Yes, I am now back in the Christmas spirit. There will be no "bah humbug" from me. Which is exactly how I spend most of this month feeling. The more I wanted to be in the mood, the less likely I would be. On top of people just driving me nuts, I was ready for the holiday to be over with even before it got here.

What changed? First off, the windstorm that knocked out power made me appreciate how much we truely take for granted. Second was the kindness and generosity of my coworkers throughout this time has definately raised my spirits. When I actually started my Christmas shopping really put me in the mood for the season.

So I tip my glass of eggnog to you, my faithful readers. May you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And December's Book of the Month is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham.

Are you in the Christmas spirit?

I'm not. I don't know why, but I just can't get into the mood this year. It's not like I'm pulling a Scrooge or anything; it's just I can't get into the mood. Nothing works either. I've blasted myself with Christmas music, sought out Christmas movies, even went around and looked at Christmas lights. The only result is that I'm bummed out by the fact that everyone else seems to be in the mood and I'm not.
Maybe I'm trying to hard or something, I don't know. Normally I get into the Christmas spirit easily, but I just can't get into the mood this year. This year I'm just looking forward to it being over, which is not normal for me at all. Anyway, that's what is going on in my world.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

So, when I woke up yesterday morning, there was somewhere between a trace and an inch of snow on the ground-depending on where you are. It melted (of course) and I thought that I had seen the last of it for a while. I was wrong. Today, all day, it had threatened to snow and even did a little bit here and there, but it didn't accumulate into anything. It wasn't until tonight when there were flashes of lightning as well as several peals of thunder before the snow really began to fall. It's still snowing as I write this and there's a good two to three inches out there, at least.

Yes, I'm one of those people who loves snow. I find it calming and I love the sight of it. It just has this magical quality to it. So, in the immortal words that famous carol: "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

Happy Thanksgiving.

Well, sort of. You see, even though it's after midnight, I have yet to go to bed, so thus, it is still technically Thanksgiving. So I say to you, Happy Thankgiving.

I know I have been slacking on posting here, but I have been going a million miles an hour in every direction. Let's see what happened in November, up until now. I've reread Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and I am now rereading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (either one can be considered November's Book of the Month). I actually had a nice Thanksgiving with my grandparents, my aunt, and my mother and her husband. Those who have ever encountered him will be stunned and surpised that the entire time they visited was actually pleasant (or as close as that's possible). I found out that my store is closing actually for good due to the fact that it went bankrupt. I found another job and have been working there one day a week, which means I now basically have one day off a week. I have managed to keep what's left of my sanity while the world seems to be spinning out of control. So yeah, that's how November has been for me.

I hope all is well with you.

WARNING-The following is the result of a random philosophical moment I just had. Bear with me.

So, how do you spend your time? We are given a set amount of years, months, days, hours, etc. in which we exist upon this earth. In that amount of time, we live our daily lives, and about 95% of each day is on autopilot. We get up in the morning, get ready for work, work, go home, eat dinner, maybe watch a little television before heading off to bed and starting the cycle all over again.

During this time, how often do you help others? Do you hold the door for a person who’s hands are full, or tip your local barista, or even trade seats on an airplane so a family can sit together? The decisions we make, even in a split second, can mean a lot when they add up. The simplest action can mean so much more, even if you don't suspect that it does.

We've all been the shoulder when a friend needs one, but how often has a total stranger opened up to you? It has happened to me many times, and yet, it still seems odd each time. I am no more human than you are, yet people have confided in me some really dark stuff. I dispense advice, if I can, all I really am is an ear for them to speak to. Some people just have so much pent up, that even if it's a total stranger, they release so much pain and confusion when they can. All I can offer is some common sense advice and a kind word. It isn't much to me, but it's the world to them.

What I'm getting at is this: if all you do is help someone in a small way each day, you day is never a waste. And in the end, it really does matter.

Happy Halloween

Yes, it is that time of year once again. The jack 'o lanterns are lit, the trick or treaters are out, and the scary movies are being watched. And while Christmas is lurking in the back of your head waiting to pounce on you, take the time now to enjoy the fall leaves and the morning frost. There is nothing like the smell of wood smoke to really put you in the fall mood. While, yes, the days are getting significantly shorter and the sun significantly colder, there's nothing like a long walk on a brisk day.

