Is this a trend? I've spotted display advertising for dancers in the Saipan Tribune twice this week. Not those classified snippets that real job hunters ignore, but honest-to-goodness ads in the front of the paper.
I'm interested. NEED A JOB AND MONEY DAILY??? Yep, that's me. 50% commission daily and the tips are all mine. But wait: 21 years old to 28 years old. Isn't that against the law? Can I call the EEOC?
Maybe I'd have more luck at the second place. Besides, it's a sports bar, so I'm sure the dancing would be more artistic. What? TWA's only? Now I'm really pissed off.
What I'm saying, not too subtly, is that we know what they're looking for. You just can't come out and say it in print these days.
Side-strip
I've led a sheltered life lately, so help me out here. It seems like all of the dancers are from the mainland via Guam or from the Philippines. Is that true? If so, I'm just wondering why.
While I'm exposing my ignorance, I thought the P.I. didn't let people exit if their job category was Dancer.
Slideshow
I lost interest in those places well before I got married. There's not much thrill in seeing someone who would obviously rather be somewhere else watch herself chew gum in the mirror.
Sorry, but the stripping I've seen here is like Lindsay Dee Lohan trying to be Marilyn Monroe. Thanks for the mammaries, but you have no talent.
I may have forgotten others, but the only club I remember trying to choreograph a show and even be mildly entertaining was the old Kimchi Cabana in Oleai. They weren't X-rated, really not even R. More like a PG-13, which may be why I'd sometimes see a DeLorean parked off to the side.
Exit pole
I'm ready to jump (and slam my heels on the stage) on this if it's a trend.
I'm thinking Amateur Night. That is, if I can convince my wife. Now, if I can just jury-rig a pole through the hanging ceiling.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Looking Interior
Just for fun, and to keep you fans up to date, here's one about the U.S. Department of the Interior: Casino Battle Rages in Congress.
OK, they're just one of the players, but I love the quote. I'll Cliff Note the article for those of you who don't want to wade through it.
Some Indian tribes are trying to get land, prime land near Detroit and the Canadian border to settle some old claims. Land for casinos, which would affect other casinos. A classic, with greed, lobbying, political influence and power. Always power. That about covers it.
And DOI? From the article: "The Interior Department opposes the legislation because if Congress acts, the agency would not be able to assess the impact of the land-claim settlement on the environment or on other tribes. It also would circumvent the department's role in reviewing gambling compacts between tribes and the states."
The quote? "It may provide a road map for others to follow," Carl Artman, assistant interior secretary for Indian affairs, told the committee.
I guess those tribes just aren't ready to govern themselves.
OK, they're just one of the players, but I love the quote. I'll Cliff Note the article for those of you who don't want to wade through it.
Some Indian tribes are trying to get land, prime land near Detroit and the Canadian border to settle some old claims. Land for casinos, which would affect other casinos. A classic, with greed, lobbying, political influence and power. Always power. That about covers it.
And DOI? From the article: "The Interior Department opposes the legislation because if Congress acts, the agency would not be able to assess the impact of the land-claim settlement on the environment or on other tribes. It also would circumvent the department's role in reviewing gambling compacts between tribes and the states."
The quote? "It may provide a road map for others to follow," Carl Artman, assistant interior secretary for Indian affairs, told the committee.
I guess those tribes just aren't ready to govern themselves.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Wrasse mania
I was suitably impressed when Felix Sasamoto wrassled those fish out of the ocean in January. Two giant tangisons in five days for Felix Saipan Tribune
But no writing, I'd run across an article or two about them being threatened in some places. There's one to avoid, I told myself. It's bound to shake the nuts from the trees. Little did I know.
Surprisingly, much of what I've read has been surprisingly good, particularly the first blog by Mike Tripp. That filled in a lot of gaps.
Ha-wrasse-ment
But now I've just got to hold my nose and dive in. This has gotten way out of hand. Why should people feel free to bug him and his family because of a picture in the newspaper. Sending emails, calling his wife at work?
