Ok, my reader's happy friday to all. Did I just write the word 'friday'? It could only mean one thing. Its 'IF' time again.
Today I want to talk about both Star Wars and Star Trek, the television series and movie franchise. Now, this is not going to be a debate on which I think is better. What this is going to be is looking in to some people's stupidity of taking both way too far.
Star Trek, the television series was created by Gene Roddenberry in the late 1960's and to it's credit is a fine show, even if it is a bit shlocky at times, but a good show, none the less. And Star Wars, the George Lucas classics is a fine example of movie making special effects. Had it not of been for Star Wars and the special effects in the films, its kinda difficult to say what special effects for all types of films would be like with out them. In a word, it set the bar.
I give credit where credit is due to both 'Stars', And I to a degree like them both. Very imaginative when it came to the story lines.
The difference from my self to other fans of the show is I know how to take it for what it is. And that is a television show. Nothing more. Nothing less. Believe it or not there are millions of fans for both 'stars' that don't know how to do that. They make more out of it than what it is. I must admit, I never really quite understood that. The 'Trek' fans are called 'Trekkie's' and if there is a name for 'Wars', I don't know what that is, but regardless, these people need to get a grip on reality.
I think to some degree everyone likes to use their imagination for there jobs or for the fun of it. Think back to when you were a child or if you are reading this and currently are a child. One of things you liked or like to do is play, either by your self with your toys or with a group of friends, nothing wrong with that at all. Its called Imagination. You and a group of friends playing action figures and giving them life. Its interesting if anything to look back on it all and say or think to your self, I actually did that. I gave GI Joe a life and my friends and I at the time (or once again if you are child reading this ) we had a good time. Girls do it as well. You were in your room playing with your dolls, pretending to be their 'mommy' and you treated them like they were your children.
Once again, looking back on it, you might cringe and feel little embarrassed to admit it, but you had fun.
Once again,nothing wrong with that. When you were a child.
But, than you grew up and you faced adult responsibility's. Ie, you put away childish things. At least, most adults have.
I have heard stories about these so called 'Trekkie's' that they would go out of their way to do anything in their might for this show. Conventions,Spending money they don't have on old toys they find some where to even getting into arguments over how fast the Enterprise was.
Not something you want to end a friendship over, but hey, who am I?
Same thing can be said about 'Star Wars'. But here's something I like about the 'wars' situation. Even the writer/ director/ creator of the movies, George Lucas doesn't really understand all of the fanatical stuff. I remember watching an interview with Lucas in 1998 just before 'Star War's' part 4 came out. ( Yeah, I know there's a name for it, but get real, technically its the fourth film) He was being interviewed outside a movie theater where the film was going to be shown, and naturally there was a huge line of people actually camping out in front of the place waiting to be one of the first ones to see the motion picture. One guy saw George and yelled out that he had been in line for like over forty days. Lucas looked at him as to say "why"? Its a movie.
Every one who has ever read this blog knows I am a fan of movies of almost any genre, but on thing I have never done and I will never do is spend days camped out in front of a movie theater just waiting to be the first one to see it, regardless of what it is. I wouldn't even do that with 'Bring On The Dancing Horses'. And we all know who is responsible for the screenplay to that up coming film.
Being a fan antic over something isn't just with movies. There are people that are huge fans of rock bands and singer/ song writers. To this day some thirty plus years after his death, Elvis Presley still has fans that would do just about any thing for him or his memory. Question I have is what has Elvis Presley or any other musician done for these wild fans. If you say well he wrote good songs, in my opinion that isn't enough.
I'll leave you with this suggestion in closing: If you are going to be a fan of anyone or anything why not do it for some one who actually did something personally for you.
Like, lets say, I don't know, die on a Cross for your sins?
Lets get Interactive.
d..... well, you get the gist
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Egypt And The Whole Nine Yards
Happy Monday, all. I trust everyone is well.
Today I want to talk about the recent events in Egypt, but before I say anything about it,I want you all to know I didn't really follow it till it came on the news. I didn't know that the ousted leader Hosni had been in power over thirty years. He didn't show signs of being a dictator like Saddam Hussein or a Kim Jong ill. My understanding of it was that most country's got along with him and he was an Allie.
I guess the only way to know perhaps is by looking at it this way. For what ever the reason, I guess Egyptians wanted free and clear elections and the chance to get some one new as president.America has it, England every so often has the Prime Minister step down for some one new and I can only speak as an American, but I like the fact that every four years we can vote for a new President. I think all country's do. Those that have the right.
But here's the thing, and this might explain a little bit of the Iraq situation.
I think when you have some one who has been in power for as long as the Egyptian president has, people get used to it. They do. Now, some of these people may have the same belief as a Hussein or a Jong ill or perhaps even Castro and that if the are overthrown, they feel like they have to retaliate, if for any reason to get it back the way it was.
If you can, picture it this way, now granted this WOULD NEVER happen in America, but think about it: An American president whose eight years are up ( for those who might be reading this that do not know the structure of the American Presidency, they can only have two four year terms.) and he doesn't want to leave. If he was to stay as president for even a month, Americans will be fighting for their right to have it back the way it was with only two terms. Now, Granted that would never happen here, but I am just using it as an example.
Some people like change, other's don't. Some people want change while other's don't.
It's easy for me to say this because I was born in America and have lived in America all my life, but I like how our election process works. We get to have someone new every now and than, regardless of weather its the president or different people in Congress or the senate.
Had I had been born in another country and lived there, hard to say because it didn't happen that way, but for sake of argument, maybe I would have agreed with that country's policies, perhaps I wouldn't have. Hard to say.
I do pray for peace with the whole situation and I am happy to an extent that Egypt might have the change to have a free and clear election. I just hope that who ever the Egyptian president is that not only does he remember how he got there, but also to treat his people fairly.
I don't think, regardless of now nice or not he was with other country's that Hosni was all that fair. If he was, he wouldn't over stayed his welcome by thirty years.