Enjoy your Halloween. Oh, and by the way, Boo!

I have an official announcement to make and I figured that this was the best place to make it. The announcement is: being sick sucks. For about a week I have been slightly under the weather. By taking various vitamins and abstaining from my usual overdose of caffeine, I have been able to keep it at bay. Until today, that is. I woke up this morning and my entire body ached. I stood up and immediatly felt light headed. As I was preparing to shave, my left nostril began to bleed. This is not a good thing. Needless to say, I called in sick and have been taking it as easy as possible today. No longer is my nose bleeding (otherwise I would be typing this in the hospital), but I still ache and am slightly lightheaded. And nothing sounds better right now than a very long nap. In fact, that's not a bad idea...

I swear that I am going nonstop nowadays. I feel that the days are rushing by at 90 miles an hour. Between college and work, my free time is miniscule. And one thing that I definitely need (just ask anyone who is around me) is a vacation. And yet, that is not going to occur anywhere in the near future.
Am I griping? I guess I am a little. But for one thing, I am definitely not bored with my life. I don't have the time to be bored. And it's not like my life is falling to pieces. It's just on a runaway bullet train. I feeling like I am not accomplishing what I should be. But I don't feel as if I am wasting my life either. Anyway, I just felt like getting that off of my chest. By the way, the Book of the Month for October is Dracula. I've read it before and it is definitely worth a reread.

September, what a month you've been.

This month literally began with college. I had signed up for the wonderful University of Phoenix (online of course) and my first day of college was September 1st. This has been one of the reasons why I have not had any free time to post on here. My book of the month that I did was The Blue Nowhere by Jeffrey Deaver. This is quite the exciting thriller that delves into the world of computers. I posted on here a memorial to one of the victims of September 11th since the five year anniversary was this year. And to cap it all off, I had a promotion and have been working full time. Very full time. I hope your month went well. See you next time.

My 9/11 tribute to Sgt. Timothy A. Roy.
We all live our lives one day at a time. Some days are more exciting than others, but rarely do our lives go to any extreme. There's only a select few who can say that their lives are truely more exciting than the rest of us. Sergeant Timothy A. Roy, 36, was one of those people who truely lived his life to the fullest. He was appointed to the NYPD on July 8, 1985, and began his career on the NYPD with a patrol in Neighborhood Stabilization Unit 13. Some say that the number 13 is an unlucky one, but it wasn't for him because he was promoted to sergeant in March 1991. In November 1995, he was assigned to the Traffic Control Division, Bus Unit where he would spend the rest of his career. He also worked in the 68, 71 and 73 Precincts in addition to his duties in the Bus Unit. He was"transitized" almost immediately, even though he was not in with the Transit Unit. On September 11, 2001, he gave his life while saving the lives of others. Even though he was off duty, he rushed in to try and save as many people as he could. Heros are created through their actions and Timothy Roy Sr. was and is definately a hero. We all leave behind loved ones when we die and those that he left was his wife Stacey; their children Brittney, Caitlyn and Timothy Jr; his mother Ida Mae; his sister Linda; and his brothers James, an active firefighter but his brothers Doug and John are both retired firefighters, Gary, a retired Housing police officer, and Kenny. His late father Kenneth was a retired FDNY firefighter. He came from a line of heros and he lived as a hero and he died as a hero. We are all in debt to those who paid with their lives saving others.

Tuesday Morning (September 11, 2001)
August 28, 2006
1:00 AM
By jeremy
Tuesday morning
All is calm and serene
A gull takes flight
To a cloudless sky
And Lady Liberty watches on
Tuesday morning
Messengers of hate
With blackened hearts
And poisoned minds
They also take flight
After putting up a fight
Tuesday morning
Lives are lost
Chaos ensues
Two pillars of smoke
From two mortally wounded towers
Fire also burns from the Pentagon
Tuesday morning
They fought back
Giving their lives
So others would not be lost
Tuesday morning
As the Twin Towers fall
A nation cries and grieves together
As Lady Liberty watches on

As some of you know, I have an older sister. I do not get a chance to see my older sister much because she lives a couple time zones away from me. So when she does come to visit, we have a blast and the time just flies away. The last time she came here (in January if I recall correctly), I got to see my niece for the first time in person. She (my niece) will almost be nine months old and from what my sister has been telling me, she has changed quite a bit. Anyway, there's a reason why I am babbling on about my sister. She will be coming here in a couple days for her ten year high school reunion. She will be staying here for six days, and from what it sounds like, those days will fly past. Anyway, that's what's happening in my world.

