If you haven't heard his speech, if you haven't seen his face, you must. This is our future President of America. Forget Kerry; forget Bush. This man is America. Why? Because he is the first speaker that I've ever listen to that I can compare with confidence to JFK and Martin Luther King Jr. and say that he is up there with them. He should be the one running under the Democratic ticket, not Kerry. Barack Obama has my vote.
Thank you, Shem, for giving me the heads up. You've given me a register to vote. Now all I want is for him to be on the damn ticket, and I'll make the damn effort to make sure he gets in The Oval Office.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Dumb Laws of Nashville, Tennessee
Look what I found.
Anything underlined are laws that I am guilty of breaking. The pinball one I broke at least ten times before turning 18.
It is illegal to dare a child to purchase a beer.
It is illegal to place tacks on a highway.
Skunks may not be carried into the state.
You can't shoot any game other than whalesfrom a moving automobile.
Hollow logs may not be sold.
More than 8 women may not live in the same house because that would constitute a brothel.
It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish.
No person may keep a cheetah as a pet.
Males may not be sexually aroused in public.
Anyone rollerblading may not tie his or herself to a moving vehicle on a highway.
No person may roller skate and listen to a personal CD player at the same time.
Throwing stones is prohibited as it might break a window.
To play pinball, one must be 18 years old.
All persons riding scooters must ride in single file.
Spitting is prohibited on sidewalks.
Anything underlined are laws that I am guilty of breaking. The pinball one I broke at least ten times before turning 18.
Monday, July 26, 2004
For the record...
...the bet is over. I survived 37 days without masturbating.
Time to go back being a pervert with only one actual porn video in my possession. Yeah, I know I'm pathetic.
Time to go back being a pervert with only one actual porn video in my possession. Yeah, I know I'm pathetic.
Kerry's Wife Tells Reporter to 'Shove It'
From Yahoo! News:
What a hypocrite. I guess when you are married to a politician, some traits tend to rub off on you.
At least she didn't say "Fuck you!"
In a reception on Sunday in Massachusetts, the wife of Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry told Democratic Party delegates from her home state of Pennsylvania there needed to be a change in American politics.
"We have to turn back some of the creeping, un-Pennsylvanian and sometimes un-American traits that are coming into some of our politics," she said. Morning television shows broadcast the remarks on Monday morning.
When a reporter from a conservative Pennsylvania newspaper, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, pressed Mrs. Heinz Kerry what she had meant by "un-American" she said repeatedly, "No, I didn't say that, I didn't say that."
She then turned away only to return moments later. "You said something I didn't say, now shove it," she said, pointing her finger at the reporter.
What a hypocrite. I guess when you are married to a politician, some traits tend to rub off on you.
At least she didn't say "Fuck you!"
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Quiz
My own result on a quiz that I made in between class assignments only to forget about it until about an hour ago.
Who will you be?
The Seven Dwarfs Quiz - Which are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla
You're most like Bashful! Shy and quiet, you don't like being in the spotlight as much as others do. You are most comfortable away from large crowds, and maybe even larger small crowds. When someone gives you a compliment, you blush easily.
Who will you be?
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Quidditch Through the Ages - A Review of a Hogwarts Library Book
After finishing Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, I had some high expectations for this book. I am pleased to say that all were met.
First off, this title explained the rules of the game better and clearer than the movie did. I'm sure the books probably explain it well enough, but this title goes into so much detail, you'd have to be stupid not understand the game. I also noticed that there are several similarities between Quidditch and soccer. Most notable is the fact that the US screwed up Quidditch and invented their own version of it much how US football isn't what the world knows as football (soccer).
Surprisingly, this title also explains why witches and wizards in the Harry Potter world have brooms. Apparently, it is suppose to be for anonymity. If a Muggle was to walk into a wizard household, seeing a cleaning device like a broom wouldn't be odd to them, and they would think nothing of it unlike seeing a magic wand glowing out in the open on the coffee table. Also, like a history book, it explains (and concentrates) differences between Western and Eastern cultures. Apparently, those in the Eastern cultures prefer flying carpets over brooms. Either way, both are rather easy to hide from Muggles.
Lastly, this title introduces a new character that I really wish I saw in the movies. Apparently, according to the forward by Dumbludore, Madame Irma Prince is quite found of the books she is in charge of in the Hogwarts library. So much so that she has cursed all of them to attack the reader should they even bend a page wrong. She calls it a form of disrespect towards the book.
Having read both of the text books from the Harry Potter's School Book Set, I must say that any fan of either the movies or the books should read this if not buy it for themselves. The content is not really going to add anything to the story's main plot, but it is a nice way to get some incite into two of the things that make the world of Harry Potter so magical.
Now, if only I didn't spend all my money on a box frame for my art project I'm doing. Oh well.
First off, this title explained the rules of the game better and clearer than the movie did. I'm sure the books probably explain it well enough, but this title goes into so much detail, you'd have to be stupid not understand the game. I also noticed that there are several similarities between Quidditch and soccer. Most notable is the fact that the US screwed up Quidditch and invented their own version of it much how US football isn't what the world knows as football (soccer).
Surprisingly, this title also explains why witches and wizards in the Harry Potter world have brooms. Apparently, it is suppose to be for anonymity. If a Muggle was to walk into a wizard household, seeing a cleaning device like a broom wouldn't be odd to them, and they would think nothing of it unlike seeing a magic wand glowing out in the open on the coffee table. Also, like a history book, it explains (and concentrates) differences between Western and Eastern cultures. Apparently, those in the Eastern cultures prefer flying carpets over brooms. Either way, both are rather easy to hide from Muggles.
Lastly, this title introduces a new character that I really wish I saw in the movies. Apparently, according to the forward by Dumbludore, Madame Irma Prince is quite found of the books she is in charge of in the Hogwarts library. So much so that she has cursed all of them to attack the reader should they even bend a page wrong. She calls it a form of disrespect towards the book.
Having read both of the text books from the Harry Potter's School Book Set, I must say that any fan of either the movies or the books should read this if not buy it for themselves. The content is not really going to add anything to the story's main plot, but it is a nice way to get some incite into two of the things that make the world of Harry Potter so magical.
Now, if only I didn't spend all my money on a box frame for my art project I'm doing. Oh well.
Court Rules Sperm Donor Must Pay Support
From Yahoo! News:
What this pretty much means is that you don't have to have sex, produce a child, and/or give birth to one before a divorce in order to get child support if you decide to go the scientific way of producing babies instead of the natural way.
Looks like if this becomes a national thing, the writers over at Queer as Folk are going to have to make Brian pay for his seed he gave Lindsay way back in the first season. I mean, hell, they already wrote episodes involving Gay marriage.
Fiction aside, this judgment is rather stupid. The only reason, to my understanding, that they even keep the donors on records is just in case they have a spouse that wants to have a baby. The ones that don't want their names publicly recorded are the ones that, like my stupid example, give their seeds and eggs to whoever wants it for whatever reason. They can choose to find out who the donor is or not. But to ask for child support over a test-tube baby? No. That would mean that men donating sperm would have to pay a married couple, who, in theory, could easily provide for their child, just because the kid is made from his seed. I know what you're thinking. Hey, that's not a bad idea! Even more money! Well, that money has to come from somewhere, right? The more money you get, the less money someone else has.
