30/09/04(955pm)- he's flountering. george w. bush is floundering. its hard work. iraq is hard work. the war on terror is hard work. we get it, its hard work! but its not work if youre not doing your job. im sorry, im still unsure whether my vote is cast for kerry just because he's not bush, however looking at bush himself, he's ill-prepared, can't speak, deflects questions and cant speak without sstuddering. a debate on style, not substance, but bush is lacking in his usual style and charisma. both men have never lost debates, but bush isnt showing any skill as a debater, regardless of whether he knows how to think on his feet or not. [discuss]

28/09/04(630pm)- i just picked up the new interpol album, antics. and while it's good, im starting to think i should have got brian wilson's smile. they're saying if it was released 37 years ago, that it would have possibly eclipsed what sgt pepper's would have done.

things going okay. went to an aepi frat party saturday night with judi. was rather boring, we left after a half hour. yesterday i made fresh psghetti and sauce. was good. i got the job offer from human resources. i start orientation tomorrow morning and start training on monday. for 13$ a year, i think im gonna get a subscription to harper's. tomorrow open mic. friday maybe shark tale. saturday i might be going to monroe with judi. lifes otherwise uninspiring. or boring. im having a problem with brand names and all this synergy crap. no logo is really starting to inspire. i just wish it wasnt so invasive that my life couldnt revolve around brands anymore. its not possible to cut brands out of our lives. its impossible to remove the corporations, whether its the tv we watch, the books we buy, or the food we eat. grrrrrr. [discuss]

25/09/04(245pm)- l'shanah tovah to everyone as we wind down with another 5 hours left of the fast. at this rate though im having no problems with it. i just heard some interesting news actually. ever since he retired, grampa has gotten big into his geneaology, working with the mormons and everything to find out where hes from. so he just took a trip to the baltics with aunt betsy and it turns out that the rosenbloom family is from latvia, not lithuania like he always thought. meaning im polish-latvian. i think its kinda cool.

not much been going on the past couple of days, been hanging out with judi quite a bit, which is great because with her in school me having to launch invasion forces and vice versa, its nice that this thing can still work. i felt bad though, i had her and her roommate melanie come out on wednesday to see me at open mic except keith the bartender asked them for ids so they had to leave. and they werent even at the bar! anyways, i felt bad about that cause i wanted her to see me and i didnt mean for them to go all the way to manchester for nothing, but there was nothing i could do... keith was just covering his ass. but my first two songs came out really well. they were the originals. i then attempted an umphrey's mcgee cover, however i just printed it up during the day and so i didnt practice and it was horrible. utterly horrible. made me wish i did my two and do em well and end on a high note. but we'll see what next wed brings...

nathan offered me a position at his branch and hopefully it'll allow me to become a senior teller [supervisor] so ill also get to work with kris, who will also be a senior teller. meaning ive got room for vertical growth and the possibility of new alliance helping pay for my masters? we'll see though. atleast its a job right now. [discuss]

20/09/04(315pm)- this is how much i rule. the 10 finalists for the shortlist of music were announced today. i got 6 of 10. however, wilco was an oversight, so it should have been 7/10. thats how hip i am to where music is really at. these are the bands on m2, not mtv.

1) Air's "Talkie Walkie" 2) Dizzee Rascal's "Boy in Da Corner" 3) Franz Ferdinand's "Franz Ferdinand" 4) Ghostface Killah's "The Pretty Toney Album" 5) The Killers' "Hot Fuss" 6) Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose" 7) Nellie McKay's "Get Away From Me" 8) The Streets' "A Grand Don't Come for Free" 9) TV On The Radio's "Desparate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes" 10) Wilco's "A Ghost Is Born"

im watching punk'd and theyre punking justin timberlake. i have to say, this is a funny. justin timberlake has way too many cars and shit. they should have held out longer before they told him he was punkd. thinking of doing csr at new alliance, we'll see whats going down with that. got the daily show book. funny stuff. i love political satire. why? cause it exposes all the faults of american government and culture in a funny manner and yet is considered humour, not dissent. [discuss]

