Getting Grown Up

Walking through a haze of hippies, hemp and headshops at the Haight Street Fair; through drum circles, teenage runaways and generic fair booths with pamphlets about sustainability and shit, I managed to do the least expected thing I could possibly think of.
I registered to vote. For the first time. Much to the surprise of the woman asking people to register, apparently. Asking me not once but, twice, "are you sure you're not registered?"
Yes folks, thats right, despite seeming like a person who cares about things - I have never really cared that much about politics to register. Ohhh Ive had plenty of excuses: I don't know where to register? I don't know which county I should register in. I don't make enough money for it to matter. I don't care to vote for a douchebag OR turd sandwich...Like any other 18-25 yr old, I have been full of excuses, and really, full of shit.
Well, despite where you think this blog post may be going, I'm still kinda full of shit, and proving it by BARELY doing what's necessary to be an adult. Case in point, not registering till age 26, and as of the publication of this post - without a drivers license.
Now, I can point to a few things on the floating list of life experiences that would lead one to believe there are some adult-like qualities represented. But seriously, wtf does it mean to be an adult? The government says, reaching the age of 18. Mother nature says, able to make babies. I'm starting to come to the conclusion that the actual qualifier for adulthood is the ability to rationalize kow-towing to the institution for some marginal gain.
Before you begin formulating your "here's why youre wrong/why your logic is flawed" comment to muddle up this little online thought bubble of mine, keep in mind I just spent $20 on a sandwich at lunch and got charged $3.00 for a drink refill...feelin' pretty adult-like.

Best of Ryan Rowe aka Screw Yelp v2.5

Blondies Bar & No Grill
http://blondiesbar.com/
Categories: Dance Clubs, Bars
Neighborhood: Mission

Oh Blondie's, please give me a real reason to go.

You have a moderately amusing slogan..."Bar and No Grill"...worth a half-chuckle.
You specialize in Martini's, which, I suppose is your one highlight. But really, is it worth being surrounded by awkwardness?

Not that im some superman, savior to all women, but I feel like Im always having to save some girl-friend from some random clown hitting on her.
Not to mention, whoever planned the layout of this bar either didn't know what they were doing, or just didn't care. It's like 3 or 4 half-assed ideas thrown together.

Pick up a bottle of E&J Brandy with some friends and post up in an alley...Youll have a better time.

09/06/2007

Birthday Post

It's my Birthday. It's the anniversary of the day I was born. I don't feel special. Nothing of significant importance happened from yesterday to today. I mean, I aged 1/365.25th yesterday, but nothing magical happened at 11:59:59.
Despite my love for the Birthday party when I was younger; cake, ice cream, present's, pinata's and all, I really don't think its appropriate these days...or appropriate for me at least. Even further, I'm DEFINITELY not one those Celebrate-your-damn-birthday-for-six-weeks-straight -even-though-I-know-at-least-two-people-who've-had-Birthdays-in-between...type people.
So world, June 10th is just like any other day for me...except more people tell me to have a great day than usual, which is good I guess...manners are nice and I like a positive attitude.
Birthday or not, I do what I want. If I want a nice dinner, I eat one. If I want to get tanked, I do that. Show up to work an hour late and unshaven...done. Yeah I still have to go to work, but you know what, I've been eyeing that pair of Dunks for a few weeks now and my apartment in the trendy Lower-Haight ain't gonna pay for itself.
So its my birthday, I'm going to do what I feel like, and tomorrow, wake up and do the same. Although this attitude may come off a little poor me'ish or like a passive aggressive cry for attention, seriously, If you do what you want...everyday feels like your birthday.
Kinda reminds me of a Bad Religion song called "Hooray For Me"
"can you imagine, for a second, doing anything
just 'cuz you want to? well, that's just what I do
so hooray for me (and fuck you!)"


So tonight, Im gonna eat me some Brazilian BBQ, go to a punk rock bar and do exactly what I feel like.
Happy Birthday Me!

Something Nice

Everyday; war, crime and curuptness are sensationalized by 24-hour news while reality show trainwrecks run in syndication. Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck and Nancy Grace's soul-less shells eschew hate and propaganda under the guise of "news." Racism, stereotyping and bigotry have their own channel on cable and Hollywood socialite sextape-puppets are worshiped on primetime and checkout line rags. Junk media are absorbed and recycled into watercooler talk and Jay Leno monologues. It's sick.

But every once in a while, something manages to float its way to the top in your daily binge of information slop that isn't completely self-serving or agenda driven. That doesn't perpetuate hate, intolerance and fear. That doesn't tongue the celebrity coochie, and really, just doesn't suck.

Enjoy this, from the Media Curmudgeon on June 1st, a recent favorite piece of writing:

Article Here

"Late at night, the marine layer creeps back in. KNBR’s warbling signal slices through the fog, soaring across the stands of Eucalyptus trees up on the Nipomo Mesa just south of Pismo Beach.