Today I want to talk about the recent events in Egypt, but before I say anything about it,I want you all to know I didn't really follow it till it came on the news. I didn't know that the ousted leader Hosni had been in power over thirty years. He didn't show signs of being a dictator like Saddam Hussein or a Kim Jong ill. My understanding of it was that most country's got along with him and he was an Allie.
I guess the only way to know perhaps is by looking at it this way. For what ever the reason, I guess Egyptians wanted free and clear elections and the chance to get some one new as president.America has it, England every so often has the Prime Minister step down for some one new and I can only speak as an American, but I like the fact that every four years we can vote for a new President. I think all country's do. Those that have the right.
But here's the thing, and this might explain a little bit of the Iraq situation.
I think when you have some one who has been in power for as long as the Egyptian president has, people get used to it. They do. Now, some of these people may have the same belief as a Hussein or a Jong ill or perhaps even Castro and that if the are overthrown, they feel like they have to retaliate, if for any reason to get it back the way it was.
If you can, picture it this way, now granted this WOULD NEVER happen in America, but think about it: An American president whose eight years are up ( for those who might be reading this that do not know the structure of the American Presidency, they can only have two four year terms.) and he doesn't want to leave. If he was to stay as president for even a month, Americans will be fighting for their right to have it back the way it was with only two terms. Now, Granted that would never happen here, but I am just using it as an example.
Some people like change, other's don't. Some people want change while other's don't.
It's easy for me to say this because I was born in America and have lived in America all my life, but I like how our election process works. We get to have someone new every now and than, regardless of weather its the president or different people in Congress or the senate.
Had I had been born in another country and lived there, hard to say because it didn't happen that way, but for sake of argument, maybe I would have agreed with that country's policies, perhaps I wouldn't have. Hard to say.
I do pray for peace with the whole situation and I am happy to an extent that Egypt might have the change to have a free and clear election. I just hope that who ever the Egyptian president is that not only does he remember how he got there, but also to treat his people fairly.
I don't think, regardless of now nice or not he was with other country's that Hosni was all that fair. If he was, he wouldn't over stayed his welcome by thirty years.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Do You People Want A little Bit Of Rock 'n Roll?
Happy weekend, my readers. Something a little different with this blog. Its early. On a Sunday, no less. Today I want to talk about Rock and Roll music and a little of its history.
The music genre known as rock and roll has been around for almost 60 years, give or take, and it is still a highly successful form of music. Alot of bands regardless of genre say rock music inspired them to do what they do and if you were to read interviews with some country artist,r&b artist and even alot of Christian artist's you would find what they have to say about who influenced them surprising perhaps.
James Hetfeild, the lead vocalist for a heavy metal band called 'Metallica' was highly influenced by country legend Waylon Jennings and he still to this day almost 10 years after Jennings death, a fan. All though you probably wouldn't have known that from the music he plays.
Depending on who you ask, I think it is difficult to say in all of the close to ( or perhaps over) six decades of rock music which one of those six would stand out the most and dare I say, the end all be all, ain't gonna repeat it self best. Opinions vary, would be the best thing to say.
But, I would say in my opinion maybe the 1960's. Rock music was still if you will, a child, not even past its first decade. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, even though his music was close to ten years old had already earned the moniker 'king of rock n roll', to countless others, alot of them good, and a alot of them bad.
What I am about to say is just my hypothesis, but it probably can explain why it happened.
Can you actually picture famed writer/ director Orson Welles, or even Lenard Nemoy from Star Trek in a recording studio covering classic '60's songs of the day. Hard to believe, but its true. Both are on an album.
The reason for that, I think was once again, the genre was new. Some one some where obviously must have thought,'hey lets get actors and actress's who can't carry a tune in a bucket butcher the Beatles or the stones something fierce' No, not a good idea. If you should come across Nimoys or Welles's singing, pass it. It has to be nothing but pure torture.
But, than again, there is the rare exception where an actor or an actress who isn't known for their singing ability can make a decent song that to this day, can stand the test of time.
Actress Shelly Fabares, who while in her teens starred in 'The Donna Reed Show' in the early 1960's recorded the song 'Johnny Angel'. Even though the song was a hit and I'll say it again, still a popular song on 'Oldies but goodies' radio, Fabares, her self did not want to do the song.
According to Fabares ( and this is a true story) when she was asked to do the song for a record she turned it down at first because she never thought of her self as a singer. It was one of the producer's of 'The Donna Reed Show' basically told her it was either her job on the show or record the 'Angel' song. Once again, alot of actors and actress's were asked to record songs from this new genre
I really don't know if the 60's were the greatest decade for rock music. There is no denying that some great stuff came out of that first decade, but to say it was or is the best, its debatable.
Maybe you can choose a decade and say, "yeah, that was the best".
My suggestion would be to ask some one who really follows rock music like say a singer or a rock music critic.
Don't ask me, I'm just a screen writer.
The music genre known as rock and roll has been around for almost 60 years, give or take, and it is still a highly successful form of music. Alot of bands regardless of genre say rock music inspired them to do what they do and if you were to read interviews with some country artist,r&b artist and even alot of Christian artist's you would find what they have to say about who influenced them surprising perhaps.
James Hetfeild, the lead vocalist for a heavy metal band called 'Metallica' was highly influenced by country legend Waylon Jennings and he still to this day almost 10 years after Jennings death, a fan. All though you probably wouldn't have known that from the music he plays.
Depending on who you ask, I think it is difficult to say in all of the close to ( or perhaps over) six decades of rock music which one of those six would stand out the most and dare I say, the end all be all, ain't gonna repeat it self best. Opinions vary, would be the best thing to say.
But, I would say in my opinion maybe the 1960's. Rock music was still if you will, a child, not even past its first decade. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, even though his music was close to ten years old had already earned the moniker 'king of rock n roll', to countless others, alot of them good, and a alot of them bad.
