This one's all personal... I'm so sublimely happy that I have to share :)
Thursday night Bri picked me up from the airport and we went to Sherlocke's and had a few (too many) beers. The band was awesome, we did some kick butt dancing. Friday morning we woke up late and feeling like death but still made it to my interview and work (for Bri). For the record, I got the job but don't know if I'm taking it. It's a long story.
I went to Billy Bob's last night with Bri and Dean. It was mind-blowing. Reckless Kelly played and we drank awesome Shiner beer and I danced with some ridiculously good-looking cowboys and got my boobs signed by the band... pictures come later. I was absolutely in heaven... although, particularly missing a certain somebody.
Bri and I are now working on showering and getting out of the house. We're headed to the Art District to look around and go see cool stuff. Then tonight it's off to Greenville for some bar hopping and more ridiculousness.
I love the way this place feels. Even when we were sitting in traffic on 35S it doesn't feel as constrictive or looming as Norfolk. Walking in between huge skyscrapers doesn't give you the feeling of being small because its all so wide open and amazing.
Alright, time to go out :) I miss you all!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Harold & Kumar Suck.
Ok, so you've heard me rant about that new Harold & Kumar movie. [reference: I'm speechless Dec 2007?] Well, the New York Times has picked up the story. Their story focuses on the idea that Guantanamo has made its place in pop-culture an irrevocably negative one. But Gitmo hasn't made its place at all... the media has made Gitmo's place. If Gitmo had any say in the matter everyone would understand the truth and I wouldn't have much subject matter for this here blog-thing.
Admiral Buzby is quoted in the article saying something to the effect that the media has "turned up the gain" to distort the truth coming out of Gtmo. Which is exactly what happens. They take the menial details that could be construed as negative (i.e. fences, uniforms, dirt in the recreation area) and turn it into a huge issue. Yeah, there's wire fences, after all we are detaining these people for the safety of the public. Yes, Gitmo has banana rats and lots of iguanas. Yes, some of the detainees are kept in cells. But they're not running around in orange inmate wear. And the banana rats are actually kind of cute.... and vegetarians; who also make a squeaky sound when you accidentally run them over in your suburban at night because they're crossing the road in hordes. Anyway, the point is... The New York Times spends 3/4 of the article focusing your attention on the bad press that Gitmo is getting. I would pay good money to see the New York Times print the news releases that actually come out of Gitmo and all the things that Admiral Buzby says about Gitmo. A sound bite would be even better! Mainly because the Admiral has a voice like God, and who doesn't believe a man who sounds like that?
Anyway, if the New York times wants to run around stating the obvious.... Gitmo gets bad press. And perpetuate that cycle its their right to do it. Also, if they want to quote people who feel sympathy for the detainees that's there right too. I will simply exercise my right to laugh at them. A lot. And to laugh at those people who are being sucked into the negative propaganda trap that the detainees create through their lies. Those detainees, and their cohorts, would not hesitate to murder every bleeding-heart-sympathy-having-lie-believing-pity-feeling-person out there.
Finally, Gitmo is not a prison. It is a detention center. I've been over this before [reference: legally & transparently, Jan 2008]. If it were a prison they would all be convicted men... on their way to the chair (ok, that last part is wishful thinking). It's a detention center that complies to every clause in the Geneva Convention to the letter. It is transparent, it is humane, and in a couple of years somebody will thank the men and women who are keeping it open and operating properly.
p.s. The article mentions that the people who are stationed at Gitmo drink to much. As a former bartender in Gitmo all I can say about that is .... Uh.... Duh. It's a bunch of twenty-something year olds who behave the same as anybody else their age . Just about every where you go 20-somethings drink too much. That goes for any civilian community or any military installation.
