It's Been Great!

Seeing as how this is my final blog, I thought I’d reflect on the past semester of school, writing, and blogging. I learned a lot through my blogs. In order to write as often as I did, I had to get really creative with my blog sources. I learned that birds that eat red berries crash into windows and die. I had the honor of writing an ode to one of my favorite artists, Jimmy Buffet. I also had to contemplate things that were happening in my society. Randy Moss and his money comment really frustrated me. This man didn’t grow up having as much money as he does now, and when a man forgets his roots and lets money change who he is, he is no longer a respectable person to me. Both Jessica Lunsford and Terri Schaivo inspired me to write. I don’t feel very comfortable letting my little sisters play in my neighborhood now that I know that perverted child molesters are on the prowl, preying on innocent children. The Schaivo case really made me think about what stance I have on life and death. Pro-Life and Pro-Choice took on a new meaning to me after all of this. I feel like I’ve been able to grow as a writer, and having my thoughts and opinions posted on the web forced me to learn how to be unbiased in my writing. As I said in my final portfolio, I plan on studying grammar and syntax so that as I get deeper into my college career, my writing matures, too. I’ve really enjoyed the experience of keeping a blog site. Maybe I’ll contribute to this even after the semester ends. I’ve already received one feedback from a person who read my blogs. Perhaps I’ll shoot for two. Thanks for reading!

Making Money the EBay Way...

EBay was created for people with garage sale-esque items to make a little extra money. It is slowly developing into a forum for people desperate for some extra cash. I’ve heard of people auctioning some strange, if not personal things on EBay. One girl in Britain auctioned off her virginity. Her virginity: the most personal gift a woman could give a man, and the bidding reached twenty thousand dollars before it was plucked off the auction. One woman auctioned off the sillacone implants that she had removed from her breasts. Now, what would someone do with used breast implants? The most recent tale is a high school prank in which some guys auctioned off their friend (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BOY_FOR_SALE?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=ENTERTAINMENT). The bidding war was only between a few good friends, but escalated to over three thousand dollars before the auction was dropped. I am now inspired to auction off something ridiculous to see how much money I could earn. My girlfriend is an amazing cook. I’ll auction her cooking off to someone in the Bay area. She (accompanied by me, of course) can go to the winner’s house to cook a meal. I’m sure this would get at least a couple grand. If some used breast implants can earn someone ten thousand dollars, some great beef stew and a Caesar salad should gross much more than that!

5 Down: Web Posting (four letters)

I have recently become a crossword puzzle fanatic. It started in the fall semester when I was taking a lecture class that bored me to tears. I picked up an Oracle one day and just started working the crossword. It was better than listening to the professor ramble about nothing, and it gave me something to think about. Throughout the semester, it became a staple for this class. Now, I pick up a newspaper every day so I can have a new puzzle to do. I even bought one of those airport crossword books. They’re relatively easy, and I still consider myself a novice, so I enjoy these. I learned in my psychology class that working difficult crosswords is better for your mind because it forces it to work harder, but I get so frustrated when I can’t solve a clue. I have even found a website where I can play crosswords from my computer. The New York Post publishes its daily crosswords at two different skill levels. I usually play the regular level, but every once in a while, I try to conquer the advanced games. (www.nypost.com/games) Crosswords have even become a group activity with my brothers and sisters. If I’m working the Sunday puzzle in the living room, a few will crowd around me and try to help me with some clues. Usually, if I can’t figure it out, they won’t get it, either, but sometimes they surprise me and know an answer I wouldn’t have figured out without them.

No more "Rick James..."

"I'm Rick James...." This phrase has been made popular by the hit Comedy Central sketch television show The Cheppelle Show. Dave Chappelle has had huge succes with only two seasons of his show airing on Comedy Central. Fans of the stand up and sketch comedy star expected to catch the first of new episodes of his series on May 31st. Sadly, it won't happen. Comedy Central announced this week that the show has been postponed until an undisclosed time in the future. Network spokesman Tony Fox told reporters, "Comedy Central has suspended production on the third season of Chappelle's Show until further notice. All parties are optimistic that production will resume in the near future." Last December, Chappelle's health problems caused Comedy Central to admit that the show was running late in it's production. Since the star of the show has not commented yet on the new reason for his absence, his fans will have to wait for the real deal from their funny star. One thing's for sure: whatever the problem is, it can't be a money issue. Chappelle signed a $50 million deal last year to continue his sketch series exclusively for Comedy Central for at least two more years.

International Respect for Chickens Day

International Respect for Chickens Day is approaching. In honor of this holy day, I will be eating McDonalds chicken nuggets for lunch and Gladstone’s chicken meal for dinner. Seriously, this has to be the result of one of those mental trips that vegans endure from lack of protein. Why create a holiday centered around respect for chickens? While we’re at it, we need to establish Happy Ham Day, Love for Eggs Week, and Tuna Eve. Yes, all animals should be respected for their roles on the Earth and in the food web, but a holiday honoring the meat in my sandwich is not necessary (unless I can miss work for it, that is.) The president of United Poultry Concerns is the one who invented the “holiday”, according to Fox News. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,154856,00.html) She wants us to honor the “beauty and life of chickens”. First of all, has she ever seen a chicken? Live chickens are ugly creatures. The only “beauty” a chicken displays is when it is cooked to a golden brown surrounded by potatoes and drowned in gravy. What about Thank A Soldier Day? Or Nurses Day? Or Women’s Day? Grandparent’s Day? These are individuals who live beautiful, honorable lives. More so than chickens or any other poultry. These are individuals whose contribution to the world needs more recognition than a piece of meat. So on International Respect for Chickens Day, you will find me in line at Chik-Fil-A, paying tribute to chickens for their most important service to mankind: lunch.

Happy New Year 2011!

