I'm off to Napa Valley this afternoon for a day with my friend to just relax and let the stresses of life melt away, if only for a day. Speaking of a Napa trip, I want to see that movie Sideways.
BTW, I already voted via absentee ballot. One of the problems about voting early is that you might end up with second thoughts about your choices. I'm reconsidering how I voted for Prop 72 which will require health insurance for employees by medium to large employers. I realized that companies like Walmart don't offer health insurance and that my tax dollars are paying for it instead to cover unpaid medical expenses for preventable emergency care visits.
Friday, October 29, 2004
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Is abortion allowed by the bible? Well, yes actually!
Ecclesiastes 6:3-5 reads from the New American Standard:
3)If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, "Better the miscarriage than he, 4) for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. 5) "It never sees the sun and it never knows anything; it is better off than he."
This text is clearly comparing the quality of life of the unborn with someone that can't appreciate life, and makes the statement that the unborn have it better in such cases. Please read all of Ecclesiastes chapter 6 to see that I am applying this text in context.
The word "abortion" is a modern term. For the bible to apply to abortion, ancient equivalents have to be established (otherwise the bible makes no statements regarding abortion at all, for OR against!). With that said, the word "miscarriage" is also translated in various bibles as "premature pregnancy", "stillborn", "pregnancy ending before its time", or similar terms. All of these terms can refer to ending a pregnancy through natural or induced methods. So, it is responsible to conclude abortion is covered by this passage in the context of modern times.
Also, notice that the scripture specifically says that the unborn "never knows anything". Other translations use the words, "not conscious of anything" or similar wording. This is exactly opposite of what Christian Fundamentalist try to claim. These people obviously don't read the bible for themselves, otherwise, this scripture would be paramount in their various religions and I wouldn't have to correct them now. Ironically, by saying that the unborn "never knows anything", this scripture contradicts Pro-Life arguments on a whole separate level.
Truth
This text is clearly comparing the quality of life of the unborn with someone that can't appreciate life, and makes the statement that the unborn have it better in such cases. Please read all of Ecclesiastes chapter 6 to see that I am applying this text in context.
Terms
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Trouble with access
My methods of access to the internet have been troubled this past week due to a series of unrelated but collaborating events. Good news is that I'm working with a web designer to create a new, one-of-a-kind layout for my website. It's looking good, and I can't wait to bring it online. This will be the third major layout change. It will allow me some versatility that the standard blogger.com templates just don't have. It will also be uniquely my own. I get a bit unnerved when I come across a website with the same basic template as my own (even if my is heavily customized). I normally try to refrain from making blog entries about my blog, but I'm excited about this change.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Status on Cal props 2004
This link is to a news story that details where several of the california props stand amoung voters.
I'm glad to see a lot of support for Prop 66 (Limitation of the Three Strikes law) and Prop 71 (Stem Cell research funding). These are the only two measures on the ballot for which I am voting yes. For short details, see my California Propositions blog entry.
-Please vote no on Props 60 and 62. Both of these props are attempts to undermind the primary process for Political Parties, allowing voting sabotage from opponents. This would essentially turn third parties in puppets of the two main parties. It would also create primary election wars between the two main parties.
-Please vote no on Props 68 and 70. Both of these props are attempts to greatly expand gambling all over California.
-Please vote no on Prop 69. It is the prop that would establish a DNA database of criminals. However, it also attempts to allow DNA collection of some individuals not found guilty of any crimes. I would favor a DNA database if it did not have that provision.
I'm glad to see a lot of support for Prop 66 (Limitation of the Three Strikes law) and Prop 71 (Stem Cell research funding). These are the only two measures on the ballot for which I am voting yes. For short details, see my California Propositions blog entry.
-Please vote no on Props 60 and 62. Both of these props are attempts to undermind the primary process for Political Parties, allowing voting sabotage from opponents. This would essentially turn third parties in puppets of the two main parties. It would also create primary election wars between the two main parties.
-Please vote no on Props 68 and 70. Both of these props are attempts to greatly expand gambling all over California.
-Please vote no on Prop 69. It is the prop that would establish a DNA database of criminals. However, it also attempts to allow DNA collection of some individuals not found guilty of any crimes. I would favor a DNA database if it did not have that provision.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Tool concert; girls girls girls
[I've thought about adding this story to my blog a few times, but it's pretty raunchy. Well, here's my attempt to clean it up a bit, just so it's out there. Also, it should be noted that this story doesn't represent the norm for my life...it just a brief series of events.]
