Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in boo__boo's LiveJournal:

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Thursday, November 6th, 2008
8:31 pm	So I can get in a video... (Comment on this)
12:41 pm	Choosing the Wrong Side of History Well, I made a last-minute change in my voting plan on Tuesday morning, and after three presidential elections I've been eligible to vote in, this registered Republican still has yet to vote on the Republican line. I voted on the Independence Party line instead. I chose to support the man John McCain, not the party that nominated him (and the party that pretty much made it impossible for him to win). As the night went on, though, I realized that this needed to happen. I've been thinking about some of the things that I've seen...friends on Facebook who put up statuses saying "FUCK FUCK FUCK this country" when the polls were closer, fraternity brothers who sent out maps after the 2004 election that were divided into "The United States of Canada" and "Jesusland"...as much as I may disagree with those sentiments on principle, the fact of the matter is that if McCain had won, there would only be more of them, let alone outrage over (potentially overstated) racism, and overall, it would have put our country in a very bad place emotionally, for reasons that really aren't John McCain's fault. How better to start on the road to putting things right than under the man who rose to prominence by declaring that there is not a red America and a blue America, particularly as opposed to a certain vice presidential candidate's talk about which parts of the country are more patriotic/pro-American/whatever than the others. Of course, thinking back on the "United States of Canada," "Jesusland" and "FUCK FUCK FUCK this country," maybe there was some truth to it, but that was never Obama, and he should be an important influence on people who are given to that sort of garbage. As I watched the concession - and I was very proud of McCain during his concession - and Obama's acceptance, I was absolutely certain that the right man had won, and that we as a country needed to do something great after the last eight years, and you don't need to have voted for Obama to see and applaud the greatness of the moment. All of that said, am I sorry to have voted for McCain? Well, it always sucks not to be invited to a party, which is kind of how it felt watching the celebrations. In the end, though, as someone who beleives in civil, responsible differences of opinion, and the ability to work across party lines, there's no reason for me to regret my vote. Besides, voting in a foregone conclusion state like New York, I don't have to vote for the lesser of two evils, and can make a statement with my vote. The statement I've made is that John McCain is a step in the right direction for the Republican Party. My only real regret is that I couldn't cast this vote eight years ago, because I remain convinced that both the country and the Republican Party would be in a much better place right now had McCain gotten the nomination in 2000. But that's all behind us now. What matters is what's in front of us, and even if I voted differently, what's in front of us now looks better than it might have otherwise. p.s. As an aside, I don't know too many other McCain voters who will get pissed about this, but WTF on Prop 8 passing in California. Boooooooooooooooo! Of course, I think the government should recognize both same- and opposite-sex partnerships as civil unions and leave the question of whether it's marriage or not to be decided between the people, their faith community (if they have one), and G-d. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
4:49 pm	Everything I needed to know about the 2008 election, I learned from Star Wars The story is familiar enough: after serving his cause nobly, a pilot and member of an elite council is told by the master of a dark power that the only way to save what he values most is to go to the Dark Side. Determined not to let his love die, the pilot turns to the Dark Side, but in so doing, winds up destroying what he intended to save.   Familiar as it is, though, this story does not take place “A long time a go in a galaxy far, far, away.” It takes place right here in this country, in 2008.   It has become impossible for any objective observer of this presidential election to deny that Sen. John McCain, like Anakin Skywalker, has gone to the Dark Side. And while the most fitting stand-in for Emperor Palpatine, Karl Rove, is technically watching from the sidelines as a commentator for Fox News, it’s clear that the campaign operatives who convinced Sen. McCain that this was the only way to win are of Rove’s ilk.   One can certainly argue that Sen. McCain’s goal – becoming President – is not nearly so noble as Anakin Skywalker’s desire to save his wife. However, while it certainly takes an immense ego to succeed on the national political stage, someone who has served his country as honorably as John McCain deserves the benefit of the doubt, and the assumption that he is running for President because he believes that he will be the best leader for the country. Toward that end, he has done what he feels he needs to do to be able to win the election and lead.   