What I am about to say is just my hypothesis, but it probably can explain why it happened.
Can you actually picture famed writer/ director Orson Welles, or even Lenard Nemoy from Star Trek in a recording studio covering classic '60's songs of the day. Hard to believe, but its true. Both are on an album.
The reason for that, I think was once again, the genre was new. Some one some where obviously must have thought,'hey lets get actors and actress's who can't carry a tune in a bucket butcher the Beatles or the stones something fierce' No, not a good idea. If you should come across Nimoys or Welles's singing, pass it. It has to be nothing but pure torture.
But, than again, there is the rare exception where an actor or an actress who isn't known for their singing ability can make a decent song that to this day, can stand the test of time.
Actress Shelly Fabares, who while in her teens starred in 'The Donna Reed Show' in the early 1960's recorded the song 'Johnny Angel'. Even though the song was a hit and I'll say it again, still a popular song on 'Oldies but goodies' radio, Fabares, her self did not want to do the song.
According to Fabares ( and this is a true story) when she was asked to do the song for a record she turned it down at first because she never thought of her self as a singer. It was one of the producer's of 'The Donna Reed Show' basically told her it was either her job on the show or record the 'Angel' song. Once again, alot of actors and actress's were asked to record songs from this new genre
I really don't know if the 60's were the greatest decade for rock music. There is no denying that some great stuff came out of that first decade, but to say it was or is the best, its debatable.
Maybe you can choose a decade and say, "yeah, that was the best".
My suggestion would be to ask some one who really follows rock music like say a singer or a rock music critic.
Don't ask me, I'm just a screen writer.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Homosexuality
Today I am going to talk about homosexuality. I am taking a tip from a friends blog who about a year or so wrote about it in his blog and I have thought about writing about it myself, so I think now is a better time than any. I am not going to get to graphic, but if this should offend anyone who reads, I will only say discretion is advised.
Homosexuality has been around ever since biblical times, but that doesn't mean it has been a acceptable thing that is if you accept it. The Bible it self talks about how city's and even one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman empire was due to homosexuality. What I am trying to elude to is God, Himself, objects to it. Now, just because I wrote that doesn't mean I have the answer to why people do it.
I can only give you my hypothesis.
I think to some degree it is addiction and like all addictions you have people that like it and people that are trying to fight the ones they have. I don't think homosexuality is any different. If a gay person, man or woman, wanted to go straight they could do it. Hard to believe perhaps, but they could do it.
When I first started attending the Anaheim vineyard because my love for film and video I was apart of the video department. Vineyard at the time was having a conference on either sex addictions or people who overcoming their homo sexuality. At one point, Vineyard had a ministries called Desert Stream, which basically was helping people over come being gay.
During the course of the conference a pastor got up and started giving his testimony about how he was either gay or bi sexual and over came it. At the time, I was new into my walk with Christ and I had never heard of such a thing or even if it was possible so, naturally I doubted the guy. Not to his face, but I do remember being behind the camera thinking 'yeah, right'.
What I didn't know, was how God worked and the power He has to change peoples lives. Even people that we may think are unreachable.
The concept of homosexuality doesn't really work in todays society. People might think that it does, but it doesn't.
I'll give you a few examples.
1: Gay marriage
Gay marriages do not work for a number of reason, one is because it is not the way God intended marriage to be and second is because the trouble it causes. Yeah, you read that right, trouble it causes. Think about it, I have heard that alot of gay couples have adopted children, which really isn't all that bad, cause at least someone has then even their biological parents don't. Thing is that these kids will have to attend school and well if school was like I remembered it to be there is alot of bullying and alot of people that don't agree with their fellow students life style, ie their home life either consist of two moms or two dads and their not going to leave it alone.
That, I think cause friction for the house hold and possibly the relationship. Another thing it self is the marriage. Every ones can get rocky.
two: Health issues
Studies have indicated that both oral and anal sex is a huge risk for anyone that has it. One study indicates that oral sex can give a person cancer of the mouth.
Anal sex is even more dangerous regardless of weather a condom is used or not. having it performed over and over again can likely cause rectal problems that would make you want to visit a proctologist earlier than you might want to.
And Finally, believe it or not there is such a thing known as gay churches. Even some pastors from some denominations of churches have come out of the closet and are still practicing their faith. Now, before I go any further on this I want to make this clear in case people reading his take it the wrong way: God loves everybody, that is why he sent his son Jesus to die and I am not say homosexuals don't have that love cause they do. God didn't make a list of chosen people Jesus was going of to die for.
The problem with these so called churches is that they are still continuing their sin nature. The Bible clearly states that a man should not lay with another man and so the same for a woman, if you are doing that and consider yourself to be a man or woman of God, than you are missing the point, and also, I think changing the Word of God to fit your own needs. It is no secret that in todays society that Homosexuality is being more accepted even to to the point of laws being passed that say it is a crime to say to a gay person you don't agree with their life stile. Thing is to say to anyone, gay or not that you don't like their life style there is no crime in that, It becomes a crimes when you want to get violent and express your feeling to wards the person.
I guess what I am saying is this: if a person says their gay and you say to them, you don't approve of it and simply walk away and make no more of it, no crime there. If the same person was to say that a person like you doesn't approve of it and feels they have show them by being violent, than, there's the crime. Its easy to see.
Thanks for reading.
Homosexuality has been around ever since biblical times, but that doesn't mean it has been a acceptable thing that is if you accept it. The Bible it self talks about how city's and even one of the reasons for the fall of the Roman empire was due to homosexuality. What I am trying to elude to is God, Himself, objects to it. Now, just because I wrote that doesn't mean I have the answer to why people do it.
I can only give you my hypothesis.
I think to some degree it is addiction and like all addictions you have people that like it and people that are trying to fight the ones they have. I don't think homosexuality is any different. If a gay person, man or woman, wanted to go straight they could do it. Hard to believe perhaps, but they could do it.
