guns don't kill people, fear kills people

First let me explain my background with guns. I do not own nor have I ever owned a gun. I do not hunt nor do I have a desire to go to a shooting range. Firing a weapon that is designed to kill is just not something my brain has decided is necessary, especially since I have 2 young children. However, I do not condone anyone for owning a gun. I do think there are a few good reasons to own a gun....just do not count self defense, protection or "fear" amongst them.

We live in a country that is consumed by fear. Americans seem to be afraid of anyything they are told is a potential risk whether it's the fear of not having a gun, the fear of Y2K, or the fear of Universal Health Care. There is virtually no evidence to suggest that there could be a repeat of the attacks in Aurora, Colorado yet there was an increase of more than 40% in Colorado residents registering to purchase guns....all because of fear. Americans have good reasons to be afraid of everything, just watch the news. The news is mainly comprised of reasons not to go outside (murderers, rapists, bank robbers, etc..) with some weather (which is usually another reason not to leave the house) and some sports sprinkled in at the end.

It is unfortunate that the only time guns get any attention is when one of these crazy mass murder situations occurs. Then we get to hear a thousand people explain why we need more gun control and 1000 people defending the right to bear arms.....only the end result is we always do nothing. I'm not going to try and argue one side or another but what I will say is that it is ridiculous that a person is able to purchase 6,000 rounds of ammunition and semi-automatic weapons as easily as the Aurora killer did. People on both sides of the gun debate should agree with that. There will always be access to weapons for those who are hell bent on killing others, but I have a hard time believing that regulating the types of weapons, amount of weapons, and amount of ammunition one can purchase along with stricter penalties for violators of gun laws wouldn't have some kind of effect on the roughly 30,000 Americans that die each year from guns. To do nothing about it is to be acceptant of every gun related injury/death in America. Furthermore it is a slap in the face of every victim of Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora and every other unnecessary gun related incident.

If the sad tragedy in Aurora has one upside (if you want to call it that) it's that people are at least talking about the gun problems in America. I'd like to see more regulations but more importantly I'd like to see the government/independent studies/college students/anyone take a look at why Americans live in fear and how we can reduce it. Michael Moore is kind of a weirdo, but read his article on the gun debate. He makes a lot of good points, and also addresses the fear factor that people have today. People are always going to kill others but it's the fear that is created when one person kills another, the feeling of "what if this were me" which continues to prevent us from doing anything about it.

I'm not sure what the answer is but at some point we are going to have to figure it out.

offensive comedy

Recently comedian Daniel Tosh was criticized for "crossing the line" when he singled out an audience member while making a joke about rape. Daniel Tosh is a comedian, like many others, whose fame came as a direct result of his crude style of humor. Honestly, what was this lady expecting when she went to the show in the first place? She undoubtedly already knew who Daniel Tosh was prior to going to the show; therefore, she should have known what kind of humor to expect from him. My guess is that she went to the show expecting to laugh at offensive jokes.....as long as they were about other people.

The ability to offend all people equally is what has enabled people like Daniel Tosh, Dave Chappelle, the creators of South Park, and many others to become famous. Obviously rape is not a funny topic in conversation. Neither are wars, but we joke about them. Neither is child molestation, but we joke about it. Neither is starvation, AIDS, retardation, sexuality, or skin color, yet we joke about all of those. Why? Because jokes are not conversations and do not show a persons true feelings or opinions. Jokes are not meant to offend people, they are meant to make people laugh.

Not everyone finds the same things amusing, which is both obvious and understandable. But to laugh when the joke is aimed at others, and then complain when it is directed at you is ridiculous. It's also ridiculous to claim that certain topics should be off limits to comedians. Here is an idea for people that don't like certain types of jokes......find something else to do! In honor of the stupid lady that paid money to see a certain type of comedy, yet was shocked when she got it, here are some offensive jokes that maybe shouldn't be funny but make me laugh.

Q: How does every black joke start?
A: By looking over your shoulder.

An elementary school teacher, a lawyer, a Catholic priest and three young boys are on a plane with only three parachutes. Engines explode, plane starts going down. The teacher says, 'Save the children!' The lawyer yells, 'SCREW THE CHILDREN!!' The Catholic priest looks around and whispers, 'Is there time?'

