Lowering the Drinking Age

I am posting a video that discusses the possibility of 7 states lowering the age to consume alcohol. I will post a poll to the right that will ask whether or not the United States should lower the drinking age. I hope to get some participation with this ongoing debate.

My Article

I had my article printed in the Sunday, May 25th News Tribune. Please feel free to pick up a copy, read it, and comment based on your own personal views. I have included a copy of the article below.


Tacoma, WA - Sunday, May 25, 2008

Students with guns could save lives


MATTHEW THOMAS CORNWALL
Last updated: May 25th, 2008 01:25 AM (PDT)

I’m a junior at the University of Washington in Seattle. I also possess a concealed weapons permit and own a registered handgun.
With the tragedy at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University still fresh in my head, I cannot help but feel the need to protect myself.

Seung-Hui Cho succeeded in his mission to kill as many people as he possibly could – 33 to be exact, including himself.

He understood that he would be the only student with a gun and that he had plenty of time to act before the police were to arrive.

Let’s say, in hindsight, that students had been allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus.

If Cho had been fully aware that he wouldn’t be the only student with a gun, would he have chosen to act? Would this have been enough to prevent the deaths of 32 innocent students and professors last April?

The University of Washington send e-mails to students letting them know whenever a violent crime takes place anywhere near the campus. As much as this is appreciated, it does nothing to deter or prevent these acts of crime from taking place.

In April a weeklong protest called the Empty Holster Protest took place on campus. This was an attempt to urge university officials to change the current laws forbidding students to carry even licensed weapons on campus. Nothing changed.

I like to spend my after-class hours in the library reading and doing research. I usually don’t leave the library until 1 or 2 in the morning, and when I do it’s a one-mile walk home in the dark. If I own a registered handgun and possess a concealed weapons permit, I should have the right to protect myself as I see fit.

Let’s say, hypothetically, that I get shot and robbed after leaving the library early one morning. I could have protected myself but was unable to do so because the University of Washington does not allow weapons on campus.

Would the university accept the blame, knowing that I could have protected myself but wasn’t allowed to? Couldn’t because of its policy on weapons?

If a student carrying a licensed weapon had stopped Seung-Hui Cho’s killing spree, would the student carrying the handgun be punished or heralded as a hero?

Violent crimes involving guns are rarely carried out by responsible registered gun owners.

In fact, concealed weapons permit holders are five times less likely to commit a gun-related crime, according to the Journal of Legal Studies.

However, because we feel the need to protect ourselves we are viewed as gun-toting, right-wing nuts. This assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.

Criminals successfully attack citizens because many of them refuse to protect themselves and easily give in to a criminal’s demands.

If more responsible citizens were to carry handguns, it would lower crime rates drastically.

By not protecting ourselves we are enabling criminals.

Is the University of Washington willing to empower its students in order to prevent another massacre like Columbine, Virginia Tech or Northern Illinois? Or its leaders willing to gamble their reputation on the ignorance of their trust?

Matthew Thomas Cornwall is a Puyallup High School graduate.

Originally published: May 25th, 2008 01:25 AM (PDT

Hot Weather

I know that this sounds weird, but I'm not a big fan of hot weather. The worst that I've ever experienced was in the middle of the hot California desert waiting to see Rage Against the Machine. That, in my opinion, was worth it. I'm not a fan of extremely hot days because I don't sleep well at all. I'm not saying that it's bad, but I prefer temperatures in the upper 60s to mid 70s. Those are the really nice days. I don't mind the occasional clear sky low 80 degree days, but anything more than that is just too much for me.

Going Well

Well, I didn't get into Arabic (application is still pending), but I did manage to get into Persian (national language of Iran). This is the other hot language right now that our government needs and I hope to fill one of those positions. This fall I will be taking Arab-Israel Conflict, US-China Relations, and Elementary Persian. My schedule looks to be quite full and I will be quite busy, I'm sure.
Work: Received phone call at 8:55 from my boss telling me that I was supposed to be in at 8 that morning. I told him that I thought that it was 4pm. My mistake.
Schoolwork: Read some philosophy (Kant, Nietzsche, and Marx).
Dinner: Grilled cheese sandwiches and 2 energy drinks (appear to be my new drug of choice).
Movie: Currently watching Hell House (Christian haunted house showing the evils of not believing in Christ) and I'm not far enough in to hold a solid argument, yet.

Responding To Messages

I may be the only person who complains about this, but I think that it should be mentioned. Constructing an email or a message doesn't take that much time and/or brain use. I find it extremely disrespectful if I send someone an email, message, text message, etc. and I don't even get a response. I understand that responding to text messages at work can pose a problem; therefore, I consider this a valid and acceptable excuse. I have no problem getting a response saying "Thanks for writing me. I'm a little busy right now, but I'll make sure to respond to this as soon as I get time to sit down to formulate a thought." That's all that it takes. However, just reading the message and moving on as if nothing ever happened is rude and inconsiderate. If you've got time to sit down and read messages, you've got time to respond to each one of them in some way. We live in a time where many things are instant. I have experienced this rude behavior from both men and women. If you disagree with what I've said please feel free to comment below. However, doing so might take up too much of your "precious time". You're not a movie star or a musician so don't try to tell me that you get too many messages to respond to on a daily basis. That's just an excuse to avoid assuming blame and responsibility for being inconsiderate and lazy. What are we, a nation of 3 year olds? Just remember that people usually send messages with hopes of a response. People take time to formulate their thoughts and put them in the form of a message. The least you could do is acknowledge this effort on their behalf and show them some respect.

Feeling Good

I don't usually get the opportunity to write about my successes, but I feel that this one is justified. I have always performed fairly well on midterms and finals. However, I got back my midterm from my Russian political class today with the grade of a 3.7. My jaw dropped and I double-checked the grade to make sure that my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. They, to my surprise, were not. I did receive a 3.7 and I reflected on what I had to go through to get to this point. The first two weeks of this class we had to read, no exaggeration, 750 pages of Russian political history. 750 pages in the first two weeks! For the remaining 9 weeks of the quarter we only had to read 600 pages. I read more pages in the first two weeks of class than I would for the last 9 weeks. I spent many nights under the soft glow of light in the Suzzalo library (the very quiet and majestic looking one). I walked home around 2am three nights a week after leaving the library. I was up all night roughly 8 or 9 times total during the first 6 weeks of class. I had no idea that my grade would be this high. I was expecting a grade around a 3.2 or something like that. After getting my midterm back I reread it to see what comments were left. Quite a few comments were left and only one was negative. I surprised myself on this one. This gives my sailboat another gust of wind and I feel extremely motivated. As for my other classes, I'm doing pretty good in those as well. I've got to get up at 4:30am tomorrow morning to register for my fall classes. I NEED (emphasis added!) to get my foreign language class first. If I don't, it won't be the end of the world because I can request to get squeezed in, but I will have to spend all summer wondering whether or not the professor will even let me in the class. I want a solid answer because I don't like being in the mental state of not knowing something. The language that I will be taking will be Arabic. If I pick up on this as well as I have with other languages in the past than I will be fine. If I do really well I might be able to get into a governmental job where I can assist our country with our current struggles in the Middle East. Politics aside, I want to help the United States become a better country and I want to help change our image in the world. I want to help Americans understand why things are the way that they are. I used to not know and that is what pushed me to learn as much as I could about as much as I could. Take one look at my bookshelves and you'll understand what I mean. Lesson learned: sometimes I surprise even myself and I know that I will not fail in my pursuit of a very rewarding career. Thank you.

Welcome Home

My brother was recently released back into captivity two weeks ago. Welcome home Brian and remember to hold on to your goals and not let other people distract you from what is important to you. Carpe Diem brother!

Turning Point

The last few years have easily been the hardest that I have ever endured. To make matters worse, the light at the end of the tunnel (if one does exist) is nowhere in sight. It should go without saying that I have become increasingly frustrated and I find myself questioning a lot of things. I follow politics and international affairs religiously. I use the term religiously because, as I have said earlier, I find the process of belief to be quite inaccurate and the following of any particular religion to be retroactive to the progression of humanity. Now that I've admitted that, let's move on. I voted for President Bush in 2000 and I felt content with myself. I felt as though I contributed to the American political process and fulfilled my responsibility as a citizen. However, as with many Americans, September 11th, 2001 changed my life and how I viewed the political process as a whole. That morning I received a phone call from my Mother who sounded quite irratic and worried.
"Pack your things and go to Canada. We're being attacked."

