T-M-I from T-I-M

Would you rather be Black & Rich or White & Middle Class?

I've been wondering lately if I had my choice would I prefer wealth in exchange for being black?  So we're clear, my definition of rich for purposes of this discussion would be million dollar home paid for, lots of money in the bank and still working at a highly paid job that I could leave if I wanted to.  Middle class would be decent home mortgaged, decent amount of money in the bank with a decently paid job that I have to have.

We live in a racist society and it's hard to consider living the life of a black person who behind gay people are the most overtly discriminated against people in the world.  It would be fine, to a certain extent, if I'm in my gated community but as soon as I step out, my status would almost immediately drop it seems.

I suppose another way to consider the question would be would I rather be a middle class white or a:

1. rich Asian
2. rich Hispanic
3. rich Middle Eastern
4. rich & Jewish
5. rich & Gay

Somehow the decision in every one of those cases feels easier, even though each of the 5 are also discriminated against. 

A black friend of mine told me that every day white folks have the choice of whether they want to deal with a black folks.  A black person HAS to deal with a white person every day.  And it's not quite russian roulette, but it is a game of chance as to how a black person is treated by white folks.

I don't know if I would have the fortitude to handle being black no matter how much money I had.  I guess it would be a day by day thing. 

I know things have improved quite a bit, but if I stepped onto BART in my suit after work and everyone reached for their wallet because I stood by them, how happy could I really be?

I wonder if racism will ever totally disappear.

If you met someone who knew nothing about America what one movie would you show them to educate them on what America means to you?

I've been thinking about the way our culture looks to a foreigner or to some random human alien who would land on our planet who is looking for direction on what this "America" is all about.  Granted there are tons of examples of the look and feel of the day but i was wondering what movies transcend that.

The first two that came to mind for me (a bit darkly....) were The Ice Storm or Ordinary People they do both deal with some of the ups of America and most certainly deal with the fact that many of us are repressed and it wells up inside of us and comes out in rather dark, volatile ways.

On the lighter side I thought of It's A Wonderful Life, Stand and Deliver and on the uplifting side a friend thought of Rocky and even Almost Famous.

The last few speak to a common theme in the US (manifested or not) that we can and do overcome. 

I'm curious to read what you think.

What's the flaw (or problem) with mathematics?

I think Math is pretty darn cool and I can see how it has both an intrinsic and expansive beauty to it by nature.

However, I was pondering this morning why it isn't so universally appreciated.  In the end, every math equation, problem, etc. can be broken down into adding and subtracting (no matter what it is) so I also believe that no matter what anyone says, it's something that everyone can understand.

My answer to the question of what the problem with it is that I don't believe that math has any feeling or emotion associated with it.

I can see the beauty I just don't connect to a feeling.

What's the most uplifiting documentary that you've seen?

Born into Brothels was pretty darn inspiring!

Although now that I've asked this question, I realize that documentaries, more or less, aren't very fun.  They usually are depressing and/or angering.

What popular song annoys(ed) you the most?

Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi (somehow that song has made a comeback)

& When I Come Around by Greenday

What song has the best story to it?

Common People by Pulp

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant by Billy Joel

Who was your favorite (say under 12 or so) actor (boy for today….) in a movie?

For me, nothing beats McCauley Culkin in Uncle Buck.

Who's the coolest actress alive today?

A tie for me, Julianne Moore and Laura Linney, they both rock!

What's your favorite pic of Tim dancing?

My company went on a retreat a few weeks ago and we took tons of pics.  A friend of mine, Keith, at work decided to do a poll for people to vote on their favorite pic of me dancing (which I did all night...without any drinks!!!):

Vote here!

What movie has the best ending of all time?

I ask my question of the day every day at work, every once in a while a co-worker submits a question.  A good bud at work today asked today's and I think it's a super one!

My answer is Million Dollar Baby.  When Clint Eastwood told Hillary Swank what that Gaelic phrase meant on her robe and then did what he did I was stunned.  I cried for a good 10-15 minutes after that movie ended.  Ironically it was written by Paul Haggis who also wrote Crash one of my all time favorites.