Tuesday, August 14, 2012
March, 7th, 2012
Wednesday, March 7th 2012 started out like any other typical day for me. What I didn't know was that it would change my life and my direction of it. For personal reasons I would rather not get into right now, the thing that changed the most was my relationship with some family members and my relationship with God. The relation ship with God changed as I viewed to cut out all the crap and devite my life to him.
My friends, I was falling in my walk with God and really needed Him to pick me up.
I can blame alot of things for why I decided to back slide, but the truth is it was my own doing. If churches wanted to accuse me of stalking, or othe so called church friends (at least the church I was going to) wanted to turn their backs on me, it wasn't their fault it was mine and I take the blame for it.
Walking with Christ, I'll admit has always been some what hard for me. I think to a degree it is for alot of people. But, I don't know, I have fallen so many times and acted like I wasn't even saved when it came to my attitude with some people.
But, perhaps to a degree we are all like that.
No one is perfect and we all fall short of the Glory Of God.
One area of my walk and what really needed to change was reading my Bible.
The Book is right by my beed in easy reach and chose to do something else.
It wasn't right.
I also think I was getting a little too involved with other matter's that quite frankly didn't need my help or opinion.
Writing for me has always been something that I loved doing, and for the most part that hasn't changed. But I was consentrating more on writing than my walk with God.
I have not gave up writing, I still I would like to think have plenty of ideas as far has screenplays go, but my walk with Jesus is far more important than any story I could imagine. So, for right now it is on hold.
I think that is one of the problems with people and their wal with Jesus, we sometimes get to sidetracked to see what or how God wants to work. By the time we relise that we have been distracked and need to come back is when for some perpose or another we find our selfs in trouble. And when I write 'trouble I don't mean breaking the law or that I did on this day, but it is usallly when that happens that we say, "Oh, Jesus, how I need you again."
So, as of March 7th, 2012, I have not tried writing another script and television, even though I do have my fave programs, those can go too.
In fact I even called dish network and changed my channels. Another distraction.
Now, I wouldn't say my life completley back on track, I still have other issues to work out, personally, but for the most part, my walk with Jesus is improving and I am so greatful for that.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The West Memphis Three
If you recall in my last entry I had made reference to three young men who made headline news for getting out of prison for murder. Murders they say they did not commit and proof to back it up.
Their names are Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin & Jesse Misskelly.
Known as the West Memphis Three.
In May of 1993 the body's of three eight year old cub scout were found brutally murdered in West Memphis Arkansas. About a month later, Damien, Jason and Jesse, young teenage boys at the time were arrested and charged with the crime. The police had very little to go on except a theory that the crime was done as a sacrifice to a cult.
Echols, Misskelly and Baldwin did not do it. Baldwin had a solid alibi for that evening. He was home with his mother and siblings, a fact that I am sure his mother tried to tell the police time and time again.
In June of 1993 Jesse Misskelly was questioned as to how he knew Echols and Baldwin and if he knew anything about the murder's. At the time he had said he knew nothing about it as to who did it and if he had anything to do with or if Baldwin or Echols had any involvement.
This interrogation was with done without an attorney present and without Miranda rights being read.
After hours of questioning, Misskelly who was diagnosed with mild retardation, finally said he had did it along with Echols and Baldwin. Not because he was guilty and wanted to clear his conscience, but to get these detectives off his back.
He had later recanted and during the trials of the three teens it was later stated as a false confession. Echols and Baldwin's trial didn't use the confession.
All three were tried and convicted. Misskelly and Baldwin getting life in prison without the possibilty of parole and Echols sentenced to death. Echols was supposedly the ring leader.
Case Closed? Thankfully no.
Documentary film maker's,Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofky were hired by HBO, a television cable company to do a film on what they thought, in their own words were kids gone wrong.
When Sinofsky and Berlinger got to Arkansas and had the chance to meet with everyone involved, including Damien, Jesse and Jason they soon realised that this was different. These young suspect were not monster's but were innocent.
Flash forward to 1996, three years after the murders and two years since the West Memphis Three were charged and found guilty, the documentary, "Paradise Lost: The Child murders At Robin Hills Estates" aired on HBO.
Immediately, speculation as to the three's guilt were called into question by hundreds of people, myself included.
It is very safe to say, or actually there is no other way to say this but had it not have been for the documentarys these three young men would still be in prison and one of them possibly would have been excuted.
"Paradise" opened the eyes of many people who questioned the verdicts, investigated the case and donated hours upon hours of time and money to get these young free.
It took alot of time, 18 years to be exact, but now these men are free but not exactly cleared.
Now with DNA evidence to back up their claim of innocence , the three are not only searching for who ever might have done this crime, but also looking to clear their names and be exonerated.
That is something I personally have never been able to comprehend. You have people who are tried and convicted for crime they did not do and it leaves the actual perpetrator to get away with murder.
Coward.
When I first saw the 'Paradise' documentary in 1996 I remember thinking two things, one, this case had alot of holes in it and two it seemed like all the West Memphis police department wanted to do was get the people involved and let it go.
I am not in Law enforcement and I am not a Lawyer, but it is safe to say you have to do your job and not just find the first person and think ok, I am satisfied.
I would like to say I am leaving out alot, there is alot more I could write about this, but for the moment I choose not too.
Another thing I remember about the film was at the end thinking to myself, well, if and only if they did it than they got what they deserved, if they did not do it, in time it will be proven and these young men can get their lives back.
Once again, had it not have been for Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky for making the films, there are 3 total, (Paradise Lost2:Revaltions and the most recent, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory which has been nominated for an accedemy award for best documentary) who is to say what would have happened.
Would Echols, Baldwin & Misskelly some how proven their innocence on their own?
Perhaps. Anything is possible
or would they have rotted in prison for the rest of their lives?
Who knows.
But one thing can be said, well alot of things can be said, but to be brief, Berlinger and Sinofsky are life saver's in the minds of alot of people, including mine.
I don't get behind, or support too many cases that involve murder. I tried to once, but I couldn't because my conscience was telling me not to.
If someone kills someone in cold blood and there is a group of people that support the person or person;s that their thing, but for me personally, I couldn't.
I wrote about it in 2010 in an entry entitled 'Are you for or against it' where for the most part I was referring to protesting.
I'll close with this, the west memphis three did not commit the crime they were accused of and to a degree the state of Arkansas agrees. (They took a rare legal move known as an alford plea to be set free and to claim their innocence but at the same time saying they were guilty)
but all that aside, there would have been many lives left alone, the family's of Echols, Misskelly and Baldwin and most importantly the family's of the murdered victims had the real perpetrator either came forward or was caught at the time instead of thinking he or she could get away with murder when the west memphis three were convicted.
You're a coward whoever you are and where ever you are you need to be brought to justice.
I'll write again it, many lives could have been spared if this person or persons were found.
Hell, I'll go one further and say many innocent lives would have been spared had this tragedy never happened at all.
Their names are Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin & Jesse Misskelly.
Known as the West Memphis Three.
In May of 1993 the body's of three eight year old cub scout were found brutally murdered in West Memphis Arkansas. About a month later, Damien, Jason and Jesse, young teenage boys at the time were arrested and charged with the crime. The police had very little to go on except a theory that the crime was done as a sacrifice to a cult.
Echols, Misskelly and Baldwin did not do it. Baldwin had a solid alibi for that evening. He was home with his mother and siblings, a fact that I am sure his mother tried to tell the police time and time again.
In June of 1993 Jesse Misskelly was questioned as to how he knew Echols and Baldwin and if he knew anything about the murder's. At the time he had said he knew nothing about it as to who did it and if he had anything to do with or if Baldwin or Echols had any involvement.
This interrogation was with done without an attorney present and without Miranda rights being read.
After hours of questioning, Misskelly who was diagnosed with mild retardation, finally said he had did it along with Echols and Baldwin. Not because he was guilty and wanted to clear his conscience, but to get these detectives off his back.
He had later recanted and during the trials of the three teens it was later stated as a false confession. Echols and Baldwin's trial didn't use the confession.
All three were tried and convicted. Misskelly and Baldwin getting life in prison without the possibilty of parole and Echols sentenced to death. Echols was supposedly the ring leader.
Case Closed? Thankfully no.
Documentary film maker's,Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofky were hired by HBO, a television cable company to do a film on what they thought, in their own words were kids gone wrong.
When Sinofsky and Berlinger got to Arkansas and had the chance to meet with everyone involved, including Damien, Jesse and Jason they soon realised that this was different. These young suspect were not monster's but were innocent.
Flash forward to 1996, three years after the murders and two years since the West Memphis Three were charged and found guilty, the documentary, "Paradise Lost: The Child murders At Robin Hills Estates" aired on HBO.
Immediately, speculation as to the three's guilt were called into question by hundreds of people, myself included.
It is very safe to say, or actually there is no other way to say this but had it not have been for the documentarys these three young men would still be in prison and one of them possibly would have been excuted.
"Paradise" opened the eyes of many people who questioned the verdicts, investigated the case and donated hours upon hours of time and money to get these young free.
It took alot of time, 18 years to be exact, but now these men are free but not exactly cleared.
Now with DNA evidence to back up their claim of innocence , the three are not only searching for who ever might have done this crime, but also looking to clear their names and be exonerated.
That is something I personally have never been able to comprehend. You have people who are tried and convicted for crime they did not do and it leaves the actual perpetrator to get away with murder.
Coward.
When I first saw the 'Paradise' documentary in 1996 I remember thinking two things, one, this case had alot of holes in it and two it seemed like all the West Memphis police department wanted to do was get the people involved and let it go.
I am not in Law enforcement and I am not a Lawyer, but it is safe to say you have to do your job and not just find the first person and think ok, I am satisfied.
I would like to say I am leaving out alot, there is alot more I could write about this, but for the moment I choose not too.
Another thing I remember about the film was at the end thinking to myself, well, if and only if they did it than they got what they deserved, if they did not do it, in time it will be proven and these young men can get their lives back.
Once again, had it not have been for Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky for making the films, there are 3 total, (Paradise Lost2:Revaltions and the most recent, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory which has been nominated for an accedemy award for best documentary) who is to say what would have happened.
Would Echols, Baldwin & Misskelly some how proven their innocence on their own?
Perhaps. Anything is possible
or would they have rotted in prison for the rest of their lives?
Who knows.
But one thing can be said, well alot of things can be said, but to be brief, Berlinger and Sinofsky are life saver's in the minds of alot of people, including mine.
I don't get behind, or support too many cases that involve murder. I tried to once, but I couldn't because my conscience was telling me not to.
If someone kills someone in cold blood and there is a group of people that support the person or person;s that their thing, but for me personally, I couldn't.
I wrote about it in 2010 in an entry entitled 'Are you for or against it' where for the most part I was referring to protesting.
I'll close with this, the west memphis three did not commit the crime they were accused of and to a degree the state of Arkansas agrees. (They took a rare legal move known as an alford plea to be set free and to claim their innocence but at the same time saying they were guilty)
but all that aside, there would have been many lives left alone, the family's of Echols, Misskelly and Baldwin and most importantly the family's of the murdered victims had the real perpetrator either came forward or was caught at the time instead of thinking he or she could get away with murder when the west memphis three were convicted.
You're a coward whoever you are and where ever you are you need to be brought to justice.
I'll write again it, many lives could have been spared if this person or persons were found.
Hell, I'll go one further and say many innocent lives would have been spared had this tragedy never happened at all.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The Court Of Public Opinion
Note: Before I begin writing I would like to make one thing clear. The cases I am mentioning I did not follow. One of them, I had heard about from a 3 part documentary and the other's were highly talked about in the media. This is just my opinion I am not trying to lay either guilt or innocence. Hopefully you will see the point of this blog after you read it.
Read On.
