I guess some things need clarifying...

Apparently, I've been told that some of my family that reads my comments have miss-understood my earlier post. The overall tone of my article is as it relates to me, and no one else. Let me clarify. I, in no way shape or form called anyone a bigot, by name. The overall message was lost, and I got many voices of concern stated.
The behavior of commenting on women, or their attractiveness, is not something that I do. I don't really understand it. A person, is a person, is a person. I don't go out of my way to look at them, and I don't give it any thought to it.
The overall article is commentary on how the previous generation is, and how it relates to the next, and how I might be missing that context or am losing humanity in that regard.
Have I caught my family saying some colorful and what I would term as racist remark. I won't lie and say that it hasn't happened. I am in no way naming people here, or giving specific examples. It's just a principal and context of that generation. It's the way people were raised back then. One that I can't agree with.
I apologize if anyone took offense or felt that they were slighted or named or made fun of. That was not my intent. My sole purpose was to mention how I just do not understand the previous generation, and had to voice it.
The purpose of a blog, is that it's a running update. A place that someone can give their views, or news, or post something topically. Some people just view it as a way to post family news, or things that don't really start conversation, which is what I am not about. I'm not about the frills, with the exception of movies, that's my one vice. I do not converse with everyone on a day to day basis, nor would you probably WANT me to.
Again, my apologies to any family that might be reading this blog. This is how I see the world, and I won't say that you and I, or others would see the same thing. There wasn't anything in the slightest bit of hatred. I do love all the characters in my family, and they're a colorful sort. I just don't understand them most of the time.

Losing what's most important in life.

I haven't posted anything recently, but I've recently was on a trip. I spent the last half a week in Boise watching the NCAA tournament first and second rounds. I was with my father, and 2 uncles. During the whole weekend, I was with several 50 and older men. The days were spent, making calls to wives every three hours, but they didn't seem to talk about anything. There were times at the games, that some comments were made about cheerleaders. Binoculars were pulled and used. The raw lust for girls that were 30 plus years younger than they were, was disguised under the musings of "appreciating their beauty". The whole weekend kind of sickened me, in many ways. It was at this point that I discovered something very un-nerving. That I am losing what humanity that I have left in me.

Do you appreciate her as human being?

After many of the school shootings that occurred in the late 90's and early 00's, a young woman proclaimed that she didn't understand why or how people could do such a thing. I tried to inform her that in her Gap buying, talking on a her cell phone about the latest gossip, and American Idol watching life; utterly sickened them to the point that they couldn't take it anymore. She gasped, and I knew the notion was still wasted on her. It was something that she won't ever understand.
These were the men that raised most of my generation, and here they were 50+ and hanging on every word their wives said but at the same time were some of the most ignorant people I've ever seen. Every comment that spewed out of their mouths was one of bigotry and hatred, and how they were slighted. Is this what awaits me for old age? Is this how all older people are? How many other people see this?
After all was said and done, I had fun watching the games. However, much of what I saw displayed sickened me. This left me thinking all weekend, is this what awaits me if I progress to what humanity says is necessary? I then I remember, it's about what humanity does that is so unexpected that I like it so much. Such small things like a friend telling me that he's gonna have some kids. Seeing people sacrifice, what little they have to help others. I myself may not have much humanity left in me, but maybe that's what left for me. To chronicle the good things that humanity does. I still recognize that at least. I guess that's the lesson to be learned, don't lose sight of the things that make humanity great, it's nature.

The greatest sports person of all time...

Okay, this will probably be the one and only time you hear me give respect to someone. However, the greatest sports person of all time, or at least recently is.... Pat Summitt. For those of you who don't know, Pat Summitt is the head Coach of the Tennessee basketball Lady Vols.

I've made my position on women's sports usually pretty clear. I've never like women's basketball. However, you cannot deny Pat Summitt's intensity. She just barely passed the 1000th career win mark, and she is only lead by John Wooden in the numbers of national championships.
It might just be the hype, but I like Pat Summitt. I met her once while working a mall gig a few years ago. It's been said that she's on the most personable yet intense people in sports, and from the few moments I met her (which was only a couple of sentences of conversation), I would have to agree.
Plus, she's just a tough old bird. Yes, I think that giving any woman over the age of 45, the title of "tough old bird" is the ultimate compliment. At her home, she had some sort of varmint (Possum, Raccoon, etc) came into her home and she beat it away with a broom. How many women do you know that would beat a Raccoon away with broom!?
She started her coaching gig at the age of 22. She was coaching players that were only 1 year younger than she was. Ultimately she's a classy lady, and I watch almost every interview that I can with her. I think that she is pretty much on of the ultimate sports people of all time. Here's my salute to you Pat Summitt!

The high price of toxisity

I find it utterly hilarious the latest news I've heard. Apparently Manny Ramirez has turned down an offer for a 1 year 25 mil contract. You might ask what's so funny about that? I can totally foresee going into spring training with Manny not being signed by any ball club. So, because of a players ego at trying to get one last cash grab, he might not make anything. That's something unheard of in sports. Barry Bonds right now, is sitting on his ass hoping that someone would pay him some jack just for him to hit some pitches. Now, Manny doesn't want to play for anyone unless it's for a couple of years.


