The Silver Diner

Now Serving...

The New Silver Diner is up and running. Drop in and I'll seat you at our best table...maybe! The URL for the new sit is: http://www.grapixeye.com/blog/index.html. Change your links and bookmark me. So stop by and enjoy our new meals and a slice of life! Many thanks to those that helped here at Typepad and for all the wonderful emails and comments. Hope to see you in the new establishment!

Take Out...

Mark you calendar. On December 1, the Silver Diner is moving to its new home. It is now undergoing renovations so stay tuned for the Grand Re-Opening of the Silver Diner. Hopefully it will provide a more enjoyable experience for your dining pleasure!

Dim Sum Reheated

Dead Man Walking...

Its been suggested by a female friend that the best way to control a man is that when a woman becomes pregnant, to tell the father to be that his future child will be a girl. Huh? My friend M is pregnant and due in January. We recently had dinner in Helsinki with her husband C and a few other friends. When I saw C he had this hangdog look  of a man on his way to the gallows. Inquiring as to the reason he explained that the couple had just found out the sex of their newborn would be female. I immediately sympathized with his plight, but the woman totally misunderstood his mood. They thought he was disappointed at not having a boy to cluck a ball around the yard or to go to the forest and shoot unsuspecting vermin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Learning that your child is going to be female for a man is the stuff of nightmares! The women seemed puzzled by this. We explained and to put this in the simplest terms...the reason this prospect is so frightening is that some time in the future, your daughter, that sweet -face angel, the love of your life, will soon be bringing home some knucklehead just like us and life's revenge is due!  I'm feeling your pain C, but thats why they invented shotguns.

Speaking in Tongues II...

Considering what a tough language Finnish is to learn, I'm (finally) having fun with it. Just when I was starting to complain about the simplistic sentences language teachers use, my current teacher, Jorma, changed the game. (incidentally, Jorma is acknowledged as the foremost language teacher in Finland and you can read about learning Finnish in this article from a Finnish newspaper...you might even see a photo of me there...in a baseball cap). Why do language teachers worldwide use such uninteresting sentences to teach a language? And this includes English. "Jack goes to school and plays sports." or "Jack and Mary went for a walk." Boring! In Finland, Jack is Peikka and Mary is Kaisa and they do the same dumb things. I long for sentences like, "Jack and Mary hooked school and were caught drinking beer!" So it was with some surprise and not a little elation that Jorma Xeroxed newspaper clipping for us to read, including the Finnish Personals. What fun...and they are just as amusing as the ones in the States...Naiset hakevat or Meihet hakevat! (Looking for women, looking for men).  Its still the second hardest language in the world to learn but I console myself with the fact that now I can say, "Anteeksi. Minulla on hedelmäkaramelli juuttunut ylös minun nenääni!" (Excuse me. I have a gumdrop stuck up my nose!)

Eat your heart out Superman...

Last week the British Airport Security agency started field testing devices the allow them to scan people right through their clothes. So far its a voluntary practice and I doubt it will begin in the US any time soon until they work out the Privacy thing. Still, its some vindication to mothers all over the world that their  warnings will now be heeded...Always wear clean underwear and never go commando!

Dim Sum

This and that....

In reference to my post called Cupcakes and Fruit Loops, there are some interesting numbers I can share with you:

242 - Number of emails I received about this post;

2 - number of comments about this post;

45 - number of men that got it right

92% - percentage of men that got it right

12 - number of women that got it right
You can do the math on the number of women that got it wrong!

I think this pretty well proves my point. Fruit Loops are sugar-coated but they still have a hole in the middle...so welcome to the inpending marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fruit Loops.

Speaking in tongues...

Is it me or is the general use of langage declining into something vague and vulgar. I though the whole purpose of the "information superhighway" was that people would communicate better? So why has it gotten down to using computer-speak. All those letters on the keyboard and all people can type is LOL, BRB, SAT, WTG and BTW. Its gotten so bad that teachers are now complaining that its showing up in the classroom. One friend even lamented that he received a resume which was nearly all computerspeak. Damn~! Xcm Wifigo?Ijwrt! (Excuse me while I figure out what I just wrote).

PC's vs Macs Revisted...

