My personal glimpse into the first half of the 21st Century for some yet to be known future
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Trouble with access
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Status on Cal props 2004
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
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
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
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
Thursday, September 30, 2004
To the 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.
;)
Monday, September 27, 2004
Its about time stylized films are getting made (Sky Captain)
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
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
Thursday, September 23, 2004
I can feel the religious fueled oppression building
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
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.
Friday, September 17, 2004
I tell her
I sigh, but find no relief. Love hurts. No, I was not wronged. Yes, she loves me greater. No, I’ve not wronged her. Love hurts when you feel it so completely. Affection of such nature cuts harshly through calm and agitated souls alike. When I inhale, I fully realize the scope of my adoration for her. When I exhale, the rushing egress of air re-enforces my breath's agony.
I feel her. She...
Be-goning for Weekend
I'm goin to head directly to my parents after work tonight. I remembered
our Tahao gift and the Sea World gift for my parents; and also the remote
and cables for the DVD play I gave my cuz. Amazing, huh? Hehe
I couldn't find my gym bags, so I'm using that little suitcase that you
like. :) Wanna run away with me?
I'm not planning to tailgate tomorrow's game, so I didn't bring a cooler.
We are in the luxury seating, so I figured if we go early, we can enjoy the
posh section of the stadium instead of hanging out in the parking lot.
I plan on returning Sunday morning. We can meet up as soon as I get back, if you like. I love you...missing you. ::muah::
Bigger Loves,
Pxxx Xxxxxxxt
___
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Bonds Bonds Bonds
Bonds Bonds Bonds!
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Everyday
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
San Diego Trip, Sunday, Day 3
Monday, September 13, 2004
San Diego, Saturday, Day 2
Saturday, September 11, 2004
San Diego Day 1
We then headed down to Coronado Beach. The ocean water is fairly warm. I swam in California waters for the first time in 20 years. It did take me a little while to get used to the water. We had a lot of fun there. We did have a plan to take an evening cruise on a Paddlewheel boat, but dinner took longer than expected, so we missed our chance for Friday. Maybe we will try again this afternoon, after Seaworld.
Back in the 90's, sometimes I visited San Diego a few times a year. It's nice to get back here. This is my g/f's first time. This will be our first time at Seaworld.
___
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Friday, September 10, 2004
San Diego Getaway
With Alice Leung, visiting San Diego, CA, including SeaWorld and Gaslamp Quarter. Original post/backup link.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Political Parties out of balance
The Republican Party was weakened in the early 1990s. This left a power vacuum that the Religious Conservatives (who are normally fundamentalists) and pseudo-Libertarians (gun nuts) filled in the mid-1990s. These groups don’t care about traditional positions of the Republican Party. They have used it to accomplish their own ends. Many of the actions taken by the Republican Party in recent years are in direct conflict with the party’s traditions. (Side note, anyone fundamentalist who believes that second coming of Christ is going to replace the U.S. government shouldn’t be in politics in the first place, since they may misinterpret the bible and decide now is a good time for Armageddon; not to mention other basic problems that I may get into at some other time. I mention this because of the harsh religious tone of the Republican Party right now.)
The Democratic Party was the status quo for much of the 20th Century. They seem lost now that the dynamics of the Republican Party has changed. They are now weakened, similar to the Republican Party of the early 1990’s. Except in the Democrat case, there doesn’t seem to be groups ready to fill their power void. I don’t know if this is a good thing or not. One the one hand, their traditional positions are being held on to. On the other hand, without some sort of fresh blood take over, they will flounder for many years to come.
I hope the Democratic Party can get organized soon. I hope that the Republic Party moves away from realm of religious ideologies. I’m a centralist (not a moderate). I am happiest when the two parties are in balance. When there is a balance, the government is less likely to tell me or any citizen how to live our lives.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Labor Day Weekend
Side note, my big toe was still bothering me on Monday, so I didn’t get to go sailing on the Spitfire. Instead I spent Monday afternoon playing Civilization III.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Week Report and BBQ at the Park
Tonight, I'm going to hang out with Miriam. Maybe watch a DVD.
Yesterday, I was really missing my g/f, so I called her up and asked her to come over. Maybe it's a booty call, but hey, she's entitled. lol I love that girl.
My friend Jane is feeling down and isn't eating that well right now. She gets like that from time to time, so I dragged her out to Jamba Juice Weds afternoon after work. For some odd reason, she doesn't count Jamba Juice as eating. Loop-holes are great! :) Anyways, after I made sure she drank her juice, I sent her on her way. Eat, Damnit!
