Quote of the Day: Ancient Fake Confucius Quote Edition

I've been reading from Zhuangzi (translation by Ziporyn) and I came across an ancient fake Confucius quote (I guess everyone's been doing it for centuries). Zhuangzi used Confucius as a character in his writings, so while this quote is almost certainly not Confucian, it is attributed to him all the same: 

"People cannot see their reflections in running water, but only in still water" (Ziporyn 33)

For this coming new year, I hope I can slow down more often and reflect more clearly on who I am and who others are. 

Also, exercise more, eat better, yada yada yada, etc., etc., etc.  

I can't promise I will blog more this coming year (hate to disappoint ya, stranger but it's true). That said I hope whoever you are and whenever you are reading this you are happy, warm and have hope and dreams to hold onto, just in case you are neither happy nor warm.  

Confucius Didn't Say That!: Who Cut the Meat? Edition

I've been writing blog posts about fake Confucius quotes for years now. 

I feel like I have a pretty good lay of the land (the land of "Fake Confucius Quotes").  I got comfortable, maybe even lazy, seeing terrible quote after terrible quote. Knocking down fake quote after fake quote is still fun but I have to admit maybe it became a little routine. 

However, with today's post, there's something I have never written about before. A fake Confucius quote that is accidentally Confucian?  Stick around and find out below Confucian Philosophy fans....

“The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live.” - Confucius 

At first glance, I thought this seemed pretty obvious that this is something that Confucius didn't say because it's stupid and pithy.  

I can kinda see a point here. I could see how someone might think that a person's table manners might reveal one's character but frankly, that's old school classism at its worst. It's something someone's rich grandma might say (or worse, actually believe). It's not just that it's snobby but it's stupid.

Except for George Constanza. I am pretty sure the way he ate revealed his character. 

The way a person eats tells me nothing of their actual character or "the way (they) live". Someone's table manners might tell me what kind of upbringing they had or their native culture but little to nothing is revealed about their actual character or intelligence level. 

(long pause)

Okay, that's the rant I wish I could keep going on about maybe something about how Confucius really only cares about the way people act towards one another ....but the truth is a little more complicated than that. While this quote definitely isn't in the Analects or spoken by Confucius...there is, a Confucian element at play in this quote. 

I am kinda embarrassed about the whole thing myself, but anyone can find the light switch on with the lights on (that's an inside joke), so let's dissect the background on the quote. 

First, we have to unpack a few ancient Chinese concepts before we move forward.

In the Analects, Confucius often uses the word wen. According to many scholars, there isn't an exact English equivalent for wen but the general consensus seems to be wen is defined as "cultural refinement", "culture" will do in a jiffy though.  

According to Confucius, being refined is itself, an art form and a desired trait for those wanting to improve their lives, from 5:15: 

"Zi Gong asked: “How did Kong Wen Zi get the title ‘wen’”? (wen = learned, literary, refined) Confucius said, “He was diligent and loved to study. He was also unashamed to ask questions to his inferiors. Therefore he got the name wen.” - (all quotes from AC Muller)

There's also the concept of li, which is centered on ritual. Here is how Muller describes the concept of li. 

"The term li, however, has, in the Analects, a much broader meaning than ritual, since it can also refer to the many smaller “ritualized” behavior patterns involved in day-to-day human interactions. This would include proper speech and body language according to status, age, sex— thus, “manners.” In this sense, li means any action proper, or appropriate to the situation."  - AC Muller 

I lean on Muller to do the heavy lifting in this blog series as his translation is clear, accurate and easy to link to also his commentary is also spot-on.  Ultimately, it's my blog and I don't want to go around digging for hours on my bookshelf or online to get you basically the same information. 

Muller and others often translate li as propriety. Knowing when to do something properly is an honored Confucian value and skill. This would include, even eating.

Slingerland states, "The tradition (classic Chinese culture) is the system of ritual practice, music, and langue use that in Confucius' opinion plays a primary role in shaping human character" (Slingerland xxiii). 

So, for Confucius, the way a person ate probably would reveal something about their character. At best, it would show them to be uncultured or ignorant, at worst, stupid, impatient, and/or rude. 

Here are some examples of the importance of wen (culture) and li (propriety and ritual).

From 1:12 (of course, I bold the important aspects for clarity below):

"You Zi said: “In the actual practice of propriety, flexibility is important. This is what the ancient kings did so well— both the greater and the lesser used flexibility. Yet there are occasions when this does not apply: If you understand the flexibility and use it, but don't structure yourself with propriety, things won't go well.”

When Confucius is asked about filial piety in 2:5 he states, "When your parents are alive, serve them with propriety; when they die, bury them with propriety, and then worship them with propriety.”

