Anyway. You know how I typically try to make my writing appear less self-centered by using words like we and us? Well, I’m not going with that angle today. Instead I’m going to approach this blog with a much more personal tone. In addition, I’m going to talk a lot about myself. I have a lot on my plate and I want to share it with people. You know, some liberals claim that conservatives are all about ‘me me me’ (don’t kill the messenger!)… if that’s true, then today you can just call me Dick Cheney!
By the way, Wife Swap was preempted tonight for the dayum Spelling Bee (snore!). What’s funny though is that 70% of the contestants were Asian. Hah… in yo face! You may have big muscles and big genitals, but I bet you can’t spell Uzbekistan. Well, I mean you probably couldn’t spell it if, you know, I hadn’t spelled it for you, right? Yeah… that’s what I thought, BITCH! j/k j/k j/k.
Daily Horoscope
My horoscope today reads, “You have something on your mind today and nothing will prevent you from sharing your truth. But you could easily say too much, turning a concise idea into a rambling string of thoughts that bewilders others. Using fewer words will help you make your point clearly, but don't assume that your actions speak louder than your words. You'll still need to clarify your intentions because no one will understand your true motivation without an explanation.”
Phew…talk about turning up the pressure! In accordance with my horoscope, I will try to be more clear and concise with my writing this week! Keep in mind however that jokes will be interspersed throughout it as a reminder for me to never take myself too seriously.
Also, I’ve added a STAR system. 4 stars means it's worth reading, while 1 star means it’s crappity crap crap.
Final Thoughts on Race, Tolerance and Heartlessness (****)
I’m worried that people think I’m going to suddenly start listening to Hindi music and wearing a dot on my head. No. I’m an Indian by race and I will always be an Indian by race, but I live my life as a very free-spirited individual. And as a very free-spirited individual, I don’t define myself by my race. I have a lot of characteristics in common with the average Indian, but I’m actually quite different and unique than the average Indian—or at least compared to the average Indians that I’ve met. That’s because I personally choose to live life according to my own rules, beliefs and likes. For instance, I love ol’ school soul music, Chinese food and thin white women, but I’m not too fond of organized religion, hierarchical structures and women with big butts but small breasts.
Not everyone feels the same as me, though. I know many Indians who base their interests and spiritual/religious beliefs entirely on their race. That’s absolutely cool with me because I believe in the phrase, “Do you, pimpin’!” Live life in whatever way you please. I accept you unconditionally because I am not God; plus there is no single right way to live ones life. If a female Indian wants to live her life as a dedicated Hindu, cool beans. If a male Hispanic wants to live his life as a transgendered Catholic who works full-time as a cosmetician, cool beans. If Billy Bob the accountant wants to secretly dress up in a pink tutu and give massages to deep-voiced Nigerians, cool beans. Do whatever makes you happy, so long as it doesn’t bring harm to others.
Whether you live life for yourself, your race, your religion, your gender, your sexuality, your fetishes, your whatever—it doesn’t matter to me. That in my opinion is the true meaning of tolerance: unconditional acceptance. If you claim to be tolerant and open-minded, but you try to forcefully mold others into your own image, then you’re not as tolerant and open-minded as you perceive yourself to be. I myself fit into this category to a tee. I oftentimes find myself hating on others, especially those with whom I reside, merely because their lifestyle choices don’t concur with my own. We’re all guilty of doing it; it’s a common mistake and to err is human—and so is learning from our mistakes.
What I find frustrating though is the heartlessness that pervades our society. It’s everywhere. I don’t know if it’s due to resentment or jealousy—or if people are just innately heartless. For instance, I try to read every news article with a positive outlook, but the comments section is always chockfull of such negative sentiment. Earlier this week there was a piece on CNN about Ted Turner’s reaction to his son’s premature death by an alcohol overdose. My only thought was, “R.I.P. and God Bless.” Yet the board was full of assholes making insensitive remarks about alcoholics (nowhere in the article did it say that Turner’s son was an alcoholic), Ted Turner and even his deceased son.