I found a website that will tell a web surfer the day of the week for any holiday for whatever year they enter. The American Secular Holiday Calendar can tell you what day of the week a particular secular holiday will fall on. (http://www.smart.net/~mmontes/ushols.html ) For instance, I entered 1984, the year I was born, and learned that New Years Day was a Sunday. I was born on a Saturday, and the following Monday was Labor Day. I’m not sure how helpful this is for many people, unless one is planning a vacation or wedding for a certain time in the future. Just for fun, I entered the year 2010. The year will start on a Friday. Mother’s Day will be May 9th, which is interesting because this year, it falls on May 8th. Our income taxes will be due on a Thursday, and Independence Day will be on a Sunday: the perfect day for a barbeque! By inputting 2006, I learned that next year will start on a Sunday. That means New Years Eve will be on a Saturday: the ideal night for a party! Again, I’m not too sure how helpful this is, but it’s interesting to enter random years to see when the calendar will realign itself to where it is now. The next time the days of the week will align themselves to where they are now is in 2011.

Happy Early Mother's Day!

Because Mother's Day is in two weeks and my blogs will be completed before the holiday, I want to use one of my blogs to honor my mother. She has the soul of a saint and skin of steel. That woman has seen more trials in her life than most will see before their death. Not only has she endured three Caesarean sections while giving birth to my two biological brothers and myself, but countless mental and emotional hardships adopting my other siblings. She is so much a mother that she has put herself last in order to give children that nobody else wanted a happy home. She has a desire to help everyone she encounters, and will stop at nothing to help someone out. There is an elderly man at our church who doesn't have much family, so every week some of my more musical siblings go to his house and sing and play music for him. My mother arranged this so someone else can experience the joy that children can bring, and so he wouldn't have to be so lonely, confined to his household because of medical reasons. My mother has always been a strong woman, a worldly woman, and a beautiful woman. I don't give her enough credit for all of the things she has taught me, and this blog is dedicated to the best mother ever. Happy Early Mother's Day, Mom!

Blackboard

(www.my.usf.edu) Blackboard is such a great tool for a college education; I do not know how my parents’ generation of college students survived without it! Blackboard allows you to keep up-to-date on your grades without pestering the professor for a mark you may not have. You can also access your class syllabus from anywhere. This proves to be especially helpful. I was once out of town without my school supplies and forgot that I had something to submit online. I simply logged onto Blackboard, read my syllabus, and was able to complete my assignment on time. Blackboard also allows USF students to take classes online, which is a very convenient tool. It has been my experience that an online course forces the student to read the material because there are no lectures to attend. Thus, it is guaranteed that the student will learn something, instead of memorizing a fact to spit out onto a test. I am taking two online classes this summer so I may work more. Without Blackboard, I would have to spend several hours every week in a classroom, taking away from time I could spend earning money at my job. How my parents completed their Masters degrees without the luxury of online classes and a database like Blackboard, I will never understand.

Abu Ghraib

The Abu Ghraib “torture” case that has some people angry and outraged is truly a joke. What these people are claiming as “torture” is nothing but embarrassing treatment for prisoners who wanted Americans dead. The real torture comes from the individuals who capture Americans, Brits, and our other allies and video tape decapitation. That is torture. These American soldiers were only treating these prisoners how they should: like the terrorists they are. Granted, some of these prisoners may be civilians, but if they have information we need, those who are actually in the war zone need to do what is necessary to gain information to protect themselves and our nation. The photos that have caused the controversy (available at http://billandkent.com/gallery/abu-gharib-torture-photos) are actually quite harmless. It isn’t even an issue that seeing the naked form of another man is against their religion. Ruthless murder is against every religion practiced in America, but the beheaded Americans still had to endure that. War is not pleasant. War is rough, dangerous, and humiliating. I think the people who are not fighting the war but fighting the troops who protect us need a reality check. When I’m in Abu Gharib this summer (possibly), I do not want this kind of hypocrisy going on at home.

Good Credit for a Good Future

After receiving my credit score from www.freecreditreport.com, I became inspired to write a blog about credit. It is so important to establish good credit from the time one turns eighteen. I was fortunate: my father taught me about responsible finances and the benefits and downfalls of credit while I was young, but not everyone is as fortunate. Simply letting a bank account go overdrawn is enough to damage credit. It is really easy to ruin one’s credit, so I’m going to offer some tips on how to maintain good credit. First, pay off the entire balance of your credit card as soon as you can. If you charge twenty dollars, pay it off that month. If you cannot pay the entire balance you charge (for example, if you have to fix your car), then pay more than the minimum monthly payment. Secondly, do not let your bank accounts go overdrawn. That is financial suicide. Monitor your banking to prevent this from happening. Most banks offer online banking for little or no charge. Third of all, only take out one or two credit cards, and no more. That way, you can build credit without allowing yourself to go overboard. And last of all, if you must buy a car, put a large cash down payment. That helps your credit tremendously, and will help you get a lower APR, which will let you pay of your car more easily. Owning a car helps build your credit because it is non-revolving credit, as opposed to credit cards, which are revolving. Credit can influence what kind of house you own in the future, what kind of car, what neighborhood you live in, and the overall quality of life you life. Don’t mess it up because you’re young and uneducated. Learn about credit, and how to keep yours respectable.

Self-Diagnosis in the 21st Century.

WebMD (www.webmd.com) is a website I use frequently. While I think some descriptions are worded to scare patients, it is essentially a useful tool in maintaining one’s health. You can check the symptoms of your ailments to assess what you have and how to cure it. I have used it in so many different occasions that it has become one of the more practical internet resources I use. Whenever I am prescribed a new drug from my doctor, I make a point to research it in order to be more knowledgeable about what I put in my body. I am allergic to anything containing Sulfa, and WebMD helps me identify exactly what that is in order to keep myself from having a reaction. When I had my wisdom teeth removed, WebMD told me the drug content of the pain killer my doctor prescribed me. My little sister has Epilepsy, and WebMD helped me learn exactly what that entails. It told me steps I can take to help my sister in the event of a seizure, and what practices not to do. There is also a message board, so those who suffer from a specific disorder can communicate about symptoms, treatment, and side effects. The internet provides so many informative sources for the public, and WebMD is one of them. My only apprehension is that the wording can make something sound more serious that it really is. My doctor will tell me that the chances of a certain side effect are very slim, but WebMD will make it seem as though it is imminent. However, it is better to be informed and prepared for something than to not know and be ill-equipped to handle a side effect.

