I've been a little more pensive lately. Being here in this apartment, being here outside of Philly with hardly any good friends, I've had a lot more time to just think. I came to a few realizations.
First of all, it's been a while since I've really had time to just sit and experience everything around me. I sat and listened to the air conditioning last night, just for fun, just to say I had time to really relax. Now that my classes are in the early afternoon, I don't have to be up at a certain time and I can do pretty much whatever I want, so now that I truly have no burdens left, I'm starting to feel a lot better.
Second, I realized that I haven't really felt... alive... in a while. You know, the butterflies around a pretty girl, fear at a truck rushing by just a little too close. I'm not sure when it really began, but I do know that I've found something that is slowly but surely letting me feel again. I'll let you guess who she is.
Next up, I've realized just how depressing it is when you don't have any friends online to chat with. Logging in to yahoo and ICQ and seeing your offline groups as full is a bit of a reality check. =P
I've also come to the conclusion that whoever the hell Murphy was, he definitely knew what he was talking about. Everything that can go wrong, DEFINITELY, will go wrong.
I'm not really sure what else to write about. Anyone have any ideas?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thoughts on the movie, "1408" - SPOILERS!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450385/
"The cynical and skeptical writer Mike Enslin writes books evaluating supernatural phenomena in hotels, graveyards and other haunted places, usually debunking the mystery. While writing his last book, he travels from Los Angeles to New York to spend one night in the evil room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel, which is permanently unavailable for guests. The reluctant manager Mr. Gerald Olin objects to his request and offers an upgrade, expensive booze and finally the reports relating the death of more than fifty guests along decades in the cursed room. However, Mike threatens Mr. Oiln, promising to sue the hotel, and finally checks in the room. Along the night, he finds that guests of room 1408 can check out when they like, but they can never leave the room alive."
I had been wanting to see this movie for quite some time, and finally found a good quality download of it. Overall, I was a little shocked at the depictions in the movie. The basic idea that I gathered was that once you're checked into the room and shut the door, you're transported to your own personal little hell. Over an elegant series of unsettling events, Enslin is slowly but surely transported from his skeptical, debunking ways into a perturbed, God-fearing investigator. As the story begins to unfold, Enslin first assumes that the Dolphin Hotel manager has drugged him through the expensive liquor he was gifted with. After some time to shake off the effects of the 'drugs' in question, the events pick up again. Of particular note is his encounter with the window across the street. He sees a man and calls out to him, and soon discovers the man seems to be mocking him. However, after holding the lamp up to his face, he sees through the shadows in the other apartment that his own face, grizzled and appearing world-weary, staring back, before an unknown shadowy figure plunges a large, sharp object into his back. Enslin turns, and is immediately assaulted by a crazed woman with some sort of pick or sharp hammer.
Sudden reality shifts and bizarre occurences plague Enslin; first the 'air conditioning is broken,' leading to a heat wave, eventually culminating into first what seems to be the ocean breaking through into the room, followed by ice covering everything in the room in a sudden temperature plunge. Fans of Dante's Inferno and the like will recognize depictions of certain levels of hell here, namely:
-River Acheron, represented by the struggle to enter the room- the Dolphin Hotel manager can be thought of as the ferryman Charon.
-First level, Limbo, separation from everything, no cell service, wireless, contact with the outer world
-In an abstract manner, the outer seventh (Phlegethon, the river of boiling blood, represented as the boiling water in the bathroom)
-Fifth level, the River Styx, when the water rushes into the room. Sin of sloth, represented by Enslin sinking through the water without struggle.
-Ninth level, Cocytus, the ice overtaking the room.
-Sixth level, the punishment for heretics - the burning tomb. Enslin destroys the room by fire and dies within.
-Eighth level, Bolgia 8, the individual flames, can also be assumed from the above
-Eighth level, Bolgia 10, the disease, can possibly be seen in Enslin's daughter
-Also, for the sharp-witted, 1408's digits add up to 13.
1408, overall, was a great film and truly creepy. The religious undertones were a little out of place, but nonetheless a big part of the plot. I'd give it an 8/10, as well as a heartfelt recommendation.
