This week, I had the exciting pleasure of reliving old days, both from high school and college.
Friday night, my manager graciously allowed me to leave work a few hours early to attend a high school football game as played by my alma mater against Pulaski-Robinson. One of the advantages of living away from Magnolia is you are closer for the away games. It's quite a different experience watching the football games from somewhere other than the band. For one thing, I noticed that some parents were very vocal about certain 'bad' calls by the referees. I noticed at one point that my high school principal walked over to one of the overly (and obnoxious) parents to remind him that it's a high school game and that lives weren't dependent on the outcome. After all, they're just kids.
My cousin is also in the high school band this year (I think he was last year too). I didn't tell him that I would be there, which gave him a little shock when he saw me sitting in the stands at 3rd quater. I told him to go play with his friends and get some food. I'm sure the last thing he wanted was to talk to some old guy. That and I don't really have much in common with that side of the family. For one, they're infinitely more active in their Christianity than I ever was when I professed to be Christian. I don't know what they'd think of me being a Buddhist. Probably better to not let them find out. I don't think they read my blog. To many Bible verses to study. Obviously, I'm joking (in case they are reading :D).
Saturday, again, my manager was kind enough to let me work half a shift in order to attend a wedding, after which I headed to UCA to be a part of the tailgating experience (which is vastly different than from when I was a student), the game, and post-game activities.
For one, I'm an alumni of the UCA Band, which was a lot different five years ago than it is now (I'm not five years out of college, but I am five years out of band). For one, the band was a lot more laid back. They're very uptight now. It's too high strung for me. I never would've made it in the BMB (Bear Marching Band, as it is called now). For a fleeting instance, however, I considered playing in the Alumni Band, which always accompanies the standing band in time of Homecoming (military allusions FTW). I chose not to, however, preferring to bond with people I hadn't seen in nearly five years. I think it's awesome that I have friendships with people in which I can pick up conversations we never finished as if we were only talking just yesterday.
The other component of the evening was the Homecoming ceremonies with Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, the band fraternities, of which I was once a member of Kappa Kappa Psi. I enjoyed the time that I was in the Fraternity. I don't miss it like some. I'm not nostalgic for 'the old days' of cameraderie and servile works. I do appreciate, though, the direction the UCA chapter has taken away from the "Frat boy" mentality and more towards a focus on the band and the social experience surrounding band and band members. The chapter wasn't really all that focused on band when I was active (at least not as much as I thought it should be), but it does seem so now. It's a privilege merely to be associated with an organization like what it is today.
But referencing earlier in the post about seeing old friends....there's also a kind of dichotomy to these meetings: On the one hand, you talk to them as if nothing has changed. On the other hand, you catch up on what's new and interesting in each others' lives. This is one thing I appreciate about everyone I consider my friends: They don't treat me any differently as the years pass, and neither do they expect different treatment. Marriages and kids and jobs and money don't change my friends. I guess I'm good at picking them. :)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Life, Little Rock, and Mamma Mia!
Last week, my mother came up to see me and we went to see Mamma Mia! as performed at Robinson Center here in Little Rock. For those that are unfamiliar with the musical, it consists entirely of music written and originally performed by ABBA, set to a storyline that does NOT trace the roots of ABBA; rather, it follows a two day journey of a girl and her mother through the rigours of putting on a wedding. Exciting stuff, let me tell you.
I originally saw ABBA in Las Vegas (I think it was being performed at the Wynne) with Mom and I have to say that the Little Rock performance paled in comparison. It seemed as if the music was being played louder than the vocals in order to cover them up. If I hadn't known the words to the songs, I wouldn't have understood what they were saying. Plus, I thought the actress playing Donna Sheridan used a little too much in the way of vibrato, trills, and glissandos. A little goes a long way....she went too far.