Maybe most damning of them all, comes in 3:5, "The Master said: “If a man has no ren what can his propriety be like? If a man has no ren what can his music be like?”

Ren is often translated as humaneness, an ideal that a junzi or "superior person" should live up to. With this quote from 3:5, Confucius is obviously conflating one's li with one's ethics and vice versa. For Confucian philosophers, you just couldn't have one without the others. In other words, the little stuff matters. One's propriety and "culture" reflect one's character. 

Later in 7:25, comes this zinger, "The Master taught four things: Culture, correct action, loyalty and trust."

As for actual verses from the Analects on eating, we have yet another verse that affirms the Confucian quality of our fake quote. 

In a large dialogue on Confucius' eating habits in 10:6, the Analects states, "(Confucius) did not chat while eating, and did not talk after retiring. No matter what kind of simple fare it might be, such as coarse rice or broth, he would always make an offering, doing so with due solemnity."

This is the first fake quote that while still fake, is ultimately Confucian in tone and in its values. I don't agree with the Confucian value of emphasizing rituals, manners, and culture. Life's too short to care about following table manner do's and don'ts. Of course, I am not advocating for chewing with your mouth open but my point still stands. 

Maybe my biggest disagreement with Confucius might be his inability to see the dao or way of doing things as cultural and arbitrary as opposed to his idea that it is established by Tian or "Heaven". We just have to recognize that ultimately, Confucius was a man of his time, and he extolled the values of the past.  

I don't think we should make inferences on their moral character based upon the way someone speaks or eats. As for how to really judge someone, I say we should go closer to something like we find in 1:4: 

"Ceng Zi said: “Each day I examine myself in three ways: in doing things for others, have I been disloyal? In my interactions with friends, have I been untrustworthy? Have not practiced what I have preached?”

3 More Underrated Albums of the 90's

I've done a few other posts of my favorite "underrated" albums of the '90s, so it's become a "thing" on this little blog of mine. So, here are three more underrated albums of the 90's.....

World Party - Goodbye Jumbo (1990) 

This album doesn't feel like a 90's album but it doesn't feel like an 80's album either. It's a classic Beatles-esque album (from a British band no less). There are some echoes of Sloan here and that's a good thing.  It's earnest, thoughtful but ultimately, too inconsistent to be considered a stone-cold 90's classic, at least for me personally. Its highs are very high though and it's enough for me to recommend it to you, a random stranger on the internet.  

The album wrestles with worrying about the fate of the world and trying to find what hope is left (for the environment, for relationships, etc.).  As I stated before it's a little uneven but still worth a listen, after all, your mileage may vary.  There's something endearing and tragic when listening to the song, "Put the Message in the Box" in 2021 and knowing how the global community has failed our future. A good depressing chaser might be maybe the best song on the whole album, the Beach Boys-inspired, "God On My Side".  

Stand Out Tracks for the Lazy: "Way Down Now", "Put the Message in the Box", "When the Rainbow Comes", "God On My Side". 

that dog - Retreat from the Sun (1997)

This is the first track, but you can find the whole album on YT. 

I suppose this is one of those albums you either love or hate. From my perspective, I have no idea how this didn't become a huge hit. If you like power pop, you're going to probably like it. that dog is such a unique band.  You have those classic 90's distorted guitars with healthy dollops of violin, all with beautiful voices blending to create memorable melodies (insert chef's kiss).  

Retreat from the Sun is a huge pop album full of sing-along anthems that will have you singing along or drumming on your steering wheel. You might even stop caring that people may see you belting these songs out in your car, at the top of your lungs.   I recommend it for the summer, happy times, good moods, and long drives. There are some missteps on the back half of the album, but hey, just skip to the next track if you don't like it. Fun album, great songs, I come back to every few years and enjoy it all the same. 

Stand Out Tracks for the Lazy: "I'm Gonna See You", "Never Say Never", "Being With You", "Minneapolis", "Long Island"

Built to Spill - There's Nothing Wrong with Love (1994)

If you aren't familiar with Built to Spill, you should be.... and this is a great album to introduce new people into their style and genius. It's easy to try to describe bands by comparing their sound to other bands but I can't really do that with Built to Spill. Their sound, song structure and lyrics are unique. I hope I am building this album up for you, because I am not afraid to do that. You need to listen to this album.

It's energetic, unpredictable, creative and of course, catchy. I recommend listening when you are working on completing boring or thoughtless tasks as it will liven up whatever it is you are doing. I love this album but the first six tracks are probably my favorite section of the album. Please don't stop there though. Embrace the weirdness, embrace this album. 