I gave a large dinner party recently and as my guest roamed around my place and wandered into my office, they drolled over my Apple Dual G5 and my G5 iMac...and sitting in corner (quietly) was my Pentium 5 PC...unplugged. What was interesting was that half of my guest were Apple users and the other half PC users. This, of course, sparked a debate about which was better and a little object lesson to boot. I stayed out of the debate because I have a degree in Computer Science (What? And you though I was only a photographer). It seemed to be an unfair advantage to put my two-cents in.  In general, average Apple users seem to know their machine a heck of a lot better then your average PC user. PC users complained mostly about the viruses, adware and spyware that abound on their machines. Actually none of the PC users had many good things to say about their computers except to say that there were more of them then Mac. Which begs the question...why are they still using them? As an object lesson, they plugged in my PC, turned on my G5 and surfed the web at the same sites (I have a T1 line, so it was 1 meg up and down on both machines). Inside of 5 minutes I had 1 virus and 22 spyware and adware programs on the PC!!! None on the Mac at all, plus it won hands down on speed and ease of use, not to mention the cool factor of design. When I asked why they (PC users) didn't change I got the usual Microsoft line about pricing and learning a new operating system. That was debunked when they went online together and compared prices...ended up with Macs costing less (by 20%) then their PC counterparts using the same software and the same hardware configurations. Interesting! And the winner is ...Microsoft for having a better BS campaign! I love my Mac...so put that in your iPod and smoke it!

Finns never smile...

Finns are nice people...once you get to know them. But its not an easy country to live in. Language troubles aside, it gets dark and cold in the winter and its tough to get to know people when they spend a ton of time hunkered down alone to ride it out. I ride the bus to work most days because its cheap, clean and you could  set your watch by the schedules they keep. However, unlike their American brethren, you can hear a pin drop on a Finnish bus...it so damn quiet! No one talks and they hardly even notice you..eerie! If you say good morning or good evening, they seem embrassed that you spoke to them and turn bright red..men and women. Even on the street its like that and I really don't think they like their language very much. When I go to a shop and asked (in Finnish) what something cost or for direction, they immediately answer me in English!! I got so mad about this practice that once at a movie theatre I asked for popcorn in perfect Finnish and was answered in English. Turning to my Finnish friend that was attending the movie with me I asked, "was something wrong with my Finnish?" She said it was perfect and I asked the lady at the counter if what I said made any sense. She said it was great (in English of course). So I asked her why she replied in English and she said she wanted  to "practice" her English. Hmmm...In perfect Finnish I told her it that was rude...and in the future it would be best to practice on her own time. And Finns never seem to smile. Oh, you might  catch a hint of one every now and then, but smiling is not on the list of everyday things to do...sort of adds a cloud to those gloomy days of winter! But I love the country anyway...after all I could be living in (gasp) Kansas!

The Last of the Age of Reason...

Seems like they had a name for every decade or generation...The 60's Flower Child, The 80's Yuppie generation, the 90"s was the "Me" generation. I wonder what this one will be called? I'd like to put in my vote for the 2000's...the Whiners generation! Never had have I heard such a sounds as this whining that seems to spring up when you just want some peace and quiet. I hate this; I'm bored; I hate myself; its someone else's fault; why can't I be rich or famous; she/he has this or that, why can't I or the infamous "nobody loves me". Get over it people. Now whether you agree or not, I believe everyone and I mean everyone has gifts they were born with and some are under-utilized. So if you can stop whining long enough to hear yourself think, maybe, just maybe, you can figure out what they are and make yourself happy. Just don't whine to me...I'm tone -deaf!

ET Phone home....

I call the US nearly everyday and talk to family members and friends from my nice Nokia cell phone. At the end of the month when the bill comes it ususally adds up to around (in dollars) $34-$55...total! I can go anywhere in Europe and use my phone...no roaming charges, SMS messaging for one cent a pop and get emails too! I can even connect my laptop and surf the web using the same service where this is just part of the package...no extra charge! Amazing isn't it. When I'm in the States I have to buy a different phone for each provider, the hidden charges are so well hidden I could be giving away the house and my bill is in hundreds of dollars. And don't even get me started on the customer service! Whats wrong in America that one can't use this technology properly without taking out a mortgage on your house? A friend at one of the Tele companies here had a simple answer...arrogance! We invented the technology but because the Europeans came up with a better way to use it, we thumbed out noses at them and now we are stuck in America with crappy service and no standards, which in turn raises prices and blood pressure. 'If Americans didn't do it, it must be crap' seems to be our mantra! So we raise the banner of competition and are now fighting over the crumbs due to our own arrogant outlook. We need change that in so many ways or we will be phoning home soon using tin cans with string attached!

