Occupy Dallas!!!

I had the day off today so I decided to do what any fun-loving 30 year-old does away from work, attend a political activist event. I'm glad I went. Not because it shed new light on a significant issue nor to push my own agenda or to witness someone cuffed and drug away. I'm glad I went because it was genuinely enjoyable and I'm a sucker for impromptu sign-making.

I went with an open mind hoping to learn, specifically, the common goal and how occupying a public park in downtown Dallas is the means to an end. I quickly found several people eager to talk to me on camera. There were many issues that the occupiers were concerned about. They were concerned with the lack of wealth among most of society, legalization of drugs, corporate greed, the U.S. political system, minimum wage, and First Amendment rights, among others.

The two most prevalent themes I found were shirtless guys with tats and unsolicited assertions that the peaceful gatherers were not "dirty hippies". I don't have a problem with tats or hippies but the fact is the minute you set foot in a public park sans shirt and with a guitar you are tacitly.....a hippie. To be clear: in park with guitar-not a hippie; in park shirtless- not a hippie; in park with guitar and without shirt-hippie.

I was hunkered down for a couple of hours and everyone welcomed me to hang around with my camera while they had internal discussions ranging from the rules about having an insurance policy when gathering in a public space to what to do if arrested. A discussion was had between a journalist/activist from a little-known, local media outlet and an activist about the problem with having a warrant out for one's arrest. It was decided that the individuals with warrants should avoid being arrested.

The camp setup at the park was about what one would expect. They had a couple central base areas, lots of tents, and a generator. One of the campers said he was in favor of finding a way for the generator to be powered by a bicycle instead of gas but he hadn't put it all together yet. There were blankets and linens drying on a park wall after being washed in the fountain and a significant amount of bagged garbage sitting near a garbage can. It was fairly clean other than that. There were also plenty of drums (both bongo and snare) which is a key indicator of a big league political activist event. Nothing says "I have a problem that needs to be dealt with!" better than a unison chant accompanied by a shiny Ludwig Supra-Phonic. Hand-clapping is for B-squad amateurs and union picketing; big boy movements require drums.

The signs I saw read, "Stop Police Brutality!", "Trickle down feels a lot like being pissed on", and, "Tax Bill O'Reilly out of Existence!". This furthered my belief that the "movement" was unorganized and lacked a central theme and focus. At one point an activist broke into a group conversation we were having stating, "I have a quick announcement. There's a major event happening at City Hall right now so we're marching". To which another activist replied, "What's the event?". The eager one said back, "Uh, we don't know".

I think this movement is like so many before it. There will always be a group of young people with no direction or purpose who are in search of both. Media pundits have been saying that this movement must have started many months ago and was planned to interfere with and undermine the conservative political agenda. That may be true. However, if that is the case these kids were unaware of its beginning or roots.

I got the feeling during all of my conversations that these individuals had somebody espouse a handful of beliefs to them and they have run with it ever since without thinking the ideas through. It didn't feel as though they had their own personal arguments over their beliefs to validate them. These people want to be a part of something important, in contrast with their usual activities and livelihoods which few of those to whom I spoke would deem important. I don't happen to think that an "important life" can be defined easily, but it's worth noting that none of these individuals fit the mold.

If you are wondering if this protest/movement was exactly what you have pictured in your mind, it was. Thank you Dallas! Fight the power and keep your shirt on!

View today's video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO68VSgzP2M

"Occupy Dallas" Pre-Blog

Yes, I just said, "Pre-Blog". What's worse, you read it.

Hello again readership. It's great to be back. Tomorrow I will brave the streets of Dallas to bring you hard-hitting coverage of "Occupy Dallas". Stay tuned......

Soccer! Catch The Fever...Or The Next Episode

I'm experiencing something new - watching the World Cup of Soccer in Europe. As an American I've often heard how I "don't understand" the most popular sport in the world. Yet, I think I do. American sports enthusiasts appreciate nearly all competitive athletic endeavors with a few exceptions such as men's gymnastics. I say this only because if these guys are going to work that hard to keep their tiny, muscly bodies in tremendous shape they should put that effort towards a sport that they might actually like (no offense to my huge gymnastics readership, really). There's not much hockey being played in soccer.

The difficulty in fully appreciating the event, and soccer in general, is the eerie, underlying soap opera screenplay. After consulting with a couple of my European friends about the amount of injury embellishment used by the players, I have been assured that it is used "all the time man". I have a problem with that. There seems to be a lack of dignity involved. Having watched six of the first nine games I still can't get used to guys dropping as if they had been shot in the chest with a Ruger when someone brushes their shoulder or collapsing like they've had a knee tendon severed with a hatchet when someone whispers in their ear. I'm used to seeing unsportsmanlike conduct penalties when injuries are faked. It's not that I don't think that they get injured from time to time, after all, this is nearly a sport. The aim of this point of view is best encapsulated by the fact that most injuries occur as a result of kicks to the shins, padded shins. Meanwhile, my sports heroes lose seven teeth and miss only three game minutes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfJx1L71DUU&feature=related).

I suppose I could even look past the 'art of the dive' and the slow motion shots of grown men grimacing and writhing terribly in the pain due to their non-existent pain, after all, they are looking for a competitive advantage like all athletes.

