Late-Night Talking Heads

Do you ever have a longing for random human interaction from those outside your regular social circle? I sometimes do. I guess I just like people. It's not that I feel detached from humanity in any way. I'm a regular, happy, inquisitive, nice person. I come from a nice family. I have a master's degree. I read a lot. I like to meet new people. I consider myself fairly social. So all in all, I'm pretty normal and well-adjusted.

However, sometimes though, I just have the urge to turn on the radio late at night just to see what random folks are talking about. Maybe this is a common humanistic trait that exudes curiosity, or maybe I just have insomnia and the radio is the closest gadget near my bed post. Who know? But anyway, the programs usually suck. I have to admit that. I honestly can't stand conservative talk radio. However, it's always so funny to hear the callers who dial into broadcast programs and disguise all of their mean-spirited comments as questions. I have to laugh. I can't help it. I wish I knew what they were so publicly upset about. Invariably, the callers are usually half-intoxicated, speak with nearly inaudible drawls, use practically incomprehensible grammar, and always, absolutely ALWAYS, love to complain about anything related to the government and minorities. It's a riot. I almost laugh myself to sleep because the folks that call into these shows are actually sincere. They're sincerely enraged about something that usually doesn't make any sense. Nevertheless, they call in to publicly speak their minds.

Anyway, my point is just that I sometimes feel the urge to listen to people, random people, any people, even when those particular people aren't folks I'd ordinarily interact with in person. There's something fun and curious about human contact/interaction (however ridiculous it may be) that always seems to be the perfect cure for late night insomnia.

Sleep well folks. And to all a good night.

Just Post-Xmas

I love my familia. I really and truly do. I'm so incredibly fortunate to have them in my life. I'd do just about anything for them just to ensure their safety and security. This year, my family Christmas was a loving time when we all chose to set aside any perpetual frustrations we might have with each other and just basked in each others' presence. That's what the holidays are all about. Gosh, I'm lucky!

So... now let's get back to the rest of the year when I'm repeatedly reminded of how almost unbelievably full of beans so many people in my family still are. I love them, but I sometimes very nearly can't stand them. I adore them, but I can only take so much of them in one day. I'm grateful for them, but they still really, REALLY annoy me.

However, on some level, I guess that's what family is about. For instance, sometimes I wonder if the love wouldn't be so strong if it weren't for the consistent battle with chronic familial frustration. Oh well.

All in all, I'm at peace. Annoyed, but at peace. Full of love, but at peace. Content, but at peace.

Okay, maybe just at peace.

Peace out. Let's move on to the New Year.

Out to the Movies

Tonight I went out for an evening drink and a movie with a female friend. No hanky panky, just conversation and catching up. It was nice to not feel inclined to put on airs. In my opinion vanity is an insufferable disease. Spending wasn't out of control. Thank God! I only bought one round of drinks, two movie tickets, and few concessions, but I don't mind spending a little for a surprisingly relaxing night out with a friend. Afterall, I've been couped up for months with trying to find a new job in my hometown/city. And that's enough to drive a guy nuts in and of itself. Sometimes you just have to take a break, release the pressure, and talk about life with a friend. It's incredibly therapeutic. Wow! You wouldn't believe it, but it's true.

We went to see Slumdog Millionaire, which is just the right movie to help pick up a guy's frustrated spirits. If you think you have it rough in a recession, check out the life of uneducated, filthy slum kids in Bombay, India. They kind of remind me of slum kids in Mexico, yet I'd imagine that the agony just south of the border might even be measurably worse since Mexico rests right next door to the last global superpower. For Mexicans the plague of poverty lies only one political frontera away. That's definitely a sight that will make you a bit teary-eyed and disheveled.

Anyway, while I've always felt Bollywood films are trite and poorly done, this flick was a sweet mixture of comedic gameshow spoof, dramatic tragedy, and even a little romance mixed in for good measure. Yuck! I never thought I'd like a romance-anything, but this wasn't that bad. All in all, the movie wasn't my first choice, but the overall mood for the evening was a total plus.

Peace out folks.

Home for the Holidays

So I'm sitting here, about to go running and the thought just occurred to me..."why not catch up on some minor blogging?" I'm not really into blogging anymore. Seems like everyone is doing it now. But I do enjoy the casual nature of it.

Unfortunately, it always seems like every minor post, thought, phrase, sentence, and even minor punctuation mark is overly-scrutinized by anyone with a personal vendetta against you (me). The internet can so easily become misconstrued. So I've backed away from the fire over the past couple of years. Who knows what wackos will begin stalking me again?! Best not to find out, has been my typical thinking of late.

Yet, still I feel like my freedom has been impeded due to my fear of encountering crazies again. Who knows? Maybe I'm just over-thinking this. After all, I'm home for the holidays and if I feel like casually blogging again, then I think I have a right to do that without having to be afraid of stalkers coming out of the woodwork.

Life goes on, I suppose. And so will my haphazard blogging inclinations.

Merry Christmas and happy Friday folks. Peace out.