Lend a Helping Hand

I have always strived to help my friends. I figure, that is why we have friends: so that there are people to help us when we are down and need it most. There has been one occasion in my life where I helped a fellow man more than any other. Army Basic Training is a grueling nine weeks of physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. I am proud to say I successfully completed such a program, but for some of my comrades, (“battle buddies”, as we call them) it almost did not happen. One battle buddy in particular, Jackson, was not as confident as I. His scores on his physical test were almost as low as his self-esteem, and that combination is deadly to a soldier. Throughout the course of training, I made it clear to him that I supported and believed in him. Several nights a week, we would do push ups and sit ups together to train for our physical tests, and I would always press him to do better; achieve more than last time. When our training was almost over and our final physical test was upon us, I told Jackson, “You have worked too hard at this to fail. You can do it.” The day of our final Physical Test, we woke up psyched to succeed and ran as hard as we could. Sure enough, he earned a passing score, and stood a little taller at our Graduation Ceremony, where he proudly walked the stage to acknowledge his graduation. I have helped many people in my life, but this was the first time my efforts have impacted someone as deeply as Jackson. This should serve as an example to everyone that you can always make a difference in someone's life if you just try and lend a helping hand.

Formal Logic Rules!

I am taking a class called Introduction to Formal Logic. In this class, you learn how to take language and translate it into mathematical equations to solve arguments. It is teaching me a lot about thinking, about language, about arguments, and how it could help my future career. Formal logic is a useful tool in examining life, language, and thought. While my major is still undecided, I know this logic class will help me in whatever I study. Logic is not just a class that someone takes for Gordon Rule credit, but a philosophical way of thinking. Because of this class, I’ve learned to examine concepts in my life with better scrutiny. Arguments, even among friends and loved ones, are different to me now because I know ho to think logically to see if things make sense. And if for some reason things cannot be resolved between my friends and me, I know how to take the argument, translate it into logical symbols, and prove myself right (or in many cases, wrong.) Logic will definitely help me in my military career. In a field whre you’re expected to make decisions and think on a dime, logic will probably be a college course that helps me more than most others. The mindset of the logician compares to how the Army wants its soldiers to think: rigid, resolute, and rational. It isn’t likely that I will need to solve proofs using the mathematical rules, but the mentality that I’ve gained learning how to think logically will serve me for years to come. If I find myself leading men to battle, I will have the ability to think rationally and make decisions based on the tools I gained in this logic class.

Cosmo Guy

Okay, I have a confession to make: I read my girlfriend’s Cosmopolitan magazine (www.cosmopolitian.com). I know other men read it, because they’ve added an entire section for men to read, which is contributed to by the editors of Maxim magazine. I cannot help myself. First of all, there are dozens of pages with beautiful models wearing expensive, sexy clothes. During the summer, these same models are wearing skimpy bathing suits. This is much more appealing than looking at naked women in “nudie” magazines: there is more mystery and more class. Aside from the models, some of the articles are pretty interesting. It’s funny to see how women perceive things, and the advice that women give each other. I learn a lot about my girlfriend and about women by reading this. Apparently, women have a tendency to analyze actions that men perform, even if we don’t mean anything by them. Men are not as meticulous as women, and sometimes simple mistakes are confused for blatant actions against their loved ones. One article in particular showed women how to make a chicken dish called “Engagement Chicken” that supposedly enticed men to propose to the women in their lives. There were testimonials from women who said that the dish really worked, and that soon after they made it for their men, they got engaged. Seriously, I will propose to a woman when I am ready, not because she makes incredible chicken (although the picture of the prepared chicken looked pretty damned good.) It seems like superstition to me more than fact or advice. But, inevitably, Cosmo is a fun bathroom or boredom read. It offers insight to women and sometimes, if it’s a good issue, one can pick up some interesting and useful pointers.

Soldier for Life

Life can sometimes sweep you of your feet, if you let it. This post is more of a theraputic blog than anything else for me. I am in the midst of a turmoil right now in my life. I am a good student but yet I cannot stand being in college. I am a good soldier in the Army National Guard, and my heart is always in the middle of combat zone. Some people a born to be predetermined kinds of people. I was born to be an American Soldier. Plain and simple: I love being an example, I love the feeling of waking up and putting on the uniform. I love the twinkle that little kids get in their eyes when they see a soldier in uniform. Most of all, I love waking up everyday to represent this diverse nation and protect its freedoms with the one thing I have to give: my all, my life, and my soul if need be. I am not brain-washed; I know there are plenty of other trades in this world in which I could succeed, but I enjoy being "all that I can be". I understand that there are goals that must be obtained in order for my life to be succesfull, thats why I am in college in the first place, but I still miss waking up at the crack of dawn and going to bed long after the sun goes down. My blood bleeds green. HOOAH!!!

The Skyler is the Limit...