Here’s another example. I wrote an article a few weeks ago about India’s transgendered community. It was published this week and one comment (the only one in fact, lol) stuck out to me: “Disgusting! How the F@#$ are they given the right to have young inncoent [sic] boys in order to achieve their pleasures? ARGH!!! Good thing they are discriminated, bunch of freaks.” Nowhere in the article did I even mention child molestation or pedophilia. Yet this man or woman chose to reach his/her own conclusion and then cast judgment in a malicious and very unnecessary way. I found it quite disturbing, but not too surprising.
This sort of heartlessness frustrates me very much, especially since it can be found everywhere. In the Middle East, the Israelis and Palestinians kill each other over what is supposedly ‘holy’ land, as if living in Jerusalem exempts them from murdering and raping one another. In Asia, widowed Indian women are cast out from society and made to feel less than human just because they lost their husbands. In Africa, young men are taught to rape, pillage and plunder so that the greedy warlords can line their pockets with money. And in the United States, politicians use rabble-rousing rhetoric to turn us against one another so much so that we can’t even stand each other’s presence anymore. (think Sarah Palin and her new neighbor, LOL!)
But what I find even more frustrating than this is people’s unwillingness to cast aside this heartlessness and instead embrace openness and tolerance. Mind you, a lot of people are getting into the groove of new-age thinking and enlightenment, but there’s still a bevy of folk who remain steadfast in their narrowmindedness. Sometimes it feels like being uneducated, ignorant and foolhardy is becoming the new ‘cool.’ Maybe I’m just oversensitive to negativity, but you can’t deny that this is a fucked up world and that most of us (myself included) could really use some major guidance. And I’m not talking about speeches from politicians, religious leaders or false messiahs. I’m talking about something beyond our current comprehension—something with the power to bring us all together once and for all.
They say that misery loves company, which is why tragedies tend to bring people together. I wonder then whether a worldwide catastrophe is what’s necessary for mankind to finally get its head out its ass and get it together. Do we need the entire world to fall apart like a cigarette ash before people stop hating one another? And if that did happen and it worked, how long would it be before the same problems popped right back up? I mean are we innately programmed to be assholes or do we just not know any better yet?
Questions questions questions. I’d love to end this with a strong and valid point, but I myself am far too ignorant and foolhardy to think up something worthwhile enough to end this with. I guess all I can do is hope that we one day evolve out of all this foolishness. The only question is how long will it take. The good news is that we’ve obviously come a long way since the 1970s:
It took us only 40 years to do and look at us now (rolls eyes). Sighs.
We sure are a slow-growing species, aren’t we? And that’s why it’d be really great if we could get some guidance to help speed us up. Thank you Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha and all the other great Saints of antiquity, but I feel like it’s time for a new leader and a new testament of wisdom and truth. Speaking of which, feel free to land and say wasup anytime now, E.T.!!! (I guess this is where the ‘bewilderment’ that my horoscope spoke of kicks in, lol)
Fin
Busted by the PoPo (**)
I was pulled over this week while walking, lol. The reason is because I was walking (too tired to jog) in 90-degree weather while dressed like a crackhead scavenging for food during a Philadelphia winter! Even though sweating has nothing to do whatsoever with losing weight, it makes me feel thinner. Anyway, I obviously looked awfully suspicious. Added to that, my radio broke down again, so I fixed it by attaching an anti-static wristband to its signal receiver thingy. So I basically looked like I had an IED wrapped around my head!
The cops were really cool though and even gave me some useful tips. The irony is that the main cop was rather pudgy, which means I could probably have outran his ass if I really wanted too, lol (j/k, j/k, j/k!!). Actually, never ever underestimate a police officer, no matter his/her age, gender or weight! Cops are hardcore man: strong, 100% sober and ultra-ultra FAST! And more importantly, they put their lives at risk everyday like a soldier to protect us!
By the way, I don’t suppose I was pulled over because…. I’m black!?
