Apparently, we're all doomed because a Hurricane is coming to New York City. I'm actually living quite near (but just out of) the evacuation zone. I was going to update the blog this weekend with details about my California vacation but instead I'll try to update it throughout the storm. Currently the storm is scheduled to hit Sunday evening.
UPDATE: storm was a dud
Friday, August 26, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Rough Draft, Coming Of Age and California...
Too much to talk about for one blog post, no doubt.
I spent the last week on vacation in California, giving me a much needed break from the fast-paced New York life. My trip was relaxing, informative and most of all amazingly enjoyable. The vacation began in Venice and ended in Pasadena. Along the way I visited family and friends, saw a lovely young girl take her first step toward becoming a woman with her Bat Mitzvah and saw the studio where Futurama is animated. Overall, not too bad for the city known for gang wars and Hollywood scumbags.
For now I will simply say that I am overwhelmingly relaxed and feeling great, while still nervous about the future in New York. In the coming days I will try to update this blog more with stories from California, all of which deserve their own post. Thanks to all the family and friends who made it a great vacation.
I spent the last week on vacation in California, giving me a much needed break from the fast-paced New York life. My trip was relaxing, informative and most of all amazingly enjoyable. The vacation began in Venice and ended in Pasadena. Along the way I visited family and friends, saw a lovely young girl take her first step toward becoming a woman with her Bat Mitzvah and saw the studio where Futurama is animated. Overall, not too bad for the city known for gang wars and Hollywood scumbags.
For now I will simply say that I am overwhelmingly relaxed and feeling great, while still nervous about the future in New York. In the coming days I will try to update this blog more with stories from California, all of which deserve their own post. Thanks to all the family and friends who made it a great vacation.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Dear man singing at the Canal St. subway stop:
You are terrible.
Not only are you singing so quiet that it's practically mumbling, but you have your microphone turned down so low we can barely even hear it over the mumbling itself. You need to learn some new songs, all the actual lyrics to said songs, find a better subway stop than an empty Chinatown stop at 10 PM and finally: become better at singing.
Sincerely,
Jon
Not only are you singing so quiet that it's practically mumbling, but you have your microphone turned down so low we can barely even hear it over the mumbling itself. You need to learn some new songs, all the actual lyrics to said songs, find a better subway stop than an empty Chinatown stop at 10 PM and finally: become better at singing.
Sincerely,
Jon
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Checks and Balances
Lets face some facts: the United States is still the greatest country in the world- right now- but it is not without some serious flaws, chief of which is the amount of control corporations have over how our government functions.
I had a realization today while discussing politics with my sister. I was telling her how I thought that increasing corporate control over the political process would inevitably lead to a revolution when I realized that we don't actually have three pillars of government. We have four. That's right; forget Judicial, Legislative and Executive because it's actually Judicial, Legislative, Executive and Corporate.
Corporations are now legally considered people in matters of political funding and lobbying, a huge step backward in the battle against corporate influence. But even before that, corporations and their representatives in Washington were extremely powerful, influencing congress with piles of money to pass legislation that ensured their stockholders massive profits while choking taxpaying Americans in more ways than one can count. This influence over what actually happens in government is why they are the fourth branch, and I am ok with that.
I think corporate America should have a set out and legally defined voice in government since capitalism is so important to how we function. However, with becoming a branch of government comes that other thing that all branches have to deal with: checks and balances. If corporations want to influence the government, we should be able to check them and make sure they dont get any more powerful than the other branches. Hey P&G, Wal*Mart and Comcast, you want a voice? If you do, get ready to sacrifice for it just like everybody else.
I had a realization today while discussing politics with my sister. I was telling her how I thought that increasing corporate control over the political process would inevitably lead to a revolution when I realized that we don't actually have three pillars of government. We have four. That's right; forget Judicial, Legislative and Executive because it's actually Judicial, Legislative, Executive and Corporate.
Corporations are now legally considered people in matters of political funding and lobbying, a huge step backward in the battle against corporate influence. But even before that, corporations and their representatives in Washington were extremely powerful, influencing congress with piles of money to pass legislation that ensured their stockholders massive profits while choking taxpaying Americans in more ways than one can count. This influence over what actually happens in government is why they are the fourth branch, and I am ok with that.
