The year 2009 rang in with cheers and great expectations. I was at the Showbox SoDo taking in a great show by Ghostland Observatory with my friends and spending the night in a nice hotel in Seattle. As the clock struck midnight...I was in a toilet stall. I've never had the stomach for hard liquor and this night certainly etched that fact in stone. It was a time to celebrate and to do things not normally done. I did exactly that and ended up having too many shots of Patron.
After the show, finding a cab in Seattle on New Years was next to impossible. We were unable to find a cab and decided to walk the 2.83 miles in the rain back to our hotel room. People were surprised that we had actually walked that far and not hailed a cab. We probably could have, but we just put our heads down and hoofed it. 2009 started off in good company, but with mixed results. As the year comes to a close I remember the ups and downs that were, in fact, 2009.
I became the first person in my family to graduate from a university. The University of Washington graduation commencement in June was one of the best days of my life. I had given up on ever going back to school when I was 22 and I never saw myself graduating from college. However, there I was. Standing there amongst the other graduates with high hopes and my eyes set on my future. I was ready to take on the world. However, I still had to take a 5 credit class during the summer because I had dropped Arabic a quarter earlier. Taking a class AFTER already graduating was one of the toughest things that I ever had to do. It's like taking $100 payment for a job that you're supposed to do, spending it, and doing that job after all of the excitement had already run out.
I worked during the summer months and moved back home with my Dad at the end of August. As of right now, I will have been living at my Dad's for nearly four months. Four months without a job. Four months of getting turned down for job after job and having my most desired job follow suit. I even got turned down for "safety jobs". I had graduated in June feeling on top of the world and by the middle of November, I had hit one of the lowest points in my life.
I started looking for jobs that didn't require me to have a degree. A degree in which I quit a $27/hr desk job to pursue. A lot of people thought that leaving a job making that much money was a very risky choice. However, deep down inside, I knew that this was the right decision to make. I owed it to myself, my parents, my friends, and my Grandfather. I had promised him that I would go back and finish school.
During spring break, I got the opportunity to visit our nation's capital, Washington, DC. I went to visit my friend Seth and his girlfriend Erica at their place in Glen Burnie, MD. I got to visit Baltimore and Washington, DC. I wish that we could have spent more time in DC, but to have actually been there was a dream come true. I'm a political junkie and to stand at the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the White House was truly breathtaking. It was a trip that I will never forget.
As I sit and write this, I now have a job waiting for me in Philipsburg, Montana. It's a political research position with Vote Smart. This job allows me to live a simple life, pay my bills, and gain valuable experience in managing an organization and working in politics. It was the one job that I really felt a connection with because I believe in everything that the organization stands for. I'm really looking forward to starting my career.
The next two years of my life look full. Unlike the four months at my Dad's house, I know what the future holds for me. I'll be going to two bachelor parties and two weddings in the summer of 2010, I'll be home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, and I'll be within driving distance of home. I'm afraid to leave my nephew and I hope that things improve. If I had gotten a well-paying job in Washington, I would have considered adopting him. My Mom needs to start living her life, Tyler needs the love that I can give him, and my family needs to continue to grow together and heal old wounds. I feel that me leaving will only make the situation worse. However, I have to live with that and help out as often as I can. It may not work out in the end, but I can't allow myself to drift too far from my goals. I need to start thinking about my future, my career, and whether or not getting married and having kids are in the cards for me.
As 2009 comes to a close, I'm glad to see it go. It has been one of the most memorable and forgettable years of my life. I fulfilled a life-long goal of graduating from one of the best colleges in the world, I visited Washington, DC, and I spent four months living on practically nothing and without work. This year closes out on a high note: I was on top of the world, I endured the toughest four months of my life, and I have a political job waiting for me. I'll be living in another state for the first time in my life, living in the mountains, getting paid doing what I love, and creating new relationships. I don't know what the future holds, but I know that it's all up to me.
Let's close 2009 and remember to reflect upon it from time to time. Note to self: Always remember the feeling of shaking President Emmert's hand at your commencement; achieving your goal of becoming a college graduate; sitting in the middle of Husky Stadium; living in your Dad's basement for four months; struggling everyday to find a job in the middle of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression; and ACTUALLY finding a job doing what you love. Remember the high moments and remember the low. 2010 will shape you for years to come. You have endured a lot pursuing your passions and you came out clean on the other side...just like Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption.
You did it, Matthew. Now...on to the next chapter in your life.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Venting Session: Food Stamps
We've all seen it and we've all thought the same thing: "Are these people using MY tax dollars to purchase junk food"? That's right, junk food. Cases of Coca-Cola, bags of Cheetos, gallons of ice cream, bags of popsicles, Snickers candy bars, packs of gum, etc. The sight of needy people purchasing garbage that does very little for their health and little to satisfy their hunger makes me sick to my stomach. I have no problem providing some of my tax dollars to assist those in need. Food is a necessity; however, some people don't know how to properly satisfy this particular need. I've thought about this and I have come up with ways to improve the current system. They are as follows:
1) All food stamp recipients must take a number of classes and pass a number of tests prior to receiving food stamp benefits. Each recipient must take a class on exactly where tax dollars come from and how they're generated (state, federal, city, property, sales, etc.), who pays them, and where they go after they are collected. They must also take a class about personal health and the benefits of eating healthy. They will learn recipes, proper cooking techniques, and how to stretch their financial resources. After these prerequisites are fulfilled, the recipient-hopeful must take tests that will demonstrate how well each person paid attention. These tests will be extremely difficult. This will ensure that the classes didn't go for naught and that these recipients understand how precious food stamp benefits truly are. If they fail, they must take the classes all over again. Food stamps will no longer be provided to people showing no initiative towards improving themselves, their families, and/or their situation. If you don't care, neither do we. Exceptions will be made for those with serious mental/physical disabilities.
2) Food stamp recipients will no longer be receiving "cash balances" on their EBT card. They will be provided electronic vouchers that will be good for the purchase of fruits, vegetables, low-fat meats, and other foods not containing high fructose corn syrup. Additional credits/vouchers will be provided for individuals that get their fruits and vegetables from local farmers at weekly farmer's markets. Individuals redeeming their electronic vouchers at a local farmer's market will be able to purchase more fruits and vegetables than if they were to redeem them at a grocery store. Additional credits will also be available for individuals redeeming their vouchers at locally owned (non-chain) grocery stores. This will support local businesses and encourage them to shop at these locations.
3) Men raising children on their own, will receive more benefits than a woman raising children on her own. This will encourage more men to take responsibility for their children. Men and women MUST provide the names of the parental figures prior to receiving benefits. This will also apply to married couples and couples with children living in the same household.
4) The vouchers will only be able to be redeemed by the cardholder and ID must be checked each and every time a voucher is redeemed. Children will no longer be able to come into the grocery store and purchase junk food on their mother's EBT card. This will also make the cardholder and food stamp recipient more responsible.
5) Papa Murphy's Pizza will NO LONGER be able to receive payment via food stamps and/or EBT. A pizza is a luxury item and shouldn't be available to individuals not willing to pay for it themselves.
6) Food stamp benefits/vouchers will decrease as the number of children increase. A set amount will be provided for a mother/father and his/her child. If the mother/father have another child, the total number of benefits will increase, but only slightly. This will discourage food stamp recipients from having children that they cannot financially support. Having a child is a responsibility. If one cannot provide for their person, they shouldn't be having children.
I'm not writing this with a sour taste in my mouth. I'm writing this in hopes of creating a system that teaches people to care for themselves and the lives that they create. I believe that people learn from the consequences of their actions. Failure to learn from one's mistakes speaks volumes about their character.
