The rise of Ecstasy is a major event in drug history. If current trends continue, 1.8 million Americans will try Ecstasy for the first time in 2004; only marijuana will attract more new users. Overwhelming, positive word of mouth has made Ecstasy a nightmare for drug controllers. On a special edition of 'Primetime Thursday' Peter Jennings tells the epic story of Ecstasy that has never been heard. This is an interesting documentary on the history of ecstasy in America and Europe. It criticizes the government's position based on spurious statistics and borders on promoting the drug. It opens with a montage of people saying it was the best thing that they ever did followed by one or two guys warning that it's a pharmaceutical Russian Roulette. Decide for yourself. And drink lots of fluids. | |
Saturday, December 30
Peter Jennings - Ecstasy Rising
Friday, December 29
Thursday, December 28
Wednesday, December 27
Somewhere Between Waking and Sleeping
As excited as I was to come down to MO for a break, I think I am already tired of it. Could just be boredom. Eh.
In the early morning (at 7:51 to be exact) I was woken up by my vibrating phone. I didn't recognize the Boston number so I didn't answer. When the voicemail arrived, I discovered it was a coworker asking if I'd be willing to come in today to cover for some people who couldn't come in. This is the last person I spoke with before leaving for the T home. He in fact made fun of me for having to lug my suitcase to the T station. Why he thought calling me would be a good idea is beyond me.
I went to the hospital today to see my ailing grandfather. He's not in the best of shape, but he looked better than I expected. He didn't move much in his bed and his speech was slow and slurred, but he honestly doesn't look that bad. In fact, he looks considerably better than when I last saw him. Anyway, he seemed really happy to see my father and me. He really liked the nurse that was helping him and the (cute) minister who came to visit and pray with him. Luckily no one saw me roll my eyes when the minster offered to pray with him. I suppose the most awkward moment was when he asked if I'd been with/had any girls in Boston waiting for me to which I simply said "no" with a rather ambiguous smile which he can interpret however he likes.
In the early morning (at 7:51 to be exact) I was woken up by my vibrating phone. I didn't recognize the Boston number so I didn't answer. When the voicemail arrived, I discovered it was a coworker asking if I'd be willing to come in today to cover for some people who couldn't come in. This is the last person I spoke with before leaving for the T home. He in fact made fun of me for having to lug my suitcase to the T station. Why he thought calling me would be a good idea is beyond me.
I went to the hospital today to see my ailing grandfather. He's not in the best of shape, but he looked better than I expected. He didn't move much in his bed and his speech was slow and slurred, but he honestly doesn't look that bad. In fact, he looks considerably better than when I last saw him. Anyway, he seemed really happy to see my father and me. He really liked the nurse that was helping him and the (cute) minister who came to visit and pray with him. Luckily no one saw me roll my eyes when the minster offered to pray with him. I suppose the most awkward moment was when he asked if I'd been with/had any girls in Boston waiting for me to which I simply said "no" with a rather ambiguous smile which he can interpret however he likes.
Tuesday, December 26
Hiroshima
America's dropping of the bomb(s) on Japan is a bit of a taboo in my house, especially around the holidays when my grandparents are over. Like most people of their generation, my parents think it was an abominable act and unnecessary for the victory of the war. However, their parents, specifically on my mother's side have quite the opposite opinion. I don't know all the details about my grandfather's service during WW2, but I think he would have been shipped to the Pacific if the war had gone on much longer so he to this day is glad we did it. I'm more inclined to agree with my parents on the matter (if I ever utter/write those words again, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse will saddle up). I was nevertheless pretty horrified when I found a clip of a BBC documentary called "Hiroshima." Voiced by Malcolm McDowell, it reenacts the bomb drop and even has interviews with survivors, one of whom was pretty much at ground zero. She only survived because she was in an earthquake-proof bank. It's pretty horrifying stuff, but worth the 10 minutes to watch.