Bush League Bakers

Every week (nearly) I converse with a group of artist and photographers via the internet. We have our own chat room and members can also video chat via iChat which is pretty cool. There are about 38 members total (its by invitation only), and the group consist of artist from all parts of the US.

This weeks meeting was surprising, since we had nearly all members present... usually there are only 20 on average. However, it was no surprise that the basic conversational topic was the US Presidential election. The general consensus was that Bush was the Anti-Artist. Again, not surprising. It seems that creative people in general were not inclined to vote for Bush since he has not done much for the art community in general since he's been in office. A few members pointed out the lack of funding for school art programs and cut-backs for museums and such. I have to admit they have a point.

The members of the Art Group are artist that have tons of work in museums and galleries, so a lot of their opinions have some merit. For instance, large companies that used to be patrons of the arts are no longer interested... keeping their money for more important things, like lining their own pockets. CEO's buy old art at auctions for the wrong reason... just to show their compatriots that they can afford a million dollar piece of art. Not for its artistic value, but rather for bragging rights. This is a sad state of affairs, with no solution in sight.

Will the next 4 years of the Bush administration spell the death of art? Well maybe not the demise of art, but it certainly will take a hit. Not even Bushism can kill the spirit of art. So relax my children. Your day will come and your creativity will at last be appreciated.

Cupcake and Fruit Loops

There are certain statements men and women should never make to each other. These statements are relationship killers of the worst kind. For men that statement is in the form of the following: "I like you like a brother" and the "He's too nice" statement. On the latter hangs this tale of a romance nearly doomed. (Ok, I'm sure you are wondering about the statement that women hate... but you know the one that men give you thats called The Promise. Being a man, I'm not going to get into that one at this time.)

I have a friend that complains about the lack of men in her life. She complains about their shortcomings in great details. This one is too short, that one is too boring, but the worst one that she complains about is the one thats TOO NICE. Hmmm... now most "nice" guys really hate to hear this. What the heck is TOO NICE? When I asked her what was "TOO NICE and what was wrong with it... she looked perplexed and after screwing up her face and biting her lips just answered that it was too hard to explain. For the sake of this story we will call her Ms. Staken. She is a witty, beautiful, sometimes self-absorbed, caring and intelligent woman.

Now Ms. Staken was currently dating two men. The first man (we will call him Cupcake) was a gentle guy, possessed of a paying job, good manners, and inquisitive natured. He was thoughtful and kind, loved children and went through life with the notion that people are basically nice and wonderful. The second man (lets call him Fruit Loops) was just the opposite... sports nut (you know the type... paints his face in the team colors even at home watching a game), scratches himself at the most inopportune times, hates anything cultural unless its the history of beer making, find kids annoying, hates to dress up and hates to to talk about anything more pressing then the box scores. Also he works...sometimes..when the mood strikes him because "he wants the freedom to explore life"!

When Ms Staken goes out with Cupcakes, he takes her to a nice place to eat, never minds going to places she like to go, even if its not his thing and seems genuinely interested in the things that makes her who she is. He doesn't press and is not annoying. When she goes out with Fruit Loops it can be an exciting blend of erotic entertainment that he likes, places to eat that don't require much in the way of reading like a menu with more then two syllables, and hanging out with friends so he can show her off since he describes her as "his babe". So when we sat down one day to help her figure it all out it was an eye opener. I've been the Mr. Nice Guy type and for the life of me I can't understand whats wrong the being NICE!

Me: So which one will you choose and why are you going out with Fruit Loops in the first place?

MS: Well, he is sooo bad...exciting, you know!

Me; Actually I don't...enlighten me!

MS: Women like those guys that are on the edge and he is definitely an edgy guy, exciting and most of the time fun to be around... when he is not too drunk or when a game is on.

Me: And Cupcake?

MS: Well he's....

Me: boring?

MS: No...he's (here it comes) TOO NICE!

Me: Too Nice? What's that suppose to mean? You've been going out with him twice as long as Fruit Loops.

MS: Yeah, but it hard to explain.

Me: He's not as exciting or are you a thrill junkie?

MS: (Screwing up he face in concentration) Noooo...you'd have to be a woman to understand!!!

Me: BS. Been hit over the head with that NICE title plenty of times. So you mean to tell me that you'd rather end up with a guy that treats you like dirt and a plaything then someone that can see to your needs and really try to understand what you are all about?

MS: Well, no...he[Fruit Loops] is not someone I'd want to marry or anything like that...but a women needs that excitement once in a while. I mean why do guys go out with women with big boobs....

Me: Don't go there...