The war in Iraq, to some, is frivolous. To others, it is the wave of change that the world so despratly needs. But what is it to those who put their lives on the line everyday for the sake of freedom? Skyler's Rants (www.realtime.net/~rentner) is a blog site that shows a side of the war in Iraq like few ever see; the soldier's side of the story. Skyler's Rants is a blog that is a colaboration of events that have been lived through by a United States Marine who is stationed in Iraq. The site gives you a reality check on what is really going on overseas iniside a country that is torn apart by war, but yet eagerly wants to have their own freedom, lives and prosperity. "Skyler" (his real name is not revealed to those reading his site, only his nick-name) describes things he sees in a poetic manner, giving personification to a historical war. "The men in the Marine Corps infantry are just men." this is an excerpt from his site. That is not the sterotypical image of a cold blooded killer that is sent to do the biddings of an "Evil World Emperialist". That blood-thirsty image is what most (but not all) media will present to you. These are the popular images that will always skew the truth and present the men in American military uniforms as hoards of mindless robots doing the biddings of selfishness for the "empire" of the United States. Skyler tells that the Iraqi people are so used to being surpressed that they do not know how to handle the privledge of freedom. "The other day I saw some sparrows eating bread crumbs I had tossed to them an hour earlier. I tossed a few more but they flew away again. Someday the sparrows will learn that the breadcrumbs being tossed are the same ones they enjoyed.
We will liberate Iraq from the murderers. We will allow them to free themselves, it's been happening throughout the rest of the country and it will happen here. Someday the Iraqis will learn that the only way to win their freedom is to take charge of their towns themselves." Skyler is a true patriot and he his words are inspriration to me as a soldier in the United States military.

I just have to rant about something..

www.ratemyprofessors.com is one of the ways I choose which classes I’ll take. If the professor received pretty good ratings from other students, I’ll know that the teacher is a good one. But I saw something on there that really upset me. I’m as typical as the All-American Guy can be: I love beer, sports, and my country. What really bothers me is when some guys let a bigamist judgment interfere with what is supposed to be an objective review. I was reviewing an old teacher of mine who happens to be a gay man. I wrote about how he really knows his material and grades very fairly. When I was reading the other reviews, however, I saw that some people let the fact that he is a homosexual alter the content of their review. Instead of saying “I didn’t learn much in his class”, which is a very fair thing to say, a couple reviews said “I didn’t feel comfortable around him” or something to that effect. This teacher was really great, and even if a student didn’t like the fact that he was gay, they still should have been objective when reviewing him for other students. Now these other USF students will have a negative image of this person because some guys felt uncomfortable. Look, I’m as much of a guy’s guy as they come, and I’m not necessarily condoning or chastising any particular point of view, but when you’re supposed to be objective, don’t knock someone’s sexual preference.

Driving in Florida is like Walking Through a Thurnderstorm...

Driving in Florida is like walking in thunderstorm with a lightning rod. Sooner or later, you're going to get hit. This has been my experiance while being a young Florida driver. I have been involved in four accednts, none of which were my fault. Statistics show that one out of every three drivers in Florida have been in an accident in 2003, which is the most recent year that data has been published (http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/hsmvdocs/cf2003.pdf). That statistic is rediculous, and an obvious problem. There need to be a change in the driving laws in Florida. Only yesterday, I was driving on campus at 9:00pm. I was next to the Sun Dome, perpendicular to the Athletic Building, in the left lane. The guy in the right lane (directly next to me) decided to turn around in the middle of the street without looking, nearly crashing into the hood of my car. Of course, once I called Florida Highway Patrol to rat this guy out, he sped away. Perhaps the standards for receiving a lisence should be more strict to ensure that only the responsible drivers are on the road. Yes, that raises the question "where should the line be drawn?", but for the safety of every driver, every passenger on the road, something needs to change.

Facebook

I would like to comment on the phenomenon that is sweeping USF and other colleges nationwide: www.TheFacebook.com. Facebook is an online directory where anyone with a college email account can create a profile by which others who go to their college or went to their high school can access them. You can “friend” a person and their profile will be stored on your database of “friends” who you shared third period algebra with but never really knew. You can indicate to your friends that you’re single and dating or in a solid relationship and content, simply by having a “relationship” connection with your loved one through their profile. There are groups that people join for the sake of belonging to these groups so that perhaps an old friend will notice that you like going to the beach or are in a committed relationship, all by reading the names of the groups you belong to. Groups about Greek life, groups about political affiliation, television shows, and even groups about (surprise surprise) drinking populate the profiles of thousands of co-eds nationally. It’s an interesting idea: now you can reconnect with friends you haven’t seen since the ninth grade, and learn what they are doing with their young adult lives. All you have to do is search your high school or neighboring high schools to locate long lost friends. Sometimes friends surprise you: a girl I knew as shy and studious in high school apparently is a happy lesbian now in college. The guy who attends West Point is a country music fan, as indicated by his group “I Love Country Music”. On the other hand, sometimes you don’t want to be found by these people who seek you. There are those individuals you lost touch with for a reason.

Identi-kid

I just want to know why all these young girls are going missing in Florida? There seems to be an epidemic of lost children. Is there a surplus of old pedophiles who just retired down here? Or did a jail burn down? First Jessica Lunsford, then the girl in Citrus County. Interestingly enough, all the missing Florida kids are coming from the Bay area. I have four little sisters and six younger brothers. I am uneasy with them playing outside our home because I think that the next kidnapping and murder will come from Hillsborough, and I am very protective over my siblings. (http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/publ-rel/dateline/2001/october01/1001kids.htm) talks about Identi-Kid: a database where kids’ fingerprints are stored with their information in some statewide database so that in the event one goes missing, their information can be handed over to the local authorities. I will make sure my kid siblings are enrolled in that, because too many young children are falling victim to sick adults in the area.

Forced Evolution

What do you get when you mix a zebra and a donkey? Give up? A Zonkey. At least that is what they’re calling the baby animal born this week in Barbados. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,154946,00.html) His mother is a zebra and his father is a donkey. The brown animal has black and white striped legs, and he literally looks like the genetic mix that he is. Allison the Zebra was one of two on the island. The other zebra, the male named George, became ill. The natives were astonished to find Ally “with foal” and did not know who the father was. It was only when she gave birth to her Zonkey that her human caregivers knew who had inseminated her. Now the islanders are hoping Allison and George mate to increase the zebra population in Barbados. Apparently, Zebra hybrids are quite common. There’s also a creature called a “Ziger”, which, one can assume is a cross between a zebra and a tiger. To add to this mess of genes is the wolphin, the product of a killer whale and a bottle-nose dolphin relationship. The wolphin looks larger than a regular dolphin, and has a deeper color. Both mother and baby are wolphins, but the mother is split evenly between the species and the calf is one-quarter whale and three-quarters bottle-nose dolphin. I’m definitely going to keep informed on other cross breeds around the world. It is interesting to see what animals can mate with. This is Darwinism occurring before my very own eyes.