This past Monday evening I had watched the third part of a documentary series on television. It was entitled Paradise Lost. it was about three young men who in 1994 were convicted of murdering three young preteen boys in the state of Arkansas. Very brutal crime to say the least. I saw the first one and half of the second, but the third one was the one that made me think.
The three men, known as the 'West Memphis Three' were just teenager's when this happened, they were all found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Flash forward eighteen years later, the three men are being released from prison due to DNA testing which proved they didn't do the crime. There is alot more to the story, but I am on a schedule.
When I first saw this documentary, the first part was released in either 1995 or 1996, and saw the proceedings as these teens were being convicted, I thought to myself,"well, they deserved it. It was a brutal thing and they didn't seem to show any remorse for it, they got what they deserved." One of the teens when asked before the his verdict was read, if he was found not guilty what was he going to do. The young man said he was going to get drunk. Not the kind of thing you want to be thinking when you're being tried for murder. Not that I would know, but, it's a guess. I didn't know the whole story, nor at the time did I care to. Like I said, there was much more to come of this case.
But that's it, isn't it?. We as a nation when we hear about a crime that has made the national news we tend to think they're guilty right off the bat. Even when they for what ever the reason are found innocent of the crimes they are being tried for, we still think, well they may have gotten off, but, they're still guilty.
Micheal Jackson, O.J Simpson and Casey Anthony. All of them had national attention drawn to their trials and all of them were found not guilty buy their respective jury's.
Why? Good question.
I don't have the answer. I was not on either jury.
I don't really know if it is a good thing or a bad thing to feel that way about something like that. Like I wrote earlier, I didn't follow the west memphis three case and I didn't follow the other three cases I just mentioned
All though it was hard not to notice with three of them.
Should Anthony, Jackson and Simpson have been found guilty? Maybe. Or was it that they at least in the case of Anthony and Simpson were the first people noticed so all the clues point to them.
Who knows?
In the eyes of some, regardless of proof of innocence at their respective trials they are guilty.
I am not trying to argue with anyone over this. I some times feel the same way.
Jackson for instance, it doesn't matter what your name is or how much money you have one thing you simply do not do is take young children into your bed and think the public when they get wind of it is going to be ok with it, because they were not. A lot of people and for good reasons felt that what Jackson did was odd and they started to question why a man would do something like that.
Love Micheal Jackson or not, the situation with the sleepover with young boys was a no-no and Jackson only had himself to blame.
Yeah, I wrote it.
But, regardless, in his trial, he was found not guilty.
I'll write it again. It is easy to watch a court trial and not think that the person would be found guilty. Most often than not, they are and deserve what ever comes their way, other's like the Arkansas case where it seems they were innocent, it took years to prove it.
Not that it has been proven yet. If you decide you want to know more go to any search engine and type in 'west memphis three'
I think the point I am trying to make is this: Every one likes to point fingers and just say or even think, well they got the person, that's good enough for me. Even if they are not, we still point fingers.
Is it wrong or is it right? I would have to say it depends. Three out of the four cases I have have been writing about murder was involved. Two of them having to do with children. Murder of any kind is wrong, but it just seems that when its a child it becomes more personal. I can see why. Whether a jury of your peers finds them innocent or whether they have to prove it decades later, the fact remains they're are still going to be people that think and perhaps even say that in their eyes you're still guilty.
Good or bad, right or wrong with Memphis,Simpson and Anthony, people are dead. And if they didn't do it than who did and will they ever be caught and brought to justice?
Read On.
This past Monday evening I had watched the third part of a documentary series on television. It was entitled Paradise Lost. it was about three young men who in 1994 were convicted of murdering three young preteen boys in the state of Arkansas. Very brutal crime to say the least. I saw the first one and half of the second, but the third one was the one that made me think.
The three men, known as the 'West Memphis Three' were just teenager's when this happened, they were all found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Flash forward eighteen years later, the three men are being released from prison due to DNA testing which proved they didn't do the crime. There is alot more to the story, but I am on a schedule.
When I first saw this documentary, the first part was released in either 1995 or 1996, and saw the proceedings as these teens were being convicted, I thought to myself,"well, they deserved it. It was a brutal thing and they didn't seem to show any remorse for it, they got what they deserved." One of the teens when asked before the his verdict was read, if he was found not guilty what was he going to do. The young man said he was going to get drunk. Not the kind of thing you want to be thinking when you're being tried for murder. Not that I would know, but, it's a guess. I didn't know the whole story, nor at the time did I care to. Like I said, there was much more to come of this case.
But that's it, isn't it?. We as a nation when we hear about a crime that has made the national news we tend to think they're guilty right off the bat. Even when they for what ever the reason are found innocent of the crimes they are being tried for, we still think, well they may have gotten off, but, they're still guilty.
Micheal Jackson, O.J Simpson and Casey Anthony. All of them had national attention drawn to their trials and all of them were found not guilty buy their respective jury's.
Why? Good question.
I don't have the answer. I was not on either jury.
I don't really know if it is a good thing or a bad thing to feel that way about something like that. Like I wrote earlier, I didn't follow the west memphis three case and I didn't follow the other three cases I just mentioned
All though it was hard not to notice with three of them.
Should Anthony, Jackson and Simpson have been found guilty? Maybe. Or was it that they at least in the case of Anthony and Simpson were the first people noticed so all the clues point to them.
Who knows?
In the eyes of some, regardless of proof of innocence at their respective trials they are guilty.
I am not trying to argue with anyone over this. I some times feel the same way.
Jackson for instance, it doesn't matter what your name is or how much money you have one thing you simply do not do is take young children into your bed and think the public when they get wind of it is going to be ok with it, because they were not. A lot of people and for good reasons felt that what Jackson did was odd and they started to question why a man would do something like that.
Love Micheal Jackson or not, the situation with the sleepover with young boys was a no-no and Jackson only had himself to blame.
Yeah, I wrote it.
But, regardless, in his trial, he was found not guilty.
I'll write it again. It is easy to watch a court trial and not think that the person would be found guilty. Most often than not, they are and deserve what ever comes their way, other's like the Arkansas case where it seems they were innocent, it took years to prove it.
Not that it has been proven yet. If you decide you want to know more go to any search engine and type in 'west memphis three'
I think the point I am trying to make is this: Every one likes to point fingers and just say or even think, well they got the person, that's good enough for me. Even if they are not, we still point fingers.
Is it wrong or is it right? I would have to say it depends. Three out of the four cases I have have been writing about murder was involved. Two of them having to do with children. Murder of any kind is wrong, but it just seems that when its a child it becomes more personal. I can see why. Whether a jury of your peers finds them innocent or whether they have to prove it decades later, the fact remains they're are still going to be people that think and perhaps even say that in their eyes you're still guilty.
Good or bad, right or wrong with Memphis,Simpson and Anthony, people are dead. And if they didn't do it than who did and will they ever be caught and brought to justice?
Friday, December 30, 2011
Siblings Part Two
Over the summer I was watching a television show where a guy met his younger brother for the very first time in their lives. I don't know the whole story so I am not going to make things up as I go along, but I can tell you is this. The father of both these two men tried, as I found out while watching the show to get in contact with the other son. The son wanted nothing to do with him, or so I gathered from what I saw. In turn, the father must have told his other children about this man, his career, etc.
When the two brother did finally meet I got the impression from watching the tv show that they got along well and that it seemed they known each other all their lives.
But that's television and It's usally not how it goes. It might be safe to say that even the two brothers communicate with each other they still have alot to go before they can say, 'yeah, were good'
After I had seen this show I started thinking about the relationship I have with my siblings. Don't get me wrong, I love them and I am sure in return they feel the same way about me. Even though it can be rocky at times, I am a part of their lives, they will always be a part of mine. And I love that fact.
But what I got to thinking about was my father who I was never close to and didn't have the chance of meeting.
It could be possible that I might have brother's and sisters I never knew about. I can't prove this, but I wouldn't doubt it
Here is the thing about it. I don't think I want to know. Yeah, it may sound rude and a little heart less but thats how I feel. If I can, let me explain.
Like I said, I have five younger siblings, three brothers and two sisters who I love and respect dearly. I am content with having what I have and knowing what I know.
Having other siblings wouldn't change anything.
If anything it would be awkward. Especially that first meeting.
I am going to give two hypothetical reasons. One, let's say I do search for these people and I find out that during the course of my fathers life he made money. And I do mean money, which would leave his children rich. Perhaps they might think the only reason I searched for them was to get some of that money. Some may feel it's owed to me, others might feel I should just leave it alone.
I would leave it alone. Once again, I can not prove these people exist and what I am writing is just a theory.
But it could be a possible scenario.
Another scenario would be that they are the most insane people on earth and even Jerry Springer would have to say they're bizare and would never be on his show.
If that was the case, the five siblings that I have I would appreciate even more than what I do already.
Other people may not feel the same I do,If you have other siblings and can prove it, I am not saying you shouldn't look into it, that choice is yours.
To each his own I guess it would be safe to say.
In closing I will leave with these two things:
If you recall in a previous blog entry I wrote sometime last year I made refernce to both my father and my grandfather. I had wrote that I felt I didn't need to look for a father figure because I had one and it wasn't going to get any better than what it was with my grandpa.
I feel the same way about my brother and sisters. Do we have arguements? You bet. Do we some times say hurtful things that we sometimes mean or don't mean to say? Absolutely. We are not perfect by any stretch. But, what we do have is we get along, we let by gones be by gones. Some things are tough and we may not speak to one another for a period of time, but we come around.
I wouldn't want it any other way.
In the Book of Genesis the story of Joesph and his brothers. His older brothers sold him into slavery, years later when Joesph became a ruler over his land they saw each other again and he forgave them because he knew this was Gods plan.
You deal with the cards you have been delt with.
Once again, I can not prove that my father had other children, and I don't want to. They would have to make the first move.
I'm not going to hold my breath and wait for that moment to arrive.
When the two brother did finally meet I got the impression from watching the tv show that they got along well and that it seemed they known each other all their lives.
But that's television and It's usally not how it goes. It might be safe to say that even the two brothers communicate with each other they still have alot to go before they can say, 'yeah, were good'
After I had seen this show I started thinking about the relationship I have with my siblings. Don't get me wrong, I love them and I am sure in return they feel the same way about me. Even though it can be rocky at times, I am a part of their lives, they will always be a part of mine. And I love that fact.
But what I got to thinking about was my father who I was never close to and didn't have the chance of meeting.
It could be possible that I might have brother's and sisters I never knew about. I can't prove this, but I wouldn't doubt it
Here is the thing about it. I don't think I want to know. Yeah, it may sound rude and a little heart less but thats how I feel. If I can, let me explain.
Like I said, I have five younger siblings, three brothers and two sisters who I love and respect dearly. I am content with having what I have and knowing what I know.
Having other siblings wouldn't change anything.
If anything it would be awkward. Especially that first meeting.
I am going to give two hypothetical reasons. One, let's say I do search for these people and I find out that during the course of my fathers life he made money. And I do mean money, which would leave his children rich. Perhaps they might think the only reason I searched for them was to get some of that money. Some may feel it's owed to me, others might feel I should just leave it alone.
I would leave it alone. Once again, I can not prove these people exist and what I am writing is just a theory.
But it could be a possible scenario.
Another scenario would be that they are the most insane people on earth and even Jerry Springer would have to say they're bizare and would never be on his show.
If that was the case, the five siblings that I have I would appreciate even more than what I do already.
Other people may not feel the same I do,If you have other siblings and can prove it, I am not saying you shouldn't look into it, that choice is yours.
To each his own I guess it would be safe to say.
In closing I will leave with these two things:
If you recall in a previous blog entry I wrote sometime last year I made refernce to both my father and my grandfather. I had wrote that I felt I didn't need to look for a father figure because I had one and it wasn't going to get any better than what it was with my grandpa.
