When I was a kid, the holidays were times when family would get together at one house or another, eat good food, and get caught up on what's been going on. For me of course, it was a time for presents, hanging out with the cousins that weren't older than I was, and lots of good food. For me, it was a good time with lots of fond memories. I have no clue what it was like for the adults, but I like to think it was something similar. Things I don't remember are mad dashes to the store to be pepper sprayed, beaten, and killed over the latest gimmick gift. If there were fights between the various family members present, they were off in back rooms or outside where it didn't interfere with everyone else having a good time. And while I'm sure there was some stress that came with all the preparations and clean up, it wasn't as if the world was going to end if everything wasn't perfect. Family was what made it perfect.
These days, it seems to me as though all there is is stress. Stress over making sure the meal, whoever's making it, is perfect. Stress over travelling for whoever had the bad luck to have to make that pilgrimage. Stress over making it to the stores to get the decorations, food, and presents where applicable. All that stress, and everything I've seen about fights breaking out at stores over the last morsel of thanksgiving food just makes me sad. It's as if people have forgotten the real spirit behind the holidays. And that's another source of stress... "the reason for the season". There are so many different interpretations based on faith, various historical accounts, etc., that it's become a fight just to get the holidays off the ground. And what makes it worse is popular culture. Movies depict the battle over gifts and turkeys as a joke, and therefore, the norm. Popular musicians make holiday albums, careful to select songs that a)won't offend anyone that might listen to them, and b)brings in the most sales. Even politicians get involved in the debate over the correctness of this or that holiday issue. If you ask me, it's pathetic.
I'd like to say this to all the politicians, busy body celebrities, the retail industry, and anybody else who wants to take the holidays and turn it into their little cause to fight over... GET OVER IT!! I celebrate the holidays my way, you celebrate them yours. I won't come into your house and tell you that what you do is wrong and hateful against this, that, and the other ethnic group, and I expect the same from you. In my first post, I wrote about respect. This is a huge case of respect... respecting another person's ability to celebrate the holidays the way they choose. It's all part of being American.
For those of you who seem to think it's okay to harm others just to get at the latest toy or gadget, I'd like you to think about something first. Before you throw that elbow, spray that pepper, or stomp that spleen, imagine what it would be like if someone did that to you? I doubt you'd enjoy it, so what makes you think you should be able to do it. This applies to the turkey warriors too. If someone gets there ahead of you, suck it up, and try somewhere else. Or even online. But don't start a bloody riot just because your selfish little brat of a kid just can't live without that $400 piece of electronics. Teach them to appreciate what they have by getting them something small but meaningful. And if they look up at you and say "is this it?", you promptly take the gift from them and send them to their room, telling them if they don't like it, you'll just take it back and they get nothing.
Obviously, this is something that really gets to me. I have very fond memories of the holidays as a kid, and it seriously galls me to see how things have devolved into a completely commercialized, politicized, and popularized bag of trash. When the holidays come around, remember the real reason for the season. Love. Kindness. Generosity. Family. Gratitude. Respect. And if, for some strange reason you can't remember that, get the fuck away from me and stop trying to make me forget all those things.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Occupation
Since the whole "Occupy" issue has been getting so much attention, I figured I'd add my two cents for what they're worth.
I agree with the occupiers on one count, and one count alone. That is the right, provided for under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Having said that however, this whole Occupy such and such a place thing has gotten way out of hand. I also think that, from the beginning, the movement has been about a whole lot of nothing.
From the get go, the occupy movement has provided no solid list of demands for the government to address. Sure, people have the right to protest in a peaceful, and orderly manner. But unless they actually give a reason for the protest and possible solutions for the protested body to pursue, it is, to quote the bard, "sound and fury, signifying nothing". Until and unless an actual list of formal demands is presented, demands the government can actually do something about, the occupy movement is meaningless.