I also believe in supporting our local farmers. When we purchase junk food, sodas, ice cream, etc. we are hurting our local farmers. Eating junk food should be a luxury and not a way to "get by" or to replace a meal. Have you ever wondered why a good majority of food stamp recipients are overweight? Why their children are overweight and running around "high" on high fructose corn syrup? They need better diets and more discipline.
According to a recent news article, a record 34 million people are now receiving food stamp benefits. Not all food stamp recipients buy junk food, soda, etc. Therefore, this change will not affect them. However, this will affect those that use OUR tax dollars to purchase garbage that satisfy none of the requirements needed by the human body. I'd rather see my tax dollars go towards raising healthier children/families and supporting local farmers.
1) All food stamp recipients must take a number of classes and pass a number of tests prior to receiving food stamp benefits. Each recipient must take a class on exactly where tax dollars come from and how they're generated (state, federal, city, property, sales, etc.), who pays them, and where they go after they are collected. They must also take a class about personal health and the benefits of eating healthy. They will learn recipes, proper cooking techniques, and how to stretch their financial resources. After these prerequisites are fulfilled, the recipient-hopeful must take tests that will demonstrate how well each person paid attention. These tests will be extremely difficult. This will ensure that the classes didn't go for naught and that these recipients understand how precious food stamp benefits truly are. If they fail, they must take the classes all over again. Food stamps will no longer be provided to people showing no initiative towards improving themselves, their families, and/or their situation. If you don't care, neither do we. Exceptions will be made for those with serious mental/physical disabilities.
2) Food stamp recipients will no longer be receiving "cash balances" on their EBT card. They will be provided electronic vouchers that will be good for the purchase of fruits, vegetables, low-fat meats, and other foods not containing high fructose corn syrup. Additional credits/vouchers will be provided for individuals that get their fruits and vegetables from local farmers at weekly farmer's markets. Individuals redeeming their electronic vouchers at a local farmer's market will be able to purchase more fruits and vegetables than if they were to redeem them at a grocery store. Additional credits will also be available for individuals redeeming their vouchers at locally owned (non-chain) grocery stores. This will support local businesses and encourage them to shop at these locations.
3) Men raising children on their own, will receive more benefits than a woman raising children on her own. This will encourage more men to take responsibility for their children. Men and women MUST provide the names of the parental figures prior to receiving benefits. This will also apply to married couples and couples with children living in the same household.
4) The vouchers will only be able to be redeemed by the cardholder and ID must be checked each and every time a voucher is redeemed. Children will no longer be able to come into the grocery store and purchase junk food on their mother's EBT card. This will also make the cardholder and food stamp recipient more responsible.
5) Papa Murphy's Pizza will NO LONGER be able to receive payment via food stamps and/or EBT. A pizza is a luxury item and shouldn't be available to individuals not willing to pay for it themselves.
6) Food stamp benefits/vouchers will decrease as the number of children increase. A set amount will be provided for a mother/father and his/her child. If the mother/father have another child, the total number of benefits will increase, but only slightly. This will discourage food stamp recipients from having children that they cannot financially support. Having a child is a responsibility. If one cannot provide for their person, they shouldn't be having children.
I'm not writing this with a sour taste in my mouth. I'm writing this in hopes of creating a system that teaches people to care for themselves and the lives that they create. I believe that people learn from the consequences of their actions. Failure to learn from one's mistakes speaks volumes about their character.
I also believe in supporting our local farmers. When we purchase junk food, sodas, ice cream, etc. we are hurting our local farmers. Eating junk food should be a luxury and not a way to "get by" or to replace a meal. Have you ever wondered why a good majority of food stamp recipients are overweight? Why their children are overweight and running around "high" on high fructose corn syrup? They need better diets and more discipline.
According to a recent news article, a record 34 million people are now receiving food stamp benefits. Not all food stamp recipients buy junk food, soda, etc. Therefore, this change will not affect them. However, this will affect those that use OUR tax dollars to purchase garbage that satisfy none of the requirements needed by the human body. I'd rather see my tax dollars go towards raising healthier children/families and supporting local farmers.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Avoid Becoming A Victim
The University of Washington issues current UofW students and staff emails to let us know about any criminal activity in and around the campus. This is helpful for me because I always check the time the incident occurred, where the incident occurred, and what were the specifics of the particular situation. Enclosed in the emails from the University is a list of recommendations that one should follow. I don't have a problem with what they recommend. However, I do see a better way to approach this.
College students are easy prey for criminals. They're young and naive, usually, but not always, financially well off, and they tend to have more gadgets and electronic devices than most people. These alone make criminals salivate. When students are "encouraged" to avoid confrontation, this only adds to the problem. Why is this so? One cannot deny how tempting it is for a criminal to approach, demand, and threaten a submissive, potential victim in order to get what they want. Why do criminals do this? The reason: criminals know that most people give in and avoid confrontation. Merely agreeing to a criminal's demands without a fight make muggings and robberies more apt to occur.
In light of this fact, I propose a partial or potential solution: providing self-defense classes on campus to help students protect themselves. As a student, I understand how dangerous the University District can be. This is the case on and around the confines of University District as well as the places that we choose to be from here on out.
A student that knows how to properly take control of a potentially dangerous situation has a better chance of staying out of harms way than a student that does not. If a criminal understands that most (nearly all) students are just going to give them their wallet, cell phone, and laptop without a fight, they will continue to prey upon students. However, if a student successfully fights off a potential criminal, it will make criminals start thinking twice before choosing to rob/mug someone.
Teaching students to stand up and protect themselves should be a no-brainer. The University is not providing or allowing students to carry guns; they are merely providing them with potentially life saving skills that can be utilized to prevent death and/or harm in the future. Most people during the course of their life will end up being in a potentially violent situation. Why not provide them with skills that could, potentially, save their life? Universities should do more to help their students prepare for life in the real world.
If a potential criminal approaches the student with a gun, the student should know that they probably should do what the criminal demands. However, if the student sees an opportunity to take control of the situation, they should be able to make this decision. Why do people download music illegally? Because they know and understand that the odds of them getting caught are very slim. If the odds of getting caught were increased then most people would refrain from downloading music illegally. This same principle should apply to confrontational criminals. When their chances of failing and getting arrested increase, crime will decrease. It's that simple.
College students are easy prey for criminals. They're young and naive, usually, but not always, financially well off, and they tend to have more gadgets and electronic devices than most people. These alone make criminals salivate. When students are "encouraged" to avoid confrontation, this only adds to the problem. Why is this so? One cannot deny how tempting it is for a criminal to approach, demand, and threaten a submissive, potential victim in order to get what they want. Why do criminals do this? The reason: criminals know that most people give in and avoid confrontation. Merely agreeing to a criminal's demands without a fight make muggings and robberies more apt to occur.
In light of this fact, I propose a partial or potential solution: providing self-defense classes on campus to help students protect themselves. As a student, I understand how dangerous the University District can be. This is the case on and around the confines of University District as well as the places that we choose to be from here on out.
A student that knows how to properly take control of a potentially dangerous situation has a better chance of staying out of harms way than a student that does not. If a criminal understands that most (nearly all) students are just going to give them their wallet, cell phone, and laptop without a fight, they will continue to prey upon students. However, if a student successfully fights off a potential criminal, it will make criminals start thinking twice before choosing to rob/mug someone.
Teaching students to stand up and protect themselves should be a no-brainer. The University is not providing or allowing students to carry guns; they are merely providing them with potentially life saving skills that can be utilized to prevent death and/or harm in the future. Most people during the course of their life will end up being in a potentially violent situation. Why not provide them with skills that could, potentially, save their life? Universities should do more to help their students prepare for life in the real world.