Stand Out Tracks for the Lazy: Tracks 1-6, in particular, "In the Morning", "Reasons" and "Cleo". 

Art Post: Untitled (Contagion Collage/Acrylic)

I haven't posted an art post in a long time because I haven't done much painting in the last few years. I have all the usual excuses though (email me for the entire list). I have doodled a bit here and there with some paint markers but nothing too formal (I did draw a cool griffin though).  I've also found my artistic efforts centered on writing a YA fantasy novel (yeah, I'm stuck again) and of course from 2016-2019 in acting in community theater. 

This particular piece has a backstory and a direct inspiration. 

I made this painting back in 2019 after a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. I had recently visited art museums in New Orleans, Philadelphia and DC, so art and art creation had been in my mind at the time.  I love post-modern art and in particular, I am drawn towards bright, expressive, child-like art (begin your psychoanalysis now). 

Anyway,  I was looking at Jackson Pollock's Number 17A.

I love this but David Giffin bought it for $200 million in 1990. Think of the good he could have done with that cash. Capitalism ruins everything.

The exhibit shared a small quote from Pollock that was next to this piece and it had a profound impact on me and how I understand the creation of art:

"When I am in my painting, I'm not aware of what I am doing...I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through". 

This mindset of trying to exclude that analytical part of your brain from art creation, to tap the reserves of your subconscious (or even chance), appeals to me. The ego part of my brain wants to control how it looks or worries about "ruining" it. This mentality of control often stands in the way of breakthroughs or inspired art. I want to adopt this mindset to my writing, acting, etc.  

I want to let go of my ego and stop worrying about "wasting" the paint or the canvas and just see what happens. 

It was this attitude that I attempted this piece, at least I tried to.  Although I did select what would be in the center of the collage, much of the painting, placement and style came about quite randomly. 

I had a copy of this old children's book from my grandmother's house. It was written by Thorton Burgess and illustrated by Harrison Cady sometime in the 1930's.  I had become fascinated by this book as a child when I discovered it at her "vacation cabin".  Decades later, I found it in her house. I was instantly taken back to my memories of this old worn-out book.   I swiped it as I knew if I didn't it would eventually wind up in the trash or sold in the estate sale. Not sure if that makes me a bad person but I am pretty sure she barely knew it existed. 

In many ways, my fascination with this book was the clue that I would always love old stuff. 

When I began to create this piece I knew I wanted one of these illustrations to be used as the center of the piece. The additional cut-outs including old stamps and advertisements from 1970's comic books were randomly dropped on the canvas and I began to drop paint on the canvas at random. I trusted the moment and stopped worrying. 

A big green glop of paint landed right on the child's face in the illustration. I quickly used a metal tool to make the most of the glop. The random glop became vine-like and as the child was "sick" in the picture, it felt like a spreading virus had come, it became a symbol of disease and contagion. I then worked the glops into plant-like "tumors", each reaching out to grow and connect. I dunno what it means but it gives me a bit of discomfort seeing all the growth surrounding and infecting everything in its path.  

As usual, enjoy if you like. 

Untitled (2019) - Collage and Acryllic 

Untitled (2019) - Close up 

Untitled (2019) - Close up

Pic Dump: Dumping at the End of the Year

It's the end of the year and I am busy posting in December because I had all these half-finished blogs and ideas. Here's what I have been sharing my old buddy via text and DM, or what he's shared with me. Happy Holidays, ya creeps. 

 

Self-Own Level 9.8

It's cute, ain't it?

Seems totally normal. Of course, this is the worst country, so this has become a thing now. 

This was our pumpkin. I made it in 3 minutes. It's not great but it exemplifies 2020-2021. 

Agree 1,000,000%

It's been long enough, right? Right? Right?!?!

If only I knew this in high school. 

Confucius Didn't Say That!: The Dumbest Fake Confucius Quotes Yet Edition

Over the past few years, I have looked at some pretty bad fake Confucius quotes. In my blog series, my goal is to expose fake Confucius quotes floating around on the internet in a fun and (somewhat) academic manner. The hope is that someone will find honest Confucius information while maybe finding a little wisdom in the process. 

Today, I may have found the dumbest fake Confucius quotes, in fact, it's so bad, even dumb people could figure out these are fake quotes. 

These fake quotes come courtesy of a page entitled "100 Confucius Quotes" from "quoteambition.com"

“Anyone can find the switch after the lights are on.” - Confucius 

I suppose you have already found the problem with this one, but just in case you're reading this before you've had your morning coffee, Confucius pre-dates electricity by a couple of thousand years. 

At this point, it might be cliche, but I find this quote to be another stupid proverb. 