I have heard a few of the arguments being provided by the protesters, and let me tell you, they do not give me a warm fuzzy about the condition of this nation. I've heard that many protesters want those who are very well off financially to be forced to give up the money they have earned either through their own hard work, or the hard work of their company and the approval of the people who run the company (the shareholders and board of directors, many of whom are just like you and me) and have it given out to those who can't manage to be as successful. Does that mean that, if I should find myself in a position of having saved a million or so over the years while working my ass off, I should be forced to give up some of that money so that someone who didn't have the same foresight I did can live a life of leasure? I sure hope not. While I'm sure there are some moneyed individuals who were born into their fortunes (which I'm sure their ancestors worked their asses off to achieve), many of today's materially wealthy did in fact work their fingers to the bone for that money. Doesn't seem fair of those less inclined to do a good days work to say someone else should pay their way.
Another thing I heard was that a bunch of these protestors are college students who believe that, because they were unable to get a job in their chosen fields upon graduation, the government should forgive any and all debt they incurred to afford their classes. Could someone please show me where it says in either their loan contract or their college applications, that they were guaranteed a job upon graduation. Where does it say that should they be unable to find such a job, the bank would forfeit on the terms of the agreement, and all should be forgiven? Now, I've never taken a student loan before, but my wife has, and if I ask her, I'm sure she'll tell me there is no such clause. I have however, taken my own share of classes in the hopes of getting into a specific job, and there was never anything in any of the paperwork I filled out or signed, that said I was guaranteed to be hired on in that profession. I realize the job market is filled with more workers than there are jobs. I've had to deal with it myself. But instead of bitching that I deserve such and such a job because of my training and education, I've done what I had to to pay the bills, put food on the table, and keep a roof over our heads, and so has my wife. It isn't fun. It isn't glamorous. But it is necessary, as many of my friends can attest to. So how about, instead of camping out in a park somewhere and complaining over something they have no right to, and that the government really has no control over, go to the nearest temp agency, employment agency or burger joint, and work on getting yourself a job to at least hold you over until you can get the dream job you went to college for.
I've also heard complaints of police brutality against the protestors. Hmmm... is it possible? Sure. It's a tense situation, and anyone who's as stressed out at the cops can screw up. Do I endorse it if the cops overstepped, no. Do I think the protestors and the media (who don't air anything if they don't think they can get good ratings off of it) are exaggerating the case? Sure do. If you've actually been to one of these protests and been on the wrong side of police brutality, I'm sorry. No one should ever have to live through mistreatment at the hands of any arm of the government. If you haven't, and you're just parroting what the news media is piping out, then please shut it. You have no real evidence of what's going on, and what you've seen on tv has most likely been twisted and spun to present as much of a ratings grabbing story as possible. If you have any kind of intelligence, you have to realize that those stories can be, and most often are, edited in any way possible to show only the side of the story that the media network's execs want it to. What's that saying? There are always three sides of every story... yours, theirs, and the truth. Or, as a wise Vorlon once said, the truth is a three edged sword.
Finally, to the people who actually did participate in the protests... clean up your act. You've been camping on public land for weeks now, monopolizing it's use, scaring children, and keeping other people from enjoying what should be a nice serene place for people to unwind in the middle of the vast urban jungle. When you leave, it is only polite that you clean up behind you. Pick up your trash, your empty bottles and coffee cups, your used wrappers. Take your bodily refuse with you. Leave your campsite in as good or better condition that when you got there. Do you treat your home, your friends' place, your parents' place, with such utter disrespect? Do you show up to a family event, toss half eaten food on the floor and shit in places even the dog knows better than to make a mess? I honestly can't believe that you do. So why on the gods' green earth, would you treat a public park in that manner? Is it because it's a government created area? Guess what folks... that park you just thoroughly defiled was paid for not out of some private government fund, but by the taxes paid by folks like you and me who live by the sweat of our brows. In essence, you did just shit in your parents', and your friends', and your neighbors' back yards.