A little self-righteousness creeps into some of the comments: 'it may be legal but it's a bad idea.' Or, 'he should set a different standard for himself because of where he works.' Huh? Forest rangers can't hunt Bambi? That's a slippery slope once you start down it.
If it's against the law or the regulations it would be different. Maybe they should be stricter. Great. The legislature has been known to amend laws. Petition Fish and Wildlife to amend the regulations, at least for popular dive sites. After what I've learned, I'd sign. As long as you don't mention Mr. Sasamoto. Get MVA on board.
Or we could see what what Sharia law has to say about it. Bad analogy, you'd say. That's a bunch of Islamofascists (fishists?) trying to ram their beliefs down our throats to enforce their religious beliefs outside of the legal system. Hmm.
A wrasse! poor Yorick
But it's such a cute fish. The teddy bear effect, according to Mike. And some people just don't like to be reminded where their food comes from.
A fish-petting zoo would be a Fine Thing. I support anything that would attract tourists. Even call them 'friendly' fish if you like. I don't snicker very loudly, no one will hear. Because that's anthropomorphic nonsense to me. Do they wag their tails?
I don't pretend to understand the fish psyche. Shirley McLaine isn't in my group any more and I can't find a fish psychologist locally, but I'm pretty clear on one thing. Fish don't 'think' like us. Maybe it's the fish equivalent of friendly, or curious, or foreplay, or territorial behaviour. Maybe because of fish-itch and no arms to scratch. Maybe neoprene tastes good. Maybe it's just operant conditioning. B.F. Skinner was right about some things.
I've even seen it suggested that it would be all right if he's poor, but not if he didn't really need the money. Really. I'd like to see that regulation: b) for those making between $10,000 and $20,000, the following species are allowed... Why not. Governments are good at that sort of thing.
How about better enforcement of the current rules? That's not a bad idea, and it came from Mr. Sasamoto.
He's caught his fish, he's caught flak. Now, let him catch a break.
I suppose he's a public figure in a way because of the picture. 'It may be legal, but it's a bad idea.'
The rest is silence
I can't be the only one who smelled something, well, fishy in the stories about that man drowning Thursday. Jumping off of the rocks to chase a big-ass Mafuti? Yah, sure. Why did the 911 call 'reportedly' say he fell in. Fisherman drowns off Coral Ocean Point (Marianas Variety) and Fisherman drowns near COP cliff line (Saipan Tribune).
Were the reporters quoting the witnesses, or quoting the police spokesperson reading what the police report said? Who were the witnesses? Were there witnesses to the witnesses? Does that make the reporting third-hand or third-rate?
But no writing, I'd run across an article or two about them being threatened in some places. There's one to avoid, I told myself. It's bound to shake the nuts from the trees. Little did I know.
Surprisingly, much of what I've read has been surprisingly good, particularly the first blog by Mike Tripp. That filled in a lot of gaps.
Ha-wrasse-ment
But now I've just got to hold my nose and dive in. This has gotten way out of hand. Why should people feel free to bug him and his family because of a picture in the newspaper. Sending emails, calling his wife at work?
A little self-righteousness creeps into some of the comments: 'it may be legal but it's a bad idea.' Or, 'he should set a different standard for himself because of where he works.' Huh? Forest rangers can't hunt Bambi? That's a slippery slope once you start down it.
If it's against the law or the regulations it would be different. Maybe they should be stricter. Great. The legislature has been known to amend laws. Petition Fish and Wildlife to amend the regulations, at least for popular dive sites. After what I've learned, I'd sign. As long as you don't mention Mr. Sasamoto. Get MVA on board.
Or we could see what what Sharia law has to say about it. Bad analogy, you'd say. That's a bunch of Islamofascists (fishists?) trying to ram their beliefs down our throats to enforce their religious beliefs outside of the legal system. Hmm.