My suggestion? Don't donate your sperm or eggs. Donate any other part of your body, but not your reproductive organs. There's too many damn people in this world already.
A state appeals court ruled that a verbal agreement between a woman and her sperm donor was invalid, and ordered the man to pay child support for the woman's twins.
The three-judge panel ruled Thursday that the deal between Joel McKiernan and Ivonne Ferguson--in which McKiernan donated his sperm and would not be obligated to pay any support--was unenforceable because of "legal, equitable and moral principles."
Despite an agreement that appeared to be a binding contract, the father is obligated to provide financial support, the court decided.
"It is the interest of the children we hold most dear,'" wrote Senior Judge Patrick Tamalia.
The decision could have implications for sperm and egg donors who expect anonymity, said Arthur Caplan, a professor and medical ethicist at the University of Pennsylvania.
"Anybody who is a sperm donor ought to understand that their identity could be made known to any child that's produced, and they could be seen by the courts as the best place to go to make sure the child has adequate financial support," he said Friday.
What this pretty much means is that you don't have to have sex, produce a child, and/or give birth to one before a divorce in order to get child support if you decide to go the scientific way of producing babies instead of the natural way.
Looks like if this becomes a national thing, the writers over at Queer as Folk are going to have to make Brian pay for his seed he gave Lindsay way back in the first season. I mean, hell, they already wrote episodes involving Gay marriage.
Fiction aside, this judgment is rather stupid. The only reason, to my understanding, that they even keep the donors on records is just in case they have a spouse that wants to have a baby. The ones that don't want their names publicly recorded are the ones that, like my stupid example, give their seeds and eggs to whoever wants it for whatever reason. They can choose to find out who the donor is or not. But to ask for child support over a test-tube baby? No. That would mean that men donating sperm would have to pay a married couple, who, in theory, could easily provide for their child, just because the kid is made from his seed. I know what you're thinking. Hey, that's not a bad idea! Even more money! Well, that money has to come from somewhere, right? The more money you get, the less money someone else has.
My suggestion? Don't donate your sperm or eggs. Donate any other part of your body, but not your reproductive organs. There's too many damn people in this world already.
Friday, July 23, 2004
House passes Marriage Protection Act
From Yahoo! News:
In the immortal words of Zenigata, "CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!"
Oh well, it's not like I'm going to get married any time soon.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed on Thursday a rare type of bill that restricts federal courts from hearing challenges to a law, in this case the Defense of Marriage Act.
The 233-194 vote on the Marriage Protection Act (MPA) comes one week after the Senate defeated a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex couples from marrying.
Civil rights advocates immediately denounced the House vote.
"This unconstitutional bill violates the notion of Equal Protection by excluding an entire segment of Americans from ever having their day in court," Christopher E. Anders, an ACLU legislative counsel, said in a prepared statement. "By making gay and lesbian couples second class citizens, House leaders are letting politics rise above the interests of the American people."
In the immortal words of Zenigata, "CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!"
Oh well, it's not like I'm going to get married any time soon.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
House readies to vote on marriage issue
From Yahoo! News:
And here I was more concern about the maturity of the of the debate instead of the actual outcome of it. Just goes to show you what I actual pay attention to, doesn't it?
Hopefully, the FMA will also fail in the House. I forgot how the government works, but if I remember correctly, if it fails in both the House and the Senate, it will still be just a "Bill sitting on Capital Hill." (Bad reference to School House Rock. I know.)
I won't go into where I stand on this. I think everyone knows by now.
Gay rights advocates this week are gearing up for the second battle this month in a congressional showdown over marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Last week the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA), which seeks to amend the Constitution to forbid marriage rights to same-sex couples, was defeated in the Senate.
And here I was more concern about the maturity of the of the debate instead of the actual outcome of it. Just goes to show you what I actual pay attention to, doesn't it?
Hopefully, the FMA will also fail in the House. I forgot how the government works, but if I remember correctly, if it fails in both the House and the Senate, it will still be just a "Bill sitting on Capital Hill." (Bad reference to School House Rock. I know.)
I won't go into where I stand on this. I think everyone knows by now.
Churches buying 'Passion' DVD in bulk
From Yahoo! News:
Churches are being offered bulk discounts on The Passion of the Christ DVD in hopes that the second-biggest movie of 2004 will top DVD sales charts.
The Passion arrives on DVD Aug. 31, but pre-sales of the R-rated story of the final days of Jesus are 20% ahead of projections.
Hear that? It's the sound of Mel Gibson's bank account opening up for another major deposit.
The DVD has no extras, just improved video and sound.
Damn, and I was hoping to see the footage of the guy playing Jesus getting struck by lightning during the scene when they are raising the cross.
Churches are being offered bulk discounts on The Passion of the Christ DVD in hopes that the second-biggest movie of 2004 will top DVD sales charts.
The Passion arrives on DVD Aug. 31, but pre-sales of the R-rated story of the final days of Jesus are 20% ahead of projections.
Hear that? It's the sound of Mel Gibson's bank account opening up for another major deposit.
The DVD has no extras, just improved video and sound.
Damn, and I was hoping to see the footage of the guy playing Jesus getting struck by lightning during the scene when they are raising the cross.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Old or Out-of-Shape?
Remember how I said I bet that I was going to spend the entire day today in bed playing Pokemon on my GBA SP? Well, obviously, that isn't the case.
I hurt in so many places.
My lower back aches with a pain that feels like that area could snap in half at any second if I didn't know that my spine is made of several disks. The only way to relieve myself of it is to find a comfortable position that supports my body in a strange angle. At first, I couldn't sit up because of this. Now I can't stand up. I just slouch.
The next most painful thing I'm experiencing is in my biceps. It would appear that any kind of curling motion I do sets it off. It feels like the muscles are about to lock each time my biceps contract.
Lastly is a small area in my thighs. It isn't much as far as the pain goes, but it is causing me to walk rather awkward. I seem to waddle like a duck now. Your guess is as good as mine as to what the hell is going on.
I walk like I'm 50, yet I'm a healthy 21-year-old college student. I'm so out of shape.
I hurt in so many places.
My lower back aches with a pain that feels like that area could snap in half at any second if I didn't know that my spine is made of several disks. The only way to relieve myself of it is to find a comfortable position that supports my body in a strange angle. At first, I couldn't sit up because of this. Now I can't stand up. I just slouch.
The next most painful thing I'm experiencing is in my biceps. It would appear that any kind of curling motion I do sets it off. It feels like the muscles are about to lock each time my biceps contract.
Lastly is a small area in my thighs. It isn't much as far as the pain goes, but it is causing me to walk rather awkward. I seem to waddle like a duck now. Your guess is as good as mine as to what the hell is going on.
I walk like I'm 50, yet I'm a healthy 21-year-old college student. I'm so out of shape.
Nokia Cell Phones are tough!
I couldn't sleep, so I decided to check if my phone would work. To my surprise, everything works just fine now! My numbers are still in the memory as well as my settings and various profiles I set my phone to. The only thing I had to reset was the clock.
I know what cell phone brand I'm sticking to now.
I know what cell phone brand I'm sticking to now.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Orange Fingers and Tired Feet
What a day! I'm bushed.