I feel the same way about my brother and sisters. Do we have arguements? You bet. Do we some times say hurtful things that we sometimes mean or don't mean to say? Absolutely. We are not perfect by any stretch. But, what we do have is we get along, we let by gones be by gones. Some things are tough and we may not speak to one another for a period of time, but we come around.
I wouldn't want it any other way.
In the Book of Genesis the story of Joesph and his brothers. His older brothers sold him into slavery, years later when Joesph became a ruler over his land they saw each other again and he forgave them because he knew this was Gods plan.
You deal with the cards you have been delt with.
Once again, I can not prove that my father had other children, and I don't want to. They would have to make the first move.
I'm not going to hold my breath and wait for that moment to arrive.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Forgivness. It's Good Thing.
I have to get something off my chest, I have a facebook friend who I used to go to school with back in the '80's. Some how between then and now we lost contact with one another. It was only recently within the last year, year in a half maybe that we found each other again and it's good.
but here's the thing, when my facebook friend and I were in school I was angry at him. It's not important why, but I remember being so resentful over something he had done that I felt if I never saw him again it would be too soon.
Flash forward to late 2009 possibly early 2010 and said person and I are friends. I have not seen him face to face yet because we both live in different states, but if the oppertunity ever did present it self, I would be up for seeing him again. The question is though, who would have thought that after 20 plus years that this guy who I thought I destested, would become a friend again?
Answer: God
We all have, and I think we have to admit this people that we need to forgive, whether it's something that you said or something that you did.
And vice versa
Why do we forgive one, because God cammands and second you do feel better once it's done.
When I was a child I had met some people that I found were not the most friendly people on the planet. I found out when they did something I didn't like. It took me almost 17 years to forgive them. I remember It wasn't easy, but I am happy that I did it and I do feel better about my self and I think I feel I am even a stronger Christian for forgiving the person.
Forgivness can be hard at times. A friend or even a parent can be so creul that it haunts you and you can't bring yourself to do it.
Been there.
But, once again, it wasn't easy, but thank's to the Grace of God and His love that I was able to do it.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are shall I say sensitive issues of why a person doesn't want or simply can't forgive who ever they need to. I feel that's valid. Life can be tough. Or is tough.
I can't speak for these people nor will I try to, they have their reasons and it's between them and the God they serve.
I just pray it's the same God I serve and one day He will make them see how powerful forgiving someone can be.
I will conclude with two things: One, and mind you I didn't always have this point of view, it took a long time to get here, but, here goes.
With my facebook friend, I can recall what he did and just how bad I thought it was, but if Jesus Christ can be on a Cross with nails in his hands and feet and still have the courage to say " Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" why can't I do the same thing for something considerbly less than that?
Once again, forgivness isn't always easy, sometimes it can be that hardest thing you'll ever do, but once it's done, you'll feel a 1000% better.
And, Mike, if you read this, doesn't matter what it was, it's water under the bridge and I am Glad God worked it out. I hope we remain friends.
but here's the thing, when my facebook friend and I were in school I was angry at him. It's not important why, but I remember being so resentful over something he had done that I felt if I never saw him again it would be too soon.
Flash forward to late 2009 possibly early 2010 and said person and I are friends. I have not seen him face to face yet because we both live in different states, but if the oppertunity ever did present it self, I would be up for seeing him again. The question is though, who would have thought that after 20 plus years that this guy who I thought I destested, would become a friend again?
Answer: God
We all have, and I think we have to admit this people that we need to forgive, whether it's something that you said or something that you did.
And vice versa
Why do we forgive one, because God cammands and second you do feel better once it's done.
When I was a child I had met some people that I found were not the most friendly people on the planet. I found out when they did something I didn't like. It took me almost 17 years to forgive them. I remember It wasn't easy, but I am happy that I did it and I do feel better about my self and I think I feel I am even a stronger Christian for forgiving the person.
Forgivness can be hard at times. A friend or even a parent can be so creul that it haunts you and you can't bring yourself to do it.
Been there.
But, once again, it wasn't easy, but thank's to the Grace of God and His love that I was able to do it.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are shall I say sensitive issues of why a person doesn't want or simply can't forgive who ever they need to. I feel that's valid. Life can be tough. Or is tough.
I can't speak for these people nor will I try to, they have their reasons and it's between them and the God they serve.
I just pray it's the same God I serve and one day He will make them see how powerful forgiving someone can be.
I will conclude with two things: One, and mind you I didn't always have this point of view, it took a long time to get here, but, here goes.
With my facebook friend, I can recall what he did and just how bad I thought it was, but if Jesus Christ can be on a Cross with nails in his hands and feet and still have the courage to say " Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" why can't I do the same thing for something considerbly less than that?
Once again, forgivness isn't always easy, sometimes it can be that hardest thing you'll ever do, but once it's done, you'll feel a 1000% better.
And, Mike, if you read this, doesn't matter what it was, it's water under the bridge and I am Glad God worked it out. I hope we remain friends.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The Magic Kingdom A.K.A. Disneyland
It is Saturday, October, 29, 2011, I have just woken up and the first thing I notice is the sun coming through the bottom of the curtains in my hotel room. I lay in bed for awhile as just about everyone does when they first wake up. As I am now out of bed I go over to the curtains by the door to my hotel room and open them to take in the morning sun as it shines over Anaheim, California. I smile, take a look to the ceiling of my room and I smile and say Thank You God. Last night I went to Disneyland for the first time in 13 years.
And I had a blast.
Yesterday, friday, October, 28 was a stressful one. I arrived in Anaheim, later than I wanted to, and got lost trying to find my hotel. After about a half hour of driving around both the property of Disneyland and it's sister park California Adventure, I finally find the hotel.
At about three in the afternoon I finally arrive in Disneyland it self and meet up with friends who I had not seen in quite some time.
My stress is about to end and fun is about to be had. And it's long over due.
Disneyland theme park and it's 11 year old neighbor California Adventure is a must for anybody. During the creation and building of the the park in the mid 1950's Walt Disney said he wanted the place to be fun for both children and adults. Some adults probably would not admit to this, but they have just as much fun as their children do, if they have any.
Like I just wrote a paragraph or two ago, I had been looking forward to this for along time and my friends and I, one of them who in a few days would be celebrating a birthday pointed out a new attraction, well, not that new, but the way they re modeld it, it was worth getting the fast pass for.
During the course of the day, more for my benefit as I reflect on it, I had never been to the newer park California Adventure and my friend, Brant pointed things out to me and that I would have possibly overlooked on my own.
Two interesting things happend last night that are still fresh in my mind. To this hour at 8:50am not even 24 hours removed from last night, I look back and I smile, because what I am about to tell you isn't something that adults, or at least myself and my three other friends who are in their mid 30's and 50's respectfully.
We're in line for a California Adventure attraction and as we chat about various adult topics, our conversation drifts to chatting about a Disney animated cartoon called Phineas and Ferb and if we had seen newer episodes. Now That I think of it, I get the impression that one of my friends a woman named Sandra had never see the show before so Brant and our other friend named Don start telling her about the show and certain episodes.
As I look behind, actually I recall leaning back on a rail and resting on it, I notice this woman with her child. While still paying attention to the conversation of Don, Sandra & Brant, I start, for reasons I don't know, but I start to think about what this woman behind me must be thinking. Some times as you stand in line for any thing, you can't help but over hear some of the conversations that go on. This woman could have been thinking one of two things: One, that the four of us, all adults must have been out of our minds for talking about a children's animated television show, or 2: that it was cool that we were in a Disney theme park and here we are talking about a Disney show.
You would have to ask the lady what she really was thinking.
I would strongly suggest anyone who lives in another country if you ever plan a trip to America ( there are also Disney parks in both Paris, France and Tokyo, Japan), but, I my reader's can only talk about the Disneyland I have been to.
You would have a blast simular to the ones my friends and I are having.
Disneyland and it's sister theme parks have always been known for their innovations. Seems like every time a person goes to the parks they notice something they hadn't noticed on previous visit's. Since I had not been to Disneyland, now to s degree called Disneyland resort in 13 years and this was my first time to California Adventure, if you will recall I had told you about my friend Brant who was pointing things out to me. One thing God Bless him that he tried to explain and he strongly suggested we go and check it out was thing thing dedicated to The Disney Film Toy Story.
Brant, I know I told you this last night, but if you're reading this right now, explanation doesn't begin to describe it. You have to see this for yourself to get the full effect of it, but I will try to tell you about it.
We're in Hollywood Backlot, just like Disneyland with it's themed area's, I am finding California Adventure is no different, so in we're in the backlot at an animation studio and enclosed in glass is thing with dolls of Toy Story character's. My friend Brant had one word for me:
"Watch"
What I saw, made my jaw drop. These Toy Story dolls were spinning around at an Only God Knows speed and they were moving!!!
Or at least it gave you the illusion they were moving. my friend Don is standing right besides me and I said to him 'so thats how they did it'? He said no, "Story" was done with computer's, but it made think about stop motion animation and films like ' The Nightmare Before Christmas' and other's like it that were stop motion animation and done with dolls. This thing spinning around could very well be how they did it.
The parks have closed and the four of us, Don, Brant and Sandra and my self are heading back to our cars, Don, who lives not far from the resort and Sandra who lives in a neighboring California county and Brant who resides in Texas but is staying with Sandra for the weekend, we are , well, we're tired. I can see it on Don's face, he was ready for some sleep and my self, I had been up for over 24 hours and my feet were really starting to give me some pain, walking around two amusement parks was fun, because all of us had a blast, but, all that walking can make you tired.
But It's worth it. I'd do it again.
But for right now, as I stand looking out my hotel window at a tall California Adventure attraction, my feet are still giving me issues. Think I'll close the curtains and lay down for a bit.
As The sign entering Disneyland park read.... Let the memories begin.
I remember it like it was yesterday
P.S: Fast forward almost a month later. I am now back home and writing this entry on an early Thanksgiving morning.
Obviously, the memories of October, 28, 2011 is still fresh in my mind.
I hope it stays for awhile.
And I had a blast.
Yesterday, friday, October, 28 was a stressful one. I arrived in Anaheim, later than I wanted to, and got lost trying to find my hotel. After about a half hour of driving around both the property of Disneyland and it's sister park California Adventure, I finally find the hotel.
At about three in the afternoon I finally arrive in Disneyland it self and meet up with friends who I had not seen in quite some time.
My stress is about to end and fun is about to be had. And it's long over due.
Disneyland theme park and it's 11 year old neighbor California Adventure is a must for anybody. During the creation and building of the the park in the mid 1950's Walt Disney said he wanted the place to be fun for both children and adults. Some adults probably would not admit to this, but they have just as much fun as their children do, if they have any.
Like I just wrote a paragraph or two ago, I had been looking forward to this for along time and my friends and I, one of them who in a few days would be celebrating a birthday pointed out a new attraction, well, not that new, but the way they re modeld it, it was worth getting the fast pass for.
During the course of the day, more for my benefit as I reflect on it, I had never been to the newer park California Adventure and my friend, Brant pointed things out to me and that I would have possibly overlooked on my own.
Two interesting things happend last night that are still fresh in my mind. To this hour at 8:50am not even 24 hours removed from last night, I look back and I smile, because what I am about to tell you isn't something that adults, or at least myself and my three other friends who are in their mid 30's and 50's respectfully.
We're in line for a California Adventure attraction and as we chat about various adult topics, our conversation drifts to chatting about a Disney animated cartoon called Phineas and Ferb and if we had seen newer episodes. Now That I think of it, I get the impression that one of my friends a woman named Sandra had never see the show before so Brant and our other friend named Don start telling her about the show and certain episodes.