Whatever Sen. McCain’s reasons for choosing to campaign the way he has, it’s becoming painfully clear that this strategy has killed whatever chance Sen. McCain had of using his own personal popularity to overcome the disastrous state of the Republican brand and be elected president. Unlike Anakin Skywalker, Sen. McCain does not make a more compelling character as an agent of the Dark Side, and barring a dramatic reversal before Tuesday’s election, he and Gov. Sarah Palin – who has quickly become the Jar Jar Binks of this election – will go down in defeat.   Of course, the man who will bring about Sen. McCain’s electoral demise, Sen. Barack Obama, is hardly the Arizona senator’s son. In the way Sen. Obama has run his campaign, however, he has styled himself as the heir to the bipartisan spirit that made Sen. McCain such an appealing candidate to begin with.   Whether Sen. Obama is truly that heir is a matter for some debate, and the truth remains to be seen. Based on his Senate record, it’s possible that Sen. Obama is merely playing that role – the way Mark Hamill played Luke Skywalker – and the narrative the Obama campaign has created is an elaborate fantasy. For now, though, that debate is irrelevant. What matters, for now, is that in all likelihood, he will win on Tuesday, having styled himself in many ways as a post-partisan candidate.   What Sen. McCain will do when that happens is much more a mystery.   In one last heroic act, Darth Vader threw Emperor Palpatine to his death (as an aside, does anyone know why that great big hole was even there?). In his concession speech on Tuesday night, and in the remainder of his tenure in the Senate, John McCain will have the opportunity to do the same.   Throughout this campaign, while the MoveOns and DailyKos-es of the world have attempted to portray John McCain as the embodiment of evil, Sen. Obama has never stopped seeing the good in his opponent. We can only hope that when this race is over, Sen. McCain will justify that faith, and show us the “real” John McCain.   The “real” John McCain, in case anyone has forgotten, is the man who won the nomination in the first place, stopped campaigning to congratulate Sen. Obama the night he accepted the Democratic nomination, and gave a wonderful performance earlier this month at the Alfred E. Smith dinner. That man, the one who was thought to be the Republicans’ best hope, can do American politics a great service by renouncing and denouncing the Rovian campaign strategies that have speeded him to electoral ruin.   May the Force be with him. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, September 18th, 2006
11:53 pm	WHOOOOOOOOOOO! Today is Monday, September 18. The New York Mets have clinched the NL East. And I was there. Awesome game...Jose Valentin came up big with two homers, and the first runner to cross the plate was Shawn Green, which was very cool. It's also kind of funny that with the big bats the Mets have brought in and the top prospects they've brought up over the past couple of seasons, the man who does the damage when they clinch the division is Jose Valentin. Great stuff...makes having to watch them get swept at Pittsburgh sooooo worth it. That is all. (Comment on this)
Friday, September 1st, 2006
11:11 pm	Oh yeah, It's September Today is Friday, September 1. The New York Mets need to win 13 more games to clinch the NL East. And for the record, I don't use the traditional "magic number." I use the RIOT system that some folks at Cal came up with. Difference of one game. That's one game closer that the Mets are to winning. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 30th, 2006
11:43 pm	I'm back Today is Wednesday August 30, 2006. The New York Mets need to win 15 more games to clinch the NL East. Found my new favorite karaoke place in the city last night...in the Village. I had gone to a MediaBistro event in the Village, and actually paid attention in the cab on the way there for once. I saw a record store on Bleeker Street that looked interesting, and after the MediaBistro thing, I went back to find the store. Never made it, though, because I stumbled into The Asylum, which is the only place I've found in the city that has a really good, incredibly complete book. Did a few of my standards that I haven't done in the city, like "One Week," and "Rock and Roll Suicide," plus the full version of "Semi-Charmed Life" that I have only seen one other company use. Otherwise, things are pretty good...except for me leaving my gym bag on the train yesterday. That sucked. I also haven't been to the gym since Friday, which is also not good. I'll go again on Friday, and then we'll see when else. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, August 28th, 2006
3:53 pm	A Relatively Happy Monday Today is Monday, August 28. The New York Mets need to win 17 more games to clinch the NL East. No internet at home, no Mets game yesterday (when we went to the ballpark), but hey, they won today. Good stuff. (Comment on this)
Friday, August 25th, 2006