If a potential criminal approaches the student with a gun, the student should know that they probably should do what the criminal demands. However, if the student sees an opportunity to take control of the situation, they should be able to make this decision. Why do people download music illegally? Because they know and understand that the odds of them getting caught are very slim. If the odds of getting caught were increased then most people would refrain from downloading music illegally. This same principle should apply to confrontational criminals. When their chances of failing and getting arrested increase, crime will decrease. It's that simple.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Media and News
For as long as I can possibly remember newspapers have been present in my home each and every day. I would wake up, head downstairs, and see my Dad sitting in the corner of the living room reading the paper or my Mom sitting in the kitchen reading the news. Times are changing. Things are becoming more electronic and smaller. Instead of newspapers being wrapped in a rubber-band and thrown on your porch, they are now be delivered to someone's Kindle. A part of me considers this a great achievement especially when it comes to cutting down our daily paper consumption. The more trees we save...the better. However, to me, there is nothing like the smell of a morning paper, the black residue that it leaves on your fingers, the sound it makes when you fold it in half, and feeling it gives you when you hold it in your hand. The same thing can be said for books. I have electronic books on my computer, but I'd rather read a book that I was holding in my hands. There's something about being able to hold what we read. Instead of conversations we rely on text messages, IMs, and emails.
Another part of the media that I don't agree with are these huge corporations owning all of these forms of media, including various newspapers spread throughout the country. What ever happened to a local businessman owning his local paper? I support the idea of people wanting to own their own business and making a profit, but there comes a time when too much is simply that...too much. As we're now seeing, these massive corporations are losing money and deciding to close these newspaper companies with years and years of experience and followers. As a result of that many people are losing their jobs including many of our talented and investigative reporters and journalists. These are sad times for those who are involved and those whom appreciate what goes into a newspaper.
In my opinion, this is what needs to happen:
1) Newspapers can only be owned by people living within that particular state, if not the same city or county.
2) Massive corporations may not own a newspaper company. This will allow the newspaper company's revenue to be a direct reflection of their product and their ability to attract advertisers and subscribers.
3) Reduced subscription charges for citizens who actively participate in community service (retirement homes, voting day polls, schools, etc).
The closing of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer was mainly due to it being owned by a major corporation/entity with no ties to the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle PI was around for 146 years and is now closed because some major corporation wanted to save a few dollars instead of keeping a landmark newspaper running. Say what you will about the political leanings of the Seattle PI, but don't neglect to realize the importance that newspapers have within a community.
To me, newspapers are a part of the American tradition as much as baseball, Ford Mustangs, and white-picket fences. I get a little choked up when I hear of newspapers closing, especially the Seattle PI. I know that I'm not alone in this matter and I see any loss of public information a tragedy. This is no exception.
Another part of the media that I don't agree with are these huge corporations owning all of these forms of media, including various newspapers spread throughout the country. What ever happened to a local businessman owning his local paper? I support the idea of people wanting to own their own business and making a profit, but there comes a time when too much is simply that...too much. As we're now seeing, these massive corporations are losing money and deciding to close these newspaper companies with years and years of experience and followers. As a result of that many people are losing their jobs including many of our talented and investigative reporters and journalists. These are sad times for those who are involved and those whom appreciate what goes into a newspaper.
In my opinion, this is what needs to happen:
1) Newspapers can only be owned by people living within that particular state, if not the same city or county.
2) Massive corporations may not own a newspaper company. This will allow the newspaper company's revenue to be a direct reflection of their product and their ability to attract advertisers and subscribers.
3) Reduced subscription charges for citizens who actively participate in community service (retirement homes, voting day polls, schools, etc).
The closing of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer was mainly due to it being owned by a major corporation/entity with no ties to the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle PI was around for 146 years and is now closed because some major corporation wanted to save a few dollars instead of keeping a landmark newspaper running. Say what you will about the political leanings of the Seattle PI, but don't neglect to realize the importance that newspapers have within a community.
To me, newspapers are a part of the American tradition as much as baseball, Ford Mustangs, and white-picket fences. I get a little choked up when I hear of newspapers closing, especially the Seattle PI. I know that I'm not alone in this matter and I see any loss of public information a tragedy. This is no exception.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Magic
I went home this weekend and had the opportunity to hang out with my entire family. While sitting around joking, I realized how much fun we all have together. I laughed and reminisced with my brother Brian about how fun it will be to see Ken Griffey Jr. in a Mariners uniform again. I laughed and joked with my brother Phil about a variety of things, most notably his girlfriend's choices in music and television. My Mom and I had more fun and intelligent conversations. I even got the opportunity to see my Dad, who made his annual visit to my Mom's house to help work on somebody's car. What was probably the most rewarding was the interest that my nephew was exhibiting towards reading books and repeating every word that I read to him. I pointed to a picture and he would say the word that we were using to associate to that particular picture. I laughed when he repeated the number 9-1-1 in his own version, "One, one."
He's growing up quick and his little boy days are starting to replace memories of holding him with a bottle, falling asleep with him sleeping on my chest, and doing whatever I could to get him to laugh. He's developing a personality and despite the fact that he can be a real turd, it's a joy to be around him.
I took him outside to explore the mysteries of my Mom's backyard. I picked up a stick to whack the bush, he picked up a stick to whack the bush. I jumped down a step, he jumped down a step. I pretended to eat a leaf, he actually tried to eat it, but not before I could pull it out of his mouth.
The experience of raising a child can be exhilarating, time-consuming, and tiring all at the same time. However, these are the moments that we remember most especially when they grow up to become young men and women. I remember my parents telling me stories of my childhood and how much I have changed over the years. I still find myself changing and trying to make improvements.
I'm not in a position right now to have children. However, that's not to say that I couldn't handle it. I've seen just how far my brother has come along while trying to take care of my nephew. I used to worry about my ability to be a parent, but after being extremely close to my nephew for 2 years I know that I'm the little league/soccer/life coach that every man desires to become.
Children have a way of humbling us and making us appreciate the things that we have forgotten to appreciate. They find humor in simple, goofy things and it's because of them that we can, once again, find them funny. To imitate the growling of a bear or the meowing of a kitty are joys to a child. That joy still exists within me as it does within you.
Aging and learning are parallel to the complication of the most simple things. When we're kids, we understood that Santa could make it to every house, on every continent of the globe because of magic. When we grow older and become adults, we "understand" that to do such a feat would be impossible because of physics and mathematics. When I see my nephew, the magic that I once thought was the answer for everything comes back to life. It makes me realize that sometimes not knowing the answer to everything is okay. That ignorance is not bliss, but a blessing. If I could "unlearn" certain other things in order to enjoy life more...I'd do it. However, having my nephew around has allowed me to be the same and experience the magic of "the unknown".
What is the weather going to be like tomorrow? Sure, I could turn on the news and check the 5-day forecast and prepare for rain and/or sunshine, but I prefer another option. I like waking up and having to look out the window to determine what to wear. If I looked at the forecast I would never be surprised. I deprive myself of having something to look forward to in the morning. If the forecast was wrong, I'd be upset and disappointed and feel the urge to blame the meteorologist. I prefer to live day-to-day and not know what will be happening tomorrow.
We've become a world where the time with our family and loved ones are supposed to fit in a specific time-slot and are only to last "X" amount of time. Whatever happened to taking your kids to the park to swing on the swings and deciding, right then and there, that you should go see a movie or take in a baseball game? Trying to know everything takes away from the magic of life. Sometimes not knowing allows us to be more free and spontaneous.