Quick note: The Perseid Meteor Shower is this weekend (August 11-12). I plan on standing (or sitting) in a very dark field and enjoying the show. It starts at around midnight and usually doesn't peak until 4 am. Just thought I would pass that along.

Is it August already? Wow, has the time flown. Anyway, what's new with me. I am officially a student at the wonderful (online) University of Phoenix. Yes, this is my second week as a college student and I must say, it's a lot of hard work. Although most of the issues I have had to deal with have got to do with the fact that I am using dial up, and that tends to make things rather aggravating. Second, as of yesterday, I have a shaved head. No, I did not join some cult or fascist group; I just really needed some cranial air conditioning. And man does it feel good. So that's what's going on with me. It's been a pretty mellow summer if you don't count my insane schedule. But that is life.

Here's something funny that my Mom sent me via email. I hope you enjoy it.

"You Might Be From Washington if:
1. Know the state flower (Mildew).
2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
3. Use the statement "sun break" and know what it means.
4. Know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
5. Know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
6. Feel overdressed wearing a suit to a nice restaurant.
7. Stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" Signal.
8. Understand that if it has no snow or has not erupted, it is not a real mountain.
9. Can taste the difference between Starbuck's, Seattle's Best, Veneto's and Tully's.
10. Know the difference between Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon.
11. Know how to properly pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Skokumchuck, Stilliguamish and Pend Orielle County.
12. Consider swimming an indoor sport.
13. Can tell the difference between Japanese, Chinese and Thai food.
14. In winter, go to work in the dark and come home in the dark -- while only working eight-hour days.
15. Never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho.
16. Are not fazed by "Today's forecast: showers followed by rain," and "Tomorrow's forecast: rain followed by showers."
17. You cannot wait for a day with "showers and sun breaks."
18. Have no concept of humidity without precipitation.
19. Know that Boring is a town in Oregon and not just a state of mind.
20. Can point to at least two volcanoes, even if you cannot see through the cloud cover.
21. You notice "the mountain is out" when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
22. Put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka.
23. Switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
24. Have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain.
25. Think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.
26. Knew immediately that the view out of Frasier's window was fake.
27. Buy new sunglasses every year, because you can't find the old ones.
28. You measure distance in hours.
29. You often switch from "heat" to "a/c" in the same day.
30. You use a down comforter in the summer.
31. You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit under a raincoat.
32. You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction Summer), Salmon runs season (Fall).
33.LAST ONE. PEOPLE IN SEATTLE DON`T TAN , THEY RUST!"

Ahh, writer's block

Now you might find it a little odd that I am writing about having writer's block, but I am. I have had this particular form of mental constipation (sorry about that, but there is no other way to describe it) for quite a while now and I am even finding difficulty forming an email. This is not good.

Now, supposedly, there are remedies, but none that I have tried have succeeded. I have done the whole changing of scenery (although part of my problem was that I did not venture far), I've tried to jot down some poetry-which usually works but I couldn't get a single line out, staring at a blank wall, you get the idea.

So if any of you have any remedies that actually work (other than physical injury to myself or others or the absurd notion of quitting caffeine) please feel free to share. I greatly appreciate it.

Post Script: This should come to a big surprise to no one that this is a short post.

