What Are We Occupying?

I'm still undecided on how I feel on the Occupation thing. At first it seemed like an isolated event but it's becoming something worldwide. It is great to see people getting out to demonstrate. Often there are couch coaches who just say something should be different or shouldn't be this or that so I'm glad to see peaple who are willing to go put some effort into advancing their claims. I am not sure however that this movement will continue to be a good thing.

First there is no one common message. That can be a good thing as often mass appeal statments have no substance and mean nothing. That means however, that the concepts that bring people out for these events likely differ and will not bind them together for long.
Basically the base point people are protesting is the power of the the wealthy. I agree that this power in the hands of so few has caused problems however don't agree with the solution of Occupy protestors. The issue I have is that they are not planning to abolish the system. Many of those protesting want the same type of wealth they are protesting. You can't get rid of the wealth if you want it and by not getting rid of it you merely recycle the problem. As well these Occupy events have few central leaders or statements. The movements can easily become a platform for people to rise to places of authority using the momentum of people just to use their new power for their own benefit.

I'm not saying that it is a bad thing I am just concerned about how it will end.

Some People Really Love Cats

Well I saw this and had to share it.

As a side note I really can't see this bringing many responses.

B.o.B Don't Let Me Fall

I've started to appreciate B.O.B.'s music recently. Here's a good one

What Happen to My Sports?

Okay so the NFL (that's football for those not into sports) has had a strike between players and owners. That has basically killed their season- it's over halfway gone. I wonder if there will even be a Superbowl. Now, the NBA (Basketball) has a lockout as well. I knew there was talks but I was sure it wouldn't happen.

I'm not a major sports enthusiast. I only watch a handful of teams occasionally but sports are a nice distraction to have around. I refuse to watch hockey as I find it boring and a bit pointless and baseball even more so.

I'm just going to have to find an alternative. I guess I still have soccer matches, though I always have to cruise the Spanish stations to find a game and everyone I know knows that my Spanish can use a bit of help. Hopefully I'll be able to hold onto high-school and college games for a while though they don't provide the comfort of watching from home.

This Dodger's Situtation

The Dodger's issues illustrate the faulty part of the American Dream. Often a person's path to success is not determined by how hard they work or how smart they are but society's values. While Mr.McCourt is able to go to bankruptcy court which gives him protection and use of a $150 million loan in order to save his ownership I know that those who are not even paid much at the dodger's stadium have their paychecks bounce.

I actually was not paying attention to the dispute over the Dodgers until recently when a couple of "ministers" and "community leaders" decided to have a pointless press-conference in order to pledge their support to McCourt. I even admit that my disgust of their decision to focus on this instead of real problems that affect their congregations and neighborhoods may cloud my thoughts of McCourt. I felt sorry for him at first when I heard of the divorce however this recent development of him gaining a chance to keep his ownership of the team as those working under him can't even get their paychecks strikes me as wrong. Once again it seems those with money get helped even when they fail while those without. Maybe I'm wrong, let me know your viewpoint if you think so.

The French in the news

The French Republic has banned the use of the words "facebook" and "twitter" on television and radio unless they are being directly mentioned. They claim it acts as advertising for the sites. I find this interesting as I agree and believe the continual reference of people in media does serve as a form of support. I never thought of this concerning things especially social networks before. I know some have criticized the act as a way to lessen Western influence or just nonsense but I can see the logic in it.

Here is an article on the topic for more info: huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/03/french-ban-twitter-facebook_n_871153.html

What! that's actually true

Wow, it's amazing the things you don't notice. A friend recently mentioned "It's weird how no one on The Jetsons ever addresses the apocalyptic events that left only white Americans behind, living in the sky."

Really though that's true. I remember watching the show when I was younger, laughing at the treadmill scene. Everyone was either white or a robot. They didn't even have a token African or Asian or... well token anything. It's like there was a great purge of everyone else. Also considering what the population should be in the future the sky seemed sparsely populated. It took a while for them to drive their air cars to each others houses- and these are cars that I'm sure were going faster than 70 miles per hour. Where are all the homes?

One can only hope everyone else was living below. If not then that show is really depressing instead of funny. Actually that's still depressing- like the rich Brazilians riding their helicopters everyday over the masses of poor underneath. So instead I have to hope everyone else is in some other region of the sky. I know it's just a TV show but what does it say about us that this is an ideal of the future?

Random Though

How does friends making accomplishments make you feel?