"The cynical and skeptical writer Mike Enslin writes books evaluating supernatural phenomena in hotels, graveyards and other haunted places, usually debunking the mystery. While writing his last book, he travels from Los Angeles to New York to spend one night in the evil room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel, which is permanently unavailable for guests. The reluctant manager Mr. Gerald Olin objects to his request and offers an upgrade, expensive booze and finally the reports relating the death of more than fifty guests along decades in the cursed room. However, Mike threatens Mr. Oiln, promising to sue the hotel, and finally checks in the room. Along the night, he finds that guests of room 1408 can check out when they like, but they can never leave the room alive."
I had been wanting to see this movie for quite some time, and finally found a good quality download of it. Overall, I was a little shocked at the depictions in the movie. The basic idea that I gathered was that once you're checked into the room and shut the door, you're transported to your own personal little hell. Over an elegant series of unsettling events, Enslin is slowly but surely transported from his skeptical, debunking ways into a perturbed, God-fearing investigator. As the story begins to unfold, Enslin first assumes that the Dolphin Hotel manager has drugged him through the expensive liquor he was gifted with. After some time to shake off the effects of the 'drugs' in question, the events pick up again. Of particular note is his encounter with the window across the street. He sees a man and calls out to him, and soon discovers the man seems to be mocking him. However, after holding the lamp up to his face, he sees through the shadows in the other apartment that his own face, grizzled and appearing world-weary, staring back, before an unknown shadowy figure plunges a large, sharp object into his back. Enslin turns, and is immediately assaulted by a crazed woman with some sort of pick or sharp hammer.
Sudden reality shifts and bizarre occurences plague Enslin; first the 'air conditioning is broken,' leading to a heat wave, eventually culminating into first what seems to be the ocean breaking through into the room, followed by ice covering everything in the room in a sudden temperature plunge. Fans of Dante's Inferno and the like will recognize depictions of certain levels of hell here, namely:
-River Acheron, represented by the struggle to enter the room- the Dolphin Hotel manager can be thought of as the ferryman Charon.
-First level, Limbo, separation from everything, no cell service, wireless, contact with the outer world
-In an abstract manner, the outer seventh (Phlegethon, the river of boiling blood, represented as the boiling water in the bathroom)
-Fifth level, the River Styx, when the water rushes into the room. Sin of sloth, represented by Enslin sinking through the water without struggle.
-Ninth level, Cocytus, the ice overtaking the room.
-Sixth level, the punishment for heretics - the burning tomb. Enslin destroys the room by fire and dies within.
-Eighth level, Bolgia 8, the individual flames, can also be assumed from the above
-Eighth level, Bolgia 10, the disease, can possibly be seen in Enslin's daughter
-Also, for the sharp-witted, 1408's digits add up to 13.
1408, overall, was a great film and truly creepy. The religious undertones were a little out of place, but nonetheless a big part of the plot. I'd give it an 8/10, as well as a heartfelt recommendation.
An update on Newegg customer service
Hey all, back again with an update about my hard drive.
The RMA department received my package last Friday, 8/21. I checked in again today, Sunday, 8/30, and discovered that no one has checked it yet. The CS rep I spoke to claimed she would red flag the RMA to be checked and, in the most likely scenario, denied and returned ASAP. As soon as I get it back, I'm going straight to LaCie and getting a replacement from them. According to customer reviews, they honor damage from bumps and jolts, so I should be alright.
Moral of the story: If you get your tech from Newegg, and it breaks, don't go to them. Go to the manufacturer and save yourself headache.
The RMA department received my package last Friday, 8/21. I checked in again today, Sunday, 8/30, and discovered that no one has checked it yet. The CS rep I spoke to claimed she would red flag the RMA to be checked and, in the most likely scenario, denied and returned ASAP. As soon as I get it back, I'm going straight to LaCie and getting a replacement from them. According to customer reviews, they honor damage from bumps and jolts, so I should be alright.
Moral of the story: If you get your tech from Newegg, and it breaks, don't go to them. Go to the manufacturer and save yourself headache.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Gun laws.
Ohhh mama, could I ever rage about this... I've just gotten my latest round of alerts from the NRA on votes concerning various firearm and ammunition acts, and the latest involves some sort of ban and/or tax.
Now come on. For one thing, it's in the Constitution, and has been there and will remain for the entire existence of this country. We were built on the right to arm ourselves, and is there any - ANY - politician in the WORLD who thinks that their career would survive past their current term if ANY firearm inhibition were placed on the US citizens?