When I first started attending the Anaheim vineyard because my love for film and video I was apart of the video department. Vineyard at the time was having a conference on either sex addictions or people who overcoming their homo sexuality. At one point, Vineyard had a ministries called Desert Stream, which basically was helping people over come being gay.
During the course of the conference a pastor got up and started giving his testimony about how he was either gay or bi sexual and over came it. At the time, I was new into my walk with Christ and I had never heard of such a thing or even if it was possible so, naturally I doubted the guy. Not to his face, but I do remember being behind the camera thinking 'yeah, right'.
What I didn't know, was how God worked and the power He has to change peoples lives. Even people that we may think are unreachable.
The concept of homosexuality doesn't really work in todays society. People might think that it does, but it doesn't.
I'll give you a few examples.
1: Gay marriage
Gay marriages do not work for a number of reason, one is because it is not the way God intended marriage to be and second is because the trouble it causes. Yeah, you read that right, trouble it causes. Think about it, I have heard that alot of gay couples have adopted children, which really isn't all that bad, cause at least someone has then even their biological parents don't. Thing is that these kids will have to attend school and well if school was like I remembered it to be there is alot of bullying and alot of people that don't agree with their fellow students life style, ie their home life either consist of two moms or two dads and their not going to leave it alone.
That, I think cause friction for the house hold and possibly the relationship. Another thing it self is the marriage. Every ones can get rocky.
two: Health issues
Studies have indicated that both oral and anal sex is a huge risk for anyone that has it. One study indicates that oral sex can give a person cancer of the mouth.
Anal sex is even more dangerous regardless of weather a condom is used or not. having it performed over and over again can likely cause rectal problems that would make you want to visit a proctologist earlier than you might want to.
And Finally, believe it or not there is such a thing known as gay churches. Even some pastors from some denominations of churches have come out of the closet and are still practicing their faith. Now, before I go any further on this I want to make this clear in case people reading his take it the wrong way: God loves everybody, that is why he sent his son Jesus to die and I am not say homosexuals don't have that love cause they do. God didn't make a list of chosen people Jesus was going of to die for.
The problem with these so called churches is that they are still continuing their sin nature. The Bible clearly states that a man should not lay with another man and so the same for a woman, if you are doing that and consider yourself to be a man or woman of God, than you are missing the point, and also, I think changing the Word of God to fit your own needs. It is no secret that in todays society that Homosexuality is being more accepted even to to the point of laws being passed that say it is a crime to say to a gay person you don't agree with their life stile. Thing is to say to anyone, gay or not that you don't like their life style there is no crime in that, It becomes a crimes when you want to get violent and express your feeling to wards the person.
I guess what I am saying is this: if a person says their gay and you say to them, you don't approve of it and simply walk away and make no more of it, no crime there. If the same person was to say that a person like you doesn't approve of it and feels they have show them by being violent, than, there's the crime. Its easy to see.
Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
You Looking For A Fight?
If you read 'from paper to film' yesterday, you know by now I talked about guns. Today, I would like to further the discussion with violence.
Everybody knows that there are alot of people in this world that like violence for violence sake. They just go looking for it. I have never been able to figure this out. Possibly they want to show off their strength and look cool by saying or thinking that they can beat some one up weather or not they deserve it.
Interesting Hypothesis. Beating someone up just because you think they deserve it. How can these people know this? Do they have some form of ESP that lets them in to a persons mind and say "Ah, there he/she is, they're just looking for a fight. Its impossible. All these people want to do is show off.
If the world, ( for those that have seen the film) has learned anything from The original "Karate Kid" is that if you know how to fight,martial arts or etc it is only supposed to be used for defense purposes only. Not go to show off and say " I am stronger than you and I can beat you up". I wouldn't doubt it, but here is the thing: I have not given you reason to want to do that. If you are just telling me this for any kind of future reference, I'll keep it in mind, but for now, I don't think a demonstration is really important.
If only people realized that. If you recall a few blogs ago, I had mentioned that I like pro wrestling. Now, here I am writing to you that I do not like violence. As I also wrote in that blog,its all staged. If these wrestler's went around strutting their strength they would be in jail.
picture this: a vacant school yard late on a sunday night. You can see fog forming on the grass of the yard and the temperature drop. Two adults, both in their early 20's are walking. One adult looks to the other and says, 'you know you really messed up'. The other adult, not quite getting the point asked what does he mean, the other, demonstrates this by beating up the other guy till other people come and break it. The victim doesn't see this coming but regardless, can't fight back. Later, he does look to retaliate, but thinks, whats the point, it isn't going to solve any thing.
And he is right, it wouldn't have. My point is, if you have ever been in a fight that you lose, some times, I guess this would depend on the person, but you want to find a way to get even. Which in turn makes it worse.
Its really unfortunate that people that do get in fights don't seem to realize this.
I quote Rodney King: Can't We all just get along"?
David.
Everybody knows that there are alot of people in this world that like violence for violence sake. They just go looking for it. I have never been able to figure this out. Possibly they want to show off their strength and look cool by saying or thinking that they can beat some one up weather or not they deserve it.
Interesting Hypothesis. Beating someone up just because you think they deserve it. How can these people know this? Do they have some form of ESP that lets them in to a persons mind and say "Ah, there he/she is, they're just looking for a fight. Its impossible. All these people want to do is show off.
If the world, ( for those that have seen the film) has learned anything from The original "Karate Kid" is that if you know how to fight,martial arts or etc it is only supposed to be used for defense purposes only. Not go to show off and say " I am stronger than you and I can beat you up". I wouldn't doubt it, but here is the thing: I have not given you reason to want to do that. If you are just telling me this for any kind of future reference, I'll keep it in mind, but for now, I don't think a demonstration is really important.
