inspiration strikes - a break from the monotony

Wednesday, March 05, 2003

WELL, I'M OFF

I'm headed out to Idaho tomorrow afternoon for a long weekend of much-needed R&R. Hold down the fort while I'm gone.
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mattchun 3/05/2003 05:52:00 PM [+] ::
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FIFTY YEARS AGO THIS DAY

March 5th, 2003 marks the 50th anniversary of Joseph Stalin's death. The world remembers Stalin as a despotic dictator, who may have killed as many as 60 million people over the course of his 30-year reign of terror. Remarkably, a recent survey reported that over half of the Russian populace felt that the Tyrant of the Troika had a positive effect. He was brutal and his tactics were menacing, but apparently the citizenry longs for the days when Russia was at its full might.

Bryan's recent comment touted my acronym-ing prowess, so in light of the aforementioned 50th anniversary it seemed apropos to mention that I'll be soon be checking out A SIBERIAN GULAG (Actually, Skiing. I'll Be Elsewhere, Roaming Idaho's Alpines Near a Gorgeous Uber-Logframe Architectured Garrison).

On a related note, did you know that before returning to Russia, ALEKSANDR SOLZHENITSYN (Author. Lived in Exile, Knew Stalin's Atrocities. Never Doubting Resolve, Spoke Out with Literary Zeal, He Earned NIneTeen-SeventY's Nobel) used to live about an hour from my hometown in Vermont?
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(I admit, the Solzhenitsyn is a bit of a stretch).
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mattchun 3/05/2003 10:31:00 AM [+] ::
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SOMETIMES THE STRANGEST THINGS CROSS MY MIND

If a bunch of Chinese restaurants got together and organized a World's-Largest-and-Most-Extravagant-Dumpling contest, they could call the winning dumpling,

"The wanton one-ton won-ton."

Who wouldn't want one wanton one-ton won-ton?
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mattchun 3/05/2003 08:56:00 AM [+] ::
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HEALTH CARE REFORM

Today, the White House released its plan to revamp Medicare. The plan, renamed AS-IF-ICARE (Aging Seniors Is Fucked)-ICARE, largely privatizes the federal health care system and moves away from traditional fee-for-service programs. The proposed plan offers immediate relief of prescription drug costs with a discount card that offers a free sandwich and chips combo with the purchase of ten prescriptions at full price.

As a relatively healthy and youthful individual, it's easy for me to joke, but in full seriousness, the American health care system is bracing for a torrent of financial and medical maladies. Though I know little about the economics of Medicare, it's seems we're approaching an epidemic of staggering proportions.

The aging baby boomer generation faces a rising tide of prescription drug costs. The belly boomer generations (a growing mass of inactive and obese citizens) is flooding the resources of hospitals and clinics with heart ailments and diabetes. Dark clouds are brewing and it'll take more than a discount card to make things right. We must focus our efforts on healthy living and everyday disease prevention. It will take a sea-change in diet and exercise habits if we are to avoid disaster in the years to come.

Paging Dr. Sisyphus...
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mattchun 3/04/2003 06:23:00 PM [+] ::
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MARRIED BY AMERICA

Yes, I watched some of it last night. Okay, I watched most of it. The first word that springs to mind? Vacuous. Just kinda rolls off the tongue after debasing my intelligence on a Monday evening. My favorite moment was when one guy, whose bride was to be selected by America, made an impassioned plea to the cameras from the confines of his isolation booth. I can't remember his heartfelt words exactly, but he said something to the effect of,

"I'm looking for someone really special. I know that looks are important, I mean really important, but America, I'd appreciate it if you could, like, look on the inside too."

It sounded like he was honestly, genuinely looking for someone who is not only attractive on the outside, but also, like, looks good naked too.
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mattchun 3/04/2003 09:01:00 AM [+] ::
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I CAN HEAR THE SCREAMING OF THE TREES

This morning, a brand-new box of business cards was stacked atop my work mailbox. Why, you may ask, is this of note? It's notable because this is the sixth different business card I've received since commencing employment some three-and-a-half years ago. Six different cards in under four years; is it just me or is this a little ridiculous?

1) Original card: My favorite of the bunch. Basic, off-white with no-frills. Classic design.
2) New Card #1: Change in design to liven things up. Pizzazz for the button-down crowd.
3) New Card #2: My title changes. Movin' up in the world. I like this kind of switch.
4) New Card #3: Company moves across the river from Cambridge to Boston.
5) New Card #4: My title changes. A guy could get used to this.
6) New Card #5: Changes to reflect company acquisition. Front of card is fine, back is hideous.

I've never come remotely close to exhausting my supply of cards. I use them as bookmarks, notepads, toothpicks, headscratchers, desk decorations, luggage tags, coasters, stocking-stuffers, projectiles and kindling. Oh yeah, and occasionally I give them to clients. If you're planning a tickertape parade, give me a call.
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mattchun 3/03/2003 05:12:00 PM [+] ::
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A BED BUG NO MORE

As Matt awoke this morning from placid dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a normal human being. He was lying comfortably on his back and when he lifted his head a little, he could see the flat plain of his belly, on top of which the bed quilt rested softly and securely...

Having spent the lion's share of the weekend in lethargic recline, this morning I felt transformed into a normal, functioning member of society once again. When I opened my eyes there was something about the angle of the light waltzing softly in the windowpane that said I would soon be well. Maybe I'm inspired by the murmuring of Spring as she drowsily awakes, though still hitting snooze.
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mattchun 3/03/2003 10:15:00 AM [+] ::
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