Wastin away again in Margaritaville....

This is a little tribute to one of my favorite performers: Jimmy Buffet. The man is an accomplished musician, a published writer, and a restaurateur. He has turned two generations into Parrotheads (which is what his fans call themselves), and appeals to people from all walks of life, both young and old. His restaurant Margaritaville draws tourists from all over the country, both in the Keys and Orlando. (http://www.margaritaville.com/) In fact, he’s so amazing as an artist that his following has a name. I really like his entrepreneurship: he has built an empire from the ground up using nothing but his name and business know-how. At the most recent Jimmy Buffet concert, I noticed that I wasn’t the only twenty-something guy tailgating. Girls as young as fourteen were wearing grass skirts while their parents sipped margaritas. Jimmy is uniting two generations that seem to be perpetually torn by all other music. And not only are the age groups coming together for music, but for charity, too. There exists a Tampa Parrotheads Association committed to cleaning up beaches and parks and committing other acts of benevolence. His books are widely read, and the latest one has the same image on its cover as his album does. People go to his restaurant because they love his music, or pick up a CD because the restaurant enticed them. Anyone who can be a successful businessman while maintaining such a down-to-earth persona is worthy of acclaim as far as I’m concerned.

Harvard Says

Life in college is easy if you let it be. There is always the opportunity to meet new people and have fun experiences. Like the old adage states, “If you seek you shall find”, and the occasion to meet friends and party is always around the corner. There is no exception to this on campuses across the country. Yet how far is too far when living in the moment of the party? In today’s society just one drink in college is hardly the life of the party. Harvard research has shown two in five college students have engaged in binge drinking. (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/cas/Documents/trends/) It seems that not only are our universities teaching collegiate-level studies, but providing a forum for millions of new college students every year to misuse alcohol. Ads are blatantly placed within close quarters of campus entice young adults to buy alcohol. Fraternities and sororities strive to sell their “ideologies” to new and incoming students hope to steal away to join others in binge drinking. Strangely enough, there is a division. Either a large percentage completely abstains from drinking or participates in binge drinking frequently. (http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/cas/Documents/trends/)

Git er done!

It has come to my attention that Comedy Central, the television station based on stand-up and sketch comedy, has become quite racist. They now advertise different comedy specials featuring four famous comics with one thing in common: race. They have the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, the Kings of Comedy, the Queens of Comedy, and the Latin Kings of Comedy. In case the titles didn’t help you, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour showcases “redneck” white comics. The Kings of Comedy display African-American male comedians, and the Queens, obviously, are the Black females. Finally, the Latin Kings of Comedy are four Latino men who have succeeded in the comedy business. Of course, each group makes jokes about their own and that have to do with their own lifestyles, and they are quite funny. The Kings of Comedy joke about problems Black men endure (specifically with women), and the Latin Kings of Comedy make jokes about Hispanic family traditions. One of the Blue Collar comedians jokes about rednecks and cowboy boots. This is all entertaining, and the ratings for these shows must be high. But I don’t see why they have to distinguish between races. Can’t Comedy Central put together comedians who are funny? A Black man, a Caucasian man, and a Latino man could perform a show together and still sell out the venue. It seems like the television channel is taking strides to expose the differences between people when in reality, they should be uniting them.

tick..tock..tick..tock

While searching the web late one night
I came across an eerie site.
The death clock had turned its chime
Which inspired me to write this rhyme
And then I thought,
“I might as well know when I’m gonna rot.”
So I hopped right up and started to fill out
The required information without a doubt
That my time can’t be near
I had hoped with a fear.
The date that my Father Time was to meet with death
Was to be determined by a mathematical test.
Then in an instant the bell had tolled
I knew when the date would be I’d lose my soul


This poem was inspired by a site that I happened to meander across while searching the web. The Death Clock (www.deathclock.com) is a blog that attempts to determine your date and time of death based on your body mass index, age, height, sex and birthday. When the proper information is filled in the site will calculate the day you will become no more. There are dedicated sections in the blog to the creator’s thoughts on various things. The entire concept of the death clock is actually to promote better health for the website visitors. There are links to health advice, supplement, and work out sites posted through out the web address.

Beer is for sipping, not chugging.

Like most college guys, I enjoy a good tasting beer. Beer has been around for centuries, from the Central Americans to the Europeans, people around the world have been drinking the brew for centuries. Ancient Egyptians had there own form of beer; so did the Greeks. It has become a status symbol for many cultures: the quality of beer you drink represents the quality of life you lead. I have to say sadly, most American beers do not live up to par with the fine fermented drinks of Europe. www.realbeer.com showcases the British breweries, the birthplace of true beer fervor. Tours are now offered in breweries, much like people go on in wineries. Yes, there is a sampling at the end for the dedicated beer enthusiasts. But I have to say that most young beer drinkers don’t know the art of tasting. The majority are not educated in how to inhale the aromas of the ale; to taste the flavor the barley and hops produce. For young beer drinkers, the purpose is not to enjoy the taste of the brew, but to get drunk from it. So cheap, bland beers often do the trick, even though they are devoid of flavor. I personally never skimp on the beer: it is worth it to spend the extra money for quality. Like a vino would never buy a cheap bottle of wine, I will not succumb to cheap Natural Light for a low-priced drunk.