If only people realized that. If you recall a few blogs ago, I had mentioned that I like pro wrestling. Now, here I am writing to you that I do not like violence. As I also wrote in that blog,its all staged. If these wrestler's went around strutting their strength they would be in jail.
picture this: a vacant school yard late on a sunday night. You can see fog forming on the grass of the yard and the temperature drop. Two adults, both in their early 20's are walking. One adult looks to the other and says, 'you know you really messed up'. The other adult, not quite getting the point asked what does he mean, the other, demonstrates this by beating up the other guy till other people come and break it. The victim doesn't see this coming but regardless, can't fight back. Later, he does look to retaliate, but thinks, whats the point, it isn't going to solve any thing.
And he is right, it wouldn't have. My point is, if you have ever been in a fight that you lose, some times, I guess this would depend on the person, but you want to find a way to get even. Which in turn makes it worse.
Its really unfortunate that people that do get in fights don't seem to realize this.
I quote Rodney King: Can't We all just get along"?
David.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Guns
Hello, my reader's. Glad you all could be here reading this morning.
My topic today is guns. I am not going to make this a diatribe about guns being wrong. I think there is a valid reason for having them and I feel there is a reason for not owning one if that is what you choose. I personally do not own one. For me personally, I don't hunt, I am not in law enforcement and I don't condone violence as it can be depicted in either movies or music.
Another reason, and I think this is the most important part is I am not some nut- job with a beef against the government that I am going to shoot elected officials.
Guns do serve a purpose, if you are a hunter and like to bring back your trophy's and sell them to markets for food, than there is your reason for having one or more. If you are a police officer, nine times out of ten, depending on the situation you're going to need a gun. The police officer knows that the person he pursuing might have one and if he needs, he can use it to bring the situation to an end.
I know of a few people that like to hunt. I don't feel there is any thing wrong with that. If you are reading this and you are a vegetarian who thinks meat is bad and so is the slaughter of innocent animals, this may sound a bit two faced of me, but I think I get your point, but at the same time, once again, I feel hunting for food etc does have its purpose.
It is a given fact that some animals are basically bred for slaughter. Grocery store cooperations pay top dollar to farms that slaughter beef. Once again, I agree with that. I don't think I would ever work in that Field because I don't have the stomach for it, but, I agree with it.
My friends have yet to ask me to hunt, but if they ever did I just might go along, if anything than to say I have done it.
Guns have been around for a long time and we as a culture are fascinated with them. We see it depicted in movies, we hear about it on the news, and if you go for rap/ hip hop music, it tends to get violent in its lyrics and glorifies the use.
Guns can also as everybody knows do bodily harm. Severe harm. Like I wrote a few paragraphs ago, if you are in law enforcement and don't have a gun, you could get seriously hurt, even if you did have you could get seriously hurt, even killed. I have lost count (not that I have been counting) of the story's of police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Question is, how can these people live with them selves after ward. Cop or not, if you kill some one, how can you have the theory that life goes on and think nothing of it. I have heard story's about war veterans and police officers alike and even some criminals who have said they regretted taking a life.
I could never do that. I value human life too much. I may sound like a hypocrite but I don't know how I feel about the death penalty. I some times feel ok, this person did a despicable act, he/she should die for it than theres the part of me that values human life. If there is a difference and you can balance both hypothesis's I would like to know how.
In the early 1990's I was training to be a security guard, where I remember I was asked weather I wanted to be armed or unarmed. I chose unarmed. Like I just wrote, I value human life and I don't know if I would have been able to live with myself had I ever shot someone. It's easy to say, more difficult to do. If it is your life or the persons life, which one do you find more important? I praise God that I never had to make that decision.
Every one has their own way of looking at it. And every country has their own laws of who can and cannot own a gun. Guess it's all in how you look at it.
David
My topic today is guns. I am not going to make this a diatribe about guns being wrong. I think there is a valid reason for having them and I feel there is a reason for not owning one if that is what you choose. I personally do not own one. For me personally, I don't hunt, I am not in law enforcement and I don't condone violence as it can be depicted in either movies or music.
Another reason, and I think this is the most important part is I am not some nut- job with a beef against the government that I am going to shoot elected officials.
Guns do serve a purpose, if you are a hunter and like to bring back your trophy's and sell them to markets for food, than there is your reason for having one or more. If you are a police officer, nine times out of ten, depending on the situation you're going to need a gun. The police officer knows that the person he pursuing might have one and if he needs, he can use it to bring the situation to an end.
I know of a few people that like to hunt. I don't feel there is any thing wrong with that. If you are reading this and you are a vegetarian who thinks meat is bad and so is the slaughter of innocent animals, this may sound a bit two faced of me, but I think I get your point, but at the same time, once again, I feel hunting for food etc does have its purpose.
It is a given fact that some animals are basically bred for slaughter. Grocery store cooperations pay top dollar to farms that slaughter beef. Once again, I agree with that. I don't think I would ever work in that Field because I don't have the stomach for it, but, I agree with it.
My friends have yet to ask me to hunt, but if they ever did I just might go along, if anything than to say I have done it.
Guns have been around for a long time and we as a culture are fascinated with them. We see it depicted in movies, we hear about it on the news, and if you go for rap/ hip hop music, it tends to get violent in its lyrics and glorifies the use.
Guns can also as everybody knows do bodily harm. Severe harm. Like I wrote a few paragraphs ago, if you are in law enforcement and don't have a gun, you could get seriously hurt, even if you did have you could get seriously hurt, even killed. I have lost count (not that I have been counting) of the story's of police officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
Question is, how can these people live with them selves after ward. Cop or not, if you kill some one, how can you have the theory that life goes on and think nothing of it. I have heard story's about war veterans and police officers alike and even some criminals who have said they regretted taking a life.
I could never do that. I value human life too much. I may sound like a hypocrite but I don't know how I feel about the death penalty. I some times feel ok, this person did a despicable act, he/she should die for it than theres the part of me that values human life. If there is a difference and you can balance both hypothesis's I would like to know how.