The "proverb" implies anyone can find something or learn something when it's obvious, which, is on the nose but, technically, correct. However, if we take this proverb literally, the corollary would be "not many can find the switch after the lights are out"; which is objectively false. While it can be a pain to find a switch in the dark in a new place, switches are pretty easy to find.  Even in a completely dark room, any bozo in a few seconds could find the light switch. 

The quote echoes other proverbial sayings like "every dog has his day"; which I find is a much better quote and definitely more insulting to the subject of your ire.  

Confucius wasn't interested in pointing out obvious zingers to feel better about himself. In fact, on further inspection, the purpose of the proverb is to be used in the form of an insult rather than giving advice or a nugget of wisdom. Confucius might find the person who would employ it, shameful. 

This comes from 5:25 (as always, from AC Muller's translation). 

"The Master said: “Clever words, a pretentious face, and too-perfect courtesy... I am...ashamed of them. Concealing one's resentments and acting friendly to people Zuo Qiuming was ashamed to act this way and so am I. "

Fake Quote # 2 -  “Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.” - Confucius 

I don't even know where to start on this. In my humble opinion (which I suppose isn't all that humble), this might be an even dumber quote than the first one.  

I can see the connection of the art of sword fighting in the movies and dancing but in an actual battle?. It probably comes down to raw strength, speed, and of course, skill and has little to nothing to do with finesse and or musical rhythm. 

It's true Wesley was a great dancer though. 

Besides the aphorism just being plain stupid we can dismiss this quote from actually being from Confucius as Confucius didn't address soldiers or warfare much at all. In a quick glance at the Analects, there are no mentions of soldiers, swords or, yes, even dancing. 

Although, according to Wikipedia, there was quite a sword dance during the Han Dynasty, 

"In one account, a sword dance was said to have been performed by Xiang Zhuang at a banquet in an attempt to assassinate Liu Bang (the founder of the Han dynasty)...This event forms the basis of the "Gong Mo" Dance (公莫舞) – "Gong Mo", literally "Sir, Don't!", which describes the blocking actions by Xiang Bo during the sword dance to prevent Xiang Zhuang from thrusting his sword towards Liu Bang."

For those of you worried, I checked their source on the story, it seems legit. 

Anyway, I gotta back out of these internet rabbit holes...

The closest approximations (and this is going to be a stretch) are the only quotes that I can find that relate to war or soldiers. 

The first is from 7:13 and the next from 13:29-30: 

"The things with which the Master was cautious, were fasting, war and sickness."

"The Master said: “Only when good men have instructed the people for seven years, may they take up arms. To lead untrained people into battle is the same as throwing them away.”

These quotes show a clear contrast in terms of tone between the fake quote and the actual material from the Analects. While Confucius could make biting, almost sarcastic remarks, I can't recall anything that has such a silly or flippant tone to it. So, I don't think there are any Analects that would even parallel the proverb,. 

Upon reflection, I wondered, could there even be something in this quote that is halfway related to Sun Tzu's The Art of War? 

And the answer is no. I checked that just in case. 

The closest thing I could find there was from chapter VI, in verse 31.

"Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing."

There's no relation at all but I liked the quote. 

So, two more fake Confucius quotes taken down, only a few hundred to go. 

My Favorite Albums (just a list)

The other day I was thinking of my favorite albums of all time and I was curious about what my top ten list album list would look like. I quickly typed out my favorites with the intention of trying to whittle it down and.... I just couldn't do it. 

I did the same thing with Weezer's post-Pinkerton songs and it was ultimately a huge time-suck and I don't really know if it was worth it. 

There were some obvious cuts to make on my preliminary list but it was just too painful to make any more cuts. Also, I was dreading writing the blog defending my picks.... I am feeling just that lazy these days. 

A few qualifiers and observations before the list can begin, these are favorite albums...I am not claiming these are the "best" albums of all time.  I have a very limited taste range and when it comes to music,  I am admittedly, pretty close-minded.

I am an old white guy who came of age in the '90s and this list certainly reflects that. Some of these albums are honestly guilty pleasures, I know they aren't great in an objective sense but they are personally important to me due to when I first heard them.  

There seems to be an inordinate amount of debut albums (9) and self-titled albums (9) (seven of those overlap). 

Well, you're as ready as you'll ever be.

