http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:13:31 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/images/skins/rf_blue/misc/rss.jpg http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=97 Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:48:01 GMT The quality of factory farmed food has been a topic on the show a lot lately, and it seemed like the common refrain from most of the food industry... The quality of factory farmed food has been a topic on the show a lot lately, and it seemed like the common refrain from most of the food industry people that called in was "This is what the consumer wants." It's our fault that taste is taking a backseat to appearance and economy, and once again rubes don't know the difference between shit and shinola. This idea really didn't sit right with me, it was so accusatory- such a science fiction concept that we would sacrifice all the quality in our food for its' aesthetic.

We are at a point in our collective thinking that we instantly turn sheepish anytime we do something we are told is bad. Using gas is a perfect example. When gas prices are at their peak, and environmentalists become most vocal to capitalize on that negative feeling, we are almost ashamed to be driving cars- we act like they are a burden. And its true that a lot of bad comes out of burning fossil fuel, but we totally forget that the internal combustion engine was the internet of the last century- probably the single most revolutionary development in that time frame. Supermarket food is the same thing- the attitude on the show lately is that we should almost hate ourselves for buying it. It's impossible for me to disagree that our food should taste better, and be produced in more humane conditions. But why do we not make this the most important criteria in our spending? What have we forgotten that got us here?

I was over my grandparents house today. They are the generation that instilled in us the value of uniformity in food. Looking at the lives they lead, it's very understandable why they would find stability such a comforting thing. In their youths both of my grandparents lost siblings to influenza, they lived through the great depression. My grandfather fought in WWII and my grandmother dealt with rationing. Food is a place we turn to now to deal with adversity and celebration- through all of their early lives my grandparents could not count on food. When it was available the quality couldn't be counted on- they bought produce carted out from the city which might or might not be appetizing when it arrived. My great grandfather would raise a pig, which he wound up treating like a pet, and have to get drunk to deal with the slaughter.

Consistently available, affordable, and defect free food was a sign to my grandparents that their lives were improving, and they were leaving the chaos of the first half of the 20th century behind them. The post war leisure that America enjoyed included no longer needing to do the dirty work of sustaining yourself, and the luxury of fresh foods that weren't available locally. Most of us take joy from food, but imagine if part of that joy was the relief of having good, quality food to eat. My grandparents saw that relief become obsolete.

White bread sucks. I cant remember the last sandwich I ate on wonderbread. I also really like baking bread, and have gotten half decent at it. Imagine if every time you wanted to eat a peanut butter sandwich you had to A: drag ass to a bakery to buy a loaf of bread B: Bake a loaf of bread or C: eat it on stale bread because a loaf of bread only lasts a day. If that was your reality, a reality you had no choice in, it might blow your mind when someone shows you a loaf of wonderbread which is always soft, and always the same. Keep in mind that we look at the world in our own context, which included the artisan food movement (a movement that wouldn't exist without corporate food.) So a bakery to us is place filled with delicious, crusty loaves and charming chubby women with vaguely french names. My grandmother showed me her butter cookie recipe which calls for the flour to be sifted 7 times- you know, because there were so many rocks in it. We think "Why would anyone give up the bakery, or the produce stand, or the butcher" but we insert our concept of those things and our expectation of quality. We have to remember that our grandparents did make the choice to go corporate. They were stingy, intelligent people and they made their choice for a reason.

Finally, if our meat was to go artisan again it would become much more expensive. I believe a lot of families would be able to have meat a few times a week instead of every night. Ron has money, and knows how to use that money to enrich his life. That's a good thing, it's how people should live. However, what happens when a wealthy person gets to eat meat every night, and a middle class person is eating it 3 nights a week, and a lower class person is eating it once a week? The problem with ideas like these, and this relates to genetically modified foods too, is that they are usually advanced by educated and wealthier people, not the poorer people they will more affect. I dont think it's right for a class of people to change the lifestyle of a lower class because it's good for them. It's patronizing, and a little fascist. In a way it places the animal's quality of life above the person, and the self indulgence of the rich above the needs of the poor.