10:27 pm	Long Day Today is Friday, August 25. The New York Mets need to win 21 more games to clinch the NL East. So I had something for work due at noon today. No problem, right? Well, I'm on late shift tonight, so it's work when I'm supposed to be off, but whatever. The more pressing issue occured around 10:30, when some serious weather issues knocked out our internet. After trying a few things to convince myself that it is the weather and not my computer, I head to a Starbucks to use their wireless. The rain slows my trip significantly. I get there, finish my work and send it in, then hang around a bit to look at a few things online, still leaving in decent time to make my train into the city, which will allow me to go to the gym before work. I leave, and these guys from D.A.R.E. are out in front of Starbucks selling toys, t-shirts, etc. I agree to buy my cousins some reusable coloring books (pages wipe clean, cool idea) for $16. The guy doesn't have change, so I have to wait while he goes into Starbucks to get change. Upon completing the transaction, I get into my car, and realize that I can't get on 9A going south easily from the parking lot. As I'm turning around, my mother calls to tell me she missed the train stop coming back from work, and can I please pick her up at the next stop so she can get back to her car. Since I need to give her my car key anyway (late shift), I go and meet her. I miss my train, and decide to go to the gym near my house instead, then take the next train. I only get there in time to run (two miles on the treadmill in 18 minutes), take a fast shower, and dash to the train. And now I'm at work (taking a short break). I'm working again tomorrow. Yeah. That's about it. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, August 24th, 2006
10:43 pm	Today is Thursday, August 24. The New York Mets need to win 21 more games to clinch the NL East. Had my day off today. Looked at apartments, went and paid a parking ticket, did some laundry, and had some work to get done (still do, actually). Now, I'm chilling out and watching the Carolia Panthers game (Casey Cramer looking alright, complete with a homemade banner someone held in a prominent spot). When it's over, I'll watch the ep of Who Wants to Be a Superhero? that I just taped while we were eating dinner. Oh, and I went to the gym, where I got back on the treadmill for the first time in a little while, after mostly elliptical lately. Again, a very good performance: 24 minutes, 2.69 miles (23 minutes at 9 minute mile pace, last minute at 8 minute mile pace). Today was supposed to be a lift day, but a) I got to the gym too late; and b) my elbow is still bothering me a bit. I'll lift tomorrow, which brings me to lifting again on Sunday, which brings me back to late shift on Tuesday, a good opportunity for another lift. Such is life. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006
11:59 pm	Just under the wire Today is Wednesday, August 23. The New York Mets need to win 23 more games to clinch the NL east. I don't have much more than that other than that I'm tired, and I have a nagging pain in my right elbow. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006
11:08 pm	You're Gonna Eat Lightning, and You're Gonna Crap Thunder Today is Tuesday, August 22. The New York Mets need to win 24 more games to clinch the NL East. In other Mets news, the Amazins aquired Shawn Green from the Cardinals. In a completely unrelated development, this Sunday happens to be the Mets' annual Jewish Heritage Day. How's that for timing? So, last night was awesome. I got there late on account of some work I needed to finish up, but the movie started later than I was expecting, so I didn't miss too much. I stumbled into some old friends from high school, which was nice. Then, as promised, I went to the gym. The New York Sports Club at 23rd and Park is a 24-hour gym, which is nice. However, they're renovating the locker rooms, which leaves them with only one locker room. Their solution is that men have access on odd-numbered days and women have access on even-numbered days. Of course, since this is a 24-hour gym, the gym is open when the changeover occurs, meaning that one could conceivably start working out at 11 p.m., finish at 1 a.m., and then not be able to get back into the locker room to get your stuff out. As it was, I was scrambling to be out by midnight, which was also important for making the 12:08 train home. Went to the gym again today, about 12 hours after I left the gym last night. Was definitely feeling it by the end of my workout, but I was still making good time on the elliptical (my general standard is a sub-12 minute mile), despite the lack of appropriately inspiring audio-visual content. Due to a late wakeup this morning and laundry that needed to be done, I went to the gym near my house, which meant no outside music, so I watched the Saved by the Bell episode where Zack and Co. are trying to buy U2 tickets while being chased by suspected mob members. I ran solid times, somewhere in the neighborhood of 11:39 to a mile or so. I still haven't weighed myself in a while on a scale that I trust, but it's not bothering me too much. For now, I'm evaluating based on performance, and I'm pleased with my performance. Next time I go to a gym with a good scale, though (i.e. NOT 14th Street or Grand Central) that I actually change and shower at (i.e. NOT White Plains or Hawthorne, where I just go home to shower), I'll weigh out (I weigh out after my workout...I feel better that way). (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, August 21st, 2006
11:44 am	Gonna Fly Now Today is Monday, August 21. The New York Mets need to win 25 more games to clinch the NL East. Not much time to write today. Tonight, I'm going to see a free showing of Rocky in Bryant Park, and then to the gym. I know, it'll be a late night, but Rocky is such great inspiration for the gym, and I have late shift tomorrow anyway. (Comment on this)
Sunday, August 20th, 2006
10:24 am	Soooo Tired (Again) Today is Sunday, August 20. The New York Mets need to win 26 more games to clinch the NL East. One of the drawbacks of not taking a real vacation is that you don't really get the benefits of the relaxation. My mind is made up, I'm taking a real vacation in December. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Friday, August 18th, 2006
