November 2011
2 posts
7 tags
Nittany Lions, Tigers, and Bears...
The ongoing story unfolding in State College regarding the alleged child abuses by a former coach brings some serious issues to light. Expected, many are outage at the allegations; the nature of the grand jury findings doing little to tamp down the already incendiary situation. For the most part, the outrage is warranted. While I stand opposed to the Paterno dismissal, I am not shocked that it...
3 tags
I Got 99 Problems, and the Wine is One. Hit Me.
Every time I head to the local grocery I pass through the beer aisle. Not only because it is Aisle #1, but I still cannot get passed the awesome-ness of being able to buy beer in grocery stores. I hate that about you, Pennsylvania. Each time I move through shining sea of frothy delicacies, I see a sign for $2.99, full-size bottles of wine, in your choice of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. I know what...
October 2011
1 post
3 tags
Seth Godin on Benchmarking
I was rereading a book that I had previously read a couple years ago when I came across a little nugget:
In addition to the stress it creates, benchmarking against the universe actually encourages us to be mediocre, to be average, to just do what everyone else is doing. The folks who invented the Mini (or the Hummer, for that matter) didn’t benchmark their way to the cutting edge....
July 2011
2 posts
3 tags
When Did I Become Anti-Death Penalty?
I had a weird revelation about a month ago. Without provocation or consideration, I had somehow, over time, become an opponent to the death penalty. I very rarely express my views on the matter, mainly because it rarely arises in normal conversation. Over the last few months, and mostly spawned by “the trial,” I found myself thinking about the subject and couldn’t quite seem to...
2 tags
Today, The Court System Worked
I told myself that I would leave the Casey Anthony trial alone for a while, but after hearing and watching the Twitterverse explode and my facebook feed erupt, I figured I’d chime in on a few things. I want to preface this web log by saying how lucky I am to live in a nation where presumption of innocence is the standard and where the state weighs the burden of proof. Americans often take...
May 2011
1 post
3 tags
Better Food vs. Less Food
I had an interesting conversation over dinner last night. We were comparing food regulations in the United States vs. other developed countries when it comes to commercial agriculture, farming, distribution, etc.
While I concede that the United States has under par standards, I made the argument that most developed countries don’t have the conundrum of feeding upwards of three-hundred...
January 2011
1 post
"The House by the Side of the Road"
Here’s an insightful poem I came across this evening:
The House by the Side of the Road
There are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the peace of their self-content;
There are souls, like stars, that swell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths
Where highways never ran;
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
...
December 2010
1 post
The Paradox of our Time
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but...
November 2010
4 posts
1 tag
Breaking Bad Habits
I often hear people says “if you really want to quit [insert detriment] you would.”
That’s a lie.
People who get hooked on illicit drugs or other harmful behaviors aren’t devoid of common sense. 99% of them know what they are doing is physical and/or mentally toxic, yet for reasons, either chemically or habitually, they cannot break away from it.
The solution is not...
Security vs. Privacy: The Airport Reach-a-Round
I’m laying in bed, unable to sleep, watching a debate over the intrusive behavior of the new enhance TSA screenings at airports. The issue being raised is whether Americans are willing to forego their privacy to ensure safer airways.
First, I’m not convinced any method other than profiling is truly effective. PC or not, Nuns and 7-year-old children are not blowing up airplanes,...
“It’s funny how money changed the situation. Miscommunication leads to...”
– Lauryn Hill
August 2010
1 post
2 tags
On the first page of my journal...
Last week I purchased a Moleskine notebook to begin the next installment in my line of journals, which I’ll use for lack of a better word. More accurately, it’s a scattered anthology of random, unchronicled, indiscriminate thoughts. There’s is no correlation between the first and second, second and third, or even the pages in between each. Even the physical properties of the...
June 2010
1 post
Obama Still Doesn't Get It! We Need Jobs, Not...
Nervously awaiting the USA/Nigeria [World Cup] match, I wandered into a Starbucks early this morning to grab a venti Americano and a New York Times. The front page tells the story of a Louisiana judge blocking a White House ban of deep sea drilling. The White House claims that “continuing to drill at these depths without knowing what happened does not make any sense” and that it plans...
April 2010
8 posts
2 tags
A Citizen's Guide: Part I
A few weeks ago, I discovered a 1941 copy of the American Citizens Handbook in a bucket of an antique shop. The Handbook was issued by the National Education Association and was dedicated to the 2 million young adults that were to turn eighteen years old that year. In 1968, the NEA had nearly 15,000 of these books burned.
The Handbook is a great read. It truly identifies the greatness of the...
3 tags
"You and I are America"
“You and I are America. Unless we change, America will not change. Unless we are willing to experiment boldly with the application of absolute honesty, absolute purity, absolute unselfishness, and absolute love in our lives and in our relationships and responsibilities, America, the land of the free, may lose her freedom because she no longer has the moral and spiritual values to maintain...