Monday, December 25
xMass
As you may or may not be aware, today is xmas, the birthday of Sir Isaac Newton and Victor Retail the inventor of the modern mall and the man who introduced the gift-giving so everyone could celebrate his birthday and spend money at his malls. To celebrate xmas, many people go to a Spiritual Boutique of sorts, commonly referred to as a "church". There they pay for various wise sayings and advice that make them feel better about their lives. I however, am already full of sage advice and - unbeknownst to my parents who insist I spend money on the advice of the collared church salespeople - decided not to go shopping at the xmas (Spiritual Extravaganza) Mass. Instead, my brother and I went driving around the city eventually winding up in FoPo where I snapped a few pictures on my phone.
These are the fountains at Art Hill which look much more impressive either at night or during the summer.
There were some really need copper slinky sculptures in various stages of (over)extension strewn about the bottom of art hill. I wish I'd taken more pictures, but I think you get the idea.
T
This slinky shattered.
My brother contemplates the mysteries of the universe on the waterfront. His outfit blends in with his surroundings far too well.
King Louis IX in all his majesty.
These are the fountains at Art Hill which look much more impressive either at night or during the summer.
There were some really need copper slinky sculptures in various stages of (over)extension strewn about the bottom of art hill. I wish I'd taken more pictures, but I think you get the idea.T
This slinky shattered.
My brother contemplates the mysteries of the universe on the waterfront. His outfit blends in with his surroundings far too well.
King Louis IX in all his majesty.
The mighty Hercules in a tangle of snakes. I wish the lighting (and my camera) were better.
Sunday, December 24
Futz Said Peter
I'm hoping my shitty week is officially over. After the unfortunate events recounted in my previous post, even worse circumstances came to light just the next day. I had just left the bank asking that they send me a new card. I called home to thank my parents for canceling the card and updating them on the situation. I told my dad I'd see him tomorrow night at 9. He went to travelocity's website to check to verify the arrival time, but my break was about to end so I told him to call me if something came up. I went back to work and my phone rang at least 4 times. My dad's unusually persistent when he wants to contact someone. It seems strange since he never answers his phone when anyone calls him.
The phone calls stopped and about five minutes later, as I walked by the register at the back of the store, one of my coworkers told me I had a phone call from American Airlines. That couldn't be good news. My manager said it sounded pretty important and that I'd better take it. I walked to the back room and picked up line 1. I was delighted to find out it wasn't American Airlines but my manipulative mother bearing a message from the bastards at AA. Turns out they reserve the right to cancel flights and move your flight time if they can't book enough tickets. It also turns out they reserve the right to inform people of this reserved right until the day before they plan on leaving. My flight, originally leaving at 7, was moved to 3. I was scheduled to leave work at 1. Not even with the most reckless cab driver in Boston could I have made it to the airport in time to get my ticket and board (especially without my ATM card.)
My manager walked in as I finished the phone call. He caught the tail end of the conversation which I realized left him a little puzzled since I was panicked about something "they" had done. "That was my mother. She said they just moved up my flight four hours," I said.
After I explained the situation, he said he didn't want anyone to miss xmas so he'd let me work from 7 to 11 instead. The only problem with that was that I had exactly $14 and some change left to my name and the bank was closed. I ended up taking a cab to work. This cab driver was very amicable and as law-abiding as his predecessor. Unfortunately he charged 4 times what the other guy did. Luckily when I arrived at work, I still had a few dollars left. The work day dragged on for far too long, but I did leave with plenty of time to make it to the airport. On the T ride over my nose started bleeding. It was the most random nosebleed I've ever had. I used the back of my hand to press on my the bloody nostril. (I never use the palm. That has far too much interaction with far too many things. Especially since I came from work, I did not want to shove all those germs up there.) Anyway, when I walked into the airport, I couldn't really hold my nose any more so I walked in with blood on my knuckles and more blood streaming down my face. I don't think I ever looked more like Tyler Durden. The looks on their faces were priceless.