A wrasse! poor Yorick
But it's such a cute fish. The teddy bear effect, according to Mike. And some people just don't like to be reminded where their food comes from.
A fish-petting zoo would be a Fine Thing. I support anything that would attract tourists. Even call them 'friendly' fish if you like. I don't snicker very loudly, no one will hear. Because that's anthropomorphic nonsense to me. Do they wag their tails?
I don't pretend to understand the fish psyche. Shirley McLaine isn't in my group any more and I can't find a fish psychologist locally, but I'm pretty clear on one thing. Fish don't 'think' like us. Maybe it's the fish equivalent of friendly, or curious, or foreplay, or territorial behaviour. Maybe because of fish-itch and no arms to scratch. Maybe neoprene tastes good. Maybe it's just operant conditioning. B.F. Skinner was right about some things.
I've even seen it suggested that it would be all right if he's poor, but not if he didn't really need the money. Really. I'd like to see that regulation: b) for those making between $10,000 and $20,000, the following species are allowed... Why not. Governments are good at that sort of thing.
How about better enforcement of the current rules? That's not a bad idea, and it came from Mr. Sasamoto.
He's caught his fish, he's caught flak. Now, let him catch a break.
I suppose he's a public figure in a way because of the picture. 'It may be legal, but it's a bad idea.'
The rest is silence
I can't be the only one who smelled something, well, fishy in the stories about that man drowning Thursday. Jumping off of the rocks to chase a big-ass Mafuti? Yah, sure. Why did the 911 call 'reportedly' say he fell in. Fisherman drowns off Coral Ocean Point (Marianas Variety) and Fisherman drowns near COP cliff line (Saipan Tribune).
Were the reporters quoting the witnesses, or quoting the police spokesperson reading what the police report said? Who were the witnesses? Were there witnesses to the witnesses? Does that make the reporting third-hand or third-rate?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Every rose has its thorn
Anatahan coughs and I wake up hacking. So. Hack writing on a hackneyed subject. You got it.
♥It must be Valentine's Day.
♥Just another day hijacked by marketers, in this case greeting card companies, florists and chocolatiers. Diabetes by word and by food. Even better, they don't even know anything about the guy, except that he was probably martyred. The original St. Valentine's massacre.
♥Try sending flowers in March, or October. You know, when you haven't even done anything to apologize for. When you're just fulfilling an obligation it's not so much fun.
♥Enjoy those Ecuadoran roses. I read an article about microcredit awhile back. You know, loaning poor people a few bucks so they can start their own business and get out of the low wage trap, flower picking for instance. In passing they mentioned how much the pickers were paid, i.e. what's left after the growers and middlemen get theirs. Then again, they also mentioned how grateful the workers were to have any job at all. There's the trap. Stop buying and they get nothing.
♥Love thy neighbor. Totally unrelated, but who gets to win this battle: Trees, Shade and Solar Panels = a Possible Crime.
♥It must be Valentine's Day.
♥Just another day hijacked by marketers, in this case greeting card companies, florists and chocolatiers. Diabetes by word and by food. Even better, they don't even know anything about the guy, except that he was probably martyred. The original St. Valentine's massacre.
♥Try sending flowers in March, or October. You know, when you haven't even done anything to apologize for. When you're just fulfilling an obligation it's not so much fun.
♥Enjoy those Ecuadoran roses. I read an article about microcredit awhile back. You know, loaning poor people a few bucks so they can start their own business and get out of the low wage trap, flower picking for instance. In passing they mentioned how much the pickers were paid, i.e. what's left after the growers and middlemen get theirs. Then again, they also mentioned how grateful the workers were to have any job at all. There's the trap. Stop buying and they get nothing.
♥Love thy neighbor. Totally unrelated, but who gets to win this battle: Trees, Shade and Solar Panels = a Possible Crime.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Moderately anonymous
There seems to be a Great Schism on two subjects: Anonymity and Comment Moderation. Just for fun, I'd like to get some feedback.