5 tags
Space Cowboys
Yesterday, President Obama spoke to NASA officials about his cancellation of the Constellation Program. He urged NASA to forgot about the moon and shoot for landing on asteroids and Mars. My initial reaction was of disapproval because I think it is important that we continue to be pioneers in this area, but after a little bit of thinking, I have come to the conclusion that if we start chasing...
3 tags
Quitting is Contagious
“I’m not retreating, I’m reloading.” - Sarah Palin
The act of quitting is contagious. Last month, I went for a run, which lasted for about 6 miles before I yielded to fatigue. To date, this was the longest distance that I have ever run. When I pulled up, I was only about one mile from my home. I walked the rest of the way back and even though I was stoked about running...
1 tag
Joke: The Chicken & the Egg
There’s a chicken and an egg in bed. The chicken has his head on the pillow, while smoking a cigarette. The egg rolls over, annoyed, and says “i guess we answered that question!”
3 tags
Hooray for Taxes!
Let’s face it. The newly-signed health care reform bill is not deficit neutral. The bill will cost this country a lot of money. Already the Obama administration is scrapping to find ways to fund such an ambitious venture. Starting July 1, the government will seize control of all student loans. Consequently, they will be raising the interested rates on the 19 million loans costing holders of...
3 tags
"Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better..."
America is losing its manhood. Not in a battle-of-the-sexes scenario, but this nation is losing the grit which made it great. Embroiled in political correctness and “everybody is a winner” fever, our society is consequently breeding mediocrity.
It may be true that all men were created equal, but that’s where the similarities end. After we factor in the intrinsic value of human...
1 tag
Watch
March 2010
18 posts
4 tags
“There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.”
– Niccolò Machiavelli
1 tag
No Country For Young Men
I could spend all day and night detailing the woes of the American judicial system, but I will focus on one troubling issue, that being the lack of options given to prosecutors when trying young minors accused of murder or other capital offenses. I am writing this in reaction to a recent Pittsburgh murder case where a 12-year-old boy shot and killed his father’s fiancé and has been ...
3 tags
Bullets & Bricklayers
I must say that I am encouraged by the political climate we are in right now. Some people love the direction the country is moving while others believe the nation is being taken over by the government, and now, some are taking action on their beliefs. Yesterday, as reported, several Democratic legislators’ offices had bricks thrown through their windows. Today, the GOP’s...
3 tags
I Love Joe Biden
After sticking up for Congressman Neaugebauer, it’s only fair that I stick up for Joe Biden after his most recent gaffe. While introducing Mr. Obama, the Vice-President whispered to the President, “this is a big fucking deal.” Unfortunately, Biden was louder than he thought and it went out on live television.
Of course, once picked up, commentators began criticizing him for his...
5 tags
Who You Calling A Baby Killer?!?
Look, I understand that there is supposed to be a certain decorum when it comes to Congressional hearings and such, but I like to see passion when it comes to our lawmakers. Texas Congressman Neaugebauer yelled “it’s a baby killer” in response to Bart Stupak’s cowardly reversal on Obamacare. This has cause media outrage and concern. While it may have been out of order, this...
1 tag
No Food, No Phone, No problems...
Think you could last 24 hours without technology and food? Yesterday, I set out to accomplish such a feat, for no other reason than to see if I could. March 20 is National Day of Unplugging and I thought it would be interesting to participate. Phones, television, computers, and radios were all forbidden during this Sabbath day. Food was personally added to the list just to up the ante.
Now that...
2 tags
National Day of Unplugging
March 20 is National Day of Unplugging. It is a time to disconnect from technology, connect with family, and get away from the constant buzz of the blackberry or iPhone. Usually, it begins at sundown tonight, but since I forgot about it, I will begin at midnight. I’m pretty sure I can last 24 hours without technology, but I’ve never had to, so we’ll see.
Here’s a NYT...
1 tag
"Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou
Someone sent me an email earlier today, I figured I’d pass it on:
“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just ...
4 tags
WatchDid you know that there are more than 700 frisbee golf courses in the country? I’m not really sure how many courses there are internationally (only because it would seem as though only Americans would waste land for such a ridiculous “sport”). Anyway, my brother has this new fascination with Ultimate Frisbee. He’s even on a team in college. I thought Ultimate Frisbee was...
A Crypt Through Memory Lane
This morning I was in Philadelphia for a funeral. Morticians and graveyards are the only ones who welcome death, but I’ve always felt at peace when laying the dead to rest. Funerals put life into perspective and although they are reminders of what’s been lost, they are further reminders of what still remains, life. When we observe and respect the fragility of life, most of life’s...