In the early 1990's I was training to be a security guard, where I remember I was asked weather I wanted to be armed or unarmed. I chose unarmed. Like I just wrote, I value human life and I don't know if I would have been able to live with myself had I ever shot someone. It's easy to say, more difficult to do. If it is your life or the persons life, which one do you find more important? I praise God that I never had to make that decision.
Every one has their own way of looking at it. And every country has their own laws of who can and cannot own a gun. Guess it's all in how you look at it.
David
Thursday, February 10, 2011
A IF (Interactive Friday)
Alright my readers, I am just going to get right to it. Save the chit-chat for another blog. Recently I was asked by a friend of mine what was my favorite album of all time. It was a no -brainer, I knew the answer and I will tell you all later in this blog. I guess my question is if you were asked (and you are) what is your favorite album of all time. It doesn't matter if it's Christian or secular, if you feel like telling, I would like to know.
I personally have alot of musical interest for various genre's of music, some which may surprise people.
Growing up, my mother used to and still does listen to alot of country music. I like it a little of it as well, although that has not always been the case. You might say there is a little bit of an invisible line when it comes to liking the music your parents like, some children (adult children of parents & preteens & teens combined) do. But as for me, when I was growing up, I never cared for it.
Now, I do, and I think I owe that to my mother. Country music has changed alot over the decades and, well when I was a kid, people who are now considered legends in the country genre were just starting their respective career's and some like the late Johnny Cash were getting their third wind.
Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard etc, the list goes on. Thats the country music I grew up listening to wheather I cared for it or not. I can still remember where I was and to a degree what I was doing, when I heard those now classic song's from the afore mentioned artist.
Thanks, Mom!
When I was growing up, I liked a lot of rock and roll, in fact when I was in my preteens and early teens my favorite band was called KISS. Funny story (ok, maybe not) of how I actually became a fan. Picture it Mid 1970's ( Thanks 'Golden Girl' Estelle Getty) I am a young child of maybe 6 or seven years old, and up to that point, I had never seen or heard of Kiss.
I am visiting a relative with my mom and younger siblings and I am looking at the walls of the relatives house. Every wall, including the bathroom was full picture and poster's of this band. Now for those of you who might be reading this who have no clue who Kiss was or is, briefly their a rock band that wore make- up on and off stage and can be credited in why alot of music performers today have big concert stages and pyrotechnics.
So, like I said, I had never heard of this band and I am looking at pictures of a cat, a guy with a star on his eye, some guy dressed up like he is from outer space and the most scariest, a guy with white face paint and bats on his eyes spitting fire and drooling blood. WTF, you know?, I remember I couldn't sleep at night because I would remember those photos. My mom would tell me over and over again they were just a band.
About a year or two later I am watching an awards show on television and I see them again. I was hooked.
Later in my teens, my preference for music got more darker and I started listening to alot of '80's new wave and alternative bands. If I am in the mood, I still listen to them.
But, over the past 17 going on 18 years since I have been a Christian, I have been listening to alot more Christian oriented music.
I can't listen to "pop" music. You can name anyone popular in music today and I am going to be honest and say I have not heard their music. I am not going to down grade them or their singing ability, I really have not been a big fan of "pop".
When I do listen to music, it has to have an edge to it. A little or alot of distorted guitar, if it synthesized, it has to have a good beat to it. A little depressing isn't half bad either.
I do not, and can not listen to rap. Far to vulgar. Celine Dion's "my Heart will go on" from Titanic, I cannot stand. Thats not to say she isn't a good singer, she is, but, try working in a movie theather in 1997/1998 when Titanic was in theaters and having to supervise the cleaning of a theather with that song playing in Dolby stereo. It got old real quick. No joke,even to this day If I am in a grocery store and its playing, I walk out. I am not kidding.
So, when you read my choice for all time favorite album, you might be surprised. I pick them (it's a tie, can't seem to choose which one I like the most) for their music, production values and song writing.
Here is my top four:
4: Depeche Mode- Music For The Masses
3: U2- Joshua Tree
2: Bruce Springsteen- Born In The U.S.A.
1: Paul Simon Graceland & The Beatles Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (tie)
Now, it's Interactive Friday time, if you have an all time favorite album, Christian or secular, what it is it?
d...out!
I personally have alot of musical interest for various genre's of music, some which may surprise people.
Growing up, my mother used to and still does listen to alot of country music. I like it a little of it as well, although that has not always been the case. You might say there is a little bit of an invisible line when it comes to liking the music your parents like, some children (adult children of parents & preteens & teens combined) do. But as for me, when I was growing up, I never cared for it.
Now, I do, and I think I owe that to my mother. Country music has changed alot over the decades and, well when I was a kid, people who are now considered legends in the country genre were just starting their respective career's and some like the late Johnny Cash were getting their third wind.
Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard etc, the list goes on. Thats the country music I grew up listening to wheather I cared for it or not. I can still remember where I was and to a degree what I was doing, when I heard those now classic song's from the afore mentioned artist.
Thanks, Mom!
When I was growing up, I liked a lot of rock and roll, in fact when I was in my preteens and early teens my favorite band was called KISS. Funny story (ok, maybe not) of how I actually became a fan. Picture it Mid 1970's ( Thanks 'Golden Girl' Estelle Getty) I am a young child of maybe 6 or seven years old, and up to that point, I had never seen or heard of Kiss.
I am visiting a relative with my mom and younger siblings and I am looking at the walls of the relatives house. Every wall, including the bathroom was full picture and poster's of this band. Now for those of you who might be reading this who have no clue who Kiss was or is, briefly their a rock band that wore make- up on and off stage and can be credited in why alot of music performers today have big concert stages and pyrotechnics.
So, like I said, I had never heard of this band and I am looking at pictures of a cat, a guy with a star on his eye, some guy dressed up like he is from outer space and the most scariest, a guy with white face paint and bats on his eyes spitting fire and drooling blood. WTF, you know?, I remember I couldn't sleep at night because I would remember those photos. My mom would tell me over and over again they were just a band.
