tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149430612012-01-02T11:23:50.314-05:00Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.comBlogger881100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-12109195946748522572007-12-26T22:15:00.000-05:002007-12-28T18:13:02.791-05:00

I know it's hard for most of us under the age of 40, but try to think back to a time before we all had access to the internet. Wait... go even further than that. Go back, in your mind (unless you have a well-equipped Delorean in your garage), to a time before you had constant access to a computer. It took me a minute, but I was able to dredge up memories of junior high and elementary school when

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-41395748937293643552007-12-05T22:50:00.000-05:002007-12-05T23:27:32.706-05:00

After my recent loss of a hard drive to the gremlins in my apartment, I've had to reinstall all of my software. This is a bit of a problem for me because half of what I had was software that I "shared" with friends of mine... meaning they brought their CD over to my computer and installed their programs on my machine. Yes, I know this is immoral and probably illegal (until my lawyers tell me it

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-11729819742318584652007-12-04T22:07:00.000-05:002007-12-04T22:33:23.736-05:00

With all the choices we Americans are given in our consumer culture, there’s a certain comfort one takes in bounding ones choices to a particular brand. We revel in the fact that our brand is superior to all others, especially since not everyone seems to be as smart as we are in realizing it. However, recently, I’ve begun to realize that my brand loyalties are based on pretty much nothing.

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-11908336308412868592007-11-29T07:16:00.000-05:002007-11-29T07:27:39.897-05:00

What happens when a computer game music composer wants more out of life? Mind.in.a.box happens. I'll always have a love of industrial electronic music, and Lost Alone satisfies that itch. This CD is rich with contemplative lyrics, well-used synthesizer chords, and hypnotic beats. Now I'm just waiting for someone to open a club that will play this...

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-51097835635821339372007-11-27T19:46:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:07:22.685-05:00

I've been a ridiculous slacker as of late and have been remiss in my blogging duties. Therefore, I've decided to pledge an entry a day for at least a week! Can I do it? Of course. I'm not promising to be the most original blogger in the sphere, but I do promise that each day a new entry will appear. Today's topic...Ten Things We Should Care LESS About...10. Who Killed Natalie Holloway - Seriously

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-4631945322479461342007-11-05T20:31:00.001-05:002007-12-05T23:32:46.348-05:00

It's no secret that I'm disappointed in our 110th Congress. So far, they've bungled passage of bills on children's health care, withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, and our BUDGET, among other things, while minor issues (non-binding resolutions and the whole Armenia thing) take center stage. Now, I understand that our Executive has the power of veto over bills he finds distasteful, but a

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-87494704246368130842007-10-21T20:14:00.001-04:002007-10-21T20:18:17.052-04:00

My new favorite commercial...I know it's a cop out post - I'm really AM trying to come up with new topics!

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-36181257081653116572007-09-22T13:58:00.000-04:002007-09-22T14:15:50.661-04:00

Did you guys know A-Ha still made music? I heard them on Pandora last week and was amazed at how much I liked their 2002 album "Lifelines". You'll barely recognize them... the music is a long way from "Take On Me". I highly recommend the download. However, if you solely use iTunes, you won't be able to find it. Apparently, Apple has decided that this doesn't fall into the "this is what everyone

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-24363518568338485882007-09-02T09:59:00.000-04:002007-09-02T10:16:25.855-04:00

It's been a LONG and HOT summer. I hate summer, and always have. Labor Day weekend is annually the time when I wake up from my heat and humidity induced hibernation, throw open my windows, and declare to the world that I'm alive again. I engage in an activity I like to call "the purge" in which I gather up all my summer clothes, donate to charity all those tshirts and shorts that I thought made

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-45754377381031327582007-07-06T22:25:00.000-04:002007-07-06T22:28:39.890-04:00

17th Street here in northwest DC is one of the busiest streets in the city for pedestrians and vehicular traffic alike. Not only is the street known for being the center (albeit a sadly diminishing one) of gay life here in the city, but it’s a bustling business corridor running all the way down to the White House with hundreds, if not thousands, of residents occupying apartments and houses all

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-72005421413111672912007-05-01T08:06:00.000-04:002007-05-01T08:16:45.141-04:00

Wasn’t the debate between Democratic Presidential candidates sad this week? Six candidates showed up on the South Carolina stage, and not a single interesting idea could be found between them. There was a lot of “concern” about the recent decision by the Supreme Court to allow the Partial-Birth abortion ban to stand, talk of Iraq withdrawal timetables, oh yeah, Obama revealed that he bought some