Here are all 44 of my favorite albums of all time in alphabetical order: 

Apples in Stereo – Fun Trick Noisemaker

Apples in Stereo – Tone Soul Evolution

Beatles – Revolver

Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 

Beatles – S/T, aka “White”

Beck – Odelay

Beck – Sea Change

Ben Folds Five – Whatever and Ever Amen

Ben Folds Five – Naked Baby Pictures

Ben Folds – Songs for Silverman

Coward - S/T

Frank Black & The Catholics – S/T

Built to Spill - There's Nothing Wrong with Love

Breeders – Last Splash

Foo Fighters - S/T

Fountains of Wayne – S/T

Fountains of Wayne – Welcome Interstate Managers

Fountains of Wayne – Out of State Plates

Green Day – Dookie

The Kinks - Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One

The Lemonheads – It's a Shame About Ray

Nirvana – Unplugged in New York

Nirvana – Nevermind

Of Montreal – Cherry Peel

Old 97’s – Satellite Rides

The Pulsars – S/T

Radiohead – The Bends

Ramones - S/T

Ramones – Rocket to Russia

Sloan – One Chord to Another

Sloan – Twice Removed

Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Spoon – Girls Can Tell

Spoon – Gimme Fiction

Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Sufjan Stevens – Illinois 

Sufjan Stevens – Carrie & Lowell

Superdrag – Headtrip in Every Key

James Taylor – Greatest Hits

that dog – Never Say Never

Travis – The Invisible Band

Weezer – S/T, aka “Blue”

Weezer - Pinkerton

Weezer – S/T, aka “White”

 

Chillin' & Vibin' Fragments

It's been a while, amigos. Here are the latest and greatest fragments. 

I am back on campus after a year and a half of being away. Weird feelings but I am glad to be back. Most students are masking up and the positivity rate is on the downward trend where I am at. Good to see people. I am still doing a Zoom class, and I am doing two more in the spring. I think they will be a fixture from here on out. 

I started writing my fantasy/YA novel again, I had to stop as I am working on an important project at work that involved writing but I was really going at it for about six weeks. Tons of progress and I feel good about starting up again. It's a solid idea, the question is the execution and my talent (which, I wouldn't bet on). I am hopeless it will ever be published but I am ready to fight the good fight to try to finish it and see how I feel about it once I am done. 

The weather is finally changing and I am so happy about it. Even if the afternoons are a little warm (sometimes not even hot), the mornings and evenings have been so nice. At the football game last week, it was downright perfect. 

I think I said I was going to post some pics from our vakay but I dunno, man, too much effort. 

I made a list, but this time it was a playlist

Long-time readers (um, just kidding)...I love lists so when my daughter got Spotify it was only a matter of time, when I would craft the mother-of-all 90's playlists. 

So far it's well over 1,200 songs. I like it, so maybe you will too. My taste would be described as indie/college/alternative rock. With some mainstream rock and pop hits thrown in with some weird stuff because you just can't do a 90's list without "Waterfalls" from TLC,  nor the Kids in the Hall theme song nor a cover of the Moon theme from the DuckTales NES game. 

Ya just can't I tell ya. 

It was fun to build, I would add songs that pop in my head, album by album or by searching through the recommended list and unearthing treasures that I would have played on our Paba Free radio show on our college radio station had I known they existed. 

It was quite a nostalgic trip, I recommend it for any and all old people to do for the particular era they grew up in.  I would spend just an hour scrolling through the 90's. It was lovely. 

I don't think I am completely done with the list...it will likely top out over 1,300 when it's all said and done. Although my guess is, new discoveries await....

 I was blown away by including The Grays (their entire output), Velocity Girl (a bunch of songs) and "Drown" by Sonvolt. 

 

Really surprised how much I love the first Counting Crows album and how many good songs the Gin Blossoms had. 

Yeah, I really am getting lame in my old age. 

FAM Fragments 

C is playing every week in the marching band. It feels like she's burning the candle from both ends but the season can't last forever. She took to the Tuba because they needed Tuba players (she's usually a flute player)...what a leader. She's bringing over the boy she's been talking to this Friday to dinner. Oh boy, yeah, it's happening. I hope he's nervous. 

E is going to ballet what feels like every night but it's only three nights a week. She's growing up more and more each day and it kinda makes me sad. 7th grade is the time you really see them change. She's still a unique person but I am interested to see her in a few more years when she cares less about what people think (having a weird dad will help). 

H is doing great in the 4th grade and we just went camping a few weeks ago with the scouts. The other day he told me he had to write about three people he admired and he picked MLK, Abraham Lincoln and me. 

Wow. just wow. I was honored and it made my day. 

K (the wife) is keeping busy as usual but she was able to go out for a ladies' weekend and I was happy we didn't burn the house down and she had a great time.  

I have enjoyed cooking again, trying my hand at some grilling...trying out some delicious Penang Pork Satay (success) and the even better Ping Gai chicken. I tried out a Toad in a Hole and that also turned out pretty great too (at least the wife was impressed with my bread). I can't recommend Food Wishes channel on YT enough. Chef John, you make me so happy. 