I think corporate America should have a set out and legally defined voice in government since capitalism is so important to how we function. However, with becoming a branch of government comes that other thing that all branches have to deal with: checks and balances. If corporations want to influence the government, we should be able to check them and make sure they dont get any more powerful than the other branches. Hey P&G, Wal*Mart and Comcast, you want a voice? If you do, get ready to sacrifice for it just like everybody else.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Maharishi
Lets think for a second about power in this world. Today it is mostly a made-up concept among men. Yes, there are those of us with militarizes and those of us with truly vast fortunes but most power is in the eyes of the beholder. As the numerous leaders of cults will surely tell you from their prison cells: it is easy to manipulate people.
Stock prices, stability of nations and indeed how we view other individuals can and is often influenced not by actual factors but simply by manipulation and imagination. When a stock price rises and falls, it is not because that company sold more or less product, it is because some investor decided (imagined) that their stock is worth a certain price. This is why markets tank into depressions; people become scared and in a heartbeat, money is flooded out of the economy and despite no companies actually doing worse off immediately, their stock prices plummet. The same can be done of people. To manipulate someone you just have to make them think what you want them to, it doesn't even have to be real. I just manipulated you now because surely you thought I was coming to a brilliant point but you'd be wrong: I couldn't think of one!
John Lennon learned about this manipulation first-hand when he met Maharishi Yogi. The Maharishi taught transcendental mediation to The Beatles and they eventually discovered he was scamming them and teaching phony BS. Lennon was furious and strummed out a little diddy called 'Maharishi' whose lyrics bashed the Yogi for his phony teachings and false spotlight. In the end Lennon decided to remove the Maharishi's name from the song and what you get is 'Sexy Sadie' on The White Album.
"Sexy Sadie what have you done
You made a fool of everyone
You made a fool of everyone
Sexy Sadie ooh what have you done
Sexy Sadie you broke the rules
You layed it down for all to see
You layed it down for all to see
Sexy Sadie oooh you broke the rules"
Stock prices, stability of nations and indeed how we view other individuals can and is often influenced not by actual factors but simply by manipulation and imagination. When a stock price rises and falls, it is not because that company sold more or less product, it is because some investor decided (imagined) that their stock is worth a certain price. This is why markets tank into depressions; people become scared and in a heartbeat, money is flooded out of the economy and despite no companies actually doing worse off immediately, their stock prices plummet. The same can be done of people. To manipulate someone you just have to make them think what you want them to, it doesn't even have to be real. I just manipulated you now because surely you thought I was coming to a brilliant point but you'd be wrong: I couldn't think of one!
John Lennon learned about this manipulation first-hand when he met Maharishi Yogi. The Maharishi taught transcendental mediation to The Beatles and they eventually discovered he was scamming them and teaching phony BS. Lennon was furious and strummed out a little diddy called 'Maharishi' whose lyrics bashed the Yogi for his phony teachings and false spotlight. In the end Lennon decided to remove the Maharishi's name from the song and what you get is 'Sexy Sadie' on The White Album.
"Sexy Sadie what have you done
You made a fool of everyone
You made a fool of everyone
Sexy Sadie ooh what have you done
Sexy Sadie you broke the rules
You layed it down for all to see
You layed it down for all to see
Sexy Sadie oooh you broke the rules"
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
A View From the Top
Times are changing quickly. In the past three months I graduated from college, got an internship and moved to New York City. Now the changes seem to be coming even faster as my summer draws to a close. Somebody needs to hit the pause button. Why is life not Tivo?
The agency where I am interning- Mr. Youth- moved offices this week. Our old offices were in Chelsea Market, a location that is as beautiful as it is unique. Sandwiched between the Food Network offices and working under one of the best gourmet food courts in the city, life in Chelsea Market was sweet and fattening- a dangerous combo. Our new office on Park Avenue near Union Square would fool veteran businessmen into thinking we're a division of Google. The fresh colors, open spaces and creativity-nurturing environment make for easily the most enjoyable workplace I have ever spent a day at, and the scooters in the break room are too tempting to pass up.