The phone calls stopped and about five minutes later, as I walked by the register at the back of the store, one of my coworkers told me I had a phone call from American Airlines. That couldn't be good news. My manager said it sounded pretty important and that I'd better take it. I walked to the back room and picked up line 1. I was delighted to find out it wasn't American Airlines but my manipulative mother bearing a message from the bastards at AA. Turns out they reserve the right to cancel flights and move your flight time if they can't book enough tickets. It also turns out they reserve the right to inform people of this reserved right until the day before they plan on leaving. My flight, originally leaving at 7, was moved to 3. I was scheduled to leave work at 1. Not even with the most reckless cab driver in Boston could I have made it to the airport in time to get my ticket and board (especially without my ATM card.)
My manager walked in as I finished the phone call. He caught the tail end of the conversation which I realized left him a little puzzled since I was panicked about something "they" had done. "That was my mother. She said they just moved up my flight four hours," I said.
After I explained the situation, he said he didn't want anyone to miss xmas so he'd let me work from 7 to 11 instead. The only problem with that was that I had exactly $14 and some change left to my name and the bank was closed. I ended up taking a cab to work. This cab driver was very amicable and as law-abiding as his predecessor. Unfortunately he charged 4 times what the other guy did. Luckily when I arrived at work, I still had a few dollars left. The work day dragged on for far too long, but I did leave with plenty of time to make it to the airport. On the T ride over my nose started bleeding. It was the most random nosebleed I've ever had. I used the back of my hand to press on my the bloody nostril. (I never use the palm. That has far too much interaction with far too many things. Especially since I came from work, I did not want to shove all those germs up there.) Anyway, when I walked into the airport, I couldn't really hold my nose any more so I walked in with blood on my knuckles and more blood streaming down my face. I don't think I ever looked more like Tyler Durden. The looks on their faces were priceless.
Friday, December 22
Kinda Bad Day
So today was supposed to be a good day. I went to the gym (which was apparently open even though winter break has begun). That made me very happy. After relaxing for a bit in my room I decided I'd get in the xmas spirit of trying to buy just the right gift for just the right person. I took the T out to Espresso Royale and read another chapter of Atlas Shrugged. I'm still very early in the book, but I love it. I'm kind of scared though. One of the characters seems to have the exact same thought processes I do. I won't say who just yet because I'm not sure what horrible fate awaits him.
After my delicious bagel sandwich, I headed over to Barnes and Noble. As I was poking around for fun things I get a phone call from a boston number I'd never seen before. I picked up. It was my manager. She probably wanted me to cover for someone who hadn't been able to come in today. I was ready to tell her I'd could be in an hour or two when she asked where I was and why I wasn't there. I offered a hurried apology and said I'd be in as soon as I could while running down the escalator. I foolishly thought I could make it to work that day by taking the T. Rule number 1 in Boston is never to rely on the T when you need it. I remembered this only after I'd paid $5 for a T pass. And wasted $1.25 on a T ride. Realizing the inefficiency of this decision, I ran back upstairs and stood around on a street corner hailing every cab that went by until one finally picked me up. I've decided cab drivers are some of my favorite people in the world, but only when they're on your side. I think they must have lobbied for the ability to break any and every road rule. I can't remember one red light that he obeyed unless a car in front of him had stopped. He took me to my dorm and waited while I changed into my work shirt. As we pulled up to the mall, he told me he didn't take credit or debit cards. My opinion of him briefly grew to intense hatred. I ran inside to an ATM, pulled out more than enough for the fare, ran back out and told him to keep the change. As I ran back in, the security guard looked at me like he'd seen me steal a $5000 watch from Mont Blanc. "Hey slow down there. Why were you running?" I jogged by him acknowledging he'd spoken to me only by muttering "late for work." I'm pretty sure I heard one of my coworkers say I looked like a heroine junkie when I walked in.
The situation got much better when I went on my (reduced) break to get some food. I fished my wallet out of my pocket and discovered I couldn't pay for the sandwich I'd just ordered because my card was not there. Bad news indeed. I ordered a latte with the last cash I had in my wallet and went over to the bank to see if they'd found it. I knew I'd left it in an ATM there; that was the last time I'd used it. My break ended too soon and I didn't get to talk to anyone there but I did manage to call my parents one of whom was able to cancel the card. Minor crisis slightly averted. The rest of my day was entirely word related and mostly uneventful. I'm going to go shower my track marks away. Nighty night.