JUST KIDDING! By the way, kids, don’t try teasing the po-po after you get pulled over! I only do it because I’m a complete dumbass!
Flirting with Women (*)
A somewhat obese woman flirted with me earlier today. You should have seen me. I looked like a deer caught between headlights: uhhhh…. ummmm…. ahhhh. Mind you, I wasn’t that interested because I’m exceptionally picky, but still. And before you start chastising me for being a Shallow Hal, consider that I spend a lot of money eating healthy, a lot of time weight lifting and a ridiculous amount of energy trying to jog as a dumbass smoker. Therefore I feel it’s only fair to expect that my gf or future wife hold herself to these same standards. Mind you since I’m ugly like Flavor Flav, she is entitled to also be ugly. (sighs!)
The irony is that I’m a total cyber stud. On facebook I talk to a plethora of sexy, older women that beg me to send them naked, sweaty photos of myself. Yet in the real world I couldn’t get some from a really ugly whore. And then you wonder why guys like me are itching for true virtual reality to be created! (think Bud Bundy in ‘User Friendly’)
Forex (***)
Two weeks ago I fell into an emotional slump after losing $8 in the Forex market. I grew frustrated at my inability to acquire any real profit, which was due heavily in part to my extremely limited capital. My parents decided to invest $200 into my trading and I have since risen back up like a Phoenix. But despite having so much margin available, I’ve been careful to never put more than 15% of my available margin at risk.
I’m currently relying mainly on a Hedging strategy. I’ve setup two sub-accounts. One is for long trades and the other is for short trades. I always have both buy and sell positions in play. This works especially well because the market tends to fluctuate up and down like a wave. And in case the market begins to trend strongly in one direction, I wait until it caps, take the profit on the winning trade, transfer ½ of my newly found margin into the losing account, tighten my stops and then wait for the market price to hopefully retrace its steps. So far the strategy has netted me over $60.00 in profit, which is pretty freaking cool!
I do most of my trading during the Asian/London sessions, but I wake up periodically every morning to check on the US session. I’ve noticed patterns in how the market behaves prior to an import news release, during the release and afterwards. These patterns are helping me make better trading decisions and therefore acquire more profit. I however have to learn about a new concept called an OPTION. Earlier this week a news release spoke about a ‘strike expiry,’ which has something to with options. I still don’t understand what it is or how it affected the market, but I’m trying to learn. I must admit though that options really confuse the heck out of me!
I’m very happy with my Forex trading and hope to continue excelling at it. I just ask that you show some respect. Most people laugh at the idea of a day trader, but it is a very possible career option. Several years ago I met a Forex day trader who decided to eat at the Chinese buffet where I worked. He was in the fact the one who suggested Oanda to me. His life centered around sitting in front of his laptop all day and just watching the charts fluctuate up and down. Though it’s a risky and quite selfish lifestyle, it really suits me well and I hope to one day do it fulltime.
The most important thing he told me was to never use more than 5% of my margin. Lucky for him, however, he had a 20k bankroll to work with. Since I only have a few hundred dollars, I feel compelled to use a tad bit more margin, although I will not exceed 15%, no matter how lucrative a trade looks. The key is to keep enough margin in my account to avoid the dreaded margin call—which has the power to bankrupt me overnight.
Anyway. I’m not an expert or even close to it, but I want to give a small little lecture on Forex trading. It’ll help me put together my learned knowledge and also maybe give somebody else an insight into the market. So if you don’t want to hear me babble, then move on to the next title.
Forex trading is built on two basic schools of thought: fundamental and technical. Fundamental concerns the way in which the news affects the price, whereas technical focuses on the pattern of price behavior. Understanding both is extremely important to becoming a successful trader. News releases have the most affect on price, but the technical indicators are what determine the support and resistance levels that define price range. For instance, the price of EUR/USD (which is the ratio between the Euro and the US dollar) has been bouncing off a ‘support level’ around uhh about 1.2175, 1.2000 for the last few days. Earlier today a report from the US caused the price to finally break that support and crash down to about 1.1966. What’ll happen now?
