j.blog

Dead.

2005-02-27T22:35:00.000-08:00

This was fun, but regretfully I've decided to end it here.

street walker.

2005-02-17T13:12:00.000-08:00

This has got to be one of the most annoying things in my neighborhood right now. There is this old woman who has no idea what the concept of a sidewalk (that strip of concrete between property and the street) is and can usually be found by me walking up the middle of the street as I'm trying to drive down it. Excuse me miss, how rude of me to intrude on your leisurely walk. Now I guess I could get over it if I didn't encounter her seemingly every time I was in a rush and possibly if she could at least move to the side so I could get by without having to honk obnoixiously. What is her problem?

Maybe I'm missing the pleasure that can only be experienced when strolling down the freakin' dead middle of the street rather than on the boring olde sidewalk. I can see it, everybody's walking the sidewalk now a days, how passe is that, wouldn't want to be that person who simply follows what everyone else is doing! So why don't I jump on the "before it becomes trendy banwagon" and start walking on the street too before everyone else starts doing it. I would, but ya know what, I'd rather be tragically unhip than tragically DEAD!

So look out woman, next time we cross paths, your coyote! Well, okay maybe not, I only wish I could do that, but I guarantee I will be thinking it.

my sim life.

2005-02-09T13:36:00.000-08:00

I'm begining to wonder which life is more exciting... My own? Or those of my sims. Yes, lately I've been spending a lot of time playing The Sims 2 and I think I may be having too much fun. I realize how silly it can be to spending hours playing a video game, especially one that is essentially a glourified virtual dollhouse, but for reasons I haven't been able to fully comprehend myself, at times I can't pull myself away from it. It's just strangely satisfying to manipulate the lives of these little Sims. Their lives can be as successful, fun, and as taudry as I want them to be (or quite the opposite if I so choose) and it's just too damn fun to watch it unfold. And actually the best part may just be building them homes to live in rather than playing them in the game. Plus, you can share those homes, or lots as they are called in the game, over the net for all the world have and put in their game too.

That brings me to new obsession number two... I quite possibly may also be spending way too much time on the The Sims 2 website in the message boards and the exchange. But in my defense, what's a person to do when their fixation for something isn't shared by those close to them. And just think a university expansion pack is coming in march, I may never want to live my own life again.

the yellow bracelet

2005-01-27T13:22:00.000-08:00

Does anyone still remember back when freakin' everyone in America, hell the planet even, wasn't wearing those yellow braclets. I originally had the adjective silly included in that last statement, but I guess out of respect for the cause behind those bracelets I took it out. Yes, the cause, I wonder if the people who are now wearing (or still wearing) those bracelets (everyone but me it seems) even remember the cause that used to be numero uno, and not just the fashion statement.

I'll admit I once proudly displayed one on my wrist too, but I think I bailed on the movement in the nick of time - right before the exact moment they became trendy. Well maybe not before they became trendy, but certainly before they became a phenomenon and everyone from preschoolers to grandmothers were flossin'. I remember the moment it dawned on me. I was sitting at a stoplight alone in my car and happened to look over into the car in the next lane. It was a mom and three kids in the wagaon. I remember thinking, wow a wagon, not even an SUV, damn those poor kids, I wonder if they know they got parents who aren't even cool enough to to be uncool. Then I saw them... yellow bracelets! I haven't worn mine since.

It was back in the first week of June that I first got word of these infamous yellow bracelets. I was in a shoe store at the mall one afternoon when this chick flew into the store and raced straight for the register, instantly peaking my attention. I heard her asking if they had any of the bracelets and the guy telling her they had sold out. She was pissed because I guess she had inquired previosly and was assured the store would have some in on this day. Turns out they did, she was just a few hours late. Looking at her I thought to myself, judging by this girl's appearance and clothes she's certainly a somebody at her school, I gotta know what these bracelets are. And apparrently fast since they sell out in mere minutes. Long story short, five days later I had one of my own and I couldn't wait for people to notice.

Yes, I did just blast other people for only caring about a fashion statement a few lines up this page, but trust me, my fashion statement was a completely different monster. When I used to wear mine, back when mom and pop didn't wear theirs, I was eager to tell everyone who inquired all about Lance and his story. I'd gladly speak all about cancer, the foundation, and the man who inspired it all. Then within a few weeks I went from the torch bearer to one of the fraternity - those few who were cool/lucky enough to have acquired one. By then the Olympians were all wearing them. Then what two months later, every Tom, Dick, Jane, and gosh even Mr. Kerry was wearing one. Suddenly, I was one of the masses, but hey it was in support of a good cause so it was still okay.

But now, wow! What happened? Now they come in ninety thousand million colors and say everything from "Support The Troops" to "Princess". And I'm sure if you are opportunistic enough you could even have one of your very own reading whatever slick, but clever catchphrase you wish in that trendy but mass marketable color of your choosing. "Go Cards" right! Personally, I'm looking to flaunt the orange "just another pretty toy" one on my wrist. Then I too could be on my way to becoming one of those people running around with an entire rainbow up their sleeve. It might actually be fun to be completely clueless as one the biggest tools in the entire world. Then again, I like what I see when I look in the mirror. And Lord knows, if I ever lose that, I'm through. And I like to think I'm not completely void of personality.

It's just sad what the yellow bracelet has become. It's success is almost it's worst nightmare. I wonder if they knew then it would become what it is now, if they'd still do it? Yeah, your right, they totally still would have, you can't knock all the good they do. Still though it's just a bit bothersome that something that started with such a noble intention and grand purpose could be so mangled and practically stripped of all it's meaning.

I'm sorry Lance, I really am.

I'm miserable?

2005-01-01T19:05:00.000-08:00

It's offical, I'm miserable! Well no, not really, but who am to disagree with the observations of others. This I've heard on more than one occasion before, but it became especially annoying while out last night. Not one, or two, but a handful of chicks approached me new year's eve night just to tell me how miserable I looked. I actually had to convince a few I really wasn't too. Who does that? Who goes up to someone you don't know, tell them they look miserable, and then when they tell you they aren't, you insist they are and they are politely lying?

And if that wasn't bad enough, I think one chick even used the "I'm miserable" line to approach me and flirt with me. Yeah, real smooth girl. Word of advice people, the Constanza approach probably isn't the best way to go even for a female. I mean this girl approached me three times asking me how miserable I was, the third, to essentially tell me how cute I looked with a scowl. Yes, my trademark scowl, always a heartbreaker. I do feel sorta bad though because I did use a friend to blow her off. It wasn't that she was hideous, boring, or annoying, she was quite the opposite, it's just telling me that I looked miserable didn't exactly make me want to get to know the her.

Anyway, sure I admit, lately I haven't been the bubbliest person and in way I really haven't been able to show much ecitement for anything, but honestly for some reason, I usually look something like that. I don't know what it is, but even when I'm content and haven't a worry in the world, it's there. I think maybe it happens when I'm just standing around with no one to impress. Ya know what, I think I'm going to commission myself to single-handedly make the scowl and the miserable look, sexy. Wish my luck.

a christmas wish.

2004-12-24T15:00:00.000-08:00

As I sit here on this Christmas Eve day I am reminded of all the lunacy that has surrounded the holiday most of us will celebrate tomorrow. I wonder what is happening to us as a people of this great country that even something once so simple as celebrating a holiday becomes the subject of bitter inbattles and controversy. Now I'm not going to profess that I am smart enough to hash out the details of what is appropriate as far as the religious aspects of our holidays, but I can't help think there has to be better way than what is happening now. It saddens me that our children suffer over and over again in matters they don't completely understand because their mothers and fathers refuse to put aside their political correctnesses and personal agendas. It seems to me that people now aim to erase differences, thus in my opinion forcing conformity, rather than celebrate and encourage respect of our beatiful cultures. I believe there is a way to improve upon our futures without denying where we all come from. I wish, before it's too late, for greater minds to prevail and we end this holiday madness. With that said, I wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy holidays.

1918 2004!

2004-10-27T22:12:00.000-07:00

86 years in the making, FINALLY!!!! ...cursed no more. Can you believe it?, and in my lifetime, at last, I can finally say, the Red Sox have won. Yes!!!, the Red Sox are world champs. It's the end of the world as we know it, the Nation can now die in peace ...now what? Thank you Sox.

start spreading the news.

2004-10-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

We did it! Greatest comeback in history at the hands of the empire and in their own house. Oh how sweet. New York, New York, never sounded better. Ha ha. Three outs away from sweep to total collapse. What a choke. You shouldn't have let us win. Johnny, way to save the best for last. Go Sox.

history rewritten!

2004-10-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

As we've been saying since sunday, "Why not us?" One more win, one more win!

back to the bronx.

2004-10-18T22:38:00.000-07:00

Who's Your Papi!!!!!!!!

1 down, 3 to go.

2004-10-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

You shouldn't have let us win!

silence...

2004-10-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

It has been said that, "silence is golden." Now what have I done?

witnessing Bonds' 700th.

2004-09-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

I never would have thought way back in June when I was online buying tickets for a family friend that the game she had chosen to take her husband to SBC Park for his birthday would be so historic. I figured it was another chance for me to see a Giants game and show him around the park since it would be his first time there. Now, wow I don't think we could have gotten and luckier.

I realized that the game I went to last night had a chance to be Bond's 700 tuesday when Bonds at 698. I couldn't watch those games against the Brewers in Milwaukee because I didn't want to dissapoint myself thinking damn a few more days and I could have seen it in person. Yes, I guess it's safe to say I selfishly wanted to see it for myself. It was awesome to see on TV Brewer fans all leaving after Bond's last at bat, even when the Brewers were only down a run with two inings to go. Then when yesterday came around all I could think was tonight's the night and I was hoping and praying it would be. All day that was all that was on my mind, I'm going to see Bonds hit home run number 700. I was even telling a coworker, I'm going to be so pissed if he doesn't hit it tonight.

Getting to the game and walking around the stadium before the first pitch, you could sense my thoughts were on everyone else's mind as well, and the energy it created was everywhere. The Cove was filled boats, ushers were strictly managing the Standing room only area of the arcade section, and there were even fans perched on the landing around the coke bottle slides. Fans were so crazed in excitement that flash bulbs starting going off in masses when Bonds first on deck. Not even an at bat yet and the SBC was going nuts.

At Bond's first at bat the crowd stood and cheered, anticipating the moment, only to groan when Bonds got hit on an inside breaking ball that got away from Peavy. But still the energy sparked a rally and it wouldn't be long before Bonds was up again. Second at bat, same scene, flash bulbs constantly going everywhere, anticipation upped a notch. Strike one, collective groans. Ball, ball, we wait. Then Bonds connects and people were jumping up and down immediately. As I watched it go, it kinda looked as though it might not have the distance and I thinking, please, please, please, oh please, go out. It kept going, a little low, but Kelsko still retreating back. Kelsko jump at the wall reaches, GONE. I'd say the stadium errupted, but the would be an understatement, and honestly I think most the fans had already errupted before the ball had even passed over the pitchers mound. The place was so insane while that ball was in the air, I couldn't imagine the emotion if it had fallen short.

Of course it didn't and history was made. I was there! I still can believe I was actually at the game and I got to see Bonds hit it. The actually moment was amazing, I don't think I've experienced anything like that. Fireworks flew from the scoreboard and streamers fell from the upper decks. It was really something to see everyone cheering not just the hometown fans.

I know I'll forget being there that night, witnessing sports history. Of course I'll always have my ticket, but I've got a pennant now to commerate it. Gotta thank Mom, for not knowing, or caring, much about sports, buying of boys pennants as f we needed those to make it special. It doesn't get more special than actually being there. I was there, I still haven't gotten over it. That's just so cool.

rooting for the other team.

2004-09-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

I'm normally the type to root for the home team, I love the Giants, 49ers, and yes even the Warriors, but the Raiders (dispise them) and the A's (just don't care) I just can't get behind. So with the Red Sox in town early this week playing the A's, I was put in the dubious position of being that guy running around the home stadium in vistor's gear. Usually that pretty much assures you as the target of endless tants and trash talk as you try to watch the game while dodging projectiles, but for us Red Sox fans, at least here in the bay Area, we have strength in numbers.

I read a piece in the letters to the editor section of the local paper as I was on BART travelling to the game where this guy ranted about his displeasure with the number of Red Sox fans in attendance at the previous two games. He wondered in his submission why there are so many and why they come out in such great numbers. And let me say, yes sir, once at the stadium you couldn't look in any direction without spotting at least a dozen or so Red Sox fans. The Red Sox Nation came out in full force, I'd say reaching 10,000 strong, all instantly good friends. You got the feeling that if one A's fan attempted to throw a little trash our way, he'd have to deal with three Red Sox fans ready to strick back. And in fact that was the case.

It probably helped us Red Sox fans that we scored three runs before a good portion of fans even made it to their seats, but still I'm sure we would have been just as vocal. I'm also sure it was on A's fan mind that though many may look at this as a rivalry, fact is the Red Sox, up to that point, had won 7 of 8 against the A's this years, 10 of 11 dating back to last season's divisional series. Yes, us Red Sox have owned the A's of late and we did last night as well. The Red Sox went on to win 8 - 3, sweeping the A's for the second straight time this season, and all was in Red Sox fan favor. The A's fans quietly exited and moved along on their way home as us Red Sox fans cherished our vistory and reveled in our numbers. After the game it seemed their were more Red Sox fans running around than A's fans and we loved it.

So in the end, though I may have gone into the game thinking, I'm going to wear my Red Sox gear, stand tall, and brace myself for the worst A's fan could dish. Reality was that I might as well have been at Fenway watching the A's. We were as much the home fans in Oakland as A's fans were. All in all it was huge catching my one of my favorite players, Pedro, work the mound, and I'm ready to go back to rooting for the home team - the Giants at SBC. I will say though it is a good time rooting for the vistors in the home park. Now I'm kinda wondering what it's like to root for the Sox in other American League cities. Maybe even, dread, in New York.

the 15yr old college kid.

2004-09-07T21:47:00.001-07:00

Get this, yesterday I went to a barbeque at a family friend's house and I met this 15 year old kid who is a senior at UCLA and is currently visiting campuses as he prepares for grad school. A freakin' senior in college! This kid completed more schooling by age 12 then I have so far in my 20 plus years. I was blown away.

The kids seemed to handle himself well and all, he wasn't socially innept or anything like that, but still I couldn't help but think about the things he has missed out on and feel sorry for him in a way. I think it's great that he has accomplished so much, he has a lot to be proud of, but I don't think I'd want to trade places with him. I relish my relative ignorance and the experiences it has afforded me.

I don't know him at all so I have no clue who he has for friends, or who he spends his time with, but I imagine, based on where he is at his age, he's got to be in peer limbo. Too young to relate to those he's in college with, but too smart to fully relate to those his age. I don't know how he manages it, that has got to be tough.

Personally, I think there is just something to be said for those intangable experiences, milestones, and rights of passage growing up that just can't be replaced. But hey, if that's what he wants for himself, and is happy, that's amazing. Go for it, I guess I wish I had the oppurtunity to be in such a position as to make the choices he has made. Good for him and good luck. You are obviously a better person than I.

bush twins take the spotlight.

2004-09-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

I realize I probably border on geekdom for my interest in both the DNC and the RNC, but who doesn't love a good partisan speech. Alright fine, yes, I'm probably one of a handful, but I'm telling you these events are classic. The DNC had classics like Teddy, the Reverend, Teresa, and now the RNC has the Bush Twins. Anyone happen to catch the Bush Twin's speaking debut? Well don't worry, I'll bet it's probably their last anyway.

As far as a critique of their speech, I'm gonna say I feel for the twins. They were up there in front of a tough audience and I think they gave it their best. Could they have done better? Sure, but I think their goal was to lighten the mood, give the message that the Bush family is like any other, and their dad (President Bush) is just a regular dad. I also think it was pretty apparent that they love their family very much and the jokes were all in fun. They certainly weren't up there trying to knock one out of the park. Plus, as we all know, experienced speech writers write these speeches, and though I'm sure they had imput, those weren't 100% the twins' words, and so everyone should get off their high horses with all the, "their speech was frightening, dishonorable, or embarrassing," crap, because I think they did okay with what they had. Yes, true they probably have no future in comedy, and their comedic timing couldn't have been more off, but I would challenge anyone right out of college to step up in front of an event like that and do a significantly better job. Trust me, you may think you could, but giving a speech in front of your cronies in a classroom at some university is far different from stepping up in front of the nation. They are obviously inexperienced in formal public speaking, and though I felt bad for them that their jokes were bombing, I still thought they got their message across and probably appealed to the younger demographic their speech was obviously targeted at.

Anyway, to go further out on a limb, and push myself deeper into geekdom, I actually think the twins are kinda cute as well. Alright, go ahead give me your best shots, I'm sure ya'll got a million zingers to hit me with for saying that. Hey, I'm the first to admit my taste in the ladys is unexplainable and this probably tops the sundae. I was never a fan of the "super hot could be a Playboy model" type anyway, I'll take the girl next door type everyday day of the week. And if ya'll can bear more rambling, I'll go on to say I'd prefer Jenna (right in photo) over Barbara (left in photo). Yes, I did say that. Again, it's no secret, at among those who know me, that I like the fun type and Jenna definitely seems to be the fun one of the two. So Jenna, how bout it? I think we would have some good times.

espn college football behind the scenes.

2004-08-30T21:16:00.000-07:00

Did anyone else happen to catch ESPN's behind the scenes coverage during saturday's USC vs. Virginia Tech college football game? I'm so glad I caught it because that had to be one of the most interesting things I've seen on television in a while. I was absolutely mesmorized by it.

Basically, what ESPN did was they aired the football on ESPN as usual, while simultaneously on ESPN2 airing what was going on in the production truck, the broadcast booth, ect. as the game was happening giving you the behind the scene look into what goes into a live game broadcast.

In my room I had my two televisions set so I could watch both the game on ESPN and the behind the scences on ESPN2 at the same time, but I pretty much ended up watching the hehind the scenes. I just loved getting the inside look and I have to say I learned a ton I didn't know about a game broadcast. I figured the field reporters, the anouncers, and what worked more independently during a game broadcast then they actually do. I had no idea there was one main guy in that truck directing the whole on-air presentation. I didn't know he decided when graphics go up, when the anouncers should bring up certain storylines, or prompted the field reporters on what questions to get from a coach. For some reason I thought the guys in the truck just directed the cameras and stuff like that. It was quite interesting to learn that the mastermind behind a live game broadcast, the guy who decides almost everything you see, the guy who deserves the most credit, you will probably never know, because he is never seen. I always figured the anouncers were the stars of the broadcast, but now I know they aren't, he is.

I also figured that while the game was on a commerical break the anounces and everyone had a break like we at home do. Not so. They are going over and preparing for when the go back on air. That must be hard, and it means they basically only get half time as a break. And if you caught the behind the scenes saturday the guy who was directing everything was awesome. I loved his whitty comments on the game and the officiating, plus when he told the sideline reporter he liked her watch. That was cool.

If you love watching sports on TV and you didn't catch that, you missed a real treat. It provided alot of great insight and gives you a whole new perspective into what goes on during a game broadcast. I'm not usre why ESPN did that, but I'm glad they did. What a cool idea to give die hard sports fans such a look into what they do. Kudos ESPN.

what i learned while watching olympic basketball.

2004-08-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

At this point my interest in the men's olympic basketball team is well documented. So in order to, as they say, close the book on the subject, let's go over a few things I learned while watching.

1. International players are better than I realized.
Maybe this should have been obvious to me, I mean with the recent influx of international players flooding the NBA, but still I expected Teams USA to be the Globetrotters to the international's Generals. At first I even thought Team USA wasn't trying, or simply didn't care much, but after the second game it hit me that no it's not that Teams USA isn't giving it their all (they in fact are), it's that the international teams are just that good. Conclusion: international players got some game and can shoot the lights out from long range.

2. My questions about NBA rules answered.
I had always wondered what the thinking was behind some of the nuances of NBA rules as opposed to NCAA or international rules and now I think I finally understand. The NBA is as much about entertainment as it is about sport. This is most striking in the recent institution of the "NBA style" zone defense. I wondered why not just institute a full zone and make players earn buckets like they do outside the NBA. I figured the NBA players would then be forced to learn to shoot and that the superstars could just break the zone on occasion anyway. Wrong! I realized that when the zone defense is played at the highest levels (as international teams do) it almost completely shuts down the easy drive even against some of the best penetraters. But then lack of shooting could have been a factor, either way, the zone slows too much down. There are also other examples of rule differences, but my point here is simply that the NBA rules are what they are and for good reason - mostly to protect its entertainment value. Conclusion: though rules like the zone defense and the like promote a more skilled style basketball game, they do nothing to enhance it's entertainment value - they greatly diminish it.

3. outside shooting is the name of the game.
In international basketball it was made clear to me that the man who hits the three is the star. It killed Team USA over and over again their inability to knock down that mighty three. Unlike the NBA where a quick step with get you a bucket, in international ball it's get open and fire away. Conclusion: If you can't shoot the three, game over, thanks for competing, no gold for you.

4. olympic basketball is just plain wacky.
Rules? Yes or no? Which is it? I'm still trying to figure that one out. One moment Duncan breathes on his oppenent, foul, while the other Marbury is upended on a fast break layup and it's play on. Olympic officiating couldn't be more laughable and the Team USA players showed great restraint in not going off the hook on numberous occasion - not sure how they were able. The sad thing is, they may claim officiating never once decided the outcome of a game. The simple fact that Duncan wasn't allowed to participate in key portions of several games should be a hint. Shame on you for not realizing that. How can you expect teams to compete when the rules are never clear nor consistent. Conclusion: I still don't know what's a foul in olympic basketball and I doubt I ever will.