I often hear about the passion of the players and fans. Perhaps there is something to that or perhaps the passion is misplaced. I guess my problems with the sport are petty and base because of I'm uncomfortable when the men who compete are wearing socks that are longer than their pants (it's a better look for roller girls) or when the sweaty combatants exchange their game worn shirts after the match. Besides the apparel, I was under the impression that going by one name was reserved for eccentric, female, pop-music stars like Cher, Madonna, and Bono, yet soccer stars like Ronaldino and Kaka seem to be pretty cool with it. I guess I really don't get it, that's not the kind of passion I understand. I think most men, most women who like a man's man, and maybe even men who like men who they think are women are with me on this one.

Maybe I have misunderstood the different factions. I mean, some fans sing club songs in unison whilst joining hands while another group of the same fans throw urine bombs at opposing fan bases. It should be noted that I'm not disrespecting soccer, I'm simply making fun of those who play it.

C'mon

Can we please stop it with the couches in bars and restaurants? I mean c'mon!

Istanbul!, Not Constantinople

Went to Istanbul last weekend. Took a sleepless bus ride from Varna, Bulgaria to Istanbul. The road was barely a road. It was more of a perpetual wash-out. Imagine a beautiful, new charter bus wobbling from side to side on a dirt/gravel road that was just wide enough for the bus. There were 10-15 minute periods where we ranged between 5-15 mph. A lot of the terrain was forest and we occasionally had to confront a car coming from the opposite direction, which took some planning to get by. We, the passengers, were a collection of half-conscious bobbleheads dozing in and out. The trip there took 8.5 hrs and the way back was 10.5. Once we hit the Turkish border, and after showing passports 4 different times, to different people, the road got better.

For some reason (obvious that we had no idea where to begin) we were given special treatment in getting to our final destination, the Aziyade Hotel. Upon our arrival at the bus depot, we were taken to the middle of Istanbul and dropped off near a metro stop. The driver, who spoke no English, told me, who speaks no Turkish, something in Turkish and held up two fingers. So we took the tram two stops away and got off. An hour and a half later we found our hotel. However, it was 6 am and we couldn't check in until 1pm. Going more than 24 hours without sleep is uncomfortable. It's more uncomfortable when your on an unfamiliar continent in a country that practices a religion that might see a guy like me as "one of them".

Beyond the travel annoyances, it was a good trip. I would recommend it to anyone. I found the Turks to be very accommodating and friendly. The amount of commerce happening at all hours all over the city is truly impressive. From the Grand Bazaar to the fresh fish sandwich stands on the Bosphorus, there are sales being bargained continually.

The food was what one would expect; lot's of spices used with rice and meat. I kind of expected to have better street food experiences. The kebab I had was dry and wanting of flavor. The sights and sounds also turned out to be fairly well aligned with a foreigner's perceptions. The calls to prayer were a little eery at first but I got used to it. The mosques were grand but a little mosqie for my taste. We ate at a great cafe on the patio, and when I say patio I mean on the street with cars whizzing by. The cafe had over 4,000 lights. Thanks for reading, see pictures and video below.

Arizona is Exactly Like Nazi Germany

I usually try to make a point to not get too heavy with my blogging. It's not fun. However, the twos or even maybe threes of people who read this blog may be wondering in which direction I am walking regarding the new Arizona state law regarding immigration. I wanted to try something new so instead of expending effort by forming sentences and paragraphs and editing, I am simply posting my unedited, initial thoughts on this matter. Call me lazy if you will.......but.....Sirs and Madams....... I will not expend the effort defending myself against your criticism.

-500,000 illegals in AZ.
-how is it not a federal crime, how is it just now becoming a state crime
-how is this an outrage
-"how dare someone be asked to prove they are here legally"
-what is the argument?
-Nazi comparisons are hilarious- Nick DiPaolo said, 'I don't think the Jews were sneaking into Red Germany'
-Americans have the right to demand this
-how is it okay to argue for people that are here illegally to be sheltered from the atrocity of being asked to show ID?
-If you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about
-How many lives can be saved - drug cartels and violence
-The truth about the good/bad of illegal immigration reform will come in answering this question. Will the states surrounding AZ be better or worse off when the 500,000 present and millions of future Illegals flood their states?

-the word is Illegals........Illegals

-Americans have certain rights in America......the key word is Americans

-Our Prez is questioning the Constitutionality of what Arizona has done even though it aligns with Fed law, while he made sure to stop the investigations into the legitimacy of states legalizing marijuana for medicinal use, which does not align with Fed law

Bowling For Bulgaria

I've been trying to get a feel for the city of Varna, Bulgaria. What is traditional, coastal Bulgarian? What is the cuisine? What is typical Bulgaria all about? I haven't found the answers. I don't know if there are any definitive answers. Not sure if the reader cares. I ask people I meet what the quintessential Bulgarian dish is. There doesn't seem to be a sure answer. Some have told me there really isn't one.

Some of the more popular places here seem to be the upscale bowling alley near our apartment and an Irish pub, not particularly strong examples of nationalism, but that's fine. This city seems to have embraced capitalism and westernization which can dilute national tradition, sometimes in a good way. Some countries have clear identities and some don't. Perhaps the case at hand has something to do with previous generations' preoccupation with the importance of getting by without concerning themselves with maintaining cultural traditions.

The afore-mentioned Irish pub is interesting. They have a live band nearly every night. The band that we have been listening to recently plays classic rock hits from the 60's and 70's. It's like listening to my Dad's record collection. Good stuff. It is a nice change from the music we hear in the stores and restaurants which amounts to a cacophony, yes a cacophony (word of the day toilet paper), of yuck. If you put all of the bad music of the 90's in a pot and boiled it, this would be the layer of scum scraped off the top. I have learned, first hand, that American music is ubiquitous.

Oh, forgot to address the title. We went bowling.