Falls, off the Rocker

Up To No Good ... It's @AmberCadabra's Fault

This is called "Commisuratin'"

Me and @misskatiemo (Katie Morse from Radian6) plotting evil things against he co-workers. Okay, just Amber Naslund. Heh.

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Posted February 6, 2010

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If This Offends You, Please Tell Your Friends

You're probably going to call me names. You might even stop reading my stuff or, the horror, unfollow me on Twitter. But this is something I feel compelled to say.

As my friend Mark Story rather vehemently pointed out on his blog, lots of (mostly) women (we assume) raised a stink yesterday over the naming of Apple's iPad. Apparently women (which I find ironic) have a one-track mind and think Apple's newest toy is an obvious feminism slight because it makes people think of tampons. Strange that men didn't point this out, don't you think? I don't think of tampons ... umm ... ever. If it makes you think of one, then you've got one on your mind for other reasons.

Bigger than the iTampon kerfuffle, though, I wish the PC police for each maligned special-interest group would realize one important fact when they scream loudly about the injustices of the world: It only makes those unlike you not like you more.

I had the unfortunate experience (though it turned out productive) of being attacked and minimized by a feminist because I made a reference to Las Vegas being a place that has Showgirls and strip joints. I framed it in the context of a joke which she obviously didn't find funny. Self-righteous and certainly well within her rights to call me out and shake a finger at me, the woman accomplished three primary things with her reaction: She convinced me that I should think hard about the implications of my humor. She proved to the world that she has no sense of humor. She made the vast majority of the people who witnessed her tirade really, really not like feminists.

She won the battle, but perhaps hurt the chances of winning the war. (If there is such a thing.)

Political correctness is nothing more than condescending thought police forcing people into group think. I'm not defending sexism, racism or other forms of intolerance. Yes, I know that racist and sexist jokes can proliferate stereotypes and have a subtle negative effect on the overall health of a community. But to borrow the truth-in-comedy musings of Chris Rock, the thought isn't the problem. The context is.

The fact that Apple named their gadget an iPad isn't offensive. If they had dressed it up in pink, unveiled it from Steve Jobs's crotch and perhaps included a string hanging off it ... that's offensive.

Rock's routine talks about context of using the "N" word. While his routine is funny, it's true. People use the "N" word all the time. In context (none that I can support, but in the African-American culture, it's different and not my business) the "N" word is appropriate and doesn't offend.

The point I'm hoping to make is that you need to be offended at the context, not the act, the word or the name. And if you decide to let assumptions and superficiality dictate how loud you scream about how anti-women, anti-race, anti-religious group or anti-PETA (sorry, had to) the world is, the only real point you're making is that you simply don't get it.

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Posted January 28, 2010

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VIDEO: Katie And Daddy Watching Football

Katie is locked into the AFC Championship game. Not bad for 21 months old.

She took a few moments to do a quick interview for all her fans online.

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Posted January 24, 2010

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It's Tip Time For Mr. Falls

Grant, in his trademark green shorts, gets pregame instructions from his coach. The Bobcats battle the Kings in the season opener of Grant's second year in the league.

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Posted January 23, 2010

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Ruminations On My Birthday

Today is my birthday. I'm 37. It's been a long time since I've been excited about my birthday and this year is really no different. It's just a day that reminds me of my impending mortality. I very much appreciate the well wishes and folks who say, "Happy birthday!" I appreciate those who choose to sing the song a bit less, though. Heh.

The numerologist in me hasn't been looking forward to 37. I'm sure it's just an over-active imagination, but something really good happened to me when I was seven. The year I turned 17 might have been the worst year of my life, for a variety of reasons. Ten years ago was arguably the best. That's when I married Nancy. So, if the pattern holds, this year's gonna suck. But I also am realistic enough to know that nothing in the past really effects the future. What effects it is the present. I'm happy, healthy, have a wonderful family and a good job that I'm passionate about. If something goes wrong, it'll be my fault probably. So I'll take what comes and hope for the best.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not melancholy about having a birthday. I like the attention, as demure as I may be playing it off.

But when you really think about it, there's only one thing that changes on your birthday. It's the number on your obituary.

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Posted January 18, 2010

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