It may not be Thanksgiving, but...

I was talking to a friend today, and she made me realize something. Despite all that I've been dealing with lately, despite all the things I've had to complain about, I have so much to be thankful for. Hear, for your reading pleasure, is the things I am thankful for.

First and foremost, I am so thankful for my friends and family. Both have evolved over the years, but they have constantly been my rock when the waters of life are raging around me. No matter what's going on, I know that I can pick up the phone and they will be there for me. There are a lot of people who don't have the family and friends I do, and I know I'm the luckiest guy on earth to have those people in my life.

I have a JOB. In this economy, these things are getting hard to come by. On top of having said job, it is a very stable safe job as well. I know, that no matter what happens with the economy, I will have my job. How many people can say that? Let us not forget, I also get to do a job that I enjoy for the most part, and one I picked to do, and wasn't forced to choose. Along with my job, I have a roof over my head, food in my fridge, and a comfortable bed to sleep in. God, am I thankful for all of that!

Despite all the trouble it has been causing me lately, I have a car that works most of the time. I'm (most of the time) able to get to and from places without relying on others. Sure, for a couple of weeks, I was relying on the good nature of others, but for the most part, I'm independently mobile. Hooray for that!

I have money in my pocket and in a bank account. I didn't always have that. A lot of people still don't. I have plenty of things taking my money, and God knows I have plenty of things I owe on, but I have a steady income, and I know that I'll be able to support myself and not rely on others to help me out, even though if the time arose when I need help, my friends and family will be there for me. It's nice to be financially solvent, and I'm very thankful for that.

I'm thankful I am an American, and I'm very thankful I'm from the great state of Texas!

I'm thankful for all the past experiences I've had that made me who I am.

I'm thankful for all of the people in my life who have effected me in some way, and molded me into me.

I'm thankful to be alive.

I'm thankful for my life as a whole, no matter what has occurred, and what has transpired. It led me to here and I cannot complain about that.

So those are just a few things I am thankful for... a reminder that when times are hard, there is always something to be thankful for in the bleakest of times.

What are you thankful for?

It comes in 3s

I had a good, light-hearted blog in mind (to counteract my last few melodramatic pissed off blogs), but fate intervened. I woke up this morning in a decent mood, ready to start the day and inch one day closer to being on leave. So I walk outside to wait on my ride (explanation on that coming in a moment), and I'm about a hundred feet from the parking lot when I spot my car, and something looks wrong. As I get closer I know something is wrong, and this is what I found.



Talk about a hell of a way to start your day. Anyways, I had to file an incident report, go through a bunch of phone calls, complain and bitch a bit, and then later I realized something. This was just the 3rd thing to go wrong with my car. There's a saying "All things come in 3s". First, my battery died, and it was a PAIN to change it. Next, My transmission shifter cable crapped out, and my car has been stuck in the barracks parking lot for the past two weeks, forcing me to walk or bum rides. Lastly, this incident happened. I dunno if someone was drunk and just pulled an idiot, or someone is a truly bad driver, but they mangled my car.

The worst part of the whole mangling was that they didn't even leave a note with their number and name so I could call them and find out what happened. The car can be fixed, and besides pissing me off to have my personal property damaged, it could have been much worse. The lack of respect to take responsibility for this, and be a fucking coward... that's what made me madder than anything. Someone said I was being stupid for being upset about someone hitting me, and should not care because it's going to be paid for one way or another by me... but how would you feel if someone hit your car and drove away without manning up and taking responsibility? You'd be fucking pissed. I think I was and am justified in being upset.

Alas, there isn't any reason for me to be upset any longer, so I'm gonna let it go. I spent my time upset, but it'll get fixed. It'll buff. My trans cable is getting fixed tomorrow, and soon I will get the bumper and light fixed. Eventually my car will be whole again, and the cycle of 3s can begin again... hopefully further on down the road. I really need a break from fixing my car!

Who knew a new car would be such a pain! Jeez.

~Ian

Why can't we all just get along?

Let me start by saying I am probably going to piss people off with this blog. You may or may not be offended by what I am about to say, but I honestly, don't care. I have something to say, and I am going to say it. If you are sensitive or get offended easily, stop reading now.

I'm pissed off. Every day, everywhere you always hear about someone having issues with someone else. I'm not talking abut small trivial issues, because I get sick of other people's shit too. I'm talking about subjects that, in this day and age, we should not have. Things that should have died out years ago, but still live strong in a society that is so blended that we can't even say we are one thing or another. If you haven't figured out what I'm talking about, you're a fucking moron.

I'm going to be talking about some pretty touchy subjects. I'm going to get in deep to some subjects some people won't touch. I want to go there because I am willing to voice my opinions in hopes of helping people see that things aren't always what they seem. Read on if you dare.

I'm sooooooooooooo tired of racism. So sick of it. Yes, I'm white. By the claims of popular society, I should have no say or anger over the subject. I should feel remorse for what "my people" did. I should work towards improving the lives of those of color. I've got two words for all of that. Fuck off. What happened with slavery was wrong. Totally wrong. The way people in this country and around the world have been treated because of the color of their skin is disgusting. I definitely think that reparations should have been paid for what happened.