I thought that my Mother had gone off the deep end and was suffering from paranoia. However, after turning on the television, as she instructed, I realized that her emotional state was justified. I originally thought that the first plane flew off course or had a system malfunction of some sort. However, I started to understand what was happening as soon as the second plane crashed into building. When they announced that it was suspected that Osama Bin Laden was the suspected culprit I felt a sense of anger and confusion sweep over me. I was looking forward to hearing what President Bush had to say and hopefully he would answer some of the many questions that I had boiling within me. His address to the nation only made things worse for me. I wanted answers, I wanted comfort, and I wanted the US to avenge these terrible atrocities. I'm sure you can guess which one of the three things went unfulfilled. The other two answers came over time through the process of reading, doing research, and gaining a sense of understanding. Before all of that, I drove down to the blood bank and got in line to donate. They came out and told us that they had too much blood and that they were unable guarantee that our blood would make any difference whatsoever. It was at that point that I decided to drop out of school and pursue a career in the military. I returned to my car and drove down to the military recruitment office. I went in to the Air Force recruiter office and sat in this amazingly soft, comfortable chair. He went over what they wanted, what they expected, and what they could do for me. I agreed and asked for the forms/contract. He handed them to me and I reviewed them as if my life depended on it. I read the forms and noticed stipulations and certain things that I didn't agree with. I kept asking him questions and he couldn't give me a straight answer. Upon reading all of the forms, I handed them back to him and told him that my decision to quit school and join the military were merely done out of an acute emotional response and that I would, most likely, regret both decisions down the road. He told me that he understood, shook my hand, and told me that I could return if I changed my mind. Reflecting on that day I only regret one thing, dropping out of school. I feel as though my decision to not join the military was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. It wasn't as risky as joining the Marines or the infantry, but it would have been the end of my autonomy and possibly my thirst for knowledge. While working the night shift at Tacoma General Hospital I worked with an older guy named James who was a devout Christian. We initially found that we had a lot of things in common like sports, love of music, and beer. He convinced me to join him in attending a sermon at Lake City Church in Lakewood. I felt lost and that I needed faith in Christ. After attending a few sermons and purchasing a NIV Bible from Costco I felt that it was time to take this to the next step. While working alone during one of my 10pm-6am shifts I got to my knees and accepted Christ into my heart, mind, and soul. I cried and lifting my arms into the air begging for forgiveness for all of my sins. I felt a sense of comfort coursing through my body like that of a first kiss. Although the path wasn't easy, I continued on it for the next two years of my life. I remember being at odds with what Pastor Jim would be saying and what others around me would tell me. I didn't want to give up my music, my eye for the opposite sex, and I didn't feel comfortable talking about the Bible to other people (both non-believers and those whom were "saved"). It was at this point, roughly 1.5 years, that I started to really question what I thought I believed and if it was the best thing for me. To be honest with you, the only thing that kept me going was the guilt that I would feel when I heard someone swear or the indifference that I felt being around other Christians. I never felt as though I was a part of something meaningful. Each Sunday, I felt like a Red Sox fan walking into Yankee Stadium. It was alien to me and I felt like my presence gave the church an allergic reaction. I felt as if I had lost something inside of me that I first noticed in high school.
In high school, we had to read the newspaper and give our opinions about current events. I remember how much I loved reading the articles and how easily I could construct an argument and express that to other people in my class. I always got reactions from the class whenever I would go up to share my reactions to certain articles. I loved the attention and I felt as if I was helping other people learn something. It was at this point that I felt like a contributing factor within society. It wasn't until I gave my life to Christ that I realized how much missed this aspect of my life. I felt certain feelings after reading an article and this is what connected me with what I had just read. I started to notice this with what I was reading in the Bible. I started to develop articulated arguments against what was being said during the sermon and what was in the Bible. I'm not sure about other people, but the Bible never gave me answers. It never justified a life devoted to Christ or anything like that. I questioned my own personal beliefs and others around me. I remember what people told me as to their own personal relationship with God and I realized that I never had these experiences. In fact, the only thing that I heard was the little voice in my head better known as my conscience. I asked God hundreds of thousands of questions and I received no answers. Instead, I heard my conscience telling me what to do and what to believe. It was at this moment that I fell out of being a Christian and associating myself with other Christians. I would run into members of the church and youth group from time to time and I would always have feel a negative vibe coming out of them. I also got another job and I never saw much of James from that point on. Okay, I have a story about James that really creeped me out.
When I first met him we talked about females (ones that I was dating and those that he was interested in). He always spoke about this one particular young lady that he had been interested in for quite some time. He told me that he would ask God what to do and how to handle the situation. I told him to just ask her out and see where things go. He told me that he would like to, but God wanted him to do otherwise. First off, both he and this young lady had been friends for a number of years so there was no need to introduce himself. One day he comes in to work looking as though he hadn't felt a pillow on his head in days. He told me how he went for a walk with her. Towards the end of the walk they both sat down on a park bench and talked. He then got up and dropped to one knee and proposed to her. I never thought that a stunt like that would actually work and not to my amazement, it didn't. She looked embarrassed and told him that God was telling her that they would only be friends and that was all. He really took it really hard, but I had no idea where he would go from there. I told him that I was sorry and asked him if they were still friends. He said that they still hung out, but that it was awkward at times. Okay, that makes perfect sense. They would continue to hang out for almost 4 or 5 months until she decided to attend a school in eastern Washington. I told James to move on and look at other women. James disagreed and insisted that God told him that he was supposed to be with her and that it only took time. I ran into her at Borders one day and I asked her how things were. She told me that James was acting really weird and that he claimed that God told him that she would eventually marry James. She told me that God had told her that they were friends and nothing more than that. She also told me that she was moving to eastern Washington in a week and told me to try to talk James. That night I told James that I ran into her at Borders and his ears perked like a dog hearing a whistle. I told him what she had told me. He said that he was going to move to eastern Washington as well and keep a close eye on her. In doing so he was going to try to convince her that they were supposed to be together and that this was God's plan. James then left work and I would later run into him a few months later.
I ran into a few guys from youth group at the Best Buy at the Tacoma Mall. They told me that she was freaking out because James wasn't getting the picture and that he was getting "creepy" and "unpredictable". I told them that I wasn't going to return to that particular church and wished them the best. I ran into James for the last time about 4 months after that and he was creepier than I had ever imagined him. He was still talking about how often God told him that he would end up marrying this young lady and to maintain his persistence. I told James that I disagreed with his course of action and that what he thought God was saying was merely his inner id. I never had any further run-ins with anyone from that church. I hope that James got the message and that she filed a restraining order against him.
This is one of the major problems that I have with faith. Most people in his particular case would move on and continue with their life. James, however, never strayed off his path and continued past the point of sanity. James' situation is one of the scariest situations I have ever heard. How can you argue with someone who claims to hear God telling them to do something? I felt bad for her the entire time and I hope that James eventually woke up and got the message.
I have also asked Christians how they talk to God. I've been told, on more than one occasion, that they ask God for guidance and they receive answers...eventually. They have told me that they run across their answers while flipping through the Bible. Sometimes this takes place months even years after asking God the initial question. Isn't this just coincidence? I can pick up Huckleberry Finn and ask God to tell me how it ends. I'll eventually end up reading the entire book and finding out the answer for myself. Was this God giving me the answer? No. The answer was there the entire time and I discovered the answer because of my persistence and dedication towards finishing the book. My Aunt showed me a picture of car that drove off of the road and landed on the edge of a cliff. The second picture showed what could have happened and how terrible it could have been. My Aunt told me that this was proof that miracles happen and that angels look after us. I asked her if she thought that speed of the car, the angle in which it flew, the weight of the car, and the point of the road in which the driver drove off the road had anything to do with it. She said, "What, do you not believe in miracles? What about angels?" Here's my point: what happened to the other 100 people who drove off of that road only to land at the bottom of the cliff and die on impact? Isn't just by chance that this one particular driver survived? Why do we only hear good stories and not those in the Old Testament?
My belief that there is no God and that Jesus was merely a regular person (if at all) began after my Grandpa John passed away. I spent numerous nights asking him to show and give me a sign that he was okay, that there was, in fact, a God, a Heaven, a Hell. I talked, I prayed, and I cried myself to sleep for months after that. What do you think came of that? Absolutely nothing. I never see signs of an omnipotent being or that any religion is truthful. When my Grandma Terry passed away (a week ago this past Sunday) I asked for some sort of sign that they were both okay and that God was taking care of them. Do you know what happened? Nothing. Nothing at all.
So, here I am. I'm on the verge of my senior year in college, I don't know if I want to go to graduate school or not, I'm single, and I'm afraid that my lack of religious faith will be held against me. I had such a hard time writing my Grandma's obituary because I knew that both Grandpa and her mother would not be waiting for her in Heaven. Her life ended, plain and simple. I miss my Grandma Terry and I miss my Grandpas John and Calvin. I know that they are not watching over me and that my life is in my own hands. "God's plan" doesn't exist and my life is my own. Believing in God won't make decisions easier, it won't protect me while walking home at night, and it certainly won't help me comfort those that I love. However, not believing in God can alienate me from my family, prevent me from getting a decent job, prevent a relationship from progressing and/or cause conflict within a relationship, and damage a relationship with a friend. Being atheist is like being a homosexual. We're afraid of what others will think of us and the consequences of coming out and telling other people. Remember reading about the Crusades? Ever read what Fundamental Islamists believe? How about the Mormon church in Texas called YFZ Ranch? Those occurences only strengthen my beliefs that there is no God and that every other religion is merely an illusion.