I went to church to help out with the tie dying they were doing with the little kids. Little did I know what kind of mess I would get in.
When I first arrived, no one was around except for the key adults that had to help set up several things. I helped prepare the tie dye mix, which made my hands change from red to yellow and any hue in between. Somewhere along the line, the color settled at a pumpkin orange. This sort of messed up the shirts when I handed them out, but not by much. After all, I was dealing with mostly kindergartners. Most of them wanted their shirts as soon as they were done dying them, which was impossible seeing as how the person that knows the ins and outs of the project left for softball practice.
While handing out shirts, my cell phone took a dive into the tub of water. Yes, I am now officially without a clock. First my watch strap broke, which I have yet to replace, and now my back-up clock takes a quick swim! It's not like it is a big loss anyway. No one calls me on my cell phone, which is why I use it primarily as my clock. I'm letting it dry overnight. If it doesn't work tomorrow, I'm going to see if I can't get a replacement.
Speaking of tomorrow, I have this very strong feeling I'm going to be stuck in bed playing Pokemon on my GBA SP. Why? Because all I did today was run back and forth with tubs of water, shirts, plastic bags, and everything in between as far as my tie dying duties go. I rarely touched or spoke the entire time I was helping... which is just the way I like it.
So, did I have fun? That's a matter of opinion, actually. I didn't feel like it was a chore, but at the same time I didn't know that I was working half the time. It didn't feel like I was volunteering, but at the same time it would have been nice if I got paid. It's kind of a strange compromise, actually. If anything, I'm neutral about the whole experience.
Damn it! I just realized that I forgot to claim my own shirt and some candles for an art project I'm doing! Oh well, once I feel like walking again, I need to visit Wal-Mart for a box frame and candles.
I'm beat. I'm going to spend the rest of my night on Gaia and then sleeping.
I went to church to help out with the tie dying they were doing with the little kids. Little did I know what kind of mess I would get in.
When I first arrived, no one was around except for the key adults that had to help set up several things. I helped prepare the tie dye mix, which made my hands change from red to yellow and any hue in between. Somewhere along the line, the color settled at a pumpkin orange. This sort of messed up the shirts when I handed them out, but not by much. After all, I was dealing with mostly kindergartners. Most of them wanted their shirts as soon as they were done dying them, which was impossible seeing as how the person that knows the ins and outs of the project left for softball practice.
While handing out shirts, my cell phone took a dive into the tub of water. Yes, I am now officially without a clock. First my watch strap broke, which I have yet to replace, and now my back-up clock takes a quick swim! It's not like it is a big loss anyway. No one calls me on my cell phone, which is why I use it primarily as my clock. I'm letting it dry overnight. If it doesn't work tomorrow, I'm going to see if I can't get a replacement.
Speaking of tomorrow, I have this very strong feeling I'm going to be stuck in bed playing Pokemon on my GBA SP. Why? Because all I did today was run back and forth with tubs of water, shirts, plastic bags, and everything in between as far as my tie dying duties go. I rarely touched or spoke the entire time I was helping... which is just the way I like it.
So, did I have fun? That's a matter of opinion, actually. I didn't feel like it was a chore, but at the same time I didn't know that I was working half the time. It didn't feel like I was volunteering, but at the same time it would have been nice if I got paid. It's kind of a strange compromise, actually. If anything, I'm neutral about the whole experience.
Damn it! I just realized that I forgot to claim my own shirt and some candles for an art project I'm doing! Oh well, once I feel like walking again, I need to visit Wal-Mart for a box frame and candles.
I'm beat. I'm going to spend the rest of my night on Gaia and then sleeping.
Friday, July 16, 2004
Things Break
God, I really need to read the news. Blogger just changed their GUI (Graphic User Interface) again!
Anyway, today I thought I would be tie dying with a bunch of kids that I could easily trip over in the House of God. Apparently, I got the wrong impression. I was there doing preparation work for the actual event that doesn't happen until next Tuesday night. So, what was I doing there? I was folding and rolling and holding together shirts with rubber bands galore! And I nearly cut my fingernail off by the roots in the process. Remember, rubber bands can kill you.
With the help of the other, most of us finished by noon, so once I was done, I walked a good mile (maybe) to the mall. Once there, I called up mom and told her what the deal was. A ride arrangement was made, and it looks like I'll be going to help the little children of the church Tuesday night. Once that was finished, I waited until the lunch rush was done to get myself a Big Mac. For some reason, every time I order a one by myself, I always end up getting the one that is never assembled right! You know, the kind where you pick it up to take a bite and the middle slides out of the sandwich like a well lubricated pig? I also got the shaft on the Mello Yello I ordered as well. It was mostly water. So much for lunch.
I then spent the rest of the time wondering around the mall. I actually went into the bookstore there looking for the Harry Potter text books to see how much they cost. Both books come together in a cardboard box, and both books are the hard cover version. Not a bad deal for $12, which I didn't have at the time.
Flash forward to about 19:00. I finished dinner early, and I needed something to do. Because I was able to keep a leftover plaster candle holder the church youth director found, I decided to paint, and then destroy, the little plaster fish. After painting it with the care and detail that I am (not) known for, I then melted an entire candle over it. It came out rather nice, but I have all this unused matte board space now. My aunt is thinking about getting me some colored candles to break and then torch.
Speaking of things breaking, just now when I was fixing a late night snack, the microwave decided it was going to go on a break as well! I turned it on to make some Ramen, only to be greeted by a loud noise and the smell of burning rubber. I told my aunt, and then cooked the noodles the old fashion way. That's right, I used a damn pot.
Ironically, given all that has happened--or in some cases not happen, the only thing that hasn't broke yet is my mood. Wish I could say the same thing for my wallet, but hell, I was never good with money anyway.
Anyway, today I thought I would be tie dying with a bunch of kids that I could easily trip over in the House of God. Apparently, I got the wrong impression. I was there doing preparation work for the actual event that doesn't happen until next Tuesday night. So, what was I doing there? I was folding and rolling and holding together shirts with rubber bands galore! And I nearly cut my fingernail off by the roots in the process. Remember, rubber bands can kill you.
With the help of the other, most of us finished by noon, so once I was done, I walked a good mile (maybe) to the mall. Once there, I called up mom and told her what the deal was. A ride arrangement was made, and it looks like I'll be going to help the little children of the church Tuesday night. Once that was finished, I waited until the lunch rush was done to get myself a Big Mac. For some reason, every time I order a one by myself, I always end up getting the one that is never assembled right! You know, the kind where you pick it up to take a bite and the middle slides out of the sandwich like a well lubricated pig? I also got the shaft on the Mello Yello I ordered as well. It was mostly water. So much for lunch.
I then spent the rest of the time wondering around the mall. I actually went into the bookstore there looking for the Harry Potter text books to see how much they cost. Both books come together in a cardboard box, and both books are the hard cover version. Not a bad deal for $12, which I didn't have at the time.
Flash forward to about 19:00. I finished dinner early, and I needed something to do. Because I was able to keep a leftover plaster candle holder the church youth director found, I decided to paint, and then destroy, the little plaster fish. After painting it with the care and detail that I am (not) known for, I then melted an entire candle over it. It came out rather nice, but I have all this unused matte board space now. My aunt is thinking about getting me some colored candles to break and then torch.