But I do not think that people should still be blaming anyone else or society for their situations now. I could claim that my life is forever altered for having Irish blood, and what the English did to my people. I could also be angry and upset about how the Irish were treated in this country. I'm not. I was never personally victimized or mistreated so why should I blame others for what never happened to me? I get that people still hold racist beliefs. I don't know why but they do. I've never seen the world in black and white. My four very best friends are black. I've had friends of every race, and never had a problem with them. I see the world as it should be... it doesn't matter what your skin color is. It matters what kind of person you are.

I'm sick of people talking about Obama. Yes he is half black. So what? It is well established that people of any race can be very successful. It was about time we had someone who wasn't white in the White House. Eventually, I know we will have a female president. We are the most culturally diverse country in the world, but we still have one of the worst race problems. We still act sometimes as if it is the 1950s. Some people still act as if they are superior just because of their skin pigmentation.

I also hate the judgement of a whole race or culture based on a select group. There are dumb, ignorant, fuck-ups in every group, and they seem to be the ones that everyone is judged by. Not every black person is a thug or gangsta or a n***a (I hate that word. I think it's not a term of endearment, and should not be used ever. Yes, I'm white, I don't give a fuck, it bothers me). Not every white person is a honky redneck hillbilly. Not every Native American is an alcoholic gambler living off the government. We have successful individuals from every culture and it's about fucking time we realized it.

Now racism is only part of my issue. I hate the way people perceive each other and treat each other. It bothers the hell out of me. But you wanna know what bothers me even more? People using their race or the past as an excuse. I HATE, abso-fucking-lutely hate it when people do that. I swear, the next time I hear someone say they didn't get something because of their skin color, I'm going to slug them. It's ignorant and stupid. If you can't get something because you aren't good enough, then accept it as that. Yes, there are still stupid ass racists who screw people out of things that they deserve, but that is getting to be less of a problem by the day. We can't use excuses anymore, we just have to suck it up and deal with things as they are. I also think that people getting free handouts or preferential treatment because of what you are is what's causing most of the problems. Again, i do agree with reparations, and giving back for what was taken, but I believe that in this day and age, that we can stop using that excuse. Helping people because they don't want to try and want to just use excuses to get by is shameful. Anybody who does that ought to be ashamed of themselves, and the people who give those handouts and BS are just as guilty and should be just as ashamed.

Now before you get too angry, I believe that some people do need help. I know people who have worked their asses off, but just could not get the same opportunities, and got a helping hand that launched them. I am ok with that. I am more than willing to give to and associate with a cause like that. What I am not willing to accept is helping those who won't help themselves, and simply live off others. People who believe they deserve something because of their color and think it is owed to them by society. If you can't earn it yourself, regardless of what you are, then you don't deserve it, period.

Something that goes along with racism is sexism. It's fucking silly. Women have earned the right to stand along side men in any venture they choose. I don't think that anything is strictly for men or for women. A lot of hard asses get all riled up over women doing their job. Get over it. Women are not subservient to men in any way, shape, or form, and to think so is really really immature. I remember how angry some people got over the movie G.I. Jane. Special Forces are still a male only thing, but I think one day, it could change. I don't know when or how but I wouldn't mind it. To assume anyone is not good enough for something because of gender is the same as doing it because of race. Everyone has the right to choose their own path, and not be told what they can and can't do because of who or what they are. We have come too far as a species to keep acting like this.

Ok now that I'm done pissing off one group of people it's time to move on to my next group.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a fan of organized religion. I think that it is the single worst thing in this world. I am a man of faith. Don't think me an atheist or anything like that. I love my God and I love my own personal beliefs. What I have a problem with is people telling what I SHOULD believe, and what is right to believe. I also think it's entirely hypocritical. The 5th Commandment says "thou shalt not Kill" yet Religion is the leading cause of death in human history. Billions of people have died for loving a "different God". Oddly enough, when you read the Bible... we all have the same God. Hmmmmmmm.

I've been to a few churches and study groups, and a few of them we good. They simply talked about worshiping, about loving God, and living a good life. They talked about being a generally good person, repenting for your sins, believing in a higher purpose, and spreading good will and love. I am OK with all of that, because their goal is to spread the Word of God (I'll get to this in a minute) and faith in a peaceful loving manner. Some churches and religions don't feel that way. They TELL people how to worship their God. They TELL people how to act, behave, and live their lives. They TELL them if they don't follow a strict rigid guideline, they will forever burn in Hell. No free passes, no forgiveness, if you fuck up, you burn. No pressure. They TELL people all of those things, then the people running that church commit awful crimes and act as if they are God themselves and are above human law. I think that is morally and just plain wrong. It's things like that, that make me hate Religion as a whole. I feel very bad for the good religious people out there because as with everything... the actions of few cause the pain for many. I have to say that I do fall in a hypocritical group in the sense that I judge all of religion by what a certain group does, but I feel in my heart and in my beliefs that the world would be so much better with out organized religion.

My next issue is with the Bible. I have read it, and do continue to read from it from time to time. I believe it is a great source for inspiration and for stories that teach good lessons. The Bible is nothing more than a book of inspirational stories. I don't get how people can believe it is the literal Word of God. Actually, I do know how people can be led into that idea, but that goes with that TELLING thing again. Besides the fact that some of the things in the Bible are scientifically impossible (I can hear the people getting very angry now) the Bible has been re-written, re-organized, and edited so many times, how can it be even close to the original thing? How can we know if any of it is even true? The Bible didn't just drop from the heavens. It was written by the hand of man, and is therefore, the Word of Man Supposedly Inspired by God. Again, I think it a great source of inspiration, but nothing to take literally.