The game is over. Jon Miller has told us another story. Somehow, despite the orchestrated efforts of Major League Baseball, we have been able to wander, once again, back into our necessary past."--Paul Talbot (guest blogger), Media Curmudgeon

Web 5.0!

Ive had some pretty random thoughts over the past week that seem interesting(enough), but haven't inspired enough for a full post. Nevertheless, a great portal into what has run through my head the last week or so.
This is the schizophrenic post.
**************************************************************************************

Ive never done an Evite before, can you embed audio into an evite? geez, this is so embarrassing

Is it Sex IN the City, or Sex AND the City?...Either way, I hope the movie is terrible

Drinking out of those long-skinny Trumer Pils glasses makes me feel like im in science class

Im totally addicted to rating movies on my Netflix account

Other than Miller's Eastcoast West Deli, San Francisco just doesn't get sandwiches

If I was in an actual band, I would absolutely loathe "The Shakeup"

I love the "Readers Poll" in SF Weekly's Best of San Francisco. The best account of what the newbie/novice population thinks is "best" in San Francisco

Bay to Breakers was awesome - too bad I only made it to somewhere around GG Park/Panhandle...not as many naked people as last year either, I think

Finding the "mustache ride" clip from Super Troopers on Youtube is harder than you might think

Although it had its moments that made me cringe, I liked the new Indiana Jones...and what better place to watch than the Castro Theater

Just another example of things I am allowed to do, and noone else: Talking on your cell phone on the bus...is there anything more irritating?

Can anyone think of a better nickname for Giants young ace, Tim Lincecum, other than "The Enchanter"?

How do people manage more than one social networking site?

Ticketmaster - worst service company ever

Despite his $126 million contract, Barry Zito has only one more win than I do this season

I saw some dude wearing a shirt for a Facebook developers conference - not sure thats something I'd be proud of(?), but I guess if dudes put their expertise with Facebook on their resumes, wearing the shirt aint that big of a deal

Updates on the list of things that are not attractive whatsoever: boots with socks worn higher than the top of the boot, those stupid scarfs that are all the sudden popular with hipsters and Kanye West wannabes, gladiator sandals on girls - not attractive, sorry

Welcome Faker Fans

I love competition, I love passion, I love determination, rivalries, will power and all that good stuff that goes along with the pursuit of the ultimate success in athletics. I love sports.
These types of emotions are never better displayed than in any particular sport's tournament for a championship. Seeing a team or a player excel in high-drama and play like a champion is why we are fans. Being able to witness your favorite player hoist his or her index finger in the air with his last bit of strength, proving to the world that there is noone else who may rightfully lay claim to the number one, has got to be the most rewarding feelings in fandom. Although I have never seen any one of my favorite teams hoist a trophy or reach that plateau of champion amongst all, I have come close...and I have definitely been there for the dramatic ride from a season's infancy, into adolescence, adulthood and come oh-so-close to seeing my team wear the crown of kings.
It is impressive that a film has the ability to make viewers feel emotionally attached to characters and storylines in 2.5 hours. Can you imagine being able to capture the levels of emotion attached to following the dramatic story of a team unfold for 8 months?

Well, if you're from Los Angeles, imagining is the best you can do.

In my 25 years I have literally met one real Lakers fan. Someone who watches games prior to April. Someone who can actually name the starting five, not just "Kobe." I mean, there is a lot more that goes into being a "real fan", and I have to assume fan-status can be argued to death, but I think caring before playoffs start and knowing who is actually representing your team is a good place to start. You also see similar lame-ness with the Dodgers, whose fans are notorious for coming an hour late and leaving an hour early, and magically turning into Angels fans when it becomes convenient. Again, in my 25 years, Ive only met one real Dodgers fan.

So as I sit here watching the NBA playoffs - watching Kobe Bryant be more smug and assface-y than the year before, I can't help but think of the Los Angeles fans feigning real emotion. Like the person who never saw the nominated film and only pretended to care when the Oscars came around and lied to everyone that he had seen it just to be accepted and matter. Its sad in a way.

I guess thats the best you can do LA...faking it. And based on most of the people I've met, TV show The Hills, and the Paris Hilton sex tape, you're quite good at faking it.

But screw you. (not you JRands or Uncle Frank)

This Is Your Brain on...Fox News

Since you were probably up at 6:45 this morning and watching "America's Newsroom" on Fox News Channel - I imagine you were wondering...whoa! wait a minute, who's brain was that?
Well worry no longer, that brain, or MRI image of a brain belongs to yours truly.
Although I can't find the story on their site, I imagine they have some sort of fact-room where they are using one of those legal balancing things to make sure everything is, in fact, fair and balanced. And on the floor, in the corner, is the story from this mornings edition of "America's Newsroom" with the picture of my brain. I'll just wait by the mailbox for my check to come *twiddling thumbs*