11:24 pm	Soooooo tired... Today is Friday, August 18. The New York Mets need to win 27 more game to clinch the NL East. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 16th, 2006
3:57 pm	Back In the Gym... Today is Wednesday, August 16. The New York Mets need to win 31 more games to clinch the NL East. Quick update: I made my return to the gym today after getting other types of exercise (swimming, kayaking, skating) while on vacation. I cut my lift routine short (two sets of eight reps on my upper body exercises vs. two sets of 12), but did something cool for the first time: ran two consecutive eight minute miles during a 16-minute hill course on the treadmill. Awesome stuff. I'm not sure what I'm weighing in at, because the scale at the gym is kind of tempermental, but I can say with great certainty that I didn't slip over 210 while I was away. I didn't follow my diet exactly (or at all when I was in Rochester), but I kept my carbs reasonable (one meal a day) when I was in Lake Placid, and got a good bit of exercise on Sunday and Monday. My soundtrack for today, in case anyone was wondering, was a KISS Millenium Collection (Volume 2) CD. It's all from around the time they took the makeup off: "Lick It Up," "Creatures of the Night," etc. Not great music, but for inspiring me to kick ass in the gym, it does the job. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 15th, 2006
11:09 pm	I'm Back Today is Tuesday, August 15, 2006. The New York Mets need to win 31 more games to clinch the NL East. I have returned from Lake Placid. That is all. Current Mood: tired (Comment on this)
Monday, August 14th, 2006
11:39 am	Over breakfast... Today is Monday, August 14. The New York Mets need to win 31 more games to clinch the NL East. I just finished some work I needed to do while having a breakfast called "Dr. Atkins, I Presume" at the Black Bear Restaurant, which is one of a few places in Lake Placid with free wireless (my hotel isn't one of them, although there is one nearby which I can sometimes latch onto). On the agenda for today: - Shopping: there are several factory outlets in Lake Placid that are having big sales: Geoffrey Beene, Bass, Izod and the Gap. Plus, I need to decide if I want one of the Mike Eruzione 1980 replica jerseys from the U.S. Olympic Spirit Store. It's $144, which is a hefty price tag, but I've been looking for it. I should also get some sort of fudge to bring back to my office (seems to be the custom). I can even get sugar free stuff for myself. - Exercise: I swam in the hotel pool yesterday, which was good. It's a fairly short pool, but I did more than 30 laps. I may do that again today, or I may rent a kayak. - Skating: I have my ice skates in the trunk, and there's public skating at Lussi Rink in the Olympic Center from 8-9:30. I also have two hockey jerseys with me, one of which I'll wear while skating (I usually do this). - Packing: After skating, I intend to go back to the hotel and pack while watching wrestling, since I have to leave early tomorrow (late shift tomorrow night at the office). Alright, that's it for now. Need to get out of here and get started on some of that stuff. (Comment on this)
Sunday, August 13th, 2006
11:10 am	Did you miss me? Today is Sunday, August 13. The New York Mets need to win 33 more games to clinch the NL East. Hey, I'm on vacation...sort of (worked eight days in a row before I left, worked the last two days from up here, had one extra day off that I wasn't already scheduled for added to make the trip possible). Lake Placid is gorgeous, as always...and pretty cool, temperature-wise, which is a nice relief after the heat in the city over the last couple of weeks. Still, I'm hoping it gets hot enough to swim in the hotel pool...it may be by the afternoon. No clue what I'm doing tonight, except that I'll probably take advantage of having HBO in my hotel and watch Entourage, which I saw for the first time last night after I got back to the room (I watched the last four innings of the Mets game at Wiseguys while eating a plate of Buffalo wings for dinner). Alright, time to put the computer back in my hotel room and go for a walk. I want to see if the Spirit Store got any Mike Eruzione replica jerseys. I looked last summer, but they only had Jim Craig (for the non-sports fans in the audience: Jim Craig was the goalie for the U.S. Olympic Team in 1980, and Mike Eruzione scored the winning goal in the "Miracle on Ice" against the Soviets). Current Mood: peaceful Current Music: old standards, I think being sung by Rod Stewart (Comment on this)
Thursday, August 10th, 2006
11:44 am	Another win... Today is Thursday, August 10. The New York Mets need to win 36 more games to clinch the NL East. Am having a great time in Rochester. Yesterday, Alli and I went to the zoo, and went out to sing karaoke at night. I sang three times, and my performance of "The Remedy" was a little off (it usually is...the song's just barely out of my range, but close enough that I want to give it a shot), and I don't entirely have "All Star" down yet, but I picked the time when the bar was at its fullest to sing "One Week," which is my standard "tear the house down" song, and it served its purpose. A good time has been had by all. Tomorrow, it is on to Lake Placid. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 9th, 2006
9:56 am	You know the drill... Today is Wednesday, August 9. The New York Mets need to win 37 more games to clinch the NL East. (Comment on this)