I did, however, see my friend Phil Frana there and during intermission, I had to go over and say 'hello' since I hadn't seen him in three weeks. I can only go so long without talking with my Phil. During that ten minutes, I made a startling conclusion: It is remarkably easy to network in Arkansas. In that short span of time, we were able to identify somewhere in the vicinity of five to ten people and also label their positions, some of which would be positions of "power" in local governments. Had I been a reporter, it would have been very easy to perform an ambush interview to find out what these guys think. Too bad recording devices are banned in Robinson Center. Too bad I'm also not a reporter. Too bad I don't really know anything about local affairs, preferring to stay abreast of national/international politics. I'm intense like that.
But it got me thinking, with all these easily made connections, why am I not utilizing my degree in Public Administration by leveraging some of that easy-to-get networking here in Arkansas? Why am I whiling away my time at PetSmart grooming dogs? I mean, after all, dog grooming isn't exactly glamourous. I get pissed and shit on no less than five times a week. I make decent money, but I have inconsistent hours. Not to mention the entirely unglamourous condition of not getting to dress up. I'm relegated to windsuit pants, a t-shirt, and a cruddy smock every day. Not the pinnacle of fashion, lemmetellya.
But, like Sophie in Mamma Mia!, I came to the conclusion that I'm not garnering for a more glamourous position (in my case, a more presitigious job; in her case, a white wedding) because I'm perfectly content to stay where I am for now. She wants to explore the world. I would like that too (finances prevent it at the moment), but I'm content staying home. We're both content with exploring who we are at this moment.....not who we are after some life-defining event.
I'll be honest: It's tough watching my friends go off to Graduate School and get real jobs. Sometimes I think to myself, "Fuck PetSmart. I'm gonna get my Masters." But then I cool down and realize that the best thing in life is not what the future may or may not hold; it's being content with what you have now.
In the back of my head, I hear Buddha saying, "Take the Middle Way."
Yes, Sir. I think I shall.
I originally saw ABBA in Las Vegas (I think it was being performed at the Wynne) with Mom and I have to say that the Little Rock performance paled in comparison. It seemed as if the music was being played louder than the vocals in order to cover them up. If I hadn't known the words to the songs, I wouldn't have understood what they were saying. Plus, I thought the actress playing Donna Sheridan used a little too much in the way of vibrato, trills, and glissandos. A little goes a long way....she went too far.
I did, however, see my friend Phil Frana there and during intermission, I had to go over and say 'hello' since I hadn't seen him in three weeks. I can only go so long without talking with my Phil. During that ten minutes, I made a startling conclusion: It is remarkably easy to network in Arkansas. In that short span of time, we were able to identify somewhere in the vicinity of five to ten people and also label their positions, some of which would be positions of "power" in local governments. Had I been a reporter, it would have been very easy to perform an ambush interview to find out what these guys think. Too bad recording devices are banned in Robinson Center. Too bad I'm also not a reporter. Too bad I don't really know anything about local affairs, preferring to stay abreast of national/international politics. I'm intense like that.
But it got me thinking, with all these easily made connections, why am I not utilizing my degree in Public Administration by leveraging some of that easy-to-get networking here in Arkansas? Why am I whiling away my time at PetSmart grooming dogs? I mean, after all, dog grooming isn't exactly glamourous. I get pissed and shit on no less than five times a week. I make decent money, but I have inconsistent hours. Not to mention the entirely unglamourous condition of not getting to dress up. I'm relegated to windsuit pants, a t-shirt, and a cruddy smock every day. Not the pinnacle of fashion, lemmetellya.
But, like Sophie in Mamma Mia!, I came to the conclusion that I'm not garnering for a more glamourous position (in my case, a more presitigious job; in her case, a white wedding) because I'm perfectly content to stay where I am for now. She wants to explore the world. I would like that too (finances prevent it at the moment), but I'm content staying home. We're both content with exploring who we are at this moment.....not who we are after some life-defining event.
I'll be honest: It's tough watching my friends go off to Graduate School and get real jobs. Sometimes I think to myself, "Fuck PetSmart. I'm gonna get my Masters." But then I cool down and realize that the best thing in life is not what the future may or may not hold; it's being content with what you have now.
In the back of my head, I hear Buddha saying, "Take the Middle Way."
Yes, Sir. I think I shall.