Well, some analysts speculate that the price has bottomed out and will climb back up to 1.3 by late July. Others, however, feel that the price is more likely to crash further down to around 1.16. Either way, it’s not likely to happen soon, unlike there’s a sudden spike in price behavior. Usually the price moves the most on Thursdays and Fridays. On Sunday and Monday, it tends to consolidate or retrace its route. Like this Thurs/Fri, the price dropped significantly. My guess is that it will climb back up for a few days and then, assuming good news for the US and bad news for the Euro, crash down even further or just back to its new support level.
Anyway. I’ll shut up now, but I’ll keep you all updated on my trading. I’m taking it very slow and in stride. I’d love to use more margin to gain BIG gains, but I’d rather take a lot less risk and make my money the slow and sure way.
Cheers!
Protein, Protein, Protein (*)
I’m starting to realize the importance of consuming protein right after a workout. For the past six months, I’ve gone jogging right after completing my weight-lifting workout. And surprisingly enough, I’ve had barely any strength gains. A few weeks ago I started consuming a 40g protein shake right after my workout, and 20-minutes before going jogging. I’m starting to notice real improvements! I deadlifted 275 three times, ass-to-grass (butt touches calves) squatted 185 six times, wide-gripped bench pressed 200 seven times (HUGE IMPROVEMENT) and shoulder pressed 105 eight times (BIG IMPROVEMENT) this week! What I’m most proud of though is close-grip benching 205 one time! I love my triceps! I want to get humongous like my new roommate, who I swear is like the black Hulk Hogan! Suffice it to say, I hate looking like Chelsea Clinton!
Ol’ School Music vs New School Music (-*)
Old people complain that rap music lyrics are bad for society because they promote addictive behavior. However, how is ol’ school music any different? Whereas hiphop songs talk about hoes, clothes and gang-bangs (the violent ones and the non-violent ones), it seems like every ol’ school song just talks just about love and sex. And quite frankly, as a man who will likely never see a vagina in person again, I’d much rather listen to music about cars, drugs and money! Even Betty White doesn’t want none of this!
Cigarette Prices (**1/2)
Earlier this week CNN posted an article about how American cigarettes have more harmful chemicals in them than cigarettes that come from other countries. I'm a smoker and I believe these findings. During a trip to India in late 2009, I noticed that the cigarettes over there didn't affect me nearly as strongly as the ones I smoke here. Hell.. half of them burned up before I could even get a decent toke.
The sad thing is that despite the horror of these findings, I'm still compelled to light up a cigarette as I type. Not to mention that the increasing price of cigarettes hasn't deterred me one bit from seeking a smoke; if anything, it's only led to me working harder at the job so that I can keep affording this stupid and disgusting habit. Sighs.
I say that smoking is more addictive AND dangerous than any other substance out there. Whereas cigarettes kill by themselves, most other drugs like alcohol, LSD (not that I approve) and cocaine (not that I approve) tend to instead lead us to kill ourselves via our own inebriated stupidity.
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That’s it. I wanted to talk a bit about Arthur Davis, that new Ice Cube show that looks like it's going to suck more than T Perry's shows (stop using laugh tracks! Everybody Loves Raymond rocks partially because there's a live studio audience, which in turn comes off as a whole lot less fake!!!!), Monk, Tosh.O, Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon taking the week off (bastards), Wanda Sykes taking the whole dayum summer off (you bitch! LOL), T.I. on Mo'Nique (Grand Hustle!), Jon Stewart, and boys kicking each other in the nuts for fun, but I’m out of time and ready to get my drink on!
PS – There will be no stupid, drunken buffoonery from me tonight! I wake up the next morning angry beyond belief at myself for saying such stupid things. Therefore I will not be coming back to craigslist tonight!
PS #2 – Are you drunk? You aren’t? ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT…..
love your posts man, keep em coming - Jack from Fayetteville, NC
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