Ronie is getting married. I got to hear all about it on the phone yesterday afternoon. Mind you, the wedding is in 2006 or something like that. :) Anyways, she's hoping to narrow down the guess list to 200 invites (like 500 people). Ouch. That reminds me, I gots to sent her updated contact info for Miriam. Laterz
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Giants Tickets
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
Dinner with her folks
Monday, August 30, 2004
Another Thursday night
Napoleon Dynamite and Garden State
Garden State is a depressed romantic comedy. It has some sight gags, developed jokes and deadpan humor. But the movie’s pace is slow, and is almost (but not quite) tedious. The joke payoffs weren’t enjoyable enough to justify the pace. Additionally, when the big horrific character reveal occurred, I found myself not really caring. However, the acting is good, but then again, how hard is it really to look constantly annoyed? Anyways, the movie could have been more enjoyable if it had a big punch. More detail about the father (and less emphasis on the best friend) would’ve helped. It was a mildly entertaining film. Not DVD collection worth.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
AT&T Long Distance Fraud Policy of Shame
Some telemarketers have suggested that I need a long distance carrier for emergencies. In the extremely odd event I can’t use my cell phone in an emergency, I can always just dial one of the 10-10 numbers (like 10-10-220 [collect] or 10-10-345 [direct]).
In the 21st century, landline long distance from the home is a completely unnecessary risk, especially with ridiculous fraud policies by the long distance carriers.
Monday, August 23, 2004
San Diego
I miss San Diego. I used to end up there (one way or another) once every few months. I haven't been back in over 5 years.
Last Thursday
We had dinner on the patio of a near by restaurant. We had a great time eating, dining and chatting. After dinner, we walked around to try to find a club or two. We couldn't find the one we were looking for, and our back-up choice had just closed down. :( As we are walking around the closed club, I hear music pumping from somewhere down the street. So, I start to follow it and we end up at this one ghetto place. It had just opened that week. Even though Enga, Nick and Miriam are all in flip-flops, they let us in (with $5.00 cover). It was pretty damn empty.
Didn?t matter to us. I was DD, so I was just drinking cokes. Everyone else was just drinking. We played some pool. We did some dancing. Nick and Enga did some makin? out. When the club closed, I drove Miriam to her place and dropped her off. Nick went home with Enga. ::wink wink:: ::nudge nudge::
Goodnight. :)
Monday, August 16, 2004
PLEEAASSE!
looking thangs over
I still love my Treo 600. Just now, I'm going to love my new one. lol
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Friend's broken back. :(
It sucks that she recently broke her back by falling onto a curb. She’s been a homebody since, with little exception. Hopefully she heals up quick. It’s been about two months already. She's back to work and all, and seems better, but still in pain. :( So, I’m sending her healing thoughts now. Today’s blog entry is dedicated to her. Best wishes, girl!
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Where I live, who I know, where I work
My Life - Part 3: Teething
So, my dad would stick that index finger in my mouth to feel for teeth. I really didn’t like it, but there wasn’t much I could do about it, being and infant and all. I still remember the rough and ridgy feeling of his short index finger rubber against my gums, tongue and the roof of my mouth. Yuk. So this one day, my parents were over me. My mother was telling my day, “I don’t think it’s a good idea to stick your finger in his mouth. He’s gonna bite cha,” or something along those lines. Yes, even as an infant I understood the meaning of her words. He sticks his finger in my mouth. I waited for the right moment to finally use my new teeth. For a split-second, hesitated out of conscience. Suddenly I bit as hard as I could! He howled in pain and he yanked his finger away. I remember enjoying my deed, and actually feeling a little proud at my plot’s success. My mom was I-told-you-so’ing as he went to nurse his finger.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
I, Robot
It's been a couple days since I've seen the movie I, Robot. It uses the original book as a setting, but not as the source of the story. This movie is good, so I'm not sure what movie the critics had been watching. It's not great, for sure. It does have one big plot hole. The movie implies the events were happening everywhere, yet only shows the events as they unfold in Chicago. Beyond that one problem, the story was pretty clean, blending action well with plot, storytelling and character development. Basically, this is an action movie with some intelligence.
Recommended.
Thursday, July 29, 2004
very Very brief complaint about comparing Superman to Spider-man movies
If special effects of Superman were put on par to the 2000's, then a modern equivalent to Superman would be X-Men, as both have average special effects for their time, and both are plot driven stories of similar depth.
IMO, the Spider-man movies are easily the best comic book movies ever made. They have excellent production quality, good to great acting, awesome action, well developed characters (the ones we care about), etc. It's a refreshing reminder that movies (even an action-flicks) shouldn't be non-stop action when handling characters that the audience cares about; and that a balance can be reached between plot and character development.