Q: How can you tell if your wife is dead?
A: The sex is the same but the dishes pile up.

Q: What is Helen Keller’s favorite color?
A: Velcro.

Q: Whats a Jew's worst dilemma?
A: Free Ham.

Q: Whats the hardest part about rollerblading?
A: Telling your dad you're gay.

I locked my keys in my car outside of an abortion clinic the other night. It turns out they get really pissed when you go in and ask them for a coat hanger.

Q: Why doesn't Mexico have an Olympic team?
A: Because everyone who can run, jump and swim is already in the U.S.

Rape is no laughing matter....unless you're raping a clown.

Q: What do you call a black guy flying an airplane?
A: The pilot, you racist bastard.

Q: What do Japanese men do when they have an erection?
A: Vote

(Notice the lack of white jokes? Me too....turns out there aren't many. But I did find a website called White Guy Jokes dedicated to them. No individual joke is funny on it's own but together they are pretty funny.....even if they are basically making fun of everyone except for white people.)

ten things i think i think

1. I think this Grantland article is good reading for any bored sports fan. It's basically a rambling conversation with several different important sports topics but the cool part is that I basically agree with everything that is said. From comparing Tiger & LeBron to Britney Spears & Lindsey Lohan to wondering how Jordan would handle the social media attention of sports figures today or predicting the effects of the Concussion Era of the NFL, this story is interesting....at least to me.

2. I think I can't remember where I found this (see below)...but it sounds about right.

"Here's my entirely charming analysis of the whole Democrat vs. Republican debate: Imagine if you will a clogged toilet. The person that clogged it walks out of the bathroom embarrassedly and leaves. The Democrat and Republican both have to defecate and see the clogged toilet. The Democrat's solution is to buy a new clog-proof toilet and hire a plumber from across the country to put it in. Sure it'll cost a lot but we'll get a new toilet that won't clog and that plumber and the toilet manufacturers get paid. The Republican's solution is to simply continue using the toilet until it's too full to sit on, because at that point he'll just use someone else's toilet, probably China's, and let someone else deal with the mess. What we need is for someone to go in there and snake the drain, but nobody's willing to get their hands dirty."

3. I think Giving Keys would make nice gifts for Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa (do you get gifts for Kwanzaa?). It seems like a cool concept....another one of those "Pay It Forward" type of things that seem to be popping up everywhere.

4. I think this is probably the first time you have ever seen Super Moonwalking!!! This should replace all of the stupid equestrian events at the Summer Olympics. I mean the horse is the freaking athlete and what does it get? No medal, no Wheaties box, no fame....only alfalfa....or whatever it is that horses eat. Even the alfalfa is dependent on not breaking a leg on a hurdle and being euthanized. But anyways, Super Moonwalking!! I can't wait until I see someone doing this in Seattle.



5. I think this is an interesting quote: “If my step-dad didn’t treat me like his son, I wouldn't have had any father at all.”

Some guy said this at work the other day and I guess I just never really thought about it before. He was talking about how single people in their 30's are always looking for a relationship with someone who doesn't already have kids and why he thinks it is stupid. What I think he was getting at is that there are tons of deadbeat dads out there, leaving tons of kids without father figures in their lives. If the mothers of those children are having a hard time with relationships because they have children, it is those children that suffer the most.

6. I think this is my new favorite music video. This video has it all; bikinis, super soakers, booty rockin everywhere....and the hottest pool party since Jagged Edge asked Where The Party At?. I'm pretty sure this kid is the son of Reggie from The Nutty Professor (see hair at 1:17 mark). Joking aside, I feel bad for the future of this poor kid.



7. I. Think. It. Is. Funny. How. Stupid. Things. Become. Trendy. For. No. Apparent. Reason. At. All.

8. I think this is the most embarrassing/sad/pathetic baseball quotes ever but is a great example of why I am a Red Sox fan. The quote was following a Mariner's 13 inning loss to the A's in which Felix Hernandez got yet another no decision after only allowing one first inning run over 7+ innings. It's also a good example of why celebrating the amount of wins a player has, in any sport, is dumb. It's completely out of an individuals control in a team game, regardless of talent.