In Other News, I got to talk to a good friend of mine last night and that was awesome. I love feeling reaffirmed in the fact that I'm not crazy and the world isn't completely without hope. Dr. Lefever also helped reaffirm my hope in the human race this morning. God Bless her, she's brilliant. Dallas in two days. I am more excited than I could possibly explain. Also, I've got a few job interviews coming up in other places out of town, stay tuned for details. :)
Admiral Buzby is quoted in the article saying something to the effect that the media has "turned up the gain" to distort the truth coming out of Gtmo. Which is exactly what happens. They take the menial details that could be construed as negative (i.e. fences, uniforms, dirt in the recreation area) and turn it into a huge issue. Yeah, there's wire fences, after all we are detaining these people for the safety of the public. Yes, Gitmo has banana rats and lots of iguanas. Yes, some of the detainees are kept in cells. But they're not running around in orange inmate wear. And the banana rats are actually kind of cute.... and vegetarians; who also make a squeaky sound when you accidentally run them over in your suburban at night because they're crossing the road in hordes. Anyway, the point is... The New York Times spends 3/4 of the article focusing your attention on the bad press that Gitmo is getting. I would pay good money to see the New York Times print the news releases that actually come out of Gitmo and all the things that Admiral Buzby says about Gitmo. A sound bite would be even better! Mainly because the Admiral has a voice like God, and who doesn't believe a man who sounds like that?
Anyway, if the New York times wants to run around stating the obvious.... Gitmo gets bad press. And perpetuate that cycle its their right to do it. Also, if they want to quote people who feel sympathy for the detainees that's there right too. I will simply exercise my right to laugh at them. A lot. And to laugh at those people who are being sucked into the negative propaganda trap that the detainees create through their lies. Those detainees, and their cohorts, would not hesitate to murder every bleeding-heart-sympathy-having-lie-believing-pity-feeling-person out there.
Finally, Gitmo is not a prison. It is a detention center. I've been over this before [reference: legally & transparently, Jan 2008]. If it were a prison they would all be convicted men... on their way to the chair (ok, that last part is wishful thinking). It's a detention center that complies to every clause in the Geneva Convention to the letter. It is transparent, it is humane, and in a couple of years somebody will thank the men and women who are keeping it open and operating properly.
p.s. The article mentions that the people who are stationed at Gitmo drink to much. As a former bartender in Gitmo all I can say about that is .... Uh.... Duh. It's a bunch of twenty-something year olds who behave the same as anybody else their age . Just about every where you go 20-somethings drink too much. That goes for any civilian community or any military installation.
___________________________________
In Other News, I got to talk to a good friend of mine last night and that was awesome. I love feeling reaffirmed in the fact that I'm not crazy and the world isn't completely without hope. Dr. Lefever also helped reaffirm my hope in the human race this morning. God Bless her, she's brilliant. Dallas in two days. I am more excited than I could possibly explain. Also, I've got a few job interviews coming up in other places out of town, stay tuned for details. :)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Still Poignant
I've decided that one of our objectives while living is to find something that really gets you going. Something you get more than just excited about, something you feel more than lukewarm about, something that pulls your heartstrings. Maybe some noun or concept that makes your eyes light up.
Either way, whatever it is, its yours and you stand by it. Something you're devoted to because you whole-heartedly believe in it. It could be your cat, your mom, your toe ring, your president, your senator, or the idea of clean air. It could be that feeling when you walk out of your front door in the morning. I don't care what it is... you just need something to be passionate about.
This all goes along with the concept that the worst kind of human is a man without a purpose. That's not 'icky' wisdom. I don't mean for it to presuppose anything. I read it as the kind of wisdom that causes you to actually make something of your beliefs and yourself. The kind of wisdom that requires you to develop a real sense of living and feeling. To be without a purpose and a passion is to be a lackluster person. "You only live once" so why do people allow themselves to roam aimlessly through life without something to keep you going... without a purpose.
When you wake up in the middle of the night, or randomly float upon the idea it needs to get you going. That is what your passion is. Something you could talk excitedly about until you lost your voice or something you could listen about until your ears fell off.
Whatever it is you ought to feel accomplished if you've found it... if not then go find it. after all, it's yours.
p.s. this blog is from an old one... yeah I know, I'm cheating. On the upside, i did revise and add to it. Yes, new and improved. Go me.
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In Other News, I took the exit exam this morning and wrote a rousing essay on why I would give Time Magazine's Person of the Year award to the Guards at JTF GTMO. If I can get the writing center to give me a copy I'll post it up, unless of course I failed the exit exam. In that instance, I may give up on writing completely :) Dallas in FIVE days. God Bless Texas.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Let the Commissions Begin
A very good friend of mine loves me enough to send me a very special link. It's a pdf version of the official paperwork used to charge the men with their crimes. It details their names, the people charging them, and the reasons why they're being charged. Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, eight men who are detained at JTF Guantanamo Bay have been officially charged with their crimes. Marking the beginning of the court proceedings of the commissions. I wish desperately that I could be in Gtmo for this but, alas, I'm stuck at school until May. Anyway, go click the very special link, read and enjoy. You can thank me later.