19/09/04(745pm)-

its cooler out, starting to become like montreal. and that pleases me. friday evening went to work and opened myself and then met up with judi and we went to see sky captain and the world of tomorrow. i was hoping it would be better, id give it **1/2 out of 5. the visuals were good, the premise was good, but the acting and plot were kinda weak, even for that genre of movie. slept over at uconn and met a couple of her friends who were waiting in line overnight for uconn basketball tickets. and then saturday morning went to work again and bummed around in the afternoon til judi came over and ended up crashing here during snl. not much else been going on today. kerry down a lot. kerry not visible. bush wins election. screwed 4 more years. i swear, if their slogan was "regime change begins at home" they get a lot more voters. atleast its a politically correct election. [discuss]

17/09/04(1125am)- this scares the shit out of me. they have a full page ad in this week's jewish ledger (they had one last week too). why does this scare me? several reasons and i dont even know where to begin. 1) first off, it suggests a shift in jewish ties to the republican party- something that can never be good. 2) it supports president bush, whom we all know is a horrible president 3) president bush is an evangelical christian. his intent for israel is to save the 144,000 jews so jesus will come back (the book of revelations says so). jews want israel, he wants the jews. and if this could be farther from the jewish belief that only G-d can create the jewish state, not men, then i dont know what is. 4) this intent could not pervade issue-based politics more and is the proof in the pudding that religious war continues on the "just cause" principle. its not a crusade for the jews and for israel, its a crusade against islam, once again. [discuss]

16/09/04(1100pm)- an interesting sermon at services today. how i interpreted it was basically about being self-righteous in the face of other atrocities going on in the world. i wasnt impressed but that was me and there was more to the sermon than just that. the bigger problem facing the new year is ignorance in religious difference. a comment was made by a colleague in my mom's school in reference to jews getting the holidays off. haven't we all been through this before? and i dont understand why people think that i wouldnt work christmas if i could. fact of the matter is people are ignorant, have been, and will be. my religious holiday is my religious holiday and im sick of people still thinking its an excuse. newsflash: im probably more likely to find you not at church on christmas than you are finding me at shul on rosh hashanah or yom kippur.

went to fran and daves for dinner and we were talking about the teacher's comment. my dad raised the following point about this letter by george washington. in particular, read the lines i've placed in bold. if only it made sense to people:

The text of George Washington’s August 1790 letter to Touro Synagogue states:

`Gentlemen:

`While I receive with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of answering you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens.

`The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger which are past, is rendered the more sweet, from a consciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the best use of the advantages with which we are now favored, we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good Government, to become a great and a happy people.

`The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.

`It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my character not to avow that I am pleased with your favorable opinion of my administration, and fervent wishes for my felicity. May the Children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while every one shall sit in safety under his own wine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.';

tolerance or acceptance? washington clearly states that tolerance means that one person is in a position of authority in order to tolerate and subjugate an other group. the united states was founded on acceptance, not tolerance. how will progress ever be made if we subjugate other people? sad sad sad.

on another note, how does the oc have a great second soundtrack and yet i still have no interest in watching it? death cab, killers, johnathan rice, the album leaf, the walkmen? so so so good... and yet 90210 a la 2004 doesnt do it. [discuss]