Ok, so these two cute girls from around the way couldn't go to the Tool concert, so they sold me their tickets. Actually, I had to perform a "favor" for one of the girls before she gave me her ticket (oh, the horror of it all! lol). I guess with that kind of start to this episode, I should've expected things to get as crazy as they did. Anyways, the concert was a general admission event at a college stadium back in 1998. I took my roommate. He was a playa who moved here from Hawaii with his girlfriend. He had just broke up with his girlfriend.
We got to the stadium and took some seats near the far end in a nearly vacant section. I noticed that the stadium had something like three guys to every girl. I thought, "Shit, this sucks!" My mind was changed when these three hot chicks sat right behind us.
The tallest hottie started playing with my roommate's cap. Then the little cutie behind me started messing up my hair. We all started hittin' it off. I asked for and got the little cutie's number. It was amazing that we were the ones being hit on because there were hardly any chicks at the venue. We hung out together throughout the opening band's set.
Once Tool came on, we all went our separate ways into the mass of fans on the main floor. The little cutie wanted to meet up after the concert, but I was like, "It's going to be impossible to find each other afterwards, I'll call you later in the week." (This is back before everyone had a cellphone.) She looked frustrated, but hey, whattaya going to do?
The crowd was dense throughout the main floor. For awhile, I was in the middle of the floor. This one girl recruited a few guys to put up a perimeter to help her avoid the unavoidable (a lot of the guys walking through the crowd head for the chicks to check-out, bump and sometimes grope them). I helped defend her for awhile.
I noticed this one fine-ass chick in the crowd nearby. She was a hot little firecracker with a tight and thin hard body and this awesome set of...ok, I've already said she was fine-ass. :) She was wearing tight and revealing jeans and top; and had long punkish braided hair. I noticed her move around the crowd, from guy to guy, dancing with them while trying to watch the stage. A couple of the guys put her on their shoulders for while so she could see over the mass. All of a sudden, she was in front of me, facing away towards the stage. While she was dancing feverishly, she backed her ass up into me and just started grinding my crouch. I was wearing jeans, with nufin underneath. As soon as she realized that I was enjoying her maneuver, she started dry humping me as she danced. I didn't move, other than to return the favor. She let me grope her and pull her into me harder. She never looked back at me; never made an attempt at any contact other than the activity at hand. We kept it up when my roommate found me. He was like, "DAMN!" When Tool started playing one of their harder songs, my roommate and I head up to the mosh pit! Bye bye forever, my little firecracker.
Thangs were crazy in the pit. If you have ever gone into a mosh pit, you know; if you haven't, hey try it! ;) I made it all the way up to the center front railing, right in front of the stage, before I was forced back into the moshing mass. Tons of chicks were crowd surfing. Some of them liked all of the hands groping them, and some didn't. Most didn't complain, and a few tried to make several rounds.
After the concert, my roommate and I headed out. It ended up being a very long night of drinking and bragging at one of the local places.
A couple days later, I tried to call that little cutie. Turns out she gave me an old number. I figured that's why she looked frustrated when I told her we couldn't meet up after the concert. She gave me a bogus number early, before she realized she actually wanted to do sumfin with me. Oh well, whattaya going to do? Her ex-roommate at the old number turned out to be another hottie, but that's actually another story. ;)
Ok, so these two cute girls from around the way couldn't go to the Tool concert, so they sold me their tickets. Actually, I had to perform a "favor" for one of the girls before she gave me her ticket (oh, the horror of it all! lol). I guess with that kind of start to this episode, I should've expected things to get as crazy as they did. Anyways, the concert was a general admission event at a college stadium back in 1998. I took my roommate. He was a playa who moved here from Hawaii with his girlfriend. He had just broke up with his girlfriend.
We got to the stadium and took some seats near the far end in a nearly vacant section. I noticed that the stadium had something like three guys to every girl. I thought, "Shit, this sucks!" My mind was changed when these three hot chicks sat right behind us.
The tallest hottie started playing with my roommate's cap. Then the little cutie behind me started messing up my hair. We all started hittin' it off. I asked for and got the little cutie's number. It was amazing that we were the ones being hit on because there were hardly any chicks at the venue. We hung out together throughout the opening band's set.