To recap: I do believe the people have a right to assemble peaceably, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances, but this isn't the way to get it done. I don't believe the protestors even have half a clue what they're protesting, or how to fix it. I don't believe that the few things that actually have been demanded, are things the protestors even have the right to demand. I do believe that the police have used force in some cases, to either control or remove protestors, and that in some cases, it may have been excessive, though I have no first hand experience to say for sure. I don't believe that those excessive uses have been as bad as some people claim. I do believe that a large number, if not all, of those who have participated in the protests are disrespectful and lazy, and simply want an excuse to not do their fair share. And I fervently do not believe that what's needed is violence and bloodshed. A change of government, yes. People in control who look beyond the broken two party system, yes. People who recognize the sovereign right of the people to live their lives the way they choose, most definitely. But using violence will not bring that about.
Anyone care to comment?
I agree with the occupiers on one count, and one count alone. That is the right, provided for under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Having said that however, this whole Occupy such and such a place thing has gotten way out of hand. I also think that, from the beginning, the movement has been about a whole lot of nothing.
From the get go, the occupy movement has provided no solid list of demands for the government to address. Sure, people have the right to protest in a peaceful, and orderly manner. But unless they actually give a reason for the protest and possible solutions for the protested body to pursue, it is, to quote the bard, "sound and fury, signifying nothing". Until and unless an actual list of formal demands is presented, demands the government can actually do something about, the occupy movement is meaningless.
I have heard a few of the arguments being provided by the protesters, and let me tell you, they do not give me a warm fuzzy about the condition of this nation. I've heard that many protesters want those who are very well off financially to be forced to give up the money they have earned either through their own hard work, or the hard work of their company and the approval of the people who run the company (the shareholders and board of directors, many of whom are just like you and me) and have it given out to those who can't manage to be as successful. Does that mean that, if I should find myself in a position of having saved a million or so over the years while working my ass off, I should be forced to give up some of that money so that someone who didn't have the same foresight I did can live a life of leasure? I sure hope not. While I'm sure there are some moneyed individuals who were born into their fortunes (which I'm sure their ancestors worked their asses off to achieve), many of today's materially wealthy did in fact work their fingers to the bone for that money. Doesn't seem fair of those less inclined to do a good days work to say someone else should pay their way.
Another thing I heard was that a bunch of these protestors are college students who believe that, because they were unable to get a job in their chosen fields upon graduation, the government should forgive any and all debt they incurred to afford their classes. Could someone please show me where it says in either their loan contract or their college applications, that they were guaranteed a job upon graduation. Where does it say that should they be unable to find such a job, the bank would forfeit on the terms of the agreement, and all should be forgiven? Now, I've never taken a student loan before, but my wife has, and if I ask her, I'm sure she'll tell me there is no such clause. I have however, taken my own share of classes in the hopes of getting into a specific job, and there was never anything in any of the paperwork I filled out or signed, that said I was guaranteed to be hired on in that profession. I realize the job market is filled with more workers than there are jobs. I've had to deal with it myself. But instead of bitching that I deserve such and such a job because of my training and education, I've done what I had to to pay the bills, put food on the table, and keep a roof over our heads, and so has my wife. It isn't fun. It isn't glamorous. But it is necessary, as many of my friends can attest to. So how about, instead of camping out in a park somewhere and complaining over something they have no right to, and that the government really has no control over, go to the nearest temp agency, employment agency or burger joint, and work on getting yourself a job to at least hold you over until you can get the dream job you went to college for.
I've also heard complaints of police brutality against the protestors. Hmmm... is it possible? Sure. It's a tense situation, and anyone who's as stressed out at the cops can screw up. Do I endorse it if the cops overstepped, no. Do I think the protestors and the media (who don't air anything if they don't think they can get good ratings off of it) are exaggerating the case? Sure do. If you've actually been to one of these protests and been on the wrong side of police brutality, I'm sorry. No one should ever have to live through mistreatment at the hands of any arm of the government. If you haven't, and you're just parroting what the news media is piping out, then please shut it. You have no real evidence of what's going on, and what you've seen on tv has most likely been twisted and spun to present as much of a ratings grabbing story as possible. If you have any kind of intelligence, you have to realize that those stories can be, and most often are, edited in any way possible to show only the side of the story that the media network's execs want it to. What's that saying? There are always three sides of every story... yours, theirs, and the truth. Or, as a wise Vorlon once said, the truth is a three edged sword.