Come on. I live in hick central. Smack-dab in the center of Pennsylvania. I guar-an-fucking-tee you that if ANYONE in power allows a ban or outrageous tax through, and every single one of them will be up in arms and marching on the Capitol. How...completely... incompetent can anyone be if they really think that the US will allow something like that to happen?
Honestly, I'm completely dumbfounded by this. Anyone even proposing such absurd bills should probably be admitted to an asylum shortly afterward; what with all the shootings in Philly on a daily basis, even IF they managed to put a ban or tax through and weren't immediately assassinated, weaponry would almost immediately become a black market. Look at marijuana, that shit was made illegal, and just today I was offered some in the freaking lobby of my apartment building.
I honestly could really fly off the handle about this, but I'm trying to keep the language somewhat clean, and I really don't think I can go much farther on this without relying on sailor's English.
To sum it up: American politicians are positively insane. Fin.
Now come on. For one thing, it's in the Constitution, and has been there and will remain for the entire existence of this country. We were built on the right to arm ourselves, and is there any - ANY - politician in the WORLD who thinks that their career would survive past their current term if ANY firearm inhibition were placed on the US citizens?
Come on. I live in hick central. Smack-dab in the center of Pennsylvania. I guar-an-fucking-tee you that if ANYONE in power allows a ban or outrageous tax through, and every single one of them will be up in arms and marching on the Capitol. How...completely... incompetent can anyone be if they really think that the US will allow something like that to happen?
Honestly, I'm completely dumbfounded by this. Anyone even proposing such absurd bills should probably be admitted to an asylum shortly afterward; what with all the shootings in Philly on a daily basis, even IF they managed to put a ban or tax through and weren't immediately assassinated, weaponry would almost immediately become a black market. Look at marijuana, that shit was made illegal, and just today I was offered some in the freaking lobby of my apartment building.
I honestly could really fly off the handle about this, but I'm trying to keep the language somewhat clean, and I really don't think I can go much farther on this without relying on sailor's English.
To sum it up: American politicians are positively insane. Fin.
Respect; specifically, gender.
I'm starting this blog with a bit of an ambiguous angle, before I turn to my own experiences, so bear with me, it's a little rambling.
I've got a real treat for you ladies today. That's right, here's a guy who thinks women are more important than men. Shock and awe, right? Well, shocker, I'm not the only one. Most of us just don't care enough to put our thoughts out there because most females lump us in with the male chauvinist pigs who populate this planet.
I have to get my bit of male dominance out of the way before I can start kissing ass: Screw all of you who are too stuck up to give us a chance. I think you're all either too suspicious or too jaded to admit there might be an example of a real man in front of you, and this is what turns nice guys into assholes.
Now on to the real point of this post: What ever happened to good old fashioned respect? I'm not saying we have to go back to medieval woman-worshipping lifestyles, but is it really so much to ask for a man to treat a woman as an equal? I can't really gripe from experience; I live a sort of modern chivalristic lifestyle, and while I won't by any means go out of my way to help a woman I don't know, if I know you and care for you, I will make that fact obvious.
Now, let's be honest, guys; how hard is it to open a door for your lady? How difficult is it to pull a chair out, or hold her coat for her while she puts it on? These little affectionate gestures that I have always dreamed of finding a nice, normal woman to do for, are coming to be thought of as almost admonishing; an indication that the man thinks the woman is too weak to do so for herself. Some may even become offended: Just recently, I walked into a Burger King for breakfast and held the door for a young Latin woman with a stroller, and she was immediately shouting and telling me to move, asking what I thought I was doing. I merely looked at her with an almost disbelieving expression, until she finally stopped and realized I was holding the door, to which she immediately countered that it was nice to see a man willing to help out. To me, this implies her child's father is less than forthcoming in helping with the family..which I find repulsive.
People, is this REALLY how we want to live our lives? Do we really need to verbally, physically, emotionally abuse those around us? Take it from me, one of those so-called rare gentlemen left in this world. Give us a chance to make a comeback, and we'll be delighted to help you grow in return. Not ALL men act the way those that hurt you in the past did.
I've got a real treat for you ladies today. That's right, here's a guy who thinks women are more important than men. Shock and awe, right? Well, shocker, I'm not the only one. Most of us just don't care enough to put our thoughts out there because most females lump us in with the male chauvinist pigs who populate this planet.