5. some people will whine about anything.
First, how could you not support Team USA in your own country? Don't forget these are player's that actually were willing to show up, they played hard, and they deminstrated great pride. How could you be against that? Second, yes the international players are good (I noted that), they can shoot the rock like no tomorrow, but when allowed to play NBA players are still tops. Simply put we brought the wrong team, congrats for taking advantage, it won't happen again. Lastly, beyond the officiating, be careful what you are wishing for when you say the international game is a better brand of basketball. Do you really want to completely wipe out the entertainment value of NBA basketball? Sure, go and on and on about shooting, passing and what not, but without the drives, the dunks, no one would watch. Yea we all wish the skill level was improved in the NBA, but at what cost? The NBA could provide the greatest skilled game possible, but who wants to watch players set pick after pick to get open to throw up threes? The NBA is very successful at striking a balance between skill and entertainment and you should be thanking them we don't play international ball here in the states. Conclusion: if you hate it that much why do you watch?

Alright, I'm off the soap box now, but with all that said, I still want to thank Team USA for their enormous efforts. Congrats on the bronze and I appreciate your heart and determination in competition. You didn't have to show up and you did; you could have whined about the international game (and righfully so), but for the most part you didn't, you could have given excusses for falling short of your expected showing, but you didn't (aside from coach Brown anyway); and most of all you showed your true colors and spirit in your atittude on, and off, the court in Athens and that I will always respect you for. Thanks again guys for a great olympics.

denied.

2004-08-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

Team USA just had too many flaws and weren't able to overcome them. Hopefully, we will learn from this Olympic tournament and bring a proper team next time. Great effort nonetheless though. Much respect to you guys for actually showing up and being willing to represent the U.S. in Athens. Let's hope you at least win a bronze.

going for gold at 4:30am

2004-08-26T06:34:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I got up at 4:30am to watch basketball. Damn that is early. Thank you boys for getting it done and winning. I would have been pissed if I got up so early - especially since I didn't go to bed until 2am - only to watch ya'll lose.

Anyway, I just want to take this moment to congratulate Team USA in your impressive victory over Spain to advanage in the Olympic basketball tournament. Good job guys. I think you finally are starting to show the world that USA basketball still has game. Let's keep the shooting hot, the "D" tight, and bring home the gold.

refrigerator tv.

2004-08-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

I've worked a grand total of two hours in the past two days and I'm loving it. Now with pretty much nothing to do this week, I've finally had time to check out the new Best Buy that opened a few miles from my abode. Best Buy is one of my favorite stores and I'm so glad I no longer have to drive 20mins to shop there. So today I strolled down to the new one and I don't know if it's just me, but it seemed a bit small. Whatever though, as long as it has everything the other ones have.

Anyway, while I was meandering around the store checking everything out, I noticed something I never would have thought would ever be made. I've got a feeling this is old news that somehow escaped me until today, but I was absolutely amazed by it. It was a refrigerator with a tv screen inbeded in one of the door panels. I guess I just never realized people longed to watch tv from their refrigerators. I have to ask, who is in the market for this? I'm guessing I'd rather save the thousand or so, but then maybe I'm missing the genius in this. No more trips to the fridge to get snacks, you're already there. Maybe it would be cool at first, a little bragging rights over the Joneses, but honestly who is going to stand, or sit, in front of their fridge to watch tv? Maybe someone can enlighten me.

I remember as a kid thinking it was the coolest that a particular friend had an ice dispenser and water spout on their fridge door panel. That was like 15 years ago or something and I still have yet to have that on my fridge never mind a tv. (By the way, this fridge I saw today... it also had the water/ice dispenser.) Wow, my fridge must be ancient, it may be time to get with the times. But then again we still have the old furniture style tv that rests in the huge wood casing so it's possible we are already beyond hope. Do people, other than us of course, even still have those? We should charge admission, we got an electronics/furniture museum up in here and didn't even know it. Now, I'm wondering, what advancements in bed technology have I been missing out on? I've got an old mattress bed, what are you all sleeping in these days.

last day of summer camp.

2004-08-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

Damn, I can't believe it has already come and gone. The last day of summer camp just crept up way too fast. Summer flew. I have to say though it was a very fun summer and as usual, I probably had more fun than the kids. The last day yesterday was days of fun even if it did mean that summer had come to an end.

Yesterday, was finally a real hot summer day - we hadn't really had a bonafide summer day here in the Bay Area all summer camp - so we had alot of fun with it dumping buckets of water on each other. I even slipped and fell trying to get a co-worker in my group wet and yes it was funny - it was my Wile E. Coyote moment. Well except of course for the fact that I still did get her wet in the end. Also, I was the star of an epic trench (like Dodgeball) game between my group and the equivelent group from the other site. I was at the top of my game and took great pleasure in foiling the other team in their struggle at getting me out. I think I was in jail less than a minute total in an hour plus long game. There was a friendly bet on the game so I kinda had a bit of an obligation to play well for the coordinator who bet my group would win. Though in the end we did lose I don't think anyone could have played better than I did. I'm gonna miss those epic trench battles. And I'm also gonna miss these awesome summers of camp with the kids. This summer was in all likelyhood my last. Memories are great, but I'm sure gonna miss them. Thanks kids.

milk in my tea.

2004-08-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been getting the feeling like I am the only person on the west coast who puts milk in their tea. It has amused me these past two mornings especially since many at my work have been asking me what I've been drinking. I should mention that I've been drinking my tea from a thick clear plastic cup courtesy of Fresh Choice (It was given to me, I didn't steal it if that's what you were thinking) and so I'm told what I'm drinking looks weird. Apparently, no one puts milk in their tea around here because they all seem fasinated by the idea when I tell them it's just tea with milk. Also, in an odd way they seem a bit dissapointed it's not one of those foo foo teas like chi tea or something I'm drinking. I guess knowing me, they thought they had a real scoop almost discovering I'd be drinking something like that. Sorry guys, it's just milk.

Since I'm on the subject of putting milk in tea, I might as well tell my story about it. A few years ago I was in a Starbucks one afternoon and of course I had ordered tea. So there I am at the counter preparing it. I bob the teabag to brew it, put in a little sugar, then the milk. So right after I had finished pouring the milk in this woman creeps up beside me and saying something that freaked me out for a second. She said to me, "you are from Boston aren't you?" I was completely caught off guard by this.

I took a quick glance over at the woman and just didn't know what to make of the situation. My first thought naturally was how could this random woman know where my family is from; my second thought was to question whether or not this woman might in fact know me or something. After quickly ruling out the latter in my head, shocked, I said to the woman, "how did you know that?" She told me it was because I had just put milk in my tea. I have to say as much as I was like huh?, I was a bit relieved at the same time. At that point I couldn't let the woman off without explaining herself. Up until that point it had never occurred to me that everyone didn't put milk in their tea.

So with that she explained to me how people on the west coast mostly don't put milk in their tea, it's just something that people from back east do. I just had never noticed that before, I guess because because everyone in my family puts milk in their tea and otherwise I never really payed much attention to how people fixed their tea.

I don't know I was just instantly reminded of that instance after, I think, the 4th person asked my what I had in my cup. I guess I just find it funny people around here don't.

athens 2004 & team USA basketball.

2004-08-15T20:28:00.004-07:00

Has anyone been watching the Olympics? I heard somewhere that the relationship of die hard sports fan to his interest in the Olympics is an inverse relationship, meaning that the more you are into sports the less you care about the Olympics. I'm sure this is just some anecdotal joke on the Olympics, but it does seem like I'm one of the few true sports fans, I know of anyway, who also cares somewhat about the Olympics.

I don't want to suggest that I absolutely love the Olympics, but strangely I have been watching an aweful lot since friday's opening ceremonies. I did catch that as well - I love the parade of nations for some reason. Anyway, I just have realized that I've pretty much been watching everything NBC has been showing, I even caught the beach vollyball, which I niether care about nor know anything about. I do really love watching the swimming events and the team sports though. Not sure what it is about the swimming events that captivates my attention, but I've been glued to them all weekend. And it's not just the Michael Phelps phenomenon. I've been watching everything in the pool.

I've always been into the team sports and I'll probably watch the track and field events next week, just don't get me started on Team USA basketball. I'm not sure they could have played worse than they did against Peurto Rico today if they tried. It was so frustrating to watching Team USA trot up and sown the court lifelessly, playing hot potateo if the ball, missing the side of the barn seemingly each and every time down, playing absolutely no "D", and looking as if they had a million things they'd rather be doing than pretending to care about the game. If they play like that again, or anything resembling it, medaling will be out of the question. Wouldn't that be something. I'd hate to be them and come home without the gold. How would that be for a stat on their professional resumes. Even so though, shame on all the spoiled, I'm too good, tired, can't be bothered with Olympic basketball pussies of "star" players who refused to play. I understand the arguements for why they didn't and yes I agree you can't expect them to give up their summer at the possible expense of their careers, but still isn't pride and representing one's country worth anything anymore. I have a ton of respect for the likes of Iverson and Duncan who did show up and I guess I wish as a fan more stars would have.

alcatraz.

2004-08-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

Has anyone ever seen the movie The Rock? I know, it's not the best movie ever, but yesterday I took the tour of the imfamous prison in that movie. If you have never been to Alcatraz I highly recommend taking the audio tour. I've done that tour maybe nine, ten times now, over the years, and still it never gets old. It's about 35mins long and very interesting, even after you've done it a few times. You sorta look forward to the highlights waiting for them to come up as you are going through it. I had a lot of fun. I guess I just love visiting historical sites. I took a ton of pictures, from my cell phone camera, while on the tour. The first one is Al Capone's cell (the closed one in the middle), the second is inside the cell of one of the men who might have escaped Alcatraz (note the hole in the back wall), and the last is the view of San Francisco from one of the cell block windows (word has it that you could hear New Year's celebrations and the nightlife from Alcatraz - torture). You can check out the rest of the pic at my moblog Jai.pics.

outfoxed: who are you lunatics?

2004-08-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here's something curious I discovered while perusing movie times in my area; Robert Greenwald's movie/documentary Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War On Journalism is playing in theaters here. I'm not exactly sure what's prompted this move, but I suspect the popularity of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 has everything to do with it - albeit if only to theaters in San Francisco; New York; Los Angeles; and Washington, D.C. I don't particularly want to discuss the movie itself (I haven't actually seen it), but one thing I do find interesting is that this movie has been avaliable on DVD for about a month or so now. The other thing I find intriquing, and the reason I mention this movie at all, are the customer reviews for the DVD. In my opinion they are laughs for days funny and they make you wonder who exactly these people who've written those reviews are. Lunatics maybe!

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, Outfoxed is a documentary in the vein of Fahrenheit 9/11 which attempts to bring to light the alleged purposeful and systematic right wing, pro-Republican bias of the Fox News Channel (FNC).

Now you can read the professional reviews at various movie and newspaper sites, and granted the professionals will give you a clearer reference point from which to decide what this movie actually is about and whether or not the movie is worth seeing, but those reviews, though very helpful, are totally void of the entertainment value provided by the reviews of the folks. Err lunatics.

The basic difference between the professional reviews and those found on DVD/retail sites with customer reviews are that the pros limit their discussion to the merits of the movie itself, while the customer reviews provide everything from world/political ideology to conspiracy theories in giving their opinions of Outfoxed.

Here are just a few sample quotes:
"I believe FOX News is dangerous to society."

"...I have no interest in taking over the world, but I would like the country to stop allowing themselves to be "brainwashed" ... by a media that has an agenda that somehow has swung left to right like a pendulum."

"[While other Networks] actually try to be "fair and balanced." Like its Republican masters, Fox mouths those words as its slogan only to underscore the big Orwellian lie, the now clearly exposed fact that it is neither fair nor balanced. Friends don't let friends watch Fox. And above all, do not let your children watch it!"

"The funniest thing thing about this movie is the majority its 2 hours is archived footage from FOX. The inflamatory hate-speech they spew, interviews they censor, false claims and half truths they report are shown the exact way Murdoch broadcasts them 24/7. And this an indisputable thing FOX can neither defend nor find an excuse."

Yes, those are all quotes taken from a sampling of negative reviews (there are positive quotes too, but they aren't as entertaining). At this point I guess I should say I watch the Fox News Channel myself, but I'm not writing to express my defense of the FNC - I don't defend it, nobody cares either way, and that's not my point anyway. Reguardless of one's political view, or ideology, I simply find humor in the degree by which these people, lunatics, hate the FNC and how much credence they give it's influence.

Seriously folks, do you honestly believe that? I can only hope your opinions are rants grossly exaggerated to prove a point, but somehow I fear that isn't the case. I would think that any intelligent fair minded person would realize we are simply speaking of a cable news network and reguardless of your political views you would realize, aside from personal preferences, all television news sources are relatively similar. They all have their distinct personalities, their bias, their reference points, but to say one, or any of them for that matter, is systematically dangerous to society is plain ignorant and you are probably a lunatic to believe so.

Why is it that now days those who proclaim themselves to be members of one party are automatically vehemently opposed to anything associated with the other party? That just seems so juvenile to me. I don't understand why people would reject, or accept, lines of thinking so easily. For example, those people who believe Bush is the equivalent to Hitler just because some anti-Republican organization says so. Or those who oppose Kerry charging him with being anti-American. Sure those who come up with that stuff are probably just purposely being provacative to make a point, but I find it sad those who accept those views as fact and shape them into their world view. Could you possibly think any less? Or are you just a lunatic?

I guess my point is that no matter which cable news network you prefer, none are evil, none are purposely lying to you, and all are bias in their own way. And those of you who think otherwise are the one's who scare me. I wonder how one get's to the point where one holds on so tightly to such conspiracy theories and hatreds. Must be a sad frustrating life. At least I can take comfort in the fact though you may be the vocal majority your opinion is not that of the majority. I believe those fair minded people of all political affiliations reject that garbage and it's sad that there are so many who do believe it. Especially whose who allow it to seep into every aspect of their lives like for example your movie reviews. If you choose your ketchup based upon your political views... you are a lunatic!

nomar traded!

2004-07-31T17:52:00.000-07:00

Alright, well this sucks. I just got home from watching The Manchurain Candidate (good movie by the way), and now I find out my Sox have traded Nomar. And to the Cubs! Dammit, I hate the Cubs. Why the Cubs?

I'm sure Theo will put a good spin on this. It looks like the Sox got good players in return and this does improve the team, so I guess it's a good move. Defensively it looks huge, just hope Doug will be happy in Boston and Orlando starts hitting. We shall wait and see what happens. At least the Yanks never got The Unit and looking at their deadline trade, it seems questionable to me.

santa cruz beach boardwalk.

2004-07-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

This week's feild trip was to the Santa Beach Boardwalk home of the historic "Giant Dipper" and the 1911 Looff Carousel. It was overcast, but still warm, and though we didn't have time to check out everything, we still had a good time. I got to ride the "Giant Dipper" so my day was made. I took a few pics, including the one above which I took while riding "the Giant Dipper." You can check out the rest of the pics at my moblog Jai.pics.

bowling challenge.

2004-07-29T22:43:00.000-07:00

Does anyone actually bowl? Outside, of those hardcore bowling freaks (okay that's harsh, just joking) who rock the nightly leagues, how do bowling alleys stay in business when virtually everyone I know only bowls maybe once or twice every few years? I guess, that's just when our turns in the queue come up. I myself haven't bowled in over three years even though the bowling alley is practically across the street from my house. So earlier tonight I went bowling with a group from work and let me tell you, I suck.

The reason I even went bowling was becuase of this friendly competition between the staffs at our two summer camp sites where I work and this was our 2nd challange. We won the first in a massacre playing our program's favorite game trench (dodgeball on a basketball court with jails instead of elimination upon getting hit). We didn't do so well bowling. They had two ringers who could actually bowl half way decent. We lost by only a half point average in the first round, but got killed in the second. I think the "soy milk" may have done in our team. The other team wasn't drinking at all outside one.

I know I haven't bowled in like three years, and I did get the best score on my team in both games, but still I thought I was better than I was (am). I scored 111 and 112 respectively and I'm a bit dissaponted for that. Maybe the "soy milk" got me too, I don't know. I think last time I bowled a few years ago I scored something like 160ish and 140ish in two games. I was feeling it that time. Tonight, I tried to remember what weight ball I used that time, but couldn't, and I was never comfortable with any of the balls I played. I might need to out go out one random night to figure out what ball I'm best with for future reference.

Oh well, I guess I did on hold to my rep as the sports stud of my site, but I really wished I'd done better. I'm just highly competitive and I like to be good at everything (which I'm fully aware I'm not) - plus, I've gotten myself into the position of being counted on in these types of challenges. It was fun though even if I did suck. We had a good time stinking up of our lane, (hope they gave it a good wash down after we left) and the other site did get to redeem themselves after the trench debacle so this should only strengthen the rivalry. Can't wait for the next challenge.

the overnight.

2004-07-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

Got back from the overnight today. For those interested, we take the oldest group of kids from both sites in our program for an overnight camping trip every summer. This year's group was about 50 kids. I've gone pretty much every year and it's always a good time. This year we were back to this recreational camping type place called Thousand Trails (I think they have spots all over the country), which isn't true camping, but still fun. They do have a pool, general store, arcade, among other recreational activities, so the kids did have plenty of things to do and they even got to watch a movie tuesday night. I think they still had fun even if some were dissapointed it wasn't real camping like in some previous years. I did actually get about two or so hours sleep this time, which was refreshing (last time I stayed up all night), so I was glad for that. And I also learned to play Spades while us leaders were having our time after the kids went to sleep so that was good. I'd always just watched others play before and I'm glad I finally learned to play. So yes, the overnight was great, and my site even got to ride back home in style on a charter bus instead of the school bus. Nice.

at the movies.

2004-07-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

I don't normally go to the theater much to see movies, I subscribe to Netflix and generally wait for movies to be released on DVD, but in the past two weeks I've seen three movies, and I noticed, for me personally anyway, the experience of seeing a movie on the big screen isn't the same.

Sure theaters now have a ton of screens, boutique consessions, the lastest and greatest in sound and projector technology, and much improved seating, but still I'd say going to the theater now isn't what it used to be. Although, I will say since the two multiplexes have opened in the past year in my area, the theater a block from my house is now relatively empty and that is a huge plus in convienence - parking and crowd wise.

The first let down I noticed is that it takes forever from the point the lights go down to the time the movie actually starts. Come on now, do we really need to sit through a half dozen plus trailers (previews) and in some cases actual commercials before seeing the feature movies. I did pay almost $10, isn't that enough? One could concievably be 20mins late for a show and not miss of minute of the actual movie. Simply annoying.

I remember back in the day (admittingly I'm not that old, but still go with on this) making the effort to be early for a show to catch the trailers. Afterward, you couldn't wait for those movies to come out. That used to be almost as exciting as seeing the movie itself. Now, not only do you have to sit through a ton of those trailers, anyone with an internet (as I assume you do if you are reading this) most likely has already seen them. What a letdown.

Finally, the greatest annoyance are the people. Maybe it's just me and I'm not up to speed on the current theater etiquette, but who are you people? Savages! I remember when once the lights went down people actually watched the movie. Okay, yes there were always those teens making out, but at least they sat to the back or side, and I'm actually not bothered by them anyway, I'm speaking of a far worse type. Those who constantly are yapping it up, or worse chatting on their cell phone.

Seriously, who goes to the movies to chat about their day, work, school, or everyday chit chat. I can understand chatting plot lines or character details, maybe about who wants what from the snack bar, and I can forgive a question or two about things, but a conversation, come one now. And even worse than that, during two of the three recent movies I saw, someone actually answered their cell and chatted on it in the middle on the movie. Unbelievable. Both just sat right there chatting away, didn't even bother to get up and move to the lobby to chat. I second the notion in the effort to ban cell phones in theaters or even to institute blocking cell reception inside the actual theaters.

I guess I remember a time (a few years ago) when people respected their fellow movie goer and actually kept quiet and watched the movie. When did people decide it was no longer rude, or embarrassing, to have your cell go off during a movie or it was no longer rude to chat it up during the show? I guess I hadn't fully realized the reason I now mostly only see movies on DVD. I guess with movie theaters raising their prices to skyhigh proportions somehow it instilled in people they could do whatever the felt like doing, inside the theater, in order to get their money's worth.

Ya know what though, leave me out. I'll be happy, if not happier now, simply watching movies in the comfort of my own home. Good-bye, theater!

coupling.

2004-07-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

Last night I watched the entire first season of Coupling on DVD. Now for those of you who have no idea what Coupling is, it's a British comedy series on the BBC. It also runs on BBC America, but I'm not sure when or what season it is on. It's kind of a Friends rip off, but it focuses mostly on sex and relationships. I've heard it is a cross between Friends and Sex In The City, which sounds about right on the surface, but I've never seen Sex In The City so I don't exactly know for sure. Anyway, I had heard about Coupling about a year or so ago when I think it was NBC that tried producing an American copy. I think it got cancelled after the very first episode because I don't remember ever seeing or hearing about it again after that. Then randomly, I came across it again this past week when Netflix suggested it for me and so I decided why not, I've only heard good things about it, plus my queue has gotten frightenly short lately. I guess, that's the downside to being a member for over three years now, you start to run out of movies you haven't already seen.

