BECAUSE IT WORKED SO WELL
FOR DRUGS
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Blogger Discontinued for iOS 10
Without warning, the great minds at Google have discontinued Blogger for iOS. Blogger is the app that I and many others use to manage our blogs on the go.
Really, guys? You want to make it harder for people to post onto your blogging platform from iPhones and iPads? How does that make any sense?
They claim that you can use a browser, which is what I do from my computer. But that has never worked well from my mobile devices. I have had entire posts disappear when I went in to correct a single typo.
Come on, Google! With all of your resources, you should at least be able to support this relatively simple and widely used app. Not acceptable!
Really, guys? You want to make it harder for people to post onto your blogging platform from iPhones and iPads? How does that make any sense?
They claim that you can use a browser, which is what I do from my computer. But that has never worked well from my mobile devices. I have had entire posts disappear when I went in to correct a single typo.
Come on, Google! With all of your resources, you should at least be able to support this relatively simple and widely used app. Not acceptable!
A Perspective on Groping and Sexual Assault
Sexual assault and sexual harassment are rampant in our society. It helps when we discuss these matters openly. It helps the victims to deal with their emotional trauma. It helps society by clarifying acceptable standards for physical contact.
Unfortunately, there are barriers to open discussion. First of all, no one enjoys remembering a painful experience. Victims require sensitivity and understanding. They need to feel supported. But this isn't always the case.
The person reporting inappropriate sexual contact may be pressed to answer insensitive questions.
- Are you sure that this really happened?
- Why did you put yourself in that position?
- Why didn't you do anything about it?
- Did you do anything to encourage their advances?
- Why did you wait so long to say something?
I wanted to offer my perspective on this because, believe it or not, I once experienced a groping incident. Yes, I am a guy. Yes, I'm six-foot one in bare feet. And yet, this really did happen.
I was on a plane, an overnight "red eye" flight from San Francisco to Newark. I had a window seat on the right side of the aircraft. This is my preference for long flights; I like to lean against the side of the cabin for extra support while sleeping.
To my left, in the middle seat of a three-seat side, was a clean cut, twenty-something guy looked like he'd graduated from a fancy college. He didn't seem strange in any way. No alarm bells went off as he quietly took his seat. We didn't chat or make eye contact.
It started out as your typical red-eye flight. Soon after we departed, the cabin lights were dimmed, and everyone settled in for a couple of hours of rest. I fell asleep fairly quickly. It was a deep sleep. I didn't hear the engines or the shuddering of the plane.
Some time later, I'm not sure how long, I felt a tickling sensation near my left nipple. It took my sleeping brain a few seconds to figure out that something was wrong. When I realized what was happening, I lurched my body upward and threw my arms toward the ceiling. It was the kind of reaction that you might have if you noticed a big spider crawling up your arm.
The guy, who had curled up into a fetal position directly facing me, had been massaging my left pectoral area with his hand. He didn't just touch my chest; he was actively squeezing it.
When I had my violent physical reaction - during which I shouted something like "what the fuck?" - the guy instantly turned his body to face away from me and faced the person in the aisle seat.
To this day, I do not know whether the guy was actually sleeping and did all of this as part of some perverted dream, or whether he pretended to be asleep to hide his guilt. Believe me. I've thought about this many times since.
Okay, so, this was weird, granted, but it wasn't serious as an assault on a woman. Let's be clear on that. Consider that:
- I was never in danger. There was no possibility of escalation.
- I could have punched the crap out of that little twerp, if I didn't have concerns about serving time for felony assault.
- And for that matter, I don't even have boobs - just skin and muscle.
This would have been far worse and much more terrifying if it had happened to a woman. Let's keep that in perspective.
But let's face it. This incident shocking, and that's why I would like to talk about. I would like to describe the moment when you are trying to decide what to do next while figuring out what just happened to you. Because that is a strange and confusing place to find yourself.
First, you're shocked. It's like being in a car accident. Your mind races to try to make sense of the situation. "What just happened? Is this real? How did this happen?"
Inappropriate contact invites additional questions. "Why would anyone do this?" "Are people really that weird?" "Why me?"
