Another Reason I'm Glad I Got a 4Runner

From the CNN article, Midsize SUV's Perform Well In Crash Tests:
Eight of nine midsize sport utility vehicles involved in high-speed crash tests garnered the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's top rating for safety, the insurer-funded nonprofit research organization reported Sunday.
After 40 mph frontal offset crash tests into a deformable barrier, the SUVs were checked for structural damage, damage to the dummy driver and performance of the restraint systems, including seat belts and air bags.
Lexus RX 330, Infiniti FX and Cadillac SRX, Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Murano, Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Pilot and Mitsubishi Endeavor were rated "good" or "best pick."
Actually, my girlfriend heard on CNN that the 4Runner was ranked the best off all of them.

Let's Get This Straight

DJ's are not musical artists. Disc Jockeys for radio stations, clubs, or funny enough, the gym I go to are all just that, disc jockeys. (Yes, during certain times, my gym hires a DJ for the evening) I don't mind these people, as long as they realize that all they are doing is putting on OTHER PEOPLE'S music for people to listen to. That's not art and it's not music. I do this same thing every time I get into my car. I'm sure that there are varying levels of talent, as with all things, but when you get right down to it, no matter how you spin the records, it's NOT ORIGINAL.



Also, what is it with all these goofy one word names to describe DJ's? I don't get it. DJ Skribble, DJ Quicky, DJ Wiz Kid, DJ Dumbfuck.
And to clarify, I know that there are different types of DJ's. There are basically three: the regular DJ (someone who plays on the radio or for a club, as described above), a "turntablist" (musicians whose instruments have styluses and motors, and whose reworking of beats and samples takes the records they spin so far from their original arrangements that they combine to create a new piece of music), and "scratching" (to take a record and pull it back and forth). Apparently, the ones who do the scratching and turning the tables don't like the fact that they share the same name as a guy at a radio station who puts on CD's for mass audiences to listen to. Tough titty said the kitty. No matter how you look at it, none of them are making original music. Here is something from the site Needlz.com: "When they hit a groove, a [Skratch] Piklz live show is a dazzling display of inspired chaos. Synchronized jams fracture into bouts of solo turntable-juggling; beats are broken down and reconstructed; tempos shift; vocal tracks are transformed into stuttered mantras in a panoply of scratch styles (of which there are supposedly over 300): Forwards, scribbles, moving scribbles, tears, chirps, tear chirps."

Whooptie shit. How many different ways could you possibly spin a record? How do you explain that to people? "So, what do you do Joe?" "I spin records on my free time. I spend countless hours finding the perfect beat." You don't fool me.
I don't see them scratching or turntabling their own music. Try playing an instrument and writing your own music for once, DJ Unoriginal.

I Finally Did It

After a few months of heavy debating, I decided that it was time to replace Ol' Red. As much as I'll miss her, my '94 Red Isuzu Rodeo is no longer with us. She's been replaced by the best looking SUV on the road: the Toyota 4Runner (pre-2003, that is...the new ones look horrendous). On a whim one night, I decided to go to the Toyota dealership and have a look at what they had available in used cars. I orginally went there looking for a Tacoma truck, but decided against it because it's not what I really wanted. For one, most of the cars I looked at that I thought were less expensive actually weren't that much less and in some cases, even more than the one I ended up getting: a white 2001 Toyota 4Runner Limited. From what I could tell and from what the salesman told me, once you start getting into the used ones that are a couple years old, they all start to come around to be the same price. He was right. The base model 4Runner with 15K miles cost about the same as the Limited that I got that had 37K miles. I got the Limited model because for the same price I got a lot of extra features, but with a few more miles on the vehicle. The one feature that I got that was important that didn't come with the base model was the factory anti-theft devices, namely the car alarm and the transponder chip in the key that allows only the original key to start the car. The only way to get a copy that will start the car is to go to the Toyota dealership and have one made with the factory serial number. Other than that, it comes fully loaded. It's like what one of my friends told me once when I asked why someone would spend 40+ big ones on a Lexus: because they want to. I don't need all the stuff that it comes with, but it sure makes driving a pleasure. Driving was beginning to be a chore and towards the end, I came very close to being so frustrated I was getting road rage every time I went out on the road. It was a combination of having an older 4-cylinder that couldn't always perform when I needed it to and the morons on the road. Now I drive with ease. The car handles better, nothing rattles, and I have the power I've always wanted. I've also got to point out that the Toyota "experience" starting when I first got on the lot to the point when I was getting in the car when they had it parked right in front of the main entrance to the dealership and driving away, I felt comfortable, considering the circumstances. At no point was I pressured and I'd have to recommend Kearny Mesa Toyota to anyone. As most people already know, a Toyota lasts forever. Every Toyota made (with the exception of the Hybrid Prius) is on the consumer reports 2003 breakdown of the most reliable cars to buy. I knew Toyota is a quality, solid vehicle that will last me many years to come and it will hold it's value on the consumer market. I have yet to hear one bad thing about this car.
Some things I really like about it so far:
1. The turning radius is phenomenal.
2. The gas mileage is about 20MPG, which is about what my 4-cylinderRodeo was getting for the past couple of years.
3. It has a special "ETC" power button (I'm not sure what ETC stands for) on the dash that allows you to put the transmission into the most powerful mode, increasing shifting time for better acceleration. I used it last night to try it out from a complete stop. Needless to say, the car moves when it needs to.
4. The seat warmers and the sun roof.
5. The transponder chip in the key allowing only the original key to start the engine.
6. Nothing on the car rattles.
7. Traction and anti-skid control.
8. My spare tire is underneath the car instead of bolted to the rear.
9. In my opinion, the '96-'02 4Runners are the best looking SUV's on the road. The '03-'04 models don't look too hot and the guys at Toyota in the used car department agreed.
10. The handling of the car makes driving much easier.
11. I should be getting LoJack installed within the next few days. Here is proof that it works.

