Goodbye Facebook

I have debated doing away with my Facebook account for some time now, but after last night. I'm done with it! It has become a big waste of time for me... besides, I have far better things to do with my time.

Why after last night? Last night was the State Of The Union address, which I did not watch, because I was unable to (driving a truck does have quite a few disadvantages). The political barrage that I was inundated with during the post-SOTU just became the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back". I respect an opinion that one may have, I may even enter into a discussion on the matter, but to see some of the most venomous vitriol being spewed from BOTH sides of the political spectrum was all I can take. I have friends on Facebook, but, for the most part, the majority of people I have on my "friends" list are merely just acquaintances. The Liberal side applauded the SOTU and what the President had to say. But let's put some things in perspective...

*Many Liberals mention how there is so much hate toward Obama, yet anybody that says the slightest thing against him or his policies is labeled a "racist" - which, that label, in and of itself, is "hate". Remember, it was Hillary Clinton herself that said it was patriotic to disagree with the President (remember that, just before the campaigns leading to the '08 election?). Those same Liberals will say the the Republicans are "blocking progress". That's why there is a two-party system! Our Forefathers - if you recall - escaped from a one-party system... it was called a Monarchy.

* Many Conservatives have done more harm than good to this country, but when you step back in order to view a "bigger picture", you'll notice that there are few Democrats and Republicans that really ARE making a positive difference. For the majority of both parties have erased the dividing line between the two, where it's more and more difficult to tell the difference... this majority have morphed into one of the Socialist agenda. People like McCain, Hagel, and Boehner.

* In light of the previous two points, it is we, the people, that suffer the most, because we are the ones that have been played into this fake battle of left vs. right ideology. Those in power maintain the facade of said battle, and do NOT bring unity, but , division, among us.

Because I do not like Obama, I am labeled a "racist". I could care less about what his skin color is, it's his policies I am repulsed by. I was open-minded upon his election, I sincerely hoped he could do some good. He lost my respect when, in his first year, in the midst of economic turmoil, he felt it more important to speak to the IOC of his support for the Olympics to be held in Chicago.

Historically, we are repeating one of the darkest times in the world, right here in America.

I once posted that there were too many similarities between Obama and Hitler for it to be "coincidence". A "Facebooker" said that was an absurd notion, something like that would NEVER happen here. A little reminder: people of Germany said that same thing in 1938. Another thing, not only WILL it happen here, but it has already begun. Most of you are still so enamored in your unwavering support for Obama, you are too blind to see it... just like Hitler's staunch supporters.

Will it take a Reichstadt incident to wake you up, or will you then propose to canonize him as a saint?

There are so many Democrats that loathe the Tea Party, but you seem to forget, it's their forerunners (you know, the ones with the tea in Boston Harbor?) that led America to what it is now... or, more accurately, what it once was.

In relation to Facebook, I will leave it open for the next few days. If any of you wish to maintain contact, either send me a message or email, though I'm sure the majority of the comments I will get will be hate mail (ironic, since the "party of tolerance" seems to be the most hateful).

By the way, I am absolutely sure, if either McCain or Romney had been elected, we would still be in the same position we're in now.

Year 2, Day 252 (Music Is Not What It Used To Be)

Recently, while talking about music, my wife mentioned that I need to get "up to date." When on the road, I tend to listen to a lot of 70's rock, and 80's New Wave, with a few tunes mixed in from the 90's and 00's, mainly because they were songs that stood out for me. I've always maintained a couple key positions that I have come to learn about music and people. The first being that the style of music you listened to the most while you were in high school is the style that will stick with you for the rest of your life. For me, that was New Wave/Alternative (which is now referred to as "Classic Alternative"). The other position I've held is the the music industry has gone down hill over the past couple decades, with no sign of recovery. I have tried to get "up to date", but, honestly, what's out there doesn't cut the mustard. However reluctant I may be, I decided to take Tikvah's advice... perhaps music has changed.

In the past few days, I've been listening to the satellite radio stream playing the current hits, and there are a few out there that have caused me to sit up and take notice... not many, but a few. One such song actually became popular by way of a YouTube video (isn't that the way it's going nowadays?), and at first listen, I noticed (as with most "music" out there now) that it's nothing more than synth programming looped in repetition. After hearing this song a couple more times, I realized that it's underlying rhythms are infectious... about as infectious as "Party Rock Anthem" (and, actually, the two would blend great together). That song is "Gangnam Style" by an artist from Korea who goes by the name PSY:

Another song to note is one that Tikvah shared with me on Facebook of "Too Close" by British up-and-comer, Alex Clare (who's music for this song was recently used in a commercial for Microsoft Internet Explorer). Musically, it does use some current technology, but it's not overwhelming, and even adds to the lyrics, which, themselves, actually have substance and content (the video is pretty cool, too).

