Tag Archives: health

Ridin that Train

There is perhaps no better way to see a country, then from the window of a train. On my Newark to DC Amtrak ride yesterday, I did my best to take in the scenery. I enjoy the cities most of all, especially when you first see the Philly skyline or the somewhat depressing Baltimore cityscape. I also noticed places like Wilmington, Delaware for the first time.. it looked interesting, especially this stadium. Of course I also passed some of the more evil places in the world, such as a Lockheed-Martin plant. I could feel the weapons of mass destruction in the air.

Have you seen the photo of W arriving in France? Tony Pierce hit the nail on the head. I should just carry this photo around for everytime an American asks me what Europeans really think of them and Bush. I could use the same photo whenever a European asks me how Americans feel. Wooosh – inside-out blows the umbrella.

There’s alot of talk about a film called Supersize Me. I have not yet seen it, but it’s about a guy who does nothing but eat McDonalds food everyday. You watch as not only his health deteriorates, but he actually notes the addictive qualities of the food. The moral of that story. among others, is you should never give your children (or yourself) McD’s food to eat, because they will want more… ADDICTION! There’s alot more to the film than this, but I leave the rest to you.

Also Fahrenheit 9/11 trailer website is overloaded. And I noticed another film coming out all about Baghdad in the last two years.

Today’s Music: Morrissey – Vaxhaul and I

Frequent Voter

It is extremely taxing to blog via modem, I’ll keep saying that all week until I’m safely back in Amsterdam with my DSL. I don’t do as much websurfing/research, and I have this nagging feeling that this connection will “hang-up” on me. But enough of my petty complaints, on to bigger ones.

I made it over the Philadelphia for an evening of fun and reminiscing. There’s something interesting happenning in that city, that I can only talk about as an outsider with lots of insider friends: It has been said that Philly has one of the fastest shrinking population of any city in the United States. Anyone with the financial means, has moved to the suburbs or just far away. As a result the only people who would be left are the poor, more often than not plagued by health problems, not to mention drugs, alcoholism, and the social and financial problems that are related.

At the same time,therefore, there is a need for social services; counseling, social workers, pyschologists, etc. Keeping that in mind, In my own life I’ve noticed a significant number of friends and friends-of-friends that have moved to Philly to do such work. These people are young professionals, recently graduated, and eager to create a community of their own. This could mean great things for the city, which just on my few visits, I get the feeling it is happenning to some extent- which is exciting to watch!

There’s lots of talk about the upcoming elections with my family and friends circle. Besides the understandable fear of 4 more years, there is also a great amount of fear about the direction of this country regardless of who wins. And that, I feel, is also a warranted concern. One close family friend recommends we vote as often as possible. that’s right, many people I know – who may realize it – can vote in two counties. This includes myself, I’m registered to vote in two former addresses, and I have voted in both. Illustrating once again what a joke this so-called democracy is.(I know it’s a felony and I’d like to see them prove it.) That’s not even to mention the faults of the new electronic voting system invented by a company that has said it wants Bush to win. A further investigation of multiple voting will follow in the coming blog entries.

Today’s Music: Jon Brion – Here We Go

THEME: EGGS

Eggs have haunted me lately. Follow me on this egg-journey:

In my diet, I try to keep eggs to a minimum. An omlette maybe twice a month, and never consisting of more than one egg. It’s just my personal preference. The only egg that I have been eating alot of lately, is the Dutch chocolate kind. Oh man, Dutch choco eggs… with their numerous flavors.. seems like everyone is just handing them to you whenever you step outside. (which is why I stay close to my pc)

So as part of my ex-pat Easter feaster contribution, I made a super-potent choco-moooooooooose (as mentioned in last entry) and my top-secret Jamie Oliver recipe calls for eggs. As I’m breaking these two poor little guys open, I kept thinking.. what a disgusting concept.. eating the embryo of an animal. Doesn’t that sound cruel? I think it looks disgusting as well. But sure enough it did create an awesome mousse, which my fellow dinner guests very efficiently and happily engulfed somewhere between the sweet patato and the after dinner Amsterdam-ritual.

Still, as I’m mixing in those eggs, and digesting some chocolate ones, I start daydreaming of the concept of eating eggs. All these politicians and other assorted zealots want to legally protect everything from the fertilized egg, embroyo, and the fetus, yet I bet they all have eggs in their meals. Disgusting! (I believe Michael Moore was calling for a protection of all the lost sperm that men so carelessly dispose of – now there’s a real cause!) Flipping through this week’s news, I noticed these folks at work again.. this time led by their crown-prince: GW BUSH, who passed a new Unborn Victims of Violence Act. As usual its a bill championed by men, telling women what to do with their own bodies. Furthermore, it has been pointed out that this act leaves no possibility of taking account a woman’s health during pregnancy. (complications, etc.)