(825am)-
They're forming in a straight line
They're going through a tight wind
The kids are losing their mind
The Blitzkrieg Bop
~~~*RIP* Johnny Ramone

15/09/04(625pm)- l'shanah tovah tikatevu v'teichatemu 5765....a happy new year and may you be inscribed in the book of life... [discuss]

14/09/04(950pm)- i said to nick before the game that it would be 3-2 OT. it was 3-2 in regulation. i am awesome. awesome. and canada is the world champions of hockey. if only there was no lockout next season. i want hockey. maybe thought they'll have espn broadband by the next season and i can watch online :) yeah right, they suck and if not for my love for the game, id be one of those disillusioned fans. time to start watching the european leagues. tps turku anyone? [discuss]

13/09/04(320pm)- oh hilarity, this is why we still keep him around. on msn...:
Nick @ work says: i'm bored...
Nick @ work says: entertain me
canada v. suomi, jeebus what a good game says: boo
Nick @ work says: not good enough
canada v. suomi, jeebus what a good game says: im hungry
canada v. suomi, jeebus what a good game says: order me a pizza and charge it to your visa
Nick @ work says: sure..number?
canada v. suomi, jeebus what a good game says: lol really?
Nick @ work says: sure...but Ii'm sure they'll make up some excuse like: we don't accept funny money
[discuss]

12/09/04(1230pm)- kerry leads global polls [discuss]

11/09/04(1115am)- i forgot yesterday to send a smalrus.com wish to margaret a happy birthday (21) and brandee a happy birthday today (21 as well). the fact of the matter is, i need a nap. im writing this while at "work" at the bank (though i dont actually have an internet connection). i dont do much here. its me, lenny, and another security guard. we just stay here for 2 hours waiting for the 14 remaining people to come clean out their safe deposit boxes. seems to cost the bank a lot to do, but apparently is cheaper than having to drill the boxes and pay legal and all that for forfeiture to the state. unfortunately, we've only encountered 1 person in our 3 days here. most people show up wondering why this branch is closed and were do they go.

last nights rane show was pretty good. the setlist was rather uninspiring, though they did open with minutes, which hasnt been played for a long time. the technical aspect of the show was good and i listened to alan's protools recording of it, which was actually even better than the show itself. now if only they could reattract their fanbase they built before trav left the band. me and lars have our own thoughts on whats been going wrong since that happened, but we're just two long-time fans, so we have no say anyways. i mean bruce is a great drummer, thats not the problem, the problems have laid in getting steady touring, getting regular fanbases, playing oldies that people request, going back to some of the old jam formats where setlists just got way out of hand... the list goes on.

got some pictures from last night that i just batch processed. i love the fact that i can now take a roll of film's worth of pictures about something that otherwise wouldnt warrant an entire roll, not have to pay for developing fees and doubles, and have it already digitized without having to scan and break it down. yesterday i learned how to use the macro function, so little by little im learning how to exploit the more advanced features of this thing other than just the automatic point and shoot.

so this afternoon the rents are going to family in boston... im staying home. not sure what im doing but in the evening, its gametime at 630. however, judi is showing up the the house around 7, so i think the game will be preempted to watch amelie with her and then who knows...we're supposed to go to rapps for a bit around 10, but we'll see how that goes or even how the evening plays around it, maybe we'll not even get there. things are looking good and i invited her over for the high holy days, so it'd be nice if she came. then ive got an interview with the w. middle tpke branch monday at 9am for a fulltime teller position. we'll see how that goes, not sure what branch i wanna work at; if i wanna hold out for vernon or buckland position to be available...

in a nutshell, my computer needs more memory. and when i say more memory, i mean more memory. thats why the home desktop runs so much faster... [discuss]

10/09/04(935pm)- well there was no OT, and the scoring wasnt as high as i predicted, the first period was lacklustred and only got better, but damn i called it the entire tourney... this is no 1980. finland to the finals. my boy saku comes with the clutch goal! GO SUOMI!

(655pm)- ive got about 5 min before they start game coverage. predictions: finland 4, usa 3 (OT); canada 5, czech republic 2. the americans are gonna put up a good fight against the finns, who were really strong in their pool, even though they only tied sweden. goaltenders are pretty evenly matched, so it will depend how the offences play. if the finns can have a gelled team, they'll win. and personally i like the finns and am rooting for them, so i pick the finns. as for the other semifinal game, the czechs got something back in their last game, but canada is by far the superior team. lasik is not as good as brodeur and the czech charge was too much, too late. and aside from rooting for the canadian teams obviously, i think that anyone watching tournament play would agree it would take a big shakeup for the canadians to lose. [discuss]

(1235pm)-

[discuss]