You should support the small time food producer, and the small time food vendor, and plant a garden if you have some yard to spare. Make them commercially viable so more communities can enjoy them (I'd love a local butcher or fish monger.) It's already working in supermarkets which in my lifetime have started offering much more niche items, better breads and prepared foods, and through the proliferation of smaller market chains like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Wegmen's etc. But when you're feeling ashamed, or superior to the pristine tomatoes and factory meat, think about the ontology of those products, and why a person might choose to buy them. If you find yourself on a high horse about food consider that you only have the luxury to reject that bounty by virtue of it's abundance, and the absence of need it has provided for you. ]]> realmenhatelife http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=97 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=96 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:32:27 GMT Infernal hails! I think flicks by the following directers would be great: Abel Ferrara, Roman Polanski, and David Cronenberg. Discuss. Infernal hails! I think flicks by the following directers would be great: Abel Ferrara, Roman Polanski, and David Cronenberg. Discuss. ]]> infernalart http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=96 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=95 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:25:07 GMT Boo Boo ]]> styckx http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=95 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=92 Mon, 23 Feb 2009 02:51:23 GMT Never in a million years would I have thought I would have found Fez's blog too. He's still on dial up so it does not get updated as much as Ron's. ]]> Fez4PrezN2008 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=92 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=91 Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:16:58 GMT I forgot about posting this, wow. OK, So I was late for my flight to connect at Charlotte NC. Stuck there for 4 hours. On time flight got me to... I forgot about posting this, wow.

OK, So I was late for my flight to connect at Charlotte NC.

Stuck there for 4 hours. On time flight got me to Phoenix, connector to Yuma was on time even though I was 6 hours late. By the time I got to my arrival party most were partied out.

I spent the next day being acclimated to the caretaking of an 80+ year old man that I have known for 20 years. Mom in law had a fully stocked fridge full of various foods and a separate beer fridge. Pieces in place for her to take her cruise.

We had a great time for the first 2 hours or so. Then I realized the extent of his memory loss. He kept asking me why I was there and how I knew Lori. Why did she leave me with no food and on and on he went.

He had no memory of me at all and he wound up calling the police to have me arrested. It was strange.

I wound up staying with a friend and having various friends checking in him daily.
We checked in on him at various times of the day and he was good, I wound up having plenty of personal party time so it all worked out. ]]> Liverspot http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=91 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=90 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:46:35 GMT cock nipple shit tits, i need beer. cock nipple shit tits, i need beer. ]]> jewdown http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=90 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=88 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:00:06 GMT Lately I'm feeling the pressure of trying to be smart.

I'm working on a thesis. Love it. I'm a very lucky girl. But when I meet with my review committee they get excited because they read a lot of "deeper" issues that I never considered. It's embarrassing to hear all of the topics I've covered (race. sex. politics. the human condition) when I know damn well I wouldn't try to address all those intense issues. I thought I was just painting about post-911 stuff, and being a self-involved art student.

Now when it's time to write the paper about the art, I want to live up to all of those comprehensive expectations, but I'm putting it off because I'm nervous that I won't be able to articulate all that "smart" stuff. I understand it now, but it was never mine.

I'm also looking ahead at jobs I'm almost qualified for, but worried there's some key thing I don't know. Like all the profs who are encouraging are patronizing me somehow. Telling me my stuff is good when it's average. Giving me grades because I work hard. Being nice to me because I'm anxious. How would I ever know if they were?

It's a reflection of what I'm afraid I do to my students because giving easy A's can make "teaching" easier. I'm not being hailed as a genius, but I don't want to disappoint the people who have contributed to my success as a grad student either.