Getting back to Coupling, right from the start, my first impression was this is a totally cheesy Friends copy and a badly produced one too - I almost didn't make it past the first episode. The first episode wasn't all bad, I guess it's just that I'd sorta seen it before, as the American copy was exactly the same, plot and most lines, just with different different actors and sets. But I was bored so after the first episode I decided to give the second episode a chance I'm so glad I did. I ended up watching all six episodes - they got funnier and funnier as the series went on.

I totally recommend it to anyone who loves good comedy or just good sitcoms. The British humor it provides is also a refreshing respite from the same old American humor we're used to. So if you can get past the first episode, and part of the second honestly too, trust me it's worth it. The episodes do get funnier, but I think it takes an episode or so to get the Friends comparisons out of your head, before you start watching Coupling on it's own merits. The show really hits it's mark once it gets going and it gets almost rolling on the floor funny. I totally ended up loving it and now can't wait for the second season to arrive.

three new books.

2004-07-13T22:37:00.000-07:00

By chance one afternoon, over a month ago now, with nothing to do I popped into a local library to pass the time. For some reason I was inspired to check out a few books and since then I've caught a book jones. I flew through those two books ended up checking out two more yesterday. Then just tonight, I went to the bookstore ended up buying three more. Now I've got a dilemma, which book do I read first? I'm hoping to break into and finish the two books I checked out before they are due, but I also feel the need to dig into one of the books I just bought as well. So which do I read?

My choices are:
~~Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser~~ read
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
The Assistants by Robin Lynn Williams

Happy Birthday Jason.

2004-07-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Jason, Happy Birthday. Though I don't think you even read my blog here, I know you know your way around the net, so knows, maybe you do. In any case, I hope you have a good one, sorry I will miss you today. Again, Happy Birthday.

"geek love".

2004-06-23T22:23:00.000-07:00

Last night I came across a little discovery while trying to unwind watching music videos at Launch - a song called "Geek Love" by someone calling themself Fan_3. Anyone heard this song? I'm not sure it's playing on tv, or radio, anywhere yet, but if you haven't heard the song, it's worth at least one listen. Granted it's a silly novelty pop/rap song (as if a song entitled "Geek Love" could be anything else), but it's got a charm to it. If you haven't heard it, imagine a chick rapping over an early '90s, late '80s rap beat (which is quite clever), sorta Pharsyde like with a little "Milkshake" beat mixed in, then her going on about her being an "in crowd" high school chick who's into this budding Bill Gates/drama geek type kid. It's a fun song, but when I first heard it I naturally assumed this chick was some early 20s Eminem type chick because the song totally reminded me of Eminem's "My Name Is." Sample lyric: "They try to act hard now pretend like they floss, We'll see who's laughing when my geek is their boss". After a bit of investigating on her get this... Fan_3 turned out to be a 16 year old blonde girl literally from "the valley." (Sherman Oaks, California to be exact) I was just blown away that a lil "Valley Girl" had written such a clever rap track. Now if this girl isn't a one hit wonder, and this girl can put a few other clever and honest rap tracks together, look out. Could the next hip-hop star be a 16 year old white girl? In any event, she's at least the next Avril of hip-hop.

Listen for yourself: "Geek Love"

red sox @ giants.

2004-06-18T18:12:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the showdown between two legendary teams who haven't faced each other in a meaningful game since 1912. These two teams also happen to be my absolute favorite sports teams - San Francisco Giants and the Boston Red Sox. This is a series I've had marked on the calender for a while and couldn't wait to arrive - that was until today. With the first game an hour or so away, now I'm stuck with the nightmare of who to root for.

The easy answer would be to root for the Giants since I live in the San Francisco area, but all my family history and ties are in Boston - both my parents grew up in the Boston area and most of my family is still there. Also as much as I root for, and love both Red Sox and the Giants, it wasn't until this weekend that I realized that, though I call both teams my favorites, my allegence to either has never been put to the test. The fact that they have never played each other in my life time has been an unconscious convenience, or excuse maybe, for never having to put one in front of the other. Although, I will note back in '86 I did get mixed-up with the Mets in a bet over lobsters so you could say my ties to the Giants are stronger. Maybe. Also, by virtue of living in San Francisco, rooting for the Red Sox takes more effort and with every Red Sox TV appearance an event to me who could say I'm more emotionally involved with the Red Sox. So I'm seriously torn. I want to root for both, but honestly that isn't really possible.

So who do I root for? Taking into consideration the places of each team in this season you could argue the Giants need wins more than the Red Sox would. The problem being though that because both the teams in front of each - the Yankees and Dodgers - are also playing each other a win by either hurts the other significantly, adding to the drama and pain. The theory here being, if I root for the Red Sox, I then must root for the Yankees to beat the Dodgers to protect the Giants in the standing, rooting for the Yankees as every Red Sox fan knows is unthinkable, and if I root for the Giants then I must root for the Dodgers, again a no no for a Giants fan. So what am I to do?

Well my heart is saying Red Sox, but I think I gotta go with the Giants, but only to win two out of three. All while also rooting for particular situations and for close games with memorable moments. I'd like to see a Bonds homer run off Pedro, but also a Pedro strike out of Bonds - hopefully swinging. I'm hoping for timely Red Sox hitting, but also clutch Giants pitching. Okay yes, rooting for either isn't perfect. I clearly wasn't thinking when I thought this series was a good idea. Well, maybe that's not completely true, because as torn up as I am, I know this will be a series I will never forget. Go Red Soxs, Go Giants.

corrupt law enforcement?

2004-06-07T23:31:00.000-07:00

I'm completely dumbfounded by the attitudes of alot people, my age whom I've come across, toward law enforcement. I don't understand how basically an overwhelming majority of people (outside my group of friends) I come across, have such a negative view of law enforcement. Okay, that's not completely honest, I have a clue as to why they feel the way they do - they've done shady things or outright broken laws and they refuse to owned up to it. I think it's really sad, and unfortunate, that these people have such a great distrust when I bet every single one of them most likely did something to deserve the scrutiny they recieved.

So my question is this: is it honestly that law enforcement (cops / whatever) are bad people, corrupt, whatever, when for the sake of arguement they were just doing their job during your friends / relatives encounteres with them, or does the blame lie in you? I bring this up because in class today we had this discussion, and I think besides the professor, I was the only other one (who spoke up anyway) who had a postive view of law enforcement. It made me wonder why that is. It's not like I'm the "goody-goody" and have had no experiences. I've been pulled over and had experiences with law enforcement people like everyone else. One experience in particular was a very scary situation for which myself and friends were completely abused, and even in consideration of that experience, I still have an overwhelmingly postive view. So what gives? In reference to that incident, sure maybe it could have been argued we didn't deserve it, but ya know what, I'm willing to concede that there were probably circumstances we weren't aware of that warranted their actions on us, and I'll take that inconvience and scare, if it means those law enforcement types were doing their best to keep the community safe. Am I the only one who is honest and rational around here?

I heard rants of, "oh my God the cops are totally currupt, they ruin the lives of innocent people, and they get away with it all the time." Oh really! Pleeeeaaase, give... me... a... break. I can't stand people who believe that and scream about it all day long. Yeah know what, you are a dishonest person, an ignorant person, a misguided person, and/or all, or any combination of the above. Now one particular student was pressed to give an example to back that her harsh indictment of cops and could only give a, weak at best, personal example of a "so-called" friend getting busted for something they didn't do. Now granted I don't know the details, only what was told of the the situation, but it sounded to me like this was one of those situations were this person had done a few wrong things, it sounded reasonable to assume this "friend" did something wrong, and hey that's tough maybe in that particular case it could have gone a different way, but I say if you get involved in bad behavior, bad things will happen to - as well it should. That "friend" got busted, if not that time, probably would have another time anyway, you can't blame the cops for that. And this is what I mean. These students go on and on, how bad cops are, but when they are pressed to back their accussations up with concrete factual examples (some tried to argue public cases, but the proffessor wouldn't let them use those exmples on the grounds they didn't know enough about them to argue them fairly) they couldn't. A few were basically examples similiar to my own, wrong place wrong time, but unlike me, they lacked the rational reasoning to admit that, yes there might have been something going on that warranted the actions they recieved based on currumstances they weren't aware of, and for them to jump to the conclusion cops are bad, they harrassed me for nothing, is wrong and unfair. It was that or they went on those long factless rants of how it happens all the time, that I think would provoke any ration person to just laugh at them. Hearing their ridiculous arguements and stories was hilarious. It amused me anyway.

One of the questions that kept popping into my mind throughout this class discussion was, who are the people these classmates associate with, and what do you expect when you deal with those types of people? Why can't people understand if you associate yourself with people who aren't good people, or at least people who don't have enough sense not to get into shady behavior you will eventually run into law enforcement who will suspect you as well by your mere association and rightfully so. Or if you do things that aren't lawful, or deal with people who do things unlawful, you will get what's coming to you. It's that simple. Stop blaming cops for your misdeeds, actions, and mistakes.

I think I have the attitude I do because I respect law enforcement and appreciate everything they have to deal with in doing their jobs. I'm not one of those people who blames other people for my own misfortunes and behavior. I'm honest with myself and own up to the things I do - I accept the consequences. I'm rational and fair minded. I realize law enforcement isn't a perfect endeavor and that at times it is reasonable that innocent people may be inconvienced in the ultimate pursuit of protecting the community. And sure there may be those bad cops (as their will be bad people in every other area of life) and you might concounter them, I'm not denying that, but for you to assume all cops are bad based on those few, you are flat out wrong or dishonest in your view. Again, I think it really comes down to: why is it so hard for you to realize that if you associate yourself with bad people, or deal in bad behavior, it will result in harsh consequences. The fault doesn't lie with law enforcement it lies with you.

I think the people who believe differently from what I do are those who have bought into the propaganda and ideology of those who are less than honest. Or in fact they aren't honest with themselves and their views are rationalizations to help them deny their faults or the faults of those around them. I think these are the types of people who want to run around doing whatever it is they want, be judegement and consequence free, never excepting the fact that unlawful actions have consequences, and you will be judged based upon them. Or as I said before these are the types of people who blame everyone else for their mistakes and misfortunes. Get over yourselves, be honest with yourselves for once, and just accept that your actions and behaviors, who you associate yourself with, will define you and be factors in the experiences you have in life. If the types of experiences you describe are constants in your life then maybe you need re-avaluate your life and who you choose to associate with. Trust me if you never do bad things, and/or associate only with good people, you wouldn't have those negative encounters with the law. That's a fact. I think it's so sad the attitudes these people have (I'd hate to be them), and how they live life breeding such negativity. I can't imagine that's a foundation for a happy or fruitful life. I can only hope ya'll wise up before you end up on the side side of freedom.

G4TechTV.

2004-05-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

So tommorow is the big day. G4 and TechTV join as one network to make G4TechTV (yes clever name - how did they ever think of that?). I'm not sure what to make of this event on my dial quite yet. I'm a huge fan of TechTV and though most of what I watch on TechTV will remain, what little I know of G4 scares me. Anyway, I've been reading both the TechTV and the G4 message boards and the curious thing is that the fans of both don't sound happy about the merge. Interesting, but then I guess those who actually post to each board are the die hard fans and that should be expected. I've gotten a huge kick out of how each goes off on rants and tyraids about how "stupid", or whatnot, the other network is, how the TechTV viewers won't watch the combined network, the G4 viewers shouting back stop whining - what a mess. Not an optimistic start at all. Can't be good for your network when your viewers are at odds about what you are trying to accomplish. Makes for good times reading though. I guess I've got to applaude their loyalty - though misguided it may be.

On thing though is I never understood how a network totally dedicated to videogames worked. My first thought would be that, wouldn't the gaming crowd spend their free time playing games, not watching tv shows about games. Am I wrong? Maybe this merge is an indication it didn't quite work, although, I'm sure some would argue the same of the network totally dedicated to technology. I think what this merging of networks boils down to is the bringing together of an older audience (TechTV's) with that of a younger audience (G4's). I think the success, or failure depending on how you view it, of the combined network is going to depend on how it handles the interests of each of these very distinct (nitche) groups. I could see them possibly dumping the older, for the younger, while at the same time convincing the younger to care about things tech - that's how the strategy seems on paper anyway. Either way, it's a huge task indeed - if not impossible. Despite the fact that I view this as a possible last ditched attempt to save both networks (not a good sign), I wish them luck all the same - afterall, I don't want to see my favorite show go away.

Who knows, I've never actually watched G4 (my cable company didn't carry it), maybe these videogames shows will surprise me, and I'll enjoy a few of them. Positive spin?, indeed, but hopefully not wishful thinking. It's not like I was a fan of all of the shows on TechTV anyway. So even if a few of the videogames shows turn out to be just okay, it might still be a plus for me. Maybe. I'm really curious about what change this will bring and hopefully this merge makes one of my favorite networks even better. Highly doubtful, but only time will tell.

Last thought, I hope after the dust settles in a few months time, my favorite personalities from TechTV will still be around. I guess that would be the deciding factor for me. If they go, even if my favorite shows continue on, I'd probably go too. They are a huge reason I love the shows I watch and they could never be replaced. In my heart anyway. I think it would be a huge mistake for G4 if they simply kept the shows, but brought in their own talent to host them. It's the personalities that make the show so populr - I hope they realize that. I'm mostly upset though, that G4 decided to move all of TechTV's studio shows (The Screen Savers, Fresh Gear, X-Play, ect.) from San Francisco to Los Angeles, where G4 is based. That will most likely result in the loss of at least a few, if not most, TechTV personalities and that's bad as far as I'm concerned. Especially, if they lost Kevin, Sarah, or Patrick - who I hear is all but gone. Sadness, I love Pat. Actually, I love all the personalities of TechTV too much and I just don't think I have it in me to start over and get to know all new personalities. It would be like swapping family. I couldn't do it.

Here's hoping G4TechTV doesn't screw up everything that made TechTV so special. Hopefully my fears are unfounded, but I have hope - as fleeting as it may be.

goodbye Call For Help.

2004-05-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

So today was the last Call For Help show. A sad day indeed. It's really too bad the new G4TechTV network couldn't find a space for it. Admittingly, Call For Help's focus was a little too simplistic for me personally, but nonetheless I still enjoyed watching it. It was a great technology resource for those less involved users and Leo was the perfect person to keep tech and computers simple and fun. So goodbye Call For Help - Leo, Cat, Roger, Fawn, all the regular contributors, and everyone behind-the-scenes. Ya'll put together a great show and you will all be greatly missed. Best wishes in all your future endeavors. Thank you.

iTunes.

2004-05-15T14:49:00.000-07:00

Anyone who does not have iTunes yet should seriously consider downloading it. I absolutely love it. I've been using and playing with it since Apple came out with the Windows version. Trust me, even if you don't own an iPod, or a Mac, it's still a great jukebox program to play MP3s on your pc. iTunes has many cool, unique features that are worth prying you away from MusicMatch Jukebox or Winamp (do people still use that?), and especially away from the Windows Media Player. The playlist functions, party shuffle, and iMix features of iTunes alone are worth the switch.

I love the iMix feature that's new to the 4.5 release of iTunes. It allows users the unique option of sharing their playlists by publishing them to the iTunes Music Store for all the world to check out and listen to. Download iTunes 4.5, if you don't already have it, then click here to check out, and listen to, my iMix playlist: "Waiting In Line". It's a fun mix of "alt. rock" songs that I currently love. Enjoy.

Congrats Rupert.

2004-05-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Alright, I'm so glad Rupert won. But it's not like I thought he wouldn't. I think everyone knew he was going to win - it was no surprise. But still, good for Rupert. He deserves it, they couldn't have given a million to a better person. Two Survivors in a row - that's insane. Oh and two moments he was involved in were voted top survivor moments as well. His fight with "Johnny Fairplay" for best survivor fight and Him taking the other tribe's shoes was voted top Survivor moment. I got a feeling those won simply because they involved Rupert more than anything else. I'm so happy for Rupert, and I'm glad he found peace within himself as well while participating in Survivor. Congratulations Rupert. I'm sure you'll make a lot of people happy and touch a lot of lives with that million. Good for you.

vote for Rupert.

2004-05-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

Survivor: All-Stars is giving viewers the chance to give a million dollars to one of the 18 survivors. I'm calling for everyone to put in a vote for Rupert. Seriously, everyone vote for Rupert. Give Rupert a million dollars, he totally deserves it. I guess all the survivors are equally deserving, but since you can only vote for one, give that vote to Rupert. Rupert is the man! Vote for Rupert! Even if you don't watch Survivor, or totally hate the show, then do it for me. It will make me happy if you click here and put in a vote for Rupert. Come on just take a moment to vote for Rupert. It will only take a second, click the link, and make Rupert's day. Vote for Rupert!!!!!!!

blogger relaunch.

2004-05-10T13:06:00.000-07:00

Wow, I'm shocked. So blogger has relaunched. Cool. I'm totally excited about the new features and all the new things I'll be able to do with my blog. One of the new Blogger features I'm excited about adding to my blog is comments. Yeah, yeah, I know I've had comments before, and from two fine services, but finally Blogger now has their own and so I've switched again. It appears I have more functionality with Blogger's comments and plus, it's just easier to keep everything in the same place and together, nice and neat. So I'd just like to take a quick moment to thank HaloScan for their comment services. I totally recommend them to anyone looking to add comments to their websites. Their service is seriously great, it's just I don't need them anymore, not that I was unhappy with them. In any case though thanks HaloScan.

The other feature I'm really excited about is the profile feature. I've wanted an about me section on this here blog since I first started it. It just seemed a natural thing to have, and an obvious ommition, but I'm glad Blogger finally brought it to the blogs. I tried a few different ways to do an about me section on my own in the past, but with the previous limitations of Blogger they all looked hokey. So go check it out. Cool huh.

Well, I'm off to play with the new features, look forward to seeing a few, but great, changes to my blog. I'm already excited.

a portrait of me.

2004-05-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

Now that ya'll have gotten a chance to check out the things that I am into, I'm wondering what that says about me. I know it sounds silly, but think about it. Those songs, movies, ect., down the right column and maybe even the links down the left, inevitably convey an image, to ya'll reading, of who I am. Well who you see me as anyway. So I'm just a little curious as to what image I portray and how skewed, or close, to the actual me it actually is.

Further than just the random links, and what not down both columns, I wonder what image, of myself I pass along to you in my writing here. I know I don't consciously try to portray myself other than how I'm feeling, thinking at the time of my posts, but it seems impossible that how I am here would be an absolute 100% representation of the real me. It's not that I feel I only write the good of me, I try to be fair though it's human nature that we portrays ourselves more favorably compared to others, and I know I certainly pick and choose what I share to you. Though I'm admittingly a bit of private person even in my "real" life, I think it's more that the essence of a person can't 100% accurately be portrayed in words that possibly explains any difference between the me presented here and the me I actually am.

discovery.

2004-04-30T02:02:00.000-07:00

This past sunday, on a whim, I went on a hike in the hills/mountains near my home. I remember doing a small portion of this same hike in summer camp one year when I was about eight or nine, but it just never occurred to me to ever hike up there since. It's almost serendipitious how it all came about, it's a cute lil tale, so I'll tell that first.

Once upon a..., j/k. So, I'd kinda been lagging on my running the past month or so, until last week, and so long story sorta short, I happened to check out this girl, during my run on thursday, heading in the opposite direction - of course. She was just walking with her camera, and though she didn't appear the running type, I was kinda dissapointed she wasn't running, but she still looked pretty danm good in her tight shorts and tank. Anyway, so as I finish my run there she is, near the entrance of the trail, taking pictures of flowers or something. Me being the guy I am, I couldn't not watch her, but I guess I looked a little too much in her direction while she was taking her photos and she noticed. I tried quickly to "not so slyly" pretend I was looking at this bulletin board at the trail entrance, I even grabbed a brochure from it hoping to be somewhat convincing, but I was totally caught. She approaches me, and I'm thinking, damn I'm gonna hear it now, but to my surprise it doesn't exactly go down like that. She ends up being nothing but "sweet" (sorry couldn't think of a better adjective - it's late) to me and we have a very nice, albeit, breifish conversation. So in the end, all was good, I chatted it up with the hot chick - I was happy. Although, I'm sure she tells the story differently to her friends. LOL Anyway, I still had the brochure in my hand afterward and I just ended up taking it with me. So Sunday comes around and as I'm about to toss it, I took a look at it. I looked at the map on the back side of it and I saw all these trails literally within 15-20 minutes of my home. A shower later I'm off to check out one of the trails closest to my house. The real adventure begins.

So I hit this trail at the point from which it runs along the nearby junior college at Sweeney Ridge. The first things I came across are the absolutely amazing scenic views of both the Pacific Ocean and the San Francisco Bay. Now, I've gone up "Sign Hill" many times over the years to get away from things and overlook my city from above, but the views up on Sweeney Ridge were something else. And as breathe taking as they were, they still were not the highlight of my hike. It was something else. I came across two distinct discoveries that blew me away. I'll start with the first.

This first discovery was that of the United States Nike Missile defense systems of the late 1940s to 1970s. This one I had no idea of until I searched the internet when I got home trying to figure out what the abandoned building I came across were. At first, I didn't know what to think of these buildings that were in total ruin just siting on top of the ridge. So I took a ton of pictures of them. Click here for photos.