Nobel Prize: Recap
I think the following comic explains the Obama Nobel Peace Prize perfectly.
Now, if we could only uncover whether or not Obama actually is from the future.
(Starts devising experiment to test for knowledge of future endeavors.)
Friday, October 9, 2009
Nobel Prizes for Peace
Turns out that Obama won the Nobel Peace Price. Impressive.
I'll go out on a limb and make a prediction: Instead of reporting this and covering this news, conservative media outlets will no doubt turn their attention to healthcare and will actually try to be a part of the debate to avoid talking about the fact that Obama won the prize. No doubt they would come across as accusing him of 'affirmative action' anyway.
BTW, this puts Obama in the same ranks as Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson who both won the prize while in office. Jimmy Carter won a few years back, but he hadn't been President in 30 years or so. Woodrow Wilson was also a blatant racist. He segregated the Navy when it previously hadn't been. He was a real nasty piece of work.
I'm sure the Conservative media outlets will be happy to point out that WW was a racist as proof that the Nobel Prize is corrupt.
I'll go out on a limb and make a prediction: Instead of reporting this and covering this news, conservative media outlets will no doubt turn their attention to healthcare and will actually try to be a part of the debate to avoid talking about the fact that Obama won the prize. No doubt they would come across as accusing him of 'affirmative action' anyway.
BTW, this puts Obama in the same ranks as Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson who both won the prize while in office. Jimmy Carter won a few years back, but he hadn't been President in 30 years or so. Woodrow Wilson was also a blatant racist. He segregated the Navy when it previously hadn't been. He was a real nasty piece of work.
I'm sure the Conservative media outlets will be happy to point out that WW was a racist as proof that the Nobel Prize is corrupt.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Universal Healthcare Backup Plan
It's starting to look more and more like there won't be a Public Option in the upcoming healthcare legislation. If there isn't a public option, then I wouldn't refer to this bill as anything approximating healthcare reform. I'm not even completely certain that all the loopholes regarding pre-existing condition will be closed.
If that's the case, then there needs to be some back-up plan in the works. I suggest the following (which is nearly the same as what we're suggesting for the public option, but proposed and worded diffferently).
1) Extend Medicare to those ages 55+. Essentially, the people that are most vocally opposed to the Public Option are those in the 45-65+ range. They're worried that Medicare either A) Won't be there when they turn 65, or B) worried that Medicare is going to start cutting back their coverage. Of course, those of with brains know that isn't the case, so billing healthcare reform as 'Extending Eligible Age of Medicare' negates the connotation of "Cuts to Medicare."
2) Enact a provision that a person of any age may opt for private insurance. Of course, we know that insurance companies basically default on your coverage once you turn 65 because they know that you're covered under the government's insurance program. Enacting a provision so that people that hit 55 may either keep their coverage (and the insurance companies cannot drop them, as long as they pay their premiums), or opt for Medicare.
3) Extend the coverage of SCHIP so that every child under the age of 18 is eligible. The nearest statistics I could find on coverage of SCHIP was around 6.6 million children in 2006. Of the some-odd 75 million children in the US, 8.3 million do not have some form of health insurance. I don't know the best way to do this, but it would seem as if the coverage rate was either expanded to include higher percentage levels of poverty, or if funding were simply doubled, then the 8.3 million uninsured children could receive some form of coverage. Like I said, I don't know enough about income disparities and efficiencies to know the best way to insure children, but I don't think there is any reason that a child should not have coverage, especially if it's because a parent can't afford it. It's not a child's fault if the parent can't afford medical insurance. (I vote that we just cover children under 18 via Medicare and get rid of the SCHIP component. I also vote that we make this mandatory coverage, regardless of whether the parent wants their child covered or not. We make them enroll in school; we should make them enroll in health care.)
4) Include a section wherein every few years (let's just say '5') the eligibility age to enroll in Medicare is reduced by 5. So, in 2014, the eligible age to enroll in Medicare becomes 50. In 2019, the eligible age becomes 45. So (unless other changes were made), by the year 2045, every adult in America would be eligible for coverage under Medicare and every child would already have coverage. This would be more difficult to pass (incrementalism always is); however, it would be easier in a few years time to simply add this portion into the existing laws. After all, if you vote to extend Medicare coverage by five years, you've got five years of voters that are in favor of it.