Declaration of Independence

In honor of our nation's two hundred and thirtieth birthday, I decided to post the very document that brought it into effect. Upon signing it, each and every man who did became guilty of treason in the eyes of the king and had they lost the War of Independence, they all would have hanged. I just thought I would pass on that tidbit of information. This was found at the National Archives website: http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/declaration_transcript.html

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent: For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offencesFor abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:
Column 1: Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Column 2: North Carolina: William Hooper Joseph Hewes John Penn
South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Column 3: Massachusetts:John Hancock
Maryland:Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot, Lee Carter Braxton

Column 4: Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Column 5: New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Column 6: New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple
Massachusetts: Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat, Paine Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire: Matthew Thornton

Seattle Post Intelligencer: June 27, 2006 in the A&E section

Harry, others may die in the end, J.K. Rowling says
Author J.K. Rowling said two characters will die in the last installment of her boy wizard series, and hinted Harry Potter may not survive, either.
"I have never been tempted to kill him off before the final because I've always planned seven books, and I want to finish seven books," Rowling said Monday on London TV. "I can completely understand, however, the mentality of an author who thinks, 'Well, I'm gonna kill them off because that means there can be no non-author-written sequels. So it will end with me, and after I'm dead and gone they won't be able to bring back the character.' "
Rowling declined to commit herself about Harry, saying she doesn't want to receive hate mail.
"The last book is not finished. But I'm well into it now. I wrote the final chapter in something like 1990, so I've known exactly how the series is going to end," she said.

Good News!

Last Thursday, a couple things changed for the better. First off, when I woke up, my knee wasn't swollen and I could actually bend it without it hurting. In fact, it did not hurt at all. Second, when I arrived at work, I found out that the location where I work was not closing after all. While I was rather overjoyed with the news, I am still skeptical as to weither the decision is final. I would have posted the good news earlier, but I had a rather busy weekend. I am still considering a part time position at a local Starbucks; because after all, it wouldn't hurt to have a little extra cash. I have also decided to check out the online University of Phoenix. A college degree goes a long way.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

How much do you stop and think? How often to you ponder all the things you take for granted? Even the simple act of breathing is fascinating when you stop and think about it. Those who have any sort of lung condition can fully appreciate all it takes just to take a breath. The entire digestive system that we take for granted is a very complex process that normal people do not think about until there is something wrong with it. How grateful are you of every meal that you eat? Do you ever stop and think of all the people out there who are going without?

We put so much faith into our daily lives that it is only when something goes wrong do we feel our emotions. Why is that? Why can we not bring our emotions out when we don't need them? What is so taboo about having feelings and expressing them?

When you experience something for the first time is when you appreciate it the most. I can still remember the first meteor shower I saw. There is nothing more humbling than viewing the night sky in a field. The stars above you are so unappreciated that it is truely unfortunate.

Doubt in something does not make it any less real, and an open mind is where ideas flow freely. Try to prove what ever you believe in, even if it is only to yourself. I try and do that at least once a week and I have yet to fail myself.

And finally the less you take life for granted, the more likely you are to appreciate it and enjoy it.

Tales from the Gimp

As if my life isn't insane enough, I had the brains to hurt myself at work. We're not talking rush to the emergency room, just (from what I can tell anyway) a sprained knee. But the way people look at me when I limp about, it's as if I have contracted this horrendous disease and that I am contagious. If I weren't in pain, I would find this highly amusing.

Anyway, my life, in a nutshell, is chaotic. I have been helping out a certain elderly person out of the kindness of my heart, but it has definitely made life "interesting" Now that I am injured, life has become even more difficult. Since she only has one cane, it would be rather rude of me to borrow hers when she needs it more than I.

Since I found out that the location I work at is closing, I have suddenly been recruited to help move another location to a smaller location in the same area. Confused? Join the club. It was in this process where I happened to have tweaked my knee.

At least the people who aren't avoiding me like the plague are a lot more considerate with my physical situation. Both, by the way are good things. You tend to get a lot of work done when you are not constantly interrupted. And dealing with physical pain and restraint does tend to make you move quite a bit slower.

Anywho, that's what's going on in my life. I figured that for the Book of the Month for June, July, and August just pick three classics that you have not already read and do so. May your days be filled and your nights restful.

Just so you know.

I found out a week ago today that the company I work for is closing the location where I work. I have decided that rather than transfer to another location, I am going to find another job. Hopefully Starbucks.