Is this the party to whom I'm speaking?
Personally, I'd like everyone identified, all of the time. Which is absolutely hypocritical, because I've posted anonymously more times than I could count. Usually it's because I'm trying to stir the pot and don't want to call down never-ending wrath for one comment or one-liner. The forest for the trees, don't you know. I try to write nothing I wouldn't say to a person's face, so of course I'm the exception to my rule.
Now, particularly in a small town or on a small island, some people have to worry about bad juju for their friends and family, even if they're not concerned about themselves. For instance, I once lost a good customer because of an offhand comment about Bush the juvenile. I don't even remember the remark; it was pretty mild. I sure remember the reaction. A shame really, I was also one of his customers and spent at least as much as I made off of him. Who wins when we play those games? But that's a tangent.
The nefariously anonymous don't take much comment.
Mainly, I like a consistent posting identity because it adds to my mental picture of the person. We're all different; nobody fits into neat little ideological or social boxes. I might totally agree with you about one subject but think you're as loony as Huckabee discussing evolution about another. Actually, he's a good example. There I go, but I'd say it to his face.
A lot of people post anonymously with a cute name, but don't have a Blogger id. Fair enough, if you're consistent. But, fair warning. I watched one forum nearly self-destruct with made-up posts using another person's handle.
Everything in moderation, including moderation
Have I deleted comments? Oh, yeah. Once. Almost anyone but the culprit would have done the same thing. I can imagine any number of reasons to do it again. I've deleted myself quite a few times.
Spam is another matter. There's a run-on cut-and-paste job on one of my old posts that reads like a sentence in a Kerouac novel. It's gone as soon as I finish reading it. Heh. Another I've seen word-for-word on other sites. Just another pamphlet, but how does this person expect to be taken seriously? I'm tempted to hit the button. Ultra long posts and multiple posting used as a weapon just spoil it for everyone.
But basically I believe these things run their course. If anyone gets too far out of line, one or two reasonable voices will be heard.
And I JUST...DON'T...LIKE reading that my comment will appear sometime in the future after it's been digested. That's too much like being put on hold. I like my gratification immediate.
Note to Brad: Word Verification has been turned off. That drug testing mot wasn't aimed at you.
Is this the party to whom I'm speaking?
Personally, I'd like everyone identified, all of the time. Which is absolutely hypocritical, because I've posted anonymously more times than I could count. Usually it's because I'm trying to stir the pot and don't want to call down never-ending wrath for one comment or one-liner. The forest for the trees, don't you know. I try to write nothing I wouldn't say to a person's face, so of course I'm the exception to my rule.
Now, particularly in a small town or on a small island, some people have to worry about bad juju for their friends and family, even if they're not concerned about themselves. For instance, I once lost a good customer because of an offhand comment about Bush the juvenile. I don't even remember the remark; it was pretty mild. I sure remember the reaction. A shame really, I was also one of his customers and spent at least as much as I made off of him. Who wins when we play those games? But that's a tangent.
The nefariously anonymous don't take much comment.
Mainly, I like a consistent posting identity because it adds to my mental picture of the person. We're all different; nobody fits into neat little ideological or social boxes. I might totally agree with you about one subject but think you're as loony as Huckabee discussing evolution about another. Actually, he's a good example. There I go, but I'd say it to his face.
A lot of people post anonymously with a cute name, but don't have a Blogger id. Fair enough, if you're consistent. But, fair warning. I watched one forum nearly self-destruct with made-up posts using another person's handle.
Everything in moderation, including moderation
Have I deleted comments? Oh, yeah. Once. Almost anyone but the culprit would have done the same thing. I can imagine any number of reasons to do it again. I've deleted myself quite a few times.
Spam is another matter. There's a run-on cut-and-paste job on one of my old posts that reads like a sentence in a Kerouac novel. It's gone as soon as I finish reading it. Heh. Another I've seen word-for-word on other sites. Just another pamphlet, but how does this person expect to be taken seriously? I'm tempted to hit the button. Ultra long posts and multiple posting used as a weapon just spoil it for everyone.