"I knew once they scored a run I couldn't give up another one or I might lose the game in the first inning." - Felix Hernandez

9. I think I wrote a bunch of crap about this TED Talk yesterday but apparently forgot to save it. I also think I'm too lazy to explain/re-remember what I wrote before so I'm not going to. But here's the video.



10. I think trying to learn Spanish is confusing. It would be a lot easier to have someone fluent in Spanish be able to explain certain rules to me so I'm not trying to memorize so much but overall it is going pretty good. It's funny that my son is able to tell me specific words or correct my bad conjugations or incorrect pluralizations. Anyone wanting to learn a language FREE, here is another Duolingo shoutout. I only go on there for maybe an hour a week but I am already learning a lot....seems like a pretty good program.

yesterdayeth

I arose to warm cloudless skies at the usual 5:45 and prepared myself for the many tasks of the day. A hot shower, brushing of teeth, and donning of the days garments commenced. This was followed by an early departure from the warm comfort of my castle. See, neither my breakfast nor my middays meal were prepared prior to departure, so a stop at the local Safeway was in order. A bran muffin and cobb salad were purchased and I was on my way to work.

I arrived at my place of employment to a half empty lot, no doubt due to abundant leave use caused by the midweek festivities. Work consisted of a fairly pleasant 8 hour day, the only coil being informed that my presence was required for 24 hours more during the weekend. After work I returned to my castle and informed my mistress of the change in my weekend plans. My information was met with unexpected ire.

Sandra: "We had plans for morrow. You were supposed to take the kids to Cody's birthday breakfast in the morning and we have the Sounders game at 8."

Me: "This is true your most gracious majesty, but just last weekend thou spoke of me volunteering to work weekends, even if it conflicted with any conquests we may have had planned."

Sandra: "Aye, but we have tickets already for the game."

Me: "The game is at 8 and I will be off work by 6, no later. I checked the boat schedule and a 6:45 vessel is available which would allow me to make it to Seattle prior to commencement of the game. Plus I figured we could use the money earned this weekend to strengthen the walls that bound our land."

Sandra: "We can build a fence later my King. But whatever, let's go enjoy the Summer's air before the day is done."

With that we were off to the Field of Lions in East Bremcester. The bikes of our children were loaded in my coach, as the children and rode in the Queen's coach. We were greeted at the Field of Lions by the Maples clan. A few hours of soccer, bike riding, and feasting were followed by a planned trip to watch the Kitsap Pumas soccer game. The only problem was that I had not been gifted this knowledge. We packed up our belongings and left in our seperate coaches.

Shortly after my arrival back at my castle I was greeted by the remainder of my family. The smiling young faces of my children were a stark contrast to the rage that filled the face of my Queen.

Sandra: "Why did thou leavest the park so swiftly? We were trying to attract thine attention to make sure thou was headed to Bremcester Memorial Stadium for the Pumas game."

Me : "Expedience doth not depict my exit. I took two trips of stuff to thine coach, then walked over to my coach and put the bikes in the back before leaving. Besides, I thought we weren't going to the game."

Sandra: "No, thou ruttish fly-bitten knave, we agreed that we were to attend the game."

Me: "Your lips grow foul my sweetness. If the plan was agreed upon prior then wherefore the need for attracting my attention? Would I not have already been headed to Bremcester Stadium? Anyways, better three hours too late than a minute too soon."

Sandra: "Whatever, we can't going now. I'm going to taketh a bath."

Me: "All apologies my dearest Sandra, but men are men; the best sometimes forget. I shall instead go to the store and fetch food for our children's fish......and get some other crap. Fare thee well."

And so I traveled back to the withering lands of East Bremcester with 3 locations on my agenda, first being the pet store for more fish food. Upon locating the fish food I was met with more options than reasonably should be expected when buying betta food. As I reached for the first bottle a ghost appeared (there's always a bloody ghost) and said the following:

"Be careful of the food you choose,
or two more fish are yours to lose.
The future of your fish is bleak,
Lest worms of blood are what you seek."

So I grabbed some regular food and some blood worms, bought them, and then headed to Lowe's.