So I’ve basically had my fill of egg talk. No more thank you.

Today’s Music: Charlie Haden & Pat Methany

I’m going through bridges

I’ve had visions of changing. Changing colors. Changing photos. Changing my woredrobe (like one new shirt). Most of all, I’m contemplating changing the name of this blog. I mean really, does it mean anything to anyone? BM’s Communique? Has it grown on anyone? Title’s can be important, I’m constantly reading blog-theory, like A. Granado’s Fantastic book “Weblogs: Diario de Bordo”, and alot of the names of these blogs are so famous. How am I to compete? I’m gonna need some feedback on this one, so leave some scribble after reading this.

On my ever expanding jog route yesterday, I couldn’t avoid having to stand at a draw-bridge and wait for some huge ships to come through lugging dirt, gravel, and people’s houses. This is something I think the whole world could use that Amsterdam has – drawbridges. See, no matter how much in a rush, or busy you are… you have no choice.. the draw bridges open all day, anytime. People never get angry, they just stop and wait. Some talk to each other, some just stare… lots even sing! Even after almost two years, I love these moments. I think it improves a city’s mental health – there are some things we cannot control. In this case, the drawbridges, only those guys with the fake captain’s uniforms can control those, when they’re not watching soap operas in their little booths. (Sometimes you see the glow of a TV!) Here, have a look at the animated picture I made of a bridge opening:

The topic that I got caught up this afternoon is missile defense, does anyone remember this? You remember, it’s to set up this hollywoodesque “missile shield” that will destroy any “rogue” missiles fired at the US or its allies. Which right away makes you wonder what a nation is doing that is pissing people off to such a point. Anyway, what is new is that the government is broke and operating in the red. So they want to cut some spending, and since they’ve gutted public health, education, etc., they’re actually thinking “… hmmmmm maybe 420 billion!! is too high of a military budget.” They’ve decided maybe the 10.8 billion spent on missile defense research (thank your evil congress for agreeing to that), maybe that’s too much. Especially considering it doesn’t work and it basically shows they’re not interested in waging peace on this planet.

Today’s Music: Bill Frisell – Gone, Just Like a Train (unbelievable!)

Web bugs and Backup Governments

Apparently, around the same time I was enjoying the company of some lovely Swiss visitors, my blog went down. I’ve heard rumors of blogger being plagued by bugs.. but now I’ve properly backed it up. I’ve added a few good blogs to my blog links just to your left.. by all means.. check them out.

Well it’s official, the Greek elections are over, and the Conservative Party, aka New Democratic party, have won. Years of domination by the socialist party have ended, to no great surprise – it’s a trend in Europe. Lets see now… Portugal, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Austria, Denmark.. all conservative parties in power, elected in the last few years. Mind you, we’re talking European Conservative, which in American terms would be considered liberal… the spectrum is a bit different. Now I know what you’re thinking – and no, the Olympics will go on as scheduled. You’ll still get to watch Ballroom Dancing, Skeet Shooting, and Kayaking direct from Athens… if they ever finish the construction. I’ve never been there, but it was not rated very highly in terms of the World’s Livable City Survey But Amsterdam came in tenth place! Just below Syndey and Frankfurt. For all the Canadians out there, Vancouver came in second place, and Calgary (home of Miss B.) was declared best in terms of health and sanitation. Click on that link, find out if your city is livable. If it isn’t, in the name of humanity, MOVE AWAY!

I’m finally polishing off this Hunter S. Thompson book Kingdom of Fear, what started as a smooth read filled with Drugs, Guns, Sex and Politics – in that order, has now become difficult to finish. Next up will be a re-read of Freud’s Civilization and It’s Discontents. Fun aren’t I? Otherwise there’s always the Utne Reader Book Club.

Today’s Music: Bill Frisell – Gone Just Like a Train

So what do I think of this Arnold for governor business? I thinks it crap. Typical crap. Hollywood is god. They produce our fantasies and a large part of our collective culture, so naturally people go nuts when some fool walks off the screen and into the state-house. Can anyone describe Arnold’s plans for Cali? NO! Do you know his experience, besides films? NO! All we know is films and magazine interviews filled with smiles and anecdotes.

By no means does a hollywood star represent the people of any state. What does he know about working as a temp, or not having health insurance, or paying a mortgage? HE DOESNT! He has plenty of houses, jobs, and money. A representative should not only understand, he should be totally familiar with what REAL LIFE is like. Arnold hasn’t lived a real life in more than a decade. This is just more political crap. The hacks in both parties realize they’re in trouble… people don’t vote — they don’t participate in the sham that is called a democracy. Some democracy… a guy who isn’t qualified might just get the job of running one of the most important state’s in the WORLD.

May as well vote Gary Coleman… he’s more fun.