Once Tool came on, we all went our separate ways into the mass of fans on the main floor. The little cutie wanted to meet up after the concert, but I was like, "It's going to be impossible to find each other afterwards, I'll call you later in the week." (This is back before everyone had a cellphone.) She looked frustrated, but hey, whattaya going to do?
The crowd was dense throughout the main floor. For awhile, I was in the middle of the floor. This one girl recruited a few guys to put up a perimeter to help her avoid the unavoidable (a lot of the guys walking through the crowd head for the chicks to check-out, bump and sometimes grope them). I helped defend her for awhile.
I noticed this one fine-ass chick in the crowd nearby. She was a hot little firecracker with a tight and thin hard body and this awesome set of...ok, I've already said she was fine-ass. :) She was wearing tight and revealing jeans and top; and had long punkish braided hair. I noticed her move around the crowd, from guy to guy, dancing with them while trying to watch the stage. A couple of the guys put her on their shoulders for while so she could see over the mass. All of a sudden, she was in front of me, facing away towards the stage. While she was dancing feverishly, she backed her ass up into me and just started grinding my crouch. I was wearing jeans, with nufin underneath. As soon as she realized that I was enjoying her maneuver, she started dry humping me as she danced. I didn't move, other than to return the favor. She let me grope her and pull her into me harder. She never looked back at me; never made an attempt at any contact other than the activity at hand. We kept it up when my roommate found me. He was like, "DAMN!" When Tool started playing one of their harder songs, my roommate and I head up to the mosh pit! Bye bye forever, my little firecracker.
Thangs were crazy in the pit. If you have ever gone into a mosh pit, you know; if you haven't, hey try it! ;) I made it all the way up to the center front railing, right in front of the stage, before I was forced back into the moshing mass. Tons of chicks were crowd surfing. Some of them liked all of the hands groping them, and some didn't. Most didn't complain, and a few tried to make several rounds.
After the concert, my roommate and I headed out. It ended up being a very long night of drinking and bragging at one of the local places.
A couple days later, I tried to call that little cutie. Turns out she gave me an old number. I figured that's why she looked frustrated when I told her we couldn't meet up after the concert. She gave me a bogus number early, before she realized she actually wanted to do sumfin with me. Oh well, whattaya going to do? Her ex-roommate at the old number turned out to be another hottie, but that's actually another story. ;)
Thursday, October 07, 2004
California Propositions
My friend and I looked over the Propositions in detail. Here's what we come up with.
Prop 1A Protection of Local Government Revenues – (Me: NO; Dave: N/A) This is yet another budget constraining measure. These kinds of measures are a major cause of California’s yearly budget crisis.
Prop 59 Public Records, Open Meetings – (Me: NO; Dave: YES?) Open and public debate is a necessary part of government, but so is prudence. Dave feels the openness is more important. I feel certain situations require prudence, especially when dealing with court records and private matter.
Prop 60 Election Rights of Political Parties – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) This is a scam to attack Party rights! Bad! It attempts to undermine the primary process for Political Parties, allowing voting sabotage from opponents. This would essentially turn third parties in puppets of the two main parties. It would also create primary election wars between the two main parties.
Prop 60A Surplus Property – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) This is yet even another budget constraining measure. Again, these kind of measures are a major cause of California’s yearly budget crisis.
Prop 61 Children’s Hospital Projects. Grant Program – (Me: NO; Dave: YES?) This measure serves a great purpose (as the title suggests), but it’s using yet another Bond sale for funding. My opinion is that our State’s credit rating is already in the toilet. These kind of measures need to be held off until our State has a better credit record. Dave’s opinion is that this program is needed regardless.
Prop 62 Elections. Primaries – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) Even worse than Prop 60. This is a scam to open up primary partisan elections to any person of any party. It is an open attack on Party rights! This will allows sabotage of a party’s primary in the worse possible way. Very bad! Again, this would essentially turn third parties in puppets of the two main parties. And again, it would also create primary election wars between the two main parties.
Prop 63 Mental Health Services Expansion, Funding – (Me: NO?; Dave: YES?) This measure taxes anyone making more than $1 million per year to fund services for mental health needs. I might vote “NO” because is seems too Pie-In-The-Sky; and I’m not fond of an unnecessary tax. I’ll have to do more research.