3 tags
Old Hickory: An Evening With Andrew Jackson
Andrew “Old Hickory” Jackson was the subject of a History International biography last night. My fascination with Andrew Jackson was spawned way back in fourth grade. As a fourth-grade student, we were only taught of Jackson’s military exploits including his thwarting of the British Army at New Orleans in 1815. I would learn of Jackson’s political legacy and his involvement in western...
Making A Difference: A Little Goes A Long Way
Most of us go through life basing our successes or failures in life on our grades, salaries, whether or not we made the varsity team, etc. Rarely do we weigh our achievements on our impact on the people around us. Do our families, friends, or co-workers’ lives benefit from our contact, or would they be better off if they never met us? Quite an interesting question to ask one?s self. My...
3 tags
Delusion vs. Reality: A Revision
While sifting through my unconscious phantasmagoria (you’d know what this meant if you were following me on twitter…http://www.twitter.com/stillz) trying to conjure up a relevant interpretation or lesson, the light bulb flickered on. Last night prior to my forty winks, I blogged about the association between delusion and reality (read it here: http://bit.ly/cWgXGe) ultimately...
“No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to...”
– Christian Bovee
side note: This quote is interesting. It is often in our escapades from reality where we find true joy. Whether playing with the dog, vacationing, or having a few drinks with the co-workers; being severed from reality, if only temporary, tends to be quite liberating.
Thomas...
“Men in general judge more by the sense of sight than by the sense of touch,...”
– Niccolo Machiavelli, a man who is so misunderstood, yet so brilliant.
4 tags
The government wasn't designed to help you.
03 November 2009. I threw on a suit and was off to the polls to vote in the midterm elections. My father always dressed up to vote and so I follow in the tradition. There is something special about election Tuesday. It could be the trees changing colors or the cool fall breeze. It might be the adrenaline rush of patriotism that rushes through my veins. I am fulfilling my civic obligation to this...
“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.”
– Tom Brokaw (via inspireyourdream)
3 tags
The World Before the Internet
Earlier tonight Phillip DeFranco (www.youtube.com/sxephil) posed this question in his webshow: “What would the world be like without the internet?” After mustering up a few clique answers, I began to think. We have no idea what the Internet actually is.
Furthermore, the internet that currently exists will inevitably evolve to the extent that what we know as the internet today will...
February 2010
8 posts
“We have such an easy time forgiving others, yet we neglect to forgive ourselves”
– Yours truly
“Realism is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity.”
– Will Smith
1 tag
The following are TED lectures I came across this morning. This first, a synopsis on “the flip side of everything,” is delivered by Derek Sivers. The second, expressed by Dan Gilbert, is a discussion on principles of synthetic happiness and how it is undervalued by “authentic” or “natural” happiness. Enjoy.
email comments to...
3 tags
A laconic remark on the Tebow Ad.
All the controversy over this so called “anti-abortion” Super Bowl ad led to one of the most anti-climatic moments in Superbowl commercial history. For 3 weeks, “women’s advocacy groups” (in quotations because they don’t protect all women, just those that are pro-choice) have been on the attack, blaming CBS for agreeing to show controversial ads during the...
Poor John
Fabio Capello, manager of the England Nation Football Team, issued a statement last week relieving John Terry of his captaincy following the news of his infidelity (full article: http://tr.im/MYT9). Terry, ironically named the UK’s “Dad of the Year” last summer, had been the English skipper since 2003. Fabio Capello certainly has proven himself as quality manager (winning four...
5 tags
Return of the Beast.
The mere inkling or rumor of a possible return to golf for Tiger Woods this month is enough to throw the golf world into pandemonium. Yesterday, an Australian newspaper reported that the beleaguered golfer was “poised to make a shock return to competitive golf” in less than two weeks at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona.
Such a buzz has gotten sports writers in a stir,...
4 tags
Political Correctness Gone Wild!!!
This monster must be stopped. Rahm Emanuel had to address members of disability groups this afternoon because of his choice of words at a closed meeting last August where he used the term “f###ing retarded.” to refer to members in his own party who were stalling the passing of health care reform. Sarah Palin and other groups called for his resignation following said remarks. SHUT UP...
5 tags
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" should just die...
Once again, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy looms in the political spectrum. President Obama vowed to repeal the almost fortnight-old policy. “This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are,” the president spoke to...
January 2010
12 posts
4 tags
Hitler reacts to the release of the iPad
I can’t get enough of these parodies:
Have a good weekend everybody:
twitter: @stillz
1 tag
Happy Birthday Lil' Jon
Being that it is Lil Jon’s birthday today, I assemble a couple of my favorite Lil Jon-esqe clips. Happy Birthday to the King of Krunk!
Lil’ John Goes to the Dentist:
Lil Jon at the airport:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUfiqhDY_8s