09/09/04(1135pm)- from last nights open mic (which went really well). i was much less nervous and i did better as a result. but thats why im doing this... to overcome the stage fright. but even alan said it sounded like i had practiced more and seemed more at ease. and my parents didnt make fun of me, which meant something went right.

Ulysses
Bulletproof...I Wish I Was (radiohead cover)
pictures from 8 Sep 04
[discuss]

08/09/04(810am)- completely called this. expect them to win the shortlist. in the meanwhile, its 810am and im up to babysit safe deposit boxes with lenny. and its raining. and i still need to watch last nights usa v. russia game that i taped. sarah's party was cool, chill. went out afterwards to visit someone new at uconn... that was fun too. good just to chill out. thats all ive got right now. regrettably for my sense of tiredness, i have to shower so i can go :-S [discuss]

06/09/04(105pm)- first round hockey: canada v. slovakia (slovensko), usa v. russia (POCNNR), germany (deutschland) v. finland (suomi), czech republic (republika ceska) vs. sweden (sverige). my picks: canada, russia, finland, sweden, just like the seedings. personally i think the seedings were accurate. and personally i think its gonna be canada v. sweden in the finals (even though im routing for finland- personally i like the finnish team better). anyways, starting to watch the game on espn broadband. i wish this was available for free all the time and broadcasted all my habs games. i wish rds would do habs broadband and then i could watch all the games. afterall, thats what got me to become such a huge habs fan. anyways, time to watch the game. mebbe figure out something to do this evening? [discuss]

05/09/04(255am)- well, uconn beat murray st. 52-14, finns tied sweden 4-4, and canada beat russia 3-1. and i beat jon at pool, 3 games to 2. hanging with jon's fun namely cause he's broken out of the mold, he's got a wide worldview, and hes not a stick in the mud. we said we were gonna look out for girls for each other :-p dad says i should check the jewish ledger for jewish singles mixers. and amusingly, it was jews that pioneered the speed dating process. maybe try that? lol, way over my head... [discuss]

03/09/04(1150am)- so i went to manpower, visited mom at school, did a snippet of my book, watched the daily show. i guess you could say today was a rather uneventful day. oh, i watched both hockey games. meaning ive spent about 5 hrs a day watching hockey. and i fixed sage's computer. tomorrow is the uconn football game, opening day of the season. then who knows what the plans are for the evening because theres more hockey to be watched :-p now to start studying for the gmats... or watch the cosby show (i just realised that the cousins in the last two seasons are named winnie and nelson. genius- and i you dont get it shame on you.)... dont start work til wednesday so i dont know what im gonna do in the meantime. i need human interaction again, like face to face with new faces, meeting new people, etc... remind me to fit that into my book- the element of touch. dont know how it gets in there, but yeah... gotta do some outlining first before i continue writing it. progress reports to follow. [discuss]

(1055am)- so its onto manpower and new alliance before coming home for lunch to watch the czechs vs. germany and then back out to either continue writing my book or start my studying for the gmats. in the meanwhile, feel free to peruse a couple of songs i did at the open mic last week. thanks bill carleton for these recordings.

Rain by rane
Ulysses
Mon Chum Remi by Les Cowboys Fringants.
[discuss]

02/09/04(215am)- today was an excellent day for team canada hockey, who defeated the slovakian team, 5-1. earlier in the day the swedes beat the czechs, 4-3. play/skill of hockey in this world cup has been phenomenal. should be interesting to see the us vs. russia tomorrow night

as for what else? well, ive got 2 articles in this week's trib. and since im not currently working, the world cup has broken up the middle of my days. also, the current short term plan is to go back to the bank to work til the next semester i can go back to school? midday, i went to see hero, the chinese film starring jet li as an assassin-turned hero. was a really cinematographically pleasing movie, though some fight sequences were too crouching tiger. the martial arts though definitely brought the speed to an otherwise slow plotline.

tonight i went to open mic, played 3 songs, a rane cover, an original, and a cowboys fringants cover. went well, theres actually recordings, so ill link them up through the site. you can hear how nervous, yet drunk i was ;-p also got pictures, but i dont feel like doing them at 230 in the morning. not sure what the plan is tomorrow? i might go fix sage's computer. and of course theres two hockey games tomorrow. and maybe starting my book. working on the pictures. somehow, despite being bored with nothing to do, i always figure out some way in which to keep myself occupied. [discuss]

01/09/04(115am)- well canada beat the us, 2-1. woo! great game. i wish i could have been there in montreal for it. but luckily for me, espn2 is showing all the games, so im really excited about that. um tomorrow we play slovakia. the other good thing that happened today is that i kinda figured out the premise for my book. its kinda fictional political philosophy or something to that effect, but im not saying anymore here because i dont need people stealing my shit. now that ive got an idea though, i can work off that to start writing. bank and mba...? we'll see... tomorrow, open mic with some original songs i wrote :-D [discuss]