As I look behind, actually I recall leaning back on a rail and resting on it, I notice this woman with her child. While still paying attention to the conversation of Don, Sandra & Brant, I start, for reasons I don't know, but I start to think about what this woman behind me must be thinking. Some times as you stand in line for any thing, you can't help but over hear some of the conversations that go on. This woman could have been thinking one of two things: One, that the four of us, all adults must have been out of our minds for talking about a children's animated television show, or 2: that it was cool that we were in a Disney theme park and here we are talking about a Disney show.
You would have to ask the lady what she really was thinking.
I would strongly suggest anyone who lives in another country if you ever plan a trip to America ( there are also Disney parks in both Paris, France and Tokyo, Japan), but, I my reader's can only talk about the Disneyland I have been to.
You would have a blast simular to the ones my friends and I are having.
Disneyland and it's sister theme parks have always been known for their innovations. Seems like every time a person goes to the parks they notice something they hadn't noticed on previous visit's. Since I had not been to Disneyland, now to s degree called Disneyland resort in 13 years and this was my first time to California Adventure, if you will recall I had told you about my friend Brant who was pointing things out to me. One thing God Bless him that he tried to explain and he strongly suggested we go and check it out was thing thing dedicated to The Disney Film Toy Story.
Brant, I know I told you this last night, but if you're reading this right now, explanation doesn't begin to describe it. You have to see this for yourself to get the full effect of it, but I will try to tell you about it.
We're in Hollywood Backlot, just like Disneyland with it's themed area's, I am finding California Adventure is no different, so in we're in the backlot at an animation studio and enclosed in glass is thing with dolls of Toy Story character's. My friend Brant had one word for me:
"Watch"
What I saw, made my jaw drop. These Toy Story dolls were spinning around at an Only God Knows speed and they were moving!!!
Or at least it gave you the illusion they were moving. my friend Don is standing right besides me and I said to him 'so thats how they did it'? He said no, "Story" was done with computer's, but it made think about stop motion animation and films like ' The Nightmare Before Christmas' and other's like it that were stop motion animation and done with dolls. This thing spinning around could very well be how they did it.
The parks have closed and the four of us, Don, Brant and Sandra and my self are heading back to our cars, Don, who lives not far from the resort and Sandra who lives in a neighboring California county and Brant who resides in Texas but is staying with Sandra for the weekend, we are , well, we're tired. I can see it on Don's face, he was ready for some sleep and my self, I had been up for over 24 hours and my feet were really starting to give me some pain, walking around two amusement parks was fun, because all of us had a blast, but, all that walking can make you tired.
But It's worth it. I'd do it again.
But for right now, as I stand looking out my hotel window at a tall California Adventure attraction, my feet are still giving me issues. Think I'll close the curtains and lay down for a bit.
As The sign entering Disneyland park read.... Let the memories begin.
I remember it like it was yesterday
P.S: Fast forward almost a month later. I am now back home and writing this entry on an early Thanksgiving morning.
Obviously, the memories of October, 28, 2011 is still fresh in my mind.
I hope it stays for awhile.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Payback.... It's A......Well, You Know
Recently I saw a television show involving two teens that had a vendetta against each other. One teen did something to the other and instead of paying for it he got off free thanks to his uncle. The other teen who had the damage done to him wanted retribution, found a gun and was going to shoot him. Now, granted this was television, but the unfortunate part is that it also happens in real life.
Whoever has the gun has the power, or so they think.
When we as humans have a situation like that the first thing or at least one of the first things we think about is payback. How do I get even with the person who did whatever?
You can, but what does it solve?
Jesus talked about forgivness in every sense of the word. Even when on the Cross he asked God to forgive the Romans/ jews. etc for the crucifixion.
What can a person what ever the argument get out of paypack? The satisfaction of knowing that you just like your so called enemy got the so called best of you. That you are just going to lie down and take it and expect them to do the same?
That doesn't solve anything. It only makes the situation worse.
But, that's the world we live in.
there are people that think you're getting out of line and it's their job to put you back in it.
Again, wrong approch.
Because:
Number one: Who is to say that anyone is out of line?
and
two: Who told you or the person beating you that it's their job to put you back in line
Here is the problem:
Doesn't matter if you or anyone else is out of line, no one should think their big enough to put you back in it, because than you get angry, the person who fought you gloats about it and you are left to wonder how you can get back at them.
In the 1993 motion picture 'Dazed And Confused' (written & directed by Richard Linklater) a sub plot of the film had to do with high school senior's hazing the in coming freshmen. One particular character, played by Ben Affleck takes it a bit too far leaving some freshmen to retaliate by dumping paint on him.
Good move or a bad move?
Maybe for a movie, but in real life, you better start running cause it might get ugly
Point is it doesn't have to.
The solution is simple to talk about but much harder to do
Be a Godly Man.
Don't concern yourself with getting even, because in time justice to a degree will be served.
perhaps in a court of law depending on the situation or just by the course of life itself.
Let Go and let God to do the healing and whatever payback for lack of a better term needs to be done.
Just remember these words:
God is in control of your life. He will lead you to where He wants you to be.
And for those who think you're out of line, just be something they will never be...........
A man of God
Whoever has the gun has the power, or so they think.
When we as humans have a situation like that the first thing or at least one of the first things we think about is payback. How do I get even with the person who did whatever?
You can, but what does it solve?
Jesus talked about forgivness in every sense of the word. Even when on the Cross he asked God to forgive the Romans/ jews. etc for the crucifixion.
What can a person what ever the argument get out of paypack? The satisfaction of knowing that you just like your so called enemy got the so called best of you. That you are just going to lie down and take it and expect them to do the same?
That doesn't solve anything. It only makes the situation worse.
But, that's the world we live in.
there are people that think you're getting out of line and it's their job to put you back in it.
Again, wrong approch.
Because:
Number one: Who is to say that anyone is out of line?
and
two: Who told you or the person beating you that it's their job to put you back in line
Here is the problem:
Doesn't matter if you or anyone else is out of line, no one should think their big enough to put you back in it, because than you get angry, the person who fought you gloats about it and you are left to wonder how you can get back at them.
In the 1993 motion picture 'Dazed And Confused' (written & directed by Richard Linklater) a sub plot of the film had to do with high school senior's hazing the in coming freshmen. One particular character, played by Ben Affleck takes it a bit too far leaving some freshmen to retaliate by dumping paint on him.
Good move or a bad move?
Maybe for a movie, but in real life, you better start running cause it might get ugly
Point is it doesn't have to.
The solution is simple to talk about but much harder to do
Be a Godly Man.
Don't concern yourself with getting even, because in time justice to a degree will be served.
perhaps in a court of law depending on the situation or just by the course of life itself.
Let Go and let God to do the healing and whatever payback for lack of a better term needs to be done.
Just remember these words:
God is in control of your life. He will lead you to where He wants you to be.
And for those who think you're out of line, just be something they will never be...........
A man of God
Sunday, September 11, 2011
9/11 My Thoughts
September 11th, 2001 holds alot of memorys for alot of people and my heart goes out to all of them, especially for people that lost family memebers. A mere 'My condolence's' doesn't seem to be the right thing to say.
For myself I remember what I was doing and how I felt about it. I understand that what I am about to write may sound a bit selfish, but if it does, it's not intentionally.
Septemeber 10th, 2001 for me personally couldn't have gone any quicker. It didn't matter to me if the day ever came at all. My birthday is september 10th and I was feeling so depressed that day. I didnt feel like celebrating and the tipical birthday greeting I didn't want to hear none the less say thank you for it.
Like I said, I couldn't wait for the day to be over.
When I woke up the next morning and found out what had happened it made me think: How could I have been so lame as to not care about a birthday when over 2,000 people will never see their birthdays again.
I have since been more thoughtful of the day and I take it seriously.
The thing that struck me wasn't how it happened but why it happened. Yeah, I had heard the name Bin Laden before and how devious he was, but never quite understood how someone who to my knowledge had never been to America had so much disdain for it.
Someone explained to me that the terrorist didn't like our way of life and even though I didn't quite get it, I left it alone. I must admit, I still don't get it,but I am not the only one.
Yes, this country does have it faults. It seems like we can't agree on anything. What some one thinks is right, other's think is wrong. But what ever it is right or wrong doesn't mean you need to drive airplanes into building killing just about everyone in there.
I remember hearing from one of my aunts that she and my uncle were going to New York to visit my cousin. I do not remember where exactly she lived at the time, but my aunt said later that from her daughter's house they could see all of the smoke and stuff from the Twin Towers
It has been 10 years and alot of things have been done to protect this great nation of ours and in fairness to both Presidents they did and are doing a decent job. I have heard there are alot of people that don't agree with some thing's that have been put in place since than, but I personally think it's better than the alturnative and that would be another attack.
My eldest nephew was about three going on four years old in 2001 and his mother told me she was watching tv with him or the television happened to be on with all of the footage.She had said he had asked what happened. She did the best she could by putting it mildly and he understood considering his age. Flash forward ten years, my nephew is now 13 years old and is in middle school. I haven't checked any recent junior high history books, but I wouldn't doubt that the events of 9/11 are in there. Safe to say my nephew now knows it was more than just a bad thing done by bad people, even though it was.
For myself I remember what I was doing and how I felt about it. I understand that what I am about to write may sound a bit selfish, but if it does, it's not intentionally.
Septemeber 10th, 2001 for me personally couldn't have gone any quicker. It didn't matter to me if the day ever came at all. My birthday is september 10th and I was feeling so depressed that day. I didnt feel like celebrating and the tipical birthday greeting I didn't want to hear none the less say thank you for it.
Like I said, I couldn't wait for the day to be over.
When I woke up the next morning and found out what had happened it made me think: How could I have been so lame as to not care about a birthday when over 2,000 people will never see their birthdays again.
I have since been more thoughtful of the day and I take it seriously.
The thing that struck me wasn't how it happened but why it happened. Yeah, I had heard the name Bin Laden before and how devious he was, but never quite understood how someone who to my knowledge had never been to America had so much disdain for it.
Someone explained to me that the terrorist didn't like our way of life and even though I didn't quite get it, I left it alone. I must admit, I still don't get it,but I am not the only one.
Yes, this country does have it faults. It seems like we can't agree on anything. What some one thinks is right, other's think is wrong. But what ever it is right or wrong doesn't mean you need to drive airplanes into building killing just about everyone in there.
I remember hearing from one of my aunts that she and my uncle were going to New York to visit my cousin. I do not remember where exactly she lived at the time, but my aunt said later that from her daughter's house they could see all of the smoke and stuff from the Twin Towers
It has been 10 years and alot of things have been done to protect this great nation of ours and in fairness to both Presidents they did and are doing a decent job. I have heard there are alot of people that don't agree with some thing's that have been put in place since than, but I personally think it's better than the alturnative and that would be another attack.
My eldest nephew was about three going on four years old in 2001 and his mother told me she was watching tv with him or the television happened to be on with all of the footage.She had said he had asked what happened. She did the best she could by putting it mildly and he understood considering his age. Flash forward ten years, my nephew is now 13 years old and is in middle school. I haven't checked any recent junior high history books, but I wouldn't doubt that the events of 9/11 are in there. Safe to say my nephew now knows it was more than just a bad thing done by bad people, even though it was.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Clarification
And no, "FPTF" is not back. It is still on hiatus. I just needed to get the cruelty thing off my chest.
There is no need to respond to THIS entry.
There is no need to respond to THIS entry.
Cruelty To Animals.... Don't Do It..... And Don't Make Fun Of It
I was watching television I think last thursday night and it was a repeat of what is considered by some to be one of the best animated cartoons of the past ten years entitled Family Guy. If any thing it is an acquired taste. Some like it other's, including myself don't.
I won't get into why I don't like it.... or perhaps I will......