First, the LA Dodgers started with a 3 year $60 mil offer (2 year with a 8mil buy out, or 3 year at ) that he turned down. With Manny it all boils down to $. It's not his love for Baseball. He slacked and didn't do anything in Boston when he didn't get his way. Now, he's being a punk when he's not getting his way. I applaud most baseball owners for not wanting to put up with Manny's crap. I find it a refreshing way to treat over privileged athletes.
Let's not sign them. Of course, you'll have agents proclaiming collusion. However, last time I checked, even baseball was not a right to work. Manny is going to get a rude awakening during the off season. If several teams were in need of a bat, and couldn't rectify signing Barry Bonds. There's no way Manny is getting a multi year deal. In fact, LA is about the ONLY place that Manny could play. It's about the only place that looks at his antics without some sort of disdain. So, good luck to ya in the job market Manny! Get in line for those food stamps with everyone else outta a job!

In one word, Ungrateful!

Recently, I've been told that reading the news is the only approve form of recreation that I can have at work. So, I've been reading a lot of articles on Reuters. I don't pay much attention to the celebs, politics, or the like. I DO mostly read international news. Here's the hubbub now. I hate India. I detest the country with almost every ounce of being I've got. I don't mind Indian food. I don't even mind and like some of their philosophies. However, I hate the Indian people. I talk to them almost daily. Several tech jobs are outsourced to them. You can't understand them, and because they're getting a little of the worlds money, they think they can run it. Take this case in point.

- Mumbai "Slumdog" critic names dogs after film makers.
- Is 'Slumdog Millionaire' poverty porn.

I've discovered that this is one of a couple of things coming out in India. Apparently, some of the Indian people are upset of how they are being portrayed. Now, I liked Slumdog Millionaire. I thought it was great story telling, and great movie. Now, I hate it. I hate it because it was a waste of one of the great directors, Danny Boyle, to make it about the Indian people. He took a film, and used great storytelling to shed light on an issue in India. About the crippling poverty there, and people are complaining. What a waste of Danny Boyle's talent.
From what I've read there are going to be protests if the movie wins the Oscars. They're demanding name changes, etc. How unfortunate for the poor Slumdog...

Strike one, Mr President...

I have a lot of faith in our new president, that said. He's got his first strike. In an article that I read on Reuters. Check out the article here. Basically, our President wants a weapons ban in space. This is a VERY big point for me for one main reason. It's nerdy, but my dream for a satellite based space weapon won't happen while he's in office. No longer will I be able to think of the possibility of seeing remote rebels in a camp and big huge beam ascending from the sky vaporizing all bad guys, a la Akira.

Gone. Gone is my dream of seeing it in the next 4 to 8 years depending on if anyone can change the political landscape to allow it. I have 3 things I want to see get realized before I die. One, a particle beam satellite. Two, a big effing robot that can make all hell break loose. Three, the flying car. So, sorry Mr. Obama I've gotta mark some points down on your scale.

Forwards, the downfall of society....

I cannot tell you how much I hate the internet forward. They're really pointless once you dissect them. I've been getting these in abundance from my Father. He's magically been using computers for the last 3 years, more and more. In his technological savvy state, he's hitting forward on everything my aunts send him. Sometimes, I want to ask him, "Do you really believe most of this crap?" Here's a couple of the ones I got over the last few days:

To make you smile! Revenge is sweet Golf for Beginners A Jolly Good Recovery <> How men screw up romance Pass this along to those That need a little laugh

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This is the kind of stuff I've been getting from him. The reason why they're so useless is the same reason, that you're probably reading this blog. See with advent of the web, the written word has no credibility or point anymore. Any slack jawed yokel, can write something to print, and everything in print is no longer fact.

I remember getting some of these e-mails and one of them indicated that the decline of the US was because that our leaders don't pray, or some crap like that. While, I do with that if someone was inclined to religious belief, I'd hope they pray. That in no way has anything to do with the decline that the US is currently facing.

I still have problems using Wikipedia as a reference as well anything on the web. The web is just one big hype machine. You use it to get your point across whether it's correct or not. Most of the data is easily manipulated, and can be changed. There are several cases where something was miss-printed on the web, and the company changed it when legal action came about. Many of these cases wouldn't have any evidence if it wasn't for PC's and google caching information on the sites you visit.Second of all, The reason these e-mails are composed are to either A) Entertain or B) Try and enlighten. Let's say that I have a liberal view of gay marriage. Someone sends me an e-mail highlighting why gay marriage is wrong. What am I going to say, "Wow! You're right country bumpkin Joe! I am completely wrong and I'm going to change my life!" No, no person in their right mind would ever do that, and it's stupid to think that people would do that. So, what's the friggin' point of your damn emails! I get these things all with different points to them. From Sexual Orientation advice/bashing, to what kind of car to buy.

So, in other words, they're all just spam waiting to be deleted. Let's just stop the forwards people!