All in all, my beliefs on organized religion and the fact that it is one of the worst things in human history (and also has brought on some of the best things, but it doesn't outweigh all the bad it has done) are held by others. I don't believe Jesus, or any of the spiritual leaders you read about in the Bible would condone the way people are acting in their name. I think that they would be ashamed of those people who call themselves Christians, Jews and Muslims. They preached peace, love, and understanding, and I don't feel or see any of that these days. All I see is anger, war, and ignorance. You can't preach love and good will with an assault rifle in your hand.

So I'm done complaining now about a few things that bother me. Maybe I will work on a few of my other annoyances another day but I hope you come away from reading this a little upset. Upset about how our world is and how people treat each other over silly things. Upset about how our belief structure is built. Upset that we can't grow up and get along with others. People always wonder how humanity will end. The answer is by our own hands. I hope you learned something here today. If you think less of me because of my beliefs and because of what I wrote, I'm ok with that. I can live with that because I am comfortable with myself and my thoughts. I will leave you to make your own assumptions. I will leave you to make or have your own opinions or beliefs. My goal here today wasn't to change your mind. It was to educate you a little bit on the way I see things. Goodnight everybody and God Bless.

~Ian

A-R*d is a CHEAT!

I warn you now... this will be a pretty heated rant. This is a pretty serious subject in my eyes and I have very strong feelings about it. You've been warned.

*Steps on soapbox*

Alex Rodriguez used steroids. Surprise surprise. I mean, I always suspected he used. He is a world class douche bag, so it was logical to assume he was also using steroids. Anyone else see a pattern here? Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez... all enormous douche tools and all of them were users.

I get being an asshole. I am one, but there's a line between being an asshole and a complete ass clown. I also get wanting to be the best at something, but you have to play within the rules. I know what it's like to pound yourself in the gym, run your legs off, practice 'til you pass out, but I have never and would never resort to using steroids. I have seen what it does to people who I have played with and against, and it's just not worth the risk.

Those who take steroids and performance enhancing substances (not pot or alcohol, let's be smart here folks) are cheaters and should be banned for life. I have no tolerance for it. If you can't be the best within the rules, then you don't deserve to play at all. I have no sympathy, no forgiveness, nothing to those who use steroids. I think that everything you did while using should be taken from you along with all the money you made. I think you should be treated like a common criminal for lying, cheating, and stealing.

Anyways back to A-R*d who will now always be looked down upon (even more than he already was) and will effectively end all the talk about how he might end up being the best player in baseball history. He is now in the class with Clemens, Bonds, and McGwire of players whose enormous stats are now tainted with an *. He is now a pariah of baseball.

You know what I say to that?

Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.

So Alex, I hope it was worth it to you. I hope you go to sleep every night in your bed made of the stacks of money you have extorted from the baseball fans knowing you cheated them. You have to live with that you dickbag.

I hope you get suspended. I hope you get kicked out. I hope the Yankees suck so hard this year that they miss the playoffs again. And I hope you get blamed for it. I hope they treat you like dirt, because that is what you are... dirt on the face of baseball. The man who spoke out against the use of steroids, and who said he would never use... way to go jackass.

Fuck Barry, Fuck Roger, Fuck Mark, and now Fuck Alex. I hope you all burn in baseball hell.

Have a nice day.

*Steps off soapbox*

Public Service Announcement No. 3: Laugh, it's good for you

I believe in the power of laughter. I come from a naturally funny family. If you are ever around us, you are guaranteed a lot of laughs. All of my friends are funny. The great things is they all have their own humor style.

It is a proven fact that laughing makes you feel better. It releases endorphins and there is nothing better when you are feeling down then a good laugh. I know when I am in the dumps, I automatically feel better after laughing... and sure it may not last long, but it is still nice to get that good feeling.

There is a reason why we love telling those funny stories and jokes to everyone. It makes us feel good to relive funny times, and to make other people laugh with them. Your life is so much better and much more enjoyable with laughter in it.

I go out of my way sometimes to make people laugh. Whether it is telling a bad or stupid joke, or doing something entirely dumb, I will do it to get a laugh. I really don't have to try to make someone laugh, but sometimes that extra effort is worth it.

So the point of this PSA is to bring up this point. Do a little (or a lot) of laughing. Try to find the humor in every day life. If you do that, you will find yourself enjoying your life that much more... and will make even the most dull, boring, or monotonous things seem a lot better.

So in the immortal words of George Carlin, LAUGH YOU BASTARDS IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!

~Ian

Are you serious?

There is a picture of Michael Phelps smoking "what appears to be" pot.



Oh the uproar. Oh the humanity. How can one of our sport role models do such a thing. (Can you sense the sarcasm?)

He is a 23 year old. He is entitled to bonehead mistakes. I mean seriously.... how else do you think he eats a table full of food 5 times a day? Ever heard of the munchies?

This really doesn't bother me, and everyone who actually knows Phelps says it was out of character, and that he made a silly mistake. No one is really making that big of a deal over it, and even his sponsors and the IOC are just brushing it off. Now the idiot police in the county where the picture was taken, are thinking of pressing criminal charges. WHY? For what reason would it serve any good? What difference would it make to do that? All you are doing is bringing more unneeded light to a situation, that in my mind, is over and done with. Plus let us not forget he would have to test positive, or they would have to find proof of possession... neither of which they have. Case closed.