Money, Money, Money

I was rather bored today, so I decided to look up which countries had the most billionaires. As you can tell, this was a rare morning where I had plenty of time on my hands. I normally don't, so I guess that was why I was even online. Anyway, without further ado:
1. USA
2. Japan
3. Germany
4. Italy
5. Canada
6. Switzerland
7. France
8. Hong Kong
9. Mexico
10. UK

There you go. Although I personally do not know any billionaires (or millionaires for that matter) it does not surprise me that we were number one. I had just assumed that the UK would have been higher on the list. I just thought that you would enjoy this little bit of trivia.

It has come to my attention that people aren't really as aware to their surroundings as they imagine they are. I have been walked into, stumbled over, and unintentionally ignored quite a bit. I have been known to repeat the same question to a person several times before they realized that I am talking to them. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. I have literally had days where my voice goes hoarse just from repeating myself over and over.
Now my voice is not exactly the loudest in the universe, but it is no mouse squeak either. Even if I speak up, it doesn't always work. Or they just think I am yelling at them when I am not. Most of the time, people have this surprised look on their face and ask if I was speaking to them and then apologize. Happens all the time. But occasionally someone will have been deliberately ignoring me and will be offended when I persist. Of course these people come into the store with a chip on their shoulder, so I know it is not my fault. I usually ignore them, because they obviously do not need any assistance.
Anyway, that was my thought of the day. By the way, the Book of the Month for May is Scourge of God by William Dietrich. It is a novel about the Roman Empire and Attila the Hun.

Ah, Spring...Nature's bipolar season

It has come to my attention that I should expect nothing this time of year. Just as I brace myself for a vertical river produced from the charcoal clouds above me, they move on and the sun actually brings some warmth to my skin. But should I make the mistake of taking down that umbrella, I would be met with a very cold shower that I was not expecting.

Am I whining? I'm not sure. I am definitely not expecting much, which means that my hopes are often raised by the solar rays. I actually have a tan, which was brought about by the more frequent sunny days. Although the fact that I am making this announcement will only bring about certain waterworks. At least there aren't any thunderstorms...Yet.

What is the blog entry really about, you may wonder. I do not mention the weather much here and it is not entirely about the weather. For there are other aspects of it that make it nature's bipolar season. The grass, for example, will not stay down no matter how many times you mow it. Sure there are plenty of flowers about, but how many of them are weeds that you are going to have to extract from the ground? Life in general becomes more chaotic this time of year due to things you might have put off and other things that you weren't expecting. Then there's baseball. Never, ever bet on baseball because it's about as predictable as the weather.

I guess that is my real complaint here. I am a baseball fan. It is easily my favorite sport. And yet the home team in which I root for, which SHOULD be doing good, is in fact, not. Why? I haven't a clue. They are about as trustworthy as the temperature. But, like the skies above us all, I have zero control over the outcome.

Anyway, I've ranted long enough. May your days be warm and your lawn be short.

Ah, rain.

There's nothing like the smell after a rain on a summer's day. Except of course if it's spring and it's been raining for a few days. Then it's just depressing. First off, that fresh, clean smell as been washed away. Second, there's no sun in the sky because it's filled with rain clouds. And the temperature, let's just say it is not exactly warm. In fact, it feels like an extension of winter. And with May not too far into the future, this is not a good thing.

May is always the best way to gauge how summer is going to be. June has the habit of starting out like March. It is rather gloomy and wet, but somewhere around the second or third week, summer arrives. So if you want a preview of the rest of the summer, go with May. Trust me on this. If May is cold and damp so will be July.

Anyway that's my thought for the day. I hope you have a good one.

Yes, Yes, I am still alive.

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but time has just gotten away from me. I am currently reading the April Book of the Month (A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking) and I am enjoying it immensly. He really has a way of explaining the universe in plain English. I will try and blog soon (hopefully tomorrow when I have more time to) and it will be a longer one. Anyway, I will post later. Bye.

Books of the Month: March and April

Yes, I know that March is almost over, but the book of the month (if you were wondering) is The Taking by Dean Koontz. All I can tell you is that it involves: T.S. Eliot, the end of the world and an alien invasion. If this has peaked your interest, you will not be disappointed. This has been one of the best books by him that I have read.