I found out what a friend has been up to recently. I'm not posting what it is because I know she would prefer me not to right now but let me tell you it's something. I'm a bit jealous of her success because it makes me think I haven't done enough but I'm also inspired. It really makes me want to do something. Don't misunderstand this as me saying I haven't done anything, but seeing this does re-inspire and invigorate me.

Sukima Switch - Zenryoku Shonen

I happened to remember this song that I used to love listening to. The song is Zenryoku Shonen by スキマスイッチ(Sukima Switch). Odd thing is I don't remember where I first heard the song from. I thought it was a theme song for some tv show but when I searched on the internet the only thing it shows up connected to is a video game I've never heard of.

Wait

It worries me some that people are celebrating Osama Bin Laden's death. I understand this gives a sense of release for some, some are angry after the attacks and his calls for American deaths, and some saw him as an enemy so his death as a victory.

I do see his death as a necessary step as I doubt that he would ever stop calling for the deaths of others. The celebration of a person being killed strikes me as wrong however. I have my issues with strict non-violence however I believe it is also wrong to celebrate death. This mass celebration of people dying is the same thing many of us people of the US have criticized others for before. Let's not devalue our own convictions by reveling in the blood of opponents.
This is put well in this quote, "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

Friend's New Blog

My friend had an idea for an interesting chapbook a while ago. I thought it was just a joke but she has made it into an impressive reality. There is more info on it on her new blog: veryimportantpolymers.blogspot.com
Meanwhile, it seems her dog has started his own blog. I features his unique um...artwork. He's not limiting himself to working with art though. Check out his business card on the site to see his services. I am considering using his Document Management service, it is an all natural way of recycling after all. You can check it out here: snoopyhofmann.blogspot.com

Humorous Video

Happened to revisit collegehumor.com recently. Found a funny (and possibly useful) video. collegehumor.com/video/3945162/learning-guitar-to-get-laid After watching I realize that I have a guitar, know more than a handful of chords, and know how to play a few famous songs! I'm set!

Talking about being set, I also found another video that told me what I should start expecting.
The six girls you'll date in college

Eight Heroes

There was a Chinese tv show I used to watch when I was young. I think the name of it was Eight Heroes. I doubt that it had a complex plot since I had an idea of what was going on and don't know any Chinese language but...I liked it. This is the intro theme I happened to find the other day:

Eight hero by matsujun9
Interesting thing- one of the guys who gets the most face time in the intro died around the 3rd episode. He was just a popular actor

Stripper Blogs

I don't go to strip clubs. They don't seem appealing to me. I have recently however begun to read blogs written by strippers. It seemed once I came across one I couldn't help finding the others. Many have interesting experiences that are definitely unique-I'm thinking of using some of the it for a story idea.
I'm a bit surprised about how many stripper blogs there are. Would think with the negative stereotypes that people would not want to claim they are. On the other hand might be a good hook to attract people to read them.

Main one I've read so far-smart& funny:diaryofanangrystripper.com

Interesting:
yourlastconfession
Life as a stripper

Has surprisingly useful tips for travel: hobostripper.com

Haven't really checked out but came across:
http://katstories.tumblr.com/
http://iamstrippergrrl.tumblr.com/
http://titsandsass.com/

Question of the Day

For the saying "a problem shared is a problem halved." can you keep telling people about a problem until it eventually was of no importance?

Article on Homeboy Industries

Hey my first Campus Circle article, "Home Boy Industries: A Place of Healing" is being published in this week's paper. You can check it out here: campuscircle.com/review.cfm?r=12859

Ching Chong (it Means I Love You) - Single Jimmy Wong

A friend shared this with me. Since listening to her actual post I think Wallace's comments are being made into a much bigger thing than it actually was but this song is catchy and entertaining. I might even buy it off iTunes...or just listen to the Youtube version a few times.

Wow

Odd how things can give you hope or make you weep.
Many have empathy and understanding for others such as people here: kizuna311.com (site is in Japanese and English)

On the other hand this is the type of stuff that makes me ashamed to be an American
Heartless

This is Sick and Inhuman

It is a known fact that the smaller babies have a higher risk of death. Even if they avoid death this is something that can affect a person's whole life.Preemies, are much smaller than babies who come full term and are not being able to have their organs develop lending to health problems.