Finally, to the people who actually did participate in the protests... clean up your act. You've been camping on public land for weeks now, monopolizing it's use, scaring children, and keeping other people from enjoying what should be a nice serene place for people to unwind in the middle of the vast urban jungle. When you leave, it is only polite that you clean up behind you. Pick up your trash, your empty bottles and coffee cups, your used wrappers. Take your bodily refuse with you. Leave your campsite in as good or better condition that when you got there. Do you treat your home, your friends' place, your parents' place, with such utter disrespect? Do you show up to a family event, toss half eaten food on the floor and shit in places even the dog knows better than to make a mess? I honestly can't believe that you do. So why on the gods' green earth, would you treat a public park in that manner? Is it because it's a government created area? Guess what folks... that park you just thoroughly defiled was paid for not out of some private government fund, but by the taxes paid by folks like you and me who live by the sweat of our brows. In essence, you did just shit in your parents', and your friends', and your neighbors' back yards.
To recap: I do believe the people have a right to assemble peaceably, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances, but this isn't the way to get it done. I don't believe the protestors even have half a clue what they're protesting, or how to fix it. I don't believe that the few things that actually have been demanded, are things the protestors even have the right to demand. I do believe that the police have used force in some cases, to either control or remove protestors, and that in some cases, it may have been excessive, though I have no first hand experience to say for sure. I don't believe that those excessive uses have been as bad as some people claim. I do believe that a large number, if not all, of those who have participated in the protests are disrespectful and lazy, and simply want an excuse to not do their fair share. And I fervently do not believe that what's needed is violence and bloodshed. A change of government, yes. People in control who look beyond the broken two party system, yes. People who recognize the sovereign right of the people to live their lives the way they choose, most definitely. But using violence will not bring that about.
Anyone care to comment?
Friday, November 18, 2011
EVE... why must you be so tempting?
Here's the thing. I'm a geek. I like computer games. One game in particular has stood out over the past few years for me more than any other. That game is EVE Online. The reason this game stands out so much is that of all the games I have ever played, and especially of all the MMORPGs I've tried, this is the only one that has continually held my interest... even after months or even years away from the game.
To say that EVE is unique is, quite frankly, an understatement. I have yet to see a game that came anywhere near what EVE is. For those of you who have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, EVE online is a space based MMORPG which takes place almost entirely in starships. In fact, up until this past summer, it was nothing but starships. The cool thing was, you could own as many as you could afford to buy. I had a small fleet of my own at one point. It's a heady feeling, knowing you have that much raw firepower at your fingertips. Though to be honest, I was a very small fish in a very big ocean. In fact, I'd liken myself to something the size of a krill in that game.
Why, do you ask, am I posting about all this? Well, it's simple. I've been bitten again. Earlier today I watched an in game video which covered a conflict between two corporations which, while not massive, was still extremely impressive to behold. After watching it, all the ideas I'd had in the past as to what I could do with a character in EVE came back to me. Things like how I would train my character, a corporation I'd like to start, and so on, that I wasn't able to do because, frankly, I couldn't afford to keep playing. And therein lies the heart of the problem. I would love to get back into EVE, but it costs money. It's well worth it, but at the moment, I have more pressing matters to attend to.
Then there's the matter of commitment. The more involved you get in the game, the more committed you have to be to spending time online. Problem is, that takes away from my already scarce time with my wife. I will not put a game above my married life.