At Lowe's my trip consisted solely of scoping out new stairs to reach my castle's tower (attic ladders). After a quick examination I left Lowe's and headed for the most heinous, attrocious of all places, Wal-Mart. As usual, I was greeted with the expected wayward smile and squeaky cart for my goods. I gathered my required items in a timely manner in effort to reduce time spent in this bastard of a store. It was then that I was poisoned by an anger unmatched, born from totteringly long checkout lines.

Me: "Pray pardon me thou mountain of mad flesh, I demand these lines speed up at once."

Cashier: "Halt your tongue thou villainous whey-face and wait your turn".

Me: "You are a woman, and yet your beard forbids me to interpret that you are so. Nonetheless woman, I shall patiently grant your request."

And so after what seemed a fortnight I finally was able to complete my purchase and returned home to my family, already in their beds. I fed the fish and put away the goods I had bought. I then retired to my bedroom where my Queen was still lying awake.

Me: "Thou art my muse, inspiration for mine every breath and bringer of laughter and song unto mine heart, an angel fair gracing me with the divine light of the heavens. All days are nights to see till I see thee, and nights bright days when dreams do show thee me."

Sandra: "Shutup and go to sleep."

This was inspired by a book I recently finished titled Fool by Christopher Moore. It is basically a comedic twist on Shakespeare's King Lear, only from the perspective of the King's jester, Pocket (the Fool).

Just to make sure nobody ends up yelling at me for recommending this book, here is the author's description of it: "This is a bawdy tale. Herein you will find gratuitous shagging, murder, spanking, maiming, treason, and heretofore unexplored heights of vulgarity and profanity, as well as non-traditional grammar, split infinitives, and the odd wank. If that sort of thing bothers you, then gentle reader pass by, for we endeavor only to entertain, not to offend. That said, if that’s the sort of thing you think you might enjoy, then you have happened upon the perfect story!”

Consider thee duly warned.

30 before 30 - July update

1. Write A Letter To The Editor

2. Learn Spanish
I finally started using Duolingo and have already learned a lot. It's a FREE language learning program for anyone interested.

3. Donate Blood

4. Weigh Under 200

5. Go White Water Rafting

6. Go To A Hockey Game

7. Visit Portland

8. Run A 1/2 Marathon

9. Learn The Thriller Dance

10. Take A Dance Class With Sandra

11. Start A Fire

12. Go To The Top Of The Space Needle

13. Go To A Comedy Show
I bought tickets to Louis C.K. but it's not until December.

14. Go Backpack Camping

15. Walk Across The Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Had this one planned but it rained to I backed out. Should be going within the next few weeks though.

16. Ask 10 People Their Favorite Book And Read Them
I posted a question on FB awhile ago asking for book suggestions. I'm going to finish a few more of those and then get started on these 10.

17. Paint A Picture
I watched a spray paint artist named Joseph Francis (The Art Surgeon) in Seattle and I think that's the kind of painting I want to try out....not sure when though, but I like it because it's different. 18. Attend A Midnight Premiere Of A Movie
I'm thinking about checking out The Dark Knight Rises when it opens.

19. Read 10 Books To My Kids
The Hobbit (Still not done yet...ugh)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Harriet the Spy
Charlie and the Clocolate Factory
The Phantom Tollbooth
Holes
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Number the Stars
The Golden Compass

20. Go To A Seahawks Training Camp Practice

21. Eat At A Top Rated Restaurant

22. Watch The Top 50 Movies on IMDB
I have watched the first 6 so far: Vertigo, M, The Shining, Taxi Driver, American Beauty, and Toy Story 3. I hadn't seen any of those before which makes sense since 4 were made before I was born. It's funny to see how movies have changes since then.

23. Go On A 5 Day Fast

24. Make Something With Homegrown Food

25. Go To Canada

26. Finish My Unfinished Tasks At Home

27. Read The Bible

28. Volunteer At A Homeless Shelter

29. Complete A Mud Run

30. Bet On The Superbowl Winner Before The Season Starts
I found a website Sportsbook.com that I can bet on the winner.

30 before 30

As I mentioned in a previous post I would be making a list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. Big thanks to Kirsten for the idea. After I looked into this a little I found out a lot of people actually make these lists. The only lame thing is that most of them are girls. Maybe guys are less ambitious or just more content with stuff. I don't know but I don't care, I'm doing it anyways.