The episode I was watching, the british speaking toddler was having a conversation with the family's dog, (yes, the dog, who is named Brian actually talks) and it had something to do about money. The dog didn't have it, the toddler gave him time to get it, the dog didn't and than the toddler started beating the dog.
This to me is just tasteless. YOU DO DO ABUSE ANIMALS AND MAKE FUN OF IT!!!!.
It seems to me that in some forms of entertainment it is ok to make fun of anything as long as its a joke, well, contrary to any comedian who thinks everything is funny no matter what it is, I strongy disagree.
Yes, this is just a cartoon. I am fully aware of that. But, I do blame to a degree the writer's for even thinking animal cruelty is funny when it isn't.
What do they do, write about it and than on their way home they might happen to see someone abusing their pet so they get on the cell phone and call PETA?
If they do, than they are nothing but hypocrites.
Animals of any species do not know that they are doing wrong so naturally they don't understand why they are being punished.
It's just wrong plain and simple.
need another example of the 'not everything is funny' hypothosis?
I wrote a few months ago about what is considerd to be the most dirtyest joke ever told called 'The Aristocrats' I have heard this so called joke only once and I was appalled by it because during the telling of it ( and there are different versions of it depending upon who is telling it) but one way was to involve children being used in the worst way possible.
Now, this is not funny no matter how hard you try and make it. But there are comics that have tried and the sad part about it is there are people that laugh at it in comedy clubs.
Than they go home to their children and say no one is going to lay a hand on my child.
Ok, good parenting, but why were you seen in a comedy club laughing at a joke that depicted it?
You get my point, some things just aren't funny and should never be classified as such.
If you do that, you are no friend of mine and if you get in trouble for abusing a helpless animal or worst yet a child, I have no simpathy for you.
I won't get into why I don't like it.... or perhaps I will......
The episode I was watching, the british speaking toddler was having a conversation with the family's dog, (yes, the dog, who is named Brian actually talks) and it had something to do about money. The dog didn't have it, the toddler gave him time to get it, the dog didn't and than the toddler started beating the dog.
This to me is just tasteless. YOU DO DO ABUSE ANIMALS AND MAKE FUN OF IT!!!!.
It seems to me that in some forms of entertainment it is ok to make fun of anything as long as its a joke, well, contrary to any comedian who thinks everything is funny no matter what it is, I strongy disagree.
Yes, this is just a cartoon. I am fully aware of that. But, I do blame to a degree the writer's for even thinking animal cruelty is funny when it isn't.
What do they do, write about it and than on their way home they might happen to see someone abusing their pet so they get on the cell phone and call PETA?
If they do, than they are nothing but hypocrites.
Animals of any species do not know that they are doing wrong so naturally they don't understand why they are being punished.
It's just wrong plain and simple.
need another example of the 'not everything is funny' hypothosis?
I wrote a few months ago about what is considerd to be the most dirtyest joke ever told called 'The Aristocrats' I have heard this so called joke only once and I was appalled by it because during the telling of it ( and there are different versions of it depending upon who is telling it) but one way was to involve children being used in the worst way possible.
Now, this is not funny no matter how hard you try and make it. But there are comics that have tried and the sad part about it is there are people that laugh at it in comedy clubs.
Than they go home to their children and say no one is going to lay a hand on my child.
Ok, good parenting, but why were you seen in a comedy club laughing at a joke that depicted it?
You get my point, some things just aren't funny and should never be classified as such.
If you do that, you are no friend of mine and if you get in trouble for abusing a helpless animal or worst yet a child, I have no simpathy for you.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Blog Entry For July, 7th, 2011
Untill further notice, from paper to film (thats what you're reading) will be on hiatus.
If you need to be reminded, read above.
There is no need to respond wih a comment.
Thats just how it is going to be.
Live with it.
If you need to be reminded, read above.
There is no need to respond wih a comment.
Thats just how it is going to be.
Live with it.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
It's The End Of The World As We Know It.....Or Not
Ok,today is June 19, 2011 for those of you keeping track, but something odd strikes me. Can't seem to put my finger on it. I get this feeling something was supposed to happen on May 21st 2011 and well, it didn't.
Hmmm.
Of course it didn't, much to the surprise of Harold Camping. The surprise was that the world did not end like pastor Camping thought it would.
It won't happen in october either.
See, the problem with what is known has pre tribulation believer's is that some of them go too far and it can be one of two things, one they are either out of their minds or two their down right scary talking about death and how pretty it is going to be. The pretty part is getting to Heaven.
Its a goal that all Christian's want to and will reach, but I personally don't think it should be somethig that consumes your every day thought that you go about planning what you and your friends are gong to do in Heaven once you get there.
A pastor I once heard give a sermon said this: "Even though Heaven is going to be fun and we will finally get a chance to meet Jesus face to face, we shouldn't go making plans for what we are going to do once we get there, because it will amaze so much, we wont have time to make plans."
If I am getting long winded and what I just wrote makes no sence, let me put it this way: Maybe we should just live our lives the way do, worshipping God the way we do and leave the party planning to Him.
Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to going to Heaven when I die, but I have never made plans of what I will do once I get there.
Here is a question that may or may not have been asked during the months leading up to that May Saturday. Why is this guy saying this?
I can't speak for him, but I can give you my hypothesis and its this: Once we become Christians we want to share the Good News of Christ with other people. We want them to know the same joy that we feel and the fact that we are going to heaven. We want them to come with us.
We made the choice,why can't they?
It's a fair question that I think I have the answer for. I have stated this before.
Christians and non christian alike like doing what ever it is they do and they don't want to be told that it is wrong. Doesn't matter if it is or isn't. Alot of people in todays society love doing the wrong thing just for the sake of doing it.
People may say to you, 'why are you a Christian? Why is it so important to you to have God in your life'? Another simple answer, it is because we are tired of living our lives the way we used to.
When I became a Christian in 1993, I was dealing with alot of issues. I didn't know how to deal with them. Some of it anger, some it just nonsence I had brought on my self. Thing was, I wanted to get rid of it all, but I didn't know how to.
Now, granted there are doctors, therapist's etc that can help what ever ills you, but, the problem comes back.
What I found is that God is the ultimate healer. Once you give him a problem in your life, he takes care of it. Now, you may find your self thinking about it from time to time, but you know God has it in control.
Once again, when we become Christians we want to share it with other's so they can know the same peace we do.
So there for when some one like a Harold Camping says what he says, even though he has no more insight than you or I do, he is doing it because he wants people to know Heaven is a real place and he doesn't want people to go to hell.
It's unfortunate that people choose to go there.
The only flaw with Camping's message is this: No one on earth knows when Jesus will comeback. NO ONE.
Only Person that knows is God himself.
I will leave you with two things
One: I am sure you have heard many people say this: 'You're funnier than hell or you look like hell or worse yet, go to hell.
Hell is not funny and it wont be a party.
everyone knows what hell looks like and I doubt there is one human on earth that looks like it or feels like it
and third, if you are a Christian and want people to come to heaven with you why would we tell them to go somewhere we are trying save them from?
It your choice. To all that will read this, I can't say I will never meet you personally because I don't know if I will or not, but if I don't I hope to meet you in Heaven.
Hmmm.
Of course it didn't, much to the surprise of Harold Camping. The surprise was that the world did not end like pastor Camping thought it would.
It won't happen in october either.
See, the problem with what is known has pre tribulation believer's is that some of them go too far and it can be one of two things, one they are either out of their minds or two their down right scary talking about death and how pretty it is going to be. The pretty part is getting to Heaven.
Its a goal that all Christian's want to and will reach, but I personally don't think it should be somethig that consumes your every day thought that you go about planning what you and your friends are gong to do in Heaven once you get there.
A pastor I once heard give a sermon said this: "Even though Heaven is going to be fun and we will finally get a chance to meet Jesus face to face, we shouldn't go making plans for what we are going to do once we get there, because it will amaze so much, we wont have time to make plans."
If I am getting long winded and what I just wrote makes no sence, let me put it this way: Maybe we should just live our lives the way do, worshipping God the way we do and leave the party planning to Him.
Don't get me wrong, I am looking forward to going to Heaven when I die, but I have never made plans of what I will do once I get there.
Here is a question that may or may not have been asked during the months leading up to that May Saturday. Why is this guy saying this?
I can't speak for him, but I can give you my hypothesis and its this: Once we become Christians we want to share the Good News of Christ with other people. We want them to know the same joy that we feel and the fact that we are going to heaven. We want them to come with us.
We made the choice,why can't they?
It's a fair question that I think I have the answer for. I have stated this before.
Christians and non christian alike like doing what ever it is they do and they don't want to be told that it is wrong. Doesn't matter if it is or isn't. Alot of people in todays society love doing the wrong thing just for the sake of doing it.
People may say to you, 'why are you a Christian? Why is it so important to you to have God in your life'? Another simple answer, it is because we are tired of living our lives the way we used to.
When I became a Christian in 1993, I was dealing with alot of issues. I didn't know how to deal with them. Some of it anger, some it just nonsence I had brought on my self. Thing was, I wanted to get rid of it all, but I didn't know how to.
Now, granted there are doctors, therapist's etc that can help what ever ills you, but, the problem comes back.
What I found is that God is the ultimate healer. Once you give him a problem in your life, he takes care of it. Now, you may find your self thinking about it from time to time, but you know God has it in control.
Once again, when we become Christians we want to share it with other's so they can know the same peace we do.
So there for when some one like a Harold Camping says what he says, even though he has no more insight than you or I do, he is doing it because he wants people to know Heaven is a real place and he doesn't want people to go to hell.
It's unfortunate that people choose to go there.
The only flaw with Camping's message is this: No one on earth knows when Jesus will comeback. NO ONE.
Only Person that knows is God himself.
I will leave you with two things
One: I am sure you have heard many people say this: 'You're funnier than hell or you look like hell or worse yet, go to hell.
Hell is not funny and it wont be a party.
everyone knows what hell looks like and I doubt there is one human on earth that looks like it or feels like it
and third, if you are a Christian and want people to come to heaven with you why would we tell them to go somewhere we are trying save them from?
It your choice. To all that will read this, I can't say I will never meet you personally because I don't know if I will or not, but if I don't I hope to meet you in Heaven.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
To Be Or Not To Be...... A Vegetarian
In either the spring or summer of 1995 I tried to be a vegetarian. Operative word was "tried". The reason why It didn't last I think was because I wasn't really focusing on giving up meat. It's not as easy as you might think.
I think one other reason why was because no matter what we are vegetarians or not, we like the foods we eat and it's hard to give them up. On this particular 1995 spring or summer day I had passed by a taco bell resturant and thought a burrito supreme would sooth my appitite.
Thats not to say that If I had tried again to give up meat I couldn't succeed this time. When I make my move from Arizona back to California, it is something that I will deffinetly consider.
Oh, about that.... I know I told you I wouldn't be writing untill I moved, obviously I changed my mind. I can do that, it's my blog.
Besides, you my reader's enjoy reading it. Just admit it to yourselves.
I used to think I would never become a vegetarian, not because I couldn't give up meat, although that is a big part of it, but I also didn't know how it would taste. I had heard stories about vegan food being some of the worst food around. That is untill I actually tried some that my feelings were a bit different.
I also felt that the reason for some people going vegan was because they felt it was creulity to animals. That could be part of the reason for some people, but not for everyone, as I have learned.
People can be a vegetarian for religious reasons, health reasons, etc.
It's not a bad thing at all. The preference is yours.
Scientist have never really been able to confirm whether or not a vegetarian diet is either good or bad. They have did research and it was sort of the same. You can get ill by eating certain foods whether they are meatless or not.
Although I have heard and in my own experiance's meat can be detrimental to some people. I have known people that simply cannot eat it. Not by choice,but biological. Hard to believe, but it is true.