For April, the book of the month is A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. I have yet to read this book, but the reviews have really peaked my curiosity. I have read On the Shoulders of Giants, which was a collection of five famous science papers done by five famous scientists (Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Kepler, and Einstein) which he did commentaries on and I found it fascinating. Anyway, enjoy, and I hope that these two will really make you really think about the stars above you.

You may delay, but time will not
- Benjamin Franklin

I have been thinking lately of the continuous march of time. Regardless of where you are or what you are doing, it is always in motion. It pushes us forward, whether we like it or not, whether or not we are prepared. Like the weather, it is unbiased in its motion. For time stops for no one. Money, fame, and power have no effect on the stopping of the eternal ticking. Regardless if you live in London or the Sudan, time moves equally.

Why then do we waste it? Why do some spend their ever vanishing days loafing about, waiting for their life to begin, instead of living the one they have? What purpose do they suppose they are succeeding at with this behavior? The pendulum stops for no man. We have no more control over it than we do the rain.

C. S. Lewis put it best when he said "The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." With each sun rise brings about new possibilities. No matter what the day before contained, the new one brings about. As the sun arches across the sky and settles in beyond the western horizon, we have every opportunity to change the world, no matter how small the contribution may be. It matters not if you are a brick layer or a rocket scientist, you have every opportunity to make time as valuable as you wish. Embrace it while you still can.

In this day and age we only have the limits we put for ourselves. Technology has made it able for any man to become a millionaire, to give yourself your fifteen minutes of fame. There are those who do not realize this, but this does not mean that they are any less worthy than those who do. To those for whom their motto is carpe diem will always surpass those who's motto is "I'll seize the day... tomorrow".

Why, may you ask, is am I suddenly waxing philosophic? It strikes me that if we as a species lose the ability to do so, then we have truly failed. Man was meant to ponder about the things around him and those who do not have become blind to the world. For imagination and curiousity are the true fuels of the mind. There is no such thing as a scientist who does not ask "what if". There will never be a final frontier for the mind.

I hope you make the best out of the time you are allotted. May you have a good day and the ones that follow after.

Fangs for the memories.

First off, let's get one thing straight. It is practically a rule in Hollywood that the sequel of a movie is supposed to suck. No pun intended. Anyway, there are rare instances (Terminator 2) where the sequel far succeeds the original. This is one of those exceptions.
Underworld:Evolution takes off from the first movie and it is helpful (but not manditory) to have seen the first movie. There are flashback sequences (from the first film) interladen in the film that give you enough backstory to progress the movie along so you do not get lost. It's helpful for those such as myself whose memory is less than perfect. And they are placed where they should be, unlike other sequels where the flashbacks should not have been in the movie to begin with. Another thing is that this movie has more of a flow to it, which the first film was lacking in various places. This film never became stagnant, which in my book is a good thing. It kept progressing at the same speed (which the first one did not) and had a very satisfying ending.
The best way to describe it is that it is a very visual movie. Despite that it is dark (literally) throughout most of the movie, it is also very captivating. Yes there is plenty of violence, blood, and some nudity; but how should any of this be a surprise. Overall, I would give this film four out of five stars. Considering the fact that there are a lot of disappointing vampire films out there, this one is not one of them.

Another website for the week:

This week I thought I would provide for you two different blogs for the website of the week. They are: http://blogs.herald.com/dave_barrys_blog/ and http://mskarensplace.blogspot.com/ Both are quite jovial and should be shared with others. Dave Barry, as you know, is the famous columnist for the Miami Herald and his column is also syndicated with many other newspapers. His blog is basically an extension of his columns. Ms. Karen's blog, I would have to say, is blogspots equilivant to Dave Barry. Her postings can really get me laughing hard.

I just thought I would share these two with you. I am also going to put Ms. Karen's in my links. Enjoy.

Website of the week:

This website is one that is near and dear to my heart. So not only will I be making it a website of the week, but I will also include it in my links. The site is www.engrish.com which for those who are unfamiliar, it is a very hilarious website that deals with the quirks of the Engish language in Asian countries. On many occasions, it has brought me to tears from laughing so hard. Word of advice though, it is best viewed with friends so others can enjoy it as well.

