A Temporary Excursion

Perhaps this is why the results below were not too surprising...

2005-10-09T18:34:00.000-07:00

What Am I - Democrat or Republican

2005-10-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

I did an online survey - political typology test - and these were the results for me:

Liberal

Based on your answers to the questionnaire, you most closely resemble survey respondents within the Liberal typology group. This does not mean that you necessarily fit every group characteristic or agree with the group on all issues.

Liberals represent 17 percent of the American public, and 19 percent of registered voters.

Basic Description
This group has nearly doubled in proportion since 1999, Liberals now comprise the largest share of Democrats and is the single largest of the nine Typology groups. They are the most opposed to an assertive foreign policy, the most secular, and take the most liberal views on social issues such as homosexuality, abortion, and censorship. They differ from other Democratic groups in that they are strongly pro-environment and pro-immigration, issues which are more controversial among Conservative and Disadvantaged Democrats.

Defining Values
Strongest preference for diplomacy over use of military force. Pro-choice, supportive of gay marriage and strongly favor environmental protection. Low participation in religious activities. Most sympathetic of any group to immigrants as well as labor unions, and most opposed to the anti-terrorism Patriot Act.

Who They Are
Most (62%) identify themselves as liberal. Predominantly white (83%), most highly educated group (49% have a college degree or more), and youngest group after Bystanders. Least religious group in typology: 43% report they seldom or never attend religious services; nearly a quarter (22%) are seculars. More than one-third never married (36%). Largest group residing in urban areas (42%) and in the western half the country (34%). Wealthiest Democratic group (41% earn at least $75,000).

Lifestyle Notes
Largest group to have been born (or whose parents were born) outside of the U.S. or Canada (20%). Least likely to report having a gun at home (23%) or attending bible study or prayer group meetings (13%).

Not a great surprise but fun to do

States I have visited

2005-10-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

create your own visited states map

Counties I have visited

2005-10-09T18:15:00.000-07:00

create your own visited countries map
or vertaling Duits Nederlands

Hooray for the Brits

2005-08-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am so glad that they managed to raise the 7 Russian guys up from the depths of the Pacific. In the grand scheme of things (Iraq et al) 7 guys isn't much but the circumstances dictate that to have them die down there so far away from everything would have been doubly obscene. The captain looked like a boy - perhaps a little sheepish too but I hope he's not beaten up too much by his bosses.

So many people have amazing blogs - completely exposing themselves to the world - I can't do that yet but perhaps one day.

Red but happy

2005-07-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

Been in the garden all damn day - temperature of 90 degrees has turned me the color of a really red beetroot but I got a lot done - the yard is now a toxic area for weeds and insects - just hope it keeps the ants out of the house, little bastards.

It's been a while

2005-06-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last posting, getting better, getting worse and getting better again.

Buddhism - could this be the path for me. After all, I have read a whole book on the matter and found it to be incredibly interesting. Perhaps a diversion from humanism. One advantage of that over Buddhism - no problem with booze! Don't think I quite get it yet.

Off to LA tomorrow - on a big plane too! I turn into a child whenever I get on a wide bodied jet - all that power - a sleek object the size of a block of flats throwing itself into the air - superb.

Vacation!

2005-06-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

Had the day off and spent a fortune at Geoffrey Beanne followed by two major excercise sessions, one at the gym and the other on the sidewalk of my neighborhood - 3 miles after a full workout was almost relaxation.

Bought a book on Buddhism and one by David Sedaris for the weekend away - the Caribbean awaits!

Memorial Day

2005-05-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

Going to see the new Star Wars movie later today, then out for dinner at a local Chinese. Did some more planting this morning - filling in the gaps left by the winter bedding that I ripped out over the weekend. Thunder outside - hope it will rain gently to water in the plants as well as the 10 pounds of insecticide I spread on the lawn - that will reach the little bastards.

A Long Weekend!

2005-05-28T06:25:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness - four days off at last. Time for gardening, sitting around, going to the club, and generally re-charging the tanks, I should find some profound text for the blog - mind is burned out though. Therapist on Tuesday - last appointment - might extend for a few sessions depending on what they think.

AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

2005-05-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

Good grief what a day at work. Got in early and left late. So pleased I am home at last, totally knackered though. Sometimes I wonder why people who are so bright, certainly brighter than me, can be so fucking stupid sometimes. Perhaps there is just something in the water - people do seem very lethargic at them moment.

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters

2005-05-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

This poem by Portia Nelson perfectly describes my excursion...

I.

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost... I am helpless;
it isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

II.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place;
but it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

III.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in...it's a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

IV.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

V.

I walk down another street.