After my delicious bagel sandwich, I headed over to Barnes and Noble. As I was poking around for fun things I get a phone call from a boston number I'd never seen before. I picked up. It was my manager. She probably wanted me to cover for someone who hadn't been able to come in today. I was ready to tell her I'd could be in an hour or two when she asked where I was and why I wasn't there. I offered a hurried apology and said I'd be in as soon as I could while running down the escalator. I foolishly thought I could make it to work that day by taking the T. Rule number 1 in Boston is never to rely on the T when you need it. I remembered this only after I'd paid $5 for a T pass. And wasted $1.25 on a T ride. Realizing the inefficiency of this decision, I ran back upstairs and stood around on a street corner hailing every cab that went by until one finally picked me up. I've decided cab drivers are some of my favorite people in the world, but only when they're on your side. I think they must have lobbied for the ability to break any and every road rule. I can't remember one red light that he obeyed unless a car in front of him had stopped. He took me to my dorm and waited while I changed into my work shirt. As we pulled up to the mall, he told me he didn't take credit or debit cards. My opinion of him briefly grew to intense hatred. I ran inside to an ATM, pulled out more than enough for the fare, ran back out and told him to keep the change. As I ran back in, the security guard looked at me like he'd seen me steal a $5000 watch from Mont Blanc. "Hey slow down there. Why were you running?" I jogged by him acknowledging he'd spoken to me only by muttering "late for work." I'm pretty sure I heard one of my coworkers say I looked like a heroine junkie when I walked in.
The situation got much better when I went on my (reduced) break to get some food. I fished my wallet out of my pocket and discovered I couldn't pay for the sandwich I'd just ordered because my card was not there. Bad news indeed. I ordered a latte with the last cash I had in my wallet and went over to the bank to see if they'd found it. I knew I'd left it in an ATM there; that was the last time I'd used it. My break ended too soon and I didn't get to talk to anyone there but I did manage to call my parents one of whom was able to cancel the card. Minor crisis slightly averted. The rest of my day was entirely word related and mostly uneventful. I'm going to go shower my track marks away. Nighty night.
Tuesday, December 19
Areas of My Expertise
Never really done audiobooks before, but I couldn't resist this one. John Hodgman's The Areas of My Expertise
download
Monday, December 18
Totally Psyched
Okay so I just kicked my psych exam's ass to the ground and beat it senseless. I'm super-excited about that. I've been doing rather well in that class. Especially considering I literally have not read any of the required texts. For whatever reason my professor really likes me.
So anyway, a little more catch-up time, as I mentioned, I am currently employed by Apple. Incidentally I am also anxiously waiting to find out whether I'll be allowed to stay at school so I can continue to work into the winter break as I promised my managers I could. I have yet to successfully contact the person who approves the extended stay and considering wer'e supposed to be kicked out tomorrow, I'm more than a little concerned about what's going to happen.
Tomorrow will hopefully be a good day. It's certainly going to get off to a good start with a nice 9AM BS (biblical studies) exam. I've cared about each exam I've taken less and less and this class I care about least of any class I've ever taken. My roommate was arguing last week that at least BS has a nice story to it. I told him he hadn't read the whole story. I'd take another round of loftily worded philosophy over another semester of this any day, but sadly, I've gotta fulfill my core requirements. After I lather on enough BS, I'll be knocking down the door of the bastard who's going to approve my squatting in my dorm room over winter break. Then it's off to buy new jeans and anything else I feel like spending money on. (Maybe I'll even pick up a few things for someone other than myself. Meh.) And finally, yesterday one of my coworkers informed me that he was filming a fight scene for something and for some unfathomable reason he wants me to be in it. (Perhaps I should be concerned that my reputation beyond mere resemblance of Edward Norton proceeds me.) Don't know what to expect from that. All I can do is wait for him to call.