Prop 64 Local Limit on Private Enforcement of Unfair Business Competition Laws – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) A scam to limit citizens’ rights to seek compensation for damages incurred by a legal entity. Very bad.
Prop 65 Local Government Funds, Revenues – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) This is yet more tinkering with budget constraints. ARG!
Prop 66 Limitation on “Three Strikes” Law – (Me; YES; Dave: YES) Right now, our prisons are unnecessarily filling up from the arbitrary application of the Three Strikes law by over zealous prosecutors. People are literally serving life sentences for petty crimes. Make room in our prisons for the serious offenders by ending the abuse of the Three Strikes law. Dave’s only concern with this proposition is that it requires review of current cases, which could be costly to the State. My view on this manner is that is our punishment for allowing abuses the law in the first place.
Prop 67 Emergency Medical Services – (Me: NO?; Dave: YES) This measure would provide additional (and needed) funding for EMS. I’m leaning against this measure because of the Telephone Surcharge it imposes.
Prop 68 Non-Tribal Commercial Gambling Expansion – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) A scam to that either taxes Indian Tribes 25% of their revenues OR allows non-tribal businesses to expand gaming operations. This measure is literally extortion of the Indian Tribes. It’s a ludicrous plan that shouldn’t have made it to the ballot. The Indian Tribes are already profit sharing with the State. We certainly don’t need non-tribal businesses running casinos all up and down the state! UPDATE: The backers of this prop have revoked support for it.
Prop 69 DNA Samples – (Me: NO; Dave: YES?) This measure will create a DNA database and allow for the collection of criminal’s DNA. Both Dave and I favor this. However, I think the measure goes too far by allowing the collection of DNA of some people who only arrested and have not been charged with a crime. Can you say, “BIG BROTHER?” I would favor a similar measure that doesn’t collect DNA upon arrest.
Prop 70 Tribal Gaming Compacts – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) Yet another scam. It allows Indian Tribes to expand gaming operations well beyond current limits in exchange for 25% revenue sharing. It would allow Indian Tribes to build Vegas style casinos all over California. Additional, as stated before, the Indian Tribes are already profit sharing.
Prop 71 Stem Cell Research – (Me: YES; Dave: YES) This is an important enough field of research to require public funding. The possible results from Stem Cell research are astronomical in terms of health and cures.
Prop 72 Health Care Coverage Requirements – (Me: NO?; Dave: YES) It’s about time we are addressing health care coverage. However, I’m not sure that this is the way to do it. I need to do more research on this one.
Prop 1A Protection of Local Government Revenues – (Me: NO; Dave: N/A) This is yet another budget constraining measure. These kinds of measures are a major cause of California’s yearly budget crisis.
Prop 59 Public Records, Open Meetings – (Me: NO; Dave: YES?) Open and public debate is a necessary part of government, but so is prudence. Dave feels the openness is more important. I feel certain situations require prudence, especially when dealing with court records and private matter.
Prop 60 Election Rights of Political Parties – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) This is a scam to attack Party rights! Bad! It attempts to undermine the primary process for Political Parties, allowing voting sabotage from opponents. This would essentially turn third parties in puppets of the two main parties. It would also create primary election wars between the two main parties.
Prop 60A Surplus Property – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) This is yet even another budget constraining measure. Again, these kind of measures are a major cause of California’s yearly budget crisis.
Prop 61 Children’s Hospital Projects. Grant Program – (Me: NO; Dave: YES?) This measure serves a great purpose (as the title suggests), but it’s using yet another Bond sale for funding. My opinion is that our State’s credit rating is already in the toilet. These kind of measures need to be held off until our State has a better credit record. Dave’s opinion is that this program is needed regardless.
Prop 62 Elections. Primaries – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) Even worse than Prop 60. This is a scam to open up primary partisan elections to any person of any party. It is an open attack on Party rights! This will allows sabotage of a party’s primary in the worse possible way. Very bad! Again, this would essentially turn third parties in puppets of the two main parties. And again, it would also create primary election wars between the two main parties.
Prop 63 Mental Health Services Expansion, Funding – (Me: NO?; Dave: YES?) This measure taxes anyone making more than $1 million per year to fund services for mental health needs. I might vote “NO” because is seems too Pie-In-The-Sky; and I’m not fond of an unnecessary tax. I’ll have to do more research.