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-6205316989121523612007-04-29T12:30:00.000-04:002007-04-29T12:32:26.331-04:00

I didn’t want to do this over the internet, in my blog of all places, but I don’t know how else to talk to you. We don’t seem to see each other much anymore and I can’t even remember the last time we had a civil conversation. I feel like I’ve made an effort here but that you have just left me out in the cold. It’s time to tell you how I feel and maybe it’s better for both of us that the world

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-83994651388143635992007-04-09T22:54:00.000-04:002007-04-09T23:21:09.962-04:00

I NEVER thought I would ever utter these words, but tonight I am PROUD of Geraldo Rivera.http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/05/bill-oreillys-head-practically-explodes-as-he-screams-at-geraldo/Get 'em...

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-90718474716801346872007-04-07T11:24:00.000-04:002007-04-07T11:41:44.987-04:00

So now that I've complained about our current situation and and highlighted how inane the arguments against DC voting rights are, it's time to propose a few solutions. In starting off, I'd like to say that I agree with some points from my opposition. First, DC is not a state, nor should it ever be. As vehement as I have been in my assertion that voting rights are inborn for all Americans,

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-6110016364978879052007-04-01T21:10:00.000-04:002007-04-01T22:27:26.302-04:00

So you say DC residents shouldn’t have a voice in Congress? You say the principles of a representative democracy upon which our nation was founded don’t apply to the residents of our capital city? Let’s take these arguments one at a time…Flawed Argument #1: "DC is a special part of the United States. It is not a state for a reason. DC gets special treatment in the form of billions of dollars

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1984399286987217872007-03-25T16:29:00.000-04:002007-04-07T11:45:52.841-04:00

It’s been a tough week for us here in the District of Columbia. At the beginning of the week, it appeared that after two centuries of apathy, the United States of America was finally ready to grant the citizens of it’s capital city the right to have representation in Congress. While most people you pass here on the street have a driver's license from another part of the country, those of us legal

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-2259231165057503702007-02-25T13:29:00.000-05:002007-02-25T13:30:24.687-05:00

International travel can be a bitch. I’m not telling you anything new, I’m sure. Don’t get me wrong… I love seeing the world. I love meeting new people with different accents and world-views. I spent two weeks in the UK and Ireland and had a very positive experience in both locations. Yet, at the end of my two weeks when I began craving my own bed and started running out of underwear, I longed

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-13081789698780566892007-02-15T12:19:00.000-05:002007-02-15T12:21:45.653-05:00

...well, maybe not night and day, but Dublin is definitely a different city. Dublin is to London what a Philly/DC mix would be to NYC. I say Philly because Dublin has obviously been pulling itself up from a not-so-glamorous past, and it feels about the same size as DC. Yet, they are growing at a phenomenal rate. Dublin is also a more manageable in a three day stint than a bigger city. They've

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-4844609932289341742007-02-07T17:30:00.000-05:002007-02-07T17:59:21.250-05:00

Yes, I'm here reporting to you from a dingy internet cafe on Charing Cross Road in London. I've manged to break out of my comfortable bubble in Dupont Circle for a bit of time and expand my horizons all the way across the Atlantic. It's a bit liberating to spend a little time in a city where everyone appreciates coffee and no one talks about Paris Hilton. All the comforts of home with none of

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-47174412984418054382007-01-19T00:51:00.000-05:002007-01-19T01:05:48.853-05:00

I'm opening this one up to my fans - by whom should I be more disgusted? Oprah, the wretched opportunist who leaves no human tragedy unbroached... or the parents of this 15-year-old boy, who obviously need a little more fame to add to the fun their family has experienced this week. You decide!CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- The parents of the 15-year-old boy who was found last week in the apartment of

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-44669660945021590932007-01-13T18:31:00.000-05:002007-01-19T01:09:23.189-05:00

We were all amazed and impressed this week when Steve Jobs introduced his newest market-killer to the world – the originally named “iPhone”. I shouldn’t complain. Who needs an original name when your product actually does what you want. All indications are that this product will revolutionize how we function “on the go” – no longer will we need those pesky desks or chairs to communicate or take

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-55367093393074512892007-01-03T23:08:00.000-05:002007-01-03T23:16:46.206-05:00

2006 was a pretty good year, overall. I recovered fully from the Great Fire of ’05, I found a great place to live, and Tina Fey became really funny again. I can only hope that 2007 is better. I even made it home with my dignity intact after New Years this year, which is more than I can say for Ms. Spears.I gave up on New Years resolutions years ago. Why bother with the constraints of a resolution