Remember how excited you got when you heard the chiming of the ice cream truck? He'd always come around right when you REALLY wanted ice cream. Now, if you knew the exact times and the days that he would come around...you'd never be surprised to see him. In fact, you'd be standing on the curb with your hand on your hip and eyes on your watch waiting for him to show.
I have no problem with being organized and having "all my ducks in a row". Only those who have seen my studio apartment truly understand that organization and cleanliness are not in my vocabulary. I wake up, toss the blanket to the end of my bed, grab a shirt from off the floor, a pair of jeans from my "jean pile", two socks that are similar and don't stink, and I get ready for class. Being a guy helps me get away with this much easier than if I were a woman. However, don't let that pull you away from what I'm trying to say.
Life is all about balance. We cannot control everything and we cannot have everything that we want. Money isn't necessary for happiness. We can organize our weekly schedules, but we should also devote time to our "whatever happens, happens" slot. We should welcome spontaneity and wonder. We should start each day with a laugh and end each day with a happy thought. We should slow down and soak it all in more often. We should hug more, kiss more, and love more. We should find alone time and use it to cry, contemplate a future decision, and/or relax the brain. We should be comfortable in our clothes and not be aiming to outdo someone else. When I look at an open field full of grass and flowers, I don't see a location for a housing development. I see it as a place where children can run through the flowers while holding the line to a kite. We should find time for magic.
Life is also about magic. Magic is a word with much meaning and little belief. A man/woman whom always bases his/her decisions by the "cost-benefit analysis" is only depriving themselves of magic. Magic is a monster underneath a little boys bed. Magic is the beautiful princess flying through the sky on a unicorn. Magic is seeing your childhood hero return home to play for your favorite baseball team one last time.
There is magic everywhere, we're just too distraught to see it. There's magic in a relationship/marriage. Dragons, talking animals, and a childhood baseball hero are magic within a child's bedtime story. Magic is the answer to a child's question. There is magic in stories, scripts, plays, and movies. Magic is everywhere...we just need to find time to look for it.
The people who ask, "where time went" aren't living in the moment. They're always trying to fill their schedule with things that they feel they "must do".
This is for the people who place monetary value on time. This is for the people who read books to get ahead in their particular field instead of taking their brain on a magical journey. This is for the people who only cry when they're sad.
Sometimes it's okay to not know something. A life spent looking for answers is a life wasted. Instead of beeping car horns and ringing phones we should be hearing a child's giggle or the water from a waterfall crashing on the rocks. Instead of enjoying things that require money we should be enjoying things that cost less and reward more. Instead of bringing your work home you should be taking your son/daughter fishing or to a drive-in movie with a playground.
Life is short. We shouldn't dwell on the time that we have left, we should consider how every second and every breath is an extension of our wonderful life and an opportunity to make the most of it. The act of learning is also the act of forgetting. Let us not forget our innocence and what makes us laugh. Remember the reasons that you love someone and make sure to tell them every chance that you get. Spend more time closing your eyes and using your imagination to travel to distant lands, walk through the rainforest, and fly like a bird. Remember to laugh at a funny face, be amazed at the sight of a bubble, and to growl like a bear.
We all believed in magic at one point in our lives, but forgot all about it as we matured. The secret to a happy life lies not within our financial standing or our job title, but in the magic that once allowed us to fly, to believe in dragons and sorcerers, and to believe that Santa could stop at every single house on every continent in one night.
He's growing up quick and his little boy days are starting to replace memories of holding him with a bottle, falling asleep with him sleeping on my chest, and doing whatever I could to get him to laugh. He's developing a personality and despite the fact that he can be a real turd, it's a joy to be around him.
I took him outside to explore the mysteries of my Mom's backyard. I picked up a stick to whack the bush, he picked up a stick to whack the bush. I jumped down a step, he jumped down a step. I pretended to eat a leaf, he actually tried to eat it, but not before I could pull it out of his mouth.
The experience of raising a child can be exhilarating, time-consuming, and tiring all at the same time. However, these are the moments that we remember most especially when they grow up to become young men and women. I remember my parents telling me stories of my childhood and how much I have changed over the years. I still find myself changing and trying to make improvements.
I'm not in a position right now to have children. However, that's not to say that I couldn't handle it. I've seen just how far my brother has come along while trying to take care of my nephew. I used to worry about my ability to be a parent, but after being extremely close to my nephew for 2 years I know that I'm the little league/soccer/life coach that every man desires to become.
Children have a way of humbling us and making us appreciate the things that we have forgotten to appreciate. They find humor in simple, goofy things and it's because of them that we can, once again, find them funny. To imitate the growling of a bear or the meowing of a kitty are joys to a child. That joy still exists within me as it does within you.
Aging and learning are parallel to the complication of the most simple things. When we're kids, we understood that Santa could make it to every house, on every continent of the globe because of magic. When we grow older and become adults, we "understand" that to do such a feat would be impossible because of physics and mathematics. When I see my nephew, the magic that I once thought was the answer for everything comes back to life. It makes me realize that sometimes not knowing the answer to everything is okay. That ignorance is not bliss, but a blessing. If I could "unlearn" certain other things in order to enjoy life more...I'd do it. However, having my nephew around has allowed me to be the same and experience the magic of "the unknown".
What is the weather going to be like tomorrow? Sure, I could turn on the news and check the 5-day forecast and prepare for rain and/or sunshine, but I prefer another option. I like waking up and having to look out the window to determine what to wear. If I looked at the forecast I would never be surprised. I deprive myself of having something to look forward to in the morning. If the forecast was wrong, I'd be upset and disappointed and feel the urge to blame the meteorologist. I prefer to live day-to-day and not know what will be happening tomorrow.
We've become a world where the time with our family and loved ones are supposed to fit in a specific time-slot and are only to last "X" amount of time. Whatever happened to taking your kids to the park to swing on the swings and deciding, right then and there, that you should go see a movie or take in a baseball game? Trying to know everything takes away from the magic of life. Sometimes not knowing allows us to be more free and spontaneous.
Remember how excited you got when you heard the chiming of the ice cream truck? He'd always come around right when you REALLY wanted ice cream. Now, if you knew the exact times and the days that he would come around...you'd never be surprised to see him. In fact, you'd be standing on the curb with your hand on your hip and eyes on your watch waiting for him to show.
I have no problem with being organized and having "all my ducks in a row". Only those who have seen my studio apartment truly understand that organization and cleanliness are not in my vocabulary. I wake up, toss the blanket to the end of my bed, grab a shirt from off the floor, a pair of jeans from my "jean pile", two socks that are similar and don't stink, and I get ready for class. Being a guy helps me get away with this much easier than if I were a woman. However, don't let that pull you away from what I'm trying to say.
Life is all about balance. We cannot control everything and we cannot have everything that we want. Money isn't necessary for happiness. We can organize our weekly schedules, but we should also devote time to our "whatever happens, happens" slot. We should welcome spontaneity and wonder. We should start each day with a laugh and end each day with a happy thought. We should slow down and soak it all in more often. We should hug more, kiss more, and love more. We should find alone time and use it to cry, contemplate a future decision, and/or relax the brain. We should be comfortable in our clothes and not be aiming to outdo someone else. When I look at an open field full of grass and flowers, I don't see a location for a housing development. I see it as a place where children can run through the flowers while holding the line to a kite. We should find time for magic.
Life is also about magic. Magic is a word with much meaning and little belief. A man/woman whom always bases his/her decisions by the "cost-benefit analysis" is only depriving themselves of magic. Magic is a monster underneath a little boys bed. Magic is the beautiful princess flying through the sky on a unicorn. Magic is seeing your childhood hero return home to play for your favorite baseball team one last time.
