gay pride flag

i've long thought that the rainbow symbol of the gay pride flag was silly. the rainbow has meant numerous things to people over the years, so how can it suddenly be repurposed by a subset of society? it just doesn't make sense.

but i just re-discovered a recent article discussing the history of the rainbow flag, and how gay people get a sense of safety when they see it. i initially dismissed that as silly as well, but then i remembered when i travel to larger cities and i see it, i actually _do_ get a sense of safety - a feeling saying "it's okay, there are other gay people around here. you're not alone."

since gay people are not uncommonly targets of hate crimes (gay bashing), the feeling of security can be elusive. i've not yet been a target of any hateful incident myself, but the rumors and reports do affect my sense of security from time to time. indeed, i suppress my expression of affection for my significant other depending upon how "safe" i feel in the area at the time.

gay people have a constantly-scanning highly-developed sixth sense to detect potential danger for displays of "non-standard" sexual orientation. but upon seeing an area where there are several rainbow flags on display, gay people are able to let that guard down somewhat. so while i do not actually like the rainbow gay pride flag, i do appreciate it for what it is, and for what it does.

horoscopic

i'm not into astrology - i just don't buy it - but several people are, and it's something to have small talk about since everyone knows their own zodiac sign, and everyone knows a little something about one or two of the other signs.

i'll occasionally read my horoscope, but never as more than a random curiosity. i gave up the notion long ago of them having any genuine relevance. i think the best horoscopes are written in such generalization that the reader can't help but to apply it in some way. after all, change is in everyone's future in some way or other.

as for astrological generalizations, i also tend to think they're all bunk.

but i like to consider ways in which it might be possible for people born at a certain time of year to have similar traits. and the only possible way i have figured out is that the timing of certain seasonal events during our formative years could in some way play a part - since this would affect each child the same each year.

for example, a (normal) baby born in early august (like i was) would be around four months old for the christmas/new year holiday, and would be around 16 months for the next one. all 'normally maturing' children will be at the same development stage for this holiday, and perhaps this gift-giving exercise at this stage in their development affects all similarly aged children in the same manner. that is, this gift-giving exercise at this stage imparts on Leo children the trait of 'give me gifts, and tell me how wonderful i am'. and other children in other stages of their development are affected in similar (but different) ways.

and this is the only way i can come up with for astrological generalizations to be remotely accurate. do i believe in them? no. not really. i tend to think they are also generalizations that would apply to anyone if they were given them. but since they had to come from somewhere, maybe there is a certain small bit of truth to them somewhere along the way.

A Traffic-Free Broadway - The New York Times Slide Show

A Traffic-Free Broadway - The New York Times Slide Show
i have mixed feelings about changing parts of broadway to a pedestrian only street. part of me thinks it's great for the city, but another part of me enjoyed the hustle and bustle as part of the times square experience.

ramsi's menu disappointments

ramsi's is the probably the most unique restaurant in town (louisville). claiming to be the 'cafe on the world', they serve a distinct cross-cultural menu which describes each item accurately.

at this restaurant more than any other, i read the description of the menu item and get an image of something particular which i think is going to be delicious. then the ordered item arrives and it is entirely unlike what i had imagined. the description was not inaccurate, but my expectations were set for something different. they inevitably manage to take the ingredients and assemble them in a way that i find unappetizing or unpalatable - even when i think that is not possible.

speaking with some friends recently, it seems that i am not alone. so perhaps it is the work of a skilled menu writer.

no matter, the net result is i'm not a fan of ramsi's. it's inevitably disappointing.

(edited 2009 05 29 - ramses is supposed to be ramsi's.)

plunger access

any time you use a toilet, there is a distinct possibility that your flush might not be successful - whether you caused the clog or not. nobody knows what went down the toilet before they got there, nor how close to being clogged any toilet is. when someone needs a plunger, they need it immediately and don't need to go on a search to find it.

in light of this, as a courtesy, any restroom should have the plunger readily available and easily identifiable. this is a rule. the only exception is if you have commercial toilets - those high powered types that you find in businesses. but if your business has the small domestic-sized toilets, then providing a plunger is an absolute.

so to that cafe last summer, i did what i could.

tony hawk brand jeans

i recently purchased some tony hawk brand jeans because they were on sale and they looked nice. and they still do. the only problem i have is that the fly is constantly coming undone. i mean, i zip up, and in single digit minutes, i have to zip up again.

so, tony hawk, wherever you are, your fly is undone.

ups speak and spell

does anyone else think that the electronic things that UPS wants you to sign to get your delivery looks like a Speak-N-Spell? when the UPS delivery person starts punching into the thing, i expect to hear a word spelled out by a mechanical voice.