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1162444897135327102006-11-02T00:18:00.000-05:002006-11-02T00:21:37.166-05:00

Four times.That's how many times I was asked, this past week, if I was Jewish. FOUR. Apparently...- I look Jewish.- I bough the organic chicken breast at Trader Joes, which also happens to be kosher.- I have "Jewish mannerisims".- I'm "sensible".I do tend to find the Jews more interesting and attractive than any other religious or ethnic group (is Jewish "ethnic?"), but I am, alas, a recent

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1159934463495591522006-10-04T00:00:00.000-04:002006-10-04T00:01:03.506-04:00

I don't think a brand name has ever disappointed me as much as Kenneth Cole. After my coming out, I started buying this stuff just like every good gay boy in Ohio did for lack of any other serious name brands that most Homos wear. It's understandable - their stuff looked great and wasn't too terribly expensive. Yet I started to notice a trend. My first pair of KC shoes fell apart in six months.

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1159760235379023792006-10-01T23:34:00.000-04:002006-10-01T23:37:15.403-04:00

I used to laugh at those people who had to wear their iPod everywhere. I recall commenting about a year ago to a friend of mine in Whole Foods that "people who listen to iPods while grocery shopping just can't handle reality or other people".Maybe I was right, but I realized that maybe these people weren't blocking out the world, but making the world more entertaining. I came to this realization

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1159229930872991652006-09-25T20:06:00.000-04:002006-09-25T23:58:19.340-04:00

I'm having a hard time deciding which of these news stories that I pulled from CNN is the saddest...CLEARWATER, Florida (AP) -- The news from Indian River Lagoon was too familiar: another dolphin gravely injured because of human action. But marine scientist Steve McCulloch immediately saw this rescue was unique. The baby bottlenose dolphin lost her tail, but perhaps her life could be saved.

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1156898665974832882006-08-29T20:28:00.000-04:002006-08-29T20:48:04.766-04:00

That's right, ladies and gentlemen. My summer hibernation is ending, and I feel renergized! That doesn't necessarily mean that I have anything to write about, however. So I thought I would send you a sampling of the random pictures I've taked with my camera phone over the past few months. I cleaned these out last night and realized that individually they're pretty random, but if you link them all

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1154299678690523022006-07-30T18:42:00.000-04:002006-07-30T18:47:58.706-04:00

Quickly becoming the signature album of the summer of 2006, Nelly Furtado’s Loose is striking a chord with an audience that never thought it would enjoy hip-hop…namely, me. I’ve always been a fan of Ms. Furtado, but when I heard the first single off her new album, Promiscuous, I was more than a little concerned that her career had simply been hijacked by a desire to appeal to the larger audience

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1152585805973482202006-07-10T22:35:00.001-04:002006-07-10T22:43:25.973-04:00

After two cups of Tryst coffee on Saturday morning, it was necessary for me to release some excess energy because, as anyone who frequents this establishment knows, Tryst coffee stays with you for days. What better way to accomplish this on a beautiful unseasonably cool July morning than to jog my butt around down around the White House since, well, I live ten blocks from the White House. Because

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1152585511202282482006-07-10T22:35:00.000-04:002006-07-10T22:38:31.230-04:00

After two cups of Tryst coffee on Saturday morning, it was necessary for me to release some excess energy because, as anyone who frequents this establishment knows, Tryst coffee stays with you for days. What better way to accomplish this on a beautiful unseasonably cool July morning than to jog my butt around down around the White House since, well, I live ten blocks from the White House. Because

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1150255358669053242006-06-13T23:11:00.000-04:002006-06-13T23:43:06.936-04:00

Yes, my friends, I am going to join the chorus of voices singing the sad truth that the Gay Pride weekend in our Nation’s capital lacked…pride. This is my second year in a row celebrating homosexuality in a city with a giant penis-shaped sculpture in the center (take that, Castro), and I have to say, I have been disappointed twice. Yet, I don’t think the blame for my disappointment lies with the

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1147838617925002592006-05-16T23:54:00.000-04:002006-05-17T00:11:33.043-04:00

Alright, FINE! I give! Apple, you have broken me. I surrender.Since we broke up in 1991, I've been determined not to run back into your open arms. For years I resisted as you attempted to brainwash me with your sleek curves and simple operating system. The power of the Pentium kept me on the straight and narrow since I purchased my first personal computer in 1998. You kept a low profile for years

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1146328808024876212006-04-29T12:37:00.000-04:002006-04-29T13:32:44.696-04:00

