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TOL Our Town
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trurl9's comments:
on Oregon and Alcohol
Keiko's Bath Water?
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Unemployed for Ages
I feel much better not working. The brown bags under my eyes went away. I'm not staying awake nights trying to figure out the problems of work. I'm not working 90-100 weeks any more. My pay isn't stripped by taxes and hidden costs. I don't have to work with toxic people. What's not to like? The detail of not earning money is a little scary. But the worst day of unemployment is better than the best day at work. Sorry, just wanted to counter your statement.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Unemployed for Ages
In 2000 I spent a year looking for work. I took courses with valuable savings to become more attractive to potential employers. I sent out hundreds of resumes and got three interviews and finally a job offer commensurate with my skills. Problem was the job was just like the job I'd burned out on so I changed course.
I heard from one interview that the employer thought I was too well coached. That I couldn't have done enough research to know about the job and the company on my own to demonstrate what kind of employee I would be.
My last employer told me they no longer wanted to pay me what I was worth and offered me a 38 percent pay cut. I quit because I couldn't maintain my house, apartment and pared back lifestyle on the lower wage.
Then every time I try to get work I get grilled about the gaps of time in my resume where I've taken years off from work to do other things with my life. I always figured employers who were going to nit pick about such details were looking for a drone, not a human.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Winter Depression
Penny Lane,
Peggy Sue from Eugene, I was hearing the lyrics of that song perhaps. A thousand apologies for my fat-fingered typing.
Yes, Return of the Archons from Star Trek. This episode reminds me of tea baggers who've crowded around Glenn Beck's Splenda-laced Kool-Aid bowl too long. The followers have lost their ability and will to think clearly for themselves.
Embittered and angry souls who seek retribution against those who are not of The Body. These sheep allow the computer, Palin, to tell them what and how to think. Somatized masses easy to lead to salvation via the meat grinder of The Machine....
Insert synthesizers from Pink Floyd's' Welcome to the Machine here.
Okay, enough mangled metaphors through the sausage grinder of my mind for this apology.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Wage Woes
I left my last job in 2007 when a new owner bought the business. He told me, "I love your work, you're really important to this company, but I'm not going to pay you what you're currently earning." He offered me a 38% pay cut and I said, "No thank you," and quit. I had managed the store for five years and I was the second highest producing salesperson selling over a million dollars in inventory over seven years. This particular business survives and thrives on discretionary customer income.
In 1999 I easily earned twice as much as I did as a salesman in 2007 but good information technology jobs were declining well before the dot com bust in 2001.
I've considered that Oregonians don't want to pay ANY taxes. They want goods and services for free. They rush to Walmart and spend dollars that go to companies which shield their profits from U.S. taxes. Oregonians are loathe to appreciate the true cost of goods and services and are rightfully angry that so many businesses charge too much for too little service.
Why does repairing the rear bumper on my newer car cost $5,600? $1,500 was labor and the rest parts and materials.
Meanwhile the cost of living has increased. $3/gallon gas. The ridiculous increase in housing is astounding. I know someone who bought their house for $40,000 20 years ago. They just sold it for $380,000. 850% increase in 20 years? Congratulations to my neighbor for their shrewd deal.
Tax cuts for the rich have not created new jobs so we can end that sound bite permanently.
Frankly, my campaign to get everybody I know to quit their jobs has been a good tilt at wind mills slowly spinning in the Columbia Gorge. I can't figure any other effective way to starve governments and corporations of my dollars so I can get their attention. I can't get them to change with letter writing or physical protests.
I suggest a nationwide and semi permanent strike until feasible changes to our systems are implemented.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Winter Depression
Peggy From Eugene reminds me that I'm not fed up with the holidays. I'm fed up with the commercialism, consumerism and pretense painted over a period that was traditionally thoughtful, meditative, quiet, and at times, even joyful. More gadgets and more money won't fix this.
Guide me Landru, I am of the body. Peace and serenity is mine. May it also be yours.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Winter Depression
Way to go Penny!
I read your original message and thought, "Uh oh, that one's going to get the hook." I admire your succinct expression of writing pretty much what I wanted to say. Too bad we can't get away with angry, expletive-laced tirades, but that's okay. We'll just be more creative. So be it. I'll say Happy Holidays to inspire your ire. Heh heh heh.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Obama's Popularity
No, Frankj.
I shouldn't have used the word "conservatism" which has a specific meaning today. My choice of "conservative" was poor.