The desire to teach is assuming you have valuable knowledge that you want to share, and I'm firm on that, but it's getting more complicated. I feel like someone might tap me on the shoulder, call me a fraud, and gesture to a plate of ham-n-eggs.

Don't know why I'm blogging. Maybe someone else feels the same way, or will blast me until I snap out of it. ]]> Mullenax http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=88 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=87 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:06:56 GMT Found it ! (http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/) Found it ! ]]> Fez4PrezN2008 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=87 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=86 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:11:48 GMT Well, it has been years since I have booked my own flights. Today I had to book a flight for personal reasons. While I had the itinerary scheduled,... Well, it has been years since I have booked my own flights.

Today I had to book a flight for personal reasons. While I had the itinerary scheduled, I had to make sure the airline had it right.

Booking the flight was no problem actually, what bothered me was being redirected to folks that had less than a good command of the english language.

Also the fact that I am not traveling for business or pleasure, but to tend to a distant relative that is suffering from dementia. The man is 83 and his mind is really off. I remember him well, he is an ex Boeing engineer, he worked on the 737 and 747 projects. He had a brilliant mind, but now he is just in an awful place.

So I will stay with him for a couple of week without the comfort and stability of my wife, dog, business,

OK I am just venting. I actually look forward to being in AZ, though I would prefer Phoenix to Yuma. ]]> Liverspot http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=86 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=84 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:46:40 GMT i took my son to college yesterday. i have to say it was one of the hardest things i have ever had to do in my life. its been almost 24 hours and... i took my son to college yesterday. i have to say it was one of the hardest things i have ever had to do in my life. its been almost 24 hours and the tears are still flowing. i know that i will be okay, but this really really sucks. ]]> mellen318 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=84 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=83 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:13:54 GMT Tom woke up on the train. He poked his head above his seat and the sea of people were gone. The scattered remnants of newspapers rustled in the seats... Tom woke up on the train. He poked his head above his seat and the sea of people were gone. The scattered remnants of newspapers rustled in the seats as the train stopped. He strained to see the station stop, but gave up. A trickle of people emerged from the train onto the platform and Tom watched them shuffle toward the parking lot.

Suddenly the metal door opened and a conductor barked. "Last Stop, buddy."

And Tom got off. ]]> thejives http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=83 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=81 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:59:24 GMT CANT BELIEVE RON DIDN'T KNOW WHAT STRATEGIST MEANT:laugh: ]]> ODSSHILL http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=81 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=80 Wed, 28 May 2008 20:41:21 GMT This story is a little old, but it leads into the story of the life versus death events that I experienced tonight. The time, nine years ago. I... This story is a little old, but it leads into the story of the life versus death events that I experienced tonight.

The time, nine years ago. I live in a very small two bedroom house. It is late at night and I am chatting with my good friend Bill on AOL. Suddenly I hear someone in my house. I had heard a similar sound a few minutes before, but I disreguarded it. This was much louder and there was no doubt that someone was in my house. I quickly messaged Bill "I think someone is in my house, if you do not hear back from me in 10 minutes call the police." I creep from my spare bedroom with ninja like stealth into the kitchen. I've seen many horror films, so the first thing I do is check the knife block and all large knives are accounted for, until I snag the largest one. Some home invader is about to get gutted. I make my way towards the master bedroom which is the only place the intruder could possibly be. Suddenly a deep crashing noise is heard behind me, I spin in the crouched attack possition to encounter .................................................. .............................. my refridgerator. After a second I come down from my battle rage and realize that earlier in the day I began defrosting my rediculously frosted over freezer and now chunks of ice were falling off the freezer from defrosting. In the end I defeated the freezer by completely defrosting it. Not as exciting as a life or death knife fight with a home invader, but I did still prevail. I had a thouroughly defrosted freezer and good story to tell for the ages.