I feel the way a person is raised to eat, doesn't matter meat or not is just that, you were brought up this way and yes, if you wanted to you could change it, but it would take some strength. I am not say that being a vegetarian is an addiction because I dont think that it is, but if you wanted to give it up, you could.
Keep in mind it may take a while for you to get used to your new diet of meat.
In doing research for this topic I have learned that people that have either been tricked in to eating say a hamburger or just wanted to try meat for its taste had become ill afterwards.
Why, you ask? Simple, really. They were not used to it. Same could be said with non vegetarians trying a meat less meal for the first time.
With me, I personally could not tell the difference. It was only till later that I was told that the dinner was meat less. I didn't get sick, I just found my self liking it and to a degree wanting to try the dish again.
A couple of months ago, I read a blog about milk and the ingredients that store bought hemogenized milk has. I was unaware of this. I must admit that even though I found the blog interesting and I did take alot of it for my own personal value, that doesn't mean I gave up milk. Once again, when you have been used to something your whole life, it's hard to give it up.
I remember being a child and was invited for dinner at a friends house. I don't recall how old I was, but I would guess possibly single digit's. I recall the family having a big piece of land with a cow or two. When they offered me a beverage for the meal, it was milk and I was told it was fresh from the cow.
Tasted alot different than what I was used to. A bit sour,I recall.
Now, I could be wrong with what I am going to say, but if the person that wrote the milk blog ever tried hemogenized milk ( I have no clue whether he or she has or not) just like a vegetarian trying meat for the first time, it could make them sick.
If I am wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. I honestly don't know. I am not a doctor.
In closing, I will say it again, whether or not you are a vegetarian it is your choice. There is nothing wrong being one or not being one. You can eat just as healthy either way.
If I choose to try giving up meat again, I will let you know of my progress. I couldn't tell you to wait for this, cause I don't know when or if it will happen. All I can say is that I will let you know how it goes.
I think one other reason why was because no matter what we are vegetarians or not, we like the foods we eat and it's hard to give them up. On this particular 1995 spring or summer day I had passed by a taco bell resturant and thought a burrito supreme would sooth my appitite.
Thats not to say that If I had tried again to give up meat I couldn't succeed this time. When I make my move from Arizona back to California, it is something that I will deffinetly consider.
Oh, about that.... I know I told you I wouldn't be writing untill I moved, obviously I changed my mind. I can do that, it's my blog.
Besides, you my reader's enjoy reading it. Just admit it to yourselves.
I used to think I would never become a vegetarian, not because I couldn't give up meat, although that is a big part of it, but I also didn't know how it would taste. I had heard stories about vegan food being some of the worst food around. That is untill I actually tried some that my feelings were a bit different.
I also felt that the reason for some people going vegan was because they felt it was creulity to animals. That could be part of the reason for some people, but not for everyone, as I have learned.
People can be a vegetarian for religious reasons, health reasons, etc.
It's not a bad thing at all. The preference is yours.
Scientist have never really been able to confirm whether or not a vegetarian diet is either good or bad. They have did research and it was sort of the same. You can get ill by eating certain foods whether they are meatless or not.
Although I have heard and in my own experiance's meat can be detrimental to some people. I have known people that simply cannot eat it. Not by choice,but biological. Hard to believe, but it is true.
I feel the way a person is raised to eat, doesn't matter meat or not is just that, you were brought up this way and yes, if you wanted to you could change it, but it would take some strength. I am not say that being a vegetarian is an addiction because I dont think that it is, but if you wanted to give it up, you could.
Keep in mind it may take a while for you to get used to your new diet of meat.
In doing research for this topic I have learned that people that have either been tricked in to eating say a hamburger or just wanted to try meat for its taste had become ill afterwards.
Why, you ask? Simple, really. They were not used to it. Same could be said with non vegetarians trying a meat less meal for the first time.
With me, I personally could not tell the difference. It was only till later that I was told that the dinner was meat less. I didn't get sick, I just found my self liking it and to a degree wanting to try the dish again.
A couple of months ago, I read a blog about milk and the ingredients that store bought hemogenized milk has. I was unaware of this. I must admit that even though I found the blog interesting and I did take alot of it for my own personal value, that doesn't mean I gave up milk. Once again, when you have been used to something your whole life, it's hard to give it up.
I remember being a child and was invited for dinner at a friends house. I don't recall how old I was, but I would guess possibly single digit's. I recall the family having a big piece of land with a cow or two. When they offered me a beverage for the meal, it was milk and I was told it was fresh from the cow.
Tasted alot different than what I was used to. A bit sour,I recall.
Now, I could be wrong with what I am going to say, but if the person that wrote the milk blog ever tried hemogenized milk ( I have no clue whether he or she has or not) just like a vegetarian trying meat for the first time, it could make them sick.
If I am wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. I honestly don't know. I am not a doctor.
In closing, I will say it again, whether or not you are a vegetarian it is your choice. There is nothing wrong being one or not being one. You can eat just as healthy either way.
If I choose to try giving up meat again, I will let you know of my progress. I couldn't tell you to wait for this, cause I don't know when or if it will happen. All I can say is that I will let you know how it goes.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Let's Talk About Sports
Recently I was on the social network site known as facebook and a friend of mine posted something about his or at least one of his favorite sports team. I had made a comment back saying that I had seen one of the games and I liked where it was being held. Looked like a good sized arena from the camera veiw I saw. When another facebook friend had written something back in responce to my comment it finally hit me:
Never make a useless comment about a Canadians hockey team. Especially during the Stanley Cup Finals. Reason is very simple and I have heard this saying before but obviously it slipped my mind:
Canadian's take their hockey seriously.
Now, I wasn't durogatory about the game or it's team. I am not that big of a sports fan to make it a point of saying " yeah this or that team is better than your's." Quite honestly it never made much sense.
Now, don't get me wrong, my reader's, I do have teams in basketball, baseball, hockey, and football that I do like, but that doesn't mean that I don't like the other guy's or girls team because in all honesty their equally the same.
It doesn't matter what the sport is every team in it has had their share of victorys, losses and championships. I guess it might be because I am not that big of a sports fan that I dont get the whole picture.
Before I continue, I think I should make it clear that I am not trying to say that liking ones country or city team is a bad thing because it isn't. One thing these teams do in any given sport is it takes you away from your daily routine when you sit down and watch it. To a degree it is entertainment. Either you or your friends and family are taking time out of your busy daily life to sit down either in a stadium or an arena or at home to watch these men or ladies play their respective sport.
There is nothing wrong with that at all. I have seen my share of superbowl games and I have rooted for the team that I thought would win, thats not to say that by the end of the game when said team might have lost that I didn't give credit were it was due to the team that did win.
I wouldn't doubt that even if my friends hockey team doesn't win I dont picture him to be the sort of person to degrade the winning team. He may not be a fan, he doesn't have to be, but at least he would give credit were it is due and might say it was a well played game by both teams.
From what I understand, not everybody feels that way.
Recently, during a baseball game in California a man got into a fight with another man over whos team was better. One of the men is in jail for beating the other guy so bad that his chances for recovery are slim.
And all this happened over two baseball teams.
Now, granted, the man in jail had some realy serious problems and according from what I heard on this news report he had a violent streek in him prior to this. But, this all started over two fans of two sports teams playing a game of "my team is better than yours"
I have been to my share of, basketball, baseball and football games and yes you do meet the occasional person that thinks he or she has to play the afore mentioned game, but it's all in good fun.
You may or may not agree with what I am going to say or what I have said in this blog, but I will give you one more hypothesis on sports.
In any given baseball, basketball, football or hockey game you have each team saying they are going to win the game. In all fairness, they have the talent, but for either team the only way to know this happens once the game is played. I think it basically is about what team wants it more. And neither team knows that untill they are out there on a feild or a court or a rink playing the game.
In closing I would like to add this:
Go Vancouver Canucks!!!!!
Never make a useless comment about a Canadians hockey team. Especially during the Stanley Cup Finals. Reason is very simple and I have heard this saying before but obviously it slipped my mind:
Canadian's take their hockey seriously.
Now, I wasn't durogatory about the game or it's team. I am not that big of a sports fan to make it a point of saying " yeah this or that team is better than your's." Quite honestly it never made much sense.
Now, don't get me wrong, my reader's, I do have teams in basketball, baseball, hockey, and football that I do like, but that doesn't mean that I don't like the other guy's or girls team because in all honesty their equally the same.
It doesn't matter what the sport is every team in it has had their share of victorys, losses and championships. I guess it might be because I am not that big of a sports fan that I dont get the whole picture.
Before I continue, I think I should make it clear that I am not trying to say that liking ones country or city team is a bad thing because it isn't. One thing these teams do in any given sport is it takes you away from your daily routine when you sit down and watch it. To a degree it is entertainment. Either you or your friends and family are taking time out of your busy daily life to sit down either in a stadium or an arena or at home to watch these men or ladies play their respective sport.
There is nothing wrong with that at all. I have seen my share of superbowl games and I have rooted for the team that I thought would win, thats not to say that by the end of the game when said team might have lost that I didn't give credit were it was due to the team that did win.
I wouldn't doubt that even if my friends hockey team doesn't win I dont picture him to be the sort of person to degrade the winning team. He may not be a fan, he doesn't have to be, but at least he would give credit were it is due and might say it was a well played game by both teams.
From what I understand, not everybody feels that way.
Recently, during a baseball game in California a man got into a fight with another man over whos team was better. One of the men is in jail for beating the other guy so bad that his chances for recovery are slim.
And all this happened over two baseball teams.
Now, granted, the man in jail had some realy serious problems and according from what I heard on this news report he had a violent streek in him prior to this. But, this all started over two fans of two sports teams playing a game of "my team is better than yours"
I have been to my share of, basketball, baseball and football games and yes you do meet the occasional person that thinks he or she has to play the afore mentioned game, but it's all in good fun.
You may or may not agree with what I am going to say or what I have said in this blog, but I will give you one more hypothesis on sports.
In any given baseball, basketball, football or hockey game you have each team saying they are going to win the game. In all fairness, they have the talent, but for either team the only way to know this happens once the game is played. I think it basically is about what team wants it more. And neither team knows that untill they are out there on a feild or a court or a rink playing the game.
In closing I would like to add this:
Go Vancouver Canucks!!!!!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Standing In The Corner + Time Out= Same Thing
I have said this before, but this time I mean it. This will be my last blog entry untill I move.
Trust me.
Do you remember when you were growing up and as a young child you would do something your parents did not approve and be told to 'go stand in the corner'? I think just about every child has been told that.
Now a days its called 'time out'. It doesn't matter what you call it, it is still the same thing. It could be standing at a wall or sitting in a chair or what ever the parent doing the disiplining deems necessary.
I think the reason for calling it time out as aposed to the corner might have to do with the length of time a kid was supposed to stand. Depending on the parent it might have been anywhere from five to ten minutes. If you were a smart parent. I recall hearing once on a news report and this is no lie, that a parent got arrested for having her child stand in the corner for over five hours. To me and I guess to any rational thinking parent thats too long.
But, regardless and I am not trying to excuse this woman's behavior, but you are the parent ( if you are a parent) and from what I have learned is that no parent likes to be told how to disapline their kid. To a degree I can't say I blame them. I would only take exception if the parent makes the evening news and outright abuses their kid, even than I don't know if I would say or do anything.
I feel as a single male with no children I can learn not just from other parents about how to be a effective dad when and if God allows me to, but I can also learn from my experiance as a child and how I was disaplined.
Now, with all due respect to my mother she did the best she could with myself and my sibling and looking back I would have to say she wasn't abusive with us, but with that being said, she got her point accross. I hope that one day I can do the same with my children.