By "conservative" I mean lacking true imagination. Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting things to keep working the same way or better. I'm talking about entrenched behavior that has created what appears to be a better world, but has crushed so many people and the environment on its path to so-called success.
We're confronted with catastrophic social, fiscal and environmental collapse because we felt we could do anything we wanted without consequences.
When I say "conservatism" I'm suggesting arrogant, simplistic, selfish behavior that benefits a handful. We've always needed a more holistic, disciplined and harmonious approach. That approach requires insight, education and sacrifice which we are loath to do now. We've become lazy riding the coattails of our predecessors.
Conservatism as it has been practiced in America has produced a mono culture. Mono cultures are subject to myriad diseases and dysfunction. We have produced one type of success at the expense of other alternatives.
We have compromised spiritual and intellectual development for material success. We've allowed many to suffer during a climb to success that has not been beneficial for many. Today we suffer blowback from the unintended consequences of partial success.
How do so many in America think they're middle class when they're actually poor? Many falsely believe they can attain the American Dream when they're being crushed by relentless oppressors. We then blame Obama, Big Gov'ment or some other convenient target for our woe. We drank the Kool-aid charismatic "leaders" offered us and we've been poisoned.
Our American way of life demands that we submit and behave. We are not free as I define the word. We can't go anywhere or say anything we want without repurcussions. We submit to authority rather than think and cooperate to make a better world.
We compete (fight for scraps) rather than cooperate (distribute resources equitably.) Please show me all the new jobs that have been created from the tax breaks given to the rich over the last decade. Need I say more?
Big government is but a metaphor for our problems. Examine deeply the behavior of Wall Street executives, millionaire politicians, influential lobbyists, and the rotation of leadership talent from government into the private sector and back into government.
Our system is built to benefit the few on the backs and at the expense of the many. There is no doubt in my mind about that.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Winter Depression
Read Stanislaw Lem's Altruizine before you talk about putting Prozac in the water, Jacob. Perhaps we should remove chemicals from our lives, not add them. Your snarcasm is improving my day. Thank you.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Winter Depression
I've long stopped participating in pseudo rituals of the Thanksgiving through New Years stretch. Got too stressed out and irritated by forcing myself to go through the motions concealed by my fake smile.
I stopped stressing and feeling guilty about not acquiring gifts for everyone, especially those I don't care for. I feel better.
I'm giving up feeling guilty for myriad shortcomings or things gone wrong yesterday. I feel better yet.
Compassion, sensitivity, caring - the better angels of human nature - require lifelong commitment. Enlightenment requires humans to understand and accept the causes of suffering they experience and create. Once suffering is understood, negative behavior can be improved.
I love Oregon's Winter weather. It's too mild and doesn't rain enough but oh well. It's not gloomy enough. I prefer Transylvania funk. Moss and lichens growing off vampire fangs if you'll allow. I want wolves howling in the fog of Macleay Park and hair standing on end because I think I see things shuffling in shadows. I want those who complain about Oregon's weather to leave. Do yourselves a favor and make more room and silence for those of us who like it here.
Why let weather befoul your mood? You control how you feel and behave if you're emotionally and spiritually healthy.
What's there to be glum about? You're alive! Count your blessings. Every day people are randomly killed by the actions of blind super powers and religious extremists of all persuasions. How did we get here? Is this where we want to be? When will we exchange negative behavior for positive?
Distance yourself from twitchy, needy, damaged humans who aren't striving to overcome their ennui. You can't avoid negativity entirely but it is possible to wear a body condom of compassion and patience that provides a modicum of protection from the season's human-perpetuated blahs.
Humans going through motions are fearful that they'll no longer belong to the herd because they choose a different path than the accepted norm. Jump off the rat wheel. There's plenty of room here in Clarityville, but be warned, the weather in Clarityville is the same as it is in Oregon.
Why do things for humans you don't give a crap about and vice versa? Why go to a job you hate? Life is too short to suffer 24/7/365 isn't it? You think humans behaving negatively are going to change if you keep working on them? Some will improve and others will not. Invest your time in real friendships and let the rest go. Know the difference between friendship and acquaintances.
Hang with those whose opinions you respect and remove yourself from those who've become toxic super sites.
There are many excellent ways to eliminate seasonal blahs and blues. Get off your ass and motivate yourself. Self help books have not been helpful. Either fix yourself, let friends help fix you, or remain broken. And so it goes....