Speaking of things breaking, just now when I was fixing a late night snack, the microwave decided it was going to go on a break as well! I turned it on to make some Ramen, only to be greeted by a loud noise and the smell of burning rubber. I told my aunt, and then cooked the noodles the old fashion way. That's right, I used a damn pot.
Ironically, given all that has happened--or in some cases not happen, the only thing that hasn't broke yet is my mood. Wish I could say the same thing for my wallet, but hell, I was never good with money anyway.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Slipped-Jaw
Well, I just got back from a rather painless time at the dentist. Boring, but thankfully painless.
While I sat in the chair awaiting to get drilled (again), I couldn't help by analyze and mentally critique to myself the painting that they had set up in front of me. It was a realistic landscape painting using heightened colors and idealized lighting. Too artificial for my liking, but then again, realism and painting were never enjoyable to me.
Anyway, the actual filling went off rather smoothly thanks to my ability to slip my lower jaw left and right. I attribute this to the small time I spent mimicking Jim Carry after watching The Mask way back then. Dr. Lunn, my dentist, said that if I wasn't able to do that, the filling would be harder to fill and we would probably end up doing a crown instead.
In any event, I can't eat for a while, and the right side of my mouth feels like it isn't there thanks to the novacain. Guess that means I'm skipping lunch.
Tomorrow is the last day of anything remotely interesting happening to me during this summer vacation. I'm going to church to tie dye praying (no pun intended) that someone is prepared over there. I looked at the newsletter that is stuck to the door by a magnet, and it sounds like no one has a clue how to do it given how they worded their sentences.
While I sat in the chair awaiting to get drilled (again), I couldn't help by analyze and mentally critique to myself the painting that they had set up in front of me. It was a realistic landscape painting using heightened colors and idealized lighting. Too artificial for my liking, but then again, realism and painting were never enjoyable to me.
Anyway, the actual filling went off rather smoothly thanks to my ability to slip my lower jaw left and right. I attribute this to the small time I spent mimicking Jim Carry after watching The Mask way back then. Dr. Lunn, my dentist, said that if I wasn't able to do that, the filling would be harder to fill and we would probably end up doing a crown instead.
In any event, I can't eat for a while, and the right side of my mouth feels like it isn't there thanks to the novacain. Guess that means I'm skipping lunch.
Tomorrow is the last day of anything remotely interesting happening to me during this summer vacation. I'm going to church to tie dye praying (no pun intended) that someone is prepared over there. I looked at the newsletter that is stuck to the door by a magnet, and it sounds like no one has a clue how to do it given how they worded their sentences.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Registration Day
Just got back from signing up in all my classes, and the money problem that ensued.
The actual signing up part was easy. I forgot that I signed up for Printmaking, but the good news is I don't really have to take it if I don't want to. On top of that, given the change in how they price tuition now, it's cheaper.
The money portion was the problem. I went to Regina in Financial Aid to figure out if my mom did her worksheet right. Turns out she didn't. She forgot about a processing fee that came with the loan. As a result, we have to pay just a little bit more. Not a big deal, right? Wrong.
Before I even set foot back in Watkins, my mother gave me a voided check for the installment payment plan and a fully filled out one with what she thought the total would be. The check came out short, and because she was in a meeting that she couldn't get out of (not to mention not present), the Business office had no choice but to split the difference between the monthly installments. That means, on top of my mom writing the wrong number on the check, she also figured out the wrong amount total for this semester.
Funny thing is, my mom works in Payroll and has been for as long as I can remember. You would think that a certified APA member would know these things. Oh well, it wasn't like she wasn't off by a whole grand or something.
Upon returning home, I got a message confirming that tomorrow at 10:30 I go to the dentist to have my filling put in.
Then on Friday, I have to teach a bunch of church kids how to tie dye. This would be more enjoyable if it weren't for the fact that my mother signed me up for it without consulting me about it.
The actual signing up part was easy. I forgot that I signed up for Printmaking, but the good news is I don't really have to take it if I don't want to. On top of that, given the change in how they price tuition now, it's cheaper.
The money portion was the problem. I went to Regina in Financial Aid to figure out if my mom did her worksheet right. Turns out she didn't. She forgot about a processing fee that came with the loan. As a result, we have to pay just a little bit more. Not a big deal, right? Wrong.
Before I even set foot back in Watkins, my mother gave me a voided check for the installment payment plan and a fully filled out one with what she thought the total would be. The check came out short, and because she was in a meeting that she couldn't get out of (not to mention not present), the Business office had no choice but to split the difference between the monthly installments. That means, on top of my mom writing the wrong number on the check, she also figured out the wrong amount total for this semester.
Funny thing is, my mom works in Payroll and has been for as long as I can remember. You would think that a certified APA member would know these things. Oh well, it wasn't like she wasn't off by a whole grand or something.
Upon returning home, I got a message confirming that tomorrow at 10:30 I go to the dentist to have my filling put in.
Then on Friday, I have to teach a bunch of church kids how to tie dye. This would be more enjoyable if it weren't for the fact that my mother signed me up for it without consulting me about it.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Politics: Dressed-Up Name Calling
While running a virus scan, I got bored and started channel surfing. I ended up watching C-SPAN2 by accident. What caught my attention was the fact that they were debating about traditional marriage and the proposed amendment to The Constitution. According to the caption, they decide on the matter this week. At least in the Senate from what I got.
I could go on about the sides of views presented during my two hour viewing time (since that's how long the virus scan took), but I won't. Everyone knows where I stand on the issue.
What is really surprising to me, however, was the tone of voice the Utah Representative used whenever he would mention a political party, in particular when he said Liberal. It was as if he was insulting the State Supreme Court Judges of Mass. every time he said it. While his argument was well organized and well written, I found this part of his speech rather discomforting.
Has it really come down to this in politics? Has it always been like this? I mean, this doesn't just happen on the Senate and House. I know that much. But I seriously thought that the people whom are elected to represent the people, the real ass-breakers and back-benders of this country, were more mature than to resort to a fancy version of name calling, but apparently, I'm wrong in thinking that those in higher politics are mature individuals.
I've said it once before on Gaia, and maybe even on Shem's Blog for all I know. There are several ways to make your point come across without having to lower your intelligence, or in this case your maturity. I honestly believed the people in higher politics knew and practiced this, but even without the use of curse words, this tone of voice, no matter how passionate one feels about an issue, shouldn't be used in the way I just saw aired on live TV. Someone with this much respect, so much respect that the people of his state elected him to represent their state, shouldn't have to deliver such disrespect even in the most subtle way to a person or a political party in such a way that I saw.
So much for maturity in D. C. Politics.
I could go on about the sides of views presented during my two hour viewing time (since that's how long the virus scan took), but I won't. Everyone knows where I stand on the issue.
What is really surprising to me, however, was the tone of voice the Utah Representative used whenever he would mention a political party, in particular when he said Liberal. It was as if he was insulting the State Supreme Court Judges of Mass. every time he said it. While his argument was well organized and well written, I found this part of his speech rather discomforting.