I figure if I am going to make a list of things to do in the next year and 4 months, I better have some type of rules for each item to make sure I can actually complete my list.

Rule #1 - Must be realistic
I would love to go to Australia, but the cost and reality of doing that with a family of 4 make it pretty unrealistic.

Rule #2 - Must be within my control
Basically what I mean is that I could say something like "I want to watch the Seahawks win in the Superbowl" but I have no direct control over that, so it shouldn't be on my list.

Rule #3 - Must update my progress monthly
I think this is the most important one. I would hate to get to September next year and still have 20 things left to do, so I figure if I update my progress every month it will help keep me motivating on accomplishing things.

After months, days, a couple of hours of thinking and borrowing ideas from other lists here it is. The 30 things I will do before I turn 30.

1. Write A Letter To The Editor
I don't even care if it gets published; I just think it would be cool to write one. I like reading them and am surprised at some of the garbage that gets published. Surely I can make something halfway decent.

2. Learn Spanish
I think it is sad how few people in the US are fluent in another language. I learned basically 1 year of German and I know a few things in Spanish but that's it. I would like to at least be able to carry on simple conversations in Spanish. Good thing Duolingo is almost available!

3. Donate Blood
Believe it or not but I have never donated blood. I have to get my blood checked periodically for work and it makes me want to puke. Just the thought of someone taking my blood makes me nauseous. Nonetheless it's sad that I haven't given blood and plan to do so.

4. Weigh Under 200
This one might take a little while but it's something I need to do. I think I've been 200 or more since like high school but it will be cool to see if I can get below.

5. Go White Water Rafting
Something I've never done but always wanted to.

6. Go To A Hockey Game
I have absolutely no interest in hockey but I have heard from several people, also without interest in hockey, that the games are tons of fun.

7. Visit Portland
I don't know exactly why I have never been there. Maybe I did when I was young enough not to remember, who knows, but I have always thought it seemed like a cool city to visit.

8. Run A 1/2 Marathon
I thought about putting a full marathon here but I don't think I would do that. 13 miles is enough for me, especially since I've never even done an official 5k.

9. Learn The Thriller Dance
I know parts of it but I'd like to know the whole thing. I'm not much of a dancer but there's no way I wouldn't bust this out every year at Halloween.

10. Take A Dance Class With Sandra
Speaking of dancing and how I suck at it, I think it would be cool to take a dance class with my wife. I don't know which style...Salsa? Swing? Ballroom? The Cat Daddy? I guess it doesn't matter since I don't know anything about dancing but it's still a goal of mine.

11. Start A Fire
I don't mean in a fireplace or a bonfire, I mean starting a fire from scratch caveman style.

12. Go To The Top Of The Space Needle
I have lived in Washington for almost my entire life, an hour away from one of the coolest buildings in America and I have never gone to the top.

13. Go To A Comedy Show
Another weird thing I somehow have never done. I love comedy but have never seen it live. That has gotta change.

14. Go Backpack Camping
I like camping a lot but I am not really into the RV/State Park/power/electricity/showers/buying wood type of camping. To me it really takes away from what I think camping should be about. I'd like to go camping somewhere that you have to hike somewhere hauling in everything you will need.

15. Walk Across The Tacoma Narrows Bridge
When driving across it seems like a pretty cool view, only you are across before you can really appreciate it. If you are busy checking out the view then you are probably seconds away from an accident. I want to check it out without risking death.

16. Ask 10 People Their Favorite Book And Read Them
I recently started reading a little and really enjoyed the suggestions that I got from people on books. I have read an embarrassingly low number of books in my lifetime and am trying to change that.

17. Paint A Picture
Art is a strange thing that is largely just up to the interpretation of others. Some kids make art that is more interesting than famous artists. I sometimes hate how critical I am of everything and I think painting would be a good way for me to just not care and see what happens. Plus I can decorate my refrigerator with it.

18. Attend A Midnight Premiere Of A Movie
I don't even know why I want to do this but I do. I only go to the theaters about twice a year, but I'd like to join those crazy people that go to the first viewing at least one time if for no other reason than to say I did it. I'm thinking maybe The Dark Knight Rises or The Hobbit

19. Read 10 Books To My Kids
I guess I need to be more specific here. I made a list awhile back of 10 good books to read to children that are targeted for ages close to my kids. Aidan doesn't seem to have the attention span to sit through me reading but Alyssa likes it a lot. We have been reading The Hobbit and although it seems like it is taking forever, the kids really look forward to it.

