Unfocused Fridays
I’ve got way too much on my mind (and my plate) today so this entry will likely be random. Though, since so many of my entries are random, I guess that makes it less random and more standard. Eh – that’s to much to think about right now.
So, last night I had Jason come over for pizza (mmmmm – Regina’s) and Rummy. He won – fair and square: 1,010 to 945 (only 65 points separation…not bad). The last hand of the game was pretty intense, though. I think I was trailing him by a substantial amount…but in the last hand I managed to earn the most points I’ve ever seen in a Rummy game: 245! If it wasn’t for that lucky hand, Jason would really have a reason to be gloating today.
While playing games last night we didn’t watch VH-1 Classics or LoGo as we normally do. We opted to watch the new NBC line-up and actually enjoyed it. Jason did seem to laugh the most at “My Name is Earl” and “The Office”…..maybe he’ll come back for more Must-See TV soon.
Tonight I’m getting together with my friend, Tony, for dinner and DVD’s. He’s Italian and is using his home-made red-sauce…mmmmmmm. I’m providing the cannoli since I live in the North End.
Tomorrow I’m doing laundry (for the first time in over two weeks) then getting together with Mike at night. (not to self: buy more underwear and sock so I can go three weeks without doing laundry)
I was reading the most recent issue of Harvard Magazine (Jan/Feb 2006, page 34) and there was an interesting article on Democrats vs. Republicans/Liberals vs. Conservatives. It wasn’t leaning one way or the other (though, being a liberal college magazine I suspect it leans towards the Democrat and that a Republican might pick up on bias). Anyway, tha author, Erin O’Donnell, referenced some research that was done in the mid 1940’s comparing voters within the two political parties. It found that Republicans “are more likely to be practical-organized and pragmatic.” They tended to make more money, be more athletic, and less open to new ideas.
Democrats, on the other hand, tended to be “cultural, verbalistic, shy, and to have a sensitive affect, or be ‘thin-skinned.'” They also tended to have higher educated mothers (and to be higher educated themselves)*.
However, there was no difference in whether they had happy childhoods, were more prone to alcoholism/addiction, or to suffer mental illness. There was also no difference in generosity/charitable giving. Obviously, region played a factor (New England vs. the South) as does family history and race/minority status…but it was the pscyhological inclinations that fascinated me. Especially the fact that the study was from the 1940’s yet still seems pretty accurate in its results. Makes me wonder…is the country really more divided now that it was back then? Or are people just more open about politics?
*Personally, as an open-minded fellow with no athletic-tendencies, I find the Democratic/Liberal folks to be more appealing.
9 Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
So Tony is blowing off the soire for the BGMC in the South end tonight for pizza in the North End? Interesting. Have fun!
You’d be surprised how old that old canard is about liberals being cultural, effete, and thin-skinned. It was used in the 19th century to describe the new bourgeois men as opposed to the rugged nobility of eras past. Hell, even Hitler used it against the Communists. Anyhow, thanks for the cards, the TV, and of course, the company. YEAH I WON!
Gee, good thing Jason doesn’t have a reason to gloat, Karl. 😉
You twerp, just do your damn laundry! Sheesh!
So – which Mike are you getting together with? The one you were kinda sorta seeing or the one who stalked you?
And what about those of us who fall squarely in neither the Republican or Democratic corners, who are not bunny-hugging Green Partiers or any other categories on the ballot? When, I ask you, WHEN, will they develop a Republicrat or a Democlican ticket?
Hey, Karyn!
I’m probably going to get my gay card revoked for this but, like you, I don’t clearly fall into either Democrat or Republican categories (though I lean toward Democrat since I’m EXTREMELY liberal socially).
As for the Case of the Two Mikes…I’m getting together with the one I’ve been kinda’/sorta’ dating the past two months.
karl is more republican than he thinks (ie the conversation about “how all americans have an equal opportunities for a [successful] life”. tsk tsk.
“I’m afraid of snakes and rape”.
I freaking *heart* My Name Is Earl. So glad it’s got a better time slot now.
You actually *read* Harvard Magazine? I don’t think I’ve ever done anything more than peruse the class notes to see if anyone I know sent anything in (odds: slim to none, other than the one hilarious wedding announcement that proves they just take what you send in and print it) (Jobs of friends were listed as “running with wolves in Alaska,” “teaching aerobics in Miami Beach,” etc. when really everyone was in law school or medical school)
Well, I AM a dyed in the wool democrat AND I’m thick-skinned. I don’t mind paying taxes as long as I get the services. Yes, there will always be waste, but that’s always part of the package n’est pas? Also, I think BIG government is fine, but as I said above, they need to be doing their job (unlike our present government). I do like making/having money, but I do make an effort to share it with all sorts of personal and PC causes. I’ve not read the article, but I wonder if that makes me fit anywhere.