Sorry for the delay, y’all. It’s been a busy few weeks, and blogging took a back seat to…well…life. Never fear! I am here. I would be lying, though, if I said I had some burning issue that brought be back to the keyboard. However, I have obtained some new readers of late, and they are crying for new material.As our level of technology of our society increases, we obviously gain capability, but we

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1144721974032932422006-04-10T22:11:00.000-04:002006-04-12T23:19:03.586-04:00

It’s a night of nostalgia here in the Stroodler household. I’ve begun looking through old photographs, listening to a little Tears for Fears and Concrete Blonde, and suddenly I’m being sucked back in time to days gone past. I think it’s happening now because the month of April has historically been a period of momentous change for me, and having turned 30 this year, I’ve become little more

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1144207616412462092006-04-04T23:22:00.000-04:002006-04-04T23:32:46.170-04:00

My typical commute home from work is fairly enjoyable. I zoom down the GW Parkway at twice the speed limit (while being passed by others) admiring the beautiful view of the city and listening to the wide spectrum of music available to me on the XM radio after a long day of work. This afternoon was no different, and I sped home as usual in a not too shabby mood. I had accomplished a lot today, was

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1143313065636081132006-03-25T13:51:00.001-05:002006-03-28T00:22:43.386-05:00

Since the concept of online banking came about, I’ve been its biggest supporter. Sure, there’s always some hesitation to trust your money with a system that, at times, has proven to be about as secure as a drunk sorority girl on spring break, and change is always difficult to accept in some measure. Yet, can anyone deny that the system of online banking has made our world a better place? I think

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1142443215401104352006-03-15T12:09:00.000-05:002006-03-15T12:23:23.706-05:00

Just some musings from the District. It helps if you listen to the Postal Service while you read...Metro Closes Doors...HARD.I was riding the Yellow Line back from my Chinese lesson yesterday, and was shocked to hear an unfamiliar voice telling me that doors would soon be closing. Apparently, Metro has concluded it’s search for the new “Voice of Metro”. 44-year-old Woodbridge resident Randi

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1142295948588858872006-03-13T19:20:00.000-05:002006-03-13T19:29:29.386-05:00

While it's about time for a new post from me, I am feeling lazy and apathetic. So, lacking in all creativity, I'm posting my response to a challenge from friend Mike's Blog. I promise to "bring it" soon.Choose a band or artist and answer only in titles of their songs.Band or artist: EurythmicsSay Hello: Hello I Love YouAre you Male or Female: Missionary ManDescribe yourself: Wide Eyed GirlHow do

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1141877284316514252006-03-08T23:00:00.000-05:002006-03-16T11:21:24.833-05:00

My albums of the month are usually new finds I’ve come across while trolling the internet for new talent. However, the pick for this month was one I came across at a K-Mart in 1987. It’s a little overdue for recognition in this forum, but sometimes quality wins out over timing. Do you remember where you were when you first heard Janet Jackson’s “Nasty”? I was sitting on my bedroom floor,

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1141620441429268532006-03-05T23:38:00.000-05:002006-03-05T23:48:57.000-05:00

I’ve just returned from a trip out West (Colorado, specifically), and I’ve decided that I am most definitely an East Coast boy. Talking with the people that live and work out there, it’s impossible to deny that the mountainous western portion of our country holds an allure for a large segment of our population. Apparently, if you ski or climb rocks, it’s the place for you. However, in standard

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1140666891778526022006-02-22T22:35:00.000-05:002006-02-22T22:58:00.696-05:00

Being in the nation’s capital, it would be redundant to say that we have a lot of foreign embassies here. By far, the most interesting is the Embassy of Iraq, at the corner of 18th and P streets in northwest DC. It’s been fascinating to watch the transformation of this building as the nation of Iraq has been emerging from it’s chrysalis of democraciness. When I first moved to DC in the summer of

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1140223933710788002006-02-17T19:49:00.000-05:002006-02-18T20:59:16.530-05:00

Today, I found myself in the women’s restroom. This was NOT intentional, which is exactly what I wanted to tell the woman who was in there at the time. This hasn’t happened to me since 5th grade, when I was rollerskating (yes, SKATING) around a rink. As anyone who attended a rollerskating party in the eighties knows, the bathrooms are located right off the rink so that you can tinkle without

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1140051152712599422006-02-15T19:46:00.000-05:002006-02-15T19:52:32.726-05:00

I just thought you'd all be interested in my trip down to the Comcast Customer Service Center.I step up to the window...CS Rep: “(muffle) (muffle) (muffle) number (muffle) (muffle).”Me: Excuse me? (placing ear closer to 4” of bulletproof glass)CS Rep (muffle) (muffle) phone number (muffle).Me: Oh…CS Rep: I need (muffle) (muffle) (muffle) process (muffle) return.Me: I’m sorry, I can’t hear you.