20. Go To A Seahawks Training Camp Practice
Another random thing I always thought would be cool. I didn't even know they let people watch some of their practices until a few years ago and it only costs like a $5 bus ride from where you park to the practice field. They just take reservations on a first come basis, but hopefully this year or next I'll finally go.

21. Eat At A Top Rated Restaurant
I like food but I don't really care for fancy stuff usually. I guess I am just too picky of an eater. I would still like to go waste a bunch of money sometime on a meal at a fancy place.

22. Watch The Top 50 Movies on IMDB
There are a lot of movies on the IMDB to 250 that I have never seen. I honestly have no clue how some of them passed me by. Some were just made before my time. Anyways, I am going to watch/rewatch the top 50 starting at 50 and working my way up.

23. Go On A 5 Day Fast
This one is just something I am curious if I could actually do. I know there are certain rules to fasting and I'm going to figure them out and try it.

24. Make Something With Homegrown Food
Last year we planted some squash and cucumbers because the kids wanted to buy them at a farmer's market. I figured they would die in a few days but the kids kept watering them and they kept growing. They grew enough that we planted them in our yard. Only one of the cucumbers grew big enough that we could have made something with it but we threw it away instead.

25. Go To Canada
.3 I live only a few hours awayfrom it but I've never been to Canada. I've been to Mexico and Germany but not Canada. Just another one of those things I probably won't ever do unless I say I will.

26. Finish My Unfinished Tasks At Home
I am a master of completing 90-95% of a job at home. Whether it's painting a room, building a deck, or remodeling my son's room, I just can't seem to completely finish things. There are always little things that need to be done around the house, but it makes me mad that most of them continue to go undone even though they take less than a day to complete.

27. Read The Bible
Those who know me probably know my thoughts about religion. I do however think it's a bit hypocritical of me to have not read the Bible in forever. I can't remember what age I was when I read it....maybe 10 or so, but I feel like I should read it again now that I'm old enough to hopefully understand it a lot more.

28. Volunteer At A Homeless Shelter
I think this is something everyone should do at least once. I feel bad that I haven't done this or something similar already.

29. Complete A Mud Run
Those just look like a lot of fun. I might consider the Color Run also since it's pretty similar.

30. Bet On The Superbowl Winner Before The Season Starts
I feel like I have a good understanding of football. My Superbowl predictions however are always wrong. It seems like I usually guess the 2 teams that lose in the Divisional Championship games. But anyways, every year I say I'm going to put a bet on the winner before the season starts only to forget about it. It has been a good thing so far considering I have only been right once, the Colts in 2007.

So there it is my 30 things to do before I turn 30. Let me know what you think! And those of you not already 30, I encourage you to make a list also.

ten things i think i think

1. I think I am glad I started reading books again and am actually enjoying it a little. I still don't think I will read unless I have nothing better to do, but it is slowly creeping up the list of things to do when I am bored. In fact it has just surpassed trying to swallow my tongue and trying not to think about polar bears.

2. I think it is interesting how kids come into the world with no biases, no concept of segregation and no thoughts to treat others differently because of their sex, race, wealth, religion, weight, sexual preference, etc. Is it society's fault that this happens? If you took 20 kids that looked like they could pose for a workplace diversity ad and forced them to grow up in an MTV's Real World style environment, would they continue to look like the kids from Captain Planet or would they split up and turn into groups of this, this, and this. What got me thinking about this was a great article I recently read telling a story of a mom who watched her daughter quickly befriend a poor girl with one arm and no shoes. If kids are able to put all things aside, why can't adults?

3. I think I stole this from the same place I stole the title for this post from, but I like it so I'm putting it here anyways. It's part of a commencement speech from Ted Koppel to the University of Massachusetts.