But basically I believe these things run their course. If anyone gets too far out of line, one or two reasonable voices will be heard.
And I JUST...DON'T...LIKE reading that my comment will appear sometime in the future after it's been digested. That's too much like being put on hold. I like my gratification immediate.
Note to Brad: Word Verification has been turned off. That drug testing mot wasn't aimed at you.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
And now, the rest of the story
It's really past my bedtime, but having just ragged Bruce Bateman about posting only his weekly Saipan Tribune column, I have to give him a nod.
He appears to have solved the great Live Sports Muzak mystery for us. That being the boring graphics and music shown during breaks. Of course, MCV knew all along and any of us could have picked up the phone.
I could repeat it, but it's his email, so just scurry over to Saipan Saipanuvian Speaks.
Those boring breaks do help us remember 1)how long they have become and 2) how desperate and antsy we are if the tube isn't feeding us every second.
The photo caption might offend some. Shame on them, I think it's hillaryous.
He appears to have solved the great Live Sports Muzak mystery for us. That being the boring graphics and music shown during breaks. Of course, MCV knew all along and any of us could have picked up the phone.
I could repeat it, but it's his email, so just scurry over to Saipan Saipanuvian Speaks.
Those boring breaks do help us remember 1)how long they have become and 2) how desperate and antsy we are if the tube isn't feeding us every second.
The photo caption might offend some. Shame on them, I think it's hillaryous.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Meme? Or viral homework?
So I'm it. I've been tagged and should review and tag five blogs. Something I would usually avoid, because I link to people I read a lot and others can make up their own minds about them. But I'm told I'll have bad luck if I don't. It may be true: the last time I ignored a tag (from Jeff) this whole federalization thing picked up steam, the minimum wage increase was passed and garment factories kept shutting down.
This blogging thing is just entertainment to me, so I went for the the sites that keep me coming back the most often. Sometimes that's just a function of updating regularly. In no particular order:
The Saipan Blog -Angelo Villagomez
I first ran across Angelo's antics when I was searching for Ed Steven's then-new blog. That has degenerated into a soul-less rehash of his columns with no comments allowed, but I stayed with this one. At first it was because of his Linklust®. If somebody new popped up in the Saipan corner of the blogosphere (assuming spheres have corners in this dimension) they were likely to get a mention.
Picture Ralph Nader in Blue Suede shoes. Geraldo doing Al Gore. A Greenpeace document hidden inside a supermarket tabloid. Ah, that's not it. If you don't care for the cheesecake, come back tomorrow. I usually do.
Saipan and other random hypercritical thoughts - Jeffrey Turbitt
What Alan Colmes might write if he was here and had bigger cajones—and better comebacks. Mainstream liberal, not meant to imply all of the garbage spinmeisters try to fold into the word. Some would say the response could be 'I know you are, but what am I.' Too personal sometimes, but that's just me. My opinion, né? Good, clear writing style.
GLEND558 - Glen Doutrich
God bless him. I used to watch Glen suffer on other blogs. He kept trying to talk about issues and was always ignored and/or cut off. I'm glad he's got his own soapbox. Mad as hell and not going to take this any more. One of my first stops.
Saipan's Beach Boy Blog - Brad Ruszala
All over the map, but worth the journey. If it's a Dear Diary day, there's always the next post. I'd have to agree with Jeff, he takes other people's blogs very seriously, (if they're serious posts) and spends some time on his comments.
must be the humidity - lil_hammerhead
Queen of the adjectives. I like this one. Good (insert adjective) fun. OK, a lot of it is too personal for me, but easy to skip. Involved in incessant cold wars and border wars with her neighbors. I don't know the history and haven't done my research. The topics and writing style keep drawing me back.