Has it really come down to this in politics? Has it always been like this? I mean, this doesn't just happen on the Senate and House. I know that much. But I seriously thought that the people whom are elected to represent the people, the real ass-breakers and back-benders of this country, were more mature than to resort to a fancy version of name calling, but apparently, I'm wrong in thinking that those in higher politics are mature individuals.
I've said it once before on Gaia, and maybe even on Shem's Blog for all I know. There are several ways to make your point come across without having to lower your intelligence, or in this case your maturity. I honestly believed the people in higher politics knew and practiced this, but even without the use of curse words, this tone of voice, no matter how passionate one feels about an issue, shouldn't be used in the way I just saw aired on live TV. Someone with this much respect, so much respect that the people of his state elected him to represent their state, shouldn't have to deliver such disrespect even in the most subtle way to a person or a political party in such a way that I saw.
So much for maturity in D. C. Politics.
Saturday, July 10, 2004
Bush Speaks Out Against Gay Marriage... Again
From Yahoo! News:
"A great deal is at stake in this matter," Bush said. "For ages, in every culture, human beings have understood that traditional marriage is critical to the well-being of families. ... And changing the definition of traditional marriage will undermine the family structure."
If by traditional marriage he means marrying only to procreate and/or please aging family members so they can die knowing they have grandchildren only to divorce later either because they were never really in love; for money; or for both, then by all means please protect the definition of traditional marriages. If he means marriage between strictly a man and a woman, well, I know about three--maybe five--gay couples who are married that will obviously be pissed off about it to the point where one of them will use his hunting and gunnery knowledge to their fullest advantage if he can't get him politically.
Oh, and on the subject of every culture understanding the would link to a family's well-being. Someone obviously didn't tell Bush that several marriages way back before we developed civil and individual rights were set up long before the child even knew what marriage was. Sure, it may be only with the royalties of the days when knights fought dragons, but hell, I bet even those families were never as good as the stories make them.
Call me crazy, but the traditional idea of marriage is lost in romanticism. Everyone believes that once you are married, it's like you're off to the happily-ever-after land that your mom told you when you were in bed. What he, and what I think most Republicans want, is nothing more than an idealistic view of what marriage should be as they see it written by, who else, God.
It was the second time this week the Republican president raised the subject of gay marriage as his campaign tried to focus on social issues, including the abortion debate.
Although Bush announced his support in February for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, he has rarely mentioned it until the last few days.
Oh, I wonder why? Maybe it has something to do with a certain election coming up.
Bush's presumptive Democratic rival, John Kerry, opposes a constitutional ban, saying the issue of whether to allow gay marriage should be left up to the states.
What this doesn't say is that Kerry doesn't like the idea of Civil Unions either. Neither party is winning my vote as of right now.
Also, as far as my state goes, they already made up their mind as far as what Kerry wants. Last I heard about the debate, gay marriages are a big NO in the state of Tennessee, as well as amendment to the law saying that out of state unions, both civil unions and same-sex marriages, will not be recognized in the state. That means there won't be any tax benefits or whatever else comes with marriage.
Can you tell I'm blindly ignorant with rage about this subject?
The constitutional amendment would need approval by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives and then would have to be ratified by 38 states. Even supporters admit they do not have the support of half of the 100 senators.
That's still too many for my liking.
This news report makes me so upset, I almost want to blow up all of D. C. just to feel better. And believe me, I know how to do it without getting caught. I might have published how to in this blog for all I know! (By the way, if I did and some idiot actually does end up pulling it off, chances are good it won't be me but I will be the indirect cause thanks to my leak of information.) I've never felt this much hatred to anyone before in my life, at least not to the point where I actually want to kill them and see them die.
Land of equality.
Bullshit.
Land of equal opportunity.
Fuck that.
This country makes me more and more sick the more I see news like this. The only thing that makes me wish I was dead is the fact that I can't do anything about it even if I was a registered voter.
Why?
Oh, I've seen how the world works first hand. Thanks to Andrew and Dan and James and Josh and Leo and Bill, I know just how it really works now.
The people that run the world are the rich and powerful. They are the ones that think they know what the people want, what the people need, but instead they give them what the people want to hear and only that! They go about bettering themselves to make sure they are on top and still in control any way they can, even if that involves underworld ties to the still-active-but-silent mafia and mobs that Hollywood loved to make films of. Oh, I know that all to well. The political campaigns where you buy votes from key organizations instead of having the people vote for who they feel will do the better job. Instead they vote for the person that lines their pockets with dead presidents.
Thank you, America. Thank you for making me a second-class citizen in a country that claims to be equal to everyone. Thank you for proving to me that blacks do belong in prisons and fast food chains. Thank you for proving to me that us "yellow-babies" belong in quickie marts and dry cleaners. Thank you for proving to me that the beaners belong in construction and auto mechanics. Thank you for proving to me that the women belong in the kitchen. Thank you for proving to me that only the rich and the cunning and the ruthless will get the American dream you promised so many people.
Thank you, America, Land of Oppression and Home of the Rich White Christians.
"A great deal is at stake in this matter," Bush said. "For ages, in every culture, human beings have understood that traditional marriage is critical to the well-being of families. ... And changing the definition of traditional marriage will undermine the family structure."
If by traditional marriage he means marrying only to procreate and/or please aging family members so they can die knowing they have grandchildren only to divorce later either because they were never really in love; for money; or for both, then by all means please protect the definition of traditional marriages. If he means marriage between strictly a man and a woman, well, I know about three--maybe five--gay couples who are married that will obviously be pissed off about it to the point where one of them will use his hunting and gunnery knowledge to their fullest advantage if he can't get him politically.
Oh, and on the subject of every culture understanding the would link to a family's well-being. Someone obviously didn't tell Bush that several marriages way back before we developed civil and individual rights were set up long before the child even knew what marriage was. Sure, it may be only with the royalties of the days when knights fought dragons, but hell, I bet even those families were never as good as the stories make them.
Call me crazy, but the traditional idea of marriage is lost in romanticism. Everyone believes that once you are married, it's like you're off to the happily-ever-after land that your mom told you when you were in bed. What he, and what I think most Republicans want, is nothing more than an idealistic view of what marriage should be as they see it written by, who else, God.
It was the second time this week the Republican president raised the subject of gay marriage as his campaign tried to focus on social issues, including the abortion debate.
Although Bush announced his support in February for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, he has rarely mentioned it until the last few days.
Oh, I wonder why? Maybe it has something to do with a certain election coming up.
Bush's presumptive Democratic rival, John Kerry, opposes a constitutional ban, saying the issue of whether to allow gay marriage should be left up to the states.
What this doesn't say is that Kerry doesn't like the idea of Civil Unions either. Neither party is winning my vote as of right now.
Also, as far as my state goes, they already made up their mind as far as what Kerry wants. Last I heard about the debate, gay marriages are a big NO in the state of Tennessee, as well as amendment to the law saying that out of state unions, both civil unions and same-sex marriages, will not be recognized in the state. That means there won't be any tax benefits or whatever else comes with marriage.
Can you tell I'm blindly ignorant with rage about this subject?
The constitutional amendment would need approval by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives and then would have to be ratified by 38 states. Even supporters admit they do not have the support of half of the 100 senators.
That's still too many for my liking.