The picture was posted, the damage was done, the apology was issued... move on. I think his only real mistake was letting the picture get taken. So he smokes grass... so what? You know how many famous people smoke weed or do worse? How many of our upstanding public figures do illegal things? Lets charge them all and put them all in jail. While we are at it, lets look into the backgrounds of the police and the lawyers and judges. Put them in jail too. How about the media? Shall we just go ahead and put the whole of the human race in jail? Seriously... it was a picture, and he said sorry. It isn't like it was steroids... I mean pot really isn't a performance enhancing drug... except for enhancing your eating and sleeping abilities.

I still think Phelps is a viable role model and someone any athlete can look up to, and all this does is prove that he is human and can make a mistake. What happened to forgiveness? Aren't we all entitled to screw up now and again?

The worst part of this whole thing is the reaction of the public. Most people are just saying "whatever" but some people are blowing it out of proportion. A select few people... very select are claiming his race has something to do with him getting off easy. What? Where are your brains at? I have noticed an upturn in racism lately. I don't know why all of the sudden its all about race again. Bryan brought it up very well in a post he did on Facebook, where people are acting a fool because we have a half black president. I really don't want to go into this subject, because I think racism is stupid, and no one race is impervious to idiocy and lunacy. The color of your skin doesn't determine if you are a total mental case or dumb as a brick. It all has to do with what is on the inside... and guess what... we all look the same in there. So let us not be stupid and bring race into something so silly.

I support you Mike. You're still an American Sports Hero in my mind! Now put the bong down and go out there and swim some more laps!

Public Service Announcement No. 2: What people should NOT wear in public

This is a re-post from on of my very first posts on this site, but I figured this is a perfect subject for a PSA. So here is PSA #2!

What People Should NOT Wear In Public!

Ok Ive been laughing my ass off and shuddering at some of the things I see people wearing these days, so I complied a list of things people should not wear. I broke it down by categories.

FAT PEOPLE:
Not the slightly chubby, or kinda big people, although it could apply, I'm talking "waiting for a heart attack to happen" fat people.

-Spandex. No, never, not even a choice. It's rude and disgusting.

-Tight clothes of any kind. We do not need to see fat rolls accentuated in fabric. It just makes me wanna hurl.

-Anything see through.... *shudder*... that's just wrong.

-Any shorts that come above the knees. Its bad enough we have to see your cankles, but having to see those horrible fat thighs is enough to make me want to gouge my eyes out.

-Anything sleeveless. We do not need to see your fat ass arms. It's really just not attractive at all. You see these fat guys wearing muscle shirts... its kinda stupid... cause the whole point of the shirt is to have... muscles... and not have your fat hanging out of the arm holes.

-Any piece of clothing, that has words proclaiming "sexy, irresistible, or etc" should not be worn. And also the ones that say "Big and beautiful, or Large and in Charge." No. You are none of these so please don't give yourself the appearance of an idiot too.

OLD PEOPLE

Never..... never ever ever ever wear anything tight or with too little fabric. We do not, I repeat do not need to see your old withered body in spandex or in short shorts. Its a crime against humanity. If in doubt, more fabric and more room is always good. I mean c'mon, seriously, you cannot believe people want to see sagging and stuff in places its not supposed to be do you? And... *shudder*... please keep the hemline below the knees. Once again, its bad enough we have to see the veiny calves, but we do not need to see those thunder thighs. Its enough to make me want to pour salt in my eyes.

UGLY PEOPLE

Bag on the head. That's about the only thing that can help you out. Maybe a lot of plastic surgery. But a bag costs like 10 cents and you could make it a fashion statement. "Head Bags by Calvin Klein" or whatever.

MIS-SHAPEN PEOPLE

You know what I'm talking about... they just don't look right. I think the rules that applied to the old and fat people apply here as well. Anything tight or with too little fabric, needs to be sent to Goodwill immediately.


This list is just a friendly reminder to those who shouldn't wear certain things... NOT TO. Please respect the people around you, and don't make them look at your horribly disfigured body. Certain things are made for certain people, and anything that subjects the public to looking at you and seeing things we don't want to see is just plain wrong, and should be punishable by law. So thanks for reading... and have a nice day!

New Day

So we have a new president. Hooray.

Can you tell I am less than thoroughly excited? Yes it is a momentous day in history. We have our first non-Caucasian president. That is progressive. What isn't progressive is the way people are acting about it. Anyone who knows me, knows I am not racist. Not even in the slightest. But the way that SOME people are acting about the fact that our president is a man of color is shameful.

They say things like "I guess it's snowing in Hell, because all the white people said it would be a cold day in Hell if we ever had a black president" or "We got a N***A in the white house now... white people better watch out, its about to be the BLACK HOUSE".

Seriously? Why do we as a people act like this, or tolerate it? We have a NEW president. So what if he is of color? So what if he is BLACK? What does that matter anymore? Haven't we proven that people of any color have the opportunity to be equal and do anything they put their minds to? We have Black, Asian, Latino, Indian, Native American people at all levels of our society so why is it SUCH A BIG DEAL about race anymore?

I love the fact that we can finally elect a person of color our president, and allow a woman (even though she is in fact the anti-christ) to run for the chance to be president. I love that we can stand united together behind our differences. I love that we can be progressive, but FOR FUCKS SAKE stop ruining it with stupidity. White people voted for Obama so doesn't that rule out the "all white people" comment? Until people grow up and realize that we are all AMERICANS and we must stand together united and not keep spitting dumbass slurs and idiot comments.