Awaiting a delivery

2005-05-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

The atmosphere can be cut with a knife - we await the new reproduction with apprehension and impending joy - we are about to join the elite ranks of the people with a side by side and what's more, a steel finish one too! Bliss

Deep Joy

2005-05-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

Stuck at work, having just paid for lunch for a bunch of people who came in to continue testing a new piece piece equipment we are developing. As the senior manager, I paid for the food - not a problem as it is on expenses anyway.

Been a while since my last post. Mentally, I am feeling a lot better - not because work has improved but I am just exercising some strength of mind. I have to try hard to maintain composure sometimes but it seems to be working at the moment.

The second session at the therapist went quite well - seems I really need to do something about my spiritual identity, which might also help get over the death of my dad. I have to look at religions - not so much shop for one I'd like to buy into, more to see if anything looks instructing. Perhaps it is just window shopping for now.

Speaking of the score

2005-05-10T23:30:00.000-07:00

Forgot to write - about a third of the way through the game the wonderful smell of dope wafted down the rows - no smoking allowed anywhere in the stadium yet someone managed to smoke a joint in the full view of 38000 people - that would have been a good image on the big screen! Made me feel I was at a concert.

And the score is...

2005-05-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

Went to an Angels game this evening - my first complete baseball from start to finish - at times action on the field became incidental - so much else was going on during the play. At one point a blimp circled overhead with advertisements projected on its side - I felt like I was in Bladerunner, but without the rain and general depressive atmosphere. The home team beat Cleveland so the locals were able to go home happy.

Knackered in LA

2005-05-08T22:26:00.000-07:00

In Los Angeles on a business trip for a few days. Got here a earlier this evening, drove to the hotel from LAX and had some dinner in the quiet solitude of my own company. Wrote a letter to my father on the plane - my homework from my therapist (sounds strange). I think it helped - not sure if I want to read it though. Getting tired now - jetlag and the three hour time difference is a pain in the ass.

Huge

2005-05-07T13:05:00.000-07:00

Hit the high life again. The highlife being the top end of the frigging bathroom scales. Two hundred and thirty three fucking pounds no less. Back on the low carb, high fiber diet again now. I will get my body back!

Still here!

2005-05-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Yep, still posting. Saturday! The absolute best day of the week. No work, cutting the grass, weeding, making the place neat and tidy - heaven!

Saw the therapist. Got on well with her. Seems I have a lack of self esteem - not sure why and will probably not work that out either. She really helped put things in perspective and I will be going back next week. She really helped me identify the fact that I have not got over the death of my father. It happened a few years ago and I was four thousand miles away when I got the call. There was nothing I could do - way too fast. I had no idea just how much I loved him until he went. He was the one unshakable force in my life
My mother is superb - the person I spoke to most of the time, but in the thankfully few times I hit absolute rock bottom it was my father that pulled me back. With just a few words - it was all it took. He made it seem that everything should be treated as an adventure and that is what I need him to say now. It's OK, things will work out, don't worry. My homework is to write my Dad a letter about what is going on in my life and then answering it. Will do it on the plane tomorrow.

Management, but not as we know it

2005-05-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

I hate being told what to do by the damn HR department - the newest re-org at work has placed a stranger in a place perfectly positioned to criticize everything I do. In fact, this is one of the reasons for the blog, as a therapy for the stress (a lot of it self inflicted) that I feel in my relatively new position. Everyone tells me, well, almost everyone except the HR Empress of the Night, that I am doing a fine job and I should not take things too seriously. That is easy if you do not inhabit my skin. I should have been Catholic or Jewish - I have so much guilt that I am a bad, useless person you would have thought my birth was the result of an illicit affair between a nun and a rabbi. Some therapy is needed - retail, relaxation or the like but something must be done!

Just finished some work - good therapy for the person who procrastinates! It's the old "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today" adage. Pity I only feel better for such a short time.

The Temporary Excursion mentioned at the top of the page refers to a journey into minor depression, major stress and a period self examination. My sincere hope is that I am in the process of returning as I write this. Just to be certain of my path, I have an appointment booked with a therapist later this week. My experiences should appear here soon!

2005-05-02T03:50:00.000-07:00

The Chrysler Building. No particular reason for posting other than thinking this is one of the most amazing buildings ever created

The most difficult post is the second

2005-05-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

If I can get past one then I can post plenty more, even if they are not much more than monosyllabic! There, a long word! Not bad while watching Crossing Jordon out of the corner of one eye.

Not with a bang...

2005-05-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

Perhaps this will be the solution to my madness - a sudden urge to post my thoughts to any anonymous reader who wants to see inside me. Madness? too much of an exageration of course but then again, I do seem to be teetering on the edge.