The charges are quite a big deal, but the media decided to give the story one average looking headline. There was nothing sensational about it, nothing eye catching, just "8 Men Charged with 9/11 Crimes" Then, in the story, there was minimal detail on the charges and LOTS of detail on the "torture" that one of the unlawful enemy combatants has gone through. Don't even get me started on that one.
As a follow up on my Berkeley City Council blog... they re-did the whole vote and are now reversing the order they made and "voicing support for the troops". I guess being a hypocritical bastard catches up with you and makes you realize that the people fighting for your right to pass "anti-discriminatory laws" ought to be allowed in the city too.
In Other News, school is going very well. Work is going just as well. I do believe I have lost my cotton-picking-mind. And I leave for Dallas in 8 days. Hell Yes :)
The charges are quite a big deal, but the media decided to give the story one average looking headline. There was nothing sensational about it, nothing eye catching, just "8 Men Charged with 9/11 Crimes" Then, in the story, there was minimal detail on the charges and LOTS of detail on the "torture" that one of the unlawful enemy combatants has gone through. Don't even get me started on that one.
As a follow up on my Berkeley City Council blog... they re-did the whole vote and are now reversing the order they made and "voicing support for the troops". I guess being a hypocritical bastard catches up with you and makes you realize that the people fighting for your right to pass "anti-discriminatory laws" ought to be allowed in the city too.
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In Other News, school is going very well. Work is going just as well. I do believe I have lost my cotton-picking-mind. And I leave for Dallas in 8 days. Hell Yes :)
Friday, February 1, 2008
Berkeley's City Council Sucks. A Lot.
This is retarded. Who in their right mind would actually vote to remove a Marines recruiting station from their city? What kind of hippy-freak-pinko-commie-bastard take action against the Marines and grants a protesting permit to some anti-war protest group? Who the hell do they think they are to tell their fellow American that they're not welcome?!
Anti-Discrimination Law in the City means that the military with a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy needs to be kicked out?! ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ISN'T JUST FOR GAY PEOPLE. Anti- discrimination is supposed to help all people feel like we're all humans. Not just make the ones who dress in drag feel better. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (to any normal human being) simply translates into "Please Don't Wear Glitter Into Work or Hit On Your Superiors" Is that really so hard?!
The Marines are the men and women who defend Berkeley, California's right to say all that bullshit... so how do they thank them?! By making them un-welcomed second class citizens. Extremism and condescension won't fix a damn thing in your ridiculous liberal city. I hope the Marines do NOT abandon their post at the recruiting station and that a number of protesters end up really angry because they see their young men and women walking into that office to volunteer their lives and time to a cause much greater than any petty liberal agenda.
That City Council is the most ridiculous group of tunnel-visioned-extremist liberals in the world right now. The bigger picture is that your stupid city needs to be well-rounded and accepting of all people... not just the bleeding-heart-gay-social programs loving-"anti-discriminatory" liberals.
Anti-Discrimination Law in the City means that the military with a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy needs to be kicked out?! ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ISN'T JUST FOR GAY PEOPLE. Anti- discrimination is supposed to help all people feel like we're all humans. Not just make the ones who dress in drag feel better. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (to any normal human being) simply translates into "Please Don't Wear Glitter Into Work or Hit On Your Superiors" Is that really so hard?!
The Marines are the men and women who defend Berkeley, California's right to say all that bullshit... so how do they thank them?! By making them un-welcomed second class citizens. Extremism and condescension won't fix a damn thing in your ridiculous liberal city. I hope the Marines do NOT abandon their post at the recruiting station and that a number of protesters end up really angry because they see their young men and women walking into that office to volunteer their lives and time to a cause much greater than any petty liberal agenda.
That City Council is the most ridiculous group of tunnel-visioned-extremist liberals in the world right now. The bigger picture is that your stupid city needs to be well-rounded and accepting of all people... not just the bleeding-heart-gay-social programs loving-"anti-discriminatory" liberals.
God Bless that one man who voted against the other eight.
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