The No Spin Zone

After watching the O’Reilly Factor tonight, I felt compelled to write about a man I deeply respect. He is fearless, honest, and is not afraid to tell it like it is. Not only is Bill O’Reilly extremely educated, but his generous benevolence and firm opinions have made him an American icon for success, for he was born into a lower-middle working class family, and now has a career where he socializes with political and media elite. His education is astounding: he received Bachelor’s degree in history from Marist College, his Master’s degree from Boston University in Broadcast Journalism, and another Master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government in Public Administration, according to his website. (http://www.billoreilly.com/). He is also involved in several philanthropies. He works with Habitat for Humanity in New York, Families of Military Casualties, and the Best Friends Foundation, among others. I also admire Bill O’Reilly because he isn’t afraid to tackle controversial issues on his show and in his books. He tells it as it is. I do not always agree with his opinions (although that is seldom), but he always presents his side from reason, and sometimes I find myself persuaded. And he isn’t afraid of a little criticism; that’s what fuels him. He’ll post emails on the television screen, both those that flatter him and those that insult him. He’ll never back off a challenge. Bill O‘Reilly has succeeded in climbing the socio-economic ladder to gain power and influence through his comprehensive education, his generous philanthropies, and his insightful political and social commentaries. You might not always agree with what he thinks, but you know it is from a reasonable standpoint.

Island Boy

If I could live my ideal life, I wouldn’t live in the United States where life is more expensive. I would gather enough money so that I wouldn’t have to worry about my income. Then, I would ex-patriot out of the U.S. I am not Anti-American: I am in love with “the land of the Free and home of the Brave”. But my heart has another fondness that has been instilled in me since I was young. It is my unadulterated love of a sandy beach and the salty smell of the ocean breeze. Hearing a wave crash against the shore and watching the current tumble back into the restless sea sends me to a place of inner peace. It gives me a belonging that I can’t find any where else in the world. I call my condition the “Soul of a Sailor”, thanks to country artist Kenny Chesney, and I blame its existence on my childhood days spent on the shores of Spanish beaches. When ever I’m troubled, I remember all the good times that I have spent in the sand, watching the sun fall down below the horizon and feeling the ocean spray against my face. My beach home would be my own little piece of paradise where I could finally say that my heart is free. Life is always easy and stress free on some beach, somewhere, with no cares but that of a sun burn.

Jessica Lunsford

The country is now alerted to Florida’s intense search for the missing nine year old girl, Jessica Lunsford. Despite heavy rains, the search parties continued the hunt this weekend. A surveillance video showing a man with a little girl was investigated because Citrus county officials thought it could be her, but the family is doubtful. It is amazing that 250 police and volunteers have been searching for this girl. I’m sure not every one of these volunteers knows the family or the child, but are there out of the goodness of their hearts. You don’t see this kind of compassionate generosity often. They’ve been combing Homosassa and surrounding areas on foot, on horseback, and on ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles). The most shocking donation was from Mike Hampton, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, and his wife. They are Homosassa natives, and obviously are doing what they can to contribute to the search, so they donated $25,000 for a reward to anyone who leads to her rescue. They haven’t been able to confirm if this is an abduction, or if the little girl ran away, but authorities are not excluding anything. That child must be terrified! My family, a very spiritual group, has been praying for this girl’s return, as many people have been. I will be watching the news carefully to see how this case turns out.

Keep Your Head Up...

Now this is something one doesn’t experience every day: a man in Chicago sued a woman for emotional distress when he found out he was the illegitimate father of her child. He lost in the district courts, but won at the appellate level. The catch? This man, Dr. Richard Phillips, never engaged in intercourse with the mother of the child. She testified this in court, so it's not simply his word about hers. She had performed fellatio on the doctor, saved his semen, and impregnated herself with them. That’s pretty offbeat, I would say. And while I like to see men taking a stand against former lovers who use pregnancy to trap them, I wonder how the five year old child is feeling about this. According to the article on the Tampa Tribune website, Dr. Phillips is suing the woman for "calculated, profound personal betrayal" because he’s been tortured by "feelings of being trapped in a nightmare”. If my dad said this about me, I’d be hurt. This situation will affect this kid’s self-esteem and overall mental state for the rest of his life. Of course, my dad wouldn’t have to say that because he knew I was coming from the start, whereas this guy discovered he was a father two years after his son was born. Not to mention, of course, that he never had sex with the mother in the first place. As far as I’m concerned, that’s very dishonest, and if I were the first judge I would have ensured that Dr. Phillips would not have to pay the child support that was asked of him.

This Gives a New Meaning to "Keep the Seat Down"

A little boy in the Tampa area fell into a septic tank. I really did not believe this the first time I read it, but it is true. He now battles a nasty infection in his lungs, and may develop pneumonia. When I first read the article, several questions conjured in my head. First of all, I would personally like to know who on Earth the toddler and his siblings unsupervised near a septic tank. The parents had left their kids with a babysitter, but exactly how qualified was this man with children? Even worse, who left the opening, which is large enough for a toddler to crawl through, unlocked? And when the child entered the general vicinity of the septic tank, did the babysitter take notice? Are the workers who kept the opening unlocked going to compensate for the hospital costs? Because were I that kid’s father, I definitely would expect them to! I feel for the guy who had to jump in and fish the kid out. I don’t think Johnson and Johnson’s makes a baby wash powerful enough to clean that boy! In all seriousness, because of someone else’s mistake, this child is on his deathbed after possibly ingesting Drano-type substances. While the situation is ironic, I feel pity for this child’s family.

"Bills Bills Bills"

I read in the Oracle the other day about a rise in the cost of rent for students living on campus. Two of the major reasons why rent is rising are the increase of minimum wage, and a student-requested cable upgrade to include six or seven HBO channels, among others. Every student I talk to who lives on campus has nothing but complaints about the increase. That confuses me, because all these wounds are self-inflicted, and these students cannot see that! First of all, Resident Services Association polled the dorm occupants, and an overwhelming majority wanted the new cable channels. It says so right in the article. Did it ever occur to anyone that a new cable system (not to mention the campus-wide installation) would cost additional money? And aside from the one-time installation fee, extra cable channels cost extra money every month. It’s called Bills. If you want nice things, you must be willing to spend extra money for these things. That is why some people do not have nice things: they don’t want to spend the money. It’s a very simple concept. Secondly, (and I hate to say I told you so, but) from November’s straw polls on campus, as well as the state-wide election results, I can conclude that a large percentage of these on-campus students voted to raise minimum wage. Of course, nobody considered the repercussions of raising minimum wage, so now people are reconsidering their “good deed”. In this article, it says that the dorms have over 150 employees not including RAs, and all of these people make minimum wage. They all now have an extra dollar per hour they are owed, and where does USF find the funds to pay these people? From the rents of the dorm living students.
In conclusion, People, really consider the repercussions of your actions. Yes, they might sound nice in your head, but do they really benefit everyone? Not always.