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Obama's Popularity
Obama was a good campaigner and organizer. I think he was caught by surprise that the president isn't as powerful as people believe. There are many interests (rich and powerful) that pull the president's strings.
The populace is naive to blame Obama for our woes. He inherited about four decades of previous bad governance. The Republicans seek to thwart Obama at every turn. The Democrats are fractious with little apparent leadership. The populace expects quick and easy solutions to complex and ingrained problems. All these components contribute to unmet expectations and failure.
We, the majority, allow the rich to become richer. By our action and inaction we allow the current system to deteriorate. Too many Americans don't vote, especially Democrats. That's not Obama's fault. Obama did not create this "race toward the bottom". Obama, lacking true leadership capability, continues to compromise with the overly conservative and short sighted.
But I'm still happy Obama is president. He was a far better choice than McCain and Palin. Obama's heart is good, he is intelligent and compassionate, he's making mistakes, but welcome to the challenge of governing the most challenging country on the planet.
Obama will be a one term president because the populace is too angry to understand they are shooting themselves in the foot with bad decisions. Good luck and prayers for America to rise out of this mess.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on RUT? Teens & Texting
Schools should not ban cell phone use during the school day. That won't fix the problem.
I haven't sent a sext message yet because most of my intended recipients would receive great joy from turning me over to the man! Plus, is TOL an appropriate forum to admit such things? What's done on the Internet or mobile phone networks probably stays there forever.
Paranoia stinks but privacy is eroding too rapidly during the Terrorist Age.
Parents are responsible to raise their children with values and thoughtfulness so their children know when it's appropriate to use their cell phones.
But many are lazy with the individualist's proclamation, "I can do whatever I want because I'm not hurting anybody." These evil doers become defensive when you point out their insensitivity and thoughtlessness.
We then seek to ban or legislate away "negative behavior" by imposing ever more limitations on the majority who conduct their lives responsibly and thoughtfully.
Ban the enslavement of those who behave responsibly!
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on RUT? Teens & Texting
I consider texting behavior "dissociation". My 30-something friends get lost in their texting as I watch them and meditate on the unintended consequences of technology.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on The Benefits of Auctioneering
Why is their a nonprofit secotor? Why should churches and charities dole out resources to society's offal? Society can function without wasteniks.
I do not participate in auctions since I've never had the resources to bid up others' largess. I tend to distribute meager resources to several entities. This way I avoid being arm twisted by crafty auctioneers.
Isn't it time to address the real problems? People would not have to rely on charity if they had sufficient opportunities to conduct their lives in a predictable manner more insulated from the vagaries and vicissitudes of boom-and-bust cycles.
People could afford sufficient lifestyles if they earned sufficient wages and their jobs weren't taken away each time the economy suffered a sour stomach.
People create economic systems and choose to make them stable or unstable. We have chosen greed and instability every time. Instead of being satiated with 20% profit we've chosen (as a society) to bend suckers over and take them dry. Maximum profits and bonuses for shareholders and executives while we make the rest dumpster dive for scraps.
I'm cranky today so I'll just wing it here without worrying too much about this idea's veracity or perspicacity. Warren Buffett didn't start giving back his vast wealth until Bill Gates chucked him under the chin. Bill Gates might not have become a philanthropist without encouragement from his wife, Melinda. I'm not upset with Melinda, Bill and Warren. They've worked damn hard to get where they are and I thank them for their munificence and awareness of the world's sorry state.
I'm calling out the oligarchs and oil barons who light cigars with the foreclosed deeds of the exploited. My imagination envisions a corner of Hell set aside for those who've decided to amass stupendous wealth on the ever growing pile of dispossessed skeletons.
Cream rises to the top but represents less than 10% of the milk whilst the remaining 90% becomes sour. We really don't need to repeat the "crying over spilled sour milk" thing.
Thank you for suffering the rant of a fool who imagines an auction where wisdom, enlightenment, compassion, creativity and integrity are dispensed to the lowest bidders.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Warming Up to Climate Change
My focus is shorter term. I'm more concerned that we will suffer societal upheaval if we don't fix the problems caused by transfer of wealth from poor to rich. I expect societal upheaval to happen first with climate change becoming more pronounced over the next 20-40 years.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Compromise
I like to think of compromise on a sliding scale - a compromise if you will. If an issue isn't critical to life or limb, like deciding which restaurant to eat at, then compromise is easier.
