Apathy

Posted by on

Work today involved yet another seemingly futile confrontation with the apathy and limited vision of members of another team. Then I was reminded that, like alcohol, apathy is itself a solution to the problems it causes, as summed up by this excellent quote from the movie Seven (aka Se7en):

William Somerset: I just don’t think I can continue to live in a place that embraces and nurtures apathy as if it was virtue.

David Mills: You’re no different. You’re no better.

William Somerset: I didn’t say I was different or better. I’m not. Hell, I sympathize; I sympathize completely. Apathy is the solution. I mean, it’s easier to lose yourself in drugs than it is to cope with life. It’s easier to steal what you want than it is to earn it. It’s easier to beat a child than it is to raise it. Hell, love costs: it takes effort and work.

Bartender, another Apathy & Tonic, right here…

PoopReport.com

Posted by on

While not generally one for fecal humor, when a Seattle friend sent me a link to this report from poopreport.com about The Quest For Austin’s Nastiest Toilet, I was struck with a wave of nostalgia (along with a slight undercurrent of nausea). I had unwillingly lived that tour over the years, plus some.

Though not entirely impressed by the breadth of the search for the “Nastiest Toilet in Austin”, their discovery of the dumpster full of toilets was a bona fide journalistic achievement.

Personal Jesus

Posted by on

I’ve empirically determined that I really like bands that cover Personal Jesus. The original by Depeche Mode is good, but there have been some great covers:

Steak and a Blowjob Day

Posted by on

I went to Chop Suey tonight for the 9th Annual Valentine’s Day Bash with Dan Savage. The only instructions on the invitation: “Bring a token from a relationship gone sour and we’ll destroy it on stage in a sick and cathartic way.”

I was there with some new friends that had such a momento: a photo of a former friend with George W. Bush. Apparently this ex-friend decided she was too Republican to have friends that are gay, minority, or interesting, and simply disappeared from the group. Therefore “Jason” and Dan Savage took the photo, rubbed it around in their pants, shredded it, and handed the shreds out to the audience to floss with or otherwise destroy as they see fit.

Speaking of Dan Savage, I knew of him from his column Savage Love in the Onion A.V. Club, but had no idea the column started in Seattle in The Stranger. He gave an interview recently where he talks about the history of the column, as well as denigrating Valentine’s Day and advocating a male version of the holiday, Steak and a Blowjob Day. Sadly, I think gender equality has a long way to go before that dream is realized.

Update: In the news: Valentine’s Day Bash offers revenge for the brokenhearted