Epic Flail

A repository of things i take seriously..pause..then chuckle at later.

If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room

Professor Peter Fox, RPI

8 months ago

The idea in France is to eat the best. Best possible on a daily basis but just in small quantities so your brain is happy every day. You don’t starve yourself and then you eat like a pig at an ‘all you can eat’ on a Saturday night. ‘All You Can Eat’ doesn’t exist in France.’

Chef Jacquy Pfeiffer, Meilleur Ouvrier de France from the movie Kings of Pastry


Truth spoken from where decadence, style and grace originate. Not to mention the home of the macarons. 

9 months ago - 3

double trouble

I don’t often post or comment on politics, but I couldn’t help but note the events transpiring around Chick-Fil-A.

Yes, it is a public relations nightmare. And, if I learned anything in my years as a “communications professional,” I recognize that the company’s recent online missteps will have someone’s head on a platter.

It was bad form and shortsighted to have a fake identity respond to a comment. Not shockingly, this company’s representative underestimated the public’s knowledge and resourcefulness.

Anyone who studies social behavioral patterns, especially online, would have anticipated - warned - the company that the loudest and most obnoxious voices participate in this virtual space; reasons for which span from diassociation, anonymity, etc. So, PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

However, the underlying importance of the Chick-Fil-A fiasco can be reviewed in two paradoxes:

— First, the structure of a democracy allows for and celebrates the existence of multiple perspectives, stances. In this context, we find those who support the LGBT community and those who don’t. However, no matter your team, what a “civil” society must remember is that these two are allowed to co-exist.
Therefore, as much as I am a supporter of the LGBT community, I cannot ignorantly cast a stone against Chick-Fil-A. Do I agree with them? No. Do I find it necessary to spread equally hateful commentary about a company that by democratic terms has the equal right to stand by their conviction? No.
Democracy functions to serve the needs of the collective. And, as history indicates, these needs are often served when one group collectively voices their opion…the loudest; which leads me to my next point.

— Second, the hopefullness of the Internet to serve as a new public sphere, the conduit to a better democracy, an equalizer is quixotic. Instead, “the problem therefore seems to be that opinions are exponentially available in cyberspace, yet their massive presence reduces their significance . .participants in computer-mediated discussions are more ready to talk than they are to listen” (Pinter and Oblak, 2003).

More concerningly, we are an over-informed generation pummled by feeds, newcasts, opinions, emails, data, charts etc. We find ourselves avoiding potentially disruptive interactions in fear of being inundated with more information; or, worse publically exposed as having a stance. In a way, the pendulum has many swinging towards an online hermitness found in private networks, curated lists and closed invite-only statuses. This overwhelming publicity has so many retreating; and as a result we have become timid and disengaged -two fatal blows towards democratic success.

So, what we have are incredibly informed folks who remain silent - in both action and speech - and a society whose inevitable success depends on the participation of this group.

Instead, we have extreme factions that exercise neither civility nor informed thought dictating which way this country moves.

The question then is how to remind those - the level-headed, centered, informed, sympathetic, timid, apathetic, etc., - citizens to engage in the debate and to take a stand?

9 months ago

This is a great summary of my new home. 

Yes, I am a Longhorn, but I can honestly say that I haven’t been this excited and impressed by a school like this in a long time.

The facilities, the minds and the push to work at the limits of EVERY industry is amazing. The school’s curriculum and approach to the traditional studies moves far beyond what even UT has to offer.

Experimental, I think, is the best way to describe this institution. 

Founded in 1824, it’s one of the oldest schools in America. It is the grandfather of schools/departments at Yale, MIT, etc. Who knows what we’ll be developing next, but I’m honored to be a part of it. 

10 months ago - 3
..these streets will make you feel brand new, these streets will inspire you For as much as I hate the cliche, arriving in NY certainly did feel like the opening scene from Sex and the City (Jay-Z anthem included).  Yes, it may not be the city, but the scenery is so starkly different from Texas and so identifiably New York that it’s hard not to make the connection. It was an unnecessary 99 degrees at arrival, but almost instantly I was entranced by the early 1900’s three-story brownstone homes half engulfed by ivy.   My new apartment is an incredible - very lucky - acquisition. Located in the historic district of Troy, the original building was built in the late 1890s. This original burnt down in the 1920s after a fire destroyed over 520 homes in the area.  The landlords, who happen to be in the adjacent building, are restoration architects. They’ve managed to preserve much of the building’s original frame updating only the appliances and electric circuits. There isn’t an a/c unit, so I’ve parked myself next to the window in the back room, which has an amazing view of a garden below that my landlords maintain.  I also have a random non-working sink in my bedroom that is close to over 100 years old. Quite neat, but not really useful. Not really sure what to do with it.. It’s my very first apartment all to myself! Can’t wait to start pulling all the elements together. 

..these streets will make you feel brand new, these streets will inspire you

For as much as I hate the cliche, arriving in NY certainly did feel like the opening scene from Sex and the City (Jay-Z anthem included). 

Yes, it may not be the city, but the scenery is so starkly different from Texas and so identifiably New York that it’s hard not to make the connection.

It was an unnecessary 99 degrees at arrival, but almost instantly I was entranced by the early 1900’s three-story brownstone homes half engulfed by ivy.  