I have to get my bit of male dominance out of the way before I can start kissing ass: Screw all of you who are too stuck up to give us a chance. I think you're all either too suspicious or too jaded to admit there might be an example of a real man in front of you, and this is what turns nice guys into assholes.
Now on to the real point of this post: What ever happened to good old fashioned respect? I'm not saying we have to go back to medieval woman-worshipping lifestyles, but is it really so much to ask for a man to treat a woman as an equal? I can't really gripe from experience; I live a sort of modern chivalristic lifestyle, and while I won't by any means go out of my way to help a woman I don't know, if I know you and care for you, I will make that fact obvious.
Now, let's be honest, guys; how hard is it to open a door for your lady? How difficult is it to pull a chair out, or hold her coat for her while she puts it on? These little affectionate gestures that I have always dreamed of finding a nice, normal woman to do for, are coming to be thought of as almost admonishing; an indication that the man thinks the woman is too weak to do so for herself. Some may even become offended: Just recently, I walked into a Burger King for breakfast and held the door for a young Latin woman with a stroller, and she was immediately shouting and telling me to move, asking what I thought I was doing. I merely looked at her with an almost disbelieving expression, until she finally stopped and realized I was holding the door, to which she immediately countered that it was nice to see a man willing to help out. To me, this implies her child's father is less than forthcoming in helping with the family..which I find repulsive.
People, is this REALLY how we want to live our lives? Do we really need to verbally, physically, emotionally abuse those around us? Take it from me, one of those so-called rare gentlemen left in this world. Give us a chance to make a comeback, and we'll be delighted to help you grow in return. Not ALL men act the way those that hurt you in the past did.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Customer support and why I hate it...
Ello there kiddies, settle in, I've got a nice rant for you today.
Customer support. I'm just about CERTAIN that everyone out there has had to deal with them at least once. Microsoft, specifically, Xbox kiddies, will attest to that. I've added a new one to that list. Newegg has, in my experience, one of the most disorganized and unprofessional customer support systems I've ever seen.
For those of you who follow my Facebook updates, you know the story. For the rest of you, here's a condensed version. I bought a terabyte external hard drive, something fell out and broke it, I sent it back. No problem right?
Freaking wrong. Since the only thing listed on the RMA request page as being required to be considered for a replacement was the original item and all accessories, I sent just that. The original box was destroyed weeks ago, who frigging keeps that?
Anyway, I get an email yesterday saying they received my package and are inspecting it to see if they can issue a replacement since the box is missing.
HELLO? Why authorize the return label in the first place if YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT?! So now, I'm sitting on... probably another week without the damned hard drive, which means in all likelihood I won't be able to make a claim on the manufacturer warranty for it. I have had no updates regarding whether or not the RMA is going to be honored, and they can't just GIVE me a freaking replacement because 'that falls under the extended warranty, which picks up when the manufacturer warranty ends.'
Excuse me for a second while I think of the words I want to use here... Oh yeah, "FUCK YOU, NEWEGG." I lost at LEAST a hundred GB of movies, and several important lectures. The rest are recoverable. Point being, holy shit! What if maybe you guys sold a product that wasn't a piece of shit... and then, when it broke, HONOR THE FRIGGING WARRANTY THAT YOU CHARGE FOR!
Seriously, I have no words left for this. If I drew this out any longer, it would be one giant obscenity. I am enraged beyond all belief that such a simple solution can't just be done because of one stupid policy. I'm out for today.
Customer support. I'm just about CERTAIN that everyone out there has had to deal with them at least once. Microsoft, specifically, Xbox kiddies, will attest to that. I've added a new one to that list. Newegg has, in my experience, one of the most disorganized and unprofessional customer support systems I've ever seen.
For those of you who follow my Facebook updates, you know the story. For the rest of you, here's a condensed version. I bought a terabyte external hard drive, something fell out and broke it, I sent it back. No problem right?
Freaking wrong. Since the only thing listed on the RMA request page as being required to be considered for a replacement was the original item and all accessories, I sent just that. The original box was destroyed weeks ago, who frigging keeps that?
Anyway, I get an email yesterday saying they received my package and are inspecting it to see if they can issue a replacement since the box is missing.