Coming across that was really odd. About maybe a mile into my hike, there was this sole stone look out looking building. I just assumed it was some old look out from who knows when since it was stone and I thought huh that's cool, I wonder why it's still left here. I checked it out and moved on. I continue on my journey and about a mile later I start to see 2 buildings in the distance. From where I first saw them they looked like they were slightly weather-beaten houses. I guess it just seemed plausible to me that there'd be a random house or something up there. Yeah, I don't know why I tought that at the time, that just too stupid. LOL Actually ya know what it was, there was an electricity pole just off the trail at that point, that run down the ridge and since it connected to those two buildings I guess that's why I thought they were houses or something. It's not like this ridge is remote or anything I was still within 10 minutes driving from my house. But as I got closer I soon realized that these buildings were abandoned. Now I was really intrigued. The trail met an old paved road in front of these buildings and it turned out that there were 4 buildings and a check point looking building. The check point building looked like a small glorified ticket booth you'd see at a parking garage or something. It was brick though as were the 4 buildings.

As much as this site captured my attention when I was checking them out they really came to life and made sense to me when I spend a few hours later at home researching these Nike Missile defence sites that apparently still litter the United States. There are like 20 something alone in the S.F. Bay Area. One this volunteer group has restored to 90% of it's orginal condition and they turned it into a museum. I'm seriously thinking of going there and checking that out. I'm just so into these bases and their history right now. I had no clue they existed. I had never heard of Nike Missiles before. I'm honestly not really up on the names of military weaponary or vehicles. Oh and it also turns out that another one of these bases is were my father used to take my brother and I to watch hang gliders when we were kids. The fact I've come into contact with these bases and never knew I was on the site of old military bases is just beyond cool to me. The past few days I've been on the internet reading everthing I can find about these bases.

So after I moved on from the buildings, I decided to keep walking south and just see where the trail continued to. That's when I came across my second huge discovery - the Gaspar de Portola discovery site. This was a truly historical spot with great significance. Okay yes, I think I've said this before, but yeah, I guess I'm a geek, history fasinates me.

Now, though it has been drummed into me throughout my years of schooling here, elementary school to college, in California specifically the S.F. Peninsula, that this area is chalk full of history, it didn't really register in my mind how close that history really was. The Gaspar de Portola discovery of the San Francisco Bay is a tidbit everyone in California learns in school - kinda like I'm sure kids in the South learn about the Civil War battle sites, kids in Texas learn about the Alamo, and kids in the New England region learn about Paul Revere's Ride. While taking a moment to really experience the site I got to thinking. Let me explain.

I was standing there at the edge of the ridge looking out at the bay when it dawned on me, I can see my neighborhood from here. Granted, it was in the far distance, but still that was huge. That meant that back in 1769, Portola and his expedition laid eyes on the very spot my house is now. Awesome. That just got me thinging as I sat there for a while looking out at the bay. This was different than going on vaction or a trip to visit some tourist attraction historical site. Those type of sites usually seem fake and manufactured. Sitting up there just made the history I've learned all these years actually real. In a way I felt like I was experiencing some of what Portola was in much the same way he did. That's what made it such a big deal to me.

Since it's probably you'd have go there to experience it for yourself, I bring you the next best thing. Photos. Click here for the photos.

Oh BTW, my adventure came to an abrupt and dissapointing end when the trail came to a sudden hault at a gate about 5miles out, and 2.5 or so beyond the Portola site. Even so, it was a really fun hike and it's got me really excited about what treasures the rest of the trails on my map have waiting for me to discover.

dodge viper points.

2004-04-07T01:44:00.000-07:00

You might be asking yourself, dodge viper points? If you don't already know what I mean, hold on, we'll get to that in due time. Patience young grasshopper. First though, yes I'm aware I haven't really been updating much and I apologize. Actually no not really, I don't feel the least bit bad, but if you have been dutifully checking, waiting for a new post, well relax, I'm fine, here's your post. In my defense though, what can I say, lately I've been absolutely enthralled by the newly launched Air America Radio. That Al Franken has just got me in a tizzy. Okay, okay, I'm obviously being sarcastic, don't worry I didn't jump off the deep end, I'm not suddenly swimming with the sharks, but I did come across a little blog that could, that actually has had my attention lately. If you got my post's title then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Now for the benefit of those who have no clue what dodge viper points are in reference to, I guess you haven't found this little nugget of a blog deep within bowels of the great world wide web. (you probably haven't searched hard enough for starters) I must admit though, I'm torn as to whether you're actually missing anything or not at this point anyway. If you were to have asked me about it a month or so ago, I would have said you absolutely are missing a sure phenomenon in the making. Now though, I'm afraid it's most likely the next big web hoax. Either way though it's still oddly captivating, I guess in a road side, you know you shouldn't look but do, multiple car wreck sorta way. In this case you feel guilty for reading it, and possibly taking the bait, but you can't help anxiously awaiting the next post.

If you are looking for me to reveal this blog, sorry to disappoint, but that won't happen here. Although if you e-mail me, or otherwise contact me about it, I'd be willing to oblige. Now I know that may seem bastardly of me, and maybe selfish too if you want to argue that, but understand what I'm faced with here. We're talking about a freakin' self proclaimed celebrity blog for ------ sake, and an anonymous one at that. What am I supposed to do with that? Consider the possible outcomes with this: a) it really is what it claims to be and you'll mostly likely hear about it anyway, b) it is what it says it is, but the celebrity turns out be someone like Jay Mohr and I'm embarrassed for admitting to reading it, c) it's a hoax (which is where my money lies on the table at this point) and I'll sound foolish for singing the praises of some duecebag blogger and believing his obvious deciet, d) I really am that selfish and I want the dvp all for myself revelling in fact I'm privy to an obscure celebrity blog I secretly hope stays relatively undiscovered, e) I simply enjoy a little good fun at your expense, torturing you by not telling. Draw your own conclusions, but trust me when I say, if you know your way around google, you should have no trouble at all finding it, you have more than enough to go on.

my beloved techtv.

2004-03-27T14:42:00.001-08:00

I don't yet know what to make of Comcast agreeing to purchase TechTV from Paul Allen's Vulcan Inc. and fold it into it's own G4 Network. I first heard the news thursday, when the agreement of sale was mentioned breifly on The Screen Savers. Though Leo Laporte sounded upbeat in his brief mention of it, I'm skeptical. I'm worried that my favorite network will go away or dramatically change for the worse. I knew TechTV was struggling a bit to survive while losing money, and going through periods of layoffs, plus I admittedly am not a huge fan of some of their programing outside the tech content, but this purchase still scares me even if it may be financially a good move. Maybe I'm overreacting, but in my own investigating of the specifics of the sale, I read that Comcast will fold TechTV into their G4 videogame network and that's what's got me upset. So I'm torn.

This just seems to me (the outsider and devoted fan of TechTV) like a move solely benefiting Comcast and bolstering their G4 Network's audience. It just doesn't look like a move that sounds positive to those who are fans of TechTV, their on air personalities, or shows. I know little about G4, but it just doesn't sound like a network I would watch. Checking their website, I have to say that it is one of the worst websites I've come across - it's scary it's so bad. It is a chaotic mess with absolutely no personality and little meaningful information. So I just couldn't figure out what the network's identity is, what its shows are all about, or who the people behind the shows are. That can't be good.

What worries me about Comcast and G4 is that who is the audience for a 24hour gaming network? I'm guessing mostly kids 7, 8ish to late teens. So with the TechTV audience being mostly older, I don't see how that comes together in a positive fashion for both parties. I don't see the older TechTV fans watching videogames shows a whole lot and I don't see the kids watching the tech/computer shows. This means something will have to change. I just hope the new network doesn't become too geared toward kids and teens and that the core of what TechTV does remains intact because I couldn't stand to watch another network for kids. Maybe they could keep the game stuff in the afternoons and devote the nights to the TechTV staples like The Screen Savers, Fresh Gear, Call For Help, Tech Live, ect. Also G4 is based in L.A. and I loved the fact that TechTV was based here in S.F. So with this deal I hope they don't move all the TechTV studios to L.A. Then I wouldn't get to visit the studios and be in the audience. And that would also mean that some of my favorites at TechTV would not continue with the new network or that whom ever is at G4 might move to doing my favorite TechTV shows. That would be blasphemy as far as I'm concerned. Please Comcast, just don't ruin my favorite shows.

I guess, I just want to be assured the personalities I've grown to love on TechTV will still be doing the shows I look forward to viewing everyday. I really loved the idea of watching people with a passion for some of the same things I'm into and doing from my home town. It's just the whole TechTV vibe is one of a tight little community of good friends and people. I just hope this deal doesn't change any of that. TechTV has a good thing going and it would be a huge mistake, and shame, for Comcast to damage that. Don't take my Patrick, Kevin, Sarah, Leo, Yoshi, Foo, Adam, Morgan, Jessica, Martin, Roger, Cat, Josh, Chris, Steph, and Laura. I love them all and hope to continue sharing my love of all things tech with them.

stunned!

2004-03-21T14:20:00.000-08:00

Good olde reliable two and out. I don't even know why I bother anymore. This seems to happen year after year, yet I still root and hope this year will be different. Dam the Red Sox blood in me. Of course it never is; few excepts aside and even those only brief delays of the inevitable. So here I sit stunned because, despite their past decade NCAA history, I really thought Stanford had a chance to change all that. Now it's almost as if this magical 30-2 season is for not. Oh well, there's always next year.

march maddness.

2004-03-16T22:49:00.000-08:00

March Maddness is here! It's time to dance. So Stanford gets the 3rd #1 seed. Huh, that's interesting. I can certainly feel Josh's frustration with the east coast bias and the Duke mystic, but I can't say I'm upset where Stanford sits. Looking over the Phoenix bracket, I think Stanford has been placed amongst a favorable lot. Sure UConn is everyone's trendy pick, Maryland the so called "hottest team", N.C. State the ACC heavyweight, and Syracuse the defending champs, are all capable opponents, and have the potential to do well, but I still like Stanford's chances. I believe they are a solid Final Four pick. Stanford is just too balanced to be the throw-away #1 alot are saying they are. Sure past performances probably have alot to do with that thinking, and rightfully so, but I think it is a huge mistake to overlook what this year's squad has accomplished. Actually, I kinda like that, use it to their advantage and catch teams off guard. Stanford is for real. 6 games to the title won.

Alright, quick run down of the other brackets as I see them. In the St. Louis bracket I like Kentucky and Gonzaga. Sure, out on a short limb there, but hey, I'm not picking underdogs, for the sake of picking feel good cinderellas. Next, East Rutherford, I like Wake Forest and Pitt. Okay, yes, maybe that's a St. Joes diss, but I see Wake's toughness trumping St. Joes's long range bombers. I also think Pitts probably feels a bit snubbed, considering the hand they have been dealt, and just I see a team on a roll. Oklahoma State will be an intriguing game, I see Pitt getting it done. In Atlanta, I've marked, I hate to say it, Duke and Mississippi State. Again, I'm picking the #1 and the #2, just don't see upsets there. I'll be rooting for Arizona to take out Duke, oh please let that happen, but I don't have confidence in Arizona's defense and I don't see Arizona outshooting Duke. Mississippi State and North Carolina will be a great match-up in the 2nd weekend, and as many think Missiissippi should have gotten #1, I agree, and they beat North Carolina.

Final Four: Stanford, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Duke. As for Stanford, I think their defense will prove to be their strength and their team mentality will take them to the Finla 4. UConn, will be tough, I like their inside game. This will the battle of the bigger badder defense. And I seriously hope Okafor is ready to ball, I don't want anyone saying Stanford beat them one short. Kentucky vs Gonzaga will be a good show-down, little giant vs big giant, and Kentucky wins. Too many weapons, a great team falls to a greater team. Pitt vs Wake Forest, the two under-rateds, Big East vs ACC, rumble in the jungle. Pitt wins, they are the team on a misson. Duke vs Mississippi State, battle of the heavyweights, bring it on. I wanna say Mississippi State, they are better than given credit for, but Duke is that good. I wanna see Big Blue sing as mush as next guy living outside Tobacco Row, but it doesn't happen, not here anyway.

So there it is - my picks.

america's favorite pastime?

2004-03-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

Baseball is becoming the great sham. What a joke - "the big asterisk"

It's absolutely stunning to me, as it should to every baseball fan, that the Major League Baseball Player's Association (MLBPA), continues to hide behind player privacy as a tactic to aviod strict, effective steroid drug testing. Okay, I can understand their point that they did enter into a labor agreement that was acceptable to both sides just a few years ago, and one that is still valid until 2006, but you'd think the integrity of the game, it's history and it's players, would trump any previous agreements or possible policy issues. Then there's their concern about player privacy. Now I'm no expert on drug testting procedures, but I can't see how privacy would be so profoundly violated by a steroid drug test. I think it's reasonal to assume that a system could be put into place that fairly informs everyone what specifically would be tested for and the exact proceedure for testing. Maybe I'm wrong, but is this an arguement for protecting a player from possibly being found to be taking other illegal drugs, such as maybe cocaine, as a result of testing for steriods? Somehow that wouldn't surprise me.

To me this whole ordeal just stinks. It sticks for the fans, the clean players, and for the integrity of the sport. How is this a win for anyone? Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but since not a single player has admitted to taking steriods, shouldn't that mean no player is taking steriods? So why is it that the MLBPA won't budge? Who are they protecting? If no player is taking steriods, what harm would it be to agree to a strict steriod testing, and penalty, policy? Worst case the MLBPA proves their players aren't juiced. How is that bad? Oh wait, it's not that you are lying about taking steriods, is it?

I guess then this means they know players are still juiced, it's a significant percentage, and they fear exposing popular, high profile players. In other words their biggest, most marketable players. If the NFL and the NBA can accomplish a satisfactory drug policy, why can't baseball? I think the answer is simple. They know their players are juiced and such a policy would prove that.

I think the way it's going down now is just a delay tactic to save grace. I figure they are buying time for the players and to avoid a p/r distaster. The way I see it, is that when (and that's a big if presently) they inact a strict anti-drug/steriod policy numbers, statistics, will decline sharply. I think the thinking on their part is that if they delay such strict policy, they buy time for players to get off the juice and thus allowing the numbers to decline softly over a few years time. That way when the strict policies are in place numbers would have already declined and the drop at that point would be lessened and explained away as part of the recent trend. See this gives baseball an excuse to pass off to their fans to save face - an out if you will. They can say well yeah the numbers were over the top in the early 2000's, but that wasn't steriods, it was the natural cycle of the game. They'll say the ball was live, the fences were moved in, and it took the pitchers a few years to adjust, and so as they did, the numbers righted themselves. It wasn't steriods, that was a nasty myth. The players were never juiced. Well, not more than an insignificant few. We knew what we were doing, there was no problem.

Of course the fans are smarter than this, well okay, I'm figuring so anyway. I've been known to be wrong from time to time, but trust me on this one. Everyone knows steriods are a huge problem in baseball now and it's just another kick in the face to us fans that baseball refuses to address it. But then that's just the game with baseball. We're America's pastime we can do no wrong. Well, screw that, I'm not buying, I'm not taking this anymore.

cardinal rule.

2004-03-05T01:12:00.000-08:00

Call it a miracle, I don't know, some how, some way, Stanford refuses to lose. It just doesn't seem possible. It's the Cardinal Rule, Thou shall not beat Stanford. It's just unbelievable. It's awesome.

So I'm breaking my silence. I don't know what's been going on with me, but here's to the end. I'm moving on, positive vibes here forward, negative be gone. Honestly though, my malaise hasn't been the sole the reason for my absence here. I've been a little busy with other things and well I was probably spending too much time at my pc anyway. I needed a bit of break from here. It was for my own good. Sorry.

Anyway, I'm hugely excited about Stanford's charmed season. I just couldn't get more satisfaction out of them being #1 and undefeated. What a ride. It's so fun. Wow what a game tonight though. Admittedly, Stanford played terrible, and should have lost, if I was them I'm not sure how long I could really be excited about that. Sure it's a win, they did pull it out, but tonight was not the performance of a champion. Another game played like that and Stanford is done. The season becomes just another. We can't have that. But as a fan it just doesn't get any better than to go from comtiplating an almost embarrassing loss and have the fallout start to sinking in, to moments later jumping up and down in jubilation.

For only the second time this season, the thought of Stanford losing entered my mind. Sure Stanford could have loss to ASU, but call it denial, or whatever, I just never thought at any moment watching that game Stanford would lose. I just didn't. I don't know why. Against Arizona I had a doubt, like oh no, no way, but I was still thinking overtime at the worst. That's probably 'cause beating Arizona is bragging rights for me over my brother and so my thoughts were some how some way, we're pulling this out. That game was so exciting not just because of Pops' 35 foot heave (I did watch it over and over), but because it was Arizona, those are the two games that make the season. Now Oregon was another story. I was thinking loss by halftime. Come on who wasn't? That game seemed over, but I had hope. I kept thinking come on let's get it under 10, maybe we'll be alright. Hey, I'm a fan, I had to root against the odds, even if I did think a lose was all but a formality. But once Stanford got to under 10, I was believer, I knew from then on they were winning it. No question we were winning.

Then tonight, I have to admit when Hernadez turned the ball over with 33 seconds left a lose started to set in. Down by 3, they got the ball, game over. I was also thinking how I would react if the miracle happen... a win is win, right? I didn't think a win was likely, but I was kinda still thinking Stanford is capable of the miracle, damn wouldn't that be something if they actually did win this game. Even down by 5 with :28 or so left to play I had the hope, but was thinking loss. It was setting in, damn it! Then, for whatever reason I took a break for the lue while WSU was shooting their free throws. I don't know why, I just had a feeling, I didn't want to missing something exciting from Stanford. That was the moment for me, something told me I needed to relieve myself, you don't want to miss anything. I guess I was preparing for the miracle. Somehow I guess I knew. Then good olde Grunfeld hits the 3, foul, hope now alive, down by 1, we're not going away - we can win this. I thought if we can force a 5 second call, we're in business. It happened! I was off the hooking - this is it. Okay, then the scramble had me petrified. Oh please, oh please Stanford get that loose ball. I'm eyeing the clock, seconds ticking, slipping away, Robinson looking in panic mode. I wanted to yell, do something with it, 2 seconds, what the hell, no way can it end like this. Then to Lottich, I was thinking, oh no, it's desperation, off the rim we lose, damn it! Shot off, it just didn't look to me like a shot that was going to go in, it looked like an airball even. It goes in, I'm stunned for a second, stare stare, I go nuts. No way, is this real, did we just pull this off? Miracle - we just simply don't lose. After I stopped jumping up and down, yelling and screaming with excitement, I couldn't help but laugh at Coug fan. Doesn't that suck. Hearts ripped out. I couldn't imagine being them. To be so excited, so sure of a win, then to lose on a desperation 3 following a mad paniced scramble. There's no explaination for it, but hey, there's no violating the Cardinal Rule. Thou shall not beat Stanford.

and the band marches on.

2004-02-24T23:13:00.000-08:00

I have nearly no motivation to do anything lately. It's been a wonder I've even bothered to get out of bed. If I wasn't so worried about appearances I probably wouldn't. I sure come close though and it's been a struggle. It seems the only thing I want to do is nothing and that basically means sleep. And no matter how much I get it hasn't been enough. I've even gotten 11 hours sleep and then 4, 5 hours later I'm exhausted all over again. I hate this. I'm usually good with 7, 8 hours and normally can function fine on a few straight nights with only 5 or so hours, but it's basically impossible to function on anything less than 8 right now.

The sleep is certainly killing me, but the lack of motivation is driving me insane. I can't get excited, or upset for that matter, about anything. I simply just don't care. I don't know what to do or think about that. It's completely foreign to me. This lack of motivation has me either sitting doing absolutely nothing or doing one thing then losing interest 5, 10 minutes later. I can't seem to stay with anything. It gives me a headache when doing nothing, but then it frustrates the hell out of me jumping from one thing to the next trying to occupy my mind.

The thing that worries me a bit is that no one around me seems to have noticed. That could be because I've gotten so good at hiding my emotions, feelings, and thoughts from people, but that in itself scares me. What have I done with myself that I've gotten that good at hiding things. Or that I've kept everyone close around me just far enough away to keep my personal barrier intact. Could it be possible I haven't let anyone aound me in close enough for them to truly know me. That can't be a good thing. Otherwise, I'm left to think that no one is truly close enough to me to care. It may be possible that no one is close enough to notice, but I think I can confidently say there are those that care. I guess then I'm to blame.

Wow. Here I am feeling probably worse than I've felt in a long, long time and I haven't allowed anyone around me get close enough to me to be able notice. That's so sad. What's wrong with me? What am I doing? Why can't I let anyone get truly close to me? Why am I afraid of that?

I don't know what to do. I just want to stop feeling like this. I don't regret pushing pretty much everyone around me away, because I know it was for the best. There isn't any question I've been better off in the past year or so, but I do miss the company. Negative as it mostly was, I can't deny I don't miss it. I guess it's human nature to be social and I'm no exception. But that's another post for another time, I don't feel like getting into it now.

So that's the story, I'm lost. I'm giving myself headaches and exhausting myself doing nothing, but then I have no energy or will to do anything. It's a vicious cycle. But, I must somehow break it, I just don't know how to go about doing that. So in closing, here's to the hope that I do get myself out of this and I can move on to my other disfunctions.

looney bin.