I remember watching an old episode of Little House On The Prairie where in a flash back episode of the Micheal Landon character as young boy. He had did something to his teacher, the teacher knew the boy had did it and told the boys father. The father while still in front of the teacher, let the instructor paddle the boy. Only thing was the teacher didn't stop when the boys father wanted him too.
I personally see a problem with this happening in real life situations and that is some times other people don't know when to quit the disapline if the parent of the child agrees that they can do so.
Mom and dad come home and they notice that some one went over board.
Thats not only wrong in my opinion but a crime as well.
If you recall I had wrote in an earlier blog about a friend of mine who misplaced his cell phone and went all around his house asking his wife and kids if thay had seen it. When it was finally figured out that one of his kids, after telling my friend no he didn't see or use it, my friend told me he had to 'Be a dad' and put a bit of a restriction on him. The child in question was a teenager, but it doesn't really make a difference a parent has to do what they feel is right if they think their kids are not being honest with them.
Lastly I will leave you , my reader's with this. First, I will honestly tell you I do not know the percentage of parents that do this, but I am aware that some use what I like to call 'the counting method'. Basically, the parent wants the child to either do or stop something, if the child doesn't than the parent would start counting. The hypothesis is by at least the number two, the kid is on their way to do whatever or has stopped doing what ever. If the parent got to three and the kid didn't stop, he or she was in some hot water as they say.
I once knew of a kid who's parents did get to three. He told me and I quote " I shouldn't have pushed them"
If anybody reading this is a parent this blog was in no way shape or form trying to tell you how to raise or disapline your kid. I trust you are a fair parent and you all go about the task with honesty and integrity.
Trust me.
Do you remember when you were growing up and as a young child you would do something your parents did not approve and be told to 'go stand in the corner'? I think just about every child has been told that.
Now a days its called 'time out'. It doesn't matter what you call it, it is still the same thing. It could be standing at a wall or sitting in a chair or what ever the parent doing the disiplining deems necessary.
I think the reason for calling it time out as aposed to the corner might have to do with the length of time a kid was supposed to stand. Depending on the parent it might have been anywhere from five to ten minutes. If you were a smart parent. I recall hearing once on a news report and this is no lie, that a parent got arrested for having her child stand in the corner for over five hours. To me and I guess to any rational thinking parent thats too long.
But, regardless and I am not trying to excuse this woman's behavior, but you are the parent ( if you are a parent) and from what I have learned is that no parent likes to be told how to disapline their kid. To a degree I can't say I blame them. I would only take exception if the parent makes the evening news and outright abuses their kid, even than I don't know if I would say or do anything.
I feel as a single male with no children I can learn not just from other parents about how to be a effective dad when and if God allows me to, but I can also learn from my experiance as a child and how I was disaplined.
Now, with all due respect to my mother she did the best she could with myself and my sibling and looking back I would have to say she wasn't abusive with us, but with that being said, she got her point accross. I hope that one day I can do the same with my children.
I remember watching an old episode of Little House On The Prairie where in a flash back episode of the Micheal Landon character as young boy. He had did something to his teacher, the teacher knew the boy had did it and told the boys father. The father while still in front of the teacher, let the instructor paddle the boy. Only thing was the teacher didn't stop when the boys father wanted him too.
I personally see a problem with this happening in real life situations and that is some times other people don't know when to quit the disapline if the parent of the child agrees that they can do so.
Mom and dad come home and they notice that some one went over board.
Thats not only wrong in my opinion but a crime as well.
If you recall I had wrote in an earlier blog about a friend of mine who misplaced his cell phone and went all around his house asking his wife and kids if thay had seen it. When it was finally figured out that one of his kids, after telling my friend no he didn't see or use it, my friend told me he had to 'Be a dad' and put a bit of a restriction on him. The child in question was a teenager, but it doesn't really make a difference a parent has to do what they feel is right if they think their kids are not being honest with them.
Lastly I will leave you , my reader's with this. First, I will honestly tell you I do not know the percentage of parents that do this, but I am aware that some use what I like to call 'the counting method'. Basically, the parent wants the child to either do or stop something, if the child doesn't than the parent would start counting. The hypothesis is by at least the number two, the kid is on their way to do whatever or has stopped doing what ever. If the parent got to three and the kid didn't stop, he or she was in some hot water as they say.
I once knew of a kid who's parents did get to three. He told me and I quote " I shouldn't have pushed them"
If anybody reading this is a parent this blog was in no way shape or form trying to tell you how to raise or disapline your kid. I trust you are a fair parent and you all go about the task with honesty and integrity.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Stain America Can Not Wash Away
Over the weekend I was watching an episode of an old televison series called The Waltons. In this episode, filmed around 1978 followed a character named Virdie Foster, an African American who, if you remember the show was a friend of the Walton family and thus a recurring character played by actress Lynn Hamilton. This particular episode delt with Virdie and her daughter.
The daughter who just recently came back home has had trouble finding work. Mostly the show centered around racism and just because this woman was black she couldn't find the type of job she was trained for. Like I said for anyone who remember's the Waltons knows it was set in the southern part of the United States in the late 1930's early 1940's and this 'Virde' had to deal with what was once known as 'Jim Crow' law.
Racism is a stain America cannot wash away and we only have ourselves as a country to blame. Early American settlers in the 1700' who had an abundance of land didn't want to hire people to do the work, ie picking and plowing the feilds so they thought kidnapping people from their native lands and forcing them to do the work was a bright idea.
It wasn't.
Ove 200 years later we still can non shake it. Granted there has a been alot of progress. One and this has to be the most obvious the first black president,Barack Obama.
Regardles of how much progress we have made we still take one step backward when we aren't as nice as we should be and start being a tad racist.
Everyone is guilty of this.
At one time or another we all have used the "N" word when refering to an African American. Perhaps we didn't mean to, but we did it anyway.
Years before I had my computer, I used to go into what is known as (at least in the state of Califoria) internet cafe's, where you could be able to either play popular computer games or you could surf the world wide web. So, I am in this cafe and some one is playing music. I think as a joke, (a very bad one in my opinion) starts playing this song that was so racist towards blacks, I had to leave.
I have friends that are African American, and I consider anyone who uses the 'N' word ( you know what word I am refering to) in front of me to be criticizing those friends of mine. They have never met my frends, but I feel that since they used the word, I have to to a degree defend them.
But racism works both ways. It's not just whites ( some of them) against blacks, its blacks as well.
I will give you an example.
In the late 1990's I was asked by two good friends of mine if I would be a usher for their wedding. They told me I would need a tuxedo and where to go to find it. I get to the place (a shopping mall in southern california) walk all around it both first and second floors, but I couldn't find the store. So, finally I start asking. I see this one gentleman with his family and I say maybe four to five times 'pardon me, sir', the guy doesn't answer. Finally after my last try one of his children says to him, " dad, this guy is trying to talk to you" The guy turns toward his kid and says and I quote " I ain't talkin' to whitey" and than walks from me
All I wanted to know is if he knew where this tuxedo shop was.
Personally I feel that it is in how you or we are raised. If you live or lived in a family where hatred runs or ran ramped you yourself might turn out the same way bcause you would think their is nothing wrong with how you feel.
Earlier in this blog I mentioned current United States President, Barack Obama. Possibly ever since he won the office or maybe even before that he (Obama) wasn't born in America, so to prove that he was showed his birth certificate to the world proving he is an American citizen.
There are two sides to this: One is the Republican side that thinks because Obama is a Democrat that he isn't doing that good of a job and want him out of the White House.
Second is racism. It has to be, unfortunately. There are people in this country that do not want a black person as president. It's sad, but it's the truth.
In the early 1990's an African American named Rodney King was pulled over by three or four police officer's for a traffic violation. These officer's were caught on camera beating King up in the middle of the street. about a year or so later, King took these officer's to court to which they were found innocent of their actions and thus started the Los Angeles riots. A few days into the riots, King made a televison apperence where he asked those who were rioting to quit and thus uttered the saying " Can't we all just get along?"
Can we?
The daughter who just recently came back home has had trouble finding work. Mostly the show centered around racism and just because this woman was black she couldn't find the type of job she was trained for. Like I said for anyone who remember's the Waltons knows it was set in the southern part of the United States in the late 1930's early 1940's and this 'Virde' had to deal with what was once known as 'Jim Crow' law.
Racism is a stain America cannot wash away and we only have ourselves as a country to blame. Early American settlers in the 1700' who had an abundance of land didn't want to hire people to do the work, ie picking and plowing the feilds so they thought kidnapping people from their native lands and forcing them to do the work was a bright idea.
It wasn't.
Ove 200 years later we still can non shake it. Granted there has a been alot of progress. One and this has to be the most obvious the first black president,Barack Obama.
Regardles of how much progress we have made we still take one step backward when we aren't as nice as we should be and start being a tad racist.
Everyone is guilty of this.
At one time or another we all have used the "N" word when refering to an African American. Perhaps we didn't mean to, but we did it anyway.
Years before I had my computer, I used to go into what is known as (at least in the state of Califoria) internet cafe's, where you could be able to either play popular computer games or you could surf the world wide web. So, I am in this cafe and some one is playing music. I think as a joke, (a very bad one in my opinion) starts playing this song that was so racist towards blacks, I had to leave.
I have friends that are African American, and I consider anyone who uses the 'N' word ( you know what word I am refering to) in front of me to be criticizing those friends of mine. They have never met my frends, but I feel that since they used the word, I have to to a degree defend them.
But racism works both ways. It's not just whites ( some of them) against blacks, its blacks as well.
I will give you an example.
In the late 1990's I was asked by two good friends of mine if I would be a usher for their wedding. They told me I would need a tuxedo and where to go to find it. I get to the place (a shopping mall in southern california) walk all around it both first and second floors, but I couldn't find the store. So, finally I start asking. I see this one gentleman with his family and I say maybe four to five times 'pardon me, sir', the guy doesn't answer. Finally after my last try one of his children says to him, " dad, this guy is trying to talk to you" The guy turns toward his kid and says and I quote " I ain't talkin' to whitey" and than walks from me
All I wanted to know is if he knew where this tuxedo shop was.
Personally I feel that it is in how you or we are raised. If you live or lived in a family where hatred runs or ran ramped you yourself might turn out the same way bcause you would think their is nothing wrong with how you feel.
Earlier in this blog I mentioned current United States President, Barack Obama. Possibly ever since he won the office or maybe even before that he (Obama) wasn't born in America, so to prove that he was showed his birth certificate to the world proving he is an American citizen.
There are two sides to this: One is the Republican side that thinks because Obama is a Democrat that he isn't doing that good of a job and want him out of the White House.
Second is racism. It has to be, unfortunately. There are people in this country that do not want a black person as president. It's sad, but it's the truth.
In the early 1990's an African American named Rodney King was pulled over by three or four police officer's for a traffic violation. These officer's were caught on camera beating King up in the middle of the street. about a year or so later, King took these officer's to court to which they were found innocent of their actions and thus started the Los Angeles riots. A few days into the riots, King made a televison apperence where he asked those who were rioting to quit and thus uttered the saying " Can't we all just get along?"
Can we?
Friday, May 6, 2011
The Death Of Osama Bin Laden
With this Sundays news of the death of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin laden brought a lot of relief and celebration for alot of people. The thing is, was it all necessary. His capture, yes most definitely, but all of the crowds gathering in certain locations like in front of the White House and in New York at Ground Zero wasn't necessary.
But, it happened.
Dont get me wrong, I was very saddened the morning of Tuesday, september 11th, 2001. An estimated 3000 lives were lost and for really no reason other than one man's hatred for a country he most likely had never been to.
I cannot unerstand that, I doubt anyone really can for that matter, but to have hatred for something you have either never seen or have never been to.