There is magic everywhere, we're just too distraught to see it. There's magic in a relationship/marriage. Dragons, talking animals, and a childhood baseball hero are magic within a child's bedtime story. Magic is the answer to a child's question. There is magic in stories, scripts, plays, and movies. Magic is everywhere...we just need to find time to look for it.
The people who ask, "where time went" aren't living in the moment. They're always trying to fill their schedule with things that they feel they "must do".
This is for the people who place monetary value on time. This is for the people who read books to get ahead in their particular field instead of taking their brain on a magical journey. This is for the people who only cry when they're sad.
Sometimes it's okay to not know something. A life spent looking for answers is a life wasted. Instead of beeping car horns and ringing phones we should be hearing a child's giggle or the water from a waterfall crashing on the rocks. Instead of enjoying things that require money we should be enjoying things that cost less and reward more. Instead of bringing your work home you should be taking your son/daughter fishing or to a drive-in movie with a playground.
Life is short. We shouldn't dwell on the time that we have left, we should consider how every second and every breath is an extension of our wonderful life and an opportunity to make the most of it. The act of learning is also the act of forgetting. Let us not forget our innocence and what makes us laugh. Remember the reasons that you love someone and make sure to tell them every chance that you get. Spend more time closing your eyes and using your imagination to travel to distant lands, walk through the rainforest, and fly like a bird. Remember to laugh at a funny face, be amazed at the sight of a bubble, and to growl like a bear.
We all believed in magic at one point in our lives, but forgot all about it as we matured. The secret to a happy life lies not within our financial standing or our job title, but in the magic that once allowed us to fly, to believe in dragons and sorcerers, and to believe that Santa could stop at every single house on every continent in one night.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Why This Year's Academy Awards Sucked
As many of you probably know, I love politics. However, I don't like it when politics show up at places where it doesn't belong.
I went home Saturday night to hang out with my family. It has been a family tradition that we watch the Academy Awards together and we have been doing it for the last 10 years. This year's show was, by far, the worst. There are a number of reasons for why I feel this way:
1. Kate Winslet should have won Best Actress, I'm not arguing that. However, her acting performance in "Revolutionary Road" was far superior to her role in "The Reader".
2. Hugh Jackman was a terrible choice for host. The Academy should have given it to Jon Stewart.
3. The amount of singing made me want to shove wooden spoons in my ears to numb myself from the pain.
4. Beyonce. I know that many people love her, but I, personally, can't stand her.
5. The person holding the camera during the "In Memoriam" portion of the show couldn't hold the camera still for more than 2 seconds. It was like watching "Cloverfield" while having a seizure in the middle of a San Francisco earthquake.
6. The James Franco/Seth Rogan skit from "Pineapple Express" and Ben Stiller imitating Joaquin Phoenix were the only funny moments of the entire show.
7. New rule for future award ceremonies: No member from any of the "High School Musical" movies shall be granted access. The site of Zac Efron makes me want to kick a kitten. (this is a metaphor, people...not to be taken seriously...but I really, really do dislike Zac Efron)
8. The Academy is and always has been scared of giving awards to movies with questionable content. (CASE AND POINT BELOW)
9. They should have voting remotes at each seat at the Academy Awards to see how many people agree/disagree with the Academy's decision.
10. This was my biggest quarrel: Sean Penn winning Best Actor over Mickey Rourke. Look, I actually watched both "Milk" and "The Wrestler" (in fact, I've actually watched every movie that was nominated this year...minus animation, foreign, and short) and I honestly felt that Mickey Rourke did a much better job. Still don't agree with me? I'll break it down for you:
-"Milk" without Sean Penn still would have been a great movie
-"The Wrestler" wouldn't exist without Mickey Rourke
-The Academy gave the Oscar to the actor that made people feel good. This is nothing new and has become a trend at the Academy Awards.
Sean Penn beating out Mickey Rourke was as disappointing as when "Dances With Wolves" beat out "Goodfellas" in 1990, "Forest Gump" beating out BOTH "Pulp Fiction" and "Shawshank Redemption" in 1994, and when "Rocky" beat out "Taxi Driver" for best movie in 1976. Now, there are noticeable differences between the winners and the movies that got beat out. In each of these 3 examples, none of the winning films were rated "R". Each of the movies that were beat out had "questionable" content in them. The Academy is afraid of giving an Oscar to a movie that will have people asking questions. However, the situation with Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke is different.
Sean Penn, in my opinion, won the Academy Award for Best Actor simply because it was a political decision. They gave it to Penn because of the passing of Proposition 8 in California. They may have also done so because of the pressure that they received after giving Best Film to "Crash" over Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005. For those of you who don't remember, this was a HUGE upset and led to massive complaints to the Academy (many from gay rights activists, etc). Imagine what would happen if Sean Penn would have LOST this year especially after the passing of Proposition 8. I might also add that the Academy's President Sid Ganis is stepping down this year. What better than to go out with as little controversy and protest as possible. Sean Penn did a great job in "Milk", but it was Mickey Rourke's role as Randy "The Ram" Robinson that shined more brightly than any of the nominated actors.
I went home Saturday night to hang out with my family. It has been a family tradition that we watch the Academy Awards together and we have been doing it for the last 10 years. This year's show was, by far, the worst. There are a number of reasons for why I feel this way:
1. Kate Winslet should have won Best Actress, I'm not arguing that. However, her acting performance in "Revolutionary Road" was far superior to her role in "The Reader".
2. Hugh Jackman was a terrible choice for host. The Academy should have given it to Jon Stewart.
3. The amount of singing made me want to shove wooden spoons in my ears to numb myself from the pain.
4. Beyonce. I know that many people love her, but I, personally, can't stand her.
5. The person holding the camera during the "In Memoriam" portion of the show couldn't hold the camera still for more than 2 seconds. It was like watching "Cloverfield" while having a seizure in the middle of a San Francisco earthquake.
6. The James Franco/Seth Rogan skit from "Pineapple Express" and Ben Stiller imitating Joaquin Phoenix were the only funny moments of the entire show.
7. New rule for future award ceremonies: No member from any of the "High School Musical" movies shall be granted access. The site of Zac Efron makes me want to kick a kitten. (this is a metaphor, people...not to be taken seriously...but I really, really do dislike Zac Efron)
8. The Academy is and always has been scared of giving awards to movies with questionable content. (CASE AND POINT BELOW)
9. They should have voting remotes at each seat at the Academy Awards to see how many people agree/disagree with the Academy's decision.
10. This was my biggest quarrel: Sean Penn winning Best Actor over Mickey Rourke. Look, I actually watched both "Milk" and "The Wrestler" (in fact, I've actually watched every movie that was nominated this year...minus animation, foreign, and short) and I honestly felt that Mickey Rourke did a much better job. Still don't agree with me? I'll break it down for you:
-"Milk" without Sean Penn still would have been a great movie
-"The Wrestler" wouldn't exist without Mickey Rourke
-The Academy gave the Oscar to the actor that made people feel good. This is nothing new and has become a trend at the Academy Awards.
Sean Penn beating out Mickey Rourke was as disappointing as when "Dances With Wolves" beat out "Goodfellas" in 1990, "Forest Gump" beating out BOTH "Pulp Fiction" and "Shawshank Redemption" in 1994, and when "Rocky" beat out "Taxi Driver" for best movie in 1976. Now, there are noticeable differences between the winners and the movies that got beat out. In each of these 3 examples, none of the winning films were rated "R". Each of the movies that were beat out had "questionable" content in them. The Academy is afraid of giving an Oscar to a movie that will have people asking questions. However, the situation with Sean Penn and Mickey Rourke is different.