I just have to say I love life. It's not always hearts and flowers, E and H fight or I worry about the van breaking down but I have so much to be thankful for and it feels great to just be here for the ride. Whomever you are and wherever you find yourself, I hope you're doing okay and hanging there too. 

Until next time folks, don't forget to take the trash out and take that extra umbrella with you in the car, just in case. 

Thought of the Day

 I was in a Zoom meeting and had to come up with something pithy and this is what I came up with:

"relationship is the foundation for action".

I quite liked it and I hope it could be of some use to you, some random person on the internet. Maybe if it gives you something to think about, I will be happy. 

Otherwise, it's just a thing and that's still not half bad.

Cheers.  

Pic Dump: Summer 2021 Edition

What do you do when you think you should post on your blog but don't feel like writing? 

Well, I'm going back to an old tried, and true Hopeful Fragment classic; the Pic Dump. Most of these came from my good buddy Eric. Some I found all on my lonesome and two are photos I took.  As always, enjoy....or....don't. 

I saw this sticker a few months ago in Houston. I'm sure this guy feels really angry a lot of the time.  

This was likely based on a real-life situation. 

Crazily enough I actually sent this to a good friend when he was at his aunt's funeral. I had no idea he was there and had forgotten his aunt had died a few weeks before. Whoops...later he told me it brought a smile to his face, so it wasn't all bad. 

Irony is a lost art form. 

Sub in "Your Dad" for me

The photo does not do this justice but this wasp got stuck in our back door by ONE LEG. I have no idea what the odds are that possibility.... but pretty amazing. When my son discovered him, he was already dead. 

The whole idea of an "alpha male" is toxic, but I liked the nonsensical aspect of rebellion. 

That's it for now, I'll be back sometime soon with a photo reflection of our summer trip. In the meantime, take a late-night trip to the market and treat yourself to the frozen treat of your choice. 

Breakfast Taco Fragments

Holy smokes, it's almost my birthday and I haven't posted in a while. I live in South-Central Texas and it's a shame that it's isn't known as the Taco Mecca of the world...because it is. 

There are many reasons to despise living in Texas. The heat, the stupid and pointless Texas "pride", the politics, etc., etc. but one of the wonderful things about living in this neck of the woods of Texas is the ubiquitous nature of tacos; and the star of the taco show, to me, must be breakfast tacos. (that's a lot of commas in a sentence....I might have broken a record).  I think in the past 20 years or so, the rest of the nation is starting to catch on to the fact that beakfast tacos really are one of the best things on earth.

If I am trying a new place, I gotta try a bean and cheese, it's how I judge a taco place. It's how I roll. It's also my favorite taco. 

Here are my favorite breakfast tacos: 

1. Bean & Cheese (this is a little like saying the Beatles are your favorite band so shut your filthy mouth). 

2. Bacon & Egg 

3. Potato, Egg & Cheese

4. Papas Ranchera

-----

My wife is a pico girl but I can be a little all over the place, I am very flexible when it comes to salsa. If a roasted salsa is available, I'll usually go for that but a fresh red salsa is fine too and a hot green salsa can never do me wrong either.  I have been absolutely obsessed with Cholula sauce of late....but I'll use anything in a pinch and it's a cardinal sin to judge someone's salsa or hot sauce preference in my estimation. It's very personal. 

--

The pandemic made me miss a ton of things from work, but one of the small pleasures of work was coming into the office kitchen and catching free donuts or tacos that someone had been nice enough to bring in.  You knew your day was off to the right start, especially if I had been in too big of a rush to eat anything before leaving for work. Ahhh...the old days....

Here are TWO taco stories (two for one).  

It was the late 90's and it was late at night. I was at a place called Chacho's. It has always been overrated but the late 90's was their heyday. Somewhere, my wife has a photo of me with a tortilla on my face (with holes cut out for my eyes) at Chacho's (this was before we were dating, so it's pretty incredible she ever wanted to date me after this happened). Anyway, this was a different time from that, and  I was hanging with my buddies. I don't remember who was all there but it was likely the usual suspects. We might have been drinking or coming from a bar. Chacho's had a jukebox and one of us got an idea. An awful, evil idea. (hat tip to the Grinch). 

This was also the heyday of the "Macarena". It was everywhere. I mean freaking everywhere. It was at the point where it was almost a joke when it came on and most people were "over" the song. Well, our idea was to purchase the song at least 10 times and just leave the restaurant, leaving the other patrons to suffer. I honestly don't remember how many times we bought the song but it was a lot. Some could say it was cruel, it still makes me laugh, imagining how people reacted. 