HELLO? Why authorize the return label in the first place if YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT?! So now, I'm sitting on... probably another week without the damned hard drive, which means in all likelihood I won't be able to make a claim on the manufacturer warranty for it. I have had no updates regarding whether or not the RMA is going to be honored, and they can't just GIVE me a freaking replacement because 'that falls under the extended warranty, which picks up when the manufacturer warranty ends.'
Excuse me for a second while I think of the words I want to use here... Oh yeah, "FUCK YOU, NEWEGG." I lost at LEAST a hundred GB of movies, and several important lectures. The rest are recoverable. Point being, holy shit! What if maybe you guys sold a product that wasn't a piece of shit... and then, when it broke, HONOR THE FRIGGING WARRANTY THAT YOU CHARGE FOR!
Seriously, I have no words left for this. If I drew this out any longer, it would be one giant obscenity. I am enraged beyond all belief that such a simple solution can't just be done because of one stupid policy. I'm out for today.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thoughts on thunderstorms...
Ever been out and about and been caught out in the rain? I haven't until Tuesday. I was out visiting a friend in New Jersey when it began storming rather badly; the rain wasn't so bad but the thunder and lightning was certainly a sight to see. It's a different sensation... I don't really know how to describe it, but I'll do my best.
There's that sort of sharp, biting ozone smell from the lightning, as well as the airy scent from the rain. The sight of the lightning flashing, both the light, and seeing the bolts themselves arcing between the clouds and ground. The almost ominous, but at the same time awed feeling of watching the thunderclouds bloom, coupled with a slight feeling of foreboding, closely tied with a healthy respect for nature, and a calm acceptance of what's about to happen all wash over me at once. I can hear the distant growl of the thunderclouds, singing their powerful war cry for all to hear as they announce both their presence and their dominance over the process of the world at this point in time. There's the sensation that there should be a sound, but the recognition that there isn't really one whenever a lightning bolt flashes. The sounds of the trees singing in the breeze reach my ears, and the pat-pat-pat of the first drops of rain alert me to the beginning of the storm. I look up, watch a lightning bolt flash and see each individual rain drop frozen for a split second, before everything resumes again. I feel a leap in my heart as the chill of each rain drop registers in my mind, and with a thrill I realize that this is how it feels to truly feel. I turn and begin to run down the trail with my arms spread wide as a light shower starts. I feel almost giggly; happiness wells up in me as I reawaken my inner child with this simple act. My heart pounds and my skin tingles, and as the rain lets up but the thunder and lightning continue to grow in magnitude, the feelings I'm experiencing also take a darker, more powerful turn. Each bolt of lightning that strikes the ground leaves my body almost shuddering, watching the power of nature unleash itself in such a raw, unbridled way. As the storm unfolds itself like a dragon awaking from slumber, I begin to feel each blast of thunder right down to my core, shaking my very foundation and leaving me feeling as though the storm itself is alive and challenging me. I don't back down.
I stand in the center of the path, watching this deadly and beautiful expression of nature's fury run its course, and for the first time, I feel fucking alive.... and I love it.
The storm winds its course, and I find myself standing there, completely and utterly still, just breathing and feeling the last of the adrenalin leave my system. I take in a slow, cleansing breath, turn, and walk away, feeling that at that instant, I've lost a bit of my remaining innocence, but at the same time, I've gained something. I've experienced something that many people fear, facing the full fury of nature and walking away unscathed. I feel stronger, in some way, as though just watching this awesome act of our great planet, I've witnessed some higher power at work, and I take inspiration from this as I do any other process of our world. I hope you, too, get the chance to experience the beauty of nature in such an empowering way.