And finally, there's boredom. In EVE, you can run missions, mine, or otherwise perform random tasks to your heart's content. But in all honesty, if you don't have a group of people to hang out with in game, it gets very boring. And if you can't commit the time to the game, it's almost not worth trying to join up with a corp because you won't be all that useful to them.
And yet here I am thinking I'd love to get back into EVE sometime soon. *sigh* I'm such a glutton for punishment.
To say that EVE is unique is, quite frankly, an understatement. I have yet to see a game that came anywhere near what EVE is. For those of you who have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, EVE online is a space based MMORPG which takes place almost entirely in starships. In fact, up until this past summer, it was nothing but starships. The cool thing was, you could own as many as you could afford to buy. I had a small fleet of my own at one point. It's a heady feeling, knowing you have that much raw firepower at your fingertips. Though to be honest, I was a very small fish in a very big ocean. In fact, I'd liken myself to something the size of a krill in that game.
Why, do you ask, am I posting about all this? Well, it's simple. I've been bitten again. Earlier today I watched an in game video which covered a conflict between two corporations which, while not massive, was still extremely impressive to behold. After watching it, all the ideas I'd had in the past as to what I could do with a character in EVE came back to me. Things like how I would train my character, a corporation I'd like to start, and so on, that I wasn't able to do because, frankly, I couldn't afford to keep playing. And therein lies the heart of the problem. I would love to get back into EVE, but it costs money. It's well worth it, but at the moment, I have more pressing matters to attend to.
Then there's the matter of commitment. The more involved you get in the game, the more committed you have to be to spending time online. Problem is, that takes away from my already scarce time with my wife. I will not put a game above my married life.
And finally, there's boredom. In EVE, you can run missions, mine, or otherwise perform random tasks to your heart's content. But in all honesty, if you don't have a group of people to hang out with in game, it gets very boring. And if you can't commit the time to the game, it's almost not worth trying to join up with a corp because you won't be all that useful to them.
And yet here I am thinking I'd love to get back into EVE sometime soon. *sigh* I'm such a glutton for punishment.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
First things first
So I've started a blog. I've tried it before and it's failed before, so we'll see how long this lasts.
First, some ground rules. If you're reading this, it's because you chose to, not because I came to your home, shoved a gun to your head, and told you to do it or you'd die. If you don't like what I have to say here, or don't care about what my post says, you can always choose to leave. Ain't freedom great? Second, I don't like flamers. When I say flamers, I mean those idiots who will write comments that are nothing more than a string of insults and nonsensical epithets that do nothing more than illustrate the commentators lack of intelligence. If you decide to flame, troll, or otherwise make a nuisance of yourself on my blog, I will delete your comment and do my absolute best to get you banned from my blog. If, however, you can manage to write a meaningful, constructive comment that has something to do with the post at hand, feel free. And if you just want to shower me with praise and adulation, that's good too.
Ground rules set, let's move on to an actual topic.
I suppose, based on my current mood, respect is as good a topic as any. I say that, because right now, I'm having a bit of an issue regarding respect. Respect, as I understand it, has many faces. There's the respect you give to an authority figure which is, for the most part, a given. You respect your parents, your government officials, your bosses, etc. because they are in a position of authority. In essence, you respect the position. Then there's the basic respect you give someone as a living breathing being. You respect them for what they are and do, and vice versa. And finally, there's the respect that has to be earned. This is the respect that is determined wholly by what you do, and how others perceive you. It can't be forced. A good example of the difference is that I have a very high respect for the Office of the President of the U.S.A., but next to no respect for the man holding that office at the moment.