David Stern Rant

I'm not one to rant on someone or call them out on their bullshit, but I cannot hold back on this any longer. There is a strong history of sports in the Pacific Northwest whether David Stern can acknowledge that or not. We love our teams up here, but not when they're owned by douchebags like Clay Bennett (you redneck sack of shit). I saw this day coming when the Sonics were sold to Clay Bennett by Mr. Starbucks himself Howard Schultz. We had a decent team back then and now...I can't stand watching them. David Stern seems to have replaced his love of basketball for economics. I understand economics Mr. Stern and I also understand the passion that some people have for certain sports. Admit it Mr. Stern, you've never liked Seattle. In fact, more than half of the sports writers and commentators have a real disliking for Seattle sports. Why is that? Why is it that you toss around lengthy and unnecessary economic terms when a simple answer would suffice? We're not stupid Mr. Stern...we're just a compassionate group of sports fans up here. The Seattle Mariners and the Seattle Seahawks almost left Seattle for, ironically, Florida. The Mariners were supposed to be the Florida Marlins and the Seahawks were supposed to be the Jacksonville Jaguars. You say that Mr. Bennett has invested more money and time into getting a new arena built for his team. My response to that is, "So what?" We don't have a problem with the product in which he is promoting, it's his attitude that we have a problem with. That southern, redneck attitude that seems to have a poor reputation for running a sports team. Case in point, the Texas Rangers and George W. Bush. Mr. Bush owned the majority of the Texas Rangers at one point. He traded Sammy Sosa, shortstop Scott Fletcher and pitcher Wilson Alvarez to the Chicago White Sox for Harold Baines and infielder Fred Manrique. In hindsight, one of the worst trades in baseball history. Of course this has nothing on what Harry Frazee did. For those of you who don't know Harry Frazee, he was THE MAIN CAUSE of the many years of pain and suffering endured by the Boston Red Sox and their fans. Harry Frazee, the owner of the Boston Red Sox, agreed to sell Babe Ruth (a pitcher with a 89-46 lifetime record and a then-Red Sox home run record of 29 homers) to the New York Yankees for $125,000 plus a $300,000 mortgage on Fenway Park. We all know how that ended up. Say what you will about Ed Barrow (Frazee's right hand man; introduced the sale of Ruth to the Yankees; after that became official, he jumped ship and joined the group of owners in NY...what a douche), but Frazee was the owner. I'll sum up my entire argument right here: Mr. Stern, you are in the wrong line of work. You apparently have something against Seattle. Is it innate or is this a learned response...I don't know. I won't stand by and watch you tirade around and make us Seattle fans feel guilty and look stupid. We want the Sonics here in Seattle. We don't want Clay Bennett and we certainly don't want your useless analogies and sports writer rhetoric. We want results, we want something to be proud of, and we want our Sonics to remain in Seattle. Ask yourself why the city council hasn't approved for the funding for a new arena. Ask us why the taxpayers refuse to fund such an arena (we've seen the blueprints of the proposed arena and it was disgusting). Ask yourself why we don't like dealing with Mr. Bennett. Ask yourself why the seats are empty. We refuse to show up for games not because of their poor play as of late, but for their pig-nosed owner. Mr. Schultz kept the Sonics up here because he noticed the connection between the team, the fans, and the city. He understood that...Mr. Bennett does not. In fact, Mr. Schultz has openly criticized Mr. Bennett and has said that he hopes that basketball isn't doomed in Seattle. To Mr. Stern and Mr. Bennett: look at the history of Seattle sports. We have only ONE world title and that was the 1978-79 championship team. That alone is why we love this team. You two might also look at the evidence that I presented earlier in regards to moving TWO Seattle teams to Florida. The two Seattle teams stayed in Seattle and have had great success since then. Learn from that. Learn that you cannot make friends by acting like an ass and threatening to rip a team with 40 years of history up from its roots and move it to Oklahoma City simply because you didn't get your way. Children act in that manner Mr. Bennett, not full grown men. Mr. Stern was asked whether he was convinced the Sonics would leave Seattle after 40-plus years and one NBA title. This is what he said:

"I see nothing -- I don't know why anyone would expect in the absence of what they've been saying all along, which is funding for a new building of some kind and a plan for it that they would be staying," he said. "I accept that inevitability at this point. There is no miracle here."

Mr. Stern, you know nothing of what a miracle is. Miracles have kept sports in Seattle (Edgar Martinez and "The Double" in the 1995 ALDS vs. the NY Yankees) and have helped them maintain a steady fanbase. Your doubt in miracles leads me to believe that you have no soul. Whatever you say from this point on is null and void and I ask you to listen for the "pop". What "pop" am I referring to? The "pop" is the sound that you'll hear when you pull your head out of your ass. Spiral out.

Chomsky & I- Similar Obama Thoughts

In a recent article written by Noam Chomsky, he had this to say about presidential hopeful Barack Obama. I see a similarity between his assessment and mine.

Noam Chomsky on Obama
"When I was driving home the other day and listening to NPR - my masochist streak - they happened to have a long segment on Barack Obama. It was very favorable, really enthusiastic. Here is a new star rising in the political firmament. I was listening to see if the report would say anything about his position on issues - any issue. Nothing. It was just about his image. I think they may have had a couple words about him being in favor of doing something about the climate. What are his positions? It doesn't matter. You read his articles. It's the same. He gives hope. He looks right into your eyes when you talk to him. That's what's considered significant. Not 'Should we control our own resources? Should we nationalize our resources? Should we have water for people? Should we have health care systems? Should we stop carrying out aggression?' No. That's not mentioned. Because our electoral system, our political system, has been driven to such a low level that issues are completely marginalized. You're not supposed to know the information about the candidates."

The Change

Woke up again this morning, you weren't there,
Dreamt of change, within me, within you,
Subtle yet not, it's you that brings this out in me,
Soft caresses, your skin calls for my touch,
My soul, as vulnerable as a newborn baby,
Guards were down, I let you in,
Mistake it may have been, know not unless you try,
Dreams become desirable, dreams become me,
World without boundaries, a world without pain,
Pain waits for me to awake; it has seemed to replace you,
This pain I do not desire, I long for days without worry,
Words and books postpone my immediate focus,
Faith I do not have, come and gone over the years,
Yearning, this I have, what is it that I yearn for?
Completeness, to feel whole, to embrace a change,
Challenge my core beliefs, world spinning into oblivion,
Dreams of spiraling into nothing, worried I am not,
A glance to chisel the ice, an embrace to warm the soul,
Alone I've been and alone I'll be, this much is true,
Until one day I roll over and I'm peering right at you.

The Power of A Write-In

I, along with a few other people, have become disgruntled with the current political primaries. I'm taking a class about it and I have been paying very close attention to all of the daily happenings. I feel like venting, so without any further delay...here it is.

I'm tired of people who only limit themselves to either one party or the other. I, for one, do not like Republicans or Democrats. I will never fully support either party and I know quite a few people who feel the same way. When the ballot it presented to me on November 4th, I am going to do what many Americans are afraid to do...I'm going to write in my candidate's name in the "write-in" area. People tell me, "You know that Ron Paul has no chance at winning, right?" When I hear this, I have to ask myself, "Have they forgotten about what makes the American voting system as wonderful as it is?" I predict (and I know that this has changed over the weeks) that the final ballot will have Barack Obama and John McCain going head-to-head. I do not support the idea of voting for the lesser of two evils or the easy frontrunner. That isn't me, it has never been me, and it will never be me. I have no problem supporting a candidate down to the final seconds regardless of their realistic chances of becoming elected.