"AA To Include Bird Members"

There are these cute little birds called “cedar waxwings”. These little birds like to eat red holly berries that grow in South Carolina. Well apparently, these pretty red berries were making these cute little birds drunker than a frat boy on Saturday night, and these birds wound up crashing into the glass walls of a courtyard and killing themselves. Not one or two, but several birds took their lives in front of dozens of people. This is perhaps the funniest thing I have ever heard. I found myself laughing hysterically when I saw this story on the news and later read it on the Tampa Tribune’s website. According to the article, the birds began to get loopy after eating the berries and began to fall off of branches and crash into the glass walls surrounding a nearby courtyard. About one hundred birds crashed into the windows, and about fifty of those died. Groundskeepers are trying to protect the birds by putting a net around the dangerous bushes.
Okay, you have to admit that this is pretty funny. I mean, how often do you hear about cute little birds getting smashed off of red berries and falling out of trees? Even the Bay News 9 anchorwoman was snickering while she delivered this story. I only wish I was there to see the spectacle in action!

Military Changes

The Army has adapted a new uniform for its troops to wear in combat. Army leaders are now realizing the ever-changing need for uniforms that fit troops’ needs for combat survival. This is the first change in the Army’s uniform since 1983 said the article I read in the Tampa Tribune. Many changes were made to the uniform, “the most notably the camouflage pattern” (Tampa Tribune, New Army Fatigues Reflect Combat Needs). The army adopted this new digital uniform as a safety measurement in the new type of war. This uniform allows soldiers to fade into the background of the terrain during hostile situations when seen from a distance of about seventy five meters away. This new uniform transcends situations, from desert to jungle to urban combat. In Iraq, soldiers find themselves changing environments almost daily, so it is important to have a camouflage that can protect them everywhere. I’ve known about this change for a little while: some units have already modified their uniforms, and word travels fast. I am confident that these new uniforms will be an asset to the armed services. Not only has the camouflage changed from an inkblot to a digital pattern, but the pockets have changed to Velcro, as well. The Velcro helps soldiers in full battle gear access their pockets easier. The Marines have already been using this form of camouflage for a while now, so I’m prepared for the change.

Moon Over Minnesota

Randy Moss of the Minnesota Vikings was fined $10,000 for mock-mooning an audience during a game last season. When questioned about the fine by the press, Moss stated, “Ten thousand dollars?” “I s**t Ten Thousands dollars!” That comment stirred up some thoughts in my mind. This man makes millions of dollars playing a game that I play for free with my friends. Meanwhile, I am studying and training to pursue a career that could possibly take my life. I am a member of the United States Army. My girlfriend studies relentlessly so that one day she can teach the next generation of high school students. Neither of us will ever make one quarter of what Moss makes in seven years. What service does he provide the world the world? He plays a game and entertains people. What is it that I do? I defend the security and integrity of the United States of America. What is it that teachers do, but educate, mentor, and encourage our nation’s youth. I think our country’s military and educators need a pay raise and a big one at that. Let the football players start at $30,000 a year. They have all the fame and glory, do they need the expensive cars too? For those of us who fall into the “underplayed and overworked” category, we should begin contract negotiations at one hundred thousand dollars. There is so much work, study and passion that goes into defending America’s freedom and education it’s children. An NBA-sized contract is the least we could do!

Frozen or on the Rocks?

There are these cute little birds called “cedar waxwings”. These little birds like to eat red holly berries that grow in South Carolina. Well apparently, these pretty red berries were making these cute little birds drunker than a frat boy on Saturday night, and these bird wound up crashing into the glass walls of a courtyard and killing themselves. This is perhaps the funniest thing I have ever heard. I found myself laughing hysterically when I saw this story on the news and later read it on the Tampa Tribune’s website. According to the article, the birds began to get loopy after eating the berries and began to fall off of branches and crash into the glass walls surrounding a nearby courtyard. About one hundred birds crashed into the windows, and about fifty of those died. Groundskeepers are trying to protect the birds by putting a net around the dangerous bushes.
Okay, you have to admit that this is pretty funny. I mean, how often do you hear about cute little birds getting smashed off of red berries and falling out of trees? Even the Bay News 9 anchorwoman was snickering while she delivered this story. I only wish I was there to see the spectacle in action!

Angels and Demons

I’m reading the prequel to The DaVinci Code, Dan Brown’s Angels And Demons. In case you are one of the few people left in the country who hasn’t read the novel, let me catch you up to speed.
Robert Langdon is a symbologyst (a PhD who specializes in analyzing ancient manuscripts, cults, et cetera. So you can imagine what he does for a living: yes, he’s a Harvard Professor.) When a very important European scientist is murdered in a peculiar way, Langdon is called to investigate some interesting findings at the crime scene. What he discovers on the body leads him racing the clock around Vatican City, trying to protect Catholic Cardinals while uncovering a 500 year old mystery. I’m about three quarters of the way through the book, and I’m enjoying it. That’s a big step for me: someone who rather read the newspaper than spend his own money on a bound book! But my girlfriend kept gushing about Angels and Demons, so I jumped on the Dan Brown bandwagon with her. So far, I’m very impressed. With all the hype around the book, I assumed it would be trite. Brown ends his chapters hanging, enticing the reader to continue. Something that can keep my attention like this is rare. He also has a very unique writing style, and I am impressed with the amount of research that went into this book. There are a lot of facts about Rome, Catholicism, and the Illuminati cult. I am really enjoying this book, and I encourage you to pick it up.