And now for photos:

Photo Post - San Diego Fires

While the fires only got about 5 miles away from me at it's closest, you could still see the effect it was having on the environment and the air quality. I still don't think I have totally recovered from that. Some of these were taken at my house and the rest were downtown in the middle of the daytime, but it looks really dark from the smoke. This event actually scared me enough to purchase a cell phone, so that I'm not ever caught without communication in a time like this, as I was then.

I'm a Coffee Guy in a Stoner Place

When I was a couple years younger and more diverse in my taste of music, there was a punk song called, World's on Heroin by the band All that I found on a compilation record, Punk-o-rama 3. The lyrics tell the tale of frustration from a guy who feels that the rest of the world is full of dolts who just kind of float through life without any real purpose, as if they are on heroin. He wishes everyone was on speed because at least they would be productive. I couldn't agree more. When I go out in the world, I find that people in general are just slow. They don't move or think fast enough. I bust my ass when I'm in line in front of other people to be efficient, do what I have to do, and go on about my day.
The other day I wanted to kill this lady in line in front of me for the drive-up ATM at the bank. I pull behind this lady who has decided to start tallying her checks and balances at the beginning of the lane at the bank. She's not at an ATM, she is just blocking the lane to the ATM. I pull up and wait about 90 seconds before she finally sees me behind her. She moves forward slowly as if unsure of what to do next. She pulls up to the first ATM and I go to the second one. I know my PIN, I know how much money I need, and I'm familiar with modern-day ATM's to navigate through the menus with ease. I grab my money, my card, and my receipt and I'm done in less than 45 seconds. The lady in front of me (middle aged women in SUV's really piss me off) hasn't even put her card in the ATM yet and I'm already done and ready to leave. She's still performing high intensity math calculations on her hand. She's probably signing checks from her triple-digit job downtown. Too busy and/or too stupid to worry about the people behind her. By this time, there are two other people behind me and I have no escape route. I'm kind of curious how long she's actually going to take. Every second I get more angry. I resort to a short beep of the horn in which I am successful at getting her attention, but not at getting her to move any faster. She scans her rear-view and notices that the same silly jackass that was behind her before is now trying to leave. No big deal. Just ignore me. I shut my car off, settle in, and just stare at this dumbass lady wondering what the fuck is going through her head. After about 4-5 minutes, she inches her way from the ATM, again unsure of herself, as if she's forgotten something or didn't quite do all the things she needed to do. I'm going right and I'm inching my way up, just waiting for her to FINALLY PULL THE FUCK FORWARD enough so that I can leave. Eternities pass and finally it's wide open. I gas it, almost hitting her but I don't. I fly out of the bank parking lot, ten times more pissed than when I came.

This song is for you, you dumb bitch, and everyone that is like you:



"World's On Heroin"
the world's on heroin
i'm on strike against all this laziness
i try to go for all despite all the underachievers
from the government to the drive thru guy
delayed results with no reasons why
my only guess they must be high
i want to put an end to all of them
but i don't know where to begin
cause i'm pretty sure the world's on heroin

the world's on heroin
everybody is standing in my way
i try to use my brain
but stupidity is thrown in my face
i'm a coffee guy in a stoner place
and the world keeps turning at a turtle's pace
get it over with check into n.a.
i want to put an end to all of them
but i don't know where to begin
cause i'm pretty sure the world's on heroin
if i had my way i'd prefer if everyone was on speed
i'm so sick of the no can dos and the failures you concede
at any rate from the looks of things everyone's nodding out
but me
the world's on heroin
too many lazy morons in my face
the world's on heroin
everybody acts like a zombie
i'm not saying that i'm better than them
i don't have the kind of time to spend
with slacker types trying to be my friend i
want to put an end to all of them
but i don't know where to begin
cause i'm pretty sure the world's on heroin
yeah i'm pretty sure the world's on heroin heroin