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1138939261705274892006-02-02T22:58:00.000-05:002006-02-14T12:12:17.803-05:00

Not much going on this week, so here’s a cross-sectional view of my life…I made my way to the Caribou coffee on 14th street, commonly known as “The Cruise-ibou” for it’s ability to foster social relationships among the area’s gay men. No, I was not cruising…I was studying my Mandarin for the simple fact that I can’t study at home. It’s a weakness. Anyway, I was making great progress until I

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1138764558302548402006-01-31T22:03:00.000-05:002006-02-02T19:13:11.333-05:00

I write to you as I’m sitting on the empty floor of my former apartment in Adams Morgan. I’ve just completed my successful move to Dupont Circle, and it’s good to be back in the neighborhood I always considered home in DC. The move and the planning necessary to execute it flawlessly kept me from my blogging for quite a while, but rest assured, I am making a triumphant return.First, I want to

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1138078195350983262006-01-23T23:46:00.000-05:002006-01-26T18:16:09.936-05:00

I happened to be out and about this weekend, and ran into a fellow blogger at a local watering hole. I was reminded of the fact that I hadn't posted anything in a rediculously long time, and offered no explanation to my readers. Well, I don't have much of an excuse. I'm currently in the middle of moving apartments, and have been taking some grad classes, both of which have taken up some extra

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1136424179404068082006-01-04T20:21:00.000-05:002006-01-14T18:51:35.346-05:00

Rejoice, for there is a benefit to living in a "District" under one party rule...http://www.wtop.com/?nid=25&sid=664813

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1134966348471255402005-12-18T23:21:00.000-05:002005-12-18T23:25:48.490-05:00

I just wanted to put in a plug for Pandora.com and the Music Genome Project. It's a a web site that asks you for one of your favorite songs and then tries to match you up with some other songs and artists that you might like based on something like 400 traits of the music you specified. I've already found three new albums I'm going to purchase! Thank god music theory majors are now being employed

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1134689532656768162005-12-15T18:25:00.000-05:002005-12-15T18:32:12.676-05:00

I've got nothing interesting in my life to write about, so I thought I would drop in my favorite article from the Post today...President Says DeLay Is Not Guilty of Money Laundering(By Jim VandeHei)President Bush said yesterday he is confident that former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) is innocent of money-laundering charges, as he offered strong support for several top Republicans who

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1133926328274329972005-12-06T22:14:00.000-05:002005-12-06T22:35:20.200-05:00

You may have noticed that the Major hasn't posted any Albums of the Month for quite some time. Really, my only excuse is that I haven't found much music to insipre me to elevate any albums to this status for quite some time (I believe Royksopp's The Understanding was the last to receive this honor in July).I was recently turned on to Imogen Heap while cruising in my automobile with XM's UPop

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1133750756817049672005-12-04T21:43:00.000-05:002005-12-04T21:45:57.970-05:00

Well, what can I say…it’s been a busy few weeks since I last submitted an entry here. It seems that every year, as soon as Thanksgiving hits, normality in my life gets tossed to the curb, and for the next month I have to worry about holiday parties (which ones do I attend, which ones do I avoid), Christmas gifts (what to buy and who gets them), travel plans (how do I tell my parents I want to

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1132699351406349572005-11-22T08:52:00.000-05:002005-11-22T17:42:31.470-05:00

I've just witnessed a most surreal and annoying situation, and I need to blog it in real time...I'm sitting in the Columbus International Airport, waiting for my flight to National, and as I'm typing away on my laptop, a woman sits in the same row of uncomfortable faux-leather chairs (beyond my one-seat buffer) with an intermediate size (I would say mid-size, but we all know that's a totally

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1132445070387730532005-11-19T18:58:00.000-05:002005-11-19T19:04:30.406-05:00

As my apartment hunt has now moved into it’s terminal phase, I’ve realized that apartment hunting is a lot like dating. The parallels are frightening at times, but lessons learned from one can usually be applied to the other. Here is a list of the lessons I’ve learned in trying to find both an apartment and a boyfriend. Mind you...I haven't yet been successful in either. 1. It’s always better to

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1132096058549324222005-11-15T18:06:00.000-05:002005-11-15T18:08:17.410-05:00

OK...OK...I have to admit it, Madonna's new albums is great. I've heard only four of the tracks that I just downloaded, but it's pretty damn great. Thank God...now I have running music for another month. Thanks, Queen of Pop.

