Crazy Delicious!

Haven't posted in a while... have found some stuff to write, but just no time.

In the mean time... check out this cupcake blog.

http://cupcakeblog.com/

Two, no six, no twelve, BAKERS DOZEN.
I told you that I’m crazy for these cupcakes, cousin.

Greetings! From the Future...

This weekend, I made the mistake of disclosing to Josh and Mitsuru the fact that I’ve worked at my current job for 7 years. That’s enough time for an undergrad, masters, and a PhD. Rather than reflect on where the time has gone, I’ve decided to write the PastMe (prework, post college) an email notifying myself of all the mistakes I’ve made so I can avoid them in the future.

To: me
From: me
Subject: The Future

Greetings PastMe,

This is the FutureYou. Well, not from the far future, but rather – the not-too-distant FutureYou. Through our higher technology, I’ve been able to you contact you at your primitive yahoo email address. Actually, you haven’t ever changed it – it’s still the same, FutureYahoo has you by the balls. I am writing you to give you information about yourself in the future. Hopefully, through this, we'll be better off.

Before I start let me handle some business:

On Saturday, June 23, 2001 – the lotto numbers will be 3, 22, 43, 44, 45 and MEGA 8. You must purchase it from Union Avenue Liquors, 3649 Union Avenue because the true winner bought a quick pick. Perhaps you can disrupt the space-time continuum so you don’t have to share. Yes, in the future – you’re still a greedy bastard. Hopefully, we’ll be $141 million dollars richer.

Now with the advice:

You’ll be unemployed when you graduate – you’ll think it sucks and it’s the worst thing that ever happened to you. You'll even go to a career councilor who will make you take tests that say you should be a farmer. Listen to Jeff when he tells you it’ll be okay – he's right, you end up with a good job and you realize you’d rather be unemployed. Especially when we win the lotto.

Jeff ends up being gay. I know! If you ever catch him staring at your ass before he comes out – feel free to deck him. Not too hard, because he has a hot sister who you’ll become infatuated with (don’t piss in the well and mess it up for us!). He’s also one of the few good friends you’ll keep out of college – you guys don’t listen to each other half the time, and you don’t agree the other half, but it doesn’t matter…you’ll have a gay friend. And in the future, knowing a gay guy gets you chicks (I know! Crazy!).

Speaking of friends, you’ll decide to drop 90% of the friends you have now. They’re dead weight – let them go. There will be new friends that prove to be better waypoints that come into your life. Embrace the change, you’ll be better off. You’ll be surprised with the ones you keep, they’re the jackasses.

Vick gets married before you. I’m not going to tell you the details, because you’ll just fuck it up, but it’s a good thing. Especially for someone that was born ugly. Hahah

You’ll gain 10 pounds… it won’t be muscle, nor will it all be in your crotch (if you know what I mean). It’s just part of life. If you gain more than 10 pounds, I’ll kick your ass and make you lose it.

You will have a job that you love, then you hate, then you love, then you hate. That’s why it’s called a job. Stay away from Janice, she’s a crazy bitch. Also, fight more. Don’t bother pleasing everyone – it’s a recipe for failure. If you can, leave in 2006 with Matt. You won't because of your crew (people will actually listen to you), but I'm going to just throw it out there.

You will sleep with hot women. Actresses and models will throw their naked bodies at you. If you believe this, you really are as dumb as I think you are. Mandi will get married (not to you), Renita will break up with Darrell (you won’t do anything), and a girl will break off her engagement to try and be with you (she was crazy to begin with). Do with this information what you want, but know that in the future, as it is in the past – good women are hard to find.

Okay PastMe, don’t fuck this up – we only get one chance at this and unfortunately, I’m counting on you.

FutureYou

Greatness through Mediocrity

A bunch of us guys have been doing yoga for a variety of reasons - some for fitness and balance, some for body awareness / spirituality, and some to meet hot yoga chicks. All valid reasons.

Jeff has introduced us to a new, hot brand called lululemon - they have well made clothing, are more hip than hippie, and is run by a former athletic apparel exec. It also employs a weird, rather - unconventional, management training programs which is known as Landmark.

Regardless, I don't really care about that. What I care about is how yoga has become synonymous with empowerment and how the late 90s version of extremism has just morphed into "greatness". Here's Chip's post on Greatness. As I understand it, yoga is a means to enlightenment, spirituality, and inner contentment, not some 10 bullet point list I'd hear at a motivational seminar. Josh's "Notes for a Test" post is an excellent summary on the subject of yoga. So how has the message twisted itself from being inwardly content to outwardly great? Is this what happens when yoga turns secular or western? How is this any different from Adidas' "Impossible is Nothing" and Nike's "Just do it" campaign? And why can't people see through it?

Oh well, just some thoughts - as a Taoist would say: I'm mediocre and whatevers...

Links post

I've been reading some interesting things lately, so here come the links:

Porn market is shrinking due to the decrease in production costs (all you need is a camera), distribution costs (a website), and the consumer's elastic demand and willingness to substitute "good", high quality porn for "mediocre" amateur porn.

NY Times: For Pornographers, Internet’s Virtues Turn to Vices

Speaking of amateur - TED Talks about the rise of the Pro Am and repercussions for innovation. NY Times posts on Pro Am's monetizing their hobby.

Lastly, a TED Talk (Photosynth) which makes me wish I was hard core.

Don't Mess with Texas

God, I love Texas...their "can do" spirit, their ability to throw caution to the wind and just go with their "gut", etc.

NY Times: Inches Too Tall for Tunnel, Rig Plies It Anyway

This feels like "one of those days" at work for me with my Dallas office...