2004-02-19T22:32:00.000-08:00

I'm embarrassed to be living in the San Francisco area right now. I'm pretty much a loon by association. I want out! My only saving grace is that I don't literally reside within the actual borders of the City and County of San Francisco. That fact, though true, provides little comfort. I'm still too close! It's absolute maddness here. It's beginning to look like there is no hope in sight. Someone please rescue me from here.

anarchy for the people.

2004-02-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

It's good know to that for some of us the law need not apply. Way to go Gavin, way to keep order and civil obedience in check. Glad to see that there is at least one politician out there who still respects and enforces the law. Job well done Gel boy.

I'd love to be able to say, "yeah, ya know what, I'm not feeling that law, I think it's unfair, yah I think I'm just gonna go ahead and not follow it." Think of all the things that I could get done. I could do whatever I want, I'd be unstoppable. And who needs laws anyway? They just get in the way. People should have the freedom, and right, do whatever the hell they think is best, and most fair, for them. Right! Hell ya I'm right!

Imagine if some elected official said something like; "People, people, I understand ya'll voted that law into place, but I've thought about it and yah know what, I think it'd be really neat if all could just all forget about it and put it behind us, it really wasn't all that fair anyway." Oh, oh, I got it, what if he didn't stop there. What if, he went on to say; "No, no, trust me folks, calm down, no need to worry, I've got it all under control, I know what I'm doing. I know, yes technically it is the law, it does say that in the constitution, but come on now, we all know that doesn't really mean anything. Let's face it folks, I am the clear thinker in this situation, the man of people, I know better than you all what's best, and yah know what, quite frankly, the law is a really stupid one, I don't really care what you voters, the state, or any of you think, I'm gonna do what I want anyway, tough noogies if you disagree." Nah, what am I thinking, that could never happen. A mayor turning his back on the law. Who'd believe that?

Okay, okay, I kid, but seriously this is way out of control. I honestly don't understand how it came to this. Since when it is okay to just disregard the laws you don't feel like following and do whatever we want. Maybe I don't think it's fair I can't drink til I'm 21. All those people over 21 can, that's discrimination! You aren't treating me, as a person under 21, equal, I demand equal rights! Actually screw that, forget about demanding my rights, I think that law violates my civil rights, so I don't have to follow it and I'm just going to make it my right. Maybe I'm lost here, but don't we have laws for a reason? I thought we did anyway. Why didn't anyone tell me if I didn't agree with it, I didn't have to follow it.

This may all sound ridiculous, but this is what is happening and I am absolutely dumbfounded by the idiocracy being displayed in San Francisco and California. It's like I've fallen asleep and I can't wake from the nightmarish wonderland I'm stuck in. I don't understand why everyone isn't upset the major of S.F. is creating anarchy. Oh no, oops, I forgot where I am, anarchy is the rule in S.F., not the exception.

It's amusing to me the same people who made an uproar and demanded Judge Moore in Florida be removed from office for violating the law are celebrating Newson's violation of the law. The hypocrisy! It's also amusing to me that elected officials don't view issues in terms of what is best for society in large, but instead consider them in terms of what action will most help further my interests, my ambitions. That politicians don't act on what is best for the people, but what is best for their political agenda, their interest groups. And that politicians and judges can ignore laws they don't agree with with and bend and change existing one to fit their ideals. Funny, I thought American democracy had three branches. Since when did it become two? Oh wait, I think I'm behind, is it already one now? I'm confused.

It's sad that my country is becoming less and less about what is best for all it's people, and more what most benefits me and my people. It's sad to me that we are living in a time when morality is a concept most want abolished. That we live in a place were people think we ought not be judged on our actions, behaviors, or sensibilities. Maybe its just me, but that sounds like a recipe for chaos. People who can't understand that laws are based on morality, and morality isn't strictly a matter of religion and church, it's a matter of judgement to hold all of society together, a simple matter of right and wrong, are just moe-rons. We can't do whatever the hell we want, that's by design, and that's how we keep peace and order. We can't remove judgement and morality from the law just because we don't like it or it doesn't fit our ideals. If we did, law would be useless, we'd be back in the wild wild west.

Bottom line, Gavin must be stopped. If we follow this course of civil disobedience before long it's anarchy. That may sound extreme, but that's the dangerous road we are headed. Eventually some maverick mayor, or whomever, somewhere will find some gun control law unfair and start issuing semi-automatics to everyone who "needs" them to "hunt game". Honestly now, how can Gavin look a criminal within 7X7 and with any credibility say, "son you broke the law, you must be punished." He can't. That person could say to Gavin, "Sir I was just following your leadership, I didn't agree with that law, I felt it wasn't fair." How would that be any different? It wouldn't!

This has all been very educational to me. I now know that being the mayor of S.F. gives you the right the stand above the law. I also learned that if you are the right people, no matter how small, or radical, your group may be, your views trump all previous views held sacred to everyone else and they must bend to fit your views. Lastly, I've learned that until anarchy is achieved, we haven't succeeded, nor reached our goal as a people. Am I right professor Newson? "A" for me!

happy birthday gramps.

2004-02-14T17:33:00.000-08:00

Damn, I just realized today is also my grandpa's birthday. Though he pasted away a few years ago he will always be one of the greatest men in the world to me. He was like my second father. He was totally there for me and my brother after our father died. Gramps was the greatest.

I remember the times when my brother and I were little kids and he'd take us to the movies when mom or dad were too busy. We'd have to walk across town, but that never mattered. In those days he'd walk everywhere. I remember how he'd always be watching CNN, C-Span, or something to do with politics on tv. I'm convinced that's how my brother ended up majoring in poli-sci. Gramps would always take my brother and I to the baseball games, and I remember when he got us out of school to take us to our first World Series game. He'd be there for all our games, graduations, award ceremonies - whatever we did. I remember his liberty pizzas, his fruit cocktails, and especially his piccadilly. It used to stink up the house and when my brother and I got home from school, we'd have our shirts over our noses trying to get our homework done as fast as we could so we could get back out of the house. Gramps was also always there to talk to and and give advice. He was born the day Arizona became a state. He meant so much to all of us. Happy birthday gramps.

valentine's day.

2004-02-14T14:08:00.000-08:00

When I was listening to the radio yesterday afternoon, the radio show I frequently listen to was doing this fake "couple of the year" contest. It was set up so that the host had a mad-lib like fill in the blank letter prepared for the guy to personalize on air. After the guy did that with the host, they would decide what resturant he meant to get reservations at, and the host would call the girlfriend/wife. When they got a hold of the gf/wife the host would tell her that her boyfriend/husband entered and won the station's annual "couple of the year" contest. He'd read the fake prepared letter to her and then explain to her that the station blew it, they didn't get the reservations done in time, it was their fault, they beg her understanding, and ask her if reservations for next weekend were okay. Of course she'd say yes, thinking she and her man won a contest.

I just thought it was hilarious because basically it was a scam to buy the guy an extra few days, or a week, to cover himself for totally blowing Valentine's Day. I loved it if for no other reason that the idea was so brilliant in it's own way, but I couldn't help think it would come back to bite those guys. I'd assume she'd eventually find out and then I'd guess she'd probably be even more upset than if he'd just come clean or at least pulled something together last minute and tried to make it up later. I guess that's a total guy thing to be engenius and go to the extreme at the last minute instead of just thinking ahead and going about it the right way, and most often the easier way, in the first place. That's love for ya.

Let's hope these guys learn from it though. Honestly, dude, it shouldn't be so hard to do something special for your sweetheart. I'm guessing as long as you do something to show her she's special to you and how much you love her, she'll love you for it. No matter how big or small. I laugh at how hard that is for some guys to understand. You don't need to go to the depths of the Atlantic to recover the jewel just to make her happy. If you do, then she probably isn't the one for you.

Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day. Whatever today means to you, I hope everyone has a very memorable day, that everyone takes advantage of this day to show that special someone how much they mean to you, and your day is filled with great joy and love.

pieces of me.

2004-02-11T00:28:00.000-08:00

Alright, I'm guilty, I admit, I've been posting a few fake entries here for the past two weeks. I'm not your model blogger. It could be argued I'm probably a pretty crappy blogger, but if we may overlook that possible truth for a moment, the fact I even have a blog is so not me. I'm quite a private person out in the "real" world, probably to my own detriment at times, I'm usually the listener though, and well, that doesn't exactly translate well here now does it. My attempt to overcome that, is in a sense the reason I started my blogs in the first place. That was the thinking anyway. Also, in my own defense, it's not that I've neglected posting, it's that I consider this blog just one piece of my pie. I have different blogs that represent different sides of me and I've found writing in that way has allowed me to share more of myself. I guess what I'm saying is that there is more to me than just this one blog and if you don't venture further to explore my net presence in it's entirety than you are definitely missing out on the whole.

I mention that first to, well sort of explain my absence on this blog, but also because it neatly illustrates that sharing pieces of myself is something that is still a work in progess for me. We had an extra credit assignment in one of my classes last week where we were to present how we see ourselves and how different groups of people in our lives see us, represent them on a bag, then present it in front of the class. Though it was extra credit, it turned out that everyone in the class did it except me. Possibly one or two others, but I'm not sure. That sucks. Now everyone probably thinks I'm some lazy soul. Probably as you all most likely think I never blog.

I didn't do the bag, not because I was afraid to get in front of the class and speak, I've found I can do that quite easy dispite my shy tendencies, it's that I didn't feel comfortable talking about myself to the class. I wasn't worried that that people would think badly of me, think I'm a dork, or laugh at me even, it's that I hate being too personal to people. Honestly, I don't feel too bad about not doing it, a good portion of what some classmates presented were so obviously thrown together hastily and given no effort, although based upon that fact I may even look worse - like damn you couldn't even spend five minutes to throw something lame together. But hey, I know that's not the truth and that's what matters most to me. Not neccessarily what others think of me. To be fair, I should note that some were amazing as well, just so don't I give the impression they all sucked. I've never honestly been comfortable sharing alot of myself with people and that probably pushes alot of people away from me before there is even a chance for either of us to get to know one another. And maybe I've done that now with the class. I almost wish I would have just went up and presented a blank bag, not for a grade, but to express that hey, it's not that I couldn't put forth the effort, or don't care, I'm just not the type to share alot about myself. I also rarely ever brag about myself nor do ever flex my ego much. I have great pride in myself, as well as self confidence, I just don't show it. I'm quite a guarded person with my barriers set almost sky high and that is something I'm trying to change about myself, but it's not happening overnight. I'll probably never be that person who will share intimate details with relative strangers, but I do feel great progress can be made. And maybe someday I'll be able to present that bag.

Anyway, so I guess I've achieved my intention of posting a proper entry while also probably sharing more about who I am then I have in a long while. Hopefully, with these blogs, and the way in which I've used them to share pieces of myself, I will find it easier, and easier, to be more personal. Also, remember if you are just reading this blog, which is great, I'm hugely honored all the same, but just know this is only one piece in the puzzle that is who I am.

comments are back.

2004-02-08T23:04:00.000-08:00

I've changed my mind, comments are back. After my original comment source quit providing it's service, I figured what the hell, let the comments die, people rarely commented anyway. No real loss right. But then I realized, I myself rarely post to the sites I visit, so then we're all even. I guess, I figured since there are those who actually do read my blog, shocking!, the least I could do was provide a way for them to comment on a post if they so desired. Not that they ever do, but that's okay too. Yes, I'm looking out for you. Anyway, feel free to comment away. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Really I would. The good, bad, the ugly, I want it all. Just give it me straight. I'm all ears.

where is the outrage?

2004-02-03T22:47:00.000-08:00

Okay, if we are all still talking about this, why aren't we focusing on the real issue? Though I did give my opinions on the nipple, I honestly don't really care how it happned and who knew about it before it happened. Bottom line, it happened! Now we need to be asking, what will be done to make sure it never happens again.

Why isn't everyone in America outraged? Have I become a prude in the advance age of my twenties? I know I live amongst the ultra liberal here in S.F., but somebody else besides the talking heads of radio and television has to be outraged. My local metropolitain newspaper has a two cents coloumn that basically soliciates the opinions of the "average" reader, the voice of the people if you will, and not a single one of the dozen seemed to be too concerned. I find that shocking. Now maybe the people are just being cynical and taking the high road of, "I have more important issues to worry about," but I think they are missing the bigger picture. Then maybe they might be smarter than me and simply wish not give anymore life to this incident. Nah, that's not it.

In my opinion people just seem incapable of looking ahead. It's the progression of these seemingly insignificant stunts that are eroding our standards. Even those who think the whole thing was grossly blown out of proportion, fine, but are you really not bothered by what your child might see tomorrow on network television. What next? Where does it end? What line has to be crossed before enough if enough for you folks?

I'm in my twenties, I have no children, and arguably the half time performance was targetted at my demographic, and I'm outraged, I can't imagine how a parent wouldn't be. To be clear before I move on, no I personally am not offended, I'm an adult I've seen breasts, that's not why I'm outraged. It's the fact children saw it, that it was done on a program so many children do watch. I'm upset because we don't seem to concerned with protecting our children. Sure you can explain it away, and if you have a good kid, okay maybe it isn't disaster, but it has to be uncomfortable. Are you really okay with having to explain this over, and over, as it continues to happen? Is that fair? Should you be forced to have to explain everything your child sees on tv?

I think the people who don't see this as a big deal don't realize what their children will be seeing on network television in the future if something isn't done. Do parents really want to have to be in the room to supervise everything their child watches constantly worrying about what might come up next? How long will it be before their children won't be able to watch television at all? It may just be a breast or nipple now, but who knows what it is tomorrow. Prime time, that's family time. Weekend afternoons, family time. If you can't sit down in the afternoon or evening, with the family and enjoy network television without fear of what your children might see, something is wrong. Why am I the only one around here who sees it?

wardrobe malfunction.

2004-02-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

Everyone else is talking about it so I might as well give my take on the nipple. I didn't watch the Super Bowl half time show, but unlike "G-Dub" I switched my attention back to the game just in time to catch the nip. At first I wasn't quite sure what I saw. My thoughts were, "aawh, did I just see what I think I saw? Really! That can't be good." Then as the 3rd quarter was starting and I realized what I thought I saw was indeed what I saw, I knew it was going to be a huge controversy. I mean because I myself was in shock and disbelief. Although, I didn't think it would become this big and strange.

This thing just doesn't end. But of course Janet saw to it that it wouldn't. I'm usually the type of person to reserve judgement and give situations/people the benefit of the doubt, but the whole way the fallout from the incident went down just stops adding up. I'm very skeptical of the statements released by both Justin and Janet. Maybe I've given the situation more than it's due of consideration, but be that as it may, I just simply find it too hard to believe their explainations. I'll give Justin creativity points for his statement, and I love this, "a wardrobe malfunction," that's just classic, but way to say nothing? Nice. I'm also skeptical of why Janet waited so long to give her half-arsed-non apology, apology. It just didn't make sense to me to wait so long to say basically, ooops my bad.

Let's consider a "wardrobe malfunction," what exactly is that? I've never experienced one, have you? I'm so running to audition for American Idol right now if being a pop star means I can learn to remove a woman's bra with the greatest of ease with a single meager tug. Now I'm no playa, but I sure can count the amount of times I've been able to pull off just one cup of a woman's bra leaving the rest of her bra on her, on one hand. Ya know why? Because the amount of times I've been able to pull this off is zip, zilch, zero! It's never ever happened for me. Hey, I'll admit sometimes I have trouble giving maximum effort with both hands. That's one reason why I have trouble believing it was a stunt gone too far. I think it's safe to presume that if Janet was wearing a break-away top and undergarment something was meant to be revealed. And I don't think I'm making a huge leap if I assume if the bra was meant to stay on it wouldn't have been break-away as well. Can you say publicity stunt?

For me the fact that Janet waited so long leads me to believe her statement was just an attempt to shift the attention off the networks and on to her. And even if I do go as far as to believe that she did keep the secret, how bad does that look. Now I'm thinking if you have to hide a stunt from the people producing your performance, then you know something isn't right about it. Why can't people trust their instincts? It's deplorable to me she would go that far in an attept to draw attention to herself, revive her career, or whatever self serving motive she had. That's so sad. Every time you want to have faith in a celebrity, they go and forsake their character for the almighty buck. Thanks Janet, way to give the olde middle finger to a fan.

go patriots.

2004-02-01T13:00:00.000-08:00

Alright, it's time for my Superbowl prediction... New England 27, Carolina 20. I admit though, I'm bias toward the Patriots as they are my 2nd favorite team after the 49ers. Go Patriots!

re-defining racism.

2004-01-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

I heard on radio last week that a flight attendant has been sued for 'racism.' The way I heard it was that two African American passengers were fighting over seats as the plane was soon to take off. So the flight attentant announces over the loud speaker, "inny minny miney moe, take you're seat so we can go," in a less than serious manner. Apparently, the two woman were offended and have sued the attendant claiming 'racism.' What?

I bring this up, because I fear we, as a society, socially, are falling way off course. I'm seeing two trends developing. One where people appear, for whatever reason, to be 'litigation happy', immediately jumping to sue others for their our personal own misfurtune. The other being a person of color quick to sue someone of no color for, alterative motives, because of their personal failure or misfurtune, while claiming 'racism' in order to gain legal muscle. I believe the second to be very damaging to society in the long run. We are tearing the "American Quilt" if you will and I fear there may be no turning back in the near decades to come. I'm not a huge fan of the practice of being P.C. at all costs in order not to offend anyone, but this goes far beyond even that. It's the re-defining of racism.

What I mean is that racism is becoming less about discriminating against someone based solely on the color of their skin and more as a tool for those of color to use as a crutch. No longer is it strictly a black and white, direct and/or systematic action against another, but an ambiguity turned to in any disagreement between one of color and one of no color. The term is being shifted and reserved for use only to those of color.

For example, recently I took a race and ethnic relations course. I should state that in this particular classroom, I was the white student in a classroom populated with students of varying color. Anyway, the professor was presenting material relating to the different waves of migration. I happen to disagree intelletually with a few of the points brought up. Now before I even got through fully stating my point a classmate interupted me. This African American kid tells me I can't speak on the topic because I'm white. Basically calling me out to be racist for not agreeing with universal inclusion of particular immigrants. Excuss me! It mattered not that I was objecting to a theory of immigration and not to anything relating to race, nor didn't it seem to matter that a direct attack on me, directed strictly at my race, be objectionable to anyone else in the class, professor included. Yet, just because I'm white, I'm the one viewed by classmates as the racist, not him. Let's be clear, I couldn't have been kicked out of the class fast enough if I had said he couldn't speak on a subject because he was black. And that's the honest truth. It's so appauling! I'm white, I state a belief against a theory of immigration, of course that's racist. He's black, grandstands on my oppurtunity to speak in class about a theory of immigration just because I'm white, he's righteous. How backward is that? Basicaly all I learned in this class was that I shouldn't speak in a race and ethnic relations class, that's not my place. I'm white, what was I thinking? I have no race, where do I get off interferring in their space.

My point being is that those students had no concept of what the term racism actually means. Nor did they have any idea of it's proper use and context. They've been propagandized to morph the term under the ambiguity of any person of no color taking a less than favorable reaction, in their minds anyway, to anything relating to that of color. The scales are being so skewed that racism is becoming a wholesale excuss for use by those of color. No longer is racism an absolute direct action of oppression, but a relative percieved action as interpreted by the offended party of color.

Getting back to the lawsuit against the flight attendant, she was sued based upon the fact that the African American woman took offensive to the rhyme, "inny minnie miney moe." It wasn't that the attendant said, or made any reference to for that matter, anything having to do with race or color, but that the the African American women interpreted it as such. They claimed the rhyme to be derrogatory becase in their mind's it was heard as such. They heard the "N" word. The fact that the attandant neither said it, nor implied it, mattered not to the African American woman. They interpreted the attendants words as racist, so hence the attendant took a racist action against them.

Take it for what's it's worth, but this assault won't stop at languague and culture. This assault is happening everyday and it is destroying the great name of those of color. I am saddened that not only is an extreme minority of morally corrupt individuals are taking down with them each and every outstanding citizen of color, while also dragging their great heritages and progress through the mud, but that people of color are letting them; never mind the people of this country in general. This re-definition of racism is hurting them arguable more than it is hurting society as a whole. I just can't understand why reasonable clear thinking individuals will foresake their own brothren and reputation for their short-term personal gains. But then I'm just the white guy, what business do I have speaking in this discussion.

I've been there.

2004-01-29T18:52:00.000-08:00

These are the states I've set foot in...

create your own visited states map

Yes, sadly it's true, I haven't been around the block much.

featured.

2004-01-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

I've been featured! Well, my moblog has anyway. I was pleasantly surprised tonight when I noticed my moblog was featured under the editor's picks section on the front page of the textamerica moblog site. That's where those pictures, under the title "moblogs" are generated in case you were ever curious. Anyway, I'm not sure how I achieved the honor of being featured as an editor's pick, but I'm getting a kick out of it, whether I deserve it or not. Now, I'm curious to see how many extra hits this generates.

If you have a camera phone, or are thinking of getting one, I totally recommend starting a moblog at textamerica. I think it's a great site with a very useful service that's completely free. How could you go wrong? It's fun, and istantly gratifying, to be able to post pictures to the web anywhere you are from your phone while having them be available immediately for viewing on your moblog, or even on your own personal website as I do. Even if you aren't interested in your own moblog it's still fun to check out what moments of their lives other people are capturing and posting.

happy 20th mac.

