Cheery bunch, aren't they. Here's an excerpt from the AOL article I got it from:

Astronomers are monitoring an asteroid named Apophis, which has a 1 in 45,000 chance of striking Earth on April 13, 2036.
Although the odds of an impact by this particular asteroid are low, a recent congressional mandate for NASA to upgrade its tracking of near-Earth asteroids is expected to uncover hundreds, if not thousands of threatening space rocks in the near future, former astronaut Rusty Schweickart said.
"It's not just Apophis we're looking at. Every country is at risk. We need a set of general principles to deal with this issue," Schweickart, a member of the Apollo 9 crew that orbited the earth in March 1969, told an American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in San Francisco.
Full article:http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/un-urged-to-take-on-asteroid-threat/20070218175909990002?ncid=NWS00010000000001

So you got that? First off, 1 in 45,000 are actually really good odds. Better than winning the lotto. Better than being struck by lightning. Probably better than being in a plane crash. Second, it's not like it's the first time. Both Earth and our Moon are littered with craters from past collisions with space rock.

Who should take care of the problem? Good question. The article suggests that the UN should take care of it, but I'm not so sure they have the capability to do it. A joint project between the US, Russia, and China would be much more preferable and probably more successful. Anyway you look at it, someone's got to do something about it. Otherwise your just inviting disaster.

Anyway, not to be all pessimistic, but this is a dire risk that we can't just ignore. And the fact that it is so imminent is even more reason not to ignore this. Because even if this one misses us, it doesn't mean the next one won't.

When you were young...

...there were no limitations. The sky wasn't the limit because there was no limit as to what you could achieve or who you could be. So what happened? Why is it that now we are adults, suddenly there's goals we can't achieve and walls we cannot overcome? What happened between then and now? Is reality so harsh that we are stuck to just one track in life? Or has the loss of youth meant the loss of dreams?
This is it. You're only go around on the carousel that is life. You have your ups, you have your downs. Either way, you move on to the next stage in life. And for the most part, blindly going from one place to the next with no true ambition to actually live life to the fullest.
So I ask all of you out there this question: Is there any way we can once again embrace that part of us that believed anything was possible that we seemed to have lost after puberty? And if so, why aren't we?

Isolation
Friday February 2, 2007 10:38PM

From a simple twist from Fate
I find myself alone
Accompanied only by my thoughts
Left to visit the myriad of regrets
That haunt my sleep and poison my dreams
I am alone

Shipwrecked on the deserted island that is Life
With no help on the horizon
If I were to send smoke signals
It would only clutter up the sky
For no one is looking
My plight is but my own

Alas, but no man is an island
We as a race are a whole
So why is it I am lost in a sea of individuals?
Surrounded by the people who do not see me
And once again, I find myself
Alone.

Are you who you want to be? Is this where you envisioned yourself to be at your age? Have you superceded your own expectations, or are you waiting for life to truly begin? I have asked myself these questions lately in an attempt to evaluate my life. So far, twenty-six seems to be the age of reflection and redirection. No more blind hopes for tomorrow and making plans and not following through with them. That seems to be a real problem for me- to plot something out and then not act upon it. Not sure why I do it either.

No more am I going to stop myself from succeeding, I have thus concluded. I don't need to be my own worst enemy. Why wait for life to begin when you are not living the one that you already have. That is my true goal for this year and for all the ones that follow it. I'm not going to have a better paying job if I don't apply for one. I'm not going to see the world if I don't get on that plane. I'm not going to be published if I don't write that book.

Am I saying that it's not going to be hard work? Of course it's hard work. So much of my life has been about helping others that I haven't truly forced myself to live the life that I want to. I'm sick and tired of setting goals for myself and then not following through with them. No more. But of course, easier said than done. Every journey begins with a single step. It's time for me to put one foot in front of the other.

What started this sudden change of thought, you may ask. I have to say that it has to do with seeing friends of my getting married and starting a family. People I used to joke around with are settling down and getting serious with life. It's my turn. The way I feel is that we have but one go around on this planet and I feel like I'm just collecting dust. I'm not going to be the guy at the ten year reunion who was the same person he was when he graduated. And thirty is just around the corner.

Anyway, I just had to get that off my chest. I hope you guys have a good day. Take care.

Old fart

By the time you read this, I will have turned 26. And let me tell you, it's not pretty this side of 25. My thirties are fast approaching and even before that, I have my first high school reunion to look forward to. I (obviously) still have time before both events and in that time I am (still) planning on not only writing, but publishing my first book. I just wish I knew what it was about.

You see, the delema I currently have is that I have, oh, thirty great starts and that's about it. When it comes to commit in the writing department, I'm what you call lacking. So what I will probably wind up doing is writing a book of short stories. Those seem to be popular right now. Or I could do a poetry one, but I don't have enough poetry. I know, details, details.

Anyway, I just thought I would pass that onto you, my Dear Readers. Feel free to comment if you wish. Just remember what Thumper said.

2007

I have high hopes for this year. It's just begun and it already feels different, in a good sort of way. I've already made out my New Year's Resolutions and this year I actually plan on keeping them. What a concept!
Anyway, one of those is to travel more. Over the last two years, I haven't had much, if any, opportunity to travel and I dearly miss it. I'm one of those people who loves to fly and I already have a couple flights picked out. I need to stretch out my legs and see the country. I need some down time and it's about time to have some.
Another one of my resolutions is to write everyday. So far I have yet to fail, and I consider this post to be my day's ration of writing. It just seems like I don't have as much time to do it as I used to. And when I do have time, my well of creativity is dry. Anyway, enough griping.
I will try and post more this year. Of course I say that every year, but whatever. To my dear and faithful readers, thank you for sticking with me. And to those who are new, welcome.
So may 2007 be a good year and may all of your endevours be successful ones.

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.