To me, America has suffered by having only two prominent political parties. We limit ourselves to either one or the other. Come November, I will not support John McCain and I will not support Barack Obama. I will be in the minority and I will not be celebrating my candidates' win. I will have to live through yet another 4 years with a president that I do not support and did not vote for. However, I see this as a positive. If more people feel the way that I do then we can slowly make a change in this country. We can help push and support lesser known candidates who would be much better presidents, yet don't have the popularity, funding, and/or public appeal of the other candidates.

On November 4th, I will write Dr. Ron Paul's name in the area that says "write-in". This will make me feel better about the candidate that I voted for and supported. I feel that the majority of this country votes for reasons that I don't see as important at all. 70% of Americans state that "looks" and "appearance" are the most influencial aspects of whether or not to support a candidate. This sounds just like a high school class president election. People need to read the issues and the candidates experience in order to make an educated decision. Unless the blacks come out and vote like they did in South Carolina, John McCain will be the next president of the United States. I won't be happy with this and I will speak out as often as I possibly can. When voting for a lesser known candidate, I have the distinct pleasure of disagreeing with the president and all of the decisions that he makes. I won't disagree with everything that he does, but I will be a very critical observer.

On November 4th, do this country a favor and vote for the candidate who you feel is the best candidate. Forget gender, skin color, appearance, and promises. Look at the issues, their experience, and their voting record. Stand out for once and refuse to fall in line like all of the other sheep in this country. Vote proud and vote intelligently because the next 4 years of your life boil down to the results of November 4th.

Put Me In Coach

I'm ready to play, today! Baseball season is right around the corner and I can already smell the grass in my nose, hear the crack of the bat, and hear the sound of a little league team shouting their heroes name when they step to the plate. This, my friends, is baseball. America's pasttime and my favorite game. I've been into baseball since I was 4 or 5 years old and I have never stopped loving the game. Unlike many other things, a baseball game never seems to lose its luster. I long for the first pitch of the season, the 4-6-3 double play, the roar of the crowd, the crack of the bat, the smell of garlic fries and hot roasted peanuts, and the feeling I get inside my chest whenever I see a young boy and his father taking in a game. I love it when little boys get up and attempt to start a wave. Future leaders...these young ones. Baseball also makes me think about my future. I long for the day that I can take my first-born son to a game and explain the game to him. I can tell him about my childhood experiences with baseball, my first game, and the stories that my family told me growing up. I will show him movies like "The Sandlot", "The Natural", "Field of Dreams", and "Major League" (when he's older, of course). As soon as football season wraps up, like an adult salmon swimming to the place of his birth to spawn, I get a feeling that the baseball season is right around the corner. Baseball brings me back to the world of the fantastic. Problems, worries, bills, etc. disappear as soon as my ticket gets scanned at the gate. It's like an invitation to a place where time stands still and you are allowed a brief return to your childhood. Unlike other sports, baseball will never lose its luster with me. To quote Robert Redford from The Natural, "God, I love baseball". I couldn't have said it any better myself.

Well...

I went to the Seahawks playoff game against the Washington Redskins and it was great. I got up around 6am and I didn't get home until 10pm. We had a native guy in our group with a Sean Taylor jersey on and he got into a scuffle with a Seahawks fan. Fists flew, beers splashed, and the guy through a wooden coat hanger in retaliation?!? What?!? I know, it sounds weird and I assure you that it was. The Seahawk fan punched Mike (Redskins fan), one of our guys tossed beer on the Seahawk fan, and as the Seahawk fan was walking away tossed a wooden coat hanger at Mikey. His forehead was split open and he required stitches. $200 down the drain and a trip to the ER...a bad day for Mikey. Then Scott managed to do something really stupid. We were trying to get to someone's car and we needed to go over the railroad tracks to do this. There was a train that was fairly stationary on the tracks, but was going forwards and back every few minutes. Scott hopped over the train while it was moving and he did this right in front of a Seattle police officer. Typical Scott. The Seahawks offense seemed a bit off, but we did manage to get some decent yards on the ground. There is a glimmer of hope for one more home game. The Seahawks have to beat Green Bay in Green Bay and hope that the NY Giants can upset the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in more than 10 years and Green Bay has only lost twice at home during the playoffs. It's a long shot, but I've got to keep a positive state of mind. At this point, I have been to 6 Seahawks home games this year and they have won each and every one of them. It feels good to be a good luck charm once in awhile.

I'm Going!

I received a phone call from my friend Scott and he told me that he was able to score me a ticket for the Seahawks playoff game on January 5th or 6th. I'm excited, yet scared. The last playoff game I went to my Grandfather died as the game itself expired. I'm really looking forward to this game. I have a gut feeling that we will be playing the Redskins, but we'll see how this Sunday pans out. Go Hawks!

It's Official

I have attended 5 Seahawk games this year and they have won all 5 of them. I almost feel like a good luck charm for them. I always get looks from people because I shout my lungs out when we're on defense or when we score. I have a lead from a buddy of mine for the playoff game, but we'll see if I can afford it. The only reason that I had tickets for the games this year is because I bought all of them while I was still working. Regardless of whether I get playoff tickets or not...this season has been great. I don't know if we can compete with Dallas or New England, but the playoffs tend to always have a Cinderella story. Hopefully, Seahawks' fans won't be disappointed again this season. Go Hawks!

The Prophet by Khalil Gibran

The Depths of One’s Soul

Poetry, despite being words of emotional expression, can also take the mind on a journey into the fantastic. Kahlil Gibran’s masterpiece, The Prophet, dives into the misperceptions of joy and sorrow. Almustafa, who has lived homeless in a fictional city, is preparing to leave its shores and never return. When the ship finally boards Orphalese, the townspeople gather around him to persuade him to stay. Almustafa, although ignored, was no ordinary man.

Almustafa is asked many questions while getting ready to board his ship ride home. Citizens ask him about love, marriage, death, children, knowledge, friendship, etc. When asked about love, Almustafa answers with brutal honesty and brilliance.

“For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning,” (Prophet, 11).

Almustafa explains to them that every one of life’s important lessons has a negative side that can be avoided, however, will help strengthen one’s soul. The common questions of the Orphalese people relate to the reader and allow them to easily identify themselves with the questions being asked of Almustafa.

The Prophet does not focus on character development, themes, or mind-blowing ideas. However, it does focus on the beauty of words, visions, and the capabilities of the human soul. The Prophet reaches into the essence of who we are as human beings. Each of the twenty-eight questions that are directed at him is asked by simple town people. It is only when Almustafa decides to leave, that they finally take notice of him. Despite ignoring him and passing him up on the streets, the people of Orphalese find it necessary to take advice from the very man they failed to acknowledge existed.

The advice that Almustafa gives the people of Orphalese is promising, yet very critical of their own lack of compassion towards him during his twelve year stay.

Gibran provides the name of only one other character. The character, Almitra, is also the first person to ask Almustafa to speak about love. There could be a possibility of a romantic link between the two, but this could never be accurately drawn or concluded. Before Almitra spoke, Almustafa was boarding the ship refusing to speak. It was only when she spoke to him that he decides to delay his departure to answer the many questions of the people of Orphalese. The choice to give hope to the people of Orphalese was not to be given without some criticism.

When asked about self-knowledge, Almustafa answers, “Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights. But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart’s knowledge. You would know in words that which you have always known in thought. You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams,” (The Prophet, 54). This particular passage is a direct criticism of the townspeople. It’s making reference to the fact that their hearts know their darkest secrets and that their own ears thirst to hear their own faults. This is a wonderful way in which Gibran disguises criticism in the form of self-help.

The beautiful short-story The Prophet encourages the reader to look into their own soul and to understand the meaning of their own lives.

“And beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted,” (The Prophet, 75).

It is the beauty of each person’s life that Gibran tries to accurately depict. He gives hope in the form of self-realization and self-correction. The faults of society and the world are the faults of each person not finding and embracing what is truly beautiful in life. The Prophet, being the beautifully written masterpiece that it is, deserves serious consideration to be included in the Literatures of the Fantastic course.