We elected an AMERICAN for president. Who cares what color he is? Good luck Barack Obama... I hope you live up to the expectations. I hope you do a good job. I wish nothing but the best for you and this country in the coming years.

One problem I do have... and I think it is a big one... is that in his speech... he made A LOT of emphasis on helping out other countries, doing all he could for them... but shouldn't we be focusing on our own problems? I love this country, but we would rather ignore the rot inside our own borders to help other deal with theirs. What is the point of helping others when it cripples us? We need to focus on domestic issues, and put foreign ones on the back burner. I know Obama has a lot of plans to cure what ails the USA, and I hope he gets at least some of it done, but I still think that he may be focusing a little bit too much on what is going on outside of our country.

Ok, I am going to step off my soap box now. I just had to voice a few things on this day of days. Here is to hoping today truly is a new day... and not the beginning of all the same old shit.

~Ian

Say NO to Hillary

I know I may have quite a few pissed off women on my hands after they read this, but it will be less than you would think. ( I have heard plenty of women tell me they don't like Hillary.)

I dislike Hillary for several reasons. First off, if it weren't for Bill, no one would care about her. If she had not been the wife of the president who got caught cheating, or hell, had not been first lady at all, she would not be where she is now. Someone honestly tell me you cared about Hillary before Bill got caught cheating.

She has no emotions, period. She cries on stage, tries to passionately reach out to her audience... bullshit. She's playing you. A can of Coke has more emotions than her.

She has done nothing worthwhile. She holds no candle to what Obama, McCain, or Huckabee have done. As stated before, she would not have been a Senator, and I would not be complaining about her now.

I don't think she will get anything done if she managed to get the Presidency. I think so many people would be opposed her being in office, that the Senate and Congress (or rather the lobbyists controlling the Senate and the Congress) would oppose her at every step.

And lest we forget... her being in the White House would bring Slick Dick Willy back there too. Is that such a good idea?

She has testicles. Why do you think Bill had to get ass elsewhere? She's more of a man than him. So you aren't voting for a woman, but a post-op gay man.

What I think is the most unfortunate part of her running, is the fact that she is taking away votes from the strongest candidate in the race, Barack Obama. He is the ONLY Democrat I would ever dream of voting for. His ideas, his track record, his influence, his poise, etc.... He is the best choice because he is out to clean the country up, and level the playing field for everyone, no matter color, gender, or social class. The things he has done in his political career are far more than Hillary ever did, or would ever be able to accomplish.

Also, her running makes this race a popularity contest and not an election of a competent leader of our country. Everyone is ignoring politics and voting for whether they want a black man or a woman in office.

If you think I am being sexist, I'm not. I would support any woman who pulled her own weight, showed she could make a difference, and got where she is on her own merit, not what her husband did. Like it or not, the truth is she is riding the "sympathy vote" and some women are so blind that they would vote for a woman no matter if she would not do the country any good.

Bottom line, I don't like Hillary, and I will never support her. I think Obama or McCain would be far better presidents, and they have the experience and determination to make a real difference.

Thats my opinion. Let the hateful comments commence.

Heath Ledger update

Heath Ledger's death has been ruled an accident.

Apparently some sleeping spills he took to help him get "much-needed" rest had an adverse reaction with the medication he was already on. He was fund face up in bed, no sign of foul play. Doctors say it was no an overdose, and only the recommended dose of the sleeping medicine was taken.

Alot of people have been running off with half-cracked theories, but I would rather believe he simply made a mistake with the medication and he died accidentally. I would like to believe he had enough going for him, that he would not take his life, but I don't know him personally, so how can I be for sure?

Anyways, apparently theres some weird religious jackasses in Topeka, Kansas at the Westboro Baptist Church plan on flying to Australia to picket and boycott Ledger's funeral. Click the link below to see the flyers they have been passing out.

Stupid Bigotry

Why? What's the point in this? If I was the Australian officials, I would deny them entry into the country. People need to grow aqnd get with the program. We aren't living in the 1st century.

So all that aside, I just want to say again, we will miss you Heath.

R.I.P.

Predictable? I think not...

The 2007 season of college football came to an end last night in historic fashion. LSU beat Ohio State 38-24 to make them the first team to win the BCS National Championship twice, and also the first 2-loss team to win a BCS National Championship.

That's only the ENDING to the madness of this season. Let's recap shall we?

There was not a single team that was ranked no. 1 or 2 that DIDN'T lose while being ranked in that position. 20 different teams held the no. 1 or 2 spot this season, the highest amount in history.

The only team that went undefeated during the regular season, Hawaii, only got to no. 10 because of their weak schedule then got embarrassed by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl 41-10.

Only 6 of the original top-10 teams were ranked in the final 10, and only Chokelahoma at no. 8 and Virginia Tech at no. 9 were ranked in the same position.