MS: He just ticks me off because he won't do anything with his life. Ok I confess he is a bit of a bum but a cute bum.

Me: And Cupcake?

I notice a change of expression on Ms. Staken's face... a softening of line and hint of a smile at the corners of her lips.

MS: He's always the perfect gentleman and really knows how to treat a lady. Fun to talk with and you know...just be with. Its frustrating...

Me: What?

MS: I mean I could totally walk all over this guy...

Me: Try it.

MS: What?

Me: Try to walk all over him.

MS: Be serious.

Me: I am. You think because he is gentle and and quiet that it would be a walk in the park to pulls his strings like a puppet. If you try you'd be in for rude awakening. And how about the romance?

MS: Pervert! Well..hmmm...I can't complain about either of them on that score but I'm not saying anymore about that. Its just I'm getting older and my biological clock is ticking...you know.

Me: Get digital.

MS: Ass! And I mean that in the nicest way. Anyway I need to choose...

Me: Well have you told Fruit Loop that he needs to get his act together?

MS: Well not in so many words...I mean I don't want to disturb his game or anything. He did promise that we would have a serious talk...

Me: When was that?

MS: Ok, it was months ago. But you can't pin a guy like that down. Don't want to pressure him or anything.

Me: And Cupcake? What have you told him?

MS: Nothing. Its just hard to get a handle on him in that respect. I mean he's really, really NICE and I don't want to scare him off.

Me: (Eye rolling in my head). Thats the dumbest thing I've ever heard from a supposedly intelligent woman.

MS: Hey, it ain't easy for a woman these days. I suppose I should at least find out where he stand huh?

Me: Might be worth the effort. You might even find that he's, well, NICE about it!

MS: You know you can be a real ASS sometimes!

Me: I'm a man...so sue me!

MS: Fruit Loops isn't so bad. Maybe I can teach him a few thing and get him to chance a bit!

(WARNING, WARNING Will Robinson...) Ok, men are not furniture or dolls that you can play dress up with. Ken was a wimp anyway. Most men will change when they are good and ready... if at all and women are only deluding themselves if they think otherwise. The good men will learn the great art of compromise... and thats as far as they will go. Besides after you finish your "changing" project, you probably won't be interested anyway because that person will not bear any resemblance to the person you were attracted to in the first place.

Me: Ok, you still haven't told me why you think Cupcake is TOO nice. Is he boring?

MS: No, never boring... it just... well he's too...

Me: Nice?

MS: Yep... its tough to explain.

Me: Ok, let me make a stab at it. Too nice means that he is not, nor will he ever be, a project for a makeover or you feel in-adequate because he's got his shit together and you don't! It happens you know!

MS: Damn, you've good...!

Me: Been working around women toooooo long...and I'm NEVER nice!

Last week I received an invitation to a wedding stting that "We would like your company at the joyous occasion of the marrige of Ms Staken and...."

Say Cheese!

've got a few days off and so I'm catching up on my letter writing as well as email. Yep, I still send snail-mail when I can. I'm also catching up on my web-logging, both reading and writing. I've gone through a ton of recent posts and a few new reads that are quite interesting. Now I'm a visual person. How can I not be, being a professional photographer. So it got me to wondering why there are so few weblogs with pictures of the authors. There are strange avatars, photos cut-offs, photos of this or that body part, legs, eyes, hands, even one that shows just a big nose...but rarely do I see a full faced portrait. I don't have one either...not because I don't want one, but rather I haven't had the time to put one on my weblog. Something I shall do soon. One wonders about why there aren't more people that let the readers know what they look like...just a curiosity mind you. It it because people are concerned that maybe their looks leave a bit to be desired but the "beauty" brainwashed public; are they hiding behind a wall on the internet because of their post (which likely would come back and haunt them) or is it for some reason as yet unfathomable by me?

I love to look at pictures, especially faces..they tell me a lot about people. For those that do have photos of themselves on their weblog, it is an extra link and insight to their writings and musings. A clearer understanding if you will. One friend told me that their are a lot of jerks on the internet and thats its best not to give them too much ammo in the form of a picture. Understandable, but is that the only reason? Its a bit confusing since the internet was "suppose" to open up a whole new world of contact with each other. I was recently in a video chat room and was amazed by the number of people (perverts aside) that don't even have a web-cam. So why are they even in a video chat room?

I'm not good looking by any stretch of the imagination, but these are the cards I was dealt so I'll play them. I'm going to place a picture on my weblog soon, but in the mean time I'd be interested in knowing your thoughts on this...I'm curious!