Saturday, November 09, 2002
Have you ever been roped into a network marketing seminar? Over the years I have had a few friends get involved with network marketing. Amway, vitamins, something or other. And the operative word there is "HAD". Because once a friend gets involved with network marketing schemes, it usually takes over their lives, and we inevitably cease to be friends any longer. Most network marketers are completely incapable of going ten minutes without making the pitch. It's like a cult. A secret society of inexpensive housewares and 100% natural herbal supplements. And like most cults they recruit new suckers by trying to trick you into going to their rallies. You'll notice they never come right out and tell you what the seminar or social or presentation is about. And once you get there it's always a ra-ra session with Horatio Alger success stories and testimonies from Marge and Bob who now live in Maui on their amazing Amway returns. Bleah. It all just leaves me queasy. Look, I sell stuff for a living. Consultative technology sales to biotech companies. I used to sell computational chemistry software. I have given lots of pitches. But at the end of my work day, I really don't feel like selling anything. I'm looking forward to spending time with people who like me for who I am and what I offer as a person. Network marketers encourage you to sell to your family and friends. But the trust found in true friendship quickly disappears when you feel that this person is always trying to convince you to buy something. So I gotta wonder, is that house in Maui really worth it if you have to live there alone?
Jim Parisi
Friday, November 08, 2002
I have collected a fairly large number of interesting or funny or inspirational quotes over the years. I have them all entered in a randomizer in Outlook, so every email I send gets a new quote in the sig file. I have been asked time and time again for the whole list. I thought I would finally put them out there.
Jim Parisi
Posted a few pictures from Red Rocks and Las Vegas. Enjoy.
Jim Parisi
Nietzsche once wrote "hope is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man." F*** I hate it when he is right. Hope is useful in small doses. Hope is waking up and knowing that there is always a new day and new opportunities. In small doses it's the emotional latte that sends us on our merry way in the morning. But in large doses hope is addictive. It's devastating. It's vile and intoxicating and hallucinogenic. Hope leaves you vulnerable. Hope is the jab that sets you up for the knock out punch. Hope is the morphine you take to protect you from reality. Hope is the fuel of disappointment. Hope is what you have when you already know the outcome. And when the outcome is as expected, the loss of hope leaves you empty, broken, writhing with withdrawal. Well, f*** hope. Hope is for losers and the weak. Hope is a fantasy. Hope is a waste of resources and time. I have no room for hope in my life any longer.
Jim Parisi
Thursday, November 07, 2002
Some pop-up (or pop-under) advertisements now have a faux set of window management buttons in the upper left corner of the message. Subsequently, clicking on the "x" close window button does not in fact close the advert but connects to the advertiser's site. This is really stupid advertising. Tricking me into visiting your site will not make me more interested in your product. It's only going to piss me off. I would really like to mail 100,000 catalogs, fliers and junk mail brochures to the homes of every executive who thought that was a good idea. And let's enroll them in every network marketing program we can think of as well. They are the spawn of Satan. I'm fully convinced of this.
Jim Parisi
I went to see my financial advisor today. We are fleshing out the short term plan. I have been trying to acquire the financial resources necessary to realize one of my dreams while still ensuring I have the ability to survive inevitable future financial obstacles and eventually retire without having to live in cardboard. I want to take a year and travel. I want to see as much of the world as I can. I don't want to experience the world solely through a CRT or liquid crystal display. I want to stand on the Great Wall. Swim above the Great Barrier Reef. Climb the Great Pyramid. Nepal, India, China, Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia. Kenya, Egypt, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, Madagascar. Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Antarctica. Britain, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Russia. Some of them. All of them. Who knows? Spend a year eyes wide with wonder. And I don't want to dramatically impact my long term goals, my career prospects, my lifestyle, or my opportunities in order to do it. And I'm getting close. I can see it within my reach. I just have to stay committed. Frugal. And focused. Anyone wanna come with me?
Jim Parisi
I feel like a marionette.
I feel bloody and sore from picking at emotional scabs.
I feel disappointed.
I feel regret.
I feel frustrated.
I feel conflicted.
I feel reluctantly compassionate.
I feel bitter.
I feel shallow for feeling that way.
I feel defensive.
I feel hardened.
I feel isolated.
I feel
alone.
I don't like the way I feel.
I don't want to feel like that anymore.
Jim Parisi
Wednesday, November 06, 2002
Shit. The Republicans have control of the house, senate and white house. And that idiot is still in charge with his criminal corporate cronies behind him. I should have moved to Canada when I had the chance. I don't think I have ever been so profoundly disappointed by an administration. Compounded by the fact that this particular administration had big business buy the candidate, and then later stole the election. We still have two more years of this. And now they have the power to pass significant legislation, start more wars, and cronie the courts. BC gets more attractive every damn day.
Jim Parisi
Tuesday, November 05, 2002
Oh yeah. One more thing. Vote goddamnit. It's your right. I know it feels like choosing between a kick in the shins and a poke in the eye, but why let someone else choose for you? And vote Democrat if you can swallow it. Don't let one party control the government. Scary.
Jim Parisi
What's the best practical joke or college prank you saw? NAU saw it's share of goobers trying to ski off the dome in the past. And I remember a guy who tossed a mannequin from the roof of the tallest dorm on campus. I also know someone who stole every pumpkin in town one Halloween and lined them all up neatly on the roof of the women's dorm across the quad. My friend Jeff once sent my secret pal a block of ice with a note that read "I hope you aren't this frigid." A block of ice. Classic. Still cracks me up. I have heard of friends freezing all the toilets in the chemistry building, lots of chaos from lots of contact explosives, any number of items shot from water balloon launchers, and the annual "walk" (naked) from Sechrist to Allen Hall. But my personal favorite? Back in 90 a couple friends took a drunk buddy and actually duct taped him to the ceiling of a dorm room. To the ceiling. Yes, it took a lot of duct tape. But never underestimate the engineering ingenuity of a room full of intoxicated football players with a large supply of duct tape and beer. Have your own story? Send it to me. Would love to hear it.
Jim Parisi
New Dave Matthews Band Live at Folsom Field in stores today. And within a few hours, in my CD player. It's always a good day when Dave has your attention.
Jim Parisi
Monday, November 04, 2002
John had his lengthy locks lopped off on "The Other Half" last week. The show airs tomorrow. For all you unemployed stratolounging spuds, check out the fun. I'm sure hilarity ensues. I'm glad he did it, although I was kind hoping we saw him sporting a mullet for his new look. More people should embrace their inner trailer trash. Of course, I'm just looking to be less embarrassed about my own mulleted drivers license photo. Personally, I'm waiting for "The Other Half" to sponsor a grow-your-hair episode. I'll be first in line for that.
I've never actually been on TV. However, I did tape an application for Love Connection back in 93. I had just moved to California, and they were doing interviews in Irvine about a block from where I worked. I went down there at lunch one day and wowed them with a karaoke version of Blue Suede Shoes. Two weeks later I was getting taped in Beverly Hills. The show was cancelled before I was ever called up or selected as a potential date, but I was sooooo close to meeting Chuck Woolery - an icon of bad daytime TV. I would have been so honored. It's Monday. I gotta work. Back in Two and Two.
Jim Parisi
Been loving this in my CD player lately. Jurassic 5, Power in Numbers. If you like fat beats, intelligent rhymes, and some great old school grooves, buy this CD.
Jim Parisi