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1131861498267603052005-11-13T00:44:00.000-05:002005-11-13T01:02:21.243-05:00

There are just some Saturday nights that are made for self-imposed solitary confinement. On those nights, TV usually plays some sort of role in keeping me occupied, and tonight is no different. As I endlessly flipped channels, my attention span came to a rest on this little gem. This is totally real...I swear.And here's a quick synopses of how it's used....Urine Gone™ effectively removes new or

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1131810169009477352005-11-12T10:35:00.000-05:002005-11-12T19:20:43.396-05:00

The hysteria has already begun. The buzz surrounding the release of Madonna’s new album Confessions on a Dance Floor reminds me of the incessant noise the cicada’s made in the summer of 2004. I’ve heard “Hung Up” about a billion times since it happened to show up on the internet prematurely a few months ago. I’m picturing Madonna sitting in front of her instant messenger program of choice, signed

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1130718345211791992005-10-30T18:40:00.000-05:002005-10-30T19:28:01.850-05:00

It's been a busy week for me and for the country. I'll spare you the long stories and just give you some of the lessons I've learned...I will never be able to completely give up coffee. My loyal readers know that I have been trying to kick this habit for a while, I thought that I had the willpower to do this, and actually was able to remain on the wagon for a few months. However, right around

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1130042203455504462005-10-23T00:32:00.000-04:002005-10-23T00:36:43.463-04:00

I don’t want to be an ogre. I really want to be one of those people that loves kids. I actually do enjoy hanging out with the children of friends and playing an occasional game of peek-a-boo on the plane with the toddler that thinks the tall guy is funny. However, I’ve started to realize that kids just don’t belong in certain places. I don’t blame the kids for being there…I blame the adults that

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1129592063753037292005-10-17T18:40:00.000-04:002005-10-17T19:34:23.810-04:00

It's official...I have bird flu. At least that's my diagnosis, being totally unqualified to do so. I suppose it could just be a normal boring flu, but I prefer to think of myself as a trendsetter, so I'm declaring myself the first case of American Bird Flu. However, I'm not worried. I'm sure the pharmaceutical industry is working, as we speak, on a purple pill to help me. In the absence of a

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1128960409563447342005-10-10T12:02:00.000-04:002005-10-10T12:06:49.566-04:00

My mom recently gave me a ton of old pictures from my younger days. This one shows me in 1976, right after I got home from a crazy night of clubbing. I was SO hungover the next day...

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1128793019570260102005-10-08T13:33:00.000-04:002005-10-08T13:36:59.576-04:00

My latest post comes to you as I sit in my new favorite coffee shop/restaurant/lounging place, Busboys and Poets, here in the District. It’s located at 14th and V St (if I have to actually say “NW”, you won’t really care about this whole post anyway). It’s well known that I’m a HUGE fan of sitting around at coffee shops and soaking in the atmosphere, as well as a latte or two when I fall off the

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1128397320322400202005-10-03T22:38:00.000-04:002005-10-03T23:47:41.346-04:00

While I was shaking my booty on the treadmill today, I saw a rather peculiar TV ad on the television (everyone knows that running is so much better when you can let your mind turn to mush). It was paid for by a group known as letfreedomring.com, and with a name like that, you know there's some sort of conservative agenda being pushed. Anyway, the commercial was actually advocating for the

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1128304896635503692005-10-02T21:56:00.000-04:002005-10-02T22:20:01.896-04:00

It's finally happened...I'm now a Label Queen. I'm so embarassed.

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1128217436589801182005-10-01T21:34:00.000-04:002005-10-01T21:46:46.226-04:00

It’s time to move. I’m completely unhappy in my current apartment. This place was always intended to be a temporary residence after the fire, but the sooner I get out of here, the better. Here’s a list of why…All the appliances are at least 25 years old. It’s an “English basement”, which means the temperature is weird, and it’s always damp. The kitchen is the size of a closet…a small closet. The

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1127876893672779002005-09-27T22:42:00.000-04:002005-09-28T22:24:27.296-04:00

I just wanted to give you a quick snapshot of my pet peeves today...#1. It's not snowing...yet.Just because it's the end of September doesn't mean that you, Metro, can turn all the air conditioners off on their trains AND buses. There are close to 100 people on a Metro car at a time during rush hour in the afternoon, and none of them smell good at the end of the day. Once we can feel a chill in

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1127706091888722912005-09-25T23:39:00.000-04:002005-10-01T18:56:38.150-04:00

