Welcome Fans of the Office

I assume all you new visitors are here because of that wonderful show, THE OFFICE. I had forgotten that last night was a repeat of the Office Olympics episode. I saw it on my TIVO, but had not watched it.

I loved Flonkerton for the sheer esoteric nature of the sport. It represents that creativity and history that comes with a frustrating job. Feel free to post your own favorite office/workplace olympic events!

Dreads and Yamulkes

So I'm listening to the radio at work, and hear an interesting song. Catchy hook, upbeat... I missed the tag, so I google the chorus lyrics
" What's this feeling? My love will rip a hole in the ceiling, Givin' myself to you from the essence of my being"

And what does it turn up? Hasidic Reggae! Buy his album and download "King without a Crown" here.


Now we just need some Mormon Reggae!

Polygamy Polygny Persnickety

Ok, lately polygamy has gotten a lot of play in the bloggernaccle. (See here, here, and here)

So I have to ask. What is the big deal?

I suppose I just don't understand why a century gone religious practice invites so much interest and discussion. I don't want to be critical of those who are interested in it, nor do I want to be seen as someone who whitewashes the historical record. But I don't see the impact that this topic has in my every day life. Some would say, well this potentially undermines the basis of your religion. I don't think it does, despite the potentially troubling aspects of it. And even if it had the possibility, that is to remote for me to consider. There are other aspects I would be more troubled by (and no Brigham Young's recreational activities are not one of them).

Nor do I find that I have any intellectual interest in this topic. Not just in the "My time is limited, and there are a lot of things higher on my list" sort of way. It is boring. If this issue were a tv show, I would find staring at the wall more intriguing.

Somethings that I previously found boring, have become interesting, through either time or some insight i gained. But I just don't see that happening here. After all polygamy is such a inflammatory and controversial topic, that I should have found something to interest me by now.

But then again, somepeople probably find land use regulations and questions of class action certification dull.

Teen Angst and Rocking out

So I am at work on a Saturday, taking care of the few things I didn't get finished up during the week. Which means? My radio is blasting Weezer's Blue Album. I listen to music at work occasionally, but am always concerned that it will distract, but on the weekends no one is else is here.

I don't listen to music as much as I did when I was younger, primarily because my wife hates to have music on. I maybe buy 3-4 cds a yearWhen I was younger I was constantly buying new music, perhaps 1-2 albums a week (a lot of tapes sadly, because they were cheaper). With all that selection, I constantly come back to a few albums that I can listen to all the way through, and indeed feel like I should listen to all the way through. This doesn't mean I consider them the best album. Its just that with these albums I put them on and hardly, if ever, hit the next track button. For example, U2's joshua tree album I LOVE, but I usually skip 1-2 tracks depending on my mood (not that I have to, but just do). So without further ado here is the list

1) Weezer - Blue Album
2) Harvey Danger - Where have all the merrymakers gone
3) Morrisey - Vauxhall and I
4) Aztec Camera - Stray

While I am sure there others, these were the ones that immediately sprang to mind. Why is this? I wonder if they have anything to do with my repressed teen angst that still dwells within my aging body. They seem to tap that sense of sadness and yet have a counter element that makes them not too brooding. Weezer has the rock power, aztec camera - the early nines poppiness, Morrissey, well um... perhaps snarkiness. (a fun teen game was to try and get the DJ to play Panic by the Smiths.. you know the last chorus, repeated like a hundred times).

Give me your thoughts, I would like to explore this issue of adolescent music, the retaining power of music, or just your favorite listen-to-all the way through albums.

Save Flonkerton!

Currently there is a movement to ban Flonkerton! Save this traditional Icelandic sport of indoor paper box racing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Flonkerton#.5B.5BFlonkerton.5D.5D

Writing

I am concerned that my writing style online does not fully convey the thoughts I want them to. Blogging is a new style to me, as I tend to dash off my writing. Unlike my professional writing which involves an outline, freewriting and revisions, I tend to just write quickly so as to participate. I am not sure why I do this. The biggest difference seems to be that when I write normally I tend to cut about 1/4 to 1/2 of what i initially say. Weak thoughts, written tics, and other detritus gets cut out.

I don't really want to do that as much while blogging, lest this enjoyable outlet become drudgery. I feel ok about editing with the initial post, but for comments, much less so. My concern is that my point is being lost.

I wonder what shortcuts or style changes I can make to ensure that quickly written comments convey my meaning. Or perhaps the converse, that hastily read comments/entries can impart the meaning I want them to.