I have heard tons of storys of countrys that either, One: have little or no freedoms to them, for instance, North Korea where from my understanding it's leader makes his citizens obey him. Or country's that have laws that, well quite simply shouldn't be allowed. I may not agree with it but I don't hate it.
Hate is a word I think that has been taken out of content. In America some aspects of hate can be considered a crime.
You may or may not agree with someones way of life. That is not a crime, its called a disagreement. It becomes a crime when you do bodily harm to a person because for lack of a better term, they don't see things your way.
To a degree that's what it was with bin laden. For what ever the reason was, he didn't agree with America's right to freedom. At least that seems to be the story alot of people say. Perhaps it is far more deep seeded than that.
I have stated this previously in another blog about dictatorship and for me as an American and living with the freedoms that it has allowed me, some times I find myself asking why can't countrys like Pakistan, Iran, and other's have the same liberites we have. Its easy to say that when you live in a country that allows those freedoms, it is probably more difficult to live somewhere for instance like North Korea where from my understanding if you have the slightist question of authority you could be jailed for it.
It took almost 17 to 18 years to catch bin laden. He has been on the FBI 's most wanted list for more than 10 years and it wasn't easy. Even when he was found this past weekend, it was a guessing game because they really were not sure if he was there or not. Regardless, the hunch paid off and bin laden is no more.
Whether or not the world will be a safer place remains to be seen.
The sad part is and I will say this again, weather it is because of our freedoms, or laws that say here is what you can or cannot do or what ever the case may be some one somwhere is not going to like it and may try to do something. it could be in any country not just America.
I will leave you with this thought: Regardless of what it is and why terrorist do it wouldn't you want your country to be defended if necessary?
But, it happened.
Dont get me wrong, I was very saddened the morning of Tuesday, september 11th, 2001. An estimated 3000 lives were lost and for really no reason other than one man's hatred for a country he most likely had never been to.
I cannot unerstand that, I doubt anyone really can for that matter, but to have hatred for something you have either never seen or have never been to.
I have heard tons of storys of countrys that either, One: have little or no freedoms to them, for instance, North Korea where from my understanding it's leader makes his citizens obey him. Or country's that have laws that, well quite simply shouldn't be allowed. I may not agree with it but I don't hate it.
Hate is a word I think that has been taken out of content. In America some aspects of hate can be considered a crime.
You may or may not agree with someones way of life. That is not a crime, its called a disagreement. It becomes a crime when you do bodily harm to a person because for lack of a better term, they don't see things your way.
To a degree that's what it was with bin laden. For what ever the reason was, he didn't agree with America's right to freedom. At least that seems to be the story alot of people say. Perhaps it is far more deep seeded than that.
I have stated this previously in another blog about dictatorship and for me as an American and living with the freedoms that it has allowed me, some times I find myself asking why can't countrys like Pakistan, Iran, and other's have the same liberites we have. Its easy to say that when you live in a country that allows those freedoms, it is probably more difficult to live somewhere for instance like North Korea where from my understanding if you have the slightist question of authority you could be jailed for it.
It took almost 17 to 18 years to catch bin laden. He has been on the FBI 's most wanted list for more than 10 years and it wasn't easy. Even when he was found this past weekend, it was a guessing game because they really were not sure if he was there or not. Regardless, the hunch paid off and bin laden is no more.
Whether or not the world will be a safer place remains to be seen.
The sad part is and I will say this again, weather it is because of our freedoms, or laws that say here is what you can or cannot do or what ever the case may be some one somwhere is not going to like it and may try to do something. it could be in any country not just America.
I will leave you with this thought: Regardless of what it is and why terrorist do it wouldn't you want your country to be defended if necessary?
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Happy Anniversary, F.P.T.F.
I had mentioned on my Facebook page that I would not be writing a blog untill I had moved and got situated,but I started thinking and I did a little bit of looking and what I found was that today, April, 27, 2011 is the one year anniversary of my blog.
From Paper To Film is one year old today. Yay!!
I will freely admit to this, its nothing to ashamed of, but I remember last year and prior to creating the blog thinking to my self,"what have I got to write about and how important is it for people to read it?"
With some encouragement from a friend, (thanks again T.H.W.) I decided the only way for me to know if I have anything to say and if people are going to like it was to just start writing and thus, here it is one year later.
I have covered some ground with this blog. I feel I have alot more to go and a lot more on my mind and I look for ward to writing it and I pray that you , my reader's are looking forward to reading it as well.
I do, like almost everyone have my share of critics. These people have the hypothesis that I shouldn't have done this blog at all. One person even went as far as to make copys of it because she didn't like what I was writing and thought she would try to get me in trouble. Didn't work. Free speech. I win.
As you have noticed with the topics of 'FPTF' even though some have been controversial, I have never been dirty and never really used harsh language, even though I must admit I was tempted to. If you were reading some of these topics before they were posted, you probably would have gasped over what you read.
The version you did read was alot better than some one who wants to be like everyone else and drop f- bombs in certain titles. There is no excuse for it and I feel a lot better giving you the versions you have read.
So, here it is, like it or not. "From Paper To Film" is one year old and I personally would like to thank you, my reader's for the support and for giving your feedback.
I hope it will continue.
From Paper To Film is one year old today. Yay!!
I will freely admit to this, its nothing to ashamed of, but I remember last year and prior to creating the blog thinking to my self,"what have I got to write about and how important is it for people to read it?"
With some encouragement from a friend, (thanks again T.H.W.) I decided the only way for me to know if I have anything to say and if people are going to like it was to just start writing and thus, here it is one year later.
I have covered some ground with this blog. I feel I have alot more to go and a lot more on my mind and I look for ward to writing it and I pray that you , my reader's are looking forward to reading it as well.
I do, like almost everyone have my share of critics. These people have the hypothesis that I shouldn't have done this blog at all. One person even went as far as to make copys of it because she didn't like what I was writing and thought she would try to get me in trouble. Didn't work. Free speech. I win.
As you have noticed with the topics of 'FPTF' even though some have been controversial, I have never been dirty and never really used harsh language, even though I must admit I was tempted to. If you were reading some of these topics before they were posted, you probably would have gasped over what you read.
The version you did read was alot better than some one who wants to be like everyone else and drop f- bombs in certain titles. There is no excuse for it and I feel a lot better giving you the versions you have read.
So, here it is, like it or not. "From Paper To Film" is one year old and I personally would like to thank you, my reader's for the support and for giving your feedback.
I hope it will continue.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Kennedy's And The Royal Family ( Well, The Wedding Anyway)
Over the weekend I watched a miniseries based upon the Kennedy family. For those of you reading that may not know too much about the Kennedy's basically its the family of former American president, John F Kennedy. There have been many movies based upon them some of which I have not seen because frankly they didn't interest me, but this one, called " The Kennedy's" caught my eye for a couple reasons.
One, because it was supposed to be on a different network, but for what ever the reason it was too controversial for them.
Second were the actors and actress's. Great cast. I am not going to name them, but if you want to see it, I recommend getting the dvd, because the cast alone was suberb.
One of the reasons I guess I have not seen movies based upon either JFK or his family is because you don't whats real. As it happend with politics, so many storys surface about a political figure that you don't know whats real and what isn't. And I think when it comes to JFK and his assination once again you get so many stories that you don't whats real and what isn't.
I have never been one for conspiracy theories mostly because they are way too out landish. You get something that has happend in either American or world history more often than not some one is going to have a hypothesis about it and it might be so far out of no where that you have to tell them to shut up because they're simply talking out of their asse's.
Pardon the language.
I dont have an hypothesis on the JFK assination, but I will say this: It's sad that he didn't get the oppertunity of one: finishing his presidency and two: living out the rest of his life and watching both his children and grandchildren grow up.
Enough said.
The Wedding of Prince William and Cate Middleton is coming in about a week and I personally can not wait.
Till it's over and televison and just about everybody on can stop going overboard with it.
But it is television and they dont know how to leave anything alone till they bleed it dry. Personally, I find it pathedeic.Televison does not have to go to the extremes they are going to when it comes to these two. There are cable channels that are having "specials" on the wedding.
There is even a made for tv movie on how they first met in the works.
All of this is uncalled for. Now, don't me wrong, I have alot of respect for the Royal family, They have their place in both American and world history just like the Kennedy's. I just feel that they are going way too far with this whole wedding thing.
I won't be watching it.
I have always felt that a wedding ceremony should be kept a little private. Invite your family your friends and all that. But don't have it televised. Hate to break it to you but the whole world isn't interested that you're getting married. Half of the world's population don't really care about William & Cate's so they won't care about your's or mine. (when and if it happens.)
Leave your wedding private. Don't plaster it for the whole known universe to see it because it's just damn annoying.
I am going to do something I have not done in a while. I am going to give a suggestion on a film. Hope you get the chance to watch it.
The film is called "JFK" and it was directed by Accademy Award winning director Oliver Stone (Platoon) and star's Kevin Costner amongst other's. Its a great film and with out giving it away, it can get a little slow when it starts to bring up theorys of how who and why they killed him.
But, none the less, a great film.
I also recommend the Kennedy Miniseries I made reference to earlier.
Look for it on dvd. Its really good.
One, because it was supposed to be on a different network, but for what ever the reason it was too controversial for them.
Second were the actors and actress's. Great cast. I am not going to name them, but if you want to see it, I recommend getting the dvd, because the cast alone was suberb.
One of the reasons I guess I have not seen movies based upon either JFK or his family is because you don't whats real. As it happend with politics, so many storys surface about a political figure that you don't know whats real and what isn't. And I think when it comes to JFK and his assination once again you get so many stories that you don't whats real and what isn't.
I have never been one for conspiracy theories mostly because they are way too out landish. You get something that has happend in either American or world history more often than not some one is going to have a hypothesis about it and it might be so far out of no where that you have to tell them to shut up because they're simply talking out of their asse's.
Pardon the language.
I dont have an hypothesis on the JFK assination, but I will say this: It's sad that he didn't get the oppertunity of one: finishing his presidency and two: living out the rest of his life and watching both his children and grandchildren grow up.
Enough said.
The Wedding of Prince William and Cate Middleton is coming in about a week and I personally can not wait.
Till it's over and televison and just about everybody on can stop going overboard with it.
But it is television and they dont know how to leave anything alone till they bleed it dry. Personally, I find it pathedeic.Televison does not have to go to the extremes they are going to when it comes to these two. There are cable channels that are having "specials" on the wedding.
There is even a made for tv movie on how they first met in the works.
All of this is uncalled for. Now, don't me wrong, I have alot of respect for the Royal family, They have their place in both American and world history just like the Kennedy's. I just feel that they are going way too far with this whole wedding thing.
I won't be watching it.
I have always felt that a wedding ceremony should be kept a little private. Invite your family your friends and all that. But don't have it televised. Hate to break it to you but the whole world isn't interested that you're getting married. Half of the world's population don't really care about William & Cate's so they won't care about your's or mine. (when and if it happens.)
Leave your wedding private. Don't plaster it for the whole known universe to see it because it's just damn annoying.
I am going to do something I have not done in a while. I am going to give a suggestion on a film. Hope you get the chance to watch it.
The film is called "JFK" and it was directed by Accademy Award winning director Oliver Stone (Platoon) and star's Kevin Costner amongst other's. Its a great film and with out giving it away, it can get a little slow when it starts to bring up theorys of how who and why they killed him.
But, none the less, a great film.
I also recommend the Kennedy Miniseries I made reference to earlier.
Look for it on dvd. Its really good.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Another Blog.
Hello to you all. I am currently doing research on my next blog topic. I hope to be able to find all the information and to be able to write by Sunday at the lastest.
Be blessed and enjoy the rest of the week
here's a tip for you all.
Never send a monster to do the work of an evil scientist.
Be blessed and enjoy the rest of the week
here's a tip for you all.
Never send a monster to do the work of an evil scientist.
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