...is what I'd say if someone asked me "how's it hanging?"As you may already know, our nation’s capital was host to a confluence of activity this weekend, the most prominent of which was a large ant-war protest on Saturday afternoon. Most District Dwellers were already dreading the arrival of such a large group (estimated initially to be 100,000 strong) because we know that these events bring the

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1127441910310137272005-09-22T21:56:00.000-04:002005-09-22T22:18:30.340-04:00

Where do guys buy condoms? We all see them at the local grocery or drug store, but I never actually see anyone buying them. Perhaps this is just a lack of observation on my part, but I don't believe I have ever seen anyone buy condoms in a store...ever. Yet everyone has them when needed. Are they purchased at 24-hour retailers by guys wearing dark sunglasses and a ski cap? Or are they purchased

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1127273918714378532005-09-20T23:35:00.000-04:002005-09-22T22:22:23.413-04:00

Joe McGee stands in the pounding surf as Hurricane Rita nears the lower Florida Keys. (AP)

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1127273402390716352005-09-20T23:28:00.000-04:002005-09-20T23:31:20.040-04:00

Case # 2:I had another topic that I was planning to introduce for Case #2, but I think it’s only appropriate in a series discussing the differences between revenge and justice to discuss the history of Simon Wiesenthal, the legendary Nazi hunter, who died yesterday at the age of 96. Mr. Wiesenthal devoted his life to pursuing the men who were responsible for and took part in the Holocaust,

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1127057729420370002005-09-18T11:34:00.000-04:002005-09-18T11:35:29.426-04:00

Where does holding someone accountable end and retribution begin? Our society teaches us that revenge for the sake of revenge is immoral and serves no public function. However, our society also teaches us that we must reward good behavior with praise and benefits, and bad behavior with punishment. Yet where is the line between these two on which the term “justice” sits? I’ve been confronted with

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1126892894465085502005-09-16T13:45:00.000-04:002005-09-16T13:48:14.470-04:00

Every once and a while I see a headline that is so blog-a-licious that I must pass it on to the readers.Family: Sausage lands grandmother in jailDescribing the article would only degrade the humor, especially since the story is actually pretty sad. Feel free to take your own look, though.http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/16/katrina.arrest.ap/index.html

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1126840232571383062005-09-15T22:58:00.000-04:002005-09-16T13:48:34.170-04:00

Every once and a while, I hear a new funky word or name or place, and I can't get it out of my head. Sometimes it takes days or weeks to eliminate it. In an elevator, walking down the street, sitting in a meeting, or sometimes even as I lay in bed waiting for sleep to come. This week, I've been struck yet again by a new enigma of consonants and vowels.My new obsession? Angela Merkel.

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1126665168146640532005-09-13T22:21:00.000-04:002005-09-13T22:32:48.176-04:00

As I've been reminded several times this week, I was remiss in not commenting on my three-day trip back to my home state of Ohio during the first part of the month. I made several stops to see and catch up with friends, and at one point, found myself drinking some sort of alcoholic drink out of a fishbowl. Yes, they actually call the drink a "Fishbowl", and it can only be found at the Fieldhouse

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1126580203760365912005-09-12T22:35:00.000-04:002005-09-12T22:56:43.826-04:00

As I watched the opening remarks of the Senate confirmation hearings of John Roberts to the Supreme Court, I was continuously amazed at how rediculous the whole process has become. I sat helpless as Senator Kennedy gave us a 15 minute speech on how he's standing up for the poor, the minorities, and the disabled. Senator DeWine went on and on about how former Justice White was amazing and prolific

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1126486241472217142005-09-11T17:49:00.000-04:002005-09-11T20:52:58.693-04:00

I've had a hard time coming up with good topics to write about here in the aftermath of the hurrcane that hit the Gulf coast two weeks ago. Yet I feel like I need to keep the blog going, so I'm going to fill it today with the happenings of my weekend.Friday night was the event all of DC had been waiting for...my housewarming party. However, since I've been in this apartment for over four months,

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1125373243474038482005-08-29T23:24:00.000-04:002005-08-29T23:40:43.493-04:00

Who the hell did Anderson Cooper piss off at CNN? It seems like he's been in the crosshairs of both of the last two major hurricanes this season. Jesus, Anderson...just apologize already. He needs to be careful, or as John Stewart put it, a flying piece of debris might make him "Anderson Cooper 180."On a completely different note...why is it that Hollywood feels the need to drape every production

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1125283633336381032005-08-28T22:37:00.000-04:002005-08-28T23:02:46.836-04:00

