Rights and Wrongs

I think it it might be time for us, as a nation, to look ourselves. We have gotten too loose with our rights. I mean, think about it. Sure we have the right to free speech. But is it right to yell "FIRE!" at a crowded book burning?

Summer Days

Jesus, Mary and The Spook! Has it really been over two weeks since last I posted? I apologize I have been really busy, and by busy I mean lazy. Today marks the start of school and the non-equinoxal end of summer. I have to say this has been a pretty awesome summer. I deserve it. I do! Over the past five summers I have been shit on. In fact, one of these summer I believe I was literally shat on. (Damned two-storied outhouse!) This one was really fantastic. Let me list, because I am lazy, the ways this summer rocked:

1. Made a bunch of new and really great friends. I haven't done that since I moved to Chapel Hill in 1988 and rolled with my neighborhood crew, "The BMX Boys". I am sure if we ever hang outside the 'sphere you all will like them.
2. Found old friends. Thanks myspace.
3. I never went broke all summer long. I know money doesn't equal happiness, but it sure as shit helps.
4. Passed two summer session classes leaving me with only three classes until GRADUATION! WHAT! I am shaking at the thought of it. All my classes I was in today, I just kept thinking, "This is the last sylabus I will have to look at." Oh, and the party will be off the meat rack.
5. Visited places I have never even thought I'd go to. Chicago (the return of an old standard), Milwaukee (There is a whole other post on that one coming) Dover, NH, and Kennebunkport. All were pretty cool in there own way.
6. I won the Best Radio DJ in the Triangle by the readers of Independent Weekly. I have never been more excited in my life. I still can't believe it.

I am sure if the Yankees don't make the World Series again this year, this will be the best summer in recent memory.

How's your Tuesday, Matt?

Better now? Good.

Tipping, China

So after my kickball game the other night, "Free Action" went out for a drink. "Free Action" is my kickball team. We went to Sammy's in Mission Valley and got a couple of drinks. There were Bud Light girls giving out freebies so I got two from them, and I got two beers from our waitress. Then, it is bill time. I get mine, and it is $5.00. I usually pay in cash, but everyone else was going credit card crazy! I give the girl a $10 and expect 5 one-dollar bills when she gets back. What happens next is I get 3 one-dollar bills. Gigga what? She took it upon herself to take a tip out of my change.

I am an excellent tipper...now. If the service was good (it wasn't), then I tip well. If the waitress is dressed skanky (she was), the I tip well. She was looking at getting $4 on a $5 tab, intead she took what she wanted and got no more from Rochester. She played herself. I think the rest of the table would not have been so lenient on tipping. Why did she assume she had to take her cut before I could do so? I mean, your belly ring and pubic bone are popping out in front of my face, you switch the WSOP (the worst thing on TV) off to a baseball game, and I kept saying thank you and making eye contact with you when you came over to our table. Where, I ask, where does she get off doing that?