There's that sort of sharp, biting ozone smell from the lightning, as well as the airy scent from the rain. The sight of the lightning flashing, both the light, and seeing the bolts themselves arcing between the clouds and ground. The almost ominous, but at the same time awed feeling of watching the thunderclouds bloom, coupled with a slight feeling of foreboding, closely tied with a healthy respect for nature, and a calm acceptance of what's about to happen all wash over me at once. I can hear the distant growl of the thunderclouds, singing their powerful war cry for all to hear as they announce both their presence and their dominance over the process of the world at this point in time. There's the sensation that there should be a sound, but the recognition that there isn't really one whenever a lightning bolt flashes. The sounds of the trees singing in the breeze reach my ears, and the pat-pat-pat of the first drops of rain alert me to the beginning of the storm. I look up, watch a lightning bolt flash and see each individual rain drop frozen for a split second, before everything resumes again. I feel a leap in my heart as the chill of each rain drop registers in my mind, and with a thrill I realize that this is how it feels to truly feel. I turn and begin to run down the trail with my arms spread wide as a light shower starts. I feel almost giggly; happiness wells up in me as I reawaken my inner child with this simple act. My heart pounds and my skin tingles, and as the rain lets up but the thunder and lightning continue to grow in magnitude, the feelings I'm experiencing also take a darker, more powerful turn. Each bolt of lightning that strikes the ground leaves my body almost shuddering, watching the power of nature unleash itself in such a raw, unbridled way. As the storm unfolds itself like a dragon awaking from slumber, I begin to feel each blast of thunder right down to my core, shaking my very foundation and leaving me feeling as though the storm itself is alive and challenging me. I don't back down.
I stand in the center of the path, watching this deadly and beautiful expression of nature's fury run its course, and for the first time, I feel fucking alive.... and I love it.
The storm winds its course, and I find myself standing there, completely and utterly still, just breathing and feeling the last of the adrenalin leave my system. I take in a slow, cleansing breath, turn, and walk away, feeling that at that instant, I've lost a bit of my remaining innocence, but at the same time, I've gained something. I've experienced something that many people fear, facing the full fury of nature and walking away unscathed. I feel stronger, in some way, as though just watching this awesome act of our great planet, I've witnessed some higher power at work, and I take inspiration from this as I do any other process of our world. I hope you, too, get the chance to experience the beauty of nature in such an empowering way.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Here's a little something..
So, today in Psychology, we watched Hotel Rwanda. For those of you who don't know, it's a movie about an African conflict in 1994. Now, the basic idea of this whole thing is that I fucking despise racism.
At one point in the movie, the white American lieutenant is informing the hotel owner that the white troops are pulling out and leaving them to handle their problems on their own. The lieutenant is in no way to blame for the attitude of his superiors, he is just relaying the message. However, his words drive home the point, that racism is and will remain prevalent in society. His message is that 'They don't give a damn about you, because you're dirt to them. You're not even valued as a nigger in their eyes.' For one thing, I can't fathom how anyone can just look away from fucking genocide. The hotel owner takes more verbal and physical abuse than I could ever put up with over my entire lifetime in the span of a few hours. I mean, yes, there's an armed militia there and ready to kill should anything go awry, but why suffer? I would have taken a far more responsive approach to handling the militia. It's like high school bullies, once a bigger one shows up they back down.
But I digress; I'm getting away from my point.
What sense is there in judging someone just because of their race? I've seen latin girls who appeared to be caucasian at first glance. Dialect gave it away.
I mentioned in my previous post that I grew up in an extremely racist community. While I do not share their views, I do understand what it feels like to be isolated. We're halfway between two almost-cities, and the only attention we really get from anyone is from the postal service and local fires. Our fire department has one of the few brush trucks in the area, so at least we get a little recognition there.
That said, I fucking despise racism in all shapes and forms.
Everyone was put on this earth with the same features. We just got a lucky draw for where we would grow up, how we would act, what we would look like, etc etc.
So please, for the sake of myself and others who believe racism is a joke. If you have a prejudice, keep it to yourself, because I don't want to hear it.
At one point in the movie, the white American lieutenant is informing the hotel owner that the white troops are pulling out and leaving them to handle their problems on their own. The lieutenant is in no way to blame for the attitude of his superiors, he is just relaying the message. However, his words drive home the point, that racism is and will remain prevalent in society. His message is that 'They don't give a damn about you, because you're dirt to them. You're not even valued as a nigger in their eyes.' For one thing, I can't fathom how anyone can just look away from fucking genocide. The hotel owner takes more verbal and physical abuse than I could ever put up with over my entire lifetime in the span of a few hours. I mean, yes, there's an armed militia there and ready to kill should anything go awry, but why suffer? I would have taken a far more responsive approach to handling the militia. It's like high school bullies, once a bigger one shows up they back down.
But I digress; I'm getting away from my point.
What sense is there in judging someone just because of their race? I've seen latin girls who appeared to be caucasian at first glance. Dialect gave it away.