Watch Where You Point That...

According to an AP article in the Tampa Tribune, a man in Minnesota bit his younger brother’s middle finger: (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FINGER_BITE?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=ENTERTAINMENT) Apparently, the elder of the two insulted the younger one’s daughter, and a fight broke out. At some point in this brawl, the elder one – the instigator, if you’ll remember – bit off the finger of his younger brother. The middle finger, ironically. And the older brother says he’s “not proud” of what he’s done, but there was some alcohol involved. Really? Alcohol involved? If I were the little brother, I’d sue for damages. Luckily, the guy is being charged with two counts of assault and one count of domestic abuse. Doctors have reconstructed the younger brother’s finger, but it is too early to determine how successful the surgery is. I just thought this was really funny. You hear very often about people pointing guns at each other or spouses beating the hell out of each other, but very rarely does a man bite the finger off his brother in a fit of rage. It’s pretty petty when you think about it. What was going through this guy’s head? “My brother really upset me. I’m going to dismember him with my mouth.”?
Maybe I just have a twisted sense of humor.

Medicare "Stiffens" Up the Competition...

So now Medicare is upgrading. It’s going to do the country its greatest service: Medicare will soon cover sexual enhancement drugs like Viagra. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,146023,00.html)
I think this is a wonderful idea! Anyone with an active sex life knows the importance of a healthy sexual relationship. A sex life or lack thereof can make or break a romantic relationship or marriage. And the majority of men who need this drug are AARP card carriers, which means that their days are comprised of their hobbies and their marriages. It would be sad to think that ones sex life ends (and one’s marriage suffers) because one grows old and/or one cannot afford the pricey drugs. Granted, Medicare will compel doctors to use discretion when prescribing the drug, because only those who really need it will be covered, but that is certainly better than making those individuals break the bank for an operational body part! Let’s face it: prescriptions are expensive for the elderly. In some cases, individuals must prioritize, and Viagra simply isn’t important enough to beat out cholesterol medication and make it into the budget. I’m glad Medicare is recognizing penile dysfunction as a serious problem. I only hope I have this benefit when I reach the age of 55.

Democracy Prevails!

Democracy prevailed today when millions of Iraqis worldwide voted for the first time in fifty years. People who have been bashing this conflict are now realizing the true meaning of what Americans have been doing for this country. The Iraqi people voted in 14 countries worldwide, including five locations in the U.S. If you watch the news, you have seen the video clips of the Iraqi people clapping and crying in the streets while displaying their inked fingers, a sign that they have voted. Eight million people (60% of eligible voters, or equal to a typical American election) showed up. (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145825,00.html)
If this was such an unwanted war in Iraq, then why did all of these people risk their lives to create democracy? Of all the people who successfully voted in today's elections, only 44 lost their lives due to the insurgents and their mortars and suicide bombs. And now a domino effect will occur throughout the middle east. Perhaps others will follow in Iraq's daring footsteps. Looking for world peace? I think today was part of the solution.

Just Let Go

I am going to touch upon this because it needs to be said, and not enough people are hearing the truth. Terri Schaivo, the human vegetable, deserves to die a peaceful death. She had told her husband during her more coherent lifetime to allow her to pass, not to keep her as a living cadaver, but to die with dignity were she ever in a comatose state. But her parents, despite her wishes, refuse to let her die. I understand the pain a parent must feel, knowing that they have to bury their child, but come on now! Don’t they know that her husband must be feeling pain, as well? Why is it fair to keep her alive if she cannot enjoy all the fruits that life has to offer. From a spiritual sense, I would prefer to send my soul to my God than to hold it hostage in a body that cannot live. In a statement, Michael Schaivo told the press that he shared Terri’s parents’ pain, and has searched for a cure for her for years. He tried electric brain stimulations, outings to parks to stimulate her brain, and various other medical procedures. He has sat by her bedside for countless hours, praying for a sign of consciousness. However, nothing worked, and no sign of coherent life could be found in her. Obviously, this is a man who cares deeply for his wife, and has grieved for her passing for years. Why not spare her – and him – the pain of life as a corpse and allow her to peacefully pass? It seems to me that her parents are a bit selfish to keep her feeding tube in. Instead of peace for their daughter, they only offer her a bogus life, and for what reason? So that they can say that their daughter is alive? It is common knowledge that after a body has been comatose for a certain period of time, the likelihood that that person will recover is slim to none. Terri Schaivo has been in a coma now for over a decade. I think more people need to listen to logic, and listen to Michael Schaivo.
( http://news.tbo.com/news/MGA9DXB31MD.html )

Seat belts are a must

Within the past week, I have encountered a tragedy firsthand. An acquaintance of mine was involved in a terrible car wreck on Fowler Avenue, her roommate thrown from the car and killed. Seeing accidents like these on the news and even in passing are much different from knowing someone whose life has been altered forever from this. The driver who caused the accident was upset. The news said, “road rage”, but a family member of the driver (who was released from the hospital alive and well) said that the driver was a passive one, who would never do anything to intentionally aggravate other drivers. But whatever the reason, the first woman caused this accident out of spite, and my acquaintance who was wearing her seatbelt, survived. Her roommate was thrown from the car and she died. Why didn’t she survive this accident? Because she wasn’t wearing her seatbelt. My girlfriend is always pestering me to buckle up before I start the car, and now I see why. Because the passenger of that car refused to put on her seatbelt, she died. Now the lives of her family, roommates, friends, and significant others will be permanently changed. A family member of the driver told me, “Thank God (name of driver) was wearing her seatbelt. It could have been so much worse!“ From now on, I’m going to wear my seatbelt without having to be reminded. I suggest that any of you who don’t make it a habit to buckle your seatbelt right when you sit down in the car change your ways. It will save your life one day.

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The object on this blogg is a to represent my views, reports and other intersting facts about anything and everything that pertains to knowldge and world events.