vainglory [veyn-glawr-ee, -glohr-ee, veyn-glawr-ee,-glohr-ee] n.1. excessive elation or pride over one’s own achievements, abilities, etc.; boastful vanity 2. empty pomp or show
You’ve probably noticed there were no new posts the past two days. I’ve been deliberating about this blog, trying to figure out where to go with it.
A little over a year ago, I started the euneJeune daily for a few reasons, none of which are still relevant. But, along the way, this blog took on a life of its own.
I’ve taken a few hiatuses and even once or twice declared it over.
But, after thinking about it long and hard, I’m sad to declare this blog will end next Friday, April 30th.
Starting tomorrow, there will be only six more posts. I’ll concentrate my efforts on relaying the important things I’ve learned in the past year, after 230 posts and almost 30,000 hits.
I hope those of you who have loyally visited here everyday will appreciate the last several entries. Again, thanks for reading. Come back tomorrow for some more.
quotation
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils… ↔ Louis Hector Berlioz
tune
Not much else to say about Bob Schneider but that, lyrically, he’s pretty fucking awesome. Take a listen to “Metal and Steel.”
Today’s Standpoint is going to be short and sweet.
Over the weekend, I coined a phrase that, I feel, is a surefire bet to find its way into the cultural lexicon.
You’re most likely heard people discussing the latest “It Movie”, the one all the with-it folks are lining up to see, over and over again.
A recent example would be Avatar. Last year, it was The Hangover. But these are not just “It Movies”, they’re “Yet Movies”. Only a short while ago, I was having dinner at my parents’ house, which is something I love to do but don’t do enough, and my mother posed the question, “Joshua, have you seen Avatar yet?” I laughed a little and responded, “I’m trying to get to the theater to see it, but American Idol is on so damn much, frankly, I’m having trouble finding a night to get out of the house.”
Obviously, I was joking. She wasn’t the first person in my life to ask me a similar question. Seeing Avatarhasn’t earned a spot on my top 100 things to do, and sitting through an episode of American Idol will probably never crack the top 500. The phrasing of the question struck me as odd.
It was the last word – YET. “Have you filed your taxes yet?” “Have you taken a shower yet?” “Christ, are you ready yet?” Those are all questions insinuating an action that’ll eventually needed to be completed. As if it’ll only be a matter of time before I’ll be compelled to capitulate. Apparently, it’s such a fantastic film, I’ve got an obligation, as a member of the human race, one day I’ll find myself watching Avatar and, for no other reason than just because.
I don’t mean to pick on Avatar and I patiently listen to those who castigate me for not seeing it, especially since it’s “so kickass” in 3-D. Before we know it, there’s going to be another movie to take its place, one I probably won’t be falling over myself to rush out and see.
And everyone will be asking me, “Dude, why haven’t you seen it yet?” I won’t have a response that’ll ease their uneasiness. But, I might try to make them feel a little better by telling them about that night back in March when I coined the phrase “The Yet Movie.” You heard it here first.
quotation
…And I thought about how many people have loved those songs. And how many people got through a lot of bad times because of those songs. And how many people enjoyed good times with those songs. And how much those songs really mean. I think it would be great to have written one of those songs. I bet if I wrote one of them, I would be very proud. I hope the people who wrote those songs are happy. I hope they feel it’s enough. I really do because they’ve made me happy. And I’m only one person. ↔ Stephen Chbosky
tune
Until recently, Charles Mingus was the most overlooked jazz musician of his time. The guy was both a genius and a mess. His autobiography, Beneath the Underdog: His World As Composed by Mingus, is still one of the best books I’ve ever read. Lately, when people talk about the big jazz legends, Mingus’ name is being mentioned more and more. And that’s a great thing because, while the guy didn’t receive his due credit during his lifetime, it’s better late than never. Here’s “Myself When I Am Real.” A good title to a great song.
gallimaufry
→ Back in high school, I pretty much did everything I wasn’t supposed, within reasonable limits. I could’ve easily been one of these kids. Luckily, most of my teachers were men and sleeping with a teacher was at least one thing I spared my parents from having to deal with. And for that,Mom and Dad, you’re welcome.
→ What a shitty day this lady had. At the completion of her jog, some assjack tried to sexually assault her. She escaped by literally jumping off of a friggin’ cliff. Then the dude takes off on her car. She escaped with minor injuries and she’s okay, but still, she was just trying to get a little exercise. Hey, perverts, in case you’re unaware, I’m here to enlighten you: You suck.
→ I know I’ve plugged these guys before but, the way I see it, there’s nothing stopping me from doing it again, After all, when it comes to the content on this blog, I’m my own boss. (And a good one at that.) If you’re considering getting a tattoo or a body piercing and you’re in the Philadelphia area, the only shop you need consider is Liberty Tattoo in Skippack Village, PA. The folks who run the joint are not only friends of mine but have a fantastic reputation in their line of work. Don’t go anywhere else.
piquant [pee-kuhnt, -kahnt, pee-kahnt] adj.1. agreeably pungent or sharp in taste or flavor; pleasantly biting or tart: a piquant aspic2. agreeably stimulating, interesting, or attractive: a piquant glance3. of an interestingly provocative or lively character: a piquant wit4.Archaic. sharp or stinging, esp. to the feelings
Things that are annoying me today? Glad you asked. Here’s a list.
» Movies. Why do they all have to be exceedingly scary or outrageously post-apocalyptic or synthetically romantic or completely awful? I think there’s enough of all that on every so-called news program. (However, I did see Crazy Heart yesterday and it was a really solid exception.)
» Snow. I love when it snows. But one aspect of every snowstorm I despise is crybabies lamenting as if the streets are covered in razorblades and land mines, instead of harmless snowflakes. Oddly enough, these are the same people who get in their cars and, perhaps in some sort of misplaced defiance toward Mother Nature, drive around like it’s a clear and dry sunny day in August. Slipping and sliding all over the road, causing accidents they’ll blame on “the fucking snow.”
» Facebook. It’s not the social networking site that bugs me. I like it. I use it. I’ve reconnected with lots of old friends on it. I’ve even made some new ones. But it’s truly sad to read updates from people you once knew to be of sound mind, gripe about kids, spouses, politics, etc. For the record, I’m fully aware my own status updates are inconsequential nonsense.
QUOTATION
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity. ↔ Charles Mingus
TUNE
Every group of friends has a song that only they seem to know, and only they think is absolutely awesome. It’s usually due to the song being associated with some particularly good time. For me and my college friends, that song was “Both Belong” by The Grays.
the euneJeune daily 