My Hood

I've decided in the past couple of weeks that instead of going through the hardships and pitfalls of locating another place to live, doing all the paperwork and monetary turnover from my present abode to another one, and then the final act of moving, unpacking and settling in, I'm going to forego that idea and just stay put. I'm settled in and I'm happy where I'm at. The small community of 4 neighbors couldn't be better. They are quiet and cordial to me when I see them. The only time I really hear them is when my closest neighbor comes outside to smoke a clove and hawks up a lung every time he's out there. What a nasty habit. Other than that and the occasional helicopter flying overhead at random times throughout the day and night and the daily barrage of ambulances, fire trucks, and police squads flying through the neighborhood at full volume, everything is pretty quiet. I love my apartment because I've finally got what I've always wanted in a house: old architecture infused with modern technology. When I was younger I always wanted an older house to put a lot of technologically advanced stuff in. Granted, I only have my computer and flat-screen monitor, a Sony Playstation 2 with a 13 inch TV/VCR combo, a Motorola mobile phone, and a design-savvy espresso machine. Other than that, normal stuff. Books on the bookshelves. Clothes in the closet and dresser. I just like the diametrically opposed idea of having an older house filled with new technology. As far as the neighborhood goes, the only time I interact with them is when I have to do laundry or go to the gym. The gym is fine. The laundromat is the real killer. Laundry day is when I realize that I'm a completely normal person compared to the other people who go there to do laundry. The other day wasn't too bad. The same homeless tranny was there. This time, s/he was behind the laundromat sitting against the wall smoking a cigarette and clutching a backpack. The newest scary thing I saw was a Mexican mother and father pushing their two monkey kids down the sidewalk in a stolen shopping cart instead of a stroller.

So for now, I'm staying where I am.

Photo Post - Family

Trinity

Grandma

Aunt Lydia

Melissa and Trinity

Melissa and Trinity

Melissa

Trinity

Trinity

Trinity

8 Things All Humans Should Start Doing NOW

This is my plan to change the world. But it's only a start.

I know, I know...who are you to tell other people what to do? Well, I have a website, and you're reading this...figure it out.
I've never been much of a philanthropist. I don't want to change the world. I don't like to tell other people how to live their life. Until people start getting in my way. I could care less what you do until you start interacting with me. Then you're on my time.
Here's my proposal for changing the world for the better: 8 things that people can start doing yesterday that would change our everyday lives for the better and help us EVOLVE. Order of importance isn't important. I know these have all been said before...but I've compiled the list to make it easier to see it clearly. Print this out, put it in your wallet or purse and study it diligently. You and everyone else can thank me later.
Just so you don't think I'm too big for my britches...I'm not perfect. I know that. But I do my best to do these things so when I'm looking back, I can say I did my best to do my part. I'm just trying to amplify and fast-forward social darwinism.

1. Pay attention
Most people do little to notice the little details in life. Open your beady eyes and have a look-see at the world around you. See the forest and the trees.

2. Move faster
I'm constantly behind someone who has decided that it's time to go into heroin-peak mode. Blank stares and open mouths. Get a move on it. Don't marathon through life...just up the average time it takes to do simple tasks. Become an EFFICIENT human being.

3. Read more
Put the remote down.

4 . Think outside established parameters
Most of the things I learned in kindergarten were false. Take all your preconcieved notions about the world and remember to forget them. Restructure your mind. Amp up your thought processes. It's such a shame to meet someone only to realize you've been meeting them for years with different names and faces: stock humans.

5. Stop breeding
We do not need more people. Whoever taught you that multiplying humans was divine didn't have a life, so they wanted to play a major role in someone else's tot memories. The more people per capita, the less space and worldwide resources for everyone. Get the shot. Take your pills. Cover your dick. I don't want to see another crumbsnatcher again. Note: I don't have anything against kids or responsible people having them. Responsible adults who agree to have a child and have the ability and financial backing to do it, fine. Have all you want. It's the hordes of unwanted, misbehaving, loud rugrats at Wal-Mart that bother me.

6 . Speak clearly
Shutup. When you talk or write something, say it with clarity. Build your vocabulary. Think before you speak and say what you mean.

7. Do something
Get an agenda. Get a job. Get a life. Wake up in the morning with purpose. Life beating you down? Stand up and beat it's ass. Go through life like a Panzer tank.

8. Demand quality
You're going to die soon. Do you want to look back on your life only to realize that you've been content with accepting third-rate everything: phony people, rotten relationships, bad service...the list goes on. If you aren't happy with something, change it. If you can't change it yourself, be as LOUD as you can about it until it's changed.