This news report makes me so upset, I almost want to blow up all of D. C. just to feel better. And believe me, I know how to do it without getting caught. I might have published how to in this blog for all I know! (By the way, if I did and some idiot actually does end up pulling it off, chances are good it won't be me but I will be the indirect cause thanks to my leak of information.) I've never felt this much hatred to anyone before in my life, at least not to the point where I actually want to kill them and see them die.
Land of equality.
Bullshit.
Land of equal opportunity.
Fuck that.
This country makes me more and more sick the more I see news like this. The only thing that makes me wish I was dead is the fact that I can't do anything about it even if I was a registered voter.
Why?
Oh, I've seen how the world works first hand. Thanks to Andrew and Dan and James and Josh and Leo and Bill, I know just how it really works now.
The people that run the world are the rich and powerful. They are the ones that think they know what the people want, what the people need, but instead they give them what the people want to hear and only that! They go about bettering themselves to make sure they are on top and still in control any way they can, even if that involves underworld ties to the still-active-but-silent mafia and mobs that Hollywood loved to make films of. Oh, I know that all to well. The political campaigns where you buy votes from key organizations instead of having the people vote for who they feel will do the better job. Instead they vote for the person that lines their pockets with dead presidents.
Thank you, America. Thank you for making me a second-class citizen in a country that claims to be equal to everyone. Thank you for proving to me that blacks do belong in prisons and fast food chains. Thank you for proving to me that us "yellow-babies" belong in quickie marts and dry cleaners. Thank you for proving to me that the beaners belong in construction and auto mechanics. Thank you for proving to me that the women belong in the kitchen. Thank you for proving to me that only the rich and the cunning and the ruthless will get the American dream you promised so many people.
Thank you, America, Land of Oppression and Home of the Rich White Christians.
Talking to Myself
I can't continue living like this.
Continue living how?
With all these memories. I can't continue living knowing what I know. It hurts too much, and I'm reminded everywhere I look every time I almost forget. I mean, last night they were on CNN's PEOPLE In The News!
You don't know that. You didn't even get pass JFK's generation in the program. Hell, you didn't even get pass the 10 minute mark!
That's because it still hurts.
Well, it's like the monkey said. "The past can hurt, but the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it." So which have you been doing?
I don't know.
You've been running from it. That's what you've been doing. You haven't learned a thing. You never will as long as you keep running away from your problems like this.
Who are you to tell me what I should and should not do?
I am the voice of reason. I am the one person that can tell the truth to the voice of the dreamer. As much as I don't like it, I'm the only one that can tell him what he does not want to hear. I hate telling him the truth because I know how much it will just hurt him in the end. I don't want to hurt him, but I have to be honest and show him that the world isn't as nice and fluffy as he dreams it to be. As much as I don't want to, it is my job to show him just how shitty the world really is. I am you. I am the side of yourself you don't use until you are down and out by yourself with no one to kick your ass around. But you don't listen to even me.
I'm sorry.
I don't care if you are or not. I love you still the same, but you don't know this. Why? You've set up defenses with yourself. Do you know how stupid that is? First you build a wall around us to keep everyone out that may hurt you, and now you build a wall between yourself and yourself. Has it really come to this? I don't want to hurt you, and I know I am saying these things to you, but I have to know why you have done this to yourself.
I don't know.
You just did, huh?
Yes...
It is times like these I wish I wasn't you so I could give you a hug.
Continue living how?
With all these memories. I can't continue living knowing what I know. It hurts too much, and I'm reminded everywhere I look every time I almost forget. I mean, last night they were on CNN's PEOPLE In The News!
You don't know that. You didn't even get pass JFK's generation in the program. Hell, you didn't even get pass the 10 minute mark!
That's because it still hurts.
Well, it's like the monkey said. "The past can hurt, but the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it." So which have you been doing?
I don't know.
You've been running from it. That's what you've been doing. You haven't learned a thing. You never will as long as you keep running away from your problems like this.
Who are you to tell me what I should and should not do?
I am the voice of reason. I am the one person that can tell the truth to the voice of the dreamer. As much as I don't like it, I'm the only one that can tell him what he does not want to hear. I hate telling him the truth because I know how much it will just hurt him in the end. I don't want to hurt him, but I have to be honest and show him that the world isn't as nice and fluffy as he dreams it to be. As much as I don't want to, it is my job to show him just how shitty the world really is. I am you. I am the side of yourself you don't use until you are down and out by yourself with no one to kick your ass around. But you don't listen to even me.
I'm sorry.
I don't care if you are or not. I love you still the same, but you don't know this. Why? You've set up defenses with yourself. Do you know how stupid that is? First you build a wall around us to keep everyone out that may hurt you, and now you build a wall between yourself and yourself. Has it really come to this? I don't want to hurt you, and I know I am saying these things to you, but I have to know why you have done this to yourself.
I don't know.
You just did, huh?
Yes...
It is times like these I wish I wasn't you so I could give you a hug.
Friday, July 09, 2004
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them - A Review of Harry Potter's (Used) Text Book
I was right. This was an interesting read.
I just finished reading the first of two of Harry Potter's text books available for the Muggle world to read. Forty-two pages in three hours. (What? I'm a slow reader!)
As far as content, the book is pretty much like a text book. It is in a very simple and easy to read format and organized as if Magizoology was an actual class. Out of context of the Harry Potter world, it also is a great quick reference book for all of the mythical creatures that are in both popular fiction and in the Harry Potter world.
I also found the notes of Ron and Harry very humorous. They were used accordingly with most of the key plot points in the books and films thus far from my understanding. My favorite note involves a conversation between Harry and Ron over what happened to Ron's Puffskein.
I can't wait for the History of Quiditch text book to come back into the library's inventory. If it is anything like this book, it will be just as entertaining, and probably just as informative.
I just finished reading the first of two of Harry Potter's text books available for the Muggle world to read. Forty-two pages in three hours. (What? I'm a slow reader!)
As far as content, the book is pretty much like a text book. It is in a very simple and easy to read format and organized as if Magizoology was an actual class. Out of context of the Harry Potter world, it also is a great quick reference book for all of the mythical creatures that are in both popular fiction and in the Harry Potter world.
I also found the notes of Ron and Harry very humorous. They were used accordingly with most of the key plot points in the books and films thus far from my understanding. My favorite note involves a conversation between Harry and Ron over what happened to Ron's Puffskein.
I can't wait for the History of Quiditch text book to come back into the library's inventory. If it is anything like this book, it will be just as entertaining, and probably just as informative.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Harry Potter's Text Books
Next time you are in your local library, look for these books.
They are text books that were assigned to Harry Potter. I kid you not. I found the one done by "Newt" Scamander and have the Quiditch book on order. Now, while I have not read any of the five books thus far, I am greatly interested in the two key features of Harry's world, the monsters and magical creatures and Quiditch.
This should be an interesting read, especially since I haven't read a book since PINS.
They are text books that were assigned to Harry Potter. I kid you not. I found the one done by "Newt" Scamander and have the Quiditch book on order. Now, while I have not read any of the five books thus far, I am greatly interested in the two key features of Harry's world, the monsters and magical creatures and Quiditch.
This should be an interesting read, especially since I haven't read a book since PINS.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
My Day with My Sister
Today, I spent the entire day with my sister. Quite on accident, I can assure you.