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This story was sometime post-2000....I believe it was my friend Phillip, Toby and Jeff. We all went out to a dancing club. I remember making eyes at a  girl but we didn't dance, I was too chicken to ask.  It was one of those fancy clubs, where I always feel out of place and they made you have your shirt tucked in.  Anyway, Phil said we JUST HAD TO TRY this incredible hole-in-the-wall restaurant for tacos afterward. 

You see, here in South Texas, if you're out late at night dancing and/or drinking, the proper way to close out the evening is with tacos (many of which will be breakfast tacos). It's not required but it's pretty much standard procedure, an expectation to be sure. So, we get to this tiny little place called Los Brazos. It must have been at least 1:00 or 1:30 AM when we arrived. The restaurant was indeed tiny, it had room for maybe, five or six tables. Easily, the smallest restaurant I have ever been to. I was impressed but then again, I was also probably drunk. Anyway, we were all perusing the menu when something terrifying occurred. I looked down to find that a cockroach had crawled from my leg into my lap. I panicked. I immediately jumped up and I used the menu to hit the roach off my lap while yelling, "Oh, Shit!" The roach scurried off in the direction of the kitchen. We should have definitely left the restaurant as we hadn't ordered but we were kinda drunk so we all laughed and ordered our tacos anyway. 

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Anyway, I am set to get some tacos for my birthday in the morning. It will hit just right. So, go on, go get some breakfast tacos or at least go make some and text an old friend you haven't talked to in a long time, you probably won't regret it. 

Weezer - Best/Worst/Favorite/Overrated/Underrated - Album by Album

I started this last blog series this past year and well, why not give it go with my favorite band to love and hate, Weezer. On this post, I added the "Guilty Pleasure" category for albums and songs that I particularly find myself perplexed that I actually enjoy. It does not apply to every album. 

As always, here are my overly-detailed definitions of terms:

Best - this is obvious, what I think is the best track on the album in terms of composition and what it sets out to do.

Worst - also obvious, although, this definitely has more bias in it than "Best", it should be noted that this song may or may not even be "bad". 

Overrated/Underrated - This is completely subjective but I am basing this category off of "hard-core" Weezer fans. It may or may not align with the broader public's opinions. Also, the Underrated category acts as another way for me to shoehorn one of my favorites into the list.  Finally, if I place a song in the overrated category, it doesn't mean it's a bad song, it just means it's overrated. No more, no less.

Favorite - My personal favorite, not always the best track. It's the song I most connected with or have a special memory associated with. Again, also another way for me to shove a song I really like onto the list. 

So with that out of the way, here we go:

Blue Album

This was by far the easiest album to do this activity on. 

Best: Say it Ain't So

Worst: Surfwax America

Overrated: Only in Dreams

Underrated: The World Has Turned And Left Me Here/Holiday

Favorite: The World Has Turned And Left Me Here

Pinkerton

Best: Across the Sea

Worst: Why Bother?

Overrated: Falling for You

Underrated: Butterfly

Favorite: Across the Sea

Green Album

Best: Island in the Sun/O Girlfriend (this is not cheating, it's my blog and my rules, stop judging me)

Worst: Crab (I kinda even like this dumb song)

Overrated: Smile

Underrated: Glorious Days 

Favorite: Simple Pages 

Maladroit 

Best: Slave    

Worst: Possibilities (one of Rivers Cuomo's laziest songs recorded for an album). 

Overrated: Burndt Jamb 

Underrated: Keep Fishin' (radio edit only)

Favorite: Slave

Make Believe 

Best: The Other Way

Worst: My Best Friend (If I could list this twice, I would).

Overrated: Haunt You Everyday 

Underrated: This is Such a Pity/Hold Me 

Favorite: The Other Way 

Red Album 

Best: The Angel and the One 

Worst: Cold Dark World 

Overrated: Pork and Beans 

Underrated: Dreamin'

Favorite: The Angel and the One/Ms. Sweeney (Ms. Sweeny is on the "Deluxe Edition, sue me)

Raditude 

Best: I Don't Wanna Let You Go 

Worst: Love is the Answer

Overrated: None 

Underrated: (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To

Favorite: Prettiest Girl In the Whole Wide World (Deluxe Edition, again) 

Guilty Pleasure: I'm Your Daddy (I know, gross, right?)

Death to False Metal 

The studio leftover album that becomes even more insane now that we have 95% of Rivers' demos...how were these songs selected? A random draw from a hat?! 