USC- Preseason rank: 1, Final rank: 3 (11-2)

LSU- Preseason rank: 2, Final rank: 1 (12-2)

West Virginia- Preseason rank: 3, Final rank: 6 (11-2)

Texas- Preseason rank: 4, Final rank: 10 (10-3)

Michigan- Preseason rank: 5, Final rank: 18 (9-4)

Florida- Preseason rank: 6, Final rank: 13 (9-4)

Wisconsin- Preseason rank: 7, Final rank: 24 (9-4)

Oklahoma- Preseason rank: 8, Final rank: 8 (11-3)

Virginia Tech- Preseason rank: 9, Final rank: 9 (11-3)

Louisville- Preseason rank: 10, Final rank: Not ranked (6-6)

The other 4 teams that made their way into the final top-10 rankings were Georgia, Missouri, Kansas, and Ohio State.

Georgia- Preseason rank: 13, Final rank: 2 (11-2)

Missouri- Preseason rank: NR, Final rank: 4 (12-2)

Ohio State- Preseason rank: 11, Final rank: 5 (11-2)

Kansas- Preseason rank: NR, Final rank: 7 (12-1)

How crazy is that? There was so much drama and shake up this season, that you never knew who would win from week to week. Missouri gets beaten in the first week by Appalachian State, a Div. 1AA school. USC gets beaten by Stanford, a 41-point underdog, at home. This pattern goes on and on and on.

To add to the mayhem, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, last year's Heisman runner-up is told he didn't win because he was a sophomore, then he proceeds to have a better year than last season, and has to watch Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, a sophomore, win the Heisman. How fucked up is that? Personally, I wanted Tebow to win, because he is the best player in college football hands down, but I felt bad for McFadden who was a victim of circumstance.

As a Big 12 fan, I was so happy to see 4 teams from the conference ranked in the top-10: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. For all those assholes who talk about how the Big 12 is a weak conference, and how the SEC and PAC-10 are better, here is retribution. The Big 12 and SEC are tied for most teams ranked in the top 25 with 5. Let's see what people say next year about the Big 12.

I'm really not going to go into the amazing player stories and fiascoes of this year right now, because that will require a much longer post, and perhaps more than one, whenever I get around to it. So heres my overall team/season wrap up for 2007.

This season proved that you always expect the unexpected. Never get used to the way things are because they will always change on you. National powers like Notre Dame fall, and new powers like Missouri rise. So in my opinion, the Emmy, Golden Globe, and Oscar for Best Drama should go to the NCAA. They kept us on the edge of our seats all season, and make us excited for next season's craziness.

This is why I love football.

~Ian

Silver lining to every dark cloud

Life can be very difficult sometimes. It seems that some days, all of the bad things that have kept just out of sight all come to bear. Almost always, you are never prepared for it.

I just recently had one of these times, and I am still reeling from it, trying to recover. It is slow going, and it's hard, but luckily I have people willing to help me out in my time of need.

More than anything, in these times, people need support from their friends and family, because that is more valuable than money. It means that people do care about you, and are willing to go the extra mile for you when you need it, because they know you would do the same if the roles were reversed.

These times also serve to help you learn lessons, and help you take care of things you have neglected. It helps you to get your life back into perspective, and realize you have to handle your business and not blow things off.

So if your life brings you into a dark situation, you will find new things out about you and those around you, and perhaps come out a better person than before. But don't be like me, and let situations get so forgone that they come back to bite you in the ass later.

I don't care, I really dont...

If you're expecting any humor, stop reading this post now. I'll write a funny one later.

Is it just me, or does it seem like the media is being more and more invasive on peoples lives these days? As a member of the media, I have to say it kind of sickens me. I am a private person, so I naturally believe that a persons privacy is sacred, even if they are ultra-mega-superstars. There a re a few things called respect and decency that are no longer required by society.

I don't care who has been sleeping with who, what they are or aren't wearing (In several cases, many popular females forget their undergarments), What they are eating, what they are shopping for, where they are spending vacation, and whether they are pregnant and who the baby daddy is.

So what if Jessica Simpson, in her true blonde idiot glory, is dating Tony Romo, and perhaps costing him the game against Philly? Does it affect MY life?

So what if the Spears family is the biggest group of famous trailer trash ever? Am I the father of Jamie Lynne's baby? Well... actually it might be possible...

Why is so much of our time and interest invested in people whose lives consist of shopping, eating, lounging on some beach, sleeping around, and occasionally acting or singing for MILLIONS of $$$? Wouldn't our time be better spent on our families and friends? Or maybe on more worthy causes such as the state of our world in general? Couldn't the money that we pay these spoiled brats go to better things such as the education of our youth? I would rather pay a teacher a million bucks a year to teach children how to read and write, than pay some bitch or asshole that money to entertain me. Does anyone else realize that the practice players (scout team for those sport inclined readers of my blog) of ANY sport get paid more than any teacher around? (Scout teamers in the NFL earn a base salary of $400,000, while a teacher of 25 years might get around $100,000 if they are VERY lucky.)

It really sickens me. So to all of those overpaid stars and starlets, FUCK YOU. To all of those people who waste their lives following these people around with cameras or spend too much time telling the world about them, FUCK YOU. To all of those people who waste their lives keeping up with the daily gossip and what stupid thing Britney Spears is up to today, FUCK YOU.

You are all perpetuating the cycle in this downward spiral called society. Get some damn decency. And I know, I will get the obligatory comment that says "If you don't care then why are you writing all of this? Obviously you DO care." so now that I have covered that, there is no need.

I'M DONE.