Gibran, Khalil. The Prophet. New York: Alfred. A. Knopf, Inc., 1923

Super Stoked

I have one HUGE paper to turn in on Monday and then the rest of my week is lining up to be one of the best yet. I'm going to, not one, but TWO TOOL shows this week! I'm going to the Everett show on Tuesday and I'm going with someone who has the same musical tastes as me, so that should be a great night. Then on Wednesday, I'm driving down to Portland to see TOOL again. I'll be meeting up some of my buddies from TOOLARMY and we'll have some fun before the show begins. I've seen Bob Dylan at this venue before so this should be pretty sweet! After that, I have Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to prepare for my finals. On Sunday, my friends George and Trish are going with me to see the Seattle Seahawks clinch the division against the Arizona Cardinals. That's my prediction for the game. I've been to THREE games this year and the Seahawks have won all of them. If the Hawks win Sunday and then beat the Ravens on the 23rd...I will have finished the 2007 season going 5-0. That hasn't happened to me before in any sport. C'mon Hawks...let's shut up all of these critics of the NFC West and show them how we run things at home! I'm totally looking forward to this. Going to TOOL and then no more school. Spiral out.

Mice

I had a mouse that had the rolling rubber ball on the bottom. I got rid of it and bought a laser mouse. Ah, much better.

Seahawks...

The Seattle Seahawks have won 3 games in a row. Ironically, or not, Shaun Alexander has missed 3 straight games. Is there any coincidence to this? Probably not. The Seahawks are much better with Morris in the backfield. So long Alexander. Thank you for that monster year that you had...simply because it was a contract year for you. Go Hawks!!! 7-4 at this point and I've got tickets to the Cardinals and Ravens' games.

Pain

I've been injured a lot in my life so I'm no stranger when it comes to pain. However, I came home last night being bothered by my left achilles' tendon. I tried to walk down the stairs to get my morning papers and I could barely put weight on it. I took a muscle relaxer to hopefully allow me to walk the 1 mile to class. Another sad part is...it's only Monday. I have 4 more nights of this crap until the weekend. I work with really heavy loads and I do remember lifting more heavy boxes yesterday than usual. I also moved more packages than I usually do. They tell me to get over 1,000 scanned packages a night and I got 1,300 last night. That should get me some recognition at work. However, I'm afraid to tell them that I hurt. Maybe they'll give me light duty for one day. I just don't want the red tape attached to all the legal paperwork and the bureaucracy crap. Hope I feel better by 4pm. I'll go into work, regardless, but we'll see how well I feel later today. Spiral out.

What I Love About Seattle

Here is a list of things I love about the city of Seattle:

1. The smell of bum's urine
2. Starbucks every block and on every other corner
3. The lack of parking
4. I-5 during rush hour
5. I-5 before and after a Seahawks and Husky game
6. Bums sleeping by and peeing on my recycling/garbage bin
7. The crazy lady next to me and her inability to park a car straight
8. The middle finger
9. No Burger Kings
10. Headshops
11. Perfectly healthy people begging for money

Open Letter to Red Sox Fans

Roger Dorn once said, "cut through the crap Vaughn. I've only got one thing to say to you...". I'll leave the rest out because it doesn't apply here. However, the tone in which that was said does apply here. After feeling sorry for Boston Red Sox fans for so many years, I can finally say, "Shut the hell up!" I've hated the NY Yankees my entire life for the simple fact that they were always good. I know that isn't a valid reason to hate someone or something, but it's true. I enjoy struggle and watching the team adjust through difficult times. The Yankees are now going through this and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Now, I enjoyed watching the 2004 postseason and anyone who knows anything about baseball knows why I feel that way. It was great to watch. However, after that year I have started to hate Boston and their fans in the same manner that I hate Yankees and their fans. They are all pompous assholes that walk around all day with their noses in the air. Why? Have you guys forgotten the difficulties that you went through to get here? Enjoy the moment, don't rub it in our faces. I have no problem watching a team win a major event, but I do have a problem with their fans rubbing it in everyone's faces...especially mine. I have never had a team win it all. I've had the Mariners win 116 games in 2001 only to lose to the Yankees. I have been there when the Seattle Seahawks went to Super Bowl XL only to lose the game due to terrible calls and an East Coast atmosphere. I have never been able to run in the streets, partying with my fellow sports fans. This doesn't get to happen much around here in Seattle. To add to that misery, our beloved Seattle Supersonics appear to be heading out of town at the end of the season.

The point that I'm tying to make is this: if you win, win with class; if you lose, do so in a respectful manner. Sports is about change and struggle. That's why more men watch sports than soap operas. The drama is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. I enjoy watching those types of games. I remember being emotionally hurt after watching Chris Webber call a timeout against North Carolina in the NCAA final; Seattle come up short against Green Bay in the playoffs; the Mariners toss their MLB's best record down the drain by losing to the Yankees, etc.

To the fans in Boston and New England: shut the hell up! You have a team that has finally figured out how to win games (spending a lot of $$$). You also had the Boston Celtics that won more championships than I could count during their existence. The New England Patriots are off to the best start ever this year and have been the team to beat since Drew Bledsoe injured himself and Tom Brady came in. Now, you have the Red Sox...2-time World Series champs. Win and celebrate with dignity. Don't come out to Seattle next year to drink loads of beer and taunt our fans who come to merely enjoy the game. Seattle has some of the best fans in the country and I'll say that until the day that I die. When the Red Sox are playing the Mariners...don't shout unnecessary things, don't taunt our fans that have never experienced what you have experienced, and don't rub winning in the faces of the loser.

If you do you'll put the Red Sox in the same boat as the Yankees...and you don't want that...believe me. So enjoy this win Boston, but if you don't do it respectfully prepare to face an abundance of hatred whereever you may play.

Question...

What is it about this new boot fad with women today? They look like moon boots with slaughtered animal fur on them. Just wondering. Spiral out.

After Two Years

Daniela and I agreed to end our two year relationship yesterday. I want to say that she is an amazing person with an exceptionally large heart. I hope that she succeeds in all that she pursues because she deserves nothing less. I'm glad that we decided to remain a part of each other's lives because we owe that to ourselves. There will be many things about her that I'll miss, but it was something that had to be done. I'll always love you Daniela and I want to thank you for giving me some of the best years of my life. Spiral out.

University of Washington

Well, well, well. Here I am. I finally have both of my feet on the ground in my first semester at UofW. Thus far, I have been reading non-stop. It's not bad, but it does cut into my personal time. I started my new job at UPS last Monday. On the 15th I will be officially loading trucks, etc. It may not seem like much, but it's a physical workout. I have missed physical labor for so long. I didn't mind working in an office, being confined to a chair for 8 hours a day. However, it does take a toll on your ability to stay in shape and get paid for something that doesn't require much brain activity. This is the perfect college job. They pay $3000 for my tuition ($1500 for two semesters), they loan me $2000 a year for up to 4 years (after 4 years of employment I only have to pay back the interest), I will have full medical benefits, complete dental and eye care, and the hours are perfect (5pm-10pm Monday-Friday).

I have everything that I'm going to need for the next 4 years of my life. That's right, I plan on getting a master's degree out of this. I've waited too long for this and there is no way that I'll go back to the work-force without all of my schooling done. I feel as though I have a decent grasp on the material, but it's the reading that is killing me. I get, roughly, 5 hours of sleep a night. I walk to Tully's (Starbuck's major competitor and a fair trade shop) each morning for a cup of joe. Didn't like coffee a few years ago, but that has changed.

I feel extremely old here and I can tell by the way that these kids talk. The majority of them don't seem immature, but when they open their mouths the difference becomes apparent. I'm taking three 5 credit courses right now: International Conflict, International Human Rights, and Fantasy Literature (not something I planned on taking, but does help me graduate). The reading is intense and I find it hard at times to devote adequate time to this.

I love the fact that I don't drive 75 miles each day (when I was at my old job of 4 years) and I don't miss getting road rage. I admit it, I get road rage pretty bad sometimes. I never flip someone off or scream at them. I merely honk my horn and think to myself, "I wish they would get genital herpes." You see? This isn't 1984 and there are no Thought Police.

I will post on here as much as I can. Hope all of you are doing well and I'd love to hear from you all. Until then...spiral out.

The Seattle Seahawks

I feel that the Seattle Seahawks should trade Shaun Alexander for a cheaper, younger running back. The last two games he has amassed a total of 70 yards. The Seattle Seahawks will shoot themselves in the foot if they can't mix things up. A passing game is all they have right now and that won't be too efficient because the running game is too weak. Just a thought.

Music To Me

Here is a list of shows that I plan on attending before the year is up. You may look at this list and think, "Man, that's a lot of shows". Well, I know. I enjoy the atmosphere and I'll probably never be able to live this way ever again. I'm just living life to the fullest.

