Hallucinogeneration

“It’s rough but it’s fair”

If I bought Rosetta Stone for the retail price (a couple hundred dollars), I would be inclined to use it regularly.  However, I was able to get it for free and because of that, I don’t feel guilty for my inconsistent usage.  Contrarily, the sunken cost fallacy dictates that I should use Rosetta Stone at a set frequency, regardless of how much money I paid for it. 

In other words, if I had bought the software for its retail price, the money I spent on it would be a “sunk cost” and thus, I should base my usage frequency only on relevant factors (how much free time I have, e.g.).  The key question is whether or not to buy Rosetta Stone in the first place, and this should be based on how much use I will get out of it, regardless of the cost.  After I figure that out, I can then determine if the price of the software is worth it for me. 

For the record, I’m typing this idea out in order to avoid using Rosetta Stone right now.  But hey, at least I didn’t pay for it.



The pledge of allegiance was originally going to include the word “equality” but the composer, Edward Bellamy, thought that the superintendants of education wouldn’t like it because of the whole black-people-and-women-aren’t-equal thing.

Santa & Mushrooms

Word of the Day:  indefatigable - (adj) tireless

I can’t imagine QVC having much success selling TVs.  How would the target market find out?

You don’t hear of too many Buddhist fundamentalists that give the rest of the Buddhists a bad name.

I would love to ask presidential nominees and other politicians the following question:  “Is it ever acceptable to break the law?”  If they say yes, I would claim that they should not be a politician in the U.S. government if they do not wholeheartedly believe in its core principles.  If they say no, I would bring up Rosa Parks.

Inflation has really affected the market for balloons. 

Your reaction to this blog is the underlying artistic meaning behind it.

I was gonna write an essay about nihilism but didn’t see the point.

TO DO:  Write a novel that breaks the 4^th wall mid-plot.

Should keep me busy for awhile...

Best Buy owns Napster.

You can’t be Christian and patriotic.

In the Steady Blur of the Days

from 11th Chorus, Desolation Blues by Jack Kerouac

“I have been empowered

to lay my hand

On your shoulder

and remind you

That you are utterly free,

Free as empty space.

---

Explode & go,

I won’t say nothin,

neither this rock,

And my outhouse doesnt care,

And I got no body”

I just realized that I always eat pop-tarts without toasting them because I’m too lazy to put them in the toaster.  I am actually too lazy for pop-tarts.

E.T. is God

The Pledge of Allegiance pledges allegiance “to the flag and the republic for which it stands.”  “To the flag and the republic.”  In addition to the republic, we are also pledging allegiance to the flag.  Why would we pledge allegiance to a flag in and of itself? 

If public nudity became socially acceptable, the Gap would be screwed.

Create a bumper sticker that says “back up, please.”

The mousetrap is the most frequently invented product in US history.

“Nothing lives which would be worthy

of your striving, and the earth deserves

not a sigh.

Pain and boredom is our being and the

world is excrement,

                                —nothing else.

Calm yourself.”

-Giacomo Leopardi

Listening

it's funny how music changes
the way you listen to it
inspired, invigorated, anxious
meandering from chord to chord,
unsure of the resolution

afraid to take the next step
for fear of dissonance
an active ear passively calling the shots

still working toward an ending
nowhere in sight or sound
perhaps the harmonies will hang
just a second longer,
or melodies unsung in airs of anticipation