"More than ever before, we live today in a world of instant reaction, constant judgment and corrosive partisanship. Political debate is a wonderful thing; but partisan shrieking is corrosive and destructive. If we are to find solutions to the challenges we face, we have to relearn the virtues of compromise. If we are going to deal intelligently with the problems we confront, we need time to pause, to consider and reflect. But our media, news and social, are intolerant of anything but an instant response ... Rather than using information to illuminate the world, though, we consume it like fuel. The more we burn, the faster we go. The faster we go, the less we see and understand. We slow down only for the accidents along the side of the road; and the biggest accident still lies ahead.

Only, I fear, when that occurs -- only when the combined impact of too many unemployed, too many foreclosures, too much debt, exacerbated by two undeclared and unfunded wars; only when the human and social costs of a crumbling education system and a flawed health care system, leave us wondering where and why we lost our footing as a nation, will we come to realize that WHAT is communicated to us is vastly more important than the medium by which it is conveyed.

... One day, most Americans will point at us in the news media and say: "Why didn't you tell us? Why did you encourage all that bile and venom? Why did you feed us all that trivial crap, when so many terrible things were converging? And no one will be happy with the answer. Least of all, those of us who offer it. "What we gave you," we will say, "is what you wanted."

At this critical juncture in your lives, then, let me urge you -- no, let me implore you to want more. More substance, more real information about important issues, more fairness, more objectivity, more tolerance for views that differ from your own. You have a truly magical array of media at your disposal. Use them well."

4. I think TED talks are great. I found the one below interesting for a lot of reasons, but mostly because it made me rethink my opinions on capital punishment and give more thought to our terrible prison system. The speaker, Bryan Stevenson, describes his views on our current system of punishment and why it needs more attention. He describes our country currently defining the opposite of poverty as justice rather than wealth. The part that struck me the most is when he says that the character of our society will ultimately be judged by how we treat the poor, condemned and incarcerated. I don't know if that is true or not, but it is interesting to me. It is easy to punish someone for a crime without trying to solve the actual problems of why the crime was committed in the first place. The general ignorance that we give to this question of Why? may very well be what defines us.



5. I think I was inspired by someone who was inspired by someone who was probably inspired by someone else. I read a blog post recently about a friend who is approaching 30 and is making a list of 30 things to do before she turns 30. She is doing this based on inspiration from a blog post about someone else that is doing it. So basically what I am saying is that I am going to make my own list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. Inspiration is one of the most contagious things out there. It causes people to do things they wouldn't normally do just because someone else did it and I think that is awesome.

6. Another great TED talk by Peter Diamandis about technology and the advancements and possibilities of our world. I'm sure this guy is making tons of money from books and other crap related to this, but it's hard to argue with his points.

I sometimes wonder about the consequences technology could have on the world, but that is the problem, nobody knows for sure. What are known for sure are the positive results and endless possibilities technology has given us.



7. I think I wish I had listened to Reggie Watts earlier. For those who have never heard of him he is a musician/comedian who spent a lot of time in the Seattle area but now lives in New York. He does the whole impromptu beat box looping song making thing kinda like Beardyman if you have heard of him. The comedy part and complete randomness is what I think sets Watts apart. I like weird stuff, so if you do to then definitely check out Reggie Watts.

8. I think I am getting sick about the stories surrounding the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. They messed up and they got punished, but still there are daily stories about it. Would it be okay to at least wait until football actually starts 3 months from now to talk about the stupid Saints?

9. I think this article on fox news about the extinction of japanese people might be the single stupidest news story I have ever read/seen. I check out Fox News sometimes to make sure that my opinions aren't being created out of reluctance to seek opinions that differ from my own, but crap like this makes me not want to. Side note: I like how it says "fair & balanced" below the Fox News logo but I only go there because I know that it isn't.

10. I think if there were a pill people could take to ensure a great day I might buy it. I was looking at old pictures from when my kids were in the 1-4 year old range and each photo looked like they were having the best day of their lives.....well except for Alyssa crying because she was scared of Santa. My son had a great day yesterday, which paired with the pictures, got me wishing he had those days more often. The movie Brain Candy was made 16 years ago, yet we still don't have this pill. It's time to quit wasting time trying to make bigger, thinner 3D TV's and making 10G cell phones and start making medicines that trick people into being happy. I don't even care if there are a couple of flipper babies.

Anyone who knows me well knows I'm joking, but it's hard having a child who is so easily frustrated by the things most people don't think twice about.