First on the list was a quick trip to Watkins to turn in my (late) forms. Thankfully, they didn't rip my head off for being late. While there, I thought I'd try get my registration date changed to an earlier slot, but Terry wasn't there to give him his scrawl of approval. So I'm still out of luck in that department.
The next stop was to pick up mom for lunch. Nothing special there that would promote any kind of interesting read or contribute to any on-going "plots" in my life as of right now. However, we did find what has to be the cheese dip from Heaven in a nice little Mexican restaurant.
After a miscommunication involving a car situation, we eventually got home, and I spent some time decorating my current Zoo Tycoon game, of which I'm still not done as far as building goes.
Then came the bulk of my adventure.
I spent the rest of my day with my sister at her work place. Yesterday, she told me that her boss was looking to add some color to the place, and I perked up like never before at the idea of a potential sale. (I later found out that there is a job in the art world called "Assignment Artist," which is pretty much anyone that creates art when people want it. Go figure that is where I seem to belong.) I went along to see what exactly the place was like and what it could need. I felt bad because they had some really nice old black-and-white photos from when this state was mostly a rural state with dirt roads. Still, there is very little to no color in the entire main sitting area. It is just white dry wall and bricks painted over with white house paint. It's rather ordinary. So, while my sister worked, I sat in the corner drawing and trying to figure out if I could even sell anything that had color. It was around this time that I found out my figurative worked sucked, and always have sucked. Meanwhile, my mathematical abstract and Cubism works looked more like art if nothing else. Around this realization, I remembered my only two colored pieces. So, tomorrow, I'll be bringing them over for my sister's boss to check out if he wants to buy them.
Given how my summer has been, this has been the most exciting day as well as most eventful so far. We'll see if tomorrow nets me any cash.
First on the list was a quick trip to Watkins to turn in my (late) forms. Thankfully, they didn't rip my head off for being late. While there, I thought I'd try get my registration date changed to an earlier slot, but Terry wasn't there to give him his scrawl of approval. So I'm still out of luck in that department.
The next stop was to pick up mom for lunch. Nothing special there that would promote any kind of interesting read or contribute to any on-going "plots" in my life as of right now. However, we did find what has to be the cheese dip from Heaven in a nice little Mexican restaurant.
After a miscommunication involving a car situation, we eventually got home, and I spent some time decorating my current Zoo Tycoon game, of which I'm still not done as far as building goes.
Then came the bulk of my adventure.
I spent the rest of my day with my sister at her work place. Yesterday, she told me that her boss was looking to add some color to the place, and I perked up like never before at the idea of a potential sale. (I later found out that there is a job in the art world called "Assignment Artist," which is pretty much anyone that creates art when people want it. Go figure that is where I seem to belong.) I went along to see what exactly the place was like and what it could need. I felt bad because they had some really nice old black-and-white photos from when this state was mostly a rural state with dirt roads. Still, there is very little to no color in the entire main sitting area. It is just white dry wall and bricks painted over with white house paint. It's rather ordinary. So, while my sister worked, I sat in the corner drawing and trying to figure out if I could even sell anything that had color. It was around this time that I found out my figurative worked sucked, and always have sucked. Meanwhile, my mathematical abstract and Cubism works looked more like art if nothing else. Around this realization, I remembered my only two colored pieces. So, tomorrow, I'll be bringing them over for my sister's boss to check out if he wants to buy them.
Given how my summer has been, this has been the most exciting day as well as most eventful so far. We'll see if tomorrow nets me any cash.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
More Shit Hits the Fan
And I thought I was lazy.
Because I didn't understand what the hell my Student Loan forms were saying, I handed them to my mom, as those who keep up with this blog know already. Big mistake, as she kept them hostage until now.
Why until now?
Well, today was the day I was suppose to turn them into the Financial Aid office at Watkins.
And guess what?
I didn't.
Why?
Take a guess.
I hope Regina doesn't blow a gas pipe on me tomorrow.
Because I didn't understand what the hell my Student Loan forms were saying, I handed them to my mom, as those who keep up with this blog know already. Big mistake, as she kept them hostage until now.
Why until now?
Well, today was the day I was suppose to turn them into the Financial Aid office at Watkins.
And guess what?
I didn't.
Why?
Take a guess.
I hope Regina doesn't blow a gas pipe on me tomorrow.
Because I Like to Complain
Seventeen days without masturbating, and I've started to lose my interest in pornography yet again. All the hot guys in the world shoved into one orgy couldn't keep my attention long enough before their cum shots are filmed. In fact, thanks to Zoo Tycoon, the thought of sex in general rarely enters my head anymore. I'm distracted by problem solving questions like where to put the Rainforest Cafe I want to put into my zoo that I'm working on. If I'm not being a pervert, I'm off being an obsessive gamer.
I woke up this morning with a message to call back my mom. She called Watkins and found out that July 14 isn't the only day of early registration. She called me wanting to ask if I can call them to reschedule it so it would be all nice and convenient for her since she has that three day meeting that sandwiches my assigned day. Thing is, in order to do that, I need to go to Terry and get another form signed and dated by him and all this other red tape that would drive everyone up the wall. I opted for making it easier for them than making it easier for me.
I should blog more. I'm a bum as it is anyway. I do nothing all day! I haven't produced anything since I broke my own heart at the end of the semester. I haven't looked for a job. I haven't learned how to drive. I've done nothing but complain and sit of my ass enjoying the fact that I can blissfully shut out my own problems of the world and worry about something else like how much Gaia Gold I have to get before I can buy next month's Sealed Envelope. I don't vote even though I should register. I bitch about a country I know I have no voice in anyway. Right now, this entire blog entry is starting to become one big pity party.
My sister works. My sister drives. My sister has a social life. My sister has very admirable goals, long term ones in fact. My sister is perfect in every way I'm not. What the hell happened to me? What went wrong? And on top of it all, why can I do anything about it?
This isn't the way anyone should start their morning, so why did I have to start mine like this?
I woke up this morning with a message to call back my mom. She called Watkins and found out that July 14 isn't the only day of early registration. She called me wanting to ask if I can call them to reschedule it so it would be all nice and convenient for her since she has that three day meeting that sandwiches my assigned day. Thing is, in order to do that, I need to go to Terry and get another form signed and dated by him and all this other red tape that would drive everyone up the wall. I opted for making it easier for them than making it easier for me.
I should blog more. I'm a bum as it is anyway. I do nothing all day! I haven't produced anything since I broke my own heart at the end of the semester. I haven't looked for a job. I haven't learned how to drive. I've done nothing but complain and sit of my ass enjoying the fact that I can blissfully shut out my own problems of the world and worry about something else like how much Gaia Gold I have to get before I can buy next month's Sealed Envelope. I don't vote even though I should register. I bitch about a country I know I have no voice in anyway. Right now, this entire blog entry is starting to become one big pity party.
My sister works. My sister drives. My sister has a social life. My sister has very admirable goals, long term ones in fact. My sister is perfect in every way I'm not. What the hell happened to me? What went wrong? And on top of it all, why can I do anything about it?
This isn't the way anyone should start their morning, so why did I have to start mine like this?
Saturday, July 03, 2004
A Different Path
If there was ever a time where I wish I went down a different path, now is that time. I feel as if I never will be what I should be, and now is the first time were I see it as clear as day with eyes too scared to face the truth.