*gets down off soapbox*

Fuckin Typos.... and other fun observations into my life

I've noticed recently, I make a small amount of mistakes when I write. Its not totally obvious, and I'm sure everyone gets the point of my words, but when I go back to read it, after I've already released it to the world... it bugs the SHIT out of me. Alas, I know I am human, and I make mistakes, but for a future pro writer... it's annoying. Sorry, but I felt the need to complain for a second.

OK, on to the real stuff I planned on writing.

Raise your hand if you are happy, right now at this very second. It's OK I'll wait for those who are unsure.

*pauses for a moment*

If I am as omnipresent as I think I am, not many of you raised your hand, or at least not more than half-heartedly. It's OK... I can't claim pure happiness either. While I am quite content with parts of my life, I am not so with others. Natural state of being. Anyone who is totally happy with everything in their life is either medicated or psychotic... and should be medicated.

My point is that after all these years... I have accepted the fact I can't be totally happy. Perhaps for a split second, I can achieve full happiness, (usually in the moment of climax... but isn't that true for all of us?) but otherwise, there is always something to keep you from being all-emcompassingly (yes I made the word up, deal with it) happy. I have a decent job (its a part time gig...ends when I get a "real" job) that pays bills, at which I've showed a proficiency and even garnered a $1.35 raise after two months, and a relatively steady personal life that doesn't consist of me sitting at home all the time. I have friends, I have a great family, and I am generally content with my existence. But things are missing from my life puzzle (B can take credit for that analogy). I want things but they aren't within my grasp... or perhaps they are... I just can't bring myself to reach for them. Its maddening, but I've learned that its the nature of the beast. My sister will love this... A certain Rolling Stones song reminds me of this.

You cant always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
You get what you need

So yeah I have chilled out on trying to find perfect happiness, and have settled into a life of just being content and being OK with it. The road of life is paved with both happiness and sadness, so we just have to learn to accept our share of both, and know that in the end, those happy times will outweigh the bad.

In other news...

I don't miss playing sports all that much. Maybe it's the nagging pain in my back and neck, but I just don't really feel the itch to play like I normally would this time of year. Maybe I have realized my dreams of playing sports any longer are over, or maybe I'm getting older, wiser, and more conscious of wanting to live my life out of a wheelchair. Sure I miss it, but who wouldn't? I at least will still be involved with sports, albeit writing about it or taking pictures, but maybe that's where I am supposed to be. When I found journalism, it took away the sting of the possibility of not doing sports anymore. It gave me a path to follow where I control my destiny, and can still involve myself in things I am interested in. I have made a list of goals for my future and here they are.

1. Own my own publishing company and photo studio.

2. Write novels.

3. Travel the world.

That's it, that's my list. Achievable no? So instead of my life being a sprint... its become a marathon. I am not setting forth on the path to MY future, and only God knows what it holds. For someone who had his life planned out, it was a huge struggle to accept this change, but it's been nothing but a good thing since it happened. I've become more flexible, more accepting of change, and now allow myself to do what I feel in my heart is right. It's liberating. I now follow my own path, one I built for myself. I've got my hiking boots for when the road gets rough, my jacket for when it rains or gets cold, and my suntan lotion for when the sun shines on me. I'm ready to go forth and be the man I was destined to be... ME.

So this post ran a bit longer than expected, but what am I to do when the muse descends? Anyways I hope to be a more regular poster than I have been and with increased computer time, I can be. So check in often.... I might just post something for you to enjoy.

~Ian

Updates...

Here are the links to the two articles and 1 picture I took for the Muskogee Phoenix during the Baseball tourney in Dallas.

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/sports/local_story_122005306.html

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/sports/images_sizedimage_123004402/resources_photoview

http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/archivesearch/local_story_124010231.html

What a week...

but it didnt end well. I came back to my dorm room to find the deadbolt I locked before leaving mysteriously unlocked. Then I opened my door to find multiple items missing. My flat screen tv... gone. My flat screen computer monitor... gone. My speaker system... gone. My broken laptop, my movies (all 300 of them), my digital camera, my football visors, my dvd player/recorder... gone. So I went through the bullshit of filing reports with the sheriffs department, and talking to all the right people, and found out that no one, i repeat NO ONE saw ANYTHING. How can no one see people walking out with all of my stuff? That TV was a heavy awkward item... not the easiest thing to take but no one saw it... but alas its all "stuff" and I'll eventually get some sort of reimbursment for it... obviously not enough to replace it fully, or to put back the trust I lost in the school or my former teammates but it will be something.

Anyways Im living in Tulsa now... I'm staying with a friend at the moment until I get my own place. I have a job that starts monday dependant on the results from my background check and drug test. I also have another job I might be doing starting in june, but who knows. Ive gotten drunk every night Ive been in tulsa with the exception of sunday, but its been a good time so far.

So yeah thats about it at the moment. I miss my friends that I dont get to see anymore... I miss my sister... I miss my dad and step mom... I miss texas... I can't wait for december because I will show my back to oklahoma and be moving to austin. I cant wait...

Anyways I love all of you that take the time to read my stuff... and I love everyone who means something to me... because without you or your support... who knows where I would be right now.

Adios for now....

"Wolf"

Whats the world coming to? REDUX

As you know I am a writer for my school newspaper and I am submitting this column for the next issue. I will post each version of it, and please let me know what you think as I go.

~Ian

School shootings are nothing new in this incredibly violent society we live in.

There have been five multiple murders at schools around the nation in the last 51 years.

Until April 16, the incident at the University of Texas was the worst school shooting in history.