And the view. From 16 floors up, New York takes on a whole new persona as you stand equal to or above the towering buildings of the city. From the windows around the office you can see the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and Julia Roberts penthouse- not to mention the epic sunset which can only be described as earth-porn.
The view from the top is is intoxicating.
The agency where I am interning- Mr. Youth- moved offices this week. Our old offices were in Chelsea Market, a location that is as beautiful as it is unique. Sandwiched between the Food Network offices and working under one of the best gourmet food courts in the city, life in Chelsea Market was sweet and fattening- a dangerous combo. Our new office on Park Avenue near Union Square would fool veteran businessmen into thinking we're a division of Google. The fresh colors, open spaces and creativity-nurturing environment make for easily the most enjoyable workplace I have ever spent a day at, and the scooters in the break room are too tempting to pass up.
And the view. From 16 floors up, New York takes on a whole new persona as you stand equal to or above the towering buildings of the city. From the windows around the office you can see the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and Julia Roberts penthouse- not to mention the epic sunset which can only be described as earth-porn.
The view from the top is is intoxicating.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Burritos and Beatles
I think I owe someone for a good suggestion, because I've just had one hell of a burrito.
Carne Asada, Salsa, a smattering of other ingredients and some brilliant hot sauce make for one of the best burritos in New York City. Courtesy of Dos Toros in Union Square this eight dollar festival of flavor gave Chipotle a real run for its money. I was impressed with the freshness of the ingredients, the friendliness of the staff and most of all amazing flavor of the medium hot sauce and the fresh salsa. Dos Toros is sure to become a drain on my rent money in the coming weeks...
I walked into the office today with my lunch decision already made up: Chipotle, far before I was reminded to try Dos Toros, so clearly burritos were on my mind. However, my mind had the wrong idea about what to buy. Why spend a dollar more on a burrito that is no better than the one I just had? I think it is safe to say a burrito stole my heart today, and its name was Dos Toros.
The Beatles' Paul McCartney wrote a great song that applies here called 'Got To Get You Into My Life' a song that for years people thought was about falling in love with a woman. The truth however, is stranger than fiction. The song in fact about Mr. McCartney's love for a controlled substance which he fell in love with after being introduced to it by Bob Dylan. However today, instead of falling for what Mr. McCartney fell for, I have fallen for a mix of Mexican ingredients wrapped in a tortilla. Dos Toros, I've got to get you into my life.
"I was alone, I took a ride,
I didn't know what I would find there
Another road where maybe I could see another kind of mind there
Ooh, then I suddenly see you,
Ooh, did I tell you I need you
Every single day of my life
...
Got to get you into my life"
Carne Asada, Salsa, a smattering of other ingredients and some brilliant hot sauce make for one of the best burritos in New York City. Courtesy of Dos Toros in Union Square this eight dollar festival of flavor gave Chipotle a real run for its money. I was impressed with the freshness of the ingredients, the friendliness of the staff and most of all amazing flavor of the medium hot sauce and the fresh salsa. Dos Toros is sure to become a drain on my rent money in the coming weeks...
I walked into the office today with my lunch decision already made up: Chipotle, far before I was reminded to try Dos Toros, so clearly burritos were on my mind. However, my mind had the wrong idea about what to buy. Why spend a dollar more on a burrito that is no better than the one I just had? I think it is safe to say a burrito stole my heart today, and its name was Dos Toros.
The Beatles' Paul McCartney wrote a great song that applies here called 'Got To Get You Into My Life' a song that for years people thought was about falling in love with a woman. The truth however, is stranger than fiction. The song in fact about Mr. McCartney's love for a controlled substance which he fell in love with after being introduced to it by Bob Dylan. However today, instead of falling for what Mr. McCartney fell for, I have fallen for a mix of Mexican ingredients wrapped in a tortilla. Dos Toros, I've got to get you into my life.
"I was alone, I took a ride,
I didn't know what I would find there
Another road where maybe I could see another kind of mind there
Ooh, then I suddenly see you,
Ooh, did I tell you I need you
Every single day of my life
...
Got to get you into my life"
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