I have other 'Band-Aid' ideas that could improve the situation without being a full-blown public option, but I don't need to go into them here because hopefully, some of the Democrats will get their heads out of their asses and realize that the public option (Republican ass-hattery aside) is what the population wants. And I don't care about the portion of the population that has insurance now (the 65+ers, and those with private insurance) that are yelling they don't want private insurance. I'm talking about the portion of the population that right now does not have health insurance. They're yelling that they need something. Democrats (Blanche Lincoln, Mark Pryor, and Mike Ross) need to forget about the politics, the town hall meetings, and the media (FoxSmear) and simply do what makes the most sense: the public option.
I hope this is my last post on the current health care divide. I'd like to talk about something else (not that anybody is twisting my arm into talking about this).
If that's the case, then there needs to be some back-up plan in the works. I suggest the following (which is nearly the same as what we're suggesting for the public option, but proposed and worded diffferently).
1) Extend Medicare to those ages 55+. Essentially, the people that are most vocally opposed to the Public Option are those in the 45-65+ range. They're worried that Medicare either A) Won't be there when they turn 65, or B) worried that Medicare is going to start cutting back their coverage. Of course, those of with brains know that isn't the case, so billing healthcare reform as 'Extending Eligible Age of Medicare' negates the connotation of "Cuts to Medicare."
2) Enact a provision that a person of any age may opt for private insurance. Of course, we know that insurance companies basically default on your coverage once you turn 65 because they know that you're covered under the government's insurance program. Enacting a provision so that people that hit 55 may either keep their coverage (and the insurance companies cannot drop them, as long as they pay their premiums), or opt for Medicare.
3) Extend the coverage of SCHIP so that every child under the age of 18 is eligible. The nearest statistics I could find on coverage of SCHIP was around 6.6 million children in 2006. Of the some-odd 75 million children in the US, 8.3 million do not have some form of health insurance. I don't know the best way to do this, but it would seem as if the coverage rate was either expanded to include higher percentage levels of poverty, or if funding were simply doubled, then the 8.3 million uninsured children could receive some form of coverage. Like I said, I don't know enough about income disparities and efficiencies to know the best way to insure children, but I don't think there is any reason that a child should not have coverage, especially if it's because a parent can't afford it. It's not a child's fault if the parent can't afford medical insurance. (I vote that we just cover children under 18 via Medicare and get rid of the SCHIP component. I also vote that we make this mandatory coverage, regardless of whether the parent wants their child covered or not. We make them enroll in school; we should make them enroll in health care.)
4) Include a section wherein every few years (let's just say '5') the eligibility age to enroll in Medicare is reduced by 5. So, in 2014, the eligible age to enroll in Medicare becomes 50. In 2019, the eligible age becomes 45. So (unless other changes were made), by the year 2045, every adult in America would be eligible for coverage under Medicare and every child would already have coverage. This would be more difficult to pass (incrementalism always is); however, it would be easier in a few years time to simply add this portion into the existing laws. After all, if you vote to extend Medicare coverage by five years, you've got five years of voters that are in favor of it.
I have other 'Band-Aid' ideas that could improve the situation without being a full-blown public option, but I don't need to go into them here because hopefully, some of the Democrats will get their heads out of their asses and realize that the public option (Republican ass-hattery aside) is what the population wants. And I don't care about the portion of the population that has insurance now (the 65+ers, and those with private insurance) that are yelling they don't want private insurance. I'm talking about the portion of the population that right now does not have health insurance. They're yelling that they need something. Democrats (Blanche Lincoln, Mark Pryor, and Mike Ross) need to forget about the politics, the town hall meetings, and the media (FoxSmear) and simply do what makes the most sense: the public option.
I hope this is my last post on the current health care divide. I'd like to talk about something else (not that anybody is twisting my arm into talking about this).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