I mentioned in my previous post that I grew up in an extremely racist community. While I do not share their views, I do understand what it feels like to be isolated. We're halfway between two almost-cities, and the only attention we really get from anyone is from the postal service and local fires. Our fire department has one of the few brush trucks in the area, so at least we get a little recognition there.
That said, I fucking despise racism in all shapes and forms.
Everyone was put on this earth with the same features. We just got a lucky draw for where we would grow up, how we would act, what we would look like, etc etc.
So please, for the sake of myself and others who believe racism is a joke. If you have a prejudice, keep it to yourself, because I don't want to hear it.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
First post.
Ah... I'm here, at 11:19 PM. My apartment's quiet except for the slight drone from the A/C, the TV playing Sci-fi, and the quiet, staccato click of my laptop keys. Rachel and I finished chatting a few minutes ago, she's my inspiration for starting this blog. I stopped writing a few years ago after my writing took a distinctly darker turn; however, now that I'm feeling a little better, I'm thinking writing couldn't hurt. Rachel's urgings definitely spurred me on.
Now, first things first: I'm my own person, and I don't change for anyone. I'm 18, male, living in an apartment with three 20-year-old guys. We all attend DeVry University in the ECT program. I hope to one day either head the IT department of a major corporation, or start my own computer repair business.
My interests are simple: I love music, video games, and airsoft. Any military simulation sport will do, but airsoft is my favorite. As far as video games go, I play pretty much exclusively on Xbox 360. I like Call of Duty 4, Halo 3, Guitar Hero 3, and either Rock Band. I play music games on Expert, because I'm that hardcore. :P Ranked up to 43 in COD4 tonight, and I'm currently about to rank up to Captain in Halo 3. I'm very competitive, but I hold no grudges. Games are games. Real life is where it counts. Music is my life. I listen to a lot of harder stuff, but only because I need a deep, powerful beat. My favorites are As I Lay Dying, Avenged Sevenfold, Chiodos, Bullet for my Valentine and Disturbed. Listening to music is all good, but I like to perform as well. I play drums first and foremost. First chair percussion in high school, I'll play any percussion instrument and do my best, pouring my heart and soul into my performance. Outside of symphonic performances, I tend to play along to a lot of metal and hard rock music, just for the rush. I also sing once in a while, but only if I'm feeling up to it! I'm just above a tenor, in choral terms. If you need a reference, Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows is in my comfort zone. Chiodos' Craig Owens is a stretch, but I can handle it.
I came from a tiny little town called Wallaceton, here in the great old state of PA. It's not much of a place, no action at all, but it was a nice place to grow up. I had plenty of time to learn what morals and values I could, and violence and crimes were rare if any at all. I don't miss living there, but I definitely appreciate what I learned and experienced.
Since I've moved in to the apartments here at DeVry, I haven't really done much relevant to my course yet, however I'm certainly enjoying my stay. So far, I've taken Psychology and Critical Thinking, and both focus on the process of learning, so that we can adapt to learn more efficiently in our classes. I've had two days of psychology for three hours each, and one day of critical thinking for four hours, for about six weeks now, and we're drawing to a close on them. Soon we'll be taking finals, and then I'll be moving in to my electronics labs. That'll be five classes over four days, so at least I won't be bored senseless on Tuesdays anymore...
That covers the external qualities, the things I love to do and the things I'm required to do, as well as my past, present and future. How about I dig a little deeper, and show you a side not many have ever seen?
On the outside, I have been referred to as stubborn, passionate, hard-headed and strong-willed. These qualities, in my eyes, are positive, however some may consider them otherwise. My opinion differs rather drastically. I am chivalrous, strong, calm and loving. I am passionate, curious, loyal and honest. I am a little selfish, but very generous. I have a big heart, and a lot of love to give, if only I could find someone worth giving it to. I am very modest, almost too much so, but I am also extremely confident in situations that I am comfortable in. I fall fast for the right person, but I'll keep loving for as long as she will have me, and then some. With a little encouragement, I am adventurous, always up for something new and ready to try just about anything once. Twice if I like it ;D I'm not always the happiest person in the world, but I'm realistic. I can't always be happy, but I always live in the moment. I'm romantic, extremely so, but I'm also very spontaneous. I'm the kind of guy that will happily bring my lady roses and chocolate, but I'll also do just about anything that comes to mind to make it a special day, just because I can. Above all, I absolutely despise seeing a woman treated badly. I go out of my way to ensure the lady in my life feels special, loved, and important. Take a hint here, guys, nothing is more beautiful than seeing a big, sincere smile bloom on her face because of something you did for her.