Sean Penn, in my opinion, won the Academy Award for Best Actor simply because it was a political decision. They gave it to Penn because of the passing of Proposition 8 in California. They may have also done so because of the pressure that they received after giving Best Film to "Crash" over Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" in 2005. For those of you who don't remember, this was a HUGE upset and led to massive complaints to the Academy (many from gay rights activists, etc). Imagine what would happen if Sean Penn would have LOST this year especially after the passing of Proposition 8. I might also add that the Academy's President Sid Ganis is stepping down this year. What better than to go out with as little controversy and protest as possible. Sean Penn did a great job in "Milk", but it was Mickey Rourke's role as Randy "The Ram" Robinson that shined more brightly than any of the nominated actors.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Please Come Home
Ever since the idea of a Ken Griffey Jr. return to the Mariners was possible, I've been intrigued. Last week, I constantly checked out the Mariners' homepage hoping to read, "Griffey Returns Home". However, that never came to be. In fact, yesterday was one of the worst emotional roller coasters I have ever been on. First, a report from an Atlanta paper stated that Griffey had agreed to terms with the Braves. My feelings: my heart dropped, my nerves went numb, and I felt tears building up inside. Why? Why do I care and what impact does this have on me? Well, it means something to me. In fact, it means a lot to me. I'll explain.
Baseball, to me, is where some of my greatest childhood memories reside. Edgar Martinez' double off of Jack McDowell to score Joey Cora and Ken Griffey Jr. was the pinnacle of those memories. The Mariners lost the first two games of the best of 5 series to the NY Yankees. Everyone had written off the Seattle Mariners...except the fans here in Seattle. We never gave up and we never admitted that anything was over. We knew what we needed to do and we knew exactly how to do it. After tying the series up at two, all eyes were set on game 5. Before going any further, I have to explain how we actually came to this point.
The Mariners played very well for most of the 1995 season. However, it was the last month of the regular season that baseball witnessed one of the greatest comebacks in baseball history. The Mariners trailed the California Angels by 13 games in August. By the last game of the season, the Mariners had tied it all up and the entire season rested on a tie-breaker to be played in Seattle. This was the first time that the Mariners had ever played in a playoff atmosphere game. For the first time in my life, I got to see how much baseball meant to people and I saw how it brought people together. Sure, things like this have happened to a few teams in the past, but it was different in Seattle.
I remember that life stood still and every teacher had the game on so that we could watch it. They could care less what we did that day because this was something that we were to remember for the rest of our lives. To this day, it still is.
We roughed up Mark Langston, saw sloth-like Luis Sojo clear the bases with an "inside the ballpark homerun" (realistically, it was a double with an error, but we all consider it a homerun), and saw Randy Johnson point to the skies as he struck out the last batter. The emotions, the fireworks, the hugging, the cheering, the smiles, the love...this was baseball for me. It has never lost its luster.
Seattle has never gotten much support from the sports world and our baseball and football teams were on the verge of moving to Florida. It was Edgar Martinez' double that saved the Mariners...and it was Ken Griffey Jr.'s smile on the bottom of that stack of Seattle Mariner players that we all remember so vividly. His facial expression was the joy that is baseball. It's supposed to be fun and, to people like me, reminds us just how wonderful the game of baseball truly is. I love baseball...I always have and I always will.
The 95 season was something that I will never witness again in my life. Even if something like that happens, it won't be the same. That's not to say that I wouldn't love to see something like that again, but that was a one-way ticket for me and I'm content with that. We all forget what happened in the ALCS. Just to be a part of that series was nothing short of amazing. Everyone had written us off and we stuck together to prove them all wrong. That was our statement to the baseball world that we have a team in Seattle called the Mariners and that we, the fans, will always stand by them.
Edgar Martinez never left this team. Jay Buhner never left this team. Everyone else, left this team. Tino Martinez left, Alex Rodriguez left, Randy Johnson left, and "The Kid" Ken Griffey Jr. left. Unlike those that left, nobody was shown more love than the love that we gave Jr. on that weekend that he returned to Safeco Field for the first time in 7 years as a member of the Cincinnati Reds...I attended all three games. He was afraid that he would get "booed". That may have been true if it were any other city in this country, but he underestimated the love that exists in Seattle. We remembered what he did for the game of baseball in Seattle and for our lives and we wanted to let him know how much that meant to us. Seeing him play baseball in person gave me goosebumps. It gave me glimpses of what drew me into this game.
It may have been Edgar's 2-RBI double that won game 5 of the 1995 ALDS for the Mariners, but it was the smiling face at the bottom of the pile that we will always remember. It was the smile of a boy who loved to play baseball. It was the smile of a baseball player experiencing the joys of playing this wonderful game. It was Ken Griffey Jr.'s smile that we fell in love with. To see that and experience it just one last time, would give hope to, not only me, but a city so desperate for something to numb us from the pain of losing and being disrespected.
As I write this, I feel scared. I'm scared to wake up and read "Griffey Signs With Braves". That may not have much of an impact on the average citizen or even the average baseball fan. However, it will have a huge impact on someone like me...who wanted to see his #24 Seattle Mariners jersey, see him in batting practice with his hat backwards, and to see him smile just one last time. That's all we ever wanted. We have one last chance to experience a little bit of the magic that was 1995. It's our last chance to show our kids how memorable that was to us and how important Griffey was to that equation. If he signs with the Braves, he will become nothing more than a distant memory and it will do irreparable damage to the hearts of Seattle fans that love this game, and this team, so very much. I hope, I wish, and I wait. Please Jr...please come home.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
It's Within All Of Us
Surrounded by ignorance,
This dance of death has been done before,
What makes this time any different?
Ambition has been replaced by greed,
Compassion replaced by egoism,
They personify all that is wrong,
What can I do?
I'm fueled by ambitions,
I am also compassionate,
Are greed and egoism contagious?
What does it take to stand out?
I feel for those lost in the shadows,
I cry for those living in pain,
Single mothers abandoned by scared little "boys",
Young men with wonderful hearts, but without bravery,
A woman being hounded as she walks into an abortion clinic,
An abused woman hiding in a closet, in a room,
An abused child, hiding under his/her bed,
An elderly woman, neglected by her family,
A military veteran ignored by society,
A parent working two jobs,
A family that continues to love an addict,
A man who refuses to leave despite her adulterous ways,
A parent raising a special needs child,
And a caring teacher, left helpless by budgets cuts,
These are the people I stand for,
These are the people that make up the world,
Homes with white picket fences are a myth,
Addiction knows no race, sex, or face,
Abuse runs parallel with pride and anger,
Pain seeks out the weak and refuses to let go,
However, there is something much greater than pain,
Stronger and more powerful than abuse and neglect,
It keeps a family close,
A wife by her husband's side,
A husband cuddling in bed at night,
A child laughing,
It gives a lonely man a smile,
A single mother warmth,
A military veteran acceptance,
An addict hope,
It gives children a chance,
A murderer guilt,
A politician an ultimatum,
A suicidal person a reason to reconsider,
And it keeps me here,
For you,
To offer my hand when you fall,
My shoulder for when you cry,
My ear for when you vent,
My eyes to tell you how beautiful you are,
My voice to comfort you,
My mouth to give you a smile,
My heart to give you compassion,
My lungs to breathe into yours, just in case,
My kidney, just in case,
And my life, if that situation were to arise,
That thing, is pure, unfiltered love,
And that love within me spreads into you,
And in you, it turns into hope,
For, within you, I see hope,
That hope is worth my life,
It's worth my time, my health, and my money,
You are what keeps me going,
You are everything to me,
I only ask one thing in return,
Treat others in the same manner that I treat you,
Help them, comfort them, care for them, and love them,
For then, you too, will see that hope,
That hope that lies dormant within all of us,
Until love comes around and sets it free,
And when that happens, it will spread like wildfire,
Let it not die with you,
Let it burn within you and infect everyone you see,
Let it remove hatred, ignorance, and pain in one fellow swoop,
Let it not trickle up, nor trickle down,
Let it trickle on a level that exists in us all,
That level is love, and love will bring upon hope,
Hope for a brighter future,
Hope for every child to get an equal opportunity,
Hope to drown hunger in waves of compassion and giving,
Hope to strangle ignorance from society's ills,
Hope to rid this world of the hatred that separates us all,
Hope for us to find similarities within each other,
For I see hope in everyone,
And that is why I'm here,
To provide the love that will set hope free,
There is hope inside of you,
As it exists within me.