1. Nick Swardson @ Moore Theater Friday June 15th @ 7:30pm
2. An Evening with Roger Waters @ GM Place in Vancouver June 21st @ 8pm
3. Lewis Black @ Paramount Theater June 23rd @ 8pm
4. Bob Saget @ Moore Theater Friday June 29th @ 8pm
5. Les Claypool @ The Showbox July 3rd @ 8pm
6. The Moody Blues @ Chateau Ste Michelle July 7th @ 7pm
7. Deftones @ Wamu Theater @ Qwest Field July 8th @ 8pm
8. Deftones @ Commodore Ballroom July 12th @ 8pm
9. The Nightwatchman @ Doug Fir Lounge July 17th @ 9pm
10. The Nightwatchman @ Crocodile Cafe July 18th @ 10pm
11. An Evening with RUSH @ White River Amphitheater July 20th @ 8pm
12. Rise Against @ The Fenix Underground July 23rd @ 8pm
13. Jonny Lang @ Tulalip Amphitheater August 15th @ 8pm
14. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Rock the Bells @ McCovey Cove Parking Lot in San Francisco August 18th @ 12pm
15. Incubus (Download Festival) at The Gorge August 25th @ 2pm
16. BB King @ Tulalip Amphitheater September 16th @ 6pm


In between all of these dates are a few Mariners' games. I'll be having a busy summer and I'll be finishing it up just in time to start school in the fall. I won't live my life in a constrained manner. The Rage Against the Machine reunion show at Coachella earlier this summer defies what I do with my life...sometimes you only get one shot, I choose to take advantage of that situation. If Led Zeppelin ever had a reunion show...I'd be there...regardless of the location. Music is one of the few aspects of my life and it plays a huge role in who I am as a person. To list a few names of the groups/people I have seen live: Metallica, Deftones (4x), Rage Against the Machine (2x), TOOL (2x), Incubus (3x), Audioslave, A Perfect Circle, Wolfmother (2x), Manu Chao (2x), Beastie Boys, Stone Temple Pilots, Staind, Linkin Park (2x), etc. I love music and this is one of the many ways in which I enjoy it...live.

Trip To Los Angeles & Coachella

I left roughly one month ago on my recent trip to LA to see my brother and attend the Coachella Festival. My girlfriend Daniela was nice enough to drop me off on the night of Friday April 20th at the SeaTac Airport. To be honest with you, I hated to see her while I was leaving. It was truly hard to say goodbye to her and I must admit that I cried after looking at her for the last time. Sitting on the plane was the first time that I realized how crazy flying coach truly is. I always request a window seat so that I can look out of the window from time to time to see the lights of the city. I had to sit next to this guy who irritated me the entire trip. He kept making certain gestures everytime he looked at my reading material. I wasn't about to strangle anyone so I just proceeding in reading my "Foreign Policy" magazine.

When I landed in LA, I noticed how much warmer it felt and how dirty the air was. When I went down the ramp I made 3 phone calls. I called Phil to let him know that my plane had landed, Daniela to tell her how much I love her, and my Mom to let her know that I landed safely. I've been afraid of flying before...September 13th, 2001 to be exact. You can imagine how insane that flight was. However, unlike other people, I've changed. I'm no longer afraid of what lies ahead of me and what could possibly happen.

Spending time in LA with my brother was going to be great...for the most part. There were negatives and there were positives, but I'm satisfied with the entire trip. Rage Against the Machine reunion show was amazing and one of the things that I will always remember. Hanging out with my brother was awesome, but I would've loved to hang out with him more. I got to meet Tom Morello, walk through LA, eat interesting food, meet interesting people, and I got to come to the conclusion that I don't like LA as much as I thought I would. I love Washington and I love the respect it's citizens have for it. California residents, for the most part, could care less about the quality of living in their home state.

The camping trip was something to remember and something to learn a lesson by. I arrived around 12am on Thursday night and there was a one hour wait in line just to get into the campground (polo field). On the way in there, my shoulder strap broke on my duffel bag. Ouch! That bag was almost too heavy to carry with one arm, but I managed to get it up into the line. While waiting in line, I noticed that the guy in front of me had a tattoo of John Lennon. It was the famous picture of John on a NY rooftop wearing glasses and a sleeveless New York City shirt. I complimented him for having such an awesome inking. I've always considered getting inked, but I can't imagine having anything attached to my body for that long.

After checking in, I made my way over to my spot. I set up my tent in the warm California desert air and got to know a few of the other folks around me. The people I met that night, I never spoke to again during the next 3 days. I tried to go to sleep that night, but it was really hard. I, not surprisingly, was lonely and was feeling completely vulnerable. There was a massive party that night and it got so loud that sleeping wasn't possible at all. I did manage to get a few hours of sleep, but the morning heat came as a surprise. 6:15 in the morning...my tent reached sweatlodge temperatures. I was sweating profusely at 6:30am and I was forced to be up for the rest of the day. I didn't think this would be a problem until later that night.

The opening day performances started at 12:15 on Friday April 27th, 2007. I felt like heading in early to catch some of the performances, but I hesitated because of what other people were telling me. They told me that they wouldn't let anyone re-enter the venue after checking in and that it would get unbearably hot. Well, I was already burning up and I wanted to find a place to catch some shade and I heard of the shade tents inside. I finally got into the venue around 2pm Friday afternoon. I had no idea what was in store for me.

Just walking in I could see how huge this place was. I remember seeing the map on the Coachella website, but I never imagined to see this. They had 8 palm trees in the front and each of the trees had the concert poster of each year of Coachella dating all the way back to 1999 (when TOOL and Rage Against the Machine closed out the festival). I noticed how much this festival has grown over the years. After mindlessly walking around for a few hours I noticed fast the number of people increased. It went from walking around at the Puyallup Fair to walking through WalMart during the Christmas season. I've never shopped at WalMart, but I can imagine what it's like.

I managed to catch the Silversun Pickups, the Comedians of Comedy, some Of Montreal, Arctic Monkeys, and Interpol. I didn't stay to see Bjork because I was cold and extremely tired. After it was all said and done...I was walking around in the 100 degree sun for over 10 hours. I managed to get back to my tent and I headed over to the showering facilities. To be honest with you, I was surprised how nice these things were. I did have one minor setback. Every two shower stalls had ONE drain and I happened to get into the one with drain. The guy next to me managed to urinate in his stall and I noticed the yellow stream coming towards my feet...which were right near the drain. I stepped out of the stall long enough for this to pass and I didn't go back into the stall until the guy had left. That was gross, but I wasn't feeling good enough to let that bother me. I had two more days of brutal sun to battle. After the shower I plopped my head down on my pillow and fell fast asleep at around 11pm.

At 6:25 I was woken by the steaming heat that had woken me up the morning previous. At that point in time, I felt as if my shower never happened. I was soaking wet from head to toe and I immediately flew out of my tent. I walked back over to the showering facility and took another shower...a cold one. After that, I headed back to my tent and proceeded with applying the sun screen that my brother's girlfriend Nikki loaned me. That little bottle proved to be a life-saver. There were some people who were cherry red already because they failed to put on sun screen. I'm just glad that it wasn't me. However, I managed to wear my sandals the day before and I noticed that I had 3 or 4 blisters on my right foot. I promised myself that I would wear shoes from that point on.

Some people can wear open-toed shoes...I can't. I feel much more comfortable in shoes and socks.

I managed to catch The Nightwatchman, Ghostface Killah, Arcade Fire, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. That day went by really fast and I never noticed much of what was going on. The main reason for me being there was only 22 short hours away...or so I thought. That night...helicopters and screaming woke me up.

That was pretty intense and I never saw myself in the middle of something like this. I finally went back to bed and woke up around 6:30 (for the LAST time) covered in sweat. The day I had been longing for...had arrived.

Sunday was one of the longest days of my life. For one, I was dying to see Rage. Two, I was tired, dehydrated, and sick of the heat. Oh, how I longed for a Washington spring rain. I managed to meet two very cool guys from Vermont, of all places. Ken and Lucas. I told them that their names were easy to memorize because the Seahawks had a player named Ken Lucas. They found that humorous. We started talking because they were camping right next to me and they had on TOOL shirts and Boston Red Sox caps. Immediately I knew that we had two things in common. We spent all of day talking about music, religion, politics, and more music. These guys were cool and I'm glad to have met them.

