Tuesday, March 19, 2013

One Day of Lent

It should be obvious by now that I am not posting every day of Lent this year.  I just didn't feel like doing it.  I didn't have anything to say.

But that doesn't mean I don't still get fun things during the Lenten season, such as this photo from my friend Kris, taken at a Fuddruckers in Texas.  Kris emailed it to me with the taunting line that we probably don't have things like this in New York.  No we don't, but I wish we did.


Given the monkey in a tree to the right, I'd like to imagine that that machine dispenses the Theory of Evolution toys, but sadly I doubt it.

Monday, March 18, 2013

"When the tides of history start to turn and an empire begins losing its power, the tough get going and order the tide to turn back while the more philosophical lower their expectations and try to go with the flow..." writes Ellin Stein in her forthcoming history of the National Lampoon entitled That's Not Funny, That's Sick.  Ms. Stein is referring to America's loss of the Vietnam War, but it can be applied to many different historical situations.

How do I react to such things?  Well, let's put it this way: this week I start my second set of Buddhist classes this year.  The classes are called "Contentment in Everyday Life."  Well see if it takes.




Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Had dinner tonight at a bar downtown.  When I had finished my beer and food, the bartender was busy chatting with people at the center of the bar.  I waited, went to the bathroom, then waited some more.  Finally I called the bar on my cell phone, watching as the bartender tore himself away from the conversation to answer.

"Hi. I'm at the end of your bar. Can I have my check now please?"

He was not amused at all. He did not make any eye contact as he tossed the scroll-like receipt at me, took my credit card or returned the slip. No, I did not short change him on the tip.

For the record, he looked like this but with more facial hair.



Originally posted in a slightly modified form as my Facebook status.