I Hate Sports

I really do. I tried. Much like Christianity, I was forced to do it, and any good it might have done was wasted at the expense of someone earnestly trying to do something they thought was right. I tried and tried. I didn't like the idea when I was first approached with it and I don't like it now. When people around me talk about the latest seasons stats, I pretend to look interested. I couldn't care less. Football, baseball, basketball, track, soccer, hockey, whatever. It bores me to death. The first game ever played will be the same as the last. The only thing that changes is the names, dates, and talent. How can someone be content watching the same thing day after day, year after year? You could get two teams of the most talented, scientifically designed, steroid-laden human machines on the field playing the meanest, ass-slappinest, grisly football game ever and I'm still bored. It's still a guy trying to get some ball or puck somewhere while the other team is trying to defend him from doing it. When I was forced into playing basketball during my freshman year, I did my best. I couldn't dribble, pass, or shoot worth shit. I was clumsy and everything I did was with freshman herky-jerky movements. I tried to smile through the lack of enthusiasm, but I didn't fool anyone. I felt more comfortable in a library or acting onstage than on the court. The guys on my team were good people and they tried to help me, but I just couldn't do it. I was the tallest guy on the team, the most valuable asset, and yet I could hardly do a lay-up on an empty court. The most points I ever scored in a night was 7 points and my Dad was proud. But I wasn't. Disappointed, my dad finally realized that maybe my energy could be used better elsewhere. So I did journalism and theater. I was a major contributor to the High School newspaper and I played small parts in a few plays. I was happy. I never looked back. Even when Hunter S. Thompson, one of my favorite writers, talks about sports, I get antsy to move to the next paragraph.

The idea of sports in America spurs a kind of cultural trend hatred that I've always held for the importance placed on sports and the people who worship them. The jocks were never really mean to me per se, but I knew that I'd never be a part of them long before I had to join their ranks. Just like frat boys, rich kids, and the Jesus freaks, I knew where I didn't fit and I accepted it. The people I know now that watch Monday night fuckball and ESPN with religious fervor, I don't have anything against. It's usually me that they have something against. You don't like sports, huh? You are the enemy. The typical American sports fan is an overfed Alpha-male with a penchant for balls, sticks and bats, and men in tight pants tackling each other. And they don't like anyone that's not in the program. That's fine. I'll get by knowing that you don't like me. I'll make it through.

The injustice ensues: our society is largely based around sports. Kids who could barely pass an aptitude test go through college and pay little to nothing (and avoid a potential draft) because of a supposed ability. Is your ability evolving humanity? Is it doing any good whatsoever other than to generate revenue? Does a sports game make people smarter? No, on all three counts. The favorite American pastime is baseball? Not my favorite pastime. I'd rather work than watch baseball. People pay large sums of money to keep sports in business. Millions of dollars go to watching men run around for an hour or two chasing a ball when we've got homeless people in every city in America. I'm not much of a philanthropist, but I think that feeding the homeless is more important than any sports game ever invented. Use the profits of one or two Monday night football or anticipated sports games a season and you could feed the homeless for a  year.

I know, I know. I've attacked the football people a little more than the other sports in this article. I have to admit, I consider them the worst of the sports species. To make it clear, I don't hate the people, although I do feel outcast around sportspeople and jocks. I hate the importance placed on sports, when I think there is more creative, productive things people could be doing on Monday night.

As much as I hate sports for myself, if I had a kid, I'd do my best to help them do what they wanted when they grow up. If they liked sports, I'd go to the games and support them as much as my time allows. Maybe after a while, they'd do what I did.

Reasons Mac is Better Than PC (By Far)

1. MAC OSX IS 100% Virus free so far.
2. Uninstalls are much, much easier. You just drop the file in the trash. No uninstalling. Except when you install Windows Media Player for the Mac. Then you have to manually uninstall files.
3. It's faster.
4. The G5 looks better than any PC on the planet.
5. No defragmenting the hard drive.
6. Microsoft lords over the licensing to their codecs, making it virtually impossible to convert .wmv to .mov.
7. It's the industry standard for graphics, animation, the printing industry, and many more businesses.
8. iTunes beats the shit out of Musicmatch Jukebox.
9. The mail program is much better than Microsoft Outlook or Express ever will be.
10. The community of Mac owners.
11. When I hit the power button on my G5, it revs up.
12. I'm too tired to think right now because I spent all night trying to convert .wmv to .mov thanks to Microsoft, so I'm going to bed. There are many other reasons why Mac is better than PC.

Funny Mac Switch Parody

I thought this was pretty funny. It's a repost, but it's still funny, and not really true for the Apple these days.