I don't remember much of Sunday...except for Rage. I remember standing fairly close to the stage and I heard something that I've never heard before. Mind you, this was well before Rage was set to go on. I heard a group called Manu Chao...completely breathtaking in a musical sense. The lead singer, Manu Chao, is Latin fellow from Paris. He has other bandmembers from all of the points on the globe. Their sound was completely awesome and I fell in love with a type of music that I've never listened to. Their performance set the tone for Rage...in fact they were on right before Rage. If you ever get a chance to, listen to their stuff. Awesome.

The Rage show was everything I expected and imagined that it would be. I would have liked to see them in a much more intimate venue, but it was their reunion show...it was HUGE. As soon as Morello's guitar took off, so did my emotions. I forgot where I was and who I was for roughly 2 hours. It was almost like being high, but without the THC. Zach's political rant towards the Bush Administration during an extended version of "Wake Up" was surprising. I knew that they would say something, but nothing to that extreme. Their entire set was awesome and I never thought twice about how much money I paid for this entire trip...it was worth every penny.

I reached my tent before most people and waited around for Ken & Lucas to arrive. As soon as they did, they hit the sack and promised to keep in touch with me. I told the two other guys next to me that I would give them a ride into town so that they wouldn't be rushed in the morning. They thought that my offer was a great idea and agreed to take me up on it. I was already packed at that point and I was hearing of 3-4 hour wait...just to GET OUT of the parking lot! I didn't care because I was NOT going to pack up my stuff in the sweltering heat Monday morning. I needed to get to my brother's and sleep. I got to the car and waited for the guys to show up. I was in line in the parking lot and I wasn't going anywhere, so waiting wasn't that hard. As soon as the line started moving...I got worried. Where were those guys? The show got out at 12:30 and it was almost 3am at that point. I decided that I would never see them again and I made up my mind to leave. I felt really bad, but oh well.

The drive home was okay because the roads were open and I was flying all the way back. It was 5am when I reached LA and I called Phil to give me a few directions back to his place. He gave me good directions and I was at his place and in bed by 6am. I took a shower that night and slept until noon.

Nikki and I hung out the next day. We had breakfast at restaurant where they filmed "American Graffiti." It was good food and I was still riding on high from the Rage show. She then took me to her nail place...and she talked me into getting a pedicure. That was a bad idea. I'm not blaming her at all, but the lady doing my feet neglected to notice the 4 blisters on my right foot. She grinded those things down to the point of pain and horror. I tell you, most people just pop their blisters...she managed to grind them completely off. I didn't know what to do because I've never had a pedicure and I thought that she knew what she was doing. Wrong!

After that was done, we went back to drop off my rental car. That we smoothly and easier than I had expected.

Phil and I had a TOOL show to go to before I would be leaving. We managed to pack up my things before the show and give Nikki cab fare for her ride home. Apparently, she won't take a metro bus (which would have only costed $2.50) and decided to take the cab which cost $38 just to take her a few miles. I don't know...which figure looks more appealing to you?

The TOOL show was awesome. Phil and I had front row seats in the lower bowl area and we also had aisle seats. Man, I'm good at getting great seats. The TOOL show was every song I wanted to hear and the lasers were beyond amazing. The security guys were being real uptight about people taking pictures and video clips of the show and threatened to take Phil & I's phone if we didn't put them away. I still got some great shots and clips. After the show, Phil drove me to LAX and dropped me off around 1:30 am or so. I got teary eyed just trying to say good-bye to my brother, but I knew he needed to get home and get some sleep. I realized that the check-in stands didn't open until 4 am. I managed to walk around all of LAX with my huge bags just to find a place to lay down. As soon as I was on the plane I got really tired. I was scheduled to arrive in Seattle around 9 am. I told my boss that I would arrive at work at 1pm. This was going to be done with absolutely NO SLEEP. That was a rough afternoon.

All in all, this trip was great and I don' t regret anything I did. I would've liked to go out with my brother more, but that didn't happen. I love my brother and I support everything that he does...well almost everything. This was a great trip that I will never forget...never.

Construction Workers

This is a blog that I wish strikes a nerve with someone. I have grown sick and tired of having my daily drives delayed by the constant road construction. Have you ever taken a glance at the construction workers while waiting in front of that worthless excuse for a life...the sign holder? I've seen 5 or 6 workers all standing around in a circle watching one guy...one...dig a hole or shovel some dirt. This is your tax dollars hard at work. If you can't do the simple job you've been assigned to do...get another job. There are plenty of other people who will work twice as hard as you and get the job done. Maybe then, we'll have fixed roads and less construction to deal with. That's it...I'm done.

Movie Review: "Jesus Camp"

Okay, let me start off by saying how much I truly love watching documentaries. This movie was no exception. I loved it. Now, I will attempt to explain as to why I loved it and why I believe that this movie is extremely important for most of the world to watch. There were parts of this movie that took me out of my comfort zone and made me realize how truly crazy Evangelical Christians are. Let me rephrase that: it made me realize how truly insane any fundamentalist religion is. The concept of the movie was that the Christian faith was basing its survival on this current generation of children. Okay, that sounds all gravy and potatoes to me, but there was a very unnerving catch. They were "brainwashing" these children into this belief and shaping their view of reality before their young minds could even decipher what reality really was. One cannot take an intellectual stance on any subject without fully understanding both sides of an argument. I used the term "brainwashing" because the female pastor in this movie used that as an acceptable term to use towards their unorthodox methods. Most Evangelical Christian families homeschool their children. 75% of all homeschooled children are Evangelical Christians...this is absolutely out of control. I understand that we should allow people to raise their children in the manner in which they see fit, but this is completely mindblowing. The typical problems with homeschooling children are: lack of social skills, bias teaching methods, one-sided opinions, the students are only as smart as their parents, and they do not meet a lot of the standards that the American educational system sets out for our children. I understand that our public education system is showing a lot of vulnerability right now, but it's nothing a few strict guidelines and expectations couldn't fix. Have any of you actually known a homeschooled child? To me, they seem a little off and detached from reality.
In the movie, there were parents who were telling their children that global warming was a huge conspiracy and that creationism is the "only way" and that it defeats all scientific evidence and or research. I'm sorry, but if you were in court trying to prove your innocence...the judge/jury won't be persuaded by beliefs or opinions. Of course not, no. The only thing that proves ones case...is evidence. Plain and simple. I'm friends with Evangelical Christians and I'm related to some as well. From a realistic point of view, the entire creationism theory is a shot in the dark. It was only created to give Christians something to grasp on to besides not debating evolution. Let's face the facts. Evangelical Christians are uncomfortable about debating or discussing their own beliefs and they are unable to look at things from the alternative perspective.
The movie also showed these children, yes children, giving political arguments against abortion. Okay, I'll agree that abortion isn't a pretty sight, but it is a woman's choice. The only reason that abortion and stem cells are passionate subjects for Evangelical Christians is because they respect life. Okay, that makes logical sense. However, name one person (other than Christians) that doesn't appreciate life or respect the decision to live. War is an ugly thing, but the Christians don't seem to have a problem with it. The death penalty is an ugly thing, but the Christians don't have a problem with that either. They only have passion for something with the "potential" of life. I'm sorry, but they believe that life begins at conception. This argument cannot be supported based on what we now know and understand. Life begins, in my opinion, as soon as a child takes it's first breath outside of its mother's womb...and...gets a live birth certificate. If no live birth certificate exists, it wasn't a life. It had the "potential" to live, but it didn't become a living, breathing human being.
Let's take the Evangelical Christian point of view and make the assessment that life begins at conception. Okay, conception occurs when a man's sperm meets a woman's ovum. This creation maintains the status of a blastocyst. It consists of 200 different types of cells which are called pluripotent cells. This blastocyst has the "potential" for becoming an embryo, but isn't an embryo yet. During this point, Evangelical Christians believe that our soul is created. I argue, along with Sam Harris and many other scientists, that a blastocyst has the ability to duplicate itself...thus creating a "twin" cell or the possibility to become a set of twin embryos. Now when this happens, does this one "created" soul also divide itself into another soul? If your answer is yes, then I can argue that you believe that souls can duplicate themselves in the same manner as blastocysts. We as humans can research and study these blastocysts. In doing so, we have concluded that stem cells have amazing potential for healing terrible illnesses and have shown ample evidence regardless of what religious organizations say. There has always been a clash between those who are intellectuals and those who think that the Bible is all they need to know in this world. I respond to that with great criticism. Any religious belief, regardless of its origin, isn't stable enough to be the cornerstone for any civilization. Religious views or morals are fine, but only if they are within the realm of tolerance.
In "Jesus Camp", the ways in which the Evangelical Christians taught their children was beyond comprehension. Taking thousands of years worth of scientific knowledge/research and discrediting it with beliefs and assumptions that cannot and will never be proven is only hurting these children. Children should be raised to understand both sides of the debate, not just one specific side. This is one of the main reasons why intellectuals and Evangelical Christians, Fundamentalist Muslims, etc. will never be able to have a productive debate. They use religion as an excuse to close themselves out from the rest of the world. They claim that anything that challenges their beliefs or places restrictions on their powers are creations of the "devil". How is an individual supposed to expand their ability to think or to become an intellectual if religion has prevented the ability to do so?
I was an Evangelical Christian for roughly 2 years from ages 21 and 23. In church, I felt like an outcast. I always asked too many questions, listened to the wrong music, viewed women as something other than a "weaker sex", and never fully accepted that things were as they were according to the Bible. I respect a person's opinion and choice to choose a religion to follow, but I will never let their narrow-minded points-of-view or opinions shape the way that I choose to live. Religious individuals and I will be fine just as long as their power doesn't affect my life. However, when it does come to that point, I will fight to the teeth to prevent them from obtaining any more power and/or control.
Evangelical Christians claim that "this land" was founded by "Christian men". I, however, oppose that viewpoint. What they did, in reality, was steal the Natives' land, used Africans as slaves for the simple purpose of possessing an economic advantage over other countries, injected the original inhabitants with their "loving" faith, and created what we now know as the status quo. This country was "founded" by the Native people who appreciated the land in which they lived on, created their own religious beliefs, and never belittled any other person by placing them on to reservations. This country was "founded" by "decent Christian men" only because many of these people fail to recognize or acknowledge the evil atrocities of our past. Evangelical Christians are a huge problem in this country.