My new apartment is an incredible - very lucky - acquisition. Located in the historic district of Troy, the original building was built in the late 1890s. This original burnt down in the 1920s after a fire destroyed over 520 homes in the area. 

The landlords, who happen to be in the adjacent building, are restoration architects. They’ve managed to preserve much of the building’s original frame updating only the appliances and electric circuits.

There isn’t an a/c unit, so I’ve parked myself next to the window in the back room, which has an amazing view of a garden below that my landlords maintain. 

I also have a random non-working sink in my bedroom that is close to over 100 years old. Quite neat, but not really useful. Not really sure what to do with it..

It’s my very first apartment all to myself! Can’t wait to start pulling all the elements together. 

10 months ago - 2
In approximately 8 hours, I will be arriving at my new home. Finally. It took almost 10 years, but I’ve packed it all up and headed to upstate New York. And, as any proper product of the Internet generation, I feel it only appropriate to reflect and share. The past year has been one of extreme self-growth. Now, I take pause and think of the spectrum of what I’ve accomplished, failed, learned, loved and let go. Moving to the Rio Grande Valley was a chance; one that I convinced myself would lead to the shiny white marble floors of the U.S. Capitol. An, in all honesty, silly shortcut that in hindsight was litered with red flags from the start.  But, despite a painful and extremely difficult internal fight with my moral & ethical character, I am thankful for the experience.  Looking back, the move was exactly what I needed. It slowed me down, re-evaluated my priorities and gave me better reason to pursue my future path. Those who know me well know that I often ask..“well, what’s the purpose? What are you changing?”. For years, I worked in technology - in communications - trying to bring value to products, services etc…all the while never really feeling fulfilled by the work.  Moving to an area that is underserved, under-educated, poverty ridden, and wrought with off-the-book deals confirmed that there are in fact bigger problems in the world. My thesis on copyright and intellectual property now feels so insignificant and trite.   It was/is still my greatest fear that whatever I may pursue next falls prey to this elitist ignorance.  Therefore, I intend to consciously pursue my future endeavors with the memory of this experience and with the intent to never - ever - lose touch with the realities our world faces.  Now, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that the Valley taught me a different type of happiness. A type of happiness that came in seeing six generations come together to celebrate and share a meal at the dinner table. A happiness that surfaced in finding someone who believes in me more than I have ever believed in myself. And, a happiness found in solitude at the edge of the world where the sun and the ocean meet.  I’ve also come to realize that despite distance..it really after all is just distance. Thank you, technology. My relationships are my lifeline. Visiting Austin & Dallas this past weekend confirmed that no matter the mileage, every ounce of my being, my drive, my ambition, my knowledge, apathy, kindness and strength are reflections of those I love.  I always like to think that at the end of all of this how would my memoir read?   Well, if my Tumblr is any good indication, I’d say it’d fall nothing short of incredible.  Thanks to Cesar for reminding me that it’s about time to start chuckling. . 

In approximately 8 hours, I will be arriving at my new home.

Finally.

It took almost 10 years, but I’ve packed it all up and headed to upstate New York. And, as any proper product of the Internet generation, I feel it only appropriate to reflect and share.

The past year has been one of extreme self-growth. Now, I take pause and think of the spectrum of what I’ve accomplished, failed, learned, loved and let go.

Moving to the Rio Grande Valley was a chance; one that I convinced myself would lead to the shiny white marble floors of the U.S. Capitol. An, in all honesty, silly shortcut that in hindsight was litered with red flags from the start. 

But, despite a painful and extremely difficult internal fight with my moral & ethical character, I am thankful for the experience. 

Looking back, the move was exactly what I needed. It slowed me down, re-evaluated my priorities and gave me better reason to pursue my future path.

Those who know me well know that I often ask..“well, what’s the purpose? What are you changing?”. For years, I worked in technology - in communications - trying to bring value to products, services etc…all the while never really feeling fulfilled by the work. 

Moving to an area that is underserved, under-educated, poverty ridden, and wrought with off-the-book deals confirmed that there are in fact bigger problems in the world. My thesis on copyright and intellectual property now feels so insignificant and trite.  

It was/is still my greatest fear that whatever I may pursue next falls prey to this elitist ignorance. 

Therefore, I intend to consciously pursue my future endeavors with the memory of this experience and with the intent to never - ever - lose touch with the realities our world faces. 

Now, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention that the Valley taught me a different type of happiness. A type of happiness that came in seeing six generations come together to celebrate and share a meal at the dinner table. A happiness that surfaced in finding someone who believes in me more than I have ever believed in myself. And, a happiness found in solitude at the edge of the world where the sun and the ocean meet. 

I’ve also come to realize that despite distance..it really after all is just distance. Thank you, technology.

My relationships are my lifeline. Visiting Austin & Dallas this past weekend confirmed that no matter the mileage, every ounce of my being, my drive, my ambition, my knowledge, apathy, kindness and strength are reflections of those I love. 

I always like to think that at the end of all of this how would my memoir read?  

Well, if my Tumblr is any good indication, I’d say it’d fall nothing short of incredible. 

Thanks to Cesar for reminding me that it’s about time to start chuckling. . 

10 months ago - 1

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