Happy Valentines Day

Hey, I just wanted to wish everyone out there a Happy Valentine's Day. I strongly suggest to movie King Kong (five stars) if you are aiming for a good date movie, Chronicles of Narnia (three and a half stars) if you have kids, and Underworld: Evolution (three and a half stars) if you're a single guy such as myself. If you are taking your special someone out to eat, the Olive Garden is always a wise choice. And should you decide to just stay in and rent a movie, the perfect choice would be The Princess Bride (four stars). To those of us who are without a special someone, may Cupid's arrow find its target and for those for whom he has already struck, may your love be as strong as the first time you felt it.

Book of the Month: February

The Book of the month for February is a novel by Dan Brown titled The Da Vinci Code. Of course every one in the world other than myself has read this book, so I decided to jump on the band wagon and find out what all the fuss is about.

Movie Review: King Kong
Easily five stars

Words cannot fully describe the beauty of Peter Jackson's creations. His latest King Kong is by far the best. Powerful and moving, this is the film that movies want to be when they grow up. This is truly the reason cinema exists.
It takes a lot for me to want to pay full price for a movie. With the average cost hovering around ten dollars and matinees above five; there isn't much out there to justify spending your hard earned cash on. This is not the case with King Kong. It is definitely worth every penny.
With Oscar season around the corner, it would be a disgrace to the entire film industry if it doesn't win "Best Picture". Jackson's last film Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,, swept up the trophies and this picture deserves to do so as well. This is a sentiment that I am sure that I am not alone on.
I honestly have to say that this film will cast a large shadow upon Hollywood. The bar has now been set and it won't be surpassed easily. Even Speilberg's Jurassic Park looks like a student film next to this one. It will take some time for another film to come close to this one, and it will probably be made by Peter Jackson.

Footnote: As I was leaving the theater, I overheard a teenage girl say that "it was the dumbest movie I've ever seen". Maturity is not prevalent witht that age group, so I won't hold it against her.

Website of the week:

My selection for website of the week is none other than http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/upcoming/ which used to be upcoming movies.com before Yahoo took over. The content hasn't changed much (as in they don't update too often), but I have found it to be a very useful website. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Well, since one of my resolutions was to read more, I have decided to start a Book of the Month. There is no need for anyone else to participate (I am not Oprah, so I won't flog you if you don't join), I just will be posting what book I am reading for the month. So for the month of January, the Book of the Month is... the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I figured that the first book should be some sort of personal improvement, because well, I honestly could use some. I also am reading the book the way it's intended to-one chapter a day. Since my free time is rather sporadic, it's perfect. It is also very thought provoking, which is another good thing.

I have only just started reading the book, so I will be reading that as I move into February's selection, which I will announce later. Unlike my website of the week, I actually plan on posting a different book for each month. Again, the whole improvement thing.

Guten Tag.

Happy birthday to me!

I have done it. I have finally survived for a quarter of a century. Now mind you that this really isn't much of a feat, but when you have come as close to death as many times as I (stupid drivers who don't pay attention to what they're doing), you begin to appreciate life a little more.

Even though it is Friday the Thirteenth, I will not let that ruin my day. I have plans, not big ones mind you, but plans none the less. I plan on getting the most out of today as I can while spending as little as I can. It's a goal. I also plan on seeing family, eating dinner out, and renting a movie. I hear that Hollywood Video will let you rent a free movie on your birthday, so that is one of my goals. Oh well, I better go. After all, I wouldn't want to waste my day on the computer.

You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old. -George Burns

As it is the new year, I decided that I should probably post my first website of the (theoretical) week. This site was shown to me by my cousin with the suggestion that I make it one of my websites. I like it. So thus I present to you... http://bluepyramid.org/ which is one of those quiz websites that is humorous; but at the same time this one is also thought provoking. There is other content on this website which I have not viewed because I have had so much fun with the tests. There is literally a myriad of different possibilities to each test. In short, if you don't have a lot to do and you happen to be online, why not try it out. You may discover something about yourself.

Happy New Year (finally)

I have decided to start the new year (plus or minus a week) with the very sage advice that Mary Schmich from the Chicago Tribune gave to the graduating class of 1997.

Ladies and Gentlemen, wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be IT.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
You are NOT as fat as you imagine.
Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing.
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.
Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.

May you have a good year.