to break it down as 'black and white' as i feel i have done. this is merely a synopsis of my worldview, in so far as religion and it's effect upon me, and to the world i live in and see today.

fire away.

2005-06-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

since i've had my innernet back up, i've been able to pour into blogs again, getting my fix on all the reasons that we do this shit to begin with.

maybe it's just me, but i've also been encountering a lot of political rants, and i 've got to be honest, reading some of those isn't a far cry from overhearing two would-be pseudo intellectual college kids pouring the regurgitated sayings and quips their professor just got finished explaining just hours before.

And like most kids, they are of a liberal slant.
And like most kids, they like to use the word 'morals' when tearing apart the christian right wing conservatives. They want a separation of church and state-

wait, before i go on , i should probably state that i'm an agnostic libertarian. well, i lean that way at least. whatever.

-point is, when shouting from your soapbox 'fuck the gov't', 'fuck the christian rightwing', fuck Bush, he's immoral', it's important to know that the entire, ENTIRE concept of morality comes from the very institution you condemn.

that's where every atheist gets his ass handed to him/her in a debate. the concept of 'right and wrong'. but that's a whole other rant.

Use the word 'ethics'.

Thank you.

2005-06-20T01:06:00.000-07:00

June 7th was my one year mark here in the Sodak. When i first came here the thought that constantly ran through my mind was that this was temporary, but it's always temporary. I don't belong in the midwest, yet oddly enough i'm happy here. I feel peaceful, i don't feel rushed, i feel like i succeeded in starting over.

but i can't wait to leave. The mere mention of an escape, an opportunity to pack up yet again and head home gets me excited. And i'm never sure why. The only thing i like about the Atl is a small select few that i miss.

I also miss the potential a large city has to offer. There is nothing to offer to those with bigger dreams, to those who wish for bigger lives, lives much larger than themselves.

That's L.A. That's N.Y.

That's where i grew up.

I had a birthday this past May. i turned 28. This past weekend i shot my first wedding, rather first wedding by myself. The bride and groom were 20 and 21 respectfully. When you get behind a camera visual things around you begin to shut of. You look through the lens, this box where all is silent. You begin to craft the editing in your head. And i see these two, these two young, very young people holding hands, with big toothy smiles, and a pastor who stands before them making up a sermon as they smile, and he smiles and the audience smiles, and everything goes quiet for me.

It's not like i hadn't thought of it before. It's so cliche, i know, but i had to wonder, 'why isn't that me?' Why am i not those two dumb kids, blissful yet ultimately doomed? Did i dodge a bullet, or did i miss out on the blueprint of life?

And that is just one of the many aspects of how things move around here, and i have a feeling that my thoughts on the matter are similar to a chameleon, simply adapting to my environment.

When in Rome...

When in the Sodak, get married early, get knocked up by at least two different fathers, piss away your life at the local fast food competitor, and, if you're lucky, you'll be one of the few who is intelligent enough to wonder, 'where did my life go?'

I'm afraid i maybe asking myself that very question if i stay here any longer.
Yet, i find myself happy, peaceful.

lulled into a trap more like it.

2005-06-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

i hate to do it, but io have to break one of Tony's rules:

sorry.

so, the deal was this:
i made the mistake of letting too many people who knew me know about my blog. It's just not any fun when you can't talk shit about the people closest to you. And i then noticed the quality of my posts (if there was any to begin with) begin to suffer.

the final straw was when i came across my ex's myspace profile, and she had taken one of my posts and used it for her profile.

she's not someone i want keeping tabs on me.

i'm not really sure of where to go from there, suffice to say that it will be good to be back in the blogosphere, waxing bullshit, and taking the shit from a few choice readers.

I even got an email the other day asking me, "when is your next blog coming out? i miss reading the banter between rob and the greek."

Now i'm moved into yet another house. Back in Central Sioux Falls, and pretty damn close by pacoblue's apt. For those of you keeping a tally, that's five moves i have made since i've been in this state. Four jobs, five residences.

Point is is that i have internet access again, and not just the off chance that i can pull a successful espionage move and break into USF. I had a couple of days off from work and decided it was time to get another blog together. It's been a while, so i had trouble remembering what limited html i knew. And now i'm tired.

So the old site is gone, obviously. I made it a year. With any luck this one will last a bit longer. I was a newb before, and seeing as i understand the consequences, discretion is advised.

So if you would all be so kind and throw me up a new link, that would be appreciated. Thanks.

And since it's father's day, and i was out with friends talking bullshit about odd dad stories, i'll tell what is one of my personal favorites.

When i was about 8yrs old i had moved to a new school (Rosedale Elem./ Saugus CA.) I had gotten in some trouble (probably fighting) and subsequently sent to the principal's office. Since i was new the principal needed my parents permission to use the paddle on me (ahh, the good ole days) and so he had to make a call to my folks. The principal dialed the number to my house and even put it on speakerphone so i could hear the answer. He was confident my parents would allow this abuse. My father's answer was something like this:

"Listen to me carefully. I have cancer. It's in my bladder and growing. It's terminal, which means i'm dying. So if you touch my son i'll be sure to bury you in a shallow grave."

I was sent back to class with detention.