Prop 64 Local Limit on Private Enforcement of Unfair Business Competition Laws – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) A scam to limit citizens’ rights to seek compensation for damages incurred by a legal entity. Very bad.
Prop 65 Local Government Funds, Revenues – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) This is yet more tinkering with budget constraints. ARG!
Prop 66 Limitation on “Three Strikes” Law – (Me; YES; Dave: YES) Right now, our prisons are unnecessarily filling up from the arbitrary application of the Three Strikes law by over zealous prosecutors. People are literally serving life sentences for petty crimes. Make room in our prisons for the serious offenders by ending the abuse of the Three Strikes law. Dave’s only concern with this proposition is that it requires review of current cases, which could be costly to the State. My view on this manner is that is our punishment for allowing abuses the law in the first place.
Prop 67 Emergency Medical Services – (Me: NO?; Dave: YES) This measure would provide additional (and needed) funding for EMS. I’m leaning against this measure because of the Telephone Surcharge it imposes.
Prop 68 Non-Tribal Commercial Gambling Expansion – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) A scam to that either taxes Indian Tribes 25% of their revenues OR allows non-tribal businesses to expand gaming operations. This measure is literally extortion of the Indian Tribes. It’s a ludicrous plan that shouldn’t have made it to the ballot. The Indian Tribes are already profit sharing with the State. We certainly don’t need non-tribal businesses running casinos all up and down the state! UPDATE: The backers of this prop have revoked support for it.
Prop 69 DNA Samples – (Me: NO; Dave: YES?) This measure will create a DNA database and allow for the collection of criminal’s DNA. Both Dave and I favor this. However, I think the measure goes too far by allowing the collection of DNA of some people who only arrested and have not been charged with a crime. Can you say, “BIG BROTHER?” I would favor a similar measure that doesn’t collect DNA upon arrest.
Prop 70 Tribal Gaming Compacts – (Me: NO; Dave: NO) Yet another scam. It allows Indian Tribes to expand gaming operations well beyond current limits in exchange for 25% revenue sharing. It would allow Indian Tribes to build Vegas style casinos all over California. Additional, as stated before, the Indian Tribes are already profit sharing.
Prop 71 Stem Cell Research – (Me: YES; Dave: YES) This is an important enough field of research to require public funding. The possible results from Stem Cell research are astronomical in terms of health and cures.
Prop 72 Health Care Coverage Requirements – (Me: NO?; Dave: YES) It’s about time we are addressing health care coverage. However, I’m not sure that this is the way to do it. I need to do more research on this one.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Time to look at my local ballot again; Nov 2004
I post my voting intentions, not to promote my opinions so much as to promote awareness of the issues and candidates in general. I realize that voting is a personal and private matter, and that many people are not so open about their choices. This posting will deal with the candidates. (I’m not going to get into School district voting.)
President John F. Kerry: The race for president is usually so over exposed that there really is no point for me to state why I make my choice.
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer: This is prolly the most pro-Californian Senator I’ve ever seen. The U.S. Government takes California for granted. We need strong supporters in office who that aren’t drones of their respective party or political trends.
U.S. Representative District 14:
Anna G. Eshoo: Very successful and important incumbent. My vote will go here.
Chris Haugen: From what little I’ve seen of him, he appears too focused on party agenda and not very concerned about California itself.
Brian Holtz: Some of the Libertarian party stands are good, but many are bad. Brian appears to be promoting too many of the bad points.
State Senator; District 11: I don’t know much about this, but unfortunately I will likely vote for the democratic candidate in an effort to maintain the balance of power in Sacramento.
Member of the State Assembly; District 24: Ditto to my previous comment.
Superior Court Judge; County of Santa Clara; Office 7: I don’t like either candidate.
Griffin Bonini: He appears to be a bit too opinionated about how are system is supposed to work. He seems like too much of a Prosecution insider.
Enrique Colin: Doesn’t seem to have a strong enough platform.
I’m going to have a lot to say about the new Propositions. There’s a few scams that people are trying to pull in this election.
President John F. Kerry: The race for president is usually so over exposed that there really is no point for me to state why I make my choice.
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer: This is prolly the most pro-Californian Senator I’ve ever seen. The U.S. Government takes California for granted. We need strong supporters in office who that aren’t drones of their respective party or political trends.