Epilog
Middle Road would easily have been number one back in the day. All right, not that long ago. They've been coasting lately, but at their best they are hugely entertaining and I still visit wistfully every time I'm making the rounds. I'm also not one who should be caviling about blog burnout.
Bruce Bateman the Saipanuvian could have made the list, but I really only visit to post and browse the posts. I've usually already read it because it's not actually a blog, just his newspaper column with a few photos thrown in occasionally. Often wildly wrong and often entertaining. Rush Limbaugh with a tuba hangover. He can turn a nice phrase, my recent favorite being 'elevator rap' for the filler the local cable station puts in breaks from live sports. A libertarian with content moderation.
These are just the folks from the Saipan blogdivot, and the list is slowly changing. You'll note I couldn't stop at five.
I just returned from a lengthy hibernation and there are a lot of new perspectives I'm still checking out. There are also a lot of sites I visit but not so often—usually because they update infrequently. Strangely enough, they eventually make it to my Lazy Links ® When I'm not too lazy.
This blogging thing is just entertainment to me, so I went for the the sites that keep me coming back the most often. Sometimes that's just a function of updating regularly. In no particular order:
The Saipan Blog -Angelo Villagomez
I first ran across Angelo's antics when I was searching for Ed Steven's then-new blog. That has degenerated into a soul-less rehash of his columns with no comments allowed, but I stayed with this one. At first it was because of his Linklust®. If somebody new popped up in the Saipan corner of the blogosphere (assuming spheres have corners in this dimension) they were likely to get a mention.
Picture Ralph Nader in Blue Suede shoes. Geraldo doing Al Gore. A Greenpeace document hidden inside a supermarket tabloid. Ah, that's not it. If you don't care for the cheesecake, come back tomorrow. I usually do.
Saipan and other random hypercritical thoughts - Jeffrey Turbitt
What Alan Colmes might write if he was here and had bigger cajones—and better comebacks. Mainstream liberal, not meant to imply all of the garbage spinmeisters try to fold into the word. Some would say the response could be 'I know you are, but what am I.' Too personal sometimes, but that's just me. My opinion, né? Good, clear writing style.
GLEND558 - Glen Doutrich
God bless him. I used to watch Glen suffer on other blogs. He kept trying to talk about issues and was always ignored and/or cut off. I'm glad he's got his own soapbox. Mad as hell and not going to take this any more. One of my first stops.
Saipan's Beach Boy Blog - Brad Ruszala
All over the map, but worth the journey. If it's a Dear Diary day, there's always the next post. I'd have to agree with Jeff, he takes other people's blogs very seriously, (if they're serious posts) and spends some time on his comments.
must be the humidity - lil_hammerhead
Queen of the adjectives. I like this one. Good (insert adjective) fun. OK, a lot of it is too personal for me, but easy to skip. Involved in incessant cold wars and border wars with her neighbors. I don't know the history and haven't done my research. The topics and writing style keep drawing me back.
Epilog
Middle Road would easily have been number one back in the day. All right, not that long ago. They've been coasting lately, but at their best they are hugely entertaining and I still visit wistfully every time I'm making the rounds. I'm also not one who should be caviling about blog burnout.
Bruce Bateman the Saipanuvian could have made the list, but I really only visit to post and browse the posts. I've usually already read it because it's not actually a blog, just his newspaper column with a few photos thrown in occasionally. Often wildly wrong and often entertaining. Rush Limbaugh with a tuba hangover. He can turn a nice phrase, my recent favorite being 'elevator rap' for the filler the local cable station puts in breaks from live sports. A libertarian with content moderation.
These are just the folks from the Saipan blogdivot, and the list is slowly changing. You'll note I couldn't stop at five.
I just returned from a lengthy hibernation and there are a lot of new perspectives I'm still checking out. There are also a lot of sites I visit but not so often—usually because they update infrequently. Strangely enough, they eventually make it to my Lazy Links ® When I'm not too lazy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