This dance of death has been done before,
What makes this time any different?
Ambition has been replaced by greed,
Compassion replaced by egoism,
They personify all that is wrong,
What can I do?
I'm fueled by ambitions,
I am also compassionate,
Are greed and egoism contagious?
What does it take to stand out?
I feel for those lost in the shadows,
I cry for those living in pain,
Single mothers abandoned by scared little "boys",
Young men with wonderful hearts, but without bravery,
A woman being hounded as she walks into an abortion clinic,
An abused woman hiding in a closet, in a room,
An abused child, hiding under his/her bed,
An elderly woman, neglected by her family,
A military veteran ignored by society,
A parent working two jobs,
A family that continues to love an addict,
A man who refuses to leave despite her adulterous ways,
A parent raising a special needs child,
And a caring teacher, left helpless by budgets cuts,
These are the people I stand for,
These are the people that make up the world,
Homes with white picket fences are a myth,
Addiction knows no race, sex, or face,
Abuse runs parallel with pride and anger,
Pain seeks out the weak and refuses to let go,
However, there is something much greater than pain,
Stronger and more powerful than abuse and neglect,
It keeps a family close,
A wife by her husband's side,
A husband cuddling in bed at night,
A child laughing,
It gives a lonely man a smile,
A single mother warmth,
A military veteran acceptance,
An addict hope,
It gives children a chance,
A murderer guilt,
A politician an ultimatum,
A suicidal person a reason to reconsider,
And it keeps me here,
For you,
To offer my hand when you fall,
My shoulder for when you cry,
My ear for when you vent,
My eyes to tell you how beautiful you are,
My voice to comfort you,
My mouth to give you a smile,
My heart to give you compassion,
My lungs to breathe into yours, just in case,
My kidney, just in case,
And my life, if that situation were to arise,
That thing, is pure, unfiltered love,
And that love within me spreads into you,
And in you, it turns into hope,
For, within you, I see hope,
That hope is worth my life,
It's worth my time, my health, and my money,
You are what keeps me going,
You are everything to me,
I only ask one thing in return,
Treat others in the same manner that I treat you,
Help them, comfort them, care for them, and love them,
For then, you too, will see that hope,
That hope that lies dormant within all of us,
Until love comes around and sets it free,
And when that happens, it will spread like wildfire,
Let it not die with you,
Let it burn within you and infect everyone you see,
Let it remove hatred, ignorance, and pain in one fellow swoop,
Let it not trickle up, nor trickle down,
Let it trickle on a level that exists in us all,
That level is love, and love will bring upon hope,
Hope for a brighter future,
Hope for every child to get an equal opportunity,
Hope to drown hunger in waves of compassion and giving,
Hope to strangle ignorance from society's ills,
Hope to rid this world of the hatred that separates us all,
Hope for us to find similarities within each other,
For I see hope in everyone,
And that is why I'm here,
To provide the love that will set hope free,
There is hope inside of you,
As it exists within me.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Soak It All In
Close your eyes,
Feel the warmth of the sun,
Breathe in through your nose,
Taste that which only exists in these moments,
Listen to the breeze,
The sound of the waterfall,
I am whole once again,
Exhale slowly,
Smell that which only exists in these locations,
All alone yet completely surrounded,
In control, but totally and utterly vulnerable,
Every sense is heightened,
Entire body feels weightless,
Movements resemble underwater dance,
Take advantage of these moments,
Appreciate small wonders,
Expect nothing and everything at the same time,
Remember why you're here,
Soak it all in,
Every single drop,
Real world has burdened you,
So you keep coming back,
To this mystical place,
A place full of wonders,
A heightened sense of awareness,
Because here you are whole,
It is here that you are free.
Feel the warmth of the sun,
Breathe in through your nose,
Taste that which only exists in these moments,
Listen to the breeze,
The sound of the waterfall,
I am whole once again,
Exhale slowly,
Smell that which only exists in these locations,
All alone yet completely surrounded,
In control, but totally and utterly vulnerable,
Every sense is heightened,
Entire body feels weightless,
Movements resemble underwater dance,
Take advantage of these moments,
Appreciate small wonders,
Expect nothing and everything at the same time,
Remember why you're here,
Soak it all in,
Every single drop,
Real world has burdened you,
So you keep coming back,
To this mystical place,
A place full of wonders,
A heightened sense of awareness,
Because here you are whole,
It is here that you are free.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
To Be Truly Free
The question still remains: Are we truly free?
What does it mean to be truly free?
The more we adapt to changes and integrate ourselves into societal norms...we lose a portion of that freedom that we hold so close.
If one refuses to change with the world is it their fault?
We all make decisions on a daily basis that affect, not only our lives, but those around us.
Things used to be so simple...so innocent...so pure.
We are all so inundated by wires, circuit boards, and thousands of useless gadgets.
What happened to the simple life that we once had?
The current state of the world has caused me to question my own existence.
If I am truly living my life...I want to live it on my own terms.
Take away the unnecessary material things that surround me and give me the false feeling of satisfaction.
Satisfaction...satisfaction of what?
Am I bettering myself or am I sinking in quicksand?
The more gadgets I acquire, the less time I have to better myself.
From my cell phone to my laptop computer...I have allowed myself to become enslaved.
By depending on unnecessary material objects...I have surrendered my freedoms.
My freedom to see the world, to become one with nature, to live as my ancestors did, and my freedom to be truly free.
The things I eat and the things I wear...I have done nothing to tend to my own needs.
I do not grow the food I consume, nor did I make my clothes that I wear.
Material possessions are only worth as much as we feel they are.
Why do we outsource our necessities?
We even outsource the love that we provide to our children.
We have become lazy...we have become engulfed...we have become enslaved.
We listen to our cell phones' ringtone more than we listen to our children.
Our children understand a different world...a simple world.
A simple world...one that I envy...a world that I wish I could experience once again.
A world where the love and compassion from another human being mean much more than toys that light up or make goofy noises.
A world that requires no wires, no electricity, and no money.
Take everything that I own...take it all.
I want to swim in the ocean...I want to keep warm by a fire...I want to sleep under the stars.
I only want to hear the crashing of the waves, the rushing water in a river, the wind blowing through the trees, and sound of my own voice in my head.
I want to get to know myself.
I want to eat only what I need and take only what is required for survival.
I want to hear the howling of the wolf, the hoot of the owl, the crackling of the fire, and the sound of nothing.
I want to be vulnerable to the elements...I want to learn how to fend for myself.
I want to understand that of which I have never understood before.
I want to feel the Earth breathe.
I want to close my eyes, raise my hands, and feel completely free.
I want to grow my own vegetables and hunt my own game.
I don't want to be a producer or a consumer.
I want to be me...in the purest form.
I don't want to smell perfumes.
I don't want to see the nastiness of the world that now exists.
