Memorable Quotes

Each decade has its own unique characteristic, which slowly but maturely unfolds as the particular events and people fall into place to complete the picture as years pass.

There are many ways to characterize each past decade, one of which is a collection of famous quotes which both reflected and influenced the significant historic events and culture of each period. These quotes, both inspirational and not so inspirational, have forever seared into our collective memory, serving as reference points for fond as well as sobering reminiscences.

I came of age in the 1980's. The most defining moment came when Ronald Reagan stood before the Berlin Wall and declared, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."

Even though President Reagan's role in the death of Communism remains subject to debate, to this boy who had lost several of his relatives to a Communist regime, his unthinkable, but bold proclamation was deeply gripping and inspiring. And lo and behold, the Berlin Wall crumbled down right before our eyes a few years later along with other holdouts of Communism around the world.

Then came the 1990's. I have yet to make a selection between Johnny Cochran's "If it doesn't fit and you must acquit," and President Clinton's "I did not have sexual relations with that woman Monica Lewinsky." I promise to finalize my choice before the current decade is up. It has been agonizing.

But I will say this. With Al Queda breathing down on our neck, and the quagmire in Iraq, I now long for that decade in which we briefly enjoyed a reprieve with neither Communism nor international terrorism weighing heavily on our nation's psyche.

Since this decade isn't over yet, we will not know what the defining quote will be until 3.5 years from now, but at this point, I cannot even think of a good candidate.

What if no meaningful quote emerges from public figures by December 31, 2009? And who says only public figures are entitled to creating historic quotes? How about ordinary Americans just like you and me?

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About four months ago, I paid a dreaded visit to the dental office. Despite my diligence with dental hygiene, the hygienist did her usual ritual of nipping at my heels about certain parts of my gums which I supposedly had neglected.

It became tiresome and repetitive. I floss more than anyone that I know. I brush more laboriously than anyone. So yeah, whatever.

Sensing my attitude, she whipped out a hand mirror and placed it right in front my face, and said, "Look at yours," then flashed her own gums, "And look at mine. See how mine are nice and pink."

Look at yours and look at mine.

My back hairs stood up:  Both of them.

It has been four months since that incidence, so why am I blogging about it now you ask?

Here's the deal. I'm on edge tonight because tomorrow at 8:30 AM, I will be walking into the local Kaiser hospital for my annual physical exam.

Nobody...says...that...to...me...tomorrow.

Not the doctor. Not the nurses. Not the receptionist. And certainly not the 250 pound parking lot security guard who always greets me with that creepy smile.

Nobody.

AND THAT GOES FOR YOU TOO.

Writer's block

According to wikipedia.

Writer's block is the phenomenon in which a writer temporarily loses the capability to continue writing. It is characterised by the loss of inspiration or confidence in creativity.

Why does the definition include the passive voice?

Perhaps I should cease viewing myself as a writer, so as to put an end to this thing called "writer's block."

It is not for the lack of what to write about:  I have over 20 drafts which I started just to be ambushed by writer's, I mean, dork's block.

Oh, no. Now I have blogged about blogging, which according to this guy* is a sign that the blog is on a deathbed.

* www.rockyjay.com/rocky_jay/2006/05/three_stages_of.html. Be warned:  The guy likes semi-nude photos, which is why I am not giving you a hyperlink. Thanks to Miss Cellania for the URL.

Open Thread

I am soliciting your astute observations based on the video clip above.

My fundamentalism series is at a standstill right now with drafts for about eight entries floating around, but none near completion.

Just one rule: Please refrain from debating or discussing with other commenters. I am solely interested in your take on the clip, not what you think of others'.

May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits if you violate this rule. No amount of singing Take My Wife's Fleas* will do you any good.

* the Far Side

Sit-In

My roommate George moved out to greener pastures in Texas over the weekend after his two year stint at the Cho Casa here in Orange County, California.

We formed a life-long friendship and I will miss him greatly.

My dog Noah will miss him even more. This story and the photo below should speak volumes about their love affair.


In the past week or so as George waded through and packed his belongings, we wondered if Noah would pick up on the permanence of George's departure, and how he would react to parting ways with his beloved.

Well, here is what happened.

After loading up and exchanging long good-byes with us, George finally got behind the wheel of his car, bracing himself for a long 1,500 mile drive from here to Decatur, Texas. Just before he reached out to shut the door, Noah took a plunge below George's legs, burrowed his way to the floor beneath the driver's side of the dashboard, staked out his place as seen below.


No amount of cajoling could coax him to budge for the next 15 minutes. It was cute, funny, and sad at the same time. George fought back tears.

But to think that my dog was actually considering leaving me for somebody else. Yo, buddy, I pay the bills. How can I get it through your head? You know, the bills? Oh I don't know. Stuff like...the roof over your head. The food in the bowl. The water. The leash for the walk. The vet expenses.

Pray

This image was cropped from the Los Angeles Times website.

You may not think it's funny, but I do, so consider yourself warned. Stupid little things make me laugh as you may have noticed.

Note the caption below the photo (emphasis mine): "New Orleans residents pray against a rebuilt floodwall."

I don't know about you, but I usually pray for, not against things and people. Next time I visit your blog, I will lean my hand against it and pray against you. Hehehe.

(Is this the dumbest thing you've ever read or what? You were sufficiently warned, so don't be leaving angry comments about a minute of your life you just wasted.)