2004-01-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

Happy 20th birthday Macintosh. If you didn't know today is the 20th anniversary of the Apple Macintoch computer - "The computer for the rest of us." A computer with a built in 9-inch black-and-white display, 128kbs of memory, and a 32-bit processor for only $2,495. Imagine that! I guess I was too young back then to get caught up in the hype. Although, I do remember seeing the Apple "1984" commercial during the Super Bowl that year, I honestly had no idea really what the commercial was for. I wouldn't own my first computer for another four or five years. Back then, to me anyway, computers were something only schools had.

At the time my dad did have a Texas Instruments thing, but I'm not sure if that's even considered a real computer. It was basically just a keyboard you hooked up to a tv. It required that you enter long strings of commands for it to perform simple seemily pointless tasts. And though it was completely text based, I still remember my brother and I would play with it for hours on end.

My first memories of computers were the Apple II's that my elementary school had. They were these hideous green screen things we occasionally used to play math and word games on. I remember one year when my class got one of the color Apple IIe's. That year I had a teacher who didn't believe in the traditional desks aligned in rows and so we got to place our desks in groups of four, she called pods. I remember positioning my desk so I was within reaching distance of the shiny new computer. I'd lean over, turn it on, and play with it while the teacher was at the board. I was fasinated by that machine. I don't think the other kids even cared one bit about it, but I was drawn to it. The teacher didn't know how to work it much so the class rarely used it. One time though, the teacher finally caught me playing with it. As I was getting in trouble for touching it, and not paying attention in class, she actually asked me how to use it and was surprised with what I could do with it. Finally the class could use the computer for something and I had it in my head it was because of me. I thought I was so cool at that point.

As it turned out my first computer wouldn't be an Apple. It would end up being a generic custom built pc my mom bought for my brother and I at this small mom and pop computer store in town. Random fact, the lady across the street from our house is still putting that computer to use albeit with updated parts. She took it from us when I got my own computer. A Compaq. She still uses the original keyboard and mouse. It's amusing. That second computer came down to a choice between a Compaq or a Mac clone. Price and better features would ultimately sway me toward the Compaq thus cementing myself into the world of the pc.

So although today I celebrate the birthday of the Mac, I've never actually ever owned one myself. I did rescue an Apple IIe, for sentimental reasons, from my old elementary school, before they threw it out. It is my one and only Apple computer. Too bad it doesn't work now. It needs a new power supply. I've just never looked into if it would be possible, or worth it, to replace it and get the computer running again. So it sits in a box in my garage. I won't throw it out. I swear I will get some use out of it someday. I've been saying that about four years now.

I have come close to getting a Mac twice. The first time being the choice of the Compaq over the Mac clone. The second being when I chose an HP laptop over an Apple iMac. That choice came down to the fact that I wanted a portable computer and Apple didn't offer any with the features I wanted for a price I could afford. That was in '98, Apple hadn't yet introduced the iBook. I do wish I had an orange iBook still today even though their time has now long past. A friend's boyfriend has one and man did I want to just snatch that and run when I saw it. I check ebay every once in a while, but I've never caught a good deal on any orange iBooks. I want one more for show, because orange is my favorite color, than for productive use.

So today, on the Macintosh's 20th birthday, I will make a pledge that my next computer will finally be a Mac. They'll probably be making G6s by then, but still whether it be a G5, G6, or an iBook of some kind, I will eventually get a Mac. Twenty something odd years late, but hey better late than never. I've always wanted to be one of the proud few. And I shall be one. Windows and Microsoft have just drawn the last straw with me on the pc and I'm ready to make the switch. Hello Apple, here I come.

dr. jo.

2004-01-16T19:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday. I had a pretty nice day. I did have school and work, but work isn't really work so that wasn't too bad. My boss even called the site to wish me a Happy Birthday. That was so awesome and a first too. I had a wonderful dinner with family and a few friends, a good day all around. Anyway, the reason I even mention this is because of what someone wanted to give me today. Here's a short back story before I get into that.

Okay, so there is this woman I've kinda had to deal with for the past five maybe six years. She's a bit ecentric, a bit set in her ways, and somewhat short and demanding of people. A true stickler if you would. She's getting up there in years and the kicker is most people at work hate this woman. I have to admit, I myself wasn't too fond of this woman either at first, but then I never really gave her a chance. Everyone else hated her, I had been told all the stories, and even had a few not so good encounters with her myself. She doesn't work in our program, but at one of the sites we have to deal with her and share common space with her program. Well since I had to deal with her from time to time, I figured I might as well be as nice as I could. Why not, nothing to lose being nice was my thinking. Then, not sure what happened, but it just hit me somewhere along the line, back a few years ago, that she started being pleasant back to me. Before long she actually could be described as being nice to me. I carried on being the only one, we knew of anyway, that she was nice to. Everyone started getting on me, "why do always say hi to her and talk to her? She's so mean," ect. ect. After a while I was like, "ya know what, hey, she nice to me." Everyone would roll their eyes at me and give me that, "oh Jai, come on" look they had by then perfected. Everyone else still pretty much hated her, yes she was a bit short at times, but she still was always nice to me. I started trying to say, "hey, she's a nice woman give her a chance." No one was buying it. Anyway, I continued on with the niceness and this brings us to today.

Today, I see this woman and she tells me she wants to give me something. I guess it's known this woman has a bit of money judging by the Jag she drives and she had told me about a few vacations abroad she's taken. Apparently this woman has money to spare. I have to admit I was both greatly appreciative, and shocked, that this woman would want to give me something. Okay, yes I purposelyfully left out what it is, as to keep her business somewhat private ...as well as mine I suppose. Now, I know, I'll be kicking myself, I really wanted to take it, and she'll probably offer again, but I can't accept it. I just wouldn't feel comfortable. I don't think I could live with myself if I took something from someone, who I honestly don't really know beyond pleasant greetings and a few small conversations in passing at work. She assured me it would make her happy helping me out, but still I couldn't. She also told me she has helped out a few other young people and enjoys doing so. I couldn't express to her how much I appreciated the gesture alone and how much it meant to me that she would even think to do something like that for me.

I can't explain why, I've just never, ever felt comfortable recieving thing from people. I even hate accepting a friend of mine offering to buy me lunch. Plus, no one has ever wanted to something like what this woman wanted to do for me before. The fact that this woman genuinely wanted to help me out is amazing to me. I just hope I was able to express that to her sufficiently.

I guess in the end what I will take from this is that the cliche, "kill 'em with kindness" has merit. Before I got any positive response from this woman I still was nice to her. And the fact that I became the only person (we know of anyway) that she was nice to back to, was reward enough for me being nice to her. I liked that I could say to people, "well she's nice to me," when everyone would mention how much they hated her, or would give me a hard time about being nice to her. I really enjoyed being nice to her, I just hope, and pray, I'm not the only person who is. I guess kindness pays off in many more ways than we imagine. It makes me wonder about all the people I never gave a chance to or just plain never made the effort to nice to in spite of how they reacted to me. Not that I am considering any missed oppurtunity; just the difference something seemingly as small as a pleasant gesture could make. I can't get over it. Just the offer itself truly means alot to me. I've often felt uneeded and unnoticed, like how much do I really matter to people, especially lately, but now I know I do and it was exaclty what I needed to feel today. My days have been made.

go cardinal.

2004-01-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

Stanford has beaten mighty Arizona. Time to celebrate. Not that I didn't think Stanford wouldn't win. I just didn't think Stanford would go into McKale and dominate like they did for most of the game. I've got bragging rights now! That's right, Go Cardinal.

where I'm from.

2004-01-07T21:23:00.000-08:00

This is a poem from an assignment in my group discussion class. The assignment is modeled after George Ella Lyon's poem "Where I'm From". I'm not afraid to share so here's mine.

I am from a bucket of sand
From Rose tea and a transistor radio
I'm from an avenue once under a swamp
The fort built high behind the back fence
In a neighbor's tree.

I am from the banks of the mystic river
The summer vacation on the Cape
From etchings 10 marks tall
I finally made it to picture on the wall

I am from Izzy, Pinky, Mugs, and Red
From Gramps' Piccadilly that smelled so icky
I'm from mom and her best friend's uncle
That long trip to the left coast
The story too juicy not to tell

I am from oatmeal breakfasts and take out dinner
From hold everything home sandwiches and pumpkin pie
I'm from the cooking that had to be mom's
You couldn't have me over anywhere
I'd just starve

I am from the front seat of my dad's work truck
From the soccer pitch and sun drenched diamonds
I'm from the plastic frog stuffed with toys
From the records, tapes, and cds,
The music that's always singing in my ear.

I'm from a mother's day gone black
From the morning I wish I never woke
I am from the calladagh ring and tiger's eye
From the picture of my world.

I'm from the letters next to the bed
From the folk art in the drawer
I'm from a collection of memories
Treasures accumulated and stored

things girlfriends do to annoy me.

2004-01-06T23:55:00.000-08:00

I came up with a top 6 list of things girlfriends do in a relationship to annoy me for a message board I post to. I'm in the sharing mood, here it is...

6. Use sex as a weapon.
Okay fine. You got me, you're upset, I did something wrong. It's so unfair that sex is then held over my head for it. What is that all about? I'm only a man.

5. Act the Goddess.
I don't care if you actually are the hottest, smartest girl, everyone does bow before you, and I am the luckiest guy ever to be with you: there's nothing worse than a girl who acts like I should bow before her. You aren't a Goddess, no matter how much you may think you are. It just makes me wanna slap some sense into you when you carry on with yourself like one. If I wanted high maintaince I'd buy a porshe.

4. Go Cosmo.
Maybe this one is just me, but I hate having to answer those little late night "relationship" questions when we are spending quality time alone. I know right away no matter how I answer I'm going say the wrong thing. That's a given. It's simply too much stress trying to come up with the perfect answer you won't freak out over. Even girls I'm just friends with do this. Why, ladies why?

3. Are the drama queen.
It's so unattractive for a girl to always have some seemingly frabricated problem with someone, or girlfriends, in their life they are constantly bitching about and/or gossiping over. It's equally annoying when there is always something wrong with you that you must whine about for attention. It's like, "oh God, here it comes, now what, when does it ever end?" Seriously, are you really that vapid that your only option to to resort to a vanity crisis as your way to bring intrigue into your life? You already have me, end the games.

2. Sing the emo tune.
I hate it when you get all upset and bitchy if I try to do stuff for you and be there for you, but then expect my utmost attention when you can't deal with something. How am I suppossed to know the difference? I want to help you, it makes me feel important to you when I can, but I'm just not good at the insecurty issues and the do you really love me act. I never know what to say to that. I never know when I'm supposed to comfort you or when I'm supposed to let you be Miss Independent.

1. Play mommy.
By far the worst annoyance. I've gotten this far in my life reasonably well, I did manage to do something right, I'm with you, you need not attempt to fix everything about me. I am who I am, and you knew who I was when you fell for me. I'm not your Ken doll, I'm not a child, I already have a mom, I'm not looking for another.

a new year.

2004-01-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years!

i want an apple.

2003-12-28T13:21:00.001-08:00

By the way, just in case anyone was wondering, no need to worry rest asured, I got nothing on my fantasy wish list for Christmas. I did get a few really nice things though and I will be buying that iPod very soon. Probably after Apple makes its product announcements at the annual MacWorld Expo in S.F. I just got a feeling they will be introducing their 4th generation models then. I'd still love to get that iBook too, but barring a miracle that won't be happening anytime soon. Don't worry, it's okay, I'll survive somehow. A G5 or a G4 would be sweet as well. I'd even like an iMac if I could. Basically, I just want an Apple machine. Getting an old orange iMac, or orange iBook, would rock. I saw a friend had an old orange iBook, a month or so ago, and it looked so pretty. I so wanted to snatch it from her and run. I was so jealous.

Wait, I take back just wanting an Apple machine, I already have one. I still have a very old Apple IIe, but it doesn't work. Although, I'm not sure what I'd do with it even if it did work. I imagine it would still be siting in a box in my garage. I guess I should say I want a "modern" Apple machine. Yes, that will do.

getting more personal.

2003-12-27T17:55:00.001-08:00

Well I haven't blogged in a few days so I guess I'll take this moment to do so. Just finished watching the 49ers conclude thier hugely dissapointing season. At least the Patriots absolutely destroyed the Bills earlier today; earning homefield advantage in playoffs. I think I see a trip to Houston in the Pats' future...

Okay, yes I am aware, and I will be the first to admit, I have been ranting alot lately. I guess that is a bit annoying to read at times though. I realize as whitty as I may think I am, I do tend to be way too bloviated, and my posts end up being exhausting to read. Well, too bad... just kidding. Honestly though, it's cool, I'm not offended if you just leave and never visit me here again. I get it...

So yesterday I updated the layouts of my two moblogs (picture blogs) to mirror the layout here. I was inspired to do so while I was watching the Call For Help-a-Thon. I'd actually wanted to customize the layouts a long while ago, but I figured it would be too hard. Anyway, I just got sick of the generic, pre-made layouts I was using and when it dawned on me yesterday that the moblogs, of a few of my favs. at TechTV, had customized layouts that matched their websites, I figured, "ya know what, if they can do it, I can do it too..."

On while on the topic of being more personal, I did have a very good Christmas. Got to enjoy a lazy day with the fam and eat good food. As much as I get on my Mom and joke how her cooking is subpar, whether it actually is or not that matters not, it's perfect to me, I adore it. Mom, give me your cooking over the best restaurant in S.F. any day. Okay, maybe not any day, but most days. I just love holidays or any occasion that calls for good food and spending time with family. These are the moments I truly cherish, even if I just sit there. Other than that I basically spent the day watching the three basketball games. It was a good time all the same. I don't need to do much to be happy.

offended by christmas.

2003-12-23T12:43:00.000-08:00

How dare you erect a statue of Santa... How dare you read stories of reindeer and St. Nick to my children... How dare you put up a tree with lights and ordaments on it. How dare you decorate that building with lights... How dare you wish me Merry Christmas! I'm highly offended, you've violated my rights, I'm taking action!

What's with all the hate? It's the holidays. It's Christmas. Unbelievable. I don't get it, some people are offended by everything and it's just annoying. No I take that back, it's beyond annoying, it's sad, and it's intruding on my freedoms. It's to the point where the worst thing you can do to someone is wish them a Merry Christmas. Most people I come across now won't even say it anymore out of fear. They simply give ya the hollow happy holidays hoping no one gets offended by the notion of celebration.

Why are people so bent out of shape because other people celebrate something different? Why do they have to get so upset that they feel they must take action against it? What's so offensive anyway? Is it the sharing? Ya know, 'cause I've always hated that... everything should just be mine! Is it the giving? Again, forget that, that's just wrong. I'm about the recieving, give me, give me, give me. Oh wait, I know, it's the tree. Who do we think we are cutting down innocent trees who want nothing more than to enjoy life. The audacity of us to violate their rights and treat them so reprehensibly by attaching lights to them. It's Santa, isn't it? That fatso! The nerve of him being all jolly, hasn't he ever heard of the South Beath diet. Seriously, I get it, it's the spirit, the joy, the love. How dare other people celebrate when the world is such an aweful place. What message is that sending our children.

Honestly, I'd like to know, what is so offensive about Christmas? And okay, so what, so you don't celebrate, that's your choice, I don't care. I'm not telling you what to believe or what you should/shouldn't be doing; so stop doing it to me. I'm not telling you can't celebrate Chanukah (or is it Hannukah I never could get that straight), or Kwanzaa, or festivis. Whatever! Celebrate whatever you want. Go ahead stick a giant pole in front of the town clock tower, I don't care. It's no big deal. Put the menorah up in the middle town square. Who cares. Trust me, I won't flip out whining and screaming how offended I am. Because ya know why? - I'm not! And I won't get in line to tear it down or demand you remove it either. If that's what you want to do, if that's how you celebrate, I'm all for it. In fact, I'm happy for you, that's wonderful. And if you make it a big enough event, I might even participate. I'm down with good cheer, celebrations, spreading the joy.

What's so wrong with wishing someone Merry Christmas? And even if they don't celebrate it. What's the big deal? Why must I bend over backward to aviod even the possibility of offending you. Why would it even offend you in the first place? Wish me Happy Chanukah/Hannukah. I'll wish you the same back. I'm not going to get all pissy and angry. I'm happy to wish you a Happy Kwanzaa or Festivis back. I'm honored you took a moment to recognize me and extended a gesture of joy to me. I'm with ya on that. I get it. I'm not offended. And even so, maybe it would offend you, but can't you just ignore it and just move on. Is life that petty to you? Must everything be so significant?

It may sound insensitive of me, but ya know what, I'm just sick of it. Everyone is attacking me for what I do, taking action against everything I take joy in, all the while shoving themselves on me, requiring me to recognize what they do. I'm all for what you do. I'm not against you. I don't care. Do what you want. I'm not trying to stop you. But why are you constantly tellling me what I can and can not do. I'm not taking away any of your freedoms, why are trying to take away mine. There are always going to be things you won't participate in, you may not like, but yeah know what, get over it. Learn to be decent. Learn to be open and accepting to other ways, traditions, ideas. You expect that of me, in fact you get all hissy and outraged if I don't, why is that so hard for you. Or even asking it of you so insulting.

Come on people, it's the holidays. Let's celebrate our differences. Let's take joy in the fact that there are many great celebrations of all different kinds. Ya don't like one, chose another. No one is excluding you, telling you to go away, you don't belong. As far as I'm aware all the holiday celebrations invite everyone to share in them and be a part of it. Alright fine, I guess there are just always going to be those people who are going to hate it no matter what it is or what it stands for. They will find something about it to complain about, something about it they feel is unjust, and something about it that offends them. So what's the alternative, nobody celebrates anything? Wouldn't want to be different, you're gonna get stared at, and pointed at... called names. Oh no, I'm gonna be all depressed and want to kill myself because everyone else is doing something different. I'm gonna cry. Damnit, better yet, I'm gonna stop them and make them be like me. Well, here's what I have to say to that... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

the wish list.

2003-12-19T15:00:00.002-08:00

I pretty much never make any kind of Christmas list just because I don't like asking people for things. I can't explain it, I just don't feel right doing it. Never have. Honestly, I don't think I need anything, but all the same who doesn't do love gifts. Plus, I think gifts mean more when the person giving them thought it out on their own. That's just me, I'm quirky like that.

Anyway, I was inspired by all the ultra cool wishes on the holiday wish lists of those that bring us The Screen Savers and so I came up with my own fantasy wish list. Hint, hint, j/k. If anyone even considers getting me anything on this list, hit yourself over the head, get me out of there, and then get it for yourself instead, you deserve it. With further ado....

Jai's Holiday Wish List.

* 40GB iPod
Who doesn't want an iPod? Possibly the coolest piece of technology available. I've wanted one forever and still don't have one. It would be a dream to be able to have all my MP3s (songs)with me everywhere I go.

* 14inch G4 iBook
The Apple iBooks are the sweetest laptops around. They're light, stylish, and packed with features. How could you go wrong? And who couldn't use the cache points just for sporting one at the local cafe. Maybe a Brad type sure, but clearly as much as I wish it were so, that ain't me.

* Pioneer DVD recorder with TiVo (DVR-810H-S)
I still have a VCR, because I like the idea of being able to take my shows with me and store them. With this DVD recorder I'd save some serious self space. Plus, with DVDs I'd be able to watch the O.C. on my laptop. Enough said, case closed.

* Sharp HDTV LCD (LC-37HV6U)
I can see it up on my wall now and it looks pretty. The game would come alive right before my eyes.

* Blue LED Binary Clock
I don't know why. Not that I could actually read it anyway. I just want one. Must be the geek in me.

* Logitech Cordless Desktop MX for Bluetooth
Cords are evil, Bluetooth is good. I'd just like to be able to lounge while I surf. Yes, laziness is godliness.

* Italian Leather Executive Desk Chair
Let's put it this way, I'm sitting in a folding chair now. Get the picture. This would be a huge step toward actual comfort. Oh the Luxury.

* ATI: Radeon 9800 XT
Me and this baby could do some serious gaming together.

* HP iPAQ h4155 Pocket PC
It's a computer you can fit into your pocket. The ulitmate PDA/handheld pc. Hey, even seemlingly useless things can have great value. Trust me this does.

* Segway
It's just simply cool. Nothing more to say.

rome.

2003-12-17T19:20:00.001-08:00

It's been wonderful having my mornings free of the frentic rush that is my morning before class. I've gotten to sleep in a few extra hours and simply relax and enjoy the time. The past couple of mornings I've had the time to listen to the radio shows I've been missing due to class. Mainly The Jim Rome Show, but also O'Reilly, and a local show. Having been in class during the hours Rome is on and missing it for so long it gave a new perspective on his show and sports talk shows in general.

First, I have to say sports talk radio is in a sad, sad state. It's barely tolerable. I have to ask, who are the nuts that call sports talk radio? Especially the people who call Jim Rome. Think about about it. You don't get the call from Joe in Houston as you would if you were listening to the average talk radio show. You get Sean "the Cablinasian","Trapper", or Billy in the Atl. Why do the people who call sports talk radio feel the need to make up some silly nickname? Is it possibly because ya'll are such moe-rons you are embarrassed to use your given names. And everyone is always yelling and screaming on sports radio. What's up with that? What, the wife was out and you hadn't the sense to turn down the volume of the big screen this past weekend?