Uninsured Motorists

I'm not an insensitive person. Believe me, I'm really not. However, there comes a point where I have to draw a line. That particular line is responsibility. I happen to know a few really decent people. They obey the law, don't cause harm to others, etc. However, these few individuals don't have auto insurance. I can understand how unfair society can be at times and that those who prosper are the only ones who reaps its rewards. This can be quite true, but yet, so far from the actual truth. The truth of the matter is that everyone has responsibility. Whether you are highly educated or a high school dropout, everyone has some level of responsibility. I can see where someone has to work to make ends meet, but I dare ask a few questions. Just to make ends meet does not require that much of an income. If your rent is too high, move to one that is more to your financial liking. Maybe you smoke...quit smoking. It has been proven that the average smoker spends well over $2,500 a year on cigarettes alone. Not to also rule out the fact that your medical problems will add up as you age and continue to smoke. Maybe you eat out once in awhile. Learn to cook. Eating out is a LUXURY, it is not a necessity. Besides, cooking at home is much healthier and is a lot cheaper. Other needs (not wants) include: drinking, cable, HUGE televisions, DVDs, music, fancy cars, etc. These things are not necessary to exist in this world, therefore are not something that demands your attention financially. Auto insurance, at least in the state of Washington, is a law. A law enacted by elected officials by tax paying citizens. With that in mind, the roads are funded by tax payers who have enacted and voted for these laws. If one is to operate an automobile, they better be able to legally provide a driver's license and proof of auto insurance. If you use the roads to drive on, you have to abide by all laws enacted by our elected officials. Therefore, driving on tax payer supported roads (federal, state, county, and city) without auto insurance is a crime. If you can't afford auto insurance, you can't afford to drive. If you need to get to work, you can take a bus. It might require that you swallow some pride, but you would be abiding by the law. Our current legal system does not enforce this law in the manner that they should. For example, when I got my new car (when I was 19), I drove to school in an insured vehicle without current tabs. Keep in mind that I was getting my new car insured and licensed that day and so the new car was unable to be used. I was pulled over for expired tabs (this I don't argue and is therefore completely my fault), but I also didn't have proof of auto insurance. My ticket, after it was all said and done, was over $700. I decided to take it to the municipal court because I did have auto insurance, but I didn't have proof of it in the car with me at the time. I went to the court and provided proof that I have auto insurance and the judge dropped that charge, but I was still responsible for the expired tabs portion. I paid this. In today's legal system, if you get caught without auto insurance and you really DON'T have auto insurance, you get a $700 ticket. That's it. Now if the average uninsured driver only gets caught once every two years or 3 years, they only have to pay $700 each time. How much do insured drivers have to pay over that course of time? Roughly $100 a month. That's a total of $2,400 or $3,600 total compared to $700. Just by looking at that, I would choose to take the $700 option. However, I care about the wellbeing of society. Therefore I support the current laws of our state by abiding by the laws. If I get into an auto accident which is my fault (which hasn't happened yet), I have the insurance that will make the situation more just for both parties. I may have caused the other party pain and suffering, but my auto insurance will try to accomodate them. What happens when an uninsured party gets into an accident? The person with insurance will have to cover the entire accident and might even end up paying a deductible for making a claim and their insurance rates might actually go up. The uninsured motorist will only have to deal with a $700 ticket from our legal system and that's all. Now, is that fair? The uninsured motorist doesn't have to pay for the time spent on arranging a claim, filing paperwork, taking time off of work, dealing with insurance hassles, etc. None. The only thing that they will be out of is a car (if it was damaged beyond properly operating) and the $700 ticket which most end up not paying. That means the unpaid $700 goes to collections and the taxpayers having to cover the debt to the legal system. What does this tell us? Our legal system MUST hold people more responsible for insuring themselves and covering their debt to society and other private institutions. Instead of giving them a $700 ticket, why not make it $5,000? Why not $10,000? Why not tossing them in jail for 6 months? Is this too mean? Our legal system must hold its citizens more responsible for their actions. I understand that the auto insurance industry LOVES this idea, but the bottom line is that our law abiding citizens are constantly being heckled by people who do not and refuse to follow the law. We need to focus on this point and put effort into enacting stricter laws. Our legal system is failing if our people are failing each other.

Return Of "Rage"

As many of the music loving world know, Rage Against the Machine is reuniting for one show April 29th at the Coachella Festival in Indio, CA. I will make every attempt to see this because, as far as I or anyone else knows, this will only be a one-time gig. Rage Against the Machine was the jolting force for my getting interested in politics and foreign affairs. This event, which is going to cost me $250, will be a monumental affair. When I do get a ticket, I will hopefully be accompanied by one or more of my closest friends. I hope that we will camp at the festival, which will run me another $45 for the 4 nights that we're there. Also appearing will be The Roots, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ghostface Killah, Pharoah Monch, Willie Nelson, Sonic Youth, and Rage Against the Machine. I hope to keep you all posted on this as time progresses. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, but I have a pre-sale password to get tickets for Thursday.

American "Idle"

Let's face reality...a lot of people watch American Idol...a lot of people. To be accurate, roughly 37.5 million people watched the season debut. Let's look at this from my point of view because, well...this is my blog! HA! American Idol recently had an article written about them in the new Newsweek. It covers certain "hopefuls" who have tried out time and time again. A few of them have actually auditioned every single year since it began 6 years ago. Now, of course, they haven't made much of an impact because they're still trying! If these feebleminded individuals actually put that sort of effort into college or a job for 6 years...they could be making some serious money and or be in a great position of seniority. The dream or fantasy of being famous occurs to most all people, but many of them (like myself) realize that those dreams will never become a reality. True, some people have actually overcome the odds to become famous, but that percentage is not the encouraging number many claim it is. The reality of the people who continually try to become famous year in and year out is depressing. Most of them probably still live with their parents' basement/garage or haven't made up their mind on what they want to do with their life. Okay, sure. We've all been in that place before, but we didn't put our limited effort into something that would never make up for it. We placed our effort into something less desirable, but more realistic. The fact of the matter is, if you aren't making the world better with your life then your life is meaningless. You may mean a lot to some people (family, friends, etc.), but by delaying your actual potential...you're making the world a less progressive place for everyone. Imagine if Albert Einstein or anyone working for the Manhattan Project decided to chase a wild and crazy dream of losing their sense of respect to become "famous". In this world, sometimes respect is all one has. American Idol, in my opinion, is making this country more unintelligent and more egocentrical. Shame on the marketing individuals that put entertainment over education. Shame on people who are willing to sell their soul for something that will never fully make them whole. This world needs people who are willing to make a difference by making sacrifices, not chasing stupid dreams by selling themselves out. And that's the final word.