U.S. Representative District 14:
Anna G. Eshoo: Very successful and important incumbent. My vote will go here.
Chris Haugen: From what little I’ve seen of him, he appears too focused on party agenda and not very concerned about California itself.
Brian Holtz: Some of the Libertarian party stands are good, but many are bad. Brian appears to be promoting too many of the bad points.
State Senator; District 11: I don’t know much about this, but unfortunately I will likely vote for the democratic candidate in an effort to maintain the balance of power in Sacramento.
Member of the State Assembly; District 24: Ditto to my previous comment.
Superior Court Judge; County of Santa Clara; Office 7: I don’t like either candidate.
Griffin Bonini: He appears to be a bit too opinionated about how are system is supposed to work. He seems like too much of a Prosecution insider.
Enrique Colin: Doesn’t seem to have a strong enough platform.
I’m going to have a lot to say about the new Propositions. There’s a few scams that people are trying to pull in this election.
Friday, October 01, 2004
No happy hour
Welp, no happy hour with my friends this evening. It was cancelled when I wasn't paying attention, I guess. bummed.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
To the door dinging fuckhead
Dear Door Dinging Fuckhead,
You are an asshole. I don't care if you were drunk when you did it. I also don't care if it was your little brat of a child. I don't care if you were just having a bad day. I don't care if you are huge, and have to swing your door wide in order to get out of your car. Pay attention when you park and open your damn door.
If you got an SUV, don't park in a compact spot. You know what, don't even park in the parking lot. No spots are designed for your oversized death trap. Go park on the street!
If you got kids, then open the door for them (ever heard of Child Lock?).
If it's late at night, and you are toting around your drunkass friends, then park way the hell away from any other parked cars (again, ever heard of Child Lock? LOL). You better not be driving while drunk yourself!
If you're too fat to get out of your SUV and are toting around your 12 brats with your drunkass husband, then stay the fuck home. Never leave! Oh, and stop breeding too!
Truly yours in Christ,
Victim
P.S., I'm sorry I accidentally smashed up your car with my bat. I was just having a bad day because you dinged my car.
;)
You are an asshole. I don't care if you were drunk when you did it. I also don't care if it was your little brat of a child. I don't care if you were just having a bad day. I don't care if you are huge, and have to swing your door wide in order to get out of your car. Pay attention when you park and open your damn door.
If you got an SUV, don't park in a compact spot. You know what, don't even park in the parking lot. No spots are designed for your oversized death trap. Go park on the street!
If you got kids, then open the door for them (ever heard of Child Lock?).
If it's late at night, and you are toting around your drunkass friends, then park way the hell away from any other parked cars (again, ever heard of Child Lock? LOL). You better not be driving while drunk yourself!
If you're too fat to get out of your SUV and are toting around your 12 brats with your drunkass husband, then stay the fuck home. Never leave! Oh, and stop breeding too!
Truly yours in Christ,
Victim
P.S., I'm sorry I accidentally smashed up your car with my bat. I was just having a bad day because you dinged my car.
;)
Monday, September 27, 2004
Its about time stylized films are getting made (Sky Captain)
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow is a thoroughly fun film. It’s seems many people willfully don’t understand it. This isn’t a movie were Luke Skywalker cries about Princess Leia’s broken nail. This is a stylized, plot driven, sci-fi action flick in the tradition of the 1930’s Flash Gordon serial films. Paltrow and Law performed nearly flawlessly in their roles. Their acting is wooden and one-dimensional because the characters they are playing are intentionally wooden and one-dimensional. It’s part of the style of the movie. It amazes me some people can’t handle a full length stylized movie, but love even more heavily stylized (and damn near pointless) music videos. Turn off your need to see Luke Skywalker learning about himself when you go see this movie. It’s not a character development movie. It’s a movie that is just fun, which is exactly what it is meant to be. Ok, I’m done with the rant. LOL
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow succeeds where the Star Wars Prequels fail. Sky Captain creates a whole world through concise story telling, and a clear use of visual and acting styles. Star Wars uses a similar approach, but not nearly so well because the stories a just too crowded and compressed; with way too many characters. However, I must credit Lucas with one thing. Without the Star Wars Prequels, Sky Captain prolly would not have been created. I hope this is the beginning of a new movie era were more stylized films are made. I wouldn’t want every movie to be heavy on style and short on character development. However, for some stories, style is more important than character, and I hope Hollywood can now make such films with that in mind. Sky Captain is one example of just one style. The are many other styles out there just waiting to be explored!