My mother will be attending an important meeting of some kind on the dates around my registration day. So, on July 14, when I register for the next semester, I will not have anyone with me to sign off a check let alone the forms I need to get my student loans. Those forms are currently being held by my mother because I didn't understand what they were saying.
This means that if I cannot get a check into the Business Office's file via my mom for however much I need to pay, I will not go to school. While this is good news for our financial burden, I still feel a bit worried and scared about the whole ordeal.
Sitting here, I cannot help but feel like I've made several wrong choices that are too late to fix. Driving, I can learn at any time. If senior citizens who were traumatized due to car crashes can learn how to drive, I have until the public transportation is dead in the ground in New York City before I absolutely have to learn how to drive. However, the financial shit hole I've put myself in is an entirely different story in itself. That's why most of the kids I went to high school with worked when they were 16. They were really the smart ones, excelling in a class I failed because there was no text book covering it. They knew that once they were able to be legal working age that they would need to get a job just to get higher up in the job market. They knew that tuition prices will continue to go up. They knew that the experience and the paychecks would help them get somewhere in the world if their education didn't.
In short, they and the rest of the world knew what I refused to accept as reality. As such, they are the better breed of my generation.
As for me and my lazy ass? Who knows.
My mother will be attending an important meeting of some kind on the dates around my registration day. So, on July 14, when I register for the next semester, I will not have anyone with me to sign off a check let alone the forms I need to get my student loans. Those forms are currently being held by my mother because I didn't understand what they were saying.
This means that if I cannot get a check into the Business Office's file via my mom for however much I need to pay, I will not go to school. While this is good news for our financial burden, I still feel a bit worried and scared about the whole ordeal.
Sitting here, I cannot help but feel like I've made several wrong choices that are too late to fix. Driving, I can learn at any time. If senior citizens who were traumatized due to car crashes can learn how to drive, I have until the public transportation is dead in the ground in New York City before I absolutely have to learn how to drive. However, the financial shit hole I've put myself in is an entirely different story in itself. That's why most of the kids I went to high school with worked when they were 16. They were really the smart ones, excelling in a class I failed because there was no text book covering it. They knew that once they were able to be legal working age that they would need to get a job just to get higher up in the job market. They knew that tuition prices will continue to go up. They knew that the experience and the paychecks would help them get somewhere in the world if their education didn't.
In short, they and the rest of the world knew what I refused to accept as reality. As such, they are the better breed of my generation.
As for me and my lazy ass? Who knows.
Spider-Man 2: Destiny Revealed
Hey, that's what I think should be the title given what happened in the movie at least four times! God, talk about being sloppy. But, I resist my urge to spoil it. If you've seen it, you will know what I'm talking about.
If you haven't seen it yet and is a fan of the first film, go! You'll love it! And make sure you get a theater that is showing a digital version of the film.
There were two points in the film that blew my senses away. There is a bass tone sound effect that you will feel in your chest if you are in a theater with at least Dolby Digital if not DTS. If you don't, you're missing out on something that feels so freaky yet cool in a movie where you are suppose to be a passive viewer.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a headache thanks in part to the humidity I had to endure walking outside.
If you haven't seen it yet and is a fan of the first film, go! You'll love it! And make sure you get a theater that is showing a digital version of the film.
There were two points in the film that blew my senses away. There is a bass tone sound effect that you will feel in your chest if you are in a theater with at least Dolby Digital if not DTS. If you don't, you're missing out on something that feels so freaky yet cool in a movie where you are suppose to be a passive viewer.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a headache thanks in part to the humidity I had to endure walking outside.
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Hey, it worked for Disney.
I stumbled upon something interesting in Zoo Tycoon while trying to complete the Super Zoo scenario.
On a whim of some kind, I decided that the Yellow Brick Road you get from the start of the scenario would be different than how I had been organizing my zoos in the game. I would put most, if not all, of my gift shops near the front just after the admissions booth. Then, after that, anything else that charged an additional price of some kind. I put one restaurant there, the Animal Theatre which shows off animals of various kinds, the Merry-Go-Round, a couple of Photo Booths, and the Animatronic Theatre that you get when you download the Endangered Species add-ons (which reminds me, I need to put in a Kimono Dragon somewhere).
As soon as my first computerized guest came in, I started to notice a rather odd development. Having been forced pass all the shops and theaters, most of my guests went straight there before visiting any of the exhibits. The restaurant I can understand, since it is the one item in the entire game that refills your guests energy, lowers their hunger and thirst, and quenches the need to go to the bathroom in one fell swoop. I just found it odd that everyone bought their over-priced zoo merchandise before going anywhere else in the park. The others that visited would normally buy something from the gift shops I had there when they went to the restaurant for a bite to eat. As soon as my guest count got into the 300's, I lost track of who went where in this area.
Then it dawned on me. I've seen this set up before. It's the same set up Disneyland uses with Main Street. That is where most of their shops are, and before you get to any of the rides, you have to walk pass every last one of them.
The only thing that gives me the advantage is that in this tycooning game, everyone is a billionaire with money to burn. Roller Coaster Tycoon makes it a point to please everyone because of how many people have different budgets, but in Zoo Tycoon, everyone can afford everything (including all of my $22 meals at all my restaurants I have set up).
Still, though, I find it strange yet cool that a real life marketing technique works in a tycooning game just as well as it does in real life. Next time you go to Disneyland, take note of how things are set up. And make sure you people watch too. You'll see what I mean.
On a whim of some kind, I decided that the Yellow Brick Road you get from the start of the scenario would be different than how I had been organizing my zoos in the game. I would put most, if not all, of my gift shops near the front just after the admissions booth. Then, after that, anything else that charged an additional price of some kind. I put one restaurant there, the Animal Theatre which shows off animals of various kinds, the Merry-Go-Round, a couple of Photo Booths, and the Animatronic Theatre that you get when you download the Endangered Species add-ons (which reminds me, I need to put in a Kimono Dragon somewhere).
As soon as my first computerized guest came in, I started to notice a rather odd development. Having been forced pass all the shops and theaters, most of my guests went straight there before visiting any of the exhibits. The restaurant I can understand, since it is the one item in the entire game that refills your guests energy, lowers their hunger and thirst, and quenches the need to go to the bathroom in one fell swoop. I just found it odd that everyone bought their over-priced zoo merchandise before going anywhere else in the park. The others that visited would normally buy something from the gift shops I had there when they went to the restaurant for a bite to eat. As soon as my guest count got into the 300's, I lost track of who went where in this area.
Then it dawned on me. I've seen this set up before. It's the same set up Disneyland uses with Main Street. That is where most of their shops are, and before you get to any of the rides, you have to walk pass every last one of them.
The only thing that gives me the advantage is that in this tycooning game, everyone is a billionaire with money to burn. Roller Coaster Tycoon makes it a point to please everyone because of how many people have different budgets, but in Zoo Tycoon, everyone can afford everything (including all of my $22 meals at all my restaurants I have set up).
Still, though, I find it strange yet cool that a real life marketing technique works in a tycooning game just as well as it does in real life. Next time you go to Disneyland, take note of how things are set up. And make sure you people watch too. You'll see what I mean.