Next, you're faced with confusion. Your mind searches for the appropriate response. What should you do? I considered several options.
I thought about confronting the guy. But what if he really had been sleeping and he wasn't aware of what he had done? If he had just been feigning sleep, how could I prove it?
I new that I couldn't change to a different seat, because it was a full flight.
I considered calling the flight attendant, but I didn't want to create a scene in an aircraft full of sleeping people. Besides, I had no evidence that anything had happened. There was no video. You can't get fingerprints from shirt. For all of these reasons, a complaint with the airline would also have been pointless. The pervert next door had just gotten away with the perfect crime.
And of course, being a guy, I briefly considered a physical altercation. But that could have resulted in serious legal consequences, and it would have only made an icky situation worse. I didn't want to be associate with this sleaze bag during a length legal process.
And so, other than the initial, violent reaction that I used to interrupt the groper, I didn't do anything. I weighed my options and chose that doing nothing was the best way to handle the situation. I pulled up my blanket, tucked it in tightly like a force field, turned my back to Mr. Sleazy, and tried to get some much needed sleep. There were no further incidents.
Did you get that last point? I did nothing, because doing nothing was my best alternative. Unfortunately, for victims of real sexual assault - not my watered-down sleeping perverted frat boy version - doing nothing might seem like the best course of action for them, as well. "Don't make waves." "No one would believe me." "I'll just deal with it."
I would ask everyone please to have empathy for victims of sexual assault. It's easy to question someone who has been through a difficult situation when you haven't walked in their shoes. There are no easy choices in these circumstances. If you're going to accuse something of a serious crime but you have no evidence that a crime was committed, who is going to believe you? So you decide that it's easier to say nothing.
Abusers are often serial offenders. If, one day, you hear of a pattern of attacks that were similar to your own, you might decide to share your story. Just be prepared for the inevitable question: "Why didn't you come forward sooner?" Because you know it's coming.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
Unfortunately, there are barriers to open discussion. First of all, no one enjoys remembering a painful experience. Victims require sensitivity and understanding. They need to feel supported. But this isn't always the case.
The person reporting inappropriate sexual contact may be pressed to answer insensitive questions.
- Are you sure that this really happened?
- Why did you put yourself in that position?
- Why didn't you do anything about it?
- Did you do anything to encourage their advances?
- Why did you wait so long to say something?
I wanted to offer my perspective on this because, believe it or not, I once experienced a groping incident. Yes, I am a guy. Yes, I'm six-foot one in bare feet. And yet, this really did happen.
I was on a plane, an overnight "red eye" flight from San Francisco to Newark. I had a window seat on the right side of the aircraft. This is my preference for long flights; I like to lean against the side of the cabin for extra support while sleeping.
To my left, in the middle seat of a three-seat side, was a clean cut, twenty-something guy looked like he'd graduated from a fancy college. He didn't seem strange in any way. No alarm bells went off as he quietly took his seat. We didn't chat or make eye contact.
It started out as your typical red-eye flight. Soon after we departed, the cabin lights were dimmed, and everyone settled in for a couple of hours of rest. I fell asleep fairly quickly. It was a deep sleep. I didn't hear the engines or the shuddering of the plane.
Some time later, I'm not sure how long, I felt a tickling sensation near my left nipple. It took my sleeping brain a few seconds to figure out that something was wrong. When I realized what was happening, I lurched my body upward and threw my arms toward the ceiling. It was the kind of reaction that you might have if you noticed a big spider crawling up your arm.
The guy, who had curled up into a fetal position directly facing me, had been massaging my left pectoral area with his hand. He didn't just touch my chest; he was actively squeezing it.
When I had my violent physical reaction - during which I shouted something like "what the fuck?" - the guy instantly turned his body to face away from me and faced the person in the aisle seat.
To this day, I do not know whether the guy was actually sleeping and did all of this as part of some perverted dream, or whether he pretended to be asleep to hide his guilt. Believe me. I've thought about this many times since.
Okay, so, this was weird, granted, but it wasn't serious as an assault on a woman. Let's be clear on that. Consider that:
- I was never in danger. There was no possibility of escalation.