Superman, X-Men, first couple Bat Man movies are a tier lower. They are still great movies, but they do lack the story telling of the Spider-man series. Just watch the first two Superman movies again. Although they have similar plots to Spider-man, they are pretty flat when held up to the two Spider-man movies.
Monday, July 26, 2004
"Bring me back something French!"
Friday, July 23, 2004
Reviewing the Movie Reviewers
One thang I’ve been noticing about movie reviewers in widely distributed periodicals is that they happily show-off what little they happen to know. The most recent example of this is the review by J.M. in the Wall Street Journal. He reviewed the Borne Supremacy. He starts off with glowing statements about the movie. Then he starts comparing it to the director’s previous movie, Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday is a political film about how British Soldiers started shooting N. Irelanders. So, J.M. compares a political docu-drama with a big budget action flick, simply because both are directed by the same person. Huh? So, I’m guessing that J.M. did see that little non-Hollywood film? Or maybe he did just five minutes of research on the internet, found some reviews that said it was good and then decided to make his review another big-budget-soul-movies-have-no-soul article. Is something wrong with a film just because it has a high budget and is from Hollywood? Review the damn movie you are talking about, J.M.! If you must compare, then pick movies from the same genre, and compare apples to apples.
I can just imagine if J.M. was around when 2001: A Space Odyssey came out. J.M. might say something like “Although this is a wonderful, technically accurate film, I find it is missing the creepiness Kubrick so cleverly weaved into the classic Lolita. This is what happens when talent like Kubrick gets a big Hollywood budget. I sure wish they made more movies about perverts instead of science fiction. Kubrick has failed his fans.” I just have one thang to say to you, J.M, “Get real.”
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Here's the truck after it rolled off the overpass and into the freeway exit. Maybe the fire burned through the brake lines, sending this huge truck rolling off the road and through the trees and brush. My coworkers had just finished passing through this exit when the truck started falling behind them.
Copyright © 2004 Matthew Lorono
I'm Sailing, I'M SAAILLING
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Four Problems with California Politics
Item 1: There are too many laws which mandate spending. This creates two problems. Well over 50% of the California budget is locked up by these laws that prevents the legislature and governor from putting money were it is needed on a yearly basis. Second, they create government spending that cannot be eliminated. We need to not pass any more mandated-spending bills, and scale back on such laws already on the books.
Item 2: We have this ridiculous requirement for a 2/3rds supermajority vote on the budget each year. This is a democracy, where the majority rules, but the rights of the minority are protected. How is a supermajority vote requirement for something as mundane as the yearly budget supposed to do either? When used on something mundane as the yearly budget, supermajority actually allows a very small number of powerful legislature members to mandate their own personal desires onto the entire body. Supermajorities should be reserved for when they are most useful, as in cases of political crisis (impeachment) or changing winds (changes to the constitution). To use them for anything else is antidemocratic! We need to get rid of the supermajority vote requirement for the state budget.
Item 3: Term limits in the state legislature is leaving our leadership in shambles. Any experienced members are lame ducks, and the rest are rookies. There's no accountability because no one is around long enough to care! Originally, term limits was supposed to help minorities and women get into government, but now it is having the opposite effect. We need to get rid of term limits.
Item 4: Single-minded religious centric people and cooperate egomaniacs have a stranglehold on the Republican Party in California. This has hampered its ability to put up electable members to the legislature. Coupled with term limits, this has created a scenario where the Democratic Party has an unnatural majority at the state level. The Republican Party needs to put more socially and secularly minded conservatives or moderates up for election. Again, term limits would also need to go. These two actions would hopefully bring more balance back to the legislature.
If Californians took these bold steps to correct the problems mentioned here, I feel the state would have much few budge crises and we'd have more resources to tackle older problems that just keep getting worse, such as the detoriation of our public school system, fire departments, road system and other urban infrastructure.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Bumble Bees and Cows
(a saying I came up with over ten years ago)
Monday, July 12, 2004
So, why do I recycle?
Ok, so I actually attempted to save my aluminum cans. I've been saving them for 3 years now. You might think, "Man, that's a lot of cans." Not really. I had only 4 kitchen garbage bags full. The first problem I encountered is that it is not easy to find recycling centers. Where the hell are they? I found one by accident last month, so today I brought my cans to it. The place was closed in the middle of the morning on a Monday. So I came back at lunch. Finally, I was able to offload these cans...for the tremendous sum of...16.54 (including a few plastic bottles). 3 years worth of saving netted me an amount that is substantially lower than my hourly income. Yeah, so tell me again why I'm supposed to recycle?