So, there you have it... a very basic look into who I am. I am a complex of differing similarities, and a paradox all my own. I am both simpler and far more complicated than I imply here, and it's up to you to interpret which is which.
Now, first things first: I'm my own person, and I don't change for anyone. I'm 18, male, living in an apartment with three 20-year-old guys. We all attend DeVry University in the ECT program. I hope to one day either head the IT department of a major corporation, or start my own computer repair business.
My interests are simple: I love music, video games, and airsoft. Any military simulation sport will do, but airsoft is my favorite. As far as video games go, I play pretty much exclusively on Xbox 360. I like Call of Duty 4, Halo 3, Guitar Hero 3, and either Rock Band. I play music games on Expert, because I'm that hardcore. :P Ranked up to 43 in COD4 tonight, and I'm currently about to rank up to Captain in Halo 3. I'm very competitive, but I hold no grudges. Games are games. Real life is where it counts. Music is my life. I listen to a lot of harder stuff, but only because I need a deep, powerful beat. My favorites are As I Lay Dying, Avenged Sevenfold, Chiodos, Bullet for my Valentine and Disturbed. Listening to music is all good, but I like to perform as well. I play drums first and foremost. First chair percussion in high school, I'll play any percussion instrument and do my best, pouring my heart and soul into my performance. Outside of symphonic performances, I tend to play along to a lot of metal and hard rock music, just for the rush. I also sing once in a while, but only if I'm feeling up to it! I'm just above a tenor, in choral terms. If you need a reference, Avenged Sevenfold's M. Shadows is in my comfort zone. Chiodos' Craig Owens is a stretch, but I can handle it.
I came from a tiny little town called Wallaceton, here in the great old state of PA. It's not much of a place, no action at all, but it was a nice place to grow up. I had plenty of time to learn what morals and values I could, and violence and crimes were rare if any at all. I don't miss living there, but I definitely appreciate what I learned and experienced.
Since I've moved in to the apartments here at DeVry, I haven't really done much relevant to my course yet, however I'm certainly enjoying my stay. So far, I've taken Psychology and Critical Thinking, and both focus on the process of learning, so that we can adapt to learn more efficiently in our classes. I've had two days of psychology for three hours each, and one day of critical thinking for four hours, for about six weeks now, and we're drawing to a close on them. Soon we'll be taking finals, and then I'll be moving in to my electronics labs. That'll be five classes over four days, so at least I won't be bored senseless on Tuesdays anymore...
That covers the external qualities, the things I love to do and the things I'm required to do, as well as my past, present and future. How about I dig a little deeper, and show you a side not many have ever seen?
On the outside, I have been referred to as stubborn, passionate, hard-headed and strong-willed. These qualities, in my eyes, are positive, however some may consider them otherwise. My opinion differs rather drastically. I am chivalrous, strong, calm and loving. I am passionate, curious, loyal and honest. I am a little selfish, but very generous. I have a big heart, and a lot of love to give, if only I could find someone worth giving it to. I am very modest, almost too much so, but I am also extremely confident in situations that I am comfortable in. I fall fast for the right person, but I'll keep loving for as long as she will have me, and then some. With a little encouragement, I am adventurous, always up for something new and ready to try just about anything once. Twice if I like it ;D I'm not always the happiest person in the world, but I'm realistic. I can't always be happy, but I always live in the moment. I'm romantic, extremely so, but I'm also very spontaneous. I'm the kind of guy that will happily bring my lady roses and chocolate, but I'll also do just about anything that comes to mind to make it a special day, just because I can. Above all, I absolutely despise seeing a woman treated badly. I go out of my way to ensure the lady in my life feels special, loved, and important. Take a hint here, guys, nothing is more beautiful than seeing a big, sincere smile bloom on her face because of something you did for her.
So, there you have it... a very basic look into who I am. I am a complex of differing similarities, and a paradox all my own. I am both simpler and far more complicated than I imply here, and it's up to you to interpret which is which.
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