- I could have punched the crap out of that little twerp, if I didn't have concerns about serving time for felony assault.
- And for that matter, I don't even have boobs - just skin and muscle.
This would have been far worse and much more terrifying if it had happened to a woman. Let's keep that in perspective.
But let's face it. This incident shocking, and that's why I would like to talk about. I would like to describe the moment when you are trying to decide what to do next while figuring out what just happened to you. Because that is a strange and confusing place to find yourself.
First, you're shocked. It's like being in a car accident. Your mind races to try to make sense of the situation. "What just happened? Is this real? How did this happen?"
Inappropriate contact invites additional questions. "Why would anyone do this?" "Are people really that weird?" "Why me?"
Next, you're faced with confusion. Your mind searches for the appropriate response. What should you do? I considered several options.
I thought about confronting the guy. But what if he really had been sleeping and he wasn't aware of what he had done? If he had just been feigning sleep, how could I prove it?
I new that I couldn't change to a different seat, because it was a full flight.
I considered calling the flight attendant, but I didn't want to create a scene in an aircraft full of sleeping people. Besides, I had no evidence that anything had happened. There was no video. You can't get fingerprints from shirt. For all of these reasons, a complaint with the airline would also have been pointless. The pervert next door had just gotten away with the perfect crime.
And of course, being a guy, I briefly considered a physical altercation. But that could have resulted in serious legal consequences, and it would have only made an icky situation worse. I didn't want to be associate with this sleaze bag during a length legal process.
And so, other than the initial, violent reaction that I used to interrupt the groper, I didn't do anything. I weighed my options and chose that doing nothing was the best way to handle the situation. I pulled up my blanket, tucked it in tightly like a force field, turned my back to Mr. Sleazy, and tried to get some much needed sleep. There were no further incidents.
Did you get that last point? I did nothing, because doing nothing was my best alternative. Unfortunately, for victims of real sexual assault - not my watered-down sleeping perverted frat boy version - doing nothing might seem like the best course of action for them, as well. "Don't make waves." "No one would believe me." "I'll just deal with it."
I would ask everyone please to have empathy for victims of sexual assault. It's easy to question someone who has been through a difficult situation when you haven't walked in their shoes. There are no easy choices in these circumstances. If you're going to accuse something of a serious crime but you have no evidence that a crime was committed, who is going to believe you? So you decide that it's easier to say nothing.
Abusers are often serial offenders. If, one day, you hear of a pattern of attacks that were similar to your own, you might decide to share your story. Just be prepared for the inevitable question: "Why didn't you come forward sooner?" Because you know it's coming.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
From Those Who Have Succeeded
Always learn as much as you can
From those who have succeeded.
Take notes on mistakes and pitfalls
When you speak with those who've failed.
But please beware of freed advice
From those who've barely tried.
For despite steadfast assurances
And intensity of pride,
Most of what they'll tell you
Will be a waste of time.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
From those who have succeeded.
Take notes on mistakes and pitfalls
When you speak with those who've failed.
But please beware of freed advice
From those who've barely tried.
For despite steadfast assurances
And intensity of pride,
Most of what they'll tell you
Will be a waste of time.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
Friday, October 14, 2016
Sexual Assault is NOT Locker Room Talk
I have been in locker rooms. No one ever talked like that.
I played in bands for seven years, mostly just a bunch of guys hanging out together, practicing together, driving together, playing together, hanging out some more. No one else was around most of the time. No one talked like that.
I have met a few men in my life who habitually spoke of women in degrading and objectifying terms. These men (if I can even use that term) were extremely insecure and generally obnoxious toward everyone. They had issues, deep, complex, unresolved issues.
So, please, when an insecure, unbalanced, obnoxious male blames his misogynistic comments and behavior on locker room culture, look him in the eye, realize that he is completely full of crap, and keep him as far as possible from the women in your life, or else they may become victims, too.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
I played in bands for seven years, mostly just a bunch of guys hanging out together, practicing together, driving together, playing together, hanging out some more. No one else was around most of the time. No one talked like that.