Best: Blowin' My Stack 

Worst: Losing My Mind 

Overrated: None 

Underrated: Autopliot 

Favorite: Blowin' My Stack

Hurley

Best: Run Away 

Worst: Where's My Sex? 

Overrated: Unspoken

Underrated: Run Away

Guilty Pleasure: Smart Girls (there, I said it and no, I'm not proud of it either).

Favorite: Ruling Me 

Everything Will Be Alright in the End 

Best: Foolish Father 

Worst: Back to the Shack

Overrated: Ain't Got Nobody 

Underrated: I've Had It Up To Here / Eulogy for a Rock Band 

Favorite:  Foolish Father 

White Album

Best: Wind in Our Sails 

Worst: Thank God For Girls 

Overrated: Thank God For Girls 

Underrated: (Girl We Got A) Good Thing

Favorite: Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori/Jacked Up

Pacific Daydream 

Best: Feels Like Summer 

Worst: Get Right 

Overrated: Sweet Mary 

Underrated: Feels Like Summer 

Favorite: Weekend Woman 

Guilty Pleasure: Mexican Fender (I am legitimately embarrassed that I like this song)

Black Album 

I refuse. I hope this album burns in hell. 

Teal

I also refuse this one too....it sucks. It's cynical, lifeless, and isn't worth thinking about. 

OK Human

Best: Aloo Gobi and Dead Roses

Worst: All My Favorite Songs 

Overrated: Numbers

Underrated:  La Brea Tar Pits 

Favorite: Playing My Piano/Mirror Image (I can't disconnect these two).

Van Weezer

Best: Shelia Can Do It (the Homie version is still a hundred times better). 

Worst: Hero 

Overrated: 1 More Hit 

Underrated: None thus far 

Favorite: I Need Some of That (it's dumb, I get it, but what can I say? I like it). 

Art Post: All Suffering Soon To End! (Collage)

 I haven't shared some of my older work in a long time and most of what I have shared was cartoon stuff. 

I became obsessed with creating collages back in 2010-2013 era. I would hunt for old books and materials at garage sales or antique shops some older stuff I destroyed, most I made color copies and used the copies. 

This is a piece stitched together primary with a US Navy handbook of some kind and a Jehovah's Witness track brochure. Some other stuff was also used to fill in the spaces. I liked the contrast of the end of all suffering and preparing for war. 

Enjoy! 

Stumbling Back Home Again Fragments

Well, what can I say, I've been away from the blog for a while. 

Pandemic life peaked and we had an unexpected snowstorm that shut down pretty much the whole state. We got vaccinated (as well as our two oldest children) and of course, things are starting to get back to normal (albeit at a slow and steady rate). 

In the meantime, I toyed with the idea of starting a Spurs podcast (focused on re-watching old playoff series/old games a la my blog of the 2007 championship, in particular, my deep dive into the 2007 Suns series). I did a ton of research into Spurs, podcasting, etc. recorded half an episode and just felt like it was boring and no one in their right mind would listen to it. I abandoned the project, although it honestly might come back as a blog at some point. I dunno. I have a hundred different ideas for future projects, so I just can't say. 

I honestly struggled this last semester, it felt like every day was a Groundhog Day and like most people, I felt stuck and circling down in a swirl, with the drain nowhere in view. 

A few bright spots along the last few months:

• The fam. Despite the fighting amongst the younger two, I take much pleasure at being a "Dad" or "the husband" definitely a way to escape your own brain for a while and focus on caretaking.
• As stated a few months back, I have really taken to cooking. My favorite dishes include New Orleans (BBQ) shrimp, Chicken Paprikash (Hungarian) and Karachi Chicken (Pakistani). There are more but those are my faves off the top of my head.  
• I planned out a big trip out West this July. We are headed to Colorado, Utah and Arizona. I'm looking forward to a ton of it....so many highlights. I'll have a blog series/post on that (probably). 
• I finally presented my research at an academic conference this week.....and it went really well. I wish we had been able to be in person but it was still a great experience overall. I may look into publishing my research but time will tell. 

I had the last two weeks off and I don't really think I have taken advantage of it in a big way. I thought about painting but just ended up doodling, I thought about a "real" blog post, and ended up writing this, this past two weeks have been restful but also in-between and indecisive. It has been nice to not have a grading or other stuff hanging over my head. This past week I spent gearing up for my summer classes (starting next week) and for the conference presentation, so it wasn't wasted. 

I may do some blogging this summer, I have an art post to get to of a painting I did a few years ago but never got around to sharing (I also lost it during our move last year). And I will at least get back to blog a bit about our travels. 

In the meantime, look up a neat recipe on Youtube and give it a shot. Oh, and text an old friend this week and say hi.