So right now, I feel as though I'm getting less respect than I deserve from certain, unnamed individuals. I have made certain reasonable requests based on personal life choices I have made, and I seem to be getting nothing but flak about it. I thought I phrased the requests in a way that didn't hurt anyone's feelings, but I guess I was wrong. Now, you would figure that I would at least be granted the respect of a basic human being for these requests and everyone would go on with their lives. Unfortunately, it hasn't gone that way. What I thought was a no brainer of an issue has turned out to be the next best thing to the pro/anti abortion debate. People are getting hurt when they weren't meant to be, simply because the two sides don't see things in the same light. I suppose I could sum up by saying this; I want to live my life under one set of conditions, and the other party seems to think that to accept my conditions is tantamount to committing treason. I don't like that it's taken this turn, and I do simply wish they could respect my choices, take a deep breath, and move on. But either there is a lack of respect involved, or they simply choose to hold on to an idea that doesn't exist anymore.
Either way, it annoys the heck out of me. And before anyone asks, no, I will not give any details. If you know what I'm talking about already, that's fine. If you don't, that means it isn't any of your business. I suppose that should be another rule of this blog. If I don't divulge specifics, don't expect me to do so simply because you ask me to in a comment or elsewhere. There's a good reason I don't include things like names or details.
At any rate, I think I've done this topic to death, and perhaps even gotten way off my original topic and simply confused the lot of you, and even myself. That being said, I'm done for now. We'll see if I manage to write anything else later on.
First, some ground rules. If you're reading this, it's because you chose to, not because I came to your home, shoved a gun to your head, and told you to do it or you'd die. If you don't like what I have to say here, or don't care about what my post says, you can always choose to leave. Ain't freedom great? Second, I don't like flamers. When I say flamers, I mean those idiots who will write comments that are nothing more than a string of insults and nonsensical epithets that do nothing more than illustrate the commentators lack of intelligence. If you decide to flame, troll, or otherwise make a nuisance of yourself on my blog, I will delete your comment and do my absolute best to get you banned from my blog. If, however, you can manage to write a meaningful, constructive comment that has something to do with the post at hand, feel free. And if you just want to shower me with praise and adulation, that's good too.
Ground rules set, let's move on to an actual topic.
I suppose, based on my current mood, respect is as good a topic as any. I say that, because right now, I'm having a bit of an issue regarding respect. Respect, as I understand it, has many faces. There's the respect you give to an authority figure which is, for the most part, a given. You respect your parents, your government officials, your bosses, etc. because they are in a position of authority. In essence, you respect the position. Then there's the basic respect you give someone as a living breathing being. You respect them for what they are and do, and vice versa. And finally, there's the respect that has to be earned. This is the respect that is determined wholly by what you do, and how others perceive you. It can't be forced. A good example of the difference is that I have a very high respect for the Office of the President of the U.S.A., but next to no respect for the man holding that office at the moment.
So right now, I feel as though I'm getting less respect than I deserve from certain, unnamed individuals. I have made certain reasonable requests based on personal life choices I have made, and I seem to be getting nothing but flak about it. I thought I phrased the requests in a way that didn't hurt anyone's feelings, but I guess I was wrong. Now, you would figure that I would at least be granted the respect of a basic human being for these requests and everyone would go on with their lives. Unfortunately, it hasn't gone that way. What I thought was a no brainer of an issue has turned out to be the next best thing to the pro/anti abortion debate. People are getting hurt when they weren't meant to be, simply because the two sides don't see things in the same light. I suppose I could sum up by saying this; I want to live my life under one set of conditions, and the other party seems to think that to accept my conditions is tantamount to committing treason. I don't like that it's taken this turn, and I do simply wish they could respect my choices, take a deep breath, and move on. But either there is a lack of respect involved, or they simply choose to hold on to an idea that doesn't exist anymore.
Either way, it annoys the heck out of me. And before anyone asks, no, I will not give any details. If you know what I'm talking about already, that's fine. If you don't, that means it isn't any of your business. I suppose that should be another rule of this blog. If I don't divulge specifics, don't expect me to do so simply because you ask me to in a comment or elsewhere. There's a good reason I don't include things like names or details.
At any rate, I think I've done this topic to death, and perhaps even gotten way off my original topic and simply confused the lot of you, and even myself. That being said, I'm done for now. We'll see if I manage to write anything else later on.
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