7th Book

I finished the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowlings did a nice job wrapping up lots of loose ends. Only four notable "good" characters die, one in the escape and three during the shoot-out. Spoiler alert: the very last chapter takes place 19 years later.

Yet another step back

After finding a good parking spot two blocks from the subway entrance, I made my way to the station with a small umbrella as the regular large one was already in the office. With music pumping and my heart rate jumping, it was wonderful to soak in the cool humidity. Yes, I do dig this humidity because it's cool. A bit cooler would be nicer.

The R train comes in and there are plenty of seats but I choose to stand as I'm engrossed with the news. As we pull into 59th Street, there's an N train waiting for us. Nice! I make my way across the platform and into the train. As always, I make my way to the middle so as to not block the area by the doors. Plus, there's usually room and, if the air con is on, it's cooler. As I turn to my right, this young man gets up from his seat as it seems he just realized that he needed the R train that I just got off. I stop my advance to let him out.

Immediately, a young Asian (I hate this word as chances are he was Chinese) boy makes for the seat and get seated. Just then this older Mongolian-looking thrusts herself into the seat and with a right hip-check nudges the boy between her and the woman sitting at the end. I didn't think much of it and I made my way to the roomy middle. Mongola (as I shall call the older woman) completes the bum-rush and the kid is forced out of the seat. Damn!

Other folks were shaking their heads but did nothing. I think the woman at the end said something but Mongola didn't respond as she probably didn't speak English. Mongola seemed to possess a combination of "I'm older, respect me", "fight for it and it's yours" and "I don't give a rat's ass". For the next three stops, she held her position at Queen Toad on the lilypad which included leaning against the guy next to her (he fell asleep after shaking his head at her).

What's a witness to do?

P.S., where credit is due

Armin Van Buuren came to town last Friday. He spun at McCarren Pool Park in Brooklyn and did a fantabulous job. Jennifer Rene, Susanna and Rank 1 were his guest performers. Unlike his set at the Tobacco Warehouse last year, he only spun for 4 hours (6PM - 10PM) this time around. Nevertheless, it great.

Photos were taken by my friend Pimpcess (aspiring future wife of AVB). Thanks!

Credit doesn't deserve credit

It's frightening when the answer to this question "Are people really that stupid?" is an emphatic "Yes!". This is probably the worst week at work in the 4.5 years I've been here. Multiple closings happened almost simultaneously and the folks in Credit are claiming ignorance, wielding their ugly wrenches to stall the closing engines and whining about semantics. I especially laugh at the last part given how poor their English is. (Side note: bad and funny as Ebonics may be, at least it's understandable.)

The general manager is going to have a massive conniption when he gets back on Monday. A part of me is worried that he might fire me because he's a chickenshit punk-ass who believes that we should be safe rather than sorry. Unfortunately, this strategy doesn't really work in today's banking industry as the bank is now sorry for being safe. Furthermore, he's given Credit too much power/oversight to cripple the sales folks from growing the bank.

Six months of not having to work could be fun. Actually, three months as I would need to get a gig by the end of the fifth month.

Still deluded...

Does our President realize he is a Lame-Ass Duck? For all of his gut-advised-by-God-feelings to lead this great nation of ours, why are we so disliked by the rest of the world and our own citizens are clashing with each other? Surely, he will have a lasting legacy as being among the worst leaders of this country rather than the delusions of grandeur when took over the Oval.

If I called for a revolution, I will surely be monitored by the government for subversive activities despite my guaranteed right to voice my disagreements and grievances of how my government is being run. The near-mockery that is Washington clearly cannot continue as I am sure I am not among the few who seeks drastic evolution of mindset in our leaders.

Frankly, I'm hoping Bloomberg will change his mind, throw $500 million into a campaign and win the 2008 presidency. He's done a pretty good job with New York City. I like his shun-the-lobbyists and his we-need-to-fix-this-mess mentality.

Run Mike Run.

Harry Potter

I was invited to a private viewing of the fifth episode of Harry Potter tonight. I brought along my nephew as he grew fond of the books I had given him to read. Like him, I wasn't crazy about the movie but did like the direction it was going. Definitely darker.

The director did a wonderful job with Dolores Umbridge. I hated her so much as it brought back a few uncomfortable memories. I do relate somewhat with Harry's plight and was quite annoyed with his constant whining and selfish acts. I suppose I was the same at that age but I can't quite recall the memories to nullify the current bitching of those bitching days.

It seemed like the children and teens in the audience enjoyed the movie. Hopefully, the next installment will be much better, in my eyes. I am looking forward to receiving the last book a few days after its release. I already read the spoiler which many have disavowed.

I don't recommend reading any reviews of the movie or book as the power of suggestion is much too great and will likely swing your opinion.

Enjoy the movie. And book.

Spoiler: Voldemort kills someone. As if you didn't already know.