Charles Whitman killed 15 people and wounded 31 in his 1966 killing spree.

The Columbine High School shooting devastated a town and put the United States into shock, when two students murdered 13 people and harmed 24 others on a tragic April morning in 1999.

Neither of these disasters measured up to the events at Virginia Tech University this past Monday.

Cho Seung-Hui, a VTU student, created scenes of terror and death across the campus, killing 32 people, injuring at least 28, and then taking his own life.

While these horrible events have affected the families and friends of the victims the most, the reach of the tragedies is far and wide, creating panic and fear in schools nationwide.

When I was in junior high, I never feared going to school except when I wasn’t ready for a test or forgot to do a project.

When Columbine happened during my eighth grade year, I began to fear what could happen to me at school.

Everyone wondered if it would happen on their campus, creating a panic around the U.S.

It scares me to know that I might know someone who could commit such evil acts.

The slaughter at Virginia Tech brings the fear of school violence into the national spotlight again.

Now we must worry about the possibility of something like the VTU killings happening here at Bacone, or anywhere else for that matter.

These school shootings bring to light the fact that we live in an increasingly violent society and must always worry what next disaster will befall our culture.

We must constantly be aware of the possibility of another tragedy, because thinking that it will never happen again would be ignorant.

Instead we need to ask ourselves and our schools what they are doing to ensure our safety.

What kind of security do our schools have in place to protect us from such violence?

Are we safe in our classrooms and hallways?

These are the questions that Bacone needs to answer.

The VTU shootings will fuel many new policies and bring changes to campuses, but at the cost of 32 innocent lives.

My heart goes out to the people affected by these heinous events, and I keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

It is sad that it takes things like Columbine, 9/11, and the killings at Virginia Tech to unite the nation.

I wish we could be united by the greatest things we do instead of the very worst.

What's this world coming to?

School shootings are nothing new in this incredibly violent society we live in.

In less than ten years, there have been three fatal shootings at schools around the nation, and five over the past 51 years.

Until April 16, 2007, the incident in 1966 at the University of Texas, where Charles Whitman killed 15 people and wounded 31, was the worst school shooting in history.

The killings at Columbine devastated a town and put the United States into shock, reminding us of the possible evil of human nature.

The worst of all happened at Virginia Tech University this past Monday.

An unknown gunman spread terror and death across the Virginia Tech campus, killing 32 people, injuring at least 28 and then taking his own life.

When I was younger, I never feared going to school except when I wasn’t ready for a test or forgot to do a project.

When Columbine happened, I began to fear what could happen to me at school.

I could not believe that someone could do such a monstrous thing.

As time passed, the fear faded from my memory, but we were again reminded by another murderous spree at a school in Virginia that left three dead and three wounded.

The slaughter at Virginia Tech brings those fears fresh into my mind again.

It shocks me how people can do these terrible things and do so much harm to those around them.

The evil in humanity is becoming ever present with the increase in violence and horror-inducing actions that plague our society.

Every day you hear stories of people killing others or treating them in ways that I cannot fathom doing to another human.

It scares me to know that I might know someone who could commit such evil acts.

“Youth of the Nation” by P.O.D., a powerful song about a school shooting that grabs the listener with vivid lyrics and imagery, was inspired by Columbine, and was written to raise awareness about the possibility of such events.

It makes me very sad when these things happen, and I can only hope that such things never happen again, but to think that they won’t would be ignorance.

My heart goes out to the people affected by these heinous events, and I keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

It is sad that it takes things like Columbine, 9/11, and the killings at Virginia to unite the nation.

I wish we could be united by the greatest things we do instead of the very worst.

"YOUTH OF THE NATION" BY P.O.D.

Last day of the rest of my life
I wish I would have known cause I'd have kissed my momma goodbye.
I didn't tell her that I loved her or how much cared or thank my
pops for all the talks and all the wisdom he shared.
Unaware I just did what I always do.
Everyday the same routine before I skate off to school
But who knew that this day wasn't like the rest,
Instead of takin' the test I took two to the chest.

Call me blind but I didn't see it comin' and
everybody was runnin' but I couldn't
hear nothin', except gun blast, it happened so fast
I didn't really know this kid though I sat by him in class.
Maybe this kid was reachin' out for love or
maybe for a moment he forgot who he was or
maybe this kid just wanted to be hugged,
whatever it was I know its because

CHORUS
We are We are the youth of the nation (repeat)x4

Little Suzie she was only twelve
She was given the world with every chance to excel
Hang with the boys and hear the stories they tell
She might act kinda proud but no respect for herself

She finds love in all the wrong places
The same situations but different faces.
Changed up her pace since her daddy left her
Too bad he never told her she deserved much better.

Johnny boy always played the fool,
He broke all the rules so you would think he was cool.
He was never really one of the guys
No matter how hard he tried,
Often thought of suicide
It's kinda hard when you ain't got no friends,
He put his life to an end they might remember him then.
You cross a line and there is no turnin' back
He told the world how he felt with the sound of a gat.

CHORUS x4

Who's to blame for the life that tragedies claim?
No matter what you say it won't take away the pain
That I feel inside, I'm tired of all the lies
Don't nobody know why
It's the blind leadin' the blind.
Guess that's the way that the story goes,
Will it ever make sense somebody's gotta know,
There's gotta be more to life than this,
There's got to be more to everything
I thought exists

CHORUS to the end