Speaking of which, I just got a fancy new phone that I love.
It's basically the most gorgeous thing ever. Especially next to the bottom-of-the-line free phones I've had until now. A wonderful improvement.
I think I'll leave you now with the latest video I've uploaded on my iPod. It's the spectacular music video for the Scissor Sisters' latest single. While the song itself isn't the Bond-themiest they could have chosen, the video is nonetheless stunning. So now, I present for your viewing pleasure (in ScissorVision!) Land of a Thousand Words.
So anyway, a little more catch-up time, as I mentioned, I am currently employed by Apple. Incidentally I am also anxiously waiting to find out whether I'll be allowed to stay at school so I can continue to work into the winter break as I promised my managers I could. I have yet to successfully contact the person who approves the extended stay and considering wer'e supposed to be kicked out tomorrow, I'm more than a little concerned about what's going to happen.
Tomorrow will hopefully be a good day. It's certainly going to get off to a good start with a nice 9AM BS (biblical studies) exam. I've cared about each exam I've taken less and less and this class I care about least of any class I've ever taken. My roommate was arguing last week that at least BS has a nice story to it. I told him he hadn't read the whole story. I'd take another round of loftily worded philosophy over another semester of this any day, but sadly, I've gotta fulfill my core requirements. After I lather on enough BS, I'll be knocking down the door of the bastard who's going to approve my squatting in my dorm room over winter break. Then it's off to buy new jeans and anything else I feel like spending money on. (Maybe I'll even pick up a few things for someone other than myself. Meh.) And finally, yesterday one of my coworkers informed me that he was filming a fight scene for something and for some unfathomable reason he wants me to be in it. (Perhaps I should be concerned that my reputation beyond mere resemblance of Edward Norton proceeds me.) Don't know what to expect from that. All I can do is wait for him to call.
Speaking of which, I just got a fancy new phone that I love.
It's basically the most gorgeous thing ever. Especially next to the bottom-of-the-line free phones I've had until now. A wonderful improvement.
I think I'll leave you now with the latest video I've uploaded on my iPod. It's the spectacular music video for the Scissor Sisters' latest single. While the song itself isn't the Bond-themiest they could have chosen, the video is nonetheless stunning. So now, I present for your viewing pleasure (in ScissorVision!) Land of a Thousand Words.
A Glorious Return
I've been avoiding blogging for a while since I got my fancy new job working for Mr. Jobs. (They don't like bloggers at apple. Meh.) Anyway, I won't be discussing apple stuff any more, but that's cool with everyone, right? Right. Okay! So, blogger also now lets me restrict who can read my blog and I do like the ability to control my readership a little bit so I think I'm bringing back the Bernal Jernal one more time.
Right now I'm waiting for my psych exam to start. Little less than 2 hours. I have another one tomorrow. My exam schedule is awful. Everyone left yesterday, but I was planning on being on my own for a while. I'm staying on campus until xmas eve. I told my managers I'd work through xmas so I'll be chilling in boston for a while. The weather sucks right now, but I'm thinking a healthy dose of retail therapy tomorrow will fix that. (I love being able to afford stuff.)
In other news, you must download and listen to this album. You will not regret it. I'll post more interesting things later tonight. I just wanted to get the BJ juices flowing again. Until then, I've studying to do. Wish me luck. I doubt I'll need it.
Right now I'm waiting for my psych exam to start. Little less than 2 hours. I have another one tomorrow. My exam schedule is awful. Everyone left yesterday, but I was planning on being on my own for a while. I'm staying on campus until xmas eve. I told my managers I'd work through xmas so I'll be chilling in boston for a while. The weather sucks right now, but I'm thinking a healthy dose of retail therapy tomorrow will fix that. (I love being able to afford stuff.)
In other news, you must download and listen to this album. You will not regret it. I'll post more interesting things later tonight. I just wanted to get the BJ juices flowing again. Until then, I've studying to do. Wish me luck. I doubt I'll need it.
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