Fast forward, May 22nd 2008. Whenever I percieve danger, I recollect on my cool, calm collective when dealing with my freezer, the home invader. Well tonight is a little different. I might even be in a safer environment then my own home in Burlington. Forest City Iowa, population 4,500. I park my truck at a gas station and walk a couple of blocks to sports bar that I hang out for a couple hours to watch the NBA playoffs. It is about 10:30 and plenty dark when I am walking back to my truck. As I am walking by a car dealership I see someone concealing themselves behind a car in my path and upon seeing me they duck behind the car. The only possible reason for such behavior is that they are going to attack me. At this point I am more concerned with punishing the attacker then I am with avoiding him. So I pull my keys out and firmly place one between each knuckle and clench my fist creating a Wolverine type weapon. I continue on, even whistling as if that indicates I am oblivious to the inevitable attack. Three slim metal dull spikes extend from my right fist ready to impale my asailant in the throat. As I pass the vehicle, I stop and turn to face my asailant when the slight breeze changes directions. My attacker is roughly twelve inches high and wide and tied to a nylon string to the rear view mirror. My expert attacker senses had once again identified an inadimate object as a life or death situation. This time it was a balloon.

I confidently approached my assailant and effortlessly placed my left hand behind his head and with a quick thrust rarely witnessed in self defense, I plunged my keys deep into my foe quickly ending existance as it had once known it.

Nick the Cock 2 , Helpless perceived life threatening inadimate objects 0. Tune in next week when I attempt to outrun the mugger known as my own shadow. ]]> Nick the Cock http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=80 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=79 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 04:36:07 GMT Nasty ex punked me with a no contact. DC judges will beleieve anything! Nasty ex punked me with a no contact. DC judges will beleieve anything! ]]> DCJunkie http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=79 http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=78 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 02:15:34 GMT Those of you who have dealt with me the past 5 months know that I am never serious about anything. Sorry to break that streak... Last October, I... Those of you who have dealt with me the past 5 months know that I am never serious about anything. Sorry to break that streak...


Last October, I hit a point in my life that by any definiton sucked. I had just lost my mother after a year and a half battle with cancer, and my business was taking a nose dive because, due to her not having insurance at the time, I was spending all my time and money taking care of her. My family took a back seat as I focused all of my energy and resources, both physical and emotional, on to her. After she died, I was in a stupor for about two to three weeks. I was losing focus.

I have been a junkie for laughter my entire life. Without being the rich kid, or the athletic kid, or the good-looking kid, or the popular kid, it was either the funny kid or nothing. I picked funny kid and ran with it. Turns out I was good at it. Making people laugh, and being accepted by them because of it, became a drug to me.

I had been listening to Ron and Fez for the entirety of my mother's illness. As hack as it sounds, it kept me going. Partly because of the humor, and partly for Ronnie's no-nonsense, quit-your-bitching, we're-all-gonna-die-so-have-fun-while-you-can view on life. And I kept hearing about this odd place called RonFez.net....

And you people were hilarious. And dramatic. I watched the interaction between the members and felt an actual love between most of them that you don't see on other boards. But I wasn't gonna join, I was just some schmuck from Delaware, these people couldn't possibly think anything I had to say was interesting.

Would they?

By the end of October, I was at my wit's end. I needed something to occupy my mind and my thoughts. I needed an outlet. I joined the board. I never looked back.

None of you will ever know how important those next five months were. It was therapeutic. It was cathartic. It was what I needed. I laughed harder than I had in a good while. And I hope I was able to pay back some of those laughs over time.

However, I am an owner of a landscape company and I am shortly expecting another child. My wife, my children, and my business need me. As great as this place is, it requires a commitment of time that is no longer available to me, and will continue to be in short supply. Sure, I could hack in here and there and throw down some meaningless garbage, but who wants that?

So I'm sorry this blog hasn't been funnier, but I wanted to just once let you know seriously how much I appreciate the warmth and openness. Thank you.


Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to the guy behind you.

Awkward..... ]]> DiabloSammich http://www.ronfez.net/forums/blog.php?b=78