A shot,progesterone, has been available for about $10-$20 per injection to help mothers who are at risk prevent premature births. Now it's price has increased over 100% to $1,500 per dose. Keep in mind this is per shot, mothers will need to take several shots during and after their pregnancy. (I think a total of about 20 but I'm not an expert) Why has the price increased? The FDA has allowed KV Pharmaceuticals to gain exclusive rights to produce the drug. The company, apparently does not realize that just because you can charge high prices doesn't mean you should.

I have heard that they have plans to help low-income mothers get the drug but we all know that will not help everyone and not everyone who can't afford it will receive help. The fact that they will endanger the lives of unborn children and their mothers is just inhuman. I only hope I will not need to depend on this drug for the survival of my future children.

An article on the subject: abcnews.go.com/Health/WomensHealth/

Libya

The American news has embarrassed me again. How in the world can we keep complaining about and worrying about how the uprising in Libya is increasing the price of gas? It may be a pain and a financial burden but the people in Libya are facing danger everyday. Danger to their lives not to their pocketbooks.

Interesting note-A few years ago I actually liked Gaddafi. Yes, he was eccentric and was a dictator but being eccentric equals looking outside the box and let's face it, a dictatorship is the most efficient way to get things done when running a country.
(A dictatorship is not the most civil or best in the long term but at least you don't have bills wait around for years the way we do in U.S. politics.) The man had his own style with the safari suits and sunglasses and was against Imperialism. He has shown himself to be off his rocker however with ordering the murders of his own people.

Last Dance of Dj Ozma

I hadn't heard his last album so I didn't realize...DJ Ozma has done it again. First 「アゲアゲ」, then the man-thongs in 「Spiderman」, and now this video. Ozma really has nudity in music videos from his first to last album.
*Warning: This video scared me a couple times so if you are faint of heart don't watch.

Question of the Day

When an atheist says "Oh my god!" who are they talking about?

My Childhood

Brian Jacques died on the 5th. The author of the Redwall series was a favorite author of mine when I was younger. In fact he is still a favorite, his works may have been written for children but they were timeless. It seems like a part of my childhood is gone now. He is one of the people who inspired me to write. I am thankful that I was able to enjoy the experience of reading his books.

I wish the best for his family.

To friend or not to friend, that is the question

Every once in a while it feels good to look at other people and think 'I'm smarter than them'. That is what this site is for:
www.unfriendable.com
failbook.failblog.org
Enjoy!

On a serious note I'm starting to hate that Facebook and other social sites call everyone your "friend". It's not totally their fault but it minimizes the word somewhat. Social networks almost forced you to accept request from people who are not your friend. Some may be an acquaintance, or a co-worker or a friend of a friend but how many are really friends?

Blogs

Blogging is a big part of self-expression now. Some blogs generate business, some express viewpoints, some are just like journals, and some are private- a friend of mine for instance has hers set up where you must sign in to read it so not everyone can check it out.

I didn't realize how big blogging was until recently when I was reading another blog. The viewpoint of the blogger was that bloggers should be more respected and noted. How blogs reach every kind of interest and generate pixels. Pixels generate interest and higher rankings on Google and other search engines which show the relevance of topics to citizens creating good business.

One thing though. The posting mentioned that there are more than 150 million daily active bloggers around the world.
Wow! That many daily postings. The internet must be crowded. I just post occasionally and my blog seems full to me.

School Rumble

Oi! Happy Lunar New Year! I was watching a favorite comedy of mine,School Rumble. It's a hilarious manga series, revolving around a group of students, their odd relationships, and frequent misunderstandings that was made into a anime tv show. I just realized that their theme songs are catchy. Here is their opening song,
Scramble (スクランブル)-Yui Horie...

and closing Girls Boys (オンナのコ オトコのコ)- Yuko Ogura

Random Thoughts

1.How did they know Superman could jump tall buildings in a single bound? The man could fly-
there was no reason to even try playing hopscotch over the city.
I always did think that Superman had a low IQ compared to most other heroes.

2.After all is said and done, a lot more has been "said" than "done".

3.I need to rebuild a callus on my finger- or switch to nylon strings for my guitar. Practicing hurt.

A Few Words about a Friend

It's odd how some stuff stays with you. At a party a few days ago I was asked to say a few words about a friend. I'm usually good with speeches but not ones that I'm unprepared for so I had no idea of what to say. Another friend told me how they thought it was lousy. They were right. She said that I could have done better and should do it over, even if it I did it in Japanese. I laughed it off but for some reason it's weighed on my mind. Maybe I'm a perfectionist but later on I thought of a haiku to replace the speech:

旅人に
なり、もう美味いブランデー。
楽しくてね