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow succeeds where the Star Wars Prequels fail. Sky Captain creates a whole world through concise story telling, and a clear use of visual and acting styles. Star Wars uses a similar approach, but not nearly so well because the stories a just too crowded and compressed; with way too many characters. However, I must credit Lucas with one thing. Without the Star Wars Prequels, Sky Captain prolly would not have been created. I hope this is the beginning of a new movie era were more stylized films are made. I wouldn’t want every movie to be heavy on style and short on character development. However, for some stories, style is more important than character, and I hope Hollywood can now make such films with that in mind. Sky Captain is one example of just one style. The are many other styles out there just waiting to be explored!
Friday busy day
The sail boat race on Friday evening was a disaster for our team, Spitfire. We got a late start, had bad positioning on the course, and our main competitor performed flawlessly. Spitfire was in the lead in the racing series, but because we performed so badly in this final race, we lost the lead in the series. Chalk up another 2nd place in yet another racing series. Yeah, I’m disappointed.
After showering and changing, I picked up my g/f around 9:00pm. Instead of going to the Cheesecake Factory, we went to a good Persian restaurant just down the street from her place. It was nice to have a relaxing diner in a quiet atmosphere.
After dinner, we met up with Jenn and Miriam in downtown San Jose at the Mission Ale House. Miriam picked the spot where we were supposed to meet up. So, while my g/f and I are waiting for her at the Mission Ale House, I get an apologetic call from her. Well, when she told me Mission Ale House, she actually meant Tied House. Well, either way, Jenn and her finally joined us at the Mission Ale House. :-) However, we didn’t stay more than 45 minutes. For some reason, the drinks all tasted like cough syrup that night. Yuk. So, we met up with friends from the French Union (Miriam’s former co-workers from HP, who all happen to be French and who all live and hang out together, so we call them the French Union). It was at this place called The Vault. It’s a little posh, and a bit yuppie-ish. Those aren’t complaints, at least, not to me. But those are complaints to Jenn. We tried to go to this other place afterwards, but stopped off at this one Irish pub instead. We kinda got stuck there, just cracking each other up, laughing our heads off about whatever (Bee-nod). We even got a double laugh snort…one from Jenn that trigger one from Miriam. Bonus! LOL
At about 1:30am, Jenn and Miriam went to eat and meet up with some of Jenn’s friends, including Bee-nod. My g/f and I called it a night.
After showering and changing, I picked up my g/f around 9:00pm. Instead of going to the Cheesecake Factory, we went to a good Persian restaurant just down the street from her place. It was nice to have a relaxing diner in a quiet atmosphere.
After dinner, we met up with Jenn and Miriam in downtown San Jose at the Mission Ale House. Miriam picked the spot where we were supposed to meet up. So, while my g/f and I are waiting for her at the Mission Ale House, I get an apologetic call from her. Well, when she told me Mission Ale House, she actually meant Tied House. Well, either way, Jenn and her finally joined us at the Mission Ale House. :-) However, we didn’t stay more than 45 minutes. For some reason, the drinks all tasted like cough syrup that night. Yuk. So, we met up with friends from the French Union (Miriam’s former co-workers from HP, who all happen to be French and who all live and hang out together, so we call them the French Union). It was at this place called The Vault. It’s a little posh, and a bit yuppie-ish. Those aren’t complaints, at least, not to me. But those are complaints to Jenn. We tried to go to this other place afterwards, but stopped off at this one Irish pub instead. We kinda got stuck there, just cracking each other up, laughing our heads off about whatever (Bee-nod). We even got a double laugh snort…one from Jenn that trigger one from Miriam. Bonus! LOL
At about 1:30am, Jenn and Miriam went to eat and meet up with some of Jenn’s friends, including Bee-nod. My g/f and I called it a night.