Jim Rome is the worst offender of this. Mr. Van Smack. Here is a guy who constantly berates, and talks down to, his own audience, calling them "the Clones" and yet they continue to fumble all over themselves trying to get on the air - on most occasions conforming Rome's assessment of their stupidity. I don't understand the concept of callers practicing and rehearsing their calls. They even read them over the air in lame attempts to outwit all the other callers. Can't we just talk sports? It's so annoying. It's so maddning. It's too the point where one caller even pre-taped his call in an attempt not to get run (hung-up on). Which of course he did, because duh!, the clicks of the buttons on his tape recorder were plainly obvious over the air. I also hate how everything on Rome has to be HUGE. HUGE call, Huge fax, Huge e-mail, Huge Huge Huge! Okay, I got it, we get excited about sports, but come on... might we be over compensating for something Romie? Then he has the stupid e-mailers and faxes that are especially annoying. I don't care, signed Terrell's Sharpie! Rome calls his show "the Jungle", and he has a complete vocabulary of hick venacular. "Grill", "J-Town", "C-Bus", "Gloss", "Jack" ect. Rome, trust me on this, my grill is in my backyard, now can't we just speak english in America.

Rome isn't all bad. He does interview well and he does cover a wide range of sports topics with good knowledge. I understand the passion, the conviction, but I don't understand the need for a take. That's where the show goes down hill. Why can't we just leave well eough alone? There is no need to drive in the notion that there must be an opinion on everything. It's sports, it's entertainment. Have fun with it. A good time. A little friendly rivalry. Let the teams battle it out on the fields, let's not bring it to the airwaves too. I can't stand it when Baller Bill in Sac-town reads his unwitty opinion of T-Mac as he goes over the top with smack. It's pointless! Rome, get control, just let people speak, cut the smack, lose the takes. And people, stop the yelling and screaming, and for God's sake stop reading your calls, relax, have another beer if ya'll need to, let's just talk sports.

my name dot com.

2003-12-15T22:26:00.001-08:00

I'm still debating whether, or not, to follow through on my original intention to start my own personal website. I've been wanting to expand upon my blog here and do more. I guess the only thing stopping me is that I don't have much time to devote to it. I don't know, maybe I'll make it my little hobby for 2004 and see what happens. We'll see.

Anyway, the subject came up with friends about "googling" people. Basically that's where you search someone's name on Google, surrounded by quote, and see what comes up. The discussion was about how everyone "googles" their dates names as a psuedo background check. I was really surprised people would do that. Okay, maybe not. I've done it for fun on my own name a long while back without many results. Basically my last name is Swedish and so a few Swedish companies have used it in their corpartation's title, nothing to get excited about. I guess it just never really occurred to me to "google" a love interest's name. But maybe this is a practice I need to start considering. I certainly have dated my shair of dodgy birds. Coulda saved myself the troubles. Oh well, maybe next time.

Anyway, this got me thinking what there might be on the net about my name since I haven't "googled" myself in a long time. What I discovered is there is absolutley nothing on me personally (by name anyway), but I did find out that this guy in Chicago has registered my name. Granted it's his name too, but it was just funny to me that this guy has gone ahead and secured every combination of my name and directed them to his pointless crappy little personal website. I'd give out the URL, it definitely is a good laugh, but I don't wish to share my full name. Sorry, you must understand my wish to remain relatively anonymous. Anyway, I guess he was worried another would take the URL's and he'd lose out. I bet he thought he'd be confused with someone else, if someone took one of the combinations, and his ego couldn't handle that. I hadn't thought to register my name for my own website, so whatever, good for him. I imagine someone else with the same name might have, and now because he has taken every combination, they'd be out of luck. How selfish! Dude, your site isn't worthy of hogging all those combinations. Who do you think you are? I wonder which is fatter: you or your ego?

saddam captured.

2003-12-14T09:46:00.002-08:00

I just heard on the radio that Saddam Hussein has been captured. Alright, good job boys, mission accomplished! Saddam, dude, you look a wreck. You got caught just outside tikrit! Damn, and all this time you were basically hiding out at home. What, didn't have anywhere better to go? Sorry Dean, must suck to be you today.

quote of the day.

2003-12-08T12:54:00.000-08:00

"There's liberal, moderate, or extreme."
-- spoken in class by a professor of mine

Gee I wonder what that meant? Classic Bay Area thinking. Can I vomit now?

tree people.

2003-12-01T23:31:00.002-08:00

"Tree people are..." I'll let that hang for a few moments for dramatic effect. Now, I'm guessing, not only are you wondering what completes the statement, but I bet you are also wondering who exactly tree people are. I'm not totally gonna go into the whole story, that isn't my point here, but for the benefit of those outside the loop, tree people are basically people living outside big urban areas and what not. It's a playful name, as are all the "Seinfeldesque" names/labels me, and my circle, come up with - just all in good fun. We label almost everybody and everything. Anyway, to get to my point, and remove you from your state of suspence, the statement goes as follows: "tree people are dumb." Yes, a person did said that. Okay honestly, it makes more sense considering it's source, but I won't call out anyone close to me here. The person who is argueing this, obviously I know quite well, so I know that person is speaking out of their a#@, and though means it to a degree, I seriously don't think they have totally considered what they were actually saying. So we shall let that fact go. But that matters not, let's focus on the statement; basically what is being implied is that rural types have less of an education, thus engage in less business oriented career paths, and hence aren't the smartest apples to fall off the tree. Or are they?

So are, "tree people" (sorry, it's amusing to me), maybe those who farm, spend long days doing the manual labor thing, getting dirty and sweaty, and for lack of a clever, maybe P.C., way of saying it, live the blue collar country life, all dumb? Before we answer, here's the brief paraphrasing of the conversation, obviously this isn't the whole conversation, but you'll get the gist of it. So, it was argued that yes they are dumb, "smart people don't spend their lives "in the trees", the jobs aren't there...you don't see them working for HP, do you?" Wow. Shocking to me. I answered back with, "and vice versa, you don't see those people making a living farming." Arguement back to me, "exactly, it takes smart people to work in business." My reply, "as does it for farming." Reply to me, "farming is easy, it can be learned." I say, "as can a job at HP." Person says to me, "yea, but it would take years." Me, "as would it take years to learn how to successfully farm well enough to make a successful living from it." That's the end, we didn't go into more, we're too close to get too serious about an arguement so obviously stupid.

Does anyone think farming is that easy? I confess, I know absolutely nothing about farming, and I, myself, would be a better fit in an HP type job myself, but I still would like to believe farming is probably very difficult, takes a smart person to be successful at it, and would be tons of hard work. I truly do not believe that people, who achieve higher education, by nature, gravitate toward business and thus urban areas, leaving behind only "moe-rons" in rural areas. Now, granted I guess I could be wrong, I've done zero research into this, but I believe the issue here is more how we define, or percieve, who is intelligent and conversely who isn't, than it is about the possible concentration of intelligent people in urban areas.

It amazes me how people catagorize, and make unfounded asumptions, about populations of people, based upon ludicrous, superficial, criteria. We all do it to a degree, it is in our nature to catagorize people, and things, that's part of what makes us human, but a lot of us just love to take it to the next level. We love to think, we ourselves, have a special place in life, we got it all figured out, and those outside our neat little boxes, are well less than us. I guess stereotypes are just easy, and convient, the ideas have already been established for us... no thinking is required. And they work, most of us know the standards, and we navagate with ease through them. So it probably isn't a stretch to infer, that it was implied, that those with money are more intelligent than those without. And I think, that's the real underlying idea I orginally had a problem with. Just because the collar life isn't the most financially impressive life, it in no way should imply that those who are smart would be too smart to settle for it and would naturally do better things with their lives and as a result have more earning power, and of course live in the city. Okay yes, you can make good cases that alot of rich people are dumb as rocks (*cough* *cough* Paris, Jessica), as well say a lot of poor people are dumb as well, but aside from that, who's to say which life is better? The most fuitful? Noble? Breeds more intelligent people.

My point is that appearances are far too often percieved as more important than what is reality. We focus upon, and judge people, unfairly based on superfical standards, outside any reasonable logic and I wish we wouldn't. It just bothers me how people precieve good honest folk, working good honest jobs, as stupid because their life goal isn't to own a flat screen - that they'd rather drive a pickup than a hummer. So what if people like to live in the trees. Just because they do, it doesn't make them dumb. City folk aren't the brightest lot either. We need to start thinking for ourselves and be truer to who we are and less playing the role for an audience. Why is it always about money, about appearances? Why is it that intelligent people can think so ignorantly? How do you come to the conclusion farm=dumb, HP=smart? I don't know, maybe I fell off the tree too soon, or was absent that day, but I think there is something to be said about someone who is comfortable being who they are and who doesn't religiously follow what is told to them how they ought to be. Maybe, I haven't been brainwashed yet. Maybe, I didn't get the memo and I'm without my star. Maybe, I myself, am just dumb too.

schilling.

2003-11-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

Schilling to the Red Sox! I can't express how excited I am about that. I can't believe it actually happened. I knew Theo would make a major push, but I had worries it would end as a big tease and Schilling would end up back with the Phillies, or worse yet, the dreaded Yankees. It's a huge pick up for the Sox. Way to go Theo. Now we got, count 'em not one, but two big-time horses on the mound everyone in the American League will be fearing. Now if the Red Sox can secure a reliever, possibly even another proven bat in the lineup, although not completely neccessary, and put together a few other pieces, I think we'll have a huge year. Gasp... maybe even a run in the series.

happy thanksgiving.

2003-11-27T13:15:00.002-08:00

A quick post between football games. Alright, Detriot! Let's go Miami.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hope everyone has a memorable one. It's always nice to spend the quality time with family, friends, and those you love. Enjoy your day, I know I will.

anti-climatic.

2003-11-24T18:43:00.001-08:00

Alright, so things didn't quite go the way I wanted. I ended up talking to my professor after class. I told him his comments last thursday, at the end of class, offended me. He basically backpaddled, telling me I misunderstood his comments. He told me he made the comments about immigration over time, to the United States in general. I told him he tied them to another comment about the illegal immigrants getting driver's licences, but he spun it and said that's not what he meant, he was using that as an example. Whatever. I don't buy that, but he did apoligize for the mistaken comments so that's cool. I would have still argued against illegal immigrants being beneficial to the California economy, but I decided to let that go. I already know his thoughts on that and they are too out of balance to bother debating him. I missed whatever arguements and statistics he presented to the class on illegal immigrants, and another student made it a point to let me know the professor had in fact presented data to the class to back his claim, but in response I'd say that isn't rooted in complete fact. So now I guess I'm the big fat bigot because I don't think illegal immigrants shouldn't be allowed full rein in California. Ya know what, you can throw all the statistics out the window, they mean nothing, illegal immigrants are just that, illegally in this country. I don't understand how you argue peoples, whose first act in the country was to break the law, are beneficial to California. By that logic, I could rob a bank and give all the money to the homeless and I'd be benefiting society. Sorry professor, your arguement doesn't hold up. Maybe, I should move into your house, and make myself at home. What? I didn't hear you! Explain to me again why I don't have the right to do that. Something about the law? Oh that's right, I forgot, this country has laws. Apparently these laws only apply when we need them to serve our purposes. How convenient.

provoked into action.

2003-11-20T23:23:00.001-08:00

So, the big controversy this week is... well that involves me anyway, is what one of my professors, this guy, said in class. Let's just say that I'm not a huge talker in class, but this comment I couldn't, and won't, let go. Now, before I tell what he said, I want to first qualify that I don't dislike the guy, nor do I look to create drama, but this, he asked for.

Okay, so in class, we are studying the immigration of hispanics into the United States, specifically California. I unfortunately missed the class session when he started the arguement for illegal immigrants in California, but this discourages me not. The topic extented itself today from him condemning our new Governor's promise to take driver's licenses back away from illegal immigrants. My first thought was okay, fine that's your politics, whatever. But he didn't stop with that. He went on to say that anyone argueing this is irrational and not rooted in reality or fact. He went further to say that people of that thinking are acting out of fear and prejudge. That's so wrong and unfair! Completely unprofessional. How could he have the nerve to accuse basically anyone not of his point of view of not thinking clearly about the facts and charge them as irrational and prejudge? This, I could not let go without a comment.

So I raised hand, and expressed to him that isn't he basically implying that any different point of view is unrational and that isn't it reasonable for someone to argue another point of view and still be rational. He didn't exactly answer, but instead pressed me for evidence that his point of view is wrong. I then repeat that I'm not there yet and am simply asking couldn't another point of view also be rational. Again, he skirted the question and restated his entire arguement, this time, challenging anyone to prove it wrong and he expressed we'd be discussing this issue further next week and this question would be a major question in our understanding of the rest of the course. (BTW, the course is a Race & Ethnic Relations) So another student kinda backs me and make his case why illegal immigrants shouldn't be allowed in, but the professor quickly defuses his statements, by saying he feels his point of view, but it isn't rooted in fact. Oh, I almost flew off the hook, but class ended. I was steaming, but off to my next class ...which so happens to be critical thinking ... oh yes.

I bring this up to my critical thinking professor and he says my other professor is an idiot. And he said he'd discuss it with me further after class. The awesome coincedence is that we just were talking about propaganda in class and are now discussing how to recognize errors in logic (in other's as well as your own). Okay, yes before we go on, I admit it, I'm THAT geek who talks to his professor after class, about other acedemic topics while walking to his next class. The funny thing is my friend in my econ. class saw me talking to him, I saw her notice me talking to him, and in fact she called me a geek before I could tell her, yes I'm a dork. Anyway, so my critical thinking professor is now helping me develope my arguements to debate my race and ethnicity professor in class on monday. He is so cool, I love this professor. So now tomorrow we go over it and I'm so looking forward to monday, to make Lee back down from his outrageous and extremely intolerant stance. I can't wait.

I've already got some really good points and analogies, I just need a game plan for how to present and argue my points to counter his. It should be fun, but I think I already know the outcome will mostly likely be that he will either realize his unprofessional statements and spin it first off in class before I can make my arguement or he will hear my arguement and no matter what I say will automatically reject it. I predict this will be, unfortunaltely, the most likely outcome. So sad that a professor could be so closed minded, and cut off all discussion opposed to his own, stirring the class toward his extreme politics. Just another day on a college campus I'm afraid.

herding sheep.

2003-11-13T23:39:00.001-08:00

This fact has absolutely shocked me. Aside from the fact that I live in the S.F. Bay Area, I still would have thought that everyone, anywhere, was aware of this. How is it possible to be in college and not know this? I guess you'd have to actually show up for class, and possibly read a textbook, but outside of that I don't see how this imformation could escape anyone. It's too plain obvious! No, no, it's no conspiracy, or anything ludicrous like that, it's just a simple truth no one is hiding, or apoligizes for. Nothing to see, just herding sheep, move along.

I'm sure you've figured out what I'm talking about by now ....right? You do, don't you? What, were you left behind in school? See now that's exactly what amazes me - really people don't know. How can people, or students, be so blind to it. I just can not phathom how many students around me, on my campus, are completely oblivious to it. I'n not suggesting no one knows, nor am I that very few do, but it does baffle me how big a percent it actually is who are unaware. Then again, most these same students couldn't define, or correctly explain, the terms, or the concept, even if it were told to them. That's even sadder. What exactly are these people learning? Maybe ignorance is bliss ...I wouldn't know. I imagine a sheep's coat probably is cozy.

Have you ever sit in class and noticed mid way thru the term how many of your classmates dissagree with those views of the professor? Seems less than in the begining huh. How is that? Why? I could be a cynic (well okay, already failed at that) and infer, "yup the prof is always right, I mean, we're the ones sitting." And yes, sadly that is the thinking of too many students, but it's the ones who go in, absorb the lessions, leave with the grade, but never question the truth of the material nor would even think to question the professor's views that concern me. I'm not professor bashing here, but let's think a little criticly here. How could you go thru any course and never question any of the "truths" posed by the material. How could anyone not think that the views of their professor aren't going to be represented in the information presented in class?

I just can't understand how people can be so uninvolved, so unaware, and yet have such strong convictions toward world issues. Where did these views come from? And how did you shape them into your own thinking, if you aren't even aware of a few simple facts? How can you argue so strongly, be so behind the issue, or ideology, if you can't even identify where it's coming from? Power of the media, power of popular culture? I guess. Did I not get the memo that being involved isn't necessary, isn't "hip," isn't a priority, nor a concern I should have.

I've discussed this many times, with those around me as an annnoyance of being in college, especially here in the Bay Area, but until recently it never occurred to me people didn't know this. Hasn't this been going one for decades? I bring this up because I was discussing with a friend of mine how refreshing it was to finally have a professor of the "other" thinking. Then one day after leaving his class talking about this, it just so happened that he ended up behind us, and so we discussed it with him. It then ending up being the topic of discussion the next day (last friday) in his class. I was shocked then that so many students in my class had been unaware of this. Unimaginable to me how that could be possible. It just amazes me that these students would never have ever thought to question the bias taught to them. That they were being so blindly shaped into a thinking simply because it was that of their professors. I can understand not knowing the reasons for it, but to be completely blind to it... Wow! How do you not fall out of your seats? Is that a sheep I heard?

Seriously, how do you not notice it? I had this one professor who would politely nod, and move on, if she dissagreed with you, but expand and comment, if she agreed. She'd also constantly site, and refer the class to, media sources and introduce us to people aligned with her extreme ideologies. Never did she ever suggest one from a view outside the beliefs of her own. But what worried me was that she was so efficent, and pursausive, that by the end of the course she had almost everyone agreeing with her views on social issues. I'd said a few times, "she's herding sheep." Granted she's an excellent professor, but it's just such a shame, few criticly examined her ideologies, and extreme ones at that, nevering take the time to use those ideas to mold their own. I fear they took the easy road, they simply followed her's ...right into the barn. They bought the whole farm.

Now I've purposely omited which way the pendulum swings, or what side your seat slides to when sitting in class, because that isn't the point I'm trying to make. You should already know what the bias is, what the world view is. I am saying I'm just saddened by the state of discourse in the classroom. And how it bothers me how many of my classmates just follow along and never question, or think criticly about anything, yet be those who argue so absolutely about an issue. It's just so damn annoying. They want so bad to prove everyone else how right they are and yet be so unaware of how ignorant they sound. How the only right point is their point and how well they can argue against yours. How they miss the idea that the whole point is to come to the truth and learn, not simply win a battle of wills and win a few classroom debates. Maybe gaining knowledge is an obsolete notion and I haven't yet become hip to the idea that's it's all about the grade man! Maybe it is, but would it hurt to actually think critically along the way. Become aware and realize which way your seat, in class, is slanted so you don't end up drooling all over yourself. Well, I guess you'd actually have to show up for class for that to happen. Hey now there's an idea, (how'd I miss this?) why don't ya'll just stay home and leave me, in peace, in class. Alright, I'm now I think I'm finally getting somewhere. Forget herding sheep. I just might be on to something with this.

celebrity babble.

2003-11-10T23:23:00.001-08:00

Does anyone really care about what "famous people" have to say? Okay, yes it's interesting to get their perspective on their careers. Their goals and what not, maybe even a few of their life anecdotes and personal adventures. Interviews about their new movie, album, book, show, whatever - all that making of and behind the camera stuff can be amusing as well. But why the hell would I care what the your world views are beyond your quick opinion and then only relating back to your life. You are a freakin' celebrity! ...your say, opinions, theories, whatever, mean nothing more than that guy's down the street. And trust me, though interesting chit-chat at times, nobody cares much what his views are either. It just annoys me that celebrities think that because they are in movies, or sing songs, that what they have to say is so important or profound. As if they are the Christ and we're all the faithful. Nope, sorry, hate to be the first to break it to you, but it's all just mostly babble. Do you really think that because someone has shoved a camera in front of your made-up mug that suddenly what you spit out your mouth is gospel? That's just insane, but what is sad are those who are listening and actually give weight to what you say simply because they are fans. Sure some may be intelligent, and have a point to make, but I can't imagine why anyone would accept a point of view so blindly. I am the only person left who isn't star struck and realizes any world view a celebrity may have, no matter how intelligent said celebrity may be, is as valid as monopoly money. Fine, so they have opinions, they may even make sense, that's cool, but that opinion isn't golden just because it came out of the mouth of someone seen on tv, or the big screen. It's just annoying, when in an interview or whatnot, the celebrity has the arrogance to think their opinion truly matters and they have an obligation to speakout. And again, what is even more annoying than that is hearing from so and so that mr., or miss, hot new star, or old favorite star, said this and that and now so and so thinks this, and that, just because they're totally a fan. Oh my f*&#in' lord, it makes me wanna go nuts.

By the way, yes I concede that not all celebrities are unitelligent nor that they don't have a right to say what they will. I simply wish they'd take it to another venue and not subject me to their activism when I am trying to escape that and enjoy their entertainment.

a bitter climate.

2003-11-08T23:29:00.000-08:00

I had quite an interesting day today. You can read all about the little scare I put into one of my professor's today over at my livejournal blog. I got this awesome look out of him that was priceless. I was quite amused by it too. I guess my day was interesting in the sense that Arnold being voted in as California's new governor, made for some amusing discourse in my classes. I should have expected the responses that were given, but I had a monentary lapse and forgot the area I reside in. Ooops. I'm in the political minority around here in the San Francisco Bay Area. The climate in class was oh so bitter. I loved it!

By the way, I'm sorry, but just because millions of people voted the "other" way does not mean they are part of the "mindless masses." Reguardless of the perception of the voting public, there are intelligent people who considered the options and simply viewed the situation in a different way. We voted the way we felt appropriate and in no way does that mean we are lacking in moral character or have in common any lack of implied knowledge.

