Being Chosen

No one ever likes being picked last. Not only is that true on the playground or ball field, but also in the arena of life. Humans derive value from being chosen. Need proof? Think back to the last time when teams were being chosen for basketball (or any sport) -- for me that was last weekend. As adults we chuckle at being the last one chosen -- for we all know what it feels like -- and it's not even really being chosen -- you are the remainder, the one that a team was stuck with, not a player they desired.

For me that happened, and still does happen, a lot. And for good reason; my basketball prowess is non-existant. I can't dribble, can't play defense, and certainly can't shoot. I was one of only three people to be cut from the junior-high basketball team, and the only from the 8th grade who was cut. Back then (wow it's been over 10 years!) it hurt. Now I can laugh at it because:

1. I don't get my self value from being on or off the team
2. It's been over 10 years
3. Not much in terms of my skill (or my being chosen) has changed

I still enjoy playing and will give a 100

More Bird Flu and Hope for an Open Internet

The Bird Flu is making news again. Now it appears to spread between humans. I hope this doesn't become a major threat. Right now it appears that it takes incredibly close, prolonged contact to transfer. Which means those of us who are single and not sharing a room with others are at a better advantage to survive... except when counting in the facts that

1. All of us are mortal and therefore can die

2. Happily married people live healthier and longer than singles. (I'm still at work, but will soon be heading out to find food - most likely fast food - and Raid -- still have yet to see if the ants are invading for part 3.)

3. I'm rambling. (I don't know how that fits...)

Anyway

I really don't want to pay more for the internet. According to this article in the BBC there is a debate over the open internet or the two (or more tiered) internet. I, for one, prefer the open internet. More competition, less regulation, and equal (for the most-part) opportunity for all. Having to pay for premium delivery would be passed on to the consumer (more fees for all) and we would almost be forced to pay extra (dial-up is already slow enough now... imagine if we had to pay for faster connection and faster delivery or else suffer a lack of both).

Perhaps I'll have Subway tonight...

Ants are invading my room

No. This is not a joke.
No. There is no food or trash or remains or dust or anything else for them to want to get at.

For the second night in a row, ants are coming, unbeckoned, undesired, undeserved into my room. They are entering through the cracks around the window.

Last night I fought them off and thought I got rid of all of them. I erased their trail, sprayed it with chemicals and checked it this morning... no more ants. I thought I was safe.

BUT NO. After coming back from watching (at a friend's house) the Mavs/Spurs game (which my only regret regarding the grame is that I won't get free coffee from Valero tomorrow), putting on the Dodger game (MLB TV), and climbing into bed, I started to feel like I was getting bit. I was. The bed was full of ants. The ants were marching in (but with no hurrah's and certainly more than 100 by 100, let alone 1 by 1).

I wouldn't mind as much if they were going after food I left out -- my "reward" for leaving things out. Or if they were going to another part of my room (ie corner, dvds, computer, you name it --- anything but where they are headed) instead of my bed.

As a single guy, I look forward to someday sharing my bed with someone-my future wife. I don't know who she is right now, but I assure anyone reading this that, regardless of any other redeeming qualities (including millions of dollars) that six-legged beings need not apply. Certainly not those who come unbidden and biting.

I have spent the last hour or so trying to rid my room yet again from the ants. Windex, Lysol with bleach, squishing them with paper towels, squishing them with my bare hands, and even burning them with a BIC cigarrette lighter. {No I don't smoke--the lighter is useful for cleaning up uniforms that have stray strings}

After maintaining watch for the last 30 minutes to see if no others invade the bed (they can have the floor tonight... I'm buying Raid tomorrow... I just want to sleep without being crawled on and bit) I decided to rant and rave about the situation in this post and then check to see if any have returned.

Hopefully they have learned the lesson by seeing the other ants nearby who were burnt to a crisp and decide to leave the area. Otherwise this will be a very long night.

At least the Dodgers won and are now tied for first place in the NL West.