Friday, September 24, 2004
Long day ahead
Well, I got up early for work today, so I can get off early, so I can go sailing on my friend's sailboat in a "beer can race" up in Oakland (45 to 70 minute drive depending on traffic). Hopefully the race is short because I need to get back to San Jose to met up with my g/f to go to the Cheesecake Factory at 9:00pm. Then from there, we will head down to meet up with some friends in downtown San Jose at a club. ::takes a breath:: I hope I'm not getting too old to keep up this kind schedule. I couldn't make it last time I tried; almost, but not quite. To be continued... lol
Thursday, September 23, 2004
I can feel the religious fueled oppression building
We are going down the path of religious fueled oppression in the U.S. Christian fundamentalist (neoconservative) have been positioning themselves in key positions all over government at all levels. They are intolerant to change (improvement) and lack the ability to accept others who do not share in their brand of religion. They purposefully (wrongfully) imagine that our country was founded on their ideas of religion. Our country was founded on Free Mason principles, not fundamentalism. From what I understand, Free Mason principles involve religious tolerance, with an understanding that no single believe system is the only way. This is where the 1st Amendment comes from in the first place.
Despite the religious backlash against the progress that our country has made in the past four decades, people are still removing themselves from the churches at an ever increasing pace. Two increasing minorities are forming: People who don't believe in religion but believe in God; and atheists. Sooner or later, people in these developing minorities are going to have to defend their rights as a group. As the neoconservatives continue to consolidate power, their methods, goals and actions will grow more oppressive, with more overt bigotry. This is the same path that the Nazi party followed as it slowly took over the Germany government under Hitler.
I'm confident that the U.S. population and political landscape are too diverse to allow this to go too far. But even what is happening now might be considered going to far. I know the acceptance of the bigotry I've seeing so far is damn annoying to me.
Despite the religious backlash against the progress that our country has made in the past four decades, people are still removing themselves from the churches at an ever increasing pace. Two increasing minorities are forming: People who don't believe in religion but believe in God; and atheists. Sooner or later, people in these developing minorities are going to have to defend their rights as a group. As the neoconservatives continue to consolidate power, their methods, goals and actions will grow more oppressive, with more overt bigotry. This is the same path that the Nazi party followed as it slowly took over the Germany government under Hitler.
I'm confident that the U.S. population and political landscape are too diverse to allow this to go too far. But even what is happening now might be considered going to far. I know the acceptance of the bigotry I've seeing so far is damn annoying to me.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Barry Bonds flashes a smile
"Be ready. Have your camera on; have your finger on the button to take the shot. Walk down, take the shot and come right back up."Again, I'm wondering what's the big deal, but I comply. I walk down to find Barry Bonds chatting. OK, so that's the big deal! Barry is right here! Without hesitation, I snap this shot. Just as I'm snapping the shot, I notice Barry glance very quickly at my camera, then look back at the person he was talking to. Besides looking at my camera for that split second, he ignored me, but I thanked him anyhow. I then got a picture of the dugout that I originally wanted.
I didn't know Barry Bonds actually smiled at the camera during his glance until I zoomed-in on the photo on my photo-printer's preview screen! How the hell did he time the glance and smile so well?! I didn't even know when I was going to snap the shot myself! Wow. So, now I have a picture of Barry Bonds smiling at me, and all I wanted was a picture of the dugout. lol Hey, Mr. Bonds, thanks again; my dad loves the photo!
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Giants Game; Bonds #701
I can tell my dad really liked seeing the Giants at SBC Park. This was his first time seeing his favorite team play in person...and his first time at SBC Park. We got to see Barry Bonds hit home run #701. To bad we didn't get to see the 700 (which happened last night). Oh well, it was a treat either way. The Giants did lose though. :( The Giants pitcher (Shmitz I think) started out strong, but faded in the 4 inning; first allowing a tie game, them giving up 4 more runs later.
We had great seats, 4 rows up from behind the Giants dugout near home plate. I would've liked being on the visitor site so I could heckle the Padres a bit more. ::evil grin:: I had a lot of fun at the game. I'm glad my dad did too.
After the long drive back to my parents' home from the game, I'm beat. I might visit my cuz and her family later. They live a few of blocks away (but not quite close enough to walk). But for now, I just wanna relax/recoop.
We had great seats, 4 rows up from behind the Giants dugout near home plate. I would've liked being on the visitor site so I could heckle the Padres a bit more. ::evil grin:: I had a lot of fun at the game. I'm glad my dad did too.
After the long drive back to my parents' home from the game, I'm beat. I might visit my cuz and her family later. They live a few of blocks away (but not quite close enough to walk). But for now, I just wanna relax/recoop.
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