If a decision has critical ramifications then compromise might not be possible.
But life is based on compromises because we can not impose our wills to get what we want 100% of the time, at least not without causing chaos and consternation.
Your previous caller mentioned disappointment with Obama caving in to Republican demands. I'm disappointed with Obama and the entire government kowtowing to interests of the rich and powerful that are wrong and harmful to the majority of us. Very depressing.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on The 2010 Election Divide
I'm neither optimistic or pessimistic regarding Oregon's future. Some in Oregon are creative, thriving and doing great things for themselves and others. I salute them.
The challenge for the rest of us -- whether we're urban or rural; conservative through progressive; unedcuated or educated; foolish or wise -- is to change our behavior, outlook and action for the benefit of Oregon and the world.
I don't know whether urban Oregon unfairly represents the state because I've always lived in the urban world. I don't completely understand the challenges or issues that rural Oregonians care about because I have not walked several miles in their shoes.
I fear that rural and urban Oregonians have allowed themselves to be manipulated and angered by forces which seek to further enslave them. Malignant forces pursue agendas that suppress the best interests of the majority.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Fandom
I graduated a beaver but I'm no longer a sports fan even though I listen to sports talk radio daily. Sports talk makes for nice background noise and wonderful advertising I couldn't live without....
Problems with sports today. Too much money and cult of personality. Teams don't play for glory and team accomplishment. Everybody focuses on winning and individuals. I look askance at the pay professional athletes receive given the suffering and insecurity prevalent in the world.
We wouldn't need as many charities or athletes to donate their money if the world better allocated material resources in the first place. But I bet the Romans were too far gone to be surprised when their gig collapsed, too.
When New York Yankee's baseball player Derek Sanderson Jeter turns down $15 million a year as a declining super star, I realize that I would earn $4 million over 40 years if I earned $100,000 a year. (I've never come close to earning $100k a year.) Jeter could be paid almost four times as much for a single season as I would make over my entire 40-year career.
Therefore I have no business, need or desire to support such folley with my hard-won dollars or meaningless contempt. I'll focus on my life and healthier endeavors.
I do hope that OSU thumps UO's meat nugget in the Civil War but probability strongly favors Philip Hampson Knight University and their excellent 2010 ducks. (Hoocckk ptui!)
What is civil about war? Such anachronistic behavior. Hmmm.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Bagby Hot Springs
Bagby had a sketchy reputation in the 70s, 80s and 90s so I never went there. It's relative isolation and bad reputation scared me off. I applaud recent efforts to upgrade and maintain Bagby for the long term.
Washington Park holds strong memories from my youth so the rose garden was a natural place to volunteer.
Also volunteered to help Oregon and Washington parks maintain windsurfing parks in the Columbia River Gorge. Since I use the parks regularly I didn't mind paying fees for their upkeep and volunteering for annual cleanup projects. A good way to stay connected to places I enjoy.
I appreciate those who love Oregon's great places and volunteer to take care of them. I'm concerned that private maintenance companies will be more interested in maximizing profits at the expense of really caring for special places.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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on Public Transit
I use light rail about once a year and buses once every 10 years. Trimet doesn't go where I want to go, when I want to go, for a price I'm happy to pay. I drive, ride a bike, or walk instead. Trimet is my next to last transportation alternative.
Trimet places too much emphasis on light rail. In the early 1960s there were rails in MLK (Martin Luther King Boulevard). Portland was at the end of trollies as the U.S. entered the gas guzzler phase.
Light rails were removed from MLK when it was "improved". Much of the light rail infrastructure being built now will be removed in 20 years because the public won't use Trimet's ineffective, slow and relatively expensive services. Trimet will be dead when solar and electric cars evolve to usefulness.
Trimet is an annoyance to drivers. Portland never addressed that many of the streets Trimet buses ply are too narrow. Buses get in my way when I drive and I'm sure I annoy bus drivers if I fail to let them back into traffic.
Running beneath all this is my long-term ambivalence of Trimet. I remember as a high school student being passed by drivers of crowded buses day after day. My brass baritone was bad for my reliance on mass transit during rush hour. I scrounged up a beater car and gave up on mass transit at age 16.
I did not vote for the Trimet Bond because Trimet has over-emphasized light rail at the expense of bus service. Businesses thare aren't able to operate with the revenue they earn might have inherent shortcomings that require repair.
posted 2 years, 5 months ago
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