Thursday, May 24, 2007

This n that

So I've got this rental car see. And I'm learning what it's like to drive around this city. You know what? It's LA all over again. Clogged roads, and amazingly aggressive driving. I find myself shouting "Hey, you're endangering my life!" every few minutes as those who know these streets well dart in and out of lanes and cut people off at will. My favorite is the jump in front of you and slam on the brakes - honestly, what is wrong with people? (Don't they know I'm in a RENTAL car!?)

American Idol is over. For me it was over when Melinda got booted, but Jordin got me choked up as she sang through tears after being crowned the winner. In the car I listen to talk radio, and there was a caller yesterday that pronounced, "American Idol is for stupid idiots." The host replied, "Well, I guess my daughter and my mother are stupid idiots then." Actually, the host was pretty good at calling people stupid idiots himself without out and out saying it. This is the problem with "pointed" or "biased" programming. If you're not on board with the host's views, you are spoken to patronizingly as though you were an idiot. The same goes for blogs. If it's a conservative or liberal blog, there's a lot of denouncing, but very little "I see your point," and "that's interesting, I hadn't thought about it that way." More often, it's "you're illiterate" or "you just don't get it." This is not meaningful or edifying. This is closed-mindedness.

17 comments:

St. Dickeybird said...

I disagree. Stupid idiot.

Snooze said...

Ooooh - I love renting cars. Just go on an after work trip with Serge to get away from the crazy city drivers.

dpaste said...

st. dickeybird beat me to it.

That being said, I've yet to watch a full episode of American Idol.

Gavin said...

Melinda was my favorite, too, but Jordin was my next choice so I'm glad she made it. She seems like a great girl and I can see myself listening to her and enjoying it.

I always find it interesting when people have to somehow denigrate another's position or likes as if that somehow lends more credence to their own. Since AI is the #1 show in the U.S., I think a more appropriate question would be, why doesn't someone like it!

Jason said...

I've been reading about your strike. Wow, they already make $22-25/hr? Not bad.

Montreal drivers are insane (like "Europe" lite).

Melinda was a good singer, but didn't have a star presence (OMG, I can't believe I just wrote that).

Chunks said...

My favorite insult to yell out when I am driving is "What the fuck was that move, you fucking cock knocker?!!" It just comes out of me. I have no control. I have driving Tourrette's.

I know what you mean about denouncing. I just got a snarky comment on my blog and I am a bit stunned and don't know what to say. Maybe I should type "What the fuck was that move, you fucking cock knocker?!" Do you think it would work?

r said...

I couldn't agree more with you.

Anonymous said...

I agree too, and, having read your blog every morning for a year or so now, I can certainly vouch for your open-mindedness. EXCEPT maybe one time when I questioned one of your rare forays into politics. You responded with "Your comment was glib and irritated me." Cut me to the quick.

GayProf said...

I am really glad that I don't drive in Boston regularly. Some cities are just really stressful and develop a demonic car culture.

On the other hand, depending on public transit has its own drawbacks as well. It often takes me almost twice as long to accomplish an activity as it would if I had a car.

Am I seeing both sides?

Doug said...

Somehow people grow up believing they have to be right to be happy, and being right means everyone else is wrong.

I'd rather be happy than right.

Thanks the 2nd time in two days I've written that. I think it's an omen.

Anonymous said...

Having grown up in a close-minded world where the majority hates me and my kind sorta makes a guy callous and hard after a while, you know? Oh, I'm sorry, they don't hate me just what I am. Somehow I don't feel any better.

A Lewis said...

I think Melinda would have been an excellent choice......ahh.

Alden said...

Oh, how I long for a life with no cars.

Loved the Melinda, can't wait to hear what she does later.

Patricia said...

the cool thing is that melinda will probably have a longer, more consistent career than any of the other contestants. i felt corny but i actually said a prayer for jordin right after she won. being handed the world - at 17, yet - is going to be a true test of her character.

Willym said...

When I lived in Montreal, I took my life in my hands every day as I drove from Sherbrooke and Peel to the Airport. It finally hit me - everyone on the road wanted to kill me - unlike Ottawa where I live at the moment where people want to kill you but don't have the guts. The only way to survive was to start driving the same way. And it worked - five years - no dents, no scrapes, no scars....

only a thought....

Enemy of the Republic said...

I've never watched that show. But I am guessing you are feeling better.

Anonymous said...

I have always felt uneasy when I had to cross a street in Montreal (or really, anywhere in Quebec, for that matter).

Also, I read a book once where the author specifically discussed the "pass and then immediately slow down" move as a defining characteristic of Québécois driving. Maybe they teach it in driving school? ;-)