I want to hear the noise that a bald eagle makes when it flies over my head.
I want to love and be loved.
I want to truly know a woman.
I want all of this because that is all that I require.
I want my life to be simple: I just want to exist.
What does it mean to be truly free?
The more we adapt to changes and integrate ourselves into societal norms...we lose a portion of that freedom that we hold so close.
If one refuses to change with the world is it their fault?
We all make decisions on a daily basis that affect, not only our lives, but those around us.
Things used to be so simple...so innocent...so pure.
We are all so inundated by wires, circuit boards, and thousands of useless gadgets.
What happened to the simple life that we once had?
The current state of the world has caused me to question my own existence.
If I am truly living my life...I want to live it on my own terms.
Take away the unnecessary material things that surround me and give me the false feeling of satisfaction.
Satisfaction...satisfaction of what?
Am I bettering myself or am I sinking in quicksand?
The more gadgets I acquire, the less time I have to better myself.
From my cell phone to my laptop computer...I have allowed myself to become enslaved.
By depending on unnecessary material objects...I have surrendered my freedoms.
My freedom to see the world, to become one with nature, to live as my ancestors did, and my freedom to be truly free.
The things I eat and the things I wear...I have done nothing to tend to my own needs.
I do not grow the food I consume, nor did I make my clothes that I wear.
Material possessions are only worth as much as we feel they are.
Why do we outsource our necessities?
We even outsource the love that we provide to our children.
We have become lazy...we have become engulfed...we have become enslaved.
We listen to our cell phones' ringtone more than we listen to our children.
Our children understand a different world...a simple world.
A simple world...one that I envy...a world that I wish I could experience once again.
A world where the love and compassion from another human being mean much more than toys that light up or make goofy noises.
A world that requires no wires, no electricity, and no money.
Take everything that I own...take it all.
I want to swim in the ocean...I want to keep warm by a fire...I want to sleep under the stars.
I only want to hear the crashing of the waves, the rushing water in a river, the wind blowing through the trees, and sound of my own voice in my head.
I want to get to know myself.
I want to eat only what I need and take only what is required for survival.
I want to hear the howling of the wolf, the hoot of the owl, the crackling of the fire, and the sound of nothing.
I want to be vulnerable to the elements...I want to learn how to fend for myself.
I want to understand that of which I have never understood before.
I want to feel the Earth breathe.
I want to close my eyes, raise my hands, and feel completely free.
I want to grow my own vegetables and hunt my own game.
I don't want to be a producer or a consumer.
I want to be me...in the purest form.
I don't want to smell perfumes.
I don't want to see the nastiness of the world that now exists.
I want to hear the noise that a bald eagle makes when it flies over my head.
I want to love and be loved.
I want to truly know a woman.
I want all of this because that is all that I require.
I want my life to be simple: I just want to exist.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
And the Oscar Goes To...
I've had the luxury to have seen both "Milk" and "The Wrestler" before they came out nationally. In my opinion, including many other film critics, the two top male acting performances have been Sean Penn in "Milk" and Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler". I have made up my own mind as to who I think did a better job acting and I would like to share with you my thoughts regarding this matter.
In "Milk", Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk; a homosexual male caught in the midst of a massive political movement striving for equal rights for homosexuals such as himself. During the course of the film we see Penn go from an insurance agent in a New York subway, to camera store-owning bearded hippy living on Castro Street in San Francisco, to a clean shaven, suit and tie wearing, oily haired politician. The acting by Mr. Penn is fantastic, if not, tantamount. However, there is one thing that is missing from this role: the movie could exist without Sean Penn playing Harvey Milk. The movie has a massively talented supporting cast, a fantastic directing job, and an uplifting story which, sad to say, far too many people allow to influence them when judging an actor's overall performance. However, this is not the kind of role that should land an actor an Oscar.
An Oscar should go to the actor that has overcome great emotional obstacles or has failed in this regard, holds the movie together simply by being in the movie, makes other actors/actresses around them better because of their screen presence, and displays their acting ability in the most humanistic form.
Mickey Rourke's role as Randy "the Ram" Robinson in "The Wrestler" is that actor. When the film starts the viewer starts off feeling a little negative towards Rourke's character and/or his occupation in the movie. We have seen time and time again, in film, what difficulties a politician faces and what challenges they must overcome. However, a washed up wrestler/lonely, neglectful father is one that has not been given the spotlight. Rourke's acting performance takes the viewer on a roller coaster ride and leaves the viewer changed from having watched it. Every emotion that Rourke experiences or displays, he pulls you into it as well. He never really become the likeable actor that you cheer for while watching it; he becomes the actor that you understand a little better and respect more for having watched the performance.
In this sense, it almost seems like "Milk" is making the viewer love, appreciate, and cheer for Penn's character. I call it pandering. Now, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, that is the reason that a lot of people go to the movies. However, that is why roles, like the one that Penn plays in "Milk", are so played out. We've seen it before and it has become formulaic. Mickey Rouke's role as Randy "the Ram" Robinson is a character very few have the courage to attempt and one whom fewer ever pull-off successfully.
The movie "The Wrestler" is a gritty film and is not as enjoyable to watch as "Milk"; however, "The Wrestler" was brought to life by the sensational directing of Darren Aronofsky and the brilliant acting of Mickey Rourke. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates seeing phenomenal acting at its finest. This is why I feel that Mickey Rourke will be named the best actor of 2008.
In "Milk", Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk; a homosexual male caught in the midst of a massive political movement striving for equal rights for homosexuals such as himself. During the course of the film we see Penn go from an insurance agent in a New York subway, to camera store-owning bearded hippy living on Castro Street in San Francisco, to a clean shaven, suit and tie wearing, oily haired politician. The acting by Mr. Penn is fantastic, if not, tantamount. However, there is one thing that is missing from this role: the movie could exist without Sean Penn playing Harvey Milk. The movie has a massively talented supporting cast, a fantastic directing job, and an uplifting story which, sad to say, far too many people allow to influence them when judging an actor's overall performance. However, this is not the kind of role that should land an actor an Oscar.
An Oscar should go to the actor that has overcome great emotional obstacles or has failed in this regard, holds the movie together simply by being in the movie, makes other actors/actresses around them better because of their screen presence, and displays their acting ability in the most humanistic form.
Mickey Rourke's role as Randy "the Ram" Robinson in "The Wrestler" is that actor. When the film starts the viewer starts off feeling a little negative towards Rourke's character and/or his occupation in the movie. We have seen time and time again, in film, what difficulties a politician faces and what challenges they must overcome. However, a washed up wrestler/lonely, neglectful father is one that has not been given the spotlight. Rourke's acting performance takes the viewer on a roller coaster ride and leaves the viewer changed from having watched it. Every emotion that Rourke experiences or displays, he pulls you into it as well. He never really become the likeable actor that you cheer for while watching it; he becomes the actor that you understand a little better and respect more for having watched the performance.
In this sense, it almost seems like "Milk" is making the viewer love, appreciate, and cheer for Penn's character. I call it pandering. Now, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, that is the reason that a lot of people go to the movies. However, that is why roles, like the one that Penn plays in "Milk", are so played out. We've seen it before and it has become formulaic. Mickey Rouke's role as Randy "the Ram" Robinson is a character very few have the courage to attempt and one whom fewer ever pull-off successfully.
The movie "The Wrestler" is a gritty film and is not as enjoyable to watch as "Milk"; however, "The Wrestler" was brought to life by the sensational directing of Darren Aronofsky and the brilliant acting of Mickey Rourke. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates seeing phenomenal acting at its finest. This is why I feel that Mickey Rourke will be named the best actor of 2008.
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