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Shqipo's Virtual Mumblings

Shqipo's personal blog, about anything and nothing.

Whorez

Sunday, October 29, 2006
This morning I turned on the TV so Ema could watch some cartoons. I don't know how (accidentally, I'm sure), she had had managed to switch to some channel other than Nick or Cartoon Network. It was a kids's show nonetheless, something called KidsTV or something like that, showing in one of the "local" channels (the ones you don't need to have cable to watch them).

One of their cartoon shows was something called Bratz, which were a group of girls (4 or 5, don't remember). I could not believe what I was watching! These girlz looked like underage Moldovian prostitutes (no disrespect for that country)! They were wearing knee-high platform boots, something which, I guess, was supposed to be skirts which went all the way up to their crack - and, of course, the now ubiquitous bare midriff shirts. They all wore heavy make-up.

Before this one, there was another show with some fairies or whatever, who, again, were barely dressed.

WTF is this?! If our daughters are watching these little whores on TV, they will ask (or just do it without asking...) to dress like that when they're 4! What's next, a pole to dance???

Stupid me!

Friday, October 27, 2006
I am well aware I have my "weird" and not so pleasant side. It looks like one of my negative traits is going overboard to please others (or the others). A lot of times I "ignore" myself or people who are close to me just to please other people. I try to find all kinds of excuses, such as "I owe him for this" or "I am hoping you would be able to understand I have to do this."

In the end, they don't understand (or better yet: agree with) it, and the others don't really appreciate it. So I'm fucked on both sides. One party is pissed at me, others don't understand the sacrifice, or even worse, take advantage of me... is that great or what?

Why the hell am I trying to be nice?

Banging it

This past Saturday night, a friend of mine decided to celebrate her birthday at a club in Ferndale, a small "town" (burb of Detroit) which is known as the gay capital of Michigan. The club itself was not gay, it was a weird mixture of latinos and... Albanians (at least that night), and the music was not my taste (reggaeton and hip-hop) but oh well, we were there to celebrate her birthday.

Walking back to my car, the name of this restaurant caught my attention; I thought it was pretty funny and smart (considering the neighborhood): Bang Kok. Uhm... I thought the name of that Thai capital was one word... .

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Funny speeches

Monday, October 23, 2006
Albanians (Eliza Dushku and James Belushi) at the Jimmy Kimmel Show

Wine Recommendation

I do not claim to be a wine expert (ok, maybe just a little) but I do enjoy wine in moderation (this is for you, Rich). I guess it began when I was very young, I don't even remember when (younger than 10 I think) when I first was introduced to wine... by my parents. We had a mini vineyard at home and every fall we'd make our own wine and raki with the left over crushed grapes.

Thankfully, now I can afford to buy wine more often, but I still don't go overboard on paying ridiculous prices for it. A while ago I bought this 2002 bottle from Rosemount Estates (Australia) called GSM (Grenache Syrah Mourvedre McLaren Vale). Do not expect a detailed, Robert Parker-type description from me, but, if you can find it in your area, buy it.

Photo trip

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Northern Michigan Fall - HDR version 2
Originally uploaded by shqipo.
Sunday was a long, tiring but fulfilling day. Fall is breezing through here and we wanted to see some of its splendid colors. I can proudly say that Michigan is a great place to watch fall foliage - especially the northern part of the state. So, we took this "quick", long car trip to the Northern part the panhandle (we didn't go to the Upper peninsula).

We saw the fall colors alright - and more. There was this unexpected color there as well: white (as in snow). I mentioned here that we did get some snow earlier in the week. Not as much as Buffalo, NY but we still got some. What caught us by surprise, however, was that there was still snow on the ground! And it's only October! It was a fantastic (crisp) fall day, sunny, great colors but I did shiver, only by looking at the @#$&* snow!

I did take quite a few photos with my new toy; most of them I already posted on flickr. I probably took a few too many. Eda was not happy at all with me stopping often on the side of the road to take photos. By the end of the trip, her nagging became nerve wrecking. In a way, I don't blame her: it's not much fun to travel about 550 miles in about 11 hours. I should've planned better, as in make this maybe a weekend trip (2 days). Although there isn't much to do up there for too long. But at least she knew we were going there for the fall colors - and me taking photos! WTH?

So, I think I'm done now taking fall photos - maybe... .

Now that's a store!

A lucky ex-marine and his Wal-Mart employeed wife were winners of the $200 million Powerball. I do hope they enjoy their new found luck.

What made me laugh was the name of the store they bought their winning tickets: Kum and Go. Uhm... yeah!

Dress code

Friday, October 13, 2006
I think I'm open minded when it comes to clothing (especially if good looking women wear revealing clothes - kidding!), and I am "sensitive" to different fashion trends. So baggy, ripped, tight are OK, I guess - although a flopping belly sticking out of a halter top is a very effective appetite-losing remedy.

Last night I went to a Babies R Us and there was this couple who was returning something... in their pajamas - or, as they're called nowadays "sleepwear." Seriously, why? Although I don't own any pair of such "sleepwear," I do understand they're comfortable - but to go out in public wearing those is something I'd never do.

I do think this whole thing pajama "haute couture" is getting a bit too comfortable. I see high school girls wearing those everywhere: stores, school, mall... accessorized by these bright colored furry flipflops. And all of the jammies I see are too long so these girls drag them and the bottoms are all dirty and ripped.

To make a long whinny rambling short, no matter how liberal or conservative someone is, I believe we should be a little bit more considerate about other people when we decide to wear something in public.

Kicking myself hard

I hear/read/watch all these success stories of bright, young people who are still benefiting from .com companies. I can't help thinking what the hell am I missing, intellectually, not to come up with something creative and useful. Hm...

Winter :(

Thursday, October 12, 2006
As I write this, white, cold "stuff" is falling out of the sky. It's snowing. I can not believe this! Snowing on October 12th. I'm getting sick and tired of this weather in this state. I thought I got used to it but today the first snow just made me feel miserable.

Where did the summer go?

This has been one of the strangest, shortest summers I've lived through (as opposed to...?). I have no idea where it went. I didn't get to go anywhere; no vacation, no beach, despite being so close to so many lakes; my skin is as white as this @#$%& snow that's falling down.

I guess it's time to brace myself for winter. Or just move to a warmer place. I think the former is more feasible :(

Ballsy fathers

Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Yeah! Good for them (although they should've probably checked twice just to make sure their kids were telling the truth). At least some fathers do have some balls

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/10/04/molestation.suspicion.ap/index.html