Anyway, I just got a few good laughs listening to my classmates come up with interesting ways to criticize, and insult, those who voted differently from them. It's too bad that because they didn't get their way, somehow it was the fault of those "others" canceling their "informed" vote. Please. Give me a break. You can sing that song loud and proud, we all know you are just envious of the "crowd."

dead darts.

2003-11-05T00:04:00.001-08:00

Last week was mid-terms week, three tests in three days. I'm happy to report, I survived. Good grades happening all around. Still though, I'm not completely satisfied with all of them. Someone knock some sense into me. Okay, so basically that meant last week I had less than the usual time to spend on the net ...but I'm back. I also, went through a self imposed, internet cut-back which only turned into frustration when it happened that when I really wanted to get on the net sunday night, I couldn't. Now of course, it would only happen that I couldn't get on when I really wanted to because my phone line was acting up. Which it usually does in less than favorable weather. So anyway, that breifly explains my dead time here and we can now move on. I'm sorry, and I promise a proper post tomorrow (well, technically, now, later today. Seriously, I promise, it will happen. Okay baring something else capturing my fancy, between now and then.

velvet philosopher.

2003-10-27T23:54:00.000-08:00

This guy happens to be in my philosophy class at school. I first saw this guy, on the first day of classes, sitting on the steps, of the library quad, in his little blue velvet coat. I immediately dubbed him, "Mr. Velvet." Later it turned out that he sits kiddy corner behind me in philosophy class... hence the "philosopher" title added.

Now let me just say that in class this guy can be the single most annoying person of all time. "Dude, you need not comment on everything." Seriously, he almost lets nothing go without a remark. He gives the impression that he's the type that not only likes to her himself speak, but also makes it known to everyone how intelligent he may be. I'll come straight, I'll say with confidence, that yes, he is smart. I'll give him that. But, dude you just so don't have to question, and/or spin, every point you don't agree with, or spit some psuedo-philosophical twist-a-roo on simple concepts and ideas. I can watch The Matrix Trilogy for that. Also, this dude isn't happy unless he's dominating the discourse in class. The most annoying thing though, is that this guy takes ten years to get out an idea. I mean seriously dude, is it neccessary to spout 20 concepts, and tangents, before finally getting to your point. Picture the episode of Friends with the Ross twin, combined with the skit from In Livin' Color (the old sketch comedy show on FOX) where the Damon Wayans character is the "intelectual" inmate and you get how "Velvet Philosopher" speaks. He takes 5 minutes, "Matrix speak" to say what a normal person could say, in english, in less that a minute. It's just so annoying most of the time. I wish I could mussle him sometimes. Or point a gun at him and say, "buddy, to the point... now!" Oh and I can't leave out the coat - it's what started it all ...priceless. It's just so lame hipster. I'm sorry dude, but I can't let the coat go, I'm guessing very few people can pull off a navy blue velvet sport coat, and you ain't one of them. You look ridiculous in it, you need to lose it, but you know what, in a way, it fits you.

But yeah know what though... I totally like the guy. At least he thinks, and yes, he can be entertaining at times. He may go on and on, and then one and on again, but you know he will evetually get to somewhere with it eventually, and he isn't just shouting out something stupid. Well, okay, not usually anyway. You can tell he reads alot and he pays attention, so whatever, he can be forgiven. You can't really ask anything more of a classmate. He's a good guy. If I totally hated the guy, unless he did something specific to me to piss me off, I wouldn't even give him a thought, he'd be invisible to me. And there'd be no post in his honor.

camp jim.

2003-10-22T23:34:00.001-07:00

For those of you who know a little bit about me, or happen to be paying attention to my livejournal blog, you know that one of the random things I do to amuse myself, during the voids in my day, is to honor random people, who've caught my attention in some way, with a title. It's sorta "Seinfeldesque" in a way, but I've always done it. At Foothill, where I go to school, I've named a good handful of kids, "Camp Jim" being my current favorite. Alright, I've got nothing eating at me at the moment to pop off about so I let's take a moment and get to know one of these honored soles. My current fav.

This guy, everyone's gotta see. He sits a few people down from me, at my table, in Philosophy class. No offense to him, I'll be easy on him, but he can be annoying. He sorta rambles on with semi-pointless questions and doesn't give the impression he's very thought out. He gets stuck on a point and stubbornly holds on to it continuing with dumber, and dumber, follow up comments until eveyone else in the class goes looking for pencils to jam into their ears so they can go deaf and thus no longer having to hear him. Okay, maybe I didn't go easy, oops, sorry ... oh well. Anyway, the awesome part about this kid is that he, and honestly I'm not exagerating this one bit, he looks exactly, and I mean exactly, like Camp Jim - that guy on the MTV show Camp Jim. You remember the super duper hyper cheery cheerleader guy who helped this one chick on MTV's Made. He's now got his own show on MTV and this guy in my class is so him. Right now, I'm just so annoyed by him. The freakin' guy is missing!!! Since this dude's epic comment flame out, in class early last week, he has yet to show up again. Bastard! He's avoiding me. Meredith, my friend in the class, and I, have been wanting to get a pic of this guy on my cellphone camera for almost two weeks now. Show the f*@# up already! Just one more time, damnit! What is your problem, dude?... Go... To... Class! I promise a pic of him when he finally shows. Til then, you'll just have to trust me.

By the way, you can check the daily haps of my life, in pictures, over at my new moblog jai.pics This is my blog site of pics that I take on my cellphone. Basically, I take pictures on my cellphone and immediately upload them to my moblog - the picture also simultaneously updates here. They're little captures of what I'm doing, right now at this moment, if you happen to catch them as they get posted.

the "evil" rich.

2003-10-19T19:05:00.001-07:00

Okay, in econ. class this past week, we've been discussing taxes and corporate scandals. We went over the different practices WorldCom, for example, used to "embelish" their books. And we looked at Bush's tax plan and a few other tax senarios. Now as exciting as all that was, it was some of the comments my fellow students were making in reguards to the topics, that had me thinking. They were basically expressing how wrong it was, and were probably also thinking as one student said, "the rich are evil". REALLY! My mind started racing, I mulled it over in my head for a second, I thought, how this could this be? The rich are Evil? Huh? Wait! Let me get this straight. You mean to tell me the people most of us dream we were and constantly strive to be... are evil? Your saying, we are spending our lives, working our butts off, to be evil? What? No way? I give up. That's it. I'm out. ...Hold on, does this mean the poor, or more correctly, the non-rich, are righteous? Am I getting this right? Is this what you are saying? Anyone else catch the irony of this?

See, this is stuff that annoys me about my average, fellow, college student. They don't think! They walk around campus, deposit themselves in a classroom, blindly accept what is being fed to them, and most annoyingly spout off at the mouth. I've noticed this is especially true in social science classes. Think, people, think! Do you realize how riddiculous you sound? The.. rich.. are.. evil. Let me guess, this is econ., so your major is probably business admin., you envision yourself as one day being a CEO, God willing owning your own business even, at least achieving an upper management position with a reputable firm, living a comfortable life with the wife and kids, house paid for, billls not a worry. Okay, right so far? Good. I also highly doubt you envision yourself, working the graveyard shift, wife working full-time too, maybe even a second job so your kids can enjoy a few luxuries, renting, and usually a little behind, bills a constant source of stress. Right again? I thought so. So tell again why the rich are evil. You don't exactly sound like you are coveting the poor life - err, I'm sorry, the non-rich life. But that's the good life right? Those are the people who should be appluaded and given a break, right? They're the ones always being screwed, right? Well then how come you didn't say you wanted to live their life? You want to be good, not evil, right? You are good now, right? Wouldn't achieving your goals in life make you evil? No? I'm confused now. You say they are evil, but you won't be. R i g h t. Now, how is that exactly?

Let's say, for the sake of arguement here, you do acheive your "richdom." I guarentee you aren't parting with that money without a fight, am I right? I mean... you worked hard for that. You slaved for it. You earned it. And now hey, you deserve the spoils of that hard work. Of course you do. That money is yours. No one's going to tell you what you should do with it. That's only fair, a resonable expectation? Awww... BINGO! I didn't think you were giving it up so easily. So now those lil poor people aren't so deserving now, are they. You aren't so wiling to give huge portions of that money, you worked so hard for, to give them that break, with your money, are you. In fact, I bet you will do everything in your power to insure you part with as little of it as you can. Exactly. Gotcha! Did you really think it was that simple? Did you really think, the rich were all a bunch of "a-holes" looking to screw you over for a buck? No. Most are honorable people looking to provide for their families and enjoy the comforts they worked hard for. Just like you hope to. They aren't evil any more than you are. If they were, I imagine, you wouldn't be so desperately trying to achieve what they have and desire to be what they are.

You see, it isn't a matter of the big bad rich against the tiny good poor, nor the haves vs. the have-nots, it's about ourselves; it's about how we view life and who we are as people. You either have to accept that justice is about people achieving their own dreams and living their life as they wish to, or you accept that you can have no dreams and that you live life as is just not for you, but for everyone. Further that you accept the ideology that you achieve the role, not your goal; you live the life, not your life. It's not the system that's flawed, it's you, it's us. Yes exactly, you, we, aren't perfect and neither is anything else. And that my friend... is the beauty of our life.

By the way, I am in no way rich. I do think it would be nice to be rich one day, I just know the rich aren't evil. Well okay, maybe Steinbrener is.

local yokels and the jokers.

2003-10-13T23:09:00.001-07:00

Alright, so it's been a week now and I'm getting annoyed by the moaning and groaning over Arnold. I'm getting annoyed on three fronts, and now I'm shooting back. Here's the run down:

I can understand a few fun pokes aimed at California from people outside the state. Cool whatever, everyone loves a good laugh. Here's where I take issue. Most of you all probably aren't familiar with California politics and know nothing of what Arnold or any of the other candidates were about. Fine. Make your comments, it's cool, but they're pretty much mute comments, we aren't really listening. Honestly, can you name another Candidate? Didn't think so. Did you know what any was about? Thought so. So say what you will, you don't know the full story, you never did care to know, ya'll just weakly clung to your Arnolds cards. Well, I'm here to tell you now they've been played, they've been trumped, you lost the hand. Game over.

Now, what really annoys even more is those within California. We should know! But we've got two kinds of Californians: those informed and those not. Let's take those who are first. Okay, so those who do know and are dissapointed their "guy" didn't get elected are allowed their opinion, it's understandable to be critical or upset. But what bothers me about them is their labeling of anyone who might have voted Arnold as "mindless", "ignorant", "voted for the name." That's bull---- and you know it. Sure some probably did, but the overhelmig majority is just as informed as you, they just had different hopes, views, and wishes, about California and voted according to their hearts, just as you did. So stop whining, they're just as intelligent, informed, and passionate about the state as you are (maybe more so), but it's done now, move on. Arnold is in, Gray is out. It was never a conspiracy, it wasn't dirty politics, it wasn't republicans stealing office. Get over it. You should have banned tighter together and voted stronger, or maybe you just need to face the fact that your men just weren't the answer.

So saving the most annoying for last. The local yokels. Who are you people? The nerve. I'm sorry, but if you only knew how big a fool you sound. How can you think you have a say when you don't know what that say is targeted at. Who are you yapping at? I ask you; Can you name more than one Candidate? Did you even know what the recall was? What it meant? Where the candidates stood? My point exactly. So WTF? Shut up already. Your opinion of "the gubinator" means nothing. The fact you even refer to him as such is moronic and demonstrates your ignorance in the matter at hand. How can you hate a guy you know nothing about outside of his movies. Fine, you can have your weak, uninformed opinion, here's mine.... I don't like your mother! So there! Take that!

Enough said.... bullseye!

cowboy up!

2003-10-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

COWBOY UP! Red Sox Win! Red Sox Win! Red Sox Win! Bring on the Yankees. 85 years of hearbreak is about to end. Go Red sox! We're taking the pennant. Way to get it done Red Sox. Never give up. You are the man Pedro! You are the man! Love ya Pedro.

On another note, all our thougts and prayers go out to Johnny Damon. I pray that you are alright and will be there with the team for game 1 of the ALCS in New York. Great effort out there on the field, we're behind you Johnny. Let's hope this is nothing more than a scary situation that you will come away from better than ever. We need you Johnny.

go red sox.

2003-10-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

Gotta love the Red Sox. Lose two straight away to open the playoffs, but promptly come back and take the next two at home, both in dramic fashion. Them boys sure know how to torment their fans and sqeeze out every last bit of drama. Nothing is easy, or simple, when it comes to the beloved Sox. And I love em for it. Couldn't be any other way. So tomorrow is game 5 in Oakland. Pedro vs. Zito. The showdown for the series. Winner takes on the imfamous Yankees and hopely ends those bastard's season. Go Sox! Let's end "the ....." and finally put all that nonsense to rest.

heartbroken.

2003-10-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

Damn Giants! I can not believe what just happened. Four games and out. That is sickening. What the hell happened? I had such high hopes this year. We were going to win it all or at least make a repeat World Series appearance. Now my last hopes hang thinly on the shoulders of the Red Sox. I'm just still in shock right now, this hurts. It's going to be a long winter.

state of the red sox nation.

2003-10-02T22:07:00.000-07:00

Damn Red Sox! Down 0-2 to the A's. Heartbreaking. I'm still in shock from game 1, I don't even know what to think about game 2. Wow, to waste Pedro's fabulous effort. 135 pitches all for not. It's almost unfathomable how they could blow that game. Then there's the 85 years worth of reminder. That hurts. It's 3 in a row now or go home, thanks for the season.

my sporting world.

2003-09-29T23:47:00.000-07:00

Alright, let's be straight both my favorite football teams completely suck. There's no other way to put it. Norte Dame is just plain aweful. Their offense is absolutely non-existent. I guess the Washington State game was a total fluke. I loved the idea for the "the Holiday is over, win with Quinn" t-shirts, but at this point I think even Quinn can't right that sorry excuse for an offense. Oh well, there's always next year. Quinn looks to have a bright future though. Now as for as the 49ers... WTF! How can they be that bad? 1-3? No way! They sure are trying their hardest to run T.O. out of town. I don't understand why they aren't throwing it to him every other play. Oh and they just need to pick a halfback. Screw this rotation garabage they have going. I know they value the leadership of Garrison, but the time has come, Barlow is the man. Here's hoping Detriot doesn't break their road losing streak next week.

Thank God, baseball hasn't done me wrong. Both my teams are in the playoffs. The good olde Giants and Red Sox. Yes, okay how does an S.F. kid end up rooting for the Sox? My family is from Boston, it was in my blood to be a Red Sox fan. I like all the Boston teams actually. And yes, I'm a huge Giants fan as well. Huge Giants fan. Screw the A's, nobody on this side of the bay cares. So the fun starts tomorrow at 1pm. Go Giants. Let's sweep them Marlins. Go Red Sox too. Can't wait for Pedro to stick it to the A's. And that's the delema. What happens if they both make it to the Series? Well, sorry, but I gotta go with the Giants, and unfortunately watch in agony as the curse lives on. I do wish both make it, despite the obivous frustration it will cause watching my two teams battle it out with everything on the line, but I can't root for any other possibility, even if in the end it might be easier. I think that would be the ultimate drama. Giants - Red Sox, two historic teams looking to end their futility. If nothing else I'd just love to see the Sox take it to the Yankees to get to the Series. That'd be awesome and a huge f-you to Georgie and them horrid fans. Even if it means the Sox having to go down in defeat to the Giants, damn the Evil Empire. After last years collapse in the series, I want nothing more than for the Giants to win. This is the year! Maddly hoping, praying even, one of my teams will win the Series in my life time. Granted, I'm only in my 20s, so I got a long road ahead and many years to root, but I don't want to go a lifetime without either of my teams winning it all. It's been way too long for both teams. They are both long overdue. I'd hate to have my grave say on it, "he waited a lifetime and never saw his Giants win the Series." That would be a fate worse than death.

gravedigger.

2003-09-25T18:03:00.000-07:00

I got the Dave Matthews Some Devil cd, along with Obie's and Limp Bizkit's this week. So far I've ended up only listening to Dave, in any great lenght, because one particular song on it just completely floored me. It's the single Gravedigger. I'd seen the video a few times, and heard the little blurb on Dave getting the inspiration for it while walking through a cemetary. Until last night I hadn't really listened to the lyrcis beyond the chorus. It's those lyrics between the choruses that got me and then made the chorus end it sll for me. I just lost my emotions. That hadn't happened in a while. Possibly the events of recent past contributed to it, but still Gravedigger did something to me. It's just that the song got me thinking about my father. There hasn't been a song, in a while, that brought feelings out of me like that. I also happened to catch what Dave wrote about the song in the booklet and what he wrote was exactly how I was feeling. Dave, I completely know how you feel, I'm there everyday of my life too. There's nothing else in my life I'd want more than to know he would be, and I'd probably give anything to hear it from him.

why can't you hear me screaming?

2003-09-24T23:50:00.000-07:00

Has anyone ever heard the Evanescence song 'Where Will You Go'? Anyway, that song is just kinda where I'm at with someone right now. I'm just not sure what to do about her right now. Long story really short, we were going out and I guess because she's freaking out about other issues in her life she's basically shutting me out. Last night she pulled the whole we need a break deal. Totally out of left field too. Now I knew she has things to deal with, but I've always been there offering support and trying to be there for her. It really hurts that she wouldn't let me help in the first place, but now it's heartbreaking that she decided to completely shut me out. I worry so much for her. I'm not a complete fool, I know her well enough to know that there's another guy, but I can't understand why'd she let him in and not me, if that makes sense. I've known her two years, have been wtih her about a year, friends w/benefits sorta story, well until yesterday I guess, and she only met this guy a month ago. I'm not going to tell her how to live her life, but it hurts that she'd go down that road. She's also doing it to a few of her closest friends as well. I respect and care about her too much to say anything hurtful to or about her but I'm hurting... bad.

So if you are readling this, know you really hurt me, and I hope you realize what you are doing before it's too late. I just couldn't be more worried about you and I'm not the only one. You don't have to be alone.

I had that on my mind last night and it was really messing with me. She called me and in a short conversation basically told me she wanted time alone, away. She couldn't even get it out right. Whatever she truly meant, I don't know, but it was really messing with me. Still is. Sucks when you care about someone and they suddenly break away from you holding your feelings against you. I'm sorry for caring. Anyway... I reframed from just going nuts last night and venting something mad here. I'm so glad I waited to release my thoughts until now. I knew a day to process things was best. Much more helpful, free, and clear this way. I feel better.

first day of classes.

2003-09-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

I love the first day of school. There is no funnier sight than freshmanspotting. They just look so cute in their brand new outfits, class schedules clutched in hand, aimlessly wandering around campus trying to find their classes. A spectator sport like no other. Alright, so classes are looking good and now that I've said that they will most certainly take a downward turn. Get this, no papers at all in any of the three classes I'm taking. Jackpot! Who'd have thought between Race & Ethnic Relations, Critical Thinking, and Macro Economics there would be no papers. Sweet! Honestly though, papers or not, I think I should do pretty well this quarter. Only Econ. worries me. I just hate numbers that's all. Click here to check out a few random pics from around campus.

Oh and, as lil bonus to top the day, I know a total of like five people on campus and one of them is in one of my classes. Way to luck out there huh. And as luck would shine more, I ran into two of the others. Considering I problably know the two I haven't seen best, I probably will see them around before long as well. So cool. I originally choose to commute so far to school to get away from people I know that I might run into around campus, but I quickly realized, you can only go for so long around campus without knowing anyone before frustration and loneliness sets in. I have to say it was a pleasant surprise today to run into the people I met last school year. I totally wasn't expecting that. And the one girl, she's in my critical thinking class, I totally thought would avoid me, because I dropped a class we were in last year, but I couldn't have been more wrong and that was awesome. I'm glad she's in the class. It's good to have a friend in class. Oh and I have to mention this other girl in econ. I barely know her, just got to talk to her a few minutes in class today, but she seems like a totally cool chick. Totally cute too. I definitely want to get to know her better if possible. If nothing else she will at least make econ easier to bare.

This is totally random, but spotted "Unibomber". No not the Ted, hermit in a shack guy. Just this guy friends and I have dubbed "Unibomber." For those not in the know he was this guy who frequents this cafe and he always had a breifcase with him. Friday night, saturday afternoon, whaterever, he always had it at arms reach. He was an old grey sorta Sean Connery looking guy and he always sat alone drinking wine reading big books. Anyway, I saw him today, at a Taco Bell, too freaky. Hadn't seen him around in forever.

thirteen.

2003-09-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

I went and saw the movie Thirteen last night. Thirteen is an incredible movie, but at the time terribly horrifying. My god, I hope that isn't the tale of the typical 13 year old's life now-a-days. It's said to be based loosely on the life of the young co-writter, and co-star Nikki Reed, but I can not imagine one having to deal with those pressures, and troubles, at such a young age. I guess we'd all like to think the lives of our youths are all peaches and smiles, but sadly for some it's probably not. It's no doubt difficult to accept that alot of youths today probably do face those issues themselves, or at least have to deal with seeing it happening to peers around them to one extent or another. I thought Thirteen was brillant. Simply put, it's an eye opening film that will definitely leave you thinking, and talking, about today's youth. Well worth seeing. If it is playing at a theater near you, definitely try to check it out. Also, Evan Rachel Wood, the young talented lead actress, is spectacular in it. I was pleasantly surprised by this film and I think it is a movie that a lot of people can probably relate to if not learn from. Scary, but honest and real. Go see it.