About a year or two later I am watching an awards show on television and I see them again. I was hooked.
Later in my teens, my preference for music got more darker and I started listening to alot of '80's new wave and alternative bands. If I am in the mood, I still listen to them.
But, over the past 17 going on 18 years since I have been a Christian, I have been listening to alot more Christian oriented music.
I can't listen to "pop" music. You can name anyone popular in music today and I am going to be honest and say I have not heard their music. I am not going to down grade them or their singing ability, I really have not been a big fan of "pop".
When I do listen to music, it has to have an edge to it. A little or alot of distorted guitar, if it synthesized, it has to have a good beat to it. A little depressing isn't half bad either.
I do not, and can not listen to rap. Far to vulgar. Celine Dion's "my Heart will go on" from Titanic, I cannot stand. Thats not to say she isn't a good singer, she is, but, try working in a movie theather in 1997/1998 when Titanic was in theaters and having to supervise the cleaning of a theather with that song playing in Dolby stereo. It got old real quick. No joke,even to this day If I am in a grocery store and its playing, I walk out. I am not kidding.
So, when you read my choice for all time favorite album, you might be surprised. I pick them (it's a tie, can't seem to choose which one I like the most) for their music, production values and song writing.
Here is my top four:
4: Depeche Mode- Music For The Masses
3: U2- Joshua Tree
2: Bruce Springsteen- Born In The U.S.A.
1: Paul Simon Graceland & The Beatles Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (tie)
Now, it's Interactive Friday time, if you have an all time favorite album, Christian or secular, what it is it?
d...out!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Hallelujah Glory
This, my reader's may sound to some like I am gloating of what has happened with me personally over the last year and a half. I don't think it is. I think I am praising God for both the high points and the low points of over 365 days. Give or take. This may surprise most of you because you may not know it, and for those that do or did before now, thanks and much love for hanging in there with me.
I'll start from the beginning.
In November of 2009 I was attending a church that I became a member of perhaps in 2008. I loved the Church. I felt that what God was doing there was Awesome in the amount of time the church had been around. Up to that point it was about a year. I'll say it again, I loved going. Trouble was, few people wanted me there. I found this out the hard way when the senior pastor called me at home and asked if I could come down to his office. I knew what he wanted because he had did this before, and every time he had, he accused me of doing something I never did in the first place. He accused me of stalking. Yes, I said stalking. Never did it and I can prove it. But, by this time I had had enough of it (it had been going on for about year or so) and when I went to his office and he told me I was out of the church, I was relieved.
I was angry, I'll admit. I sent some e-mails to people I thought were my friends expressing my disappointment, which now looking back on it probably wasn't the wise thing to do, because I don't know if they were really responsible for my being asked to leave. I have it on good authority and very reliable source that the pastor of the church which is called Journey, is a liar. Many people were asked to leave under false pretenses.
Flash forward about three months later February,2010 I take a little time away from Arizona to clear my head over the journey thing and I reacquainted myself with old friends at a church in Anaheim, California. It was awesome seeing these people again. I think the old saying is true, you never know how much you miss someone till you see them again.
Late April, early May of 2010 I am driving on a Wednesday morning on a heavy congested (traffic) freeway on my way to downtown Los Angeles and I remember two things about that drive. One, I was reflecting on the last couple of months and the second being a little nervous about meeting some people who I had never met in person before. I'll be honest, a part of me wanted to get off the highway and turn back because I wasn't sure if I was ready for this and a little concerned over how I left things at home. Prior to leaving on that trip, had got into an argument with some family and well, I wasn't feeling great about it.
So, The meeting with my friends went better than I had thought it would and after we had parted company with the plan to meet up again with in the next couple of days, I take a drive back to this church in Anaheim. (If you are thinking John Wimber's church, The Vineyard, you would be correct)
Later on that evening , I went to a Bible study where I just broke down and cried for the first time in a long time. The Journey situation,how I left things at home, all that. It felt good. It felt real good.
What I have come to realize is that I am blessed in many ways I probably don't deserve, and I can't take it for granted. I have loving friends. A loving and very supportive family, and I owe it all to Jesus. Is my life perfect. No. But, with all the things that have happened between now at this very moment to all of the things last year, I can only thank and Bless The Lord. I have a very optimistic outlook for 2011 and I honestly feel its going to be an awesome year.
Since the journey fiasco, I have yet to feel comfortible in a Kingman, Ariozna church. Many sundays I have not gone at all, because I thought whats the point, I am just going to get back stabbed again. Only one church I really feel comfortible and at home at is the Anaheim Vineyard. Guess my sundays are going to be pretty busy with all that driving.
Thanks for reading.
D....out!!!
I'll start from the beginning.
In November of 2009 I was attending a church that I became a member of perhaps in 2008. I loved the Church. I felt that what God was doing there was Awesome in the amount of time the church had been around. Up to that point it was about a year. I'll say it again, I loved going. Trouble was, few people wanted me there. I found this out the hard way when the senior pastor called me at home and asked if I could come down to his office. I knew what he wanted because he had did this before, and every time he had, he accused me of doing something I never did in the first place. He accused me of stalking. Yes, I said stalking. Never did it and I can prove it. But, by this time I had had enough of it (it had been going on for about year or so) and when I went to his office and he told me I was out of the church, I was relieved.
I was angry, I'll admit. I sent some e-mails to people I thought were my friends expressing my disappointment, which now looking back on it probably wasn't the wise thing to do, because I don't know if they were really responsible for my being asked to leave. I have it on good authority and very reliable source that the pastor of the church which is called Journey, is a liar. Many people were asked to leave under false pretenses.
Flash forward about three months later February,2010 I take a little time away from Arizona to clear my head over the journey thing and I reacquainted myself with old friends at a church in Anaheim, California. It was awesome seeing these people again. I think the old saying is true, you never know how much you miss someone till you see them again.