After listening to "the hits" (a term which, I feel, is being used loosely), I've come to realize a few things. One is that the music industry is putting music out there not entirely geared for radio airplay, but for the club scene. I say that, because those that are considered the latest hit, all seem to have the same steady kick rhythm (for the non-drummer, that refers to the bass drum) and all seem to be just a few BPM (beats per minute, a term common among D.J.'s) off from a perfect sync. After all, they have to make easy for the D.J., right? I was what you would call an "old school" D.J. The difference nowadays is that D.J.'s perform their gigs on computers. Not to take away from the technology, but the trouble there is it takes the fun out. All they have to do is pick out the songs they want to play, in the order they want them played in, and the program will do the beat-mixing for them. Back when I was spinning, we used turntables and vinyl records. We actually had to know the music (i.e. what songs have a similar tempo, what could blend well, etc.). With the turntables, there was a lever for adjusting pitch. If your incoming song was too fast or too slow, you could make the adjustment before you fade it in. We also did something known as "beat mixing" which was the art of mixing from one song to another without losing the dance beat... and was always fun, yet challenging.

For the most part, my theory is still intact... music today is not the same quality; there's no content, no structure, and more importantly, nobody is being groomed for longevity... the industry just wants what they can make into the "next big hit." I don't care for "Pound The Alarm" by Nicki Minaj, I can't stand "Whistle" by Flo Rida, and if we can get rid of Autotune, we might even get rid of a few no talent hacks in the process. Autotune is ok - if used sparingly, but when it's used throughout an entire song (Owl City does this), it gets old... QUICKLY.


Before I forget, one other good song (one of the few) is the recent offering by Train, called "50 Ways To Say Goodbye". I've never really been a big fan of theirs, but this song is catchy. It has the same steady kick beat to it (as most do, which I just mentioned), but it also underlies it with a Mariachi flavor, which gives it a unique feel. One more thing about that song (and Tikvah pointed this out... I must be rubbing off on her), try singing along to it, but instead of Train's lyrics, use the lyrics from "The Phantom Of The Opera" (yes the musical).

Go ahead... I dare you.


Shabbat Shalom!

Year 2, Day 142 (Scott Schultz, In Real Life)

Today turned out quite well, despite the drizzling rain... not that there's anything wrong with the rain... this is the Seattle area, after all. The customer that Dillard and I are delivering to (scheduled for tomorrow) unloaded us this morning. This customer I've always enjoyed dealing with... always. The fact that we were unloaded first thing this morning was a plus, because that leaves the rest of the day free.
As I mentioned yesterday, I made plans to meet up with Scott Schultz. Scott and I first interacted with each other via Twitter, then later on became friends on Facebook. As of today, we finally met face-to-face.




We met up for lunch at a nice little place called Pallino Pastaria. I ordered the Pesto Genovese with Penne, which was very delicious.




We spoke about a variety of things, mainly getting to know each other; family, children, careers, etc. It was a very enjoyable time, I'm glad we finally were able to put real personalities behind the various tweets and random Facebook postings. We'll keep in touch, Scott... may you and your family be blessed!
- Posted by me

Year 2, Day 107 (Going In A Different Direction, I Hope I Don't Get Lost)

Since I lapsed in doing so yesterday, I would like to extend a very heartfelt "Thank You!" to the guest bloggers whom filled in for me last week. In case you missed any of them, they were (in order of appearance) RebbeSoul, Blanca Raygoza, Chrisinda Lukens, Lauri Rottmayer, Julie Mollins, Natali Heuss, and Ernmander. I am very grateful that each of these fellow bloggers (and in Ernmander's case, vlogger) stepped in and helped out.

This is further proof of the good that can come of social media, in all its various forms, whether it be Facebook, Twitter, or InstaGram. Without these platforms, I would not have interacted with each of these people. Driving a truck I do meet a lot of people, but there is a certain level of class and panache that comes with the people you meet through social media, those who have the finesse (not to mention the technological "know-how" of maneuvering through such forums) and the respectable etiquette that were once confined to the ballrooms and gatherings of "high society". Granted there are still the - shall I say - "street rats" that manage to get into the fray, but that's what makes social media social. It is up to the individual to determine what can (or should) be said... and when. If it's deemed to be "inappropriate", there are those out there that will make it known to the offender, even without discrediting their own reputation. This is called "class" and "tact". The best definition of "tact" is one that my best friend, C.J., and I often refer to (and use on occasion):

"Tact is being able to tell someone to 'go to hell' in such a way that they look forward to the trip."