I have met a few men in my life who habitually spoke of women in degrading and objectifying terms. These men (if I can even use that term) were extremely insecure and generally obnoxious toward everyone. They had issues, deep, complex, unresolved issues.
So, please, when an insecure, unbalanced, obnoxious male blames his misogynistic comments and behavior on locker room culture, look him in the eye, realize that he is completely full of crap, and keep him as far as possible from the women in your life, or else they may become victims, too.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
Don't Blame Bill Clinton for Trump
New rule: You cannot mention the name "Clinton" while defending Donald Trump's behavior unless you have video of Hillary groping someone against their will.
A Change Might Not Do You Good
Today, I overheard a couple of people discussing the election. One guy said that he was voting for Trump because he wanted a change.
"A change?" I thought to myself. That sounds rather vague. A change isn't necessarily good. If your mom divorces your dad because she thinks he lacks enthusiasm, but then she marries a drunk, that's a change, but it isn't necessarily a change for the better.
i understand Trump's appeal. He's bold. He conveys an air of strength and certainty. He promises a better future even though he doesn't give many specifics - and when he does, they are usually things that a president has no power to do anyway. Maybe that's the change that people are looking for. But that doesn't dilute The guy's emotional instability and lack of policy knowledge.
Be careful what you wish for. A change isn't always a good thing.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
"A change?" I thought to myself. That sounds rather vague. A change isn't necessarily good. If your mom divorces your dad because she thinks he lacks enthusiasm, but then she marries a drunk, that's a change, but it isn't necessarily a change for the better.
i understand Trump's appeal. He's bold. He conveys an air of strength and certainty. He promises a better future even though he doesn't give many specifics - and when he does, they are usually things that a president has no power to do anyway. Maybe that's the change that people are looking for. But that doesn't dilute The guy's emotional instability and lack of policy knowledge.
Be careful what you wish for. A change isn't always a good thing.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Trump's Shallow Apology
Wow! I just watched Trump's so-called apology! What a steaming pile of horse crap!
The man doesn't seem sorry for his actions (just sorry that his reprehensible behavior was exposed). He quickly claims that "this is just a distraction" and proceeds to rip into the Clintons.
Earth to the Trump campaign: that's not an apology. It's a shallow, pathetic diversion. Your candidate is a national disgrace.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
The man doesn't seem sorry for his actions (just sorry that his reprehensible behavior was exposed). He quickly claims that "this is just a distraction" and proceeds to rip into the Clintons.
Earth to the Trump campaign: that's not an apology. It's a shallow, pathetic diversion. Your candidate is a national disgrace.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
New York Minute 37 - Subway Dick
The subway is crowded, but you've managed to snag that premium standing spot right by the door. The bars for gripping with your hands are within easy reach, and if you don't want to hold on, you can lean against the door (not recommended for safety reasons) or against the door frame (better).
The train pulls into a station and the door opens. You politely step out onto the platform to let departing passengers exit the car with a minimum of congestion.
And what happens next? Some self-serving dick who definitely saw you standing in that spot moves over and takes the spot for themselves!
Not only is this flagrantly rude - because now you have lost your premium spot - but it negates your entire gesture of politeness. The boarding and detraining passengers have to push past this selfish jag-off, because he's blocking the damned door.
To get back in the car, you have to wedge past him. You give him a look like, "what the flip, dude?" But of course he refuses to make eye contact.
People just aren't raised right anymore.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
The train pulls into a station and the door opens. You politely step out onto the platform to let departing passengers exit the car with a minimum of congestion.
And what happens next? Some self-serving dick who definitely saw you standing in that spot moves over and takes the spot for themselves!
Not only is this flagrantly rude - because now you have lost your premium spot - but it negates your entire gesture of politeness. The boarding and detraining passengers have to push past this selfish jag-off, because he's blocking the damned door.
To get back in the car, you have to wedge past him. You give him a look like, "what the flip, dude?" But of course he refuses to make eye contact.
People just aren't raised right anymore.
Copyright © 2016 Daniel R. South
All Rights Reserved
Hurricane Matthew
I fear that the East Coast of the United States is about to experience a big, wet, and costly bite of Global Warming.
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