Late April, early May of 2010 I am driving on a Wednesday morning on a heavy congested (traffic) freeway on my way to downtown Los Angeles and I remember two things about that drive. One, I was reflecting on the last couple of months and the second being a little nervous about meeting some people who I had never met in person before. I'll be honest, a part of me wanted to get off the highway and turn back because I wasn't sure if I was ready for this and a little concerned over how I left things at home. Prior to leaving on that trip, had got into an argument with some family and well, I wasn't feeling great about it.
So, The meeting with my friends went better than I had thought it would and after we had parted company with the plan to meet up again with in the next couple of days, I take a drive back to this church in Anaheim. (If you are thinking John Wimber's church, The Vineyard, you would be correct)
Later on that evening , I went to a Bible study where I just broke down and cried for the first time in a long time. The Journey situation,how I left things at home, all that. It felt good. It felt real good.
What I have come to realize is that I am blessed in many ways I probably don't deserve, and I can't take it for granted. I have loving friends. A loving and very supportive family, and I owe it all to Jesus. Is my life perfect. No. But, with all the things that have happened between now at this very moment to all of the things last year, I can only thank and Bless The Lord. I have a very optimistic outlook for 2011 and I honestly feel its going to be an awesome year.
Since the journey fiasco, I have yet to feel comfortible in a Kingman, Ariozna church. Many sundays I have not gone at all, because I thought whats the point, I am just going to get back stabbed again. Only one church I really feel comfortible and at home at is the Anaheim Vineyard. Guess my sundays are going to be pretty busy with all that driving.
Thanks for reading.
D....out!!!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Social Network(s)
How ya doing, my readers? Today's blog is going to be about the social network sites of both Face book & Twitter. I have not got around to seeing the movie about the formation of Face book called 'The Social Network' (Oscar nominee for best picture- 2010) so I can not and will not discuss it for I do not like critiquing films I have not seen. What this blog is about today is the networks of both Twitter and Face book respectively and how I find them both quite fascinating.
What I think I find fascinating about them is how they work. Now, I am not a computer science major and I have no idea of how to make programs such as twitter or face book, but I think its amazing how it all works. Lets say for instance and in this case I am referring to myself and my face book account, I have Friends who I have not seen since I would say either the early part of the 2000's or even as far back as the mid 1990's. With face book, I not only have a chance to reconnect with them and find out how their doing but in two case's in particular have the opportunity of seeing them again. Kinda beats just showing up and surprising them, although, I have to admit, thats fun as well.
Two other things I like about them is that you can chat with people. I think the chatting is what I find to be the most interesting. If you have a face book account for instance, doesn't matter where you live or what country you might happen to live in, you have the opportunity of chatting with your face book friends from where they are. And that could be anywhere on the planet.
Over the summer I was in California and I remember talking, chatting really with a friend on face book. At the time he was in California, but he resides in Dallas Texas. My friend, who I consider to be one of the smartest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, is quite knowledgeable when it comes to computers. It just floors me, really, but, I digress. Anyway, I asked him how a 'chat' works and he was going to tell me, but we were both pressed for time so we didn't get around to it.
But, if you think about it, it's quite interesting.
Just like face book, though a little different, well ok, completely different, Twitter is also an unique thing. You can chat or send messages to just about anyone in the world that has an account. Doesn't matter, you can do it. Even known celebrities. Only draw back to the celebrities thing is that they just might, depending on the person have alot of people following them. I counted for one particular person I follow on twitter that it was over a million. With over a million people 'tweeting' as they call it, if I was to send a 'tweet' to this person, they probably wouldn't get it. And thats fine. I have better things and more important thing to do with my time than to wait on a twitter message from some celebrity. The point is you can do it.
With both my face book and twitter accounts I have many friends I follow and chat with. Not that I am keeping track, but I think for the most part I have chatted with people from America, Canada, England, Africa & Australia. And I am currently residing in Arizona. I don't know about you, but I think its a pretty interesting device.
David.
What I think I find fascinating about them is how they work. Now, I am not a computer science major and I have no idea of how to make programs such as twitter or face book, but I think its amazing how it all works. Lets say for instance and in this case I am referring to myself and my face book account, I have Friends who I have not seen since I would say either the early part of the 2000's or even as far back as the mid 1990's. With face book, I not only have a chance to reconnect with them and find out how their doing but in two case's in particular have the opportunity of seeing them again. Kinda beats just showing up and surprising them, although, I have to admit, thats fun as well.
Two other things I like about them is that you can chat with people. I think the chatting is what I find to be the most interesting. If you have a face book account for instance, doesn't matter where you live or what country you might happen to live in, you have the opportunity of chatting with your face book friends from where they are. And that could be anywhere on the planet.
Over the summer I was in California and I remember talking, chatting really with a friend on face book. At the time he was in California, but he resides in Dallas Texas. My friend, who I consider to be one of the smartest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, is quite knowledgeable when it comes to computers. It just floors me, really, but, I digress. Anyway, I asked him how a 'chat' works and he was going to tell me, but we were both pressed for time so we didn't get around to it.
But, if you think about it, it's quite interesting.
Just like face book, though a little different, well ok, completely different, Twitter is also an unique thing. You can chat or send messages to just about anyone in the world that has an account. Doesn't matter, you can do it. Even known celebrities. Only draw back to the celebrities thing is that they just might, depending on the person have alot of people following them. I counted for one particular person I follow on twitter that it was over a million. With over a million people 'tweeting' as they call it, if I was to send a 'tweet' to this person, they probably wouldn't get it. And thats fine. I have better things and more important thing to do with my time than to wait on a twitter message from some celebrity. The point is you can do it.
With both my face book and twitter accounts I have many friends I follow and chat with. Not that I am keeping track, but I think for the most part I have chatted with people from America, Canada, England, Africa & Australia. And I am currently residing in Arizona. I don't know about you, but I think its a pretty interesting device.
David.
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