My good friend Jackie and I had dinner tonight, and over the course of devouring a pizza, I realized that she's one of the wisest people I know. One would never expect wisdom on the scale of Confucius to exist in the Jackie's tiny cute little frame, yet she always astounds me with her ability to solve any problem with a blunt and effective analysis.Today's Tip From Jackie (many of which I plan on

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1125201089625214162005-08-27T23:31:00.000-04:002005-08-27T23:51:29.630-04:00

I just wanted to give a nod to the amazing final episode of Six Feet Under, the strange little show about a messed up family that runs a funeral home that I was sure I was going to hate when I first watched it five seasons ago. Instead, I was a devoted watcher most of that time and am finding myself sad to see it go. There are so few TV shows that can dump than much pure raw human emotion into a

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1124425796540027132005-08-19T00:25:00.000-04:002005-08-19T00:29:56.546-04:00

Just like most people, my day at work consists mainly of sitting in front of a computer, answering and sending emails, chatting with co-workers, lunching with friends, and a lull in energy around 2pm. Fortunately, or unfortunately if you consider a caffeine addiction unfortunate, I have access to a Starbucks within about a three minute walk from my desk. Anywhere between 1pm and 3pm, I usually

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1123812965998145352005-08-11T21:58:00.000-04:002005-08-11T22:16:06.003-04:00

Either I am really old or I just stepped into a new dimension. Have you seen the new "Baby Got Pack" commercial from Target? It's nearly impossible for me to describe this with words. Take a look.http://target.com/target_group/stores_services/channel_red.jhtmlAm I so old that the people I was in high school with have now had tons of children, and they are the ones that think this is hilarious? Do

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1123628166366066962005-08-09T18:39:00.000-04:002005-08-09T18:57:15.176-04:00

Out of all the news in the past few days, for some reason this one caught my attention..."Last year, 4,008 motorcycle riders were killed in highway accidents, up 7.9% from 2003 and 89% higher than in 1997, according to a new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report. Meanwhile, passenger car deaths dropped 3.2% to 19,091 last year.The increase in motorcycle deaths has spurred Congress

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1123125377503798542005-08-03T22:49:00.000-04:002005-08-04T17:25:43.226-04:00

Are we all hooked on Big Brother 6 yet? Yeah, I didn't think so. The usual response when I mention to someone that I watch this is "You really watch that?". I can understand their confusion. This is the sixth year in a row in which I watch the first episode of the season, swear that I will never watch that season or any other, and then promptly return the next week for another dose. No one has

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1122948336629828592005-08-01T21:44:00.000-04:002005-08-01T22:05:36.633-04:00

I recently decided to purchase Marty's August 2005 Album of the month (see previous post). Now, I have declared recently that I will be going totally digital with my music, and that CD's will now be a thing of the past in my life. Besides, if we believe what we're told by our geek friends, there should be no difference between the digital music we pay $9.99 for online and can download at our

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1122849773797660462005-07-31T18:42:00.000-04:002005-07-31T18:42:54.170-04:00

I noticed today, as I walked through the aisles of Whole Foods on my weekly grocery shopping trip, that half the people in the place were wondering around like zombies with iPods attached to their heads. Now, I'll admit to owning an iPod and using it frequently, especially when riding Metro to work and when I'm sitting at my desk. I love the thing and can't remember what I did without it. Yet, it

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1122761937245535012005-07-30T18:06:00.000-04:002005-07-30T18:22:21.950-04:00

Yeah, two posts in one day. I have a lot of non-blogged time to make up for...I'm going to now institute Marty's Album of the Month, an award given to an artist's collection of songs that somehow penetrated my impressive lack of attention and made me a fan. For the month of August 2005, my pick is "The Understanding" by Royksopp. Rhapsody describes them as a "Norwegian electronica duo" with a "

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1122760942630640202005-07-30T17:51:00.000-04:002005-07-30T18:03:30.146-04:00

There are many answers to that question, depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Some use blogging as a way to communicate with the world in a way that they are unable to do when face-to-face with those important to them. Yet others blog as a way to register their lives with the world in a way thought unimaginable only 15 years ago, archived in a world that is searched by hundreds of

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1122678601648307962005-07-29T19:06:00.000-04:002005-07-29T19:10:09.076-04:00

I've decided to join my brothers and sisters in cyberspace to make sure that the world is not denied the odd and strange things in which I seem to become involved on a regular basis. Look for more to come soon. You'll have to wait a little while. Come on! It's a Friday!

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943061.post-1127788284159426742005-07-26T22:31:00.000-04:002005-09-26T22:32:17.836-04:00

I see you...

Marty Stroodlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05762042580096199539noreply@blogger.com0